* ICYMI: Evanston, Oak Park end contracts with Flock Safety, license plate reader company under investigation in Illinois. ABC Chicago…

- On Monday, Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias said readers operated by the privately owned Flock Safety were illegally sharing license-plate data with the feds.
-”Company leadership was unaware of a pilot program with the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Protection Agency. This put them in direct violation of Illinois law,” Giannoulias said.
- Flock’s attorney said the company is making changes, adding safeguards, and has stopped sharing data with federal agents through Illinois.
- Giannoulias also said other companies in Illinois, like Flock Safety, are subject to the same audits. He would not reveal if there are companies under investigation for similar data sharing

* Related Stories…

• Daily Southtown: Homer Glen reconsiders license plate reader cameras amid state scrutiny of company
• WCIA: Central IL leaders weigh pros and cons of license plate data amid state concerns
• Oak Park Journal: After Oak Park cut ties, state says Flock Safety broke the law

* Governor Pritzker will visit Wagoner Elementary School in Sauk Village at 11:00 am to kick off the school year. Click here to watch.

*** Isabel’s Top Picks ***

* SJ-R | County: Man wanted in murder of Emma Shafer in Springfield apprehended in Mexico: A Mexican national wanted in connection with the 2023 murder of a well-known Springfield activist and community organizer has been apprehended in Mexico. Sangamon County State’s Attorney John Milhiser, the Springfield Police Department, and the U.S. Marshals Service announced via a news release on Aug. 28 that Gabriel Calixto-Pichardo, 27, was caught. Calixto-Pichardo was indicted by a grand jury on three counts of first-degree murder and one count of aggravated domestic battery for the fatal stabbing of Emma Shafer, 24, at her apartment in the 1000 block of South Eighth Street on July 11, 2023.

* Sun-Times | Chicago activists decry Trump threats to send National Guard, call on O’Neill Burke to refuse to cooperate: When asked to respond to the activists’ criticisms, a spokesperson for O’Neill Burke referred the Sun-Times to a statement released by Illinois leaders, including a quote from O’Neill Burke which “states our position clearly.” O’Neill Burke attended a press conference Monday with other Illinois Democrats rejecting the plan to sent troops, but didn’t speak. “The State’s Attorney was proud to stand alongside several dozen other Illinois political, civic, and business leaders on Monday afternoon to oppose the deployment of federal troops to Chicago,” an O’Neill Burke spokesperson said.

* Tribune | The National Guard has been activated to Chicago 18 times from 1877-2021. Here’s a breakdown: “The Pullman Strike (1894) and Railroad Strike (1877) were both considered state active duty,” said Adriana Schroeder, command historian for the Illinois National Guard. “Both of those involved the union, spread throughout the United States, and drew the attention of the president who was in close communications with the governors of the affected states.” On occasion, state and city officials have disagreed if a National Guard response was warranted.

*** Statehouse News ***

* WBEZ | Trump administration threatens state funding unless ‘gender ideology’ content yanked from sex ed curricula: Illinois is one of 46 states and territories that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has put “on notice” to “remove gender ideology content from sex ed materials” used in its Personal Responsibility Education Program, or IPREP as it’s shortened in Illinois. A spokesperson for Gov. JB Pritzker’s administration characterized the demand as a “cruel attack” against transgender youth. The program, created by federal statute, targets teens in low income or otherwise disadvantaged areas with education about abstinence, contraception, pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections and more. It also focuses on adulthood preparation in areas like life skills and financial literacy.

* Capitol News Illinois | Gun rights groups ask U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Cook County assault weapons ban: The Firearms Policy Coalition and the Second Amendment Foundation filed a petition with the court Wednesday, asking it to reverse the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. In June, the 7th Circuit said plaintiffs in the case had shown no reason for the court to reverse its own precedents that have upheld assault weapons bans, including a 2019 decision upholding the Cook County law. The petition was filed on the same day two children were killed and 17 other individuals were injured in a mass shooting at a Catholic church in Minneapolis. As of Thursday, authorities had not yet publicly identified the specific weapons used in that shooting, only to say one of them was a rifle.

* WSPY | Upcoming fall veto session could include discussion on publicizing energy usage by data centers: 84th District State Representative Stephanie Kifowit says lawmakers are gearing up for some big discussions when the fall veto session takes place in Springfield. One major talking point will be energy, including a focus on the energy usage of data centers. Kifowit says Senate Bill 2181, which was introduced during the spring session, would require data centers across the state to disclose the amount of water and electricity that they use annually to the Illinois Power Agency. She says many of these data center companies are signing non-disclosure agreements with municipalities, which does not allow for transparency with the public regarding how much of their natural resources are being used at these facilities.

* WAND | Illinois to launch student chronic absence task force to examine ongoing impact of COVID-19 pandemic:
The state’s previous attendance commission’s work ended in December 2020, but lawmakers intended to bring a task force back to better understand the ongoing impact of the pandemic. “Since then, chronic absenteeism has remained at historically high levels, particularly amongst early learners, students from low-income households, students with disabilities, multi-lingual learners and those experiencing homelessness,” said Rep. Michael Crawford (D-Chicago).

