House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Hillside), Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford (D-Maywood), Sen. Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago), Sen. Napoleon Harris (D-Chicago), Sen. Robert Peters (D-Chicago), Rep. Camille Lilly (D-Chicago), Rep. Lamont Robinson (D-Chicago) and officials from the Illinois Department of Human Services are hosting a virtual training and listening session about the state’s Grant Accountability and Transparency Act on Oct. 22 at 1 p.m. Registration is required.

Ald. Brian Hopkins (2) in his latest newsletter wrote that due to concerns from CTA, a delay in emergency vehicle response times and the need for residential use, “the section of Division Street between State Parkway and Dearborn Street will be restored to full street access. As many neighbors know, this section of street has been closed for Expanded Outdoor Dining to help support businesses during very trying times.” 

Ald. Roderick Sawyer (6) tweeted a photo of himself “meeting with Assistant Principal Carter and Chief of Security Ms. Griffin today to discuss issues at Park Manor Elementary School.” 

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) tweeted “Yes, the rifles are making a comeback. Three years ago we had a Mayor & Police dept that shared my views on going after gang bangers & locking them up. Now many of whom we locked up were covid early-released to keep THEM safe! They settle old scores endangering our city!”  

Ald. Michael Scott (24) retweeted a tweet from the Chicago Police Department advertising an entrance exam.

Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez (33) tweeted “It’s amazing how much fight needs to take place to get the basics in place for safe schools in our city. Solidarity and love to all my fellow CPS parents, teachers and staff trying to make it work.” 

Ald. Debra Silverstein (50) tweeted “Congratulations to the Chicago Sky on winning its first WNBA championship! Celebrate the victory tomorrow (Oct 19) with a parade at 11 AM then rally at noon in Millennium Park. First come, first served. Masks are strongly encouraged.”

Cook County Comm. Sean Morrison (R-17) tweeted a photo of high gas prices and wrote, “Thanks JB” 

The city of Chicago will celebrate the 2021 WNBA Champion Chicago Sky on Tuesday, October 19 with a downtown parade and rally. The parade will begin at 11 a.m. when the team departs from Wintrust Arena, arriving at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park for a celebration rally starting at noon. "The City of Chicago could not be prouder of our winning Chicago Sky," Mayor Lori Lightfoot said in a written statement. "We are thrilled to throw a celebration worthy of this historic moment in Chicago sports and congratulate the Sky for bringing our city its first WNBA title. Let's get ready to paint the town #SkyTown!" 

The Chicago Department of Planning and Development will host 21 meetings spread across seven city regions to learn about entrants to the Chicago Community Works challenge, a $10 million grant competition to support upgrades to public properties throughout the city. Meetings will begin with events in the Far South region at 6 p.m. Tuesday and in the West region at 6 p.m. Thursday. Online registration is required.

Sen. Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) tweeted an image, adding, “#TeamRam had another productive week #InTheDistrict! Our team joined @CabonargiBOR for a property tax appeal seminar.” 

Sen. Cristina Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago) shared a post on Instagram highlighting the recent opening of a district office.  

Sen. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) tweeted “Spent some time this morning with Northcenter and Lincoln Square residents. I kicked it off with the Heart of Lincoln Square and updated constituents about what’s going on in Springfield. Then headed over to the Recycle-Palooza to recycle some old cords! #47thWard 

Rep. David Welter (D-Morris) tweeted a picture of him at what he called #morrisfreedomrally.

Illinois Department of Public Health officials on Friday announced updated guidance ahead of the upcoming holiday season. The update guidance encourages Illinoisans to wear non-costume masks during Halloween, trick or treat in small groups, utilize open-air haunted houses and visit pumpkin patches, orchards and festivals when they are not busy. The agency also reminded Illinoisans that holding outdoor activities for Halloween and Dia de los Muertos was safer than indoor gatherings.  

Ald. Michelle Harris (8) retweeted a tweet from Deputy Mayor Manny Perez that said, “Grateful to @AldermanHarris for her partnership and leadership on small business development along the 87th street corridor.” 

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) tweeted a map of the Deering Chicago Police district and wrote, “This is the lack of beat coverage scheduled this weekend in 009. 40% of the district has nobody available to answer 911 calls. @Chicago_Police’s failed policies cause a lack of manpower every day, endangering y communities as well as all of Chicago - even before Lori’s mandates!”  

