* ICYMI: House speaker unsure if there’s enough support for Bears stadium tax break. Daily Herald…

- During an appearance in Arlington Heights Tuesday night, Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch said he’s unsure whether property tax break legislation that would allow the Bears to leave Chicago for the Northwest suburb has a chance of passing.

- Gov. JB Pritzker, who has said he prefers the Bears remain within city limits, has expressed support for the megaproject concept, but earlier this month declared it a “prerequisite” for the Bears to first pay off the $534 million owed for the 2003 Soldier Field renovations.

- On Tuesday night, Welch told the Daily Herald he and House Democrats are “open to listening” to such proposals. “If the megaprojects bill is going to pass, you still need to convince 26 Chicago legislators that it’s good for Chicago as well,” Welch said. “And so is that something that can convince Chicago legislators that it’s a good thing? I don’t know. I think that there’s still a lot of work that needs to be done.”

* Related stories…

• Daily Herald: Arlington Heights could collect $15 million a year from Bears stadium, but costs still unknown
• ABC Chicago: Bears release new Arlington Heights stadium renderings, report on projected cost and economic impact
• Crain’s: Arlington Heights weighs Bears’ stadium economic impact pitch

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Sponsored by Ameren Illinois

The summer of 2025 has been a tough one for residents and businesses in the Ameren Illinois service territory. Supply constraints, extreme hot and humid conditions, and increased energy usage have led to a significant spike in electricity prices and higher-than-normal monthly bills for residential, commercial and industrial energy users. We appreciate and thank legislators, regulators and stakeholders who are working hard to address the energy challenge in Illinois. Energy policy is complex, and we’re encouraged that there are some creative ideas being proposed and a willingness to work together to find answers.   

While Ameren Illinois cannot control the price or availability of energy, we can ensure that the system that delivers energy to homes and businesses — electric poles, wires, and technology; and natural gas distribution pipelines and storage fields — is equipped to operate at peak performance to withstand severe weather events, facilitate business expansions that grow local communities, and enable the transition to renewable generation.

We have an opportunity to build an energy system that is smarter, cleaner, reliable, resilient, and affordable for Illinois families and businesses. As discussions on short- and long-term legislative solutions occur this fall, we will continue to advocate for our 1.2 million customers.   

If you know of someone who is struggling to pay their energy bill, please encourage them to visit www.AmerenIllinois.com/PathToSavings for information on available financial assistance and energy saving programs. 

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* Governor Pritzker will be at the Laborers Training Center at 11 am. At 1 pm, the governor will attend a panel addressing recent medical misinformation from the Trump administration. Click here to watch.

*** Isabel’s Top Picks ***

* 25News Now | ‘End of the day, we need a deal,’ say Illinois Soybean Association leaders on China: Chinese soybean processors in attendance Tuesday said they’re unable to buy now because of circumstances outside their control, like relations between the two countries and tariffs. “He said he’s been importing high quality grains from the States for a long time, and he would be happy if the relations between the two countries alleviates and gets better, so that he can continue buying high-quality grains from the States,” said a translator summarizing comments from Xiaobo Li, who attended to represent processors from China. An Egyptian buyer said his company used to buy most of its beans at low prices from Brazil, but now the United States has low prices, too.

* CNI | State, private developers break ground on quantum research park: California-based PsiQuantum will occupy the first facilities built on the site. The 9-year-old startup plans to build the first utility-scale quantum computer in the country. The development, which is being handled by Related Midwest, will also include a new 53-bed hospital run by Advocate Health, a major hospital system in Chicagoland. The plan also includes over 100 acres of new or upgraded parks.

*** Statehouse News ***

* MSNBC | ‘We don’t want you here’: Pritzker rips Trump’s Chicago troop plan: “Remember that we don’t want you here. Go somewhere where they might invite you. But here in Chicago, here in the state of Illinois, we don’t want you,” says Gov. JB Pritzker on Trump’s plan to send troops to Chicago.

* Crain’s | Pritzker calls for 25th Amendment after Trump ‘training grounds’ remark: Gov. JB Pritzker suggested the 25th Amendment be invoked after President Donald Trump told military leaders they should use cities as “training grounds” and said deploying troops in major cities is necessary due to “a war from within.” Pritzker called the idea “inane” and said of Trump, “I’m concerned for his health. It appears not only has dementia set in, he’s copying the tactics of Vladimir Putin.”

* Sun-times Federal Courts reporter Jon Seidel…

Good morning. Former City Club of Chicago President Jay Doherty is now in prison for his role in the ComEd conspiracy aimed at ex-IL House Speaker Michael Madigan.

