SPRINGFIELD — Illinois lawmakers are leaving Springfield without resolving a list of major issues topped by the worst public pension problem in the nation, leaving the state and its public officials to feel the consequences. Illinois already has the lowest credit rating of any state and the bond houses could lower it again. And even if Gov. Pat Quinn calls lawmakers back before the fall session, a pension fix will require a tougher three-fifths majority rather than a straight majority. But some political watchers say aside from the pension issue, it was a productive session: Lawmakers expanded Medicaid, approved a budget without cutting education and passed a ground-breaking deal on oil and gas drilling. By Sophia Tareen and Regina Garcia Cano.

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Moved Saturday

ILLINOIS REPUBLICANS

SPRINGFIELD — After months of public infighting and constant bickering over issues that also continue to divide the national party, Illinois Republicans selected a new leader Saturday who they hope is the best option to bring factions of the party together after its poor showing in last November’s elections. The party’s central committee chose committeeman and lobbyist Jack Dorgan of Rosemont as the party’s chair for the next year. By Kerry Lester.

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Moved Saturday

GREAT LAKES-GOVERNORS

MACKINAC ISLAND, Mich. —

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn said Saturday that separating the Great Lakes and Mississippi River systems is the “ultimate solution” to prevent voracious Asian carp from overrunning the lakes, a potential step toward resolving a longstanding regional feud. By John Flesher.

AP Photos.

Moving Sunday for Monday

ILLINOIS GOVERNOR

CHICAGO — Coming off a spring legislative session in which all three of his top priorities failed, Gov. Pat Quinn finds himself politically vulnerable and facing another trial: fending off the string of potential candidates who want his job. Quinn needed a win on the major issues facing the state going into his 2014 re-election bid. With two weeks to go in the session, he told reporters he had three priorities — fixing Illinois’ $97 billion pension problem, legalizing same-sex marriage and approving a gun control measure restricting high capacity ammunition magazines. But lawmakers adjourned for the session Friday without sending any of those measures to his desk. His would-be replacements begin lining up Sunday, as Republican state Treasurer Dan Rutherford officially launches his campaign. By Sara Burnett.

AP Photos

Moving in advance for weekend use

AP EXCHANGE-KIRK RECOVERY

WASHINGTON — Back on the job five months after suffering a stroke last year, U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk leads an existence on Capitol Hill far from the fast-paced first year after his November 2010 election. In turn, his image has changed from a politician with a carefully polished exterior to one publicly embracing the debilitating stroke that colored his actions and changed many basic aspects of everyday life. The junior senator from Illinois, who has not announced his political plans after his term ends in 2016, remains determined to prove he is as actively engaged as ever. That process is proving to be transformative not only for him but also for the caustic and often-divided 100-member Senate, where Kirk’s presence seems to be fostering bipartisan friendship, if not spurring action. By Kerry Lester of the (Arlington Heights) Daily Herald.

This is an AP-Illinois Exchange story and members using it should retain the byline and newspaper credit line.

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SPOTLIGHTS

For Saturday

SPOTLIGHTS-LOCAL DISPATCHER

CRYSTAL LAKE — When Janet Mitchell comes into work, she looks at five screens, types on four keyboards, operates three computer mice and wears a headset to speak on the phone. One screen tells the Southeast Emergency Communication Center telecommunicator where different emergency vehicles are located, one shows the different phone lines, one lists the frequencies she can listen to, one has maps and then there’s the traditional computer screen. Over her workspace are three lights: a blue light to signal if she’s on the phone, a red light to say she’s talking on the radio and an orange light to say whether there’s an equipment or tower problem. By Joseph Bustos. The (Crystal Lake) Northwest Herald.

AP Photos ILCRY307-309.

SPOTLIGHTS-SHARK RESEARCHERS

PEORIA — Chris Fischer wants to change the background music that people think of when they see shark footage from the “Jaws” theme to Disney’s “Under the Sea.” Along with music, the expedition leader of Ocearch, the ocean-going research team backed by Caterpillar Inc. also wants to change the conversation when it comes to sharks. While shark attacks often get major media coverage, Fischer points to the damage humans are doing to the ocean’s “balance keepers.” ”Two hundred thousand sharks will be killed today for their fins. If we lose them, we lose the ocean,” said Fischer, addressing Peoria-area school children at the Caterpillar Visitors Center on Tuesday. By Steve Tarter. (Peoria) Journal Star.

AP Photos ILPEO301-303.

For Sunday

SPOTLIGHT-LIFE IN THE BUBBLE

BLOOMINGTON — Jameson Golliday is in awe of the world around him, making contact with his bright eyes with the few people he is allowed to see, smiling and showing off his toy airplane and stethoscope. Jameson’s world is limited to his family’s modest Bloomington home and an occasional walk around the block with his family – provided the 1½-year-old boy wears a mask and touches nothing and no one beyond his parents and brother. When the Gollidays – which include parents Rob and Jen and brother Shawn, age 5 – return home, all of them change clothes and shower or bathe. Other people are kept several feet away. Their contact with Jameson is limited to sharing smiles, waves and a few words. By Paul Swiech. The (Bloomington) Pantagraph.

AP Photos ILBLO304-306.

SPOTLIGHT-FARMING ON FAULT

PEARL CITY — The Plum River Fault Line is inactive, but you never know what tomorrow will bring. The 100-mile crack in the Earth’s crust extends west from Byron to Iowa, right through Conrad Iandola’s farm, 5886 S. Loran Road, in Pearl City. His property was a living laboratory Thursday for 16 environmental geology students from Northern Illinois University. “We wanted to take them and show them different features that they might not get to see on a regular basis,” said Philip J. Carpenter, professor of geophysics, engineering geology, seismology at NIU. By Nick Crow. The (Freeport) Journal-Standard.

AP Photos ILFRE301-303.