The Illinois Democratic Party spent roughly $190,000 to boost Sen. Sara Feigenholtz as she fends off a progressive challenger in the March 17 primary.

Strong fundraising and open seats have made at least four new commissioners likely. Primaries next Tuesday will decide which incumbents hold on and which races flip.

Chicago’s school board sued the U.S. Department of Education after federal officials halted magnet‑school grant awards tied to two civil‑rights probes. The board says the cut was unlawful and will harm magnet programming.

The Chicago Board of Education narrowed the search for a new CPS CEO to Macquline King, Meisha Porter and Sito Narcisse as community and mayoral interviews loom.

Alliance Defending Freedom says CPS revised its internship agreement so Moody Bible Institute students can join the district’s student‑teaching program. The district has not yet independently confirmed the change.

The state high court heard argument this week in a challenge to Illinois’ blanket felony gun ban. The appeal could reshape who can regain gun rights under FOID rules.

The Illinois Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Macomb on pretrial-release rules and whether districts must extend bus routes to private-school students, with broad statewide implications.

A bloc of aldermen led by Ald. Samantha Nugent is pushing to pause Chicago’s One Fair Wage phase‑in, setting up a City Council fight over tipped pay. Business groups say costs are forcing cuts; the mayor vows not to roll back the change.

About 180 Aurora city employees staged an informational picket at City Hall calling for 4% annual raises after their 2024 contract lapsed.

Republicans pressed Democrats for details after state Rep. Harry Benton was removed from the House Democratic caucus and stripped of committee duties. The speaker’s office declined to explain.

ICE agents re-arrested a Sheboygan Falls mother at a Milwaukee DHS check-in days after an immigration judge cleared a green-card path; her attorney calls the detention unnecessary.

A mayor‑filed ordinance named for the late Rev. Jesse Jackson will be introduced at a special City Council meeting March 11 to add protections for poll workers and voters.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker will unveil a major life‑sciences investment in Bradley Monday; the administration has released few details but says more information will follow.