Rep. Marcus Evans (D-Chicago) tweeted “Today @governors_state EPIC Cancer Health Fair, shared my cancer story. In 2006 I was diagnosed with cancer. Thanks Tonya Roberson Dir. of Community Engagement, President Green, Provost Schelle and Dean Balthazar for caring about lowering cancer disparities.”
Sen. Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) tweeted “Last week, I toured Sola Gratia Farm in Urbana. This is a community-based farm dedicated to producing locally-grown, high-quality, natural produce. Thanks for having me and discussing some current issues that the farm is working on!”
Rep. Martin McLaughlin (R-Barrington Hills) tweeted “We need common sense, private-sector experience in Springfield! Help us to re-elect Martin McLaughlin to represent the 52nd District!”
Sen. Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) tweeted “Honored to have been a part of the 2022 #EriksonExecutiveFellows. As we prepare to return to Springfield, we will be ready to work on furthering our state's robust early childhood education agenda to ensure that all our youth have the support network they need for success.”
Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) tweeted “The lies many have told about the end of cash bail in IL reminds me of the lies spread about the ACA. I was a U.S. Senate staffer in 2009 when during August recess the nonsense about “death panels” deciding if Granny dies started to spread. All good change faces opposition.”
House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Hillside) tweeted, “Enjoyed kicking off the #RenewingIllinois summit hosted by the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute Southern Illinois University Carbondale. I also had a chance to sit and chat with the students from the University of Illinois Springfield PAR program while on campus.”
Rep. Tim Butler (R-Springfield) tweeted, “For all the Statehouse folks who may not have been in Springfield since the end of session, here is your Capitol North Wing renovation update as of this afternoon. Bye bye Circle Drive. #RebuildIllinois at work.”
Rep. Bob Morgan (D-Deerfield) tweeted, “The IL Jewish Legislative Caucus wishes you L’Shana Tovah from the @WhiteHouse with @POTUS @VP @SecondGentleman.”
Rep. Martin McLaughlin (R-Barrington Hills) tweeted, “This week I cosponsored 4 bills calling for the repeal of Safe-T Act & restoration of monetary bail. States Attys in 100 of 102 IL counties oppose this law. It's the “Criminals Priority Act” b/c it puts the public’s safety at greater risk. Support lawmakers who protect families.”
District Dispatches October 04, 2022
Gov. JB Pritzker announced 11 appointments to various boards and commissions on Monday including appointing Douglas Matzner, Ratna Kanumury and Mohammed Jameel to serve as members of the Illinois State Medical Board. All appointments require confirmation by the Illinois Senate.
Springfield Announcements October 04, 2022
Ald. Daniel La Spata (1) tweeted “.@BringChiHome we see you and hear you this morning! Great action! We will find a way to win for and with you and our unhoused neighbors!”
Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) tweeted “I’m sure it just coincidence the mayor is sticking around the chamber as aldermen leave. Her presence on the floor keeps media from walking in the floor asking questions.”
Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez (33) in a thread tweeted “It’s Mental Health Awareness week and I thought I would tell y’all about the North River Mental Health Center. This is one of the 5 public MHCs that remain open after the two previous Mayors closed 14 of the 19 we had. Our public clinics provide much needed free mental health care to any Chicago resident regardless of immigration status.”
Ald. Brendan Reilly (42) tweeted “Mayor’s Budget Address: Mayor just announced street outreach violence prevention was funded at $1 million when she took office and is now “15 times that” at $52 million. If that’s the math being used in this budget, it’s gonna be a really long month.”
Ald. Harry Osterman (48) tweeted “On Friday, I joined the community at Hayt School -- including students, parents, teachers, and administrators -- for a ribbon cutting at their new soccer turf field. The joy of these students makes the work to make this a reality all worth it.”
Ald. Maria Hadden (49) tweeted "I’m proud to be a lead sponsor of #BringChicagoHome in efforts to move solutions forward for our unhoused community members.”
Ward Reports October 04, 2022
The Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce and the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition is hosting its first ever reception for the Illinois Clean Energy Champion Awards Oct. 25. The program aims to “celebrate job creation by private companies, nonprofit organizations, and government units from across Illinois that have seized the chance to make our state a leader in the clean energy future,” according to a news release from the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. Nominations are due by Oct. 5, and registration to attend the event is available online.
Chicago Announcements October 04, 2022
Rep. Adam Niemerg (R-Dietrich) tweeted, “-Booming Inflation -Soaring Gas Prices -High Unemployment -Rampant Crime -Open Boarders -Record Budgets -Schools Closed -Kids Masked -Economy in Shambles -Men in Girls Bathrooms & Sports. Delusions of Grandeur!”
