Updated: 11:30 PM Illinois faces shortage of brain surgeons.

Updated: 3:38 PM Two former prosecutors will check the backgrounds of possible replacements for former Republican Senate candidate Jack Ryan.

Updated: 12:42 PM Some mayors south of Chicago want to withdraw from Cook County and create a new county.

Updated: 12:39 PM The brief earthquake was reported in parts of northern Illinois, northern Indiana and southern Wisconsin.

Updated: 6:40 AM A man is in the hospital after being shot.

Updated: 10:50 PM Soccer players help Rockford score tourism dollars.

Updated: 10:46 PM Tests are underway to determine if there is a new case of Mad Cow disease.

Updated: 11:11 PM Chatting away leads one Rockford couple to exchange vows.

Updated: 2:04 PM Jack Ryan, the republican candidate for the Illinois' U.S. senate seat, withdraws from the race.

Updated: 5:44 PM Crews work at a furious pace to get a tornado damaged school ready for the first day.

Updated: 4:36 PM Town rebuilds after devastating tornado.

Updated: 4:09 PM Republican Jack Ryan says he's quitting the U.S. Senate race to avoid a "brutal, scorched-earth campaign."

Updated: 1:51 PM Republican sources tell The Associated Press that GOP Senate candidate Jack Ryan plans to drop out of the race amid sex club allegations.

Updated: 11:03 AM It's Illinois and Indiana workers' turn for contract negotiations at SBC Communications as the Texas-based communications company faces a possible strike deadline.

Updated: 10:40 AM A study by the Federal Aviation Administration says travelers will face delays and congestion for years at Chicago's two airports.

Updated: 3:54 PM Illinois lawmakers convened a special session Thursday, but House members were immediately sent home.

Updated: 3:47 PM Program aims to rebuild community, address nursing shortage.

Updated: 1:14 PM New U.S. Census Bureau numbers show two Illinois cities are among the nation's fastest growing.

Updated: 4:54 PM A Kenosha pasta plant and its employees are victims of the low-carb craze.

Updated: 4:46 PM Unemployment is up in all but three of Wisconsin's 11 largest metro areas.

Updated: 4:17 PM Unmaintained pools can pose a threat to the community.

Updated: 3:02 PM "American Idol" star Clay Aiken and country music favorites Clint Black and Travis Tritt will top the Illinois State Fair's grandstand lineup this year.

Updated: 1:12 PM A source tells The Associated Press that Governor Rod Blagojevich plans to call lawmakers back to the Capitol for a special session.

Updated: 10:50 AM The Illinois Department of Agriculture will soon resume its fight against the leaf-eating gypsy moth in Winnebago and other counties.

Updated: 10:46 AM The idea of toll roads in Wisconsin has resurfaced.