* The Illinois State Fair is over, the governor has taken action on all legislation, the Illinois Supreme Court has finished (I think) issuing major opinions for the summer, petition filing doesn’t start until Sept. 5 and the Tim Mapes trial has concluded. Next week looks like a unique opportunity to take a little time off and Isabel concurs.
Today, the Board issued a decision in Cemex Construction Materials Pacific, LLC announcing a new framework for determining when employers are required to bargain with unions without a representation election. The new framework will both effectuate employees’ right to bargain through representatives of their own choosing and improve the fairness and integrity of Board-conducted elections.
Under the new framework, when a union requests recognition on the basis that a majority of employees in an appropriate bargaining unit have designated the union as their representative, an employer must either recognize and bargain with the union or promptly file an RM petition seeking an election. However, if an employer who seeks an election commits any unfair labor practice that would require setting aside the election, the petition will be dismissed, and—rather than re-running the election—the Board will order the employer to recognize and bargain with the union.
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced the CDC is reporting all 102 Illinois counties remained at a low level for COVID-19 hospital admissions as of the middle of August, though wastewater surveillance is detecting rising Covid-19 activity. IDPH is continuing to closely watch COVID-19 data and also monitoring other respiratory viruses, particularly flu and RSV, ahead of the fall and winter seasons.
“Although hospitalization rates and deaths from COVID-19 remain low, it is important for our residents to know that we are seeing rising COVID-19 activity across Illinois,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. “We are fortunate the vast majority of Illinoisians have received immunity from a COVID-19 vaccine or previous infection that protects them against severe disease. However, COVID-19 continues to pose a risk for our seniors, individuals with chronic medical conditions, and those who are immunocompromised. IDPH is closely monitoring COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths, emerging variants, and a broad range of respiratory illnesses including flu and RSV. As we approach the fall, our residents will have access to a number of tools, including updated shots and treatments, that can help us avoid another ‘tripledemic.’ Please contact your primary care provider to learn about the options available to protect you and your loved ones this upcoming respiratory season.”
Director Vohra said that the Illinois Wastewater Surveillance System is indicating moderate COVID activity across all sampling regions in Illinois. The system is designed to monitor for levels of COVID-19, flu and RSV viruses in wastewater at 79 locations across Illinois. Flu and RSV activity remain low in the wastewater across all regions.
* I read this report and thought the same. A rarity…
A rarity in IG reports as it has mostly positive findings: The city's Office of Inspector General found a program coordinated by the Dept. of Family and Support Services is successful in helping some Chicagoans living in encampments find permanent housinghttps://t.co/W08Z6WqSxd
Illinois Railroad Association President Tim Butler was elected Vice Chair of the Illinois High-Speed Rail Commission during the commission’s meeting on Thursday, August 24, 2023. As Vice Chair, Butler will work with Chair Jim Derwinski of Metra and all members of the commission to craft a plan for the future of high-speed rail in Illinois.
“We are blessed to be the only state with all six Class 1 freight railroads,” said Butler. “If we are going to move forward with true high-speed rail in Illinois, our freight railroads are going to be vital partners in this effort. That is why I put my name forward for Vice Chair. Working with Chair Derwinksi, we have representatives of the commuter/passenger rail perspective and the freight rail perspective to help do the work of this commission.
* On to politics. Rep. Mike Coffey (R-Springfield) has a primary opponent. From Kelvin Coburn…
I am thrilled to announce my candidacy for the position of Illinois State Representative for the 95th Congressional District. With a deep commitment to our community and a passion for positive change, I am excited to put forth my experience and dedication to serve the people of this district.
Having lived and worked here for many years, I understand the unique challenges and opportunities that our community faces. From education and healthcare to job creation and protecting our Second Amendment rights, I am committed to working tirelessly to address these issues and ensure a brighter future for all.
