Gov. JB Pritzker announced the appointment of Ann McCabe to the Illinois Commerce Commission, Carrie Ward to the Illinois Forensic Science Commission, Mark Donovan to the State Employees’ Retirement System Board of Trustees and Steven Block to the Torture Inqury and Relief Commission. He also appointed Dana Considine as Public Administrator and Public Guardian of the counties of Lee and Carroll and William H.T. Lee as Public Administrator and Public Guardian of Whiteside County. All appointments must be confirmed by the Senate.  

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced it will host a virtual public hearing through Jan. 21 as part of an ongoing study assessing the state’s rail system to help identify potential improvements and solutions. The event “will provide an update on input collected throughout the year on current conditions, capacity concerns and safety challenges,” according to the announcement. The event will be hosted online. 

Ald. Daniel La Spata (1) tweeted “My office received our allocation of KN95 masks this morning! 1st Ward residents are welcome to stop by the office (1958 N Milwaukee) to pick up a box.” 

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) tweeted “Any adults left want to take a crack at negotiating to get our kids back in school?”  

Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez (33) tweeted “As a parent of a CPS child, I would be outraged if a school system was not doing everything it could to ensure safety in every school. And as an elected leader I want to have the best possible data in terms of positive cases. An opt out system will help do that.”  

Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35) tweeted “CDPH slide at today's Health Committee meeting: ‘Most children who are hospitalized with COVID-19 are unvaccinated.’ Yet, Chicago Public Schools continues to oppose opt-out vaccination, which would facilitate a safe return to in-person learning.” 

Ald. Matt Martin (47) shared a Block Club story about Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s appointment of Adam Gross as the executive director of the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability and tweeted “I am heartened to see Adam nominated to lead our new police civilian oversight commission. I look forward to working with him to place Chicagoans' voices at the center of future public safety policymaking and oversight.”

The Chicago Department of Human Resources announced on Wednesday that 97.78% of all City employees have confirmed their vaccination status, 84.76% of the City employees who reported their vaccination status have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Sen. Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) sent a news release on Friday touting the Jan. 1 effective date of the “FOID fix” bill he sponsored, which he said “will address a years-long backlog of FOID card applications across Illinois while closing loopholes that allow firearms to fall into dangerous hands.” 

Rep. Tom Bennett (R-Gibson City) wrote in his latest newsletter that “One of the biggest problems with last year’s [SAFE-T Act] was that it prohibited police from holding persons arrested and charged with serious violent offenses before trial. This week’s legislation did nothing to change that glaring error. Instead it focused primarily on allowing detained individuals to make multiple unmonitored phone calls after arrest."  

Rep. LaShawn Ford (D-Chicago) tweeted, “As a politician and believer- Justice and Peace can sum up my agenda.”  

Speaker Chris Welch (D-Hillside) tweeted, “Today is National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, and I want to thank all those who work or have worked to serve and protect our communities. Special thanks to my law enforcement friends in the 7th District and at the @ILStatePolice. Working with all of you has been an honor.”  

Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) tweeted, “Here's the Truth and the Facts: 1- Children learn best and teachers teach best when they are physically present in the same space. 2-We are in the throes of a global pandemic that has killed 5.5m people. 3-Children need to maintain some kind of instructional cadence.” 

The Illinois Supreme Court last week announced the adoption of a policy that “will require every state courthouse in Illinois to adopt individual orders or rules regarding the use of portable electronic devices in their courthouse buildings and in their courtrooms.” The full announcement is online. 

Ald. George Cardenas (12) shared a Washington Post column arguing to keep students in school and tweeted, “My parents are at wits end, seriously. They have to work sometimes two jobs and can’t or not able to homeschool. The harm to kids is very real.”  

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) tweeted, “350,000 tests sounds like a lot but @ChiPubSchools would need all of them to test every student when they return back to the classroom. Where are the follow-up tests after that? What about the employees in the building?” 

Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez (33) wrote in her latest newsletter, “Large school districts including Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles are taking steps to test all students before they return to classes and to implement ongoing screening. Alongside my City Council colleagues, I will continue to push the school district to implement a comprehensive, district-wide testing and vaccination plan so that we can safely reopen our schools as soon as possible.” 

Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35) tweeted, “.@CTULocal1's fight for a safe return to in-person learning has wide-ranging implications. Mayor Lightfoot knows which side she's on - she's on the side of the rich and powerful capitalists. 

Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36) tweeted, “Thank you to those brave men and women that keep our communities safe. We support and appreciate you! #NationalLawEnforcementAppreciationDay” 

Ald. James Cappleman (46) tweeted “key takeaways for CDC's latest guidelines (updated Jan. 6, 2022) for COVID-19 prevention in K-12 schools.”

The Chicago Department of Planning and Development announced the opening of Chicago “to support local commercial, mixed-use, and light manufacturing development.” Recovery Grant applications Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. The first-round application deadline is Jan. 31, followed by a second-round application deadline of March 10. 

Jonathan Ellis, a former Assistant to the U.S. Solicitor General who has argued nine cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, joins McGuireWoods as partner, according to a LinkedIn announcement. 

