Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

Wednesday, Nov 12, 2025 - Posted by Isabel Miller

Six people, including congressional candidate and social media influencer Kat Abughazaleh, are set to be arraigned at the Dirksen Federal Courthouse on Wednesday afternoon on charges stemming from protests outside the feds’ immigration facility in Broadview.

It’s one of a series of controversial prosecutions at the federal courthouse tied to the feds’ “Operation Midway Blitz” deportation campaign. The arraignment is expected to draw protests and prompt speeches in the Federal Plaza across the street from the courthouse.

One of the six charged, Catherine Sharp, told followers on social media Wednesday she was “heading to court today for my arraignment on ludicrous charges” tied to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in the western suburbs.

The charges stem from a protest Sept. 26 outside the Broadview facility, which has been the subject of separate litigation. Video of the incident shows Abughazaleh and several others crowding and pushing against a black SUV, slowing its approach toward the facility.

The Tribune’s Jason Meisner is in the courtroom…

Judge McShain is on the bench
Abughazaleh pleads not guilty though her attorney, as do all the other 5 defendants.
Prosecutor Sheri Mecklenberg says they face up to 6 years in prison on the conspiracy charge.

— Jason Meisner (@jmetr22b) November 12, 2025

* Bloomberg…

China’s purchases of American soybeans appear to have stalled, less than two weeks after the U.S. touted a wide-ranging trade truce that signaled thawing relations between the world’s two biggest economies.

After a flurry of orders late last month — which were the first of this season — Chinese imports of U.S. cargoes seem to have faltered, according to traders who asked not to be identified discussing confidential information. They said they were not aware of new shipments. The pause is fueling uncertainty over whether the biggest consumer of American soybeans will import as much as U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration claims to expect. […]

Washington said Beijing had pledged to buy 12 million tons of soybeans by the end of this year, followed by 25 million tons annually over the next three years. China has yet to confirm the specific purchase commitments mentioned by Trump’s team, but Beijing has reduced tariffs on American soybeans and lifted import bans on three American exporters, including CHS Inc., reciprocating similar conciliatory actions from the U.S. […]

China has spent the past few months buying massive amounts of South American beans in a bid to diversify its sources. Therefore, Chinese demand is expected to be lower in the coming months regardless of any trade deal with the U.S., according to Vitor Pistoia, senior grains and oilseeds analyst at Rabobank.

*** Chicago ***

* Sun-Times | Mayor Johnson sues to keep $6 million federal grant for community policing: The new lawsuit filed this week in federal district court in Chicago challenges conditions that the Justice Department imposed on a $6.25 million grant that the Johnson administration had hoped to use to recruit, hire and train 50 Chicago police officers to fill vacancies in the city’s community policing program. St. Paul, Minnesota, joined Chicago in asking the court to declare such grant conditions illegal.

* Injustice Watch | ‘Horrific’ video of incident at Chicago’s juvenile jail raises questions about recent trial, experts say: The minute-and-a-half-long video, which was provided to Injustice Watch by the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office in response to a public records request, appears to show former detention center rapid response specialist Kevin Walker flinging a handcuffed 15-year-old boy to the floor by his shirt. Shortly after, the boy can be seen lying motionless on the floor of a holding cell. The boy was knocked unconscious and sustained visible bruising around his left eye, according to the testimony of a doctor who treated him afterward.

* AP | Chicagoans buy out street vendors amid a federal immigration crackdown: In Little Village, Rick Rosales, community organizer with Cycling x Solidarity, helps organize two of these “buy out” rides per week that typically support five street vendors each. “The vendors are often speechless,” Rosales said. “They’ll say, ‘I have a lot of tamales. You want all of them?’”

* Sun-Times | CTA board approves no fare increase in 2026 budget, questions when new transit bill money will come: The board’s Wednesday budget vote closes the door on a potential fare increase after the Regional Transportation Authority walked back its 10% fare hike requirement last week for CTA, Metra and Pace. The RTA did so after the state legislature passed a $1.5 billion transit bailout last month, sparing the agencies from drastic service cuts. Without the CTA’s 25 cent fare hike for bus and train tickets, the agency expects to lose nearly $30 million in additional revenue next year, according to budget figures shared at the board meeting. Those lost funds will be made up by $141 million in extra money from the transit bill, which Gov. JB Pritzker is expected to sign.

* WTTW | With No Easy Fixes in Sight, Debate Over Chicago’s 2026 Spending Plan Reaches Tipping Point: But a marathon session before the City Council’s Budget and Government Operations Committee on Monday made it clear there is no easy way to bridge the city’s $1.19 billion projected shortfall, leaving alderpeople across the political spectrum frustrated as the budget debate hits a tipping point. Even as departmental budget hearings are set to wrap up Thursday, there is no clear consensus on the bulk of Johnson’s proposal to impose $617 million in new taxes on the wealthiest Chicagoans and largest firms. That makes it likely negotiations over the city’s spending plan will once again stretch past Thanksgiving, forcing alderpeople to scramble to meet a Dec. 31 deadline.

* WBEZ | What happens to survivors of police torture after the big payout?: James Gibson is a busy man. The 59 year-old has his hand in a number of projects, from starting an investment firm to writing an autobiography to producing music. He feels he has no time to waste because he spent nearly 30 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. “I lost everything,” he said. “I never had a chance to serve my country. I never had no kids. I never had a chance to get married. I don’t know what it feel[s] like to be feeling emotions. I don’t know what it feel[s] like [to have] human contact.. [The] only thing I had was God.”

* Sun-Times | Try to see the Northern Lights over the Chicago area Wednesday night: Residents got their first taste Tuesday night when the aurora borealis lit up the night sky in pink, yellow and green. It was the most visible example of the Northern Lights in the Chicago area since at least October 2024, when another geomagnetic storm sent heads looking up to the sky. Forecasters say those who missed it might get another shot.

