* ABATE of Illinois…

ABATE of Illinois is disappointed in Waymo’s decision to place highly automated vehicles on Chicago streets without any safety oversight. Waymo appears to be more interested in publicity stunts instead of continuing conversations about how to monitor their unregulated robots and ensure the State of Illinois and City of Chicago have the right to remove these robots off the road when they engage in unsafe behavior.

Behaviors such as continually passing stopped school buses and occasionally hitting a child, both of which have already occurred in other areas where Waymo is testing. If Waymo can’t accurately see a flashing red light on a school bus arm, how can we expect them to see motorcyclists, pedestrians, and bicyclists?

This decision appears to be tied to a recent gain of $16 billion in new funding for Waymo, showing that Waymo and parent company Alphabet, Inc. continue to put shareholders above safety.

While Waymo claims that this is for mapping purposes and a driver will be operating the vehicle at all times, there is no guarantee that Waymo will not engage the highly automated driving systems on these vehicles while the “driver” occupies a seat. The use of those systems would be unsanctioned, putting Illinois drivers and motorcyclists at risk, and could lead to the capture of data in a manner that violates Illinois law. ABATE of Illinois calls on Illinois officials to obtain information on exactly how these vehicles will accomplish their mapping tasks and to verify that the highly automated driving systems on these mapping cars are rendered unusable until legislation is passed allowing for autonomous driving.

Waymo is clearly trying to sway the overwhelming negative opinion of their job stealing technology. Recent polling data shows that Illinois residents surveyed in counties where driverless taxis were proposed for deployment, overwhelmingly oppose allowing them on the road.

Only 38% expressed support, while 50% were unfavorable—opposition that grew even stronger after hearing about four key safety issues documented in Waymo’s operations. Support dropped to 36%, while unfavorability rose to 54%, with the largest increase coming from Chicago residents.

* House Speaker Chris Welch…

Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch is launching a multifaceted approach to comprehensive artificial intelligence (AI) policy, empowering a diverse coalition of lawmakers to form the House Democratic AI Working Group.

“The advancements we’ve seen in just the past few years show the tremendous potential that new technology has to transform our economy, remove barriers, and create opportunity—but it also raises critical questions about everything from the cost of energy, to our individual privacy, to the core functions of our democracy,” Welch said. “Illinois needs an approach to AI that grows with technological advancement. This working group will be focused on an AI policy rooted in affordability, in opportunity, and in safety.”

Welch tapped Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz to chair the working group, following Gong-Gershowitz’s nation-leading legislation combating abuse and harassment through distribution of explicit, AI-generated ‘deepfake’ images.

Additionally, 23 members of the House Democratic Caucus will serve on the working group, with each member assigned to a specific subject matter area. […]

In addition to tackling the many facets of AI technology, Welch has assembled a working group tasked with recommending an appropriate historic figure to honor with a portrait in the House chamber, replacing a long-covered portrait of Stephen A. Douglas. The Douglas portrait had previously been displayed on the Democratic side of the chamber, opposite a portrait of his famous rival Abraham Lincoln on the Republican side of the aisle, representing their respective parties. In 2020, House Democrats had the Douglas portrait covered due to Douglas’ history of holding people in slavery.

A working group led by Rep. Kimberly DuBuclet, and joined by Reps. Kam Buckner, Michael Crawford, Daniel Didech, Nicolle Grasse, and Rick Ryan will lead the effort to replace the Douglas portrait with one of a figure who better reflects the values of Illinois Democrats.

* Subscribers know more. WSPY…

Various outlets are reporting that Plainfield Democratic State Rep. Harry Benton has been removed from the House Democratic Caucus and stripped of his committee assignments.

WSPY has reached out to Benton for comment.

An official reason has not been given by top Democratic leaders for the removal.

Benton is in his second term representing the 97th District. He is unopposed in the Democratic primary but will likely face a rematch with Republican Gabby Shanahan in November’s election.

*** Catching Up with the Federal Candidates ***

* Politico | AIPAC’s cash complicates crowded Illinois primaries: In a statement about the new ad, the Biss campaign alluded to the role AIPAC could play in throwing the race to a different candidate, saying, “Voters won’t be fooled by these slimy dark-money ads, and they won’t allow right-wing special interests to pick our next member of Congress.” There are 15 candidates in the Illinois primary, which is March 17, and Biss and state Sen. Laura Fine appear to lead the list, with Kat Abughazaleh, a social media influencer who only recently moved to Illinois, coming in third in most polls.

* Juliana Stratton has release a second TV ad “We Can”…

Script…

Juliana Stratton: Hate is a dictator’s currency. Silence, his best friend. Fear, his strongest weapon.

I’m Juliana Stratton, and this is what I’ll do with Trump’s playbook.

