AGP Executive Report

Immigration Accountability: Mexico has filed criminal complaints tied to ICE operations, including the September killing of Silverio Villegas González in Franklin Park, as Chicago’s migrant-crisis costs and City Council fights over ICE spending keep pressure on local and federal leaders. Illinois Politics & Public Opinion: New Illinois polling shows Trump’s favorability stuck low, with unfavorable ratings far ahead of favorable—another sign Democrats are sharpening their message heading into 2026. Food & Health Policy: The FDA is leaning on AI and state regulators to expand food safety work, aiming to prevent illness and reduce diet-related chronic disease. Local Crime & Courts: A bar break-in in Crete, Illinois, was caught on video after a smashed entry; police say an officer tried to stop the suspects, who fled. Business & Supply Chains: Union Pacific secured Canadian National’s support for its Norfolk Southern acquisition, while Illinois-focused coverage also highlights growing use of AI tools in logistics and mobile app security. Agriculture & Prices: Wheat hit a two-year high amid Russia-Ukraine disruption fears and drought concerns, with Illinois farmers watching costs and policy fallout. Chicago Economy & Culture: Chicago’s World Cup watch parties drew crowds, and the city is also gearing up for WNBA All-Star weekend.

Immigration Courts Under Scrutiny: The UN warns the U.S. may be violating international law after Trump-era moves that fired more than 100 immigration judges, including in Chicago, and replaced them with “deportation” judges. Illinois Quantum Push: Illinois secured about $30M in federal support for the Bloch Quantum Tech Hub to grow domestic quantum components and strengthen supply chains. Hospital Bills Relief: Illinois lawmakers are advancing a plan that could let people write off certain hospital expenses on state taxes, alongside a separate push limiting hospital liens on primary residences. Local Politics & Schools: A Chicago school board race in District 10a is in limbo after petition challenges could remove challenger Tameka Walton from the November ballot. Higher Ed Clash: AAUP backs Medill professor Steven Thrasher, alleging Northwestern’s actions violate academic freedom amid a lawsuit. Business & Courts: A class action targets LPL Financial over alleged nondisclosure tied to Phoenix/PHL variable insurance products. Chicago Public Safety: Video from River North shows a woman attacking a child selling flowers, renewing concerns about unaccompanied vendors. Aviation Milestone: Chicago Rockford International Airport marks 80 years of cargo and passenger service.

Chicago Politics & Economy: Mayor Brandon Johnson says Chicago’s economy and crime are improving and points to record tourism and fuller hotel occupancy, but he still won’t say if he’s running again. Local Governance & Public Safety: After CPS closed schools and buildings sat empty, a new study links the period to rising gun violence. Illinois Courts & Policy: Illinois faces a first legal challenge to its new 0.2% crypto tax, with the Digital Chamber suing to block it before it takes effect. Tech & Business in Illinois: Infleqtion says it’s adding a neutral-atom quantum system to the Chicago Quantum Hub, aiming to anchor quantum progress in the state. Energy & Industry: Illinois Reforms Tax Sales for Homes, while ComEd highlights tech-first efforts to engineer utility affordability. Sports & Chicago: The MLB trade deadline talk heats up as teams weigh whether to add or hold, with Chicago’s roster moves still part of the broader churn. Business & Legal Alerts: Multiple investor-alert filings target companies including AeroVironment and Lucid, with deadlines coming soon.

School Board Shake-Up: Chicago’s first fully elected 21-member school board is set for Nov. 3, with Hyde Park’s District 10A race still in flux after ballot challenges that could leave Che “Rhymefest” Smith as the only listed candidate. Local Politics & Ethics: Democrats chose Jessica Dixon Heitman to replace resigned Rep. Harry Benton, as Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch faces fresh scrutiny over how harassment complaints were handled. Boating Safety: Chicago officials warn this summer’s reckless boating on the Chicago River and Lake Michigan is the worst in decades, launching “Own Your Wake” after a fatal Monroe Harbor crash. Crypto in Court: The Digital Chamber sued Illinois to block the new 0.2% Digital Asset Tax Act before it takes effect in January, arguing it violates state and federal rules. Grocery Closures: All seven Save A Lot stores in Chicago could shut down this summer after Yellow Banana’s partnership ends, with SNAP cuts cited as a major driver.

