AGP Executive Report

Public Safety Funding: The Illinois State Fire Marshal announced $6 million in 2026 Small Equipment Grants for 260 fire departments and EMS providers statewide, with awards up to $26,000. Transportation Law: Illinois lawmakers passed a bill regulating faster e-bikes and e-motos over 28 mph as motor vehicles starting Jan. 1, 2027, requiring driver’s licenses, insurance, and registration. Labor & Gig Work: Uber and Lyft drivers in Illinois can now unionize after a bill passed in Springfield, moving collective bargaining rights to the state’s rideshare workforce. Elections & Schools: A bill by Rep. Maura Hirschauer allows school boards to use certified e-learning programs for election days when schools serve as polling places, while Illinois also faces a wave of ballot challenges for Chicago’s first fully elected school board. Health & Courts: A Catholic diocese and a Rockford pregnancy center are appealing a challenge to an Illinois law they say would force them to hire workers who reject their religious and pro-life missions. Chicago Spotlight: The Obama Presidential Center is giving media previews ahead of its June 19 public opening, with a Juneteenth start date.

Chicago Gun Violence Tech: Chicago alderpersons and gun violence survivors are pressing for answers on replacing ShotSpotter, with the city still without a clear successor nearly a year after bids were submitted. State Courts & Justice: The Illinois Supreme Court created a Pretrial Accountability Task Force to study the state’s pretrial system and recommend changes aimed at fairness, transparency, and public safety. Local Housing Control: Island Lake adopted a resolution reaffirming local zoning authority and urging Springfield to preserve municipal control over housing policy, pushing back on “Section 8 Everywhere” ideas. Credit Card Fees Fight: Gov. Jared Polis vetoed a swipe-fee bill in Colorado, a reminder that Illinois’s own swipe-fee efforts remain politically and legally contested. Utility Rates: Consumer advocates are challenging Illinois American Water’s $142.4 million rate hike request before the Illinois Commerce Commission, arguing the proposal overstates profits and assumptions. Public Safety Tragedy: A Berwyn man was charged in a crash that killed an Illinois Tollway worker and injured two others on I-294. Youth Summer Access: Chicago and the YMCA announced free summer YMCA memberships for teens across multiple locations. Obama Presidential Center: The Obama Presidential Center in Chicago is nearing its June 19 opening, with major museum and campus details drawing national attention.

Chicago Mayoral Race (2027): Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza says she’s running again for Chicago mayor, setting up a crowded field and sharpening scrutiny of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s agenda and finances. City Budget Process: Johnson’s administration is kicking off the 2027 budget roundtable series this week, with multiple public meetings across neighborhoods and a youth-focused session. Public Safety & Courts: The “Broadview 6” case continues to reverberate after federal prosecutors faced criticism and charges were dropped, while lawmakers and advocates press for accountability. Illinois Budget & Taxes: Illinois lawmakers passed a record $56B budget that adds new taxes tied to prediction markets, fantasy sports, cryptocurrency, and digital ads—raising questions about costs and who pays. Healthcare Access: Ald. William Hall proposes a City Office of Pharmacy Access to address growing “pharmacy deserts” as store closures leave residents without easy prescription pickup. Workplace Rights: An EEOC lawsuit alleges Alight Solutions violated the ADA by denying diabetes accommodations and firing an employee. Immigration & Detention: International students at NIU say shifting federal rules have made life harder, as visa uncertainty and reinstatements continue to affect enrollment. Community Programs: The YMCA will offer free summer memberships for Chicago teens, aiming to provide safe, structured spaces amid ongoing concerns about teen gatherings.

Budget Deal: Illinois lawmakers approved a $55.9B FY27 budget early Monday after a late-night session slog, freezing parts of the gas tax increase and adding new taxes tied to digital and gaming sectors while spending stays essentially flat. School Policy: Gov. JB Pritzker is set to sign a statewide “bell-to-bell” cellphone ban for public and charter schools, with exceptions for health, special education, and caregiving needs. ICE Enforcement: Illinois Democrats advanced a bill restricting where federal ICE detention centers can be located, moving it to Pritzker’s desk. Workplace Rights: A new Illinois law took effect June 1 giving parents unpaid, job-protected leave when a newborn is admitted to the NICU. Privacy & Tech: The AHA and Illinois hospital group urged a federal appeals court to dismiss a lawsuit over hospital website tracking tech, while Ring faces a new federal privacy suit over its facial recognition “Familiar Faces” feature. Local Government: Hancock County amended its solar siting ordinance to comply with state rules by June 1, and Peoria’s city council unanimously approved a controversial 70-foot Verizon cell tower despite resident concerns. Courts & Safety: An Illinois appeals panel paused an insurer’s fight over coverage in a Freeburg school sex abuse case, and a judge kept a Chicago police officer-killing suspect in custody after denying pretrial release.

