* As expected, Holly Kim has announced her bid for state comptroller. Press release…
Today, Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim officially launched her campaign for Illinois State Comptroller at a Teamsters Hall Local 301 with dozens of supporters, including elected officials, friends and family to show strong, early support for her candidacy.
“Susana Mendoza the current comptroller has done an amazing job paying down the bill backing, with the nine credit upgrades and she is graciously not running for reelection. It matters who picks up that baton and runs with it,” Holly Kim said during her announcement speech.
With the official announcement, a new video highlighting her record of fiscal responsibility, community-focused leadership, and readiness to build on the progress made under outgoing Comptroller Susana Mendoza. Watch the launch video here: https://youtu.be/eJkbEdJ7RJU
In the video, Kim outlines her priorities and makes the case for why she’s ready to serve. “People across Illinois trust me to do the work, because I show up and deliver. And I’d be proud to make history as the first Asian American executive state officer in Illinois.”
Along with the video, a long list of over 50 notable to local elected officials have already committed to Holly Kim for Illinois State Comptroller, including US Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ), State Representatives Rita Mayfield and Sharon Chung, Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, and Cook County Commissioner Josina Morita, to name a few of her 50+ endorsements. You can find the growing list of her endorsements at www.voteforhollykim.com/endorsements.
A two-term elected countywide executive, Kim has led the Lake County Treasurer’s Office through a period of modernization and reform where she introduced eBilling and expanded access to affordable banking options for working families. Kim also brings public, private, and nonprofit sector experience to the race. She serves as a Commissioner for the Illinois Comptroller’s Bank On Initiative, and previously held elected and appointed leadership roles as a Village Trustee, Township Director, and nonprofit board member.
A proud daughter of Korean immigrants, Kim was raised in Chicago’s Koreatown, where she was shaped by the strong work ethic and fiscal responsibility of her father, a small business owner. His example laid the foundation for her commitment to public service and sound financial stewardship. Her campaign for Comptroller emphasizes transparency, modernization, and fiscal stewardship that puts people first. To learn more about Holly Kim and her campaign, visit www.voteforhollykim.com.
The vast majority of U.S. adults are at least somewhat stressed about the cost of groceries, a new poll finds, as prices continue to rise and concerns about the impact of President Donald Trump’s tariffs remain widespread.
About half of all Americans say the cost of groceries is a “major” source of stress in their life right now, while 33% say it’s a “minor” source of stress, according to the poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Only 14% say it’s not a source of stress, underscoring the pervasive anxiety most Americans continue to feel about the cost of everyday essentials.
Other financial stressors — like the cost of housing or the amount of money in their bank accounts — are also broadly felt, but they weigh more heavily on younger Americans, who are less likely than older adults to have significant savings or own property. […]
According to the poll, 64% of the lowest-income Americans — those who have a household income of less than $30,000 a year — say the cost of groceries is a “major” stressor. That’s compared with about 4 in 10 Americans who have a household income of $100,000 or more.
But even within that higher-income group, only about 2 in 10 say grocery costs aren’t a worry at all.
The end of the state’s 1% tax on groceries has Glenview elected officials considering ways to make up the anticipated shortfall.
The statewide tax is scheduled to end on Jan. 1, 2026 following action taken by the Illinois General Assembly in 2024. While the tax is collected by the state, revenues from it are later returned to the municipalities where the tax was charged.
The village of Glenview stands to lose approximately $2.7 million next year when the grocery tax ends, elected officials were told in a memo from village staff shared during a July 15 board meeting.
Staff presented the Village Board with four options to make up for the loss, but trustees did not reach a consensus for direction
The village of Prairie Grove opted to continue a 1% grocery tax as the statewide tax ends at the start of next year – but there won’t be any effect for now, as the village does not have any grocery stores.
Many municipalities have made the move to a local 1% grocery tax after Gov. JB Pritzker and state lawmakers voted to remove the statewide tax last year. The tax, although implemented by the state, funded local municipalities. The Prairie Grove Village Board unanimously adopted the ordinance Tuesday.
Although the village will impose the tax, it will not be in use because there are no grocery stores currently in Prairie Grove. Village Administrator Michael Freese said adopting the ordinance allows them to implement the tax if a grocery store were ever to come to the village.
Monday, Aug 4, 2025 - Posted by Advertising Department
[The following is a paid advertisement.]
In the final hours of the state’s legislative session, SB 328 was quietly introduced and passed giving lawmakers and the public little time to review and debate this legislation.
Now, it’s sitting on the Governor’s desk. If signed, it will allow trial lawyers to drag companies into Illinois courts for lawsuits that have nothing to do with Illinois. Businesses could be sued here simply for being registered in the state — even if the alleged harm occurred elsewhere. And it puts jobs and our state’s economy at risk.
Even New York Gov. Kathy Hochul vetoed a nearly identical bill twice, calling it a “massive expansion” of jurisdiction that would deter job creation and burden the courts.
Governor Pritzker has a choice: Veto the legislation to protect Illinois jobs and businesses — or signal to employers that Illinois is open season for out-of-state lawsuits.
* An airplane is circling the Statehouse Complex while towing a banner that reads “Mess With Texas.” Not a great pic, don’t know who paid for it, but here you go…
So far, no major GOP candidates have emerged for U.S. Senate or most of the statewide offices. Democrats Gov. JB Pritzker, Attorney General Kwame Raoul, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias and Treasurer Mike Frerichs are all seeking reelection. […]
On Sunday, Richard Porter, an attorney and former Republican national committeeman from Illinois, used social media to announce he would not seek the GOP nomination for Durbin’s U.S. Senate seat. […]
Republican Day at the Illinois State Fair on Aug. 14 may prove to be an important event for the party, depending upon whether potential candidates use the day to announce a decision to run. […]
“I’ve never, ever seen it where it’s going to be questionable whether or not the Republicans have a full (statewide) slate,” [Pat Brady, a former state GOP chair] said. “I haven’t heard anybody for comptroller, haven’t heard anybody for secretary of state, haven’t heard anybody for treasurer. Nobody’s even leaking their name to get attention.”
Former Illinois Republican Party Chairman Don Tracy is considering a run for governor in 2026, he confirmed to Lee Enterprises.
