What Happened This Week in Illinois and Chicago?

The month of May has flown by, and there's a lot to catch up on. Let's dive into the key events that shaped the past week. Lawmakers in Springfield have been working overtime as the spring legislative session wraps up. They're racing against time to finalize a budget without resorting to "broad-based" taxes, all while tackling a massive transit bill. This bill aims to fill a $771 million gap in the budgets of Chicago-area transit agencies. It's a tall order, but necessary to keep public transportation running smoothly. Two significant bills have made progress in the final stretch of the session. The Illinois House greenlit a bill that, if approved by the Senate, would allow terminally ill individuals to seek medical aid in dying. Meanwhile, another bill, which prohibits police from issuing tickets and fines to students for minor infractions at school, is now waiting for the governor's signature. This move comes after an investigation revealed that this practice was quite common. In other news, Larry Hoover, the founder of the Gangster Disciples, saw a glimmer of hope this week. President Trump commuted his federal life sentences, although Hoover will still serve a 200-year sentence for a state court murder conviction. It's a controversial decision that has sparked debate. Tariffs were a hot topic this week. The president announced a delay in the 50% tariff on goods from the European Union until July 9, giving room for negotiations. However, a federal trade court ruled that the administration cannot impose taxes on imports under an emergency-powers law without Congress's approval. The battle over tariffs is far from over, with appeals and counter-appeals keeping the issue in the spotlight. Elon Musk, the Tesla CEO, is stepping away from the Trump administration. This comes after he criticized the president's "Big, Beautiful, Bill" in a CBS interview. Musk is now focusing on his business ventures, which come with their own set of challenges. Chicago sports fans have plenty to cheer about. Caleb Williams, a local talent, addressed rumors that he tried to avoid being drafted by the Bears in 2024, stating that he wanted to join the team. In a thrilling win over the Dallas Wings, Chicago Sky point guard Courtney Vandersloot broke the all-time franchise scoring record, previously held by her wife, Allie Quigley. And for Sox fans, there's a celebration planned at Rate Field on June 14 to honor one of their own being elected pope. Tickets went on sale Friday. Nature lovers and city dwellers alike were delighted to see Chonkosaurus, the famous snapping turtle, basking in the Chicago River this week. If you're looking to enjoy the beautiful weather this weekend, check out the patio guide for 25 spots around the city.