* Coming a bit late to this, but it’s a fascinating story…

After rejecting a plan to turn the shuttered Green Acres Country Club into a residential subdivision and watching a senior living development proposal fall apart last year, the village of Northbrook is now facing the prospect of a massive water treatment facility being built on what its leaders have dubbed the “emerald” of the north suburban community.

The DuPage Water Commission this week paid $80 million for the 127-acre former country club and golf course between Dundee Road and the Interstate 94 Edens Spur, according to people familiar with the deal. The sale netted a massive profit for the seller, a venture led by former Colliers Chicago chief executive David Kahnweiler, which bought the property in 2018 for nearly $9.8 million, according to Cook County property records.

DuPage is trying to go around Chicago for its water, which it’ll pay $122 million this year alone.

* DPI…

[Yesterday], the Democratic Party of Illinois held an election of Democratic State Central Committee (DSCC) members for membership to the Democratic National Committee (DNC) for the 2024-2028 term. Membership had long been decided behind closed doors, but today’s election marks the first open contest for deciding Illinois’ membership to the DNC. Chair Lisa Hernandez, who spearheaded this new structure to promote decision-making power within the DSCC and encourage committee members to run for spots on the DNC for the next term, released the following statement:

“Today, we achieved exactly what we had envisioned–a fair and open process to ensure Illinois is represented well on the Democratic National Committee for the next four years. Not only did we accomplish this and empower our Democratic State Central Committee, we set a precedent for transparency in our Party,” said Chair Hernandez.

During this evening’s meeting, the DSCC appointed Speaker of the House Emmanuel “Chris” Welch and Senate President Don Harmon as base members of the Democratic National Committee for the 2024-2028 term, as well as selected the following five base members to represent Illinois on the Democratic National Committee for the 2024-2028 term:

1. Committeewoman Robin Kelly
2. Committeewoman Delia Ramirez
3. Committeeman John Cullerton
4. Committeewoman Kristina Zahorik
5. Committeeman Dan Hynes

DPI was deliberate in ensuring newly-selected DNC members also represented gender diversity. After Speaker Welch and Senate President Harmon were selected, the two women with the highest number of votes were selected. The remaining three seats were filled by the two men and one woman who received the highest number of votes, underscoring our commitment to gender parity and inclusivity.

* Woodford County is east of Peoria…

Woodford County’s Public Safety Committee unanimously passed a resolution that would declare the county a non-sanctuary county, which now requires final approval from the County Board.

Non-sanctuary status means a county will not provide taxpayer funded services for migrants if they were to enter the county. About 12 counties across Illinois have declared that status.

The main point of emphasis of the meeting was the emergency action plan, a proactive plan of action if an influx of migrants were to come to Woodford County. Potential options such as using a Peoria Charter bus and driving the migrants to Chicago were discussed.

Yes, I’m sure that’ll happen. Right after the BLM protesters arrive to create havoc.

* Press release…

The Du Quoin State Fair is pleased to announce four Grandstand acts in addition to harness racing and ARCA and USAC auto races. Tickets go on sale at a 100 Days Out celebration on Saturday, May 18, and you’re invited to join us!

Tickets to all announced Du Quoin State Fair Grandstand shows can be purchased starting Saturday, May 18 at the Du Quoin Grandstand box office for in-person sales only from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. Ticketmaster sales open at 12 p.m.

In addition to box office ticket sales, the 100 Days Out celebration will include concessions, a plant sale and a book sale from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. The public is invited to attend this free event.

Du Quoin State Fair Grandstand Lineup:

Saturday, August 24 features #1 hitmaker Mitchell Tenpenny is a multi-faceted entertainer: singer, songwriter, producer and performer. Since the release of his debut 3X platinum-certified #1 hit single, “Drunk Me,” Mitchell made recent chart history with the shortest span between #1 songs at three weeks apart with “Truth About You” and “At The End Of A Bar.” Catch him on tour this year with Jordan Davis and Luke Combs.

The Marshall Tucker Band headlines the Grandstand Sunday, August 25 with no shortage of southern rock songs from 20 studio albums. “Can’t You See” is perhaps their most iconic and immediately recognizable hit, but this six-man band has influenced countless artists throughout their legendary journey that began in 1972.

On Thursday, August 29, the Du Quoin State Fair welcomes KANSAS. With a career spanning five decades, sixteen studio albums and five live albums, KANSAS has firmly established itself as one of America’s iconic classic rock bands. “Carry On Wayward Son” continues to be one of the top five most played songs on classic rock radio, and ‘Dust In the Wind’ has been played on the radio more than three million times.

Ashley McBryde takes the stage on Friday, August 30. Ashley McBryde takes the stage on Friday, August 30. McBryde has earned some of the industry’s biggest accolades, including a Grammy and CMA and ACM awards in addition to being a member of the Grand Ole Opry. The Arkansas native’s latest critically acclaimed album The Devil I Know is available now.

The Du Quoin State Fair has two headline acts yet to be announced for the 2024 Grandstand. Watch for those announcements in the coming weeks. The Du Quoin State Fair runs from August 23 - September 2. Admission to the fair is free. Parking is free on Friday, August 23 only. Parking is $15 for Gate 1, and $10 for all other gates. Seasonal parking passes are available for $30, good for duration of the fair. To learn more, visit https://dsf.illinois.gov/

* Rockford Files…

* What is Monarch Energy and how does it plan to invest $1B in Rockford?: Monarch’s Rockford facility would use emissions from nearby landfills and convert them into American-made sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) that could be used at Rockford International Airport and beyond.

