Cook County Democratic Party Endorsements

At a union hall on Chicago’s South Side on Friday, July 18^th, the Cook County Democratic Party Central Committee announced their list of endorsements for the 2026 Democratic Party Primary on March 17, 2026. Cook County, Illinois’ most populous county and home to Chicago, holds a great deal of power in statewide Democratic politics. Unsurprisingly, the Committee backed incumbent Cook County Board of Commissioners President Toni Preckwinkle for her fifth term as well as all incumbent statewide elected officials running for reelection. With incumbent Comptroller Susana Mendoza announcing that she will not run again in 2026, the Committee slated Rep. Margaret Croke (D-Chicago) over other potential candidates Sen. Karina Villa (D-West Chicago), Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim, Champaign County Auditor George Danos, and former Sen. Rickey Hendon to fill the vacancy. Notably, the Committee slated Lyons Township Assessor Patrick Hynes for the position of Cook County Assessor over incumbent Assessor Fritz Kaegi and current main administrator for the Board of Review Timnetra Burrus.

With an open U.S. Senate seat to replace retiring Sen. Dick Durbin, the Committee decided not to slate a candidate. With multiple high-profile candidates in the race, and Durbin not backing anyone, Cook County Democrats took a similar approach to remain out of the race. Senate President Don Harmon voiced his approval for this decision in remarks to reporters following the meeting. “I think the party made the correct decision in making no endorsement,” Harmon said. “I’m sure the voters will be able to make an informed decision without an endorsement.”

Pritzker Expresses Confidence in Transit Solution Before the End of the Year

At an event celebrating the 100^th anniversary of Chicago Union Station Governor JB Pritzker spoke on the looming Chicagoland transit funding deficit. He expressed confidence that the General Assembly will pass a funding and governance reform solution later this year to avoid fare hikes or service cuts, stating, “I feel very confident we’re not going to let transit fail in Illinois.” With the $771 million fiscal cliff set to begin in 2026, legislators are expected to pass transit reform in the fall veto session from October 14-16 and 28-30

In related news, the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), which governs the three Chicagoland transit service providers, announced that higher than expected e-commerce sales tax revenue may reduce the impending deficit by around $225 million over the course of a full year. If not spent ahead of time, these new revenues will provide more flexibility to legislators as they craft a transit funding reform solution.

Important Upcoming Dates – Statewide

October 14-16 – Veto Session Week 1

October 28-30 – Veto Session Week 2

In the News

Kids join Croke in first ad for IL comptroller – Capitol City Now, July 24, 2025.

Joined by her three small children, State Rep. Margaret Croke (D-Chicago) is introducing herself to Illinois as a candidate for comptroller. Before joining the Illinois General Assembly, Croke was deputy chief of staff at the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. And she got the endorsement of the influential Cook County Democratic Party over two other hopefuls.

Pritzker’s gerrymander jab draws fire – Politico, July 24, 2025.

Gov. JB Pritzker scolded Texas Republicans and President Donald Trump this week for their brazen attempts to redraw congressional maps in the Lone Star State with the goal of giving GOP candidates an even cushier ride to Washington. However, Illinois Republicans have fought back arguing that the governor did the same thing in Illinois years ago,

‘You preferred secrecy and lies’: Madigan confidant gets 2 years for role in ComEd bribery scheme – Capitol News Illinois, July 24, 2025.

Mike McClain, who spent decades as one of the most influential lobbyists in Springfield due to his close relationship with Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, has been sentenced to 24 months in prison.

State financial officers, including Illinois’ Frerichs, claim Medicaid cuts will put healthcare into disarray – Capitol City Now, July 24, 2025.

Frerichs says hospitals that stay open may have to cut staff or services, and all of it threatens to hurt the state’s economy. He says people will have to drive further to get medical care, causing them to avoid preventative treatments. Pregnant mothers, he says, will have to drive farther to give birth.

Pritzker calls Texas GOP’s remap effort ‘cheating,’ doesn’t rule out Illinois response – Capitol News Illinois, July 23, 2025.

Gov. JB Pritzker is leaving the door open to changing Illinois’ congressional maps to “counterbalance” an attempt by Texas politicians to add more Republican seats to the U.S. House. The Texas legislature is meeting in special session this week with 18 items on their agenda, including redrawing the state’s congressional maps after President Donald Trump urged the state to redraw district boundaries ahead of the 2026 midterm election in hopes of adding five more Republicans to Texas’ congressional delegation and insulating his party against any seats they might lose elsewhere in the country.

Pritzker: ‘Confident’ of transit funding solution – Evanston Now, July 23, 2025.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker says “I feel very confident we’re not going to let transit fail in Illinois. “Pritzker and other transportation officials were at Chicago Union Station on Tuesday, for the 100th anniversary of the historic depot and spoke on the transit issue.

Editorial: Texas is talking tax cuts. Illinois? More hikes. – Chicago Tribune, July 23, 2025.

