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Isabel’s afternoon roundup
Tuesday, Dec 2, 2025 - Posted by Isabel Miller * Sun-Times…
* WIFR | Fee added to paint purchases with start of new paint recycling program in Illinois: Those buying paint in Illinois will now pay a little more as part of a state program. The program, provided by nonprofit organization PaintCare, is designed to help households and businesses recycle leftover paint. It went into effect December 1, 2025. […] Under the law, paint manufacturers are required to develop and implement a cost-effective paint stewardship program that reduces the generation of leftover paint, promotes paint reuse and recycling and manages paint waste in an environmentally friendly way. * NBC Chicago | Illinois temporarily suspends road tests at DMV’s due to wintry weather: The Illinois Secretary of State’s Office has temporarily suspended road tests at DMV facilities due to dangerous road conditions. According to the SOS’ office, that suspension was announced on Tuesday morning, citing “unsafe road conditions” after several days of wintry weather that have hammered the state. […] There was no immediate word on when those services would resume. Motorists are urged to check the state’s website for the latest information on test conditions at their local DMV. * Illinois Answers Project | Illinois’ Low-Cost Library Program Takes on the Justice Gap: The need is serious. Researchers report that in Illinois there are just four legal aid lawyers for every 10,000 low-income residents who need one. And most civil litigants without attorneys struggle to access basic court resources. […] Last fall, it partnered with the Chicago Bar Foundation and the Illinois Supreme Court’s Access to Justice Commission (ATJ) to launch the library initiative that puts a $1,000 computer setup in 18 libraries across the state and provides legal training for staff. * Bloomberg | Illinois among states pressing ‘buy now, pay later’ firms for loan details: “Consumers may not realize that buy-now-pay-later loans don’t have the same protections as other loan products,” Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul said in a press release. “Individuals who are facing financial hardship or who are new to using loans are especially vulnerable to getting trapped in a cycle of debt, particularly if taking out many buy now, pay later loans. I join my fellow attorneys general in asking that these lenders provide information, so we can determine whether they are complying with consumer protection laws.” * Sun-Times | Krishnamoorthi’s ‘American Dream’ economic plan includes homeowner tax credit, free lunch for kids: Krishnamoorthi’s “Restore the American Dream” plan includes policies for all stages of life — from children to those in retirement. The fundraising leader in the heated race to replace outgoing Sen. Dick Durbin in August unveiled a “Trump accountability plan” for his Senate campaign that includes pushing to restrict ICE agents from wearing masks and introducing constitutional amendments to block self-pardons and a potential presidential term. * 9th CD candidate Daniel Biss has been endorsed by Attorney General Kwame Raoul…
* WTTW | Mayor Johnson Rejects Rival Budget Proposal, Saying It Is $700M Short: “Look, they’re going to have to find 34 alders who can compel working people that they’re gonna balance the budget off of their backs,” Johnson said, vowing to “protect the working people of Chicago” and calling the rival budget proposal “$700 million short.” It would take 34 alderpeople to override a mayoral veto. * Illinois Answers Project | Budget Woes: Mayor, Council Clash Over Programs That Feds Once Paid for That Johnson Wants to Keep — on The City’s Tab: An Illinois Answers Project review of published data, memos and records requests found that Johnson’s budget proposes to shift 62 full-time employees previously backed by ARPA — mostly mental health outreach workers — onto the city’s ledger at a cost of $7 million. The mayor also wants to carry over $26 million in grants for programming related to youth employment, homelessness services, domestic violence programs and support for victims of violent crimes, according to city budget officials. About $10 million of that sum would be shifted to the Corporate Fund, the city’s core operating budget, with about another $13 million diverted to a new Community Safety Fund and the rest moved into a fund backed by cannabis taxes. * Crain’s | Citywide ban on intoxicating hemp up for a vote over Johnson’s objection: The City Council’s License Committee is expected to vote on a measure that would extend current local bans at the neighborhood level to the entire city despite the Johnson