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.
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.
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.
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).
By The Associated Press
The Illinois Senate has approved a plan that would ban the use of cell phones while driving.
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.
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.
By Alex Keefe
Some Illinois gay rights advocates say they feel betrayed by Democratic allies because same-sex couples aren’t legally recognized in an immigration bill that’s headed to the U.S. Senate.
By The Associated Press
Indiana lawmakers are returning to the Statehouse for one day next month to possibly override Republican Gov. Mike Pence's veto of a local tax measure.
By Brian Mackey
The Illinois House on Wednesday rejected an attempt to take a closer look at the field of psychiatry and its role in shaping Illinois law.
