* ICYMI: As early voting begins, officials seek to reassure public about election security, integrity. Capitol News Illinois…

- Sangamon County Clerk Don Gray and Illinois State Board of Elections spokesman Matt Dietrich told a Springfield audience not to buy into false reports that the system is vulnerable to widespread fraud or that voter rolls can be hacked or manipulated.
- “We can’t allow that disinformation to permeate our systems here, or that form of terrorism to erode our greatest beacon of what we do — electing our leaders,” Gray said. “I encourage all of you to get involved. Become an election judge. See what it is that we do. See how we operate.”
- Illinois and other states have been involved in multiple lawsuits with the Trump administration over access to the state’s voter registration data and control over mail-in voting. So far, the states have prevailed in those lawsuits.

* Related stories…

• Daily Herald: As early voting begins, officials seek to reassure public about election security, integrity
• AP: 40 days to midterms, election officials say new US cyber plan comes too late

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

*** Isabel’s Top Picks ***

* Sun-Times | Illinois passed the nation’s first climate migration law. The effort has languished since: The law established a task force to investigate how domestic and international climate migration patterns could test Illinois’ infrastructure, resources and residents. And it required the newly formed team to publish two reports over the next two years outlining the state’s ability to address climate migration through at least 2050. If Illinois succeeds, it could become a blueprint for how states make room for those displaced by climate catastrophes. But only a year later, state officials have largely neglected their plans. Lawmakers have pushed back reporting deadlines and are yet to convene the task force, even though the first report is due in December.

* Tribune | Gov. JB Pritzker names new Illinois Prisoner Review Board executive director: Melissa Brandenburg, of Sangamon County, will succeed Jim Montgomery, pending Senate confirmation, according to the governor’s office. Montgomery left the post after Pritzker appointed him last month to lead the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Brandenburg previously was a supervising investigator in the state’s executive inspector general’s office. Before that, she was a probation officer in Christian and Vermilion counties, according to the governor’s office.

* Daily Herald | Most Illinois children using adult seat belts too soon, AAA study finds: A recent AAA report found nearly 96% of Illinois children had switched to an adult seat belt too soon, and about 23% of kids had moved to a booster seat before it fit correctly. “Parents would never knowingly put their child at risk, but many don’t realize a seat belt that looks like it fits may not actually provide the protection their child needs,” AAA spokesperson Molly Hart said.

*** Statehouse News ***

* Blog for Arizona | JB Pritzker Urges Arizona Democrats to Regulate Data Centers, Reform Immigration and Rebuild Transportation: Pritzker is a Democrat who has been mentioned as a possible national Democratic figure. Speaking at the Congress Hotel in Tucson, he addressed members of the Arizona List, a political organization that supports candidates who back abortion rights.

* Tribune | In Illinois governor race, Darren Bailey sticks to SAFE-T Act attack despite falling crime numbers: Indeed, Bailey’s case against the law has rested on some exaggeration and anecdotes that broader data don’t always support. Chicago has seen steep declines in homicides and shootings in recent years. Cook County court data show the vast majority of defendants released while awaiting trial are not charged with new violent crimes, and the county jail now holds more people than it did before cash bail ended. Even some Republicans familiar with the law, including DuPage County’s top prosecutor, say it should be fixed, not repealed. Still, Bailey is sticking with the message, betting that crime, long a potent issue for Republicans, and the SAFE-T Act in particular remain vulnerabilities for Gov. JB Pritzker and a Democratic Party that controls every statewide office and holds large majorities in the General Assembly.

