* ICYMI: Feds’ decision to recommend fewer vaccines for kids will have ‘no bearing’ on Illinois vaccine guidance, top health official says, amid flu surge. Tribune…

- The head of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday formally moved to remake the childhood vaccination schedule, to recommend children be vaccinated against 10 illnesses, whereas it previously recommended 17 immunizations for all children.
-The CDC will continue to recommend routine childhood vaccinations for diseases including diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, human papillomavirus and chickenpox, while reserving some vaccines for high-risk children and leaving decisions on others, such as flu, rotavirus, COVID-19, meningococcal disease, hepatitis A and hepatitis B, to parents and doctors.
- Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Sameer Vohra said in a statement Monday that the federal changes won’t affect Illinois’ childhood vaccine recommendations, which are based on “up-to-date scientific evidence.”

* Related stories…

• NBC Chicago: Illinois reports 1st child death from flu this season as cases, hospitalizations rise ‘dramatically’
• WGN: Flu cases surge across Illinois as doctors urge vaccination
• ABC: Flu-like illness activity now at highest rate on record, new CDC data shows

*** Isabel’s Top Picks ***

* Daily Herald | State Sen. DeWitte announces prostate cancer diagnosis: He expects to be back in Springfield in mid-February, he said. His offices in West Dundee and St. Charles remain open in his absence. […] “The good news is that because of early detection, and the fact that the cancer never had a chance to spread, my prognosis is excellent,” DeWitte said in his announcement. “The surgical resolution puts me at 99% cured.”

* Sun-Times | With an eye on ICE, Broadview village board approves restrictions on detention centers: The village of Broadview approved changes to its zoning laws, enacting further restrictions on prisons and detention centers following widespread protests at its Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility late last year. The Broadview zoning board backtracked Monday, recommending the village board approve the proposal after initially suggesting rejecting the proposal. The plan restricts prisons and detention centers within 1,000 feet of residential areas, school districts, day care centers, cemeteries, park districts, forest preserves, senior-living facilities and public housing.

*** Statehouse News ***

* Press Release | Attorney General Kwame Raoul Endorses State Rep. Margaret Croke for Illinois Comptroller: Today, State Representative Margaret Croke announced the endorsement of Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul in her campaign for Illinois State Comptroller. The support from the statewide elected official marks a strong start to 2026 for Croke’s campaign and underscores growing momentum behind her bid to serve as Illinois’ chief fiscal watchdog. In a new video, Raoul highlights why Rep. Croke is the most qualified candidate in the race, touting her strong record of delivering results for Illinoisans. Watch here.

* Capitol News Illinois | Despite mounting budget pressure, graduated income tax remains political longshot: Illinois currently has an earned income tax credit available for people earning up to about $67,000. The state also offers a child tax credit to those who qualify for the state EITC who have at least one dependent child. Such credits have been found to stand up to state constitutional muster. Martwick said that would be “an acceptable Plan B,” but thinks “we should always try for the best policy first.” “And I think that would be a constitutional amendment that provides a really good, well thought out, structured plan that allows everyone to contribute and have skin in the game, but in a way that allows everyone to thrive and isn’t overburdening one segment over another,” Martwick said.

* KWQC | Illinois law protects workers who use work devices to record violence: The amendment to the Victims’ Economic Security and Safety Act makes sure employees can’t be disciplined or retaliated against for using company computers, tablets or phones to record or store evidence related to domestic and sexual violence or stalking, according to a media release. “No one should have to choose between their safety and their job when documenting violence against themselves or their family,” Jane Flanagan, director of the Illinois Department of Labor said in the release.

* WAND | Illinois bans life insurance companies from discriminating against people with criminal records: Insurance companies are now banned from limiting or denying life insurance coverage based on a criminal record. Sponsors said families should not be put in debt because of a crime their loved one committed a lifetime ago. They also argue life insurance companies should provide coverage regardless of the crime someone committed. “I would argue and suggest that we remove the invisible handcuffs and the invisible prison cells, and allow people who are productive citizens to be able to have coverage to provide for their families,” said Sen. Adriane Johnson (D-Waukegan).

*** Catching up with the Congressionals ***

* 8th Congressional District candidate Melisa Bean has released her first campaign ad. Press release…

Today, Melissa Bean for Congress released its first ad of the campaign. Titled ‘Courage,’ the ad features Melissa speaking directly to voters about how she lost her last election because she voted to expand access to health care for millions of Americans through Obamacare. She highlights how this political moment demands that same kind of courage and problem solving from our leaders as President Trump and Republicans in Congress rip away health care, drive up costs, and attack Social Security and Medicare.

