Rep. Tim Butler (R-Springfield) tweeted, "honored to join Rep Mike Murphy today in celebrating 75 years of @cmtengineering and being a part of their annual employee recognition program. Proud to have spent my college summers working for this awesome firm founded in Springfield!"

Rep. Ann Williams (D-Chicago) tweeted, "today I joined @RepAndrade40 in Ravenswood Manor to talk with neighbors about the recent uptick in violence and concerns about public safety in the area and citywide."

Rep. Maurice West (D-Rockford) tweeted about efforts to build bridges between upstate and downstate.  "Remember Rep. Mike Marron from the 104th and how he came to our district? Well today I went to his and learned a lot about farming! There are so many similarities between city life and rural life," he wrote."He and I are committed in figuring out ways to unite all of Illinois, no matter our differences in opinion! #BiPartisan #MyRepublicanFriend"

Sen. Robert Peters (D-Chicago) tweeted about President Joe Biden's agenda: "Whether it’s the north side, south side, or west side — we need the entire Build Back Better agenda to lift up all of our communities," he wrote.

Rep. Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago) tweeted about Chicago's declining COVID-19 caseload, writing "This doesn’t mean let down your guard and do whatever you want. It means wearing masks and being thoughtful about where we go and what we do is working."

Friday is the deadline for small cities, towns and villages in Illinois to apply for relief money designated for them in the American Rescue Plan Act. The federal package made $742 million available to these communities, some of whom had not claimed funds, officials said Wednesday. Communities may put money from the American Rescue Plan toward infrastructure, covering backlogged costs for small businesses or revenue losses, among other uses. Eligible municipalities may apply through the NEU Allocation Portal​.

Ald. Daniel La Spata (1) released a statement saying he was "disheartened by some of the baseless rhetoric that continues to be perpetuated to our constituents" about the causes of crime during a series of community meetings called to discuss a rise in carjackings.

Ald. George Cardenas (12) shared a Crain's article about political ramifications of the Bears move and tweeted, "A couple of observations here. First, the land is a great buy from a business standpoint notwithstanding the Bears. So with that, it’s a land deal plain a simple. To get to a stadium it’s like Chicago trying to get a casino. You do and you don’t."

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) tweeted “Anyone have the over/under on when quorum will be achieved today at Budget Committee?” 

Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25) shared a statement on the Illinois Supreme Court agreeing to take up an appeal of his complaint against his predecessor Danny Solis for using campaign funds to pay legal fees.

Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35) tweeted “Let the Bears help the good people of Arlington Heights, just like the Fire once helped Bridgeview. Our Museum Campus / South Loop will be fine without the Bears. Surrounding area does not live or die by the Bears. Soldier Field will get plenty of use with concerts and the Fire.” 

Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36) tweeted “This is hilarious. IT Department doesn’t even have a Twitter account. Maybe they have a MySpace page…”  

Ald. Andre Vasquez (40) tweeted about Wednesday’s budget hearings and wrote “Day 2 of meetings starting over an hour late because we don’t have virtual options!” 

Ald. Matt Martin (47) tweeted information about a budget town hall scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Oct. 6 and wrote, “Learn about Chicago's 2022 budget proposal (which includes a $2B investment of federal pandemic relief funds) at our upcoming budget town hall.”  

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas is issuing $25.4 million in refunds this month to nearly 11,500 property owners who overpaid their First Installment property taxes earlier this year, Pappas announced in a news release on Wednesday. Property owners who paid their property taxes online will see the money automatically credited to their bank or credit card accounts. Pappas’ office has delivered about $82 million in total property tax refunds to 121,000 property owners since launching the automatic refund program in July 2018, according to the office. 

The Chicago Department of Public Health will join Ald. Jason Ervin (28) and Ald. Michael Scott (24) to host two public “planning sessions” for the Altenheim Line, a two-mile section of elevated rail that runs between Taylor Street and Fillmore Street from California Avenue to Kostner Avenue. The first session is planned for 5 p.m. on Oct. 7 at the DRW College Prep Main Hall, and the second session will be held virtually at 5 p.m. on Oct. 14. Online registration is required for the virtual session. 

Chicago Department of Transportation Comm. Gia Biagi will join Ald. Harry Osterman (48) and Deputy Mayor Samir Mayekar at 5:30 p.m. Thursday to cut the ribbon on a "Chicago Alfresco" site that "provides expanded car-free space for outdoor dining and other community activities" at Argyle Street and Sheridan Road.

Rep. Marcus Evans (D-Chicago) tweeted about the first meeting fo the Future of Work Task force, which he is co-chairing.

