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Isabel’s afternoon roundup
Friday, May 29, 2026 - Posted by Isabel Miller * NBC Chicago…
* Daily Herald…
* Tribune | Mayor Brandon Johnson pushing sweeping changes to renter laws and landlords bristle: Johnson’s “Protecting Renters Ordinance” hasn’t officially been introduced to the City Council, but it’s certain to be the latest test of his shaky ability to push his progressive agenda through the body. It includes a slew of new programs and regulations set to broadly restructure renting in Chicago. But the major push — it will be the most significant legislation he has tried at City Hall this year — will likely face stiff opposition from landlord-backed groups who argue it hits building owners too hard. “The deck is stacked against renters, the deck is stacked in favor of landlords,” said Chicago Housing Initiative Executive Director Don Washington, who worked with a group of housing advocates that helped craft the ordinance. “It is going to be a fundamental change in how landlords relate to government and how tenants relate to landlords in a marketplace.” * Chalkbeat Chicago | Amid charter sector turmoil, Chicago school board delays charter school renewals: Superintendent Macquline King and board President Sean Harden, who both usually abstain from weighing in on board debates, took the unusual step of pleading with board members to approve the contracts and continue to work closely with district officials on fine-tuning the oversight process. King noted thousands of largely Black and Latino students would wrap up the school year without certainty about their schools’ future. […] But in tabling the decisions until a June 10 meeting in a 11-to-8 vote, board members signaled they had no intention of denying the renewals but rather just wanted leverage to push for more CPS oversight. The University of Chicago Charter School eventually got a four-year renewal on a technicality. * Block Club | What 3 Chicago Sisters Asked Pope Leo In A Letter Delivered By Their Englewood Church: Caridad, the oldest, centered her message on Operation Midway Blitz, during which federal agents arrested thousands in the Chicago area and brought acts of violence against protesters, journalists and neighbors. Caridad wrote about living in Rogers Park — a culturally diverse community on the Far North Side targeted by ICE during Midway Blitz — and how she was worried about her father, who is Mexican American, Alexander said. She added how “scary” it was to see federal agents arresting people just because of “how they looked,” with the 9-year-old underlining those words, Alexander said. * Tribune | CPD reported death of officer slain in hospital shooting to the state days late, records show: Police Department representatives didn’t respond to questions about what accounted for the delay in reporting to state authorities. Illinois Department of Labor spokesperson Paul Cicchini said the state Occupational Safety and Health Administration was conducting a follow-up probe into the circumstances around Bartholomew’s death, but wouldn’t discuss the specific targets of the investigation. The notifications help OSHA determine whether they need to look into the death, Cicchini wrote in an email: “Timely reporting is important to assure that OSHA can gather information as soon as practicable after an incident occurs.” * Crain’s | Lucky Strike permanently closes Wrigleyville location: The reason for the closure is unclear. A Lucky Strike representative declined to comment. […] The company is publicly traded. During its third quarter, which ended March 29, Lucky Strike Entertainment reported net income of $16.9 million, up from $13.3 million the prior year. Total revenue increased 0.7%. * Sun-Times | Red Line subway closing for first of four weekends of repairs: Red Line trains will be rerouted to elevated tracks for the whole weekend — the first of four weekend detours needed for maintenance work in the Loop subway, according to the CTA. The detour will last from 10 p.m. Friday to 4 a.m. Monday. Red Line trains will be rerouted from the Fullerton to Cermak-Chinatown stations. * Crain’s | Smyth named best restaurant in North America: Smyth is already the only Chicago restaurant with three Michelin stars. Now, according to one ranking, it’s also the best restaurant in North America. The U.K.-based World’s 50 Best organization released its second annual list of North America’s 50 Best Restaurants, and the West Loop tasting-menu spot landed at the top. * Sun-Times | Malört aims to set world record for largest-ever group taking shots of the spirit: The event, titled “Bad Decision for Good Cause,” is scheduled for 7:30 pm at Recess on 838 W. Kinzie St on Aug. 30 from 5-9 p.m. It will double as a charity fundraiser for Ravenswood Community Services, a Chicago nonprofit that provides food, housing, and supportive services for those in the city facing homelessness. Tickets cost $12. The admission price includes that one shot of Malört needed to make that world record attempt. CH Distillery of Chicago, the makers of Jeppson’s Malört, said it will match every ticket purchase with a $10 donation to the nonprofit. * Tribune | Skokie to tax streaming services like Netflix and raise tax on live shows, entertainment: During their May 18 Village Board meeting, Skokie trustees advanced an ordinance that will introduce a 5% tax on digital streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, Spotify and Apple Music, among others. The ordinance will also raise the village’s entertainment tax, called the “amusement” tax, from 2% to 5%, and that will apply to admission costs for theater, shows, sports events and other in-person entertainment. The surcharge is slated to fund a fourth ambulance for the village during “high demand, peak hours,” several times a week, Julian Prendi, Skokie’s finance director, said at the May 18 meeting. * Evanston Now | Environment board backs lakefront ordinance: Evanston’s Environment Board voted to recommend to City Council Thursday night a proposed ordinance that would add more environmental protections and limit sale of public land along the city’s lakefront. A draft Lakefront Protection Ordinance has been in the works for the last several months, with the Environment Board discussing the ordinance at multiple meetings since late last year. * Pioneer Press | Oak Park’s ‘slow Sunday’ experience deemed among best in country: “I think it’s pretty cool to be among some of those towns that I know about and are that high up,” Wilson White said. “To be included in that bunch, it’s quite an honor that people think highly of Oak Park. I think it’s fabulous.” Over 3,000 people responded to a survey, according to a release from Calgary, seeking information on which towns and neighborhoods are best suited for their ideal version of how to spend their Sunday, whether it’s browsing bookstores, sipping coffee or just walking around the neighborhood. * WGLT | Normal to consider kratom ban: Kratom is an herbal substance that can produce effects similar to opioids and stimulants. Bloomington banned its sale and possession in January. Town staff say kratom, which is often sold in convenience stores, gas stations and similar retail outlets, carries the potential for serious significant health risks for users and it’s largely unregulated. * WJBD | Three Democrats to Run for Marion County Board: Three Democrats have now filed petitions to run for Marion County Board. They are Kerry Hodge in District three, former board member Michael Reed in District four, and Patricia Dillow in District 5. The three candidates have been caucused into the position by the Marion County Democratic Party. Marion County Clerk Steve Fox says Monday is the final day for candidates to get caucused onto the November ballot. There were no Democratic county board or county wide candidates on the ballot for the primary election. * Press release | Illinois State Fair Box Office Opens June 1 with Special Giveaway and Exclusive Ella Langley Tickets: To celebrate opening day, anyone who purchases a ticket through the Box Office on June 1, either in person or by phone, will be entered for a chance to win one free admission ticket and one free parking pass, making admission into the fair free! A total of 66 winners will be selected in honor of the 100th anniversary of Route 66. Additionally, 100 tickets for the highly anticipated Ella Langley concert will be released exclusively through the Box Office and will not be available through Ticketmaster. These tickets can only be purchased in person or over the phone while supplies last. Limit two tickets per person/transaction. * NYT | Research Funding Slows Again for Universities Targeted by White House: After The Times inquired about the slowdown on Tuesday, the administration began releasing some grant funding on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and released the hold for some of the institutions on Thursday. Nature, a scientific journal, reported on the slowdown on Thursday. It was not clear whether the funding releases were related to the media inquiries. * NPR | Here’s how we’re coping with high gas prices, according to Costco and Walmart: “A lot of members are increasing their frequency of visiting the gas station to top up in between what would have normally been a gap between getting the tank to empty because of the concern about what might the gas price be tomorrow,” said Gary Millerchip, Costco’s finance chief. At Walmart’s gas stations, in recent weeks, people have begun to fill up with fewer than ten gallons at a time, for the first time since 2022.
