Illinois quick hits: Primary election ballot certified; indictments increased in 2025
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%.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
Illinois Quick Hits: IDPH accountability officer fired
Los Angeles County considers creating ICE-free zones
States sue feds over gender ideology rules on health grants
Johnson expects on-time passage of all govt funding bills as two more head to floor
WATCH: Advocates urge action on trans sports ban
Advocacy groups praise Trump admin’s healthcare price transparency commitment
Trump: Chicago crime is down in spite of ‘incompetent’ Pritzker
‘Put politics aside’ to support no tax on tips, Illinois Democrat says
Former ‘Vegas’ coroner seeks county administrator job after journalist’s murder
WATCH: U.S. Supreme Court weighs trans sports ban
House Republicans unveil framework for second ‘big, beautiful bill’
Pritzker: State will not build stadium for Bears
