Sen. Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) tweeted, “Thanks to an expansion of the Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults program, residents aged 42 and over are now eligible for Medicaid coverage regardless of immigration status. I am proud to have supported this step to create a more equitable health care system in Illinois.”  

Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) tweeted, “Chicago is the greatest city in the world. It’s time we start acting like it.”  

Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) tweeted, “Thank you to @PPSLR for inviting me to your Fairview Heights Health Center this week. You provide incredibly valuable health care for the people of the Metro East and surrounding areas.”  

Rep. Mark Walker (D-Arlington Heights) tweeted, “It was a great pleasure to officially welcome CloudHQ to Mt. Prospect at their ceremony yesterday. CloudHQ is investing $2.5 billion to build one of the largest data centers in the Midwest. This is yet another example of Illinois’ strong high-tech economy”  

Rep. Ann Williams (D-Chicago) tweeted, “Today, @POTUS announced a federal relief plan for student loan borrowers. For hard-working families in the 11th district, this could mean a step towards buying a home, starting a business or saving for the future.” 

Senate Minority Leader Dan McConchie’s (R-Hawthorn Woods) press secretary Nicole La Ha Zwiercan was named Mrs. American Saturday. She will next compete for the title of Mrs. World at a competition in Las Vegas in December. Zwiercan is a Homer Glen trustee and was named McConchie’s press secretary in July.  

Ald. Pat Dowell (3) tweeted “Congrats to the @ChicagoSkyPR. Looking forward to Round 2. #girlsareballerstoo”  

Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35) tweeted “.@AnthonyJQuezada may be our Democratic-nominee for 8th District Cook County Commissioner, but until he joins the County Board in December he's still hard at work as our @35th_Ward Neighborhood Services Director!”  

Ald. Harry Osterman (48) tweeted “Work with the CTA’s Red-Purple Modernization Project continues this weekend, with a closure of Foster from the CTA tracks to Winthrop for weeknight and weekend work starting on Friday, August 26th. Please see the CAN below for updated dates and times of the closure."  

Ald. Maria Hadden (49) tweeted “On Saturday, August 27, from noon - 8 p.m. Howard Street turns into a creative canvas at Chalk Howard Street, Chicago’s only major 3D chalk art festival. This FREE family-friendly event will highlight the street’s shops, restaurants and global cuisine in addition to live music!” 

The CTA on Wednesday launched a revamped bus tracker website meant to make it easier for riders to track bus arrival times and incorporate more modern design. The newly designed website will serve as a base for future upgrades CTA officials are planning via the “Meeting the Moment: Transforming CTA’s Post-Pandemic Future” Action Plan. Updates include a “responsive website design,” new mapping features and new ways to navigate the website, according to a CTA news release. 

Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) tweeted, “Heard an apologist today say: CTA has had problems with safety and frequency because of ridership struggles. I submit that CTA struggles with ridership because of problems with safety and frequency. Better is possible.”  

Rep. Tom Demmer (R-Dixon) tweeted, “IL deserves a fiscal watchdog who acts as a check on new taxes that would hurt IL families and retirees!”  

Rep. Jen Gong-Gershowitz (D-Glenview) tweeted, “This is historic. “Starting this school year, every public elementary school and high school in Illinois must include a unit of instruction on Asian American history.” We became the first in the nation to require this and others are following our lead!”  

Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) tweeted, “Chicago is a beautiful city and many people there live a privileged life. We will also fight for the areas that are not on the lake front or the loop who have been abandoned and don’t enjoy this privilege. Everyone deserves to feel safe in their community.”  

Rep. Chris Bos (R-Lake Zurich) tweeted, “One of the benefits of having my office in Lake Zurich, near the High School, is that my daughter can stop in to say hi on her break!”  

Rep. Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich) tweeted, “Dr. Ezike resigns before she is set to appear before the Senate. Dr. Fauci resigns before we take back the House. Where is the media and accountability? Nowhere……….” 

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency awarded three grants to wastewater treatment facilities as part of the Public Water Infrastructure Program. The funded projects will reduce the amount of energy used by the facilities. Danville received $260,000, New Baden received $33,467, and Vandalia received $26,773. 

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) tweeted “Aldermen are up for a 9.6% raise on top of the 5.5% they got last year! It’s time to hit the stop button on secret pay increases & force aldermen to vote on them as a stand-alone ordinance.”  

Ald. Harry Osterman (48) tweeted “This week, students will be moving into residence halls at Loyola. There will be some impacts to the streets adjacent to campus. For more information on the move-in schedule, please visit the Loyola website.”  

Ald. Maria Hadden (49) tweeted “Contact your Alderperson today and tell them to pass the Anjanette Young Ordinance!”  

