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  • Saturday, May 18 2013 5:27 PM EDT2013-05-18 21:27:05 GMT
    With just two weeks left in the legislative session, Illinois lawmakers have a full plate of controversial issues to tackle including same-sex marriage, pensions and fracking.
    With just two weeks left in the legislative session, Illinois lawmakers have a full plate of controversial issues to tackle including same-sex marriage, pensions and fracking.
  • Saturday, May 18 2013 1:01 PM EDT2013-05-18 17:01:36 GMT
    Illinois now has tougher penalties for those who use social media to organize violent "flash mobs" like those that have occurred on Chicago's Michigan Avenue and in other tourist areas.
    Illinois now has tougher penalties for those who use social media to organize violent "flash mobs" like those that have occurred on Chicago's Michigan Avenue and in other tourist areas.
  • Saturday, May 18 2013 12:57 PM EDT2013-05-18 16:57:01 GMT
    Missouri lawmakers have wrapped up their annual legislative session without approving proposals that would have boosted funding for transportation or paid for construction projects at colleges and state facilities.
    Missouri lawmakers have wrapped up their annual legislative session without approving proposals that would have boosted funding for transportation or paid for construction projects at colleges and state facilities.
  • Saturday, May 18 2013 12:51 PM EDT2013-05-18 16:51:05 GMT
    Gov. Jay Nixon began the year with ambitious priorities to start of his second term but ran into a wall of opposition from the Republican Legislature.
    Gov. Jay Nixon began the year with ambitious priorities to start of his second term but ran into a wall of opposition from the Republican Legislature.
  • Friday, May 17 2013 4:45 PM EDT2013-05-17 20:45:04 GMT
    Legislation in the Illinois Senate allowing people to carry concealed weapons no longer would require applicants to show they have "good moral character."
    Legislation in the Illinois Senate allowing people to carry concealed weapons no longer would require applicants to show they have "good moral character."
  • Friday, May 17 2013 4:39 PM EDT2013-05-17 20:39:47 GMT
    Missouri voters will be asked to amend the state Constitution to give prosecutors another implement in child sex abuse cases.
    Missouri voters will be asked to amend the state Constitution to give prosecutors another implement in child sex abuse cases.
  • Friday, May 17 2013 4:35 PM EDT2013-05-17 20:35:01 GMT
    State employees in Missouri could keep firearms in their vehicles on state property under a bill sent to Gov. Jay Nixon.
    State employees in Missouri could keep firearms in their vehicles on state property under a bill sent to Gov. Jay Nixon.
  • Friday, May 17 2013 11:32 AM EDT2013-05-17 15:32:33 GMT
    Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon wants to see all colleges and universities in Illinois feature a link to the federal College Scorecard on their websites.
    Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon wants to see all colleges and universities in Illinois feature a link to the federal College Scorecard on their websites.
  • Thursday, May 16 2013 7:32 PM EDT2013-05-16 23:32:55 GMT
    Missouri lawmakers want county sheriffs rather than the state Revenue Department to print concealed weapons permits.
    Missouri lawmakers want county sheriffs rather than the state Revenue Department to print concealed weapons permits.
  • Thursday, May 16 2013 5:28 PM EDT2013-05-16 21:28:30 GMT
    Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan says lawmakers will need to take "tough positions" to reach a compromise on legislation allowing the carrying of concealed weapons.
    Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan says lawmakers will need to take "tough positions" to reach a compromise on legislation allowing the carrying of concealed weapons.
  • The House and Senate Agriculture Committees have laid the groundwork this week for reducing the size of the federal food stamp program, approving farm bills that would shrink the food aid and alter the way people...
    The House and Senate Agriculture Committees laid the groundwork this week for reducing the size of the federal food stamp program, approving farm bills that would shrink food aid and alter the way people qualify for it.
  • Thursday, May 16 2013 1:16 PM EDT2013-05-16 17:16:58 GMT
    Illinois concealed carry legislation that requires special permission to have a gun in Chicago is scheduled for a Senate committee vote.
    Illinois concealed carry legislation that requires special permission to have a gun in Chicago is scheduled for a Senate committee vote.
  • Thursday, May 16 2013 1:14 PM EDT2013-05-16 17:14:31 GMT
    The Illinois House is gearing up to consider a key part of President Barack Obama's health care law, an expansion of Medicaid that would provide coverage to low-income adults who don't have children at home.