House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Hillside) tweeted, “Enjoyed kicking off the #RenewingIllinois summit hosted by the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute Southern Illinois University Carbondale. I also had a chance to sit and chat with the students from the University of Illinois Springfield PAR program while on campus.”
Rep. Tim Butler (R-Springfield) tweeted, “For all the Statehouse folks who may not have been in Springfield since the end of session, here is your Capitol North Wing renovation update as of this afternoon. Bye bye Circle Drive. #RebuildIllinois at work.”
Rep. Bob Morgan (D-Deerfield) tweeted, “The IL Jewish Legislative Caucus wishes you L’Shana Tovah from the @WhiteHouse with @POTUS @VP @SecondGentleman.”
Rep. Martin McLaughlin (R-Barrington Hills) tweeted, “This week I cosponsored 4 bills calling for the repeal of Safe-T Act & restoration of monetary bail. States Attys in 100 of 102 IL counties oppose this law. It's the “Criminals Priority Act” b/c it puts the public’s safety at greater risk. Support lawmakers who protect families.”
District Dispatches October 03, 2022
The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 493,000 Illinois residents have received the latest COVID-19 booster shot that was approved in early September. Over 130,000 received the shot in the last week. Daily vaccination numbers continue to be at the highest levels since February. No Illinois counties were considered high risk for COVID-19 as of Friday for the first time since May.
Springfield Announcements October 03, 2022
Ald. Pat Dowell (3) tweeted “Easy like Sunday morning!! At the 3rd Annual Bronzeville 5K Run/Walk. Family friendly and community building event in full effect. With State Rep. Lamont Robinson and Park District Manager Maceo Johnson.”
Ald. Matt O’Shea (19) tweeted “On Sunday, October 2nd, the 19th Ward will host a community blood drive at St. Christina School, 8:00am-12:30pm. Please consider making a lifesaving blood donation.”
Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez (33) tweeted “I was on @bennyjshow talking about my race, City Council business and Chicago politics. Thank you for having me Ben!” Rodriguez-Sanchez shared a link to the show.
Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35) tweeted “Nothing epitomizes Avondale more than the drawing of La Virgen de Guadalupe caressing Pope John Paul II that hangs behind the cash register at Mazamitla. It's pretty awesome.”
Ald. Andre Vasquez (40) tweeted “Chicago’s first ECPS Commission convened for their very first meeting last night. This is the most progressive civilian oversight board in the Nation. So many groups organized on the ground to make this a reality. Truly historic and powerful.”
Ald. James Cappleman (46) tweeted “Safer communities involve the work of CPD, the Cook County State's Attorney's Office, the 46th Ward Office, and MOST IMPORTANTLY.... the community. Our work together is the solution to making our community safer and better.”
Ald. Maria Hadden (49) tweeted “We’ve had five very strong petition weeks, and this mornings successful petitioning was no different. We couldn’t have gotten through the last five weeks without all of our volunteers. We are so lucky and very grateful!”
Ward Reports October 03, 2022
Chicago’s Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection at 3 p.m. Wednesday will host a webinar to detail how to “operate a compliant business in the City of Chicago,” according to the department’s website. Webinar topics are set to include inspection preparations, building permits and sign display requirements, zoning review procedures and a food inspection overview. Additional information and registration is available online.
Chicago Announcements October 03, 2022
Rep. Edgar Gonzalez (D-Chicago) tweeted, “I would have never known I shouldn't identify as "Latinx" had the authority on Latin@/e/x self-expression not made this tweet. Thank you @DarrenBaileyIL!”
Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) tweeted, “We can start respecting immigrants from Mexico when we have real leaders who don’t diminish their culture with made up words like “Latinx”. We must make Chicago and all of Illinois safer and more affordable. It’s time to get our economy growing again and create jobs.”
Rep. Bob Morgan (D-Deerfield) tweeted, “Did you catch that Forty-two separate projects across the district, with costs ranging from $12,000 up to $22.3 million, will be completed from now until 2028?”
Sen. Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) tweeted, “I’ve been ghosted by buses and trains 5 or 6 times in the last couple weeks commuting to meetings, but just now a bus showed up and it was a fantastic commute. I was sure to thank my driver on the #81 Lawrence.”
District Dispatches September 30, 2022
Gov. JB Pritzker appointed Nora Daley as chair of the Illinois Arts Council. She replaces interim chair Rhoda Pierce who will remain on the board as vice chair. Daley is the daughter of former Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley.