Ald. Walter Burnett (27) in his latest newsletter included a news release from developer Graystar about its groundbreaking for a new 166-unit apartment building at 166 N. Aberdeen St.  

Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez (33) tweeted, “It’s getting lost that Joe Ferguson is leaving because MLL wouldn’t re-appoint him. Why would a mayor who believes his work was so good want him out? I’m endlessly grateful for Joe’s guidance, availability, wisdom and courage, among so much more. Chicago deserved for him to stay.” 

Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36) shared a Crain’s article about Chicago’s biotech and pharmaceutical industries and tweeted, “We should have someone laser focused on this tech sector. You want to grow Chicago’s population, this is the answer.” 

Ald. Andre Vasquez (40) used his latest newsletter to promote his “Save Our Ash” resolution (R2021-1130), writing, “Preserving the city's adult tree canopy is a simple, smart, cost-effective program that I've been advocating for this budget season. By spending less in the short-term on simple, effective inoculations, we can save tens of millions of dollars in the long run by preventing early loss of adult trees.”  

Ald. Matt Martin (47) wrote in a statement that he denied a request by the Chicago Department of Planning and Development to rezone a city-owned property at 3840 N. Lincoln Ave. so it could be sold to a developer. “Alderman Martin does not believe that selling off public assets solely for a one-time influx of cash to the City is the best use of this property.” 

Ald. Maria Hadden (49) wrote in her latest newsletter that she “introduced two amendments that represent some priorities for our ward and the Progressive Caucus. The first would dedicate $70M in ARP funds to repair and preserve single room occupancy (SRO) buildings... The second amendment seeks to zero out police vacancies that cannot be used in 2022 to redirect those funds that would be appropriated for other uses.”

Rep. Dave Vella (D-Rockford) tweeted “I had the pleasure of visiting Abraham Lincoln Middle School students this morning. They ask great questions about my role in government and about the 68th District.” 

Rep. Eva Dina Delgago (D-Chicago) tweeted “A recent event that I spoke at provided resources for victims of domestic violence as well as hearing powerful survivor stories. A special thank you to 25th District Chicago Police Department, Community organizations, WingStop, Walmart, & to all that made this event possible!” 

Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) tweeted “We spend alot of time condemning those who won’t speak with authenticity about our history, as we should. We also need to speak about atrocities in our lifetime that deserve attention as well. The truth is the truth no matter who tells it. I filed HR500 to do just that.” 

Rep. Tim Butler (R-Springfield) tweeted “Sad to report the ridiculousness with how the Dems have run redistricting hearings continues. We can't even get the usual sign outside the committee room door to say that there's a hearing today. No surprise that it's an empty room. "No events or meetings scheduled today" 

Sen. Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) tweeted “I joined my colleagues this morning for the official bill signing of SB1833 that helps communities establish cultural corridors for small businesses to maintain their diverse main streets like we do in the 7th district.” 

Officials from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency on Thursday encouraged Illinoisans to participate in the World’s Largest Earthquake Drill at 10:21 a.m. on Oct. 21. In a statement, agency director Alicia Tate-Nadaeu said fire and tornado drills are common practices in schools and business but not everyone knows what to do during an earthquake. “We cannot predict when or where the next devastating earthquake will occur but we can help people learn how to protect themselves and reduce damage to their homes,” Tate-Nadeau said. Those interested in participating can register in advance.

Ald. Pat Dowell (3) tweeted, “Kudos to Illinois Congressional delegation & ⁦@NALC_National⁩ for holding hearing Friday on USPS’ poor mail service in Chicago. Residents have been dealing with inconsistent/no delivery & late mail for years. Support the workers! Hire more carriers!” 

Ald. Susan Sadlowski Garza (10) tweeted, “Check out the newly added Alfresco benches on Commercial Avenue in South Chicago! These streetscape amenities are part of the City's Invest Southwest Initiative.” 

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) tweeted of city vaccination rules, “Lightfoot has a track record of not knowing what her negotiation teams do. I’m certain this is no exception.” 

Ald. Michael Rodriguez (22) tweeted, “Glad we passed the e-scooter program with increased oversight. This will reduce last mile care usage.” 

Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez (33) tweeted a thread about mental health investments, writing, “We need to make massive investments in the structures of care that will keep us safe. We need to invest and reopened our Public mental health clinics. We need field positions that are out in our communities connecting and providing access to our neighbors who need it the most.” 