Rep. Margaret Croke (D-Chicago) introduced the Protecting Heartbeats Act, a bill targeting gun violence. In a press release, Croke said, “In its ruling in Texas, the Supreme Court allowed citizens to take civil action against anyone in violation of the law. Our state has the opportunity to employ this same logic to hold gun manufacturers, importers, and dealers accountable for their actions.“

Sen. Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) tweeted about new grants for local libraries in his district. In a statement, Essex said ”after a difficult year for our students, these grants couldn’t have come at a better time.”

Sen. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) posted to Facebook about a trip to Chicago for a dinner with the Taiwanese business community. “I had the opportunity to speak about the importance of developing training programs and utilizing the workforce here in Southern Illinois to expand business opportunities in the region,” she wrote.

Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) posted to Facebook about a town hall in Huntley, IL, writing “No matter what part of the district I am in, or the age group I’m speaking to, the frustration is the same. Topics of concern include:  how crime is out of control; taxes are increasing, and seeing nothing for it; outmigration of jobs and people; COVID and constant changing of the rules; and the impact of open boarders.”

The Illinois House and Senate Redistricting Committees have made their online map-drawing service available again as the congressional redistricting process approaches. The service is the same one members of the public could use during the legislative redistricting process, which wrapped up earlier in September with a contentious party-line vote. Citizens can submit suggestions for this round of redistricting to [email protected] and [email protected].

Ald. Matt O’Shea (19) in his latest newsletter wrote that his ward is scheduled on Wednesday to “host a no-contact donation drive benefitting the Maple Morgan Park Food Pantry (11030 S. Longwood Drive), 12:00 - 3:00 pm. The food pantry serves more than 1500 families per month from the communities of Beverly, Morgan Park, Mount Greenwood, Washington Heights, and West Pullman.”  

Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez (33) tweeted “I’ll keep talking about this in hopes that we can take this conversation seriously. White supremacy, systemic racism and exclusion are at the root of the issue of violence. If we want it to end we have to commit to dismantling white supremacist structures and fight for equity.”  

Ald. Andre Vasquez (40) tweeted a video from the council chamber Tuesday morning during a delay in the beginning of budget hearings due to a lack of quorum and wrote “Here’s what happens when you don’t provide virtual options at Government meetings.” 

Ald. Matt Martin (47) shared a Time article on ranked-choice voting and tweeted “We’re hearing from the Board of Elections during budget hearings today. If Chicago implemented ranked choice voting, it could save the city money, save voters’ time, and make our elections more fair.” 

Ald. Maria Hadden (49) tweeted “Our office is partnering with State Senator [Mike] Simmons to host a donation drive to create welcome kits for Afghan refugees. Items can be dropped off at State Senator Simmons's office at 5533 N. Broadway from 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday.” 

The Chicago Department of Public Health has not made any changes to its COVID-19 Travel Advisory since last week when it took California and Puerto Rico off the advisory because average daily new cases there fell below 15 per 100,000 residents, officials announced Tuesday. Public health officials added that Connecticut’s daily case rate is under 10 per 100,000 this week, and if that rate stays below 15 per 100,000 residents, it could come off the city’s advisory next week. 

Rep. Bob Morgan (D-Deerfield) posted on Facebook, “Today is National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, a day to help stop HIV stigma and encourage HIV testing, prevention, and treatment among gay and bisexual men across the country. https://bit.ly/3jGoxKJ #StopHIVTogether.”  

Rep. Tim Butler (R-Springfield) shared a Businessweek article about high natural gas prices and tweeted an excerpt: “Nations are more reliant than ever on natural gas to heat homes and power industries amid efforts to quit coal and increase the use of cleaner energy sources. But there isn’t enough gas to fuel the post-pandemic recovery and refill depleted stocks before the cold months." 

Rep. Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) posted on Facebook, “Athletic uniforms are about establishing a sense of unity among team members, but in certain situations, they can unintentionally exclude groups of students. By allowing athletes more flexibility in the design of their uniforms, we can give every student the opportunity to represent their school with pride.”  

Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (D-Glenview) tweeted, “In Illinois, we’re teaching our country’s history, tackling climate change, rebuilding our state, protecting women’s reproductive health care, and yes — expanding voter access. We’re making progress in Illinois. #twill” 

Rep. Jaime Andrade (D-Chicago) shared a tweet about a chemical discharge into Lake Michigan in Indiana and wrote, “Our Great Lakes are essential to our success as a State. From our source of fresh drinking water to their beautiful beaches, we must protect them. This is unacceptable.”

Gov. JB Pritzker announced four appointments to various state boards and commissions on Monday: Anthony Beach will serve on the Employment Security Board of Review, Doug Pryor and Stacey Young will serve on the Enterprise Zone Board, and Caitlyn Doherty will serve on the Workers’ Compensation Commission. All four appointments require Senate confirmation.  

