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

WATCH: Pritzker says receipts shown ‘all the time’ as audits show weaknesses

WATCH: Pritzker says receipts shown ‘all the time’ as audits show weaknesses

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker insists there’s not been any alleged fraud in Illinois that should cause the Trump...
IL lawmaker critical of ‘illegal orders’ video as Pentagon moves to punish senator

IL lawmaker critical of ‘illegal orders’ video as Pentagon moves to punish senator

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois lawmaker and Air Force veteran says U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly’s call for troops to...
Illinois quick hits: Tax receipts increase $1.5 billion year-over-year

Illinois quick hits: Tax receipts increase $1.5 billion year-over-year

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Tax receipts increase $1.5 billion year-over-year Citing a report by the Illinois Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, the National Federation...
WATCH: HHS tells Pritzker ‘show receipts’ on welfare spending; Energy bill to be signed

WATCH: HHS tells Pritzker ‘show receipts’ on welfare spending; Energy bill to be signed

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares conversations about...
Glen Ellyn can’t enforce Airbnb rules vs owner who says was target

Glen Ellyn can’t enforce Airbnb rules vs owner who says was target

By Scott Holland | Legal NewslineThe Center Square The operators of a Glen Ellyn Airbnb property have won an junction blocking the village from enforcing an ordinance controlling short-term rentals...

WATCH: HHS tells Illinois ‘show us the receipts’ on welfare spending

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Nearly a billion federal taxpayer dollars for child care and family assistance programs are being withheld from...
Monee First Responders responded to a vehice crash at Ridgeland and Pauling. on January 6. One transported with injuries.

Monee Car Crash

Monee First Responders responded to a vehice crash at Ridgeland and Pauling. on January 6. One transported with injuries.
Gilbert Bernal Sr

Flint Man Charged with 1988 Murder of Wife Joan Bernal Following Cold Case Breakthrough

Article Summary: Gilbert Bernal Sr., 82, appeared in Will County court facing first-degree murder charges connected to the 1988 disappearance of his wife, Joan Bernal, following a sealed indictment returned...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Monee Township Board for Nov. 20, 2025

Monee Township Board Meeting | Nov. 20, 2025 The Monee Township Board of Trustees met on Thursday, November 20, 2025, to handle tax levies, construction approvals, and standard township business....
Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis pushes back on federal oil drilling

Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis pushes back on federal oil drilling

By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square California Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, along with other state officials and environmental advocates, announced her opposition Tuesday afternoon to President Donald Trump’s efforts to expand...
Flags flown at half-staff in Sacramento in LaMalfa's honor

Flags flown at half-staff in Sacramento in LaMalfa’s honor

By Dave MasonThe Center Square California Gov. Gavin Newsom Tuesday ordered flags in Sacramento flown at half-staff at the Capitol and Capitol Annex Swing Space in honor of U.S. Rep....

WATCH: IL Democrats take part in Jan. 6 hearing as Trump pushes voter ID

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – On the anniversary of the Jan. 6 storming of the U.S. capitol, leading Democrats and the president...
House Dems, Trump offer competing visions of Jan. 6

House Dems, Trump offer competing visions of Jan. 6

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Democrat lawmakers and the Trump administration have offered competing visions on the fifth anniversary of the Jan. 6 storming of the U.S. Capitol. The lawmakers...
Illinois quick hits: Criminal justice grants announced; unemployment rate unchanged

Illinois quick hits: Criminal justice grants announced; unemployment rate unchanged

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Criminal justice grants announced The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority has announced $50 million in taxpayer-funded grants for historically underserved communities....
State Rep: Illegal immigrants cost IL taxpayers more than enforcement

State Rep: Illegal immigrants cost IL taxpayers more than enforcement

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois Statehouse Republican says the cost of illegal immigration in Illinois is much more than a...