“I’m taking a hard look at it,” Tracy said in a brief phone interview Monday afternoon, adding that he had been “making some calls” and that “several people” have encouraged him to jump into the race.
Tracy, 75, said that he would make a decision before the Illinois State Fair, which kicks off Aug. 7 in Springfield. Candidates can begin circulating nominating petitions for the March 17, 2026 primary election on August 5.
* The daunting task of winning statewide in Illinois is surely keeping people away. They have to find a way to eliminate the historic 10-15 percentage point Democratic advantage.
And the retirements, exodus and/or deaths of longtime wealthy Republican contributors/bundlers is also hurting. The gobs of money spent by Bruce Rauner and Ken Griffin masked the problem for a few years. But when those two split for Florida, few if any were left to raise and contribute the amount of cash needed.
* A simple luck of the draw is also playing a role. Only a few Republican state Senators are currently serving four-year terms, including Jason Plummer, Li Arellano and Terri Bryant. The Senate’s staggered 2-4-4 terms are set by lottery.
Plummer has personal money, but he hasn’t yet shown an interest in another statewide race, even though he’s grown considerably since he ran for lt. governor in 2012.
Arellano just got here. Bryant, I think, would be a solid candidate. But that’s a lot of work just to lose.
* Some far-right types are taking the usual route of blaming the state party. There’s some truth to that. But maybe those folks ought to step up to the plate themselves.
* Anyway, your thoughts just ten days ahead of Republican Day?
Illinois public school students could soon receive free mental health screenings each year.
Gov. JB Pritzker signed Senate Bill 1560 Thursday, which would require the State Board of Education and a children’s behavioral health team within the governor’s office to develop procedures and make mental health materials available to school districts. The board will provide those materials to schools beginning in September 2026.
The tests would be provided to schools at no cost beginning in the 2027-28 school year, so long as the state has approved funding to develop screenings. Parents would be able to opt their children out of the screenings, which would be made available once a year to students in third grade through high school. […]
The new policy would allow schools to focus on preventing mental health issues rather than only implementing plans that react to a student’s problem.
House Republicans opposed the bill, arguing it won’t be as effective as the governor believes and that it creates confidentiality problems.
“Universal mental health screenings are going to get us nothing except possibly finding things, finding reasons for denial of coverage of insurance,” Rep. Steve Reick, R-Woodstock, told reporters at a news conference Thursday.
Gov. JB Pritzker signed a bill into law that would boost retirement payouts to Chicago police and firefighters.
The change increases pension benefits for so-called Tier 2 police and firefighters, whose current pension plan is not as generous as those of more senior staffers, by changing how their pay is calculated at retirement — including raising the salary cap — and increases the annual cost-of-living adjustment for pensioners.
The legislation is designed to bring public safety pensions in Chicago into line with police and firefighters elsewhere in the state, which is controversial because it’s expected to add another $750 million to the city’s pension costs at a time when its finances are under serious strain.
The change is expected to cost $60 million in the coming year alone. The $60 million tab will be added to a 2026 budget shortfall that last year was projected to be $1.2 billion. An updated forecast will be released at the end of the month, but Johnson officials expect the gap to remain over $1 billion.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed 124 bills Friday impacting everything from Chicago police and fire pensions to the use of artificial intelligence for mental health therapy. […]
Senate Bill 213 creates more transparency by requiring state agencies to report on advertising expenditures annually, beginning Jan. 1.
Carbon sequestration in the Mahomet Aquifer is banned beginning Jan. 1, and with Senate Bill 1723, the Mahomet Aquifer Advisory Study Commission is created.
Senate Bill 1793 creates a religious exemption to allow cremated remains to be scattered in Illinois rivers beginning Jan. 1.
Community violence prevention programs save lives, but to be effective, they need long-term support and flexibility. Thanks to a new law from State Senator Robert Peters, efforts to curb firearm violence in the state are holding strong by giving organizations more time to access critical resources and improving the way the state coordinates its response. […]
Peters’ law makes several updates to Illinois’ approach to violence prevention. First, it allows the Office of Firearm Violence Prevention to submit its annual report on an ongoing basis, rather than being locked into a rigid deadline, guaranteeing lawmakers and communities receive the most relevant data. It also extends the filing deadline for non-Medicaid-certified Reimagine Public Safety Act grantees that provide behavioral health services, giving them additional time to obtain certification. Additionally, it delays the awarding of grants by one year, giving applicants time to establish services that are vital for long-term success.
For frontline organizations working to prevent violence, the law allows more stability and a stronger foundation to continue their life-saving work. By removing unnecessary hurdles and making sure support reaches the communities that need it most, Peters’ law ensures Illinois’ most vulnerable neighborhoods have the resources to reduce violence and build safer futures. […]
Senate Bill 2280 was signed into law Friday. It goes into effect Jan. 1, 2026.
State Senator Paul Faraci has solidified efforts to protect the Mahomet Aquifer – a vital sole-source aquifer supplying clean drinking water to approximately 800,000 people across 15 counties in East Central Illinois – with the signing of Senate Bill 1723 into law. […]
The law will prohibit carbon sequestration over, under or through the Mahomet Aquifer, enforcing sustainable practices and preventing harmful activities. This is crucial for residents of Central Illinois, as the aquifer is the only source of clean drinking water for at least half of the population it serves – meaning those residents would have no alternative should the aquifer become contaminated.
This initiative builds on the foundational work of the late State Senator Scott Bennett, whose dedication to protecting the Mahomet Aquifer laid the groundwork for continued advocacy and legislative action. Senator Bennett was a tireless champion for the people of Central Illinois, consistently prioritizing public health and environmental stewardship. Faraci’s legislation is a continuation of Bennett’s vision to ensure future generations have access to clean, safe water. […]
Senate Bill 1723 was signed into law on Friday. It goes into effect Jan. 1.
Two new gun laws were signed by Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker this week, bringing changes to things like gun storage and tracing. […]
One of the bills, HB 1373, requires local law enforcement in Illinois to participate in the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) eTrace platform.
It also requires firearm tracing in all cases where a gun is recovered at the scene of a crime, or if a gun is believed to be associated with a crime. […]
Senate Bill 0008, will strengthen laws around gun storage in the state.