Throughout my career, I have demonstrated a strong track record of collaborative leadership, effective problem-solving, and a willingness to listen to the concerns of constituents. As your State Representative, I will champion policies that promote collaboration with constituents, economic growth, sustainable development, constitutional rights and term limits.
* CD7…
The Center for Racial and Gender Equity (CRGE) has declared strong support for Kina Collins as she runs to represent IL’s 7th Congressional district.
“It is with great enthusiasm, the Center for Racial and Gender Equity announces that we are all in for Kina Collins! We are looking forward to giving Kina our full support in both the primary and general election in 2024.”
The CRGE runs a Black civic engagement program that reaches more than one million voters across Illinois and Wisconsin in an election cycle. The organization builds power by engaging Black voters and empowering Black women’s leadership to advance a legislative agenda and candidates that explicitly support Black women’s liberation.
* Texas…
The Timpone/Proft far-right fake newspaper project is now in Dallas, Texas, using the name of a former historic Black-owned real newspaper… https://t.co/ll01wrVGeP
* Dude was already a little godzilla, so I suppose it won’t hurt him /s…
U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel will visit Fukushima Prefecture later this month, where he plans to eat fish from the area to show support for Tokyo's decision to release treated radioactive water into the sea. https://t.co/EB92HARww1
* Block Club | Migrants Return To West Side Police Station Despite Ongoing Sexual Misconduct Investigation: “Because of the rising numbers and lack of space, the City of Chicago is once again utilizing the [Ogden] and [Town Hall] Police Districts,” Johnson’s office said. “The city of Chicago is focused on the safety of all Chicagoans, including our new neighbors. We are committed to working with CPD to ensure there are protocols in place to keep new arrivals at police stations safe while they wait for more adequate shelter.”
* SJ-R | Former Illinois Capitol Police investigator sentenced to 18 years behind bars: A former Illinois Capitol Police investigator involved in a 2021 car wreck that killed two people in Christian County was sentenced to 18 years behind bars earlier this week. Robert Milton Hodson, 48, of Taylorville changed his plea to guilty to a single charge of aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol in May after originally pleading not guilty.
* WSIL | Senator Dick Durbin unveils plan to combat nursing shortages in Illinois during roundtable today: “By forging partnerships between local schools and nearby hospitals and clinics, we can bridge the gap in health care access and tackle the shortages of health care workers that afflict our rural communities,” said Durbin. “Together, we’ll ensure that every single Illinoisan, no matter where they live, can access the quality health care they deserve.”
* Daily Herald | ‘Flat-out lied’: Ex-Gurnee man imprisoned 29 years on bad conviction sues police, prosecutors: Williams this week filed a federal lawsuit against nine former law enforcement officers, a pair of former prosecutors and a deceased pathologist, along with several Lake County communities. It alleges they fabricated a confession, manufactured some evidence and kept other evidence secret because it would have cleared him of the killing.
* NBC Chicago | Proposed Midwest Interstate Trail would link Illinois, Wisconsin nature preserves: Officials have launched an effort to construct the Midwest Interstate Trail, which would link natural areas in Illinois’ McHenry County and Wisconsin’s Kenosha County. An official kickoff event took place on Thursday, with organizers pushing for funding to get the project underway.
* Tribune | Rev. Stephen Lee from Orland Park church surrenders in Trump Georgia case: On Aug. 14, Lee was named along with 18 others, including former President Donald Trump who turned himself in Thursday, in an indictment the group broke a variety of laws in an efforts to alter the results of the 2020 election in Georgia. Lee is pleading not guilty, according to his lawyer David Shestokas.
* NBC Chicago | Residents in Tinley Park, Orland Park asked to conserve electricity by ComEd: According to the company, ComEd is “addressing a localized and emergent issue,” and as a result, they have had to take a piece of equipment in the area out of service. Residents in Tinley Park and Orland Park are being asked to conserve energy until at least 7:30 p.m. Thursday to “reduce the risk of outages” in the area.