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Buckner on Bears deal: ‘I think we’re going to get there’
Friday, May 29, 2026 - Posted by Rich Miller * The House’s top Bears stadium negotiator Rep. Kam Buckner was on the SCORE’s Mully & Haugh Show today…
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Question of the day
Friday, May 29, 2026 - Posted by Rich Miller * Politico…
Unions say pausing the incentives would mean the data centers would instead pop up across state lines while using the same electric grid, or be constructed in Illinois with non-union labor. Considering the gerrymandered legislative map and the so-far really bad national Republican year, at least some Democratic legislators are more worried about keeping their union allies happy (and contributing to their campaigns) than upsetting their constituents by failing to do anything meaningful about a topic that polls worse than Ebola. Also, when the enviros and the unions are split on legislation, the bills generally go nowhere. No center ground has been found on data centers as of yet. …Adding… More than 40 legislators have signed a letter demanding a two-year moratorium. Click here to read it. …Adding… WCBU…
* The Question: Should state incentives for data centers be paused for two years? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.
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It’s almost a law
Friday, May 29, 2026 - Posted by Isabel Miller * WAND…
Illinois State Medical Society…
* Daily Herald…
* The Alliance for the Great Lakes…
* More…
* WAND | Digital driver’s license cleanup bill heading to Pritzker’s desk: The plan could align technology and requirements related to mobile IDs and ensure consistency as the digital driver’s licenses are more widely used. This proposal also bans law enforcement from physically taking someone’s phone to verify their mobile ID. “Most of this language is based on an agreement between the Secretary of State and Joint Committee on Administrative Rules related to the rule making they adopted to implement the original law,” said Sen. Bill Cunningham (D-Chicago). “I’m aware of no opposition.” * Bloomberg | Illinois Bill Banning Menopause Bias at Work Goes to Governor: The legislation (HB 5284) will make Illinois one of the first states to add menopause explicitly to its employment discrimination statutes, after Rhode Island passed a menopause accommodations law in 2025. Several states from New York to California have considered similar measures this year, as menopause-friendly proposals spread in the US and abroad. Actress Halle Berry gave the movement a publicity boost in 2024, when she spoke of her personal experience and endorsed a bill in Congress. Mostly Democratic-majority states are leading the charge while federal proposals lie dormant. * WAND | IL House unanimously passes plan calling for school panic alert systems to improve emergency response: Sponsors say the Illinois State Police will work with the State Board of Education and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency to develop rules for the panic alert system. “Time equals life,” said Rep. Nabeela Syed (D-Palatine). “This bill is one step, one effort, just one small commitment to ensuring that we do everything in our power to protect others and learn from tragedy.” House Bill 5107 received unanimous support in the Senate last week. The measure now heads to the governor’s desk for final approval.
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Yeah, no
Friday, May 29, 2026 - Posted by Rich Miller * Daily Herald…
* From Corbett’s last podcast…
I’m not sure I know too many average Joe’s who’ve spent well over a million dollars of their own money trying to fix a political party. Just sayin…
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MLB open thread
Friday, May 29, 2026 - Posted by Rich Miller * And then we won again…
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Illinois Swipe-Fee Proposal Misses The Mark
Friday, May 29, 2026 - Posted by Advertising Department [The following is a paid advertisement.] The Illinois Interchange Fee Prohibition Act promises savings for consumers, but the economics tell a different story. By restricting interchange fees, the policy shifts billions of dollars away from the payment system services consumers rely on - and into the hands of large retailers. Interchange revenue supports fraud prevention, rewards programs, and broad access to affordable banking services. Cutting it doesn’t eliminate costs; it redistributes them. Consumers will likely face fewer benefits, reduced protections, and new or higher fees elsewhere. Experience from similar policies shows retailers rarely pass savings on to shoppers. Instead, major national chains capture the gains, while working families see little to no price relief. The proposal also risks creating a fragmented payment landscape, adding complexity at checkout, and weakening security standards. Those burdens ultimately fall on consumers. This isn’t a consumer cost-cutting measure - it’s a value transfer. And under this plan, consumers lose while large retailers win. For more information, visit https://www.icul.com/advocacy/ifpa/. Paid for by Illinois Credit Union League.
