Groups including Moms United Against Violence & Incarceration, Chicago Community Bond Fund and the Chicago Torture Justice Center will host a “Free Our Moms Day” vigil and mutual support drive at 11 a.m. Saturday outside Cook County Jail to “demonstrate solidarity with the approximately 195 moms” who are detained there. “Advocates will call upon State’s Attorney Foxx and Governor Pritzker to release prisoners, as they have the power to do, through dismissed charges, re-sentencing and clemency,” according to an event description. 

Rep. Angelica Guerrero-Cuellar (D-Chicago) tweeted, “Thank you to all firefighters for their dedication and commitment to ensure the safety of those they protect. #InternationalFirefightersDay #BuildingCommunityin22 #IL22ndDistrict"  

Rep. Suzanne Ness (D-Crystal Lake) tweeted, “Thank you to all the teachers across the state and nation! You have the important task of educating and guiding our students, and in this way, you shape our society's future. We are so grateful for all that you, especially over the last several years in the face of the pandemic.”  

Sen. Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) tweeted, “I am pleased to announce that the Four Rivers Sanitation Authority in Winnebago County will be receiving more than $20 million in water infrastructure funding.”  

Rep. Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago) tweeted, “Proud to continue to partner with my friends @EqualityILL We’ve gotten a lot of great things done together over the years!”  

Sen. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) tweeted, “This year more than ever, we’re keenly aware of the hard work small business owners put in to enrich and enliven our neighborhoods. Thank them for their contributions to our community by shopping and dining locally when possible! #NationalSmallBusinessWeek"  

Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) tweeted, “This week I hosted my annual Starved Rock update for local stakeholders. Thank you to IDNR Director Callahan and her staff for joining the meeting to provide updates on current and future projects. I would also like to thank @StateRepYednock for participating in our meeting.”  

Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-Chicago) tweeted, “Everyone should have access to the reproductive healthcare they need. I strongly condemn efforts by extremist Supreme Court judges to undermine Roe v. Wade, and encourage lawmakers in Washington to take immediate action to protect reproductive health rights.”  

Rep. Tim Butler (R-Springfield) tweeted, “At an important House Public Utilities Committee hearing this morning on energy issues in Illinois, especially given the potential of a huge energy cost spike this summer in Downstate Illinois. And as @IllinoisMfgAssc said: good to be in Springfield during May 😊" 

Former Department of Public Health chief of policy Jesse Lava has taken a position as special assistant to the director at the Department of Healthcare and Family Services.   

Attorney General Kwame Raoul sent a letter to President Joe Biden asking him to cancel all federal student debt. The letter was signed by seven other attorney generals. Raoul also announced Illinois residents would be eligible for $4 million from a class action lawsuit against TurboTax for falsely advertising services for free that users had to pay for.   

The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced it had awarded all $250 million of federal relief pandemic funds through the Back 2 Business program. Over 6,500 businesses received grants.

Ald. Daniel La Spata (1) tweeted “We're expecting a beautiful sunny day on Saturday! Stop by the Wicker Park plant sale”  

Ald. Sophia King (4) tweeted information about a community alert about “Motor Vehicle Theft in the 002nd District Wentworth.”  

Ald. Andre Vasquez (40) tweeted “My staff and I drove the whole ward, catalogued, organized and mapped out all the street and alley potholes in 40 for a more efficient and effective process! Many thanks to @ChicagoDOT for partnering with us, check it out!”  

Ald. Harry Osterman (48) tweeted “I, like many Americans, am outraged at the pending Supreme Court decision that would overturn Roe v. Wade. This is an attack on women's rights and reproductive healthcare, and we must stand together to protect reproductive rights across our country.” 

More than 37,000 properties’ tax bills will go up for auction through the Cook County Annual Tax Sale from May 12-18, county Treasurer Maria Pappas announced Wednesday. The properties, which include homes, businesses and vacant land, owe a collective $175.6 million in unpaid taxes. Property owners on the list have until next Thursday, May 12 to pay their delinquent taxes and interest in order to remove their properties off the Tax Sale list. They can do so on the Treasurer’s website.  

Chicago City Clerk Anna Valencia rolled out the full schedule on Wednesday for her office’s Mobile City Hall program, which will bring City Key registration, city sticker sales and other Clerk’s Office services to 15 different parks around the city between May 14 and July 30. The full calendar is available online. 

