Illinois Senate President Don Harmon appears on “Chicago Tonight” on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020. (WTTW News)

At a time when leading legislators’ private side jobs are increasingly under scrutiny, newly elevated state Senate President Don Harmon will step down as a partner at the law firm Burke Burns & Pinelli, Ltd. to focus full-time on his new leadership position.

Sen. Don Harmon of Oak Park appears on “Chicago Tonight” on Feb. 22, 2018. (WTTW News)

Illinois’ primary election isn’t until March, but perhaps the most consequential state race of the year has already taken place, as state senators on Sunday elected a new president: Sen. Don Harmon of Oak Park.

Outgoing Illinois Senate President John Cullerton appears on “Chicago Tonight” on Jan. 13, 2020. (WTTW News)

After 41 years in public service, Illinois Senate President John Cullerton is stepping down. He reflects on recent headlines, his life in politics and what’s next.

In this June 2016 file photo, Illinois Senate President John Cullerton talks about plans for a temporary state budget. (WTTW News)

Senators have been scrambling since Senate President John Cullerton made a surprise announcement that he’ll resign in the new year, leaving vacant one of the most powerful positions in state politics.

Illinois’ Senate president unexpectedly announces his retirement. Mayor Lori Lightfoot comes up empty on a Chicago casino redo. A war of words with Uber. And the Bears prepare for a prime-time matchup with the LA Rams.

In this June 2016 file photo, Illinois Senate President John Cullerton talks about plans for a temporary state budget. (WTTW News)

One of the most powerful figures in Illinois politics is giving up his position.

A sign for the Canal Shores golf club, left, and a file photo of Illinois Senate President John Cullerton. (WTTW News)

A North Shore land deal involving Illinois Senate President John Cullerton raises questions about a powerful public official influencing a vote that could enrich him and his son.

Recently passed legislation to expand gambling in Illinois is so massive, not many people know everything that’s in it. That includes at least two of the state’s legislative leaders who helped negotiate the bill.

(Éovart Caçeir at English Wikipedia)

Gov. J.B. Pritzker struck a bipartisan tone in his budget speech. What the top Democrat and Republican in the state Senate think of his proposal.

(Éovart Caçeir at English Wikipedia)

State Senate President John Cullerton and House Republican Leader Jim Durkin on a major bipartisan agreement and lingering pieces of unfinished business.

Senate President John Cullerton talks about plans for a temporary state budget in June 2016. “I want to work with this governor, but that requires him to start working and stop campaigning,” he said.

The state has been without a budget for 719 days. Illinois Senate President John Cullerton joins Carol Marin to talk about how the state can finally get a budget.

(Raise Your Hand Action / Twitter)

Parents and community activists protested outside the Chicago office of Senate President John Cullerton on Tuesday to demand action on a bill that would grant the city an elected Board of Education.

Illinois Senate President John Cullerton speaks Monday at the City Club of Chicago.

Senate leaders’ bipartisan salve to Illinois’ budget troubles is on tap for a vote in Springfield this week.

New, Higher Taxes Added to Senate Proposal

Illinois residents would pay a personal income tax rate of 4.99 percent under the latest incarnation of a bipartisan proposal proffered by Senate leaders. 

The Illinois Senate leaders join us to discuss their negotiations and fiscal plans for the state.

The Illinois State Capitol (Meagan Davis / Wikimedia Commons). Inset: Senate President John Cullerton, Republican Leader Christine Radogno.

After nearly two years of budget gridlock, spiraling deficits and political acrimony in Springfield, a grand bargain on the budget is coming together in the Illinois Senate.