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Top Illinois Stories
"In Chicago, radicals gathered for a conference on Marxism during what many view as the heyday of socialism in the United States. The Democratic Socialists of America is now larger and more powerful than at any time in our history.... Speakers in Chicago used the conference to push supporters to the next stage in the movement, including some openly calling for violence and the end to capitalism."
The lawsuit says the move “excludes medically necessary healthcare services from federal reimbursement only when provided to low-income transgender adolescents” while flying in the face of how Medicare and Medicaid exclusions have traditionally been set — by the states.
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Neighbors and local officials tired of “corporate abandonment” have pitched city-funded alternatives to support independent pharmacies. Just this June, Pritzker announced $25 million to support 434 Illinois pharmacies most at risk of closure or financial strain in rural and low-income communities.
“I just had a huge problem with that,” state Rep. Travis Weaver said, “since we actually didn’t budget any revenue from the new taxes. What we did was budget additional cash for the attorney general to defend them.”
Advocates collected almost 9,000 signatures to put two binding referendum questions on the Nov. 3 ballot. One would ask whether voters should be able to recall the mayor, and the other whether they should be able to recall at-large aldermen. Aurora has two at-large aldermen and 10 who are elected.
Retired Police Chief Tom Weitzel: "A familiar pattern is developing across America whenever law enforcement gets a new tool that actually works. First comes technology. Then come legitimate questions about how to regulate it. Then comes an isolated case—or several cases—of misuse. Finally, instead of demanding that police chiefs establish strong policies, conduct audits, and discipline officers who violate those policies, politicians and activists now demand that the tool itself be eliminated."
“Student journalists are the best watchdogs for a college campus because they’re the ones who are on the ground,” said Marie McMullan, of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. “Sometimes, though, there are officials, government officials, in the case of a public university or college campus, who use that moniker of ‘student’ almost as a way to try to limit their rights when they still have press rights, they still have speech rights, and they should be able to freely publish without fear of intimidation.”
Both Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker and Republican nominee Darren Bailey traveled to Dallas to court supporters in and around the Republican National Convention. But each showed up with very different agendas: Pritzker used the event to widen his campaign against President Donald Trump, and Bailey sought his own exposure for policy ideas and money.
The Pretrial Fairness Act requires the judicial branch to collect data—including the ethnicity, gender, charges, case outcomes, and rearrests—on people facing trial. The Office of Statewide Pretrial Services does maintain a public dashboard that includes the number of ongoing misdemeanor and felony investigations, the seriousness of crimes, the percentage of people eligible for detention under the law, and the number of people on electronic monitoring in most of the state’s 102 counties. But it lacks required information such as the percentage of people who appear in court, the outcomes of trial verdicts, and the demographics of people detained pretrial in
Backed by an influx of taxpayer funds, the Northern Illinois Transit Authority board has voted to expand reduced fare programs for students and Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program recipients.
Thirty-three percent of Illinois students said using violence to stop someone from speaking on campus is acceptable, at least in rare cases, compared with 30 percent nationally.
"The Act exempts healthcare professionals from any duty to provide aid-in-dying care, states that a healthcare provider 'may choose not to engage in aid-in-dying care,' and provides that 'only willing healthcare professionals shall provide aid-in-dying care in accordance with the Act," U.S. District Judge John J. Tharp wrote.
Jim Dey: "Anyone looking for more proof that Illinois’ child-protection agency has an impossible job it does badly should take a look at the latest state audit outlining its most recent shortcomings."
Illinois House Republican Leader Tony McCombie said Gov. JB Pritzker can’t keep blaming President Trump for Illinois’ problems. “His new PAC and latest trip to Texas make his priorities clear: national ambition over Illinois families. Instead of trying to buy his way onto the national stage, he should focus on the state he was elected to lead,” McCombie said.
Pritzker accused Republicans of knowing they cannot win elections based on their unpopular policies and claimed they are instead working to “rig the 2026 election.” Pritzker called the alleged effort a “disgraceful attack” and urged voters to pay close attention to the fight over the upcoming midterms.
According to Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s office, the settlement will ensure most customers see a decrease in their monthly bill during non-heat months by reducing a fixed charge down from $21.30 to $15 beginning Nov. 16. Nicor must also accept a reduction in the profit it can make on its infrastructure investments, according to Raoul’s office, and has pledged to protect union jobs through next year.
The Republican congressman said it is common sense to require an ID to vote, which is why he has repeatedly voted to pass the SAVE America Act. “One, [the bill] requires an ID to vote … two, requires you to prove you’re a U.S. citizen to vote. Again, common sense,” he said. “Thirdly, it has a review of our mail-in ballot system to make sure that there’s no improprieties there. I think those are all good things.”
“House Republicans have multiple ethics bills ready to help clean up our state government and hold officials accountable. The majority party claims they can govern. Well, let's see it,” state Rep. Travis Weaver said. “HB 1554 prohibits public officials from using campaign funds to pay for criminal defense and HB 1727 would prevent public officials charged or indicted on a felony from collecting pension benefits.”
