|
City officials: ICE tactical teams on standby for Chicago deployment
Wednesday, Jun 11, 2025 - Posted by Isabel Miller * CBS Chicago…
* NBC Chicago…
|
|
Isabel’s afternoon roundup
Wednesday, Jun 11, 2025 - Posted by Isabel Miller * Politico…
* Tribune…
* WAND…
* Crain’s | State colleges are cutting back as funding falls and costs rise: Since 2010, Illinois State University has raised annual in-state tuition by nearly $1,200 as state funding tumbled 34% to $80 million a year. With a $12 million deficit this academic year, the university has suspended salary increases for faculty and staff, cut department allocations for travel and research and delayed capital improvements. “This was a shock to many on campus, because they never believed this could happen to us,” says ISU President Aondover Tarhule. * Daily Herald | New Illinois laws aim to make streets safer for bikers, pedestrians: The Micromobility Fire Safety Act (SB2247) will keep e-bike and e-scooter riders safer, especially anyone living above a bike shop. Let me explain. Whether manufactured, sold, or leased/rented in Illinois, SB2247 requires electrical systems and batteries of these mobility devices meet safety standards certified by an accredited lab. It also prohibits assembling/reconditioning rechargeable lithium-ion batteries from used ones. Components meeting standards are less likely to spark fires in garages, repair shops, or elsewhere. * Sun-Times | FanDuel eyes 50-cent fee on every Illinois sports bet, thanks to new state tax: They’ll start adding the $0.50 fee to online betting tickets Sept. 1, Jackson said — just in time for the gambling glut of a new NFL season. […] The budget package approved by the Illinois General Assembly May 31 calls for licensed sportsbooks to pay a tax of $0.25 for each of the first 20 million wagers they accept per year, then $0.50 for every bet beyond that. Those levies will take effect July 1, pending Gov. JB Pritzker’s expected signing of the budget. * WTTW | CTA Leader Warns of ‘Severe and Sobering’ Choices Ahead if State Lawmakers Don’t Come Through With Transit Funding: Speaking at the agency’s board meeting Wednesday, Leerhsen cautioned that there will be no changes to CTA service during 2025 and highlighted ongoing plans to boost frequency and adjust certain bus routes aimed at improving rider experience. But Leerhsen said the agency will soon consider multiple plans for next year: one based on Chicago-area transit receiving some $1.5 billion in annual state funding, as transit agencies, advocates and lawmakers have discussed; one that anticipates lawmakers only addressing the coming fiscal cliff created by COVID-19 relief money drying up; and one that anticipates no additional funding state funding, necessitating “draconian” service cuts. * Sun-Times | 17 arrested, 4 charged with felonies as thousands gathered for anti-ICE protests in downtown Chicago: A 66-year-old woman broke her arm in a hit-and-run when a red 2003 Kia Spectra drove through a group of protesters in the street, officials said. The victim, who broke her arm as the car fled the scene, was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital where she was treated and released, officials said. * Block Club | Uber Overcharged Riders Nearly $1.8 Million In Congestion Fees, City Records Show: The overcharges were paid to the city, which routinely collects the congestion fees from Uber. Now, Uber is asking the city to pay them the nearly $1.8 million back. “As is procedure with overpayments, we asked for a credit for future payments,” Uber spokesman Josh Gold said in the statement. The city’s finance department, which collects the surcharge fees from Uber, did not return a request for comment. * Crain’s | City Council members could soon have blanket power to ban Airbnb from their wards: An ordinance introduced by Far Northwest Side Ald. Anthony Napolitano, 41st, was approved in committee today with little opposition. It would give the local alderman the ability to ban short-term rentals on a precinct level in his or her ward. Residents and the companies could attempt to overcome the ban by collecting the signatures of at least 10% of registered voters in the precinct. * Sun-Times | A Chicago judge says an immigrant who was framed for threatening Trump can be freed: A Chicago judge ruled on Tuesday that a Mexican immigrant who was falsely accused of threatening to assassinate President Donald Trump can be released from a Wisconsin prison on bond. In federal immigration court, Judge Carla Espinoza said Ramon Morales Reyes did not pose a risk to the community. That contradicts a statement released by the Department of Homeland Security in late May, which accused Morales Reyes of authoring a letter that detailed a plot to shoot Trump. The statement included Morales Reyes’ photo and a screenshot of the letter he allegedly wrote. * Crain’s | American Bar Association defends role reviewing judges against Trump AG’s freeze-out: ABA President Bill Bay disputed the bias claims in a letter to Bondi, noting the ABA’s standing committee on the federal judiciary has given “qualified” or “well-qualified” ratings to at least 96.9% of each president’s nominees during the past 20 years, which includes the first Trump administration. “Your statements that the ABA is an activist organization and the suggestions that what the ABA may or may not support somehow permeates the ratings process are unsupported by the facts,” Bay’s letter said. * WBEZ | Are healthy Chicago trees getting the ax?: Schucher isn’t alone in noticing supposedly healthy trees being cut down in Chicago. But officials from the Department of Streets and Sanitation say the timber does not come down so easily. What might appear to be a healthy tree is likely dead or diseased and could be a hazard to residents. The health of Chicago’s urban forest goes beyond safety and aesthetics. Experts say the city’s tree canopy provides $416 million in benefits like energy cost savings, stormwater mitigation and air purification. However, the city has a wide tree canopy disparity, compounded by an old urban forestry system. In recent years, the city has sought to revamp that system and is working to improve how it manages its trees. * Crain’s | What’s next for the Hancock’s 95th floor? A new view is coming to the old Signature Room: 360 Chicago will become the city’s first multilevel observation deck, taking up the 95th floor in the former John Hancock Center at 875 N. Michigan Ave., as well as the 94th, which it currently occupies, the company announced today. The floor above will be turned into a private event space, envisioned as a premier destination for celebrations and corporate gatherings. * Tribune | Chicago Street Race adds Arby’s as major sponsor for July Fourth NASCAR event: Arby’s, which is new to NASCAR, is replacing Chicago-based McDonald’s as a major sponsor of the street race. In addition to race weekend visibility and promotions, Arby’s is offering chances through June 22 to win tickets to the Chicago Street Race at 47 restaurants in the city and suburbs. The unique event on the NASCAR calendar features an Xfinity Series race on July 5, and the nationally televised Grant Park 165 Cup Series race on July 6. * Daily Herald | Palatine Township mental health board appointed amid controversy: Referendum organizer Justin O’Rourke criticized the lack of transparency in the selection process, noting at least one trustee hadn’t received the names of appointees as of Sunday. “Do the trustees even know right now the names of the appointments that they’re going to be voting on?” he asked. * Aurora Beacon-News | Kane County Regional Office of Education Superintendent Patricia Dal Santo retiring: And, in her place, the Kane County Board appointed John Jonak at Tuesday’s board meeting to serve the rest of her term as superintendent. Jonak was originally set to serve as an assistant regional superintendent in the office, succeeding Deanna Oliver, who is also retiring per the Kane County Regional Office of Education. But Dal Santo, upon deciding to retire, recommended Jonak to the county board for the superintendent position, a spokesperson for the office told The Beacon-News. * Daily Herald | ‘A very good vibe’: New businesses discuss their moves to Schaumburg: Four businesses that recently moved to or are relocating to Schaumburg discussed their experiences Tuesday during the Schaumburg Business Association’s Mid-Year Economic Update. They ranged from Wheels, Inc., which manages 900,000 vehicles for clients in 58 countries from its new headquarters in the iconic Zurich North America building, to Sweet Reserve Cafe & Bakery, which chose the village’s Town Square for its fourth location. * Lake County News-Sun | Lake County arts website launched; ‘A place for the promotion and connection … to arts and culture’: ArtsLink North launched its website in early June for residents of Lake County and visitors to the area, giving them an opportunity for one-stop shopping for a wide variety of artistic and cultural events from Highland Park to Antioch, and Waukegan to Barrington. At the top of the website are eight headings — theatre and dance, music, film, visual art, literary, museum, family and festivals. A click on one of the headings, like theatre and music, shows “Hairspray” at the PM&L Theatre in Antioch through June 22. * Fox Chicago | Steve Carell to deliver Northwestern commencement address: Carell, known for his roles in “The Office,” and “The Morning Show,” will also receive an