Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

Thursday, Apr 16, 2026 - Posted by Isabel Miller

[Don Tracy,] [Juliana Stratton’s] US Senate GOP opponent, is attempting to portray her as “too extreme for Illinois,” highlighting her positions on the minimum wage, immigration and other issues while trying to associate her with progressive groups like the Chicago Teachers Union and politicians like Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson.

But Stratton said not to expect her to walk back on her primary rhetoric and proposals, saying she wants to bring what she’s deemed the “Illinois Blueprint” to Washington, D.C. She pointed to, for example, Illinois raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour — more than double the national rate. She wants to raise it to $25 an hour. Her primary opponents pitched $17 an hour.

“It would be a raise, but I’m fighting for 25 because if we were going to do 17, it should be today,” Stratton said. “It should be right now.”

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Sponsored by Phrma

Illinois is paying the price for 340B medicine markups.

Through the federal 340B program, nonprofit hospitals can buy medicines for pennies, then charge huge markups – even on life-saving medicines. Those markups have become big business for large hospital systems, driving higher costs for Illinois patients, employers and taxpayers.

And the problem is getting worse. The program’s lack of oversight has allowed 340B to become a revenue stream for hospitals, PBMs, private equity firms and big chain pharmacies — with no requirement that the money be used to help patients afford medicines. It’s time for Washington to hold hospitals accountable and fix 340B. Read more.

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* Illinois Department of Employment Security…

The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that the unemployment rate was 5.0 percent in February, up +0.1 percentage point from January, and up +0.3 percentage point from the same month, one year ago, based on data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The revised January unemployment rate was 4.9 percent.

Total nonfarm payrolls decreased over-the-month in February, down -17,800 (-0.3%) to 6,137,200. The January monthly change in payrolls was revised from the preliminary report, from +18,000 to +6,200. The February payroll jobs estimate and unemployment rate reflect activity for the week including the 12th.

The industry sectors with the largest monthly payroll jobs decreases included: Construction (-4,900), Trade, Transportation and Utilities (-4,800), and Information (-2,800). The industry sectors with over-the-month jobs increases included: Government (+800) and Other Services (+700).

Compared to a year ago, total nonfarm payroll jobs were down -19,900 jobs. The industry groups with the largest jobs decreases included: Trade, Transportation and Utilities (-18,600), Professional and Business Services (-15,700), and Information (-3,700). The industry groups with the largest jobs increases included: Private Education and Health Services (+16,500), Construction (+7,600) and Other Services (+2,100). In February, total nonfarm payrolls were down -0.3 percent over-the-year in Illinois and up +0.1 percent in the nation.

*** Statehouse News ***

* Sun-Times | Car insurance premium inequities are driven by age, credit and ZIP code, study finds: The study, conducted by New York-based auditing company O’Neil Risk Consulting & Algorithmic Auditing, backs up Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias’ push for a bill that he says would rein in car insurance costs that are unfairly discriminatory. The bill, which passed the state House in March and is awaiting a Senate vote, would require the Illinois Department of Insurance to review auto and home insurance rate hikes over 10% and order refunds for customers it determines were overcharged. The state could contest proposed hikes if they are “excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory.”

* WRMJ | Local State Rep. Hammond’s Ovarian Cancer Screening Legislation Passes House: Legislation sponsored by local State Rep. Norine Hammond (R-Macomb) to expand the scope of ovarian cancer screenings has passed the Illinois House. House Bill 4203 provides that “surveillance tests for ovarian cancer” means all medically viable methods for the detection and diagnosis of ovarian cancer, including, but not limited to, ultrasounds, MRIs, x-rays, CT scans, and CA-125 blood test screenings.

* CBS Chicago | Video: Rep. Ann Williams weighs on data center hearings in Springfield: The Illinois House has been holding hearings, investigating the way data centers are impacting communities.

* In Game | Illinois Wagering Volume Continues To Be Notably Down: The state’s 10 mobile sportsbooks accepted 20.6 million wagers in February, down 25.2% from last year. The downturn is 30.7% when excluding bet365, which took 1.5 million bets this February and did not launch in Illinois until last March. The per-wager surcharge passed in last year’s budget continues to be an albatross dragging wagering volume down. Proponents can argue the 25-cent or 50-cent tax per bet placed has more than served its purpose; the $83.6 million in tax receipts generated the first eight months of the fiscal year is more than double the $40 million estimated prior to Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signing the budget into law last June. FanDuel and DraftKings, the lone digital operators paying the higher 50-cent surcharge, accounted for $7.4 million of the $8.8 million in remits for February.

*** Chicago ***

* Sun-Times | City Hall can’t even tally up estimated $8 billion debt backlog, let alone collect it, watchdog finds: But it’s impossible to nail the full tab down to the penny because “no City department has knowledge or management oversight of all debt owed to the City, and the City may therefore be unable even to quantify the total outstanding debt,” Witzburg’s office found. “Owing money to the City disproportionately impacts economically vulnerable residents, who may live in communities where fines and fees are highly concentrated and correlate with higher levels of poverty,” according to the OIG. “Without comprehensive debt management, the City is poorly situated to plan and implement equitable debt collection strategies.”

* Sun-Times | Chicago’s school board election is coming. Here’s what to know and what’s at stake: For the upcoming election on Nov. 3, the city has been divided into 20 subdistricts. Residents will vote for one candidate to represent the area where they live. (You can look up your school board subdistrict here.) But everyone will be able to vote for the school board president, which is a citywide seat. The terms of the newly elected members aren’t all the same because of the board’s transition from being partially elected to fully elected.

* Crain’s | Kirkland & Ellis in the hot seat again a year after its pro-bono deal with Trump: The Chicago-based law firm made the deal in April 2025 in order to stave off an executive order hamstringing its operations and to curtail a federal investigation into its hiring practices. The firm, which is No. 1 on Crain’s list of largest firms, has thrived financially, but its reputation remains at risk as other firms succeed in battling the president while picking up support from the legal community. Democratic lawmakers Rep. Jamie Raskin and Sens. Adam Schiff and Richard Blumenthal singled out Kirkland last month after the firm told them it was doing work without pay for government agencies, without going into specifics. The lawmakers claim such work could violate anti-bribery statutes, federal law, and ethics rules governing attorneys because the services were offered while Kirkland was under threat from the federal government, and are seeking all communications with the Trump administration related to the deal.

* Press release | Small Dollar Donors Power Six-Figure Fundraising Quarter for Byron Sigcho Lopez: The Democratic Socialist running as an Independent to replace Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García in IL-04 finished the campaign’s first fundraising quarter with more than $133,000 raised from more than 1,260 contributions – far outpacing his opponent in contributions from individuals for this quarter. Byron Sigcho Lopez launched his campaign on January 28 for IL-04 – the congressional district with the highest concentration of Latino voters in the United States.

* Tribune | University of Illinois and IBM renew quantum technology partnership at new Chicago headquarters: The second phase of the 10-year, $200 million IBM-Illinois Discovery Accelerator Institute will shift toward the state’s growing quantum computing infrastructure and make a second home at the Discovery Partners Institute in Chicago, the university’s urban research hub. “It shows the commitment and the optimism that IBM has around quantum computing,” said Rashid Bashir, dean of the Grainger College of Engineering at UIUC. “They are certainly pushing forward really hard on that and collaborating with universities, and they’re committing to supporting the governor’s vision of making Chicago the quantum capital of the world.”

* Sun-Times | Johnson calls Rahm Emanuel’s mayoral record ‘disqualifying’ for a possible presidential contender: “I have very deep concerns about the former mayor of the city of Chicago. What he did in Chicago — from school closures to privatization to austere budgets,” Johnson said during his monthly appearance on WBEZ-FM’s “Ask the Mayor” program before a live audience. “There was a boy who was murdered by a police officer and it was covered up,” Johnson added. “That’s disqualifying for me.” Johnson’s cover-up allegation a was a reference to the 2014 murder of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald by now-convicted former Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke.

* Sun-Times | Cash-strapped DePaul closes the curtain on Downtown’s historic Reskin Theatre: While the university won’t officially confirm that it’s shuttering the theater — “No decision has been made about the Merle Reskin Theatre,” a school spokesperson said Thursday — there’s enough writing on the wall to indicate it’s closing. DePaul’s Chicago Playworks for Families and Young Audiences — the Reskin’s theater group that is set to perform “Mirror of Most Value” there next month — will be moved to the university’s Theatre School building in Lincoln Park after the play closes.

* Tribune | Googly eyes and a blue bin: Meet Loop, Chicago’s new recycling mascot: The photo was posted to social media on April 1. Was this an April Fool’s joke? When I reached out to the Department of Streets and Sanitation, I was informed Loop is real. Loop is real! Loop was created by Güd Marketing for a recycling awareness campaign that includes billboards and videos called “Feed the Cart” for Chicago and neighboring municipalities.

*** Cook County and Suburbs ***

* Daily Southtown | New Lenox police investigate bomb threat against Pope Leo XIV’s brother’s home: Police responded to the bomb threat at 6:29 p.m. Wednesday but determined it was unsubstantiated and said no explosive devices or hazardous materials were present. Specialized units, including the Will County sheriff’s office explosive detection K9, were brought in to assist. No injuries were reported and the nearby residents, asked to evacuate when the threat came in, were allowed to return to their homes.

* Press release | DuPage Democratic Party Chair Re-Elected: Chair of the Democratic Party of DuPage County, Reid McCollum, was re-elected for a two-year term on Wednesday, April 15 along with First Vice Chair, Dianne McGuire and Treasurer, Ilse Messner. McCollum and McGuire were first elected in Nov. 2024; Messner was first elected in April 2024. Chair McCollum has led the DuPage Democrats during a period of unprecedented success for electing Democratic candidates and greatly boosted the party’s profile and fundraising. In the April 2025 township elections, Democratic candidates in DuPage won all 49 contested races.

* Evanston RoundTable | Here is where Evanston’s TIF districts stand, as city officials consider ending some early: But the TIF districts have been under new scrutiny from the current City Council, prompted by some high-profile funding requests that Evanston’s overall property tax burden is a major driver of the city’s growing unaffordability. Just before the council rejected a $400,000 TIF request from restaurant Choice Authentic in January, Councilmembers Parielle Davis (7th Ward) and Matt Rodgers (8th Ward) submitted separate referrals to respectively vote on whether to terminate each of the five existing districts early, and to set an overall policy for deciding when to terminate or extend any given district.

*** Downstate ***

* WCIA | Tilton pulls permit after Comcast contractors hit gas main: WCIA spoke with Mayor Bill Wear on Wednesday, and he said people working for Comcast hit a gas line at the corner of King and Keegan Streets earlier this morning. Wear said this is the final straw, causing him to take drastic action he thinks will keep the village safe. […] Wear said he talked to Comcast management before work started and thought they had an understanding. “We thought they were going to stay at a two-foot level,” Wear said.

* WGLT | Democrat Joshua Crockett announces a run for McLean County Clerk: The county Democratic Party has slated Joshua Crockett to run against incumbent Republican Kathy Michael who is running for a fifth term. Crockett said it’s time for a fresh face in the office and he wants to do innovative things other county clerks do, such as employ universal polling places. […] Crockett works in constituent services for state Sen. Dave Koehler and has served on the Heartland Community College Board of Trustees since 2021.

* WSIL | Bald Knob Cross of Peace Awarded $200,000 Grant for New “Top of the Cross Experience”: The monument’s Board of Directors revealed plans to launch the “Top of the Cross Experience,” which will include the installation of an interior lift designed to carry visitors to an observation deck near the top of the 111-foot structure. The project is backed by a $200,000 matching tourism grant awarded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. The total cost of construction is expected to exceed $500,000, with additional funding still needed to complete the effort.

* BND | There’s a new option to get from the metro-east to Cardinals games — and it costs $10: The St. Clair County Transit District is partnering with Vandalia Bus Lines to offer the Redbird Bus Service, which will be available for all Friday and Saturday home games for the 2026 season, according to an April 7 news release. “Traffic congestion, high parking fees and long-distance walks from the more affordable parking lots are commonly associated with getting to and from sporting events in downtown St. Louis — but, that doesn’t have to be the case,” St. Clair County Board Chairman Mark Kern said in the release. “The Redbird Bus service offers a safe and hassle-free means for local residents to get to and from St. Louis Cardinals games. It also serves as a great way to introduce new riders to public transit.”

