* NBC Chicago…

Nearly a year after the Trump administration launched Operation Midway Blitz, a new national report alleges U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection agents committed widespread civil rights violations last year.

The ACLU research report, titled Agents of Chaos and Cruelty, examined immigration enforcement in 2025 across eight states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland and New Mexico.

The authors examined more than 1,200 incidents and found more than 400 involving activity they consider misconduct, such as use of force, intimidation or retaliation. Almost half of the incidents involving misconduct were in Illinois. The ACLU compiled the information using a variety of sources, including news coverage, court filings and public statements from federal agencies. […]

The Illinois incidents cited by the ACLU happened most often outside of homes and in neighborhoods, during traffic stops, during street stops and at big box hardware stores. Of those detained or targeted, 77 were adult U.S. citizens.

* Gov. Pritzker signed a slew of bills into law today. We are posting all press releases here.

*** Statewide ***

* Transport Topics | Fuel taxes rise in several states as Illinois hits pause: Many states adjust motor fuel tax rates either Jan. 1 or July 1 through formulas tied to inflation or other economic benchmarks. This year, automatic consumer price index-based adjustments contributed to increased diesel and gasoline taxes in California, Maryland, Washington and Virginia. However, Illinois drivers avoided a planned motor-fuel tax hike after state lawmakers opted to impose a six-month halt through Dec. 31.

* Tribune | Cyclospora outbreak tied to shredded lettuce now linked to Illinois and 3 more states: Federal health officials on Friday said they have linked cases of a diarrhea-causing parasite tied to shredded lettuce to an additional four states, expanding the scope of the largest U.S. outbreak of cyclospora. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the outbreak first tied to Taco Bell restaurants now includes Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania. Previously the agency’s investigation included five states: Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia.

* Illinois Department of Public Health…

*** Statehouse News ***

* Press release | Governor Pritzker Announces Ability Engineering Technology’s Expansion in Illinois: AET is the second announced tenant of the IQMP FaQtory, a building to house suppliers that are manufacturing equipment and components for companies at the Park. FaQtory is being partially funded by the federal government through its Tech Hubs competition and partially funded by State quantum funds. The State previously announced a Manufacturing Illinois Chips for Real Opportunity Act (MICRO) agreement for Zero Point Cryogenics, who will also be a tenant at the IQMP FaQtory.

*** Chicago ***

* Tribune | ‘Deportation factory’: Chicago’s immigration court epicenter for US spike in removal orders, analysis shows: It was the first recorded instance of dozens of so-called “mega-master” hearings: enlarged versions of early-stage hearings where immigrants appear in large groups. Combined with a massive turnover in judges on the Trump-controlled court and less-immigrant-friendly rules, the hearings helped fuel a dramatic rise in the number of removal orders issued by judges there — turning what once was a large but average court into a national trendsetter for the president’s push for mass deportations.

* Tribune | Complaint accuses school board president candidate Hilario Dominguez of breaking campaign finance rules: Dominguez’s candidate committee reported no contributions or spending in its first quarterly report, which “cannot be accurate,” according to the complaint, filed with the Illinois State Board of Elections last week on behalf of challenger Sendhil Revuluri. The complaint was first reported by Chalkbeat. The filing accuses Dominguez — the political director of the Chicago Teachers Union — of failing to report the costs of gathering petitions, printing campaign materials and setting up a website. He also held a fundraiser, the complaint alleges, but did not disclose any donations.

* Crain’s | Feds appeal blocked Obamacare enrollment rule in Chicago lawsuit: The Health and Human Services Department will fight to restore policies it says are vital to protecting the health insurance exchanges against fraud. HHS filed an appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit on Tuesday to reverse a decision the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland handed down last month that invalidated portions of a program integrity final rule the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued last year.

* WTTW | CPD Forensic Division Lab Earns National Accreditation: The CPD on Thursday announced that its Forensic Services Division is now an accredited laboratory by the American National Standards Institute’s National Accreditation Board, the result of what the department said has been a multi-year effort. “Receiving accreditation is the culmination of years of hard work by the men and women of the Forensic Services Division to standardize the laboratory’s operations in accordance with national standards,” First Deputy Superintendent Antoinette Ursitti, who oversaw the accreditation efforts, said in a statement.

* Tribune | Chicago mayoral election 2027: Who are the candidates so far?: But with the kickoff date for candidates to collect nominating petitions on July 28, the field is expected to grow. Some contenders could also get knocked off the ballot should they fail to meet the 12,500-signature threshold during the notoriously cutthroat petition-challenging process.

