ICYMI: It’s Giving Tuesday! Every year we help Lutheran Social Services of Illinois buy Christmas presents for children in foster care. So far we’ve raised more than $6,000, which works out to 241 presents for foster kids. But lots more kids could use some joy, so please donate what you can. Thank you!

* Happy 206th Anniversary Illinois…

* Capitol News Illinois…

Four years before police said he caused a crash that killed a DeKalb County sheriff’s deputy, Nathan Sweeney pleaded guilty to driving under the influence and having 44 grams of heroin in his car – an offense that, if properly reported to the secretary of state, should have led to the revocation of his driver’s license and the loss of his commercial driving privileges.

But notification of those convictions never got to the secretary of state’s office. Instead, Sweeney struck a plea deal with prosecutors that masked the convictions that would have triggered the license revocation, a practice prohibited by both state and federal law, according to Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias. He’s now asking for a federal audit of Kane County.

“Given the alarming information gathered by my office, it has become abundantly clear that the system failed in keeping a clearly dangerous driver off the road,” Giannoulias wrote in a letter this week to the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration that was obtained by Capitol News Illinois.

“Masking” is a term used to describe a court action that allows holders commercial driver’s licenses, or CDLs, to avoid permanent marks on their record, even when convicted of serious driving-related crimes, by allowing the driver to participate in a diversion program or deferring imposition of judgment.

*** Madigan Trial ***

* Tribune | Madigan prosecutors to ask Solis about cooperation against another ‘high-ranking official’ — but can’t mention Edward Burke by name: The leeway given to prosecutors comes a day after Madigan attorney Dan Collins decided to bring up Burke in his cross, pointing out the contrasting styles between Burke and Madigan when soliciting business for their respective law firms. Collins asked Solis, didn’t Burke offer to pay you for law business referrals? Didn’t Burke say things to you like ‘the cash register hasn’t rung’ and ‘Did we land the tuna?’

* Sun-Times | Madigan jury gets to hear about Solis’ undercover work against Ed Burke, just not his name: Jurors still might have enough information to connect the dots. During his interrogation of Solis on Monday, Madigan attorney Dan Collins began asking Solis about Burke. Collins noted that Burke had told Solis “the cash register has not rung yet” and asked “did we land … the tuna” as he tried to strong-arm business out of the developers of Chicago’s Old Post Office.

*** Statewide ***

* Sun-Times | As newspapers close across the U.S., study finds Illinois is hard hit: As newspapers continue to close across the country, Illinois has been particularly hard hit. The state has lost 86% of its journalists since 2005 — the highest percentage decline in the nation, according to the Medill State of Local News report released in October. Nationally, there was a 60% drop in newspaper journalist positions during that same period.

* WCIA | IL Attorney General offers tips on charitable donations this holiday season: “I encourage potential donors to review my Charitable Trust Bureau’s tips before making donations for Giving Tuesday and throughout the holiday season,” Raoul said. “I will continue to offer resources to Illinois residents who give charitable donations to ensure their generous donations are used for the intended purpose.”

* NBC Chicago | IDPH warns of whooping cough increase as cases reach levels not seen in 20 years: According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, October alone saw 408 cases of whooping cough, also known as pertussis, marking the “largest monthly total in 20 years.” The number is more than double the number of cases reported in October 2023, health officials noted. Preliminary data showed the state has recorded more than 1,900 confirmed and probable cases of whooping cough so far this year, the highest number since 2012. Illinois’ surge in pertussis is in line with a national surge, which comes after a sharp drop in cases during the COVID pandemic.

*** Chicago ***

* Chicago Reader | How Chicago leaves communities in the dust: On October 1, Neighbors for Environmental Justice (N4EJ) released their second report in two years, “Paid to Pollute,” which found that the city department responsible for government contracts doesn’t monitor whether companies violate environmental regulations and there are few consequences for companies that do. For community members in N4EJ, city compliance is personal. The group formed in the McKinley Park neighborhood in 2018 when MAT Asphalt, which holds millions of dollars in city contracts, constructed a facility across from the eponymous park and in close proximity to schools and homes. In 2020, developers canceled a planned 120-unit affordable housing project in the neighborhood after they failed to secure funding from the city or state over concerns about the plant’s emissions.

