Measures in Springfield this week would bring nearly half of Chicago under the watch of speed cameras designed to catch fast drivers. A push for public safety or revenue grab at the loss of privacy? more ›

Remember that corporate tax hike and the hullabaloo that ensued? Well, things are still a bit up in the air, as Illinois lawmakers re-think their original plan. more ›

The State Legislature has been all blades to the grindstone since reconvening in Springfield. It looks like they're on the verge of passing two major changes once the Senate reconvenes next week. First, Gov. Quinn and General Assembly leaders reached a deal on an increase in the state income tax by up to 75 percent and an increase on the cigarette tax of $1 per pack. But the more historic vote was the state House's vote to abolish the death penalty. The vote comes a decade after then-Gov. George Ryan placed a moratorium on the death penalty in Illinois; 20 men on Illinois' Death Row have been exonerated. more ›

After some good old-fashioned community organizing, leaders in Chinatown have a political victory under their belt: the state legislature sent Governor Quinn a bill that once signed, will consolidate the 59 precincts in Chicago's Chinatown into one legislative district. more ›

Good Morning, Illinois. You're one step closer to recognizing civil unions for same-sex couples after the House approved of the civil union bill by a 61-52 margin. The bill now moves on to the Senate, where, barring last-minute lobbying from opponents, it's also expected to pass. more ›

With the SCOTUS likely to overturn Chicago's handgun ban, Mayor Daley gets a victory in the state legislature. more ›

Lawmakers return to the Illinois Capitol today for the fall veto session. The session, slated to last three days this week and three next, will focus on money for cash strapped college students and stronger ethics laws. more ›

State legislators approved a huge $29 billion public works program to create jobs and repair the state’s infrastructure, however roughly $500 million can be spent in legislator’s home districts on pet projects such as $50k for the Candlewick Lake Association, a gated lakefront community near Rockford with a 220-acre lake and a 9-hole golf course. The community did not ask for the money but according to Candlewick’s general manager, “We certainly will find good use for it,” he told WBBM. Other projects slated for grants include: more ›

Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan has called Illinois lawmakers back to Springfield with the apparent hopes that a vote on Gov. Blagojevich's impeachment will happen soon. The committee formed to decide whether or not impeachment should be recommended reconvenes on Tuesday and Madigan is asking legislators to be back by Wednesday for a special session that could continue through January 13. Madigan's implication is that a House vote on whether or not to impeach Blago could come as early as the end of next week. Somehow we think this is incredibly optimistic, but what do we know? We are but simple cavemen, unfrozen in your modern time... more ›

How many of you remember Aaron Patterson? He was one of the infamous "Death Row 10" who spent 13 years on Illinois' Death Row for a murder he insisted cops, led by former commander Jon Burge, framed him for? Four years ago, in his final official acts, former Governor George Ryan pardoned Patterson and three others while commuting the sentences of all other Death Row inmates to life in prison. After his release and pardon,... more ›

This one goes out to all you tree-huggers out there. more ›