Illinois’ first lottery drawing for residents who received the COVID-19 vaccine is set to take place Thursday. The first drawing will provide one vaccinated resident with a $1 million prize and three vaccinated youth with $150,000 scholarships. The winners will be contacted by the Illinois Department of Public Health on Thursday. The drawing will take place in the afternoon with the health department announcing the counties or cities of the winners.

Ald. Pat Dowell (3) tweeted, “The violence in Chicago is heartbreaking. Need more investment in and respect for groups like @AcclivusChicago who are out here on these streets. I’m advocating for support for a anti violence public service announcement campaign and mediation hotline.” 

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) tweeted, “Despite @ChicagoWater’s best efforts, over a half dozen hydrants remained open last night in the 15th Ward. This is more than just an inconvenience to residents - it’s dangerous. Chicago needs a better solutions to keep hydrants secure.” 

Ald. Matt O’Shea (19) tweeted that “The Chicago Police Department - Area 2 Detectives are talking to a person of interest regarding the shooting of (2) federal agents and (1) CPD officer early this morning.” 

Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35) tweeted a photo of “a historic meeting in Pilsen today” with more than a dozen elected Latino leaders at the city, county and state level. 

Ald. Michele Smith (43) shared Better Government Assocation’s investigation of carjackings and tweeted, “Thank you, thank you @BetterGov for the real answer to what we have been asking for several years - what happens to juvenile offenders? Answer - nothing.” 

Ald. Harry Osterman (48) included updates in his latest newsletter on street closures resulting from the CTA Red Purple Modernization project in his ward. 

Ald. Maria Hadden (49) quote-tweeted a statement from United Working Families and added, “President Biden and Congress intended ARPA funds to support housing, jobs, small business, public health and violence prevention. Wall Street doesn't need our help, Chicagoans do.” 

The Right to Recovery Coalition, including Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25), Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez (33), Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35) and leaders of the groups GoodKids MadCity and Southsiders Together Organizing for Power, will host a virtual news conference at 9 a.m. Thursday calling on Mayor Lori Lightfoot “to immediately allocate [American Rescue Plan Act] funds that the city has received and use it to address root causes of violence, not fund more police.”

The Chicago Advisory Redistricting Commission will hold its next round of virtual public hearings at 11 a.m. Saturday and 7 p.m. next Tuesday, July 13 to gather public input on the city’s remap process. Participants can sign up online to testify. 

The Metropolitan Planning Council will host a virtual event at 10 a.m. July 17 called “Drinking Water 1-2-3 Academy: Lead Service Lines.” WBEZ reporter Monica Eng will moderate a panel including Thomas Nagle of Robinson Engineering, Ian Robinson of Blue Conduit and Alexis Woodrow of Denver Water. The Metropolitan Planning Council will host a follow-up event at 10 a.m. on Aug. 19 titled “Drinking Water 1-2-3 Academy: Asset Management.” Online registration is required for the July event and the August event. 

Ald. Brian Hopkins (2) retweeted an epidemiologist who said the global COVID-19 “situation is getting worse, not better.”  

Ald. George Cardenas (12) shared a Crain's article about the Willis Tower's insurer suing the city over flood damage and tweeted, "Laughable. They are also trying to lower the assess value so they don’t pay their fair share of property taxes. More on that to come." 

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) tweeted, “Safe assumption Lightfoot completely ignored my letter sent in June 2020 outlining strategies to reduce violence based on what worked in the 15th Ward. Again, her arrogance is costing Chicagoan’s their lives.”  

Ald. Michael Scott (24) shared a Sun-Times article about U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth endorsing Chicago Clerk Anna Valencia to be the next Illinois Secretary of State.  

Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36) tweeted, “I want to remind my colleagues of a relevant section of the ARPA guidelines that allows Chicago to spend some of its funding on violence prevention programs.”  

Ald. Andre Vasquez (40) tweeted, “After seeing the results of failed strategies this weekend, it’s time that we address the root causes of the violence. Investing in street outreach is crucial. We need less excuses and scapegoating rather than truly reimagining public safety.” 

Ald. Matt Martin (47) sent a newsletter reminding constituents that the deadline for high schoolers to apply to the summer Youth Organizing Summit is on Sunday. 

Ald. Debra Silverstein (50) encouraged residents to sign up for a property tax appeal workshop she plans to host alongside Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi at 6 p.m. Tuesday. 

Sen. Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) tweeted images of her attending Gov. JB Pritzker’s Tuesday bill signing.  

Sen. Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) tweeted a brief video of her speaking at Pritzker’s bill signing.  

Sen. Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) tweeted about how he was looking forward to “having a casual conversation” for his upcoming July 31 “Coffee, Conversation and Constituent Services” event.   

Sen. Adriane Johnson (D-Riverwoods) is set to host mobile office hours throughout the summer in her district.   

Rep. Will Guzzardi (D-Chicago) retweeted an image from a Chicago Coalition for the Homeless event, saying he was “proud to stand” with the organization and others. 