* Block Club | New NW Side Police Commander Says Technology Is Best Way To Combat Burglaries, Other Crime: About 100 days into his new position, Vanna said his top goals are to make policing the district more efficient by using technology to identify crime patterns and also to get officers more involved in the neighborhood. “The community is what holds us accountable,” Vanna said during a recent interview.

* Crain’s | Ad agency known for Super Bowl spots expanding office, moving to Merchandise Mart: Highdive Advertising, an independent agency behind a series of hit Super Bowl ads in recent years, confirmed it has leased about 26,000 square feet on the 17th floor at the hulking riverfront property. The 8-year-old firm is subleasing its new office from sales software maker Seismic and expanding from roughly 12,000 square feet it occupies today at 320 W. Ohio St., where its lease expires at the end of this month.

* Block Club | Near West Side’s Last Migrant Shelter Closes: While there are about seven migrant shelters in the city today, that figure stood north of 20 more than a year ago. […] There are about 3,300 residents currently in the city’s migrant shelters. The Mayor’s Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on where migrants staying at the Walnut Street shelter were moved to.

* Crain’s | Fello, an app to fight loneliness, raises $10.4 million: A new Chicago-based startup is looking to put the power of the gig economy to work to combat loneliness, raising $10.4 million for its peer support platform, the company, Fello, said in a news release this morning. […] Its mission is to bring together “Finders” and “Fellos” to combat what U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy last year dubbed a growing epidemic of loneliness and isolation. Murthy has compared the health impact of social isolation to a 15-cigarette a day habit.

*** Cook County and Suburbs ***

* CBS Chicago | At Dolton, Illinois Village Board meeting, residents say they want Mayor Tiffany Henyard voted out: The Dolton Village Board meeting Monday night started 30 minutes late, as trustees waited for the mayor to arrive. Trustee Jason House said at one point that they would give the mayor five minutes to show up. Henyard delayed the meeting with no explanation. But it gave residents something quickly to talk about.

* NBC Chicago | Dolton will soon be without a police chief while mayor says she will be victorious in bid for second term: “Know this – I am going to come through on a landslide just like Trump did,” Henyard said. “Like it or not, I am your mayor.” But in the coming days, Henyard’s hand-picked choice for interim police chief will be out of a job. A judge said Ronnie Burge Sr. could only serve for 30 days, making his last day on the job Dec. 6.

* Daily Herald | Lake County Board leadership unchanged; Shift at top for forest preserve: The Lake County Board’s leadership isn’t changing, but there has been a shift at the top of the Lake County forest preserve board. Seven returning county board members were sworn in Monday for their new terms, with the panel’s 14-5 Democrat majority remaining unchanged.

* Daily Herald | DuPage Forest Preserve District acquires Bolger Farm near Wheaton: But with the forest preserve district acquiring that property on the east side of Leask Lane, the conservation agency is adding about 35 acres to what it calls a “critical natural corridor.” The district recently finalized the $12 million purchase of the Gladstone Ridge property — the “open space link” between the arboretum and Danada, an area with its own equestrian history.

* Daily Southtown | Will County Board elects Democratic speaker, replaces Steve Balich as Republican leader: The board elected new leadership, including Wilmington Democrat Joe VanDuyne, a board member since 2018, as its new speaker. The speaker, formerly known as County Board chair, presides over meetings in the absence of the county executive, prepares agendas and assigns committees.VanDuyne, most recently the chair of the board’s Public Works and Transportation Committee, succeeds Judy Ogalla, a Monee Republican who held post for the last two years.

* Lake County News-Sun | Lake County Forest Preserves Board has new president; ‘We can continue to honor this lovely corner of the world’: The Lake County Forest Preserves Board elected Commissioner Jessica Vealitzek as its new president, who touted the recent passing of a $155 million referendum for land acquisition and habitat restoration as a mandate from the public to continue the board’s efforts. Vealitzek, who was nominated by Commissioner Jennifer Clark, was elected with 14 ayes and five present votes. Commissioner Gina Roberts was elected vice president, and Commissioner Paul Frank was elected president pro tempore.

