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AP: Croke wins Democratic comptroller primary (Updated x2)

Thursday, Mar 19, 2026 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* Rep. Margaret Croke (D-Chicago) has won the Democratic primary for Illinois comptroller according to the Associated Press…

* Rep. Margaret Croke…

Today, State Representative Margaret Croke released the following statement following her victory in the Democratic primary for Illinois Comptroller:

“Thank you to the voters across Illinois for putting their trust in me to serve as the Democratic nominee for State Comptroller. I am running for this office to be a fiscal watchdog who will protect taxpayer dollars, ensure transparency in how our state spends money, and pay bills on time. I am incredibly grateful that my message is resonating with so many people across our state.

“This victory would not have been possible without the support of my family and friends, my team, and the volunteers and supporters who believed in this campaign from the very beginning. I also want to thank my opponents for their commitment to public service and for the opportunity to engage in discussions across Illinois about the future of our state.

“This is an important moment, but it’s only the beginning. As we look ahead to November, I am committed to continuing to travel across the state, meet with voters, and share my vision for the office of Comptroller. There is more to be done, and I am ready to get to work.”

…Adding… Gov. Pritzker…

“Congratulations to Margaret Croke for securing the Democratic nomination for Illinois Comptroller. As Deputy Chief of Staff for the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and as a member of the legislature, Margaret has always been committed to responsible fiscal management and improving the lives of hardworking Illinoisans. She knows how to get things done, and I know she will hit the ground running on day one fighting for Illinois families.”

…Adding… Sen. Karina Villa…

After reviewing the most updated vote by mail counts tonight with our team, State Senator Karina Villa called State Representative Margaret Croke to concede and congratulate her on winning the race to be the Democratic Nominee for IL State Comptroller.

Senator Villa released the following statement on the outcome of the race:

“As the proud daughter of working class immigrants and a former school social worker, it has been the honor of my life to run a statewide campaign rooted in the core belief that our government should work for working people. I am proud of the work we did to change the conversation about the impact the IL Comptroller has in shaping public policy.

I firmly believe that our Comptroller should not just manage the books but also be a vocal leader against austerity and an advocate for progressive revenue so that federal cuts do not hurt the investments Illinois must continue to make to protect working people. I sincerely hope Rep. Croke will carry on this mantle.

One of the driving factors for entering this race was because Latino and suburban leaders across our state urged me to run. In a Democratic primary with every statewide constitutional office and a U.S. Senate race on the ballot, we struggled with the thought of there being no Latino and suburban representation in statewide leadership in Illinois. Unfortunately, that will be the case next January. I am heartened by the fact that when given the choice, our Latino community showed up and overwhelmingly supported our campaign. To all of the Latino leaders and communities who supported me and saw yourselves in our campaign, thank you for joining me in firmly saying “Aqui estamos, y no nos vamos”.

To all of my supporters in organized labor, my senate colleagues, elected leaders, and Democratic party leaders across the state who stood with us, thank you for your trust and partnership. I am proud of the campaign we ran and the movement we have been able to build these last eight months. I want to thank every person who trusted our campaign with their vote. I will carry the lessons I learned and the stories you shared in my heart, and use them to fuel the work I will continue to do fighting for working people in the State Senate.

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Isabel’s afternoon roundup

Thursday, Mar 19, 2026 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* Tribune…

A recent pledge by President Donald Trump to protect the Great Lakes from invasive carp comes as his administration continues to withhold federal funding for a key Illinois project designed to stop the spread into Lake Michigan.

Illinois officials say they welcome the president’s public support but are urging immediate action. State leaders, including Gov. JB Pritzker and Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin, are calling on the federal government to release funding to begin the Brandon Road Interbasin Project, a critical barrier system near Joliet aimed at preventing carp migration.

“Illinois has always done our part, and it is past time President Trump does his,” Pritzker said in a March 13 statement. […]

Pritzker argued in his statement that Trump’s recent comments “distort the truth,” noting that the U.S. Department of the Interior froze more than $13.6 million in funds for three other carp mitigation projects in addition to the Brandon Road project in December 2025.

* Gov. JB Pritzker…

Today, Governor JB Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), and Illinois film industry leaders announced that film production expenditures in Illinois reached a record-breaking high of $703 million in 2025, supporting an estimated 18,000 in industry hires. This represents a 25 percent increase in film expenditures since before the pandemic in 2019.

“For nearly 120 years, Illinois has helped shape the film and television industry — from the early days of Charlie Chaplin to today’s hit productions like Chicago Fire, The Bear, and The Chi,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “By investing in our workforce, expanding our film tax credit, and building world-class production infrastructure, Illinois is creating good union jobs and attracting major productions from across the industry. With more than $700 million in film production in 2025, the message is clear: Illinois is a top destination to make movies and television.”

“Illinois’ film and television industry is creating real opportunity for workers, businesses, and communities across our state,” said Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton. “From skilled union crews to small businesses that support production, this growth reflects the strength of our workforce and the impact of continued investment in Illinois’ creative economy. As more productions choose Illinois, we’re proud to see our communities benefit from the jobs and economic activity the film industry brings.” […]

According to an independent analysis, the State’s tax credit has resulted in a $6.81 return on investment for every dollar spent on the incentive, resulting in over $4.5 billion in economic activity between FY17 and FY24. Notably, 94% of this growth has been attributed to the impact of Gov. Pritzker’s enhanced tax credits and investments.

*** Statewide ***

* Daily Herald | ‘People are fed up’: Stratton talks about Trump strategy, impact of two women of color in the Senate: Asked about how she would separate herself from Pritzker, Stratton said the governor is a friend and has “been one of my biggest cheerleaders for the last nine years.” “What would be the reason for separating myself from (Pritzker)?” she asked. “Together we’ve raised the minimum wage, made Illinois an island for reproductive freedom, created thousands of good-paying jobs. That’s progress. That’s what people want to see.”

* NBC Chicago | Don Tracy says he’s ready for Senate election battle vs. Juliana Stratton: He insists however that he knows how to raise money to shrink that fundraising gap, and that he believes he can appeal to moderate voters in a race to flip Illinois’ U.S. Senate seat to the GOP column. “I’d be foolish if I didn’t,” he said of being concerned about Stratton’s financial advantage. “But as state chairman, I learned how to raise money. I’ve been doing that for 20 years for a lot of Republican candidates, and there are a lot of good Republicans with resources in Chicago and Illinois.”

* Crain’s | Biss urges super-PAC reform after AIPAC blitz against him: In an interview with Crain’s, Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, who won the Democratic primary for Congress in the North Side/north suburban 9th District by about 4 percentage points over progressive Kat Abughazaleh, bitterly attacked as “disgraceful” the spending by groups affiliated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. “This organization has a very specific, hard-line view that is out of touch with the people of this district,” Biss said. Yet, voters had “a hard time” figuring out who was behind millions of dollars in negative TV ads “because they did all they could to hide their involvement.”

* Crain’s | Life after Durbin: A fresh power vacuum will erode Illinois’ clout in D.C.: The reshuffling creates a void for a state that has enjoyed a rare, quarter-century run of power in Washington — spanning the House under former Speaker Dennis Hastert, the Senate under Democratic Whip Durbin, and the White House during Barack Obama’s presidency. “It’s a huge loss for Illinois in terms of being able to get things done,” says Mark Denzler, CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers Association, a trade group that lobbies in both Washington and the Statehouse. “We’re losing well over 100 years combined experience in a system where seniority matters.”

*** Statehouse News ***

* AP | Gov. JB Pritzker criticizes AIPAC after pro-Israel group spent heavily in Illinois primary: A supporter of Israel, Pritzker has also rejected the leadership of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He has called for two-state solution with “safe havens” needed both for Jews in Israel and Palestinians in Gaza. “I do not know why the United States has walked away from that, except, of course, that Donald Trump doesn’t seem to understand how to create Middle East peace and instead wants to go to war, as he has now done in Iran, simply following Netanyahu into that war,” Pritzker said.