* Sun-Times | Friday Morning Swim Club canceled, but hundreds show up — with police monitoring: The organizers announced this week there would be no official jump. Still, around 6:30 a.m. Friday, hundreds arrived at the harbor to swim. Police were called over to the 4400 block of North DuSable Lake Shore Drive and found the group was “gathered peacefully,” but officers remained on hand to monitor.
* NYT | This Is Public Housing. Just Don’t Call It That: The Laureate is an attempt to marry these ideas — supply and subsidies; public and private — in a single project. It’s the first building financed with a new $100 million fund that Montgomery County created to speed development by having H.O.C. invest directly in new projects, then using its ownership position to become a kind of benevolent investor that trades profits for lower rents.
* SJ-R | Heat to finally abate over weekend; chance for thunderstorms overnight Friday: According to the National Weather Service in Lincoln, Friday will be the last day of extremely hot temperatures, with Springfield forecasted to see a high of 98 degrees with a heat index possibly getting as high as 115. However, scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected around 11 p.m., continuing through the evening and into Saturday morning.
* Republican congressional candidate Darren Bailey’s reaction to the booking of a former POTUS…
Failed downstate IL GOP Gov candidate and current primary challenger to five-term Republican conservative Mike Bost photoshops his own Fulton County “mug shot” in begging to get Trump’s endorsement. This speaks for itself. https://t.co/AnXSdGYQbk
* US Rep. Mike Bost is trying to fend off Bailey’s challenge…
Southern Illinois proudly supports President Donald J. Trump! Despite election interference from Democrats, we will Make America Great Again! #Trump2024
* US Rep. Mary Miller has been a Trump and Bailey ally…
Our country stands with President Trump amidst the unjust witch hunts that the lawless DC swamp has been putting him through. We know that they only doing this because he is above the target and fighting to restore our country to the Constitution and the rule of law.
Last night, our nation witnessed an assault on democracy as Fani Willis, a partisan District Attorney, led a political witch-hunt aimed at punishing Joe Biden's chief political rival.
* Republican US Rep. Darin LaHood’s non-government XTwitter account has been silent all month. The Illinois Republican Party’s account hasn’t been silent, but it has been mum on the Georgia indictments…
Giannoulias to Host Press Conference Highlighting Libraries and Literacy Program Grants, Totaling over $27 Million
Secretary Giannoulias to spotlight libraries and literacy programs across the state
Who: Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian Alexi Giannoulias
Elected officials, librarians and literacy organizations
What: Secretary Giannoulias is hosting a press conference to announce the libraries and literacy programs awarded grants by his office. The grants help to support and encourage education, lifelong learning and adult literacy.
The truth of matter is our office has minimal resources and libraries are already struggling to have the resources they need. They’re also struggling to keep people working there because of these disgusting threats and intimidation that was occurring before these bomb threats. Some are forced to have security guards, most aren’t.
And on a grander scale, I’m so disgusted and disheartened with what’s taking place, especially this week. What the hell is wrong with people? They’re threatening to bomb libraries, because you have libraries were doing their job, which is nurturing kids? We should be putting librarians on a pedestal.
So to me, it’s a sad, sad week for Illinois. It’s a sad day for our country, sad week for our country. But I couldn’t be more proud of our librarians, who by the way continue to go to work every single day, even with these threats, even with this intimidation, the likes of which they’ve never seen. So, disheartening and dangerous.
And I want to make one other point on that, because I know I’m not supposed to talk politics and political parties are irrelevant to me on day like today, we never ask anyone what party they are, we don’t care, we want people to do great work.
But I will also tell you that - and I could be wrong, if I am, I apologize - I didn’t hear one Republican across this state condemn these threats, condemn the attacks. That’s offensive, that’s scary and shows you how politics has invaded which should be something that is completely nonpartisan, which is educating our kids, providing resources for people to go and learn, and the right to the freedom of education in this country has always stood for.
