AGP Executive Report

Chicago School Board Election: Chicago voters will cast two votes in the city’s first fully elected school board race—one for a district seat and one for school board president—plus early voting starts Oct. 1 and online registration runs until Oct. 18. Education Endorsements: A roundup of education groups and education-focused PACs backing candidates highlights the CTU’s central role and the rise of new pro-business, anti-CTU organizing. Privacy & Surveillance: A new report questions the ethics of Flock license-plate cameras, citing concerns that data on ordinary people can be stored and used in ways that chill privacy and democracy. Police Accountability: The Illinois Supreme Court will hear a case that could reshape how Chicago Police Department serious-misconduct cases are handled and how much public access the process allows. Immigration Enforcement: Evanston police are investigating an incident involving federal agents who allegedly detained the wrong person, later realizing he was a U.S. citizen. State Courts & Misconduct: After Illinois special prosecutors brought felony charges against a lawyer and a legal researcher, both were acquitted, with a follow-up investigation alleging misconduct and conflicts. AI Governance: Illinois Gov. Pritzker renewed calls for federal AI regulation, warning the technology is “dangerous on the level of nuclear weapons.” Economy & Policy: The Chicago Fed’s Austan Goolsbee said strong demand may be pushing inflation higher, leaving “no ambiguity” on the Fed’s potential response. Early Voting: Illinois early voting begins Thursday, Sept. 24, with mail ballots also going out.

Education & Workforce Pipeline: Peoria Unified is rolling out a new seventh-through-12th grade model at Cactus High School, keeping younger students separate while offering earlier access to career and technical certifications. College Readiness Data: Illinois school-by-school figures show remediation remains a major hurdle: Rockford East (20.8%), Springfield Southeast (13.4%), Plainfield (36.6%), Naperville Central (11.9%), and Central High in Champaign County (40.7%) of graduates who went to Illinois community colleges took at least one remedial course in 2024-25. Public Safety: Chicago police identified Juan A. Vicente as the man killed in a West Side drive-by shooting in Lawndale. Statehouse & Courts: Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul joined a multi-state lawsuit led by California to block a new Trump public charge rule that would expand how immigration officials weigh use of public benefits. Arts & Community: The Art Institute of Chicago was allowed to keep a stolen 1916 Egon Schiele drawing after an appellate ruling said the seizure relied on the wrong legal basis. Housing/Local Economy: Zillow reported Lawrence County’s typical home value fell 10.7% to $101,078 in August 2026.

Property Tax Relief in Cook County: Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle’s office awarded $191 million in stopgap loans to 32 suburban villages, libraries and school districts to bridge a delayed property tax payout, leaving $109 million in the loan pot that CPS can’t access after not applying. Jail Oversight Under Scrutiny: An Illinois Answers Project investigation says county jails report thousands of unusual incidents to the state, but regulators review almost none—raising concerns about how well Illinois monitors deaths, escapes, riots and forced medication. Mental Health Treatment Delays: Illinois sheriffs are pushing Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Human Services to address psychiatric bed shortages and proposed cuts at Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center in Anna. Education Attendance Watch: Illinois State Board of Education data show chronic truancy remains high statewide (19.8%), with individual schools like Milne Grove Elementary (7.9%) and Indian Trail Middle (10.7%) highlighted in new reporting. Access to Justice Funding: The Illinois Supreme Court Commission opened applications for the 2027 Disability Access Grant, with a deadline of Oct. 23, 2026, for court accessibility improvements. Chicago Public Safety: A man was killed in a North Lawndale shooting Saturday afternoon, according to Chicago police.

Courts & Access: The Illinois Supreme Court Commission opened applications for the 2027 Disability Access Grant, with funding for courts and related offices to remove barriers for people with disabilities; the deadline is Oct. 23, 2026. Energy & Climate: Illinois secured 600 MW of battery storage in its first state battery auction—short of the target but still a major step toward a more resilient grid. Public Safety & Justice: A Chicago-area bus stop sexual assault case sent a 43-year-old man to detention pending trial, while a separate DEA operation netted 339½ pounds of cocaine and about $700,000 in cash from a suburban “stash house.” Pretrial Policy Fight: State Rep. Regan Deering renewed calls to reform Illinois’ SAFE-T Act and cash-bail changes on the third anniversary, pushing bills aimed at expanding detention and tightening accountability. Education Outcomes: New state data show high remedial-course rates for Illinois community college enrollees from multiple high schools, underscoring ongoing gaps in college readiness. Legal Workforce Snapshot: ARDC updates show steady lawyer-license counts in several counties and ZIP codes, including Woodford County (7 active licenses) and Shelby County (9).

