Thursday, May 23 2013 4:36 PM EDT2013-05-23 20:36:47 GMT
The Obama administration has picked a private attorney and former federal prosecutor to head the U.S. attorney's office in Chicago, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin announced Thursday.
The Obama administration has picked a private attorney and former federal prosecutor to head the U.S. attorney's office in Chicago, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin announced Thursday.
Thursday, May 23 2013 2:18 PM EDT2013-05-23 18:18:06 GMT
Illinois legislation allowing public possession of concealed guns has passed the House Judiciary Committee. It was a compromise backed by Speaker Michael Madigan.
Illinois legislation allowing public possession of concealed guns has passed the House Judiciary Committee. It was a compromise backed by Speaker Michael Madigan.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:45 PM EDT2013-05-22 22:45:07 GMT
Illinois public schools that teach sex education will have to include information about contraception and sexually transmitted diseases instead of a curriculum focused on abstinence.
Illinois public schools that teach sex education will have to include information about contraception and sexually transmitted diseases instead of a curriculum focused on abstinence.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:53 AM EDT2013-05-22 12:53:15 GMT
Illinois' congressional delegation has asked President Obama to add 16 Illinois counties to the list of those eligible to receive disaster aid after last month's flooding.
Illinois' congressional delegation has asked President Obama to add 16 Illinois counties to the list of those eligible to receive disaster aid after last month's flooding.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:55 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:55:34 GMT
As the country looks at the relief efforts in Oklahoma, Illinois is training for the same kind of disaster. The Illinois National Guard prepares every year for disaster events.
As the country looks at the relief efforts in Oklahoma, Illinois is training for the same kind of disaster. The Illinois National Guard prepares every year for disaster events.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:40 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:40:45 GMT
Things are going to be very busy at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport this weekend. Many travelers will also hit the roads for Memorial Day, and they'll pay the price at the pump.
Things are going to be very busy at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport this weekend. Many travelers will also hit the roads for Memorial Day, and they'll pay the price at the pump.
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:32 PM EDT2013-05-24 00:32:17 GMT
A couple accused of murdering a 1-month-old boy and allegedly dumping the body in the Des Plaines River pleaded not guilty to the crime during a Thursday court hearing in Maywood.
A couple accused of murdering a 1-month-old boy and allegedly dumping the body in the Des Plaines River pleaded not guilty to the crime during a Thursday court hearing in Maywood.
Thursday, May 23 2013 5:21 PM EDT2013-05-23 21:21:08 GMT
The Senate has approved a plan that would ban the use of cell phones while driving.
The Senate has approved a plan that would ban the use of cell phones while driving.
The state of Illinois has raised the income tax, and yet the pile of unpaid bills seems to be growing. FOX Chicago's Mike Flannery sat down with Governor Quinn to ask him why that was.
"It's not getting higher. I inherited a $10 billion deficit when I became governor." Quinn said.
Quinn conceded, though, that big lenders are losing patience with Illinois. Wall St. Bond agencies are threatening to downgrade the state's credit rating by two notches, a move making it far more expensive to borrow.
Gov. Quinn: If we get down rated by one or two notches, that will cause great harm to our ability.
Flannery: Almost in junk bond status? Gov. Quinn: It'll hurt -- It won't be there. But it'll be very difficult for our state to continue to fix the roads, build rail systems and water systems and new schools that we must have to have a strong economy.
That's why Quinn called on the General Assembly to enact his proposed reforms of Medicaid and public employee retirements. They now consume 39 percent of every tax dollar, squeezing out money that used to go for other priorities.
Gov. Quinn: Our state budget today for operations is lower, in the coming fiscal year that we're proposing is lower than it was in 2008. You know, 2013 is going to be lower than 2008. We're making billions and billions of dollars of cuts.
Quinn called on Topinka and other officers to match his nine percent cut in the governor's office budget.
Quinn has also proposed raising the tax on cigarettes across Illinois, to generate more than $3 million per year for Medicaid.
There would be an additional $1 per pack tax increase on cigarettes, bringing the tax on cigarettes alone to $1.98 per pack.
Critics say that could drive businesses out of the state, and to border states where the cost of cigarettes is lower.
Good Day Chicago asked viewers to make the call: Do you like a tax on cigarettes to help fund the Medicaid program? If you smoke, would you rather quit, than pay the tax?
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