Longtime Springfield lobbyist Mike McClain, a former close friend and advisor to ex-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, leaves the Dirksen Federal Courthouse on Thursday, July 24, after receiving a two-year prison sentence. McClain was convicted in 2023’s “ComEd Four” trial in which McClain and other lobbyists and executives for electric utility Commonwealth Edison were found guilty of having orchestrated a yearslong bribery scheme targeted at Madigan. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Andrew Adams)
Crime
5 months ago
‘You preferred secrecy and lies’: Madigan confidant gets 2 years for role in ComEd bribery scheme

Longtime lobbyist and friend to ex-speaker sentenced after 2023 convictions

Gov JB Pritzker gives former Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White a proclamation in honor of Chicago's state office building being named the "Jesse White State of Illinois Office Building"
IL State News
5 months ago
It’s now the ‘Jesse White State of Illinois’ building in Chicago

Legislation approved the change of the building’s name, honoring the longtime public servant in teaching, government, and coaching tumbling

UIS Athletics
Sports
5 months ago
UIS Volleyball earns 2025 AVCA Team academic award

The team averaged a GPA of 3.69

Michael Frerichs, Illinois State Treasurer
Health & Wellness
5 months ago
State financial officers, including Illinois’ Frerichs, claim Medicaid cuts will put healthcare into disarray

State Treasurer Mike Frerichs says “Republicans are hurting Republicans” with Medicare and Medicaid cuts

Mugshot of Taylor Staff, convicted of sexually assaulting women while working as a Springfield Police Officer
Crime
5 months ago
Former Springfield Police officer sent to prison for sexual assault while on the job

Taylor Staff must also register as a sex offender for the rest of his life

An employee paycheck
Business
5 months ago
Illinois strengthens pay equity law, drops outdated federal reporting requirement

The update brought by HB 2488 formalizes the state’s shift toward a more independent, state-centered approach to enforcing pay equity, reinforcing Illinois’ position as a national leader in labor rights and wage transparency

IL State News
5 months ago
Kids join Croke in first ad for IL comptroller

State rep has blessing of Cook County Democrats

Gov. JB Pritzker speaks during a forum on climate change at the Aspen Ideas conference in Chicago on Monday, July 21, 2025. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Andrew Adams)
IL State News
5 months ago
Pritzker calls Texas GOP’s remap effort ‘cheating,’ doesn’t rule out Illinois response

Illinois Republicans mock Pritzker’s approval of 2021 Democrat-leaning maps

UIS Athletics
Sports
5 months ago
UIS Track & Field Teams earn USTFCCCA All-Academic honors

One track star was also named USTFCCCA All-Academic Athlete