Progress Illinois

The Democratic Party's Rules and Bylaws Committee will meet Saturday to hash out how to seat party delegates at this year's national convention. With the fate of Michigan and Florida delegates still uncertain, the committee's decisions could determine the fate of Hillary Clinton's campaign. Regardless of what it decides, however, Obama remains poised to clinch the nomination.

Rev. Michael Pfleger a Chicago-based activist pastor delivered a sermon mocking Clinton's presidential campaign last weekend at Trinity United Church of Christ. The comments earned a quick reprimand from Barack Obama's presidential campaign, weary of reintroducing Trinity as an issue in the general election.

In Springfield, lawmakers negotiated late into the night trying to reach an accord on this year's state budget. Still at issue is how to fund public schools "human-service programs and higher education," reports the State Journal-Register. The spending plan may get a vote today.

Also in budget news, the Senate voted along party lines to support a $16 billion loan to "refinance" the state's pension plan. Democratic supporters of the plan say it will make pension debts easier for the state to repay, though some worry how the plan will fare in the House.

On Thursday, Northwestern University President Henry Bienen defended the school's decision to invite Chicago Mayor Richard Daley as this year's commencement speaker. Some students complained that they wanted a bigger name to fill out the graduation program.

Federal Judge Robert W. Gettleman banned mandatory moments of silence in all Illinois schools yesterday. The "preliminary injunction" -- which had previously applied to only one school district -- came as Gettleman's court works to determine whether it is constitutional to require students to observe moments of prayer or reflection.