Governor JB Pritzker

Backers of a graduated income tax constitutional amendment conceded defeat Wednesday for Gov. JB Pritzker’s marquee policy proposal that was projected to bring in more than $3 billion annually to state coffers.

The state of Illinois plans to invest $15 million to construct two new manufacturing training academies at downstate community colleges.

Gov. JB Pritzker held off filling top vacancies at Illinois’ unemployment office because he was planning to merge it with another state department.

Then COVID-19 upended the nation.

Gov. JB Pritzker announced seven “guiding principles” Tuesday to “build a more equitable criminal justice system,” a series of policy recommendations the governor says are priorities for his administration as it works with the General Assembly.

Illinois has now recorded more than 200,000 cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic first arrived in the state.

Illinois’ highest court on Tuesday moved Rep. Darren Bailey’s ongoing lawsuit to Sangamon County, effectively ending a Clay County court's role in the case regarding the limits of Gov. JB Pritzker's authority to respond to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Gov. JB Pritzker has created new enforcement rules for mask wearing.

Pritzker said the statewide emergency order allows warnings and then fines of up to $2,500 against businesses and other organizations that do not ensure that people wear masks on the premises. He said Friday during a news conference many businesses already do this, but some do not.

Students will be allowed to return to K-12 schools for in-person instruction in August, state officials said Tuesday as they released guidelines for how that will work.

As Illinois begins to re-open, and people go back to work, they'll need safe and reliable child care.

Illinois bars and restaurants can now serve mixed-drinks to go. Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the measure into law Tuesday.

Gov. JB Pritzker released industry-specific guidelines Sunday that tell businesses what they must do in the next phase of reopening during the pandemic.

All four regions of the state are on track to advance to Phase 3 of the plan in the coming days, said Pritzker. Retail, offices, manufacturing, barbershops and salons, summer programs, various outdoor recreation activities and bars and restaurants for outdoor dining will all be able to resume business in some form under the plan.

A dozen Clinton business owners have put local law enforcement and public health authorities on notice they intend to open their doors to the public within a week, despite Gov. JB Pritzker’s order that non-essential services in the state remain closed.

Businesses that defy Gov. J.B. Pritzker's stay-at-home order could face a misdemeanor under emergency rules his administration has filed.

Some Bloomington restaurants and bars are getting the chance to have the cost of their liquor licenses reduced.

The McLean County state’s attorney and sheriff said it’s not so easy to say how they will enforce executive orders from Gov. JB Pritzker.

UPDATED 7:05 p.m. | A Clay County judge is lifting Illinois' extended stay-at-home order for a single state representative.

Gov. JB Pritzker on Thursday extended his stay-at-home order for another month, although state parks, golf courses, and more businesses will be able to open with certain restrictions. Face-coverings will also be required in public indoor spaces.

With a week to go before Illinois' stay-at-home order is set to expire, Gov. JB Pritzker said there are some areas the state needs to improve before lifting restrictions.

Gov. JB Pritzker has ordered schools throughout the state to remain closed for the rest of the semester because of the threat of the coronavirus.

State officials have set up digital medical programs with several partner outlets for people with COVID-19 symptoms to keep them in their homes until advanced medical services might be needed.

There are now 13 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in McLean County.

The McLean County Health Department released the latest tally Sunday afternoon. The new people with COVID-19 are a man in his 70s and a woman in her 30s. Both are self-isolating at home.

There has been one death and 120 negative tests in McLean County. There are 40 tests outstanding, according to the health department.

UPDATED 5:30 p.m. | Gov. JB Pritzker announced Friday that all schools in Illinois will be closed from Tuesday, March 17, through Monday, March 30, due to the coronavirus.

Pritzker said keeping people at home — including school kids and their parents — is critical for stopping the spread of the coronavirus disease.

A new on-campus makerspace and startup incubator in Uptown Normal will be Illinois State University’s contributions to a newly funded Illinois Innovation Network, officials said Wednesday.

Bloomington state Sen. Jason Barickman said he thinks this week's State of the State speech from Gov. JB Pritzker will not tackle the major issue facing the state.