*** Chicago ***

* WTTW | COPA Gets Power to Probe Chicago Police Conduct During Immigration Raids: The agency charged with probing police misconduct now has the authority to investigate whether Chicago police officers and leaders have violated city law by helping federal immigration agents. After a brief debate, the Chicago City Council voted unanimously Wednesday to explicitly grant the the Civilian Office of Police Accountability, known as COPA, the authority to investigate whether Chicago Police Department officers helped federal agents carry out deportations.

* Block Club | Proposed ComEd Substation In Lincoln Park Has Neighbors Concerned About Size, Safety: Company officials said the project is still in its early stages, with details like noise levels, electromagnetic field impacts and the facility’s exact footprint still being developed. Neighbors at a community meeting with ComEd last week said those unknowns are exactly what worries them, citing concerns about safety, effects on property values and general aesthetic issues that come with living next to a massive substation.

* Sun-Times | Cook County housing authority adds 3 board members; 1 seat still vacant: Last week, the Cook County Board approved the addition of certified public accountant Bruce Schiff, real estate development consultant William Little and retired government employee Zenobia Johnson-Black. “Collectively, we are gaining decades of valuable institutional knowledge and professional expertise that will help strengthen our governance and guide the agency’s continued progress,” Wendy Walker Williams, Cook County Housing Authority Board chair, said in a news release. “We extend a special thank-you to our outgoing board members … for their commitment to public service and their willingness to support the residents and communities HACC serves.”

* Crain’s | Chicago’s neighborhood restaurants are evolving — painfully, for some: “We’ve had to trim our payroll almost in half just to be able to stay afloat,” said Israel Sanchez, owner of Cesar’s Killer Margarita’s in Lakeview. “Everyone else is in the same boat. Everyone is fighting for customers.” Last year’s was the worst fourth quarter ever for the 24-year-old restaurant, with revenue down 26% year-over-year. The trend continued into 2026. National Margarita Day — usually a boon for Cesar’s — brought in half as much revenue as last year, Sanchez said.

* CBS Chicago | Metra fare collection technology pilot program starts in April: The program starts April 6, and will require riders to launch their Ventra ticket or show their paper ticket before boarding select trains at downtown stations, the agency said. The goal is to test how fast, durable and functional new handheld scanning devices are. Riders will be stopped at the platform entrance and asked to show their Ventra or paper ticket.

* The Guardian | ‘Whenever there’s a cop murder, there’s shenanigans’: how a PlayStation helped free a man convicted of murdering an off-duty police officer: “A local game shop owner fixes it in less than an hour for $35,” Bisby says. “So either the FBI and the RCFL are massively incompetent, or they didn’t want to see what was on there.” (The RCFL declined to comment for this story.) Blagg and Bisby now had the cellphone maps showing Villa and his co-defendants weren’t near each other the day of the crime, nor had they spoken. They had prosecutors failing to disclose evidence. They had the PlayStation messages. One of those factors alone could be grounds to grant Villa a new trial, if not an outright exoneration.

* Block Club | The Hideout Sold To New Owner Who Pledges To ‘Continue The Legacy’: Teri O’Brien, a former Hideout intern and employee, has purchased the bar and venue, 1354 W. Wabansia Ave., from longtime owners Tim and Katie Tuten and Mike and Jim Hinchsliff. The Tutens and Hinchsliffs have run the Hideout since 1996. Under their stewardship, the venue became known for hosting concerts by early-career artists and established musicians alike, plus community events such as political panels, book talks and regular Soup & Bread fundraisers.

* Tribune | ‘Just feels like you’re on fire’: How Cubs and White Sox players adjust to record-breaking heat in Arizona: By 3 p.m. on Wednesday, it hit 101 degrees during the Cubs’ game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Most Cubs players wore long sleeves for added protection from the sun. Players who normally would be standing against the railing to watch the game instead sought refuge on the bench under the cover of the dugout. Wednesday’s game between the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers at Camelback Ranch was called after eight innings due to the heat.

*** Cook County and Suburbs ***

* Sun-Times | ‘Broadview Six’ ICE protesters can see White House communications about their case — if they exist: But Assistant U.S. Attorney William Hogan said he didn’t expect to find anything related to the case against the so-called “Broadview Six.” Hogan made the comment while speaking to U.S. District Judge April Perry about recent defense motions in the case. “To my knowledge — I’m not saying that I know for sure — but my understanding is there is no such communication,” Hogan said. “Certainly, [there] was none before the indictment.”

* Daily Southtown | Former Dolton administrator Keith Freeman pleads guilty to bankruptcy fraud, filing false tax return: Freeman, who worked under Tiffany Henyard when she was Dolton mayor and Thornton Township supervisor, entered the guilty pleas Monday, almost two years after he was first charged with bankruptcy fraud. The agreement states Freeman received $254,700 in federal government pandemic funds after entering false information on three applications for Economic Injury Disaster Loans between June 2020 and February 2021. The applications were submitted on behalf of companies he was associated with, including Colab Leaders and Heirs 2 Heaven.

* Daily Herald | DuPage clerk’s election loss won’t end legal fight with county board: Deacon Garcia and Kladis-Schiappa both say they would end the legal battle with the county board if they are elected. However, Kaczmarek will continue to serve as county clerk until the end of November. In the meantime, she says she intends to pursue an appeal she filed earlier this year.

* Tribune | Hawthorne to re-open for horse racing this spring, officials say, while operators say they are owed money: The plan to resume operations came despite a request from harness racing operators for the board to revoke the track’s thoroughbred license following the board’s suspension of harness racing earlier this year. Illinois Harness Horse Racing Association Executive Director Tony Somone told the board Wednesday that his members are owed some $2.5 million in frozen or unpaid funds that are required by law. “Illinois Harness Horsemen have been frozen out of their bank accounts with Hawthorne Racecourse for months because of financial failure at the racetrack,” the horsemen’s association said in a statement last week. “Horsemen have been unable to pay for basic living expenses like medical care, mortgages, and food.”

* Evanston Roundtable | Chicago Stars drop request to play at Ryan Field: “After thoughtful consideration with Northwestern University and their desire to open the new Ryan Field in a phased approach out of consideration for its neighbors, at this time we will not be proceeding with our application for a unique use permit to play in Ryan Field,” a statement from the Stars said. The women’s professional soccer team had wanted to use Ryan Field as a temporary home starting in 2027, which would have required a special zoning approval. The Most Livable City Association (MLCA) mounted an effort against that, contending that the games “would wreak havoc on Evanston and nearby Wilmette.”

* Naperville Sun | Subdivision may be built on site of rejected Naperville data center: Initial feedback from the city’s Transportation, Engineering and Development department was that it would better combine the residential development with the “office and research nature” of the I-88 corridor. Adding an apartment complex near the roadway would serve as a transition between the townhomes and offices in the area, staff said in comments.

* Tribune | New Hollywood Casino resort in Aurora plans to open June 24: “We are now months away from opening another premium entertainment destination in the greater Chicago region,” Jay Snowden, CEO and president of PENN Entertainment, said in a news release. Additional details about the new Aurora casino’s planned grand opening are still to come, the company’s news release said. The new land-based casino and resort in Aurora is expected to have 1,200 gaming positions, around 220 hotel rooms, a retail sportsbook, an outdoor entertainment area, a full-service spa, a roughly 12,000-square-foot event center with meeting areas and a number of bars and restaurants.

* Aurora Beacon-News | Oswego OKs $750 fee on drivers who flee or attempt to elude police: The Oswego Police Department has seen a rise in the number of drivers who flee or attempt to elude police officers since 2020, Oswego Police Chief Jason Bastin has said. “Staff researched the residency of violators, as requested by the board. There have been 26 violators in the last five years. Only three of the violators were Oswego residents,” Bastin said in a report to trustees.

