Illinois Politics

The first-term Democrat is hoping a massive fundraising advantage and bipartisan work will propel her to another term in Washington, D.C.

While electoral experts have rated the 13th Congressional District a safe or solid bet for Democrats this year, a 27-year-old Republican said he can beat incumbent Nikki Budzinski.

Formed after the 2021 tornado that killed six Amazon employees in Edwardsville, the task force is required to submit the report to the Illinois General Assembly by Jan. 1, 2025.

Chibu Asonye of Urbana did not gather enough signatures to appear before voters this fall in the district that includes much of the Metro East, the Illinois State Board of Elections ruled on Friday.

State regulators will seek input from public on proposed rate increase. Illinois American Water, which serves 1.3 million people, is seeking a $152.4 million rate increase. Aqua Illinois, which serves 273,000 people, is seeking a $19.2 million increase.

Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he will sign the budget, which passed the House early on Wednesday morning.

While celebrating a new administration building for Madison County Transit, the Democratic governor criticized the symbolic referendum that county voters will consider this November.

The Healthcare Protection Act passed the Illinois House last week. Now, it's headed to the Senate. Gov. J.B. Pritzker and state lawmakers say the legislation will put power in the hands of patients and their doctors.

The Metro East county could become the 27th in downstate Illinois to vote on possibly seceding to form a new state. Political and legal experts believe separation is highly improbable.

The Government Relations Committee voted on Tuesday to approve a nonbinding referendum for the full board to consider. If approved, the referendum would ask residents in a symbolic vote if they would like to no longer be in the same state as the Chicago area.