Illinois is emerging as a national leader in greenhouse gas reduction, according to a new report by environmental think tank RMI.

Why it matters: The nonprofit's report was released the same day the U.S. Supreme Court reduced the EPA's authority to regulate emissions nationally, placing more responsibility on local energy policies.

What they found: RMI focused on six states — Illinois, New York, New Jersey, Colorado, Washington and California — that lead on climate policy but also create about 20% of all U.S. emissions.

• The report praised Illinois' 2021 Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) as "an ambitious economy-wide climate bill that sets strong emissions targets and provides substantial investments."
• The bill requires private coal- and oil-fired plants to reach zero emissions by 2030 and aims for the state to have 1 million electric vehicles on the road by 2030, among other targets.

Yes, but: Though CEJA shoots for a 46% reduction in statewide emissions from 2005 levels by 2030, the RMI modeling estimates the state is on track to achieve just about 22%.

What they're saying: "The scorecard … reminds us of the importance of emissions limits and holding industry accountable," Samira Hanessian of the Illinois Environmental Council, which pushed for CEJA, tells Axios.

The other side: The Illinois Manufacturers' Association (IMA) was one of several organizations that opposed CEJA for being too aggressive.

• "The new law in Illinois fails to recognize the need for a measured transition to the new clean energy economy, resulting in significantly higher electric bills for consumers and rolling brownouts," IMA president Mark Denzler tells Axios.

The big picture: "If we are going to slash emissions in half by 2030, as climate science indicates that we must, then tracking and planning are absolutely essential," RMI's Jacob Corvidae said in a statement accompanying the report.

• "These states have a unique ability to set the pace nationwide."

This weekend's Taste of Chicago left a bad taste in some mouths.

• Angry Taste-goers reported long lines and limited options for the post-pandemic reopening of the city's marquee food event.

What they're saying: "We waited almost two hours to get in," JazziRelle tweeted. "Then once we got in, everywhere had at least a 30- to 45-minute line to get food."

Context: The 2022 Taste took place over one weekend, a stark contrast to years past. Organizers also shrank its physical footprint, moving the festival from Jackson south to Balbo.

Yes, but: It's hard to blame them for longer security lines and reduced options.

• A surge in downtown violence led the festival to employ metal detectors and enforce pat-downs.
• Despite incentives, restaurant staffing shortages reduced the number of vendors to about 30 from the usual 50 or so, organizers told Block Club.
• And Taste went ticketless, which means people had to pay with cash or credit, slowing transactions down.

💭 Justin's thought bubble: How long would you wait in line for a Bud Light and a turkey leg? Long lines are a byproduct of the call for safety downtown.

• Unfortunately, in 2022, we can't have it both ways.

🎭 Staff at the Victory Gardens Theater have resigned and shows have been canceled over the board's removal of artistic director Ken-Matt Martin. The Actors' Equity union says the board is "perceived as unable to support workers of color." (Tribune)

An off-duty police officer was shot in the back after a fight in a Beverly bar Saturday morning. (CBS 2)

🦠 Statewide COVID-19 hospitalizations have doubled since mid-April. (Sun-Times)

🏀 The WNBA said this weekend's Chance the Rapper concert for All-Star weekend was not open to the public due to gun violence concerns. (ESPN)

👋 Hi, it's Justin! There is so much going on in Chicago sports right now. Let's give you the news you can use.

The Sky

The good: Our successful WNBA team hosted the 2022 All-Star weekend. The highlight? Veteran Allie Quigley won another 3-point contest to break a tie and become the only WNBA or NBA player to win four 3-point contests.

The bad: Nothing. The Sky start the second half of the season with the best record in the league.

The Blackhawks

The good: We drafted 11 rookies last week.

The bad: The Blackhawks traded away stars Alex DeBrincat and Kirby Dach, confirming the rebuild is on. Could veterans Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews be next? Both are in the final year of their contract.

The Bears

The good: It's almost training camp time.

The bad: Fans flocked to the Bears site for training camp tickets Friday, only to be told later via email that their ticket orders were canceled.

• The Bears say the site was allowing tickets to be purchased for events that were already sold out and are giving special access and priority to those affected.

Go deeper for Cubs and White Sox updates.

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Several West African countries make jollof rice, but the Senegalese are quick to note that jollof comes from the Wolof language and empire that ruled parts of Senegal and Gambia until 1549.

• That history drove us to try the bright orange pilaf made distinctively with broken jasmine rice at Badou Senegalese Cuisine in Rogers Park.

Details: When served with yassa fish, Badou calls the combo Thiebou Djen and bills it as the Senegalese national dish ($15.99). We bill it as delicious.

• We also loved the restaurant's yassa chicken and sweet plantains, as well as its hauntingly delicious lamb dish made with Dijon mustard ($15.99).
• Don't forget to cool off with a refreshing bissap hibiscus drink ($3.99).