* ICYMI: Clock counting down to secure state funding before drastic service cuts to CTA, Metra, Pace. CBS Chicago…

With weeks left to get legislators on board, the RTA is running a massive ad campaign called “Save Transit Now.” The campaign warns that the RTA will face “40% service cuts that will make rides overcrowded.”

The ads cost between $500,000 and $750,000. CBS News Chicago asked RTA chairman Kirk Dillard if the ad is really worth it.

“It is definitely worth it,” Dillard said. “Six thousand letters have been sent to state legislators, and it’s our duty to make sure the public, our riders, and those who don’t even use mass transit know that this crisis would impact their pocketbooks — as well as their lungs and lifestyle.”

The CTA did not participate in the RTA campaign, but Acting CTA President Nora Leerhsen issued a statement emphasizing that the CTA is working with legislators for a solution.

* Related stories…

∙ Crain’s: Johnson faces pushback over CTA pick as advocates push for broader search
∙ Opinion: A city in motion needs a transit authority that moves, too
∙ WBEZ: With Chicago’s mass transit system on the fiscal precipice, what solutions are on the table?

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* BlueRoomStream.com’s coverage of today’s press conferences and committee hearings can be found here.

*** Isabel’s Top Picks ***

* Subscribers know more. WCIA | Emma Shafer’s family says Noem used her name to advance ‘heartless political agenda’: While Noem was in Springfield, she also claimed that state law blocks local and state law enforcement from sharing information with ICE officers. But, U.S. Marshals have actively been involved in the case from the beginning. And, the TRUST Act does not prevent local law enforcement from working with federal law enforcement on any case involving a criminal warrant.

* Illinois Answers | Amid Budget Tensions, City Council Members Push to Bring Some Sunshine to City Spending: Cities like New York, San Diego and Pittsburgh have robust, well-staffed budget analysis offices that comb through mayoral budget proposals and poke holes in flimsy projections. A similar Illinois agency plays a critical role in vetting financial data coming from the governor’s office. In Chicago, the City Council Office of Financial Analysis has rarely had more than two employees and routinely misses deadlines for the basic reports required of it. It has no guaranteed funding, limited access to data and depends on the mercies of the top city finance officials whose work it’s supposed to analyze and critique.

* Tribune | School board president paves way for interim CEO to lead CPS without required license: Board members say Mayor Brandon Johnson’s handpicked school board president, Sean Harden, is leading an effort to vote down a resolution requiring the next interim leader of Chicago Public Schools to have a superintendent license, in order to install the mayor’s chief of staff, Cristina Pacione-Zayas, to serve in the temporary role. If approved, the appointment would be a major shift in Johnson’s administration and elicit strong reaction from critics of the mayor and his strongest ally, the Chicago Teachers Union.

*** Statehouse News ***

* Farm Journal | Bacon Draws a Crowd at the Illinois State Capitol: “Illinois Bacon Day is an opportunity to educate our stakeholders about our industry and discuss the issues currently facing pig farmers,” says IPPA president Josh Maschhoff. “We understand many stakeholders don’t represent rural districts, and Bacon Day is a great way for pork producers to connect with legislators on a personal level.”

* 25News Now | Illinois becomes first state to restrict collection of personal autism records: Governor JB Pritzker signed an executive order Wednesday that restricts state agencies and departments from sharing personal information about people with autism. It states that personally identifiable information may only be shared when legally required, necessary for care, or with written consent.

* Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun | Why I’m endorsing Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton for United States Senate: Not only does Lieutenant Governor Stratton have the track record of progress needed to succeed in Washington, she’s also proven that she’s prepared to represent every Illinoisan – no matter who they vote for or where they fall on the political spectrum. As Lieutenant Governor, she’s traveled to every corner of the state, speaking to Illinoisans of all stripes about the challenges they face and their hopes for the future.

