The Chicago Department of Public Health on Wednesday added Vermont to the city’s COVID-19 Travel Advisory. The addition means unvaccinated travelers from every state and territory are now being asked to get a COVID test or quarantine for 10 days after arriving in Chicago. Vermont was added to the city’s travel advisory because their average daily new cases exceeded 15 per 100,000 residents. The U.S. average daily case rate per 100,000 residents is 38.3, down from 39 one week ago. 

Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced Wednesday that her office is working with the Center for Conflict Resolution on a pilot program set to launch this fall that would offer residents an alternative for filing “select” police misconduct complaints, according to a news release from Lightfoot’s office. The so-called “mediation model” that is being worked on by the city and the Center for Conflict Resolution would “be used to address select complaints with the intention of finding resolution in a more expedited manner.” Complaints related to “perceived bias in police or failures to provide appropriate service” would fall under the pilot program’s jurisdiction and would be referred to the mediator instead of the Civilian Office of Police Accountability or the CPD Bureau of Internal Affairs for investigation. 

Rep. Maura Hirschauer (D-Batavia) tweeted “This week in 1870 in Illinois history, the first classes were held at Chicago’s Saint Ignatius College. In 1909, the Jesuit-founded school was re-charted as Loyola University. Pictured: Loyola University, today.” 

Rep. Will Guzzardi (D-Chicago) tweeted appreciation to House Speaker Chris Welch for recently naming him to the Future of Work Task Force.

Rep. Maurice West (D-Rockford) tweeted images from a tour he took of the SHIELD COVID-19 testing facility at the UIC Health Sciences Campus in Rockford.  

Rep. Nick Smith (D-Chicago) tweeted “I celebrated #LaborDay by commemorating the grand opening of the Pullman National Monument and State Historic Site. As Chicago’s first national monument, it recognizes Pullman's role in the American labor movement and honors the Pullman workers of 1894 & Pullman residents today.” 

Sen. Michael Hastings (D-Tinley Park) announced in a statement Monday that the Tinley Park Public Library will soon see upgrades thanks to an $83,000 grant.  

Rep. Steve Reick (R-Harvard) wrote on Facebook “T-Mobile officially named Woodstock, Illinois as the inaugural Hometown Techover winner, scoring a $3 million technology upgrade including a $200,000 grant, 5G network enhancements, a Little League® Baseball field refurbishment, a free concert featuring multi-platinum duo Florida Georgia Line and more.” 

Gov. JB Pritzker on Tuesday announced the deployment of a 68-member Fire Engine Strike team to Louisiana to help assist first responders in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida. The deployment, which consists of members from various fire departments from throughout Illinois, will last 17 days.   

Ald. Pat Dowell (3) wrote in her latest newsletter, “CPS must follow and enforce health and safety guidelines that protect students, teachers, and administrators. That includes frequent school cleanings, distributing PPE, and enforcing all stated health protocols. It also needs to include proper and available mental and emotional health services to help students deal with the psychological effects of the pandemic.” 

Ald. Susan Sadlowski Garza (10) tweeted, “Join the City of Chicago and 548 Development for a series of virtual events on the proposed Galleria 89 development, located at the 8800 block of Commercial Avenue in South Chicago. All are welcome to share their concerns, ask questions, and learn about the project!” 

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) tweeted a photo of an affidavit he signed denying a pay raise and wrote, “Now it is official. Let’s focus on raising Chicago, not our paychecks!” 

Ald. Matt O’Shea (19) advertised a “10-1 benefit” for Chicago Police Officer Carlos Yanez on Sept. 21. 

Ald. Michael Rodriguez (22) tweeted, “I visited @PAWSChicago today on a tour of their facility on 26th street one block from my office. They do amazing work and according to them their spade and neuter program helped Chicago Animal Care go from euthanizing 50k animals/year in the late 90’s to under 2k annually now.” 

Ald. Matt Martin (47) tweeted, “When Congress figures out how to pass the infrastructure bill, Chicago will get millions to replace its lead service lines. We can't afford to squander this once-in-a-generation opportunity. I look forward to working with my colleagues & @ChicagoWater to ensure we'll be ready.” 

The Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection last week cited five businesses for violating the city’s mask mandate: The Mine Music at 1431 W. Lake St., La Cocina at 209 W. Lake St., Snicker’s Bar at 448 N. State St., El Taco Azteca at 1807 S. Ashland Ave. And Country Club at 3462 N. Clark St. Under the city’s Aug. 20 order, businesses “must require any individual, regardless of vaccination status, who is age two or older, to wear a mask when indoors in any public place,” officials said. Businesses must also “post signage indicating that masks are mandated for all customers in indoor settings regardless of vaccination status.” Businesses can download signage on the city’s reopening website.

House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Hillside) shared an article on Facebook about a groundbreaking he participated in for “a new 13,000-square-foot Union Wellness Center on a piece of vacant land just east of the Cement Masons’ Institute” in Bellwood. 

Rep. Bob Morgan (D-Deerfield) posted to Facebook, “Thanks to Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity and Highwood Public Library and Community Center for going door-to-door in Highwood letting businesses know about #BacktoBusiness grants for small businesses! 

Rep. Tim Butler (R-Springfield) tweeted about the State Journal-Register cutting back on publishing, writing, “I've been a  @SJRbreaking subscriber since the mid 1990s. First time I can remember a day which the paper was not purposely published. I understand the realities of today's print journalism, but this is sad. Local news matters. 

Rep. Carol Ammons (D-Urbana) tweeted, “In the past months we’ve been told there’s a “labor shortage” but in reality, we have a dignity shortage. For Hire signs have gone up on every corner across every industry. But today’s workforce is demanding better wages, better conditions, and more dignity. #LaborDayWeekend” 

Sen. Elgie Sims (D-Chicago) tweeted, It’s official, the Pullman National Monument is open for business. This marks the accomplishment of a milestone I started working on during my earliest days in elected office, culminating in the ribbon cutting and grand opening of another one of the 17th District’s Crown Jewels.” 

Gov. JB Pritzker on Friday announced an extension for all nursing home employees, P-12 teachers and staff, and higher education personnel and students to be vaccinated for COVID-19. The new deadline is Sept. 19. 

Also on Friday, Pritzker announced the activation of 160 members of the Illinois Army National Guard who will provide support in relief efforts related to Hurricane Ida.

Officials from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation on Friday announced an additional lottery for conditional adult-use cannabis dispensing licenses. The additional lottery comes after “limited administrative errors” were discovered that resulted in certain applicants not having the correct number of entries in the July 29 lottery. Agency officials did not say when the additional lottery will take place.  

All five members of the Chicago City Council Democratic Socialists Caucus sent a news release calling on Chicagoans to support “the worker-backed boycott of Nabisco products as Chicago members of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers (BCTWM) International Union go on strike. 

Ald. Matt O’Shea (19) wrote in his latest newsletter that “The 19th Ward and the Beverly Area Planning Association will host High School 101, a zoom seminar designed to help guide parents through the High School selection process on Wednesday, September 8th at 7:00pm.”  

Ald. Silvana Tabares (23) used her latest newsletter to advertise a Paper Shred & Prescription Drug Drop-off Event in conjunction with the Cook County Sheriff’s Office and Chicago Police Department from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Sept. 25 at Byrne Elementary School. 

Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25) tweeted, “Today we recommit ourselves to the struggle of our ancestors: to end labor exploitation by Passing the Pro Act, citizenship for all, and ending the prison industrial complex. Our struggles are inseparable and we workers must be indivisible as well. Solidarity and Happy Labor Day!” 

Ald. Andre Vasquez (40) wrote in his latest newsletter that his “311 Modernization Ordinance,” which is set to pass the City Council this month, “codifies a commitment to improve the services you pay for through taxes, by authorizing the City's IT team to upgrade the information displayed for each Service Request (SR) in the 311 system. 

Ald. Brendan Reilly (42) wrote in his latest newsletter that last Monday, he “asked Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Superintendent David Brown to take immediate action to increase police patrols in the Downtown neighborhoods, and assign permanent officers to the hospitality corridors to cure the dramatic spike in violent crime.  

