* Press release…

“The Governor’s Office has remained in conversation with the Bears about their plans in Illinois throughout the summer.

“Today, Governor Pritzker was grateful to meet in Illinois with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Pat Ryan, Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, Rep. Kam Buckner, and Sen. Bill Cunningham.

“The Governor and General Assembly leadership were glad to participate in a productive meeting focused on keeping the Bears in Illinois and protecting taxpayers.”

*** Statehouse News ***

* Press release | Acting Legislative Inspector General Starts, Commits to Improve Investigations and Professionalism: Today, David E. Risley assumed the position of Acting Legislative Inspector General (LIG) following his appointment by the Legislative Ethics Commission (LEC) last month. Risley, who is a Certified Inspector General, brings more than 30 years of experience in investigations and prosecutorial work as a former Assistant U.S. Attorney to the position. “Ensuring ethical behavior and rebuilding public trust in state government is our top priority,” said Legislative Ethics Commission Chair State Rep. Jeff Keicher (R-Sycamore). “The Commission remains firmly committed to ensuring that ethical standards are upheld, allegations of misconduct are thoroughly and fairly investigated, and everyone involved in the process is treated with the integrity and due process they deserve. Appointing an experienced professional to lead this office is an important step in maintaining accountability and strengthening public confidence in state government.

* WAND | State leaders distribute 8,000 books to children during Illinois Literacy Day: Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias joined the Illinois Literacy Foundation to donate books to families at 22 YMCA locations, reaching 118 early childhood centers and afterschool programs. The Democrat said reading opens a child’s imagination and builds language skills that help develop a lifelong love of learning.

*** Chicago ***

* CBS Chicago | Judge to rule on alleged double-dipping in Chicago mayor election lawsuit naming Giannoulias, others: The judge heard arguments Thursday morning and is set to give an oral ruling at 3 p.m. First the judge will rule on whether to grant Giannoulias’ motion to move the case out of Chancery Court. If they grant the motion, the lawsuit will need to be argued again in a different court.

* Crain’s | Chicago has smallest cost gap between renting and owning among big U.S. cities​: The cost gap between renting and owning a home is smallest in Chicago among major U.S. cities, but that’s not to say it’s small. The monthly cost of owning the median-priced home is 32.2% higher than the median monthly rent, according to data pulled for Crain’s by Reventure, a real estate analytics platform. That’s the smallest differential for any of the 20 largest metro areas.

* Tribune | Chicago-area election officials gear up for potential ICE, FBI presence at the polls after Trump threats: Now, citing recent comments by Trump and top administration officials, voting rights activists and Democratic officials have filed at least two lawsuits in federal court in Washington that seek to block what they contend is a “polling place policy” that would allow U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and FBI agents to operate in or around polling places. At the same time, local county clerks and election officials in Illinois have stepped up planning for various scenarios involving federal activity at the polls. Their options include deploying lawyers to federal and state court to seek injunctions and using local law enforcement to make arrests under state law.

* WBEZ | Inside Chicago’s not-quite-as-bad-as-before parking deal: The sale of the much-detested parking meter deal had to be approved by the City Council, and alders took the chance to sweeten the sour conditions of the 2008 deal. But what does that mean for you? And what did we get out of it? In the Loop break’s down what you need to know.

*** Cook County and Suburbs ***

* Sun-Times | ‘Broadview Six’ judge leaves door open to appointing special prosecutor: Perry will move forward with further fact-finding regarding potential prosecutorial misconduct in the case, with a special prosecutor still on the table. To maintain an adversarial process, and because the former defendants are no longer involved, Perry has named William Baude of the University of Chicago to act as amicus and provide an opposing position.

* Pioneer Press | Winnetka Community House near ‘Home Alone’ site launches $10 million fundraising campaign: That effort comes in the form of “Always Home,” a new $10 million fundraising bid to help finance renovations to the oldest part of the campus, the Legacy Building, according to the organization’s leadership team. Community House President and CEO Amy Skalinder told members at the Tuesday event this will include updates to its primary performing arts space, theater gallery and Pine Street entrance.

*** Downstate ***

* BND | Union members reject tentative contract agreement with Cahokia schools: Members of Cahokia Federation of Teachers Local 1272 voted Wednesday night to reject a tentative contract agreement that negotiators had reached with Cahokia Unit School District 187. This followed a “thorough and lengthy” review of the agreement’s terms, according to a Facebook post by the union.

* Illinois Times | Nehemiah Expansion breaks ground for fifth phase of affordable housing on east side: The $20.7 million in housing construction will fund the creation of 45 new two-, three- and four-bedroom homes for low-income tenants by the end of 2027. The work includes the demolition of deteriorating homes on lots acquired by Nehemiah and the city. When complete, the latest phase will bring the total number of new homes to 165 since Nehemiah’s first phase began in 1999 as an arm of Calvary Missionary Baptist and a vision of the church’s longtime pastor, the Rev. Silas Johnson. All of the Nehemiah phases are within six blocks of the church.

* WJBD | Salem Economic Development Director Resigns; Going to Jefferson County: Salem Economic Development Director Leah Dellicarpini is stepping down after three years on the job to become the new Executive Director of the Jefferson County Development Corporation. Both Salem Mayor Nic Farley and City Manager Lisa Peck are thanking Dellicarpini for her work. Peck is currently looking at the job description to make sure everything is lined out before the position is advertised. Farley says the city would not have been able to complete some of its successful projects without Dellicarpini. Dellicarpini plans to live in Salem and own Chico’s restaurant. The Jefferson County Development Corporation has been without an executive director since the passing for former director Tony Iriti in May.