Illinois in Focus

Candidates for Illinois governor are making law and order a focal point in this election year.

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The field for Illinois Republicans seeking their party’s gubernatorial nomination just grew. The amount of money in this election cycle is also expected to grow.

Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker Friday gave his reelection campaign $90 million. IllinoisSunshine.org compiles campaign finance reports and shows the billionaire Democratic incumbent has more than $114 million on hand. That far exceeds any of the Republican candidates.

Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin announced his bid Monday. He picked state Rep. Avery Bourne, R-Morrisonville, as his running mate.

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Lawmakers were scheduled to be in this week, but canceled. They also canceled two of three scheduled days last week, marking eight of nine days scheduled this year that have been canceled. Some speculate they won't return until March.

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Despite having known for months the office of the Legislative Inspector General would be vacant, Illinois state lawmakers failed to advance a replacement when they were in session this week.

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In this episode, the team from The Center Square bring you to the top stories from Illinois for 2021 and take a look at what's to come in the year ahead.

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According to the latest figures from the U.S. Census Bureau, from July 2020 to July 2021, there were 113,776 fewer people in Illinois. Only the District of Columbia and New York had a greater percent decline in population.

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Pritzker was asked Tuesday about a possible sunset date for the statewide mandate, but the governor declined. The governors of New York and California have set end dates to their mask mandates. Pritzker said Illinoisans will continue to follow the science.

"I just want to encourage everyone to keep doing the right thing, we are in Illinois and we are going to keep doing it. Following the science, I might add." Pritzker said.

Pritzker said masks help keep people safe amid an increase in cases and hospitalizations.

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About 90 teachers and school staff are suing their school districts and Gov. J.B. Pritzker's administration over COVID-19 mandates such as vaccines, testing and masks.

The lawsuit poised for Sangamon County Circuit Court comes from attorney Thomas DeVore, who has challenged Pritzker's orders around the state. It seeks judgments against requiring vaccines, masks, testing or exclusion policies without orders of quarantine.

The 90 plaintiffs are looking for action against 22 different school districts, the Illinois Department of Public Health, the Illinois State Board of Education and Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

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An analysis by the University of Illinois Extension looked at demographic trends and revealed the number of people aged 25 to 39 in Illinois decreased, one of the few states in the country to see a decline. Illinois also lost population in the 40 to 59 age group.

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Some drivers can expect to pay more for Thanksgiving travel. Others hitting the road in electric vehicles may have to plan on where to charge up.

Last year, Illinois gas prices outside of Chicago ranged from $2.20 to $2.31 a gallon. This week, gas prices range from $3.46 to $3.51 a gallon.

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