administration asking aldermen to pump the brakes. The full City Council would need to approve the measure. As drafted, the ban would begin 10 days after the ordinance is approved. Lead sponsor, Ald. Marty Quinn, 13th, told Crain’s “I’m confident in my roll call.” * ABC Chicago | Chicago residents worry over Cook County property tax increases as payment due soon: Some West Side residents and pastors held a press conference Monday morning, pleading for help, as the Cook County property taxes are due in two weeks. They fear the higher bills could lead to vacant buildings and homelessness. “The people who can least afford to pay are given the highest bills; it means get out of town. We don’t want you in this city,” said the Rev. Marshall Hatch, with New Mount Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church. * Tribune | Actor and director Robert Townsend raises funds for West Side nonprofits with pop-up film fest: Townsend is in Chicago this week to host a pop-up film festival Dec. 6-7 — one that will showcase films significant to him and subsequently raise funds for the Chicago Westside Branch NAACP and The Answer, Inc., the Forest Park-based organization that supports people of color with intellectual or developmental disabilities and their families. Townsend is childhood friends with Karl Brinson, Westside Branch NAACP president, and Debra Vines, CEO and founder of The Answer, Inc. * Crain’s | Chicago Reader names new editor-in-chief: The Chicago Reader has a new leader: Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Sarah Conway, who was just brought on as editor-in-chief for the weekly newspaper, the outlet announced today. Conway, who grew up in Joliet, joins the Reader from City Bureau, where she held roles ranging from managing editor to senior reporter for eight years. She also co-founded and led Borderless Magazine as editorial director for three years while also reporting for City Bureau. It was during her time at City Bureau that she landed the Pulitzer Prize for local reporting, for a series on how Chicago police investigate missing persons cases. * Sun-Times | Chicago overtakes NYC for worst vehicle congestion in the US, survey says: Chicago placed second worst in the world behind only Istanbul. The report said traffic on average is worsening across the globe. “As the demand for vehicular travel continues to grow faster than the supply of roadway[s], traffic congestion and delay[s] tend to grow,” the authors wrote in the report. Chicago drivers saw a 10% increase in 2025 in the average time wasted this year in peak traffic, according to the report. * Tribune | Northwestern deal with Trump administration divides students, faculty: Jackie Stevens, president of Northwestern’s chapter of the American Association of University Professors, noted that a large cohort of faculty feels “ongoing disappointment” about the agreement. She characterized it as both an acquiescence to Trump and a betrayal to academic freedom. “It’s extortion,” Stevens said. “I don’t even think it’s about the $75 million, I think it’s just about the show of power, right?” * Evanston Now | Biss slams NU deal with feds: Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss said he was “disgusted” by terms in Northwestern University’s agreement with the federal government that includes a $75 million payout to close investigations and return funding. In his first statement since the agreement was announced Friday evening, Biss wrote that the Trump administration had “essentially blackmailed Northwestern University … into bending to its will,” by freezing nearly $800 million in federal funding. * Daily Herald | How to enforce ICE ban? Arlington Heights ordinance suggests going to court: “If they violate this, there’ll be documentation and consideration of legal action, but at the same time we just have to acknowledge the reality of this, and we don’t want to lull people into a false sense of security,” Recklaus said. Trustee Wendy Dunnington, who proposed the rules last month, said the board’s unanimous vote shows residents that village officials care about the issue. “We know that people are scared and that immigrants are an important part of our community and that we really value them in Arlington Heights,” she said. * Aurora Beacon-News | Kane County begins to adjust its roadwork plans: One of those moves was an almost $7 million cut in funding for transportation in favor of public safety spending, by way of reallocating some of the Regional Transportation Authority sales tax funds the county receives. It was shortly after followed by a hike in the county’s motor fuel tax to replace that lost revenue. * Daily Herald | Batavia pub gets OK for video gambling, despite