ILLINOIS

Mar 18 2026POLITICS

Tech Money in Illinois Primaries: A Mixed Battle

In the recent Illinois primary races, tech companies spent large sums to influence outcomes, but their impact was uneven. The cryptocurrency sector poured more than $10 million into a super PAC that opposed Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton’s campaign, yet she still secured the Democratic nomination.

reading time less than a minute
Mar 12 2026ENVIRONMENT

Field Trip to Restore Fulton’s Prairie: A Community Visit

The Fulton Historical Society is arranging a day out on March 15 at two in the afternoon, taking folks to a nearby prairie restoration project. The event is led by Dean Huisingh, who founded the society and also runs a conservation foundation that works to protect Illinois plants and animals. He

reading time less than a minute
Mar 11 2026POLITICS

Illinois Senate Race: New Faces Step Forward

A 24‑hour gap after Senator Dick Durbin said he would not run again saw Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton announce her bid for the seat, signaling a possible shift in Illinois’ Senate representation. The state’s Senate seats have long split between the Chicago area and downstate, but Durbin’s

reading time less than a minute
Feb 11 2026SPORTS

New Stadium Dreams for Portage and the Chicago Bears

Portage, a city in Indiana, is hoping to land a big deal by offering 300 acres of its own land for a Chicago Bears football stadium. The plan, dubbed “Halas Harbor, ” plays on the Bears’ famous headquarters in Lake Forest and aims to bring the team closer to its fan base in Northwest Indiana. The si

reading time less than a minute
Jan 24 2026SPORTS

Chicago Bears: A Stadium Showdown Between Illinois and Indiana

The Chicago Bears are in a tough spot. They want a new stadium, but talks in Illinois have hit a wall. So, they looked at Indiana. Some fans think this is just a trick to push Illinois to act. But Bears President Kevin Warren says no. He means it. Indiana is excited. They see this as a big chance.

reading time less than a minute
Jan 15 2026POLITICS

Illinois Judges: Who Picks the Next One?

In Illinois, judges have a unique way of choosing their successors. When a judge steps down, other judges often pick who will fill the vacant seat. This is not a new practice. It has been part of the state's constitution since 1970. Mary Jane Theis, a judge from Chicago, is about to retire. She has

reading time less than a minute
Jan 11 2026POLITICS

Illinois Lawmakers Face Tough Choices with $2. 2 Billion Budget Gap

Illinois lawmakers are back at work, but this time, they're dealing with a $2. 2 billion budget gap. That's a lot of money, and it's not going to be easy to fix. The state is also dealing with some big changes in Washington, like fewer federal dollars coming in. This means lawmakers have to be extra

reading time less than a minute
Jan 01 2026ENVIRONMENT

Illinois Says Goodbye to Fluorescent Bulbs

In Illinois, a new law is changing the lighting game. Starting now, stores can't sell or give away certain fluorescent bulbs with screw or bayonet bases. But wait, there's more! In 2027, the ban will also cover pin-base compact fluorescents and linear fluorescents. Why the big change? Some folks, l

reading time less than a minute
Jan 01 2026BUSINESS

Amazon's New Hub in Ottawa: What It Means for Jobs and Deliveries

Amazon has set up a new delivery hub in Ottawa. This move is part of their plan to get packages to customers faster. The facility is not huge, but it's big enough to make a difference in the area. Work on the building started last year. It took about a year to finish. Now, it's up and running, help

reading time less than a minute
Dec 31 2025SPORTS

Young Illini Players Shine Bright in Music City Bowl

The Music City Bowl was a big stage for some young Illini players to show what they can do. In the past, this game has been a place where new talent gets noticed. For example, in 2022, Matthew Bailey and Xavier Scott made their first starts in a bowl game. They filled in for some bigger names and di

reading time less than a minute