Governor Bruce Rauner defended his amendatory veto of the Illinois Secure Choice retirement savings plan, during a visit to the University of Illinois to sign legislation on Thursday.

Illinois will soon mint commemorative coins to mark the state’s 200th birthday. They're the latest in a string of products the state is offering to mark its bicentennial year.

It’s been more than three years since then-Governor Pat Quinn signed legislation creating the Secure Choice program. But the retirement savings program for workers whose employers don’t offer one is finally becoming a reality.

Illinois Treasurer Mike Frerichs has announced a new $500-million program that will help farmers, homeowners and employees in rural parts of the state get access to low-interest loans. He says the program will create wealth and jobs in rural areas, which will ultimately bring money back to the state in the form of taxes.

State Treasurer Mike Frerichs is endorsing venture capitalist J.B. Pritzker for governor. The two went to Frerichs’ home turf of Champaign-Urbana to make the announcement on Wednesday.