The Chicago Department of Public Health is launching a door-to-door vaccination outreach campaign in 13 neighborhoods as part of the next phase of its Protect Chicago Plus program, officials announced Friday. Canvassers show up to homes wearing branded vests, buttons and masks to help residents sign up for appointments. The first round of neighborhoods targeted by “block by block canvassing” are Auburn Gresham, Austin, Chatham, East Garfield Park, Englewood, Hegewisch, Montclare, Riverdale, Roseland, South Deering, South Shore, West Englewood, and West Garfield Park.

Rep. Edgard Gonzalez (D-Chicago) tweeted an endorsement of Secretary of State candidate Alexi Giannoulias.  

Rep. Jamie Andrade (D-Chicago) similarly tweeted his endorsement for Giannoulias.  

Rep. Maurice West (D-Rockford) tweeted about a pride event in his district.  

Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza and Paul Simon Public Policy Institute Director John Shaw are scheduled to hold a discussion at 10 a.m. Friday on “the work of the comptroller's office, the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Illinois' finances, and more.” The discussion will take place virtually over Zoom and registration is required. 

State Sen. Robert Peters (D-Chicago) and state Rep. Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago) are scheduled on June 10 to talk with David Orr of Good Government Illinois about the spring legislative session. The discussion is set to begin at 6 p.m. over Zoom and will include “big ticket items including the ethics package, a permanent expansion of voting access, adjustments to Illinois's cannabis licensing law, criminal justice reform bills, and more,” according to the event invitation. Registration is available online. 

Rep. Marty McLaughlin (R-Barrington Hills) tweeted “pension reform was virtually ignored in the 102nd General Assembly. Another lost opportunity to make a significant impact on Illinois’ $300 BILLION pension liability. But at least you can can [sic] a free beer with your Covid vax card.” 

Rep. Ann Williams (D-Chicago) tweeted images of a farmers market opening in her district.  

Sen. Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) on Twitter offered to have his office help people applying for state programs and benefits.  

Sen. Elgie Sims (D-Chicago) will host a “free shred day” on June 5 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.  

Sen. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) tweeted images from a groundbreaking event of the AIDS Garden Chicago.  

Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced that applications are now open for the Chicago Works Community Challenge, an initiative which seeks out the “best public works projects in each of Chicago’s seven planning regions,” per a news release. The competition will award a total of $10 million to seven proposals as part of the city’s five-year capital plan, and all submitted projects will be retained by the city for future consideration. Any Chicago resident may apply for the competition, which will close on Aug. 30, and may attend an informational webinar on at 6 p.m. on June 9. The city will announce winners at the end of 2021.

Ald. Pat Dowell (3) shared a raft of construction projects and reopening announcements in her ward newsletter, asking residents to be patient with construction projects over the summer. 

Ald. Patrick Daley Thompson (11) shared his observance of Memorial Day at the Canaryville Veterans Memorial Day Ceremony in his ward newsletter: “It is always such an honor to be standing amongst so many veterans commemorating the lives of those in the military who lost their lives in service to our Nation,” he wrote. 

Ald. Matthew O’Shea (19) tweeted about his “Help aa Hero” program for military veterans having mental health problems. 

Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35) retweeted the Cook County Democrats’ statement congratulating “@robertmartwick and all the advocates who want families to have a voice in their children's education” following Senate approval of an elected school board bill. 

Ald. Michele Smith (43) shared an update on a shooting in the 43rd Ward, city and state ethics reforms and new AirBnB regulations in her ward newsletter. “I am gratified that the General Assembly heeded our urging that Chicago’s lobbying laws would not be superseded,” she wrote. “In many critical respects, our laws are stricter than the new state law.” 

Ald. Tom Tunney (44) tweeted “Thank you to all who came to the groundbreaking of the Chicago AIDS Garden today! This @ChicagoParks location will help teach the ongoing history of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Chicago. It was a very exciting way to begin Pride Month and the rainbow hard hats were a nice touch.” 

Sen. Napoleon Harris (D-Harvey) tweeted about the passage of SSB 2338, now headed to the governor’s desk. “Student-Athletes should be able to monetize off of their own Name, Image, and Likeness,” he wrote.” 

Sen. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) touted the extension of Illinois’ “cocktails to go” program in a news release. In a statement, she said, “Restaurants are the cornerstones of our neighborhoods. We should do all that we can to help them as we emerge from a global pandemic that put the economy into turmoil.” 

Rep. Tim Butler (R-Capital Township) responded to a tweet by Speaker Chris Welch (D-Hillside), writing, “Mr. Speaker, respectfully, we are not at war. Yes, we have major policy differences, we may have sharp debates, but my hope is that we as public officials can do our best to get away from using phrases such as this to describe our legislative process.” 

Rep. Ann Williams (D-Chicago) tweeted, “let’s get this done!” alongside a tweet about the time remaining for the Illinois legislature to pass clean energy legislation. 

Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) tweeted an article by POLITICO discussing Evanston’s new reparations initiative. 

