Struggling due to a lack of state funding, Chicago State University says it will eliminate spring break this year, to ensure its students finish the semester before the school runs out of money and is forced to close.

Brad Halbrook is the only one of the three candidates vying to succeed Adam Brown in the 102nd House District with prior legislative experience.  The small business owner from Shelbyville won a 2012 primary, was appointed to the seat early, then won a term that fall, leaving office in January 2015.

Peterson is one of three Republicans vying to succeed Adam Brown in Illinois' largely rural 102nd District House Race.  A farmer, construction firm manager, and Edgar County Republican Party chair, Peterson has Brown's endorsement in the March 15 primary.  No Democrats have filed to run for the seat.

In an address before the Illinois legislature Wednesday, President Barack Obama told lawmakers that people around the country are turned off by the current "poisonous political climate'' in the U.S.  He also reminisced about his days in the Illinois legislature and his first lessons in politics.

Chicago State University trustees have declared a financial emergency that could lead to some big cuts during the current school year.