* Capitol News Illinois…

Over his 7½ years in office, Gov. JB Pritzker has largely gotten his way in the Democratic-supermajority Illinois General Assembly. […]

The governor was unable to muscle through the most far-reaching elements of his top legislative initiative: Building Up Illinois Developments, or BUILD — a comprehensive plan to spur homebuilding and drive down housing costs. […]

Beyond BUILD and megaprojects, Pritzker also came up short once again in his effort to allow some community colleges to offer four-year baccalaureate degrees.

Lawmakers also rejected Pritzker’s proposal to reduce the percentage of income taxes local governments receive from the Local Government Distributive Fund flat. Instead, the share remains the same and, because of increased income tax receipts, LGDF will increase this budget year.

*** Statehouse News ***

* WAND | Giannoulias announces first-ever statewide digital library resource program: Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian Alexi Giannoulias announced the expansion of access to information and educational resources statewide by awarding a first-of-its-kind contract for a comprehensive digital library resource program. Through their local library, or through the Illinois State Library’s website, every Illinois resident now has free access to a vast collection of online resources, including e-books, journals, magazines, newspapers and research databases. Content is provided through an annual contract with EBSCO Information Services.

* Governing | Can States Hold Nursing Home Owners More Accountable?: Illinois lawmakers sent two measures to Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker that aim to strengthen oversight and transparency requirements of healthcare mergers or acquisitions, and place new restrictions on private equity ownership of disability service providers. The first bill was Democratic-sponsored, while the second had both Democratic and Republican sponsors.

* IPM Newsroom | Family advocates praise Illinois bill that gives parents more transparency in child abuse investigations: Novick said the bill would change that “by causing the pediatrician to indicate what they’re really doing there” and tell the parents about their right to a second opinion. Sometimes kids have a vitamin D deficiency, he said, that is most of the time a genetic condition, or other genetic conditions that can lead to broken bones, which a child abuse pediatrician might not have a specialty in. Novick said a second opinion from a doctor can reveal more about a child’s current medical situation that a child abuse pediatrician might not have complete knowledge about.

*** Chicago ***

* Sun-Times | As CPS CEO departs for DC, backers hope for strong defense of policies supporting trans and Black students: Republicans on the U.S. House education committee are expected to grill CPS Superintendent/CEO Macquline King at a hearing Wednesday. She will likely be questioned about the district’s Black Student Success Plan and policies affirming transgender students’ rights at school, both of which are under investigation by the Trump administration.

* Windy City Times | Chicago History Museum honors activist and philanthropist Fred Eychaner: LGBTQ+ rights advocate, philanthropist and arts patron Fred Eychaner used a lifetime achievement award from the Chicago History Museum to warn that many of the freedoms and institutions he spent decades defending are under renewed attack. Accepting the museum’s Making History Award for Distinction in Visionary Leadership on June 3, Eychaner reflected on his experiences during the AIDS epidemic and drew parallels between the political climate of the 1980s and what he described as growing threats to science, public health, civil rights and democracy today.

* Tribune | Chicago White Sox call up outfielder Braden Montgomery, their No. 2 prospect: The Sox announced they selected Montgomery’s contract from Triple-A Charlotte and recalled left-hander Joe Rock from Charlotte. Outfielder Rikuu Nishida and right-hander David Sandlin were optioned to Charlotte, while outfielder Austin Hays was transferred to the 60-day injured list to make room for Montgomery on the 40-man roster. Montgomery, a 23-year-old outfielder, will be available for the opener of the three-game series at Rate Field.

* Sun-Times | Cooling centers open as hot, humid weather hits Chicago this week: Tuesday’s high is forecast to hit 86 degrees, while Wednesday is expected to be the hottest day this week, with a high near 92 degrees and a heat index reaching 98 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. Temperatures are expected to remain near 90 degrees Thursday, with an 80% chance of rain, the weather service said.

*** Cook County and Suburbs ***

* Tribune | ‘Broadview Six’ grand jury transcripts to be released showing alleged misconduct by prosecutors: Grand jury transcripts are expected to be released Tuesday detailing alleged misconduct by federal prosecutors in the “Broadview Six” case against Operation Midway Blitz protesters, which collapsed in dramatic fashion in court last month. U.S. District Judge April Perry said in a court hearing Tuesday morning she will issue an order later in the day making most of the transcripts public, though she’s holding off on certain testimony from an FBI agent that is essentially a one-sided account supporting allegations that no longer exist. “These charges have been dismissed. They aren’t coming back,” Perry said. “The FBI agent is laying out the government’s case against you… if that is released it will be out in the world forever.”

