• Ald. Daniel La Spata (1) tweeted that state Sen. Sara Feigenholtz’s (D-Chicago) “affordable housing bill is a solution for Chicago's housing crisis. This bill sets our city on a solid path to long term, affordable housing that will keep families in their homes.” 
• Ald. Sophia King (4) tweeted Thursday marked the “5th public meeting to discuss the quality of life concerns at O’Reilly's Auto Parts, located at 4719 S. Cottage Grove.” 
• Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25) tweeted “It is important to be factual and Mayor Lightfoot continues to avoid research based solutions that target the root causes of violence faced by Chicago residents.” 
• Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez (33) tweeted “Yesterday I had parent-teacher conference about Marcel’s progress. It’s been such a hard year for our little ones learning foundational skills. I have been so moved by the commitment of my child’s teachers and how far he has come even under these conditions. Thank you teachers” 
• Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36) tweeted “This pandemic has devastated small businesses throughout this country. Here in Chicago, the City Council took action passing the largest rewrite of our laws to assist those small businesses trying to survive. Help is on the way.” 
• Ald. Tom Tunney (44) wrote in his latest newsletter that a follow-up community meeting is anticipated in June on residential input on the preliminary design of North Lake Shore Drive in Lakeview. Tunney linked to a newsletter detailing resident feedback.

• Sen. Robert Peters (D-Chicago) is championing a new bill, SB654, which would “require elementary schools to guarantee daily time for supervised, unstructured, child-directed play for all students in kindergarten through eighth grade.” In a press release, Peters said “Physical activity is a crucial part of a child’s development, and since children spend most of their time at school, all schools should offer recess.”  

• Sen. Michael Simmons (D-Chicago) tweeted, “My name is Mike Simmons. And I’m a Black Man. All my life I’ve been a threat yet somehow I have survived. All I want is for our society to stop killing black men and women and gender non-binary folx so that we can survive in America. It’s so basic. Stop killing my people.” 

• Sen. Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) is introducing SB1905, which would create the Family and Fertility Disclosure in Health Insurance Act. The act would mandate that insurance companies make public in writing a list of services related to fertility treatments for which they will or will not reimburse patients. 

• Rep. Maurice West (D-Rockford) tweeted, “equal representation on our community college trustee boards is needed, not just racially - but geographically as well. That's why I'm happy to have passed HB3145 out of the House today.” The bill would change the election process for community college trustees by mandating that they be elected by trustee district instead of community college districts.  

• Rep. Maura Hirschauer (D-someplace) tweeted, “it is extremely meaningful to pass my 1st bills out of the House, HB1742 & HB1739, during Sexual Assault Awareness Month. I am proud to carry these bills & will continue to work with @ICASA_endrape to change the culture around sexual assault & hold perpetrators accountable.”

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources announced Wednesday that public museums throughout the state can begin applying for capital grants. Applications are due by July 16, with qualifying projects eligible for grants between $25,000 and $750,000.  

• Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) tweeted about the first in-person City Council meeting in more than a year, writing “Different side of the room but back in the chamber. That’s works for me” with a flexing emoji. 

• Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25) tweeted a photo of himself in City Council, writing “just out here waiting for the Mayor to call the Empowering Communities for Public Safety ordinance for a vote.”

• Ald. Walter Burnett (27) shared a raft of COVID-19 vaccination events and rent relief opportunities in his newsletter.   

• Ald. Rossana Rodriguez (33) tweeted, “Today @taylorfor20th and I introduced a Res. calling for all of aprox 1.9B in funds from the ARA plan to be allocated towards healing and recovery. 281M in CARES discretionary funding were given to CPD and $68 million was unspent at the end of 2020. We need to fund care.” 

• Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35) tweeted about actions supporting the Empowering Communities Public Safety Ordinance, writing “thank you @mrdannyglover for lending your voice to the people's ordinance for community control of police #ECPSNow.” 

• Ald. Andre Vasquez (40) tweeted, “So not only is legislation obstructed, so is speech apparently. Our city deserves more democracy and less impediments to police accountability and justice here in Chicago” following Mayor Lori Lightfoot's refusal to let Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25) speak about the Empowering Communities for Public Safety ordinance at City Council. 

• Ald. Harry Osterman (48) tweeted about the just-passed Affordable Requirements Ordinance: “This new framework will ensure that the ARO is a significant tool in the toolbox when it comes to increasing affordable units throughout the City.”  

