The Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police named former Springfield Police Chief Kenny Winslow as its new executive director, the group announced last week. Winslow’s term will begin on Sept. 1.  

The Northwestern Prison Education Program (NPEP) is now accepting applications for a new cohort of students for the 2022-2023 academic year. IDOC partners with NPEP, a degree-granting initiative of Northwestern University, and Oakton Community College to provide a “high-quality liberal arts education to individuals in custody at Stateville Correctional Center,” state officials wrote in a release Friday. Northwestern is the only top-ten university in the country to confer its own bachelor's degrees to students in a prison education program. NPEP will expand to include the third cohort of students at Stateville Correctional Center with support from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, officials said. 

Ald. Pat Dowell (3) in her latest newsletter included an advertisement for the Chicago Urban League Back to School Festival next on Saturday.  

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) tweeted, “Congratulations to my friend Bob and bringing the first rooftop bar to Garfield Ridge despite the lack of support by the City of Chicago. Every community should be able to recover & grow in the post-pandemic era.”  

Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35) tweeted, “In 2016, we initiated a push to ensure Logan Square's Fullerton/Milwaukee TIF dollars went to public schools – not connected developers. In 2022, I was proud to support $10.1 million from the Fullerton/Milwaukee TIF to maintain and improve Darwin School.”  

Ald. James Cappleman (46) tweeted, “It took well over 4 years to get through all the many obstacles to get streetlights installed on the parkway located on CDOT property, but the wait was worth it. It's so much better for pedestrians walking to and from Target at night.”  

Ald. Matt Martin (47) tweeted, “An energizing (and warm) Saturday in Ravenswood talking about how communities can work together across wards to get big things done on sustainability and pedestrian infrastructure!” 

Chicago and Cook County remain in the “high transmission” category for COVID-19 under Centers for Disease Control guidelines, as cases have increased, the Chicago Department of Public Health wrote in a notice on Friday. The average number of new laboratory-confirmed cases jumped to 247 on Friday from 217 the week prior, but the average number of daily new COVID-19 hospital admissions remained steady at 12.6 per 100,000 people.  

Cook County Circuit Court Clerk Iris Martinez on Friday announced the launch of a remote language service on her office’s website that offers 50 languages on a drop-down menu and an additional 150 languages upon request. The website offers a “Need Language Service” tab operated by the translation service InLingo that offers an instant-message chat service in the 50 languages. 

Rep. Dave Vella (D-Rockford) tweeted, “Today I had the pleasure of working alongside staff at El Molcajete in Belvidere. Maria taught me how to make delicious tamales”  

Sen. Robert Peters (D-Chicago) tweeted, “Just left Stateville Prison. It’s my first time back since 2019. It was great seeing everyone again. The members of the Stateville Think Tank are some of the smartest and most caring leaders. All I’ll say is more electeds need to not only visit our prisons but meet with people.”  

Rep. Barbara Hernandez (D-Aurora) tweeted, “Wishing you a full recovery @SenatorDurbin”  

Rep. Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich) tweeted, “The SAFE-T act or HB3653 must be repealed. Working class families in the very districts of its sponsors are suffering because of it. Chicago, are your streets SAFE-T better???” 

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) announced Thursday on Twitter he tested positive for COVID-19. Durbin said he is fully vaccinated and boosted and is experiencing mild symptoms. He will work from home while he isolates.   

The Illinois Department of Public Health is asking health care providers to prioritize monkeypox vaccines for high-risk individuals while supply of the vaccine remains low. They recommend health care providers only give out first doses of the vaccine and not the regular second dose 28 days after the first dose to help conserve supply of the vaccine for as many people as possible. Illinois had received over 7,000 doses of the vaccine as of Thursday, while Chicago had received over 18,000. There were 401 cases of monkeypox in Illinois as of Thursday, according to the department.

Ald. Sophia King (4) wrote in her latest newsletter, “As July comes to an end, we'd like to acknowledge disability pride month, which occurs every July to commemorate the passing of the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in July 1990. We recognize the heritage, disability culture, the unique experiences of the disabled community, and the positive impact and contributions they have on society.”  

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) tweeted, “I have hosted Ward Night twice a week my entire aldermanic tenure. I never know how I’ll be asked to help someone. Potholes or rat issues? Sure thing. Out street lights or tree trim? No problem. An errant rooster walking around the block? Thanks to @ChicagoACC we got you covered!”  

Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35) tweeted, “I look forward to working with my colleagues – @RossanaFor33, @AldMattMartin, and @ChiAlderwoman, the administration, and community organizations to codify and build upon these protections when we pass the Chicago Bodily Autonomy Sanctuary Ordinance later on this year.”  

Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36) tweeted, “Grateful to be at the @leagueofcities Board of Directors meeting in @CityofAtlanta to discuss important issues plaguing our cities. Listening to our CEO @ceanthony50 and our NLC President @ucmayorvince speak on strategies for municipalities to move them forward.”  

Ald. Matt Martin (47) shared a Block Club article about his public election funding ordinance and tweeted, “Elections shouldn't be up for sale to the highest bidder.”  

