Illinois House Approves Guns Plan Opposed by Governor
By The Associated Press
The Illinois House has approved a plan to allow qualified gun owners to carry their weapons in public.
Illinois Public Media News
No Pension Cuts for Illinois Judges
By Amanda Vinicky
Two major pension packages in the Illinois legislature are designed to rein in retirement costs by cutting current and retired government workers’ benefits, but one group being left out of both deals is judges.
Obama to Limit Drone Strikes, Renew Effort to Close Guantanamo
By Scott Neuman
President Obama on Thursday unveiled a major pivot in White House counter-terrorism policy, calling for a limiting of CIA drones strikes and a shift toward capturing rather than killing terrorist suspects.
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Openly Gay Boys
By The Associated Press
The Boy Scouts of America's National Council has voted to ease a long-standing ban and allow openly gay boys to be accepted as Scouts.
Categories:
Gay and Lesbian Issues
Pritzker Faces Few Tough Questions at Senate Hearing
By Lauren Chooljian, with additional reporting from The Associated Press
Chicago businesswoman and current Commerce secretary nominee Penny Pritzker faced few tough questions at her Senate hearing Thursday.
Categories:
Government,
Politics
Former Federal Prosecutor Named to U.S. Attorney’s Office
By The Associated Press
The Obama administration has named a private attorney and former federal prosecutor to head the U.S. attorney's office in Chicago.
Categories:
Government,
Law
Illinois Senate Approves Health-Coverage Exchange Plan
By The Associated Press
The Illinois Senate has approved a measure that would create a state-governed "insurance exchange'' so individuals and small businesses can shop for health care coverage as required by President Obama's health law.
Lawmakers voted Thursday 37-19 to send the House a bill establishing the Illinois Health Insurance Marketplace.
The exchange will guide people through the purchase of health and dental plans. It will also help qualified businesses enroll employees in health insurance plans.
The Affordable Care Act requires that nearly all Americans have health insurance beginning in 2014 or pay a penalty. New marketplaces are scheduled to be operating by October.
Illinois will begin an exchange this year through a federal partnership. Gov. Pat Quinn hopes to establish a state-run marketplace for 2015.
In east central Illinois, the vote was along party lines with 'no' votes from Sens. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington), Bill Brady (R-Bloomington), Dale Righter (R-Mattoon), and Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet). 'Yes' votes came from Sens. Mike Frerichs (D-Champaign) and Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill).
Ill. Senate Approves Ban on Cell Phones While Driving
By The Associated Press
The Illinois Senate has approved a plan that would ban the use of cell phones while driving.
Categories:
Government,
Transportation
Losers in Chicago School Closings Target Elected Officials
By Cheryl Corley
A day after school officials approved shutting down 50 schools, the Chicago Teachers Union and community activists say they'll hold a voter registration and education campaign.
House Guns Bill Passes Committee; Quinn Disapproves
By Chris Slaby, with additional reporting from The Associated Press
A measure that would allow Illinois residents to carry concealed firearms is heading to the House floor after lawmakers approved it in committee on Thursday. But Gov. Pat Quinn opposes the plan.
Categories:
Government