AGP Executive Report

Illinois Hemp Crackdown: Gov. JB Pritzker says new rules for “intoxicating hemp” are long overdue, including an immediate ban on sales to people under 21 and tighter oversight under Illinois cannabis law. Storm Recovery Scams: Illinois AG Kwame Raoul warns “storm chasers” are targeting tornado-damaged homes and businesses with rushed, often unlicensed repair pitches and “free” inspection offers tied to insurance claims. Heat + City Response: Mayor Brandon Johnson toured Woodlawn as Chicago deals with extreme heat, using cooling sites and Operation ChiWorks to tackle quality-of-life issues alongside public safety. New Illinois Laws Take Effect: A slate of July 1 changes kicks in, including updates for senior driving tests, expanded school cyberbullying definitions, and making cocktails-to-go permanent. Gun Law Fight: Pritzker defends Illinois’ semiautomatic weapons ban after the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear a Cook County challenge tied to the 2022 Highland Park parade shooting. Election Administration Clarity: A Madison County clerk says a Supreme Court vote-by-mail ruling confirms Illinois procedures for counting ballots postmarked by Election Day and received by the state deadline. Chicago Police Leadership: With Superintendent Larry Snelling set to step down, the search for a replacement is already colliding with expectations of a politically tense mayoral environment. ICE Accountability Lawsuits: Six Illinois-area residents sue federal immigration agents over alleged tear gas and unlawful detentions during last year’s Midway Blitz, seeking civil accountability after no federal criminal charges.

Illinois Politics & Elections: Darren Bailey’s governor campaign is leaning hard into AI-made social media images, despite Gov. JB Pritzker’s team saying his side has a policy against public-facing AI content. Public Safety & Weather: An Extreme Heat Warning covers many central Illinois counties through Friday, with Independence Day heat indices pushing around 105–110 and storms possible. Consumer & Health Policy: A federal lawsuit challenges Illinois’ Prescription Drug Affordability Act, with a pharma group arguing it’s blocked by federal ERISA rules and could raise costs for self-insured employers and patients. State Government: Illinois’ new Department of Early Childhood begins full operations, taking over infant/toddler services, childcare licensing, and preschool funding. Courts & Immigration: Supreme Court rulings continue to shape immigration enforcement nationwide, with Illinois advocates watching impacts on birthright citizenship and related policies. Illinois Communities: Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza’s consent-order closure of Heights Crematory in Chicago Heights is now backed by a new law. Local Crime: A 17-year-old was hospitalized after a shooting in northwest Champaign; police are seeking witnesses and video.

Heat & Road Safety: IDOT warned drivers to watch for pavement buckling and blowouts during extreme heat, urging people to report failures and slow down near repairs. Public Health & Equity: Illinois lawmakers advanced a pollution-burden approach aimed at reducing the “zip code decides how long you live” gap in Chicago-area communities. State Budget Watch: Comptroller Susana Mendoza says Illinois again paid all General Revenue Fund bills on time at fiscal year-end, with the Rainy Day Fund growing to new records. Transit Governance: Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle outlined proposed new CTA, Metra and Pace board appointees under the state’s landmark transit reform law. Crime & Courts: A Chicago-area cannabis executive was sentenced to one year for laundering cash tied to a cocaine trafficking operation using private jets. Immigration Crackdown: DOJ announced charges against alleged Tren de Aragua members tied to kidnappings and murders in Illinois and Texas. New Illinois Law for Drivers: A July 1 package includes changes like easing driving tests for some seniors and making “cocktails to-go” permanent. Privacy Fight: A bill requiring age verification at the phone operating-system level drew renewed calls for a veto from privacy advocates.

Supreme Court & Elections: The U.S. Supreme Court term delivered major election-rights rulings, including a win for states that can count mail ballots arriving after Election Day if they’re postmarked by then—Illinois advocates are calling it a relief, even as they warn voting rights remain under pressure. Immigration & Sanctuary: In a Capitol Hill hearing, the mother of Loyola student Sheridan Gorman—killed in March—used her testimony to attack sanctuary city policies, tying her case to broader debates over immigration enforcement. Public Safety & Crime: Chicago police say three people are in custody after a CBS News crew was attacked near Adler Planetarium, with suspects allegedly yelling racial slurs; the incident triggered a pursuit. Disaster Response: Gov. JB Pritzker declared Cook County a state disaster area after June storms, unlocking state help and pointing to ongoing recovery needs. State Policy in Motion: Several Illinois laws take effect July 1, including expanded cyberbullying protections (now covering AI-generated content), permanent “cocktails-to-go,” and new rules affecting senior driver licensing. Gun Law Watch: The Supreme Court is set to take up assault-weapons ban challenges, including a Cook County case that could reshape Illinois gun policy. Weather & Costs: Illinois is also facing a new round of severe-weather fallout and ongoing debate over toll and gas-tax impacts on drivers.