*** National ***

* Star Tribune | ICE agent charged with two felonies for allegedly pointing his gun at MN motorists during Operation Metro Surge: This is the first criminal charge to be levied against an ICE agent for their actions during Operation Metro Surge. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said in an interview with the Minnesota Star Tribune this week that while she can’t be certain, it might be the first charge of its kind nationwide. […] While her office continues to pursue evidence from the Trump administration over the shootings of Renee Good, Alex Pretti and Julio Sosa-Celis — along with several other incidents involving the actions of federal agents during the surge — Moriarty said the charging decision in this case was more straightforward because the Minnesota State Patrol was able to conduct a complete investigation of the incident and submit a case file.

* NBC | ‘We are missing data’: NWS weather balloon changes scrutinized as tornados hit Midwest: “NOAA’s weather model performance has not been impacted by any changes to the schedule of our twice-daily radiosonde (weather balloon) launches,” she said in a statement. “NOAA’s Environmental Modeling Center regularly evaluates the performance of the Agency’s weather models and publishes its findings on the EMC’s website. NOAA’s weather model performance shows no evidence of degradation.” […] For decades, the weather service released weather balloons at a clockworklike cadence at more than 100 sites across the country, as well as over the Pacific and the Caribbean. But the Trump administration cut the agency deeply last year through buyouts and by firing probationary workers, leaving some forecasting offices short-staffed and scrambling to fill key roles. As a result, the agency halted balloon launches at some locations and is delaying them elsewhere.

* NPR | NPR receives $113 million in charitable gifts: The philanthropist Connie Ballmer contributed $80 million specifically toward ensuring NPR transforms its technology to meet the needs and serve the interests of public media audiences on whatever platforms or devices they may seek it. […] Another donor, who has elected to remain anonymous, has given NPR $33 million to build and acquire tools and services that will be shared with public media organizations across the nation. The network intends to aid stations in analyzing their audiences, marketing themselves, and raising money, among other things.

* AP | Europe has ‘maybe 6 weeks of jet fuel left,’ energy agency head warns: IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol painted a sobering picture of the global repercussions of what he called “the largest energy crisis we have ever faced,” stemming from the pinch-off of oil, gas and other vital supplies through the Strait of Hormuz. “In the past there was a group called ‘Dire Straits.’ It’s a dire strait now, and it is going to have major implications for the global economy. And the longer it goes, the worse it will be for the economic growth and inflation around the world,” he told The Associated Press.

11 Comments

Another day, another loss for Tom DeVore

Thursday, Apr 16, 2026 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Background is here and here if you need it.

From former Illinois RNC National Committeeman Richard Porter…

The New Illinois Republican Party Central Committee:
1- Patrick Sheehan
2- Jason Bunting
3- Mike Flynn
4- Bob Kelsey
5- Aaron Del Mar
6- Bob Grogan
7- Steve Boulton
8- Debbie Kanarowski
9- Joan Lasonde
10- Keith Brin
11- Chris Yeager
12- Rhonda Belford
13- Cindy Lamar
14- Beth Findley Smith
15- Zach Emberton
16- Jim Rule
17- Bradley Hix

As we discussed yesterday, failed 2022 attorney general candidate Tom DeVore was running in the 15th District. You’ll notice his name isn’t on the winner’s list.

Oops.

Looks like constantly ranting and raving on Facebook all day every day about fellow Republicans isn’t the same as putting in the actual work to win a race.

After building up his profile by losing numerous COVID-related court cases, DeVore ran and lost for attorney general. Lost some gun case battles and had his law license suspended. And now this.

23 Comments

Pritzker expresses frustration at some opposition to quantum facility

Thursday, Apr 16, 2026 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Press release…

Today, Governor JB Pritzker joined leaders from IBM and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to announce the renewal and the expansion of the IBM–Illinois Discovery Accelerator Institute, a forward step for Illinois’ fast-growing quantum and AI ecosystem which highlights the state’s continued commitment to strengthening our workforce to develop the next‑generation of computing.

“I’m pleased to see the IBM-Illinois Discovery Accelerator Institute building on years of progress and partnership with U. of I. as Illinois innovators pursue critical discoveries in quantum computing and AI,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Illinois’ world-class research institutions, unique industry collaborations, and unmatched research talent position our state at the forefront of global progress, and I look forward to seeing the countless advancements that this expansion will bring.”

“IBM is thrilled to help provide quantum-centric supercomputing to Illinois researchers, alongside an expansion of the IBM-Illinois Discovery Accelerator Institute’s efforts in AI for systems design,” said Jay Gambetta, Director of IBM Research and IBM Fellow. “As the brilliant minds within the Institute discover and test new algorithms, they will drive groundbreaking research to power the applications made possible by AI and quantum computing.” […]

This expansion builds on Illinois’ major public investments to make the state the nation’s center of quantum innovation. Under Gov. Pritzker’s leadership, Illinois has built the ecosystem necessary to make this a reality. The administration has committed $500 million to launch the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP) and previously invested $200 million to support the Chicago Quantum Exchange — the first state in the country to make that level of commitment to quantum research.

The IQMP will be on the city’s far Southeast Side.

* From the press conference…

Q: A lot of folks at yesterday’s Chicago City Council meeting expressed concerns about the site, quantum project, environmental considerations, using the lake for cooling, community benefits agreements. What assurances can you offer for them that this development, which a lot of people don’t really understand, probably, will benefit everyone in that area?

Pritzker: Well, can I start with the idea that we have a piece of property on the lakefront that sat dormant for more than 30 years and that has had environmental issues that nobody wanted to spend any money dealing with and so at a bare minimum, let’s start with, isn’t it a good thing to remediate the property and have good use put to it and and bring people who have dollars every day to work there? Because that will benefit the neighborhood.

And indeed, I think I saw a group of neighbors who came together to say, ‘This is good for our businesses in the community.’

Beyond that, though, we’ve also been focused on how do we make sure that we’re bringing even more benefit to the community? That all has been a conversation that PSI Quantum has brought to the fore. IBM also has been involved.

And so I’m really, you know, a little bit bewildered sometimes at complaints that people are lodging. I get that everybody would like something, if something’s going to happen in the neighborhood, everybody would like something to come from it.

I can tell you this, nothing was there before. Nothing was happening before.

So, we’re going to see, I think, a tremendous amount of development that occurs. And I don’t know, you said something about about environmental issues, and I can just tell you the environmental issue was already there. And now again, remediation, putting something very useful on the site.

The the cooling systems that exist for these things have recycled water usage. I mean, that’s, I think, become de rigueur, or, you know, commonplace now, for the when they create, you’re creating these kinds of facilities. So I’m pleased about all the discussion that’s gone on about making sure that it’s environmentally sound. It is, and it’s being reviewed, by the way, by the environmental authorities like the IEPA.

Thoughts?

19 Comments

Pritzker: ‘Scaffolding of a deal’ in place for Bears bill; urges legislature to move faster

Thursday, Apr 16, 2026 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* Chicago Bears CEO Kevin Warren said during our spring break that the team wouldn’t need to decide whether to move to Arlington Heights or Indiana until “late spring, early summer,” following months of pressure on the General Assembly to immediately pass incentive legislation. Today, at an unrelated news conference the governor was asked for an update…

Reporter: Was there an update from your meeting, your team’s meeting with Republicans yesterday for the Bears. Because we have a moral obligation to ask-

Pritzker: Every time you see me, right? I mean every time you see me.

Look, this is all going through the legislature at this point. I mean that we already have on the table a pretty strong and, you know, I would describe it as more than just an outline. It’s a scaffolding of a deal. Like everybody understands what the pieces of this are.

And now, as you know, with 177 members of the General Assembly they all need to be in on the discussion about it and understand why this is good for the state of Illinois, why it’s good for the people that live in their districts and so on. So I think that is part of why.

I mean, you’re focusing on one meeting because it happens to be with a Republican leader, I think. But the reality is these conversations, and trust me, I’ve talked to Republicans too, these conversations have been going on for some time now. I’m not sure why all the attention on this particular meeting, but, there’s going to be a lot more discussion that goes on.

I would like the legislature to move faster, just because I think that will be good for everybody to get this done. We have a lot of things on the schedule that need to get done before the end of May, including, importantly, a balanced budget that I put forward. So I’d like to get this done before we ever get to that point.

[From Rich: It’s kinda odd that he would say this because one of the scheduled participants told me that yesterday’s meeting with Republican legislators was postponed by the governor’s office.

…Adding… The meeting was eventually held. My apologies.]

12 Comments

Built For Illinois. Built With Transparency.

Thursday, Apr 16, 2026 - Posted by Advertising Department

[The following is a paid advertisement.]

Public safety technology only works when communities trust it. That’s why Flock Safety built privacy and transparency into every layer of our system from the beginning of the design cycle — not as an afterthought. In Illinois, that means:

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E-bikes regulation bill passes Senate

Thursday, Apr 16, 2026 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Press release…

State Senator Ram Villivalam spearheaded a measure through the Senate that would establish regulations for the use of toy vehicles, motor-driven bicycles and other small, low-speed electric mobility devices in Illinois.

“E-bikes and other increasingly popular micromobility devices are being utilized by our neighbors. While these devices provide more accessibility for our residents, they have also led to tragic accidents,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “It is imperative that we implement safeguards to ensure that everyone who uses a micromobility device is able to do so in a safe way.”

A study conducted by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission estimated a total of 360,800 emergency room visits from injuries sustained during micromoibility devices accidents.

Senate Bill 3336 would regulate the use of toy vehicles, motor-driven cycles, and electric micromobility devices. To achieve this, the measure would:

· Update the definition of low-speed gas bicycles to increase allowable top speed to 28 miles per hour.
· Prohibit any micromobility device over 28 mph from sidewalks, bike lanes, bike paths and roadways.
· Requires any electric bicycle with a motor over 750 watts and speeds over 28 miles per hour, emoto devices and gas powered bicycles as a motor driven cycle, requiring license, registration, title and insurance coverage.
· Prohibit the use of a micromobility device while intoxicated and clarifies that DUI laws apply to low-speed electric bikes and low-speed gas bicycles.
· Require clear signage in places where motor driven cycles are prohibited.
· Prohibit retailers, distributors and manufacturers from marketing devices/vehicles in any way that would lead a customer to believe they are a low-speed e-bike.
· Prohibit persons from operating low-speed gas bicycles from riding at speeds greater 28 miles per hour on any highway, street or roadway.
· Prohibit persons from operating low-speed gas bicycles on sidewalks.

In addition, the measure would work to set regulations and passenger restrictions for operators under 18. The measure would:

· Require a minimum age of 15 years old to operate a class 1 or class 2 low-speed electronic bicycle.
· Clarifies that a person 16 years of age or older can operate a low-speed gas bicycle.

“By establishing safeguards that bolster the safety those who are too young cannot operate micromoblity devices, and that these devices are being operated in areas that are appropriate, we are ensuring that our neighbors are reducing their risk for an accident while operating a micromoblity device,” said Villivalam.

Senate Bill 3336 passed the Senate Wednesday, and now heads to the House for further consideration.

Thoughts?

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SB 1486 Raises Premiums And Reduces Consumer Choice

Thursday, Apr 16, 2026 - Posted by Advertising Department

[The following is a paid advertisement.]

Illinois is home to one of the most competitive insurance markets in the nation. Hundreds of insurers fight for consumers, leaving families better protected than those in other states.

SB 1486, described by the Daily Herald as “controversial legislation,” could eliminate that system and, in its place, leave Illinois with the most extreme regulatory framework in the nation.

This legislation could:

These policies have been tried in other states, leading to skyrocketing costs for consumers and limited options for coverage. Don’t bring California style overregulation to Illinois.

Protect consumer choice and affordability. Vote NO on SB 1486.

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Sen. Rezin: ‘There is a broken concept in Springfield that the taxpayers’ money belongs to the government”

Thursday, Apr 16, 2026 - Posted by Rich Miller

* From the Senate Republicans…

Just in time for Tax Day, Senate Republicans rolled out a legislative package aimed at lowering everyday costs for Illinois families by cutting taxes on essential items and expanding access to preschool and childcare.

The package includes proposals to eliminate state sales taxes on prescription medications and diapers, create tax credits to help families afford preschool, support early childhood educators, and encourage businesses to expand childcare options. Senate Republicans said the relief package builds on ongoing efforts to address the affordability pressures facing working families across Illinois.

