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Isabel’s afternoon roundup
Tuesday, Jul 21, 2026 - Posted by Isabel Miller * Politico…
* Crain’s…
* Press release | NCSL Celebrates America’s 250th at the Legislative Summit in Chicago: As the nation celebrates its 250th year of independence, NCSL’s annual Legislative Summit will welcome more than 7,000 attendees to Chicago’s McCormick Place July 27-29 for a wide range of bipartisan policy sessions on a host of issues that both divide and unite us. […] Monday’s opening session, “How to Disagree Better: Leading in Polarized Times,” features two governors and two state House speakers in an examination of how authentic leadership can turn partisan argument into productive conversation. Panelists include Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D), Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R), Ohio House Speaker Matt Huffman (R) and Pennsylvania House Speaker Joanna McClinton (D). * WICS | Illinois launches statewide Blue Envelope Program for drivers with autism: Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced the program after legislation creating it was signed into law. The voluntary initiative will take effect Jan. 1, 2027. The program allows drivers, passengers or vehicle owners to keep their driver’s license, vehicle registration and proof of insurance inside a blue envelope. Presenting the envelope during a traffic stop alerts officers that the individual may communicate differently or need additional time to respond. * Bloomberg | Congressional Hopeful Advances Suit Against Illinois Ballot Rule: A congressional hopeful can pursue his claims that Illinois’ ballot-access requirements are unfair to independent candidates, a federal judge found Monday. Precedent “strongly suggests” that Randy Flowers’ lawsuit won’t succeed, wrote Judge Sara Darrow of the US District Court for the Central District of Illinois. But “the constitutional test for ballot access requirements is ‘fact-intensive,’” she wrote, so the case can proceed for discovery and further development of the record. * Center Square | Illinois diversity certifications lag despite partial computer fix: By May 2026 the number of businesses had dropped to about 2,700, or half of its peak of about 5,400. This month the commission reported an increase of about 21 percent to 3,268. It was the first meaningful increase in certifications since the computer switch. * Block Club | A ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ For Landlords? Challenge To Mayor’s Housing Plan Slammed By Tenant Groups: Ald. Anthony Quezada (35th) joined tenant advocates from the Metropolitan Tenants Organization, Belden Sawyer Tenants Association, Law Center for Better Housing and Palenque LSNA on Monday outside City Hall to denounce the coalition’s FAIR proposal. “F-A-I-R is the Chicago landlord’s big, beautiful bill — a great name for something that actually takes away tenants’ rights,” Devon Carson, member of the Belden Sawyer Tenants Association, said to reporters Monday. “FAIR deregulates and removes accountability from the rich and powerful and increases the burden on working-class tenants.” * Chalkbeat Chicago | Teachers and CTU tell Chicago Board of Education to reject proposed budget cuts, furloughs: During one of two required budget hearings, teachers discussed how the district’s proposed budget — which also includes staff cuts to help close a $732.5 million deficit — would hurt them and their schools and would exacerbate problems that educators are already facing due to recent budget woes. For example, a teacher in the Austin neighborhood said Monday that teachers across four grades at her school have already received layoff notices, meaning each of those grades would have just one teacher, and at least one class could have as many as 47 kids, based on current enrollment estimates, she said. That figure would violate the Chicago Teachers Union’s contract with the district. * Block Club | South Side High School, College STEM Programs Get $250,000 From PsiQuantum: Recipients include George Washington and St. Francis de Sales high schools in East Side, Olive Harvey College and Chicago State University. The money is intended to prepare South Siders for jobs in quantum research and other scientific fields, company officials said. […] The funds include grants to Project SYNCERE, an organization offering education and internships to prepare South and West side kids for engineering careers; and Phalanx Family Services, a West Pullman-based group which has hosted a STEM lab alongside the Museum of Science and Industry and trainings in artificial intelligence. * Crain’s | Chicago developer buys River North office building for conversion that would add two stories: Concord Capital paid $4.1 million for the 48,000-square-foot building at 226 W. Ontario St. and plans to convert it into 70 rental apartments, Principal Drew Millard said. Sixty of those units will be built within the existing building’s