This week in Illinois history, learn about early efforts to free slaves, the formation of two cities, and a total solar eclipse.

Illinois taxpayers today owe billions toward the state’s unfunded pension liabilities, according to a report from the economics website Wirepoints.com

Five Republican candidates who will be on November’s ballots in districts across Illinois will hold a press conference at 4:30 p.m. Thursday to answer the question “What Happens When Conservative Reformers Infiltrate the Springfield Machine?”

Richard Pearson, the executive director of the Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA), recently urged counties that have not passed gun-sanctuary resolutions to do so.

July 30, 1898 - Highwood. Amusement park honoring Civil War General Philip Sheridan opens. Headquartered at the intersection of Clay Street and Sheridan Road in Highwood, Fort Sheridan Park was advertised as a “the only first-class family resort and picnic grounds west of New York,” as a print advertisement proclaims on the Illinois History Journal’s digital archives.

Learn about the city of Chicago's worst race riots, a tragic tornado and the birth of a three-term governor, this week in Illinois history.

In this week's history lesson, learn how FDR secured a third presidential nomination, plus see why a 600-year-old Native American site is worthy of listing as a national landmark.

The U.S. Supreme Court's ruling this weak overturning a decades-old decision allowing unions to charge non-members for lobbying seems to belong a world away, ideologically, from the one in 1977 that said such fees were constitutional.

A bill sponsored by state Sen. Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) that would restrict the use of assault weapons is problematic, not only for being vague, but for abridging gun owners’ rights, according to gun lobbyist Todd Vandermyde.

Learn about the first open-heart surgery, the Scopes Trial and the launch of Streeterville, all of which happened this week in Illinois history.

Learn about the history of Illinois' capitol building, the sinking of the Columbia steamship and Comiskey Park's first all-star game this week in Illinois history.

Learn how Lincoln's Dred Scott speech put him on the political map with abolitionists, plus see how a strong judge dampened frontier lawlessness in this week's Illinois history.

In the wake of revelations about President Donald Trump’s alleged infidelities, is the character issue over as a point of difference for Republican candidates? Larry Elder, author and conservative talk show host, says character still matters in a post-Trump presidency.

Backers of President Donald Trump should welcome support from pop stars like Kanye West, who has vocalized his approval of Trump from the moment he was elected, according to conservative talk show host and author Larry Elder.

To reach black voters, who traditionally vote Democrat, with a Republican message, conservative author and talk show host Larry Elder says talking about the differences in education policy is key.

It took conservative talk show host and author Larry Elder maybe one second to answer a question about which cultural institution in America would have the most impact if its leadership became conservative.

The words may have come from former President Barack Obama, but the truth they tell is something conservative talk show host and author Larry Elder wants to communicate.

Either conservative talk show host and author Larry Elder does a dead-on impression of Democratic U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) or the audience was in stitches for another reason during a public forum to discuss conservative issues and promote his latest book, “Dear Father, Dear Son: Two Lives… Eight Hours.”

From the perspective of author and syndicated talk show host Larry Elder, Robert Mueller's investigation into alleged collusion between President Donald J. Trump's campaign and the Russian government is just a bump in the road for Republicans in terms of realizing their policy agenda for the country.

A hoops star is born, coal miners perish during a strike, and settlers defend Apple River Fort from Chief Black Hawk this week in Illinois history.