Blue Island approved a parental‑responsibility ordinance that lets the city pursue parents for cleanup and repair costs tied to teen takeovers, with a $20,000 cap and a 30‑day contest window.

Sen. Tammy Duckworth travels to Tokyo, Osaka and Nara to court Japanese partners for Illinois’ new quantum campus, modular housing and agricultural trade ties.

Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling will retire July 15 after more than 30 years with the department. Mayor Brandon Johnson tapped Fred Waller as interim as officials begin the search for a permanent successor.

Lawmakers sent HB3772 to Gov. JB Pritzker to bar expulsions for kindergarten through second grade, tighten suspension rules and push restorative supports for affected students.

Mayor Brandon Johnson called the Supreme Court’s decision a protection for immigrant families, saying no child should doubt they belong in Chicago. The ruling preserves long‑standing birthright citizenship protections and drew rapid praise from Illinois leaders.

The Chicago Police Department posted a bundle of 2025 reform reports; the independent monitor’s IMR‑13 gives a more nuanced compliance picture.

The Chicago Police Department has posted draft use‑of‑force directives and opened a public comment window through July 31, 2026. The drafts lay out de‑escalation, reporting and firearm‑discharge rules.

Wheaton has selected Naperville finance director Ray Munch as its new city manager; he’ll be introduced July 6 and begin work July 27 with a $260,000 base salary.

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear appeals that could upend Chicago‑area and Connecticut bans on AR‑15‑style rifles. Oral argument is expected this fall.

Illinois now treats AI-generated deepfakes and unauthorized digital replicas as school cyberbullying, effective July 1, 2026; districts can update policies and seek grants.

Indiana AG Todd Rokita accused Merrillville of interfering with ICE real‑estate deals, demanded the town rescind an anti‑ICE resolution and set a July 15 deadline.

Chicago’s minimum wage rises to $17.05 on Wednesday; tipped workers’ cash pay will be about $12.96. Employers should update payrolls, notices and POS settings before the next pay period.

Gov. JB Pritzker signed three bills in Chicago strengthening privacy for gender‑affirming care, expanding hormone coverage and simplifying gender‑marker changes on IDs.