Illinois Prepares $5.27 Billion Bond Deal
State officials are preparing to sell $5.27 billion worth of sales-tax backed bonds to fund pension payments and get school construction and other capital projects moving.

Speaker Madigan: Tax Hike Won't Solve Budget Crisis
Meanwhile, House Speaker Michael Madigan says that the plan to increase the state income tax rate, which is being proposed by both major Democratic gubernatorial candidates, is only "a partial answer" to filling Illinois' $12 billion budget hole.

Community College Funding Delayed
A cloud of uncertainty is hanging over the state's 39 community colleges, which could lose half their state funding this year --  roughly $148 million -- as state officials consider pushing two of their quarterly reimbursements off until the 2010-2011 school year.

Quinn Signs New Gun Law
Gov. Quinn signed a measure into law yesterday ensuring that gang members will face 3-10 years in prison for possessing a loaded gun in Illinois.

Brown Still In The Cook County Board Race
The Cook County Electoral Board has tossed out an objection to Dorothy Brown's election petitions, thereby ensuring she'll appear on the Democratic primary ballot in the race for the county board presidency.

Weis Still Not Calling Scott's Death A Suicide
Chicago police have wrapped up their review of surveillance footage and concluded that Chicago school board president Michael Scott was indeed alone when he died November 16. However, Police Supt. Jody Weis says it's still too soon to declare Scott's death a suicide.

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