Gov. JB Pritzker is launching an Illinois Accountability Commission (IAC) to document the "military style" actions of federal law enforcement in the state and create pathways for accountability.

Why it matters: Immigrant advocates have been demanding state action for months as Department of Homeland Security agents have conducted warrantless arrests, a raid on an entire building and crowd control using tear gas and rubber bullets on non-violent protesters.

• This commission, announced Thursday, has the potential to centralize the collection and archiving of videos and documents that are now shared in an ad hoc way.

What they're saying: "We are going after [accountability] in every way that we possibly can," Pritzker said, acknowledging the pleas he's heard for more push back. "The record that they are going to create … will allow accountability to be had."

The other side: "Once again, Governor Pritzker continues to smear law enforcement who are simply enforcing the rule of law," assistant DHS secretary Tricia McLaughlin tells Axios.

How it will work: Over the next three months, the nine-member commission — led by Rubén Castillo, former chief judge of U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois — will conduct hearings and gather testimony from the public.

• It will issue a report with recommendations in January 2026.

Reality check: Pritzker acknowledged that accountability could take time and agents "theoretically have federal immunity."

• Still, he says the records will be useful in court and "looks forward to the moment when the judiciary will act."

What's next: State officials say to "stay tuned" for details about sharing video on the IAC site.

Keep reading

Mayor Brandon Johnson has proposed increasing fines on building owners who leave their properties vacant.

If approved, this could impact Chicago neighborhoods, as well as downtown Loop buildings that haven't bounced back since the pandemic.

The big picture: Chicago has a long-standing problem with abandoned buildings. These eyesores can be found in neglected areas and wealthy neighborhoods alike.

• With the help of Axios Chicago readers, we've already identified several offenders and today, we're adding 10 more vacant spots to the list.

Royal George Theatre (Lincoln Park)

Steppenwolf gets all the acclaim on North Halsted Street, but its neighbor across the street put on some incredible off-Loop theater in its day. It closed in 2020 during the pandemic.

• The building was sold to developers but sits dormant today.

Pippin's Tavern (Gold Coast)

The famed Chicago dive bar Pippin's moved out of its home in 2021 after 47 years. The bar moved a block over to a bigger space on Chicago Avenue, but the old spot remains shuttered.

Sopraffina (Loop)

Sopraffina was a popular lunch spot for the Loop crowd starting in the mid-1990s. The restaurant temporarily closed during the pandemic in 2020, to reopen in 2021.

Yes, but: It didn't last long.

More eyesores

Illinois gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey's son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren died in a helicopter crash in Montana. (Sun-Times)

🚨 Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino is accused of violating a restraining order by throwing tear gas canisters at protesters in Little Village yesterday. (CBS 2)

🚽 The city's first standalone public restroom will be installed in a yet-to-be-announced location in the 1st Ward. (Block Club)

Illinois' percentage of obese adults rose from 32% to 34% between 2019 and 2024, according to a new analysis of federal data.

Why it matters: Obesity is tied to health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, and COVID-19 complications for individuals, as well as higher public health costs for states.

The big picture: Despite our local increases, the number of states with adult obesity rates at or above 35% dropped to 19 in 2024 compared to 23 in 2023.

• Still, that number was just three in 2014.

Stunning stat: No state had an obesity rate under 25% for the first time since 2011, when the data began.

Go deeper

👋 Hi, it's Justin, back with another "Kaufmann quiz," testing your knowledge about the history of our fine city.

Today, let's keep it firmly in the Gen X category (whaaa? Me?) and harken back to the glorious year of 1998. A lot happened that year that shapes the city today.

• Last week's quiz on landmarks and locations netted just one winner. Matt R. is a juggernaut!!!!

Are we ready to get in the 1998 time machine?

Play the quiz here

Audrey Niffenegger is one of Chicago's most celebrated contemporary authors and visual artists. Her novels include "Her Fearful Symmetry" and the mega-hit "The Time Traveler's Wife," which was turned into a feature film.

🏠 The latest: Niffenegger took her love of literature and book arts to new heights when she founded the Artist Book House, which moved into its own space in Old Irving Park last year.

• On Saturday, they're throwing the Goreyesque Gala to raise money for renovations.

State of play: Writers usually work in unique places. So naturally, we asked Niffenegger about what her perfect day in Chicago might look like.

🍳 Breakfast: "Tre Kronor. If it's Sunday brunch, I order the crab cake eggs benedict and coffee. Other days, I usually order two eggs sunny side up with fried potatoes and limpa toast, and coffee. The maple danishes are very tasty, too."

📚 Morning activity: "Browsing in bookshops ... these are just a few of the greats: Quimby's Bookstore, The Book Cellar, Chicago Bookends and Beginnings, Women & Children First, Powell's Books, The Book Stall and Volumes Bookcafe."

🫖 Lunch: "Kopi Cafe. The smoked salmon tartine is smoked salmon slices on a baguette with wasabi dill cream cheese ... I love their Russian tea, it is served with preserved cherries in the bottom of the glass."

🖼️ Afternoon activity: "The Art Institute of Chicago has a new exhibit that I am eager to see: 'Strange Realities: The Symbolist Imagination.'"

More Niffenegger picks