* National economic analysts have been wrong for at least a year now…

GDP grew at a 2.4% pace in the second quarter, topping expectations despite recession calls

• Gross domestic product rose at a 2.4% annualized pace in the second quarter, topping the 2% estimate.
• Consumer spending powered the solid quarter, aided by increases in nonresidential fixed investment, government spending and inventory growth.
• A Commerce Department inflation gauge increased 2.6%, down from a 4.1% rise in Q1 and well below the estimate for a gain of 3.2%.

* IDES…

Over-the-year, total nonfarm jobs increased in all fourteen metropolitan areas for the year ending June 2023, according to data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (DES). Over-the-year, the unemployment rate increased in thirteen metropolitan areas and decreased in one. […]

The metro areas which had the largest over-the-year percentage increases in total nonfarm jobs were the Danville MSA (+3.3%, +900), the Peoria MSA (+2.7%, +4,600), and the Champaign-Urbana MSA (+2.6%, +2,900). Total nonfarm jobs in the Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metropolitan Division were up +2.0% or +74,000. Industries that saw job growth in a majority of metro areas included: Education and Health Services and Leisure and Hospitality (twelve areas each); Government (eleven areas), Other Services (ten areas); Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities (nine areas); and Manufacturing (eight areas).

The metro areas with the largest unemployment rate increases were the Danville MSA (+1.0 point to 5.9%), the Kankakee MSA (+0.9 point to 5.7%), the Rockford MSA (+0.9 point to 6.3%) and the Lake County-Kenosha County IL-WI Metropolitan Division (+0.8 point to 4.6%). The only metro area with an unemployment rate decrease was the Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metropolitan Division (-1.0 percentage point to 4.3%).

* Press release…

Joint Statement from Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Chicago Bears President & CEO Kevin Warren:

“We continued our productive discussion this week that began in early June. We plan to have regular dialogue with each other, and across our respective staffs, as we work together to meet the needs of the citizens of Chicago and Bears fans.”

Crain’s…

Johnson has been preparing an offer to work with the Bears to find multiple city sites within Chicago that could satisfy the demands of an NFL stadium, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. […]

State Rep. Kam Buckner, who served on Johnson’s transition team, previously said the city should be “proactive” in finding another location for the team outside of Soldier Field, including the 500-acre former U.S. Steel site on the Southeast Side along Lake Michigan.

Other sites that could hold a smaller footprint are Related Midwest’s The 78 megadevelopment between Chinatown and the Loop, but the developer has been focused on the development of space for the Discovery Partners Institute with the University of Illinois.

Another possibility is just south of Soldier Field on land occupied by the Lakeside Center, part of the McCormick Place Convention Center campus that is set to be redeveloped.

* Press release…

Governor JB Pritzker, Prysmian Group, and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) today joined local leaders and partners to announce a new Reimagining Energy and Vehicles in Illinois (REV Illinois) agreement and break ground on Prysmian Group’s expanded facility in Du Quoin. The expanded Southern Illinois facility will enable the company to increase cable manufacturing for the renewable energy and electric vehicle sectors. […]

Bolstered by a REV Illinois incentive package, Prysmian Group plans to invest $63.8 million and create 80 new high-paying jobs while retaining 225 jobs in Southern Illinois – solidifying its position as one of the largest employers in Perry County. The expansion paves the way for increased renewable cable production in Illinois, adding over 100,000 square feet of new manufacturing space and seven major pieces of equipment, including a two-line expansion for renewable cable production. The expansion will also help modernize the existing infrastructure and implement an Energy Management System within the facility.

“This expansion will produce cutting-edge, high-quality, sustainable products that not only help enhance the grid – by increasing reliability, preventing blackouts and reducing overall maintenance costs,” said Andrea Pirondini, CEO of Prysmian Group North America. “Ultimately, we will ensure we have the capacity needed, when it is needed, in order to ensure we can build an electrical grid that’s built for the future. As we work to help harden the grid across the U.S., Du Quoin will play a large role in that.”

With 150 years of experience, Prysmian Group is supporting the worldwide transition to clean energy by manufacturing thousands of miles of cables and systems for power transmission and distribution, as well as cables in microgrids, energy storage, renewable energy and EVs and EV charging stations – which have different requirements and specifications than traditional cables.

* Mike Bost…

U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12) today announced that his re-election campaign has been endorsed by over 100 Republican elected officials from across the 12th District. This comes two weeks after Bost announced his re-election campaign has been endorsed by 19 GOP county sheriffs.

