Illinois Quick Hits: Pritzker to Noem: ‘Don’t let the door hit you’

March 5, 2026/

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s legacy is corruption and chaos.

In a social media video posted on Thursday after President Donald Trump reassigned Noem as special envoy for the Shield of the Americas, Pritzker advised the former secretary not to let the door hit her on her way out.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said in a statement that Noem weaponized fear to undermine trust between communities and local law enforcement.

IDOT DASHBOARD REVEALS SPENDING, SALT CONSUMPTION

The Illinois Department of Transportation has launched a new dashboard with statistics on salt, materials and labor hours used by the department during snow and ice season.

IDOT says the page will be updated regularly and will also include the number of plows that have been hit by other vehicles. Through February, the dashboard reports that IDOT’s total winter operations cost is $104.7 million. The department has used more than 262,000 tons of salt.

CHICAGO FED INDICATES SLIGHT INCREASE IN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY

The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago says economic activity in the Seventh District rose slightly in the most recent reporting period and another slight increase is expected over the next year.

The Chicago Fed’s contribution to the latest Beige Book said manufacturing demand rose modestly, and consumer spending and real estate activity rose slightly.

The Seventh District includes parts of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan and Wisconsin.

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