AGP Executive Report

Highway Safety: The U.S. Supreme Court issued a unanimous ruling in Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II, letting crash victims sue freight brokers for negligently hiring unsafe carriers—an Illinois-linked case that could reshape trucking accountability. Aviation & Trade: United Express is set to launch new Lancaster-to-Chicago O’Hare passenger jet service this week, with 12 round trips weekly through 2029. Housing Affordability: Chicago rolled out the HomeGrown Purchase Assistance Grant, offering eligible buyers up to $70,000 toward a down payment, funded by the city’s housing bond. Bears Stadium Fallout: Illinois lawmakers adjourned without passing a Bears stadium bill; Gov. JB Pritzker said he won’t “foist” taxpayer money on the project, while the Senate’s adjournment keeps the team’s Indiana options alive. Data Center Policy: The POWER Act’s data center guardrails won’t move forward this spring as lawmakers say more hearings are needed, with possible action later this year. Healthcare Tech: UIC and the University of Utah are developing a cuffless wearable smartwatch approach to continuous blood pressure monitoring.

Illinois Agriculture: USDA’s NASS released 2025 county yields, with Stark County topping Illinois corn at 253.6 bushels/acre and Tazewell leading soy at the state’s highest average. Clean Energy Jobs: A new American Clean Power Association report says the U.S. clean energy manufacturing base supports 215,700 jobs overall, with Illinois highlighted for LFP battery cell manufacturing. Farming Tech: University of Illinois researchers used satellite imagery and machine learning to map corn and soybean tillage trends from 2000–2022, aiming to better track soil health and erosion impacts. Illinois Policy & Business: Springfield lawmakers advanced a Downtown Springfield tourism and construction jobs plan that would create a Capital Area Tourism Authority, though hotel industry groups oppose parts of the tax approach. Cyber & Logistics: Retail cyberattacks are rising, and trucking leaders warn cargo thieves are getting more organized, pushing companies to rethink security. Healthcare (Illinois ties): At ASCO in Chicago, Avacta reported updated early data for AVA6000 in salivary gland cancers, while a PROTEUS trial update showed perioperative apalutamide plus ADT reduced death/metastasis risk in high-risk localized prostate cancer. Sports Stadium Fight: Illinois lawmakers missed a midnight deadline on Bears stadium legislation, but a publicly-owned stadium authority framework remains in play.

Aviation & Trade: Major airline and business groups warned that Trump administration moves to stop international processing at “sanctuary city” airports could trigger nationwide air-travel chaos and disrupt cargo flows, with Newark and other hubs including Chicago named. Cancer Research (ASCO Chicago): New ASCO updates spotlight multiple oncology advances, including ivonescimab’s overall survival benefit in squamous NSCLC, daraxonrasib’s “grand slam” results in second-line pancreatic cancer, and Pfizer’s broad pipeline news from the Chicago meeting. Illinois Policy (PFAS): Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid’s HB 2955 would create a PFAS wastewater citizen protection committee and push costs toward manufacturers, aiming to monitor, mitigate, and eliminate PFAS in state wastewater. Energy & Local Development: Lake in the Hills approved a solar farm with battery storage, while Illinois’ housing and transit rules continue to shape local project approvals. AI & Public Info: New research says online AI guidance for cancer patients is often low quality and misses key risks, urging better, clearer public resources.

Hazmat Response: Urbana police and fire crews told people to leave the area after a hazardous material leak at the University of Illinois Roger Adams Laboratory, with an Illini-Alert sent to the community. Illinois Hemp Retail: A late-session Illinois push could force hemp beverages to move behind the counter starting Nov. 12, 2026, raising fears of major sales losses for convenience retailers. Cancer Care in Chicago: ASCO 2026 in Chicago highlighted new results including a radiation implant that improved outcomes after brain metastasis surgery, plus ongoing coverage gaps for pediatric cancer molecular testing. Drug Pipeline Watch: Orion Pharma reported early Phase 1/2 results for TEAD inhibitor ODM-212; Eikon Therapeutics shared updated NSCLC and PARP1 inhibitor data at ASCO. Ag Supply Chain: The federal government temporarily waived hours-of-service rules for fertilizer deliveries in 35 states, including Illinois, to speed spring shipments. Green Energy Jobs: Aurora’s CEJA Workforce Development Hub held its first graduation for a solar-and-construction apprenticeship track. Local Safety: Chicago police warned after a string of construction site burglaries on the South Side, targeting tools and vehicles.