“Southern Illinois’ mayors and local officials have a unique feel for the pulse of the people,” said Bost. “They understand better than anyone what their community wants and whether or not they have a representative in Washington who can deliver. That’s why I’m thrilled to have the endorsements of over 100 Republican officials from across the 12th District, including in our new central and southeastern counties. They know I’m fighting for our conservative values and will never sacrifice what’s best for Southern Illinois just to please the Beltway insiders.”

The list of 100 endorsers is here.

* The ILGOP’s latest press release on the SAFE-T Act included this kicker at the end…

Let’s put it this way: if Al Capone was arrested today on tax evasion, the Democrats would’ve had him released before lunch.

* Press release…

Governor JB Pritzker joined Hoyleton Youth and Family Services today to break ground on a once in a generation construction project that will provide a new model of care for vulnerable youth 9-18 years old living in residential care. The new residential campus will allow youth, who are both developmentally and intellectually delayed and have experienced trauma, to heal and grow in a therapeutic environment.

“Every child deserves an opportunity to be equipped with the tools they need to reach their full potential,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Coupled with the superior therapeutic treatments provided by Hoyleton, this expansion will enable more of our vulnerable youth to receive these outstanding services as well as provide them with modern physical and outdoor spaces encouraging full wrap around services in this unique setting.”

The new facility, which will cost $16 million, has had more than 50% of its project costs funded by Illinois DCFS through its capital development program. Remaining funds will come from federal programs as well as a capital campaign supported by both private and corporate donors.

The project will allow for the creation of seven brand new homes, increasing residential capacity from 36 to 42 youth. Each resident will have a private bedroom, semi-private bathroom, sound and sensory appropriate space, art spaces and planned outdoor areas. Each home will be equipped with solar panels and there will be electric vehicles as well as two charging stations with the capacity for a total of up to six. The housing portion of the project will be completed by January 2024 and none of the residents will be displaced during the construction.

* Bill signing…

Governor JB Pritzker signed SB1909 into law, also known as the Deceptive Practices of Limited Services Pregnancy Centers Act. This law bars so-called “crisis pregnancy centers” from using misinformation, deceptive practices, or misrepresentation in order to interfere with access to abortion services or emergency contraception. The law allows the Illinois Attorney General to investigate complaints against centers using such tactics and strengthens the AG’s Offices power to prosecute incidences of consumer fraud in such cases.

“Women need access to comprehensive, fact-based healthcare when making critical decision about their own health—not manipulation or misinformation from politically motivated, non-medical actors,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “By empowering the Attorney General’s office to battle deceptive practices, we’re ensuring Illinoisans can make their own decisions about their bodies using accurate and safe information.”

“Misinformation is a form of injustice, particularly when it is used in an attempt to control women’s healthcare decisions,” said Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton. “In Illinois, we refuse to accept anything less than bodily autonomy for all, and that includes the right to accessible and accurate medical information. We are committed to protecting Illinoisans from these manipulative tactics and ensuring all have the power to choose what is best for their futures.”

“I witnessed deceptive crisis pregnancy center tactics firsthand on a visit to tour a Planned Parenthood health center in Illinois. People who appeared as though they might work there were outside attempting to divert patients away from the health center,” Attorney General Kwame Raoul said. “Patients report going to crisis pregnancy centers – sometimes even receiving exams and ultrasounds – thinking they were visiting a clinic that offers the full range of reproductive care. As a result, patients may disclose personal medical information, unaware the center may not keep that information private and confidential. By signing this law at a time when reproductive health access faces continued attacks in other states, Governor Pritzker is helping to protect patients who seek care in Illinois from these extreme violations of trust and privacy.”

“Crisis pregnancy centers,” which are often located near facilities that offer full-service abortion or contraceptive care, are non-regulated and at times even nonmedical facilities. As such, they are not subject to laws regarding confidentiality or accuracy as laid out by medical governing boards. Over 100 of these centers exist in Illinois. Many of these centers advertise to women unsure about continuing a pregnancy, and present inaccurate information on risks of procedures, fetal development, and other aspects of reproductive healthcare to discourage patients from accessing abortion or emergency contraceptive services.

The Deceptive Practices of Limited Services Pregnancy Centers Act clarifies how the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Practices Act applies to crisis pregnancy centers. Centers are not required to provide information about abortion or emergency contraceptives but cannot give incorrect information or use false advertising to attract clients. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has recommended that states strengthen laws against these centers to preserve patient safety. The law is effective immediately upon signing.

