Civil and Public Service

Politicians around the state are mourning the death of former Secretary of the State Julia H. Tashjian, a well-known figure in state politics in the 1980s. Tashjian, a Windsor Democrat who served as the state's chief elections official from 1983 to...

Lydia Gardner Orange County's four-term clerk of courts was a born leader and public servant who won over this community with good humor and a thousand-watt smile. But as we pointed out when we endorsed Lydia Gardner for re-election in 2008, there was...

— Senate President John Cullerton on Monday rolled out his latest proposal aimed at fixing the state's heavily indebted pension system, striking a deal with unions just days after House Speaker Michael Madigan pushed through a plan that's tougher on...

An unintended consequence of same-sex marriage could hearten wedding traditionalists by making marriage more attractive to all couples. It’s all about the health benefits — and what isn’t these days? In Maryland, where voters...

The Great Recession hit Florida harder than most states, with unemployment far exceeding the national average. Government revenue dried up, but to its credit, the Legislature tightened its belt rather than raise taxes. Today, Florida is bouncing back....

In much the same way the recent drug disposal day organized in Harford County was a valuable public service for people looking to safely divest themselves of unwanted medications, the gun turn-in day planned Saturday in Harford County and at locations...

SPRINGFIELD — Senate President John Cullerton today sent his version of pension reform to the House, setting up a high-profile clash with the rival plan Speaker Michael Madigan already pushed through the House.   The showdown puts more than 700,...

Hoping to reduce the number of infant deaths, Los Angeles County officials unveiled a campaign Wednesday to educate parents about how to safely put their babies to bed. Over the last four years, 278 babies in the county have died from suffocating...

Across the USA, federal government employees serve and protect us every day. They keep our food safe, administer toy and other safety standards, predict coming storms, control our airspace, track down criminals and terrorists, and run our beautiful...

Please allow me to take a moment to begin this column with a few words of appreciation for sharp-eyed readers who add to my knowledge of a subject after I've written a column about it. Thank you also for helping to shine a light on some of the murkier...

Letter writer David Parker [May 7, "Wrong Message on Homosexuality"] reminded me of my own experience as a state employee when I "came out" in an agency newsletter in attempting to attain domestic partner benefits for state employees. I did not make...

There was standing room only inside Orland Park's board room Monday where officials decked the space with red, white and blue bunting and welcomed Illinois Supreme Court Justice Anne Burke to help conduct their inauguration into office. Family,...