CHICAGO — Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed sweeping protections for abortion on Wednesday in a new law that establishes access to the procedure as a "fundamental right" for women.

Members of the American Medical Association voted this week to support state policies that would allow minors to override their parent's objections to vaccinations.

SPRINGFIELD — Funding for nursing homes serving the state’s most vulnerable elderly populations will increase by $240 million next fiscal year as part of the state’s recently-passed budget.

SPRINGFIELD – Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a new, $40.1 billion state budget bill into law Wednesday, along with bills to fund a long-range capital improvements plan and a bill that would establish a new, multi-bracket income tax structure in Illinois, provided voters approve a constitutional a…

VEEDERSBURG, Ind. — A simple traffic violation led to a foot pursuit and drug arrest Friday in Veedersburg.

BY DAVE TAYLOR

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois’ dioceses have condemned the General Assembly’s passage of an abortion repeal-and-replace measure headed for the governor’s desk.

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois House passed a bill backed by the state’s attorney general Thursday that would enact greater regulation of alternative retail energy suppliers, many of which go door-to-door using “deceptive practices” to lock consumers into contracts that ultimately lead to higher…

SPRINGFIELD – A pair of bills aiming to address the state’s teacher shortage passed the Illinois Senate on Thursday.

SPRINGFIELD – A bill aiming to ensure safe closure of toxic coal ash pits and financial protections for taxpayers should the pits cause environmental disaster is on its way to the governor.

SPRINGFIELD – Members of the clergy in Illinois would be legally required to report cases of physical abuse or neglect against children, and they would face possible criminal charges for failing to do so, under a bill that cleared the Illinois House on Sunday.

SPRINGFIELD — Legislation that would overhaul Illinois’ abortion statute was fiercely debated for the first time by a panel of lawmakers Sunday, with six days to go before the scheduled end of session.

SPRINGFIELD — A group of Republican lawmakers on Thursday urged the Senate to take up a bill that increases the penalties for attacks on state social workers employed by the Department of Children and Family Services.

SPRINGFIELD – House Republicans on Wednesday repeated their opposition to a graduated income tax amendment touted by Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

SPRINGFIELD — Lawmakers and supporters of a bill that would strengthen the Firearm Owners Identification card system chanted “Fix the FOID” in front of the statue of Abraham Lincoln outside the Capitol on Wednesday.

SPRINGFIELD — Lawmakers and advocates praised Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker for allocating funds for affordable housing in his proposed capital plan, but said Tuesday his proposal is not nearly enough to properly address the infrastructure need that exists in Illinois.

SPRINGFIELD - Illinois State Police Lt. Col. David Byrd was the on-call supervisor the night Chicago Fire Department Lt. Scott Gillen was struck and killed while assisting a crash scene in 2000.

SPRINGFIELD – A report from one of the nation’s leading credit rating agencies says Illinois and New Jersey are the two states least-equipped to handle another recession.

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. — Vigo County voters likely will vote on a casino referendum in the fall.

SPRINGFIELD – A test required for teacher licensing that many argue has contributed to the state’s teacher shortage might soon be suspended.

SPRINGFIELD – With only two weeks remaining in the 2019 regular session, Democrats in the Illinois House say they are close to securing the 71 votes needed to pass one of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s top priorities, a constitutional amendment to overhaul the state’s income tax system.

SPRINGFIELD – Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara said lawmakers have to move quickly before the city’s chances to build a casino are “virtually eliminated” by a northern rival.

SPRINGFIELD — Trauma experienced as a child can reduce life expectancy by 20 years.

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois's child welfare agency reviewed all 1,100 of its ongoing abuse and neglect cases as part of a stepped-up effort to right a department that's facing criticism for failing to prevent the deaths of three children under its watch since January, the governor announced Wednesday.

INDIANAPOLIS — As a good Eagle Scout, Richard G. Lugar was thrifty.

SPRINGFIELD – Gov. J.B. Pritzker and several public health advocates outlined an ambitious plan Tuesday to halt the spread of HIV in Illinois by 2030.

SPRINGFIELD — Details of a bill to legalize adult recreational marijuana were not released in the General Assembly this past week despite earlier assurances, but one of the initiative’s primary sponsors said they will be forthcoming “very soon.”

SPRINGFIELD — Advocates from various energy sectors agree that the Illinois Legislature will likely define a radical new energy future with the legislation it does or does not pass this month, but what that future looks like is up for debate.

SPRINGFIELD — Anti-smoking advocates with the American Cancer Society want Illinois lawmakers to hike the tax on a pack of cigarettes by $1.

SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois Senate began a lengthy process Wednesday to overhaul the state's income-tax structure by approving language for a constitutional amendment to establish a graduated income tax that hits the wealthy at a steeper rate.

SPRINGFIELD – Two years after passing a significant bail bond reform law, some Illinois lawmakers are now considering doing away with cash bail altogether.