Sophia Tareen, The Associated Press

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Illinois' open US Senate race tests Gov. JB Pritzker's influence ahead of possible presidential bid

Illinois' open US Senate race tests Gov. JB Pritzker's influence ahead of possible presidential bid

CHICAGO (AP) -- A rare opening for Illinois to elect a new U.S. senator has sparked a political brawl among the top three candidates in the Democratic state.

Congress is on track for record retirements. In Illinois, that's created a candidate frenzy

Congress is on track for record retirements. In Illinois, that's created a candidate frenzy

CHICAGO (AP) -- Political printing presses at their busiest in decades. Debate organizers limiting participation due to so many candidates. Constant political ads on television and social media.

Crowds of Chicago mourners pay respects to Jesse Jackson at start of cross-country memorial services

Crowds of Chicago mourners pay respects to Jesse Jackson at start of cross-country memorial services

CHICAGO (AP) -- A line of mourners streamed through a Chicago auditorium Thursday to pay final respects to the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. as cross-country memorial services began in the city the late civil rights leader called home.

Crowds of mourners line up for memorial services for Jesse Jackson at his Chicago organization

Crowds of mourners line up for memorial services for Jesse Jackson at his Chicago organization

CHICAGO (AP) -- A line of mourners streamed through a Chicago auditorium Thursday to pay final respects to the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. as cross-country memorial services began in the city the late civil rights leader called home.

Memorial services for Jesse Jackson begin at Chicago headquarters of his civil rights organization

Memorial services for Jesse Jackson begin at Chicago headquarters of his civil rights organization

CHICAGO (AP) -- Cross-country memorial services for the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. are set to begin Thursday in Chicago, the city the late civil rights leader called home.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson, who led the Civil Rights Movement for decades after King, has died at 84

The Rev. Jesse Jackson, who led the Civil Rights Movement for decades after King, has died at 84

CHICAGO (AP) -- The Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, a protege of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and two-time presidential candidate who led the Civil Rights Movement for decades after the revered leader's assassination, has died. He was 84.

Jesse Jackson Jr. pitches redemption in bid for old House seat years after campaign fraud conviction

Jesse Jackson Jr. pitches redemption in bid for old House seat years after campaign fraud conviction

COUNTRY CLUB HILLS, Ill. (AP) -- As Jesse Jackson Jr. campaigns for his old U.S. House seat at Chicago-area churches, banquet halls and on Black radio shows, he often takes a moment to address the obvious matter hanging over his political comeback.

Appeals court pauses order restricting use of force by immigration agents in Chicago-area crackdown

Appeals court pauses order restricting use of force by immigration agents in Chicago-area crackdown

CHICAGO (AP) -- A federal appeals court on Wednesday temporarily halted an order restricting the use of force by federal immigration agents in the Chicago area, calling it "overbroad" and "too prescriptive."

Illinois congressman forgoes reelection with eyebrow-raising move to place chief of staff on ballot

Illinois congressman forgoes reelection with eyebrow-raising move to place chief of staff on ballot

CHICAGO (AP) -- U.S. Rep. Jesus "Chuy" Garcia confirmed Thursday that he won't seek a fifth term, days after the Illinois Democrat backed a quiet effort to get his chief of staff to replace him on the March primary ballot.

Using helicopters and chemical agents, immigration agents become increasingly aggressive in Chicago

Using helicopters and chemical agents, immigration agents become increasingly aggressive in Chicago

Associated Press (AP) -- Storming an apartment complex by helicopter as families slept. Deploying chemical agents near a public school. Handcuffing a Chicago City Council member at a hospital.

Former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar, a popular two-term Republican, dies at 79

Former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar, a popular two-term Republican, dies at 79

CHICAGO (AP) -- Former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar, a popular two-term Republican credited with guiding the state into a period of greater financial stability in the 1990s, died Sunday, according to his family. He was 79.

Chicago churches urge calm resistance ahead of expected federal intervention

Chicago churches urge calm resistance ahead of expected federal intervention

CHICAGO (AP) -- The Rev. Marshall Hatch urged congregants of a prominent Black church on Chicago's West Side to carry identification, stay connected to family and protest as the city readied for an expected federal intervention.