* Sun-Times | Holiday filmmakers are flocking to Chicago’s suburbs for the scenery: “Once Upon a Christmas Wish,” a Long Grove production starring Mario Lopez, premieres Saturday on the Great American Family network. And two other Illinois-based movies, “Christmas at the Zoo” and “Christmas in Chicago,” will be released in the future. […] Chicago-based Throughline Films co-founder John Bosher also cited the local crews, acting talent, tax credit and scenery as reasons for filming in the area. He and Chris Charles started the company in 2012 and launched the Very Merry Entertainment venture upon discovering the growing demand for American holiday movies locally and abroad.

*** Downstate ***

* SJ-R | Boys & Girls Clubs could end programming at 8 Springfield schools: The Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Illinois announced Monday the Illinois State Board of Education declined to renew a $1.2 million grant made available through the federal government. […] “The lack of transparency and timely communication from ISBE throughout this grant process, coupled with the delayed funding decision coming halfway into the school year has left the Club with devastatingly limited options,” a news release said.

* Police 1 | 1st police department in Illinois to use AI-powered police officer assistant: Due to limited resources, most U.S. law enforcement agencies currently review less than 1% of their body-worn camera (BWC) footage. By automating 100% of BWC reviews and eliminating ineffective random review, TRULEO streamlines these processes, solving common challenges faced by departments and ultimately leading to improved officer morale, recruitment, retention, and better policing outcomes. Additionally, TRULEO’s technology helps identify training and coaching opportunities for officers, enabling departments to proactively address potential issues.

* WICS | Sangamon County Clerk announces recounts in Recorder’s and County Board District 25: On Monday, a petition was filed for the Recorder’s race, on behalf of Josh Langfelder. In this race, Democratic candidate Josh Langfelder received 49,093 votes and Republican candidate Frank Lesko received 49,124 votes. The petition specified 41 precincts to be inspected.

* WCIA | Vermilion County officials sworn in: Vermilion County State’s Attorney Jacqueline Lacy is now the first state’s attorney in county history to be elected for three consecutive terms, her office said in a news release. She credits her leadership through expanding funding for more victim advocates and helping found the Vermilion County Child Advocacy Center with the late Senator Scott Bennett for children who faced abuse and neglect.

* WCIA | Illinois Football assistant coach dies at age 62: Dana Dimel, the Senior Offensive Assistant for the Illinois Fighting Illini football team, has died. Illinois Athletics announced that the longtime coach passed away Tuesday at the age of 62. He is survived by his wife Julie and their children Winston and Joey.

* WBEZ | Prolific Chicago sculptor Richard Hunt’s works are now on display at Springfield museum: The prolific Black sculptor Richard Hunt, who died a year ago this month, came of age during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and ‘60s. He was born a couple of blocks away from 14-year-old Emmett Till’s childhood home in Chicago’s Woodlawn neighborhood, and at 19 years old, he attended Till’s open-casket funeral. Hunt used his art to express themes of racial trauma, grief and Black liberation. Former President Barack Obama called him one of the “finest artists ever to come out of Chicago.” He said he and former first lady Michelle Obama are “eternally grateful” that one of Hunt’s works will sit outside the Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park.

*** National ***

* WTTW | The Unglamorous Sucker Fish Plays a Key Great Lakes Role. A Shedd Scientist and Her Band of Volunteers Want to Tell You Why: In analyzing the first seven years of data collected by her cadre of volunteers, Murchie has been able to determine the best predictor of sucker movement. It’s water temperature: 43.3 degrees Fahrenheit, to be precise, which is essentially the sucker equivalent of “on your mark, get set, go.” Murchie recently published these results in the journal Environmental Biology of Fishes. In the paper, she name-checks every single one of the 80 volunteers who’ve participated in the project, be it for a single year or all seven.

* JS Online | Act 10 overturned by Dane County judge. Walker-era law decimated public employee unions: A Dane County judge on Monday sent ripples through Wisconsin’s political landscape, overturning a 13-year-old law that banned most collective bargaining among public employees, consequently decimating the size and power of employee unions and turning then-Republican Gov. Scott Walker into a nationally known political figure. The effort to overturn Act 10 began in November 2023 when several unions representing public employees filed the lawsuit, citing a “dire situation” in workplaces with issues including low pay, staffing shortages and poor working conditions.