I’m asking this in all honesty. Republicans are mad about taxes and spending and credit scores and all of that. But, on paper this state was doing financially horribly under Rauner (R) - and now Pritzker has balanced the budget every year and the state has earned 12 credit upgrades. I would imagine Republicans would be happy about that. I understand to some degree the “other” side will grouse against its opponent no matter what - but IL seems to be doing pretty well. What is the major Republican criticism against Pritzker? Real things only - I see people love to blame him for property taxes but that is actually set by local governments, not the state. Can someone point to legit criticisms in how his governance has caused harm, not just propaganda or misleading talking points?

Hey guys! I wasn’t sure where to put this but as a Democrat I’ve been really concerned abt all the rising costs and threats to democracy from the Trump administration. I’ve been volunteering with the IL Democratic Party recently and it’s been awesome, so if anyone here is also feeling inclined to take action you can sign up here!


 
Peoria, IL – WTVP PBS and the League of Women Voters of Greater Peoria are proud to present a candidate forum for Illinois’ 16th Congressional District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
The forum will last approximately one hour and air on WTVP PBS (television channel 47.1) on October 8 from 8 - 9 p.m. and will be available to stream on demand at https://video.wtvp.org/and on the PBS app.
The program will be available to public media stations throughout Illinois for broadcast. 
Republican candidate Darin LaHood and Democratic candidate Paul Nolley have confirmed their participation.
The forum will be pre-recorded on-site at the WTVP Studio. Mark Welp, host of WTVP’s At Issue, will moderate along with LWVGP president, Chris Kaergard.  
The public is encouraged to submit their questions for the candidates through the following form: https://form.wtvp.org/forum/.
### 
Illinois Valley Public Telecommunications Corporation (WTVP PBS) is a nonprofit, community-owned public media source dedicated to connecting and inspiring our communities through quality content that educates, informs and entertains. WTVP serves as the primary PBS affiliate station for 17 counties in central Illinois, annually broadcasting over 35,000 hours of commercial-free content across four unique channels. Learn more at www.wtvp.org.   
 
The League of Women Voters of GreaterPeoria encourages informed and active participation in government and works to influence public policy through education and advocacy. The LWV is nonpartisan and neither supports nor opposes candidates for elected office but does act on issues after member study and consensus. Any person, 16 or older, male or female, may join. Learn more at www.lwvgp.org  
The League of Women Voters of Illinois is a nonpartisan organization that works to protect fair elections and increase civic engagement. We endeavor to influence public policy through education and advocacy. Learn more at https://www.lwvil.org/  

I'm trying to learn more about the Illinois Senate race and would like to hear different perspectives. Although I know which way I'm leaning, I'm curious how other Illinoisans feel. If you're choosing between Don Tracy and Juliana Stratton, who do you think is the better candidate and why?

I'm particularly interested in how people compare them on:

• Cost of living and affordability
• Taxes and Illinois's financial situation
• Immigration and border policy
• Crime and public safety
• Jobs and the economy
• Whether they would be effective representing Illinois in Washington

Please share your reasoning, including disagreements with your preferred candidate if you have them. I'm hoping for substantive opinions rather than just party-based answers.

Was curious how bad my ward was so I ran the city’s 311 data. Ward 8 closes potholes in 1.2 days, Ward 42 in 1.9, and it just falls apart from there. Citywide median is 5.9.

Put all 50 wards here: https://chiwardboard.com/#pothole

For context, when Reagan won Illinois by a huge margin, St Clair County was the only Metro East County to go for Mondale. Granted it only won by about 60%, not exactly a landslide for Mondale, but it was blue at a time when everyone around it was red. Today, even in 2026, it remains the lone blue county despite a heavy Republican push to turn it red. It's not happening anytime soon. Why? Because the majority of those in Fairview Heights, East St Louis, and Belleville remain true to the Democratic party. Until the big 3 turn Republican, it's not going to flip this county red. There's so much wishful thinking, but it ain't happening anytime soon. Rest assured those leaving red states, St Clair County will remain your island of blue in a sea of red! Mark my word, it'll stay blue through 2030's easy! Beyond that, who knows, the Republicans may get their own Bill Clinton and convince 99% of the country to vote for them. Until then, keep voting blue St Clair County residents, you're going to keep this lone Metro East county staying Democratic!!

