Staff Report ROCKFORD - Rockford's Riverfront Museum Park will receive state funding to improve its facility. Funding will come from a bill passed last week by the Illinois General Assembly, marking $13.3 million for the  Illinois…

By Jim Hagerty Reporter SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois House of  Representatives will take at least another day to finish its spring session, Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, said Friday. Madigan said representatives need extra time…

By Jim Hagerty Reporter ROCKFORD - A state lawmaker who filed a lawsuit against the governor over the constitutionality of the coronavirus stay-at-home order was escorted out of a legislative session Wednesday for not wearing a face…

By Jim Hagerty Reporter SPRINGFIELD - Illinois bars and restaurants will be permitted to offer outdoor seating at the end of the month, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Wednesday. The announcement moves the provisions for eateries and saloons…

By Jim Hagerty Reporter ROCKFORD - Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara, Winnebago County Board Chairman Frank Haney and Public Health Administrator Dr. Sandra Martell announced Monday that leaders are working on a plan that would allow some…

By Andrew Taylor and Alan Fram Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats have powered a massive $3 trillion coronavirus relief bill through the House, an election-year measure designed to brace a U.S. economy in free fall and a…

By Jim Hagerty Reporter ROCKFORD - Illinois Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Rockford), has weighed in the impact COVID-19 restrictions are having on the economy. "We are just now starting to see the warned about social impacts as a result of…

By Lisa Macsaro and Andrew Taylor Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi unveiled a more than $3 trillion coronavirus aid package Tuesday, providing nearly $1 trillion for states and cities, "hazard pay" for…

By Anne D'Innocenzio AP Retail Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Neiman Marcus has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, the first department store chain and second major retailer to be toppled by the coronavirus pandemic.  The move by…

By Jim Hagerty Reporter CHICAGO - Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker reiterated Wednesday that his gradual, five-phase plan to re-open the economy is driven by science and data, and chose not to discuss political boons that could potentially stem…

Staff Report BELVIDERE, Ill. - The Belvidere Assembly Plant will re-open June 1, a FCA Group spokesman said Wednesday, May 6. "This plan has been developed following continuous discussions with the unions – the UAW, Unifor and Section…

Staff Report WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger (Illinois-16), along with four other Illinois Republicans, has sent a letter to Gov. J.B. Pritzker, urging a him to consider a regional, phased re-opening of the economy. The…

Staff Report ROCKFORD - Demolition of the former Magna grocery store, 3915 E. State St., will begin at 7 a.m., Thursday, April 30, the city announced Wednesday. The building has been vacant for more than 20 years. The city recently…

By Zeke Miller Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — After two months of frantic response to the coronavirus, the White House is planning to shift President Donald Trump's public focus to the burgeoning efforts aimed at easing the economic…

By Michael Tackett and Josh Boak Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — The New Deal was really a series of new deals, spread out over more than six years during the Great Depression — a menu of nationally scaled projects that were one part…