AGP Executive Report

Chicago Politics: Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza says she’s running again for Chicago mayor in 2027, setting up a new field and raising the stakes for citywide elections. State Budget & Taxes: Illinois’ new budget adds taxes on prediction markets, fantasy sports, and cryptocurrency, plus a social media tax—raising questions about costs and who pays. Housing & Local Deals: Batavia’s City Council approved a $1 million TIF incentive for a proposed 72-unit affordable housing project. Courts & Public Safety: A federal judge dismissed charges for part of the “Broadview 6” ICE protest case after prosecutors admitted misconduct; separately, an Illinois man accused of forcing entry into a plane cockpit faces federal charges after an emergency landing. Education: A new Illinois law expands job-protected leave for parents of NICU babies, while districts and lawmakers also move on cellphone rules and e-learning plans. Power & Rates: Jacksonville’s municipal electric aggregation rate is set to rise as Ameren costs increase. Community: Illinois College won another gold medal at the Chelsea Flower Show for its orchid conservation work.

Illinois Budget & Taxes: Illinois lawmakers wrapped a session slog with a record $55.9B budget, adding new taxes tied to digital and gaming sectors while some housing and Bears-stadium talks stalled. Bears Stadium Fallout: With the Bears megaproject bill failing to clear the House before adjournment, the team’s future incentives and Illinois’ leverage now look headed for a longer, messier fight. Swipe Fee Court Fight: A judge blocked Illinois’ swipe-fee ban from taking effect, and the state delayed the law again after setbacks. School Phone Rules: Illinois advanced a mandatory cellphone ban for public schools, with lawmakers pushing it through as part of broader education bills. ICE Detention Limits: The Illinois Senate passed a bill restricting where federal ICE detention centers can be placed, sending it to Gov. JB Pritzker. Local Government & Infrastructure: Hancock County had to amend its solar ordinance to match state rules by June 1, and Kirksville announced a West Illinois Street stormwater project starting the week of June 1. Community & Sports: Illini West kept rolling in IHSA playoffs and earned a second-place finish at the state trap tournament; Aiden Annegers also won an ImpactLife blood-donation award.

Courts & Consumer Costs: A federal judge issued a permanent injunction blocking Illinois’ “swipe fee” ban from taking effect, after lawmakers delayed it again—leaving the fee still hitting card purchases. Education Policy: Gov. JB Pritzker says he’ll sign a statewide “bell-to-bell” cellphone ban for public and charter schools, with exceptions for health, special education, and some caregiving/English-learning needs. Budget & Oversight: Illinois wrapped spring session with a record $55.9B FY27 budget, and Comptroller Susana Mendoza highlighted continued Rainy Day Fund support plus new oversight for crematories. Federal Accountability: Sen. Dick Durbin and Sen. Tammy Duckworth renewed calls for Chicago U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros to resign over the “Broadview Six” case. Health Care: HB 2371 protects 340B contract pharmacy access for safety-net health centers, while HB 4327 orders a study of how 340B works in Illinois. Local Life & Community: Metra set a new Electric Line schedule starting June 15, and Illinois groups pushed summer meals and hands-on gardening and teaching-kitchen programs. Bears Stadium Fallout: With no Bears stadium deal before session ended, Indiana leaders and the Hammond mayor are signaling the team’s future may be “out of Illinois.”

Bears Stadium Standoff: Illinois lawmakers adjourned the 2026 spring session early Monday without passing a plan to keep the Chicago Bears in Illinois, with Gov. JB Pritzker saying the team may take a deal in Indiana after the House punted the stadium incentives bill. Local Government & Housing: Quincy says a recovery home at 2700 Maine St. (Oxford House) doesn’t need a special permit, citing federal protections under the ADA and Fair Housing Act. State Budget & Taxes: Illinois approved a record $55.9B budget early Monday, including new taxes tied to social media companies, crypto, and fantasy sports—while critics warned the process left too little time for public review. School Safety: Illinois lawmakers passed a statewide cellphone ban for public schools, with details on when it takes effect. Public Safety: Illinois officials urged pet owners to plan ahead for disasters after survey data found many animals are left behind during evacuations. Weather: Dry conditions are expected through the work week, with a broader rain chance returning Friday into next weekend.

