Ald. Edward "Fast Eddie" Vrdolyak used the desperation of laid-off steelworkers to build his own political machine -- which morphed into the HDO. An excerpt from Ward Room blogger Edward McClelland's new book. Read »
An Illinois House committee has OK'd a measure to regulate high-volume oil and gas drilling in the state. Read »
According to the Religious Freedom and Marital Fairness Act, gay cousins can marry -- as long as one is incapable of having children. Read »
Former President Bill Clinton threw his weight behind stalled legislation to legalize same-sex marriage in Illinois, calling on the state House to approve the bill. Read »
Commerce Secretary confirmation hearings scheduled for Thursday. Read »
Legislation to ban magazines that hold more than 10 rounds advances with 12-3 vote. Read »
Parents of children killed in the tragic Sandy Hook massacre last year spoke at a conference alongside Governor Quinn in support of banning high-capacity ammunition magazines. Watch »
Rally was part of the Chicago Teachers Union's three days of marches and protests demanding a moratorium on school closures. Read »
Gov. Pat Quinn said Illinois lawmakers have a chance to make history on two fronts this month by approving a plan to fix the state's decades-old pension crisis and legalizing same-sex marriage. Read »
Poor people are moving to the suburbs, where they can't vote against the mayor. Read »