*** Downstate ***

* WGLT | State Farm to close Corporate HQ and Illinois Operations Center and consolidate Bloomington employees at Corporate South: It’s a major shift for Bloomington-Normal’s largest employer, with around 13,000 local workers, and one that could significantly impact local government taxing bodies and the commercial real estate market. In its statement Thursday, State Farm did not disclose plans for what it will do with those two properties once they’ve moved employees out. “While we don’t know yet what will happen to the Illinois Operations Center or Corporate Headquarters, we will eventually pass back savings to our customers by reducing costs associated with unoccupied space,” State Farm CEO Jon Farney said. “We simply have too much office space in Bloomington – about double what we need.”

* BND | Cahokia schools’ contract fight intensifies as union raises new allegations: A press conference held by the Cahokia Federation of Teachers in which its leaders accused the district of new “financial and oversight failures” and “demonstrably false statements” was interrupted by an email from the superintendent himself. “Clearly, at this point, everyone can see that these contract negotiations are no longer about the union employees you are charged with representing or our students’ best interests, but about your personal and political agendas,” Superintendent Curtis McCall Jr. wrote in a statement sent to district employees.

* WCIA | Mahomet, Fisher communities react to library referendums not passing in unofficial primary results: Mahomet is where unofficial results show more people are currently saying “no” to creating a larger children’s section and teen space at the public library. The director said they have many programs for young people, but not always enough room. Now, he said the board of directors are looking ahead — brainstorming ways the expansion could possibly still happen in the future. He said they have expanded before and will do it again.

* 25News Now | Peoria County voters decide state adopts fair, achievable signature requirements for independents, new-party candidates: An advisory question on the ballot asked if Illinois should lower the bar for independent and third-party candidates. Currently, those candidates often have to collect up to 20 times more signatures than Republicans or Democrats to get running. […] The ballot measure passed, with 83% of voters supporting the new requirement.

* WCIA | PBL School District addresses arrest of former teacher: Newly obtained charging documents, along with a letter from the Paxton-Buckley-Loda School District, reveal more about the crimes former teacher Paul Meuser is accused of and how the district acted as the allegations became known. The charging documents list three counts against Meuser: two of attempted criminal sexual assault and one of grooming. The attempted sexual assault charges describe Meuser as holding a “position of trust, authority or supervision” over a child known to him, who was unable to give knowing consent to sexual activity.

* WCIA | U of I bracketologist delivers March Madness bracket tips: Every year, Sheldon Jacobson and other computer science professors at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign put together BracketOdds: a website finding trends in March Madness results since 2012. “We take into account the performance of the seeds over the last 40 tournaments,” Jacobson said. “Because seeds in fact have similar patterns from season to season, tournament to tournament.”

* WSIL | Snake Road closes for seasonal wildlife migration: Forest Service Road 3-45, better known as “Snake Road,” is closed to vehicle traffic through May 15 for the biannual migration of snakes and amphibians. Officials say the road remains open to foot traffic, giving visitors a chance to observe the migration up close.

*** National ***

* The Verge | Prediction markets are trying to lure journalists with partnership deals: The deal involved producing two stories a week based on data from prediction markets — in Ellis’ case, that could be things like who might win this season of Survivor or which couples will end up together at the conclusion of Love Is Blind. Ellis said the proposed payment was in the “mid to upper hundreds [of dollars] per post,” with potential for more money if the article hit certain metrics like click-throughs. Ellis declined to name the specific exchange the offer came from.

* WGLT | Rivian deal with Uber will put up to 50,000 self-driving R2s on the streets: Uber customers will be able to book a ride in a self-driving Rivian R2 as soon as 2028, when the first robotaxis hit the road in San Francisco and Miami, the companies said. The program would reach 25 cities in the U.S., Canada, and Europe by 2031. “We couldn’t be more excited about this partnership with Uber — it will help accelerate our path to level 4 autonomy to create one of the safest and most convenient autonomous platforms in the world,” RJ Scaringe, founder and CEO of Rivian, said in a statement. “The scale of Rivian’s growing data flywheel coupled with RAP1, our state of the art in-house inference platform, and our multi-modal perception platform make us incredibly excited for the rapid advancement of Rivian autonomy over the next couple of years.”

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Today’s quotable

Thursday, Mar 19, 2026 - Posted by Rich Miller

* From Gov. JB Pritzker’s press conference today…

Juliana Stratton won her race because she was the best candidate in that race. And importantly, I think you guys saw that she got outspent more than three to one with all the money that went into the other candidate, the other leading candidate, versus all the money that was supporting her. Three to one she was outspent.

Why is it that you can overcome that kind of onslaught? It’s because she’s a genuine person who people believe. When she stands up and says what she believes in, people look at her and understand she’s been advocating for them for her entire career. And she’s somebody who, when she stands up and says, This is what she believes. Oh, by the way, the things that she believes are things that I think people across the state of Illinois believe, like we ought to raise the minimum wage. You know what the rate the minimum wage is in the United States? The federal minimum wage $7.25 that’s $14,000 a year. You cannot survive as a single person on $14,000 a year. You just can’t and yet the Congress hasn’t done anything about that. Oh, the tipped wage, just if you want to be really outraged, is $2.20. So she’s proposed a $25 minimum wage. You could have debates about whether it should be 10 or 15 or 25 or $30 that there are debates going on all the time about that. But she stood up and said what she believed, and she’s going to go fight for that, and that’s why people voted for that, and because they believe her heart.

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Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - This just in… (Updated)

Thursday, Mar 19, 2026 - Posted by Isabel Miller

Comments Off

It’s just a bill

Thursday, Mar 19, 2026 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* WAND…

[A] measure would require circuit court clerks to send two reminder text messages to people on pretrial release before their required court dates. It also states that clerks must keep a copy of the message and a delivery receipt within their records.

Rep. Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago) said academic research shows a simple text can significantly reduce “no shows” in court. […]

The Illinois Association of Court Clerks opposes the plan, but the organization has told Cassidy they are willing to work on amended language.

This bill passed out of the House Judiciary Criminal Committee on a partisan 8-5 vote Wednesday night. It now moves to the House floor for further consideration.

* Rep. Bob Morgan…

As Illinois families continue to face rising costs and economic uncertainty, Illinois State Representative Bob Morgan (D-Deerfield) has reintroduced legislation aimed at eliminating deceptive “junk fees” - hidden or misleading charges that only appear at the point of sale, mask the true price of goods and services, and disadvantage honest businesses that advertise transparent pricing. The legislation, HB228, would require businesses to clearly disclose the full price of products and services before consumers reach the point of sale. […]

The legislation would require businesses to advertise the full price of goods and services upfront, prohibiting the addition of mandatory fees that are not clearly disclosed at the time a price is first presented to consumers. By ensuring transparency in pricing, the measure would help consumers better understand the true cost of goods and services before making a purchase.

Junk fees are hidden or misleading charges, often labeled as “service,” “processing,” or “convenience” fees, that only appear at the end of a transaction. These practices obscure the true price of goods and services, making it harder for consumers to comparison shop while disadvantaging honest businesses that advertise transparent pricing. Junk fees often appear when purchasing event tickets, booking hotels, or paying certain service bills, where mandatory fees are only revealed at checkout.

Under the proposal, businesses would be required to include all mandatory fees in the advertised price of a product or service. The legislation would apply to industries where hidden fees are common, including ticketing, hospitality, and certain service transactions, helping ensure consumers know the true cost before completing a purchase.

Advancing the measure in Springfield, working alongside Governor J. B. Pritzker, Attorney General Kwame Raoul, and State Senator Omar Aquino, HB228 would make it clear what fees and charges businesses must disclose to consumers up front, helping consumers make informed decisions and allowing for a more transparent marketplace.

According to national analyses, junk fees cost the average American family of four approximately $3,000 annually. By requiring transparent pricing, HB228 would help Illinois residents more accurately compare prices and make informed purchasing decisions while keeping more money in their pockets.