Bears Stadium Standoff: Illinois lawmakers adjourned without passing a last-minute bill that would have let Cook County municipalities create stadium authorities—clearing the Senate 37-17 early Monday, but leaving the House to punt. Gov. JB Pritzker said he’d rather risk losing the Bears to Indiana than “foist” billions in incentives on taxpayers, while Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson signaled openness to a publicly owned stadium model. State Budget & Taxes: The spring session still produced a $56B budget, including 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, setting up a new era for CTA, Metra, and Pace with a regional sales tax boost. Public Safety & Health: An 8-year-old boy died after an alleged domestic violence incident in De Soto, and Illinois researchers unveiled a cuffless wearable approach to continuous blood pressure monitoring. Environment & Weather: Forecasters flagged parts of the Upper Midwest—including northern Illinois—for possible flash drought risk.

Bears Stadium Deadline Drama: Illinois lawmakers scrambled late Sunday after a megaprojects push stalled in the Senate, filing a new Bears stadium framework as an amendment to House Bill 958—pivoting toward a publicly owned stadium and local stadium authorities to give the team “property tax certainty.” State Budget & Taxes: The Bears fight is colliding with end-of-session budget math, with lawmakers still working through a $56B deal tied to a gas tax windfall and election-year tax breaks. School Phone Ban: Illinois lawmakers approved a statewide, bell-to-bell classroom cell phone ban, sending the measure to Gov. JB Pritzker. Higher Ed Changes July 1: New federal student aid rules kick in July 1, including expanded Pell Grant eligibility for workforce training. Agriculture Update: USDA data show Stark County led Illinois corn yields in 2025 at 253.6 bushels per acre, with Tazewell topping soybean yields. Food Safety: FDA warned an Illinois sprout producer and a pet treat manufacturer over food safety violations. Sports: Northern Illinois and UIC both ended NCAA baseball regionals; NIU fell to Florida State in 10 innings and UIC was eliminated by The Citadel.

Bears Stadium Deadline: Illinois lawmakers are scrambling on the final day of the spring session to keep the Chicago Bears in Illinois, with a “megaprojects” stadium bill facing a vote crunch and talk of a new alternative plan. State Budget Push: The session’s midnight deadline also includes passing the next fiscal year budget, with negotiations still ongoing. PFAS Accountability: Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid’s bill would create a PFAS wastewater citizen committee and push a PFAS action plan aimed at shifting cleanup costs to manufacturers. Youth Online Safety: A revised children’s social media safety plan would restrict addictive design for youth and expand parent controls, moving toward the Senate floor. NICU Leave Expansion: Illinois is set to become only the second state to require protected NICU leave for parents, starting June 1. Road Safety & Crashes: A fatal Dan Ryan Expressway crash shut down lanes near 18th Street, and another deadly crash hit I-290 near Pulaski Road. Kendall Broadband: Kendall County’s new community-owned network aims to bring high-speed internet to about 15,000 homes and businesses. Local Sports: Peoria-area teams won IHSA regionals and advance to sectionals next week.

Hazmat Alert at U of I: People were told to leave the area after a hazardous material release at the University of Illinois’ Roger Adams Laboratory in Urbana, with an Illini-Alert sent out and officials still gathering details. Springfield Deadline Pressure: Illinois lawmakers are racing toward the end of session with no clear public movement on the Bears “megaprojects” stadium plan, while budget talks and possible gas tax pause options hang in the balance. Road & Safety Updates: A tollway worker was killed and two others hurt after being struck while repairing potholes on I-294 in Des Plaines; separately, crews start repairs on the Illinois 75 bridge over the Pecatonica River Monday in Winnebago County. New State Laws: Illinois advanced a bill letting minors consent to contraceptive services without parental approval, and another measure modernizing the fish and aquatic life code cleared both chambers. Agriculture Logistics: The federal government temporarily waived hours-of-service rules for fertilizer deliveries in 35 states, including Illinois, to speed shipments during planting season. Weather: Southern Illinois is expected to stay seasonable with highs in the 80s and only small shower chances, while some river levels remain elevated.

