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Illinois pension fix headed to legislative conference committee

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Seeking to break a weeks-long impasse in efforts to fix the state's woefully underfunded pension system, Illinois will turn to a rarely used legislative conference committee in hopes of reaching a compromise solution, Governor Pat Quinn's office said on Tuesday.

U.S. first lady, daughters tour Irish park

Dublin, Jun 18 (EFE).- U.S. first lady Michelle Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha on Tuesday wrapped up their brief visit to Ireland with a private guided tour of Wicklow Mountains National Park. Mrs. Obama and the girls have been taking in the sights here as President Barack Obama meets with other world leaders at the G8 summit in neighboring Northern Ireland. Malia, 14, and Sasha, 12, listened attentively Tuesday as tour guide George McClafferty told them about the Wicklow park's sixth-century monastic ruins.

Ill. governor signs nation's toughest fracking regulations ; could lead to thousands of jobs

CHICAGO - Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn has signed legislation giving the state the nation's strictest regulations for high-volume oil and gas drilling. In a news release, Quinn's office says the governor signed the bill Monday. Quinn says the law will "unlock the potential" for thousands of jobs in southern Illinois while protecting the environment. Quinn's signature was expected after the measure sailed through the Illinois Legislature.

With president at G8, Michelle Obama enjoys Irish links

By Sam Cage DUBLIN (Reuters) - With the president locked in high-level meetings at a secluded hotel in Northern Ireland, first lady Michelle Obama and her daughters took the chance to investigate their Irish roots. After arriving in Belfast with her husband on Monday, Obama crossed the border to Dublin to speak to university experts on the president's ancestors, attend a show of traditional Riverdance step dancing and visit the nearby Wicklow mountains.

Illinois governor faces challenge from former Obama Chief of Staff Daley

By Mary Wisniewski CHICAGO (Reuters) - Former White House Chief of Staff Bill Daley, the son and brother of former mayors of Chicago, announced on Tuesday he is exploring a challenge to Governor Pat Quinn in the 2014 Democratic primary. The news could get even worse for Quinn as Democratic Attorney General Lisa Madigan, daughter of Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, has said she also is considering challenging Quinn.

Illinois legislature adjourns without averting pension crisis

By Joanne von Alroth Karen Pierog SPRINGFIELD, Illinois (Reuters) - The Illinois legislature ended its spring session without final action on two major proposals to reform its deeply underfunded pension system - leaving the state's weak credit rating at risk of sinking lower. The state capitol's two most powerful politicians - House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton, both Democrats - were unable to find a compromise to address the state's $100 billion unfunded pension liability.

Illinois Senate defeats sweeping pension reform bill

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois (Reuters) - The Illinois Senate on Thursday overwhelmingly defeated a sweeping reform of the state's sinking public pension system, leaving scant time for maneuvering with the Democrat-controlled legislature set to adjourn late on Friday. Senators voted 16-42 against the measure, which was approved by the House of Representatives this month. The bill was championed by House Speaker Michael Madigan as the best way to curb Illinois' nearly $100 billion unfunded pension liability.

Obama says Democrats could win back U.S. House in 2014

By Roberta Rampton CHICAGO (Reuters) - President Barack Obama, whose agenda has been frustrated by Republicans in Washington, said on Wednesday he believed his party could reclaim control of the House of Representatives in the 2014 midterm elections but conceded it was an uphill struggle. The party in power in the White House typically loses seats in the first midterm election after a presidential campaign, and many political analysts believe Democrats could lose seats in Congress in 2014.

On Memorial Day, Obama pays tribute to fallen

By Jeff Mason ARLINGTON, Virginia (Reuters) - President Barack Obama paid tribute on Monday to fallen men and women of the U.S. armed services during a Memorial Day ceremony in which he reminded Americans that the country was still at war. During a solemn visit to Arlington National Ceremony, the resting ground for many military casualties, Obama noted in remarks to visitors that next year would mark the last Memorial Day of the U.S. war in Afghanistan.

Local lawyer named to corruption fighting Chicago prosecutor job

By Mary Wisniewski CHICAGO (Reuters) - President Barack Obama has nominated Chicago attorney Zachary Fardon to be the U.S. prosecutor in Chicago, which has seen the indictments of many top local politicians and mob figures, the two U.S. senators from Illinois announced on Thursday. If approved by the Senate, Fardon would fill the job formerly held by Patrick Fitzgerald, who was brought in from New York in 2001 to get tough on local politicians.
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