honorary Doctor of Arts degree during the ceremony. “Steve Carell is an absolute treasure, and I am thrilled he will be our commencement speaker,” Northwestern President Michael Schill said in a statement. “Steve is such a versatile actor, who brings humor and humanity to every role.” * The Telegraph | Jersey County treasurer sentenced for $58K theft from public funds: A former Jersey County Treasurer pleaded guilty and was sentenced Monday for taking more than $50,000 from the county. Katie Abbey, 37, pleaded guilty June 9 to theft by deception, a Class 1 felony, during a hearing before Sangamo County Circuit Court Chief Judge Daniel Wright. * BND | Metro-east solar company uses farmers instead of mowers to do their lamb-scaping: Utilizing the sheep comes with the benefit of establishing partnerships with agricultural entities, keeping local farmers and shepherds employed in non-traditional way, an official with Pivot says. While solar companies get a low-cost means of keeping their locations tidy, farmers get new grazing land for their livestock. “As farmers, we’re always looking to build our herd,” says Curtis Thompson, owner of Freedom Farms in Kinmundy in Marion County. “To do that, we always need new pastures. This helps provide that — it’s a win-win.” * WSIL | Carbondale federal building vandalized; FBI vows justice: Authorities said the incident occurred on June 10, when individuals gathered outside the entrance of the Senator Paul Simon Federal Building. During the gathering, some participants reportedly defaced the building’s exterior, and officials are currently assessing the damage. * The Hill | Two-thirds support policies prioritizing birth sex over gender identity: Gallup: Roughly two-thirds of Americans support policies preventing transgender people from participating on sports teams that match their gender identity or changing their sex designation on government documents such as passports and driver’s licenses, according to a poll released Tuesday by Gallup. * QuinniPac University | Majority Of Voters Oppose GOP Budget Bill, With Just 67% Of Republicans In Support, Quinnipiac University National Poll Finds; Trump Job Approval: 38%, His Handling Of Russia - Ukraine War Lowest Among List Of Issues: Nearly half of voters (47 percent) think federal funding for Medicaid should increase, 40 percent think it should stay about the same, and 10 percent think federal funding for Medicaid should decrease. Among Republicans, 21 percent think federal funding for Medicaid should increase, 56 percent think it should stay about the same, and 18 percent think it should decrease. Among Democrats, 69 percent think federal funding for Medicaid should increase, 27 percent think it should stay about the same, and 2 percent think it should decrease. Among independents, 47 percent think federal funding for Medicaid should increase, 39 percent think it should stay about the same, and 11 percent think it should decrease. * WIRED | A Political Battle Is Brewing Over Data Centers: A senior official directly involved in negotiations in the Energy and Commerce Committee told WIRED that restricting states’ rights over data centers, including the use of water, is not the intent of the moratorium—something lawmakers should have “communicated better.” Rather, the goal was to establish a framework for regulating AI models at the federal level and to avoid any confusion that might come with a patchwork of state policies. […] While the intent of the AI moratorium may not have been to regulate physical infrastructure, the reaction from Massie illustrates just how much of a hot-button issue data centers are becoming across the country.
|
|
Caption contest!
Wednesday, Jun 11, 2025 - Posted by Rich Miller
|
|
Pritzker set to face congressional questions on Illinois sanctuary laws
Wednesday, Jun 11, 2025 - Posted by Isabel Miller * CBS Chicago…
Click here for an Illinois Trust Act primer. Thoughts?
|
|
It’s almost a law
Wednesday, Jun 11, 2025 - Posted by Isabel Miller * Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias…
* WIFR…
* WTVO…
* Rep. Gregg Johnson…
* Rep. Thaddeus Jones…
* WCIA…
|
|
More Bears clickbait from the Tribune
Wednesday, Jun 11, 2025 - Posted by Rich Miller * Chicago Tribune…
Um, I’m not saying that the Bears are staying at Soldier Field. I’m just saying that Lake Forest is also where the Bears’ Halas Hall headquarters is located. All Bears players and coaches spend more time in Lake Forest than at Soldier Field.
|
|
Why Are Tax-Exempt Hospitals Getting Rich?
Wednesday, Jun 11, 2025 - Posted by Advertising Department [The following is a paid advertisement.] Across Illinois, big hospital systems and PBMs are abusing the 340B drug discount program – making massive profits while patients drown in medical bills. One whistleblower called it “laundering money.” Here’s how the scam works: big hospitals buy discounted 340B drugs, bill patients full price, then split the difference with for-profit pharmacies and PBMs. 340B was meant to help Illinois communities in need. But there are no rules requiring hospitals and PBMs to pass savings on to patients. No transparency. No oversight. Just higher costs for working families, small businesses, and taxpayers. Meanwhile, tax-exempt hospitals cash in – and PBMs get a cut too.
Comments Off |
|
Open thread
Wednesday, Jun 11, 2025 - Posted by Isabel Miller * What’s going on in your part of Illinois?…
|
|
Isabel’s morning briefing
Wednesday, Jun 11, 2025 - Posted by Isabel Miller * ICYMI: Feds to retry Sen. Emil Jones III after mistrial on bribery, lying to FBI charges. Capitol News Illinois…
-Back in her courtroom nearly seven weeks later, Assistant U.S. Attorney Prashant Kolluri told Wood “the government would like to retry the case.” - Scheduling a retrial won’t happen until next week, however, Kolluri noted that the judge may want to consider blocking off four weeks for the new trial “because there may be a few additional witnesses.” * Related stories…
∙ Sun-Times: Feds want new trial for state Sen. Emil Jones III Sponsored by Community Action for Responsible Hospitals * Governor JB Pritzker has no public events scheduled for today. * BlueRoomStream.com’s coverage of today’s press conferences and committee hearings can be found here…
* Crain’s | Rush, Lurie get state funds to beef up ability to deal with high-risk pathogens like Ebola: Under separate agreements, Rush will receive $900,000 and Lurie will get $600,000. IDPH said in its release the federal government maintains a national network of 13 Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Centers, but there are none in Illinois. With the closest being in Michigan and Minnesota, transporting Illinois residents to those centers “is both logistically and clinically challenging,” the release said. * Tribune | Troubled Cook County tech firm used insider lobbyist who was later convicted in ComEd corruption scheme: As a fledgling tech contractor looking to build its business in the insular world of Cook County politics, Texas-based Tyler Technologies turned to one of Illinois’ most well-connected lobbyists to get the job done. […] There is no direct connection between Jay Doherty’s work for ComEd and what he did for Tyler. Unlike Tyler’s efforts seeking contract opportunities, the ComEd case detailed a vast criminal scheme of bribery and influence peddling as part of the utility’s efforts to get legislation passed. But interviews and records about Doherty’s work for Tyler and details from his 2023 trial reveal striking parallels in how he repeatedly smoothed paths for both clients, including creating informal interactions at City Club events attended by government officials so the two sides could discuss business outside the office. * Capitol News Illinois | Despite setbacks, gun rights groups continue push to overturn Illinois assault weapons ban: In briefs filed Friday with the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, attorneys representing plaintiffs challenging the law urged the court to uphold the decision of a lower court judge in East St. Louis who said the law violates the Second Amendment because it bans weapons that are commonly used for lawful purposes like self-defense. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s office is appealing that decision, arguing that the weapons banned under the law such as the AK-47, AR-15 and other similar firearms are primarily military in nature and therefore are not protected by the Second Amendment. The state has until June 27 to file a response to the gun industry’s brief. The court is then expected to set a date for oral arguments, possibly later this year. * Tribune | Illinois Senate President Don Harmon faces potential $9.8 million fine for improperly accepting campaign cash: State election officials have informed Senate President Don Harmon that he will face more than $9.8 million in penalties pending an appeal of a case alleging he broke an Illinois election law designed to rein in big money in political campaigns. The calculation of the potential penalty emerged only days after the Oak Park Democrat attempted to pass legislation designed to wipe away the election board case and the potential penalties, a maneuver stymied amid bipartisan backlash only hours before the spring session adjourned early June 1. * WGLT | Central Illinois GOP lawmakers host online town hall to discuss the spring session: The town hall took place online on Sen. Sally Turner’s Facebook page. Turner was accompanied by Rep. Bill Hauter and Rep. Regan Deering, who each represent parts of McLean County. The lawmakers said they were disappointed with the final days of the session, citing the last-second discussion of the budget and the new taxes worth up to $1 billion. * Fox Chicago | Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker preps to defend sanctuary laws in front of Congress: The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing will get underway at 9 a.m. Chicago time on Thursday. The hearing will feature some of the most firebrand members of Congress, including Republicans like Marjorie Taylor Greene, Lauren Boebert, and Nancy Mace, as well as Democratic members like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Jasmine Crockett. * Ouch…
