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

Screenshot-2025-08-13-at-2.15.28-PM

Monee to Receive $250,000 Donation in Solar Project Agreement

Article Summary: The Village of Monee will receive a $250,000 donation from TPE IL W1202, LLC, after the Village Board authorized a community benefit agreement for a planned 5-megawatt solar...
new-lenox-park-district.6

New Lenox Park District Board Approves 2025-2026 Budget

NEW LENOX – The New Lenox Community Park District Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the budget and appropriation ordinance for the 2025-2026 fiscal year during its regular meeting on June...
New-Lenox-School-122.6

Staffing Shortage Leads D122 to Renew Contract for School Psychologist

Facing a persistent staffing shortage for a critical role, the New Lenox School District 122 Board of Education has renewed its contract with an outside agency to provide a school...
Meeting-Briefs

Meeting Summary: New Lenox Township for June 12, 2025

At its June 12 meeting, the New Lenox Township Board of Trustees heard reports on rising demand for community services, discussed ongoing maintenance projects, and assigned responsibilities to its newly...
New-Lenox-Village-Board.4

New Lenox Approves Major Residential Subdivision, Paves Way for Route 6 Commercial Growth

NEW LENOX – The Village Board took decisive action on two major developments Monday, giving final approval to a 55-lot residential subdivision for "empty nesters" and clearing a key hurdle...
New-Lenox-Sharons-Bay-Park

Contractor Selected for Sharon’s Bay Park Redevelopment

NEW LENOX – The New Lenox Community Park District is moving forward with plans to redevelop Sharon's Bay Park, having approved a contractor for the project at its Wednesday meeting....
New-Lenox-Sharons-Bay-Park

Contractor Selected for Sharon’s Bay Park Redevelopment

NEW LENOX – The New Lenox Community Park District is moving forward with plans to redevelop Sharon's Bay Park, having approved a contractor for the project at its Wednesday meeting....
New-Lenox-School-122.5

Handbook Changes at D122 Include Swapping PSAT for PreACT

Students in New Lenox School District 122 will see several changes in the upcoming school year, as the Board of Education approved updates to the 2025-2026 Parent/Student Handbook that affect...
New-Lenox-Police.3

New Dining Options Coming as Village Approves Hot Dog Stand, Restaurant Patio

NEW LENOX – The local dining scene is set for a boost after the Village Board on Monday approved plans for a new hot dog stand and an outdoor patio...
Meeting-Briefs

Meeting Summary: New Lenox Park District for June 18, 2025

The New Lenox Community Park District Board of Commissioners met on June 18, 2025, to approve its annual budget, advance key park projects, and hear updates on a wide range...
Screenshot-2025-08-13-at-2.11.44-PM

Monee Board Sets Spending Plan with 2025-2026 Appropriations Ordinance

Article Summary: The Monee Village Board has approved its annual appropriations ordinance, which acts as the village's legal spending authority for the fiscal year that began May 1, 2025. The...
New-Lenox-School-122.3

New Lenox School District 122 Honors State Track and Field Athletes

New Lenox School District 122 took time during its June 17 board meeting to celebrate the outstanding achievements of its junior high athletes at the 2025 IESA State Track and...

Fiber Optic Internet Competition Coming to New Lenox

NEW LENOX – Residents may soon have a new choice for high-speed internet, as Champaign-based Pavlov Media announced its intention to build out a fiber optic network across the village....
Screenshot-2025-08-13-at-2.15.28-PM

Monee Officials Issue Pool Safety Alert Amid Summer Heat

Article Summary: Following an increase in new pool installations, Monee's Building Services department is reminding residents of mandatory permit and safety requirements. Officials are emphasizing life-safety measures to prevent drownings,...
New-Lenox-Village-Board

Village Board Approves Millions in Spending on Roads, Parks, and Museum

NEW LENOX – The New Lenox Village Board authorized millions of dollars in spending on Monday for its annual road program and for continued investment in its newest community amenities,...