// a href = ./ //

   SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - The largest Illinois government employees' union will take a second ratification vote on its tentative three-year contract because of a continuing lawsuit over back wages.

   Members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees OK'd the contract agreement with Gov. Pat Quinn's administration on March 20.

   But AFSCME announced Tuesday it would schedule a new vote because Attorney General Lisa Madigan's office hasn't dropped a lawsuit Quinn had pressed over raises due in 2011 and 2012.

   The first vote was based on the Quinn administration's promise to drop the lawsuit.

   Quinn agreed in the contract deal to pay the back wages. But he needs a $140 million appropriation from the Legislature to pay them.

   Madigan says she won't drop the lawsuit until the money is approved.

   ST. LOUIS (AP) - Alex Steen stole the puck from goalie Jonathan Quick behind the net and scored a short-handed goal to give the St. Louis Blues a 2-1 victory over the defending Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday night.

   Steen scored unassisted on a backhander at 13:26 of overtime less than a minute after Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk was whistled for a double-minor high sticking when he cut Dustin Penner.

   Steen also scored on a power play in the first period for the Blues, who ended an eight-game losing streak against the team that swept them in the second round last spring.

   Quick, last year's Conn Smythe winner as playoff MVP, made 35 saves in regulation, keeping the Kings in it for Justin Williams' tying goal with 31.6 seconds left.

   Air quality forecasting officially begins Wednesday for the 2013 summer season, and St. Louis residents will want to pay attention in order to protect their health.  

   Officials with the American Lung Association say that's because the air in St. Louis is getting worse.  Their latest State of the Air report shows the Gateway City is now ranked 25th worst in the nation for ozone pollution.  We were 34th last year.  

   And St. Louis is 12th when it comes to year round particulate pollution.  That's a slight improvement over our 10th place finish last year.  But officials say it still means St. Louis is among the most polluted metropolitan areas in the nation.  

   Residents who want to receive air quality updates by email, can sign up at the Clean Air St. Louis website.