Mobile Denture Care: Durable Dental Lab launched the Illinois Senior Smile Initiative, using a mobile dental lab to bring denture repair and adjustments directly to nursing homes and assisted living facilities, aiming to cut delays and transportation burdens for seniors. Insurance Leadership: Kemper named Eric Kappler EVP and President of its P&C business, effective July 30, as he takes over from departing Matthew Hunton. Local Business Moves: WeShipCars relocated its business address to Evanston, and Keyrenter Naperville acquired Keyrenter Chicago North to expand property management across Chicago’s North Side and suburbs. Food Safety Watch: The FDA said a lab test in the Cyclospora outbreak tied to Taylor Farms lettuce showed a false positive, but investigators still point to the shredded iceberg lettuce as the most likely source; cases are reported across many states including Illinois. Public Safety & Courts: Ex-Summit police chief John Kosmowski was sentenced to three years in federal prison for bribery conspiracy tied to a liquor license transfer. Chicago Tech/Jobs: PsiQuantum pledged $250,000 for South Side STEM programs tied to its upcoming quantum campus at the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park. Renewables: Heelstone began construction on three Illinois solar projects totaling 86 MW, with commercial operation expected by end of 2026.

Bears Stadium Search: State Rep. Curtis Tarver floated a new Chicago site for the Bears—more than 300 acres near 85th Street and DuSable Lake Shore Drive—arguing it’s private, lakefront, and could spur investment. Labor Politics: The Illinois AFL-CIO ended its earlier pause and issued Nov. 3 endorsements after saying Democrats heard its message about stalled labor priorities. Business & Jobs: Mars Wrigley signaled hundreds of layoffs as it relocates its HQ from Newark to Chicago, filing a WARN notice for 307 jobs. Healthcare & Cybersecurity: UChicago Medicine execs warned that the same AI used to help patients is now being used to scale hospital cyberattacks. Immigration Enforcement: ICE detained seven men in a Bemidji operation, including one man who swam from Lake Bemidji before being taken into custody. Aviation & Freight: With FAA flight caps tightening at O’Hare, a new Milwaukee air cargo center is being pitched as a Midwest relief valve for cargo capacity. Wildfire Fallout: Ontario wildfire smoke and evacuations continue to strain air quality across parts of the U.S. Midwest, including Illinois.

Chicago Transit & Work: City Council moves to support cabbies and ride-hailing drivers, but drivers say the damage from shifting commutes and falling medallion values is already done. Public Safety: A 30-year-old man was shot and killed near Lincoln Park after a fight, with police collecting evidence and one person in custody. Courts & Consumer Rights: A Chicago injury attorney says crash victims often need lawsuits to force corporations to identify hit-and-run drivers. Housing Policy: Local leaders plan to push back at City Hall on a proposed FAIR ordinance that would scale back parts of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s Protect Renters plan. Business & Jobs: Hatch Product Development & Contract Manufacturing is relocating its HQ to a new 32,000-square-foot facility in Wauconda. Health & Food Safety: The FDA is trying to walk back its earlier lettuce-linked outbreak claim, adding confusion for people sickened by cyclosporiasis. Tech & Industry: Datanomix is pitching paperless shop-floor production bundles at IMTS in Chicago. Markets: Hub Group faces new securities class-action deadlines in the Northern District of Illinois. Weather & Air Quality: Canadian wildfire smoke is again triggering air quality alerts across the Midwest, including Illinois.

Illinois Politics & Economy: A new Illinois push aims to bridge the urban-rural divide, with State Sen. Mike Porfirio hosting Edgar County Farm Bureau members and highlighting how downstate crops feed Chicago’s food processing and distribution. Public Safety: Chicago police are investigating a Wicker Park business robbery where a woman was attacked and robbed at gunpoint; she was cut near her eye and taken to the hospital. Energy & Industry: In Darien, residents packed a library hearing as the Illinois Power plant proposal from Invenergy (a 325-megawatt gas-fired project) faces scrutiny over impacts on nearby homes and the growth of data centers. Aviation & Travel: A Trump budget proposal could cut Essential Air Service funding, putting subsidized flights from O’Hare to downstate airports like Decatur, Quincy, and Marion at risk. Local Business & Community: I Am A Gentleman Inc. held its annual summer shopping spree in Bridgeport, outfitting young men with professional clothes for job entry and advancement. Tech & Regulation: The FCC proposed $25,000 fines for eight drone-related companies after they allegedly failed to respond to national-security-related investigations. Sports: The Cubs routed the Twins 10-1 behind Nico Hoerner’s multi-hit game and Alex Bregman’s homer.