six floors, and 10 more are planned for a two-story addition Concord envisions on top of the 113-year-old property. * Crain’s | Locals put dibs on new houses in Elk Grove Village lottery: With husband Miharsh Patel, she had been through a round of house-hunting frustrations before Elk Grove Village’s mayor in June unveiled a unique plan to give the town’s residents a head start on buying homes in the first new subdivision within its borders in at least a quarter-century. On July 18 at the Belvedere banquet hall, the Patels, who both work in healthcare, were the first whose names Mayor Craig Johnson drew from a box onstage. They had five minutes to make their choice. * Pioneer Press | Skokie business lawyer is first to enter race to become Evanston’s next mayor: Carpenter, a 2nd Ward Evanston resident and founding partner attorney at Zeidman & Carpenter PLLC law firm in Skokie, is the first to announce definite plans to run in what is likely to be a contentious race to finish out the remainder of current Mayor Daniel Biss’ term ending in 2029. […] Carpenter filed paperwork with the Illinois State Board of Elections earlier this month, the first candidate to do so and weeks before contenders in the municipal election are permitted to begin circulating petitions for the mayoral seat, which starts on July 28. * Pioneer Press | La Grange Park eyes restructure of sales tax in business districts: “As part of the fiscal year 2026-27 budget process, the Village Board discussed various revenue options,” Trustee and Finance Committee Chair Bob Lautner told his colleagues July 14 at the monthly board work session. “One of the options presented was the implementation of a village-wide, non home-rule municipal retailers occupation tax and municipal service occupation tax, coupled with a corresponding reduction in the sales tax imposed within the village’s four business districts.” * WCIA | Champaign Co. Board member files resolution calling for Aaron Ammons’ resignation: The resolution was filed by Board Member Jeff Wilson, a Republican representing District 1 and the party’s nominee for the upcoming election in Illinois’ 13th Congressional District. Wilson filed the resolution after Ammons was federally indicted for conspiracy to obstruct justice and witness tampering. Ammons’ wife, State Rep. Carol Ammons, is facing charges of wire fraud and conspiracy to obstruct justice. * WCIA | Former Sangamon Co. police chief accused of stealing between $10k-$100k: A former Sangamon County police chief who was arrested for driving under the influence and domestic battery earlier this year has now been indicted on new charges of theft, misapplication of funds and official misconduct. Daniel T. Ryan, the former Police Chief of Leland Grove, was unanimously terminated by the city council on Feb. 24, 2026. * WGLT | McLean County Board chair addresses tax errors, delays in records overhaul: A no-interest loan to the Village of Hudson totals just over $81,000 to account for tax revenue it won’t see until next year. “I think I’ll be satisfied when we see the fruits of those efforts, and we see that there are no more errors being sent out officially on the tax documents,” said Elizabeth Johnston in an interview for WGLT’s Sound Ideas. “We do want to have those backstops. We do want to have these double checks to make sure that things are as they should be before they go to the printer,” Johnston said. * 25News Now | Hundreds face furloughs at Liberty Steel & Wire’s Bartonville plant: Hundreds of workers at Liberty Steel and Wire in Bartonville are being furloughed because of a downturn in the market for industrial wire products made at the plant, a company spokesperson said on Friday. The spokesperson, Stephanie AlKhafaji, told 25News that the action is temporary and “we are looking forward to bringing all employees back.” * Smile Politely | Building the dream of homeownership with Habitat for Humanity of Champaign County: Habitat for Humanity of Champaign County (HfHCC) is a HUD-certified (Housing and Urban Development) counseling agency that offers services to prospective homebuyers and current homeowners. It’s one the few certified programs in Central Illinois, and has held that certification since 2018. It’s an incredible slate of services, and they’re all free. The funding for HUD certification looks just as potentially bleak with recent funding cuts, but Habitat for Humanity has no worries about slashing their program. * NYT | Why States Are Making It Harder to Save Money With Solar Panels: In Illinois, by contrast, lawmakers decided to let homeowners sell excess energy for about half the retail rate, and the transition took place over more than three years. “California got rid of traditional net metering, and Illinois got rid of traditional net metering,” said Amy Heart, vice president of public policy at Sunrun, the country’s largest residential solar and storage company. “You didn’t hear about it in Illinois because it was planned out.”