    The Illinois House is gearing up to consider a key part of President Barack Obama's health care law, an expansion of Medicaid that would provide coverage to low-income adults who don't have children at home.
  • Anger over President Barack Obama's policies drove businessman Tom Zawistowski to file paperwork with the Internal Revenue Service nearly three years ago to create the Ohio Liberty Coalition.
    Anger over President Barack Obama's policies drove businessman Tom Zawistowski to file paperwork with the Internal Revenue Service nearly three years ago to create the Ohio Liberty Coalition.
  • Thursday, May 16 2013 3:17 AM EDT2013-05-16 07:17:53 GMT
    The city voted to lower the voting age to 16 and allow ex-felons to vote.
    The city voted to lower the voting age to 16 and allow ex-felons to vote.
  • Wednesday, May 15 2013 9:02 PM EDT2013-05-16 01:02:56 GMT
    Illinois 17-year-olds would be able to vote in primary elections in some cases under legislation headed for Gov. Pat Quinn.
    Illinois 17-year-olds would be able to vote in primary elections in some cases under legislation headed for Gov. Pat Quinn.
  • Wednesday, May 15 2013 5:44 PM EDT2013-05-15 21:44:43 GMT
    Gov. Steve Beshear says he's part of efforts to recruit a Democrat to challenge Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell in next year's election in Kentucky.
    Gov. Steve Beshear says he's part of efforts to recruit a Democrat to challenge Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell in next year's election in Kentucky.
  • Wednesday, May 15 2013 5:41 PM EDT2013-05-15 21:41:34 GMT
    Supporters of high-volume oil and gas drilling say a bill to regulate the practice in Illinois is ready for a vote after last-minute negotiations over hiring and environmental concerns.
    Supporters of high-volume oil and gas drilling say a bill to regulate the practice in Illinois is ready for a vote after last-minute negotiations over hiring and environmental concerns.
  • Wednesday, May 15 2013 2:01 PM EDT2013-05-15 18:01:33 GMT
    Missouri lawmakers have sent Gov. Jay Nixon a bill that would force the state Revenue Department to stop scanning driving applicants' documents into a state computer system.
    Missouri lawmakers have sent Gov. Jay Nixon a bill that would force the state Revenue Department to stop scanning driving applicants' documents into a state computer system.
  • Wednesday, May 15 2013 11:06 AM EDT2013-05-15 15:06:35 GMT
    Gov. Pat Quinn says new legislation will help disabled Illinois residents find better jobs.
    Gov. Pat Quinn says new legislation will help disabled Illinois residents find better jobs.
  • Legislation that would help Illinois public school districts merge to save money is headed for Gov. Pat Quinn's desk.
    Legislation that would help Illinois public school districts merge to save money is headed for Gov. Pat Quinn's desk.
  • There's still a little something for everyone in massive farm bills that Congress is considering this week, even though the legislation would cut billions of dollars from federal farm and food subsidies.
    The Senate Agriculture Committee on Tuesday approved a massive five-year farm bill that would cut spending while also creating new subsidies for farmers.
  • Tuesday, May 14 2013 1:30 PM EDT2013-05-14 17:30:23 GMT
    Missouri House members have endorsed a 1-cent sales tax that would be dedicated to paying for state and local transportation projects.
    Missouri House members have endorsed a 1-cent sales tax that would be dedicated to paying for state and local transportation projects.
  • Tuesday, May 14 2013 11:36 AM EDT2013-05-14 15:36:16 GMT
    The uncle of a Democratic Missouri lawmaker has pleaded guilty to voter fraud in an election that his nephew won by a single vote.
    The uncle of a Democratic Missouri lawmaker has pleaded guilty to voter fraud in an election that his nephew won by a single vote.
  • Tuesday, May 14 2013 11:32 AM EDT2013-05-14 15:32:15 GMT
    An influential tea party group has endorsed Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's campaign for a sixth term next year in Kentucky.
    An influential tea party group has endorsed Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's campaign for a sixth term next year in Kentucky.
  • The Republican chairman of the House oversight panel is asking a veteran diplomat and a former chairman of the Joints Chief of Staff for sworn testimony about their investigation into the deaths of four Americans at...
    House Republicans pushed ahead Monday with their investigation of the deadly assault on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya, last year as President Barack Obama asserted that GOP charges of a cover-up are baseless.
