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

Colorado sues over Space Command HQ moving to Alabama

Colorado sues over Space Command HQ moving to Alabama

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Colorado has sued the Trump administration over its decision to move the U.S. Space Command Headquarters out of the state. Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser...
Illinois quick hits: Pritzker to sign tax, toll increases to bail out transit

Illinois quick hits: Pritzker to sign tax, toll increases to bail out transit

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Pritzker to sign tax, toll increases to bail out transit Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he looks forward to signing public transit...
IL Senate approves Department of Corrections director despite fierce opposition

IL Senate approves Department of Corrections director despite fierce opposition

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Despite a myriad of ongoing issues at the Illinois Department of Corrections, state senators approved the nomination...
Report: PJM power grid electrification faces bumpy transition

Report: PJM power grid electrification faces bumpy transition

By Lauren Jessop | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The nation’s power grid is entering a new era of soaring demand – the full extent...
Judge orders Trump to use emergency fund to disburse SNAP benefits

Judge orders Trump to use emergency fund to disburse SNAP benefits

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square A federal judge on Friday ordered the Trump administration to continue funding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as food stamps, while a second...
Early morning vote advances Illinois’ 'Terminally Ill Patients Act,' sparks outcry

Early morning vote advances Illinois’ ‘Terminally Ill Patients Act,’ sparks outcry

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A controversial bill allowing terminally ill patients in Illinois to self-administer life-ending medication passed the legislature...
91% of U.S. veterans concerned about food assistance amid shutdown

91% of U.S. veterans concerned about food assistance amid shutdown

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square About 91% of veterans said they were concerned about losing access to food assistance because of the federal government shutdown, with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program...
Indiana state police working with ICE at Illinois border to secure interstates

Indiana state police working with ICE at Illinois border to secure interstates

By Bethany Blankley | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers continue to arrest hundreds of drivers on interstates who are...
Trump’s former National Security Adviser criticizes Ireland for ‘cozying up to China’

Trump’s former National Security Adviser criticizes Ireland for ‘cozying up to China’

By Tom JoyceThe Center Square Former U.S. National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien sharply criticized Ireland’s growing political split from the United States and its deepening ties to China in a...
WATCH: IL lawmakers pass consequential bills early Halloween

WATCH: IL lawmakers pass consequential bills early Halloween

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 powers through on...
Trump calls on Senate Republicans to nuke filibuster

Trump calls on Senate Republicans to nuke filibuster

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square With the ongoing government shutdown now entering its second month, President Donald Trump has had enough: he wants Senate Republicans to end the filibuster. “Majority...
FBI: 'Potential' Halloween terror plot foiled; multiple subjects arrested in Michigan

FBI: ‘Potential’ Halloween terror plot foiled; multiple subjects arrested in Michigan

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square The FBI says it thwarted a possible terror attack, arresting several individuals in Michigan, according to Director Kash Patel. “This morning the FBI thwarted a...

WATCH: Trick or treat: IL legislators pass tax increase, decoupling bill early Friday

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois taxpayers are waking up Halloween morning to tax increases after the conclusion of fall veto session...

Noem refuses Pritzker enforcement pause request, IL passes sanctuary enhancement

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Both the executive and legislative branches of Illinois government have made attempts to address federal immigration enforcement...

WATCH: Energy bill opponents say increases IL electric bills by $8 billion passes

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers have passed wide-ranging energy legislation, but opponents say it will lead to higher electricity bills....