Cadre of GOP insiders getting big salaries at Illinois tollway

The Illinois tollway has hired a number of politically connected Republicans to work at the agency in important positions. While that is troubling to some government watchdogs who say they're concerned about favoritism, tollway officials say the agency is staffed with well-qualfied professionals.

Tax increases a staple of many Democratic campaigns in state, Congressional races

One primary message from Democrats this election is that if they win the majority in the U.S. House, or win their respective governors' seats, they will do everything they can to increase taxes.

Ap Fact Check: Obama doesna t always tell the straight story

Former President Barack Obama's recent denunciation of President Donald Trump's treatment of the press overlooks the aggressive steps the Justice Department took to keep information from the public during his administration. Obama also made a problematic claim that Republican "sabotage" has cost 3 million people their health insurance.

Former President Barack Obama just told y’all to stop bingeing TV

Former President Barack Obama spit hot fire Friday at the University of Illinois to encourage all you young people out there to get your behinds to the voting booths in November to stop whatever is going on in Washington and bring some sanity back to democracy. But it may be harder for some than others.

Illinois celebrates first Barack Obama Day

The legislature of Obama's home state of Illinois, passed a law last year to designate Aug. 4 as a holiday. Just a few weeks ago, he spoke before a crowd of around 15,000 people in Johannesburg, South Africa, to honor the life of Nelson Mandela.

Chicago releases plan for court-monitored police reform

Chicago and state officials released a plan Friday to carry out far-reaching police reforms under federal court supervision more than a year after a U.S. Justice Department investigation found a deep-rooted history of civil rights violations by the police department. Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan joined Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson to release a 200-page report covering numerous topics, ranging from police recruitment and training to the use of force and misconduct investigations.

Two states poised to celebrate Route 66’s centennial in 2026

Today, when the U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on a bill to set up a federal-level 100th anniversary commission for Route 66, two Midwestern states also are poised to set up their commissions to mark the road's centennial in 2026. Under legislation signed by then-Gov. Eric Greitens, Missouri is set to form an 18-member commission to plan and sponsor a centennial observance in 2026 for the Mother Road, which stretches 2,400 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles.

Illinois’ Farmers Invest Nearly $4 Billion In 2018 Corn Crop

ILLINOIS' FARMERS INVEST NEARLY $4 BILLION IN 2018 CORN CROP Jul. 6, 2018 Source: Illinois Corn Growers Association For the second year in a row, Illinois corn farmers have invested close to $4 billion in crop inputs, supplies and services to grow their crop. That is despite the fact that the 2018 Illinois corn crop represents an estimated 200,000 fewer planted acres than last year.

Farm bill passes House with welfare-to-work reforms

The U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed the 2018 farm bill Thursday, called for a second time after it failed in May. It sets in place more comprehensive work requirements for recipients of federal food assistance. Able-bodied recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, that aren't pregnant or caring for children would need to either work at least 20 hours per week or spend that time in job training.

Morning Spin: Ex-federal prosecutor to review Illinois House…

House Speaker Michael Madigan listens during a legislative session on Aug. 28, 2017, at the State Capitol. A former federal prosecutor will conduct a review of operations of the Illinois House after sexual harassment allegations lodged against aides and allies of Madigan.

Trump Insiders Are Said to Seek Pardon for Milken, King of Junk

Some of President Donald Trump's closest confidants have urged him to pardon Michael Milken, the 1980s "junk bond king" who has unsuccessfully sought for decades to reverse his securities fraud conviction, according to people familiar with the matter. The idea of a Milken pardon is being supported by Anthony Scaramucci, the financier who briefly directed White House communications; Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin; and Trump son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner, the people said.

Trump Insiders Seek Pardon for Milken, King of Junk

Some of President Donald Trump's closest confidants have urged him to pardon Michael Milken, the 1980s "junk bond king" who has unsuccessfully sought for decades to reverse his securities fraud conviction, according to people familiar with the matter. The idea of a Milken pardon is being supported by Anthony Scaramucci, the financier who briefly directed White House communications; Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin; and Trump son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner, the people said.

Illinois’ Republican congressmen write Trump opposing Blagojevich mercy

Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich with former Illinois Senate President Emil Jones and former state Sen. Jeffrey Schoenberg at the Illinois Executive Mansion in 2007. (John Mintier Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich with former Illinois Senate President Emil Jones and former state Sen. Jeffrey Schoenberg at the Illinois Executive Mansion in 2007.

Blagojevich files paperwork asking Trump to commute sentence

Illinois' imprisoned ex-governor, Rod Blagojevich, has filed paperwork asking President Donald Trump to commute his 14-year prison term for corruption that included seeking to sell an appointment to the Senate seat Barack Obama vacated to become president. A spokesman for Blagojevich's lawyers told the Chicago Tribune it was submitted Tuesday to the Department of Justice.