* The American Prospect | Chicago’s Public Transit Is in Limbo: Since the operators receive federal money, they will need to make cuts in accordance with Title VI, which mandates that any service changes don’t disproportionately affect people of color or low-income people. The operators will need to study which lines and bus routes to cut, and then hold public forums where community members can comment on the proposed changes. * Sun-Times | Car plows through Chicago protest as thousands rally in solidarity with L.A. anti-ICE demonstrations: Shortly after the car plowed through the crowd, it appeared to hit a woman who fell to the ground. Protesters gathered around her to offer help. Chicago police did not release information about the driver as of late Tuesday night, and it wasn’t immediately clear if anyone was hospitalized. * Crain’s | Rideshare pay ordinance faces crucial vote — and deep divisions — in City Council: The amended ordinance, scheduled to go before the Workforce Development Committee on June 12, would establish a $7 minimum payment to drivers for every trip. Drivers would receive $1.50 per mile and 62 cents per minute for every drive, with annual inflationary increases. The proposed wage formula would account for the time drivers are logged in to the app, waiting to be dispatched for a pickup. * Tribune | Alderman seeks power to ban short-term rentals from Chicago precincts: If a Far Northwest Side alderman gets his way, Chicago City Council members could gain the authority to block short-term rentals like Airbnb’s from popping up in their wards. Ald. Anthony Napolitano, 41st, is pushing forward legislation that would give aldermen the ability to unilaterally ban new rentals on a precinct-by-precinct level. The rental companies could overturn the bans by collecting signatures from 10% of the precinct voters, around 150 to 200 signatures, he said. * Block Club Chicago | Speed Camera Installed At Dangerous Intersection, But NW Side Neighbors Say It’s Not Enough: A speed camera has been installed at a dangerous Northwest Side intersection where multiple pedestrians have been hit in the past year. Neighbors, however, say slowing drivers down won’t solve everything. Arlene Luna opened Moonwalker cafe in 2022 at the intersection at Belmont and Karlov avenues, where the speed camera was recently put in place. Since opening the cafe, she’s witnessed several crashes at the intersection. * Sun-Times | Outgoing CPS CEO bids farewell to Chicago at graduation ceremony at his alma mater: The graduation ceremony for John A. Walsh, which Pedro Martinez attended, was held at Benito Juarez Community Academy, the high school he graduated from. “I want to thank the community and most importantly the district, which has given me so much,” Pedro Martinez said. * Sun-Times | Former Chicago cop Eric Tabb pleads guilty to aggravated battery: The case against Eric Tabb was highlighted in an Invisible Institute-ProPublica investigation that found that Chicago police officials have frequently failed to vigorously investigate allegations of sexual misconduct made against city officers. Tabb, 35, pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated battery in a public place, a Class 3 felony, and was sentenced to 30 months of probation. As part of a plea agreement, Tabb’s charges were reduced and he was required to enroll in a sex offender program. * Sun-Times | Planned Parenthood-affiliated group at DePaul is disbanded: DePaul told the organization, Planned Parenthood Generation Action DePaul University, that the university does not allow student groups to work with outside organizations “whose core missions are in direct conflict with the values and teachings of the Catholic Church.” * Block Club Chicago | As Top Street Fest Producer Closes, Lawsuit Emerges Over Handling Of Taste Of Randolph: The West Loop Community Organization filed a lawsuit in August accusing Star Events of underreporting revenue, inflating expenses and mishandling ticket sales for Taste of Randolph, one of the city’s best-known summer street festivals, which takes place Friday through Sunday. The lawsuit stems from public backlash over how the festival was managed, including concerns about how donations were collected, which has been previously reported by Block Club. * Block Club | Failed Crosstown Expressway Could Become Bike Trail Connecting Bucktown To Botanic Gardens: The 3.2-mile trail would follow a Union Pacific rail line and connect The 606 to the North Branch Trail. The freight rail line was once proposed for the Crosstown Expressway, which was successfully shut down by neighbors. * Block Club Chicago | XS Tennis Wants To Expand Washington Park ‘Tennis Village’ With Hotel, Apartments: Kamau Murray, founder and president of the XS Tennis and Education Foundation, has applied to rezone 5301-25 S. State St. in Washington Park to a “residential business planned development.” If the rezoning is approved, Murray — through XS Tennis and his Center Court Development LLC — would build a 51-unit apartment building with 28 one-bedroom units and 23 two-bedroom units, as well as a 125-room hotel, according to the application documents. * Tribune | Loss of over-the-air TV leaves some Chicago sports fans frustrated with new CHSN-Comcast deal: “As a result, it will cost me an additional $30 per month because I will need to change my TV service from ‘Popular’ to ‘Ultimate’ and pay the full RSN fee plus some additional tax,” Hedstrom said. “Will I do it? Yes, but I’m unhappy about it.” Getting on Comcast, and potentially reaching its one million Chicago-area subscribers, was nonetheless crucial for CHSN. * Tribune | Pitcher Grant Taylor becomes the latest Chicago White Sox prospect called up: ‘Everything I’ve dreamed of’: The Chicago White Sox officially promoted the right-handed pitcher from Double A to the majors on Tuesday. Taylor joined the Sox at Daikin Park ahead of the team’s three-game series against the Houston Astros. Reports of the move surfaced Monday. […] Taylor, 23, produced eye-popping results at Birmingham, where he had a 1.01 ERA, a .135 opponents average (including zero home runs allowed), 0.86 WHIP and 37 strikeouts in 15 games (six starts). He is the No. 6 prospect in the Sox system according to MLB.com. * Crain’s | Northwestern announces cuts, cost-saving measures as federal funding freeze hits home: Northwestern University’s leadership announced today new cost-saving measures in the wake of federal investigations and funding freezes that have hurt the school’s financial outlook. In a message to the Northwestern community, the school’s leadership said the new measures would include a faculty and staff hiring freeze, reductions in academic budgets, and a “0% merit pool with no bonuses in lieu of merit increases,” among other actions. * CBS | Child protection Judge Patrick Murphy responds to Cook County State’s Attorney ethics complaint over gifts to impoverished children: CBS News Chicago Investigators has obtained a communication from Judge Patrick Murphy, who serves on the Juvenile Court in the Child Protection Division, to Chief Judge Timothy Evans responding to an ethics complaint filed by the Cook County State’s Attorney against him for giving gifts to “abused and neglected” foster children who appear before him. In the communication, Murphy said he will stop giving gifts to children as the Judicial Inquiry Board investigates the complaint, and notes that the complaint – which he said he has not seen directly – stated that it is the state’s attorney’s office’s stance that it is unethical for him to give gifts to some children but not others. * Daily Herald | ‘Wake-up call’: Why some say DuPage County could benefit from home rule: DuPage County officials could revisit a discussion of whether to pursue home-rule powers in light of a controversial measure that emerged in Springfield to save public transit from a massive budget shortfall. County Board Chair Deb Conroy last month denounced a provision in a bill as a “cash grab from the suburbs.” One piece of that proposal would have clawed back millions of dollars in Regional Transportation Authority sales tax dollars allocated to the collar counties for transportation and public safety. * Sun-Times | Southern Cook County has long history of great high school basketball players: There are few programs across the state that can match the lengthy success Thornton basketball has had. The winning began with a 1933 state championship, and it really hasn’t stopped. There have been state appearances and state trophies won in nearly every decade since. * Daily Herald | Cosplay crackdown: Rosemont bans fake guns at fan fests: “With unfortunately — I hate to call them out — the anime folks that come around with these things that look real, we need to have some