Illinois

Illinois political expert weighs in on first gubernatorial debate

Published

2 years ago

October 11, 2022

Illinois political expert weighs in on first gubernatorial debate

SPRINGFIELD (WGEM) – There may be lower than a month left earlier than the Illinois gubernatorial election. Individuals throughout the state had the chance to see the candidates go head-to-head throughout the first televised debate final week. However how a lot can debate efficiency sway your vote?

Springfield political observer Kent Redfield stated Monday that the talk possible didn’t assist people who find themselves undecided between Gov. JB Pritzker and Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia). The professor emeritus of political science on the College of Illinois-Springfield stated Pritzker and Bailey had been ready to make use of their best hits with speaking factors about abortion, crime and the state’s financial system.

Whereas core supporters could get pleasure from seeing these speaking factors throughout a debate, Redfield stated these quotes could not assist swing or unbiased voters. He argues that Pritzker ought to spend extra time explaining why the state would proceed to enhance beneath his management. Redfield stated the downstate lawmaker might capitalize on what he would change to deal with issues he has with the incumbent.

“Actually, Ronald Reagan, when he requested that well-known query, ‘Are you higher off now than you had been 4 years in the past?’ That’s truly an excellent manner for voters to consider issues,” Redfield stated.

He additionally defined that Pritzker and Bailey ought to attempt to focus their power on the opening and shutting statements as an alternative of spending an excessive amount of time arguing and interrupting one another. Redfield famous that debates ought to embody substance as an alternative of candidates coming throughout as too aggressive. Whereas some consider that Bailey gained the primary debate, others really feel that he tried to show the discussion board right into a rally with supporters within the crowd cheering and booing.

Redfield desires to see Bailey and Pritzker focus extra on answering questions on their insurance policies and guarantees to residents throughout the subsequent debate. He feels that neither candidate had an impressive look throughout the debate at Illinois State College. Redfield additionally discovered it odd that Bailey tried to ask Pritzker questions of his personal. The Springfield native stated it’s all the time higher to let the moderators management the questions and provides candidates some skill to trip so viewers can get readability.

“It’s not simply dueling sound bites,” Redfield stated. “That basically doesn’t advance anybody’s understanding each what the issues are after which what the candidates would do about them.”

Redfield is aware of that everybody ought to count on that each candidates will probably be requested once more what they might change within the SAFE-T Act. Whereas Pritzker has not given a particular reply on what he wish to see amended within the Pretrial Equity Act portion of the regulation, Redfield stated that could be a tactic so the governor doesn’t give away his negotiating place.

Though, Redfield stated asking for particular particulars is truthful sport for any candidate throughout a debate. He hopes they each spend extra time getting ready earlier than the talk on Oct. 18. Redfield wished there have been regional debates that might assist voters select their favourite candidate.

“It could be good to see a debate in Carbondale with moderators and information media that dwell there. They need to have one in Springfield and possibly a debate in Quincy and the Metro East,” Redfield stated. “As a downstater, I need to know what’s happening with downstate colleges and downstate taxes. That’s a really totally different world from the Chicago space. It’s unlucky that we don’t have extra debates and that we don’t undertake a construction that can enable candidates and voters to get a regional perspective there.”

Source link

Illinois

Some Illinois taxpayers will be able to file 2024 taxes for free with IRS program

Published

6 hours ago

January 12, 2025

Press Room

Some Illinois taxpayers will be able to file 2024 taxes for free with IRS program

Nearly 2 million eligible Illinois residents will be able to file their 2024 federal tax returns for free using a new IRS program.

State officials announced that Illinois will participate in the IRS Direct File service which begins on Jan. 27.

Direct File was first launched as a test program last year. This year, the program will become a permanent option with participation in 25 states.

A simplified process

The IRS estimates that more than 30 million people will be eligible to use the program during the 2025 tax filing season.

State officials said the IRS Direct File option will simplify the filing process for eligible taxpayers.

“We understand that a significant amount of time and money is spent every year to ensure personal income tax returns are filed accurately and on time,” said David Harris, the director of the Illinois Department of Revenue, in a statement. “This integration will help relieve stress and financial burden for taxpayers.”

Direct File is an online service that’s available on mobile phones, laptops, tablets or desktop computers.

The service provides a checklist and a guide to help navigate the process. Users will have access to a chatbot for guidance in both English and Spanish.

For more information on eligibility and how to use the service, visit irs.gov/filing/irs-direct-file-for-free.

NewsIllinoisPersonal FinanceMoney

Source link

Illinois

Illinois State Police trooper hurt in multi-vehicle crash near Chicago

Published

17 hours ago

January 12, 2025

Press Room

Illinois State Police trooper hurt in multi-vehicle crash near Chicago

(25News Now) – An Illinois State Police trooper was hurt in a five-vehicle crash Saturday morning in the Chicago suburb of South Barrington, but there are conflicting reports about the severity of the trooper’s injuries.

