Jack D Franks

The Illinois House today sent Gov. Pat Quinn legislation that would raise the speed limit on non-urban interstate highways from 65 mph to 70 mph. Supporters said increasing the limit would put Illinois in line with neighboring states and help the...

The company hired to run the Illinois Lottery after years of flagging sales is on track to fall short of promised revenue goals for the second straight year — this time by about $180 million, according to a Tribune review of the firm's performance...

Legislators are considering a bill that would expand the scope of the state's main economic development program to small businesses. House Bill 1336 calls for eliminating a requirement that companies make a capital investment in the state of at least $1...

For more than six years, we've called for reform of Illinois' public pension system. Some days we begged legislators, some days we harangued them. Today we're pleased to list the names of House lawmakers who took responsible action Thursday and voted...

The way some local governments ask for property taxes can look a lot like going to a restaurant. When a school district or small municipality orders, they generally choose the biggest, most expensive menu item, regardless of how hungry they are. Their...

State Rep. Jack Franks, D-Marengo, who has two school-aged children, said he doesn't like to see open schools used as polling places. "Schools are supposed to be a sanctuary of safety. I go to visit my schools to give talks. … Every time I go,...

Glenbrook High School District 225 is projecting a dip in its fund balance over the next five years that could slip below the amount the district likes to maintain. The current fund balance — or the reserve — is at about 65 percent of what...

When lawmakers raised taxes on Illinois residents and businesses, they also increased corporate income tax breaks for a select group of companies. In 2011, businesses were eligible to claim about $161 million in tax credits — double from the...

State lawmakers adjourned a one-day special session today without approving even a scaled-back version of pension reform. Prospects for a major breakthrough on an issue were bleak before the House and Senate returned to the Capitol. But even a measure...

As state investigators began looking into serious allegations of misconduct involving Renee Thornton in 2007, the human services employee was told to turn in her ID badge, return her office keys and stay home. She didn't go back to work for more than...

Finally, in the sea of envy that is Illinois politics — with all those nasty, mean and negative campaign ads — we have some heartwarming news to report. Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady wants to help Democratic candidates for...

A bill that would add transparency to the state's main economic development program was approved by the General Assembly on Friday. The program, known as Economic Development for a Growing Economy, or EDGE, offers tax breaks to companies that create or...