Sexual harassment takes the focus in Springfield and City Council. Aldermen approve a new police training center on the West Side. Sears plans to shutter more stores. And the Bears take on the weakened Packers. 

Illinois’ female state senators announce their informal tribe will operate as an official, bipartisan caucus devoted to advancing legislation to empower women. But hours later, the chamber kills a measure on gender pay equity.

It’s not mandatory by law yet, but Illinois legislators began formal lessons Wednesday on how to conduct themselves without “unwelcome” behavior and contacts that could be perceived by victims as sexual harassment. 

Grammy winner and Chicago native Chance the Rapper showed up at Wednesday’s City Council meeting to give aldermen—and Mayor Rahm Emanuel—a piece of his mind.

Sexual harassment has been part of the way of life at the Illinois state capital for decades. Lawmakers on Tuesday spent much of the day decrying that culture and approving measures intended to root it out.

It’s Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the city of Chicago vs. Ald. Ed Burke and President Donald Trump, so to speak.

President Donald Trump again says Chicago has the nation’s toughest gun laws. While that’s not true, local prosecutors and gun control advocates say it’s because of holes in the law that getting a gun here is so easy. Lawmakers are now considering tighter regulations in Illinois.

Tempers flare in Congress as House Republicans move quickly to overhaul the nation’s tax system. A look at the economic politics and policies at play.

Legislators return to Springfield on Tuesday for the second half of the annual veto session. Front and center: What’s being done in the capital about sexual harassment. 

After three years without a legislative inspector general, a former federal prosecutor has been tapped to temporarily fill the watchdog position. Former federal prosecutor Julie Porter discusses her new role.

Illinois’ largest county – and the Democrats who run its politics – will work to get state Sen. Kwame Raoul elected as the state’s next attorney general.

U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez says President Trump is “unfit to be president.” Security is stepped up in the wake of a fatal truck attack in New York City. Sex abuse allegations shake up Springfield. And Rod Blagojevich appeals to the Supreme Court.

As Springfield grapples with allegations of rampant sexual misconduct and harassment, lapses and flaws in the system for dealing with charges of harassment and other unethical behavior are rising to the surface.

Complaints against state lawmakers and legislative staff have been sitting in a binder for as long as three years, according to a legislator who sits on the commission charged with ruling on misconduct.

GOP lawmakers delay releasing their tax overhaul. Can legislators agree on cuts that meet the president’s demands?

Former Vice President Joe Biden weighs in on the current state of affairs and on the threat posed by Russia during a speech in Chicago. Is he laying the groundwork for 2020?