According to the Pritzker administration, SB 0008 will impose civil penalties associated with failing to properly secure firearms within a home where minors reside. The bill also requires reporting a lost or stolen firearm within 48 hours instead of 72, and also adds a potential penalty of revocation of a FOID card for failure to comply with the law on two or more occasions.
Gov. JB Pritzker signed a bill into law Friday to require seat belts for all new school buses.
The new law mandates that any school buses manufactured in Illinois have three-point seat belts starting in 2031.
Sponsors said this change is solely about student safety, as lawmakers on both sides of the aisle want children to come and go from school safely.
“This is really the standard for every new bus today that is being manufactured,” said Rep. Bob Morgan (D-Highland Park). “So, this really should not be any difficulty for school districts. In fact, school districts might not have a choice as we go in this direction, that manufacturers are already including this in every bus that’s being manufactured.”
To support ongoing efforts aimed at protecting and revitalizing local landscapes and ecosystems, State Senator Rachel Ventura and State Representative Anna Moeller partnered on House Bill 2726 to give the Illinois Department of Natural Resources more authority to implement conservation tactics to create new rewilding strategies statewide. […]
House Bill 2726 grants the Illinois Department of Natural Resources more power to implement rewilding as a conservation strategy. This can include the restoration of land to its natural state, the reintroduction of native species — particularly apex predators and keystone species — and the restoration of ecological processes as defined by state-specific baselines.
“Rewilding” means to restore an area of land to its natural uncultivated state. This term is used especially with reference to the reintroduction of species of wild animals that have been driven out of an area or exterminated by human interference. […]
Under current law, IDNR currently has no statutory authority to take measures that are necessary for the implementation of rewilding as a conservation strategy in Illinois. With the new law’s signage, Illinois is the first state to explicitly pass legislation on rewilding, advancing efforts to preserve and protect species.
House Bill 2726 was signed into law Friday and goes into effect Jan. 1, 2026.
The use of therapy dogs to assist individuals dealing with PTSD and anxiety is on the rise across the nation, with over 50,000 therapy dogs currently in service.
In Illinois, a new law aims to further increase the availability of these supportive animals during times of crisis.
State Senator Mary Edly-Allen has championed Senate Bill 1491, which mandates the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board to develop a training course and certification program specifically for therapy dog teams that specialize in crisis and emergency response.
The legislation, signed into law on Friday, is designed to expand the number of Crisis Intervention Therapy dogs. This expansion will ensure that officers can readily respond to events or request a visit from a therapy dog team when needed.
* Sen. Doris Turner…
Insurance companies will no longer be able to solicit nursing home residents under a new law championed by State Senator Doris Turner.
“Local nursing home residents had reached out saying they were being solicited to buy new insurance policies or change their current plans,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “We can’t let seniors be the target of deceptive practices by insurance companies.”
House Bill 1865 makes it illegal to solicit a resident of a nursing home or long-term care facility, or someone over the age of 65 to purchase accident and health insurance unless the insurance company waits 48 hours before making any insurance-related changes and the individual is given the ability to opt out.
Turner’s law also makes it illegal for a nursing home or long-term care facility to make substantive changes likely to be disruptive to a resident, or move a resident’s place of living, without prior approval from a guardian if the resident suffers from dementia or a medical condition that reduces their capacity to make informed decisions.
* Something that’s almost never discussed about the SAFE-T Act is how tough it is on alleged domestic violence perpetrators compared to the old cash bail system. It’s why numerous groups which serve domestic violence survivors staunchly supported the law change. Kudos to the Herald-News for this story…
The pretrial provision of the SAFE-T Act could have kept a man in jail and potentially prevented the escalation that led to a Joliet woman’s murder, according to an advocate for domestic violence victims.
On July 28, a Will County jury found Willie Banks, 48, guilty of the 2023 first-degree murder of Alicia Cole, 40, of Joliet. Banks broke into her residence on Dec. 13, 2023, and shot her multiple times with a gun, according to prosecutors.
By the time Banks was charged with Cole’s murder, he was out on bond and facing almost 20 charges across three Will County cases that named Cole as the victim. […]
The Herald-News contacted Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow’s Office to ask if Glasgow believes the SAFE-T Act would’ve been more effective in keeping Banks in jail and away from Cole.
A representative of Glasgow’s office said they have “no comment at this time” until after Banks’ sentencing on Oct. 7.
Glasgow and numerous other prosecutors in Illinois opposed cashless bail in lawsuits that led to an appeal before the Illinois Supreme Court. Glasgow’s lawsuit argued that cashless bail would cripple his ability to prosecute cases.
So far, more than a dozen people, ranging from prominent Illinois Democrats to up-and-coming progressives, have entered the packed contest to represent Illinois’ 9th Congressional District. […]
U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna (CA-17th District), a prominent voice in the Congressional Progressive Caucus who co-chaired Sen. Bernie Sanders’ 2020 run for president, announced he’s supporting [Kat Abughazaleh,] marking her first endorsement from a sitting member of Congress.
Khanna wrote in a statement on Monday that he looks forward to working with Abughazeleh, “who represents the absolute best that the Democratic Party has to offer.” He added that Abughazaleh shares his vision for a multiracial, populist party that appeals more to the working class.
Meanwhile, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) endorsed [Mayor Daniel Biss] on July 17, giving him a big backer among congressional progressives as well. Biss also got early support from U.S. Rep. Sean Casten (D-6th District), who represents parts of southwestern Chicago. And on Monday, he received new endorsements from Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas and Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim.
Starting on Tuesday, over 15 candidates across both the Democratic and Republican parties can begin gaining the signatures required to be on the primary ballots next March. […]
The seat is widely considered an extremely safe Democratic seat, with Schakowsky receiving at least 66% of the vote in every election since her first win in 1998. The winner of the Democratic primary is almost certain to also win the general election in November 2026.
Over a dozen Democrats have filed to run for the seat, including big names like Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, State Sens. Laura Fine and Mike Simmons, State Rep. Hoan Huynh, Skokie School Board member Bushra Amiwala and content creator Kat Abughazalegh. […]
Two Republican candidates filed to run for the seat, including Mark Su from Chicago and Rocio Cleveland from Island Lake. Those candidates need 540 signatures to make the Republican primary ballot.
