2026 Illinois State Fair
The 2026 Illinois State Fair in Springfield took place August 13 to August 23, with this year’s “Miles of Smiles” theme celebrating the 100thanniversary of Route 66. The fair is a major annual gathering point for candidates, elected officials, party organizations, and political operatives, with dedicated Democratic and Republican events providing opportunities for campaigning, fundraising, organizing, and networking, particularly with 2026 being a major state election year.
The fair’s political days kicked off on Wednesday, August 19, with Governor’s Day. Gov. JB Pritzker was joined by U.S Sen. Dick Durbin, Lieutenant Governor candidate Christian Mitchell, Attorney General Kwame Raoul, Comptroller Susana Mendoza, and Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias to rally Democrats ahead of the November election. The day included many tributes to retiring Sen. Durbin, with the annual Illinois Democratic County Chairs’ Association (IDCCA) Party Builder Award renamed in his honor to recognize his decades of service.
Republican Day on Thursday, August 20 featured the Illinois Republican Party (ILGOP) Rally on the Director’s Lawn, a joint Republican County Chairmen’s Association (RCCA) of Illinois and Illinois Republican State Central Committee meeting, and a reception for gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey, and other events.
Chicago Bears Stadium Update
The Chicago Bears’ stadium saga continues to be a major focus this summer as Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren declared on August 13 that Hammond, Indiana is now the organization’s “sole focus” for a new stadium. The announcement came during a press conference at Halas Hall, following the Bears’ Board of Directors vote in early June to advance the Hammond project after the Illinois General Assembly failed to pass a stadium financing proposal before adjourning for the summer.
Warren identified two potential sites in Hammond — Lost Marsh and Wolf Lake Terminal — noting that due diligence on Lost Marsh confirms the land is viable for construction and that the team is exploring merging both sites into a single mixed-use development. Indiana has already approved legislation that could provide up to $1B in incentives for the stadium development project. Chairman George McCaskey confirmed the team will remain the “Chicago Bears” regardless of location.
Still, the door hasn’t fully closed on Illinois. While Warren confirmed there is no deal or legislation in place with the state and contact with lawmakers has been “minimal,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell reportedly met with Illinois lawmakers on August 13, the same day as Warren’s announcement. Gov. Pritzker’s Office maintains the governor “still remains open to a sensible solution that protects taxpayers,” and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s Office stated the city will “continue to engage” until “shovels in the ground” appear in Hammond. Warren declined to set a groundbreaking timeline, calling it a “40-to-50-year decision,” but noted construction costs are rising by $150–200M per year.
After considering and failing to pass two different proposals that would provide the Bears with the property tax certainty they desire to locate in Illinois (HB 958– Municipal Stadium Authority Act, and various versions of legislation to create a payment in lieu of taxes [PILOT] incentive), the Illinois General Assembly will continue to negotiate and work on a deal that all parties can agree to ahead of fall veto session.
Important Upcoming Dates – Statewide
November 3– Illinois General Election
November 17-19– Veto Session Week 1
December 1-3– Veto Session Week 2
In the News
Lobbyist John Kelly, a mayoral candidate, vows to use relationships he’s built to save a ‘city in decline’–Chicago Sun-Times, August 20, 2026
Portraying Chicago as a crime-ridden “city in decline” and Mayor Brandon Johnson as the teachers union’s “tool,” mayoralchallenger John Kellyvowed Thursday to use the insider relationships he has built as a career lobbyist to deliver the resources the city needs.
Gov. JB Pritzker declares ‘BTS Day’ in Illinois in honor of K-pop group’s visit to Chicago–Chicago Sun-Times, August 20, 2026
The arrival of BTS in Chicago will be marked with a new statewide commemoration, thanks to the K-pop group’s passionate fans.
Chicago will not host 2028 Democratic National Convention–ABC7, August 20, 2026
Chicago will not be hosting back-to-back Democratic National Conventions, officials announced Thursday. After hosting the 2024 Democratic National Convention, the city submitted a bid to again play host in 2028.