According to Bean’s campaign the spot will run on YouTube and streaming platforms including Apple TV+, Disney+ and Hulu as part of a sustained buy over the next 10 weeks.

*** Chicago ***

* Tribune | Aldermen’s historic Chicago budget now reality, but may not be finished product: The projections aldermen made for their policy changes are often bold, but not necessarily implausible, civic analysts told the Tribune. And while the winning counterproposal makes some key changes favorable to credit rating agencies, it also clings to entrenched practices that continue to make Chicago appear a risky investment, they said. “It’s fair to criticize this overall plan to say, ‘OK, yeah, in a perfect world, we would have actual budget analysis of these things,” said Justin Marlowe, director of the Center for Municipal Finance at the University of Chicago.

* ABC Chicago | How Johnson’s fundraising stacks up against his potential mayoral election challengers’: Records show Johnson currently has more than $935,000 in his campaign coffer. But entrepreneur and political newcomer Joe Holberg, who announced in the fall he is running, reports raising more than $500,000 already. Congressman Mike Quigley, who also formed a mayoral committee last fall, has so far raised $177,000. But he has $1.2 million that could potentially be transferred from his congressional campaign account, should he decide to run.

* Sun-Times | CHA’s top CEO candidate withdraws application: Candidate Jillian Baldwin decided to remain as the CEO of a housing authority in Bridgeport, Connecticut, after negotiations with Bridgeport city leaders, according to The Connecticut Post. Baldwin declined to comment Monday, when reached via phone by the Sun-Times.

* Crain’s | Peoples Gas seeks another rate hike for Chicago heating bills: Chicago heating bills could climb again next year under a new rate hike proposal from Peoples Gas that would raise the average household’s natural gas bill by as much as $11 a month, according to published reports. The Chicago-based utility filed its request Monday with state regulators, setting the stage for a lengthy review process that will play out over most of this year.

* WTTW | Votes Set on Push to Expand CPD’s Curfew Power, Social Media Crack Down in Effort to Stop Teen Gatherings: A key City Council panel is set to vote on two proposals designed to stop large gatherings of teens by expanding the Chicago Police Department’s power to impose a curfew with at least 12 hours’ notice and to crack down on social media platforms used to promote the events. The proposals, set for a vote at the 10 a.m. Wednesday meeting of the Public Safety Committee, were prompted by the killing of 14-year-old Armani Floyd on Nov. 21 during a large gathering downtown after the city’s annual Christmas tree lighting. Eight others were injured in a separate shooting just blocks away.

* Sun-Times | Woman who killed, dismembered landlord still owed nearly $3 million from CTA lawsuit: Kolalou was sentenced to 58 years in prison, which means she will be behind bars until at least 2076. […] The CTA argued on appeal that jurors should have been informed about her criminal case, as her imprisonment undermined her claims for future damages. But the appellate court disagreed.

* Crain’s | Mike Tyson accuses ex-cannabis business partners of racketeering in $50M lawsuit: Heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson has filed a $50 million racketeering lawsuit accusing former partners at a Chicago marijuana branding company of defrauding him through kickback schemes, unauthorized bonuses and lavish personal spending. Six days before Christmas, Tyson and others connected to his marijuana business venture — Tyson 2.0 — filed the suit in Illinois federal court, alleging 21 counts of securities fraud, extortion, money laundering, breach of contract and other misdeeds by former executives at a branding company that also acts as a primary purveyor of Tyson’s cannabis goods.

* ABC Chicago | Barack Obama invites Chicagoans to apply for jobs at Presidential Center: The Obama Center in Jackson Park is set to open its doors later this year and its looking to hire more than 150 people for full-time jobs. Obama says employees will serve as the public face of the center and will play a crucial role for the visitor experience. “People come here we want them to feel what makes the South Side so special, the mix of warmth and grit, the sense of humor that can brighten any day,” Obama said.

