Stories by Kristen Thometz

One day after telling Springfield legislators they face a stark choice between making the “temporary” income tax hikes permanent or slashing spending on education and social services, Gov. Pat Quinn joins us to discuss the tough choices facing the state, and how he plans to defeat Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner in the November election. Watch Quinn's budget address, view graphics of his budget breakdown, and read an article about how the state budget would be impacted if the income tax increase were allowed to expire as scheduled in 2015.

Making the income tax increase permanent, a property tax relief, and adding $50 million to a monetary assistance program for college students in Illinois will all be addressed during Gov. Pat Quinn budget speech. Carol Marin talks with Sen. Kirk Dillard from Springfield, and then analyzes the budget address with her panel of guests. View graphics of Quinn's 2015 budget.

Seventeen-year-olds in Illinois had the ability to vote in the March Primary Election. Neli Farahmandpour helped to get the law passed that gave 17-year-olds this opportunity. Read an article.

As Russia continues to assert its influence in Crimea, concern grows among the Chicago Ukrainian community. Read an article.

Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen said the Fed may start  raising rates around six months after quantitative easing—ahead of what experts were expecting. We take a closer look at how the markets react to her comments at her first live press conference, and how her first policy meeting may affect the economy. Read an article, watch Yellen’s full press conference, and read a transcript of her remarks.

Voter turnout in Chicago is expected to be around 16 percent for the March Primary Election, according to the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners. The low turnout benefited the debut of electronic poll books in Chicago's precincts. Read an article.

Voter turnout for Tuesday's March Primary Election has been low, and less than 9 percent of registered voters in Chicago have cast ballots as of 6:00 pm. Voters today will determine who will appear on the November ticket for Republican and Democratic races ranging from governor to the state legislature. Read an article.

For the first time in Illinois, 17-year-olds will be able to vote in Tuesday's March 18 Primary Election. Nearly 3,500 teens have registered in Chicago. Read an article.

Republican gubernatorial candidates  -- Bruce Rauner, Bill Brady, and Kirk Dillard – gave a brief news conference following the GOP Governor Forum. Read an article.

At the Tuesday, March 18 Primary Election, the Board of Election Commissioners for the City of Chicago will use electronic poll books to check in voters instead of paper poll books. Read an article.

Republican Illinois gubernatorial candidates Bruce Rauner, Dan Rutherford and Bill Brady provide information regarding their charitable contributions. Read an article.

Republican Illinois Lieutenant Governor candidate Jil Tracy was the last candidate to release her tax return ahead of Tuesday's March 18 Primary. Read an article about the tax returns filed by Republican gubernatorial candidates and their running mates.

Republican candidates for Illinois Lieutenant Governor -- Maria Rodriguez, Steve Kim, and Jil Tracy -- gave a brief news conference following the forum. Read an article.