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Illinois lawmakers from both parties celebrated a possible breakthrough Thursday in their struggle to solve the multibillion-dollar pension crisis after voting to reduce and delay cost-of-living increases in state employees' retirement pay — a step the House Republican leader heralded as "the meat and potatoes of pension reform."
A day after Gov. Pat Quinn upbraided lawmakers for inaction on the state's multibillion-dollar pension mess, House members found a proposal they could get behind, backing a measure to limit the salary on which a public employee's retirement benefits could be based.
The firestorm over concealed weapons moved to the Illinois House floor Tuesday, sparking Republican complaints that an extraordinary legislative process set up by majority Democrats would restrict the right to carry guns in public rather than allow it, as a federal court has ordered.
An Illinois House committee narrowly endorsed legislation to legalize gay marriage Tuesday, setting up a showdown on the House floor that could come in a matter of weeks.
The meeting comes on the heels of a legal victory for gun rights supporters who want the state to lift its ban on concealed carry of handguns.
In Springfield Tuesday afternoon, the first step was taken toward allowing gun owners to carry concealed weapons on the streets of Illinois.
The House sponsor of legislation to legalize same-sex marriage in Illinois said the measure could get a vote "very soon," after the new General Assembly was sworn in this week.
Illinois lawmakers abruptly adjourned a lame-duck legislative session Tuesday without agreement on how to fix the nation's most dire pension crisis, declining even to vote on the governor's last-ditch effort to let an independent commission sort out the $96 billion mess.
A breakthrough measure to address Illinois' $96 billion pension crisis progressed Monday in the Illinois House, but odds of a final deal before this week's deadline grew slimmer as lawmakers left the Capitol without taking a floor vote.
A proposal to issue driver's licenses to illegal immigrants received House committee approval Monday, despite concerns by both Democrats and Republicans whether it goes far enough to prevent fraud.
It's a hot button issue: should undocumented immigrants be allowed to get driver's licenses? Even leaders in Chicago's Latino community are divided on a measure that would grant undocumented immigrants temporary licenses.
An Illinois House committee has endorsed a plan to give the Chicago Public Schools four more months to decide where to make cuts in the number of schools the system operates.
Illinois lawmakers have given preliminary approval to a plan to hold the special election for former Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr.'s House seat on April 9.
Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White said Saturday he hopes state lawmakers find a way to oust Derrick Smith from the Illinois House again, after he was re-elected despite being ousted by his colleagues over his bribery indictment.
Gov. Pat Quinn said Friday he disagrees that the new veto-proof majorities for Democrats in the Illinois House and Senate next year will reduce his own authority.
A Republican state lawmaker says he can't believe Derrick Smith was able to win back his seat in the Illinois House, even though he's been indicted for bribery, and he wants his colleagues in the legislature to find a way to expel Smith from the House a second time.
A local political expert said Wednesday that Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan's remap of the state's voting districts proved to be very successful for the Democrats.
Despite having been indicted for allegedly taking a $7,000 bribe, and having been booted out of the Illinois House, former state Rep. Derrick Smith has won his seat back in the General Assembly.
Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White says, if he knew then what he knows now, he would never have supported indicted former State Rep. Derrick Smith, and there would be no controversy about the fate of Smith's former House seat.
Illinois State Sen. Kwame Raoul (D-Chicago) says he will do everything he can to prevent Rep. Derrick Smith from being reelected.
The Illinois House has a new member.
Chicago policeman Eddie Winters will serve out Derrick Smith's term in the Illinois House.
Just follow the money, GOP state chairman Pat Brady tells CBS 2 Chief Correspondent Jay Levine.
The Illinois House of Representatives has voted to expel state Rep. Derrick Smith (D-Chicago).
Gov. Pat Quinn has called for a special session of the Illinois General Assembly next month in an effort to finally reach a consensus on pension reform.
Haze from Canadian wildfire smoke that has settled in Chicago on Thursday is directly connected to climate change, according to experts, who said days like this could be more problematic moving forward.
Adjusting to permanent daylight saving time would cause significant disruptions to schedules and operations, an airline trade group said.
A family of five from Spain, including three children, and the pilot died in the April 2025 crash.
Police are warning residents after a child luring incident was reported in Jefferson Park last week.
One climatologist said "a perfect storm" of climate extremes primed the western U.S. for one of its worst fire seasons in a decade. Meanwhile, Canadian wildfire smoke fills the air.
Mayor Brandon Johnson has yet to announce if he'll seek re-election next year, but a new poll reveals he faces a tough road ahead if he does run for another term.
Chicago Public Schools officials on Wednesday announced plans to lay off hundreds of teachers and other staff and impose five furlough days to help close a $732 million deficit for next school year.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche testified Wednesday before the Senate Judiciary Committee for his confirmation hearing to lead the Justice Department in a permanent capacity.
The Wisconsin Elections Commission found billionaire Elon Musk may have violated the state's election bribery law by offering $1 million checks to voters during an election last year.
The measure also allows states to opt out if they take action before the federal law is enacted.
Chicago remained the most bed bug-treated city in the country, according to Orkin's latest annual rankings covering a full year of residential and commercial treatment data.
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul this week warned residents cleaning up from last month's storms to be on the lookout for scams.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker on Thursday signed several new consumer protections into law, including a ban on junk fees.
CBS News Chicago has learned that Illinois home insurance premiums are not only higher than the nation's average, but going up faster too.
As an alternative to legalizing video gambling terminals citywide, Bally's offered to open slot machine lounges at O'Hare and Midway, saying the move would replace the $6.8 million the city budgeted from VGTs.
