Three of this year s school board elections are contested primaries. Ahead of the May 3 primary, candidates in those races answered Knox News questions.
Next month's ballot is extensive, featuring races for sheriff, Knox County Commission, Knox County Board of Education and judicial contests, among others.
Normal, IL, USA / www.cities929.com
Jan 13, 2021 4:41 PM
(The Center Square) – New Illinois House Speaker Emmanuel “Chris” Welch is the first Black speaker in Illinois House history, taking the gavel away from Michael Madigan, the state s most powerful politician.
Until Wednesday, Madigan held the spot for all but two years since 1983. In a statement closing out the 101st General Assembly, his last as Speaker of the House, Madigan wished Welch “all the best.”
“It is my sincere hope today that the caucus I leave to him and to all who will serve alongside him is stronger than when I began,” Madigan said.
Madigan faces ouster as speaker as Illinois House convenes to pick leader by Greg Bishop, The Center Square | January 13, 2021 10:00 AM Print this article
The new term of the Illinois Legislature begins Wednesday afternoon and all eyes are on who will be the next speaker of the House.
Longtime Illinois politics observer and University of Illinois Springfield professor Kent Redfield said whoever becomes speaker, they have to pledge to be independent of Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, who’s held the seat for all but two years since 1983.
“Whether [Madigan] finishes out his term or not, I don’t expect him to be the controller behind the curtain, I don’t think that’s going to happen,” Redfield said.