“Tax Day is a reminder that too many Illinois families are already stretched thin,” said Senate Republican Deputy Leader Sue Rezin (R-Morris). “This package is focused on lowering costs, supporting working parents, and making Illinois more affordable from the start.”

The first bill in the package, Senate Bill 1647, creates a tax credit of up to $1,500 per child for taxpayers who enroll their child in an eligible preschool program in Illinois. The measure is intended to make early education more affordable and help parents remain in the workforce.

“Preschool costs can be a major barrier for families,” Rezin said. “This credit would help make high-quality early education more accessible and affordable.”

The package also includes Senate Bill 1646, which creates a refundable $1,000 tax credit for qualified early childhood educators, with annual increases tied to inflation after the first year. The proposal is designed to improve retention in a field that is essential to maintaining access to childcare and preschool services.

“If we want families to have access to childcare, we have to support the educators who make it possible,” Rezin said. “This proposal would help strengthen that workforce.”

In addition to preschool and childcare relief, Senator Hills introduced additional legislation that aims to bring relief to the cost of basic necessities for families. Senate Bills 3851 and 3869 would remove state sales taxes on prescription medications and diapers, reducing costs for families, seniors, and individuals with medical needs.

“I filed this legislation because families are already stretched thin and should not be paying taxes on necessities like diapers and prescription medications,” said Senator Hills (R-Barrington Hills). “These are everyday costs that families cannot avoid, yet many are struggling to afford. This is about affordability for families and making sure working parents can meet basic needs at home.”

Senator Hills also filed Senate Bill 2382, which creates a tax credit for donating property for on-site childcare, and Senate Bill 2277, which increases tax credits for businesses that provide childcare. Under Senate Bill 2277, the start-up credit would increase from 30 percent to 50 percent, and the ongoing expense credit would increase from 5 percent to 20 percent. Together, the bills are aimed at expanding childcare options for working families.

“When childcare is available and affordable, it helps families and employers alike,” Hills said. “These bills are designed to expand access and create more options for working parents.”

Senate Republicans say that for too many working families, Illinois is becoming increasingly unaffordable. This package is aimed at lowering some of the everyday costs that make it harder to raise a family, stay in the workforce, and get ahead.

* I emailed them a question…

Any idea of the fiscal price tag for these?

* The response…

Below is a response from Senator Rezin:

“Our focus with this legislative package is to provide relief to families who are struggling to pay their bills in one of the highest-taxed states in the country. It’s their money, and we want to allow them to keep more of it. There is a broken concept in Springfield that the taxpayers’ money belongs to the government. Our state’s unaffordable environment continues to drive families out every day, and they take with them their earnings and their tax dollars. The real question is: What is the fiscal price tag of the broken status quo?”

Discuss.

44 Comments

National Financial Literacy Month: Credit Unions Support Members At Every Stage

Thursday, Apr 16, 2026 - Posted by Advertising Department

[The following is a paid advertisement.]

April is National Financial Literacy Month, a reminder that financial well‑being isn’t one‑size‑fits‑all. At Illinois credit unions, financial literacy means meeting members where they are and helping them move forward with confidence.

As Sara Meyr of Elite Community Credit Union shared, “There’s a wide variety of members that end up coming into our credit union. You have the ones that need more help than the other ones.”

Education and support make the biggest difference.

“It’s really gratifying to me when I know that I can help them accomplish their goals.”

For many members, financial literacy leads to meaningful milestones, like improving their credit score.

For others, it means relief during challenging times, such as managing medical expenses or covering unexpected costs.

National Financial Literacy Month highlights what we practice every day: empowering members with knowledge, compassion, and solutions that help them succeed—no matter where they start.

For more information, visit https://betterforillinois.org/
Paid for by Illinois Credit Union League.

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Isabel’s morning briefing

Thursday, Apr 16, 2026 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* ICYMI: Feds move to block controversial Illinois credit card swipe fee ban, siding with banks in ongoing legal fight. Tribune…

* Related stories…

• CNI: ‘Credit card chaos’? Financial institutions bet big on repeal of first-of-its-kind Illinois law
• WGN: Illinois law could change credit card transactions at restaurants and stores

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Illinois must fully fund safety-net hospitals. For the communities they serve, it is life or death.

*************************************************

* At 9 am, Gov. JB Pritzker will deliver remarks at an announcement expanding the IBM–Illinois Discovery Accelerator Institute partnership. Click here to watch.

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

*** Isabel’s Top Picks ***

* Sun-Times | As freed ComEd defendants face new trial, jurors say they already considered ‘every aspect’ of the case: Members of the jury that convicted Former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore and lobbyist Michael McClain had mixed reactions when they left prison Wednesday. One juror said a new trial suggests the first one ended in a wrongful conviction, while the foreperson predicted the two defendants will ultimately “be found guilty again.”

* WTVO | Pritzker: 150,000 Illinois residents at risk of losing SNAP benefits starting May 1: State officials said the bill expanded the number of people classified as able-bodied adults without dependents, also known as ABAWDs, who must now meet federal work requirements. Under this, ABAWDs could only receive SNAP benefits for three months within a three-year period. The changes took effect on February 1, making May 1 the deadline for eligible Illinois residents who didn’t meet the requirements to continue receiving benefits.

* Capitol News Illinois | Device that helps make space travel possible named ‘Coolest Thing Made in Illinois’: Created and manufactured in Downers Grove, the NASA Standard Initiator, or NSI, is a small electrically activated pyrotechnic device that initiates propulsion by sparking a chain reaction of heat and pressure in space flight. “Anytime you have a space launch, anytime you have a separation activity, particularly in space, you need something to push that away and get something to light that initiating event. And that’s what that device does,” said Steven Hill, president of Chemring Energetic Devices Inc.

* Sun-Times | Feds in Chicago get first guilty plea in a Midway Blitz case — but not for assaulting immigration agents: Federal prosecutors in Chicago secured their first guilty plea tied to Operation Midway Blitz on Wednesday, though not for the assault charge they’d originally leveled against Anthony Gonzalez Alvarez. Instead, he pleaded guilty to concealing information about a crime, admitting he falsely reported his Ford F-250 had been stolen to the Chicago Police Department after he drove it into the rear of a vehicle driven by immigration officers. The charge, officially known as “misprision of a felony,” is apparently rare enough that it prompted an in-court discussion of how to pronounce “misprision.”

*** Statehouse News ***

* Tribune | Former ComEd CEO, company lobbyist walk free day after Chicago appeals court ruling: A day after an appeals court said it would reverse their convictions in the “ComEd Four” conspiracy case and ordered them freed “forthwith,” Pramaggiore, 67, was released from a federal prison camp facility in the Florida panhandle, where she had been confined since January, a U.S. Bureau of Prisons spokesperson confirmed. “Ms. Pramaggiore walked out of federal prison today and her case stepped closer to achieving justice,” Mark Herr, a spokesman for Pramaggiore, said in a statement. “She is grateful for the Seventh Circuit’s ruling, glad the ‘forthwith’ meant today, and looks forward to returning home.”

* Capitol News Illinois | GOP governor candidate Darren Bailey moves into Chicago apartment: Speaking to Capitol News Illinois on Wednesday before taking the stage at the annual Illinois Gun Owners Lobby Day in Springfield, the Republican nominee for governor said he’s moved into an apartment on Chicago’s near South Side that will serve as a sort of “headquarters” for his Chicago-area campaign operation. […] Bailey said he’s still open to receiving Trump’s endorsement this year but doesn’t feel it would influence his race. He said calling out the president’s comments on the pope also give him an opportunity to say, “I am my own individual; I’m here to represent you without any outside influence.”

* AP | Illinois lawmakers grill Department of Corrections after audit shows dozens of failures: Illinois lawmakers are fed up with the state Department of Corrections after another audit found it has ignored state spending rules and failed to fix many mistakes that have languished for years. The Legislative Audit Commission, a bipartisan commission of state lawmakers that reviews audits of state agencies, demanded answers from Corrections Director LaToya Hughes on Tuesday. An audit of her department in fiscal years 2023 and 2024 that was released in September revealed 40 shortcomings at the agency, making it one of the worst in the state.

* Reimagining Capitalism Lab | Illinois Poll: Trump and Harris Voters Back Bold Reforms to Capitalism: A new statewide poll commissioned by the recently launched Reimagining Capitalism Lab (RCL) finds that Illinois voters increasingly feel the economy is failing them, leading to deep anxiety about rising costs, economic inequality and an inability to afford basic needs. The findings reveal widespread frustration with the current economic system and a growing belief that the American Dream no longer holds true. Voters overwhelmingly back bold, worker-focused solutions, including policies that ensure workers share in corporate success and help close the gap between CEO and worker pay. Notably, the poll shows strong agreement among 2024 Trump and Harris voters, pointing to rare bipartisan support for rethinking and reforming capitalism to better serve working people.

*** Chicago ***

* Sun-Times | Chicago cab fares going up 20% as City Council tries to buoy taxi industry: John Moberg, president of Checker, Yellow and American United Cab, says the hike is long overdue but argues that the industry still needs a level playing field to prevent the aging and shrinking pool of cabdrivers from drying up.

*Press release | Bob Reiter, President of the Chicago Federation of Labor released the following statement: “The Deer Family is a part of the CFL Family. They have always been advocates for social and economic justice, public health, and visibility for those often overlooked. As we grapple with the tragic deaths of Barbara and Kaleb, I’m comforted by the memory of my dear friend Dennis, whose enduring spirit lives with me every day. It is with that spirit that we will work to continue the legacy of the Deers in all the ways that they supported the Lawndale Communities and beyond, as we comfort and pray for the Deer Family.”

* Sun-Times | Ex-senior mayoral aide used job to get child hired by city contractor, had firm do unauthorized work, IG says: At an unrelated news conference Wednesday, Johnson said the former senior mayoral aide is from a “previous mayoral administration” and that he is doing things differently. A spokesperson for Lightfoot said the former mayor “had not been previously made aware of this investigation, and has not received any communication from the OIG.” “The allegations in question must be treated with the utmost seriousness,” the spokesperson for Lightfoot said.

* Sun-Times | 17 more Chicago cops bilked PPP loan program, including 8 facing firing, inspector general says: All told, the alleged ripoffs involving those nine cops totaled $284,000, according to Witzburg’s first quarter 2026 report. Fraud allegations also were sustained against eight other officers, but the Chicago Police Department hasn’t decided whether to move to fire them. “This was a triage effort, and we are not done yet,” Witzburg said. “The reason we prioritized CPD cases is because they occupy positions of tremendous public trust and they land on the witness stand, so their credibility is of paramount importance.”

* Tribune | City airport workers drank on the clock, OIG report finds: The OIG’s investigation involved a total of 14 subjects, most of whom were or are employed by the city’s Aviation Department, which oversees O’Hare and Midway airports. The watchdog determined that a total of seven employees made “false statements” to the OIG over the course of its investigation, the details of which were released Wednesday as part of the OIG’s first quarter report. In addition to drinking while they were supposed to be working, the OIG found that current and former Aviation Department employees “took extended breaks without proper authorization, falsified their time records, spent hours at a time idling while on the clock, demonstrated incompetence in their managerial duties, stole City property, and lied to OIG during an official investigation.”

* WBEZ | Former charter school executive Tim King charged with stealing more than $100,000 from Urban Prep: In the newly unsealed grand jury indictment, the office of the U.S. attorney in Chicago accused King of taking a total of $103,833.31 by siphoning money from Urban Prep’s bank account to pay his credit card bills. King also allegedly tried to obstruct the federal investigation after Urban Prep received subpoenas for records about him in 2022, according to court records.

* Nadig Newspapers | Archdiocese, CPS offer different views on the halting of learning disability funds for students at Catholic schools: The Chicago Public Schools claims that Catholic schools in the city have used up their allotment of federal funding for support services for those with learning disabilities, resulting in services being halted on Monday, April 13. The Archdiocese of Chicago counters that these services were halted with little notice and questions why other private (non-Catholic)schools in Chicago appear to be still receiving tutoring and support services for those with learning disabilities.

