* ICYMI: Federal appeals court upholds Illinois assault weapons ban, overturning lower court ruling. Tribune…

- In a 2-1 decision, a three-judge panel of the US 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the Illinois law, which also prohibits high-capacity ammunition magazines, is “consistent with our regulatory tradition” and does not violate the Second Amendment right to bear arms.
- The majority opinion from St. Eve and Judge Frank Easterbook, a nominee of Republican President Ronald Reagan, sends the case back to US District Court in southern Illinois with instructions to rule in favor of the state of Illinois.
- The longevity of that victory remains in question, however, after the U.S. Supreme Court indicated last week that it would take up legal challenges to similar laws in Cook County and the state of Connecticut.

* Related stories…

• CNI: Appeals court upholds Illinois’ ban on assault weapons, high-capacity magazines
• Sun-Times: Illinois’ assault weapons ban upheld by appeals court as U.S. Supreme Court mulls Cook County’s prohibition

* Gov. JB Pritzker has no public events scheduled today.

*** Isabel’s Top Picks ***

* WTTW | One Big Beautiful Bill Requires States to Front SNAP Costs. Illinois Could Pay Tens of Millions Annually: But local organizations combating food insecurity worry that the cost shifting could reduce SNAP benefits for Americans who need them. According to the Illinois Department of Human Services, more than 12 million monthly SNAP payments are made to more than 1.9 million people in Illinois. Nolan Downey is the senior policy director at the Greater Chicago Food Depository. He said states are staring down the barrel of losing SNAP entirely if they cannot front extra costs.

* Capitol News Illinois | Republicans call for more transparency, accountability after ‘disgraceful week’ for House Democrats: Two Illinois House Democrats were publicly accused in the last week of inappropriate or criminal behavior. Former Rep. Harry Benton, D-Plainfield, resigned on July 3 after House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, said an internal ethics report revealed inappropriate behavior. Then on Wednesday, Rep. Carol Ammons, D-Urbana, was indicted on 10 federal corruption charges for allegedly misusing campaign and state funds. “This has been another disgraceful week for the Illinois government, driven by conduct by members on the Democratic side of the aisle and the failure of leadership to demand real accountability,” House Republican Leader Tony McCombie, R-Savanna, said at a news conference on Thursday.

*** Statehouse News ***

* WAND | Pritzker signs LIHEAP expansion, utility charge transparency bills into law: House Bill 4456 will increase the income eligibility for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Democrats said the LIHEAP change can help more households qualify for the help they need. “It’s critically important to protect low income and middle income households from unsustainable utility costs,” said Sen. Adriane Johnson (D-Waukegan).

* WAND | House GOP call for special investigating committee following Ammons indictment: House GOP leaders said Ammons is facing serious allegations involving taxpayer dollars and public trust. A special investigating committee would hold hearings to discuss unethical behavior shown by the Democrat. However, her own party leaders would have to agree to launch the investigation. “This pattern of alleged criminal behavior makes it clear that the Ammons family has repeatedly defrauded taxpayers for their own benefit,” said Rep. CD Davidsmeyer (R-Jacksonville). “This unethical and possibly criminal behavior seems to be a family affair. They must do the right thing for once and resign from public office.”

* Capitol News Illinois | Speaker Welch’s approach to ethics cases involving his members: Welch, speaking with reporters after reciting the Declaration of Independence in Springfield on Wednesday, repeated a version of what he and Senate President Don Harmon have said on several occasions: the courts are the best venue to adjudicate criminal wrongdoing by legislators. “You guys have known me even before I was speaker, I’m a big believer in due process,” Welch said. “Just as my statement said earlier today, she’s presumed innocent until proven guilty. She has every right to due process, but these are some very serious allegations. Let’s not be mistaken by that.”

* Fox Chicago | Former Gov. Pat Quinn pushing ‘Millionaire Amendment’ to lower Illinois property taxes: The measure did not advance during the spring legislative session. Ford said drafting issues prevented the bill from reaching the House floor but believes lawmakers can fix those issues and bring it back. “We know we have the votes in Springfield when we get it right,” Ford said.

* CBS Chicago | State leaders urge caution for parents considering buying e-bikes for their kids, as bill awaits Pritzker’s signature: Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias issued a public service announcement on YouTube Thursday as part of his office’s Ride Safe, Ride Smart, Ride Ready campaign. He emphasized that e-bikes often are not really bicycles, but “essentially electric motorcycles being marketed to kids” that can hit 40 to 50 miles per hour. “These aren’t bike speeds, they’re highway speeds,” Giannoulias said. “When crashes happen at those speeds, the consequences can be devastating.”

