Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

Friday, Feb 20, 2026 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Rev. Jesse Jackson introduces Isaac Hayes at the 1972 Wattstax festival…

“I’m a preacher, I can’t say it”

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Official Arlington Heights statement says Bears ‘have repeatedly assured the Village that the news regarding Indiana does not mean that they have made any decisions on a final site location’

Friday, Feb 20, 2026 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Village of Arlington Heights…

On Wednesday afternoon, Village Manager Randy Recklaus participated in a 3-hour meeting in Springfield with representatives of the Illinois Governor’s office, Illinois House and Senate Leadership, and the Chicago Bears. This meeting was highly productive and forward moving, as various aspects of the Mega Project Bill were discussed. The cancellation of Thursday’s House Revenue and Finance Committee meeting was not due to lack of progress rather, discussions continued throughout Thursday and were highly effective.

The Village continues to work closely with Illinois Leaders and the Chicago Bears with hopes of seeing an agreed upon version of the Mega Projects Bill available for formal consideration in Springfield soon.

Bears representatives have repeatedly assured the Village that the news regarding Indiana does not mean that they have made any decisions on a final site location, and that they will continue the frequent and productive discussions that have been underway in Illinois. The news from Indiana underscores the need for urgency on this matter for Illinois leadership to work towards passing the Mega Projects Bill.

Emphasis added.

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Isabel’s afternoon roundup

Friday, Feb 20, 2026 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* Crain’s…

A day after the Chicago Bears said Indiana lawmakers took “the most meaningful step” in their pursuit for a new stadium, Gov. JB Pritzker said the team needs to make abundantly clear if they are still interested in negotiating a deal to move to Arlington Heights.

The Indiana House Ways and Means Committee unanimously approved a bill that establishes an authority that would issue bonds to build a new domed stadium in Hammond, just across the state border.

The Bears praised the approval without mentioning the team was still in talks with state lawmakers, to Pritzker’s “dismay.” […]

“The Bears really do need to step up and be public about what it is that they really want,” Pritzker told reporters today at an unrelated press conference. “The Bears need to make their intentions known. Those intentions could be that they want to continue to talk to both states, but I think they need to clarify that.”

*** Statehouse News ***

* Capitol News Illinois | Battle over data centers in Illinois pits consumer costs vs. state competitiveness: “We don’t want them to overwhelm our electrical capabilities and our water resources,” Sen. Steve Stadelman, D-Caledonia, said. “If we’re going to allow them and track them, how can we make sure it benefits Illinois residents and rate payers in the state?” These are the same issues and tensions legislators hoped to address in their fall veto session. But no broad consensus was reached, and instead, Gov. JB Pritzker signed the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act, adding new air regulations for backup generators used by data centers. Lawmakers in Springfield have already begun negotiating a new round of data center regulations.

* Chicago Reader | Illinois officials decry proposed cuts to HIV care: Channyn Lynne Parker, the first Black transgender woman to lead Equality Illinois—the state’s oldest and largest LGBTQ+ civil rights organization—tells the Reader that the cuts are obvious political retaliation. “This government has been very transparent about their hostility towards the LGBTQ community, so I see this as the fulfillment of a promise that they made,” Parker says. “This was a clear priority of Project 2025, so there’s no surprise here. This is exactly what they said they were going to do.

* Rep. Lisa Davis | Marked decline in homicides, robberies proves critics wrong about Pretrial Fairness Act: Judges are now receiving more information and spending more time on decisions regarding pretrial release and detention. And most importantly, the law is working. In Cook County, the vast majority of people on pretrial release are succeeding. In the two years since the Pretrial Fairness Act took effect, 94% of the more than 130,000 people released pretrial have not been charged with new offenses against a person, according to summary data compiled by staff at the Cook County chief judge’s office.

* Daily Herald | Woman’s hospitalization following Bailey campaign launch stirs questions within GOP: The woman informed police she believed she had been drugged, and told the Daily Herald she suspects something was put in her drink. Oak Brook police filed the report as informational and did not investigate the allegations. They advised the woman to contact the Chicago Police Department if she wanted to pursue anything further, a spokesperson said. The Bailey campaign on Wednesday called the accusations “false, baseless, and reckless.”

*** Chicago ***

* Crain’s | Johnson’s press secretary leaving to join NYC’s Zohran Mamdani: Cassio Mendoza, the press secretary for Mayor Brandon Johnson, is leaving Chicago to join New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s communications team. Part of what makes Mendoza’s move to New York interesting is he will report to Joe Calvello, another former communications aide to Johnson, who is now Mamdani’s lead press secretary.

* Tribune | Federal jury finds ex-CPD detective Guevara coerced confession in 1988 murder case, awards $750,000: The jury rejected, however, the request from plaintiffs’ attorneys for a whopping $40 million in damages, awarding only $750,000 in compensatory damages, which the city must pay, and no money in punitive damages against Guevara himself. The same panel ruled in favor of Guevara’s former colleague, retired Chicago police detective Michael Mason, on all counts against him.

* Crain’s | Pickleball company buys West Loop ice rink near United Center: The facility, which hosts adult and youth hockey programs, is 30 years old, and continuing to operate it as an ice rink would require capital investment that doesn’t meet the operators’ long-term business goals, the email said, though they’re leasing back the facility from the buyer until June 15 and will continue to operate it until then.

* Crain’s | Nearly 300 apartments planned for former Lakeview senior housing building: “It’s not often that a building of this scale comes available in Lakeview,” Annenberg said. “It’s exciting to bring [almost] 300 new units to a neighborhood that is lacking in supply and one of the highest rent growth neighborhoods in the city.” The firm paid about $30 million for the building, according to sources familiar with the deal. Annenberg declined to confirm the sale price or name the firm’s partner in the deal, a local investment group. But he said they bought the building at a basis that allows them to put in top-of-the-line amenities, including a large fitness center, coworking space and a podcasting studio. Still, the rents will be significantly below new construction properties due to the building’s age, he said.

