Christine Radogno

Gov. Bruce Rauner and Republican leaders officially announced on Wednesday their ambitious agenda to allow for an emergency financial authority appointed by the Illinois State Board of Education superintendent to take over Chicago Public Schools in the wake of a $500 million funding shortfall.

Republican state leaders want to take away mayoral control of the cash-strapped Chicago Public Schools. Instead, they want the nation's third largest school district under the purview of a state emergency board. Democratic legislative leaders in Springfield immediately opposed the plan, with some calling it "dead on arrival." We speak with state legislators from both parties.

As summer turns to fall, time seems to be at a standstill in Springfield. With the House not scheduled to meet anytime soon, is now the time for state lawmakers to break ranks and come up with a plan B? And if so, what practical options do they have? We talk with a group of so-called rebel lawmakers.

Credit: Amanda Vinicky

Illinois House lawmakers are back in session in Springfield a week after representatives failed to pass a one-month spending plan. The Democrat-controlled House led by Speaker Michael Madigan is scheduled to take up the temporary spending plan again despite opposition from Gov. Bruce Rauner and Republican lawmakers. We talk with Chicago Tonight's Springfield reporter Amanda Vinicky about the status of the budget and more.

State lawmakers are reconvening this week in Springfield to work on the budgeting process for next year. We'll hear from legislators from both sides of the aisle. 

Gov. Bruce Rauner steps up the attack on public employee unions with an executive order allowing members to opt out and not pay union dues if they so choose.

As Gov. Bruce Rauner lays out his policy priorities in his first State of the State address, Illinois lawmakers analyze what he had to say -- and what we can expect from his budget address later this month.

Lawmakers head back to Springfield for their fall veto session. But will anything happen on the hot button issues of minimum wage, education funding, and Uber ridesharing before Governor-elect Bruce Rauner takes over?

Illinois lawmakers react to Gov. Pat Quinn’s state of the state address, and discuss what to expect from the upcoming spring session.

Now that the government has reopened and a debt default has been averted, we get reaction from Sen. Dick Durbin and other Illinois lawmakers about what happens next.

Illinois lawmakers must be paid, a Cook County judge ruled on Thursday, in response to Gov. Pat Quinn's decision to suspend lawmakers' salaries because of their failure to solve the state's pension crisis. Judge Neil Cohen ruled the move to withhold pay unconstitutional. Chicago Sun-Times Springfield Bureau Chief Dave McKinney gives us the details. Read the full order, along with statements from Quinn and Cullerton.

Lawmakers take the governor to court over getting their paychecks back. Paris Schutz has the latest. Read the full lawsuit.

Gov. Pat Quinn suspended the salary of Illinois lawmakers for failing to reach a compromise on pension reform. Listen to Quinn's full announcement and read reaction.

We recap the latest Springfield news with Illinois lawmakers.

Gov. Pat Quinn

Gov. Pat Quinn lays out $2.7 billion in Medicaid cuts after a committee he appointed falls short of a plan. We talk to lawmakers and analysts about the governor's sweeping proposal on Chicago Tonight at 7:00 pm. Visit the PDFs below to learn more about the Medicaid Stabilization plan.

Illinois State Capitol Building

Illinois lawmakers are back in Springfield next week. Can they make any headway in reducing the state's huge fiscal problems in this election year? We hear from four lawmakers.