Data Center Guardrails Rally: Hundreds are expected at a Saturday noon rally at the Illinois State Capitol urging lawmakers to pass the POWER Act, setting guardrails for data centers and pushing back on lawmakers leaving Springfield without action. Statehouse Health & Consumer Protection: The Illinois House advanced a bill requiring private insurers to cover FDA-cleared seizure detection devices (with capped out-of-pocket costs), and also passed a measure banning “forever chemicals” (PFAS) in cosmetic products. Utility Bill Transparency: Senators unanimously backed a plan to create an online portal showing utility charges separately, with a public study by the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability. Education Workforce: The Wheeler Foundation is putting $2.35 million into Illinois State University’s PULSE program to help special education paraprofessionals earn bachelor’s degrees and licensure. Agriculture Watch: A Chicago Fed survey found “good” farmland values in the Seventh District rose 3% year over year but dipped 1% over the last two quarters, with Illinois down slightly. Public Health: Early West Nile Virus positive mosquito tests are showing up in central Illinois, with officials warning weather can shift transmission risk.

Statehouse Deadline Watch: Illinois lawmakers are racing to finish the spring session, with a budget deal still up in the air and major decisions looming on Bears stadium property-tax relief and other late bills. AI Oversight: Illinois lawmakers advanced landmark AI rules, including safety and accountability measures that would require audits for powerful AI systems. Local Housing Fight: Peoria officials are pushing back on the governor’s BUILD Illinois Act, arguing it would strip local control over zoning and home-building rules. Transportation Disruptions: IDOT is planning multiple bridge and road closures, including daily daytime shutdowns on the U.S. 60/62 Mississippi River bridge (June 9-11) and lane reductions on Route 75 in Winnebago County starting June 1. Public Safety & Courts: A federal judge sentenced an Arlington Heights man to 15 years for a 2024 motel assault involving an illegally possessed loaded handgun. Voting Integrity Controversy: Conservatives are sounding alarms after an Illinois official turned herself in over alleged ballot fraud involving a dead mother’s vote-by-mail ballot. Community & Health: Illinois is urging families to use WIC, warning many eligible people still aren’t enrolled.

AI Oversight: Illinois lawmakers passed a landmark AI accountability bill requiring transparency and annual third-party safety audits for the most powerful AI models, with OpenAI and Anthropic backing the measure as it heads to Gov. Pritzker. Statehouse & Public Safety: The Illinois House unanimously approved a bill pushing schools to consider mobile panic alert systems so first responders can be notified faster during emergencies. Health Policy: Lawmakers also advanced a menopause-care bill that expands coverage for perimenopause and menopause evaluation and treatment and adds protections against discrimination tied to menopause-related conditions. Budget & Taxes: As the FY2027 budget nears a Sunday deadline, lawmakers are still negotiating amid a revenue shortfall and fights over whether to cut the budget, raise taxes, or protect programs. Energy Costs: Ameren Illinois customers are bracing for another summer power-rate hike, with the new price about 29% higher than now. Local Government: Several Illinois towns passed resolutions backing local control over zoning and opposing the “Section 8 Everywhere” approach. Crime & Courts: A former Gibson City store employee was sentenced to three years for secretly recording people in a women’s restroom. Weather & Travel: Traffic snarled on I-55 in Springfield after a multi-vehicle crash, with injuries reported as minor.

AI Regulation: Illinois lawmakers passed a landmark AI safety bill requiring independent third-party audits for big “frontier” AI developers, with firms facing civil penalties for violations starting Jan. 1, 2027. Insurance Relief: After a year of negotiations, the General Assembly approved auto and home insurance rate-hike rules that require earlier notice for increases of 10%+ and give the Department of Insurance power to block “excessive” hikes, with possible refunds. Micromobility Safety: A bill to regulate e-bikes and scooters cleared the House, setting age rules, speed limits, and where riders can operate. Local Transit: Metra’s Electric Line will add stops and increase midday service starting June 15, aligning with the new Northern Illinois Transit Authority. Public Safety & Courts: Dixon police arrested a man accused of stalking and threatening former Rep. Tom Demmer. Crime: Illinois State Police arrested and prosecuted child pornography cases, including a 20-year sentence for a Decatur man. Weather/Health: A study warns climate change could mean bigger, more damaging hail. Community Notes: Piglets were rescued after falling off a truck in Lee County; No Tobacco Day highlights smoke-free rules.

