* ICYMI: Ex-Ald. Ed Burke about to become ex-con Burke. NBC Chicago…

- The NBC 5 Investigates Team has learned that less than one year after former Alderman Ed Burke was sent to prison, he is preparing to be sent home.
- Burke’s two-year sentence behind bars is set to end after serving less than ten months.
- Several sources with direct knowledge of his case tell NBC Chicago that Burke will be released from the Thomson federal prison in northwestern Illinois to a halfway house or, more likely, home confinement.

*** Isabel’s Top Picks ***

* WBEZ | Chicago indie filmmakers say the Illinois Film Office is causing them headaches: Prairie State Production Alliance — a group of 61 independent filmmakers and production companies — sent a letter to Pritzker last month in which it said the Film Production Tax Credit program is unfairly forcing indie filmmakers to go through bureaucratic obstacles and interpret rules that aren’t clear. They say the roadblocks have pushed some to decrease their film budgets, leading to fewer jobs, that others have canceled projects, and some are considering moving productions to other states and that these are all issues the tax-credit program was supposed to guard against.

* NBC Chicago | 3 Chicago-area hospitals with broken air conditioning as heat, humidity continues: Even prior to a heat wave that swept over the Chicago area beginning on Saturday, patients at Weiss Hospital in Uptown were affected by issues the building had with air conditioning, leading to the relocation of some patients to West Suburban Hospital in Oak Park. However, when temperatures soared this past weekend, patients began to suffer at West Suburban as well, with some rooms becoming extremely hot and requiring the relocation of patients.

*** Statewide ***

* WBEZ | On Dobbs anniversary, Illinois is more crucial than ever for abortion access: Last year, Illinois had around 35,000 out-of-state abortions. However, it is becoming increasingly more difficult for women to get timely abortion access, with two-to-three week wait times that can leave women in dangerous positions. Reset checks in with advocates about the current state of access – and demand – in Illinois.

* WTVO | Vaping is about to get more expensive in Illinois on July 1st: The tax on vaping products, cigars, chewing tobacco, and synthetic nicotine will increase from the current 15% to 45% of the wholesale price. The extra taxes are expected to bring in $50 million in revenue for the state.

*** Statehouse News ***

* WGEM | Tracy to run for re-election to the Illinois Senate in the 50th District: Tracy, who serves as the Senate Republican Whip, said she is seeking another term to continue fighting Gov. JB Pritzker’s tax-and-spend fiscal policies and to stand up for Illinois families against government overreach and burdensome mandates.

* Chicagoland Journal | Pritzker Administration Announces 2025 Affordable Housing Tax Credit Developments: The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) Board approved awards totaling $24 million in federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) and an additional $39 million in federal and state subordinate resources that will finance the creation and preservation of 16 affordable housing developments in 11 counties throughout Illinois. The LIHTC awards are expected to generate an estimated $180 million in private capital to support the development of 850 affordable homes for low- to moderate-income families, seniors, and veterans.

*** Chicago ***

* WTTW | After Objections, CPD Agrees Officers Will Not Search Vehicles Based on Smell of Raw Cannabis: Reform Groups: The coalition, led by the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois, “applauds” CPD for amending the policy in late May, calling the latest version “an improvement” that reflects an agreement reached in August 2023 that prohibits officers from “conducting an investigatory stop or search of an individual based solely on an officer smelling cannabis/marijuana without any other specific and articulable facts of criminal activity,” in a court filing made Monday.

* Crain’s | Push for mandatory security cameras puts City Hall at odds with biz and the ACLU: A measure introduced last week at the City Council requiring businesses in Chicago to maintain security cameras has drawn pushback from business groups and civil liberty advocates. The opponents of the measure say it’s overly broad, imposes burdensome costs on businesses, and gives the Chicago Police Department expanded subpoena authority. Introduced by West Side Ald. Emma Mitts, 37th, with 24 cosponsors, the ordinance requires all companies with a business license from the city to install security cameras focused on all entrances and exits, the public sidewalk near doors and their parking lots.

* Nadig Newspapers | Sale of ‘any cannabinoid hemp’ product to be banned in 41st, 45th wards on Chicago’s NW Side: The ban is primarily intended to help prevent minors from using products that include Delta-8 or Delta 9 THC, which contains compounds found in cannabis plants. These compounds can be found naturally from cannabis plants or produced synthetically. THC is an active ingredient of cannabis. However, under the ordinance the sale of these products will be banned to both children and adults. The ordinance doesn’t make it clear if there are exceptions, such as infused liquor products and other beverages that are sold only to those age 21 and over. Hemp beverages are becoming increasingly popular at retail shops and bars.

