OKAWVILLE - Following his decisive primary election victory tonight, State Representative Charlie Meier issued the following statement: “Tonight, the voters of Southern Illinois won. Hardworking farmers, families, and small businesses sent a clear message that they want a proven fighter representing them in Springfield. “Thank you to everyone who stood by my side in this hard-fought race. Your support and encouragement made this victory possible. As your State Representative,
ALTON - The following is a statement from Marsie Geldert-Murphey, candidate for Illinois State Senate in the 56th District , following her victory in the Democratic Primary: “Tonight I’m incredibly grateful to the voters across our district who placed their trust in me, and to the many supporters and volunteers who helped power this campaign. From knocking on doors and making phone calls to hosting conversations in living rooms and coffee shops, this has truly been a community
The fastest way to start an argument at a family gathering is to suggest changing the “right” way to do something—how the turkey gets carved, which song plays first, or who sits where. It can feel silly. Why should a small ritual matter so much? Yet those little rules often carry more weight than the food on the table. Traditions stick across generations because they do more than preserve the past. They help people feel safe, connected, and understood. They turn a group of
On March 18, 1965, Soviet cosmonaut Alexei Leonov stepped out of his spacecraft and became the first human to walk in space. For about 12 minutes, he floated above Earth while attached to the Voskhod 2 capsule by a tether. At the time, the spacewalk was a major test of whether people could work outside a spacecraft—something future missions would depend on for repairs, construction, and exploration. It still matters today because modern spaceflight, from maintaining satellites to assembling
ILLINOIS - Rosetta “Rosie” Brown will face Amy Elik for the Illinois House of Representatives 111th District. Incumbent Amy Elik, a Republican, has served in this role since 2021. Brown, a Democrat, currently serves as the Fourth Ward alderwoman in Alton. The general election is scheduled for Nov. 3, 2026. The 111th District includes Alton, Edwardsville and Granite City.
GREENE/CALHOUN/MACOUPIN – Here are the latest unofficial 2026 primary results for Greene, Calhoun, and Macoupin Counties: GREENE COUNTY In the race for Greene County Sheriff, Chris Weller defeated Chief Deputy Cale Hoesman and Clark A. Wallis for the Republican nomination and will face Democrat Ben Picou the Nov. 3, 2026 general elections. Weller secured 55.23% of the vote over Hoesman’s 29.79% and Wallis’s 14.98%, with 100% of precincts reporting unofficial results. Weller
ILLINOIS - Mary Miller will face Jennifer Todd in the race to represent Illinois’s 15th Congressional District. During the March 17, 2026, primary, Republicans Judy Bowlby and Ryan Tebrugge challenged incumbent Mary Miller for the Republican nomination. Democrats Paul Davis, Kyle Nudo, Randy Raley and Jennifer Todd faced off for the Democratic nomination. Miller received 73.6% of votes while Bowlby took 11.5% of votes and Tebrugge took 14.9% of votes. Davis had 33.9% of votes, Nud
EDWARDSVILLE - Linda Andreas said she was very appreciative of the voting support she garnered to defeat challenger Kurt Prentzler as the Republican nominee for the Madison County Clerk position. Andreas was declared the Republican nominee for Madison County Clerk, according to the latest unofficial results from the 2026 primary elections, setting up a Nov. 3, 2026, general election contest against Democrat Rachelle Bauerle. Andreas, the incumbent county clerk, held a lead over challenger Kurt
ILLINOIS - Charles Meier will run unopposed to represent the 109th District in the Illinois House of Representatives on Nov. 3, 2026. During the primary election on March 17, 2026, incumbent Charlie Meier ran against his challenger Zachary Meyer for the Republican nomination. Meier took 62.2% of votes while Meyer received 37.8% of votes. Meier has held this seat since 2013. The 109th District includes Highland, Marine, Troy, and parts of Edwardsville.
