In Illinois, judges have a unique way of choosing their successors. When a judge steps down, other judges often pick who will fill the vacant seat. This is not a new practice. It has been part of the state's constitution since 1970. Mary Jane Theis, a judge from Chicago, is about to retire. She has
Illinois lawmakers are back at work, but this time, they're dealing with a $2. 2 billion budget gap. That's a lot of money, and it's not going to be easy to fix. The state is also dealing with some big changes in Washington, like fewer federal dollars coming in. This means lawmakers have to be extra
In Illinois, a new law is changing the lighting game. Starting now, stores can't sell or give away certain fluorescent bulbs with screw or bayonet bases. But wait, there's more! In 2027, the ban will also cover pin-base compact fluorescents and linear fluorescents. Why the big change? Some folks, l
Amazon has set up a new delivery hub in Ottawa. This move is part of their plan to get packages to customers faster. The facility is not huge, but it's big enough to make a difference in the area. Work on the building started last year. It took about a year to finish. Now, it's up and running, help
The Music City Bowl was a big stage for some young Illini players to show what they can do. In the past, this game has been a place where new talent gets noticed. For example, in 2022, Matthew Bailey and Xavier Scott made their first starts in a bowl game. They filled in for some bigger names and di
Pope Leo recently expressed his displeasure with Illinois Governor JB Pritzker over a new law. This law allows certain adults with terminal illnesses to choose to end their lives with medical assistance. The pope, who is originally from Chicago, made his feelings known during a casual conversation w
Thanksgiving has always been about family, food, and gratitude. But in recent years, it's also become a day of intense shopping. People wait in long lines, hoping to snag the best deals. This trend has changed the way many people spend their holiday. Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, used t
In a heartbreaking turn of events, a candidate for Illinois governor has suffered an immense personal tragedy. Darren Bailey, a Republican vying for the 2026 nomination, lost four close family members in a helicopter accident in Montana. The victims included his son, daughter-in-law, and two young g
The man known as Illinois' "Mr. Speaker" has seen his political career come to an abrupt end. Michael Madigan, who held significant power in the state for decades, was recently handed a 7. 5-year prison sentence. This comes after a lengthy trial where he was found guilty of corruption charges. Madi
The month of May has flown by, and there's a lot to catch up on. Let's dive into the key events that shaped the past week. Lawmakers in Springfield have been working overtime as the spring legislative session wraps up. They're racing against time to finalize a budget without resorting to "broad-bas
