Politics

Now it's Heather French Henry's turn.

The former Miss America has joined a list of half a dozen party activists or leaders waiting for Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes to decide whether she'll run in 2014 against Mitch McConnell for his U.S. Senate seat. 

If Grimes runs, she's likely to get enough support to clear out the field. Otherwise, the Democrats have potential candidates known within political circles, but who may be not instantly recognizable with the majority of voters—former state Democratic Party Chairman Bill Gorman or environmental activist Tom FitzGerald, for example.

Parents of two Sandy Hook elementary students killed by a Connecticut gunman last fall testified in favor of limiting high-capacity ammunition magazines in Illinois. The Illinois Senate's Executive Committee voted 12-3 Monday to advance legislation banning magazines that hold more than 10 rounds. Mark Barden is the father of seven-year-old Daniel Barden. Daniel was among 20 children fatally shot Dec. 14 in Newtown, Conn.

  Tea party activist David Adams is once again suing Governor Steve Beshear over the Affordable Care Act. 

Adams first sued Beshear to block him from implementing a state-run health insurance exchange. That suit is pending. And now, Adams is suing to stop Beshear from expanding Medicaid.

With just two weeks left in the legislative session, Illinois lawmakers have a full plate of controversial issues to tackle. They're scheduled to consider two major pension overhaul proposals aimed at addressing the worst pension problem nationwide and they must approve a budget that could contain some difficult cuts. Lawmakers are also scheduled to take up legislation allowing same-sex couples to marry, which has passed the Senate and awaits a House vote.