EDWARDSVILLE – Edwardsville voters made their positions on video gambling well known during the 2026 primary elections. Voters faced a city-wide referendum on their ballots concerning the topic of video gambling, with the exact wording as follows: Shall the City of Edwardsville allow video gambling subject to regulation in existing establishments with on premises consumption of alcohol/liquor? 66.73% of Edwardsville residents voted against the referendum, while 33.27% voted in favor,
RIVERBEND - Democrat Marsie Geldert-Murphey will compete against Republican Erica Harriss in the race to represent the 56th District in the Illinois Senate. Marsie Geldert-Murphey and Kevin Hall, both Democrats, faced each other during the March 17, 2026, primary, and Geldert-Murphey secured the Democratic nomination. Geldert-Murphey secured 53.5% of votes and Hall received 46.5% of votes. Harriss has represented the 56th District since 2023. The 56th District includes parts of Godfrey,
SPRINGFIELD - With most precincts reporting, state Sen. Darren Bailey held a wide lead Tuesday, March 17, 2026, in the Illinois Republican primary for governor. Bailey had 281,431 votes, or 53.49%, with 92% reporting. Ted Dabrowski followed with 151,101 votes, or 28.72%. James Mendrick had 51,058 votes, or 9.70%, and Rick Heidner had 42,514 votes, or 8.08%. The race was not called. In a statement posted Tuesday night, March 17, 2026, Bailey addressed voters across the field. “To
EDWARDSVILLE – Linda Andreas has been named the Republican nominee for Madison County Clerk, according to the latest unofficial results for the 2026 primary elections. Andreas, the incumbent County Clerk, has unofficially secured her bid against challenger Kurt Prenzler, with Andreas receiving 52.85% of the vote and Prenzler receiving 47.15% of the vote, with 100% of precincts reporting. Andreas is set to face Democrat Rachelle Bauerle in the general elections on Nov. 3, 2026. Two
ILLINOIS - Margaret Croke will run against Bryan Drew for the Illinois comptroller seat. Incumbent Susana Mendoza has decided not to run for reelection. During the March 17, 2026, primary, four Democrats — Margaret Croke, Stephanie Kifowit, Holly Kim and Karina Villa — competed for the Democratic nomination. Croke received 35% of votes, Kifowit had 32.5% of votes, Kim took 24% of votes, and Villa had 8.5% votes. The general election is scheduled for Nov. 3, 2026. Croke an
SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker used primary election night remarks Tuesday to declare himself the Democratic nominee for governor and to frame the coming general election, while Christian Mitchell said he was “so proud to be your Democratic Nominee for Lieutenant Governor.” Pritzker ran unopposed in the Democratic primary election for governor. Speaking March 17, 2026, Pritzker thanked supporters and praised Mitchell as “the next Lieutenant Governor of Illinois,”
ILLINOIS - Nikki Budzinski will face Jeff Wilson in the race to represent Illinois’s 13th Congressional District during the general election on Nov. 3, 2026. Incumbent Nikki Budzinski has held this office since 2023. Budzinski, a Democrat, was challenged by Democrat Dylan Blaha for the Democratic nomination in the March 17, 2026, primary. Budzinski received 77% of votes while Blaha received 23% of votes. Republicans Joshua Loyd and Jeff Wilson competed for the Republican nomination.
BELLEVILLE – The race for St. Clair County Sheriff marked the only county-level contest in the 2026 primary elections. Incumbent Sheriff Richard “Rick” Watson secured his nomination bid against challenger Edgar Ellis in the Democratic primary race for St. Clair County Sheriff. Watson received 65% of the vote, while Ellis received 34% of the vote, with 100% of precincts partially reporting, according to unofficial results from March 17, 2026 . Watson is set to run unopposed
JERSEYVILLE – Rebecca Strang has been named the Republican nominee for Jersey County Treasurer, according to unofficial primary election results released the night of Tuesday, March 17, 2026. Strang, who serves as the current County Treasurer, secured 71% of the vote against challenger Jonathan Goetten, who received 29% of the vote with 100% of precincts reporting. Strang will run unopposed in the race for Treasurer in the Nov. 3, 2026 general elections, as no Democrat candidate
EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County officials resumed meeting in the Board Room last week after months of renovation to improve the safety, accessibility and functionality of the 34-year-old space. Board members held their first committee meeting on March 11 in the updated room. They will hold their first County Board meeting at 5 p.m. on Wednesday. “These upgrades allow us to better serve the public while ensuring the board room will continue to meet the county’s needs for years
ILLINOIS - As spring storms roll in, an Ameren spokesperson is clarifying how Ameren Illinois prepares and responds to storms, damage, and safety concerns. Brian Bretsch with Ameren Illinois noted that the company’s community liaison works closely with local city and county stakeholders as well as police and fire departments to ensure safety throughout a storm. This person will keep track of local outages and downed power lines so the crews can take care of these safety issues. W
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