Gov. JB Pritzker on Wednesday and officials from the Aviation Institute of Maintenance, the City of Chicago and U.S. Rep. Marie Newman (D-Ill.) announced a new aviation training facility in Chicago’s McKinley Park neighborhood. The institute received an Illinois Economic Development Growing Economy (EDGE) Tax Credit because of its plans to deliver a $10 million capital investment into the Chicago neighborhood that will create 75 jobs by the end of 2022. The 137,000-square-foot campus will begin enrolling students for classes starting on Sept. 27.  

Elkay Manufacturing company plans to donate 101 of its water bottle filling stations to the city to be installed in parks, buildings and community centers on the city’s South and West sides, Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced Wednesday in a news release. The water stations, which include a “lifetime supply of filters,” are expected to “bring access to clean drinking water across locations that need it most while helping reduce single-use plastic waste,” according to the news release.  

House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Hillside) tweeted a reminder that he and the Illinois Secretary of State’s office will host a mobile driver services unit in Maywood over the upcoming weekend.  

Rep. Lakesia Collins (D-Chicago) tweeted images from what she said were “wellness checks” in her district.  

Rep. Ann Williams (D-Chicago) tweeted images from her district after she and state Treasurer Mike Frerichs met with senior citizens to help them identify any unclaimed property they might have.   

Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) tweeted “During our JCAR hearing, I voiced my serious concerns with ISBE's continuous overreach of authority when it comes to the Governor's mask mandates in schools, particularly in how they have treated nonpublic schools differently and denying them their basic right of due process.” 

Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) offered congratulations on Facebook to a new business in her district.  

Sen. Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) on Tuesday encouraged her constituents to fill out her new online survey.  

Gov. JB Pritzker on Tuesday appointed Tommy Arbuckle to the Housing Development Authority and Kevin Blackburn as trustee on the Teachers’ Retirement System Board of Trustees. Both appointments require confirmation by the state Senate.  

Ald. Sophia King (4) tweeted a photo of ways to protected against car vandalism and wrote, “A resident called and asked us to share some car vandalism prevention tips with the public. We appreciate our constituents for always giving us new ideas on how to serve the community”   

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) tweeted a screen-shot of Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s proposed ordinance that would allow the city to sue gangs for their assets and wrote, “First it was ‘Streetgang Terrorism.’ Now it is ‘Victim Justice.’ Same crap, different day. #CancelGangCulture”  

Ald. Matt O’Shea (19) tweeted “This morning we honored Dr. Janice Jackson at City Council. A tireless advocate for the children of Chicago, proud to call her a friend.” 

Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35) tweeted “Thank you [Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez] for sending Mayor Lightfoot’s unconstitutional, racist, classist, and ineffective civil forfeiture ordinance to Rules.” 

Ald. Matt Martin (47) shared an article from WTTW and tweeted, “In Chicago, police officers charged with sexual misconduct are investigated by police officers. Today, I introduced an ordinance that would require an independent body to investigate these cases - reducing opportunities for bias and barriers to reporting.” 

The Cook County Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security will host a “preparedness fair” at Daley Plaza at 10 a.m. Wednesday, when visitors can “receive safety information” from nearly a dozen state and county agencies, including Cook County Health and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency. County health workers will also administer Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccinations at the fair. 

The Chicago Department of Public Health took Connecticut and Washington D.C. off its COVID-19 Travel Advisory because average daily new cases there fell below 15 per 100,000 residents, officials announced Tuesday. 

The Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection issued citations to seven businesses between Thursday and Sunday for violating the city’s mask mandate: Xsport Fitness at 4677 N. Elston Ave., Mike's Tavern at 8354 S. Pulaski Rd., Yakira Yoana Branad at 6234 W. Addison St., The Great Room at 2518 W. Division St., Zhou Brothers Art Foundation at 3302 S. Morgan St., Angela L Hill at 7039-41 S. Wentworth Ave. And Hydrate & Elixir at 3452 - 58 N. Halsted St. 

