AGP Executive Report

AI & Law: A new report on AI in personal injury practice argues the tech can help with research and drafting, but warns against using it for high-stakes legal decisions. Tech Policy & Safety: AI safety groups are pressuring OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to back up claims with real action on political spending and regulation. Illinois Tech & Research: UIUC engineers unveiled flexible infrared display tech using capillary-controlled robotic fins and fluids, aiming for far lower energy use than light-emitting screens. Healthcare & Chicago: UChicago Medicine is planning a nearly $328M lab facility on the South Side to consolidate testing and expand job training with City Colleges. Packaging Automation (Chicago): Signode will demo integrated case handling and warehouse automation at PACK EXPO International at McCormick Place, with cold-chain and on-demand packaging also highlighted. Local Tech/Infrastructure: La Grange Park approved a 31st Street Corridor Transportation Plan with signal timing, streetscape upgrades, and a push for safer connectivity. Public Tech & Compliance: The CFPB is facing scrutiny over whether it properly secured IT assets after regional office lease cancellations, raising privacy concerns. Space Watch: A rare moon-Jupiter occultation is set for early Tuesday morning across much of the eastern U.S.

Cancer Research: The ASAC phase 3 trial found aspirin did not improve disease-free survival after curative treatment of colorectal cancer liver metastases, contrasting with earlier benefits seen in non-metastatic settings. Fintech & Identity Tech: Dark Matter Technologies and Mezzo are rolling out a one-to-many verification setup for lenders, letting teams switch among multiple verification providers through a single gateway and standardized reporting. Illinois Early Childhood: Illinois launched a new Department of Early Childhood, consolidating preschool, home visiting, early intervention, and child care licensing under Secretary Teresa Ramos with a focus on measuring outcomes for families. Weather & Insurance: A new look at Midwest hail shows Wisconsin insurers are getting hit hard, with hail driving costs that now rival major hurricane losses—an Illinois-relevant warning for the region. Robotics Delivery: Deliveroo is partnering with Coco Robotics to expand robot deliveries across UK cities, starting in London and rolling out to several other locations. Public Health & Food Safety: PepsiCo recalled 122,021 cases of 28-ounce Gatorade in 37 states due to missing yellow dye label declarations. AI & Kids: Reporting highlights how states’ social media safety efforts are evolving as AI enters the picture, with advocates pushing for earlier protections for minors.

Illinois Tech & Research: UChicago Medicine expanded women’s pelvic health access, moving its pelvic health clinic from Glenview to a permanent Northbrook site with in-person and virtual urogynecology care. AI in Education & Design: The School of the Art Institute of Chicago is introducing AI tools into fashion construction, sparking debate over speed and creative integrity. Public Health & Tech: The FDA expanded a chlorthalidone recall after more bottles were found to have tablets that don’t dissolve properly. Cyber & Law Enforcement: The FBI reported major gains in Operation Summer Heat 2.0, including nearly 9,000 arrests and big jumps in weapons and fentanyl seizures, plus cybercrime takedowns. Local Tech Infrastructure: An Illinois Valley library received a grant for new computers to modernize staff and public services. Industry & Jobs: A new report says data centers could create more than 120,000 Illinois jobs, mostly temporary, as buildout accelerates. STEM in the Community: A Parkinson’s “Moving Day” walk in Chicago drew hundreds to support people living with Parkinson’s and raise awareness.

AI & Safety: OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says he’s “very uncomfortable” with Anthropic bringing religious scholars into Claude’s development, framing it as a safety issue. Higher Ed Policy: A group of university leaders (Champions of Higher Education) is pushing back against federal pressure, arguing government “accountability” shouldn’t mean partisan control of what colleges teach. Illinois Tech & Research: Illinois professor commentary highlights how China’s chip strategy is both a model and a warning for India’s chip ambitions—urging focus on design, packaging/testing, and legacy capacity. Biomedical Advances: A meta-analysis finds a rituximab–lenalidomide combo performs similarly to standard chemoimmunotherapy for follicular lymphoma, while a Medicaid study shows pediatric sleep testing access varies dramatically by location and neighborhood makeup. Materials & Health Tech: New work reports zinc oxide quantum dots on a borneol-based polymer can kill bacteria and fungi at antibiotic-like levels, and another study uses AI to spot factory defects from just a few example images. Local Tech/Community: Chicago’s co-working scene keeps expanding as people look for flexible workspaces.