Transgender Sports: The U.S. Supreme Court upheld state bans that bar trans girls from playing on girls’ teams, while Illinois can keep its current approach under Illinois High School Association rules, according to AG Kwame Raoul. Gun Policy: The Court agreed to hear a major Second Amendment challenge to semiautomatic “assault weapons” bans, including Connecticut and the Chicago area, setting up a potential shake-up for blue-state restrictions. Immigration & Voting: Illinois leaders reacted to the Supreme Court’s birthright citizenship decision, with Chicago immigrant groups calling it a major win and state officials continuing to push back on federal immigration enforcement tactics. Homelessness Funding: AG Kwame Raoul and a coalition won a case blocking unlawful Trump administration conditions on billions in HUD funding tied to homelessness programs. Public Safety & Military: Illinois lawmakers advanced resolutions honoring two Effingham-area fallen service members, and the state also marked fallen soldiers with local signs. Elections & Courts: The Supreme Court’s mail ballot rulings continue to drive local discussion about election administration and voting rights.

Public Health & Safety: Illinois is bracing for a dangerous heat wave, with heat advisories and forecasts pushing heat indexes above 100 degrees; officials are urging residents to hydrate, limit outdoor time, and use cooling centers. State Law (Kids’ Health): A new Illinois requirement starting July 1 will expand blood lead testing to all children, with automatic tests at 12 and 24 months and additional screening for younger kids via provider questionnaires. Elections & Voting Rights: The U.S. Supreme Court ruled states can count mail ballots received after Election Day, dealing a blow to Trump-aligned efforts to tighten deadlines. Consumer Protection & Costs: Illinois’ junk-fee and price-clarity push continues as new affordability laws take effect, including limits on hidden charges and rules aimed at lowering costs for families. Higher Education & Federal-State Clash: The DOJ sued Massachusetts and Rhode Island over in-state tuition benefits for undocumented students, arguing federal law bars preferential treatment. Illinois Courts & Policy: Illinois is also tied up in litigation over prediction-market taxes, with Kalshi challenging the state’s new rules as deadlines approach. Chicago Governance: Bally’s is leaning on former Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s law firm in its dispute with the city over video gaming terminals.

Supreme Court Mail Ballots: The U.S. Supreme Court ruled states can count mail-in ballots received after Election Day as long as they’re postmarked by then, a win Illinois officials say protects voter access. Consumer Protection: Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a wave of new laws, including Illinois’ junk-fee and rental-fee transparency measures and a grocery requirement to honor paper coupon equivalents. Housing & Renters: Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson pushed aldermen to adopt a tenants-rights package with capped move-in fees, a rental registry, and “just cause” protections. Public Health: Illinois and Chicago warned residents about an extreme heat wave, urging use of cooling centers and check-ins on vulnerable neighbors. Privacy & Surveillance: A backlash over Flock Safety’s license-plate reader network is driving new state laws and raising questions about how public-safety tech shares data. Workforce & Licensing: New Illinois apprenticeship pathways expand paid routes into barbering and cosmetology. Sports & Local Life: Robert Lewandowski is joining Chicago Fire as a Designated Player.

LGBTQ+ Protections: Gov. JB Pritzker signed three new laws during Pride weekend, including stronger privacy rules for gender-affirming medical information, expanded insurance coverage for hormone therapy, and a clearer process for updating gender markers on Illinois IDs. Public Safety & Crime: Chicago reported multiple weekend shootings, with at least one death and several injuries, as police continue to respond across neighborhoods. Minimum Wage: Chicago’s hourly minimum wage rose to $17.05 (and the tipped cash wage to about $12.96) starting Wednesday under the city’s inflation-linked schedule. Sports & Stadium Watch: The Chicago Bears are advancing their Hammond, Indiana stadium search, including soil testing near Wolf Lake Terminals as they evaluate additional parcels. Local Governance: Carbondale put a one-year pause on new data center projects while it develops zoning rules over concerns like water, power, noise, and quality of life. Consumer/Health Policy: Illinois also moves toward universal blood lead testing for children starting July 1, expanding screening statewide.

