Illinois 2026 Midterm Election statewide results
The polls are now closed. IPM News and NPR are tracking results for key races in Illinois including governor, U.S. Senate, and several congressional districts.
Will Champaign and Mahomet be able to build new middle schools? Here’s what the preliminary results say
Preliminary results show voter support for bonds for new middle schools in Champaign and Mahomet.
U.S. Rep. LaHood beats Democratic challenger Paul Nolley in Illinois’ 16th District
U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood won re-election for a seventh term in Washington, fending off a challenge from a political newcomer who benefitted from Republican unrest but could not overcome a political map that heavily favors the incumbent.
Democrat Juliana Stratton takes reins from Dick Durbin in decisive U.S. Senate victory
Juliana Stratton’s fiery anti-President Trump messaging helped her deliver a resounding victory over Republican Don Tracy in the open U.S. Senate seat to replace Sen. Dick Durbin.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker beats Darren Bailey for 3rd term, leaving one question: Will he run for president?
For the second time in four years, it was a quick election night in the Illinois governor race, which the Associated Press called for Pritzker within a few minutes.
Department of Justice staff monitoring some polling places in Champaign County
Champaign County Clerk and Recorder Aaron Ammons confirmed to IPM News that DOJ staff are on site at several polling places in Champaign County, including the Bennett Administrative Center in Urbana.
A Farm Bill needs rural and urban support. That bipartisan coalition is on shaky footing
Food and farm programs historically persist through the farm bill. Packaging multiple cross-party issues into one bill ensures rural and urban legislators come together to pass it. But that coalition has been fracturing over past farm bill cycles, creating uncertainty on the farm and in grocery stores.
19-year-old killed in Halloween mass shooting near IWU is identified, as police continue to search for who and why
McLean County Coroner Kathy Yoder identified 19-year-old Giana Dettloff, a college student from Carol Stream, as the person shot and killed in the incident.
Free school lunch is no longer on the menu for many kids. It’s one of many strains on cafeterias
Schools in the U.S. serve almost 30 million lunches every day. But rising food costs, regulations and cuts to food assistance mean school kitchens have to do more with less.
Illinois opens up season with win, breezing by FDU
As fans stood cheering for the former Final Four team, the Illini started off on a 19-point scoring run.
Will fourth time be the charm for Mahomet-Seymour school district bond referendum to pass?
Mahomet-Seymour is asking voters to approve bonds for a new junior high. This time the referendum would not raise taxes.
Congresswoman Lauren Underwood hammers down on economic struggles and skyrocketing cost of living on 21st Show
As Congresswoman Lauren Underwood seek another term representing Illinois’ 14th district, she emphasized the rising costs of gas, food, and healthcare among other necessities and weighed in on the economic repercussions of the Iran War and President Trump’s tariffs.
Whitfield Harrington Jr. seeks to bring Illinoisans back to the center as third party candidate for U.S. Senate
Whitfield Harrington Jr., a third party candidate running for the U.S. Senate, discusses foreign and domestic policy as well as finding the middle ground in American politics on the 21st Show.
Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton on Iran war, ICE accountability, and Supreme Court reform
Making a return to The 21st Show, Juliana Stratton discussed the war in Iran and reforms to immigration enforcement, adding she would be a ‘no’ vote on any of President Trump’s U.S. Supreme Court nominees.
GOP U.S. Senate candidate Don Tracy talks abortion, ICE shootings, and Iran war on 21st Show
Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, Don Tracy joins the 21st Show again ahead of the general election in November.
Illinois struggles but beats Maryland 20-17 on a 26-yard field goal by Ethan Moczulski
The Illini have struggled to put away struggling teams like Michigan State and Maryland, but Illinois now has three straight wins and its QB is back.
U of I students rally for survivors, call for stronger sexual violence policy
The rally brought together students calling for both immediate support for survivors and long-term changes to how the university responds to sexual misconduct.
Se presentaron ante la Junta de Educación de Urbana las ideas para la parada de autobús tan esperada en Ivanhoe Estates
Mientras que la mayoría de los alumnos del Distrito 116 de Urbana acuden a un colegio cercano a su barrio, los alumnos de Yankee Ridge tienen que coger el autobús desde el otro extremo de la ciudad.
Ideas for long-awaited bus stop in Ivanhoe Estates unveiled to Urbana Board of Education
The goal is to start construction in the spring.
