* ICYMI: Mentally ill man restrained in chair for 3 days settles case in Williamson County. Illinois Answers…

- Jail staff restrained Travis Braden, 39, to a chair in 2022 after he expressed suicidal ideation and swallowed a piece of metal. He filed a complaint against the county months later, represented himself from prison and settled in January for $27,500.
- Braden also has an ongoing case in Franklin County, where jail staff restrained him in a chair for 68 hours in 2022. A state disability rights watchdog group concluded that the jail violated state standards and county policies in improperly restraining Braden, as well as another mentally ill man who was restrained for 27 hours. That case entered a settlement conference in March, after the judge denied defendants’ motion for summary judgement.
- Illinois county jails restrain people in chairs more than a thousand times a year, even though groups such as the United Nations Committee Against Torture and Amnesty International have urged U.S. officials to ban their use as a method of restraining people in custody.

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*** Isabel’s Top Picks ***

* NPR Illinois | Sangamon County Board approves a controversial data center project: A $500 million data center in Sangamon County won approval from the Sangamon County Board Tuesday night before a large crowd at the Bank of Springfield Center. Opponents shouted their disapproval with the final vote. Board members narrowly passed a zoning change 17 to 10 with one abstaining. The variance is needed to build the center, which was proposed last year. In March, the board chose to table the issue. But Tuesday night, members moved forward, despite another packed meeting room at the Bank of Springfield Center. There were outbursts from several upset with the proposal and some were escorted out by law enforcement that was on the scene.

* WWTTW | Sanjay Tailor Is First Asian American Judge on Illinois Supreme Court, Solidifies First Majority-Minority Court: “This is a court that is unlike any other court,” Tailor said. “There are four women, so it’s a majority-female court, and for the first time in its history, since 1818, it is the first majority-minority court. We have four minorities of the seven justices. It is a milestone. It is a representation of the people of Illinois.” Tailor became a judge in 2003, serving as an associate judge on the Circuit Court of Cook County until 2021. In 2022, Tailor was assigned to the First District of the Illinois Appellate Court. Tailor said he is as prepared as he can be for the job.

*** Statewide ***

* WAND | IDOC rolls out tablet-based learning portal for people in prison: The department has announced the launch of “Journey to Success,” a new educational content portal on tablets statewide. IDOC said the portal has thousands of free resources and courses that can be used during free time. That will include content like workforce development, mental health services and more.

* WSIL | Illinois taxpayers urged to file early amid mailing changes: The Illinois Department of Revenue is urging taxpayers to file their 2025 state individual income tax returns soon to avoid last-minute delays ahead of the April 15 deadline. Officials are particularly warning against waiting to file by mail due to recent changes in postal service procedures. “Filing electronically is still the fastest and most reliable way to get your return processed,” IDOR Director David Harris said. “If you are expecting a refund, choosing direct deposit will help you receive it as quickly as possible. My Tax Illinois makes the process simple, guiding you step by step while helping to reduce errors.”

*** Statehouse News ***

* Center Square | Illinois gun owners plan rally in wake of Supreme Court order: The Illinois State Rifle Association says gun owners have run out of options in a case challenging the state’s prohibition of carrying concealed firearms on mass transit. The case Schoenthal v. Raoul dealt with whether the state’s ban of carrying firearms on mass transit, even for those with concealed carry permits, is constitutional. A district judge said the measure is unconstitutional. An appeals court differed. The U.S. Supreme Court Monday turned down a petition to hear the case.

* Heh…

*** Chicago ***

* Fox Chicago | Ex-Chicago official’s emails accuse mayor’s staff of ‘lies’ and ‘hostile work environment’: “Pacione Zayas went so far to threaten to have Intergovernmental Affairs (IGA) take a deep dive into my background and come up with unfavorable material, just like it had done so for one of the two aforementioned commissioners,” Andrade said. In a short emailed response, Chief Equity Officer Kupe responded to the allegations, saying Andrade’s letter contained “misstatements and inaccuracies” and that any assertions of threats or quid pro quos are false.

* Crain’s | Proposed $55M tax break for United Center’s 1901 Project hits a speed bump: Mayor Brandon Johnson introduced the Class 7(b) incentive in March, but the tax break is not on the agenda for this month’s meeting of the Committee on Economic and Capital Development chaired by Ald. Gilbert Villegas, 36th, who says it should be taken up in May. With the mayor and local alderman in support, the incentive is likely to be approved, but the delay could entangle it in the ongoing tension between Johnson and a City Council still at odds with him after passing the budget over his objection.

* Politico | The mayoral cash race: They’re all chasing incumbent Mayor Brandon Johnson, who hasn’t made his reelection bid official but ended 2025 with more than $900,000 in the bank. His team is projecting confidence. Political director Christian Perry points to internal polling showing improving approval numbers, particularly among Black Chicagoans, and argues the campaign will have what it needs financially.