*** Chicago ***

* Crain’s | Johnson reveals why City Hall abandoned its $3.2B bid for parking meters: In a memo sent to the City Council’s Finance Committee ahead of a potential July 13 vote on transferring the parking meter concession to Stonepeak Partners, the administration says financing the purchase would have required backing the bonds with revenue beyond the parking meters themselves, potentially putting other city revenues at risk. […] A second official, likewise given anonymity to speak about the deak, said the original 2008 agreement did not give Chicago any advantages in the event of a sale, denying Johnson any leverage against private buyers.

* Crain’s | It’s not just property and sales taxes that you’re paying in Chicago: Chicago’s 2026 budget closed a historic $1.2 billion deficit by relying on fee and tax increases on ride-share trips, liquor sales and plastic shopping bags, and introducing measures like licensing augmented reality programs and placing ads on city infrastructure. Fines, forfeitures and penalties make up the third-largest nontax revenue source for the city. Watchdog group the Civic Federation repeatedly has warned that the budget isn’t structurally balanced and relies too much on one-time fixes or debt instead of operating revenues.

* ABC Chicago | University of Chicago Law to ban phones, laptops in classroom for first-year students in new AI plan: The school made the announcement Thursday as part of a broader plan to respond to the rise of artificial intelligence, beginning in the upcoming fall semester. “We will be piloting a coordinated approach to classroom and examination policies for the core 1L curriculum during the 2026-2027 academic year. Across all 1L sections, we will prohibit the use of electronic devices such as laptops, tablets, and phones in the classroom,” a segment of the new plan reads in part. “There will be some limited exceptions to this policy.”

* NBC Chicago | ICE activity ramps up in Chicago area again, with masked agents seen taking people away in cuffs: “We learned that last week about 21 people were taken,” Marcella Rodriguez, executive director of local organization Enlace Chicago said at a press conference Thursday on the city’s northwest side. “And this week alone, up to today, 17 people across our communities have been taken. We know that they are targeting areas around schools, even though summer programs are taking place.”

* Tribune | Aldermen reject Mayor Brandon Johnson’s move to ask voters if millionaires should be taxed: Only one of Johnson’s three proposals for November won committee approval. Johnson’s referendum would ask Chicagoans whether the city should use “all lawful means” to address the economic harm caused by President Donald Trump’s “Operation Midway Blitz” deportation campaign. Aldermen also blocked consideration of Johnson’s other ballot request, to ask voters whether the city should establish a property tax relief fund — while arguing the mayor had overstepped.

* NBC Chicago | Chicago, Cook County task force seeks to improve court system for domestic violence survivors: The Chicago-Cook County Violence Against Women Task Force presented a report with its findings to the Chicago Public Safety Committee on Thursday. Elected officials and advocates pointed to a troubling trend: As violent crimes were going down in Chicago last year, domestic violence cases were rising, including a 56 percent increase in fatal shootings. […] Miller also said victims can have different experiences at different courthouses, so the task force wants to streamline the process when victims go to courthouses to file protective orders. Brown recounted her experience: filling out a 30-page document just to file that order, then waiting to see if an advocate was available to assist her.

*** Cook County and Suburbs ***

* Tribune | Domestic violence task force calls for Cook County courts to open up records: “The system that women go into is unlike any other government system. There’s absolutely no one in charge, there’s no coordination, and you get bounced back and forth between different court divisions,” across the city, county and state, Chicago77 executive director Katie Dunne said. “And there’s policies and laws right now that impede data sharing between those agencies that limit any coordination. So truly, that lack of understanding of the system has created just a culture of confusion” for victims and public employees alike.

* Lake County News-Sun | Officials bemoan upkeep of Waukegan-owned cemeteries: ‘The dead should have more respect than they’re getting’: Oakwood Cemetery is more than 150 years old and serves as the final resting place for historic figures of Waukegan, Civil War veterans and a “Potter’s field” of Spanish Flu-epidemic victims. The 50-acre Sheridan Road site is owned by the municipality, along with Union Cemetery, dating back to 1845 .Neither has a dedicated budget for maintenance. A series of annual landscaping contracts with conflicting schedules has raised questions about the perpetual care covenant in recent years. The city’s Public Works Department carries responsibility for upkeep at the two cemeteries in its budget, with no line item other than for contractual services.