*** Chicago ***

* Chalkbeat Chicago | CPS adopts $10.2 billion budget without high-cost loan for pensions: King, who previously worked in the mayor’s office and is a former teacher and principal, is the second schools chief who has stood by a budget that refrains from short-term borrowing to balance it. Defying Johnson on the issue contributed to the firing of her predecessor, Pedro Martinez, by a Johnson-appointed board last school year. King’s administration and its supporters on the school board argued that the district shouldn’t add to its massive debt burden that drains away hundreds of millions of dollars meant to educate students each year. At Thursday’s school board meeting, King urged the board to pass her original budget blueprint, saying it reflected extensive input from parents and vowing to continue advocating for more revenue for CPS.

* Tribune | Chicago school board approves budget without controversial $200 million loan: “Some of us, including myself, grew up poor, but that doesn’t give us the right to make poor decisions,” said Che Rhymesfest of District 10A on the South Side. This year, unlike last fall when tension rose, the mayor — a former teachers union organizer — had more influence over the budget’s future. Besides having the majority of board members’ support, Mayor Johnson also appointed interim CEO Macquline King, a former city employee, to helm the challenging budget decision. But in recent weeks, she, like Martinez, had pushed back on the $200 million borrowing scenario proposed by Johnson. On Thursday, King sat, poised, and delivered a speech that recognized the political intensity and also the importance of the budget process for hundreds of thousands of children and parents in Chicago.

* SEIU Local 73…

“SEIU Local 73 thanks the 12 CPS Board of Education members who stood with the workers and the students in passing Interim CEO Dr. Macqueline King’s balanced budget.

We continue to join our sister union SEIU Local 1 in calling for the return to full employment of the 1,200 custodians that are slated for layoff. We will continue to fight for them regardless of age, regardless of residency, regardless of education. We will fight with everything we have including our vote.

We also want to thank the 30 City Council members who called on the Board to pass Dr. King’s balanced budget and for a just transition for the custodians. Their willingness to support TIF surplus funds to balance the city and CPS budgets sent a clear message to the Board that we are all in this together.

We remain committed to working closely with Dr. King, the Board of Education, Mayor Johnson, Chicago City Council, Governor Pritzker, and the Illinois State Legislature to secure sustainable funding for Chicago’s children—without compromising our members’ livelihoods.

* Tribune | HUD asks Chicago Housing Authority to delay Walter Burnett CEO hire until review of potential conflicts of interest: The move was in response to a letter interim CHA Board Chair Matthew Brewer sent to the federal agency Wednesday that outlined Burnett’s potential conflicts. The same day it sent the letter, the CHA board scheduled a special meeting for Tuesday to appoint the new CEO, according to its board meeting schedule. HUD officials told CHA the federal agency is currently evaluating the contents of the letter and that it already has some concerns. HUD will need some time to review CHA’s letter and formally respond, the official said, as the local general counsel office must review the CHA’s letter.

* Tribune | Pilsen Mexican Independence Day parade to go on despite President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown: ‘We are not going to be stopped’: But Lugo said organizers are not worried that immigration enforcement efforts will affect next weekend’s events because the parade isn’t “an act of violence or aggression,” rather an event to “celebrate our traditions.” She said organizers are putting extra security measures in place for the parade, including placing volunteers along the parade route who will communicate if they see immigration agents. The Chicago Police Department will also help ensure safety, she said. She said they expect about 3,000 spectators to attend.

* Crain’s | Layoffs and budget cuts hit University of Chicago: In messages to the school’s faculty and students, leaders laid out a plan to reduce expenses by $100 million, which includes measures such as staff reductions through layoffs and retirements, pauses on certain master’s and PhD admissions, reduction in spending on capital projects and other administrative cuts. The spending plan comes as the school deals with the fallout from years of budgetary shortfalls and as the Trump administration cuts federal funding for research and grants nationally. UChicago posted a $288 million operational deficit in its fiscal year ending in 2024, making it more than a decade since it has been in the black.

* WBEZ | Violence intervention worker didn’t even know dream job existed when she was locked up: Baines didn’t know the job existed until after she was released from prison. Her lawyer connected her to someone from the agency by chance. The expansion of violence intervention groups in Chicago over the last decade has created a career path for people like Baines, whose records make it harder for them to get a job elsewhere. It’s a career Baines didn’t know existed — but says she feels like she was made for. “I knew I had a dream to help people, but I never knew that this was where it would lead me.”

*** Cook County and Suburbs ***

* Lake County and North Chicago leaders are holding an 11 am press conference to reject Trump’s use of Naval Station Great Lakes…

On Friday, August 29, local leaders from North Chicago and Lake County will join together to reject Trump’s military operation of fear and division, and say NO to the staging of military and immigration enforcement personnel in Lake County or anywhere in Illinois.

“Trump’s impending operation in Illinois, with Great Lakes Naval Station as its starting point, is meant to separate families and scare our communities into complying with his hateful agenda – but here in Lake County we’re coming together to reject Trump’s efforts,” said Dulce Ortiz, Executive Director of Mano a Mano Family Resource Center, and President of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. “Federal resources should be going towards healthcare, violence prevention, and proven programs that lift up all communities, not a military occupation and family separation. In North Chicago and Lake County, we’re pushing back against Trump’s agenda and sharing the message that organized communities are safer communities.”