being next to two churches: The Batavia City Council approved a conditional-use permit Monday night after a lengthy debate about whether the business is too close to Bethany Lutheran Church and First Congregational Church of Batavia. The council voted 8-6 to approve the measure, with aldermen Tony Malay, Alice Lohman, Dustin Pieper, Leah Leman, Kevin Malone and Abby Beck voting “no.” * Crain’s | Long-delayed Loeber farm housing plan may get Schaumburg’s financial assist: With about $4.8 million in tax increment financing money going to building a bridge over Salt Creek and connecting to distant utility lines, “you make it financially feasible to have the lower density that the neighbors and the community have been asking for,” Joe Nitti said. His Elmhurst-based homebuilding firm, Nitti Group, is seeking village officials’ approval to develop 122 residential units on the 33-acre parcel off Meacham Road near Algonquin Road. * WSIL | Jackson County officials update CodeRED alert system after cybersecurity attack: The agency shared a statement by Crisis24 Customer Support that on December 1, they successfully integrated data into the CodeRED by Crisis24 platform. This data, sourced from backup information of the legacy OnSolve CodeRED system, includes community notification enrollment, E911 data, and customer utility data. This backup reflects data available as of March 31, 2025. * WJBD | City of Centralia approves next year’s budget: The Centralia City Council approved the city’s FY26 budget at the regular council meeting on Monday night. The budget shows an overall surplus of roughly $455,000. A public hearing was held before the meeting to present the budget. No members of the public gave any questions or comments on the budget at the hearing. The council also approved the annual property tax levy, keeping it the same as the previous year’s levy. Centralia city manager Galen Mahle said that due to increased revenue from the half-cent sales tax increase going into effect on January 1, the city did not need to increase the levy for a balanced budget this year. * WCIA | Springfield Fire Dept. canceling monthly tornado siren due to weather: In a Facebook post Tuesday morning, Springfield Fire said that due to the extremely cold temperatures, they would be canceling this month’s scheduled tornado siren test. They said cold weather can damage testing equipment and that ensuring reliability during an actual emergency is their top priority. The department said the regular tornado test will resume next month, weather permitting. They urged residents to make sure they are signed up for emergency alerts and have multiple ways to receive severe weather notifications. * NPR Illinois | Country artist Ella Langley to play the Illinois State Fair grandstand: The Illinois State Fair has announced country music performer Ella Langley will take the Grandstand Stage as part of the 2026 Illinois State Fair lineup on Friday, August 21, 2026. Langley, one of country music’s most dynamic and fastest-rising new voices, has rapidly become a force in the genre. Her debut album, hungover, earned widespread critical acclaim from Rolling Stone, The New York Times, Billboard and more, while her 3x Platinum-certified breakout single “you look like you love me” featuring Riley Green topped Country radio, hit the Billboard Hot 100 (Top 30), and also made CMA history—sweeping every category it has ever been nominated for and becoming the first song in CMA history to win all four honors: Single of the Year (2025), Song of the Year (2025), Music Video of the Year (2025), and Musical Event of the Year (2024)—making it the first track in CMA history to claim all four honors. * 404 Media | Flock Uses Overseas Gig Workers to Build its Surveillance AI: Companies that use AI or machine learning regularly turn to overseas workers to train their algorithms, often because the labor is cheaper than hiring domestically. But the nature of Flock’s business—creating a surveillance system that constantly monitors U.S. residents’ movements—means that footage might be more sensitive than other AI training jobs. * AP | Trump administration says it will withhold SNAP from Democrat-led states if they don’t provide data: President Donald Trump’s administration said Tuesday that it will move to withhold SNAP food aid from recipients in most Democratic-controlled states starting next week unless they provide information about those receiving the assistance. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said at a Cabinet meeting Tuesday that the action is in the works because those states are refusing to provide data the department requested such as the names and immigration status of the aid recipients.
