AGP Executive Report

Illinois AI Policy: A bill regulating powerful AI models advanced in Springfield, with advocates saying it’s an early step toward tighter rules. NICU Leave: Illinois is set to become only the second state to offer NICU leave, with a new law guaranteeing parents up to 20 days of unpaid time off starting June 1. Chicago Work Schedules: Chicago amended its Fair Workweek rules, with updated requirements taking effect June 1, pushing employers to adjust scheduling policies. Public Safety Tech Debate: Mayor Brandon Johnson defended moving away from ShotSpotter, pointing to improved response times, while the city weighs bids for other gunshot detection options. Justice System Overhaul: After the “Broadview Six” case fell apart, the U.S. attorney announced sweeping grand jury reforms aimed at preventing similar problems. Cold Case Update: Madison County charged a man with first-degree murder in a 1993 killing, decades after investigators stalled. Local Crime: A 37-year-old woman was shot while inside a vehicle on the Northwest Side, and police also investigated a smash-and-grab at a South Side business. Sports & Culture: Illinois set kickoff times for its first three football games; and “The Bear” helped pass a resolution making May 23 Italian Beef Day in Illinois.

NCAA Baseball: Florida State is hosting the Tallahassee Regional for a third straight year, with the Seminoles as the No. 10 national seed and top seed. They’ll open Friday, May 29, against St. John’s, with Coastal Carolina and Northern Illinois also in the field. Public Health: Illinois school vaccination rates are inching up slightly in 2025-26, but meningococcal coverage is still the only tracked immunization below the state’s 95% goal. Weather & Health: Air quality alerts are in effect across the Chicago metro and northwest Indiana, urging people to limit time outdoors through Wednesday due to unhealthy ozone and dust. Energy: Ameren Illinois is upgrading substations and underground lines in Warren, Knox and Mercer counties, aiming to cut outages and boost reliability by early September. Sports: The White Sox and Cubs keep struggling—Chicago dropped another one to Minnesota in extra innings, while the Cubs were crushed 12-1 by Pittsburgh to extend a brutal skid.

Teen Takeover Fallout: A Joliet teen, Rashad Johnson, 18, faces attempted first-degree murder charges after Chicago police say he drove into five officers while responding to a “teen takeover” near Roosevelt and Loomis; all five were hospitalized but expected to be OK. Immigration Court Update: A Mather High School senior detained by ICE in March is headed home to Chicago after a bond hearing, with his asylum case continuing in court. Road & Safety: Lanes reopened after a crash on Frontage Road near I-55 in Channahon as Illinois State Police investigate. AI Policy: An Illinois Senate bill to regulate powerful AI models advanced, pushing transparency and safety requirements as advocates call it only a first step. Health & Weather: A Chicago-area ozone alert warns nearly 9.4 million people to limit prolonged outdoor activity through Wednesday night. Tourism Dollars: Gov. Pritzker announced $5 million in tourism grants, including Route 66 centennial funding. Local Life: Rockford demolished a historic Briggs Mansion, and Poplar Grove broke ground on high-speed internet expansion.

Hyde Park Violence: Chicago police say three men were shot Monday night blocks from a planned teen takeover at 57th Street Beach, with the victims (ages 18 to 19) hospitalized in good condition as officers rerouted traffic and kept crowds moving. Statehouse Watch: Illinois lawmakers cleared a bill for automatic, pre-tax retirement plan enrollment for new Chicago police, firefighters, and municipal workers, with an opt-out option and a 3% default contribution. Housing Fight: A new push to tackle affordability is gaining bipartisan attention, with Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker’s broader approach to local housing rules drawing fresh focus after a Senate housing bill aimed at reducing regulatory costs. Sports Spotlight: The White Sox beat the Twins 3-1 as rookie Rikuu Nishida logged his first MLB hit and Munetaka Murakami launched his AL-leading 18th homer; the Cubs, meanwhile, try to stop a long skid against the Pirates. Health & Safety: Illinois also advanced measures tied to public health and services, including changes affecting loan-default rules and other statewide programs.

Loop Crackdown: Chicago police are escorting street vendors out of the Loop, with videos showing carts loaded onto vans and vendors reporting fines and citations—some say they’ve been ticketed even with peddlers’ licenses. CTA Arts Push: The CTA is taking proposals for temporary art and live performances at select rail stations, with grants up to $50,000. Memorial Day Safety: Lakefront beaches opened for the summer, but officials and residents are on edge after a violent weekend; police also say officers were hurt during a teen gathering when a car plowed into them. Violence & Tragedy: A 2-year-old boy died after an accidental self-inflicted shooting in Roseland; in Joliet, a wrong-way crash on I-80 killed one person and sent another to the hospital. Weather: Memorial Day is sunny and warm, with a dry, summerlike week ahead. Sports: The Cubs lost again, extending their skid, while the White Sox beat the Twins 3-1.

