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Isabel’s afternoon roundup

Tuesday, Mar 3, 2026 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* The Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association, which is backing Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton for US Senate, has released a new poll from Public Policy Polling

With just two weeks to go, the latest PPP poll among Democratic primary voters in Illinois finds that Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton has pulled into the lead in the race for U.S. Senate. Stratton leads with 33%, followed by Krishnamoorthi at 30% and Congresswoman Robin Kelly at 11%.

Over our last three polls since early February, her vote share has steadily increased from 23%, to 27%, and now 33%–a 10-point gain in the last four weeks. Just one week ago, Stratton trailed Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, 27% to 29% and now she leads him 33% to 30%.

The favorability rating for Krishnamoorthi has dropped from 51 favorable/15 unfavorable, to 47/24, to now 41/30 across our three polls over the last four weeks. He’s gone from a +36 net favorability rating to +9, indicating that voters are holding increasingly negative opinions about Krishnamoorthi in the closing weeks of the race. On the other hand, Stratton continues to have a strong favorable rating at 40/16 holding steady from last week (43/15).

Public Policy Polling surveyed 557 likely Democratic primary voters from March 2-3, 2026. The margin of error is +/- 4.2%. 63% of the interviews for the survey were conducted by text message and 37% by telephone.

*** Statehouse News ***

* Crain’s | Illinois AG joins pushback from states, nurses against federal student loan change: Since the Department of Education’s more restrictive student loan rules were first suggested in November, politicians, nursing educators and health care organizations have railed against a plan they call counter-productive as the nation faces a demographic cliff that threatens to leave the health care workforce decimated. Yesterday’s letter from 25 state governors and attorneys general, including Illinois AG Kwame Raoul, the coalition says the department ignored Congress’ clear intent “by turning an illustrative list of degrees into a hard limit, leaving out nurses, physician assistants and other essential health professionals.”

* WAND | IL bill could close gaps in protection for domestic violence survivors: Sen. Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) said Illinois should ensure emergency orders of protection remain in effect until the final order of protection has been served. This comes as many survivors are harassed and threatened under the current system where emergency orders are no longer in effect after a judge grants a plenary order. “This bill would mean protection for victims of abuse remains fully enforceable and protects survivors from dangerous loopholes and paperwork timing,” Stadelman said. “The intent is clear — Domestic violence victims deserve protection all the way through the process.”

* BND | IL officials introduce bills to end daylight saving time change — which happens soon: Bills relating to daylight saving time often circulate the Illinois legislature. One example is House Bill 1400, which would establish permanent daylight saving time in the state, if allowed by Congress. H.B. 1400 was filed in January 2025 and its last action was an assignment to the State Government Administration Committee Feb. 24, 2026. Some efforts against clock-changing take a different approach, however, such as Senate Bill 2926, which aims to exempt the state from required daylight saving time. S.B. 2926 was filed Jan. 27 and has been referred to the assignments committee.

* Center Square | Lobbyist: Passenger rail planning bill has no fiscal impact this year: Speaking on behalf of the High Speed Rail Alliance, lobbyist Dan Johnson said the bill does not call for funding or have any immediate effect on the state budget. “There’s incredible demand for travel. We’re just underinvesting in our passenger trains, but there’s no fiscal impact this year,” Johnson said.

*** Chicago ***

* Block Club | What’s Next For Austin’s Mars Candy Factory? Neighbors Weigh Development Proposals: Community members have spoken out against the developer’s plan for nearly 500 new housing units on the former factory site — with a local group going as far as to present its own plans for the 20-acre property. Residents in the Galewood Montclare Community Organization hosted a meeting last week to discuss their proposal for a “campus-style redevelopment” of the candy factory. The group’s plans include a library, grocery store, restaurants, workforce development center, indoor youth recreation center and a museum dedicated to the Mars factory. The neighborhood group’s plan does not include housing, which is the biggest contention the group has with developer McCaffery’s proposal.

* WTTW | Key City Panel Rejects Push to Punish Parents If Their Kids Violate Curfew, Other Laws: The City Council’s Public Safety Committee rejected the measure crafted by Ald. Raymond Lopez (15th Ward) after a brief debate about whether the city should seek to jail people whose teens “violate curfew, engage in drag racing, flipping of cars, intoxication or use of paintball guns.” With the support of Alds. Marty Quinn (13th Ward), Matt O’Shea (19th Ward) and Silvana Tabares (23rd Ward), Lopez first introduced the measure in October 2023, only to have it languish without a hearing or vote for more than two and a half years.

