With the budget deadline nearing, Rep. Jerry Costello II (D-Smithton) stood proudly with Republican lawmakers at an impromptu press conference Tuesday rejecting taxpayer-subsidized abortions.

Gov. Bruce Rauner today proclaimed May 25 as Du Quoin State Fair Day as the fairgrounds were named among the state's "200 Great Places" by an eminent architectural association.

Sen. Paul Schimpf (R-Murphysboro) had dozens of friends with him on the Illinois Senate floor May 22.

Rep. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) is one of 13 Republican members of the Illinois House who abstained from voting on a resolution urging members of Congress to reject President Donald Trump’s proposed infrastructure plan.

Illinois Municipal League Executive Director Brad Cole had no problem telling senators he was not pleased with a proposal to continue cuts to local governments.

The Waterloo Police Pension Fund had 14 active participants receiving an average salary of $65,321 in 2016, according to the latest data reported to the Illinois Department of Insurance Pension Division.

After projecting its investments would grow by 6.50 percent, the Waterloo Police Pension Fund lost 0.98 percent on its investments in 2016, according to data reported to the Illinois Department of Insurance Pension Division.

Park districts for Waterloo employ the most government workers per capita in SW Illinois, according to 2017 Illinois State Comptroller financial reports.

The Pinckneyville Police Pension Fund had 6 active participants receiving an average salary of $47,216 in 2016, according to the latest data reported to the Illinois Department of Insurance Pension Division.

Taxpayers contributed 82 percent of the $537,824 the Waterloo Police Pension Fund brought in last year, or $4.55 for every $1 from pension members.

After projecting its investments would grow by 6.00 percent, the Duquoin Police Pension Fund netted 6.26 percent on its investments in 2016, according to data reported to the Illinois Department of Insurance Pension Division.

After projecting its investments would grow by 6.00 percent, the Duquoin Firefighters Pension Fund netted 4.86 percent on its investments in 2016, according to data reported to the Illinois Department of Insurance Pension Division.

Taxpayers contributed 87.2 percent of the $232,893 the Pinckneyville Police Pension Fund brought in last year, or $7.08 for every $1 from pension members.

The Duquoin Police Pension Fund had 11 active participants receiving an average salary of $57,029 in 2016, according to the latest data reported to the Illinois Department of Insurance Pension Division.

Sen. Paul Schimpf (R-Waterloo) wants to open up the highway.

Sen. Paul Schimpf (R-Waterloo) is taking care of business.

The Duquoin Firefighters Pension Fund had 7 active participants receiving an average salary of $59,717 in 2016, according to the latest data reported to the Illinois Department of Insurance Pension Division.

Taxpayers contributed 79 percent of the $305,767 the Duquoin Police Pension Fund brought in last year, or $3.75 for every $1 from pension members.

After projecting its investments would grow by 6.50 percent, the Columbia Police Pension Fund lost 1.78 percent on its investments in 2016, according to data reported to the Illinois Department of Insurance Pension Division.

Fifty-eight University of Illinois fraternities and sororities will pay $814,000 more in property taxes this year than they did in 2015, according to Champaign County Assessor data analyzed by the Chambana Sun.