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Isabel’s morning briefing
Friday, May 29, 2026 - Posted by Isabel Miller * ICYMI: Bears stadium bill, Illinois budget in the balance as Springfield session winds down. Sun-Times…
- “We don’t know how many megaprojects there are going to be, and we don’t know how much the recipient in the megaproject is going to pay, so because of that, we have no idea of what the amount of money available for property tax relief is,” Sen. Bill Cunningham said. “There’s three and a half days left, and I’m hopeful we’ll get to something.” - Gov. JB Pritzker already has gotten a pair of key legislative wins through the uprights with regulations on auto and home insurance companies as well as the burgeoning artificial intelligence industry. * Related stories… Sponsored by American Innovators Network
* Gov. JB Pritzker has no public events scheduled today. * Tribune | Great waste in the Great Lakes: How plastic pollution is clogging our waters: The Chicago Tribune is exploring the plastics dilemma with a focus on the Great Lakes, the world’s largest source of fresh surface water. When confronted about their pollution, industry executives often have blamed consumers, using tactics borrowed from and shared with Big Tobacco, according to a Tribune review of thousands of government, scientific and internal industry documents. This coverage, supported by the Pulitzer Center’s StoryReach U.S. initiative, will delve into the spread of plastic waste in the Great Lakes, research into health hazards and possible solutions. * STLPR | The story behind the proposed Gateway Arch National Park expansion into Illinois: But while many St. Louisans focused on the Arch itself, Martin became passionate about another piece of Saarinen’s proposal: the east bank. “He realized that the Arch was only part of Saarinen’s dream,” Hier said. Saarinen envisioned a park on the east side where people could get a good view of the Arch. When the Arch was completed in 1965, the vision for Illinois remained unfunded and unfinished. * Press release | Crisis support program faces complete loss of funding: Turning Point Behavioral Health, a longstanding leader in community mental health services located in Skokie, Illinois, learned last week that the State of Illinois has denied its funding application for the organization’s acclaimed Living Room Program in Skokie. This decision means that the Living Room program located at 8324 Skokie Boulevard will close on June 30, 2026. The Living Room Program offers a safe, welcoming alternative to hospital emergency departments. Because it is grant-funded, adults in distress can access care at no cost, connecting with trained peers who have lived experience. In this setting, guests can openly share fears and challenges while working collaboratively toward problem-solving and recovery. […] Over the years, the program has demonstrated remarkable outcomes, achieving a 98% success rate in helping individuals stabilize without requiring emergency room intervention - reducing both personal trauma and healthcare costs while helping residents in their communities return to their families, jobs, and civic life as soon as possible. * STLPR | Illinois Lt. Gov. candidate Mitchell says he’s ready to step in if Pritzker leaves office: “If anything happens, yes, I’ll be ready,” Mitchell said on the latest episode of the “Politically Speaking” podcast. “But for the most part, what I’m really focused on is how I can be the best lieutenant governor I can be — help move the state forward, help our farmers, help our small businesses.” Mitchell said many of the same goals that first prompted him to run for the Illinois House of Representatives motivate him to run for lieutenant governor: lowering the cost of health care and raising wages. * WGLT | Illinois lawmakers pass auto and home insurance regulations, but industry says move could backfire: Democratic state Rep. Sharon Chung, who represents Bloomington-Normal where State Farm and Country Financial are headquartered, voted against both bills. She said amendments to the bills did clarify the language about what is excessive and what information companies needed to submit to the Illinois Department of Insurance, which was one reason insurance companies opposed the bill. Chung said she is still concerned about retroactive refunds for excessive rates. * Center Square | Republicans claim fake transparency in early budget, demand better: The four state Senate Republican budgeters, including Sen. Donald DeWitte, R-West Dundee, warned that a 3,178 page version of the budget previously introduced isn’t close to resembling what is likely to be the final product. “I would have to describe this year’s conversations as amicable and courteous,” DeWitte said “While this session has been interesting and different in many ways, I would say the budget process is rolling out similarly to previous years.” * Sun-Times | Adam Toledo’s family files new lawsuit against Chicago police officer who fatally shot the teenager: The case was filed a month after the family abruptly dropped another lawsuit filed in Cook County court, just days before opening arguments were set to begin. Now, the legal process will begin again in federal court, over five years after Toledo was killed. “Ultimately we’re seeking transparency, accountability and protection of all of the plaintiff’s constitutional rights,” the family’s lawyer, Adeena Weiss Ortiz, told the Sun-Times. At the previously scheduled trial, a Cook County judge granted the city’s request to split up the initial lawsuit, requiring the family’s attorney to first prove allegations around the shooting before shifting to its claims that the city was negligent in hiring Eric Stillman, the officer who shot Toledo. * Sun-Times | Juliana Stratton joins calls for Chicago’s top federal prosecutor to step down amid ‘Broadview Six’ fallout: Stratton joins Democratic congressional candidate Daniel Biss in calling for Boutros’ resignation — a week after Boutros announced the dismissal of charges against the remaining members of the “Broadview Six” amid claims of prosecutorial misconduct before a grand jury. The legal damage already has spread to other cases in Chicago and beyond. * Tribune | Chicago school board delays charter renewals after heated debate: In a contentious, late-night debate Thursday, 11 board members — all of whom are mayoral-appointed or aligned with the Chicago Teachers Union, a staunch charter critic — said they needed additional time and information from the district before voting. The intensified scrutiny comes after a string of charter operators have struggled financially over the past two years. “An accurate sense of finances has been eluding us, resulting in harm to students and cost to the district,” said appointed board member Karen Zaccor, District 4A on the North Side. “We are not here to be a rubber stamp.” * Crain’s | Mag Mile office tower extends run of downtown distress: Golub and BlueFive are poised to join a long list of downtown office landlords losing their properties as weak post-pandemic demand, elevated interest rates and investors avoiding Chicago decimate their values. The deep pool of distress — largely driven by bad office loans — is not only hampering the city’s post-COVID recovery, but also causing broader headaches: As of April, the balance of delinquent commercial property loans held by commercial mortgage-backed securities investors nationwide totaled $30.9 billion, surpassing the pandemic peak of $30.5 billion set in July 2020, according to a report from ratings agency Moody’s. * Crain’s | Trump Tower lands first retail tenant more than 17 years after opening: Mediterranean-inspired cafe Prasino will open a 2,800-square-foot location in a terrace-level space at 401 N. Wabash Ave. next summer. The 92-story condo and hotel building overlooking the Chicago River has 70,000 square feet of retail space that’s mostly sat empty since it was completed in 2009. * Elgin Courier News | Elgin council credit card spending to be reviewed after questions arise: All city-issued credit card expenditures made by Elgin City Council members over the last year will be examined after Councilman Anthony Ortiz raised questions about items he saw included in the city bills paid Wednesday night. While the expenses identified did not violate city rules, they may indicate a need for tighter guidelines, he said. Among them was $232 in Uber ridesharing costs and $100 for overweight luggage fees, both stemming from a conference trip. * Sun-Times | Thousands have been jailed in Cook County for not paying child, spousal support: “Most of these people are incarcerated based on civil contempt, so they did not have access to a public defender,” Katz said. “That’s a problem in jurisdictions where courts have limited time and resources to dig in on whether the failure to pay is willful.” “There’s a real risk,” she said, “that people are being incarcerated for reasons beyond their control and in a manner that is counterproductive.” * Crain’s | Highland Park rebuffs