*** Cook County and Suburbs ***

* The Athletic | Are the Bears really Indiana-bound or will they follow the money to Arlington Heights?: In theory, the Bears moving into a stadium across state lines isn’t really that big of a deal. It happens in the NFL, and Hammond, Ind., where the project would be located, is around 20 miles south of Soldier Field. The Arlington Park site that the Bears bought three years ago is further away and is a significantly traffic-congested ride from the heart of the city. Neither site has the view or the built-in energy of playing on the lakefront of Chicago. Both would be a downgrade in terms of vibes. Lake Michigan is a bit more scenic than Wolf Lake. But the Bears will gladly sacrifice outside aesthetics for a state-of-the-art stadium surrounded by a “mixed-use development” that will line their collective pockets.

* Daily Southtown | District 218 still $7 million behind with Cook County property tax delays: District 218 includes Eisenhower High School in Blue Island, Richards High School in Oak Lawn and Shepard High School in Palos Heights. Following the months-long delay of last year’s fall property tax bills, Cook County leaders announced this week that spring property tax bills would go out when they are supposed to, and that local government bodies would receive their revenue on time. County leaders said first installment bills will be mailed out this year on March 2, and be due April 1, a month later than usual, to give taxpayers “breathing room.”

* Daily Southtown | Cook County judge orders Dolton to create plan for paying $33.5 million judgment: Village officials presented concerns Tuesday that Judge William Sullivan would force the Dolton board to pass a bond that would drastically raise property taxes, as requested by attorneys for the plaintiffs in the police chase lawsuit. Sullivan said the village has three options to pay off the debt, which has accrued 6% per year through interest, or about $2 million per year per the lawsuit petition: issue a bond, issue a tax levy increase or increases costs of services. As of Friday, the village owes $40.6 million to the families of John Kyles, who died following the 2016 police chase, and Duane Dunlap, who was left severely injured.

* Tribune | With Lincolnwood Town Center sold, village leaders hopeful about moving soon on redeveloping the languishing mall: “The village is very excited to see an entity that is investing in the mall,” said Lincolnwood Village Manager Anne Marie Gaura. “There’s been a severe decline in the number of businesses operating in the mall, so to have an established developer that is investing in the mall is great for the community.” Last year, the reported vacancy within the mall was 54%. But when Gaura walked the mall last month, she said vacancy has seen another decrease – with retailer Kohl’s the only remaining anchor tenant.

* Aurora Beacon-News | Waubonsee Community College to increase tuition slightly starting in the fall: Starting with the fall 2026 semester, the college’s in-district and online tuition rate will be increasing from $141 to $146 per credit hour, the news release from Waubonsee said, following approval from the college’s Board of Trustees. The student fee will remain the same at $8 per credit hour.

*** Downstate ***

* WGLT | McLean County begins search for new director of Behavioral Health Coordination: Marita Landreth provided the county notice of her resignation from the director position of Behavioral Health Coordination after over two years at the helm. Previously she was a behavioral health nurse in the FUSE, or frequent user system engagement, program in the department. “I had accepted the director position with specific professional goals in mind and have been able to achieve those goals, so I am moving forward to pursue a different avenue of professional development,” Landreth said in an email to WGLT.

* NPR Illinois | Former Trump campaign advisor publishes film criticizing University of Illinois’ Chinese international students: Sharon Nguyen is a sophomore at U of I and is Vietnamese American. She thinks it is sad to hear people say immigrants are “taking” opportunities away when they enrich their communities. In Nguyen’s case, U of I’s global population is giving her the chance to research differences between international speakers of Vietnamese and those born in the United States. “I actually had a friend that came from Vietnam down here. Those types of research will be eliminated or endangered if there’s not a lot of international students,” Nguyen said.

* Capitol City Now | Jacksonville Center for the Arts decides not to purchase Illinois Theatre: The Jacksonville Center for the Arts (JCA) says in a news release it is suspending its fundraising campaign, and will not exercise an option to purchase the Illinois Theatre. “Although this decision is disappointing, it reflects our commitment to fiscal responsibility and stewardship,” said Larry Kuster, JCA board president, in a news release. “We are deeply grateful to the donors, partners, and organizations who supported this effort and believed in the vision for the Illinois Theater. The center had hoped to raise nearly $9 million to rehab the theatre. But, despite a $1 million donation pledge from a philanthropist, the fundraising has so far come up short, despite what was said to be an initial groundswell of support.

*** National ***

* Bloomberg | FAA resources ‘insufficient’ to oversee safety risks at United: The agency’s travel budget, inspector staffing levels and workforce planning “are insufficient to oversee safety risks,” the Transportation Department’s Office of Inspector General concluded in a report dated Feb. 18. In addition, the FAA still hasn’t implemented all the recommendations made since 2019 to improve its reviews of airlines’ safety management systems and data. The watchdog opened an audit into the FAA’s oversight of United’s maintenance practices in 2024 after a series of mishaps that included lost wheels, engine failures and emergency landings.

* WIRED | DHS Wants a Single Search Engine to Flag Faces and Fingerprints Across Agencies: The agency is asking private biometric contractors how to build a unified platform that would let employees search faces and fingerprints across large government databases already filled with biometrics gathered in different contexts. The goal is to connect components including Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Transportation Security Administration, US Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Secret Service, and DHS headquarters, replacing a patchwork of tools that do not share data easily.

* CNBC | Fourth-quarter U.S. GDP up just 1.4%, badly missing estimate; inflation firms at 3%: For the full year in 2025, the U.S. economy grew at a 2.2% pace, down from the 2.8% increase in 2024. “The Federal government shutdown clearly sent the economy careening off its strong growth path in the fourth quarter which is a one-off that won’t be repeated in early 2026,” said Chris Rupkey, chief economist at Fwdbonds. Just before the data release, President Donald Trump warned that the GDP number would be soft, blaming it on the government shutdown that ended in November.

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Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Campaign stuff

Friday, Feb 20, 2026 - Posted by Isabel Miller

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Catching up with the congressionals

Friday, Feb 20, 2026 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* Even more super PAC money is heading to the 9th and 8th congressional districts. NBC…

A new progressive group is promising to spend at least $10 million to boost preferred Democratic candidates and counter pro-Israel groups that have spent tens of millions of dollars to shape party primaries in recent years.

