Illinois Issues

In response to Gov. Bruce Rauner’s order for a 10-day special session, the General Assembly returned to Springfield this week to focus on crafting a budget. Three weeks ago, legislators tried to beat the end of the official spring legislative session and worked to pass measures ranging from women’s and LGBT rights, farmer’s market concerns and issues related to women in prison. Many of these bills were approved by both chambers, and are waiting to be sent to the governor.

Louder outcry from voters may be what will be the trick to produce movement from the governor and House speaker

The General Assembly passes legislation aimed at strengthening hate crime laws after a post-presidental-campaign spike in bias incidents.

Some reformers say Illinois' minimum age for juvenile detention needs to go up.

NPR Illinois and WDCB hosted an Illinois Issues Forum on the state budget and how it has impacted DuPage County on May 23.

Even as a landmark clean energy plan unravels in D.C., Illinois is on track to meet the coal emissions reduction goals it set.

NPR Illinois hosted a forum on the state budget in Champaign on May 17. Community members attended to tell how they have been impacted by the state budget impasse.

Commentary: The time has come to stop talking about a 'truly balanced budget' “Let’s get a truly balanced budget ... ” Gov. Bruce Rauner and his aides, in various venues on numerous occasions, 2015-present. Not to downplay the governor’s mantra, but what exactly is a “truly balanced budget?”

The spring legislative session has been overshadowed by a 22-month stretch without a budget. Nevertheless, meaty legislation is being weighed. Those issues include abortion, wage theft, animal research and criminal justice. Abortion House Bill 40 The House approved this measure that could allow abortion to be covered by Medicaid and state-employee health insurance. It would also strike down Illinois’ so-called trigger law, written in the 1970s, which said abortion would automatically become

NPR Illinois hosted an Illinois Issues Forum on the state budget impasse. Illinois residents who have been directly impacted discussed the burden placed on their community.

Legislation aims to improve working conditions for temporary workers as the need for them increases.

As rapid-fire change comes at the federal level, advocates want to keep Illinois' status as one of the leading states in offering protections. Alex McCray didn’t want to believe Donald Trump had won the election. In the words of the transgender nursing student from downstate Sherman: “I was hoping it was all just one terrible nightmare. It felt like my rights were being ripped out right from underneath me.” But early in the Trump presidency it seemed as if LGBT advocates might not have had as

There are reasons for legalizing industrial hemp. Might pot and ditch weed help ease the state's financial crisis and boost its farm economy?

Bill aims to protect abortion rights on the chance Roe v. Wade is overturned. With Democrats in firm control of the Illinois General Assembly, abortion rights might seem to be safe in the state. But what would happen if the U.S. Supreme Court overturned its landmark Roe v. Wade decision, which made abortion legal across the country in 1973?

A bill in Springfield seeks to ease the gender pay gap. Palos Heights native Kendall Coyne, an Olympic silver-medalist in the 2014 Sochi Winter Games and a member of the U.S. Women’s Hockey Team, has joined her fellow skaters in a fight off the ice.