http://www.mail.com/people/3026-pat-quinn.html Mail.com - the best personalized free web-based Email en en http://sec-s.uicdn.com/mail.com/2.20/img/mailcom_logo_rss.png http://www.mail.com/people/3026-pat-quinn.html http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1760378-court-ruling-ill-gun-ban-sets-stage-fight.html CHICAGO (AP) — Backers of Illinois' ban on concealed weapons vowed Wednesday to fight for continued controls on gun possession, a day after a federal appeals court struck down the nation's last such prohibition as unconstitutional and ordered the state to craft a law allowing it. Chicago aldermen joined gun control advocates in urging state Attorney Gener... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 01:35:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1760378-court-ruling-ill-gun-ban-sets-stage-fight.html 2012-12-13T01:35:00Z http://www.mail.com/entertainment/lifestyle/1724278-tax-credit-luring-pre-broadway-to-chicago.html CHICAGO (AP) — The New York-bound musical "Kinky Boots" enjoyed a pre-Broadway run at a downtown Chicago theater this fall, but only after the state of Illinois lured producers with something that's scarce these days — money. The Cyndi Lauper and Harvey Fierstein production that's based on a 2005 movie, along with a second musical, "Big Fish," were the fi... Mon, 26 Nov 2012 17:29:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/entertainment/lifestyle/1724278-tax-credit-luring-pre-broadway-to-chicago.html 2012-11-26T17:29:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1718102-jockeying-under-way-to-replace-rep-jackson-jr.html CHICAGO (AP) — The jockeying to replace Jesse Jackson Jr. began before the ink was dry on the former congressman's resignation letter. Among those expressing an interest: Chicago aldermen, a former NFL linebacker and a defense attorney who represented R&B singer R. Kelly and former Gov. Rod Blagojevich. But as the field of would-be successors grows to a d... Thu, 22 Nov 2012 21:04:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1718102-jockeying-under-way-to-replace-rep-jackson-jr.html 2012-11-22T21:04:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1717128-rep-jackson-jr-resigns-citing-mental-health.html CHICAGO (AP) — Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. quietly resigned Wednesday, effectively ending a once-promising political career months after the civil rights icon's son went on a mysterious medical leave while facing separate federal investigations. Just two weeks after voters re-elected him to a ninth full term, Jackson sent his resignation letter to House Speake... Thu, 22 Nov 2012 01:44:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1717128-rep-jackson-jr-resigns-citing-mental-health.html 2012-11-22T01:44:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/us/1707740-low-mississippi-river-water-levels-halt-barges.html ST. LOUIS (AP) — The gentle whir of passing barges is as much a part of life in St. Louis as the Gateway Arch and the Cardinals, a constant, almost soothing backdrop to a community intricately intertwined with the Mississippi River. But next month, those barges packing such necessities as coal, farm products and petroleum could instead be parked along the... Sat, 17 Nov 2012 15:11:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/us/1707740-low-mississippi-river-water-levels-halt-barges.html 2012-11-17T15:11:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/us/1697540-rep-jesse-jackson-jr-leaves-mayo-clinic.html CHICAGO (AP) — Questions about Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.'s health and political future swirled again Tuesday as the Chicago congressman left the Mayo Clinic for the second time but didn't disclose where he was going, even as Congress returned from a seven-week election break. The Democrat, who was easily re-elected last week, has been on a hushed medical lea... Wed, 14 Nov 2012 00:10:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/us/1697540-rep-jesse-jackson-jr-leaves-mayo-clinic.html 2012-11-14T00:10:00Z http://www.mail.com/entertainment/lifestyle/1641294-illinois-amtrak-train-hits-111-mph-test.html JOLIET, Ill. (AP) — For the first time on a key Midwestern route between Chicago and St. Louis, an Amtrak passenger train topped 110 mph Friday, ripping through fog-shrouded farm fields and blowing past cars on a parallel highway. The test run on a special train packed with journalists, politicians and transportation officials was a milestone in President... Fri, 19 Oct 2012 20:55:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/entertainment/lifestyle/1641294-illinois-amtrak-train-hits-111-mph-test.html 2012-10-19T20:55:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1542130-politics-truth-uneasy-partners-easy-enemies.html WASHINGTON (AP) — It's unprecedented, the experts say: The volume and audacity of distortion, deception and truth-stretching in this year's presidential campaign has political fact-checkers busier than ever in their pursuit of the truth. But whose truth, precisely? And, in the context of a bitter campaign, does the actual truth — and the responsibility of a politician to tel... Thu, 06 Sep 2012 04:49:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1542130-politics-truth-uneasy-partners-easy-enemies.html 2012-09-06T04:49:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1538642-hes-man-lady-we-trust-obama.html CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — First lady Michelle Obama lovingly praised her husband Tuesday night in a prime-time Democratic Convention speech as a devoted spouse and caring father at home and a "man we can trust" to revive the nation's weak economy as president, beckoning the country to return him to the White House despite agonizingly slow recovery from recession. ... Wed, 05 Sep 2012 01:33:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1538642-hes-man-lady-we-trust-obama.html 2012-09-05T01:33:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/us/1524286-governor-rejects-plan-to-expand-illinois-gambling.html CHICAGO (AP) — Citing Chicago's reputation of mobsters and corruption, Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn vetoed a plan Tuesday to bring casinos to the city and four other areas, leaving irked lawmakers with the task of overruling him. Quinn squashed a proposal that supporters — including Chicago's mayor — said could create tens of thousands of jobs and millions of ... Tue, 28 Aug 2012 20:40:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/us/1524286-governor-rejects-plan-to-expand-illinois-gambling.html 2012-08-28T20:40:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1515404-prosecutor-hopes-to-stir-debate-ill-gun-laws.html SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Despite a statewide ban on concealed weapons, gun owners in one central Illinois county don't need to worry about facing charges because its top prosecutor is refusing to enforce a law he considers unconstitutional. Illinois is the only state that still bans residents from carrying