Gov. JB Pritzker appointed Raymond Garcia to the State Police Merit Board, Thomas Evers to the Waukegan Port District Board, Mitchell Davis to the Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes, David Jacobs to the Choose Chicago Board of Directors, Randy Colon to the Access and Functional Needs Advisory Committee, Laura King and Calvin Dye to the Law Enforcement Medal of Honor Committee and Jason Quira and Cheryl Watkins to the Chicago State Board of Trustees. 

Ald. Matt O’Shea (19) tweeted “The annual Clean & Green Day of Service will be held citywide on Saturday, April 23rd. If any organizations in the 19th Ward would like to beautify an area in the community, please contact my office.”  

Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez (33) tweeted “I just got a disturbing update from IBEW Local 1220 @Window2workers. Instead of coming to the table to negotiate in good faith the admin at @wttw has sent the workers COBRA letters. This is a slap in the face to these workers fighting to protect jobs and the quality of work”  

Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35) tweeted “Chicago City Council meets today to vote on the appointment of Nicole Lee as 11th Ward Alderperson. Lee will be the first American of East Asian descent and the 55th woman to represent a Chicago ward in the city's 189 years.”  

Ald. Tom Tunney (44) tweeted “Congratulations to Nicole Lee on making history with her appointment as the first Asian American Alderwoman in Chicago history. I was proud to support her appointment and I know she will represent the 11th Ward well.”  

Ald. Harry Osterman (48) tweeted “Yesterday, I committed to co-sponsor @BringChiHome 

and support this solution that would create a dedicated revenue stream to support unhoused people, including children, veterans, and survivors of gender-based violence.  

Read more about it here: https://bringchicagohome.org”  

Ald. Maria Hadden (49) tweeted “A judge granted a motion for the consent decree to include oversight of the CPD's search warrant policies. While this is a step in the right direction, we still need to pass the Anjanette Young Ordinance to mitigate wrongful raids and end no-knock warrants”  

Ald. Debra Silverstein (50) tweeted “Very pleased to vote to confirm Nicole Lee as the new Alderwoman of the 11th Ward, and Chicago’s first Asian American woman to serve on the City Council. We need a council that is reflective of the diversity and strength of this city. This is a solid step in the right direction.” 

The Neighborhood Building Owners Alliance of Chicago will host Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx at 12 p.m. Tuesday to “discuss specific public safety issues that impact those...who invest in neighborhood multifamily housing.” Online registration is required.  

The Chicago Teachers Union will host an information session at 12 p.m. Tuesday on “recovery services” for parents of students who have Individualized Education Plans. Spanish interpretation will be provided. Online registration is required. 

Rep. Ann Williams (D-Chicago) tweeted, “Busy few weeks in Springfield! Highlights include: Celebrating 6th months of CEJA's passage & a subject matter hearing on implementation Getting SB180, the Legislative Accessibility Act, out of committee & onto the House floor Improving adoption processes through SB3130”  

House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Hillside) tweeted, “#DemNews: We are continuing to restore Illinois' fiscal health and recovering from Covid-19 by addressing debt in the state’s unemployment insurance trust fund + investments for pension obligations, group health insurance, and college student assistance. #UpLiftIL"  

Sen. Linda Holmes (D-Glenview) tweeted, “I'm pleased my bill to appropriate some of our ARPA funds to pay outstanding debts, including our Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund. @GovPritzker signed the bill into law today!”  

Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) tweeted, “For the first time ever, we are introducing $2.7 billion in new, outside money which spares employers a tax increase and spares employees benefit reductions.”  

Sen. Michael Hastings (D-Frankfort) tweeted, “Yesterday, I voted for a piece of legislation that paid down $4.1 billion in state debt.” 

Sen. Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) tweeted, “Fentanyl-based and fentanyl-laced drugs are proliferating across Illinois, killing more people every year. If this legislation empowers even one person to reach out for help without fear, it will have done its job.”  

Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado (D-Chicago) tweeted, “Compromise language with incentives for higher biodiesel blends moved forward as an amendment Wednesday, March 24. The Senate Revenue Committee unanimously passed an amendment to SB1146, which is on the third reading on the Senate floor.” 