Meeting survivors where they are: U of I offices explain options following sexual assault
The campus Title IX office and the U of I’s Women’s Resources Center help students understand their options for finding support, staying safe and choosing whether to report an incident of sexual misconduct.
What’s it like running as an independent candidate for governor in Illinois? Podcaster Collin Corbett weighs in.
Independent candidate for Illinois governor Collin Corbett joined the 21st Show last week to discuss the origins of his political beliefs and the choice to move away from the traditional two-party system.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey on SAFE-T Act, budget, and Illinois schools
Republican candidate for Illinois governor, Darren Bailey discussed why he decided on a second run for governor last week on the 21st Show.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker makes his case for a third term on The 21st Show
Governor JB Pritzker discussed issues with certain prisons in Illinois, public distrust of billionaires, and what he hopes to accomplish if given the opportunity to serve as governor for another term on the 21st Show.
Plans for a downtown square in Savoy move ahead with new developer
The village announced in a news release this week it has selected Main Street Development Partners to redevelop a nearly three-acre site at the corner of Dunlap Avenue and Church Street.
Decatur undertaking study of water sources with an eye on economic development
Decatur’s main source of water is Lake Decatur, but residents rely on the Mahomet Aquifer during droughts.
Champaign County Clerk candidates disagree on Trump’s SAVE Act, decline to discuss federal charges
Champaign County’s incumbent clerk, Democrat Aaron Ammons, faces a challenge from Republican Alan Anderson. During a candidate forum hosted by IPM, the two discussed election administration and local challenges. They declined to comment on allegations against Ammons in a federal indictment.
Conservationists sound the alarm on Trump’s Endangered Species Act changes
The Trump administration is narrowing longstanding interpretations of what it means to harm plants and animals protected under the Endangered Species Act. Conservation experts say the change will pose greater challenges for already-vulnerable populations, and several groups have sued the administration.
500 days and counting: What’s next for contract negotiations at the Urbana Free Library?
Contract negotiations between the union representing library workers and the Urbana Free Library Board have stalled over disagreements about wage increases. The meeting with a neutral mediator, scheduled for Oct. 29, aims to move things forward.
WILL CALL: What’s Happening in Central Illinois October 29-November 1
Halloween events, musical performances and a celebration for cat lovers are all happening this weekend in Central Illinois.
Champaign Unit 4 board approves 3-year contract for support staff
The board unanimously approved a contract for support staff that includes raises totaling about 5% to 9%, but some union members say that’s not enough for the lowest-paid workers.
Danville display of global signposts set for a major makeover
The project is made possible through a $12,000 grant funded by the Illinois Arts Council.
Sheriff Dustin Heuerman and Gregory Worrell discuss immigration enforcement, Flock cameras in candidate interviews
Democratic incumbent Champaign County Sheriff Dustin Heuerman and Republican Gregory Worrell, participated in candidate interviews at Illinois Public Media’s studios.
America @ 250: Ani Apresyan has a question for America’s young people, and another for the older generation
Ani Apresyan is an Economics and Political Science major at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She’s currently Student Board President, Democracy Fellow and Student Engagement intern at the University YMCA.
This Illinois law was supposed to help families. It’s failing them instead.
In 2024, Gov. JB Pritzker signed the Birth Equity Initiative to help prevent more women from dying, especially women of color. One key part of the law is broadening access to doulas.
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign hosts first of its kind summit on a perennial grass
Miscanthus is a perennial grass plant that can be used for energy and building materials. Researchers hope it will be widely adapted by farmers and the bioenergy and bioproduct sectors.
This U of I environmental scientist hopes his research will help promote sustainable farming practices
Kaiyu Guan uses satellite sensing data, mathematical modeling and artificial intelligence to measure plant growth. He’s one of 20 MacArthur Fellows who will receive $800,000 over the next five years to help fund their research.
Aidan Laughery, Collin Dixon score TDs as Illinois beats Oregon 21-10
Aidan Laughery had 123 yards rushing and a touchdown and Collin Dixon made a diving catch for a 23-yard score late in the fourth quarter as Illinois defeated Oregon 21-10.
Champaign County Board passes ban on NDAs regarding county business
The Champaign County Board passed an ordinance banning board members and county employees from signing non-disclosure agreements. The Board also passed a resolution banning property tax breaks for data center developers.
Some in central Illinois worry Medicaid cuts will reduce living options for seniors
States may spend less on home care as a result of upcoming federal cuts.