*** Chicago ***

* Sun-Times | Less than half of CPS schools have herd immunity for measles, state data shows: Before the COVID-19 pandemic, 97% of Chicago Public Schools students overall were vaccinated against measles, one of eight vaccinations required by the state. But as of the 2024-25 school year, that percentage has fallen to 93%, according to data from the Illinois State Board of Education. Each October, Illinois schools submit their students’ vaccination numbers for that school year to the state board. The CDC says a vaccination rate of 95% provides communitywide immunity and protects vulnerable students, like younger children who have yet to complete the required series of shots, or kids with weakened immune systems.

* Crain’s | Council OKs Johnson-backed plan to let Chicago become a residential developer: A skeptical City Council spent nearly a month probing the necessity of the $135 million so-called Green Social Housing program amid other housing priorities and raised questions over the structure of the nonprofit. But when put to a vote on the City Council floor today, the body approved the ordinance establishing the nonprofit in a 30-to-18 vote. Moments later, a victorious Mayor Brandon Johnson stood with allies on the measure, including lead City Council sponsor Ald. Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth, 48th, and told reporters, “The people of Chicago called for more affordable units, and that’s exactly what we’re building.”

* Tribune | Miche Fest’s cancellation comes amid ‘political climate’ and issues with artist visas: While some have criticized the organizers for the sudden 2025 cancellation, co-founder Fernando Nieto said, many of their fans have been loyal to the festival for the last seven years. He said the cancellation felt like the right thing to do. “Outside of the effect that it (the cancellation) might have on our business, we felt like it was a responsible thing to do for our fanbase,” said Nieto on Wednesday. “We’ve built up an extremely loyal fan base since day one, and we felt, due to the uncertainty with what’s going on, it would be irresponsible to move forward without a clear path.”

* Sun-Times | Congressional Republicans accused of political witch hunt in antisemitism hearing involving DePaul president : At several points during Wednesday’s hearing, conservative members appeared to threaten Manuel and two other college presidents who were called to testify, Wendy Raymond of Haverford College in Pennsylvania and Jeffrey Armstrong of California Polytechnic State University . “For anyone who doubts my commitment to fighting on these issues, no matter what side of the aisle they’re on, they can go talk to the two chairmen of the board and the one university president in Florida who no longer have their jobs because of me,” Randy Fine, a Republican congressman from Florida, told the university presidents across the witness table. “So I encourage you to keep that in mind when you answer my questions.”

* Sun-Times | Chicago animal control unveils free 24-hour microchip scanning station to find lost pets: The station is open to the public all day, every day outside at the city’s Animal Care and Control shelter at 2741 S. Western Ave. The free scanner is intended to be a faster way for lost pets to reunite with their family faster, the agency said in a statement.

* Tribune | Chicago White Sox match 2nd-worst start in franchise history through 37 games with 2-1 loss: The Sox have lost a club-record nine straight to the Royals and a franchise-record 10 straight at Kauffman Stadium. “We’re right there and we’ve just got to keep going,” Venable said. “These guys are playing well. We have to continue to fight and battle and get that one more hit, that one more pitch, that one defensive play, whatever it might be. “But we’re right there. These guys never stop fighting. Proud of our effort, but we’ve got to find a way to win some of these games.”

*** Cook County and Suburbs ***

* Tribune | Cook County housing authority facing potential multimillion-dollar budget shortfall as agencies brace for funding cuts: The Housing Authority of Cook County is facing a potential multimillion-dollar funding shortfall that could have broad repercussions throughout the real estate market as the struggling agency looks to cut costs, possibly leading to greater expenses for its housing voucher holders and a decline in the number of the people it serves. The agency attributes the shortfall to an increase in its voucher usage rate and rising rents, which eat into its limited dollars allocated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

* Daily Herald | After delays, controversial church proposal heads to South Barrington village board: After months of public inaction, a controversial plan to construct a church and school in South Barrington has cleared a key bureaucratic hurdle and is headed to the village board Thursday night for consideration. But the fate of the landowner’s legal push to disconnect the property from the village hasn’t yet been decided.