* WAND…

A group of faith leaders and patients visited the Capitol on Wednesday to demand that state representatives vote against a proposal to expand the 340B drug pricing program.

The 340B program was created in 1992 to improve access to care at safety net hospitals and clinics, but hospital leaders have said Big Pharma has limited their access to medications. […]

“Regardless of the fact of who thinks that this should be pushed forward, we the people are speaking up,” said Pastor Dr. Randall White with the Healthcare Equity and Affordability Alliance. “We believe that we need more transparency. The hospitals are getting big discounts, but it’s not touching the hands of those who need it the most.”

Yet, the legislation would require 340Bs to provide annual reports listing costs of drugs taken under the program, the number of drug claims and the impact of the program on their community. […]

“During a time when the federal government is cutting funding for healthcare for families across this state, we should be doing everything we can to bring vital resources to support patients and their healthcare providers — resources like 340B that cost nothing to taxpayers or the state of Illinois,” said Rep. Anna Moeller (D-Elgin).

* Home for Good Coalition…

The Home for Good Coalition held a rally day at the National Public Housing Museum on Thursday to increase awareness of legislation that would create safer, stronger communities across Illinois by improving housing and support services for people returning from prison.

The rally comes just weeks after the coalition introduced the Home for Good legislation (SB4162) during a press conference at the Capitol in Springfield. Nearly 100 advocates gathered in support of the measure, sponsored by Sen. Adriane Johnson, D-Buffalo Grove, and Rep. Maurice West, D-Rockford, which would prevent homelessness, increase public safety and save taxpayers money by creating a comprehensive strategy to ensure successful reentry for people returning from prison. Activities included a fireside chat led by Ahmadou Dramé, director of the Illinois Justice Project, with Joakim Noah, former Chicago Bulls All-Star and co-founder of the Noah’s Arc Foundation, and Andre Ruddock, founder of Returning Citizens in Memory of Henry Dee and outreach coordinator for the Chicago Area Fair Housing Alliance. […]

This bill will formalize into law existing services currently operating on a small scale and will provide coordinated, interagency collaboration and monitoring to ensure the program is cohesive and effective. More than smart policy, Home for Good is compassionate policy that fosters equity and opportunity for people returning from incarceration. It is people-centered and community-driven, prioritize collaboration, and was crafted with input from people who are formerly incarcerated as well as housing providers who have identified flaws and gaps in the current system based on their own experiences. The legislation consists of four primary components:

- Rental Assistance: The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) will provide rental subsidies to returning residents, helping them access housing so they can focus on building stability and independence.

- Wraparound Services: The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA) will build on a legacy of successful community-based reentry organizations to create a coordinated system, providing reentry navigation and connecting people to needed services including behavioral health, physical health, job training, transportation, furniture and food, childcare, and more when they return home.

- Reentry Housing Development: The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) will help address the statewide affordable housing shortage and minimize the possibility of landlord discrimination while creating economic opportunities for developers and communities impacted by high incarceration.

- Creates the Home for Good Institute: The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) will establish the Home for Good Institute, which will provide cohort-based training and technical assistance to community-based organizations interested in developing and operating reentry housing. This also supports the creation of new rehab and construction jobs in long disinvested communities, fueling economic activity.

* WCIA…

The Healing Through History Act is moving through the legislative process. This new bill would require adoptive parents to have transparency with their future child’s records with access to information like the biological parents’ race, religion, ethnicity, health background and more.

Rebecca Austin is a mother of six. She started as a foster mom, eventually adopting five of her children. […]

They are adults now, but when they were younger, one of her children was diagnosed with epilepsy, and another had a blood-clotting disorder.

“We didn’t know again. Did it come from the mom side or the dad side? Those are things that we did not (know) as foster adoptive parents,” she said.

* The Illinois Environmental Council…

[Yesterday], the Protect Illinois Waters Coalition celebrated as the Illinois House Energy and Environment Committee advanced House Bill 3596, the Wetlands Protection Act, out of committee—marking a critical step toward restoring protections for Illinois’ most vulnerable wetlands.

“This is a critical step toward closing a dangerous gap in protections for Illinois wetlands,” said David McEllis, legislative director at the Environmental Law and Policy Center. “Our state is relying on a patchwork system that leaves many wetlands vulnerable to destruction. Today’s vote shows lawmakers recognize the urgency of protecting our water, our ecosystems, and our communities.”

Illinois has already lost 90% of its historic wetlands, and recent federal policy changes have made the situation more urgent. Following a 2023 U.S. Supreme Court decision and subsequent Trump admin federal rule changes, an estimated 72% of Illinois wetlands are no longer protected under the Clean Water Act—leaving hundreds of thousands of acres at risk.

“We can’t afford to lose the protection wetlands provide,” said Illinois Rep. Anna Moeller. “Clean drinking water, flood protection and other wetland benefits are simply not negotiable – they are necessary for all of us. I’m proud to sponsor this legislation in the House this spring.”

The Wetlands Protection Act (HB3596/SB2401) is designed to fill that gap by empowering the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to oversee wetland permitting and establish clear, science-based standards for protection and mitigation.

* Center Square…

llinois Republican Senate Minority Leader John Curran is at the forefront in pushing legislation crafted to bring the state in compliance with a recent Supreme Court decision protecting homeowners from losing equity in their homes for unpaid property taxes. […]

“We have a court decision saying that people should not be losing the equity in their homes in a tax sale, yet this is still going on in the state of Illinois,” Curran told The Center Square. “It’s people’s life savings. It is most likely the biggest part of their savings portfolio, and so I think we want to make sure we find the other way to protect residents and protect homeowners that have fallen behind and make sure that they keep the equity that they have built in their home.”

Formally filed by Republican Sen. Ericka Harriss, Senate Bill 3782 seeks to reform the system by creating a task force to analyze property tax foreclosures, ultimately shielding homeowners from losing the wealth they’ve worked to build in their properties in accordance with a 2023 Supreme Court decision rendering such practices unconstitutional when the debt owed on the home is lower than the equity in it.

Curran also recently introduced SB 3848 to create an income tax deduction on the year-over-year increase in a taxpayer’s home insurance and SB 3849, which would add annual consumer price index costs to Illinois’ General Homestead Exemption by tying it to inflation.

* The Labor Tribune…

State Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, is partnering with Attorney General Kwame Raoul on an initiative to strengthen the Workplace Rights Bureau, enhancing the bureau’s capabilities to investigate and prosecute violations of laws that protect Illinois workers.

“Bad actors are taking advantage of loopholes, and it’s time to pursue updates that will reinforce our Workplace Rights Bureau and expand its effectiveness,” Hoffman said. “I’m proud to partner with Attorney General Raoul, and am thankful for the hard work his staff does each and every day to fight for Illinois workers.” […]

The Workplace Rights Bureau protects and advances employment rights for workers across the state, investigating and litigating cases involving serious or persistent violations of workplace safety, wage theft and other unfair employment practices.

Hoffman’s House Bill 4725 strengthens investigative tools, clarifies the bureau’s jurisdiction, streamlines subpoena procedures and institutes needed penalties to stop those who destroy evidence or refuse to comply with the law.

* More…

WAND | IL bill could require insurance coverage for preventative heart scans:

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Showcasing The Retailers Who Make Illinois Work

Thursday, Mar 19, 2026 - Posted by Advertising Department

[The following is a paid advertisement.]

Visit J Squared Aquatics in Clinton for expert care and advice on aquariums, fish, and reptiles. What began as a shared hobby for married owners Jessica and Jamie Allhands has grown into a thriving business, bringing underwater worlds to life for customers from across Illinois. Their commitment to animal health and personalized care draws enthusiasts from near and far. Stop in and experience firsthand why J Squared is trusted by customers across the region.

