AGP Executive Report

Severe Weather Aftermath: The National Weather Service confirmed at least 11 tornadoes across Illinois and Indiana from Thursday’s storms, including EF-3 twisters in Streator and Kouts and an EF-1 in Bartlett, leaving tens of thousands without power as crews assess damage and recovery ramps up. Local Sports Glory: Libertyville won back-to-back IHSA Class 4A baseball titles, while St. Joseph-Ogden captured its first-ever state baseball championship and Tremont rolled to a 10-0 Class 1A title win. Statewide Health & Care: Ascension Illinois added neurosurgeon Dr. Tamir Hersonskey to its Brain and Spine team, expanding specialty care for brain and spine tumors and complex nerve and pain conditions. Community & Culture: Miller Park Zoo in Bloomington welcomed four red wolf pups, a major boost for one of the world’s most endangered canids. Public Safety & Justice: A Danville man, Bryce Ross, was sentenced to 5 years for unlawful weapon possession. Weather Watch: Southern Illinois is bracing for another round of storms late tonight, with damaging winds and heavy rain possible.

Severe Weather & Tornado Recovery: The National Weather Service confirmed at least seven tornadoes across Illinois and northwest Indiana Thursday night, including an EF3 in Streator and an EF3 in Kouts, with thousands still dealing with damage and outages. Power Restoration: In the Chicago area and NW Indiana, more than 80,000 customers remained without power after the storms, as ComEd and NIPSCO crews worked around the clock. Local Public Safety: Champaign County is investigating the death of an inmate found unresponsive early Saturday; officials say it appears medical. Missing Person: Illinois State Police issued an endangered missing person advisory for 80-year-old Benjamin Haslett, last seen June 11 in Pulaski County. Community & Schools: RSP Heating & Cooling and CASA of Southern Illinois will host a Back-to-School Bash July 25 in Carterville with free supplies, clothing, and activities. Health Policy: The House passed Rep. Mary Miller’s bill to stop childcare fraud by tightening oversight of federal childcare assistance programs. Illinois Education: The IECC board is set to affirm a new chancellor, with Dr. Timothy Taylor expected to take over in August.

Severe Weather & Recovery: Storms and tornadoes ripped through parts of Illinois and Indiana, leaving major damage and hundreds of thousands without power as crews work to restore electricity that could take into next week. Local Sports: Libertyville’s Brady Buenik struck out and helped the Wildcats beat Mount Carmel 3-1 to reach the Class 4A title game. NCAA Spotlight: Arkansas won the NCAA men’s outdoor track team title, while Oklahoma’s Ralford Mullings captured back-to-back discus crowns. Media & Culture: Gene Shalit, NBC’s long-running “Today” film critic known for pun-filled reviews, died at 100. Illinois Watch: Illinois State Police issued an endangered missing person advisory for Benjamin Haslett, last seen in Pulaski County. Community Spotlight: El Camino Real in Hamilton is continuing its no-questions-asked summer meal program for kids through August 1.

Hemp & Cannabis Oversight: State Rep. Barbara Hernandez helped pass SB 3222, now signed into law by Gov. Pritzker, tightening Illinois rules for hemp and cannabis products with licensing, safety standards, testing, labeling, and stronger enforcement. Severe Weather Aftermath: The National Weather Service confirmed an EF-3 tornado in Kouts, Indiana, and surveyed damage across Illinois and Indiana after multiple tornadoes hit Thursday, including an EF-1 near Dwight and EF-3 damage near Streator and Bartlett areas. Local Health Planning: A steering committee was formed for the Northeast Lake County Healthcare Futures Initiative, led by the Lake County Health Department and Lake County Community Foundation, aiming to address access barriers tied to unemployment, Medicaid enrollment, and income gaps. Local Government Watch: Antioch’s village board tabled a groundbreaking vote for a Veterans Memorial after wetlands concerns, choosing instead to revisit alternative sites. Local News Deserts: Paddock Publications stopped publishing at least 13 Illinois newspapers, adding five more news-desert counties. Consumer & Food Assistance: Illinois Attorney General Letitia James led a coalition urging Congress to restore SNAP benefits in the Farm Bill, warning federal cuts are worsening hunger and shifting costs to states. State Library Access: Illinois launched a statewide digital library service through the Secretary of State’s office, expanding free access to e-books, journals, magazines, newspapers, and research databases.

