Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

Friday, Dec 5, 2025 - Posted by Rich Miller

* I would hang out with these guys any day…

It smells like Christmas,
get out the tambourines!
Let’s party all over the world!

* Before I go, just one more reminder to please contribute to our annual fundraising drive to buy Christmas presents for foster kids. Thanks, and don’t forget to tell a friend!

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Isabel’s afternoon roundup

Friday, Dec 5, 2025 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* It’s Friday, the end of a long week, and before we all unplug for a bit I want to remind you why our LSSI Christmas fundraiser matters so much.

For so many of these kids, Christmas isn’t guaranteed to feel like Christmas. These kids are navigating so much in their young lives. A gift may seem small, but to them it’s a moment of joy, a reminder that someone out there actually cares.

Since Monday, we’ve raised $36,525, which is enough to buy presents for 1,461 foster kids.

But that’s still only about 57 percent of the foster kids in LSSI’s care system. And since it’s the weekend, we’re not going to be able to hype this fundraiser much until Monday. So if you have a moment today, please contribute. If you already have, please tell a friend or share the link on social media. The more people who hear about what this drive does for these kids, the more smiles we can bring to them on Christmas morning. Thank you so much!

* Bloomberg…

The Canadian government told Stellantis NV it’s in default on its taxpayer-backed financial aid after it moved auto production to its plant in Belvidere, Industry Minister Melanie Joly said.

Joly first threatened to take legal action in October, shortly after Stellantis announced it was canceling plans to make the Jeep Compass SUV in Brampton, Ontario, and moving that vehicle to Illinois. The automaker said it would invest $13 billion in the US over four years, partly to mitigate tariff costs.

Governments in Canada pledged more than $358 million to Stellantis to help pay for capital costs in its two assembly plants in the country. About $157 million of that pledge has been paid to date, according to testimony reported by the New York Times.

“Today, on Dec. 4, I’m formally announcing that we’re serving Stellantis with a notice of default under the contracts,” Joly told a parliamentary committee.

* Crain’s…

Lurie Children’s Hospital, Chicago’s pre-eminent pediatric facility, will be out of network for all Affordable Care Act marketplace plans in 2026, cutting off access for families who rely on the exchange for coverage.

The loss reflects broader upheaval in Illinois’ and others states’ ACA marketplaces, where several insurers are exiting, premiums are surging and families face shrinking options during the current enrollment period.

Lurie, a safety-net hospital, accepts Medicaid and many commercial insurance plans. But in 2025 its sole contract with an ACA marketplace insurer was with Aetna CVS Health’s Individual & Family Plan PPO. However, starting next year Aetna will exit the Individual & Family Plan business. […]

“Lurie Children’s has consistently cared for ACA exchange-covered children since 2014, despite most exchange insurers choosing not to contract with academic centers for in-network coverage,” [Lurie Children’s] statement said. “Our website clarifies that we are out-of-network with all 2026 exchange plans so families can understand their benefits. We continue to work with families and their payors when children need specialty care unavailable in their network.”

*** Statewide ***

* Capitol News Illinois | Illinois educators hope to tackle thorny issue of math competence: Even on the international stage, American students do not perform as well in math as their counterparts in many other industrialized democracies. Scores from the 2023 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study, or TIMSS exam — a project of the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics — showed eighth grade students in the U.S., on average, scored below their peers in countries like Singapore, Japan, Sweden and Australia.

*** Statehouse News ***

* Pacific Legal Foundation | Following PLF’s Discrimination Suit, Pritzker Signs Bill Ending Illinois’ Race-Exclusive Scholarship: The law, House Bill 3065, which took effect November 21, struck racial classifications from scholarship eligibility in Illinois. “Illinois cannot disqualify students from competing for a taxpayer-funded college scholarship because of their race,” said PLF attorney Samantha Romero-Drew. “Race-based discrimination is a blatant violation of the Equal Protection Clause.”

* WAND | New year, new laws: Illinois to roll out measures on roads, libraries and government efficiency: One new law gives clarification on cheating on DMV exams, allows the Secretary of State’s Office to give written tests online and enhances bicycle safety. The measure clarifies that any attempt to have someone else give answers to someone taking a DMV exam, including trying to use a hidden microphone or cell phone, is cheating.

*** Chicago ***

* Sun-Times | Chicago headed for a bond rating drop if City Hall doesn’t get budget right, Civic Fed president says: In trying to salvage a proposed corporate head tax shot down by the City Council’s Finance Committee, Ferguson said Johnson has demonstrated an “almost willful blindness to the red flashing lights” all around him. One of those warnings was the recent decision by S&P Global Ratings to reduce Chicago’s credit outlook to negative, citing Johnson’s decision to cut in half — to $120 million — the city’s annual pension advance over and above the state mandated payment.

* Tribune | Chicago-based American Medical Association slams committee’s hepatitis B vaccine recommendations: The Chicago-based American Medical Association is blasting a federal vaccine advisory committee’s decision Friday to no longer recommend that all babies get the hepatitis B vaccine when they’re born. The committee’s decision “is reckless and undermines decades of public confidence in a proven, lifesaving vaccine,” said Dr. Sandra Adamson Fryhofer, an American Medical Association trustee in a statement Friday morning. “Today’s action is not based on scientific evidence, disregards data supporting the effectiveness of the Hepatitis B vaccine, and creates confusion for parents about how best to protect their newborns.”

* Sun-Times | Belmont Cragin restaurant owners say business ticking up — but not back to pre-immigration enforcement levels: “Some restaurants are starting to recover, but aren’t at pre-raid business yet,” said Alonso Zaragoza, a community organizer and founder of Belmont Cragin United, an online resource center for residents. “Things are looking up for businesses in the area though, and hopefully they are able to get back on track.”

* Sun-Tmes | Chicago’s 20-year development plan for Downtown calls for more nightlife, housing and greenery: The plan proposes extending the Chicago Riverwalk between Lake Street and the south branch of the Chicago River. It also proposes an extension between Wolf Point and the Wild Mile, as well as new water taxi stops. A southern extension would bring the Riverwalk to the Harrison Street bridge — and to Chinatown and The 78, where development of the Chicago Fire FC’s new stadium will soon take place.

