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Democrat Mark Wicklund and incumbent Republican Congressman Rodney Davis debate one another Thursday at the WILL-TV studios.
Mike Thomas/Illinois Public Media

News Local/State

Incumbent Davis, Challenger Wicklund Debate In Urbana

Incumbent Republican Congressman Rodney Davis of Taylorville and Democratic challenger Mark Wicklund of Decatur shared similar concerns in areas like criminal justice reform and student loan interest rates, but they also found plenty to disgree on in their first debate of the season, including the future of the Affordable Care Act, and the approval ratings of Congress during the Obama administration.

Republican State Representative Dan Brady (L) and GOP U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R) at the Marriott Hotel in Normal.
Charlie Schlenker/WGLT

News Local/State

Senator Kirk Defends Ryan’s Half Measure

U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan has been open to criticism in saying he will not defend Donald Trump, but not rescinding his endorsement following the controversy over a video tape of Trump advocating sexual assault recorded in 2005. But during a stop in Normal Thursday, U.S. Senator Mark Kirk said Ryan had done enough to distance himself from the GOP nominee.

Mark Wicklund and family at their home in Decatur
Mark Wicklund for Congress

News Local/State

Democrat Mark Wicklund Discusses 13th District Issues

Democrat Mark Wicklund is challenging incumbent Republican Rodney Davis for Illinois’ 13th Congressional District seat.  Wicklund’s lone political experience is a three-year stint on the Macon County Board that ended in 2013. The Decatur resident currently serves as the president of the board of directors for the Decatur-Macon County Opportunities Corporation, a not-for-profit agency that provides services such as meals for seniors and energy assistance.

A screen capture of LIFT, a new super-PAC, aiming to tie Gov. Bruce Rauner to Donald Trump.

News Local/State

New PAC Aims To Tie Rauner To Trump

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner and his allies are shoveling historic piles of cash into legislative races this year. A new federal super-PAC that goes by the acronym "LIFT" is seeking to counter that, by tying Rauner to Donald Trump.