Rep. Maurice West (D-Rockford) issued a statement after he was reappointed to serve on the Legislative Ethics Commission.  

Rep. Dave Vella (D-Rockford) tweeted that he had “partnered” with the Secretary of State’s office to provide services at his district office.

Rep. La Shawn Ford (D-Chicago) and Chicago Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36) are set to hold a virtual town hall on July 8 at 6:30 p.m. focused on cannabis and social equity.

Sen. Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) tweeted encouragement for his constituents to fill out a survey to share their views on important issues.  

Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (D-Glenview) tweeted images from a July 4 event.  

House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Hillside) tweeted images from him leading an Independence Day parade in his district.   

Rep. La Shawn Ford (D-Chicago) tweeted “The behavior and crime are unacceptable in Chicago. We can no longer justify or defend criminal behavior in this city. We need tough love to punish and help people that would like to get on the right track. People that reject help must pay the price to end the destruction.”  

Gov. JB Pritzker on Sunday issued a disaster proclamation for Grundy County in response to the June 29 fire in Morris. The proclamation allows the state to expedite the use of state recourses, personnel and equipment and gives the Illinois Emergency Management Agency the ability to utilize more resources in response to the disaster.  

The Illinois Department on Aging’s Resident and Family Support Council will hold a virtual forum on July 6 at 3 p.m. about understanding your financial rights. Advanced registration is not required.  

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) tweeted that police should send juvenile arrestees to “area lockups for 72 hours.” 

Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez (33) tweeted a thread advocating for the “treatment not trauma” City Council order (Or2020-242) she introduced last year.  

Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36) tweeted, “Proud to stand with the men/women of CPD this weekend as they patrol the streets of the our great city.” 

Ald. Andre Vasquez (40) tweeted, “There isn’t a labor shortage, the labor market demands higher wages. Pay them and you’ll see positions gets filled.” 

Ald. Brendan Reilly (42) included details in his latest newsletter about two downtown development proposals set for Chicago Plan Commission approval this month, including the 28-story RIU Hotal at 150 E. Ontario St. 

Ald. Matt Martin (47) wrote in his latest newsletter that “participated in the third meeting of the city's building decarbonization working group to discuss how the construction and maintenance of buildings can be modified to reduce carbon emissions in the years to come.”

The Chicago Department of Public Health announced a new Protect Chicago Music Series event featuring the Chosen Few DJs at Kennedy King College from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 28. The show will be open to Chicago residents who are fully vaccinated by Aug. 14. Interested residents can sign up for the event online. 

Rep. Maura Hirschauer (D-Batavia) tweeted images from a recent tour she did of businesses in her district.  

Sen. Adriane Johnson (D-Riverwoods) tweeted images from a recent visit to the College of Lake County.  

Senate Republican Leader Dan McConchie (R-Lake Zurich) tweeted an image from a recent gathering of Barrington Township Republicans, adding, “People are fired up and change is in the air.”  

Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford (D-Maywood) tweeted, “When you lose your license, you lose the ability to get to work, making it even harder to pay off outstanding fines. Starting today, drivers no longer face license suspensions as a penalty for the failure to pay minor fees – just one way the #SAFETAct makes Illinois stronger.”

The Illinois State Board of Elections on Thursday elected members Ian Linnabary and Casandra Watson as chair and vice chair, respectively. They will retain their positions until June 30, 2023. The state agency also welcome new board members Catherine S. McCrory and Rick Terven, who were sworn in for their four-year terms on Thursday. Terven and McCrory are replacing Charles Scholz and Katherine O’Brien.  

Ald. Daniel La Spata (1) tweeted, “Congratulations to the 400k Chicagoans who finally got a raise to $15/hr today! As someone who tried to save for college on $5.25 and make it through the recession on $7.50, I wish this win had come sooner but I’m so happy for you!”  

Ald. Pat Dowell (3) in her latest newsletter wrote that Friday’s special City Council meeting on the police department’s plans to combat violence during the July 4 weekend "will be an important opportunity to discuss what aldermen see in their communities every day, while also providing accountability for the police department prior to the start of the busy weekend.” 

Ald. Sophia King (4) tweeted, “Yesterday was the unveiling of the new Ida B. Wells Monument just outside of the Oakwood Shores community. Renowned artist Richard Hunt designed the statue which stands proudly on East 37th Street and South Langley Avenue in Bronzeville. Major big win!” 

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) tweeted, “No matter how much [Mayor Lori Lightfoot] tries to be like Donald Trump, dodging deflecting & ignoring reality, tomorrow’s meeting is about violence.  It has always been about violence.  The very fact she can’t recognize that shows how out of touch she is.” 

Ald. Andre Vasquez (40) tweeted, “Did you know that July is Chicago Hip Hop Heritage Month? #NowYouKnow” 

Ald. Tom Tunney (44) in his most recent newsletter explained his “no” vote on renaming outer Lake Shore Drive to Jean Baptiste Point Du Sable Lake Shore Drive. “I did indicate to my fellow council members that I would have enthusiastically supported renaming Millennium Park for the first First Family of Chicago, DuSable and his wife Kitihawa, who was a member of the Potawatomi tribe, but unfortunately that compromise was turned down,” he wrote.  