State Police said the trooper was heading to an accident scene to help with traffic control at Illinois Route 59 and Higgins Road. Police said the trooper activated his emergency lights and sirens, but was struck by another vehicle at the intersection about 9:45 a.m.

The trooper suffered critical injuries, according to a release from the East Dundee and Countryside Fire Protection District, but State Police said the trooper’s injuries were not life-threatening.

The fire department said it took almost a half-hour to extricate the trooper from his heavily damaged vehicle.

Fire crews said it took almost a half-hour to extricate an Illinois State Police trooper from his heavily damaged squad car on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, in the Chicago suburb of South Barrington.(East Dundee and Countryside Fire Protection District)

Authorities said two people from other vehicles were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

State Police are investigating.

Saturday’s accident happened less than a month after State Police Trooper Clay Carns was killed in a crash on I-55 in Will County.

The 35-year-old officer left his squad car to pick up debris from the roadway when he was struck by a passing pickup truck two days before Christmas. The truck’s 69-year-old driver was cited for not moving over to avoid hitting Trooper Carns.

You can watch 25News – any newscast, anywhere – streaming LIVE on 25NewsNow.com, our 25News mobile app, and on our WEEK 25News SmartTV streaming app. Learn more about how you can get connected to 25News streaming live news here.

Source link

Illinois

Local college hoops roundup: No. 13 Illinois falls to USC at home

Published

1 day ago

January 11, 2025

Press Room

Local college hoops roundup: No. 13 Illinois falls to USC at home

Desmond Claude scored a season-high 31 points to lead USC to an 82-72 win over No. 13 Illinois on Saturday in Champaign.

Wesley Yates III had 15 points — shooting 7 of 8 from the field — while Rashaun Agee had 13 points and eight rebounds for the Trojans (10-6, 2-3 Big Ten).

Illinois (12-4, 4-2) had a five-game winning streak snapped. Ben Humrichous had 15 points, while Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn and Tre White each scored 11.

Kasparas Jakucionis, the Illini’s leading scorer, missed his second straight game because of a forearm injury suffered Jan. 5 against Washington.

Takeaways

Illinois: The Illini have gotten off to a slow start in each game without Jakucionis. They trailed Penn State by six points early Wednesday before winning 91-52. They were down by nine points early to USC and never did get their offense going without their scoring and assist leader. They were 7 of 32 on 3-pointers.

USC: The Trojans didn’t get to the free-throw line very often. They were 9 of 11 on foul shots to Illinois’ 19 of 21. But they shot 52% to Illinois’ 37% and outrebounded the Illini 37-34. Illinois came into the game averaging 45.9 rebounds per game, best in the nation.

Key moment

The game was tied at 57 with 8:46 left. USC went on a 13-3 run to move in front 70-60 with 5:12 to go and Illinois didn’t threaten after that.

Key stat

Claude shot 12 for 20 from the field and made all seven of his free throws. Agee also was a shooting star. The graduate student sank three triples after making two all season and six in his career.

Up next

Southern California hosts Iowa on Tuesday night.

Illinois visits Indiana on Tuesday night.

Saint Joseph’s 93, Loyola 57

Xzayvier Brown scored 20 points as Saint Joseph’s rolled to a 93-57 victory over Loyola on Saturday in Philadelphia.

Brown went 8 of 16 from the field (3 for 6 from 3-point range) for the Hawks (11-6, 3-2 Atlantic 10 Conference). Derek Simpson added 19 points and six rebounds. Erik Reynolds II hit four 3-pointers and scored 18.

The Ramblers (10-6, 1-2) were led by Sheldon Edwards with 12 points. Jayden Dawson added 12 points and Miles Rubin scored 10.

Saint Joseph’s took the lead with 19:12 remaining in the first half and did not relinquish it. Reynolds led the team in scoring with 15 points in the first half to help put them up 53-29 at the break.

Bradley 61, UIC 60

Zek Montgomery led Bradley with 15 points and Duke Deen scored the game-winning 3-pointer with two seconds remaining as the Braves knocked off host UIC 61-60 on Saturday.

Montgomery shot 5 for 10 (2 for 4 from 3-point range) and 3 of 5 from the free-throw line for the Braves (14-3, 5-1 Missouri Valley Conference). Deen scored 14 points and added three steals. Corey Thomas shot 2 of 2 from the field and 7 for 7 from the line to finish with 11 points.

Jordan Mason led the way for the Flames (11-6, 3-3) with 15 points and two steals. Ahmad Henderson II added 13 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and two steals for UIC. Sasa Ciani also recorded 11 points and 11 rebounds.

Both teams next play Wednesday. Bradley hosts Indiana State and UICsquares off against Murray State at home.

Source link