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Politics

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News

Vote Here

Investigation underway after uncontested alder left off Byron ballot

Updated: Mar. 29, 2023 at 12:46 PM CDT
|
By Meghan Schobinger
Ogle County Clerk Laura Cook assures the public that it will not affect any race on Tuesday, April 4.

News

23 News First at 4

Get to know RPS 205 school board candidate Jude Makulec

Updated: Mar. 22, 2023 at 8:23 AM CDT
|
By WIFR Newsroom
Makulec is running for re-election.

Politics

The President spoke at a conservation summit Tuesday

Climate activists say President broke ‘promise’ by approving the Willow Oil Project

Updated: Mar. 21, 2023 at 6:17 PM CDT
|
By Jamie Bittner
ConocoPhillips has said the project will produce an estimated 180,000 barrels of oil per day at its peak.

News

Isidro Barrios

Mayor makes pick for Rockford 11th Ward vacancy

Updated: Mar. 17, 2023 at 7:41 AM CDT
|
By Marta Berglund
The appointment will be up for approval by the City Council next week.

Politics

Sen. Tammy Baldwin pushes for legislation that would require relabeling of plant-based milks following release of new FDA guidance 

Updated: Mar. 6, 2023 at 2:49 PM CST
|
By Stetson Miller
Senator Tammy Baldwin has reintroduced legislation that would limit what can be labeled as milk to dairy products.

Politics

Lawmakers push to reform laws as majority of United States legalize marijuana

Updated: Feb. 21, 2023 at 9:26 AM CST
|
By Jamie Bittner
Lawmakers push changes to federal laws on marijuana, with a special focus on banking regulations.

State

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks to Chicago police officers at Elmhurst event

Updated: Feb. 20, 2023 at 6:00 PM CST
|
By CBS Chicago Team
DeSantis’ visit is causing a stir in Chicago’s mayoral race.

Politics

Lawmakers take a hard look at the dangers teens & kids can face online

Updated: Feb. 14, 2023 at 4:59 PM CST
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By Jamie Bittner
Senate hearing looks at whether legislation is needed to protect children online.

State

Amid ‘unprecedented’ prolonged revenue boom, Illinois finds budget breathing room

Updated: Jan. 31, 2023 at 9:25 AM CST
|
By Capitol News Illinois
For the current fiscal year and the one before it, that’s led to another uncommon Capitol occurrence: budget surpluses in the billions of dollars.

Politics

Lawmakers call for investigation against gun company that they say is marketing to kids

Updated: Jan. 26, 2023 at 5:32 PM CST
|
By Jamie Bittner
The Senators believe there is little difference between the JR-15 and an AR-15.
7 Day Forecast
7 Day Forecast

Politics

‘Life at conception’ act reintroduced in Congress as Republicans control the House

Updated: Jan. 25, 2023 at 2:56 PM CST
|
By Jamie Bittner
“It’s an obvious fact," says Rep. Alex Mooney (R-W.Va.)

State

Pritzker issues statement on Illinois judge’s decision regarding assault weapons

Updated: Jan. 20, 2023 at 5:23 PM CST
|
By CBS CHICAGO and WIFR Newsroom
The judge issued a temporary restraining order, blocking enforcement of the ban.

Politics

Republicans push abortion restrictions as March for Life rally comes to Washington D.C.

Updated: Jan. 19, 2023 at 6:27 PM CST
|
By Jamie Bittner
Days before the March for Life rally, the House GOP advanced a measure called the “Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act.”

State

Pritzker speaks about success in Illinois, inflation during Davos panel

Updated: Jan. 17, 2023 at 5:16 PM CST
|
By Mike Miletich
The Pritzker administration said the governor is at the event to discuss political and social priorities, but it is also an opportunity for the governor to be seen by a larger audience.

State

Illinois Senate approves new chamber rules

Updated: Jan. 12, 2023 at 5:49 PM CST
|
By Mike Miletich
The rules haven’t changed drastically since the 102nd General Assembly, but Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) hopes some of the amendments will improve efficiency.

State

Gov. JB Pritzker signs bill banning assault weapons, high-capacity magazines

Updated: Jan. 10, 2023 at 10:53 PM CST
|
By Mike Miletich
Gov. JB Pritzker signed the Protect Illinois Communities Act into law Monday night. It was a whirlwind for Democratic sponsors and advocates who watched intense negotiations to improve the plan over the past week.