Background: https://t.co/iZLwoURsYJ pic.twitter.com/43hZ2WZB9Z

— Jon Seidel (@SeidelContent) October 1, 2025

* WSPY | During visit to Yorkville, Bailey and Del Mar talk taxes, power shifts as they begin campaign for governor’s race: The second time around, Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey is counting on people to know they need to get off the fence and show up at the polls. The southern Illinois farmer carried 100 of the state’s 102 counties in [the 2022 primary] but got just 42 percent of the vote overall [in the general], his popularity offset by J.B. Pritzker’s mainly in heavily Democratic and densely populated Cook County. Bailey says the state’s in deeper distress now and taxes are a big reason.

* Fox Illinois | Illinois reparations commission to hold public hearing at University of Illinois: The Illinois African Descent-Citizens Reparations Commission is set to hold a public hearing at the University of Illinois campus this Saturday. […] Commissioner Jeffrey Trask emphasized the importance of public feedback, stating, “We also are doing these hearings to get input about that as well. We want to make sure that as our harms report comes out, that people have opportunities to talk about those harms and opportunities to also add to the recommendations, and they have any kind of comments or suggestions they have to recommendations to redress those harms too.”

*** Chicago ***

* ABC Chicago | More Chicago protests against immigration enforcement surge expected Wednesday: Legal advocates are petitioning the Chief Judge to prohibit ICE from arresting people without a warrant near Cook County courthouses. The Coalition Against the Trump Administration organizing an emergency protest, following dozens of armed federal agents spotted downtown, detaining multiple people.

* Tribune | Chase of cyclist by ICE agents in downtown Chicago described as surreal by witness: As Gilmore waited to cross the street, a cyclist approached, taunted the agents and — after a brief exchange — jetted off west along Wacker Drive as agents chased after him, Gilmore, 25, recalled in a recent interview with the Tribune. Those moments, captured on video garnered widespread attention online, felt surreal, Gilmore said. “It just felt like we were in an actual movie,” he said.

* WTTW | Partnership Aims to Better Address Food Insecurity Among City Colleges Students: This fall, free take-home meals at Malcolm X College, Kennedy-King College and Olive-Harvey College will be available for students and their family members, with plans to expand to all seven city community colleges, leaders said. Students will also be able to receive free snacks at various locations across campuses starting this fall.

* Press release | Chicago Fire FC Hits the Road with Official Illinois License Plates for Fans: All aboard, fans! Chicago Fire FC is teaming up with the Illinois Secretary of State to bring official Chicago Fire FC license plates to the roads of Illinois – and they’re covering the $25 application fee for the first 2,000 Illinois drivers who sign up. This initiative comes as the Fire – currently sitting 9th in the Eastern Conference with 48 points – continue their push in the MLS playoff race and as excitement builds across the city. Whether they’re cheering from Soldier Field, watching from sports bars, supporting from their couches, or now even driving down the highway, Chicago Fire wants its fans to show their support.

* ABC Chicago | CTA celebrating 78th anniversary with vintage train cars from 1920s in Loop: People can enjoy a ride between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Wednesday only. Unfortunately you still have to pay the standard fare of $2.50, not the five cents that it cost in the 1920s. The train will be making all regular Loop stops.

*** Cook County and Suburbs ***

* WTTW | Broadview Officials Say ICE Waging ‘Disinformation Campaign’ Amid Protests as Local Officers ‘Shell Shocked’: The mayor of suburban Broadview said her constituents are “begging for relief” from federal immigration agents who have placed residents and first responders in danger by their use of tear gas, pepper spray and rubber bullets against protesters. Mayor Katrina Thompson on Tuesday accused Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials of waging a “disinformation campaign” amid their continued use of chemical and less-lethal munitions directed at crowds outside the agency’s Broadview processing center.

* WGN | Broadview police conducting 3 criminal investigations into ICE activity at facility: “We are experiencing an immediate public safety crisis,” Broadview Police Chief Thomas Mills said. “Our own Broadview police are routinely being exposed to tear gas, forcing them out for an amount of time so they can decontaminate, get their breath, clear their eyes, which takes them out of service.” “Our personnel responded to emergency calls during protests, providing first aid and transports to the hospital. My men and women have been exposed to chemical agents and attacks while performing their duties,” said Broadview acting fire chief Matt Martin.

* Daily Herald | Glen Ellyn Historical Society searching for new leader: Jeffrey Anderson announced in a Historical Society newsletter that he’s stepping down from the role but still plans on continuing to be a member and volunteer for “years to come.” His successor will be charged with being the public face of the nonprofit, volunteer-based organization and the Stacy’s Tavern Museum, a restored 1840s-era inn near the modern-day Five Corners intersection of St. Charles and Geneva roads and Main Street.

*** Downstate ***

* CBS | Once left behind, an Illinois town finds hope in a new school and grocery store: When steel and manufacturing jobs dried up over the last several decades in Venice, Illinois, the town lost two-thirds of the population, followed by its only grocery store and only school. But now, Venice hopes to make a comeback that’s already underway — thanks, in part, to the vision of Ed Hightower, a retired school superintendent who has deep roots in the area. “I don’t care what color you are, what belief you have. You want to reside in a safe area where you can go to school, you go get your groceries,” Hightower said.

