Illinois quick hits: Elections board splits on Harmon fine; busiest summer at O'Hare

Illinois quick hits: Elections board splits on Harmon fine; busiest summer at O’Hare

October 21, 2025/
Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Elections board splits on Harmon fine

The Illinois State Board of Elections delivered a tied vote of 4-4 on state Senate President Don Harmon’s appeal of a ruling that he violated campaign finance laws.

The Chicago Tribune reports that the split decision makes it unlikely that the board has the legal authority to impose a $9.8 million fine that had been levied against Harmon.

Board members agreed to hold the issue until their next scheduled meeting in November.

Busiest summer at O’Hare

O’Hare International Airport has recorded the busiest summer in its 70-year history, according to Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Aviation.

The department said more than 24.3 million passengers traveled through O’Hare during June, July and August, surpassing the previous record of 24 million set in 2019.

Best fall views

Shawnee National Forest’s Inspiration Point in Southern Illinois is the No. 1 place in Illinois for the most stunning fall views.

That’s according to a survey from Exoticca, a travel company. More than 3,000 respondents took part in the survey.

Eagle’s Roost Scenic Overlook in Grafton snagged the second most favorite, followed by Grandview Drive in Peoria.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Arthur hammers Louisiana; flood threat persists along Gulf Coast

Arthur hammers Louisiana; flood threat persists along Gulf Coast

By Misty CastileThe Center Square Tropical Storm Arthur battered south Louisiana with heavy rain, flooding, tornadoes and widespread power outages as the first named storm of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane...
Report: More than 1M Minnesotans could face Social Security cuts by 2032

Report: More than 1M Minnesotans could face Social Security cuts by 2032

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square More than 1 million Minnesotans could see their Social Security benefits reduced by 2032 if Congress fails to address the program's looming insolvency. This is...
Democrats like Schumer, back Platner's scandal-riddled Senate bid

Democrats like Schumer, back Platner’s scandal-riddled Senate bid

By Chris WadeThe Center Square Maine oyster farmer Graham Platner is headed for an epic showdown with Republican Sen. Susan Collins in the midterm elections, backed by top Democrats continuing...
Chicago discards proposed ban on unregulated ‘sweepstakes machines’

Chicago discards proposed ban on unregulated ‘sweepstakes machines’

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Chicago City Council voted down a proposed ban on a type of prevalent gaming machines, which...
Democrats spend millions in attempt to unseat Boebert

Democrats spend millions in attempt to unseat Boebert

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Democrats across the country are spending millions to unseat U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert, the Republican representing Colorado’s 4th Congressional District. Geographically, the district is the...
Vance: Iran deal ‘win-win’ for Americans, conditioned on Iran’s behavior

Vance: Iran deal ‘win-win’ for Americans, conditioned on Iran’s behavior

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square Vice President JD Vance on Thursday responded to claims that America’s newly released preliminary peace deal, called a memorandum of understanding, was too generous toward...
Wisconsin Supreme Court rules against race-based scholarships

Wisconsin Supreme Court rules against race-based scholarships

By Jon StyfThe Center Square A Wisconsin college grant program that sent financial aid to students based on specific race, national origin and ancestry cannot legally operate because it violates...
Legislator calls for investigation of Newsom's FOIA request

Legislator calls for investigation of Newsom’s FOIA request

By Robert MattesonThe Center Square Assemblymember Carl DeMaio, R-San Diego, is requesting an investigation into Gov. Gavin Newsom’s use of California taxpayers-funded resources after Newsom's recent Freedom of Information Act...
EXCLUSIVE: Social Security reform imperative to avoid 34% tax hike, insolvency by 2032

EXCLUSIVE: Social Security reform imperative to avoid 34% tax hike, insolvency by 2032

By Tate RosentreterThe Center Square Policymakers must return Social Security to its original intent in order to avoid massive tax hikes and insolvency, especially in light of a nation burdened...
Property tax rates remain a top issue in Wisconsin elections

Property tax rates remain a top issue in Wisconsin elections

By Jon StyfThe Center Square The future of property taxes in Wisconsin remains one of the largest topics along with affordability heading into this fall’s elections. This week, congressman and...
Taxpayers paying $50 million+ for Chicago-owned bus station

Taxpayers paying $50 million+ for Chicago-owned bus station

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Taxpayers are expected to fork over at least $50 million for Chicago to own and operate a...
Michigan Republicans blast Whitmer's Europe trip as budget deadline nears

Michigan Republicans blast Whitmer’s Europe trip as budget deadline nears

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is facing criticism from Republicans for traveling to Europe as critical state budget negotiations are ongoing ahead of a July 1...
Zillow faces antitrust suit, consumer fraud claims amid housing crisis

Zillow faces antitrust suit, consumer fraud claims amid housing crisis

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Zillow faces a federal antitrust suit, congressional calls for regulatory scrutiny and a competitor's claim in court that Zillow is a monopolist working against housing...
Illegal immigrants across U.S. get financial aid for college

Illegal immigrants across U.S. get financial aid for college

By Esther Wickham | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – State financial aid continues to expand within higher education, allowing money to go to eligible illegal immigrant...
Supreme Court sides with criminal appeal rights

Supreme Court sides with criminal appeal rights

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court, in an 8-1 decision on Thursday, upheld a man's right to appeal a prison sentence that also prescribed him mental health...