Former President Bill Clinton walked back remarks he made under oath that appeared to suggest Illinois Democrat Gov. JB Pritzker accompanied him on one of the flights he took aboard convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s private plane. 
Clinton mentioned Pritzker when asked who typically accompanied him on flights he took on Epstein’s plane, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgJrYKAl6T0">according</a> to a video released Monday by the House Oversight Committee. After the clip circulated on social media, Clinton’s spokesman asserted that the former president did not mean to say that Pritzker flew on Epstein’s plane. 
“President Clinton was simply giving an example of the many people he traveled with to see the Clinton Foundation’s work. Governor Pritzker joined a Clinton Foundation trip in 2008,” said Clinton spokesman Angel Urena. “Not on Epstein’s plane. Not with Epstein. Not with Maxwell.”
During his deposition, Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-WI) asked who Clinton “normally” brought with him on those flights. Clinton said he “brought people who work with me, especially people who would have to follow up on the fundraising, or people who were involved” in his work. 
“I had the Secret Service with me. And then on occasion, I had people who had volunteered to help us and wanted to see what we’re doing,” Clinton added. “For example, I think it was on one of these trips, I think that I had my first trip for the man who’s now the governor of Illinois, JB Pritzker and his wife, they gave me, they helped me get started.”
A clip circulating on social media, shared by RNC Research, highlighted the exchange.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Bill Clinton says he brought JB Pritzker on pedophile Jeffrey Epstein’s plane: “I think that I had my first trip for the man who’s now the Governor of Illinois, JB Pritzker and his wife.” <a href="https://t.co/p6GtSbpgGX">pic.twitter.com/p6GtSbpgGX</a>
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) <a href="https://twitter.com/RNCResearch/status/2028647022119551010?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 3, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Pritzker campaign spokesman Alex Gough told The Daily Wire that the governor traveled with Clinton twice, but said the travel was not on Epstein’s plane. 
“Governor Pritzker was asked to travel with President Clinton on two trips, once in 2008 and once in 2013. Neither utilized Jeffrey Epstein’s aircraft, nor was he accompanied by that man or Ghislaine Maxwell,” he said. “We understand that the GOP is desperate to deflect from the heinous accusations against President Trump in the Epstein Files, but this is a particularly weak effort to assign blame where there is none.”
Gough did not provide a comment on whether Pritzker had ever had any other interactions with Epstein. 
The governor’s cousin, Thomas Pritzker, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/terrible-judgement-epstein-fallout-forces-top-hotel-exec-to-leave-hes-jb-pritzkers-cousin">announced</a> last month that he was stepping down from his executive position at the Hyatt hotel corporation over his ties to Epstein and Maxwell. 
“Good stewardship also means protecting Hyatt, particularly in the context of my association with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell which I deeply regret. I exercised terrible judgment in maintaining contact with them, and there is no excuse for failing to distance myself sooner,” Thomas Pritzker said in a <a href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260216864815/en/Tom-Pritzker-Retires-as-Executive-Chairman-of-Hyatt-After-22-Years-of-Service-and-Will-Not-Stand-for-Reelection-to-Board-of-Directors">news release</a>. “I condemn the actions and the harm caused by Epstein and Maxwell and I feel deep sorrow for the pain they inflicted on their victims.”

