WEEK IN ILLINOIS

IN THE NEWS Ex-cop guilty of murder

An Illinois jury on Wednesday convicted former Sangamon County Sheriff's Deputy Sean Grayson of second-degree murder in the shooting death of Sonya Massey, a Black woman who called 911 asking for help in 2024 at her Springfield home.

SNAP: As nearly 2 million Illinoisans prepared to lose federal SNAP food assistance on Nov. 1 amid the government shutdown, Gov. JB Pritzker signed an executive order directing $20 million toward food banks and Illinois joined a multistate lawsuit to force the Trump administration to restore the funding.

HEALTH INSURANCE: Illinois residents will pay an average of 78% more for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act exchange if Congress does not extend enhanced premium tax credits — the issue at the heart of the current government shutdown — state regulators said Monday.

GAS RATES: Nicor Gas and Ameren Illinois customers across Illinois could face increased natural gas rates next year, based on proposals pending before the Illinois Commerce Commission.

BOEING STRIKE: Boeing workers at three plants in Illinois and Missouri where military aircraft and weapons are developed voted Sunday to reject the company's latest contract offer and to continue a three-month-old strike.

DROUGHT: Most of west-central Illinois is in severe or moderate drought and farmers across the state are reporting that the weather is eating into corn and soybean yields.

THEY SAID ...

We believe that we should be taxing billionaires so they can pay their fair share."

— Illinois Federation of Teachers President Stacy Davis Gates

If I have something I can say that hasn't been said and the ability to get it done — not say it, not think it, not articulate it, but then execute it — if I think I can do that, I'll do it. If I don't, I won't."

— Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, on running for president

Chill the hell out. Someone throwing something at you might hurt you, but it's not gonna kill you."

— Chicago police officer to a federal agent on an immigration raid

ODDS AND ENDS

TURKEY PRICES: Economic factors such as rising feed prices and pressure from viruses are driving up turkey prices, according to an American Farm Bureau Federation economist.

POPE'S HOME: The mayor of Dolton said six community members have begun developing a plan for Pope Leo XIV's boyhood home.

CANDIDATES: Hundreds of candidates gathered Monday outside the Illinois State Board of Elections in Springfield to file petitions with hopes of being first on the ballot for the spring 2026 primary election.

JACKPOT: The largest Mega Millions jackpot ever offered on Halloween, an estimated $754 million, was up for grabs Friday night.

THE WATER COOLER

WEALTH TAXES: The Illinois Federation of Teachers president said state lawmakers should raise taxes on wealthy individuals and corporations to increase state spending on education and other services.

SCHOOLS AND ICE: Mayor Brandon Johnson urged Gov. JB Pritzker to allow Chicago public school students to learn from home because of ICE activity, but Pritzker took a dim view of the idea.

DEPORTATION HALTED: A Chicago man facing deportation and whose 16-year-old daughter is undergoing treatment for advanced cancer will be released on bond and return home, an immigration judge ruled Oct. 24.

IN THE NEWS

Tear gas used near parade prep

Federal immigration agents have again been accused of violating a federal restraining order during a fracas in the Old Irving Park neighborhood Oct. 25 where residents were tackled and tear gassed as children prepared for a Halloween parade.

BOVINO: An appeals court on Wednesday blocked a judge's order that required U.S. Customs and Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino to give unprecedented daily briefings to the judge about immigration sweeps in Chicago amid reports of excessive use of force and tear gas.

PENSIONS: A House panel on Wednesday advanced a bill aimed at reforming a state pension plan known as the "Tier 2" system, but only with the understanding that negotiations will continue and no final action will be taken before spring.

RIVIAN: California-based Rivian, which builds all of its electric pickups, SUVs and commercial vehicles in Normal, gave layoff notices to more than 600 employees, or roughly 4.5% of its workforce.

EMANUEL: Former Mayor Rahm Emanuel said a decision on whether to pursue the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination comes down to whether he thinks he can meet "both the challenge and the promise of tomorrow" and execute on it.

OFFICIALS' PRIVACY: The Illinois House approved legislation aimed at protecting public officials from threats and harassment by allowing them to shield certain information from public disclosure while sanctioning the use of campaign funds for personal security services.