Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi will host historian Shermann “Dilla” Thomas at 6 p.m. Friday for a virtual event described as “a candid conversation that will focus on historical connections to the work of property tax reform and the challenges and opportunities of getting it right.” Online registration is required.  

The Chicago Area Public Affairs Group will host an event at 11:30 a.m. next Thursday at the Union League Club of Chicago titled “Chicago’s Water Advantage,” billed as an opportunity to “to learn about the supply of water to the Chicago region and its impact on economic growth.” Speakers will include Chicago Department of Water Management Comm. Andrea Cheng and Current Water executive director Alaina Harkness. Tickets are available online. 

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) tweeted “Interesting that as the @CCLBA seeks an agreement with the City, signs declaring the bank’s ownership FINALLY appear in the community identifying who is responsible for maintenance.”  

Ald. Matt O’Shea (19) tweeted “The 19th Ward St. Patrick’s Day Donation Drive in support of the Maple Morgan Park Food Pantry was a huge success! Thanks for your generosity.”  

Ald. Silvana Tabares (23) tweeted a statement responding to Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson (D-1) and his “demands for the City Council to further Defund CPD Resources”  

Ald. Scott Waguespack (32) shared information about the city’s series of virtual community safety town halls and tweeted “City personnel at mtg answerd questions the length of the meeting. Still need county/state officials present to answer questions when it's out of city hands. Next mtg tonight. Register early, make sure you get Zoom link, not just Eventbrite email.”  

Ald. Andre Vasquez (40) tweeted “High school sophomores and juniors! Sign up now to be a Student Election Judge, learn about elections, & earn up to $230. To learn more about this program visit: https://tinyurl.com/Mikva-SJ”  

Ald. Matt Martin (47) in a thread tweeted “In the past five years, Lincoln Square and Northcenter have lost affordable homes at a faster rate than nearly every other neighborhood in Chicago. And the deconversion and demolition of small multi-unit buildings continues to contribute to that rapid loss of affordability. NEXT WEEK: Join us for the first in a series of community conversations about the impact of deconversions and demolitions of two- and three-flats.” 

Gov. JB Pritzker appointed Laura Daley to the Statewide 9-1-1 Advisory Board and TaLana Hughes, Timothy Cunniff and Susan Axelrod to the Rare Disease Commission.  

Monday is the last day for candidates running for office to file their nominating petitions with the State Board of Elections. Petitions must be submitted by 5 p.m. Those who submit petitions between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. Monday will be in a lottery to get placed in the last spot on the ballot.   

The Illinois Department of Employment Security announced the state’s unemployment rate in January declined by .1 percentage points to 5 percent. The state also added more than 8,600 non-farm jobs. The state’s labor force participation rate was also 1.5 percentage points higher than the national average.

Sen. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) tweeted, “It is critical that the General Assembly acts immediately to provide some kind of relief to Illinoisans struggling to keep up with skyrocketing gas prices and surging inflation.”  

Sen. Michael Hastings (D-Frankfort) tweeted, “An unacceptable truth, over 260 expressway shootings in 2021, that was during a pandemic. Another one last week. I don’t care if your from the city or suburb, it’s wrong … and we’re going to do something about it.” 

Sen. Cristina Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago) tweeted, “The land of Chief Shab-eh-nay and his band was illegally sold. Recognition of this act of injustice by the federal government will begin to repair the harm and ensure that the land is recognized as reserved for the Potawatomi people in northern Illinois.”  

Rep. Maura Hirschauer (D-Batavia) tweeted, “Today, alongside @Tarver25th and @justice4all44, I presented HR649, to recognize June 3, 2022 as Gun Violence Awareness Day. Gun Violence Awareness Day began in tribute to Chicago teenager, Hadiya Pendleton. On 1/29/13 Hadiya was tragically shot and killed at the age of 15.”  

Rep. Marcus Evans (D-Chicago) tweeted, “Yesterday, the Illinois House Labor & Commerce Committee held a subject matter hearing to analyze the wages and working condition of our dedicated Direct Support Personnel (DSPs). @afscme31 @SEIU @SEIU73 State funding dollars need to make it to the pockets of the workers.”  