Danny Davis, the 83-year-old dean of Illinois’ U.S. House delegation and a voice for progressive politics for decades, announced Thursday that he will not seek election to a 16th term representing his downtown and West Side district — the latest move in a generational change sweeping the state’s and nation’s political scene.
Davis also announced his endorsement of veteran state Rep. La Shawn Ford in a budding primary contest to succeed him for the Democratic nomination in March. Ford had announced his congressional bid in May but said he would not run if Davis had sought another term. With his announcement Thursday that he wasn’t running for reelection, Davis will serve as chairman of Ford’s campaign.
“I just decided that this would be a good time, this would be a great time to try and usher in and help bring in new leadership,” Davis said at a news conference held outside his congressional district office on Chicago’s West Side. “Because when you’re on the verge of leaving, it’s hard to do the kind of planning you’d like to do.”
Davis’ decision to retire at the end of his current term in January 2027 creates the fourth open-seat congressional contest for Illinois Democrats next year.
* Tina Sfondeles and Mitchell Armentrout at the Sun-Times have more on who’s running for Davis’ seat …
City Treasurer Melissa Conyears Ervin, who came in second to Davis in last year’s Democratic primary, also announced her bid for [7th Congressional District] Thursday. In a video announcement, Conyears Ervin said she’s running “so working people have someone on their side.” […]
Conyears Ervin last year led fundraising in the race with more than $619,000, and she also boasted about her progressive credentials in that race when she won the endorsement of the Chicago Teachers Union. Conyears Ervin last year was fined $70,000 by the Chicago Board of Ethics following findings that she misused government resources. During her congressional campaign, she maintained the allegations “misrepresented” her office, and she has denied wrongdoing. […]
Former Cook County Commissioner Richard Boykin, former U.S. Marine John McCombs, businessman Jason Friedman, pastor Je’Rico Brown, Forest Park Mayor Rory Hoskins, Kamaria Kali and Danica Leigh have also announced runs.
Former Ald. Walter Burnett Jr. and state Rep. Kam Buckner are also exploring runs, as is Anthony Driver Jr., executive director of the SEIU Illinois State Council and president of the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability.
Friedman, the son of prolific River North developer Albert Friedman, has raised more than $1 million since he launched his campaign in mid-April. He called Davis “a trailblazer and champion for our communities and families across Illinois.”
Anthony Driver Jr., director of the SEIU Illinois State Council and noted public safety advocate, has officially launched his campaign for the IL-07 congressional seat now held by Rep. Danny Davis. Here’s his launch video. […]
His resume: Driver previously worked for SEIU Healthcare in advocating for the $15 minimum wage that the city approved. He also helped establish the Chicago Police Department’s first civilian oversight board.
As the three leading contenders for U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin’s seat look to separate themselves for Democratic voters, one of them, U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly, has secured an endorsement from a group representing an issue that has united the left for years: gun violence prevention.
“What we need are more lawmakers like her who are not only going to vote the right way, but contextualize this issue,” said Kris Brown, president of the gun violence prevention organization Brady, whose political action committee will announce its endorsement of Kelly on Wednesday.
The endorsement comes as Kelly looks to position herself as the most experienced candidate for the Senate seat, having served in Congress since 2013 after voters elected her following a campaign that focused on gun violence. Her congressional career has been built in large part on her advocacy for gun control legislation.
“She connects the dots in a very material way because she’s a subject matter expert,” Brown said of Kelly, who represents parts of the South Side and south suburbs. “What we want are leaders who are capable of connecting all these dots and who will lobby their colleagues and bring others along.”
Congresswoman Robin Kelly, one of several Democrats running to replace retiring Sen. Dick Durbin, stood out last week with a statement that she supported the Senate vote to block weapons sales to Israel. […]
It was a moment of clarity for Kelly, while her top Democratic opponents — Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton and Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi — stayed mostly quiet on the issue.
In her statement, Kelly said she would have voted with Durbin and Duckworth. “I have supported Israel, but in this moment, I cannot in good conscience defend starving young children and prolonging the suffering of innocent families.”
Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi stepped onto the factory floor of a local trade school this week to deliver a message aimed squarely at working-class voters in downstate Illinois.
“I believe strongly in organized labor,” Krishnamoorthi said moments before a campaign stop at the United Association’s Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 553 Training Program, where apprentices learn to operate the machinery used at the Wood River Refinery. […]
Krishnamoorthi said he came to southern Illinois to better understand the region’s economic challenges.
“We’re not addressing the economic pain points that bedevil people right now,” he said. “There’s an affordability crisis.”
“I think we pay way too much for pharmaceuticals,” he said. “Medicare Part D is a disaster. It’s a nightmare. Why? Because the federal government is handcuffed from being able to negotiate the price of prescription drugs.”
* More…
*Forest Park Review | Marine turned stand-up comic launches campaign for Congress: John McCombs hasn’t spent much of any time around the political punchbowl — he’s been out on the road working on punchlines. McCombs, a Joliet native and Marine Corps veteran turned Chicago stand-up comedian, has filed to run to represent Illinois’ 7th District in the U.S. House of Representatives. McCombs has never run for any public office before, but he’s starting big running for a seat held by Rep. Danny Davis for three decades.
* WSIU | Raja Krishnamoorthi campaigns in Carbondale: Raja Krishnamoorthi is running for the democratic nomination to fill seat of retiring Senator Dick Durban in next year’s midterm elections. He traveled to Carbondale Tuesday to introduce himself and meet supporters from southern Illinois. WSIU’s Brian Sapp attended the event hosted by former Lt. Governor Sheila Simon.
* Journal Courier | Senate candidate Krishnamoorthi visits Springfield, rural areas: U.S. House Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, another Democrat who has thrown his hat into the ring for Sen. Dick Durbin’s seat, said he wants to appeal to rural communities. Krishnamoorthi, who grew up in Peoria, answered questions Thursday about rural interests after a listening session in downtown Springfield. About a dozen people showed up.
