Kelly, a veteran Democratic lawmaker and former chair of the Illinois Democratic Party, is the second major Democrat to enter the 2026 primary race, following Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton. She has represented Illinois’ 2nd Congressional District since 2013. Her district stretches from Chicago’s South Side to Danville, covering a large and diverse area. In 2010, she also ran as the Democratic nominee for state treasurer.
Starting May 7, a REAL ID will be required to fly within the U.S. unless travelers present a valid passport. But Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias says residents shouldn’t worry — despite the official enforcement date, the federal government has built in a two-year grace period.
As the village of Chatham mourns the loss of four young lives after a Jeep crashed through the YNOT Outdoors after-school program, the focus is now turning to the survivors still fighting to recover — and the overwhelming wave of community support rising to meet their needs.
The Illinois Lottery has announced that the winners of the $349 million Mega Millions jackpot from the March 25 drawing have come forward to claim their prize. The fortunate winners, who wish to remain anonymous, purchased a single Quick Pick ticket at Casey’s General Store in Cortland, Illinois. For selling the winning ticket, the retailer received a bonus of $500,000.
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has confirmed the first measles case of 2025 in the state, involving an adult in far southern Illinois. The case was verified through laboratory testing on April 23. Officials emphasize that this is the only known case in Illinois at this time and is not considered an outbreak. The risk of community transmission remains low.
Acts of hate are defined as those that target people based on their actual or perceived race, creed, color, religion, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, citizenship, immigration status, or national origin. Hate incidents are categorized into hate crimes, bias-motivated civil rights violations, and hateful, but legal expressions.
At recent events in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., Pritzker spoke passionately about LGBTQ rights, drawing on childhood experiences attending marches with his mother. “I’m living proof that introducing your kids to the gay agenda might result in them growing up to be governor,” he told the Human Rights Campaign crowd.
April marks Hazardous Materials Safety Month, a time when the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS) emphasizes public awareness around chemical safety. Illinois continues to see a rise in active Tier 2 chemical facilities, adding over 100 new sites annually.
“Road workers are out there repairing and maintaining the highways we drive every day to make them safer for us,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “Be a decent human being and respect them and the work they do by slowing down and giving them room so everyone can go home safely.”
February 26, 2025, ISP located a stolen Kia and attempted a traffic stop on I-94 southbound at 76th Street in Chicago, but the Kia fled. The Kia parked at Maple Avenue and Campbell Road and six occupants ran from the vehicle. ISP took all six occupants into custody.