* Daily Herald | O’Hare reclaims title as world’s busiest airport amid federal scrutiny over packed flight schedules: Meanwhile, U.S. Sens. Tammy Duckworth of Hoffman Estates and Dick Durbin of Springfield urged FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford to provide more resources to O’Hare in a phone conversation Tuesday. O’Hare is “critical to our country’s aviation system,” Duckworth said in a statement. “Any flight reductions the FAA and U.S. Department of Transportation decide upon must be fair, justified and have a clear end date. The FAA and U.S. DOT must also prioritize O’Hare for federal grants, air traffic controller staffing and modernization upgrades,” she said.

* Block Club | Northwest Side Dealing With Heavy Flooding After Tuesday Storms — With More Rain On The Way: According to the National Weather Service, 2.43 inches of rain were recorded at O’Hare Airport on Tuesday, making it the rainiest April day since 2013. WGN-TV Meteorologist Bill Snyder said that as of Wednesday, which is the halfway point of meteorological spring, the city has already seen 9.29 inches of rain, five inches higher than normal. “That’s the second wettest first half of spring on record of the past 155 years,” Snyder told Block Club. There were 305 calls made to 3-1-1 for flooded basements and 264 calls for street flooding on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to data from the city’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications. The majority of calls came from wards on the Far Northwest Side.

* Fox Chicago | Chicago Blues Festival 2026 lineup announced; full schedule released: Headlining moments include a tribute to Alligator Records’ 55th anniversary, a celebration of Billy Branch’s 75 years in music, and a tribute honoring Mama Yancey and Big Mama Thornton. “Chicago is the birthplace of modern blues,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said in a statement. This festival reflects the sound, soul and resilience that define our city.”

* Sun-Times | White Sox national anthem performer Gerald Chaney back to singing after pre-game collapse: “Scary stuff,” Sox manager Will Venable said after his squad’s 8-3 loss. “I was really glad to hear that he is doing well, but obviously a scary moment. I think everyone did a great job in responding and did the best to make sure he was alright. So, really good news to hear that he is alright.” Sox starter Sean Burke was warming up when the medical emergency unfolded. “They said he’s doing well at the hospital now, so hopefully he’s going to make a full recovery from that,” Burke said. “I was just trying to make sure he was all good, first and foremost.”

*** Cook County and Suburbs ***

* Daily Southtown | Opponents of Earthrise sprawling solar farm get temporary reprieve from Will County court: Will County Judge Victoria Breslan granted a temporary restraining order that effectively bans the Will County Board from voting until an attorney for the homeowners is given a chance to present evidence and cross-examine representatives from Earthrise Energy. The County Board was scheduled to vote on Earthrise’s Pride of the Prairie solar farm Thursday. The decision stems from a lawsuit filed on behalf of 16 homeowners who live near the proposed solar farm that will cover areas of Green Garden, Manhattan and Wilton townships. Attorney Steven Becker argued his clients were denied the ability to present their own evidence and cross-examine witnesses from Earthrise Energy, the developer, during a two-day public hearing before the county’s Planning and Zoning Commission.

* Daily Southtown | Cook County judge to consider sanctions against plaintiffs in sexual assault lawsuit involving Dolton, Thornton Township: Thornton Township is asking a Cook County judge to impose sanctions on those who filed a lawsuit alleging sexual assault and battery by Dolton Trustee Andrew Holmes during a 2023 work trip to Las Vegas, according to court records. Judge Jonathan Clark Green, recently appointed to the case after the plaintiffs requested a different judge, is tasked with deciding whether to dismiss the lawsuit and order the reimbursement of Thornton Township’s attorneys fees after plaintiffs failed to comply with multiple court orders, the township contends. Meanwhile, the two plaintiffs, who include a former Dolton and Thornton Township employee, are asking that Clark Green throw out a March 10 order from presiding Judge Jerry Esrig that they testify in the case April 8 and 9 after the plaintiffs asked to reschedule from March to May.

* CBS Chicago | Oswego School District 308 parents claim summer remedial program targets all minority students, regardless of performance: The district’s Summer Connections program is meant to help students. According to the letter that went out to parents, selection is based on assessment scores, interventions, and special learning by program needs. But Fil Torres’ daughter is in advanced classes, so once he and his wife put together why both of their children were invited, he started pushing the district for answers. […] A partial internal document the CBS News Chicago Investigators received via a source revealed the answer – “eligible” and “at risk” students include “anyone with a race other than white.”

* Daily Herald | Barrington imposes administrative tow fee to motorists for cars used in crimes: The fee, which ranges from $500 to $750, will apply to vehicles impounded in connection with such offenses as DUI, fleeing and eluding, unlawful use of weapons and serious drug offenses. Police Chief Dave Daigle said the fee offsets expenses incurred by the police department for investigation, arrest, detention and processing of cases. It also places the financial responsibility on individuals for their actions, he said.

* Evanston Now | Schakowsky to lead July 4 parade: The theme of this year’s parade will be “Home of the Brave Since 1776,” to honor America’s 250th birthday. Tracy Alden, President of the Evanston Fourth of July Association, said in a release that “we are thrilled and proud that we can honor … [Schakowsky] and her achievements as her government career is winding up. Jan has bravely stood up for what’s right, for our deepest American principles, and worked to protect and lift up all of us.”

*** Downstate ***

* WGLT | AFSCME continues worker strike at ISU heading into day 9: Contract negotiations were held Wednesday morning, but the parties did not reach a deal. The session lasted about two hours, according to the union. The university has continued to stick to its final contract proposal, arguing it is “competitive with that for comparable roles in the local marketplace,” Vice President for Finance and Planning Glen Nelson said in a statement. The union says “pay for many of [its] workers starts at just $16.60 an hour.” Nelson said the union’s claim that many of its employees earn only $16 an hour was “inaccurate.” (The state’s minimum wage is $15 an hour.)

* WCIA | 2 men charged with attempted murder, hate crime involving Danville alderman: Prosecutors said Jaleel Jones, a Danville alderman, and two other men — all Black men — were fishing in Paris around 10:45 p.m. when a white pickup truck pulled up with the Kollmans — both white men. Reynolds was with them as well. Evidence presented in court indicates that the Kollmans and Reynolds had been drinking, and when they got out of the car, they surrounded the three victims and were acting aggressively. All three of the accused were allegedly using racial slurs. The victims said they would leave, but then Jordan pulled a 12 gauge shotgun from the truck, prosecutors said.

* Capitol News Illinois | 3D printed homes, an abandoned $590,000 deposit, the FBI: What really happened in this small town?: I learned that before the 3D printer arrived in Cairo, the Prestige owners had forfeited about $590,000 as a deposit for a different printer when they ended up canceling the order, a fact that would quickly turn the atmosphere tense as I pressed the company’s owners, the bank, Fowler and others for answers. I also learned that not long after the groundbreaking, several employees left Prestige around the same time a spray of anonymous emails hit inboxes across the region. The emails called the Cairo duplex project little more than a publicity stunt and alleged fraud tied to Prestige’s other construction projects.

* WICS | Deadline approaching for applications for new mental health board: Sangamon County is gearing up for the start of its mental health board, as applications are flowing into the county. The board was created after voters approved a half percent sales tax increase to fund it. The Massey Commission recommended the creation of such a board during their research after the murder of Sonya Massey, who was dealing with mental illness.

* WGLT | Normal Township reports a boost in ARC membership, increase in tax levy for general assistance fund: “We have actually reduced our general assistance clients from 45 from when we took over this program to having less than 20 now in 2025 to 2026, due to proper intake qualifying processes that were sorted out with training,” Able said. Still the program paid over $278,000 in assistance during the last fiscal year, plus about $84,000 in administrative costs, which includes two employees. Able noted the greatest expense was in the summer months when a state program providing help with energy costs to low-income families was not available.

* WGLT | City of Bloomington wants volunteer service help — and lots of it — as term expirations loom: A big chunk of the community volunteers on appointed boards and commissions in Bloomington will have their terms expire at the end of the month. A few more terms will elapse at the end of June, according to the city website. And there were already a lot of vacancies among the 138 seats the mayor fills by appointment. “Good people stepping forward and looking for their ideas, we are recruiting and looking for all the time,” said Mayor Dan Brady.

* WGEM | A push for more trees in Quincy: A Quincy business is partnering with the Arbor Day Foundation to help put trees where there aren’t any in the city. This year, on 8th Street, the commission plans on adding trees on that street to help with the urban canopy. And when it comes time to plant, Jan Leimbach, chairman of the Quincy City Tree Commission, said residents can help take care of the trees.

* Springfield native Sam Antonacci…

Springfield’s Sam Antonacci with his first MLB hit. https://t.co/RudPzBtg6T

— Steven Spearie (@StevenSpearie) April 16, 2026

* WGEM | ‘It was almost surreal’: Macomb mayor reflects on meeting Pope Leo XIV: Inman also had the chance to speak with Leo one-on-one, an experience he said left him speechless. “It was a very humbling moment for me, to be standing, meeting the world figure, the leader of the Catholic Church, as the representative of little old Macomb, Illinois…” said Inman. “‘Wow’ was about all I could muster.” Leo offered encouragement to Inman. When asked, the world’s first American pope and Chicago native revealed he had friends who attended Western Illinois University in Macomb.

* WCBU | ‘Historic moment’ in Washington: Groundbreaking held for new $23M Lincoln Grade School: “This is a historic moment for our district,” said District 52 Superintendent Pat Minasian, who led the ceremony, which was live-streamed back at Lincoln for plastic hard-hat wearing students. The new Lincoln school, expected to open in time for the 2027-28 school year, will replace the original one built in 1949. Despite additions, renovations and repairs through the years, the old Lincoln is aging, has out-of-date and insufficient infrastructure, and isn’t suitable for today’s education needs.

* News-Gazette | Mirkovic announces return to Illinois: David Mirkovic will return to Illinois for the 2026-27 season. The 6-foot-9 forward announced his decision live on Twitch on Wednesday afternoon but not without a little drama. “After long thoughts and a lot of thinking about my future with my agent and all of the staff, I decided to …,” Mirkovic said before the video feed cut out. Then Mirkovic took a page from Michael Jordan’s book with a memo taking place of the stream. It included a two-word statement from the Illinois big man in response to questions about his future: “I’m back.”

*** National ***

* MediaIte | Army Secretary Orders Social Media Accounts Shuttered After Post About Democrat Who Lost Both Legs in Iraq: Army Secretary Dan Driscoll ordered multiple social media accounts associated with the U.S. military after they praised the service of Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL). Soldier for Life is an Army organization that promotes services for veterans, soldiers, and their families. On Saturday, it ran a commendatory post about Duckworth on its Facebook page, featuring an image of her in her Army uniform, along with a biography. The senator, a retired lieutenant colonel in the Army, lost both legs in Iraq when her Black Hawk helicopter was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade. The post irked a user on X, who posted a screenshot of the Facebook post and tagged Driscoll’s government X account. On Monday, the post was taken down.

* NYT | Corporate America Aims to Preserve Profit Streak During War in Iran: Some economists are worried that this newest geopolitical hurdle may be the one that finally trips up U.S. businesses. They are lifting their recession probabilities, fearing that higher operating costs and falling revenues may freeze hiring and investment. Other analysts remain more bullish, expecting economic growth, and profit margins, to hold steady. Sonu Varghese, the global macro strategist at the Carson Group, a financial firm, said many of the companies he tracked viewed inflation pressures from “outside shocks,” such as this war, “as an opportunity to raise prices and boosts margins,” which can, in turn, raise profits.

* CBS | Chevron executive Andy Walz suggests Americans should drive less amid high gas prices: Walz, Chevron’s president of downstream, midstream and chemicals, said there’s probably no “silver bullet” to help bring down prices for Americans over the long term while oil prices remain high for everyone else. “It’s a global market for crude,” Walz said. “We have crude here, that’s closer to us, that we’re all processing and using. That’s helping Americans buffer their price. … If this goes on for an extended period of time, it’s probably gonna get tougher.”

* AP | Jury finds that Ticketmaster and Live Nation had an anticompetitive monopoly over big concert venues: The ruling, in a lawsuit brought by dozens of states, won’t immediately bring relief for concertgoers who have long complained about high ticket prices. But it could cost Live Nation hundreds of millions of dollars and perhaps force the company to sell some of its concert venues when the judge hands out penalties later. Among other things, the jury found Ticketmaster’s anticompetitive practices led to people in 22 states paying an extra $1.72 per ticket, which the judge could order the companies to pay back.

12 Comments

Good morning!