The governor also announced seven appointments to the state’s new Future of Work Task Force: Erica Bland-Durosinmi of SEIU Healthcare, Stephen Campbell of Local 881 UFCW, Michael Ciaccio of Teamsters Joint Council 25, Julian Federle of United Airlines, Delmar Gillus Jr. of Elevate, Ai-Jen Poo of the National Domestic Workers Alliance and City Colleges of Chicago Chancellor Juan Salgado.

Ald. Sophia King (4) tweeted “Happy Monday, 4th Ward! Over the weekend, our office, the Ellis Park Advisory Council, Organic Oneness and 40 other community organizations came together in Ellis Park for the Bronzeville CommUNITY Celebration. It was a beautiful occasion of music, healing, and connecting.” 

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) tweeted “Residential Permit parking has outlived it’s usefulness, particularly when we can’t fully enforce it for those that pay $25 per vehicle more to park. Now is the time to see if graduated, dynamic sticker pricing based on number of cars or access to a garage can be implemented.”  

Ald. Matt O’Shea (19) tweeted “39 years ago today, Officer Martin E. Darcy Jr. was shot & killed while pursuing an armed robbery offender in our community. May God watch over the men & women of the Chicago Police Department.”  

Ald. Matt Martin (47) shared a Sun-Times editorial he co-authored with Ald Maria Hadden (49) and Ald. Daniel La Spata (1) and wrote “This afternoon, I look forward to asking how $25M will be put to work to provide housing, mental healthcare, and other services for gender-based violence.”  

Ald. Harry Osterman (48) tweeted “Our community lost a valued member this weekend with the death of Jose Ulises Evaristo (Spike), a long-time staff member and duck carver at Sun Wah BBQ, due to COVID-19. Follow the link below to read a moving remembrance & to support Spike's memory.”

The Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection is scheduled to host a “Remote Small Business Expo” from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 21. The free business expo is set to feature more than 30 “exhibitors from city, state, federal agencies and non-profits organizations offering 1:1 business guidance,” according to a tweet from the department. Registration is available online. 

Senate Minority Leader Dan McConchie (R-Lake Zurich) released a statement blasting Gov. JB Pritzker’s signature of revised legislative maps, writing, “Rarely do politicians get the chance to break a campaign promise twice.” 

Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) tweeted, “It's not deja vu you're having, Governor Pritzker did sign politician-drawn legislative maps on a Friday afternoon. He has now broken his promise to the people of Illinois TWICE"

Rep. Jaime Andrade (D-Chicago) posted on Facebook, “Another peaceful Saturday evening broken up by a gunfight, this time down the block from where my kids sleep. The surroundings of our elementary schools resembling high noon in the Wild West. We need to do more, NOW.” 

Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (D-Glenview) tweeted, “@JosinaMorita will make history as the first Asian American woman elected to the Cook County Board. I’m so proud to call her a friend.” 

Rep. Carol Ammons (D-Urbana) tweeted, “Unions were created to protect workers from their supervisors…police unions actually just shield police from being held accountable” - Antonio Lightfoot @C4RacialJustice 

Rep. Maura Hirschauer (D-Batavia) tweeted, “Illinois is a safe haven for reproductive health care rights, but when politicians attack in other states, it affects us. IL clinics are experiencing an increase in out-of-state patients, which can lead to staff shortages, overflowing waiting rooms, & lack of resources.”

The Illinois Department of Public Health will adopt the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for Pfizer booster shots, recommending that people 65 and older, as well as those aged 50-64 with “underlying medical conditions,” should receive a booster shot, officials announced on Friday. The guidelines also open the door for younger people to get third doses if they have medical conditions or work in settings with an “increased risk of COVID-19 exposure.”

Ald. Sophia King (4) in her latest newsletter wrote “The senseless shooting death of a Simeon High School student on 52nd and Lake Park have many concerned about their safety in the Hyde Park/Kenwood area. And especially at Kenwood High School... As you may know a credible suspect thought to have started the threats was arrested. We want you to know that we take your safety seriously and are working closely with the various security stakeholders in the community to coordinate the appropriate deployment of resources to mitigate any security threat to students and the community at large.”  

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) tweeted “Thanks to my residents for taking photos of this semi trying to navigate a residential street & damaging a light pole in the process.” 

Ald. Scott Waguespack (32) in a thread shared a photo from an event held on Saturday and wrote “[Openlands] sponsored a canoe paddling tour of the African American Heritage Water Trail on the Little Calumet River, leaving from soon to be rebuilt Beaubien launch, and [NeighborSpace] sponsored gardens” 

Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez (33) shared a Block Club article about an Irving Park apartment proposal and tweeted, "I have the first ever Community Driven Zoning process in the 33rd Ward so that the power of zoning is used in a transparent and democratic way. I listen to community and make a decision based on that feedback. I don’t support this project."

