The head of Northern Illinois University has decided on a $7.7 million plan to remodel the lecture hall where five people were slain by a suicidal gunman on Valentine's Day.

Prison closings opposed: Republican lawmakers are proposing a ban on closing any Illinois prisons until a study is done on the needs of the state corrections system.

Efforts to offer bachelor's degrees in two program areas at Harper College hit another political roadblock Thursday at the Illinois Capitol.

A judge postponed ruling on news organizations' motion seeking immediate access to sealed court records and transcripts related to R. Kelly's pornography case. Judge Vincent Gaughan said Thursday that he'd issue an order on the motion on May 16.

A new deal could keep a hospital in South suburban Blue Island open. The Catholic-owned St. Francis Hospital and Health Center has 410 beds. SSM Health Care announced in April that it would close the facility..

More than 1,700 Illinois bridges were overdue for federally required inspections and, in some cases, the state transportation department was more than a year delinquent in checking the structures, auditors said Thursday.

The debate in the General Assembly over pay raises for lawmakers got personal Thursday, with a Senate Democrat chastising another for her wealth and blaming state representatives for using the Senate to get their money.

News organizations argued in court Thursday for immediate access to sealed court records and transcripts in the R. Kelly child pornography case, though the judge said he would rule on the motion only after the singer's trial was scheduled to start.