Saying it was time for Illinois to face up to years of financial mismanagement, Gov. Pat Quinn said Wednesday lawmakers must fix state pensions and Medicaid before those programs collapse. But, in a 30-minute budget speech, Quinn offered no details of how he thinks those twin pillars of the state’s financial problems should be resolved, deferring instead to commissions that are supposed to make recommendations later this spring.

Dave Blanchette, spokesman for the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and the state Historic Preservation Agency, said reducing the number of days the museum is open during off-peak seasons is a money-saving option under consideration by the state.

SOUTH JACKSONVILLE -- A large house converted into a five-unit apartment building in South Jacksonville was destroyed in a fire Tuesday night.

A bill to further restrict protests at funerals sailed through the Illinois House of Representatives Wednesday. State Rep. Jerry Costello II, D-Belleville, said he was extremely pleased to see that 115 other legislators supported House Bill 3802.

State and local officials face a tough sell when it comes to attracting additional federal money for high-speed trains in Illinois and consolidation of rail traffic in Springfield, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin said Wednesday.

I find it helpful to look at the historical perspective on current issues, such as the perception that City Water, Light and Power is on the decline and the kerfuffle over the city siphoning funds from CWLP into the city’s general account.

People who live in the PORTA and A-C Central school districts will soon get to let their elected officials know how they feel about a possible merger.

Habitat for Humanity of Sangamon County is hoping to get some help from the Illinois Air National Guard as it expands its services for people who need safe and affordable homes.

A jury convicted former University of Virginia lacrosse player George Huguely of second-degree murder in the 2010 death of his ex-girlfriend, Yeardley Love.

Letters containing a powdery substance were sent to at least three congressional offices this week, and the sender is threatening more that could include harmful material, the top Senate law enforcement official said Wednesday.

The grandmother and stepmother of a 9-year-old Alabama girl who died Monday after allegedly being ordered to run around her family's house -- for hours -- as punishment for lying about taking a candy bar have been charged with murder, police said Wednesday.

While stone carvers chisel new pieces to repair damage inflicted on the Washington National Cathedral by an earthquake last August, fundraisers say the cathedral's restoration fund is $18 million short of the repair cost.

One student was wounded and another was in custody Wednesday after a shooting at an elementary school in Bremerton, Washington, authorities said.

Speculation and messages of support surged in Venezuela Wednesday, a day after President Hugo Chavez announced he would travel to Cuba for surgery.

Violence left five people dead today as protests over Quran burning by coalition troops intensified in Afghanistan. The U.S. Embassy in Kabul went into lockdown.

Ted Turner: Congress is trying to do an end run to OK the Keystone oil pipeline, which could mean disastrous toxic spills and poisoned water.

Dean Obeidallah says the NYPD spying on Muslim American students at 16 universities is profiling at its worst. Why is there no public outcry?

Battling a severe cold, Tiger Woods beat Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano 1 up in the first round of the WGC-Accenture Match Play at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Dove Mountain.

Albert Pujols is objecting to the Angels "El Hombre" ads.

Players meetings are fine, but Magic Johnson thinks the Los Angeles Lakers need Kobe Bryant to sit down with management to address some issues.

Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo will take Joe Johnson's spot on the Eastern Conference roster at this year's All-Star Game after being named an injury replacement Tuesday by NBA commissioner David Stern.

Due to a left knee injury, New York Knicks rookie Iman Shumpert will not participate in the NBA's Slam Dunk contest this weekend. He will be replaced by Utah Jazz forward Jeremy Evans.

Temple is in talks with the Big East about joining the conference as early as 2012, sources confirmed Wednesday. The New York Times first reported on the discussions to add Temple in all sports.

In the wake of a new study, the national president of Pop Warner said he will propose a rule that, for the first time, would limit the amount of contact allowed in youth football practices.

UConn men's basketball coach Jim Calhoun, who is suffering from spinal stenosis, will undergo a surgical procedure Monday to help address the lower back condition.