Rep. Sam Yingling (D-Grayslake), left, and former Rep. Mary Edly-Allen (D-Libertyville), right, are facing off in the Democratic primary for the 31st Senate District. [Sam Yingling/Facebook and Mary Edly-Allen website]

Sen. Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) decided to end her Senate career after 10 years in Springfield and is now backing former Rep. Mary Edly-Allen (D-Libertyville) to be her successor in a competitive primary against veteran lawmaker Rep. Sam Yingling (D-Grayslake).

Gov. JB Pritzker speaks during a bill signing ceremony at Rush University Medical Center Thursday. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]

Illinois lawmakers closed a major loophole in state law after Gov. JB Pritzker signed a bill that ensures sexual assault victims can file charges against their abuser in cases when the victim drank voluntarily is too drunk to give consent.

Illinois’ film industry notched a record year of revenue in 2021 as the industry continues to rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic. And a new study finds most governors have positive approval ratings in their states, but Gov. JB Pritzker’s popularity is among the lowest in the nation.

Kent Gray of Leland Grove, left, and Rep. Tim Butler (R-Springfield), right, are running in the Republican primary in the 95th House District. [Kent Gray/Facebook and Blue Room Stream] 

Rep. Tim Butler (R-Springfield) is facing his first challenge from a member of a major party since he was appointed to his House seat in 2015. Butler will face off against former President Donald Trump’s Illinois campaign manager Kent Gray in an almost entirely new district in the June 28 primary. 

Gov. JB Pritzker signed a bill Wednesday requiring insurance companies to cover the cost of glucose monitors. A new poll shows a tight race between two candidates for the Republican nomination in the U.S. Senate race while nearly half of voters remain undecided. And Pritzker insisted he’s not considering running for president as he heads to East Coast campaign events.

Grayslake Trustee Laura Faver Dias, left, and Waukegan Director of Government Operations Tom Maillard, right, are running in the Democratic primary for the 62nd House District. [Campaign websites] 

Rep. Sam Yingling’s (D-Grayslake) decision to run for Senate has opened the door to three local government leaders in Lake County who are hoping to advance their political careers with a nomination from Democratic voters in the 62nd House District.

$13 million from outside Illinois has been contributed to the Republican race for governor — mostly to candidates Jesse Sullivan and Gary Rabine

Business friends, supporters and many Florida residents make up $13 million from 86 large contributions delivered to date from people outside Illinois to Republican candidates for governor, according to State Board of Election records.

Gov. JB Pritzker signs the mental health omnibus bill at Family Guidance Centers in Chicago Friday. [Blue Room Stream]

Illinois will have a new tax credit for employers that hire people recovering from substance abuse, reinstate expired licenses for mental health professionals and require insurance companies to cover prostate cancer screening under new laws Gov. JB Pritzker signed Friday.

A new poll conducted Monday and Tuesday by the Sun-Times and WBEZ found Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) has a double-digit lead in the Republican primary for governor as Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin reassesses his advertising strategy. And a Better Government Association report found former Department of Public Health Director Ngozi Ezike is under investigation for a potential ethics violation.

Sen. Eric Mattson (D-Joliet), left, and Will County Board Member Rachel Ventura [Provided by Eric Mattson & Ventura website] 

Illinois’ newest lawmaker Sen. Eric Mattson (D-Joliet) is still settling into his new role after being appointed to fill the seat of former Sen. John Connor (D-Lockport) in May. But Mattson is also in the middle of fending off a primary challenge from Will County Board Member Rachel Ventura of Joliet.