* NBC Chicago | How the Bears-Packers rivalry began: A look at the oldest enemies in the NFL: “It’s almost like its own world championship on its own - Bears vs. Packers,” said former Bears player Israel Idonije, who played with Chicago for a decade. “I was here from ‘03 to ‘13. Chicago is always better when the Bears are winning, then you 10 times that when the Bears beat the Packers. It’s just another level of joy and excitement.” The two NFC North teams are founding members of the NFL and have played more games against each other than any other teams in the league.

*** Cook County and Suburbs ***

* Daily Herald | Ninth District congressional candidate was convicted of sex crime against a juvenile, records show: Paul S. Friedman, 55, of Chicago was found guilty of misdemeanor fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct in Michigan in 1999, public records show. The crime occurred in Washtenaw County in 1998, when Friedman was 27 and the victim was 13, records indicate. In a telephone interview, Friedman said the charge was filed after he greeted a young customer at an Ann Arbor skateboard and snowboard shop he co-owned by kissing her cheek. The girl made other accusations, too, he said. Friedman said he pleaded no contest to the charge and avoided a trial. He was sentenced to two years of probation and ordered to register as a sex offender, documents show.

* Daily Southtown | Orland Park $236 million budget calls for 18 new hires: The board also approved a property tax levy increase of 3.75% and signed off on a Dick’s Sporting Goods being added to the vacant Sears space at Orland Square mall. The village expects to spend $236 million and receive $201 million in revenues in 2026. The Police Department will receive a large portion of new funding to hire eight officers and one Freedom of Information Act clerk for an increase in requests for body camera footage, according to the village budget presentation.

* Aurora Beacon News | Preliminary plans for 900-unit residential development get approval from Campton Hills Village Board: The proposed development, called LaFox of Campton Hills, is set to be built on 962 acres generally bounded by Route 38 to the north, Keslinger Road to the south, Harley Road to the west and Brundige Road to the east. The area was previously unincorporated, but in September was annexed into Campton Hills in anticipation of the development. The area has weathered numerous proposals for development over the years, none of which have come to fruition. Proposals for developing the area have historically faced opposition by resident groups, but Shodeen’s pitch ultimately secured their support — through meetings with the local organizations and proposing a project with a lower density of homes and considerable open space.

* Daily Herald | Elgin manufacturing facility to close, eliminating 111 jobs: Printpack Inc. will close its Elgin manufacturing facility, resulting in the layoff of 111 employees. A statement from the Atlanta-based company, which manufactures flexible and rigid packaging for the food, beverage, pharmaceutical and agricultural industries, said the company will wind down operations over the next six months. “It is never easy to make decisions that affect the lives and livelihoods of our associates,” Jack Austin, Printpack’s chief operating officer, said in the statement. “Our Elgin associates have demonstrated exceptional dedication and professionalism throughout the years.”

*** Downstate ***

* WCIA | ‘Just a milestone’: Massey Commission final report asks public to help continue the work: “You know, we’re structuring something new and try to figure out how many recommendations we’re going to have for 2026 and 2027 and for years to come. But I think that as long as we’re keeping Sonya at the at the forefront of it all, we’ll be just fine,” Sontae said. Sontae and members of the commission said the push for change now falls on the public. They said it’s not just county officials who should be reading the report.

* WGEM | Tax levy increase due to growing public safety pension demands, Quincy mayor says: Moore said public safety personnel are generally living longer and retiring earlier while facing increased costs of living, making their pensions a growing expense. “As more people retire, and we have fewer active duty officers than retired officers, what’s coming in isn’t offsetting what’s going out, you know. That’s part of the problem as well,” Moore added.

* WGLT | ‘Disappointment’: Central Illinois Scouting leader reacts to military’s possible breakup with Scouts:Hegseth claimed the group was no longer a meritocracy and is designed to “attack boy-friendly spaces.” “We’ve had girls involved in our exploring and venturing programs, and when we made the decision as a movement to allow girls to begin to join … that decision was based off our members’, our families’ desire to be able to have a character education program that served their whole family,” [Ben Blumenberg is Scout Executive and CEO of the W.D. Boyce Council of Scouting America,] said. “Their sons and their daughters.”

* BND | Metro-east superintendent moving from one district to another: Castelli was officially appointed as Roxana’s new superintendent during the school board’s Nov. 25 meeting. She will begin her role July 1 and said she accepted the district’s annual salary offer of $155,000. Castelli said the Smithton Consolidated School District 130 board will officially accept her resignation at a special meeting in December, at which point the search for a new superintendent will begin. She will replace current Roxana Superintendent Debra Kreutztrager, who is retiring at the end of this school year.

* PJ Star | ‘Panic’ gives way to relief after fire at Downtown Peoria shelter: Panic and uncertainty gripped the residents of a supportive housing homeless shelter in Downtown Peoria on Thursday after a third intentionally set fire at New Hope Apartments broke the building’s fire alarm system. Residents of the building had worried Thursday morning they might have to leave after the city of Peoria deemed it was unsafe without a working fire alarm system. However, city officials and outreach teams worked Wednesday night and Thursday to make sure that no one had to be put out on the street.

* News-Gazette | Homeless shelter for families with children opens in downtown Champaign: The first-come, first-served pilot program screens families at a remote facility at 307 S. Neil St. Once approved, they can check into the shelter, which is within a half-mile, also in downtown Champaign. The RPC isn’t releasing the shelter’s specific location in the interest of guests’ safety. The shelter can hold around eight households each night, with a capacity of 24 individuals. There is no limit to how often a family can stay.

* WREX | Area chamber of commerce to cease operations at end of year: The Oregon Area Chamber of Commerce announced on Facebook that it will suspend its current operations on Dec. 31. The Chamber said the decision was made after several years of financial hardship that made their current business model unsustainable. The Chamber said they made efforts to reduce costs, including selling their building and moving to Phelps Plaza, lowering spending, limiting software expenses, and cutting staff hours.

* WREX | Realtors say immigration fear is influencing Rockford housing market: Rockford realtor and broker Jeanette Solis says she has seen the impact firsthand. “A lot of my clients decided not to move forward with the purchase because they’re afraid that they may or may not be picked up by ICE, whether it’s by racial profiling or at the wrong place at the wrong time.”