Rep. Sue Scherer (D-Decatur) tweeted about a blood drive she’s hosting next week in her district.   

Rep. Jaime Andrade (D-Chicago) tweeted a statement about Ald. Jim Gardiner (45).  

Sen. Michael Hastings (D-Tinley Park) tweeted “Thanks @GovPritzker for working with the Senate to achieve a clean energy future for generations to come. Looking forward to you signing this historic piece of legislation.” 

Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) tweeted “We did it! Senate Bill 2408, which will keep our state’s nuclear plants online passed out of the Senate with a 37 to 17 vote, and now awaits the Governor’s signature. For over two years, we have spent countless hours fighting to preserve our state’s entire nuclear fleet.”

Gov. JB Pritzker and officials from the Illinois Department of Human Services on Monday announced they will be providing bonuses of up to $1,000 to eligible childcare workers. The bonuses will be followed by two additional rounds of childcare restoration grants.   

Ald. Brian Hopkins (2) tweeted, “Native Garden Registry Ordinance passes unanimously out of committee! great work, advocates @FieldMuseum @NatureMuseum @ilenviro.” 

 Ald. George Cardenas (12) tweeted, “City council coming up and public safety is on everybody’s mind. Budget decisions to make. We need to fill every vacancy in CPD asap. We do offer recruitment bonuses like the military ?? Maybe we should! Kind of hazard pay if you will”  

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) shared the Chicago Advisory Redistricting Commission’s proposed ward map and tweeted, “It is remarkable that their 15th Ward looks almost exactly how it did 30 years ago!  

Ald. Matt O’Shea (19) wrote in a newsletter that the 19th Ward will host at “telephone town hall” meeting at 7 p.m. that will “include Dr. Jennifer Seo from the Chicago Department of Public Health and Commander Sean Joyce from the 22nd District Chicago Police Department to discuss their departments ongoing work in our community.” Online registration is required. 

Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez (33) shared a Sun-Times editorial urging the City Council to reject the Fraternal Order of Police contract and tweeted, “agree.”

Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced her selection on Monday of Aileen Velazquez as Chicago’s next Chief Procurement Officer. Velasquez comes from CNA Insurance Companies, where she was Director for Procurement Services for Corporate/Outsourced Services. She will take over for Monica Jimenez, who became the city’s acting procurement chief after Shannon Andrews stepped back from the role in April. 

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas announced Monday that her office will host the county’s first tax sale, typically an annual event, since 2019 on Nov. 5. The tax sale will include 36,000 properties whose owners collectively owe about $136.4 million in unpaid property taxes. More than half the property owners owe less than $1,000 in unpaid taxes, according to Pappas' office.

The Illinois House Democratic Women’s Caucus issued a statement on Sunday celebrating the omnibus energy bill passed by the House last week. Rep. Camille Lilly (D-Chicago) said the bill makes Illinois a “national model on how to address the critical issue of climate change while also protecting and creating thousands of good-paying jobs and ensuring our black and brown communities are prioritized,” and Rep. Ann Williams (D-Chicago) called it a “comprehensive, nation-leading climate bill that will put Illinois communities and consumers first.”  

Speaker Chris Welch wrote on Facebook, “SB2408 is the product of good-faith negotiations that has the support from both environmental and labor groups. With this consensus among stakeholders, it is the only proposal that will advance today. I hope to see the same broad bipartisan support in the House for this historic piece of legislation that puts Illinois on the path to a greener, more sustainable future while also prioritizing a diversified energy sector.” 

Rep. Carol Ammons (D-Urbana) released a statement on Friday saying she is “proud to say that our children and grandchildren can now look towards a future with 100% clean energy, good-paying jobs, and wealth for working families in every part of Illinois, especially Black and Brown communities.”  

