October 21, 2025/

Illinois quick hits: Elections board splits on Harmon fine; busiest summer at O’Hare

Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Elections board splits on Harmon fine

The Illinois State Board of Elections delivered a tied vote of 4-4 on state Senate President Don Harmon’s appeal of a ruling that he violated campaign finance laws.

The Chicago Tribune reports that the split decision makes it unlikely that the board has the legal authority to impose a $9.8 million fine that had been levied against Harmon.

Board members agreed to hold the issue until their next scheduled meeting in November.

Busiest summer at O’Hare

O’Hare International Airport has recorded the busiest summer in its 70-year history, according to Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Aviation.

The department said more than 24.3 million passengers traveled through O’Hare during June, July and August, surpassing the previous record of 24 million set in 2019.

Best fall views

Shawnee National Forest’s Inspiration Point in Southern Illinois is the No. 1 place in Illinois for the most stunning fall views.

That’s according to a survey from Exoticca, a travel company. More than 3,000 respondents took part in the survey.

Eagle’s Roost Scenic Overlook in Grafton snagged the second most favorite, followed by Grandview Drive in Peoria.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Illinois Quick Hits: Nine arrested during Naperville teen gathering

Illinois Quick Hits: Nine arrested during Naperville teen gathering

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Naperville Police say they arrested nine people and issued almost three dozen citations after large groups of...
Rubio provides few answers to Congress on Iran conflict timeline

Rubio provides few answers to Congress on Iran conflict timeline

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square With the U.S.-Iran conflict approaching the 100-day mark, Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the Trump administration’s military strategy before a committee of U.S. lawmakers...
Pritzker housing proposal partly stalls amid overreach concerns from localities

Pritzker housing proposal partly stalls amid overreach concerns from localities

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Though the entire affordable housing initiative from Gov. J.B. Pritzker didn’t make it through the General Assembly...
HUD shifts $4B homelessness program from 'Housing First' to treatment

HUD shifts $4B homelessness program from ‘Housing First’ to treatment

By Tim ClouserThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced a $4 billion funding opportunity for homelessness services on Monday, shifting away from the Housing First...
Poll: Democrats hold slight edge over Rogers in Michigan U.S. Senate race

Poll: Democrats hold slight edge over Rogers in Michigan U.S. Senate race

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square New polling in Michigan's open U.S. Senate race shows each of the leading Democrat candidates narrowly ahead of Republican Mike Rogers in potential general election...
Swipe fee battle continues after delay, court ruling

Swipe fee battle continues after delay, court ruling

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois is still waiting to benefit from a law promised to generate hundreds of millions of dollars...
Walz appoints members to Operation Metro Surge 'Truth Council'

Walz appoints members to Operation Metro Surge ‘Truth Council’

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has appointed members to a new council tasked with documenting the impacts of Operation Metro Surge and Operation PARRIS, two federal...
$45M included in budget for previously unfunded property tax relief

$45M included in budget for previously unfunded property tax relief

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Included in the recently passed state budget, the Illinois State Board of Education will get money for...
Over one ton of cocaine seized at U.S.-Mexico tunnel bust

Over one ton of cocaine seized at U.S.-Mexico tunnel bust

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Border Patrol agents in Southern California have found another underground cross border tunnel, leading to the arrest of four men and the seizure of enough...
National security group urges Congress to investigate Airwallex ties to CCP

National security group urges Congress to investigate Airwallex ties to CCP

By Tom JoyceThe Center Square A national security group wants Congress to investigate Airwallex over its ties to China. State Armor Chief Executive Officer Michael Lucci sent a letter to...
Open primary system debated as Californians go to polls

Open primary system debated as Californians go to polls

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square Supporters of California’s top-two open primary system are defending it amid challenges and criticism as voters go to the polls Tuesday in the Golden State's...
Illinois Quick Hits: Pritzker signs two bills

Illinois Quick Hits: Pritzker signs two bills

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed two new laws into effect. House Bill 4154 changes pharmacy licensure provisions...
Elon Poll says 2 in 3 proud to be American and Signers would be disappointed

Elon Poll says 2 in 3 proud to be American and Signers would be disappointed

By Alan WootenThe Center Square Sampling 1,000 adults nationwide ahead of America’s 250th anniversary on July 4, a poll released Tuesday finds 68% are proud to be American and 69%...
U.S. Supreme Court denies Florida request to sue over immigrant CDLs

U.S. Supreme Court denies Florida request to sue over immigrant CDLs

By Michael Carroll | Legal NewslineThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court last week swatted away a request from Florida to sue the states of California and Washington over allegations...
Judge says federal rule blocks Illinois from banning ‘swipe fees’

Judge says federal rule blocks Illinois from banning ‘swipe fees’

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Federal law blocks the state of Illinois from prohibiting both banks from outside Illinois and payment card servicers, like Visa and Mastercard,...