LGBTQ+ Protections: Gov. JB Pritzker signed three new laws ahead of Chicago Pride, including limits on out-of-state use of Illinois medical records for gender-affirming care, expanded hormone-therapy coverage, and new rules for how gender markers appear on state IDs and driver’s licenses. Public Health: Illinois is moving to universal childhood blood lead testing starting July 1, with testing at ages 12 and 24 months and follow-up steps when elevated levels are found. Natural Resources Leadership: Pritzker announced IDNR Director Natalie Phelps Finnie will depart at month’s end, citing growth, staffing boosts, and renewed investment in parks and conservation. Jobs Watch: Northern Illinois unemployment rates were mostly flat or down in May, though still higher than a year ago, according to IDES figures. Economic Development: International Paper plans to close its Aurora sheet plant and wind down operations in Elk Grove and Barrington by late Q3 2026. Community & Safety: Chicago’s Pride Parade drew massive crowds, with organizers emphasizing heat precautions and medical support along the route.

Pritzker Campaign Trail & Economic Pitch: Gov. JB Pritzker is touting fresh Illinois investments, including a $250M soybean processing and solar project in Gilman and ADM’s $103M Decatur modernization, as he builds momentum for another term. New Illinois Consumer Protections: Illinois signed laws to ban IDOC from charging unreasonable mail fees, require diaper ingredient transparency on packaging, and make cocktails-to-go permanent starting July 1. Public Health Push: Illinois expands childhood lead testing statewide with universal blood tests at 12 and 24 months beginning July 1. SNAP Accountability: Illinois’ SNAP payment error rate rose to 14.7% in FY25, setting up potential federal penalties that could cost the state about $700M. Road Safety Law: A new “intelligent speed assistance” program targets repeat “super-speeders,” requiring speed-limiting devices for qualifying drivers. Chicago Politics & Crime: Rep. Mike Quigley announced a run for Chicago mayor, while coverage also highlights ongoing debate over teen “takeover” crowds and public safety costs.

Illinois Consumer Protections: Gov. JB Pritzker signed a slate of bills cracking down on junk fees and deceptive pricing, including making “cocktails-to-go” permanent starting July 1 and tightening rules around ticketing and buy-now-pay-later lenders. State Budget & Benefits Watch: Illinois’ SNAP payment error rate climbed to 14.7% in fiscal 2025, raising the stakes as federal penalties could cost the state an estimated $700 million if performance doesn’t improve. Chicago Politics: U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley announced he’s running for Chicago mayor, aiming to unseat Mayor Brandon Johnson and promising changes on pensions, procurement, and zoning. Elections & Federal Overreach: Illinois’ top election officials and AG Ford secured another court win blocking unlawful federal control over elections. Public Safety: The FAA says flight reductions are needed at O’Hare this summer due to overscheduling, while local law enforcement reports multiple arrests tied to guns and drugs. Culture & Civic Life: The Obama Presidential Center opens to the public on Juneteenth, with a major focus on both the political and personal legacy of the former president.

Consumer & Housing: Gov. JB Pritzker signed a rental junk-fee ban requiring upfront disclosure of non-optional charges on the first page of leases, aiming to stop surprise costs for renters. Public Safety: Pritzker also signed a plan to require speed-limiting devices for high-risk repeat offenders, with the Secretary of State administering the program as an alternative to license suspension. Immigration & Education: Pritzker signed a bill letting undocumented students pay in-state tuition if they graduated from Illinois high schools, a move framed as expanding access while opponents warn it could push more students out of state. Elections & Federal Overreach: Illinois AG actions to block unlawful federal election control continue, as courts and state officials push back on attempts to reshape election rules from Washington. Courts & Labor: A class-action lawsuit alleges Hy-Vee failed to pay overtime by using “department manager” titles to avoid federal overtime rules, with the company disputing the claims. Chicago Security & Heat: Chicago Pride planning ramps up with extra police resources and heat-safety steps as temperatures climb. Sports Betting Fight: Kalshi sued Illinois over new prediction-market taxes and regulation set to take effect July 1. Federal Crime Case: A Chicago man, Alexander Iniguez Mercado, was charged in the foiled White House UFC event attack plot, accused of obstructing a federal investigation.

