House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Hillside) tweeted, “Another mass shooting with an AR-15. Weapons of war are not needed on our streets.”  

Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) tweeted, “My team and I had a great time working the Belmont train station platforms yesterday morning! We are connecting with voters in every place possible to Get Out The Vote!”  

Sen. Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) tweeted, “Improving our transportation network in a transparent, equitable way for all of our commuters is a top priority. This project will reduce congestion on our railways, make commutes for pedestrians safer and ensure the entire network is more efficient.”  

Rep. Mark Walker (D-Arlington Heights) tweeted, “Voters at the polls in decent numbers.”

WTTW, WBEZ, and the Sun-Times will co-host a televised forum between Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) and Republican challenger Kathy Salvi at 7 p.m. Thursday. The forum will be moderated by Sun-Times reporter Tina Sfondeles and WTTW reporter Paris Schutz. The forum will be available online as well as on public radio and TV stations around the state.

Ald. Daniel La Spata (1) tweeted “Today I was proud to support @AldReilly's Resolution to provide more transparency and notice for ordinances in City Council Committees. You deserve a government that provides ordinances with time to review, as much as Aldermen deserve that time to make more informed votes.”  

Ald. Brian Hopkins (2) tweeted “this Rules Committee vote was a vote against transparency, good government, and public access. The League of Women Voters and @BetterGov tried their best, but in Chicago it’s hard to defeat the Machine.”  

Ald. Sophia King (4) tweeted “Tomorrow, join the Lakeside Alliance for a virtual outreach meeting for Chambers of Commerce and Contractor Associations to learn more about current and upcoming opportunities for businesses on the Obama Presidential Center.”  

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) tweeted “The mayor uses direct introductions to avoid having her items run the aldermanic gauntlet. That being the case: any mayor should, at minimum, be required to file the wording of any legislation being introduced this way so the public can read it in advance of consideration.”  

Ald. Andre Vasquez (40) tweeted “It is a shame that the resolution @AldReilly introduced which would bring more transparency to the public regarding introductions was voted down by our colleagues. I am proud to have voted in support and stand with good government groups like @Leagueofwomenv1@BetterGov.”  

Ald. Brendan Reilly (42) tweeted “Yeah, you can’t abstain in votes if present. And after the Rules Chair worried so much during the hearing ‘about there being serious consequences for violating Council Rules,’ it was all shoulder shrugs when the Council Rules were broken in, of all places, Rules Committee today.”  

Ald. Timmy Knudsen (43) tweeted “We must speak out and band together in the face of rising anti-semitism and hate crimes against marginalized communities. Whether it’s race, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity, an attack on one of us is an attack on all of us. #HateWontWin” 

The Jewish Council on Urban Affairs (JCUA) on Tuesday launched a new political affiliate called JCUA Votes, which is expected to “extend JCUA’s work into electoral politics, where it will work to elect progressive leaders across the city and state,” according to a news release. “The Jewish community in Chicago is ready to bring a powerful progressive voice to our local elections,” Anna Rubin, political director, said in the news release. “We’ve built a dedicated base of volunteers and deep relationships across Chicago’s organizing community. Now, we’re thrilled to add electoral organizing as a tool to create transformative change.” 

Sen. Robert Peters (D-Chicago) tweeted, “The best way to create EV adoption is to combine it with better, more accessible public transit as well as better bike infrastructure. We need more “yes, and…””  

Sen. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) tweeted, “We can't even count how many incredible costumes we saw at this weekend's Roscoe Village Halloween Block Party. Thank you to all the neighbors who came out to make this a huge Halloween bash!”  

Rep. Mark Walker (D-Arlington Heights) tweeted, “Our focus on a clean energy economy is growing jobs right here in IL! We're a national leader on climate policy and lead the midwest with the number of clean-energy jobs we've created.”  

Rep. Suzanne Ness (D-Crystal Lake) tweeted, “Congratulations to McHenry County College on a successful ground breaking for the Foglia Center for Advanced Technology and Innovation! I was honored to attend such a special and exciting moment for the McHenry County community.”  

Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) tweeted, “Yesterday afternoon Cindy had the awesome opportunity to attend the first ever meeting of the Multi Ethnic Republican Alliance of Illinois! We are so excited to see new organizations forming that are passionate about engaging in their government!”  

Sen. Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) tweeted, “Wishing all our neighbors a Deepavali that bring happiness, prosperity and joy! May we all work together for the victory of light over darkness in the year ahead. Throwback to one of my favorite moments from Deepavali 2019.” 

The Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs announced the LaSalle Veterans Home was experiencing a COVID-19 outbreak. Officials with the home and Department of Public Health have identified cases among 23 staff members and 42 residents. All residents with a case have been moved to an isolation unit. No staff members or residents have been hospitalized.  

Ald. Mike Rodriguez (22) tweeted “It was very special to have 98 year-old World War II and Battle of the Bulge Veteran, Joe Belman campaign with me yesterday evening. He has been an inspiration and hero to me all of my life!”  

Ald. Andre Vasquez (40) tweeted "Diwali! May your life be filled with light, and your future be just as bright!!”  

Ald. Matt Martin (47) tweeted “Installation on the Berteau mural began this weekend. This project was inspired by our Youth Council, so we’re proud to involve local high school students throughout the installation process.” 

The city’s Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection will host an Emerging Issues in Worker Protections webinar at 3 p.m. Wednesday. The webinar will detail “legal issues in enforcement actions at the Office of Labor Standards,” according to the city’s website. Registration is available online.

Sen. Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) tweeted, “This week I joined local leaders to celebrate the expansion of Sunrun in Peoria. The new location will bring more green careers & access to affordable, resilient #solarenergy to residents. The expansion is expected to bring hundreds of permanent jobs to our local economy.”  

Sen. Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) tweeted, “Congratulations to the Waukegan Park District and the Waukegan Historical Society for securing funds to restore Carnegie Library of Waukegan. Investing in our communities is paramount, and I appreciate Congressman Brad Schneider's partnership in seeing this project to fruition.”  

Sen. Jacqui Collins (D-Chicago) tweeted, “Thank you to all who joined our panel discussion on the SAFE-T Act. I was happy to partner with my Faith Community at St. Sabina to bring together the law's sponsors, survivor advocates & public safety experts so our community can get the facts.”  

Rep. Mike Zalewski (D-Riverside) tweeted, “Illinois is the second largest sports betting market in the US”  

Rep. Mark Walker (D-Arlington Heights) tweeted, “We see Rogan's ad on TV, shouting about "No Bail" for people charged with scary crimes. What he never says is that "No Bail" just means people cannot buy their way out of jail if they are a danger to the community. Like in the Federal Court system. The whole ad is a lie.”

Over 1.1 million Illinoisans have received the new COVID-19 booster, the Department of Public Health announced Friday. The booster was approved in early September and 207,000 residents received their shot within the last week. Vaccination levels in Illinois remain at their highest point since February. However, 26 counties are at an elevated risk for COVID-19 according to the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control, which is up from 16 counties last week. Three of the counties are at a high transmission level, which is when the CDC recommends masking. 

Ald. Daniel La Spata (1) tweeted “Had such a blast at @ChicagoParks Halloween Town today at Wicker Park! Handed out candy, played ring toss with the kids, talked city gov’t with the adults! Great time!! Park Supervisor Keith Jones is AMAZING!!!”  

Ald. Sophia King (4) tweeted “In order to end domestic violence and create safe and thriving communities for all, we must dismantle anti-Blackness and center humanity, wellness, joy, and connectedness for advocates, survivors, and all who work towards collective liberation: https://dvawareness.org/node/85 #DVAM2022”  

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) tweeted “As gangs and drag racing organizers continue to meld together, the bodies will continue to pile up on the streets. Chicago needs leaders willing to push back & take back our streets. I have proven myself to be that leader. I will bring an end to this madness.”  

