* Chicago Abortion Fund…

Three years after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the Chicago Abortion Fund (CAF) has become the largest and most relied-upon independent abortion fund in the country. Since the Dobbs decision, CAF has fielded support requests from over 40,000 people seeking abortion care from more than 40 states—making it a critical safety net in a country where nearly 1 in 7 abortion seekers must now travel out of state to access care.

Since June 2022 (post-Dobbs), CAF has:

- Fielded over 40,000 support requests on the CAF Helpline.
- Distributed over $15 million in abortion and wrap-around support funding, including travel, lodging, and childcare expenses.
- Increased the average support pledged to each caller to $1,000 dollars. This includes procedure costs, travel, lodging, and childcare.
- Responded to high call volumes from Indiana (7,911), Illinois (6,244), Wisconsin (3,554), Texas (3,540), and Kentucky (1,401), and supported abortion seekers from over 40 states. […]

Illinois has become the nation’s clearest example of what’s possible when legal protections are paired with real investment in abortion infrastructure. In a post-Dobbslandscape, the state’s coordinated approach that combines public policy, health system access, and community-based support has made Illinois not just a haven for abortion care, but a national model.

Thanks to investment from the State of Illinois and the City of Chicago, CAF has expanded its Helpline capacity, added more bilingual and after-hours staff, and continued to ensure that 100% of callers relying on Illinois for care are able to access abortion care on the timeline that works best for them. CAF’s innovative programs, including an in-clinic patient navigation program, abortion doula support, and hospital navigation for complex procedures. These efforts help ensure callers not only reach their appointments, but receive compassionate and timely care throughout their journey.

In 2024, Illinois provided abortion care to an estimated 35,000 out-of-state patients, accounting for 39% of all abortions in the state, according to the Guttmacher Institute. This is the highest percentage of out-of-state care in the country by far, with nearly 1 in 4 people crossing state lines for abortion care coming to Illinois. Illinois also saw significant increases in patients from Florida and Iowa following their six-week bans.

* Click here for some background on Tyrone Muhammad, who appears to be running for US Senate…

* The Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter…

Yesterday, Governor JB Pritzker signed Senate Bill 126, making Illinois the first state in the nation to require insurance coverage of Alzheimer’s treatments to slow the progression of the disease. The new law, sponsored by State Senator Laura Murphy and State Representative Mary Gill, received unanimous bipartisan votes in both the House and Senate, and was the first bill to be signed by Governor Pritzker this year.

“We are thrilled that Illinois policymakers continue to prioritize the fight to end Alzheimer’s,” said Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter Executive Director Delia Jervier. “The ability to access treatment is life changing for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and their families.”

Recently, the FDA approved the first-ever treatments to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease - with several more promising drugs in the approval pipeline. However, these treatments are only effective if administered in the early stages of the disease. Senate Bill 126 ensures that all state-regulated health insurance plans provide coverage for these Alzheimer’s treatments when medically necessary, while prohibiting the use of step therapy which can unnecessarily delay treatment. The bill also requires coverage of diagnostic imaging or tests needed to confirm a diagnosis.

*** Statewide ***

* Inside Climate News | Shine On: Illinois Hopes to Continue Solar Boom Despite Federal Headwinds: A budget reconciliation bill passed by Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives in late May, now under consideration in the Senate, would gut nearly all the clean-energy incentives laid out in former President Joe Biden’s 2022 climate law, the Inflation Reduction Act. Among other cuts, President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” seeks to end a tax credit for home solar systems, an incentive previously slated for phaseout in 2034.

* Healthcare Dive | Prime Healthcare cuts 100 roles at Illinois hospitals: Prime Healthcare is cutting more than 100 roles at eight Illinois hospitals it acquired from Ascension earlier this year, a company spokesperson confirmed to Healthcare Dive. Most of the reductions took place on Friday, while the remaining cuts will take place through July, the spokesperson said. The cuts impact fewer than 1% of the roughly 14,000 workers employed at the affected facilities — 13,000 that stayed on through Prime’s acquisition and 1,000 in newly created roles.

*** Statehouse News ***

* Tribune | Thousands of workers caught in middle of transit fiscal cliff talks: The Regional Transportation Authority has estimated that nearly 3,000 workers could lose their jobs if lawmakers don’t fund the transit system. The CTA alone could lay off more than 2,000 workers, acting CTA President Nora Leerhsen said at an RTA board meeting this year. “It’s a scary number to look at, and I hope we don’t come anywhere close to it,” Leerhsen said at the time.

* Capitol News Illinois | Under bill, state highway cameras could be used to investigate human trafficking: A bill passed in this year’s legislative session would rewrite the definition of a “forcible felony” to allow Illinois State Police to use images obtained from automatic license plate readers in cases involving human trafficking and involuntary servitude. Automatic license plate readers are cameras that capture images of vehicle license plates. After obtaining pictures captured by ALPRs, state police software runs the license plate numbers through other law enforcement databases – including the National Crime Information Center, the Department of Homeland Security, the Illinois Secretary of State and National Amber Alerts. The software then alerts ISP officials when a license plate number matches one in the databases.

