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Ives tries to explain ‘complete wipeout,’ says GOP needs ‘Trumpian type of voice’ in 2026 (Updated)
Wednesday, Apr 2, 2025 - Posted by Rich Miller * Former state Rep. and current Illinois Republican Party state central committeeperson Jeanne Ives was on Dan Proft’s radio show this morning talking about yesterday’s Republican losses. Excerpts…
* Proft also talked about the RINOs…
* More Tuesday react from the self-proclaimed “RINO hunter” Tom DeVore…  They will never understand. The Trump backers who are not Republican supporters are the actual RINOs. …Adding… Wheaton’s school district…  Oops…  Jeanne had a really bad day.
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Isabel’s afternoon roundup
Wednesday, Apr 2, 2025 - Posted by Isabel Miller * Crain’s…
* Forbes…
* Covers | Illinois Issues Cease-and-Desist Orders to Prediction Companies: The Illinois Gaming Board sent cease-and-desist orders to Kalshi, Robinhood, and Crypto.com dated April 1, claiming that those companies are operating illegally without a sports betting license with their sports-event outcome contracts that act like wagers. Kalshi, which burst on the scene last fall with election trading markets, got into the sports outcome business earlier this year with Super Bowl and March Madness markets. The company linked with Robinhood to list those offerings on its popular trading platform. * NBC Chicago | Legendary rock band The Black Crowes added to 2025 Illinois State Fair lineup: Legendary rock band The Black Crowes has been added to the Springfield lineup, according to a Wednesday press release. The popular rock and roll band will perform at the fair Sat. Aug. 9, the release said. “The Illinois State Fair is all about bringing people together for great entertainment, and The Black Crowes are the perfect addition to our lineup,” Illinois State Fair Manager Rebecca Clark said in the release. “Their music has resonated with fans across generations, and we’re excited to bring their legendary sound to this year’s Fair.” * WCIA | ‘I think they’re extremely important’: Champaign Co. Clerk breaks down voter turnout in Consolidated Election: By 5 p.m. on Election Day, Aaron Ammons, the Champaign County Clerk, said about 6,000 people had voted in person that day and about 4,000 others voted early. Once those ballots are counted, plus the ones in the mail, he estimates about 15-20% of voters will participate in this election, which is a pretty standard trend. * BND | The pink elephant along I-55 is eye-catching, but wait until you see the inside: The Pink Elephant Antique Mall in Livingston is more than an antique shop — literally. It houses three businesses in one, including a retro diner, fudge shop and haunted house, and has dozens of unique, custom-built figures to pose next to. * WBEZ | Venezuelans in Chicago relieved their deportation protection is safe, for now: A federal judge in San Francisco paused plans Monday by the Trump administration to end temporary legal protections for hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans, including in Illinois, one week before they were scheduled to expire on April 7. Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, allows non-U.S. citizens from 17 countries, including Venezuela, to live and work in the United States if they face extremely difficult or unsafe conditions in their home country. The Trump administration announced an end to the program for Venezuelans in February. * Crain’s | Downtown office vacancy hits new high for 11th straight quarter: The downtown office vacancy rate edged up to 26.5% at the end of March from 26.3% at the beginning of the year, according to data from real estate services firm CBRE. The share of available workspace has now hit record highs for 11 straight quarters and is up from 13.8% when the public health crisis began. The grim data points tell the same tale of woe that has now plagued landlords for a half-decade: Remote work’s rise has pushed many companies to reduce their footprints, a shift that has stripped the central business district of about 2.1 million square feet of tenants over the past couple of years, CBRE data shows. * Crain’s | Rahm Emanuel returns to investment banking: Rahm Emanuel is going back to investment banking, rejoining Centerview Partners, where he worked for two years after leaving office as mayor of Chicago. It’s familiar territory for Emanuel, who has toggled between investment banking and public office throughout his long career. In addition to his previous stint at Centerview, Emanuel worked at Wasserstein Perella, where he was involved in the 1999 merger that created Exelon, before running for Congress. * Tribune | George McCaskey has no intention for family to sell the Chicago Bears: ‘Another 100 years would be great’: Less than eight weeks after the death of principal owner Virginia Halas McCaskey, George McCaskey said his mother long ago established a sustainable succession plan that the NFL approved. “She gave us the playbook,” McCaskey said. “She coached us up. Now we’ve got to execute the plan. And we’re prepared to do that. We’ve got to stick together.” * Crain’s | Ex-employee alleges testing fraud at Chicago-based real estate appraisers group: A former employee filed a whistleblower lawsuit alleging years-long fraud in the certification process for real estate appraisers at the Chicago-based Appraisal Institute. Alissa Akins, who was the institute’s director of education and publications from February to December last year, claims in her suit that for at least five years, the 16,000-member Appraisal Institute has been aware that many of its test results are incorrect. She also claims that when she reported the pattern of incorrect results to her superiors, they fired her. * Crain’s | Chicago Reader avoids closure after successful fundraising campaign. Here’s how much they raised.: The newspaper said in a memo to subscribers that its “Save the Reader” campaign was a success and has raised over $300,000 to date. The proceeds will allow the company to restructure, cut costs and rework its budget in order to continue operating. The Reader’s staff of 33 will continue to print its weekly paper for free, the memo said. * Chicago Reader | The legacy of Marty Goddard: In 1972, Marty Goddard, an executive at a Chicago philanthropic foundation and an independent-minded divorcee, sought to change that. Goddard wasn’t a picket-waving activist; in fact, she didn’t identify as a feminist at all. But she did recognize that sexual assault was seething under the surface of society, like a quiet epidemic for which there was little or no recourse. * Block Club | Art Institute Of Chicago Returned A Sculpture To Nepal But Obscured Its Connection To A Wealthy Donor: That omission obscured a simmering controversy about whether Chicago philanthropists Marilynn Alsdorf and her husband, James, both of whom are dead, improperly built their collection of hundreds of South Asian works and why the Art Institute, which houses some of that collection in its Alsdorf Galleries, has been reluctant to return those works to countries with compelling claims for them. * WTTW | Retirement Not in Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle’s Lexicon: “I don’t believe in retirement,” said Preckwinkle, who last month on her 78th birthday announced she will run for a fifth consecutive term in 2026. “If I didn’t do this job, I’d pick another one and it wouldn’t be as interesting or challenging or as impactful,” said Preckwinkle, who has led Cook County since 2010. * Naperville Sun | Voter turnout across DuPage, Will counties about average for consolidated election: As of 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, DuPage County was sitting at 16.3% turnout out of a total 626,499 registered voters, with 27,128 casting their ballots on election day so far, according to DuPage County Chief Deputy Clerk Adam Johnson. Though it’s difficult to know what to expect out of turnout, it looks as though DuPage is on pace to “be pretty close if not slightly higher than the overall turnout in 2023,” Johnson said in a call. Just over 20% of the county’s registered voters participated in the last consolidated election. * The Bond Buyer | States loosen restrictions on pension funds and crypto: According to an S&P Global Ratings report released last week “U.S. states and statewide pension plans are increasingly considering cryptocurrencies, particularly bitcoin, as a reserve investment.” * The Bond Buyer | Closing Education Department unlikely to dent K-12 bonds, but some charter schools could feel pinch: “For traditional public schools, I do not foresee an increased risk of default due to potential delays of federal funding,” Lowin said, adding, however, that some charter schools, particularly those that are smaller and have fewer reserves, “could be a little more challenged.” * AP | Amazon’s last-minute bid for TikTok comes as platform’s ban set to take effect Saturday: Amazon has put in a bid to purchase TikTok, a Trump administration official said Wednesday, in an eleventh-hour pitch as a U.S. ban on the platform is set to go into effect Saturday. The official, who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the Amazon offer was made in a letter to Vice President JD Vance and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. * Accu Weather | Atmospheric river to trigger central US flooding that may become life-threatening, historic: A firehose of moisture is forecast to produce repeating thunderstorms with torrential downpours over the middle of the United States through much of this weekend. More than a foot of rain may pour down from portions of Arkansas to Kentucky and Ohio, likely triggering rapid, major and historic flooding, AccuWeather meteorologists warn. More than 46 million people will be affected by rounds of intense rainfall over the central U.S. Of this, at least 13 million will be within a high- to extreme-flood risk zone. Within these higher-risk areas, there is the potential for catastrophic flooding in some communities.
