AGP Executive Report

Bears Stadium Feud: Gov. JB Pritzker says Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has “no plan” to keep the Bears in the city, while Johnson’s office counters that the city’s proposal is the only one built around public ownership without new property-tax burdens. Local Business & Growth: Quincy City Council approved a Ron Snider Auto Sales parking-lot expansion despite neighbor pushback. Public Safety: Lee County is running “Click It or Ticket” seat-belt enforcement through Memorial Day. Health & Research: A new phase 1/2 trial is testing a recombinant BCG for BCG-naïve bladder cancer patients as U.S. BCG shortages persist. Tech & Privacy: Zillow asked an Illinois federal court to block Compass from limiting access to home listings. Community Life: Love’s opened a new Joliet travel center with 91 truck spaces, and a citizenship class in the Quad Cities is helping green-card holders prepare for naturalization.

Gas Prices & Energy: Memorial Day travel is looming with Illinois gas averaging about $5.05 a gallon—up sharply from last year—while oil stays elevated as renewed Trump-Iran talks face hurdles after a UAE nuclear-site drone strike. Utility Watch: Consumer advocates are pushing back hard on Nicor Gas’s rate hike request, saying overcharges are baked in for profits, bonuses, and spending. Public Health: DuPage County confirmed its first 2026 West Nile-positive mosquito pools; officials also say a suspected Winnebago County hantavirus case tested negative. Food Safety: Straus Family Creamery organic ice cream sold in Illinois and many other states is recalled over possible metal fragments. Sports Betting: DraftKings will end in-person betting at Wrigley Field May 31, citing Illinois operating costs and taxes, while keeping the sports bar and online betting. Weather & Safety: A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect for the Chicago area, with flight delays reported. Local Life: Rockford’s John Gregory was convicted in the 2023 murder of Antwinette Paschal; and crews continue searching for a missing hiker in the Little Grand Canyon area.

Cannabis Legal Shockwave: A 320-page consumer class action, Murray v. Cresco, filed in federal court in Chicago, targets major multistate cannabis firms over marketing practices—explicitly comparing the strategy to “Big Tobacco” litigation and raising fresh underwriting and insurance risk. Public Safety: Illinois State Police reported a two-vehicle crash south of Brocton with road detours in place. Consumer Alert: Straus Family Creamery issued a voluntary recall of certain ice cream flavors sold in 17 states, including Illinois, due to possible metal fragments; no injuries reported, and buyers are told not to eat affected lots. Retirement Update: Illinois Secure Choice is relaunching June 15 as “My Illinois Savings,” cutting fees and improving the program for workers without workplace retirement plans. Sports: The Big Ten baseball tournament bracket is set, with Illinois seeded #9 and opening against Iowa.

NCAA Postseason: NCAA men’s golf regionals kick off Monday at six sites, with 54 holes deciding who joins the 30-team field at Omni La Costa in Carlsbad. Predator Sting: A 73-year-old Centralia man was arrested at a Walmart after an online predator intervention group set up a fake meeting with an underage “juvenile,” leading to charges. Public Safety—Violence: A Gage Park woman was charged with fatally stabbing her infant daughter during an argument with the child’s father. Public Safety—Road Crashes: Multiple deadly crashes hit Chicago’s Eisenhower Expressway, including a fatal rollover that shut down westbound lanes and a separate crash that left one dead and seven injured. Food Worries: An Oregon ice cream recall is spreading to Illinois after metal fragments were found; meanwhile, an Illinois ice cream shop temporarily closed after a threatening phone call. Seniors Under Pressure: SNAP changes and rising food costs are straining meal providers for older adults in the Chicago area. Politics & Power: The U.S. Supreme Court rejected a Virginia Democrats appeal on redistricting, preserving a map that could favor Republicans heading into midterms.

Data Center Push: Illinois advocates are urging lawmakers to pass the POWER Act before the May 31 session end, saying the bill has only had hearings and still lacks votes—while more projects keep popping up across the state. Local Government: Robinson is turning the former MTI building into a new police station, buying and renovating it for $500,000 after years of planning. Weather & Safety: Storms are shifting north and weakening, but Illinois is still in a weekend-to-early-week severe stretch, including reports of a Shell gas station canopy collapse in Carlyle during heavy weather. Sports (Illinois): Robinson’s Lady Maroons won the IHSA Class 1A sectional at Newton and qualified nine girls for state; in pro sports, Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol promised to “run it back” after a wild right-field fan moment helped St. Louis win. Crime & Courts: A Morrison man faces up to 100 years after being charged in a meth trafficking case tied to a suspicious mailed package.

