* Press release…

To protect people’s freedom to read, State Senator Laura Murphy passed legislation to prevent the banning of books.

“Our nation’s libraries have been under attack for too long—they are bastions of knowledge and proliferate the spread of ideas,” said Murphy (D-Des Plaines). “We have a duty as lawmakers to protect the rights of our people—including the First Amendment right to freedom of speech and expression.”

Under this measure, a library or library system must adopt the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights or develop a written statement prohibiting the practice of banning books or materials in order to be eligible for state grants.

Nationally, the number of attempts to ban books has been on the rise, with 681 attempts involving more than 1,600 titles throughout the U.S. in 2021, according to the ALA. Seven states have passed laws to impose restrictions on libraries, including Tennessee, Oklahoma, Florida and Utah. If signed into law, Illinois would become the first state in the nation to ensure intellectual freedom for all across the state.

“Libraries are the beating heart of our communities, providing vital knowledge and invaluable services that allow our communities to thrive,” Murphy said. “Librarians are trained professionals, and we need to trust that they will stock our libraries with appropriate materials—they were hired for their expertise, and they deserve our respect.”

House Bill 2789 passed the Senate on Wednesday.

Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias along with original House sponsor Rep. Anne Stava-Murray and Sen. Murphy will hold a press conference about the bill today.

* Crain’s…

Gov. J.B. Pritzker is supporting new state legislation that would establish an Illinois health care insurance exchange, an effort to protect an important Affordable Care Act provision in Illinois in the event future federal leaders ever look to roll back parts of the landmark law.

The proposed legislation in Illinois is being introduced through amendments to the state’s Administrative Procedure Act, or House Bill 579, and calls for Illinois to create its own one-stop shop for health care insurance. The federal marketplace, established under former President Barack Obama’s ACA in 2010, requires states to pay a fee to the platform, which gives every American the opportunity to buy a health plan. But by building its own exchange, Illinois would have control over its health care insurance market and insulate itself from any changes in federal policy.

* From the US Attorney’s office regarding the ComEd Four…

Sentencing dates have not been set. Count 1, charging the conspiracy, has a possible punishment of up to five years in federal prison and a maximum fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. Counts 2, 5, 6, and 8, charging bribery, have a possible sentence of up to 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. Counts 3, 4, 7, and 9, charging record falsification, have a possible punishment of up to 20 years in federal prison, a fine of $5,000,000, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense.

* Illinois State Police yesterday…

The Illinois State Police (ISP) has located another fatality from the May 1, 2023 crash on I-55 near milepost 76. Initially, six individuals were found deceased at the crash scene. However, the severity of the crash masked the remains and what was previously believed to be the remains of one individual was two. ISP is working closely with the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office to confirm the identification of the seven deceased individuals and information will be released once identification is complete and proper notifications have been made. The coroner previously confirmed 88-year-old Shirley Harper of Franklin, WI. died in the crash.

A total of 37 people were transported to area hospitals with injuries ranging from minor to critical and ages spanning 2-years-old to 80-years-old. Approximately 72 vehicles are known to be involved in the crashes that occurred in both northbound and southbound lanes of I-55 between mile post 72 and 78 near Farmersville in Montgomery County shortly before 11 a.m. on May 1, 2023.

Apocalyptic.

* IDPH…

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced updated consumption advisories today for sport fish caught in Illinois waters. These changes are the result of continued sampling by the Illinois Fish Contaminant Monitoring Program. IDPH maintains an interactive Fish Advisory Map that includes consumption advisories for more than 100 publicly accessible bodies of water across the state.

This year, IDPH added Lake Chaminwood, Lake McMaster, and Ramsey Lake to the list of waters with site-specific methylmercury advisories and issued more restrictive advisories for certain species in Anna State Pond, Lake Nellie, Wabash River, and Arrowhead, Gillespie, Kinkaid, and Pinckneyville City Lakes.

In line with the statewide trend of declining polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) levels, no new PCB advisories were issued. PCB advisories were relaxed for certain species in the Fox Chain O’Lakes, the Illinois River, and Waukegan North Harbor. PCB advisories were removed for certain species in the Fox Chain O’Lakes, Frank Holten State Lakes, Powerton Lake, and the Illinois, Mackinaw, Mississippi, and Wabash Rivers. Most notably, all PCB advisories were removed for channel catfish throughout the Mississippi River.

