Border Chief Bovino Pushed Out, Senate Race Heats Up in Illinois

WBEZ's Weekly News Recap covers key stories, including a former sheriff's deputy's 20-year sentence and VP Vance's ableism accusation.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 7:15pm

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This week's WBEZ news recap covers several notable stories, including the ouster of Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino, the heated Illinois Senate race, and other political developments in Chicago and Illinois.

Why it matters

These stories provide insight into the evolving political landscape in Illinois, from changes in federal immigration enforcement leadership to high-profile accusations and legal cases involving prominent politicians.

The details

The recap covers the 20-year sentence given to a former sheriff's deputy for the murder of Sonya Massey, as well as accusations of ableism against Vice President JD Vance for a social media post about Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth. It also mentions Chicago's City Council advancing a plan to strengthen the Welcoming City Ordinance, the arrival of THC drinks at the United Center, and a Congressional Budget Office report on the $21 million spent deploying the National Guard to Chicago for 'Operation Midway Blitz'.

  • On January 30, 2026, WBEZ released its weekly news recap.

The players

Gregory Bovino

The former commander of the U.S. Border Patrol who was pushed out of his position.

JD Vance

The current Vice President of the United States who was accused of ableism for a social media post about Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth.

Tammy Duckworth

The Illinois Senator who was the subject of Vice President Vance's controversial social media post.

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The takeaway

This weekly news recap from WBEZ highlights the evolving political dynamics in Illinois, from changes in federal immigration enforcement leadership to high-profile accusations and legal cases involving prominent politicians. These stories provide valuable insight into the state's shifting political landscape.