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It’s Giving Tuesday, so here’s my pitch
Tuesday, Dec 2, 2025 - Posted by Rich Miller * As I’ve told you before, I simply cannot imagine what the life of a foster child must be like. They’re abruptly pulled from often-times dangerous environments and handed over to an entirely new family. Yeah, their home life was rough, but it was the only life they’d ever known. Trauma added onto trauma through no fault of their own. But, hopefully, they end up with loving foster parents and maybe one day they can even go back home. * In the meantime, all of these children deserve something to smile about. That’s where we come in. By helping purchase Christmas presents for more than 2,500 foster kids in the care of Lutheran Social Services of Illinois, we can help create those smiles, even if just for a day. As I write this, people have contributed nearly $17,000 to buy Christmas toys. But we can do better. Much better. So, please, look into your hearts and click this link to help create some smiles for kids who deserve to smile a whole lot more. * You don’t have to give a lot of money if you can’t afford it. I would never ask you to do that. All I’m asking is that you click here and give what you can to help buy some Christmas presents for children whose lives have been completely upended. Thanks.
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Pritzker says he understands the pressure on Northwestern, but ‘I just feel like every day democracy is slipping away whenever any of us capitulate in any significant fashion’
Tuesday, Dec 2, 2025 - Posted by Rich Miller * I saw lots of stories during the break about Northwestern University agreeing to pay the federal government $75 million to get out of some legal hot water, but I haven’t seen many reports that actually detail what’s in the agreement. Click here for some insight into that, and click here for the actual agreement. Gov. Pritzker is not just one of the state’s most outspoken Trump critics, he’s also a Northwestern law grad who, along with his spouse, donated $100 million to what is now the Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law. Isabel and I were both curious what he thought about the agreement, so she brought it up at today’s press conference…
* Isabel also asked Pritzker if he’d met with Northwestern’s president. He said he did. She asked some follow-ups to her follow-up…
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Question of the day: 2025 Golden Horseshoe Awards
Tuesday, Dec 2, 2025 - Posted by Rich Miller * The 2025 Golden Horseshoe Award for Best Place to Gather for Dinner During Session Weeks goes to Vele…
I hadn’t been there since they moved from downtown, but some friends of mine and I went during veto session and I was impressed. * The 2025 Golden Horseshoe Award for Best Place to Gather for Drinks, Etc. During Session Weeks goes to Saputo’s…
Never a dull moment. * On to today’s categories…
Best Senate Democratic Legislative Assistant/District Office Manager As always, please try to nominate in both categories. Yes, I know it’s not easy, but do your best. Also, please explain your nominations or they won’t count. Last year’s winners were Dana Hooven and Thera Bond, so they’re not eligible this year. * After you submit your nominations, please click here and donate to our annual fundraiser to buy Christmas toys for foster kids. We raised more than $12,000 yesterday, but a whole lot of LSSI foster kids depend on us every year, so please spread some holiday joy. Thanks!
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Rate Brendan Reilly’s TV ad
Tuesday, Dec 2, 2025 - Posted by Rich Miller * Spotted last night on Channel 7 news…
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Showcasing The Retailers Who Make Illinois Work
Tuesday, Dec 2, 2025 - Posted by Advertising Department [The following is a paid advertisement.] 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 the Hagers, who serve their communities with dedication and pride.