Thursday, Apr 16, 2026 - Posted by Rich Miller

* I was on a train from Madrid to southern Spain (on our way to Morocco) for spring break many moons ago with a couple of University of Maryland/Munich college friends, and this song was flowing through my mind the entire way…

Oh, I am sleeping under strange, strange skies
Just another mad, mad day on the road
My dreams is fading down the railway line
And I’m just about a moonlight mile on down the road

This is an Illinois open thread. Have at it.

9 Comments

Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today’s edition of Capitol Fax (use all CAPS in password)

Thursday, Apr 16, 2026 - Posted by Rich Miller

Comments Off

Selected press releases (Live updates)

Thursday, Apr 16, 2026 - Posted by Isabel Miller

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Live coverage

Thursday, Apr 16, 2026 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* Click here and/or here to follow breaking news on the website formally known as Twitter. Our Bluesky feed…

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Isabel’s afternoon roundup

Wednesday, Apr 15, 2026 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* Subscribers know more. Capitol News Illinois…

Industry stakeholders recommended lawmakers let the federal government take control of regulating AI, while acknowledging concerns about its impact. The president, however, declared via executive order in December that he is not in favor of broad AI regulations. […]

“Our core concern is creating a patchwork environment, making Illinois a compliance outlier,” said Jarrett Catlin, state AI policy advisor at TechNet, a national technology policy advocacy group. “We need to create clear incentives for responsible behavior without prescribing a one-size-fits-all compliance regime.” […]

In the hearings, the senators emphasized that they did not want to hinder development and business in the state but are deeply concerned about the lack of guardrails currently in place, particularly around chatbots and minors.

“This isn’t about stifling innovation … but you need to have guardrails to protect minors,” said Sen. Sue Rezin, R-Morris. “This bill is about ensuring that as technology moves faster than the law, we don’t leave consumer protections in the dust, especially when it comes to minors.” […]

While any proposed bills are still a long way from becoming law, lawmakers remain deep in negotiations with AI industry stakeholders.

**************** Advertisement ****************

Sponsored by Phrma

Illinois is paying the price for 340B medicine markups.

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* CBS Chicago…

[Bears] team leaders are meeting with staff from Gov. JB Pritzker’s office on Wednesday as state lawmakers consider a so-called “megaprojects bill,” which would give the team tax certainty if they build a new stadium in Arlington Heights.

The legislation would allow the developer of any project costing at least $500 million to negotiate a freeze on its property tax assessment, but the bill is getting some pushback in Springfield.

The measure moved out of an Illinois House committee in February, but has not yet received a full floor vote.

*** Statehouse News ***

* Center Square | Illinois unions seek to kill Waymo-friendly bill in Springfield: President of the Illinois AFL-CIO Tim Drea said the legislation could lead to the loss of middle-class jobs for Illinoisans, impacting state tax revenue. “Because of this new technology, not really sure about how many jobs would be eliminated. So it’s kind of hard to multiply out for the loss of tax revenue, but it just goes to follow. I mean, it would affect everything from state taxes to local taxes to funding our schools,” Drea said.

* Chalkbeat Chicago | Illinois education officials vote to overhaul accountability for schools: Sanders described the changes as one of his biggest goals, and board members described the public feedback process as a thoughtful one that resulted in tweaks to the original proposal. “Everybody is not going to be happy about it, and that’s OK,” said ISBE board vice chair Donna S. Leak. “What we’re trying to do is find ways to connect to student achievement in a more meaningful way.”

*** Chicago ***

* Sun-Times | Mayor Johnson’s push to have retired Ald. Walter Burnett lead CHA shut down by HUD: Burnett’s apparent conflicts of interest were with his 30-year record as alderman and longtime ownership of properties rented to housing voucher holders, according to the CHA and HUD. Burnett and his wife have collected more than $260,000 since 2007 as CHA voucher landlords. Burnett cannot be appointed as the CHA’s leader since the retired alderman exercised “functions or responsibilities with respect to CHA for approximately 30 years,” according to a copy of a Tuesday letter from HUD obtained by the Sun-Times.

* Crain’s | City Council fails to override Johnson’s veto of tipped wage freeze: The council needed 34 votes to override the veto but fell short by four votes, leaving intact a 2023 ordinance that phases out the so-called tipped credit over five years. Despite the loss, Ald. Gilbert Villegas, 36th, promised a “round two” later this year. Today’s vote was the second time the City Council was unable to override a Johnson veto this year after previously failing to garner 34 votes to ban most intoxicating hemp products in Chicago.

* Tribune | City airport workers drank on the clock, OIG report finds: On-the-clock city employees drank at bars near O’Hare International Airport and then returned to the airport for the remainder of their shifts, an investigation by the city’s Office of Inspector General found. The city watchdog investigation details numerous instances of alcohol consumption by airport employees during working hours. In one case, several on-the-clock Aviation Department employees attended a party thrown by an off-duty colleague where they imbibed “beer, cocktails, and shots of liquor” before returning to work at the airport. In other instances, Aviation Department supervisors bought alcohol for their employees while out to lunch, the report said.

* Sun-Times | Council turns up heat to find replacement for ShotSpotter: Johnson then launched an open competition to replace the gunshot detection technology. SoundThinking, the company that owns ShotSpotter, was one of eight firms that responded to the so-called “request-for-information” by the Sept. 20, 2024 deadline. Nothing has happened since then — even though the last two city budgets set aside a combined $13.9 million for the replacement technology.

* Sun-Times | Widow, son of former County Board Commissioner Dennis Deer fatally shot in East Garfield Park home: “Today, we mourn alongside the Deer family as they endure another heartbreaking and unimaginable loss with the passing of former Commissioner Dennis Deer’s beloved wife and son,” Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said in a statement. “The Deer family has long been well-known in the community for their compassion and steadfast commitment to others. Their presence and service touched countless lives. There are no words that can make sense of such pain, but I hope the surviving family members find strength in the love that surrounds them.”

*** Cook County and Suburbs ***

* Crain’s | West Suburban hospital begins reopening under pressure after surprise shutdown: At the time of the closing, CEO Manoj Prasad said he could not make payroll after a year of taking in only 10% of the revenue the hospital had billed for, because of a billing system snafu. Today, Resilience said it was able to begin reopening services because West Suburban has recovered some funds through an initial billing remediation process. Patients are being contacted by phone and email to schedule appointments beginning today. The outpatient clinic at West Suburban in Oak Park will offer primary care “initially and then some specialist visits, along with testing services,” the statement said.

* Daily Herald | How mistaken identity in Wheeling shoplifting case led to arrest, lawsuit: About a month later, Bony picked the real Calin’s photograph out of an array of six faces compiled by police and said she was the thief, documents indicate. The array didn’t include photos of the woman known to use Calin’s name as an alias or anyone else with histories of shoplifting, the lawsuit alleged.

*** Downstate ***

* NPR Illinois | State higher education budget chair calls the UIS faculty strike “unnecessary”: Rep. La Shawn Ford, D-Chicago, appeared at a rally with striking faculty on Wednesday morning. Ford, who also serves as Chairman of the Illinois House Higher Education Appropriations Committee, said he was meeting with Chancellor Janet Gooch to encourage her to meet with the union members and settle the strike. “I just think that the chancellor should definitely show her support for this wonderful institution,” Ford said. “I think the students on this campus…. It’s a shame that they have to see something like this because it makes them fearful to get into the workforce because of worries about being treated fairly.”

* Bloomberg | Undisclosed missed debt payment spurs superdowngrade in Illinois: Pekin Park District, a recreation area about 170 miles southwest of Chicago, missed a $416,000 debt-service payment in December on bonds issued in 2020. By S&P’s count, it didn’t reveal that until 102 days after the due date, when it made the payment in late March. “The payment default reflects severe management deficiencies that have pressured cash reserves and liquidity and ultimately hindered the district’s ability to obtain timely alternative funding to cover debt service,” David Smith, an analyst at S&P, said in an April 10 report.

* Tribune | Chicago moves to buy Greyhound station, but key alderman demands more details: But moves still require City Council approval, a necessity that suddenly appeared to be a potential roadblock when Ald. Bill Conway, whose ward includes the downtown station, left the commission’s meeting unimpressed by the Johnson administration’s pitch. “That hearing really illustrated the ‘first we get the money’ mentality of this administration,” Conway said as he walked out. “It’s hard to describe that hearing as anything short of a total train wreck.” The downtown alderman had officially shared a “letter of no objection” to the expansion of the tax increment financing district ahead of the hearing. As he spoke to commissioners before they voted unanimously to approve the two proposals, he said he was not against buying the station, but had “significant concerns.”

* Illinois Times | Springfield slated to lose ambulance provider: LifeStar Ambulance Service Inc., one of three ambulance providers responding to 911 calls in Springfield and transporting patients to local hospitals, is slated to be barred from operating in Sangamon County after May 25 because of health care deficiencies cited by Springfield Memorial Hospital. “We’re working with our attorneys to try and come up with a solution where we can continue to stay with Springfield,” John Wright, chief executive officer of Centralia-based LifeStar, told Illinois Times on April 14.

* KWQC | Sale pending on former Quad-City Times building: The building was listed online by Ruhl&Ruhl in January for $4.2 million. The Quad-City Times relocated its staff from longtime headquarters at 500 E Third Street to East Moline in December. The staff move came after the closure of the paper’s Davenport printing operations, which were shifted to Munster, Indiana, at the end of September 2025. The Quad-City Times, Dispatch-Argus and Muscatine Journal are now printed at the Munster facility, which is owned by Lee Enterprises.

*** National ***

* The Jerusalem Post | Most American Jews oppose AIPAC spending in Democratic primaries, survey finds: The survey, which was conducted by GBAO Strategies on behalf of the liberal pro-Israel lobby J Street, comes as AIPAC has faced heightened scrutiny for pouring millions of dollars into Democratic primary races in New Jersey and Illinois in recent months with the aim of electing a majority pro-Israel Congress. Candidates’ rejection of AIPAC support has become a litmus test for many Democrats, and a number of presumed 2028 presidential candidates have sworn off AIPAC, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker. … The survey, which included interviews with 800 Jewish adults from March 23 to 25 and had a margin of error of 3.5 percentage points, found that 66% of American Jews overall oppose the lobby spending money raised from Republican donors in Democratic primaries, while 34% support it.

* NPR | Tax season was supposed to bring big refunds. So far they’re less than expected: So far, the average refund has totaled about $350 more than last year. By early April, the average tax refund sat at $3,462, which is 11.1% higher than the same point last year, according to the IRS. And Americans appear to be shrugging their shoulders at the tax changes. A recent survey by the Bipartisan Policy Center, a Washington think tank advising on federal policy, found 62% of respondents either thought the tax changes harmed them or made no difference. Even among Republicans, only 35% said the changes favored them.

* WIRED | The Deepfake Nudes Crisis in Schools Is Much Worse Than You Thought: The deepfake crisis hitting schools started slowly a couple of years ago, but it has since grown considerably as the technology used to create the explicit imagery has become more accessible. Deepfake sexual abuse incidents have hit around 90 schools globally and have impacted more than 600 pupils, according to a review of publicly reported incidents by WIRED and Indicator, a publication focusing on digital deception and misinformation. The deepfake crisis hitting schools started slowly a couple of years ago, but it has since grown considerably as the technology used to create the explicit imagery has become more accessible. Deepfake sexual abuse incidents have hit around 90 schools globally and have impacted more than 600 pupils, according to a review of publicly reported incidents by WIRED and Indicator, a publication focusing on digital deception and misinformation.

3 Comments

DeVore offers $5,000 reward for person behind oppo dump

Wednesday, Apr 15, 2026 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Somebody mailed Republican precinct committeepersons in the 15th Congressional District a letter designed to dissuade them from voting for Tom DeVore for the state central committee. His response…

I’ll pay anyone $5,000 if they give up whoever wrote and/or sent this ridiculous letter to the PC’s. I just looked at…

Posted by Thomas DeVore on Monday, April 13, 2026

* With that in mind, click here and here for the letter.

He is, indeed, one of the Democrats’ favorite Republicans because he spends so much time and energy day in and day out attacking Republicans. He fancies himself a “RINO Hunter” and has decided that the problem is not the folks (like him) who are trying to run people out of the party, but the folks who want to grow it.

* On a related note, Jon Zahm has a rundown of some of the state central committee races.

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Illinois ‘civil commitment’ process can mean decades in custody without a conviction

Wednesday, Apr 15, 2026 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* WTTW yesterday…

James Howe was never found guilty. But he still spent nine years inside of Big Muddy River Correctional Center.

