Hey there! Shout out to all the reporters covering the elections last night. There’s a lot of news, so let’s get to it. Here’s what you need to know today.

1. Two big issues facing Illinois Democrats now that the election is over

By now you most likely already know Gov. JB Pritzker easily secured a second term in office. (The Associated Press called the race just seconds after polls closed in Illinois.) And Democrats were able to hold onto their supermajorities in the state legislature.

So how will they address two pressing issues they vowed to tackle over last summer — abortion rights and gun violence?

Abortion providers say they have been overwhelmed by an influx of out-of-state patients since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. And calls are growing to ban assault weapons in Illinois following the Fourth of July mass shooting in Highland Park.

But there’s another big question that wasn’t answered last night: Is Pritzker sticking around?

The billionaire governor took big swings at Republicans beyond Illinois’ borders during his victory speech, further raising questions about whether he’ll run for the White House in 2024 if President Joe Biden decides to not seek a second term. [Chicago Sun-Times]

2. Abortion rights advocates score major victories across the nation

The midterm elections showed that, when asked directly, voters across the nation want to protect abortion rights following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

The issue was on the ballot in several states. And one of the biggest victories for advocates came in Republican-leaning Kentucky, where an antiabortion measure was defeated.

“In a move that could aid efforts by abortion rights groups to overturn two abortion bans, Kentucky voters rejected a proposed amendment to the state constitution that would have explicitly stated it contains no right to an abortion,” reports NPR. “Such an amendment likely would have thwarted efforts to overturn Kentucky’s two abortions bans.”

And in Michigan, voters supported an amendment in the state’s constitution to protect abortion rights. [NPR]

Voters concerned about abortion rights gave Democrats a boost in the midterm elections, helping them beat back a “red wave” that Republicans were expecting, reports The New York Times as it sums up five big takeaways from last night. [NYT]

3. The House inches closer to Republican control as the Senate remains up for grabs

Republicans appear to have an easier path than Democrats in claiming the House majority, but not by the large margin many conservatives were anticipating. As I mentioned yesterday, Republicans need a net gain of just five seats.

As for the Senate, all eyes are on tight races in Arizona, Nevada and Georgia, where Sen. Raphael Warnock and Republican candidate Herschel Walker are heading toward a December runoff election.

Democrats are still within arms reach of maintaining their Senate majority after Democratic Lt. Gov. John Fetterman’s win against Republican Mehmet Oz in Pennsylvania, reports NPR. [NPR]

Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump’s involvement in crucial Senate races may have cost the GOP a chance to take the majority, reports The Washington Post. [WaPo]

4. An Illinois measure guaranteeing workers’ right to unionize is in a close race for voter approval

A pro-labor constitutional amendment dubbed the Workers’ Rights Amendment garnered strong support from Illinois voters, but it’s unclear if the measure will become law, reports the Chicago Sun-Times.

“The amendment would pass if it meets one of two tests: approval from at least 60% of those voting on the amendment, or from a majority of all persons voting in the election,” the newspaper reports.

So far, 58.7% of voters support the measure with 85% of precincts reporting.

If it does become law, the amendment would effectively ban any right-to-work laws for the private sector. [Chicago Sun-Times]

In other local election news, Cook County voters supported a property tax hike for forest preserves. [WBEZ]

5. Reserved seats go on sale tomorrow for next year’s NASCAR race in Chicago

And they’ll cost you anywhere from $465 to $4,300, reports the Chicago Sun-Times.

Among the reserved ticket options is the “President’s Paddock Club,” which gives spectators a “direct view into the pit boxes and a panoramic view of nearly the entire course … includes full weekend access to both races and concerts,” according to NASCAR.

The NASCAR event, which I like to call the Pothole 500, takes place from June 22 to July 5. The course covers “2.2 miles and is expected to tie up part of Grant Park for two weeks for preparation and related events — a prospect that has some alderpersons grumbling,” the Sun-Times reports. [Chicago Sun-Times]

Here’s what else is happening

• Russian forces retreated from a key city in Ukraine that marks a major setback for Moscow. [NPR]
• U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner has been moved to a Russian penal colony. [NPR]
• Facebook’s parent company laid off more than 11,000 employees as the tech industry faces a slowdown. [NPR]
• Meditation works just as well as a popular drug to reduce anxiety, a new study found. [NPR]

Oh, and one more thing …

“Hi, Stanford University? I got a very good score on my SAT but it got lost in the mail.”

That’s a conversation I can imagine happening after dozens of Scantron sheets flew out of a UPS truck that were transporting the files from El Paso High School, where some students may have to retake the test.

One student actually saw the sheets in the street and made a video that he posted online.

“I just saw a bunch of papers everywhere,” he told KTSM 9 News in El Paso. “I had no idea what it was. I didn’t think much of it all.” [NPR]

Tell me something good …

I got to see this precious sweet angel last week. His name is Ernie, and he is a big dog who thinks he is a small dog.

But he’s got me thinking: What is one of your favorite pets?

Barb writes:

“How can I choose? I’m not quite the ‘crazy cat lady,’ but I do love my cats — both current and those who have passed.

“Right now I have a male cat who’s about 10 years old and who’s my sickly one. In spite of that, I wouldn’t trade him for the world. (His treatments have been pretty expensive.) He’s my boy — my Smokey — who likes to lie next to my head as I nod off at night.

“His roommate, Pippa, is his total opposite, but they get along famously. She was born in a barn and is a wild woman at heart. She chooses to sleep between my lower legs!

“Anytime anyone goes near the front door, Pippa’s ready to make a beeline for the outdoors. I keep a snow shovel outside that door year-round — it helps keep her indoors ‘most’ of the time! Even the pokier Smokey has learned some escape tactics from Pippa! They often tag team me (especially when I’m trying to get in with the groceries) and one or the other will make their escape!

“If it’s raining they often are both able to get out! The only thing about that is neither is fond of the rain so the ‘capture’ is easier on me! I love these two and wouldn’t trade either for anything!”

Feel free to email or tweet me, and your response might be shared in the newsletter this week.