• Ald. Maria Hadden (49) tweeted about the Affordable Requirements Ordinance: “As the lead sponsor on the Chicago Inclusive Housing Ordinance with @chi_housing, I know that the ARO reform being passed today is a big improvement from what we had. It's also not strong enough on some of our biggest unmet needs,” she wrote.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot named Lester Barclay as chair of the Chicago Transit Board, according to a Wednesday news release. Barclay is currently board chair of the Chicago Transit Authority Citizen Advisory Board and has served on various other city boards and civic organizations capacities. Lightfoot also named Ric Estrada to serve on Metra’s Board of Directors. Estrada is currently CEO of Metropolitan Family Services. Both nominations are subject to City Council approval. 

• Sen. Robert Peters (D-Chicago) tweeted, “George Floyd should still be with us. Today's verdict provides some justice to his family, but there's more organizing to do to win real safety and justice for all. AT the end of the day, public safety belongs to the people.”   

• Sen. Donald DeWitte (R-St. Charles) is backing SB2137, an amendment to the Nursing Home Care Act. The measure would mandate options for virtual visits at senior and long-term care facilities. In a press release, DeWitte said “this legislation is timely given the significant challenges these facilities and their patients have faced during the COVID-19 pandemic."  

• Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) tweeted, “George Floyd’s murder reignited the fight for justice across this country in the never-ending hope that someday justice might be found. This verdict will not undo the tragedy & suffering.” 

• Rep. Amy Grant (R-Wheaton) posted to Facebook about a visit to St. John the Baptist Catholic School in Winfield, writing “in the Governor’s budget proposal, this incredible program is in jeopardy.” 

• Sen. Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) tweeted about the forthcoming Restaurant Revitalization Fund: “Do you own a bar, restaurant or food service business? A new @SBA Restaurant Revitalization Fund is coming soon, providing funding to eligible businesses to cover pandemic-related losses.” 

• Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) tweeted about the nascent One Central project, writing “How many neighborhoods does Chicago have? 77 and a possible? I would love to see some robust investment in the neighborhoods that already exist before we take off creating new ones that there may not be a need for.” 

• Rep. Maurice West (D-Rockford) tweeted about legislation that would permit special license plates for tinted windows, writing, “a disabled Marine veteran reached out to my office asking for legislative help to allow him to have a special license plate for tinted windows because he, along with many of our vets, suffers from traumatic brain injury with light sensitivity. Now the bill goes on to the Senate!”

Illinois State Board of Elections executive director Steve Sandvoss will retire on June 30, officials announced Tuesday. Earlier this month, Sandvoss, who joined the agency in 1988, was placed on paid administrative leave after he reported he was the victim of an online extortion attempt. An internal board investigation determined none of the agency’s data or systems had been compromised, according to a statement issued Tuesday. Sandvoss’s forthcoming retirement was announced Tuesday during a meeting of the Illinois State Board of Elections. He did not virtually attend the meeting, with interim executive director Bernadette Matthews filling in as head of the agency until a permanent replacement is named. 

• Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25) retweeted the Illinois Cannabis Workers Union message “Keep the cannabis industry accountable to their promises and say NO to cannabis sweatshops” 

• Ald. Rossana Rodriguez (33) tweeted about recent youth deaths due to gun violence: “We mourn our babies whose lives are taken by brutal violence. Be it police violence of the violence that comes as a result of poverty, systemic racism and neglect. We are tired of seeing so many lives taken and families destroyed. It’s time for massive investment in communities.”

• Ald. Andre Vasquez (40) tweeted, “grateful to see a guilty verdict in the #ChauvinTrial. This is what accountability looks like. Chicago could use some of it.”  
   
• Ald. Matt Martin (47) tweeted, “we need to find ways to bring more affordable, family sized units online — particularly when it’s these sorts of units we’re losing to deconversions and tear downs” along with information about an updated Affordability Requirements Ordinance, which he voted to approve on Tuesday.  

• Ald. Maria Hadden (49) retweeted information about a Wednesday rally for community police oversight at the Thompson Center, writing “We can’t afford to wait any longer. Support the #UnityOrdinance.” 