* WGN | TSA breaks record for busiest day ever at O’Hare: The Transportation Security Administration released a statement Tuesday that said Sunday, June 22 broke the record for most people screened on a single day at O’Hare. The stat was reflected around the country as TSA reports the day was also the busiest day nationwide. “Officers screened nearly 3.1 million individuals,” the statement said.

* Sun-Times | Hundreds attend visitation for slain CPD Officer Krystal Rivera: For Ariana Vilcins, to know Chicago Police Officer Krystal Rivera was a “privilege.” Vilcins, who taught Rivera’s daughter, described Rivera as a devoted and kind mother — qualities she sees reflected in 11-year-old Bella. “Krystal was 100% devoted to her child and wanted her daughter to have the best education, the best life and the most love that she could possibly have,” Vilcins said. “Bella is a cheerful, loving little girl, and it’s a result of the way she brought up her daughter.”

* Sun-Times | Griffin MSI’s new online collection lets visitors experience the 1893 World’s Fair — and more: The free searchable database will feature 7,000 pieces from the museum’s 35,000-item collection and about 1,000 images have been uploaded so far.

* Crain’s | New York’s famous Katz’s Deli is doing a pop-up in Chicago: The event is meant to promote Windy City Smokeout, the annual barbecue and country music festival held outside the United Center. The festival is planned for July 10-13 this year. Tickets to the pop-up event cost $45, which includes the price of the sandwich and sides.

* WGN | 12th annual Chicago Food Truck Festival returning to South Loop this weekend: The Chicago Food Truck Festival is returning to the South Loop on June 28-29, celebrating its 12th season with a nod to one of the city’s most iconic bites: the Chicago-style hotdog. The festival, held at 2300 South Indiana Avenue, will feature classic comfort food and innovative dishes from over 40 food trucks and local vendors.

*** Cook County and Suburbs ***

* Fox Chicago | Juneteenth flag dispute in Aurora sparks backlash against new mayor: Aurora residents questioned why the Juneteenth flag wasn’t officially raised, while a Pride flag ceremony earlier in the month was held as planned under the previous administration. Mayor John Laesch said he’s scaling back city-run flag raisings to be more fiscally responsible, instead encouraging community-led celebrations. The issue was addressed at Tuesday’s city council meeting, where residents spoke out; the mayor’s office says groups can still request flag raisings.

* Legal News | Man stays in jail indefinitely until pays ex-wife $10M: Appeals court: A 60-year-old man who has been held in the Cook County Jail for nearly three years despite facing no criminal charges will need to remain there, a state appeals court has ruled, because he can’t prove to the courts that he doesn’t actually have $10 million to pay his ex-wife, as a Cook County judge ordered him to do. On June 24, a three-justice panel of the Illinois First District Appellate Court backed the decision of Cook County Judge Michael Forti to keep that man, Steve Fanady, in custody under a civil contempt order.

* Shaw Local | Ex-Joliet Township trustee loses bid to dismiss pandemic relief fraud case: A former Joliet Township trustee must still face 16 felony charges accusing him of pandemic relief fraud and other financial crimes after a judge denied a pretrial motion that alleged prosecutorial misconduct.

* Shaw Local | Out-of-town shoppers pay more grocery taxes than St. Charles residents, finance director says: St. Charles and Geneva are two of the last Kane County municipalities yet still undecided, after Batavia voted in May to impose the tax, joining Algonquin, Burlington, Montgomery, North Aurora, South Elgin and Sugar Grove. The St. Charles City Council is expected to put the tax to a final vote at its July 7 meeting. City staff, in favor taxing groceries, have presented a local tax as maintaining the “status quo,” not enacting an additional, new tax on residents. City finance director Bill Hannah presented that view for the first time to officials during a recent Government Services Committee meeting. The committee supported the tax unanimously, though a Council vote still is needed.

* Daily Southtown | Mokena joins other towns in replacing state’s 1% grocery tax: The village of Mokena has joined numerous other municipalities in continuing the 1% grocery tax the state of Illinois will end Jan. 1. The Mokena Village Board voted 6-0 Monday to continue the tax that brings in about $850,000 a year, funding general services, “anything affecting public safety, streets, administration, those types of things,” Village Manager John Tomasoski said.

