Illinois Quick Hits: Ruling supports Illinois mail-in ballot laws

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul says the U.S. Supreme Court has confirmed that mail-in ballot laws in Illinois and other states are fully consistent with federal law.

In a case challenging Mississippi’s law, the Supreme Court ruled on Monday in a 5-4 decision that states can accept and count mail-in ballots received after Election Day.

In Illinois, mail-in ballots can be received up to 14 days after Election Day.

Andrew Rice contributed to this story.

PRITZKER: SLAUGHTER DECISION CONSOLIDATES TRUMP POWER

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says the Supreme Court’s decision allowing President Donald Trump to fire Federal Trade Commission member Rebecca Slaughter further consolidates the president’s power.

In a 6-3 decision released on Monday, the high court ruled that Trump had the authority to fire FTC members, even without cause. Chief Justice John Roberts said the actions of the FTC must remain accountable to the president.

The court’s decision is a departure from its ruling Monday in Trump v. Cook, where the majority of justices agreed the president does not have the right to fire members of the Federal Reserve’s Board of Governors.

Andrew Rice contributed to this story.

IL UNEMPLOYMENT RISES, CHICAGO AND LAKE COUNTY SEE JOB GROWTH

According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security, the unemployment rate increased in all 12 of the state’s metro areas and 96 of Illinois’ 102 counties for the year ending in May 2026.

Total nonfarm jobs increased over the year in two metropolitan areas, leading to a new record number of jobs for Chicago and six consecutive months of year-over-year growth in Lake County.

MAN GETS EIGHT YEARS FOR ROBBING POSTAL CARRIER

A federal judge has sentenced a man to eight years in prison for robbing a U.S. Postal Service carrier in Chicago.

Henry Moorer, 33, of Chicago was on electronic monitoring for an unrelated Cook County criminal case at the time of the robbery in March 2022. Prosecutors said Moorer pulled a semiautomatic handgun, demanded property from the postal carrier and fled.

He was arrested in March 2024 and pleaded guilty to robbery in October 2025.