While Illinois hardly has a sun-dappled image, the General Assembly could make the state into an city solar powerhouse by helping East St. Louis eclipse Chicago as home to the world's biggest urban solar farm. more ›

The tragic epidemic of Chicago Public School students being killed continues. Percy Rounds (pictured), 15, was killed by gunfire just after 10 p.m. last night in the 100 block of West 116th Street. Two unknown men emerged from a nearby gangway, approached Rounds and an unnamed friend, and opened fire, striking Rounds in the head. He was pronounced dead at the Stein Institute a few hours later. The other teen, 17, was struck in thigh and was last reported in good condition at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn. Rounds was to begin his freshman year at Hyde Park Career Academy High School in the fall. more ›