In addition to this year’s site-specific updates, a statewide methylmercury advisory remains in place for all Illinois waters. The statewide advisory cautions sensitive populations (those who are nursing, pregnant, or may become pregnant, and children less than 15 years of age) to eat no more than one meal per week of predatory fish. Predatory fish include all species of black bass, gar, salmon, and trout, as well as striped bass, white bass, walleye, sauger, flathead catfish, muskellunge, northern pike, and associated hybrids.

While there is no known immediate health hazard from eating contaminated fish from any Illinois water body, there are concerns about effects of long-term, low-level exposure to PCBs and methylmercury in fish. More information is at the IDPH Fish Advisories website.

* IDOA…

The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) has announced the return of poultry shows for the 2023 fair season. The influx of highly pathogenic avian influenza cases forced the cancellation of in-person junior and open poultry shows at Illinois county fairs and the Illinois State Fair in 2022, with only virtual poultry shows being held.

“We have seen a decline in highly pathogenic avian influenza cases over the last several months prompting the Department to lift the ban of poultry shows at our fairs,” said Dr. Mark Ernst, IDOA State Veterinarian. “We still want to remind our exhibitors to practice good biosecurity on your farm and monitor your flock for signs of disease, especially the birds you plan to exhibit for 14 days prior to the show.”

* Vallas workers still unhappy…

Protestors outside of Paul Vallas’ home saying they were not paid for many of the days they worked for his mayoral campaign including on Election Day. @PaulVallas pic.twitter.com/37ku1K5QfG

— hank sanders (@hanksanders_) May 2, 2023

* Last night’s game was probably the most exciting House vs. Senate match I’ve ever seen…

The House wins the annual softball game 12-11 on a walk-off RBI single from Rep. Anthony DeLuca, D-Chicago Heights. Great effort from the Senate though. They have half the members and are a little older on average than the House but they still made it a game. #twill pic.twitter.com/WpffWDgHSB

— Brenden Moore (@brendenmoore13) May 3, 2023

* Please celebrate responsibly…

It's Illinois Bacon Day!!! Director Costello thought there was no better way to celebrate than by frying up some delicious bacon!!! #bringhomethebacon pic.twitter.com/yl23dGEkrL

— IL Department of Ag (@ILAgriculture) May 3, 2023

That, um, doesn’t look like Jerry’s hand at the end.

* Isabel’s roundup…

* Sun-Times | Federal appeals court in Chicago asked to intervene after judge blocks assault weapons ban: The request comes just two weeks after the same court, the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, declined to take similar action when a federal judge in Chicago refused to block the law. And in the meantime, another bid for an injunction has made its way to the U.S. Supreme Court.

* Crain’s | Illinois near the top in U.S. in pot taxes collected: Michigan, which has a lower tax rate and pot prices but higher overall sales than Illinois, took in $326 million in taxes to rank No. 4, according to data compiled by the Marijuana Policy Project.

* Block Club | As Migrants Wait For Shelter Openings At Police Station, Northwest Side Neighbors Flock To Help: Brandelli, 32, has lived at the station, 5151 N. Milwaukee Ave., with his daughter and wife alongside two other families as they wait for space in city shelters to open up. Calls are made to 311 every day to try to place the families, but the city is struggling to find room for them and desperately needs federal assistance to deal with the “humanitarian crisis,” local officials and advocates have said.

* Tribune | One Illinois hospital earns an F for safety, while another climbs from an F to an A in new ratings: Roseland Community Hospital was the only hospital in Illinois to earn an F this spring. Meanwhile, St. Bernard Hospital and Health Care Center in Englewood earned an A for safety, after getting an F just two years ago.

* SJ-R | Horace Mann moving forward with parking lot, DiCenso calls action ’shameful’: Dave Leonatti, a Springfield architect and vice president of the Heritage Foundation, said he wasn’t surprised Horace Mann continued with demolition and that the company, outside of meeting with his group, has shown “little interest in being a good downtown neighbor.”