House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Hillside) tweeted, “People's personal and private medical decisions should not be in the hands of politicians. We have to be the ones to lead this movement. We will march. We will vote, and we will protect women in Illinois.”  

Rep. Denyse Stoneback (D-Skokie) tweeted, “I was proud to stand with @GovPritzker @repchriswelch @SenatorDonHarmon & many pro-choice champions in the legislature to condemn the draft SCOTUS decision which would overturn Roe v. Wade. We're united to ensure Illinois will always be a pro-choice state.”  

Sen. Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) tweeted, “It seems likely that the U.S. Supreme Court wants to set our country back several decades by overturning Roe v. Wade. Doing so violates the rights of millions, while making a standard medical procedure unsafe”  

Rep. Joe Sosnowski (R-Rockford) tweeted, “I am hopeful the court is moving toward allowing more protections for our most vulnerable lives. We should be embracing a culture of life that supports families, moms, and babies.”  

Sen. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) tweeted, “#TeacherAppreciationWeek provides an opportunity for students, and their parents to show their appreciation for the hard work teachers do and the long hours many of them put in. This year, let’s give teachers the extra credit they deserve.”  

Rep. Sam Yingling (D-Grayslake) tweeted, “The draft ruling from the Supreme Court overturning Roe V. Wade is devastating for women, personal liberty, and threatens the progress we’ve fought so hard to achieve. I’m proud to have helped make Illinois a 100% Pro-Choice state and now we all need to fight to protect it.”  

Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) tweeted, “The Supreme Court seems ready to deprive millions of women the right to choose. As long as there is a Democratic majority in the Illinois State Senate, women will have their rights protected.”  

Sen. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) tweeted, “I’m optimistic at the possibility of Roe v Wade being overturned by SCOTUS. I agree the original decision was wrong. My heart breaks for the millions of babies killed by abortion procedures in the past 50 years. Unfortunately, nothing changes in Illinois.”  

Rep. Mark Walker (D-Arlington Heights) tweeted, “Thank God for Illinois, where we preemptively protected women's right to choose three years ago, just in case the Supreme Court found against Roe. Remember how all of these recent Republican appointees told the Senate that Roe v. Wade was "settled law."”  

Rep. Bob Morgan (D-Deerfield) tweeted, “I am horrified at the recent news that the US Supreme Court will overturn #RoeVWade The reproductive rights that women have had for 49 years are now in grave danger”  

Sen. Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods) tweeted, “The small businesses in our community add a character and distinction that make the 26th District a fantastic place to live, work, and shop. They've survived many challenges these past few years and I pledge to always support policies that will help our small businesses thrive.”  

Rep. Will Guzzardi (D-Chicago) tweeted, “To my Republican colleagues: where you at??? Either have the courage to stand with women today (extremely doubtful) or cheer this ruling on like the gleeful misogynists who run your party. But your silence is straight up embarrassing.”  

Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) tweeted, “To be clear: crime is still a huge issue. SCOTUS’ #RoeVWade posture is proof of that. A STOLEN Presidential election in 2000 gives us Alito. A STOLEN Supreme Court seat in 2017 given to Gorsuch. All lead to this decision to STEAL bodily autonomy and self determination.” 

The Illinois Muslim Civic Coalition will hold a candidate forum Friday between U.S. Reps. Sean Casten and Marie Newman in their primary race to represent Illinois’ 6th Congressional District. The event begins at 6 p.m. at The Mecca Center in Willowbrook.

Ald. Daniel La Spata (1) tweeted about Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s new “Chicagwa” canned tap water, saying “Free at the Weiner Circle, $30.79 per 1000 cubic feet from your tap, a rate up over 300% since 2006. But we’re going to change that with the Water For All ordinance, so no one is too poor to afford such a basic necessity.”  

Ald. Sophia King (4) tweeted “Women should have the ability to control their own bodies period!”  

Ald. George Cardenas (12) tweeted “We cannot allow the radical majority on the Supreme Court jeopardize the health and lives of women. We are going to fight tooth and nail for all our daughters, sisters, mothers and grandmothers.”  

Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25) tweeted “Reproductive health rights are basic fundamental human rights. Women, specifically women of color, and all people with uteruses have been fighting for far too long for this to be taken away from them.”  

Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez (33) tweeted “This is the time to strengthen the structures of solidarity & care we have in place to protect each other. I just signed up for monthly donations to the @ChiAbortionFund. This fund supports people receiving care in IL from all 50 states. Donate if you can!”  

Ald. Tom Tunney (44) tweeted “Congratulations to @LakeViewHighSc2's choir teacher, Puja Ramaswamy, for winning the prestigious Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching, one of the highest honors a teacher can receive in Illinois!”  

Ald. Debra Silverstein (50) tweeted “The 24th District Police will be holding an in-person CAPS meeting for Beat 2411 tonight (May 3). The meeting will be held at Bethesda International Academy, 6803 N Campbell, at 7 PM.” 

Chicago remains in the Centers for Disease Control “low risk” category for COVID-19, but the city could move into the “medium risk” category by the end of this week if it surpasses 200 daily new cases per 100,000 residents, Chicago Department of Public Health Comm. Allison Arwady said in a news release Tuesday. “Residents should continue to feel comfortable going to work, going to school, and traveling on CTA buses and trains, but should exercise caution, not only for themselves, but to protect others.” Arwady said.  

The Chicago Federation of Labor’s delegates voted unanimously late Tuesday to reelect Bob Reiter and Don Villar to new four-year terms as president and secretary-treasurer of the union, the group announced. The entire “solidarity slate” headed by Reiter and Villar ran unopposed.  

U.S. Rep. Danny Davis (D-Ill.) will host an event with James Smith of Sow Community Development Corporation at 3906 W Gladys Ave. in Chicago at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday to “discuss solutions to the affordable housing crisis,” according to an event notice. They will hold a news conference to “showcase successful solutions to the shortage of affordable housing and building generational wealth.” 

Rep. Will Guzzardi (D-Chicago) tweeted, “This #TeacherAppreciationWeek, I appreciate the amazing teachers of @CTULocal1 for relentlessly defending the needs of our students, schools, and communities. Proud to have stood with you on the picket lines, and to have your back every day.”  

Sen. Robert Peters (D-Chicago) tweeted, “I encourage all eligible organizations to apply for the new round of community anti-violence grants. We want every single community to get the public safety everyone deserves!”  

Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado (D-Chicago) tweeted, “HB 4434 recently passed the Senate unanimously, meaning the @ChicagoFire, @chicagosky, and @chicagoredstars license plates are on the way. Once available, every license plate purchased will raise money for Illinois public schools. @WNBA@NWSL@MLS"  

Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) tweeted, “Great to start the week off in South Shore to announce funding for violence prevention ahead of the Summer. Honored to stand with the people and organizations who are doing the work to make us ALL safer.”  

Sen. Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) tweeted, “This weekend, I had the pleasure of joining @ABATEofIllinois for their Freedom Rally in Springfield, where I was honored to accept a Senator of the Year award. Thank you to ABATE of Illinois for this recognition, and for all of the great work you do!”  

Sen. Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) tweeted, “Yesterday, I stopped by the Lincolnwood Baseball and Softball Association's picture day. No matter the weather, there is nothing like having youth baseball and softball thriving in our community.”  

Sen. Robert Martwick (D-Chicago) tweeted, “Massive congrats to @taft_hs art teacher Jennifer Trejo for winning the @Teach_Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching! Day in and day out, Jennifer dedicates herself to enriching the lives of her students and growing Taft's wonderful art department. Much deserved.” 

Jessica Genova is leaving her position as chief of staff to Rep. Lindsey LaPointe (D-Chicago) to join the Democratic Party of Illinois as a regional political organizer. Claudia Peralta will take over as the new chief of staff.   

Illinois will use $84 million from a settlement with Volkswagon on electric transportation, including replacing diesel buses with electric buses, electric public transportation vehicles and charging stations.   

The Illinois Department of Public Health is making $3.7 million of grants available to all counties except Cook County for implementing COVID-19 health equity strategies. The grants are part of the federally funded Activating Relationships In Illinois for Systemic Equity.  

Gov. JB Pritzker announced the state was making $113 million of grants available for anti-violence programs through the Reimagine Public Safety Act. The funding is expected to be ready for the summer. The $113 million is in addition to $73 million already sent out by the Department of Human Services and $71.8 million still awaiting distribution. The grants are designed to combat gun violence in Illinois cities.  

