* Center Square…

With four federal lawsuits consolidated and a schedule of responses and oral arguments set, the Illinois Sheriffs’ Association is officially taking sides in the case against the state’s gun ban. […]

“Many sheriffs across the state indicated their concern about this legislation passing and ultimately being signed into law and infringing upon the rights of those legal gun owners across the state,” Illinois Sheriffs’ Association Executive Director Jim Kaitschuk told The Center Square. “What the organization did is we filed an amicus brief in support of those efforts challenging House Bill 5471.”

* Heh…

Vallas right now https://t.co/0HQy4ANp6G pic.twitter.com/aZO6MYn4tB

— Stan Miller aka Vic Vega (@milbo11) March 1, 2023

* Institute of Government and Public Affairs…

The University of Illinois Flash Index for February 2023 increased to 103.4 from the 103.1 level in January, fueled by strong Illinois state revenues. The Illinois economy is still growing moderately after the surge of the recovery from the COVID recession.

“In what has become a repetitious summary over the last six months, the Illinois and national economies still provide no clear signals of whether a soft landing or modest recession is in store later this year.”

Giertz said in fact, a third possibility has been suggested, one of no landing at all with continued modest growth. The unemployment rate remains low, inflation is moderating although not as rapidly as the Federal Reserve would like, consumer spending continues at a rapid pace, and supply bottlenecks are easing. However, the housing market is extremely slow, interest rates may still rise faster than expected, and layoffs and retrenchments continue in the tech sector.

“Results for the three main components of the Index (individual income, corporate, and sales taxes) were all positive. The three were up in real terms from the same month last year which was also very strong.”

The Flash Index is a weighted average of Illinois growth rates in corporate earnings, consumer spending, and personal income as estimated from receipts for corporate income, individual income, and retail sales taxes. These revenues are adjusted for inflation before growth rates are calculated. The growth rate for each component is then calculated for the 12-month period using data through January 31, 2023. Nearly three years since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, ad hoc adjustments are still needed because of the timing of the tax receipts resulting from state and Federal changes in payment dates.

* Marni Pyke at the Daily Herald…

Illinois Department of Transportation officials are not sugarcoating the impact of a three-year, $150 million bridge structure rehabilitation project on the Kennedy Expressway.

“We anticipate there’s going to be some major traffic delays as more than 275,000 motorists use that expressway each day,” IDOT spokeswoman Maria Castaneda said Tuesday at a briefing.

As IDOT Bureau Chief of Construction Jon Schumacher noted, “the road is over 50 years old, and the last major rehabilitation was 30 years ago.” […]

A total of 36 bridges will be fixed between the Edens Expressway and Ohio Street, along with pavement patching as needed.

* Press release…

— Governor JB Pritzker along with state and local leaders and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced nearly $60 million in state grants are being awarded for 118 local park projects throughout Illinois to help communities acquire land and develop recreational opportunities. The grants represent the largest round of Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grants in the 36-year history of the program, which was designed to help communities fund land acquisition and development for parks and outdoor recreation projects

In addition, for the first time in the history of the program, funding will cover 100% of eligible projects located in economically distressed communities, resulting in 22 underserved locations receiving OSLAD grants.

“Today, I couldn’t be prouder to announce that IDNR’s OSLAD program is offering the largest round of grants in the history of the program — nearly $60 million,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “The health and wellbeing of Illinoisans sits at the heart of the OSLAD program, and for the first time ever, we’ve been able to provide 100% of funding assistance to qualifying distressed recipients.”

Established by the Illinois General Assembly in 1986, OSLAD is a cost-sharing program between state and local governments that has become one of the most popular grant programs in Illinois. Since it was established, OSLAD has awarded more than $530 million for park projects throughout Illinois (including the awards announced today).