Guard not needed in Chicago, Pritzker tells AP during tour of city to counter Trump's crime claims

Guard not needed in Chicago, Pritzker tells AP during tour of city to counter Trump's crime claims

CHICAGO (AP) -- Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is doubling down on his message to President Donald Trump that the nation's third-largest city doesn't need or want military intervention to fight crime, showing off parts of the city where violent crime has decreased and saying sending in the National Guard could only escalate problems.

A new immigrant detention partnership nicknamed after Indiana's iconic racetrack inspires backlash

A new immigrant detention partnership nicknamed after Indiana's iconic racetrack inspires backlash

Top Trump administration officials boast that a new state partnership to expand immigrant detention in Indiana will be the next so-called " Alligator Alcatraz."

Illinois Democrat Schakowsky won't seek Congress reelection in 2026 after 14 terms

Illinois Democrat Schakowsky won't seek Congress reelection in 2026 after 14 terms

CHICAGO (AP) -- U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky announced Monday that she won't seek reelection next year after 14 terms, making her the latest longtime Illinois Democrat to announce a retirement from Congress.

What to know about May Day and how it has grown over the years

What to know about May Day and how it has grown over the years

CHICAGO (AP) -- From worker rights rallies to marches for social justice, activists around the globe will kick off May Day demonstrations on Thursday.

Activists to rally worldwide on May Day, with US protests targeting Trump policies

Activists to rally worldwide on May Day, with US protests targeting Trump policies

CHICAGO (AP) -- From worker rights rallies to marches for social justice, activists around the globe will kick off May Day demonstrations on Thursday.

Chicago teachers reach contract deal for the first time in more than a decade without a strike

CHICAGO (AP) -- For the first time in over a decade, Chicago's public school teachers have a new contract without a strike or threat of a walkout. The four-year agreement includes pay hikes, hiring more teachers and class size limits.

Trump administration sues Chicago in latest crackdown on 'sanctuary' cities

Trump administration sues Chicago in latest crackdown on 'sanctuary' cities

CHICAGO (AP) -- The Trump administration sued Chicago on Thursday alleging that 'sanctuary' laws in the nation's third-largest city "thwart" federal efforts to enforce immigration laws.

Trump administration sues Chicago in latest crackdown on `sanctuary' cities

Trump administration sues Chicago in latest crackdown on `sanctuary' cities

CHICAGO (AP) -- The Trump administration sued Chicago on Thursday alleging that 'sanctuary' laws in the nation's third-largest city "thwart" federal efforts to enforce immigration laws.

Immigrants in Chicago and other US cities brace for expected Trump deportation arrests

Immigrants in Chicago and other US cities brace for expected Trump deportation arrests

CHICAGO (AP) -- The Rev. Homero Sanchez said he didn't realize the depth of fear in the Chicago immigrant community he serves until someone asked him to handle the sale of their family's home and other finances if they are picked up this week when President-elect Donald Trump takes office.

In surprising move, former longtime Illinois House speaker takes stand at his own corruption trial

In surprising move, former longtime Illinois House speaker takes stand at his own corruption trial

CHICAGO (AP) -- Once the longest-serving legislative leader in U.S. history, Michael Madigan took the stand Tuesday at his own corruption trial, a shocking move for a man once considered the most powerful politician in Illinois.

Secretly recorded videos are backbone of corruption trial for longest-serving legislative leader

Secretly recorded videos are backbone of corruption trial for longest-serving legislative leader

CHICAGO (AP) -- Hours of secretly recorded videos and phone calls have offered a rare glimpse into how the longest-serving legislative leader in American history operated behind closed doors.

Illinois Democrats defend US House seats from GOP challengers across the state

Illinois Democrats defend US House seats from GOP challengers across the state

CHICAGO (AP) -- Two first-term Illinois Democrats locked into competitive congressional contests held onto their seats as control of the U.S. House remained up for grabs.

Illinois Democrats defend US House seats across the state with 1 race too early to call

Illinois Democrats defend US House seats across the state with 1 race too early to call

CHICAGO (AP) -- Illinois Democrats in congressional races across the state worked to fend off challenges from Republicans, but one of the state's most competitive races remained too early to call Wednesday.

Illinois Democrats work to defend US House seats across the state with 2 races too early to call

Illinois Democrats work to defend US House seats across the state with 2 races too early to call

CHICAGO (AP) -- Illinois Democrats in congressional races across the state worked to fend off challenges from Republicans, but the state's two most competitive races remained too early to call early Wednesday.