Illinois Policy & Industry: Illinois lawmakers advanced a ban on “forever chemicals” (PFAS) in beauty products, sending HB 3409 to Gov. JB Pritzker for final approval, while another measure would create a public online portal separating utility delivery vs. supply charges to boost fee transparency. Housing & Local Control: Debate is heating up over Pritzker’s BUILD housing plan, with Chicago neighborhood groups warning it could shift zoning power away from local governments and reshape community character. Energy & Infrastructure: A community solar project is underway at an Evanston Public Storage site, routing rooftop generation into Cook County’s grid for subscribers. Agriculture & Land Values: A Chicago Fed survey shows Midwest “good” farmland values dipped slightly, with Illinois down year over year while Indiana and Wisconsin rose. Public Safety & Jobs: Illinois cannabis businesses are pushing for regulatory updates as the session winds down, and a new forecast warns teen summer hiring could be the weakest on record amid cost pressures. Tech & Compliance: A report highlights how weak infrastructure can undercut anti-money laundering engine performance, driving delays and false positives.

Illinois Policy & Housing: Peoria and other local leaders are pushing back on Gov. JB Pritzker’s BUILD Illinois Act, arguing it strips cities of control over housing rules like parking, lot sizes, and single-family conversions. Local Infrastructure: Winnebago County approved funding to extend the Perryville Bike Path to Roscoe, adding a safer northbound route toward the Wisconsin line. Roadwork Disruption: IDOT will repair the IL-75 Pecatonica River bridge with one lane kept open via temporary signals, plus a Harrison Road closure, June 1–June 12. Food & Hospitality: Chicago’s Smyth was named No. 1 on North America’s 50 Best Restaurants list, while Philadelphia’s Kalaya and Friday Saturday Sunday also placed. Agriculture & Energy: A new study links the ethanol boom to higher farmland prices and lasting rural inequality effects, with Illinois among the biggest ethanol producers. Business & Tech: The CFTC is asking a judge to vacate a $5M Gemini penalty, citing a shift in how the agency views its earlier enforcement case. Public Health: A study finds herbal cigarettes aren’t safer than regular tobacco, with emissions that can be comparably harmful.

AI Policy: Illinois lawmakers passed a landmark AI accountability bill requiring annual third-party audits and transparency reports for the most capable AI models, with Gov. Pritzker expected to sign. Energy Costs: Ameren Illinois customers are bracing for another summer rate hike, with power prices rising about 29% versus current levels, adding pressure on household budgets. Insurance Regulation: Illinois is set to gain new authority over auto and home insurance rates as two bills head to the governor, aiming for stronger rate review and consumer protections. Data Privacy & Health Tech: The American Hospital Association filed an amicus brief supporting dismissal of an online tracking lawsuit, arguing the claims would wrongly criminalize common digital tools. Local Procurement Modernization: Round Lake Beach selected PlanetBids to centralize and modernize procurement and contract management. Agriculture & Youth: Wyffels Hybrids donated 85 seed-corn buckets to Union County 4-H to support fair-season prep. Infrastructure & Safety: Winnebago County approved funding for the next Perryville Path extension, pushing a bike-and-pedestrian route northward for safer family travel.

