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- This image provided by Heritage Auctions, shows 21-star U.S. flag. Illinois state investigators are scrutinizing the purchase by the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum of this 21-star U.S. flag reportedly from 1818-1819 at the time that Illinois was admitted to the Union as the 21st state. At the same time, one of the nation's top vexillologists, or flag experts, says the flag is not from 1818 but from the Civil War period and is likely a so-called Southern exclusionary flag, reserving on its blue canton space for stars representing only those states remaining loyal to the Union. (Heritage Auctions via AP)
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A 19th century flag disrupts leadership at an Illinois museum and prompts a state investigation
By JOHN O'CONNOR - AP Political Writer
Sat,05/25/24-11:45PM , 585 Reads
SPRINGFIELD, Ill.
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- A sign marks he Paul Powell Home and Museum, Oct. 8, 2020 photo in Vienna, Ill. For more than half a century, a Powell-established $250,000 trust sustained his legacy, for better or worse. But the account that maintained his birthplace as a museum will soon run dry. (AP Photo/John O'Connor, File)
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Southern Illinois home of Paul Powell, the 'Shoebox Scandal' politician, could soon be sold
By JOHN O'CONNOR - AP Political Writer
Sat,02/17/24-11:03PM , 927 Reads
SPRINGFIELD, Ill.
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- Security fences surround the Illinois Department of Corrections' Logan Correctional Center, Nov. 18, 2016, in Lincoln, Ill. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker's administration has retained a contentious choice for providing medical care to prison inmates, awarding Wexford Health Sources a 10-year, $4.16 billion contract despite high vacancy rates, complaints of substandard care and lawmakers' agitation to find a replacement. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman, File)
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A private prison health care company accused of substandard care is awarded new contract in Illinois
By JOHN O'CONNOR - AP Political Writer
Fri,01/26/24-5:49PM , 528 Reads
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois has awarded a more than $4 billion prison medical care contract to the same company it's used for three decades, despite multimillion-dollar lawsuits against the firm and statewide complaints alleging substandard care.
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- Assault-style weapons are displayed for sale at Capitol City Arms Supply, Jan. 16, 2013, in Springfield, Ill. On New Year's Day, Monday, Jan. 1, 2024, Illinois will usher in 320 new laws, from a ban on semiautomatic weapons to lower-price fishing licenses for those who haven't had one lately. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman, File)
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Laws banning semi-automatic weapons and library censorship to take effect in Illinois
By JOHN O'CONNOR - AP Political Writer
Sat,12/30/23-11:03PM , 295 Reads
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — With the calendar-page turn to 2024 on Monday comes 320 new state laws that Illinois residents will need to navigate.
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