ability to regulate these things,” said Mayor Brad Stephens. The Northwest suburban town’s Donald E. Stephens Convention Center annually hosts popular fan gatherings where costumes and accessories are the norm. Police say they’ve gotten calls from people who mistake imitation weapons for the real thing in and around the facility. * 21st Show | Breaking down Meta’s deal with Clinton power plant: What does it mean for future of nuclear energy?: The Meta corporation, which owns Facebook and Instagram, one of the Big Five American tech companies — is looking to make an investment in Central Illinois. Meta recently signed a 20-year deal with the nuclear plant owned by Constellation Energy in Clinton, Illinois. An energy expert discusses the complexities of this agreement, what it means for the future of nuclear energy, artificial intelligence, and the region. * WCIA | ‘It is appalling’: Parents file lawsuit against PBL teacher, district, admin: A lawsuit is peeling back the curtain of what parents said their children faced while at school and practice in Ford County. It includes accusations of grooming and sexually assaulting kids for more than a decade — and the families feel the Paxton-Buckley-Loda School District didn’t do enough to stop it. * Dispatch Argus | Rock Island-Milan deputy superintendent placed on leave after unspecified incident: Rock Island-Milan’s deputy superintendent has returned to work after being placed on leave in mid-May. According to a letter provided by the district in response to an open records request, Jeff Dase was placed on administrative paid leave effective Monday, May 12, during an investigation of “an incident” that occurred on May 8. The letter did not specify the nature of the incident nor did it provide an end date for the leave. The investigation found he did not violate school board policies or laws and he returned to work effective May 31, according to documents provided to the Dispatch-Argus/Quad-City Times by Dase. * NPR Illinois | Meeting set for Third Street greenway project: Billed as a transformational project for Springfield, the 3rd Street Corridor redevelopment is another phase of rail relocation in the city. With train traffic being moved to 10th Street, the city wants to add a trail for walking and biking through the heart of the city and downtown. The proposed change, which Mayor Misty Buscher has dubbed The Linc, would connect the Illinois State Fairgrounds to the Interurban/Wabash Trail and include other improvements. * WCIA | Decatur entrepreneur among 2025 Illinois Manufacturing Hall of Fame inductees: On Tuesday, the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association (IMA) announced the 2025 class of inductees, which recognizes individuals, products and companies that have had a lasting impact on the manufacturing industry across Illinois. One of the people being inducted is J. Gerald Demirjian, a Decatur engineer and entrepreneur. Demirjian acquired the York Division compressor line in 1987 and started TCCI Manufacturing, a global innovator in compressor and thermal management technologies. From Central Illinois to customers across the world, TCCI has created jobs, driven innovation and strengthened communities. * WICS | Sangamon County approves juvenile transfer agreement with Cook County: The Sangamon County Board has unanimously approved a new agreement to transfer juvenile detainees to Cook County. The decision comes after the reopening of the Sangamon County Juvenile Detention Center, which had been closed for over a year due to a deadly inmate issue. Sam Cahnman, a board member from District 18, questioned the necessity of the agreement, saying, “We just opened our own detention center so why do we need a contract to place detainees in Cook County?”County Administrator Brian McFadden explained that the request from the juvenile detention center was to phase back the return of youth detainees. “This particular individual has been problematic, this is the only juvenile detention center in the state that will house him,” McFadden said. * WICS | Champaign Township Board okays $86,000 state-funded flooring for Strides Shelter: Strides Shelter first opened in 2022 with help from COVID-19 relief dollars. But once those dried up, shelter leaders looked to the public for long-term support through a tax referendum. Voters said no — not once, but twice. That left one big question hanging in the air: How would the shelter, which currently houses 74 people, continue operating? * PJ Star | Tensions arise over best affordable housing options for Peoria neighborhoods: The Peoria City Council was asked to approve a measure that would allow the city to accept $475,000 in state grant money to demolish vacant and dilapidated homes in the 61605 and 61603 ZIP codes. What was sparked instead was a debate about how to best use vacant land left behind from demolitions and whether or not multi-family housing was the best thing for those neighborhoods. * WGLT | Salvation Army in Bloomington hosts sleepover for cyclists pedaling 4,000 miles for cancer awareness: The nonprofit Texas 4,000 for Cancer is based at the University of Texas at Austin and hosts an annual charity bike ride raising funds and awareness for cancer research. The organization has been around since 2004. “We’ve been doing the world’s longest annual charity bike ride for the last 21 years,” said recent UT-Austin graduate and Texas 4,000 member John Kangos. * WAND | Artisan marketplace to pop up throughout the summer in Decatur: The event features over 20,000 square feet dedicated to vendors selling small-town treasures, antiques, and more. If you’re in a hurry for dinner while shopping, they also have food trucks and entertainment available for visitors. The market is designed for families, with a kids’ booth ready for the little ones. The market will take place every Tuesday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. throughout the summer. * Pantagraph | From the archives: Solo Sly Stone ‘just feels like workin’ again’: The actual “interview,” via telephone, was a long time coming and then lasted only about 30 fleeting seconds before Sly asked to be excused momentarily. That was the last we heard from him. The last we heard until Monday, that is. As if to make amends for the previous interview snafu, Sly, sans the Family Stone, stopped by The Pantagraph in the flesh to finish what had just barely begun about three weeks ago. * CNN | Trump says he plans to phase out FEMA after 2025 hurricane season: “We want to wean off of FEMA, and we want to bring it down to the state level,” Trump told reporters during a briefing in the Oval Office, later saying, “A governor should be able to handle it, and frankly, if they can’t handle it, the aftermath, then maybe they shouldn’t be governor.” * WSJ | X’s Sales Pitch: Give Us Your Ad Business or We’ll Sue: Late last year, Verizon Communications got an unusual message from a media company that wanted its business: Spend your ad dollars with us or we’ll see you in court. The threat came from X, the social-media platform that has been struggling to resuscitate its ad business after many corporate advertisers fled over concerns about loosened content-moderation standards following Elon Musk’s $44 billion purchase in late 2022. It worked. Verizon, which hadn’t advertised on X since 2022, pledged to spend at least $10 million this year on the platform, a person familiar with the matter said. * Reuters | Trump tax bill squeeze on clean power could raise energy bills: The bill, which is now being debated by the Senate, shortens the window for developers to start and complete new clean energy projects in order to qualify for a production tax credit (PTC) or an investment tax credit (ITC). Developers would have to begin construction within 60 days of the bill’s enactment and the project must become operational before the end of 2028 in order to access the tax credits. The inflation act stipulated these tax credits would be available until at least 2032. * NOTUS | House Republicans Found a New Way to Go After Abortion Access in Blue States: House Republicans added a last-minute provision to their reconciliation bill via a manager’s amendment that would block certain Affordable Care Act funds from going to state health plans that cover abortion services. There are currently 13 states — California, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Vermont and Washington state — with laws in the books that require insurers to cover abortion. If the provision becomes law, it could force state officials to choose between maintaining abortion accessibility and ensuring that residents maintain their health care coverage. After years of arguing abortion policy should be left to the states, some congressional Republicans acknowledged they want to have a say in what the states do — at least when it comes to funding.
|
|
Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Supplement to today’s edition
Wednesday, Jun 11, 2025 - Posted by Rich Miller
Comments Off |
|
Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today’s edition of Capitol Fax (use all CAPS in password)
Wednesday, Jun 11, 2025 - Posted by Rich Miller
Comments Off |
|
Selected press releases (Live updates)
Wednesday, Jun 11, 2025 - Posted by Isabel Miller
|
|
Live coverage
Wednesday, Jun 11, 2025 - Posted by Isabel Miller * Click here and/or here to follow breaking news. Hopefully, enough reporters and news outlets migrate to BlueSky so we can hopefully resume live-posting.
