Congress

U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen has been tabbed to lead a new legislative panel on weather preparedness.

The candidates running to unseat two U.S. House members in Central Illinois are well behind in fundraising heading into the heart of campaign season.

Republican Dillan Vancil was declared the winner shortly before 10 p.m. while leading by about 4,800 votes over Julie Bickelhaupt.

Central Illinois U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen said he does not support funding for the Department of Homeland Security, a primary sticking point that puts another government shutdown in play.

Democrat Montez Soliz of Rockford posted on social media that he has been removed from the ballot in the 17th Congressional District race following an objection to his petitions. That district includes parts of Bloomington-Normal and Greater Peoria.

There are 10 contested county board races on the ballot, one in each district. There will be no primaries for any county races next March, according to records posted online by the McLean County Clerk’s office.

During a visit to WGLT ahead of the station's Radio Faces fundraiser on Thursday, NPR CEO Katherine Maher expressed optimism about public media's future, but cautioned there are many challenges ahead.

U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen says a potential lapse in benefits to the largest food assistance program in the U.S. would cause crippling uncertainty for veterans, seniors and children, leaving them wondering about their ability to afford food next month.

“I’m cautious of some of the things that have come from the HHS secretary," said Rep. Darin LaHood. "What I would tell people is rely on evidence and facts that are based on science."

Julie Bickelhaupt is a farmer and chair of the Carroll County Board, a rural county along the Mississippi River border with Iowa. She said she’s running to lower costs for Americans, support farmers and strengthen education.