The key note: “The jury cannot come to a unanimous verdict on all three counts. No one is willing to surrender their honest beliefs.”
(The other note was a clarification from the juror with a work conflict Friday.)
Judge Wood notes that, depending on how you read this, it could mean they have a verdict on one or two counts, but not all three. Or it could mean they can’t reach any verdict.
AUSA Prashant Kolluri suggests the judge ask the jurors what they mean by their note. Defense attorney Victor Henderson asks for a five-minute recess to speak with Jones.
Judge Wood says, “I’ll allow five minutes.” But she’s still talking through logistics.
Judge Wood points out that “the jury, to this point, has not been informed that a partial verdict is an option.”
The judge goes on to explain that jurors should be told a partial verdict would be a final verdict as to the count in question.
She notes that some jurors might be uncomfortable with that — and could decline a partial verdict.
Court’s in recess for what’s supposed to be five minutes.
Judge Wood to the jury: “In a moment I will ask you to go back to the jury room and provide some clarification as to whether the jury has reached unanimous agreement as to any of the three counts.”
[Prosecutor] Kolluri tells the judge prosecutors want the jury to keep deliberating.
Kolluri also says prosecutors “attempted to confer” with defense.
Doesn’t sound like it went well.
Kolluri asks the judge to send a note asking if any juror thinks “further deliberations would be …”
Judge Wood interrupts: “No. I’m not going to do that.”
Judge Wood says that, if jurors are going to be polled, it should be individually.
Henderson agrees that the jurors should be polled one-by-one in court. Seems likely to happen at sidebar, with the white noise machine on so we can’t hear them.
Hannah Meisel: Judge: I think my position is I ask each juror comes in individually and ask two Qs
1) do you think progress has been made since yesterday?
2) do you believe more deliberations would be fruitful?
After govt worries about public nature, judge says it could be done at sidebar.
Judge Wood: “Only two of the jurors indicated that they felt any progress had been made since yesterday.”
Judge Wood: “One further defined ‘progress’ as ‘we talked more about it, went back and forth,’ but that juror also could not say that any person actually changed their mind about anything.”
Court’s in recess while the lawyers talk about it.
Defense attorney Joshua Adams explained to the judge, for the record, that “the lack of unanimity in the jury room is evidence that the government has not met their burden beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Hannah Meisel: Judge Wood, though, cites some case law and points out that Adams’ reason is not a factor.
Discussing the factors required for a mistrial, Judge Wood estimates that the jury has been deliberating for around 24 to 26 hours.
She says they likely heard 30-34 hours of testimony.
Kolluri argues, and he says they learned while speaking to the jurors that there are “multiple jurors on each side that are entrenched.”
Hannah Meisel: Prosecutors are now laying out their arguments for the judge to declare a mistrial. “Nothing more the court can do” and risks exhaustion of jury. Defense rests on their previous objection [meaning they’re not going to explain their position further].
Judge Wood says it “appears” jurors hadn’t taken a formal vote on Count 2 [interstate commerce] when they sent their note Wednesday.
Judge Wood: “I do think the factors here weigh in favor of a mistrial.”
The federal bribery trial of Illinois Sen. Emil Jones III ended in a mistrial Thursday after jurors told the judge they were “unable to reach a unanimous verdict on any of the three counts.”
The jurors delivered their news in a note that followed nearly 23 hours of deliberations over four days. They had warned U.S. District Judge Andrea Wood on Wednesday that they’d potentially deadlocked on two of the three charges, which have loomed over the South Side Democrat since 2022.
Their disagreement appeared to have worsened after another day of deliberations Thursday.
* From Rich: The April 8 Capitol Fax post about 314 Action Fund’s US Senate poll is retracted until we receive a response from the organization. Despite repeated attempts to contact them (email, phone, tweets), they have so far refused to respond to my very simple question about what pollster conducted the survey. That alleged poll claimed the group’s favored US Senate candidate Lauren Underwood was leading the race and that “77 percent of primary voters identify her by name.” I should’ve been more diligent at the time. Sorry.
Robert Crimo III will spend the rest of his life in prison for opening fire on spectators at the 2022 Highland Park Independence Day Parade.
Lake County Judge Victoria Rossetti imposed the expected sentence Thursday after listening to statements from 19 survivors and loved ones of people killed in the mass shooting. He was sentenced to seven consecutive natural life sentences without the possibility of parole − one for each of the seven people he murdered — plus an additional 50 years for the four dozen spectators he injured.
“The court finds that the defendant is irretrievably depraved, permanently incorrigible, irreparably corrupt and beyond any rehabilitation,” Rossetti said.
* Rep. Bob Morgan…
“This sentencing marks a solemn but important moment for the Highland Park community. While no punishment can erase the pain or bring back the lives stolen from us, today’s outcome offers a measure of closure for families, survivors, and a city forever altered by senseless violence,” Rep. Morgan said. “I am deeply grateful to Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart and his team for their tireless work securing this sentence. In addition, I extend my continued thanks to the first responders, mental health professionals, and community leaders who have stood by our neighbors over the past three years.”
Rep. Morgan, who was present with his family during the shooting, honored the lives of Katherine Goldstein, Irina McCarthy, Kevin McCarthy, Stephen Straus, Jacquelyn Sundheim, Nicolas Toledo-Zaragoza, and Eduardo Uvaldo. He reiterated that while today’s sentence brings justice and much-needed closure for Highland Park, the fight to end gun violence must extend beyond this moment.
“Although today’s sentencing provides relief and closure to our community, we must stress that our work is never finished,” Morgan said. “We must continue to ensure that every community across Illinois receives the care, healing, and justice they deserve. No family should have to carry the weight of this kind of loss alone—or in the absence of action.”
Rep. Morgan witnessed firsthand the devastating effects gun violence can have on a community. Highland Park, Illinois, is part of the 58th State Representative District, and he was present at the July 4, 2022, mass shooting with his wife and children, during which 83 rounds were fired in less than 60 seconds, killing seven and injuring 48.
Six months after the Highland Park shooting, Rep. Morgan was the chief sponsor of the Protect Illinois Communities (“PIC”) Act, one of the strongest gun safety laws in the nation. The PIC Act bans the sale of assault weapons—frequently used in mass shootings—as well as large-capacity magazines that hold more than 10 rounds for long guns or more than 15 rounds for handguns.
A federal jury began its fourth day of deliberations Thursday after signaling a potential impasse on two of the charges in the corruption trial of state Sen. Emil Jones III.
Late in the day on Wednesday, the jury sent a note to U.S. District Judge Andrea Wood signaling that they were unable to agree on counts of bribery and lying to the FBI. After consulting with lawyers in the case, Wood told the panel Thursday that a deadlock would be premature at this point in their talks, and to continue deliberating.
The jury also indicated that they would take Friday off from deliberations due to scheduling conflicts, if they do not conclude their work by then.
The panel is faced with determining whether the South Side Democrat is guilty of bribery, use of an interstate facility to solicit bribery and lying to federal agents regarding his dealings with a red-light camera company executive over the summer of 2019.
* Illinois Department of Central Management Services…
The unemployment rate decreased in eleven metro areas and increased in one over-the-year for the year ending March 2025, according to data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (DES). Over- the-year, total nonfarm jobs increased in six metropolitan areas and decreased in six.
“Illinois continues to demonstrate the strength and resilience of its labor market across metro areas statewide,” said Deputy Governor Andy Manar. “We remain focused on expanding opportunities that drive progress for workers, businesses, and the state as a whole.”
The metro areas which had the largest over-the-year percentage increases in total nonfarm jobs were the Champaign-Urbana MSA (+1.9%, +2,300), the Elgin Metropolitan Division (+1.3%, +3,700), the Lake County Metropolitan Division (+0.6%, +2,000), and the Rockford MSA (+0.6%, +900). Total nonfarm jobs in the Chicago- Naperville-Schaumburg Metropolitan Division were up
+10,000 (+0.3%). The metro areas which posted the largest over-the-year decreases in total nonfarm jobs were the Bloomington MSA (-2.5%, -2,400), the Decatur MSA (-2.5%, -1,200), and the Illinois section of the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island IA-IL MSA (-1.8%, -1,600). Industries that saw job growth in the majority of the twelve metro areas included: Private Education and Health Services (eleven areas); Government (eight areas); and Mining and Construction (seven areas).
The metro areas with the largest unemployment rate decreases were the Lake County Metropolitan Division (-1.6 points to 4.6%), the Rockford MSA (-1.5 points to 5.0%), and the Elgin Metropolitan Division (-1.4 points to 4.4%). The Chicago-Naperville-Schaumburg Metropolitan Division reported the only increase (+0.7 point to 5.5%).
*** Statewide ***
* WBEZ | The Trump administration is pressuring Illinois universities to end a diversity fellowship: Illinois universities are quietly withdrawing from a fellowship aimed at diversifying the state’s college teaching force under pressure from the Trump administration. The U.S. Department of Justice has threatened to sue campuses that take part in the Diversifying Higher Education Faculty in Illinois, or DFI, fellowship. The program is state funded and was created by Illinois lawmakers in an effort to make the state’s college teaching force look more like the Illinois student body.
*** Chicago ***
* Tribune | Aldermen spurning Mayor Brandon Johnson’s new budget working group: ‘It points to a larger problem’: Northwest Side Ald. Ruth Cruz, 30th, told the Tribune on Wednesday she declined the invitation because she believes the best way for her to shape the city’s budget is from outside the mayor’s group. “While I appreciate the consideration, I’m concerned that this group may be more about appearances than a genuine desire for input,” said the freshman alderman, who has often voted with Johnson but recently put more distance between herself and the mayor. “We have seen it for quite some time. Input has been provided and the administration decides to continue with their original plan.”
* Brandon Johnson | We need to bring Chicagoans together to continue investing in people: As we look ahead to this year’s budget, our city faces two distinct challenges. We have a structural imbalance due to decades of neglecting our pension obligations while relying heavily on short-term fixes. At the same time, we face a presidential administration that has threatened to cut the services that Chicagoans rely upon, potentially putting an even greater strain on our municipal budget. In response to the chaos we are seeing at the federal level, we must come together as Chicagoans, roll up our sleeves, and get to work protecting our city services while taking steps to address the structural budget imbalance that has burdened Chicago taxpayers for far too long.
* Chalkbeat | Chicago’s partially-elected school board plans changes to charter school oversight: Now, the relatively new school board is proposing changes to how it handles charter oversight. A resolution on Thursday’s meeting agenda would impose new requirements on operators and is already being opposed by the Illinois Network of Charter Schools, a special interest group that lobbies on behalf of charter schools. The proposed resolution would, among other new stipulations, require operators to give the district 18 months notice of closing a school and assume financial responsibility related to the closure. It also calls on the district to lobby state lawmakers to change state law to stop charters from closing during their renewal term.
* Illinois Answers | Quiet Use of Bonuses for City Council Aides on the Rise: A review by Illinois Answers Project of publicly available payroll data for 259 ward and committee staffers found that 65 council staffers received increases in their salaries between October and December 2024, representing more than $260,000 in taxpayer funds for bonuses. At least 20 staffers saw temporary bumps of at least $5,000 in one-time payouts. The practice has expanded in recent years. In 2022, 16 aldermanic staffers got temporary pay hikes at the end of the year, records show. In 2023, 33 did.
* WTTW | Federal Judge Blocks Trump from Yanking Funding from 16 Sanctuary Cities, Counties in Ruling That Could Bolster Chicago’s Efforts: The injunction issued by U.S. District Judge William Orrick does not apply to Chicago or Cook County but is likely to bolster efforts by city officials to prevent President Donald Trump from blowing a $3 billion hole in Chicago’s budget. San Francisco officials filed the lawsuit on behalf of nine California cities and counties, including Oakland and San Diego, as well as Seattle, Minneapolis, St. Paul and Santa Fe that argued the administration was unlawfully trying to force local officials to aide federal immigration arrests conducting deportation efforts.
* Tribune | Chicago Housing Authority board member reprimanded for ‘sexually graphic conversation,’ report says: The report did not name the board member, nor did it get into the details of the incident. The “allegations of misconduct,” the report said, were received in January 2023, including that the commissioner “may have communicated inappropriately with multiple employees in public forums.” Per OIG policy, the complaint was referred to outside counsel.
* The Triibe | City sues property owners over slum conditions at South Shore building formerly managed by CKO Real Estate: Nearly two weeks after a private meeting between city officials, the property owner and residents about the unlivable conditions of the building at 6952-58 S. Paxton Ave. in South Shore, the city has filed a lawsuit against the owners of the courtyard building formerly managed by CKO Real Estate. The City of Chicago filed the complaint with the Illinois Municipal Department of the Circuit Court of Cook County on April 22, alleging that the owners of the apartment complex on Paxton Avenue failed to comply with multiple municipal codes for the city. The defendants are listed as GRV Jackson Park LLC, the owner; Merchants Bank of Indiana, the mortgage company; and unknown owners and non-record claimants.
