Will County races feature some familiar faces

While the Will County executive and state’s attorney’s races are considered the most contentious, a wide range of candidates is vying for four other county-wide offices.

Drew Peterson, Christopher Vaughn cases focus of Will County state’s attorney race

A man who is arguably one of the most hated criminals in the nation — convicted wife-killer Drew Peterson — may have provided a pre-election boost for incumbent Jim Glasgow in the Will County state’s attorney race. But Glasgow’s opponent, Dave Carlson, believes Peterson’s conviction came in spite of Glasgow.

Will County executive’s race a tale of two counties

The race for Will County executive features two veteran politicians who have different takes on how things are going in county government. Incumbent Larry Walsh, D-Elwood, who is finishing his second term in office and is a former state senator, believes he has done a …

Business groups endorse Biggert for health care, regulation opposition

AURORA —In the race for the 11th Congressional District, Republican Rep. Judy Biggert gained endorsements Friday from a pair of business organizations. Representatives from the National Federation of Independent Businesses and the Illinois Chamber of Commerce both announced their organizations’ endorsements at a press conference …

Foster: Romney-Ryan budget would hurt seniors

AURORA — Senior citizens could end up paying an additional $6,400 cost per person under a Mitt Romney-Paul Ryan budget, according to 11th Congressional District Democratic candidate Bill Foster. Foster, of Naperville, hammered at that point at a round table event at Nikarry’s restaurant in …

Will Co. forest preserve board asks $174,000 question

JOLIET — The Will County Forest Preserve District is poised to spend $174,000 for a parcel of land that was acquired for $7,000 earlier this year by an Elmhust man who paid the property’s delinquent taxes.

It’s not clear if the district could have purchased …

Democratic PAC using ‘loud’ Walsh in ads against colleagues Dold, Biggert

A pro-Democratic group is using video cuts of the “loud,” politically incorrect tea partyer Joe Walsh to turn up the volume against Republicans in three key Chicago-area races. Walsh’s bluster is the centerpiece of a new spot, which is part of a $2.4 million ad …

Illinois House races: Democrats see ‘path’ to majority; GOP sees ‘ground zero for a problem’

With six competitive congressional races, there is a lot of attention focused on the Land of Lincoln. Both the national committees for Republicans and Democrats are planning an intense battle over the next five weeks, with each poised to pour millions of dollars into the state’s congressional races. That’s besides SuperPAC money that’s also flowing the way of Illinois, some giving recent boosts to Republican incumbents Joe Walsh and Judy Biggert. Five of the seats up for grabs are now held by Republicans. Since Democrats recently redrew congressional maps, there are more Democrats living in all of those districts. Nationally,

Resident worried voting machines could be hacked

The DuPage County Election Commission board has been asked to consider double-checking the accuracy of its voting machinery, but officials might not deem it necessary. The cochairwoman of the Illinois Ballot Integrity Project has called on the three-member panel to retain a team based at …

Super PAC to spend half-million on Biggert ads

A pro-gay rights Republican super PAC reportedly plans to spend $500,000 on ads in support of Republican U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert of Hinsdale. American Unity PAC, founded by New Yorker Paul Singer, will run ads ripping Biggert’s Democratic opponent in the Fox Valley’s new 11th …

Anderson claims GOP-led House ‘unable to accomplish anything’

The Democratic candidate for Congress in the 14th Congressional District is concerned about where Congress is taking the nation.

“I am afraid where this country is going,” Dennis Anderson said at a town hall forum in Yorkville this week.

Anderson, 61, met with about 50 …

7 Democrats returned to Will County Board ballot

OTTAWA — A ruling by the 3rd District Appellate Court will put seven Democratic candidates for Will County Board back on the Nov. 6 ballot. Scott Pyles, chairman of the Democratic Party and one of the attorneys who worked on the appeal, said he was …

Democratic candidate once off ballot now back in Will County race

Reed Bible is running for a seat on the Will County Board, and hopes that people will remember not only his name, but his pledge to give back to the community. Bible, a retired federal agent, says he wants to serve the community with his …

Obama asks for patience in difficult times

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — President Barack Obama closed the last night of the Democratic National Convention Thursday with a plea for patience in fixing the economy and a big promise that his vision for a strong middle class will make America “a better place.”

Drew Peterson conviction comes at crucial time in Glasgow re-election bid

Though the Will County state’s attorney and his staff have been careful to avoid the topic, Drew Peterson’s murder trial came at a perilous political time for James Glasgow. In about two months he’ll ask the people of Will County for a fifth term as top prosecutor.