By Jayette Bolinski and Stephanie Fryer | Illinois Statehouse News   SPRINGFIELD — Indicted state Rep. Derrick Smith is talking with fellow lawmakers through email alone, said a member of the House panel appointed to look into federal bribery allegations against Smith.

By Anthony Brino | Illinois Statehouse News SPRINGFIELD — Illinois environmental groups are split over an energy bill that funds a controversial “clean coal” power plant, but also boosts renewable energy in the state's electricity market.

  By Andrew Thomason | Illinois Statehouse News SPRINGFIELD — Brad Halbrook will serve out the remainder of the term for retired state Rep. Roger Eddy, R-Hutsonville, according to the Quad City Times.

  By Andrew Thomason | Illinois Statehouse News SPRINGFIELD — Usually when Illinois gets ranked in a list that compares states, it’s about ailing pension systems or the number of governors sent to jail. That wasn’t the case Thursday.

By Anthony Brino and Andrew Thomason | Illinois Statehouse News SPRINGFIELD — What do a kangaroo, grizzly bear and hippopotamus have in common? They could cost their owners a pretty hefty fee.

By Anthony Brino | Illinois Statehouse News   SPRINGFIELD — Illinois wants to go a step further in addressing the causes of distracted driving in the age of ubiquitous mobile phone use.