(SPRINGFIELD) While Governor J.B. Pritzker officially began his bid for a third term last week, there were three other men that already had announced campaigns for the state’s top job. That list includes Republican DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrink who made his plans known in February, Lake Forest businessman and former 10th Congressional District candidate Joe Severino who joined the GOP field in April, and mechanic and member of the Posen Park District Commission, Phil Perez. It’s believed that the field of candidates will continue to grow in the weeks and months ahead on both sides of the ballot.
(SPRINGFIELD) The Illinois House Republican floor leader has announced that he will seek reelection in 2026. State Representative Patrick Windhorst of Metropolis has served in the State House since 2019. It was earlier last week that Franklin County Treasurer Steve Vercellino announced plans to challenge Windhorst in the GOP primary next spring.
(SPRINGFIELD) More applications for professional licenses in Illinois can now be done online. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation reports that 18 more professions can now apply through the agency’s online licensing system, bringing the total to 46. Among those added last week were fingerprint vendors, marriage and family therapists, veterinary technicians, nursing home administrators, and firearm instructors.
(SPRINGFIELD) A new report estimates that the average Illinois mortgage payment has jumped 64.7% in the last three years. According to the Construction Coverage Group, prospective homebuyers today face an estimated mortgage payment of nearly $1,400 per month, compared $850, considerably less, in 2022. Illinois has experienced the 14th-largest estimated mortgage payment increase over the last three year period.