Wirepoints https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html On Vatican trip, Mayor Brandon Johnson will laud Pope Leo for his pushback against Trump’s ‘godforsaken’ policies – WBEZ (Chicago) Wirepoints Home Treasurer’s study finds sprawling and ‘murky’ tax impacts from Illinois megaprojects plan to benefit Bears – Chicago Tribune/Yahoo Massive 6,100-acre solar project approved in Illinois after tense county vote – Yahoo News Commentary: Illinois is closed for business – Northwest Indiana Times Chicago Alderman Gets in on the Sue and Settle Racket – Chicago Contrarian 15 years of flash mobs, teen trends, and takeovers: Chicago’s repeating summer problem – CWB Chicago Commentary: Illinois should expand pension buyout program and create a pathway for progress – Chicago Tribune* Cook County tax buyer industry would be phased out in ‘equity theft’ reform bill – Chicago Tribune/Yahoo Illinois will soon become only second state in US to offer NICU leave – NBC5 (Chicago) Republicans claim fake transparency in early budget, demand better – Center Square Illinois may take DOJ ‘Anti-Weaponization’ payouts from residents – Center Square Top Illinois diversity commissioner did not disclose side pay – Center Square Pritzker’s proposed budget shorts pensions by $5.4 billion – Illinois Policy Illinois budget proposes $200,000 to redefine ‘low income’ – Illinois Policy CPS math and reading scores are much worse than advertised – A City That Works Illinois lawmakers pass bills curbing insurance rate hikes – Crain’s A Proposed Law Would Push Wealthy Suburbs to Build More Affordable Housing. Mayors Are Pushing Back. – Illinois Answers Project Illinois bill would loosen many local financial reporting requirements – The Bond Buyer Trump: Chicago mayor, Illinois governor should ask for help after ‘teen takeover’ – The Hill Mayor Johnson will enlist Pope Leo’s support in fight for reparations – Chicago Sun-Times U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin warns of deep divisions in farewell address to Illinois lawmakers – Capitol News IL Illinois lawmakers pass landmark AI accountability bill – Capitol News IL Chicago called the most financially distressed major city in the U.S. – MoneyWise/Yahoo Mayor Brandon Johnson still opposed to stricter curfew and parent responsibility laws after holiday weekend mayhem – Chicago Sun-Times Christian County residents voice opposition to data centers – WICS (Springfield) Mayor Johnson brushes off concerns on CTU dues defeat ahead of possible reelection campaign – ABC7 (Chicago) State Sen. Dale Fowler says he’ll step down at end of legislative session – Capitol News IL Reducing gas tax, prepping for future shortfalls among late budget sticking points – Capitol News IL Chicago alder considers fining parents over teen takeovers – Axios Suburban Teen To Stay Jailed After Officials Say He Rammed 5 Chicago Cops During Chaotic ‘Takeover’ – Block Club Chicago A Preventable Killing: Illinois Leaders Ignored Every Warning Until an Officer Paid With His Life – Awake Illinois UnBearable – Chicago Contrarian Illinois Plans Tax Break for Billionaires and the Chicago Bears. Everyone Else Could End Up Paying More. – Reason Foundation 51 candidates are running for Chicago’s first fully elected school board – Chicago Sun-Times CPD Officers Responded Faster to 911 Calls on South, West Sides After ShotSpotter Was Removed: UChicago Analysis – WTTW (Chicago) New revenue bills may fill funding gaps for social services – WICS (Springfield) Former Republican strategist Collin Corbett files to run for governor as independent – Capitol News IL Tax hike threat looms as Illinois budget deadline nears – Illinois Policy New data: Illinois homeowners pay country’s highest property taxes – Illinois Policy A Union Dues Rebellion in Chicago – Wall Street Journal Illinois bill would make gun makers pay into victim fund for first time – CBS2 (Chicago) Average price of gas in Illinois falls 15 cents in last week – WCIA (Champaign) University of Illinois medical school pushes ‘equitable assessments’ for professors – Campus Reform Paul Vallas: Chicago should sue to overturn the parking meter deal – Illinois Policy Nearly one-third of people AWOL from electronic monitoring in Cook County face violent charges, data shows – CBS2 (Chicago) Commentary: Chicago doesn’t want ideology from its next mayor. It wants competence. – Chicago Tribune* Gov. JB Pritzker open to pausing gas tax increase set for July 1 – ABC7 (Chicago) State absenteeism change follows lowered academic benchmarks – Center Square Bill: Fee on medium-to-large scale housing investors advances in Senate – Center Square