After days of amendments and arm twisting, the Illinois House advanced legislation Wednesday night to give the Chicago Bears a significant property tax break for a new stadium in Arlington Heights and to encourage other “megaproject” developments in the state.

After a day of amendments, reports of a tense House Democratic caucus, Senate skepticism, and frustration from the Governor’s office, it appears the House may be farther from ever from getting the bill aimed at keeping the Bears in the state of Illinois from becoming law.

After filing a first quarter campaign finance report where he raised an eye-popping $12 million and had $18 million cash on hand, speculation has ramped up that Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is laying the groundwork for a run for Chicago Mayor in 2027.

Late Monday night ahead of the House return to Springfield, Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago), the lead sponsor of the “megaprojects” property tax bill also aimed at keeping the Chicago Bears in the state of Illinois says he’s confident the legislation can move out of the chamber this week.

A little noticed Constitutional Amendment proposal could have major impacts on how lawmakers redistrict in the state, and Republicans argue Democrats are trying to amend the constitution to allow them to further gerrymander legislative districts.

Barbara Flynn Currie, the unabashed progressive who represented the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago in the Illinois House for 40 years and served as Majority Leader for 22 years died Friday at the age of 85.