The U.S. Capitol Building (Paula Nardini / Pexels)

With polls across Illinois officially closed, several longtime incumbent House representatives will soon learn if they’ll retain their Congressional seats or if their challengers will emerge victorious.

Leslie Munger (Chicago Tonight)

Former Illinois Comptroller Leslie Munger will return to state government at her former, $135,000 salary. Friday afternoon Gov. Bruce Rauner’s office announced that Munger has been brought on as a deputy governor.   

It’s the final day of the spring session for the Illinois General Assembly in Springfield, and despite maneuvering on all sides to float a solution, the state still does not have a budget. But that doesn’t mean it’s over. 

Democrats propose a budget that includes hundreds of millions more for Chicago Public Schools. The latest from a heated day in Springfield.

Are lawmakers any closer to a budget agreement? We speak with two legislators about the progress in Springfield.

State Sen. Andy Manar plans to introduce a new school funding formula bill on the floor of the Illinois Senate on Wednesday. The bill, if passed, would shift money from wealthier districts to poorer districts—with cuts to wealthier districts being phased in over four years.

Check election results and analysis of top local and statewide contests, and find out how many early ballots were cast this year in Chicago.

Gov. Bruce Rauner

Gov. Bruce Rauner says there are bills he supports that would fund higher education institutions in Illinois, but he says powerful House Speaker Mike Madigan is making sure they do not go anywhere. Paris Schutz has the latest.

Toni Preckwinkle appears on "Chicago Tonight" on Feb. 17.

Reaction to Gov. Bruce Rauner's second budget address from Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, who says no state budget means layoffs are around the corner.

New taxes – and lots of them. That's what Illinois will need to dig out of its current fiscal mess, according to a new report from the Civic Federation.

Catholic Charities Chicago (U.S. Department of Agriculture)

Social Service Agency ‘In Crisis Mode,' says CEO

The head of the state's largest social service organization says the state's ongoing budget impasse has now reached a crisis level that could impact the lives of hundreds of thousands vulnerable citizens. Paris Schutz has the exclusive story.

Gov. Bruce Rauner says he believes the General Assembly will pass his proposed legislation to have a state takeover of Chicago Public Schools and to enable them to declare bankruptcy. This, as CPS finally completes its delayed $875 million borrowing deal. Paris Schutz has more.

The cost of Illinois’ budget impasse? The income tax would have to go up 100 percent if the state’s debt is to be paid off through revenue alone, according to state Comptroller Leslie Munger. How much longer can the state teeter along without a budget? Paris Schutz has more.

After the Illinois Supreme Court ruled a pension reform plan unconstitutional, lawmakers have failed to come up with a solution to a problem that worsens with each passing day. Could some form of federal bailout or bankruptcy restructuring be the answer for Illinois? 

Gov. Bruce Rauner says he and Senate President John Cullerton have a deal on major pension reform, but it fell apart as the day went on. What happened? Paris Schutz has details.

Chicago State University campus

Many Illinois college students face the loss of their MAP grants because of the state's fiscal crisis, and Chicago State University says it won't be able to make payroll in March. Amanda Vinicky joins us with details.