In a list of the 30 most populous counties in Illinois, Jackson County ranked No. 14 for the rate of abortions performed there in 2017, according to an Illinois Department of Public Health report issued in December, which tracks abortions performed on an annual basis.

Jackson and Williamson counties accounted for about 82 of the 39,329 abortions performed statewide in 2017, according to an Illinois Department of Public Health report issued in December, which tracks abortions performed on an annual basis.

The Jackson County board has voiced its opposition to any potential statewide property tax increase.

The U.S. Supreme Court in June ruled that approximately 5 million government workers nationwide should not be forced to pay dues to public employee unions.

After projecting its investments would grow by 6.50 percent, the Herrin Police Pension Fund lost 0.44 percent on its investments in 2016, according to data reported to the Illinois Department of Insurance Pension Division.

Rep. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) made a notable point on Memorial Day about her district.

The Williamson County Firefighters Pension Fund had 4 active participants receiving an average salary of $37,520 in 2016, according to the latest data reported to the Illinois Department of Insurance Pension Division.

The Murphysboro Police Pension Fund had 15 active participants receiving an average salary of $48,395 in 2016, according to the latest data reported to the Illinois Department of Insurance Pension Division.

Taxpayers contributed 85.5 percent of the $77,695 the Williamson County Firefighters Pension Fund brought in last year, or $5.89 for every $1 from pension members.

The Murphysboro Firefighters Pension Fund had 11 active participants receiving an average salary of $46,447 in 2016, according to the latest data reported to the Illinois Department of Insurance Pension Division.

After projecting its investments would grow by 5.00 percent, the Williamson County Firefighters Pension Fund netted 2.75 percent on its investments in 2016, according to data reported to the Illinois Department of Insurance Pension Division.

Taxpayers contributed 74.4 percent of the $443,564 the Murphysboro Police Pension Fund brought in last year, or $2.91 for every $1 from pension members.

After projecting its investments would grow by 6.50 percent, the Murphysboro Police Pension Fund netted 0.34 percent on its investments in 2016, according to data reported to the Illinois Department of Insurance Pension Division.

Taxpayers contributed 85.9 percent of the $370,849 the Murphysboro Firefighters Pension Fund brought in last year, or $6.09 for every $1 from pension members.

The Marion Police Pension Fund had 33 active participants receiving an average salary of $56,572 in 2016, according to the latest data reported to the Illinois Department of Insurance Pension Division.

After projecting its investments would grow by 6.00 percent, the Murphysboro Firefighters Pension Fund netted 0.25 percent on its investments in 2016, according to data reported to the Illinois Department of Insurance Pension Division.

Taxpayers contributed 80 percent of the $902,936 the Marion Police Pension Fund brought in last year, or $4 for every $1 from pension members.

The Marion Firefighters Pension Fund had 25 active participants receiving an average salary of $59,034 in 2016, according to the latest data reported to the Illinois Department of Insurance Pension Division.

A showdown between two Democratic measures to close the wage gap ended with Illinois senators rejecting one considered more business friendly.

Sen. Paul Schimpf (R-Murphysboro) had dozens of friends with him on the Illinois Senate floor May 22.