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Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Campaign news
Tuesday, Jul 21, 2026 - Posted by Isabel Miller
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Independent congressional candidates crash into legal realities
Tuesday, Jul 21, 2026 - Posted by Rich Miller * Sun-Times…
The spirit of the law was followed to a “T”. The whole point of these state ballot access laws is to hinder ballot access. Sigcho-Lopez vowed to take his case to the Illinois Supreme Court. If the idea of this bid was to set up a court case, then go for it, but I kinda think that isn’t the case. But if the idea was to actually qualify for the race and set up a 2028 primary bid, then they both should’ve worked harder and better because the rules were clearly stacked against them. Sounds mean to say, but it’s just Illinois reality. And reality bites here for indies.
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Turning Promise Into Progress For Illinois Students
Tuesday, Jul 21, 2026 - Posted by Advertising Department [The following is a paid advertisement.] Thank you, Governor Pritzker and members of the General Assembly for taking an important step forward for Illinois students with a $26 million investment in free, healthy school meals, a $17 million increase and the largest expansion in over a decade. Your leadership is turning policy into meaningful action, helping schools provide nutritious meals that support students’ health, learning, and success every day. At a time when families and educators are facing growing challenges, this investment demonstrates a strong commitment to the well-being of Illinois children. This significant progress begins to fulfill the promise established in 2023 to expand access to healthy school meals and shows what is possible when leaders prioritize the health and success of students. While this investment marks an important milestone, more work remains to fully fund school meals and ensure every child has reliable access to the nutrition they need to learn, grow, and thrive. We look forward to building on this momentum together to make that vision is a reality for every Illinois student. Learn more at: https://www.healthyschoolmealsil.com/
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Maybe answer the question
Tuesday, Jul 21, 2026 - Posted by Rich Miller * From an NBC5 interview with Gov. JB Pritzker…
Maybe find a way to say how fun it is to be him instead of that rigamarole. Just saying
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Governor Pritzker, Fight For Us.
Tuesday, Jul 21, 2026 - Posted by Advertising Department [The following is a paid advertisement.] Working families face rising costs and medical debt, while hospital systems continue to profit by exploiting the 340B program - making billions, while patients are paying the price. Leaders in Kentucky, Virginia and California recognize that a program meant to help vulnerable patients shouldn’t become a profit stream for billion-dollar hospital systems and their business partners. Governor JB Pritzker has the opportunity to lead the way. Illinois deserves better — veto 340B Profit-Grab (HB 2371).
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Rate the new Pritzker TV ad
Tuesday, Jul 21, 2026 - Posted by Isabel Miller * Press release…
* The spot…
Rate it.