  • Monday, May 13 2013 4:15 PM EDT2013-05-13 20:15:21 GMT
    In recent years, the recession provided Republicans in many state capitols a long-coveted opportunity to cut government spending and services. Now that tax revenues are improving, those lawmakers face a new...
    In recent years, the recession provided Republicans in many state capitols a long-coveted opportunity to cut government spending and services.
  • Monday, May 13 2013 3:48 PM EDT2013-05-13 19:48:48 GMT
    Missouri lawmakers plan to come up with a new funding source this week for a program that serves developmentally disabled children.
    A Missouri Senate panel had endorsed a new funding source for a program that serves developmentally disabled children.
  • Monday, May 13 2013 3:46 PM EDT2013-05-13 19:46:28 GMT
    It's still eight years away, but Missouri lawmakers want the planning to begin for the bicentennial celebration of Missouri's statehood.
    It's still eight years away, but Missouri lawmakers want the planning to begin for the bicentennial celebration of Missouri's statehood.
  • Monday, May 13 2013 12:26 PM EDT2013-05-13 16:26:58 GMT
    House Speaker Tim Jones has named additional members to a newly created House commission reviewing driver's license policies and the sharing of gun data.
    House Speaker Tim Jones has named additional members to a newly created House commission reviewing driver's license policies and the sharing of gun data.
  • Monday, May 13 2013 11:26 AM EDT2013-05-13 15:26:25 GMT
    Lt. Governor Sheila Simon announced her support Monday for House Bill 1, the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act. The legislation, sponsored by Sen. William Haine (D-Alton) awaits a
    Lt. Governor Sheila Simon announced her support Monday for House Bill 1, the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act. The legislation, sponsored by Sen. William Haine (D-Alton) awaits a final vote in the Senate.
  • The Internal Revenue Service is apologizing for inappropriately flagging conservative political groups for additional reviews during the 2012 election to see if they were violating their tax-exempt status.
    The Internal Revenue Service apologized Friday for what it acknowledged was "inappropriate" targeting of conservative political groups during the 2012 election to see if they were violating their tax-exempt status.
  • Friday, May 10 2013 4:41 PM EDT2013-05-10 20:41:14 GMT
    Children younger than 16 could avoid future federal regulation and continue to work on their parents' Missouri farms under legislation signed by Gov. Jay Nixon.
    Children younger than 16 could avoid future federal regulation and continue to work on their parents' Missouri farms under legislation signed by Gov. Jay Nixon.
  • Friday, May 10 2013 1:26 PM EDT2013-05-10 17:26:10 GMT
    Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri is continuing to block confirmation of the nominee for Environmental Protection Agency administrator.
    Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri is continuing to block confirmation of the nominee for Environmental Protection Agency administrator, part of his effort to speed up work on the St. Johns Bayou/New Madrid Floodway project.
  • Friday, May 10 2013 12:38 PM EDT2013-05-10 16:38:32 GMT
    The Illinois House has approved legislation that would impose tougher punishment on anyone convicted of using social media to plan or incite a mob attack.
    The Illinois House has approved legislation that would impose tougher punishment on anyone convicted of using social media to plan or incite a mob attack.
  • A bill to enact dramatic changes to the nation's immigration system and put some 11 million immigrants here illegally on a path to citizenship is facing its first congressional test.
    The bipartisan coalition behind a contentious overhaul of immigration laws stuck together on a critical early series of test votes Thursday, turning back challenges from conservative critics as the Senate Judiciary Committee...
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  • Friday, April 12 2013 4:54 PM EDT2013-04-12 20:54:43 GMT
    The Illinois House of Representatives approved a constitutional amendment to eliminate the office of Lt. Governor.
    The Illinois House of Representatives approved a constitutional amendment to eliminate the office of Lt. Governor.
  • Thursday, April 11 2013 1:38 PM EDT2013-04-11 17:38:29 GMT
    The Missouri House speaker says lawmakers will take action if Gov. Jay Nixon fails to order the release of records in recent child tragedies.
    The Missouri House speaker says lawmakers will take action if Gov. Jay Nixon fails to order the release of records in recent child tragedies.
  • Thursday, April 11 2013 1:33 PM EDT2013-04-11 17:33:23 GMT
    Most drones would be prohibited in Kentucky under a proposal that a state representative wants to take up in the next legislative session.
    Most drones would be prohibited in Kentucky under a proposal that a state representative wants to take up in the next legislative session.