* Crain’s | New parks chief says he’s working to keep the Bears in the city: New Chicago Park District Superintendent Carlos Ramirez-Rosa told reporters today he’s begun a relationship with Bears President Kevin Warren and echoed Mayor Brandon Johnson’s optimism the team will remain in Chicago. “The partnership that we’ve had with the Chicago Bears for decades through Soldier Field has benefited the entire city of Chicago and has benefited the Chicago Park District, and so we look forward to continuing that partnership,” he said.
* Block Club | Trilogy Nonprofit Expands To NW Side For Neighbors Seeking Therapy, Recovery Services: Trilogy Mental Wellbeing opened last month at 6200 N. Hiawatha Ave. in Sauganash. Trilogy, a Chicago-based nonprofit, offers therapy, recovery services, employment assistance, residential programs and more. Trilogy, which has been around for more than 50 years, primarily works with clients who are on Medicaid. The nonprofit has operated a location in Rogers Park for more than four decades, but it has been working to expand its reach in recent years.
* NYT | It’s OK, Chicago, Your Air Was Actually Fine on Wednesday: Readings from several popular weather apps had people across Chicago spending much of Wednesday wondering whether their air was safe to breathe — until the dangerously unhealthy levels were revealed to be a glitch.
*** Cook County and Suburbs ***
* Tribune | New Homer Glen Board OKs subdivision, park improvements: The Village Board also swore in Trustee Rose Reynders and new Trustees Michael LePore and Nicholas Muller after the April 1 election results were certified this week. The new board also advanced several recreation projects, including new lighting and an architectural design for a veterans memorial at Heritage Park. The board gave its support for the town house development proposed by Marth Construction after tabling a vote on it earlier this month. The developer plans to build the Villas of Hidden Valley consisting of 25 ranch duplex buildings for a total of 50 homes on about 21 acres of land near Hidden Valley Trail and 159th Street. The land was previously zoned for a potential commercial use.
* Fox Chicago | Lake County Jail transitions to digital mail system to prevent smuggling: Starting May 27, all personal inmate mail—including letters, photos, and drawings—must be sent to a centralized facility, where it will be scanned and delivered electronically to inmates through their tablets. The jail is partnering with TextBehind to implement the new system.
* Daily Herald | Why Lake County forest preserves wants to take lead on Route 53 corridor property and planning: More than 1,000 acres that comprise the corridor is owned by the Illinois Department of Transportation but the Illinois Department of Natural Resources has taken the lead in determining the future of the properties. The move to assume responsibilities was sparked by Jessica Vealitzek, a forest commissioner from Hawthorn Woods. Since being elected board president by her peers in December she has made securing long-term protection for the corridor a priority.
*** Downstate ***
* WIFR | Harlem Township of Winnebago County Supervisor Gary Jury dies: Harlem Township offices confirm that Supervisor Gary Jury, 82, died around 9 p.m. April 23. Jury has served as a board member of the Winnebago County Board for 14 years and chaired on the Forest Preserve, Operations and Administration, Finance, Economic Development and Public Works committees.
* WJBD | Marion County Board appoints Taxpayer Association member to open board seat: The Marion County Board has unanimously appointed one of the leaders of the Marion County Taxpayers Association to an open seat on the board. Josh Dunahee will fill the District Three seat vacated by Tyson McHenry who resigned last month due to a work scheduling problem. Dunahee grew up in Salem and returned three and a half years ago to manage the XPO freight facility in Salem.
* WCIA | Another Danville school bus involved in crash; no one hurt: Another Danville School District 118 school bus was involved in a crash Thursday morning. The Danville Police Department said a white SUV hit the school bus in the rear around 7:40 a.m. where it was stopped near the intersection of Fairchild and Jackson streets. No one was injured in the crash, and both vehicles drove away from the scene.
*** National ***
* CNBC | March home sales drop to their slowest pace since 2009: Higher mortgage rates and concern over the broader economy are making for a weak start to the all-important spring housing market. Sales of previously owned homes in March fell 5.9% from February to 4.02 million units on a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, according to the National Association of Realtors. That’s the slowest March sales pace since 2009.
* Please take a few seconds out of your day and watch…
Steve 'Mongo' McMichael. 🙏🏽
Four years ago today, Steve shared these words with me—words that will stay with me for the rest of my life. They’re words we can all live by. #RIPMongo | #Bearspic.twitter.com/VzlrXnhWwv
The Illinois Supreme Court on Wednesday heard arguments in a case centered on whether a state law passed in 2023 violates the due process rights of Illinoisans outside Sangamon and Cook counties.
A 2023 law restricts certain types of lawsuits – namely challenges to a law’s constitutionality – to courts in those two counties. The law came in response to challenges to the state’s COVID-19 response, a state law ending cash bail and the state’s ban on assault weapons, among others.
These lawsuits – often filed in jurisdictions with sympathetic judges – became a way for some conservatives to make a name for themselves at the state level. Former governor candidate and state Sen. Darren Bailey, R-Xenia, and former attorney general candidate Thomas DeVore both backed high-profile lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of state laws. […]
The case before the Illinois Supreme Court was brought by Piasa Armory, an East Alton gun store. It challenged the constitutionality of an unrelated firearms regulation, the Firearm Industry Responsibility Act, which was also signed into law in 2023. That law subjects firearms groups to civil penalties for violating consumer protection laws.
Piasa Armory almost immediately filed a lawsuit challenging that law in Madison County, about a 30-minute drive from the gun store. The state then tried to move the case to Sangamon County – about 90 minutes from East Alton – citing the then-new law.
But a Madison County judge rejected the state’s attempt to move the case, saying that the law violated the due process rights of residents of other counties by “depriving” them of their ability to mount their best possible case.
The judge had applied his decision to the entire state, but the government argued that the Supreme Court should “rule narrowly” and apply it only to the plaintiff.
The question before us is the constitutionality of section 2-101.5 as it applies to plaintiff. […]
We initially examine the State’s contention that the circuit court effectively found section 2-101.5 facially unconstitutional by ruling that the statute violated the due process rights of all individuals who reside or were injured outside of Cook and Sangamon County. The State contends that the ruling invalidates the statute in every case where it would otherwise be enforced. We note that a party raising a facial challenge must show that the statute is unconstitutional under any possible set of facts, whereas a party raising an as-applied challenge must establish that the statute is unconstitutional as it applies to the party’s particular facts and circumstances. A successful facial challenge voids the statute, but in a successful as-applied claim, the party may enjoin the statute’s enforcement against only himself.
Here, plaintiff framed its claim in terms of its individual circumstances, but the circuit court broadened its ruling to encompass everyone residing or injured outside of the two named counties. The fact that the circuit court’s ruling encompassed more than just plaintiff was not a de facto declaration that the statute was facially unconstitutional. In fact, plaintiff and the circuit court expressly acknowledged that the statute would be constitutional in certain applications, which would defeat a facial challenge. By definition, an as-applied constitutional claim depends on the particular facts and circumstances of the party asserting the claim, so an examination of plaintiff’s particular situation remains paramount. […]
In the instant case, the circuit court largely considered the “convenience” of Madison County and the “inconvenience” of Sangamon County as a forum for plaintiff in determining that the first two Mathews factors weighed heavily in plaintiff’s favor. The relative convenience of each forum is central in considering a motion filed pursuant to the equitable doctrine of forum non conveniens. However, a forum non conveniens motion “seeks to move the action from one forum with proper venue to another, more convenient forum with proper venue.” The doctrine of forum non conveniens may therefore be applied only when there is more than one proper venue. It is not the correct test here, where the question is whether a statute limiting venue for certain types of constitutional actions against the State violates a plaintiff’s due process rights. We further note that section 2-101.5(b) explicitly states that “[t]he doctrine of forum non conveniens does not apply to actions subject to this Section.” […]
Plaintiff’s underlying case is a facial constitutional challenge of section 2BBBB of the Act. It will therefore most likely be resolved without a trial and thus without the need for witnesses to travel to any courthouse, as well as without much, if any, documentary evidence. As for the additional driving time for counsel, even in a forum non conveniens analysis, counsel’s location is given little weight. Moreover, counsel has the option to appear remotely for hearings, and witnesses may appear remotely under certain circumstances as well. […]
We conclude that the State has some interest in consolidating actions in certain counties, especially in light of recent statewide litigation asserting duplicative constitutional claims. … Still, the State’s interest is not extremely strong given that the Attorney General’s office was previously able to manage the litigation under general venue principles. As we observed in Williams, the Attorney General has satellite offices throughout Illinois and routinely litigates in every county in the state.
Balancing all of the Mathews factors ultimately yields the conclusion that section 2-101.5 is not unconstitutional as applied specifically to plaintiff because requiring plaintiff to litigate in Sangamon County does not deprive it of the opportunity to be heard at a meaningful time and in a meaningful manner. The inconvenience asserted by plaintiff is insufficient for a due process claim, especially considering that Sangamon County is only one hour further, that this case will almost certainly be resolved without trial, and that remote appearances are possible. We recognize that the Attorney General could also appear remotely, but the government’s interest extends beyond the convenience of appearing in - 12 - particular courtrooms, as it seeks to more efficiently handle the type of constitutional case that plaintiff has filed here. Further, the parties are not starting off on an equal footing in the balancing test because the legislature has the power to determine venue (Mapes, 363 Ill. at 230) and we generally do not “interfere with the legislature’s province in determining where venue is proper” […]
(T)hough litigating in Sangamon County may be less convenient for plaintiff than litigating in Madison County, it clearly does not rise to the level of an unconstitutional deprivation of due process.
This was a 6-1 decision, with Justice Overstreet dissenting. Overstreet essentially argued for a much more broad decision, instead of this narrow path.
All Ed Cetwinski could think was, “God, I’m out of prison. I can live my life a little bit.” He had just been released from Taylorville Correctional Center after five years behind bars. But even though he’s free from his prison cell, he’s still not free.
Most criminal convictions in Illinois include a period of mandatory supervised release (MSR). It’s like parole, but it’s served as part of a prison sentence rather than in lieu of it. People on MSR must adhere to a litany of conditions, like curfews enforced by electronic monitors. For most people, it lasts from one to three years, but for Cetwinski, it’s not clear how long his MSR term will last.
People convicted of certain sex offenses, like Cetwinski, are required to be on MSR for anywhere from three years to the rest of their lives. But there’s an issue: a permanent address is a requirement for supervised release, and Illinois’s housing banishment laws make it nearly impossible to find housing. […]
The Chicago 400, a grassroots organization of people subject to public conviction registries in Illinois and their allies, is pushing legislation to shrink the size of the housing banishment zone and prevent people from being forced to move if a day care opens nearby. The proposal has yet to be heard in committee, the first step in the legislative session that ends in late May; multiple people involved in negotiations, who are not authorized to speak publicly, say conversations are ongoing.
Protesters flooded the rotunda of the Illinois Statehouse earlier this month, urging legislators to increase wages for caregivers of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The ‘They Deserve More’ coalition — representing advocacy organizations, families and over 90 agencies providing community care — is asking that these direct support personnel, or DSPs, receive at least 150% of Illinois’ minimum wage.
The coalition is also seeking to avoid a cut to state-funded DSP service hours that would result from a provision in Gov. JB Pritzker’s proposed budget for the Illinois Department of Human Services. […]
Demonstrators called for support for two bills moving through the Illinois General Assembly, House Bill 2788 and Senate Bill 1690, which propose raising the base wage for DSPs. Both bills failed to clear the legislature ahead of recent deadlines, but matters pertaining to state funding are generally included in the end-of-session budget package.
Edwina Hernandez, a DSP Recruiter at Cornerstone Services in Joliet, says her agency has trouble providing services to disabled residents due to employee retention challenges. DSPs are the individuals who provide daily personal care such as assisting individuals with eating, grooming and dressing.
“We do have a lot of workers out there who have a heart to serve and a heart to help the community. It’s just the pay,” Hernandez said at the demonstration.
* House Republicans…
On Wednesday, three Illinois House Republicans, who also work as family farmers, held a Capitol news conference to highlight legislation they are sponsoring to support Illinois’ agriculture industry. Specifically, State Representatives Dan Swanson (R-Alpha), Jason R. Bunting (R-Emington), and Wayne Rosenthal (R-Morrisonville) have sponsored legislation they say will help save family farms in Illinois.
State Rep. Dan Swanson is a 6th-generation family farmer near Alpha, Illinois. His family raises various crops and livestock. Swanson says Illinois must do more to preserve agriculture for the future. Swanson has sponsored HB 1501, legislation that creates an income tax credit for the owner of an agricultural asset who sells or rents that asset to a beginning farmer.