Cook County state’s attorney Opinion: The electronic monitoring system is broken–Chicago Tribune, August 19, 2026
But an unsettling trend has emerged in Cook County. Our electronic monitoring population has grown from fewer than 500 defendants in 2010 to roughly 3,000 today. We now have more people on electronic monitoring than any other jurisdiction in the country — including Los Angeles and New York City.
Excessive odors and landfill fires are next round in Southeast Side’s battle against pollution–Chicago Tribune, August 19, 2026
His house is next to Pullman Innovations, a facility that creates ingredients used in animal feed. And since management changed a decade ago, Ortega, 59, said pungent smells on days the plant operates have prevented him from going outside or opening the windows.
Giannoulias calls for $22 minimum wage–Crain’s Chicago Business, August 18, 2026
Secretary of State and newly minted mayoral contender Alexi Giannoulias wants to increase Chicago’s minimum wage to $22 an hour by 2032, an accelerated timetable he argues will build up the middle class without disincentivizing job growth.
NASCAR is pulling the plug on its Chicago street race–Crain’s Chicago Business, August 18, 2026
NASCAR is nixing plans to return its street race to Chicago’s lakefront in 2027.
GOP Lt Governor Candidate Aaron Del Mar Encourages Republicans all Over the State to GET OUT TO VOTE, and BE PROUD–Vermillion County First, August 18, 2026
Republican Lieutenant Governor candidate Aaron Del Mar stopped at CIMG in Danville Tuesday afternoon; making one of many stops on his way to the State Fair in Springfield. He’s currently Palatine Township Highway Commissioner, and also of course, GOP gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey’s running mate.
‘It never stops’: Some drivers skeptical of need for hefty toll hikes as decision looms–The Daily Herald, August 18, 2026
With Illinois tollway board directors teed up to vote on a rate hike Wednesday, what do local drivers think about the proposal?
Independent candidate for governor seeks to break 2 party grip on Illinois politics–25 News, August 18, 2026
Independent candidate for Illinois governorCollin Corbettis campaigning in Central Illinois, looking to break the Democratic and Republican stranglehold on state government.
A former Republican strategist for 20 years, Corbett said he is running to give a voice to a growing number of voters who feel left out by both parties.
Ethics Board Investigating Mayoral Hopeful John Kelly for Filming Campaign Videos in Chicago Fire Stations–WTTW, August 18, 2026
The Chicago Board of Ethics is investigating mayoral hopeful John Kelly for posting three campaign videos recorded in Chicago Fire Department stations in recent weeks, officials told WTTW News.
State representative could be making return to local politics–WSPY News, August 18, 2026
State Representative Stephanie Kifowit could be making a return to local politics. The Kendall County Democrats say that Kifowit is gathering petition signatures to run for the Oswego Village Board among other returning candidates in 2027.
Illinois lawmakers want chaotic ‘mega master’ hearings at Chicago’s immigration court to end–Chicago Sun-Times, August 18, 2026
In a letter to the Department of Justice that relied heavily on recent reporting by the Chicago Sun-Times and WBEZ, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin and U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi questioned whether these hearings provide due process for immigrants who seek to remain in the United States.
Compared to other states, Illinois takes lax approach toward funeral home oversight–Chicago Sun-Times, August 18, 2026
The macabre discovery of dozens of unrefrigerated, decomposing bodies at a South Side funeral home is prompting legislative calls for tighter government regulation of an industry that has operated largely free of state controls.
Editorial: Another millionaires tax referendum? We have some questions we’d rather ask Chicago voters.–Chicago Tribune, August 18, 2026
The Chicago Board of Education adopted a $10 billionbudgetlast month that banks on $150 million in state funds that may never materialize. Now, school board members have placed two advisory questions on the November ballot aimed at putting pressure on city and state officials to pony up.
Chicago police traffic stops plunge, again, but Black and Latino drivers still get pulled over far more–Chicago Sun-Times, August 14, 2026
Civil rights groups call for an end to pretextual traffic stops as a way to address the racial disparities.