Alan Jernigan, of the American Legislative Exchange Council, said Illinois has higher wages but fewer opportunities. “The reality of the situation is with minimum wages in Illinois having one of the higher ones in the country, what that really does is it prices out those entry-level jobs and those opportunities for people that want to get started in their careers,” he said.
Last month, Sangamon County Judge Jack Davis issued an order requiring DCFS Director Heidi Mueller to appear and explain why the agency has not followed the judge’s orders or appeared in court on the case at all this year.
That’s roughly seven times the average annual salary in the state.
In Illinois, Nebraska and other states, family farms are colliding with estate- and inheritance-tax thresholds tied to an illiquid asset. Many of the states that tax wealth at death have already built in relief in ways than can inform policymakers still fighting about it. 
Pritzker noted the Surplus to Success program, a $300 million initiative aimed at remediating state-owned properties which have been left vacant for decades.
The Responsibility in Firearms Legislation Act, a bill coming before the Illinois General Assembly, would require gunmakers to contribute to a state fund that would help offset the costs shouldered by taxpayers and the individuals directly affected by a shooting. If passed, the law would be a first of its kind in the country. Other states have considered similar bills, but none have become law.
State Rep. Dave Severin, a Republican, and the governor took a photo with a constituent at the DuQuoin State Fair after its opening, which was used to allegedly create an AI-generated photo of the two officials that sparked threatening comments about the lawmaker.
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said former President Joe Biden would have had a booming economy if there was any correlation between rampant illegal immigration and a good economy.
Michael McCuskey will resign that watchdog post amid criticism about his ability to handle investigations. It’s the latest twist for a post that McCuskey’s two immediate predecessors described as “broken” and a “paper tiger.” Prior to that, the LIG’s office sat vacant for three years.
Creating a PAC that invests in candidates beyond his home state can help build relationships, generate goodwill and accumulate political capital that could prove valuable in a future White House bid.
Top Chicago Stories
A review of public data shows 35 percent of Chicago’s public schools are less than half full. “They’re missing all the things that kind of make school, school, right?” said Hal Woods, of Kids First Chicago. “The ability to have a drama program. To be able to participate in athletics, all the…things that make school an exciting place for kids to go.”
"The CTU no longer operates solely as a traditional labor organization focused on workplace representation. It has transitioned into a political organization whose broader goals frequently conflict with working-class families and the broader labor movement. The political alignments of CTU leadership — including partnerships with ideological groups whose members have publicly attacked city public safety departments — reflect this shift in priorities."
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"The Cook County judge who released repeat violent felon Alphanso Talley on electronic monitoring before he was charged with killing a Chicago police officer is accused of holding two courtroom deputies in contempt this week for not immediately removing handcuffs from a different inmate charged with murder. It’s an upside-down world in Judge John Lyke’s courtroom, where deputies are locked up and repeat violent offenders are sent home."
According to comptroller Louis Williams, about a third of the city’s budget comes from real estate taxes. Without them, the city is in a “cash flow crunch.”
Over the past week, he has posted videos of himself directing traffic as part of what he has dubbed a “Stop the Bull$HI+” campaign to get help from the city and other agency departments. “How long will it take for city departments to have someone out here to direct traffic? Let’s see, shall we?” Vasquez posted on Instagram on day two of his social media campaign.
Speaking about the 2027 budget forecast, Ald. Jason Ervin said, "It’s probably the most honest interpretation of the city’s financial condition that I’ve seen in my 16-year tenure as an alderman. For us to talk about having our pension obligations fully disclosed and put on the table. To have the lawsuits and settlements that we know exist fully disclosed and put on the table — it’s something that we have not seen, which is part of the driving factors of an $882 million deficit."
However, several City Council members have spun up a competing renter’s ordinance without relocation fees or just cause eviction provisions.
"She pointed specifically to proposals such as a corporate head tax and digital advertising tax as policies she wants to help explain to residents."
A group of 40 to 50 sheriff's officers patrol the Mag Mile every day of the week, and have made more than 100 arrests so far this year. So far this year, sheriff's officers also have recovered more than 20 weapons during arrests on or near the Mag Mile.
"It's depressing, because this is such a beautiful city and we're in the heart of it, and we're proud of it and we love being here," 20-year resident Kim Cooper said. "I don't blame this on any certain group of people. I just want help. That's all. Just help."
Wednesday’s victim is the seventh person shot in the Loop this year, up from five at this point last year. One of the 2025 shootings was ruled self-defense. At this point in 2024, eight people had been shot, including two shootings ruled self-defense.
Fourteen lawsuits naming ormer Chicago Police Detective Reynaldo Guevara have now been resolved by paying Chicagoans who had been wrongfully convicted of murder a total of $141.9 million, records show. It cost more than $25.4 million to defend the city, Guevara and the other officers named in those lawsuits, according to records obtained through the Freedom of Information Act.