Ald. Matt Martin (47) tweeted, “Glad to work with @40thforward to allow bars/taverns and hotels/motels the opportunity to apply for grants for building repairs. A conversation with a tavern in Andersonville about the impact of covid-19 on their industry prompted my work on this.” 

Ald. Maria Hadden (49) tweeted, “The pandemic has presented us with unimaginable challenges. It has also provided us with a chance to do better and try new things. We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to use the federal aid we received to do as much as possible to help struggling Chicagoans.”

Gil C. Quiniones will become the next CEO of Commonwealth Edison on Nov. 15, the energy mega-firm announced Thursday. Quinones comes from the New York Power Authority, which he has led as CEO for 10 years. He is a “proven industry executive with more than 30 years of relevant leadership and operational experience extending across regulated utility markets, the public and private sectors, and state and local governments,” according to a news release from ComEd. Quinones will succeed CEO Joe Dominguez, who has led the company since 2018. 

House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Hillside) tweeted “My heart goes out to the family of Timuel Black. His impact on the Black community in Chicago cannot be overstated. He was an activist and a storyteller. His life and legacy will forever serve as inspiration to all who seek to fight for justice and preserve their history. 

Sen. Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) tweeted “Today our office joined @RefugeeOne for their winter coat distribution. I was proud to partner with RefugeeOne, Rep. @DenyseStoneback and State Rep John D'Amico to collect winter coats for refugees in our community. 

Rep. Denyse Stoneback (D-Skokie) tweeted “After hearing from constituents about late mail delivery, I was happy to join a postcard writing event. Residents wrote to @USPS Postmaster General Louis DeJoy calling for dependable mail service. Thanks to Debra Silverstein @50thWardChicago and Congresswoman @janschakowsky  

Rep. Nick Smith (D-Chicago) tweeted “.@ICJIA_Illinois announced a $3.8M grant opportunity to support Community Violence Prevention across Illinois. Applications are due 11/1. Please visit https://icjia.illinois.gov/gata/funding/2021-cbvip-sfy22for… for more information!

Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) tweeted “It was great to meet with constituents at last night’s Regional Listening Tour Town Hall in Oswego. Thank you to @SenDeWitte33 for joining me and @NorthforkF for hosting it. Definitely one of the best venues I’ve ever had a town hall at! 

Sen. Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) issued a statement after she was recently appointed to the Course Materials Equitable Access and Affordability Study Task Force.

Officials from the Illinois Board of Higher Education and the Illinois Nursing Workforce Center Advisory Board on Wednesday announced the recipients of the 2021 Nurse Educator Fellow. Recipients, who will receive $10,000 to help promote excellence in nursing education, include Alisha Betka from the University of Illinois Chicago, Tamara Boll from Trinity Christian College, Sheri Compton-McBride from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Jorgia B. Connor from Loyola University of Chicago, Therese Gallagher from Rush University, Angela Gilbreth from Southwestern Illinois College, Teresa Gulley from Millikin University, Monica E. Hall from Illinois Wesleyan University, Sara McPherson from University of Illinois Chicago in Springfield, Salimah Muhammad from Chamberlain University-Chicago, Lynnann B. Murphy from University of Saint Francis, Kara Richardson from Heartland Community College, Cristan Sabio from Northern Illinois University, Michele Shropshire from Illinois State University, Lindsay A. White from Western Illinois University and Cynthia D. Young from Morton College.  

Ald. Daniel La Spata (1) tweeted “I continue to work on the proposed 2022 Budget, and there is a City Council meeting regarding the 2022 Budget tomorrow (October 14, 2021) at 10am.” He also posted links to watch the council meeting and a “Weekly Budget recap on Friday.” 

Ald. Pat Dowell (3) posted notice in her latest newsletter of a series of park nature walk events hosted by the group Equiticity.  

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) tweeted a screenshot of a report issued by Inspector General Joseph Ferguson and wrote, “$5.2 Million spent on committees. Time to trim the fat!”  

Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez (33) shared a WTTW article on Inspector General Joseph Ferguson’s report on City Council committees and tweeted “The way City Council committees currently work makes it really hard to do good government work. I look forward to hearings on this report and to continue to push to reform our council and make it independent from the Mayor.” 