single-family home proposal for Fort Sheridan condo site: The development team, represented by Scott Borstein, a zoning attorney from the firm Neal & Leroy, and Jacob Dodds of Dirk Denison Architects were requesting Highland Park give zoning relief to permit less space between the planned houses and existing neighbors than the 1998 condo plan allowed. Commissioners noted at the meeting that if a nine-story condo tower were proposed today, it could be built by right, without zoning relief, if it met the original building envelope limits. The plan commission declined to grant the requests, and scheduled the development team to appear again at its June 16 meeting, presumably with changes to the proposal that reflects the board’s comments. * Daily Southtown | Homer Glen fourth grader celebrates playground her fundraising helped create: To help accomplish this, Amelia and her family held Amelia’s Act of Kindness Yard Sale last May at Heritage Park. They also reached out to Homer Glen’s Ability Awareness Committee, which advocates for differently abled individuals, and worked their dunk tank and beer tent during last year’s HomerFest. A relative in Arizona promoted the fundraiser on his radio show, and donations poured in from California, Nevada and Arizona. All together, Amelia and her family contributed more than $11,000 toward playground equipment, which was celebrated Thursday at the school’s fourth grade farewell party. * Daily Herald | Illinois grant helps preserve Elgin’s ‘Butter Capital’ legacy through digital archives: The transition from century-old paper to high-definition digital pages was made possible by a $1,823 grant awarded last year by the Illinois State Historical Records Advisory Board, overseen by Illinois Secretary of State and State Archivist Alexi Giannoulias. The project was part of a competitive statewide initiative to safeguard Illinois’ cultural heritage. “These original volumes are incredibly fragile, making them difficult to handle without risking damage,” said Angel Flores, director of information and digital services at Gail Borden Public Library. “Thanks to the support from this grant, we have successfully preserved this irreplaceable history. Now, anyone across the globe can explore these remarkable stories and data that shaped Elgin’s identity.” * WAND | Decatur Public Schools seeks new after-school vendor after budget cuts: Superintendent Rochelle Clark told the board that Champions is likely the best option for the district. The company would operate a state-subsidized program in schools at little cost to families, available to low-income families to cover the cost of childcare. “I do not want us to make a decision based on feelings. I want to give options. To me, Champions was the best option outside of what Decatur already has that families have an opportunity to choose from,” Clark said. * Oak Park Journal | D97 board member Perez resigns after year in office: Perez’s resignation from the D97 school board was announced at the May 26 school board meeting but was effective May 18. Perez has not immediately responded to phone, text and email messages from Wednesday Journal asking why she resigned from the school board. Perez was quoted in a statement posted on the D97 website as saying that she was proud of her role in hiring incoming superintendent Terri Bresnahan. * WGLT | How Bloomington might build a long straw to a river to get more water: One of the options under study by Bloomington would be for the city to build a pipeline to the Illinois River to supplement what it already pumps from its primary water sources, lakes Bloomington and Evergreen. Joliet and five other communities are currently building a 60-mile pipeline to the city of Chicago to buy city water taken from Lake Michigan for their towns. It’s a $1.5 billion project they hope will be finished by 2030. * WGLT | State Police troopers receive Medal of Honor after gun battle with armed suspect in Lexington: “We are grateful for the decisive actions of these officers. They are commended for their bravery and heroism in arresting these two dangerous criminals,” Hartman said during the ceremony. ISP said the officers provided medical care, and the suspect survived his injuries. The other suspect, who had gone inside the gas station, was arrested without incident. State police later released body camera footage of the incident. * AP | Top federal prosecutor in Chicago denies investigation into E. Jean Carroll, disputing media reports: The top federal prosecutor in Chicago denied Thursday evening that his office had opened an investigation into E. Jean Carroll, the longtime advice columnist who has said Donald Trump sexually assaulted her in a New York department store 30 years ago, hours after multiple news organizations reported that the Justice Department was investigating whether she had lied during the course of civil litigation against Trump. The Associated Press and other news organizations, citing anonymous sources, reported that the federal prosecutors’ office in Chicago had opened an investigation into Carroll examining possible perjury allegations. * Crain’s | When it comes to mergers, make no little plans, United CEO says: After being spurned by American Airlines, Scott Kirby says he’s not interested in lesser deals, such as a play for JetBlue. “I thought for many years that only the kind of big transaction that we tried was the only one that made economic sense,” the United Airlines CEO told analysts yesterday at the Bernstein Annual Strategic Decisions conference. “And none of the other deals made sense. And I also knew, though, that the big transaction required a willing partner, which we clearly don’t have.
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Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Supplement to today’s edition
Friday, May 29, 2026 - Posted by Rich Miller
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Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today’s edition of Capitol Fax (use all CAPS in password)
Friday, May 29, 2026 - Posted by Rich Miller
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Selected press releases (Live updates)
Friday, May 29, 2026 - Posted by Isabel Miller
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Isabel’s afternoon roundup
Thursday, May 28, 2026 - Posted by Isabel Miller * NBC Chicago…
* WIFR | Dixon man accused of intimidating, stalking former state representative: Investigators say that Delander made threats and acted in a way that caused concern for the safety of Tom Demmer and his family. Demmer was a Republican member of the Illinois House of Representatives, representing the 90th district. “This case is not about limiting anyone’s right to speak, disagree, or peacefully protest,” said Dixon Police Chief Ryan Bivins in a news release. “It is about public safety. People have the right to express their views, but threats and conduct that create fear for personal safety will be investigated and addressed appropriately.” * Tribune | Cook County tax buyer industry would be phased out in ‘equity theft’ reform bill: Under a bill that cleared a key committee on Wednesday evening, annual tax sales — the government’s way of dealing with delinquent property tax payments — are in line for a major shakeup statewide, though in Cook County’s most of all. The bill is heading to the full House and Senate for final approval. In the coming years, Cook County is poised to do away with its tax sale altogether, despite pushback from tax buyers. If ultimately passed and signed by the governor, Cook would move to a new system where the county alone would acquire liens on overdue property taxes, charging taxpayers .75% a month, or 9% a year in interest. If the taxes go unpaid after three years, the county would auction off the property deed to the highest bidder and the original homeowner can petition to get the post-debt profits. * Capitol News Illinois | Lawmakers approve bill to regulate e-bikes, scooters: Senate Bill 3336 would establish regulations on “micromobility” transportation such as e-bikes and e-scooters that include age requirements, speed limits and rules on where they can be operated. It was approved by the House 80-30 on Wednesday and awaits a concurrence vote in the Senate, where it passed unanimously in April. “Our roadways look very different than they did five years ago,” House sponsor Rep. Barbara Hernandez, D-Aurora, said during debate on Wednesday. “There’s a lot of new technology out there and as we’re seeing, there’s a lot of electronic bicycles, scooters, skateboards, unicycles and e-models in all of our communities. Also including in our bike lanes and sidewalks who are sharing the road with passenger vehicles.” * Center Square | Top Illinois diversity commissioner did not disclose side pay : Nina Harris, the commission’s chairperson, did not disclose she was paid more than $7,500 in 2024 by the Springfield Urban League in her disclosure that she submitted in February 2025. It is a crime to knowingly file “a false or incomplete statement,” which the