Credit Card Fee Fight: A federal judge issued a permanent injunction against Illinois’ “swipe fee” ban just hours after lawmakers delayed it again, putting the Interchange Fee Prohibition Act in serious jeopardy. Education Policy: Gov. JB Pritzker is set to sign a statewide “bell-to-bell” cellphone ban for public and charter schools, with exceptions for health, special education, and English-learning needs. School Curriculum Flexibility: Another education bill would let students meet foreign-language requirements through career and technical education courses, aiming to ease staffing and enrollment pressures. Health Care Access: Illinois passed HB 2371 to protect 340B contract pharmacy access for community health centers, and HB 4327 orders a state study of how 340B works in Illinois. Federal Justice Pressure: Sen. Dick Durbin and Sen. Tammy Duckworth renewed calls for Chicago U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros to resign over the “Broadview Six” case. Budget/Session Wrap: Comptroller Susana Mendoza praised the FY27 budget’s stability and Rainy Day Fund protections as the spring session ended.

Bears Stadium Stalls: Illinois lawmakers adjourned the spring session early Monday without passing a plan to keep the Chicago Bears in-state, and Gov. JB Pritzker acknowledged the team may take a deal in Indiana. State Budget: Illinois approved a record $55.9B FY27 budget early Monday, with Democrats touting investments in education, housing, healthcare and affordability, while Republicans warn it’s too spending-heavy and tax-heavy. Rideshare Labor: A bill passed that would let Illinois rideshare drivers collectively bargain and form unions, moving next to the governor. Swipe-Fee Fight: A federal judge blocked Illinois from enforcing parts of its swipe-fee law for most banks/payment networks, extending uncertainty for the policy. Data-Center Rules: The POWER Act won’t move forward this spring; lawmakers say more hearings and summer work are needed before any future vote. Local Governance: Quincy says a recovery home at 2700 Maine doesn’t need a special permit under federal housing protections. Public Health & Safety: Normal approved a kratom ban starting July 15, with fines for violations.

Bears Stadium Standoff: Illinois lawmakers adjourned without passing a Bears stadium bill, leaving the team’s options split between Arlington Heights and Hammond, Indiana; Gov. JB Pritzker said he won’t “foist” billions in taxpayer money on a billionaire-owned team, while Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson signaled openness to a new Cook County stadium-authority approach. State Budget & Taxes: The General Assembly passed a roughly $56B budget that includes new taxes on social media companies, crypto, and fantasy sports, plus a return of a back-to-school sales tax holiday (Aug. 7–16). Transit Overhaul: The Northern Illinois Transit Authority Act took effect, starting the shift from RTA to NITA and triggering a CTA/Metra/Pace funding boost via a quarter-cent sales tax. Courts & Accountability: A unanimous U.S. Supreme Court ruling backed victims’ ability to sue freight brokers over negligent hiring tied to an Illinois crash. School Funding Planning: Waukegan D60 board members discussed how to fund state-mandated school improvement plans, warning budgets may not match the “blueprint” needs. Workplace & Safety: A fatal industrial accident was reported in Anderson County, and a separate Peoria incident involved a stabbing and shooting with the suspect found nearby.

Bears Stadium Deadline Drama: Illinois lawmakers missed the midnight cutoff on a Bears-in-state plan, but a last-minute “publicly-owned stadium” framework—using Cook County municipalities to create stadium-financing authorities—remained under consideration as negotiators tried to keep the team from moving to Indiana. State Budget Push: Springfield is racing toward a nearly $56B election-year budget deal, balancing affordability messaging with new or redirected revenue, including a plan to suspend the automatic gas tax hike while using about $150M in sales tax windfalls from higher gas prices to plug gaps. School Tech Rule: Gov. JB Pritzker is set to sign a statewide bell-to-bell cellphone ban in K-12 classrooms, with limited exceptions for health, IEP needs, and emergencies. Consumer Protection in Health Care: Avelar-backed legislation cleared to create a hearing-care pricing transparency framework, aiming to curb surprise costs and require clearer benefit disclosures. Local Governance & Growth: Naperville chose a study focus on the I-88 corridor, signaling renewed zoning and revitalization planning for the area. Wildlife Update: Illinois approved a bill to remove mute swans from the protected migratory game bird list.