…Adding… A lawsuit was filed today…

Today, Thomas More Society attorneys filed a federal lawsuit against Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, seeking to stop him from enforcing Illinois Senate Bill 1909, a measure drafted by Raoul’s office that declares the pro-life speech of the state’s life pregnancy help ministries to be a “deceptive business practice.” Thomas More Society is representing NIFLA, a national pregnancy help center network, along with several Illinois pregnancy help centers and pro-life organizations.

“This law is a blatant attempt to chill and silence pro-life speech under the guise of ‘consumer protection,’” explained Peter Breen, Thomas More Society Executive Vice President and Head of Litigation, and a former Illinois State Legislator. “Pregnancy help ministries provide real options and assistance to women and families in need, but instead of the praise they deserve, pro-abortion politicians are targeting these ministries with $50,000 fines and injunctions solely because of their pro-life viewpoint.”

The lawsuit, filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Western Division, seeks a temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction, and permanent injunction against SB 1909. If temporary and preliminary injunctions are granted, they would prevent the law from being enforced while the case makes its way through the court system.

“The state government has completely overstepped the bounds of any logical and relevant authority by inserting insane partisan politics into their governing bodies and attempting to trample the First Amendment rights of those with whom they disagree,” said Thomas Glessner, President of NIFLA. “There is no basis for their blatant attacks on pregnancy centers, who provide all of their services for free for women and their families throughout Illinois. They do so out of their deeply held beliefs of caring for one another and exhibiting human decency and compassion for those in need, something the leaders of Illinois are completely clueless about. This attempt to deny mothers their constitutional right to choose life is disgraceful and should be an embarrassment to the people of Illinois.”

The lawsuit is here.

* ISP…

The Illinois State Police welcomed 17 new Troopers today from Cadet Class 142 at a graduation ceremony at the Illinois State Police Academy in Springfield. The new Troopers will report to three different Troops throughout the state on Sunday July 30, 2023. The total number of ISP Troopers added since 2019 now stands at 445.

Cadet Class 142 marks the 14th cadet class graduation under Governor JB Pritzker. […]

The new officers are assigned to the following areas of the state and will immediately begin their patrol duties, joining veteran Troopers in the effort to safeguard the public and Illinois roadways.

Troop 2 La Salle, 1 Trooper
Troop 3 Des Plaines, 12 Troopers
Troop 8 Collinsville, 4 Troopers

* I was privileged to be quoted in this article about Yvette Shields…

Yvette Shields, a reporter originally trained to cover Chicago City Hall, turned her fearless pen to Midwest state and local finance when she joined the Bond Buyer nearly 26 years ago and launched a career that enriched the public finance industry with unrivaled coverage of the people, deals and events that matter to the bond world.

Along the way she earned a reputation as a consummate financial reporter who had great personal charm, intelligence, and humor. She built an extensive network of sources and friends, routinely scooped the competition, and acquired a deep understanding of the political and financial nuances that shape municipal finance.

Shields died suddenly on July 19 of what is believed to be sepsis. She was 57.

You can contribute to the Yvette Shields Memorial Fund by clicking here. Thanks.

* Isabel’s afternoon roundup…

* Axios | A year in, Illinois 988 crisis hotline “has much work to do”: About 14% of the 23,000-plus Illinois calls made in April and May to the 988 crisis hotline were redirected to other states, per an analysis by health research outlet KFF.

* WMBD | Illinois Secretary of State program to reduce wait times at DMVs: Giannoulias said that the program, which will start Sept. 1, is expected to eliminate the unpredictability of wait times at the DMV and improve customer service. The program will require everyone to make appointments for in-person visits at the 44 busiest DMVs in Illinois. In Central Illinois, that includes Peoria, Pekin and Bloomington.

* KFVS | Gov. Pritzker announces new initiative, attends groundbreaking in Du Quoin: Prysmian, based in Milan, Italy, is considered a world leader in the design, manufacturing and sale of wire and cable products, including aluminum, copper and fiber optic wire and cable products for the energy, communications and automotive industries.

* Journal Courier | Illinois attorney general calls on Congress to extend GI Bill benefits: The bill would extend eligibility for Veterans Affairs housing loan and Post-9/11 GI Bill educational assistance programs to Black World War II veterans and their families and descendants if the veteran can prove they were denied GI Bill benefits on the basis of race. It would also create an accountability office to monitor how many veterans received benefits from the bill and a panel to study inequalities in how women and minority veterans are given benefits.