* Capitol News Illinois | Illinois lawmakers give big boost to movie industry while academics claim the Hollywood giveaway is a bad deal for taxpayers.: Illinois was an early adopter of film income tax credits. Under a law signed by Gov. Rod Blagojevich in 2003, the state began issuing them to qualifying productions as a proportion of their overall expenses. These credits, which can sometimes exceed millions of dollars per production, are typically then sold to insiders or wealthy corporations, with no ties to the film industry, who will use them to pay less in Illinois state income taxes. In the past six years alone the state has issued nearly $1 billion in income tax credits under the program, shifting the tax burden onto the shoulders of state taxpayers to make up the difference. Recent tax credit buyers or recipients include large corporations such as Kraft Foods and U.S. Bank as well as prominent individuals, including JB Pritzker’s cousin, Jennifer Pritzker, Smashing Pumpkins founder Billy Corgan and Peng Zhao, the CEO of the multibillion-dollar private equity firm Citadel Securities, once based in Illinois. The largest tax credits were issued to production companies that filmed seasons of Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, Chicago Med on NBC, and Dark Matter on Apple TV.

* Riverbender | Illinois State Senate Challenger Calls For Creative Leadership In Springfield: Marsie Geldert-Murphey is running as a Democratic challenger in the 56th District State Senate race and seeks to replace incumbent Republican Erica Harriss, who was unable to attend the forum. The state’s 56th District includes portions of Madison and St. Clair counties. Geldert-Murphey used the forum as an opportunity to share her background with attendees. As a first-generation college graduate and the “product of public education,” she emphasized the importance of public schools in helping all children reach their full potential. Now a civil engineer, Geldert-Murphey started her career as part of the team who built the Clark Bridge in Alton.

* Riverbender | Illinois House Hopefuls Talk Taxes, Education, Economic Development: Current Alton Ward 4 Alderwoman Rosetta Brown is running as a Democrat for State Representative in the 111th District, challenging incumbent Republican Amy Elik. […] “A lot of the money is not coming downstate to help District 111 … I will fight to make that happen,” Brown said. “I believe in myself that I can feed into the children, feed into the seniors, feed into making life more affordable for you all.” Elik said she has been helping solve the problems of 111th District residents since first taking office in 2021. Her office has helped constituents find community resources, get professional licenses, apply for benefits and navigate Illinois state agencies.

* Rockford News First | Former Illinois State Rep. Richard ‘Dick’ Mulcahey dies at 91: Mulcahey was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in 1974. He served as a Democratic member of the legislature from 1975-1993, representing the northwest region of the state including Jo Daviess, Stephenson and parts of Winnebago counties. During his time in office, he chaired the House Education Committee.

* Center Square | Stratton talks Trump, filibuster, the far-left as early voting begins: As for the filibuster, a procedure that is often used in the Senate to block or delay votes on major legislation by allowing unlimited debate that requires a supermajority vote to conclude, Stratton said she wants to see Democrats eliminate it if they take power in the coming election. “I think about all of the progress that has been stalled and halted because of the filibuster,” Stratton said. “What about reproductive freedom? And gun violence, you know, like really pushing for a federal assault weapons ban. There’s so many issues that we’ve been able to tackle here in Illinois and get done that has been held up.”

*** Chicago ***

* Tribune | City Council punts decision on $2.53 billion Chicago parking meter sale to Stonepeak: Aldermen delayed a vote on the sale of Chicago’s parking meters Friday, punting a fateful decision on whether to turn the page on a decades-long saga widely considered one of the worst deals in city history. They are set to reconvene next week for a floor vote on an agreement to transfer ownership of Chicago’s infamously privatized parking meter system from one owner to another — not buy it back. During the special meeting, lead negotiators Aldermen Pat Dowell, 3rd, and Scott Waguespack, 32nd, moved to defer the item that would authorize the $2.53 billion sale.

* Tribune | Chicago City Council approves campaign ethics tweaks as election season heats up: Candidates for city office will have to stand by their campaign ads — in writing or aloud in commercials — by saying “I approve this message” as part of a set of pared-down ethics changes approved by the Chicago City Council. But while other tweaks around “coercive” emails and use of city seals and logos also passed, a crackdown on business executive contributions was left out amid pushback from elected officials.

* Fox Chicago | 70-year-old Chicago woman still waiting for safe home despite city promises: Thomas’ story previously brought Mayor Brandon Johnson and multiple city departments to the property. At the time, the mayor promised the city would take action. “We are prepared to release the full force of government and hold the landlord accountable and that we provide safe and affordable spaces for Ms. Thomas and other families.” But Thomas says she is still waiting to see meaningful changes and questions what happened to those promises.