Housing & Costs: A Reuters report says Trump-era tariffs have pushed up building-material prices, raising the cost to build a home by about $10,900 since 2020—fueling “affordability” as a top voter issue. Public Safety: A carjacked SUV in Chicago’s Gresham area crashed into multiple vehicles; a man and a boy were hospitalized and police recovered a firearm as charges were pending. Science in the City: The University of Chicago hosted its South Side Science Festival, bringing 130+ hands-on demos to thousands and aiming to close the gap between researchers and the community. Aviation Tech & Policy: Carus, based in Illinois Valley, is partnering with Australian RemBind to expand PFAS remediation tools for U.S. soil and groundwater. AI & Work: Multiple reports highlight growing pressure to regulate AI as companies and policymakers debate job impacts and governance. Education & Research Culture: UChicago’s science writing program hosted an online talk with Siri Carpenter and Ferris Jabr on how science stories get made.

Medical Education: University of Nicosia Medical School is marketing a global, English-language path with early clinical exposure and growing emphasis on AI, precision medicine, and digital health, including a new Athens campus. Public Health: Fergus County reported a confirmed measles case with potential exposures tied to specific Amtrak and workplace locations, urging residents to watch for symptoms and follow guidance. Food Safety: Chicago-area coverage pushes back on skipping produce during contamination scares, stressing targeted advisories and everyday kitchen hygiene. Tech & Work: McKinsey says AI and automation could displace about 36M U.S. jobs by 2035, while creating about 41M—if workers can switch careers fast enough. AI Governance: Researchers and lawmakers are pressing for stronger AI safety oversight, while Illinois courts and businesses grapple with how to regulate use. Illinois Tech & Industry: Illinois’ fertilizer-efficiency research gets nearly $1.6M, and Yaskawa America plans a major robotics manufacturing expansion in Wisconsin that could reshape supply chains. Energy & Environment: Illinois lawmakers and officials continue pushing back on fuel-economy and emissions rollbacks, as states sue to reinstate climate rules.

AI Safety Power Struggle: A new report says researchers inside OpenAI and Anthropic are pushing back on company strategy, arguing for stronger AI safety and more government oversight—while also influencing political decisions tied to Illinois and beyond. Illinois Tech Governance: Illinois CIO Brandon Ragle says the state’s AI office is maturing, but the next big step is better data management so agencies can modernize systems and improve services. Cybersecurity for Everyday People: Fifth Third’s SmartShield feature lets customers submit suspicious texts, emails, or voicemails to flag likely phishing scams. Renewable Energy in Illinois: A 7.7-megawatt community solar project at DeKalb airport is now energized, with credits aimed at low- and moderate-income households. Wind Project Scrutiny: Peoria County hearings weigh Illinois wind rules on noise, shadow flicker, and setbacks, with expert testimony also debating ice-throw and endangered bat impacts. Courts & Tech: Two Illinois residents sue podcaster Benny Johnson for defamation over claims they were “left-wing terrorists” tied to ICE protest coverage. Health & Research: A study and local reporting highlight how hospitals can reduce medical debt using presumptive eligibility, while Illinois Innocence Project marks 25 years of wrongful-conviction work.

AI & Journalism Standards: A debate over AI “slop” in newsrooms is getting louder, with calls for stronger rules and transparency after AI-generated cartoons and columns sparked backlash. Election Influence: A New York Times analysis says AI-linked groups are spending tens of millions to shape 2026 midterm races, often without naming AI or data centers in ads. Illinois Tech & Quantum Education: Chicago State University is drawing engineering students into hands-on quantum training at its Quantum Education, Science & Technology Center, building local talent ahead of the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park. AI in the Real World (Retail): NielsenIQ says its Spaceman platform now uses agentic AI to speed planogram creation and flag merchandising execution gaps for retailers. Data Centers & Community Impact: Amazon pledges $1B+ for community projects around data centers and says it will publish energy and water use, as local opposition threatens AI expansion. Illinois Research Funding: ONR awarded Stevens professor Nicholaus Parziale about $1.13M to study how water droplets break at hypersonic speeds. Health & Women’s Care: A new discussion highlights why women’s health outcomes lag, tying it to underpayment and resource allocation gaps.

