An “LOL Illinois” ad campaign is being run by the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago, and it’s designed to push state leaders on all sides to enact a responsible state budget. Comment: Whoopee. We need concrete proposals.

The election of Donald Trump just knocked one of the key legs out from under the rhetorical chair supporting Exelon’s bid for Illinois subsidies to keep open two nuclear plants that otherwise will close.

Illinois has sued AT&T, alleging that the communications company lied about work that it was required to farm out to a minority business in a $144 million contract.

The outcome of 2016 races in nearby states may result in all states surrounding Illinois becoming Right-to-Work states.

Rauner said Friday he hopes Illinois lawmakers resume work to end an epic budget standoff next week when they return to Springfield for a brief session and not just focus on trying to override his vetoes.

The population at the Cook County Jail has dropped below 8,000 for the first time in years due to more detainees being sent home on electronic monitoring.

Illinois owes so much money to its bondholders, vendors and pension funds that it now spends more on paying off its loans than it does on its human services programs. Unless the state cuts back on its debt, social service providers and other state programs will continue to bear the brunt of Illinois’ fiscal mess. Comment: That’s the true bottom line in our budget crisis. Rauner’s communications people need to get off their butts and explain that.