* Sun-Times | Obama drops in at WNBA event inspiring ninth grade girls at presidential center: Next time Aliyah talks to her mother, she’ll get to tell her she shook Obama’s hand. “I was freaking out, I was turnt, I almost passed out,” Aliyah, 14, said. “I was everywhere.” The event kicked off just before 10 a.m. with comments from WNBA brand strategist Nina Kossoff. Friday’s gathering was among many events in Chicago this week tied to the WNBA All-Star Game, which will be held Saturday at the United Center.

*** Cook County and Suburbs ***

* Shaw Local | ‘A massive undertaking’: Joliet, Will County take action to repair broken water service in Preston Heights: A city-county program to bring Joliet water into areas where utility systems have failed got new attention in recent weeks. Plans for former Southeast Joliet Sanitary District will get a full airing on Thursday when city and county officials hold a community meeting at 6 p.m. in the Nowell Park Recreation Center. The meeting comes after the Joliet City Council this week agreed to open the recreation center for emergency showers as an option for residents in that area during extended water main breaks.

* Elgin Courier-News | D300 wants tax hike to fund $355M in school improvements, new training center: The D300 school board this week voted 7-0 to place the question on the Nov. 3 ballot. Bonds sold would fund more than 20 projects, including classroom additions to overcrowded schools, repairs to aging buildings, safety updates, entrance security improvements, and a new career and technical education center for hands-on training. If the measure is approved, the owner of a $400,000 home would see a property tax bill increase of about $8.41 per month, or $101 per year, a news release on the initiative said.

*** Downstate ***

* Patch | IARF Backs Choate Transition, Calls for Continued Investment in Community-Based Disability Services: The Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities (IARF) is applauding the Pritzker administration’s decision to complete the transition of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities from Choate Developmental Center, calling the move another important step toward expanding safe, person-centered care in community settings across Illinois. […] “The leadership shown by Governor Pritzker and DHS Secretary Quintero in closing the remaining I/DD beds at Choate Developmental Center stands in stark contrast to the message being sent from Washington, D.C.,” [IARF President and CEO Josh Evans] said. “In Illinois, we will advance equity, the civil rights of persons with developmental disabilities, and the opportunity for Illinoisans with disabilities to reside in communities of their choice.”

* Capitol City Now | A deep dive into conditions at Logan Correctional Center: A new report by the John Howard Association sheds light into less-than-favorable conditions at Logan Correctional Center in Lincoln. Jenny Vollen-Katz, Executive Director, talks with Dave Dahl on the WTAX Morning Newswatch.

* WCIA | ‘A lot of tears…a lot of stress’: Decatur businesses relocating amidst lack of roof repairs: Two Decatur businesses are closing their doors and relocating after the owners said they were forced out of their current building amidst unrepaired roof leaks. Matt Crawford, the owner of RTB Fitness, said he got a call from WTD Properties last Tuesday, telling him he needs to leave the building at the end of August. Crawford said he had issues like a leaking ceiling for some time, and his business isn’t the only one experiencing this.

* The Pantagraph | Woodford County Board member resigns, saying he’s ‘extremely grateful for the opportunity to serve’: Woodford County Board member Nick Miller has resigned, leaving a vacancy in District 3 on the 15-member board. The board approved Miller’s resignation Tuesday. He sent a resignation letter to board chairman Chuck Nagel earlier this month, saying he was stepping down as of July 10. Miller didn’t give a reason for his resignation in the letter and didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment, but the military veteran recently took a job in the county’s Veterans Assistance Commission.

*** National ***

* AP | Wisconsin voters sue to allow for vote to count if absentee ballot is late: The lawsuit comes amid growing concerns about how quickly the United States Postal Service will be able to deliver ballots ahead of the November midterms. Control of Congress is at stake, and Wisconsin voters will be electing a new governor as well as determining control of the Legislature. The bipartisan Wisconsin Elections Commission warned the U.S. postmaster general in May that any delay could deprive citizens of their fundamental right to vote. In January, a group of mostly Democratic U.S. senators also wrote the postal service, raising concerns that a change in how it postmarks mail could invalidate many mail-in ballots.

* Tribune | Journalists ‘reckon’ with needs, changes necessary for the Fourth Estate to survive: Oligarchic takeovers and consolidation of mainstream media outlets have led to increasing hostility, harassment and political attacks against journalists — it’s dangerous to be a member of the Fourth Estate, according to independent journalist Georgia Fort and opinion writer Karen Attiah. The pair spoke recently of the twists and turns they have endured at “America @250: A journalism reckoning” — a convening of journalists, funders and civic leaders at Impact House — reflecting on the past, present and future state of a free press in America.