217 Today: Deep-pocketed, self-funding candidates and dark money mar Illinois politics

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Clockwise from top left: Former Gov. Pat Quinn, Republican megadonor Ken Griffin, Gov. JB Pritzker and former Gov. Bruce Rauner have all played pivotal roles in Illinois elections over the past decade.
  • Photo: Chicago Sun-Times

Friday, January 5, 2024

Today’s headlines:

  • Former President Donald Trump’s status as a presidential candidate in Illinois is now being challenged.
  • Illinois will not reach an interim goal of reducing runoff pollution across the state’s waterways.
  • Illinois’ two U.S. Senators are warning Rivian and other non-union automakers not to interfere with unionizing efforts at their plants.
  • The Illinois Commerce Commission has granted Wolf Carbon Solutions’ withdrawal from the pipeline application process without prejudice.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn how big money is causing big problems for Illinois voters.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting contributed by Dave McKinney, Juanpablo Ramirez-Franco, Eric Stock, Tim Shelley and Mary Dixon. 

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Stephanie Mosqueda

Stephanie Mosqueda is a senior majoring in journalism at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with minors in Spanish and public relations. She is the 217 Today producer and a reporter for the Illinois Student Newsroom.