“There are young people in Illinois right now who want to get started in farming, but don’t always have the opportunity,” Swanson said. “We need to get that next generation up and running in agriculture. Unfortunately, my bill wasn’t called before the required deadline. We need to get serious about preserving the future of agriculture in Illinois.”
State Rep. Jason R. Bunting operates a family farm in Emington in rural Livingston County. Rep. Bunting noted the very real and dangerous conditions that farmers encounter in several aspects of their work. Rep. Bunting is sponsoring House Resolution 29, which would designate the week of September 15-21, 2025, as Farm Safety Week. Bunting also noted two other bills that would emulate Scott’s Law, which requires drivers to move over and slow down for stopped emergency vehicles. Bunting’s HB 3204 and HB 3205 would make Scott’s Law provisions applicable to farm implements.
“My bill would require drivers to make room for farm equipment on the roads so they can safely pass the equipment,” Bunting said. “This legislation would make the road safer for farmers, and for every other Illinoisan who drives the rural roads of this state, so that we can all make it home safely to our families.”
State Rep. Wayne Rosenthal is the former Director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and a 4th-generation family farmer. Rosenthal argued for the Illinois estate tax exemption to be raised to help save family farms from double taxation.
“I know first-hand what this unfair estate tax means to my family and to every other family farm in Illinois,” Rosenthal said. “This isn’t just a tax, it’s a threat to our way of life. Too often, I have heard from families, friends, and neighbors who have been hit hard by this unfair tax. Illinois estate taxes are levied on farm owners when they pass on. Unlike monetary assets that can be moved, land cannot, so our family farms are penalized. Illinois has not adjusted the estate tax on farmland in more than a decade. Inflation has risen, and we haven’t made the necessary changes to our estate tax. We still have time to fix this problem this Session, we need to get to work so we can save Illinois family farms.”
The Illinois House Education Policy Committee approved a bill Wednesday to stop police from giving tickets and citations to students for breaking school rules. […]
Lawmakers and advocates filed this plan after ProPublica found 11,800 tickets were handed to students from 2019 to 2022.
“The goal of the bill is to basically say that if it is minor enough to be a municipal violation like vaping or minor fights, keep it in the school,” said Aimee Galvin from Stand for Children Illinois. “School is a unique environment for offering discipline, unlike a business. If something happens at Walgreens, they don’t have an after school detention or say ‘you can’t come to the dance.’” [….]
The legislation passed out of committee on a 9-3 vote and now moves to the House floor for further consideration. Senate Bill 1519 passed out of the Senate on a 37-17 vote earlier this month.
The Illinois House Ethics & Elections Committee met Tuesday evening to discuss the Safeguard Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act. […]
The ethics & elections committee also discussed several election-related bills currently under consideration in the Statehouse.
State Rep. Nabeela Syed, D-Palatine, said she proposed HB 1445 to make polling places accessible for young voters.
“It makes me excited that we have a potential opportunity to make it easier for young voters to have a say in their political process and feel like they are deciding their future and they are deciding the people that elect them,” Syed said. […]
State Rep. Adbelnasser Rashid, D-Bridgeview, proposed House Bill 2998, which provides that all local election authorities shall post requirements and qualifications for running for local offices and petition filing deadlines on the website of the local election authority.
An Illinois bill that would ban that would ban schools from using Native American names, mascots and logos has passed the Illinois House and is now under review in the Senate. […]
For decades, Collinsville High School has used a “Kahok” mascot name. The name represents a fictional Native American tribe, and many school leaders view it as a symbol of local identity and heritage.
Dr. Mark Skertich, superintendent for the Collinsville School District, issued a public statement on April 10 outlining the district’s stance. The statement reads, in part:
“Our Collinsville High School Kahok mascot is a treasured part of our local community. Our district is home to the Cahokia Mounds World Heritage and State Historic Site, which is located where a large, influential Native American city once stood. Artifacts indicate it was the center of Mississippian culture in its day.
In 2020, our district received a formal written endorsement from the Western Cherokee Nation of Arkansas and Missouri to continue using our Kahok mascot. Their support is based on their belief that the people of the Western Cherokee could be descended from the Cahokia mound builders.”
He tools around town in a pickup truck with the license plate “Rabbi R.” He has bought several downtown buildings and is transforming them into retail, entertainment and living spaces. He’s going to bring actual World War II tanks to town and have them fire off a few rounds. He’ll even officiate at a wedding from time to time.
Just who is this man who has in a very short time left an indelible mark on the Jacksonville community?
Meet Rabbi Rob Thomas, 57, a native son of Jacksonville who has returned to his hometown with a mission as bold as the rumbling tanks he likes to drive in his spare time. That mission is to address two chief concerns among current community leaders – the need for more housing and entertainment opportunities. […]
Thomas, an ordained rabbi, is practicing what he preaches with the purchase and rehabilitation of four downtown Jacksonville buildings. The former Kresge Store building on the southeast corner of the square now houses Pizza Records, a retail and entertainment establishment, on the ground floor with two apartments being developed above. A similar plan with retail, restaurant or entertainment establishments below and residential units above is underway for the Andre & Andre Building, formerly the site of Sears; the former Osco Building known locally as the “green monster” and a red brick corner building at 201 E. Morgan St.
“This is the sort of thing that feeds on itself,” Thomas said. “You’ve got a critical mass of people living on the square; therefore, the square needs services for them of every type.”
* The governor was in Jacksonville earlier this week to award the city a $2 million downtown development grant. Pritzker has also included funding in his budget to tear down the abandoned Jacksonville Developmental Center. Rabbi Thomas attended the event and Rich talked to him about his downtown revitalization project…
Rich: How much longer do you think it’s going to be before this task is complete?
Rabbi Thomas: Oh, It’ll never be done. As it says in the Talmud ‘It is not for us to desist from the work, neither are we expected to complete it.’
Rich: Do you have a ballpark of how much you put in?
Thomas: I know an exact figure.
Rich: Can I ask you to tell me what that is?
Thomas: It’s a lot more than you think. […]
Rich: Do you really feel that Jacksonville is going to be back?
Thomas: Since COVID, you can work anywhere. Here’s the key bit of infrastructure you need, high capacity internet. So in the back of that Andre & Andre building (Thomas pointed across the square) is more fiber than you can get in downtown Chicago or downtown Manhattan. I dragged it all in there. And in the back of that building is Google, Netflix, Facebook, Amazon, Microsoft, Apple, I could keep going. I brought them all in.
Rich: So do they have servers over there?
Thomas: Yeah, I’ve got a network Point of Presence (PoP) […] And that connects all over the world to bring in that connectivity. So if you come here and you’ve got a tech or technical business. I need 1,000 lane highway but I need to be 10 feet long anywhere I want to go? Jacksonville. At a much lower cost of living, much more pleasant in many ways.
Rich: You can get a really nice house here.
Thomas: That’s exactly right. So you don’t have to go to Manhattan or Chicago. Come here, buy a lovely home. Maybe you want to fix up a home […] Maybe you want to move into a home. We’ve got options.
* You can kind of see the governor amidst the crowd (President of the Morgan County Democrats Judith Nelson said she sent out a blast email to members), but you can really see four colorful buildings owned by Thomas, who said the top floors will get turned into residential space…
Thomas is the chairman and CEO of Team Cymru, a cybersecurity company. According to the Illinois Times, “Thomas became a venture capitalist investing primarily in tech companies.”
* The event was held next to the Strawn Opera House, another one of Thomas’ projects. Journal Courier…
Jacksonville developers are aiming to resurrect an iconic 163-year-old opera house in downtown Jacksonville.
Rabbi Rob and Lauren Thomas took ownership Thursday of the property at 31 S. Central Park Plaza that housed Strawn Opera House. The couple says they plan on rebuilding the opera house to what it looked like when it opened in the mid-19th century. […]
Missouri author Mark Twain spoke at the building on Feb. 1, 1869, during which he delivered a speech on “The American Vandal Abroad.” Irish poet Oscar Wilde delivered a lecture at the hall on March 7, 1882, which the Journal-Courier — then the Jacksonville Journal — reported on the following day.
“Doubtless in his travels in this country Oscar Wilde has had the pleasure of lecturing to larger audiences than the one assembled at the Opera House last night,” the paper said. “But then again, it has been his lot on not a few occasions to face a larger proportion of empty seats that greeted him upon his appearance here.”
The opera house burned down on June 27, 1889. The building erected in its stead had its roof collapse more than a century later in May 1988, leading to its second floor being removed.
Rabbi Thomas told us yesterday that one addition to the opera house, not included in the original designs, will be a clock tower—“because every square should have a clock tower.”
* Thomas and his wife Lauren pose in front of the future opera house…
Thursday, Apr 24, 2025 - Posted by Advertising Department
[The following is a paid advertisement.]
Every hour of every day, Illinois hospitals provide lifesaving care to the communities they serve. Care delivery within their facilities is at the core of what hospitals do—but it’s not all they do. Illinois hospitals prove indispensable to communities by looking at healthcare, health and well-being from several vantage points. Watch our video about how hospitals are working outside their four walls.
Most people don’t see the critical care hospitals provide 24/7 or how hospitals are partnering with local organizations and investing in communities. Yet their benefit to the community is everywhere. Learn more about how Illinois hospitals are healing communities.
Carlos Santana was rushed to the hospital ahead of his San Antonio show.
In a statement obtained by PEOPLE, a representative for Santana, 77, confirmed that the guitarist will postpone the show at the Majestic Theater scheduled for tonight, Tuesday, April 22.
Michael Vrionis, president of Universal Tone Management and a representative for Santana, said, “It is with profound disappointment that I have to inform you all that tonight’s show in San Antonio has been postponed. Mr. Santana was at the venue (Majestic Theatre) preparing for tonight’s show when he experienced an event that was determined to be dehydration. Out of an abundance of caution and the health of Mr. Santana, the decision to postpone the show was the most prudent course of action.”
He continued, “He is doing well and is looking forward to coming back to San Antonio soon as well as continuing his US Tour. Thank you all very much for your understanding. The show will be rescheduled soon.”
Thursday, Apr 24, 2025 - Posted by Advertising Department
[The following is a paid advertisement.]
Findings of a recent economic study were clear — the retail sector is a cornerstone of the state’s economy and crucial to our everyday lives. Retail in Illinois directly contributes more than $112 billion in economic investment annually – more than 10 percent of the state’s total Gross Domestic Product.
Retailers like the Boyer family in Quincy enrich our economy and strengthen our communities. We Are Retail and IRMA showcase the retailers who make Illinois work.
* ICYMI: Illinois Joins 11 Other States in Suing the Trump Administration Over ‘Tax Hikes’ Through Tariffs. CNN…
- The lawsuit seeks a court order to halt the tariffs under International Emergency Economic Powers Act, saying Trump does not have the authority he claims he does.
- “In the nearly five decades since IEEPA was enacted, no other President has imposed tariffs based on the existence of any national emergency, despite global anti-narcotics campaigns spearheaded by the United States and longstanding trade deficits,” the lawsuit argued.
- The coalition of states joins other groups that have sued the Trump administration on tariffs. A group of small U.S. businesses filed a lawsuit last week.
* The race is on: Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton announced she will run for Durbin’s Senate seat this morning. Our coverage is here.
* BlueRoomStream.com’s coverage of today’s press conferences and committee hearings can be found here.
*** Isabel’s Top Picks ***
* Sun-Times | Stellantis still on track to reopen Belvidere plant, as automakers adjust for tariffs: “The launch timing for the plant has not changed,” Stellantis spokesperson Jodi Tinson said in a statement. “We’ll honor the timing indicated in the 2023 Collective Bargaining Agreement, so still expecting to launch in 2027.” The reopening of the idle Belvidere plant was announced in January, alongside plans to build a new Dodge Durango at its Detroit Assembly Complex. In addition to Dodge, Stellantis owns brands such as Chrysler, Jeep and Ram.
* Sun-Times | Jurors say they are stuck in bribery trial of Illinois Sen. Emil Jones III: “At this point, it doesn’t look like the jury can reach a unanimous agreement on Counts 1 and 3,” one of their notes read. “Is there any assistance that can be provided?” Prosecutors have leveled three criminal charges against Jones. Count 1 is the substantive bribery charge. Count 2 accuses the senator of using an email account to facilitate bribery. And Count 3 accuses him of lying to the FBI.
* Sen. Dick Durbin | Why I chose to retire: The challenges facing the Senate with this new administration are historic. They go to the heart of our democracy, and I am anxious to be part of that debate. I can assure you that I will continue to do everything in my power to fight for Illinois and the future of our nation every day of my remaining time in Senate service.
