How Chicago Became a Fiscal Mess
Sponsored by state Sen. Robert Martwick, a Chicago Democrat, the bill would raise the salary used to calculate pension benefits for so-called Tier-2 retired police and firefighters, those who were hired after Jan. 1, 2011. The change would raise the cap to $141,408 from $127,283 and automatically raise it 3% a year or the rate of inflation, whichever is lower. It also rejiggers the salary calculation for retirees to be based on their highest earning final years.
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Forbes
a few seconds ago
- Forbes
Behr's 2026 Color Of The Year Is A Hidden Gem
The Behr 2026 Color of the Year: Hidden Gem was just announced, and it's a lush green that can be used in every room of your home. The color embraces nature, which those trying to create the perfect backyard entertaining space will appreciate. Even if you plan on selling your home soon, Behr's Color of the Year: Hidden Gem is on the color spectrum of paint colors that increase resale value. In this Forbes exclusive, I spoke with Behr's vice president of color services, Erika Woelfel to learn more about how the color was chosen and how you can incorporate it in your home. How The Behr 2026 Color Of The Year Was Selected 'Behr selected Hidden Gem as the 2026 Color of the Year because it embodies the grounded sophistication and quiet confidence that today's homeowners and clients are seeking,' Woelfel says. She adds that this smoky jade brings a sense of balance and depth that feels both timeless and fresh. 'Hidden Gem represents the beauty of the unexpected, a color that reveals something new each time you see it.' Woelfel says the color's versatility makes it equally impactful whether covering all four walls or used as a striking accent. 'With its rich, layered tone, Hidden Gem invites us to reimagine familiar spaces in ways that feel elevated, intentional, and inspiring,' sheexplains. Compared To Last Year Last year's Color of the Year was 'Rumors,' a deep ruby red that Woelfel says brought warmth and rich allure to both interior and exterior spaces. 'It's a bold, captivating shade that made a strong statement wherever it was used.' And this year's pick, Hidden Gem, continues in a similar spirit of timeless sophistication. 'While Rumors leaned into a dramatic, edgy energy, Hidden Gem offers a slightly more grounded elegance,' Woelfel explains She says it's a versatile and inspiring hue that reflects a growing desire for colors that are both livable and enduring. In fact, a recent survey commissioned by Behr found that nearly four in five Americans (79%) would choose color palettes that will add timeless luxury over riskier, trendy colors if they were to paint their house (inside or out). Rumors is bold and edgy, while Hidden Gem stands the test of time. It's truly livable and inspiring for a wide range of homeowners. This tracks with a recent Houss report that reveals the colors to avoid when selling your home. When asked what she likes most about Hidden Gem, Woelfel says it's how effortlessly the color captures a sense of understated elegance. 'It's a smoky jade that feels both grounded and alive,' she says. Woelfel loves that it's a dynamic blend of blue and green that brings depth and character to any space without overwhelming it. 'There's something truly special about a color that can be both subtle and striking, and Hidden Gem does exactly that.' The color can be used in any design style to great effect. 'Whether it's used throughout a room or as a bold accent, it creates an atmosphere that's rich, modern, and unexpectedly timeless' This is the kind of shade that uncovers beauty in the everyday and Woelfel says that's what the name Hidden Gem reflects. 'It's this versatility and emotional resonance that make Hidden Gem stand out. It invites people to reimagine their spaces in a way that feels fresh, personal, and enduring.' Where The Color Of the Year Works Best Hidden Gem is one of those colors that works well in a variety of setting. Woelfel says it can be applied both inside and outdoors. 'For a calming, restorative feel, try it in bedrooms or reading nooks, where its smoky jade tone creates a serene and grounded atmosphere.' And In living rooms or dining areas, she notes that it adds a sense of refined sophistication, while in home offices or creative spaces, it encourages focus with a stylish, composed presence. For exteriors, Hidden Gem makes an elegant statement on a front door or painted outdoor furniture. Woelfel recommends embracing it on all four walls for a bold, immersive look, or use it as an accent (on cabinetry, a feature wall, it even looks great on ceilings, for a pop of color that's both subtle and striking. However or wherever it is applie Woelfel says Hidden Gem brings a fresh sense of elegance and thoughtful reinvention to every corner of the home. Complementary Colors Since Hidden Gem is a versatile hue, it pairs well with a wide range of colors, making it a natural choice to debut alongside the 2026 Color Trends Palette. 'This thoughtfully curated collection features approachable, adaptable shades designed to pair effortlessly with Hidden Gem.'With 88% of Americans saying they want to focus on home improvement projects that will make their homes feel more personalized, this versatile palette arrives at the perfect moment by offering an inspiring answer to the growing demand for self-expression through color.' She say Hidden Gem's smoky jade tone is an ideal companion for both warm and cool tones. For a grounded, natural feel, it works seamlessly with earthy accents like Terra Cotta Urn (mudroom shot), creating an invigorating and welcoming atmosphere. To create relaxed harmony, pairing it with a light soothing hue like Urban Nature (bedroom closet door shot) brings balance and a refreshing contrast. For a more dramatic color blocking look, combine Hidden Gem with deep jewel tones like Curtain Call to create a bold, luxurious space (see shelf and counter detail shot). 'No matter the combination, Hidden Gem brings depth without drama, and sophistication without pretense. It's a reminder that transformation doesn't always have to be bold to be impactful,: Woelfel concludes.