Bears Stadium Deadline Drama: Illinois lawmakers say the megaprojects tax-break plan to keep the Chicago Bears in Illinois lacks Senate Democratic support, with negotiators scrambling for an alternative bill as the spring session clock runs out. Budget & Session Pressure: The General Assembly heads into the final day with the FY2027 budget still unresolved and Bears talks tied to broader negotiations. NICU Leave Expansion: Starting June 1, Illinois becomes the second state to require protected leave for parents of newborns in NICUs—up to 10 or 20 days depending on employer size. Child Social Media Safety: A revised Illinois plan would restrict addictive design for youth, limit location sharing, and give parents override control; it’s moving to the Senate floor. PFAS Cleanup Push: HB 2955 would create a PFAS wastewater citizen committee and push costs toward manufacturers, not ratepayers. AI & Cancer Info Gap: New research finds online cancer information about AI is often low quality and misses key risks, urging better public-facing guidance. Workplace Rules in June: New state employment laws are rolling out, adding compliance burdens for Illinois employers. Justice Department Fallout: Nationally, Trump’s Justice Department fight over the E. Jean Carroll cases continues to raise questions about politicized investigations.

Spring Session Deadline Pressure: Illinois lawmakers are in the final stretch, with top Democrats meeting Gov. J.B. Pritzker behind closed doors as they race to finish a budget and major bills before Sunday. Bears Stadium & Mega-Projects: The “Megaprojects” package aimed at keeping the Chicago Bears in Illinois is still stalled in the Senate, with leaders saying talks will happen only when there’s something concrete. Gas Tax Timing: Pritzker says a pause on the July 1 gas tax hike is “something the legislature is going to consider,” but the clock is running as the increase is set to rise 2.7% for gasoline. Public Health & Education Lawmaking: Bills advanced on minors’ consent for birth control, AI limits in teacher evaluations, and updated nursing education and CNA training rules. Consumer/Tech Regulation: Illinois also moved forward on mobile ID privacy standards and a junk fee ban. Aviation Disruption: A United Airlines flight from Chicago to Minneapolis diverted to Wisconsin after an unruly passenger allegedly tried to breach the cockpit; the passenger was detained and the flight later resumed. Local Housing Fight: A proposal to push wealthy suburbs to build more affordable housing faces pushback from mayors. Sports Business: UIC’s women’s basketball budget rose sharply for 2024, according to federal reporting.

Data Center Guardrails: Hundreds plan to rally at the Illinois Capitol Saturday urging lawmakers to pass the POWER Act, aimed at setting guardrails for data centers before Springfield adjourns. Housing & Zoning Fight: Debate is heating up over Gov. JB Pritzker’s BUILD plan, with some Chicago neighborhood groups warning it could shift zoning power to the state and reshape local control. Utility Bill Transparency: Illinois Senate action would create an online portal separating utility charges so consumers can see fees more clearly, with the bill now headed to the House floor. Public Safety on the Streets: Chicago police and outreach groups are monitoring for possible teen “takeovers,” while city crews are also taking steps to limit access at reported hotspots. Health Policy Wins: Bills advancing to the governor would expand menopause care and workplace protections, add NICU leave requirements, and grow scholarships for future school social workers. Transportation & Costs: Illinois lawmakers are also racing on session priorities tied to Bears stadium, a possible gas tax pause, and the state budget. Local Services: Cook County announces free 2026 vets and pets rabies vaccine and microchip clinics for eligible veterans and families. Federal Legal Shock: A judge blocked the Kennedy Center from closing and ordered removal of Trump’s name, saying the board violated the law.

Election Integrity & Voting Safeguards: Illinois Republicans are pressing for resignations after a Waukegan alderman turned herself in over an alleged dead-mother vote-by-mail ballot, reigniting debate over mail-in safeguards. Public Safety & Courts: A suburban Chicago man faces serious charges after a DuPage County chase hit 108 mph, while a Peoria man pleaded guilty in a Loop 101 girlfriend murder case. Housing Policy: Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is moving toward a major renter overhaul, including a rental registry and stronger tenant protections, as landlords brace for pushback. Statehouse Watch: Illinois lawmakers are racing toward the end of session with budget talks still unresolved, while Peoria officials oppose Gov. JB Pritzker’s BUILD Illinois housing plan over local control. AI & Tech Governance: Illinois lawmakers advanced landmark AI accountability and safety measures, including audit requirements for big AI firms. Environment & Health: Chicago-area residents are under an air quality alert as ozone hits unhealthy levels for sensitive groups. Local Government Funding: Skokie’s Turning Point Behavioral Health says the state denied funding for its crisis “Living Room” program. Military & Federal Oversight: Illinois OSHA is investigating a delayed CPD report tied to an officer death.