Ald. Mike Rodriguez (22) tweeted “Quick Community Notice: People in our area are receiving maliciously false information disguised to look like a newspaper they never subscribed to,but it’s really produced by extremist politicians who funded the January 6th rally, which caused the deaths of five police officers.”  

Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25) tweeted “The same people who endorsed and governed with Lightfoot now challenging her because they see a career opportunity? These people have supported CHA land-grabs and other shady deals in the city. No thank you. We can not afford corruption, hope @BrandonCCD1 runs #ReviveChicago”  

Ald. Andre Vasquez (40) tweeted “The Berwyn Contraflow Bike Lane is moving east!!! Check it out!!”  

Ald. Timmy Knudsen (43) tweeted “Week In Review: I spent some time speaking on a panel with fellow Alders at a  @LPCC09 event, met some great neighbors at Coffee with the Commander at the Walgreens on Armitage, and finished the week at City Hall for the Police Department and Board of Ethics Budget Hearings!”  

Ald. Maria Hadden (49) tweeted “I’m excited to announce we have a new development project coming to Howard and Paulina that will add 110 units of 100% affordable housing to our ward! Development, especially housing development, is an important part of a healthy city and neighborhood. https://bit.ly/3sdxRcr” 

The city’s Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection will host an Emerging Issues in Worker Protections webinar at 3 p.m. Wednesday. The webinar will detail “legal issues in enforcement actions at the Office of Labor Standards,” according to the city’s website. Registration is available online.

Rep. Anna Moeller (D-Elgin) tweeted, “I was pleased to tour the Proven Partners Group facility here in Elgin with @senatorcastro and congratulate them on receiving an Employer Training Investment Program check from the State of Illinois along with the Illinois Manufacturing Association.”  

House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Hillside) tweeted, “The Edgar Fellows program recently celebrated 10 years of developing exceptional public leaders who are dedicated to serving Illinois families. As a program alum, I was honored to speak at the celebration dinner alongside program founder and former governor, Jim Edgar.”  

Sen. Robert Peters (D-Chicago) tweeted, “Today I will take a moment of silence to honor the life of #LaquanMcDonald. I stand in solidarity with those who are fighting to improve our justice system. May we never forget that there is still much work to be done.” 

Illinois’ unemployment rate remained steady at 4.5 percent in September, according to the Department of Employment Security. Non-farm jobs increased by 14,500 during the month as well with the largest gains in the educational and health services area. The state’s unemployment rate continues to remain one percentage point higher than the national unemployment rate of 3.5 percent.  

Ald. Daniel La Spata (1) tweeted “Halloween Town is coming to Wicker Park this Saturday (10am-1:30pm) 🎃 Families are invited to come out for games, face painting, a costume contest, arts & crafts, and of course candy!”  

Ald. Matt Martin (47) tweeted “Last month, more than 100 neighbors came out to hear updates about our work on transportation and infrastructure. 🚲 Because this event was over capacity, we’re hosting a SECOND  Infrastructure Ward Night Out tonight. 📍 Martyrs (3855 N Lincoln Ave) 🔗http://bit.ly/transport47”  

Comm. Kevin Morrison (D-15) tweeted “I was proud to join @ToniPreckwinkle, @FPDCC, and the Chicago Area Mountain Bikers at the ribbon cutting for the new 13 mile mountain biking trail now open at the Paul Douglas Preserve right here in the 15th district. Read more about it here: https://t.co/uyWQMuBg9D”  

Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35) tweeted “Eugene Debs is an American hero, a working-class hero, and an example for American socialists and all who labor to create a better world” in response to a tweet commemorating the anniversary of his death.  

Ald. Debra Silverstein (50) tweeted “Police have released footage of a suspect in the homicide in our neighborhood on Monday evening. If you have any information, contact Area Three Detective Perricone #21169 at 312-744-8261. You can also submit an anonymous tip at http://CPDTIP.com.”  