Because I know you don’t stop a dictator by negotiating.

You abolish ICE and end their violent raids, prosecute Trump’s crimes, and do everything to protect Illinois.

The South Side taught me to stand firm and fight.

I approve this message, because Washington won’t stop him, but we can.

* Press release | Statement from Chicago-area Jewish Leaders on Leadership, Local Accountability and the Illinois 2nd District: As Chicago-area Jewish and Democratic leaders, we actively support human rights, the protection of civilians and the dignity and safety of all people without exception. These values are reflected in our work throughout our communities, the broader Chicagoland area and beyond. They inform our engagement in political campaigns at the local, state and federal level and our shared decision that Donna Miller is the best candidate to represent the Illinois 2nd District in Congress We reject the notion that Jewish civic participation or support for Israel should be treated as uniquely disqualifying. Like every group, the Jewish-American community is diverse and our members hold a wide variety of political views. Applying selective donor-based standards that cast suspicion on Jewish engagement risks reinforcing harmful narratives at a time when antisemitism is rising and undermines the inclusive values we as Democrats claim to share.

* Press Release | IL-07 Congressional Candidate Anabel Mendoza Receives Endorsement From Illinois Progressives and Beyond the Ballot: his week, grassroots organizations Illinois Progressives and Beyond the Ballot announced their endorsements of Anabel Mendoza in Illinois’ 7th Congressional District, recognizing her as a bold progressive leader committed to advancing working-class priorities and building people-powered political change. Illinois Progressives, an organization dedicated to promoting progressive initiatives and electing candidates grounded in justice, equity, and accountability, highlighted Anabel’s alignment with their mission to expand voter participation, mobilize communities, and hold elected officials accountable to the people — not special interests. Through grassroots organizing, voter education, and coalition-building, the organization works to strengthen progressive leadership at every level of government.

* Press Release | Illinois Progressives Endorses Bushra Amiwala for Congress: “As a lifelong proud progressive leader, I am thrilled to join hands with Illinois Progressives during the final push before Election Day,” said Bushra Amiwala, an elected member of the Skokie School Board. “We believe in addressing the existential threat of climate change. We believe in opposing the genocide in Gaza. We believe in enacting universal healthcare in the United States.”

*** Chicago ***

* Tribune | Judge’s unusual criticism in dropped immigration case is latest strange twist for US attorney’s office: In granting the prosecution’s motion to dismiss assault charges against Dana Briggs, U.S. Magistrate Judge Gabriel Fuentes took the opportunity to opine more generally on the U.S. attorney’s office’s role in prosecuting a number of other immigration-related cases that have since fallen apart. In his nine-page opinion, Fuentes wrote he could not “help but note just how unusual and possibly unprecedented it is” for Chicago’s venerable U.S. attorney’s office to bring charges “so hastily” that, once more facts came out, they were unable to obtain an indictment in the grand jury or were forced to dismiss the case as not provable.

* Crain’s | Why Bally’s $250 million casino site is valued at just $43 million: As homeowners across Cook County complain about rising property tax bills — and as Kaegi faces a Democratic primary challenge in March — the valuation of one of the city’s most prominent redevelopment sites is drawing scrutiny from critics who question whether the system treats high-profile commercial properties differently. Kaegi through a spokesman says he followed state law and longstanding assessment policy. Others argue the gap between sale price and assessed value demands clearer public explanation.

* Tribune | Chicago credit downgraded, which will mean higher borrowing costs: The statement went on to include a “told-you-so,” pinning part of the fault on opponents who passed budget tweaks against Johnson’s wishes. Those include “the continued lack of structural revenue sources as well as risks” from several revenue sources the council coalition backed, according to Johnson. “The City, nonetheless, remains financially stable with adequate near-term liquidity and fully capable of meeting all debt service obligations,” and the rating doesn’t change day-to-day operations, the statement said.

* Sun-Times | CPS to shut down financially distressed Aspira campuses, scattering students to new schools: Chicago Public Schools officials told leaders of the Aspira charter school network Wednesday night that the district is transferring students out of their two high schools for the remainder of the school year. This is an unprecedented move by the school district that will disrupt the education of some 545 students.

* Crain’s | Letter AI scores $40M as investors eye Chicago AI: It’s the second big capital infusion for Letter AI since last fall, when it raised $10 million — and a sign of the promise of the company’s products and the growing investor appetite for AI deals. The latest funding round was led by Battery Ventures and included local investors Lightbank and TechNexus. Letter’s eight-figure investment stands out among a relatively small crop of Chicago-based AI startups.