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Isabel’s morning briefing
Tuesday, Jul 21, 2026 - Posted by Isabel Miller * Subscribers know more. ICYMI: Democrats pick Jessica Dixon Heitman, late US senator’s granddaughter, to replace ex-state Rep. Harry Benton. Tribune…
- Jessica Dixon Heitman, who briefly worked in Harry Benton’s district office in early 2023 shortly after he took office, was unanimously chosen by Democratic Party officials in Will and Kendall counties to fill the seat and serve as the party’s nominee in the November general election. - “I worked for him for a short amount of time. It was not a great fit,” she said in an interview after her remarks. “The office environment was not something I felt was conducive to anything successful happening in the (legislative district) … It’s a hard thing to talk about.” - Beyond tougher ethics laws, Heitman said she wants to see public schools fully funded, ease the property tax burden on Illinois homeowners, advocate for workers’ rights and push for equity “to our broken healthcare system.” * At 9:40 am, Gov. JB Pritzker will participate in a fireside chat at the Aspen Ideas: Climate conference. Click here to watch. * Tribune | Illinois SNAP costs: State wins one-year delay on food aid penalty, but major costs still loom: In recent months, “Illinois has launched an aggressive, multi-year effort to improve payment accuracy,” IDHS’ Griffith said, including staff training, additional caseworkers and technology and communication improvements. The state is also lobbying Congress to push the cost-sharing penalties back even further to October 2029, she said. * WGN | Where are Darren Bailey and the Illinois GOP?: Republican candidate for governor Darren Bailey hasn’t held a press conference in more than a month in the Chicago region. His team posted a picture of a meet-and-greet at a Pilsen restaurant last week that featured 12 people in the frame. We’re a little more than three months before the election. […] Bailey’s campaign said the farmer-turned-politician is currently focusing on energizing supporters downstate and will spend ample time in the Chicago region soon. The campaign contends voters aren’t yet paying attention to the November race. * Crain’s | Illinois cannabis demand grows despite falling prices: The amount of cannabis sold in Illinois rose 9.3% during the first six months of the year, showing demand is still growing six years after the state legalized recreational marijuana use. Retail shops sold 27.6 million cannabis products, ranging from smokable flower and vapes to gummies, the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation data shows. The rate of unit growth accelerated from 7.3% during the same period a year earlier. * Tribune | In 1976, Illinois buried a ton of time capsules. What we’re digging up now is complicated, or sometimes weird: Some feel ironic. The Elgin High School Class of ’76 time capsule was opened in June. Gale Miller, who served on the school’s Bicentennial committee (though she was Class of ’77), was there to find… a JCPenney catalog, a copy of the school’s dress code. “Hair could only be so long, no sweatshirts — it’s hilarious since students dressed like (expletive) in 1976. There was a Pet Rock, with a homemade house, but I do wish (the capsule) had been more honest about what it was like then. There was nothing on all of the racial tensions in Elgin at the time. The principal then wouldn’t have allowed it. And so this time capsule reflects the times very selectively.” * Tribune | Illinois AFL-CIO makes endorsements after putting Democrats on pause: “Last month, we sent a message that lawmakers must address labor’s unfinished priorities in the upcoming veto, lame-duck, and spring sessions and that the legislative process itself has fallen short of what working people deserve,” Drea said in a statement on Monday. “It is clear from recent conversations with state leadership that the message has been received, and that we can look forward to a more collaborative process in the months to come,” he said. “Union members are now ready to get to work for our endorsed candidates.” * Center Square | Secretary of State says insurance reforms are not political: Before Senate Bill 714 passed on the House floor on May 27, state Rep. Jeff Keicher, R-Sycamore, argued that Giannoulias championed the legislation to help further his own aspirations. “And we shouldn’t be saddling the Illinois resident who has auto insurance, has automobiles, so that somebody else can pursue an additional political office,” Keicher said. […] Giannoulias said the insurance industry is powerful and Keicher is an insurance salesman, but the legislation passed in spite of their efforts. “He’s gotta do what he has to do. We were able to pass this bill against our auto insurance salesman who apparently is also a member of the House,” Giannoulias said. * ABC Chicago | IL Board of Elections could rule Tuesday on ballot challenges in race to replace ‘Chuy’ Garcia: Two independent candidates for U.S. Congress could find out Tuesday if their names will be on the November ballot. Illinois elections officers said Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez and Mayra Macías do not have enough petition signatures to be on the November ballot. Both candidates are running to replace outgoing Congressman Chuy Garcia. * Crain’s | Illinois-led quantum effort lands $30M in federal funding: The Bloch — a partnership between Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin — is one of six regional tech hubs to receive $169 million from the U.S. Department of Commerce. The award underscores the growing base of quantum computing technology and research underway in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin, as well as their manufacturing prowess. “This award is a powerful validation of Illinois’ vision to become the global capital of quantum – helping us accelerate innovation, strengthen supply chains, and create good-paying jobs,” Gov. JB Pritzker said in a written statement announcing the funding. * Tribune | Chicago Public Schools leaders say board must pass budget to make September payroll: Despite skepticism from some board members, Chicago Public Schools leaders said Monday that the district’s $9.88 billion budget must be passed this month or it risks missing payroll for its 45,000 employees. If the budget isn’t approved, “the immediate consequence … is we wouldn’t be able to make payroll in September,” CPS CEO Macquline King told the Tribune in an interview. “If we’re not able to make payroll, then it ultimately disrupts services for our students.” * Crain’s | Save A Lot ending deal with Yellow Banana, putting seven Chicago stores at risk of closing: Seven Save A Lot stores in Chicago are at risk of closing as a result of the grocer terminating its licensing agreement with operator Yellow Banana, a city-backed partnership that aimed to expand food access in underserved communities. The supermarket chain has decided to end an arrangement with Yellow Banana that allowed the Cleveland-based company to operate stores under the Save A Lot name due to significant financial challenges, including cuts to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, Save A Lot said in a statement. * Block Club | Chicago Police SWAT Team Officer, Woman Shot In Albany Park: ‘Absolutely Tragic’: The officer was wearing a bullet-proof vest when he was shot, authorities said. ABC7 captured video of the officer walking with assistance into an ambulance. […] “The officer right now is stable and is being seen by his family,” Waller said. ” … He’s expected to make a full recovery.” Waller said doctors at Illinois Masonic “did a great job.” * Block Club | Officials, Neighbors Question If City Policies Aimed At Protecting Immigrants Are Being Followed: In a news release Friday, Mayor Brandon Johnson said the Police Department is reviewing the Illinois Accountability Commission’s April report calling on Chicagoans to report crimes by immigration agents. The report details allegations of misconduct by agents during Operation Midway Blitz. Thr commission recommended local law enforcement investigate several shootings and violent incidents. Chicago police will review the report’s findings independently, evaluate all available evidence and decide “whether additional investigation or referrals are warranted under Illinois law,” according to the Mayor’s Office release. * Sun-Times | Four beluga whales on way to Shedd from closed Canadian park: Two more whales were headed to SeaWorld in San Antonio Monday, according to The Canadian Press. It’s the first phase of a plan to move up to 30 belugas over the next few weeks from Marineland to several American aquariums as well as to Oceanografic Valencia in Spain. Earlier this month, Shedd announced it could receive as many as 10 belugas from Marineland. * Sun-Times | Kyle Teel likely headed back to IL after ugly ankle injury during White Sox win at Texas: Kyle Teel had to be helped off the field after suffering a left ankle injury in the White Sox’ series-opening victory Monday at Texas, likely sending the prized catcher back to the injured list less than a month after working his way back to the field. The second-year backstop, who missed most of the first half with hamstring and knee injuries, was in visible pain after diving to his left and landing awkwardly on his ankle while trying to tag out Ezequiel Duran at home in the second inning of a 10-3 win. * Daily Herald | District 214 faces ethics complaint for referendum-related polling: In a 14-page complaint delivered to the Arlington Heights-based district’s ethics officer, Americans for Prosperity — Illinois calls for an investigation into whether taxpayer-funded referendum activity crossed from factual information into prohibited polling, voter surveying, campaign strategy or referendum advocacy. The libertarian advocacy group, which has a regional office in Rolling Meadows, filed a similar complaint in June against Palatine Township Elementary District 15 related to that district’s successful $93 million referendum in 2022. * Aurora Beacon-News | Aurora invites resident feedback on budget, safety, infrastructure, sustainability during upcoming events: Aurora city officials have announced a series of town hall and workshop events that aim