* Ohio Capital Journal | Billionaire backing effort to raise Ohio amendment threshold funded election deniers, Jan. 6 rally: The Columbus Dispatch last week reported that Illinois billionaire Richard Uihlein had donated more than $1 million to a PAC supporting the effort to require 60% of the vote to pass a citizen-initiated constitutional amendment, as opposed to the current 50% requirement, which has been in place since 1912. Even though proponents want to make future amendments 20% harder, the one they’re pushing can pass with just the current 50% threshold.

* NBC Chicago | Mayor-Elect Brandon Johnson Releases Details on Inauguration Day Festivities: According to Johnson’s inaugural committee, the swearing-in ceremony will begin at 10:30 a.m. at Credit Union 1 Arena, formerly known as the UIC Pavilion. Johnson will take his oath of office during the event, along with members of the Chicago City Council and citywide elected officials, including Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin and City Clerk Anna Valencia.

* Sun-Times | Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson names Fred Waller as interim police superintendent: Johnson made the announcement at a downtown news conference Wednesday morning. “He is deeply committed to accountability, collaboration and excellence, which will set the tone for the entire department during this crucial interim period,” Johnson said.

* Crain’s | Merchandise Mart’s landlord Vornado looks to unload office buildings at depressed prices: Occupancy rates and cash flows are falling while borrowing costs march higher along with interest rates. Last week Vornado suspended its dividend payout to conserve cash. Its stock price, at $13.80 a share, is the lowest since 1996 and fell by another 6% Tuesday as executives acknowledged they may have to part with properties at prices they wouldn’t have considered before.

* Block Club | Chicago Is About To Have The Gayest City Council In The Country: The number of openly LGB-identifying alderpeople in Chicago will grow from seven to nine, comprising one-fifth of the council, when members are sworn in May 15. No openly transgender or nonbinary alderpeople have been elected in Chicago.

* Sun-Times | Amtrak now offering faster trains between Chicago, St. Louis: Right now, the fastest trains between the two Midwest cities take a little more than five hours — about as long as it takes to drive, said Marc Magliari, an Amtrak spokesman. “The goal is to make it demonstrably faster than driving,” Magliari said. For now, the rail service isn’t making any changes to the scheduling for those trains. “Trains will continue to operate at 110 mph for several weeks without a change in schedule to ensure everything on the system is running properly and to monitor the actual travel time between stations,” John Oimoen, Illinois Department of Transportation’s deputy director of rails, said in a statement.

* Sun-Times | Jerry Reinsdorf and the truth make an appearance as the White Sox struggle: The Sox usually do one of two things when media members want to talk with Reinsdorf about an underperforming team: They either refuse all interview requests for the man in charge or they choose a reporter they consider a friend of the program so Reinsdorf can take his cuts at softball questions. But put him in front of a crowd of smiling, nodding, lanyard-ed conference goers, and here comes the unfiltered truth. He told them about the importance of having faith in the people who work for him. As followers of the Bulls and Sox know, this is one of Reinsdorf’s great weaknesses. He gets comfortable with his front-office staff and does nothing when, year after year, nothing resembling a championship is in sight. This is how it has been with Rick Hahn. Since he became the Sox’ general manager in 2013, they’ve had a winning record just twice.

* NPR | Elon Musk threatens to reassign @NPR on Twitter to ‘another company’: In a series of emails sent to this reporter, Musk said he would transfer the network’s main account on Twitter, under the @NPR handle, to another organization or person. The idea shocked even longtime observers of Musk’s spur-of-the-moment and erratic leadership style.

* AP | Facebook misled parents, failed to protect privacy of children using its Messenger Kids app, FTC says: U.S. regulators say Facebook misled parents and failed to protect the privacy of children using its Messenger Kids app, including misrepresenting the access it provided to app developers to private user data. As a result, The Federal Trade Commision on Wednesday proposed sweeping changes to a 2020 privacy order with Facebook — now called Meta — that would prohibit it from profiting from data it collects on users under 18. This would include data collected through its virtual-reality products. The FTC said the company has failed to fully comply with the 2020 order.

* NBC Chicago | Illinois State Fair Announces New Headliners for Grandstand Concert Lineup: The Illinois State Fair announced new headliners on the grandstand concert lineup, adding Nelly, Ashanti and Ja Rule to the list. The newly scheduled performances will take place on Aug. 20 and tickets are set to go on sale Friday.