* From Rich: The April 8 Capitol Fax post about 314 Action Fund’s US Senate poll is retracted until we receive a response from the organization. Despite repeated attempts to contact them (email, phone, tweets), they have so far refused to respond to my very simple question about what pollster conducted the survey. That alleged poll claimed the group’s favored US Senate candidate Lauren Underwood was leading the race and that “77 percent of primary voters identify her by name.” I should’ve been more diligent at the time. Sorry.

* Something to keep an eye on…

UPDATE: Parties in the bribery trial of Illinois Sen. Emil Jones III have been told to return to the courtroom at 2:45 p.m. https://t.co/PRg1Th5COA

— Jon Seidel (@SeidelContent) April 24, 2025

* Tribune…

Robert Crimo III will spend the rest of his life in prison for opening fire on spectators at the 2022 Highland Park Independence Day Parade.

Lake County Judge Victoria Rossetti imposed the expected sentence Thursday after listening to statements from 19 survivors and loved ones of people killed in the mass shooting. He was sentenced to seven consecutive natural life sentences without the possibility of parole − one for each of the seven people he murdered — plus an additional 50 years for the four dozen spectators he injured.

“The court finds that the defendant is irretrievably depraved, permanently incorrigible, irreparably corrupt and beyond any rehabilitation,” Rossetti said.

* Rep. Bob Morgan…

“This sentencing marks a solemn but important moment for the Highland Park community. While no punishment can erase the pain or bring back the lives stolen from us, today’s outcome offers a measure of closure for families, survivors, and a city forever altered by senseless violence,” Rep. Morgan said. “I am deeply grateful to Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart and his team for their tireless work securing this sentence. In addition, I extend my continued thanks to the first responders, mental health professionals, and community leaders who have stood by our neighbors over the past three years.”

Rep. Morgan, who was present with his family during the shooting, honored the lives of Katherine Goldstein, Irina McCarthy, Kevin McCarthy, Stephen Straus, Jacquelyn Sundheim, Nicolas Toledo-Zaragoza, and Eduardo Uvaldo. He reiterated that while today’s sentence brings justice and much-needed closure for Highland Park, the fight to end gun violence must extend beyond this moment.

“Although today’s sentencing provides relief and closure to our community, we must stress that our work is never finished,” Morgan said. “We must continue to ensure that every community across Illinois receives the care, healing, and justice they deserve. No family should have to carry the weight of this kind of loss alone—or in the absence of action.”

Rep. Morgan witnessed firsthand the devastating effects gun violence can have on a community. Highland Park, Illinois, is part of the 58th State Representative District, and he was present at the July 4, 2022, mass shooting with his wife and children, during which 83 rounds were fired in less than 60 seconds, killing seven and injuring 48.

Six months after the Highland Park shooting, Rep. Morgan was the chief sponsor of the Protect Illinois Communities (“PIC”) Act, one of the strongest gun safety laws in the nation. The PIC Act bans the sale of assault weapons—frequently used in mass shootings—as well as large-capacity magazines that hold more than 10 rounds for long guns or more than 15 rounds for handguns.

* Tribune…

A federal jury began its fourth day of deliberations Thursday after signaling a potential impasse on two of the charges in the corruption trial of state Sen. Emil Jones III.

Late in the day on Wednesday, the jury sent a note to U.S. District Judge Andrea Wood signaling that they were unable to agree on counts of bribery and lying to the FBI. After consulting with lawyers in the case, Wood told the panel Thursday that a deadlock would be premature at this point in their talks, and to continue deliberating.

The jury also indicated that they would take Friday off from deliberations due to scheduling conflicts, if they do not conclude their work by then.

The panel is faced with determining whether the South Side Democrat is guilty of bribery, use of an interstate facility to solicit bribery and lying to federal agents regarding his dealings with a red-light camera company executive over the summer of 2019.

* Illinois Department of Central Management Services…

The unemployment rate decreased in eleven metro areas and increased in one over-the-year for the year ending March 2025, according to data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (DES). Over- the-year, total nonfarm jobs increased in six metropolitan areas and decreased in six.

“Illinois continues to demonstrate the strength and resilience of its labor market across metro areas statewide,” said Deputy Governor Andy Manar. “We remain focused on expanding opportunities that drive progress for workers, businesses, and the state as a whole.”

