The Illinois Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program announced Wednesday it will hold a statewide virtual town hall meeting on July 28 to discuss the challenges facing residents living in long-term care facilities in Illinois. Officials from the Illinois Department of Public Health and state long-term care ombudsman Kelly Richards will participate in the town hall. Members of the public are encouraged to participate in the forum via Zoom. 

The House Health Care Availability & Accessibility Committee is set to host a subject matter hearing on COVID-19 vaccinations and the Delta variant on Aug. 9 at 10:30 a.m.   

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) tweeted two pages of “remarks” on the ordinance establishing civilian oversight of the Chicago Police Department and wrote “Today I voted in SUPPORT of the Civilian Oversight Ord. As a strong supporter of police keeping Chicago safe, it’s imperative that we restore their legitimacy in our communities & end the second-guessing of our officers. I believe this is the best vehicle to accomplish that.” 

Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35) tweeted a “group photo of the #ECPSNow Coalition negotiating team after we reached an agreement with the mayor's office. We were happy.” 

Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36) tweeted “We urge Congress to immediately pass an Infrastructure Bill. Let’s Build back better.” 

Ald. Andre Vasquez (40) tweeted “So after we passed Civilian oversight, before the press conference with the Mayor, I had to de-escalate a situation where police officers were screaming at a black man who was protesting. The work isn’t done. The struggle isn’t over. And we aren’t going anywhere but forward.”  

Ald. Tom Tunney (44) tweeted “Today in City Council I was proud to vote for the Empowering Communities for Public Safety (ECPS) ordinance, which creates civilian oversight of CPD. ECPS is years in the making and it is the most sweeping ordinance of its kind in the country.” 

Ald. Matt Martin (47) in a Twitter thread wrote “It took two years longer than I expected, but today the Chicago City Council passed the strongest civilian oversight law in the country”  

Ald. Debra Silverstein (50) tweeted a document of carjacking prevention tips and wrote, “There have been several carjackings in the area over the past few days, including in the 50th Ward. The police are investigating and increasing patrols throughout the community to keep us all safe.” 

Members of the City Council Latino Caucus and the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights will host a virtual news conference to call on Congress and President Joe Biden to include protections for immigrants into their planned budget reconciliation bill. Their demands include a pathway to citizenship, cutting immigration enforcement spending and a reduction in deportations. The event will be broadcast on the coalition’s Facebook Live page. 

The city's "Meet Me on the Mile" event series will kick off with separate events Thursday afternoon, officials announced. Brian Patti and the Dixieland Dudes will peform from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the 875 North Michigan Avenue’s Garden Plaza, and Mariachi Ameca will perform from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Pioneer Court at 401 N. Michigan Ave. The pop-up concerts will take place every other Thursday through Sept. 30.

Max Bever was hired as the new director of public information for the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners. Bever was previously deputy director of communications for ACLU of Illinois. 

House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Hillside) tweeted “I was honored to join @Healthy_ILL today, as they announced their program which will expand healthcare to immigrant seniors, regardless of status.”   

Rep. Jonathan Caroll (D-Northbrook) tweeted “I WAS a huge fan of @benandjerrys until they decided to make unfounded and historically inaccurate comments about Israel. If we want to keep things real, who’s land was their headquarters built on? I’m guessing it wasn’t originally Ben and/or Jerry’s...” 

Rep. Barbara Hernandez (D-Aurora) tweeted she is hosting a “menstrual product donation drive” between July 26 and Aug. 6.  

Rep. Maurice West (D-Rockford) tweeted a video encouraging participation in his July 24  
“Super Shredder Day.” 

Sen. Adriane Johnson (D-Riverwoods) tweeted images from the “Mundelein Grand Prix.”  

Sen. Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) tweeted a reminder to RSVP for a July 29 town hall he is hosting with House Majority Leader Greg Harris (D-Chicago).  

Sen. Christopher Belt (D-Cahokia) tweeted images after he recently provided a keynote speech at “Cahokia School District’s Vision and Mission Council Meeting.”  

The Illinois Department of Agriculture on Tuesday announced the winners of two commodity board elections. Jon Rosenstiel, Art Bunting, Ross E. Pauli, Wayne Rosenthal and Dale Handrich were elected to the Illinois Corn Marketing Board and Steve Pitstick, Elliott Uphoff, Matthew J. Murray, L. Brad Daughtery, Brian Atterberry and Nick Harre were elected to the Illinois Soybean Program Operating Board.  

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) tweeted “Many alds have been begging to be a part of the solution to help vaccinate residents only to be shut out by bureaucrats that know better. Here are their results.” 

Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25) tweeted a thread about Tuesday’s public safety committee meeting and the vote on an ordinance establishing community oversight of the police department and wrote “This is a fundamental step towards transparency and accountability at every level of government. We will urge all council members to vote in favor of this proposal and prioritize allocation of federal funds to address the public health & public safety crisis in our communities.” 

Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez (33) tweeted, “The conclusions some of my colleagues are getting to on Police oversight are so wild.”  

Ald. Andre Vasquez (40) wrote in a news release that he “filed an ordinance with City Council on Monday that calls for a review of the City’s 311 system, including ‘technical improvements to the system, consultation with members of the City Council, improving accuracy of response times, and creating more transparency for the public users.’” 

Ald. Maria Hadden (49) shared a Block Club article on Twitter and wrote, “The zoning change for the northernmost 3 acres on St. Scholastica's campus passed the Committee on Zoning today. It will head to the full City Council tomorrow for a final vote. This zoning change will allow the Benedictine Sisters to age in place.” 

Cook County Comm. Dennis Deer (D-2) wrote in his latest newsletter, “If you’re looking for ways to grow your mental health, you might not have to go very far. An ever-growing amount of research has been revealing what humans have known intuitively for years: nature has an incredibly healing effect on our mental health.” 

Comm. Bridget Degnen (D-12) in her latest newsletter shared a video of a “Climate Action Conversation with the Consulate General of Ireland where I shared information on what we are doing at the County to fight climate change.” 

The Chicago Department of Public Health added Florida, Louisiana and Nevada to its Travel Advisory on Tuesday, meaning unvaccinated visitors from those states are required to quarantine or seek out COVID-19 tests upon arrival to Chicago. The states were upgraded because their rates of daily new cases exceeded 15 per 100,000 residents. They join Missouri and Arkansas, whose new case rates as of Tuesday were 33.8 and 27.4 out of 100,000, respectively. 

The Cook County Department of Public Health will host three virtual “Ask the Doctor” question-and-answer sessions on COVID-19 and vaccinations during the next week, including two Spanish-language events. The Spanish language session will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday and 6 p.m. Thursday, and health officials will host an English-language session at 7 p.m. next Wednesday, July 28. The sessions will be broadcast on the Cook County Department of Public Health’s Facebook and YouTube pages. 

House Majority Leader Greg Harris (D-Chicago) tweeted a link to Gov. JB Pritzker’s re-election campaign video announcement, saying “Good news! @GovPritzker announces start of his re-election campaign. He strengthened Illinois finances, expanded healthcare, support our immigrant communities, our small businesses and our LGBTQ families. I’m proud to stand with JB!” 

Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford (D-Maywood) tweeted “Save the date for my 12th Annual Back to School event at the Brookfield Zoo on Sunday, Aug. 8.”  

Rep. Ann Williams (D-Chicago) tweeted a reminder to her constituents that they can read her newsletters and contact her district office.  

Sen. Cristina Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago) issued a statement Monday after the recent federal court decision blocking of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program from accepting new applicants.  

Sen. Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) encouraged his constituents on Twitter to join his office for “coffee and conversation” on Saturday.  

Sen. Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) tweeted a reminder about a town hall she is hosting on Thursday with Rep. Mark Walker (D-Arlington Heights).  

Gov. JB Pritzker’s office on Monday announced the hometowns of latest winners for the state’s COVID-19 vaccination lottery. The selected winners, who will receive $100,000 cash prizes, were from Berwyn, Chicago and Joliet, according to a news release from the governor’s office. 

Ald. Pat Dowell (3) tweeted “Participate in the beautification of our community! Ald. [Sophia] King, CDOT and I are co-hosting a virtual community meeting to discuss improvements to major corridors across Bronzeville, including along 43rd St., 47th St. and Cottage Grove Ave.” 

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) tweeted “$25 Mil paid out in settlements, verdicts, judgements & fees by the City of Chicago. In June. Yes [the Chicago Police Department] has its share but so does [Streets and Sanitation], [the Chicago Water Department] & [Chicago Department of Transportation] for motor vehicle accidents & damage to private party. Tax dollars flying out the door!” 

Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35) tweeted “After a weekend of productive negotiations, we have reached an agreement on a historic, transformative, and balanced civilian oversight ordinance.” 

Ald. Andre Vasquez (40) retweeted a statement on the agreement between Mayor Lori Lightfoot and the Empowering Communities for Public Safety coalition on an ordinance for civilian oversight of the Chicago Police Department and wrote “It took much work and negotiation, but where we have landed is thoughtful, transformative, and does much to improve public safety through policy at the hands of the people.” 