*** National ***

* WaPo | Frank Gehry, who stretched architecture’s boundaries, dies at 96: Mr. Gehry was considered one of the most imaginative and expressive architects of his generation and ranked among the most important designers since Frank Lloyd Wright. His works became landmarks around the world, challenged the rigid formalism of modernist architecture, blurred the borders of architecture and sculpture, and impelled new methods of design and construction. The Guggenheim Museum and Walt Disney Concert Hall — audaciously curvilinear monuments to high culture clad in shimmering titanium and steel — became Mr. Gehry’s ravishing signatures. Architect Philip Johnson, whose works epitomized modernist cool, once proclaimed Bilbao “the greatest building of our time.”

* The Hill | Supreme Court to decide if Trump can restrict birthright citizenship : In an unsigned order Friday, the Supreme Court announced it would review one of those underlying lawsuits backed by the American Civil Liberties Union and other groups. It is set to be heard during the justices’ current term, with a decision expected by summer. The Trump administration petitioned the high court to review the order’s constitutionality after judges blocked the executive order nationwide this summer.

* Indy Star | Indiana House passes Trump-requested mid-decade redistricting bill: It’s a significant milestone for the new congressional map proposal, drawn in direct response to a request from President Donald Trump after months of pressure, both direct and indirect. A dozen Republicans joined with Democrats in voting against the proposal.

* Politico | Trump-allied PACs target Indiana Republicans blocking redistricting push: Andrew Kolvet, spokesperson for Turning Point, told POLITICO that the group would partner with other aligned PACs to dedicate an “eight-figure spend” to “primary people that are standing in the way of the president’s agenda.” “We look at Indiana as a test case and a cautionary tale, potentially one or the other, it’s their choice,” Kolvet said. “This is a super high priority, and we’re going to be working with the local, grassroots to make sure their voices heard and their priorities are not steamrolled by an out-of-touch elected class.”

* KFF Health News | Health savings accounts, backed by GOP, cover fancy saunas but not insurance premiums: With the tax-free money in a health savings account, a person can pay for eyeglasses or medical exams, as well as a $1,700 baby bassinet or a $300 online parenting workshop. Those same dollars can’t be used, though, to pay for most baby formulas, toothbrushes — or insurance premiums.

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COGFA’s latest pension report

Friday, Dec 5, 2025 - Posted by Rich Miller

* COGFA’s latest pension report gives us the ramp in a nutshell…

Chart 1 on the following page shows a 15-year history of the cumulative unfunded State pension liability and is based upon calculations performed by the retirement systems’ actuaries using the market value of assets for all years, including FY 2025. Overall, the aggregate unfunded liability has grown significantly over the past 15 years from $83.1 billion in FY 2011 to $143.5 billion in FY 2025.

Since the enactment of P.A. 88-0593 in FY 1996—commonly known as the 1995 funding law, which created the 50-year funding policy that governs annual required State pension contributions—the primary driver behind the growth in the combined unfunded liability has been actuarially insufficient State contributions determined under the current pension funding policy in P.A. 88-0593. As the actuaries for the State retirement systems have noted in their respective annual actuarial valuation reports, the funding plan under P.A. 88-0593 produces employer (State) contributions that are typically below what is considered actuarially adequate. As a result, the aggregate State contributions have historically not been sufficient to stop the growth in the combined unfunded liabilities, even under a hypothetical scenario in which all other actuarial assumptions were met. (Table 5 in a later section compares the statutory State contributions with Actuarially Determined Contributions (ADC).) Hence, there is a distinction between contributions that are statutorily sufficient and contributions that are considered actuarially sufficient. The annual reports of the State Actuary have noted this distinction as well

* Chart 1…

Narrative…

Over the recent five-year period, the unfunded liability on the market value of assets has increased from $129.7 billion in FY 2021 to $143.5 billion in FY 2025. In FY 2021, the unfunded liability saw a significant improvement, due in large part to exceptional investment returns across all systems. However, it has gradually risen again since then. Poor investment performances—below 0% on a market value basis from all systems in FY 2022—added upward pressure on the unfunded liability, and higher-than-projected salary increases across all five systems in FY 2023 also contributed to an increase as well. In FY 2024, the unfunded liability rose slightly to $143.7 billion, nearing its previous peak again. While all systems achieved investment returns above their assumed rates of return on a market value basis, which helped contain the growth of the unfunded liability, it was not enough to prevent it from increasing. Changes in actuarial assumptions by TRS and SURS were among the main factors contributing to the increase, as well as to higher-than-assumed salary increases from all five systems.

* Some progress on whittling down the unfunded liability…

Specifically, SERS, JRS, and GARS have experienced actuarial gains from employer (State) contributions, meaning their actual State contributions have been sufficient to cover both the normal cost and the interest on the unfunded liability—a pattern that differs from historical experience. SERS experienced these gains from FY 2022 through FY 2025; JRS from FY 2021 through FY 2025; and GARS from FY 2020 through FY 2025. However, actuarial losses from TRS and SURS offset these gains, resulting in net actuarial losses from State contributions across the combined five systems, including in FY 2025.

State payments into the pension systems are projected to increase by a bit over $200 million next fiscal year.

* Buyout program…

(T)he “Big 3” systems’ buyout programs and salary-increase experience have reduced the unfunded liability by $1.528 billion and $1.466 billion, respectively. Although higher-than-assumed salary increases have generated actuarial losses in the most recent six years—particularly during FY 2023 through FY 2025— the cumulative effect since FY 1996 has resulted in a net actuarial gain

* More…

The two primary contributors to the FY 2025 increase were higher-than-assumed salary increases ($1.068 billion) and changes in actuarial assumptions ($982 million), which together increased the unfunded liability by $2.050 billion. While all five systems experienced salary increases above their assumptions, SERS and TRS accounted for most of the actuarial loss, with SERS contributing $573.9 million and TRS contributing $399.4 million. Regarding assumptions changes, only SERS, JRS, and GARS updated their economic and demographic assumptions—including inflation rates, general payroll increases rates, and retirement rates, among others. SERS also updated its assumed participation rate in the total buyout program from 3% to 4%. Of the $982 million attributable to assumption changes across these three systems, $963.2 million (98%) came from SERS, largely reflecting the significantly larger size of SERS relative to JRS and GARS.