Cook County Comm. Bridget Degnen (D-12) tweeted “Application deadline for the Property Tax Bridge Fund Program, offering local governments and taxing districts hundreds of millions in interest-free loans, is August 31st. Check out their website for more information: https://cookcountyil.gov/bridgefund”

The city’s Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection is hosting a Chicago Business Zoning Guide Overview webinar at 10 a.m. Thursday. The webinar will cover how to use the updated Chicago Business Zoning Guide, zoning usages and additional support. Those interested can register online. 

Rep. Jeff Keicher (R-Sycamore) tweeted, “33rd “emergency disaster declaration” was recently filed…for another 30 days. Where’s the emergency? This is BEYOND acceptable!!”  

Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) tweeted, “A belated happy birthday to the incomparable Sister Jean! And congratulations on having the CTA platform at your beloved Loyola named after you. A well-deserved honor.”  

Rep. Lamont Robinson (D-Chicago) tweeted, “Chicago Public Schools students return to class today. Best wishes to every student for a fun and educational new year”  

Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) tweeted, “Happy First Day of School to all of our young scholars. Today, I got a chance to welcome some young students and their teachers back to school. Here’s to a successful year!” 

The Department of Natural Resources will host three public meetings to take feedback from residents about the state’s proposed water plan, which identifies water issues facing the state and solutions to the problems. The meetings will be held Aug. 25 in Yorkville, Aug. 25 in Carterville, and Aug. 29 in Springfield. More information can be found online.  

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is suspending Household Hazardous Waste collections at sites throughout the state until further notice after the Ohio facility that disposes the waste had a fire forcing it to close until parts can be shipped from Germany to repair the facility. The facility will likely not reopen until mid-November and the state is searching for alternatives. The state EPA is advising residents to keep hazardous materials until collection resumes.  

Ald. Sophia King (4) tweeted “Happy first day back to school CPS! Wishing you your best school year yet.”  

Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35) tweeted “I'm with @UWFIllinois this afternoon hearing new  @CTULocal1 president @StacyDavisGates address @CityClubChicago on the first day of school for @ChiPubSchools students.”  

Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36) shared a Tribune article and tweeted “Chicago's cutting precincts just before November election. You can just vote by mail, it’s much easier and safe. You can request your ballot for the November election here https://chicagoelections.gov/en/vote-by-mail-application.html”  

Ald. Maria Hadden (49) tweeted “Wishing all CPS families, students, teachers, Principals and support staff a very happy first day back to school! We thank each of you for your dedication every single day. Our neighborhood schools are a treasure. Let's make this a great year!” 

The Chicago Board of Elections is looking for poll workers ahead of the Nov. 8 General Election. Those interested must be a U.S. Citizen, registered to vote in Cook County and able speak, read and write English. Election judges make up to $230 and election coordinators can make up to $450 for Election Day. Additional information on becoming an election judge or an election coordinator can be found online. 

Rep. Mark Walker (D-Arlington Heights) tweeted, “Chicago is viewed as a world class city by CEOs and government leaders around the world, a great tourist destination, and is regularly rated top as a potential destination for businesses. The only folks who regularly badmouth it seem to be a small portion of our own GOP.”  

House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Hillside) tweeted, “It was truly amazing to see so many of our House and Senate Democrats in one room at the IDCCA's County Chairs Brunch. From protecting reproductive rights to looking for smarter solutions to address gun violence, thank you for all you do to #UpLiftIL"  

Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) tweeted, “The three blind mice of crime, corruption and chaos: @JBPritzker, @LoriLightfoot, & @KimFoxx are delusional if they think they’re doing a good job. Crime is skyrocketing. People are being gunned down in broad daylight & on the CTA. Businesses and families are struggling. Enough.”  

Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) tweeted, “I served with Darren Bailey. I know Darren Bailey. In his time in Springfield, Darren Bailey has acted like Chicago doesn’t exist. Chicago should in turn, act like he doesn’t exist now. The opposite of love is not hate. The opposite of love is indifference.”  

Sen. Patrick Joyce (D-Reddick) tweeted, “Tuesday was Agriculture Day at the Illinois State Fair! I attended the Ag Day Breakfast and also held an Ag Round Table Talk about the 2023 Farm Bill in Illinois with Rep. Cheri Bustos. #agriculture #illinoisstatefair"  

Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago) tweeted a picture of the Chicago skyline: “Here's one of my favorite views of the Loop from a boat on the South Branch of the Hellhole River.” 

The American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois honored Gov. JB Pritzker with the Champion of Infrastructure Award on Friday. Pritzker received the award for leading the passage of the state’s Rebuild Illinois capital plan.   