Bears Stadium Talks: New public records show the Chicago Bears kept communicating with Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s team in August, including a check-in with Deputy Gov. Andy Manar and a request to add Bears minority owner Pat Ryan—despite the team’s public focus on Hammond, Indiana. Public Safety & Community Services: Chicago opened its first Community Oriented Policing “COP House” in Roseland, pairing police with youth mentoring, violence prevention, mental health support, workforce help, and family services. State Policy & Courts: Illinois regulators ordered restitution from unlicensed student loan debt relief companies, while the state’s assisted suicide law continues to face legal fights from Muslim doctors. Education & Accountability: YCCS–West Town Academy Alternative High School’s chronic truancy rate hit 99.4% in 2024-25, far above the statewide average. Local Government & Growth: Lawrence County approved a two-year moratorium on large data centers, aiming to study community impacts before accepting major applications. Health & Work: Illinois expanded workplace protections for menopause-related conditions. Business & Consumer Watch: Visa and Mastercard agreed to a $167.5M ATM fee settlement that could refund cardholders who paid surcharges.

Climate Policy: The Illinois EPA released a “Comprehensive Climate Action Plan” saying the state has cut emissions 32% since 2005 but still isn’t on track for net-zero by 2050, calling for major changes across transportation, buildings, industry, agriculture and waste. Attorney General: Kwame Raoul won a preliminary injunction blocking the Trump administration from demanding a database of sensitive personal records for 17 million commercial drivers and from cutting over $10 million in federal funding tied to AAMVA. Public Safety & Courts: Raoul also announced a 50-year prison sentence for a Vermilion County man convicted of sexually assaulting a child and producing child sexual abuse material. Ethics Reform: A proposal would overhaul Illinois ethics oversight by consolidating inspector general and ethics functions into a single independent commission with expanded investigative powers. Child Welfare: DCFS and the Save Abandoned Babies Foundation launched a campaign using mailed QR-code stickers to help people access Illinois’ baby safe haven law. Sports Policy: The U.S. Senate cleared a procedural hurdle for the Protect College Sports Act, with Illinois Division I athletic directors backing it. Local Governance: Oak Park’s recall-right petition nears 1,000 signatures ahead of an April ballot question. Assisted Suicide Lawsuit: Muslim doctors sued Illinois over the state’s assisted-suicide law, arguing it violates religious rights.

Energy & Grid Politics: West Virginia lawmakers and utilities are clashing over PJM “public interest” reforms as AEP and FirstEnergy fight to keep coal plants running longer, even as ratepayers face the nation’s highest electricity bills. Cost of Living: Record U.S. diesel prices are squeezing farmers during harvest season, with food price pressure likely to hit consumers ahead of November. Illinois Higher Ed & Immigration: A federal court decision forces Illinois universities to end in-state tuition access for undocumented students for 2026-27, leaving schools scrambling on outreach and aid options. Chicago Local Government: The 48th Ward is rolling out property tax assistance and appeal help, plus zoning and park-renaming feedback opportunities. Public Safety & Community: A Garfield Ridge pancake breakfast raised $19,500 for the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation, funding bulletproof vests. Tech & Power Demand: A new report warns PJM reliability could fall short repeatedly as data centers surge, intensifying pressure on Illinois and the broader grid. AI Governance: Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton’s family story underscores the stakes of federal power, while national debate over AI regulation keeps heating up.

Insurance & Courts: RSUI Indemnity is asking a judge to rule it owes no defense or coverage to Tiffany Henyard, her boyfriend Kamal Woods, and former Thornton Township employee William Moore in a lawsuit tied to a Jan. 2025 township meeting brawl. Public Corruption: Illinois AG Kwame Raoul says Justin Vaughn, Johnson County’s former 911 administrator, pleaded guilty to theft of government property and official misconduct for fraudulent 911 equipment invoices and $690,000+ in improper reimbursements. State Mental Health Policy: AFSCME Council 31 sued to block Illinois’ plan to downsize Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center, arguing the state violated laws on reducing services and preserving psychiatric beds. Immigration Rule: A new “public charge” standard takes effect Sept. 18, letting officers weigh Medicaid and other benefits—while multiple states and cities sue to stop it. Chicago Housing: A zoning committee advanced a renter-protection ordinance backed by Mayor Johnson’s opponents, including a landlord registry and a “Renters Bill of Rights.” AG Consumer Protection: Raoul joined a multistate $694 million settlement with Credit Acceptance over alleged predatory auto lending.

