Illinois state Sen. Andy Manar (D-48) on June 1 voted for a fiscal year 2020 budget that was $5.3 billion in the red, increasing state taxes and spending by record amounts.

Illinois state Sen. Chapin Rose (R-51) on June 1 voted against a fiscal year 2020 budget that was $5.3 billion in the red, increasing state taxes and spending by record amounts.

Illinois state Rep. Dan Caulkins (R-101) on May 31 voted against a fiscal year 2020 budget that was $5.3 billion in the red, increasing state taxes and spending by record amounts.

Illinois state Rep. Sue Scherer (D-96) on May 31 voted for a fiscal year 2020 budget that was $5.3 billion in the red, increasing state taxes and spending by record amounts.

State Sen. Andy Manar (D-48) on June 1 voted for a $40 million budget package that included a hidden gem for teachers -- the removal of a 3 percent cap on end-of-career pension spiking for Illinois educators.

State Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-102) on May 31 voted against a $40 million budget package that included a hidden gem for teachers -- the removal of a 3 percent cap on end-of-career pension spiking for Illinois educators.

State Rep. Dan Caulkins (R-101) on May 31 voted against a $40 million budget package that included a hidden gem for teachers -- the removal of a 3 percent cap on end-of-career pension spiking for Illinois educators.

State Rep. Sue Scherer (D-96) on May 31 voted for a $40 million budget package that included a hidden gem for teachers -- the removal of a 3 percent cap on end-of-career pension spiking for Illinois educators.

Illinois state Sen. Chapin Rose (R-51) on May 31 voted against a measure that will bring sweeping changes to the state’s abortion laws.

Illinois state Sen. Andy Manar (D-48) on May 31 voted against a measure that will bring sweeping changes to the state’s abortion laws.

Illinois state Rep. Dan Caulkins (R-101) on May 28 voted against a measure that will bring sweeping changes to the state’s abortion laws.

Illinois state Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-102) on May 28 voted against a measure that will bring sweeping changes to the state’s abortion laws.

Illinois state Rep. Sue Scherer (D-96) on May 28 voted against a measure that will bring sweeping changes to the state’s abortion laws.

Even without the increases in the Illinois gas tax now being proposed by state lawmakers, Illinois has the 10th highest state gas taxes in the nation, according to July 2018 numbers from the Washington-based Tax Foundation.

If a current Senate bill clears the House and is signed into law, Illinois will join three other states and the District of Columbia in soon paying a minimum wage of $15 per hour.

The state legislature adjourned before taking action on Senate Bill 1597, which would require Illinois consumers to pay a 5 cent fee for every single-use paper or plastic bag, but similar proposals are being considered at the county and local levels.

Waynesville voters will decide who will serve as village trustees when they head to the polls on April 2.

Lovington voters will decide who will serve on the board of trustees when they head to the polls on April 2.

Decatur voters will decide who will serve as mayor when they head to the polls on April 2.

Illinois House Speaker and Democrat Party Chief Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) gave a total of $347,015 to Edwardsville state House candidate Katie Stuart this election cycle, state filings show.