At least 43 union workers continue to cash checks from the state, despite the closure of several institutions, including the 138-year-old Illinois State Museum in Springfield.

The Illinois General Assembly was in session in Springfield on Tuesday for the first time in weeks as the budget impasse drags on. "Chicago Tonight" Springfield reporter Amanda Vinicky joins us to talk about what happened today at the capitol.

A dire report from Illinois' comptroller today: The state budget stalemate has reached an alarming point in the state's ability to make a significant pension payment and pay bills. 

As the state budget stalemate drags on for a fourth month, Gov. Bruce Rauner tries again to make his pitch for compromise. Paris Schutz has the story.

The powerful Democratic House leader has a message for Mayor Rahm Emanuel, the City of Chicago and Chicago Public Schools — all of which are asking for big-ticket items from Springfield. Paris Schutz has the details on what Michael Madigan has to say.

From a tiny extinct fish to a possible property tax hike, here are the five stories Chicago Tonight readers were most interested in during the past seven days.

Illinois Comptroller Leslie Munger says the state of Illinois’ finances is bleak, given the months-long stalemate without a state budget. Just how bleak has it gotten, and is there even a way out anymore? Paris Schutz has the story.

Labor Day has come and gone, but the summer of discontent in Springfield is not going away. Lawmakers have retreated to various warring camps in a battle that has largely pitted Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner against powerful Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan.

State Rep. Ken Dunkin (D-Chicago) has some angry words for House Speaker Michael Madigan, in the wake of this week’s failed override of SB 1229, a major union bill that became a flash point in the ongoing political war between Madigan and Gov. Bruce Rauner. Paris Schutz has the story.

Illinois House lawmakers will soon consider whether to override a veto by Gov. Bruce Rauner that could send negotiations with state employee unions to binding arbitration. And with no state budget in place, just how do lawmakers plan on maintaining critical state services? Amanda Vinicky joins Chicago Tonight with a preview of the week ahead in Springfield. 

The state's budget standoff is entering its 10th week on Wednesday. We talk with two of the most outspoken leaders from both sides of the aisle to see if any compromise is on the horizon. Joining Chicago Tonight are Rep. Lou Lang and Rep. Ron Sandack. 

The Chicago Public Schools budget that is short half a billion dollars is officially enacted. The fate of that $500 million assistance is in the hands of the Illinois House, where support is currently tenuous at best. Thursday, some House lawmakers sent a message to the city and Chicago Public Schools: certain things have to happen before that chamber gets on board. What are they?

Thursday is Democrat Day at the Illinois State Fair and, as expected, they used the opportunity to slam Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner’s anti-union, pro-business Turnaround agenda that they say is preventing lawmakers from approving a statewide budget. We’ll have more news from Springfield with Chicago Tonight’s Amanda Vinicky.

Two leaders in the Illinois House of Representatives join Phil Ponce on Chicago Tonight to discuss the budget stalemate in Springfield and a possible property tax freeze.

An Illinois House committee voted Tuesday on a bill already passed by the state Senate that will allow the state to start spending $5 billion in available federal money. We have the latest from Springfield with Chicago Tonight's Amanda Vinicky.

The state has been without a budget for 41 days. Is there a compromise on the horizon? Carol Marin talks with four members of the Illinois House of Representatives about what's happening this week in Springfield.