The group, called American Priorities, has already reported spending more than $500,000 to boost North Carolina Democrat Nida Allam in her primary challenge against Rep. Valerie Foushee. It also spent $72,000 to support the Rev. Frederick Haynes III in his bid for a Dallas-area congressional district. […]

American Priorities plans to target at least 10 more races with a commitment to spend “eight figures,” according to a news release announcing the group’s creation. It says it’s “focusing on competitive primaries where independent expenditures can move outcomes.” […]

A source familiar with the group’s planning told NBC News it’s considering getting involved in other brewing contests, including: […] Open Democratic primaries in Illinois’ 8th and 9th districts in the Chicago area.

* National Politico…

A crypto-funded super PAC is poised to shake up two Illinois Democratic House primaries with seven-figure ad buys targeting state lawmakers running for Congress who backed legislation that the industry opposes.

The super PAC, Fairshake, will spend at least $1 million each against Illinois state Rep. La Shawn Ford, who is running to replace retiring Democratic Rep. Danny Davis, and state Sen. Robert Peters, who is vying to succeed Democratic Rep. Robin Kelly as she runs for U.S. Senate. […]

Both Ford and Peters voted for state-level crypto legislation imposing new rules on digital asset firms that became law last August. Peters — who is backed by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), a leading crypto critic — was a co-sponsor of the measure, which forces crypto companies to comply with a range of new consumer protection standards.

The super PAC said in a statement that the “legislators voted for and pushed draconian rules that would have led to a patchwork of state-by-state rules that kills American competitiveness and job creation and undermines consumer protections.”

Some of that crypto-backed TV has begun. Here’s an attack on Rep. Ford kindly recorded by a subscriber…

Mail…

* American Prospect…

In Chicagoland, the industry found those sympathetic candidates in Jesse Jackson Jr., son of the recently deceased former progressive presidential candidate, who is hoping to regain his old seat in the Second Congressional District, and Melissa Bean, running for her old seat in the Eighth District. Jackson is hoping to make a comeback after he was investigated for misuse of campaign funds in 2012, resigned from the seat, pled guilty, and was sentenced to 30 months in prison. After leaving her seat, Bean spent over a decade in the banking world and is no stranger to the role of big money in politics.

In Jackson’s case, the AI PAC money is going up directly against AIPAC, which has driven donors to Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller, while also spending big money through Affordable Chicago Now on pro-Miller ads.

As of February 19, a PAC called Think Big has spent over $1 million on both Jackson and Bean. Think Big is the Democratic affiliate of the super PAC Leading the Future, which says it and its associates have raised $125 million in commitments and have $70 million in cash on hand. Leading the Future is funded by major tech donors, including Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz (of the venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz) and Greg and Anna Brockman. Greg Brockman is the co-founder and president of OpenAI; in 2024, alongside his wife Anna, he gave $25 million to pro-Trump super PAC MAGA Inc. […]

Jackson spokesperson John Digles tried to justify the Leading the Future support as part of the candidate’s future agenda in Congress. “The AI economy is here. Jesse Jackson Jr. believes that underserved communities must not miss another economic shift. He knows many have been left behind too many times. In this campaign, there are voices who claim to be progressive, yet promote regressive fear that will further marginalize those in the Second Congressional District. AI technologies must be developed and regulated to meet ALL of their needs,” he said in a statement.

* Evanston Now’s Matthew Eadie…

Fine's campaign is calling out Biss tonight for his answer here, saying he lied about not accepting contributions from Republican donors #IL09 https://t.co/poUu5JAT5J pic.twitter.com/hmgrImmyzp

— Matthew Eadie (@mattheweadie22) February 20, 2026

Q: Do you currently accept campaign contributions from AIPAC or from those that are long time supporters of AIPAC?

Laura Fine: Yes. pic.twitter.com/h4oC1qDvN6

— Daniel Biss (@DanielBiss) February 20, 2026

[From Rich: More interesting to me is that Fine owned up to it.]

* youtube.com/shorts/EwVtRwNwRN8?si=hPRyyJ9JQ530PVdJ”>Watch it here.

* The Daily Northwestern…

Fine was also the sole candidate to respond “YES” to supporting continued arms funding for Israel, after asking for further clarification of the question.

* More from last night’s forum via Evanston Now…

Bushra Amiwala, a Skokie School District 73.5 board member, criticized “three candidates on this stage (Biss, Fine and Abughazaleh) who have red boxes on their websites,” a way to discreetly signal to outside spending groups and super PACs the kinds of ads they want, without directly coordinating with the outside groups, which would violate FEC laws. […]

Simmons, who many in the crowd seemed to buzz about after the forum concluded, took issue Thursday night with Abughazaleh’s recent assertion that only three candidates remain viable one month from election day.

“I think it’s erasure,” Simmons said. “It erases me, I’m a Black LGBTQ state senator who represents nearly a quarter million people who has built an amazing campaign with endorsements from all three counties in the 9th District … I’ve got a scrappy campaign operation with over 100 volunteers, if that’s not a viable campaign then I don’t know what is.”

* Moving on to the 8th CD…

Democratic congressional candidate Dan Tully announced the launch of a new 30-second and 15-second campaign advertisement highlighting his commitment to accountability, economic fairness, and protecting democratic institutions. The ad is supported by a six-figure media buy and will air across digital platforms throughout Illinois’ 8th Congressional District. […]

The six-figure investment signals growing momentum behind the campaign and ensures voters across the district will see the message in the weeks ahead. The ad will run on streaming platforms and targeted digital placements to reach voters where they consume news and information.

The launch comes as the campaign continues to build grassroots support through town halls, community events, and voter outreach efforts across the district.

30 Second Ad Linked HERE

15 Second Ad Linked HERE

Transcript:

Principled.
Experienced.
Unafraid.

Army lawyer Dan Tully resigned from the Trump administration to defend our Constitution against its authoritarian agenda

And now he’s running for Congress to stop it.

