* The Washington Post…

Democratic state lawmakers who left Texas to block a Republican plan to redraw the congressional map, were evacuated from a suburban Chicago hotel Wednesday morning because of what police called a potential bomb threat.

The St. Charles, Illinois, police responded to a potential bomb threat at approximately 7:15 a.m. Central time at a hotel in the Chicago suburb, according to a statement by the department. The police, joined by the fire department and the Kane County Sheriff’s Office bomb squad, conducted a search of the hotel and no device was found. Undersheriff Amy Johnson told The Washington Post that the officials cleared the scene two hours later. The St. Charles Police said 400 people were evacuated and, after the search, all hotel guests and staff were allowed to return.

Texas House Minority Leader Gene Wu, along with the leaders of the state Mexican American and Black caucuses, said in a joint statement that all evacuated members are safe. […]

Texas state Rep. John Bucy III (D) blamed Republicans for the incident, saying in a post on X that their rhetoric has endangered the Democratic lawmakers.

“This is what happens when Republican state leaders publicly call for us to be ‘hunted down,’” Bucy said. “Texas Democrats won’t be intimidated.”

* Correlation does not imply causation…

Interesting framing https://t.co/0qwqKcvnIC

— Capitol Fax (@capitolfax) August 6, 2025

[From Rich: Their exact location appears to have been first reported by Politico yesterday morning. And then that information ginned up the haters.]

* US Rep. Quigley may be making a move for mayor of Chicago. Crain’s Greg Hinz…

North Side U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley is making a move. And, though his ultimate intentions are not yet solidified, he doesn’t deny that a race for mayor against embattled incumbent Mayor Brandon Johnson could be in his future.

“I want to see where the city is. Do they want a truth teller?” Quigley summarized in an interview today. “It’s my intention to play a bigger role in state and local politics.”

Quigley, 66, a Lakeview Democrat who is considered a relative moderate, has begun circulating petitions for a 10th term in Congress and said “my intention” is to file them and actually run. But he’s also circulating petitions to run for the district’s slot on the Illinois Democratic Party’s state central committee. […]

As part of the race for state central committeeman, Quigley is forming a new, state campaign committee, which would raise and spend money separately from his federal campaign fund. That’s where things get interesting, because a candidate for mayor of Chicago in the 2027 election would need a state committee, not just a federal account.

* Subscribers were told this morning. WIFR…

Illinois’ 68th district will see competition in the upcoming midterms, as a local businesswoman announces her candidacy.

Kathy Easton seeks the Republican party nomination, and if successful, will challenge incumbent State Representative Dave Vella (D) for his seat in the general assembly representing the 68th district.

This is Eason’s first bid for elective office.

* Laura Fine for Congress…

Over seventy Democratic leaders from across Illinois have endorsed State Senator Laura Fine for the Democratic nomination for Congress in the 9th District.

Click here to view the full release.

…Adding… Senate President Don Harmon is running for the same party slot…

Illinois House Speaker Emanuel ‘Chris” Welch is seeing swelling 7th District support for his bid to replace Congressman Danny Davis as State Central Committee person.

Today, the Speaker announced endorsements from key leaders on the west side, including: 3rd Ward Alderwoman and Committeewoman Pat Dowell, 15th Ward Alderman and Committeman Ray Lopez, 24th Ward Alderwoman and Committeewoman Monique Scott, 16th Ward Alderwoman and Committeewoman Stephanie Coleman, and Franklin Park Mayor and Democratic Committeeperson for Leyden Township Barret Pedersen. Welch has also earned the endorsements of Cook County Clerk Monica Gordon and State Representative Margaret Croke. […]

These west side democratic leaders join the growing list of those calling Welch the post, including: Congressman Danny Davis (who currently holds the seat), Former Secretary of State Jesse White, Democratic Party of Illinois Chair Lisa Hernandez, DNC member Dan Hynes, Alderwoman and State Central Committeewoman Emma Mitts, MWRD Commissioner and Orland Township Democratic Committeeperson Beth McElroy Kirkwood, Former State Central Committeewoman Darlena Williams Burnett, River Forest President Cathy Adduci, Westchester President Greg Hribal, Bellwood Mayor Andre Harvey, Hillside Mayor Joe Tamburino, Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson, Maywood Mayor Nathaniel Booker, 18th Ward Alderman Derrick Curtis, Alderman Walter Burnett, State Representative Jawaharial ‘Omar’ Williams, State Representative Kam Buckner, State Representative La Shawn Ford, and State Representative Aaron Ortiz.

