* ICYMI: Crowded Dem primaries, GOP field for governor take shape as candidates file for office. Capitol News Illinois…

- The once-every-two-year spectacle is the formal kickoff to campaign season, with candidates for state, federal and judicial offices filing hundreds to thousands of signatures to secure their place on the March 17 primary ballot.
- Three Republican gubernatorial candidates filed their petitions as they compete for the right to take on Pritzker, who filed for reelection. Darren Bailey hasn’t made a decision on staying in the race, running mate Del Mar told reporters.
- Democratic voters around Illinois will see several competitive primaries on their ballots this year, including for U.S. Senate. So far, Krishnamoorthi, Kelly and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton are largely focused on their opposition to Trump.

* Related stories…

• Tribune: Illinois contenders file for March primary amid GOP uncertainty for governor, Democratic redistricting push
• Sun-Times | Candidates begin filing petitions for 2026 primary for Cook County, statewide offices
• Center Square: Republicans file petitions to challenge Pritzker in governor’s race

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. 

* Governor Pritzker will be in Peoria at 1 pm today to highlight a $400 million investment in Peoria County infrastructure. Click here to watch.

* WICS | Governor Pritzker urges federal action as SNAP benefits pause leaves families in distress: Governor JB Pritzker says families will have to turn to local food pantries for help. “We’re going to support our food pantries across the state as best we can. We can’t replace the dollars that the federal government puts up, and we’re talking about $350 to $400 million a week, and so they need to do the right thing,” Governor JB Pritzker. The Illinois Department of Human Services echoed that the state doesn’t have the budget to cover these benefits if federal funding doesn’t arrive.

* Tribune | Illinois residents to see 78% average cost increase for Affordable Care Act exchange plans if subsidies expire: Illinois residents who have health insurance through the exchange will begin receiving letters this week from the Illinois Department of Insurance outlining how their costs may increase next year, said Morgan Winters, director of Get Covered Illinois, the state’s new marketplace for Affordable Care Act plans. About 91% of Illinois residents with exchange plans get the enhanced premium tax credits, which lower the monthly costs of their health insurance, said Ann Gillespie, director of the Illinois Department of Insurance.

* WMBD | Justice P. Scott Neville Jr. sworn in as Illinois chief justice: Justice P. Scott Neville, Jr. assumed the office of Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court on Sunday, Oct. 26. Justice Neville is the second black man and 123rd Chief Justice in the state’s History. He follows the Late Justice Charles Freeman, who served from 1997 to 1999.

* Capitol News Illinois | State rep., comptroller candidate’s ICE disclosures draw threats from DOJ: osts online sharing the screenshot claimed that the Department of Homeland Security had referred the case to the DOJ for review, citing DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin in a post on X. “Heinous. We will prosecute those who dox ICE law enforcement to the fullest extent of the law — State Rep Croke is no exception,” says the quote attributed to McLaughlin. DHS confirmed the statement was made by McLaughlin. Anthony Coley, who heads DOJ’s Office of Public Affairs, says the Department is tracking cases such as this and issued a warning to public officials involved. “The Department is actively tracking these targeted assaults against our law enforcement and will hold offenders accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” Coley said. “Any official encouraging reckless behavior should think twice before inciting further violence and putting federal agents in harm’s way.”

* Sun-Times | U.S. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries brings his redistricting push to Illinois: U.S. Reps. Jonathan Jackson, Danny Davis, Lauren Underwood and Robin Kelly stood with Jeffries in support of the idea after an hourlong meeting that also included Chicago Democrats who lead the General Assembly’s Black Caucus: state Sens. Lakesia Collins and Willie Preston, and state Rep. Kimberly du Buclet. […] “If that map dilutes Black votes, I’m not only a no, I’m going to lobby other Black, Latino and my white colleagues to vote no,” Preston said. “This is an unprecedented time in America, but we do not have to go along just to get along here, particularly at a time when we see Black power and Black representation decreasing in Illinois.”

* Capitol News Illinois’ Brenden Moore…

* Daily Herald | Gubernatorial candidates file amid Bailey tragedy; Trump and Pritzker offer condolences: Pritzker “gave me his sincere condolences and wanted me to pass those on to Darren and (wife) Cindy,” said Del Mar, Cook County’s GOP chair. Bailey has temporarily suspended his campaign. On Saturday, President Donald Trump called Bailey and they “had a very long talk,” Del Mar said. “He gave Darren, obviously, his condolences and support, but more surprisingly, he encouraged Darren to continue the race and to continue to fight,” he added.

* Center Square | Illinois agency buys incompatible computer system meant to ’streamline’ diversity efforts: The number of businesses owned by racial minorities and women that are certified by Illinois plummeted in the past year, partly due to a new computer system the state bought for as much as $750,000 and was designed to help boost the number, an investigation by The Center Square found. […] But the new computer system the commission started using last year cannot automatically download certification data from other government entities – such as the city of Chicago – to build the certified businesses list. Commission staff blamed that inability, in part, for the falling numbers.

