Chicago School Politics: Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office opened applications for a state-required noncitizen advisory panel to advise the Chicago Board of Education, with 17 appointees expected by early November ahead of the fully elected board vote. Local Governance & Debt: A Chicago City Council finance committee backed raising the vote threshold for future city borrowing to three-fifths, a move that could limit how easily a minority can block debt. Courts & Health Policy: A federal judge temporarily blocked Illinois’ medical aid-in-dying law from being enforced against Catholic healthcare providers, while the law remains in effect for other providers. Immigration & Green Cards: New York and a coalition of cities and states, including Chicago, sued to stop a Trump DHS “public charge” rule that would make it harder for some immigrants to get green cards based on use of public benefits. Energy Transition: Illinois regulators’ first battery storage procurement step cleared the way for about 600 megawatts of new utility-scale storage by 2030, pushing the state toward its solar and wind goals. Public Safety: Chicago police are investigating the theft of a rifle, ammunition, and a bulletproof vest from a DEA agent’s vehicle. Education Budget Meetings: New Hope School District’s board will consider its FY 2027 budget and a property donation for a roadway, while an Illinois State student government group approved its 2026-27 budget and office changes. Business & Retail: JCPenney plans to open a new store in Burbank to replace its shuttered Ford City Mall location.