Illinois Politics
At a time when Illinois families are cutting back to make ends meet, Democratic leaders in Springfield are pushing a $6 billion tax hike to fund massive government expansion, including what would be the largest state budget in Illinois history. Gov. JB Pritzker’s proposed budget is nearly $15 billion larger than when he first took…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Mike Troup’s campaign spent more than $70,000 in an unsuccessful bid to retain the office of Quincy mayor. According to the Illinois State Board of Elections website, Troup spent $70,594.08 combined for his victory in the Feb. 25 Republican primary over Dan Brink and his April 1 loss to Linda Moore, who ran as…
Read Full Article SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — State Rep. Kyle Moore recently was named to serve on the House Labor and Commerce Committee. Moore (R-Quincy) said the new committee assignment is on track with his goal of growing and retaining jobs in Illinois. “This is first and foremost about improving our jobs climate so we can provide better opportunities…
Read Full Article Kelly will once again challenge Pritzker-backed candidate: Kelly won a crowded 16-person primary in a 2013 special election to fill the congressional seat vacated by former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson, who resigned while under investigation for misuse of campaign funds and eventually went to prison. Kelly received more than half the primary vote before easily…
Read Full Article SPRINGFIELD – Thirty-three students from eight high schools in west central Illinois came to Springfield on Tuesday, April 29, to experience the workings of state government as part of State Sen. Jil Tracy’s Youth Advisory Council. The students were recommended by officials from their respective schools to participate in the program. They traveled to Springfield with…
Read Full Article McHENRY — John Gerend, a Vietnam War veteran from Lake Villa, was exposed to Agent Orange while on duty. Suffering from diseases associated with exposure to the toxic chemical, he said he still considers himself fortunate. “I’ve had some issues with it — diabetes, some heart issues and so on — but there are many…
Read Full Article CHICAGO — Just one day into her campaign to replace retiring Sen. Dick Durbin in the U.S. Senate, Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton on Friday received a key endorsement from Gov. JB Pritzker, nearly eight years after he first tapped her to be his running mate. Standing outside the Bright Star Church amid a backdrop of…
Read Full Article Longtime U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, the No. 2 Democrat in the Senate, announced Wednesday he will retire after his term ends in January 2027. “I truly love the job of being United States Senator, but in my heart, I know it’s time to pass the torch,” Durbin said in a social media video.…
Read Full Article SPRINGFIELD — U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) has announced he will retired at the end of his term in 2026. “The decision of whether to run for re-election has not been easy,” Durbin said in a message posted on the “X” (Twitter) social media platform. “I truly love the job of being a United States…
Read Full Article SPRINGFIELD – Members of the Illinois Senate Republican Caucus sent a letter April 22 to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi requesting federal guidance to ensure fairness in girls’ and women’s athletics in Illinois high schools. The letter reflects conflicting guidance from state agencies and growing concerns about how to uphold the intent of Title IX in…
Read Full Article Is Dick Durbin announcing whether he’s running for reelection? Not this week, the state’s senior U.S. senator told reporters in his hometown of East St. Louis on Monday. Illinois Democrats are eagerly awaiting Durbin’s decision, but it’s not clear when the second-highest ranking Senate Democrat will decide if he will run for a sixth term. Despite…
Read Full Article Gov. JB Pritzker said last week that the extreme uncertainty with the US government and the international economy might mean that the legislature may have to reconvene to reconfigure the state budget after it adjourns at the end of next month. “It may very well be that we’re going to have to come back at…
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