AI Regulation: Illinois lawmakers passed an AI accountability framework for big developers, requiring independent third-party safety audits before Gov. JB Pritzker signs. Insurance Reform: The legislature also cleared auto and home insurance rate-hike rules, including earlier notice and DOI review powers that could block “excessive” increases and trigger refunds. Food & Health Tech: Chicago-based Sifter Solutions merged with Attane Health to build an end-to-end “food-is-medicine” platform connecting consumers, health plans, retailers, and CPG brands. Quantum & Jobs: Massachusetts is funding MIT’s new Quantum Systems Laboratory, aiming to grow a quantum research and business ecosystem with hundreds of jobs. Local Housing Development: A Robinson housing group is seeking sites for 30 starter homes using factory-built components and TIF zones to keep prices down. Public Safety & Infrastructure: Tinley Park will add fuel service at its TF8 helipad to improve emergency response; meanwhile, an I-74 crash in Champaign killed a construction worker and led to a reckless homicide charge. Food Safety: FDA-linked recall coverage includes a salmonella risk affecting beverages distributed across multiple states including Illinois.

Industrial Safety: Crews responded to an explosion and fire at the Koppers chemical plant on the Stickney–Cicero border, with hazmat teams assisting and investigators still working to determine what burned. Insurance Regulation: The Illinois House passed major homeowner and auto insurance reform bills, setting tighter limits on premium hikes and requiring earlier consumer notice before rate changes. Energy & Efficiency: Illinois State University students studied whether geothermal energy can work for campus operations, finding it technically feasible via a phased approach. Construction & Housing: Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity, the Brewers and Prime Financial Credit Union kicked off 2026 affordable home builds, with funding aimed at expanding homeownership access. Freight & Courts: A U.S. Supreme Court ruling increases risk for freight brokers by allowing claims tied to negligent hiring of unsafe trucking carriers. Workforce & Growth: C.E.S. Inc. in northern Illinois hired a new project engineer, adding to capacity for residential, commercial, industrial and municipal projects. Consumer & Markets: Walmart announced a hardware refresh and a new Mainstays Kids home brand, while Salesforce earnings focus centers on whether AI-driven products can stabilize growth.

Road & Bridge Work: IDOT says I-255 lane closures in Madison County start June 3 for a $6.6M pavement preservation job, with one lane open each direction nightly from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. through September. Public Safety & Compliance: Cicero parole compliance checks net five arrests and seizures of guns, drugs and about $10,000 in cash after searches at three west-suburban homes. Energy Costs: Illinois regular gas averaged $4.90 per gallon as of May 26, down 14.9 cents week over week, while the national average fell 6.6 cents to $4.45; diesel also eased slightly. Workforce & Benefits: The Illinois Department of Labor resolved Paid Leave for All Workers Act investigations, helping employers update policies so workers can access required paid leave. Health Care Pricing: Illinois AG Raoul announced an $8.25M settlement with Mylan over alleged anticompetitive EpiPen practices tied to Medicaid and state employee health purchases. Industrial Growth: Jackson Growth Alliance secured a $140,139 DCEO Site Readiness Grant to ready an 88-acre industrial site near the Southern Illinois Airport. Logistics & Freight: Rail traffic rose in the week ending May 23, with intermodal up 11.5% year over year, supporting broader shipping momentum.

Prediction Markets Clash: Trump backed the CFTC’s “exclusive authority” over prediction platforms, escalating a federal-vs-state fight that’s already triggered lawsuits and cease-and-desists involving Illinois and other states. Tariff Refund Transparency: State fiscal leaders are demanding a public trail for billions in tariff refunds after a Supreme Court hit to Trump’s tariff authority—warning consumers may not see the money. Illinois Housing Push: Illinois Senate Democrats rolled out a package aimed at speeding and expanding housing, from zoning relaxations to tenant protections and permitting changes. Data Centers: Bloomington approved a six-month moratorium on large data centers while it drafts new rules. Retail & Courts: Costco asked a judge to toss a class action seeking tariff-price refunds, arguing customers weren’t promised money back. Global Trade/Travel: The U.S. is drawing up plans to stop customs and immigration processing at “sanctuary city” airports—raising stakes for major travel hubs, including Chicago. Markets: Stocks hit fresh highs as chip names rallied, with sentiment still in “greed.”

