* Minimum wage rises to $7.75

* Feds Relax Education Requirements for Illinois

Illinois is one of six states that has been given some leeway under the No Child Left Behind Act. A new pilot program will allow schools in Illinois to offer tutoring to students sooner when it looks like they need help.

* Casinos continue legal fight against horse tracks

Four Illinois casinos are asking the state’s Supreme Court to reconsider its June ruling that they pay about $76 million to the state’s struggling horse racing industry.

* Illinois Atty. Genl. withdraws claim on electric plants

Two weeks ago Madigan identified plants she said looked like Edison’s that were continuing “high offer” shenanigans. She asked federal regulators to reopen the Edison case and look into it. Now, based on information from PJM Interconnection, which manages the grid from here to Illinois, she has withdrawn the allegation that the identified plants have continued the strategy. But she still contends that Edision still may be withholding power from the grid in some other fashion in an effort to influence prices.

* Superintendent appointment delayed at Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center

* Degorski appeals ruling on videotape

* Silver Cross gets panel’s OK for new hospital

* Influence peddler Levine ends 33-year marriage

* The boost to a federal shield proposal

Similar legislation, co-sponsored by Rep. Jan Schakowsky of Evanston, already has been passed by a 398-21 margin in the House. We’re pleased that every member of the suburban delegation, Republicans and Democrats alike, voted in favor of that bill.

* Locals building momentum in EJ&E sale fight

* Durbin says help on way for food pantries