* Tribune | Drew Dalman, the Pro Bowl Chicago Bears center, reportedly is retiring at age 27: Dalman has played five seasons in the NFL, including one with the Bears. He signed a three-year, $42 million free-agent contract with the team last March. He started at center in all 17 regular-season games and both playoff games and earned his first Pro Bowl selection. He was the only Bears player to play every offensive snap in the 2026 season.

*** Cook County and Suburbs ***

* ABC Chicago | Medical debt forgiveness program extended for Cook County residents: “There’s no application, no paperwork and no tax consequences,” Preckwinkle said. “Residents simply receive a letter in the mail informing them that their debt has been canceled.” Health officials say they’ve seen what this relief means for families and the quiet crisis sweeping across the state and nation.

* Aurora Beacon-News | Yorkville council OKs contracts with engineering firm, acoustical consultant for proposed data center projects: Yorkville has become a sort of hub for data center projects, in part due to the area’s proximity to a ComEd substation. Several projects at varying stages of approval are under consideration in Yorkville, forming what may one day be a sort of corridor of data center campuses in the northeast quadrant of Eldamain Road and Route 34. But with these proposed developments has come significant resident opposition, with concerns ranging from residents’ health to noise to energy usage and costs.

* CBS Chicago | Aurora, Illinois wants to hear more from residents about data center development: Because of the interest in Aurora, the city set a 180-day pause on any new data center developments. The pause expires Tuesday, March 24. New regulations for data centers include updates on zoning standards, and a requirement that developers submit a sound study, water consumption report, and energy usage report.

* Crain’s | Oak Brook retail center sold for $44M: The sale price is slightly higher than the $41.1 million MetLife paid for the property, known as Overlook at Oakbrook, when it was newly built in 2023, according to DuPage County property records. Tenant rents at Overlook have room to grow, and the property benefits from its proximity to Oakbrook Center, the state’s second-largest mall, said JLL Managing Director Michael Nieder. “The property’s location directly across from Oakbrook Center, combined with below-market rents from leases signed during the pandemic and strong demographics, created significant investor interest,” Nieder said in a statement.

*** Downstate ***

* STLPR | East St. Louis had the fewest homicides in 45 years in 2025, Illinois State Police say: In recent history, East St. Louis recorded as many as 36 homicides in 2019. The continued drop in murders reaffirms to state and local police that their efforts are working, said ISP Director Brendan Kelly. “I would not have guessed that we would have been able to achieve that in this past year — or in any year,” said Kelly, who served as the St. Clair County state’s attorney from 2010 to 2019. “It is encouraging, but it is a result of a long period of hard work.”

* WCIA | Decatur prepping to transform more ‘unsafe properties’: Council member David Horn said that in 2024, Decatur demolished 150 properties, but that number fell to 30 last year. He said the city is getting back on track with Monday’s approvals, and he’s excited to see the properties not just taken down but reused for something better. “Ultimately, after we get public feedback on that plan, we will be able to come together and have a community-wide plan for what we want to see the City of Decatur look like over these next four years,” Horn said. “And demolition is one component, but it’s not the only component.”

*** National ***

* WaPo | ICE training was slashed, records show, corroborating whistleblower claims: The documents also offer new insight into how and when the training program was reduced. The vast majority of the cuts occurred in August, the records show, as the Trump administration pushed ICE to double the number of officers in the field by the end of 2025. The initial cuts eliminated more than 100 hours dedicated to hands-on instruction and practice scenarios, including half the 56 hours once spent on firearms training, the records show. Fitness training time was almost entirely cut. Also eliminated were dozens of hours of classroom learning on such topics as case processing and deportation officers’ legal authority.

* NYT | Big Lenders’ Risky Loans Are Rattling Wall Street: Blue Owl has continued to publicly emphasize that its metrics show only 1 percent of its loans are at risk of default, and that it does not foresee more weakening anytime soon. Craig Packer, Blue Owl’s co-president, said in a statement that its portfolio was “attractive and well-diversified.” Yet the firm’s hand was essentially forced two weeks ago when investors in one of its funds demanded some of their money back. Partly to satisfy those requests, Blue Owl sold $1.4 billion worth of loans, including some to a closely affiliated insurer that Blue Owl did not initially disclose.

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HB 3799 Raises Premiums And Destabilizes A Stable Insurance Market

Tuesday, Mar 3, 2026 - Posted by Advertising Department

[The following is a paid advertisement.]