* Naperville Sun | Expert panel to help Naperville decide future development of Fifth Avenue land: Next month, a panel of experts will gather in Naperville for two days to help decide how city-owned land around the Fifth Avenue train station north of downtown should be developed. The Naperville City Council received an overview of the upcoming expert panel, which will be hosted by the Urban Land Institute (ULI), at its meeting Tuesday night. Council members also endorsed a list of stakeholders — from local school districts to property owners — they’d like to see involved in the process. The panel is scheduled meet June 10-11.

* CBS Chicago | New Aurora, Illinois data portal tracks economic impact of performing arts venues: The city’s Data and Analytics Division launched the Downtown Revitalization Open Data Portal along with the Aurora Civic Center Authority, The Venue, and The Riverfront Playhouse. The growth and evolution of downtown Aurora is in large part anchored by performing arts entertainment venues — including the Copley Theatre, the Paramount School of the Arts, the Paramount Theatre, the Stolp Island Theatre, the Riverfront Playhouse, The Venue, and RiverEdge Park.

* Aurora Beacon-News | Aurora searching for new alderman at-large: The Aurora City Council has two alderman at-large seats, which unlike the other alderman seats represent the whole city rather than a single ward. One of the current aldermen at-large, John Laesch, was recently elected to be the city’s next mayor, so applications are now open to fill his seat. “This is a unique opportunity for a dedicated resident to help shape Aurora’s future as a member of its legislative body,” said a city news release sent out on Wednesday.

* Patch | Only IL Brewery To Earn Two Medals In 2025 World Beer Cup Might Surprise You: The World Beer Cup recently announced its 2025 list for the best beers in the country, with one Naperville brewery making the list, earning medals for two of its nonalcoholic beers. Go Brewing, which opened in 2022, received the silver medal for Disarm in the hoppy nonalcoholic beer category. The brewery also earned a bronze medal for New School in the specialty nonalcoholic beer category.

*** Downstate ***

* WSIL | Southern Illinois expands mental health care at SIH Mulberry Center in Harrisburg: The expansion aims to increase the center’s bed capacity from 30 to 42, addressing the urgent need for mental health care in Southern Illinois. The project is supported by a consortium of regional healthcare and educational institutions. “Too often, patients in crisis have had to travel hours away or wait days in an emergency room to find an open psychiatric bed,” Smith said. “This expansion will change that reality for our region.”

* SJ-R | ‘Flagship Center’ DMV opens in Springfield with expanded services. What to know: The facility, located at 2701 S. Dirksen Parkway, temporarily closed in 2023 for major renovations and recently reopened. revamped building, now labeled a “Flagship Center,” expands services offered under one roof and adopts the “one stop-shop” model that cross trains employees. Springfield’s facility has served as DMV since 1975 is the second such center in the state to open, following one that opened in downtown Chicago.

* WGLT | After flying solo initially, retiring coach Bob Conkling sees ISU gymnastics soar: When Bob Conkling arrived as Illinois State’s women’s gymnastics coach, he wasn’t looking 20 years into the future, or even a week ahead. There was no time for that. Conkling was the program’s only coach in 2005 and constantly on the go. He had no assistant coach to help train ISU’s existing athletes or recruit new ones. “I knew that I had some work to do,” Conkling said. “You really do need at least a minimum of two coaches with four different events. I knew that had to happen soon.”

* WCIA | Springfield hosting 26th annual Old Capitol Farmers Market: The 26th season of the Old Capitol Farmers Market is beginning with a soft opening on May 14 and a ribbon cutting on May 17 at 9 a.m. Every market starts at 8 a.m. and ends at 12:30 p.m., with the season continuing on every Wednesday and Saturday through Oct. 25.

*** National ***

* Inside Higher Ed | The First U.S. Campus in India Is Finally Opening: On Wednesday, the Illinois Institute of Technology announced it had reached an agreement with India’s University Grants Commission to establish a branch campus in Mumbai, opening to students in fall 2026. It will be the first degree-granting U.S. institution on Indian soil and IIT’s first international branch campus. For decades, a complicated legal and tax system prevented U.S. institutions from opening campuses in India. Then, in 2020, the Indian government issued a new National Education Policy paving the way, officials promised, for a much easier pathway to fruitful academic partnerships.