Gov. JB Pritzker on Friday signed SB2803, which appropriates $2.7 billion from the American Rescue Plan to the unemployment insurance trust fund, $230 million from the general revenue fund eliminate debt in College Illinois!, $300 million for the Pension Stabilization Fund and nearly $900 million for the group insurance program.   

Pritzker announced Friday the start of the Illinois Cybersecurity Commission. The commission will work to improve cybersecurity throughout government and “identify and disrupt” cyberattacks.   

The Illinois Department of Public Health will close its 10 community-based COVID-19 testing sites on March 31, citing widespread at-home tests and SHIELD testing available throughout the state. The locations are averaging about 50 tests per day and account for about 1 percent of all COVID tests in Illinois, according to a news release.  

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) tweeted, “Imagine what we could do if we had TWO functional police helicopters”  

Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35) tweeted, " I will permanently stan Toni Preckwinkle because I feel like she's the elected official who has single handedly done the most to permanently reduce Cook County's prison population, tearing down entire wings of the prison under her leadership.”  

Ald. Brendan Reilly (42) wrote in his latest newsletter, “Alderman Reilly has heard from many constituents regarding the proposed Tribune Publishing location, as it is very close to the 42nd Ward boundary and would directly impact many residents. Alderman Reilly takes constituent input very seriously and knows neighborhood residents are clearly opposed to the Tribune proposal. The Alderman has already communicated his serious concerns about the Tribune proposal to members of the Lightfoot Administration and will reiterate those concerns when the Special City Council Casino Committee is convened next month.”  

Ald. Matt Martin (47) wrote in his latest newsletter, “I met with two representatives from the city's Department of Transportation to discuss ongoing plans at the city and state levels to expand electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. Within the next year or so, I'm hopeful that the City can craft and release a detailed framework for how EV-charging infrastructure should expand throughout Chicago, in light of the growing popularity of EVs and recent commitments made by multiple car manufactures to only sell EVs within the next 15 years.”  

Ald. Maria Hadden (49) tweeted, “’There’s nothing controversial about signing on and voting to pass legislation that keeps people safe in their homes...’ I want to see all 50 members of the council sign on to this [Anjanette Young] ordinance.”  

Ald. Debra Silverstein (50) wrote in her latest newsletter, “At City Council on Wednesday, I was honored to publicly thank many of our local police officers for their dedication and commitment to the safety of our neighborhood. After a horrifying rash of anti-Semitic incidents in the 50th Ward, the police rallied to our community’s defense.” 

Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s office will host a youth-focused Community Safety Town Hall at the Harold Washington Library Winter Garden at 10 a.m. Saturday. Online registration is required. 

Sen. Don DeWitte (R-St. Charles) tweeted, “Statehouse Democrats passed the largest tax on Illinois' jobs in this state's history today, yet they're trying to spin it as a "win."”  

Rep. Maurice West (D-Rockford) tweeted, “Today we took a step towards ensuring that the disability community is at the table and no longer on the menu! After a year of working with disability advocates from around the state, I passed HB1587 with bipartisan support today.”  

Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) tweeted, “Two weeks ago, Senate Democrats passed a bill over to the House that underfunded our state’s $4.5 billion UI Trust Fund debt & said an agreement would be reached before it came back to us. Today prove why we were right to have serious doubts.”  

Rep. Suzanne Ness (D-Crystal Lake) tweeted, “Proud to share that I'm supporting 2.3 million Illinoisans with disabilities by co-sponsoring SB 180, the Illinois Legislative Accessibility Act.”  

Sen. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) tweeted, “Hang on to this pic., here is the truth. The Dems just voted to short the Unemployment Trust Fund by $2.8 bil. So, when small business gets hit w/huge employer tax increase, and has to lay people off, those unemployed workers could get from $120-$400 less per month.#TruthTold"  

Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) tweeted, “Here is me warning the Dems a year ago about the mess they would create by not acting on unemployment insurance then...further half measures today will mean fewer jobs in Illinois and cost employees who lose their job dearly!”  

