Illinois lawmakers are considering a multibillion-dollar tax hike that the Illinois Policy Institute says may worsen the state’s already weakened economy.

Gov. Bruce Rauner signaled he is ready to jump on board with several parts of the proposed "grand bargain," yet remains staunchly opposed to other elements of it.

The state of Illinois is losing people faster than any other state in the Midwest.

Franklin Park Senior Citizen Commission will meet at 1 p.m. Thursday, March 2.

Joliet City Council votes on collective bargaining agreement with AFSCME Local 440 for 2016-19 at a recent meeting.

Geneva Committee of the Whole reviews updated 2017 zoning map at its Monday evening meeting.

Franklin Park Zoning Board of Appeals will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 1.

Frank Teutonico, (1001 W. 15th St., Chicago), donated $50 to Berwyn's Committee to Elect Robert J. Lovero on Jan. 29, 2016.

Brian Tedeschi, (7457 W. Rosedale Ave., Chicago), donated $250 to Chicago's Friends for Marty Durkan on Jan. 13, 2016.

A class of only 86 freshman in 2016 has Chicago State University (CSU) trustees and administrators considering a variety of ways to increase enrollment, including the surprising proposal to start a Division I football program at the financially troubled school.

Geneva Plan Commission approves addition to Delnor Community Hospital at a recent meeting.

Franklin Park ETS 911 Board authorizes purchase of 5 radios at a recent meeting.

Niles Board of Ethics met recently to hear one complaint.

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago recommends a series of contracts during a recent Committee of the Whole meeting.

Sol Barket, (225 W. Hubbard St., Chicago), donated $1,000 to Chicago's Citizens for Alderman Reilly on Jan. 15, 2016.

Bruce MacArthur, (680 Lake Shore Drive, Chicago), donated $1,000 to Burr Ridge's Citizens for Durkin on Nov. 7, 2016.

The FBI has arrested a former Chicago radio and online reporter for allegedly making at least eight bomb threats to Jewish schools and community centers, among other locations, ABC News reported on Friday.

A former strategist in the Obama Administration is the focus of an ethics probe following the release of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel's personal emails, the Better Government Association (BGA) reported recently.

The Illinois Republican Party has added venture capitalist J.B. Pritzker to its BossMadigan.com website, which lists lawmakers and other stakeholders who support House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago).

The Chicago Police Department routinely engages in a pattern of excessive and sometimes-deadly force in violation of the U.S. Constitution, the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) charged in a recent report.