News, interviews, candidate debate coverage, and election resources for informed voters from WILL and other public media.
Across the Midwest, health care has emerged as one of the year’s biggest campaign flash points—in races from U.S. Senate to state attorney general. In Illinois, Missouri, Ohio and Indiana, speeches, debates and ads highlighting partisan disputes over major health care issues. Among them: the Affordable Care Act, a single-payer health system and decriminalization of drug use.
In an especially contentious election year, there are a couple alternatives to the major party candidates in the race for Illinois governor. But, even some backers of third parties say they aren’t great options either, though that’s not where they want the story to end.
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On The 21st: Gun control has been a hotly contested issue in 2018, and candidates in Illinois disagree on whether the solution is to make it easier or harder to buy a firearm. Plus, there’s a lawsuit dealing with digital copyright that could change how textbooks get used in university classrooms. But first, the comptroller is in charge of paying the state’s bills on time—a tall order given Illinois’ fiscal situation. We’ll hear from the three women are running for this position.
Illinois's 15th Congressional district stretches from the southern tip of Illinois to parts of the Metro East Area of St. Louis all the way to Danville. Republican John Shimkus is running for his 12th term in Congress. He was unopposed in the 2016 general election but this year faces a challenge from Democrat Kevin Gaither of Charleston.
On the 21st: Today, we continued our election series outlining where candidates stand on growing Illinois’s economy – and fixing our economic problems. Plus, our series of candidate interviews by speaking with the three men vying for the office of Illinois' Treasurer. But first, we learn more about a program that helps old farmers connect with, mentor, and even pass their land on to young farmers.
On The 21st: We speak with Republican State Senator Sam McCann who is running for governor as a third-party candidate. Plus, immigration is a divisive issue across the country, including here in Illinois. We break down where Illinois candidates stand on immigration and, what these state and local officers can actually do about it. And, we’ll hear from the Democratic and Republican nominees for Attorney General. Also, we get the early voting numbers from the Illinois State Board of Elections.
Republican U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis and Democratic challenger Betsy Dirksen Londrigan debated Monday for the last time before Election Day, accusing one another of lying about who’s funding their campaigns, whether pre-existing conditions will be covered, and who really benefits from the tax cuts. They even disagreed over the accuracy of media fact-checkers.
The upcoming general election will decide whether Republican Bruce Rauner gets another term as Illinois governor or if the voters will choose to go with Democrat J.B. Pritzker.
Republican U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis and Democratic challenger Betsy Dirksen Londrigan both want to know where each others’ loyalties lie—to their campaign donors or the residents of the 13th Congressional District?
Two former county auditors, John Farney and Laurel Prussing, are competing on the November ballot for the post of Champaign County Treasurer.