* Daily Herald | After 18 months of debate, Prospect Heights adopts rules for backyard chickens: The move still had its critics, but the crowd of about a dozen people who attended the city council meeting Monday was much smaller than those attending previous hearings on the issue. “People finally realized the council wasn’t saying no to chickens,” Mayor Patrick Ludvigsen said. Advocates of the rules said the practice could no longer exist in the city without some restrictions. Building and Development Director Dan Peterson said resident complaints that surfaced in October 2023 couldn’t be ignored, leading city staff and the council to take action.

* Crain’s | Three suburban Mariano’s set to close: “This closure is part of a larger company-wide decision to run more efficiently and ensure the long-term health of our business,” Amanda Puck, vice president of communications and brand development for Kroger’s Mariano’s and Roundy’s divisions, said in a statement. Cincinnati-based Kroger acquired Mariano’s former parent company, Milwaukee-based Roundy’s, in 2015. Roundy’s is now a subsidiary of Kroger.

*** Downstate ***

* News-Gazette | Tolono board OKs ordinance holding parents responsible for kids’ unlawful acts: Village President Terrence Stuber said the board is frustrated by antics of a few scofflaws and want to take a proactive approach in hopefully remedying the situation. “There has been a lot of juvenile mischief and vandalism throughout our community, and some board members were fed up with it,” Stuber said. “They were fed up with the vandalism at the park; they were fed up with the attempts to break into people’s cars, all of the disturbing of the peace that has been going on by (minors).”

* WGLT | With location secured, shelter village in Bloomington is on track to open for winter: “We will get construction started as soon as humanly possible,” Burgess said. Burgess said he has already begun speaking with the general contractor and has submitted permits to the City of Bloomington. Even with the lot purchased and a behavioral health grant secured, funds are still needed to build The Bridge. Burgess said in the coming weeks HSHM will launch a “Build The Bridge” campaign, asking the community for donations.

* WGN | First human West Nile Virus case confirmed in Illinois: Illinois had its first confirmed human case of the West Nile Virus of the year Tuesday, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The confirmed case is an individual from southern Illinois who was hospitalized due to complications of the infection.

* WSIL | SIH breaks ground on new $19.9 million Mulberry Center in Harrisburg: The project will increase inpatient capacity from 30 to 42 beds, including 12 private rooms. It will also feature modern healing spaces with renovated Adult and Geriatric Psychiatry wings, updated communal areas, and a refreshed outdoor courtyard. The facility will also provide specialized medical-psychiatric care for patients with both medical and psychiatric needs. Enhanced care programs will include expanded group therapy, therapeutic activities, crisis care, and improved follow-up care after discharge.

* BND | More than 3,000 lost power in Fairview Heights area at height of afternoon heat: Brian Bretsch, public relations manager for Ameren, a power line pole malfunctioned and fell on top of another power line, causing the outage. The utility has reroute power to all but 111 customers by 4 p.m., Bretsch said. Power was restored to all customers by 5:35 p.m., he said.

* WGLT | Airbnb owner: Normal’s coming ban is an ‘overcorrection,’ and there are better options: The Normal Town Council banned new short-term rentals [STRs], such as Airbnb and Vrbo, and will require owners of existing STRs to convert them to long-term rentals within five years. That’s aimed in part at addressing noise, parking and other complaints that may result from allowing what’s essentially a business in a single-family neighborhood. “As it stands today, I think it’s an overcorrection,” said Marie Poundstone, who manages four STRs in the area under the name Bloomington Retreats, including one in Normal. “I am hoping they’re going to look through data and try to figure out a better option.”

* WTVO | ‘I could be dead,’ Rockford teenager reflects on traumatic experience after hit-and-run: “I could just see this car coming towards me, and I didn’t have enough time to react, and it just hit me.” Hunt said she flew into the air before landing on nearby grass. She said her bruises are fresh, but she is grateful to still be here today. “It was very hard riding in the back of the ambulance,” Hunt said. “So many thoughts were racing through my mind. I’m just glad to be alive, because if I was a second later, I could be dead.”