Gov. JB Pritzker on Wednesday signed SB 104, which extends businesses’ ability to sell cocktails to-go until 2025 and lets restaurants and bars offer a free alcoholic beverage to residents who have received their COVID-19 vaccine. Under the bill, residents will have to show proof of their identity and vaccine to be eligible for either 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits, five ounces of wine or 12 ounces of beer. Bars and restaurants can only offer the free drinks between June 10 and July 10.

Sen. Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) tweeted, "it’s no secret that Illinois has needed reform for some time. Yesterday, we passed a comprehensive ethics package to address issues like lobbying and legislator salaries."   

Sen. Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) tweeted about the bill to lower the cost of trailer license fees: "After receiving many phone calls from constituents complaining about the high cost of trailer fees, I was proud to be a Chief Co-sponsor of Senate Bill 58 which lowers the small trailer plate fees from $118 to $36," he wrote. 

Sen. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) tweeted at "1:05 am June 1, 2021" about "the FY 2022 budget," calling it "a tall stack of bloated pork that we still haven’t voted on."

Sen. Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods) joined the budget blast, writing "end of session and another last minute budget drop. ~3000 pages. There’s no way anyone here has read this. Ridiculous. So much for promises of transparency." 

Rep. Ann Williams (D-Chicago) tweeted her congratulations on the passage of SB 825 to Rep. Maurice West (D-Rockford), calling the measure an " important effort to maximize voter engagement and participation." 

Speaker Chris Welch (D-Hillside) tweeted, "a great way to end #AAPIHM! Congratulations to Rep. Gong-Gershowitz and the entire Asian American caucus on the passage of TEAACH, which requires every public school in Illinois to teach Asian American history!"

• The Cook County Democratic Party will host a virtual Secretary of State candidate forum at 10 a.m. Saturday. The forum was organized by 40th Ward committeeperson Maggie O’Keefe and 16th Ward Committeeperson Ald. Stephanie Coleman (16) and will be moderated by party chair and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. All 80 committeepeople will be allowed to ask questions after 20-minute introduction period for all five candidates. Online registration is required. 

Ald. George Cardenas (12) tweeted, "No longer will be called Alderman. I’m ok with that. First name or Last name works. I hope the Bible is not next though." 

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) tweeted, "A pleasure to join @chicagosmayor & @aldnapolitano41 to welcome the newest class of firefighters & EMTS!"

Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25) tweeted about the ongoing discussions about an elected school board for Chicago Public Schools. “@chicagosmayor again with platitudes. TODAY @ILSenDems will be voting on the ERSB. Mayor Lightfoot & her rich funders want to continue looting our children’s resources & oppose it. @DonHarmonIL listen to the people, an ERSB will bring democracy & investment to address violence,” he wrote.

Ald. Michele Smith (43) touted the city’s new restrictions on short-term rentals, which went into full effect on Tuesday.

Ald. James Cappleman (46) tweeted about the General Assembly's passage of legislation changing the title "alderman" to "alderperson:" "We stopped saying mailman, policeman, and fireman a long time ago, so it's about time for "alderman" to change," he wrote. "I would have preferred the term council member, but I'll take this."

Ald. Maria Hadden (49) tweeted in recognition of the beginning of Pride Month: "It’s June 1st, which means LGBTQ Pride month has begun. Pride month to me is about being able to show up as your full self. It’s about being able to be with who I love and be out and proud about that."

Comm. Kevin Morrison (D-14) tweeted, "I'm proud to announce that for the first time, @cookcountygov will raise a Pride Flag the entire month of June. Today, at 10 a.m., you're invited to join me, @TheDonnaMiller, and other officials to celebrate the beginning of #PrideMonth."

Chicago is “on track to join the State of Illinois in moving to Phase Five” on reopening on June 11, Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s office announced Thursday. More than 50 percent of Chicagoans are at least partially vaccinated, according to the mayor’s office, and Phase Five is set to include a “lifting of all COVID regulations at businesses.” Still, masks will be required on public transportation and in school and health care settings. Additional guidance on Phase Five is expected next week, according to Lightfoot’s office. 

Chicago Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin is set to give a virtual “State of the Treasurer’s Office” address at 11 a.m. Monday. The address will broadcast live on her Facebook page. 

Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi’s office is scheduled on June 17 to host a webinar titled “Understanding Cook County Property Tax Appeals.” The webinar is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. and representatives from the assessor’s office will answer questions on topics including “how to file an appeal, when to file an appeal, what it means to be reassessed, how to apply for a Certificate of Error, an explanation of exemptions, and more,” according to the event invitation. Registration is available online. 

• The Public Building Commission issued a notice of intent to issue a Request for Proposals for “design-build services” for the planned Chicago Police Department and Chicago Fire Department training academy at 4433 W. Chicago Ave. The RFP will be issued after June 14, according to the announcement. 