The Illinois Department of Transportation announced the Federal Highway Administration approved IDOT’s plan to build a network of electric vehicle charging stations throughout the state. The state will receive $148 million over the next five years to build charging stations every 50 miles along designated Alternative Fuel Corridors. The project is designed to help bring Illinois’ vehicle fleet to include a million electric vehicles by 2030.
Springfield Announcements September 30, 2022
Ald. Sophia King (4) tweeted “The City Treasurer of Chicago - Melissa Conyears-Ervin will be hosting the Building Wealth Today for Tomorrow (BWTT) Financial Empowerment Weekend starting this Friday, September 30, at 10 AM at the UIC Forum. Please visit and register for free at https://chicagocitytreasurer.com/bwtt/.”
Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) tweeted “When @chicagosmayor says she found ‘efficiencies in the budget,’ what she really meant to say is all unfilled, bloated jobs she promised to fill in order to deliver city services & never did allow her to avoid asking for more money. Same dog-and-pony show three years running!”
Ald. Andre Vasquez (40) tweeted “Here for Chicago history: the first meeting of the ECPS Commission, the most progressive civilian oversight board in the Nation. It is transformational to see this and understand it’s potential. Thank you to all of the grassroots groups who organized to make this possible.”
Ald. Debra Silverstein (50) shared a link on Facebook to a survey for constituents to provide feedback on proposed projects in Warren Park and said “Vote now and help improve Warren Park! Fill out the survey to help the Warren Park Advisory Council spend $1.5 million in grant money and create spaces in the park that foster intergenerational interactions. The deadline to take the survey is Friday, September 30.”
Comm. Sean Morrison (R-17) tweeted “Professionally, Having provided emergency resources response to several hurricanes over the years, I can tell you initial reports seem that Ian is amongst the worst. Pray for the people of Florida and the greater region.”
Ward Reports September 30, 2022
Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Thursday announced she will not propose a property tax increase tied to inflation as part of her 2023 budget. The mayor’s announcement comes just four days before she is scheduled to introduce her budget proposal to aldermen. Lightfoot had previously said she would ask for a $42.7 million property tax hike as part of next year’s budget but on Thursday said “improving revenues” helped close a $128 million budget gap. Lightfoot is scheduled to introduce her budget proposal at 10 a.m. Monday.
Chicago Announcements September 30, 2022
Rep. Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City) tweeted, “@GovPritzker has zero respect for the voters. What a coward.”
Sen. Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) tweeted, “Congratulations, @Lucy_Westlake! Your dedication and determination are an inspiration to us all, and your passion is changing the world. Keep doing big things!”
Rep. La Shawn Ford (D-Chicago) tweeted, “If anyone ever questioned the fight to teach accurate history in America, check out the Top of the Republicans ticket in Illinois.”
Sen. Patrick Joyce (D-Reddick) tweeted, “Yesterday I joined the Chicago Southland Chamber of Commerce, Crete Chamber of Commerce, Peotone Chamber of Commerce and the Monee Chamber for a business after hours at the planned site of the South Suburban Airport.”
District Dispatches September 29, 2022
The Illinois Manufacturers’ Association has added Jeff Ahrstrom from Ingersoll Machine Tools and Matt DiGeronimo from International Paper to its board of directors. Gabriela Garza has also been hired by the manufacturers’ association director of government affairs. Garza is an Illinois Army National Guard veteran who was previously a policy analyst for the state Senate.
Springfield Announcements September 29, 2022
The Chicago Board of Elections on Wednesday published a list titled 2023 Alderperson Candidate Eligibility detailing which wards aldermanic candidates can run in next year under the new ward map based on which ward they currently live in. Under state law, in the election after a ward remap, “a candidate for alderperson may be elected from any ward containing a part of the ward in which he or she resided for at least one year next preceding the election that follows the redistricting, and, if elected, that person may be reelected from the new ward he or she represents if he or she resides in that ward for at least one year next preceding the reelection.”
Chicago Announcements September 29, 2022
Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) shared a Sun-Times article reporting that the mayor’s allies want her to abandon a pre-election property tax increase and said “What a load of pandering bullsh*t! Even if @chicagosmayor refuses to raises taxes in the budget, she can (and will) seek an adjustment to the property tax levy next year to cover any faux concession she makes in her budget. Don’t fall for the financial rope-a-dope Chicago!”
Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35) shared a Crain’s Chicago Business article on Twitter headlined “Ahead of Hurricane Ian, private jets whisk wealthy from Florida to Chicago.”