Monday, Aug 4, 2025 - Posted by Advertising Department
[The following is a paid advertisement.]
The increased costs associated with tariffs impact all of us, affecting millions of people. This includes backyard entertainment such as patio sets, swimming pools, spas, and barbeque grills, because retailers of all kinds across Illinois import many of the goods they sell. Tariffs have created more uncertainty for retailers than many have ever experienced. The Illinois Retail Merchants Association has found that while retailers are trying to hold-off on price increases, it’s impossible to absorb the extra expenses for numerous business owners who function on very small margins – which forces consumers to pay more.
Retailers like Bob Jones of American Sale with locations throughout Chicagoland enrich our economy and strengthen our communities, even during the uncertainty of increased tariff expenses. IRMA is showcasing some of the many retailers who continue to make Illinois work.
* My last weekly syndicated newspaper column was published before our break, so it’s a bit dated by now...
According to the 2020 Census, Cook County is 40% white, 26% Latino, 22% Black and 8% Asian. Chicago is 21% of the state’s population.
But the statewide ticket recently endorsed by the Cook County Democratic Party is overwhelmingly made up of white Chicagoans (JB Pritzker, Alexi Giannoulias, Mike Frerichs and Margaret Croke), with two Black Chicagoans (Lt. Gov. candidate Christian Mitchell and Kwame Raoul) and no Latinos or Asian Americans.
Outgoing Latina Comptroller Susana Mendoza did not endorse a replacement, and it seems unlikely she would’ve endorsed the only Latina who tossed her hat into the ring, Sen. Karina Villa, D-West Chicago. Villa is unabashedly progressive, while Mendoza is a far more conservative Democrat.
Villa’s progressive views may have cost her the party slating, which Rep. Margaret Croke, D-Chicago, obtained by a super-slim margin.
One contributing issue was Villa’s co-sponsorship of a bill — Senate Bill 2462 — to repeal the state ban on investing pension funds into companies that are boycotting Israel. Perhaps to quell any speculation, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle asked Villa during a party meeting if she had ever said that Israel didn’t have the right to exist. Villa “adamantly denied it,” said one top source.
Villa did not win the support of conservative-to-moderate Latino committeepersons like Alds. Gil Villegas (36th), Ray Lopez (15th) and Silvana Tabares (23rd).
Some Black committeepersons, except for state senators, also went with Croke, partly because they wanted to move away from progressive politics (quite a few were with Paul Vallas in the last mayoral election, you may recall). Others were with her because she’s a House colleague. Others obviously thought she had the best chance to win and could help them raise funds.
The bottom line, though, is that the worst-kept secret of the past several months is that Croke would run for comptroller if the incumbent Mendoza decided to step aside in favor of a probable run for mayor. Croke, therefore, had a big head start over Villa and Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim.
Croke, an ally of Pritzker, and a favorite of Pritzker’s top staff, was able to line up powerful backers and gathered some expert advice. More importantly, though, she did the work, and as microscopically narrow as her victory was, a win is a win.
Unlike Croke, Villa and Kim kinda came out of nowhere. And Villa reported a paltry $12,000 in her campaign account at the end of June. Kim reported just $44,000. That’s not the sort of presentation you want to make to a bunch of folks who hardly knew you even existed until Friday. Croke had $262,000 in the bank, but it’s assumed she has access to much, much more.
Senate President Don Harmon pointed to the potential of an all-Chicago, white-dominated statewide ticket to argue for either his member Villa’s slating or for an open primary. It didn’t work. Mayor Brandon Johnson has severely damaged the local progressive brand, and Latino voters and their leaders aren’t tied to identity politics if it conflicts with their own (or their constituents’) ideologies. Not to mention that Villa lives in DuPage County and has no local base and didn’t give herself time to make inroads.
No word at this writing on whether Villa or Kim will move ahead with campaigns. Also, Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, has told some people she’s interested in running for comptroller.
Meanwhile, the Cook County Democrats’ decision not to slate anyone for U.S. Senate was a big win for U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi. He has such a huge monetary advantage in this race ($21 million cash on hand) that avoiding the threat of the party backing another candidate means he can continue flooding the ad zone without worrying about a coordinated effort to defeat him in the party’s most influential county. Frankly, a slating might have made him look “too inevitable.”
Was this a loss for Pritzker, who has endorsed Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton? Yes, at least on the surface.
But I’ve had the impression from the beginning that, while Pritzker is definitely supporting her, Stratton has to go out and prove herself.
Her quarterly campaign contribution report didn’t impress anyone, and that had to weigh against Stratton during slating.
Right now, all three candidates, including U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly, are running cautious, generic Democratic campaigns, with few differences between them. The person with the most money will always win that race.
We’re expecting an announcement today from Holly Kim.
* ICYMI: Texas Democrats flee to Illinois to block Trump-backed GOP redistricting plan. Sun-Times…
- Forty Texas House Democrats fled to Illinois to block a GOP-led mid-decade redistricting plan that would add five Republican districts and bolster the party’s narrow U.S. House majority.
- At a Sunday night news conference in Carol Stream, Gov. JB Pritzker appeared with the Texas Democrats, denounced Donald Trump as a “cult leader” and “would-be dictator,” and defended Democrats exploring their own redistricting options.
- The rare mid-decade redistricting plan comes amid pressure from Trump to draw new maps to protect the GOP’s narrow 219-212 majority in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Illinois Senate Republican Leader John Curran (R-Downers Grove) released the following statement on Governor Pritzker’s broken promises on fair maps:
“Texas Democratic legislators walking out to come to the most rigged state in the country at the invitation of a governor who broke his promise to voters not once, but twice, to create the most gerrymandered maps in the nation is the height of hypocrisy.
“Governor Pritzker and his legislative allies have already rigged Illinois with a 14-3 Congressional map that is shameless in its attempt to remove choice from voters. They should be focused on strengthening democracy here in our state with fair maps instead of chasing national headlines by intervening in other states.”
