State

SPRINGFIELD (AP) — Gov. Pat Quinn says the idea of requiring all Illinois handgun owners to register their weapons would be an "uphill climb" with state lawmakers.

SPRINGFIELD (AP) — Federal transportation regulators are moving faster than expected on choosing the best route for a section of the Chicago-St. Louis high-speed rail line running through the Illinois state capital.

CHICAGO (AP) — After 11 people suspected of being in the country illegally were released from custody under a controversial county ordinance and then arrested again, the Cook County's sheriff suggested tweaking the ordinance so he could alert immigration officials when a violent offender was about to be freed.

VIRDEN (AP) — Police say a 10-year-old southwestern Illinois boy found with marijuana at school won't be charged.

SPRINGFIELD (AP) — Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn's administration will start combing records for Medicaid fraud despite not having the federal government's approval.

CHICAGO (AP) — A new poll finds that many Illinoisans aren't too happy with Gov. Pat Quinn.

BLOOMINGTON (AP) — Illinois businesses will partner with public schools to encourage learning in science, technology, engineering and math.

CHICAGO (AP) — U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin continues to push for legislation that would require the U.S. Supreme Court to televise its public proceedings.

CHICAGO (AP) — A Cook County nonprofit organization says money is still available for homeowners who need help with their energy costs.

CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn says if he wins the $310 million Powerball jackpot this weekend, he'll still keep his job.

CHICAGO (AP) — A children's advocacy organization says Illinois children have been caught in a "budget crossfire," hit hard by a recession that left one in five of them living in poverty in 2010.

CHICAGO (AP) — An animal control official says 43 puppies rescued from a parked van in southwest Chicago were packed into cramped carriers without enough food or water.

BUFFALO (AP) — Two women accused of accidentally leaving a 3-year-old boy on a school bus in central Illinois have been indicted by a grand jury and fired from their jobs with the local school district.

CHAMPAIGN (AP) — Gov. Pat Quinn said Thursday that he believes Caterpillar Inc.'s decision to bypass Illinois as it looks to build a new plant and relocate some of its Japanese operations was based almost entirely on Illinois' lack of ocean access and had little to do with the state's business climate.

CHICAGO (AP) — Mayor Rahm Emanuel proposed statewide legislation Thursday to require handgun owners to register their weapons, calling it a common sense measure that would protect the rights of responsible gun owners while keeping illegal firearms off the streets.

CHICAGO (AP) — An earthquake researcher says Illinois residents are not prepared for a large quake despite a drill this week in which nearly half a million school children and office workers took part.

CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois is expected to receive about $1 billion in a multi-state settlement with the nation's five largest mortgage lenders, Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced Thursday.

CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan says homeowners who believe they're entitled to reimbursements from a multi-state settlement with large mortgage lenders or who have questions can contact a help line set up by the office.

CHICAGO (AP) — Gov. Pat Quinn says a settlement reached between attorneys general in several states and five mortgage giants will help those most affected by the housing crisis.

NORMAL (AP) — Illinois is now fourth in the nation in terms of wind-farm electric capacity behind Texas, Iowa and California.