Despite budget, Illinois may not resume mailing vehicle registration notices

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – Just because Illinois lawmakers approved a stopgap budget doesn’t necessarily mean that motorists will again receive reminders in the mail that it’s time to renew their license plate registrations. The stopgap budget approved last week provides $35 million to cover the Secretary of State’s operations through December but The Pantagraph in…

Top Missouri Senate Democrat resigns for judgeship

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – The Missouri Senate’s top Democrat has stepped down to take an administrative judgeship. Senate Minority Leader Joe Keaveny resigned Thursday. Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon announced he’s been named a St. Louis workers’ compensation administrative law judge. Those judges can approve settlements and issue awards after hearings on injured workers’ benefits.…