Illinois Data Centers & Jobs: A new Illinois report projects $57B in data center builds by 2035, creating about 121,000 mostly temporary construction and skilled-trade jobs and nearly $300M in annual property tax revenue—while warning residents could see electric bills rise about $12/month without “guardrails.” Climate Court Fight: Illinois AG Kwame Raoul joined a coalition suing the Trump administration over EPA moves rolling back greenhouse gas limits for coal and gas power plants, arguing the repeal will worsen extreme weather and public health. Renewable Power in Morris: Nouryon started generating solar power at its Morris, Illinois plant, covering about 10% of site electricity and cutting an estimated 1,152 metric tons of emissions annually. Space Power Demo: Star Catcher’s Protostar prototype is set to test optical power beaming between free-flying satellites on a SpaceX rideshare mission. Surveillance Debate Locally: Oak Brook police credited license plate reader tech in a mall shooting response, while another Illinois-focused discussion highlights growing public backlash over AI-powered surveillance cameras. Higher Ed + Tech: Illinois State University is using sentiment analysis on student narratives to improve retention, and Northern Illinois University faculty discussed digital accessibility plans for low/no-cost classes.

Semiconductor Workforce: Purdue and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign launched a joint semiconductor workforce initiative, targeting chip design, manufacturing, and advanced packaging with an industry advisory board. Cybersecurity & AI: Amplify ETFs highlighted how generative and agentic AI is reshaping cyber risk, pointing to rising AI-related vulnerabilities during Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Robotaxis Deal: Uber’s $1.25B bet on Rivian robotaxis raises the stakes for both firms as autonomous vehicles move toward wider commercial rollout. Manufacturing at IMTS: Additive suppliers leaned into production partnerships at IMTS 2026, signaling a shift from prototypes to real manufacturing roles. Illinois AI Governance: Illinois Governor JB Pritzker created an AI Cabinet to shape state AI regulation and oversight. Cancer Tech Advances: Researchers reported AI that can stage peritoneal metastases from routine CT scans, plus new work using AI to read pathology slides for cancer biomarkers. Health Tech in Illinois: SIU researchers used AI to detect bacteria more efficiently, aiming to speed up diagnostics. Space/Science: A new study found a cold lava exoplanet may hold an atmosphere, adding to the hunt for worlds like early Earth.

AI in Higher Ed: Illinois State University is using sentiment analysis on open-ended NSSE student responses (via Power BI) to turn “raw emotion” into retention-focused insights, blending numbers with student stories. Precision Medicine Leadership: Frontier Medicines named Aaron Weitzman CMO, Mike Preigh CTO, and Joelle Lufkin SVP for clinical development/strategy as it advances oncology programs toward ESMO 2026. Gut Health + Cancer Care: A City of Hope study in Nature suggests cutting sugar during antibiotic treatment may help protect the gut microbiome in high-risk blood cancer patients. Ultrasound Policy + Practice: ICUS says most states don’t ban trained sonographers from IV placement or ultrasound contrast use, and it filed FDA citizen petitions to expand CEUS indications and remove outdated “black box” warnings. Illinois Tech & IT Awards: NASCIO honored 11 state tech projects, highlighting AI and automation for government services and cybersecurity. Illinois Health Tech: Southern Illinois University Carbondale researchers are using AI to speed single-cell bacteria detection, aiming to shrink diagnosis from days to hours. Local Tech/Infrastructure: St. Charles is exploring a safer bike-and-pedestrian path to connect a park to Otter Cove Aquatic Park with potential state grant support.

AI in healthcare: GE HealthCare hired a global chief AI officer to expand its FDA-authorized AI-enabled devices and push its clinical AI strategy further. Higher ed & computing: Ken Griffin’s $3B donation to Carnegie Mellon will fund a new Miami campus and a major expansion of computer science and student financial aid. Illinois politics & infrastructure: Illinois governor’s race messaging zeroed in on data center costs and infrastructure, as candidates spar over how the state should manage the fast-growing tech load. Cybersecurity & privacy: A North Carolina jury-duty website leak exposed Social Security numbers, driver’s licenses, and medical records, renewing pressure on court tech safeguards. Local tech & public services: Illinois Valley Regional Dispatch honored early staff at its Peru center, highlighting how new technology and rising call volume are reshaping regional emergency response. Food & community tech: A Blue Island nonprofit is using indoor garden towers to grow fresh food year-round for residents facing food insecurity.