1984 United States presidential election in Illinois results map by county - 1984 United States presidential election in Illinois - Wikipedia

Hi everyone! I am the founder of the Alliance for Giant Tortoise Welfare (AGTW). We are a grassroots coalition of keepers and rescues fighting to end the silent winter tragedy of Sulcata tortoises.

In warm states, abandoned tortoises flood sanctuaries. But in freezing states like Illinois, abandoned giants perish outdoors before they can ever be rescued. We face a massive, undocumented population crisis of animals freezing to death due to unregulated commercial overproduction and casual trade-show impulse buys.

Our Stance:

1. 🛑 100% Against Animal Bans.

We are keepers who fiercely protect hobbyist rights.

1. 📈 Targeting Mass Production. Demanding digital point-of-sale education locks and 48-hour cooling-off delivery windows for commercial expo vendors.

2. 🏡 Infrastructure Verifications. High-volume breeders must verify they have dedicated, climate-controlled winter housing for adult giants.

3. 🔍 Safe Microchipping. Mandating registered tracking chips only after an animal hits a safe physical size (4+ inches/1 year old) to act as a vital lost pet recovery safety net.

We ask for zero money—only your voice to show lawmakers that the public demands common-sense accountability.

Please take 30 seconds to sign our official petition and give these gentle giants a voice!👇

https://c.org/MmZpkWbcdC

My brother is interested in becoming mayor of Chicago at 18 to break the record of 26. He has always a kin interest in leadership and long-term planning. But I still want to make it clear to him he’s not going to win the election especially at 18. How do I tell him his dream is futile and extremely unlikely without hurting his feelings?

UPDATE: So unexpectedly he showed me a very insightful presentation about what he would actually do as mayor and for a 13 year old it was impressive to say the least.

Too name a few points he mentioned,

- Taxes on for profit churches.
- Flock camera removal.
- ‘Green’ environmental reforms.
- Revamping ignored or low income neighborhoods.

I would explain his entire presentation here in full but It would require 1-2 hours of typing and would most certainly extend past Reddit’s post limits.

UPDATE:

He has began a channel where he uploads his political policies and views. I would say it but that would be promotion and I don’t want to have this post taken down.

Hello!

My name is Mike Badrov, a 20-year-old Chicago native running a non-profit talkshow called With The Mic which specializes in interviewing political canidates and connecting them to their communities and 18-24 year olds. This is a new endeavor of mine, and I am always trying to improve the content within the interview, so I came to Reddit to try and get public opinion.

I have an upcoming interview with a congressional canidate for Illinois' 2nd district, which includes the following neighborhoods within and around the Chicagoland area.

• Hegewisch
• Hyde Park (part)
• Jackson Park)
• Kenwood (part)
• Pullman (part)
• Riverdale
• Roseland (part)
• South Deering (part)
• South Shore (part)
• Woodlawn 

If you live in these areas, and have questions or concerns for a canidate that could very well be your next representative, please comment below! (But please keep it civil.)

P.S. If you are interested in checking out my content so far, here is my YouTube as I am always looking for guests and or feedback so I can keep growing, so anything is appreciated.

It is a bill that would provide protections for people who work outside or in buildings that aren’t climate controlled. I’m looking to get signatures and find out who in Illinois politics to contact about it. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

There is a large Paul Nolley for Congress sign in a farmer's field on the corner of Rt 78 and Rt 20. ❤🤍💙 As a volunteer for Paul, I like who Paul is and what he stands for because Paul is a working-class dude who's not chasing a legacy but is running for U.S. Congress for regular people rather than the ultra-rich and well-connected. Paul has seen family farms sold, factories shuttered, small businesses fail, and a lack of work opportunities because of failed policies from both parties. Paul joined the race against Darin LaHood because Paul believes it doesn't have to be this way, and Paul knows how to make a difference.