Ald. Sophia King (4) tweeted “Did you notice the new trees on along 37th street between Lake Park Ave and Ellis Ave? They were planted on Tuesday. Trees are one small part of our goal to create safe and healthy communities in every corner of the ward.” 

The CTA unveiled its 2023 budget on Thursday. The transit agency’s proposed $1.8 billion operating budget does not include fare increases and aims to improve service and modernize its system, according to a news release. CTA’s full budget proposal can be found online. 

Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-Chicago) tweeted, “Our coalition of Northwest Side elected officials have released the following statement denouncing Gubernatorial Candidate @DarrenBaileyIL's racist remarks scapegoating immigrants for crime and violence.”  

Rep. Ann Williams (D-Chicago) tweeted, “Yesterday I met with leaders at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center to talk about behavioral health, national staffing shortages in the medical field and continued improvements to their hospital system. And a bonus - meeting therapy dogs in the lobby!”  

Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) tweeted, “Had a quick visit this morning with some awesome, dedicated men at the Springfield Firefighter’s Club! Thank you for your service!”  

Rep. Suzanne Ness (D-Crystal Lake) tweeted, “I had the opportunity to sit down with educators, community leaders, and advocates at Friendship House of Crystal Lake to learn more about the issues facing the Early Childhood education system + collaborate on potential steps Illinois can take to better support the work they do”  

Sen. Karina Villa (D-West Chicago) tweeted, “I take personal offense to the comments made by @DarrenBaileyIL in last night’s debate. Fear-mongering and lying to voters with his extremist views regarding immigrants shows he has no place in the Governorship.”  

Rep. Bob Morgan (D-Deerfield) tweeted, “Time to end DST and make it permanent!”  

Sen. Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) tweeted, “The City of North Chicago hosted a public safety open house where residents had the opportunity to learn about the efforts of the fire and police departments to prioritize safety, examine fire trucks and see responders handle various emergencies.”  

Rep. Tim Butler (R-Springfield) tweeted, “It has been a great run over the past decade with my friend @RodneyDavis and I'm proud to be part of Team Davis. He will be missed as a tremendous voice for Illinois on Capitol Hill, but I also know he and Shannon won't miss the grind!” 

Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s office announced the state reached a settlement agreement with Stepan Company in Elwood to pay $360,735 in response to environmental violations. Raoul’s complaint against the company argued it violated multiple air quality regulations. 

Ald. Brian Hopkins (2) tweeted “another winter covid wave is beginning, now is a good time to get your booster, and get a flu shot too @nytimes.”  

Ald. Andre Vasquez (40) tweeted “So in Chicago, a police officer who hangs out with, engaged online with, and shares the mindset of the Proud Boys - a known hate group - doesn’t get fired for lying about it, but some want to rebuild trust between police and communities of color?”  

Ald. Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez (33) tweeted “‘New York has poured $55 million into the city’s program; San Francisco’s SCRT has a $13 million annual budget funded by a city business tax. Chicago allocated $3.5 million to CARE in its 2022 budget’ That’s a no for me.” while posting a link to a Bloomberg article about Chicago’s Crisis Assistance Response and Engagement team.   

Ald. Sophia King (4) tweeted “Bullying is too common - and preventable. October is #NationalBullyingPreventionMonth - together, we can create a kinder society. Head to http://stopbullying.gov to learn how you can become an upstander by identifying bullying and standing up to it safely. @StopBullyingGov”  

Ald. Harry Osterman (48) tweeted “Join the Department of Water Management (@ChicagoWater) and Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (@MWRDGC) on Monday, October 24th at 6pm for a meeting about last month’s supercell storm and the way Chicago’s sewer system operates.” 

As of Wednesday evening, 3,087 Chicagoans had cast their ballots early for the Nov. 8 General Election. Additionally, the Chicago Board of Elections has received 20,120 Vote By Mail ballots for a total of 23,207 ballots cast so far for the Nov. 8 election.