Illinois’ competitive system protects consumers and keeps carriers investing here—let’s not break what works. Independent research shows slow, uncertain rate reviews push insurers out and costs up. HB 3799 was already defeated in Veto Session—keep it that way. Vote NO.

Protect affordability. Vote NO on HB 3799.

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Congrats, now fix the rest of your problems

Tuesday, Mar 3, 2026 - Posted by Rich Miller

* This is classic Illinois. Create a new program without first fixing very serious problems with existing programs and then take years to implement the new program…

Today marks a major milestone for the Pritzker Administration as it continues its strong commitment to expanding and strengthening Illinois’ healthcare workforce.

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) Division of Professional Regulation issued the very first license under a new pathway that will allow internationally trained physicians to provide care to the people of Illinois.

“Today marks the beginning of what we hope will become the standard among states in not only alleviating the strain being caused by healthcare staffing shortages but also lead to a greater appreciation of the tremendous contributions immigrants make every day to the state and the country,” said IDFPR Secretary Mario Treto, Jr.

As announced last September, the International Medical Graduate (IMG) licensure pathway gives trained, qualified, healthcare professionals the opportunity to practice medicine in Illinois under the supervision of a fully licensed physician at an approved institution for a period of two years.

Upon successful completion of the two-year supervised period, IMGs may then apply for an International Medical Graduate Restricted License, which will allow them more independence to practice within an area that has been designated to have a shortage of health professionals. IMGs are then eligible to apply for a full Illinois medical license after two years of practicing under the International Medical Graduate Restricted License.

That program was created four years ago.

I’m sure it will be a very good program if it actually operates as advertised.

It’s just that thousands more people have struggled mightily to obtain state licensure through IDFPR for years and only a handful of those bottlenecks have been resolved. Click here for some of our coverage.

And it’s not just IDFPR. Creating new programs is so much splashier and fun than making existing programs run the way they’re intended to.

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Pritzker, Stratton address CBC complaints

Tuesday, Mar 3, 2026 - Posted by Rich Miller

* PunchBowl

The leader of the Congressional Black Caucus is sending a forceful message to Democratic Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker: the group isn’t happy with the governor’s outsized involvement in the state’s Senate race.

The March 17 Democratic primary pits Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.) against Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Ill.) and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton. Krishnamoorthi has a massive cash advantage. Pritzker is bankrolling a pro-Stratton super PAC, while the CBC is standing “firmly” behind Kelly. Both Kelly and Stratton are Black.

CBC Chair Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.) issued a strongly worded warning to Pritzker:

    “Governor Pritzker’s effort to tip the scales in Illinois’ U.S. Senate race is beyond frustrating for the Congressional Black Caucus. A sitting governor shouldn’t be heavy-handing the race. Quite frankly, his behavior in this race won’t soon be forgotten by any of us.”

Illinois Future PAC is carrying the bulk of the pro-Stratton advertising on TV, spending $11.3 million. Pritzker gave $5 million to the group in December, but it hasn’t had to report its donors for 2026 yet.

Pritzker’s campaign declined to comment. Stratton spokesperson Allison Janowski said the LG was proud to have the support of Pritzker and that she’s “the only candidate in the race with a path to beat her leading opponent Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi.”

It is rare to see a sitting governor take such a direct role in a Senate primary, although let’s be honest here — most governors aren’t billionaires. And Pritzker has a long-running feud with Kelly that came to a head when he deposed her as chair of the Illinois Democratic Party.

Personally, I blame Dick Durbin for all of this, going back to the two proxy wars for party chair.

* Interesting points…


Just saying, but a couple of months ago, people were grumbling that Pritzker wasn’t doing enough and claiming this could hurt his probable presidential bid. Now, supporting Stratton is being used to threaten a presidential bid.

* Anyway, Pritzker was asked about the CBC today

Q: What about the Congressional Black Caucus, there been some complaints you’ve been a bit heavy handed in your support of your lieutenant governor for Senate?

Pritzker: You all have known that Juliana Stratton and I have been close allies in governance, partners in governance, she’s done an outstanding job. I’m all in for people that I think are qualified and very good in public office and will serve very well as a United States Senator. So you know that’s that’s what I’ve been doing. I’ve done that for other candidates.

Q: [Crosstalk] Any promises made to get endorsements for her.

Pritzker: I don’t know what you mean [Crosstalk]

Q: Any promises made to get endorsements for her.