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Pritzker: University fears of community colleges offering four-year degrees are ‘misplaced’
Wednesday, Apr 2, 2025 - Posted by Isabel Miller * First, some background from Rich…
* I asked the governor about the stalled bill during an unrelated press conference this morning…
* Related…
* Capitol News Illinois | Pritzker’s community college initiative stalls in House committee: But legislative deadlines are not always strictly observed in Springfield, and Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, who chairs the committee, said the decision not to act on the bill does not necessarily mean it is dead for the session. “I don’t think around here anything’s really ever dead, and I think there’s a path forward,” she told reporters after Wednesday’s committee hearing. * WSIU | SIU Continues to Follow Stalled Community College Bill: Chancellor Lane and the SIU system are neither lobbying for, or against House Bill 3717 and its resolution in favor of expanding degree offerings. Chancellor Lane says right now it’s just a lot of discussions. “I think it’s just discussions, but there’s the word opposition that sometimes comes off a little strong,” Lane says. “There’s a lot of discussions that are happening at the state level.” * KFVS | Southern Illinois community college leaders hold out hope to offer bachelor’s degrees: John A. Logan College President Dr. Kirk Overstreet says a proposed bill from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker’s office that would allow community colleges to offer bachelor’s degrees is a win-win for students and the southern Illinois economy. “This is a big resource for keeping students here and keeping people here in the region,” Overstreet said. * KWQC | ‘Workforce driven’ community college looks forward to offering 4-year degrees: The president of Black Hawk College already has some fields of study in mind if community colleges can offer bachelor’s degrees. […] “Respiratory care is not offered at any of the four-year degree schools right now. And so it allows us to offer something and fill a niche.” Other areas of study considered for bachelor’s are advanced manufacturing, nursing and early childhood education.
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Broken Promises: Despite Billions In Public Funds, Illinois Nursing Homes Still Rank Among the Worst
Wednesday, Apr 2, 2025 - Posted by Advertising Department [The following is a paid advertisement.] The state and federal governments have poured billions of dollars of funding into the nursing home industry in Illinois to improve staffing and quality care for residents, but the industry has failed to deliver. The industry receives nearly $7 billion in annual revenues, mostly from state Medicaid and Medicare. The 2022 Medicaid rate reform increased the Illinois nursing home industry’s revenue by at least $670 million per year. This came shortly after increases of $240 million annually starting in 2019 and an additional $60 million in 2020. But the industry hasn’t used this taxpayer money to improve resident care. Illinois nursing homes have consistently rated among the worst in the country in staffing and quality of care–with residents receiving 25% fewer direct care hours than the minimum required to meet their daily needs. Instead of fully staffing homes to meet residents’ needs, too many nursing homes operators continue to divert resources away from the bedside–without transparency or accountability. State Rep. Anna Moeller recently called out the industry for this lack of accountability: “There’s this constant back and forth: the industry asks for a ton, we give them a ton. We ask for some accountability with all of those resources we’re giving to improve patient care, to improve resident care. There’s always this pushback on doing that.” Care can’t wait – it’s time to hold the nursing home industry accountable and ensure taxpayer dollars fund improving care for our seniors.
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Stop Credit Card Chaos In Illinois
Wednesday, Apr 2, 2025 - Posted by Advertising Department [The following is a paid advertisement.] A last-minute provision called the Interchange Fee Prohibition Act (IFPA) was snuck into the budget process last May and will create chaos for small businesses and consumers across Illinois if it takes effect on July 1, 2025. The IFPA gives corporate mega-stores like Walmart and Home Depot — who pushed for this backroom deal — millions more in profits, while small business owners get new expenses and accounting headaches. What’s more, consumers could be forced to pay for parts of their transactions in cash if this law moves forward. A recent court ruling in the litigation challenging the law suggests IFPA is likely pre-empted by federal law for national banks and will only apply to credit unions and local Illinois banks, putting local banks at a disadvantage against their national competitors. Illinois lawmakers should repeal the IFPA and focus on protecting small businesses and consumers across the state — not lining the pockets of corporate mega-stores. Stop the countdown to chaos by supporting a repeal of this misguided and flawed policy. Learn more at https://guardyourcard.com/illinois/ 
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After raising $3 million in the quarter, Krishnamoorthi says he has $19 million on hand
Wednesday, Apr 2, 2025 - Posted by Rich Miller * Get ready for that US Senate announcement…
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Pritzker says DPI won almost 80 percent of its 270 targeted local races (Updated)
Wednesday, Apr 2, 2025 - Posted by Rich Miller * We’ve already discussed how the Democratic Party of Illinois was involved in a bunch of local races during the consolidated elections. Gov. JB Pritzker updated reporters today on how the party did…
Barack Obama narrowly won DuPage in 2012. Hillary Clinton won it by a mile in 2016. The trend started moving down-ballot and picked up steam in the past six years. Yesterday was a blowout in that county which reminded me of the way Democrats were stomped in 1994 almost everywhere. Also, I’ve been trying to get a list of those 270 races to see how many were actually competitive. * From DPI last night…
* Back to the governor, who was asked if last night’s results were about party organization or the current national mood…
Please pardon all transcription errors. …Adding… DuPage Dems…
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RETAIL: Strengthening Communities Across Illinois
Wednesday, Apr 2, 2025 - Posted by Advertising Department [The following is a paid advertisement.] Retail generates $7.3 billion in income and sales tax revenue each year in Illinois. These funds support public safety, infrastructure, education, and other important programs we all rely on every day. In fact, retail is the second largest revenue generator for the State of Illinois and the largest revenue generator for local governments. Retailers like Meli enrich our economy and strengthen our communities. We Are Retail and IRMA showcase the retailers who make Illinois work.
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Consolidated Election news coverage roundup
Wednesday, Apr 2, 2025 - Posted by Isabel Miller * Democratic Party of DuPage County…
* Daily Herald…
* WGLT…
* Some school board race results…
* Tribune | Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau concedes defeat in bid for third term: Pekau thanked supporters gathered at Papa Joe’s restaurant, telling them “I got shellacked” but that “we ran a great campaign.” He said he texted congratulations to Dodge. With 44 of 45 precincts reporting, Dodge had 57% of the vote to 43% for Pekau, unofficial results show. Turnout for the election was more than 33% of registered voters, according to the Cook County clerk’s office. * CBS Chicago | Jason House easily elected mayor of Dolton, Illinois after defeating Tiffany Henyard in Feb. primary: Dolton Village Trustee Jason House was elected mayor of the south Chicago suburb Tuesday, and the sign outside Dolton Village Hall announcing Mayor Tiffany Henyard will soon come down. House won the race with more than 95% of the vote, up against Rebuilding Dolton Party candidate Casundra Hopson-Jordan. House dispatched Henyard in the February Democratic mayoral primary. * Tribune | Ann Tennes overwhelmingly elected Skokie mayor, unofficial results show: Former Skokie official Ann Tennes declared victory in the race for Skokie mayor Tuesday, with unofficial results from the Cook County Clerk’s office showing she commanded a hefty percentage of vote totals. The victory starts a new era in the village of about 65,000 after 24-year mayor George Van Dusen chose not to run for another term. Unofficial results show Tennes, the village’s former director of marketing and communications, received a little over 49% of the vote, with all precincts reporting, in a three-way election race. Those unofficial results also showed David “Azi” Lifsics with just over 38% of the vote and Charles Isho with 12% of the vote. * Aurora Beacon-News | Voters appear to overwhelmingly shoot down proposed Kane County sales tax hike: Voters in Tuesday’s consolidated election appear to have shot down a referendum question in Kane County that would have increased the sales tax by 0.75% to pay for public safety expenses in the county. With all precincts in Kane County reporting, unofficial results from Tuesday night showed 75.25% of voters against and just 24.75% of voters in favor of the proposed