Public Safety & Human Trafficking: A local-focused approach to trafficking is highlighted through the Laboratory to Combat Human Trafficking, showing how communities can track and respond to exploitation patterns rather than treating trafficking as random. Chicago Mobility & Enforcement: Chicago’s “Smart Streets” bike-lane and bus-lane ticketing program has racked up nearly $2.6 million in fines, with delivery giants like Amazon Logistics, FedEx and UPS among the biggest repeat offenders. City Hall & Infrastructure: Ald. Ervin’s outside-the-box parking meters plan is back in the spotlight as the city weighs whether to reacquire meters tied to a long-running contract dispute. Food Safety: Taylor Farms expanded a cyclospora-linked iceberg lettuce recall to products shipped to 27 states, including Illinois. Higher Ed Access: Illinois hit a record FAFSA completion rate of 71.4% for the Class of 2026, ranking second nationwide and first in the Midwest. Weather & Health: Canadian wildfire smoke continues to drive unhealthy air in the Chicago area, with alerts and guidance to limit exposure.

Wildfire Smoke & Tariffs: President Donald Trump blamed Canada for wildfire smoke choking the U.S., saying the pollution “must” be added to Canada’s tariffs and vowing to call Prime Minister Mark Carney; the haze has reached major cities including Chicago and Washington. Public Safety: A second wave of smoke is expected to hit the Chicago area Saturday night, after earlier air-quality improvements. Illinois Civil Rights: Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is set to sign a civil rights safeguard bill that codifies disparate impact standards in the Illinois Human Rights Act, strengthening protections in employment, housing, education, and credit. Local Politics: Two independent candidates seeking to replace Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia—Mayra Macias and Byron Sigcho-Lopez—face a ballot challenge after a state official recommended they be removed. Food Safety: Taylor Farms released a full recall list for iceberg lettuce tied to a cyclospora outbreak, including distribution in Illinois. Community & Culture: Ravenswood On Tap drew thousands for beer, music, and neighborhood business.

Wildfire Smoke & Air Quality: Canadian wildfire smoke kept Great Lakes and Northeast residents under unhealthy air alerts Friday, with Chicago’s conditions expected to dip again Saturday as winds shift the haze back toward the city; storms may bring brief relief. Trump-Canada Tariff Fight: President Trump blamed Canada for “willful negligence” over forest management, threatened higher Canada tariffs to cover pollution costs, and said he’ll raise the issue with Prime Minister Mark Carney. Local Air Watch: Chicago officials and event organizers tracked the plume closely, with some outdoor plans adjusted as air quality warnings linger into Sunday. Sports & Safety: NFL players, including Bears QB Caleb Williams, renewed calls for permanent natural grass after World Cup stadiums switched surfaces for the tournament. Community & Local Government: Sublette Village Board approved a $5,000 donation to the Hops and Harmony festival after debate. Public Safety & Justice: Capitol News Illinois reported no decision yet on whether Illinois State Police trooper actions were justified in a fatal January shooting of a woman. Arts & Illinois Education: SIUE announced a memorial service for pianist Ruth Slenczynska Kerr, the last surviving pupil of Sergei Rachmaninoff.

Wildfire Smoke & Tariffs: President Trump escalated his fight with Canada over wildfire smoke, threatening higher tariffs and saying the pollution should be added to what Ottawa already pays, as air alerts spread across the Midwest and East Coast. Local Elections: In Illinois, a county elections official pushed back on Trump’s ballot-security claims, saying safeguards and verification steps keep voting secure. Chicago School Board Money: Fundraising for Chicago’s first fully elected school board is surging, with more than $1.8 million raised since last October as contribution caps lift and special interest groups prepare to spend millions. Gun Policy Court Ruling: A federal appeals court struck down New Jersey’s assault weapons ban as unconstitutional, a major signal as similar bans face renewed scrutiny nationwide. Agriculture & Food Safety: Soil testing guidance in central Illinois highlighted how pH and nutrients drive crop success, while a lettuce recall tied to a parasite outbreak raised fresh questions for salad season. Sports & Health: NFL players urged owners to make natural grass permanent after World Cup-style grass installs, with Chicago’s Bears quarterback Caleb Williams among the voices.

