How Did Illinois Public Schools Fare Academically Last Year?

New data from the Illinois State Board of Education highlight some important and worrisome trends.

Rauner Assembles "All-Star" Transition Team; Recruits Bill Daley

Is this the dream team we need to bring back Illinois?

What Can We Expect From Gov.-Elect Bruce Rauner?

Will Illinoisans see the change they voted for?

7 Good Reasons Why You Need to Vote Today

All the reasons you need to cast your ballot.

A Quick Primer On Each Major Statewide Race in Illinois

Here’s everything you need to know about Illinois’ major statewide races.

How Much Do Illinoisans Care About Politics?

A new report shows where Illinois ranks in terms of political engagement compared to rest of the states.

How Well Do You Know Illinois' Gubernatorial Candidates?

Think you can ace this quiz on the Illinois governor’s race and which candidate stands for what?

Union Backs Libertarian Candidate in Effort to Beat Rauner

One union is doing all it can to help Libertarian candidate Chad Grimm draw votes away from Rauner.

Quinn and Rauner's Top 10 Biggest Donors

Before you vote, you should know where all this money is coming from.

Take a Look at Which Organizations are Backing the Illinois Governor Candidates

A list of notable endorsements for both Quinn and Rauner.

New Reboot Illinois Exclusive Poll: Good news for Pat Quinn in Chicago, Suburbs

Quinn passes Rauner in new Reboot Illinois poll.

Will Jesse White Cruise to a Record Fifth Term as Secretary of State?

Or will voters give Republican Mike Webster a chance to enact his vision to modernize the office? Reboot Illinois profiles the candidates.

Pat Quinn, Doing the Job He's Paid to Do: A Campaign Ad

The Second City Network mocks the gov in a parody campaign ad.

Patch Poll: What Do You Think of the 'New War on Terror' as the U.S. Commits to Going After ISIL?

President Obama commits the nation to military action in the Middle East to "degrade and ultimately destroy" ISIL. Where do you stand?

Pat Quinn and Bruce Rauner Jab and Jabber at Tribune Editorial Board Session

The governor candidates sit side by side for first time. We learn one is as corrupt as Rod Blagojevich and the other profits off misery.

Applications for Medical Marijuana Now Available

Medical Cannabis Pilot Program informational meeting takes place Wednesday, Aug. 20, in Chicago.

BGA Sues City Animal Pound - Again

Better Government Association files second lawsuit against Chicago Animal Care and Control – this time for refusing to release emails.

Monday Is the Last Day To Buy A Chicago City Sticker Online

Should Your State Legalize Pot?

With the economic benefits of legalized marijuana working for Colorado, is your state the next in line?

CTA's Building Demo Plans Catch Lake View By Surprise

Residential property owners and commercial businesses report receiving letters from CTA informing them that their buildings may be demolished to build bypass.

'Chicagoland' Airs Tonight on CNN

"It's important because Chicago's problems are America's problems," says narrator Mark Konkol.

Same Sex Couples Can Marry Now in Cook County

Gay couples wanting to marry won't have to wait until state law goes into effect in June.

Spurned Lovers, Take Note: IL May Ban Revenge Porn

Rep. Scott Drury has proposed legislation that would make posting explicit photos of someone without their consent a felony sex crime.

Indoor E-Cigarette Smoking Now Banned in Chicago

No more smoking e-cigarettes in restaurants after an ordinance passed by the Chicago City Council.

USPS Says Mail Went Out Normally This Week; Patch Readers Say No Way

After not receiving mail Monday or Tuesday, I checked with Patch readers who resoundingly reported the same problem. Yet the USPS spokesman said all carriers had been out all week.

Cook County Dedicates Memorial to Forgotten Poor

Sheriff Tom Dart says the monument will help to rectify Homewood Memorial Garden's dark history of "horrific" burial practices.

Kirk Recovers From Gall Bladder Surgery

North Shore Senator expected to return home from hospital Tuesday.

Illinois Passes Historic Pension Reform

Both the Illinois House and Senate narrowly passed a measure that addresses Illinois' out of control pension problems, spreading out the pain.

What Child Care Costs Mean for You and Your Family

Three Ways the Shutdown Hurt the Economy

A recent report from Washington lays out damage done by last month’s government shutdown.

Chicagoans Celebrate Same-Sex Marriage Vote

Residents and businesses across the area celebrated the Illinois Legislature passing a same-sex marriage bill on Tues.

Illinois Reacts: House Passes Bill To Legalize Same-Sex Marriage

FAA Allows Most Electronic Devices Throughout Flights

Gay Couple Kicked Out of Chicago Cab File Complaint

The same-sex couple say they were kicked out of a Chicago cab for kissing in the backseat.

Gun Lobbyists Talking to Chicago's Mayor About Prison Time and Gun Possession

But there's concern the governor could disrupt the lobbying as he heads toward another re-election campaign.

Money-For-Nothing: Illinois Legislature Adjourns With Work Undone

Lawmakers return for November veto session at a cost of $43,000 a day. Nothing likely to get done then either.

Is Illinois Business Friendly? Maybe, Legislators Say

U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky and several state legislators from the city and suburbs talked about the business climate, pension reform and the Affordable Care Act.

Lathrop Homes Moves Forward to Finalize Master Plan

The major redevelopment project is entering its planned development phase, with organizers inching closer to the master plan.

Heating Your Home to Cost More This Winter

More than 90 percent of homeowners in the U.S. will see higher heating expenses this year.

Local Experts Host Check-Up on Affordable Care Act

Have questions about the new health insurance marketplace in Illinois? Here's where you can find answers.