*** Isabel’s Top Picks ***
* Tribune | ‘Dehumanizing’: Inside the Broadview ICE facility where immigrants sleep on cold concrete: The west suburban processing center is designed to hold people for no more than 12 hours before transferring them to a formal immigration detention facility. It has no beds, let alone any covers, Chavez said. They were not offered showers or hot food. No toothbrushes or feminine products. And certainly, Chavez recalled, those detained had no answers from immigration authorities about what would happen next. An investigation by the Chicago Tribune found that immigration detainees such as Chavez have been held for days at the processing center, a two-story building that is designed as a temporary way station until detainees can be transferred to jails out of state. For busier periods in June, data shows the typical detainee was held two or three days — far longer than the five or so hours typical in years past.
* WAND | Ryne Sandberg, Mickey Mantle baseball cards, gold Hermes bracelet offered up at state fair I-CASH auction Preview: Potential bidders are invited to attend the auction preview from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday August 5 at the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office in the Marine Bank Building, 1 East Old State Capitol Plaza, in Springfield. At the preview, attendees will get a sneak peek at items that will be auctioned live at 11 a.m. on Saturday August 16 at the Lincoln Stage on the Illinois State Fairgrounds.
*** Statehouse News ***
* Crain’s | Illinois co-leads states’ lawsuit against Trump transgender care crackdown: Raoul and the attorneys general of California, Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York are co-leading the multistate lawsuit filed today, arguing the administration has overstepped its authority by using threats of criminal prosecution and federal investigations to pressure health care providers, Raoul’s office said in a press release. Those actions have already seen a number of Illinois health care providers, including at least four Chicago health systems, pull back on the care they offer to patients under the age of 18 or 19.
* WGLT | State Rep. Dennis Tipsword reverses reelection plan, will run for Woodford County sheriff: “While it’s been a high honor to serve the people in the 105th District in every way, my heart is in law enforcement,” said Tipsword. “With Sheriff Smith’s decision to not seek reelection, I’m compelled to step up and run for sheriff next year.” Tipsword is in his 31st year in law enforcement and 18th year in the Woodford County Sheriff’s Office. He’s been deputy sheriff for 11 years.
* Streetsblog Chicago | No harm in asking: Illinois Senate President Harmon answers questions about the likelihood of a summer vote on a transit funding bill: Last week, I interviewed HB 3438 sponsor Sen. Ram Villivalam for an update on efforts to fill the budget gap. When I asked if the summer vote is definitely going to happen, he replied, “That’s above my pay grade. Obviously, that’s a decision by [Governor JB Pritzker] and the Senate President [Don Harmon] and the House Speaker [Emanuel “Chris” Welch].” Since then, I’ve been working on getting the answer from the horses’ mouths. Today I spoke with Oak Park-based Senate President Harmon, who shed some light on what’s going on
*** Chicago ***
* Crain’s | To plug $1B gap, Team Johnson totes up a list of politically risky tax moves: The 26 tax ideas under review — sourced from aldermen and civic groups — come with revenue estimates but long odds: Many have been rejected by Johnson, lack Council support, or require state approval. In virtual briefings today, members of Johnson’s finance team sought to distance themselves from some of the proposals, according to aldermen on the calls, but nonetheless went over a list that reads like a menu of difficult decisions fraught with political peril if ordered. While many of the proposals are unlikely to move forward, Johnson and the City Council have so far relied on tweaking existing taxes and fees — avoiding deeper reforms amid broad resistance to raising property taxes, which remain the city’s most reliable source of long-term revenue.
* Tribune | Mayor Brandon Johnson, facing a yawning budget deficit, could be in for a fight with corporate tax proposals: Facing a more than $1 billion deficit and having disavowed a property tax hike, Johnson last week said he would consider the return of a per-employee “head tax” on businesses or a much bolder payroll expense tax. Either would be a major shot across the bow of the city’s corporate class. He told reporters Tuesday his administration would take a serious look at how “individuals with means, particularly our billionaires and the ultra-rich who have benefited from a growing economy, can put more skin in the game” by contributing to the city’s violence reduction and affordable housing efforts. Johnson and his allies described both business taxes as just two of the numerous options the mayor is considering that might eventually be included in his budget proposal this fall.
* Tribune | Growing calls of ‘no confidence’ in CPD commander tied to wrongful murder conviction: And now at least two CPD district councils plan to hold symbolic no-confidence votes in John Foster, commander of Area 5 detectives, who oversees the investigations into the most serious crimes across the Northwest Side. The confrontation unfolded Monday evening during a public meeting at Kosciuszko Park, attended by Foster and other Police Department officials. During the public comment portion of the meeting, more than a half dozen people invoked Foster’s ties to the prosecution of Kevin Jackson, a man wrongfully convicted in a 2001 murder in West Englewood.
* WBEZ | CPS must present a plan to close its deficit within 9 days: What are the options?: After hearing ideas and proposed solutions from nearly 700 parents, teachers and community members at meetings in July, King warned: “There are no easy answers here, and it’s clear that there are difficult decisions that will need to be made.” The deficit is the result of several factors: the end of federal pandemic relief money after CPS used it for a hiring spree over several years, rising transportation and building maintenance costs, and expensive annual debt and pension payments that are the legacy of state underfunding.
* Tribune | Black Panther Party’s Illinois history recognized with heritage trail: The trail will serve as an educational tool, Wills wrote in a pamphlet, showing the breadth of the inaugural 13 Chicago sites where the black and gold markers will be placed. While the trail continues to be built, the inaugural expanse of markers placed into sidewalks or affixed to buildings runs from Peoria through Chicago to Rockford. The designated locales are where Illinois party members helped their communities back in the day — from the Spurgeon “Jake” Winters Free People’s Medical Care Center at 3850 W. 16th St. to structures where refuge and meetings were conducted, such as the Church of the Holy Covenant at 925 W. Diversey Parkway.
* ABC Chicago | Mayor Brandon Johnson, CPS, CTU to announce expansion of sustainable community school program: The additional 16 sustainable community schools will be in the Austin, Belmont Cragin and Englewood communities. According to CPS and CTU, Sustainable Community Schools integrate the needs of the school, students, and the community. They are meant to expand services beyond academic needs. That includes, extending the time a school building is open, offering families GED and ESL courses, health and wellness programming and connecting the school with community resources.
