The Department of Financial and Professional Regulation issued 149 conditional adult use dispensing organization licenses Friday. It is the first time the department has issued the licenses since recreational cannabis became legal in Illinois. All the licenses went to social equity applicants. Of the licenses issued, 41 percent went to majority Black-owned businesses, 7 percent went to majority white-owned businesses and 4 percent went to majority Latino-owned businesses.   

Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton was elected chair of the National Lieutenant Governors Association Friday during the association’s meeting in Chicago. Her term runs to August 2023. She is the first Black chair of the association.   

Secretary of State Jesse White announced Friday that expired drivers licenses and state IDs will remain valid until Dec. 1. White has extended the expiration date of IDs several times since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020 and Secretary of State facilities were temporarily forced to close their doors.  

The Chicago Department of Public Health was expecting on Friday to receive delivery of 15,440 monkeypox vaccine doses from the federal government and 2,600 from the state of Illinois’ allocation over the weekend, according to an announcement. The city had previously only received 5,400 total doses. As of Friday, 230 people had been reported positive for monkeypox in Illinois, including 202 in Chicago. Information on how to access vaccinations is available online. 

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) tweeted, “What a gorgeous afternoon to join the South/North Lawndale Peace Party. Residents and community organizations are working hard to create a unified Lawndale community in between rain drops. That’s the Chicago I know and love”  

Ald. Silvana Tabares (23) wrote in her latest newsletter, “The Grand Opening for the West Lawn Office was a great success. Visit us at one or both locations. West Lawn Office 3954 W. 63rd St.; Garfield Ridge Office 6247 S. Archer Ave.”  

Ald. Brendan Reilly (42) wrote in his latest newseltter that he “introduced a new ordinance (O2022-2498), which repeals the automatic annual property tax increase of the lesser of the annual increase in the Consumer Price Index and 5% that was passed as a part of the 2021 Annual Budget.”  

Ald. Matt Martin (47) wrote in his latest newsletter, “At the...City Council meeting, I also introduced the following: 

• An ordinance establishing a public financing system for City elections.
• An ordinance providing greater protections for individuals receiving or providing reproductive or gender-affirming care in Chicago. 
• An ordinance giving electric vehicle owners greater ability to install charging stations in their condo and apartment building. 

Ald. Debra Silverstein (50) tweeted, “I was very pleased to join together with so many of my neighbors today to spread fresh woodchips over the playground at Lunt Playlot! Thank you to all of the volunteers and to Indian Boundary Park Supervisor Phil Martini for helping take care of one of our neighborhood parks!” 

Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) tweeted, “Chicago’s Own! J.P. Massey Drafted by Pittsburgh Pirates”  

Rep. Dave Vella (D-Rockford) tweeted, “Thank you to the Ingersoll Team and Camozzi Machine Tools for inviting me to today's Grand Opening and Tour of the new manufacturing, assembly, and extended testing facility. I had an opportunity to see the future of manufacturing in our region!”  

Sen. Robert Peters (D-Chicago) tweeted, “I firmly believe that Chicago is in a unique position to be a model for the 21st century American city. We must take on the climate challenges, build vast affordable housing, reimagine our public safety policies, expand public transportation, and protect our beautiful lakefront.”  

Rep. Martin McLaughlin (R-Barrington Hills) tweeted, “Make Sound Fiscal Policy Matter Again! How are businesses doing in Illinois? Let’s see, before we are inundated with the political ads that will paint an overly rosy economic picture. Our poor anti-growth policies are killing our state. Compare our region. Vote wisely.”  

Rep. Bob Morgan (D-Deerfield) is asking residents to share stories about their experience during the Highland Park mass shooting by emailing [email protected] or filling out a Google form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfcSJG18ZRAM2wpg2Iz1ytkT0OT9L2A8Ul0DEiA2NXPto-Spg/viewform   

Sen. Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) tweeted, “Earlier this week, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, Village of Buffalo Grove, Lake County Forest Preserves, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the completion for the Buffalo Creek Reservoir expansion.” 

Gov. JB Pritzker sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Rochelle Walensky asking the federal government to more aggressively fight the monkeypox outbreak by prioritizing vaccines for areas like Chicago that have been the epicenter of outbreaks. Pritzker wrote in the letter that Illinois and Chicago have a lack of vaccines despite having a high number of cases. “We know that a swift response is essential when confronting outbreaks of disease,” Pritzker said in a statement. “And we’ve learned in the last few years that most people are eager to protect themselves and their communities when given the tools to do so.”  

Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced Thursday three Cook County residents were arrested as part of probe into organized retail crime. According to a news release, the group stole a shipping container from Burlington North Santa Fe Railway with more than $300,000 of goods inside, including more than 200 TVs. The arrests are a result of several months of investigations by the attorney general’s office, BNSF Railway Police and Hodgkins Police. Raoul’s office has pursued organized crime efforts through a multijurisdictional Organized Retail Crime Task Force. “The Organized Retail Crime Task Force allows investigators and prosecutors in my office to better collaborate with our law enforcement partners and retailers to protect consumers and combat the rise in retail crime,” Raoul said in a statement.   

Illinois’ unemployment rate for June fell by .1 percentage points to 4.5 percent, the Department of Employment Security reported Thursday. The state added 18,800 nonfarm jobs in June.   

The Democratic State Central Committee will meet in Springfield on Saturday, July 30 to vote for a chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois. Current party chair U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly is the only person who has announced they are running for the seat so far. The meeting is open to the public, as required by state law.  

Ald. Silvana Tabares (23) tweeted “The streets of Chicago are dangerous enough for police. And the policies of the administration should not add to this burden but should instead equip officers to best protect the public.”  

Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez (33) tweeted “It will take all of us to make Chicago a sanctuary for bodily autonomy.  We are ready to win it.”  

Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36) tweeted “What an honor this morning to award two $5k scholarships to our future leaders. Congratulations Angelica and Miranda, good luck, we are rooting for you. @ChiLatinoCaucus”  

Ald. Brendan Reilly (42) tweeted “I’ll sleep well knowing that Matt Yglesias is not moving to Chicago. That’s like a narrow miss with an asteroid. As a native east coaster, I can call bullshit on his north east bias, prep school entitlement, Ivy League elitism & profound lack of respect for Midwesterners. Goof.”  

Ald. Matt Martin (47) tweeted “Yesterday, I introduced an ordinance to establish publicly financed elections in Chicago. We need fair elections funded by ordinary people, not just a few monied interests. If you agree, add your name”

The Cook County Commission on Human Rights is looking for applicants to fill three vacancies on its volunteer board. The county put out a call for “passionate, talented individuals who have a strong commitment to human rights and public service.” More information about the commission and application materials are available online. 

Sen. Dave Koheler (D-Peoria) tweeted, “I was honored to receive a 2022 Lawmaker of the Year award from the Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts. I am joined here by AISWCD Executive Director Grant Hammer & Jen Walling, Friend of the Association of Illinois Soil & Water Conservation Districts.”  

Sen. Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) tweeted, “In the Fiscal Year 23 state budget, I secured $200,000 for Employee Connections in Waukegan. The not-for-profit employment education and training agency is in their 13th year helping the community find gainful employment in the Lake County area.”  

Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) tweeted, “Congratulations Noah Schultz! The Chicago White Sox selected Noah, who is a graduate of Oswego East High School, with the 26th overall pick in this year’s draft. Looking forward to watching him play in the big leagues!”  

Sen. Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) tweeted, “I'm excited to announce that I'm a member of @EriksonPolicy's Executive Fellows 2022 Cohort! This program uses an anti-racism approach to explore the benefits of quality early childhood experiences & policy opportunities to support children & families.”  

House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Hillside) tweeted, “Our founding fathers crafted a three-part government structure so that no one person, nor one faction could oppress or terrorize the great majority of our citizens. The Congress and the President must stand as a check on our extreme court. Let’s go!” 

The Legislative Audit Commission will hold a hearing Tuesday on an audit of the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) released in May that found the agency was not following up with children in the state’s care. Other problems included a lack of data being tracked by the department and improper healthcare for children. DCFS Director Marc Smith has been found in contempt of court 12 times since the beginning of the year for failing place children in proper care settings in a timely manner.  

Ald. Daniel La Spata (1) tweeted “A critical step in improving transit service across the CTA is hiring sufficient operators and mechanics for our buses. Starting wage of $24.63 plus benefits! Please share this with your networks, and register for this Saturday’s career fair at the link below!”  

Ald. Silvana Tabares (23) tweeted “Officer wellness IS officer safety; and officer safety IS public safety. Today I joined colleagues and families of fallen officers who unveil a package of reforms to force our police department back on track and provide families the support and respect they deserve.”  

Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35) tweeted “The Bodily Autonomy Sanctuary Ordinance will help protect from criminalization people seeking and providing abortion or gender affirming care. I look forward to refining this ordinance in collaboration with my colleagues, the administration, and organizations.”  

Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez (33) tweeted “Today I introduced three pieces of legislation that I worked very hard on the last few months: (1) a Bodily Autonomy Sanctuary ordinance to protect from criminalization people seeking or providing gender affirming care or reproductive care (2) an ordinance to allocate $1MM in 2023 to reproductive care and clinic defense – I’m grateful to my chief-co-sponsors on these measures, @CDRosa @AldMattMartin and @ChiAlderwoman, for working with me and all the advocacy groups who helped us think through the first steps to create meaningful and comprehensive legislation to protect bodily autonomy in our city.”  

Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36) tweeted “Today I voted to keep the camera speed limits at 6mph. The fact that peoples lives are being saved means they are working. However we have to ensure that we are using the proceeds from these cameras to help invest in our infrastructure. If Chicago wants to continue to be a World Class City, we need to take into account the micro mobility options that are available to the residents of Chicago and invest in safe roads, bike lanes, etc.”  

Ald. Andre Vasquez (40) tweeted “I want to commend all of the Chicago Cyclist and #SafeStreets groups for their organizing this weekend and into the City Council meeting. Once we knew the mission, they got to mobilizing and persuading. This win is yours - there are plenty of lives that will be saved.”  

Ald. Matt Martin (47) tweeted “I believe government works best when campaigns are funded by ordinary people — not just a few monied interests. That’s why today I am proud to introduce an ordinance that would establish publicly financed elections in Chicago.” 

The Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection will host its Small Business Expo at the Kennedy-King College U Building from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, according to a Wednesday announcement. The expo “will feature an opportunity to connect with industry experts and government agencies in the exhibitor hall, educational workshops presented by local business service organizations, an inspiring keynote address, and a networking hour to meet with other current and aspiring business owners,” officials said. 

Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) tweeted, “We should be revving up police numbers on the streets to keep families safe, but Lightfoot and Pritzker have proven they won’t support law enforcement and clean up our streets. We must get crime under control. Imagine someone carjacking @KyleBusch in the middle of a race. #twill"  

Rep. Dave Vella (D-Rockford) tweeted, “INTERN DAY AT WINNEBAGO COUNTY COURT This morning my District Office Interns got to experience firsthand the process of a court trial with Honorable Judge White. It was a real experience to witness in-person trials and meet with our county Public Defenders for questions.”  

Sen. Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) tweeted, “On Tuesday, I had the opportunity to ride along with the Oak Brook Police Department and experience first-hand what happens on a daily basis for police officers.”  

Sen. Cristina Pacione Zayas (D-Chicago) tweeted, “I had the honor of sponsoring a similar resolution here in Illinois acknowledging the historic and present-day effects of the illegal land grab against the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation. Thank you for introducing this legislation and embracing restorative justice!”  

Rep. La Shawn Ford (D-Chicago) tweeted, “We have to reform the Chicago Police Department for the good of All. This is very sad and preventable.” 

The attorney general’s office and U.S. Secret Service are partnering to host threat assessment trainings for leaders of houses of worship, security personnel, school administrators and teachers, hospital staff and administrators, human resource professionals, mental health professionals and law enforcement personnel. The training will educate them on attacks at public places and how to identify potential threats. More information can be found on the attorney general’s website.

Ald. Monique Scott (24) tweeted “Hey 24th Ward residents: The Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) opens for applications in July in the Western/Ogden TIF district. Apply at http://chicago.gov/sbif by Aug. 1”  

Ald. Matt Martin (47) tweeted about recent zoning decisions at 3310-3312 N. Lincoln Ave., 1616 W. Montrose Ave and 3664 N. Lincoln Ave.  

Ald. Maria Hadden (49) tweeted “We are starting to see an increase in monkeypox infections. Monkeypox is a disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus. Monkeypox is part of the same family of viruses as smallpox. Vaccines are available in limited supply.”  

Ald. Debra Silverstein (50) tweeted “Start the school year off on the right foot at the annual 50th Ward Back to School Fair! Get free backpacks and school supplies. July 31 at 10 AM at the Indian Boundary Nature Play Center (near Estes and Rockwell).” 

The Chicago Board of Election Commissioners released its full calendar and list of ballot requirements for the 2023 municipal elections. The first round of elections will be held on Feb. 28, and the runoff will take place on April 4. 