to gather resident feedback for the city’s 2027 budget and its long-term plans for public safety, infrastructure and sustainability. All four sessions in the series will be held at the Aurora Public Works facility at 2185 Liberty St. in Aurora. * Tribune | Northbrook volunteers use old-fashioned scythes to clear invasive species: The task for the day was to remove sawtooth sunflower and tall goldenrod, said Rebeccah Hartz, restoration volunteer and assistant director of Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves. Hartz indicated they “are not woody species,” like buckthorn. And the best tool for the job, she said, was the scythe. * WCBU | Morton Industries expands to East Peoria manufacturing facility in support of data center market: “We had some new prospectives [clients] reach out to us based upon our tube capability, and the data center market is going to have a lot of tubes inside of them,” said vice president of operations Troy Deiss. “As these things grow throughout the nation and the world, I think the tubular fabrication is going to be even more popular, especially for these that are being used as cooling tubes, cooling the processors and the chips inside the units.” * SJ-R | Former Leland Grove police chief indicted on theft charge: A former Leland Grove police chief who was terminated over a driving under the influence of alcohol arrest earlier in 2026 was indicted by a Sangamon County grand jury July 15 for theft. The grand jury also indicted Daniel T. Ryan for misapplication of funds and official misconduct, according to the Sangamon County Circuit Clerk’s website. Ryan was the subject of an Illinois State Police investigation. * WCIA | Illinois firefighters train for high-risk grain bin rescues in Philo: “If you’re buried into the grain to your waist, it would take roughly 600 pounds of force over your body weight to pull you out,” Newcomb said. […] “Farmers are constantly in and out of these bins, spring and fall. A lot of grain moves throughout Central Illinois,” said Firefighter paramedic Will Lannon. * NPR Illinois | A look at this year’s State Fair Horse Show: Society Horse Show Session I is August 10-14, 2026 - 9am, Noon and 6:30 Monday - Wednesday 8/10-12, Noon & 6:30pm Thursday 8/13, and 9am - Noon Friday 8/14 Featuring American Saddlebred, Hackney Pony, Roadster, Shetland Ponies and Welsh Ponies […] The Morgan Jubilee, Monarch Horse Show, Youth Charity Horse Show, Mid-America Mane Event continue to showcase some great horses for the rest of the season through October this year. * Fox Illinois | New Eastern Illinois Athletic Director, Mark Wilson, discusses state of programs: Now, his job is to help turn around panther football, a program with rich tradition has just one winning season since 2013. “I’m going to have to get shoulder to shoulder, lock arms with Coach Wilkerson, learn what his challenges are,” he said. “Because I know, and when I first arrived at Tennessee Tech, one of the programs we were chasing was Eastern Illinois football. * Bloomberg | UAW chief in feds’ crosshairs, jeopardizing union’s fight for self-governance: A grand jury has subpoenaed the union’s court-appointed monitor, according to Bloomberg, as it probes claims that Fain sought benefits for his fiancee and her sister. That revelation came in a report by the monitor, Neil Barofsky, who concluded that Fain unjustly demoted two top officials for refusing to follow his orders. The findings have thrown the UAW’s looming presidential election into chaos; Fain has denied wrongdoing and accused Vice President Rich Boyer, one of his five challengers, of trying to “steal the election” with false charges. Fain also claims the monitor holds a “political grudge” against him. * NYT | The U.S. Is Pulling Back on Energy Efficiency: “The turn away from efficiency has been oddly timed,” said Christine Egan, executive director of the Collaborative Labeling and Appliance Standards Program, a nonprofit group that works on efficiency policies worldwide. “Energy prices are going up, demand is going up, and you’d think we would want our products to be as efficient as possible.” The result is that consumers could end up using more electricity and burning more gas when electricity costs are rising faster than inflation and gasoline is averaging $4 a gallon. While more efficient cars or appliances can be more expensive, consumers often save money over time because they use less energy.
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Good morning!
Tuesday, Jul 21, 2026 - Posted by Rich Miller * Emily Nenni… This train steers itself
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Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Supplement to today’s edition
Tuesday, Jul 21, 2026 - Posted by Rich Miller
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Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today’s edition of Capitol Fax (use all CAPS in password)
Tuesday, Jul 21, 2026 - Posted by Rich Miller
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Selected press releases (Live coverage)
Tuesday, Jul 21, 2026 - Posted by Isabel Miller
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