I would like every elected official that can hear me right now to endorse Juliana Stratton. I think I’ve said that from the beginning. I’ve endorsed Juliana Stratton, that those are, you know, I think people know that I would like everybody to, in fact, most importantly, I would like the voters to endorse Juliana Stratton and show up and vote for her. [Crosstalk] I don’t know, what you’re implying is not something I’ve ever been engaged in.

* LG Stratton was at the presser and she addressed the CBC complaint

Stratton: Well, I mean, they work together. She’s been a member of the caucus, and I believe there’s sort, you know, they’re people who support her in this race, as a colleague who has served for a number of years she’s been there. But I’m very proud to have the endorsement and support of Governor Pritzker and the 160 others that have endorsed my candidacy, including Senator Tammy Duckworth and so many others. But mostly I’m going to be working for the next two weeks to earn the support and endorsement of the voters of Illinois.

Q: Do you think their efforts to make an issue with the governor’s support of you is trying to weigh in on the campaign with words as opposed to money?

Stratton: I can’t speak to their motivations. It sounds like they are supporting their colleague. But I’m going to stay focused on what I need to focus on for the next two weeks, and talking about things like how we’ve eliminated over a billion dollars of medical debt here in Illinois, and continue to have done big things for the people of Illinois over the last seven years as Lieutenant Governor.

Pritzker: I just want to add the one thing, which is, I’m so proud to support Juliana in this race. I would like a Black woman to represent us in the United States Senate. I just want the best person. She happens to be a Black woman and so and by the way, I think I’ve proven for many years now that I stand with communities of color across the state and with candidates who are running for public office. Juliana, remember, broke a barrier. There’s never before been a Black Lieutenant Governor of the State of Illinois, and we would like to have the second Black woman elected to the United States Senate in Juliana Stratton. She’s the best person for the job.

That last bit was a might awkward.

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Illinois Credit Unions: People Helping People

Tuesday, Mar 3, 2026 - Posted by Advertising Department

[The following is a paid advertisement.]

Throughout Illinois, credit unions consistently step up to support people in their communities, especially during times of economic strain or unexpected hardship.

Credit unions across the state have been known to:

    • Offer emergency loans with low interest rates
    • Provide payment relief during financial downturns or natural disasters
    • Waive or reduce fees when members are facing hardship
    • Volunteer in local charitable initiatives and community events
    • Support local businesses and entrepreneurs through accessible commercial lending

These actions reflect the cooperative spirit that Illinois credit unions embrace year-round, not just during crises.

Rock Valley Credit Union’s CEO Darlyne Keller says, “I’m so grateful to be part of an industry that cares for people” and gives an example of their credit union demonstrating this philosophy:

For more information, visit https://betterforillinois.org/
Paid for by Illinois Credit Union League.

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Pritzker: ‘President Clinton clearly was mistaken, and he corrected the mistake’

Tuesday, Mar 3, 2026 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Background is here and here if you need it. This morning

Q: I’ll just ask you straight up, have you ever met, been in contact with or been on a plane, either operated by Jeffrey Epstein or occupied by Jeffrey Epstein?

Pritzker: No, no, no, no. Let me be clear. First of all, President Clinton clearly was mistaken, and he corrected the mistake to his credit. And no, I have never, had never met Jeffrey Epstein. I was never on Jeffrey Epstein’s plane. I was never on any plane with Jeffrey Epstein or with Ghislaine Maxwell. Never met her. But you know who did? You know who palled around with both of them? Donald Trump did. Donald Trump is known to have spent a lot of time with both of them, and yet he still hasn’t owned up to it, and still hasn’t been held accountable for that and that we should do.

Q: Can you talk about what aircraft was used on those trips in 2008?

Pritzker: I don’t know. I mean, I in 2000 Oh, sorry, in 2008 there was actually a donated aircraft as I recall from Google. There were about 25 people on the aircraft. And they were all political types and people involved with the foundation, the Clinton Foundation, including Chelsea Clinton and other people.

Q: What about the 2013 trip?

Pritzker: I don’t know whose aircraft that was, but that was not, you know, we triple checked that was not Jeffrey Epstein’s aircraft, and there were other people on that aircraft as well.

Q: Were you aware of the connection between Epstein and Clinton?

Pritzker: Oh, no. I’d never even heard of Jeffrey Epstein, until, obviously, the scandal that broke out in what 2019.

Q: What was the purpose of the trips?

Pritzker: It’s all about the Clinton Foundation. And frankly, I had been doing work supporting health care in Africa, particularly fighting AIDS in Africa, but also the health care systems need support across, and these are the sub Saharan African countries like Liberia, Ethiopia, etc. And so I was on that trip to learn more and look at areas where I had or could support the health care systems in those countries.