*** Downstate ***

* WAND | Effingham County announces company withdraws solar project application: ffingham County announced Thursday that Mason Plains, LLC (Nexamp) has withdrawn its application for a large solar project in the county. According to the county, the proposed project site was located in rural Mason, and the application was originally filed in April. A public hearing on a solar panel special use application set for Wednesday has been canceled. Additionally, the application will no longer be considered by the Effingham County Board. County residents had previously voiced concerns about the project, which would have spanned 16 acres on prime farmland.

* WGLT | 15 people detained during ICE raids in Bloomington-Normal: Mellor said they were captured at various locations throughout the community, most of them at their place of employment. She said they all came from separate families, except one case involved a pair of brothers. About half of those detained Mellor described as “long-term residents of the community,” while the rest had recently arrived. She said most had been granted humanitarian parole, a Biden administration program created in 2023 which the Trump administration later revoked. Others had applied for asylum, while a few had pending family petitions.

* WGLT | 14 new counts added to case against 2nd Chiddix teacher, cheer coach: New charges have been filed against Andrew “Drew” Miller, a Chiddix Junior High teacher and longtime cheerleading coach accused of soliciting sexual images and video from minors and, in at least one instance, attempting to meet in person. McLean County Assistant State’s Attorney Aaron Fredrick previously noted the state’s intention to bring additional charges against 41-year-old Miller, from Normal, who has been detained since his arrest in June on 42 felony counts.

* The Daily Egyptian | More southern Illinois counties become news deserts as local newspapers close: A restructuring of Arlington Heights-based Paddock Publications taking place in early June has led to the shutdown of at least 13 of the 20 local newspapers owned by their subsidiaries, the majority of which served communities in southern and central Illinois, including the Marion Republican and the Harrisburg Register.

* Fox 2 Now | East St. Louis cameras curbing illegal trash dumping: Watson is pleased to hear that the City of East St. Louis recently installed 14 surveillance cameras in trouble spots to deter illegal trash dumping. The cameras are monitored 24 hours a day and funded through a federal grant. […] Powell said cameras have been operating for several months and have already resulted in more than 30 tickets issued. Fines can range from $500 to $5,000, according to Powell. She said the program’s focus is not on issuing fines, but rather deterring illegal trash dumping.

* WCIA | Sweet corn is back in season and one Central Illinois business is selling out fast: Sweet corn season has arrived in Central Illinois, and Thursday was the first day of sales for one local business. The Lingley Brothers in Rantoul saw lines wrapped around one of their four locations Thursday, and workers said they were selling out of their stock quickly. Lingley Brothers have locations in Tilton, Hoopeston, Danville and Attica, Indiana. They have been growing sweet corn since the 90s. Crop sellers said they are expecting this to be one of the largest harvests this year.

*** National ***

* Forbes | Trump Fires Commissioners Of Bipartisan Federal Election Body: The three remaining members of a bipartisan federal committee that helps states and local officials administer elections were fired by the White House on Thursday, a move that could impact the midterms just weeks after after the Supreme Court upended a 90-year-old precedent and allowed the president to remove independent federal agency officials. […] The White House confirmed the firings and told NBC News that the ousted individuals will be “replaced,” without specifying a timeline as new appointments will need Senate approval.

* The Guardian | Satellite mirror plans could disrupt sleep and ecosystems worldwide, scientists say: Proposals to deploy reflective mirrors and up to 1m more satellites in low Earth orbit could have far-reaching consequences for human health and ecosystems, leading sleep and circadian rhythm researchers have said. Presidents of four international scientific societies representing about 2,500 researchers from more than 30 countries are among those who have raised concerns in letters to the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

* The Drive | How Flock Cameras Wrongly Tracked Me for Days Over ‘Stolen’ Plates and Sent Police After Me: Eventually, after a tense hour, I did. The Plymouth Police Department had been tracking me for days using Flock license plate cameras, waiting for the right moment to strike, because they thought I’d stolen the Range Rover. And the reason I was ID’d as a dangerous car thief was a simple data error made 2,000 miles away in California, creating an edge case within an edge case that Flock’s AI camera network was unable to handle. […] The New Jersey plates that were allegedly stolen from the LA dealer were 34 03 DTM, not 34 10 DTM. But when the police report was created and the plate was entered into Flock’s system, it was just recorded as 34 DTM.