Immigration & Courts: WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times report ICE’s Trump-era surge has pushed detainees farther from home, adding major legal and emotional burdens, including one woman’s 2,000-mile transfer journey. Public Safety Tech: WBEZ finds five Illinois public universities still use Flock surveillance cameras and spent $450,000+ since 2021, even as critics warn about misuse and wrongful arrests. Education Policy: Illinois’ TEAACH Act requires Asian American history in schools, but WBEZ reports only about 25% of teachers/students have engaged with available curriculum resources. Local Government: Alsip Mayor John Ryan’s term-limits push is backfiring—his town is considering a referendum that could extend limits and help him stay longer. Health & Aging: Champaign County Board weighs a smaller $250,000 contribution toward a new skilled-nursing home startup. Housing Costs: Illinois American Water faces fierce Bolingbrook opposition at an ICC hearing over a proposed $134M–$142M rate hike. Politics: Illinois’ U.S. Senate race to replace Dick Durbin is heating up as Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton and GOP challenger Don Tracy campaign ahead of Nov. 3.

Chicago Renters’ Rights: Mayor Brandon Johnson’s revised Protecting Renters Ordinance cleared the Housing Committee 12-9 after dropping a “just cause” relocation-pay provision, setting up a full City Council fight with a competing proposal from opponents. Mental Health Services: AFSCME sued to block the state’s plan to sharply scale back Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center in Anna, arguing the cuts would eliminate more than 250 jobs and violate Illinois facility-closure and access laws. Disaster Relief: Gov. JB Pritzker asked FEMA for a major disaster declaration for McLean County after August storms, which could unlock housing and repair help for residents and local governments. AI Safety Law: Illinois’ AI Safety Measures Act joins similar California and New York reporting-and-audit requirements for frontier developers, aiming to force more transparency after safety incidents. Public Safety & Enforcement: Illinois State Police Troop 9 announced October Alcohol Countermeasure Enforcement patrols in Clay, Marion, Effingham, Wayne, Lawrence and White counties. Courts & Accountability: A Cook County judge ruled the Chicago Teachers Union can provide summarized financial audits under its bylaws, and plaintiffs say they’ll appeal. Sports WNBA Culture Clash: The WNBA trans athlete policy debate continues to spark protests and counter-protests after player comments drew national attention.

Chicago Cooling Enforcement: The historic Yale Building at 6565 S. Yale Ave. became the first Chicago property cited this year under the city’s cooling ordinance after a chiller failure, triggering potential fines of up to $1,000 per day. Prison Education Demand: Illinois Department of Corrections data shows college classes in state prisons are still outpaced by demand, with waitlists for higher education up 80% since last year. Immigration Enforcement Fallout: Gov. J.B. Pritzker says federal agents must be held accountable for the impacts of Operation Midway Blitz, citing fear and major economic losses in Cook County. Clean Energy Workforce: Illinois is updating its clean energy jobs training hubs to match shifting labor needs, including moving beyond solar-only pathways. Housing & Renters: Mayor Brandon Johnson is revising his Protecting Renters Ordinance, dropping “just cause” eviction limits as he tries to win aldermanic support. Cannabis Retail: Sycamore’s first dispensary is aiming for an October opening after local approvals, pending final state sign-off for the specific location. Federal Grants Pressure: A new tracker says the Trump administration has cut or frozen up to $177 billion in grants nationwide, with Illinois among the hardest hit.

Chicago Politics: Mayor Brandon Johnson formally launched his bid for a second term, arguing his first-term agenda focused on working families and public safety, even as the city faces a projected 2027 budget deficit. Elections & Voting Rights: Illinois Democrats and voting-rights experts are reacting to the U.S. Supreme Court blocking USPS changes that would have disrupted vote-by-mail rules, while President Trump attacks the decision. State Courts & Transparency: The Illinois Supreme Court will hear a case on whether public access should extend to police disciplinary arbitration, a potential shift for accountability in serious cases. Public Safety: Illinois State Police charged a Golconda man with aggravated DUI and reckless homicide after a fatal ATV crash in Pope County. Energy & Costs: A power outage at Exxon Mobil’s Joliet refinery is blamed for rising gas prices in Chicago and the broader region. Local Government: Tuscola City Council approved changes to a Washington Street project after crews found an old underground oil heating tank, and updated building code powers to target derelict properties. Higher Education: Western Illinois University opened the Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts, with state leaders highlighting new arts access. Community Spotlight: Champaign’s Rooted Pathways Counseling received a Business Leadership Award tied to the Immigrant Welcome Awards.