commissioners acknowledge when they sign the disclosures. It is punishable by up to a year of imprisonment or a $2,500 fine. But in March this year, Harris filed an amendment to the earlier report that indicated she has not stopped working as a human resources contractor for the nonprofit since she left her chief executive job there in 2021. * Crain’s | One Central and Michael Reese megadevelopment owners in talks to link projects: The talks are unfolding as Michael Reese developers face a June 15 deadline to present the city with a revamped infrastructure plan or risk having their current agreement terminated and the project sent back to the drawing board. Dunn’s potential involvement in the Reese site also comes as state lawmakers consider sweeping megaproject legislation that includes new incentives that were created with both the One Central and Michael Reese sites in mind, according to the bill’s sponsors. * WTTW | City to Pay $190K to 3 People Who Accused CPD Officers of Misconduct During 2020 Unrest at Brickyard Mall: Three Chicagoans who said a dozen Chicago police officers beat them during the unrest that swept the city after the police murder of George Floyd in 2020 will get $190,000 to end their lawsuit against the city, records show. In all, Chicago taxpayers have spent approximately $13 million to defend and resolve lawsuits alleging Chicago police officers committed a wide range of misconduct during the push for racial justice and police reform after Floyd’s murder, according to a WTTW News analysis. * Sun-Times | Why Chicago’s Michelin-starred Atelier in Lincoln Square suddenly shut down: The restaurant with connections to award-winning chefs Christian Hunter and Iliana Regan had just relocated in October to a larger space at 4544 N. Western Ave. and added a bar menu with small plates for customers seeking a more casual dining experience. But it struggled to sustain its operations. “We weren’t able to get enough people through the door,” owner Tim Lacey said. “The reservations just weren’t coming in.” * Injustice Watch | ICE deported them. Cook County prosecutors still want them arrested for missing court: Under the Illinois Pretrial Fairness Act, when a defendant misses a court date, judges are encouraged to issue a summons instead of a warrant. For traffic offenses, judges can also continue the case for 30 days to give the defendant another chance to appear. In those cases, the clerk’s office sends a notice to the defendant warning that another absence could result in a warrant. This does not include cases where a person is unable to appear for no fault of their own. This was Cuchiparte’s second missed hearing, but he had been arrested by immigration officers before ever having the chance to appear in court. […] Cabonargi returned minutes later with a solemn look on his face. He was no longer hesitant. “The court will be issuing a warrant,” he said. “I understand it’s a policy of the state’s attorney’s office to seek a warrant in these situations.” * Sun-Times | ‘Broadview Six’ might try to tap Trump’s $1.8B ‘anti-weaponization fund’ after feds’ conduct tanked case: It’s highly unlikely the six protesters, including progressive Democratic former congressional candidate Kat Abughazaleh, are the intended targets of what critics are calling a “slush fund” for Trump’s allies. Still, their application could serve as a test of the fund’s purportedly nonpartisan nature. * 404 Media | Cities Are Covering Flock Cameras With Trash Bags: Dayton is not the first city to cover its Flock cameras with trash bags because they can’t figure out how to immediately terminate the use of the cameras. Late last year, the city of Evanston, Illinois also covered its cameras with trash bags while it was waiting for the company to remove them from the city. Cities around the country have been reconsidering their relationship with the surveillance company after reporting from 404 Media and local news outlets that showed data from the cameras was making its way to Immigration and Customs Enforcement through Flock’s national camera network. * Daily Southtown | Lockport swiftly suspends data center discussions following community outcry: Lockport Mayor Steven Streit emphasized Tuesday the opportunity the city had to impose stringent restrictions on any potential data center, because the parcel of land up for development is owned by the city. “You can demand full mitigation,” Streit said. “We can demand that they use effluent from our wastewater treatment and not our potable water. We can demand that they make reusable, adaptable buildings if the industry dries up and moves on. We can make a lot of demands that we can’t normally make, because it’s our property.” * Pioneer Press | Northwestern announces $875 million Ryan Field in Evanston will host high school and community games:Just two weeks after Northwestern plans to play the Penn State Nittany Lions in the stadium’s nationally televised debut on Oct. 2, university leaders said at a press conference May 26 at the Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston that Ryan Field will also host the annual Evanston Township High School versus New Trier High School football game on Oct. 16. The longtime North Shore rivalry game will kick off a number of additional “rent free” high school and local community group matches set to be housed at the newly-built football stadium, officials said. * Tribune | Clouds of smoke reported after explosion at Stickney plant: Columns of smoke were seen after an explosion and fire Wednesday evening at the Koppers plant in southwest suburban Stickney, officials reported. Shortly after 6 p.m., the Stickney Fire Department responded to a call of an explosion and a fire at Koppers Inc. Stickney Plant located at 3900 Laramie Ave., fire officials said. […] Fire officials said there was no danger posed to nearby residents because the fire was contained inside the storage tank, and the wind was carrying the smoke from northeast to southwest away from residential areas. As a precaution, residents including Morton College were told to shelter in place, officials said. * WCBU | Tazewell County Board freezes clerk’s salary for 4 years: The Tazewell County Board voted Wednesday to freeze County Clerk John Ackerman’s salary at $101,069 for the next four years, rejecting a 3% annual raise in a meeting that became a prolonged public airing of grievances. Board members accused Ackerman of a years-long pattern of defying county rules, bypassing budget constraints through independent fee funds, and creating problems that ripple through every other department in county government. * Telegraph | Alton weighs taking over management of federal development funds: The City of Alton is weighing the risks and benefits of taking over the administration of its Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and other federal program funds, which are currently managed by Madison County Community Development. Committee members heard from MCCD Manager Kyle Smith and Director Stacey Pace during a presentation on Tuesday requested by Alderman Michael Velloff. Smith, who recently joined the organization, said MCCD’s role includes administering CDBG funding and ensuring federal compliance through annual action plans, performance reports, and application oversight. * WSPY | Kendall County board member says state law limits local control over solar projects: Wormley says the county created a community benefits structure to gain some extra compensation from solar projects. That money can be used by the county on top of the property’s normal taxes. He notes that the county has not yet received any money from any solar projects. Some have been approved, but none have been built yet. Wormley also notes there are differences in the types of solar projects. Two approved at a property on Griswold Springs Road are community solar projects and can only generate five megawatts of power. They typically take up 30 to 40 acres. That is in contrast to larger solar farms, which can cover thousands of acres and sell power to the electric grid. * IPM News | Champaign City Council weighs in on proposed homelessness prevention plan: The plan presented at the city council meeting was one of the 2025-2027 council’s top priorities aiming to reach a homelessness rate of “functional zero.” Functional zero is attained when homelessness is rare, brief and non-recurring as defined at the meeting. The blueprint rests on four overarching goals, including preventing homelessness before it occurs, strengthening crisis response and emergency services, expanding access to safe, affordable and permanent housing and to collaborate with partners on shared solutions. * Reuters | Trump administration sues four states for denying ICE undercover license plates: The U.S. Department of Justice on Thursday said it had filed lawsuits against Maine, Massachusetts, Oregon and Washington after states led by Democratic governors refused to rescind their policies. ICE is seeking access to such plates to carry out arrests as part of Trump’s immigration crackdown.