Clinton Global Initiative America Meetings Begin In Chicago

Bill Clinton Walks Back Remarks Suggesting JB Pritzker Flew On Epstein’s Plane

Bill Clinton

House Oversight Committee

Illinois

JB Pritzker

Jeffrey Epstein

The storied Chicago Bears NFL franchise has been playing in the Windy City since 1921, but on Thursday, the team shocked the sports world and Illinois leaders by taking a &#8220;meaningful step&#8221; toward building a new stadium across state lines in Hammond, Indiana.
After the Indiana House of Representatives unanimously passed a proposed amendment to make Indiana the Bears&#8217; new home, the team said it is &#8220;committed to finishing&#8221; the process &#8220;to build a world-class stadium near the Wolf Lake area in Hammond, Indiana,&#8221; Chicago-based news outlet WGN 9 <a href="https://wgntv.com/northwest-indiana/indiana-lawmakers-to-meet-thursday-morning-to-review-proposal-for-bears-to-build-new-stadium-in-northwest-indiana/">reported</a>. The Bears thanked the Republican-led Indiana government for quickly working to open the door for the new stadium.
&#8220;We appreciate the leadership shown by Governor [Mike] Braun, Speaker [Todd] Huston, Senator [Ryan] Mishler and members of the Indiana General Assembly in establishing this critical framework and path forward to deliver a premier venue for all of Chicagoland and a destination for Bears fans and visitors from across the globe,&#8221; the Bears said. &#8220;We value our partnership and look forward to continuing to build our working relationship together.&#8221;
While a relocation to Hammond would keep the Bears in the Chicago metro area, it would mark a major loss for Illinois Democratic leaders, including Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. The Bears had planned to move to Arlington Heights, a village in Illinois northwest of downtown Chicago, but the plan has stalled in the Democrat-controlled state legislature.
A spokesman for Governor Pritzker <a href="https://x.com/thematthill/status/2024502208885080324">said</a> that state lawmakers had planned to hold a hearing on moving forward with the Bears&#8217; Arlington Heights plans, but the franchise requested the meeting be called off at the last minute. The hearing, scheduled to be held by the Illinois Revenue and Finance Committee, was set to look into a proposal to provide up to $850 million in infrastructure support, according to WGN 9.
&#8220;This morning, we were surprised to see a statement lauding Indiana and ignoring Illinois,&#8221; Pritzker&#8217;s spokesman, Matt Hill, added.
Local property taxes in Illinois also remain a major issue. Illinois Republican state Rep. Mark Batinick published a document detailing how the 7% property tax rate in Arlington Heights would require the Bears to pay around $210 million annually, the Purdue Exponent <a href="https://www.purdueexponent.org/city_state/general_news/chicago-bears-hammond-indiana/article_46293472-6987-4fe8-b4be-6a69f7280fb1.html">reported</a>.
Indiana Republican Governor Mike Braun released a statement on Thursday touting the state&#8217;s &#8220;pro-growth environment&#8221; that &#8220;continues to attract major opportunities like this partnership with the Chicago Bears.&#8221;
&#8220;The State of Indiana moves at the speed of business, and we&#8217;ve demonstrated that through our quick coordination between state agencies, local government, and the legislature to set the stage for a huge win for all Hoosiers,&#8221; Braun added. &#8220;We have built a strong relationship with the Bears organization that will serve as the foundation for a public-private partnership, leading to the construction of a world-class stadium and a win for taxpayers.&#8221;
Illinois businesses, especially businesses in Arlington Heights, could take the biggest losses if the proposal to move the Bears to Indiana goes through. Business owners and residents in Arlington Heights have largely supported bringing the NFL team to the village, as it would come with increased business and tourism opportunities.
A move to Republican-led Indiana, however, could ease the tax burdens of the franchise and its players. Indiana&#8217;s income tax currently sits at 2.95% and will be <a href="https://www.indianahouserepublicans.com/blog/general/new-tax-cuts-for-hoosiers-in-2026/">lowered</a> to 2.9% beginning in 2027. The state&#8217;s <a href="https://taxfoundation.org/location/indiana/">corporate</a> income tax rate is 4.9%. Illinois&#8217; <a href="https://tax.illinois.gov/research/taxrates/income.html">income tax</a>, meanwhile, is 4.95% and its corporate tax sits at 7%.
The potential relocation to Indiana comes as the Bears have once again become a top contender in the NFC following an NFC North division title and playoff run last season with star quarterback Caleb Williams and new head coach Ben Johnson.
The Bears could be the second NFL team to move across state lines, as the Kansas City Chiefs are preparing to build a new stadium on the Kansas side of the border after playing in Missouri for decades. Last year, Missouri Republicans <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/a-tale-of-two-kansas-cities-chiefs-and-royals-spark-political-battle-with-potential-stadium-moves">disagreed</a> over whether they should try to keep the Chiefs in the state, with Republican Governor Mike Kehoe arguing that the team brings business and state revenue for Missouri. Conservative Republicans in the Missouri Freedom Caucus, however, didn&#8217;t want to use taxpayer dollars for the benefit of the billionaire Chiefs owners.

Chicago Bears

‘Da Bears’ Seeing Red Over Blue State Games, Line Up The U-Hauls

Democrats

Economy

Indiana

Republicans

U.S.

Illinois businessman Thomas Pritzker said Monday he was stepping down from his executive position at the Hyatt hotel corporation over his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell. 
Emails released by the Justice Department show Pritzker corresponding with Epstein in the years after his 2008 convictions for solicitation of prostitution and solicitation of a minor. Pritzker is the cousin of Democratic Governor JB Pritzker and has been the executive chair of Hyatt for over two decades. 
“Good stewardship also means protecting Hyatt, particularly in the context of my association with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell which I deeply regret. I exercised terrible judgment in maintaining contact with them, and there is no excuse for failing to distance myself sooner,” Pritzker said in a <a href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260216864815/en/Tom-Pritzker-Retires-as-Executive-Chairman-of-Hyatt-After-22-Years-of-Service-and-Will-Not-Stand-for-Reelection-to-Board-of-Directors">news release</a>. “I condemn the actions and the harm caused by Epstein and Maxwell and I feel deep sorrow for the pain they inflicted on their victims.”
In a letter to the Hyatt board on Monday, Pritzker said he would not seek to continue as executive chair after his term ends in June 2026. 
“When I look at my care for Hyatt, my respect for good governance and the focus that [my wife] and I have on our legacy, they all lead me to conclude that what is right for Hyatt and for me is that I retire as Executive Chairman of Hyatt effective immediately and not stand for reelection at our 2026 annual shareholder’s meeting,” he wrote in the letter. 
The announcement came after emails showed him corresponding with Epstein about a variety of topics. In one email from May 2012, Pritzker boasted to Epstein about attending an apparent dinner with high-ranking Chinese officials. 
“It was beyond awesome. I should have pushed you to go,” Pritzker <a href="https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA00712657.pdf">wrote</a>. “Hot sh*t in a cool place.”
Another email exchange from July 2012 included Pritzker <a href="https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA00629316.pdf">telling</a> Epstein, “Still at same coordinates. Took a bath this week,” and “more good news. Expect to take a bath again next week.”
Other emails included in the Justice Department Epstein files include emails between Epstein and his associates <a href="https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2011/EFTA02441069.pdf">scheduling calls</a> and <a href="https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2011/EFTA02246837.pdf">appointments</a> between Pritzker and Epstein. 
Hyatt praised Pritzker in a statement following his announcement. 
“Tom’s leadership has been instrumental in shaping Hyatt’s strategy and long-term growth, and we thank him for his service and dedication to Hyatt,” said Richard Tuttle, the chair of Hyatt’s nominating and corporate governance committee.
Over the years, Pritzker made significant <a href="https://www.fec.gov/data/receipts/individual-contributions/?contributor_name=Thomas+Pritzker">political contributions</a> to both Democratic and Republican political candidates, including former President Barack Obama, John McCain, Mitt Romney, Senator Cory Booker (D-NY), and Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR). 
The release of the Epstein files has led to a shakeup in the business and political world. 
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/keir-starmer-in-hot-seat-after-admitting-he-knew-appointee-was-close-to-epstein">faced pressure</a> after emails shed new light on the relationship between former U.S. Ambassador Lord Peter Mandelson and Epstein. Last week, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/top-obama-white-house-lawyer-out-at-goldman-sachs-after-cozy-uncle-jeffrey-emails-with-epstein?author=Leif+Le+Mahieu&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=SEE+IT%3A+‘Uncle+Jeffrey%2C’+Birthday+Wishes+And+‘Xo’+Emails+Rock+Obama-Era+Insider">Kathryn Ruemmler</a>, Obama’s longest-serving White House counsel, announced that she would be leaving Goldman Sachs after emails revealed her cozy relationship with Epstein.
The Trump administration has also <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-cabinet-secretary-confirms-he-visited-epsteins-island-with-wife-and-children-in-2012">faced questions</a> after Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told senators last week that he visited Epstein’s Little Saint James Island with his wife and children in 2012.