Howe joined some 170 men in Illinois in similar situations: not convicted, but held indefinitely at the southern Illinois prison under a procedure called civil commitment.

After Howe was charged with aggravated criminal sexual assault and domestic battery, prosecutors petitioned to have him evaluated as a sexually dangerous person, or SDP. Under Illinois’ Sexually Dangerous Persons Act, people deemed SDPs are subject to one of the handful of pre-conviction civil commitment statutes in the country.

“That’s the weird thing about that law is that they don’t have to convict you of the crime, but yet they put you in a prison,” Howe said. “I mean that right there says it all, does it not?”

Instead of following through with cases to their conclusions, prosecutors can petition a judge to have the defendant evaluated by psychologists or psychiatrists to determine whether they are likely to pursue sexually dangerous behaviors. If these evaluators deem a defendant a sexually dangerous person, the criminal case halts and the accused is instead sent to the downstate prison for treatment for these behaviors. […]

Though some prosecutors have told men alleged to be SDPs that treatment should last one to two years, stays at the prison have dragged on to an average of 24 years.

There’s a lot more in WTTW’s reports, so go read the rest here and here and let us know your thoughts.

* The Prison Policy Initiative’s Emma Ruth in 2022…

20 states and the federal Bureau of Prisons detain over 6,000 people, mostly men, who have been convicted of sex offenses in prison-like “civil commitment” facilities beyond the terms of their criminal sentence. […]

In Illinois, for example, the Department of Corrections (DOC) facilities are overseen by the John Howard Association, an independent prison watchdog organization. But Rushville Treatment and Detention Facility, a civil commitment center that opened after Illinois enacted its own Sexually Violent Persons Commitment Act in 1998, is not subject to the same kind of oversight because it is housed under the Department of Human Services and is not technically classified as a prison. This is true in many states that have “Sexually Violent Persons” laws on their books, and consequently, horrific medical neglect and abuse proliferate in these shadowy facilities.

A recent report from Illinois goes beyond the numbers and reports that for many, civil commitment seems like a life sentence. This 2022 report, based on a 2019 study of residents at Rushville Treatment and Detention Facility (one of Illinois’ two civil commitment facilities), exposed demographic disparities, discrimination and abuses inside, and flaws with the broader framework of civil commitment. Like the broader carceral system, civil commitment disproportionately impacts Black and Brown people. In particular, the Illinois report noted an overrepresentation of Black, Indigenous, and multiracial people at Rushville. This is in line with the findings of the Williams Institute’s 2020 report, which found that, on average, Black people were detained in civil commitment facilities at twice the rate of white people in the states studied.

Illinois and many other states use the Static-99/99R, which predicts individuals’ risk using data about groups that come from overwhelmingly unpublished studies. This risk assessment tool is notably homophobic, as it assigns a point (and thus, a higher risk value) to those who have a “same-sex victim.” The Williams Institute writes:

In addition to normalizing violence against women, this a priori assigns gay, bisexual, and MSM [men who have sex with men], who are more likely to have a male victim, a higher score, marking them as more dangerous than men who have female victims regardless of any other characteristics of the offense.

The evaluation also considers those who have never lived with a romantic partner to be at higher risk of reoffending, which means that LGBTQ+ people who may not be able to safely live with a partner in a homophobic area and young people who may not have had the opportunity to live with a partner yet would receive higher scores. Accordingly, representation of LGBTQ+ people in Rushville was drastically higher than in the general public.

5 Comments

Roundup: Appeals court orders new trial, release for McClain and Pramaggiore

Wednesday, Apr 15, 2026 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* Capitol News Illinois…

Two key figures in the federal corruption case against ex-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan were ordered released from prison Tuesday just hours after their lawyers argued for a new trial in front of the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Longtime Springfield lobbyist Mike McClain and former Commonwealth Edison CEO Anne Pramaggiore — half of the group that become known as the “ComEd Four” after their 2020 indictment on charges they bribed Madigan — will also receive a new trial. Their codefendants did not appeal their convictions but have already been released to halfway houses after serving monthslong sentences in federal prison.

The three-judge panel issued a short order barely four hours after it finished hearing consolidated appeals arguments in the cases. In it, they wrote that “Both Pramaggiore and McClain are entitled to release” on bond while awaiting a new trial. It’s unclear when the judges will publish their longer opinion formally ordering a new trial.

“The United States must make arrangements to release Pramaggiore and McClain from federal custody forthwith,” the order said. […]

A jury found the pair guilty in May 2023, along with former ComEd executive John Hooker and longtime Chicago City Hall lobbyist Jay Doherty. As the two marquee defendants, McClain and Pramaggiore both received two years in prison at their sentencing hearings last summer.

Those sentences would likely have been much longer, but U.S. District Judge Manish Shah last March tossed the four bribery charges against them and granted a partial retrial based on a 2024 U.S. Supreme Court decision that narrowed the scope of federal bribery law. However, prosecutors opted instead to proceed straight to sentencing and moved to dismiss the bribery counts after each sentencing hearing.

Shah, who took over the case after the death of the trial judge in 2024, based his sentences and fines of the ComEd Four on the remaining charges, including an overarching conspiracy count.

Also still at play were their convictions on four counts alleging the defendants falsified ComEd’s business records to hide payments to a handful of Madigan allies hired as do-nothing subcontractors through ComEd lobbyists close to the speaker. The payments, which began with one political ally of the speaker in 2011, added up to $1.3 million to five men over a period of eight years.

* Tribune…

The rapid-fire decision came after consolidated arguments for McClain and Pramaggiore before the 7th Circuit, Tuesday. The three-judge panel had tough questions for a government lawyer about how the conspiracy conviction could stand after the high court said “gratuities” given to elected officials with no direct tie to official actions are not illegal. […]

Paul Clement, the lead attorney for Pramaggiore, argued that there was no possible way for the court to know that the jury didn’t convict the defendants based on the government’s bribery theories — and therefore a new trial was inevitable. […]

“Here’s the problem,” Judge Thomas Kirsch II said to Assistant U.S. Attorney Irene Hickey Sullivan just moments after she stepped to the podium. “When you charge the case and try the case as a bribery case, what’s to say the jury just didn’t consider the illegal bribery object of the conspiracy and stop right there?”

Sullivan argued the evidence in the case overwhelmingly showed the defendants’ motive to falsify records was to hide the nature of illicit subcontractor payments to political friends of Madigan who did little or no actual work for ComEd.

* The Sun-Times…

Assistant U.S. Attorney Irene Sullivan assured the panel there was sufficient evidence of false records. But Kolar eventually asked whether it would be appropriate to release Pramaggiore and McClain if a new trial is ordered.

Pramaggiore attorney Paul Clement told the panel, “if you’re convinced that there needs to be a new trial, then you should be convinced that my client should not be in prison right now.”

* More from the Sun-Times…

Pramaggiore spokesman Mark Herr and McClain lawyer Joel Bertocchi said they were “pleased” by the news. It followed years of predictions by defense attorneys that a do-over would be necessary, especially after the U.S. Supreme Court in 2024 limited the reach of a key bribery law used a year earlier to convict Pramaggiore and Madigan ally McClain. Both have been serving two-year prison sentences.

“It has never made sense that Ms. Pramaggiore has served a single day in prison, much less the three months she has served — for ‘crimes’ the Supreme Court said did not exist,” Herr said.

* CBS Chicago…

CBS News Chicago Legal Analyst Irv Miller said the same-day decision from the appellate court to grant Pramaggiore and McClain a new trial is extremely rare, and could have implications for Madigan’s appeal of his own conviction.

“I think it’s a very good decision for Mike Madigan. He couldn’t have hoped for a better day than what occurred in the 7th Circuit today. Although he was not a party to the action today, the reasoning applies also in his case. It’s not exactly the same factual or legal situation, but it’s enough where the three judges that heard the case last week, that haven’t decided the case yet, may influence them to make a ruling that could favor the former speaker,” Miller said. […]

Miller said it will be up to federal prosecutors to decide whether or not to follow through with a second trial for Pramaggiore and McClain. A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s office in Chicago declined to comment.

* The Sun-Times Jon Seidel…

Good morning. No updates in the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator overnight. Michael McClain and Anne Pramaggiore are still listed as being held in their respective prisons, for now.

U.S. District Judge Manish Shah ordered that they be released "immediately." https://t.co/u4wuXnpfpY pic.twitter.com/7TMh8udTV5

— Jon Seidel (@SeidelContent) April 15, 2026

* More…

WTTW | Pair Convicted in ‘ComEd Four’ Conspiracy Case To Be Released From Prison as Court Set To Order New Trial:

* Bloomberg | Former ComEd CEO and lobbyist granted new trials in Madigan bribery case: The Tribune notes it’s unclear whether the U.S. attorney’s office will pursue a retrial on the charges against Pramaggiore and McClain, given the change in how the courts define federal bribery following a 2024 U.S. Supreme Court decision in a separate case. That ruling, Snyder v. U.S., found that gratuities given to an elected official after the fact can’t be considered bribes. The trial court in the ComEd Four case threw out the bribery convictions following that ruling but kept in place convictions on conspiracy charges and violations of books and records regulations.

11 Comments

Rate the new Pritzker ad

Wednesday, Apr 15, 2026 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Press release…

JB For Governor released a new TV ad, “Tomorrow,” highlighting Governor JB Pritzker’s $35 cap on insulin costs and the savings it delivers for working families.

The ad features an Illinois working mom living with diabetes thanking Gov. Pritzker’s for his decisive action to cap insulin costs as they were skyrocketing, allowing her to focus on her family instead of worrying about affording vital medication.

In Illinois, 1.3 million adults – 12.5% of the population – live with diabetes. As Trump strips healthcare from millions of Americans and his economic policies drive prices higher, Governor Pritzker’s commitment to affordable healthcare has lifted a real financial burden off working families across the state, saving them thousands of dollars a year.

In 2020, Illinois became just the second state in the nation to cap the cost of insulin. Governor Pritzker continued building on that progress by erasing more than $1.1 billion in medical debt, lowering prescription costs, capping the cost of epinephrine (EpiPen) auto-injectors, and requiring insurance coverage of Continuous Glucose Monitors to help patients manage their condition and avoid costly emergency medical care.

The ad will air statewide on broadcast and cable television, as well as on streaming and digital platforms.

* The spot…

Script…

ILLINOIS MOM: My son’s my whole world. I work hard to give him everything I can.
I was diagnosed with diabetes almost 20 years ago.
The key to treating diabetes is insulin, and for years prices kept skyrocketing.
NEWS ANCHOR: This is big. Governor JB Pritzker signs a bill to cap the cost of insulin.
ILLINOIS MOM: Now I’m saving over $3,000 a year.
JB understands what I’m going through.
JB has allowed me to be a better mom who doesn’t have to worry about getting the life-saving medication I need.
It means everything to me.

11 Comments

340B Legislation: Support Your Constituents, Your Communities And Patients

Wednesday, Apr 15, 2026 - Posted by Advertising Department

[The following is a paid advertisement.]

The Patient Access to Pharmacy Protection Act (HB 2371 SA 2) restores the federal 340B program in Illinois to what U.S. lawmakers intended. There’s nothing new except transparency requirements that Illinois hospitals agree with. The legislation is an urgently needed response to drugmaker restrictions on 340B providers. Created in 1992, the 340B program requires drugmakers to discount certain drugs for providers caring for the most vulnerable residents so they can stretch scarce federal resources.

The legislation is critically important for all 340 B hospitals and the low-income and uninsured patients they serve. House lawmakers have an opportunity to join their Senate colleagues—who unanimously passed HB 2371 SA 2 last spring—by voting for Illinois’ 340B bill.

Consider the following:

Because of drugmaker restrictions, hospitals operating on thin margins face service cuts unless action is taken by the General Assembly. Stand with Illinois hospitals and FQHCs: VOTE YES on HB 2371 SA 2! Learn more.

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Question of the day

Wednesday, Apr 15, 2026 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Politico…

Don’t call Darren Bailey MAGA

NOT SO MAGA: Darren Bailey, the Republican who once eagerly aligned himself with President Donald Trump and his political movement, is now drawing a more careful distinction: He’s not MAGA — he’s just a Republican.

In an interview, the GOP gubernatorial candidate said a MAGA Republican would accept whatever Trump said without question. Bailey says that’s not him.