*** Cook County and Suburbs ***

* Daily Herald | Bodycam video shows how Palatine police officer assisted immigration agents with arrest: The arrest, and the officer’s involvement, led some residents to call for Palatine leaders to ban immigration agents from using village property and resources. Village Manager Reid Ottesen told a packed crowd at Monday’s village board meeting there are no plans to enact such policies because they are merely cosmetic and unenforceable. The village also defended the officer’s actions, saying the unidentified officer “made a split-second decision to assist in stabilizing the situation.”

* Daily Herald | Barrington delays ICE ordinance, Palatine rebuffs citizen proposal: arrington officials delayed action on a proposal restricting federal immigration agents from village property, while Palatine leaders rejected a similar proposal. Both boards met Monday night. A packed audience at village hall in Palatine was upset with the decision announced by Village Manager Reid Ottesen. “As a longtime Palatine resident, I have never felt unsafe in our community until today,” said resident Jennie Lussow, who captured video of two masked U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents with guns detaining a man Monday afternoon at the corner of Colfax and Schiller streets.

* Naperville Sun | Police make gun-related arrest No. 17 near Naperville Topgolf: Naperville police were patrolling the Topgolf parking lot at 3211 Odyssey Court when officers “took note of an odor of fresh cannabis coming from a parked vehicle,” Naperville police Cmdr. Rick Krakow said. When officers observed multiple people, including Billups, return to the vehicle, they pulled it over for an unlawful tint violation, Krakow said. Billups was seen reaching down as if he was placing something on the floorboard, leading police to conduct a probable cause search that revealed open cannabis and alcohol. Under the front passenger seat, which was just in front of Billups, officers found a loaded Taurus 9mm handgun, Krakow said. Billups did not possess a valid Firearm Owners Identification card or a concealed carry license, leading to his arrest.

* Aurora Beacon-News | St. Charles adopts new rules for e-bikes, e-scooters: St. Charles officials have indicated that the city’s ordinance reflects current state law, which offers some guidance about where e-bikes can be used and who can ride them, but also gives local municipalities some leeway to make their own rules. Under Illinois law, e-bikes, which are sometimes referred to as low-speed electric bicycles, are different from an electric motorcycle. An e-bike must have an electric motor of less than 750 watts, and is split into three classes.

* Naperville Sun | Naperville rules for e-bikes, e-scooters would set age limits, make parents liable for fines: If adopted, the new minimum age requirement for e-bikes in Naperville would be 16. Fines ranging from $100 to $500 would be assessed on the parents of children caught violating the law.

* Daily Herald | ‘We are listening’: Wauconda District 118 officials pause proposed deficit reduction plan: The school board was to have voted on the budget deficit reduction plan Thursday but the item will be removed from the agenda to allow for more discussion and input. Parents and others say the situation remains concerning and there is no transparency or accountability about how the deficit happened.

* Shaw Local | Dale Berman’s widow among 4 to be interviewed for his seat on Kane County Board: Mary Berman, Dale Berman’s widow, is one of the candidates for the seat. The other three are Batavia Township resident Kimberley Young and North Aurora residents Martha Quetsch Davison and Matt Dingeldein. Mary Berman described herself as a “dedicated and compassionate professional with over 42 years of experience in retail, specializing in fine jewelry sales and customer service.”

* NASCAR | NASCAR appoints Jacqueline Herrera as general manager of Chicagoland Speedway: As a child, Jacque Herrera was heading to Chicagoland Speedway to watch the stars of NASCAR rip around the 1.5-mile oval in Joliet, Illinois. She gets to relive those glory days in a new way now as Herrera was introduced as general manager of Chicagoland Speedway on Tuesday, just under eight months before NASCAR makes its triumphant return to Will County for the 2026 Fourth of July weekend.

*** Downstate ***

* WGLT | U of I College of Media removes Illinois Public Media executive director, promotes from within to fill: Staff at the Urbana-based station learned in an email Tuesday morning that the College of Media is removing current executive director Moss Bresnahan, moving him to an advisory role within the college. Longtime development and operations leaders John Steinbacher and Lillie Duncanson are being promoted to share the executive director role. “The fact that they picked two people within the organization who had been working here for so long, I think, says that they have a lot of confidence not only in Lillie and I but in the entire team and in the direction that Illinois Public Media has been heading,” Steinbacher said.

* 25News Now | New chemical manufacturing plant to run along Illinois River in Peoria: Viridis Industrial Chemistry will be operating next to the former BioUjra facility. Based in Nebraska, the company specializes in producing ethyl acetate, a renewable chemical compound commonly used in manufacturing. This compound has previously been made using fossil fuels, but Viridis will use corn-based ethanol as a greener alternative.

* WNIJ | Rockford panel to discuss local housing shortage and homelessness on Nov. 12: The League of Women Voters of Greater Rockford is hosting a community housing meeting Wednesday, Nov. 12 from 6-8 p.m. at the Rockford District 1 Police Station. The meeting will discuss needed resources such as affordable housing, homelessness and home maintenance. Gina Meeks is an alderwoman in Rockford who represents the city’s 12th ward. She says Winnebago County faces a shortage of between 3,000-9,000 housing units over the next decade to meet demand.

* WSIL | Carterville library trades food for fines to help with food insecurity: “This is the time of year when the community needs to come together and support people who maybe don’t have that support on their own,” said Adult Services Librarian Mike Terrana. All collected items will be donated to the Crainville and Cambria pantries.

* WCIA | EIU looking to improve emergency messaging after Monday’s false threat: While the call wasn’t credible, students said it wasn’t any less alarming to receive emergency notifications from the university on the situation or false information from friends that a campus shooting was underway. “EIU recognizes that some of its emergency messaging created confusion or concern,” university officials said in a news release. “Emergency situations are dynamic and complex, and EIU recognizes the importance of clear, timely, and easily understood communication in such moments.”