*** Statewide ***

* Shaw Local | Is your child ready for school? Illinois vaccine requirements for 2025: Illinois requirements apply to all public and private school students, but the IDPH said they should also be observed by students attending school virtually or by those who are homeschooled Illinois also requires students entering pre-school, kindergarten, sixth, and ninth grades, as well as out-of-state transfer students, to show proof of a physical examination.

*** Statehouse News ***

* Legal Sports Review | 50 AGs Ask DOJ To Fight Illegal Online Casino, Sports Betting Sites: The letter called DOJ enforcement actions against illegal online casinos and sportsbooks “extremely limited” since 2013. The letter noted the DOJ’s actions on Black Friday in 2011 and in April 2024 when it seized domains connected to a Russian cybercrime network.
The attorneys general offered three efforts on which the DOJ could coordinate with their offices: Go for injunctive relief and website seizures using federal law. Seize assets and domains of illegal offshore gaming operators, many of which have been reached with cease-and-desist letters from some of the undersigned AGs or state regulatory agencies. Work with financial institutions to block illegal gambling transactions.

* Rep. Gregg Johnson, Rep. Will Guzzardi | Contrary to Trump’s rants, Illinois criminal justice reforms have been effective: Illinois is making progress. Crime is down, and our state leaders are funding programs that work. Our state has invested millions of dollars in violence prevention programs and bolstered the social safety net. These policy decisions stand in stark contrast to Trump’s reckless moves to gut funding for domestic violence victims, system-involved children, people suffering from addiction and those considering suicide. Rather than lashing out, the president should sit down and let adults get back to work improving the lives of marginalized people across the U.S.

* WCIA | New law cuts ‘red tape’ from process of Illinoisans applying for disability driving placards: A new law in Illinois will make it easier for people with disabilities to obtain license plates and parking placards by cutting “red tape” out of the process. Senate Bill 1256 was passed unanimously by both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly earlier this year, and it was signed into law by Governor J.B. Pritzker on Friday. State Senator Steve McClure (R-Springfield) and State Representative C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Murrayville), the primary sponsors of the bill, explained that the bill allows certifications for disabled individuals to remain valid for five years and allows licensed physical therapists to sign off on applications, which the legislators said will save families time and the cost of additional medical visits.

* Rockford Register Star | Foundation names Freeport legislator as most conservative state senator in Illinois: State Sen. Andrew Chesney (R-Freeport) has been officially recognized as the most conservative state senator in Illinois, according to the legislative scorecard recently released by the American Conservative Union Foundation, the non-profit educational arm of the Conservative Political Action Conference Foundation (CPAC), for the votes he cast in 2024. Chesney earned the highest score for conservative politics in the State Senate. The 2024 scorecard analyzed 19 key pieces of legislation, and Chesney’s record stood out for its firm opposition to what he calls “radical progressive overreach” in Springfield.

* Tribune | Proposed law would expand the reach of personal injury lawyers when they file suits over toxic substances: Trial lawyers say the measure would offer fairness and convenience, primarily for Illinois residents who are injured in other states. Traditionally those plaintiffs have had to file suit in the state where they were hurt or where the company is headquartered. Critics warn the legal change would promote “venue shopping” — where plaintiffs look for the most favorable court in which to file suit — a practice that, in theory, is not permitted. If approved, Illinois would be one of the first states to adopt such an approach, said Mark Denzler, president of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association.