• Comm. Kevin Morrison (D-15) tweeted, “I was honored to speak at Schaumburg Education Association’s Representative Assembly yesterday. It’s never been clearer that educators are essential workers. Teachers are essential. All school staff are essential.” 

• The Berwyn and Lawrence CTA Red Line stations will close for the next stage of the Red Purple Modernization Project starting May 16. In his weekly newsletter, Ald. Harry Osterman (48) told ward residents “our community has been bracing for this project for years” as “crews will begin working between Ardmore and Hollywood.” The CTA will host a series of Zoom meetings for community members divided by station to keep the public informed about the process.

• The Chicago Department of Public Health moved North Carolina, South Carolina, Oregon, Washington, Nevada and Puerto Rico to the more restrictive “orange tier” of the city’s Emergency Travel Order as COVID-19 cases in those states spike. Currently, 23 states are in the less restrictive “yellow tier,” meaning travelers from those states are not required to quarantine or take a pre-arrival COVID test when coming to Chicago. The more restrictive orange tier, which now includes 26 states, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., requires that people traveling to Chicago from those locations either be fully vaccinated, quarantine for 10 days or test negative for COVID-19 “no earlier than 72 hours before arrival in Chicago,” according to health department guidance . Additionally, people traveling to Chicago from an orange tier state can use airport testing upon arrival, but they must still quarantine until they receive a negative test result. 

• Andy Kang announced Tuesday in an email newsletter he will be leaving his role as the executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice Chicago at the end of June. Kang wrote that his wife "received an amazing career opportunity" on the East Coast and he will start a new job as the executive director of the Pennsylvania Immigration & Citizenship Coalition. Kang has worked with Asian Americans Advancing Justice Chicago for nearly a decade, he wrote, and he has "been privileged and blessed to learn from and advocate alongside some of the finest community organizers and grassroots leaders in the country." 

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas has promoted Manuel Venegas as her new press secretary, she announced Monday. Venegas joined the treasurer’s office in 2018 as its Hispanic outreach coordinator. He replaces Thomas Corfman, who left the spokesperson job “for a position in the private sector,” according to the announcement. 

The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office Community Justice Centers will host a webinar at 6 p.m. Wednesday on “’troubled buildings’ and what the public can do to assist them in helping to create safer neighborhoods,” according to the event invitation. Speakers are set to include Greg Sloyan, Chicago police lieutenant with the department’s Trouble Buildings Unit, Lindsay Evans, senior counsel for city’s Department of Law and William Townsell, civilian assistant director of community policing for the police department. Registration is available online. 

Ald. Roderick Sawyer (6) tweeted about an upcoming mobile COVID-19 testing operation in the 6th Ward.

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) tweeted, “Jaslyn Adams — may your sacrifice not be in vain!” about the 7-year-old girl who was shot and killed over the weekend.

Ald. Carlos Ramirez Rosa (35) tweeted in support of HB116, which would reverse Illinois’ statewide ban on rent control, writing that the legislation will “help us keep working families in their homes.” 

Ald. Andre Vasquez (40) retweeted a statement by the Chicago Teachers’ Union regarding the death of Jaslyn Adams, which read, “We are crushed. Jaslyn was one of our students. Please keep her, her family and the Cameron Elementary Community in your hearts.” 

Ald. Brendan Reilly (42) retweeted a lobbyists’ praise of his ordinance (O2020-5902) to compel city finance officials to publish monthly revenue reports. “Cheers to this basic bit of fiscal transparency passing committee and heading to full council,” the bar and restaurant lobbyist tweeted. 

Ald. Michele Smith (43) tweeted, “Not vaccinated? Want things back to normal? Do your part. Come to our clinic this Thursday.” 

Ald. Matt Martin (47) tweeted, “A National Infrastructure Bank would be invaluable in helping Chicago address the ongoing climate crisis by funding improvements in how it manages stormwater runoff, public transit, and its electric vehicle charging network.” R2021-337, which calls for a National Infrastructure Bank, passed Committee on Transportation and Public Way on Monday. 

Comm. Sean Morrison (R-17) tweeted a facepalm emoji about potential state legislation that would raise electric bills despite last year’s ComEd bribery scandal.

Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday announced 125 members of the Illinois National Guard will be sent to Chicago in anticipation of a verdict in the murder trial of former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin. The activation of the guardsmen, who will support the Chicago Police Department, came at the request of Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot. The governor’s office said in a news release the National Guard will carry out a “limited mission,” including helping to manage street closures, and “will not interfere with peaceful protesters exercising their First Amendment rights.” Pritzker also directed the Illinois State Police to support the Chicago Police Department.

Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday named Gary Johnson as chair of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Board. Johnson’s appointment is effective immediately and does not require approval by the state Senate.  

Sen. Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park) tweeted an image after he met with representatives from the Ray Graham Association, which he said provides essential services for the disability community in his district.  

Sen. Adriane Johnson (D-Riverwoods) tweeted a reminder of an upcoming Eart Day cleanup effort in her district.  

Rep. LaToya Greenwood (D-East St. Louis) tweeted an image from Monday’s redistricting hearing, which was held in her district.  

Rep. Tim Butler (R-Springfield) tweeted about low attendance at a joint redistricting meeting in East Saint Louis. 

Rep. Ann Williams (D-Chicago) tweeted “in the wake of the sweeping ComEd bribery scandal, we must ensure that the strong utility accountability and ethics provisions contained in the Clean Energy Jobs Act are included in any clean energy legislative package considered by the General Assembly.” 

Rep. Avery Bourne (R-Morrisonville) touted a “groundbreaking zero-emission “Broadwing” facility,” which “has the potential to displace more than 1 million tons of CO2 per year released from existing generators” in her email newsletter.  

Rep. Jeff Keicher (R-Sycamore) posted to Facebook about HB316, which he is co-sponsoring. If passed, the measure would cut sales taxes on firearm equipment like gun safes and locks.  

Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) tweeted, “my hope for Chicago in this season of pain is that we don’t allow distractions to lead to further destruction.” 

Ald. Pat Dowell (3) shared photos of a vaccination event she hosted alongside U.S. Rep. Danny Davis (D-Ill.) at XS Tennis. 

Ald. Sophia King (4) wrote in a tweet thread that “a story can be all innuendo, not researched or verified and still be a story.” 

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) tweeted out a resolution he filed earlier this year expressing “no-confidence” in Chicago Police Supt. David Brown. 

Ald. Matt O’Shea (19) tweeted that a post suggesting he had confirmed Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s resignation was “Not true. Lies often spread faster than facts on social media.” 

Ald. Silvana Tabares (23) wrote in her latest newsletter that she “teamed up with 8th Dist Cmdr. Melean, Lt. Poppish, Sgt. Malloy and Officer McGann to canvass small businesses in West Lawn to talk public safety updates & strategies.” 

Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25) tweeted at Lightfoot: “I called you re: concerning incidents of police misconduct Friday night. Still waiting for a call back. I love this city too and we need to make sure it works better for our vulnerable city residents most burdened by an unaccountable police department.” 

Ald. James Cappleman (46) shared Lightfoot’s statement denying rumors on Sunday morning, adding: “A person's cause gets lost when they find the need to lie and slander a person's character in the process.”  

Ald. Brendan Reilly (42) wrote in his latest newsletter that he has asked city police and business affairs officials to “conduct task force investigations” of the Eurostar Hotel “because of the deleterious impact the business has had on the River North community.” 

Ald. Matt Martin (47) wrote in his latest newsletter: “Immediately, we must create a civilian oversight board for our police department and ban dangerous foot pursuits—both of which are reforms that should have been implemented years ago.”

House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Hillside) tweeted images after he and several House members climbed stairs at Solider Field to raise money to fight lung disease.   

Rep. Bob Morgan (D-Deerfield) tweeted “My legs might be a bit wobbly after all those stairs, but it was an honor to join my House colleagues this morning to raise money and awareness for @RespHealth!” 

Rep. Barbara Hernandez (D-Aurora) tweeted a reminder that COVID-19 vaccine appointments have expanded in her district and are available. 

Hernandez also tweeted an image of her getting her first dose of the vaccine.   

Rep. Maurice West (D-Rockford) tweeted images from an event in his district to announce the distribution of tablets and Chromebooks to students.  

Gov. JB Pritzker on Friday appointed Sekile M. Nzinga to serve as the administration's chief diversity officer. The governor also appointed Jason Rosenweig to the Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes and Michael Sutton to the Amusement Ride and Attraction Safety Board. Sutton and Rosenweig’s appointments must be confirmed by the state Senate.