However, the increase in the unfunded liability was largely offset by $2.005 billion in actuarial investment gains, resulting in a modest net increase. As mentioned earlier, all five systems experienced actuarial investment gains in FY 2025, with TRS accounting for $1.519 billion (76%) of the total.

* Related chart…

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Caption contest!

Friday, Dec 5, 2025 - Posted by Rich Miller

* ‘Tis the season…

Context is here.

* After you’ve come up with an appropriately funny comment, please click here and contribute to our annual fundraising drive to buy Christmas presents for foster kids. Thanks!

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Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Some news

Friday, Dec 5, 2025 - Posted by Isabel Miller

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Asked if he’s looking at a guaranteed income program, Pritzker says ‘No’

Friday, Dec 5, 2025 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Let’s start with some background. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, Cook County had about 663,000 people living at or below the poverty line at the beginning of 2023. That’s way down from its peak of 927,000 in 2012, but it’s still a lot.

From a press release…

The Cook County Promise Guaranteed Income Pilot provides unconditional $500 monthly cash payments to 3,250 low-to-moderate income families in Cook County for a period of two years. The County held an open application period in October 2022 and participants were selected by lottery in November 2022.

It’s basically a lottery program, except you don’t have to buy a ticket. And it’s open to people who are up to 250 percent of the poverty level, so the odds of getting in are pretty small.

* For those fortunate enough to be chosen, it’s been life-changing. Fox 32…

The Cook County government’s guaranteed income pilot program helped its thousands of recipients feel more financially stable and less stressed, according to a survey of participants. […]

• 75% reported feeling more financially secure
• 94% experienced a financial emergency or unexpected expense and used program funds to manage it
• 73% of participants believed the payments will continue to impact them after the program ends
• 56% reported reduced stress
• 70% say the program had a positive impact on their mental health

* But, since its reach is so limited, comparatively few people are being helped. There’s just no way that the county, or the state for that matter, could afford to turn this limited project into a broad-based program covering all eligible households. The $7.5 million put into the county program this fiscal year is only enough to cover 1,250 recipients at $500 a month.

* Center Square…

Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he is not planning to follow Cook County by implementing a guaranteed income program, and one Statehouse Democrat wants to prevent government units from funding such programs with taxpayer dollars. […]

When asked for his thoughts about Cook County’s program, he said it was not inappropriate for counties and municipalities to try things.

“It’s not a policy that we’re looking at doing for the state of Illinois but, on the other hand, sometimes things that you don’t imagine would work do,” Pritzker said.

The governor said it was important to make sure people have the basics they need in life.

“I am concerned, I think that we should be providing jobs for people so they can earn a good living, and the dignity of work really matters,” Pritzker said.

* From the transcript…

Q: Cook County is using $7.5 million for a guaranteed income program. Is that something you are looking at, or your team is looking at at the state level, the state taxpayer dollars when it makes sense?

Pritzker: No. No.

Q: Any other thoughts on the program for Cook County? Is it a good idea?

Pritzker: Listen, I think that you know you’ve heard the old expression that states are the laboratories of democracy, meaning, you know, that states can try things out that ultimately, sometimes end up being federal policy. Municipalities and counties trying things out to see how they work, I think it’s not inappropriate. It’s not a policy that we’re looking at doing for the state of Illinois, but, on the other hand, sometimes things that you don’t imagine would work do. I haven’t looked at the data, so I can’t tell you whether the program is an effectual program.

I am concerned, I think that we should be providing jobs for people so they can earn a good living, and the dignity of work really matters, and so I guess I would throw that into the question of, is a universal basic income type program going to work to give people the dignity that they want? Ultimately, though, what we want is to make sure that people have the basics that they need in life, right? A roof over their heads, the ability to buy the groceries that they need to survive.

* Except a tiny pilot project appears to be in this year’s state budget. Legislators appropriated $827,274 for a guaranteed income program out of the Fund for Illinois’ Future. Hat tip: Illinois Policy Institute.

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Catching up with the congressionals (Updated)

Friday, Dec 5, 2025 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* Sun-Times…

Federal prosecutors in Chicago are being asked to turn over “White House communications” by attorneys defending six people — including four Democratic politicians — charged with a conspiracy tied to protests outside an immigration holding facility in Broadview.

A defense attorney for congressional candidate Kat Abughazaleh, one of the six charged, also told a judge Thursday that a “selective prosecution motion” could be on the way in the case that’s one of the most high-profile to result from the feds’ “Operation Midway Blitz.”

Defense attorneys have yet to file any motions, and U.S. District Judge April Perry made no rulings during a brief status hearing in the case Thursday. It’s not even clear if any relevant communications exist between the White House and Chicago’s U.S. Attorney’s Office. […]

Charged along with Abughazaleh are Cook County Board candidate Cat Sharp, who is chief of staff to Ald. Andre Vasquez; Oak Park village trustee Brian Straw; 45th Ward Democratic committeeperson Michael Rabbitt; Andre Martin and musician Joselyn Walsh.

Evanston Now…

Federal prosecutors argue in the indictment, unsealed in late October, that the defendants “conspired with one another and others … to prevent by force, intimidation and threat,” federal agents from entering the ICE facility on Beach Street in Broadview.

The agent, who is not named in the indictment, was able to enter the facility in his vehicle early on the morning of Sept. 26, but “was forced to drive at an extremely slow rate of speed to avoid injuring any of the conspirators” in doing so.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sheri H. Mecklenburg told Judge Perry Thursday that she had taken the defendant’s counsel to the “garage” earlier this week, presumably in Broadview, to view the vehicle the government alleges was damaged in the encounter.

Although a key piece in the indictment, pointed out by [Abughazaleh’s attorney, Josh Herman,] last month, is that prosecutors don’t allege the six defendants are directly responsible for damaging the car itself, but rather it was part of a larger “conspiracy.”