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Stop Rx Drug Deserts. Say No To HB 1443!
Thursday, May 28, 2026 - Posted by Advertising Department [The following is a paid advertisement.] HB 1443 would create a state-appointed Prescription Drug Affordability Board with the authority to review and set upper payment limits on selected prescription drugs. While well-intentioned, this misguided legislation risks harming patients’ community pharmacies without addressing the real drivers of health care costs. Allowing government appointees to intervene in decisions between patients and their physicians raises serious concerns. Moreover, despite being enacted in multiple states, these boards have failed to deliver meaningful savings. Instead, New Hampshire repealed their board late last year and Virginia’s governor recently vetoed PDAB bills, citing high costs and a lack of meaningful savings in other states. In Illinois, community pharmacies are essential to the communities they serve, providing access to critical medicines and treatments. If upper payment limits are set below pharmacies’ acquisition costs, pharmacists could be forced to dispense drugs at a loss or stop carrying certain drugs altogether. This puts patient access at risk, especially those who depend on nearby, trusted community-based pharmacies. Illinois’ health care system is already incredibly fragile. HB 1443 advances policy with no record of lowering costs for patients or supporting the sustainability of community pharmacies. Don’t force community pharmacies to choose between financial loss and patient access. We urge you to oppose HB 1443. Paid for by PharmaScript and the Greater Chicagoland Black Chamber of Commerce
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It’s Time To Bring Safer Rides To Illinois
Thursday, May 28, 2026 - Posted by Advertising Department [The following is a paid advertisement.] Waymo is ready to bring safe, reliable, autonomous rides to Illinois – but we need your help! Waymo is already mapping Chicago’s unique streets and traffic patterns to lay the groundwork for operations. Never tired or distracted, Waymo provides hundreds of thousands of fully autonomous rides every week across ten major U.S. cities, from Los Angeles to Atlanta — from multi-lane expressways to dense city streets, including the demands of winter weather. The data shows Waymo’s autonomous vehicles are involved in thirteen times fewer injury-causing collisions compared to humans (as of 3/20/26, see waymo.com/safety). Let’s bring safer rides to Illinois. 
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The cost of flat budgets in our inflationary era
Thursday, May 28, 2026 - Posted by Rich Miller * Tribune…
$25.56 million at the beginning of Fiscal Year 2021 is $32.85 million in today’s dollars. So, the requested $6.5 million increase would still leave the program almost a million dollars short of where it was.
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No Cuts. Increase Funding. Save Lives.
Thursday, May 28, 2026 - Posted by Advertising Department [The following is a paid advertisement.] These hospitals are lifelines for Black and Brown communities, providing critical care, supporting local jobs, and stabilizing entire neighborhoods. After years of chronic underinvestment, many are already operating on the edge. Even small cuts could lead to closures, fewer services, and dangerous gaps in care. The message is urgent and clear: Illinois cannot balance its budget on the backs of vulnerable communities. Protecting these hospitals means more than preventing cuts, it means increasing investment so they can meet the growing needs of the people they serve. Fully fund and strengthen safety-net hospitals. Lives depend on it. Paid for by Association of Safety-Net Community Hospitals
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It’s almost a law
Thursday, May 28, 2026 - Posted by Isabel Miller * Crain’s…
Gov. JB Pritzker…
The Illinois Insurance Association, the American Property Casualty Insurance Association, and the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies…
* The Secure AI Project…
Senate Republican Leader John Curran…
* Planned Parenthood Illinois Action…
* More… * Press release | Hanson Railroad Safety Initiative for School Districts Sent to Governor: House Bill 3743 requires school districts across the state to provide rail safety language in the student handbook. This new language includes information about existing laws on rail safety, best practices when walking or driving nearby or over train tracks, and other general advice to help avoid a train-related accident. For school districts that are not located near train tracks or feel railroad safety is not necessary to include in their handbook, they have the ability to opt out of the requirement. […] House Bill 3743 passed both chambers and is headed to the governor’s desk. * Press release | Briel-Backed Bill Launching Blue Envelope Program Sent to Governor: Briel was integral to passing House Bill 4472, which creates the Blue Envelope Program in partnership with the Secretary of State’s office. Those diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum may use the envelopes to hold documents required to operate a motor vehicle. With all necessary information in one location, individuals can locate documents easily in potentially high stress situations. This measure will help both first responders and drivers in the neurodivergent community feel safe and prepared in their interactions. Additionally, first responders will be able to identify and aid neurodivergent individuals by their blue envelope and work to anticipate any communication barriers during law enforcement interactions.
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Illinois Hospitals: Supporting Our State With Over 500,000 Jobs – Pass HB 2371 SA 2 To Support Patients And Hospitals
Thursday, May 28, 2026 - Posted by Advertising Department [The following is a paid advertisement.] With affordability a top concern, our state’s hospitals remain strong contributors to the Illinois economy, supporting workers through over half a million jobs and fueling $135.5 billion in economic activity every year. Illinois hospitals are major employers and economic engines that build stronger communities—in addition to their role in enhancing health and providing lifesaving care. Illinois hospitals are essential to the state, the communities they serve and the patients they care for. Across Illinois, over 40% of residents rely on Medicaid and Medicare for their health coverage. Both government payers do not cover the full cost of care, leaving hospitals with continual deficits in the face of rising costs and massive cuts in H.R. 1. Illinois is expected to see a 19% decrease from 10-year federal baseline Medicaid spending—one of the highest percentage reductions in the U.S.—and up to $57 billion in lost Medicaid funding over 10 years. Continuing to lose drug discounts required of pharmaceutical manufacturers would be yet another blow to hospitals that would impact the most vulnerable patients. House Bill 2371 SA 2 is urgently needed to preserve access to care for patients struggling to make ends meet and the nonprofit hospitals that care for them. Stand with patients and the healthcare safety net: VOTE YES on HB 2371 SA 2! Learn more.