Retail provides one out of every five Illinois jobs, generates the second largest amount of tax revenue for the state, and is the largest source of revenue for local governments. But retail is also so much more, with retailers serving as the trusted contributors to life’s moments, big and small.

We Are Retail and IRMA are dedicated to sharing the stories of retailers like Jessica and Jamie from Clinton who serve their communities with dedication and pride.

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César Chavez react: “I do regret having put so much faith, trust and admiration in a man who will now go down in history as a pedophile and a rapist” (Updated)

Thursday, Mar 19, 2026 - Posted by Rich Miller

* NY Times…

Ana Murguia remembers the day the man she had regarded as a hero called her house and summoned her to see him. She walked along a dirt trail, entered the rundown building, passed his secretary and stepped into his office.

He locked the door, as he always did when he called her, and told her how lonely he had been. He brought her onto the yoga mat that he often used in his office for meditation, kissed her and pulled her pants down. “Don’t tell anyone,” he told her afterward. “They’d get jealous.”

The man, Cesar Chavez, one of the most revered figures in the Latino civil rights movement, was 45. She was 13. Ms. Murguia said she was summoned for sexual encounters with him dozens of times over the next four years.

Go read the rest.

* AP…

Labor rights activist Dolores Huerta revealed she was among women and girls who say they were sexually abused by César Chavez, the widely admired Latino icon who brought to light the struggles of farmhands while leading the United Farm Workers union.

The stunning allegations against Chavez, who died more than three decades ago, drew immediate calls to alter memorials honoring the man who in the 1960s helped secure better wages and working conditions for farmworkers and has been long revered by many Democratic leaders in the U.S.

In a statement released Wednesday, Huerta said she stayed silent for 60 years out of concern that her words would hurt the farmworker movement.

Huerta described two sexual encounters with Chavez, one where she was “manipulated and pressured” and another where she was “forced against my will.”

* Sun-Times…

In Chicago alone, there is a public elementary school, a plaque at the Haymarket Memorial in the West Loop, and murals of him stretching from Southport to Little Village, among other examples. […]

“I unequivocally stand with all the survivors of César Chavez’s abuse and am committed to building a world where sexual violence, sexual harassment, and sexual exploitation are eradicated, and those who perpetrate these injustices are held accountable,” U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez said. […]

40th Ward Ald. Andre Vazquez said there is no legacy worth preserving if it depends on sacrificing the humanity of someone else.

“César Chavez is one man. Any effort to boil down the farmworkers’ movements — much less the Latino workers’ rights movement as a whole — to one man does a disservice to all of the people who have fought to protect the rights and dignity of their fellow workers: people like Dolores Huerta, Ana Murguia and Debra Rojas, among many others, ” Vazquez said.

* Chuy García…

Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04) issued the following statement on accusations against Cesar Chavez:

“I am deeply troubled by the facts uncovered by the New York Times about Cesar Chavez. I believe the survivors who have come forward to talk about Chavez’s abusing girls, teenagers and women showed a tremendous amount of courage by telling their stories and I stand with them.

“It’s difficult and painful to see someone you respected and trusted as a leader revealed in this way. It feels like a betrayal, and abusers, at any level, should be held accountable. At the same time, no single person defines the movement for justice for farmworkers. This movement is bigger and more powerful than any one individual. Right now, our priority must be supporting the survivors and making sure they are heard.”

* Comptroller Mendoza…

* State Sen. David Koehler (D-Peoria)…

Waking up on Wednesday morning after the Illinois Primary election, I was prepared to spend the morning poring over all the results from the day before. What I didn’t anticipate is that my world would be rocked by a story from the New York Times entitled “Cesar Chavez, a Civil Rights Icon, Is Accused of Abusing Girls for Years.”

I am writing this today, March 18, 2026, to explain to my colleagues and friends my regret and utter disgust in what I now know to be the real Cesar Chavez.

Anyone, having visited my Springfield office, will have noticed the picture on my wall (not anymore however) of myself with Cesar Chavez at a press conference, probably around 1972 to 1973. I would have been 23 or 24 years old. I was a staff member of the National Farm Worker Ministry, having joined while in seminary in Dayton, Ohio, and working with the UFW.

I was proud to tell people that I had worked for the farmworker’s movement and Cesar Chavez for six years. In fact, I meet my wife Nora in Cleveland in 1973, where I was the director of the United Farm Worker Boycott office. (The boycott of lettuce and grapes, was the economic tool used by Cesar to bring growers to the table to negotiate union contracts for farmworkers). After our marriage in 1976, we moved to New York City, where I took over as director of the boycott there. While in New York, I was able to work with Fred Ross, the person who found Cesar in California in the early 1960’s and taught him and everyone else in the union about organizing. Fred was a protégé of Saul Alinsky. It was also in New York that our first daughter was born.

In 1977, we moved to La Paz, headquarters of the UFW, where I served as the National Farm Worker Ministry director of the California Division. Nora and I lived in a mobile home at La Paz, because we had a family at that point. We had many friends at La Paz. Nora became involved with community building activities for the community and staff members.

We ended up leaving the farm workers in the summer of 1978, after realizing that living on $10 a week, plus room and board was probably not something we wanted to do for our whole life. And so, we moved to Peoria, to work at Peoria Friendship House of Christian Service. They wanted an ordained minister/community organizer to work on Peoria’s Near Northside neighborhood.

The article by the New York Times listed many of the people with whom we lived and worked. We were all devoted to Cesar and the cause of bringing justice and dignity to America’s farmworkers. He was bigger than life to most of us. He would break his nationally publicized fasts, which he did to bring attention to the plight of farmworkers, with notables like Bobby Kenndy, and Coretta Scott King.

The UFW became a powerful political force, helping Jerry Brown become Governor of California and other politicos in the 1970’s. Hollywood was also no stranger to Cesar and the UFW. I remember, during a California ballot proposition regarding farmworkers, going to rallies and seeing Kris Kristofferson and Sissy Spacek lending their support.

And so, to hear that the current leadership of the UFW was suspending all celebration activities for Cesar’s birthday on March 31st, I knew there was something to the story. When women say they were raped and abused, we need to believe them. When I read about Dolores Huerta and the abuses that occurred to her and to the girls who were his victims, I believe it.

This has been one of the saddest days in my memory. My hero and idol just came crashing down off his pedestal. I don’t regret spending six years of my life working for the cause of farmworkers, because it is still important. But I do regret having put so much faith, trust and admiration in a man who will now go down in history as a pedophile and a rapist.

…Adding… I don’t believe I received US Rep. Delia Ramirez’s statement yesterday, but here it is in full…

Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03) released the following statement:

“Over and over again, we are confronted with how patriarchy, misogyny, and abuses of power impact women and girls. Our movements for justice and equity are not immune from impact of these systems, nor are individual leaders within them. I unequivocally stand with all the survivors of César Chávez’s abuse and am committed to building a world where sexual violence, sexual harassment, and sexual exploitation are eradicated, and those who perpetrate these injustices are held accountable. We will continue to fight for the rights of all workers and a day when our movements and workplaces are free of domination, violence, and abuse.”

25 Comments

HB 3799 Raises Premiums And Destabilizes A Stable Insurance Market

Thursday, Mar 19, 2026 - Posted by Advertising Department

[The following is a paid advertisement.]

Illinois’ competitive system protects consumers and keeps carriers investing here—let’s not break what works. Independent research shows slow, uncertain rate reviews push insurers out and costs up. HB 3799 was already defeated in Veto Session—keep it that way. Vote NO.

Protect affordability. Vote NO on HB 3799.

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Question of the day

Thursday, Mar 19, 2026 - Posted by Rich Miller

* What were your biggest election result surprises on Tuesday? Make sure to explain your answer. Thanks.

56 Comments

‘Why Risk It?’ 340B Bill Helps Patients And Providers, NO State Funding Needed – Pass HB 2371 SA 2

Thursday, Mar 19, 2026 - Posted by Advertising Department

[The following is a paid advertisement.]

