Ald. Sophia King (4) tweeted, “Yesterday our office partnered with Centers for New Horizons and Partnership for a Healthier America in their Good Food for All program to send fresh produce to the seniors at Oakwood Shores. Shout out to Black United Fund of Illinois for helping us transport the delivery!”  

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) tweeted, “Yes folks, it is about trust. Here are the vague categories Lightfoot is using to justify $660 Million in spending with no answer to how it will be distributed to the wards or areas of need. Just “trust us.” 

Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez (33) posted on Facebook, “It’s truly shameful that on the anniversary of Laquan McDonalds murder, the Senate is considering confirmation of the man who covered it up.  We said it last fall and we’re saying it again: there should be no place for Rahm Emanuel in the Biden administration.”  

Ald. Tom Tunney (44) wrote in his latest newsletter that he is “excited to announce that Nettelhorst Elementary School is a Chicago Community Works (CCW) semi-finalist for a $1.5 million dollar grant to fund improvements of its playlot!”  

Ald. James Cappleman (46) tweeted, “I went to Uplift's open house today and was amazed at what this high school has to offer our students, especially in the fields of technology, arts, and communications; all things that will help prepare students to be very successful as adults in the job market.” 

Cook County Comm. Kevin Morrison (D-15) tweeted, “Today, I’m wearing purple for #SpiritDay to stand against bullying and to support LGBTQ youth. I’m proud to be the first openly LGBTQ Cook County commissioner – and I will always fight to make sure LGBTQ kids feel safe.”

Chicago City Clerk Anna Valencia announced the last three days of her office’s Mobile City Hall, which brings City Hall services to different parts of the city. Clerk’s Office officials will be in Mann Park on Saturday, Priotrowski Park next Tuesday and Sauganash Park on Wednesday. The full calendar is available online. 

Sen. Adriane Johnson (D-Riverwoods) issued a statement after a bill she sponsored related to flag flying was approved.   

Sen. Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park) issued a statement after a bill he sponsored to create the Veterans’ Accountability Unit was approved.  

Sen. Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) tweeted “The DuPage County Division of Transportation is seeking input from members of the public as a plan for the County’s regional trail network is developed. Those who use the County’s trails are asked to share their opinions via a survey at http://dupageco.org/bikeways  

Rep. Katie Stuart (D-Edwardsville) tweeted about an Oct. 25 discussion she is hosting in her district on senior issues.  

Officials from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency announced Tuesday the availability of up to $2 million in grants for energy efficiency upgrades at low-income single or multi-family homes. Eligible applicants include public housing authorities, local governments and nonprofit organizations. Eligible projects include window replacement, heating and cooling equipment retrofits and lighting upgrades. Applications for the grants are due by Jan. 12, 2022. 

Ald. Jeanette Taylor (20) tweeted “Last time I checked I’m still a member of the Black caucus. Rahm Emanuel (@RahmEmanuel) still closed schools in Black and brown neighborhoods, closed public mental health clinics and covered up the murder of a child. He does not have my support.” 

Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez (33) tweeted a copy of a letter signed by nine aldermen, one Cook County Board commissioner, two state representatives and one state senator opposing former Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s appointment as U.S. Ambassador to Japan and wrote “On the anniversary of the murder of Laquan McDonald by a CPD officer, the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations is holding a hearing on Rahm Emmanuel’s appointment to US Ambassador in Japan. Some of us elected officials in Chicago decided to make our voices heard on the matter.”  

Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35) tweeted a photo from a news conference held outside City Hall on Wednesday and wrote “The Citywide Progressive Budget Coalition is outside of City Hall this morning pushing for a progressive budget that puts neighborhoods and working families first.” 

Ald. Anthony Napolitano (41) wrote in his latest newsletter that his office will co-host a Property Tax Appeal Seminar with Cook County Board of Review Comm. Michael Cabonargi at 6 p.m. Oct. 27 at Taft High School.  

Ald. Michele Smith (43) tweeted tips for celebrating Halloween safely. 

Pace Suburban Bus system Executive Director Rocky Donahue will retire at the end of this year, the transit agency announced on Wednesday. He will retire at the end of this year, having worked for Pace since its inception in 1984. “As an organization, Pace is as healthy, strong and stable as I’ve ever seen it,” Donahue wrote in a news release regarding his decision.