School Food Funding: A new federal bill would create USDA grant money to help schools expand scratch-cooked meals, aiming to boost fresh options and local farm partnerships. Illinois Policy: Illinois lawmakers are also pushing school wellness “share table” rules, while the state session remains dominated by budget math ahead of the May 31 deadline. Housing & Courts: A federal judge temporarily restored Zillow’s access to about 40,000 Chicago-area listings after a dispute tied to MRED and Compass—another reminder that transparency fights are heating up in the middle of an affordability squeeze. Real Estate Deals: Realty Income bought a 910,800-square-foot University Park industrial warehouse for $124M, signaling continued investor appetite for logistics. Economy Watch: The inflation-versus-home-price gap widened in March as home-price growth cooled. Health & Safety: Doctors are raising alarms about people with eating disorders using GLP-1s, especially via easy online access.

Biotech Watch: Akeso says more than 40 oncology studies will be presented at ASCO 2026 in Chicago, including an overall-survival Phase III highlight for ivonescimab in first-line squamous NSCLC, plus multiple bispecific antibody updates across lung, colorectal, and other cancers. Public Safety: Chicago police closed Lake Shore Drive near 57th Street after a large teen crowd gathered at 57th Street Beach; police reported no arrests and said the crowd thinned by 10 p.m., after earlier alerts about a “teen trend.” Energy & Policy: The U.S. House passed a nationwide, year-round E15 bill, drawing support from Illinois farm groups while setting up a Senate fight. Local Governance: Illinois lawmakers enacted a bill updating guardianship and mental health law definitions and procedures. Sports & Culture: The White Sox promoted Rikuu Nishida to the big leagues, while Memorial Day events marked six years since George Floyd’s death.

Memorial Day travel jitters: Gas prices are still climbing as summer road trips gear up, with GasBuddy reporting the week ending May 16 showing some of the lowest local deals—like regular gas at $3.89 in Sumter County and $4.09 in Summers County—while the broader trend stays pressured by refinery outages and global oil disruptions. Local business & jobs: ProSat Networks expanded in Illinois with professional Starlink installation and wireless networking support, aiming to make connectivity easier for homes and businesses across the state. Community & culture: Pasadena Heritage is turning the Blinn House into a 1920s-themed fundraiser with poker, jazz, and a walking tour. Politics & rights: Pride advocates in Illinois are urging people to defend LGBTQ+ protections by voting in local races, where they say the pressure is increasingly focused. Sports buzz: Felix Rosenqvist won the Indy 500 in a photo-finish, with Morgan Wallen branding on the car.

Music & Culture: Chicago’s inaugural Forever Mine fest closed in Union Park with Kaytranada and Monica headlining, delivering a cross-generational R&B-and-house throwback that drew a younger crowd too—Shaggy’s sudden removal from the lineup still left fans joking. Education & Jobs: Los Angeles Unified approved layoffs hitting 1,000+ workers, with a broader plan projecting 6,000 more job losses and major budget cuts over three years. Manufacturing Hiring: Hoffer Plastics created a new director of manufacturing role and named Dan Clark, citing immediate efficiency gains. Policy & Courts: Chicago sent a revised Social Media Amusement Tax ordinance to City Council, narrowing the levy’s reach and reshaping the news-organization carve-out as the legal fight continues. Consumer Safety: A specialty drink recall expanded to 25 states, including Illinois, over possible salmonella contamination. Energy Watch: Gas prices remain volatile heading into summer travel, with Illinois averages up in the week ending May 16.

Fuel Watch: GasBuddy’s latest week-ending May 16 reports show spotty but telling price dips across the country, with White County E85 hitting $3.07 (two stations tied), Monroe County diesel falling to $5.16, and Rock Island County diesel bottoming at $5.29—while Illinois averages remain higher (diesel around $6.07 statewide in the same reporting). Memorial Day Pressure: Multiple reports point to summer travel costs staying elevated as oil-market tensions and refinery outages tighten supply, with AAA noting the national regular average pushed above $4 in early April and Reuters tying Midwest price pressure to Illinois/Indiana refinery capacity losses. Travel Cost Reality Check: A separate analysis warns summer 2026 will be one of the priciest in years, with higher cash and points fares and airlines leaning on fees rather than cutting prices. Local Angle: If you’re driving, the “cheapest” story is still hyper-local—some counties show only one station reporting the low price.