* Brendan Reilly for Cook County President…

With her campaign failing to gain traction and voters hungry for change, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle is getting increasingly desperate. Coming off a televised debate where she was “pushed off her typically measured script” according to the Chicago Tribune, Preckwinkle has now resorted to running ads that include a blatant, easily disproved lie about Alderman Brendan Reilly’s voting record. It’s not the first time Preckwinkle has been caught lying about her opponents – her political committee was forced to pay $1.5 million last year after losing a defamation lawsuit resulting from her lies and false statements.

In this case, Preckwinkle’s ad claims that Reilly voted for the recent city budget “including a property tax increase.” However, the final budget passed by a majority of City Council members over the objections of Preckwinkle’s protegee Mayor Brandon Johnson specifically did not include his proposed $300 million property tax increase. The only property tax increase that was included in the final City Council budget was a $9.1 million increase to the library tax, but Alderman Reilly did not vote on the city’s Fiscal Year 2026 Tax Levy legislation that authorized it.

Preckwinkle’s ad is clearly false and misleading and the Reilly campaign has issued the attached Cease and Desist letter to Preckwinkle.

“These statements made by the Preckwinkle campaign are demonstrably inaccurate, and continued publication or amplification of these claims risks misleading voters and undermining the integrity of the electoral process,” said Reilly campaign legal counsel Burt Odelson. “These actions constitute violations of applicable state laws governing deceptive political advertising, as well as possible defamation under established legal standards. While political speech is broadly protected, knowingly or recklessly spreading false factual assertions about an individual’s official voting record is not, and we therefore demand that the Preckwinkle campaign cease and desist from making these false statements immediately.”

*** Statehouse News ***

* STLPR | Illinois Republican Heidner wants to bring his business acumen to governor’s office: “When I looked at who was running, I saw zero path for any of the candidates, the other Republican challengers, to ever have a chance of beating JB Pritzker, so I said I needed to do this,” Heidner said on the latest Politically Speaking podcast. […]At the top of his priority list for the state is term limits, which would be a first-day conversation with state lawmakers, Heidner said. Pritzker is seeking a rare third term. Republican Jim Thompson, who was in office from 1977 to 1991, was the last governor to be elected to more than two terms. “We should have two terms for a limit for a governor,” Heidner said. “None of this would be this way if JB Pritzker wasn’t able to run for a third term.”

* Crain’s | Tom Pritzker’s Epstein ties shine light on lifestyle — and a family rift:In their correspondence, Tom and Epstein make reference to other members of the clan, including Penny Pritzker, 66, the former Commerce Secretary. Neither Penny Pritzker nor her brother, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, responded to a request for comment on the relationship between Tom Pritzker and Epstein. Neither sibling appears to have any connections or communications with Epstein, based on the emails.

* Capitol News Illinois | As Illinois increasingly becomes destination for abortion access, a new public-private partnership emerges: High demand is the catalyst for the new Prairie State Access Fund, the latest partnership between Illinois and providers to support access to reproductive care. The fund, managed by the Michael Reese Health Trust, will raise money to address specific, immediate needs to support the clinics and other organizations that provide abortion care in Illinois so they can continue their work. The fund is primarily meant to provide flexible funding to assist with the volume of out-of-state patients who aren’t covered by programs like Illinois Medicaid.

* Press release | State Universities Annuitants Association (SUAA) PAC Endorses Stephanie Kifowit for Illinois Comptroller: The campaign of Stephanie Kifowit for Illinois Comptroller proudly announces the endorsement of SUAAction, the Political Action Committee of the State Universities Annuitants Association (SUAA), for the March 17, 2026 Democratic Primary Election. In announcing its support, SUAAction emphasized the exceptional nature of this endorsement. While the organization has historically refrained from endorsing in primary elections, it cited Kifowit’s record and experience as uniquely aligned with the priorities of public employees and retirees.

*** Catching up with the congressionals ***

* Sun-Times | Frustrated Illinois congressional candidates call super PAC influence ‘buying a seat’:The 2nd District is especially hit hard by super PAC influence, with Fairshake, a pro-crypto PAC funded primarily by Trump megadonors and business partners Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz, targeting state Sen. Robert Peters. Fairshake is spending at least $1 million to run anti-Peters ads. And it’s the third Trump-affiliated super PAC to play a role in the race. Andreessen is the founder and general partner of Silicon Valley venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz — and a Trump adviser on tech and business policy — and he gave more than $4.7 million to advance the MAGA agenda in the 2023 and 2024 electoral cycle. Affordable Chicago Now!, which is AIPAC-affiliated, is spending money in support of Miller, while the Leading the Future PAC, funded by OpenAI stakeholders, is backing former Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. in the race.