The group Economic Security for Illinois, including former Ald. Ameya Pawar, will host a rally outside City Hall at 9:45 a.m. Thursday in support of Mayor Lori Lightfoot's proposed guaranteed basic income pilot program.

Rep. Eva Dina Delgado (D-Chicago) tweeted “Before settling in to the State Capitol for the week, I stopped in Marion and Clinton Counties. I learned about regenerative farming, harvest time, dairy farms and the technology that helps make it all possible. @ILFarmBureau 

Rep. Natalie Manley (D-Joliet) tweeted out her district office hours for Thursday and Friday.  

Rep. Joe Sosnowski (R-Rockford) tweeted “The Princeton Gerrymandering Project grades congressional maps and gave Illinois the overall grade of an “F.” 

Sen. Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) released a summary of grant opportunities available in her district and the state.

Sen. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) tweeted “First picture is as I was going into Walmart in Springfield at 6:45am. Second picture is me coming out of Walmart in Springfield at 8:15am. I was #2 in line for my Jackson County Shotgun Season Deer Permit! WhooooHoooo! Can’t let Veto Session keep me from the [deer image]! 

Sen. Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) and Rep. Mark Walker (D-Arlington Heights) are hosting a virtual town hall on Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. Registration is required.  

Ald. Matt O’Shea (19) wrote in his latest newsletter that a “proposal to improve and enhance the Chicago Park District green space at 116th & Oakley Ave. was recently announced as a semi-finalist for the Chicago Works Community Challenge Grant. If selected, this grant will provide a $1.5 million investment for a walking path, enhanced lighting and other great amenities in this public space.”  

Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36) tweeted, “Honored and humbled to be recognized by the Illinois Firefighters Association @AFFI1935 for our work in passing the 10 year battery smoke detector mandate. They also made me an honorary Chief, pretty cool.” 

Ald. Andre Vasquez (40) tweeted, “Even though Lightfoot pledged to cooperate fully with the inspector general’s report, the mayor did not fulfill that promise, Ferguson said.”  

Ald. Harry Osterman (48) tweeted, “This past Friday, Oct. 15 was the deadline for City Employees to report vaccination status. Ald. Osterman and the 48th Ward team are proudly vaccinated in an effort to keep ourselves and our community healthy & safe. Please get vaccinated!” 

Ald. Maria Hadden (49) invited constituents to submit answers to a budget survey in advance of a town hall event she plans to host Wednesday evening. 

Ald. Debra Silverstein (50) tweeted that a “local project has been chosen as a semi-finalist in the Chicago Works Community Challenge... The local project is for multigenerational recreation enhancements at Warren Park. The Chicago Works Community Challenge will provide funding of up to $1.5M for infrastructure investments across the city.” 

Florida, Hawaii and Washington, D.C. have been removed from the city’s COVID-19 Travel Advisory list because they have maintained new caseloads below 15 per 100,000 residents for at least two weeks, the Chicago Department of Public Health announced Tuesday. Forty-five states and two territories remain on the list, meaning unvaccinated travelers to Chicago from those states are asked to quarantine or get tested. And health officials noted a “potentially concerning for development for Chicago:” that a “handful of Midwest states, including Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Michigan,” now have among the highest caseloads in the country.  

The Origami Works Foundation will host a webinar at 1 p.m. on Nov. 2 to celebrate the launch of its Talent Solutions Connector, a free tool connecting employers to potential new hires. Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle will lead off the event with a keynote speech, and other speakers will include Irene Sherr, deputy chief for the county’s Bureau of Economic Development. Online registration is required. 

Rep. Suzanne Ness (D-Crystal Lake) tweeted “I recently had the awesome opportunity to tour the Boys & Girls Club of Dundee Township’s (@bgcdt) Impact Center in Carpentersville! The Impact Center is an innovative facility that provides after-school workforce training for D300 High School Students.”  