*** Statehouse News ***
* NBC | Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker takes steps to boycott El Salvador in protest of Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s detention: In a release, Pritzker’s office said that it had directed various Illinois pension funds to review whether they are invested in any companies that are based in El Salvador and that it had ordered the Illinois Department of Central Management Services to evaluate whether any state procurement contracts have been granted to companies based in or controlled by El Salvador.
* Center Square | Calls grow for reforms to Illinois’ mass transit systems before awarding funding: With a massive funding shortfall on the horizon, the Illinois Chamber of Commerce is calling on state lawmakers to enact reforms for the state’s mass transit systems before considering funding. The chamber released a report that contains business principles for mass transit reform. Some of the recommendations include prioritizing public safety and making sure the business community has a seat at the table in future policy making.
*** Statewide ***
* Illinois Times | A loss for Illinois farmers and food banks: The decision to eliminate federal funding for programs that support farmers and food banks goes against the Trump administration’s commitment to “Make America Healthy Again” according to advocates for local producers and nonprofit hunger abatement organizations. The U.S. Department of Agriculture in February cut two federal programs, the Local Food for Schools program and the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement, that collectively received about $1 billion in funding nationwide. The LFPA buys fresh products from farmers at a fair market value, then distributes the food to communities through local food pantries. The USDA has since decided to let the remaining 2024 LFPA contract be spent but has canceled the LFPA contract for July 1 through June 30, 2026.
*** Downstate ***
* WGLT | McLean County health providers worry about Medicaid cuts: “I’m concerned. I’m alarmed. I’m scared by what I hear, by what this administration is trying to do,” said Democratic U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen, who represents parts of Bloomington-Normal and Greater Peoria. […] Chestnut Health Systems CEO Dave Sharar said federal money is 60% of Chestnut’s budget, and 70% of its clients are on Medicaid. He said that could threaten Chestnut’s integrated care model.
* Capitol News Illinois | State reports first measles case in southern Illinois: The measles diagnosis involving an adult in far southern Illinois was confirmed through laboratory testing, according to a press release sent out by IDPH. […] “This is not considered an outbreak at this time. IDPH will update the public should there be any notable developments,” the release stated.
* WSIL | Mt. Vernon Airport honors Everett Atkinson; WWII hero passes at 102: The Mt. Vernon Airport is mourning the loss of Evertt Atkinson, a cherished member of the community. Airport officials said Atkinson passed away on Easter Sunday at the age of 102, marking the end of an era for the airport and its community. Airport officials shared some details about his life. Atkinson was a distinguished World War II aviator who started with just a high school education and worked his way up to become an Aircraft Commander in the Boeing B-29 “Superfortress.”
* WJBD | Salem’s new Police Chief sworn in: After being sworn in, Boles addressed those gathered in the city council chambers. “My family is from here,” he said. “My parents were born and raised here. It’s an honor to be here. It’s kind of why I chose here, and we’re going to raise our son here. Thank you for the welcome, and everybody showing up. Everybody’s been great. I love the town and the small town vibe, and I’m happy to be here.”
*** Chicago ***
* ABC Chicago | ABC7 I-Team gets exclusive 1st look at massive Illinois solar farm powering Chicago: On a swath of land about three-and-a-half hours southwest of downtown Chicago, on what was once soybean fields, sits a farm of a different kind: 1.6 million solar panels sprouting up, now helping to power the city. Considered the largest solar park east of the Mississippi, Double Black Diamond’s nearly 4,000 acres straddles both Sangamon and Morgan counties in central Illinois.
* WTTW | Long-Stalled Push for Reparations in Chicago Moving Forward, Johnson Says: A task force formed by Mayor Brandon Johnson nearly a year ago to determine whether and how the city should pay reparations to Chicagoans who are the descendants of enslaved African Americans will start meeting this summer to craft a plan to tackle the thorny issue. The 40-member task force will be charged with developing “Chicago’s first comprehensive reparations study, a critical step forward in acknowledging, addressing and repairing generations of harm experienced by Black communities,” according to a statement from the mayor’s office.
* Block Club Chicago | West Side Legal Center’s New HQ Includes Apartments For Restorative Justice Program: The Lawndale Christian Legal Center’s Dr. Dennis Deer Community Justice Center opened Tuesday at 1449 S. Keeler Ave. The $22.5 million multi-use location will function as the central office for the free legal practice to meet with clients and provide referrals to social services. On average, the legal practice sees 300 clients annually. The Deer Center will also offer 20 free apartments to men ages 18 to 25 years old who are sentenced to probation in Cook County Circuit Court as an alternative to incarceration.
* Sun-Times | Steve McMichael, former Bears star and Hall of Famer, dies at 67: In a statement, Bears chairman George McCaskey said it was a “cruel irony that the Bears’ Ironman succumbed” to ALS. The man known as “Mongo” and “Ming the Merciless,” a player with crackling energy and a nonstop mouth who played a record 191 games for the Bears, was robbed of the ability to speak and move. It was almost as though he was being mummified, fellow Hall of Famer Dan Hampton said.
*** Cook County and Suburbs ***
* Sun-Times | Highland Park parade shooter’s sentencing to extend to second day: The daylong hearing also included testimony from over a dozen victims and their families about how their lives had been irreversibly changed since the attack on July 4, 2022, which left seven dead and 48 people wounded. “How do you rebuild a life when it’s been shattered?” Sheila Gutman, who was struck by a bullet in her foot in the attack, told the court.
* Daily Herald | ‘Heavy and heartbreaking’: Highland Park survivors testify as sentencing begins: In a statement read by his daughter, the widower of victim Jacquelyn “Jacki” Sundheim described the pain of his wife’s loss as “fresh, visceral and sometimes too much to bear.” Bruce Sundheim also berated the absent murderer for his “wanton cruelty” and wished him “a life filled with torment, pain and regret.”
* Daily Herald | Barrington breaks ground on long-awaited Route 14 underpass: Several Barrington area dignitaries attended the groundbreaking for the underpass, which will stretch from Valencia Avenue to Hough Street, running underneath the Canadian National Railway tracks. The underpass aims to alleviate traffic congestion and improve emergency response times by separating vehicle and rail traffic. Construction is expected to conclude by July 2027.
* Daily Herald | Smackdown at village hall: Elk Grove mayor wrestles with trash talk, agrees to tag team match: In a spectacle that had all the theatrics of professional wrestling, Elk Grove Village Mayor Craig Johnson accepted a challenge at a village board meeting this week to a summer slugfest. The battle royale involving the colorful seven-term mayor — a former high school wrestling coach — will be part of a series of matches in the ring at this summer’s Elk Grove Rotary Fest.
* Shaw Local | Downers Grove native still on road to COVID recovery: In the five years since the U.S. first reeled from COVID-19, leaving no one unscathed, the novel coronavirus has remained all too familiar to one Downers Grove native, former village commissioner Rich Kulovany. “Family became so much more important after all of this,” Kulovany said.
*** National ***
* WaPo | Trump orders changes to civil rights rules, college accreditation: Separately, Trump signed another order that also dealt with the enforcement of civil rights law as it relates to racial disparities in school discipline. The Biden administration had advised school districts that they may be in violation of civil rights law if they unfairly discipline students from different groups. The new executive order revokes the Biden-era discipline guidance.
* The Atlantic | Tesla’s Remarkably Bad Quarter Is Even Worse Than It Looks: Yesterday evening, Tesla reported first-quarter earnings for 2025, and they were abysmal: Profits dropped 71 percent from the same time last year. Musk sounded bitter on the call with investors that followed, blaming the company’s misfortune on protesters who have raged at Tesla dealerships around the world over his role running DOGE and his ardent support of far-right politicians. “The protests that you’ll see out there, they’re very organized. They’re paid for,” he said, without evidence.
Jody Dabrowski, CEO of Illinois Educators CU: IFPA Will Harm our Members and our Communities.
“My members would be so frustrated.”
Stop the Chaos for Our Hard-Working Educators!
* Yesterday, Sen. Dick Durbin said at least a dozen names have expressed interest in his seat. Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton was the first out of the gate this morning to declare her candidacy…
Stratton currently oversees the administration’s Justice, Equity and Opportunity Initiative and chairs the board of the Restore, Reinvest and Renew Program, which reinvests a portion of cannabis tax revenue into communities experiencing high rates of shootings, unemployment, child poverty and incarceration.
Her campaign touted her work in the Ag Connects Us All Initiative, which helped to highlight the ways in which the agriculture industry could address inequities and food security. It’s also been a way for her to stay connected to the more rural areas of the state.
Last year, Stratton led a Black maternal health initiative that invested $15 million in closing the maternal mortality gap through expanding home visits, capital dollars for community-birth centers, a free diaper program and a child tax credit for low-income families.
Among the potential contenders, Stratton can boast that she’s a statewide official — meaning she’s traveled across the state and has had a visible presence at events with Pritzker for more than six years. She can also take credit for many progressive policies passed during Pritzker’s two terms, including expanded abortion care, an assault weapons ban and raising the minimum wage. That may also serve as easy fodder for a Republican opponent, who could challenge her on some of the administration’s most liberal policies.
…Adding… The Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association…
(DLGA) endorses Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton in her campaign to represent Illinois in the U.S. Senate. With the endorsement, the DLGA is proud to commit seven figures in support of her campaign.
DLGA Chair and Pennsylvania Lt. Governor Austin Davis released the following statement:
“The Democratic Lt. Governors Association is proud to commit to making an impactful investment to support Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton in her run as Illinois’ next U.S. Senator. Democratic lieutenant governors are the Democratic Party’s bench, and with these types of investments, we look forward to helping to elect the next generation of Governors and Senators across the country.”
…Adding… Governor Pritzker was asked about the announcement at an unrelated news conference this morning…
Reporter: Your colleague, Juliana Stratton, Lieutenant Governor, has announced her bid for US Senate to take over the Dick Durbin seat, what’s your reaction to that? And do you plan on endorsing her for Senator Durbin’s seat as his successor.
Pritzker: I apologize to my colleagues for the off topic question. […] In Illinois our senior Senator Dick Durbin announced his retirement yesterday. Our Lieutenant Governor in Illinois announced this morning that she’s going to be running for US Senate.
Well, I think you know, Jeremy, how I feel about her, and she is truly one of the most accomplished people that’s ever held the job of Lieutenant Governor. She’s done so much as a partner in governance of the state. As you know, I think very highly of her. She’s somebody who not only cares deeply, is passionate and compassionate, but again, highly accomplished.
That’s all I can say for now. And you know, I just, I feel strongly about her, and think very highly of her, and I think the voters will too.
…Adding… Earlier this month, Congressman Krishnamoorthi announced he had $19 million cash on hand…
* Click here and/or here to follow breaking news. Hopefully, enough reporters and news outlets migrate to BlueSky so we can hopefully resume live-posting.
The first: “If the jury is still deliberating at the end of the day Thursday, 4/24, can the jury unanimously decide to not convene on Friday and continue Monday? Or can an exit time on Friday be unanimously agreed for an early exit?”
The second: “At this point, it doesn’t look like the jury can reach a unanimous agreement on Counts 1 and 3. Is there any assistance that can be provided?”
Judge Wood says she’s inclined to let jurors know she’ll respond to them in the morning.
The judge also says the third note is more substantive, so she’s holding off on it for the moment. She’s bringing the jury in to give them her standard end-of-day instruction.
JUST IN: The jury considering the bribery case against Illinois Sen. Emil Jones III signals it may not be able to reach an agreement on two of three counts.
Count 1 is a bribery charge, and Count 3 is lying to the FBI.
Lots of hung juries lately in these corruption trials.
Count 2, by the way, is an alleged “Travel Act” interstate commerce violation.
…Adding… The judge just read the third note…
Judge Wood just read the jurors' third note. It's long. Basically, it boils down to "must the jury agree that both things of value [the $5K or the money for the ex-intern] were accepted …? Or is it enough that one of the things of value were accepted?"
The gloves are off in one of the most competitive Senate primary races Illinois has seen in decades.
Expect Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Rep. Lauren Underwood to launch bids within hours and days of Sen. Dick Durbin’s announcement that he will not seek reelection in the Senate, a seat he has held since winning his first term in 1996.
In an Illinois exclusive interview with WBEZ on Tuesday, Durbin said more than a dozen people have expressed interest in his seat.
“There are at least a dozen names that I think are serious,” Durbin said. “There is a larger number that has approached me and said they might be interested in it, so I don’t want to rule anyone in or out at this point.”
Some are calling for Illinois to create a new tax credit worth $1.50 per hour per employee for restaurant owners who do not take the tip credit before it is eliminated in 2027.
