Politics
Economics and energy take center stage in this year’s 13th congressional district campaigns
Representative Nikki Budzinski (D) is seeking a third term in Illinois’ 13th congressional district, which stretches from Champaign-Urbana to East St. Louis. But she faces several challengers from the GOP as well as her own party.
Pritzker’s new budget report could set tone for conservative 2027 spending plan
Federal cuts and changes exacerbate tightening fiscal landscape
GOP U.S. Senate candidate Casey Chlebek, Polish immigrant, talks immigration reform, taxes, ‘cultural Marxism’
A Polish immigrant to the U.S., GOP U.S. Senate candidate Casey Chlebek discusses his views on immigration and ICE with the 21st show.
How to vote in Illinois in 2026: Early voting begins this week for most of the state
Capitol News Illinois has launched its revamped 2026 Election Guide to coincide with the opening of early voting throughout much of the state.
Meet Michelle Jett, Democratic candidate for Champaign County Executive
Democrats in Champaign County will decide who will be the next County Executive in the primary election. Meet Michelle Jett.
Meet Sanford Hess, Democratic candidate for Champaign County Executive
Democrats in Champaign County will decide who will be the next County Executive in the primary election. Meet Sanford Hess.
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Awisi Bustos on her government experience, ‘militarization’ of ICE and AI policy
Illinois Public Media’s The 21st Show is interviewing the candidates and asking them about their views. This week, Brian Mackey sat down with Awisi Quartey Bustos, a Democrat with experience in nonprofits, the private sector and as a state of Illinois employee.
Election ’26: 4 Democrats seeking to replace Mendoza as Illinois comptroller
Democrats Margaret Croke, Karina Villa, Stephanie Kifowit and Holly Kim are competing in the primary to succeed outgoing Comptroller Susana Mendoza.
Pritzker gives $5 million to boost Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton’s Senate bid
The haul is much needed for Stratton to get her message out in TV ads, especially since her campaign took in about $1.1 million and spent $912,000 between October and December.
Hundreds of University of Illinois and Urbana High School students protest ICE, federal immigration operations
Students and community members across Champaign-Urbana stood in solidarity to protest the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement campaign.
GOP gubernatorial candidate Ted Dabrowski discusses bringing ‘fiscal reality’ and ‘midwestern values’ to Illinois
Ted Dabrowski is a conservative researcher with a background in international banking. He told IPM’s The 21st Show his background and focus on cutting taxes and spending will earn him trust from voters across the state.
Democratic U.S. Senate Candidate Bryan Maxwell talks representing downstate Illinois, advocating socialist policies on campaign trail
Bryan Maxwell is an environmental research scientist at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign- making him one of the few candidates in the race not to be based in Chicago.