For another perspective on Gov. JB Pritzker's State of the State, we were joined by the Illinois Senate Minority Leader, a Republican who is critical of Pritzker's policies.

llinois has more than 850 school districts, and most of those stop at 8th grade, or serve only high school students. State Sen. Dan McConchie (R-Lake Zurich), has proposed legislation that would give such districts three years to merge to become “unit” districts — the kind that serve all grades.

Illinois is one step closer to having a $15 minimum wage, after the state Senate approved the legislation by a 39-18 vote Thursday.

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner says he tried to get out of his failed re-election campaign.