Elections & Courts: The U.S. Supreme Court rejected Trump’s push to tighten mail-ballot rules before the midterms, keeping existing state processes in place for roughly a third of voters. Immigration & Public Benefits: A coalition of states and local governments sued to block a “public charge” policy that would make green cards harder for immigrants who use public benefits, arguing it will strain emergency care and reduce participation in programs like food stamps. Illinois Politics: Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is juggling his statewide reelection bid with a Chicago mayor run, while Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson launched his reelection campaign and faced criticism for divisive rhetoric. Chicago Public Safety: Chicago’s 35th Ward highlighted a recent Kosciuszko Park homicide and urged residents to share tips with police. Environment & Infrastructure: The Army Corps resumed work on the Brandon Road Lock and Dam project aimed at stopping invasive carp in the Illinois River after a stop-work pause. Technology & Law Enforcement: Lawmakers are pushing a federal “No FLOCK Act” to restrict Flock-style license plate cameras or lose highway funding.

Chicago School Politics: Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office opened applications for a state-required noncitizen advisory panel to advise the Chicago Board of Education, with 17 appointees expected by early November ahead of the fully elected board vote. Local Governance & Debt: A Chicago City Council finance committee backed raising the vote threshold for future city borrowing to three-fifths, a move that could limit how easily a minority can block debt. Courts & Health Policy: A federal judge temporarily blocked Illinois’ medical aid-in-dying law from being enforced against Catholic healthcare providers, while the law remains in effect for other providers. Immigration & Green Cards: New York and a coalition of cities and states, including Chicago, sued to stop a Trump DHS “public charge” rule that would make it harder for some immigrants to get green cards based on use of public benefits. Energy Transition: Illinois regulators’ first battery storage procurement step cleared the way for about 600 megawatts of new utility-scale storage by 2030, pushing the state toward its solar and wind goals. Public Safety: Chicago police are investigating the theft of a rifle, ammunition, and a bulletproof vest from a DEA agent’s vehicle. Education Budget Meetings: New Hope School District’s board will consider its FY 2027 budget and a property donation for a roadway, while an Illinois State student government group approved its 2026-27 budget and office changes. Business & Retail: JCPenney plans to open a new store in Burbank to replace its shuttered Ford City Mall location.

Food Insecurity Crisis: A new Greater Chicago Food Depository report finds about 417,000 Chicago households—roughly 1 in 3—are food insecure, with the highest rates on the South and West sides and nearly half of households with children affected. Chicago Police Leadership: With Larry Snelling retired, Chicago’s community commission has held five listening sessions for residents to shape priorities for the next CPD superintendent, as the city moves toward a Nov. 12 finalist deadline. White Sox Stadium Push: White Sox minority owner Justin Ishbia’s “Railyards” proposal would place a new stadium by the Chicago River, while Amtrak shifts maintenance operations into nearby Chinatown/Bridgeport—prompting a coalition focused on environmental and economic impacts. Illinois Healthcare Cuts: Illinois is sending letters to more than 700,000 Medicaid enrollees warning they will lose—or could lose—coverage as federal changes roll out. Campus Free Speech: A FIRE survey says Illinois campuses show slight improvement in free-speech climate, but students still report difficulty discussing controversial topics. Illinois Policy & Rights: Illinois lawmakers advance a bill to protect the right to wear medical masks in public accommodations, aiming to stop discrimination against people with health needs.

Assisted Suicide Court Fight: Illinois’ medical aid-in-dying law is moving forward as federal judges weigh challenges, including rulings that shield Catholic nuns and other providers from having to participate. Chicago Politics: Mayor Brandon Johnson says he’ll seek a second term, setting up a crowded 2027 mayoral race as voters weigh public safety and progress. Immigration Enforcement Pressure: El Grito Chicago returned with smaller crowds as residents cited ongoing ICE fears and concerns about federal agents near polling and public events. Surveillance Scrutiny: Chicago-area residents and civil liberties groups are pushing back on automated license plate reader use, arguing it’s being misused and needs tighter limits. Legal System Watch: A new report alleges climate litigants are trying to influence the judiciary, raising questions about how climate cases are shaped. Local Government & Services: Evanston residents are pressing for answers about a solid waste transfer station, citing noise, smells, and truck impacts on nearby students. Economy & Agriculture: The Fed’s Beige Book says Corn Belt farm conditions improved slightly, with Chicago-area farm income expectations rising amid weather stress. Illinois Courts & Lawyers: ARDC data shows lawyer-license counts stayed steady in multiple Illinois ZIP codes and counties, including Scott County and Chicago’s 60680.