Darin LaHood

The McLean County Alliance for Community Services is composed of advocates for low-income families fighting for food and health care for all.

Republicans and Democrats continue blaming each other for the government shutdown even after the vote on a continuing resolution to fund the government until the end of January.

The U.S. House voted 222 to 209, mostly along party lines, to fund the government. President Trump signed the bill into law Wednesday night.

“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."

Brendyn Morgan credited several aspects of his life in deciding to run for public office, including his six years in the Army, his work in public housing and lessons from his single mom.

The Republican and Democratic party organizations in McLean County issued statements Wednesday, condemning the fatal shooting of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk — five months after his visit drew a large crowd at Illinois State University.

John Kitover is a former Internal Revenue Service employee who worked in project and facilities management. He previously served for four years in the Army National Guard. He resigned from his job in May to run full time in the district of central and northwestern Illinois.

Scott Best, a Rivian worker from Normal, says he's running for the 16th Congressional District seat as a Democrat in the 2026 election.

There's a measure before the U.S. House Veterans Affairs Committee to name the VA outpatient clinic in Bloomington for Andrew Jackson Smith, a Civil War soldier awarded the Medal of Honor.

Rep. Darin LaHood, a Peoria Republican, was rumored to be considering a run for the U.S. Senate. He announced Tuesday he'll campaign to continue representing Illinois' 16th Congressional District.