Illinois Public Radio

Reporting from Amanda Vinicky from Illinois Public Radio.

A new session of the Illinois General Assembly begins today, when candidates who won in November's elections take the oath of office.  The outgoing class of legislators left the incoming one with quite a burden.  

Tuesday night, the previous General Assembly adjourned without doing anything to reduce Illinois' $97 billion pension debt, though there were a few last minute tries.

Updated 3:06 p.m. with comment from Gov. Quinn. Will be updated further. Reporting from Brian Mackey used in this report

The Illinois House has approved legislation allowing those who are in the U.S. illegally to obtain driver's licenses.

Updated  5:30 p.m. Reporting from Illinois Public Radio's Amanda Vinicky and Brian Mackey used in this report.

The Illinois House has just adjourned the 97th General Assembly permanently, without taking a vote on the pension legislation.

The commission proposed earlier in the day by Gov. Quinn (more below) was not addressed.

Members of the House approved it in committee, but several said they were doing so only as a show of respect for the governor, and had serious reservations about whether the idea was constitutional.

Updated 12:10 p.m.

A proposal that could make Illinois the next state to allow people who are in the U.S. illegally to get driver's licenses has passed out of a House committee.

It's ready for a House floor vote. Gov. Pat Quinn says he'll sign it, if it comes to his desk.

Original story with additional detail: