Gov. JB Pritzker signed two laws in the last year limiting contributions in judicial races.  

A pair of new state laws that aim to crackdown on “dark money” contributions to judicial races and places new limits on contributions to candidates for a seat on an Illinois court are being challenged in federal court by a conservative group that alleges the laws restrict the First Amendment.  

Illinois Manufactures’ Association CEO Mark Denzler speaks during a news conference Wednesday at Richland Community College in Decatur. [Blue Room Stream]

Illinois’ manufacturing industry is responsible for the greatest portion of the state’s economic activity and is a major job creator for the state, according to a new report released Wednesday.

Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia), left, and Secretary of State candidate Alexi Giannoulias, right.

With fewer than 100 days before Election Day, statewide Democratic candidates continue to put up big fundraising numbers over their Republican opponents in an increasingly expensive election season as Democrats work to maintain their hold on Illinois’ statewide offices.

Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) faced swift backlash after a report revealed he compared abortion to the Holocaust in 2017. And a new report shows Illinois’ revenue was higher than expected in July.

State and Chicago lawmakers are introducing legislation that would require police officers to have at least one day off each week.

State lawmakers are taking note of Chicago Police officers who have complained of mandatory overtime and canceled days off after three officers lost their lives to suicide in July. Now, some Chicago Democrats are proposing bills to require Illinois police departments to require officers get at least one day off each week in hopes of improving officers’ mental health.

The scene of the Highland Park Independence Day parade shooting is taped off on July 5. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line] 

As state lawmakers search for a solution to gun violence and mass shootings, Rep. Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield) wants lawmakers to take an extra step to hold parents accountable if they sign off on gun owner permits and their child uses a gun in a crime.

Rep. La Shawn Ford (D-Chicago), left, and gun dealer Scott Pulaski, right, speak during the Public Safety and Violence Prevention Task Force Thursday. [Blue Room Stream]

As gun violence continues to make headlines in Chicago and elsewhere in Illinois, lawmakers took a stab at getting answers about what is missing in state law that could prevent gun violence and what local officials are doing to tamp down on gun crimes.

Rep. Lisa Hernandez (D-Cicero), left, and Democratic Party of Illinois Chair and U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Ill.) are battling for state party chair Saturday.

More than a year after U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Ill.) was narrowly elected by the Democratic Party of Illinois’ State Central Committee to become party chair, her detractors have not disappeared and are moving to oust Kelly in Saturday’s party chair election.

The state has occupied the James R. Thompson Center since 1985. [Provided by Google] 

After years of trying, the state of Illinois has finally sold the James R. Thompson Center after closing on the sale of the building to a prominent Chicago-based real estate developer and an agreement with Google to occupy the office space.

Department of Children and Family Services Director Marc Smith speaks during a Legislative Audit Commission hearing in Chicago Tuesday. [Blue Room Stream]

Two months after an audit revealed an alarming lack of care for children in Department of Children and Family Services’ (DCFS) care, the department’s director Marc Smith took heat from lawmakers Tuesday as they reviewed the department’s shortcomings and ongoing troubles.