On this week's episode of Out and About, Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Jessica Moreano, programming director of the Big Picture Peoria Film Festival, about the festival’s return Nov. 20 and 21 to the Peoria Riverfront Museum. Featuring four screenings of independent short films in animation, narrative fiction and documentary, this year’s festival includes a dedicated student filmmaker showcase, a family-friendly screening and an awards ceremony.

Voters in three Peoria County townships signaled strong support for a push to repeal an Illinois law that blocks investment of public pension funds with companies that choose to boycott Israel.

JB Pritzker released a 200-point policy plan that he wants the new Democrat-controlled Congress to take up. The plan is aimed at reversing many Trump administration policies that Pritzker believes harms Illinois.

Illinois’ constitutional offices will all remain in Democratic hands, though the state will have a new U.S. senator and state comptroller.

Peoria City Council member Mike Vespa will trade city hall for a county courtroom after securing a seat on the bench in Tuesday’s election.

Republican state Rep. Ryan Spain of Peoria withstood his first general election challenge Tuesday to secure a sixth term in the Illinois House.

Voters in Peoria County chose to keep incumbent Rachael Parker as county clerk, but picked challenger Randy Stevens as treasurer.

Here are the results for several tax questions on the ballot Tuesday around Greater Peoria.

Tazewell County voters Tuesday once again defeated a 1% school facilities sales tax referendum. The measure lost 55% to 45%. The tax was previously rejected by Tazewell County voters in 2018 and 2019.

With 60% of votes tallied, the Associated Press announced LaHood, R-Dunlap, had defeated Paul Nolley by a 17-point margin to win in the 16th Congressional District.