* Progressive Promise is out with a new digital ad pushing Robert Peters…

* Politico…

— In IL-09: State Sen. Mike Simmons is out with a new digital ad calling out a blooper by opponent Laura Fine’s campaign for the support she’s getting from the independent super PAC. […]

— In IL-07: Democratic state Rep. La Shawn Ford has been endorsed by Ald. Emma Mitts and the 27th Ward organization in his bid for the 7th District congressional seat.

— In IL-07: Forest Park Mayor Rory Hoskins, a Democrat, has been endorsed by River Forest Village President Cathy Adduci, Westchester Village President Greg Hribal and Hillside Mayor Joe Tamburino in his bid for Congress. They’re among supporters hosting a fundraiser for him Tuesday. Details here.

— In IL-04: Democrat Patty García has been endorsed by the Chicago Federation of Labor in her bid for the seat held by her former boss, Congressman Jesus “Chuy” Garcia.

* More super PAC money is heading to 7th CD candidate Jason Friedman…

NEW FEC F24
STRONGER ILLINOIS PAC
$35,965-> #IL07https://t.co/6JeUcpvVXb pic.twitter.com/j5v3ZpI4f5

— CATargetBot0001 (@CATargetBot0001) February 22, 2026

* Daily Herald | Quigley, challengers differ sharply on U.S. relations with Israel: Quigley, who is seeking his 10th term in Congress while also planning to run for Chicago mayor next year, was joined by opponents Matthew Conroy and Ellen Corley at the League of Women Voters forum Saturday in Barrington. Fellow Democrat Anthony Michael Tamez did not appear. Quigley said Israel is a critical ally in the Middle East, but also criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

* Press release | U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders Endorses Junaid Ahmed for Congress in Illinois’ 8th District: U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders announced his endorsement of Progressive Congressional candidate Junaid Ahmed today, cementing national progressive support for his campaign to represent Illinois’ 8th Congressional District.
“Junaid Ahmed will stand up to the billionaire class in this country and fight for working people,” said Senator Bernie Sanders. “The son of working-class immigrant parents, Junaid is a grassroots leader, a small business owner, and helped launch a nonprofit that has delivered over one million meals and supplies to people struggling to make ends meet across Chicago. Now more than ever we need Members of Congress who will say: ‘No, I won’t take your dark money; No, I won’t take your AI money; No, I won’t take your AIPAC money — because I answer to the people, not the oligarchs.’ Illinoisans deserve political leaders like Junaid, unafraid to take on the wealthy and powerful and ready to fight for the working class.”

* Press release | CAIR Action Midwest Endorses Morgan Coghill in IL-10: Morgan Coghill’s campaign for Congress today announced an endorsement from CAIR Action Midwest, a political arm of the Council on American Islamic Relations. The endorsement places a national spotlight on a grassroots campaign that has centered on human rights and working-class priorities from day one. CAIR Action cited Coghill’s consistent record of protecting Muslim communities and defending civil liberties in its endorsement of Coghill’s campaign.

*** Chicago ***

* WTTW | Excessive Force Allegations Against CPD Officers Rose 46% Since 2022: Data: CPD officers used the highest level of force against a member of the public — including a gunshot, chokehold or a baton strike to the head or neck — 84 times in 2024, more than double the number of times officers used the highest level of force in 2023, according to CPD data cited by the coalition.

* WTTW | CPD Officer Accused of Violating Rights of Black Drivers During Downtown Traffic Stops Stripped of Police Powers: Officer Richard Rodriquez is the fifth member of the Near North (18th) Police District tactical team to be stripped of his badge and gun after the agency tasked with investigating misconduct by Chicago police officers identified a troubling pattern of undocumented and unprofessional traffic stops of Black Chicagoans. Rodriquez was identified by a database published by Inspector General Deborah Witzburg designed to identify “hot spots” of alleged misconduct as having the most complaints of any other officer beside Officer Joseph Vecchio, another member of the 18th District tactical team.

* Block Club | Chicago Traffic Deaths Reach A 9-Year Low, But Funding Cuts Could Threaten Progress: The city recorded 100 traffic deaths — which includes people walking, biking or driving — last year, according to data from the Chicago Department of Transportation. That’s the lowest fatality total since 2016 and represents a 46 percent drop compared to 2021, a peak year for traffic deaths with 186 fatalities. […]CDOT’s budget for Vision Zero and Complete Streets comes from local, state and federal funding, according to the improvement program. But general-obligation bond funds, or long-term loans the city uses for public works projects, have been central to the city’s progress in reducing traffic deaths, said Ald. Daniel La Spata (1st), a member of the city’s Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety.

