WASHINGTON (AP) - Democrat Joe Biden was pushing closer to the 270 Electoral College votes needed to carry the White House, securing victories in the "blue wall" battlegrounds of Wisconsin and Michigan and narrowing President Donald Trump's path.

Sangamon County officials reported 228 new coronavirus cases Thursday, topping the previous daily record of new infections by more than 100 and bringing the case total during the pandemic to more than 5,000.The previous high number of cases in a day came just five days earlier - 123 cases reported on Saturday.

House Republican Leader Jim Durkin said Thursday that the Pritzker administration should start with 4% across the board cuts to the state budget following the failure of the graduated income tax amendment.

Grammy award-winning rap superstar Nelly has been re-booked to perform at the Sangamon County Fair on June 17, 2021, after this summer's fair was halted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Illinois marked a grim milestone in the fight against the coronavirus Thursday when the state topped 10,000 deaths from the disease.

As the days settle into more darkness, a little dark humor might be enlightening.

A Sangamon County judge said plaintiffs have to try again in challenging Gov. JB Pritzker's authority to impose restrictions to control the COVID-19 virus.

CHICAGO - U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos has fended off a challenge from Republican Esther Joy King and been re-elected to a fifth term.

The dining industry was stunned last spring by a statewide dine-in ban aimed at slowing the spread of the novel coronavirus.