Rep. Natalie Manley (D-Joliet) tweeted “This morning Illinois legislators gathered together to dedicate a portion of Route 53 in honor of late State Trooper Richard Warner, a WW2 Veteran who was killed In line of duty on April 21, 1969. Though his watch ended 51 years ago, Trooper Warner’s dedication to the community.” 

Rep. Lamont Robison (D-Chicago) tweeted “A sincere thank you to all of our partners and everyone who joined us Friday for our Senior Appreciation Fair. We take seriously our role as public servants and will continue to help meet needs in our community.” 

Sen. Cristina Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago) and Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-Chicago) issued a statement after Gov. JB Pritzker recently signed a measure into law that allows the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to designate cultural districts throughout the state.

House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Hillside), Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford (D-Maywood), Sen. Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago), Sen. Napoleon Harris (D-Chicago), Sen. Robert Peters (D-Chicago), Rep. Camille Lilly (D-Chicago), Rep. Lamont Robinson (D-Chicago) and officials from the Illinois Department of Human Services are hosting a virtual training and listening session about the state’s Grant Accountability and Transparency Act on Oct. 22 at 1 p.m. Registration is required.

Ald. Brian Hopkins (2) in his latest newsletter wrote that due to concerns from CTA, a delay in emergency vehicle response times and the need for residential use, “the section of Division Street between State Parkway and Dearborn Street will be restored to full street access. As many neighbors know, this section of street has been closed for Expanded Outdoor Dining to help support businesses during very trying times.” 

Ald. Roderick Sawyer (6) tweeted a photo of himself “meeting with Assistant Principal Carter and Chief of Security Ms. Griffin today to discuss issues at Park Manor Elementary School.” 

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) tweeted “Yes, the rifles are making a comeback. Three years ago we had a Mayor & Police dept that shared my views on going after gang bangers & locking them up. Now many of whom we locked up were covid early-released to keep THEM safe! They settle old scores endangering our city!”  

Ald. Michael Scott (24) retweeted a tweet from the Chicago Police Department advertising an entrance exam.

Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez (33) tweeted “It’s amazing how much fight needs to take place to get the basics in place for safe schools in our city. Solidarity and love to all my fellow CPS parents, teachers and staff trying to make it work.” 

Ald. Debra Silverstein (50) tweeted “Congratulations to the Chicago Sky on winning its first WNBA championship! Celebrate the victory tomorrow (Oct 19) with a parade at 11 AM then rally at noon in Millennium Park. First come, first served. Masks are strongly encouraged.”

Cook County Comm. Sean Morrison (R-17) tweeted a photo of high gas prices and wrote, “Thanks JB” 

The city of Chicago will celebrate the 2021 WNBA Champion Chicago Sky on Tuesday, October 19 with a downtown parade and rally. The parade will begin at 11 a.m. when the team departs from Wintrust Arena, arriving at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park for a celebration rally starting at noon. "The City of Chicago could not be prouder of our winning Chicago Sky," Mayor Lori Lightfoot said in a written statement. "We are thrilled to throw a celebration worthy of this historic moment in Chicago sports and congratulate the Sky for bringing our city its first WNBA title. Let's get ready to paint the town #SkyTown!" 

The Chicago Department of Planning and Development will host 21 meetings spread across seven city regions to learn about entrants to the Chicago Community Works challenge, a $10 million grant competition to support upgrades to public properties throughout the city. Meetings will begin with events in the Far South region at 6 p.m. Tuesday and in the West region at 6 p.m. Thursday. Online registration is required.

Sen. Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) tweeted an image, adding, “#TeamRam had another productive week #InTheDistrict! Our team joined @CabonargiBOR for a property tax appeal seminar.” 

Sen. Cristina Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago) shared a post on Instagram highlighting the recent opening of a district office.  

Sen. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) tweeted “Spent some time this morning with Northcenter and Lincoln Square residents. I kicked it off with the Heart of Lincoln Square and updated constituents about what’s going on in Springfield. Then headed over to the Recycle-Palooza to recycle some old cords! #47thWard 

Rep. David Welter (D-Morris) tweeted a picture of him at what he called #morrisfreedomrally.