* Daily Southtown | Country Club Hills District 160 suspends Superintendent Duane Meighan for second time in 2 months: About a month after voting to suspend Superintendent Duane Meighan for 10 days, the Country Club Hills Elementary District 160 board on Wednesday decided to suspend him again, this time indefinitely and without pay. The vote came after a prolonged closed meeting where board President Sharon Mack said the board members discussed their reasoning for Meighan’s most recent suspension. In response to a Daily Southtown Freedom of Information Act request received on Aug. 13, the district said no formal disciplinary action had been taken against Meighan prior to his July suspension. […] Meighan has been a target of district parents’ strife as the district uncovers massive spending on board member conference travel, including more than $25,000 spent in 2024 alone, according to a Daily Southtown analysis of district financial records.

* Elgin Courier-News | Elgin backs off most of its demands on DNA, approves 3-year contract: The Elgin City Council has approved a new three-year contract with the Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin, including provisions that they must hire a consultant to explore new revenue sources and conduct an audit within a year. DNA had submitted a contract similar to the previous three-year deal that expired in June. The $180,300 deal — Elgin funds about 64% of the nonprofit’s overall budget — included 3% increases in the second and third years.

* Tribune | Evanston Library union workers protest proposed city, library split: As the Evanston Public Library Board of Trustees considers splitting off the library from the City of Evanston and becoming its own library district, union workers representing close to 100 library employees staged a protest Aug. 20, marching from Fountain Square to the library airing their grievances over a proposal that they say could cut library employee positions, as well as employees’ benefits and hours. The Library Board president said the library will not make such cuts, and is considering splitting off because it is not receiving adequate administrative and financial support from the City. Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss said he opposes a split and wants to keep the library part of city government.

*** Downstate ***

* WGLT | Jurgens: Community policing is not at risk by pulling BPD out of immigration event: In an interview with WGLT, city manager Jeff Jurgens said the decision was an isolated incident, primarily related to a promotional flyer suggesting BPD could advise residents on what to do during an Immigration and Customs Enforcement [ICE] raid in McLean County. “I’ve spoken with the pastor from that church, and I don’t think there was any ill intent—I’m sure there was not,” Jurgens said. “But the way it was presented, it really looked like we were going to be speaking at a political event and on something we simply do not speak on and don’t get involved in.”

* WSIL | Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker in Gallatin County for groundbreaking on a new river terminal: SGI President Patrick Scates says the Old Shawneetown location will ultimately be more cost-effective for local farmers in the long run “It will be moving fertilizer for farmers and regional retailers. Most of the fertilizer leaving here, probably 75% of it, will go straight to the field. It will have a high-speed blending system in it, and that’s going to save money for the farmers,” Scates said. The future structure will be located on the site of a former loading dock, previously used for coal and now set for fertilizer distribution.

* KWQC | Quad-City Times shuts down press, moves printing to Indiana: The Quad-City Times will move its printing operations to Indiana at the end of September, the newspaper announced on Thursday. The Quad-City Times/Dispatch-Argus and Muscatine Journal will be printed in Munster, Indiana, starting on Sept. 30, the Quad-City Times reported. Because of this, 49 press room jobs, 20 full-time positions and 29 part-time positions will be cut.

*** National ***

* AP | Jim O’Neill to serve as acting CDC director as leadership turmoil leaves agency reeling: Two administration officials said O’Neill, the second-in-command at the Department of Health and Human Services, would supplant Susan Monarez, a longtime government scientist. O’Neill, a former investment executive who also served at the federal health department under President George W. Bush, does not have a medical background. The officials, who confirmed the change, requested anonymity to discuss personnel decisions before a public announcement.

* NYT | 2 Weeks, 1,000 Arrests: How a Surge of Feds Changed D.C. Policing: “I’ve never seen this much police presence in my whole life,” said Mr. Dela Torre, 37, a massage therapist who has lived in Washington since 1994. “You guys are worried about some guy smoking a joint on the corner on a Friday night?” President Trump declared that crime in Washington was “out of control” earlier this month and said he would use the power of the federal government to “rescue our nation’s capital from crime, bloodshed, bedlam and squalor — and worse.” But a review by The New York Times of about a thousand arrests that were made during the first two weeks of the federal law enforcement surge suggests that the operation has been more of a sprawling dragnet than a targeted crime-fighting operation.

* AP | 2 firefighters battling Washington state wildfire arrested by Border Patrol: Two firefighters who were part of a 44-person crew fighting a wildland blaze on Washington state’s Olympic Peninsula were taken into custody by U.S. Border Patrol agents during a multiagency criminal investigation into the two contractors they worked for, federal authorities said Thursday. The U.S. Bureau of Land Management asked the Border Patrol to help check the workers’ identities Wednesday when crews were working in a remote area, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Border Patrol said in a statement. Border Patrol agents found two workers who were in the U.S. illegally and detained them, the agencies said.