Seven in 10 patients of Sinai Chicago are covered by Medicaid. Looming federal funding cuts in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act are expected to leave 10-15% of Illinois Medicaid patients without coverage. When people lose Medicaid, they often go without needed prescription drugs and healthcare. Passage of House Bill 2371 SA 2 is urgently needed, said Sameer Shah, PharmD, President of Mount Sinai Hospital, to restore the 340B program in Illinois after five years of unlawful restrictions imposed by drugmakers.

“Our job and our mission is to take care of the communities we serve,” said Shah, noting those without insurance have few options. “They come to the hospitals. They come to the health system. They come to the clinics. It’s our responsibility to make sure the patients leave the hospital and are set up for success with their medications.”

Sinai Chicago is one of Illinois’ largest safety net providers. 340B has meant it can offer low-income patients discounted medication. It has also helped the health system expand clinical services and invest in meeting the community’s growing and diverse healthcare needs.

Hospitals and Federally Qualified Health Centers will lose a vital lifeline for their patients—and face additional financial challenges—unless House members pass HB 2371 SA. “Given all the curveballs coming our way and all the cuts, why risk it? Let the 340B program continue to work the way it was designed.”

Stand with patients and providers: Vote YES on HB 2371 SA this legislative session. Learn more.

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Isabel’s morning briefing

Thursday, Mar 19, 2026 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* ICYMI: ‘This election is not over’: Democratic race for Illinois comptroller still undecided as Croke holds slim lead. Tribune…

* Related stories…

• ABC Chicago: No clear winner yet in Democratic comptroller race; Margaret Croke holds lead
• Sun-Times | State Rep. Margaret Croke declares victory in Democratic primary for Illinois comptroller
• CNI: Croke leads Democratic comptroller race as downstate voters dominate GOP primaries

************** Advertisement **************

Sponsored by the Illinois Nurses Association:

Bedside Nurses urge a “No” vote on HB4369. The Nurse Licensure Compact Act is being marketed as harmless “flexibility,” but Illinois nurses see the fine print. Championed by the right-wing Illinois Policy Institute, this proposal could subject Illinois nurses who provide reproductive and gender-affirming care to cross-state investigations or discipline for following Illinois law. It would also hand hospital corporations a powerful tool to import strikebreakers, undermining bedside caregivers fighting for safe staffing and fair contracts. Labor nurses across Illinois are united in opposition, and voters should ask why anyone who once stood with healthcare workers is now advancing a bill backed by corporate interests and right-wing think tanks.

************** Advertisement **************

* At 1 pm, Governor Pritzker will highlight Illinois’ growth as a national destination for film and television production, with targeted State investments resulting in a record-breaking $703 million in film production expenditures in 2025. Click here to watch.

*** Isabel’s Top Picks ***

* Amy Hicks | My reproductive health rights vanished while in prison: For about a month, I kept hoping something would change and I would be saved from having to undergo an induction I did not want. After the date for the induction was set, I became even more stressed out. Then, two full weeks before my due date, I was awakened early in the morning and put into the back of a van to be driven about an hour to the hospital. I was accompanied to the hospital and the delivery room by two corrections officers — one male and one female — who stayed with me during the entire process. At the hospital, I made one final plea and told the doctor I did not want to be induced, but no one really listened or spoke to me. The induction went forward against my will, and my daughter was born just a few hours later.

* Daily Herald | Republicans pledge unity, take aim at Pritzker and boost Bailey 2.0: They include primary opponent and video gambling magnate Rick Heidner of Barrington Hills, who was at the unity breakfast Wednesday. Dabrowski had another commitment and the fourth candidate, DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick, did not attend. “Rick Heidner’s stepped up to the plate,” Bailey said. “I have no doubt that the resources we need will come. We don’t have to match JB Pritzker dollar for dollar. What we need is people to register to vote. To show up to vote.”

* WGLT | IEA chooses Bloomington resident as next president: Illinois Education Association [IEA] members chose Karl Goeke. Goeke had been serving as interim president following the death of IEA president Al Llorens in September. Goeke was a classroom teacher for more than two decades until three years ago, when he was elected vice president of the union. Goeke has degrees from Western Illinois University and Illinois State University, according to a union news release.

* Semafor | Why AIPAC shouldn’t get too excited about its Illinois primary strategy: It mocked progressives for being unable to win two other seats it invested in. But AIPAC didn’t get into the field to beat them; it jumped in to help state Sen. Laura Fine, a rival progressive whose friendly relationship with the pro-Israel group made her unelectable once Biss brought it up. It couldn’t rescue Melissa Conyers-Ervin in the Loop; the winner in that primary, endorsed by retiring Rep. Danny K. Davis, didn’t seek AIPAC’s support because he didn’t support unconditional US aid to Israel.

*** Statehouse News ***

* Gov. Pritzker is out with a new ad. Rate it!…

* CBS | Illinois primaries show political power of Pritzker, limits for outside spending and more takeaways: The Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, which had backed a third candidate, Rep. Robin Kelly, also showed frustrations with the governor’s involvement. “Quite frankly, [Pritzker’s] behavior in this race won’t soon be forgotten by any of us,” Rep. Yvette Clarke told Punchbowl News. Clarke put out a statement on Wednesday congratulating Stratton, and said it was a moment “that calls for unity.”

* Capitol News Illinois | Bailey says campaign will focus on Chicago area after rough primary night in suburbs: Bailey performed well with the base of Republican voters in the state. He received more than three-quarters of the vote in many of the state’s most rural counties and took home more than 90% of the vote in his home county of Clay. But statewide, Bailey has also underperformed the benchmarks he set four years ago when he received 57% of the vote, so far coming in at 53.5% this year with 95% of votes counted. Turnout in the Republican primary also appears to be down overall from 2022, according to initial unofficial results, although ballots are still being counted.

* CBS | Bailey seeks to distance himself from Trump, shore up Chicago area support in Illinois governor’s race rematch with Pritzker: Bailey said he believes the Trump administration should have handled its immigration enforcement effort in Illinois much differently. “But let’s back up, and what should have been the biggest difference? The biggest difference is we don’t need federal agents in the state of Illinois. We could have been dealing with this with state and local law enforcement, had JB Pritzker not gotten in the way and hindered that process,” he added.

* WTTW | Pritzker Looks to Keep Momentum, Influence Going After Primaries: In addition to positive incentives for staying, Pritzker added that the team should also consider the cost of leaving the state. “If (the Bears) are going to abandon us, I think the fans are going to abandon them,” Pritzker said.

* Sun-Times | Gov. JB Pritzker flexes political muscle through Juliana Stratton’s decisive Senate primary win: “Juliana won this because she traveled the state. She went and won people over, and I think her authenticity, her genuineness is what broke through,” Pritzker told the Chicago Sun-Times after flexing his political muscle on election night. “I believe that the voters understood that all of that negative advertising that got run against her was not real, that they believed who she is, that she stood up and had bold ideas. She told people she’s going to go fight for them, and they understood that she’s been fighting for them here in Illinois,” the governor said of his two-time running mate who campaigned on their record together.

* Tribune | Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton looking to make history in US Senate race against ex-Illinois GOP chair Don Tracy: While the Republican Senate primary was a relatively low-cost race with little outside spending, Stratton said she’s prepared for whatever opposition might arise in the coming months. The outside spending from pro-crypto groups wasn’t really about pushing back on industry regulations, Stratton contended, but rather “because they know that I’m somebody that’s going to stand up for working families, stand up to Donald Trump.”

* Sun-Times | Juliana Stratton’s strong suburban, downstate numbers helped fuel her Senate primary victory: In Chicago, Stratton had 50.04% of support from voters in majority-Black wards compared to Kelly’s 27.92% and Krishnamoorthi’s 15.93%. Stratton also led voters in majority-Latino wards 40.99% to Krishnamoorthi’s 23.74% and Kelly’s 24.22%. In wards with majority non-Latino white voters, Stratton led 40.74% to Kelly’s 22.05% and Krishnamoorthi’s 22.19%. In wards where no racial or ethnic group made up more than 50% of the population, Stratton led with 43.42%, according to a WBEZ analysis of election results.