* ABC Chicago | Community rallies to support family of fallen Chicago police officer after hospital shooting: The Hellenic American Police Association brought together police officers, community members and faith leaders to honor fallen Chicago Police Officer John Bartholomew and raise funds for his family, five months after he was killed in the line of duty. The event commemorated Bartholomew’s life and service while offering support to his wife and three children.

* Sun-Times | Lincoln Park residents plan rally after ComEd rejects alternate substation sites:
ComEd in an August letter doubled down on the Diversey project, saying none of the 14 parcels were viable, citing various reasons from lots being too small, not for sale or not cost effective. But one of the alternative sites was a 1.2-acre parcel — the 1111 W. Diversey site is 1.08 acres. “ComEd is not being earnest with us,” Poppy said. “If you were at any of the other meetings, they said they want transparency. They want to work with the community. Well, we’re not seeing it. We’re just not seeing it.”

* Tribune | Chicago White Sox in the playoffs: Schedule set for AL wild-card round vs. Houston Astros: The Sox’s pursuit of the AL Central title — and a first-round bye — ended Saturday, as the Cleveland Guardians won their third straight division crown and seventh in 11 years. The Guardians will be the No. 2 seed and have a first-round bye. “Obviously don’t get the division, which is disappointing,” manager Will Venable said. “But at the same time it doesn’t take away from the fact that we’re just so proud of the group and we’re in a great spot.”

*** Cook County and Suburbs ***

* Daily Southtown | Ford Heights officials charged with 79 felonies alleging theft and misconduct: Eleven current and former Ford Heights officials are facing 79 felony charges after investigators raided the Village Hall on Thursday to execute a search warrant. The Illinois Attorney General’s Office alleged in the charges that the officials illegally used village funds to pay for flights, hotel stays and “exorbitant spending excursions.” […] In the 1980s, a study deemed Ford Heights “America’s poorest suburb” for its financial crises, a trend that has continued in years since, including one in 2018. The village remains without its own police department or library.

* Daily Herald | With massive board exodus, new leaders step up at Pace: Stay tuned, as Pace prepares to reveal a draft of its ReVision plan to “reimagine bus service” in October. ReVision debuted in 2024 during a transit funding crisis. Pace surveyed riders on options such as running buses every 15 to 30 minutes seven days a week, and expanding routes across the suburbs, which were contingent on additional revenues.

* Daily Herald | Aurora police officers cleared in fatal shooting: Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie Mosser ruled Friday that the police officers were justified, acting in self-defense and defense of other people. According to a news release from Mosser, 27-year-old Temesgen Welendreyas, of Aurora, had beaten and threatened his housemate with a knife on Jan. 21. The housemate called police.

* WGN | Dolton police officer placed on leave following ‘incident circulated on social media,’ city officials say: In a statement on the Village of Dolton’s website, city officials say they’re “aware of a video circulating on social media involving a member of the Dolton Police Department and an incident that occurred (Saturday).” “The officer involved has been placed on administrative leave pending a full and thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding this incident,” the statement continued.

* Aurora Beacon-News | Aurora expands program offering financial assistance to homebuyers: The approved funding increase, totaling $370,000, aims to expand access to the program by 15 to 20 households, city officials said. The city has received 34 applications for the program and approved 15 applicants this year, according to the resolution approved by the City Council on Sept. 22.

* Crain’s | Mesirow buys Amgen’s Deerfield campus in $151 million sale-leaseback: Amgen has sold its Deerfield office complex for $151 million and inked a long-term lease to stay at the property, cashing out after landing a big tenant to fill out the campus. A venture of Chicago financial services firm Mesirow last week bought the three-building office property at 1 Horizon Way along Interstate 294 in the northern suburb, according to Illinois property records. Amgen confirmed it will continue to occupy one of the buildings on the roughly 70-acre campus. Home and security company Fortune Brands Innovations leases the other two as part of a deal struck last year.