*** National ***

* NYT | The Penny Dies at 232: The American penny died on Wednesday in Philadelphia. It was 232. The cause was irrelevance and expensiveness, the Treasury Department said. Nothing could be bought any more with a penny, not even penny candy. Moreover, the cost to mint the penny had risen to more than 3 cents, a financial absurdity that doomed the coin. The final pennies were minted on Wednesday afternoon in Philadelphia. Top Treasury officials were on hand for its final journey. No last words were recorded.

* 404 Media | Judge Rules Flock Surveillance Images Are Public Records That Can Be Requested By Anyone: In a ruling last week, Judge Elizabeth Neidzwski ruled that “the Flock images generated by the Flock cameras located in Stanwood and Sedro-Wooley [Washington] are public records under the Washington State Public Records Act,” that they are “not exempt from disclosure,” and that “an agency does not have to possess a record for that record to be subject to the Public Records Act.” […] Stanwood’s attorneys first argued that the records were Flock’s, not the city’s, which is clearly contradicted in the contract, which states “customer [Stanwood] shall retain whatever legally cognizable right, title, and interest in Customer Generated Data … Flock does not own and shall not sell Customer Generated Data.”

Comment

Federal hemp ban included in deal to reopen government

Wednesday, Nov 12, 2025 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* The Guardian…

A last-minute provision in the federal spending bill heavily restricting hemp-derived products such as CBD and THC drinks could lead some Republicans to vote against the spending bill which, if passed, could end the government shutdown as early as Wednesday. […]

On Monday night, Kentucky senator Rand Paul broke with the Republican party and voted against the bill because of the hemp provision, which was revealed at the 11th hour and which Paul tried unsuccessfully to have removed. […]

The current version of the provision “criminalizes any product that has more than .4 milligrams of total THC per container. That’s basically zero. 95% of hemp products have more than .4 milligrams,” [Jonathan Miller, an advocate for the hemp industry and former Kentucky state treasurer,] said.

The 2018 farm bill’s only restriction on hemp was that it contain less than 0.3% delta 9 THC. The new provision would ban THC in all forms, including delta 8 THC and THCA, which are common in hemp products, and would also criminalize non-intoxicating CBD products with trace amounts of THC, Miller said.

Gov. JB Pritzker has been hoping to pass a bill to regulate the intoxicating hemp industry for almost a year now, but Illinois’ General Assembly has repeatedly failed to enact its own regulatory system.

I’ve asked the governor’s office for a response and will post it if and/or when I hear back.

* Brownfield Ag News…

[The chairman of the National Hemp Association Geoff Whaling] says the measure would end the unregulated sale of hemp-based products and return the focus to hemp grain and fiber production. […]

The bill overrides 23 state laws and limits allowed cannabinoid levels in products to well below current thresholds. Whaling tells Brownfield that the legislation’s effects would take effect a year after it’s signed into law. […]

He says the year window could offer opportunities to re-establish a legitimate cannabinoid market. […]

In a statement to Brownfield, Rachel Berry, president of the Illinois Hemp Growers Association (IHGA), says, “The IHGA and its members are disappointed in the Senate-approved Continuing Resolution language that devastates the hemp industry, particularly small producers, and prioritizes special interests over agricultural innovation and family farms.”

* Craft brewers have cashed in on the THC beverage market as more consumers shift away from alcohol. Minnesota Reformer…

[L]iquor stores and breweries that sell THC products would have to pay significantly higher taxes, thanks to a section in the federal tax code that forbids businesses from selling illegal substances and also getting tax deductions on their business expenses. They’d also be unable to work with credit card companies or many banks, limitations which have forced cannabis dispensaries to largely use cash.

“There will be a number of breweries that will close their doors,” said Bob Galligan of the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild.

Also, since hemp-derived THC comes from immature cannabis plants with more non-THC biomass, it’s less efficient to produce compared to cannabis. Federal legalization made hemp less of a headache to deal with compared to higher-potency weed, Galligan said, but a federal ban on hemp would reverse that calculation.

“The THC category we started two and a half years ago, it’s grown to be approaching 15% of our overall business,” said Jon Halper, owner of Top Ten Liquors, which Halper said is one of the top two hemp-derived THC retailers in Minnesota. Halper attributes Top Ten’s sales growth this year to those THC sales.

Thoughts?

* More…

Missouri Independent | Missouri hemp businesses fear new federal THC limits will destroy the industry:

* Cannabis Business Times | 13 GOP House Reps Oppose Hemp Product Ban Ahead of Vote to End Shutdown: U.S. House Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., and 12 of his Republican colleagues previously spoke out in opposition to a federal ban on intoxicating hemp products that was under consideration earlier this year. Comer led a bipartisan coalition of 27 representatives – 13 Republicans and 14 Democrats – in asking House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., to strike anti-hemp provisions from a previous version of the fiscal 2026 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.

* Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | Wisconsin hemp businesses say Senate bill banning THC products would ‘decimate’ the industry: John Kashou, owner of Kangaroo Brands, which includes THC and CBD shop Kind Oasis, said he and other local business owners agree with enacting “common-sense” regulations on the hemp industry statewide. Among the regulations business owners proposed were testing requirements, clearly labeled packaging and age restrictions to avoid children accessing the products. “Whatever happens on a national level is going to happen,” Kashou said. “We’ve got to be more concerned about what we’re going to do on a state level in order to ensure not only our continued existence, but to protect thousands and thousands of jobs that are at stake.”

6 Comments

Caption contest!