|
|
Isabel’s afternoon roundup
Tuesday, Jun 10, 2025 - Posted by Isabel Miller * Chicago Abortion Fund…
* Click here for some background on Tyrone Muhammad, who appears to be running for US Senate…
* The Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter…
* Inside Climate News | Shine On: Illinois Hopes to Continue Solar Boom Despite Federal Headwinds: A budget reconciliation bill passed by Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives in late May, now under consideration in the Senate, would gut nearly all the clean-energy incentives laid out in former President Joe Biden’s 2022 climate law, the Inflation Reduction Act. Among other cuts, President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” seeks to end a tax credit for home solar systems, an incentive previously slated for phaseout in 2034. * Healthcare Dive | Prime Healthcare cuts 100 roles at Illinois hospitals: Prime Healthcare is cutting more than 100 roles at eight Illinois hospitals it acquired from Ascension earlier this year, a company spokesperson confirmed to Healthcare Dive. Most of the reductions took place on Friday, while the remaining cuts will take place through July, the spokesperson said. The cuts impact fewer than 1% of the roughly 14,000 workers employed at the affected facilities — 13,000 that stayed on through Prime’s acquisition and 1,000 in newly created roles. * Tribune | Thousands of workers caught in middle of transit fiscal cliff talks: The Regional Transportation Authority has estimated that nearly 3,000 workers could lose their jobs if lawmakers don’t fund the transit system. The CTA alone could lay off more than 2,000 workers, acting CTA President Nora Leerhsen said at an RTA board meeting this year. “It’s a scary number to look at, and I hope we don’t come anywhere close to it,” Leerhsen said at the time. * Capitol News Illinois | Under bill, state highway cameras could be used to investigate human trafficking: A bill passed in this year’s legislative session would rewrite the definition of a “forcible felony” to allow Illinois State Police to use images obtained from automatic license plate readers in cases involving human trafficking and involuntary servitude. Automatic license plate readers are cameras that capture images of vehicle license plates. After obtaining pictures captured by ALPRs, state police software runs the license plate numbers through other law enforcement databases – including the National Crime Information Center, the Department of Homeland Security, the Illinois Secretary of State and National Amber Alerts. The software then alerts ISP officials when a license plate number matches one in the databases.
* Capitol News Illinois | ‘This issue isn’t going away’: Illinois lawmakers delay pension reform again: Lawmakers and labor unions have both expressed concern that benefits for Tier 2 employees – those who entered the public sector after 2011 – are inadequate and that some workers in that category are in line to receive benefits out of compliance with federal law. Tier 2 benefits are less generous than those received by Tier 1 employees, who also had to work only five years to become vested compared to 10 years for Tier 2, but the state constitution prohibits diminishing benefits for people to whom they have already been guaranteed. * Tribune | Aggressive ICE raids, CPD cooperation denounced at Lower West Side rally: Immigrant advocates rallied Sunday for an end to aggressive U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in Chicago and denounced the alleged cooperation of Chicago police in arrests made Wednesday. The rally, which drew dozens of people to a plaza at the corner of Blue Island Avenue and Loomis Street, follows nationwide protests during the past week over the Trump administration’s revamped mass deportation efforts. * Chicago Mag | CTA asking for feedback from Chicago commuters ahead of budget planning: The “CTA Chats” will be held throughout the summer as officials seek feedback from commuters on daily travel and improvements they want to see. The agency says it will use the feedback to plan for its upcoming budget. Tuesday afternoon, agency leaders will be at Union Station from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. to speak with riders. They will be at the Illinois Medical District Blue Line stop on Wednesday and at the Garfield Green Line stop on Thursday. * Tribune | Chicago could force Uber and Lyft to hike driver pay: Ald. Michael Rodriguez, 22nd, said his measure would make sure rideshare drivers make more than minimum wage and get paid when they wait for and drive to riders. But critics and the companies say the legislation will raise costs and could even put many drivers out of work. “While prices have increased for years, pay for drivers has decreased,” Rodriguez said. “Almost half the time, they are working, but not getting paid.” * Block Club | As Top Street Fest Producer Closes, Lawsuit Emerges Over Handling Of Taste Of Randolph: Star Events, the company behind some of Chicago’s biggest and most beloved street festivals, quietly shut down in January after nearly 30 years, and it’s now embroiled in a lawsuit in which a former client is accusing it of fraud, financial mismanagement and defamation. The event production company helped shape Chicago’s summer festival lineup, organizing major events like Taste of Randolph, Mayfest, Southport Art Fest, Midsommarfest and Clark After Dark. * WBBM | Steppenwolf’s ‘Purpose’ wins two Tony Awards: At the Tony’s, Jacobs-Jenkins credited much of the show’s success to Chicago. “I want to just thank the city of Chicago, honestly, who made this show what it was with their enthusiasm, who sent people here,” he said. “I encourage everyone to please support their local theaters. A lot of great stuff happens in New York but even more happens out in the regions.” * Block Club | Did You Get A Decades-Old Traffic Ticket In The Mail? It’s Not A Scam: Block Club spoke with a handful of Chicago residents who received notices about parking, speeding and other motor vehicle violations in recent months that date back as much as 15 years. Many said they had no prior knowledge of the tickets before the recent notices, prompting them to think they were receiving scam mail. But the good news — or bad news — is that the notices are actually part of the city’s Vehicle and Commercial Ticket Debt Relief Program, which began in April and allows residents to settle ticket debt without late fees if they pay by the end of June. * Chicago Mag | This Gen Z Congressional Candidate Is Actually From Here: There’s another Gen Z candidate running in the 9th Congressional District to replace retiring Representative Jan Schakowsky. Last month, we brought you the story of Kat Abughazaleh, the 26-year-old right-wing-baiting internet influencer who moved to Chicago last year and is already running for Congress in a district she doesn’t even live in yet. This month, meet Bushra Amiwala, a 27-year-old who has spent her entire life in Rogers Park and Skokie, and is trying to get to Washington from a seat on her local school board. * Naperville Sun | Police make another firearm-related arrest at Naperville Topgolf lot, total up to 12 for the year: Yezreel Salter, 26, of Lynwood, was taken into custody Friday night on one count each of felony aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon, transportation or possession of open alcohol by a driver and possession of 10 grams or less of cannabis. Officers were performing a proactive foot patrol of the Topgolf parking lot at 3211 Odyssey Court when they observed suspected drugs, open alcohol and a handgun in plain view inside a parked, unoccupied Dodge Charger, according to Naperville police spokeswoman Kelley Munch. * Daily Southtown | Summer closures of Thornwood and Thornridge high schools will bring $25 million in facility upgrades: Two Thornton Township High School District 205 schools are closed until July 28 for a combined $25 million in facility upgrades, including upgrading athletic fields and swimming pools. Thornwood High School in South Holland closed May 23, and Thornridge High School in Dolton closed last week. Superintendent Nathaniel Cunningham said Thornton High School in Harvey will not close, though work is ongoing for its new athletic field and renovations to its band room. * Daily Herald | How Bangs Lake project will improve drainage and reduce flooding in Wauconda: Long a concern in town, village staff in 2022 met with representatives of the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission regarding projects that could be candidates for a portion of $122 million in grant funding provided by the state. The village proceeded with design engineering to improve the chances of obtaining a grant, and last summer inked a pre-award agreement with the stormwater management commission for about $2.73 million. The final approvals and bid award came in February. * Naperville Sun | No unaccompanied minors, only clear bags at Naperville’s Last Fling this year: Put on by the Naperville Jaycees, the annual Labor Day celebration is scheduled for Aug. 29-Sept. 1. With less than three months to go, the nonprofit social service club announced in a Facebook post that the event will have more safety requirements than in previous years, some of which are being dictated by the city. Among them is a provision that attendees under the age of 18 be accompanied by someone over the age of 25. One guardian will be able to supervise up to five minors. * WAND | National Guard Captain campaigning for Congress in IL-13: Dylan Blaha, Democratic candidate for United States Congress in Illinois 13th congressional district, announced