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Isabel’s morning briefing
Tuesday, Dec 2, 2025 - Posted by Isabel Miller * ICYMI: Darren Bailey reflects on tragedy, his decision to continue gubernatorial run. NBC Chicago…
- Bailey said he plans to zero in on issues that he says will “focus on that 80% that we all agree on,” affordability, public safety and schools. - Bailey is also rethinking his criticism that “Chicago is a hellhole.” That was a frequent campaign message in 2022. Bailey concedes he had doubled down on the criticism, but he’s decided to change his message. * Related stories… Sponsored by PhRMA
* At 10:30 am Gov. Pritzker will sign a bill “bolstering vaccine access.” Click here to watch. * Tribune | Nearly 1,900 immigrants were detained during the first half of Operation Midway Blitz. Most had no criminal record: Of the 1,895 people detained by ICE, 1,271 lacked any criminal record. Another 343 people arrested had a pending criminal charge, while 281 had a criminal conviction. Of those with a criminal conviction, the vast majority of offenses were misdemeanors, traffic citations or non-violent felonies. Only 28 arrestees —1.5% — had been convicted of a violent felony or sex crime. * Sun-Times | What Northwestern accepted from the Trump administration to get back $790M in research funds: Professors interviewed by the Sun-Times disagreed that the university remains autonomous. They decried the agreement as a violation of academic freedom and free speech. “I’m disappointed that we have capitulated,” says Laura Beth Nielsen, a sociology professor. “I’m gobsmacked at the idea that anyone can say with a straight face that this isn’t an invasion into our academic freedom.” * WAND | Clean Slate Act: Bill automatically sealing nonviolent felony records awaits Pritzker’s signature: The proposal could allow felony convictions currently eligible for expungement to be automatically sealed by a circuit court judge or the Illinois State Police. State lawmakers passed legislation in 2017 to allow certain offenders with nonviolent felony convictions to apply for expungement. However, each of the state’s 102 counties have addressed the record sealing process differently. * Crain’s | With O’Hare traffic rising, city asks airlines to rethink terminal construction plans: The city of Chicago is talking with the major airlines at O’Hare International Airport about going back to the initial plan for construction of new terminals. The city originally proposed building two new satellite concourses adjacent to Terminal 1 before demolishing Terminal 2 and replacing it with a new global terminal. But the airport’s two largest carriers, United and American airlines, balked at the cost and sequence of construction. During months of tense negotiations, they pushed the city to delay building the second satellite until after the global terminal. * Tribune | More CPS students are graduating high school, but finishing college is a challenge: The overall college completion rate for CPS alumni is 48% — below the national average of 64%, according to an annual study from the University of Chicago Consortium on School Research and the To&Through Project. “Getting students into college is a great first step, but starting college and not completing is not a good outcome, for the most part,” said Alex Usher, director of data and research at the To&Through Project. “There’s definitely work to be done ahead.” * WBEZ | Roseland Hospital opens delayed sickle-cell clinic on Chicago’s South Side: Sickle cell disease is a blood disorder affecting red blood cells and causing pain and organ damage. It disproportionately affects African Americans patients. Many South Side families lack timely access to care, often relying on emergency departments during a sickle-cell pain crisis. Roseland Community Hospital primarily serves African Americans patients. * Tribune | Chicago officials ease capacity limit for Christkindlmarket; organizers say cap remains unsustainable: The city on Monday agreed to increase the event’s space restriction by nearly 1,000, bringing the amended capacity limit up to 2,500 people, according to Mark Tomkins, the president and CEO of the German American Chamber of Commerce, which runs Christkindlmarket. In a statement to the Tribune, Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office said the city was working with organizers to “increase capacity in a safe and organized manner” in response to concerns raised. * WBEZ | Illinois prison artist wowed that her artwork reached Pope Leo XIV: Diaz submitted a drawing of herself as a young girl, dancing in a garden with a bouquet of flowers in one hand and a butterfly resting on the other. Half of the drawing is in black and white, depicting a barbed wire fence and a prison tower. The other half is in color, showing sunshine and flowering bushes wrapping around a white picket fence. Diaz called her piece “Praising My Way to Wholeness.” * ABC Chicago | Evanston-Skokie District 65 board deadlocks again on which schools to shutter to close funding gap: There is no consensus again as District 65 school board members arrived at a tie vote Monday night on whether to close one or two additional schools at the end of this school year. That means Dr. Bessie Rhodes School of Global Studies is likely the only one that will shutter next spring. Like last month, board members deadlocked when voting on competing plans to close either just Kingsley Elementary School, or to close both Kingsley