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

Blue Devil Graphic Logo.2

Peotone Defense Smothers Momence in 43-7 Victory

PEOTONE — Fueled by a suffocating defensive effort that produced 28 steals, the Peotone Blue Devils dominated from the opening tip on [Day of Week], cruising to a 43-7 victory over...
Will County Board Graphic.02

County Board Approves Women’s Residential Treatment Center in Joliet

Will County Board Meeting | December 18, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Board unanimously approved zoning changes to allow the Existential Counselor Society to open a women’s residential treatment...
Blue Devil Logo Graphic

Cold Shooting Plagues Peotone in 26-15 Loss to Richards

PEOTONE — In a game defined by defensive intensity and offensive struggles, the Peotone Blue Devils could not overcome a difficult shooting night, falling to Richards 26-15. The Blue Devils’...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board for December 18, 2025

Will County Board Meeting | December 18, 2025 The Will County Board held its regular meeting on Thursday, December 18, 2025, focusing heavily on land use, transportation infrastructure, and public...
2025 illegal entries in Texas: Nearly half the gotaways reported in previous years

2025 illegal entries in Texas: Nearly half the gotaways reported in previous years

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square In President Donald Trump’s first year in office, illegal border crossers in one year in Texas totaled nearly half of gotaways reported in previous years...
Nashville speaker maker plans to move overseas to avoid tariffs

Nashville speaker maker plans to move overseas to avoid tariffs

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The owner of a storied Nashville speaker company says he'll pay lower taxes by moving overseas, rather than trying to build in the U.S. It's...
Supreme Court could redefine 14th Amendment application

Supreme Court could redefine 14th Amendment application

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court will decide a case in 2026 challenging President Donald Trump’s authority to end birthright citizenship. Trump v. Barbara challenges Trump’s executive...
Missouri year in review: capital gains eliminated, Medicaid increased

Missouri year in review: capital gains eliminated, Medicaid increased

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square In 2025, Missouri lawmakers passed legislation to eliminate its capital gains tax, phase out the state income tax and expand Medicaid legislation. The Club for...
2025 in review: Historic border security actions taken by Trump

2025 in review: Historic border security actions taken by Trump

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square On the first day of his second term in office, President Donald Trump issued multiple executive orders, followed by multiple policy changes, that in one...
Free speech under fire nearly 300 times in 2025 on campus

Free speech under fire nearly 300 times in 2025 on campus

By Tate MillerThe Center Square Two hundred seventy-four incidents involving interference to free speech have taken place so far on college campuses in 2025, according to FIRE data, an increase...
IL rep: As if Bears 'had a plan to rob the bank' before considering Indiana

IL rep: As if Bears ‘had a plan to rob the bank’ before considering Indiana

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois state rep whose district includes Soldier Field says the Chicago Bears are bluffing by suggesting...
Screenshot 2025-12-20 at 12.27.17 PM

Lincoln-Way High Schools Maintain Top State Rankings; EL Progress Jumps

Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Meeting | December 18, 2025 Article Summary: The 2025 Illinois Report Card data reveals that Lincoln-Way Central and East have maintained "Exemplary" status, while...
Will County Board Graphic.04

Undersheriff Brian Conser Retires After 29 Years of Service

Will County Board Meeting | December 18, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Board and Sheriff’s Office honored Undersheriff Brian Conser, who is retiring after nearly three decades of service....
Officials warn against limits on loans for nursing students

Officials warn against limits on loans for nursing students

By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square Weeks after the federal government lowered the borrowing limit for student loans for graduate degrees in nursing, professionals and elected officials are sounding off on...
FBI to scrap $5 billion move, Patel says

FBI to scrap $5 billion move, Patel says

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square FBI boss Kash Patel announced on Friday the agency scrapped a $5 billion plan to build a new headquarters. The FBI will permanently shut down...