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 2025-10-25 at 12.42.59 PM

Will County Committee Grapples with $8.9 Million Budget Gap After Contentious 0% Tax Levy Vote

Will County Board Finance Committee Meeting | October 21, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Board Finance Committee held a contentious debate over how to close an $8.9 million budget shortfall...
Screenshot 2025-10-25 at 9.58.03 AM

Peotone CUSD 207-U Administration Faces Criticism Over Budget Deficit, Financial History

Peotone Board of Education Meeting | October 20, 2025 Article Summary: Residents sharply criticized the Peotone school district's administration for what they described as a weak response to a multi-million...
Screenshot 2025-10-25 at 9.57.54 AM

Parents Allege Security Failures After Student Assault at Peotone Homecoming

Peotone Board of Education Meeting | October 20, 2025 Article Summary: Parents addressed the Peotone school board, alleging significant security lapses during the high school's homecoming dance that resulted in...
Meeting-Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 for October 16, 2025

LW210 Board of Education Meeting | October 16, 2025 The Lincoln-Way District 210 Board of Education meeting on Thursday, October 16, 2025, was dominated by news that the district's support...

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 for October 16, 2025

Poll: Americans divided on Trump's deportation, immigration policies

Poll: Americans divided on Trump’s deportation, immigration policies

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Americans are divided on President Donald Trump’s deportation and immigration policies, according to a new poll. The Center Square Voters’ Voice Poll found that 46%...
WATCH: Pritzker to sign exec. order to ‘pursue accountability’ amid federal deployments

WATCH: Pritzker to sign exec. order to ‘pursue accountability’ amid federal deployments

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 starts the program...
Helicopter crash claims lives of Bailey's son, daughter-in-law, grandchildren

Helicopter crash claims lives of Bailey’s son, daughter-in-law, grandchildren

By The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey’s campaign has released a statement following the death of Bailey’s son Zachary and his...
Illinois quick hits: Pritzker creates commission to hear alleged ICE abuses

Illinois quick hits: Pritzker creates commission to hear alleged ICE abuses

By The Center SquareThe Center Square Pritzker creates commission to hear alleged ICE abuses Through executive order, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker created the Illinois Accountability Commission to take testimony of...
WATCH: WA Senate candidates differ on taxes, parental rights, protecting girls' sports

WATCH: WA Senate candidates differ on taxes, parental rights, protecting girls’ sports

By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square With less than two weeks before the general election, two candidates for one of the most closely watched races in Washington state are sharing their...
Newsom, Bonta vow suit over National Guard deployment

Newsom, Bonta vow suit over National Guard deployment

By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square Editor's note: This story has been updated since its initial publication. Gov. Gavin Newsom addressed concerns that President Donald Trump is sending federal agents to...
U.S. nuclear stockpile hit with shutdown furloughs

U.S. nuclear stockpile hit with shutdown furloughs

By Liam HibbertThe Center Square All 68 federal employees at a Nevada nuclear stockpile site were furloughed in the wake of the U.S. government shutdown. Some contractors remain at the...
Spokane police chief ordered officers not to work with FBI after June 11 protest

Spokane police chief ordered officers not to work with FBI after June 11 protest

By Tim ClouserThe Center Square Spokane Police Chief Kevin Hall directed officers not to work with the FBI in the days following the June 11 immigration protests, according to records...
Treasury sanctions Russian oil companies, calls for ceasefire

Treasury sanctions Russian oil companies, calls for ceasefire

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Treasury Department announced sanctions against two Russian oil companies on Wednesday. The department cited Russia's "lack of serious commitment" to ending the war...
DOJ: Illegal immigrant charged with assault

DOJ: Illegal immigrant charged with assault

By Dave MasonThe Center Square An illegal immigrant from Mexico was expected to make his first court appearance Wednesday following an arrest in which he rammed law enforcement vehicles before...