* Shaw Local | Illinois counties with Big, Beautiful Bill school voucher ballot question lean towards opting in: Voters in McHenry, Ogle, Lee, Grundy and many other counties across the state weighed in a voucher-style federal scholarship program that would give donors a tax credit. The new federal program, called the Education Freedom Tax Credit, was enacted as part of the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act. It’s due to kick in at the start of next year.

* Daily Herald | Voters settle primary contests for state House, Senate seats: When it comes to replacing state Sen. Don DeWitte in the 33rd District, voters in November will choose between Republican Danielle Penman and Democrat Michele Clark. Penman of St. Charles defeated Jessica Bruegelmans of unincorporated Geneva in Tuesday’s Republican primary. Penman received 6,987 votes, and Bruegelmans got 4,852 votes, according to unofficial election results.

* Tribune | Downstate and Chicago North Side challengers declare victory in state House primary races: Also on the North Side, four Democrats in the Lincoln Park area competed in a primary to succeed state Rep. Margaret Croke, who is running for comptroller. With 89% of the votes estimated to be counted, Paul Kendrick, who was endorsed by Croke, was declared the winner of the Democratic nomination for the seat with about 48% of the vote. He is one of four legislative candidates statewide benefiting from a PAC funded by Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook. The second-highest vote-getter in that race was Litcy Kurisinkal, a former Local School Council chair and human rights advocate who campaigned for then-Vice President Kamala Harris’ 2024 presidential run. She had about 23% of the vote.

* Tri States Public Radio | Higgins ousts Hammond in 94th District Republican primary: In a statement, Hammond said serving as a state representative has been “one of the greatest honors” of her life and that her driving motivation in office has been to “serve the people of western Illinois. “I want to congratulate the Republican nominee and I hope that he remembers that our constituents deserve more than a fighter, they deserve results,” Hammond said in the statement.

*** Catching up with the Congressionals ***

* Coin Desk | Fairshake’s $10 million Illinois misfire marks first big hitch in crypto political surge: Losing a race is unusual for the crypto industry’s political action committee, Fairshake, which has recorded a dominant record in the past two congressional elections. But the Illinois primaries this week saw its biggest-ever setback, likely to conclude with a new member of the Senate next year being somebody the PAC spent more than $10 million trying to defeat.

* CBS Chicago | Cryptocurrency and AI industries tested their influence in the Illinois primary elections. It didn’t go that well
: In a bright spot for the AI industry, former congresswoman Melissa Bean won the nomination to reclaim her old seat after a crowded and intense primary. Bean was supported by about $1 million in funding from AI-backed groups. “She recognizes that the United States must work toward a national regulatory framework on AI that creates jobs, helps us stay ahead of China, and protects the safety of kids, users, and the community,” said Josh Vlasto, a political strategist for Leading the Future, an umbrella organization for AI political groups. “Leading the Future was proud to support her campaign and looks forward to working with leaders who will prioritize innovation over doomerism.”

* Tribune | Melissa Bean wins 8th District Democratic primary in race to succeed US Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi: She said part of her motivation for returning to politics was to defend federal health care subsidies, some of which expired this year under the Republican Congress. Opponents criticized Bean as being “Wall Street’s favorite Democrat,” and for dark-money ads from donors connected with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a lobbying group that funds pro-Israel candidates.

* ABC Chicago | AIPAC gets split results for supported candidates in 2026 Illinois primary election: Biss, whose mother was born in Israel, says AIPAC’s influence seems to have diminished. The group has been around for about 75 years, donating millions to pro-Israel candidates around the country. “In this election cycle so far, this strategy seems to be, ‘let’s go after any candidate who is not blindly pro-Israel,’” said Suzanne Chod, a professor at North Central College.

* Evanston Now | What Biss victory means at city hall: Under state law, if Biss resigns as mayor before Nov. 27 — at least 130 days before the April 6, 2027 consolidated election — the city council will appoint an acting mayor from among its members and voters in that election will choose a new mayor to serve until 2029. Resign later than that and the council selects an acting mayor to serve until 2029.

* Daily Herald | Biss, Elleson thank voters after winning 9th Congressional District nominations: As Biss headed to his car after Wednesday’s meet-and-greet, a woman driving on Church Street near the L station yelled “Congratulations!” to him. Biss spoke with the woman while she waited for a red light to turn green. He walked away with a big smile. Afterward, Biss acknowledged that 70% of Democratic voters in the 9th wanted someone else to be the nominee. “I’m going to work very hard to win their trust,” he said.

* Block Club | Mike Quigley Wins Democratic Primary For 5th Congressional District Seat: Quigley had 66 percent of the vote, with 85 percent of votes counted, according to unofficial results. The Associated Press declared Quigley the winner about 8 p.m. Quigley, who has represented the North Side and northwest suburban district since 2009, faced Democratic challengers Matt Conroy, Ellen A. Corley and Anthony Michael Tamez in the primary. […] Quigley’s win comes on the heels of his plans to pursue another office in 2027: In January, he confirmed he intends to run in Chicago’s mayoral race, though he said he would focus first on winning reelection to Congress before formally launching that campaign.

* Daily Herald | Casten, Conforti win big in 6th Congressional races: U.S. Rep. Sean Casten of Downers Grove was among the members of the Chicago-area congressional delegation who scored primary victories Tuesday. Casten defeated challenger Joey Ruzevich of Chicago the 6th District’s Democratic Party primary, The Associated Press declared. With an estimated 95% of Democratic ballots counted, Casten was ahead 66,369 votes to 20,984, unofficial results showed.

* SJ-R | Mary Miller to face Jennifer Todd in race for Illinois’ 15th District: U.S. Rep. Mary Miller, R-Oakland, easily secured her spot on the Republican ticket in Illinois’ Primary Election for the 15th Congressional District. She will face Democrat Jennifer Todd. The seat spans most of central Illinois with the exception of a narrow strip with Springfield within it.

*** Chicago ***

* WTTW | City Council Reverses Vote to End Tipped Minimum Wage; Mayor Johnson Says He’ll Veto It: The Chicago City Council Wednesday voted 30-18 to reverse a 2023 vote to phase out the tipped minimum wage, one of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s major legislative accomplishments. All Chicago businesses should be required to pay their workers the same minimum hourly wage, regardless of whether they also earn tips, Johnson said. It would take 34 votes to override the mayor’s veto. Johnson said the vote was “shameful” and called those who voted to stop tipped workers from being paid more “self-proclaimed Democrats” who were willing to see Black and Latino women paid less than a living wage.

* Sun-Times | To pay for tourism boost, Chicago ramps up hotel tax, making it nation’s highest: Chicago’s already sky-high hotel tax will climb to 19%, highest in the nation, to help market the city to convention organizers and tourists. The City Council made it happen on Wednesday by unanimously agreeing to create a Tourism Improvement District and raise the tax on hotel rooms within that district to 19%. The current combined city, county and state tax on hotel rooms is 17.5%.

* Block Club | Mayor’s Pick To Run Animal Care And Control Gets Council Approval After Compromise: The appointment of Susan Cappello, who has been leading the city’s animal shelter as acting executive director for the past three years, was finalized during the council’s monthly meeting after a compromise that would create a working group to address problems at the shelter was crafted with alderpeople who opposed her. Cappello will be paid just under $172,000.

