* ICYMI: Illinois Lottery no longer state’s top gambling tax generator, but still best-performing lotto in nation. Sun-Times…

- The Illinois Lottery racked up $3.76 billion in sales during the fiscal year that ended July 31, generating $789 million in Illinois tax revenue, according to a state report issued earlier this month.
- That trailed the $871 million churned out for the state by the tens of thousands of slot machines in bars, restaurants and other establishments, marking the first time since 2007 that the lottery didn’t serve as Illinois’ biggest gambling cash cow.
- The state also racked up $380 million in tax revenue from sports betting, $186 million from casinos and $7 million from horseracing, adding up to an all-time high $2.2 billion jackpot for Illinois government coffers.

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Sponsored by Ameren Illinois

The summer of 2025 has been a tough one for residents and businesses in the Ameren Illinois service territory. Supply constraints, extreme hot and humid conditions, and increased energy usage have led to a significant spike in electricity prices and higher-than-normal monthly bills for residential, commercial and industrial energy users. We appreciate and thank legislators, regulators and stakeholders who are working hard to address the energy challenge in Illinois. Energy policy is complex, and we’re encouraged that there are some creative ideas being proposed and a willingness to work together to find answers.   

While Ameren Illinois cannot control the price or availability of energy, we can ensure that the system that delivers energy to homes and businesses — electric poles, wires, and technology; and natural gas distribution pipelines and storage fields — is equipped to operate at peak performance to withstand severe weather events, facilitate business expansions that grow local communities, and enable the transition to renewable generation.

We have an opportunity to build an energy system that is smarter, cleaner, reliable, resilient, and affordable for Illinois families and businesses. As discussions on short- and long-term legislative solutions occur this fall, we will continue to advocate for our 1.2 million customers.   

If you know of someone who is struggling to pay their energy bill, please encourage them to visit www.AmerenIllinois.com/PathToSavings for information on available financial assistance and energy saving programs. 

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* Governor Pritzker will participate in a fireside chat at the Economic Club of Chicago at 12:30 pm. Click here to watch.

*** Isabel’s Top Picks ***

* WBEZ | University of Illinois Chicago drops race, gender as factors in financial aid and faculty hiring: The University of Illinois Chicago is eliminating the consideration of race, color, national origin, sex and gender from financial aid and hiring, promotion and tenure decisions to align with a new University of Illinois System policy and “current legal standards,” according to a message posted by university officials. That’s despite an August court decision ordering the Trump administration to scrap guidance instructing schools to end diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives or risk losing federal funding.

* WCIA | The Trial of Sean Grayson: Live Updates: Seven hours after starting jury selection for the trial of Sean Grayson, the prosecution and defense will rest with 15 jurors selected — 12 primary jurors and three alternates. A total of 48 people entered the courtroom currently occupied by Judge Ryan Cadigan on Monday to be vetted as potential jurors. In groups of 12, they were questioned by Cadigan, State’s Attorney John Milhiser and Grayson’s attorney Daniel Fultz on whether they could remain impartial and make a decision based solely on what is presented in court.

*** Statehouse News ***

* Inside Climate | Illinois Wants Climate Education in Schools. Now Teachers Need to Figure Out How to Make It Happen.: But Illinois hasn’t allocated funding to support the rollout of the climate education mandate. And the federal government, busy rolling back climate protections and censoring references to global warming, won’t be picking up the slack. Education advocates are coming together to fill in the gaps so teachers have the resources they need to work climate change into their lessons.

* Tribune | DHS Secretary Kristi Noem accuses Gov. JB Pritzker and media of ‘trying to demonize’ immigration officers: Noem, speaking in Florida, defended the ramped-up actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Border Patrol and other federal agents under the direction of President Donald Trump and said “we have to stop the rhetoric,” which she contended gave cover to allow people to “perpetuate violence against those who enforce our laws.” During her comments, Noem recited several administration talking points without providing any evidence to back up the claims, including that agents have arrested nearly a half-million individuals living in the a country without legal permission and that most of those people had criminal records.

*** Chicago ***

* ABC Chicago | Mayor Brandon Johnson discuses budget plan, lawsuit against President Trump: “Ninety-seven percent of businesses will not be impacted by this revenue stream,” Johnson said. “In fact, only three percent of businesses will be impacted. And here is what those dollars are going toward: It is going to ensure that we provide mental and behavioral resources for our first responders, it is going to provide resources for domestic violence survivors, it is going to fund youth employment, which we have seen the greatest influx of receiving jobs over the summer and it is going to fund our CVI program, it’s our Community Violence Intervention workers.”

* Daily Herald | ‘Timely justice?’ Shutdown means case delays, no pay for staff at federal courthouse in Chicago: aturday marked the start of “Phase 2” of shutdown consequences, said Virginia Kendall, chief judge of the Northern District of Illinois. That means most employees will be working without pay and inadequate funding will shrink the number of cases the courthouse can handle. In addition, the clerk’s office will be staffed at 78% of authorized levels.