Ald. Matt Martin (47) wrote in his latest newsletter that he “met with the new executive director of Community Counseling Centers of Chicago (C4) to discuss his organization's work around mental health and to tour one of the organization's facilities on Clark near Leland. I also met with representatives from a local solar panel company to discuss policies the city should consider using to encourage solar readiness in new construction.” 

The Chicago Department of Public Health released the latest round of hyperlocal vaccination events, with nearly 40 events across the city between Tuesday and Friday. The full schedule is available online. Chicago is averaging 3,984 new vaccine doses delivered each day. 

Sen. Michael Hastings (D-Tinley Park) released a statement on the energy legislation he sponsored, reading in part, “After years of difficult negotiations, a broad coalition of stakeholders came to a bipartisan agreement that will define the future of clean energy in Illinois. The Illinois Senate, and the Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee, refuse to allow ratepayers to foot the bill for a transition to a cleaner energy future that did not include our valued nuclear fleet.” 

Rep. Maura Hirschauer (D-Batavia) posted on Facebook that “This year I helped to pass HB 1778, which required school-issued ID cards for students in grades 7 through 12 to include contact information for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, the Crisis Text Line, and a local suicide prevention hotline on the card.” 

Sen. Don Dewitte (R-St. Charles) posted on Facebook, “On the heels of the issuance of Gov. Pritzker's 87th Executive Order, I am renewing my call that SB 103, legislation I co-sponsor, be heard and brought to the Senate floor for a vote. This legislation would require the Governor to gain General Assembly approval before extending a disaster proclamation beyond 30 days. SB 103 was filed in February, was never granted a hearing, and was never brought forward for a vote.” 

Rep. Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago) shared screenshots allegedly showing foul language by Ald. Jim Gardiner (45) and tweeted, “There is no place for misogyny & homophobia in our city council or our county party. I am disgusted by Ald/Committeperson Gardiner’s actions and words here. Your constituents deserve better, your city and your party deserve better.” 

Rep. Will Guzzardi (D-Chicago) shared the same article about Gardiner’s texts and tweeted, “Disgusting. Reprehensible. Unbecoming of anybody at all, least of all an elected official. And sure as hell not how you're gonna talk about a friend of mine. Ald. Gardiner, start by apologizing, unequivocally, now. Then... figure out a way to do better.” 

Sen. Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) wrote on Facebook, “We depend on roads to get us to and from places safely. I'm thrilled to hear that the reconstruction of Interstate 255 near the Metro East won top honors among Midwest states in America's Transportation Awards!”

The Illinois Housing Development Authority has paid more than $252 million in rental assistance to almost 29,500 households through the Illinois Rental Payment Program, representing half the $500 million in federally allocated rental assistance first made available in May 2020. “With over 50% of the $500 million in available ILRPP funds paid, Illinois continues to be one of highest providers of rental assistance among all state grantees per the U.S. Department of the Treasury,” according to a release from the agency.

Ald. Daniel La Spata (1) tweeted, “I am pleased to announce that the Chicago Department of Transportation will be installing bike lanes on Logan Blvd at Western Ave. This project will bring much needed improvements to drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists in the area. My statement and the plans are below.” 

Ald. Susan Sadlowski Garza (10) tweeted, “Ald. Gardiner is way out of line. Whether in public or private, the fact that he used demeaning and sexist language is extremely offensive and concerning. You owe people an apology. Do better.” 

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) tweeted, “How does the Board of Review, or any government office for that matter, close for “budget reasons” as property taxes rise exponentially in Cook County with ZERO relief efforts in sight?”  

Ald. Roberto Maldonado (26) tweeted, “TODAY @4:30pm Division & Washtenaw!! Please join us for the long awaited groundbreaking for the Nancy Franco Maldonado Paseo Boricua Art Building.” 

Ald. Scott Waguespack (32) tweeted, “Ald. Gardiner's statements are misogynistic, insulting and inappropriate. He owes my Chief of Staff, Ald. Tunney, and the public an apology.” 

Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez (33) tweeted, “We will get #TreatmentNotTrauma in this city because we won’t stop fighting for it. Because non police crisis response works. Because police do not belong in mental health care and because our city deserves it so much. We need structures of care in order to heal.”  

Ald. Andre Vasquez (40) tweeted, “I stand with @ward32chicago, @AldTomTunney and the staff member (our neighbor) who was disrespected by our colleague. There is no place for that kind of toxic misogyny in City Council. An apology and commitment to making amends is needed.” 

The Chicago Department of Public Health will begin offering $100 Visa gift cards to anyone who gets a COVID-19 through the city, officials announced Thursday. City health officials will give out gift cards starting Saturday at mobile vaccination events around the city and will give out gift cards during at-home vaccination appointments starting Tuesday. Residents will get a $50 gift card when they get each dose of the Pfizer vaccine, or two $50 gift cards at the same time when they get the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

The Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection’s Office of Labor Standards awarded a $100,000 to the group Arise Chicago to “conduct outreach and education on Chicago’s labor laws,” city officials announced Thursday. Arise will “work in partnership with the City to create resources for vulnerable workers and the expectation is that workers will access rights guaranteed by Chicago’s landmark labor laws,” according to the announcement. 

House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Hillside) tweeted “Reproductive rights are essential healthcare. Reproductive rights are human rights. This Texas ban on abortion puts lives at risk and limits the right to control your own healthcare decisions. This is a dangerous rollback on almost 50 years of progress.” 

Rep. Denyse Stoneback (D-Skokie) tweeted “In Springfield yesterday taking on the issue of redistricting. Passed the State House and Senate and on its way to the Governor! 

Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) tweeted “Interesting to see what good government groups (including some leaning to the left) think about the Dems shameful power grab last night in approving new legislative maps to guarantee that their stranglehold of Illinois continues for another decade!” 

Sen. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) tweeted about the forthcoming end of federal unemployment programs.  

State officials on Wednesday announced the deployment of “a team of community vaccinators” to Southern Illinois University Carbondale to help with the state’s vaccine mandate for higher education institutions. Starting Thursday, rapid response teams will set up vaccination clinics on the campus, including offering the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine and the two-dose Pfizer vaccine. The vaccination clinics at the campus are scheduled to continue through Sept. 10.

Ald. Daniel La Spata (1) tweeted “Standing in outrage and solidarity with the seven million Texas women who had their reproductive rights taken away today. If there is any way to aid and abet you from Illinois, let me know.”  

Ald. Brian Hopkins (2) wrote in his latest newsletter that he will host a webinar at 5 p.m. Tuesday when police leaders will "speak about motorcycle noise, illegal vehicles, and drag racing enforcement throughout Chicago."

Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez (33) tweeted “We said it in every possible way we could. We made a list of reasons why. The appointment of Rahm as ambassador is a slap in the face to Chicago and everyone who cares about justice. Thank you @AOC for calling it out. We appreciate it.” 

Ald. Tom Tunney (44) in his latest newsletter wrote that the community meeting for Sunnyside Dispensary’s application to move their location from 3812 N. Clark St. to 3524 N. Clark St. has been canceled. “The dispensary will still need to hold a community meeting before approval of their permit,” Tunney wrote. “At a later date, I will share information on the updated meeting time and location when details are available.” 

Ald. Matt Martin (47) tweeted a graph showing requests for shelter in this ward over the past three years and wrote “Since the start of the pandemic, significantly more neighbors in the 47th Ward have contacted 3-1-1 to request emergency shelter. Even with covid case numbers decreasing, we're not seeing the need for shelter return to 2019 levels.” 

Ald. Harry Osterman (48) tweeted “Our community has a history of welcoming refugees, and I'm proud to welcome families from Afghanistan. I've signed a letter to @POTUS indicating our City's support to resettle Afghan refugees, along w/ many of my colleagues & 48th Ward orgs @GirlForward & Syrian Community Network” 

Ald. Maria Hadden (49) tweeted a video update on the request for life rings at Farwell Pier and wrote “Good meeting with @ChicagoParks yesterday. Because of your advocacy, we’re making progress!” 

