Updated: 1:54 PM As Illinois Republicans scrambled to find a U.S. Senate candidate, the deputy director of President Bush's drug-control office resigned today to explore a run for the office.

Updated: 12:37 PM Oprah Winfrey has given a $1 million to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati.

Updated: 12:39 PM Officials say charges have been upgraded to felonies for three men who allegedly drank rum and beer with a 13-year-old Winnebago County boy who died of alcohol poisoning.

Updated: 12:40 PM (Chicago-AP) -- Officials at the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services say any across-the-board budget cuts would force them to slash child-welfare programs.

Updated: 12:49 PM State Farm Insurance is suing to block anyone from reaping benefits due to lawsuits stemming from the Glenbrook North High School hazing incident.

Updated: 12:50 PM U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert says state Senator Steve Rauschenberger would be the "best person" to step in as the GOP's candidate in the U.S. senate race.

Updated: 2:50 PM Governor Rod Blagojevich Wednesday declared a moratorium on all activities of the state's embattled Health Facilities Planning Board.

Updated: 12:44 PM Records show nursing homes across Illinois are being fined more often and for greater amounts.

Updated: 6:57 PM John Kerry has canceled a fundraiser scheduled for Wednesday night in Wisconsin.

Updated: 6:55 PM U.S. Senate candidate Barack Obama's campaign is reporting that it raised about $4 million in the last quarter.

Updated: 6:53 PM A U.S. fighter pilot who mistakenly bombed Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan in 2002, killing four, was found guilty today of dereliction of duty and will be reprimanded and lost more than $5,000 in pay.

Updated: 6:44 PM (Washington-AP) - Illinois Senator Dick Durbin is applauding Massachusetts Senator John Kerry's choice of North Carolina Senator John Edwards to be his running mate on the Democratic party's national ticket this fall.

Updated: 4:10 PM Stateline democrats react to Kerry-Edwards ticket.

Updated: 1:22 PM An animal-rights group says it's time for the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago to get rid of its elephant exhibit.

Updated: 1:22 PM John Kerry said his pick for the number-two spot on the Democratic presidential ticket has shown guts, determination and political skill.

Updated: 1:23 PM Police are looking for two Asian men who robbed the Royal Spa and tied up an employee.

Updated: 1:24 PM The Rock County Jail has a problem with its female prisoners, it has too many.

Updated: 1:25 PM A year ago the stateline turned into a disaster area.

Updated: 11:42 PM For those with loved ones in the military this holiday weekend takes on a different meaning.

Updated: 4:23 PM Proposal to Link Rockford Airport, O'Hare by Rail Picks Up Speed

Updated: 1:25 PM (Janesville-AP) -- Police say a four-year-old Janesville girl has drowned in a pool.

Updated: 2:55 PM (Beloit-AP) -- Five Army reservists are leaving their Wisconsin homes this week not for Iraq, but for Kosovo to support peacekeeping forces.

Updated: 10:34 AM Two asphalt plants in Illinois are among operations in five states that are being asked to run tests and turn records over to federal officials.

Updated: 11:10 PM Skyrocketing costs haven't stopped interest in Illinois' public universities.

Updated: 11:08 PM Stepping up security on the 4th.