Kerry Lester –

Illinois legislators skeptical about new pension deal this spring

May 21, 2019 at 5:25 p.m.

Illinois lawmakers expressed skepticism Wednesday that they'll be able to pass a new pension reform bill this spring, despite pressure from Gov. Bruce Rauner and major credit rating agencies to...

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel succeeded Thursday in getting legislation passed to bolster Chicago's legal battle to use public parkland as potential sites for Barack Obama's presidential library and George Lucas' proposed museum .

Legislators fast-track OKs for Obama, Lucas museums

May 21, 2019 at 5:18 p.m.

Legislators fast-track OKs for Obama, Lucas museums With fast-track votes, Illinois lawmakers pushed through legislation Thursday to ensure that Chicago can use public parkland as a potential site for President...

The Illinois State Board of Education has hired Anthony Smith, former head of the Oakland, Calif., school district, as state school superintendent. He starts May 1 at a $225,000 salary.

New school superintendent for Illinois

May 21, 2019 at 5:15 p.m.

The Illinois State Board of Education moved unanimously Wednesday to make a leadership change, replacing one of the nation's longest-serving school superintendents with a former professional football player who spent...

The Lincoln Monument Association is rejecting criticism in the current edition of National Geographic magazine regarding the appearance of Abraham Lincoln's tomb at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield.

Caretakers of Lincoln’s tomb face setbacks

May 21, 2019 at 5:15 p.m.

Caretakers of Abraham Lincoln's tomb are on the defensive over an unflattering critique in National Geographic magazine and looming budget cuts that could threaten management of the historic site, even...

Senate passes budget deal to close $1.6B deficit

May 21, 2019 at 5:07 p.m.

In an early major test of Illinois' newly divided government, the Senate passed a compromise plan Thursday to plug a $1.6 billion hole in this year's budget and avert shutdowns...

Legislature moves to resolve budget deficit

May 21, 2019 at 5:07 p.m.

Illinois lawmakers moved Monday to plug a gaping $1.6 billion hole in this year's state budget after weeks of tense negotiations between a Republican governor and Democratic-led Legislature over authority...

University presidents fight deep funding cuts

May 21, 2019 at 5:02 p.m.

Presidents of three state public universities told lawmakers Thursday that GOP Gov. Bruce Rauner's proposal to cut higher education funding by nearly $400 million would lead to significant setbacks at...

House committee studying Illinois’ school funding

August 18, 2019 at 6:54 p.m.

With the state's dire budget situation serving as an impetus, a bipartisan panel of House members Wednesday took up work begun by Democrats last summer to replace Illinois' school funding...

On Wednesday, Gov. Bruce Rauner will lay out his plan to confront an unprecedented fiscal crisis exacerbated by the recent expiration of the state's temporary income tax increase.

Rauner grapples with this year, next year’s budget problems

May 23, 2019 at 10:36 p.m.

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner will lay out his plan on Wednesday to confront an unprecedented fiscal crisis exacerbated by the recent expiration of the state's temporary income tax...

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