Illinois

Time to ‘end the anger politics’: Illinois Democrats push unity agenda

Published

2 years ago

August 22, 2024

Time to ‘end the anger politics’: Illinois Democrats push unity agenda

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear speaks at the Illinois delegation’s breakfast caucus Thursday as delegates listen.
Marni Pyke/mpyke@dailyherald.com

With Chicago’s Democratic National Convention wrapping up, Illinois delegates begin pivoting to what will be a bruising election.

But Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear stressed bipartisanship Thursday at the contingent’s final breakfast caucus.

“It seems like the last eight years — every day has been an ‘us vs. them,’ a boiling point in our country where we’ve been asked to pick a side on everything from the car you drive to the beer you drink. Somehow beer got political,” Beshear commented to laughter.

“We are not each others enemies,” he said, adding it was time “to end the anger politics, once and for all.”

Beshear also gave props to vice presidential nominee and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz who addressed the DNC Wednesday.

“Don’t we deserve a vice president who has been a classroom teacher?” Beshear asked. “He’s been a coach, and while all that’s impressive, he has also been a lunchroom monitor. Sometimes in Congress I think we can use a lunchroom monitor helping us out.”

President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners Toni Preckwinkle speaks at the Illinois delegation breakfast on Thursday in Chicago.
Steve Zalusky/szalusky@dailyherald.com

Cook County Board Chair Toni Preckwinkle said the ticket of Vice President Kamala Harris and Walz means Democrats can do more than “say ‘no’ to Trump.”

“What better way to show our girls and young woman that they can and should be involved and run for office than see a smart, tough, thoughtful woman of color fighting for them in the White House?”

But that won’t come without hard work, Preckwinkle said, recalling sticking stamps on envelopes while working on campaigns at age 16.

“Now, there’s fewer stamps and envelopes but a lot of doors to knock on. We need the turnout at home and we need to work with our neighbors in Michigan and Wisconsin to deliver those swing states.”

Delegate Yasmeen Bankole, a Hanover Park trustee, said one take-away from the DNC was “the Democrats are fired up and ready to put in the work to elect our next president and vice president.

“I think this convention also reminds us of the historical nature of this nomination, but also all the things we stand to lose if (Harris) does not become president.”

Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza spoke to those concerns, particularly abortion rights. The Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022 after Trump appointees created a conservative super majority.

“Donald Trump has led a full-on assault on our reproductive rights,” she said. “No one, especially that guy, should have anything to say about what we can do with our uteruses.”

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin speaks at the Illinois delegation breakfast on Thursday in Chicago.
Steve Zalusky/szalusky@dailyherald.com

Meanwhile, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin pronounced the convention a success, and took issue with GOP vice presidential nominee and Ohio Sen. JD Vance for comparing Chicago to a “third-world country” this week.

There’s been numerous protests during the four-day event, including breaching of a security fence that resulted in numerous arrests Monday.

“First, I salute the law enforcement officials,” Durbin said. “I’ll admit to you, I was holding my breath because I was not sure what was going to happen … I understand what can happen with demonstrators … but we have had an excellent convention and my hat is off to those who planned it.”

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Illinois

Vanderbilt vs Illinois predictions, picks, odds for NCAA Tournament Second Round

Published

12 minutes ago

March 23, 2026

Press Room

Vanderbilt vs Illinois predictions, picks, odds for NCAA Tournament Second Round

The Second Round of the women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament continues Monday with a slate featuring No. 2 Vanderbilt vs. No. 7 Illinois on the eight-game schedule.

Here is the latest on Monday’s March Madness matchup, including expert picks from reporters across the USA TODAY Sports Network.

USA TODAY Sports has a team of journalists covering the women’s NCAA Tournament to keep you up to date with every point scored, rebound grabbed and game won in the 68-team tournament.

USA TODAY Studio IX : Check out our women’s sports hub for in-depth analysis, commentary and more

Join the USA TODAY $1 million Bracket Challenge

No. 2 Vanderbilt vs No. 7 Illinois prediction

Heather Burns: Vanderbilt
Mitchell Northam: Vanderbilt
Nancy Armour: Vanderbilt
Cydney Henderson: Vanderbilt
Meghan Hall: Vanderbilt

No. 2 Vanderbilt vs No. 7 Illinois odds

Opening Moneyline: Vanderbilt (-1000)
Opening Spread: Vanderbilt (-13.5)
Opening Total: 153.5

How to Watch Vanderbilt vs Illinois on Monday

No. 2 Vanderbilt takes on No. 7 Illinois at Memorial Gymnasium in Nashville on March 23 at 7:00 p.m. (ET). The game is airing on ESPN2.

Stream March Madness on Fubo

2026 Women’s NCAA Tournament full schedule

March 18-19: First Four
March 20-21: First Round
March 22-23: Second Round
March 27-28: Sweet 16
March 29-30: Elite 8
April 3: Final Four
April 5: National Championship

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Illinois

Illinois Secretary of State’s Office warns of ‘new surge’ in scam texts

Published

12 hours ago

March 22, 2026

Press Room

Illinois Secretary of State’s Office warns of ‘new surge’ in scam texts

The Illinois Secretary of State’s Office is warning residents of a “new surge” in scam texts claiming to be from the DMV and demanding money.

According to a press release from Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, residents are receiving text messages falsely claiming to either be from his office or a DMV, threatening suspension of license and vehicle registration if “fines” are not paid.

The messages often include links that can be used to steal residents’ information, and Giannoulias’ office is reminding residents to use vigilance and caution when receiving such messages.

“These text messages look legitimate and are designed to frighten people into acting quickly before they have time to think,” Giannoulias said. “Our office will never send a text message demanding payment or threatening to suspend someone’s license. If you receive a message like this, remember it’s a scam – plain and simple. Do not click the link and please report the message to scamalert@ilsos.gov.”

According to his office, the messages often reference fake regulations or deadlines, and cite an upcoming enforcement date to add an air of urgency to the texts.

“These schemes are designed to create panic and trick individuals into surrendering money or personal information,” the Secretary of State’s Office said.

If a motorist receives a text, they are urged:

-NEVER to click a link

-Do not reply

-Do not provide personal information

-Forward the message to the SOS’ scam alert email.

The only legitimate text messages the Secretary of State’s Office sends are to remind motorists of upcoming appointments at DMV facilities.

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