217 Today: Four Republican candidates have thrown their hats in the ring to challenge two-term Governor J-B Pritzker in November.

Monday, February 16, 2026

Today’s headlines: 

• A bill that would give Illinois regulators more authority to control the rising cost of homeowners' insurance could get a second chance at passage when lawmakers return to the Statehouse this week.
• Illinois lawmakers are banding together to address state finances ahead of Governor J-B Pritzker’s budget proposal this week.
• Biofuel leaders say the shipping industry could be a golden goose for ethanol and soy-based biodiesel.
• A proposed federal ruling would limit which waters and wetlands are protected under the Clean Water Act.

In today’s deep dive, four Republican candidates have thrown their hats in the ring to challenge two-term Governor J-B Pritzker in November.

217 Today is produced by Giuliana Means. Reporting today contributed by Sam Naftzger, Mawa Iqbal, Rachel Cramer, Jess Savage, and Peter Hancock.