Solar Policy: Robinson extended a six-month moratorium on new solar farms within 1.5 miles of city limits, citing confusion over state vs. county control while it pushes ahead with a residential TIF feasibility study tied to the former Bennett’s Trailer Park. Transit & Public Tech: CTA Park & Ride users say they were overcharged after an operator switch; the dispute centers on whether taxes and fees were properly disclosed in the total price. AI & Energy Grid Management: FlexSysAI launched a grid-flexibility pilot with ResetData, CSIRO, and the University of Queensland to shift AI workloads based on live electricity market signals, aiming to cut costs and reduce strain on the grid. Healthcare AI Funding: Tempus won up to $9.5M from ARPA-H to build an autonomous clinical AI agent for heart failure, with multi-center prospective validation. Surveillance Oversight: Quincy debated hate speech and continued Flock camera concerns, while Michigan’s Kent County opened a “transparency portal” for license-plate reader rules and access. Campus Free Speech: University of Chicago topped FIRE’s free-speech ranking, with NYU last, as student surveys and policy reviews shape scores. Illinois SNAP Scrutiny: A Unit 32 investigation highlights high SNAP payment error rates in Illinois, raising questions about waste and taxpayer impact. Manufacturing Tech in Chicago: IMTS 2026 spotlights physical AI and automated inspection hardware, including OnLogic’s edge AI/SoftPLC demos and Mahr’s metrology automation.