concealed guns. McLean County State's Attorney Ro... Wed, 22 Aug 2012 21:38:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1515404-prosecutor-hopes-to-stir-debate-ill-gun-laws.html 2012-08-22T21:38:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/us/1505562-colo-shooting-prompts-gun-bills-big.html SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Democratic leaders in three big states have used this summer's mass shooting in Colorado to push bills that would crack down on assault weapons and ammunition sales, rekindling a debate that has not gained much traction in Congress or on the presidential campaign. In Illinois, Gov. Pat Quinn proposed that his state enact a strict... Thu, 16 Aug 2012 21:03:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/us/1505562-colo-shooting-prompts-gun-bills-big.html 2012-08-16T21:03:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/us/1505584-try-to-fill-national-gun-control-void.html OVERVIEW: The July 20 shooting at a suburban Denver movie theater that killed 12 people has prompted Democratic leaders in at least three large states to push for tighter restrictions on assault weapons and the purchase of large amounts of ammunition. While California, New York and Illinois push proposals, gun control hasn't gained traction in Congress and on the presidentia... Thu, 16 Aug 2012 18:53:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/us/1505584-try-to-fill-national-gun-control-void.html 2012-08-16T18:53:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/us/1472306-half-us-counties-considered-disaster-areas.html ST. LOUIS (AP) — Nearly 220 counties in a dozen drought-stricken states were added Wednesday to the U.S. government's list of natural disaster areas as the nation's agriculture chief unveiled new help for frustrated, cash-strapped farmers and ranchers grappling with extreme dryness and heat. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's addition of the 218 countie... Thu, 02 Aug 2012 00:23:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/us/1472306-half-us-counties-considered-disaster-areas.html 2012-08-02T00:23:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/us/1464802-ap-exclusive-shakedowns-prison-staff-ordered.html SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois authorities conducted a "mass shakedown" of guards and other prison employees last week, taking the unusual step of searching workers as they left correctional facilities and sparking allegations of reprisal for public complaints and leaked information to the news media, according to interviews and a document obtained Monday by The Associate... Mon, 30 Jul 2012 21:45:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/us/1464802-ap-exclusive-shakedowns-prison-staff-ordered.html 2012-07-30T21:45:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/us/1431820-drought-grips-than-half-nation.html WALTONVILLE, Ill. (AP) — The nation's widest drought in decades is spreading, with more than half of the continental United States now in some stage of drought and most of the rest enduring abnormally dry conditions. Only in the 1930s and the 1950s has a drought covered more land, according to federal figures released Monday. So far, there's little risk o... Tue, 17 Jul 2012 01:36:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/us/1431820-drought-grips-than-half-nation.html 2012-07-17T01:36:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/us/1394344-where-stand-implementing-health-care-law.html Here is a look at where each of the 50 states stand on implementing President Barack Obama's federal health care overhaul, which the Supreme Court ruled Thursday can go forward with its aim of covering more than 30 million uninsured Americans. ___ ALABAMA NUMBER OF UNINSURED: 720,000 state residents are uninsured, o... Thu, 28 Jun 2012 13:38:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/us/1394344-where-stand-implementing-health-care-law.html 2012-06-28T13:38:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/us/1392602-health-care-law-50.html With the U.S. Supreme Court expected to rule Thursday on the President Barack Obama's federal health care overhaul, here is a look at where each of the 50 states stands. ___ ALABAMA NUMBER OF UNINSURED: 720,000 state residents are uninsured, or about 15.4 percent. WHERE THE STATE STANDS: Republic... Wed, 27 Jun 2012 21:56:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/us/1392602-health-care-law-50.html 2012-06-27T21:56:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/us/1392870-divergent-plans-health-care-ruling.html CHICAGO (AP) — As the nation awaits the Supreme Court ruling on President Barak Obama's health care overhaul, states across the country are considering how they will respond to the historic decision. Some Democratic-led states vow to push ahead with various provisions no matter what happens. In some Republican territories, elected officials insist they will try to hold off o... Wed, 27 Jun 2012 21:42:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/us/1392870-divergent-plans-health-care-ruling.html 2012-06-27T21:42:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1377206-ill-prosecutors-refuse-to-defend-gay-marriage-ban.html CHICAGO (AP) — Twenty-five Illinois couples were prepared for a long legal fight when they joined lawsuits challenging the state's ban on gay marriage. Turns out they won't get one — at least not from the attorneys who would normally be responsible for defending the state's laws. Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Cook County State's Attorney Anit... Thu, 21 Jun 2012 13:53:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1377206-ill-prosecutors-refuse-to-defend-gay-marriage-ban.html 2012-06-21T13:53:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/us/1370812-study-pension-shortfall-ballooned-2010.html SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Recession-plagued states diverted scarce money away from pensions to pay for more immediate concerns, leaving a $757 billion hole in the retirement funds covering millions of public employees, according to a study released Monday. The Pew Center on the States found 34 states failed to maintain safe levels of money in the pension f... Tue, 19 Jun 2012 05:18:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/us/1370812-study-pension-shortfall-ballooned-2010.html 2012-06-19T05:18:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/us/1366496-obama-proposal-to-raise-dropout-age-falls-flat.html SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — President Barack Obama's call for states to raise the minimum age at which students can drop out of high school seems about as popular as a homework assignment on Friday afternoon. Since the president urged the change in his State of the Union speech in January, only one state has raised its dropout age to 18, and that won't take ... Sat, 16 Jun 2012 15:45:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/us/1366496-obama-proposal-to-raise-dropout-age-falls-flat.html 2012-06-16T15:45:00Z