Illinois Public Media News

In one respect, this is a typical midterm election — a race shaped as a referendum on the president and the party in power. But there are so many ways in which this election is anything but typical. We've seen a surge in first-time candidates, especially women and minorities. In the past several midterms, the party in power was relatively complacent compared with the party hoping to be in power. Heading into Election Day, Democrats have an enthusiasm edge, but Republicans have been getting steadily amped up, too.

The hot seat Illinois coach Lovie Smith has found himself on lately cooled down a bit on Saturday as Illinois beat Minnesota 55-31 in a football game that saw some impressive and long scoring runs.

The new-look Illini men beat Illinois Wesleyan 83-67 Friday night at the State Farm Center in Champaign, in the pre-season's only exhibition basketball game

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois joined Democratic congressional candidate Betsy Dirksen Londrigan for a visit to the University of Illinois campus on Friday. Speaking to students on the Quad outside of the Illini Union, Durbin and Londrigan emphasized the importance of voting in the upcoming midterm election on Nov. 6. 

The Illinois Flash Index remains steady this month at 105.2. Any number over 100 indicates economic growth for the state, while any number under 100 shows economic contraction.