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  "path": "/wbez-newsletter/2026/03/18/the-rundown-how-big-spending-groups-fared-in-the-primary",
  "publishedAt": "2026-03-18T20:45:00.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.wbez.org",
  "textContent": "<p><i>Good afternoon! It’s Wednesday, and this week I learned what a “</i><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://blockclubchicago.org/2026/03/15/borgs-invade-chicagos-st-patricks-day-celebration-leaving-streets-littered-and-residents-confused/\" target=\"_blank\" ><i><u>BORG</u></i></a><i>” is. (Hint: It’s what my college classmates called “jungle juice.”) Here’s what you need to know today.</i></p><p><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.wbez.org/government-politics/elections/2026/03/18/illinois-primary-super-pac-spending-aipac-cryptocurrency-ai-sports-betting\" target=\"_blank\" ><b><u>1. Here’s how outside spending groups fared in their efforts to influence Illinois primary voters</u></b></a></p><p>While cryptocurrency interests were largely left empty-handed, the polarizing American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) saw some of its biggest Illinois investments pay off. Gambling companies and tech giants saw uneven returns, but a fund backed by billionaire Gov. JB Pritzker won big, my colleagues Mitchell Armentrout and Tina Sfondeles write.</p><p>At least five PACs related to AIPAC tried to influence five congressional races, and the group saw two victories: Donna Miller in the 2nd District and Melissa Bean in the 8th. The groups fared worse in the 9th District, spending money to harm Kat Abughazaleh’s chances and trying to boost State Sen. Laura Fine. Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss won instead.</p><p>Things shook out worst for Fairshake, the pro-cryptocurrency PAC with connections to supporters of President Donald Trump in past election cycles. The group spent about $10 million opposing Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton in the Democratic Senate primary and $2.5 million against state Rep. La Shawn Ford in the 7th District race to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Danny Davis. Both candidates won comfortably.</p><p>The Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association, an independent expenditure group, said Stratton’s win is “the first major 2026 victory” for the group, which spent about $250,000 to support her Senate run. [<a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.wbez.org/government-politics/elections/2026/03/18/illinois-primary-super-pac-spending-aipac-cryptocurrency-ai-sports-betting\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>Chicago Sun-Times</u></a>]</p><p>You can see all the Illinois primary election results in the link. [<a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/elections/2026/graphics/voter-guide-primary-election-illinois/illinois-primary-results-2026/?asdf\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>WBEZ/Chicago Sun-Times</u></a>]</p><p><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/crime/2026/03/17/firefighter-seriously-hurt-battling-rogers-park-fire-has-died\" target=\"_blank\" ><b><u>2. A Chicago firefighter from a storied CFD family died after being injured in a Rogers Park blaze</u></b></a></p><p>Michael Altman fell through a floor when he responded to a fire Monday in the 1700 block of West North Shore Avenue. He died yesterday morning at age 32.</p><p>As my colleague Mohammad Samra reports for the Chicago Sun-Times, Altman was the son of a former fire battalion chief and grandson of a former Chicago Fire Department commissioner.</p><p>Then-Mayor Richard M. Daley forged a strong friendship with Edward P. Altman before Daley named him fire commissioner. In the early 1980s, Edward Altman repeatedly flew Daley, then a state senator, from Springfield to Chicago to see his dying son.</p><p>Ald. Maria Hadden (49th) said Altman’s “bravery and selflessness saved countless lives yesterday, and the people of Rogers Park are all grateful for Mike and the rest of the Chicago Fire Department.” [<a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/crime/2026/03/17/firefighter-seriously-hurt-battling-rogers-park-fire-has-died\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>Chicago Sun-Times</u></a>]</p><p><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/transportation/2026/03/16/divvy-bicycle\" target=\"_blank\" ><b><u>3. Divvy is adding 200 stations this year and holding its new member price at $99</u></b></a></p><p>The discount is a break from the normal price of $143 for current members, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.</p><p>Divvy, Chicago’s bike and scooter share system operated by Lyft, saw its highest annual ridership in 2025 with 6.8 million trips, according to an announcement from the city. Combined with Lime scooters, which operate under a city-issued business license, Chicago saw nearly 13 million shared micromobility trips in 2025.</p><p>Divvy will also continue its $5 annual membership price for people in Equity Priority Areas in parts of the South and West sides. [<a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/transportation/2026/03/16/divvy-bicycle\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>Chicago Sun-Times</u></a>]</p><p><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.wbez.org/public-safety/2026/03/16/mayor-brandon-johnson-meets-with-men-in-prison-working-toward-northwestern-university-degrees\" target=\"_blank\" ><b><u>4. Mayor Johnson met with men in prison working toward Northwestern University degrees</u></b></a></p><p>Mayor Brandon Johnson met with men incarcerated at Sheridan Correctional Center this past weekend during an extraordinary visit by a sitting Chicago mayor to an Illinois prison, WTTW and WBEZ report.