Rep. Lamont Robinson (D-Chicago) tweeted, “We must do more to support @SEIUhciimk and the dedicated home health care workers who care for our seniors for little pay and benefits.”  

Sen. Laura Fine (D-Glenview) tweeted, “This morning, I held a press conference with the @simonwiesenthal Center to discuss the Center's digital terrorism and hate report evaluating social media platforms’ policies on online hate speech.”  

Sen. Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) tweeted, “The risk PFAS chemicals pose to people and the environment has become clearer, which is why it’s important we are acting now to reduce the amount these chemicals entering our air.”  

Sen. Denyse Stoneback (D-Skokie) tweeted, “It was another late evening at the Capitol. I was proud to cast a vote to take necessary action to address the ongoing issues regarding the unemployment trust fund, which took a hit due to the pandemic.”  

Rep. Joe Sosnowski (R-Rockford) tweeted, “Pritzker has unveiled his tax cut plan for groceries, property taxes, and gas bills, but shortly after those votes are counted in November it all goes away. All this after having spent $50 million to try to raise taxes through a constitutional amendment.” 

The Civic Federation announced Thursday they will support Gov. JB Pritzker’s budget proposal noting the state’s ability to pay its bill and recent credit upgrades which they saw now allows the state to plan stable budgets and increase reserves. They also said the state now has an opportunity to plan to solve long-term challenges.  

Illinois’ unemployment rate dropped to 4.8 percent in February, according to the Illinois Department of Employment Security. The state also added 19,600 non-farm jobs.

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) tweeted “Our @StreetsandSan laborers never stop working when they are in the 15th Ward. When the garbage trucks leave to unload, the crew stays behind and cleans up the community they are assigned to. Great work everyone - my residents thank you!”  

Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25) tweeted “If the law allows corrupt politicians to use campaign funds for legal defense fees, then it’s time to change the law.”  

Ald. Tom Tunney (44) in his latest newsletter wrote “This week I was proud to be named the Chairman of the "Special Committee on the Chicago Casino" by my colleagues on the City Council. The Special Committee's jurisdiction is to oversee all matters related to creation of Chicago's first casino (zoning, contracting, permitting, etc.). A Chicago casino is estimated to bring hundreds of millions of dollars annually into City coffers to fund pension liabilities, Chicago Public Schools, and other programs.”  

Ald. Matt Martin (47) tweeted “Ravenswood - We want your feedback on small business, development, and pedestrian safety in the Ravenswood Industrial Corridor. Join us for a virtual visioning meeting on April 4”  

Ald. Maria Hadden (49) tweeted “Gas giveaway going a lot smoother today in Rogers Park. Thanks @ChicagoCAPS24 @ChicagoOEMC @StreetsandSan @ChicagoDOT and @DrWillieWilson for coordinating to make this a better experience for everyone”

Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi announced the public release of data used to calculate the assessment of every individual commercial property located in the City of Chicago for Tax Year 2021, saying it was the first time the information was every published. The searchable database is available online. 

Rep. Avery Bourne (R-Morrisonville) tweeted, “Blue Cross Blue Shield and JB Pritzker need to stop playing games with Central Illinoisans and their healthcare. #Twill"  

Sen. Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) tweeted, “Today I joined state legislators and fire officials to highlight a measure that would help recruit more volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel by providing an income tax credit at a press conference.”  

Rep. Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago) tweeted, “It was easy to choose today’s socks after yesterday’s vile transphobic rant on the House floor from one of my colleagues. #twill"  

Sen. Michael Hastings (D-Frankfort) tweeted, “People who intentionally murder police officers should serve life sentences. The Governor needs to reconsider his future nominations, or I’ll be voting them down as well.”  

Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado (D-Chicago) tweeted, “The Illinois Trust Act is intended to protect immigrant communities & keep families whole. Will County’s State Attorney’s Office violated the Trust Act by entering into an agreement with ICE & continued to violate said bill by transferring Mr. Navarro to ICE on or around March 22”  

Sen. Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) tweeted, “I joined Senator Diane Pappas to meet with members of ABATE Illinois at the Capitol today. ABATE members advocate for motorcycle rights and work to bring awareness to issues affecting riders. Thank you for the visit, and I hope you enjoyed the trip to Springfield!”  

