Illinois House ignores veto threat by passing abortion expansion

The Democratic-led Illinois House defied a veto threat by the state's Republican governor by passing legislation on Tuesday to expand state-funded coverage of abortions for low-income residents and for state employees. The measure, which passed the House 62-55 and now moves to the state Senate, also aims to keep abortions legal in Illinois if the U.S. Supreme Court follows President Donald Trump's call to overturn its landmark Roe v.

Attorneys general: Restore guidance to aid student borrowers

Attorneys general from 20 states and the District of Columbia are faulting Education Secretary Betsy DeVos for rolling back Obama-era guidance they say is helping protect student loan borrowers. In a letter sent Monday, Democratic attorneys general Maura Healey of Massachusetts and Lisa Madigan of Illinois called on DeVos to restore the memos instituted by the Education Department last year under former President Barack Obama.

Obama Says He ‘Did Not Transform’ Chicago ‘In Any…

Former President Barack Obama delivered his first public address since leaving the White House at the University of Chicago Monday morning. During his opening remarks, Obama noted that for "three years," he did his "best" to reverse economic disparity in the communities he represented as the junior United States Senator from Illinois, but admitted he ultimately fell short of his goal.

Hash Browns Recalled Over ‘Extraneous Golf Ball Materials’

On 21 April 2017, McCain Foods, USA announced they were recalling some of their hash browns due to "extraneous golf ball materials" found in some packages. The company has issued a press release detailing the scope of the recall, which affects hash browns manufactured on 19 January 2017 that apparently harvested and packaged fragments of golf balls along with potatoes.

Can Bruce Rauner save himself?

With Illinois in near financial ruin, as businesses and economic refugees flee the state in search of opportunity, there is at least one industry prepared to invest $200 million or more in Illinois' strangled economy: Political expenditures in the 2018 gubernatorial elections could reach that $200 million sum, perhaps exceed it, as Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner seeks re-election, and Illinois Democratic boss House Speaker Michael Madigan welcomes big-bucks Democrats into the race. Boss Madigan, thin, wizened and in his mid-70s, still runs things.

US court, again, takes up issue of Blagojevich prison term

In this March 14, 2012, file photo, former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich speaks to the media outside his home in Chicago as his wife, Patti, wipes away tears a day before reporting to prison after his conviction on corruption charges. An appeals court Tuesday, April 18, 2017, heard oral arguments on whether Blagojevich should get a third sentencing hearing.

Central Illinois Foodbank working to provide healthy food to low income individuals

"It's really hard especially this time of year because in the summer time things are in season, and they are cheaper but in the winter, it becomes harder to find those fresh options," says Elizabeth Shuff a dietitian with Crossing Healthcare. "We just wanted to provide a really easy free way to come get a bunch of produce that you can use for a couple weeks that's not going to go bad right away."

Bill observing Obama’s birthday fails to pass in Illinois

Illinois lawmakers failed to pass a measure in the legislature that would have made former President Barack Obama's birthday a statewide holiday, according to the Chicago Tribune. The bill would have observed August 4 as a legal holiday in his home state, but the Chicago Tribune said the proposal was six votes short of passing, where it would have next moved to the Illinois Senate.

Ill. House Votes to Make October ‘Zombie Preparedness Month’

The living-dead-legislation, sponsored by Democratic state Rep. Emanuel Chris Welch, encourages Illinoisans to learn about natural disasters and take steps toward stockpiling three days worth of emergency rations. "I am told that if you are prepared for zombies, then you would be prepared to deal with a natural disaster like tornadoes, blizzards, natural disasters of any kind," Welch said on the House floor in February.

Illinois congressman objects to men purchasing prenatal care

Illinois Republican Rep. John Shimkus is under fire after comments he made Wednesday about prenatal requirements in the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. During a 27-hour debate on House Republicans' health care plan in the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Shimkus suggested men could be opposed to former President Barack Obama's signature health care law because under the law they are required to pay for prenatal care.

The Latest: Titans reportedly add Logan Ryan

Hawaii has filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump's new travel ban, saying the order will harm Muslims, tourism and foreign students. Hawaii has filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump's new travel ban, saying the order will harm Muslims, tourism and foreign students.

Male Illinois rep asks why men should have to pay for prenatal coverage

In the 27 hours the House Energy and Commerce Committee spent debating Republicans ' Affordable Care Act revision plan, a handful of moments stand out. At the start, Democratic Rep. Mike Doyle was talking with Republican Rep. John Shimkus about his objections to the Affordable Care Act's requirements for health-insurance plans.