Advocates working with the national One Fair Wage organization told reporters in Springfield Tuesday that Black tipped workers are forced to rely on tips from customers instead of guaranteed wages from their employers. They argue raising the wage from $9 to $15 could help roughly 65,000 Black tipped workers across the state. […]
The Illinois One Fair Wage plan passed out of the House Executive Committee on a 8-4 vote on March 20. However, House Bill 2982 was kicked back to the House Rules Committee after representatives failed to move the bill on third reading by April 11. The legislation could be brought back to the floor if Rep. Lisa Hernandez (D-Cicero) receives a deadline extension or tosses the language into a shell bill. Although, statehouse insiders have told WAND News that the bill is dead for the spring session.
Advocates are determined the get the legislation across the finish line, even if it takes several more years.
* 217 Today | Armadillos aren’t just in Texas anymore, they are expanding territory in Illinois: When you think of armadillos, you may associate them with Texas. But scientists tell us they have found a permanent home in Illinois. On farmland near Carbondale, F. Agustin Jimenèz walks past acres of soybeans into a wooded area. Jimenèz is a Zoology professor at Southern Illinois University. He’s setting up camera traps to catch images of an elusive animal coming in and out of a burrow.
* WCIA | How basalt could help farmers with carbon capture, mitigate climate change: A relatively new practice is allowing some farmers to capture carbon, leaving the door open for them to profit through carbon credits. A small percentage of farms are using basalt — or crushed rock — in their soil. Crushed basalt in soil absorbs carbon dioxide indirectly, trapping the carbon. Andrew Margenot, a professor of crop sciences at the University of Illinois, said it traps CO2 by speeding up a natural process called rock weathering.
*** Chicago ***
* WTTW | Judge Holds Off on Dismissing Indictment of Ex-Ald. Carrie Austin, as Feds Insist She Is Healthy Enough to Stand Trial: A federal judge said Wednesday he will not dismiss the indictment against ex-Ald. Carrie Austin (34th Ward), even after a court-appointed expert found she is too ill to help craft a defense to the charges she took bribes from a developer and lied to FBI agents. U.S. District Court Judge John F. Kness granted federal prosecutors’ request to hold an evidentiary hearing to question the expert “about her analysis and conclusion” before dismissing the charges that Austin, 75, took bribes in the form of home improvements including new kitchen cabinets and granite countertops from a developer and lied to federal agents.
* WTTW | 2 Months After Mayor Johnson Formed Task Force to Rid CPD of Extremist Groups, No Public Sign of Progress: Two months after Mayor Brandon Johnson formed a task force to examine how to rid the Chicago Police Department of officers with ties to extremist and anti-government groups like the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, the effort has yet to show any sign of public progress. Johnson launched the effort in February, nearly eight months after Inspector General Deborah Witzburg urged him to take that step as part of an effort to “implement a comprehensive, whole-of-government approach to preventing, identifying and eliminating extremist and anti-government activities and associations within CPD.”
* Block Club | Chicago Landlords Are Charging Hundreds In Move-In Fees. Renters Want To Know Why: “I think a typical move-in fee for a one-bedroom apartment ranges from $500 to more than $1,000,” DeVon said. “I think it should probably be closer to $150 to $500, depending on actual costs tied to the move-in. There just aren’t enough expenses directly related to the tenant moving in to justify the higher numbers.”
* Sun-Times | Veteran Chicago fire captain dies after garage collapse in Austin blaze: ‘A hero, courageous, brave, bold’: “He spent most of his career on the West Side of Chicago in busy firehouses doing what he loved to do,” Fire Department Commissioner Annette Nance-Holt told reporters Wednesday morning at Stroger Hospital. Chicago Fire Fighters Union Local 2 said Meyer, 54, joined the department in October 1996. “He was a loyal member doing his job. It’s a dangerous job,” Patrick Cleary, president of Local 2, told the Chicago Sun-Times. “Our condolences to his family and co-workers.”
* Sun-Times | Hall of Famer Steve McMichael entering hospice care: Former Bears defensive lineman Steve McMichael, who fought against the ravages of ALS long enough to see himself chosen for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, will soon enter hospice care, a source confirmed Wednesday. McMichael had been on a ventilator in intensive care.
* WBEZ | Green Day, Blink-182, Weezer to headline Riot Fest in Chicago in September: On the nostalgia front, the Sex Pistols will perform at the fest just after kicking off their first tour in 20 years. The fest is also bringing the Beach Boys back to Chicago. The lineup also features Chicago band Dehd as well as Dropkick Murphys, The Linda Lindas, All Time Low, Hanson, Rico Nasty, The Front Bottoms, Cobra Starship and Alkaline Trio.
*** Cook County and Suburbs ***
* Sun-Times | Highland Park parade shooter skips sentencing as prosecutors lay out evidence of attack for first time: Sighs could be heard from the courtroom gallery as Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart displayed graphic photos of the July 4, 2022 attack that left seven dead and 48 wounded. Testimony began with a recently retired Highland Park police commander who witnessed the first moments of the attack and personally transported three victims to the hospital.
* Naperville Sun | Gun arrest No. 9 made by Naperville police at Topgolf parking lot: With Rogers’ arrest, there have been nine firearm-related busts in or near the Naperville Topgolf parking lot this year, Krakow confirmed. After a nearly four-month break, gun-related arrests outside the Naperville Topgolf started up again in early February. […] Ahead of this year, Naperville police made 25 arrests on gun-related offenses in the Topgolf lot between August 2023 and October 2024.
* Tribune | How Northwestern and its business school are helping coaches take on college sports’ new challenges: Analytics, the transfer portal, name, image and likeness (NIL) and now potentially revenue sharing with athletes have forced coaches to frequently adapt to new rules and norms. “It’s changed a lot just because of the growth of our respective sports, the growth of college athletics, the opportunities we have and the opportunities the student-athletes have,” Drohan said. “It’s a lot more than teaching the X’s and O’s of the sport. It’s about how we can build programs that are going to have really impactful results on our student-athletes.”
*** Downstate ***
* WCIA | Murder trial date for Sean Grayson announced: A judge has announced the trial start date for the former Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputy accused of the murder of Sonya Massey. Sean Grayson’s murder trial is set to start Oct. 20. It will take place in Peoria County.
* WSIL | John A. Logan College extends president’s term through 2029: “We believe Dr. Overstreet has the College moving in the right direction,” Smith said. “Enrollment is trending up, we have grant-funded construction projects underway or soon will be underway, and we wanted to ensure we have continuity throughout this important phase for the College.” Dr. Overstreet has been leading the college since January 2021, focusing on student success and institutional growth.
*** National ***
* WSJ | In a First, Scientists Sent Quantum Messages a Record Distance Over a Traditional Network: Scientists have sent quantum information across a record-breaking 158 miles using ordinary computers and fiber-optic cables. It is the first time coherent quantum communication—an ultrasecure means of transmitting data—has been achieved using existing telecommunications infrastructure, without the expensive cryogenic cooling that is typically required.
* WaPo | World’s largest bleaching event on record has harmed 84 percent of coral reefs: The massive blow to marine habitats reported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration — the highest share ever recorded — comes as the planet experiences its fourth global coral bleaching event, which occurs when bleaching is confirmed in every one of the oceans’ basins at once. It raises new concerns about the precarious nature of a living network that sustains vibrant fisheries worldwide and helps protect vulnerable coastal communities from flooding.
Rep. Jan Schakowsky is planning to announce next month she won’t seek reelection after 14 terms in the House and has started informing allies of her retirement decision, according to two people granted anonymity to describe the private conversations.
The veteran Illinois Democrat, 80, confirmed in a statement that an announcement is forthcoming, though she did not say what it would entail: “I’m going to announce my plans on May 5th. Stay tuned,” she said. Schakowsky’s annual Ultimate Women’s Power Lunch is set for that date in Chicago. […]
Schakowsky’s decision to retire comes as Democrats face an internal reckoning over age and seniority as seasoned lawmakers face primary challengers who are arguing for generational change. On Wednesday, longtime Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, also 80, announced his own retirement. And David Hogg recently sparked a firestorm in the party by saying he’d put millions towards primary challenges to Democrats in safe seats, though he said he wouldn’t back challenges to Schakowsky or former Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
…Adding From Rich… The simplistic “analysis” by national reporters bugs me to no end sometimes…
Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) has told colleagues she plans to retire rather than seek reelection to a 15th term in Congress, two House Democrats familiar with the matter told Axios.
* Yesterday, members of the Amalgamated Transit Union spoke to the House Transportation Committee about safety. Daily Herald…
As CTA workers described harrowing violence on buses and trains, city and suburban lawmakers pledged to help make the transit system safer during a Tuesday state hearing in Springfield. […]
“It’s important that we don’t get stopped by interagency fights,” Moylan said. “We have to get a full-time police force on these systems as soon as possible.” […]
“I’ve witnessed (the system) go from a strong police and undercover presence to nearly none,” said Keith Hill, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 241. […]
In the short term, union officials advocated for larger, more robust shields for bus drivers.
Republican state Rep. Brad Stephens of Rosemont, whose district includes Chicago, endorsed that idea and said the status quo was “just insane. It seems unfathomable that somebody’s not taking this a little bit more seriously.”
Just as with riders, safety is a chief concern of train operators these days. [Pennie McCoach, the president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 308] says there aren’t enough Chicago Police Department officers working the CTA — fewer than 100 are assigned to the whole system, she said at a recent state senate hearing. One operator, who asked to remain anonymous, told me that since the start of the pandemic, the level of harassment and violence toward frontline CTA employees has escalated. The agency hired more unarmed private security guards in 2022 to supplement CPD efforts, but the operator says those guards have little impact, spending much of their time standing around, looking at their phones. The operator described a recent meeting between CTA employees and an official from the security force. The operator asked why the guards don’t have handcuffs or hold people in custody until CPD officers arrive. The executive responded, “You don’t want one of our guards to get jumped, do you?”
* ATU members told the committee the Chicago Transit Authority spends about $83 million on its private security contract. The CTA board of directors recently approved a $1.2 million contract to expand an AI-powered gun detection surveillance program. Assistant Majority Leader Marcus Evans sharply criticized the private security contract during the hearing…
[Operators] should not be police officers. You all should not be security officers. In addition, the current security contract is a joke. Let’s get rid of that. Let’s have dedicated Transit Police. […]
Other cities are already doing it, don’t let them lie to you. And every Chicago member, I want to see them talking about this, and I’m making a demand. And thank you Chairman Marty Moylan because he’s facilitating these conversations. Y’all gotta speak up. They’re trying to get all this money, give it to the next person to run CTA so they can make $300,000.
The CTA’s transit police force was disbanded in 1979.
* From one operator’s testimony yesterday…
My name is Eric Sylvester, I’ve been with the CTA for 17 years, and fortunately, I’ve never had a dangerous situation until March 13. I was curbing the bus to let people off. And the individuals got off the rear of the bus, one of them came around to the front and shot a young man right at the door. And my shield shattered, it didn’t crumble it shattered. If it wasn’t the fact that I was looking back. There was a bullet hole directly by my head. Meaning if I had been sitting straight up. [I’d be dead.]
Transit operators brought photos to the committee showing injuries and damage to buses and trains caused by violent passengers. Click here to view some of the images—please note that a few are graphic.
* Amalgamated Transit Union 241 President and Business Agent Keith Hill on what immediate changes could help with security issues…
The first thing we can do is close us in, give us a fully enclosed shield [for bus drivers]. They can retrofit the older busses on that. Give us the shield to go all the way in the winter to reduce the objects being thrown, there’s people spitting on us. That’s one of the quickest things we can do. The other quickest thing is the security firm, and they have right now is a joke. […] We ask the police today, even if you see a bus and you stop at the light with us, just roll your window down and say, Hey, is everything okay?
Sometimes the presence is a bigger deterrence than the actual person standing there. Those are two that we can get, which I don’t believe the agencies are partnering well with law enforcement. I’m begging to sit in the room with some of the law enforcement leaders. We can make their job easier when they can make our job easier, just a presence, so a conversation, but the most important thing right away is the shield.
Thoughts?
…Adding… 47th Ward in comments…
There is a bit of a chicken/egg thing going on here. I ride the CTA every day. Pre-COVID, the trains were generally crowded during the day, especially during morning and evening rush. Now, with remote work, trains are less crowded.
It used to be that so many regular commuters made it difficult if not impossible for smokers or other rule breakers to get away with their bad behavior. Now, it seems like the CTA is a rolling mental health shelter, and those bad actors out number the regular commuters.
If more people got back on CTA, fewer people would think it was a safe space for drug use and crime. But because of the drug use and crime, more people are avoiding CTA.
I’d love to tell the idiots to put out the cigarettes and smoke their dope somewhere else, but I don’t want to get stabbed over it. We’re on our own, and that is a major reason the CTA can’t get riders back.
* This statement from US Rep. Darin LaHood’s political director is also posted below, but I wanted to isolate it here…
Senator Durbin’s retirement was long overdue. For decades, Illinoisans have known him as the face of Washington dysfunction — pushing liberal policies that have made life more expensive, our borders less secure, and our streets less safe.