Rep. Dave Vella (D-Rockford) tweeted, “I had the honor to give out red carnations yesterday in order to commemorate St. Joseph’s Day and to educate the Illinois House of Representatives on the importance of this day to the Italian Catholic community.”  

Rep. Katie Stuart (D-Edwardsville) tweeted, “Thanks to the members of #AFFI for stopping by and filling me in on issues related to our fire fighters who protect us all each day.”  

Sen. Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) tweeted, “All students deserve the opportunity to have a well-rounded, nutritional meal at school that meets their dietary needs. For some kids it may be the only substantial meal they get that day, and they need to be able to make the most of it.”  

Rep. Mark Walker (D-Arlington Heights) tweeted, “50 Federal judge appointments passed without much folderol. Durbin's got the hard work and achievement gene. Illinois Proud.” 

The Illinois Commerce Commission will begin implementing their five-year Crossing Safety Plan to improvements at railroad crossings. The plan includes funding from the Rebuild Illinois capital plan. Work will be done at 879 railroad crossing in the state.

Ald. Sophia King (4) tweeted “Join Ms. Anjanette Young for a rally in support of the Anjanette Young ordinance this Saturday, March 26th at 11 AM in Daley Plaza. Speakers will include Ms. Young as well as Aldermanic co-sponsors Maria Hadden, Jeanette Taylor, Stephanie Coleman, Leslie Hairston, and Sophia King”  

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) tweeted “3.5 hours on resolutions is nice or was it a stall tactic to get the rubber-stamp Casino Committee rammed through?”  

Ald. Matt O’Shea (19) tweeted “This morning at City Council we honored Dr. Ngozi Ezike for her dedicated service to Illinoi[s]ans. A real class act, she served with empathy and compassion.”  

Ald. Michael Rodriguez (22) tweeted “Chicago City Council joins the 21st century. Electronic voting is here!”  

Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36) tweeted “Just cast our first e-vote! We are officially out of the Flintstone age!”  

Ald. Debra Silverstein (50) tweeted “I was honored to publicly thank many of our local police officers at City Council today for their dedication to the safety of our neighborhood. After a horrifying rash of anti-Semitic incidents, the police rallied to our community’s defense.” 

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas will begin the Annual Tax Sale on May 12 for the sale of unpaid 2019 property taxes that were originally due in 2020, she announced Wednesday. About $219 million in unpaid 2019 property taxes is due on 44,741 homes, businesses and land. Property owners can avoid the tax sale by going to cookcountytreasurer.com and selecting "Avoid the Tax Sales." 

Sen. Doris Turner (D-Springfield) tweeted, “I had a great time tonight with our Future Farmers of America. I sat on a legislative panel and offered advice on how to promote positive change in one’s community through advocacy. The students were incredibly respectful and had great questions!”  

Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) tweeted, “I advanced two measures out of the Senate Education Committee today that would help address the ongoing statewide teacher shortage.”  

Sen. Don DeWitte (R-St. Charles) tweeted, “Republicans have put forth a common-sense approach that lowers the price of gas in a way that does not negatively affect the state budget. It makes border-adjacent Illinois fuel retailers more competitive while maintaining important road funding.”  

Rep. La Shawn Ford (D-Chicago) tweeted a Block Club Article titled, “More Black, Latino Chicagoans Are Dying Of Heroin, Fentanyl Overdoses. A State Plan Will Expand Strategies To Tackle The Crisis”  

Sen. Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) tweeted, “Happy Ag Day! Thank you to the Department of Ag for all the fun local products. With over 27 million acres of farmland in IL, National Agriculture Day takes on a special meaning. We celebrate the farmers that make sure we always have safe, healthy food for our families.”  

Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) tweeted, “Yesterday morning, I had an amazing seat to witness history #KetanjiBrownJackson. This morning my seat is even better. Young and engaged!” 

Former Illinois Attorney General candidate Erika Harold has been appointed executive director of the Commission on Professionalism at the Illinois Supreme Court.   

