The U.S. Supreme Court's new term starts Monday, and it could take up cases involving abortion, union fees, birth control coverage requirements under the Affordable Care Act, affirmative action in higher education and state voting districts.
Republican Indiana Gov. Mike Pence is expected to sign controversial "religious freedom" legislation on Thursday that could allow businesses to refuse service to same-sex couples.
Paul Vallas, Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn's running mate, talks with Progress Illinois about important issues at stake in the November gubernatorial election and his priorities for the lieutenant governor's office if elected.
U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL,10) and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle discussed the importance of the Affordable Care Act with Illinoisans who have benefited from the health reform law at a Tuesday roundtable discussion in Des Plaines.
At the small gathering, held at the Frisbie Senior Center, Schneider criticized his Republican opponent, former one-term Congressman Bob Dold, for voting several times while in Congress to repeal or weaken the president's signature health reform law.
"When my opponent was in Congress, every time the Republicans brought an effort to fully repeal the Affordable Care Act — not some of the times, but every time — he voted with Republicans" to repeal it, said Schneider, who unseated Dold in 2012 and is seeking a second term. "In contrast ... I have not voted for repeal and I will not vote for repeal. We need to move forward."
Illinois regulators issued a reminder to health insurers that it is illegal to deny coverage to someone because they are transgender, drawing praise from the gay rights community.
While New Jersey Governor Chris Christie headlined a fundraiser for Republican Illinois gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner Friday evening in the Loop, more than 100 protesters gathered outside the event to decry the pair's conservative stance on a myriad of social issues.
“Both of these politicians pose as moderates, but we’re here to call attention to the fact that both Bruce Rauner and Chris Christie have extreme positions on both the social, as well as the economic pocket book issues,” said William McNary, co-director of Citizen Action/Illinois.
Same sex couples can legally marry in Illinois starting June 1, but many members of the LGBTQ community have questions about how the new marriage equality law will be implemented, prompting a handful of elected officials to host an informational forum Wednesday night on the North Side of Chicago.