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Isabel’s morning briefing
Thursday, May 28, 2026 - Posted by Isabel Miller * ICYMI: Illinois lawmakers pass landmark AI accountability bill. Capitol News Illinois…
- SB315 is targeted towards the most capable models developed by the largest companies through its thresholds — $500 million in revenue and a massive computing measurement. OpenAI and Anthropic both supported the bill throughout its process and it passed the House 110-0. - The bill would require developers to create and publish a transparency framework explaining how the company applies industry standards, measures model capabilities and chance of catastrophic risk, and identifies and responds to safety incidents. * Related stories… Sponsored by PhRMA  * At 1 pm, Gov. JB Pritzker will deliver remarks at the 2026 Illinois Law Enforcement Medal of Honor Ceremony. Click here to watch. * BlueRoomStream.com’s coverage of today’s press conferences and committee hearings can be found here. * Tribune | Illinois makes case to lead off Democrats’ 2028 presidential primary, citing diversity and Trump resistance: The Illinois delegation argued that the state reflected the country as a whole, including sizable Black and Hispanic populations, a strong labor movement, and a mix of urban, suburban and rural communities. “While Illinois is not considered a traditional battleground state, it mirrors the nation across race, income, education, geography and industry,” said Democratic Party of Illinois Chair Lisa Hernández, a state representative. “Illinois is where President (Barack) Obama built a movement that reached across communities, expanded the electorate, and gave millions of people hope in the future of this country.” * Capitol News Illinois | Reducing gas tax, prepping for future shortfalls among late budget sticking points: “When we look at Springfield, a week can be a month and a day can be a week,” Sen. Robert Peters, D-Chicago, said at a news conference on Wednesday. “And so a lot can happen and a lot of conversations can happen, but I can say, you know, my guess is this is going to be a tight vote and a tight conversation.” * Crain’s | To save Bears deal, Springfield may shrink it: Legislators are now discussing options that would limit the use of the PILOT payment program for the Bears in Arlington Heights, or all of Cook County, while punting negotiations on a statewide program until later, according to people familiar with the negotiations. […] “No decisions have been made regarding modifications to the bill,” Cunningham said. * Tribune | Fundraiser for Illinois GOP governor candidate Darren Bailey delayed after Tribune raised ethics law questions: Bailey campaign spokesman Jose Durbin said in a text message Wednesday that the event would be rescheduled “for a later date.” As a state senator in 2021, Bailey voted in favor of the law. The Illinois General Assembly is scheduled to be in session through at least Sunday. The Barrington Township Republican Organization had invited supporters in an online advertisement to “a very private dinner” Thursday at a South Barrington restaurant with Bailey and running mate Aaron Del Mar. The $500-per-plate dinner, limited to 25 seats, would be “paid for by the BTRO with all NET proceeds from dinner benefiting Bailey for Illinois,” according to a digital flyer featuring pictures of the candidates and their campaign logo. * Tribune | Illinois HIV advocates seek $6.5M funding boost as Trump cuts threaten medication access for thousands: “If you are a person living with HIV and you cannot secure your medications, it is going to progress to an AIDS diagnosis,” said Jackson, who was diagnosed with HIV 17 years ago. “And people are going to die.” But with a tight state budget and many lawmakers reluctant to commit to new spending, advocates like Jackson realize it’s an uphill battle. Still, groups like AIDS Foundation Chicago are calling for a $6.5 million increase in the state’s HIV “lump sum” — a collection of grants and programs dedicated to HIV and AIDS testing, treatment, education and more — to minimize damage from federal funding cuts. The HIV lump sum of $25.56 million has not been increased since the 2021 budget. * Daily Herald | ‘Our suburbs have been ignored for too long’: Palatine native saddles up for independent gubernatorial run: His agenda includes lowering property taxes, holding state spending in check, bringing down energy prices, reducing health care costs and building new affordable, quality housing. He also cited reforming the Department of Children and Family Services and speeding up improvements to roads and bridges. * Capitol News Illinois | Durbin warns of deep divisions in farewell address to Illinois lawmakers: “The challenge we face in the days ahead could be just as serious,” Durbin said, referring to efforts to undermine democratic norms like accepting the outcomes of elections. “I hope that those of us blessed to live in this Land of Lincoln will remember his warnings in 1858 and his counsel to those who lead this nation in our time.” Durbin delivered what was billed as a farewell address, reflecting on his record in office while urging state lawmakers gathered to pick up the torch for the causes he championed. * WGN | Victor Henderson enters race for Chicago school board president: Attorney Victor Henderson has joined the five-person race for Chicago’s first elected school board president. During an interview on The Point with WGN-TV Political Editor Tahman Bradley, Henderson said he’s leaning on his faith and a focus on students as the campaign gets underway. “For me, this is about doing God’s work. The politics, leave those to other people,” he said. * A City That Works | Chicago’s 2025 scoreboard shows gains and warning signs: Unfortunately, most of the municipal-level economic data only runs back to 2024 and covers the region as opposed to the city proper. It’s also unfortunate that the picture is rather mediocre. Chicago remains a large, diversified economy, but in 2024, our GDP grew at a rather weak 1.43%, far slower than our peer city average. On a per-capita basis things look a little better: Chicago’s 3.85% growth was only slightly behind the 4.6% average of other cities. There are some nice bits of good news when looking at more vulnerable residents. Chicago’s unemployment and poverty rates are both a bit lower than the average for our peers. It’s particularly encouraging to see the share of residents living below the federal poverty line fall two-tenths of a percentage point. * CBS Chicago | Mayor Johnson and Chicago delegation arrive to meet with pope in Rome: Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson arrived in Italy Thursday morning, preparing to meet with Pope Leo XIV. Vince Gerasole reports from the Vatican. * Block Club | Edgewater Street Named For LGBTQ+ Activist Lori Cannon, A ‘Firecracker’ With A ‘Heart Of Gold’: Munroe said that her mother would’ve said, “What a fuss!” — but secretly would have loved it. Cannon had a “heart of gold,” but she was an also a firecracker, exemplified in her signature bright red hair, Munro said. “When she loved you and cared about you, you felt it,” she said. Several people called Cannon an “AIDS angel,” someone who stepped up at a time when the government was turning its back on people affected by HIV and AIDS, attendees said at the sign unveiling. * Daily Southtown | Calumet City aldermen attorneys seek dismissal of lawsuit from Mayor Thaddeus Jones: Attorneys representing Calumet City aldermen are asking a Cook County judge to dismiss a lawsuit brought by Mayor Thaddeus Jones that seeks to prevent them from representing the city in ongoing proceedings. The City Council appointed Odelson, Murphey, Frazier and McGrath, a firm based in Evergreen Park, to represent them in December, after repeatedly asking for legal support from hired attorneys Ancel Glink, a Chicago firm, to no avail, 2nd Ward Ald. Monet Wilson said. “We could email Ancel Glink, call, and not receive responses,” Wilson said. “And then they were heavily supportive or responsive to the mayor.” * Tribune | Judge gives Hawthorne Race Course