Afternoon News Update: Thursday, November 20

State officials say the Illinois unemployment rate held steady at 6.6 percent in October as private-sector hiring slowed. The Department of Employment Security says seven straight months of unemployment declines came to an end. According to the monthly jobless report, educational and health services companies led the month's job growth with a net increase of 4,600 jobs.
Gov.-elect Bruce Rauner says Illinois' financial condition is "stunningly bad" and it will require "strong action" to fix it. He says Auditor General William Holland is conducting a "turnover audit" of the state's financials. Rauner says that's critical to understanding the depths of Illinois' fiscal problems. Rauner says he'll be prepared to present a budget address in February.
Cook County Clerk David Orr says Republican claims of inappropriate voting in this month's election are unfounded. Orr says his office examined claims by representatives of Tom Cross's campaign for state treasurer that 235 voters may have cast more than one ballot. He says none did. Cross allies also questioned ballot accounting in Chicago.
The sponsor of legislation that allowed same-day voter registration for Illinois' Nov. 4 election is working to make the change permanent. Senator Don Harmon says he's working with House lawmakers on an election law bill that could advance early next month. Some Republicans criticized the measure as an attempt to boost Democratic turnout for a critical election.
U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth has given birth to a baby girl. A statement today from the suburban Chicago Democrat says the baby was born earlier this week and named Abigail O'kalani Bowlsbey. Duckworth won re-election earlier this month.
The University of Illinois says a professor renowned for her study of bees and their decline will receive the National Medal of Science. The university says May Berenbaum will be honored Thursday in a ceremony at the White House. Berenbaum is an elected member of the National Academy of Sciences and a fellow of both the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and Entomological Society of America.

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