Severe Weather & Tornado Damage: Storms tore through the Chicago area and beyond, with confirmed tornadoes near Streator and Washburn, major power outages, and crews racing to restore electricity as more severe weather threatens. Local Infrastructure: Joliet’s Jackson Street bridge will shift to one westbound lane starting Friday due to steel corrosion, while other storm-related repairs and closures continue across the region. Housing & Corruption: A former Chicago Housing Authority property director and a construction executive face federal charges tied to alleged $4.8M kickback-linked contract fraud. Courts & Accountability: An arbitrator ordered Western Illinois University to reinstate fired librarians and provide back pay for contract violations. Public Health & Policy: Disability rights advocates filed federal lawsuits challenging assisted-dying laws in Illinois and New York. Rural Care Planning: Keokuk residents packed a city hall meeting on a proposed rural emergency hospital, pressing for clarity on what services will be offered. Business & Markets: Illinois officials urged Nasdaq and FTSE Russell to rethink index rules that could amplify volatility from SpaceX’s record IPO. Weather Safety: Officials reported thousands still without power in Will County as restoration timelines depend on damage and incoming storms.

Severe Weather Watch: The National Weather Service is warning of a strong tornado threat across northern Illinois Thursday, with an EF-2+ possibility and the highest risk shifting south between about 4 and 8 p.m. Public Safety & Community: A house fire in Aurora shut down parts of Front Street while crews knocked down flames quickly; no injuries were reported. Energy & Data Centers: FERC approved PJM’s fast-track interconnection for large power projects, aiming to meet rising demand tied to the data center boom. Illinois Politics & Accountability: Illinois lawmakers advanced a ticket-fraud and anti-scalping push, targeting bots and reselling tickets sellers don’t yet have. Courts & Civil Rights: A federal judge blocked United Airlines from ending a Catholic pilot’s Covid vaccine religious-discrimination class action. Local Economy: Rural King broke ground on a $75 million Mattoon headquarters expansion, creating 100 jobs and retaining hundreds more. Health & Access: Free health insurance help is available June 17-19 in Cambridge for Illinois residents navigating coverage options. Agriculture: USDA reports the U.S. winter wheat crop is shrinking, with Illinois production down versus last year. Infrastructure for Everyone: Illinois’ Grand Illinois Trail is about 90% complete, with 10 gaps left to finish the 500-mile loop for hikers, cyclists, and residents.

Severe Weather & Power Outages: Storms tore through parts of Illinois overnight and into Thursday, knocking out power for thousands across Central Illinois and prompting tornado warnings and reports of downed trees. Public Safety Grants: The Illinois State Fire Marshal awarded $6 million in small equipment grants to 260 fire departments and EMS providers statewide, including $26,000 awards to multiple local agencies. Local Government: The Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Board of Trustees is set to affirm Dr. Timothy L. Taylor as next chancellor at its June 16 meeting, with a planned Aug. 15 start. Courts & Consumer Protection: A federal judge refused to certify a no-poach wage-suppression class tied to major healthcare companies, saying the proposed group is too diverse. Health Care & Fraud: A Jacksonville chiropractor was sentenced to federal prison for more than $250,000 in health insurance fraud, with restitution ordered. Domestic Violence Protections: Illinois lawmakers passed a bill to expand protections for survivors facing digital harassment, including remote order-of-protection hearings. Community & Labor: Geneva Public Library employees voted to form a union with AFSCME Council 31. Transportation: Honda faces a new class action tied to an Odyssey side-airbag recall, alleging airbags can deploy without a crash.

Bears Stadium Drama: Chicago Bears’ long-running search for a new home keeps stalling, with reporting highlighting how the team’s options have shifted since 2021 and why a move still isn’t settled. Public Safety & Courts: A Chicago police officer killing suspect, Alphanso Talley, entered a plea in court as family members watched, reigniting debate over Illinois’ no-cash bail law. Health & Consumer Protection: Illinois’ Attorney General Brenna Bird announced a multistate settlement with GS Labs over overpriced and delayed COVID-19 tests, with restitution and reimbursement for affected residents. Infrastructure & Clean Water: Chicago won $22.1 million in federal funding to replace lead pipes in the Austin neighborhood, targeting hundreds of lead service lines. State Policy: The Illinois State Board of Education adopted a first statewide numeracy plan aimed at improving math outcomes. Community Support: Treasurer Michael Frerichs launched a new Charitable Trust Hunger Relief grant program for volunteer-run food pantries and soup kitchens. Weather & Safety: Taylorville reopened its beach after an E. coli closure, while hazardous material was briefly reported on the University of Illinois campus.