and Lincolnwood elementary schools. * Daily Herald | Could goats be forest preserve district’s secret weapon against invasive plants?: Grazing isn’t an uncommon practice but would be new to the forest preserve district. It’s considered a research project to understand longer term costs and effectiveness. “We think this could be a way to provide additional management to degraded areas containing buckthorn,” and help achieve a 100-year plan objective, he said. The agreement would last four years, which matches terms of farm leases, but could be canceled or expanded depending on results. * Daily Herald | ‘I think we’ve got a hit’: Metra riders love café car idea — what’s the next step?: Surveys of riders showed 98% said they would recommend the café car to friends and family, and 94% would pay for drinks and snacks. Nearly 60% of participants said they would visit the café car one to two times a week, and 26% intended to make purchases every week. The prototype car received an average 4.6 rating out of 5 for look and design, and a 4.5 score for space and comfort. * STLPR | Carlyle names ‘temporary’ police chief amid FBI investigation: “The investigation being conducted by the FBI centers around one individual,” Smith said in a statement. “That individual has been placed on paid leave for now. “I want to make clear that the Carlyle Police Department is not, and I repeat, not under investigation,” she said. “Services provided by the police department will not be interrupted, and under new leadership the police will continue to serve the citizens of Carlyle.” * WCIA | Child advocate program expands into Ford County: The organizers behind the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program announced that they are expanding their services into Ford County starting after the new year. CASA is a nationwide organization that promotes and protects the best interests of children who have * WGLT | Normal council approves raise for Reece; hears pleas to keep College Ave. firehouse open: The Normal Town Council on Monday approved a year’s contract extension and a raise of nearly 5% for City Manager Pam Reece. The action adds $11,000 to her current salary of $226,000, effective April 1, 2025. It also increases the contribution to her retirement savings account — from $2,750 per year to $3,000 per year. The contract extends Reece’s employment by one year; it now runs through March 31, 2028. * STLPR | Alton company launches $25M fiber project to bring high-speed internet citywide: AltonWorks, which already opened a coworking space and has a number of housing efforts underway, is behind the opening of FiberNet. The service will reach 94% of the city’s residents and provide speeds up to 10 gigabits per second, the same connectivity used by Fortune 500 companies, AltonWorks said. “Today marks Alton’s entrance into the next century,” John Simmons, CEO of AltonWorks, said in a statement. “We’re not just installing cables. We’re dismantling digital barriers, unlocking innovation, and ensuring that every child, every entrepreneur, and every resident has access to the same world-class opportunities as anyone, anywhere. This network will serve Alton for the next 100 years, evolving with technology we can’t even imagine today.” * Floridian Press | DeSantis Will Call for Special Legislative Session on Congressional Redistricting: “Yeah, yeah, so we’re going to redistrict. The issue is that there is a Supreme Court decision that we are waiting on - the argument in October about Section 2 of the VRA [Voting Rights Act] that impacts Florida’s maps, so we’re going to do it next Spring,” Gov. DeSantis said. “I am going to talk to Sen. Albritton about when it makes sense to do it, but that will be done. I think we are going to be required to do it because of this court decision.” * NOTUS | The Plan to Address Expiring ACA Subsidies Is That There Is No Plan: “My assumption is that by next week, when we have to have that vote, that we might not be far enough along on the bipartisan discussions,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Monday. He added: “I think that the conversations are still active on a solution. Whether that originates with the White House or folks working up here remains to be seen.”
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Good morning!
Tuesday, Dec 2, 2025 - Posted by Rich Miller * The Beach Boys will kick off our holiday season… She’s candy apple red with a ski for a wheel * If you weren’t at the blog yesterday, make sure to click here and donate to our annual Christmas toy fundraiser for foster kids. We raised $12K yesterday, but we have a long way to go. Thanks! * What’s up?
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Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Supplement to today’s edition and some additional news
Tuesday, Dec 2, 2025 - Posted by Rich Miller
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Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today’s edition of Capitol Fax (use all CAPS in password)
Tuesday, Dec 2, 2025 - Posted by Rich Miller
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Selected press releases (Live updates)
Tuesday, Dec 2, 2025 - Posted by Isabel Miller
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Live coverage
Tuesday, Dec 2, 2025 - Posted by Isabel Miller * Click here and/or here to follow breaking news on the website formally known as Twitter. Our Bluesky feed…
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