Latest local news, weather and high school sports for Tri-State area

Wednesday, February 06, 2013  Illinois Governor Pat Quinn called on lawmakers to raise the state's minimum wage, allow online voter registration and ban assault weapons.

Thursday, January 10, 2013  Thursday marked the first day of Illinois' general assembly.

Wednesday, January 09, 2013  A new list of to-do's for the Illinois legislature ... voting on pension reform, an assault-weapons ban and gay-marriage legislation. But they can now cross off the issue of illegal immigrants obtaining a driver's license.

Sunday, November 18, 2012  Governors in Illinois and Iowa still working out details of new healthcare exchanges.

Friday, November 09, 2012  Privately owned hospitals to get 10 million dollar annual tax break.

Sunday, June 24, 2012  Sunday, taxes on cigarettes in Illinois rose a full $1 per pack. The tax rate for cigarettes rose from $0.98 to $1.98.

Friday, June 01, 2012  Illinois lawmakers approved a tight budget into the early hours Friday morning.

Wednesday, May 30, 2012  Illinois lawmakers have approved raising cigarette taxes by one dollar a pack.

Friday, May 25, 2012  Thursday night, Illinois lawmakers put their stamp of approval on a plan to cut $1.5 billion from the state's Medicaid program.

Wednesday, May 09, 2012  Illinois nonprofits receive nearly $1.1 billion in state funding a year, and two lawmakers want them to post how the money is being spent on an online public database.

Thursday, November 03, 2011  A new report calls for a two cent per ounce tax on sugar sweetened beverages in the state.

Friday, June 10, 2011 

Monday, March 14, 2011  The future of all Pre-K programs in Illinois are up in the air these days, which could affect all of the programs in our area. Lawmakers are looking at possible cuts to the Early Childhood Block Grant to help trim the state budget. Those grant dollars help at-risk children attend pre-school.

Wednesday, December 01, 2010  Illinois lawmakers are debating whether to legalize the use of marijuana for medical purposes.

Monday, May 24, 2010  Illinois lawmakers are back in Springfield this week to make another go at passing a new budget.