* Center Square…

Illinois taxpayers could be on the hook for monetary awards to claimants suing Illinois State Police for alleged negligence in the run up to the 2022 Highland Park mass shooting. […]

“ISP should have denied the [Firearm Owners ID] card application made by Crimo,” the claimants charge in their filing to the Illinois Court of Claims. “That was used to purchase firearms, including the one purchased on Feb. 7, 2020, to perpetuate the shooting on July 4, 2022. ISP approved the transaction even though it knew or should have known Crimo had wrongfully been issued a FOID card.”

About 29 claimants in separate lawsuits through the Court of Claims are seeking at least $2 million apiece in damages for a total of $58 million. They allege willful and wanton conduct by Illinois State Police that caused the claimants wrongful death, personal injuries and/or emotional distress for which compensatory damages are sought. […]

The first case against ISP in the Court of Claims was filed June 27 with other cases filed July 2. Court of Claims procedure has cases being assigned to a commissioner to preside over after 60 days for the state to respond.

The Court of Claims administrator’s office said another rule requires any lawsuits against the state to be a last resort, meaning that any lawsuits against other defendants in other jurisdictions must be exhausted. That could lead to the cases being placed on a general continuance status for other cases to be adjudicated and settled.

Click here to read the redacted filing.

* AFSCME 31…

Stateville Correctional Center employees say the looming threat to close the prison and the abrupt transfer of Stateville’s incarcerated population has the prison system in disarray and their jobs in doubt. Calling for “No Chaos, No Layoffs,” Stateville employees will demonstrate outside the prison near Joliet tomorrow (Thursday, Aug. 29).

In response to a court order, the Illinois Department of Corrections has begun hastily transferring Stateville’s population to facilities up to 300 miles away. The transfers take incarcerated individuals out of their educational, employment and rehabilitative programming and make family visits from the Chicago area more difficult.

Hundreds of Stateville employees face the threat of layoff. The safety of thousands more workers is at risk in severely understaffed prisons now receiving Stateville’s population.

WHO: Employees of Stateville and other prisons, their supporters, elected officials and leaders of their union, AFSCME
WHAT: Picket and rally to urge “No Chaos, No Layoffs”
WHERE: Outside the prison at 16830 IL-53 in Crest Hill
WHEN: 4:00 p.m. tomorrow (Thursday, Aug. 29)

IDOC has proposed the closure of Stateville—a maximum-security prison with an incarcerated population of more than 400—for an indeterminate period of at least three to five years while a new facility is built at the same location.

Statevile employees and their union—the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)—say that to minimize disruption to individuals in custody, employees and the state prison system as a whole, the current facility should remain open while a new one is built.

* Capitol News Illinois…

Medical marijuana patients can now purchase cannabis grown by small businesses as part of their allotment, Illinois’ top cannabis regulator said, but smaller, newly licensed cannabis growers are still seeking greater access to the state’s medical marijuana customers. […]

Erin Johnson, the state’s cannabis regulation oversight officer, told Capitol News Illinois last month that her office has “been telling dispensaries, as they have been asking us” they can now sell craft-grown products to medical patients. […]

No notice has been posted, but Johnson’s verbal guidance comes almost two years after the first craft grow business went online in Illinois. […]

Berwyn Thompkins, who operates two cannabis businesses, said the rules limited options for patients and small businesses.

“It’s about access,” Thompkins said. “Why wouldn’t we want all the patients – which the (adult-use) program was initially built around – why wouldn’t we want them to have access? They should have access to any dispensary.”

* House Speaker Chris Welch…

Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch announced Wednesday the creation of a new House working group designed to look more closely at Illinois’ public transit system and provide recommendations on how it can better serve the communities that rely on it.

“We have a real opportunity to not only improve our public transit system but transform it into a world-class system our communities can depend on,” said Speaker Welch. “As we approach some important budget conversations surrounding public transit, we must also discuss how we can make it safer, more reliable and accessible, and environmentally conscious.

“We’ve had incredible success with our previous working groups, and I’m confident this dynamic and diverse group of lawmakers will produce the same results.”

Speaker Welch has selected Reps. Kam Buckner and Eva-Dina Delgado to lead the Public Transit Working Group. Their passion and knowledge of the public transportation system will be an integral part of future discussions. Committed to a collaborative process, Reps. Buckner and Delgado will engage all stakeholders, review any current proposals, and foster new ideas and solutions to strengthen the existing transit system.

“A high-quality and affordable public transportation system doesn’t just efficiently meet the needs of the community it serves, it also provides significant economic and health benefits, reduces congestion on our roadways, and allows the freedom of mobility to everyone,” said Rep. Kam Bucker (D-Chicago). “That’s exactly what the Chicagoland area deserves and it’s one I will be advocating for as we begin this collaborative work. We know we’ll be having important conversations surrounding investments and budgetary pressures, but we must use this as an opportunity to reimagine what our public transit system can be.”

