AGP Executive Report

Illinois Budget Watch: Illinois general funds revenue rose 8.2% in the first quarter of fiscal year 2027, but state forecasters warn offsetting factors could blunt the gains. Fuel Prices: Gas prices are easing after states suspended fuel taxes, with diesel down 13 cents and unleaded down 12 cents over the past week. Data Centers & Local Politics: Ballot measures tied to data centers are on the rise, with Illinois voters facing seven measures in 2026 as communities debate growth and power demand. Chicago Business & Transit: CTA is in settlement talks with federal officials in the Red Line Extension lawsuit, while Chicago City Council approved revised parking meter deal terms. Sports & Local Economy: The Bears’ stadium fight continues as Gov. JB Pritzker stays involved in negotiations with the NFL. Public Safety & Health: FDA released a plan to prevent future Cyclospora outbreaks, targeting surveillance, lab capacity, and food-safety training. Politics: Former Illinois House GOP leader Jim Durkin endorsed Pritzker over Darren Bailey, citing trust and party direction. National Legal/Policy: The Supreme Court begins a term with major cases on climate, immigration, and gun rights. Crime & Accountability: Former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert died at 84 after a scandal that led to federal prison.

Public Safety: A 7-year-old girl was fatally stabbed in Chicago’s Chatham neighborhood late Saturday morning; police say witnesses detained the woman attacker and she was arrested, with no clear motive released. County Oversight: Kane County’s auditor Penny Wegman is accused of not checking whether the Sheriff’s Office stays within its budget after the office spent more than $10M past approved limits, prompting questions about what the law requires. Local Development: Plainfield’s proposed Ridge Road warehouse project is back on the agenda Monday as developers seek annexation and address resident concerns about noise and truck traffic with added berms and building shields. Illinois Economy/Business: Illinois-based Sterling Pharmaceutical Services is behind a major Walgreens-branded eye-drop recall affecting more than 500,000 units over sterility concerns. Sports (Illinois): The Bears beat the Jets 23-12 at Soldier Field as Tyson Bagent delivered a standout performance in a “full-circle” home-state moment. Global/Policy: The U.S. is monitoring a suspected pneumonic plague case in Russia after a lab worker’s death, as some lawmakers push for travel restrictions.

Downstate Transit Funding: Illinois is taking applications through Oct. 30 for up to $100 million in IDOT grants for downstate transit capital projects, with awards announced by year’s end. Utility Affordability Fight: In Porter County, Indiana candidates debated NIPSCO oversight as bills rose about 92% since 2016, with lawmakers split over rate caps, disconnections, and whether private equity should be barred from owning utilities. Chicago Crime: A 7-year-old girl was fatally stabbed in broad daylight in Chicago’s East Chatham neighborhood; police say the suspect was unknown to the victim and remains in custody. Education Policy in Illinois: Gov. J.B. Pritzker is weighing whether to opt into a federal scholarship tax credit program, as teachers unions push back and supporters argue it could expand options. Chicago Politics: Rahm Emanuel urged Democrats to prioritize an ethics reform package over impeachment if they win the House. Tech & Immigration: Illinois employers in the Educational Services sector filed 1,213 H-1B petitions in 2025, with a 98.8% approval rate. Local History: Oswego’s former library director Sarah Skilton received a 2026 award for preserving local history. Sports Spotlight: Bears host the Jets at Soldier Field on Oct. 4.

Cook County Water Board Race: Republican candidate Michelle Pennington says Cook County is “heading in the wrong direction” and argues the MWRD’s $1.8 billion budget needs closer scrutiny as she campaigns for a Nov. 3 seat. CTA Safety Push: Mayoral contender John Kelly claims CTA transit police staffing has dropped from about 420 officers to 100, saying riders avoid trains and buses at night and pledging a “two-way ticket” approach to make service secure. Superfund Cleanup Milestone: The EPA removed the Kerr-McGee Kress Creek/West Branch DuPage River Superfund site from the National Priorities List after decades of radioactive contamination tied to a former West Chicago rare-earths facility. Illinois Business & Jobs: Whiteside County economic development director Gary Camarano won a national “Economic Development Director of the Year” award, citing broadband, workforce pipeline work, and film-industry growth. Local Education & Policy: Illinois lawmakers and agencies continue to weigh major budget and oversight issues, including scrutiny around public spending and school governance. Consumer/Travel: Amtrak plans to add a second daily Pittsburgh-to-New York trip on the Pennsylvanian route, with ticket sales expected to open this month.