And to back it up, he has doubled down on criticizing Trump’s recent attack on Pope Leo XIV and his posting a meme appearing as Jesus.

“It’s divisive. I wish President Trump would simply apologize and acknowledge that he messed up, and I think that would correct a lot,” Bailey told your Playbook host.

It’s a notable bit of daylight between Bailey and a figure he once courted aggressively on the campaign trail. It also suggests that some Republicans may be recalibrating their stance as they try to balance Trump’s lasting influence with the realities of appealing to voters in a tough national climate in November.

* The Question: Do you believe Bailey’s claim that he’s not a MAGA Republican? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.

online polls

49 Comments

SB 1486 Raises Premiums And Reduces Consumer Choice

Wednesday, Apr 15, 2026 - Posted by Advertising Department

[The following is a paid advertisement.]

Illinois is home to one of the most competitive insurance markets in the nation. Hundreds of insurers fight for consumers, leaving families better protected than those in other states.

SB 1486, described by the Daily Herald as “controversial legislation,” could eliminate that system and, in its place, leave Illinois with the most extreme regulatory framework in the nation.

This legislation could:

Click here to learn more.

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It’s just a bill

Wednesday, Apr 15, 2026 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* WGN…

State Rep. Brad Stephens (R-IL 20th), who also serves as Mayor of Rosemont, met with other House Republicans on Wednesday, along with Deputy Gov. Andy Manar and members of Gov. JB Pritzker’s staff on Wednesday to discuss the future of the Bears’ mega-projects bill, also known as the PILOT bill [HB910].

“I’ve been able to work together with various stakeholders, putting real estate deals together, and, you know, making sure that they’re good for both the government side of things and the people that are making the investment,” Stephens said. “I think that we want to make sure that this is right. That it’s not just a handover of a bunch of cash to a professional football team.”

Stephens hopes to sway more GOP votes for a stadium deal in Arlington Heights to prevent the Bears from moving to Indiana. The stall in support behind legislation in Illinois has paved the way for a stadium to be built in Hammond.

Illinois House Bill 910 (HB910) would give the Bears tax certainty, allowing the team to negotiate a special payment-in-lieu-of-property taxes (PILOT) for at least 20 years at the Arlington Park Racecourse site in the northwest suburbs. So far, the bill has yet to meet a 60-vote threshold to bring HB910 to the house floor for a vote. […]

“I think that the language has got to be right to be able to garner enough votes to get it across the finish line,” Stephens said. “That’s first and foremost. But it’s got to be crafted in a way where it makes sense for both government and the private investor.”

* Subscribers know more. WIRED…

Anthropic has come out against a proposed Illinois law backed by OpenAI that would shield AI labs from liability if their systems are used to cause large-scale harm, like mass casualties or more than $1 billion in property damage.

The fight over the bill, SB 3444, is drawing new battle lines between Anthropic and OpenAI over how AI technologies should be regulated. While AI policy experts say that the legislation has only a remote chance of becoming law, it has nonetheless exposed political divisions between two leading US AI labs that could become increasingly important as the rival companies ramp up their lobbying activity across the country.

Behind the scenes, Anthropic has been lobbying state senator Bill Cunningham, SB 3444’s sponsor, and other Illinois lawmakers to either make major changes to the bill or kill it as it stands, according to people familiar with the matter. In an email to WIRED, an Anthropic spokesperson confirmed the company’s opposition to SB 3444 and said it has held promising conversations with Cunningham about using the bill as a starting point for future AI legislation. […]

Representatives for Cunningham did not respond to a request for comment. A spokesperson for Illinois governor JB Pritzker sent the following statement: “While the Governor’s Office will monitor and review the many AI bills moving through the General Assembly, governor Pritzker does not believe big tech companies should ever be given a full shield that evades responsibilities they should have to protect the public interest.”

* Tribune…

A coalition of unions representing workers from bus drivers to construction workers converged on the statehouse Tuesday to lobby against legislation that would create pilot programs for driverless vehicles in Chicago and other parts of Illinois, calling the legislative effort the start of “a major domino effect against the middle class.”

The coalition, which includes the Teamsters, Illinois AFL-CIO and the Chicago Federation of Labor, raised concerns about the bill, saying they fear it could jeopardize public safety and the jobs of some or all of its hundreds of thousands of workers with problematic technology. […]

The bill hasn’t gained any traction, however, remaining stuck in the House Rules Committee, which means it’s unclear whether it’s going to advance through the legislative process anytime soon. Other bills that would regulate these pilot programs also remain in limbo. […]

[Mayor Brandon Johnson’s] office also indicated the city would oppose any automated-vehicle legalization efforts that would prohibit Chicago from regulating self-driving cars on its own.

* Yesterday, Civic Federation President Joe Ferguson sent out this letter to members of the Chicago Board of Education…

Dear Members of the Chicago Board of Education:

In light of concerns raised about HB4416, a bill that aims to extend unemployment benefits to non- instructional employees of public schools during the summer months when school is not in session, the Civic Federation has reviewed the bill and its potential impacts.

The Federation is deeply concerned about the adverse consequences this bill would have for school districts statewide, especially Chicago Public Schools (CPS). The Federation does not object to the goal of providing unemployment benefits to seasonal school district employees during the summer. However, it emphatically opposes any unfunded mandates to local governments, including school districts. This bill could impose hundreds of millions of dollars in costs on Illinois school districts without providing them with commensurate funding. Many school districts operate tightly balanced budgets with few options for additional revenue, and some are likely to be driven into fiscal crisis by the sudden addition of substantial costs.

For Chicago Public Schools, this bill could add annual costs of up to $100 million. However, CPS cannot simply raise additional revenue to match this new cost. As a non-home rule government, the only major tax CPS has the authority to levy is the property tax, which is subject to an annual cap under State law. Moreover, due to longstanding fiscal pressures, CPS already raises its property taxes by the maximum amount allowed by State law each year. Most of the District’s remaining revenue comes from the State or the federal government. Thus, CPS would have no way to raise new revenue to meet the otherwise unfunded obligations imposed by this legislation.

With no available revenue options, CPS would likely be forced to oﬀset these new costs with curricular and classroom cuts, directly harming students. This would likely mean reductions in staﬃng and cuts to programming and services for students. CPS already faces a significant structural budget deficit that will force it to make diﬃcult decisions in its coming fiscal year, even without this added burden. The same story is true in many other school districts throughout Illinois.

The Civic Federation urges the Chicago Board of Education to work in coordination with other school districts to oppose HB4416. The Board and other districts should call on the Illinois General Assembly to refrain from passing any unfunded mandates and making any decisions that make precarious financial situations worse for CPS and school districts throughout Illinois.

* WAND…

State representatives passed a plan Tuesday to address youth who are repeat gun offenders. […]

This bill would require probation agencies to conduct an assessment of the minor’s needs and identify restorative justice programs for high-risk youth, cognitive behavioral therapy, family engagement and mentoring options.

“Without this help and without the services that are provided through this legislation, the direction of their life is not going to be a positive one,” said Rep. Anthony DeLuca (D-Chicago Heights). “We believe that we can help some kids with this version.”

House Bill 4091 passed unanimously out of the House and now moves to the Senate for further consideration.

* More…

Eye On Illinois: House endorses prison mail bill as DOC touts tablet-based education:

* Press release | Grasse Legislation Easing Pathway to Marriage for People who are Physically Impaired Passes the House: House Bill 4508 amends the Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act to allow eligible individuals to apply for a marriage license remotely or have a clerk come to them with medical authorization. The bill builds on policies first used during the COVID-19 pandemic and removes unnecessary barriers for people already facing profound challenges. This legislation passed the House on Tuesday and will soon be heard in the Senate.

* WAND | IL Senate unanimously passes bill protecting domestic violence survivors from digital harassment: The plan would update the state’s definition of harassment to include conduct like doxxing, electronic tracking, repeated surveillance and digitally altered sexual images. Sponsors said the bill also allows survivors to request a remote order of protection hearing so they don’t have to be in the same room as their abuser. “Abusers often use technology to stalk, monitor and maintain control over their victims,” said Sen. Adriane Johnson (D-Waukegan). “That is why we must empower survivors by allowing them to use the court to hold their abusers to account.”

* Capitol News Illinois | Will this be the year the state legislature approves a cellphone ban in schools?: An amendment to Senate Bill 2427, which passed the Illinois House Education Committee unanimously on March 25, would require all Illinois public and charter schools to adopt policies restricting student use of cellphones, tablets and other devices during class time. The bill still needs approval from the full House, where it’s not subject to a Friday deadline for final action, because a previous version already passed the Senate 55-0 last year. Because it was amended in the House, however, the Senate will need to approve the amended version before it can head to Gov. JB Pritzker, who’s been pushing for the measure for two years.

* WAND | IL House passes bill requiring diaper ingredients transparency for consumers: This bill requires each package or box of diapers sold in Illinois to include a printed list of all ingredients for consumers. Sponsors said the Attorney General or state’s attorneys could enforce this change and collect civil penalties from companies that violate the policy. “We will be having a runoff period for packaging currently on the shelves,” said Rep. Tracy Katz Muhl (D-Northbrook). “The order that the ingredients [are] listed is from most to least with the exception that the very small 1% elements can be whatever order, as it becomes hard to distinguish at that level.”

* WAND | IL bill requiring insurance coverage for preventative heart scans heads to Senate: The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services initially opposed the bill due to the potential cost for state employee health insurance coverage. However, the current language exempts state employee insurance from the mandate. “If the cost was significant enough that the state cannot absorb it within its own health plan, it raises important affordability concerns for those in the marketplace as well,” said Kate Morthland from the Illinois Life & Health Insurance Council.

* Press release | Villivalam advances measure through Senate to ensure townships may provide additional food assistance to residents: Senate Bill 3565 would allow townships to use funding received and collected for public aid to establish and administer food banks as well as pantries for people who are in need – regardless of their eligibility for general assistance. This would ensure that townships can continue to provide aid to residents, despite federal eligibility requirements for equivalent or similar programs, and that they can continue to invest funding into these services.

9 Comments

Credit & Debit Cards May Not Work For Tips, Starting July 1

Wednesday, Apr 15, 2026 - Posted by Advertising Department

[The following is a paid advertisement.]

The IFPA—the Credit Card Chaos law—could hurt Illinois’ tipped workers. Servers, stylists, rideshare drivers and other gig workers who rely on tips could see their income drop if customers can’t tip on cards and are limited to the cash they carry.
Why should tipped workers pay the price for Springfield’s bad policy?

Before chaos hits on July 1, lawmakers should reverse course and repeal the Interchange Fee Prohibition Act.

Learn more at: guardyourcard.com/Illinois

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Isabel’s morning briefing

Wednesday, Apr 15, 2026 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* ICYMI: Lawmakers grill Department of Corrections after audit shows dozens of failures. Capitol News Illinois…

It showed an increase of illegal drugs found in jails since the scanning program was implemented.

***************** Advertisement *****************

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Weakening safety-net hospitals won’t improve care. It will slash essential services, eliminate jobs, and push entire communities into healthcare deserts and economic instability.

When safety-net hospitals are funded, communities are healthier, workforces are stronger, and economies are more resilient.

Illinois must fully fund safety-net hospitals. For the communities they serve, it is life or death.

*************************************************

* At noon, Gov. JB Pritzker will deliver remarks at the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association Makers Madness competition in Springfield. Click here to watch.

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

*** Isabel’s Top Picks ***

* Capitol News Illinois | 7th Circuit orders release, new trial for two ‘ComEd Four’ defendants: The 7th Circuit’s decision also comes less than a week after lawyers for Madigan made arguments to a different three-judge appeals panel for the longtime Democratic power broker’s own convictions to be overturned. Madigan is six months into a 7 ½-year sentence on related bribery and other corruption charges, including for having solicited jobs for political allies at ComEd in exchange for helping advance the utility’s legislative agenda in Springfield.

* WSIL | Rising Fertilizer Costs Put Pressure on Southern Illinois Farmers: Leon McClerren, a farmer from Franklin County, said farmers who did not prepay for their fertilizer are probably feeling the impacts of the higher prices. He said he was fortunate to lock in his costs early. “Fuel prices on the other hand, it’s something that’s getting us all very hard right now,’McClerren said.