“I have a bold vision for the future of our public transit system,” said Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado (D-Chicago). “With this working group and any future legislation, my hope is to make strides to achieve a regional transit system that our communities deserve, one that is seamless, equitable and rider-centered. I want people to choose transit first. In order to do that, we must ensure our transit system is safe, reliable, affordable, easy to navigate, and accessible. I look forward to thoughtful discussions and building a stronger and better system, alongside my colleagues and stakeholders.”

Members of the Public Transit Working Group include:

· Rep. Dagmara Avelar
· Rep. Diane Blair-Sherlock
· Rep. Mary Beth Canty
· Rep. William “Will” Davis
· Rep. Mary Gill
· Rep. Matt Hanson
· Rep. Barbara Hernandez
· Rep. Hoan Huynh
· Rep. Natalie Manley
· Rep. Rita Mayfield
· Rep. Anna Moeller
· Rep. Yolanda Morris
· Rep. Marty Moylan

*** Statewide ***

* NBC Chicago | Illinois cheer families could be owed money after massive settlement against Varsity Brands: Illinois will now be part of a proposed settlement of a class-action lawsuit against Varsity Brands, a company that puts on cheer camps and competitions and that was accused of using monopolistic tactics to raise prices and undercut competition. According to Attorney General Kwame Raoul, Illinois has signed onto the lawsuit, with a proposed settlement of $82.5 million currently in front of a judge in the case.

* BND | Mpox now a global health emergency. What an Illinois doctor says about cases, vaccine: The more severe mpox strain, also referred to as clade I, has been reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and has lead to at least 450 deaths so far, Southern Illinois University Medicine infectious diseases specialist Dr. Vidya Sundareshan said in a recent interview with the BND. […] While vaccination strategies in Illinois and across the U.S. are focusing primarily on men who have sex with men (some guidelines specify multiple partners), anyone can contract mpox. Both clade I and clade II can be spread by contact with infected wild animals, close contact with someone who has mpox and through contact with infected materials.

*** Chicago ***

* Block Club | CTA Boss Spent More Time Traveling World Than Visiting Chicago Transit Stations, Schedule Shows: From the end of May 2023 to spring 2024, as CTA riders had to cope with frequent delays and filthy conditions, Carter spent nearly 100 days out of town at conferences, some overseas, his schedule shows. Most of Carter’s trips between June 2023 and May 2024 were for events related to the American Public Transportation Association, a nonprofit advocacy group he chaired in 2022 and 2023. Carter spent a week in Pittsburgh and another in Orlando, six days in Puerto Rico and five days in Washington, D.C. He also took trips to Spain, New Zealand and Australia.

* WBEZ | Abortion took center stage during the DNC. But here’s why access could be in jeopardy: But abortion funds that are essential for so many people traveling to states like Illinois — paying for their flights, hotels, child care and their abortions — are running out of money. Providers and advocates say that’s putting access to reproductive medical care in jeopardy. Megan Jeyifo, for one, said she is exhausted. She runs the Chicago Abortion Fund, one of the largest of its kind in the country. […] Jeyifo estimates the fund needs at least $200,000 a month more to cover abortion procedures.

* Sun-Times | CPD traffic stops for minor violations ripped as ‘gateway to criminal charges’ at meeting seeking possible reforms: At a special hearing held by Chicago’s Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability on Tuesday evening, dozens of Chicagoans and a panel of experts gathered to provide input on what meaningful traffic stop reform could look like in Chicago. Commission president Anthony Driver Jr. said the purpose of the hearing was to learn how “pretextual traffic stops” — which critics describe as stops for minor infractions used as an excuse, or pretext, to search for evidence of other criminal activity — hurt communities and public safety, and “to learn from other jurisdictions that have changed their policies on police-initiated traffic stops.”

* Chalkbeat | Chicago Public Schools inspector general departs: Fletcher, who started a job this week at the Gateway Development Commission — a public transit agency run jointly by New York and New Jersey — said he had felt no pressure to find a new job and left the district only reluctantly. “This job was especially important to me because I had a personal commitment to CPS as a former student and a CPS parent,” he said.

* Block Club | Black Family Opens Stussy’s Diner In Bridgeport — 45 Years After Racist Attack Outside Same Spot: In 1979, the Nance family was chased by white men with baseball bats and tried to enter the old Bridgeport Restaurant for help, but no one would let them in. “Now, this place will support everybody.”

* WTTW | WTTW News Explains: How Did Redlining Work in Chicago?: Put simply: redlining is the act of denying people access to credit because of where they live and who they are, even if they’re qualified borrowers.  […] Furthermore, Blacks were often prevented from moving into new, developing communities due to racially restrictive covenants or clauses — pioneered by Chicago realty groups — that explicitly prohibited Blacks from purchasing that property.

