Jamey Dunn is leaving the position of Illinois Issues editor. In this week’s Illinois Issues report, she reflects on her time working here and covering state government. 

Incumbent Republican Congressman Rodney Davis of Taylorville and Democratic challenger Mark Wicklund of Decatur shared similar concerns in areas like criminal justice reform and student loan interest rates, but they also found plenty to disgree on in their first debate of the season, including the future of the Affordable Care Act, and the approval ratings of Congress during the Obama administration.

Rodney Davis (R) and Mark Wicklund (D) debate the issues at 7 pm Oct. 17 on WILL-TV

Exercising your right to vote on Election Day and campaigning for your preferred candidates are usually safe, low-risk endeavors. But in the first half of the 20th Century it wasn’t always peaceful.

This Wednesday, Gov. Bruce Rauner will present his budget plan for next fiscal year to the General Assembly. But the state still doesn’t have a budget for the current fiscal year.