Wirepoints https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html Wirepoints Home Editorial: Johnson administration floats an unfair and ill-conceived crackdown on Chicago landlords – Chicago Tribune/Yahoo Gov. JB Pritzker puts pause on data center tax breaks after legislative effort stalls – Chicago Sun-Times As Airbnbs explode around the Obama Center, housing advocates say affordable units are disappearing – WBEZ (Chicago) Campaign to Win, Govern to Cooperate: The $50 Billion Question Candidates Must Answer – Chicago Contrarian Chicago Sees Fewest May Homicides in Decades, But Shootings Remain Ahead of Last Year’s Pace – WTTW (Chicago) Illinois bill could change foreign language requirements for high school students – WCIA (Champaign) City, state leaders react after Bears vote to advance stadium project in Hammond – WGNTV (Chicago) State Sen. Chris Balkema: Governor’s budget doubles down on same failed approach – Ford County Chronicle Glock ban, prescription drug board among measures that stall in final days – Capitol News IL Illinois lawmakers push through record-high $55.9 billion budget at 4:13 a.m. – Illinois Policy Willie Wilson: Does the 2027 budget uphold Illinois’ constitutional principles? – Chicago Tribune* Chicago mayor makes stunning admission about attending Bears game while trying to keep team in city – FOX News ‘Transform the region’: Bears vote to advance stadium project in Hammond – WGNTV (Chicago) 2 killed, 5 wounded in Back of the Yards mass shooting – FOX32 (Chicago) New state Supreme Court task force could lead to changes to SAFE-T Act – State Journal-Register (Springfield)* Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker to suspend tax breaks offered to data centers – NBC5 (Chicago) The High Stakes and Scandals Facing Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart – Chicago Contrarian Former Citadel HQ trades at 76% discount from 2006 sale price – Crain’s IL Sup Ct likely overstepped in ousting Cook judge, but unclear who can do anything about it: Judge – Legal Newsline Former Champaign Co. board member indicted by federal grand jury for COVID unemployment benefit fraud – WAND (Decatur) Questions loom after data center legislation stalls – Center Square Illinois’ Proposed Notice Rules for Complying with Workplace AI Anti-Discrimination Law – JD Supra Chicago’s ShotSpotter replacement debate stalls during City Council Public Safety Committee meeting – WGNTV (Chicago) The details of Illinois’ budget raising social media, crypto and fantasy sports taxes and pausing gas tax hike – Chicago Tribune/Yahoo Tax Breaks for the Rich – Eric Allie for Illinois Policy ComEd CEO on Rate Increase, Data Centers and Bouncing Back From Scandal – WTTW (Chicago) Alcohol tax amendments may be unconstitutional – Center Square Illinois to regulate intoxicating hemp products, loosen up on cannabis – Center Square Chicago mayoral election looms in 2027 – NBC5 (Chicago) New Illinois bill helps homeowners at risk of losing home over unpaid property tax – The RealDeal Commentary: What’s wrong with using the old Illinois Sports Facilities Authority to help keep the Bears? – Chicago Tribune* Detention centers, exoneree restitution, foster care protections among final bills to pass – Capitol News IL Lawmakers punt on housing supply as prices up 48% since 2019 – Illinois Policy Commentary: ‘Teen takeovers’ are result of negligence of Chicago’s ‘forgotten’ children – Chicago Sun-Times The Relentless, Heartbreaking Work of Investigating Illinois Train Crashes – The Memo Wirepoints’ Mark Glennon on AM560’s Morning Answer: Spencer Pratt in Los Angeles Mayoral Race Offers Chicago a Blueprint Judge says federal rule blocks IL from banning ‘swipe fees’ – Legal Newsline Illinois passes record $55.9 billion budget, with over $800 million in tax increases – Illinois Policy Illinois lawmakers fail to pass Bears bill despite goal line push – Capitol News IL Housing program to give eligible Chicagoans up to $70,000 toward down payment – Chicago Sun-Times Paul Vallas: Kim Foxx’s Mass Vacatur of Murder Convictions Demands Federal Scrutiny – Chicago Contrarian Dozens protest federal immigration arrest in Albany Park – FOX32 (Chicago) Editorial: Did Mayor Brandon Johnson betray the Bears? – Chicago Tribune/Yahoo Chicago Taxpayers Groomed to Accept Massive Wrongful-Conviction Payouts – Restoration News Debt burden, pensions burden Chicago Public Schools – Center Square Teen charged with plotting mass shooting at suburban elementary school – NBC5 (Chicago) Mayor Brandon Johnson continues push to keep Bears in Chicago after Illinois lawmakers punt on stadium deal – CBS2 (Chicago) Judge removed ankle monitor 2 weeks before teen shot and killed man in Back of the Yards, prosecutors say – CWB Chicago Ald. William Hall wants Chicago to become its own pharmacist – FOX32 (Chicago)