Tim Mapes once seemed free and clear, even as the FBI drew its net around his former boss and his longtime colleagues in Springfield.
Months after the indictment of four people with ties to onetime Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, Mapes found himself sitting before a federal grand jury. He had an immunity order, meaning he couldn’t be prosecuted for what he said — as long as he told the truth.
But Mapes decided to lie that day in March 2021.
That’s what a jury decided Thursday after five hours of deliberations at the end of a trial that lasted three weeks featuring 18 witnesses and several FBI wiretap recordings. In fact, they said Mapes lied a lot: on seven specific occasions, regarding 14 different topics.
Mapes is now a convicted liar. His word on anything can no longer be trusted in any court, including the court of public opinion. Even so, a commenter asked this yesterday…
Now the question becomes who will Mapes roll on to reduce his sentence? Is he finally at a point where he will reveal what he knows? Certainly does not seem like McClain has flipped but who knows?
First, he’s been convicted of perjury. He’d be a lousy witness even without his own personality, um, issues. Second, unless he knows something the government doesn’t after months of FBI wiretaps, email and document subpoenas, etc. he’s got nothing much to give. Third, even if he did have something, the ComEd Four trial strongly indicates that Madigan is a cooked goose. They don’t need him. Never did, actually.
Also, if the feds truly needed Mapes to make their case against Madigan and McClain they’d have pressed him much harder during the grand jury on far more topics. Also too, Mapes’ cooperation could actually complicate their case because the defense lawyers would make mincemeat out of him on the stand (although I’d almost pay to see it).
In a statement late Thursday afternoon, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois Morris Pasqual said Mapes’ conviction “should stand as a clear message to witnesses” who are called to appear in front of a grand jury. […]
About six weeks before his grand jury testimony, Mapes sat for an FBI interview in February 2021. During the trial, prosecutors hinted at the fact that Mapes ended the interview after agents broached the subject of Madigan and his close confidant Mike McClain. The FBI was interested in whether McClain, a longtime influential lobbyist in Springfield with whom Mapes also shared a friendship, acted as an “agent” of Madigan.
Shortly after Mapes’ FBI interview, he was subpoenaed for testimony in front of the grand jury, but roughly 10 days later, asserted his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. In response, prosecutors requested the court put Mapes under an immunity order, meaning that in exchange for his truthful testimony, Mapes couldn’t be charged in the investigation.
However, the immunity order also meant that if Mapes lied while under oath, he could be charged. It was under those circumstances that Mapes entered the grand jury room in late March of 2021, where during those two hours of testimony, he was reminded three times of the stakes of lying under oath.
The time to flip was February of 2021, well before the feds asked a judge to impose an immunity order on him. The train left the station and he wasn’t on it. Others quickly hopped aboard, and they’ll be home with their families while Mapes is serving whatever time he gets.
Mapes’ quick-and-quiet exit stood in high contrast to his heyday as Madigan’s longtime chief of staff and executive director of the state Democratic Party, when, as the speaker’s premier gatekeeper, he strode the halls of power with an almost autocratic style.
He also served as the clerk of the House, where he was known as a details-driven micromanager adept at keeping the legislative trains running.
Madigan unceremoniously dumped Mapes from all three positions in June 2018 after a staffer accused him of sexual harassment in a year in which the #MeToo movement cost the careers of several Madigan allies.
The jury’s verdict marked the conclusion of a nearly three-week criminal case that centered on relatively straightforward charges yet delved deeply into the behind-the-scenes political intrigue of the scandals that rocked Madigan’s office and ended his decadeslong grip on power.
“For whatever reason in his heart and his mind, (Mapes) chose loyalty over the truth,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane MacArthur said during closing arguments Wednesday.
Federal prosecutors said Mapes had a mantra: “protect the boss,” and he lied repeatedly to do that. Mapes’ defense said “protect the boss” meant protecting Madigan from political fallout, and nothing else.
