State Sen. Dan McConchie will hold a free veterans appreciation luncheon and expo to honor veterans and their families who live in the 26th Senate District from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2.

If Tuesday’s house explosion in Lake Zurich is determined to have been caused by a natural gas leak, one state senator from McHenry says it would be another example of the dangers he hopes his proposed legislation can prevent.

A Sangamon County judge on Wednesday blocked the Illinois State Board of Elections from enforcing a new law that would have prevented certain General Assembly candidates who didn’t run in the March primary from getting on the November ballot.

A $73 million state-funded project in Lake County aims to stabilize the last undeveloped Lake Michigan shoreline in Illinois and help protect native endangered species.

The father of the suspect in a deadly 2022 Fourth of July parade shooting in Highland Park has been released early from jail after serving part of a 60-day sentence for sponsoring a firearm application for his son.

Illinois primaries traditionally are held in March. But the General Assembly delayed the 2022 primary until June to give officials more time to incorporate 2020 census data into mandatory redistricting plans.

Several area legislators are participating in the third annual Valentines for Seniors card drive, designed to “brighten the days” of older residents in the area and “ensure they know they are a valued part of the community,” according to news releases.

Democratic candidate Rick Konter says “it’s time to go purple” on his campaign website as he challenges incumbent Tom Weber, R-Lake Villa, who touts his ability to work with Democrats to pass legislation despite being in the minority party.

While incumbent state Rep. Martin McLaughlin said the state of Illinois needs to cut its spending, Democratic challenger Mary Morgan said she appreciates a balanced budget but doesn’t want cuts to come from education.