sales tax increase as of 9:55 p.m., according to data from the Kane County Clerk’s Office. * Daily Herald | Voters favor incumbents in Kane County council and board races: There were contested races for four seats on the St. Charles City Council. In Ward 1, incumbent Ronald Silkaitis bested challenger Robert Kasper. According to unofficial totals, Silkaitis had 691 votes, and Kasper had 553 votes. * Aurora Beacon-News | In Tuesday election, Aurora City Council incumbents appear to stay, except alderman at-large: Incumbent at-large Ald. Ron Woerman trailed challenger Keith Larson with his 41.95% of the vote to Larson’s 58.05%, according to unofficial results Tuesday night from Kane, Kendall, DuPage and Will counties, with all precincts reporting. Larson told The Beacon-News that he “wasn’t expecting this” but that it “feels really amazing,” and he is grateful to everyone who helped to make it possible. * Naperville Sun | Two incumbents, two newcomers appear headed to Naperville City Council; Bruzan Taylor unseated: With all Naperville precincts in DuPage and Will counties reporting, incumbents Benny White and Ian Holzhauer appeared headed toward another term on Naperville City Council alongside newcomers Mary Gibson and Ashfaq Syed, according to unofficial results. Incumbent Jennifer Bruzan Tayor was trailing behind as the fifth-highest vote getter in the eight-way race for the four, four-year council seats up for election. * Daily Herald | Tinaglia to take over as Arlington Heights mayor amid Bears stadium talks: Longtime Arlington Heights resident, architect and village Trustee Jim Tinaglia will become the town’s next mayor amid ongoing discussions with the Chicago Bears over redevelopment of Arlington Park. Tinaglia had 7,165 votes, Tom Schwingbeck had 4,090 votes and Jon Ridler had 1,700 votes, according to unofficial vote totals Tuesday night. * Daily Herald | Bertucci, Santa Maria, Zyck and Manganaro top crowded Arlington Heights trustee race: Jim Bertucci, Carina Santa Maria, Greg Zyck and Bill Manganaro were the top vote-getters Tuesday night in the crowded race for Arlington Heights village board, according to unofficial results. Eight candidates ran for four available trustee seats on the elected panel. Bertucci, the lone incumbent, led the pack with 7,301 votes, followed by Santa Maria with 6,926, Zyck with 6,229 and Manganaro with 5,619, early results show. * ABC Chicago | Jason House projected to win Dolton mayoral election, replacing Tiffany Henyard: ‘It’s a new day’: House has been on the Dolton Board of Trustees for eight years now. He is projected to defeat businesswoman Casundra Hopson-Jordan, who ran as an independent. “I just felt it was important to throw my hat in the race to give people options, to know that we don’t have to just keep recycling the same old politicians,” Hopson-Jordan said. * Shaw Local | Joliet Junior College board incumbent likely to retain seat despite controversy: Broderick and Lee were accused of harassment by JJC President Clyne Namuo in a Nov. 6, 2024 report from law firm Laner Muchin, which was not publicly released until weeks before the election. Despite those controversies, Broderick said on Tuesday night she believed the public realized the “value of having me as a board member.” * Tribune | Incumbent Elmhurst Mayor Scott Levin celebrates apparent victory: Incumbent Elmhurst Mayor Scott Levin appeared to defeat challenger Mark Mulliner by a wide margin, taking 6,436 votes, or 71% of the 9,000 votes cast, according to unofficial results from Tuesday’s voting. Mulliner, the city’s longest serving alderman before leaving the City Council two years ago, drew an unofficial tally of 2,625 votes, or 29%. * Patch | Hinsdale Officials Well Ahead Of Newcomer In Race: Unofficial Returns: Former DuPage County Board member Greg Hart was the sole candidate for village president in Tuesday’s election. Elected in 2009, President Tom Cauley decided against seeking a fifth term. In a statement Tuesday, Hart said he was looking forward to serving “our incredible village.” He said he wanted to maintain and improve public safety, diversify the sales tax base through “smart” economic development and bring new energy to local government. * Daily Herald | Schielke secures 12th term as Batavia mayor, St. Charles’ Vitek appears headed to defeat: Batavia Mayor Jeff Schielke appeared to secure his 12th term Tuesday, keeping him in the post he’s held since 1981. Schielke had 2,620 votes, and challenger Tom Connelly had 2.294, according to unofficial results. Schielke is believed to be the third-longest-serving current mayor or president in Illinois. * Daily Southtown | Incumbent Michael Glotz leads in Tinley Park mayoral race: Unofficial results show Glotz leading with 59.7% of the vote over Michael Maloney, a former union executive, with all precincts reporting. Also leading was Glotz’s One Tinley Park slate, which includes Village Clerk Nancy O’Connor, with 58.8% of the vote or Cynthia “Cindy” O’Boyle. Trustees William Brady, Dennis Mahoney and Colleen Sullivan held signifcant leads. Brady had 5,639 votes according to unofficial results, followed by Sullivan with 5,286 votes and Mahoney with 5,113. * Daily Southtown | South suburban high school board race results: In Orland High School District 230, three incumbent board members sought reelection though there were six other candidates for the four seats. With all precincts reporting, unofficial results showed board veteran Susan Dalton leading with 12,704 votes, followed by Mark Kelly with 12,200 votes and recently appointed board members Nadine Scodro with 10,466 votes and Chris Kasmer with 10,059. They were all park of the 230 United Slate. * Daily Herald | Several school board battles unfolded in Northwest suburbs Tuesday: Among several school board races in the Northwest suburbs Tuesday, Barrington Unit District 220’s was one of the most contested with six candidates vying for four seats. Incumbents Sandra Ficke-Bradford, Steve Wang, Katie Karam and Erin Chan Ding all appeared to be leading late in the evening, according to unofficial results. Their reelection bids were challenged by Harathi K. Srivastava and Deanna Stern. * Evanston Now | Biss wins reelection with 62% of vote: Unofficial returns show Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss winning a decisive victory Tuesday night defeating Jeff Boarini to remain the 22nd mayor of Evanston. With 44 of 45 precincts reporting, the Cook County Clerks office says Biss received 62% of the vote to 38% for challenger Jeff Boarini. That was a narrower margin than the 73% Biss won four years ago in his first race for mayor. * Daily Herald | Challenger defeats 12-year incumbent in Palatine trustee race: With all precincts reporting in the race for three seats on the Barrington village board, two-term incumbent Jennifer Wondrasek appears to have won a third term with 902 votes. She will be joined by 10-year village board veteran and fellow incumbent Todd Sholeen, who received 777 votes and challenger Lauren Klauer who received 686 votes. Former U.S. Army Reservist Jesse Rojo received 551 votes. * Daily Herald | Burket edges past Fasules in Glen Ellyn village president’s race; mayors losing in other DuPage towns: James Burket edged past Gary Fasules in the race to decide Glen Ellyn’s next village president. Burket, a former village trustee, garnered 2,462 votes, compared to 2,096 for Fasules, a sitting board member, according to unofficial tallies so far. * Tribune | Incumbent Vicki Scaman claims victory in contentious Oak Park village president race: After what was an unusually contentious and at times personal battle, incumbent Oak Park Village President Vicki Scaman appeared to win a convincing victory over challenger Ravi Parakkat, a member of the Village Board, according to preliminary results from Tuesday’s municipal elections. With results from all 32 precincts reporting, Scaman has received 6,083 votes to Parakkat’s 3,705 votes. This was a significantly bigger margin than Scaman achieved in her first race for village president four years earlier, when Scaman won 56.14% of the vote against progressive activist Cate Readling. * Lake County News-Sun | Long-time North Chicago mayor declares victory once again; ‘I will continue to do everything I can to make North Chicago better’: Rockingham had 68.72% of 924 votes counted as of Wednesday morning, compared to community activist David Hood with 21.21% and Ald. Anthony Coleman, 2nd Ward, at 10.06%, according to unofficial results from the Lake County Clerk’s Office. * Lake County News-Sun | Cunningham declares victory in campaign to return as Waukegan mayor; ‘I want to continue with the plans we started’: Former Waukegan Mayor Sam Cunningham, the city’s first Black chief executive, declared victory Tuesday night in his bid to regain the office he lost four years ago, thus extending the city’s 28-year string of one-term mayors. Leading in a four-candidate race, Cunningham was ahead of incumbent Mayor Ann Taylor, who defeated him four years ago to become the city’s first woman chief executive, according to unofficial results. * Daily Herald | Incumbents fare well in Lake County municipal board races: In a close race for three seats, Katherine “Casey” Rooney led all candidates with 1,885 votes followed by newcomer Kara Macdonald with 1,573 votes and incumbent Matt Krummick with 1,490 votes. Andrew Herrmann had 1,403 votes and Patrick Scheibler, 1,401. Krummick, Rooney and Herrman ran as a team with Donna Johnson who squeaked out a victory for a second term. * Tribune | Rose Reynders, Michael LePore, Nicholas Muller lead in Homer Glen: Rose Reynders, Michael LePore and Nicholas Muller had a commanding lead Tuesday night in a race for three 4-year seats on the Homer Glen Village Board. […] With all precincts reporting, Reynders had 1,821 votes, LePore had 1,675 votes and Muller had 1,505 votes, according to unofficial results. * Elgin Courier-News | Elgin City Council incumbents Thoren, Good and Dixon appear headed to victory, joined by newcomer Alfaro: Election results will remain unofficial until mail-in ballots postmarked for Election Day or earlier are counted, provisional ballots are checked and votes are canvassed. Thoren, an Elgin native, is seeking a second term on the council. He previously served as an Elgin Township trustee. He is an Elgin Neighborhood Watch captain, member of the Elgin Breakfast Rotary and Elgin American Legion and past board member of Senior Services. * Daily Herald | Meier defeats Wilson in Mundelein mayoral race: The third time was the charm for Mundelein mayoral aspirant Robin Meier. As ballots were counted Tuesday, Meier was ahead of fellow Trustee Tim Wilson for the center seat on the village hall dais. Meier had 1,335 votes to Wilson’s 837, unofficial results showed. * Daily Herald | Fox Valley school board incumbents appear headed to victory, early returns show: One of the most hotly contested races in the suburbs was in Burlington-based Central Unit District 301, where 10 candidates ran for four seats on the school board. Eight candidates sought three 4-year seats on the board. They are incumbents Dornetria Hemphill and Marc A. Falk, Micheline Welch, Graciela Martinez, PK Parekh, Roumiana McMahon, Scott Mrkvicka, and Ryan Wasson. Unofficial, early totals from precincts in Kane and DeKalb counties show Wasson leading with 1,721 votes, followed by Welch with 1,613 votes, Mrkvicka with 1,110 votes and Parekh with 1,014 votes. Incumbents Hemphill and Falk trailed with 972 and 821 votes, respectively. * BND | Belleville has a new mayor. ‘Just call me Jenny,’ she said from her victory party: Belleville City Clerk Jenny Gain Meyer has defeated Mayor Patty Gregory, who became the city’s first female mayor four years ago by successfully challenging a longtime incumbent. Belleville voters in Tuesday’s consolidated election cast 3,399 votes (63%) for Meyer, 1,972 votes (36%) for Gregory and 17 votes (less than 1%) for write-in candidate Ryan Musick, according to unofficial results released by St. Clair County Clerk Tom Holbrook’s office. * WGLT | Voters in Normal retain Mayor Chris Koos for a 6th term: Mayor Chris Koos of Normal has won a 6th full term in office, defeating challengers Kathleen Lorenz and Chemberly Harris. Though both those candidates have been on the town council for years, they called for change. Koos has been mayor since 2003. “I think the takeaway is I had a great campaign team. We did what I call a classic campaign. We did it right and built broad support in the community. I was worried because it was a three-way race, and it’s very hard to predict what’s going to come of that,” Koos told WGLT after the result became clear. * PJ Star | Rita Ali soundly defeats John Kelly in fierce race for Peoria’s mayoral office: Peoria Mayor Rita Ali comfortably defeated city councilman John Kelly Tuesday night securing herself another four-year term as Peoria’s mayor. Ali defeated Kelly by a margin of 9,950 votes to 6,753 votes with 100% of precincts reporting in Peoria as of 9:30 p.m. Kelly told the Journal Star Tuesday night he was “disappointed” with the outcome of the election but said “the people have spoken.” * PJ Star | Incumbent Alex Sierra defeats former trustee in Peoria Park District board race: Incumbent Alex Sierra retained his seat Peoria Park District Board of Trustees for the Southern District in an election Tuesday that pitted him against former Park District trustee Joseph Cassidy. Sierra ran unopposed for his seat in 2023. Cassidy was elected to the Park District board in 2021 and stepped down in 2023 when he relocated to Atlanta. With 100% of the precincts reporting, unofficial results show Sierra collected 621 votes (53.40%) to Cassidy’s 542 (46.60%). * PJ Star | ‘Deeply honored’: Two challengers and incumbent win seats on Dunlap school board: Incumbent Tom Feldman successfully defended his seat, while challengers Youssef Boudjarane and Mick Hall defeated incumbents Abby Humbles and Steven Hodel. Key subplots in the race were a campaign by a group of parents calling for the removal of current school board president Humbles and the circulation of mailers by a political action committee targeting Hall that highlighted a three-year suspension of his law license in 2012. * Fox 2 Now | Election results: Key Illinois municipal races take shape: Illinois Election results are coming in for several key municipal races across Illinois, including the high-profile mayoral contests in Belleville and Alton. Incumbent Mayor Patty Gregory, seeking a second term, lost to City Clerk Jennifer Gain Meyer in a competitive showdown. Gain Meyer received 2,118 votes, while Gregory had 1,268. For the Edwardsville School District School Board, Scott Ahart leads the race. * QC Times | Unofficial results show Ashley Harris elected as Rock Island mayor: Current Rock Island Mayor Mike Thoms was defeated by challenger Ashley Harris, according to the unofficial election night results. As of 9 p.m. Tuesday, all 120 precincts had reported. Thoms received 2,661, or 48.6% of the votes compared to Harris’ 2,811 or 51.3%. Thoms was first elected in 2017. * Rockford Register Star | Election: Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara wins third term: Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara won re-election to a third term on Tuesday, easily defeating a challenge from Rockford real estate agent Derrick Kunz, according to unofficial election results. McNamara, a Democrat, won 12,969 votes or 78% of the vote. Kunz, a businessman who campaigned as an independent, had 3,583 votes or 22% of votes cast, unofficial results from the Rockford Board of Elections showed. * WAND | Sangamon County voters overwhelmingly decide to dissolve Recorder’s Office: With 100 percent of precincts reporting the vote was 67 percent in favor of eliminating the office. With the approval, the county office will close Dec. 1, 2026. Operations will be moved to the Sangamon County Clerk’s Office. * WAND | Voters in Chatham approve tax hike for library repairs: The referendum passed 55 percent to 45 percent and was separated by 247 votes, 1,327-1,125. The Chatham Area Public Library posted on its website that the tax increase will cover three areas: much needed infrastructure repairs, provide long-term financial stability, and expanded materials, services, and technology. The library said the increase would add $26.95 a year to a home valued at $200,000. * BND | Final unofficial results: Southwest Illinois boards of education and school referenda * Pantagraph | 1% School Facility Occupation Tax passes in McLean County: With 100% of votes counted, the proposed 1% County School Facility Occupation Tax has passed in McLean County. According to unofficial results from Tuesday’s election, the measure passed with 17,415 votes for and 15,427 votes against the measure. * WGEM | Hancock County voters turn down school sales tax: On Tuesday, Hancock County residents denied a sales tax that would have been used exclusively for county schools. The rate of the tax would have been 1% and was planned to go towards school facility purposes, school resource officers and mental health professionals. * WAND | Decatur city council sees 2 win re-election and 1 newcomer, while DPS61 school board gets 4 fresh faces: Unofficial votes in Macon County saw council incumbents David Horn and Ed Culp win re-election and Consuelo Cruz win a four-year term. The five-way race saw Horn get the most votes followed by Culp and Cruz who were separated by 20 votes. James Wrigley was fourth and Micah Ray was fifth.
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Healing Communities: Illinois Hospitals Support Individual And Community Health And Well-being
Wednesday, Apr 2, 2025 - Posted by Advertising Department [The following is a paid advertisement.] Every hour of every day, Illinois hospitals provide lifesaving care to the communities they serve. Care delivery within their facilities is at the core of what hospitals do—but it’s not all they do. Illinois hospitals earn their role as indispensable to communities by looking at healthcare, health and well-being from several vantage points. There’s the health of the individual. Doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals put their skills toward helping individuals achieve optimal health. There’s also the health of the community. Illinois hospitals are committed to and working hard to help strengthen the health and well-being of communities. They do this by:
• Diving local economies • Providing accessible care • Training future clinicians These four pillars reflect the longstanding and ongoing efforts of hospitals across Illinois to meet community needs; contribute significantly to the state and local economy; overcome hurdles patients experience with accessing care; and fortify Illinois’ healthcare workforce. Most people don’t see the critical care hospitals provide 24/7 or how hospitals are partnering with local organizations and investing in communities. Yet their benefit to the community is everywhere. Learn more about how Illinois hospitals are healing communities.