Education & AI in Illinois: Illinois State University is using sentiment analysis on open-ended NSSE student responses to better understand what drives retention—shifting assessment from just numbers to students’ lived experiences. Public Health & Drugs: Chicago clinicians warn that cychlorphine, a lab-made opioid reportedly far more potent than fentanyl, is showing up in local drug supplies and may slip past standard test strips. Local STEM Expansion: A South Side Chicago school is unveiling a $10.5M Auburn Gresham expansion adding art, music, and hands-on science labs plus more classrooms to ease overcrowding. Food Safety: A report on Driscoll’s berries alleges pesticide levels exceeded Canadian standards, reigniting debate over produce chemical monitoring. Environment Policy: California signed a PFAS pesticide tracking bill requiring public reporting of whether agricultural pesticides contain PFAS. Tech & Business: pdfRest launched a REST API tool to generate and validate ZUGFeRD/Factur-X hybrid e-invoices for German and French workflows.

AI in Housing/Healthcare: EliseAI says it raised $350M at a $4B valuation to automate more operations for housing and healthcare providers, adding engineering and sales capacity and a second Bay Area hub. Public Health (Illinois): CDC data show Illinois’ suicide rate dipped in 2024, but suicide still ranks among top causes of death for young adults. Student Life & Safety: A new study on “BORG” blackout rage gallons finds many drinkers report blackouts, vomiting, and embarrassing behavior—raising concerns about DIY alcohol risks. Credit & Homebuying: TransUnion will extend VantageScore 4.0 mortgage pricing through end of 2028, aiming to stabilize adoption as lenders expand modern scoring. Energy/Climate Tech: NRDC warns PJM capacity reforms need urgent state action to protect ratepayers, especially as data centers seek new capacity rules. Illinois Research/Health: Low-dose radiation therapy may slow knee osteoarthritis progression in a long-term trial, with MRI and disability outcomes favoring radiation. U. of Illinois (Ag/Vet): UIUC formalized a horse-farm partnership between ACES and the College of Veterinary Medicine to streamline herd operations and expand hands-on learning.

AI in schools: Illinois State University is using sentiment analysis on student survey comments to turn “numbers” into student stories, aiming to improve retention by focusing on relationships and lived experience. Public health & food safety: A new wave of foodborne outbreak fallout is colliding with midterm politics, with voters asking whether everyday meals are safe and lawmakers trading blame over federal public health cuts. Water & chemicals: EPA PFAS research grants target farmland, crops, and livestock, including University of Illinois work on monitoring PFAS in tile-drained fields and reducing uptake in food. Local tech & safety: Chicago’s Edgewater is getting the city’s first pedestrian-activated stoplight this fall, using a hybrid beacon to stop traffic when someone approaches a crosswalk. Health tech & policy: Lawmakers led by Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi are asking the GAO for a full review of EPA microplastics research and potential regulatory next steps. Energy access: McLean County’s first community solar program is now operating, offering income-eligible households 50% off electric bills through Illinois Solar for All. Business/IT: AAR Corp. reported fiscal Q1 earnings, while separate coverage highlights how companies are automating device setup and identity access to cut IT workload.

AI Infrastructure & GPUs: Professional Diversity Network’s PDN Intelligence signed a master collaboration framework with Goodwill Labs and HashForest to explore AI and GPU computing infrastructure projects. Frontier AI Politics: President Trump confirmed a private White House dinner with Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, dismissing calls to slow AI development while arguing the U.S. is ahead of China. Illinois Climate Planning: Illinois’ first-in-the-nation Climate Displacement Act is lagging as officials delay convening a required task force and miss early reporting momentum. Healthcare Innovation: Tiziana Life Sciences says the first participants were dosed in a Phase 2a intranasal foralumab trial for early ALS, launching at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago. Insurance Tech & Law: Illinois’ new ability to challenge excessive homeowners and auto rate hikes follows the long shadow of the state’s Biometric Information Privacy Act. Education & Data Use: Illinois State University is blending student sentiment analysis with NSSE open-ended responses to better understand retention drivers. Public Safety Tech: Chicago-area residents reported NORAD intercepting multiple aircraft during a temporary flight restriction tied to Trump’s Presidents Cup visit. Biotech/Workforce: A new healthcare workforce index projects the shortage could nearly double by 2040, but says pairing workforce investment with care delivery innovation could close most of the gap.