Democrats sweep statewide races, expand already-historic supermajorities
The party rode ‘Blue Wave’ to pick up seats in the General Assembly considered GOP safe
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Pritzker wins 3rd term as presidential speculation builds
Gov. JB Pritzker was declared winner of a third term immediately as polls closed on Election Night.
Stratton coasts to victory to become Illinois’ newest U.S. senator
Stratton was declared winner immediately when the polls closed.
Healthcare dispute strikes fear, confusion among southern Illinois retirees
BJC Health Care’s announcement in October that it will drop some Aetna plans raises hard questions about the future of healthcare for thousands of southern Illinois retirees.
On economic development, Pritzker, Bailey are miles apart
The leading candidates for Illinois governor have contrasting views on how to attract economic development.
Massage parlor where woman died in fire tied to prostitution
The longtime operator of a Cahokia Heights massage parlor that was destroyed in a fatal fire on Oct. 19 has a lengthy history of prostitution-related arrests.
2 sentenced in southern Illinois massage prostitution ring
Two defendants each received 24-month prison sentences for their role in operating the illicit massage businesses in southern Illinois and Indiana.
‘Wasn’t a freak accident’: New records show how ADM’s safety lapses injured several employees in 2023 explosion
Years after an explosion at ADM’s flagship plant in Decatur, Illinois, answers about how it happened are now available.
DCFS found in contempt for noncompliance with judge’s order
Capitol News Illinois sued DCFS after it denied a public records request in March.
DCFS director found in contempt for noncompliance with judge’s order
Capitol News Illinois sued DCFS after it denied a public records request in March.
Consumer groups hand deliver 10k comments opposing $144M Peoples Gas rate hike
The request would add $7-8 per month to average household energy bills.
Third-party U.S. Senate candidate gives voters an alternative
Third-party Illinois U.S. Senate candidate Whitfield Harrington pitches a centrist alternative in the 2026 race.
Cindy Bailey, GOP candidate’s wife, pushes back on claims in Pritzker ads
Darren Bailey is in the middle of a 17-stop tour to turn out voters ahead of the election.
Southern Illinois Source injects hope into dragging downstate news landscape
The collaborative nonprofit newsroom will fill local news coverage gaps with pros, students working together.
It’s projected to cost ComEd $3.1B to connect data centers to the grid
Six of the data centers will need over $100 million in infrastructure costs to connect to the grid.
State says it will keep 25 mental health beds at Choate, expand regional jobs
The state has scaled back its plans to close 75 minimum-security mental health beds at Choate Developmental Center.
Statewide races: Little-known GOP slate faces uphill battle against mostly incumbent Dems
Democrats have held all statewide offices since 2019.
Proposed closing of 4 low-level prison facilities draws sharp rebuke in Du Quoin
IDOC says the four closures will save a combined $35.9 million in capital costs and $6.5 million in annual operating expenses.
Illinois regulators move to bring video gambling under self-exclusion program
The new rules would also allow new options for cashless wagering.
Bill aims to study how self-driving vehicles can be integrated into Illinois transit
The study would look at how driverless vehicles could be used at the beginning and end of mass transit systems.
Stratton, Tracy clash over Trump, affordability in lone U.S. Senate forum
Democratic Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton vowed to serve as a check on President Donald Trump while Republican Don Tracy largely defended the president’s positions in their only face-to-face meeting in the race to succeed retiring Democratic U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin.
Funding shortages and growing demand stall Illinois conservation efforts
For 20 years, Kara Downin has been puzzling out the perfect conservation program or partner for landowners in Knox County, Illinois, who come to her seeking help with their land. As a resource conservationist at the county Soil and Water Conservation District, Downin's goal and passion is to protect natural resources…
Illinois Democrats eye suburbs in push to expand supermajorities
The region features a rematch of the closest 2024 contest and the only match-up between two incumbents.
Study finds Illinois’ Displaced Energy Workers Bill of Rights falls short
Researchers found that limited enforcement authority leaves workers vulnerable when employers fail to comply with current laws.
Documents show state’s disaster request met FEMA’s threshold
Some counties, including Cook, did not meet the standards by themselves.
Pritzker reports more than $9M in income on 2025 tax returns, not including blind trust
His campaign said trusts in Pritzker’s name paid $59.2M in taxes, implying an income in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
‘Partial win for customers’: ICC approves $82 million rate hike for Nicor
The rate hike is expected to add an average $2 per month to residential bills.
Illinois medical debt relief program surpasses $1B goal in two years
In 40 counties, more than 5% of residents received debt relief.
Drinks and interruptions: Pritzker, Bailey meet in only governor debate of election cycle
The candidates focused mostly on Pritzker’s governing record.
Evanston Faces $20M Discrepancy in Motor Fuel Tax Fund After Years of State Warnings
IDOT warned Evanston for years about unauthorized motor fuel tax spending. Now a $20M fund gap has an alderman pushing an ordinance to enforce state bid rules.
Man who threatened mass shooting at McKendree University pleads guilty
The messages he sent in 2025 repeatedly invoked the phrase ‘pain and tears forever.’
Pritzker says ‘so much more to do’ in Illinois as he seeks rare 3rd term
Pritzker says campaign stops in other states are about helping Democrats win.