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Open thread
Wednesday, Apr 2, 2025 - Posted by Isabel Miller * What’s going on?…
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Isabel’s morning briefing
Wednesday, Apr 2, 2025 - Posted by Isabel Miller * ICYMI: Raoul says ‘I do not want to go to Washington,’ rules out bid for U.S. Senate. Capitol News Illinois…
- “I do not want to go to Washington. I want to stay here,” Raoul told a luncheon audience at the City Club of Chicago. “And this is no knock on Sen. Durbin or Sen. [Tammy] Duckworth. I truly believe what I do on a day-to-day basis [as attorney general] has more impact than what I could do as U.S. senator.” * Related stories…
∙ ABC Chicago: Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul files lawsuit against HHS, RFK Jr. for cutting $12B in grants No need to worry about the lack of election stories—I’ll have a campaign roundup ready later this morning! * BlueRoomStream.com’s coverage of today’s press conferences and committee hearings can be found here. * Sun-Times | Sentencing dates set for ComEd officials convicted of plot to influence Madigan: Summer sentencing dates have been scheduled for four former ComEd officials and lobbyists convicted of conspiring to illegally influence former Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan. […] Hooker is set to be sentenced on July 14, Pramaggiore on July 21, McClain on July 24, and Doherty on Aug. 5. * University of Illinois System | March Illinois Flash Index increased slightly: In Illinois, inflation-adjusted individual income tax receipts increased by more than 10 percent compared to the same month last year, while corporate receipts declined slightly after a period of underperformance. Sales tax receipts fell by 2.7 percent. The Illinois unemployment rate decreased by a tenth of a percentage point to 4.8 percent, while the national rate rose slightly to 4.1 percent. Similar to the Flash Index, the Illinois unemployment rate has remained stable over the past year. * Sen. Robert Martwick | Tier Two pensions are a crisis of our own making. Here’s a viable fix: So, what is the solution? The state’s public sector unions have put forth a proposal that seeks to balance fiscal responsibility with fairness. They are not asking for a return to the pre-2011 Tier One system, but rather a reasonable middle ground — what one might call “Tier One Light.” Their proposal is not extravagant; it simply aims to provide a pension that meets the basic standard of retirement security. As an employer, the state should see this as the bare minimum responsibility to its workforce. * Pantagraph | Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton stresses progressive record amid Senate speculation: Stratton said she has not yet identified candidates or causes to support through Level Up. And with the Senate race frozen until Durbin makes his decision, she said she is planning on having events through the PAC that facilitate “dialogs across the state where we’re doing more listening.” * Brownfield Ag News | IL Farmers Union takes priorities to Springfield: Cheyanne Bristol says recent visits to Springfield have been highlighted by discussions on the need for strong conservation programs. “In our meeting with Representative Harper, who is the Chair of the Agriculture Committee, we had talked about good stewardship of the land.” She says, “We believe in climate smart practices, and of course she was very for that.” * WCIA | Pritzker signs trade agreement between Illinois and Mexico: The MOU comes at the start of a delegation trip from Illinois to Mexico City with the purpose of deepening economic cooperation and opportunities between the state and country. This specific agreement emphasizes the strong ties between Mexico and Illinois with a specific focus on bilateral trade in industries including manufacturing, agriculture and finance, according to a media release from Pritzker’s office. * Center Square | Illinois gun rights group asks U.S. Attorney General to review state’s gun laws: Illinois State Rifle Association’s Ed Sullivan said they’ve been in talks with the Trump administration. “I think it’s timely that Attorney General Bondi would want to come in and talk to us,” Sullivan told The Center Square. “She should tackle kind of the most onerous states in the nation when it comes to anti-gun laws and so we certainly welcome anything that they want to do to kind of look at this process.” * WBEZ | Chicago’s murder drop ‘mirrors a lot of big cities,’ a leading crime data analyst says: Chicago finished the year’s first quarter this week with 96 murders, a drop of more than 15% from the first three months of last year. New Orleans-based data analyst Jeff Asher closely follows crime numbers in Chicago and other U.S. cities and spoke with WBEZ. The interview has been edited for clarity and length. * Sun-Times | Johnson calls special City Council meeting next week to confirm new 35th Ward alderperson: During his weekly City Hall news conference, Johnson said he has “not made any announcement on who” will replace Ramirez-Rosa. However, City Hall sources say Quezada is Johnson’s choice for the job, and that the appointment will be announced Wednesday. The announcement will come as no surprise. Quezada spent six years as Ramirez-Rosa’s neighborhood services director and was Ramirez-Rosa’s choice. * Tribune | Lawsuit claims Chicago approval for cannabis store in Streeterville was illegal: The suit, filed last week by a neighborhood resident, Beth Padera, claims that the city Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) improperly approved a special use permit for G.P. Green House, doing business as Guaranteed Dispensary, at 620 N. Fairbanks Court. The complaint notes that the city zoning administrator had recommended denial of the application because the dispensary would be slightly within 500 feet of Guidepost Montessori at Magnificent Mile, at 226 E. Illinois St., in violation of Chicago zoning law. * Tribune | Debate resumes over 8 p.m. curfew for teens downtown after boy is shot during ‘teen takeover’ in Streeterville: Johnson has resisted calls in the past for an earlier curfew, including last summer after a group of teens attacked a couple in Streeterville. On Tuesday he told reporters he was more interested in how to “invest in young people and create more healthy safe spaces for them.” * Block Club | City Opens Applications For More Than 400 Vacant Properties To Boost Redevelopment: The city began accepting redevelopment applications Tuesday for more than 400 land parcels, including 54 “Missing Middle” lots. Those lots are being offered through a program from the city’s Department of Planning and Development launched last fall to help revitalize the city’s middle class through affordable home ownership. * Tribune | George Freeman, a trailblazing jazz guitarist who enjoyed a late-career renaissance, dies at 97: That was typical for the ever-adventurous Freeman, who died in Chicago on April 1. He was 97 years old. His death was confirmed by his nephew, Mark Freeman. While still in his teens, Freeman was among the first musicians in Chicago, and one of the first jazz guitarists anywhere, to champion the bleeding-edge bebop of his idol, Charlie Parker. He eventually got to play with Parker, in now-lauded performances at the Pershing Ballroom in the early 1950s. * WBEZ | Chief judge takes over electronic monitoring for Cook County, but questions remain about staffing: The Cook County sheriff’s office is ending its decades-old electronic monitoring program, handing it over to the chief judge amid questions about who will arrest violators and how extra staff will be funded. Beginning Tuesday, anyone placed on electronic monitoring after being found to be a flight risk or a danger to the public will be overseen by the Adult Probation Department, administered by Cook County Chief Judge Timothy Evans. * Daily Southtown | Orland Park comedian Tim Cavanagh back to laughing after pancreatic cancer nearly took his life: Cavanaugh, 71, is a nationally known comedian from Orland Park who at one time was backed up by Drew Carey, co-headlined with Dennis Miller and backed up Jay Leno and Jerry Seinfeld among others. He opened 2021, however, being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer on Jan. 2. He went through hell, having a bunch of internal organs taken out and spending 26 days in a hospital. But he survived a disease that, according to pancan.com, carries a survival rate of 13%. * Daily Herald | COD history professor explores DeKalb County’s role in Underground Railroad April 17: On Thursday, April 17, join College of DuPage Associate Professor of History John Paris for “Never Pursued: J.F. Glidden and the Underground Railroad.” The presentation, held in honor of former COD History Professor Carter D. Carroll, is free and open to the public. Paris will explore the significant role DeKalb County played in the Underground Railroad, highlighting the actions of J.F. Glidden, inventor of barbed wire, and DeKalb County sheriff during the network’s most active period. * Daily Herald | Severe weather expected to develop overnight, continue throughout Wednesday: Thunderstorms are expected to develop late Tuesday night with the potential for hail stones up to 1 inch in diameter, gusty winds, frequent lightning and heavy downpours at times. Additional severe weather is likely to continue through most of the night and continue throughout Wednesday for most of the suburbs, according to forecasts from the National Weather Service bureau in Romeoville. * WCIA | Two people arrested by ICE at Champaign Co. Courthouse: Champaign County Sheriff Dustin Heuerman confirmed the arrests with WCIA Tuesday afternoon. Champaign County Public Defender Elisabeth Pollock identified the two arrested as Fernando Lorenzo-Raymundo and Carlos Gomez. Both have pending court cases. Heuerman said he spoke with the ICE agent in charge when he heard that officials were in the courthouse. The agent told him that they were there with administrative warrants for two men who had court. Those warrants are administrative rather than criminal, and allow federal immigration officials to detain people pending deportation hearings. * SJ-R | Springfield alderwoman has a new gig: lobbying for Chicago mayor: Ward 5 Ald. Lakeisha Purchase has been a registered state lobbyist since 2023. Purchase said she will remain on the city council. “This is helpful to Chicago having someone here in Springfield,” Purchase told The State Journal Register March 29. * Press Release | Woodward Communications, Inc. Expands Springfield Footprint with Acquisition of Four More Radio Stations: Woodward Communications, Inc. (WCI) is pleased to announce the successful acquisition of four radio stations (WNNS-FM, WQLZ-FM, WMAY-FM, and WMAY-AM) from Mid-West Family, serving the Springfield, IL marketplace. This acquisition follows WCI’s recent purchase of four Springfield, IL radio stations (WXAJ-FM, WFMB-FM, WCVS-FM, and WFMB-AM) from Neuhoff Media completed in October of last year. * SJ-R | ‘He knew everything.’ Renowned Lincoln scholar and author dead at 101: Wayne C. “Doc” Temple, the indefatigable Abraham Lincoln scholar who wrote more than 20 books and hundreds of articles and book reviews, died in Chatham on March 31. Temple was 101 and still writing and reviewing manuscripts towards the end of his life, said his friend and historian, James Cornelius. * Nature | ‘One of the darkest days’: NIH purges agency leadership amid mass layoffs: The layoffs will challenge the longstanding status that the NIH’s institutes and centres have had within the agency — as semi-autonomous entities. Legislative, communications, IT and other administrative workers within each institute received termination notices early on 1 April, a move designed to consolidate power under the NIH director. “NIH will cease to function after the RIFs [reductions in force]; it will take months to get things back online administratively,” says another NIH official, who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak with the press. * Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | Elon Musk group removes video from $1M winner after she says she got money to ‘vote’: “My name’s Ekaterina Deistler, and I’m from Green Bay, Wisconsin,” she said in the new video. “I did exactly what Elon Musk told everyone to do: sign the petition, refer friends and family, and now I have a million dollars.” It’s almost exactly the same, except the word “vote” has been removed. She is no longer saying she was paid, in part, to vote in the Supreme Court race. * Columbia Journalism Review | Center for Public Integrity Is Shutting Down: The Center for Public Integrity, a thirty-six-year-old nonprofit newsroom in Washington, DC, that won acclaim for its investigations but has endured financial and organizational turmoil for much of the past decade, has ceased publishing and is in talks to turn over its archives to the Project on Government Oversight (POGO), an anti-corruption watchdog group.