*** Cook County and Suburbs ***

* Tribune | Two incumbents fall, appointees hold on in Cook County Board races: Sixth District Commissioner Donna Miller was in the latter group, successfully snatching the Democratic nomination for Illinois’ 2nd Congressional District. Her County Board seat representing much of the Southland saw a crowded Democratic primary, with a familiar name winning out. Patricia Joan “Trish” Murphy, the daughter of former Commissioner Joan Patricia Murphy, won in a five-candidate matchup with just under 37% of the vote, according to unofficial tallies. Wesam Shahed, legislative counsel for Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, came in just shy at roughly 33%.

* Tribune | What happened in Chicago suburban primary elections on Tuesday: Incumbent DuPage County Clerk Jean Kaczmarek appears to have lost her reelection bid in a primary loss to fellow Democrat Paula Deacon Garcia. Sadia Covert, a Naperville Democrat who has represented County Board District 5 since 2018, was ousted by Naperville City Councilman Ian Holzhouer by a margin of more than 2,500 votes, unofficial vote counts show.

* Daily Southtown | Southland voters said they seek a change in national policy: Affordability and anger with national policy were two of the key topics voters raised Tuesday at primary polling locations throughout the south and southwest suburbs. “I came out because I really don’t like the way things are going,” said Jeramiah Cook, who voted in Homewood. “Decided to be the change I want to see.” Cook said affordability was his main concern, though he was also worried about international policy.

* NBC Chicago | Suburban man arrested for allegedly threatening Gov. Pritzker, police say: A suburban man has been arrested for allegedly threatening Gov. JB Pritzker, according to Illinois State Police. Timothy J. Shemitis, a 71-year-old Frankfort resident, faces a felony count of threatening a public official and one misdemeanor charge of harassment by telephone, police said.

* Daily Southtown | Kenneth Duffy declares victory in Orland Township committeeperson race; Napoleon Harris to lead Thornton Township Democrats: Orland Township Trustee Kenneth Duffy says he is excited to begin work to boost the Republican Party’s standing as the township committeeperson following Tuesday’s primary. With all precincts tallied, Duffy had 54.1% of votes while former township committeeperson Elizabeth “Liz” Doody Gorman had 45.9%, according to unofficial results.

* Daily Southtown | Southwest suburban voters back statewide property tax rebates; term limit extension leads in Dolton: Dolton residents also leaned yes on three village specific ballot questions, with about 80.1% of voters in favor of extending term limits for local elected officials. The change will allow officials to hold the same office for four 4-year terms, with the clock starting at the next municipal election. It reverses a binding referendum question from 2019 that asked whether the mayor and village clerk should be limited to no more than two consecutive 4-year terms.

*** Downstate ***

* WNIJ | Rockford Public Schools cuts over 100 positions amid $15M deficit: Rockford Public Schools is cutting more than 100 positions as it deals with a $15 million budget deficit. RPS Superintendent Ehren Jarrett says costs have risen significantly over the past few years. The district also increased social-emotional support coming out of the pandemic. “Unfortunately, that’s how you go from a budget surplus to a budget deficit pretty quickly,” he said. “And unfortunately, the only way to get ahead of this was to cut back on some staff.” Jarrett says none of the cuts are teaching positions. They’ve reduced 12% of the district’s central office staff and 4% of “nonteaching” roles, like attendance specialists and academy coaches.

* WCIA | Two incumbent sheriffs in Central Illinois were not re-elected: Both winners got more than 60% of the vote. Mike Walker was trying for a third term as DeWitt County Sheriff, but Clinton’s Police Chief, Ben Lowers, won the republican nomination. Over in Douglas County, Nate Chaplin lost his bid for a second term as sheriff. Heath Thurston won the race there. Thurston is a Tuscola Police Lieutenant and has been with the department since 2000. He has been working in law enforcement for almost three decades, and said that stepping into this role is a lifelong dream come true.

* Capitol City Now | Crouch defeats Timm in Republican primary for Sheriff: “If I lost this because I took the high road, and didn’t go negative, then so be it. That’s what was meant to be,” said Timm. Crouch’s campaign brought up Timm’s record, including a termination that was later rescinded. Others brought up Timm’s criminal record, stemming from well before his time as a deputy, and when he was still a teenager. Timm, meanwhile, produced a video where Crouch praised Timm upon his retirement.

* WGEM | Hancock County Treasurer primary winner voices displeasure with salary decrease: Winning a primary election should have been a day of celebration for Shannon Kissinger. However, one day before the election, on Monday, the Hancock County Board decided to decrease the position’s salary by more than $10,000. “I’ve been grooming her, I’ve been cross-training in the office, trying to make this a smooth transition,” said current Treasurer Kris Pilkington. Pilkington has served as treasurer in the county for 24 years but decided to retire this election cycle, leaving the position up for the taking.

* WREX | Parents, school leaders disappointed after 1% tax falls short: A proposed one percent sales tax for schools in Winnebago County was rejected by voters Tuesday night, with the measure failing 61 percent to 39 percent. The referendum would have added a one percent sales tax on purchases in the county, with the money going toward school facility repairs, school resource officers and mental health professionals across multiple districts.

* WQAD | Illinois State Police trooper injured in Whiteside County crash: ISP has identified six crashes related to the state’s Move Over Law so far in 2026. The law requires drivers to slow down and move over when approaching any emergency vehicle, emergency worker or any vehicle with its emergency or hazard lights on. First-time violators may be fined up to $10,000, and if anyone is injured, a driver’s license may be suspended for up to two years.

* News Gazette | UI to relocate Snyder Hall residents following ‘catastrophic flood’ in basement: Around 450 University of Illinois students living on campus will be relocated to other university housing when they get back from spring break, according to a notice sent out this morning. The email delivered to Snyder Hall residents said on Sunday, the building experienced a “catastrophic flood in the basement that severely impacted critical building systems.” While no damage was done to the rooms themselves or students’ belongings, the email said that electricity, elevators, water heaters, card-access systems and data infrastructure were all affected.

* WAND | University of Illinois police officer arrested after domestic battery call: Joseph Cassidy, 38, was arrested at the scene, and his case has been referred to the state’s attorney’s office. The senior communications coordinator for the U of I’s Division of Public Safety told WAND News that Cassidy is an officer, but was unable to comment on personnel matters. It is unclear if Cassidy will be formally charged.

* SJ-R | Springfield’s Comfort Inn & Suites sells for more than $7M: Comfort Inn & Suites Springfield at 2620 S. Dirksen Parkway sold for $7,850,000 on Feb. 13, in a sale between Girdhar Enterprises Inc. and another local hotel operator, buyer Nilkanth Spil LLC. Nilkanth Spil LLC registered agent on the Illinois Business Entity Search is Bhavin Patel, and address listed for the LLC is 1330 S. Dirksen Parkway – or the Super 8 by Wyndham in Springfield. The LLC was registered in October of last year with the state.

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* Yahoo Finance | Powell: Job creation is near zero: Job creation in the US has slowed to essentially zero, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said Wednesday as the Fed released its latest economic projections, which included slightly higher economic growth than previously projected and little change to the unemployment rate. Altogether, Powell said, central bankers see “a degree of stability” in the labor market.

* WaPo | Can this Texas law crack America’s housing problem?: Early evidence suggests the Lone Star State’s embrace of by-right zoning has allowed developers to build more housing without requiring a sweeping overhaul of local zoning codes. If other states follow suit, they could ease the housing shortage while growing their economies and populations. While estimates of the U.S. housing problem vary widely, the squeeze is undeniable. The housing deficit is driven largely by local permitting red tape, restrictive zoning that often jacks up construction costs and prevents housing from being built. Estimates suggest zoning restrictions and land-use regulations account for 24 to over 40 percent of construction costs for new single- and multifamily housing, respectively.

* CNBC | Wholesale prices rose 0.7% in February, much more than expected and up 3.4% annually: The producer price index, a measure of pipeline costs that producers receive for their products, increased a seasonally adjusted 0.7% on the month, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Wednesday. Excluding volatile food and energy costs, the so-called core PPI increased 0.5%.

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Good morning!

Thursday, Mar 19, 2026 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* Ann Peebles…