While Texas plans to spend their special session tackling property tax cuts, these discussions rarely enter into Illinois politics. In Illinois, the political culture should focus on ordinary families whom care more about their financial situation than any other political problem.

Illinoisans will see reduced SNAP benefits under federal bill. Here’s what to know. – The State Journal-Register, July 23, 2025.

The bill puts an estimated 360,000 Illinoisans at risk of losing SNAP eligibility, according to a July 7 statement from the office of Gov. JB Pritzker. In total, 1.8 million people in the state use SNAP benefits, according to the statement, which specified $4.7 billion in SNAP benefits were issued in Fiscal Year 2025.

Illinois joins suit to block Trump administration from barring undocumented immigrants from public benefits – Chicago Sun Times, July 21, 2025.

The suit, announced Monday, seeks to stop a series of orders from federal agencies that would block people from the early childhood education program Head Start, Title X family planning, adult education, mental health care and community health centers based on immigration status.

Economic opportunities tied to climate goals, Gov. JB Pritzker says at Aspen conference – Chicago Tribune, July 21, 2025.

During his remarks Monday night in an interview with ABC anchor Linsey Davis, Pritzker conceded that federal changes have put state and national climate goals at risk. Yet he maintained that Illinois has retained its ability to lead the Midwest in climate policy, emphasizing the importance of economic incentives to bring renewable energy and green technology to the state.

After State Farm rate hike, legislators are pressured to provide relief. Here’s what could be on the table. – Chicago Tribune, July 21, 2025.

Gov. JB Pritzker wasted no time in calling on state legislators to do something about rising insurance rates after State Farm announced it was hiking homeowners insurance by 27.2% beginning this month, citing rising costs due to extreme weather events and pricier repairs.

Gov. Pritzker to sign Illinois “Squatter Bill” into law, spokesperson says – CBS News, July 19, 2025.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is expected to sign Senate Bill 1563, or the Squatter Bill, into law. The bill addresses the squatter problem in Illinois, making it easier for police to remove squatters from someone’s home, bypassing the months-long eviction process. Currently, squatters can stay at a property during the required court process.

Companies warn Illinois will be ‘toxic tort’ capital if bill is signed, but lawyers call it ‘fundamental fairness’ – Daily Herald, July 19, 2025.

The legislation would allow anyone harmed by exposure to a toxic substance anywhere in the U.S. to file a lawsuit in Illinois against the company that’s responsible, provided it’s registered with the state. “This scares away companies from wanting to come here or even establish a business office or sales office because our court system is far more generous in terms of jackpot justice,” Illinois Manufacturers’ Association CEO Mark Denzler said.

Big changes coming to Illinois’ political landscape as several congressional seats open up – NBC Chicago, July 18, 2025.

Major shakeups are coming to Illinois politics in the next two years. Behind closed doors, Cook County Democrats Friday voted not to endorse in the 2026 race for U.S. Senate, setting the stage for a competitive, expensive open primary for U.S. Senator Dick Durbin’s seat. “I think we have, at this moment, three good candidates. I’m not likely to endorse in the race. I may in some other races but not that one,” Durbin said.

Chicago-area transit agencies planning for 10 percent budget increase as they look to address fiscal cliff – The Daily Line, July 25, 2025.

The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) has asked Chicago-area transit agencies to plan for a 10 percent fare increase in their 2026 budgets. This comes as Chicago’s three transit service boards, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra and Pace, are in the middle of their budget planning process. The agencies are facing a collective $770 million fiscal cliff, the result of federal Covid-19 grant funding expiring.

State Sen. Ram Villivalam: Here’s how we can stop Chicagoland transit from falling off the fiscal cliff – Streets Blog Chicago, July 24, 2025.

In an interview, Sen. Ram Villivalam discusses the transit bill and gives his thoughts on what steps are needed to protect Chicago transit.

Mayor Brandon Johnson Says He Won’t Propose Property Tax Hike to Help Fill Projected $1.2B Deficit – WWTW News, July 24, 2025.

Mayor Brandon Johnson said Thursday he would not propose a property tax hike to help balance the city’s 2026 budget, even as officials prepare to face a likely budget deficit of $1.2 billion during what officials have called one of most difficult budget years in Chicago history.

Chicago CFO says property tax hike likely in 2026 budget package – Crain’s Chicago Business, July 23, 2025.

The third-largest U.S. city is facing a more than $1 billion budget hole next year and grappling with about $37 billion of unfunded pension liabilities. Earlier this year, Mayor Brandon Johnson convened a working group of business leaders, elected officials and community members to review city operations and revenue options. The group is expected to present its preliminary recommendations by the end of next month. “Our goal is to not cut services,” Jaworski said. “If we absolutely have to, we will go there. We are not going to have an unbalanced budget.”

How a sales tax law change delayed Chicago transit’s fiscal cliff – The Bond Buyer, July 23, 2025.