AI Oversight: Illinois lawmakers passed a landmark AI accountability bill requiring annual third-party audits and transparency reports for the most capable AI models, sending it to Gov. Pritzker. Budget Fight: With the FY2027 budget nearing a Sunday deadline, Republicans accuse Democrats of withholding details while Democrats push new taxes to avoid future cuts. Durbin Warning: Sen. Dick Durbin used his farewell address to warn Illinois lawmakers about deep divisions and threats to election integrity. Insurance Relief: Pritzker is set to sign auto and home insurance rate protection bills, aiming to curb rate hikes as consumers brace for higher costs. Public Safety Tech: The House unanimously approved a school panic alert measure that could speed emergency response via mobile systems. Local Control Housing: New Lenox, Lincolnshire, and Manhattan adopted resolutions backing municipal zoning authority and opposing “Section 8 Everywhere.” Chicago Schools: A divided Chicago school board postponed charter renewals until after the school year. Energy Costs: Ameren customers face another summer of higher electric rates starting Monday. Courts & Consumer Rights: AHA backed dismissal of an online tracking lawsuit, while a rideshare arbitration dispute highlights limits on jury trials. Elections & GOP: DuPage auditor Jim Dey was named new Illinois GOP chair as the party tries to rebuild. Water Protection: Mahomet Aquifer commission added Tompkins and Goss to guide long-term protections.

Insurance Relief in Springfield: Illinois lawmakers passed SB714 and HB4273 to curb auto and home insurance rate hikes, requiring earlier notice (30 days for auto, 60 for home) for increases of 10%+ and giving the Department of Insurance power to block “excessive” hikes, with refunds if rates are found unreasonable. AI Oversight: Illinois also cleared a landmark AI safety bill that would require independent third-party safety audits for major “frontier” AI developers, with the law set to take effect in 2027. Micromobility Rules: A bill to regulate e-bikes and scooters (SB3336) would set age requirements, speed limits, and where riders can operate, after House approval and a Senate concurrence vote. Local Public Safety: Dixon police arrested Harley R. Delander on felony stalking and intimidation charges tied to alleged threats toward former Rep. Tom Demmer. Cook County Undercover Sting: Joseph Hoggard was charged after months of online messaging with an undercover investigator posing as a teen. Tech & Media Fight: CNN sued AI startup Perplexity over alleged unlawful copying of news content. Chicago & the Vatican: Mayor Brandon Johnson met Pope Leo XIV, discussing wars, AI, affordability, and immigration, and invited the pope to celebrate Mass in Grant Park.

AI Safety Push: Illinois lawmakers passed a frontier AI safety bill (SB 315) requiring large AI developers to undergo independent third-party audits and report major safety issues quickly, sending it to Gov. JB Pritzker. Gas Tax & Relief Fight: State Rep. Ryan Spain responded to Pritzker’s openness to gas price relief, urging a six-month suspension of the gasoline sales tax via HB 5738. DOJ Probe in Chicago: The U.S. Justice Department opened a criminal investigation into E. Jean Carroll over possible perjury tied to her civil cases against Donald Trump, with the probe reportedly led by the Northern District of Illinois. Local Housing Accountability: Ten years after NEIU used eminent domain in Albany Park, vacant properties remain and residents are pressing the university over broken promises. Transportation & Liability: A U.S. Supreme Court ruling reshapes risk for freight brokers by allowing claims tied to negligent hiring of unsafe trucking companies. Tourism Dollars: Gov. Pritzker announced $5 million in Illinois tourism grants, including Route 66, international travel, and marketing partnership programs. Public Safety & Labor: Rideshare drivers in central Illinois are calling for relief as gas prices squeeze pay, while Chicago’s grand jury reforms continue to ripple after misconduct allegations.

Chicago School Board Election: More than 50 candidates have filed for Chicago’s 2026 school board, the first fully elected board in decades, with 21 seats up for grabs and petitions due for the Nov. 3 ballot. Federal Courts/Justice: After the “Broadview Six” case collapsed over grand jury handling, U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros announced “sweeping” internal grand jury reforms aimed at transparency and fewer mistakes. Public Safety: A South Side business was hit by a smash-and-grab after an SUV rammed into a storefront and suspects tried to break into an ATM. Election Integrity: A Waukegan alderperson faces charges after authorities say she cast a mail ballot in her deceased mother’s name. Immigration Enforcement: A Chicago teen held by ICE in Kentucky was released on bond in time to graduate, reuniting with his mother. AG/Policy: Illinois AG Kwame Raoul urged courts to uphold a block on unlawful National Guard deployment in Washington, D.C., and joined opposition to the federal KIDS Act. Transit: Metra will add Rock Island line trains and phase out flag stops as required by the Northern Illinois Transit Authority law. Labor: Illinois Department of Labor says it resolved Paid Leave for All Workers Act investigations, helping employers bring workers into compliance. Statehouse/Local Government: A bill from Rep. Brad Fritts would raise the audit threshold for small local governments to save money.