Follow the cash: Cook County pols in school board races

New campaign data from the Illinois State Board of Elections shows how local mayors and their donors paid for school board races

The Top 20 Highest-Paid State Employees in Illinois

A list of the top 20 state employees who had the highest salaries in 2014, according to the State Journal-Register

Bottom of the Ballot: 9 Unsuccessful Presidential Candidates from Illinois

Just in case you haven't heard enough lately about the 2016 presidential candidates.

Did you know these are the 14 official state symbols in Illinois?

Now that sweet corn is the official state vegetable, it joins this list of the other official state symbols.

People with Disabilities, Older Adults Learn How to Use Public Transport

RTA celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Oak Park Village Hall Goes Tobacco Free

Tobacco use, including smoking, chewing tobacco and using electronic cigarettes or vaporizers, is prohibited on all Village properties.

Editorial: Rauner Forgoes Small Wins; Opts for Big Losses

“Not since 2002 has a Republican governor had a direct say in the give-and-take of creating a state spending plan.”

Public Transportation Offers Travel Option for Summer Festivals

The RTA Trip Planner offers a way to plan routes to July 17 weekend festivities.

Oak Park Library Board Looks to Decrease Property Taxes for Residents

Less money will be needed to pay off the library’s debt over the next five years.

How the Financial Crises in Chicago and Illinois are Playing Out Like a Greek Tragedy

“Does it end like Detroit? Or Greece? Or just ashes? Ashes.”

After 21 Years in River Forest Township leadership, Veronica Belmonte Resigns

Longtime former supervisor praised as fiscally conscious collaborator

14 Things You Need to Know about Rauner's New Pension Reform Bill

What’s in Gov. Bruce Rauner’s new Illinois pension reform bill?

Will Mike Madigan Raise Your Taxes Again?

Gov. Rauner has planted a flag on behalf of a beleaguered state. It reads: “No longer.” What will happen next? John Tillman comments.

Why the Pain of an Illinois Government Shutdown is Needed

Sometimes it takes pain to bring about change.

Oak Park may tax medical marijuana

Village could get six percent of sales from medical cannabis. Vote could come in July.

Watch out, Illinois: Tax hikes are coming for you

Even Netflix and Spotify aren’t safe from the impending flood

Attorney General and Comptroller Go to Court Over State Paychecks

The longer Illinois goes without a budget, the murkier things look for state employees.

Day 6: Who's to Blame for the Illinois State Budget Stalemate?

“As Hinz pointed out, ‘reasonable’ people could get this all figured out in a couple of hours. In Illinois, it might take all summer.”

Will Same-Sex Marriage be a Boost to the Wedding Business?

Did the Supreme Court save the livelihoods of wedding workers?

7 troublesome situations you could find yourself in during the Illinois government shutdown

Even though politicians have been fighting about the state budget for weeks, everyday Illinoisans end up bearing the brunt of the shutdown.

Cash Only: How Strict Federal Banking Rules Pose Problems for Medical Marijuana Dispensaries in Illinois

Oak Park dispensary owner Brad Zerman is working on finding a solution to this problem in Illinois.

What you should know about Madigan's and Rauner's budget rhetoric

Here's why you should be skeptical of the rhetoric being used by both House Speaker Mike Madigan and Gov. Bruce Rauner in the budget feud.

12 Charged in Chicago in Largest-Ever Medicare Fraud Sweep

Many health care providers, including 12 in Northern Illinois, were arrested in a $712 million fraud and kickback scheme.

The Top 10 Quotes from Madigan and Cullerton on Budget Talks with Rauner

Seems like they’re getting along… not.

River Forest Offers Special Pick Up for Flood-Damaged Items

Electronic items are prohibited.

10 Laws Every Resident in Illinois Should Know

From divorce and will requirements to school prayer, here are 10 laws to know.

Will U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk's Latest Gaffe Be His Last?

Kirk's 2016 election opponent, U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth, quickly capitalized on the opportunity to use it as a fundraising tool.

Top 17 Biggest Illinois Cities that Shrank in Population

The majority of the state's largest cities shrank in population from 2013 to 2014, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

Rahm Not Hearing O'Hare Noise Gripes

Until political pressure began to mount, Chicago’s mayor ignored a community group upset about noise from airport runway expansion.

The Top 7 Highest-Paid Democratic Staffers in the Illinois Legislature

You saw salaries for some of Rauner’s top officials, now here's the pay for Speaker Madigan and Senate President Cullerton's top staffers.

How much are Rauner's superstars making?

Big names, reputations and salaries on Gov. Bruce Rauner's "superstar" team.

Lilly, Harmon to Host Town Hall Meeting in Oak Park

The town hall meeting will be at the Oak Park Public Library on June 9.

8 facts you should know about political corruption in Illinois

UIC report compares federal public corruption convictions in Illinois and Chicago to other states.

Residents Urged to Take Transit, 'Dump the Pump' June 18

Go the RTA’s Facebook page and pledge for a chance to win prizes.

The big cuts Rauner has in store if there's no budget by July 1

A list of actions Gov. Bruce Rauner is prepared to take if there’s no budget compromise by July 1.

9 Ways Dennis Hastert Could Have Collected His $3.5 million in Alleged 'Hush Money'

Hastert's multiple sources of income could explain how the former U.S. House Speaker planned to pay the large sum of cash.

How Did Your Elected Officials Vote on the 9 Budget Bills that Overspend by $4 Billion?

See vote totals from the Illinois House and Senate as well as information on each budget bill.

Why Firefighter Pensions are the New Great Chicago Fire

Truth in Accounting prepares citizens for the 2014 Actuarial Valuation Report on Chicago firefighter pensions.

Here are 11 Proposed Tax Increases in the Illinois Legislature

An update on tax bills that have been introduced in the 99th General Assembly.

If You're a Taxpayer in Illinois, This is Your Share of the State's Total Debt

Comparing Illinois’ Taxpayer Burden and outbound migration in 2014 to our neighbor states.