While we wish him well in retirement, Illinoisans are ready to turn the page. Voters are tired of out-of-touch liberal policies that have failed working families, and prioritized illegal immigrants and far-left ideological agendas over hard working American taxpayers.
Congressman LaHood has earned strong support from voters across the 34 counties he’s represented in Congress, winning each election by overwhelming margins. He’s championed impactful economic growth policies and been a leader in strengthening our national security against growing threats like China and Iran. His leadership has consistently driven strong financial backing, resulting in nearly $6 million in cash on hand at the end of last quarter.
As the 2026 election approaches, Congressman LaHood remains focused on delivering conservative leadership for all Illinoisans that offers a clear alternative to the failed liberal policies driving families and businesses out of Illinois.
Folks… it sure looks like he’s running.
* The Question: If LaHood does run for US Senate, what do you believe are his chances in both the primary and the general? Explain.
In an interview revealing his plans, Mr. Durbin, who is in his fifth Senate term, said it was not an easy choice to step away from his prime perch doing battle with President Trump, whom he considers a dire threat to democracy. He described moments in recent days “where I thought, ‘Man, I don’t want to miss this fight.’”
“But you know,” he continued, “I have to be honest about this. There are good people in the wings, good people on the bench ready to serve, and they can fight this fight just as effectively as I can. There comes a point where you have to face reality that this is the time to leave for me.”
Several Illinois Democrats have indicated an interest in running if the seat opened up and have been readying for a potential candidacy. They include Representatives Lauren Underwood, 38; Raja Krishnamoorthi, 51; and Robin Kelly, 68, along with Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, who is 59.
It is likely to be one of several highly competitive primaries in both parties over the next 18 months, as Democrats embark on an uphill slog to reclaim the Senate majority and Republicans grasp to hang on to it.
A major reason for his decision boiled down to one thing: his age. By the time a sixth term would end, Durbin would be 88.
“It’s time,” Illinois’ 80-year-old senior senator said. “You observe your colleagues and watch what happens. For some of them, there’s this miraculous aging process where they never seem to get too old. […]
Durbin has been a frequent and tough critic of Trump’s trade policies, cabinet appointments and dismantling of the federal government through mass layoffs and agency closures.
It’s an opposition role Durbin says he’ll continue to perform during his remaining 20 months in office, a period when he says the future of American democracy is at an “inflection point.” The Trump administration’s flouting of court orders and his attacks on constitutional norms have Durbin uncertain how America’s second fixation with Trump will end.
…Adding… Governor JB Pritzker…
“MK and I want to express our sincere congratulations to Senator Dick Durbin on his retirement and our utmost gratitude for representing the people of Illinois with integrity and honor.
“Throughout his career, Senator Durbin has been a consistent champion and reliable leader for our working families, civil rights, healthcare, climate, and beyond. From first introducing the DREAM Act, to leading the historic confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, to bringing in major federal infrastructure projects to our state, Senator Durbin has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of everyday Illinoisans.
“His legacy is defined not just by the legislation he passed, but by the undeniable positive impact his character and moral leadership has had on the nation. Together with his talented wife Loretta who has trained and encouraged so many women who have become successful public servants, Dick remains a clear voice for truth, equality, and justice.
“The people of Illinois should take great pride having a leader like Dick Durbin represent us in the U.S. Senate. I have been proud to be his partner and am even more proud to call him my friend. He will leave some extraordinary shoes to fill – and has given us all an example of courage and righteousness for the work ahead. No doubt we will all celebrate him during his final 20 months in office.
“On behalf of the entire state of Illinois, I want to wish Senator Durbin a peaceful, fulfilling, and family-filled retirement.”
…Adding… Democratic Party of Illinois Chair Lisa Hernandez…
“For four decades in Congress, Senator Dick Durbin has served Illinois with heart, courage, and conviction. He stood with working families. He defended civil rights. He fought for compassionate immigration policy. He helped shape some of the most important legislation of our time—and through it all, he stayed grounded in the values that define our party and our state.”
The Chair continued: “Senator Durbin’s leadership exemplified what it means to be a Democrat in Illinois: principled, compassionate, and unafraid to take on tough fights. His retirement marks the close of an extraordinary chapter. But the work isn’t over. At the Democratic Party of Illinois, we are focused on protecting the progress he helped build and preparing for what comes next. We will organize, mobilize, and fight to keep this seat blue in 2026, and to carry his legacy into the future.”
Thank you, Senator Durbin, for 44 years of dedicated service to the people of Illinois and to all Americans as a leader of the U.S. Senate and as a congressman before that. You set a standard that will be hard for others to follow, always leading with kindness and compassion towards the people of this great country. You and Loretta and your family have more than earned a restful retirement. Thank you from all the DREAMers, the veterans, the patriots and those of us who like breathing clean air. We couldn’t have asked for a kinder, humbler, and more effective senator. I know how much you love serving the people of Illinois and all of America and how hard this decision must have been to make. I applaud you for the work you’ve done, your passion and dedication to America, and your selfless decision to pass the torch. We have no doubt that given the historic challenges that lie ahead, we will continue to see you fighting for America in your most important role, that of American citizen. Thank you, Senator Durbin.
…Adding… ILGOP Chairman Kathy Salvi…
“After decades of speeches and zero real progress for Illinois families, Dick Durbin is stepping aside—proof that even the most entrenched eventually find the exit. Illinois families have a long-overdue chance to turn the page and elect a leader who will fight for lower taxes, less government spending, true support for Israel and our national and economic security.”
…Adding… Illinois AFL-CIO…
“Throughout his more than 40 years of public service, Sen. Durbin has been an advocate, a friend and an ally to the working families of Illinois and across this country. His career is defined by standing up for working people and the vulnerable. From his humble roots in East St. Louis to leadership in the nation’s highest legislative body, Sen. Durbin has reflected the best of us. On behalf of Illinois’ labor movement, the Illinois AFL-CIO wishes him the very best in his well-deserved retirement.”
…Adding… Congressman Eric Sorensen…
“It has been an honor serving alongside Senator Dick Durbin in Congress. I have long admired his focus on creating jobs in Illinois, bringing down costs for working families, and protecting benefits for veterans and seniors,” said Congressman Eric Sorensen. “As a dedicated public servant for more than four decades, Senator Durbin has been a strong voice for Illinoisans, ushering into law many historic bills as a long-time leader in the U.S. Senate. I am grateful for the legacy he leaves behind that has helped improve millions of our Illinois neighbors.”
…Adding… Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi…
“Today is a day to celebrate Senator Dick Durbin for his exemplary career of public service as well as the profound and lasting positive impact he’s had on Illinois families and our nation. Known for his legendary work ethic, Senator Durbin has led the fight to expand access to affordable health care, invest in our state’s infrastructure, tackle gun violence, defend Dreamers, improve public health, protect working families, and more. His expert leadership on the Senate Judiciary Committee ensured the confirmation of a record 235 federal judges, shaping the courts and securing our most fundamental American rights for many years to come.
“A champion for everyday families and an unyielding advocate for the underdog, Senator Durbin represents the true meaning of public service. Over the next two years, I know he will continue to fiercely advocate for our state, and I will be honored to fight alongside him as we continue to deliver for Illinois. From one son of downstate to another: Thank you, Senator.”
…Adding… Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski…
“I cannot overstate my admiration for Senator Durbin and the remarkable legacy he leaves behind. As a young student at the University of Illinois, I was proud to volunteer for his first Senate campaign in 1996. Ever since, his leadership has been an inspiration not only to me, but countless others in public service.
“His tireless advocacy has brought historic investments to our state — particularly in East St. Louis, Senator Durbin’s hometown. It has been an honor to represent his hometown in Congress and to work alongside him to address the long-standing challenges facing these communities. His residency in Springfield, the home of Lincoln, has allowed us to collaborate on the city’s most critical priorities, including the Springfield Rail Improvement Project. I was proud to work with him to secure the federal funding to make this project a reality. His mentorship has been invaluable and has shaped the leader I strive to be.
“I know this decision was not made lightly. Senator Durbin has led our delegation — and the Senate Democratic caucus — with conviction and principle, especially in defending our democracy during some of its most trying moments. All members of Congress should look to Senator Durbin as a shining example of standing up for what is right and putting the people of your state first.”
…Adding… U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth….
“The first time I met Dick Durbin was just 12 weeks after my shootdown—at a point so early in my recovery that I could barely sit up for any length of time, even in my hospital bed.
“But when Dick looked at me, he saw past the wounds, saw past the wheelchair. He saw a Soldier in search of her next mission. And he recognized well before I did that just because I would no longer be flying Black Hawks for the Army didn’t mean that I couldn’t find a new way to serve my nation.
“It is only because of Dick’s empathy, patience, support and mentorship that I am in the United States Senate today. It has been the honor of a lifetime to get to work alongside a leader who embodies what it means to be a true public servant. Someone who has never, ever stopped speaking out for those who far too often feel voiceless. Someone who has never, ever stopped fighting to hold the special interests in our country accountable. Someone who has never, ever stopped caring enough about our nation to do the hard, grueling work necessary to make her a little more fair, a little more just—one day, one bill, one constituent at a time.
“Dick Durbin is, and will always be, a giant of the United States Senate. He has dedicated his life to making our state—as well as our nation—stronger, and we are all better for it. There are no words to adequately express how grateful I am to call him a friend or how honored I’ve been to call him a mentor. And while I will miss working with him so closely in the Senate, I know he will find a new way to keep serving his country in the years ahead—just as he encouraged a wounded Soldier in a Walter Reed hospital room to do, all those years ago.
“Thank you, my friend. For everything.”
…Adding… House Speaker Chris Welch…
“Senator Dick Durbin’s service to Illinois leaves a legacy that stands alongside some of our finest statesmen. For more than 40 years, people have counted on Dick Durbin to be our leading voice in Washington. And time and time again—whether working with President Obama to expand access to affordable healthcare, leading the fight for fair and representative courts on the Judiciary Committee, or working to build a smart, sustainable future for all—Senator Durbin has delivered. And one of the greatest testaments to his legacy is the work he has done to train and prepare generations of new leaders who are now tasked with building on his historic legacy of service, integrity, and compassion.”
…Adding… Congresswoman Robin Kelly…
“I would like to congratulate my friend, Senator Dick Durbin, on a remarkable career in public service. Senator Durbin has always served with integrity and common sense, and I am one of millions of Illinoisans who are grateful for his leadership during challenging times. We are lucky to have his voice in the Senate to stand for our farmers, veterans, small businesses, and children for the next year and a half. I wish him and Loretta the best as they plan for the next chapter.”
…Adding… Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant….
“Will County and the entire state of Illinois owe a debt of gratitude to U.S. Senator Dick Durbin. His record of service on behalf of our county and our state is immeasurable. Senator Durbin’s commitment to Will County resulted in the creation of a National Veterans Cemetery, the largest inland port in North America, historic levels of investment in infrastructure, and countless jobs. I am proud to call Senator Durbin a friend and look forward to working closely with him for the duration of his term.”
…Adding… Congressman Sean Casten…
“Senator Dick Durbin’s career of public service is a gold standard for anyone who holds or aspires to hold public office. He has been a model and a mentor. A model in his actions, where he has always led with intellect and humility. And a mentor to all of us learning how to do the job he has done so well.
“When I was first running in 2018, he told me that I should never judge how politicians behave if they don’t have any political capital to spend – but that I could learn a lot about politicians by how they choose to spend the political capital they have. It’s always struck me as quintessentially Durbin. Humble, in its insistence that we not rush to judgment. But insightful for understanding how others will – and should – judge us. It’s the kind of advice that makes you better at your job, just as it pushes you to be better still. May we all live up to that standard.
“The Congress, Illinois, and the country are a better place because of his service. Thank you, Senator Durbin.”
…Adding… Jake Ford, Political Director, LaHood for Congress…
“Senator Durbin’s retirement was long overdue. For decades, Illinoisans have known him as the face of Washington dysfunction — pushing liberal policies that have made life more expensive, our borders less secure, and our streets less safe.
While we wish him well in retirement, Illinoisans are ready to turn the page. Voters are tired of out-of-touch liberal policies that have failed working families, and prioritized illegal immigrants and far-left ideological agendas over hard working American taxpayers.
Congressman LaHood has earned strong support from voters across the 34 counties he’s represented in Congress, winning each election by overwhelming margins. He’s championed impactful economic growth policies and been a leader in strengthening our national security against growing threats like China and Iran. His leadership has consistently driven strong financial backing, resulting in nearly $6 million in cash on hand at the end of last quarter.
As the 2026 election approaches, Congressman LaHood remains focused on delivering conservative leadership for all Illinoisans that offers a clear alternative to the failed liberal policies driving families and businesses out of Illinois.”’
