School Board Election Money Fight: Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates and financier Michael Sacks traded sharp public letters over billionaire spending and influence in the Nov. 3 Chicago School Board race, setting up a high-stakes, expensive contest. Consumer Protection & Courts: A federal judge said a MAC Cosmetics customer can pursue BIPA claims over in-store virtual makeup try-on face scans, arguing the tech can identify consumers. Health Care & Aging: CMS data show Avantara Aurora in Aurora is owned by a trust group and earned a four-star overall rating in early 2026, with no fines or penalties reported in Q1. Public Safety Funding: Illinois State Fire Marshal Michele Pankow awarded $6 million in small equipment grants to 260 fire and EMS providers statewide. International Business: Kazakhstan and Illinois officials met to expand trade and investment cooperation in areas like agribusiness, manufacturing, logistics, and digital tech. Local Business & Real Estate: Chicago’s Obama Presidential Center is giving visitors a first look ahead of its June 19 opening. Housing Market Pressure: New research highlights how rent concessions are weakening effective rents, even as incentive usage stays concentrated in certain markets. Nursing Home Watch: A CMS-focused look at Illinois nursing facilities adds more detail on ownership and ratings for operators across the state.