* Also in the 9th CD, Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss announced a new endorsement from U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal. From the press release…

Today, U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) announced her endorsement of Daniel Biss in the Democratic primary for Illinois’ 9th Congressional District. Since taking office in 2017, Rep. Jayapal has become a national leader on progressive issues and currently serves as the Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

“Daniel Biss is a bold, thoughtful, progressive leader who has been deeply rooted in the district, organizing people and challenging corrupt systems,” said Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal. “He brings vision, compassion, and a deep understanding of the communities he serves. I’m supporting Daniel Biss for Congress because he will be a powerful partner in the fight for justice, economic fairness, and a democracy that works for everyone.”

The Congressional Progressive Caucus, chaired by U.S. Rep. Jayapal, endorsed Biss last month.

* Press release…

Congressional candidate Bushra Amiwala welcomed nearly a hundred volunteers into Bushra for Congress headquarters on Tuesday night to celebrate the momentum her campaign has built so far.

It was the largest volunteer gathering any candidate in the district has held to date.

“Look around this room. Every age, race, gender, ethnic background and geographic part of the district is represented,” Amiwala, an elected school board member, told the crowd. […]

Amiwala was joined by Miracle Jenkins, a former IL-09 candidate and lead organizer for Bernie Sanders. Jenkins recently endorsed Amiwala for Congress.

“I’m happy to endorse Bushra,” Jenkins told the attendees.

“Bushra understands, much like Zohran Mamdani, that the core issue of our day is affordability.

Amiwala is participating in a Skokie candidate Town Hall tonight at Skokie Sketchbook Brwery at 6:30. The event is hosted by the Democratic Socialists of America’s Chicago Chapter.

* Another 9th CD candidate, Sen. Mike Simmons announced a couple of endorsements this week…

State Senator Mike Simmons’ campaign for Congress has been endorsed by ATU Local 308 and their 4,000+ members. Mike has been a leader on investing and improving public transit in the State Senate, and will bring a much-needed voice for transit workers and services to Congress.

“Mike Simmons has always stood with train and transit workers, and we are proud to stand with him in his campaign to represent Illinois’ 9th District,” said ATU Local 308 President Pennie McCoach. “We need his authentic leadership and proven record of results in Congress, and Local 308 is ready to support him in every way.”

Sen. Simmons was also endorsed by the Congressional Black Caucus PAC.

* Politico…

In IL-07: State Rep. La Shawn Ford has been endorsed by fellow state Reps. Michael Kelly, Rita Mayfield, Justin Slaughter and Debbie Meyers-Martin in his bid for Congress.

— In IL-08: Junaid Ahmed has been endorsed by Unrig Washington, a national group advocating for getting big money out of politics and protecting the right to vote.

— In IL-06: Joseph “Joey” Ruzevich, a Democrat challenging Congressman Sean Castin in the primary, has been endorsed by DuPage County Board member Lynn LaPlante.

…Adding… Press release…

Laura Fine’s campaign for Congress in Illinois’ 9th District announced new endorsements today from local leaders, including former Skokie Mayor George Van Dusen, Buffalo Grove Village President Eric Smith, and Buffalo Grove Trustee David Weidenfeld.

“Laura Fine has been a strong stalwart in the Illinois General Assembly for progressive values. She’s thoughtful and reliably effective,” says Mayor Van Dusen. “She will follow in the great tradition of Sidney Yates and Jan Schakowsky. We need her brand of leadership in Congress today.”

…Adding… Press release…

This week, 6th Ward Alderman William Hall and 3rd District Cook County Commissioner Bill Lowry endorsed Chicago Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin in her campaign for Illinois’ 7th Congressional District, noting her record of delivering for communities across Chicago and Cook County.

The endorsements come on the heels of Conyears-Ervin announcing the support of former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and sitting Chicago City Clerk Anna Valencia, joining the dozens of elected and community leaders across the 7th Congressional District supporting her run.

* More…

* Aftermath | Instead Of Relying On Wealthy Donors, Congressional Candidate Kat Abughazaleh Is Using A Twitch Stream To Raise Money – And Fight A Federal Indictment: “We did a big recap and looked at our [livestream] numbers as opposed to call time, but also specifically what stream segments were good, which were bad,” Buerk told Aftermath. “We got a lot of positive feedback from our audience and from constituents of not only how good a tool it was for soliciting donations, but for community connection and constituent connection as well.” Call time, Buerk said, is also only really an effective use of time if people are donating the maximum amount, which is $7,000 from an individual.

* Intelligencer | Seven questions with Senate candidate Robin Kelly: Kelly, who sat down with The Intelligencer for an interview on Oct. 4, believes she has what is needed to take on the job. “I’ve been an effective leader on every level of government — from municipal, to state representative, to chief of staff for the state treasurer, to chief administrative officer for Cook County,” she said. “I love my job. I love representing Illinois, and I know that I’m very ready and very able to move to this next level.”

* Intelligencer | Seven questions with Senate candidate Juliana Stratton: Stratton, a Democrat, was serving as the primary caregiver for her mother with Alzheimer’s when she decided to run for a position in the State House of Representatives in an effort to oppose state health-care cuts. Just six months into that role, she was tapped to be the lieutenant governor candidate during JB Pritzker’s successful campaign for governor in 2018. Now in her second term as lieutenant governor, Stratton says she sees another urgent need — a federal government she believes is failing to meet people’s everyday concerns.

* Intelligencer | Seven questions with Senate candidate Raja Krishnamoorthi: Krishnamoorthi has represented Illinois’ 8th Congressional District for five terms, gaining a reputation for bipartisanship on issues, including U.S.-China competition. He said he’s seeking “a promotion” to the Senate to expand the effects of his core mission — ensuring that the opportunities his family found in the United States remain accessible to future generations.

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Question of the day: 2025 Golden Horseshoe Awards

Friday, Dec 5, 2025 - Posted by Rich Miller

* The 2025 Golden Horseshoe Award for Best Republican State Senate Staff Member goes to Nicole Besse…

This is a no brainer. A previous commenter noted that the Senate couldn’t run without her — couldn’t agree more. The institutional knowledge she’s come to possess over the past 26 years is priceless in an industry with high staff turnover rates. It’s clear that members and staff alike defer to her judgement for good reason. She’s a joy to work with, funny, a mentor and advocate to newer staff, and keeps staff and members in line and focused. The SGOP Floor Director deserves this award.