Wednesday, Nov 12, 2025 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* Yesterday, Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez got into it with Gov. JB Pritzker and Ald. Michael Rodriguez at a Veterans Day event in Little Village. The Tribune…

[Southwest Side Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez] allied with Mayor Brandon Johnson shouted questions at Gov. JB Pritzker in Little Village Tuesday over the governor’s opposition to Johnson’s proposed corporate head tax. […]

Sigcho-Lopez confronted Pritzker in front of an array of reporters, photographers and television cameras Tuesday. He told the governor the need for more taxes on the rich is tied to Trump’s immigration policies that have hit the Latino Southwest Side particularly hard. […]

Pritzker responded by referring to his unsuccessful efforts to amend the state constitution to create a graduated income tax. The 2020 referendum question Pritzker backed received support from 46.7% of voters, short of the 60% threshold. […]

Sigcho-Lopez moments later approached Rodriguez, a fellow City Council Progressive Caucus member known as a close ally of labor unions. “Who are you protecting?” Sigcho-Lopez appeared to ask.

“Don’t get in my face, dude,” an animated Rodriguez shouted back.

* Tribune staff photojournalist Brian Cassella captured the moment between Rodriguez and Sigcho-Lopez. From Cassella’s Instagram…

There’s some profanity in both of these videos of the incident (here and here), so maybe don’t play them on speaker.

Caption?

12 Comments

Today’s number: 2 percent (Updated)

Wednesday, Nov 12, 2025 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Tribune…

A federal judge on Wednesday said he plans to grant bond to hundreds of immigrants whose arrests under “Operation Midway Blitz” allegedly violated a consent decree against “warrantless arrests.”

U.S District Judge Jeffrey Cummings ordered the Department of Justice to produce a list by Nov. 19 of which of the 615 potential class members were still in custody.

As long as a detainee had no criminal history or prior removal order, Cummings said he would allow their release on a $1,500 bond, pending the outcome of immigration proceedings.

Federal prosecutor William Weiland called the ruling “quite significant” and asked the judge to immediately stay any order of release so he could speak with his superiors. At least 12 of the 615 were considered to be a significant security risk, and more time was needed to vet them, Weiland said.

…Adding… Another one…

JUST IN: A federal judge rules that Diana Santillana Galeano, the North Center day care worker arrested by ICE, deserves a bond hearing.
It will happen on Tuesday.
Background: https://t.co/BxVoi7tO1N

— Jason Meisner (@jmetr22b) November 12, 2025

5 Comments

Catching up with the federal candidates (Updated)

Wednesday, Nov 12, 2025 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* The Daniel Biss campaign released an internal poll yesterday. The press release…

New polling released by the Biss for Congress campaign shows Daniel Biss holding a commanding lead in the Democratic primary for Illinois’ 9th Congressional District. Biss is currently supported by 31% of likely IL-9 Democratic primary voters, with no other candidate earning more than 17% of the vote. Biss is also the best-known and most well-liked candidate in the district, recognized by 74% of the Democratic primary electorate, with 61% viewing him favorably.

“I’m fired up by the results of this poll, which show our campaign emerging as the clear leader in a crowded field,” said Daniel Biss. “I’m working every day to make sure voters know that I’ll stand up to Donald Trump and fight to ensure Congress serves the people, not just the wealthy and powerful. In recent weeks, we’ve taken on ICE and protected our neighbors right here at home. In Congress, I’ll close the loopholes that let the ultra-rich dodge taxes, and I’ll push for a wealth tax to fund Medicare for All and affordable child care. With four months to go before the primary, we’ll keep building a grassroots movement for real, lasting change.” […]

The poll was conducted by Impact Research and based on N=500 interviews of likely 2026 Democratic primary voters in IL CD-09, conducted via phone and text-to-web from November 4-9, 2025. The expected margin of sampling error is +/-4.4% overall and is higher for subgroups.

Click here for the polling memo.

Biss’ pollster Impact Research also tested favorability and name ID for Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren…

Biss and Warren have history. He was among the Illinois Democrats who backed her 2020 presidential bid. She returned the favor in July and tops the endorsement list on his campaign website.

More from Evanston Now…

The two polls conducted for Abughazaleh’s campaign, both conducted by political consulting group MDW Communications, showed her in second, trailing Biss, but by far narrower margins and with marginal change between June and October.

The poll released on Tuesday by Biss’ campaign was conducted by Impact Research, a political research organization with a more extensive polling history than MDW. […]

State Sen. Laura Fine (D-Glenview) continues polling in third, the poll shows, with about half of polled voters knowing who she is and 35% viewing her favorably and 11% unfavorably, among those who recognize her name.

The poll shows that 21% of voters remain uncommitted, a significant decrease from the previous poll, which showed nearly half of voters still undecided on their preferred candidate, while most candidates, other than Biss, remain largely where previous polls had put their support.

State Sen. Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) remains in fourth, according to all three polls, while other candidates, including State Rep. Hoan Huynh, Bushra Amiwala, Phil Andrew and Bruce Leon all in the low single digits.

* Meanwhile, Krishnamoorthi dropped yet another TV ad. Press release…

Today, Raja for Illinois released its fifth television ad of the cycle, “Toughest Fighter.” In the new spot, Local 881 United Food and Commercial Workers Union President Steve Powell tells the story of Raja’s partnership in their fight to halt a proposed grocery mega-merger that was on track to drive up food costs and endanger good-paying union jobs.

“We were ‘this close’ to a catastrophic grocery monopoly. It would’ve hurt a lot of people,” said Local 881 President Steve Powell in the new ad.

“Politicians sure like to talk about high prices…but Raja actually did something. He pushed and he pushed and he pushed. He helped block this terrible merger, because that’s what he does. No one fights harder.”

 Watch “Toughest Fighter” here.

His Democratic opponents, including U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, haven’t hit the air yet.