</p><p>“He’s here on a Sunday when he usually is at church with his family; that’s pretty meaningful,” said Anthony Ehlers, a student in the Northwestern Prison Education Program. “He knows we can’t vote, so he’s not stumping for votes. He’s really talking about issues that affect us.”</p><p>In a fireside-style chat, the students asked what Johnson’s administration is doing to strengthen public schools, enact compassionate immigration policy and support incarcerated people.</p><p>In response, Johnson discussed his family’s own experience with the prison system, the necessity of educational investments and the city’s Director of Reentry Joseph Mapp, mental health support and job training. [<a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.wbez.org/public-safety/2026/03/16/mayor-brandon-johnson-meets-with-men-in-prison-working-toward-northwestern-university-degrees\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>WTTW/WBEZ</u></a>]</p><p><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/small-business/2026/03/07/gift-shop-transit-tees-new-products-amazon\" target=\"_blank\" ><b><u>5. Gift shop Transit Tees is planning new products and more Amazon sales</u></b></a></p><p>I’ve walked past this store’s Andersonville location several times and always been curious.</p><p>Transit Tees, which also has a spot in the Wicker Park neighborhood, saw a jump in sales last year after hiring more people to work on social media and digital marketing.</p><p>Despite the strength of online sales, including an Amazon expansion, the brick-and-mortar stores remain central to the company’s identity, Olivia Dimmer reports for the Chicago Sun-Times.</p><p>Owner Tim Gillengerten said visitors often comment on the authenticity compared to typical tourist shops. One thing that has changed: Shoppers are buying smaller, cheaper items, such as stickers and magnets.</p><p>“Wicker Park had an average sale of just over $50 per person ... and they bought an average of four products per visit,” Gillengerten said. “Stickers are actually our No. 1 volume driver.” [<a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/small-business/2026/03/07/gift-shop-transit-tees-new-products-amazon\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>Chicago Sun-Times</u></a>]</p><p><b>Here’s what else is happening</b></p><ul class=\"rte2-style-ul\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-inline-start:48px;\" id=\"rte-f93fb7e1-2304-11f1-84ae-eb30a9b0e49d\"><li>The Federal Reserve projected one rate cut this year and sees limited economic impact from the Iran war. [<a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://apnews.com/article/fed-interest-rates-inflation-jobs-powell-trump-5ff8aec596588afed4a7449322bf956c\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>AP</u></a>]</li><li>Cheap drones are reshaping modern warfare and catching the U.S. off guard. [<a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.npr.org/2026/03/18/nx-s1-5749441/drones-iran-us-ukraine-epic-fury\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>NPR</u></a>]</li><li>A judge ordered 1,000 Voice of America staffers back to work after the Trump administration tried to dismantle the news outlet. [<a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.npr.org/2026/03/17/nx-s1-5751162/voice-of-america-lawsuit-kari-lake\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>NPR</u></a>]</li><li>Here’s a glimpse at a core memory from my childhood growing up in Las Vegas: an aquarium/zoo at a casino. [<a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://apnews.com/article/las-vegas-casinos-zebra-shark-fish-aquarium-4cc76602abef36658d584a0ea092002d\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>AP</u></a>]</li></ul><p><b>Oh, and one more thing …</b></p><p>After the Great Chicago Fire devastated the city in 1871, the mayor declared martial law. Hundreds of federal troops marched into the city to keep the peace, and a volunteer militia was established to patrol the neighborhoods. This military occupation ended less than two weeks later, after one elected official confronted another and a military cadet fatally shot a civilian.</p><p>Curious City listeners had questions about martial law and parallels to Trump’s deportation campaign last fall.</p><p>In short: Martial law is the temporary substitution of military authority for civilian rule in an emergency, but legal experts say the term is hard to define because it is not specifically described in the U.S. Constitution or in federal law.</p><p>Legal scholars said Operation Midway Blitz is not an example of martial law because civilian courts and civilian law enforcement were open and operating. And federal agents from Border Patrol, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security are not part of the military chain of command. [<a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.wbez.org/curious-city/2026/03/18/chicago-came-under-martial-law-after-the-great-fire-did-it-help\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>WBEZ</u></a>]</p><p><b>Tell me something good …</b></p><p>What’s something you would tell your younger self?</p><p>Charles writes:</p><p>“Dont stop writing! Publish everything! Don’t listen to anyone who doubts you! It's going to work out great!”</p><p>Brenda writes:</p><p>“Prioritize experiences over things. I find most things don’t give as much joy as memories of things I’ve done. And travel now — don’t wait until retirement or the kids have left the roost. You may find you’re physically unable if you wait.”</p><p>And Becky writes:</p><p>“Take vacations. It’s self care.”</p><p>Feel free to email me, and your response may be included in the newsletter this week.</p>",
  "title": "The Rundown: How big spending groups fared in the primary",
  "updatedAt": "2026-03-18T20:45:01.989Z"
}