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/
Spread the love

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%.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Exec Cmte 8.14.25.4

Executive Committee Details Spending of $134 Million in Pandemic Relief Funds

Article Summary: Will County has expended 61% of its $134 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, with significant investments made in infrastructure, health, and economic development. Officials...
Peotone-Committee-8.18.25.1

Facing Budget Crisis, Peotone Committee Questions Athletic Field Project

Committee of the Whole Article Summary: With Peotone School District 207-U on the verge of a financial crisis, board members are questioning the wisdom of moving forward with a long-awaited...
Meeting Briefs

Committee Summary and Briefs: Peotone Board of Education Committee of the Whole

The Peotone School District 207-U is on a collision course with a major financial crisis, which dominated the Board of Education’s committee meeting on August 18. Facing a projected $4.2...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Crete-Monee School Board for August 12, 2025

The Crete-Monee School District 201-U Board of Education confronted a challenging financial forecast and held a robust debate on arming a district security director during its August 12 meeting. The...
peotone library graphic logo.1

Peotone Library Director’s Salary Set at $75,000 After Annual Evaluation

Article Summary: The Peotone Public Library District Board of Trustees has set Library Director Sarah Ehlers' salary at $75,000 for the upcoming year. The decision was made in a special...
peotone library graphic logo.1

Peotone Library Director’s Salary Set at $75,000 After Annual Evaluation

Article Summary: The Peotone Public Library District Board of Trustees has set Library Director Sarah Ehlers' salary at $75,000 for the upcoming year. The decision was made in a special...
Screenshot 2025-11-26 at 7.32.09 AM

Village Hall to Get $412,000 Fire Sprinkler Replacement After System Failure

Village of Monee Board Meeting | August 13, 2025 Article Summary: Following the failure of the original 1997 fire sprinkler system due to corrosion, the Monee Village Board approved a...
crete-monee school district graphic.6

Crete-Monee Board Adopts School Improvement Plans for 2025-2026

Article Summary: The Crete-Monee Board of Education has approved the 2025-2026 School Improvement Plans (SIPs) for all eight schools in the district. The plans, which are a federal requirement for...
Exec Cmte 8.14.25.3

Executive Committee Considers $12,000 Strategic Planning Initiative with University of St. Francis

Article Summary: The Will County Executive Committee is considering a proposal from the University of St. Francis to lead a six-month, $12,178 strategic planning process. The initiative is aimed at...
crete-monee school district graphic.5

Board Approves Over $4.4 Million for Major Construction Projects

Article Summary: The Crete-Monee School Board authorized payments totaling over $4.4 million for significant construction and renovation work at Crete-Monee High School and Crete Elementary School. The payments cover ongoing...
Exec Cmte 8.14.25.2

Executive Committee Members Decry Roadside Litter, Call for Action Against Garbage Haulers

Article Summary: Will County Executive Committee members expressed frustration over what they described as a worsening problem of litter blowing from garbage trucks across the county. Members called for better...
crete-monee school district graphic.4

District Presses Village of Monee on TIF Expiration, Moves to Sell School Property

Article Summary: Crete-Monee officials are urging the Village of Monee to finalize the expiration of a key tax increment financing (TIF) district before a November deadline to ensure the school...
Ad Hoc.8.12.25.3

Will County Updates Solid Waste Ordinance, Increases Fines and Reporting to Landfill Committee

Article Summary: The Will County Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee advanced an updated solid waste ordinance that doubles the maximum fine for violations and requires the county auditor's annual report to...
Ad Hoc.8.12.25.2

Citing Liability Concerns, Will County Committee Postpones Vote on Septic System Ordinance

Article Summary: The Will County Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee postponed a vote on updating its sewer and sewage disposal ordinance after a member raised significant concerns about the county's liability...
Ad Hoc.8.12.25.1

Will County Moves to Repeal Obsolete 1972 Fire Hydrant Ordinance

Article Summary: An ordinance from 1972 regulating the placement and specifications of fire hydrants in Will County is set to be repealed after the Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee approved its...