* Crain’s | Chicago climate-tech investor raises $300M fund: The new fund will make growth-stage investments in companies that have proven their technologies and products and now need money to scale up their operations or pursue acquisitions. Interest in clean-energy technology was helped by the nearly $500 billion in government incentives aimed at climate change from last year’s federal Inflation Reduction Act.

* Bond Buyer | Illinois Senate honors Bond Buyer’s Yvette Shields for her work: The life and legacy of Bond Buyer reporter Yvette Shields was honored Tuesday with a proclamation introduced on the floor of the Illinois Senate. Introduced by Sen. Rob Martwick, D-Chicago, the proclamation pays homage to Shields as a “celebrated and beloved financial reporter” who “left behind an indelible mark on the public finance industry in both the Midwest and the nation as a whole.”

* Sun-Times | Illinois National Guard member charged with assaulting police in Jan. 6 Capitol riot: Joseph Bierbrodt, of Sheridan in La Salle County, allegedly slammed a law enforcement officer against a wall after breaking into the Capitol. His brother was also charged.

* Tribune | Updated X-ray machines for searching backpacks approved for more than 100 Chicago Public Schools buildings: The $1 million renewal agreement follows an initial two-year, $1.4 million investment in new X-ray equipment, approved by the board in 2021. (During the remote learning period of the COVID-19 pandemic, virtually none of those funds were spent, Chou said.) But, with six of seven members just appointed by Mayor Brandon Johnson early this month, new leadership presides over the Board of Education. And in response to the district’s renewal request, some members initially questioned CPS’ reliance on the technology — though all members ultimately voted Wednesday to approve the funds.

* Daily Herald | ‘I want to build bridges’: Officials make pitch for cops in Arlington Heights, Elk Grove schools: Arlington Heights Police Chief Nick Pecora has proposed the addition of two full-time officers to work at the two middle schools in Arlington Heights Elementary District 25, where a pair of officers already split their time among the district’s nine schools. The officers also make the rounds at 10 other schools both public and private within the village boundaries.

* Crain’s | Johnson makes pitch to Bears to keep team in Chicago: As the Chicago Bears appear to be in stalled negotiations to build their new stadium in Arlington Heights, team president and CEO Kevin Warren met with Mayor Brandon Johnson at City Hall on Wednesday to discuss potential new stadium sites within the city but outside of Soldier Field. […] The locations Johnson is offering are unknown, but there are only a handful of options that are large enough to satisfy the need for an NFL stadium and potentially a surrounding entertainment district.

* Block Club | Broadway Armory To Become Migrant Shelter Starting Next Week, City Says: The conversion will require the relocation of multiple park programs and services by Saturday, giving city officials time to prep the massive complex into a shelter. Though most park programs will either end early or be moved elsewhere, the city-run senior center at the Broadway Armory will remain open, according to the mayor’s office. The senior dining center will continue to serve meals, though the computer lab and ping pong room will be closed.

* WGEM | Public squirrel hunting opening in Schuyler, Pike, Scott Counties: IDNR reported Thursday it has leased more than 4,400 acres of private land for 2023 squirrel hunting through IRAP, creating more than 30 public access squirrel sites in 18 counties, including Schuyler, Pike and Scott Counties. Sites are available at no cost to participants. Hunters simply must register, sign a liability waiver, and reserve a site through IRAP’s online registration system.

* Block Club | Pride Flags Ripped Down, Woman Spat On As Anti-LGBTQ Incidents Escalate At Wicker Park Church: And last week, a man driving by the church stopped to yell about the flags as a day camp was ending its activities. He spat on a woman who confronted him before driving away, according to church and camp administrators and police spokesperson Kellie Bartoli.

* Illinois Newsroom | Excessive heat warning in effect in central Illinois: The National Weather Service in Central Illinois is forecasting Heat Index values higher than 100 degrees Wednesday through Saturday.

* AP | McDonald’s posts surprisingly strong sales after ‘happy birthday’ Grimace campaign goes viral: Global same-store sales, or sales at stores open at least a year, rose nearly 12% in the April-June period. That handily beat Wall Street’s forecast of a 9.4% increase, according to analysts polled by FactSet.

* Sun-Times | Chicago first responders stage dramatic emergency drills on Chicago River: And the departments delivered — the river became a simulated active incident, with police officers running onto a Chicago Water Taxi with guns drawn and actors in distress. A helicopter swooped in, hovering just feet above the water as swimmers jumped out and propelled themselves toward the chaos.