*** Chicago ***

* ICYMI: The Council Office of Financial Analysis dropped its mid-year report last week…

Newly beefed-up City Council financial watchdog @ChicagoCOFA quietly dropped its mid-year budget report last week, including a 1st-ever report on city employee vacancies by department. https://t.co/cOa5xALXI1
Should be of interest to anyone advocating cuts over new taxes!

— Alex Nitkin (@AlexNitkin) August 6, 2025

* The Triibe | ‘I just wanted to see a change,’ Chicago youth reflect on their experience as peacekeepers: Reece Johnson, 21, spent the last six weeks as a Peacekeeper. Two summers ago, he lost his big brother in a shooting. He’s also lost friends to gun violence in Chicago. “It just kept happening,” Johnson said about his losses, “and I just wanted to see a change, and I knew I couldn’t see a change without seeing a change in myself, looking in the mirror.” He learned about GoodKids MadCity’s Peacekeeper initiative while being a member of the youth organizing nonprofit. The city’s One Summer Chicago employment initiative funded positions for GKMC’s peacekeepers program to address the root causes of violence and crime through a nonpunitive approach. Youth employment is one of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s priorities; he recently celebrated hiring more than 30,000 youth this summer.

* Block Club | West Side Alderman, Neighbors Reject Housing Development On ‘Congested’ Stretch Of Harlem: “We don’t know who’s coming into the neighborhood. We don’t know what they’re trying to do,” a neighbor said during the meeting. “If you’re trying to do this with 80 units, no. Take it to Oak Park because we have a plethora of problems, and nothing is resolving.”

* Crain’s | Developers pitch 92-unit apartment project near Wrigley Field: The proposed development would replace the now-vacant Torstenson Glass facility on the site, according to the plans. It would include 51 two-bedroom apartments, 41 one-bedroom apartments and 25 parking spaces. About 15% of the units, 14 in total, would be marketed at affordable rates. The project adds to the pipeline of mid-rise proposals in the works for Lakeview as developers seek to add some new rental supply to the popular North Side neighborhood. Other proposals include residential redevelopments of the Stage 773 and Briar Street theater sites, as well as a 46-unit project at 925 W. Belmont Ave. Rental demand in Chicago has been boosted as high interest rates and construction costs have constrained the amount of supply being delivered.

* Sun-Times | The Drive takes a dive? Latest vision for Grant Park’s future makes big plans: But suppose DuSable Lake Shore Drive could be sunken and capped-over to improve pedestrian access between Buckingham Fountain and the lake? Or adding green space — and reducing car-dominance — by shaving off some of the girth of the east/west streets that run through the park? All of this and more is part of the Chicago Park District’s Grant Park Framework Plan that’s now taking shape.

* Block Club | Chicago Air Quality Expected To Improve Starting Wednesday After Days Of Hazy Skies: Some of the smoke should move away from the city throughout the day Wednesday, said Mark Ratzer, lead forecaster with the National Weather Service’s Chicago office. “Some of the models here this morning are showing that some of the smoke, at least the nearest surface smoke that’s over our area, does look like it should be kind of lifting up to the north and northwest here, more into Wisconsin, as we go through the day today,” he said.

* Sun-Times | Twisted Spoke bar is closing after 30 years in West Town: The biker-themed bar, at 501 N. Ogden Ave., will close Aug. 31, the co-owners Mitch and Cliff Einhorn announced Tuesday. “After 30 years of blood, grease, and bourbon, Twisted Spoke is grinding to a halt.”

* WBBM | Tempers flare as Bears hold their most physical practice of training camp: ‘That’s what we should practice like every day’: The Bears held their most physical practice of camp Tuesday, a two-hour session in full pads that featured live tackling, a fast tempo and several scuffles. It was the type of practice that hasn’t been seen in the last decade during training camps for the Bears and one that was a departure from the prevailing philosophy across the NFL regarding being careful with live tackling.