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) tweeted “Thank you @RTMetroChicago for your commitment to helping families in need of home improvements throughout the Chicagoland region! Bringing business and labor together for our residents is a model for success everyone should follow.”  

Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez (33) tweeted “Eid Mubarak to the beautiful people of Palestine. May solidarity manifest in collective action and the struggle for liberation shine bright and win.” She also shared an article from Harper’s Bazaar.   

Ald. Harry Osterman (48) tweeted “This week is Teacher Appreciation Week, and I want to thank all of our educators for their tireless work to support our students and their community. Take time this week to celebrate the educators who've made a positive difference in your life!”  

Ald. Maria Hadden (49) in a thread tweeted “Lake Michigan Rescue Equipment Act was passed by both houses of the state’s Congress following a community push for increased safety measures after many drownings in recent years. The bill was filed by @RepKellyCassidy 

on Oct 5 and passed on March 29...We will still need to be diligent this summer, as the bill has not been passed into law yet. Please continue to observe lakefront safety signage and exercise caution near high-incident piers.”  

Ald. Debra Silverstein (50) tweeted “Today is Eid al-Fitr, an important Islamic holiday marking the end of the month of Ramadan. I would like to wish the 50th Ward’s entire Muslim community a very happy holiday! Eid Mubarak!” 

The Chicago Department of Housing has closed its fourth round of Emergency Rental Assistance Program funds, the department announced Monday. The last round of the program, dubbed ERAP2, included $102 million from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and provided up to 18 months of rental assistance and utility payment assistance for impacted renters, officials said. 

Rep. Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago) tweeted, “It's always an honor and pleasure to stand in solidarity with my fellow legislators, activists, advocates, and the LGBTQ+ community. Yesterday we recognized that many trans women and specifically, Black trans women continue to go missing and are murdered at an alarming rate.”  

Rep. Mike Zalewski (D-Riverside) tweeted, “Claudia’s electric bill is going to *decrease* this summer because of my vote on historic climate legislation, the Clean Energy Jobs Act.”  

Sen. Cristina Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago) tweeted, “Recently, SCOTUS rejected the principle of equality under the law when it comes to Puerto Rico. This week, @senatoraquino & I were on Capitol Hill to meet with Congressional leaders & urge support for the Puerto Rico Self-Determination Act.”  

Rep. Joe Sosnowski (R-Rockford) tweeted, “Checks and balances need to be restored to ensure Illinoisans have the honest state government they deserve.”  

Sen. Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) tweeted, “Today, on the the legislative anniversary of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, we observe Workers' Memorial Day. Please take a moment today to remember those we have lost as a result of insufficient safety measures in the workplace.”  

Sen. Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) tweeted, “When we invest in public ed, we invest in the future of our state. From school board members to school librarians to the teachers in the classroom, everyone who plays a part in our education system helps shape a bright future for IL. I'm glad to see them receive this support.”  

Sen. Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) tweeted, “It was an honor to stand in solidarity yesterday evening alongside my colleagues, activists, advocates, and the LGBTQ+ community. Restorative space was held for all the trans women who remain missing, who have been murdered or unnamed.”  

Sen. Laura Fine (D-Glenview) tweeted, “The @ADLMidwest reported a historically high level of anti-Semitic incidents in 2021, including a 15% increase in anti-Semitic incidents in Illinois from 2020 to 2021. We must work together to stand up against hatred in our communities.” 

The University of Illinois-Springfield Public Affairs Reporting program will host a Wednesday, May 4 at 12 p.m. on the status of statehouse reporting in Illinois and around the country. The discussion will feature Illinois state government reporters Brendan Moore from Lee Enterprises, Hannah Meisel from NPR Illinois and Jerry Nowicki from Capitol News Illinois. Registration can be found online.   

The Assyrian American National Republican Coaltion will host a forum for Republican candidates for office statewide offices and some local races in Skokie on Sunday. The event is at 5 p.m. at 9131 Niles Center Road.  