he will officially launch his primary challenge against Democratic Rep. Nikki Budzinski. “Democrats in Congress have rolled over and played dead. They are asleep at the wheel and they have failed to hold the Trump administration accountable. I will not allow Congress or the great state of Illinois to be a doormat for Donald Trump. As a military veteran and bold strategist, I am willing to take on this fight and push for the progressive values that will move our country forward,” said Dylan Blaha. * PJ Star | Washington amphitheater project off the table: Mayor was ‘caught off guard’: After months of controversy and debate, Washington will not see an amphitheater in its future, as the contentious plan to construct the $12 million venue has been withdrawn by the organization that proposed it. A letter was delivered June 2 to Washington city attorney Mark Walton from Bob Brown, a lawyer representing the Hengst Foundation behind the project, stating the foundation’s April 28 letter of intent to construct the amphitheater was being withdrawn and would have no effect. * WAND | 7,000 to attend FFA State Convention: As of Monday seven thousand students from across the state had registered for the convention which will be held at the BOS Center in downtown Springfield. The convention runs from Tuesday through Thursday. FFA is a premier educational and agricultural event. Although students do not have to be planning on a career in agriculture. FFA President Trenton Payne of Olney tells WAND News he will be going to Iowa State this fall. He hopes to have a career in agricultural engineering focusing on land and water resources engineering. * WAND | Urbana Parks executive director retires after 33 years with the district: During his tenure, Barlett oversaw numerous projects and innovative programs that enriched the lives of community members of all ages and backgrounds. The District stated that Barlett led with humility, compassion, and integrity—qualities that have earned him deep respect and admiration throughout his remarkable career. Rachel Lenz will be assuming Barlett’s position. * WSIL | Senator Dale Fowler announces Summer Reading Program: “This is a great way to encourage kids to keep learning over the summer while having fun and using their imagination,” Fowler said. “I hope kids throughout the 59th District embrace this summer reading challenge and that it becomes a fun and rewarding experience for everyone who decides to participate.” * WIRED | Tesla’s Robotaxis Are Rolling Out Soon—With One Big Unanswered Question: And yet, just days out from Tesla’s launch of its long-awaited (and much delayed) Robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, the public still doesn’t know much at all about its teleoperations systems. Tesla has posted a job related to teleoperations that states the role will be responsible for developing the application “that our Remote Operators use to interface with our cars and robots,” an application where these operators will be “transported into the device’s world using a state-of-the-art VR rig that allows them to remotely perform complex and intricate tasks.” * Crain’s | AMA opposes RFK Jr.’s dismantling of vaccine panel, seeks Senate investigation: The American Medical Association’s House of Delegates has adopted an emergency resolution opposing Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s move to gut the federal vaccine advisory council. Under the resolution, the nation’s top doctors association will seek a U.S. Senate investigation of his action, as well as other sources of vaccine guidance to support and rely upon. Kennedy, secretary of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, announced yesterday the department was totally reconstituting the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which makes recommendations on the safety, efficacy and clinical need of vaccines to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. * The Guardian | They hoped their children’s deaths would bring change. Then a Colorado bill to protect kids online failed: Had the legislation passed, it would have required social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and TikTok to investigate and take down accounts engaged in gun or drug sales or in the sexual exploitation or trafficking of minors. It also mandated the creation of direct hotlines to tech company personnel for law enforcement and a 72-hour response window for police requests, a higher burden than under current law. Additionally, platforms would have had to report on how many minors used their services, how often they did so, for how long and how much those young users engaged with content that violated company policies. Several big tech firms registered official positions on the bill. According to Colorado lobbying disclosures, Meta’s longtime in-state lobby firm, Headwater Strategies, is registered as a proponent for changing the bill. Google and TikTok also hired lobbyists to oppose it. * WIRED | What Tear Gas and Rubber Bullets Do to the Human Body: So-called “less-lethal” weapons like those that have been used against demonstrators in Los Angeles can cause severe, lasting harm like nerve or brain damage or blindness. They can also kill.
|
|
Is online sports betting lowering credit limits for all Illinoisans? (Updated)
Tuesday, Jun 10, 2025 - Posted by Rich Miller * InGame…
Click here for the press release. * Daniel Koslovsky and Prabhdeen Kaur writing in Crain’s…
* From the study mentioned in the highlighted passage above…
…Adding… Illinois Gaming Board…
|
|
Feds say they will retry Sen. Emil Jones III on bribery charges (Updated x2)
Tuesday, Jun 10, 2025 - Posted by Isabel Miller * Tribune courts reporter Jason Meisner…
This post will likely be updated. …Adding… Capitol News Illinois’ Hannah Meisel…
…Adding… Sun-Times…
|
|
Senate releases veto session schedule
Tuesday, Jun 10, 2025 - Posted by Isabel Miller * Veto session is scheduled for two weeks in October… 
|
|
Judge denies Madigan’s motion for new trial ahead of Friday sentencing (Updated)
Tuesday, Jun 10, 2025 - Posted by Isabel Miller * You can click here and here to follow the Madigan trial. Tribune…
* Sun-Times…
*** UPDATE *** Tribune court reporter Jason Meisner…
* WGN…
* Shirley Madigan’s full video statement…
Click here to read the letters of support for Madigan. * More…
* Sun-Times | Michael Madigan’s wife makes video plea to judge: ‘He loves me … I’m a part of him‘: Among other things, Shirley Madigan discussed the daughter she had before she married Michael Madigan — Lisa Madigan. Shirley Madigan explained how she used to put the now-former attorney general to bed with assurances that the child would see Michael Madigan when he returned from Springfield. Nevertheless, Shirley Madigan said she’d later find Lisa Madigan sleeping with a pillow and blanket near the door, so she’d “see him as soon as he came in.” * WTTW | Judge Rejects Michael Madigan’s Motion for Acquittal as Ex-Speaker’s Corruption Case Heads Toward Sentencing This Week: The longtime speaker, who for decades acted as the most powerful politician in Illinois, breezed into court carrying an umbrella and sat silently at the defense table throughout the hearing. Madigan was convicted on 10 counts in total, relating to his efforts to secure a valuable state board position for disgraced former Chicago Ald. Danny Solis and to the most wide-ranging of the alleged bribery schemes outlined by the government involving utility giant Commonwealth Edison.
|
|
RETAIL: The Largest Employer In Illinois
Tuesday, Jun 10, 2025 - Posted by Advertising Department [The following is a paid advertisement.] Retail creates more jobs in Illinois than any other private sector employer, with one out of every four workers employed by the retail sector. Importantly, retail is an industry in which everyone, regardless of credentials, can find a viable career path. Retailers like Jackie in Macomb enrich our economy and strengthen our communities. We Are Retail and IRMA showcase the retailers who make Illinois work.
Comments Off |
|
Too much, too late (Updated)
Tuesday, Jun 10, 2025 - Posted by Rich Miller * My weekly syndicated newspaper column…
* A few more…
* Daily Herald | Fighting for the right to die: Terminally ill Lombard woman continues push for medical ‘aid in dying’ bill: “I’m afraid I’m going to die before this (bill) happens (in Illinois). But I’m prepared for that,” Robertson said. * Tribune | Cook County property tax reforms stall out in Springfield: Legislative reforms to Cook County’s property tax system almost uniformly stalled this legislative session, halting efforts to give tax breaks to more seniors and those walloped with big bills, and to help people hang on to some of their homes’ value if they lose the properties because of unpaid taxes. …Adding… I forgot to post this release from the Clean Grid Alliance…
|
|
Why Are Tax-Exempt Hospitals Getting Rich?
Tuesday, Jun 10, 2025 - Posted by Advertising Department [The following is a paid advertisement.] Across Illinois, big hospital systems and PBMs are abusing the 340B drug discount program – making massive profits while patients drown in medical bills. One whistleblower called it “laundering money.” Here’s how the scam works: big hospitals buy discounted 340B drugs, bill patients full price, then split the difference with for-profit pharmacies and PBMs. 340B was meant to help Illinois communities in need. But there are no rules requiring hospitals and PBMs to pass savings on to patients. No transparency. No oversight. Just higher costs for working families, small businesses, and taxpayers. Meanwhile, tax-exempt hospitals cash in – and PBMs get a cut too.
