A newspaper investigation shows that Illinois' 16 southernmost counties are hardest hit by the state's opioid epidemic.

Illinois Department of Public Health data show opioids contributed to nearly 1,200 overdose deaths in the state in 2016. Studies show the opioids' dangers stem from the length and strength of prescriptions.

There's a new player in a battle over energy policy that's playing out at the Illinois Capitol. 

The white-nose syndrome gets its name from a fungus that grows on affected bats' noses. Scientists say infected bats often show odd behavior - like taking daytime flights - when they're supposed to be hibernating. It's suspected that depletes their fat reserves, and causes the bats to become emaciated, and eventually die.