The Department of Financial and Professional Regulation issued the last three Conditional Adult Use Dispensing Organization Licenses Friday to organizations selected by a statewide lottery in 2021. The state has now given out all 185 licenses. The businesses awarded licenses have 180 days to select a storefront to obtain the full license. Businesses can ask for an extension. 

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) tweeted “I have been talking about this for several months. Our officers are taken from our districts every day, leaving residents with no support when things happen. I have spoken out about this on numerous occasions. Those are my true colors because we can’t keep operating like this.”  

Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25) tweeted “Thank you to all the supporters and neighbors who rallied to re-elect Alderman Byron with us through the rain yesterday! ☔️ This was the start of a campaign to serve the residents of the 25th Ward. We cant wait to fight for a better city together with you!”  

Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35) tweeted “Thank you to my neighbors, organizing together as United @Neighbors35th, for supporting my re-election as 35th Ward alderman!  I could not / would not run for re-election without your support. Bringing people together, grassroots community organizing, is critical to our work.”  

Ald. Andre Vasquez (40) tweeted “In the presence of champions like @rweingarten - “How do you get people to show up if you don’t show up? The @CTULocal1 shows up!” Watching history as @stacydavisgates and  @jacksonpCTU are formally sworn in as President and VP of CTU.”  

Ald. Maria Hadden (49) tweeted “Glenwood Ave Arts Fest is one of the best events in the city, hands down. It’s a pleasure to serve the 49th Ward, and to get to do it with other wonderful public servants like @SenMikeSimmons and @RepKellyCassidy. The festival continues tonight and tomorrow - see you there” 

The Chicago Department of Public Health announced on Friday is partnering with the Harvard Government Performance Lab and the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute in developing the Crisis Assistance Response and Engagement program which sends mental health professionals to 911 calls for people who are experiencing mental health crises. The program during its first year responded to more than 295 calls which resulted in no uses of force or arrests. 

Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) tweeted, “Yesterday I had the opportunity to participate in the State Fair Sale of Champions. I was honored to support Chesney Thornton of Piatt County who had the Grand Champion Rabbit and who’s family is originally from my home area in Clay County. Congratulations to all the exhibitors!”  

Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) tweeted, “I voted in favor of the new rule that makes changes to the FOID card system’s review process in wake of the horrific shooting in Highland Park. However, the rule change begs the question, why wasn’t this gap in the process identified sooner & how many other so-called gaps exist?”  

Sen. Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) tweeted, “Had a terrific discussion and lunch with the League of Women Voters of Evanston yesterday alongside Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz and @SenatorFine. We updated the league on the legislative and budget accomplishments we made in the spring session.” 

The Joint Committee on Administrative Rules approved a rule change by the Illinois State Police in response to the Highland Park shooting. The rule change requires the State Police to keep reports of “clear and present danger” about a person even if they are not applying for a Firearm Owner Identification (FOID) or a current gun owner. The rule change comes after the State Police did not maintain records about Highland Park shooter Bobby Crimo. Crimo made several violent threats before he legally purchased his guns and Highland Park police submitted the report to the the State Police, however, it did not block Crimo’s FOID card application.

Ald. Daniel La Spata (1) tweeted “Noting that transit-TIFs function very differently from regular TIFs (notably CPS still gets its share of the property tax levy) it seems the definition of equity to extend the Red Line to 130th, something residents have been fighting for for FIFTY YEARS!”  

Ald. Susan Sadlowski Garza (10) tweeted “Work for Pace! Pace Bus hiring event at Olive Harvey College will be held August 23rd from 6-9PM"  

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) tweeted “When I am mayor, I will make rebuilding Chicago’s relationships with Springfield and the entire State of Illinois a priority! We will become partners in progress once again.”  

Ald. Matt Martin (47) tweeted “We're building 65 affordable homes right by the Western Brown Line Stop. When we organize, we win. Get this special edition sticker, and learn how you can join our movement at our kickoff this Thursday, August 18th"  

Ald. Harry Osterman (48) tweeted “The Andersonville Farmers Market is now offering unlimited Link/SNAP matching that you can use on the amazing fresh produce at the market! Stop by Catalpa between Clark and Ashland today from 3-7 to learn more about this 1-to-1 matching program!”  

Ald. Debra Silverstein (50) tweeted “The Starbucks at Touhy & Western is now officially open! The new store is the first in the former Bakers Square development to open to the public. Over the coming months, expect to see a new Buffalo Wild Wings GO, Athletico, and F45 Training gym at the location.” 

Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Wednesday announced Lori Ann Lypson will serve as the city’s Deputy Mayor of Infrastructure and Services. Lypson currently serves as Chief of Staff for the Public Building Commission of Chicago. Lightfoot also named Stephen Skardon as the city’s new Chief Risk Officer. Skardon served as policy director for Lightfoot’s mayoral campaign and has worked as the acting Chief Risk Officer.