Illinois quick hits: State rep. appointed circuit judge; Bailey to seek rematch with Pritzker

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

State rep. appointed circuit judge

Justice Mary K. O’Brien and the Illinois Supreme Court have announced the appointment of state Rep. Terra Costa Howard, D-Glen Ellyn, as a resident circuit judge in DuPage County.

Effective Oct. 7, Costa Howard is slated to replace retired Judge Paul Fullerton.

Costa Howard gained notoriety during the General Assembly’s spring session when her bill to regulate schools and homeschool families drew record-breaking opposition across the state.

Bailey to seek rematch with Pritzker

Former state Sen. Darren Bailey, R-Xenia, is set to launch his second campaign for governor on Thursday.

Bailey and his running mate, Cook County Republican Party chair Aaron Del Mar, have appearances scheduled in Carterville, Bloomington and Oak Brook.

Bailey won the Republican primary in 2022 but lost to incumbent Gov. J.B. Pritzker in the general election.

Tick bite warnings

The Illinois Department of Public Health is reminding residents to take precautions against tick bites.

IDPH says an Illinois resident recently became seriously ill with Powassan, a tick-borne illness that had not previously been detected in the state.

IDPH says the case serves as a reminder to protect against all illnesses associated with ticks.