Rep. Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago) tweeted, “What @fergieajenkins said. Mama needs baseball, stat.”  

Rep. Will Guzzardi (D-Chicago) tweeted, “It was great to see the folks from @ChiHomeless in Springfield during their day of action yesterday! Thanks for all the advocacy you do to prevent & end homelessness in Chicago— And thanks for sharing all the important work & goals you're championing this legislative session”  

Rep. Mike Zalewski (D-Riverside) tweeted, “Nature is healing. First Revenue & Finance in person hearing since that fateful day in 2020 in Bilandic when @hannahmeisel sneezed a few times and basically it was all downhill from there.” 

The Urban Land Institute will hold a virtual event at 6 p.m. on March 22 to present recommendations it has developed alongside the Chicago Department of Planning and Development and the Chicago Loop Alliance to “reposition LaSalle Street, from Wacker Drive to Jackson Boulevard, as a thriving, work-play-live corridor.” Online registration is required.  

The Chicago Department of Business and Consumer Protection will host a webinar titled “fighting fraud” at 9:30 a.m. on Friday “to help people understand their consumer rights and avoid fraud and scams.” Online registration is required. 

Ald. Daniel La Spata (1) tweeted “The City of Chicago is working on a Climate Action Plan, and a draft is now available for your review! This is your chance to be heard on issues of sustainability, resilience, and environmental justice.”  

Ald. Susan Sadlowski Garza (10) tweeted “Chicago's Annual Citywide Clean and Green is scheduled for Saturday April 23, 2022. The deadline for registration is Monday, April 18th. Call 311 for more info and to register!”  

Ald. Michael Scott (24) tweeted “The Chicago Aldermanic Black Caucus  is now accepting applications for their annual scholarship.”  

Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez (33) tweeted “Welcome back to our Ward Superintendent Alejandro who was out after suffering a back injury. We are happy that he received the medical care he needed to recover. As you know, his work is heavy & our Superintendent never stops! If you see him around, make sure to show him love.”  

Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35) shared a Block Club article and tweeted “It's always extremely cool when you hear someone talk about an awesome idea/vision, and then they make it happen. Kudos @ASchneider2008 & Logan @SqPres on this great event to bring new green space to #LoganSquare”  

Ald. Michele Smith (43) tweeted “Thanks to all the Gold Coast neighbors that came out to our safety walk this afternoon at State and Goethe! If you would like our office to participate in a safety walk on your block contact us at: [email protected].” 

Sen. Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) and Rep. Jen Gong-Gershowitz (D-Glenview) launched the General Assembly’s Assyrian Caucus Wednesday. The is dedicated to advocating for the state’s Assyrian community and creates a platform for discussing issues important to the community.  

Gov. JB Pritzker released another round of $250 million to fund projects as part of the Rebuild Illinois capital plan. The state has now released $1.25 billion for Rebuild Illinois projects.  

Sen. Chris Belt (D-Swansea) tweeted, “With hate crimes at their highest point in decades, all of us must take an active role in stamping out hate. Be an upstander, not a bystander – report hate crimes to local law enforcement and the Illinois Attorney General.”  

Sen. Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) tweeted, “Today, my colleagues and I announced the formation of the Legislative Assyrian Caucus. As a Caucus, we want to make sure we lift everyone's voice by building on Illinois' legacy of being one of the most welcoming states in the nation.”  

Sen. Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) tweeted, “With more than 150 wineries statewide, Illinois is a leader in wine operations. To offer financial relief to struggling makers, I've advanced legislation to lower licensing fees for first-class manufacturers”  

Rep. Bob Morgan (D-Deerfield) tweeted, “Anti-Semitic flyers have recently been left on driveways near our community including images of prominent Jewish politicians and businesspeople from IL & the country. As we stay united against hate, education of hate crimes is going to take effort.”  

Rep. Jeff Keicher (R-Sycamore) tweeted, “Honored to get an update on the issues in Ukraine today from Gen Alessia and Gen Neeley from the Illinois National Guard”  

Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) tweeted, “I support local control in education and parents being able to choose the best school for their kids. Cindy and I attended the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools Legislative Reception last night.”  