Trump administration denies Illinois’ request for disaster relief — again
FEMA said in a letter to Gov. JB Pritzker assistance was "not warranted."
Report: Illinois tax revenue from gambling increased 19% last year
And a federal judge ruled with Kalshi, stymieing the state’s attempt to regulate prediction markets as sportsbooks.
Pritzker declares Illinois a diesel disaster area, but fuel retailers are wary
All of Illinois is facing a diesel-fuel price disaster, according to Gov. JB Pritzker.
Illinois Republicans seek attorney general’s help after Champaign County ballot errors
Indicted County Clerk Aaron Ammons blamed a vendor for the error.
Bailey trying to stay on message as attacks from Pritzker mount
Bailey said he thinks voters are more frustrated with Pritzker than worried about Trump.
Illinois state fairs attracted over 1 million visitors for second year in a row
Fair ticket and food promotions sought to make attendance more affordable.
DeSoto man who struck boy, mother 117 times with a bat pleads guilty to murder
Marcus Moultrie, 37, pleaded guilty to murder and attempted murder charges.
Former House Republican leader backs Pritzker for governor
Former Illinois House Republican leader Jim Durkin endorses Democrat JB Pritzker over GOP nominee Darren Bailey.
Capitol News Insider goes live: What to know
New state government news hub offers à la carte alerts, exclusive stories and speedy daily updates on Statehouse happenings.
Prosecutors: Man charged with killing 8-year-old DeSoto boy tried to hire inmate to kill boy’s mother
A DeSoto man charged with killing an 8-year-old boy is accused of trying to hire a fellow inmate to kill the boy’s mother just days before his murder trial on Monday.
Five years in: What the ‘Home Illinois’ plan reveals about the state of homelessness
The Illinois Department of Human Services released a report meant to serve as a roadmap.
‘All the right players at the table’: Pritzker talks Bears stadium meeting in CNI exclusive
Governor says fall veto session that begins next month ‘is exactly the right time’
Report: New data centers could create more than 120K Illinois jobs, though mostly temporary
Report includes policy recommendations that were part of the POWER Act.
Marion woman duped out of $318K in elaborate gold-bar scheme
A 30-year-old Flushing, New York, man pleaded guilty last week to wire fraud and conspiracy.
Abuse was caught on camera at Choate Developmental Center. The prosecutor offered plea deals
Union County’s top prosecutor has filed suit opposing the closing of Choate.
Not ‘one more cent’: Chicago-area elected officials rally against Peoples Gas rate hike
The natural gas utility shaved off $58 million from its $205 million request earlier this year.
Trump visits Illinois, but doesn’t check in with state’s GOP gubernatorial nominee
President Trump's itinerary this weekend did not include a check-in with Republican gubernatorial nominee Darren Bailey.
7 key points from our interviews with the candidates for Illinois comptroller
Brenden Moore shares his thoughts on our interviews with the candidates for comptroller.
Replacing Mendoza: Candidates vie to be state’s first new comptroller in a decade
The comptroller candidates talk to Capitol News Illinois.
In a flash, history tumbles down
Crews will now work to remove the remaining pieces of the old bridge from the river.
Prosecutor accused of misconduct in ‘Broadview Six’ case resigns, says US attorney ‘scapegoated’ her
A prosecutor who has been accused of misconduct over a failed attempt to bring felony charges against six protesters of the federal immigration crackdown in Chicago has resigned.
Lights, camera, tax credits!
The new law puts Illinois just behind California and New York in terms of incentives available to filmmakers.
As early voting begins, officials seek to reassure public about election security, integrity
Mail balloting goes forward as normal after Trump’s failed attempt to federalize the process.
25 years ablaze: SIU’s ‘Fire Dawgs’ inspires land management careers
Fire Dawgs is a student club that participates in controlled burns across southern Illinois in cooperation with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Shawnee National Forest and various nonprofits focused on land management.
Early voting opens: View the 2026 Capitol News Illinois Election Guide
How, when and where to vote, how to register, and what’s on the ballot.
Childcare access is strained in Illinois. The state’s slow background check system continues to threaten it
Chronic understaffing at DCFS and an unimplemented state law are leaving some childcare centers short-staffed.
The whistleblowers vs. the shadow prosecutors
A new trove of documents allege previously unreported misconduct and conflicts of interest by Illinois’ Special Prosecution Unit.
Illinois attorney general claims victory in lawsuit against Trump administration
Court strikes down Trump administration ban on noncitizens accessing publicly funded benefits.
Lawsuit seeks to prevent double-dipping Chicago mayoral candidacies of Giannoulias, others
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, Rep. Mike Quigley and Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas have faced accusations of double-dipping by running for Chicago mayor even as they each seek reelection. And now, a lawsuit filed by a fellow mayoral hopeful argues that state law prevents them from doing so.
Pritzker establishes AI cabinet amid calls for greater regulation
The AI cabinet will focus on safety regulations to protect Illinois residents and infrastructure.
Illinois’ 8 interstate visitor information centers to close at month’s end
The rest stops where the visitor centers are located will continue operations.
Bailey, Del Mar say ‘I-Formation’ plan can keep Bears in Illinois
The eight-point proposal aims to lure the team’s private investment.