Illinois lawmakers are weighing rival AI bills: one would limit liability for frontier labs if they publish safety plans, the other would force audits, reporting and child-protection rules.

George Cardenas has formed an exploratory committee to test a Chicago mayoral bid after a narrow Board of Review win. His role on the tax appeals board could make property values a campaign issue.

Stephen Colbert sat down with Barack Obama at the Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park as the Late Show winds down; the interview doubled as a preview of the museum ahead of its June 19 opening.

Voters across Northwest Indiana head to the polls Tuesday to decide whether Rep. Frank Mrvan wins renomination and which Republican will challenge him this fall. Coverage will track returns after polls close at 6 p.m.

A surprise bump in tax receipts has given Springfield short‑term budget breathing room, but state forecasts warn FY27 could be tighter.

Mayor Brandon Johnson will join suburban leaders in Springfield this week to press lawmakers to reverse a proposed change to the LGDF that the city says would cost about $12.7M. Officials warn the tweak would freeze growth in a key state-to-local revenue stream.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker called President Trump "has dementia" in a short Politico clip that circulated online, sharpening their public feud as Pritzker runs for re-election.

A statewide probe found more than 6,000 people have entered Illinois mental‑health courts, but only about half finish and roughly 2 million residents live where no program exists. The reporting puts pressure on judges and policymakers to improve data and capacity.

The Justice Department has launched civil‑rights investigations into 36 Illinois school districts over possible sexual‑orientation and gender‑ideology instruction, probing parental notice and single‑sex policies.

DeKalb City Council approved a 3.5% water‑fee increase that will raise the average monthly bill to about $45.52 and help fund repairs and capital work.

A city proposal would bar workplace retaliation against domestic‑violence survivors, aiming to make it safer to report abuse and seek help without losing a job.

CPS is now projected to finish the fiscal year with a roughly $45 million shortfall as the district contends with dwindling federal relief, short‑term borrowing and rising costs. The numbers emerged in board financial reports and the district’s audited statements.

Mayor Eddie Melton told residents Tuesday that nearly $3 billion and 2,000 jobs are part of a plan centered on a FedEx facility, a convention center and new hotels.