Bears Stadium Talks: Gov. JB Pritzker says he’d be open to a special session to keep the Chicago Bears in Illinois, as lawmakers and Republicans keep pitching new plans while the team pushes forward with Indiana options. Labor & Cannabis: Ascend Cannabis workers in Illinois voted to authorize a strike after more than a year of bargaining for a first contract, with the Teamsters backing the move. Weather Watch: Severe storms and tornado risk are back on the radar for parts of Illinois, with watches and warnings prompting residents to plan ahead. Education Funding Fight: ACT Now Illinois is suing the U.S. Department of Education over grant cuts affecting 19,000 kids statewide, arguing the cancellation process was improper. Public Health & Outdoors: Southern Illinois officials and educators are urging tick precautions as Lone Star ticks spread, including simple steps like repellent and protective clothing. Local Crime: Alton police are investigating an armed robbery involving an armored vehicle at a Red Lobster parking lot. Community Notes: Nauvoo is now a Bird City USA community, and Rend Lake is hosting a kids’ “Scat and Track Mystery” nature program.

Bears Stadium Fight: Illinois lawmakers are scrambling to keep the Chicago Bears in-state after the team advanced a potential move to Indiana, with Rep. Dan Ugaste drafting a PILOT-style proposal aimed at giving “property tax certainty” for a new stadium deal. Housing Policy: Gov. JB Pritzker’s BUILD housing plan is stalled again as local control concerns and stalled votes push the proposal back to the drawing board. Courts & Consumer Protection: A federal judge dealt a major blow to Illinois’ “swipe fee” law for national banks and payment networks, while lawmakers also advanced other consumer and utility transparency measures. Education & Civil Rights: CPS CEO MacQuline King is set to testify in a U.S. House hearing expected to focus on transgender student protections and the Black Student Success Plan. Labor & Gig Work: New Illinois law clears the path for Uber and Lyft drivers to unionize. Public Safety & Health: A state session bill from Sen. Dave Koehler would curb “down coding” by requiring insurers to pay for the full diagnostic workup. Local Notes: Illinois State Fairgrounds demolition has begun on condemned “Building 29,” and Shawnee Community College President Dr. Timothy Taylor is headed to lead Illinois Eastern Community Colleges.

Bears Stadium Drama: Illinois lawmakers and fans are still reacting as the Chicago Bears push forward with a plan to leave Illinois for Indiana, keeping the state’s political fight over the stadium deal front and center. Senior Care Quality: Gardant says 25 of its senior living and memory care communities earned 2026 Bronze Commitment to Quality Awards from AHCA/NCAL, bringing its total to 94 Bronze awards over five years. Education & Reading: A new national review finds teacher-prep programs are improving in teaching reading with science-based methods, but many still lag—especially for English learners and struggling readers. Legal/Finance: Federal regulators moved to preempt Illinois’ swipe-fee law for credit unions, adding pressure to the state’s broader payment-card fight. Sports: North Clay baseball is headed back to the state tournament after an 8-0 super-sectional win, while Illinois added in-state guard Lincoln Williams to its 2026-27 roster. Weather: Forecasters warn of hot, humid conditions and a renewed severe storm threat for northern Illinois and nearby Wisconsin.

Bears Stadium Fallout: The Chicago Bears’ board voted to move forward on a multi-billion stadium plan in Hammond, Indiana after Illinois lawmakers failed to pass a stadium-financing bill—though Bears officials say Illinois options may still be possible. Prison Construction: Illinois is planning to rebuild both Stateville and Logan prisons at the Crest Hill site, with a $900 million, five-year project that would close Logan in Lincoln and relocate inmates. Gun Violence Awareness: Geneva approved a proclamation recognizing June as Gun Violence Awareness Month, highlighting local prevention efforts like biometric gun safes and cable locks. Interchange Fee Fight: Illinois’ interchange fee law is permanently blocked for most entities after federal action, while state-chartered banks and credit unions remain subject to it and lawmakers again pushed the effective date to July 1, 2027. Energy & Environment: Illinois celebrated its battery recycling law’s progress, and Taylorville was selected for Ameren Illinois’ Energize Your Town pilot to cut bills and improve efficiency. Weather & Safety: Central Illinois braces for severe storms and oppressive heat, with heat indices near 100 and flooding risks where heavy rain hits. Local Crime: A weekend shooting surge in Chicago left four dead, including two teens, as investigations continue.

