Illinois Quick Hits: Benton pulls name from ballot after resignation
(The Center Square) – Former state Rep. Harry Benton, D-Plainfield, who resigned from his seat in the Illinois House of Representatives at the start of this month following investigations into alleged misconduct while he was in office, has followed through on his promise to withdraw his name from November ballots.
The Will and Kendall County Democrats shared an open call for residents of the 97th district to apply to replace Benton, both for the remainder of his term and separately on the Democrat line of the ballot. The application closed Monday, but a candidate could be appointed by the chairs anytime before August 21, the day ballots are finalized.
Sean Reed contributed to this story
PRITZKER SIGNS SERVICE MEMBER, VETERANS-RELATED BILLS
Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed legislation related to military service members and veterans.
Senate Bill 3737 requires universities to promptly readmit students after academic military leave.
Senate Bill 3818 incentivizes Illinois National Guard recruitment by providing financial compensation for successful referrals.
Senate Bill 3926 moves the Breakthrough Therapies for Veteran Suicide Prevention Program Advisory Council under the Department of Public Health.
All three measures take effect Jan.
IL DEPT. OF LABOR RELEASES PREVAILING WAGE RATES
The Illinois Department of Labor has published the 2026 prevailing wage rates for construction trades in each county across the state.
The rates took effect on Wednesday, following IDOL’s annual statewide survey pursuant to the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act.
The law requires workers on publicly funded construction and infrastructure projects to be paid wages that reflect local standards.
The rates can be found the the Illinois Department of Labor’s Prevailing Wage Act Rates webpage.
FINANCIAL CONDITIONS INDEX DECREASES
The Chicago Fed’s National Financial Conditions Index decreased to –0.54 in the week ending July 10, suggesting looser financial conditions where credit is considered to be easier and cheaper for businesses and consumers.
Areas Of Smoke
Latest News Stories
30 state financial officers urge an EO to return $39B in savings bonds to rightful owners
VA hits multiple milestones in claims, care delivery and administration
U.S. Supreme Court to hear Colorado-Nebraska water dispute
Taxpayers bear burden for federal student loans
Talarico raises more money than Paxton in Senate race
Illinois’ gun ban upheld after appeals court reverses district judge’s ruling
Report: Illinois commutes rated among America’s safest
Concerns raised that KIDS Act threatens Americans’ online privacy, free speech
Illinois Quick Hits: Illinois offers disaster tax relief
Millionaire tax push resumes in Chicago
Report: $225M in K-12 fraud found across six years
Calls made for ethics reform in Springfield; GOP says misconduct is a pattern
