The new package, SB397, would cost Illinois about $250 million per year and gives the companies, who have threatened to leave the state, about $100 million in combined tax relief. more ›

Quinn defended his decision Tuesday to go back on a deal struck with union representatives last year that would have protected state workers from layoffs during the current budget crisis. more ›

Illinois legislators could take a hit to their own pocket books, eventually. The Illinois House voted 85-14 yesterday to give back about 10% of their paychecks, about $6,784 from their current base salary of $67,836. Illinois Statehouse News reports the bill could save the state about $1.2 million, a small drop in a very large $13 billion deficit. more ›

State lawmakers will begin their six day veto session before the Thanksgiving recess today. The Illinois Legislature will have its hands full for the next few days, with votes scheduled for some hot ticket items. more ›

Music festivals are lots of things to lots of people: to the City, they represent quality of life and revenue draws from tourism; to music fans, they can be a great way to see many of your favorite bands all at once, while checking out new music; to some, they're like a vacation in your own town. But to activists and social movement groups, they're also an opportunity to reach out to people that might... more ›

Fake badges, football follies, and a whole lotta weed for this installment of Chicagoist's weekly celebration of stupidity: more ›

As expected, Mayor Daley once again announced a package of gun legislation he hopes state legislators will pass in their coming session that starts January 10. The basic idea behind the package is to "...give the courts the power to fine and shut down gun dealers who help customers avoid background checks; who sell them large numbers of handguns without filing the required reports; or who sell handguns to residents of cities like Chicago where they are illegal." more ›