SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Legislation barring local governments from establishing what is known as right-to-work zones has been signed by Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The state-owned James R. Thompson Center in downtown Chicago, hailed for its iconic architecture and derided for its functionality issues, is finally for sale.

CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois could lose more than $18 million in funding if it doesn't accelerate the processing times on food stamp applications within the next month, U.S. Department of Agriculture...

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — An audit released Wednesday found that a plan to save $500 million a year on state employee health insurance was so ill-conceived and poorly executed that it's costing...

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — A state audit released Monday contradicted former Gov. Bruce Rauner's claim that his administration had done everything federal experts recommended to remedy a deadly 2015...

CHICAGO (AP) — A new veterans' home in Chicago is expected to welcome its first residents next spring, more than four years after ground was broken on the project.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — A prohibition on tobacco sales to those under 21 is now under Gov. J.B. Pritzker's consideration.

The Senate voted 39-16 on Thursday to impose the restrictions under...

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Gov. J.B. Pritzker has appointed a state lawmaker as director of the state's Veterans Affairs department after his first choice stepped down.

The Democrat on Friday named state Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia. The former Army officer was named in place of Army Lt. Col. Jaime Martinez.

Pritzker tabbed Martinez for the job Jan. 31 . The governor's office did not say why Martinez withdrew from consideration.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Gov. J.B. Pritzker's administration estimates Illinois faces a more-than $3 billion deficit in its next budget year.

A report Friday by the Democrat indicates the June 2020 shortfall will be 16 percent higher than former Gov. Bruce Rauner's administration estimated without more revenue or cuts.

CHICAGO (AP) — A new study by the American Lung Association says Illinois is not doing enough to reduce tobacco use.

The report titled "State of Tobacco Control" gives Illinois grades in funding for smoking cessation and prevention programs, tobacco taxation and access to existing quit-smoking services.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Gov. J.B. Pritzker has directed his administration to enhance efforts to eliminate HIV.

The Democrat signed an executive order in Rockford Friday to re-establish state funding for testing and treatment programs he says former Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner discontinued.

CHICAGO (AP) — A University of Illinois graduate who leads a Chicago-based private equity firm has been elected chairman of the university system's Board of Trustees.

Donald Edwards was unanimously elected to a one-year term during the board's meeting Thursday.

Edwards earned his bachelor's degree in finance from Urbana-Champaign and an MBA from Harvard Business School. He was a four-year letter winner on the Illini golf team. He is CEO of Flexpoint Ford, a firm he founded in 2004.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Democratic Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has appointed five people to the nine-member University of Illinois board of trustees.

Pritzker announced the appointments Thursday morning ahead of a board meeting in Chicago. The appointments include former Democratic state Rep. Naomi Jakobsson, attorney Kareem Dale, private equity CEO Donald Edwards, human services agency CEO Ricardo Estrada and attorney Patricia Brown Holmes.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says state employees will be placed on the correct step of the state pay plan on April 1.

The reinstatement of long-postponed, experience-based salary increases is expected to affect about 20,000 state workers represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The acting director of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services says she's stepping down next month.

Beverly "BJ" Walker told the Chicago Tribune late Friday that Gov. J.B. Pritzker is conducting a national search for her replacement and she has agreed to stay on to help the transition.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Gov. J.B. Pritzker is asking the Illinois Supreme Court for more time to consider legal options on his predecessor's claim that negotiations with the state's largest public employee union are at a stalemate.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Former Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner's administration reclassified thousands of state jobs so an applicant's political loyalty and connections may no longer be considered during the hiring process, according to a former administration official.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Just days into his term of office, Gov. J.B. Pritzker last week signaled an abrupt about-face in government relations with organized labor after four years of rancor.

The Democrat took a series of pro-worker actions, highlighted by reinstatement of long-postponed, experience-based salary increases for state workers represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (AP) — Illinois State University is to receive $9.6 million in state money to pay for emergency repairs to its fine arts buildings.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Gov. J.B. Pritzker ordered a health and safety audit of the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs after a case of Legionnaire's Disease was discovered at the Manteno veteran's home.

The Democrat toured the home Friday before signing an order for a report within four months on agency health and safety issues and communications procedures.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Gov. J.B. Pritzker used his first full day in office Tuesday to restore frozen pay increases for state government employees in Illinois and took other pro-labor actions.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The Latest on Gov. J.B. Pritzker's wage action (all times local):

5:20 p.m.

The Illinois Republican Party chairman is criticizing Gov. J.B. Pritzker's action to restore frozen wage increases to state workers.

Tim Schneider says the Democrat's action Tuesday constitutes "reckless spending ... without specifying the costs."

Pritzker ordered more than 20,000 unionized state workers to begin receiving seniority-based "step" salary increases required by contract.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Just days before he left office, former Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner granted posthumous clemency to a man imprisoned for a stabbing that a serial killer later confessed to committing.

LINCOLN, Ill. (AP) — Former Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner has reduced the 75-year prison sentence for a central Illinois man convicted in 1996 of fatally shooting his grandparents.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois welcomes its 43rd governor as Democrat J.B. Pritzker is inaugurated in Springfield.

Pritzker takes the reins from Gov. Bruce Rauner on Monday. Pritzker defeated the first-term Republican in November.

First Presbyterian Church hosts an interfaith service. Abraham Lincoln's family belonged to the congregation. The current church is home to the pew the Lincolns bought for $50.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Gov. Bruce Rauner has signed legislation that gives the Illinois Department of Corrections authority to sell the closed Hardin County Work Camp to Hardin County for $1.

A new Illinois legislative session got underway Wednesday with Democrats firmly in control but both parties pledging to turn the page on years of budget stalemates, government dysfunction and name-calling.