PFAS Cleanup Expansion: Carus, based in the Illinois Valley, is partnering with Australian firm RemBind to bring new PFAS (“forever chemicals”) remediation tools to the U.S., expanding options for municipalities, consultants, contractors, and industry. Illinois Movie Tax Credits: Illinois is boosting its film, TV, and advertising incentives with more than $1 billion in credits issued over six years, but academics warn the deal could shift costs to taxpayers without clear local payoff. Data Center Jobs Debate: A new Illinois economic report projects $57B in data center investment through 2035 creating 121,000 jobs, while other industry groups tout manufacturing’s broader employment impact—fueling skepticism about what the numbers really mean. Chicago Bears Stadium Talks: Gov. JB Pritzker and Illinois leaders met with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell as the Bears weigh staying in Illinois, with NFL issuing a statement after the meeting. Public Health & Food Safety: A frozen berry recall tied to an E. coli outbreak expanded, with products shipped to stores including Illinois. Environment & Enforcement: Illinois AG Raoul asked a court to halt operations at a South Deering plant over excessive odors and alleged environmental law violations.

Northwestern Football: Northwestern opened its new Ryan Field in Evanston with a 34-13 rout of Penn State, powered by a 17-point first half lead and 413 rushing yards, as the Ryan family’s $875 million stadium investment took center stage. NFL Week 4: A preview of the rest of the week highlights early-season surprises and injury concerns, with Chicago’s Bears still a key storyline. India-U.S. Business: Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal told an Illinois audience that India plans a large, multi-sector business delegation to the U.S. in early 2027, with extra trade-fair push and startup ties, including remarks in Chicago tied to G20 discussions. Illinois Public Safety & Housing: Glen Ellyn residents pressed village leaders over downtown homeless threats and what they call insufficient police response, pushing for stronger enforcement. Health Costs: A KFF explainer says patients at nonprofit hospitals can ask for charity care screening and have a set window to apply, after many households are billed for amounts they likely didn’t owe. Local Environment: Vermilion County will host a free electronics recycling drop-off Oct. 3 at Danville Area Community College, including battery recycling rules. Tech & Power: A new report on data centers warns local backlash is growing as electricity demand and construction strain collide with AI ambitions.

Legal Showdown: Illinois AG Kwame Raoul joined a coalition condemning the DOJ’s complaint against nearly all Minnesota federal judges as an attack on judicial independence. Environmental Enforcement: Raoul, Mayor Brandon Johnson, and Chicago asked a court to halt Pullman Innovations’ Pullman plant operations over excessive odors and alleged environmental permit violations. Energy & Consumer Costs: Raoul also sued to block the Trump administration’s rollback of federal fuel economy standards, arguing it will raise costs and pollution. Public Health: CDC reported 3,887 measles cases nationwide as of Oct. 1, with Illinois among 47 jurisdictions reporting cases. Civic Life: UChicago Harris and Chicago Public Media launched “Chicago in Conversation,” bringing 40 residents together to practice respectful dialogue on major city issues. Local Business: Chicago awarded $665,000 in historic preservation grants for three sites, including a South Chicago theater and West Side churches. Economy Watch: Fed President Austan Goolsbee said rate hikes and pauses are still “on the table” as inflation remains the priority.

Cubs vs. Rooftop Ticketing: A federal judge ruled Wrigley View Rooftop can’t sell tickets to watch Chicago Cubs games from its building, saying the business profited without contributing to the ballgames or securing rights to Cubs IP. O’Hare Flyer Scrutiny: West-suburb residents gathered in Forest Park to demand answers on the proposed O’Hare Flyer express rail, questioning traffic, property values, and economic claims. City Hall Ethics Clash: Chicago aldermen pressed World Business Chicago over ads featuring Mayor Brandon Johnson, arguing the videos blur the line between economic promotion and political advertising. Public Safety & Fraud: COPA released video from a 2025 River North police shooting involving an alleged knife; separately, a Chicago mother and daughter say debit-card fraud keeps recurring even after repeated replacements. Mental Health Access: The 988 lifeline restored “Press 3” for LGBTQ youth after a long federal fight. Local Community: Plainfield’s first Great Get Together festival and ISU’s Million Meal Pack both drew big crowds for arts and hunger relief.