* Sun-Times | Archdiocese has ‘no plan’ to reopen 6 Catholic schools despite families’ push: “When the schools are in trouble, the archdiocese is silent,” said Angel Garcia, whose child attends the school, at a news conference. “This falls on Cardinal Cupich.” Hours later, the Archdiocese of Chicago Office of Catholic Schools said the decision was made “with heavy hearts after months of discussions,” but it maintained that enrollment was too low and deficits too high.

* Sun-Times | Letter carrier union kicks off bargaining season with rally: ‘First-class service deserves first-class pay’: More than 100 workers with the National Association of Letter Carriers kicked off bargaining for their next contract Sunday with a rally, calling for fair wages and worker protections at the local branch’s Bronzeville headquarters. They were joined by Gov. JB Pritzker. […] “The postmaster general needs to do right by you and get you the contract you deserve,” Pritzker said before exiting to chants of “48.” “And we’re gonna have to yell it. … Every worker in the United States needs a better wage, so your fight is for them too.”

* Tribune | WWE’s ‘Elimination Chamber’ is coming to the United Center — and wrestling fans have been waiting: Illinois has a rich history in professional wrestling — it witnessed one of the more memorable moments in pro wrestling in recent years when Chicago icon CM Punk made his return to the WWE during “Survivor Series” at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont in 2023. But “Elimination Chamber” will be a rare treat for Chicago fans, as it marks the first premium live event in the city since SummerSlam at the United Center in 1994.

*** Cook County and Suburbs ***

* Press release…

Today, the Pat Hynes for Cook County Assessor campaign released two new digital ads exposing continued assessment failures under Fritz Kaegi’s leadership and the consequences for homeowners and renters across Cook County.

WATCH FRITZED HERE

WATCH APARTMENT BUILDING HERE

In Fritzed, Hynes highlights how Kaegi’s own home assessment has gone down, even as many Cook County residents have seen their assessments rise. The ad underscores growing concern among taxpayers that under Kaegi, the system has become unpredictable and unfair.

In Apartment Building, Hynes calls attention to the Chicago Tribune’s investigation that revealed Kaegi’s office underassessed hundreds of buildings across Cook County resulting in $444 million in missed property value in a single year.

* Press release | Reps. Chuy Garcia, Delia Ramirez, and Assessor Fritz Kaegi Rally with Advocates Against Pay-to-Play Corruption in Assessor’s Race: U.S. Representatives Chuy Garcia and Delia Ramirez joined Assessor Fritz Kaegi, elected officials, and advocates on Monday morning to sound the alarm on pay-to-play donations in the Cook County Assessor’s race that would drive up property taxes for working class homeowners. “This race for Assessor is about whether the property tax system works for Cook County families or the wealthiest individuals and biggest corporations. Just look at who’s funding my opponent’s campaign. It’s the same property tax attorneys who get rich by rigging the rules. They help their corporate clients pay less, forcing everyone else to pay more. Cook County families deserve to know that the Assessor is fighting for them and no one else,” said Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi.

* Crain’s | AbbVie investing $380M on two new plants in North Chicago, adding 300 employees: AbbVie is doubling down on its drug manufacturing expansion at its North Chicago campus by building two facilities to support production of neuroscience and obesity medications. The move is part of the pharmaceutical giant’s $100 billion commitment to add to domestic drug-making capability and R&D, under a voluntary agreement it signed with the Trump administration in January.

* Daily Southtown | Records show Thornton Fractional District 215 previously investigated teachers charged in sexual assault: Records show Thornton Fractional High School District 215 began investigating a former teacher and wrestling coach more than a year before he was charged with sexual assault of high school students. Andre Richmond was charged Jan. 8 with criminal sexual assault and child pornography involving two high school students after being arrested by Lansing police. His twin brother, Aaron Richmond, who also taught and coached wrestling in the district, was charged with aggravated criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual abuse in December 2024, after being arrested by Glenwood police.

* Pioneer Press | Niles referendum in March primary election asks about new term limits for mayor, trustees: The advisory referendum for Niles voters’ consideration in the March 17 election asks: “Shall the following term limits apply to all current and future elected officers in the Village of Niles, Cook County, Illinois? Prospectively, no person elected at the next Village election and all subsequent elections may serve more than five (5) full four (4)-year terms, or a maximum of twenty (20) years, in the same elected office.” The question ended up on the ballot after a resident approached Alpogianis about the issue. The mayor, who is currently in his second term after being reelected last year and is a former two-term village trustee, said he answered the resident’s questions and helped guide him on the process, including circulating a petition to help get the referendum on the ballot.

