A Skokie courtroom was packed with uniformed Illinois State Police officials Tuesday afternoon as a Wisconsin man made his first local appearance on charges that his car struck and killed Trooper Christopher Lambert.

Here’s a link to the story at the Chicago Tribune.

Late Tuesday, Amtrak canceled all trains to and from Chicago for Wednesday and most trains on Thursday due to the cold weather, according to a news release

Here’s a link to the story at the Chicago Tribune.

Hundreds of federal employees across Southern Illinois — including those who guard prison inmates, protect public lands, screen airport passengers and their luggage and process loans for farmers — are expected to receive pay in the coming days for the first time in more than a month.

Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.

A college student filed a federal lawsuit against long-time House Speaker Michael Madigan and his political organization alleging they engaged in a far-reaching campaign of intimidation, harassment and fraud to try to crush his campaign and anyone who supported it.

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

Illinois Democrats have introduced an ambitious gun control bill that would ban the sale or unregistered possession of dozens of firearms labeled as assault weapons.

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois is about to get hit with a one-two punch of snow and then brutal — and dangerous — cold.

Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.

Illinois finished at No. 36 among the 50 states in the Washington-based Tax Foundation’s analysis of how states’ tax systems affect their ability to attract and retain businesses.

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois Network News.

The state of Illinois says it’ll start processing tax returns on Monday, but it will be a while before you get your refund.

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed an executive order Wednesday to join the U.S. Climate Alliance to get all of the state’s energy from renewable sources by 2050, but a critic said the plan will lead to higher utility prices for consumers rather than reversing climate change.

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.