Illinois Politics & Courts: Illinois agreed to delay its 0.2% crypto transaction tax by six months, pushing the start to July 1, 2027, while lawsuits over the tax’s constitutionality continue. Energy & Cost of Living: With gas and diesel prices rising, more states are suspending or cutting fuel taxes; Illinois readers are watching how affordability moves spread nationwide. Chicago Public Safety & Tech: A report says the federal HIDTA program can funnel local automated license plate reader data into federal databases, often without full local awareness. Healthcare & Jobs: UMass Memorial Health named Jeff Biesczat, a Chicago-area finance leader, as its next CFO. Illinois Agriculture: IL Corn released an interactive tool to help farmers estimate how practices and geography affect carbon intensity scores. Business & Local Economy: Apex Clean Energy secured financing for a 150 MW Spring Creek Solar project in Macon County, targeting operations in 2027. Chicago Business/Community: Hartwell Place in Andersonville held its fourth annual Neighborhood Memory Walk to support people living with dementia. Chicago Trade & Enforcement: U.S. Customs seized 200 counterfeit Cartier watches worth $28 million at O’Hare.

Illinois Economy & Jobs: ADM will receive the Illinois Impact Award for its Decatur modernization investment, a project tied to more than $103M, 50 new jobs, and upgrades across soybean processing, protein production, storage, and corn milling. Local Business & Costs: Illinois collects $214M in miscellaneous taxes during Q1 2026, while Chicago’s economy-watchers point to a “record divergence” between economic data and public views, with the Chicago Fed president weighing in. Workplace Safety: Smithfield workers in Monmouth are speaking out after the Sept. 14 death of Patou Mpinda, alleging deadly conditions and unsafe maintenance practices. Privacy & Tech: A Seventh Circuit panel upheld that Union Pacific’s fingerprint scans at Illinois facilities violated a state privacy law. Sports & Community: COUNTRY Financial is sponsoring “War on 74,” the Illinois State University–Bradley rivalry series spanning athletics, academics, and community service. Public Safety: Chicago police and officials respond to a reported bomb threat at the Aragon Ballroom, with concertgoers allowed in amid fears. Consumer & Regulation: Illinois extends a 0.2% crypto tax to stablecoins and DeFi, adding another layer to the state’s digital rules.

CPS & School Politics: Sendhil Revuluri has dropped out of Chicago’s school board president race, shrinking the field to three and intensifying the fight over who steers Chicago Public Schools. Local Governance: Springfield City Council heard competing pitches on landlord accountability, including a “landlord boot camp” proposal versus critics who say the council keeps splitting votes and stalling. Public Safety & Courts: Former DeKalb-area school superintendent Devon Horton will change his plea next week in a federal case tied to alleged kickbacks involving District 65 and Chicago Public Schools. Housing & Costs: Chicago renters’ rights overhaul again stalls as sides seek compromise, while separate reporting highlights how expensive water bills are driving property-owner challenges. Business & Economy: Arts Alliance Illinois urges Mayor Brandon Johnson to add $15 million to arts funding in the FY27 budget, arguing Chicago cut local arts support in its last cycle. Food Safety: Illinois-based Fontanini Foods recalled pork sausage over possible plastic contamination, with regulators warning some product may still be in restaurant freezers. Transit: Sangamon Mass Transit District moves toward a new off-street transfer hub, pairing a land deal with $7.5 million in IDOT capital funds.

Local History: Danville demolished Dick Van Dyke’s boyhood home at 930 N. Hazel St., saying the structure was too deteriorated to save after years of condemnation and unpaid taxes. Public Safety & Justice: Chicago police released a video seeking two suspects in a South Side homicide that left 26-year-old Naseem D. Stevens dead after a Saturday shooting and chase. State Budget & Services: Illinois will close eight state-run visitor information centers by month’s end, citing changing travel habits and about $1.6M in annual operating costs. Energy Assistance: LIHEAP reopens Oct. 1, with Illinois households able to apply for help paying utility bills as costs stay high. Food & Consumer Safety: Fontanini Foods recalled 2,320 pounds of raw frozen pork breakfast sausage links due to possible hard plastic contamination. Illinois Politics: The Illinois 4th District race heats up as rivals attack ballot maneuvering in the bid to succeed Chuy García.