The metro areas which had the largest over-the-year percentage increases in total nonfarm jobs were the Champaign-Urbana MSA (+1.9%, +2,300), the Elgin Metropolitan Division (+1.3%, +3,700), the Lake County Metropolitan Division (+0.6%, +2,000), and the Rockford MSA (+0.6%, +900). Total nonfarm jobs in the Chicago- Naperville-Schaumburg Metropolitan Division were up
+10,000 (+0.3%). The metro areas which posted the largest over-the-year decreases in total nonfarm jobs were the Bloomington MSA (-2.5%, -2,400), the Decatur MSA (-2.5%, -1,200), and the Illinois section of the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island IA-IL MSA (-1.8%, -1,600). Industries that saw job growth in the majority of the twelve metro areas included: Private Education and Health Services (eleven areas); Government (eight areas); and Mining and Construction (seven areas).

The metro areas with the largest unemployment rate decreases were the Lake County Metropolitan Division (-1.6 points to 4.6%), the Rockford MSA (-1.5 points to 5.0%), and the Elgin Metropolitan Division (-1.4 points to 4.4%). The Chicago-Naperville-Schaumburg Metropolitan Division reported the only increase (+0.7 point to 5.5%).

*** Statewide ***

* WBEZ | The Trump administration is pressuring Illinois universities to end a diversity fellowship: Illinois universities are quietly withdrawing from a fellowship aimed at diversifying the state’s college teaching force under pressure from the Trump administration. The U.S. Department of Justice has threatened to sue campuses that take part in the Diversifying Higher Education Faculty in Illinois, or DFI, fellowship. The program is state funded and was created by Illinois lawmakers in an effort to make the state’s college teaching force look more like the Illinois student body.

*** Chicago ***

* Tribune | Aldermen spurning Mayor Brandon Johnson’s new budget working group: ‘It points to a larger problem’: Northwest Side Ald. Ruth Cruz, 30th, told the Tribune on Wednesday she declined the invitation because she believes the best way for her to shape the city’s budget is from outside the mayor’s group. “While I appreciate the consideration, I’m concerned that this group may be more about appearances than a genuine desire for input,” said the freshman alderman, who has often voted with Johnson but recently put more distance between herself and the mayor. “We have seen it for quite some time. Input has been provided and the administration decides to continue with their original plan.”

* Brandon Johnson | We need to bring Chicagoans together to continue investing in people: As we look ahead to this year’s budget, our city faces two distinct challenges. We have a structural imbalance due to decades of neglecting our pension obligations while relying heavily on short-term fixes. At the same time, we face a presidential administration that has threatened to cut the services that Chicagoans rely upon, potentially putting an even greater strain on our municipal budget. In response to the chaos we are seeing at the federal level, we must come together as Chicagoans, roll up our sleeves, and get to work protecting our city services while taking steps to address the structural budget imbalance that has burdened Chicago taxpayers for far too long.

* Chalkbeat | Chicago’s partially-elected school board plans changes to charter school oversight: Now, the relatively new school board is proposing changes to how it handles charter oversight. A resolution on Thursday’s meeting agenda would impose new requirements on operators and is already being opposed by the Illinois Network of Charter Schools, a special interest group that lobbies on behalf of charter schools. The proposed resolution would, among other new stipulations, require operators to give the district 18 months notice of closing a school and assume financial responsibility related to the closure. It also calls on the district to lobby state lawmakers to change state law to stop charters from closing during their renewal term.

* Illinois Answers | Quiet Use of Bonuses for City Council Aides on the Rise: A review by Illinois Answers Project of publicly available payroll data for 259 ward and committee staffers found that 65 council staffers received increases in their salaries between October and December 2024, representing more than $260,000 in taxpayer funds for bonuses. At least 20 staffers saw temporary bumps of at least $5,000 in one-time payouts. The practice has expanded in recent years. In 2022, 16 aldermanic staffers got temporary pay hikes at the end of the year, records show. In 2023, 33 did.

* WTTW | Federal Judge Blocks Trump from Yanking Funding from 16 Sanctuary Cities, Counties in Ruling That Could Bolster Chicago’s Efforts: The injunction issued by U.S. District Judge William Orrick does not apply to Chicago or Cook County but is likely to bolster efforts by city officials to prevent President Donald Trump from blowing a $3 billion hole in Chicago’s budget. San Francisco officials filed the lawsuit on behalf of nine California cities and counties, including Oakland and San Diego, as well as Seattle, Minneapolis, St. Paul and Santa Fe that argued the administration was unlawfully trying to force local officials to aide federal immigration arrests conducting deportation efforts.

* Tribune | Chicago Housing Authority board member reprimanded for ‘sexually graphic conversation,’ report says: The report did not name the board member, nor did it get into the details of the incident. The “allegations of misconduct,” the report said, were received in January 2023, including that the commissioner “may have communicated inappropriately with multiple employees in public forums.” Per OIG policy, the complaint was referred to outside counsel.