Tully’s plan will:
Reclaim the Justice Department
Abolish ICE, prosecute and jail lawbreaking MAGA cronies, end the corruption and billionaire giveaways. And lower our damn costs

* Press release…

Today, Progressive Democrat Patty García announced the endorsement of the Chicago Federation of Labor (CFL). The CFL represents nearly 300 affiliate unions, who in turn represent 500,000 working people across Cook County, including more than 26,000 workers in the Fourth Congressional District.

“Patty has a proven record of delivering for working people,” said Chicago Federation of Labor President Bob Reiter. “An ally to labor both on and off the picket line, she understands how building worker power is key to solving the affordability crisis. The CFL is proud to endorse Patty García in this race.”

Garcia has received support from a broad coalition of labor unions representing over 1.5 million members (see list below), reflecting her long-standing advocacy for protecting workers’ rights, strengthening collective bargaining, and expanding economic opportunity for working Americans.

* More…

Evanston Roundtable | Call-outs over cash take over Pink Poster Club congressional forum:

* Press release | IL-07: Black Interfaith Leaders Across Chicago’s South & West Sides Endorse Anabel Mendoza, Launch “Faith Leaders for Anabel”: In a powerful show of grassroots momentum, more than ten prominent Black interfaith leaders from across Chicago’s South and West Sides will formally endorse IL-07 Congressional candidate Anabel Mendoza during a press conference on Sunday, February 22, at 1:45 pm CST. They will also sign a public Unity & Accountability Pledge and launch “Faith leaders for Anabel,” declaring their support for her to unite and transform Illinois’ 7th Congressional District.

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IFT puts Pritzker on blast over unfunded education mandates, lack of K-12 state funding

Friday, Feb 20, 2026 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Pritzker press release…

Today, Governor JB Pritzker joined students, educators, and state leaders at Oak Park and River Forest High School to advocate for a cell phone ban in Illinois classrooms, a critical measure that would support Illinois teachers and help students across the state reach their full potential. Governor Pritzker championed the initiative during his annual State of the State budget address.

“Strong schools are the foundation to our success as a state. This year, I am proposing legislation that requires school districts to adopt a cell phone policy that keeps students focused on the work in class,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “We owe it to our kids to cultivate the healthiest, most productive learning environment possible — this proposal will help us do just that.”

The proposed legislation would require all school districts and charter schools in Illinois to adopt a policy limiting the use of wireless communication devices on school grounds during the day — from “bell to bell.” As 72% of high school teachers identify cell phone distraction as a “major problem” in their classrooms, Governor Pritzker is taking action to support educators in the digital age.

Research shows that cell phone overuse among teenagers can lead to anxiety, depression, issues with sleep, and other mental health issues stemming from cyberbullying and social media. Studies have also linked more stringent cell phone polices to fewer distractions — allowing students to better learn and socialize. By reducing phone use in the classroom, Illinois would be reducing serious risks and distractions among students at a critical time in their lives.

“Our teachers deserve classrooms where they can focus on teaching and students can focus on learning,” said State Superintendent Dr. Tony Sanders. “A clear, consistent cell phone policy will empower local school districts to create distraction-free environments that support academic growth, strengthen student engagement, and promote student well-being. By setting thoughtful boundaries around cell phone use — while preserving critical exceptions for health, accessibility, and safety — this legislation is designed to help students thrive both in the classroom and beyond.”

* Illinois Federation of Teachers…

IFT: Mandates in Education Matter, the Governor Should Start with Complying with the Evidence-Based Formula and Mandated Support for Special Education, Meals, and Transportation

SPRINGFIELD, IL - In response to the Governor pushing forward a cell phone ban in Illinois schools, Illinois Federation of Teachers Executive Vice President Cyndi Oberle-Dahm issued the following statement raising questions regarding the new reality of Illinoisans facing federal occupation and the existing funding mandates that the Governor ignored in his eighth budget proposal presented earlier this week:

“Governor JB Pritzker is suggesting Illinois mandate what happens with students’ phones during the school day but he is ignoring his own legal mandates governing what happens with students in special education, student breakfast and lunches, and to fully fund all of our public schools. The state of Illinois owes its students $6 billion dollars for pre-K to PhD, and that is where the Governor should start.

“Schools already have the authority to set cell phone policies, but what they cannot do is fund themselves or the cellphone lockers or pockets that will be required to enforce this unfunded mandate. Only the Governor can ultimately meet the state’s funding obligation.

“Teachers know cell phones can be distracting – we manage that every single day. And, in communities living with real fear about ICE and family safety, phones are also lifelines. We saw that in Chicago, Aurora, Franklin Park, and anywhere federal agents have spread their terror. In times like that, communication is not theoretical. It is about safety.

“What educators will tell you is that creating more unfunded mandates while failing to fund the ones already on the books – special education, nutritional supports for hungry children, and school transportation – is out of order. As federal school funding has vanished and the White House demands governors drain public schools even more by implementing Trump’s national voucher program, the state is failing to step up, appropriating just $5 million more toward what amounts to a $5 billion gap in its own evidence-based funding formula. Students already feel that gap in the form of larger class sizes, buildings that go uncleaned, cuts to crossing guards, counselors overwhelmed with caseloads - if they have counselors at all - and less access to honors, sports, music, and extracurriculars from Rochester to Chicago to Rockford and across the state.

“If mandates matter, the Governor should start with his own. If he put this same energy into meeting the school funding law, our students would be far better served and schools would have cellphone lockers already.”

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Bailey only GOP gov candidate to denounce Sen. Anderson’s abortion bill; Heidner calls to end infighting; US Senate candidate Don Tracy, Cardinal Cupich oppose penalties

Friday, Feb 20, 2026 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* WAND…

Democratic lawmakers are bashing a Republican bill to ban abortion in Illinois just days after the sponsor celebrated with advocates.

Sen. Neil Anderson’s plan states that anyone choosing to have an abortion could face the same charges as someone killing a person.

House Democrats said this bill is extreme and criminalizes abortion patients, people going through IVF treatment and their healthcare providers.

