Illinois House Speaker and Democrat Party Chief Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) gave a total of $1,403,004 to Plainfield State House candidate Mica Freeman this election cycle, state filings show.

Illinois House Speaker and Democrat Party Chief Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) gave a total of $1,441,820 to West Chicago State House candidate Karina Villa this election cycle, state filings show.

Unlike the dynamic four years ago, a majority of the Illinois House races – 56 percent – will be competitive contests pitting major party candidates during the Nov. 6 midterm election.

An annual Illinois assessment of student, school and school district performance labels more than 77 percent of K-12 schools as exemplary or commendable, even though students' academic test results appear static and sub-par in many instances

The number of Illinois House races being contested by major-party candidates on Nov. 6 is up 13.6 percent over the last midterm election in 2014, according to a Prairie State Wire analysis.

Plainfield State House candidate Mica Freeman received another $113,600 from Illinois House Speaker and Democrat Party Chief Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) between Sept. 6 and Sept. 30, state filings show.

Big Lake at Silver Springs State Fish and Wildlife Area will be one of 57 locations that will be open for the Illinois Fall Trout Fishing Season beginning on Oct. 20.

Plainfield State House candidate Mica Freeman received an additional $88,959 from Illinois House Speaker and Democrat Party Chief Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) between Aug. 15 and Sept. 6, state filings show.

Kendall County posted the third lowest home affordability index in Illinois, according to an analysis of 432 counties nationwide by ATTOM Data Solutions in the second quarter.

Illinois House Speaker and Democrat Party Chief Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) gave $750 to Aurora State House candidate James G. Leslie between July 15 and Aug. 15, state filings show.

Illinois House Speaker and Democrat Party Chief Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) gave $96,901 to Plainfield State House candidate Mica Freeman between July 15 and Aug. 15, state filings show.

Property owners in Boulder Hill paid more than two percent of the value of their homes in taxes last year.

Property owners in Joliet paid more than two percent of the value of their homes in taxes last year.

Property owners in Newark paid almost three percent of the value of their homes in taxes last year.

Property owners in Montgomery paid almost three percent of the value of their homes in taxes last year.

Property owners in Oswego paid almost three percent of the value of their homes in taxes last year.

Property owners in Yorkville paid almost three percent of the value of their homes in taxes last year.

Property owners in Plainfield paid more than three percent of the value of their homes in taxes last year.

Property owners in Plano paid more than three percent of the value of their homes in taxes last year.

Property owners in Minooka paid more than three percent of the value of their homes in taxes last year.