* Krishnamoorthi also picked up another labor endorsement…

Today, Teamsters Local 705 announced their endorsement of Raja Krishnamoorthi for U.S. Senate, joining a growing coalition of unions and labor leaders who have backed his U.S. Senate bid. The undeniable labor candidate in the primary, Raja remains the only candidate in the race with union endorsements. […]

Headquartered in Chicago, Teamsters Local 705 proudly represents approximately 17,000 members in and around the Chicagoland area. Under the leadership of Secretary-Treasurer Juan Campos, one of the most prominent Latino labor leaders in the United States, Local 705 represents UPS, Freight, Cartage, Warehousing, Public Works, Rail Yards, Movers, and thousands of other members across the Midwest. […]

Raja continues to stand alone as the only candidate in the race endorsed by a labor union, cementing his status as the labor candidate in the U.S. Senate primary. In addition to Teamsters Local 705, labor unions and leaders backing Raja include Local 881 UFCW, Illinois Federation of Teachers Local 1211, Illinois Letter Carriers Association President Luis Rivas, National Association of Letter Carriers branches 825, 31, 2810, 4016, and 2076, and Elevator Constructors Local 2. Like Juan Campos and Local 705, these organizations recognize that Raja is the champion that working people need in Washington right now.

* Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton announced a new endorsement of her own…

Today, the Illinois Nurses Association (INA) announced their endorsement of Juliana Stratton for U.S. Senate. The INA joins a broad coalition of endorsers from around the state including Governor JB Pritzker and Senator Tammy Duckworth, and marks a major labor endorsement for Juliana. Juliana has been a proud supporter of organized labor and the INA throughout her career, and will take their fight to Washington.

“I’m honored to be endorsed by the Illinois Nurses Association and proud to stand with them in their fight for a healthcare system that serves both patients and workers,” said Juliana Stratton. “Illinois nurses deserve a leader who recognizes their critical contributions to our state, and I promise to be that leader. For too long, our healthcare system has put profits first – together, we’ll change that.”

“As a nurse with over a decade of experience in hospitals and community health settings, I’ve seen firsthand how policy decisions affect patient care and worker safety,” said Tori Dameron, INA President and Quincy Veterans Home Nurse. “Lt. Governor Stratton has consistently shown up for nurses and healthcare workers, not just with words, but with meaningful action. The Illinois Nurses Association is proud to endorse her because we know she will continue fighting for safer staffing, fair wages, and the resources we need to care for our communities.”

* Stratton was part of a larger slate of early INA endorsements released yesterday…

* GOP Senate candidate Don Tracy praised Sen. Dick Durbin for his vote to reopen the government…

“As a Republican, I am not a fan of Dick Durbin’s politics. But when someone gets it right, you have to give credit where it’s due. And on his vote to end the Democrat filibuster and reopen the government, Senator Durbin did the right thing.

“My extremist Democrat opponents, Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton, Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly, have condemned Senator Durbin for putting country over party. Their reaction speaks volumes about their true priorities.

“Americans were hurting. Federal workers were missing paychecks. Families were worried about food for their children. Yet, activists groups and the extremist-wing of the Democrat party demanded the government remain closed indefinitely for political ‘leverage,’ a position my likely Democrat opponents supported. Their condemnation of Durbin for standing with working families makes one thing clear: They answer left-wing extremists, not everyday Illinoisans.

“I’m running for Senate to bring common sense back to Washington, reduce the cost of living, and represent all of Illinois, not primarily political insiders or special interest groups.

“In 2026, Illinois deserves a senator who will prioritize their country over party power. On this vote, Senator Durbin set that example. As your next senator, I’ll uphold the standard of people over politics.”

* State Rep. La Shawn Ford picked up an endorsement in the 7th CD race…

Former U.S. Senator Roland Burris, the first African American elected to statewide office in Illinois, today announced his endorsement of State Representative La Shawn K. Ford for Congress in Illinois’ 7th Congressional District.

“La Shawn has earned the reputation as a champion for social justice, education equity, and economic opportunity from his years as a state legislator,” said Burris. “He is the ideal leader to succeed Danny Davis.”

* Former Mayor Lori Lightfoot and City Clerk Anna Valencia are backing Chicago Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin for the same seat…

Former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and sitting Chicago City Clerk Anna Valencia announced their support for Chicago Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin, noting her strong leadership style and ability to manage in times of crisis.

The two citywide electeds both worked closely with Conyears-Ervin in Chicago city government and their endorsements come just one week after her campaign announced the endorsement of six prominent leaders from across the 7th Congressional District. […]

““During the darkest days of the pandemic, Melissa was a steadfast and effective partner. She spearheaded the $100 million Small Business Resiliency Fund, and as chair of the Community Catalyst Fund she helped move city capital quickly to small businesses who needed it most, said Lightfoot. “That’s the results-driven leadership Melissa will bring to Congress and why I’m proud to support her.”

React from the Tribune’s Gregory Pratt…

Click here to read that Tribune story.

* In the 9th CD, Bushra Amiwala is pushing Morton Grove to formally reject ICE operations…

Bushra Amiwala, candidate for Congress in Illinois’ 9th district, will condemn immigration raids at a rally outside Morton Grove Village Hall on Wednesday evening.

The goal: urging the Village of Morton Grove to pass a strong resolution prohibiting ICE operations here. […]

Federal Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have abducted small business owners, store employees, landscapers and motorists in Morton Grove over the past few weeks. ICE operations in surrounding villages have drawn criticism for their brutal and unnecessary use of force.

Indivisible Skokie-Morton Grove-Lincolnwood is coordinating the event. Wednesday’s Morton Grove rally is just one in a nationwide movement to oppose the Trump administration’s abuses of power.

