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Session on Ill. pension reform will be Aug. 17

The Associated Press — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 18:43:40 +0000

Updated with comments from Quinn, statement from GOP leaders

Illinois state lawmakers now know when they'll have to return to Springfield to wrestle with the state's financially-strapped pension system.

Gov. Pat Quinn today announced an Aug. 17 legislative session for lawmakers to push forward with "full-scale reform." House members were already scheduled to meet that to vote on whether to expel indicted Democratic Rep. Derrick Smith.

Political perk of legislative scholarships ends for Ill. lawmakers

The Associated Press — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 16:34:18 +0000

Illinois lawmakers are losing a century-old political perk - the ability to award college scholarships.

Gov. Pat Quinn signed legislation Wednesday to end the practice after one last round of awards this summer.

The awards are actually tuition waivers, meaning universities wind up educating the students and not getting any payment.

Over the years, legislators have given waivers to the children of friends, campaign donors and political allies.

High court will not hear St. Louis "eminent domain" sign case

Rachel Lippmann — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 16:10:13 +0000

Updated at 1:25 with statement from the city.

The U.S. Supreme Court has declined a request to review an opinion from a lower federal appeals court that allowed a St. Louis man to keep a mural that protests eminent domain.

Curators approve 3 percent tuition hike for UM system

Rachel Lippmann, Kelsey Proud and The Associated Press — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 17:21:01 +0000

Updated at 1:00 p.m. following conference call and media availability.

Updated at 1:07 to correct who would have to provide the tuition waiver.

Missouri residents attending the four campuses of the University of Missouri system will see their tuition increase by three percent - about $230 - next year.

The system's Board of Curators voted 7-0 during a teleconference meeting this morning to approve that increase, as well as increases in a variety of fees that students pay for specialized programs.

Blagojevich ordered to report to prison nearly a month later than originally scheduled

The Associated Press — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 18:16:19 +0000

Updated 12:24 p.m. with judge's recommendation for Blagojevich to go to Colorado prison.

A federal judge in Chicago has agreed to delay the start of ousted Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's prison term.

U.S. District Judge James Zagel on Tuesday agreed to allow Blagojevich to report to prison on March 15.