*** Cook County and Suburbs ***

* Cat Sharp has dropped out of the race for Cook County Board. Matthew Eadie…

NEW: Cat Sharp is dropping out of the race for Cook County Board

She’s one of six people the DOJ indicted in October after an ICE protest

“I feel that the most responsible decision for me is to suspend my campaign … so that I can focus in on winning the legal battle” https://t.co/nwIlNfSqVM

— Matthew Eadie (@mattheweadie22) January 6, 2026

* Daily Herald | New Wheaton budget includes debt for fire, police station projects: The city plans to take out bonds to finance a large-scale renovation of the police department headquarters off Liberty Drive and the rebuilding of aging Fire Station No. 39 on the existing site along President Street. Preliminary estimates for both projects total roughly more than $21 million. The city anticipates a bond issue in fall 2026, Finance Director Robert Lehnhardt said during a December public hearing. Overall, total revenues across all funds are projected at $160.8 million. Total expenditures for 2026 are estimated at $153.1 million.

* Aurora Beacon-News | East Aurora prepares for what’s next after immigration enforcement activity on school property in the fall: And, as this incident in Aurora — and others like it across the broader Chicago area — arose over the past few months, an unusual semester at East Aurora School District 131 has prompted the district to examine its procedures and adapt to unexpected circumstances, particularly as the question of what’s next for Chicago in the Trump administration’s federal immigration crackdown remains unclear. In East Aurora, an incident at an elementary school almost two weeks earlier on Saturday, Oct. 25, had prompted some concern within the district. Two protestors were detained outside Allen Elementary after being confronted by federal agents, prompting the district’s school board to pass a measure banning federal immigration enforcement actions from occurring on its property just a few days later.

* Daily Herald | ‘Too many positives’: Despite residents’ concerns, Costco plan moving forward in Des Plaines: Several residents of Patton Drive, which is just west of the site, took to the lectern Monday night to object to the plan. All targeted the gas station, which would be nearest to their homes. One noted the second-story windows of his home now will overlook a gas station instead of Peterson Lake if the development moves forward. Others expressed fears that gasoline fumes and car exhaust would affect their health and the health of their children. The council members ultimately voted 6-1 in favor of amending zoning rules for the property, granting a permit for a planned development and granting zoning variations for the project that cover landscaping, fencing and other elements.

*** Downstate ***

* WCIA | Decatur will host community forum to hear concerns about carbon capture project: Rosenberger and other concerned residents plan on raising their issues at next week’s “Council Connections” event. Horn said safety likely won’t be the only topic being discussed. He added that residents deserve to know every detail about the project, from potential risks to what it might cost. “Does it need sewer infrastructure? If so, in what amounts and who is paying for it? Is it the residents of Decatur? Or is it the companies that want to do the energy production and sequestration?” Horn asked.

* WSIL | Christmas trees wanted for Rend Lake fish habitats: Residents have the opportunity to give their Christmas trees a second life by donating them to Rend Lake. The initiative aims to enhance fish habitats and improve angling opportunities. Tree donations are accepted through January 11, 2026, at various drop-off locations.

* WGLT | ISU football team’s title bid ends with wild OT loss: No. 2 Montana State scored on a wild fourth-down pass in overtime and converted the extra point kick as ISU absorbed a heartbreaking 35-34 defeat Monday at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville. ISU fought back again and again in the penalty-filled game, including a stiffer second-half defense, but the Bobcats’ earlier quick scores in response kept a comeback just out of reach.

*** National ***

* The Guardian | Mother of one of Elon Musk’s sons ‘horrified’ at use of Grok to create fake sexualised images of her: The abuse started over the weekend, and she said that since it began she had been reporting it to X and Grok, to no avail. “The response time is getting longer as well,” she added. “When this first started, Grok was removing some of them.” The manipulated image of her as a 14-year-old had been up for 12 hours by Monday afternoon. It and several other images highlighted by St Clair were finally removed after the Guardian sought comment from X.

* Barron’s | US Manufacturing Hit 2025 Bottom In December: Survey: The Institute for Supply Management’s (ISM) manufacturing index fell to 47.9 from November’s 48.2 reading, the lowest of 2025 despite modest improvements in employment and some other categories. The reading for the production category fell from November’s level, while employment remained in contraction even as it saw a 0.9 percentage point improvement from November. Respondents also described customers’ inventories as “too low,” which is usually a positive sign for future production, said ISM survey chair Susan Spence.

* AP | FAA picks 2 firms to replace 612 outdated radar systems that air traffic controllers rely on: The FAA has been spending most of its $3 billion equipment budget just maintaining the fragile old system that still relies on floppy discs in places. Some of the equipment is old and isn’t manufactured anymore, so the FAA sometimes has to search for spare parts on eBay. Technical failures twice knocked out the radar for air traffic controllers managing planes around Newark Liberty International Airport last spring, and those problems led to thousands of cancellations and delays at the major hub airport.