The Chicago Sun-Times has hired Tina Sfondeles as the newspaper’s chief political reporter. Sfondeles, who previously worked for the Sun-Times, currently works as vice president of public and media relations at Mac Strategies Group. Prior to this role, Sfondeles was a White House reporter for Politico.

Ald. Matt O’Shea (19) tweeted “19th Ward residents/business owners are invited to stop by my office (10400 S. Western Ave) to pick up a window sign in support of the people of Ukraine.”  

Ald. Jeanette Taylor (20) tweeted “I will NOT be doing any interviews with @wttw until they make things right with the workers at IBEW Local 1220 (@Window2workers) and give them a fair contract!”  

Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez (33) tweeted “Neighbors be advised of the active fire at 3040 W Lawrence. The marshal said it started in the second floor storage area. No injuries, thankfully everyone was able to get out of the building.”  

Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35) shared a Tribune article and tweeted “Richard Irvin flip flops on criminal justice reform to get that Ken Griffin cash.”  

Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36) tweeted “Here’s a great opportunity to select the first Asian to represent the 11th Ward. Let’s make history or herstory by getting this selection done ASAP.”  

Ald. Brendan Reilly (42) tweeted “Today’s Senate Confirmation Hearing has confirmed Senator Lindsey Graham: still spineless.”  

Ald. Maria Hadden (49) tweeted a video with the title of "49th Ward Update on #GasGiveaway pt. 2 scheduled for Thursday, March 24.” 

The Chicago Department of Public Health announced the removal of seven states from its COVID-19 Travel Advisory for seven states — Alabama, California, Montana, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, and Oregon — because their average daily case rates dropped below 15 per 100,000. Their removal leaves 11 states and one territory whose unvaccinated travelers are still asked to quarantine or test after arriving in the city. Starting on Friday, the public health department plans to switch the system to align with the Center for Disease Control’s three-tier “community level” system that ranks states as being “high, medium, or low risk” based on case rates and hospitalizations.  

The group of five Black Chicago alderwomen who last year sponsored the Anjanette Young Ordinance to add more restrictions to Chicago Police Department warrant execution practices will hold a rally at Daley Plaza at 11 a.m. on Saturday to renew their support for the effort, they announced. Young will be in attendance. Mayor Lori Lightfoot has opposed the ordinance, saying she does not believe police policy should be codified in city code.

Sen. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) tweeted, “The pandemic’s impact on the industry has been startling, as hotels have sustained a large decline in occupancy for more than two years now. SB 4184 counters this by designating $250 million to the new Hotels Jobs Recovery Act.”  

Sen. Cristina Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago) tweeted, “Schools in the 20th District face low vaccination rates, with many not hitting 50% of eligible students being vaccinated. As new variants emerge, I am calling on schools and communities to continue to encourage vaccines for those who can get it.”  

Rep. Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield) tweeted, “Monday fun day reviewing bills for the week…. Where’s @RepTimButler?”  

Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-Chicago) tweeted, “Today, I stood with with a coalition of community organizations and colleagues @OmarAquinoIL2 and @StateRepAmmons calling the State Legislature to Expand The Earned Income Tax Credit. This expansion will help thousands of households in our state when they needed most #ExpandEITC"  

Rep Tom Morrison (R-Palatine) tweeted, “#FreeBabylonBee”  

Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) tweeted, “It’s always a pleasure to be back in the building where I started my career, but even more so today as I watch @SenatorDurbin Chair the confirmation hearing of #JudgeKetanjiBrownJackson. Such a momentous time in our Nation’s HERstory. Glad to share it with colleagues & friends.”  

Sen. Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) tweeted, “In Illinois, we repealed the Parental Notice Act, created a comprehensive and inclusive health and safety curriculum, and passed the Reproductive Health Act. But we cannot take anything for granted and must continue to fight to protect reproductive rights and public health safety”  

Rep. Mike Zalewski (D-Riverside) tweeted, “Pleased to stand with colleagues and stakeholders today at Daley Plaza to advocate for economic security for all Illinoisans.”