* ICYMI: Illinois lawmakers pass landmark AI accountability bill. Capitol News Illinois…

- Illinois state lawmakers passed a bill Wednesday that seeks to increase transparency and accountability among the largest and most capable artificial intelligence models.
- SB315 is targeted towards the most capable models developed by the largest companies through its thresholds — $500 million in revenue and a massive computing measurement. OpenAI and Anthropic both supported the bill throughout its process and it passed the House 110-0.
- The bill would require developers to create and publish a transparency framework explaining how the company applies industry standards, measures model capabilities and chance of catastrophic risk, and identifies and responds to safety incidents.

* Related stories…

• WIRED: Illinois Lawmakers Just Passed America’s Strongest AI Safety Bill
• NBC: Illinois Legislature passes historic AI bill that would require third-party safety audits

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* At 1 pm, Gov. JB Pritzker will deliver remarks at the 2026 Illinois Law Enforcement Medal of Honor Ceremony. Click here to watch.

* BlueRoomStream.com’s coverage of today’s press conferences and committee hearings can be found here.

*** Isabel’s Top Picks ***

* Tribune | Illinois makes case to lead off Democrats’ 2028 presidential primary, citing diversity and Trump resistance: The Illinois delegation argued that the state reflected the country as a whole, including sizable Black and Hispanic populations, a strong labor movement, and a mix of urban, suburban and rural communities. “While Illinois is not considered a traditional battleground state, it mirrors the nation across race, income, education, geography and industry,” said Democratic Party of Illinois Chair Lisa Hernández, a state representative. “Illinois is where President (Barack) Obama built a movement that reached across communities, expanded the electorate, and gave millions of people hope in the future of this country.”

* Capitol News Illinois | Reducing gas tax, prepping for future shortfalls among late budget sticking points: “When we look at Springfield, a week can be a month and a day can be a week,” Sen. Robert Peters, D-Chicago, said at a news conference on Wednesday. “And so a lot can happen and a lot of conversations can happen, but I can say, you know, my guess is this is going to be a tight vote and a tight conversation.”

* Crain’s | To save Bears deal, Springfield may shrink it: Legislators are now discussing options that would limit the use of the PILOT payment program for the Bears in Arlington Heights, or all of Cook County, while punting negotiations on a statewide program until later, according to people familiar with the negotiations. […] “No decisions have been made regarding modifications to the bill,” Cunningham said.

*** Statehouse News ***

* Tribune | Fundraiser for Illinois GOP governor candidate Darren Bailey delayed after Tribune raised ethics law questions: Bailey campaign spokesman Jose Durbin said in a text message Wednesday that the event would be rescheduled “for a later date.” As a state senator in 2021, Bailey voted in favor of the law. The Illinois General Assembly is scheduled to be in session through at least Sunday. The Barrington Township Republican Organization had invited supporters in an online advertisement to “a very private dinner” Thursday at a South Barrington restaurant with Bailey and running mate Aaron Del Mar. The $500-per-plate dinner, limited to 25 seats, would be “paid for by the BTRO with all NET proceeds from dinner benefiting Bailey for Illinois,” according to a digital flyer featuring pictures of the candidates and their campaign logo.

* Tribune | Illinois HIV advocates seek $6.5M funding boost as Trump cuts threaten medication access for thousands: “If you are a person living with HIV and you cannot secure your medications, it is going to progress to an AIDS diagnosis,” said Jackson, who was diagnosed with HIV 17 years ago. “And people are going to die.” But with a tight state budget and many lawmakers reluctant to commit to new spending, advocates like Jackson realize it’s an uphill battle. Still, groups like AIDS Foundation Chicago are calling for a $6.5 million increase in the state’s HIV “lump sum” — a collection of grants and programs dedicated to HIV and AIDS testing, treatment, education and more — to minimize damage from federal funding cuts. The HIV lump sum of $25.56 million has not been increased since the 2021 budget.

* Daily Herald | ‘Our suburbs have been ignored for too long’: Palatine native saddles up for independent gubernatorial run: His agenda includes lowering property taxes, holding state spending in check, bringing down energy prices, reducing health care costs and building new affordable, quality housing. He also cited reforming the Department of Children and Family Services and speeding up improvements to roads and bridges.

* Capitol News Illinois | Durbin warns of deep divisions in farewell address to Illinois lawmakers: “The challenge we face in the days ahead could be just as serious,” Durbin said, referring to efforts to undermine democratic norms like accepting the outcomes of elections. “I hope that those of us blessed to live in this Land of Lincoln will remember his warnings in 1858 and his counsel to those who lead this nation in our time.” Durbin delivered what was billed as a farewell address, reflecting on his record in office while urging state lawmakers gathered to pick up the torch for the causes he championed.