The Verge
3 minutes ago
- The Verge
Satya Nadella was good for his $80 billion.
Posted Jul 31, 2025 at 7:45 AM UTC Satya Nadella was good for his $80 billion. Earlier this year there were a lot of questions over the $100 billion investment into The Stargate Project, and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella was quick to defend the software giant's investment in cloud and AI data center projects. Microsoft posted its Q4 2025 fiscal earnings yesterday, revealing that Azure surpassed $75 billion in revenue over the year. Microsoft is also spending $30 billion on its AI infrastructure investments next quarter, which totals $120 billion over a year if it keeps that spending up. Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates. Tom Warren Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All by Tom Warren Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All AI Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Microsoft Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All News Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Tech
Washington Post
3 minutes ago
- Washington Post
Democrats sue Trump administration over access to immigration facilities
Twelve House Democrats on Wednesday filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over what they say are illegal actions to limit in-person congressional oversight visits to federal immigration detention facilities. The lawmakers say in the complaint that they each 'attempted to obtain information about conditions at a DHS [Department of Homeland Security] facility used to detain or otherwise house noncitizens … by visiting a facility in person, or by giving DHS notice of imminent plans to do so, for the purpose of conducting realtime oversight of that facility.' Each attempted visit was blocked by the administration, according to the complaint. The administration now requires a minimum seven-day advance notice to schedule a visit to the facilities 'absent authorization by the secretary of DHS,' and 'deems certain DHS facilities, including [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] field offices, off-limits for congressional oversight even when they are used for detention,' according to the complaint. The Democrats allege that the new restrictions on lawmakers' access are unlawful. DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement that the members of Congress suing the administration 'could have just scheduled a tour.' She also sought to tie the visits to 'a surge in assaults, disruptions and obstructions to enforcement' aimed at ICE officers, saying that some of those disruptive actions have been made by members of Congress. The legal effort follows attempts by members of the party to access the growing number of sites used in President Donald Trump's sweeping nationwide immigration crackdown, visits that have led to confrontations and the indictment of one Democratic member of Congress. It marks an escalation in a political battle over an issue that polls suggest has started to sour for the president. Immigration arrests have risen substantially across the country as the administration has tried to deliver on Trump's campaign promise to carry out the largest deportation operation in U.S. history. Amid reports of overcrowding and poor conditions in some facilities, Democratic lawmakers attempting to access some sites have often been denied entry. In June, a federal grand jury indicted Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-New Jersey) for allegedly interfering with law enforcement during a confrontation outside an immigration detention center in Newark. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka (D) was arrested and charged with trespassing after that May attempt to visit the facility with a Democratic congressional delegation that included McIver. Days after McIver's indictment, the Department of Homeland Security issued a new policy limiting congressional lawmakers' access to ICE facilities, a move that Democrats criticized as a violation of their right to conduct oversight. Wednesday's lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, names ICE and its acting director, Todd Lyons, as well as DHS and its secretary, Kristi L. Noem, as defendants. The plaintiffs are Reps. Joe Neguse and Jason Crow of Colorado; Dan Goldman and Adriano Espaillat of New York; Bennie G. Thompson (Mississippi); Jamie Raskin (Maryland); Veronica Escobar (Texas); and Robert Garcia, Lou Correa, Jimmy Gomez, Raul Ruiz and Norma J. Torres of California. In their lawsuit, the Congress members said they were especially worried about people being held inside field offices. 'As the number of arrested and detained individuals grows beyond the capacity of existing ICE detention facilities, DHS has resorted to using ICE field offices to detain or otherwise house noncitizens,' the complaint says. 'The conditions of confinement at field offices are of particular concern because field offices are not designed nor set up to be facilities in which individuals are detained or housed.' House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-New York), in a statement Wednesday, called the litigation a 'first-of-its-kind lawsuit asserting our constitutional responsibility to serve as a check-and-balance on the executive branch and its weaponization of immigration enforcement.' Congressional access to facilities was also an issue during Trump's first term, as Democrats denounced the administration's family separation policy. In their lawsuit, the Democrats reference a 1985 opinion by the Office of Legal Counsel — the lead legal corps within the executive branch — that 'it is beyond dispute that Congress may conduct investigations in order to obtain facts pertinent to possible legislation and in order to evaluate the effectiveness of current laws.' Since the family separation crisis, the lawmakers note, Congress had adopted statutory provisions each year providing that no funds appropriated to DHS may be used to prevent a member of Congress 'from entering, for the purpose of conducting oversight, any facility operated by or for the Department of Homeland Security used to detain or otherwise house aliens.' Other local officials have been arrested while trying to observe or intervene in the increasing number of immigration arrests at courthouses, including New York City Comptroller and mayoral candidate Brad Lander. In another high-profile incident, Sen. Alex Padilla (D-California) was forcefully removed, forced to the ground and handcuffed last month after attempting to ask Noem a question. The incidents — which Democrats call demands for transparency and Republicans call publicity stunts — come amid a broader pushback against the administration's immigration crackdown, including nationwide protests. A Gallup poll conducted in June found Americans dislike Trump's handling of immigration by a wide margin. Sixty-two percent gave him negative marks on how he has managed the issue, while 35 percent graded him positively.
