State officials say the March unemployment rate dropped in every Illinois metropolitan area for a record seventh consecutive month.

A report released Thursday by the Illinois Department of Employment Security shows that the Rockford metropolitan area with the state's highest unemployment rate, at 13.3 percent. That's almost 4 percentage points lower than the same time last year.

The Kankakee-Bradley metropolitan area March rate was second-highest, at 12.7 percent.

Other metro areas with jobless rates over 10 percent were:

A Missouri House member wants to ask voters to raise the state cigarette tax by 81 cents a pack.

Democrat Chris Kelly, of Columbia, outlined his plan Thursday to a House committee. He's proposing a future statewide vote on whether to raise Missouri's current 17-cent tax - the lowest in the nation - to 98 cents per pack.

Kelly says the increase could generate $425 million in state revenue, discourage people from smoking and bring down state health care costs.

For the second time this week, the Missouri House has taken a day off from floor action.

And once again, it’s tied to the struggle between the House and Senate over congressional redistricting.

The Missouri Senate has passed the state budget for next year.

The Senate’s $23.2 billion spending plan cuts the state’s higher education budget by 4.8 percent, and provides an additional $20 million for school bus funding.  Kurt Schaefer (R, Columbia) sponsored the budget bills in the Senate.

A proposed constitutional amendment that would shrink the size of the Missouri House from 163 members to 103 has passed the Missouri Senate.

If it passes both chambers, the measure would go before voters next year.

State Senator Jim Lembke (R, Lemay) says the downsizing would not happen right away.

St. Louis Police Make Arrest in Beating Death of Vietnamese Immigrant

St. Louis Police have arrested an 18- year- old in connection with the beating death of an elderly Vietnamese man in South City. Police have arrested Elex Murphy of North St. Louis and are holding him without bond. Murphy is charged with 1st degree Murder, 1st Degree Assault and two counts of Armed Criminal Action.

A police investigation revealed the attack was part of a game which involves unprovoked attacks on innocent bystanders. An investigation to identify other suspects is ongoing.

After easily passing the House last week, a Missouri Senate committee is now considering a bill designed to make Lambert Airport an international air cargo hub.

The so-called Aerotropolis bill would provide around $480 million in tax credits to companies that develop air cargo facilities at or near Lambert.  Airport Director Rhonda Hamm-Niebruegge told the committee that the bill is about more than just doing business with China.

For the first time in more than 50 years, St. Louis County has an elected assessor - not one appointed by the county executive.

Jake Zimmerman was sworn into office today following his election on April 5. Zimmerman says his priority is to build an accountable office that listens to the county's taxpayers.

St. Louis Police Chief Dan Isom has confirmed that he is being considered for a job as superintendent of the Chicago Police Department.

Isom confirmed to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch today that his name has been recommended to incoming Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel.

When asked whether he would take the job if offered, Isom said he would "listen to the conversation," but that he preferred to stay in St. Louis.