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Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today’s edition of Capitol Fax (use all CAPS in password)
Wednesday, Apr 2, 2025 - Posted by Rich Miller
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Selected press releases (Live updates)
Wednesday, Apr 2, 2025 - Posted by Isabel Miller
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Live coverage
Wednesday, Apr 2, 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.
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Consolidated Election night open thread (Updated)
Tuesday, Apr 1, 2025 - Posted by Rich Miller * Some election night results pages…
* Daily Herald (Suburbs) * Shaw Local (Suburbs/exurbs) * M3 Strategies * WTVO TV (Rockford area) * WQAD TV (Quad Cities area) * WAND TV (Decatur/Champaign area) * Starved Rock Media * WEEK TV (Peoria area) * Bloomington election board * WGLT (Bloomington area) * WGEM (Quincy area) * KSDK TV (Metro East) * Telegraph (Madison and Macoupin counties) I’ll add more as we find them. If you know of a results page not listed above, put it in comments. * You can see some of the contributions made by the Democratic Party of Illinois by clicking here. From a March 14 DPI press release…
* I should’ve done this earlier…
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ISBE says Trump administration is clawing back $77 million in already obligated grants
Tuesday, Apr 1, 2025 - Posted by Rich Miller * Illinois State Board of Education…
I’ve asked for a list of the school districts and a list of the grants.
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Isabel’s afternoon roundup (Updated)
Tuesday, Apr 1, 2025 - Posted by Isabel Miller …Adding… Press release…
* ILGOP…
* Background is here if you need it. Fox 32 Chicago political correspondent Paris Schutz…
* The governor has spent the last couple days on a trade mission in Mexico…
* Some react from ILGOP Chair Kathy Salvi…
* WTTW | Postal Workers Union Pushes Back on Potential USPS Cuts and Outlines Impact on Illinois Residents: “Look at the model from the Royal Mail in England,” said Melissa Rakestraw, executive vice president of the National Association of Letter Carriers. “They privatized in 2013 and it increased cost for mailers and consumers, it slowed down services and increased the mismanagement of pension funds. We can expect the same thing here.” * Tribune | Trump tariffs on steel and aluminum could squeeze Chicago apartment developers, leading to higher rents: The White House began implementing tariffs of 25% on global steel and aluminum imports March 12, saying it wants to stimulate domestic production. But experts say tariffs will also make the crucial materials more expensive, forcing developers to pass higher costs onto tenants, or make it tougher to secure financing and kick off construction. Down the road, that could mean higher rents and fewer choices for those looking for housing. “It’s a very difficult environment for the construction industry,” said Julie Workman, a Chicago-based real estate attorney and partner at Saul Ewing LLP. “Uncertainty and delay can kill deals. Time kills deals.” * Tribune | Chicago drivers can pay old tickets without late fees under amnesty plan: Drivers must pay off their base fine balance in full by June 30 to avoid the late penalties and interest they have since accrued. Only violations with a “notice of final determination” issued before 2024 will qualify, according to a news release. “This is what it means to build a government that’s rooted in fairness and justice,” Johnson said at a news conference Tuesday. “To the Chicagoans who have old ticket debt, this is your chance for a fresh start. So do not wait.” * Crain’s | The mayor has made his pick to replace Ramirez-Rosa in the 35th Ward: Mayor Brandon Johnson is set to appoint 8th District Cook County Commissioner Anthony Joel Quezada to replace former Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa to represent the 35th Ward on the Northwest Side in the City Council, according to sources familiar with the decision. The selection will come as a shock to no one as Quezada has been the presumed choice since Ramirez-Rosa was tapped by Johnson to head the Chicago Park District in February. Ramirez-Rosa’s first day at the helm of the park district is today. * Bloomberg Opinion | Ex-Skadden lawyer proves the resistance isn’t over: Until last week, Cohen was a third-year finance associate in the Chicago office of white-shoe law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom. As Trump put out executive orders targeting firms that had done work for his adversaries, she watched the industry fail to come together in support of its peers and the legal profession as a whole. When it became clear that Big Law wasn’t going to rally around some sort of collective action, Cohen suggested to a handful of friends at other law firms that they put together an open letter, signed anonymously by associates, that would put pressure on their employers to speak out. “I don’t buy people saying they just couldn’t get the firms together,” she told me, “because I and like six friends who graduated [law school] in 2022 did that in 36 hours.” * ABC Chicago | Concern on Chicago area college campuses after downstate international student has visa revoked: An international student at Southern Illinois University is now in immigration limbo because their student visa was abruptly revoked late last week. […] The university wouldn’t elaborate on the reason for the revocation or the student’s country of origin. […] According to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the Trump administration has revoked roughly 300 student visas and counting. It’s a triggering reality for University of Illinois Chicago’s heavily international student population. * ABC Chicago | Case of tuberculosis reported at Waukegan High School, health officials say: The Lake County Health department said a person was recently diagnosed with active tuberculosis, also known as TB. The person was at the Waukegan High School campus, officials said. Those who might have been exposed have been notified by officials. * Daily Herald | ‘We are gutted’: Mundelein’s Tonality Brewing to shutter this month: To encourage redevelopment of the former municipal building, the village board voted to give Gelfand and partner Don Phillips $180,000 in grants and tax rebates. The development deal called for the village to give Tonality $50,000 from the local Business Incentive Grant program; a 50% sales-tax rebate of up to $65,000 over five years, once the business began operating; and up to $65,000 from a village tax increment financing fund over five years, once the business began operating. * Naperville Sun | Naperville to welcome new pickleball facility thanks to a team of longtime friends-turned-franchisees: Saumil Parikh, Chirdip Sheth, Hemang Patel and Dhaval Sheth have seen each other through life’s major moments. Now, the longtime friends are embarking on a new chapter together: the launch of their very own pickleball facility. The group is coming together to bring a franchise of Pickleball Kingdom to Naperville. They are in the process of finding a location for their new facility, which — when complete — will feature climate-controlled indoor pickleball courts, according to a news release announcing the burgeoning franchise last month. * ABC Chicago | Elk Grove softball coach becomes all-time-winningest high school softball coach in IL: Ken Grams has become the all-time-winningest high school softball coach in Illinois, and he’s done it all at Elk Grove High School. […] “Right now, I’m sitting at 1,044,” Grams said. The team won 3-2 Monday. In his 44th season, Coach Grams was just one victory away from standing alone at the top of the all-time-wins list. To rack up so many wins, of course, takes many years. * WSIL | Former southern Illinois police chief pleads guilty to corruption charges: A former police chief in one southern Illinois city pleaded guilty to one count of misapplication of property from federally funded programs and one count of interstate transportation of stolen property, according to the United States Attorney’s Office Southern District of Illinois. A representative with the US Attorney’s Office said Anson Fenton, 46 of Belle Rive, was in court on Monday and admitted to selling forfeited items which were confiscated by their department for his personal benefit. * Shaw Local | Election 2025: 5 races we are watching in Whiteside, Lee counties: Sauk Valley-area voters headed to their polling places Tuesday to choose who will represent them on city, school, park, library and township boards. After the polls close at 7 p.m., visit the Sterling Gazette/Dixon Telegraph’s website for election night coverage and updates on the races. * WCIA | ‘It’s disgusting’: Buckley residents call on village officials to focus on water quality: The Village of Buckley has tried to build a new sewer system, but funding the project has