The Illinois Capitol    

Petition filing wrapped up on Monday, setting the stage for several General Assembly races to go straight to November’s general election, though many races are unlikely to be competitive as they feature Republicans running for seats in Chicago, candidates attempting to take down deeply entrenched lawmakers or districts that heavily favor one party.   

The end of filing also cleared the way for 54 candidates to likely cruise to new terms in the General Assembly after no opponents filed to challenge them, though local parties can appoint a general election opponent for the race later.  

Construction crews begin to build the winterized tent camp for migrants on the vacant lot at 37th Street and California Avenue in Brighton Park on Nov. 29, 2023. Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago   

A tent encampment for migrants at a parking lot in Chicago’s Brighton Park neighborhood will not go forward, the state announced on Tuesday after reviewing an environmental study that found pollution in the soil at the site.  

Candidates for office line up outside the State Board of Elections office in Springfield last week. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]   

The General Assembly will see 35 primary match ups on March 19, barring any petition challenges, after candidates finished turning in petitions by Monday’s 5 p.m. filing deadline.  

Candidates of all types are facing primaries this year, including incumbent Chicago Democrats, conservative downstate Republicans deemed not conservative enough by their opponents, and new candidates jockeying for positions after the incumbent announced they would not seek reelection.  

Former U.S. Rep. Mayra Flores (R-Texas) speaks at a news conference in Chicago Thursday with House Minority Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna). [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line] 

As Chicago and the state step up new efforts to find shelter for migrants as winter settles in, Illinois Republicans enlisted help from former U.S. Rep. Mayra Flores (R-Texas) as part of new criticism from the party of the state and city’s handling of the crisis.  

Gov. JB Pritzker signs Illinois’ assault weapons ban in January. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]

Opponents to Illinois’ assault weapons ban have asked the U.S. Supreme Court for an emergency injunction to block the law while appeals wind their way through the legal system. The petition comes about a month after a federal appeals panel in Chicago upheld the law.  

Illinois Chamber of Commerce CEO Lou Sandoval. [Provided by Illinois Chamber of Commerce] 

Businesses have a new top advocate in Springfield as Lou Sandoval took the reins as president and CEO of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce on Monday.  

Largely a newcomer to politics, Sandoval is looking to take his long career as a top business executive and guide lawmakers on pushing business friendly policies to help more businesses choose Illinois as their home.  

Candidates for the General Assembly, Congress and judges wait in line at the State Board of Elections on Monday. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]   

Several primaries are already taking shape for the 2024 election after the first two days of filing with incumbent politicians forced to defend their seat from a fellow member of their party and newcomers hoping to take advantage of an open seat.

Candidates for office line up outside the State Board of Elections in Springfield on Monday morning. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line] 

The 2024 election season is officially underway as candidates began filing petitions to run for office on Monday, shaping up various primaries including some key races for Congress.  

The State Board of Elections  

Long-time elected officials, political operatives, and newcomers to the world of politics hoping for a victorious 2024 are lined up outside the State Board of Elections in Springfield on Monday hoping to file nominating petitions for the 2024 election.  

Sen. Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) speaks in the Senate Labor Committee on Nov. 8. [Blue Room Stream] 

Illinois lawmakers are discussing legislation that would require warehouse companies to provide employees with a written description of their quotas and expectations employees are expected to meet at the job as lawmakers hope to give more logistical employees time for breaks.