Illinois Quick Hits: Benton pulls name from ballot after resignation

Illinois Quick Hits: Benton pulls name from ballot after resignation

Spread the love

(The Center Square) – Former state Rep. Harry Benton, D-Plainfield, who resigned from his seat in the Illinois House of Representatives at the start of this month following investigations into alleged misconduct while he was in office, has followed through on his promise to withdraw his name from November ballots.

The Will and Kendall County Democrats shared an open call for residents of the 97th district to apply to replace Benton, both for the remainder of his term and separately on the Democrat line of the ballot. The application closed Monday, but a candidate could be appointed by the chairs anytime before August 21, the day ballots are finalized.

Sean Reed contributed to this story

PRITZKER SIGNS SERVICE MEMBER, VETERANS-RELATED BILLS

Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed legislation related to military service members and veterans.

Senate Bill 3737 requires universities to promptly readmit students after academic military leave.

Senate Bill 3818 incentivizes Illinois National Guard recruitment by providing financial compensation for successful referrals.

Senate Bill 3926 moves the Breakthrough Therapies for Veteran Suicide Prevention Program Advisory Council under the Department of Public Health.

All three measures take effect Jan.

IL DEPT. OF LABOR RELEASES PREVAILING WAGE RATES

The Illinois Department of Labor has published the 2026 prevailing wage rates for construction trades in each county across the state.

The rates took effect on Wednesday, following IDOL’s annual statewide survey pursuant to the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act.

The law requires workers on publicly funded construction and infrastructure projects to be paid wages that reflect local standards.

The rates can be found the the Illinois Department of Labor’s Prevailing Wage Act Rates webpage.

FINANCIAL CONDITIONS INDEX DECREASES

The Chicago Fed’s National Financial Conditions Index decreased to –0.54 in the week ending July 10, suggesting looser financial conditions where credit is considered to be easier and cheaper for businesses and consumers.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

MH VB

Manhattan Village Board Donates Surplus Truck to Local Animal Rescue Ranch

Article Summary: The Manhattan Village Board has officially declared a 2007 Ford F-150 pickup truck as surplus property, unanimously voting to donate the vehicle to the Triple H Ranch, a...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Executive Committee for August 14, 2025

The Will County Board Executive Committee received a comprehensive update on the county's expenditure of $134 million in federal ARPA pandemic relief funds, learning that 61% of the total has...
Public education budgets balloon while enrollment, proficiency, standards drop

Public education budgets balloon while enrollment, proficiency, standards drop

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In return for soaring state spending on education, Illinois taxpayers are getting chronic absenteeism, poor academic proficiency...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Manhattan Township for July 8, 2025

Manhattan Township Meeting | July 2025 Discussions about a massive 5,000-acre solar farm proposed by EarthRise Energy dominated the Manhattan Township meeting on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. Supervisor Jim Walsh...
manhattan park district graphic.2

Manhattan Park Board Hires Architect for Round Barn Interior Buildout

Manhattan Park Board Meeting | July 2025 Article Summary: The Manhattan Park Board has approved a resolution to hire Jon Steven Ditter Architect PLLC to design a partial interior buildout of...
Screenshot-2025-08-19-at-7.14.24-PM

Frankfort Approves Over $19 Million in Surplus Fund Transfers for Future Projects

Article Summary: The Frankfort Village Board has approved the transfer of more than $19 million in surplus operating revenues to its capital funds to finance future infrastructure projects, equipment purchases,...
frankfort-village-hall-graphic-logo.7

Frankfort Advances Plans for New Multi-Use Paths to Boost Pedestrian Safety

Article SummaryThe Frankfort Village Board has approved a $77,500 agreement with Robinson Engineering, Ltd. to design two new multi-use paths aimed at improving safety and connectivity in Main Park and...
frankfort-village-hall-graphic-logo.1

Frankfort Police Department to Purchase New Portable Radios for $31,000

Article SummaryThe Frankfort Village Board has approved the purchase of 14 new Kenwood portable radios for the police department at a cost not to exceed $31,000. The new equipment will...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Village of Frankfort Board for August 18, 2025

The Village of Frankfort Board leveraged a significant budget surplus at its August 18 meeting, approving the transfer of over $19 million into capital funds designated for future infrastructure, equipment,...
Plan launched to place redistricting amendment before voters in 2026

Plan launched to place redistricting amendment before voters in 2026

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Two former U.S. Cabinet members have launched a new effort to stop Illinois politicians from drawing their...
30 charged in TdA drug trafficking, murder-for-hire and firearms offenses

30 charged in TdA drug trafficking, murder-for-hire and firearms offenses

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square As part of the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to pursue violent criminal foreign nationals, two federal indictments were made public charging 30 people, including several...
White House touts D.C. crackdown; no timeline on National Guard deployment

White House touts D.C. crackdown; no timeline on National Guard deployment

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square More than a week after President Donald Trump declared “Liberation Day” in Washington, D.C., his administration is touting the operation as a success as more...
Trump signs bill studying cancer among military pilots

Trump signs bill studying cancer among military pilots

By Zachery SchmidtThe Center Square President Donald Trump has signed into law the Aviator Cancer Examination Study Act, which seeks to address cancer rates among former and current military aircrew...
Illinois GOP U.S. Senate candidates point to economy, Trump gains

Illinois GOP U.S. Senate candidates point to economy, Trump gains

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Economic issues are front and center for Republican U.S. Senate candidates in Illinois. Former Illinois GOP Chairman...
DOJ promises release of some Epstein records this week

DOJ promises release of some Epstein records this week

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Justice will comply with a subpoena for records related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein as part of a congressional investigation,...