MixCollage-17-Feb-2026-10-17-AM-917

Epstein Fallout Forces Top Hotel Exec To Leave — He’s JB Pritzker’s Cousin

'Terrible Judgement': Top Illinois Hotel Exec Exiting Position Over Epstein Ties

Department of Justice

Epstein Files

Ghislaine Maxwell

A controversial new bill in Illinois would ban federal immigration agents hired under the Trump administration from ever working as local police in the sanctuary state.
Democratic Illinois State Senator Laura Fine, who is also running for Congress, introduced the <a href="https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/BillStatus/FullText?GAID=18&amp;DocNum=2820&amp;DocTypeID=SB&amp;LegId=0&amp;SessionID=114" target="_blank" rel="noopener">legislation</a> after the two recent fatal shootings in Minneapolis involving federal immigration authorities. Fine called the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti &#8220;a glass break moment,&#8221; adding, &#8220;enough is enough.&#8221;
&#8220;It is blatantly obvious that ICE officers are not going through extensive training. Hiring ICE agents for our local and state police force is not a priority, keeping our communities safe is. And my bill aims to do just that,&#8221; Fine said in a separate post.
&#8220;The message is simple: If you enabled the cruelty of the Trump administration, you don’t get to wear a badge in Illinois,&#8221; she earlier said.
The bill lays out &#8220;that a law enforcement agency may not hire &#8230; any person who was hired as a federal immigration officer by the U.S. Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement between January 20, 2025 and January 20, 2029.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
I’m headed to Springfield to urge my colleagues to support my bill banning Trump’s unqualified ICE hires from ever serving in state and local law enforcement in Illinois. Enough is enough. I’m doing this for the safety of all Illinoisans. In Congress, I will continue to fight to… <a href="https://t.co/rd5OMfFlj8">pic.twitter.com/rd5OMfFlj8</a>
— Laura Fine for Congress (@laurafineforIL9) <a href="https://twitter.com/laurafineforIL9/status/2011184130361323576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 13, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The Department of Homeland Security hit back at Fine&#8217;s proposal, with Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin telling The Daily Wire that the Democratic lawmaker is wrongly villainizing ICE agents who are taking criminal illegal immigrants off the streets after they were released under sanctuary policies.
“Illinois sanctuary politicians are falsely casting federal law enforcement as villains while ICE officers are being targeted, threatened, and doxxed simply for doing their jobs and enforcing our nation’s laws. Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, ICE is held to the highest professional standard and officers regularly receive ongoing training,&#8221; McLaughlin said.
&#8220;As our brave law enforcement arrests and removes dangerous criminal illegal aliens, including murderers, rapists, and gang members from our communities, America can be proud of the professionalism our officers bring to the job day-in and day-out. Instead of working with us, Illinois sanctuary politicians RELEASE violent criminals from their jails directly back into our communities to perpetrate more crimes and create more victims,&#8221; she added.
Since January 20, Illinois authorities have released 1,768 criminal illegal immigrants who account for 5 homicides, 141 assaults, 23 burglaries, 4 robberies, 24 drug offenses, 15 weapons offenses, and 10 sexual predatory offenses, according to McLaughlin.
There are 4,015 illegal immigrants in Illinois with ICE detainer requests for a transfer to federal custody. Those targets account for 51 homicides, 1,134 assaults, 107 burglaries, 36 robberies, 275 dangerous drugs offenses, 120 weapons offenses, and 813 sexual predatory offenses.
The sanctuary state currently allows noncitizens to serve as police officers. ICE nabbed an illegal immigrant from Montenegro in October who was working as a police officer for the Hanover Police Department in Illinois.
A judge subsequently granted his immigration bond, leading the police department to bring him back on.