Ald. Maria Hadden (49) tweeted, “This month’s On the Map features one of our favorite places in the Ward @TheNew400. You probably already know that the New 400 is a super cool date night spot, oh and that they have fabulous popcorn and cocktails, of course.” 

The Cook County Republican Party Central Committee reelected county Comm. Sean Morrison (R-17) to a third consecutive term as party chair during the organization’s convention in Edison Park, the group announced Thursday. The position is elected to two-year terms. 

Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) tweeted, “Today I proudly stood with members of the FOP, members of Illinois Department of Corrections and more hardworking men and women. I will support them and work with them to demand law and order. I will protect their pensions and improve their working conditions. #twill"  

Rep. Bob Morgan (D-Deerfield) tweeted, “A reminder for us all - as horrible as the Highland Park shooting was and always will be, gun violence exists throughout Illinois. EVERY. DAY. It doesn't have to be this way, and we can make a change.”  

Rep. Denyse Stoneback (D-Skokie) tweeted, “I spoke w/ @thedailylinechi 

to discuss the HP & stressed something needs to be done. My proposal incl. mandatory fingerprinting, require purchasers to visit a police dept. for a background check, and micro stamp bullets to help police solve gun crimes.”  

Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) tweeted about the Thompson Center: “This is great news. Not only will the sale save taxpayers money, but welcoming Google to the Loop sends a message that Chicago is a growing hub for innovation and tech.”  

Sen. Robert Peters (D-Chicago) tweeted, “Another week where politicians of Chicago and Illinois oversee a series of unnecessary crises of their own doing. Fun.”  

Rep. Dagmara Avelar (D-Bolingbrook) tweeted, “I am grateful to Speaker Welch for naming me to the Reproductive Health Working Group. I'm looking forward to finding meaningful solutions with my colleagues as we learn to navigate the post-Roe world.” 

The University of Illinois system will continue to require students, faculty and staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19 during the fall semester. Anyone who is not vaccinated will have to be tested once a week. Individual universities will decide if masks are also required on campus.  

Ald. Brendan Reilly (42) tweeted a photo of a vehicle blocking a bike lane and wrote “So we nailed this one this morning thanks to fast work by our friends @ChicagoDOT. Citations issued.”  

Ald. Tom Tunney (44) tweeted “Join State Rep. Margaret Croke and @SenatorSara6 

tomorrow for their gun violence prevention townhall. As gun violence plagues communities throughout Illinois our representatives are doing important work in the General Assembly to keep us all safe”  

Ald. Maria Hadden (49) tweeted “Congrats to members at @Local150 for winning your agreement! Your city stood in solidarity with you for these 7 weeks.”  

Ald. Debra Silverstein (50) tweeted “We had very successful Outdoor Office Hours at Lerner Park yesterday! Thank you to everyone who came for help with your city service needs. Look for us in neighborhood locations near you over the coming months. The next event will be on August 15 from 4-6 PM at Peterson & Drake.” 

The Metropolitan Planning Council will hold an virtual panel discussion at 12 p.m. Thursday titled “Global Voices, Local Action: International Cities Connect on Environment, Climate, and Energy for We Will Chicago.” Panelists will include Bristol, UK cabinet member Kye Dudd, former Quito mayor Mauricio Rodas and Chicago Chief Sustainability Officer Angela Tovar. Online registration is required. 

Sen. Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) tweeted, “Today, the Americans with Disabilities Act turns 32! This year, the General Assembly passed SB 180 to make sure our Capitol complex was accessible to everyone, regardless of physical ability. I’m proud to stand for accessibility throughout our state! #ADA32"  

Rep. Mark Walker (D-Arlington Heights) tweeted, “I had the privilege of joining our local chapter of Moms Demand Action to discuss our work on greater gun control measures in our IL & learn from them more ways we can keep our children safe from guns. It was powerful to see many concerned about this deeply important issue.”  

Rep. Stephanie Kifowit (D-Oswego) tweeted, “Yesterday I had the pleasure of a Roundtable Discussion hosted by Congressman Bill Foster and lead by U.S. Secretary of Energy, Jennifer Granholm. @SenatorHolmes @ElectPierog @RepBillFoster" 

The state is launching an “I Got Love” campaign to encourage parents to enroll their children in early childhood education programs. The campaign will use $12.7 million to share more information about the state’s early childhood education program, Illinois Cares for Kids. 

Ald. Brendan Reilly (42) tweeted a photo of a vehicle blocking a bike lane and wrote “So we nailed this one this morning thanks to fast work by our friends @ChicagoDOT. Citations issued.”  

Ald. Tom Tunney (44) tweeted “Join State Rep. Margaret Croke and @SenatorSara6 

tomorrow for their gun violence prevention townhall. As gun violence plagues communities throughout Illinois our representatives are doing important work in the General Assembly to keep us all safe”  

Ald. Maria Hadden (49) tweeted “Congrats to members at @Local150 for winning your agreement! Your city stood in solidarity with you for these 7 weeks.”  

