‘They were being paid as a favor to Mike Madigan’: Feds’ star witness takes stand
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‘They were being paid as a favor to Mike Madigan’: Feds’ star witness takes stand

Former ComEd exec-turned-FBI mole testifies about no-work contracts for speaker’s allies CHICAGO – As chief lobbyist for electric utility Commonwealth Edison, Fidel Marquez had an expansive role that put him in charge of “approximately 130, 135 people.” But in June 2013, more than a year into that job, Marquez received an email about someone he…

Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez
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Early results show Democrats likely to maintain supermajorities in Illinois General Assembly

Sorensen holds on to 17th congressional seat as Trump outperforms past 2 elections Preliminary, unofficial election results show no seats in the state House or Senate have changed party hands, although a few races remained too close to call according to the Associated Press. That means Democrats will maintain supermajorities in each chamber of the…

Eric Sorensen defeats Joe McGraw in Illinois’ crucial 17th Congressional District election
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Eric Sorensen defeats Joe McGraw in Illinois’ crucial 17th Congressional District election

  Incumbent Sorensen of Moline claimed victory over a former Rockford judge for a seat that extends west to the Quad Cities and then downstate to Peoria and Bloomington. Eric Sorensen, a Democrat from Moline, retained his seat in Illinois’ most-watched congressional race — a battle with former judge Joe McGraw for the 17th District…

President Trump Wins Declared Winner
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Trump wins the White House in political comeback rooted in appeals to frustrated voters

The victory marks an extraordinary comeback for a former president who refused to accept defeat four years ago, sparked a violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, faced dozens of felony charges and survived two assassination attempts.

Danos re-elected as Champaign County auditor, voters reject referendum to eliminate auditor’s office
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Danos re-elected as Champaign County auditor, voters reject referendum to eliminate auditor’s office

Democrat incumbent George Danos has won reelection in the Champaign County auditor’s race, defeating Republican challenger Alan Anderson, 54-to-46 with 100% of precincts counted. This year’s ballot also included a referendum to eliminate the elected Champaign County auditor’s office. Voters rejected that proposal 60-to-40.

Black male voters
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Voice of the Voter: Black men in Champaign County address angst surrounding presidential election

  Both presidential campaigns are making their closing arguments in the final days leading up to the election. Conversation online about Black men not willing to vote has spiraled after former President Barack Obama pushed them to cast a ballot. Like many residents in Champaign County, McKinley Phillips told Pierce he and his family are…

Some worry ‘Middle Eastern North African’ census designation will be misused if Trump wins
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Some worry ‘Middle Eastern North African’ census designation will be misused if Trump wins

The category of Middle Eastern North African, or MENA, was added to the U.S. Census earlier this year. It’s a change the MENA community had been trying to achieve since 1997. But with a potential Trump presidency on the horizon, some are concerned that the census might become a tool to fuel xenophobia and target the MENA community.

A sign that reads "Everett McKinley Dirksen United States Cuorthouse"
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Wiretaps show McClain arranging checks for Madigan loyalist fired after #MeToo allegations

Defense attorneys seek to undermine evidence that speaker knew of arrangement CHICAGO – It had been a tumultuous winter and spring for Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan as he was forced to fire or distance himself from several top allies, three of whom were accused of sexual harassment at the height of the #MeToo movement….