* WGN | Chicago to honor Bob Newhart with street renaming on his 96th birthday: Earlier in the year, the Chicago City Council approved an honorary street renaming for late comedian and sitcom icon Bob Newhart, who died July 18, 2024, at 94. The designation will take place on North Sheridan Road between Ardmore and Thorndale Avenues. Set for 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 5, the renaming ceremony coincides with what would have been Newhart’s 96th birthday.

*** Cook County and Suburbs ***

* Tribune | Park Ridge city leaders could ban single use plastic grocery bags or tax them. Business owners to weigh in.: “I would be interested in pursuing something like an all-out ban on plastic [bags] and leave paper [bags] as it is. And, target only the 5,000 square-foot stores so the small stores, they wouldn’t even be touched by this,” said Alderperson Joseph Steinfels. Based on the discussion, the council seemed open to ban the bags outright or tax them. But in both instances, the action would only apply to grocery stores over 5,000 square feet. Paper bags wouldn’t be affected. In addition, there would likely be carve-outs for prescription drug bags and for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – known as food stamps – users, similar to Chicago regulations.

* Tribune | Lake Forest Caucus considering amending bylaws to allow electronic voting for residents: Caucus officials have scheduled a vote at its October 14 annual meeting to amend the organization’s bylaws and create alternative voting options, including electronic voting, Caucus President Regina Etherton said at a July 30 meeting. Currently, the Caucus only permits in-person voting at its meetings, where a main function often is to ratify a candidate slate for upcoming elections. Etherton said there are several groups of voters, including the elderly, physically challenged, and residents who travel extensively want to participate in Caucus elections, but can not do so now under the current requirements.

* Daily Herald | Data center could land at former Alcatel-Lucent site in Naperville: The campus Karis is proposing is “almost like a boutique, as compared to something that Tesla or Google or Microsoft or Meta would build,” says Russ Whitaker, an attorney for the developer. “As a co-location facility, it will provide necessary infrastructure for businesses that serve customers in the Chicago metro region,” he said. “We anticipate that customers will be telecom-centric … matching the roots of the former Bell, Lucent and Nokia operations at the campus.”

* Daily Southtown | Flood control project wraps up in Glenwood, another close to completion: The $1.39 million project — funded jointly by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Glenwood — expanded a regional detention basin east of Halsted Street and south of 187th Street on village-owned land. The Corps provided $1.17 million of the funding and Glenwood the rest, and Mayor Toleda Hart said the work provides “critical drainage improvements” to an area of the village prone to flooding.

* Daily Herald | Prospect Heights Library installs public EV chargers: EV drivers can locate and use the chargers via the ChargePoint network by downloading the ChargePoint app and creating an account. Charging is billed at $0.20 per kilowatt-hour (kWh). An additional $0.10 per minute idle fee after the first hour encourages turnover and ensures availability. The pricing was set to help the library recoup the cost of the installation while still offering a valuable community service.

*** Downstate ***

* WGLT | Koos: McLean County’s failure to approve sales tax pause would chill conversation about intergovernmental agreement: Normal Mayor Chris Koos says if the McLean County Board does not act on an amendment to pause sales tax sharing that lasts at least a year, it would chill conversation among the town, city, and county over potential changes to an intergovernmental agreement. He said the county board needs to have a public discussion on the proposed pause because the city and town have had public discussion and have acted. “It’s hard for me to say what needs to be clarified right now because the county hasn’t taken it up to have a discussion on it. So, we’re not sure. We think the minimum one-year suspension of payments is the key issue, but again they have not had a discussion, nor have we heard back on what their disagreement with the agreement is,” Koos said on WGLT’s Sound Ideas.

* WAND | Public broadcasting cuts to hit local PBS stations: The PBS station in Charleston, WEIU, is preparing for what may come. “WEIU and other PBS stations are going to stay open,” said Jeff Owens, WEIU’s General Manager. “We’re just going to have to learn to operate in a different manner.” WEIU is connected to Eastern Illinois University, offering a training ground for broadcast students. Owens said the cuts will lead to a loss of about $800,000 per year in federal funding.