* Tribune | After closing of Hawthorne, programs like Galloping Out ride to the rescue of retired racehorses: In the past, many would be killed. In 2005, Kentucky Derby winner Ferdinand was among those sent to a slaughterhouse. In response to public outrage, Illinois banned the slaughter of horses in 2007, and the federal government no longer authorizes inspections for horse meat. But horses still are shipped to Mexico or Canada for slaughter, so horse rescue operations see their job as a moral crusade.

*** Downstate ***

* WGLT | McLean County assistant public defender’s law license suspended, charged with making racist threats online: A former attorney in the McLean County Public Defender’s office is officially off the job, at least temporarily. The Illinois Supreme Court announced on Friday that it has suspended Sean Lenckus’ law license pending the results of criminal proceedings related to an allegation he made threats to harm another person. Lenckus, 35, of Bloomington, is charged in federal court with five counts of interstate threats to injure. According to the state supreme court, Lenckus is accused of posting threats to kill African Americans in the comments section of various YouTube videos over the course of three years.

* WCBU | Peoria Heights breaks ground on $8M water filtration plant mayor calls a ‘game changer’: “We are modernizing our water system from literally the ground up, and to be able to have filtered water for the first time in a 128-year history of the Heights — this is a very big deal.” The new 3,000-square-foot filtration plant initially will be able to remove manganese and iron from the village’s water system, with capacity for future expansion to limit the presence of PFAS [per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances], commonly known as “forever chemicals.”

*** National ***

* Indiana Capital Chronicle | Indiana nabs $175M from feds to fix regional electricity ‘choke point’ near Chicago’s grid: The “seam” is where the Midcontinent Independent System Operator’s service territory meets that of the PJM Interconnection. The border between the two regional transmission organizations runs through Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Kentucky. Brightbill said the project will unlock 2,000 to 4,000 megawatts of transfer capacity for an interconnection in the Hoosier state that Gov. Mike Braun dubbed a “pinch point” and a “choke point” in comments to reporters. The work is expected to save ratepayers in and outside of Indiana between $50 million and $150 million annually by relieving congestion at that interconnection point.

* CNN | The US deported LGBTQ migrants to countries where homosexuality makes them a target: For years, the US offered protection to people who convinced immigration judges that returning home could mean persecution, torture, or death. Now, some of those same people are finding themselves stranded in countries they have never visited, under a rapidly expanding American policy that legal experts say uses a loophole to deport migrants not to their countries of origin, but to third countries willing to receive them. The Trump administration has signed at least 35 agreements with countries across Africa, Latin America and elsewhere, according to the nonprofit initiative Third Country Deportation Watch. Among those caught up in the policy are LGBTQ asylum seekers, like Aylin, who had already won legal protections in US immigration courts.

* AP | Trump administration uses rare authority to claw back nearly $1B in spending approved by Congress: President Donald Trump is canceling nearly $1 billion in spending approved by Congress, the White House announced on Friday, using a rare and contested power to axe funding for immigrant services and diversity-focused initiatives. Trump’s Office of Management and Budget described the funding cut as focused on “the most harmful government spending.” Most of the cuts are focused on Health and Human Services programs that serve refugees and unaccompanied minors accused of being in the country illegally. The administration says the funds are no longer necessary because illegal border crossings have diminished considerably.

* ProPublica | I Deliberately Bet Like a Problem Gambler. I Deliberately Bet Like a Problem Gambler.
DraftKings Made Me a VIP: There, Matthew Gaskell, a British psychologist and expert on gambling addiction, said that the bettors that companies are most interested in are, well, losers like me. Indeed, a modest set of very active losers account for a substantial amount of sportsbooks’ revenue, he said. (A 2024 study out of Connecticut found that 1.8% of problem gamblers in the state accounted for 51% of sports betting revenue.) And the companies have created sophisticated technology products designed to squeeze maximum engagement out of them, just as social media companies like Meta did years earlier with users of Facebook and Instagram, added Darragh McGee, a researcher at the University of Bath.