The measure, if enacted, would protect a greater number of employers from fiscal penalties imposed by the health care law.

High-calorie sports drinks and candy bars will be removed from school vending machines and cafeteria lines as soon as next year, replaced with diet drinks, granola bars and other healthier items.

Illinois taxpayers will pony up at least $130 million extra in interest payments for a bond sale this week due to lowered credit ratings because lawmakers have failed to solve the state's $97 billion pension crisis.