Sen. Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) wrote in a statement that she is “absolutely devastated by the loss of [Department of Children and Family Services specialist] Diedre [Silas], an incredible person dedicated to protecting our children...“Sadly, this isn’t the first DCFS child protection worker who was attacked and murdered on the job. That’s why I will be introducing legislation that will protect employees from these kind of dangers.”

Rep. Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield) wrote in his latest newsletter, “In 2022, I will continue working on issues like addressing our pension crisis, implementing property tax relief, and creating the conditions for growth in Illinois. In 2021, we saw extreme policy in the General Assembly with no checks and balances on these bills.”  

Rep. Bob Morgan (D-Deerfield) announced that he will host a virtual conversation with U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Ill.) at 4 p.m. on Jan. 23 to discuss “Illinois, D.C. and abroad.” Online registration is required. 

Rep. Will Guzzardi (D-Chicago) tweeted, "Vaccination. Surgical / N95 masks. Regular testing. That's what works. With the levels of spread we're currently seeing — and the risks omicron may pose to kids — we can't go back to in-person learning until those things are available in all our schools."

Rep. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) tweeted, "With the New Year, comes new changes to the state’s FOID and CCL. Check out the new updates below."

Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) tweeted, "We have a responsibility to protect our democracy in dollar and in deed. If there are entities who helped fund this siege who are doing business with any level of gov’t, that must end. HB1790 does it at the State level."

Two new COVID-19 oral antiviral treatments from Merck and Pfizer “will be available in Illinois later this month,” the Illinois Department of Public Health announced Thursday. “The antivirals are for those with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 who are at high risk for becoming severely ill, including hospitalization or death.  Both antivirals will be available by prescription only and should be taken as soon as possible after being diagnosed and within five days of the beginning of symptoms,” according to the announcement.

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) tweeted “It’s been four days since the snow stopped. Frigid temps have turned the compacted snow to ice. That is dangerous to residents. We issued 30+ tickets today and will continue tomorrow. Businesses must do better!” 

Ald. Matt O’Shea (19) tweeted “CPD - Area 2 Detectives issued a Community Alert regarding Vehicular Hijackings on the south side, including an Attempt Vehicular Hijacking in the Mt Greenwood community.” 

Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35) tweeted “What's driving the conflict at CPS? (1) Teachers want safe working conditions and safe learning conditions for the families they serve. (2) The mayor's recalcitrance and CPS' incompetence (the place is a revolving door). It's that simple.”  

Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36) tweeted “I will always fight for democracy. I took an oath 34 years ago as a @USMC to defend this country against all enemies foreign and domestic. That oath has no expiration date!” 

Ald. Tom Tunney (44) tweeted “As in years past, my staff and I will be picking up Christmas trees for recycling until January 9th. You can sign up for tree pickup by by clicking here. Please have trees available for pickup, either next to your alley garbage cart or curbside if you have curbside pickup,  with all ornaments, tinsel, lights, etc. removed." 

Ald. Maria Hadden (49) tweeted “Join Alderwoman Hadden and the 49th Ward for the next monthly virtual town hall next Wednesday January 15 at 6 PM. Trilogy Behavioral Health will join to discuss a mental health crisis response program they are launching in the Rogers Park neighborhood.”

The Chicago Department of Public Health and Illinois Department of Public Health are both adopting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendation for those aged 12-15 years to get a booster dose five months after receiving the second dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, department leaders announced Thursday.

Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) wrote in a statement, “Last January, I joined my colleagues in supporting needed reform to ensure our police are funded, equipped and trained to properly respond to and prevent violence without discriminating against communities. We understood then, as we do now, that public safety is a multifaceted issue that requires robust, comprehensive action between state and local officials informed by community input and direction.” 

Sen. Jill Tracy (R-Quincy) announced that she will host a virtual news conference at 10 a.m. Thursday to “provide an update on delays in the process to appoint a new Legislative Inspector General.” 

Rep. Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago) tweeted, “Ok. Update time. It’s 7:51pm on the only session day for the foreseeable future. We’ve passed remote voting renewal, updated the election bill to allow petitioning to begin, passed HB3215…waiting for Senate to finish the judicial maps (I think) which will require more waiting.”  

Senate Republican Leader Dan McConchie (R-Lake Zurich) retweeted a quote from himself saying, “For the love of God haven't you had enough redistricting. I think we all have. We are at about the one year mark given the delay in the census and everything else that has transpired. We'd like to wrap up this process." 

Sen. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) tweeted, “The legislature will work with DCFS to keep our dedicated workers safe so no other lives are lost while trying to protect youth.” 

Sen. Robert Peters (D-Chicago) tweeted about a new bill he filed and wrote, “Public money deserves public scrutiny! Taxpayers deserve basic transparency from their economic development agencies.” 

Gov. JB Pritzker on Wednesday announced that he has appointed Chakena Perry to serve as a commissioner on the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago to fill the vacancy left by former Comm. Debra Shore when she was tapped as a regional administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Cook County voters will elect a commissioner this year to serve a two-year term to finish out Shore’s six-year term expiring in 2024. 

