Illinois news in brief: Northwestern antisemitism coalition calls out exclusion of Wildcats for Israel; Pritzker pauses public events; Chicago report touts taxpayer-funded youth impact

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Northwestern antisemitism coalition calls out exclusion of Wildcats for Israel

The Coalition Against Antisemitism at Northwestern University says the school has launched a formal investigation after a discrimination complaint against Spoon University's Northwestern chapter. Spoon canceled its Cultural Food Fest last week due to backlash from three groups over the inclusion of Wildcats for Israel, a student-led organization dedicated to educating the Northwestern community about Israel.

The coalition noted that Northwestern's November 28, 2025 federal resolution agreement followed the federal government's freeze of more than $1 billion in university research funding amid investigations into antisemitism and other compliance concerns. 

“It is chilling that in 2026, at my own alma mater, we are witnessing Jewish and Israeli students being singled out and excluded from a celebration of cultural diversity,” said Northwestern alumna Wendy Sachs in a statement.

Pritzker pauses public events

Gov. J.B. Pritzker has paused public events due to an outpatient urology procedure scheduled on Monday. Matt Hill, the governor’s deputy chief of staff for communications, said this is the standard and final follow-up to the same procedure he completed in May 2026. Later that month, the governor said he went to a Springfield hospital after he felt something that might have been related to the procedure. According to Hill's statement, Pritzker is grateful for well wishes and looks forward to resuming public events soon.

Chicago report touts taxpayer-funded youth impact

Chicago officials have released a report highlighting results from city spending on youth programming. According to a statement from Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office, summer 2026 youth programs reached all 77 community areas and connected young people to a record-breaking number of employment opportunities. The mayor’s 2027 budget proposal aims to expand employment to 40,000 young people with $24 million from city taxpayers.