* Aurora Beacon-News | Aurora committees make recommendations on public safety, housing and more: Increased public oversight of the police, guaranteed basic income and increased housing density in some areas of the city — those are just a few of the recommendations that are being made by Aurora Mayor John Laesch’s transition committees. The Public Transition Committees were formed last year to gather community-based feedback to shape the city’s priorities during the Laesch administration across topics such as finances, sustainability, housing, public safety and education. The committees’ full recommendations are set to be published later this week on the city’s website, but overviews were presented during a public forum held at the downtown branch of Waubonsee Community College on Saturday.

*** Downstate ***

* Capitol News Illinois | Former deputy in Sonya Massey killing serving prison sentence, but state officials won’t say where: A source close to the case said he has been moved out of state. “For safety and security purposes, the Department will not discuss details concerning Individual Grayson,” an IDOC spokesman said in an email Thursday. This could be for a number of reasons, including the high-profile nature of the crime, the fact that Grayson was a police officer, or that he is suffering from advanced forms of cancer and needs specialized care, one expert said.

* STLPR | Failure to warn: How East St. Louis became a battleground against an international chemical giant: The East St. Louis lawsuits, which have been filed by people nationwide, have been folded into a Multidistrict Litigation, or MDL, which combines lawsuits against a common defendant into a single federal court. Almost all the paraquat cases are still pending. And unlike the lawsuits against Bayer’s herbicide Roundup, they have yet to lead to a bellwether trial — perhaps one reason that controversy around paraquat has yet to bubble into mainstream consciousness. For now, at least, America’s courthouses are the only places the Parkinson’s patients, or surviving family members who have lost someone to the disease, can push to obtain compensation for their pain and suffering.

* BND | Why does East St. Louis have its own board of elections, and what does it cost?: The short answer as to why East St. Louis still runs its own elections despite its population plummet? The board can only be dissolved by ballot proposition, and although a referendum has appeared on East St. Louis ballots at least twice, it hasn’t passed. The East St. Louis Board of Election Commissioners has been the subject of some controversy. Opponents of the board say closing it could save East St. Louis hundreds of thousands of dollars each year. Other concerns about the board have included alleged voter fraud and questions about the accuracy of voter registration rolls in the city.

* WCIA | Nearly 7K show up to see an Olympian, support the Illini at gymnastics meet vs. UCLA: The Illini haven’t competed in State Farm Center since 2018, when they hosted the Big Ten Championships. Usually, they’re in Huff Hall, but when UCLA and two-time Olympian Jordan Chiles came into town, they knew they needed more space. […] “Like I told the team at the end, I said, ‘There’s so much orange here. There’s orange all over in the stands. These are people that came to watch us, you know, and obviously Jordan,’” [Illinois Women’s Gymnastics Head Coach Josh Nilson] said. “But, I expect to see some blue in the stands. I saw a lot more orange, so it was just a lot of fun. The girls work hard, and for them to actually be here and be able to feel that is incredible.”

*** National ***

* Penn Capital-Star | Louisiana mifepristone lawsuit could hinder telehealth abortion nationwide: Guttmacher Institute Principal Federal Policy Adviser Anna Bernstein said in a statement Friday that reinstating the in-person dispensation requirement for mifepristone would hinder abortion access. “If access to telehealth and mifepristone by mail is curtailed, more patients would be pushed toward in-clinic care, straining provider capacity and increasing wait times in an already chaotic landscape,” she said. “Given that travel is out of reach for many people, the result would likely be increased delays and more people unable to get the abortion care they need and deserve.”

* Politico | Dem AGs plot to thwart Trump election interference: Trump and his allies’ rhetoric is the type of “red-alarm fire that people need to take very seriously,” said Washington Attorney General Nick Brown, who leads the Democratic Attorneys General Association’s election protection working group. “He will try anything,” Brown said, so “we have to just sort of think creatively about: If you were the president and you were trying to invalidate an election or undermine an election, what are the oddball, ludicrous, unconstitutional theories that you might advance?”

* NYT | He Was a Climate Activist. One Day, the F.B.I. Came Knocking: Climate activists can prove to be especially vulnerable, Dr. Fisher said, because they often equate environmental justice with economic and racial justice, joining protests against other Trump-era actions, such as mass deportations. The Trump administration, in turn, will “try to pick off what they see as the lowest hanging fruit of activists,” she said. The Department of Justice said in a statement that it would “continue to hold accountable any individual that crosses the red line between peaceful First Amendment activity and obstructing, impeding or attacking federal law enforcement agents. No matter the cause, no one is above the law.”