As Speaker Madigan’s top aide for more than 25 years, the prosecution said Mapes lied about the nature of the long-term relationship between Madigan and his longtime confidant Michael McClain, arguing Mapes knew McClain, a lobbyist and close Madigan friend, did work for the former speaker.
Federal prosecutors said when called to testify before a grand jury investigating the ComEd case, Mapes lied “to protect the boss Mike Madigan and lied to protect his friend, Mike McClain.”
…Adding… True…
None of us were close before this. They pushed us together to their own demise. https://t.co/82CBf0i2si
* Tribune | Following Tim Mapes’ conviction, lawmakers condemn his conduct, GOP renews call for reform: Among the most notable was Sherri Garrett, who worked in the clerk and speaker’s offices and publicly came forward with allegations that for years she endured and witnessed harsh behavior by Mapes, saying it was “often sexual and sexist in nature.” “My experience speaking out about the sexual harassment I endured in 2018 was painful — and more painful was knowing that there were countless others like me who were too afraid of Mr. Mapes to come forward and speak their own truths,” Garrett said. “I hope that those individuals feel some relief today, as I know I do.”
At a late Thursday afternoon news conference, Deputy Illinois House Republican Leader Ryan Spain and Assistant Leader Patrick Windhorst wondered how many corruption convictions would it to take for Democrats to get serious about reform at the state capitol.
“Another day, another conviction in federal court,” Spain said, adding that “cleaning up the crisis of corruption that continues to plague the state of Illinois” needs to be a top priority.
Spain and Windhorst called for Gov. J.B. Pritzker to call a special session so lawmakers can work on comprehensive ethics reform.
“How many indictments is too many .. how many guilty verdicts is it going to take to have Democrats join Republicans” in ending the culture of corruption in Springfield, Windhorst said.
One thing that I think is clear is that Mike Madigan exerted almost absolute control over the House of Representatives. That’s done, as leader Spain referenced, because of the rules that were in place, the laws that are in place. Those things needed to be changed and reformed. Speaker Madigan had such control over Tim Mapes that, even when offered immunity, all he had to do was tell the truth and he would escape prosecution. But instead he lied. That shows the amount of control and power Speaker Madigan had.
So we have to put things into the law and make changes to our rules that will limit the power of one person. You know, there’s the saying that power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely. And that’s what we’re seeing, absolute power in one man has corrupted that institution and the leadership of that institution, absolutely.
I don’t disagree that more rule changes are necessary in both chambers. I have long argued that the chamber leaders should not choose committee chairs, vice chairs and minority spokespersons. That should, in my opinion, be done by a caucus vote. I’m sure we can all think of something that could be changed.
* But Mike Madigan and Tim Mapes are long gone. That sort of velvet hammer rule no longer exists. I mean, just ask House Republican Leader Tony McCombie, who said this during the Illinois State Fair last week…
The session was complete chaos. And for the first time in decades - in decades - the Democrats didn’t have the capability to negotiate and navigate the budget and they gave up control to the Senate Democrats. Speaker Welch showed that he is the master of mismanagement.
South Carolina’s new all-male Supreme Court reversed course on abortion Wednesday, upholding a ban on most such procedures after about six weeks of pregnancy.
The continued erosion of legal abortion access across the U.S. South comes after Republican state lawmakers replaced the lone woman on the court, Justice Kaye Hearn, who reached the state’s mandatory retirement age.
The 4-1 ruling departs from the court’s own decision months earlier striking down a similar ban that the Republican-led Legislature passed in 2021. The latest ban takes effect immediately.
Writing for the new majority, Justice John Kittredge acknowledged that the 2023 law also infringes on “a woman’s right of privacy and bodily autonomy,” but said the state Legislature reasonably determined this time around that those interests don’t outweigh “the interest of the unborn child to live.”
The Florida State Board of Education is expected to vote Wednesday on new rules at state colleges for transgender employees and students that are intended to comply with a law, passed in May, restricting access to bathrooms.