* ABC Chicago | Mayor supports activists’ plans to sue Chicago Housing Authority over process used to select new CEO: Johnson says he never personally met Pettigrew. But the CHA says members of Johnson’s administration did interview Pettigrew and another unnamed finalist for the job. The mayor contends that there needs to be more transparency in the hiring process. “It’s my responsibility to find a pathway forward to course correct. The best way in which we can maintain the trust of the people of this city is to make sure that all of our government entities have an open and transparent process that did not occur in this instance,” Johnson said.

* Block Club | Federal Probe Snared Jail Official Over Claims Of Illegal Gambling, Bribery Attempt And More: Records show that upon reexamining the incident as part of the possible ghost-payrolling investigation, investigators with the CCSO’s Office of Professional Review (OPR) found that Chiko had violated ten of the Sheriff’s rules for employees, including prohibitions against knowingly visiting “a house of prostitution, illegal gambling house, or establishment where illegal activities occur, except in performance of duty” and participating “in any form of illegal gambling.”

* Sun-Times | Gangster Disciples founder Larry Hoover has wife, ex-NY mob prosecutor push parole board to free him: Hoover’s supporters told the Illinois Prisoner Review Board that the former kingpin is a changed man. But a Cook County prosecutor said he should stay in state prison. Gov. Pritzker will now get a recommendation from the board about what to do with Hoover, who previously had his federal prison sentence commuted by President Trump.

* ABC Chicago | Board member allegedly embezzled more than $1M from Chicago MICHELIN-starred restaurant company: The owners of Ever and its sister cocktail bar After sued Aaron Gersonde. They accuse him of spending more than $1.4 million on lavish shopping sprees, trips and entertainment. The lawsuit says Gersonde has access to the company’s bank accounts and a credit card since he helped monitor finances. Among the alleged charges are $18,000 at Louis Vuitton, $48,000 at American Airlines and nearly $200,000 at Amazon.

*** Cook County and Suburbs ***

* Tribune | Community gathers in Oak Park to process closure of West Suburban Medical Center: People expressed their frustrations and concerns, and wondered if they can trust Manoj Prasad, the owner of West Suburban Medical Center, who said the hospital closed in part because of a billing system failure which caused the hospital to not collect all of its payments for about a year. While most wanted the hospital to reopen, some expressed hope they would also have input on changes they feel are needed at the facility. Then they got to work, planning breakout group sessions to address staff concerns and the hospital’s financial situation, community needs, political/legislative issues, and the legalities and the leadership model of the hospital.

* Tribune | Clergy members decry use of shackles at Broadview ICE facility seen during Holy Week ministry : On Holy Thursday, local clergy members offered Communion and got down on their knees to wash the feet of detainees at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Broadview, even as the migrants were handcuffed and shackled during the religious observance inside the west suburban facility. The faith leaders described the scene in a report to U.S. District Judge Robert Gettleman, who on Tuesday ordered that the government cannot make a blanket policy that bans clergy from ministering to people inside the building while a lawsuit on the matter is proceeding. Gettleman ruled that the parties must meet to decide on a protocol that would allow ongoing ministry in the facility that has been a flashpoint during the administration’s controversial immigration enforcement operations.

* Daily Herald | ‘This was political theater’: Will County Board member’s traffic case dropped: The bicyclist whom Traynere was accused of striking on March 11, 2025, in Bolingbrook did not show up to court to testify at trial, according to Colin “CJ” Haney, Traynere’s attorney with the Tomczak Law Group in Joliet. Special Prosecutor Bill Elward motioned to continue the case to another date. Howevever, Haney said he pointed out the traffic case had been filed a second time because the bicyclist did not show up in court for the first case. Will County Judge Derek Ewanic denied Elward’s motion to continue, and Elward dropped the case against Traynere, Haney said.

* Daily Herald | Arlington Heights couple pleads not guilty to vandalizing Republican headquarters: An Arlington Heights couple charged with vandalizing the Wheeling Township Republican headquarters earlier this year pleaded not guilty Tuesday in a Cook County courtroom filled with GOP supporters. […] The couple pleaded not guilty before Judge Steven Kozicki at the county courthouse in Rolling Meadows and are due back in court May 15. “My clients are seniors who have never been arrested in their lives,” said defense attorney Jason Stevens. Wheeling Township Republican Committeeman John Saletta said he and his supporters — which numbered several dozen in court Tuesday afternoon — will continue to follow the case against the McNerneys

* Daily Herald | Metra tests preboarding fare checks in pilot program: Metra riders boarding trains downtown outside of rush hour can expect a departure from tradition this week. […] It’s the first phase of a pilot program to test new hand-held scanning devices and collect information for a future fare system integrating Metra, Pace and the Chicago Transit Authority. Officials stressed the revised protocol will be tried out on selected, off-peak trips to avoid logjams as workers converge to travel home. It will be extended to rush-hour trains if “initial tests go smoothly.” Before riders access platforms, they will be asked to activate their Ventra ticket or show their paper version before stepping aboard.

