Springfield politics wreaked havoc on retirement codeIllinois' pension system was in precarious enough shape in 1994 that Democrats and Republicans came together to solve a crisis threatening the state's financial future.

New approach offers more welcoming environment, less expensive careNot long ago, a woman who had just weathered a mental health crisis at the Living Room, a low-key alternative to emergency room treatment, was headed out the door when she offered her take on the service.

Her decision to report alleged sex assault shook up MarquetteThe night began with alcohol, athletes and a group of freshman women. Before sunrise last Halloween, two female students would say they were sexually attacked by Marquette University athletes, touching off a crisis that quietly engulfed

Protesters develop list of demands to address economic crisisThe crowd of protesters in downtown Chicago, often criticized for being haphazard and unfocused, has taken steps to make its mission clearer.

Claypool explains dire financial situation, doesn't rule out fare hikesCTA President Forrest Claypool attempted to prepare transit riders on Tuesday for the possibility of fare increases and service cuts as early as January by explaining the roots of a financial crisis that has culminated in a near

Since 2000, district enrollment down 5 percent, expenses up 47 percentOf all the sad statistics related to the financial crisis at Chicago Public Schools, one of the most alarming is simply this: The school district is spending millions more every year to educate fewer children.

by environmental crisis.

Housing crisis was final nail in the coffin of once-promising recoveryEnglewood is rapidly being abandoned, many of its blocks now little more than weed-choked and trash-littered urban prairies.

Foreclosure crisis 'is our tsunami,' expert saysThe young woman sat naked and sobbing on the rotting front porch at 5964 S. Lowe Ave. in Englewood when neighbors found her. She had been raped by three men inside the boarded-up house, yanked by her ponytail and pulled inside after walking

35-year-old group 'no longer talks about exporting bananas'In the early 1970s, a looming international oil crisis prompted the White House to create an informal gathering of senior finance officials from Europe, Japan and the U.S. It was dubbed the "Library Group" and stuck mostly to economic

Governor's move is called a 'manufactured crisis' in bid to boost spendingGov. Pat Quinn on Monday threatened to shut down summer road construction if lawmakers don't return to Springfield, a move critics contend is a "manufactured crisis."

Activists plan route to deliver healthy options to food desertsNext month, a group called Food Desert Action, will unveil a solution to the healthy food crisis in poor neighborhoods -- a renovated CTA bus transformed into a mobile produce stand.

Some who live near Illinois' nuclear sites have faith in the plants, while others are fearful as they track the crisis abroadJapan's partial nuclear meltdown may be playing out thousands of miles away, but given that Illinois has more nuclear sites and a larger stockpile of spent fuel

When environmentalist Naomi Davis walks past the boarded-up homes and businesses in her Woodlawn neighborhood, she envisions a community that will confront the climate crisis by becoming self-sustaining, with vibrant, black-owned stores and green gardens.

to share his perspective on politics, recent news in the sexual abuse crisis and even the NFC Championship. ...

Stabilization program shows signs of success despite slow startTorrey Warship had never owned a home — until the mortgage foreclosure crisis.

Quinn's own bill: He paid $4,468 in 2009, but tab would have approached $7,500 with new rate While most Illinois taxpayers were asleep early Wednesday, their wallets and bank accounts were being lightened by Illinois lawmakers desperate for more revenue to ease a crushing state financial crisis.

Proposed income tax increase scaled back to 66% from 75%— Illinois Democrats are scaling back a major income tax increase as they search for votes in a frantic, last-ditch effort to deal with the state's crippling budget crisis.

Closing of public dental clinics has led to a health crisis.Thousands of residents are going without dental treatment or forced to wait months for routine treatment with just four dental clinics and the office at Stroger Hospital to serve more than 1.4 million residents on public aid.

The Crisis Center for South Suburbia will be able to help more women and children get back on their feet with a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice that will allow it to nearly double its transitional housing program.

Faced with budget crisis, lawmakers at forum say they may roll back transit program Offering little hope of new funding for buses and trains in the Chicago region, the state's top legislative leaders from both parties agreed Monday on one point — free rides for senior citizens

Colleagues carry on research mission of the ailing Rev. Andrew GreeleyPublic outcry about the sex-abuse crisis, disdain for arrogant bishops and disagreement with church doctrine about birth control and abortion rights have not eroded the faith of Roman Catholics in Chicago, according

One of four funds will go broke in the next decade, and taxes could skyrocket, officials sayMuch has been made of retiring Mayor Richard Daley's plan to draw down reserve funds to balance next year's city budget and how it could burden his successor.

Quinn running for re-election after mixed results during his 21-month auditionAfter more than a decade with two tainted governors not known for their attention to detail, Pat Quinn is attempting to run the state hour by hour and day to day at a time of unprecedented financial crisis.

Nonprofits send 'hardship letters' as Illinois faces a $4.6 billion backlogThe paper trail of Illinois' budget crisis reaches hundreds of letters high, each pleading missive an example of a state too broke to pay its bills.

over Chicago's school funding crisis.

Allies in the fight against invasive species tour state park Two of the state's biggest allies in the fight against Asian carp got a firsthand glimpse of the threat Monday while touring the popular Starved Rock State Park, 100 miles southwest of the Loop.

Move comes after Brady criticizes governor for handing out double-digit raises Gov. Pat Quinn sought to beat back growing criticism for doling out double-digit raises during a budget crisis, declaring Friday

Chicago Ridge boosted salaries for its police chief and a deputy before they retired. Over the next decade, salary benefits for them could reach $2 million, paid out from the village's underfunded police pension. Shortly before Tim Baldermann retired as Chicago Ridge's police chief, the town boosted his sal...

Funding cuts put interlibrary loans at risk Downers Grove resident Edris Byers reads about three mystery novels a month.