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HISTORICAL FACTS: 2 | History Defined

Illinois Gov. Pritzker ran a cautious reelection campaign. Will he play it safe in 2nd term?

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker begins his second term Jan. 9 emboldened by a decisive reelection victory, a slew of wins in November by Democratic candidates he helped fund and a series of legislative successes that formed the foundation of his bid for another four years in Springfield.

Chicago Tribune

Illinois commemorates Barack Obama’s 2007 presidential announcement with marker at Old State Capitol

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The weather turned frigid in the state capital on Wednesday, just in time for the dedication of a marker commemorating the day nearly 16 years ago when thousands braved single-digit temperatures to see then-U.S. Sen. Barack Obama announce his 2008 presidential bid from the steps of the…

Chicago Tribune

Only ‘wave’ Illinois Republicans see in Legislature is the farewell one from Durkin as House GOP leader

State House GOP Leader Jim Durkin’s decision not to seek reelection as minority leader reflects the dissatisfaction among many establishment Republicans. “I began this journey as a voice of moderation and conclude this journey the same way I started, a voice of moderation,” Durkin said.

Chicago Sun-Times

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Pritzker gives shoe leather and big bucks to Democrats running for state’s top court — but GOP says he’s skirting the law

Pritzker gave $500,000 each to the candidates from his campaign fund — and another $500,000 to each from a personal trust fund. Republicans accuse him of skirting limits he himself signed into law. But the Illinois State Board of Elections says the contributions are allowed.

Chicago Sun-Times

Juul Labs, target of $440 million settlement, has given Illinois pols over $120,000 since 2020

Illinois House Speaker Emanuel ‘Chris’ Welch has been a major recipient of the company’s giving, campaign-finance records show.

Chicago Sun-Times

Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, other pols keep taking money from pharma companies implicated in opioid crisis

The Oak Park Democrat continues to accept campaign money from Johnson & Johnson, 1 of 4 companies paying $26 billion to settle suits accusing them of fueling the crisis. He’s not the only Illinois official doing so.

Chicago Sun-Times

Chris Welch and the fight for control of Illinois Democratic Party

Once Gov. J.B. Pritzker leaves office, the next Democratic governor will likely benefit from the precedent set by this intra-party battle.

Chicago Sun-Times

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Chicago Democrats pitching 2024 convention present picture of unity to national party despite tension over leadership battle

CHICAGO — Illinois’ top Democrats gathered on a Fulton Market venue stage Tuesday in an attempt to present a unified front to national party officials reviewing Chicago’s 2024 presidential convention bid, masking an intensifying battle over control of the state Democratic Party.

Chicago Tribune

Illinois House leaders will have to find a way to work together

In an interview last week, House Speaker Chris Welch called House Republican Leader Jim Durkin a “failed leader.” A Durkin spokeswoman, in turn, called Welch “unhinged.”

Chicago Sun-Times

Illinois leaders delay special session on reproductive rights

CHICAGO — Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Democratic leaders in the Illinois General Assembly are pushing back a planned special legislative session aimed at increasing legal protections for abortion providers and patients in Illinois.

Chicago Tribune

Young progressives, Trump-affiliated Republicans big winners on election day

Meanwhile, the four Illinois legislative leaders did not have a spectacular primary day last week.

Chicago Sun-Times

House Speaker Emanuel ‘Chris’ Welch’s wife among clout-heavy winners in primary judge races

ShawnTe Raines-Welch topped three opponents in the Democratic primary race for judge in a suburban judicial district. A candidate tied to Welch’s predecessor, ex-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, didn’t fare as well.

Chicago Sun-Times

Strong Democratic Party of Illinois bid to become early presidential primary state

“There is no better state for a Democratic presidential candidate to introduce themselves to voters than Illinois,” said the bid, obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times.

Chicago Sun-Times

New census figures show Illinois’ population change was actually a modest gain, but experts say warning signs remain

CHICAGO — Brooke Landrum came to Chicago from Cincinnati in 2016 to attend Loyola University, and after graduation she decided to stay and settle into the bustling Lakeview neighborhood.

Chicago Tribune

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Chicago Sun-Times

Campaign contributions to Welch’s wife raises question: Is Madigan era truly over?

Politicians who operate in ways that bring them personal benefit could end up on a slippery slope.

Salon

Police ticket students for misbehavior

An Illinois law bans schools from fining students, so local police are doing it for them

Chicago Sun-Times

Speaker’s wife returns out-of-state contribution to her judicial campaign

The $10,000 came from a hospital company that won support in Springfield from Speaker Chris Welch. ShawnTe Raines-Welch’s spokesman says the money was unsolicited, spotted as violating a ban on contributions from outside Illinois and quickly given back.

Chicago Tribune

Election-year politics make crime, inflation top issues in shortened Illinois legislative session

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Republican state lawmakers, outnumbered and looking to boost their relevance, had one goal for the election-year legislative session — to paint majority Democrats as soft-on-crime and anti-police.

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Chicago Sun-Times

Democrats reach deal on ‘responsible, compassionate budget’ — but GOP sees ‘rosy picture’ painted for an election year

In their 16-minute news conference, Pritzker and the Democratic leaders never mentioned the amount of overall spending called for in the budget plan, which had not yet been filed. Late Thursday, the governor’s office said they expected it to fall between $46 billion and $47 billion.

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