Illinois news in brief: I-55 reopens after tornado damage; John Deere reverses course on ‘cultural’ issues; Texas plans to continue sending migrants to Chicago

I-55 reopens after tornado damage

A 7-mile section of Interstate 55 near Channahon that had been closed since a tornado touched down Monday night has reopened. ComEd crews worked to remove and repair transmission lines and the 200-foot towers that were toppled by the winds that exceeded 100 mph. In the most recent update, ComEd said there are still nearly 1,300 outages, affecting more than 22,000 homes and businesses.

John Deere reverses course on ‘cultural’ issues

Farm equipment maker John Deere says it will no longer sponsor “social or cultural awareness” events, becoming the latest major U.S. company to distance itself from diversity and inclusion measures after being targeted by conservative backlash. The move from the company known on Wall Street as Deere & Co. arrives just weeks after rural retailer Tractor Supply ended an array of its corporate diversity and climate efforts. Both announcements came after backlash piled up online from conservative activists opposed to diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.

Texas plans to continue sending migrants to Chicago

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott blasted the Biden administration’s immigration policies during a Wednesday speech at the Republican National Convention, and said that the state will continue busing migrants to Chicago and other sanctuary cities. According to the latest figures released by the city of Chicago, nearly 45,000 migrants have been transported to Chicago since Aug. 2022. Of those, nearly 40,000 have arrived by bus and nearly 5,000 have arrived on flights at O’Hare and Midway. Abbott said that practice will continue until the border is secured during his RNC address.