Ald. Tom Tunney (44) tweeted “Very sad to announce the passing of former 44th Ward Alderman Bernie Hansen yesterday.  Bernie served as Alderman from 1983 until 2003. He oversaw transformational changes in our neighborhood and helped build the thriving community we share today.”

The Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association will host a hiring event at Swissotel from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., the group announced. The event “will feature opportunities for entry, mid, and senior level workers throughout the industry.”

The Metropolitan Planning Council announced that it will hold its Annual Event virtually this year at 12 p.m. on Sept. 21. The event “will spotlight innovators guiding transformative, equitable, community-centered recovery,” including Vistria Group CEO Martin Nesbitt, according to an event description. Online registration is required. 

Rep. La Shawn Ford (D-Chicago) tweeted a photo of a wreath his office placed in honor of Nelson Mandela’s birthday.  

House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Hillside) tweeted images of himself at the Chicago Auto Show.  

Rep. Edgard Gonzalez Jr (D-Chicago) tweeted images from an event he attended over the weekend in his district.  

Gov. JB Pritzker announced on Friday the U.S. Small Business Administration’s approval of the state’s request for assistance for people and businesses in DuPage County who were affected by the severe storms and tornadoes that occurred in June. The newly approved declaration by the feds will allow eligible residents and businesses to apply for low-interest, long-term loans. The Pritzker administration said assistance will be available to residents and businesses in DuPage County, as well as those in Cook, Kane, Kendall and Will counties.  

The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority on Friday announced the recipients of 21 grants totaling $3.5 million to organizations focused on reducing violence. The grants are funded by revenue generated from the state’s cannabis sales. Recipients include the Bethel Family Resource Center, Boxing Out Negativity, BUILD Incorporated, CircEsteem, Community Assistance Programs, CS Plus X Foundation, Community Development Sustainable Solutions, Free Lunch Academy, GAP Community Center, K.L.E.O. Community Family Life Center, Lawndale Christian Legal Center, Lights of Zion Ministries, Quad County Urban League, Reflections Foundation, Restoring the Path, Rincon Family Services, Saving Lives Inc, South Shore Drill Team & Performing Arts Ensemble, Southwest Organizing Project, The Outlet and Youth With a Positive Direction.  

Ald. Daniel La Spata (1) tweeted a video from the 1st Ward block party held at Maplewood Park on Saturday and wrote “Food! Music! Games! Community resources! Come check it out!” 

Ald. Brian Hopkins (2) tweeted, "RMS Titanic, 1912: Women and children first. RMS Pandemic, 2021: Everybody get in line for the lifeboats, must be at least 12 to ride. bye kids, good luck in the ocean!"

Ald. Sophia King (4) in her latest newsletter wrote “We offer our condolences to the loved ones of Keith Cooper, a 73-year-old Vietnam Veteran and longtime 4th ward resident that lost his life in a fatal attempted carjacking in Kimbark Plaza on Wednesday, July 14, 2021, at 12:30 PM. Two suspects are currently in custody.” 

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) tweeted, “I’m all about service (request letters)” along with a photo of the letters. 

Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35) tweeted, “The U.S. imprisons more citizens per capita than Cuba, Russia, and China. We claim to be the land of the free. As a nation we need to focus on decarceration and decriminalization - the last thing we need is another costly forever war. No to a US invasion of Cuba!” 

Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36) tweeted a copy of a statement from the Chicago City Council Latino Caucus demanding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) ruling made on July 16 “be appealed immediately.”  

Ald. James Cappleman (46) tweeted a link to a podcast about “gentrification” and wrote “In Uptown, there's been much discussion about gentrification, especially this past week. Here's a podcast that looks at some intriguing research on the topic. Regardless of where you stand on the issue, you might be surprised.”  

Ald. Matt Martin (47) in his latest newsletter recapped the Friday public safety committee meeting and wrote “Unfortunately, the Committee again failed to take up an ordinance to establish a civilian oversight board for CPD and our other public safety entities. There's a possibility, however, that we will vote on the ordinance early next week, so stay tuned.” 

Ald. Maria Hadden (49) in her latest newsletter invited constituents to a series of meetings this month hosted by the Department of Transportation and Department of Planning and Development to discuss the city’s Western Avenue Corridor Study. 

The Chicago Department of Public Health on Friday released a “hyperlocal vaccine event calendar” for the next week, showing four pop-up vaccination locations for each day through Friday.

Sen. Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) tweeted she and Rep. Mark Walker (D-Arlington Heights) are holding a town hall forum on July 22.  

Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford (D-Maywood), who sponsored the Senate version of the recently signed cannabis equity bill, issued a statement after it became law on Thursday.  

