* The Sun-Times…

After this week’s bombshell announcement that Illinois’ first Black House speaker wouldn’t seek a fourth term, Democratic state legislators could blaze another new trail with their selection for the next leader of their chamber.

Five women lawmakers were among the names floated most frequently as the Sun-Times spoke on background with more than a dozen lawmakers, lobbyists and other insiders sizing up potential candidates to replace outgoing House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside.[…]

Marcus Evans: The South Side assistant majority leader recently passed a different gavel after a two-year term as president of the National Conference of State Legislatures. Evans, who chairs the House Labor & Commerce Committee, told the Sun-Times he was calling his colleagues to ask for their support.

““I’ve observed some of the concerns people had with the previous speaker, and I believe I can do things a little differently,” Evans said. “I have the energy, I have the health. I know we can do great things.”

* Subscribers were told about this meeting yesterday. Sun-Times…

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell joined Bears chairman George McCaskey and president/CEO Kevin Warren in a meeting with Illinois legislators this week, a source confirmed, leaving open future discussions about a stadium site in either Chicago or the suburbs.

The Bears said in a statement Friday they “appreciate the recent engagement from Illinois leadership to explore legislation, which has allowed us to share our feedback.”

Goodell met with Illinois politicians in August, too, and later said that “we want to make sure that Arlington Heights and Illinois have an opportunity, and Indiana as well, to put their best foot forward.” A month later, he joined Gov. JB Prtizker and Bears minority owner Pat Ryan in another meeting with legislators. The commissioner would not have been involved in such discussions unless the Bears were interested in remaining in Illinois. […]

“We expect productive dialogue with both leadership teams in the coming weeks,” the Bears’ statement read. “We have a responsibility and obligation to explore every option available to the club, and we look forward to developing a transformational project that will attract global events and deliver jobs and economic growth to all of Chicagoland.”

* NBC Chicago’s Paris Schutz…

…Adding… Gov. Pritzker spokesperson Matt Hill…

“On Monday, Nov. 9, Governor Pritzker will complete an out-patient urology procedure. This is the standard and final follow-up to the same procedure he completed in May 2026. The Governor will continue fulfilling his duties and pause public events while recovering. The Governor is grateful for well-wishes and looks forward to resuming public events soon.”

Click here for a little more background on the May procedure.

* WAND | Illinois educators, school leaders ask lawmakers for funding boost: “We could have enough school nurses so every student’s health needs could be met,” IEA lobbyist Unique Mickens said Thursday. “Social workers and school psychologists would be able to provide mental health services not just for students, but also for their families.” Advocates said lawmakers left more than $4 billion in revenue proposals on the table when the spring session ended. The Illinois Federation of Teachers believes lawmakers need to choose people over profits and ask the wealthiest Illinoisans and corporations to pay their fair share.

* Shaw Local | Chicago Bears confirm they are working with Illinois lawmakers on a potential stadium bill: The team confirmed in a statement it released Friday that it had recently explored legislation with Illinois leadership in order to build its new stadium in the state, whether that’s in Arlington Heights or in Chicago. […] “We continue to work collaboratively with local and state leaders in Indiana to advance our stadium development plans in Hammond, where we are finalizing due diligence details across two sites in the Wolf Lake area. “At the same time, we appreciate the recent engagement from Illinois leadership to explore legislation, which has allowed us to share our feedback.” […] “We expect productive dialogue with both leadership teams in the coming weeks,” the team said. “We have a responsibility and obligation to explore every option available to the club, and we look forward to developing a transformational project that will attract global events and deliver jobs and economic growth to all of Chicagoland.”

* First Post | Who is Saba Haider? How a woman from UP’s Bulandshahr made history in US politics: Haider’s father is Syed Ali Haider, a retired engineer, and her mother is Chandni. Her parental home is in Ghaziabad, where relatives celebrated her election victory. Her father described the result as a moment of pride beyond the family, saying, “This is not just a victory for our family but a moment of pride for the entire country.” […] Haider’s victory made her the first South Asian woman elected to the Illinois General Assembly. The 84th District covers parts of Will, DuPage, Kane and Kendall counties, including Aurora, Naperville, Oswego, Montgomery and Boulder Hill.