* Rep. Bob Morgan…

* Capitol News Illinois | ‘This issue isn’t going away’: Illinois lawmakers delay pension reform again: Lawmakers and labor unions have both expressed concern that benefits for Tier 2 employees – those who entered the public sector after 2011 – are inadequate and that some workers in that category are in line to receive benefits out of compliance with federal law. Tier 2 benefits are less generous than those received by Tier 1 employees, who also had to work only five years to become vested compared to 10 years for Tier 2, but the state constitution prohibits diminishing benefits for people to whom they have already been guaranteed.

*** Chicago ***

* Tribune | Aggressive ICE raids, CPD cooperation denounced at Lower West Side rally: Immigrant advocates rallied Sunday for an end to aggressive U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in Chicago and denounced the alleged cooperation of Chicago police in arrests made Wednesday. The rally, which drew dozens of people to a plaza at the corner of Blue Island Avenue and Loomis Street, follows nationwide protests during the past week over the Trump administration’s revamped mass deportation efforts.

* Chicago Mag | CTA asking for feedback from Chicago commuters ahead of budget planning: The “CTA Chats” will be held throughout the summer as officials seek feedback from commuters on daily travel and improvements they want to see. The agency says it will use the feedback to plan for its upcoming budget. Tuesday afternoon, agency leaders will be at Union Station from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. to speak with riders. They will be at the Illinois Medical District Blue Line stop on Wednesday and at the Garfield Green Line stop on Thursday.

* Tribune | Chicago could force Uber and Lyft to hike driver pay: Ald. Michael Rodriguez, 22nd, said his measure would make sure rideshare drivers make more than minimum wage and get paid when they wait for and drive to riders. But critics and the companies say the legislation will raise costs and could even put many drivers out of work. “While prices have increased for years, pay for drivers has decreased,” Rodriguez said. “Almost half the time, they are working, but not getting paid.”

* Block Club | As Top Street Fest Producer Closes, Lawsuit Emerges Over Handling Of Taste Of Randolph: Star Events, the company behind some of Chicago’s biggest and most beloved street festivals, quietly shut down in January after nearly 30 years, and it’s now embroiled in a lawsuit in which a former client is accusing it of fraud, financial mismanagement and defamation. The event production company helped shape Chicago’s summer festival lineup, organizing major events like Taste of Randolph, Mayfest, Southport Art Fest, Midsommarfest and Clark After Dark.

* WBBM | Steppenwolf’s ‘Purpose’ wins two Tony Awards: At the Tony’s, Jacobs-Jenkins credited much of the show’s success to Chicago. “I want to just thank the city of Chicago, honestly, who made this show what it was with their enthusiasm, who sent people here,” he said. “I encourage everyone to please support their local theaters. A lot of great stuff happens in New York but even more happens out in the regions.”

* Block Club | Did You Get A Decades-Old Traffic Ticket In The Mail? It’s Not A Scam: Block Club spoke with a handful of Chicago residents who received notices about parking, speeding and other motor vehicle violations in recent months that date back as much as 15 years. Many said they had no prior knowledge of the tickets before the recent notices, prompting them to think they were receiving scam mail. But the good news — or bad news — is that the notices are actually part of the city’s Vehicle and Commercial Ticket Debt Relief Program, which began in April and allows residents to settle ticket debt without late fees if they pay by the end of June.

*** Cook County and Suburbs ***

* Chicago Mag | This Gen Z Congressional Candidate Is Actually From Here: There’s another Gen Z candidate running in the 9th Congressional District to replace retiring Representative Jan Schakowsky. Last month, we brought you the story of Kat Abughazaleh, the 26-year-old right-wing-baiting internet influencer who moved to Chicago last year and is already running for Congress in a district she doesn’t even live in yet. This month, meet Bushra Amiwala, a 27-year-old who has spent her entire life in Rogers Park and Skokie, and is trying to get to Washington from a seat on her local school board.

* Naperville Sun | Police make another firearm-related arrest at Naperville Topgolf lot, total up to 12 for the year: Yezreel Salter, 26, of Lynwood, was taken into custody Friday night on one count each of felony aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon, transportation or possession of open alcohol by a driver and possession of 10 grams or less of cannabis. Officers were performing a proactive foot patrol of the Topgolf parking lot at 3211 Odyssey Court when they observed suspected drugs, open alcohol and a handgun in plain view inside a parked, unoccupied Dodge Charger, according to Naperville police spokeswoman Kelley Munch.

* Daily Southtown | Summer closures of Thornwood and Thornridge high schools will bring $25 million in facility upgrades: Two Thornton Township High School District 205 schools are closed until July 28 for a combined $25 million in facility upgrades, including upgrading athletic fields and swimming pools. Thornwood High School in South Holland closed May 23, and Thornridge High School in Dolton closed last week. Superintendent Nathaniel Cunningham said Thornton High School in Harvey will not close, though work is ongoing for its new athletic field and renovations to its band room.