Illinois Democrats look to defend congressional seats across the state

Illinois Democrats look to defend congressional seats across the state

CHICAGO (AP) -- Illinois Democrats in congressional races across the state hope to fend off challenges from Republicans fighting to keep their party's control of the U.S. House.

Michael Madigan once controlled much of Illinois politics. Now the ex-House speaker heads to trial

Michael Madigan once controlled much of Illinois politics. Now the ex-House speaker heads to trial

CHICAGO (AP) -- Once lauded as thelongest-serving legislative leader in American history, Michael Madigan will enter a federal courtroom this week on charges he used his vast influence to run a "criminal enterprise" to amass even more wealth and power.

Protesters plan large marches and rallies as Democratic National Convention kicks off in Chicago

Protesters plan large marches and rallies as Democratic National Convention kicks off in Chicago

CHICAGO (AP) -- Crowds of activists are expected to gather in Chicago for protests outside the Democratic National Convention this week, hoping to call attention to such issues as economic injustice, reproductive rights and the war in Gaza.

Thousands of activists expected in Chicago for Democratic convention to call for Gaza cease-fire

Thousands of activists expected in Chicago for Democratic convention to call for Gaza cease-fire

CHICAGO (AP) -- Thousands of activists are expected to converge on Chicago this week for the Democratic National Convention, hoping to call attention to abortion rights, economic injustice and the war in Gaza.

Thousands of activists expected in Chicago for Democratic convention to call for Gaza ceasefire

Thousands of activists expected in Chicago for Democratic convention to call for Gaza ceasefire

CHICAGO (AP) -- Thousands of activists are expected to converge on Chicago this week for the Democratic National Convention, hoping to call attention to abortion rights, economic injustice and the war in Gaza.

As political convention comes to Chicago, residents, leaders and activists vie for the spotlight

As political convention comes to Chicago, residents, leaders and activists vie for the spotlight

CHICAGO (AP) -- As the American city that has hosted more political conventions than any other, Chicago has pretty much seen it all.

Chicago police chief says out-of-town police won't be posted in city neighborhoods during DNC

Chicago police chief says out-of-town police won't be posted in city neighborhoods during DNC

CHICAGO (AP) -- Outside police agencies that'll help secure the Democratic National Convention in Chicago next month will not be posted in city neighborhoods, Police Superintendent Larry Snelling said Thursday as federal authorities released maps of convention security perimeters.

GOP convention sets the stage for the Democratic convention in Chicago, activists and police say

GOP convention sets the stage for the Democratic convention in Chicago, activists and police say

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Activists who marched outside the Republican National Convention are trumpeting their efforts, despite crowd estimates falling short. Milwaukee police are praising their cooperation with other agencies in convention security, even as Ohio officers face scrutiny for shooting and killing a man while in the city.

Heavily armed security boats patrol winding Milwaukee River during GOP convention

Heavily armed security boats patrol winding Milwaukee River during GOP convention

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Instead of kayakers and tour boats, the summertime scene on the Milwaukee River has taken on a solemn tone this week during the Republican National Convention: Around-the-clock patrol boats, some with heavily armed officers.

GOP convention protests are on despite shooting at Trump rally

GOP convention protests are on despite shooting at Trump rally

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Activists gathering in Milwaukee for the start of the Republican National Convention say the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump won't affect their long-standing plans to demonstrate outside the convention site this week.

Secret Service head says RNC security plans not final as protesters allege free speech restrictions

Secret Service head says RNC security plans not final as protesters allege free speech restrictions

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- The head of the U.S. Secret Service said Thursday that security plans for the Republican National Convention are still being determined as protesters blasted restrictions they claimed will violate free speech with just weeks until the event.

Chicago police tweak mass arrests policy ahead of Democratic National Convention

CHICAGO (AP) -- Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling on Tuesday touted the the nation's second-largest police department as fully prepared to handle crowds of protesters expected during the Democratic National Convention, including new ways to handle possible mass arrests.

Unusual mix of possible candidates line up for Chicago's first school board elections this fall

Unusual mix of possible candidates line up for Chicago's first school board elections this fall

CHICAGO (AP) -- A Grammy-winning rapper, progressive activists and a leader of an afterschool squash program are part of the eclectic mix of possible candidates lining up for Chicago's first school board elections this fall.