Aging farmers and the government want to save farms, but for many the cost is too high
A federal program promises to pay for farmland preservation. Few landowners are taking advantage.
Data centers will cost ComEd $3 billion but consumer groups worry Illinois households will be on the hook
The projected costs were revealed in expert testimony filed with the Illinois Commerce Commission, and it also showed the utility has only collected about $721 million in deposits from data center developers.
American hay growers face triple whammy of drought, pests and high fuel costs
Farmers are cutting less hay this year due to persistent drought, the soaring price of fuel and a new pest. That’s driving up the cost for livestock producers, who often rely on hay to feed their animals during the winter.
America @ 250: Brian Cudiamat asks if anyone knows how to govern
Brian Cudiamat, a Filipino American, grew up in the Chicago suburbs. He came to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign for school in 1996 and never left.
Businessman Larry Gies to become U of I’s largest donor after pledging $100 million towards business college
The new pledge is in addition to Gies’ $150 million donation to the business school in 2017 and a $100 million donation to the athletics department in 2025.
University of Illinois Senate plans to review Flock automated license plate reader contract
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has 20 automated license plate readers through Flock Safety. The University Senate resolved Monday to give the public more information about the contracts.
Stratton, Tracy clash over Trump, affordability in lone U.S. Senate forum
Stratton stuck to the unapologetically progressive message that helped her win the Democratic nomination against more moderate primary opponents earlier this year. Tracy, on the other hand, labeled Stratton as a tax-and-spend liberal and accused her of being a Democratic socialist “even though she won’t admit it.”
WILL CALL: What’s Happening in Central Illinois October 22-25
Live music, an immersive art show, and an early Christmas open house are all happening in Central Illinois this weekend.
Cunningham and Champaign Township voters will weigh in on repeal of Illinois’ anti-BDS laws
The advisory question on the midterm ballots asks whether Illinois should repeal its law that prohibits the state pension fund from investing in companies that boycott Israel.
Urbana City Council appoints former park district board commissioner to represent Ward 6
The Urbana City Council appointed a successor for former Ward 6 Council Member Grace Wilken. The group also eliminated the mayor’s ability to vote in a certain committee meeting.
At the U of I’s Asian American Cultural Center, a traditional Indian art form gets its first showcase
Kuhu Shukla’s exhibition, “Not Mine Only Held,” uses Warli’s geometric patterns to explore emotion, belonging and culture. It’s on view at the Asian American Cultural Center through Dec. 11.
Documents show state’s disaster request met FEMA’s threshold
A spokesperson for FEMA did not explain why Illinois’ request was denied and did not say if the agency conducted additional in-person damage assessments.
Hunting and foraging classes gain popularity, as more people want to connect with nature
People have harvested wild foods for millennia, but learning how to do it today is harder, because fewer people have those skills. These groups are teaching people to eat “field to fork” again.
PHOTOS: 2026 LGBTQ pride celebration in Urbana
Sixteenth annual event includes parade and booths featuring 150 community organizations along Race and Main Streets.
Republican Congressman Mike Bost on Medicaid, Iran war, and why he won’t debate his opponent
As he runs for another term serving Illinois’ 12th district, Congressman Mike Bost discusses the Iran war and other foreign policy issues as well as Medicaid on The 21st Show.
C-U Reparations Coalition receives $1M to help repair harms caused by slavery, systemic racism
A significant portion of the money will be used as an endowment to help fund future reparations work. The coalition will meet with community members and leaders to determine where people want the money to go.
‘Slap in the face’: Decatur Public Schools custodians say they were offered lower raises than other employees
Decatur Public Schools offered custodians a raise of 60 cents an hour, according to the union representing the custodians, SEIU Local 73.
Data center development is paused in Champaign County. That’s not curbing interest from developers though
Data Center developers are looking for land to build the often-sprawling buildings that hold servers and require large amounts of electricity and water. That’s happening while the county has a one-year moratorium on new data center development.
Illinois erases $1.4 billion in medical debt for thousands of residents
On average, residents had about $1,200 in debt eliminated, though one person had as much as $900,000 in medical debt erased, according to the state.
C-U Public Health: The switch to generic naloxone will increase access to the lifesaving medication
Naloxone reverses opioid overdoses and is supplied to communities across Illinois thanks to federal funding. Health officials say the switch to a generic form will save money and increase the supply of the lifesaving medication across the state.
Storms expected today, chillier temperatures coming this weekend
A few strong to severe storms are expected today.