* Daily Herald | One-time Arlington Heights trustee candidate’s appointment to panel draws dissent: Trustee Carina Santa Maria, who with Bill Manganaro voted against the appointment, asked Bauer at the confirmation hearing Monday night what should be the government’s role in providing affordable housing. Bauer said government should provide a “framework,” but there are other times where its role should be “to just stay out” and let market forces take over. Santa Maria and Manganaro — as well as some other trustees who voted “yes” on the appointment — questioned if the housing commission was the best fit for Bauer.

*** Downstate ***

* WICS | CyrusOne speaks out as county data center vote looms: CyrusOne officials will need to bus in water for the data center, collected from the Apple Creek Water Cooperative, which draws water from Waverly Lake. Once the water arrives, it’ll be funneled into a closed loop system to keep things cool at the data center. Hout said beyond that, the data center would use about as much water as an office building. “On the power side, it’s investing in renewables to offset the power we’re taking from the grid. On the water side, it’s investing in water restoration projects, which we have an opportunity to do here at Waverly Lake. And then ensuring that our businesses are sustainable, that we’re achieving lead certification on the facilities,” Hout said.

* WAND | Springfield council meeting ends abruptly after clash between alderman, former police chief: WAND News partner WTAX said the meeting ended in chaos after Alderman Shawn Gregory began shouting at former police chief Michael Walton. Walton had come to council to address the board during public comment, but tempers flared during the discussion between Walton and Gregory. The meeting got so chaotic that Buscher was forced to quickly adjourn. The city’s live stream video ended abruptly and was pulled from the website, and was made unavailable to the public.

* AP | Deere & Co. agrees to pay $99 million to settle ‘right to repair’ lawsuit: Deere & Co. has agreed to pay $99 million as part of a settlement that would resolve a class action lawsuit accusing the farm equipment giant of monopolizing repair services. The Moline, Illinois-based manufacturer, which does business under the John Deere brand, has faced a handful of “right to repair” complaints over the years. The deal announced Monday — which still needs final approval from the court — would settle a 2022 lawsuit that accused the company of withholding repair software and conspiring with authorized dealers to force farmers to use their services for repairs, when they could otherwise fix tractors and other equipment themselves or use independent alternatives.

* WSIL | Final Four Wager Puts Southern Illinois BBQ in National Spotlight: Ahead of the matchup, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont made a friendly wager, each putting signature foods from their states on the line. For Illinois, that meant Eli’s Cheesecake from Chicago — and barbecue from Murphysboro’s 17th Street Barbecue. For owner Amy Mills, the moment brought unexpected national attention. “Waking up to the news that we were on ESPN all over the country was so much fun,” Mills said. “I was getting phone calls and texts from friends and family coast to coast, so it’s really fun and exciting to have the governor recognize our company.”

* KWQC | Scammers selling land they don’t own, sheriff’s office says: Scammers are impersonating property owners and asking real estate agents to list land they do not own, the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office said. The scammers claim to be out of state or overseas and may provide fake documents to appear more legitimate, the sheriff’s office said. The sheriff’s office warned residents to be cautious if a seller will not meet in person, only communicates by email or text, tries to rush a sale or push for a low price or cannot be verified as the owner.

*** National ***

* Fox Chicago | Trump administration proposes cutting 9,400 TSA workers, $1.5 billion from budget:
President Donald Trump on April 3 proposed a plan calling for more airports to privatize Transportation Security Administration security screenings in 2027. Some airports use a TSA partner screening program, which helps manage lines at some smaller airports, while ensuring employees are paid on time. Reuters reported that the Trump administration claims this change would reduce TSA’s payroll by over 4,500 jobs. Additionally, the TSA has proposed slashing another 4,800 roles by improving efficiency, stopping staffing at exit lanes.

* CNN | These common drug tests lead to tens of thousands of wrongful arrests a year, experts say. One state is fighting back: Colorado just enacted the nation’s first law banning arrests based solely on the results of colorimetric drug tests – a field test widely used by law enforcement across the country. The tests are popular because they’re cheap, portable and can screen for drugs in mere minutes. It’s just not feasible to send all suspected drug samples to state laboratories, which would be far more expensive and could take days or weeks to return results. […] While the actual error rate nationwide is unknown, previous studies by manufacturers have put it around 4%. But the UPenn researchers believe the actual rate is much higher, from 15% to 38%. And a study by the New York City Department of Investigation showed test error rates from 79% to 91% in some correctional settings.

* ARS Technica | Testing suggests Google’s AI Overviews tell millions of lies per hour: Oumi began running its test last year when Gemini 2.5 was still the company’s best model. At the time, the benchmark showed an 85 percent accuracy rate. When the test was rerun following the Gemini 3 update, AI Overviews answered 91 percent of the questions correctly. If you extrapolate this miss rate out to all Google searches, AI Overviews is generating tens of millions of incorrect answers per day.