“This bill opens the door to first-degree murder charges for women and doctors, all by granting constitutional rights to a fertilized egg,” said Rep. Dagmara Avelar (D-Romeoville). “There are no exemptions — not for rape, incest, or IVF.”

* Darren Bailey was the only GOP gubernatorial candidate to publicly come out against the bill and urged Sen. Anderson to pull it earlier this week…

Former State Senator and candidate for Governor, Darren Bailey, is issuing the following statement on Senate Bill 3572.

“When women and families are facing a crisis, they need understanding, support, and real help, not the threat of jail time. Criminalizing women in these situations doesn’t solve problems, it deepens hurt and pushes people away from the alternatives and support that could help them.

We should be leading with compassion and practical solutions that strengthen families and build trust. I am pro-life, but I believe we also have to face reality: approaches like this pull people away and make it harder to move Illinois forward. I urge Senator Neil Anderson to pull this legislation.”

Republican Senators Seth Lewis and Darby Hills also put out statements against the bill, and Senate Republican Leader John Curran has spoken against the bill as well, calling it extreme and saying it’s not a position supported by the GOP caucus.

* Meanwhile, the Illinois Family Institute, whose political arm has endorsed Ted Dabrowski for governor, is backing the legislation. From the Center Square…

The Illinois Family Institute supports the bill, with executive director David Smith saying it reflects the belief that life begins at conception and deserves full legal protection.

“If we believe that life begins at conception, and if we believe that all human life deserves human rights protections, then we need to fight for the life of the baby — the rights of the baby,” Smith told TCS. “If somebody intentionally and with malice of forethought aborts human life in their womb, then they need to be held accountable for that.”

Smith rejected claims that the proposal is politically reckless or motivated by personal ambition, arguing instead that it reflects moral clarity rather than electoral calculation.

I reached out to Dabrowski’s campaign yesterday for his position on Anderson’s bill and received no response.

I contacted the other GOP gubernatorial candidates too. From Rick Heidner’s spox…

Rick is not familiar with all the specifics of the bill. He is generally pro life. He’d like to see Republicans stop the infighting in Springfield and work together towards making the lives of our citizens better.

Sheriff James Mendrick did not respond.

* I also reached out to Don Tracy’s U.S. Senate campaign. Tracy has also been endorsed by IFI. His campaign’s response…

Life is valuable and should be protected. But legislation must be thoughtful and responsible. Don does not support penalties for women who seek abortions.

If we want to reduce abortions in Illinois, we should focus on supporting families, strengthening adoption, and expanding resources for women, not pursuing measures that divide our communities and distract from building consensus around protecting life.

* Politico’s Shia Kapos spoke with Cardinal Blase Cupich about the bill…

Playbook: An Illinois state senator has proposed imposing the death penalty on women who receive abortions and people involved in IVF. Where does the church stand on that?

Cupich: “The church has never been in favor of punishing women who have abortions and surely we’ve also been against the death penalty, so that bill would not receive any support on the part of the church.”

He pointed to the pope’s recent comments on consistency in “pro-life” advocacy, saying, “You cannot consider yourself pro-life if you’re against abortion and yet for the death penalty. The pope made that very clear, and I think that [bill] is a non-starter for us. People in the pro-life community need to examine themselves about those kinds of issues.”

…Adding… Click here to read a 2022 open letter from pro-life organizations sent to state lawmakers after Roe v. Wade was struck down, stating that “we do not support any measure seeking to criminalize or punish women and we stand firmly opposed to including such penalties in legislation.” The letter was signed by former Illinois Federation for Right to Life President Dawn Behnke.

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Big Tax-Exempt Hospitals Are Turning Patient Discounts Into Corporate Profits

Friday, Feb 20, 2026 - Posted by Advertising Department

[The following is a paid advertisement.]

Across Illinois, large hospital systems and corporate PBMs are profiting from a program meant to help patients. The 340B program allows hospitals to buy medications at steep discounts, but those savings aren’t passed on to patients in need.

Instead, large hospitals charge patients full price for 340B-discounted drugs, keep the difference, and share the cash with for-profit chain pharmacies and PBMs.

What began as a safety-net program has become a profit stream. No transparency. No oversight. Just higher costs for working families.

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AG Raoul: ‘Today’s ruling makes clear that we are not a nation governed by royal decree’

Friday, Feb 20, 2026 - Posted by Rich Miller

* The decision is here. The SCOTUSblog story is here. More background is here. And here’s Attorney General Raoul…

Attorney General Kwame Raoul today issued the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected the president’s unprecedented and unlawful use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Raoul and a coalition of attorneys general had previously sued to stop the arbitrary use of tariffs. “President Trump’s unlawful tariffs on international trade have harmed so many in our state, including families struggling to make ends meet, small business owners, farmers and manufacturers.

“Tariffs are a tax on Americans, and these illegal tariffs threatened Illinois’ economy and have harmed taxpayers by increasing costs to the state and local governments. For example, the Illinois Department of Transportation alone estimated that over two years, the state’s costs for transportation projects would have been $249 million to $585 million higher due to tariffs. Due to our successful lawsuit, increased costs to the state in construction projects, technology and other expenses can also be mitigated.

“Since the International Emergency Economic Powers Act was enacted in 1977, no prior president has attempted to use the extraordinary power to unilaterally impose tariffs of unlimited amount, duration and scope to implement sweeping, arbitrary tariffs. The Supreme Court rightly determined that the act does not grant the president ‘the extraordinary power to unilaterally impose tariffs of unlimited amount, duration, and scope.’

“Today’s ruling makes clear that we are not a nation governed by royal decree. The rule of law matters, and I will continue to fight to protect Illinoisians from the economic costs of the Trump administration’s unlawful actions.”

In April 2025, Raoul and 11 other attorneys general filed a lawsuit to halt the implementation of the illegal tariffs. In their complaint, Raoul and the attorneys general argued that the authority to lay and collect taxes and duties on imported goods lies with Congress. The lower courts ruled in favor of the states, explaining that President Trump’s attempt to implement sweeping tariffs exceeded the authority delegated to him by Congress.