Chicago Budget & Governance: Chicago City Council approved a debt-threshold change that would require a higher supermajority for future borrowing, teeing up a possible fourth veto from Mayor Brandon Johnson. City Hall Finance: In a separate vote, the Council signed off on a $2.53 billion deal to sell Chicago’s privatized parking meters to Stonepeak, with added city protections like a transfer fee and profit share. Housing & Renters: Renters’ rights overhaul talks stalled again as aldermen paused votes while negotiations continue. Regional Education Race: Kane County Democrat Jerry Cook is challenging incumbent John K. Jonak for Regional Office of Education 31 superintendent, citing ethics and dismissal actions from Cook’s past school roles. Healthcare Expansion: UChicago Medicine plans a 43,500-square-foot Northwest Indiana facility in Valparaiso, adding primary care and specialty services starting in 2027. Food Assistance: A federal SNAP deadline tied to a 2025 law could raise denials or delays as states take on more costs and face higher scrutiny for payment mistakes. Illinois Economy & Trade: Illinois is among the states most exposed to the U.S.-Canada trade fight, with $76B in annual goods trade. Aviation: IDOT named several Illinois airports “Airport of the Year,” including MidAmerica St. Louis (Primary) and Chicago Executive (Reliever).

Illinois Courts: The Illinois Supreme Court blocked condo sellers from suing associations and management firms over “unreasonable” document fees, extending a long-running dispute that began with a 2016 transaction. Chicago Real Estate & Consumer Costs: In the same legal orbit, Illinois condo fee fights keep tightening what sellers can challenge during closings. Meta & Illinois Tech Ties: Meta named Illinois-educated executive Chirantan “CJ” Desai to lead its new Meta Enterprise Platform, reporting directly to Mark Zuckerberg as the company pushes enterprise AI tools. Public Health & Safety: A self-sanitizing public restroom is under construction in Chicago’s West Town, with a power-washing system meant to clean after each use. Sports & Local Economy: As the Cubs and White Sox open postseason runs, Chicago-area businesses in Wrigleyville and the South Side are gearing up for playoff crowds. Energy & Household Bills: Illinois households can apply for LIHEAP utility bill help starting Oct. 1, as costs remain a pressure point. Agriculture Leadership: The Illinois Soybean Association announced its 2027 LEAD class, adding new participants to its leadership and advocacy program.

Illinois Politics & Elections: Two Illinois statehouse candidates answered voter questions this week—Democrat Margaret DeLaRosa (42nd) touting gas-tax restraint, SNAP support, and medical-debt relief, while Republican Gina Parrilli (45th) argues for property-tax relief, lower spending, and less housing red tape. Chicago Public Safety: Police say multiple smash-and-grab burglaries hit businesses on the South Side, including Bronzeville and Hyde Park. State Economy & Housing: A new Redfin analysis points to October as prime dealmaking season, with more price cuts and concessions as inventory builds. Energy & Costs: The White House is weighing options to lower diesel prices, including a possible export ban and other regulatory relief—while acknowledging it could raise gasoline costs. Agriculture: A proposed FTC-led settlement with Corteva would curb anticompetitive pesticide loyalty practices, aiming to lower prices for farmers. Business & Finance: Valley National Bancorp agreed to buy Bluevine for $340M to expand small-business banking. Culture & Local Life: “Chicago Fire” filming will use SFX smoke near the Obama Center and UChicago Monday and Tuesday.

End-of-life debate: Pope Leo XIV condemned medically assisted death as “false compassion” during a Lourdes visit, reaffirming Catholic teaching while France’s new end-of-life law keeps the issue in the spotlight. Illinois jobs & community: Chicago’s 50th Ward will host its annual job fair at Northtown Library (Sept. 24), pairing employers with state and local agencies. AI in the spotlight: Trump confirmed a White House dinner with Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei while rejecting calls to slow AI development, as global concerns about AI safety and unauthorized access keep growing. Local development: Six Corners is set for a $100 million development starting in 2027, with ward updates also marking a fallen fire chief. Food & culture: Chicago ranked in WalletHub’s top 15 for vegans and vegetarians. Sports: Derrick Rose’s flower business got a spotlight tied to the Presidents Cup in Medinah; and Miguel Vargas’ 2026 White Sox season adds another MLB milestone.