According to the board’s proposal, colleges will be forced to fire employees who twice use a bathroom other than the one assigned to their sex at birth, despite being asked to leave.
The proposal also states that the bathroom restrictions apply to student housing operated by the colleges, meaning that transgender students living in dorms may be required to use only the bathrooms that align with their sex at birth.
The proposed new regulation shows that colleges, like K-12 schools, will be caught up in the new restrictions and the bureaucracy required to enforce them.
Parents of Black students in the fourth and fifth grades at Bunnell Elementary in Flagler County are upset, saying their children were targeted for underperforming on standardized tests.
Only Black students, whether low scoring or not, were called into an assembly Friday. […]
The students were presented with a PowerPoint the district shared with WESH 2. One page is called the problem: “(African Americans) have underperformed on standardized assessment for the last past three years… Only 32% are at Level 3 or higher.” […]
The parents say they were not told anything about the plan to single out students of color as though they and only they are what’s bringing the school down. The mother we spoke to on-camera says her daughter scored 4 and 5 on recent assessments.
“It became racial for me when they included and boxed all of the Black children together no matter if they were below average, average or above average,” the mother said.
The signs returned to the Tennessee statehouse after a judge blocked the House GOP rule…
People held signs without problems at the Tennessee Capitol complex Wednesday after a judge agreed to temporarily block a new rule advanced by House Republicans that had banned the public from doing so during floor and committee hearings.
The ruling came in a lawsuit that was filed after state troopers removed three people Tuesday who held small signs urging gun control at a hearing on the same statehouse grounds where Republicans also drew attention this year for expelling two young Black Democratic lawmakers for breaking procedural rules.
This week’s removals came at the order of a GOP subcommittee chair, who later instructed troopers to kick the rest of the public out of the committee room after deeming the crowd too unruly. That included grieving parents closely connected to a recent Nashville school shooting, who broke down in tears at the decision.
The emotional and chaotic scene irked both Republican and Democratic lawmakers, while others pointed out that although signs were banned, the public could still freely carry firearms inside the legislative office building. Signs were present during a House committee hearing Wednesday morning.
After conservatives took over Wisconsin's Supreme Court in 2008, they adopted a recusal rule that didn't even require it in cases involving their own campaign donors, & they again rejected such a requirement in 2017 https://t.co/ldk4llTMmi
The Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association this month launched the latest volley in the battle over environmental, social and governance investment factors, filing a federal lawsuit over Missouri’s first-of-its-kind ESG securities rules.
The Show Me State’s new rules require advisors and broker-dealers to obtain written consent from customers to buy or sell an investment produced based on social or other non-financial objectives. The disclosure would require an acknowledgment that incorporating ESG considerations “will result” in investments and advice “that are not solely focused on maximizing a financial return for the client.”
SIFMA named Missouri Secretary of State John “Jay” Ashcroft, who has jurisdiction over the state’s securities, and Missouri Securities Commissioner Douglas Jacoby in the complaint, which was filed in the U.S. District Court of Western District of Missouri, Central Division.
Georgia’s second-largest school district says that it has removed two books from 20 school libraries, saying the books had “highly inappropriate, sexually explicit content.”
The announcement, sent in an electronic message to parents in some Cobb County schools on Monday, comes days after the Republican-majority school board voted 4-3 along party lines to fire a teacher for reading a book about gender identity to fifth-grade students.
Although not new, book removals have surged since 2020, part of a backlash to what kids read and discuss in public schools. Conservatives want to stop children from reading books with themes on sexuality, gender, race and religion that they find objectionable. PEN America, a group promoting freedom of expression, counted 4,000 instances of books banned nationwide from July 2021 to December 2022.