The votes were all over the place on that one. That’s a real credit to the caucus for having such a strong staff.

* The 2025 Golden Horseshoe Award for Best Democratic State Senate Staff Member goes to Maddie Wilkins…

Maddie Wilkins for Sen Dem Staff for her work on public transit. Maddie has been indispensable on this issue - from helping organize the Subject Matter Hearings last summer, meetings with stakeholders, bill negotiations, and helping draft what ultimately became SB2111.

Again, lots of very strong nominations.

Congrats to everyone, whether you won or not!

* On to today’s categories…

Best Democratic State House Staff Member

Dane Thull won it for the Republicans last year, but he’s no longer on staff. Kat Bray won last year and is therefore not eligible this year.

Make sure to explain your nominations or they won’t count. Also, please nominate in both categories. If you can’t do that, please tell us why so we know you’re not just tanking for one person.

Have fun!

* And after you submit your nominations, please click here and help buy Christmas presents for foster kids. Thanks!

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Isabel’s morning briefing

Friday, Dec 5, 2025 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* ICYMI: DOJ lawyer says it’s ‘wrong to allege’ Operation Midway Blitz is over. Capitol News Illinois…

* Related stories…

• Tribune: Trump lawyer claims dismissal of Operation Midway Blitz suit would block future use-of-force claims
• Sun-Times: Agency was created to help immigrants. Now, it’s being turned against them
• Sun-Times: Durbin reintroduces DREAM Act in hopes of paving citizenship pathway for child immigrants

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* Good morning! Before the day gets away from you, please take a moment to think about foster kids who could really use a little brightness this season.

With your help, LSSI can turn $25 into a Christmas present for a foster kid. If you can help, now is a great time to do it. Click here today and give what you can. Thank you!

*** Isabel’s Top Picks ***

* STLPR | U.S. Steel to restart second blast furnace at Granite City Works: U.S. Steel will begin the process to restart its second blast furnace at Granite City Works, the company announced late Thursday. “After several months of carefully analyzing customer demand, we made the decision to restart a blast furnace,” David Burritt, president and CEO of U.S. Steel, said in a statement. “Steel remains a highly competitive and highly cyclical industry, but we are confident in our ability to safely and profitably operate the mill to meet 2026 demand. We look forward to partnering with all stakeholders, including the United Steelworkers and elected officials, to ensure a safe and efficient start-up and to discuss support for Granite City Works.”

* WGLT | Illinois Supreme Court justices want to see McLean County’s Family Treatment Court replicated: Justice Mary K. O’Brien joined Rochford in McLean County with a specific interest in observing Family Treatment Court. As part of her responsibilities for the Illinois Supreme Court, O’Brien serves as a liaison to the juvenile courts committee. “We have invested deeply in treatment courts [and] problem-solving courts for mental health, for drug use, for veterans,” she said. “But we have not done so statewide for families impacted with abuse and neglect — what we call a JA case.” McLean County operates the state’s only Family Treatment Court, a voluntary program offered to parents involved in child welfare cases involving substance abuse. The program launched in 2024, funded by a $750,000 federal grant from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.

* News-Gazette | Sheriffs across Illinois inundated with FOIA requests: Champaign County Sheriff Dustin Heuerman said that he, like other sheriffs “all across the state,” has been inundated with Freedom of Information Act requests, placing a burden on the time of his staff. “Basically, individuals/organizations (usually under random gmail accounts, etc.) are requesting a month’s worth of calls for service, then FOIA’ing body camera footage for anything that seems interesting out of those calls,” Heuerman said in an email to the Ford County Chronicle on Thursday. “Then they will post these on a website and charge people to view (or get advertisers on the site due to many followers).”

*** Statewide ***

* Sun-Times | Thousands leaving Illinois prisons face high risk of housing instability, new study finds: A significant portion of more than 10,000 people released from Illinois state prisons each year are at risk of housing instability, according to a new study by the Illinois Reentry Council and Loyola University’s Center for Criminal Justice. Policymakers, researchers and advocates have long been long aware of the need for housing for people leaving incarceration, with criminal records, poor credit history and no job. The survey, for the first time, links data to that need, said Dave Olson, professor and co-director of the Center for Criminal Justice.

* WGLT | Private vs. public debate persists at IHSA state football championships: Debates over perceived advantages private schools have over public schools in Illinois High School Association [IHSA] athletics continued as the state football championships played out in Normal and DeKalb. For IHSA sports, playoff classes are determined by the student enrollment of a school. Private schools that meet certain success criteria have their enrollments multiplied by 1.65 and then are placed in a class based on that number. This multiplier puts them into higher classes with bigger and often more difficult schools to face. Each of the seven private schools to earn a championship game appearance in 2025 had the multiplier applied.

*** Statehouse News ***

* ABC Chicago | New IL laws in 2026 address missing persons investigations, sexual assault victims, senior drivers: A new Illinois law will require landlords to include a summary of the special housing rights that survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault have under six state statutes on the first page of each written residential lease or lease renewal. A University of Illinois Chicago professor and her students from a domestic violence law course helped create the legislation.

*** Chicago ***

* Sun-Times | Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration shoots down Council members’ alternate budget ideas: If there is room for compromise, it was tough to tell by the Johnson administration’s response. Virtually all of the ideas from a group of moderate and conservative alderpersons, with help from a brain trust of civic groups and former city finance experts, were dismissed as either unwise or unworkable. The proposal to nearly double a garbage fee that has been frozen at $9.50 a month since its inception to $18 a month — while charging eligible seniors $9 a month — was dismissed by the mayor’s team as politically untenable “at a time when communities are already experiencing substantial property tax increases through the recent property tax assessments” that hit hardest on the predominantly Black South and West sides.

* Crain’s | Johnson pours cold water on council bloc’s budget plan: Committee meetings that were scheduled for Dec. 8 to take up budget votes have been canceled, and it’s uncertain when Johnson will call for new votes. The mayor’s office also responded to a letter from Ald. Nicole Lee, 11th, today confirming his budget team would meet a portion of the group Dec. 6.

