Last week, President Trump continued to stand by his commitment to send the National Guard into Chicago. Though an exact timeline isn’t clear, he’s pitching it as a necessary step to deal with crime even though murders in Chicago in the last three months totaled 123, which is the lowest number for those months since 1965. Governor J.B. Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson are very vocal in their opposition to sending the National Guard in, calling the plan unconstitutional and more about politics than public safety. Pritzker even referred to Trump’s actions as a “reality game show” and pointed out that the city still hasn’t received promised federal funding for violence prevention programs.
In response, Mayor Johnson signed the “Protecting Chicago Initiative” on August 30, which bars Chicago Police from assisting the National Guard or federal agents with patrols, arrests, or checkpoints. The order also requires CPD officers to remain identifiable while demanding any federal personnel in the city wear body cameras and show clear identification.
The idea of military intervention has sparked a lot of debate, not only between federal and state leaders but also among veterans and service members, many of whom say it’s unnecessary and a misuse of military power. The pushback isn’t limited to Illinois. California and several other Democratic-led states have already filed lawsuits challenging the legality of Trump’s deployment orders. For now, the proposal has intensified tensions between Washington and Illinois, setting the stage for what could be a major legal and political battle if the administration tries to follow through.
Important Upcoming Dates – Statewide
October 14-16 – Veto Session Week 1
October 28-30 – Veto Session Week 2
In the News
Opinion: Illinois’ economy relies on safe, reliable transit. But we need to get it right – Chicago Tribune, September 5, 2025.
In April, the Illinois Chamber of Commerce published its “10 business principles to mass transit reform” that we shared with our elected leaders to consider as they evaluated solutions to address the looming $770 million mass transit funding cliff — a sum that has recently been partially reduced — and worked to create a more accountable, safe and reliable mass transit system.
Facing fiscal cliff, CTA will hold September town halls on budget – Chicago Tribune, September 4, 2025.
The CTA, which is facing a massive funding shortfall next year, will hold three town halls this month regarding the agency’s next budget.
Pritzker says he’ll head to court as soon as troops show up – Crain’s Chicago Business, September 4, 2025.
Gov. JB Pritzker says the state’s first move will be to the courthouse if troops come to Chicago as part of the Trump administration’s planned immigration crackdown that’s expected to begin later this week.
IL comptroller candidate touts experience, focuses on transparency – The Center Square, September 4, 2025.
A state representative running for Illinois comptroller says she’s got the life, professional and government service experience to do the job.
New Illinois law requires police to act swiftly on missing persons cases – The Daily Herald, September 4, 2025.
Senate Bill 24 — also known as the Missing Persons Identification Act — was signed into law late last month by Gov. JB Pritzker, paving the way for major changes in how police handle missing persons
Gov. Mike Braun appoints Indiana members to Indiana-Illinois boundary commission – Chicago Tribune, September 3, 2025.
Gov. Mike Braun appointed five members to the Indiana-Illinois Boundary Adjustment Commission, which is one member less than the quorum needed for the commission to have voting power.
Illinois elections board refuses to give DOJ sensitive voter data – Capitol News Illinois, September 3, 2025.
The Illinois State Board of Elections said this week it will not hand over to the Trump administration a copy of the state’s complete, unredacted voter registration database, citing state laws that require the agency to protect voters’ sensitive personal information.
Illinois attorney general joins push for bond hearings for detained immigrants – Chicago Sun Times, September 3, 2025.
In a legal brief, Kwame Raoul and 19 other attorneys general argue that Homeland Security policy inflicts “irreparable harms” on immigrants and wastes taxpayer dollars.
IL Freedom Caucus calls on Pritzker to let Trump deploy National Guard – WCIA, September 3, 2025.
In recent weeks all eyes have been on Chicago. Governor Pritzker and Chicago’s Mayor Brandon Johnson have made it clear they don’t want troops or federal agents in the city. But some Illinois Republicans are singing a different tune.
Illinois’ tourism push includes millions for NASCAR events – Capitol News Illinois, September 3, 2025.
Metro East race sponsorship is part of $44M Enjoy Illinois campaign
Elburn trustee is latest to announce bid for Illinois Senate seat DeWitte is leaving – The Daily Herald, September 3, 2025.
Elburn Trustee Chris Hansen announced he will seek the Republican Party nomination in the 2026 primary election for the state Senate 33rd District, according to a news release.
Gov. JB Pritzker appoints two members, including a downstate ally, to controversial parole board – Chicago Tribune, September 2, 2025.
