Liz Bishop of LaSalle, left, and Amy “Murri” Briel of Ottawa, right, are running for the 76^th House District. [Bishop and Briel campaigns]  

The 76^th House District centered in LaSalle County is one of the few House races this fall without an incumbent and the district’s moderate nature leaves Republicans hoping to pick up a seat.

The Illinois Capitol  

Many Illinois teachers have considered leaving the profession, according to a poll of Illinois Education Association (IEA) members, with financial concerns driving their worries.  

The Illinois Capitol   

With multiple hearings complete exploring the responsibilities of pharmacy benefit managers (PBM) and how they impact consumers and independent pharmacies in Illinois, Rep. Natalie Manley (D-Joliet) said people can expect some sort of legislation will result from the hearings, though the committee has more work to do.  

Attorney General Kwame Raoul filed a lawsuit against TikTok. And Illinois officials are set to hold a ceremony recognizing the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument.  

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson visits the Illinois Capitol in May 2024. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]   

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has raised alarm bells with some state lawmakers after the entire Chicago Public Schools (CPS) Board of Education resigned Friday amid apparent pressure from Johnson for the board to oust CPS CEO Pedro Martinez and approve a short-term high-interest loan to cover budget gaps in the district, which Martinez opposes.  

Rep. Ann Williams (D-Chicago), who led a Johnson- and Chicago Teachers Union (CTU)-supported plan through Springfield to layout the process for electing CPS’ board beginning this fall, issued a statement Saturday that sparked backlash from the mayor’s allies.  

U.S. Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia (D-Ill.) is leading a national coalition advertising campaign opposing Project 2025. And the Illinois Republican Party will host a fundraiser this week with Mike Davis — a controversial ally of former President Donald Trump.   

Rep. Martin McLaughlin (R-Barrington Hills), left, and Barrington Democrat Maria Peterson, right. 

The Chicago suburbs have continued to trend toward Democrats in recent elections and now the pressure is falling on Rep. Martin McLaughlin (R-Barrington Hills) to hold on to his seat and win a third term representing the northwest suburbs.  

McLaughlin faces a challenging test, however, from Barrington resident Maria Peterson who is hoping to capitalize on a strong performance in a state senate race in 2022 and force out another suburban House Republican.  

1. Gov. JB Pritzker speaks at a news conference in Chicago in January 2024. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]  

Gov. JB Pritzker will travel to Tokyo this weekend to meet with businesses in hopes of attracting more to set up operations in Illinois, Pritzker announced on Thursday at an unrelated news conference in Peoria.

Gov. JB Pritzker speaks at a news conference on Springfield on May 1, 2024. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]

Missouri voters will decide next month whether the state should legalize sports betting, which would surround Illinois with states that allow the activity. Despite increasing tax rates on sportsbooks in Illinois this year, Gov. JB Pritzker said he’s not worried Missouri will attract business away from Illinois.

A map shows where the Mahomet Aquifer traverses Central Illinois. [City of Champaign] 

Gov. JB Pritzker said he wants the federal regulatory process to play out on carbon capture and sequestration technology after a second leak at a Central Illinois sequestration site has stoked ongoing fears about the technology’s threat to drinking water in the region.