Ald. Daniel La Spata (1) tweeted “It's past time that #WaterForAll come up for a vote. That is why, this morning, I submitted a Rule 39 letter to the City Clerk and Chairman @aldcardenas, signed by a quorum of the Committee on Environmental Protection and Energy”  

Ald. Sophia King (4) tweeted “Thank you to the seniors that joined us today at the Senior Appreciation event at  the @thepenthousehydepark. This was our first senior event in two years and we were happy to see everyone. Special thanks to @premierhealthchicago for providing the Covid19 rapid testing.”  

Ald. Susan Sadlowski Garza (10) tweeted “The CTA's Better Streets for Buses project wants your feedback! Visit http://betterstreetsforbuses.com to share your input. Virtual public meetings will be held on May 4th, May 12th and May 17th. To register for a meeting, call or text 312-722-5496."  

Ald. Derrick Curtis (18) wrote in his latest newsletter, “I'm proud to announce that demolition has started this past Tuesday, April 26, 2022, at the old Ultra Foods, located at 3250 W. 87th Street. Pete's Fresh Market will open in 2023. Thank You so much for your patience!”  

Ald. Tom Tunney (44) in his latest newsletter wrote “On Wednesday, May 4th, my office will cohost a webinar on how to appeal your property tax assessment with Board of Review Commissioner Michael Carbonargi. The webinar will include both a general presentation on how to file an appeal of your assessment and a question-and-answer portion to ask more specific questions to Board of Review staff.”  

Ald. James Cappleman (46) in his latest newsletter wrote “People mean well when they give propane tanks to those living in tents, but these tanks have led to serious fires and explosions that risk killing people. The Chicago Fire Department is strongly opposed to anyone issuing these tanks to people living in the streets given the safety risk to both those living under and passing through the viaducts.”  

Ald. Matt Martin (47) tweeted “Celebrate Chicago River Month with us next month at Burning Bush Brewery. Hear updates about environmental issues from the Alderman and get connected with fantastic organizations like @chicagoriver!”  

Ald. Debra Silverstein (50) tweeted “Today is Yom HaShoah, when we remember the millions of victims of the Holocaust. We must all remember the past and work towards a more enlightened future. Never forget. #NeverAgain” 

The Mansueto Institute for Urban Innovation will host an all-day symposium on May 16 titled “Beyond the single-family home: zoning, equity and access.” It will include a panel at 3 p.m. to discuss “the political realities of zoning reform” with Ald. Michele Smith (43), Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35), Ald. Daniel La Spata (1) and Ald. Matt Martin (47). Online registration is required. 

The Illinois Manufactures’ Association announced Rivian’s electric pickup truck was the winner of the “Makers Madness” competition and is the coolest thing made in Illinois. The truck is manufactured at Rivian’s plant in Normal.   

The Illinois Commerce Commission announced Commonwealth Edison submitted a filing to provide customers with a 3.087 cents per kWh credit on their for a year beginning June 1, which will save the average customer $19.71 per month. Gov. JB Pritzker credited the rate reduction to a provision in the state’s new Climate and Equitable Jobs Act that allows current carbon-free power generators to create a rate credit.

Rep. Robyn Gabel (D-Evanston) tweeted, “Today, ComEd filed new rates with the Illinois Commerce Commission that will provide direct credits of more than $1 billion to customers as a result of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA).”  

Sen. Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) tweeted, “By lowering the eligible age for paraprofessionals from 19 to 18 years old, Illinois can offer this opportunity to aspiring educators or other responsible adults. The law takes effect Jan. 1, 2023”  

Rep. Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) tweeted, “Illinois, like everywhere else in the country, is facing challenges with recruiting and retaining teachers. I am thrilled we are providing some relief to educators across our state under two new bills that were signed into law today.”  

Rep. Jen Gong-Gershowitz (D-Skokie) tweeted, “Thank you @NancyRotering for the opportunity to speak to the next generation of student leaders from @NorthwesternU  

Rep. Tim Butler (R-Springfield) tweeted, “This guy did as much to save the Union as Abe, including continuing Lincoln's work. He's been disparaged, lied about, and his legacy diminished due to those who pushed the lost cause. In our 246 year history, he should be viewed as one of our American giants. HBD 200 to #18”  

Rep. Dagmara Avelar (D-Chicago) tweeted, “So excited that SB3988, a bill I carried in the House, is being signed today by @GovPritzker. This bill will help address the teacher shortage by allowing 18 year-olds to get their paraprofessional license. Looking forward to continuing the work to fight for educators”