ICE Agents Carry Out Raid On Undocumented Immigrants In Chicago

Blue State Bill Would Ban ICE Agents Hired Under Trump From Working As Local Cops

New Illinois Bill Would Bar ICE Agents Hired Under Trump From Working As Local Cops

Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Sanctuary Cities

In a 7-2 decision that had resounding import for election integrity, the Supreme Court reversed the lower court ruling that Congressman Michael Bost and two other candidates lacked standing to challenge the Illinois law that allows election officials to count mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day if they are received within 14 days thereafter.
Bost and the two other plaintiffs argued that the process of an “extended” counting period violates federal statutes (2 U.S.C. §7 and 3 U.S.C. §1), which establish a single “Election Day” as the Tuesday after the first Monday in November. The District Court and the Seventh Circuit dismissed the case, concluding that the petitioners lacked standing under Article III because they could not prove the rule would cause them to lose or significantly harm their campaigns.
But the Supreme Court held that a candidate for office has standing to challenge the rules governing their own election based on their unique status and interest in the process.
Chief Justice Roberts wrote the majority opinion, which invoked a standing rule for candidates, emphasizing that they are not “mere bystanders” in the electoral process. The Court argued that while voters have a general interest in election integrity, a candidate’s interest is “different in kind.” Candidates spend vast resources seeking to represent the people and have a concrete stake in ensuring the results accurately reflect the people&#8217;s will.
Roberts noted that rules undermining election integrity also undermine the winner’s political legitimacy. For an elected official, a loss of public confidence — even if they win — is a “reputational harm” which constitutes a classic Article III injury. The Court refused to require candidates to prove they would likely lose in order to gain standing. Roberts argued that forcing candidates to wait until an election is close or finished to sue would lead to “late-breaking, court-ordered rule changes” that cause voter confusion and undermine democratic stability.
The Court warned that requiring proof of a “substantial risk of loss” would turn judges into “political prognosticators,” a role outside their judicial expertise.

US-NEWS-ILL-VOTER-DATA-LAWSUIT-TB

Voter Integrity Win: Supreme Court Affirms Standing To Challenge Extended Ballot Counting

Supreme Court

Voter Integrity

The Department of Health and Human Services will freeze $10 billion in funding for multiple welfare programs in five blue states over fraud concerns. 
HHS will pause funding for programs that provide childcare and food assistance in California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, and New York as officials probe whether the benefits are being illegally funneled to non-citizens. The specific programs being halted in those states are the Child Care Development Fund, the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, and the Social Services Block Grant program.
“Democrat-led states and governors have been complicit in allowing massive amounts of fraud to occur under their watch,” <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/06/us/politics/child-care-funding-cuts-trump.html">said</a> HHS spokesman Andrew Nixon. “Under the Trump administration, we are ensuring that federal taxpayer dollars are being used for legitimate purposes.”
The states were notified of the pause in letters sent out by HHS on Monday. New York Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand said that the impending freeze was motivated by politics. 
“Trump is threatening to freeze child care funding in New York and targeting our children for political retribution. It’s immoral and indefensible,” she wrote on X. 
The Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) is a partnership program funded by the federal government and the states that provides financial assistance to low-income families to help them care for their children while they work or attend school. 
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is a federally funded, state-administered <a href="https://www.usa.gov/welfare-benefits" target="_blank" rel="noopener">program</a> that provides cash assistance to low-income families for food, housing, home energy, and child care. 
The Social Services Block Grant is a program that provides funds to states, which they then allocate to various welfare programs. 
The freeze was first <a href="https://nypost.com/2026/01/05/us-news/trump-freezes-10b-in-funding-to-five-blue-states-for-child-care-social-services-over-fraud-fears/">reported</a> by the New York Post, which noted that the pause will impact $7.35 billion in TANF funds, $2.4 billion in CCDF funds, and $869 million in Social Services Block Grant funds. 
The Trump administration has recently increased scrutiny on states like Minnesota and California over alleged widespread fraud. Last week, HHS paused all childcare payments to the state of Minnesota while it investigates allegations that millions of taxpayer dollars have been funneled to fraudulent daycares across the state throughout the past ten years. 
On Tuesday, President Donald Trump <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-says-fraud-investigation-has-begun-in-newsoms-california-more-corrupt-than-minnesota">said</a> investigations into California were beginning. 
“California, under Governor Gavin Newscum, is more corrupt than Minnesota, if that’s possible??? The Fraud Investigation of California has begun,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
RELATED: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-says-fraud-investigation-has-begun-in-newsoms-california-more-corrupt-than-minnesota?topStoryPosition=undefined&amp;author=Zach+Jewell&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=1&amp;row=1&amp;rowHeadline=Top+Stories&amp;rowType=Top+Stories&amp;title=Trump+Says+Fraud+Investigation+%E2%80%98Has+Begun%E2%80%99+In+Newsom%E2%80%99s+California%3A+%E2%80%98More+Corrupt+Than+Minnesota%E2%80%99">Trump Says Fraud Investigation &#8216;Has Begun&#8217; In Newsom&#8217;s California: &#8220;More Corrupt Than Minnesota&#8217;</a>

UK Hosts President Trump And First Lady Melania Trump For State Visit – Day Three