Democrat Michael Madigan, already the longest-serving state House speaker in U.S. history, was easily elected to his 19th term. Other leaders — Senate President John Cullerton and GOP leaders Rep. Jim Durkin and Sen. Bill Brady — also were re-elected.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The Latest on the new Illinois legislative session (all times local):

1:30 p.m.

The new session of the Illinois Legislature is underway with the largest percentage of Democratic lawmakers serving in Springfield in more than five decades.

Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton and GOP House leader Jim Durkin and Senate leader Bill Brady all were re-elected Wednesday to their leadership posts.

MANTENO, Ill. (AP) — The Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs says it's taking action after a case of Legionnaires' disease was confirmed at a home for veterans.

The department says it was alerted early Tuesday by hospital medical staff that a resident of the Manteno Veterans' Home had tested positive for the flu-like illness.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The Illinois House wrapped up its two-year session Tuesday with legislation to help the incoming governor, with House Speaker Michael Madigan praising lawmakers for persevering in an "epic struggle" over state spending with outgoing Gov. Bruce Rauner.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The Latest on action in the Illinois General Assembly (all times local):

2:45 p.m.

Gov. Bruce Rauner is highlighting school-funding reform, cutting red tape for businesses, curbs against government unionization and efforts to clip conflicts of interest in his end-of-term message to the General Assembly.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The Illinois General Assembly convenes next week, ushering in the Prairie State's third century with historic numbers of Democrats running the show and pent-up demand for action.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Gov. Bruce Rauner has approved plans for enhanced safety at underground natural gas storage facilities.

The Republican signed legislation Friday which authorizes the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to implement federal regulations for minimum safety standards.

The Natural Resources Department and the Illinois Commerce Commission will work with the U.S. Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration to monitor tank safety.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — A private investigator wants Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner to free a man serving life for a woman's 1989 slaying.

The Springfield State Journal-Register reports that Investigating Innocence founder Bill Clutter asked Rauner in a Dec. 14 letter to grant executive clemency to 68-year-old Thomas McMillen. Jan. 14 is Rauner's last day as governor.

DETROIT (AP) — Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner has rejected Michigan's offer of $8 million to support a project to keep invasive carp from establishing themselves in the Great Lakes, saying the money wouldn't be useful for at least 10 years.

CHICAGO (AP) — Hundreds crowded into Roman Catholic Church on Chicago's South Side to remember the second of two officers struck and killed by a train .

Officer Eduardo Marmolejo was celebrated as a humble hero during his funeral Saturday. Gov. Bruce Rauner, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson attended the funeral.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Gov. Bruce Rauner has named three cabinet members to replace top aides who are retiring.

The Republican named replacements Friday for Transportation Secretary Randall Blankenhorn, Agriculture Director Raymond Poe and Kirk Lonbom, secretary of the Department of Innovation and Technology.

Each is retiring Dec. 31. Rauner will leave the governor's office Jan. 14 when Democratic Gov.-elect J.B. Pritzker is inaugurated.

CHICAGO (AP) — One of two Chicago police officers struck and killed by a train is being remembered as a devoted father and husband, loyal friend and dedicated police officer.

Hundreds of officers on Friday crowded into a Roman Catholic Church on the city's South Side where Cardinal Blase Cupich helped celebrate a funeral Mass for 31-year-old Conrad Gary. Speakers included Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner is seeking federal aid for residents and businesses in four counties recovering from a rare December tornado outbreak.

Rauner said Friday he's asked the U.S. Small Business Administration for a disaster declaration that would open up low-interest loans for eligible residents and businesses in Christian, Macon, Montgomery and Sangamon counties.

QUINCY, Ill. (AP) — State officials are ready to display the final master plan for redevelopment of the Illinois Veterans' Home in Quincy.

The Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs has scheduled an open house Tuesday at Lippincott Hall on the campus. The public may view the plan from 4 to 7 p.m.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois officials say that Airbnb's ban on lodging listings in the disputed West Bank violates state law.

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder is urging his Illinois counterpart to help pay for a project to keep invasive carp from establishing themselves in the Great Lakes.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Outgoing Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel says the state's motor-fuel tax should be increased to fund highway and bridge improvements.

The Democrat and colleagues from the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus said Tuesday the 19-cents-per-gallon tax should be increased by as much as 30 cents . The caucus represents 275 municipal governments in Chicago and its suburbs.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Gov. Bruce Rauner's corrections agency has refused to release public records about a prison altercation that led to the homicide of a 65-year-old inmate and forced the paid suspension of at least four correctional officers.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Residents and businesses impacted by severe weather and tornadoes this month in central Illinois' Christian County may request waivers of penalties and interest on state taxes if they can't file their returns or make payments on time.

The waivers apply to individual and business income taxes, withholding taxes, sales taxes, and specialty and excise taxes.

CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois Gov.-elect J.B. Pritzker says the state's best days are ahead as he helped celebrate Illinois' 200th birthday at a gala celebration in Chicago.

The Illinois Bicentennial party took place Monday night at Navy Pier.

TAYLORVILLE, Ill. (AP) — The National Weather Service says multiple tornadoes touched down in central Illinois, damaging dozens of structures and injuring at least 20 people.

Meteorologist Chris Geelhart says the twisters occurred Saturday evening along the Illinois River and near Springfield. Geelhart says the exact number of tornadoes won't be known until crews survey the damage, beginning Sunday.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois turns 200 on Monday. And the state has a gala celebration planned

The Illinois Bicentennial party that organizers have arranged at Chicago's Navy Pier will be at times solemn, like a Cahokia Woodhenge solstice observed 1,000 years ago by some of the state's earliest inhabitants near St. Louis, and at times raucous, like a 2016 street party after the Chicago Cubs ended a 110-year World Series championship drought.