* Tribune | Last chance to apply for $250 million Bally’s Chicago IPO ends Monday: Bally’s Chicago will close its online portal Monday at noon, ending the opportunity for potential investors to indicate interest in the offering and perhaps own a piece of the city’s first casino. All investment accounts must be funded before Tuesday at 4 p.m., with Bally’s Chicago allocating shares in the IPO by Thursday, according to an email sent to potential investors.
* Sun-Times | Local priest accused of child sex abuse more than 40 years ago, archdiocese says: The Rev. Ronald Kondziolka, who has served in parishes and as a hospital chaplain throughout the Chicago area for decades, allegedly abused a child more than 40 years ago while working at St. Brendan’s Catholic Church. The now closed church once stood at Marquette Road and Racine Avenue in the Englewood neighborhood. Cardinal Blase Cupich alerted the parishes and health care centers where Kondziolka worked in a letter Saturday. The letter offers no details on the allegations or an exact time frame for when the alleged abuse happened. Cupich said Kondziolka “strenuously” denies the allegations.
* Chicago Mag | Housing’s Split Personality: It’s been a tale of two housing markets in the Chicago area of late. “Under $1 million, especially for first-time buyers, the market has been on fire. More than likely, you’re going to have to pay over asking,” says Eugene Fu, an agent with @properties Christie’s International Real Estate. But at the upper end, $2 million and above, purchasers are finding more leverage: “That market is softer. Those buyers generally have more choices and room to negotiate.” The biggest driver of this dichotomy? Millennials looking for starter homes. “In any of the neighborhoods that cater to them, we expect really intense competition for a property,” says Fu. “But homes around Michigan Avenue that are historically targeted toward empty nesters — those people aren’t buying in Chicago right now. They’re going straight to Florida or Arizona.”
* Sun-Times | Chicago hosts wheelchair world series featuring players who will ‘make a mark on this world’: As the Chicago Junior Wheelchair Cubs came up short in their quest to win their league world series, coach Dan Ferreira had a question for his team, which include players who have overcome a wide range of physical disabilities. “Is this as good as you’re ever going to be?” Ferreira asked the team members, some of whom were born with conditions like Osteogenesis imperfecta and others, including now 11-year-old Highland Park parade shooting victim Cooper Roberts, who were thrust into adaptive sports in the last few years. “Define what excellence means for yourself in this life,” the coach continued. “You’re gonna be grown one day, and you’re gonna make a mark on this world.”
* Block Club Chicago | Chicago Performer’s Terrible Portraits Have Become A Hit: ‘I Have No Plan To Get Better’: “I was at a house party in college and a friend saw some pen and paper and suggested drawing each other,” Reno said. “We put five minutes on the clock and she turned hers around and it was pretty good. I turned mine around and she was visibly upset. So I thought, ‘Well, I’m a terrible artist. And I have no intention to get better.’” The joke turned into a weekly occurrence for Reno when he quit his nine-to-five job that he said didn’t align with his values. A week later, he stumbled upon photos from the party and decided to try out drawing as a performance art.
*** Cook County and Suburbs ***
* Daily Herald | Lurie Children’s Hospital outpatient center adding to suburban ‘medtail’ redevelopment trend: The first phase of the Lurie Children’s Hospital outpatient center in Schaumburg is reaching completion with the expected opening of its Ambulatory Infusion Center on Aug. 18. Other services are expected to go live in early October, making the new 75,000-square-foot facility at 1895 Arbor Glen Blvd., near the northwest corner of Roselle Road and Hillcrest Boulevard, fully operational, company officials said. It will be the second major addition to the health care landscape in Schaumburg within the month, following the first phase of services at Duly Health and Care’s new 100,000-square-foot medical facility opening Monday at 1325 N. Meacham Road.
* Daily Southtown | Predominately Black Matteson names first African American police, fire chiefs: ikal Elamin, previously police chief in Chicago Heights, was sworn in as police chief last month and Derek Bryant, who had been fire chief in suburban Broadview, was sworn in as fire chief. Nearly 80% of Matteson’s population is African American, and Mayor Sheila Chalmers-Currin said their appointments reflect Matteson’s “continued commitment to excellence in public safety.” The chiefs were sworn in at the Village Board’s July 21 meeting.
* Tribune | Plainfield landlord convicted of killing 6-year-old Palestinian American boy dies in custody, sheriff says: The Plainfield man convicted of killing a Palestinian American boy in an October 2023 hate crime has died in state prison just weeks after his sentencing, the Will County sheriff’s office said Saturday. Joseph Czuba, 73, died Thursday while in the custody of the Illinois Department of Corrections, said Kevin Hedemark, sheriff’s office spokesperson. Hedemark said he couldn’t confirm Czuba’s cause of death. An IDOC spokesperson didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
* Daily Herald | Kane County Auditor Penny Wegman announces bid for treasurer: Wegman, a Democrat, was elected to her second term as auditor last year. She will seek her party’s nomination in the March 17 primary election. If she wins the primary, she will appear on the Nov. 5, 2026, general election ballot. In a news release, Wegman pledged “to bring her proven record of fiscal responsibility, transparency and innovation to the treasurer’s office.”
* Tribune | Illinois Gaming Board revokes license of Cicero video gambling operator, alleging mob ties: The board revoked the license of Firebird Enterprise Inc., owned by Jeffrey Bertucci, which operates the restaurant at 5647 W. Ogden Ave. The video gambling machines were disabled Friday, a day after the ruling, a board spokesperson said. The board rejected the finding of Administrative Law Judge Michael Coveny, who recommended that Bertucci should be allowed to continue operating, despite admitting in court to prior illegal gambling. Bertucci has never been convicted of a state gambling charge, but in 2000, he was arrested on a charge of illegally operating a coin-operated amusement device, the board stated in its ruling.
* Aurora Beacon-News | Construction begins on first residential lots at controversial Crown development in Sugar Grove: The project faced public opposition, however, both before and after the village gave it the green light. In April, a non-binding referendum question was passed by voters asking the village to reverse its decision on the project. In the same election, former village president Jennifer Konen and an incumbent village trustee — both of whom voted in favor of the Crown project — were voted out. Still underway is a lawsuit against Sugar Grove by Kaneland School District 302, which is challenging the tax increment financing district planned for the development project.