Illinois Department of Public Health officials on Friday announced updated guidance ahead of the upcoming holiday season. The update guidance encourages Illinoisans to wear non-costume masks during Halloween, trick or treat in small groups, utilize open-air haunted houses and visit pumpkin patches, orchards and festivals when they are not busy. The agency also reminded Illinoisans that holding outdoor activities for Halloween and Dia de los Muertos was safer than indoor gatherings.  

Ald. Michelle Harris (8) retweeted a tweet from Deputy Mayor Manny Perez that said, “Grateful to @AldermanHarris for her partnership and leadership on small business development along the 87th street corridor.” 

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) tweeted a map of the Deering Chicago Police district and wrote, “This is the lack of beat coverage scheduled this weekend in 009. 40% of the district has nobody available to answer 911 calls. @Chicago_Police’s failed policies cause a lack of manpower every day, endangering y communities as well as all of Chicago - even before Lori’s mandates!”  

Ald. Walter Burnett (27) in his latest newsletter included a news release from developer Graystar about its groundbreaking for a new 166-unit apartment building at 166 N. Aberdeen St.  

Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez (33) tweeted, “It’s getting lost that Joe Ferguson is leaving because MLL wouldn’t re-appoint him. Why would a mayor who believes his work was so good want him out? I’m endlessly grateful for Joe’s guidance, availability, wisdom and courage, among so much more. Chicago deserved for him to stay.” 

Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36) shared a Crain’s article about Chicago’s biotech and pharmaceutical industries and tweeted, “We should have someone laser focused on this tech sector. You want to grow Chicago’s population, this is the answer.” 

Ald. Andre Vasquez (40) used his latest newsletter to promote his “Save Our Ash” resolution (R2021-1130), writing, “Preserving the city's adult tree canopy is a simple, smart, cost-effective program that I've been advocating for this budget season. By spending less in the short-term on simple, effective inoculations, we can save tens of millions of dollars in the long run by preventing early loss of adult trees.”  

Ald. Matt Martin (47) wrote in a statement that he denied a request by the Chicago Department of Planning and Development to rezone a city-owned property at 3840 N. Lincoln Ave. so it could be sold to a developer. “Alderman Martin does not believe that selling off public assets solely for a one-time influx of cash to the City is the best use of this property.” 

Ald. Maria Hadden (49) wrote in her latest newsletter that she “introduced two amendments that represent some priorities for our ward and the Progressive Caucus. The first would dedicate $70M in ARP funds to repair and preserve single room occupancy (SRO) buildings... The second amendment seeks to zero out police vacancies that cannot be used in 2022 to redirect those funds that would be appropriated for other uses.”

Rep. Dave Vella (D-Rockford) tweeted “I had the pleasure of visiting Abraham Lincoln Middle School students this morning. They ask great questions about my role in government and about the 68th District.” 

Rep. Eva Dina Delgago (D-Chicago) tweeted “A recent event that I spoke at provided resources for victims of domestic violence as well as hearing powerful survivor stories. A special thank you to 25th District Chicago Police Department, Community organizations, WingStop, Walmart, & to all that made this event possible!” 

Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) tweeted “We spend alot of time condemning those who won’t speak with authenticity about our history, as we should. We also need to speak about atrocities in our lifetime that deserve attention as well. The truth is the truth no matter who tells it. I filed HR500 to do just that.” 

Rep. Tim Butler (R-Springfield) tweeted “Sad to report the ridiculousness with how the Dems have run redistricting hearings continues. We can't even get the usual sign outside the committee room door to say that there's a hearing today. No surprise that it's an empty room. "No events or meetings scheduled today" 

Sen. Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) tweeted “I joined my colleagues this morning for the official bill signing of SB1833 that helps communities establish cultural corridors for small businesses to maintain their diverse main streets like we do in the 7th district.” 

Officials from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency on Thursday encouraged Illinoisans to participate in the World’s Largest Earthquake Drill at 10:21 a.m. on Oct. 21. In a statement, agency director Alicia Tate-Nadaeu said fire and tornado drills are common practices in schools and business but not everyone knows what to do during an earthquake. “We cannot predict when or where the next devastating earthquake will occur but we can help people learn how to protect themselves and reduce damage to their homes,” Tate-Nadeau said. Those interested in participating can register in advance.