* WCIA | Funding for C-U at Home shelter approved by Champaign City Council: In Tuesday night’s meeting, council members unanimously voted 8-0 to approve a resolution to authorize a city manager to enter into a subrecipient agreement with C-U at Home for the rehabilitation of a mid-barrier homeless shelter. This plan will utilize Community Development Block Grant funding, in an amount not to exceed $408,555.

* Shaw Local | State holds hearing on high-speed rail plan in Will County: The rail improvements are planned for an area between Braidwood and Elwood. They are part of the plan for high-speed rail between Chicago and St. Louis, the Illinois Department of Transportation said in a news release. An environmental assessment for a second track in the Braidwood-Elwood corridor has been completed, and the findings will be presented at the hearing, IDOT said. The additional track and related improvements would allow train speeds to increase to 110 mph, IDOT said.

* WAND | Innovafeed suspends operations at Decatur facility: Economic Development Corporation of Decatur-Macon County President Nicole Bateman confirmed the suspension of operations to WAND News Tuesday. Bateman also shared that employees were relocated “when possible” to minimize the number of job losses, and the impact is said to affect a “handful of people.” The move will allow Innovafeed to continue bolstering its commercial operations, and the suspension should only last about “a year or two,” according to Bateman.

* WSIU | Fairgoers are in for a special treat at the 2025 Illinois State Fair in Springfield: Country music powerhouse Randy Houser will take the Grandstand stage for a free concert on Monday, August 11. The free concert will also feature 80s rock band Night Ranger as the opening act. No ticket is required, though attendees must go through security screening prior to entering the Grandstand.

* Brownfield Ag | Northern Illinois Farmer sees high potential: “We did have a wind storm come through a couple of weekends ago that lest some damage in the area.” He says, “Fortunately, we didn’t have that. June was a super dry month, but July tracked in about 5 inches of rain here, so we’ll see what August brings. We’re not out of the woods yet.” He tells Brownfield they’ve been busy spraying fungicides to protect the crop’s potential.

*** National ***

* Crain’s | Rivian reports net loss of $1.1 billion, keeps 2025 delivery guidance: Electric vehicle maker Rivian Automotive reported a second-quarter net loss of $1.1 billion, an improvement over its $1.5 billion net loss in the same period last year. […] On the company’s earnings call, CEO RJ Scaringe said Rivian faces a more challenging business climate due to policy changes enacted during the Trump administration, including increased tariffs and cuts to federal support for EVs.

* Reuters | Caterpillar warns of $1.5 billion hit as tariffs to hurt profit more in second half: Caterpillar warned on Tuesday U.S. tariffs would pose significant challenges in the second half of the year and cost the construction equipment maker up to $1.5 billion in 2025. Sweeping tariffs have pushed up costs across the company’s supply chain as it imports crucial components including sensors for its products, even as many firms rush to localize production. “Impact of tariffs was around the top end of our estimated range for the quarter and it’s likely to be a more significant headwind to profitability in the second half of 2025,” CEO Joe Creed said.

* AP | Homeland Security removes age limits for ICE recruits to boost hiring for Trump deportations: Currently, ICE applicants must be 21 years old and no older than 37 or 40, depending on what position they are applying for. In an interview with Fox & Friends, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said applicants could be as young as 18. “We no longer have a cap on how old you can be or you can continue at age 18, sign up for ICE and join us and be a part of it. We’ll get you trained and ready to be equipped to go out on the streets and help protect families,” Noem said.

* WSJ | Government Data Is Under Fire, but It Makes the World Go ‘Round: The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ data does more than capture monthly job growth and inflation pressures. It plays a crucial role in Americans’ financial lives. The data influences how much people pay in taxes, receive in retirement benefits and even how much they earn on some investments. The consumer-price index, published each month, is used to update everything from 401(k) contribution limits to pension payments to income cutoffs for Medicare costs.