* Tribune | Chicago Tribune sues Perplexity AI for copyright infringement: The complaint challenges the unauthorized use of often fully reproduced Tribune reporting to provide answers on the Perplexity AI platforms – both a chatbot and newly launched search engine – essentially bypassing the need to link to the newspaper’s website. Using large chunks of the Tribune’s original reporting – sometimes inaccurately – diverts traffic away from the newspaper’s website, threatening its business model of paid subscriptions and advertising, the lawsuit alleges.

* NBC Chicago | Former student reacts to $17.5M sex abuse settlement with CPS: “I can move on and heal in peace,” the former student we’ll call “Jane” told NBC 5 Investigates during an exclusive interview. “No amount of money can take my pain away, but I do feel like I can heal in peace now and finally turn the page.” The woman, now in her 20s, sued CPS last year alleging that her former dean, Brian Crowder, at Little Village Lawndale High School had sexually abused her.

* Capitol News Illinois | ComEd launches new discount program for low-income customers: The Low-Income Discount program will provide price breaks starting Jan. 1, 2026, to qualifying households in its service area. ComEd delivers energy to more than 4 million customers across northern Illinois, approximately 70% of the state’s population. “ComEd understands that families are struggling with a perfect storm of economic uncertainty and rising energy supply costs due to capacity auctions, which make up as much as half of ComEd bills, and we are committed to helping address these higher costs by providing practical support,” the company wrote in its announcement Monday.

* Tribune | Chicago Housing Authority head told HUD ‘we do not recommend’ Mayor Brandon Johnson ally as CEO: CHA board Chair Matthew Brewer wrote to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on Oct. 1 laying out what he said were Johnson’s attempts to influence the agency to name former Ald. Walter Burnett Jr. as CEO, according to a copy of the letter obtained by the Tribune. The six-page message said the public housing agency’s board of commissioners never seriously considered Burnett, noting he lacked management experience, and only interviewed him as a courtesy. Brewer was first appointed to the board by Mayor Rahm Emanuel before Johnson named him its interim chair last year. The board appointed him interim CEO, too, when Angela Hurlock resigned that post in September. He then wrote to HUD’s public housing director just before the federal government shutdown in response to HUD’s request for additional information on the CHA CEO selection process.

* Block Club | Gale Street Inn Reopens Thursday, Bringing Back Its Famous Ribs: Villabona said reservations are already booked through the weekend “We’re really excited to meet everyone in the community. So many people have already reached out and given us such a warm reception on social media and in emails,” Villabona said during a Wednesday afternoon ribbon-cutting.

* Block Club Chicago | Humboldt Park Getting Upgrades — But No Pickleball Courts After All: In 2023, the district announced the park would get pickleball courts as part of its Pickleball Mania program, which aims to establish 50 pickleball courts across Chicago by this year. But after hearing from residents and community members, the plan was scrapped. A survey of more than 200 people from the area gauged interest on whether the community wanted the tennis courts to be rehabbed or converted into pickleball courts, district spokesperson Michele Lemons said this week. Results from the survey indicated there was a preference to rehab the existing courts for tennis.

*** Cook County and Suburbs ***

* Sun-Times | Broadview conspiracy defendants want to see if White House played a role in their case: Federal prosecutors in Chicago are being asked to turn over “White House communications” by attorneys defending six people — including four Democratic politicians — charged with a conspiracy tied to protests outside an immigration holding facility in Broadview. A defense attorney for congressional candidate Kat Abughazaleh, one of the six charged, also told a judge Thursday that a “selective prosecution motion” could be on the way in the case that’s one of the most high-profile to result from the feds’ “Operation Midway Blitz.”

* Daily Herald | How a wrong turn led to a possible safe haven for abuse survivors: “The problem that we’ve been experiencing, which started with COVID but now has really continued, is the demand for our services far exceeds the supply that we have,” A Safe Place CEO Pat Davenport told us this week. “We have been seeing between 80 to 100 people (a week) that need emergency shelter, who are fleeing their homes because their lives are in danger, with their children, and they are the ones that we’re hoping that this new facility will be able to help.” The agency currently has shelter space for 33 people, which means others in need are put up in hotels. That isn’t financially sustainable at a time when federal and state assistance is waning, Davenport said.

* Daily Herald | Hanover Park prohibits use of village property for federal immigration enforcement: Village board members ultimately chose a more binding ordinance over a resolution. Though the peak of suburban activity by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers seems to have passed for now, Mayor Rod Craig believes Hanover Park’s action is far from too late. “I don’t think it’s over,” he said. “I just think it may become more strategic. The politics aren’t going to change in the next two years. We have to be honorable, representing the people of Hanover Park.”

* Daily Southtown | Arab American activists to continue protest after Oak Lawn settlement of lawsuit accusing cop of beating teen: In light of Oak Lawn’s settlement of a lawsuit alleging police in 2022 struck a 17-year-old more than 10 times in the face and head as he was lying face down in the street during his arrest, Arab American activists say they will continue to demand accountability at public meetings. “Remember when you all stood here and told us how we were liars and how we were wrong?” said Arab American Action Network lead organizer Muhammad Sankari, who led a protest of the Oak Lawn Police and Fire Commission meeting on Tuesday. “At the end of the day, the village just paid $825,000 of taxpayer money … because your officers beat a minor almost to death.”

* Daily Southtown | Will County Board taps reserves to cover $2.77 million deficit: The Will County Board voted Thursday to use just over $2.77 million from its cash reserves to balance its budget for its 2026 fiscal year that started Monday. The board voted 20-0 Thursday to reconcile its budget during a nearly two-hour special meeting after an unbalanced budget was approved two weeks ago. While all board members present agreed to use cash reserves to close the gap, some members said they did so reluctantly because there was no other choice.

* Daily Southtown | Harvey residents and officials try to piece together city finances in midst of fiscal crisis: Harvey residents gathered at a Thursday discussion event hosted by Alds. Colby Chapman and Tracy Key and City Treasurer Aisha Pickett to try to understand the city’s opaque finances. Pickett was elected in 2019 and re-elected in 2023. She said throughout her time as treasurer, she has not been provided the necessary information to understand the city’s financial situation and do her job. “My tenure as treasurer has not been the easiest. As they mentioned before, there are things I don’t necessarily have access to,” Pickett said. “It makes my job very difficult.”