Statehouse & Utilities: Gov. JB Pritzker paused new Illinois data center tax incentives starting July 1, citing stalled regulation efforts and concerns that big power users are driving up electricity bills for everyone else. Public Safety Grants: The Illinois Department of Natural Resources awarded $495,000 in federal grants to 73 volunteer fire departments, while the State Fire Marshal handed out $6 million in small equipment grants to 260 fire and EMS providers. Local Government & Infrastructure: Bluffs approved road crack-filling and seal coating on Main Street plus sidewalk repairs, and its police chief laid out rules for electric bikes, including lighting and age limits. Education & Youth Well-Being: A new Kids Count report says Illinois ranks relatively strong on youth education and health, but reading and math proficiency remain worse than pre-pandemic levels and child/teen death rates are rising. Sports & Community: IHSA baseball supersectionals are set for June 8, and a Southern Illinois library “Lawyer in the Library” legal-aid program is scheduling free attorney consults in June. Health & Care: Pulling for Hospice drew record turnout in southern Wisconsin/northern Illinois, raising money for services beyond traditional care.

Bears Stadium Fight: Illinois lawmakers are still reacting as the Chicago Bears push ahead with plans tied to Hammond, Indiana, after Illinois tax-credit and stadium talks stalled—keeping pressure on Springfield to act fast. Data Centers: Illinois paused new data center tax incentives after regulation efforts ran into trouble, a move aimed at avoiding higher utility bills while the state figures out oversight. Health Care Policy: State Rep. Katie Stuart’s bill would require most major insurers to cover up to a 12-month supply of prescription hormone therapy starting in 2028, advancing after strong House and Senate votes. Public Safety Funding: Kane and DeKalb County fire and EMS agencies received state small equipment grants totaling millions statewide to help buy firefighting and ambulance gear. Consumer & Tech: Illinois is weighing a proposed “social media tax,” drawing immediate criticism over unclear definitions and free-speech concerns. Local Life: Buffalo Grove held its Pride parade and picnic, while Granite City wrapped up the Route 66 Jeep Run raising over $10,000 for the Wounded Warrior Project. Weather & Crime: Forecasters warned of a severe storm outbreak risk across parts of the Midwest, and Lombard police reported a homicide at an apartment complex with no ongoing threat.

Data Center Tax Pause: Illinois is pausing new tax incentives for data centers after lawmakers failed to back a plan that would have raised electricity rates, aiming to prevent higher utility bills for residents. Bears Stadium Fallout: With the Chicago Bears advancing a Hammond, Indiana stadium push after Illinois talks stalled, state leaders say they’re still in discussions even as the team’s statement keeps Illinois “in play” but not guaranteed. EV Charging Upgrade: An Illinois driver shared a photo of a full-service, EV-only charging stop near the Illinois-Iowa border, complete with a convenience store, restrooms, and a big roadside price sign. Nursing Home Watch: CMS data show Seminary Manor in Knox County under Unlimited Development, Inc. with a 3-star overall rating in early 2026, while Pearl of Orchard Valley in Kane County is rated 1 star and faced multiple fines and penalties. Sports: Illini West’s season ended with a walk-off sectional title loss to Brimfield, 7-6. Weather: Central Illinois faces hot, sticky conditions and daily storm chances, with gusts and hail possible.

Data Centers & Taxes: Gov. JB Pritzker ordered a pause on Illinois tax incentives for data center developers after regulation efforts stalled in the legislature, drawing criticism that it won’t lower bills or help clean energy. Micromobility Safety: New Illinois rules for e-bikes, scooters, and high-powered “e-motos” take effect Jan. 1, including bans on sidewalk riding for e-bikes/scooters and new age, insurance, registration, and licensing requirements. Public Safety Patrols: Illinois State Police reported results from recent OREP seat-belt enforcement in several southern counties, issuing 55 safety belt citations and 2 child restraint citations. Fire Department Grants: IDNR announced $495,000 in federal grants for 73 volunteer fire departments statewide to buy equipment and fund training. Local Crime: Carpentersville police fatally shot a suspect after a shooting outside a restaurant left two people injured, with investigators calling it an isolated domestic-violence incident. Sports (Illinois): The Bears’ Indiana stadium push remains in focus as Illinois lawmakers react to the team’s latest Hammond, Indiana advance.