* ABC Chicago | United Airlines flight attendants union votes 99.99% to authorize a strike: This is the first time they’ve voted on such a proposal, in nearly 20 years. The historic announcement was made after a demonstration at O’Hare Airport on Wednesday. […] The flight attendants are calling for raises, schedule flexibility, work rule improvements, job security, retirement and more. The flight attendants union said it filed for federal mediation over eight months ago and have been working under an amendable contract for nearly three years.

* Crain’s | How Roti went bankrupt: At the same time, Rōti pulled a lifeline to allow its remaining 26 locations to survive the initial pandemic punches: The company negotiated rent deferral agreements with its landlords. Those deferral agreements are now expiring — and Rōti appears unable to pay up. As Seamonds wrote in the court filings, the expired deferrals are “leading to a significant increase in operational expenses which have been difficult to meet.”

*** Cook County and Suburbs ***

* ABC Chicago | Lynwood police officer honored after running toward gunfire, suffering graze wound at homicide scene: “This evening, we’re gathered to recognize the extraordinary bravery of Michael Johnson,” said Lynwood Police Chief Gregory Thomas. […] “It’s just something that you just do. Law enforcement, just like any other thing that you put your life on the line, is something that you got to want to do,” Johnson said.

* Daily Herald | Raise a glass: Sip your way across the suburbs with these fall beer festivals: Over two dozen breweries will participate in the annual Illinois Brews @ Bowes Creek fundraiser at Bowes Creek Country Club. General admission tickets are $55 in advance and include admission to the main event from 4-8 p.m. for the craft and home brew beer tasting, snacks and a 5-ounce tasting mug. VIP ticket ($75) holders get in an hour earlier and have access to exclusive beer, whiskey and cocktail tastings. Hosted by the Elgin Parks & Recreation Foundation, ticket sales from the event support the Recreation Youth Scholarship Fund, which provides free access to Elgin Parks programs for at-risk kids.

*** Downstate ***

* WAND | Moms Demand Action giving away gun locks at Champaign-Urbana Public Health District: The group will be giving away free gun locks Wednesday. You can stop by the lobby of the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District, located at 201 S. Kenyon Rd. in Champaign from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

* Farm Week | New edible windbreak to provide multiple benefits: An outdoor part of the Heartland Community College’s Ag Complex in Normal is combining form and function. The new edible windbreak is part of the school’s sustainability efforts and offers a model for potential increased income for farmers. Layers of trees and bushes will act as a windbreak and supply a variety of fruits for students and others to enjoy. “It’s part of a sustainable ag model we are promoting,” said Kortney Watts, associate dean of career and technical education at the college. The college offers training in every step of the process.

* The Southern | Dobbins will remain Johnston City mayor after rescinding resignation: Mayor Doug Dobbins will continue his term as mayor of Johnston City despite reports of his possible resignation this week. Dobbins told The Southern on Tuesday evening that he had turned in a letter of resignation, but rescinded it before it became effective after discussing the matter with others.

* BND | From Belleville to Broadway, West grad makes St. Louis homecoming with cast of ‘Hamilton’: The Belleville native is among the 32-person ensemble that arrives at the Fox Theatre in St. Louis on Aug. 28. Known as the show about America then portrayed by America now, he is cast as George Eacker, a lawyer who gave a patriotic Fourth of July speech but is most known for shooting Philip Hamilton in a duel. He also fills the role of “Man 3.” “It’s crazy. I have wanted to be part of this ever since 2016 and I finally got it in 2024,” he said. “I feel incredibly blessed to be here. It is an amazing piece of art. It’s still so fresh, so relevant. I am so excited to tell this story,” he said in an interview.

* PJ Star | Peoria native Kendrick Green lands spot on NFL 53-man roster: The 6-foot-4, 315-pound offensive lineman from the University of Illinois will begin his fourth NFL season with the Texans. The Peoria High School graduate is listed as Houston’s backup left guard and one of nine offensive linemen on the roster for Houston, which last season won the AFC South and a playoff game behind rookie quarterback CJ Stroud.

*** National ***

* NPR | As cars and trucks get bigger and taller, lawmakers look to protect pedestrians: Now lawmakers in Congress are expected to introduce a bill on Friday that would require federal standards for hood height and visibility to protect pedestrians and other vulnerable road users. “We’ve seen these standards over time improve vehicle safety with a focus on the people in the vehicle,” said Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D-Pa.), a co-sponsor of the Pedestrian Protection Act, in an interview with NPR. “But this would sort of expand that to pedestrians, bicyclists and people outside the vehicle.”

* AP | Immigrant families in limbo after judge puts US program for spouses on hold: Although the Biden administration’s “Keeping Families Together” program only began accepting applications last week, families and immigration attorneys say confusion, uncertainty and frustration is already mounting following the order by U.S. District Judge J. Campbell Barker. Couples who already applied say they are in limbo and those who haven’t yet must weigh whether to wait for Republicans’ court challenge over the program to play out.