*** Chicago ***

* WGN | Victor Henderson enters race for Chicago school board president: Attorney Victor Henderson has joined the five-person race for Chicago’s first elected school board president. During an interview on The Point with WGN-TV Political Editor Tahman Bradley, Henderson said he’s leaning on his faith and a focus on students as the campaign gets underway. “For me, this is about doing God’s work. The politics, leave those to other people,” he said.

* A City That Works | Chicago’s 2025 scoreboard shows gains and warning signs: Unfortunately, most of the municipal-level economic data only runs back to 2024 and covers the region as opposed to the city proper. It’s also unfortunate that the picture is rather mediocre. Chicago remains a large, diversified economy, but in 2024, our GDP grew at a rather weak 1.43%, far slower than our peer city average. On a per-capita basis things look a little better: Chicago’s 3.85% growth was only slightly behind the 4.6% average of other cities. There are some nice bits of good news when looking at more vulnerable residents. Chicago’s unemployment and poverty rates are both a bit lower than the average for our peers. It’s particularly encouraging to see the share of residents living below the federal poverty line fall two-tenths of a percentage point.

* CBS Chicago | Mayor Johnson and Chicago delegation arrive to meet with pope in Rome: Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson arrived in Italy Thursday morning, preparing to meet with Pope Leo XIV. Vince Gerasole reports from the Vatican.

* Block Club | Edgewater Street Named For LGBTQ+ Activist Lori Cannon, A ‘Firecracker’ With A ‘Heart Of Gold’: Munroe said that her mother would’ve said, “What a fuss!” — but secretly would have loved it. Cannon had a “heart of gold,” but she was an also a firecracker, exemplified in her signature bright red hair, Munro said. “When she loved you and cared about you, you felt it,” she said. Several people called Cannon an “AIDS angel,” someone who stepped up at a time when the government was turning its back on people affected by HIV and AIDS, attendees said at the sign unveiling.

*** Cook County and Suburbs ***

* Daily Southtown | Calumet City aldermen attorneys seek dismissal of lawsuit from Mayor Thaddeus Jones: Attorneys representing Calumet City aldermen are asking a Cook County judge to dismiss a lawsuit brought by Mayor Thaddeus Jones that seeks to prevent them from representing the city in ongoing proceedings. The City Council appointed Odelson, Murphey, Frazier and McGrath, a firm based in Evergreen Park, to represent them in December, after repeatedly asking for legal support from hired attorneys Ancel Glink, a Chicago firm, to no avail, 2nd Ward Ald. Monet Wilson said. “We could email Ancel Glink, call, and not receive responses,” Wilson said. “And then they were heavily supportive or responsive to the mayor.”

* Tribune | Judge gives Hawthorne Race Course go-ahead to investigate its allegations that the state is improperly cutting its funds:
U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Timothy Barnes ruled Wednesday that Hawthorne may issue subpoenas for documents and seek depositions from the agency and Director Jerry Costello II; his brother, lobbyist John Costello; and Fairmount Park Casino & Racing. In a court filing last week, Hawthorne alleged that Costello and the department had cut its funding by about $317,000 while increasing funding to its rival, Fairmount. Jerry Costello, who was appointed by Gov. JB Pritzker, and the Department of Agriculture, declined to comment.

* Evanston Now | State parking law to impact ‘majority of the city’: With just days to go before the state’s new People Over Parking Act goes into effect, city attorneys briefed the City Council Tuesday night about the impacts of the law, which will essentially prevent the city from requiring parking minimums for nearly all new housing developments. The law, passed by the General Assembly in late October and signed by Gov. JB Pritzker in early December, is part of a larger transit overhaul bill, but includes a section wiping away all parking minimum requirements for developers within walking distance to transit hubs.

* Daily Herald | Rolling Meadows mayor hopes to ‘keep both the Bears and Springfield accountable’ on infrastructure: During her annual state of the city address Wednesday, Sanoica doubled down on recent asks for a say about the type of infrastructure upgrades that would be needed around a Bears stadium at the team’s 326-acre property in Arlington Heights. And like her counterparts in Palatine and Schaumburg — Jim Schwantz and Tom Dailly, respectively — Sanoica reiterated her frustration that the NFL club’s consultants haven’t yet completed a transportation/traffic study more than three years after the team acquired the former Arlington Park site.