Ald. Debra Silverstein (50) tweeted “We had very successful Outdoor Office Hours at Lerner Park yesterday! Thank you to everyone who came for help with your city service needs. Look for us in neighborhood locations near you over the coming months. The next event will be on August 15 from 4-6 PM at Peterson & Drake.” 

The Chicago Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities announced the launch of a new disability employment center at 2102 W. Ogden Ave. That will “assist people with disabilities in gaining access to meaningful and sustainable job and career opportunities,” officials said. Services are available by telephone, remote meetings using video platforms such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams, in-person meetings by appointment and limited walk-ins. To sign up for Career Center services, email [email protected], make an appointment by calling (312) 746-5773 and select prompt #3, make an in-person visit at 2102 W. Ogden, or visit the MOPD website here. 

Rep. Denyse Stoneback (D-Skokie) tweeted, “I spoke with @ABC7Chicago about Illinois' Red Flag laws or FROs & how they should be used in all situations. The lack of FROs being issued is due to a lack of awareness, which is why I fought for $1M in funding to educate the public on FROs.”  

Sen. Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) tweeted, “With reports of shootings on a near daily basis throughout the district, my heart aches for the families who lose a loved one due to a formidable tragedy”  

Sen. Robert Peters (D-Chicago) tweeted, “Maybe I’m just annoyed but let the Bears go ask Arlington Heights for a giant corporate handout. It’s very on brand that such a conservative team is so blatantly mask off about what type of welfare they’re ok with.”  

Sen. Eric Mattson (D-Joliet) tweeted, “Don’t let back-to-school shopping stress you out this year! From Aug. 5-14, families and educators will see tax reductions on school supplies and other items in order to prepare them for the new year.”  

Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) tweeted, “Had the pleasure of speaking with Kevin Schramm and Justin Ritz on @103pt1FM this morning about the new FOID rules filed by ISP and the impact the unemployment insurance trust fund debt will have on Illinois small businesses.” 

Sales tax revenue from recreation cannabis sales grew by 50 percent in Fiscal Year 2022, according to the governor’s office. Fiscal Year 2022 brought in $445.3 million from recreational cannabis sales while the total sales grew by $500 million. This also allowed local governments to bring in more revenue from recreational cannabis, as they received 77 percent more in Fiscal Year 2022 from the sales.   

House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Hillside) announced he is creating four new working groups in the House Democratic caucus “to take a balanced and research-driven approach to meaningfully reform our laws in Illinois” on key issues, according to a news release from the speaker’s office. Rep. Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago) will lead the Reproductive Health and Dobbs Decision working group. Rep. Bob Morgan (D-Deerfield) will lead the Firearm Safety and Reform working group. Rep. Deb Conroy (D-Elmhurst) will lead the Mental Health working group. Rep. Jaime Andrade (D-Chicago) will lead the Social Media and Online Extremism working group. The Public Safety working group, which crafted several bills to fight crime during the spring session, will continue to be led by Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth (D-Peoria).

Ald. Pat Dowell (3) tweeted “Hard to believe, but my 3rd Ward Back to School Fest with the Chicago Urban League is coming up 8/6. Check today's eblast for event details, and info on other back to school events, the City Clerk's Mobile City Hall, CRR1919 bike tour and much more”  

Ald. Brendan Reilly (42) shared a Bloomberg CityLab tweet about potential legislation that would allow New York City to install bike lane cameras and wrote “Hopefully we’ll be just a few months behind New York City in implementing this here in Chicago.”  

Ald. Tom Tunney (44) tweeted “Own or manage a business in the 44th Ward? Tomorrow the Chicago Dept. of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection is hosting a monkeypox webinar so you can learn how to keep your employees and customers safe”  

Ald. Matt Martin (47) tweeted “Republicans split on whether LGBTQ Americans can… 

 ✔️ Maintain their partners’ health benefits 

✔️ Visit their spouse in the ICU 

✔️ Receive equal dignity and rights under the law   

 Shameful.” 

Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago will host an Englewood Housing Fair from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Saint John Evangelist Church on 63rd Street, the group announced. The event will include “interactive workshops,” a trolley tour and a raffle. Online registration is required.

Rep. Bob Morgan (D-Deerfield) tweeted, “Grateful to join the ⁦@WhiteHouse and colleagues in Illinois, and beyond, as we combat gun violence that has plagued #HighlandPark and so many others.”  

Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) tweeted, “A passenger rail from Peoria to Chicago, which includes four stops within the 38th Senate District is now one step closer to becoming a reality as it heads to a Phase 1 study.”  

Rep. Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich) tweeted, “I wonder if Pritzker gave Biden Covid? Still a pandemic of the unvaccinated??”  

Rep. Dagmara Avelar (D-Bolingbrook) tweeted, “If you haven't bought school supplies yet, hold off until the School Supply Tax Holiday goes into effect from August 5-14! The tax on specific school supplies, clothes, and shoes will go from 6.25% to 1.25%.”  

Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago) tweeted, “Yesterday elected officials from across the North Side had a meet and greet for @HoanDHuynh our soon to be new State Rep. He will be part of a strong diverse team making our communities better!”