Illinois Senate President John Cullerton is projecting a $3 billion shortfall in the next state budget, and he's asking the Republican gubernatorial candidates to step up with ideas to close it. We break down some of the challenges faced by lawmakers.

Senate President John Cullerton joins us to talk pensions, the upcoming session and midterm elections.

Jim Oberweis is throwing his hat in the ring to become Illinois' next U.S. Senator in 2014.

Doug Truax is throwing his hat in the ring to become Illinois' next U.S. Senator in 2014.

The Illinois Senate passes pension reform by 30-24-3. View an interactive vote graphic to see how each member voted.

The four legislative leaders in the Illinois General Assembly say they have struck a long-awaited deal to reform the state’s woefully underfunded public pension system. Read an article.

Have Illinois leaders, at long last, come to a pension deal? Will it pass? Paris Schutz has the story.

Senate leaders announce they've reached a deal to end the government shutdown. Carol Marin and her guests have analysis.

We take a look at the current state of fiscal talks in the U.S. House and Senate. Will Congress beat the debt limit clock? Or is the United States facing default? Our panel has analysis.

The Illinois House approves a concealed carry compromise deal by 89-28. The bill was approved earlier in the day by the Senate, and now goes to Gov. Pat Quinn's desk. See how House members voted in our interactive graphic.

The Illinois Senate passes a concealed carry bill by 45-12-1. See how Senate members voted in our interactive graphic.

Springfield is divided over pensions, concealed carry, gay marriage and more. Senate President John Cullerton gives us a glimpse of what's really happening in the State Capitol. Then, Eddie Arruza and his roundtable of reporters have analysis.

The Illinois Senate approved a medical marijuana bill by 35-21. See how Senate members voted in our interactive graphic.

The Illinois Senate approved President John Cullerton's pension reform deal by 40-16. See how Senate members voted in our interactive graphic.

House Speaker Madigan's pension reform bill clears the Illinois House. Chicago Sun-Times Springfield Bureau Chief Dave McKinney has the latest Springfield news.

The Illinois Senate approved gambling legislation today. See how members voted in our interactive graphic.