A conference of economic minds in Chicago warned that states with underfunded pensions like Illinois are more vulnerable to the next economic downturn.

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

CARTERVILLE — Brad Cullum was shocked Tuesday morning when he got to his car at John A. Logan College.

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

The first gunshot wound shown in the darkened courtroom Wednesday traced an ugly red path across the top of Laquan McDonald’s head.

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

The long-awaited murder trial of Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke continued Tuesday with key testimony from Van Dyke’s partner and other eyewitnesses in a racially fraught case that has roiled the city for nearly three years. Here are five takeaways from the second day of the trial:

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

The Illinois State Fair lost nearly $210,000 on its Grandstand concerts in Springfield last month after seeing record ticket sales a year ago.

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

Every adult in Illinois is on the hook for $4,000 in retired teacher health care costs, according to a new study showing the state has no money saved to pay for the growing cost of its promises.

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

Should lawmakers tinker with the state’s income tax rates and scale them higher for people who make more money and lower for those who make less? That’s a question voters could answer in the governor’s race when they vote Nov. 6.

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

Chicago police officers trailed 17-year-old Laquan McDonald for more than half a mile, keeping their distance and buying time.

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

MURPHYSBORO — Judge Mark Clarke vacated the murder conviction of Gaege Bethune in a hearing Monday morning after Bethune’s defense filed motions to have the conviction overturned and a new trial ordered.

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

BENTON — Brian Pheasant, the Christopher man who was convicted earlier this year of murdering his wife in 2016, was sentenced on Friday to 67 years in prison.

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