Kerry Lester

Read the latest stories and analysis from Kerry Lester.

Illinois Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner rides his Harley-Davidson motorcycle into the Illinois State Fairgrounds before participating in a Republican Day rally at the State Fair, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2014, in Springfield, Ill. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)

Harley-riding Rauner revs up GOP at Illinois fair

Kerry Lester · August 14, 2014 9:29 pm

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn speaks to reporters at the Illinois Democratic County Chairmen's Association's annual state fair Governor's Day brunch in Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2014, in Springfield, Ill. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)

Illinois Democrats make play for unity, victory

Kerry Lester · August 13, 2014 11:23 pm

FILE - In this May 15, 2014 file photo, Illinois state Rep. Tom Cross is seen at the state Capitol in Springfield, Ill. Cross is the Republican candidate for Illinois state treasurer. He faces Democratic state Sen. Michael Frerichs in the November election in a race that is becoming increasingly contentious. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman, File)

Illinois treasurer race heats up over accusations

Kerry Lester · August 13, 2014 3:20 am

The 2014 Illinois State Fair butter cow is unveiled at the Illinois State Fairgrounds Thursday, Aug. 7, 2014, in Springfield, Ill. The sculpture depicts a cow being milked by a boy who is waving to a woman. The 500-pound bovine is made of unsalted butter. Built from scratch, it has been an unofficial mascot of the fair since the 1920s. Fair organizers have said they're not changing security procedures after vandals threw paint on a butter cow at the Iowa state fair last year. The Illinois State Fair begins Friday, Aug. 8 and runs through Sunday, Aug. 17. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)

Illinois State Fair parade cancelled due to rain

Kerry Lester · August 7, 2014 10:34 pm

Illinois warns insurers of discrimination ban

Illinois warns insurers of discrimination ban

Kerry Lester · July 29, 2014 11:20 pm

Illinois fair managers fined for free beer tickets

Kerry Lester · July 28, 2014 7:20 pm

Illinois law a boost to ex-offenders seeking jobs

Illinois law a boost to ex-offenders seeking jobs

Kerry Lester · July 19, 2014 6:59 pm

FILE - In this May 30, 2014 file photo, Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, heads into his office at the state Capitol in Springfield Ill. National Republican legislative groups say eroding Democratic control in the Illinois House is a top goal this November. Officials from the Republican Legislative Campaign Committee and the Republican State Leadership Committee are having a conference in Colorado this week with the hope of eliminating House Speaker Michael Madigan's veto-proof majority, which the Chicago Democrat and Illinois Democratic Party chair holds by a one-vote margin. Supermajority status allows Democrats to pass politically difficult pieces of legislation without any Republican votes. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman, File)

GOP groups target Democrats’ House supermajority

Kerry Lester · July 18, 2014 9:34 pm

FILE - In this March 27, 2012 file photo, Illinois Rep. Fred Crespo, D-Hoffman Estates, is seen on the House floor at the state Capitol in Springfield, Ill. Some Illinois lawmakers are taking matters into their own hands after the Legislature moved for the first time in years not to take furlough days to save taxpayer dollars. Crespo is among those who plan to donate to charity the minimum $3,100 in additional money they'll see in their paychecks this year. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman, File)

Some Illinois lawmakers voluntarily giving up pay

Kerry Lester · July 11, 2014 8:02 pm

Lawmaker: Panel should consider suspending probe

Lawmaker: Panel should consider suspending probe

Kerry Lester · July 10, 2014 12:57 am

Redistricting reform campaigners acknowledge flaws

Redistricting reform campaigners acknowledge flaws

Kerry Lester · June 28, 2014 6:45 pm

Illinois state Sen. Kirk Dillard, R-Westmont, leaves the Senate chambers at the state Capitol Friday, May 30, 2014, in Springfield Ill. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)

Lawmakers pass $1B capital bill, adjourn session

Kerry Lester · May 31, 2014 6:27 pm