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

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

January 8, 2026/

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

[pdem_events format="calendar" size="xlarge" layout="stacked" exclude_category="sports,library" limit="22" debug="no"]

Events

No events

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Litchfield Logo Graphic.3

Council Amends Sign Ordinance to Comply with First Amendment

Litchfield City Council Meeting | February 19, 2026 Article Summary: To align city code with First Amendment protections, the Litchfield City Council voted to overhaul its regulations on temporary signs....
Montgomery County Bldg Grounds Committee

County Secures $450 Per Acre for Farm Lease, Approves Courthouse Repairs

January Committee Meeting Article Summary: The Buildings & Grounds Committee awarded a lucrative three-year farm lease and approved contracts to restore historic woodwork and repaint the courthouse porch. Buildings & Grounds...
Wynn Lane Fire 02.27.26

Dry Conditions Fuel Rash of Fires Across Region; Litchfield Shed Fire Spreads to 25 Acres

Article Summary: Emergency crews across Montgomery and Macoupin counties were overwhelmed on Tuesday by a series of field and structure fires fueled by dry conditions, including a massive blaze in...
Litchfield Logo Graphic.4

Wildflower Subdivision Final Plat Approved; TIF Impact Explained

Litchfield City Council Meeting | February 19, 2026 Article Summary: The City Council formally approved the final plat and infrastructure bonds for the Wildflower Subdivision on Thursday. During the discussion,...
Montgomery County Finance Committee

Committee Recommends Significant Salary Increase for County Elected Officials

January Committee Meeting Article Summary: The Finance & Budget Committee has recommended setting salaries for the County Clerk, Treasurer, and Circuit Clerk at 60 percent of the State’s Attorney’s salary, which...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Litchfield Board of Education for February 17, 2026

Litchfield Board of Education Meeting | February 17, 2026 Overall Meeting SummaryThe Litchfield Community Unit School District #12 Board of Education met on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, to address curriculum,...
Litchfield Logo Graphic.4

Former Russell School to Become Wrestling Training Center

Litchfield City Council Meeting | February 19, 2026 Article Summary: The City Council approved a series of zoning changes and a special use permit to allow Purler Wrestling, Inc. to...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Montgomery County Board for Jan. 13, 2026

Montgomery County Board Meeting | Jan. 13, 2026 Overall Meeting SummaryThe Montgomery County Board’s January meeting was defined by substantial capital spending on highway infrastructure and law enforcement equipment. The...
Litchfield Logo Graphic.3

Council Hires Robert Carpenter as Police Chief in Split Vote

Litchfield City Council Meeting | February 19, 2026 Article Summary: The Litchfield City Council on Thursday voted to hire Robert Carpenter as the new Chief of Police following a comprehensive...
Screenshot 2026-02-18 at 2.33.24 PM

District Pre-Buys Technology to Beat Tariffs, Pays for Major Inspections

Litchfield Board of Education Meeting | February 17, 2026 Article Summary: The Litchfield School Board approved a higher-than-average monthly bill list due to strategic technology purchases and required facility inspections....
montgomery county Graphic Logo.2

Board Considers Property Purchase for Recovery Court Expansion

Montgomery County Board Meeting | Jan. 13, 2026 Article Summary: The board discussed purchasing a property at 127 N. Main Street in Hillsboro to house the Recovery Court, but returned the...
Day after Supreme Court ruling, Trump says he will raise tariffs to 15%

Day after Supreme Court ruling, Trump says he will raise tariffs to 15%

By Dan McCaleb and Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump on Saturday said he would raise global tariffs to 15%. The announcement on social media comes a day after...
Advocate: Bipartisan support for IL CO2 pipeline eminent domain prohibition

Advocate: Bipartisan support for IL CO2 pipeline eminent domain prohibition

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A bipartisan effort is underway to eliminate the option of eminent domain for carbon dioxide pipelines in...
Groups file brief in support of ending post-Election Day ballot counting

Groups file brief in support of ending post-Election Day ballot counting

By Tate MillerThe Center Square Four election integrity groups filed an amicus brief in support of a case that requests the U.S. Supreme Court not allow state laws that permit...
Business groups seek quick tariff refunds after Supreme Court ruling

Business groups seek quick tariff refunds after Supreme Court ruling

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The U.S. businesses that paid billions in tariffs to the federal government want their money back. After the U.S. Supreme Court found President Donald Trump...