* Daily Herald | How Bangs Lake project will improve drainage and reduce flooding in Wauconda: Long a concern in town, village staff in 2022 met with representatives of the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission regarding projects that could be candidates for a portion of $122 million in grant funding provided by the state. The village proceeded with design engineering to improve the chances of obtaining a grant, and last summer inked a pre-award agreement with the stormwater management commission for about $2.73 million. The final approvals and bid award came in February.

* Naperville Sun | No unaccompanied minors, only clear bags at Naperville’s Last Fling this year: Put on by the Naperville Jaycees, the annual Labor Day celebration is scheduled for Aug. 29-Sept. 1. With less than three months to go, the nonprofit social service club announced in a Facebook post that the event will have more safety requirements than in previous years, some of which are being dictated by the city. Among them is a provision that attendees under the age of 18 be accompanied by someone over the age of 25. One guardian will be able to supervise up to five minors.

*** Downstate ***

* WAND | National Guard Captain campaigning for Congress in IL-13: Dylan Blaha, Democratic candidate for United States Congress in Illinois 13th congressional district, announced he will officially launch his primary challenge against Democratic Rep. Nikki Budzinski. “Democrats in Congress have rolled over and played dead. They are asleep at the wheel and they have failed to hold the Trump administration accountable. I will not allow Congress or the great state of Illinois to be a doormat for Donald Trump. As a military veteran and bold strategist, I am willing to take on this fight and push for the progressive values that will move our country forward,” said Dylan Blaha.

* PJ Star | Washington amphitheater project off the table: Mayor was ‘caught off guard’: After months of controversy and debate, Washington will not see an amphitheater in its future, as the contentious plan to construct the $12 million venue has been withdrawn by the organization that proposed it. A letter was delivered June 2 to Washington city attorney Mark Walton from Bob Brown, a lawyer representing the Hengst Foundation behind the project, stating the foundation’s April 28 letter of intent to construct the amphitheater was being withdrawn and would have no effect.

* WAND | 7,000 to attend FFA State Convention: As of Monday seven thousand students from across the state had registered for the convention which will be held at the BOS Center in downtown Springfield. The convention runs from Tuesday through Thursday. FFA is a premier educational and agricultural event. Although students do not have to be planning on a career in agriculture. FFA President Trenton Payne of Olney tells WAND News he will be going to Iowa State this fall. He hopes to have a career in agricultural engineering focusing on land and water resources engineering.

* WAND | Urbana Parks executive director retires after 33 years with the district: During his tenure, Barlett oversaw numerous projects and innovative programs that enriched the lives of community members of all ages and backgrounds. The District stated that Barlett led with humility, compassion, and integrity—qualities that have earned him deep respect and admiration throughout his remarkable career. Rachel Lenz will be assuming Barlett’s position.

* WSIL | Senator Dale Fowler announces Summer Reading Program: “This is a great way to encourage kids to keep learning over the summer while having fun and using their imagination,” Fowler said. “I hope kids throughout the 59th District embrace this summer reading challenge and that it becomes a fun and rewarding experience for everyone who decides to participate.”

*** National ***

* WIRED | Tesla’s Robotaxis Are Rolling Out Soon—With One Big Unanswered Question: And yet, just days out from Tesla’s launch of its long-awaited (and much delayed) Robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, the public still doesn’t know much at all about its teleoperations systems. Tesla has posted a job related to teleoperations that states the role will be responsible for developing the application “that our Remote Operators use to interface with our cars and robots,” an application where these operators will be “transported into the device’s world using a state-of-the-art VR rig that allows them to remotely perform complex and intricate tasks.”

* Crain’s | AMA opposes RFK Jr.’s dismantling of vaccine panel, seeks Senate investigation: The American Medical Association’s House of Delegates has adopted an emergency resolution opposing Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s move to gut the federal vaccine advisory council. Under the resolution, the nation’s top doctors association will seek a U.S. Senate investigation of his action, as well as other sources of vaccine guidance to support and rely upon. Kennedy, secretary of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, announced yesterday the department was totally reconstituting the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which makes recommendations on the safety, efficacy and clinical need of vaccines to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.

* The Guardian | They hoped their children’s deaths would bring change. Then a Colorado bill to protect kids online failed: Had the legislation passed, it would have required social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and TikTok to investigate and take down accounts engaged in gun or drug sales or in the sexual exploitation or trafficking of minors. It also mandated the creation of direct hotlines to tech company personnel for law enforcement and a 72-hour response window for police requests, a higher burden than under current law. Additionally, platforms would have had to report on how many minors used their services, how often they did so, for how long and how much those young users engaged with content that violated company policies. Several big tech firms registered official positions on the bill. According to Colorado lobbying disclosures, Meta’s longtime in-state lobby firm, Headwater Strategies, is registered as a proponent for changing the bill. Google and TikTok also hired lobbyists to oppose it.

* WIRED | What Tear Gas and Rubber Bullets Do to the Human Body: So-called “less-lethal” weapons like those that have been used against demonstrators in Los Angeles can cause severe, lasting harm like nerve or brain damage or blindness. They can also kill.