The Chicago Department of Buildings on Wednesday published the city’s updated Building Code Scofflaw List, publishing the addresses of 99 properties that have been rendered ineligible for zoning changes, tax-increment financing assistance or land deals with the city because of outstanding legal issues. The new list grows out of an ordinance (O2021-1193) the City Council approved earlier this year expanding properties’ criteria for inclusion on the list. The public list will “send a clear message that owners who do not remediate code violations will face consequences for their inaction,” Mayor Lori Lightfoot wrote in a statement Wednesday. 

Chicago Board of Elections Comm. Jonathan Swain resigned on Tuesday after five years serving on the three-member board, the board announced Wednesday. “I am very proud of the work we have accomplished together over the last five years, including driving the successful expansion of our Early Voting and Vote By Mail programs and increasing outreach and accessibility for all communities,” Swain wrote in a statement. His replacement will be picked by Cook County Chief Judge Timothy Evans. 

Sen. Jill Tracy (R-Carbondale) posted to Facebook about a “ceremony hosted by the Senate Republican Caucus in the Capitol on Aug. 31 [that] brought together dozens of people to remember and honor the lives lost in Afghanistan and those individuals left behind.” 

Sen. Robert Peters (D-Chicago) posted on Facebook about resolution he filed in remembrance of organizer Malik Alim: ““WHEREAS, Malik Alim's work will live and be shared through generations, and his children will be able to understand the impact their father made on this world. Rest in Power, Malik.”  

Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) tweeted, “𝐄𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞: The Senate Democrats are still in caucus, and we are waiting for them to return to the floor. It is incredibly important that we get a bill called tonight in order preserve our nuclear fleet.” 

Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) tweeted, “Senate has done nothing of substance yet today...shocking I know. Not quite late enough yet...the Dems need you to go to sleep first so they can do their dirty work when no one is paying attention!” 

Rep. Edgar Gonzalez (D-Chicago) tweeted, “Won't stop until every end of the 21st District applies for the #Back2Business grants!” 

Gov. JB Pritzker on Tuesday announced the appointment of An-Me Chung to the Community College Board, Crystal Caison and Nina Mariano as arbitrators on the Worker’s Compensation Commission, and Nike Vieille to the State Board of Education. The governor also announced 12 reappointments to continue serving on various boards, including Debra Savage as chair of the Health Facilities and Services Review Board, Joseph Amarilio, Paul Cellini, Stephen Friedman, Gerald Granada, Jessica Hegarty, Adam Hinrichs, Jeffrey Huebsch and Maureen Pulia to serve as arbitrators on the Workers’ Compensation Commission, Sarah Alter to the Lottery Control Board, and Barbara Flynn Currie and Cynthia Santos to the Pollution Control Board. Each of the appointments require confirmation by the state Senate. 

Ald. Daniel La Sparta (1) in a thread tweeted “Yesterday at Committee on Budget and Government Operations, myself and several of my colleagues asked about the City's sudden $950 million due for the 2022 Budget. We learned that the City changed planned long-term investments from the previous Budget into short-term investments”  

Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35) in a thread tweeted “I downloaded the ‘Citizen’ app last summer and deleted it after I realized the notifications were sensational, unverified, and unhelpful. The app consistently failed to track or report on incidents for which I had already received an official CPD report.” 

Ald. Andre Vasquez (40) shared a Block Club article about the Chicago Park District removing a life ring installed by a resident near a Rogers Park beach and tweeted "Here’s a reminder that this Thursday there will be a Special [Events] Committee hearing to appoint the new Park District Commissioner[s].” 

Ald. Harry Osterman (48) in a thread about Chicago Inspector General Joseph Ferguson’s report that found the city is not evaluating whether banks designated as municipal depositories are providing equitable financial services across the city wrote “This report illuminates the need for improved coordination, transparency and accountability in the Municipal Depository process. We are already making strides with the introduced Lending Equity Ordinance and a coordinated effort in City Hall to see the ordinance through.” 

Ald. Maria Hadden (49) tweeted “I joined with 16 of City Council colleagues and 25 community orgs in letting [President Joe Biden] know that #Afghan refugees are welcome in our great city.”