
Pritzker, Bailey seek to convince farmers at forum they’re the best candidate for agriculture
Illinois farmers heard pitches from incumbent Gov. JB Pritzker and downstate Republican farmer Darren Bailey on Monday as each argued they’re best positioned to address agricultural issues.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker makes his case for a third term on The 21st Show
Governor JB Pritzker discussed issues with certain prisons in Illinois, public distrust of billionaires, and what he hopes to accomplish if given the opportunity to serve as governor for another term on the 21st Show.

Champaign residents have until Wednesday to opt out of electric aggregation agreement
Champaign officials have signed an agreement with Homefield Energy to be the city’s new energy supplier.

In data center hubs Aurora and DeKalb, two different approaches to setting restrictions
The 10 data centers in the City of Aurora are under some of the strictest regulations in the state for the facilities.

Few parents in Illinois opting kids out of required vaccines, data shows
Most Illinois counties have a non-medical exemption rate under one percent. Six counties in northern and southern Illinois have a two percent exemption rate.

America @ 250: Da’Sani Lewis wonders what America should be in 50 years
Da’Sani Lewis is a 2026 graduate of Danville High School and will be attending Southern Illinois University Edwardsville this fall. Lewis wonders what kind of place America should be 50 years from now.

This handstand-performing skunk is disappearing from the Great Plains. It may be endangered soon
The plains spotted skunk is becoming harder to find in the central U.S. states it calls home. As federal officials consider the skunk for federal protections, researchers and environmentalists are hoping to learn more about the long understudied species.

As the next generation takes over the family farm, a tough economy brings new challenges
Passing on the family farm to the next generation is typically an involved process, both financially and emotionally. A turbulent agricultural economy the past few years has made that transition even more difficult.

Illinois House begins investigation into indicted Rep. Carol Ammons
Ammons pleaded not guilty on July 16 to 10 felony charges, including wire fraud, lying to the FBI and conspiring to obstruct justice.

‘I’m embarrassed by it’: Speaker Welch apologizes for interactions with former staffer
Welch defends office’s handling of Benton’s sexual harassment cases.

How Aurora and DeKalb are dealing with data centers
In a tale of two data center cities, Aurora and DeKalb are two examples of how location, regulation and revenue affect the residents where they sit.

Urbana enacts ordinance to require council approval for use of surveillance technology
After years of discussion over how Urbana should use surveillance technology, officials have enacted a measure that implements transparency requirements and mandates city council approval for departments to adopt new tools like license plate readers or facial recognition software.

Mahomet-Seymour school district seeks public approval for $84 million construction project
The project would be funded through $84 million in new bonds and existing county sales taxes.

WILL Call: What’s Happening in Central Illinois August 6 – 9
Multiple festivals are happening in Central Illinois this weekend.

Pritzker signs new laws requiring businesses to accept cash, pay employees for jury duty
The governor signed 87 bills on Friday.

Illinois offers temporary sales tax reduction on back-to-school shopping
From Friday, Aug. 7, through Aug. 16 the state’s sales tax on school supplies will be reduced from 6.25% to 1.25%.

Women’s baseball league celebrates past, future of sport on opening weekend
Rain couldn’t dampen the festivities as the league held the first two games of its inaugural season on Saturday and Sunday in Springfield.

GOP U.S. Senate candidate Don Tracy talks abortion, ICE shootings, and Iran war on 21st Show
Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, Don Tracy joins the 21st Show again ahead of the general election in November.
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