Cobb County, with 106,000 students, said Tuesday that 20 libraries had contained “Flamer” by Mike Curato or “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” by Jesse Andrews, or both. “Flamer” is a graphic novel about a boy who is discovering he is gay and how he is treated at summer camp. “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” contains some discussion of sex and a lot of profanity, but is mainly about two high school boys who befriend a girl dying of cancer. Both were among the most challenged books of 2022, according to a list published by the American Library Association.
* Sun-Times | $2 million in grants heading to Chicago literacy centers: More than 400,000 Illinois residents — about 3% of the population — have less than a ninth-grade education, and about 900,000 adults older than 25 don’t have a high school diploma, according to state figures.
* Taylorville Daily News | State Rep Speaks Out On Behavioral Health Licenses: Representative Rosenthal says that those who suffer mental health and substance abuse need professional aid to provide necessary treatment that helps them. Rosenthal stressed that the state is in need dire need of licensed staff to fill vacant positions, and unnecessary delays have a negative impact on qualified applicants and the constituents in the community.
* Bloomberg | Chicago Blames Carmakers as Thieves Livestream Thefts: hicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has a plan to help tackle soaring car thefts in the city: sue the automakers. The city has filed a civil suit against Kia Corp. and Hyundai Motor Co. for failing to include engine immobilizers in various models, causing “a steep rise in vehicle thefts, reckless driving, property damage, and a wide array of related violent crimes in Chicago,” according to a statement on Thursday.
* Sun-Times | New details on little-known Obama Presidential Library, tucked away in Hoffman Estates: When Colleen Shogan, the new archivist of the United States, pulled up in front of the Obama Presidential Library in Hoffman Estates for the first time, “I thought it looked like a wedding center.” The gray brick exterior of 2500 Golf Rd. in the northwest suburb, once a Plunkett Furniture showroom and warehouse, has decorative front and side portico entrances. But there’s no grand architectural detail or even a sign to suggest that inside, for the past seven years, it’s been the temporary home of the official Barack Obama Presidential Library.
* WPSD | Walker’s Bluff Casino Resort officially opens Friday: “We’re thrilled to have worked with local and regional contractors and suppliers who brought their exceptional craftsmanship and dedication to the table,” Dan Kehl, CEO at Elite Casino Resorts, said in a statement released Thursday. “This collaboration has not only resulted in a state-of-the-art establishment but has also empowered our community by driving economic growth and creating jobs. I’d also like to thank Cynde and the late David Bunch for bringing this project here.” The Bunches built Walker’s Bluff. David Bunch died in 2021.
* Tribune | Chicago Water Taxi to return Sept. 5, refocusing on commuters: A lone boat will make trips three days a week, from Tuesday to Thursday, between Ogilvie Transportation Center in the West Loop and Michigan Avenue in Streeterville. The West Loop stop is located between Ogilvie and Union Station, while the Michigan Avenue stop is located near the intersection of North Rush Street and East Kinzie Street.
* Shaw Local | Current Illinois state flag designed by former school teacher: The state flag was back in the news this month with Gov. JB Pritzker’s announcement that a commission was being established to consider a redesign of the flag. Whether Mrs. Hutchison, who died in 2004 at age 93, would have been happy with that news is unclear. But there is no questioning her vast knowledge of flags, in addition to her keen interests in history, genealogy and cemetery records. Indeed, Hutchison found a way to turn her passion into her life’s work.
* Capitol News Illinois | Illinois heat wave is the latest of several weather extremes in the state: The heat index, a measure that combines air temperature with humidity, reached higher than 128 degrees in Galesburg Wednesday. Chicago’s O’Hare airport recorded an air temperature of 98 degrees, the highest temperature for Aug. 23 since 1947, according to the National Weather Service. The heat index there peaked at 116, just two degrees shy of the record high that came during Chicago’s infamous 1995 heat wave.
* NBC Chicago | What could Chicago’s winter look like? Here are the latest projections: Last winter provided a surprising amount of rain and warmer-than-normal temperatures in the Chicago area, but could the region be in for a repeat? According to the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center, that very well could be the case.
