Gov. J.B. Pritzker is not only the party figurehead. He’s also a billionaire, who over the past two years, has spent at least $150 million on his and other Democrats’ campaigns.
Stories by amanda vinicky
After Democrat Election Successes, Pritzker Takes Victory Lap Heading Into 2nd Term
Nov 9, 2022 | Amanda Vinicky
Illinois Democrats Show Strength in the Suburbs as General Assembly Super-Majorities Stay in Tact
Nov 9, 2022 | Amanda Vinicky
Election results ensure Democrats will hold onto their super-majorities in the Illinois General Assembly. Republican House Minority Leader Jim Durkin was quick to respond to the bad night for Illinois Republicans.
Democrat Gov. J.B. Pritzker Declares Victory Over Darren Bailey, Says He Will Bring ‘Happy Warrior’ Spirit to 2nd Term
Nov 8, 2022 | Amanda Vinicky
Just minutes after polls closed in Illinois, the Associated Press called the race for the incumbent Gov. J.B. Pritzker.
From State Offices to Control of Congress, Illinois Voters Have Plenty of Decisions to Make Election Day
Nov 7, 2022 | Amanda Vinicky
Illinois voters on Tuesday will decide races ranging from who will be the next governor and secretary of state, to whether the state will amend its constitution. We break down the races.
Cook, DuPage County Boards With Tight Races Up For Grabs Next Week
Nov 3, 2022 | Amanda Vinicky
In areas that are solidly Democratic or Republican, races were virtually decided over the summer, in the primary contest. But particularly in the suburbs, it's not always as cut and dried.
Will Evanston Become the First Illinois Community to Implement Ranked Choice Voting?
Nov 2, 2022 | Amanda Vinicky
If the question in Evanston passes next week, ranked choice voting would first be used in the city in the spring of 2025.
Despite Federal Indictment, Michael Madigan Still Bringing in Campaign Cash as Ward Committeeman
Oct 31, 2022 | Amanda Vinicky
Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is under federal indictment on corruption charges and no longer holds a reputation as the state’s most powerful politician. Despite all that, he is still a successful fundraiser.
50 Years After Title IX, Transgender Athletes Advocate for Protections in High School and College Sports
Oct 27, 2022 | Amanda Vinicky
“Title Nine at 50: Past, Present, Future” is a three-day event at Northwestern University’s Evanston campus running Thursday, Friday and Saturday. It's free and open to the public and this story will be screened on Friday as part of the symposium.
WTTW News Explains: What Happens to Your Ballot After You Vote?
Oct 24, 2022 | Amanda Vinicky
You’ve done your research. Made your choices. Cast your ballot. What happens next? WTTW News explains the ballot counting and storing procedure used in Chicago.
Balance of Power Could Shift on the Illinois Supreme Court. Here Are the Candidates Running in November
Oct 12, 2022 | Amanda Vinicky
With terms that last 10 years, having two competitive Illinois Supreme Court contests in a single election cycle – as is the case in the suburbs outside of Cook County this November – is rare and the results potentially significant.
Illinois Supreme Court Races Could Determine Who Controls State's Highest Court
Oct 11, 2022 | Amanda Vinicky
“These races often fly under the radar but these are the two most important races on our ballot in November,” said lawyer Trisha Rich, who is on the board of the abortion rights group Personal PAC. “And even though that might sound like an overstatement, it’s not.”
National Trend of Candidates Limiting or Skipping Debates Reflected in Some Illinois Races
Oct 6, 2022 | Amanda Vinicky
Early voting begins in Chicago on Friday, but voters will have fewer opportunities to be informed about the positions of those on the ballot because there are fewer debates. It’s a national trend, though one that’s difficult to measure.
A Focus of Political Campaigns, Illinois’ SAFE-T Act Likely to See Tweaks This Year
Oct 4, 2022 | Amanda Vinicky
The law, known as the SAFE-T Act, will eliminate cash bail come January. But it’s likely the law will see an overhaul of its own — or at least, tweaks — before then.
The Illinois Marijuana Industry Was Supposed to Bring Equity. Advocates Say Those Promises Are Falling Short
Sep 28, 2022 | Amanda Vinicky
Illinois was supposed to be the national model when government leaders pledged they’d use the 2020 legalization of marijuana to right the wrongs of the war on drugs that disproportionately harmed Black and Latino communities. Nearly three years later, those poised to benefit say they’re still stymied.