* WICS | Lincoln enlists former Pontiac mayor to boost Route 66 tourism efforts: As Central Illinois gears up for the Route 66 Centennial, the city of Lincoln is turning to a former mayor to spearhead its tourism efforts. Scott McCoy, who previously served as mayor of Pontiac, has been appointed as Lincoln’s new director of tourism. McCoy is credited with elevating Pontiac to one of the top three Route 66 tourist destinations in Illinois, a success Lincoln officials hope to replicate. “We can only hope to be as successful as Pontiac, but they’ve been at it for a lot longer, so we have to start somewhere,” said Lincoln Mayor Tracy Welch.

* WSIL | Judge closes Williamson Co. hunting club for 2 years; two ordered to pay fines: Hugh Thomas Burns Jr., 67 of Carbondale, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the Lacey Act. The attorney’s office said, as the owner of Burns Hunting Club, LLC, Burns was involved in the sale of wildlife in violation of federal law. […] Court documents stated the hunting club sold memberships and provided paid guiding services on its property to migratory bird hunters. Burns and co-defendant Michael McKinney, 52 of Benton, were both accused of providing guided services over illegal baited hunting fields.

* WCIA | New childcare facility filling a void in Christian Co.: Monday morning, they celebrated their ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Assumption community childcare center. “And it’s been really exciting because it’s been such a buildup and our communities, both communities, and all the surrounding ones really have really needed this,” said Aimee Younker, childcare teacher. “And so, it’s been such an excitement to watch it grow.” Fundraising efforts include more than $300,000 raised to open their doors. Younker has four children of her own and she said she remembers when it was hard to find childcare herself.

* WGLT | Chicago teen charged in shooting at ISU’s Bone Student Center: Thomas is accused of shooting another person April 27 outside a sorority event being held at the Bone Student Center. The victim, who was not a student, was injured but survived. ISU Police said Thomas has “no affiliation with Illinois State University” other than being at the Bone that night. Police released security-camera photos of someone they subbed a “person of interest” within a day of the shooting. It’s unclear how long Thomas has been the suspect but remained at large.

*** National ***

* USA Today | ‘Killer bees’ keep spreading (and killing) across the US: In the last three months alone, a man mowing his property died after a bee attack, three people were taken to the hospital after tree trimmers disturbed a colony, hikers ran a mile to get away from an agitated hive and a woman and bees spooked by a lawn mower swarmed three horses. The horses later died from “thousands” of stings, their owner said. Scientists say the bees’ temperament is a defense mechanism to ward off predators – and note that because honey bees die after stinging, they are sacrificing themselves to protect their colony. But to unsuspecting humans, killer bees sure seem aggressive, spiteful and terrifying.

* WTTW | Advocates Say ‘Really Vulnerable Lives’ at Stake as Trump Administration Moves to Shutter LGBTQ+ Suicide Prevention Line: According to the latest data from SAMHSA, more than 14.5 million people have called, texted or sent chats to the 988 Lifeline and have been transferred to a crisis contact center since July 2022. Nearly 1.3 million of those were routed to the LGBTQ+ specialized service. “We know LGBTQ youth are four times more likely to commit suicide than their youth counterparts,” said Precious Brady-Davis, a commissioner for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago. “Youth deserve people who understand what it’s like to come out. It’s support services, it’s resources, it’s comfort, it’s someone telling them it’s OK to be who you are.”

* Cannabis Business Times | US House Committee Approves Bill to Close THCA ‘Loophole,’ Ban Intoxicating Hemp Products: The House Appropriations Committee voted along party lines, 35-27, on June 23 to approve the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill. The 138-page spending bill includes more than $25 billion in discretionary allocations to address myriad issues facing U.S. farmers, ranchers and rural communities. In addition to focusing on America’s food and drug supply, this year’s bill also includes language to rewrite the rules around hemp-derived cannabinoid products. The provision aims to address what elected officials and law enforcement groups nationwide have increasingly viewed as a public health and safety concern in the aftermath of the 2018 Farm Bill’s federal legalization of industrial hemp cultivation. The 2018 Farm Bill regulates hemp as an agricultural commodity but not finished goods containing the plant’s derivatives.

* Sports Illustrated | California’s Anti-Sweepstakes Bill Could Shake Up Online Gaming And Fantasy Sports: California is moving in lockstep with states like New York and Louisiana, proposing legislation that would make it illegal to support, facilitate, or promote sweepstakes-style online casinos. That means no wiggle room for payment processors, game suppliers, platforms, or even high-profile influencers who back them. If passed, California would join Connecticut and Montana in formally banning these operations.