Scott Reeder: At least officially, Illinois has moved away from political patronage

Last month, I renewed my driver's license and couldn't help but shake my head and remember the worst job I've ever had: summer driver's license clerk.

Nearly 25% of courthouses in larger Illinois counties have not provided a lactation room for nursing parents, despite a state law that took effect nearly a year ago.

WASHINGTON - Batter up!

BARRY - A pungent, unmistakable odor strikes the nose of workers walking into the hulking, gray steel building 80 miles west of Springfield that produces about 100 pounds of cannabis flower per week for medical-marijuana patients throughout Illinois.

PEORIA - Snow moved into the Peoria area around 6 p.m. Sunday night, as expected.