Sen. Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) tweeted, “Three local museums will receive a combined $838,000 to make improvements and create new exhibits. The Department of Natural Resources announced three museums in Rockford that will be receiving grants.”  

Rep. Dagmara Avelar (D-Bolingbrook) tweeted, "Proud to join some great colleagues as a co-sponsor of HB4920 to create a state #ChildTaxCredit"  

Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago) tweeted, “Dear Florida. I'm proud that in Illinois we protect our LGBTQ families, teach our history and stand with our LGBTQ youth. I'm proud to be the LGBTQ House Majority Leader, from a district with a LGBTQ Senator, a city with a LGBTQ Mayor and a ward with a LGBTQ Alderman.” 

The Chicago Department of Public Health announced Tuesday that it was removing the following 12 states from its weekly COVID-19 Travel Advisory, as their average new caseloads have been below 15 per 100,000 residents for more than a week: Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, and Wisconsin, leaving 34 states and one territory in the travel advisory. But another 18 states have fallen below the threshold since last week and are due to come off the list next week: Oklahoma, Virginia, Washington, Minnesota, Arkansas, Massachusetts, Wyoming, Texas, Tennessee, Michigan, North Dakota, Missouri, Mississippi, Utah, Iowa, Kansas, Arizona and Louisiana. As of Tuesday, Illinois’ average daily new case rate was 11.8 per 100,000 residents, and Chicago’s rate was 7.1 per 100,000.  

Crain’s will host its Real Estate Forum at the downtown Blackstone Hotel at 7:45 a.m. on April 5, when reporter Alby Gallun will interview Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi. Tickets for the event can be purchased online.  

The group Business and Professional People for the Public Interest will host a virtual panel discussion at 12 p.m. on March 18 to discuss higher education programs in Illinois prisons. The panel will include BPI senior staff counsel Shareese Pryor, DePaul University political science professor Christina Rivers, Illinois Coalition for Higher Education in Prison project coordinator Angel Pantoja and Rep. Carol Ammons (D-Urbana). 

Ald. Matt O’Shea (19) tweeted “A big thanks to Tracy Spiridakos from Chicago P.D. Tracy participated in the Chicago Polar Plunge in support of Special Olympics and was so kind to our athletes."  

Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35) tweeted “Happy International Working Women's Day! Today our 35th Ward Office remembers one of our community's most world-renowned working-class women: Lucy Gonzalez Parsons. Lucy led the fight for the eight-hour work and was a founder of the @IWW union.”  

Ald. Harry Osterman (48) tweeted “Congrats to the DePaul College Prep men's basketball team (@DePaulPrepMBB) and Coach Tom Kleinschmidt on their thrilling Super-Sectional victory last night against the Leo Lions! Good luck downstate and go Rams!”  

Ald. Maria Hadden (49) tweeted “We are still requesting feedback from the community on the Wild Onion Market proposal before making a decision whether or not to lift the liquor moratorium. Please take a moment to fill out an online feedback form at https://buff.ly/3Cmt7p9. Submit by Sunday, March 13”  

Ald. Debra Silverstein (50) tweeted “Today is #InternationalWomensDay, when we come together to fight for gender equality. Help forge a world that is truly inclusive and equitable.” 

Gov. JB Pritzker announced he will appoint Roger Monroe to the Abaraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Board of Trustees, Allison Powers as commissioner of the Executive Ethics Commission, Bennett Kaplan as commissioner of the Torture Inquiry and Relief Commission and Lisa Lee to the Illinois State Museum Board.

Sen. Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) tweeted, “I am happy to sponsor a bill with Rep. @RepLCollins that requires the Illinois Department of Public Health to follow up on lead inspections.”  

Rep. Ann Williams (D-Chicago) tweeted, “Thank you @GovPritzker for freezing the expenditure of taxpayer funds for capital projects closely tied to former Speaker Madigan. In light of last week’s indictment, additional review of these projects will ensure that taxpayer dollars were not used for improper purposes. #twill"  

Rep. Maura Hirschauer (D-Batavia) tweeted, “On this #InternationalWomensDay2022 I celebrate my strong, fiercely intelligent, hard working colleagues in the IL House of Representatives. It is a pleasure to work alongside and learn from these women each and every day. #WatchUsWork #ILWomen"  

Rep. Martin McLaughlin (R-Barrington Hills) tweeted, “Open our Pipelines Now! For over a year unnecessarily high energy prices due to bad Dem policies has cost us billions & have hurt working families the most. Ending Russian oil w/o increased domestic production causes higher gas prices. To quote our Inflator in Chief "C’mon Man!"”  

Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) tweeted, “The price of gas is insane and it’s made worse by Pritzker’s gas tax increase that was supported by weak-knee Republicans. It’s time to cut taxes and make Illinois more affordable for working families and taxpayers.”  

Rep. Stephanie Kifowit (D-Oswego) tweeted, “Celebrating #InternationalWomensDay2022 with some of the Women in the IL House of Representatives!💜” 

Manufacturing Renaissance Council and North Branch Works will host a “Manufacturing Summit” at 10 a.m. on March 24. Panelists will include Ald. Daniel La Spata (1), former Chicago Plan Commision chair Teresa Cordova, Manufacturing Renaissance Council executive director Erica Swinney Staley, KOVAL Distillery president Sonat Birnecker Hart, World Business Chicago director of business development Mary Kuhn and North Branch Works executive director Jonathan Snyder. Online registration is required. 

Ald. Sophia King (4) tweeted “Enjoy today off in celebration of Casimir Pulaski Day, the father of American cavalry. Our office will open back up tomorrow for the remainder of this week”  

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) tweeted “Can we have a day, one frickin’ day, without Lightfoot shooting herself in the foot. We can call it ‘A Day Without a Controversy’”  

Ald. James Cappleman (46) shared a Sun-Times article and tweeted “Our current zoning practices have created a segregated Chicago with high rates of poverty. Something must change. Let's look at what other cities do to create a more equitable process for zoning.”  

Ald. Maria Hadden (49) tweeted “The Moran Center for Youth Advocacy has launched the Rogers Park Project. The project is a pilot program that will provide free educational advocacy to students living in and/or attending school in the Rogers Park neighborhood. To learn more, call 847-492-1410.”

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 31 is asking the State Board of Investments to divest from pension funds with assets tied to Russia. “AFSCME strongly condemns Putin’s shameful assault on the nation of Ukraine. Each of us must do our part to support the valiant resistance of the Ukrainian people in their struggle to protect their democracy,” Council 31 Executive Director Roberta Lynch said in a statement.   

Philippe Largent will become the new state director for AARP Illinois, according to an announcement posted in CapitolFax. Largent has previously run his own lobbying firm.  

The Illinois Senate will open the gallery to 50 percent capacity and masks will be recommended rather than required, according to the President’s Office. A negative PCR test will still be required within the last 72 hours to gain entry into the Senate and Senate offices.

Rep. Mark Walker (D-Arlington Heights) tweeted, “This bill can actually cut local property taxes without harming school districts. Thanks to all who worked on this concept over the past two years. Now in the Senate with Senator Gillespie.”  

Rep. Will Guzzardi (D-Chicago) tweeted, “In an effort to combat the #OpioidCrisis in IL I sponsored HB 4556, which will increase access to lifesaving fentanyl testing strips. Last week HB 4556 passed the House UNANIMOUSLY.”  

House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Hillside) tweeted, “It’s an exciting day! A little rain and snow didn’t delay what we set out to do today. Thank you to all of the voters who opened their doors to sign petitions to get Democrats on the ballot.”  

Rep. Joe Sosnowski (R-Rockford) tweeted, “House Democrats' refusal to enact real ethics reform in IL only further erodes public trust in our state government. #EthicsAwarenessMonth"  

Rep. Mike Zalewski (D-Chicago) tweeted, “This bill has the potential to lower your property taxes. 👇👇👇 Congrats @walktalker1 and a special shout out to Rep Kelly Burke who wisely stays away from twitter.”  

Sen. Cristina Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago) tweeted, “In the news: Solving the problem starts with framing it accurately, said state Sen. Cristina Pacione-Zayas, D-Chicago, who prefers the term “teacher vacancy.” “Just because you can't buy a Ferrari for 99 cents doesn't mean there's a Ferrari shortage."  

Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago) tweeted, “Glad to pass HB4595 to protect access to low cost "340B" prescription drugs for uninsured and low income folks at community health centers, HIV clinics, hemophilia centers and safety net hospitals. Thanks @IllinoisPCA @IHAhospitals and @ILPharmacists for fighting this fight!” 

The group Better Streets Chicago will host its first general meeting of the year at 7 p.m. Wednesday to “provide updates on current initiatives like #PlowTheSidewalks, share the latest on how you can help, and more.” Online registration is required. 

Ald. George Cardenas (12) tweeted, “Community process over zoning decisions cannot be undermined. Zoning process yielded to bureaucrats is a no go for me.”  

Ald. Silvana Tabares (23) in her latest newsletter shared a Tribune op-ed she wrote alongside Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) and Ald. Anthony Napolitano (41), and added, “Somebody's gotta say it. Click here to read our op-ed about our city's desperate need to get REAL about public safety. Something needs to change, either priorities, or the politicians.” 

 Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35) tweeted, “It feels good to be out knocking doors for 3 great candidates today @AnthonyJQuezada @Lilian4StateRep @Delia4Congress Our progressive movement is growing on Chicago's northwest side.”  

Ald. Brendan Reilly (42) wrote in his latest newsletter, “Sheriff Dart announced that he opened a satellite office in River North and his Deputies are taking an active role in policing the Downtown neighborhoods. Sheriff Deputies have radio interoperability with the Chicago Police Department (CPD) and will assist with responding to 9-1-1 calls.”  

Ald. Matt Martin (47) wrote in his latest newsletter, “Yesterday, several members of the Chicago Aldermanic Black Caucus and I met with CPD Superintendent Brown and his senior leadership team to discuss his push to increase the number of detectives by 200 (which should be complete by the end of this month), and the ongoing work of citywide and regional carjacking teams within the Bureau of Detectives.  

Cook County Comm. Scott Britton (D-14) wrote in a statement, “Yesterday I received a disturbing package of carefully compiled and plastic-bagged letters in my driveway blaming the “Jewish agenda” for the war in Ukraine, the Covid-19 pandemic, and genocides in general. Indeed, the package also included a “Let’s Go Brandon” flyer listing names and images of members of the Biden Administration. I am nauseated that someone took the time, during a deadly global pandemic, to create many multiples of these packages and deliver them to residents of the 14th District.” 

Gov. JB Pritzker announced Friday he was appointing Mavet Sweis to the Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes, Joseph Ghibaudy as public administrator and public guardian of White, Wabash and Hamilton Counties, and Bruce Montgomery to the Commission on Equity and Inclusion.

Sen. Robert Peters (D-Chicago) tweeted, “Happy Birthday, Chicago! Despite what reactionaries say our city isn’t some slur. Our city doesn’t need to compare itself to NYC or LA. We are an amazing city with amazing people doing amazing work.”  

Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-Chicago) tweeted, “Last night, HB 5581, my legislation to designate the "Milwaukee Avenue Polish Heritage Corridor" was passed out of House floor. I want to thank the Polish American Chamber of Commerce and the Polish Museum of America for their collaboration and support of this initiative.”  

Rep. Avery Bourne (R-Morrisonville) tweeted, “Michael Madigan is finally indicted but the fight to root out corruption continues. This is only the beginning. The voters will hold Illinois Dems and JB Pritzker accountable in November. #MadiganIndicted #twill"  

Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (D-Skokie) tweeted, “I am proud to say HB1780 passed the House. The drug take-back program is aimed at addressing addiction and water pollution at the same time.”  

Rep. Marcus Evans (D-Chicago) tweeted, “#working at the Capitol for the people on 3rd Reading Deadline week. This week we are sending House Bills over to Senate. #runwiththerep"  

Rep. Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago) tweeted, “Not all heroes wear capes, version 42: @repgregharris in the chair as someone asked a member if this was their first bill “None of that today Representative. It’s a getaway day.” #twill"  

Rep. Chris Bos (D-Chicago) tweeted, “A little sleep A lot of coffee And ready to hear “We’ll fix it in the Senate” It’s deadline day in the IL House, the last day to get bills sent over to the Senate. #twill"