Gov. JB Pritzker said Madison County is just as important to Illinois as Chicago is. “It’s also, frankly, too easy to let partisanship and regional differences divide us,” said Pritzker. “The idea that someplace in Illinois wants to kick out another place in Illinois should not be on the ballot. It shouldn’t be something that’s part of a lexicon and discussion of politicians. We’re one state.”

“The only reason this doesn’t get done is because there are very, very powerful special interests groups that don’t want it to happen,” said state Rep. Blaine Wilhour. “You know, the Chicago Teachers Union, the Illinois Education Association.” While that may seem incendiary, in this case, it’s true.

Joseph Johns, of the Tax Foundation: “The White Sox’s potential subsidy request could top $1 billion, a hefty sum for a city and state grappling with economic challenges. Illinois’ tax environment is one of the least competitive in the country, and state and local officials have often sought to paper over the deficiencies by providing subsidies to select businesses — or, in this case, sports franchises — rather than embracing a more competitive environment for all comers.”

The Illinois Community College System’s opening Fall 2024 enrollment report recorded an increase of 7.4 percent, outpacing last year’s fall increase of 5.7 percent. Statewide enrollment has now grown for the third consecutive year, and it continues to outpace the national community college growth rates.

Voters in the city, by their sheer number, control politics in Illinois. For those in small, rural towns, that can be discouraging. “We have a vote down here, too, and we matter,” third generation farmer Matt Rush, of Fairfield, said. “It’s not good to have one party in charge, because I think what makes good policy is debate.”

Gotion’s plans include a similar sized battery factory for Manteno, Illinois.

Jim Dey: “In March, the Urbana City Council passed a resolution calling for ‘the end of the Gaza War and a lasting peace.’ Now, in an advisory referendum placed on the ballot by Cunningham Township, voters are being asked to weigh in on the following, clearly-loaded question. ‘Shall the United States federal government and subordinate divisions stop giving military funding to Israel, which currently costs taxpayers $3.8 billion a year, given Israel’s global recognition as an apartheid regime with a track record of human rights violations?'”

David Greising, of the Better Government Association: “I’ve been told that if we pass a simple safe-harbor fix, there will be no appetite to fix anything else. And if that’s the case, then I’m not very optimistic about what we’re going to try to do here,” said state Rep. Steve Reick, the House Republican on the panel.