* Daily Herald | A United and American alliance? United CEO floats idea amid intense O’Hare rivalry: According to Reuters’ sources, “Kirby has argued to administration officials that a combined airline would be a stronger competitor in international markets and noted the Trump administration has focused on U.S. trade deficits around the globe.” But the likelihood of U.S. regulators approving a United/American union is dubious given the impact it could have on competition and ticket prices.

*** Statehouse News ***

* Gov. Pritzker is out with a new TV ad…

* Capitol News Illinois | Costs of state employee health benefits continue steep rise: Officials from the Department of Central Management Services told a legislative panel Tuesday they expect to see an increase of $380 million, or 9%, in total costs to the system in fiscal year 2027. That would bring total expenses paid by all funding sources to about $4.6 billion. That would be a slightly lower rate of inflation than the state has seen in recent years.

* Daily Herald | Pritzker touts BUILD Act reforms as pushback from suburbs grows: “Significant increases in residential density without corresponding infrastructure investment could place substantial strain on these systems,” members of the DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference, Northwest Municipal Conference, Barrington Area Council of Governments, and Metro West Council of Government wrote. They also warned the legislation dilutes inspection and design provisions, which weakens safety standards.

* Crain’s | Illinois to get $50 million in Jewel-Osco parent’s $774 million opioid settlement: Once final, Albertsons would pay more than $773 million in more than 35 states where it does business, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s office said in a statement. In addition to the financial terms, the settlement remains contingent on injunctive relief similar to other opioid settlement terms, like monitoring, reporting and sharing data related to suspicious opioid prescriptions.

* IPM News | Democratic Lieutenant Governor candidate Christian Mitchell on downstate Illinois, data centers, and future goals: “You’ve got, you know, multi-billion dollar tech corporations that are looking to build these data centers for the effectuation of their business. Since they’ve got that kind of capital, they need to put some of that capital up in order to make sure that the people of Illinois and the people of the Midwest and the nation are not overly burdened by new price increases driven by the fact that some of these data centers themselves demand as much energy as entire small towns. And so I think that asking the folks who are going to benefit the most to help solve the problem is the right way to go, so that we. Continue to move our economy forward, but not do so in a way that means that the small business owner or the everyday household is paying more for their energy.”

*** Chicago ***

* Tribune | NFL wants to meet with Chicago Bears after the draft for an update on their stadium project: The meeting will be held virtually, the source said, with the committee aiming to get the latest information from team officials. Bears Chairman George McCaskey is a member of the committee, which is chaired by Minnesota Vikings owner Mark Wilf and also includes owners Art Rooney II (Pittsburgh Steelers), Jed York (San Francisco 49ers), Amy Adams Strunk (Tennessee Titans), Stephen Davis (Dallas Cowboys) and high-ranking executives Sashi Brown (Baltimore Ravens) and Kevin Demoff (Los Angeles Rams). The committee’s role is ultimately to make recommendations to Commissioner Roger Goodell and the league as a whole when it comes to stadium construction, financing and renovations.

* Tribune | CPD Superintendent Snelling pushes back on call to probe rising use-of-force incidents: During a status hearing in the city’s ongoing federal consent decree, Assistant Illinois Attorney General Mike Tresnowski noted the “concerning” trend to U.S. District Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer that Chicago Police Department officers are reporting uses of force more frequently, including in interactions with juveniles. CPD officials told Pallmeyer that reported use-of-force incidents fell sharply during the COVID-19 pandemic but have gradually increased each year since 2022. In 2025, CPD officers reported 3,044 such incidents — 800 more than were reported in 2023.

* City and State NY | Chicago’s mayor fundraises in the Bronx with former Rep. Jamaal Bowman: Johnson is in town to speak at a National Urban League summit, so former Rep. Jamaal Bowman co-hosted a fundraiser for him at Sankofa Haus, an event space in the South Bronx. Guests who had paid between $50 and $7,000 for a ticket enjoyed rum punch and hors d’oeuvres – including miniature chicken sandwiches, vegetable spring rolls and salmon bites with spicy mayonnaise – while Bowman moderated a panel with Johnson and Working Families Party National Director Maurice Mitchell. City & State spotted congressional candidate and former Assembly Member Michael Blake among the 30 or so people in the audience.

* Sun-Times | Delivery robot apologizes in new bus shelter ad after shattering glass in West Town: “Dear West Town neighbors, I took ‘breaking into the market’ too literally. I’m really sorry about the bus stop … and the dramatic entrance. I promise to do better,” the ad reads. It features a photo of the sheepish robot with a digital screen saying ‘Nasir is sorry.’ After the incident, Serve Robotics worked with JC Decaux, the advertising company that built the shelter, to clean up the damages. The shelter was fixed within a few days after the crash.

* Sun-Times | Navy Pier to hold its largest July 4 fireworks display ever: At 10 p.m. July 4, viewers can expect “bigger, more extravagant” fireworks than the pier’s typical shows, said Molly Healy, a pier spokesperson. The pier’s fireworks typically blast off every Wednesday at 9 p.m. and Saturday at 10 p.m., from Memorial Day through Labor Day. But this Fourth of July display will last 15 minutes — five minutes longer than usual — and have almost twice as many fireworks compared to those shows, Healy said.

*** Cook County and Suburbs ***

* Crain’s | Medical staff, landlord ramp up efforts to oust West Suburban owner: The Chicago Medical Society and West Suburban Medical Center’s medical staff are urging Gov. J.B. Pritzker to use emergency powers to reopen the shuttered Oak Park hospital, the latest effort to pressure CEO Manoj Prasad amid mounting unpaid bills and an eviction fight with his business partner and landlord. In a letter to the governor, medical staff at the hospital, which closed last month, want Pritzker to exercise his executive authority, direct emergency funding and state resources to stabilize and restore operations, and appoint an interim management team composed of qualified health care leaders and stakeholders.

* Daily Southtown | ACLU says Tinley Park police traffic stop may have violated state’s TRUST Act: Tinley Park police Officer Jason L’Amas was conducting a routine background check during a traffic stop when he found a federal warrant attached to the driver’s name, calling for the driver to be removed from the country, according to a police report obtained by the Southtown. L’Amas reported the man, along with his address, phone number, vehicle, place of employment and mother’s name to the U.S. Bureau of Immigration Aug. 27, 2025, according to the report.

* Evanston Now | Council hikes fines for landlords: Evanston’s City Council Monday boosted fines for landlords who violate the city’s landlord tenant ordinance. The new schedule of fines, ranging from $100 to $1,000 per violation per day, will apply to the entire ordinance. Until now the fines have ranged from $20 and $740, as specified in the general penalties section of the city code.

* Naperville Sun | Naperville weighs alternatives to IMEA as energy deadlines loom: While Naperville’s contract with its current energy provider, Illinois Municipal Electric Agency (IMEA), does not expire until 2035, the joint action agency has asked Naperville to extend its contract with it to 2055, an action to which 29 of its 32 member municipalities have agreed but which the council put on hold in August. “We’ve got 15 months before we have to make our first strategic decision and the clock will not stop,” Mayor Scott Wehrli said.

* Aurora Beacon-News | Kane County Board OKs more reallocations of COVID-19 relief funds, as spending deadline nears: The measures approved Tuesday transfer a little over $400,000 in ARPA funds from one county project to another. One of the transfers reallocates $342,506 from a judicial technology modernization project by the 16th Judicial Circuit Court to the Building Management Department’s jail tower HVAC system improvement project, per the measure. Another $65,497 was allocated away from the 16th Judicial Circuit Court’s technology modernization project toward a Sheriff’s Office HVAC system renovation project.

* Daily Herald | Rosemont firm run by mayor’s brother loses longstanding contracts at Allstate Arena: Bomark Cleaning, headed by Mayor Brad Stephens’ brother Mark Stephens, has had the janitorial contracts for a number of municipal-owned venues since the 1980s, when their father Donald E. Stephens was mayor. But village officials decided last October to put out a request for proposals to see if they could get a better deal.

* Sun-Times | Soon-to-shutter Trinity Christian College campus up for sale: Commercial real estate firm CBRE was named the listing firm last week for the 60-acre property in Palos Heights, about 10 miles south of Midway Airport. CBRE’s Anne Rahm, Matt Ishikawa and Tom Svoboda are the listing agents. Rahm said there’s already been a “great deal of interest” in the campus from local to national buyers, including residential developers and academic institutions.

* Daily Herald | ‘A lot of concerns’: Townhouse plan doesn’t sit well with Vernon Hills trustees: A consensus of trustees opposed the proposal as presented. Trustee Michael Schenk said the plan is highly condensed on a small property, too close to the railroad tracks and would come with “additional traffic that we don’t need right now.” “I’m not for this project,” he added. “I just don’t think it’s the right spot.” Trustee Nancy Forster said it is up to buyers to decide about being close to tracks but also has concerns about traffic. Metra use in Vernon Hills is low, she added.

*** Downstate ***

* WAND | CyrusOne data center project moves into next phase after land approval: Before any building can begin, CyrusOne must submit detailed site plans, along with updated documentation from utility providers. “In this case, it’s Apple Creek for the water, the Rural Electric Co-op for the electricity; we put that in there, that at the time of permitting, we want an updated letter that is still valid,” Harrison said.

* WAND | Springfield alderman speaks up for first time since heated city council meeting: He said that while he regrets losing his temper at the meeting, he will continue to speak up for his community. “The picture is painted [so] that everything is fine, but it’s not fine. We really have a lot of work to do with racial tensions in this city,” Gregory said. The Springfield City Council approved an ordinance codifying rules and procedures for the flow of council on Tuesday night. It also specifies rules for public comment, including a five-minute time limit and a ban on profane or vulgar language.

* WGLT | McLean County Clerk Kathy Michael no-shows County Board Executive Committee: Michael told the board last month she would be there in April to explain about $500,000 in budget overages last fiscal year and would supply invoices as requested by the committee. She did neither, according to board members. Last week, she also again told the board’s Finance Committee she would have to get back to them when they posed the same questions they had last month. Over the weekend, Michael took to Facebook apparently to preempt critiques. “If you hear I was not being ‘transparent’ by not attending Exec. this Monday, I was not invited to attend to answer any questions, nor have I received any questions in the last month,” wrote Michael.

* WSIL | Cairo library explores Illinois’ complex Underground Railroad past: “The exhibit features the different freedom seekers and conductors who participated in the Underground Railroad in the state of Illinois,” said Toya Wilson, the library’s director. “Journey to Freedom: Illinois’ Underground Railroad” is making stops across the state, sharing powerful stories of enslaved people and the network that helped them escape. Wilson says the exhibit shares stories that have often gone untold.

*** National ***

* WaPo | ‘That wasn’t me’: How facial recognition led to a woman being jailed for 6 months: Williams, now 57, offered to take a polygraph test and said she had family members who could provide an alibi for her, according to video of the interview from July 2021 reviewed by The Washington Post. She acknowledged that she had a history of writing bad checks, but she insisted that was in the past. “I’m not trying to waste your time,” Williams said. “I’m telling you —” “You’re telling me, but you’re not telling me the truth,” the officer interrupted.

* Western Edge | ‘Everyone is Replaceable’: Death Rattles Oregon Amazon Facility: For more than an hour, several employees said, workers in the facility were instructed to continue fetching totes, picking items off shelves and loading them onto trucks for delivery as the man lay dead, and management figured out their next steps. News of the fatality quickly spread through the building, but workers say top managers did not call operations to an immediate halt. A week later, several workers said they still do not know what caused the man to die. Amazon said in a statement Tuesday that the man died from a “pre-existing medical condition.” Records indicate he was 46 years old.

* WaPo | DOJ moves to undo Jan. 6 rioters’ convictions for seditious conspiracy: The request, from U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro of D.C., is likely to be granted because prosecutors have broad discretion to pursue or drop criminal charges, even after defendants have been convicted. Stewart Rhodes, the leader of the Oath Keepers and a lead organizer behind the riots, is among those whose convictions Pirro is seeking to erase. The move to undo the most serious convictions stemming from the assault on the Capitol marks the latest step in President Donald Trump’s quest to rewrite the event’s violent history. A mob of Trump supporters gathered in D.C. and disrupted Congress’s certification of Joe Biden as the winner of the 2020 presidential race, echoing Trump’s false claims that the election had been stolen.

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Good morning!

Wednesday, Apr 15, 2026 - Posted by Rich Miller

* One of the best-ever covers of one of my favorite songs, and it’s from just five days ago: Gillian Welch & David Rawlings…