Sen. Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) posted on Facebook, “It took nearly two years to secure funds, but a 70-year old pump station near Cairo is receiving thousands in federal funds to replace its two flood-damaged pumps. We are so grateful for federal assistance and excited for this opportunity for Alexander County.” 

Gov. JB Pritzker and officials from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity on Friday announced a new $50 million capital program aimed at revitalizing commercial corridors and main streets throughout Illinois. Known as the Rebuild Illinois Main Street and Downtown Capital program, the effort is funded from the Fiscal Year 2022 state budget. Eligible projects for the capital grants must be located in a commercial center or downtown area and can include roadways, parking, public way improvements, parks, venues, plazas, sustainability upgrades, structural repairs and mixed-use or transit development projects. Grants range from $250,000 to $3 million.  

Ald. Pat Dowell (3) wrote on Facebook, “Another Bronzeville happening! The opening of Hatch 41 a spacious, bright co working space at 4131 South State Street. Congrats to Stephen Mitchell, Esq. on his newest venture.” 

Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez (33) shared a Sun-Times editorial about Ald. Jim Gardiner (45) and tweeted, that Gardiner’s “behavior is not acceptable for anyone but particularly for someone who is supposed to represent all constituents and who has the ability to deny services. Sending solidarity to all the people who have been harmed by his actions.” 

Ald. Andre Vasquez (40) wrote in his latest newsletter that the budget proposal he released last week “Increased enforcement of and penalties for serious Building and Health Code violations, $50 million in gender-based violence prevention and aid services, Homelessness prevention funding including $75 million in flexible housing and $75 million for short-term rapid rehousing” and more. 

Ald. Brendan Reilly (42) wrote in his latest newsletter that he is “eager to review the CPD budget, specifically the amount of money allocated to hiring new officers. He will be advocating that CPD hire hundreds of new officers to off-set the recent attrition of officers CPD has experienced.”  

Ald. Harry Osterman (48) tweeted, “I'm proud to support the Treatment Not Trauma Ordinance, introduced by [Rodriguez-Sanchez]. I was recently contacted by mental health professionals from our community advocating for this ordinance.” 

Ald. Maria Hadden (49) shared a letter she wrote to the Sun-Times alongside Ald. Daniel La Spata (1) and Ald. Matt Martin (47) advocating more spending on domestic violence programming, tweeting that “Since COVID-19, Chicago's had an unprecedented amount of domestic violence survivors in need of help.” 

Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) tweeted a brief video as she listened to the House debate on the omnibus energy bill.  

Sen. Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) issued a statement after the House accepted Gov. JB Pritzker’s amendatory veto of the omnibus ethics bill.  

Sen. Adriane Johnson (D-Riverwoods) is soliciting input from residents in her district as she plans her legislative priorities.  

Rep. Suzanne Ness (D-Crystal Lake) tweeted “Thank you to @CaravelAutism Health in Elgin and @ElginAreaChambe for having me at your ribbon cutting! I was excited to learn about the work Caravel is doing to service families and children in District 66 and tour their beautiful space.”  

Rep. Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield) tweeted thanks to Rep. Stephanie Kifowit (D-Oswego) for helping him block traffic as he changed his tire on Interstate 55.  

Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) named former U.S. Attorney Zachary Fardon to the search committee for a new Legislative Inspector General.  

Gov. JB Pritzker on Thursday named Dan Seals as the new CEO of Intersect Illinois. Seals, who most recently served as director of the American Medical Association, takes over for Alya Adamany Woods.  

Ald. George Cardenas (12) tweeted “Not universal income but universal education, that’s the hook, that’s fish! For life! Free education !” 

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) shared a video clip from CSPAN and tweeted “Glad to see City Council members aren’t alone when it comes to getting (or not getting) legislation in a timely fashion. Hopefully we correct this before we become as dysfunctional as Congress.” 

