Bustos will decide in a month

U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos, D-Ill., said Tuesday that she has given herself 30 days to decide whether to run for governor and that she’ll weigh such factors as whether a downstate figure “with my brand of politics” can appeal to a statewide audience – and if she has the skills to make a difference in the infamously deadlocked state. [] “As I weigh this, it is a matter of where can I make the biggest difference and how can I be in a position to help our state and region as much as possible,” she said.

Navy SEAL killed in al-Qaida raid remembered as hero

A decorated U.S. Navy SEAL from Illinois who was killed during a raid against al-Qaida in Yemen is being remembered as a hero by elected officials and those who knew him as a high school student. A friend from Illinois Valley Central High School, Cody Jackson, said Chief Special Warfare Operator William “Ryan” Owens was doing exactly what he wanted with his life when the 36-year-old Peoria man was killed in a firefight in a raid that left 30 others dead, including an estimated 14 militants.

With eye on 2018, Illinois governor says ‘Don’t blame me’

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner’s strategy for fending off potential Democratic challengers includes stressing the bright spots while blaming others for the things going horribly wrong FILE – In this Jan. 25, 2017 file photo, Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner delivers his State of the State address in the Illinois House chamber in Springfield, Ill. With crises mounting around him and potential Democratic rivals circling, Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner’s strategy for keeping his job in 2018 appears to involve stressing the bright spots and blaming others for the things going horribly wrong.