Illinois Politics
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…
Read Full Article 
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois K-12 schools may soon be required to pick new mascots to replace those that reference Native American names and imagery. That would include logos, team names and mascots which 90 schools throughout the state use, such as the Mt. Zion Braves or the Cahokia Comanches, according to legislators. House Bill 1237 passed…
Read Full Article 
SPRINGFIELD — Small Illinois counties will be allowed to band together to form new Veterans Assistance Commissions under legislation passed through the Illinois House this week by State Representative Kyle Moore (R-Quincy). House Bill 1352 will allow multiple counties who are within a judicial circuit to form a Jurisdictional Veterans Assistance Commission. ”Under current guidelines most…
Read Full Article 
SPRINGFIELD — The House passed a bill Tuesday that would ban public schools from using mascots that discriminate against people with disabilities. The bill, if signed into law, currently would affect just one high school in St. Clair County. Freeburg Community High School’s mascot, the “Midgets,” is considered a slur used against people with dwarfism.…
Read Full Article You’ve probably read about the Republican Party implosion last week in suburban municipal and township campaigns, particularly in DuPage County. It’s important to remember that these consolidated elections are not always a reliable indication of the future. They’re very low turnout, and in years like this – when the election was held during a hugely…
Read Full Article 
While many Illinois Democrats wait anxiously to hear whether U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin will run for reelection in 2026 or step down after five terms in the Senate, at least one incumbent officeholder appears to be ruling himself out as a potential successor. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul said Tuesday he is not interested in…
Read Full Article 
QUINCY – Adams County Clerk Ryan A. Niekamp has announced that the County Clerk’s Office will be open for early voting on Saturday, March 29. “Early voting is quick and convenient, and this election focuses on our local community boards,” said County Clerk Ryan A. Niekamp. “Voters will be selecting representatives for school boards, community…
Read Full Article 
SPRINGFIELD — Thousands descended on the Capitol in Springfield Tuesday for the Illinois Pro-Life March. The event, which drew several notable conservatives, was aimed at protesting the state’s abortion laws. “I want to pray in a special way today for members of the Democratic Party that are promoting abortion,” Springfield Bishop Thomas Paprocki told the…
Read Full Article 
Letters to the editor pertaining to Quincy’s April 1 election must be received by noon Wednesday. They will be posted no later than Friday noon.
Read Full Article Two major proposals backed by Gov. JB Pritzker did not advance out of legislative committees before last week’s passage deadline. Sen. Suzy Glowiak Hilton confirmed that she won’t be advancing her legislation supported by the governor that would dissolve townships with populations below 5,000 (SB2217), and eventually abolish townships with populations below 50,000 and lower…
Read Full Article 
SPRINGFIELD – Legislation that would prohibit public school students from using cell phones and other wireless communication devices during class time cleared a Senate committee Tuesday and could soon be considered by the full Senate. It’s a policy change that Gov. JB Pritzker called for in his State of the State address in February and…
Read Full Article 
SPRINGFIELD — Gov. JB Pritzker on Thursday delivered more harsh criticism against President Donald Trump’s administration over attempts to drastically downsize, and possibly eliminate, the U.S. Department of Education. His remarks came just two days after the agency abruptly laid off 1,300 employees, or about half its workforce, including an estimated 50 workers in its…
Read Full Article 
SPRINGFIELD – A House committee advanced a bill Wednesday that would give high school student athletes the right to participate in both school-sponsored teams and nonschool teams in the same sport at the same time, despite concerns that such a policy could create friction between coaches and jeopardize students’ safety. House Bill 3037 would create…
Read Full Article 
QUINCY — U.S. Rep. Mary Miller (R-15, Illinois) told a group of Adams County Farm Bureau members Friday she has been in meetings with President Donald Trump and his advisor Elon Musk to stress the importance of family farms. “The government is so bloated and inefficient, and President Trump wants to make it work better…
Read Full Article 
A new Illinois bill aims to add some oversight of families who homeschool their children, a response to concerns that the state does little to ensure these students receive an education and are protected from harm. The measure, known as the Homeschool Act, comes after an investigation by Capitol News Illinois and ProPublica last year…
Read Full Article 
April 20, 2025
MRN THIS WEEK: QFD CHIEF STEVE SALRIN
Current Weather
MON
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
