* Here you go…

* Sun-Times | Jury begins deliberations in perjury trial of ex-top aide to Madigan after feds hammer at ‘brazen’ and ‘preposterous’ lies: Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane MacArthur at times turned and pointed toward Tim Mapes in the middle of a courtroom as she set out to shred his defense to perjury and attempted obstruction of justice charges at the end of a long day of arguments. The veteran prosecutor told jurors in a dramatic high-energy closing that “this is the man who was loyal, who does not give any ground, who refused to give any insight or light into the world close to Michael Madigan or Michael McClain.”

* Capitol News Illinois | Jurors to decide whether ex-Madigan aide had memory lapse or chose ‘loyalty over truth’: The defense has relied heavily on the notion that Mapes wasn’t shown documents – save for one memo he wrote in 2019 and requested to review during his grand jury testimony – or played any recordings during that testimony or the FBI interview that preceded it in February 2021. Defense lawyers frequently questioned witnesses about events they were struggling to remember, noting that the individuals’ memories could often be jogged when they were shown related documents.

* Tribune | Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Biden official promote investment in female trade workers: Although the federal grant isn’t a massive amount of money, Pritzker said it is part of a large-scale infrastructure improvement plan to help spur big construction projects, including in Chicago by next year when the nation’s spotlight will be on the city as it hosts the Democrats’ presidential nominating convention.

* Center Square | Illinois lawmakers discuss pension debt measure at hearing: House Bill 4098, which has been the center of conversation during these hearings, would allow the Illinois treasurer and comptroller to transfer $500 million from the General Revenue Fund to the Pension Unfunded Liability Reduction Fund each fiscal year. Those funds would then be used to make payments into the state’s systems.

* Tribune | Village of Arlington Heights hires Springfield lobbyist as Chicago Bears consider a stadium move to the NW suburb: Arlington Heights village trustees approved a consultant agreement with Mac Strategies Group Inc., calling for the firm to be paid $10,000 a month to lobby in Springfield on behalf of the village in an effort to protect the municipalities interests in the redevelopment of now-razed Arlington International Racecourse.

* Crain’s | Illinois closes in on $2 billion EV battery plant: Manteno Mayor Tim Nugent said his board and other local taxing bodies approved the abatement earlier this month, after being told by the state and a company agent that the facility will create 2,600 jobs and involve more than $2 billion in investment.

* Center Square | Republican primary for Illinois’ 88th House District shaping up: State Rep. Dan Caulkins, R-Decatur, announced weeks ago he is not seeking reelection for the 88th House District that includes Decatur and surrounding areas. He endorsed Regan Deering for the position. Deering now has a Republican challenger in Chuck Erickson from Bloomington.

* Daily Herald | State legislators form sustainable fuels caucus: Rep. Terra Costa Howard, a Glen Ellyn Democrat, along with five other legislators formed the Sustainable Fuels Caucus to address domestic energy supply needs, offer policy solutions to air and environmental quality issues and explore alternative energies like ethanol, hydrogen and biodiesel.

* Herald-Whig | Ameren presents plans to increase Illinois network capacity: Central Illinois will be the subject of a 380-mile reconstruction of Ameren’s electric grid to increase the transmission capacity of the area to 345 kilovolts. The company is marketing the project as an opportunity for new power companies to compete in the Central Illinois market, possibly lowering the high prices that Ameren believes Illinois suffers from.

* BGA | 100 Days In, BGA Policy Reviews Mayor Johnson’s Government Ethics Campaign Promises: No legislation has been introduced to give the Inspector General independent release authority. The Johnson administration has not released any of a number of significant incident reports from prior administrations that are eligible for release under the current municipal code, such as the reports on the Hilco smokestack demolition or the botched raid on Anjanette Young. Johnson’s corporation counsel has the authority to release those reports at the administration’s discretion.

* Fox Chicago | Pritzker responds after suburban police officer decertified by Illinois for stealing $15 shirt in 2008: “As cities and municipalities across the state grapple with law enforcement officer shortages, it’s critical that we uplift and support the men and women selflessly stepping up to do this essential work.”

* SJ-R | Proposed CWLP storage facility draws ire of group for its proximity to 1908 race riot site: Teresa Haley, the president of the Illinois State NAACP and Springfield branch, told The State Journal-Register the group wants the adjacent land donated whether that be for parking or a park. “You don’t put a national monument on one side of the railroad tracks and on the opposite side of it, two city garages,” she said.

* Sun-Times | Bally’s temporary Chicago casino at Medinah Temple could open soon after Labor Day: Regulators will inspect the River North operation Sept. 5 and oversee practice gaming sessions Sept. 6-7, Illinois Gaming Board officials told the Chicago Sun-Times.

* Sun-Times | Chicago bakes under 116 heat index fueled by record-setting temperatures: An excessive heat warning is in effect for much of northern Illinois until 8 p.m. Thursday. The temperature is expected to again climb into the upper 90s on Thursday, according to the weather service. The heat index could also reach 115 degrees on Thursday.

* Commercial-News | DACC tree dedication to honor late Sen. Bennett: As a way of permanently remembering the late Sen. Scott Bennett, Danville Area Community College will dedicate a tree and a plaque in his honor with a ceremony set for 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 4 near the Clock Tower building in the Campus Quad. All are welcome to attend.

* Sun-Times | Orland Park minister indicted in Trump election case to surrender Friday in Georgia — but lawyer calls bond ‘excessive’: Stephen Lee, a 70-year-old Lutheran minister, was charged for his alleged involvement in a scheme to pressure an election worker in 2020. His bond was set at $75,000.

* Bloomberg | More people call in sick on Aug. 24 than any other day: Perhaps it’s the inexplicable craving for a day off ahead of the big Labor Day holiday. Perhaps it really is a stomach bug, or that more recent fiend — the coronavirus. And of course, it might just be the blues at the end of summer.