Ald. David Moore (17) tweeted a photo of himself at a news conference outside of the James R. Thompson Center and wrote “August 2021 Chicago Kidney donor, Daniel Johnson (c) speaks about his personal decision to become a living kidney donor at news conference held by David Moore (R), who is running for Illinois Secretary of State. At 25, Johnson became a donor for his father, Eddie Johnson.” 

Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez (33) tweeted “Im not sure why it wouldn’t be appropriate for a group of Alders to send a letter to the Mayor but it would be great to get a hearing on it. And since often it’s the Mayor who decides If hearings happen or what gets discussed and what doesn’t, I believe the ball is in her court.” 

Ald. Maria Hadden (49) tweeted “We should not have to make our LSC meetings unsafe and inaccessible to those who've become active participants this past year and to those who want to participate while we're still in a pandemic.” 

Chicago City Clerk Anna Valencia announced the schedule for her Mobile City Hall program, which is designed to expand access to city services like buying dog licenses, applying for a CityKey ID, or buying a city sticker or residential parking permit. The Mobile City Hall will travel during September and October to Hamilton Park, Humboldt Park, St. Philip Lutheran Church in West Ridge, Hamlin Park, Bessemer Park, Mann Park, Piotrowski Park and Sauganash Park. More information on Mobile City Hall is available on the city clerk’s website. 

Sen. Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) in his latest newsletter reflected on the spring legislative session while encouraging residents to share their ideas.  

Sen. Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) tweeted “Today I joined Executive Director John Ferraro to tour the Northwest Central Dispatch System facility in Arlington Heights. NWCDS handles first response for 11 communities in our area, and I am grateful for the important work they do to keep us safe.”   

Sen. Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) tweeted “I am saddened to learn of the passing of Adlai Stevenson III. He was a true courageous leader who dedicated his life to public service and devoted much of his time to bettering our democracy. His integrity, tenacity and advocacy was contagious to all who knew him.”  

Sen. Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) wrote on Facebook “I spent the morning in Granite City meeting with Metro East mayors to discuss ways we can improve our region collectively. Thank you all for your partnership.” 

Rep. Katie Stuart (D-Edwardsville) tweeted “Thank you to everyone who came out last night to talk about childcare, women’s health, and other issues affecting women in our community.” 

Gov. JB Pritzker on Wednesday  announced the appointments of Cory Thames to the Chicago State University Board of Trustees, Nathan Pietrini to the Children and Family Services Advisory Council, Craig Bradley to the Community College Board, and Jacqueline Hickey as an arbitrator on the Workers’ Compensation Commission. Pritzker also reappointed James Fuentes to continue serving on the Finance Authority. Each of the appointments requires confirmation by the state Senate. 

Ald. Sophia King (4) tweeted a community alert for robberies in the Wentworth police district. 

Ald. Susan Sadlowski Garza (10) tweeted “Happy Birthday [Bernie Sanders], thank you for always sticking up for the working class. Solidarity forever!” 

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) tweeted “Social equity cannabis licensing has been a clusterf**k since inception. This pathetic attempt at guilting us into submission will not work on me. Lightfoot & Co. refuse to have a fully vetted discussion with aldermen, instead choosing to force the issue on the fly. Again.” 

Ald. Jeanette Taylor (20) tweeted in a thread, “I and 11 other parents and organizers did not go on a 34 day hunger strike to save Dyett High School just for the man [Rahm Emanuel] who tried to close a majority Black neighborhood school to be appointed as an ambassador.” 

Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35) tweeted “I just want to thank the Empress of the Americas, Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, Our Sacred Mother Tonantzin, for always being there for us.”  

Ald. Maria Hadden (49) in a thread tweeted “A 207-unit luxury bldg with a rooftop pool on the NW side will ONLY include 6 units affordable units (at 60% AMI) and pay $2M into housing fund to avoid including more affordable housing on site.... We need to do better. Our Alderpersons need to do better. October 1 can't come soon enough.”