Tag: election2020

Blakeman Concedes To McGrath In Circuit Clerk’s Race

URBANA – Two-term incumbent Katie Blakeman has conceded to Democratic challenger Susan McGrath in a tight race for Champaign County Circuit Clerk.  “Today I called my opponent to congratulate her on her win, and to offer my assistance in ensuring a smooth transition in the Champaign County Circuit Clerk’s Office,” Blakeman wrote Friday, in a

McGrath’s Narrow Lead For Circuit Clerk Holds, As Ballot Counting Continues

URBANA – The Champaign County Clerk’s office added another 1,917 ballots to its total Friday, as election workers continued to process vote by mail ballots, provisional ballots and mail ballots that had been challenged. (Find a link to the latest election totals here) Chief Deputy Clerk Angie Patton said the number of additional ballots arriving

Dirksen Londrigan Concedes To Davis, After 2nd Bid For Congress Fails

SPRINGFIELD – Democrat Betsy Dirksen Londrigan thanked her supporters, volunteers and campaign staff Wednesday, after losing to Congressman Rodney Davis for a second time. And she urged voters to stay active in the political process. Two years ago, Davis defeated Dirksen Londrigan by less than one percentage point, or 2,058 votes, giving her hope for

Incumbents Win State Races, Democrats Lead Several Champaign County Races

EDITOR’S NOTE: This post will be updated as new results are available. Last updated at 4:30 a.m. Thursday 11/5. CHAMPAIGN – East-central Illinois incumbents for several state House and Senate seats have defeated their challengers.  In Champaign County, Democrats lead races for Recorder of Deeds, Auditor, Circuit Clerk and Treasurer, and voters chose to pass

Voters And Officials Report Smooth Election Day In Central Illinois

Editor’s note: These stories were reported by University of Illinois journalism students, with coverage coordinated by College Of Media journalism professor Chris Evans and professional journalists at Illinois Public Media. UPDATED Wednesday at 1:30 a.m.: Thousands of Mail-In Ballots Being Counted In Champaign County URBANA – Champaign County’s chief elections officer, County Clerk Aaron Ammons, says

In Illinois, Late-Arriving Mail-In Ballots Could Decide Close Contests

CHAMPAIGN — On Election Day 2020, there is lots of speculation on whether voters will know who they have chosen for president by Election Night, or if a final count will take longer. But for right now, let’s look at the possibility for delays in the results of other election contests, just in Illinois. Election

Given’s Campaign For State Senate Pits Her Against Bailey For 2nd Time

Democratic Illinois Senate candidate Cynthia Given says her Republican opponent spends too much time on divisive politics, and not enough time helping the voters of the 55th District. Hear an interview with Given: (Given’s campaign Facebook page is here. Her Instagram page is here. Given’s campaign website is here.) Given, who operates a massage therapy

Republicans Accuse Champaign County Clerk Of Election Misconduct

UPDATE: Nov. 3 2020 – Beginning Monday, November 2, the Champaign County Clerk will provide names and addresses of who has received vote-by-mail ballots in the county, and who has sent them back. A judge on Friday ordered County Clerk Aaron Ammons to provide the information in a public, accessible place, since his office has

Congressional Candidate Miller Sidesteps Debates

This article is about candidate debates — or, to be precise, candidate debates that don’t happen. Not every candidate wants the risk of confronting their opponent with all eyes upon them. 15th District congressional candidate Mary Miller has not responded to invitations to appear with her Democratic opponent, Erika Weaver, at candidate debates and forums.

A Tax Hike For Forest Preserves On The Champaign County Ballot

MAHOMET — The Champaign County ballot includes another tax referendum this November. If voters approve, it will mean more money for the county’s system of forest preserves, just as they are experiencing an increase in visitors. Lake of the Woods is one of those forest preserves. Located on the Sangamon River, the site includes almost

Champaign County Treasurer Candidates Both Vow To End Backlog

The Champaign County Treasurer was a low-profile office, until last year. That’s when a backlog of unfinished work led to complaints from both taxpayers and taxing bodies. Now, voters will choose a brand-new county treasurer in a mid-term election.  The two choices on the November 3 ballot are both military veterans. And at a September

Democrat Erika Weaver Wants To Be Advocate For 15th Congressional District

Erika Weaver is a Democrat running for Congress in Illinois’ Republican-leaning 15th Congressional District. Weaver is an attorney with the Coles County Public Defender’s office and a member of her school board in Mattoon. And she says she wants to be her district’s advocate in Congress. “I entered this race because I really want us

Dirksen Londrigan Keeps Focus On Health Care In 2nd Run For Congress

CHAMPAIGN – In the 2018 race for  U.S. Representative of Illinois’ 13th congressional district, Betsy Dirksen Londrigan narrowly lost to Republican incumbent Rodney Davis. Now, the Springfield Democrat is making another run for Davis’ seat, and once again making access to health care her main issue. Hear Dirksen Londrigan’s interview via Zoom with Illinois Newsroom’s

Davis Quarantines At Home After Testing Positive For COVID-19

Illinois Congressman Rodney Davis is quarantining at his home in Taylorville, after testing positive on Wednesday for COVID-19. The 13th District lawmaker says he feels fine, and that even the elevated temperature that led him and his wife Shannon to get a coronavirus test has gone back down. (Davis says his wife’s test came back