Politics

Republicans flex their new House majority with new committee chairs

Updated: Jan. 10, 2023 at 5:47 PM CST
|
By Jamie Bittner
House Republican leadership announces new committee and conference chairs.

State

Pritzker, Raoul take oath for second term in Illinois

Updated: Jan. 9, 2023 at 11:09 AM CST
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By WIFR Newsroom
The ceremony was followed by an open house hosted by Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza.

State

Illinois House Democrats pass assault weapon ban

Updated: Jan. 5, 2023 at 8:36 PM CST
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By Mike Miletich
Democrats hope they now have the momentum to pass a ban six months after the Highland Park mass shooting that left seven dead and dozens more injured.

Politics

The constitutional argument over eliminating cash bail in Illinois

Updated: Jan. 3, 2023 at 6:34 PM CST
|
By Mike Miletich
Chaos was the word of the weekend as many county leaders across the state were confused about what they should do. The Illinois Supreme Court quickly stepped in and justices will now decide whether the Pretrial Fairness Act is constitutional.

State

Looking ahead: Illinois politics in 2023

Updated: Dec. 30, 2022 at 4:50 PM CST
|
By Mike Miletich
As 2022 comes to an end, you may wonder what state leaders have planned for the new year.

Politics

How the U.S. will pick its next House speaker

Updated: Dec. 28, 2022 at 8:47 AM CST
|
By Brendan Cullerton
Current Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-CA, is the frontrunner to become the next speaker of the House, but he is short on the votes required

Politics

Afghan refugees left in limbo as Congress fails to act on bill

Updated: Dec. 23, 2022 at 2:37 PM CST
|
By Jamie Bittner
Legislation to sort out Afghan refugee status remains stalled in Congress.

Politics

“Diversity is necessary at the table”: Nancy Pelosi’s last official acts

Updated: Dec. 22, 2022 at 4:39 PM CST
|
By Jamie Bittner
Nancy Pelosi is stepping down as Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives

Politics

Nation’s most senior Senator delivers farewell speech

Updated: Dec. 20, 2022 at 9:06 PM CST
|
By Jamie Bittner
For the past 48 years Senator Patrick Leahy has served the nation and his home state of Vermont.

State

‘Everyone’s friend’: Illinois leaders remember Sen. Scott Bennett

Updated: Dec. 19, 2022 at 8:35 PM CST
|
By Mike Miletich
Illinois leaders held a memorial service Monday to honor the life of Sen. Scott Bennett. The 45-year-old Democrat died unexpectedly on December 9 after complications with an undiagnosed brain tumor.

Politics

Following her breast cancer diagnosis, Katie Couric throws support behind cancer screening bill

Updated: Dec. 13, 2022 at 7:29 PM CST
|
By Jamie Bittner
Journalist Katie Couric joined lawmakers to announce the ‘Find it Early Act' for cancer screenings.

State

Krishnamoorthi co-sponsoring plan to ban TikTok in US

Updated: Dec. 13, 2022 at 2:24 PM CST
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By Mike Miletich
An Illinois congressman is co-sponsoring a bipartisan plan to ban TikTok in the United States.

Politics

The Senate’s most senior member prepares to retire

Updated: Dec. 9, 2022 at 4:36 PM CST
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By Jamie Bittner
Senator Leahy was first elected in 1974.

State

Illinois Sen. Scott Bennett dies at 45

Updated: Dec. 9, 2022 at 3:32 PM CST
|
By Mike Miletich
The Champaign County Coroner reported that the Democratic lawmaker died of natural causes at 1:15 p.m. Friday.

State

Illinois saw fourth lowest midterm turnout in past 40 years

Updated: Dec. 6, 2022 at 6:25 PM CST
|
By Mike Miletich
The Board reported that 51% of registered voters participated in the election, compared to 57% for the 2018 midterm.

State

‘SAFE-T Act’ trailer bill passes IL Senate; moves to House

Updated: Dec. 1, 2022 at 2:27 PM CST
|
By WIFR Newsroom
Bipartisan legislators have urged a swift passing of the trailer bill so that it can go into effect January 1, 2023.

Politics

Hakeem Jeffries wins historic bid to lead House Dems after Pelosi

Updated: Nov. 30, 2022 at 2:48 PM CST
|
By LISA MASCARO
The closed-door vote was unanimous, by acclamation.

