Illinois' new budget takes effect Friday, the first day of the fiscal year. The state won't have enough money to pay businesses that are waiting for state payments.Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn is expected to sign the state budget Thursday.

For months as a gambling bill moved through the state legislature, swarms of lobbyists alternately charmed lawmakers and twisted arms.Now, they are working on Gov.

Gov.

As one of its final acts, the Illinois Senate sent to Gov.

Changes to teacher tenure and strike rules sought by education advocates and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel stayed on track Wednesday, following a hearing in Springfield to address lingering concerns.Clean-up language to Senate Bill 7 passed the Senate Education Committee and is headed back to both cham

Springfield lawmakers spent most of their time this week debating the state budget. But there is another issue weighing on their minds: Redistricting.One by one, Democratic lawmakers are being pulled into a private map room in Springfield.