Illinois News

University of Illinois officials today announced the largest gift ever to its prestigious College of Engineering, a $100-million donation that will fund student scholarships and allow the school to hire dozens of top faculty.

Illinois loses 74-60 to Michigan at the Assembly Hall in Champaign on Sunday, January 27, 2013.

Images from the Eastern Illinois Wrestling Classic at St. Joseph-Ogden High School on Saturday, January 26, 2013

SYCAMORE – Imagine seeing the look on Billy Curl’s face when he learns the verdict in a trial on allegations he murdered Northern Illinois University freshman Antinette “Toni” Keller in October 2010.

Illinois has become the fourth and largest state to make driver's licenses available to undocumented immigrants.

Trey Burke scored 19 points and No. 2 Michigan never trailed after the opening minutes of a 74-60 win Sunday over Illinois that could push the Wolverines to No. 1 in the nation for the first time since the 1992-93 season. Duke's lopsided loss to Miami earlier in the week opened the door for a new No. 1 when the AP poll comes out Monday — and Michigan put itself in position to take the top spot ...

Illinois loses 74-60 to Michigan at the Assembly Hall in Champaign on Sunday, January 27, 2013.

Michigan's Mitch McGary (4) shoots between Illinois' D.J. Richardson (1) and Brandon Paul (3) during the second half of their NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013, in Champaign, Ill. Michigan won 74-60.

(Reuters) - Illinois Governor Pat Quinn on Sunday signed a law allowing undocumented immigrants to apply for driver's licenses, in a move he said would improve road safety.

CHICAGO -- As Illinois becomes the fourth and most populous state to give illegal immigrants permission to drive, nagging concerns remain about whether there are enough safeguards to avoid the identity fraud and other pitfalls other states faced.

FILE - In this Jan. 7, 2013 file photo, supporters of granting illegal immigrants drivers licenses cheer after a House committee hearing at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield.

Editor’s note: This continues a series of reports on what happened in Southern Illinois 150 years ago during the Civil War. Reports will appear on days of significance to Southern Illinois – known at the time as Egypt.

SPRINGFIELD — It has been 13 years since Illinois lawmakers approved a significant overhaul of the law that allows cities to create tax increment financing districts.

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois could lose 3,000 medical residents to other states this year since budget shortfalls have left the state with one person to process applications for new medical licenses.

CHAMPAIGN — D.J. Richardson’s shooting numbers have slumped to career lows this season, but he produced his best game in an Illini uniform by scoring 30 points in a 71-51 win over Nebraska on Tuesday. Can Richardson duplicate that performance when Illinois plays No. 2 Michigan on Sunday?

Residential customers of Ameren Illinois could see an increase of several dollars per month on their gas bills.

Illinois’ credit rating has taken another hit. Standard & Poor’s Ratings Service downgraded the state from an “A” rating to “A-minus”, making it the worst in the country. The New York ratings firm’s ranking means taxpayers may have to pay …

DECATUR — The price Ameren Illinois customers pay for natural gas could once again be on the rise by the end of 2013 after the utility filed a delivery service rate case Friday with the Illinois Commerce Commission.

Illinois put the brakes on a three-game losing streak Tuesday night with an impressive 20-point victory at Nebraska. But with a daunting five-game stretch over 19 days against some of the Big Ten’s top teams beginning Sunday, the Illini will be tested in every way imaginable. Four of Illinois’ next five games are against top-15 ranked opponents. First up: No. 2 Michigan (18-1, 5-1) takes on ...

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois’ credit rating took another hit Friday when Standard & Poor’s downgraded Illinois another notch. Citing the state’s ongoing inability to deal with its pension funding issues, S&P cut its rating of Illinois’ credit to A-minus from A.