Politics

Mary Jane Theis sworn in as Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice

Updated: Nov. 14, 2022 at 5:58 PM CST
|
By Mike Miletich
Mary Jane Theis became the fourth woman to be installed as Chief Justice of the state’s highest court.

News

Illinois elects Democrat Eric Sorensen to US House seat

Updated: Nov. 10, 2022 at 12:49 PM CST
|
By The Associated Press
A battleground race between newbies aiming to fill retiring U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos’ seat in Illinois’ 17th district tipped in Democrat Eric Sorensen’s favor.

Regional

Barnes concedes as Johnson claims Senate win

Updated: Nov. 9, 2022 at 10:45 PM CST
|
By Colton Molesky, Tyler Peters and Juliana Tornabene
Johnson’s campaign also condemned major news services for not declaring him the victor yet.

Politics

President Biden, House Minority Leader McCarthy say they are willing to work across the aisle following the midterms

Updated: Nov. 9, 2022 at 6:04 PM CST
|
By Josh Rultenberg
President Biden addressed the results of the midterm election and his own political future on Wednesday.

News

Sorensen looks ahead after victory in IL-17

Updated: Nov. 9, 2022 at 10:05 AM CST
|
By WIFR Newsroom
"I am honored to be the Congressman-Elect for Illinois’ 17th Congressional District," said Sorensen Tuesday night.

News

West to return as State Rep. in 67th Congressional district

Updated: Nov. 9, 2022 at 9:47 AM CST
|
By WIFR Newsroom
West ran against Republican candidate Glen Oland.

News

Freeport voters choose to keep Home Rule

Updated: Nov. 9, 2022 at 12:37 AM CST
|
By Kayleigh Randle
After a long awaited decision, Home Rule in Freeport is here to stay which allows community members the ability to keep control over their own city.

News

Jennifer Muraski wins Winnebago County Coroner race

Updated: Nov. 9, 2022 at 12:34 AM CST
|
By Stephanie Quirk
In the race to replace former Winnebago County coroner, Bill Hintz, republican candidate Jennifer Muraski takes the win with 58% of overall votes.

News

Vella re-elected in 68th Congressional race

Updated: Nov. 8, 2022 at 10:49 PM CST
|
By WIFR Newsroom
This will be Vella's second term as a state rep.

News

Muraski wins Winnebago Co. Coroner

Updated: Nov. 8, 2022 at 10:19 PM CST
|
By WIFR Newsroom
"We are regaining trust in the community," Muraski said after her win was declared Tuesday night.

News

Scott Yunk to be next Boone County Sheriff

Updated: Nov. 8, 2022 at 9:27 PM CST
|
By WIFR Newsroom
Yunk ran against Independent David Mordt.

State

AP: Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker beats GOP foe in pricey race

Updated: Nov. 8, 2022 at 7:12 PM CST
|
By The Associated Press
Gov. J.B. Pritzker sailed to reelection over challenger Darren Bailey in a race characterized by near-constant acrimony and outsized spending.

State

AP: US Sen. Duckworth defeats Chicago-area lawyer, wins 2nd term

Updated: Nov. 8, 2022 at 7:09 PM CST
|
By The Associated Press
Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth won reelection Tuesday in Illinois, defeating political newcomer and lawyer Kathy Salvi.

News

Behind the scenes look at pre-Election Day preparation

Updated: Nov. 7, 2022 at 7:17 PM CST
|
By Kayleigh Randle
With less than 20 hours before voting begins, 23News got a sneak peak into last-minute preparations for the elections.

Politics

Stephenson Co. Dems make campaigning statement ahead of Election Day

Updated: Nov. 7, 2022 at 5:24 PM CST
|
By WIFR Newsroom
Poll watchers and volunteers may be campaigning on Election Day near polling places, according to the Stephenson County Democrats.

News

Darren Bailey finished up his tour, rallies in Roscoe

Updated: Nov. 7, 2022 at 1:36 AM CST
|
By Kayleigh Randle
Darren Bailey makes a stop in Roscoe for his campaign trail.

Politics

Pritzker campaign wants Bailey to publicly accept election results

Updated: Nov. 1, 2022 at 1:50 PM CDT
|
By Mike Miletich
Pritzker campaign manager Mike Ollen sent a letter to the Bailey campaign Monday night stating the governor and staff members will commit to accepting the results, win or lose.
News
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