Ald. Brendan Reilly (42) in his latest newsletter shared a link to an episode of John Kass’ and Jeff Carlin’s “The Chicago Way” podcast during which Reilly commented on the proposed 2022 budget, downtown crime and the ward remap. 

Ald. Matt Martin (47) in his latest newsletter wrote that during upcoming hearings on the city’s proposed 2022 budget, he “will pay close attention to the policy issues on which my office's recent town halls have focused: housing, the environment, child care, and domestic violence.” 

Ald. Maria Hadden (49) wrote in her latest newsletter that “for months, my colleagues in the Progressive Caucus and I have been championing legislation that calls for the allocation of ARPA funds to go towards housing assistance, homelessness prevention and resources, guaranteed basic income, mental health services, violence prevention, alternative crisis response, mental health resources, gender-based violence resources, and more. While I applaud the Mayor and her team for listening to these calls from City Council, she did not include us in those discussions.”

The Chicago Department of Public Health on Friday announced the launch of the city’s “Face Forward” campaign to promote COVID-19 vaccination among teens. The city has enlisted photographer Sandro Miller to take portrait photos of youth between the ages of 12 and 18 so their images can be “transformed into a one-of-a-kind work of art” to be included in a citywide marketing campaign.

The Chicago Federation of Labor’s Airport Labor Committee will host an “Air Rage Town Hall” at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the O’Hare Hilton Grand Ballroom to “discuss the rise of abuse of flight crews, customer service agents, and other airport workers by the flying public.” 

Gov. JB Pritzker on Thursday announced more than $44 million in state grants will be allocated to help train workers in Illinois in communities hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as youth at risk of violence. Of the total, $40 million will be used for Workforce Recovery Grants while $4.4 million will be dedicated to career training grants for at-risk youth. 

Ald. Daniel La Spata (1) tweeted “This week is the first week of 2022 Budget Season. I'll be recapping each week at 5pm on Friday. You can log-in to comment on Facebook Live, or you can simply tune in with this link. Please join me to learn about what's going on at City Hall!” 

Ald. Susan Sadlowski Garza (10) tweeted “The meeting for the 10th Ward Community Forum for Public Art Mural at the E. 100th Street Viaduct (North Wall) will be rescheduled due to Zoom issues with the City of Chicago account. We will make sure to notify the community when a makeup date has been set.”  

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) tweeted “Can someone explain why aldermen need PROOF of vaccination to attend a budget hearings but NOTHING to attend full City Council meetings?” 

Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez (33) tweeted “Repeat with me. We do not call the police on our children. We offer comfort, support and a safe space to process. Please don’t do this.”  

Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35) shared a WBEZ story about Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s proposal to sue gang members and tweeted “The ordinance is impractical, ineffective, and risks fueling more crime and violence. I'm a NO. Chicagoans should read this article and then reach out to their alder.”  

Ald. Maria Hadden (49) tweeted “So wait...we're going to see fewer kids in quarantine because we're going to relax the rules on safety? @ChiPubSchools we need answers now. Changing the rules because you don't like the outcomes is not a fix. #MakeItMakeSense Fix the contact tracing problems. Show us a real plan.”

Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced on Thursday a new vaccination initiative aiming to ensure 77 percent of Chicago residents aged 12 and older have begun receiving their vaccinations against COVID-19 by the end of the year. Through the program, called Protect Chicago 77, city officials plan to involve additional community partners to boost resident engagement and ensure eligible residents across all of the city’s communities are getting vaccinated. The city is rolling out videos aimed to help people talk to friends and family about the vaccine, a marketing campaign and weekly updates on neighborhoods’ vaccination progress. As of Wednesday, 72.4 percent of Chicagoans aged 12 and up had received at least one dose of a vaccine. 

Groups including Communities United, Elevate Energy and the DePaul University Institute for Housing Studies announced they are forming the Chicago Flats Initiative “to provide short- and long-term assistance in the form of resources and counseling” to help preserve two- to four-flats across the city. 

Rep. Bob Morgan (D-Deerfield) highlighted a host of federal and state grant funding opportunities in his latest newsletter.  

Sen. Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) issued a statement after Schaumburg received state money for bike path improvements.  

Sen. Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) tweeted images of her and Rep. Mark Walker (D-Arlington Heights) recently attending a grand opening in their district.  

Sen. Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) tweeted “We chatted about the start of the school year, new laws pertaining to education, and how we can continue to support our educators. Thank you to @AlarmistBrewing for hosting and for Marie's Pizza and Liquors for catering.”

Sen. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) tweeted “It was a great evening with Buena Park Neighbors last night at the Chicago Corinthian Yacht Club. It’s lovely to talk to active and engaged #BuenaPark neighbors in the 6th District. #chicagoliving