Q: What do you make of Republicans trying to make hay of all of this?

Pritzker: Well, naturally, the Republicans are trying to, it’s a ‘wag the dog.’ Let’s you know, look over here. Look over here. Don’t look at the leader of their party, the leader of this country, who is a Republican, Donald Trump, who clearly is somebody that needs to be investigated, needs to be answering for his relationship with Ghislaine Maxwell, with Jeffrey Epstein, and has done none of that. You know, you saw other people testifying. Where is President Trump’s testimony?

Please pardon any transcription errors.

* Pritzker’s campaign has also released some photos from one of the trips…

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Caption contest!

Tuesday, Mar 3, 2026 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* A Chicago polling site in the 43rd Ward, with a plethora of campaign signs


Caption?

  27 Comments      


It begins… (Updated)

Tuesday, Mar 3, 2026 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Background is here if you need it. From the Illinois Republican Party…

JB Pritzker and Jeffrey Epstein

CHICAGO — Yesterday, former President Bill Clinton made a shocking claim that he brought Illinois Governor JB Pritzker on convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein’s plane. See for yourself:

WATCH HERE OR BELOW:

This revelation comes just days after JB disavowed his cousin, Tom Pritzker, for his close contact with Jeffrey Epstein, even after he was convicted of procuring a minor for prostitution. Last week, JB was perfectly clear on MS NOW: “Anyone that’s done something wrong needs to be held accountable…it’s very important that people be held to pay the price for whatever it is that they may have done,” We couldn’t agree more.

Bottom Line: JB Pritzker has A LOT of questions to answer about his own ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

The governor has a 10 o’clock press conference today, so we’ll have more on this topic.

…Adding… Tribune

JB Pritzker’s name does not appear in the flight logs for Epstein’s airplane, which have been released publicly.

Still, that didn’t stop at least one of the Republicans running for the chance to challenge Pritzker in November from latching on.

“JB Pritzker has officially been named in the Epstein deposition by Bill Clinton,” video gambling magnate Rick Heidner wrote in a social media post. “I said that his cousin might have a problem because of Epstein. Now it looks like JB could be having problems with it too.”

Heidner, who is running against former state Sen. Darren Bailey, conservative policy advocate Ted Dabrowski and DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick in the March 17 GOP primary for governor, was referring to Pritzker’s cousin Thomas Pritzker.

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Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Musical interludes and campaign stuff

Tuesday, Mar 3, 2026 - Posted by Isabel Miller

This post is password protected. To view it please enter your password below:

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340B Bill Is A Needed Fix: Drugmakers Are Skirting Federal Law – Vote YES On HB 2371

Tuesday, Mar 3, 2026 - Posted by Advertising Department

[The following is a paid advertisement.]

Why did drugmakers support the 340B program when it was created? Because they wanted access to the Medicaid market. Saying yes to 340B meant saying yes to having their medications covered by Medicaid and Medicare Part B. As a condition of participation, Big Pharma must provide significant discounts on outpatient drugs purchased by hospitals and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) serving large numbers of low-income and uninsured patients.

The federal program, enacted in 1992, wasn’t just designed to help hospitals and FQHCs “stretch scarce federal resources” to better serve vulnerable populations. It was designed to fix an unintended consequence of the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program—revealed when drugmakers dropped the required voluntary discounts included with their best market price.

Fast forward to the early 2020s, when drugmakers—in a parallel move—began restricting pharmacy contracts with 340B hospitals and FQHCs. House Bill 2371 is another necessary fix as Big Pharma is now skirting 340B program requirements despite the harm to patients.

Hospitals and FQHCs are focused on providing the healthcare Illinoisans need while Big Pharma is focused on shareholders and dividends. In November, Eli Lilly became the first drugmaker with a $1 trillion market value. Its $65.2 billion revenue in 2025 reflected a 45% increase over 2024. Big Pharma’s priority is clear.

Stand with patients and your local hospital and FQHC. Vote YES on HB 2371 to restore 340B. Learn more.

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Isabel’s morning briefing

Tuesday, Mar 3, 2026 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* ICYMI: Chicago aiming for a repeat as its named a finalist to host the 2028 Democratic National Convention. Tribune

    - The Democratic National Committee said Monday that Chicago is a finalist to host the Aug. 7-10, 2028, event along with Atlanta, Boston, Denver and Philadelphia.
    - Chicago and the other finalist cities will now get a visit from the party’s national leadership this spring.
    - In addition to submitting a bid for the 2028 Democratic convention, the city also submitted one for the 2032 event.

