Hank Sanders

A quiet neighborhood with lots of trees and greenery in Cullom, Illinois, on May 9, 2023.

Some rural communities in Illinois are pushing back against the narrative that they’re dying

May 30, 2023 at 5:00 a.m.

Hack Street isn't exactly Michigan Avenue. The main thoroughfare of downstate Cullom — a town of around 600 about halfway between Bourbonnais and Bloomington — showcases cement geese hand-molded by...

State Sen. Julie Morrison, right, receives pieces of fabric from artist Jacqueline von Edelberg at a public art installation created by von Edelberg and others at a memorial for the victims of the Independence Day mass shooting on Central Avenue Aug. 28, 2022, in Highland Park.

Bill to allow law enforcement drones at parades and other events passes, despite questions over personal freedom

May 29, 2023 at 4:49 p.m.

Almost a year after the mass shooting in Highland Park that left seven people dead and over 30 injured, Illinois lawmakers passed a bill that would allow law enforcement to...

A pedestrian walks by Chicago Public Schools headquarters in the Loop in 2021.

State lawmakers extend deadline for Chicago’s elected school board map

May 27, 2023 at 12:18 p.m.

Just before 1 a.m. Friday, in the closing hours of the Illinois Senate's spring session, lawmakers hastily passed an amendment giving themselves an additional nine months to finalize Chicago Public...

Sen. John Curran, left, talks with Sen. Scott Bennett at the Illinois state Capitol building on Dec. 1, 2022 in Springfield.

Illinois House Democrats acknowledge ‘it isn’t easy to come together’ before early morning vote sending $50.6 billion state budget to Gov. J.B. Pritzker

May 27, 2023 at 1:48 p.m.

Speaking at a business industry conference in April, Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch joked that his title should be "listener of the House," citing the 11 different caucuses among...

A red-light camera at Western Avenue and Van Buren Street in Chicago in 2015.

Legislature OKs bill aimed at curbing political corruption tied to red-light camera industry

May 26, 2023 at 5:19 p.m.

With Springfield still in the middle of a sweeping federal corruption probe that most recently saw convictions in the "ComEd Four" trial, Illinois lawmakers, under pressure to act on ethics...

The Senate floor in the Howlett Building during the legislative session in Springfield on May 18, 2023.

Illinois Senate approves $50.6 billion state budget as Democrats finally find common ground

May 26, 2023 at 1:04 a.m.

The Illinois Senate late Thursday approved a $50.6 billion state budget as Democrats finally found common ground after missing an initial self-imposed deadline and engaging in several extra days of...

State Sen. Neil Anderson, a Republican from Andalusia, stands during the legislative session in Springfield on May 18, 2023.

While stymied on a budget, Illinois legislators addressed issues including abortion, book bans and south suburban airport during spring session

May 22, 2023 at 5:00 a.m.

While failing to get a budget done by its self-imposed deadline, the Illinois General Assembly passed measures addressing issues ranging from abortion rights to full-day kindergarten during its spring session,...

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