Memorial Day Moment: Flags are at half-staff across Illinois today as the state marks Memorial Day through sunset Monday, honoring those who died in America’s wars. Tragic Accident: A golf course worker in Paris, Illinois, was found dead after getting pinned under a lawnmower in a pond; investigators are still sorting out how he ended up there. Sports—Soccer: Mallory Swanson returned from maternity leave and scored early in her second game back, lifting Chicago Stars FC to a 1-0 win over Bay FC after Bay received two red cards. Sports—Baseball: The White Sox open a new series with the Twins today, while the Cubs try to snap an eight-game skid against the Pirates in Pittsburgh. Chicago Violence: Memorial Day weekend brought more chaos, including five officers struck by a car while breaking up a teen gathering. Legal/Business: Employees sued Guzman y Gomez in Illinois, saying the chain closed Chicago restaurants without prior notice.

Violence and public safety: A mass shooting in Chicago’s Little Village left four teenagers wounded early Sunday, with no arrests yet and detectives still working out what sparked the attack. More weekend harm: Police also reported a woman sexually assaulted at LaBagh Woods on the Northwest Side, and a 2-year-old boy died after accidentally shooting himself in Pullman; a 31-year-old man was taken into custody in that case. Road deaths: A fatal rollover on the Dan Ryan Expressway killed a 20-year-old, and a separate crash on I-94 near 91st Street left one dead and three injured. City politics and sports: Mayor Brandon Johnson used a Vatican trip stop to push opposition to wars and to tie the Pope’s Chicago sports fandom to the Bears stadium fight. Sports (local): The Cubs’ skid hit eight straight losses as the Astros completed a sweep with an 8-5 win, while Edward Cabrera went on the IL with a finger blister.

Bears Stadium Drama: Chicago Bears say they’ve “exhausted every opportunity” to stay at Soldier Field, while Gov. J.B. Pritzker points to “miracles” and a potential state bill that could decide whether the team can leave Illinois—amid fresh talk of a lakefront option that the team says it doesn’t want. NFL Offseason Watch: With minicamp looming, the Bears’ offseason is also getting messy on the field—reports say they’re missing 40% of their starting secondary, including cornerback Jaylon Johnson and nickel back Kyler Gordon (soft-tissue injury). Wrigleyville Woes: The Cubs fell again, losing 3-0 to the Astros as Christian Walker hit two homers and Houston’s Teng Kai-wei shut them down, extending Chicago’s skid to seven. City Hall Shake-Up: Chicago’s public health commissioner Dr. Olusimbo Ige resigned, with a deputy stepping in as acting commissioner. Public Safety: A 62-year-old woman was killed after being struck by a vehicle in Irving Park. Health & Outdoors: More than half of Illinois corn and soybeans are now planted, and Memorial Day weather looks warm with rain mainly overnight.

Foiled School Attack: A teen is in custody after relatives in Plainfield spotted a boy with a gun and called 911, stopping a planned shooting at Grand Prairie Elementary; deputies recovered a handgun, loaded magazines, knives, and other items, and the child is being held for evaluation with no charges filed yet. Public Safety & Health: Illinois health officials say hantavirus risk is low in Will, Kankakee, and Kendall counties after a suspected case tested negative. Energy & Industry: Rivian says retired battery packs will be repurposed into a 10-megawatt-hour storage system to help power its Normal, Illinois factory. Sports—Cubs & Sky: The Cubs made a lineup shake-up as they try to snap a skid, while the Minnesota Lynx beat the Chicago Sky 85-75 behind Natasha Howard’s 26 points. Local Life: Lincoln Park Zoo welcomed a 1-year-old river otter, Mystie, and Plainfield secured $250,000 for safer school walking routes.

Workforce Push: Illinois is putting $2.6 million into expanding Lincoln Land Community College’s truck driver training, adding a new Litchfield site to cut a months-long wait for CDL students. Student Spotlight: At the Governor’s Mansion, Illinois Retail Merchants honored winners of its first Retail Challenge Scholarship, awarding scholarships from $2,000 to $60,000 to retail-minded high school teams. Public Safety: Chicago police and residents are reacting after a second man reported serious injuries from the same broken, unprotected sidewalk outside a South Side lounge—raising fresh questions about who’s responsible for repairs. Health Awareness: Green hearts are popping up across Chicago for Arthritis Awareness Month, part of a campaign that turns art into a “You found me” message for people living with hidden pain. Holiday Watch: Memorial Day weekend starts with improving conditions after scattered showers, while Illinois police are stepping up seat belt enforcement through the holiday. Sports: The Cubs called up top prospect Pedro Ramirez as Matt Shaw goes on the IL, while the White Sox surged to a 9-4 win over the Giants.

Violence in the Region: A 22-year-old Chicago man, Sharod Grafton Jr., is accused of shooting a LaPorte County sheriff’s deputy inside a northwest Indiana hospital emergency room, after the deputy brought him in thinking he was a stranded motorist; the deputy was airlifted and remains in critical condition. Courts & Arbitration: The Illinois Supreme Court heard arguments over whether Uber can force a wrongful-death lawsuit into private arbitration based on its user terms. Housing/Tech Fight: A multiple listing service says Zillow could lose 40,000 listings as the dispute over private listing posts and antitrust claims escalates. EV Politics: Gov. J.B. Pritzker touted Rivian’s Normal plant as Republicans attacked big tax incentives as ineffective. Public Safety: Illinois lawmakers are pushing a “water watcher” push for summer and a pesticide-drift notification requirement for schools and parks. Sports: The White Sox open a Bay Area set vs. the Giants with Davis Martin on the mound; the Cubs face Houston at Wrigley. Business Closures: Guzman y Gomez is shutting all U.S. restaurants, including Chicago-area locations.