…Adding…Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson…
“I want to thank Senator Durbin for over 40 years of fighting for the people of Illinois. Senator Durbin is a principled and pragmatic leader and deeply committed to his constituents. Throughout his career, he understood the importance of reaching across the aisle and working in partnership to deliver for our people, while never abandoning his Democratic values. In his role on the Senate Judiciary Committee, he fought to preserve democracy when it faced the most unprecedented threats of our lifetime. Time and time again, he delivered real results to the working people of Chicago – investing in our airports and our train stations, defending Dreamers and immigrants, and fighting to end gun violence. He was a champion for young children and early childhood education, and he fought for mental health services for our young people. Our city, our state, and our country are stronger due to his decades of service.”
…Adding… Congresswoman Delia Ramirez…
“Senator Durbin has been a trusted leader, a mentor to many, and a champion for working people in Illinois, who has always led with compassion and integrity. For over 40 years, he has worked to expand healthcare access, to protect our communities from gun violence, to transform our justice system, and led the fight advocating for Dreamers. As he announces his much-deserved retirement, I am feeling thankful for his work and service to the people of Illinois and our nation.
Thank you, Senator, for the opportunity to learn from you and partner with you on so many important issues. As the proud daughter of immigrants, the spouse of a Dreamer, and the Congresswoman of IL-03, I also extend my deepest gratitude for your unwavering commitment to defending our immigrant communities.”
…Adding…Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García….
“I want to thank Senator Dick Durbin for his decades of service to the people of Illinois and for being a steadfast voice for justice and progress in Washington. His decision to forego another re-election marks the close of a remarkable chapter in our state’s history. Senator Durbin has been a moral anchor in the U.S. Senate—fighting for working families, standing up for immigrants, protecting our democracy, and leading with courage and compassion.
Senator Durbin’s deep integrity, strategic mind, and consistent focus on human dignity leave an incredible legacy in Illinois and across the nation. His work in authoring the DREAM Act, his unshakable belief in advancing comprehensive immigration reform, and shepherding landmark judicial appointments changed lives and shaped the national conversation.
I’ve been proud to work alongside him, and I join many across our state in wishing him and Loretta all the best in the years ahead. Illinois’ next senator will need to carry forward his legacy of leadership grounded in courage, compassion, and an enduring drive for equity.”
…Adding… The Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council Executive Secretary-Treasurer Kevin McLaughlin…
“On behalf of the hardworking men and women of the Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council, I want to offer our profound gratitude to Senator Durbin for his decades of service in the United States Senate. Senator Durbin has been a true champion for working families and a steadfast ally of organized labor throughout his distinguished career. Time and again, he’s stood with us—not just in words, but in action. From supporting Davis-Bacon protections and prevailing wage laws, to defending collective bargaining rights and using his considerable clout to fund infrastructure projects that created thousands of good-paying union jobs, Senator Durbin has never wavered in his commitment to the middle class. He’s been a frequent guest at our Delegate meetings who never fails to charm the audience with his tales of growing up in a union household and knowing what it was like to fight for everything you got. He’s done so much uncredited work behind the scenes to help his constituents – that’s just who he is. We’re proud to call him a friend.”
…Adding… Illinois Democratic County Chairs’ Association (IDCCA) President Mark Guethle…
“I’ve had the privilege of knowing and working with Senator Durbin since he first ran for the U.S. Senate 1996. What impressed me then and continues to impress me now is his selflessness. Whether he was fighting for working families or attending a County Party event somewhere in Illinois, we know we can count on him. His leadership in the Senate and in the Democratic Party have been invaluable. He is a true statesman in every sense of the word.
Senator Durbin understands the importance of building the Democratic Party at the grassroots level in all corners of Illinois. He continues to be a fierce advocate for the IDCCA, and we will forever be grateful for his leadership. We are a stronger IDCCA and a stronger Democratic Party because of Dick Durbin.
On behalf of all 102 County Democratic Party Chairs, I wish to thank Senator Durbin for everything he has done for our state, our country, and our Democratic Party. We wish him well in retirement.”
…Adding… Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid…
“Senator Durbin has been a tireless advocate for the people of Illinois and his leadership in Washington will be missed.
“For someone who had been in DC for decades, Durbin frequently rejected the political status quo and fought for what he believed in – even if the votes were tough. Durbin’s support for the Joint Resolutions of Disapproval blocking arms sales to Israel was incredibly needed leadership at a time when too many lacked such courage and moral clarity.
“He stood up to powerful interests here and abroad because it was the morally right thing to do. His efforts on healthcare, DACA, criminal justice reform, and many other issues have made life measurably better for millions of people.
“Senator Durbin has left big shoes to fill. Our next senator will be measured by their willingness to reject America’s complicity in Israel’s genocide in Gaza and say no to sending billions of dollars worth of weapons to Israel. Senator Durbin’s successor must be ready to carry out his legacy of fighting for all people.”
…Adding… Senate President Don Harmon…
“I want to congratulate my friend Senator Dick Durbin on an extraordinary career in public service. His leadership made a lasting impact on Illinois. Senator Durbin spent his career fighting for all Illinoisans, and the trust the people placed in him over his tenure speaks for itself.
“I extend my thanks to Senator Durbin, Loretta, and their family, and wish them the very best in the years ahead.”
…Adding… Rep. Maurice West…
“Dick Durbin represents the very best of Illinois. He has served our state and its people with honesty and integrity as a statesman, an advocate, and a fierce fighter for justice. His record as a legislator and leader in Congress is truly exceptional, and he provided myself and so many others in public service with a sterling example of moral leadership in our modern world. I am particularly grateful that he brought his downstate Illinois roots to the highest levels of government, ensuring the experiences and values of all of Illinois would be represented in Washington, D.C. I wish him and his family the very best as he concludes his term in office and begins a long and happy retirement.”
…Adding… Illinois Retail Merchants Association…
“Senator Dick Dubin has been a tireless advocate for Illinois and a true champion for the retail community. We extend our sincere congratulations to Senator Durbin on his retirement and thank him for his many years of dedicated public service,” said Rob Karr, president and CEO, Illinois Retail Merchants Association. “We are grateful for his decades-long recognition of the vital role retail plays in our economy, and his commitment to ensuring a fair and competitive marketplace for consumers and retailers. In particular, we appreciate his leadership on debit-card reform and, more recently, his support of the Credit Card Competition Act, which has been instrumental in bringing attention to skyrocketing credit card swipe fees that are harming businesses and driving up costs for working families. We thank him for his partnership and his unwavering dedication and wish him the best in his next chapter.
…Adding… Illinois Federation of Teachers President Dan Montgomery…
“Senator Durbin’s career has been defined by principled leadership, fierce advocacy, and an unwavering commitment to working people. His legacy will be held in high regard alongside other great senators from Illinois such as Paul Douglas and Paul Simon. As someone who began his career working alongside Senator Paul Simon, Durbin stepped into his mentor’s shoes and not only continued the legacy but built on it. His contributions have shaped Illinois and the nation for the better.
“Throughout his decades of public service, Senator Durbin stood up time and again for teachers, school staff, higher education, public employees, and the right of every worker to organize and be treated with dignity. He was a vocal champion of immigration reform, co-authoring the DREAM Act and standing strong for DACA recipients when their futures were most at risk.
“On behalf of the more than 103,000 IFT members, we extend our gratitude for his lifetime of leadership. His retirement marks the end of an era, but his legacy will inspire generations to come.”
…Adding… Congresswoman Lauren Underwood…
“Senator Durbin is the best. He defends our values, always fights for what’s right, and time and again delivers for Illinois families.
“I’ve known Senator Durbin to be a generous and thoughtful leader. He has always set a standard of excellence: accelerating progress in access to health care, growing the middle class, and championing a judiciary that reflects our country. As a steady force for good, Senator Durbin always dedicates himself not just to our state, but the country. I’m so grateful for his decades of service which has made life better for millions of people.
“Thank you Senator Durbin for your sacrifices and leadership for Illinois!
This afternoon, Underwood rallied against the Trump Administration’s continued attack on international students and faculty across the country at the Northern Illinois University Campus in DeKalb.
…Adding… Treasurer Mike Frerichs…
Sen. Durbin worked tirelessly for the families of Illinois and our country. He was a voice for the voiceless. He stood tall on the issues that matter like health care, workers’ rights, and the environment. He brought home money for our roads, bridges, and public transit.
When I first ran for elected office 27 years ago, Sen. Durbin was the first and only statewide official to support me. After I lost, he sent me a handwritten letter and encouraged me to stay in public service. Were it not for Sen. Durbin, I would not be writing this today as Illinois Treasurer. I am not alone. He has mentored and supported countless people over his decades in public service.
…Adding… Sen. Robert Peters…
“Dick Durbin has served our state and its people with honor and integrity, standing up for what is right above all else. His many accomplishments in Congress have shaped our state and our nation for the better, from fighting for clean air to standing up for immigrant families to delivering major investments in our infrastructure.
“His legacy and leadership are forever etched in Illinois history. I wish him and his family the very best as he completes his term and transitions to a very well-deserved retirement.”
…Adding… Greg Kelley, President of SEIU Healthcare Illinois…
Senator Dick Durbin has been a devoted advocate for the working people of Illinois. In his four decades of public service, he has defended not only the right of workers to have a voice on the job and in their communities, but a society in which those who work for a living can build rich and satisfying lives for themselves and their families. As a union of frontline care givers, we have long known that Senator Durbin believes in a society in which we care for one another and in which we invest in care, and especially in care for the most vulnerable among us.
He showed his own commitment to care in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic by showing up to engage with our members and advocate for the needs of care workers and those they served in a time fraught with anxiety and uncertainty.
On a personal note, I was fortunate to enter the political arena as a young man by interning on Senator Durbin’s first run for the office he has held for so long. Over the years, my experience of him has been that he not only shows up for working people, but that he does so with kindness and compassion.
Senator Durbin—many thanks for your steadfast leadership.
…Adding… Congressman Mike Quigley…
“After serving the people of Illinois for over 40 years in Congress, my colleague Senator Dick Durbin has shared that he plans to retire at the end of his term.
“From securing federal funds to extend Chicago’s Red Line and bolster anti-flooding infrastructure, to supporting full LGBTQ+ equality, Senator Durbin has been an essential partner in solving problems right here at home. As the Senate Democratic whip for two decades, Durbin has also mobilized my Democratic colleagues to vote for transformative legislation, including the Affordable Care Act, First Step Act, and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. In recent years, I have also been honored to work with Senator Durbin in advocating for Ukraine in the war against Russian aggression.
“Senator Durbin’s decision to retire embodies the essence of public service—doing what is best even when it is difficult. I will miss his partnership and advocacy in the Senate, but I look forward to seeing him thrive in this next chapter.”
…Adding… The Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce…
“I want to express my sincere congratulations to Senator Dick Durbin on his historic career of public service. I have had the privilege of knowing Senator Durbin personally for many years and worked directly with him to create jobs and economic opportunity throughout our state. It has been an honor to witness his steadfast leadership and powerful voice for Illinois businesses in Washington, advocating tirelessly for policies that drive growth, innovation, and opportunity. His decades of leadership have made a lasting impact on our state and our nation.
On behalf of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, I want to thank Senator Durbin for his unwavering dedication to public service and to the people of Illinois. We wish him, his wife Loretta, and the entire Durbin family all the best as they embark on this new chapter,” said Jack Lavin, President and CEO of Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce.
…Adding… Chicago Federation of Labor President Bob Reiter…
“For more than 40 years, Dick Durbin has been a steadfast champion for working families in Chicago and across our state. The Chicago labor movement has been proud to partner with Sen. Durbin on countless legislative initiatives, from delivering new investments in our local infrastructure to fighting for healthcare benefits for workers during the pandemic. His integrity as a legislator and statesman are unmatched, and we are deeply grateful for his service to our city and state. We wish Sen. Durbin, Loretta, and his entire family all the best as he continues his work in office over the next 20 months and then begins what will be a well-deserved retirement.”
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With SOO Green all ratepayers will enjoy a more reliable grid, protection from rising energy costs, and a stronger economy for Illinois.
Mayor Brandon Johnson will return to Springfield next week to ratchet up the pressure on his funding requests for Chicago, but under a local and national political landscape that has shifted starkly since his last excursion to the statehouse — and with Gov. JB Pritzker preemptively throwing cold water on his visit.
At his Tuesday City Hall news conference, the mayor confirmed he will head to the Illinois General Assembly and meet with Pritzker as well as House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch and Senate President Don Harmon. A flyer obtained by the Tribune shows the mayor’s political organization also plans to host a reception for the Chicago delegation at a Springfield venue next Tuesday evening.