The Chicago-area Regional Transportation Authority, an umbrella agency for the Chicago Transit Authority, Pace suburban bus service and Metra commuter rail, earlier this year called for $1.5 billion in operating funding from the state and more local control. Transit agency leaders have been negotiating with state lawmakers in Springfield. In late May, legislators adjourned without passing any fixes to the transit situation. The effects of SB3362 could impact those negotiations. Among other things, the law converted some sales that had been subject only to the 6.25% sales tax, or the use tax, to transactions covered by the retailers’ occupation tax.

University of Chicago considers restructuring arts and humanities division to cut costs – Chicago Tribune, July 23, 2025.

The University of Chicago is considering a substantial restructuring of the school’s Division of the Arts and Humanities to cut costs, citing historic financial strain under the Trump administration. In an email to division faculty in June, Dean Deborah Nelson announced the formation of five advisory committees tasked with identifying areas to reduce spending. Among the considered changes are the consolidation of the division’s 15 departments into eight, fewer language courses and minimum program sizes, according to documents obtained by The Tribune.

Mayor Brandon Johnson announces $40 million to upgrade Chicago’s homeless shelters – Chicago Tribune, July 23, 2025.

Seven shelters received provisional grants, according to DFSS. Citywide the department hopes to improve around 750 permanent shelter beds, increase Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility and create 350 beds in private rooms citywide, a news release said, citing research that shows noncongregate shelters improve health and housing outcomes.

Chicago’s budget deficit threatened by pension bill that awaits Pritzker’s signature – WGN 9, July 22, 2025.

Faced with a nearly $1 billion budget deficit, the legislation has put Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson in a difficult spot. This bill which would “sweeten” pensions for officers and firefighters could further add to the deficit if signed by Gov. Pritzker.

Mayor Brandon Johnson signs order to snuff out smoking on CTA L trains – Chicago Sun Times, July 22, 2025.

Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order this Tuesday aimed at cracking down on CTA smokers. Johnson said the effort will include placing social workers at CTA stops, starting an anti-smoking campaign on the “detrimental effects of smoking” and tasking city agencies to find other short-term and long-term interventions “to end smoking on our transit system.”

Kaegi snub spotlights property tax headaches — and a looming political battle – Crain’s Chicago Business, July 22, 2025.

Fritz Kaegi has gotten used to push back from commercial property owners since he first became Cook County assessor in 2018. Now he’s facing a new adversary: his own political party. But the party’s decision to back a challenger sends a loud message about taxpayers’ frustration with the way property taxes have been calculated over the last several years.

Chicago Housing Authority resident leaders voice opposition to Ald. Walter Burnett as potential next CEO – Chicago Tribune, July 22, 2025.

As the Chicago Housing Authority nears month nine without a permanent CEO, numerous resident leaders said Tuesday that the mayor’s likely candidate is the wrong choice for the position and does not respect resident leadership.

Police Department brass accused Mayor Brandon Johnson’s budget office of ‘systemically’ delaying paychecks – Chicago Tribune, July 22, 2025.

Police Department Deputy Director Ryan Fitzsimons emailed multiple officials in Johnson’s budget office June 2 to alert them of the department’s overdue A-forms, paperwork required to process paychecks for new hires and promotions. A joint statement last week from the mayor’s office, the Office of Budget Management and Chicago police acknowledged that about 60 police academy recruits saw late paychecks, along with six Chicago Fire Department employees.

What Chicago stands to lose with NASCAR gone in 2026 – Crain’s Chicago Business, July 22, 2025.

City aldermen who represent downtown met with NASCAR officials via Zoom on Monday to begin paving a path forward for the Chicago Street Race in 2027 — and possibly 2028. The meeting came three days after the racing organization announced it was pausing the event in 2026.

Realtors go on offense over plan to rescue CTA with real estate taxes – Crain’s Chicago Business, July 21, 2025.

“Tell your legislator: No suburban property transfer tax bailout for the CTA,” says the campaign’s homepage, which launched July 11. It says the possible increase in the transfer tax — a onetime tax paid when a residential or commercial property is sold — would boost the amount paid in five collar counties and the suburban part of Cook County by about $143.7 million. That’s a 600% increase from the $47.9 million collected in 2024.

ICE arrests increase across Chicago under Trump, many with no convictions, data shows – Chicago Tribune, July 21, 2025.

The surge in detentions — including immigrants with no known criminal record — mirrors broader trends across the country. The second Trump administration has increasingly focused on boosting the number of people arrested who lack legal status to be in the country, even if the efforts ensnared more people who didn’t fit the traditional ICE focus on tracking down and deporting those who committed serious crimes.

We’re tracking grocery prices around Chicago since Trump took office. They’re up and likely to keep rising. – Chicago Sun-Times, July 18, 2025.

At Jewel, Chicago’s largest grocery chain, the shelf prices for everything on our list totaled $262.45 in December and $273.35 in July, a 4.2% increase, or $10.90. Ten of our items went up in price, 22 stayed the same and three declined: Land O’Lakes butter, Campbell’s chicken noodle soup and Tide laundry detergent.