The Illinois State Board of Elections will decide next week whether it should follow a hearing officer’s recommendation and reject state Senate President Don Harmon’s appeal of a nearly $10 million fine for accepting campaign contributions in excess of state campaign finance limits.

The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday in a case that could decide whether political candidates have the right to challenge Illinois’ vote-by-mail law in court.

The Supreme Court appeared poised Wednesday to pave the way for a floodgate of lawsuits challenging certain state election laws to proceed — before those elections take place.

— APPOINTED: Margaret DeLaRosa has been appointed state representative in the 42nd District, filling the seat held by Terra Costa Howard, who is becoming a circuit court judge. DeLaRosa lives in Glen Ellyn, has served on the Glenbard Township District 87 School Board since 2015 and is former president of the Glen Ellyn League of Women Voters.

See how candidates for Congress are doing in raising campaign cash in the four most-competitive districts in Illinois.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has held discussions with Maryland and Illinois Democrats about new maps as he vows to further respond to GOP efforts.