* Here you go…

* Capitol News Illinois | Choate director replaced as new report says abuse at the facility hasn’t stopped : Equip for Equality’s report, titled “Why No One Should be Left Behind,” detailed ongoing, serious lapses in care and recommended that the remaining residents with developmental disabilities who live there be moved out.

* Tribune | ‘I don’t recall’: Prosecutors reach heart of allegations in intrigue-filled perjury trial of Tim Mapes, longtime Madigan aide: In a nearly 90-minute segment of Mapes’ grand jury testimony played in court, Mapes repeatedly claimed to have no recollection of “assignments” or other roles that the speaker’s longtime confidant, Michael McClain, played in the organization.

* Sun-Times | Jurors hear secret FBI recordings of ex-top aide to Madigan, then hear him allegedly lying to a grand jury: Mapes made his denial under oath, before a federal grand jury, during a March 2021 visit in which a prosecutor made “crystal clear” Mapes could be prosecuted for perjury.

* Tribune | Listen to Tim Mapes’ grand jury testimony in Michael Madigan probe: Mapes’ testimony started out with Assistant U.S. Attorney Amareet Bhachu warning Mapes that he needed to tell the truth or his immunity deal would not prevent him from being prosecuted.

* Sun-Times | Amid livestock shows, corn dog stands, Pritzker blasts Republican ‘bull——’ as Democrats rally at Illinois State Fair: Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Wednesday told the state’s largest annual gathering of Illinois Democrats that “Republicans demagogue, Democrats deliver” as U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin warned that the latest indictment against former President Donald Trump should not be viewed as “just another political wrinkle.”

* SJ-R | Illinois Democrats unify around Biden for re-election, slam Trump during Governor’s Day: “Republicans supported insurrection and claimed it was an act of patriotism,” said Gov. JB Pritzker, often mentioned as having national aspirations. “They falsely claimed that they’re the party of law and order while celebrating a four-time indicted presidential candidate.”

* The Pantagraph | As Illinois Democrats gather in Springfield, a different-looking state party takes shape: It all sounds like a healthy Democratic Party of Illinois. However, many of these gains have actually been made in spite of the state party organization, which for years largely served as a vehicle for former House Speaker Michael Madigan — party chair between 1998 and 2021 — to send out campaign materials for state House Democrats. By law, state parties receive a significant postage discount. 

* Daily Herald | Man pleads guilty to hate crime related to vandalism at McHenry County bakery: Joseph I. Collins of Alsip was immediately remanded to the McHenry County jail to serve the required 50% of an 180-day jail sentence. He also is required to serve 24 months of felony probation, perform 200 hours of public service and pay about $3,700 in fines and fees, and pay $2,300 in restitution, McHenry County Judge Tiffany Davis ordered.

* AP | Illinois will provide burial for migrant toddler who died on bus from Texas to Chicago: Rachel Otwell, spokesperson for the Illinois Department of Human Services, confirmed the girl’s name and said the Illinois Welcoming Center, a partially state-funded program, will cover burial costs for Jismary. The child’s great aunt, Gisela Gonzalez, said the family set out for the United States in May from their home in Colombia, where Jismary was born.

* Chicago Business Journal | Cresco Labs retains No. 1 market share on cannabis products in Illinois: The company’s foothold comes amid a low store count and high prices shaping the Illinois cannabis market.

* NYT | The Shortage in School Bus Drivers Is Getting Worse: Looking for an alternative, the school district in Louisville, Ky., turned to a software program — leading to chaos. It’s one of many districts struggling to get students to class.

* Business Journal | Mark Mahoney joins ALPLM as chief of staff: “There’s no greater symbol of Illinois than Abraham Lincoln, and this library and museum is a leader in sharing his legacy with the world,” he said. “It also plays a key role in central Illinois tourism and contributes to Springfield’s economic and cultural vitality. I am very excited to be part of a such a great team that works tirelessly to share our history with tens of thousands of visitors every year from all over the world.”

* Post-Tribune | Nearly one in five third graders in Indiana can’t read: Overall, results remain 9.5 percentage points below the state’s highest-ever proficiency rate of 91.4% during the 2012-2013 school year, the first year of testing.

* Sun-Times | ‘Deep-fried everything’: We sample seven sinful snacks to indulge in at the Illinois State Fair — so you can, too: “It’s what the state fair is all about,” Riverton resident Ian Conard said while waiting in line for a $6 batch of cookies to emerge from their oil bath. “Deep-fried everything.”