Politics

The POWER Act, which would have regulated data centers in Illinois, failed to advance before the legislative deadline, leaving pending projects without new state guardrails. Meanwhile, Gov. J.B. Pritzker has paused data center tax incentives and is pushing for stricter standards on energy use, water consumption and community impact. Joining us to discuss the implications is Jen Walling, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council.

Gov. Pritzker's Republican gubernatorial opponent Darren Bailey is weighing in after the Bears announced their stadium plans for Hammond, Indiana on Friday. 

We checked in with State Senator Willie Preston, as the megaprojects bill was making it's way out of the house to the senate.  We're bringing him back tonight, with this latest development.

New allegations against Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner are raising questions about a key race that could influence control of the U.S. Senate.

A hot dog stand, is at the center of a public safety debate in Pilsen. We have Andrew Fox of the East Pilsen neighbors group here in the studio to tell us how they plan to push back. 

With the city budget finalized advocates are turning their attention to making the Clean Slate Act a reality.  The budget dedicates $5.6 million to automatically clear criminal records for nearly 2.2 million eligible Illinoisans.  The interfaith nonprofit Live Free Illinois will lead the timeline for implementation, and they are hosting regional workshops starting this week to help families navigate the new rollout.  Reverend Ciera Bates-Chamberlain and Marvin Treadwell a site leader for a community healing resource center in Morgan Park are here with me now.

The drama continues at city hall after a walkout derailed a vote yesterday.  The public safety committee had enough members for voting at a meeting initially, but after Alderman Gilbert Villegas introduced an ordinance to stiffen penalties for selling drugs near schools. An alderman left the room. That broke quorum.  And it also thereby killed a planned discussion on a ShotSpotter replacement and a new UChicago study on response times.  Alderman Villegas is accusing Mayor Johnson of pulling the strings behind the scenes, to tank his ordinance.

A hot dog stand, is at the center of a public safety debate in Pilsen. 

  There are concerns about the growing use of high speed electric bikes and scooters across the state.    So state leaders are now pushing new legislation that they say is long overdue. Sylvia has the latest on a new bill waiting for the governor's signature.

President Donald Trump invoked the Defense Production Act on Thursday to order federal support for coal-based plants and projects.

President Donald Trump says a resolution to the conflict with Iran could come as soon as this weekend, while bipartisan pressure grows on Capitol Hill after House lawmakers voted to limit his war powers.

City hall got spicy today after a planned ended early with a lot of questions surrounding why.  In large part, because the gunshot technology ShotSpotter was on the agenda today, and whether the city is working on finding a replacement, like Mayor Brandon Johnson promised. Axios' Monica Eng talks about the topic.

 The ninth annual "We Walk for Her" march just wrapped up in Bronzeville.  Chicago police superintendent Larry Snelling joined neighbors and activists to demand more resources for missing black women and girls.  Organizers say black women account for over a third of Chicago's active missing persons cases despite making up just 15% of the female population.  Timara Wade-- who is a youth organizer with the Kenwood Oakland Community Organization is joining us to tell us more.