Illinois Law Takes Effect July 1: Gov. JB Pritzker’s consumer and public-safety agenda kicks in with new rules including cocktails-to-go becoming permanent, an Illinois AI cyberbullying update for unauthorized AI images in schools, and expanded lead blood testing for children. State Government Operations: The new Department of Early Childhood begins full scope, and Illinois also rolls out changes tied to the Office of State Public Defender and new reporting requirements for the Department of Corrections. Weather & Disaster Funding: Illinois is seeing a record tornado count, but federal disaster aid is lagging—raising pressure on state and local response capacity. Elections & Ballot Access: In Chicago’s race to replace Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, independent candidates accuse Garcia allies of aggressive ballot challenges, with a hearing officer delaying a decision. Public Safety & Federal Courts: A Chicago man faces federal obstruction charges tied to an alleged plot targeting a White House UFC event, with multiple suspects charged across states. Chicago Civic Life: Mayor Brandon Johnson’s gun violence reduction push continues as the city also grapples with ongoing budget and school funding fights.

Reproductive Health Records: Gov. JB Pritzker signed the Reproductive Health Records Privacy Act, shielding abortion-related medical information from out-of-state access without patient consent, with the new rules taking effect July 1, 2027. Consumer Protection: Pritzker also signed Illinois’ junk fees and “ghost ticketing” bans, aiming to curb deceptive online ticketing practices. Public Health: Illinois expands lead testing statewide starting July 1, requiring blood lead tests at 12 and 24 months for every child, regardless of ZIP code. Elections & Courts: Illinois Attorney General James’ office secured a court win blocking Trump administration efforts to exert federal control over elections. Chicago Schools: CPS says it won’t cut instructional time or Safe Passage in its budget plan despite a projected $700M+ deficit, while teachers push for a special legislative session. Gun Violence: Mayor Brandon Johnson created a new Office of Gun Violence Reduction by executive order, with plans to transition it into a permanent department. SNAP Costs: A new federal SNAP error-rate report could force some states to pay millions more unless they reduce payment mistakes.

Public Health & Safety: Illinois will expand childhood lead blood testing statewide starting July 1, moving beyond “high-risk ZIP codes” to testing all kids at 12 and 24 months, with required interventions when levels exceed 3.5 micrograms per deciliter. Elections & Voting Access: A federal judge blocked parts of a Trump USPS mail-ballot executive order affecting states including Wisconsin, rejecting federal efforts to compile voter lists and limit state control over election materials. Immigration & Civil Rights: DOJ is moving to join a lawsuit challenging Evanston’s reparations program, arguing it discriminates against non-Black residents; meanwhile, Illinois and other groups are also reacting to Supreme Court rulings that strip key immigration protections. Reproductive Health: Illinois expands pharmacists’ ability to provide birth control and emergency contraception via updated standing orders, aiming to improve access. Housing & Community: The Second Story Foundation received $2 million in state FY2027 funding for recovery housing and jobs programming in Crete. Economy & Local Impact: Chicago tourism hit a record 56.8 million visitors in 2025, generating $21.5 billion in spending.

Prediction Markets Fight: Kalshi sued Illinois in federal court to block enforcement of SB 3019, arguing state officials usurped CFTC authority and that sports-event contract rules should be preempted. Reproductive Health Records: Gov. JB Pritzker signed laws expanding privacy protections for abortion-related medical records, including limits on out-of-state access without patient consent. Data Center Backlash: Carbondale approved a one-year moratorium on new data center development while it drafts new zoning rules; Yorkville’s Project Cardinal settlement also reorders construction phases after resident litigation. Public Safety & Weather: A severe storm warning targeted the greater Chicago area with damaging 70 mph wind gusts possible. Local Government Funding: United Way of Central Illinois invested $1.3M in 21 programs for ALICE households across central Illinois. Healthcare & Jobs: ADM was named to the Illinois Manufacturing Hall of Fame, and U.S. USDA Rural Development awarded $450K to Lawrence County Memorial Hospital for patient-safety upgrades.