Local Governance & Housing: A neighborhood group in Chicago’s Albany Park is marking 10 years since Northeastern Illinois University used eminent domain to clear properties—yet many sites remain vacant, with the university still weighing what to do with deteriorating buildings. Statehouse Watch: The Illinois House advanced major insurance reforms: one bill would limit how much insurers can raise auto premiums without advance notice, and another would do similar for homeowner insurance, both sending measures to Gov. JB Pritzker. AI Policy: Illinois lawmakers also moved a bipartisan “frontier AI” safety and transparency bill requiring independent third-party audits and fast reporting of serious safety issues. Cost of Living: Rideshare drivers in central Illinois are pushing for relief as gas prices rise, arguing fuel relief programs don’t cover the real hit to their pay. Education & Child Care: Illinois continues adding licensed day care providers in Chicago, while federal child-care funding freezes could disrupt families statewide. Sports: Illinois State was named MVC Men’s Program of the Year, and Illinois football set kickoff times for its first three 2026 games.

Federal Court Fallout: After the “Broadview Six” case collapsed over grand jury handling, the U.S. attorney ordered sweeping grand jury reforms, including new prosecutor training and clearer disclosure rules. Road Work & Travel: IDOT will run nightly lane closures on I-255 in Madison County starting June 3 for a $6.6 million pavement project, and separate overnight diversions hit I-57 at the Illinois 15 overpass in Mt. Vernon June 1-2. Public Safety & Justice: Waukegan charged an alderperson over an alleged mail-in ballot cast in her deceased mother’s name; in Cicero, parole compliance checks led to five arrests and seizures of guns, drugs, and cash. Transit: Metra is adding Rock Island District trains and phasing out “flag stops” as required by the Northern Illinois Transit Authority law. State Labor: The Illinois Department of Labor says it resolved Paid Leave for All Workers Act investigations and got employers to provide required benefits. Health Care Costs: AG Raoul announced an $8.25 million settlement with Mylan over alleged anticompetitive EpiPen practices. Economy at the Pump: Illinois gas averages fell about 15 cents in a week to $4.90, offering some relief.

Prediction Markets Clash: President Trump is again backing the CFTC’s “exclusive authority” over prediction markets, calling it the “rules of the road” and attacking states that move to regulate them—setting up another federal-versus-state showdown as Illinois and others push back. Tariff Refund Fight: Illinois and other state fiscal leaders are demanding transparency over billions in tariff refunds after a Supreme Court ruling—arguing consumers are being left out while companies get paid. Local Public Safety: East St. Louis-area enforcement actions led to 25 felony charges after a two-night crackdown focused on violent crime and firearms. Housing Push: Illinois Senate Democrats rolled out a package of housing bills aimed at expanding supply and protecting tenants, including limits on certain landlord practices and zoning changes. Small-Town Watch: Carthage’s council is weighing whether to allow chickens in city limits, with a local test run before a final vote.

School Food Push: Federal lawmakers introduced the “Scratch Cooked Meals for Students Act,” a USDA grant program aimed at helping schools expand scratch-made meals. Road Work Disruptions: I-57 will shut overnight near Mt. Vernon for three nights starting June 1, and I-64’s Wabash River bridge near Grayville is set for emergency overnight lane closures starting tonight. Courts & Public Safety: A Saline County murder suspect is back in court for a detention hearing after a 16-year-old was killed in a shooting. Housing Legal Fight: A federal judge temporarily restored Zillow’s access to about 40,000 Chicago-area listings in the ongoing dispute involving Compass and the MLS. Sports: Illinois women’s basketball hired Simon Harris as an assistant coach. Air Quality Alert: Unhealthy ozone levels triggered an alert across much of the Chicago area through at least Wednesday.