Sen. Robert Peters (D-Chicago) tweeted, “The public safety status quo is not functional. We aren’t addressing the deep systemic issues here. It requires challenging the income, wealth, and resource inequalities. It’s the silence of law enforcement when it comes to gun manufacturers profit. It’s very frustrating.”  

Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago) tweeted, “Thanks Judiciary Chair @RepJerryNadler and @SenFeinstein for introducing federal protections for marriage equality into Congress. This is so important to codify into federal law given the fallout from the terrible Dobbs decision.”  

Rep. Jen Gong-Gershowitz (D-Glenview) tweeted, “No more thoughts and prayers — it’s time for action. Let’s ban assault weapons in Illinois.”  

Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) tweeted, “Access to mental health services can transform individuals and communities. That’s why I was so excited to attend the groundbreaking of the new Joliet Thriveworks clinic last week!”  

Rep. Stephanie Kifowit (D-Oswego) tweeted, “CONGRATULATIONS TO AURORA’S OWN, NOAH SCHULTZ! With the 26th overall pick, the Chicago White Sox selected Noah in the first round of the MLB Draft! #ILDistrict84 #Illinois #ChicagoWhiteSox"  

Sen. Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) tweeted, “Proud to join Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense Lincoln Square chapter for a community picnic in Welles Park. It’s long past time to #BanAssaultWeapons and enact #SensibleGunLaws at the state and national level. Thank you to the survivors of gun violence who shared memories.” 

The Illinois State Police filed an emergency rule change that will allow the agency to broaden how it uses “clear and present danger” reports when making decisions about firearm owner identification (FOID) applications. Under the change, the State Police will be able to use previous “clear and present danger” reports about a person even if they were not actively applying for or holding a FOID card at the time. The change is in response to the July 4 Highland Park mass shooting after reports revealed Highland Park police notified the State Police about the shooter’s previous threats to harm himself and his family. State Police have said the reports were filed before the shooter applied for a FOID card and were not enough to deny his application. The State Police will submit the emergency rule change to the legislative Joint Committee on Administrative Rules to make the change permanent.

Ald. Daniel La Spata (1) tweeted a photo of a painted bike lane and wrote “The brightest bike lane I’ve ever seen! Felt like I was riding down the Chicago River on St. Patrick’s Day!”  

Ald. Matt Martin (47) tweeted “Last year, Chicago allocated $274M to affordable housing and homelessness — but that funding is temporary, pandemic relief. The clock is ticking to establish a permanent, dedicated stream of funding for homelessness. It’s time to pass @BringChiHome’s common sense plan.”  

Ald. Debra Silverstein (50) tweeted “Join ‘Coffee with the Commander’ this Wednesday (July 20) at 11 AM at La Unica Restaurant, 1515 W Devon. Meet Commander Joseph Brennan of the 24th District. No speeches, no agenda, just friendly conversation between the public and the police officers tasked with keeping us safe.” 

Leaders of the Chicago Department of Housing will host a news conference at City Hall at 9 a.m. Tuesday to promote Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s “Connected Communities Ordinance” ahead of its hearing in the City Council’s zoning committee at 10 a.m. 

Sen. Cristina Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago) tweeted, “Just a friendly public service announcement: "Rona" is real and rampant! After 2+ years, I and my youngest just tested positive for COVID-19. We are thankfully up to date with vaccines and experiencing mild symptoms.”  

Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) tweeted, “Unlike out-of-touch JB Pritzker I pump my own gas. The rising prices are devastating Illinoisans across the state. Families shouldn't have to choose between putting food on their tables and gas in their cars. It's time to cut Pritzker’s gas tax & eliminate the grocery tax. #twill"  

Sen. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) tweeted, “Yesterday was my first Ag Advisory Council Meeting. Thank you Director Costello & the great staff @ the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds for helping to make this meeting so successful. Special thanks to the great farmers & Ag specialists of the 58th Senate Dist. who were in attendance.”  

Sen. Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) tweeted, “My mother believed that women needed to make the decision of when to start a family, nobody else had that right to make that decision. That’s the role model I grew up with and I will fight for this right with my dying breath.”  

Sen. Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) tweeted, “Earlier this week, I toured @Ecolab's Nalco Water Headquarters in Naperville with @senatorellman and @SenatorHolmes. We learned about the company's exploration of innovative solutions to optimize drinking water and other usage in our communities.”