*** Downstate ***
* E&E News | Carbon storage site that leaked set to restart injections: For more than 10 months, the carbon dioxide injection well at Archer-Daniels-Midland’s storage site in Illinois has gone unused after testing showed evidence of a potential fluid leak. That pause, however, could be nearing its end. The agribusiness company — which typically sends 2,000 metric tons of CO2 underground per day at the site in Decatur, Illinois — anticipates resuming injection later this summer.
* WCIA | Springfield attorney fined for using AI, citing ‘nonexistent’ cases: A Springfield attorney is being fined and could face additional penalties after admitting to using artificial intelligence in briefs where he cited eight “nonexistent” cases — a situation that may be the first of its kind in the Illinois Appellate Court. […] An opinion filed on July 21, 2025 by Carla Bender in the Fourth District Appellate Court states that following an in-depth review of the briefs, the court recognized that Panichi cited eight “apparently nonexistent” cases in the respondent’s opening and reply briefs. In one instance, he provided a direct quote from one of these cases.
* WCIA | Lake Mattoon in the clear; swimming, boating allowed at ‘own risk’: A popular summer spot in Coles County was closed for almost three weeks because of a toxic algae bloom. Now, it’s back open and community members took the chance to go boating, fishing and even wakeboarding. On Sunday, boats were coming and going all afternoon on Lake Mattoon. It’s a spot that means so much to so many, and now that the lake is open again, a sense of normalcy has returned.
* WGLT | Appeals court sends ISU scuffle over union membership back to labor board: In January, the IELRB issued a ruling that five “food court/snack bar supervisors” should be added to the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Council 31 [AFSCME] bargaining unit. The university appealed, saying under the law “supervisors” are not supposed to be eligible. The case hinges on what supervision means. Relevant questions include how much authority these particular “managers on duty” have over other workers, how much time in a workday supervisory activity happens, and whether the preponderance of the job includes supervision or is much like the duties of other workers making sandwiches, and stocking shelves and coolers. Another question is whether there’s a difference under the law between supervising student workers and supervising snack bar attendants.
* BND | O’Fallon may get relief from 1% grocery tax. But when?: The city will continue collecting a 1% grocery tax, but city officials will be required to revisit whether the tax is necessary by April 30, 2028. Citing his belief that the city’s revenue will continue to grow—with large developments expected in the next few years—Alderman Todd Roach proposed a “sunset” provision to the tax. The amendment, requiring a council vote on the tax’s future, passed in an 11-3 decision.
* WAND | New DPS policies target students and visitors smelling of marijuana, other ‘distracting’ odors: Ahead of the new school year, Decatur Public Schools updated its district policies to emphasize banning marijuana and other “offensive” odors in its facilities. A DPS flyer said that students who come to school smelling like marijuana or other “distracting” odors will be instructed to call home for a change of clothes, or be picked up to change.
* WSIL | John A. Logan College to break ground for new CTE center in Carterville: Funded partially by a $4.2 million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, the $14.1 million project promises to significantly impact southern Illinois’ workforce. The new center will offer a modern welding lab and classroom while upgrading the Automotive, Auto Body, and HVAC programs with state-of-the-art tools. Dr. Kirk Overstreet, President of John A. Logan College, expressed excitement about the facility’s potential. “This facility will completely transform and modernize our Career and Technical teaching and training abilities,” Overstreet said. “It will bring state-of-the-art tools and training opportunities, providing a well-trained and well-educated community and fostering new economic growth for our industry partners in southern Illinois.”
* WSIL | Sesser receives $588K for community watermain upgrade: The grant comes from the Community Infrastructure Fund (CIF), which aids infrastructure projects to build safer communities across the Delta region. The DRA collaborated with the Office of the Governor of Illinois and local development districts to secure this funding. “We extend our sincere gratitude to DRA Federal Co-Chairman Dr. Corey Wiggins, Gov. J.B. Pritzker, our congressional delegation, the Greater Egypt Planning Commission, Brown and Roberts Engineering, City Staff, and our Governor’s DRA Representative Brandi Bradley for their dedication and support,” said Mayor Ashmore in an online post.
* WGLT | Connect Transit hopes to expand its rural on-demand service to neighboring counties: It’s been a month since Connect Transit launched its new rural on-demand service called Connect Go in McLean County. It replaces the service formerly run by Show Bus, only the new service no longer runs regular routes. Connect Transit Managing Director David Braun said the first week saw about 20 riders, and after a few glitches with its software and radio communications the service grew to about 40 riders by the third week. He expects that number to grow further over time as reliability improves.
*** National ***
* KFF Health News | Deep Staff Cuts at a Little-Known Federal Agency Pose Trouble for Droves of Local Health Programs: A little-known federal agency that sends more than $12 billion annually to support community health centers, addiction treatment services, and workforce initiatives for America’s neediest people has been hobbled by the Trump administration’s staffing purges. The cuts are “just a little astonishing,” said Carole Johnson, who previously led the Health Resources and Services Administration. She left the agency in January with the administration change and has described the sweeping staff cuts as a “big threat” to the agency’s ability to distribute billions of dollars in grants to hospitals, clinics, nonprofits, and other organizations nationwide.
* NPR | Corporation for Public Broadcasting says it’s shutting down: The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the conduit for federal funds to NPR and PBS, announced on Friday that it is beginning to wind down its operations given President Trump has signed a law clawing back $1.1 billion in funding for public broadcasting through fiscal year 2027. The announcement follows a largely party-line vote last month that approved the cuts to public broadcasting as part of a $9 billion rescissions package requested by the White House that also included cuts to foreign aid. While public media officials had held a glimmer of hope that lawmakers would restore some of the money for the following budget year, the Senate Appropriations Committee declined to do that on Thursday.
* NYT | What’s It Like to Deal With Brutal U.S. Tariffs? Ask Malaysia: Officials in Malaysia, who had been trying to work out a trade deal, had said they were ready to work with the Trump administration to stop companies from passing off Chinese-made goods as their own. But they learned on Friday they would be hit with a base tariff of 19 percent. An additional 40 percent would be added for any goods deemed to have originated in China. Those are set to take effect this week. The country finds itself caught squarely between the United States and China.
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