Bears Stadium Exit: The Chicago Bears closed the door on staying in the city, saying there’s “not a viable site” and narrowing the search to Arlington Heights or Hammond, Indiana—while Illinois lawmakers keep pushing tax-break legislation for big projects. School Support Workers: Illinois lawmakers are weighing a bill that would let non-instructional school staff collect unemployment during summer break, with costs drawing sharp debate. Statehouse Health Policy: The Illinois Senate advanced dozens of bills, including a “junk fee” ban and a measure letting minors consent to birth control without needing a parent. Public Safety on the Water: Memorial Day weekend brings reminders: Illinois bans operating a boat while intoxicated, with serious penalties for repeat offenses or injuries. FBI Crackdown: The FBI reported results from “Operation Viper,” a sweep in east-central Illinois that led to 29 arrests and multiple gun and drug seizures. Business Watch: Guzman y Gomez is exiting the U.S., closing eight Chicago-area restaurants after struggling to gain traction.

Bears Stadium Drama: At Halas Hall, Bears coaches met reporters Thursday as the offseason rolls on, but the bigger fight is political: Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker again blasted Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson for having “no plan” to keep the team, while the Bears keep pointing to Arlington Heights or Hammond. Aviation Safety: At O’Hare, a United jet lightly clipped an ANA cargo plane’s tail; FAA is investigating and no injuries were reported. Public Health Alerts: Illinois officials warned residents after a rabid bat was found in Park Ridge, urging people not to touch wildlife and to seek care after any possible exposure. City Life, Up Close: A viral “Backrooms” style tour highlighted Chicago’s Pedway system, built to connect downtown transit and buildings. Local Courts & Crime: A Wilmington man’s case tied to a trooper’s death was continued to June 23. Weekend Watch: Memorial Day closures are rolling in across Illinois, and Chicago is gearing up for the holiday rush.

Hospital Safety Under Strain: Illinois hospitals are seeing a rise in violence against nurses, and many staff say the system isn’t doing enough to stop it. Statehouse Consumer Push: Illinois lawmakers sent a junk-fees ban to Gov. JB Pritzker, aiming to force businesses to show the full price upfront before taxes. Road Safety Crackdown: The Senate also advanced a plan that would require high-risk speeders to install speed-limiting devices instead of relying only on license suspensions. Labor Tension: Rideshare drivers rallied at the Capitol, pressing for a law that would let Uber and Lyft drivers unionize and bargain. Local Accountability: A Markham park district official is accused of using a taxpayer-funded credit card for a helicopter-themed prom photoshoot. Sports Shockwaves: The Brewers swept the Cubs after Kyle Harrison’s 5-0 shutout, while the Chicago Sky opened at home but fell 99-89 to Dallas after Rickea Jackson’s season-ending ACL injury.

Public Safety: Illinois State Police reported a serious crash on I-255 southbound near I-270 in Madison County that overturned a commercial vehicle; some lanes reopened, but officials urged drivers to avoid the area. Crime: Chicago police are searching for seven people tied to an armed robbery at the Thorndale CTA Red Line stop earlier this month, releasing surveillance images and asking for tips. Courts & Justice: A man was sentenced to 18 years for his role in the 2021 Oak Brook Mall shooting that injured four bystanders. Animal Welfare: A dog daycare owner was charged after police say he repeatedly kicked a dog and pressed his foot against its neck. Health: The CDC says it will begin screening certain international travelers at Chicago O’Hare for Ebola as the outbreak spreads. Business & Economy: Gov. JB Pritzker announced a $15 million expansion in Centralia for Intermountain Electronics, adding 60 jobs. Sports & Culture: Bill Pullinsi, credited as the “father of dinner theater,” died at 86.

Sports: The Brewers took over first place in the NL Central with a 5-2 win over the Cubs at Wrigley, powered by Jacob Misiorowski’s six shutout innings and Brice Turang’s two-run homer—Chicago’s skid is now four straight losses as the teams meet again Wednesday. Sports: In Seattle, the White Sox avoided a series slip with a 2-1 ninth-inning rally, with Chase Meidroth and Andrew Benintendi delivering the go-ahead hits as Chicago’s pitchers limited the Mariners to one hit. Public Health: A Winnebago County hantavirus scare ended after CDC testing found a suspected case was negative, with officials stressing the risk remains very low. Local Life: Chicago’s Paid Leave rules get clarified ahead of the June 1 effective date, including standards around employer liability and how leave can be used for childcare disruptions. Weather: Southern Illinois and the Tri-State area brace for more rounds of showers and thunderstorms, with damaging winds possible and heavy rain concerns lingering into the holiday weekend. Tech/Real Estate: Zillow’s visibility in the Midwest is set to shrink as MRED cuts off access, escalating a fight over “private listings” that could affect what buyers and sellers can see online.