Illinois Quick Hits: Independent candidate filing period opens

Illinois Quick Hits: Independent candidate filing period opens

May 18, 2026/
Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Today is the first day of the filing period for independents and new party candidates seeking state and federal offices in Illinois.

Candidates have had since Feb. 25 to collect signatures and have from today to May 25 at the Illinois State Board of Elections in Springfield.

Election Day is Nov. 3

BP NEGOTIATIONS RESUME AS ILLINOIS GAS PRICES REMAIN HIGH

Negotiations were set to resume today between the BP refinery in Whiting, Indiana, and United Steelworkers Local 7-1.

Along with armed conflict in the Middle East, the ongoing labor dispute and a brief power disruption at the refinery last month were blamed for an increase in gasoline prices across several Midwest states.

According to AAA, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded in Illinois was $5.05 on Monday. The average price in Indiana was $4.13.

ST. LOUIS FED: CPI, INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION, CPI ROSE IN APRIL

The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis is reporting that U.S. industrial production increased 0.7% in April after falling 0.3% the prior month.

Manufacturing activity increased 0.6% and utilities activity rose 1.9%. The consumer price index rose 3.8% year-over-year in April, not seasonally adjusted, the largest increase since May 2023.

METRO EAST CRIME SUPPRESSION RESULTS ANNOUNCED

Illinois State Police have announced the results of a violent crime suppression detail in St. Clair and Madison counties, with a focus on East St. Louis and surrounding Metro East communities.

ISP reported 23 arrests, 11 firearms seized and two stolen vehicle recoveries.

PRITZKER SAYS HE’S HEALTHY AFTER SPRINGFIELD ER VISIT

Gov. J.B. Pritzker says his health is fine after he visited a hospital emergency room in Springfield last Wednesday night.

The governor told reporters in Chicago on Monday that he went to Springfield Memorial Hospital after he felt something that might have been related to a urology procedure he had undergone on May 1.

Pritzker said he is a healthy 61-year-old man and medical personnel at the hospital told him the issue was not serious.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Push increased for Dalilah’s Law to get a floor vote

Push increased for Dalilah’s Law to get a floor vote

By Alan WootenThe Center Square More than four months later, federal legislation from a North Carolina congressman addressing nondomiciled commercial drivers remains stuck in the U.S. House of Representatives. A...
Texas suffers its first casualty in Iran war: female soldier from Carrollton

Texas suffers its first casualty in Iran war: female soldier from Carrollton

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Texas has suffered its first casualty in the U.S.-Israel war against Iran: Army Pvt. Isabella Gonzales, 19, of Carrollton. She was killed in action on...
Illinois quick hits: Benton's replacement chosen; gas prices resume climb

Illinois quick hits: Benton’s replacement chosen; gas prices resume climb

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Benton's replacement chosen Jessica Dixon Heitman was chosen unanimously to replace former state Rep. Harry Benton, D-Plainfield, in the 97th House...
Illinois diversity certifications lag despite partial computer fix

Illinois diversity certifications lag despite partial computer fix

By Jared Strong | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) -- State diversity leaders recently reported a large increase in the number of Illinois businesses that get better...
FBI: Suspect in federal building attack was anti-ICE 'extremist'

FBI: Suspect in federal building attack was anti-ICE ‘extremist’

By Chris WadeThe Center Square A man arrested by federal agents Monday for starting a large blaze outside a New York City immigration court was an "anti-government extremist" who told...
U.S. House to vote on government funding stopgap

U.S. House to vote on government funding stopgap

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Republican lawmakers have teed up a Continuing Resolution that would extend government funding at current levels until Dec. 4, punting the government shutdown deadline by...
Trump vows retaliation for U.S. service members' deaths

Trump vows retaliation for U.S. service members’ deaths

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square For a 10th consecutive night, the U.S. is carrying out strikes on Iran, targeting the Islamic Republic’s ability to attack commercial ships in the Strait...
Forecasters split on midterms, but a sweep is possible, maybe likely

Forecasters split on midterms, but a sweep is possible, maybe likely

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Forecasters say Democrats are favored to take the U.S. House this November while Republicans are favored to hold the Senate, yet the likeliest outcome is...
Group behind tariff challenge calls Pritzker’s refund check demand irrational

Group behind tariff challenge calls Pritzker’s refund check demand irrational

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As over $86 billion has begun making its way back to small businesses impacted by tariffs imposed...
Abbott: Flooding worse in Kerrville this year than in 2025

Abbott: Flooding worse in Kerrville this year than in 2025

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square The historic rainfall in central and south Texas that continues to cause significant flooding is worse this year than it was during the historic July...
House Oversight to examine Medicare fraud, Smithsonian, DEI policies

House Oversight to examine Medicare fraud, Smithsonian, DEI policies

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is set to host three hearings on issues that have been ongoing priorities for...
Judge delays merger between Paramount and Warner Bros.

Judge delays merger between Paramount and Warner Bros.

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square A federal judge Monday granted a temporary restraining order halting the $110 billion merger between Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. and Paramount Skydance Corp. A coalition...
Illinois news in brief: Ammons House investigation hearing set; IDOT requests public feedback; Duckworth reacts to service member's death

Illinois news in brief: Ammons House investigation hearing set; IDOT requests public feedback; Duckworth reacts to service member’s death

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Ammons House investigation hearing set The Illinois House Special Investigative Committee appointed to look into alleged wrongdoings by Rep. Carol Ammons,...
Text messages aren’t ‘phone calls’ that can trigger class actions: Appeals panel

Text messages aren’t ‘phone calls’ that can trigger class actions: Appeals panel

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square (Legal Newsline) - Text messages aren't "phone calls," and can't be used to bring class action lawsuits against companies for allegedly violating...
Darline Graham will file for full term succeeding brother Lindsey

Darline Graham will file for full term succeeding brother Lindsey

By Alan WootenThe Center Square U.S. Sen. Darline Graham, sworn in last Tuesday to fulfill the remainder of her brother Lindsey Graham’s term, said Monday she’ll file for the special...