been an issue. The Village President said they’ve secured millions of dollars in grants, but initial bids are higher than expected. Now, the sewer rate is rising on water bills, and patience is running low for people in town. “We didn’t sign up for this and I feel like that’s really cruel,” said resident Karin Hall. * Herald-Whig | Troup, Moore make final push before election: Republican Mayor Mike Troup faces off against former city treasurer and independent candidate Linda Moore in the consolidated election. Troup, 67, who is finishing his first term, believes the city has undergone tremendous business growth during his time as mayor and wants to see that continue. “If you look at where we started four years ago with coming out of COVID, a lot of empty big box stores, an uncertain economy, we have filled virtually the empty big box stores,” Troup said. “Our sales tax revenues have jumped up and have remained at that height. We have been able to use those dollars to improve infrastructure.” * WCIA | Danville Rescue Men’s Overnight Crisis Shelter now open: Back in January WCIA reported that organizers were struggling to find insurance for the building. Now, the only thing left is to fill the spots and get homeless men off the streets. Monday night the Danville Rescue Mission began providing the unsheltered men a hot meal and a place to lay their heads. * NBC | Scientists warn of severe honeybee losses in 2025: Honeybee colonies in the United States are projected to decline by up to 70% in 2025, entomologists at Washington State University said Tuesday. The university said in a news release that in the past decade, honeybee colony losses have averaged 40% to 50% annually. But this year, a combination of nutrition deficiencies, mite infestations, viral diseases and possible pesticide exposure during the previous pollinating season led to higher losses, the release said. * Chalkbeat | Programs like tutoring in jeopardy after Linda McMahon terminates COVID aid spending extensions: “Extending deadlines for COVID-related grants, which are in fact taxpayer funds, years after the COVID pandemic ended is not consistent with the Department’s priorities and thus not a worthwhile exercise of its discretion,” the letter states. “The Department’s initial approval of your extension request does not change anything.” The last opportunity to spend pandemic relief money was 5 p.m. Friday, the same day McMahon sent the letter. * AP | A Senate vote to reverse President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canada is testing Republican support: Even as the resolution from Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia offered them a potential off-ramp to the tariffs levied on Canadian imports, Republican leaders were trying to keep senators in line by focusing on fentanyl that comes into the U.S. over its northern border. It was yet another example of how Trump is not only reorienting global economics, but upending his party’s longtime support for ideas like free trade. “I really relish giving my Republican colleagues the chance to not just say they’re concerned, but actually take an action to stop these tariffs,” Kaine told The Associated Press in an interview last week. * Stateline | Red states create their own DOGE efforts to cut state government: Conservatives have long sought to shrink the size and cost of government. And it’s common practice for officials from both parties to hire outside consultants to help reduce inefficiency or waste in school, state and city bureaucracies. But the DOGE effort is gaining new steam as Republicans look to fall in line with Trump and blue and red states alike face massive budget gaps that will require some combination of spending cuts or increased taxes. * Reuters | Trump administration to freeze family-planning funds for Planned Parenthood: Planned Parenthood said that nine of its affiliates received notice that funding would be withheld under a program known as Title X, which has supported healthcare services for the poor since 1970. The Wall Street Journal reported last week the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) planned an immediate freeze of $27.5 million in family planning grants for groups including Planned Parenthood.
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Musical interlude: Happy Cheap Trick Day!
Tuesday, Apr 1, 2025 - Posted by Rich Miller * WIFR…
* Bun E. Carlos could really pound those skins. Turn it up…
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AG Raoul joins lawsuit against Trump administration’s decision to rescind billions in health funding
Tuesday, Apr 1, 2025 - Posted by Isabel Miller
* From the lawsuit…
Rich is planning a broader piece on the importance of the APA to many of these cases, but click here for a little background. * Attorney General Kwame Raoul…
* Related…
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Study finds Illinois homeowners insurance premiums skyrocketed 50 percent between 2021 and 2024 (Updated)
Tuesday, Apr 1, 2025 - Posted by Rich Miller * Press release…
* From the study…
Yikes.
* Illinois PIRG notes that the state’s Department of Insurance drafted this bill to implement rate review for auto and homeowners insurance. SB268 is still in a Senate committee, but its passage deadline has been extended to April 4…
Chief opponents include the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies, the Illinois Chamber of Commerce and the American Property Casualty Insurance Association. …Adding… Joint statement from the insurance industry…
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Mayor, CPZ lay out Chicago’s top 5 state legislative priorities (Updated)
Tuesday, Apr 1, 2025 - Posted by Isabel Miller * Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson was asked about his top three priorities in Springfield this spring session during a press availability today…
* H/T Chicago Bars. More on the Personal Property Replacement Tax…
…Adding… Maurice Scholten of the Taxpayers’ Federation of Illinois…
Thoughts?
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It’s just a bill
Tuesday, Apr 1, 2025 - Posted by Isabel Miller * Senate Democrats…
* Rep. Kelly Cassidy…
* WAND…
* Rep. Janet Yang Rohr…
* Rep. Natalie Manley…
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Powering Illinois’ Energy And Economic Future
Tuesday, Apr 1, 2025 - Posted by Advertising Department [The following is a paid advertisement.] What if Illinois could expand its energy grid, attract AI and emerging tech companies to the state, and provide over 60,000 new jobs with no impact on communities or the environment? SOO Green makes it possible. Built along existing rail corridors, this underground transmission project will deliver 2,100 MW of low-cost reliable power making the electric grid more resilient in the face of extreme weather while unlocking billions in economic investments for Illinois. The SOO Green Advantage:
• 60,000+ new jobs • Lower energy costs for families and businesses • $26 billion in economic benefits statewide • $9.8 billion in health benefits by reducing emissions With SOO Green all ratepayers will enjoy a more reliable grid, protection from rising energy costs, and a stronger economy for Illinois. Learn more at www.soogreen.com.
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Question of the day
Tuesday, Apr 1, 2025 - Posted by Rich Miller * Candidates can start circulating nominating petitions in late July. That’s not far off. Is it surprising to you that we haven’t yet heard any Republicans floating their names for down-ballot statewide races?
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Apparently, it was not a well-pleaded case
Tuesday, Apr 1, 2025 - Posted by Rich Miller * Background from NBC 5…
The lawsuit was filed by the Liberty Justice Center. * Welp…  * From the opinion…
Plaintiffs have until April 30th to try again.
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Ironworkers: The Backbone of Our Energy Storage and Green Transition Economy
Tuesday, Apr 1, 2025 - Posted by Advertising Department [The following is a paid advertisement.] Ironworkers are at the forefront of Illinois’ green energy transition, ensuring a sustainable future while securing strong, union-backed wages. Thanks to the historic investment in renewable energy by Governor Pritzker and the Illinois General Assembly, thousands of Illinois ironworkers are finding employment in green energy projects, including energy storage. From day one, ironworkers have been erecting wind turbines and battery plants. By advancing hydrogen and other energy storage solutions, they play a crucial role in making the ambitious goals of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) a reality. Their expertise ensures that Illinois not only meets but leads in clean energy innovation. By including all of union labor in renewable energy projects, we strengthen our workforce, our economy, and our environment. The future is green—powered by the hands of skilled ironworkers.