* Shaw Local | Home rule for McHenry County? Voter request floated amid money pressure, loss of local control: Officials are considering going to voters with a home-rule request during the November election. When asked about the timing during a discussion at county law and government committee meeting, Republican County board member Joe Gottemoller said, “Springfield’s in the middle of taking away our rights.” Board member Matt Kunkle, also a Republican, said the level of taxation in Illinois is “egregious.” And if there is one county that can get home rule, it might be McHenry, he said, adding he thinks the board would continue to look for ways to reduce spending and taxes even if home rule is adopted.

* Fox Chicago | Oak Park leaders demand answers after West Suburban Medical Center closure: On Tuesday, local pastors and medical staff gathered outside the largely shuttered facility — demanding answers and a clear path forward. They say West Suburban Medical Center has long served as a vital resource for many area families and losing it could be detrimental to their well-being. “This issue can no longer be ignored. For many in our community, this hospital was more than a medical facility — it was a lifeline,” said Pastor Lajuan Whitfield with New Life Holiness Church.

* Aurora Beacon-News | Kane County’s 2027 budget process is underway, with plans to present a draft budget as early as July: Central to its plans thus far are planned 5% cuts in expenses from the previous year, with the goal of using little to none of the county’s cash reserves to balance the coming year’s budget — a priority that has been years in the making. Kane County has been facing a looming budget shortfall in its general fund in recent years, which its board has been solving since 2023 by dipping into the county’s cash reserves.

*** Downstate ***

* WGLT | State Farm reduces base compensation for 19,000 agents: State Farm has told its 19,000 agents it is making significant changes to the compensation and benefits package for agents. Several agents have said this will substantially reduce their earnings. The Bloomington-based company is also cutting benefits for retired insurance agents. State Farm briefly mentioned the changes last month at the agency convention and sent a pre-recorded video and follow-up email Monday.

* WCIA | Police Chief says new cameras at Danville parks will add ‘extra layer’ of protection: The cameras utilize a different infrastructure than the city’s license plate reading flock cameras, according to Yates. The chief also said there will be more scheduled patrols this summer to keep parks and other areas safe.

* WCIA | iHotel investigated by Illinois Department of Labor for violations of paid leave law: In the iHotel’s case, IDOL officials said allegations were made that employees were not receiving proper paid leave accruals and that part-time employees were unable to use accrued leave. After reviewing the iHotel’s paid leave records, the IDOL found that employees were not accruing paid leave at the rate required by law, that employees could not use leave after 90 days of employment, and that the iHotel maintained a blanket seven-day advance notice requirement, including for unforeseeable leave requests.

* Illinois Times | Springfield group takes part in national training to help build a poor people’s movement: The focus of the family-friendly Survival Revival will be on housing insecurity, reforming qualified immunity – which shields law enforcement officers from individual civil liability in lawsuits –and working to preserve democracy through voter education, registration and mobilization. Survival Revival will have free food, speakers, information booths, live music, performances and activities for children.

* WAND | Submerged Route 66 experience offers unique look at hidden history: Just off the dock at Lake Springfield, past the lighthouse and beneath several bridges, sits a hidden piece of Route 66 history — underwater. “In 1935, this area was flooded, and we got Lake Springfield now, which is almost 4,000 acres,” said Penny Black, a tour guide with the Route 66 Submerged Experience. “The road ends at Cotton Hill, and it was dynamited at the end to fill in the lake.”

*** National ***

* Sun-Times | DOJ investigation referred E. Jean Carroll for prosecution in Chicago: Prosecutors are focused on a 2022 deposition by Carroll in which she said she received no outside funding for her legal action against Trump, though it was later revealed that billionaire LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman had chipped in for some legal fees and expenses, CNN reported. Hoffman has a nonprofit based in Chicago. In January 2024, as Trump closed in on the Republican presidential nomination, a jury awarded $83.3 million to Carroll in that same suit for Trump’s continued social media attacks against her over her claims that he sexually assaulted her in a Manhattan department store. That total includes a $5 million sexual abuse and defamation verdict in May 2023 she was awarded by another jury.

* LA Times | ‘Facing an existential threat’: How Uber is navigating clashes with trial attorneys, assault lawsuits and competition: Uber is locked in a bitter California ballot-box showdown with trial lawyers over contingency-fee limits and “common carrier” status, a fight that could reshape its liability and rider protections. […] Uber is facing more than 3,100 sexual assault cases that have been consolidated in federal court in San Francisco and more than 500 state cases also combined under a Superior Court judge in the city. Uber won the first “bellwether” case — intended to assist in determining a possible settlement of the lawsuits — last year in San Francisco. A jury determined the company was not liable in a state case involving a UC Santa Cruz student who said she fought off an assault by a driver in 2016.