* US Rep. Chuy Garcia’s chief of staff Patty Garcia is set to officially launch her campaign this morning…

Democrat Patty Garcia Launches Campaign for Congress in Illinois’ 4th District

WHO:
Patty García, Democratic candidate for Congress (IL-04)
Congressman Chuy García
State Sen. Celia Villanueva
State Rep. Norma Hernandez
State Rep. Aaron Ortiz
Commissioner Alma Anaya
Labor and community leaders

WHAT:
Progressive Democratic candidate Patty García will be launching her campaign for Congress in IL-04, joined by endorsers and supporters.

…Adding… The SEIU Illinois State Council…

The SEIU Illinois State Council is proud to announce its endorsements for the 2026 primary election, reaffirming its commitment to support candidates who stand with working families by protecting the right to organize and fighting for economic, racial, and social justice. […]

SEIU Illinois State Council State, Municipal, and Federal Candidate Endorsements:

U.S. House of Representatives:

- Patty Garcia, 4th District

- Anthony Driver Jr., 7th District

- Daniel Biss, 9th District

* More…

Evanston Roundtable | Former Republican candidate challenges Abughazaleh’s petitions for Congress:

* Press release | Melissa Bean statement on Senate government funding compromise: “Congressional Republicans continue to show that they do not believe health care should be affordable for all Americans. I believe it should — always have — and I was proud to vote for the Affordable Care Act. I remember its passage well: not a single Republican voted to make health care coverage better for everyone and more affordable for millions of families.

* Tribune | Senate candidate Raja Krishnamoorthi makes his pitch to Oak Park Democrats: Oak Park Democrats seemed impressed as they gave Krishnamoorthi a standing ovation at the end of his approximately 30 minute appearance that consisted of a version of his stump speech and time answering questions. “I liked his messaging, I thought it was very clear and he is very on top of the issues that matter to me and he understands the complexity of representing Democrats,” said Pat Baccerllieri, of Oak Park.

* Daily Herald | Ex-Lake County coroner Rudd to drop out of 10th Congressional District race: Democratic congressional candidate Thomas Rudd of Lake Forest is ending his campaign for the 10th District seat just two weeks after filing to run. Rudd — a former Lake County coroner who in 2018 pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor election law violation and was temporarily prohibited from running for office again — told the Daily Herald he intends to withdraw his name from ballot consideration because he didn’t gather enough signatures on his candidate petitions.

17 Comments

Reports: As winter rolls in, Bovino heading for warmer climes

Wednesday, Nov 12, 2025 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Not sure I believe it yet, because so many Border Patrol statements and rumors have turned out to be false, but…

"Another source with direct knowledge said the number of Border Patrol agents currently operating in the Chicago area will go from 250 down to 100. But in March, that number could increase to 1,000 agents."https://t.co/5wg0raxc45 w/ @SeidelContent

— Tina Sfondeles (@TinaSfon) November 11, 2025

* CNN…

Bovino and his officers are expected to head to Charlotte, North Carolina, then continue to New Orleans, according to two of the officials, who stressed plans are still being finalized.

“Never attack Chicago in the winter,” is a snarky slogan I’ve seen online since the story broke. Gov. Pritzker jokingly called Bovino a “snowflake” yesterday.

* However, if Bovino & Co. return in early March, that could be right before the state primary election. And if his next incursion is as disruptive to everyday lives as his latest, then Democratic candidates who have tried to downplay or at least not play up the storm could very well be at a disadvantage.

…Adding… The whole bunch of them just isn’t a reliable information source…

Operation Midway Blitz started September 9th.

24 Comments

Isabel’s morning briefing

Wednesday, Nov 12, 2025 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* ICYMI: Bailey to stay in governor’s race following family tragedy. Capitol News Illinois…

three-minute video

* Related stories…

• Daily Herald: ‘It reminds us why we fight’: Bailey presses on after loss of son, grandkids in crash
• Tribune: Republican Darren Bailey to continue bid for Illinois governor after crash that killed son, family members
• Sun-Times: Republican Darren Bailey to stay in Illinois governor race after family helicopter tragedy

*** Isabel’s Top Picks ***

* Capitol News Illinois | Key Illinois Democrats at odds with Durbin over shutdown vote — again: “I simply cannot, and I will not, vote to do nothing to help protect them (families) from Trump’s vindictive and malicious efforts in exchange for a vague promise from the least trustworthy Republican party in our nation’s history,” Duckworth said in a statement after voting against the procedural vote on Sunday.

* Illinois Answers | Too mentally ill for trial, she spent months in an Illinois jail as the state looked for a hospital bed. She died waiting. : Following a change in state law in 2023, IDHS is required to admit people to a state hospital within 60 days when a person is found unfit and ordered to receive inpatient treatment. But an Illinois Answers Project investigation found hundreds of incidents in the last five years in which it exceeded this time period. Instead, the Department of Human Services relies on the law’s language that says the department can have an extension if it shows “good faith efforts at placement and a lack of bed and placement availability.” The number of times defendants have been found unfit and in need of inpatient restoration has exploded in recent years, resulting in people having to wait longer for an available hospital bed. They are often waiting in jail.

*** Statehouse News ***

* Bloomberg | Moody’s Mulls Upgrade to Illinois Transit Bonds After State Fix:
Moody’s Ratings said it may upgrade the Illinois Regional Transportation Authority’s debt after the state legislature moved to eliminate the public-transit system’s budget shortfalls. The company said Tuesday it will review the rating on about $1 billion of the authority’s outstanding bonds for a possible increase.

* Austin Weekly News | OP Township Supervisor Thomas challenges Welch for Democratic leadership spot : Thomas said Harmon’s absence doesn’t mean the race for outgoing U.S. Rep. Danny K. Davis’s seat on the committee won’t be compelling. “I’m in this fight to win. I expect a very spirited and good election,” he said in an interview last Thursday.