Sen. Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) tweeted “Today I was honored to join @GovPritzker to announce a $98 million investment in @thisisUIC’s upcoming Computer Design, Research and Learning Center as part of the #RebuildIllinois program.”  

Sen. Bill Cunningham (D-Chicago), Rep. Fran Hurley (D-Chicago) and other officials are set to host a prescription takeback event on July 31.  

Rep. Marcus Evans (D-Chicago) tweeted about an upcoming shredding event he is hosting.   

House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Hillside) tweeted images after he toured McDonald’s Chicago headquarters.  

Rep. Fred Crespo (D-Hoffman Estates) and Sen. Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) are set to host a shredding event on July 17.

Gov. JB Pritzker and officials from the University of Illinois on Thursday broke ground on a new Computer Design, Research and Learning Center at the university’s Chicago campus. The Pritzker administration said the new 135,000-square-foot facility, which will serve as major hub of the campus, will include a 1,200-square-foot robotics lab, 16,000 square feet of classroom space, 16 classrooms, 35 dry and specialty labs and an auditorium. Construction of the new $118 million center is partially funded by a $98 million allocation from Rebuild Illinois, the state’s capital plan.

The Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University will host a Zoom panel discussion at 10 a.m. Wednesday with Tim Knight, president and CEO of the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, to “discuss the challenges and opportunities facing philanthropy in Illinois and the strategic role Knight envisions for the McCormick Foundation.” Online registration is required. 

Ald. Daniel La Spata (1) tweeted “This Saturday at North and Maplewood, it's a first annual 1st Ward Block Party! We've got jobs! Vaccinations! Mental health and violence prevention resources! Plus food, music, and games! All free! Come join us!” 

Ald. Sophia King (4) tweeted a statement on a fatal carjacking in Hyde Park. 

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) tweeted about a news conference Mayor Lori Lightfoot attended Thursday for the groundbreaking on a new Chicago Park District campus, saying “I’m glad I left this presser. I wouldn’t be able to sit still listening to her bullshit!” Lightfoot announced a $1 million reward fund for tips leading to the seizure of illegal guns. 

Ald. Anthony Napolitano (41) tweeted “The Chicago Criminal Accountability Ordinance expands on our existing Administrative Notice of Violations (ANOV). This Ordinance will add strict penalties for the crimes we are seeing ravage our city.All fines collected will be allocated to our state mandated pension obligations.” He also shared a copy of the ordinance.  

Ald. Matt Martin (47) tweeted Has anyone asked [Jeff Bezos] about rents in his new outerspace colony?” 

Ald. Maria Hadden (49) tweeted photos of “joke” notifications announcing, “citizen burials in the park, home births in a ‘quartyard,’ and agricultural notices for urban farm animals.” Hadden also linked to a Sun-Times article about one of the brightly colored warning signs found on the city’s North Side. 

Ald. Debra Silverstein (50) tweeted “I am heartbroken to report that a 9-year-old boy from our community was killed yesterday evening while riding his bike on a residential block. Words are not enough to express my deep sympathy for his family.” 

The Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans will hold an “Italian Unity Day” rally in Arrigo Park at 3 p.m. Sunday to celebrate Italy’s win in the Eurocup Soccer Championship and “commemorate the one-year anniversary of the “temporary” removal of the Christopher Columbus statues from Arrigo and Grant Parks,” the group announced. The group will also present the “Inaugural Marco DiFranco Hero Award” to "the group of forty-nine courageous Chicago Police Officers who were injured on July 20, 2020, defending the Columbus Statue in Grant Park.” 

Cook County Health will offer Johnson & Johnson vaccinations to adults 18 and older at the Chicago Tattoo Arts Convention, officials announced. The convention is being held at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center at 5555 North River Road in Rosemont. Vaccines will be offered Friday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Good Government Illinois will host a virtual town hall moderated by David Orr at 7 p.m. next Tuesday with SEIU Local 1 president Tom Balanoff and Andrew Fox, director of the Chicago Office of Labor Standards. Balanoff and Fox will “discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted workers and how the City’s labor watchdog helps enforce labor ordinances, investigate claims, process complaints, issue fines and recommend other penalties,” according to an event description. Online registration is required. 

Federal funding for Chicago’s Head Start program is being renewed for the next five years at the current level of $145 million, Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s office announced Wednesday. In addition to the Department of Family and Support Services, which will receive about $52 million, five local groups accessed the grant funding: Carole Robertson Center for Learning, Chicago Commons Association, Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago, Inc., Henry Booth House and Start Early (formerly the Ounce of Prevention Fund).