Raoul was joined in filing the lawsuit by the attorneys general of Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Oregon and Vermont.

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Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Update

Friday, Feb 20, 2026 - Posted by Rich Miller

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It’s just a bill

Friday, Feb 20, 2026 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* The Sports Betting Alliance…

The Sports Betting Alliance applauded members of the Illinois House Gaming Committee for passing House Bill 4171, sponsored by House Gaming Chair Rep. Daniel Didech.

HB 4171 passed out of committee Wednesday and will prohibit Illinois home rule cities from implementing regulations or licensing on the sports betting industry to maintain uniform regulation of the sports wagering industry at the state level. Didech’s bill was introduced after the City of Chicago imposed on Jan. 1 a municipal licensing requirement and 10.25% tax on sports betting companies operating in city limits. Passing House Bill 4171 will result in more sports fans playing in the legal, regulated market and fewer seeking out illegal websites and bookies to play. […]

In November, Reps. Didech and Tarver, the Illinois House Revenue Chair, penned a letter to Chicago aldermen raising concerns about the city’s tax on sports betting, stating:

“The Illinois General Assembly has already increased the state’s sports-betting tax twice in consecutive years—first from a flat 15 percent to a tiered rate as high as 40 percent, and then by adding a per-wager assessment. Illinois now has one of the highest sports-betting tax burdens in the nation. Certainly, this was a tough vote to ensure that the state had the necessary revenues it needs to serve all those who live within our state. Therefore, we recognize the importance of finding revenue to provide services.

“The City of Chicago’s proposal, however, sets a dangerous precedent for more than 200 home-rule municipalities across Illinois. If each (or even many) were to impose its own tax on a state-regulated industry, we would end up with a fragmented and unstable framework that undermines the consistency and predictability required for effective state regulation. The ripple effect could extend far beyond gaming. These types of policies could open the door for a patchwork of local taxes in other state-controlled policy areas, making enforcement and compliance nearly impossible.”

Since sports betting was legalized in Illinois, a graduated tax on the industry was passed in 2024 followed by a 2025 per-wager tax on each bet placed in the state. The third Chicago tax was implemented Jan. 1 of 10.25% on sports betting in city limits. The Sports Betting Alliance is challenging the tax in court.

As the tax hikes have been put in place, data from the Illinois Gaming Board has shown a three-month consecutive drop in the number of legal bets placed in the state from September to November 2025.

* WAND…

An Illinois Senate Democrat has filed a bill to require grocery stores with digital coupons to have a paper option easily available for customers.

Sen. Willie Preston (D-Chicago) said his bill can improve affordability, fairness and protect seniors who don’t use smartphones. […]

“We’re simply saying if you advertise a discount to the public, that discount should be available to the public, not just those who own smartphones, download apps and navigate digital platforms well,” Preston said.

The Illinois Retail Merchants Association strongly opposes this idea, arguing the plan would make digital-only offers noncompliant since they can’t be printed by stores. IRMA leaders note the bill would raise grocery prices and reduce access to savings.

* Sen. Sen. Julie Morrison…

State Senator Julie Morrison is leading the charge with a measure that would provide support and resources to Illinoisans affected by gambling disorders. […]

Senate Bill 2749 would include gambling disorders as a recognized disorder under the Substance Abuse Disorder Act. This would enable the Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Substance Abuse Prevention and Recovery to coordinate disorder prevention, treatment, recovery and other supportive services.

This would allow and require the department to advise the Social Services Advisory Council in preventing gambling and gaming by minors, in addition to promoting public awareness of the stigma, impact recognition and prevention of gambling disorders on individuals, families and communities.

The measure would also require the department to select a statement regarding obtaining assistance with gambling disorders that licensed gambling establishment owners and master sports wagering licenses would then post publicly or include on their portal, website or app.

It also would allow for the treatment of a gambling disorder to be added as an adjunct to any of the existing treatment levels of care or to recovery home intervention and would state that harm reduction services are authorized by intervention licensure if and when legal authorization is adopted. […]

Senate Bill 2749 passed the Senate Executive Committee Wednesday.

* Sen. Omar Aquino and Rep. Mary Beth Canty…

State Senator Omar Aquino, alongside State Representative Mary Beth Canty, introduced the Workforce Investment and Sustainable Employment Reporting Act to increase transparency in workforce investment practices of companies doing business in Illinois.

“Our workforce drives innovation and long-term economic growth, yet limited data is available on the core strategies companies use to invest in their employees,” said Aquino (D-Chicago). “By integrating existing reporting requirements into a comprehensive disclosure system, the WISER Act delivers actionable information investors can utilize to make socially responsible investments and mitigate risk while minimizing unnecessary reporting burdens on businesses.”

Senate Bill 3975, along with corresponding House Bill 5147, would require qualifying companies to disclose standardized metrics related to workforce demographics, compensation and benefits, training and development, workforce stability and workplace quality policies, including diversity, equity, inclusion initiatives and health and safety practices. The legislation would apply to businesses with more than 100 employees and $100 million in global revenue. […]

Companies are already required to report certain workforce data elements to federal agencies such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, but investors and the public are still left without access to clear, comparable data on these issues that are necessary to make prudent decisions. The WISER Act would establish the first standardized state-level workforce reporting requirement in the nation and bring better transparency to how businesses operate in Illinois. […]

Senate Bill 3975 and House Bill 5147 await committee assignment.

* Sen. Kimberly Lightford…

Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford is working to close a critical gap in law by extending mandatory abuse and neglect reporting requirements to cover all senior residential settings. [..]

Under current law, if staff of a long-term care facility believes an older adult is being subjected to abuse or neglect, they must report such abuse to the Illinois Department of Public Health. However, long-term care facilities do not include assisted living facilities or group homes.

Senate Bill 3179 would expand the requirement to such areas, ensuring older adults receive proper care – regardless of their living situation.

The legislation comes at a critical time as Illinois’ senior population continues to grow, with more older adults choosing assisted living facilities and group homes as alternatives to traditional nursing homes. […]

Senate Bill 3179 passed the Senate Health and Human Services Committee and heads to the full Senate for further consideration.