The top of his agenda, Johnson told reporters, “hasn’t changed,” before his chief of staff Cristina Pacione-Zayas elaborated that it includes securing funding for Chicago’s public schools and transit systems; “creating additional revenue, or sustaining revenue” from the prepaid cellphone and personal property replacement taxes; and investing in the joint city-state shelter system for migrants and homeless people.
The mayor last visited the General Assembly in May 2024 and saw lackluster results. But this time, Johnson hinted that President Donald Trump’s second term — and a “serious conversation about what Chicago means in this moment” — would increase the urgency for state leaders to move on his Springfield agenda.
* Full exchange…
Isabel: What do you not want to hear from Johnson in any meetings you have with him?
Pritzker: Whatever the mayor of Chicago wants to come talk about, I’m open to talking about. I’m open to talking about that. Doesn’t mean that we’re going to agree on everything, but always, my door is always open to the mayors of cities all across the state, and in particular the city of Chicago, where, no doubt, the mayor is coming to ask for things to happen.
I will say it’s April, and we put our budget together in actually, in the latter half of the prior year, and then present it in February. So it’ll be hard for us to talk about things in the current budget. Though, again, maybe there are things we can move around in the budget that’ll be beneficial to the city of Chicago.
Isabel: He mentioned today in reference to transit there might have to be progressive revenue involved on getting that funding secured. Are there any ideas that your administration has with funding that?
Pritzker: That’s a decision to be made by the city of Chicago about whether they will find sources of progressive revenue.
Wednesday, Apr 23, 2025 - Posted by Advertising Department
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Formerly Southpoint Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, the newly renamed facility is a case in point illustrating the ongoing short staffing crisis in Illinois nursing homes. Landmark’s numerous inspection reports demonstrate the impact of its record of providing only 60% of the care hours that residents need. In the last three years, Landmark accrued an astounding $745,000 in fines for failing to provide adequate care.
State Representative Justin Slaughter, co-sponsor of HB2507, spoke outside the facility on the need for public dollars to be properly invested in improving resident care. “It’s important that we protect our nursing home workers. That’s why I’m on the front lines pushing and advocating for a bill that protects our staffing levels as well as the quality of care.”
Landmark CNA Sharletta Jeffrey described the challenges of working short staffed. “I work in the dementia unit…some of our residents will get up and just wander off…I can’t always watch them closely. It’s just not possible when you’re taking care of so many people.”
It’s past time to end chronic understaffing for nursing home patients. Support HB2507 to ensure public funding goes to care and not to profit because Care Can’t Wait.
* ICYMI: IL tourism chief out amid ethics probe. Capitol City Now…
Daniel Thomas, head of the Illinois Office of Tourism, a bureau within the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, was accused of a massive conflict of interest by doing state business with Time Zone One, a company he owned.
Asked about the situation at an economic development event in Jacksonville Tuesday Gov. JB Pritzker called it a one-off: “The challenges with the gentleman that was fired by DCEO are ones that will not happen again. The (Illinois) Office of Tourism, frankly, has helped us to enhance tourism all across the state of Illinois. Our numbers have been going up every single year, but that one gentleman broke the rules, broke the law, and he’ll be held accountable.”
* The Governor will be in Decatur today at 11:30 to celebrate the opening of TCCI Clean Manufacturing Hub. Click here to watch.
* BlueRoomStream.com’s coverage of today’s press conferences and committee hearings can be found here.
*** Isabel’s Top Picks ***
* WCIA | West Nile bird testing suspended in Illinois to prevent bird flu spread: Usually, County Health Departments in Illinois begin collecting dead birds and testing them for West Nile Virus between May and October. This year however, the ongoing spread of bird flu has put that on pause. […] The Illinois Department of Public Health said that to prevent a risk of exposure to bird flu, they are temporarily suspending the collection and testing of dead wild birds for West Nile virus. […] But, the IDPH added, the department will continue to collect and test mosquitoes, which will serve as a way to track the virus in Illinois.
* WAND | Advance Illinois asks for an additional $350 million for FY2026 amid potential federal cuts: Advance Illinois’ Director of Government Relations Jelani Saadiq said even though the federal government hasn’t cut funding yet, the state needs to be prepared to step in. “While we recognize the budget is tight and are grateful for the consistent investment over the years, we continue to recommend the state invests more than the $350 million in EBF for Financial Year 2026,” Saadiq said.
* WaPo | Whooping cough cases surge as vaccine rates fall: The U.S. has tallied 8,077 cases of whooping cough in 2025, compared with 3,847 cases in the same period last year, the CDC’s data shows. The bacterial illness, formally known as pertussis, spreads easily and is especially dangerous for infants. […] In 2024, the number of whooping cough cases in the U.S. climbed to the highest level in a decade. The latest figures show the disease’s spread continues to accelerate — and indicates that the country is backsliding in keeping children from dying of preventable diseases, said Paul Offit, an infectious-diseases physician at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia who directs its vaccine education center.
*** Statehouse News ***
* Press release | Healthy Illinois holds Springfield rally to maintain healthcare for all: Hundreds of supporters of health care for all will rally in front of the Illinois State Capitol to support 33,000 Illinois residents who are at risk of losing essential health coverage on July 1, 2025. WHEN: Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at 10:30 AM
* WAND | IL Secretary of State shares new video highlighting dangers of texting and driving: All people looking to receive their learner permit in Illinois will be required to watch the video. It lasts 1 minute and 30 seconds, showing how eating, texting or generally being distracted while driving can cause fatal accidents in seconds. Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias said distracted driving is an epidemic and the drunk driving of this generation that causes 3,500 deaths per year in the U.S.
* WAND | Illinois House committee debates consequences of Trump’s SAVE Act for married women, disabled voters: Trump and congressional Republicans hope to require Americans show a passport or their birth certificate when they register to vote or renew their registration. Yet, many nonpartisan organizations have criticized the idea due to the fact the vast majority of Americans don’t have those documents and the plan would prohibit online voter registration. Over 2.5 million women in Illinois would also be blocked from voting under the SAVE Act because they changed their surname when they got married.
*** Statewide ***
* ABC Chicago | Illinois, Indiana college students celebrate temporary victory after judge orders visas reinstated: More than 100 international students are celebrating a victory Tuesday after a lawyer representing the students says the Trump administration complied with a Georgia District Court Judge’s order to reinstate their student visas for now. That group includes students from the University of Illinois, Western Illinois University, and the Indiana Institute of Technology.
* SJ-R | ‘It just seems so unfair:’ Illinois families brace for possible Medicaid cuts: For Marilyn Webster of Jacksonville, Medicaid means being able to work, as opposed to probably having to quit her job to look after her 20-year-old daughter, Rebekah, who has autism with high support needs. Camilla Nicoletta, 23, of Springfield, who has Down’s syndrome, is trying to enter a day program that offers routine, independence, and community. Louis Pisani, 27, who has autism, has found a job that he has held for five years with the help of job coaching and transition programs. Here’s what potential cuts to Medicaid could mean for them and for others in Illinois.
*** Chicago ***
* Sun-Times | Mayor Johnson takes aim at Rahm Emanuel, ex-mayor’s ‘neoliberal agenda’: Mayor Brandon Johnson said Tuesday he was watching an interview with Rahm Emanuel recently and was “incredibly bothered” by the former mayor’s “temerity.” “The playbook that Donald Trump is running is a playbook that Emanuel executed in this city,” Johnson added.
* Crain’s | Bally’s is juggling both Chicago and federal politics with its revised casino IPO: Under the original plan, Bally’s sought approval from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for an IPO targeting women and minority investors and collected deposits from more than 1,500 accounts as of late last year. That structure was challenged in multiple lawsuits in January by white would-be investors alleging the offering violated federal anti-discrimination laws. And while a judge refused to block the IPO, the SEC — which is now in the grip of President Donald Trump’s administration — never gave Bally’s clearance to issue shares, prompting the company to temporarily scrap the offering in February and return deposits.
* WBEZ | ‘This is real rehabilitation’: A Chicago program that keeps young men out of prison is expanding: The program gave him the basic necessities he needed to gain stability — shelter, work and community — in a state where close to 40% of people released from prison return within three years. […] Alonzo Waheed, a program director at Equity and Transformation, a group focused on formerly incarcerated residents on the West Side, said the work of the legal center “has been foundational in providing much-needed resources to the community.”
* Chalkbeat Chicago | Chicago Public Schools CEO Martinez picked to lead Massachusetts schools: Martinez, who was fired from CPS without cause in December, was one of three finalists for the Massachusetts job and one of 42 people who had applied. If he takes the job, he will be responsible for overseeing and providing state support for Massachusetts’ roughly 400 school districts. He would also become the first Latino to have the job.
*** Cook County and Suburbs ***
* Daily Herald | Lake Zurich among the latest communities to approve local grocery tax to replace expiring state measure: Shoppers won’t notice a difference as the local grocery tax will remain 1%, allowing the village to maintain a “critical, stable revenue stream needed for municipal operations.” Lake Zurich has six or more large grocery stores and receives about $1.3 million annually. That revenue goes into the general fund, which supports core village services including police, fire and public works.
* Daily Southtown | Area’s ancient landscape and human impact showcased at Orland Grassland: Sandhill cranes and other migratory species now use the reserve for stopovers during spring and fall migrations. Grassland birds such as bobolinks, dickcissels, eastern meadowlarks and Henslow’s sparrows consider the reserve a prime breeding area. Native amphibians, reptiles and insects also have returned.
* Daily Herald | 80 years ago this week, a Cook County forest preserve was converted into a POW labor camp: There’s likely only a few still around who remember the time — 80 years ago this week — when the U.S. Army commandeered the site and converted it into a German prisoner of war labor camp to help farmers in the area harvest their crops. “It kind of sounds worse than it was,” said Kathleen Fairbairn, a volunteer researcher at the Des Plaines History Center. “The prisoners, they weren’t very interested in going home anyway as it turns out most of their homes had probably been destroyed in the bombings and they were being better fed than if they were still on the front lines.”
* Daily Southtown | Andrew High School musician named state’s top young composer: When Dash Wilson composes a new piece of music, it’s not just the notes that are important but the story they tell, and his creativity earned him first place this year in the 2025 Illinois Young Composer contest. His composition “Echo of a Raindrop – From Within the Cave” also received an honorary mention at the Illinois Music Education Association Student Composition Contest in the Senior Instrumental Large Ensemble Category.
*** Downstate ***
* WCIA | Pritzker goes to Jacksonville to announce money for downtown revitalization projects: The projects are focused on either improving infrastructure or building out housing options “Our state government treated these towns across the state as a relic of the past rather than a key part of our future,” Pritzker said. “Main streets and downtowns were losing their small businesses, in part because they needed upgrades and improvements that local governments sometimes could not afford.”
* WCIA | City of Urbana finalizes last property tax payment to Carle Health: A 20-year legal saga in Urbana is coming to a close. City leaders approved a settlement agreement on Monday night to pay off the remaining balance in the lawsuit involving Carle Health and property tax exemptions. It’ll cost the City of Urbana, Cunningham Township and Champaign County more than six million dollars.
* WGLT | Heartland Community College Board to vote on $6.4 million in spring construction projects: The proposed developments include new classrooms and networking labs, a student center and an extension of the Constitution Trail. The combined cost of the projects is estimated at $6.4 million. The second phase of Heartland’s new student center is projected to cost $2.75 million and aligns with the college’s 2020 facility master plan, according to Heartland staff. The proposed space will include a wellness room, a multipurpose food pantry and clothing closet, updated areas for student counseling and esports and a student lounge overlooking the atrium.
*** National ***
* WaPo | DOJ cancels grants for gun-violence and addiction prevention, victim advocacy: The grants sent millions of dollars to organizations that support intervention programs for nonviolent youth offenders; programs to avert opioid-related deaths in Newark; programs aimed at identifying community-based approaches to preventing hate crimes against Arab, Jewish and Asian Americans; and a confidential hotline run by the National Center for Victims of Crime to inform crime victims about their rights. The Boston-based Community Resources for Justice, for example, lost $37 million spread over several grants. Some of those funds were used to provide crime data analysis and other services to local governments, according to government grant data.
* WSJ | Tesla Profit Sinks, Hurt by Backlash Over Elon Musk’s Political Role: Tesla’s TSLA 4.60% net income slid 71% in the first quarter, as the company struggled to overcome competitive pressure overseas and a reputational hit from Chief Executive Elon Musk’s polarizing role in the Trump administration. Musk said he would be devoting significantly less time to his federal cost-cutting work at the Department of Government Efficiency starting next month, but struck a defiant tone against critics. “I believe the right thing to do is to fight the waste and fraud and try to get the country back on the right track,” Musk said on a call with analysts after the quarterly earnings report Tuesday.
* Click here and/or here to follow breaking news. Hopefully, enough reporters and news outlets migrate to BlueSky so we can hopefully resume live-posting.