Affordable Care Act Fight: A federal judge in Maryland granted preliminary relief against the Trump-Vance “Marketplace Integrity and Affordability” healthcare rule, saying it likely would add fees and make affordable coverage harder to get—an effort backed by a coalition including Chicago. Illinois Politics: Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias says an auto insurance reform bill is finally headed to Gov. Pritzker after years of industry pushback, with supporters citing double-digit rate hikes. Local Air Quality: Wildfire smoke from Canada is again driving hazardous conditions across the Great Lakes, with Chicago among cities reporting unhealthy-to-hazardous readings. Business & Consumer Pressure: A new report warns Americans are stuck with a record-old vehicle fleet as new-car prices soar, keeping repair shops busy. Agriculture Markets: Live cattle futures fell to a seven-month low in Chicago as traders unwind positions while beef prices stay elevated. Travel & Small Airports: Trump’s budget proposal could cut Essential Air Service funding, putting routes from O’Hare to downstate airports like Decatur, Quincy and Marion at risk. Corporate Moves: John B. Sanfilippo & Son named Jasper Sanfilippo Jr. as next CEO, effective Oct. 1.

School Board Race: Fundraising is ramping up for Chicago’s first fully elected school board, with $1.6 million raised since last October and $1.1 million going toward the president role as contribution caps are lifted. Public Health: Magnolia Bakery in the Loop remains closed after inspectors found live cockroaches, dead pests, and flies, triggering a suspended food service license until fixes and a reinspection. Air Quality: Wildfire smoke from Canada is driving hazardous conditions across Chicago, forcing Chicago Fire to reschedule its match at Soldier Field to Oct. 6. State Politics: Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is urging Gov. JB Pritzker to sign an auto insurance reform plan that would limit premium hikes without notice. Local Development: Woodlawn’s $50 million Robert R. McCormick Leadership and Economic Opportunity Center faces vandalism twice in two weeks as construction nears. Business Deal: Big Brand Tire & Service announced it will acquire Belle Tire, expanding its Midwest footprint. Legal/Immigration: A report says law enforcement nationwide has misused crowd-control weapons during immigration enforcement protests, with Chicago among the hardest hit.

Air Travel & Consumer Comfort: United Airlines, based in Chicago, says it will roll out “Economy Plus” on a new Airbus A321XLR row with an empty middle seat turned into a shared table—another premium add-on aimed at travelers willing to pay for space. Illinois Food Security: Herrin House of Hope in Southern Illinois received a $20,000 Charitable Trust Grant to keep its soup kitchen running, serving about 160 meals a day. Workforce & Clean Energy Training: HIRE360 and Pivot Energy marked the graduation of Chicago’s first Solar Workforce Boot Camp cohort, funded by a $180,000 donation, with another cohort planned for 2027. Local Business & Tech Growth: SystemDomain Inc. landed on Inc.’s Midwest “Regionals” list for fastest-growing private companies, while Chicago-based LSP44 named its leadership team for its logistics AI agent platform. Public Health: A major measles surge is driving record-level cases nationally, with Illinois readers likely watching for local impacts as outbreaks expand. Chicago Culture & Weekend Plans: A packed weekend calendar highlights West Fest, Tacos y Tamales, Burger Fest, and Chicago Climate Week events.

Illinois Courts & Accountability: A Seventh Circuit panel ruled Chicago’s climate “disinformation” lawsuit against major oil and gas firms should stay in Cook County court, rejecting arguments for federal court. Local Government & Public Safety: Sterling residents keep pressing the city over Flock surveillance cameras, after officials said a theft-grant could fund more. Chicago Politics: A new poll finds only 13.6% of Chicagoans want Mayor Brandon Johnson to run again, with his approval down to 23%. Energy Costs: Peoples Gas cut $58 million from its rate-hike request, lowering the potential monthly impact to about $7–$8 for typical customers. Illinois Legal News: An Illinois appeals court upheld a $45 million talc asbestos verdict in a Johnson & Johnson baby powder case, including a $30 million “reduced lifespan” award. Health Policy: Illinois lawmakers are weighing primary care changes that could focus on prescription drug policy. Workforce & Training: John Wood Community College’s Great River FAME program is placing students into advanced manufacturing apprenticeships with local employers. Business & Travel: United Airlines warned of nearly $6B in additional fuel costs as oil prices surge, while American Airlines added John Dietrich to its board.