Comments Off |
|
Open thread
Tuesday, Jun 10, 2025 - Posted by Rich Miller * Sly Stone has been one of my favorite musical artists for pretty much my entire sentient life. RIP… We got to live together Did you miss us?
|
|
Isabel’s morning briefing
Tuesday, Jun 10, 2025 - Posted by Isabel Miller * ICYMI: Illinois joins lawsuit against U.S. over triggers that can make semiautomatic rifles fire faster. Sun-Times…
- Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul said he would continue to enforce the ban on the devices through state law that bars owning them and other devices — such as bump stocks — that can also make semiautomatic rifles fire more rapidly. - Forced-reset triggers were previously considered illegal machine guns by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Forearms and Explosives, but the Justice Department reached a settlement with Rare Breed Triggers last month to allow their sale. * Related stories…
∙ WTHI: Illinois AG joins fight against Trump’s transgender military ban ∙ Press Release: Attorney General Raoul, State Attorneys General Continue Fight To Defend Birthright Citizenship Sponsored by Community Action for Responsible Hospitals * Sun-Times | Gov. Pritzker prepping for House committee showdown with help from top Biden attorney: The billionaire governor is paying for the services of Covington & Burling out of his own pocket. Dana Remus, former White House counsel to President Joe Biden, is among those helping Pritzker prepare for Thursday’s Republican-led committee hearing about immigration policies. Republican attorneys at the firm are also providing counsel, according to a source with direct knowledge of his preparations. * Justice David Overstreet and Ron Flagg | Defunding the Legal Services Corporation will significantly harm Illinoisans: Domestic violence survivors who need help getting a court order to keep their abusers away. Seniors who need peace of mind from a will and power of attorney. Veterans who need help getting Social Security. All of these Illinoisans may soon find it harder to get free legal help. The Administration’s proposed elimination of the Legal Services Corporation (LSC), which funds free legal assistance for Americans, would have disastrous effects on residents of central and southern Illinois. Land of Lincoln Legal Aid has been providing free legal help to Illinoisans in 65 counties for 53 years, and currently 20 percent of its funding comes from LSC. * NBC Chicago | Salmonella outbreak linked to eggs sold in Illinois, 8 other states leaves 79 sickened: A Salmonella outbreak linked to eggs that were sold to restaurants and retailers in Illinois and eight other states has left 79 people sickened, leading to 21 hospitalizations, according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. The recall was announced Friday by August Egg Company, and includes all varieties of eggs distributed by the company, including organic, cage-free brown and omega-3. * Tribune | State agrees to pay $1.3M for never-built migrant tent encampment despite Gov. JB Pritzker’s assurances: In response to questions about the apparent contradiction, a Pritzker spokesman maintained that “GardaWorld had no contractual right to payment.” Nevertheless, the state agreed to pay the company because “the situation evolved,” Pritzker spokesman Alex Gough said. Neither Pritzker’s office nor officials with the state Human Services Department would explain why the state agreed to pay if it was under no legal obligation to do so. * Tribune | Cook County property tax reforms stall out in Springfield: An overhaul of the county’s tax sale process spearheaded by Treasurer Maria Pappas was among the more prominent reforms to sputter out. Pappas’ legislation would have changed the way the county handles delinquent taxes to ensure those who don’t catch up on their property tax bills can still pocket some of their home’s value if it’s turned over to a private investor. The reforms would have swapped out the county’s current way of dealing with the sale of past-due taxes. Private investors — known as tax buyers — can currently win a deed to a home outright if a homeowner doesn’t pay up in a certain amount of time. * Daily Herald | Fighting for the right to die: Terminally ill Lombard woman continues push for medical ‘aid in dying’ bill: Deb Robertson isn’t giving up on state legislation that would give terminally ill patients like herself the option to end their lives with medical assistance. The Lombard woman, who was diagnosed with a rare cancer in 2022, has spent much of the last 2½ years lobbying lawmakers to pass a medical aid in dying bill in Illinois. The measure, which recently passed the Illinois House by a 63 to 42 vote, would allow terminally ill adults, like Robertson, an option in how they die. Under the proposed bill, a patient with six months or less to live could opt to take a prescribed medication to end his or her life. * Daily Herald d| Legislation regarding impact fees for schools on hold after clearing General Assembly: The state House approved the plan in early April, and the Senate did so May 29 with an amendment establishing it will be effective immediately. The amendment required another House vote, which happened May 31. The same day, however, Didech placed a procedural hold on the proposal to delay its delivery to Gov. JB Pritzker for his signature. Didech said he ordered the hold to allow village and school officials and Wirtz family representatives an opportunity to reset their conversation. It follows the election of a new mayor in Mundelein, Robin Meier, and the addition of three new trustees to the village board. * Block Club Chicago | Did Chicago Cops Help ICE During Mass Arrests? City Leaders Call For Investigation: Ald. Andre Vasquez (40th), who chairs the city’s Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights, introduced an order to City Council to determine if the actions of the Chicago police officers on scene that day violated the city’s Welcoming Ordinance. Chicago police officials said officers were on the scene to preserve public safety and did not violate the ordinance. On June 4, Chicago police vehicles and officers were inside and outside the Intensive Supervision Appearance Program office building at 2245 S. Michigan Ave. as agents arrested people, leading city officials and organizers to question whether the Chicago police officers were assisting ICE. * WGN | Broadview ICE facility faces scrutiny over alleged poor conditions, treatment: Over the past few days, families have been reaching out to WGN-TV raising concerns over the conditions inside an ICE processing center in Broadview. Those families are desperate for answers on what to do next since their loved ones were detained in the South Loop on Wednesday. The Trump administration’s border czar has acknowledged overcrowding at facilities is an issue, complicating their hopes to deport more people. * Crain’s | Brandon Johnson’s COO joins the Obama Foundation: Mayor Brandon Johnson recently backed off a plan to appoint Roberson to lead the Chicago Transit Authority amid the uncertainty over state legislation lessening the mayor’s control of the CTA and pushback from transit advocates and one of the mayor’s own appointees to the CTA board, who were calling for a broad national search. * Crain’s | Amid anti-DEI orders, Lori Lightfoot reflects on equity-focused pandemic response: Lightfoot, speaking at the seventh anniversary of hospital-community collaborative West Side United, said the story of targeting the hardest-hit communities, which had the fewest resources to deal with a rapidly spreading virus, is something she’s often asked about. She’s lectured on the topic as a public health professor at Harvard University, and it’s the subject of a book she’s writing. […] Before residents would listen to the city’s desperate directives about COVID, Lightfoot said, they had their own message: “This COVID thing, that’s fine. But we need food.” * Crain’s | Bally’s settles suit by white men over Chicago casino stake: “We are very happy with the resolution and Bally’s decision not to use race in this investment,” Dan Lennington, an attorney for the men and the AAER, said in a statement. “This case should serve as a warning to other companies that hope to dole out investment opportunities based on race. It is illegal and we’ll fight it wherever we can.” Lennington declined to comment on whether Fisher and Aronoff had purchased any shares of the offering since it had been opened up to other investors. * Crain’s | Downtown rents jump as supply pipeline dries up: The net monthly rent at top-tier apartment buildings in downtown Chicago jumped 6.25% year over year in the first quarter of 2025, according to new data from the Chicago office of appraisal and consulting firm Integra Realty Resources. High rents are expected to persist over the next few months as the market sees the number of new apartments delivered annually hit a nearly three-decade low. * Crain’s | The $860M lawsuit that’s looming over one of Chicago’s biggest cannabis companies: One of Chicago’s biggest marijuana companies — Verano Holdings — has a historically big $860 million lawsuit hanging over its head like a boogeyman. The case could inflate to nearly $1 billion in costs with interest, damages and attorneys’ fees if a worst-case scenario comes to pass, spelling major trouble for the multistate operator. The threat stems from a lawsuit, originally filed in 2022 by Minnesota-based multistate operator Vireo Growth, after a failed all-stock acquisition deal that year purported to be worth $413 million. Vireo currently has a footprint in Maryland, Missouri, New York and Utah, apart from its home state. * Sun-Times | Chicago’s kid carjackers: Inside the SRT Boys’ yearslong crime spree: They began their crime spree during the COVID-19 shutdown, a time when they were supposed to be studying at home because the city’s schools were closed. But, for many of these kids, there was nobody to call them back home, to check whether they were tucked into bed at night. Some of their parents were hustling, too, or in jail — or