The anti-gerrymandering group Common Cause gave Illinois an “F” grade, citing a lack of public participation that has routinely gotten in the way of producing political maps reflective of the state’s demographics.

Former Mrs. America Nicole La Ha, who is running for the Illinois House of Representatives, said the Invest in Kids program empowers parents to pick the school that best serves their families.

During an appearance with Gov. J.B. Pritzker, House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch said Chicago will not see a state grant for asylum-seekers in the fall veto session, when Springfield will have the option of designating additional funding for the fiscal year that ends June 30.

For those who were hardest hit, the FEMA relief has been far from enough. Many are still in the throes of recovery from this summer’s floods.

Secret Service agents are on the scene of a police investigation at a home in Glen Ellyn, police said.

While the Evanston Land Use Commission approved the school’s plan to renovate the football stadium, it voted against a zoning amendment which would allow Northwestern to host concerts and other similar events at Ryan Field.

Tom Skilling, a fixture of Chicago television and beloved by generations, announced Thursday he will retire next year after 45 years at WGN.