John Farney announces he wants to be the next Champiagn County Treasurer.

Count Democrat Chris Kennedy as an opponent of the proposed agreement to fund K-12 schools in Illinois, and a proponent of a $15 per hour minimum wage in the state.

Erik Jones, a former Illinois assistant attorney general, is the latest Democrat to announce his bid for Republican Rodney Davis’ seat in Congress.

Democratic state Rep. Scott Drury, from the Chicago suburb of Highwood, is entering the race for Illinois governor. Drury is the only Democrat in a generation who did not vote in favor of Michael Madigan to be speaker of the House. He says that proves an independence the other candidates lack.

Officials with the Illinois State Board of Elections say the nearly two-year budget stalemate could interfere with preparations for next year’s election. The warning came at a legislative budget hearing Sunday afternoon.