* The Triibe | City sues property owners over slum conditions at South Shore building formerly managed by CKO Real Estate: Nearly two weeks after a private meeting between city officials, the property owner and residents about the unlivable conditions of the building at 6952-58 S. Paxton Ave. in South Shore, the city has filed a lawsuit against the owners of the courtyard building formerly managed by CKO Real Estate. The City of Chicago filed the complaint with the Illinois Municipal Department of the Circuit Court of Cook County on April 22, alleging that the owners of the apartment complex on Paxton Avenue failed to comply with multiple municipal codes for the city. The defendants are listed as GRV Jackson Park LLC, the owner; Merchants Bank of Indiana, the mortgage company; and unknown owners and non-record claimants.

* Crain’s | New parks chief says he’s working to keep the Bears in the city: New Chicago Park District Superintendent Carlos Ramirez-Rosa told reporters today he’s begun a relationship with Bears President Kevin Warren and echoed Mayor Brandon Johnson’s optimism the team will remain in Chicago. “The partnership that we’ve had with the Chicago Bears for decades through Soldier Field has benefited the entire city of Chicago and has benefited the Chicago Park District, and so we look forward to continuing that partnership,” he said.

* Block Club | Trilogy Nonprofit Expands To NW Side For Neighbors Seeking Therapy, Recovery Services: Trilogy Mental Wellbeing opened last month at 6200 N. Hiawatha Ave. in Sauganash. Trilogy, a Chicago-based nonprofit, offers therapy, recovery services, employment assistance, residential programs and more. Trilogy, which has been around for more than 50 years, primarily works with clients who are on Medicaid. The nonprofit has operated a location in Rogers Park for more than four decades, but it has been working to expand its reach in recent years.

* NYT | It’s OK, Chicago, Your Air Was Actually Fine on Wednesday: Readings from several popular weather apps had people across Chicago spending much of Wednesday wondering whether their air was safe to breathe — until the dangerously unhealthy levels were revealed to be a glitch.

*** Cook County and Suburbs ***

* Tribune | New Homer Glen Board OKs subdivision, park improvements: The Village Board also swore in Trustee Rose Reynders and new Trustees Michael LePore and Nicholas Muller after the April 1 election results were certified this week. The new board also advanced several recreation projects, including new lighting and an architectural design for a veterans memorial at Heritage Park. The board gave its support for the town house development proposed by Marth Construction after tabling a vote on it earlier this month. The developer plans to build the Villas of Hidden Valley consisting of 25 ranch duplex buildings for a total of 50 homes on about 21 acres of land near Hidden Valley Trail and 159th Street. The land was previously zoned for a potential commercial use.

* Fox Chicago | Lake County Jail transitions to digital mail system to prevent smuggling: Starting May 27, all personal inmate mail—including letters, photos, and drawings—must be sent to a centralized facility, where it will be scanned and delivered electronically to inmates through their tablets. The jail is partnering with TextBehind to implement the new system.

* Daily Herald | Why Lake County forest preserves wants to take lead on Route 53 corridor property and planning: More than 1,000 acres that comprise the corridor is owned by the Illinois Department of Transportation but the Illinois Department of Natural Resources has taken the lead in determining the future of the properties. The move to assume responsibilities was sparked by Jessica Vealitzek, a forest commissioner from Hawthorn Woods. Since being elected board president by her peers in December she has made securing long-term protection for the corridor a priority.

*** Downstate ***

* WIFR | Harlem Township of Winnebago County Supervisor Gary Jury dies: Harlem Township offices confirm that Supervisor Gary Jury, 82, died around 9 p.m. April 23. Jury has served as a board member of the Winnebago County Board for 14 years and chaired on the Forest Preserve, Operations and Administration, Finance, Economic Development and Public Works committees.

* WJBD | Marion County Board appoints Taxpayer Association member to open board seat: The Marion County Board has unanimously appointed one of the leaders of the Marion County Taxpayers Association to an open seat on the board. Josh Dunahee will fill the District Three seat vacated by Tyson McHenry who resigned last month due to a work scheduling problem. Dunahee grew up in Salem and returned three and a half years ago to manage the XPO freight facility in Salem.

* WCIA | Another Danville school bus involved in crash; no one hurt: Another Danville School District 118 school bus was involved in a crash Thursday morning. The Danville Police Department said a white SUV hit the school bus in the rear around 7:40 a.m. where it was stopped near the intersection of Fairchild and Jackson streets. No one was injured in the crash, and both vehicles drove away from the scene.

*** National ***

* CNBC | March home sales drop to their slowest pace since 2009: Higher mortgage rates and concern over the broader economy are making for a weak start to the all-important spring housing market. Sales of previously owned homes in March fell 5.9% from February to 4.02 million units on a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, according to the National Association of Realtors. That’s the slowest March sales pace since 2009.