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Open thread
Tuesday, Apr 1, 2025 - Posted by Isabel Miller * What’s going on? Keep it Illinois-centric please?…
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Isabel’s morning briefing
Tuesday, Apr 1, 2025 - Posted by Isabel Miller * ICYMI: Illinois voters head to the polls. WGEM…
- To find your voting location, visit the Illinois election locator. * Related stories… ∙ Daily Herald: Guide to voting in the suburbs Tuesday: Polling places, ID rules, write-ins and more ∙ Intelligencer: It’s Election Day. Here’s what to know. ∙ NBC Chicago: What time do polls open in Illinois? Last-minute voter guide for big elections in Chicago suburbs * Tribune | Illinois secretary of state’s office opens larger ‘flagship’ DMV in the Loop: The new 24,000-square-foot facility at 125 W. Monroe St. is nearly five times the size of downtown’s former office at the corner of Randolph and LaSalle streets, which closed on Friday “and often experienced long lines and wait times because of its small size,” Giannoulias’ office said. * WBEZ | CTU bargainers approve tentative contract deal. Here’s what you need to know: The proposed settlement cleared the hurdle of the union’s “big bargaining team,” a group of 65 educators that has negotiated with the school district for almost a year. A meeting of the CTU’s 730-member House of Delegates is Wednesday, with a ratification vote by all 30,000 members expected in the next week or two. * Capitol News Illinois | Students, women in trades advocate for more career and technical education: The resolution, introduced by state Rep. Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernández, D-Cicero, who serves as chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois, also takes shots at President Donald Trump. It cites recent executive orders that “aim to reverse hard-won progress to diversity the workforce and will further entrench systemic occupational segregation, robbing women of economic security.” […] The resolution, which is awaiting a hearing in the House Labor and Commerce committee, is sponsored exclusively by Democrats, including House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, who signed on as a chief co-sponsor last month. * WAND | Illinois House Democrat, university leaders raise concerns over Trump cuts to higher education: Rep. La Shawn Ford (D-Chicago) said any cuts to federal financial aid will have a serious negative impact on students and their ability to access college education. Ford noted that many Illinois families rely on Pell grants and student loans to make college affordable. * WGLT | Libraries and museums in Illinois are hit by Trump executive order: Children’s Discovery Museum Director Beth Whisman said they’ve been told the government will not honor reimbursement for the third year of a $250,000 grant. Whisman estimated the museum is on the hook for about $40,000 already spent. The program serves 1,900 children in both major school districts, the YWCA, and Heartland Head Start early childhood STEAM education. * Tribune | Illinois becomes first state to mandate halal, kosher meals be available in public institutions such as schools: Muslim students who eat halal usually only have a few options in the school cafeteria line once they’ve passed the hamburgers, chicken nuggets and deli sandwiches: a slice of cheese pizza, maybe a salad, fruit, yogurt, a carton of milk. “Just not a lot of healthy, filling choices to pick from,” said Khadija Basith, whose children attend Forest Glen Elementary School in Glen Ellyn. “Even if there aren’t halal options, I want to at least see them offering a good veggie burger or a good fish wrap.” * Crain’s | Chicago Public Media reorganizes newsroom leadership in wake of buyouts: Chicago Public Media is naming Jennifer Kho its interim editor-in-chief, along with other leadership changes, as the nonprofit moves forward with integrating the Chicago Sun-Times and WBEZ-FM/91.5. Kho, who joined the Sun-Times as executive editor in 2022, will be leading the reorganization of a unified Chicago Public Media newsroom as the company searches for a permanent editor-in-chief, the organization confirmed. She will oversee journalists from both publications, according to a news release. * Sun-Times | Bally’s gets credit downgrade for ‘execution risk’ on Chicago casino: Potentially lowering Bally’s odds of maxing out its River West jackpot are “a saturated Chicago gaming market, the higher-than-average gaming tax rate, and the typical ramp-up of a new casino development,” according to Fitch Ratings. * WTTW | CTA Austin Green Line Station Begins $25M Reconstruction Aimed at Accessibility Amid Broader Funding Questions: Funding for the $25.6 million project is through the Federal Highway Administration’s Surface Transportation program and the state’s Rebuild Illinois capital plan. Federal funds provided $20.3 million and Rebuild Illinois picked up $5.3 million, according to transit officials. “This is an innovative approach to utilizing funds traditionally spent on roads to invest and modernize our transit system, so we remain a competitive and reliable alternative to driving,” CTA Acting President Nora Leerhsen said. * Block Club | Lincoln Square Neighbors Can Take Walking History Lesson With Shermann ‘Dilla’ Thomas: The Walking Hour, a walking series organized by Pamiya Opoku, is partnering with Thomas for an event that will start 2:30 p.m. April 13 at Winnemac Park and continue to western Andersonville. Ald. Andre Vasquez (40th) will also attend the 2.5-mile walk. […] Opoku began taking walks with her friends at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, she launched The Walking Hour in the Evanston area as an expansion of those initial walks, according to the Evanston Roundtable. * ABC Chicago | Chicago street sweeping starts Tuesday, April 1: Signs about upcoming sweeps are posted in orange two days in advance. Mechanical street sweepers remove debris and litter from Chicago’s streets. Street sweeping continues through the fall. * Daily Herald | Elgin City Council rejects delay of ban on synthetic THC product sales: The council approved a ban on the advertisement, display, sale and delivery of Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, products without a state license in late February. On Wednesday, a proposal to push back the ban to begin in late August, allowing stores to sell their current inventory, failed by a 5-4 margin. The same council members who approved the ban rejected the delay. * WTTW | Illinois, Cook County Public Health Officials Say Federal Funding Cuts Came With Little Notice: The Illinois Department of Public Health announced this week the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is taking back $125 million allocated to IDPH and 97 local health departments for infectious disease prevention. Another $324 million appropriated by Congress for “future use” in preventing and treating infectious disease also is being blocked. * Crain’s | Northwestern details progress in combating antisemitism on campus: In its report, NU says that reports of antisemitism on campus have decreased significantly since last year, thanks in part to the efforts the school has made, which include: updated demonstration and student conduct policies, mandatory antisemitism training, enhanced Title VI enforcement tools, and the creation of a Jewish advisory group. * Fox Chicago | Orland Park mayoral candidates differ on handling of ceasefire resolution, public safety: Dodge said he offers a more moderate and civil approach to governing and differs with Pekau on issues like public safety, where he says police are asking for a change in work hours. “Our cops would like to go to three days on 12-hour shifts and then have a little bit bigger break than the current shift structure. Almost all the towns around us are doing that, so we’re starting to lose young police officers to other towns,” he said. * WCIA | City of Hoopeston to begin voting for new Mayor: Current mayor Jeff Wise said he’s the man for the job. Wise has been in office for three years. He believes the city has seen a lot of success, like the demolition of nine downtown buildings and bringing in a tractor supply to the area. […] His opponent Tracy Carter decided to run for mayor after friends and family believed he’d be the one to make a difference in the city. Carter said he currently works for a manufacturing company in town and has experience managing a yearly budget. He also did various other village jobs, like working for the water department when he lived in Rankin. * 25News Now | Mayor-led group forms to advocate for towns and cities along the Illinois River: Those fifteen, including Peoria Mayor Rita Ali and East Peoria Mayor John Kahl, form the first Illinois River Cities and Towns Initiative and advocate for their homes along the river. In the group’s first meeting today in Peoria at the Illinois Waterway Ports Commission, members outlined their plans to increase development, sustain the economy, and protect the environment along the waterway. * SJ-R | Online newspaper supporting LGBTQA+ closes Springfield brick-and-mortar office: Editor and owner of the Illinois eagle Tom Wray said initially he wanted an open forum and way to communicate with the public who could walk in but chose to close the chapter for the office and end his lease due to financial struggles. “We’re still putting content out and we’re still reporting what’s going on in the community,” Wray said. “I mean a lot of people still want the news we provide, it’s just reality that set in … I kind of need to pay my mortgage.” * First Alert 4 | Fairmount Park to become racino: The venue will have 271 slot machines, including 40 premium games. The casino’s temporary placement in the grandstand is Phase 1 of a broader redevelopment effort, with the full-size casino coming in Phase 2. “Soon, folks will be able to come in and enjoy the casino as well as racing here at the track,” said Vince Gabbert, Sr. VP of US Gaming and General Manager at Fairmount Park Casino & Racing. “We’ve brought in the best slot machines and electronic table games on the market. Every game on the floor is either brand-new or a fan favorite, making for an exciting selection.” * STAT | HHS starts layoffs of thousands of workers across its agencies: Layoff notices began arriving early Tuesday for thousands of employees of the sprawling Department of Health and Human Services and its subsidiary agencies, with as many 10,000 workers potentially expected to be hit by the cuts. “I regret to inform you that you have been affected by a reduction in force (RIF) action,” an email to affected employees said. It went on to tell the recipients that they were placed on immediate administrative leave, offering no details of the length of that leave. The email also stated that their firing was not a reflection of their work.
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Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today’s edition of Capitol Fax (use all CAPS in password)
Tuesday, Apr 1, 2025 - Posted by Rich Miller
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Tuesday, Apr 1, 2025 - Posted by Isabel Miller
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Tuesday, Apr 1, 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.
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