In proposing the fiscal 2026 budget, Pritzker suggested spending $7.6 million less on housing programs. Lawmakers actually cut $14.6 million. The Court-Based Rental Assistance Program, which helps people facing evictions, is down $25 million.

Once a brash young political outsider dubbed “The Chosen One” for his rapid rise under Toni Preckwinkle, Christian Mitchell now returns to the spotlight as Gov. Pritzker’s running mate –battle-tested, bridge-building and still fiercely ambitious.

Since colonial days, hardware stores have been a part of daily life in many American towns, and like the rest of society, have changed with the times.