Maria Gardner - Daily Herald Media Group

A McHenry County child welfare advocacy group created a display of children’s shoes in the Illinois Statehouse on Thursday to bring awareness of child abuse to legislators.

Members of the Roar for AJ group will rally Thursday at the state Capitol to call attention to what members consider ongoing failures by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.

As of Wednesday, voters could begin applying to cast their ballots by mail.

Local Democrats have named former state Rep. Diane Pappas to replace disgraced state Sen. Tom Cullerton in the 23rd District.

Illinois voters are almost exactly five months away from a pandemic-delayed primary scheduled for June 28. So, now’s the time to begin preparing for an election that will determine candidates for county, state and some federal offices.