* All rise…

A touching tribute as Bob Vose’s funeral procession goes by the site of the family’s corn dog stand at the Illinois State Fairgrounds Wednesday. #SJRbreaking pic.twitter.com/TDe3sTIDmV

— Steven Spearie (@StevenSpearie) March 1, 2023

* Isabel’s roundup…

* STLPR | The federal government isn’t actually measuring how inflation is hurting rural America: The BLS uses a working definition from the U.S. Census Bureau, so counties that don’t have a metropolitan or micropolitan statistical area in them are not eligible for the CPI survey, Reed said. The economics professors used a definition from the U.S. Office of Management and Budget that was cited by U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2022. Rural, by this definition, includes counties with towns smaller than 2,500 people and stand-alone cities with populations less than 50,000.

* Telegraph | Six local projects win state park grants: Nearly $60 million in state grants are being awarded for 118 local park projects throughout Illinois to help communities acquire land and develop recreational opportunities.

* Crain’s | Carvana backs Illinois bill to codify home vehicle delivery, e-signatures: The online used-vehicle retailer said last week it is supporting Senate Bill 1896, which was introduced Feb. 9 by state Sen. Patrick Joyce, a Democrat whose district includes a small segment of south Chicago and the majority of Kankakee County. The bill, if passed, would amend the Illinois Vehicle Code to add text clearly stating that licensed vehicle dealers are permitted to conduct sales — including collecting electronic signatures — via the Internet.

* SJ-R | What to know about Navigator’s new, expanded C02 pipeline application: The new proposal includes more than 291 miles of pipeline and adds Montgomery County to the mix through what is called the “Montgomery Lateral.” The lateral pipeline diverts from the main line in southern Sangamon County and travels 42 miles to a new proposed sequestration site in Montgomery County.

* STL Today | Parents push back on allegations against St. Louis transgender center. ‘I’m baffled.’: Kim Hutton, among those confused by the reports, views the treatment her son, now 19, received from Washington University’s Transgender Center at St. Louis Children’s Hospital as vital to making him the outgoing college freshman he is today. “The idea that nobody got information, that everybody was pushed toward treatment, is just not true. It’s devastating,” Hutton said. “I’m baffled by it.”

* Sun-Times | States must work together to end HIV epidemic. Illinois is leading the way.: Locally, there is a statewide initiative called Getting to Zero Illinois with a mission to end the HIV epidemic by 2030. And data trends are looking promising, according to John Peller, president and CEO of AIDS Foundation Chicago.

* Tribune | 33rd Ward race: Ald. Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez declares victory over political ‘machine’: ‘Their time is over’:Amid criticism over her handling of crime and ward services, Rodriguez faced two opponents, including a candidate she claimed was backed by the ward’s longtime leader, former Ald. Dick Mell. On Tuesday night, Rodriguez Sanchez declared victory outright, with unofficial returns showing she’d won 53% of the vote in the ward that now includes much of Albany Park.

* Lake County News-Sun | Waukegan will have at least 3 new aldermen after primary; another 2 could be on the way: With at least three new members likely to join the Waukegan City Council in May after Tuesday’s Democratic primary — and possibly two more after the Aril 4 general election — Ald. Lynn Florian, 8th Ward, is excited about her new colleagues.

* Daily Herald | What should Huntley 158’s school board do about test scores?: Nine of the 12 candidates running shared their thoughts as part of two forums hosted by the Daily Herald Editorial Board and attended by the Northwest Herald. The candidates discussed various topics during the forum, including bullying and property taxes.

* AP | Lilly plans to slash some insulin prices, expand cost cap: The moves announced Wednesday promise critical relief to some people with diabetes who can face annual costs of more than $1,000 for insulin they need in order to live. Lilly’s changes also come as lawmakers and patient advocates pressure drugmakers to do something about soaring prices.

* Reuters | EPA proposes expanded sales of higher ethanol blend gasoline in US Midwest: The proposal comes in response to a request from the governors of corn-producing Midwestern states including Iowa, Nebraska and Illinois, that the agency lift an effective ban on E15, or fuel containing 15% ethanol, to lower pump prices and help farmers.

* SJ-R | Who’s got the best horseshoe in Springfield?: Springfield resident Jim Peters said D’Arcy’s Pint is his go to place for the signature meal. “I’ve been eating them here since they opened up and I usually get the hamburger one but I’m trying the roast beef today,” Peter’s said. “They’re always good, It’s the only place I eat.”