* Daily Herald | TIF case against Winfield ends after state supreme court declines to hear school districts’ appeal:
Overall, Winfield 34 anticipates that approximately $20 million in tax dollars will be redirected from the district to the development of Town Center, according to the statement. “This ends the TIF 2 legal journey,” the district stated in part, with the village “garnering full ability to redirect tax payer funds from other municipal governments to build” a village hall/police station complex.

* Sun-Times | Brother of ex-Harvey Mayor Eric Kellogg gets six months in sweeping FBI corruption case: On Tuesday, Kellogg’s older brother, 78-year-old Derrick Muhammad, was sentenced to six months in federal prison for shaking down towing companies while serving as a Harvey police officer. U.S. District Judge Virginia Kendall also ordered him to pay $75,000 to the government. Muhammad was accused of pocketing more than $134,000 in bribes between 2011 and 2019 in exchange for steering city towing work to favored companies.

* Aurora Beacon-News | David Petschke appointed to fill vacancy on St. Charles City Council: St. Charles has a new City Council member: David Petschke, a resident who works as the Kane County Forest Preserve District’s chief financial and administrative officer. As of May 1, St. Charles had a vacant Ward 3 seat on its City Council, left by Bob Gehm, who stepped down last month. Gehm had served on the council since 2023 — first being appointed, and then being elected to the seat in 2025.

*** Downstate ***

* Press release | Demolition Begins on Building 29 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds: The Illinois Capital Development Board (CDB) will oversee the demolition of Building 29 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds as part of the State’s ongoing revitalization efforts at the property. Managed on behalf of the Illinois Department of Agriculture, the $2.1 million project will remove the long-abandoned and condemned building. “I’m proud to support the transformation of our beloved Illinois State Fairgrounds, and the demolition of Building 29 represents a crucial step in that process,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “When I cut the ribbon at last year’s State Fair, I was pleased to announce the demolition’s official approval — and now, we’re taking action to turn an eyesore into opportunity.”

* WGLT | Bloomington establishes conditions for continued funding of EDC: Bloomington will continue making annual funding contributions to the Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council, but with a series of conditions attached. The Bloomington City Council on Monday authorized three installment payments totaling $100,000 for the next year. “One of the primary benefits we get from them is the operation of the enterprise zone, but there are many other things that they do that we benefit from,” said City Manager Jeff Jurgens. “Staff does believe that this is an investment that does yield a great deal of return for the city.”

* WCIA | Central IL senior living facility employees say they’re getting paid late — again: Last month, WCIA covered how Shepherd’s Premier — which has locations in Monticello and Charleston — was consistently paying employees late. Now, workers say it’s happening again — and they’re fed up. WCIA talked to four different employees at Shepherd’s. Three of them said they’re still waiting on a check the company said would come in last Friday. The fourth said overdraft fees they got waiting on previous checks haven’t been paid out like they promised, leaving them frustrated and worried about making ends meet.

* Daily Egyptian | Cannons, muskets and more for Logan’s 200th birthday: Murphysboro prepares to celebrate General John A. Logan’s 200th birthday along with America’s 250th anniversary this weekend, Friday, June 5 – Sunday, June 7. Cricket matches, a parade, cannon and musket demonstrations, candle dipping, music, food and book readings will populate this historical celebration.

* NPR Illinois | Visitors to the Illinois State Museum’s new Route 66 exhibit will get free State Fair admission: The promotion begins today and runs for the next 66 days. Each visitor to the Illinois State Museum’s “Miles of Memories: Stories of Route 66” exhibit can receive a voucher for one adult weekday admission to the Illinois State Fair. Vouchers will be collected at the fair entrance gates. Children ages 12 and under already receive free admission to the fair.

* WCIA | Springfield Fire Dept. responds to driver stuck in floodwater: The department said at 8:15 p.m. on June 8, firefighters responded to the report of a driver stranded in floodwater near the intersection of Capitol Avenue and 3rd Street. Upon arrival, units located a vehicle partially submerged in chest-high water with one person inside. Firefighters assisted this person in safely exiting vehicle. The driver was evaluated on scene and was not injured during the incident.