Gov. JB Pritzker speaks to reporters in Chicago Tuesday. [Blue Room Steam]

Illinois’ unemployment insurance trust fund deficit is now a little lighter as stakeholders continue to work out an agreement to pay down the remaining balance before a Jan. 1 deadline.

Alison Shih from Every Town for Gun Safety, left, and Ed Sullivan from the State Rifle Association, right, speak during the House Public Safety and Violence Prevention Task Force Thursday. [Blue Room Stream] 

As advocates call on Illinois lawmakers to tighten up the state’s gun laws following a mass shooting in Highland Park and an ongoing problem with gun violence in Chicago and other cities, opponents of gun regulations argue putting more restrictions on firearms and gun owners will not improve public safety.

From left to right, U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, Gov. JB Pritzker, and Director General Johnson Chiang of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Chicago sign letters of intent Friday. [Gov. JB Pritzker/Facebook]

Illinois and Taiwan are partnering for a second multi-billion-dollar trade agreement for the state to export corn and soybeans to the Pacific island nation in a move officials praised as an agreement that will greatly benefit both Taiwan and Illinois.

The Illinois Supreme Court deliberates in Noland v. Mendoza in May. [Illinois Supreme Court]

A pair of former state lawmakers who hoped to claw back lost wages from a pay freeze will not be getting back pay, the Illinois Supreme Court announced in a decision released Thursday.

Sen. Michael Hastings (D-Frankfurt), left, and Sen. Emil Jones III (D-Chicago), right, are both facing calls to resign.

Pressure is mounting for two Illinois Senators accused of misconduct to give up their positions as lawmakers after Gov. JB Pritzker issued a statement Thursday morning calling on Sens. Emil Jones III (D-Chicago) and Michael Hastings (D-Frankfurt) to resign.

Paddock Publications, the parent company of the Daily Herald, will no longer allow political publications published by radio host Dan Proft to use Paddock’s mailing permit after Gov. JB Pritzker’s campaign announced they would not participate in a Daily Herald. And House Republicans introduced a bill to crack down on fentanyl trafficking to oppose a separate bill Democrats passed last year.

Gov. JB Pritzker, left speaks at an endorsement event in Chicago Wednesday, and Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) speaks at a restaurant in Crystal Lake Wednesday. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]

Another indictment of an Illinois lawmaker hangs over the election season after federal investigators Tuesday slapped Sen. Emil Jones III (D-Chicago) with charges of bribery and lying to the FBI.

Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia), middle, greats McHenry County Clerk Joe Tirio, left, outside Around the Clock restaurant in Crystal Lake Wednesday. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line] 

Wherever Republican nominee for governor Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) goes, he’s talking about crime. That was no different Wednesday on day three of Bailey’s bus tour around the state as he made stops in the suburbs.

Attorney General Kwame Raoul speaks at a news conference at Bright Star Church in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood Tuesday. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line] 

As crime remains a top issue this campaign season, Attorney General Kwame Raoul is touting his record on crime despite facing attacks from his Republican opponent Tom DeVore.

Sen. Emil Jones III (D-Chicago). [Illinois Senate Democrats]

Veteran Sen. Emil Jones III (D-Chicago) is the latest state lawmaker to be charged in a red-light camera scheme federal  prosecutors announced Tuesday.