All Chicago residents 18 and older are eligible starting Monday to receive COVID-19 vaccines through any of the city’s nine mass vaccination sites, which now include Loretto Hospital. Adult Chicagoans who have not been vaccinated are encouraged to sign up through Zocdoc for an appointment at Gallagher Way, Apostolic Faith Church, Chicago State University, Kennedy-King College, Malcolm X College, Richard J. Daley College, the United Center, Wilbur Wright College or Loretto. The city received 70,000 first-dose vaccines last week, of which 90 percent have already been administered, according to a Sunday announcement from the Chicago Department of Public Health. 

• Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) tweeted “Is [Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s] Budget team saying they want to use nearly $1B in fed $$$ to pay down debt, loss of revenue over helping our residents, businesses & communities?” 

• Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez (33) tweeted in support of La Casa Norte Union and wrote, “Those who carry the brunt of the pain and trauma of this city and care for the most vulnerable, must have what they need to remain whole and healthy. A Union allows workers to make collective demands for fair pay, benefits, democracy & more.” 

• Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35) tweeted “Our Workforce Committee approved an ordinance ensuring every Chicago worker has 4 hours of time off to get their COVID vaccine. I supported this ordinance because it's the bare minimum for public health and for workers’ rights.” 

• Ald. James Cappleman (46) tweeted a five-minute video of himself talking about “the different types of affordable housing that exists in the City of Chicago” and wrote, “we must work on all 3 different types to help forge workable solutions.” 

• Ald. Matt Martin (47) tweeted that Legal Aid Chicago is accepting cases on school discipline. “If you know a student being pushed out of school through expulsion, frequent suspensions, transfer to an ‘alternative school,’ or getting kicked out of class, they can contact Legal Aid at (312) 341-1070,” Martin wrote. 

• Ald. Maria Hadden (49) tweeted “The videos and recordings that captured the fatal police involved shooting of #AdamToledo will be made available via COPA's website tomorrow. My sincerest condolences go out to Adam's family and community - I'm so sorry for your tragic loss.”

• The Neighborhood Building Owners Alliance will host a webinar at noon Tuesday titled “The Case Against Rent Control – A National Perspective” featuring Roger Valdez, director of the group Seattle for Growth. Online registration is required. 

Ald. Brian Hopkins (2) included a recap in his latest newsletter of one-day vaccination clinic his office hosted alongside Jewel-Osco on Saturday, when 1,000 doses of Johnson & Johnson vaccine were administered. 

Ald. Sophia King (4) tweeted “Ramadan Mubarak, 4th ward! May this month be a prosperous one” 

Ald.Matt O’Shea(19) wrote in his latest newsletter that his office is hosting a “second-dose COVID-19 Pfizer Vaccine Clinic” at Mount Greenwood Park all day Tuesday. The event is open to residents who received their first doses through a similar ward-run clinic on March 23. 

Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25) tweeted “Our communities demand #TreatmentNotTrauma, communities demand that the $2 billion of dollars from Federal funds are invested to reopen our public mental health clinics so our constituents have access to life saving services. We need public first responses” 

Ald. Andre Vasquez (40) tweeted “Extremely disappointed with the lack of progress and action on Police Accountability. If [Mayor Lori Lightfoot] has an ordinance, she should introduce it. If she doesn’t then all she is doing is obstructing progress, after committing to pass something in the first 100 days in office.” 

Ald. Harry Osterman (48) in a tweet thread wrote, “While we continue to grieve George Floyd's murder during Derek Chauvin's trial & await footage of the shooting of 13 y.o. Adam Toledo by Chicago Police, Daunte's death & the pepper spraying of an Army Lieut by VA Police further point to the need for police accountability & reform” and that he is “committed to passing the Empowering Communities for Public Safety ordinance, a joint ordinance developed by leaders from the GAPA and CPAC coalitions.” 

Ald. Debra Silverstein (50) tweeted a video of herself during a Monday committee meeting speaking about a resolution she introduced condemning U.S. Rep. Mary Miller’s (R-Illinois) “inflammatory and hateful comments regarding Adolf Hitler" and wrote “I personally lost relatives in the Holocaust, and I represent a Ward that suffered greatly from the Nazi atrocities. I can say with certainty that nothing Hitler did was right, no matter what Rep. Miller says. The resolution passed the committee unanimously.”