* WGN | Town hall educates Chicagoans on their rights during ICE encounters: The event was organized by Congressman Mike Quigley (D-IL), who is speaking on a panel alongside Aldermen Bennett Lawson and Matt Martin, representatives from the ACLU and the Resurrection Project. Quigley says increased immigration enforcement in Chicago has led to the separation of families in his district, which includes parts of the North Side.

* WBEZ | Chicago Public Schools wants parents, students to help interview CEO finalists: CPS employees, students, parents and alumni, as well as Chicago residents and representatives of community organizations, are eligible to join the panel. CPS will hold a lottery to choose up to 15 panel members, who will get training before interviewing the finalists in mid-November, CPS said. Panelists will submit a survey with their impressions of the candidates to the board.

*** Cook County and Suburbs ***

* Daily Herald | Lake County bans use of its properties for staging areas and other immigration enforcement activities: North Chicago and Carpentersville are expected to join a growing list, including Chicago, Cook County, Evanston and Broadview, keeping properties they own or control off limits for staging areas, processing locations or bases of operations. In Lake County, signs banning those uses have or are being placed at county parking and vacant lots and garages following pre-emptive action last week approved by the Lake County Board. The signage is being installed at 28 locations.

* Tribune | West suburban men accused of impersonating police officers during ‘No Kings’ protests: The men are accused of conspiring with each other Saturday — when “No Kings” demonstrations drew thousands to protest across the Chicago area — to “dress like peace officers” by each wearing a tactical vest “while traveling to numerous political protests,” according to the release from the state’s attorney. Capp, Knight and Sarros also each allegedly “knowingly possessed firearm ammunition” without a FOID card, the release said. Further, authorities allegedly found fake flash bangs and lighter fluid in their vehicle, and Capp allegedly wore a “camo face mask while in possession of an airsoft rifle and handgun without an orange tip that appeared to be legitimate firearms,” the release said.

* ABC Chicago | Harvey to furlough 17 firefighters amid major budget issues, union says: That’s nearly half of the Harvey Fire Department. The furlough takes effect on Tuesday. Just last week, the village city council started the process of allowing the state to review their finances. The mayor says the village is more than $160 million in debt.

* Shaw Local | $260,000 settlement reached in federal lawsuit against ex-Joliet city manager, others: The City of Joliet has reached a $260,000 settlement with a former employee who claimed in a federal lawsuit that a former city manager and two others fired her in 2022 in retaliation for exercising her constitutional rights. On Oct. 8, Tamara Edmonson signed an agreement that stipulates the city agrees to pay her $260,000, of which $88,464 will go to her attorneys with Chicago law firm Avery and Kill, according to the agreement obtained by The Herald-News in a Freedom Of Information Act request.

*** Downstate ***

* NBC | Trial begins for former Illinois deputy accused of killing Sonya Massey: On Monday, Grayson appeared in court wearing a navy blue suit, a striped tie, loafers and glasses. He sat unbound at the table between is lawyers in the presence of the jurors, sat up straight and was attentive to the questions being asked, Massey’s father, James Wilburn sat in the mostly-empty courtroom gallery. Lawyers representing the family said in a statement that as the trial begins, “The family of Sonya Massey continues to grieve her senseless death but also is fiercely committed being present throughout the trial as they continue their hope for full justice for Sonya.”

* WGLT | Officials: Late audit reports cost McLean County government: At the county board finance committee meeting this month, Veterans Commission Chair Art Rodriguez asked for help getting money approved for programs like helping wounded veterans get outdoors to see woods and wildlife. Rodriguez said he contacted the auditor’s office. “And all of a sudden we find out Monday that the paperwork starts moving after we filed that complaint,” said Rodriguez, adding it’s very frustrating.

*** National ***

* The Hill | FAA says air traffic controller staffing issues cause delays amid shutdown: About 7,850 flights within, into, or out of the U.S. were delayed on Sunday, according to FlightAware. Over 1,000 flights have been delayed so far on Monday. FAA has chalked up delays in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas and Newark over the weekend to staffing issues, according to Reuters. The FAA also noted possible delays in Las Vegas and Phoenix due to shortages.

* National Independent Venue Association | The State of Live: The First Economic Research Study of the Independent Live Sector: The study reveals that, in 2024 alone, independent live venues, festivals, and promoters contributed $86.2 billion directly to the U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP), more than the U.S. beer, gaming, and airline industries. Independent stages generated a staggering $153.1 billion in total economic output, including indirect effects from fan spending, tourism, and local businesses. The independent live sector supported more than 907,000 jobs across all 50 states and Washington, D.C., and paid more than $51.7 billion in wages and benefits. Independent stages have a significant impact on tourism, accounting for approximately 9.2% of total U.S. travel and tourism revenue, translating into over $10.62 billion in annual visitor spending on lodging, dining, shopping, and local transportation.i

* News Center Maine | Nirav Shah to run for Maine governor as a Democrat: Shah led the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention from 2019 to 2023, appointed by Governor Janet Mills, after Shah had led the Illinois Department of Health. He subsequently worked as the principal deputy director, the number two job, at the US CDC during the Biden administration. Shah currently teaches at Colby College, in Waterville, a visiting professor in the Department of Statistics. He lives with his wife in Brunswick in the home they bought upon moving to Maine six-and-half years a