* WAND | Clean energy advocates, manufacturers argue over massive energy plan: “We really believe that this is the only bill that gives Illinois electricity customers a fighting chance to do something about sky high rates,” said Jeff Danielson, SVP of Advocacy for the Clean Grid Alliance. However, Illinois manufacturers argue the legislation will raise rates and hurt companies. The Illinois Manufacturers’ Association said clean energy advocates keep promising to lower energy prices but their laws fail to do so.

* Kirk W. Dillard | The real consequences of not funding transit in Illinois: The problem isn’t one of mismanagement. It’s chronic underfunding. Illinois ranks last among peer states in state support for public transit, covering just 17% of costs while most states fund 40% to 50%. Since 2014, Springfield has cut more than $400 million in transit resources even as the state budget has ballooned by $20 billion.

* AP | Chicago’s children are getting caught in the chaos of immigration crackdowns: Parents, teachers and caregivers have been grappling ever since with how to explain to children what they’d seen: how much to tell them so they know enough to stay safe, but not too much to rob them of their childhood. A toddler shouldn’t know what a tear gas canister is, Kucich said. “I don’t know how to explain this to my kids.”

* NBC Chicago | Could ICE have ‘lost’ 3,000 immigrant arrestees in Chicago?: As of Monday, immigration agents and border patrol officers working in Chicago have locked up more than 3,000 allegedly undocumented immigrants, authorities say, noting the individuals were here illegally and many were wanted for serious crimes. Even as arrests continue, the question is: Where are the 3,000 people? Attorneys and human rights investigators tracking them are asking where they are and, in many cases, who they are. The whereabouts of many detainees locked up during Operation Midway Blitz remain unknown, according to organizations that have been trying to protect rights and lives.

* Crain’s | Chicago business leaders mobilize to kill Johnson’s head tax: Chicago’s business community is mobilizing to strip the proposed corporate head tax out of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s $16.6 billion 2026 budget in a fight that will place moderate members of the City Council in a vice-grip as they choose between eliminating the tax and the politically painful alternatives. Representatives from Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce and trade associations representing downtown landlords, manufacturers, retailers, as well as corporate leaders and their hired lobbyists, met last week to strategize over how to best deliver the message to the City Council that the business community will not negotiate on the head tax.

* Tribune | Aldermen to lobby lawmakers on behalf of Mayor Brandon Johnson for ‘progressive revenue’: The proposals entail raising the corporate tax rate by 0.92%, imposing a new levy on digital ads and hiking the Personal Property Replacement Tax rate on corporations, according to a “Progressive Revenue Agenda” memo obtained by the Tribune. Sources said the day of lobbying, organized by Johnson’s head lobbyist in the statehouse, former Ald. John Arena, will include meetings with Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch and Senate President Don Harmon as the legislative body begins the second and final week of its fall veto session. Arena’s agenda does not include a meeting with Gov. JB Pritzker.

* Sun-Times | CPS lunchroom workers say wages are so low they can barely feed their own families: According to the union, lunchroom workers are the lowest-paid workers for CPS, with a vast majority making $18.42 or less an hour, with entry level workers paid minimum wage. The average salary of a lunchroom worker is $31,000. They work about 35 hours per week during the school year. […] In a survey conducted last month by the union, nearly half of lunchroom workers said they struggle to afford basic necessities, with 67% having trouble paying for food in the last three months.

* Sun-Times | Lawyer sues Broadview mayor, police over designated protest hours outside ICE processing facility: It argues limiting protests to select zones and within the hours of 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., doesn’t provide a reasonable alternative for people to protest who work “traditional employment hours” from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The suit also points to the lack of guidelines from Thompson in determining rules for protests, giving her “unfettered discretion to rescind the time restrictions whenever she personally ‘deem[s] the restriction no longer necessary.’”

* Daily Herald | Palatine police defend officer who assisted federal agents: “Given the subject’s noncompliance, the agitated crowd, and the potential risk of injury, the officer made a split-second decision to assist in stabilizing the situation,” police said. “The officer provided verbal instructions in Spanish to the subject and grasped the subject’s right arm, which was already being handcuffed, while agents secured the left arm helping to bring the incident to a safe and peaceful resolution.” Despite the officer’s intervention, police issued a statement Monday saying the department “remains committed to complying with all state laws.”

* WGN | Federal arrest operation in Addison sparks fear and criticism from local residents: A Department of Homeland Security operation in west suburban Addison is drawing criticism from community members who say several arrests made Sunday morning were unwarranted. Witnesses say federal agents broke multiple windows on an SUV in the parking lot of a popular grocery store in the 300 block of West Lake Street, taking several people into custody. […] Sources familiar with the investigation say the vehicle’s driver is a legal resident who was later released from custody.

* Tribune | Cook County candidates pack the hallway to get on the ballot: Standing a few feet away from each other were Democratic opponents for County Board president, incumbent Toni Preckwinkle and downtown Ald. Brendan Reilly. Also in close proximity were Assessor Fritz Kaegi and Lyons Township Assessor Pat Hynes, who’s running against him. The two races are likely the closest-watched countywide and some of the most expensive. The line up is a Cook County pre-election tradition, that doubles as a show of electoral strength. Being the first name listed on the ballot among candidates for an office is said to be worth a few extra votes. To be eligible to gain that pole position requires getting to the building before the 9 a.m. official start of filing.