Trump Admin Freezes Welfare Funds To Five Blue States Over Fraud Concerns

California

Colorado

Department of Health and Human Services

Fraud

Minnesota

New York

Even as many Americans are poised to see the benefits of the tax cuts written into President Donald Trump&#8217;s signature One Big Beautiful Bill, only a few states have fully adopted the most popular provisions into their own tax codes — and two, New York and Illinois, are actively blocking them.
Under the legislation, American workers will not pay federal income taxes on qualified tips, overtime pay, and car loan interest. Senior citizens will see an enhanced deduction of $6,000. But in a majority of states across the country, those changes will not automatically be rolled into the state tax code, meaning taxpayers may not see the full advantage intended by the provisions in the law.
According to a <a href="https://nypost.com/2025/12/26/us-news/here-are-the-blue-states-blocking-trumps-popular-tax-cut-provisions/?utm_campaign=nypost&amp;utm_social_post_id=634548005&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_social_handle_id=17469289&amp;utm_source=twitter">report</a> published by the New York Post, only four states have fully adopted all of the new tax breaks: South Carolina, North Dakota, Montana, and Idaho. Governor Jared Polis (D-CO) said that because of the way state taxes work in his state, the majority of federal tax cuts would automatically apply to state tax filings.
&#8220;Claims that Colorado is refusing to adopt the majority of tax changes from H.R.1 [One Big Beautiful Bill] are not accurate,” a spokesperson for Polis told The Post. “All tax cuts in H.R. 1 are automatically incorporated into state tax code unless there is specific action to decouple.&#8221;
The reason Colorado&#8217;s state taxes align with the federal tax code is that they are based on federal taxable income — meaning the state only taxes the amount of income remaining after all federal tax breaks are applied. Other states that use the same process are South Carolina, Iowa, North Dakota, Idaho, Montana, and Oregon.
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The majority of states rely on Adjusted Gross Income (AGI), which does not reflect any federal tax cuts, and would have to take legislative steps to allow the cuts included in the recent legislation to trickle down to the state level.
&#8220;Some states start with federal taxable income, so most of the new deductions flow through automatically unless lawmakers opt out,” Adam Michel, director of tax policy studies at the Cato Institute, told the Post. &#8220;Many more states—blue and red—start with adjusted gross income or run their own tax system, which means they don’t pick up these new deductions unless they affirmatively pass a bill to do so.&#8221;
Arizona <a href="https://www.azleg.gov/press/house/57LEG/1R/250123GRIFFINHB2081.pdf">passed a law</a> exempting taxes on tips already, and similar bills have been proposed in New Jersey and North Carolina.
Several solidly blue states <a href="https://tax.thomsonreuters.com/blog/state-decoupling-from-federal-tax-provisions/#three-paths-forward">have indicated</a> that they won&#8217;t take those steps, claiming that doing so would quickly lead to budget shortfalls. California, for example, will not adopt the new tax breaks because officials believe the state would lose too much revenue to manage the current budget. In New York and Illinois, where static conformity laws would have caused the tax cuts to automatically transfer into the state tax code, the states are requiring an &#8220;add-back&#8221; for any deductions related to taxes on tips or overtime in order to protect revenue streams.

US-POLITICS-CRIME-TROOPS-CHICAGO

Two Blue States Scramble To Block Citizens From Cashing In On Trump Tax Cuts

Two Blue States Scramble To Prevent Citizens From Cashing In On Trump Tax Cuts

Blue States

Gavin Newsom

Politics

Illinois just gained another data point for its reputation for public corruption. New revelations found that nearly 400 state employees improperly obtained federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans intended to keep small businesses afloat during the pandemic.
PPP was created as part of the CARES Act to provide federally backed, forgivable loans to small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was signed into law on March 27, 2020.
According to the Illinois Office of the Executive Inspector General, investigators found “reasonable cause” in 378 PPP-fraud cases involving state workers through June 2025 — about three-quarters of all cases reviewed, the <a href="https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/29/ppp-loan-fraud-illinois-cook-county/?lctg=B4845491D5F64499A4E4B513EB&amp;utm">Chicago Tribune</a> reported. More than 200 employees resigned or were fired, and some have been referred for criminal prosecution. Workers across major agencies — including Human Services, Corrections, and Children and Family Services — collectively received over $2.8 million in fraudulent loans, often using fabricated businesses or false income claims.
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The inspector general sharply condemned the conduct, stressing that public employees are expected to protect — not exploit — taxpayer funds. One state worker claimed she misunderstood the loan as debt consolidation; another admitted paying a stranger to fabricate a fake business application. The Illinois Attorney General’s office has secured guilty pleas in several cases, typically resulting in probation, restitution, or community service — including a Human Services employee who obtained $49,000 for a nonexistent catering company.
The problem extended beyond the state government. Cook County watchdogs documented 65 PPP-related findings, most resulting in resignations or firings. The Cook County sheriff’s office reviewed 163 cases, sustaining violations against 62 employees. Chicago’s inspector general initially flagged nearly 1,000 potentially problematic loans involving city staff and has so far found nine substantiated cases, with more investigations ongoing.
These scandals unfolded against a national backdrop of widespread PPP fraud, with federal watchdogs estimating tens of billions lost and the Department of Justice charging thousands of defendants while seizing over $1.4 billion in stolen relief funds.
Illinois’ recurring ethical failures have measurable social costs. The Archbridge Institute’s Social Mobility Index ranked Illinois 40th in the nation — and the worst in the Midwest — partly due to persistent perceptions of corruption, including both illegal bribery and “legal” pay-to-play politics through campaign money and influence-trading.
“The perception of the state’s corruption is one factor that dragged it down,” Illinois Policy <a href="https://www.illinoispolicy.org/illinois-political-corruption-keeps-people-down/">reported</a>. “The social mobility index measures perceptions of corruption using the 2018 <a href="https://greasethewheels.org/cpi/">Corruption in America Survey</a>, which ranks Illinois among the most corrupt states in the country in both legal and illegal corruption – legal corruption describing a culture of pay-to-play in the form of campaign contributions made to or endorsements of a particular politician in exchange for favors or influence.”
Even as leaders stress that most public employees act honorably, the breadth of PPP fraud involving government workers reinforces Illinois’ stubborn image as one of America’s most corruption-ridden states — an image that, evidence suggests, drags down both governance and the state’s broader prospects for upward mobility.