A Workers’ Rights Amendment Will Be on the Illinois Ballot. Here’s What It Does
Sep 26, 2022 | Amanda Vinicky
Among the choices voters will have to make on Nov. 8 is whether to add a new amendment to the Illinois constitution that would give workers the “fundamental right to organize and to bargain collectively” while at the same time forbidding any law that interferes with that ability.
State’s Attorneys Representing 3 Illinois Counties File Lawsuits Against SAFE-T Act
Sep 21, 2022 | Amanda Vinicky
In January, Illinois will eliminate cash bail — money paid to release someone from jail, as a guarantee that they will return for trial. But the change won’t go into effect if a trio of state’s attorneys have their way as they seek to have the law, dubbed by drafters as the SAFE-T Act, declared null and void.
Local Election Officials in Dire Need of Volunteers for November Midterms
Sep 20, 2022 | Amanda Vinicky
“We have a serious shortage of judges and poll workers,” Cook County Clerk Yarbrough said. “The clerk’s office manages elections in suburban Cook County and we’ve seen our number of election judges shrink significantly in recent years. Over the last eight years, we’ve seen a reduction of about 40%.”
Hurricane Devastation Highlights Past Wrongs in Puerto Rico, Say Area Residents
Sep 19, 2022 | Amanda Vinicky
As Puerto Rico is battling the devastation caused by Hurricane Fiona, Chicago-area residents of Puerto Rican descent say the storm calls attention to past wrongs and opportunities for change.
Some Area Commuter Trains Already Canceling Service as National Rail Strike Looms
Sep 14, 2022 | Amanda Vinicky
The countdown is on for railroad companies and unions to reach a deal. If one isn’t reached by late Thursday night, workers could strike. That would have a big impact, most immediately for commuters.
State Tax Rebates Coming to Illinois Residents — Just In Time For Election Season
Sep 12, 2022 | Amanda Vinicky
A major part of a $1.2 billion multi-pronged state tax relief program will be disbursed to 6 million Illinois households starting Monday through the next six to eight weeks. The amount you’ll get back depends on factors such as income, family size and home value.
Darren Bailey Stoking Support in Governor's Race During Republican Day at the Illinois State Fair
Aug 19, 2022 | Amanda Vinicky
In Illinois, where Democrats hold both of the state’s U.S. Senate seats, all statewide executive offices and super-majorities in both chambers of the state legislature, GOP nominee for governor, state Senator and farmer Darren Bailey is hoping to ride in on a tractor.
State Party Leaders Rally the Base at Illinois State Fair on Democrat Day
Aug 18, 2022 | Amanda Vinicky
Democrats hold all of Illinois’ statewide offices and super-majorities in the legislature, and they’re looking to not only keep it that way come November, but to also tighten their stronghold, including by tipping suburban contests, like the DuPage and Kane County boards.
With 8 Declared Candidates, Chicago’s Mayoral Race Heats Up
Aug 10, 2022 | Amanda Vinicky
Chicago residents aren’t used to having a lot of options when an incumbent mayor is running for re-election, but so far eight candidates have declared they’re running.
Senate Approves Bill to Aid Veterans Exposed to Burn Pits, a Move Advocates Say Was Long Overdue
Aug 3, 2022 | Amanda Vinicky
The Honoring Our PACT Act will make it so veterans who served in certain areas over a period from the ‘90s on, and who have conditions like certain cancers, will get the presumption it’s related to their service and burn pit exposure.
Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx Faces Mounting Criticism Over Prosecutor Resignations
Aug 2, 2022 | Amanda Vinicky
Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx’s office is seeing a degree of turnover that’s raising alarms among the criminal justice community. One recent high-profile departure has only added to the outcry.
Weekslong Quarry Workers Strike That's Stalled Road Projects May End This Weekend
Jul 22, 2022 | Amanda Vinicky
A 45-day strike that’s put a strain on road projects throughout northern Illinois could come to an end this weekend when members of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150 union vote on an offer from their employers, collectively known as the Chicago Area Aggregate Producers Association (CAAPA).