* At 10 am, the governor will be in Chicago to “highlight a landmark accomplishment in medical debt forgiveness for Cook County residents.” Watch live here.

*** Isabel’s Top Picks ***

* Fox Chicago | Data centers spark debate across Chicagoland: ‘It was like there was a helicopter on our roof’: “Cyrus had to run their generators three days in a row, 24 hours. It was nonstop noise. And so, that’s when everybody’s like, so that’s what you’re talking about,” Evans said. “It was like there was a helicopter on our roof. It was just so noisy. You couldn’t go outside without hearing it. You could hear it in the house.” Cyrus’s web page outlines the company’s efforts for nearly the last year to not only fix the transformer, but also manage the noise coming from the data center’s generators and chillers by installing different noise walls and other noise-reducing features. It says those extra features are something they are still working on.

* Crain’s | Trump administration drops fight over executive order targeting Jenner & Block: The federal government today notified the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit it is dropping its appeal of the rulings blocking the orders against the firms, which also include WilmerHale, Perkins Coie and Susman Godfrey. The filing did not give a reason. “This chapter has once again confirmed what has been true of Jenner for more than a century: we will always zealously advocate for our clients and put them first, without compromise,” Jenner said in a statement. “Our partnership is proud to have stood firm on behalf of its clients, and we look forward to continuing to serve them — guided by these bedrock values — for many decades to come.”

*** Statehouse News ***

* Gov. JB Pritzker is out with another ad..

According to the press release, the ad will air on Chicago broadcast, cable television and digital platforms.

* CBS Chicago | As election season ramps up, so do political text messages and emails. How to protect against spam: The Center for Campaign Innovation polling found 67% of voters received text messages, 56% of voters said they received emails, 34% found these campaign messages “excessive” or “overkill,” and 21% reported feeling “annoyed, irritated, or frustrated.” Even so, campaigns are exempt from certain consumer protection laws because of the First Amendment, but there are ways to protect your inbox. “It starts with being careful about who you give your email and phone number to,” Wilson said.

* Center Square | Illinois diversity commissioner did not properly disclose $23K side job: Rivera did not respond to repeated requests from The Center Square to explain why the work was partially omitted on her disclosures. She also fled a commission meeting when The Center Square tried to question her about the commission’s work last month. The disclosure forms warn that those who knowingly file a false or incomplete report might be subject to fines of up to $2,500 and imprisonment of up to one year.

* WSIL | IDPH releases first-ever carbon monoxide surveillance report: In 2024 alone, Illinois fire departments responded to 9,860 CO-related calls statewide. Illinois State Fire Marshal Michele Pankow emphasized the importance of prevention measures. “Working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms save lives. Regularly testing your alarms, checking expiration dates, and replacing units that are broken or outdated is your strongest line of defense against accidental carbon monoxide poisoning or worse,” Pankow said. On average each year, CO exposures resulted in 940 emergency department visits, 126 hospitalizations, and nearly 57 deaths. While most incidents occur during the colder months of October through March, CO exposures can happen any time of the year.

* IDHS | State of Illinois Recognizes March as Problem Gambling Awareness Month : To raise awareness and honor individuals in recovery, participating buildings in downtown Chicago will be lit teal during March. A statewide art contest will also spotlight the power of recovery, and IDHS will partner with providers across the state to promote treatment services. “Recovery is possible, and no one has to face a gambling disorder alone,” said Dulce M. Quintero, Secretary of the Illinois Department of Human Services. “Our goal is to ensure every person in Illinois knows that confidential support and treatment are available when they’re ready to seek help.”

*** Chicago ***

* NBC Chicago | Brandon Johnson says Chicago Bears should still consider city for new stadium: He echoed those calls again this week as he pushes for the team to take the possibility of staying within Chicago city limits seriously. “We had an entire press conference, with a proposal on the lakefront two years ago,” he said. “How do you have an entire proposal with the Bears, with the city of Chicago, with labor, with the notion that somehow the greatest, the most fruitful, economic viable prime real estate anywhere in the state, anywhere in the region is somehow not suited for world affairs?”

* NBC Chicago | Chicago Fire stadium at ‘The 78′ faces opposition ahead of groundbreaking: On Monday, a group of concerned residents spoke out about the stadium, arguing that more community input is needed before the project proceeds. “Members of this coalition were not invited to the groundbreaking. They certainly heard from us about the importance of including community voices,” said Grace Chan McKibben, Executive Director of Coalition for a Better Chinese-American Community. Activists say the project has plenty of appeal to developers, but community members have felt their concerns haven’t been listened to.