* Center Square | Lawmakers divided after federal complaint targets student mental health screening law: Illinois lawmakers are responding after America First Legal (AFL) filed a federal complaint urging the U.S. Department of Education to investigate Illinois’ new law requiring annual student mental health screenings without parental consent, a move the group calls a “clear violation of federal law.” […] Supporters of the law, including Democratic state Rep. Lindsey LaPointe, D-Chicago, defended it as an urgent step toward addressing what she called a long-standing youth mental health crisis.

* WAND | Illinois lawmakers pass behavioral healthcare parity law, send plan to Pritzker’s desk: Illinois could soon increase access to behavioral healthcare and substance use treatment by improving insurance adequacy. The mental health parity plan is heading to Gov. JB Pritzker’s desk after three years of hard work by state lawmakers. Democrats and Republicans have spent countless hours negotiating a plan to set minimum reimbursement rates for providers. Sponsors said proper compensation could encourage more behavioral healthcare specialists to join insurance networks.

*** Chicago ***

* Block Club | Package Delivery Tax Floated To Help City’s Budget Woes — But Mayor Says It’d Need State Approval: But when asked about the idea during a Monday press conference, Johnson said he believed the tax would be impossible to implement without approval from state legislators — who recently wrapped up their fall veto session and aren’t set to meet again until next year. “As of now, we don’t have any indication that this is something that we can institute without Springfield,” Johnson said. Villegas said he’s not sure that’s the case. Lawyers with the council’s Legislative Reference Bureau and the city’s Department of Law had a call Monday to discuss the proposal and conversations remain ongoing, he said.

* Tribune | ‘Excessive and even exorbitant’: CPS watchdog urges district to reform travel spending policies : CPS travel expenditures, including airfare and lodging, more than doubled between fiscal year 2019 and 2024, surging from $3.6 million to $7.7 million, the report said. Over and over, CPS staffers exceeded spending limits, bypassed required preapprovals and expensed activities “of dubious necessity or value to students.”

* Chalkbeat Chicago | Wildlife safaris, hot air balloon, camel rides: Chicago Public Schools watchdog decries ‘lavish’ staff travel spending: Over the summer, the district laid off hundreds of custodians, crossing guards, cafeteria workers, and others and made other budget cuts to close a $734 million deficit in its $10.2 billion budget. It faces more massive shortfalls in the coming years. In response to the inspector general’s findings, the district imposed a freeze on nearly all staff travel unrelated to student activities this fall and formed a committee this month to come up with better travel approval procedures and controls. A new financial system the district is currently rolling out will better flag travel expenses that exceed district limits or mismatches between preapproved and actual spending, the district said in a statement.

* Block Club | Officials Gather In Little Village For Show Of ‘Strength’ After Border Chief’s Threat To Return To Area: Border Patrol chief Gregory Bovino, known to pick fights on social media, told Gov. JB Pritzker he should “feel free to join” Border Patrol agents in Little Village Tuesday. Pritzker took him up on the offer, joining other officials, neighbors and clergy in a show of strength against the promised immigration enforcement activity. But Bovino and his agents never showed up amid reports that he and his command were imminently headed out of town.

* Crain’s | Chicago, New York airports hit hard by government flight curbs: Chicago O’Hare International Airport and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world’s busiest hub, each had about 60 flights canceled as of 7:45 a.m. Eastern time, according to data from aviation analytics provider Cirium. The cuts represented more than 5% of each airport’s scheduled trips for the day. Fifty-eight flights were scrapped at LaGuardia Airport in New York City, nearly 11% of its daily schedule, according to Cirium data.

* Block Club | Chicago Abortion Fund Celebrates Milestone As State Expands Reproductive Health Efforts: In the years since Roe v. Wade was overturned, the demand for care has exploded. The Chicago Abortion Fund went from supporting less than 200 people in a calendar year to supporting over 1,000 care seekers a month, and roadblocks erected by the current presidential administration have only complicated matters, Jeyifo said.

* Crain’s | Owner of former Rainforest Cafe building facing foreclosure suit: The suit alleges that the building’s owner, a venture led by investor Sean Conlon, defaulted on an $8.3 million loan that Alecko issued in January 2024 and now owes nearly $9.3 million including interest and fees. Reached by phone Tuesday, Conlon said the suit was over one late payment and that he was working out a refinancing that would resolve the situation.

* WGN | Inside the technology that powers Chicago’s Doppler radar: Former WGN Chief Meteorologist Tom Skilling climbed a 100-foot tower at the National Weather Service office in Romeoville to get an up-close look at the 28-foot Doppler antenna that scans Chicago’s sky day and night. The radar has transformed how meteorologists track storms and severe weather. William Passalaquam, electronics technician at the NWS Chicago office, says the bigger the dish, the bigger the resolution on the radar.

* Tribune | Uber adds new feature in Chicago matching women riders with women drivers: The Women Preferences feature will allow women riders to request women drivers and vice versa. Teens of both genders will also be able to request women drivers. “It’s giving women what they want, which is the choice to be matched with other women,” said Uber spokesperson Brooke Anderson. “Some women feel more comfortable being matched with other women, maybe in the middle of the night, or for a super-late trip.”

*** Cook County and Suburbs ***

* Daily Herald | Lawsuit: Downers Grove Park District’s free-speech zone illegal: A state representative candidate is suing the Downers Grove Park District, claiming it violated her free-speech rights by limiting where she could campaign in a public park. Laura Hois argues the rule that required her to restrict her campaigning last year to a “free speech zone” violated her free speech and association rights, as well as the Civil Rights Act, according to the federal complaint she filed Nov. 6. The suit also alleges the district violated the state constitution.

* Pioneer Press | ICE agents in Northbrook point rifles at bystanders, try to break down door: The immigration enforcement action, which took place over the course of around 50 minutes Wednesday morning, Nov. 5, led to the arrest of a man living in the Salem Walk apartments and involved more than a dozen U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and an armored car, according to eyewitness accounts and photos and videos shared with the Tribune. “ICE basically held… 90 apartments hostage while they’re trying to get to one man,” said Bobbie Montgomery, a Salem Walk resident.