* Tribune | South Chicago Chapel director’s license to remain suspended until April: The operator of a Southeast Side funeral home where 55 decomposing bodies were discovered this summer will have her license suspended until at least April, an administrative law judge ruled. Administrative law Judge Laura Forester issued the order Thursday, which also set April 12 for a formal hearing in the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation’s disciplinary case against Johanna Morgan, who along with her husband, Clark, is a longtime businesswoman in the so-called death care industry.

* Block Club | Lakeview Ald. Bennett Lawson Faces 2 Challengers In 2027 Election: Three candidates have filed to run for 44th Ward alderperson, setting up a challenge to incumbent Ald. Bennett Lawson as he seeks his first contested election victory. Lawson, who was elected unopposed in 2023 after succeeding longtime Ald. Tom Tunney, faces Lakeview residents Dennis “DJ” Doran, a business executive and Air Force veteran, and Kalen Luciano, a 26-year-old community organizer and co-founder of Lakeview Urbanists.

* Block Club | Ald. Walter ‘Red’ Burnett’s Mom Challenges His 4 Opponents’ Ballot Petitions: The political veteran told Block Club Chicago that she independently reviewed the candidates’ nominating petitions — the signatures a candidate needs to collect to get on the ballot — and said she believes not all of the signatures are from constituents who live in the ward. […] When asked why she specifically challenged the petitions instead of a member of Walter Redmond Burnett’s staff, Williams-Burnett pointed to her experience.

* Axios | WBEZ names three interim hosts for “In the Loop” after Sasha-Ann Simons’ exit: Simons, who announced her departure last month after six years at the NPR station, signed off Friday. City Hall reporter Mariah Woelfel will host the show in November, followed by engagement reporter Araceli Gómez-Aldana in December and “Curious City” editor Susie An in January.

* Sun-Times | ‘Broadview Six’ prosecutor asks judge to delay high-stakes hearing where feds could take the stand: A prosecutor who’s been ordered to testify about the tainted “Broadview Six” case asked a judge Thursday to delay the hearing by a week, citing the possibility that his interests “may not be aligned” with others called to the stand — a list that includes U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros. Assistant U.S. Attorney William Hogan asked U.S. District Judge April Perry to push the Nov. 16 hearing back to Nov. 23. He did so in a five-page brief filed by his attorney, Shelly Kulwin. It said Kulwin will be out of town before Nov. 16, and he will need “several days” to meet with Hogan and prepare for the hearing.

* Daily Herald | Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern merger plan roiled as feds order hot-button video released amid ‘retaliation’ concerns: On Wednesday, the U.S. Surface Transportation Board ordered UP to make public a video of a speech by CEO Jim Vena to shippers where he suggested that those opposing the merger could face higher rates “Stakeholders must be able to participate without fear of repercussions,” the STB said in a ruling that denied UP’s request to keep the speech video confidential.

* Illinois Answers Project | Evanston Hired a PI to Probe Motor Fuel Tax Questions. It’s Crystal Lake’s Police Chief: Kotlowski, who’s listed as manager of Clarity One Solutions, signed the contract. He’s a longtime member of the Crystal Lake Police Department and was promoted to chief in August. Public records reveal his company was previously registered at his home address, and his email signature lists a business address in Crystal Lake. Emails obtained by Illinois Answers reveal Kotlowski communicated with city officials about Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) funds multiple times. In a June 29 email to Corporation Counsel Alex Ruggie, Kotlowski stated he spoke with City Manager Luke Stowe and forwarded a copy of his service agreement. On July 23, Ruggie informed Kotlowski that she would “begin pulling documents.”

* Naperville Sun | Longtime treasurer out as Dems sweep DuPage countywide races: DuPage Democrats commanded wins in all DuPage countywide races up for election Tuesday, ousting longtime Treasurer Gwen Henry and ushering in a new sheriff and county clerk. DuPage County Chair Deborah Conroy was given a second term, while Henry will be succeeded by county board member Yeena Yoo, who represents District 2. The new clerk is Paula Deacon Garcia, also a sitting county board member, and the new sheriff is Peter Coolidge, a retired county sheriff’s deputy.

* WCIA | Rantoul voters approve cannabis dispensaries in the village: In Tuesday’s election, more than 56 percent of voters said yes to cannabis businesses opening their doors and ultimately helping boost the local economy. Board of trustees member Terry Workman said the board can still vote to have this referendum overturned, but he said that’s not likely to happen. The referendum passed by more than 300 votes.