Ald. Andre Vasquez (40) shared a Block Club Chicago piece about a proposal to close a portion of Catalpa Avenue and make it a public plaza and said “What began as a vision for a public space during COVID is now becoming a permanent space?” The article reports Vasquez has previously shown support for the proposal.
Ald. Harry Osterman (48) tweeted “Please keep the people of Florida in your thoughts as they prepare for the impact of Hurricane Ian.”
Comm. Sean Morrison (R-17) shared a tweet from U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery which talks about a case in which alleged traffickers were using candy packaging to smuggle fentanyl into Connecticut and said “Parents be aware! This is extremely unsettling! We must address our border Crisis. The Biden Administrations securing our border has proven to be an abject Failure.”
Ward Reports September 29, 2022
Sen. Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) tweeted, “I was honored to accept an Honorary President award from @ILPharmacists at their annual conference over the weekend. I'm always proud to work alongside them to advance the standards of pharmacy practice across Illinois.”
Sen. Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) tweeted, “We had the pleasure of welcoming Mexican Senator Israel Zamora Guzmán to Little Village, Chicago. In gathering with officials of the Mexican Congress and the Illinois General Assembly we were able to discuss the importance of supporting the Mexican Communities in the U.S.”
Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) tweeted, “While it is always good for the state of Illinois to make down payments on its outstanding debt, today’s announcement comes on the verge of the largest tax increase on businesses in Illinois history and does little to nothing to prevent it.”
District Dispatches September 28, 2022
The Illinois Department of Transportation announced Airport of the Year awards Tuesday. Central Illinois Regional Airport in Bloomington was named primary airport of the year, DuPage Airport in West Chicago was named reliever airport of the year, and Greater Kankakee Airport and Dixon Municipal Airport were named airport of the year in their respective runway length categories.
Springfield Announcements September 28, 2022
Ald. Matt O’Shea (19) tweeted “On 9/27/82 Martin E. Darcy, Jr. was shot & killed while in pursuit of an armed assailant who shot and wounded three people in Beverly. Officer Darcy will always be remembered as a loving husband, father and grandfather. @ChicagoCAPS22 @Chicago_Police @cpdmemorial @BevRevNews”
Ald. Rossana Rodriguez (33) tweeted a short thread criticizing Mayor Lori Lightfoot for remarks she made regarding the selection of committee chairs and assignments. “I’m ready to legislate and I know many of my colleagues are too. I’m tired of MLL blocking everything she doesn’t want. She told Chicago she was about ‘good governance’ and here we are getting to the end of this term and this is what she’s saying about our broken system: ‘There’s a process by which we do that, and the process is the mayor makes the final picks,’ Lightfoot said... ‘I don’t see any reason to break from that longstanding precedent’ … Weren’t we trying to transform the way we govern?” Rodriguez shared a Sun-Times editorial which favored the city council deciding on committee assignments and chairs.
Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36) tweeted an article from Block Club Chicago which details salaries for each elected city council member, plus who will see a pay raise this January. Villegas shared the article and added “I made a conscious decision to not take any pay raises until we recovered from this pandemic. The community I represent is home to 1000’s of essential workers that didn’t have the privilege of working from home. #sharedsacrifice #truerepresentationmatters”
Ald. Andre Vasquez (40) shared a tweet from Streetsblog Chicago, which noted CTA Pres. Dorval Carter Jr. appeared to skip a City Hall hearing to instead speak on an infrastructure panel broadcast by The Hill. Vasquez said “Getting paid $360,000 a yr to not show up to a hearing so he could be on TV. That’s a lack of respect for the council, for the taxpayers, and for the city. Unless they needed an expert on *ghosting*, I don’t see it.”
Cook County Comm. Bridget Degnen (D-12) tweeted out a link for constituents to get information about applying to a basic income pilot program. “Cook County believes in initiatives like its Promise Guaranteed Income Pilot. Providing a guaranteed income reduces stress, helps people find new jobs and gives some much-needed relief in paying monthly bills. Visit http://engagecookcounty.com/promise to see if you are eligible.”
Ward Reports September 28, 2022
Chicago’s Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability will hold its first-ever meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Malcolm X College, Conference Hall A. The City Council last summer approved an ordinance creating the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability as a new form of police oversight. An agenda for Thursday’s meeting is posted online.
The Chicago Mobility Collaborative will hold its second meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday. The public forum, including residents, community organizations and the Chicago Department of Transportation, meets quarterly to discuss topics related to walking, biking, transit, public space, mobility justice and accessibility. Those interested can RSVP online. An agenda for the meeting is not yet posted.