Hundreds Of Illinois Public Workers Implicated In Pandemic Fraud

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Santa&#8217;s naughty list this year includes several sanctuary cities and states that allowed illegal immigrant criminals to roam their streets, many of whom went on to commit more egregious crimes.
Sanctuary cities and states adopt policies that prevent local police from notifying federal immigration authorities about the looming release of illegal immigrants from local jails. They also bar federal authorities from entering jails to interview illegal immigrant suspects.
The Trump administration has sued several sanctuary jurisdictions, including Minnesota, New York City, Boston, Illinois, and Los Angeles, over the policies.
These are some of the worst offenders.
<h4>New York City</h4>
Since President Donald Trump&#8217;s inauguration, local police in New York City released roughly 7,000 illegal immigrants from local jails without honoring Immigration and Customs Enforcement&#8217;s detainer requests to have them placed into federal custody, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
They account for nine homicides, 2,509 assaults, 199 burglaries, 305 robberies, 392 dangerous drugs offenses, 300 weapons offenses, and 207 sexual predatory offenses.
Mario Bustamante-Leiva, 49, the Chilean illegal immigrant accused of snatching Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem&#8217;s purse in Washington, D.C., in April, was arrested in New York for a similar crime just a few weeks earlier — but they let him go with a desk appearance ticket and a court date, <a href="https://nypost.com/2025/04/28/us-news/illegal-migrant-accused-in-kristi-noems-purse-snatching-had-ny-arrest-warrant-out/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according</a> to the New York Post.
He never showed up to that scheduled court date and bounced over to the nation&#8217;s capital to allegedly purse snatch the cabinet official.
In a separate example of the sanctuary&#8217;s consequences, the two Dominican illegal immigrants accused in the shooting of an off-duty Customs and Border Protection officer in New York City in July both had rap sheets.
One of them, Christhian Aybar-Berroa, 22, was arrested by the NYPD eight times and released each time prior to the attack, <a href="https://nypost.com/2025/07/21/us-news/illegal-migrant-arrested-in-nyc-shooting-of-off-duty-cpb-agent-was-free-despite-long-rap-sheet-and-suspected-in-scooter-robbery-spree-sources/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according</a> to the New York Post. He also had a deportation order from January 2023.
Miguel Francisco Mora Nunez, 21, also racked up several arrests in New York City, including for allegedly assaulting a pregnant woman and threatening to kill a fellow migrant with a machete, according to the New York Post.
He was also wanted on kidnapping and weapons charges out of Massachusetts, the outlet previously reported.
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<h4>Illinois</h4>
Authorities in Illinois have released more than 1,700 criminal illegal immigrants with ICE detainer requests from local jails since Inauguration Day, according to DHS.
The Trump administration commenced &#8220;Operation Midway Blitz&#8221; in September to target the sanctuary city of Chicago and arrest illegal immigrants released by local authorities.
ICE has current detainers lodged against roughly 4,000 illegal immigrants in state custody, according to DHS.
Democratic Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson responded to the federal operation by creating &#8220;ICE-free zones&#8221; across the Windy City.
In October, local police were reportedly told to stand down from assisting Border Patrol agents, who “were rammed by vehicles and boxed in by 10 cars” in Broadview, Illinois, Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin <a href="https://x.com/TriciaOhio/status/1974524869892276682" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> on X at the time.
Agents determined that one of the alleged attackers was &#8220;armed with a semi-automatic weapon,&#8221; forcing them to “fire defensive shots at an unarmed U.S. citizen,” according to McLaughlin.
<h4>Minnesota</h4>
When ICE descended on Minneapolis earlier this month, leaders in the sanctuary state were quick to side with illegal immigrants roaming the state.
Democratic Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey responded to the increased presence of federal immigration authorities by pledging to continue to refuse cooperation with ICE.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey says he will not allow police officers to cooperate with ICE to get criminal illegal aliens off the streets.
FREY: “Officers will not coordinate with any federal agency that is doing immigration law enforcement work.” <a href="https://t.co/zNLosBiKYw">pic.twitter.com/zNLosBiKYw</a>
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) <a href="https://twitter.com/RNCResearch/status/1998063894112133546?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2025</a></blockquote>
Democratic Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who has likened ICE to “Trump’s modern-day Gestapo,” condemned the agency&#8217;s actions in his state.
The federal operation resulted in roughly 400 arrests of illegal immigrants.
Somali immigrant Abdimahat Bille Mohamed was let go as part of a plea agreement in two sexual assault cases earlier this year before he went on to allegedly rape a child and multiple adult women before allegedly kidnapping a woman and raping her, <a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/serial-kidnapper-and-rapist-charged-federally" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according</a> to the Department of Justice, which has since charged him federally.
“This Somali national in Minnesota is charged with raping a minor and multiple adult women before being detained — only to be quickly released by a local court, after which he committed yet another rape. This horrific case illustrates how left-wing soft-on-crime policies and vetting failures put innocent people at dire risk. If Minnesota will not protect its own people, the Department of Justice will do it for them,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said of the case earlier this month.
<h4>Fairfax County, Virginia</h4>
Authorities in Fairfax County, Virginia, released Salvadoran migrant Marvin Morales-Ortez, 23, who allegedly went on to murder a man less than 24 hours later.
Morales-Ortez allegedly fatally shot a man inside his Reston, Virginia, home after he was released from a local jail by authorities who ignored a federal immigration detainer to hand him over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to multiple reports.
Morales-Ortez crossed the southern border illegally in 2016, federal law enforcement sources recently told The Daily Wire.
An immigration judge dismissed his deportation case in 2022, effectively allowing him to stay in the country without any legal status, sources said.
He was also tagged as a suspected member of the violent MS-13 gang, according to ABC7.
Morales-Ortez had a lengthy rap sheet before committing his latest alleged crime.
In 2021, he was charged with first-degree murder, according to ABC7. He spent a year and a half in jail while awaiting trial, but was ultimately released after the authorities dropped the charges following a determination that someone else was to blame.
Morales-Ortez was found guilty of a previous theft case and fined $300, which he never paid, according to ABC7.
The illegal immigrant was charged for allegedly brandishing a gun and assaulting and injuring someone before he was released by sanctuary authorities this latest time, the local outlet reported.
The Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office dropped the case, leading to his release.
After a lengthy manhunt, authorities rearrested him.
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Fairfax County has notoriously operated as a sanctuary jurisdiction, routinely releasing illegal immigrants from jail without notifying ICE, <a href="https://cis.org/Map-Sanctuary-Cities-Counties-and-States" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according</a> to the Center for Immigration Studies.
&#8220;The sanctuary politicians of Fairfax County, VA have blood on their hands,&#8221; DHS said in response to the county&#8217;s handling of the latest illegal immigrant crime.
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Participants seen holding a banner at the protest. A group