* WTTW | Lurie Garden Skipping Spring, Closing for Repairs Through July: Major repairs to the garden’s water feature and boardwalk are set to get underway. For the safety of visitors, the garden won’t reopen until the project is completed, according to garden management, which spread the news online. Despite its relatively small footprint of 2.5 acres, Lurie Garden, situated at the southeast end of Millennium Park, has played a highly influential role in promoting a less formal style of planting among everyone from landscape architects to home gardeners.

* Block Club | How Chicago Blues Musicians Are Preserving — And Redefining — The Genre’s Sound: From Rosa’s Lounge to summer camps, and from high school classrooms to festival stages, Chicagoans who perform in and promote the city’s vibrant blues culture are navigating a noble task: allowing its evolution and preservation to exist as one and the same. “If you want to be any good at guitar, you have to learn how to play the blues,” said multi-instrumentalist Melody Angel, who’s been hailed as the “future of the blues” — and who touts her upcoming album, “Dreamcatcher,” as “more Linkin Park” than Muddy Waters.

*** Cook County and Suburbs ***

* Block Club | Why Is The Cook County State’s Attorney Prosecuting Nonviolent ICE Protesters?: One protester is charged with felony criminal damage to property for allegedly painting on a concrete barrier, and another is charged with felony assault, accused of spraying an officer with clear liquid from a water bottle. Most are charged with misdemeanors. Police arrested Coffey for jaywalking and disorderly conduct, though the State’s Attorney’s Office dropped that second charge. In many cases, the police arrest reports give few or no details about the incidents, Block Club found.

* Daily Southtown | Dolton Mayor Jason House asks voters to extend term limits to 4 terms: House said the increase in term limits could provide residents consistency as the village works to recover from the former Mayor Tiffany Henyard’s tumultuous four years in office. House, who was a village trustee, was sworn in to replace Henyard as mayor in May. “It’s going to take a decent amount of time with one team in place, or the team the voters elect, to be able to make some significant changes,” House said Nov. 3. “I do feel that in our last term, a lot of that term was just spent trying to regulate or trying to minimize damage.”

* Patch | Amazon Drone Delivery Service The Focus Of Community Meet-and-Greet In Tinley Park: Amazon announced earlier this month that it will soon start using drones to deliver packages to some customers in Chicago’s south suburbs as soon as this summer. The company said the 83-pound Prime Air drones will take off from the Markham and Matteson fulfillment centers, and deliver packages to customers who select the option and live in an eight-mile radius, including Tinley Park, Midlothian, Homewood, Flossmoor, Dolton, Blue Island, Chicago Heights and Country Club Hills.

*** Downstate ***

* 25News Now | Illinois Gaming Board approves plans for new Par-A-Dice casino on a barge: The vote completes a two-year long process, in which the IGB requested Boyd present plans for a new facility for the Par-A-Dice. The original plans submitted by Boyd in December featured a facility that would be built on land in East Peoria, near where the current casino hotel is located. The plans featured a water-basin running under the facility, to avoid classifying it as a land-based casino. The city of Peoria objected to those plans, and filed litigation against them moving forward. The city cited the 1991 intergovernmental agreement between Peoria and East Peoria, that stated a land-based facility would be placed in Peoria.

* WICS | Re-entry home makes pitch to Springfield leaders: The facility would be operated by City of Faith, and according to their website, they have 6 facilities, located in Louisiana and Arkansas. The facility would create 26 jobs, and the group says they would hire people from the area. Allen Winkler, the Chief Operations Officer for City of Faith, says the Department of Justice identified Springfield as having a need for a service that City of Faith offers. He says it’s roughly calculated by, “There’s X amount percentage of people coming back to this area that are maybe having employment or housing issues.”

* WICS | Springfield tourism adjusting without the Wyndham: As the Wyndham in downtown Springfield approaches a full year of being closed, Springfield’s tourism has had to adjust. However, Scott Dahl, director of the Springfield Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, says the city still saw an improvement from last year, even without the Wyndham being open for the majority of 2025. Dahl says, “The city saw almost 13,000 room nights rented more than 2024.” Back in October, we reported how the city could stand to miss out on $500,000 in hotel motel tax revenue with the Wyndham. However, Dahl tells us him and his team were able to preserve a significant majority of guests.

*** National ***

* Bloomberg | State Farm to pay record $5 billion dividend to auto clients: State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co. will pay a $5 billion cash dividend to its auto-insurance customers after posting strong underwriting profits. The payments average $100 per vehicle, State Farm said in a statement. It’s the largest dividend in the company’s 103-year history.

* USA Todday | Meet ‘Patty’, Burger King’s AI chatbot assessing staff’s friendliness: Burger King has tracked aggregated keywords such as “welcome,” “please” and “thank you” at a limited number of pilot locations to help managers understand overall service patterns, the company said. In an emailed statement to USA TODAY, Burger King said the chatbot is not being implemented to score individuals or enforce scripts.