go-ahead to investigate its allegations that the state is improperly cutting its funds: * Evanston Now | State parking law to impact ‘majority of the city’: With just days to go before the state’s new People Over Parking Act goes into effect, city attorneys briefed the City Council Tuesday night about the impacts of the law, which will essentially prevent the city from requiring parking minimums for nearly all new housing developments. The law, passed by the General Assembly in late October and signed by Gov. JB Pritzker in early December, is part of a larger transit overhaul bill, but includes a section wiping away all parking minimum requirements for developers within walking distance to transit hubs. * Daily Herald | Rolling Meadows mayor hopes to ‘keep both the Bears and Springfield accountable’ on infrastructure: During her annual state of the city address Wednesday, Sanoica doubled down on recent asks for a say about the type of infrastructure upgrades that would be needed around a Bears stadium at the team’s 326-acre property in Arlington Heights. And like her counterparts in Palatine and Schaumburg — Jim Schwantz and Tom Dailly, respectively — Sanoica reiterated her frustration that the NFL club’s consultants haven’t yet completed a transportation/traffic study more than three years after the team acquired the former Arlington Park site. * Shaw Local | Home rule for McHenry County? Voter request floated amid money pressure, loss of local control: Officials are considering going to voters with a home-rule request during the November election. When asked about the timing during a discussion at county law and government committee meeting, Republican County board member Joe Gottemoller said, “Springfield’s in the middle of taking away our rights.” Board member Matt Kunkle, also a Republican, said the level of taxation in Illinois is “egregious.” And if there is one county that can get home rule, it might be McHenry, he said, adding he thinks the board would continue to look for ways to reduce spending and taxes even if home rule is adopted. * Fox Chicago | Oak Park leaders demand answers after West Suburban Medical Center closure: On Tuesday, local pastors and medical staff gathered outside the largely shuttered facility — demanding answers and a clear path forward. They say West Suburban Medical Center has long served as a vital resource for many area families and losing it could be detrimental to their well-being. “This issue can no longer be ignored. For many in our community, this hospital was more than a medical facility — it was a lifeline,” said Pastor Lajuan Whitfield with New Life Holiness Church. * Aurora Beacon-News | Kane County’s 2027 budget process is underway, with plans to present a draft budget as early as July: Central to its plans thus far are planned 5% cuts in expenses from the previous year, with the goal of using little to none of the county’s cash reserves to balance the coming year’s budget — a priority that has been years in the making. Kane County has been facing a looming budget shortfall in its general fund in recent years, which its board has been solving since 2023 by dipping into the county’s cash reserves. * WGLT | State Farm reduces base compensation for 19,000 agents: State Farm has told its 19,000 agents it is making significant changes to the compensation and benefits package for agents. Several agents have said this will substantially reduce their earnings. The Bloomington-based company is also cutting benefits for retired insurance agents. State Farm briefly mentioned the changes last month at the agency convention and sent a pre-recorded video and follow-up email Monday. * WCIA | Police Chief says new cameras at Danville parks will add ‘extra layer’ of protection: The cameras utilize a different infrastructure than the city’s license plate reading flock cameras, according to Yates. The chief also said there will be more scheduled patrols this summer to keep parks and other areas safe. * WCIA | iHotel investigated by Illinois Department of Labor for violations of paid leave law: In the iHotel’s case, IDOL officials said allegations were made that employees were not receiving proper paid leave accruals and that part-time employees were unable to use accrued leave. After reviewing the iHotel’s paid leave records, the IDOL found that employees were not accruing paid leave at the rate required by law, that employees could not use leave after 90 days of employment, and that the iHotel maintained a blanket seven-day advance notice requirement, including for unforeseeable leave requests. * Illinois Times | Springfield group takes part in national training to help build a poor people’s movement: The focus of the family-friendly Survival Revival will be on housing insecurity, reforming qualified immunity – which shields law enforcement officers from individual civil liability in lawsuits –and working to preserve democracy through voter education, registration and mobilization. Survival Revival will have free food, speakers, information booths, live music, performances and activities for children. * WAND | Submerged Route 66 experience offers unique look at hidden history: Just off the dock at Lake Springfield, past the lighthouse and beneath several bridges, sits a hidden piece of Route 66 history — underwater. “In 1935, this area was flooded, and we got Lake Springfield now, which is almost 4,000 acres,” said Penny Black, a tour guide with the Route 66 Submerged Experience. “The road ends at Cotton Hill, and it was dynamited at the end to fill in the lake.” * Sun-Times | DOJ investigation referred E. Jean Carroll for prosecution in Chicago: Prosecutors are focused on a 2022 deposition by Carroll in which she said she received no outside funding for her legal action against Trump, though it was later revealed that billionaire LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman had chipped in for some legal fees and expenses, CNN reported. Hoffman has a nonprofit based in Chicago. In January 2024, as Trump closed in on the Republican presidential nomination, a jury awarded $83.3 million to Carroll in that same suit for Trump’s continued social media attacks against her over her claims that he sexually assaulted her in a Manhattan department store. That total includes a $5 million sexual abuse and defamation verdict in May 2023 she was awarded by another jury. * LA Times | ‘Facing an existential threat’: How Uber is navigating clashes with trial attorneys, assault lawsuits and competition: Uber is locked in a bitter California ballot-box showdown with trial lawyers over contingency-fee limits and “common carrier” status, a fight that could reshape its liability and rider protections. […] Uber is facing more than 3,100 sexual assault cases that have been consolidated in federal court in San Francisco and more than 500 state cases also combined under a Superior Court judge in the city. Uber won the first “bellwether” case — intended to assist in determining a possible settlement of the lawsuits — last year in San Francisco. A jury determined the company was not liable in a state case involving a UC Santa Cruz student who said she fought off an assault by a driver in 2016.
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Good morning!
Thursday, May 28, 2026 - Posted by Rich Miller * This one goes out to my great friend Greg Baise, who I haven’t seen in far too long and is the biggest Leon Russell fan I know. Hope things are well, man… I’ve been so many places in my life and time * This is an Illinois open thread.
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Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Supplement to today’s edition (Updated)
Thursday, May 28, 2026 - Posted by Rich Miller
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Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today’s edition of Capitol Fax (use all CAPS in password)
Thursday, May 28, 2026 - Posted by Rich Miller
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Selected press releases (Live updates)
Thursday, May 28, 2026 - Posted by Isabel Miller
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