Illinois Public Media News

A major energy package, automatic voter registration ---- and the state budget --- are all on the line … as state lawmakers return to the capitol this week. It’s the second half of the annual veto session.

Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro has died at age 90, according to Cuban state media, confirms NPR. Castro, who took power in the Cuban revolution in 1959, led his country for nearly 50 years. After undergoing intestinal surgery, Castro had ceded power in July 2006, to his younger brother Raul, who announced his death late Friday on Cuban state television.

One Illinois lawmaker is encouraged that Governor Bruce Rauner and his staff are part of the conversation on legislation to prevent two Illinois nuclear power plants from closing. 

Teenagers are texting while behind the wheel, despite the law prohibiting it. And that's not all they're doing. The survey from State Farm Insurancefound 80 percent of teens say they use their smartphones while driving. Along with sending text messages, they're using the phone for other purposes, including playing games.