The donors behind the dollars in governor races: Will war chests matter?

Conventional wisdom and polls forecast Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner will outmaneuver scrappy challenger Rep. Jeanne Ives, and in the Democratic camp billionaire businessman J.B. Pritzker is touted as the front-runner over Sen. Daniel Biss and developer Chris Kennedy. But after President Donald Trump upset expectations in 2016, all bets should be off in Tuesday's election, especially with potential low turnout and undecided voters creating flux, suburban experts said.

Northern Illinois Tea Party to meet

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Sanctuary policies aren’t that popular with Americans

While Illinoisans defensive about the bill Governor Rauner signed into law requiring federal immigration authorities to obtain a warrant before taking into custody a person in America illegally and accused of criminal activity, others call it as they see it - "Illinois is a sanctuary state." It's become a key issue in the Illinois Republican Party gubernatorial primary as Rauner challenger Jeanne Ives uses the issue to pull voters away from the incumbent.

Rauner doesn’t say whether he’ll sign bill to license gun stores

State Rep. Ann M. Williams gives a thumbs-up to the gallery while Rep. Cynthia Soto applauds after the House voted to pass legislation to license gun dealers during a session Feb. 28, 2018, in Springfield. State Rep. Ann M. Williams gives a thumbs-up to the gallery while Rep. Cynthia Soto applauds after the House voted to pass legislation to license gun dealers during a session Feb. 28, 2018, in Springfield.

Big question in Democratic Illinois gubernatorial race: Can anyone stop Pritzker?

Illinois Democratic gubernatorial candidates Robert Marshall Tio Hardiman, Chris Kennedy, J.B. Pritzker, Bob Daiber and Sen. Daniel Biss participate in a debate Friday in Chicago. The nominee will face either Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner or his conservative challenger, state Rep. Jeanne Ives, in November.

A look at the Republicans running for Illinois governor

In this Jan. 2018 file photo Jeanne Ives, Illinois Republican Gubernatorial primary candidate speaks to the Chicago Sun-Times editorial board in Chicago. Gov. Bruce Rauner is trying to win a second term after becoming Illinois' first Republican governor in a decade with promises to shake up Springfield and pass a business-friendly agenda.

Democrats trade familiar jabs in Illinois governor debate

Choose your news! Select the text alerts you want to receive: breaking news, prep sports scores, school closings, weather, and more. Democratic gubernatorial candidates Robert Marshall, Tio Hardiman, Chris Kennedy, J.B. Pritzker, Bob Daiber, and Illinois Sen. Daniel Biss, left to right, participate in a debate Friday, March 2, 2018, in Chicago.

Pelosi, HRC on opposite sides over re-election of anti-LGBT Democrat

A coalition is seeking to unseat anti-LGBT Democrat Rep. Dan Lipinski , but he has support from House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi . The nation's largest LGBT advocacy group is spearheading a $1.3 million effort to unseat from Congress a nearly extinct animal - an anti-LGBT Democrat - in an upcoming primary, but that effort runs contrary to the position of House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi .

Ex-FBI official hoping to blaze a path to Congress as ‘cannabis candidate’

A former FBI employee is running for Congress as the "Cannabis Candidate," with a campaign ad featuring him smoking marijuana in front of an image of the American flag. Benjamin Thomas Wolf is one of three challengers to incumbent Rep. Mike Quigley in the Democratic primary for Illinois' 5th Congressional District, which includes parts of Chicago.

Illinois Democrats set up House floor showdown on gun curbs

Illinois House Democrats unleashed a bevy of proposed restrictions on firearms Tuesday, an urgent response to the Florida high school shooting as well as the fatal shooting of a Chicago police officer a day earlier. The Judiciary-Criminal Committee approved five gun-control measures including barring anyone younger than 21 from buying an assault-style weapon, prohibiting the purchase of large-capacity ammunition feeders and outlawing civilian use of body armor.

Democrats set up for gun control votes Wednesday as CPD top cop Johnson pushes for changes

Chicago police Superintendent Eddie Johnson, left, shakes hands with Rep. Daniel Burke, D-Chicago, on Feb. 27, 2018, after new gun legislation passed a committee in Springfield. Chicago police Superintendent Eddie Johnson, left, shakes hands with Rep. Daniel Burke, D-Chicago, on Feb. 27, 2018, after new gun legislation passed a committee in Springfield.

Gorsuch silent as divided Supreme Court spars over unions

With the justice holding the decisive vote silent, a divided Supreme Court sparred Monday over a case that could undermine the financial footing of labor unions that represent government workers. The justices heard arguments in a challenge to an Illinois law that allows unions representing government employees to collect fees from workers who choose not to join.

Justice Gorsuch silent as divided Supreme Court spars over unions

With the justice holding the decisive vote silent, a divided Supreme Court sparred Monday over a case that could undermine the financial footing of labor unions that represent government workers. The justices heard arguments in a challenge to an Illinois law that allows unions representing government employees to collect fees from workers who choose not to join.

Supreme Court to hear case on unions, non-member financial requirements

The Supreme Court will wade into a clash between organized labor and conservative groups Monday in a case that could overturn decades-old precedent and deal a potentially crippling blow to public sector unions. The case is one of the most contentious in a pivotal term, and protesters from both sides are expected to flood the Court Monday morning.