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

Chicago police monitor Iran-U.S. conflict; public advised to be aware

Chicago police monitor Iran-U.S. conflict; public advised to be aware

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Police say they are monitoring the U.S. conflict in Iran. Residents and visitors observed a significant...
Noem ousted as secretary of Homeland Security; Mullin to succeed

Noem ousted as secretary of Homeland Security; Mullin to succeed

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square President Donald Trump is nominating Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin from Oklahoma as the next Homeland Security Secretary. On Thursday, the second-term Republican decided to reassign...
DHS remains shuttered after third failed vote to reopen it

DHS remains shuttered after third failed vote to reopen it

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Senate Democrats tanked the Department of Homeland Security funding bill for the third time Thursday, ensuring the department’s funding lapse will continue for at least...
Walz, Ellison face resignation calls during House fraud hearing

Walz, Ellison face resignation calls during House fraud hearing

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison on Wednesday faced calls to step down during a hearing of the U.S. House Oversight Committee...
U.S. House introduces bill to require national debt transparency

U.S. House introduces bill to require national debt transparency

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Lawmakers introduced a bill to require greater transparency on the national debt and GDP. Reps. Lloyd Smucker, R-Penn., and Jared Golden, D-Maine, introduced the Debt-to-GDP...
Illinois secretary of state wants nearly 2% budget increase

Illinois secretary of state wants nearly 2% budget increase

By Sean Reed | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias wants nearly 2% more in taxpayer funds for his upcoming...
Illinois Quick Hits: Suspect arrested in connection with East St. Louis killing

Illinois Quick Hits: Suspect arrested in connection with East St. Louis killing

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – With assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service, Illinois State Police special agents arrested a man accused of...
Will County Board Graphic.01

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Landfill Committee for February 10, 2026

Will County Landfill Committee Meeting | February 10, 2026 The Will County Landfill Committee met on Tuesday to address legal preparations for the upcoming landfill expansion and operational needs at...
Will County Board Graphic.03

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board for February 19, 2026

Will County Board Meeting | February 19, 2026 Meeting SummaryThe Will County Board meeting on Thursday, February 19, 2026, was marked by significant zoning decisions, including the unanimous rejection of...
Will County Board Graphic.04

Board Approves Joliet Township Clean Fill Facility Despite Environmental Objections

Will County Board Meeting | February 19, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board approved a map amendment and special use permit for a Clean Construction and Demolition Debris (CCDD) facility...
solar panels photovoltaics in solar farm

Will County Board Unanimously Rejects Controversial Solar Farm in Troy Township

Will County Board Meeting | February 19, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board unanimously rejected a special use permit for a commercial solar energy facility near Shorewood following strong opposition...
WATCH/EXCLUSIVE: Supreme Court backs parents in CA gender policy

WATCH/EXCLUSIVE: Supreme Court backs parents in CA gender policy

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square Editor's note: This story has been updated to add videos. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6–3 this week that parents challenging a California policy allowing...
Gas prices climb in U.S., Southwest during war with Iran

Gas prices climb in U.S., Southwest during war with Iran

By Liam HibbertThe Center Square The U.S. and Israeli war with Iran has already inflated prices at the gas pump for people across the Southwest and the rest of America....
Oil cos. ask to pause Chicago climate ‘deception’ suit til SCOTUS weighs in

Oil cos. ask to pause Chicago climate ‘deception’ suit til SCOTUS weighs in

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Saying the U.S. Supreme Court will decide soon if the lawsuit is even allowed, a group of oil and gas companies have...
Illinois quick hits: Ex-Carlyle Police Chief faces federal embezzlement charges;

Illinois quick hits: Ex-Carlyle Police Chief faces federal embezzlement charges;

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Ex-Carlyle Police Chief faces federal embezzlement charges Former Carlyle Police Chief Mark Pingsterhaus is facing federal charges for allegedly embezzling more...