These Sanctuary Cities And States Are On The Naughty List This Year

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Virginia

Democrat Governor JB Pritzker signed legislation on Friday that conservative advocates say will turn Illinois into a hub for “suicide tourism.” 
The <a href="https://ilga.gov/Legislation/BillStatus?GAID=18&amp;DocNum=1950&amp;DocTypeID=SB&amp;LegId=161335&amp;SessionID=114">new law</a> allows doctors to prescribe lethal drugs to end the lives of those who are terminally ill and have been given a prognosis of less than six months to live. The bill had been sitting on his desk for over a month after Democrat lawmakers in the state Senate passed the measure a few hours after midnight on Halloween in a 30-27 vote. 
“I have been deeply impacted by the stories of Illinoisans or their loved ones that have suffered from a devastating terminal illness, and I have been moved by their dedication to standing up for freedom and choice at the end of life in the midst of personal heartbreak,” Pritzker said in a <a href="https://gov-pritzker-newsroom.prezly.com/s/0f091ea3-1845-4a06-a5eb-8f487c594841?preview">statement</a> after signing the legislation. 
Conservatives fear that the law will force doctors to promote and make referrals for the deadly practice. It would also bar Christian hospitals from firing doctors or employees who perform assisted suicides. The Thomas More Society, which <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/beyond-the-pale-jb-pritzker-could-soon-make-illinois-a-hub-for-suicide-tourism">previously told</a> The Daily Wire that it would sue to block the law if signed, lamented the news. 
“This is a dark and sorrowful day for Illinois. When the state signals that some lives are no longer worth living, the most vulnerable pay the price,” said Thomas Olp, the executive vice president at Thomas More Society. “Instead of offering true compassion, support, and care, this law offers a fatal prescription. That is not mercy. It is abandonment.” 
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The Thomas More Society said that the law would put the elderly, disabled, and vulnerable at risk and jeopardize the religious liberty of Christian doctors. 
“By legalizing physician-assisted suicide, the Land of Lincoln has crossed a profound moral and legal red line. As signed into law, this fatal misstep places vulnerable lives at risk, tramples the inherent dignity of human life, and erodes the foundational conscience rights of medical professionals and religious medical practices.” 
Illinois becomes the 12th state to legalize assisted suicide, and is the first Midwest state to do so. Thomas More Society Head of Litigation Peter Breen previously told The Daily Wire that “There’s a significant concern that this is going to turn Illinois into a suicide tourism state.”