* Tribune | Cook County property taxpayers get another shot at appeals: Every Cook County township will reopen for appeals to property tax assessments, the county’s estimate of a home or business’ value, through Dec. 12. Successful appeals won’t offer any immediate relief on the bills that just landed, however. Any savings would apply to next year’s second installment bills, which typically land in the summer. People who already appealed aren’t eligible.

* NBC Chicago | Park Forest police detective dies nearly 10 years after being paralyzed in shooting: The rookie cop was 24 when he was critically injured responding to a break-in in March of 2016. The shooting left Jones paralyzed as he underwent multiple surgeries and months of rehabilitation. His road to recovery was filled with unwavering love and support. The community stood by him every step of the way from his release to fundraisers to even a street dedication. “You drive around now, and you see stickers on people’s cars that say Tim Strong and that hashtag is going to live on forever—he’s just a tremendous young man,” said Hazel Crest Police Chief Mitchell Davis.

*** Downstate ***

* WAND | AI error blamed for post wrongly reporting injured Springfield firefighters: Even though there were several fires Wednesday night, none of them resulted in injuries to first responders. An AI software shared two separate emergencies as one incident. According to [Springfield Assistant Fire Chief Julie Plun], Springfield Fire was transporting a patient to the hospital for a medical emergency. Around that same time, the Springfield Police Department had some problems with some individuals, and there were nine individuals.

* WGLT | Cannabis plant in Livingston County set to close: A cannabis cultivation operation in Livingston County is closing, putting 82 employees out of work. According to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s monthly report of mass layoffs, PharmaCann has informed employees that it plans to close its plant in Dwight on Jan. 13.

* WGLT | Cybercriminals target vendor used by the Town of Normal: A cybercrime organization has breached a system used by the Town of Normal to send out emergency and event notices to subscribers. “Any people who have subscribed to Notify Normal or Code Red via a managed account, which means they created a password and used an email address, should go in, if they have reused that password with any other personal or business account, and change that password on those accounts immediately,” said town spokesperson Cathy Oloffson.

* WaPo | A widow and widower fell in love during water aerobics. They wed in the pool.: When they met in 2022, Parsons and La Rue were still grieving their respective partners: Dale, who died in 2020 of complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and Georgia, who died in 2019 after suffering from a blood disease Between stretches and jumping jacks during water aerobics classes at a YMCA facility in Maryville, Illinois, La Rue got a kick out of splashing the other 30 class members. While some people didn’t appreciate it, Parsons laughed and splashed him back. They visited a Chinese restaurant for their first date in December 2023 — the first date either had been on since their spouses died. They had similar hobbies: Cooking soup, reading and completing word-search puzzles. At water aerobics classes, they kissed when they didn’t think anyone was looking.

*** National ***

* CNBC | Layoff announcements top 1.1 million this year, the most since 2020 pandemic, Challenger says: The firm said layoff plans totaled 71,321 in November, a step down from the massive cuts announced in October but still enough to bring the 2025 total up to 1.17 million. That total is 54% higher than the same 11-month period a year ago and the highest level since 2020, when the Covid pandemic rocked the global economy.

* AP | Supreme Court allows Texas to use a congressional map favorable to Republicans in 2026: The Supreme Court’s order puts the 2-1 ruling blocking the map on hold at least until after the high court issues a final decision in the case. Justice Samuel Alito had previously temporarily blocked the order while the full court considered the Texas appeal. The justices have blocked past lower-court rulings in congressional redistricting cases, most recently in Alabama and Louisiana, that came several months before elections.

* Post Tribune | Indiana House advances redistricting bill to Friday final reading: The Indiana House voted against more than a dozen Democratic amendments to the redistricting bill Thursday, which allowed the bill to advance, as is, for final approval by the House Friday. House Bill 1032, authored by State Rep. Ben Smaltz, would allow the legislature to amend congressional districts “at a time other than the first regular session of the general assembly convening immediately following the United States decennial census.”

* WaPo | Trump’s attack on DEI may hurt college men, particularly white men: While much of the president’s recent scrutiny of college admissions practices has focused on race, these experts say his ban on diversity, equity and inclusion is likely to hit another underrepresented group of applicants: men, and particularly White men — the largest subset of male college applicants. “This drips with irony,” said Ted Mitchell, president of the American Council on Education, or ACE, the nation’s largest association of universities and colleges, who said he expects that colleges and universities will end any consideration of gender in admission. “The idea of males, including White males, being at the short end of the stick all of a sudden would be a truly ironic outcome.”

* AP | MLB players union meets to prepare for potentially contentious labor negotiations in 2026: Clark said the MLBPA’s main focus continues to be centered on a few large issues heading into bargaining. One is finding more ways to encourage all 30 teams to spend on the free-agent market to make teams as competitive as possible. While the Dodgers have spent roughly $890 million over the past two years building back-to-back World Series champions, the Athletics have committed less than $150 million over the same period. MLB is the only major U.S.-based professional sports league without a salary cap. The players’ association is bracing to resist a renewed push for a cap. Demand for a cap from owners is what led to a 7 1/2-month strike in 1994-95 and the first cancellation of the World Series in 90 years.

* Market Watch | Manufacturers shrink for 9th month in a row, ISM finds. Tariffs hurt sales and keep lid on hiring.: A closely followed manufacturing index fell to a four-month low of 48.2% in November from 48.7% in the prior month, the Institute for Supply Management said Monday. Any number below 50% signals contraction.

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Good morning!

Friday, Dec 5, 2025 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Pretenders…

In these frozen and silent nights
Sometimes in a dream, you appear

Isabel’s plea worked yesterday afternoon. We raised about $4,000 after she pointed out to folks that we’d only raised $700 all day.

But we still have a very long way to go. Please, click here to chip in whatever you can so we can help by Christmas presents for more than 2.500 foster kids. Thanks!

* This is an open thread.

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Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Supplement to today’s edition

Friday, Dec 5, 2025 - Posted by Rich Miller

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Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today’s edition of Capitol Fax (use all CAPS in password)

Friday, Dec 5, 2025 - Posted by Rich Miller

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Selected press releases (Live updates)

Friday, Dec 5, 2025 - Posted by Isabel Miller

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Live coverage

Friday, Dec 5, 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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