ILLINOIS
AROUND THE STATE
Gov. JB Pritzker signs executive order to protect COVID-19 vaccine access under RFK Jr.
“Gov. JB Pritzker on Friday signed an executive order that aims to protect COVID-19 vaccine access in Illinois amid increased barriers to the shots nationwide under federal Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.
State Board of Elections to rule Oct. 21 on $9.8M Harmon campaign fine
“A decision on State Sen. Don Harmon’s (D-Oak Park) appeal of a $9.8 million fine by the Illinois State Board of Elections’ will be made at the board’s Oct. 21 meeting,” by the Wednesday Journal.
Illinois’ veto session will have focus on energy, overcoming federal funding cuts
“There are just a few weeks until the October veto session, but no vetoes to consider. So, Illinois lawmakers are turning their attention to new bills. It’s called the veto session but this year lawmakers don’t have many vetoes to consider,” by WCIA.
As energy bill continues to take shape, a key Senate architect plans to retire
“Sen. Bill Cunningham, a Chicago Democrat with a reputation for taking charge of energy and climate change legislation, will step down at the end of his current term,” by Capitol News Illinois.
CHICAGO
MORE FROM CITY HALL
Crime is down in Chicago, but still a focus in Mayor Brandon Johnson’s fight with Trump
“It’s a feather in Mayor Brandon Johnson’s cap that he has highlighted as a political win all year, but one that’s become especially salient as the White House has suggested again and again that Chicago could be next in Trump’s military crackdown of major cities,” by the Chicago Tribune.
Nearly half of City Council signs letter asking for security overview following Charlie Kirk's killing
“Ald. Ray Lopez (15th) was behind the letter, which asked the Chicago Police Department and the city’s Law Department to review protocols at City Hall. As of Thursday afternoon, 19 other members of the City Council had signed onto the letter,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.
RTA presses the CTA, Metra and Pace to share more details about looming service cuts
“Public transit riders could soon know which of their bus routes and train lines will get cut if the CTA, Metra and Pace don’t secure hundreds of millions of dollars in additional state funding,” by the Chicago Tribune.
Retired Ald. Walter Burnett, wife received over $260,000 in rent payments as housing voucher landlords
“Former Ald. Walter Burnett — Mayor Brandon Johnson’s pick to run the Chicago Housing Authority — and his wife Darlena Williams-Burnett have been paid more than $260,000 as housing voucher landlords for the agency since 2007, records examined by the Chicago Sun-Times show,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.
FEDERAL
Cozen Currents - Trump’s Fiscal and Monetary Policy Levers
President Trump’s tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act are nearing the final battle of their legal chapter, after an appeals court ruled the measures to be illegal.
The White House’s push to exert greater influence over the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy decision making is set to reach a crescendo this fall.
President Trump’s attempt to unilaterally rescind foreign aid creates greater uncertainty for the FY26 appropriations process in Congress and increases the risk of a government shutdown. Read the Cozen Currents here.
Beltway Briefing: Two Realities, One Nation
America faces unprecedented division. With citizens operating from two incompatible sets of facts and losing any sense of common ground, the dehumanization of both parties is pushing the nation toward a dangerous tipping point in political violence. How can today’s leaders rise to meet this moment? Listen to the latest episode featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer, Patrick Martin, and Towner French here.