Equal Rights Amendment approval comes 36 years after raucous Capitol protests

The Illinois House voted on May 30, 2018, to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment more than 45 years after it was approved by Congress. The fight for the ERA has spanned decades with opponents contending the measure was aimed at ensuring an expansion of abortion rights and supporters saying it was needed to give women equal standing in the nation's founding document.

Trump pardons: Celebrity connections, conservative causes

In this March 14, 2012 file photo, former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, with his wife Patti at his side, speaks to the media in Chicago before reporting to federal prison in Denver. President Donald Trump says he is considering commuting the sentence of ex- Gov. Blagojevich and pardoning Martha Stewart.

Lou Lang coverage roundup

In case you are not plugged into this world, here are the basics: on Tuesday it was reported that a woman would come forward on Thursday to accuse a "leading lawmaker" of harassment. This morning the woman went on Dan Proft's radio show only identifying herself as "M," and then at a 1 p.m. press conference in the Capitol, she identified herself as a medical marijuana advocate named Maryann Loncar.

Trump pardons favor the celeb-connected, conservative causes

President Donald Trump on Thursday pardoned a conservative commentator he claims "was treated very unfairly by our government!" and announced he's thinking about clemency for Martha Stewart and former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, among "lots" of other people. "What they did to him was horrible," Trump told reporters, speaking of his decision to clear the name of Dinesh D'Souza, who had pleaded guilty to campaign finance fraud.

MAGAWorld and Media Agree That Trump’s String of Pardons May Extend to Russia Probe

President Trump on Thursday tweeted that he planned to pardon conservative filmmaker Dinesh D'Souza. Later in the day, the president told reporters that he was considering extending the pardon to Martha Stewart, and maybe even commuting the prison sentence of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

The Latest: Lawyer says Blagojevicha s sentence was too harsh

A trial attorney for imprisoned former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich says she's excited that President Donald Trump is considering commuting the Democrat's 14-year prison sentence for corruption. Lauren Kaeseberg tells The Associated Press the sentence was too harsh.

Trump says he will pardon Dinesh D’Souza, an Obama critic who violated campaign limits

President Trump said Thursday he would pardon conservative commentator Dinesh D'Souza - and said he was considering clemency of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and lifestyle guru Martha Stewart as well. "Will be giving a Full Pardon to Dinesh D'Souza today.

Military veterans seek hiring-rules changes

Military veterans who were discharged for relatively minor offenses say they often can't get jobs, and they hope a recent warning to employers by the state of Connecticut will change that. The state's human rights commission told employers last month they could be breaking the law if they discriminate against veterans with some types of less-than-honorable discharges.

Discharged and Jobless: US Veterans Seek Change in Hiring Rules

Military veterans who were discharged for relatively minor offenses say they often can't get jobs, and they hope a recent warning to employers by the state of Connecticut will change that. The state's human rights commission told employers last month they could be breaking the law if they discriminate against veterans with some types of less-than-honorable discharges.

Embrace values of civility, community, Ray LaHood tells ICC graduates

That was the message Ray LaHood brought to the graduating class of Illinois Central College on Saturday morning during commencement ceremonies at the Peoria Civic Center. "Men and women, singly or as part of larger families, living their lives in decency and love, working hard, being honest, quietly attending to their duties, are the very cornerstone of community life," the former congressman and Cabinet official - himself a former community college student - told the assembled crowd.

Illinois seeks talks on keeping Asian carp from Great Lakes

Illinois has proposed negotiations with federal officials and other states in the Great Lakes region over fortifying a Chicago-area lock and dam to prevent Asian carp from invading Lake Michigan and threatening its native fish. Gov. Bruce Rauner said his state was willing to team with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on paying for the project but wanted changes to a $275 million draft plan the federal agency released last year.

Ives, McSweeney Endorse Shaw For ILGOP Chairman

Sunday, State Representative and former Republican gubernatorial candidate Jeanne Ives joined State Representative David McSweeney in announcing their endorsement of Committeeman Mark Shaw for Chairman of the Illinois Republican Party over incumbent ILGOP Chairman Tim Schneider. The split between the two candidates is lining up to be similar to the one the Illinois Republican Party showed in the Illinois Republican Primary Election earlier this year.

Religious and LGBT groups clash in 2 states over adoption

Republican legislators in Kansas tried Thursday to break a political stalemate over a proposal to grant legal protections to faith-based adoption agencies that cite their religious beliefs for not placing children in LGBT homes. House and Senate negotiators drafted a new version of a bill that would prevent the state from barring agencies from providing foster care or adoption services if they refuse to place children in homes violating their "sincerely held" religious beliefs.