A Moral ‘Red Line’: Pritzker Signs Bill That Could Make Illinois A Hub For ‘Suicide Tourism’

A Moral 'Red Line': Pritzker Signs Bill That Could Make Illinois A Hub For 'Suicide Tourism'

Assisted Suicide

Pro-Life Movement

Religious Liberty

An illegal immigrant cop who was <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/judge-releases-illegal-immigrant-cop-from-ice-custody">arrested</a> by federal authorities in October and later released has since been brought back onto the force.
The Hanover Police Department announced Tuesday that it has brought Radule Bojovic, an illegal immigrant from Montenegro, back on as an officer following his release from Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention in October. Bojovic overstayed a B2 tourist visa that required him to leave the United States on March 31, 2015, the Department of Homeland Security <a href="https://www.dhs.gov/news/2025/10/16/governor-jb-pritzkers-illinois-illegal-alien-working-sworn-police-office-badge-gun" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> at the time of his arrest.
An immigration judge granted a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/judge-releases-illegal-immigrant-cop-from-ice-custody">$2,500 immigration bond</a> just two weeks after he was picked up by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Bojovic returned to work Monday and will receive a paycheck for the time he missed while he was detained, the department said in a statement Tuesday.
&#8220;Given that his bond was not contested and he remains authorized to work by the federal government, the Hanover Police Department determined that he may return to work,&#8221; the department said.
&#8220;His first shift back since his detention took place yesterday. The Village and Hanover Park will provide Officer Bojovic back pay for the time he was on leave,&#8221; they added.
Despite his immigration status, Bojovic was hired in January because he had a federal work permit and passed all background checks, the department said.
Bojovic was eligible to receive a starting salary of $78,955.70 when he was hired, according to the Department of Homeland Security. His 2025 earnings were $205,707, including $9,276 for FICA/Medicare taxes.
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At the time of his arrest by the feds, Bojovic <a href="https://x.com/BenBergquam/status/1978879958698332249" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told</a> Real America’s Voice reporter Ben Bergquam that he was authorized to carry a firearm while on duty.
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Illegal Immigrant Cop Previously Nabbed By ICE Returns To Work For Illinois Police Department

Illinois Police Department Rehires Illegal Immigrant Cop Previously Nabbed By ICE

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Bethany MaGee is still receiving treatment at the hospital for severe burns after a man with more than 70 arrests doused her in gasoline and set her ablaze in an unprovoked attack on a Chicago train, the 26-year-old&#8217;s family shared on Tuesday.
The family has created a <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-bethany-magees-recovery">GoFundMe account</a> to help support MaGee, confirming the young woman&#8217;s identity, but also asking for privacy during MaGee&#8217;s long road to recovery.
&#8220;On November 17, Bethany MaGee was riding a CTA train in Chicago when she was attacked,&#8221; the family wrote. &#8220;She is currently hospitalized with the severe burns she sustained, and she is receiving treatment under the excellent care of her medical team.&#8221;
The family described MaGee as an animal lover, kind, and sensitive.
&#8220;In response to the countless requests for a way to help, our family is setting up this GoFundMe on Bethany’s behalf,&#8221; the MaGees said. &#8220;Many of her immediate medical expenses are covered by insurance and a victims fund, but with such a long road ahead of her, the freedom from financial worries would be a tremendous blessing. No gifts are expected, but any that are given will go directly to Bethany.&#8221;
The GoFundMe has so far garnered more than $30,000 in donations.
Lawrence Reed, 50, has been <a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndil/pr/us-attorneys-office-chicago-charges-man-federal-terrorism-offense-allegedly-setting?">charged</a> with a federal terrorism offense in connection to the attack and is facing life in prison, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/woman-set-on-fire-by-convict-with-72-priors-on-chicago-train?author=Amanda+Prestigiacomo&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=3&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Woman+Set+On+Fire+By+Convict+With+72+Priors+On+Chicago+Train">The Daily Wire</a> reported this week.
Surveillance footage shows the suspect dousing MaGee in gasoline and chasing her on the train car before setting her ablaze. Reed, who’s been arrested 72 times, allegedly shouted “burn alive, b****” and “burn, b****” during the attack.
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Reed’s criminal history includes eight felony and seven misdemeanor convictions, <a href="https://www.click2houston.com/news/national/2025/11/21/federal-judge-orders-man-held-on-federal-terrorism-charge-in-chicago-train-attack/?utm_source=chatgpt.com">according</a> to the Associated Press. Reed’s arrests concern arson, assault and battery, and other offenses.
At the time of his most recent attack, Reed was ordered to wear electronic monitoring due an aggravated battery charge in which he was accused of hitting a social worker. Cook County prosecutors wanted to keep Reed behind bars until his trial, but the judge released him.
MaGee&#8217;s family asked for privacy at this time, writing, &#8220;This will be her story to tell—or not to tell—in the future.&#8221;
&#8220;What we can say is this: Bethany is a beloved daughter, sister, sister-in-law, granddaughter, and aunt,&#8221; the family continued. &#8220;She is a good friend. She is sensitive, caring, intelligent, and imaginative. She loves living in Chicago, and her gentle spirit makes her a favorite with every pet she meets. She enjoys playing tabletop and video games with her community, and she is quick to include others in conversations and make them feel welcome. She is kind.&#8221;
&#8220;In this season of Thanksgiving, we are so grateful for the chance to celebrate at Bethany’s side,&#8221; the MaGees closed. &#8220;Thank you for keeping her and our family in your prayers.&#8221;
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/woman-set-on-fire-by-convict-with-72-priors-on-chicago-train?author=Amanda+Prestigiacomo&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=3&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Woman+Set+On+Fire+By+Convict+With+72+Priors+On+Chicago+Train">Woman Set On Fire By Convict With 72 Priors On Chicago Train</a>

Family Shares Update On Woman Set On Fire By Career Criminal In Chicago

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