Governor

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he’s considering a phased approach to reopening the state’s economy when coronavirus cases begin to subside. Speaking at his daily coronavirus press briefing Wednesday, Pritzker said he agrees “100%” with a region-by-region approach, but that doesn’t necessarily mean geographically. “I 100% agree with the idea that where it is safe and where there’s more...

April 29 briefing: Gov. J.B. Pritzker talks PPE in Illinois and how the state is handling coronavirus in long-term healthcare facility.

Dog groomers, upholsterers, lawnmower repair shops and other nonessential businesses that can offer contactless services will be allowed to reopen in Wisconsin, the latest loosening of a stay-at-home order designed to curb the spread of the coronavirus, Gov. Tony Evers announced Monday. Starting Wednesday, outdoor recreational rental businesses, such as boats, golf carts and kayaks, can also reopen, along with…

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he’s considering a regional approach to reopening the state’s economy following the coronavirus pandemic. Pritzker said at a news conference Monday that he still hasn’t decided if he’ll extend the statewide stay-at-home order beyond April 30. When it comes to reopening the state, the governor said he’ll weigh factors such as the hospital capacity...

April 20 briefing: Gov. J.B. Pritzker discusses hospitalization rates and ventilator usage across Illinois.

March 31 briefing: Gov. J.B. Pritzker announces the extension of Illinois’ stay-at-home order.

Jeff Flake has a direct message for the Republicans of New Hampshire: Someone needs to stop Donald Trump. And Flake, a Republican senator from Arizona, may stand up against the Republican president in 2020 — either as a Republican or an independent — if no one else does. “It has not been in my plans to run for president, but...

A dog that was ordered to be euthanized despite a pardon issued by Maine’s governor could get a second chance at life as a sled dog.

President Donald Trump spoke to reporters before boarding Air Force One Tuesday where he confirmed he commuted the sentence of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

Imprisoned ex-Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s sentence has been commuted. After months of speculation, President Donald Trump announced the decision as he prepared to board Air Force One Tuesday. “Yes, we commuted the sentence of Rod Blagojevich,” Trump said. “He served eight years in jail, a long time. He seems like a very nice person – don’t know him.”  Trump...

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker called for a full investigation Wednesday after an automatic voter registration error let hundreds of non-citizens register to vote when they got a driver’s license.

Illinois officials are inching closer to selling a downtown Chicago building that houses state government offices, announcing the selection Thursday of a project manager to oversee the sale.

As firefighters in Northern California’s wine country race to contain the devastating Kincade Fire that has ripped through more than 76,000 acres and destroyed 86 homes, a group of well-known Bay Area chefs have come together to feed the thousands of displaced evacuees and first responders.

Mexican security forces on Sunday killed seven more members of a presumed cartel assault force that rolled into a town near the Texas border and staged an hour-long attack, officials said, putting the overall death toll at 20. The Coahuila state government said in a statement that lawmen aided by helicopters were still chasing remnants of the force that arrived...

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Sunday that the world’s efforts to stop climate change have been “utterly inadequate” so far and there is a danger global warming could pass the “point of no return.” Speaking before the start Monday of a two-week international climate conference in Madrid, the U.N. chief said the impact of rising temperatures — including more extreme...

Joe Biden launched an eight-day bus tour of Iowa on Saturday projecting confidence, ignoring his many Democratic presidential competitors and pledging that he will unseat President Donald Trump in 2020. The former vice president pledged first to win the Feb. 3 Iowa caucuses, despite recent polls suggesting his standing there has slipped in recent months. “I promise you, I promise...

James Daly is eager to make marijuana history on Sunday, when he plans to open the doors to Arbors Wellness, beckon the lengthy line outside and legally start selling recreational pot for the first time in the Midwest. “We’ve worked very hard to be prepared,” said Daly, who owns the medical dispensary that, for now, is among just six shops...

After years of pushing a Las Vegas-style casino to boost tourism and much-needed revenue, Chicago’s leaders seemingly hit the jackpot when Illinois lawmakers approved one as part of a massive gambling expansion.