* Rockford graduates are getting major help paying for college: The group of 182 graduates will receive full-tuition scholarships to either Rockford University, Rock Valley College, or Northern Illinois University. Awards and special recognition will also be given to individuals, partners, and community sponsors who have impacted the organization.

* Rockford Unveils $25,000 Forgivable Loan Program to Boost Business Growth: To qualify for the program, applicants must be for-profit businesses established on or before May 1, 2024, and situated within Commercial or Industrial zoned areas within the City of Rockford municipal boundaries, specifically in eligible census tracts. Eligible projects encompass enhancements to business operations, such as the acquisition of new equipment.

* 27 Future Teachers Graduate Debt-Free in Rockford’s Innovative Program: In a groundbreaking initiative, 27 individuals are embarking on their journey to becoming full-time teachers, with a unique twist—they’re doing it tuition-free. Spearheaded by Rockford Public Schools (RPS), Northern Illinois University (NIU), and Grow Your Own, this program aims to cultivate exceptional educators for the Rockford community.

* More…

* Civic Federation: State of Illinois FY2025 Recommended Operating and Capital Budgets: Analysis and Recommendations: The Civic Federation today released its analysis of the State of Illinois FY2025 proposed budget, finding the State remains in an improved financial shape due to strong revenue performance and effective management. However, the Federation recommends the State exercise caution in spending in FY2025 as its revenue growth is slowing and advises the State to look toward developing a plan for a modernized, sustainable tax structure to meet its long-term needs.

* Gov. Pritzker, Fire Marshal Rivera remember fallen Illinois firefighters and honor firefighters for heroism: Fallen Chicago Fire Department Firefighter/EMT Jermaine Pelt, Chicago Fire Department Firefighter/EMT Andrew “Drew” Price, Chicago Fire Department Lieutenant Jan Tchoryk, Chicago Fire Department Lieutenant Kevin Ward, and Maroa Countryside Fire Protection District Chief Larry Peasley were honored during the fallen firefighter memorial.

* Chicago City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin Fined $10K for Firing Whistleblowers: In all, the Board of Ethics has fined Conyears-Ervin a total of $70,000 in the past month. In April, the board found Conyears-Ervin committed 12 total violations of Chicago’s Governmental Ethics Ordinance for violating her fiduciary duty to the city, for the unauthorized use of city property and prohibited political activity by using city resources to host a prayer service.

* Civil rights group says Chicago mayor, top cop should take tougher action against officers linked to extremist Oath Keepers: The letter notes that many of the cops admitted joining between 2009 and 2013 “when the Oath Keepers were one of the most active and combative antigovernment extremist groups operating in the U.S.” At the time, the Oath Keepers feared the U.S. government “was moving the world toward a one-world government,” or new world order, an extremist conspiracy theory with “antisemitic overtones,” the letter states. “In response to this fear, the Oath Keepers encouraged their members to disobey laws that do not adhere to their false interpretation of the U.S. Constitution and Second Amendment,” according to the letter.

* Metra piling more trains on UP and Milwaukee lines; Edgewater stop to debut: Following calls from riders for more rush-hour service and less crowding, the commuter railroad will increase UP North trains by four beginning Monday, May 20.

* Unlikely allies? Suburban mayor, GOP legislator backs Bears’ lakefront plan: The Rosemont mayor, who doubles as assistant House minority leader, publicly endorsed the plan Monday. Stephens — the sole Republican legislator whose district includes Chicago — also spoke of forging a relationship with an unlikely ally: Democratic Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. “I’m bullish on the Sox and Bears. I believe in investing in those types of deals,” Stephens said after the monthly Rosemont village board meeting Monday morning. “They’re good for Chicago and Illinois.”

* With name change, it’s the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry: Get ready to visit “the Griffin.” The Museum of Science and Industry on Sunday is officially becoming the Kenneth C. Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, a name change in recognition of a $125 million donation in 2019 from the founder and CEO of the Citadel hedge fund.

* New Rules to Overhaul Electric Grids Could Boost Wind and Solar Power: Federal regulators on Monday approved sweeping changes to how America’s electric grids are planned and funded, in a move that supporters hope could spur thousands of miles of new high-voltage power lines and make it easier to add more wind and solar energy. The new rule by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which oversees interstate electricity transmission, is the most significant attempt in years to upgrade and expand the country’s creaking electricity network. Experts have warned that there aren’t nearly enough high-voltage power lines being built today, putting the country at greater risk of blackouts from extreme weather while making it harder to shift to renewable sources of energy and cope with rising electricity demand. …. The commission approved the rule by a 2-1 vote, with the two Democratic commissioners in favor and the lone Republican, Mark Christie, opposed. Mr. Christie said the rule would allow states that want more renewable energy to unfairly pass on the costs of the necessary grid upgrades to their neighbors.

* Medical residents are starting to avoid states with abortion bans, data shows: The AAMC analysis found that the number of applicants to OB-GYN residency programs in abortion-ban states dropped by 6.7%, compared with a 0.4% increase in states where abortion remains legal. For internal medicine, the drop observed in abortion-ban states was over five times as much as in states where abortion is legal.

I’m definitely missing Isabel.