TheRepublic.com - Springfield News

Dems divided on big issues as end of session nears

Sat, 25 May 2013 17:38:14 -0400

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois - Illinois Democrats seemed poised to rule almost unchallenged in the state Capitol after winning super majorities in the House and Senate last fall. But as intraparty divisions have surfaced, things haven't been that simple.

Ill. House approves guns plan opposed by governor

Fri, 24 May 2013 18:55:50 -0400

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois - Gun owners could carry concealed weapons in Illinois, the last state in the nation to prohibit it, under legislation that swept through the House Friday with the backing of the powerful Democratic speaker from Chicago, a city torn by violence despite what critics claim are the nation's toughest firearms restrictions.

Quinn skeptical of Ill. House concealed-carry plan

Fri, 24 May 2013 00:13:52 -0400

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois - A compromise plan on concealed weapons heading for a House floor vote drew swift opposition Thursday from Gov. Pat Quinn, whose office called it a "massive overreach" because of the way it would curb local firearms regulations.

Springfield man gets 65 years in killing

Wed, 22 May 2013 18:15:00 -0400

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois - A central Illinois judge has sentenced a Springfield man to 65 years in prison for armed robbery and murder.

Illinois drug court official faces drug charge

Wed, 22 May 2013 17:35:04 -0400

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois - The U.S. Justice Department says a supervisor from a western Illinois drug court program has been charged with using his home to grow marijuana and make methamphetamine.

Protesters to school closures storm meetings

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:54:44 -0400

CHICAGO - Protesters of Mayor Rahm Emmanuel's plan to close dozens of city schools have been removed from a school board meeting in Chicago and from the State Capitol in Springfield.

Illinois senator apologizes for Nazi remark

Wed, 22 May 2013 11:10:21 -0400

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois - Illinois Sen. Donne Trotter has apologized for remarks that compared a member of Gov. Pat Quinn's cabinet to a Nazi.

Quinn pushes for ban on high-capacity ammunition

Sun, 19 May 2013 16:06:14 -0400

CHICAGO - Illinois' top Democrats joined parents of Connecticut school shooting victims Sunday to call for a state ban on high-capacity ammunition magazines, a push made as lawmakers face a tight deadline on a contentious measure to legalize concealed carry.

Springfield looking at local concealed carry law

Sun, 19 May 2013 10:50:26 -0400

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois - Another community is exploring a possible ordinance on concealed guns in the event state lawmakers fail to pass a law by a federal court's deadline.

Ill. lawmakers face tough votes before adjourning

Sat, 18 May 2013 18:14:29 -0400

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois - The Illinois General Assembly has just two weeks left in Springfield before it adjourns for the summer, leaving lawmakers with a tight deadline for action on issues including tackling the state's pension crisis, gay marriage and how guns will be allowed to be carried in public.

Nominations sought for 'Illinoisans of the Day'

Sat, 18 May 2013 04:05:12 -0400

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois - The Illinois State Fair Museum Foundation is looking for 10 people to honor as Illinoisans of the Day at the fair this August in Springfield.

Illinois Senate approves medical marijuana bill

Fri, 17 May 2013 19:34:10 -0400

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois - Illinois lawmakers agreed to legalize the use of medical marijuana on Friday under a plan that's being billed as the strictest in the nation among states that have authorized the drug's medicinal use, though it was unclear whether the Democratic governor plans to sign it.

Ill. preservation group tabs regional director

Thu, 16 May 2013 04:08:16 -0400

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois - A leading Illinois preservation group has named a director for a new Springfield field office.

Illinois historic sites extend hours for season

Thu, 16 May 2013 04:06:17 -0400

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois - Six Illinois historic sites are operating seven days a week for the convenience of tourists traveling in the spring and summer.

Estimate: Illinois to lose $212M in online taxes

Sat, 11 May 2013 12:34:31 -0400

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois - New estimates show the state of Illinois will lose $212 million in unpaid sales taxes from online purchases during 2013.

Police: No children hurt in Springfield bus crash

Thu, 09 May 2013 11:07:16 -0400

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois - A school bus has collided with another vehicle in Springfield, but police do not believe any of the children on the bus were injured.

AP names new correspondent in Springfield, Ill.

Wed, 08 May 2013 11:59:37 -0400

CHICAGO - Kerry Lester, an award-winning political reporter in Illinois, has been named Supervisory Correspondent for The Associated Press in Springfield, Illinois

Farmers market opens at state fairgrounds

Wed, 08 May 2013 04:07:22 -0400

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois - The Illinois Products Farmers' Market is opening for its sixth season at the state fairgrounds in Springfield.

Excerpts of editorials from Illinois newspapers

Tue, 07 May 2013 13:35:47 -0400

May 5, 2013

Funeral procession set for Chicago firefighter

Tue, 07 May 2013 04:05:25 -0400

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois - A funeral procession is scheduled in Springfield for a Chicago firefighter who died in a central Illinois motorcycle crash.

Sheriff proposes county concealed-carry ordinance

Mon, 06 May 2013 13:38:14 -0400

CHICAGO - Cook County's sheriff is proposing a countywide concealed-carry ordinance, saying if state lawmakers don't pass a law by next month as a federal court has ordered, Illinois could turn into the "Wild West."

SPOTLIGHT: Quilts a platform for telling stories

Sun, 05 May 2013 10:29:22 -0400

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois - Two days after the Confederate States of America formed in the 1860s, Sarah Ann Massie married William Bateman. The newlyweds settled on William's 100-acre farm in Morgan County, and by the time the Civil War ended, Sarah had given birth to two children.

Chicago firefighter killed in motorcycle crash

Fri, 03 May 2013 08:28:21 -0400

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois - A 37-year-old Chicago firefighter has been killed in a motorcycle crash in Springfield.

Motorcycle groups join campaign to save lives

Thu, 02 May 2013 04:02:15 -0400

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois - Nearly 150 motorcyclists died in crashes last year in Illinois. In an effort to prevent accidents, motorcycle groups joined Wednesday in Springfield with the Illinois State Police and transportation officials to kick off a safety campaign.

Illinois state senator injured in softball game

Wed, 01 May 2013 21:17:12 -0400

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois - State Sen. Matt Murphy has been injured in the annual softball game between the Illinois House and Senate.