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HB 3799 Raises Premiums And Destabilizes A Stable Insurance Market

Friday, Feb 20, 2026 - Posted by Advertising Department

[The following is a paid advertisement.]

Illinois’ competitive system protects consumers and keeps carriers investing here—let’s not break what works. Independent research shows slow, uncertain rate reviews push insurers out and costs up. HB 3799 was already defeated in Veto Session—keep it that way. Vote NO.

Protect affordability. Vote NO on HB 3799.

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Isabel’s morning briefing

Friday, Feb 20, 2026 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* ICYMI: Pritzker’s budget plan calls for education funding increases but fall short of requests. Chalkbeat Chicago…

* Related stories…

• IPM News: Pritzker calls for small increase to Illinois higher education funding. Some advocates say it’s a cut

************** Advertisement **************
Sponsored by PhRMA:

340B hospitals charge big medicine markups. Illinois pays the price.

340B medicine markups are big business for hospitals. Under the federal 340B program, nonprofit hospitals can buy medicines for pennies, then charge huge markups – even on life-saving medicines. Big hospital systems pocket the program profits – passing the bill to Illinois patients, employers and taxpayers who are hit with higher medicine costs. The program’s lack of oversight has led to 340B becoming a profit engine for hospitals, PBMs, private equity firms and big chain pharmacies. It’s time for Congress to hold hospitals accountable and fix 340B. Read more.

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* At 10:30 am, Gov. Pritzker will be in Oak Park to “ highlight his school cell phone ban proposal to support distraction-free learning.” Click here to watch.

*** Isabel’s Top Picks ***

* WSIL | State Awards Man-Tra-Con $2.3 Million to Train Southern Illinois Residents for Clean Energy Jobs: The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) has awarded $2,347,608 to Man-Tra-Con Corporation to operate a free clean energy workforce training hub serving 19 counties across Southern Illinois. The funding comes through the state’s Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), which is investing in workforce development as Illinois’ clean energy industry continues to expand. Man-Tra-Con’s first training cohort — a 16-week solar installation program based in Harrisburg — launched April 6. The organization plans to train 130 Southern Illinois residents during the first year, with additional cohorts scheduled to be announced in other regional locations in the coming months.

* Sun-Times | Good Samaritans sprang into action to save baby that fell into Belmont Harbor: Lio Cundiff said he had one thought as he floated in Lake Michigan at Belmont Harbor, balancing a stroller with an 8-month-old girl inside: “I guess if this baby’s going down, then I’m going down with her.” But his and another good Samaritan’s quick thinking saved the baby’s life after what they described was just a “freak accident.” Cundiff, 30, was wishing his aunt a happy belated birthday when he heard a woman screaming and saw a gust of wind blow the baby’s stroller into the lake around 3 p.m. Wednesday, in the 3200 block of North DuSable Lake Shore Drive.

*** Statewide ***

* Crain’s | Walgreens cuts hundreds of jobs after private equity buyout: The company said it is eliminating 469 jobs in Illinois, where it is headquartered, and plans to cut another 159 positions in Texas, where it is closing a distribution center, according to letters it sent to the states earlier this month. “We’ve made the difficult decision to simplify our organization,” Walgreens said in a statement, explaining the changes are intended to help it make decisions more quickly and improve customer service.

*** Statehouse News ***

* Capitol News Illinois | Former ComEd exec-turned-FBI mole in Madigan probe sentenced to probation: Former Commonwealth Edison executive Fidel Marquez, whose role as an FBI mole furthered the feds’ investigation into then-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, was sentenced to two years of probation Thursday for his role in a bribery scheme meant to influence the powerful speaker. Marquez’s sentence, which also includes a $50,000 fine, is punishment for his involvement in the scheme before January 2019, when the FBI confronted him with wiretapped recordings of him discussing do-nothing contracts for Madigan allies.

* Capitol News Illinois | Pritzker doubles down on influencers, podcasters in January media hits: After sitting for only a handful of interviews combined in the first six years of his governorship, Pritzker appeared on more than two-dozen podcasts and social media influencer pages in 2025, accounting for 24% of his scheduled interviews. This trend continued in January, according to a review of Pritzker’s public calendar, obtained by Capitol News Illinois via a public records request. Six out of the 10 media interviews Pritzker sat for last month were with influencers or podcasters. The remaining four were national television interviews — two apiece — on CNN and MSNOW.

*** Chicago ***

* Press release | Statement from the Office of Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García: “Congressman Chuy García will undergo a precautionary procedure the morning of Friday, February 20, following consultation with his cardiologist. “The procedure was recommended as a preventive measure. The Congressman is in good spirits and expects to resume his regular schedule soon. “The outpatient procedure is expected to be completed the same day. Congressman García appreciates the well wishes and respectfully asks for privacy as he focuses on his health and recovery.”

* Crain’s | Chicago biotechs laud Pritzker plan to expand R&D tax credits: The governor’s 2026 budget outline calls for modernizing the Illinois Research & Development Tax Credit program to better align with federal credits for R&D and allowing the Illinois credits to be transferred, for a fee. Although details are sparse and no General Assembly bill has been introduced for the proposal, aligning with the federal tax credit could open up substantially more tax credits for Illinois companies.

* Sun-Times | Under pressure from feds, University of Chicago cuts ties with program helping students of color get Ph.D.s: According to a Thursday news release from the U.S. Department of Education, the University of Chicago is one of 31 universities nationwide ending its partnership with the PhD Project, an organization launched in 1994 to diversify the pool of students who pursue postgraduate degrees. In a statement, Education Secretary Linda McMahon said she hoped “other institutions with similarly discriminatory practices will follow suit.”

* Sun-Times | DEA didn’t arrest gold miner stopped at Union Station but seized his $115K in a losing cash grab case: Ross’s case, unusual in its outcome, sits inside a larger fight over civil asset forfeiture. The law allows officers to take money and property they believe is tied to crime. They do not have to arrest anyone. They do not have to file charges. The owner must go to court and try to win it back. Ross’s money was taken through the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Transportation Interdiction Program. For years, agents and local police have worked airports, train stations and bus terminals. They watched travelers. They asked questions. They searched bags for drugs and for cash.