dead. * WTTW | Chicago Cracks Down on Nearly 200 Illegal Trash Pickups in First Months of Enforcement Effort: Private waste haulers were slapped with nearly 200 tickets for illegal, early-morning pickups during the first six months of a new enforcement. That’s according to records obtained by WTTW News from the Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation, which began coordinating the crackdown through a newly created 311 complaint category in October 2024. Trash and recycling companies aren’t allowed to make pickups in Chicago between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. For nearly two years, WTTW News has been tracking numerous companies flouting the law and documenting a tsunami of complaints from residents. * Daily Southtown | Aqua Illinois warns University Park, other communities of tap water risk for infants: Customers of Aqua Illinois complained Monday about the quality of water they receive from the utility and the company’s response to nitrate contamination affecting University Park and other communities. Aqua Illinois is advising customers not to use tap water for infants under 6 months old after recent testing showed elevated nitrate levels in drinking water systems. But at an Aqua water plant in University Park, where cases of bottled water were being distributed, some customers said they wouldn’t drink the water regardless. The complained of cloudiness in the water flowing from their taps, the smell and the cost. * Daily Herald | ‘We’re all in this together’: Hawthorn Woods looks for long-term water option: In Hawthorn Woods, Halvorson is among about 1,200 Aqua Illinois customers, the second-largest privately-owned water utility in the state. And for the foreseeable future, all are in the pickle of not having a viable alternative. […] About a third of Hawthorn Woods households get their water from Aqua, with about 300 of those customers receiving it from Aqua through a contract with Lake County. The rest in town are on wells and generally happy with that arrangement, Newton said. * ABC Chicago | Several detained in HSI operation at Elk Grove Village warehouse: Cook County commissioner: That building is operated by Accelerated Global Operations and SpeedX. “The manager told me everyone at that location has a worker’s permit. To my understanding, everyone who was detained was detained solely based on not having a physical copy of their work permit on their person today,” said Kevin Morrison, Cook County commissioner for the 15th District. Morrison says he arrived after employees were detained. * Tribune | Worried Northwestern lab directors describe ‘bleak’ atmosphere in wake of Trump research funding freeze: The Trump administration’s freezing in April of $790 million in federal research funding for Northwestern University has left concerned lab directors without key grant money from the National Institutes of Health and forced the university to spend millions to keep vital research afloat and to continue to pay graduate workers and scientists. Carole LaBonne, a professor of molecular biosciences at Northwestern, said the situation at the prominent research institution can only be described as “bleak” as the halt in federal funds continues to send shockwaves across the Evanston campus. * Daily Southtown | Former Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard does not have document demanded in FOIA lawsuit, attorney says: Henyard was required to appear in court Friday at the Daley Center in Chicago to produce documents requested last year by the nonprofit Edgar County Watchdogs that are public via the Freedom of Information Act. Cook County Judge Kate Moreland filed an order holding her in contempt May 23 for repeated violations of court orders. Though Henyard was called to testify, Henyard’s attorney, Beau Brindley, told Moreland she would not take the stand due to an ongoing federal investigation into possible misconduct during her tenure as Dolton’s mayor. Brindley confirmed after the hearing he is representing Henyard in the federal investigation. * Daily Herald | ‘While we still have time’: DuPage County ecologists working to save endangered dragonfly: But Ortega cautions against dismissing those efforts, noting the harm that can accompany the loss of a “keystone species,” on which the survival of other species and their ecosystems depend. Throughout history, humans have “found out the hard way how important one species can be, and we generally only find that out after the species is gone,” Ortega said. “The removal of one species can have catastrophic effects,” he added. * WTTW | Nearly 80% of Chicago-Area Forests Are Infested With Invasive Plants. Ecologists Urge Homeowners to Join the Fight: Restoration ecologist Matt Ueltzen can remember a time not that long ago when the Lake County Forest Preserve District had to more or less “hide” some of its most vital work from the public. Those were the days when, if people saw crews clearing invasive buckthorn, angry calls were sure to follow. Why was the forest preserves cutting down trees? “In the past, people would think that anything that’s green is good,” said Ueltzen. “Now I think people have come to realize there are some very invasive and damaging, harmful plants out there.” * Daily Herald | Rosemont buys former Ram restaurant building for $2.5 million: Village officials say they want to hold onto the property temporarily and resell to a new owner. “We don’t intend to own all of this forever,” said Mayor Brad Stephens. “We intend to sell it sooner rather than later.” * Daily Herald | Invasive, ravenous and hard to stop: Asian jumping worms on suburban gardeners’ radar: The invasive worm was found last year in at least 12 members’ yards, including Landwehr’s compost bins. Wanting to be good nature stewards, the club decided this year to follow horticulture experts’ advice to slow the spread: Don’t share plants. “In good conscience, we could not propagate these and spread them around,” Landwehr said. * WGLT | McLean County Board Executive Committee unanimously approves request for money for shelter village in Bloomington: HSHM is seeking $1.3 million in grant funding from McLean County behavioral health coordination. The full county board will vote on the proposal at its monthly meeting on June 12. McLean County Behavioral Health Coordination Director Marita Landreth joined Home Sweet Home CEO Matt Burgess to discuss the features and community benefit of the project — and its name. “We have chosen to name this shelter village, ‘The Bridge,’ as a nod both to its location on the south end of downtown [Bloomington] right before you come over the bridge to come into town, but also to indicate its purpose,” Burgess said. “And that’s to be a bridge for people coming inside to get out of homelessness and into a permanent housing arrangement.” * 25News Now | Some McLean County teachers say book banning can be dangerous for students: A small group of educators from McLean County’s largest two school systems, Unit 5 and District 87, rallied in Bloomington Saturday to speak out against banning books, particularly books about race relations and LGBTQ+ culture. In a tent outside Bobzbay Books in Downtown Bloomington, novels were on display that have been banned in other states, like “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” by Stephen Chbosky, “All Boys Aren’t Blue” by George M. Johnson, and “To Kill a Mockingbird,” by Harper Lee. Informational pamphlets were available explaining why educators are advocating for these books. * WCIA | Charles Isbell one step closer to assuming role as U of I Chancellor: The U of I Board of Trustees approved his appointment as the 11th chancellor on Monday, although he won’t start serving until current Chancellor Robert Jones finishes his term next month. Isbell is a former computer scientist and provost at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He didn’t go to the U of I as a student, but he said he’s long been invested in the school. * WCIA | Sangamon Co. Fair set to kick off, celebrating 75 years: The fair will begin on June 11 and will run until June 15 at the fairgrounds in New Berlin. Organizers said attendees can expect exhibits ranging from the arts to culinary to horticulture. * WaPo | Meta found a new way to violate your privacy. Here’s what you can do.: Apps on your phone are walled off from accessing your activity on other apps, including web browser apps like Chrome. Meta and Yandex found work-arounds. The techniques essentially were akin to malware, or malicious software that is surreptitiously planted on your phone or computer, Dolanjski said. Google said the behaviors of Meta and Yandex “blatantly violate our security and privacy principles.” * AP | RFK Jr. ousts entire CDC vaccine advisory committee: “Without removing the current members, the current Trump administration would not have been able to appoint a majority of new members until 2028,” Kennedy wrote in a Wall Street Journal opinion piece. “A clean sweep is needed to re-establish public confidence in vaccine science.” […] “Make no mistake: Politicizing the ACIP as Secretary Kennedy is doing will undermine public trust under the guise of improving it,” [Dr. Tom Frieden, president and CEO of Resolve to Save Lives,] said in a statement. “We’ll look back at this as a grave mistake that sacrificed decades of scientific rigor, undermined public trust, and opened the door for fringe theories rather than facts.”
|
|
Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Supplement to today’s edition
Tuesday, Jun 10, 2025 - Posted by Rich Miller
Comments Off |
|
Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today’s edition of Capitol Fax (use all CAPS in password)
Tuesday, Jun 10, 2025 - Posted by Rich Miller
Comments Off |
|
Selected press releases (Live updates)
Tuesday, Jun 10, 2025 - Posted by Isabel Miller
|
|
Live coverage
Tuesday, Jun 10, 2025 - Posted by Isabel Miller * Click here and/or here to follow breaking news. Hopefully, enough reporters and news outlets migrate to BlueSky so we can hopefully resume live-posting.
|
| « NEWER POSTS | PREVIOUS POSTS » |
