Illinois
Illinois voters assert Biden ‘ineligible’ to run for office, move to strike him from ballot
The candidacy of President Joe Biden is being challenged in Illinois, joining a mix of presidential candidates that some voters are trying to remove from the primary ballot.
The deadline to file objections with the Illinois State Board of Elections was on Friday when Biden and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley received objections. Former President Donald Trump’s candidacy was also challenged earlier this month.
A total of three objections were filed last week against Biden, the Democratic frontrunner. Among them, Shane Bouvet, Timothy Conrad, former U.S. Senate candidate Peggy Hubbard, and Terry Newsome maintain Biden is ineligible to hold public office for supporting foreign enemies.
“Our objection is to reinforce that We The People will not tolerate betrayal,” said Bouvet, a Stonington resident.
This objection to Biden and the mounting nationwide challenges to Trump center around Section 3 of the 14th Amendment in the U.S. Constitution but on different provisions of the law. The amendment, a post-Civil War remnant, has never been applied to keep presidential candidates off the ballot until this year.
More: Does the objection to Trump on the Illinois primary ballot have a chance? What we know
In Trump’s Illinois case, objectors say the Republican inspired the U.S. Capitol insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021 and should be barred from running in 2024. He has been removed from the ballot in Colorado and Maine on those same grounds but received favorable rulings in California, Michigan, Minnesota, and Oregon. The U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in an appeal of the Colorado decision on Feb. 8.
Objectors in Biden’s case assert he has “given aid or comfort to the enemies” during his time as a U.S. senator, vice president, and president. In their 177-page filing shared with The State Journal-Register, the objectors define China, Iran, Sinaloa Cartel and MS-13 as foreign enemies and detail in-part how Biden has assisted them.
“Biden has given aid and comfort to enemies of the Constitution and the United States by, among other things, failing to enforce the laws of the United States, allowing entry of enemy agents illegally into the country including tens of thousands of military age men, and abandoning assets of the United States to the possession of our enemies,” the objectors wrote in their filing.
The major difference in these cases, Conrad of Will County said, comes down to the oaths that Biden took as a senator and vice president compared to the one Trump took as president. The presidential oath of office requires the president to “preserve, protect, and defend” the Constitution, whereas other federal officials take an oath to “support” the Constitution.
The matter is now going before ISBOE’s General Counsel, a bipartisan, eight-member electoral board, who has heard several challenges to presidential candidates in recent years.
Biden now joins former Democratic presidential candidates Michael Bloomberg, Hillary Clinton and President Barack Obama in receiving objections. Obama faced three challenges to his candidacy based on false allegations about his citizenship in 2012.
Last week, the election panel ruled to keep Village of Chatham Trustee Kristen Chiaro on the ballot in the Democratic primary for Illinois House District 95 but removed state Rep. Adam Niemerg, R-Dietrich.
ISBOE will be assigning hearing officers in the objections to Biden, Haley and Trump during a Wednesday meeting before making decisions on Jan. 30.
Contact Patrick M. Keck: 312-549-9340, pkeck@gannett.com, twitter.com/@pkeckreporter.
Illinois
Illinois Court of Claims goes digital with e-filing and remote hearings
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WICS) — Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias has announced a significant modernization initiative for the Illinois Court of Claims, introducing electronic filing options and remote hearings. This transition replaces the outdated paper-based system, which often delayed case processing and complicated access for claimants. “For too long, the state’s Court of Claims has been forced to rely on outdated, paper-driven processes that made filing a claim slower and more complicated,” Giannoulias said. “By making this a fully digital process, we’re making government more accessible, more transparent and more efficient for the people it serves.”
Starting today, all filings with the Court of Claims will be submitted through a new online e-filing portal. Users can create an account, follow step-by-step instructions, and submit their claims directly through the system. Training videos will be available to assist first-time users. The digital platform allows Illinoisans to manage their claims conveniently, track updates instantly, and receive real-time notifications as their case progresses. It also eliminates the need for mailing multiple paper copies and reduces administrative processing times.
The modernization initiative aligns with broader technology upgrades across the Secretary of State’s office and the Illinois court system. Enabled by HB 1576, sponsored by State Rep. Terra Costa Howard and State Sen. Michael Halpin, the measure authorizes remote hearings and allows the public to file claims, submit evidence, and pay fees online. The Illinois Court of Claims serves as the venue for individuals seeking financial compensation from the state in cases involving state responsibility, including injuries, property damage, and wrongful imprisonment. Improving access and efficiency is crucial for Illinoisans navigating these complex circumstances. Claimants with questions can contact the Court of Claims Clerk’s Office at ClerkofCoC@ilsos.gov or (217) 782-7101.
Illinois
‘Home Alone’ house being restored to mirror iconic Christmas movie
Sunday, December 14, 2025 6:16PM
WINNETKA, Ill. (WLS) — “Home Alone” is one of the most popular Christmas movies of all time.
ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch
The holiday classic debuted 35 years ago. Now, the iconic house featured in the film is in the spotlight, again.
It underwent an interior renovation and was sold earlier this year.
Now, ABC7 learned that it will be transformed back to the way it looked in 1990, when film audiences got to peek inside it for the first time.
John Abendshien is the former owner of the Winnetka house. He has fond memories of the days spent filming the movie.
READ MORE | Original owner of ‘Home Alone’ house writes memoir about iconic movie
Abendshien said he and his family stayed and watched while the movie was being shot.
He has written a memoir called “Home but Alone No More.”
Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.
Illinois
Person of interest in deadly Cicero, Illinois stabbing apprehended after long pursuit
A suspect in a deadly stabbing was apprehended early Sunday morning following a pursuit from Cicero that ended up on Chicago’s Far South Side.
Around 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Cicero police were called after Ubano Diaz, 73, was tsabbed in the 3200 block of South 54th Court in the west Chicago suburb. Diaz was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he died, Cicero police said.
Police immediately identified a person of interest, who was found driving out of the town. They launched a pursuit as the suspect headed northeast on the Stevenson Expressway.
At 1:21 a.m. Sunday, Illinois State Police were called in to assist Cicero police with the pursuit as the suspect cruised up the Stevenson Expressway at California Avenue.
The pursuit kept going along the Stevenson and Dan Ryan expressways before finally ending at 119th Street and Vincennes Avenue west of I-57 in Chicago’s Morgan Park neighborhood.
The driver of the vehicle was taken into custody at that point, Cicero and Illinois State Police said.
There were no crashes or injuries during the pursuit.
Police believe the stabbing was an isolated incident, and there was no threat to the public.
State police did not specify the route of the pursuit.
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