WEEK IN ILLINOIS

IN THE NEWS

Pritzker wants to limit insurers

Gov. JB Pritzker is asking state lawmakers for more authority to regulate the homeowners insurance market in Illinois after Bloomington-based State Farm announced a 27.2% rate increase.

BRIBERY: Former Commonwealth Edison CEO Anne Pramaggiore and longtime Springfield lobbyist Mike McClain were sentenced to two years in prison each for their roles in a bribery scheme targeted at ex-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.

REDISTRICTING: Gov. JB Pritzker is leaving the door open to changing Illinois' congressional maps to "counterbalance" an attempt by Texas politicians to add more Republican seats to the U.S. House.

ATTORNEY: Thomas Anthony Durkin, 78, a nationally prominent criminal defense attorney who for five decades was a fixture in Chicago's courthouses and who was known for his relentless advocacy for a roster of notorious clients, has died.

GENDER CARE: Bowing to federal pressure under the Trump administration, UChicago Medicine has become the latest Illinois hospital to end gender-affirming pediatric care.

TERROR PLOT: A Lombard teen faces terrorism and weapons charges for allegedly planning a terror attack at the Islamic Education Center in Glendale Heights, authorities said.

PLANNED PARENTHOOD: Planned Parenthood of Illinois has named Adrienne White-Faines to be president and CEO, starting in early September, in the face of a barrage of threats, including a yearlong loss of federal Medicaid dollars.

THEY SAID ...

At least we didn't put ketchup on a Chicago-style hot dog!"

— Lou Malnati's representative Katie Maldonado, on a pizza-hot dog collaboration with Portillo's

I think everybody has the same feeling. It's magical. No. 1, what is that? And is that a real car?"

— DeLorean car enthusiast Jason Alspaugh

There is a purpose when you use a swastika. That is a specific symbol with an intent to create intimidation and fear. Our immigrant community, our Mexican community, Latino community, has really been targeted lately."

— Chicago Latino activist Nubia Willman on vandalism ODDS AND ENDS

AI LEGAL FILING: Lawyers hired by the Chicago Housing Authority used ChatGPT artificial intelligence to create an Illinois Supreme Court filing that cited a legal case that does not exist.

PICKLEBALL: More than 400 summer camp kids rotated through a massive pickleball crash course lesson July 21 in Highland Park as organizers took a swing at setting a world record.

HOT DOG PIZZA: Portillo's and Lou Malnati's Pizzeria teamed up for a new crosstown collaboration — The Chicago Dog Deep Dish — which will be available for a limited time through the pizzeria chain.

THE WATER COOLER

VETERAN: A ceremony at a Homewood cemetery paid tribute to Emilio Aguirre, a nearly forgotten World War II veteran who died in a 1995 heat wave and was buried in an unmarked grave.

ILLEGAL HUNTING: Five Mississippi men have been fined thousands and sentenced to years of probation after they used illegal hunting methods to poach deer in five southern Illinois counties, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.

GAMBLING: Gambling could soon come to Chicago's neighborhood bars or international airports as aldermen eye legalizing video gambling machines as a way to add tax revenue.

IN THE NEWS

Bill: No masks for police, ICE

An Illinois state representative has introduced legislation that would ban law enforcement officers, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, from wearing masks and neck gaiters while performing official duties.

VOTER ROLES: The U.S. Department of Justice added its voice this month to a lawsuit by private entities accusing the state of Illinois of failing to properly maintain a statewide voter registration list, in violation of a 1993 federal law.

SQUATTERS: A new law signed by Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday will make it easier for police to remove squatters who are illegally staying at a residence.

HOMELESS SHELTERS: Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Department of Family and Support Services announced a $40 million investment to "modernize" homeless shelters throughout the city.

PARKINSON'S: A Northwestern Medicine research lab has found a usually harmless virus in brain samples from Parkinson's patients, opening the door to a viral link to the neurological disorder.

NASCAR: With the Chicago Street Race shelved after two years, NASCAR announced it is headed to San Diego next summer to host a new street race weekend on an active naval base.

SERIAL KILLER: In a new partnership with Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students, Illinois State Police have identified three victims of an infamous St. Louis-area serial killer and also brought charges for a murder that had gone unsolved for 14 years.