As the session continues, I suspect we’ll find McCombie correct. Not just on the push to increase revenue, a bit like guessing the sun will rise in the East, but in her other prediction: the toughest votes will wait until January’s lame duck session.

With the caveat that our state’s ballot access laws allow for changes before the November election, here’s a look at the current electoral math.

Column: Winter doesn’t mean life on the farm comes to a halt. Quite the opposite, especially these days with the addition of the Primrose Farm Agricultural Education Center, writes Patricia MacMillan for the St. Charles Park District.

Those experienced with returning ballots are likely familiar with their county’s drop boxes, handing a sealed ballot to someone at the election official’s office and tracking their ballots online or through phone calls.

The Illinois Constitution does allow the General Assembly to set up a replacement procedure, so it could act if it wanted to.

Column: This winter, teens can trade the cold outdoors for unforgettable indoor adventures at the STC Underground Teen Center, writes Erika Combs with the St. Charles Park District.

As noted in October following oral arguments, the opinion in Bost’s favor says nothing about the merits of his case but effectively sends us back three years and enables a federal judge to rule on the underlying constitutional question.

A judicial branch is separate from the executive and legislative but also equal: our judges and justices are, at least in some portions of their careers, politicians. They have to finance campaigns and occasionally face voters.

One thing that stuck out from the entire process was JCAR members strongly preferring IDOC had taken a more conventional approach to addressing a situation they hadn’t adequately shown to be a crisis.