The Illinois House has approved a plan to raise Illinois’ minimum wage to $15 an hour. But it faces an uphill climb to become law.

Illinois legislators are hoping to boost immigrant protections in response to President Donald Trump's executive orders, a move advocates say would essentially give the state "sanctuary" status. One proposal says schools, medical facilities and places of worship could bar access to federal immigration authorities or law enforcement working on their behalf.  A second proposal would limit cooperation between police and immigration authorities.

Half-a-dozen Democratic state representatives have sued the Illinois comptroller for holding up their paychecks during the state budget mess. On her last day in office, Republican Comptroller Leslie Munger called the legislators "cowards." Democrat Susanna Mendoza takes over Monday and has pledged to continue withholding paychecks.