GOP House candidate wants better transparency
A Republican candidate for the Illinois House says the public deserves transparency after state Rep. Harry Benton, D-Plainfield, was removed from the House Democratic Caucus and stripped of his committee assignments.
Candidate Gabby Shanahan released a statement saying two weeks of silence are not acceptable after such extraordinary actions were taken against a sitting legislator.
Benton’s office did not respond to The Center Square’s request for comment.
Ill. Supreme Court to hear cases at WIU
The Illinois Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments for two cases at Western Illinois University on Wednesday.
An audience of about 600 people is expected for the court’s Riding the Circuit program.
The cases to be heard are People v. Marshall and E.W., etc., et al., v. The Board of Education of East St. Louis School District #189.
Makers Madness voting opens
The Illinois Manufacturers’ Association says voting is open in the 2026 edition of a contest to determine “The Coolest Thing Made in Illinois.”
More than 100 products were nominated for the Makers Madness bracket-style tournament. Voting to decide which products advance to the Top 16 runs through March 22 at www.makersmadnessil.com.