Chicago just barely made the top 20 in the American College of Sports Medicine's 2026 ranking of the country's fittest cities.
In a major turnaround in the opioid crisis, overdose deaths are falling across Chicago and Cook County.
The north Chicago suburb of Glenview became the latest Illinois municipality this week to confirm mosquitoes testing positive for the West Nile virus this year.
Environmental and community groups are suing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for failing to act on a petition challenging U.S. Steel Gary Works operating permit renewal.
In the four years since Roe v. Wade was overturned and Illinois became a destination for abortion care, Illinois providers and advocates have rebuilt the state's infrastructure to support the tens of thousands of people who travel to the state for abortion services every year.
Illinois American Water and Aqua Illinois are both seeking rate increases that would raise monthly bills by as much as $28, while their parent companies seek regulatory approval to merge — a deal a consumer watchdog says would give one company control of nearly all regulated water customers in the state.
The Federal Trade Commission and attorneys general from several states secured a right-to-repair settlement Wednesday with agriculture equipment giant Deere & Co. — commonly known as John Deere — that requires the company to let farmers and independent shops fix their own equipment.
Chicago Soul Café opened Monday at 6248 S. St. Lawrence Ave.
The Chicago Bears this weekend said they are assessing land at Wolf Lake Terminals in Hammond, Indiana, for a possible new stadium.
As an alternative to legalizing video gambling terminals citywide, Bally's offered to open slot machine lounges at O'Hare and Midway, saying the move would replace the $6.8 million the city budgeted from VGTs.
The actor's agent said he was providing more information following news reports "which contain inaccuracies and outright falsehoods."
New Zealand actor Sam Neill, known for "Jurassic Park" and "The Piano," died Monday at 78, his family says.
The 46th Taste of Chicago is cashless for the first time, accepting only credit cards, with a drone and fireworks show scheduled for approximately 9:15 p.m. Friday near Buckingham Fountain.
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra's summer home in Highland Park reopened after a $70 million gut renovation that redesigned the stage to reduce sound levels harmful to musicians.
Bonnie Tyler, the Welsh pop star best known for singing the chart-topping power ballad "Total Eclipse of the Heart" in 1983, has died. She was 75.
The acting secretary of the U.S. Navy said the Blue Angels, who conducted a low flyover at a beach in Florida, won't be reprimanded or fired after a flight debrief was completed.
Residents of West Hollywood woke up to find a massive water main break had turned their roads into river, flooded their yards and bus lots, and opened a sinkhole.
Police are warning residents after a child luring incident was reported in Jefferson Park last week.
The haze has been hazardous in Chicago all day but air quality was even worse and the smoke thicker in the north suburbs like Waukegan.
Haze from Canadian wildfire smoke that has settled in Chicago on Thursday is directly connected to climate change, according to experts, who said days like this could be more problematic moving forward.
Chicago officials closed all beaches and outdoor pools and canceled outdoor events as the air quality became hazardous midday.
Haze from Canadian wildfire smoke that has settled in Chicago on Thursday is directly connected to climate change, according to experts, who said days like this could be more problematic moving forward.
Adjusting to permanent daylight saving time would cause significant disruptions to schedules and operations, an airline trade group said.
A family of five from Spain, including three children, and the pilot died in the April 2025 crash.
Health professionals at Rush Medical Center say Thursday's air quality is expected to be unhealthy for everyone, as the particles from the wildfires will be high and dense.
Haze from Canadian wildfire smoke that has settled in Chicago on Thursday is directly connected to climate change, according to experts, who said days like this could be more problematic moving forward.
A pair of jewelry importers have been charged in federal court in Chicago with smuggling millions of dollars in gold jewelry into the U.S. to avoid taxes, schemes uncovered by a federal task force that has surpassed $1 billion in recoveries and penalties over the past year.
Chicago is bracing for another heat wave, less than two weeks after the last one. This time, the heat comes with air quality concerns.
The university released what it's called a strategy statement about the impact it's already seeing artificial intelligence make on higher education and the legal profession.
New Cook County State's Attorney Eileen O'Neill Burke is fighting innocence claims more often than her predecessor, Kim Foxx, and hiring outside counsel to help.
Azura Stevens scored 18 of her 20 points in the first half, Sydney Taylor added 17 points, and the Chicago Sky beat the Seattle Storm 95-90 on Wednesday.
Dylan Cease struck out the side in the first inning, combining with 10 relievers on a three-hitter in a show of pitching dominance that led the American League to a 4-0 win over the National League in the All-Star Game.
The Cliburns are one of 10 sets of twins in MLB history to reach the major leagues.
Paige Bueckers had 22 points and 11 assists, Jessica Shepard added 19 points and 10 rebounds, and the Dallas Wings beat the Chicago Sky 96-91.
Chicago (50-45) swept the three-game series by outscoring the A's 24-2 after getting swept in three games against Boston.
A judge could decide Wednesday if a man accused of shooting and killing Chicago police Officer John Bartholomew and critically wounding his partner is fit to represent himself at trial.
A woman was arrested in Round Lake Beach, Illinois, Tuesday and charged with the death of her newborn child nearly 25 years ago.
Burglars smashed into a gas station minimart in the south Chicago suburb of Calumet City, Illinois, early Monday.
Armed robbers held up a restaurant in Chicago's Roseland community early Monday morning, police said.
Burglars tried unsuccessfully to take an ATM from a store in Chicago's West Town community early Monday, police said.
