Senate Passes Ban On Handheld Cell Phones While Driving
The proposal says drivers must use hands-free devices or speakerphone features.
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The proposal says drivers must use hands-free devices or speakerphone features.
A concealed-carry gun deal brokered by House Speaker Michael Madigan cleared a House committee Thursday, but its prospects were unclear across the Capitol in the Senate because of the way it would curb existing local gun laws.
The Illinois Senate has passed a measure that would require parents to send their kids to school before their 7th birthday, in a vote that broke down along party lines.
By a vote of 12-3, the Senate Executive Committee banned the future sale and distribution of so-called high capacity ammunition clips – magazines that hold more than 10 bullets.
Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn must decide if he will sign a measure allowing the use of marijuana for medical purposes after the state Senate approved legislation on Friday.
About 200 ministers and others gathered in the south suburbs on Tuesday, day calling on the Illinois House to say "no" to legislation to legalize same-sex marriages.
The state's top transportation official would like to slow momentum for a move to increase the top speed limit in Illinois.
The Illinois Senate voted Thursday to send a union-supported pension reform bill to the House, leaving lawmakers with two competing proposals for dealing with the nation's worst state pension problem just weeks before the Legislature is scheduled to adjourn.
The Illinois Senate voted Thursday to send a union-supported pension reform bill to the House, leaving lawmakers with two competing proposals for dealing with the nation's worst state pension crisis just weeks before the Legislature is scheduled to adjourn.
Leading Illinois law enforcement organizations stepped up their opposition Wednesday to legalizing marijuana for medicinal use, warning Gov. Pat Quinn in a letter about lax motorist safeguards on a day a committee moved the measure to the Senate floor.
If the state protects consumers who unknowingly buy "lemon" cars, why shouldn't the same safeguards exist when putting down big money on Fido, Murph or Fluffy at a pet store? State lawmakers took a serious look at that question Wednesday.
A refined plan to add more casinos and slot machines in Illinois -- clarified to quell concerns over who would control a Chicago casino -- was approved by the Illinois Senate on Wednesday, a proposal supporters believe is their best chance yet to expand gambling in the state.
Illinois Senate legislation touted as a compromise between Chicagoans weary of street violence and gun owners eager to legally carry concealed weapons elsewhere appears more restrictive than promised, according to a copy obtained by The Associated Press. It will be redrafted before it's even filed, a spokeswoman said Monday.
Sen. President John Cullerton, D-Chicago, plans to strip language that would legalize Internet gambling from the bill, after it had become clear that the governor and some legislators who supported previous gambling bills had concerns that could derail passage of the larger package.
Anyone convicted of using social media to plan or incite a mob attack could face tougher punishment under legislation approved by the Illinois Senate.
A group of about 50 teachers, parents and students from the Chicago Public Schools boarded a bus to Springfield Tuesday morning, to make their voices heard about school closings.
An Illinois state senator wants to allow the city of Chicago to boot and sell cars belonging to people who owe the city money on a court judgment.
The Illinois Senate has voted to approve legislation legalizing same-sex marriages in Illinois.
An Illinois Senate committee has approved legalizing gay marriage for the second time in a month.
Bills on same-sex marriage and an assault weapons ban didn't come up for a Senate vote on Thursday.
An Illinois Senate vote to ban semi-automatic assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition clips has been delayed, because supporters have yet to line up enough votes to pass the two measures.
After two days of snags in moving the issue, Sen. Heather Steans finally won committee approval by an 8-5 vote Thursday evening, sending the measure next to the floor.
An Illinois Senate committee, in a party-line vote, has approved restrictions on semiautomatic assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition clips.
A push to legalize same-sex marriages in Illinois hit a slight snag on Wednesday, but supporters sounded confident the measure would move forward on Thursday.
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.
