* From the National Labor Relations Board…

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.

Wow. That’s big. The decision is here.

* IDPH…

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

— Erin Hegarty (@erin_hegarty) August 24, 2023

* Press release…

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

— Rick Pearson (@rap30) August 25, 2023

* 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

— The Japan Times (@japantimes) August 24, 2023

* Isabel’s roundup…

* Tribune | One year from the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, organizers trying to reach historic $90 million goal: Amid concerns his own personal wealth would give other potential Democratic donors alligator arms as they wait for him to pick up the convention tab, the billionaire governor said lots of people are cutting checks, and that won’t be a problem.

* WSIL | Illinois Public Libraries given $27 million from Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias: Giannoulias gave over $21.4 million to library services and $5.7 million in adult literacy grants across over 140 Illinois libraries. The money was given in support of libraries, education and lifelong learning.

* 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.

* Sun-Times | Federal law protects you from many financial scams, but not this one — and scam artists have figured that out: A West Loop business owner, a Southwest Side day care teacher and a retired city worker are among those who collectively have lost billions through wire transfer fraud. Critics say banks need to do more to fight it.

* 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.

* Daily Herald | ‘They just need that chance’: Arlington Heights coffee shop staffed by people with disabilities opens: Gerry’s Cafe — a nonprofit that hired 45 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to staff the shop — is finally open. A formal grand opening event is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Saturday.

* 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.

* Tribune | Chicago woman allegedly stalked Trump’s teen son at Florida school months before threatening to kill him: Tracy Marie Fiorenza, 41, was arrested in Chicago this week following the unsealing of a federal criminal complaint in Florida charging her with transmitting threats to kill another person, which carries up to five years in prison.

* NBC Chicago | ‘Buttergate’: Secret inside Illinois State Fair’s iconic butter cow sparks online controversy: A picture shared on X shows a sculptor applying and shaping butter for this year’s State Fair, and it is going viral. You can see the butter being applied over wire mesh shaped into a cow. People are dubbing this “Buttergate,” with people saying we’ve been sold a lie all these years.

* 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.