* CBS Chicago | Disabled Army veteran denied bathroom access at Chicago’s Real ID Super Site: “This is a medical emergency. My PTSD is accompanied by certain physiological issues … issues with the prostate and my bladder,” he said. After explaining to three different people at the Super Site his medical condition, they all refused. They insisted the location doesn’t have a public restroom. Fernandez said it was only after he threatened to file a disability claim that they finally let him behind the counter to an employee restroom, but it was too late. “At that point, I had already had an accident. So, not only was I denied access to the facility three times, I was denied humility and dignity,” Fernandez said.

* Sun-Times | South Chicago residents, businesses form coalition supporting Illinois’ quantum computing campus: Jorge Perez, owner of Chico’s Oven in South Chicago, said the coalition sprang from a desire to ensure “the authentic voice of Southeast Chicago residents” is involved in the quantum park project and the entire 400-acre Quantum Shore development. The Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park makes up a portion of the massive Quantum Shore development, which will include a 52-bed Advocate Health Care hospital. “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Perez said. “We’re actually at the beginning of a new era, and we believe it holds a lot of wonderful opportunities for us and for our families.”

* Sun-Times | Chicago police officer faces firing for shooting 13-year-old boy after mistaking cellphone for gun: It’s the second time the Civilian Office of Police Accountability has pushed to fire Officer Noah Ball over an on-duty shooting. In the earlier case, Ball was given a one-day suspension after Supt. Larry Snelling fought COPA’s recommendation while the second investigation was well underway. Ball encountered the teenager late May 18, 2022, when the boy hopped out of a car wanted in a carjacking and kidnapping and ran from pursuing officers, COPA said in a report released last week. When the boy reached a gas station in the 800 block of North Cicero Avenue, he turned and appeared to raise both hands, COPA said. Another officer pointed a gun at the boy, but didn’t fire because he didn’t have a “clear visual” of his hands.

*** Cook County and Suburbs ***

* WGN | Cook County Assessor responds to criticism ahead of primary: On Monday, Kaegi joined Political Editor Tahman Bradley on The Point to discuss his record, his plans for the future, and address criticism he’s facing for rising property tax bills. Kaegi called many of those criticisms false attacks coming from his opponent and his donors. He also laid out his plan to fix what many are calling a flawed property tax system in Cook County.

* Legal Newsline | Judge orders Dolton to raise taxes, fees to pay $33.5M verdict over cop chase: On Feb. 20, Cook County Circuit Judge William B. Sullivan issued an order enforcing a jury verdict, declaring the village of Dolton “has no higher duty than to pay” the amount to the families of John Christopher Kyles and Duane Dunlap.
In the order, the judge further directed Dolton village officials to come up with a plan by April 20 to pay the sum, whether that means borrowing the money or raising taxes or fees on village residents and businesses.

* CBS Chicago | Couples say DCFS wrongfully took their newborns over false allegations: The Rays said it all stemmed from a DCFS hotline call six years ago when their older children were removed from their home to investigate an allegation. They wanted a hearing, but their public defender told them they needed to agree to a “stipulation,” meaning accept certain facts and findings as true without requiring the state to prove them or risk losing their children permanently. “We didn’t find out until years later that stipulating our rights meant pleading guilty, and we were never guilty of anything,” Mykel said.

* Daily Herald | Arlington Heights first in Illinois to add financial penalties for police camera data misuse: The unanimous vote Monday night came after trustees in December and February sought more answers about how the network of 35 fixed cameras around town works, then asked police department brass to put teeth into the two Flock agreements before they’d agree to re-up for two more years. “The Arlington Heights Police Department over many, many years has developed a lot of trust in the community,” said Trustee Wendy Dunnington, who made the original request for contract penalties. “It’s just really important that by us working with Flock Safety that we don’t ruin that trust.”

* Daily Herald | With disciplinary hearing looming, suspended Elgin police officer granted disability by pension board: An Elgin police officer on administrative leave and set to face a disciplinary hearing has qualified for a disability pension that he applied for on the day of his suspension. Officer Jason Lentz was placed on leave Oct. 16, 2025, following comments he made the previous day on Facebook that suggested places where immigration agents could find undocumented immigrants, tagging the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the end of the post. […] The Elgin Police Pension Board held a hearing on Lentz’s disability application on Feb. 24 and determined that he qualified for a disability pension following medical evaluations conducted by three physicians selected by the board.

