Jeremy Gorner –

Legislators, visitors and others stand outside the House and Senate chambers during the spring legislative session at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield on May 28, 2026. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)

Illinois’ acting legislative ethics watchdog warns lawmakers on sexual harassment: ‘Someone always knows’

October 3, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

David Risley was chosen as acting legislative inspector general after the previous officeholder resigned amid questions over how he handled the sexual harassment investigation of former state Rep. Harry Benton.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, center left, and Chicago Bears President Kevin Warren, right, chat before a game between the Bears and the Jacksonville Jaguars at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on Oct. 13, 2024. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)

Chicago Bears stadium: JB Pritzker, Illinois leaders meet with NFL’s Roger Goodell as team weighs Indiana move

October 1, 2026 at 4:39 p.m.

For the first time, Gov. JB Pritzker and Illinois legislative leaders met Thursday with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in person, the latest indication a team stadium in Illinois is still...

Republican nominee for governor Darren Bailey laughs while campaigning outside Soldier Field before the Chicago Bears host the Minnesota Vikings on Sept. 20, 2026. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)

In Illinois governor race, Darren Bailey sticks to SAFE-T Act attack despite falling crime numbers

September 28, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

The two-time Republican nominee for governor says he doesn't object to the law's effort of keeping people charged with crimes from sitting in jail simply because they can't afford bail....

Gov. JB Pritzker, center, and running mate Christian Mitchell, right, greet people on the lakefront near the Adler Planetarium before kicking off a bus tour for his reelection campaign, Aug. 26, 2026. Pritzker said he now starts every day with a 4-mile walk. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker discloses diabetes diagnosis, 80-pound weight loss on GLP-1 drug

September 21, 2026 at 4:37 p.m.

Gov. JB Pritzker disclosed that he was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes two years ago and has since lost 80 pounds using a GLP-1 drug.

Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, left, and Gov. JB Pritzker seen in photos from 2019 and 2025, respectively. (José M. Osorio and Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

Gov. JB Pritzker doesn’t condemn remarks by streamer Hasan Piker while ex-Mayor Rahm Emanuel blasts them

September 20, 2026 at 6:56 p.m.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker on Sunday did not condemn recent statements from progressive streamer Hasan Piker that the U.S. is a bigger militant force than al-Qaida, while former Chicago Mayor...

David E. Risley has been chosen by the state's Legislative Ethics Commission to begin the job of acting legislative inspector general on Oct. 1, 2026. (David E. Risley)

Former federal prosecutor to take over as Illinois’ acting legislative ethics watchdog Oct. 1

September 14, 2026 at 6:55 p.m.

David E. Risley has been chosen by the state's Legislative Ethics Commission to begin the job of acting legislative inspector general on Oct. 1, succeeding Michael P. McCuskey.

Cardinal Blase Cupich helps to lead a procession around Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Melrose Park following an outdoor Ash Wednesday Mass on Feb. 18, 2026. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)

Judge temporarily blocks Illinois aid-in-dying law for Catholic health providers

September 14, 2026 at 5:46 p.m.

A limited temporary restraining order sides with a lawsuit from Cardinal Blase Cupich a day after a different judge refused to block the law entirely in a separate case.

Michael McCuskey, then-chair of the board of trustees for Illinois State University, speaks in Normal on April 22, 2014. (Zbigniew Bzdak/baiduhai)

Illinois ethics panel accepts resignation and moves to quickly name acting legislative watchdog

September 10, 2026 at 3:23 p.m.

Illinois Legislative Inspector General Michael McCuskey's tenure became clouded following his investigation of disgraced former Democratic state Rep. Harry Benton of Plainfield over sexual harassment.

David Skrzypczynski, of Chicago’s Brighton Park neighborhood, joins with others in a candlelight vigil outside of Gov. JB Pritzker’s office in downtown Chicago Dec. 11, 2025, with the objective to urge Pritzker to veto legislation that will legalize physician-assisted suicide in Illinois. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)

Federal judge denies bid to block Illinois’ medical-aid-in-dying law from taking effect Saturday

September 10, 2026 at 5:40 p.m.

Two disabled patients and disability and patients’ rights organizations sued to block the End-of-Life Options for Terminally Ill Patients Act from going into effect Saturday.

Michael McCuskey, then-chair of the board of trustees for Illinois State University, in Normal on April 22, 2014. (Zbigniew Bzdak/baiduhai)

Illinois’ top legislative ethics watchdog resigning following investigation into Springfield sexual harassment

September 8, 2026 at 9:23 p.m.

The tenure of Michael McCuskey, the Illinois legislature's top ethics watchdog, has become clouded by recent controversy after his investigation determined a former state lawmaker’s sexual harassment of women violated...

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