FDA Recall Watch: Straus Family Creamery is voluntarily recalling select organic ice cream flavors and sizes sold in 17 states, including Illinois, after the FDA flagged a possible risk of metal fragments; check the “best by” dates on the bottom of affected pints/quarts. Public Safety: A man was charged with attempted murder after an “unprovoked” stabbing and battery at a McHenry hotel early Saturday, police say. Local Politics: A Savoy rezoning request for rental homes failed on a procedural vote, but an amended plan could return. Health Policy: At the AAN meeting in Chicago, Sanofi’s Karen Lynch discussed why delayed CIDP diagnosis can mean irreversible nerve damage. Sports: Illinois State beat Michigan State 6-3 Friday night; and OSU softball rolled past Eastern Illinois 16-0 in the regional opener. Weather: Sunny skies today, then storm chances build late Friday into the weekend.

Fatal Explosion Case: Newly released search warrants describe how parents told investigators their son made bombs from Tannerite for a firework-making club—details tied to an Easter Sunday Metro East home explosion that killed three people and is now being pursued as involuntary manslaughter. Public Safety & Courts: In Markham, police say a detective reopened a 2021 murder case and arrested the accused shooter after years of searching. Statehouse: Illinois lawmakers advanced a bill to expand where schools can keep and access emergency asthma medication, including gyms and practice fields. Food Recall: The FDA says Straus Family Creamery organic ice cream was recalled in 17 states, including Illinois, over possible metal fragments. Sports: Eastern Illinois got crushed in the Stillwater Regional opener; Oklahoma City University won the NAIA men’s golf title before ending its golf programs. Weather: Warm weekend ahead in Chicago with scattered storm chances.

NBA Draft Combine Buzz: While the Knicks and Thunder push toward the conference finals, the league’s draft combine is underway in Chicago, turning Wintrust Arena into a hub for both prospects and offseason trade talk. Memorial Day Prep: Flags are flying at half-staff across Illinois today for Peace Officers Memorial Day, ordered by Gov. JB Pritzker and tied to National Police Week. Illinois Basketball: Brad Underwood and Illinois agreed to new contract terms after the Illini’s Final Four run, with the deal potentially extending further based on performance. Data Center Pressure: Environmental advocates are urging lawmakers to pass the POWER Act before session ends May 31, saying the bill has stalled beyond hearings and needs real action on water and energy impacts. School Choice Stalemate: Pritzker is still weighing whether to opt into the Education Freedom Tax Credit as school-choice talks remain politically tangled. Local Public Media Hit: WEIU-TV in eastern Illinois is ending over-the-air broadcasting and moving to streaming after federal funding cuts. Weather & Roads: Summer-like heat and storms are building into southern Illinois, while IDOT starts Illinois 2 work in Sterling May 18.

Knight Rider Ticket Mystery: The Volo Museum’s “KITT” replica—stuck on display for years—somehow got a $50 speeding ticket in Brooklyn, tied to a matching “KNIGHT” plate seen in NYC camera photos, raising questions about how the ticket was issued and whether copycats are racking up unpaid violations. Public Health Communications: Illinois health officials are trying to avoid COVID-era panic as they explain a possible hantavirus case, stressing uncertainty without fueling fear. Statehouse Health Policy: The Illinois Senate unanimously passed a bill to curb “downcoding” by insurers, requiring real-person review and a dispute process for doctors. Sports & Local Life: Brad Underwood’s Illinois deal could extend through 2036; and Rockford road work is snarling traffic on 11th Street.

IHSA Playoffs Locked In: Illinois high school baseball brackets and schedules are set, with regionals starting the week of Memorial Day (May 25), sectional play June 3-6, super-sectionals June 8, and the Final Four June 12-13 (1A/2A at UI, 3A/4A at Slammers Stadium in Joliet). E15 Push in Washington: Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski says bipartisan momentum is building to move nationwide E15 through the Senate, arguing it could mean lower pump prices and end the current waiver process. DOJ Scrutiny of Schools: Freeport School District leaders say they’re cooperating with a federal Title IX-related investigation of 36 Illinois districts, but they’re still waiting on specifics. China Prisoners Appeal: Sen. Ted Cruz and Sen. Dick Durbin backed a unanimous Senate resolution urging Trump to press China for the release of political prisoners. Illinois Economy Watch: Budget analysts trimmed revenue projections slightly as sales tax collections slow and unemployment/inflation worries grow. Sports & Recruiting: Illinois added Morton OL Soren Fifer to its 2027 class, while Illinois baseball and softball postseason coverage ramps up statewide.

Labor Dispute Hits Shelves: Breakthru Beverages drivers in Illinois are on strike, and some bars are already running low—one Waconda owner says deliveries have been denied since Teamsters began picketing last Tuesday, with the strike tied to claims of unfair labor practices. Local Government & Courts: DeKalb County’s ballot order will be decided by a public ping-pong-ball lottery, while DeKalb District 428 faces a DOJ investigation over gender-identity and sexuality policies as residents push back at a school board meeting. State Policy: The Illinois Senate advanced homeowner insurance reform aimed at limiting surprise rate hikes, and the state also moved on a Medicare crackdown that pauses new hospice and home health enrollments. Environment & Safety: A public hearing is set for May 18 on the proposed Meadowview Solid Waste Transfer Facility in Grayslake, and Lake County police logged distracted-driving enforcement during a grant-funded campaign. Weather & Daily Life: Rain and storms are expected to roll through the weekend, with warmer conditions building.