Ald. Andre Vasquez (40) tweeted, “So far we have 36 Alders (so far) in support of the resolution I am introducing with@RossanaFor33 and @AldMattMartin this Thursday calling for investment in Ash Tree inoculations to #SaveYourAsh! Many thanks to the neighbor groups doing the work to uplift this! #Supermajority”  

Ald. Brendan Reilly (42) tweeted that the death of former Chicago Fraternal Order of Police president Dean Angelo is “Very sad news. We didn’t always agree, but Dean sure did love & respect his brothers & sisters in Blue. Rest In Peace and thank you for your service to Chicago.” 

Ald. James Cappleman (46) shared a Streetsblog column linking high rents in Chicago to restrictive zoning and a dearth of new construction and tweeted, “A more in depth article about the causes of higher rents. Another reason includes the Life Safety Ordinance that required building owners to meet an unfunded mandate, so they passed the costs onto their renters.” 

Ald. Maria Hadden (49) shared Ferguson’s report and tweeted, “Reform is needed in all parts of our City government. @ChicagoOIG Joe Ferguson opted to not seek another term because the good government, ethically based recommendations from his office are usually ignored or rebuffed by the City Council. Chicago deserves better.”  

Ald. Debra Silverstein (50) tweeted, “Dozens of you joined me yesterday to write postcards to USPS demanding better mail service. Thank you to everyone who came! A special thank you to Congresswoman @janschakowsky, Representative @DenyseStoneback, and @ChiAlderwoman Maria Hadden for lending your voice to our demands.”

The Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners appointed Rosa Escareño as the Interim General Superintendent and CEO of the park district, concurring with Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s recommendation for the post. Escareño takes the helm of the park district following CEO Michael Kelly’s resignation amid a sex abuse scandal involving park district lifeguards at Chicago pools and beaches. Escareño previously served as commissioner of the city’s Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection before stepping back in July. “Having served three mayors and with more than three decades of public service experience, Rosa has proven leadership skills and a breadth of experience that will inform her efforts to lead our Park District and maintain our beautiful public spaces and facilities during this interim period,” Lightfoot wrote in a news release.  

Chicago’s COVID-19 Travel Advisory remains unchanged at 47 states and three territories, the Department of Public Health announced on Wednesday. However, the following states and territories are on track to be removed from the list next week if they can keep average new daily case counts below 15 per 100,000 residents: Alabama, the District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Massachusetts and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 

The City Council Democratic Socialist Caucus will join members of the Chicago chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America to host a virtual town hall event at 6:30 p.m. Thursday to discuss the city’s 2022 budget. Caucus members will join “grassroots community organizations and the public to advance a socialist analysis of the budget and build support for the coalition’s budget demands,” according to an announcement. Attendees can register to participate via Zoom or watch the event live on Facebook. 

 Sen. Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) issued a statement after Gov. JB Pritzker recently certified the omnibus ethics law that she sponsored.  

Sen. Doris Turner (D-Springfield) wrote on Facebook “HAPPENING TOMORROW: My office will be partnering with Meridian Healthcare, the Boys and Girls Club of Decatur and GANT Senior Ministries to provide frozen meals to the community, TOMORROW, Oct. 13 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Salvation Army in Springfield, located at 1600 E. Clearlake. 

Rep. Suzanne Ness (D-Crystal Lake) tweeted images after she toured the Crystal Lake Public Library. 

Rep. Eva Dina Delgado (D-Chicago) tweeted a link to a news story, adding, “As the vice-chair of the Public Utilities Committee, I am looking forward to seeing the data and continuing to work on equity and access to broadband across the state of Illinois. 

Rep. Tim Butler (R-Springfield) tweeted an image of a blocked road, adding, “Today's odyssey on redistricting ridiculousness: the address originally listed for today's Joliet House Redistricting Committee hearing took folks down a dead-end, gated frontage road to supposedly get to the location.”\\ 

Rep. Barbara Hernandez (D-Aurora) wrote on Facebook “My intern Trey and I went out to the first ward to do a bit of door knocking to invite constituents to our Fall Festival event in Sat, Oct 23 from 11am-2pm at Prisco Community center!” 

Ald. Brian Hopkins (2) tweeted, “masks. ventilation. masks. filtration. masks. open windows. masks. outdoors. masks. masks. MASKS!” 

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) shared a Tribune article about racism in the issuance of cycling tickets and tweeted, “I would be happy if they ticketed everyone parked in the alleys or fire hydrants.”  