* Sun-Times | Amazon rolling out drone delivery service in Chicago suburbs: The retailer said Monday that it would bring its Amazon Prime Air service to Matteson and Markham this summer, with deliveries taking as little as two hours. The program is already in action in five other states; Arizona, Florida, Kansas, Michigan and Texas. The service first launched in Texas in 2022. Fifteen drones, each weighing 80 pounds, will be stationed at each fulfillment center in Matteson and Markham. The addition of Prime Air will result in a net increase of 100 jobs, adding to the 6,000 total employees at both locations.

*** Downstate ***

* WCIA | Operations suspended for Logan Co. fire, EMS department: Chestnut’s Fire and EMS services are shutting down in Logan County. But, this wasn’t a decision the township got to make for themselves — the Mt. Pulaski Rural Fire Protection District Board chose this. The president, Crystal Kern, said that Mt. Pulaski will respond to emergency calls in Chestnut. The people living there don’t feel like it will be enough. “Everybody was a little upset. Nobody really wanted to say anything though, but it’s time somebody has to speak up because we can’t lose it. It’s that simple,” Hegland said. “It’s like we’re getting swept under the rug.”

* WGLT | Normal welcomes new transit provider to Uptown Station: The council authorized a facility use agreement with FlixBus to start serving bus customers at Uptown Station. The town charges a license fee of $270 per month and a fee of $375 for ticketing of those services, through Heartland Parking. FlixBus joins Peoria Charter, Greyhound and Jefferson Lines as roadway transit providers at the station. Normal will be among a number of different Illinois locations served by FlixBus, which covers routes across the continental United States. It already serves Peoria, Champaign and Bloomington.

* Rock River Current | Rockford expands Flock license-plate readers and cameras amid increased scrutiny: Aldermen voted 13-1 to approve a roughly $444,000 four-year contract with Atlanta-based Flock Safety, which the city has contracted with for approximately three years. Alderwoman Gina Meeks, who expressed several concerns over the protection of data and its potential misuse, was the lone no vote. The vote came after nearly an hour and 45 minutes of discussion in the more than four-hour meeting, which saw several audience members escorted out by police after interrupting aldermen to push back against the cameras.

* WMBD | Illinois Central College narrows search to 3 presidential finalists: All will have a visit to the campus within the next few weeks for interviews and to participate in a public forum, providing the community an opportunity to meet with the finalists and offer their thoughts. Each finalist will participate in a public forum from 4 to 5 p.m. when they are on campus. That will be held in Room 212 on the East Peoria Campus.

*** National ***

* AP Press Release | AP to provide Kalshi its gold standard elections data ahead of primaries: “This collaboration will further Kalshi’s goal of being the premier destination to experience elections, combining AP’s trusted vote results with our transparent, market-based forecasts, creating a more complete picture of election night,” said Jaron Zhou, Kalshi’s Head of Politics. “Kalshi’s election forecasts help campaigns and everyday citizens track market expectations for election outcomes, and integrating AP’s live vote count data enhances Kalshi’s election night experience by bringing together real-time vote tallies and market activity.”

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Good morning!

Tuesday, Mar 3, 2026 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* Variety

Every year has its outlier hits, but it’s hard to think of a song from the last 50 years that sounds even a little like the Marías’ “No One Noticed.” Yet the tune’s languid groove, smoky vocals and yearning atmosphere have created what singer María Zardoya has described as an “anti-hit.”

“It was never meant to be a single. It was never meant to be a focus track,” she says. “But because of how popular the song has gotten, it has taken on a life of its own with the fans.” […]

In November 2024, the band released an extended Spanish-language version of the song in response to its mass appeal.

“I think the band’s connection with their Latin fans has been hugely important to their success,” says [co-manager Laura Espitia]. “We saw it instantly once the Spanish version came out. The song is already so emotional, and then you add the drama of the Spanish language. … It was the best dagger to the heart! So many of the fans are also first-generation Latinos, and there’s this beautiful sense of pride — it’s representation in real time.”

* The Marias at Lollapoalooza

This is an open thread.

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Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Supplement to today’s edition

Tuesday, Mar 3, 2026 - Posted by Rich Miller

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Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today’s edition of Capitol Fax (use all CAPS in password)

Tuesday, Mar 3, 2026 - Posted by Rich Miller

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Tuesday, Mar 3, 2026 - Posted by Isabel Miller

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Tuesday, Mar 3, 2026 - Posted by Isabel Miller

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