Memorial Day & public safety: Illinois State Fire Marshal Michele Pankow and firefighters across the state marked the 33rd Annual Fallen Firefighter Memorial and Medal of Honor ceremony in Springfield, honoring those who died in the line of duty. Broadband push: Gov. JB Pritzker urged the Trump administration to quickly approve Illinois’ BEAD final broadband plan—$1.04 billion that would connect more than 383,000 residents—warning delays are driving up costs and stalling 232 construction projects. Health watch: Illinois is investigating a potential hantavirus case in Winnebago County tied to rodent droppings, with officials stressing the risk remains very low and the strain is not linked to the cruise outbreak. Local news: Three people were arrested after an SUV crashed into an unoccupied building in River Forest. Community & education: A $17,850 American Water grant will fund Waterschool summer programs for about 130 students in the Metro East. Sports: Illinois and Duke agreed to a home-and-home men’s basketball series starting Nov. 17, 2026.

Local Sports Spotlight: Larkin junior Ali Herrick is lighting it up at the plate, hitting .508 and nearly sending Tuesday’s game into extra innings with a fence-bouncing two-run double in a 4-3 loss to West Aurora. Public Safety & Health: Illinois health officials are investigating a potential hantavirus case in Winnebago County tied to rodent droppings exposure—officials say it’s not the cruise-ship strain and there’s no community risk. Statehouse Watch: Illinois lawmakers and IDOT are pushing ahead on Fort Massac truck parking expansion, with Rep. Mike Bost touting a plan for 47 new stalls. Courts & Accountability: A Cook County judge delayed a decision on a special prosecutor in the “Operation Midway Blitz” immigration enforcement fight. Business & Consumer: Minnesota AG Keith Ellison sued an Illinois-based company accused of posing as fake local home repair businesses.

Federal Reserve & national politics: The U.S. Senate confirmed Kevin Warsh as a Federal Reserve governor, setting up a likely fast-track vote for him to become Fed chair as Jerome Powell’s term ends. Illinois courts & public safety: A man has been charged in a deadly 2025 I-57 hit-and-run near Matteson, accused of fleeing after a sideswipe that led to a death. Health privacy: A new Illinois consumer portal lets people file financial complaints online, while a separate report highlights how medical records can end up exposed when health data systems fail. Food & farming: USDA projects a sharp year-to-year drop in winter wheat production, and Illinois farmers warn fertilizer price spikes could ripple into next season. Sports & recruiting: Illinois landed a major in-state commitment from Lincoln-Way East OL Mason Halliman, and Rutgers’ 2026-27 Big Ten home slate was revealed. Wildlife & outdoors: IDNR urges people to leave young animals alone as warm weather brings more encounters.

Wrong-Way Crash Tragedy: UIC identified sprinter Sariyah Watson, 21, as one of three people killed in a Sunday wrong-way crash on I-88 near Aurora, with the university and friends mourning a sudden loss. Public Health & Utilities: Cherry Valley issued a boil order for Valley View South and Penfield Crossing after water-system repairs; residents are told to boil water before use. Food Security: Empower Boone launched a $100,000 fundraising push to replace a failing freezer that risks breaking health rules and disrupting food distribution. Local Governance: Urbana approved a new fire chief and reallocated ARPA funds to projects including a bridge-to-home effort, a YMCA program, and the Champaign County Housing Authority. Community Loss: Thompsonville is mourning 16-year-old student Maycee Ellis after a deadly Route 34 crash. Sports: Herscher’s Dylan Bayston made a game-saving diving catch and helped the Tigers hold off Manteno; in baseball, Reece Pelnarsh pitched a complete-game win for Woodland/Flanagan-Cornell. Scam Fallout: A man in India pleaded guilty in a $5M money-laundering scheme targeting older adults across the U.S.

AI & Politics: Trump posted an AI-generated photo mocking Gov. JB Pritzker’s weight, escalating a feud that’s already been fueled by immigration tensions in Chicago. Food Security: Illinois grocers brace for fallout as SNAP access ends for thousands this month, with independent stores warning thin margins could mean closures. Courts & Costs: A federal appeals court sent Illinois’ swipe-fee limits back to district court, keeping the fight over credit card transaction fees alive. Public Safety: Edwardsville joins the Memorial Day “Click It or Ticket” seat-belt crackdown, while a 4-year-old was airlifted after a bicycle crash in Whiteside County. Housing & Communities: IHDA is taking applications for grants to tackle vacant and abandoned homes, and Pritzker’s Safe Routes to School program is funding 68 local projects. Local Watch: Rockford’s Hard Rock is planning a major hotel/convention expansion, and a former Winnebago County deputy faces stalking and misconduct charges.