Ald. James Cappleman (46) used a portion of his latest newsletter to explain his “no” vote on renaming Lake Shore Drive write, writing "a good compromise would be to change the official name to  ‘Du Sable Lake Shore Drive’” but he "believed many Chicagoans would get overwhelmed by the long name and would end up leaving ‘Du Sable’ out entirely," which “defeated the whole point to give the founder of our city this needed recognition.” 

Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Thursday announced the appointment of Cole Stallard to serve as action commissioner of the city’s Department of Streets and Sanitation following the retirement of Comm. John Tully, who led the department since 2018 and spent 25 years previously working at the streets and sanitation department. Stallard has served as deputy commissioner since 2014. Thursday was his first day as commissioner. 

Lightfoot also announced the launch of five “Community Engagement Councils,” which she said will “ensure the Mayor’s Office gains a deeper understanding of the rich histories and community needs and continue the work to eliminate barriers facing immigrant groups that live and work in the city.” The councils respectively focus on African and Caribbean immigrants; Asian American and Pacific Islanders; Eastern Europeans; Middle Eastern, North African, and Near East; and Polish Americans. 

Rep. Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago) tweeted an image of a letter from the Illinois House Progressive Caucus, saying “Proud to stand with my colleagues in the House Progressive Caucus in support of striking Cook County workers with @SEIU73. The workers that kept this county running through the pandemic deserve a fair contract.”  

Rep. Ann Williams (D-Chicago) tweeted an image of a Pride flag in her district office, saying, “With Pride Month 2021 ending today, I stand in solidarity w/ LGBTQ community members in the 11th District & across IL.”  

Rep. Jeff Keicher (R-Sycamore) tweeted images of him touring the new Ferrara facility in DeKalb. 

Sen. Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) tweeted a link to list of his legislative accomplishments this year.

State and local officials joined candy company Ferrara on Wednesday to open the business’s new 1.6 million square foot facility in DeKalb. The new distribution center is a $100 million investment and is expected to support 500 local jobs. In a statement, Gov. JB Pritzker praised the company, which makes SweeTARTS, NERDS and Brach’s, for “building on their long history” in Illinois. 

Gov. JB Pritzker on Wednesday ordered all entities covered by the Illinois Flag Display Act to lower their flags at half-staff in honor of Wabash Fire Protection District volunteer fireman Mehdi Mourad, a 21-year-old who died Sunday while responding to a multi-vehicle crash. The governor said flags should be lowered between sunrise on Thursday until sunset on Saturday.   

Business leaders including Rob Karr of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association and Mark Denzler of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association will host a news conference at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Illinois state capitol building to “to voice their opposition to an energy proposal backed by Gov. JB Pritzker, warning it will result in the largest rate hike on consumers in Illinois history while exporting jobs to neighboring states.” 

Ald. Matt O’Shea (19) shared a Beverly Review article about progress on a streetscape makeover underway along 111th Street in Mount Greenwood. 

Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez (33) tweeted “Capitalism runs on trauma.” 

Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35) thanked the outgoing officers of the Chicago chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America. 

Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36) shared a Crain’s column calling on the city to boost its self-promotion efforts and tweeted, “We have only one shot at recovering from this pandemic. It’s time for Chicago to blow its horn, let’s get going.” 

Cook County Comm. Kevin Morrison (D-15) in a tweet thread wrote “While I'm disappointed #Pride is ending, I'm so proud of everything we did this month. We raised Pride flags, fought for Pride month resolutions, helped change an antiquated local law, and made Cook County's documents and forms gender inclusive.”

Cook County Circuit Judge Dominique Ross announced a run for an Illinois appellate judgeship in next year’s elections. She boasts the backing of Ald. Leslie Hairston (5), Cook County Board of Review Comm. Larry Rogers (D-3) and county Clerk Karen Yarbrough, among others.

Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) tweeted “Today is a huge milestone in the fight for fairness for our collegiate student athletes.”  

Sen. Napoleon Harris (D-Flossmoor) tweeted “Finally student-athletes will receive some financial benefit for the use of their name, images and likenesses. Their schools will no longer receive all the financial benefits.”  

Rep. Edgar Gonzalez (D-Chicago) tweeted “The second end-of-session TikTok is out! See how we debated IL’ new House and Senate maps.”   

Rep. Martin McLaughlin (R-Barrington Hills) tweeted an image of his new interns, who he said will be around his district throughout the summer.  

Rep. Katie Stuart (D-Edwardsville) tweeted “students’ learning should not be interrupted by restrictive hair policies that disproportionately target Black children. That’s why I helped pass a measure that blocks schools from prohibiting certain hairstyles historically associated with race or ethnicity.”   

Rep. Ann Williams (D-Chicago) tweeted encouragement for anyone in need of scheduling a vaccination appointment to contact her office.