Ald. Brian Hopkins (2) tweeted “parents are anxious about students returning to school, so today the Director of our Public Health Dept reminded us that we don’t close schools during flu outbreaks, and Covid is just like the flu in kids. I wanted to get a second opinion on that: better sit down to read it.”  

Ald. Susan Sadlowski Garza (10) tweeted “The 10th Ward Office is closed due to a COVID-19 outbreak, but our staff is working remotely. If you need assistance from the 10th Ward Office, please call 773-768-8138, 773-768-8174, or 773-768-8175.”  

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) tweeted “If CPS classes are cancelled, the camera tickets should be too. That is why I am asking the Dept of Finance not to enforce safety zone restrictions while classes as cancelled.” 

Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35) tweeted “My office has only heard from parents in support of remote learning during this surge. In my ward, working class moms in Hermosa have been most vocal on this issue. They've seen their friends, family & coworkers die of COVID. They know the risks. They're choosing safety & life.” 

Ald. Tom Tunney (44) tweeted “It is unacceptable that @ChiPubSchools is not open for safe, in person learning! @DrArwady assures us that the schools are safe, but we must do more testing and vaxxing to ease parent & teacher concerns. CPS and CTU must work together to get our children back to school” 

Ald. Matt Martin (47) tweeted that his “ward night is back (virtually)! You can sign up for a 10 minute meeting with the Alderman on Monday at http://aldermanmartin.com/ward-night”

The Chicago Department of Public Health has added Montana and Guam to the city’s COVID-19 Travel Advisory, putting restrictions on vaccinated travelers from across the entire United States for the first time since early last year. The addition means that all unvaccinated travelers to Chicago are asked to self-quarantine for seven days or secure a test upon arrival. 

Rep. Camille Lilly (D-Chicago) tweeted, “Thanks to a new state law, individuals in Illinois will have more access and availability to birth control. Now, people can receive birth control over the counter from pharmacists instead of having to schedule an extra visit to their primary care doctor.”

Rep. Joe Sosnowski (R-Rockford) tweeted, “The 2022 spring legislative session begins Wednesday in Springfield. The new year brings with it an opportunity to address the biggest issues facing our state and make Illinois a place for families to grow and thrive.”

Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) tweeted, “It’s ok to pivot. Mindful consideration and analysis and then subsequent course correction should always be a part of the process. When it’s time to shift, it’s time to shift. It’s cool to be right, but it more important to get it right. #CPS”

Rep. Ann Williams (D-Chicago) tweeted, “Please join me on Mon, Jan 10 at 5:30 for 'Straight Talk on Electronic Monitoring.' Along with [Sen. Sara Feigenholtz], Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart & other local elected officials, our virtual meeting will focus on how we can keep our community safe in the wake of violent crime.”

Rep. Barbara Hernandez (D-Aurora) tweeted, "Are you a student at East or West Aurora High School that is interested in politics? Rep Barbara Hernandez and Talented Tenth Social Services have partnered to create a Jr State Rep Program!"

The Illinois Department of Public Health announced Tuesday that it is adopting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendation to shorten the interval from 6 months to 5 months for when people who have received the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine can get a booster dose.  The booster interval remains the same for those who received the Moderna vaccine (6 months) or the Johnson & Johnson vaccine for their primary series, state health officials said. 

Ald. Daniel La Spata (1) tweeted “The data is clear: vaccines greatly reduce hospitalizations and death from COVID-19. Do your part to keep your community safe & prevent hospital overcrowding by getting vaccinated & encouraging your loved ones to do the same.” 

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) tweeted “W/ many weighing in about CTU vs CPS, and our children caught in the middle, I have a different question: What happened to the $925M got at the start of the pandemic & the $1.8B it was given at the beginning of the 21-22 school year?  That’s a lot of $$$ w/ little to show for it.” 

Ald. Matt O’Shea (19) in his latest newsletter put out a call for donations of gift cards from local businesses “for the family of Bradley Police Officer Tyler Bailey, who will be temporarily staying in the 19th Ward community while he receives medical care at Advocate Christ Medical Center. On Wednesday, December 29th, Sgt. Marlene Rittmanic was killed in the line of duty, and her partner, Officer Tyler Bailey was critically wounded in a shooting in Kankakee County.” Gift cards can be dropped off through Jan. 14 at the 19th Ward office at 10400 S. Western Ave. or 3207 W. 111th St. 

Ald. Debra Silverstein (50) tweeted “You can drop off items to be donated to Afghan refugees at the 50th Ward Office, 2949 W Devon. Please see hours and a list of needed items below. Donations will go to @MWRCofILL to benefit hundreds of refugees in need.”  

Cook County Comm. Scott Britton (D-14) tweeted “I encourage everyone to: Get vaccinated (and boosted), Wear a mask in public spaces, Social distance whenever possible” 

Jim Thompson has stepped down as secretary of the Cook County Board of Review to enter county board President Toni Preckwinkle’s administration as its new Director of Property Assessment and Tax Policy, officials announced this week.