* Daily Herald | Primary races emerge for DuPage county clerk, sheriff: Two-term incumbent Jean Kaczmarek will face a primary challenge as she seeks a third term as DuPage County clerk. Paula Deacon Garcia, a Democratic county board member, and Kaczmarek filed petitions Monday to run in the March primary. It is believed to be the first time in nearly 30 years that any candidate for county clerk would face a primary challenge, Kaczmarek said.

* Daily Herald | Lake County primary races expected to be few and far between, but there are wrinkles: There will be some notable departures. Republican Linda Pedersen, who has represented District 1 in the Antioch area since 2008, is not seeking reelection. Newcomer John Muellner of Lindenhurst, who Pedersen referred to as a “next generation leader” in his candidacy announcement, was among the first five to file Monday morning. Antioch village Trustee Jose S. Martinez filed Monday as a Democrat.

* ABC Chicago | Harvey residents pack chamber as city council meets for 1st time since mass furloughs: The mayor says there is no specific timeline for when state help might arrive, but that his administration is doing everything and possibly to bring back those furloughed workers. He told people he’s looking for “brighter minds to come in and help us figure this out.”

* Tribune | Oak Park uncorked: The Chicago suburb’s best wine destinations: If there’s one place that inevitably comes up when wine lovers talk about Oak Park, it’s Anfora. The Italian-focused bottle shop and wine bar, opened in 2020 by veteran sommelier Adrian Weisell, has quickly become a neighborhood anchor. Born and raised in Italy to American parents, Weisell grew up surrounded by vineyards outside Rome. “I grew up around wine; it was just part of life,” he says.

* WAND | Massey Commission passes 26 ‘calls to action’ in final meeting: The 708 Mental Health Board was approved by county voters, but two recommendations made it even farther. Senate Bill 1953 was passed into law as the Sonya Massey Law, and Senate Bill 1954 will put the ability to recall on the ballot in the 2026 general election, but it is currently locked in the House Rules Committee.

* WICS | Massey Commission concludes with 27 calls to action for community reform: Sontae Massey, Sonya’s cousin, addressed the crowd, highlighting the ongoing need for action. “We need to keep this going, we’ve got at least five to ten years more work to do,” adding, “There is so much more work that needs to be done, and this is the team to do it.” Although this was the commission’s final formal meeting, Co-Chair Joann Johnson urged the public to continue the work, saying they’re returning the work to the people.

* WAND | New Google energy plant expected to attract other businesses to Decatur: A new natural gas plant to be built in Decatur could result in other businesses coming into the city. The project using ADM carbon capture will be a joint venture between ADM, Broadwing Energy and Google. It will be constructed on ADM property in Decatur. “It’s the first domino to fall for Decatur and it will be very impactful,” Broadwing President Jonathan Wiens told WAND News.

* WCIA | Special use permit approved for solar farm in Mahomet: The board met on Thursday, Oct. 23 to discuss Summit Ridge Energy’s proposed plan for Mahomet. The 36-acre solar farm would run from the Spring Lake subdivision and along Spring Lake Drive. Summit Ridge said it would generate 4.99 MWAC — enough to power about 1,500 homes.

* WGLT | Bloomington council gets final commission recommendations on gun violence: Recommendations in the data-heavy, 29-page final report from the advisory board include expanded collaboration among community groups, gathering youth perspectives, supporting suicide prevention efforts, strengthening programs targeting domestic violence, and more investments in school programs and mental health treatment.

* NPR | Weight loss drugs are bringing down the country’s obesity rate, a survey shows: The obesity rate dropped to 37% of U.S. adults this year, down from a high of 39.9% three years ago, according to the survey. The survey found that the number of Americans taking drugs like semaglutide (which include the brands Ozempic and Wegovy) or tirzepatide (under the brands Zepbound and Mounjaro) for weight loss more than doubled over the past year and a half. That’s 12.4% of respondents taking the drugs compared with 5.8% in February 2024, when Gallup first measured it. GLP-1 agonists, as the new treatments are known, were first approved for obesity treatment in the U.S. market in 2021.

* NYT | Government Shutdown Imperils SNAP and Other Antipoverty Programs: For 42 million people who rely on SNAP, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as food stamps, it means the loss of grocery assistance when food banks are already stretched thin. For the 6.7 million women and children who participate in the Women, Infants and Children nutrition program, or WIC, there is uncertainty about whether the Trump administration will find stopgap funds to keep the program going after this week.

* AP | Amazon cuts 14,000 corporate jobs as spending on artificial intelligence accelerates: Amazon has about 350,000 corporate employees and a total workforce of approximately 1.56 million. The cuts announced Tuesday amount to about a 4% reduction in its corporate workforce. […] The cuts announced Tuesday suggests Amazon is still trying to get the size of its workforce right and it may not be over. It was the biggest culling at Amazon since 2023, when the company cut 27,000 jobs. Those cuts came in waves, with 9,000 jobs trimmed in March of that year, and another 18,000 employees two months later. Amazon has not said if more job cuts are on the way.