* Daily Southtown | Orland Park pastor Stephen Lee, accused in Georgia election interference, on list of Trump pardons: The Rev. Stephen Cliffgard Lee, a pastor at Living Word Lutheran Church in Orland Park, is one of the more than 70 people included on a list of President Donald Trump pardons released Monday by U.S. Pardon Attorney Ed Martin. Lee is one of several defendants in a high-profile Georgia prosecution under the Georgia Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, which accused Lee and 18 other defendants, including Trump, of having broken state laws in an attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.

* Lake County News-Sun | Critics accuse Highland Park of declawing preservation group: ‘I thought there was a process’: Sogin and Levy have both criticized the decision. Levy warned that “important tools” have been taken away that aid the preservation of historic architecture. Requiring 100% consent before a nomination can even be considered, assumes all the owners have enough information to make “intelligent, informed decisions,” Levy said. “I firmly believe that many people will benefit and learn from the process, and will then be able to make informed, community-focused decisions, after hearing the history and the context of the proposed historic district,” he said.

* Daily Herald | ‘A good deal for everyone’: Solar farm transforms Waukegan Superfund site: “The Yeoman solar project is the largest community solar facility in ComEd service territory, and it’s completion is a major milestone for Clean Capital, as well as for Waukegan-area customers looking to reduce their energy costs,” said ComEd President and CEO Gil Quiniones. Illinois Solar for All is a state incentive program that aims to make solar energy more affordable for eligible households, nonprofit organizations and public facilities, with no upfront charges and guaranteed savings on electric costs.

* Lake County News-Sun | Lake County mosquito abatement district dissolved, to merge: ‘This consolidation will increase efficiency … and lower taxes’: The consolidation is a “commitment to continuing abatement services,” Stone said, which would slightly reduce the tax levy for Lake County residents, benefit from an economy of scale, and eliminate a local unit of government. The approved intergovernmental agreement requires that Lake County have a seat on the board of the newly merged agency, an approach “favored” by the Southlake District’s municipalities, she said.

*** Downstate ***

* WGLT | Bloomington-Normal food drives respond to SNAP uncertainty: With SNAP benefits causing statewide uncertainty, he said the department is aiming to collect more this year by hosting drives at two locations. “We’re bumping up and doing two locations this time, so there’s no reason we can’t blow that number out of the water,” Janssen said. “I’d love to see us get a ton worth of food — 3,000 pounds if we can do it.”

* WAND | Mini O’Beirne Crisis Nursery seeing increase in need for care and supplies: Mini O’Beirne Crisis Nursery provides free, emergency child care for anyone who needs it. Other times, parents drop their kids off when they have a medical procedure, court session, death in the family, or something similar. The nursery’s current building can fit 10 kids, with a ratio of four children per adult. Lately, they have been hitting this capacity limit more frequently. “When I looked at the numbers compared from October to November, we were about the same number of intakes, but we’ve doubled the number of turnaways this month,” said Chriss Wilson, Executive Director of the nursery. “We’ve had 18 turnaways from Nov. 1 until yesterday, which was the 10th.”

* WICS | Battling blight: dozens of properties slated for demolition in Springfield: An additional 28 properties are actively going through litigation in the city. “I don’t care if it’s a 700,000-dollar house in impeccable condition, if its empty and not occupied there could be problems and multiple problems. You don’t ever want to have an empty property, you want to have a viable property with people either working at the property or living in the property,” Jim Donelan said. Jim Donelan, Ward 9 alderman, said property owners are often given time to address concerns.

* WCIA | IDNR hosting deer hunting mentoring event at Fox Ridge State Park: Adult and youth hunters with less than three years of deer hunting experience may apply for the event as long as they have not been previously drawn in the mentored deer hunt program lottery. Those selected will be allowed to participate in the event at Fox Ridge State Park from Dec. 15 to Jan. 4.

* WGEM | Quincy animal shelter seeing drop in adoptions:
“That free kitten that you see on social media or flyers for, it might be free on the front end, but the care for it can really start to add up,” said Pilar Brumbaugh, executive director at Quincy Humane Society. Brumbaugh said rising care for the organization has meant higher fees for adoption. However, she stressed that that money goes into supplies for the shelter.

*** National ***

* WSJ | Using Your Credit Card at the Checkout Is Set to Get a Lot More Complicated: A settlement between Visa, Mastercard and U.S. merchants announced this week could usher in a new era of tiered pricing at the register, giving businesses more power to charge fees depending on the credit card you use. The agreement comes after a two-decade antitrust battle over interchange fees, the charges banks collect from merchants every time a customer pays with plastic.

* The Atlantic | Baseball’s Big Whiff on Gambling: Gambling is a numbers game, so here are a few: The pitcher Emmanuel Clase’s 2025 salary from Major League Baseball’s Cleveland Guardians is $4.5 million dollars. This weekend, prosecutors unveiled charges that he had made just $12,000 from two recent rigged pitches. And he could face as many as 65 years in prison (though such a stiff sentence seems unlikely).

* Bloomberg | Walgreens cuts pay for store workers after $10B buyout: Walgreens will no longer give many of its retail workers paid vacation time for Thanksgiving, Christmas and other major holidays, as the company looks to cut costs under new owners. The pharmacy chain eliminated six paid holidays for hourly store workers, cutting hundreds of dollars from their paychecks, according to interviews and records reviewed by Bloomberg News. Walgreens informed workers of the change in early October. That was a little over a month after it was acquired by private equity firm Sycamore Partners.

5 Comments

Good morning!

Wednesday, Nov 12, 2025 - Posted by Rich Miller

* I saw the legendary Terry Allen this past Saturday night at the Old Town School of Folk Music. Loved it…