Gov. JB Pritzker has filled in gaps on the Illinois Prisoner Review Board more than a year after it was roiled in controversy.
Wilmette’s Dabrowski preparing gubernatorial campaign – The Daily Herald, September 2, 2025.
In recent weeks, Dabrowski, a Republican from Wilmette, formally created a campaign committee and filed paperwork with the Illinois State Board of Elections indicating that he’ll self-fund the organization. He also lent the campaign $250,000 and then an additional $100, state records filed Tuesday indicate.
Gov. Pritzker deflects questions from CBS News about whether he’ll run for president – CBS News, August 31, 2025.
Speaking to CBS News late last week, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker deflected a question about whether he plans to run for president, and also addressed the prospect of a Democratic redistricting for Illinois in the wake of a controversial Republican redistricting plan that passed in Texas.
Illinois Gov. Pritzker to DHS Secretary Noem: “Check Yourself” For What Do You Really Believe – Real Clear Politics, August 31, 2025.
CBS’s Ed O’Keefe asked Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Sunday on “Face The Nation,” what he would say to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem about the Trump administration considering deploying the National Guard to the streets of Chicago.
Conservative Ted Dabrowski loans his campaign more than $250,000 as he vies for GOP governor nomination – Chicago Tribune, August 29, 2025.
Ted Dabrowski, president of the conservative activist organization Wirepoints Inc., has formally entered the race for the Republican nomination for governor with a $250,100 loan to his recently formed campaign committee.
Business leaders show up to take stand with Pritzker – Chicago Sun Times, August 29, 2025.
Yes, business types are all somehow politically connected in various ways. But they’re not the usual rally folks. That’s what made Monday’s event — where the governor warned President Donald Trump not to send the National Guard to Chicago — seem different.
Gov. JB Pritzker, others in Chicago preach peaceful protests as naval base OK’d for immigration enforcement – Chicago Tribune, September 4, 2025.
Preparing for an expected surge of federal immigration enforcement that could begin any day, Gov. JB Pritzker and other leaders on Thursday underscored their calls for peaceful protests amid President Donald Trump’s wavering threats to send military personnel to Chicago under the guise of combating violent crime.
Gov. JB Pritzker expecting federal ‘actions’ by weekend as local officials brace for 300 immigration agents – Chicago Tribune, September 3, 2025.
Amid growing angst, anxiety and even annoyance over the continued sketchy details surrounding the Trump administration’s threats to deploy forces into Chicago, Gov. JB Pritzker on Wednesday said he expects federal agents to assemble here by the end of the week, and suburban officials have been told to expect about 300 immigration agents to be sent to the area as part of increased operations.
Gov. Pritzker meets with violence interrupters as Chicago prepares for possible federal troop deployment – CBS News, September 3, 2025.
Preparations continued Wednesday for an influx of federal agents to Chicago as President Trump considers sending in the National Guard.
Pritzker says Texas Guard is prepping for Chicago posting as Trump vows federal action – Crain’s Chicago Business, September 2, 2025.
As President Donald Trump says he’s ready to send federal law enforcement into Chicago, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker warns federal agents are already staging here.
Appeals court upholds ban on concealed weapons on CTA, Metra – Chicago Sun Times, September 2, 2025.
The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a downstate judge’s ruling that found the Illinois ban was unconstitutional.
Mayor Brandon Johnson to Labor Day crowd: ‘No federal troops in the city of Chicago!’ – Chicago Tribune, September 2, 2025.
As President Donald Trump mulls sending the National Guard to Chicago, Mayor Brandon Johnson delivered a defiant message to the White House at a spirited Labor Day rally Monday.
What does inching along in rush-hour traffic cost you? Chicago in top 10 of most expensive commutes – The Daily Herald, August 31, 2025.
Stewing in gridlock not only takes a toll on your sanity, it also picks your pocket for more than gas, a national analysis concludes.
‘ICE raids do not make us safer.’ Lawmakers, vets and clergy oppose Trump’s plan to blitz Chicago – Chicago Sun Times, August 29, 2025.
As officials remained in the dark about a planned immigration operation next week, Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton said President Donald Trump “knows Illinois won’t stand silently by while our neighbors are snatched off the street in broad daylight.”
Mayor Brandon Johnson says he faces $1.15 billion hole in 2026 Chicago budget – Chicago Tribune, August 29, 2025.
Mayor Brandon Johnson on Friday unveiled a $1.15 billion deficit for 2026, an unsurprising but still formidable hurdle heading into his third budget.