* WCIA | ‘It’s a huge, huge deal’; Farmers, firefighters come together amidst field fire risk in Central Illinois: Marty Wilson is taking his empty tanks and filling them with water to have in the fields in case of a fire. Because it’s so hot, dry, and windy, it’s a recipe for concern for farmers all over. They’re even thinking static electricity on combines could be starting fires. […] “We ought to have some water tanks full of water in case we need it in the future for anybody,” Wilson shared.

* BND | Opponent of solar farm at Belleville cemetery sues city, developers: The complaint asks Associate Judge Stacy Campbell to declare that the city would be violating state law if they moved forward with an agreement to allow Belleville Solar to lease 19 acres of cemetery land and operate a solar farm for 35 years. Berger has long argued that cemetery owners are prohibited from using cemetery land and roads for industrial purposes, even if they’re cities with home-rule status, and that this invalidates Belleville’s lease.

* WGLT | Unit 5 superintendent gives update on enrollment, transportation needs and cell phones: Unit 5 superintendent Kristen Weikle provided updates about the Normal-based school district, including on enrollment, transportation, cell phone policy and the teacher shortage during an interview on WGLT’s Sound Ideas. Cropper GIS Consulting, which completed a capacity study in April 2024, will again provide data for Unit 5 to analyze student populations and decide whether action should be taken to address needs at schools with high enrollment.

* WAND | CWLP receives $1.1 million grant to improve electric grid: Springfield City Council unanimously passed a plan Tuesday night to accept a $1.1 million grant to improve the City Water Light and Power energy grid infrastructure. The grant is funded by federal dollars passed through the Illinois Finance Authority. The grant will cover the majority of the $1.67 million project, which citizens will not have to pay for.

* 25News Now | Caterpillar’s former CEO sells almost $8 million in company stock, although he owns a lot more: A filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission shows Umpleby, now the executive chair of Caterpillar’s board of directors, sold 17,166 shares of common stock on Monday, Sept. 22. At a stock price of $462.65 per share, Umpleby earned $7.94 million. He still owns 465,339 Caterpillar shares, according to the SEC filing. Caterpillar’s stock price remains at lofty levels even though the company acknowledged in late August that it was taking a bigger hit from tariffs than earlier estimates.

* WAND | IL State Superintendent praises Taylorville HS culture, ’sense of purpose’: Students at Taylorville High School welcomed State Superintendent of Education Tony Sanders Tuesday to showcase the programs and innovations shaping their learning experience. [….] “Tommy TV” is the school’s student-led broadcast network where athletic games are broadcast live. In addition to the broadcast, principal Matt Hutchison says half of the student body is in the FFA Program. Known as the Future Farmers’ Program, the program teaches students about agriculture.

* WAND | An inside look at the Springfield Clinic Dome at Scheels Sports Park: “We have basketball and volleyball, we have batting cages that also do golf simulation,” said General Manager of Scheels Sports Park at Legacy Pointe, Brandon Doherty. “And the turf field, really we could do whatever we want, which is two full-size softball fields, we could do a full-size soccer field or a football field … we do plan on doing at least two to three events on a weekend or even during the week in the dome at one time.”

* 25News Now | Longtime Peoria journalist, WMBD-TV Vice President, General Manager dies: Shaun Newell, WMBD’s vice president and general manager, and a longtime Peoria journalist, has died. While his cause of death has not been released, WMBD Creative Services Director James Kerr confirmed that Newell passed away peacefully. A Central Illinois native, Newell spent most of his broadcast career in Central Illinois, having worked for several media agencies, including WEEK-TV, WMBD Radio, and, eventually, WMBD-TV.

*** National ***

* AP | What happens now that a government shutdown is underway: Republicans supported a short-term measure to fund the government generally at current levels through Nov. 21, but Democrats blocked it, insisting the measure address their concerns on health care. They want to reverse the Medicaid cuts in President Donald Trump’s mega-bill passed this summer and extend tax credits that make health insurance premiums more affordable for millions of people who purchase through the marketplaces established by the Affordable Care Act. Republicans called the Democratic proposal a nonstarter that would cost taxpayers more than $1 trillion.

* WaPo | Napheesa Collier blasts WNBA commissioner: ‘I will not stand quietly by’: Behind a pleasant smile and a measured voice, Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier delivered a scathing takedown of WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert on Tuesday. Through a prepared statement in which she brought receipts and named names, Collier used a standard end-of-season media session to light into the league on a variety of issues.

* 404 Media | ICE to Buy Tool that Tracks Locations of Hundreds of Millions of Phones Every Day: The documents explicitly show that ICE is choosing this product over others offered by the contractor’s competitors because it gives ICE essentially an “all-in-one” tool for searching both masses of location data and information taken from social media. The documents also show that ICE is planning to once again use location data remotely harvested from peoples’ smartphones after previously saying it had stopped the practice.