* WBEZ | Chicago’s Newberry Library gets $4 million to help tribal nations revitalize Indigenous languages: The research library holds roughly 2,400 items directly related to more than 300 different Indigenous languages as part of its vast Indigenous Studies collections, which include more than one million manuscript pages, 11,000 photographs and 2,000 maps. Right now, only a small percentage of that is available digitally, which can pose a barrier to tribal nations and scholars. Part of the new grant funding will focus on making more of the collection available on Newberry’s website, with a specific focus on language-related items.

*** Cook County and Suburbs ***

* Aurora Beacon-News | Batavia City Council mulling new rules for e-bikes and e-scooters: Many other suburban municipalities have recently taken up legislation in response to concerns about these devices’ safety — from nearby St. Charles to Highland Park and Park Ridge. […] At Monday’s meeting, [Batavia Police Chief Eric Blower] noted the benefits of the devices, as well as their potential safety issues — like individuals operating the equipment in an unsafe manner, riding too close to pedestrians or in congested areas on sidewalks and disregarding traffic control devices. In particular, he noted concerns with child riders, including a lack of proper safety gear, unfamiliarity with the rules of the road and a lack of parental oversight.

* Aurora Beacon-News | Aurora considers new data center regulations around noise, water and power: The regulations would include provisions on energy efficiency, water efficiency, noise and various emissions, but only for new data centers coming after the city lifts the current moratorium. Under the city’s current codes, data centers are considered warehouses, have no special regulations around them and can be built without the Aurora City Council’s approval in certain areas. For the new codes to be adopted, they would have to be approved by City Council. The earliest a final vote could take place on these newly-proposed regulations is March 24, which is also the day the moratorium is set to end.

* Lake County News-Sun | Waukegan temporary casino marks third anniversary: ‘We can just imagine what we’ll be able to accomplish when the permanent opens’: Babinski said there are currently more than 120,000 members, which has climbed steadily over the past three years. For the month ended Jan. 31, American Place generated more than $10.4 million adjusted gross receipts, according to the Illinois Gaming Board’s January report. Adjusted gross receipts are the total amount gambled, less the money paid to winners.

* Daily Herald | ‘Mount Prospect is on fire’: Mayor delivers annual address to business community: “Mount Prospect is on fire. Everywhere you look, things are happening,” he said. Hoefert highlighted accomplishments in everything from economic growth to finances to public safety at the breakfast presented by the village’s Economic Development Commission at the Old Orchard Country Club. “Our sales tax revenues are off the charts and they are continuing to grow,” he told the audience, with the village generating $125,000 per day on average in sales tax.

*** Downstate ***

* WCIA | $2.2M in cuts, school closure approved by Rochester School Board: The Deficit Reduction Plan originally recommended $3.1 million in reductions, but after recommendations from community members, it was revised to $2.2 million in reductions. The plan includes closing Rochester Elementary School, located at 456 Bertrand Avenue, and cutting 22 staff positions. The positions that were cut range from instructional aides to technology personnel to several teaching positions.

* WTVO | Gov. Pritzker touts Rockford trades workforce as students participate in trades career expo: During the speech, he noted that Rockford is ranked fourth in the state for growth and earnings among the trades. The event was held as Illinois faces a critical shortage of skilled trade workers, a challenge Pritzker addressed while touting the state’s economic standing in the sector. Tyler Valsiger, a junior at Freeport High School, attended the expo to explore different career paths. He expressed interest in the variety of roles available within the industry. “The trades are just a very interesting part. And there’s a lot of more there’s a lot of different things that you’re able to do,” Valsiger said.

* WGLT | Electric rates could be wobbly again this year: Last year, many Bloomington-Normal residents saw their electric bills jump 40% in some cases, even after the two municipalities teamed together with other Illinois governments to negotiate a bulk rate for power. In a nod to the price shock, the electric aggregation contract negotiated with Constellation NewEnergy was for a single year. The previous contract was a three-year deal.

* WCIA | Decatur City Council denies additional $125K for daycare project: Love, Learning and Laughter Daycare is looking to fill a gap in Decatur, but the city council wants the facility to do it using the money it already has. […] “So, there was some additional need for rehabilitation, even after the city had done its initial rehabilitation work and the council last fall approved up to $400,000 in funding,” Councilman David Horn said.

* WCIA | New U of I Chancellor ready to lead university forward: Last year, WCIA gave a deeper look at former U of I Chancellor Robert Jones on his way out west to the University of Washington. His replacement, Charles Isbell Jr., hails from the southeast. His winding journey has taken him from Atlanta, Georgia to Champaign-Urbana, and uniquely prepared him for this new leadership role. “I did not think that I was going to end up in the Midwest,” Isbell said.

* WGLT | A new movie called ‘Normal’ is about a Midwest town named Normal. Just not our Normal.: A new trailer dropped Thursday for Normal, what’s described as a neo-Western thriller starring Bob Odenkirk from Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul fame. His character takes over as sheriff in the small Midwestern town of Normal where a “botched bank robbery exposes a dangerous secret beneath the town’s calm exterior,” according to the film’s synopsis. Alas, it’s not Normal, Illinois. It’s Normal, Minnesota. Which is not even a real place.

*** National ***

* NYT | Refugees Without Green Cards Could Be Arrested Under New Trump Policy: In a new memo, which was described in court filings on Wednesday, officials at the Department of Homeland Security said immigration agents would be required to detain refugees if they had not applied for legal permanent status after a year of living in the country. Refugees would be “inspected and examined for admission to the United States” after being detained, according to the memo, which was issued on Wednesday by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. It was unclear how long refugees could be kept in detention. According to the memo, they would be confined for “the reasonable length of time it takes” to re-examine their cases.

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Good morning!

Friday, Feb 20, 2026 - Posted by Rich Miller

* The Ramsey Lewis Trio…