Illinois quick hits: Primary election ballot certified; indictments increased in 2025

January 8, 2026/

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By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Primary election ballot certified

The Illinois State Board of Elections certified the March 2026 primary ballot this week, removing several Republican candidates for governor after upholding petition challenges.

Remaining on the GOP gubernatorial ballot is Darren Bailey, Ted Dabrowski, James Mendrick and Rick Heidner. Gov. J.B. Pritzker will be unchallenged in the Democrats’ primary March 17.

For U.S. Senate Candidates, Democrats will have 10 to choose from, Republicans six.

Indictments increased in 2025

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois says it cracked down on crime and implemented new policies in 2025.

Statistics the office released show indictments were up 34% compared to the previous year.

The office also touts more focus on mass transit safety, health care fraud investigations and immigration enforcement efforts.

Unemployment rate forecast

The Chicago Fed Real-Time Unemployment Rate Forecast is estimating the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics monthly unemployment rate at 4.56% for December, matching the actual BLS unemployment rate for November.

The December 2024 unemployment rate was 4.09%.

Event Calendar

MondayJanuary 19, 2026

No School - Martin Luther King's Birthday MLK - No School MLK - No School

TuesdayJanuary 20, 2026

6:00 pmBOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

FridayJanuary 30, 2026

12:15 Dismissal 12:15 Dismissal Early Dismissal 12:00pm/12:15pm

FridayFebruary 6, 2026

Quarter 3 Progress Reports Sent Home Quarter 3 Progress Reports Sent Home

FridayFebruary 13, 2026

12:15 Dismissal ACT Practice Test ACT Practice Test Early Dismissal 12:00pm/12:15pm 12:15 Dismissal

SaturdayFebruary 14, 2026

ACT at LHS (registered students only)ACT at LHS (registered students only)

MondayFebruary 16, 2026

Presidents' Day - No School No School- Presidents' Day Presidents' Day - No School

TuesdayFebruary 17, 2026

6:00 pmBOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

MondayMarch 2, 2026

Casimir Pulaski - No School Casimir Pulaski - No School

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