Rep. Keith Wheeler (R-Oswego) posted to Facebook about a bill reducing fees for trailer licenses: "I voted for a bill we passed through the House yesterday that will reduce trailer fees from $118 to $36. This legislation now moves to the Senate for final consideration today before it goes to the Governor for his signature." 

Rep. Tom Demmer (R-Dixon) posted to Facebook about ongoing energy talks, writing "as we enter the final day, there has not yet been a deal reached to save the Byron and Dresden nuclear plants. This is my top priority this session, and I continue to work with fellow legislators at all hours of the day and night to find a compromise and keep the plants open." 

Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) tweeted about weekend gun violence in Chicago, writing "not all of our fault, but definitely all of our responsibility. Fault emanates from choices already made. Responsibility emanates from choices in the present and the future. We have a choice to do what we need to in order to fix what’s broken." 

Sen. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) tweeted about House Bill 3308, which expands opportunities for patients to receive care through telehealth. "Make no mistake," she wrote. "This is a big win for Illinois patients. 

Sen. Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) tweeted about two bills that passed the legislature Sunday: "SBs 661 & 662 address the student debt crisis & our shortage of professional, culturally competent social workers. As students return to in-person learning after remote classes, the need for social workers is more critical than ever.

• Speaker Chris Welch has appointed Representative LaToya Greenwood (D - East St. Louis) as Majority Conference Chairperson.

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) tweeted, "Thank you Fr. Miguel, Larry Kulik & @boyscouts Troop 465 for keeping the @CatholicWarVets Post 500 tradition alive in our Brighton Park community at @ConceptionHoly!" 

Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25) tweeted that Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park)"can expect massive mobilizations at his office if he denies Black & brown communities our right to an [elected Chicago school board]. This racist decision will not stand, enough experiments & disinvestment in our schools."

Ald. Roberto Maldonado (26) tweeted about Memorial Day, writing "Thank you to the families who lost a loved one in combat. They gave their lives for the liberty that we celebrate today. This Memorial Day, We Pause, We Honor, We Remember."

Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35) tweeted, It's Memorial Day and I'm with friends, so I will accept "Alderperson" as a compromise. But the struggle for a gender neutral, age neutral, and non-ageist title, like "Council Member," continues.

Ald. Andre Vasquez (40) tweeted, “so glad to see this!! It isn’t “Alder” but it’s close enough!! Glad to have raised this up at the city level!” regarding a proposal in Springfield to change the title of renaming City Council members to “alderperson” instead of “alderman.”

Ald. Anthony Napolitano (41) tweeted, "Today we honor the fallen veterans who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. God bless those who served and continue to serve this great nation."

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) tweeted about the one-year anniversary of protests following George Floyd's murder in 2020, writing "It was the longest, saddest and most harrowing day of my elected life. And I will never forgive the arrogance of Lori Lightfoot that made it possible."   

Ald. Rossana Rodriguez (33) tweeted, "it happened. We will have crisis response without police mandated by the State. #TreatmentNotTrauma is the approach we need to take" following the passage of a law that will bring Mental Health First Responders to Illinois. 

Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36) tweeted, "@chicagosmayor we @ChiLatinoCaucus are against the lowering of the threshold for approving ward redistricting from 41 to a simple majority (26). More voices approving items is better than less especially when changes have a lasting impact on our citizens. #voicesmatter #sneaky" 

Ald. Andre Vasquez (40) tweeted, "Take note of how someone who presents themselves as being for good government is actively moving counter to it behind the scenes. This is the same Mayor who wants to impose a liquor curfew citywide" regarding Mayor Lori Lightfoot's move to lower the approval threshold for ward redistricting.

Ald. Brendan Reilly (42) tweeted, "Ok. Now do reproductive rights" alongside a clip of Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) discussing health care freedoms and vaccine passports.  

Ald. James Cappleman (46) thanked Sen. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) in a tweet for her work on a new package of affordable housing reforms, which offers tax incentives to landlords who reduce the rent of their properties.

Rep. Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago) tweeted “when there’s one session day left, three committee multitasking requires a little extra fuel.”  

Rep. Katie Stuart (D-Edwardsville) tweeted “this evening we passed a bill that will roll back the fee on small trailer registrations from $188 to $36.” 

Sen. Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) tweeted “following the pandemic, an estimated 344,000 Illinoisans are behind on rent. It’s time for Illinois to make a change: House Bill 2621 will expand affordable rental housing options in neighorhoods across the state to help families get back on their feet.” 

Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) tweeted a video of her attending a recent rally, adding “I am proud to represent three carbon-free nuclear plants. The General Assembly still has time to find a way to save our nuclear plants and thousands of jobs they provide our communities.”

House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Hillside) announced on Saturday he had appointed Rep. LaToya Greenwood (D-East St. Louis) as the House Democrats’ majority conference chair. Greenwood takes over for Rep. Carol Ammons (D-Urbana) who resigned from the post on Saturday.  

City officials will host a webinar at 1 p.m. on June 16 to provide information on Adopt-A-Landmark fund applications. Online registration is required.