Ald. Matt O’Shea (19) wrote in his latest newsletter that the Mount Greenwood Community & Business Association and Terraco Real Estate Development are “hosting a rededication ceremony for the Mount Greenwood Memorial Plaza located at 111th and Kedzie at 1:00pm. The dedication will be in memory of all fallen first responders." 

Ald. Rossana Rodrigurez-Sanchez (33) tweeted, “I’m working with @Andrefor40th @AldMattMartin & other colleagues to ensure that we keep our canopy by treating the Ash trees. Ask your Alder to support our Resolution to create a managed Ash Tree program for Chicago. Thank you @Openlands for the advocacy!” 

Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35) tweeted, “The Thompson Center should be preserved. And the next Mayor of Chicago should be required to hold monthly open office hours at the people's Atrium food court.” 

Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36) shared a Crain’s article about the resignation of Chicago Park District Supt. Michael Kelly and tweeted, “Now is the time to reimagine the Park Districts programming and hours of operation especially in areas where there is high crime. Parks play a crucial role and there is no reason why parks should be closed in the evening for kids.” 

Ald. Matt Martin (47) wrote in a statement that his office “continues to receive interest” in the Fifth Third Bank properties at the intersection of Damen Avenue, Lincoln Avenue and Irving Park Road, and that Martin “believes that any commercial space built on these two parcels should be designed for entities that are not big box stores, so as to enhance the bike and pedestrian friendliness in the immediate area.” 

Cook County Comm. Dennis Deer (D-2) acknowledged in his latest newsletter that October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and wrote, “The COVID-19 pandemic and the accompanying lock-downs, social distancing, and other mitigation measures have only exacerbated domestic violence.” 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday formally announced the appointment of Debra Shore, currently a member of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago Board of Commissioners, as the agency’s regional administrator for Region 5. The region includes Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin and 35 Native American tribes. A spokesperson for the EPA wrote that Shore “is a strong advocate for cleaning up the Chicago waterways and for resource recovery, including the reuse of treated water and the generation of renewable energy.” 

Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s office on Wednesday announced the return of “Halloweek,” an initiative the city launched last year to connect young people to “safe and engaging opportunities during out-of-school time” as part of the city’s “My Chi My Future” youth program. Events will include “residential pop-ups" hosted by the Chicago Park District and movie screenings held in person and virtually. The full schedule of events is listed online. 

Ald. Sophia King (4) tweeted “Happy Indigenous People’s Day from the 4th Ward!”

Ald. Matt O’Shea (19) tweeted photos of himself at Sunday’s White Sox game and wrote “We had a great time at the game last night. 40,000 strong cheering on our White Sox. Sox in 5!”

Ald. Michael Rodriguez (22) tweeted “We honor and celebrate Native American people today. Their history and culture should be respected and uplifted.”

Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25) in a thread tweeted “Happy #IndigenousPeoplesDay. Today is a day to seek truth in our own history and to bring that truth to our institutions. Indigenous People of the Americas have sustainably stewarded this land for tens of thousands of years, have migrated freely across it for tens of thousands of years, and today, lead in the fight for all of humanity's survival against the criminal planetary destruction of the oligarchs of the fossil fuel industry and war industries.”

Ald. Scott Waguespack (32) tweeted that he “Celebrated the traditions and living culture of Native communities from across the country this weekend at [American Indian Center] 68th annual Chicago Powwow.”

Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez (33) tweeted “Today we uplift the history, the struggle, the resilience, the wisdom and resistance of First Nations. We continue to fight to make this day the official holiday in our city and removing Columbus from the calendar forever.”

Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36) shared an article from Better Government Association about City Hall’s unsafe building list and wrote, “Unfortunately it will take a devastating incident to occur before they act. My call for hearing has been delayed just like my 10year smoke detector ordinance had been delayed. We will get it done though.”

Aldermen including Ald. Howard Brookins (21), who chairs the City Council’s Committee on Transportation and Public War, are scheduled to join representatives from scooter companies Spin, Lime and Bird at a rally outside City Hall at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday supporting an ordinance proposed by Brookins that would establish a permanent e-scooter program in Chicago. Ald. Walter Burnett (27), Ald. Daniel La Spata (1), Ald. Matt Martin (47) and Ald. Emma Mitts (37) are also scheduled to attend the rally.