For four days, a Chicago man emailed the city’s Office of Inspector General warning that he planned to kill his neighbor. On the fifth day, according to prosecutors, he did. And, incredibly, it happened almost a year after Chicago police failed to arrest him for allegedly shooting another neighbor outside the same South Side two-flat.
Alderpeople Desmon Yancy, Peter Chico, Matt O’Shea and Silvana Tabares: "Political uncertainty around the mayoral election will dominate the thought process of every potential superintendent candidate and will cloud the recruitment for the role. None of this means qualified candidates will refuse to apply. But many won’t because they will be reluctant to seek one of the most scrutinized leadership roles in America in the middle of a politically tumultuous citywide election in which the outcome is far from certain."
A program that "despite its flaws has a demonstrable upside."
Ald. Brendan Reilly unleashed most of his anger at Mayor Brandon Johnson’s top aides, senior mayoral adviser Jason Lee and chief of staff Cristina Pacione-Zayas, who chose not to appear. Instead, they sent Johnson’s chief financial officer, who’s been on the job for a few weeks. “If I’m a taxpayer in the city of Chicago, I’m disgusted,” Reilly said. “The mayor is not doing his job enforcing the [host agreement]. They’re allowing folks to play games with union jobs, people’s livelihoods and honestly, our police and fire pensions — which require this casino to be incredibly successful.”
Mayor Brandon Johnson said the building at the corner of Clark and Monroe offers 117 residential units and more than a third of the units are affordable. "The $64.2 million conversion was supported with $28 million in city TIF assistance as part of my administration's commitment to investing in housing and creating more affordable city for everyone," Johnson said.
Mayor Brandon Johnson credited the reduction in violence to an increased presence of Community Violence Interrupters, or CVIs, and to collaboration between CVIs and the Chicago Police Department.
"Fifteen human beings shot in one Chicago park in a matter of moments. In any other city, any normal city, this would be a cause for civic outrage. People would rise up demanding that the “mayor” do something about it. In this sick city, the only outrage is over the fact the Trump administration had the temerity to call out the city for its perpetual status as the murder capital of America."
"But after a year, uncertainty over process can no longer explain the absence of answers. Franklin Park ultimately turned to Illinois State Police to investigate (Silverio Villegas) González’s killing. Evanston police investigated federal agents for months before formally asking the Cook County state’s attorney’s office for specialized assistance. Chicago established procedures for investigating alleged crimes by federal immigration agents and has reportedly assigned specialized investigators to (Marimar) Martinez’s shooting."
The Chicago Department of Family and Support Services has launched online applications for the $15 million Disaster Relief Assistance Program. Residents can get reimbursed for documented expenses like rent, mortgage payments, and utility bills.
CPD initially reported that the man had jumped from the train near 69th Street and landed on the third rail, “where he remained incapacitated,” before being struck by an oncoming train. But investigators later determined that the man had been involved in an altercation with three men aboard the train around 2:30 p.m.
Ald. Nicole Lee, whose ward includes Bridgeport, said 35-year-old Rate Field has “life left” in it — though the area around it needs sprucing up. “Taken together, this plan would be devastating for our community,” who live just hundreds of feet from the proposed site of the new Amtrak facility, said Lee. “We know we have to modernize the stadium and modernize and develop these areas along 35th Street."
"What dismays me is not that the violence happened. Rather, it is the tolerance. I’ve seen communities elsewhere in America go into an uproar over one death and demand lasting change. On the South Side, 15 people are shot at a picnic, and our leaders can’t even muster a sincere thought. ... Mayor Brandon Johnson brags about his Blacker-than-thou administration and demands diversity reports from city bidders. Yet where is he?"
"'You just say, the following offenses are not eligible for electronic monitoring, and there can be negotiation on what those offenses can be,' O'Neill Burke told us. Exactly. Begin that discussion, Springfield Democrats."
The Chicago Teachers Union has spent almost $236,000 on eight candidates it has endorsed for the first fully elected Chicago school board, with most of it going to the CTU staffer running for president. In the 2024 school board election, the union funneled $2.8 million to candidates.
Wirepoints Research and Commentary
State investment totals have skyrocketed since 2015 from about $10 billion to over $41 billion and political abuse of the money has been common. The money is currently returning just 3.7% per year. 
Most of Illinois' local municipal pensions are distressed and hundreds are deeply distressed, imposing a costly drag on the towns and cities that sponsor them. SIGN UP HERE FOR FREE WIREPOINTS DAILY NEWSLETTER
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There's an irony surrounding the battles over solar farms in Illinois. Residents are being forced – through mandatory surcharges in their electric bills – to pay for the very subsidies that help make solar projects profitable. Their own money is being used to finance solar farms that many residents don’t want. That’s exactly what’s playing out in Effingham today. 
Summary and audio 
Much of the routine trade and investment between China and America is entirely appropriate and in America's interest. But inserting the Chinese Communist Party into America's pay-to-play system and its economic development strategy isn't just crossing a line. It's a leap into an abyss of stupidity. 
Illinois paid the price for embracing Fauci's "science." Here's the retrospective. 
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