Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) tweeted a video update about the omnibus energy bill.  

Sen. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) shared a video update on Facebook about the energy bill.  

Bryant also tweeted “As I entered the Capitol this morning there were 4 adult tourists trying to enter the north entrance. They were stopped by security and told admittance to the public will not be permitted until next Monday. Hello, we are in Phase 5.” 

Sen. Adriane Johnson (D-Riverwoods) tweeted an image from a Flag Day event she attended. 

Sen. Cristina Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago) tweeted images from a tour she did of a school in her district.  

Rep. Ann Williams (D-Chicago) tweeted images from a clean energy rally outside the Capitol.  

Rep. Bob Morgan (D-Deerfield) tweeted a poll asking people whether he should support “clean energy legislation” on Wednesday.

Sen. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) tweeted images from over the weekend when she participated in an exhibition with the Japanese Culture Center.  

Sen. Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) tweeted images after he visited Uplift High School in his district.  

Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford (D-Maywood) tweeted images after she participated in a Juneteenth flag raising in Chicago.  

Sen. Cristina Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago) tweeted “mark your calendars” for Friday at 1 p.m., when a subject matter hearing on a bill to let undocumented parents vote in school board elections. 

Rep. Maura Hirschauer (D-Batavia) responded to a tweet by Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, saying “Everyday gun violence is a public health crisis. We must work together for strong, comprehensive, and meaningful policy change.”

Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) tweeted “the fact that many opponents of #CriticalRaceTheory are just in 2021 finding out that #CriticalRaceTheory even exists, legitimizes the existence of #CriticalRaceTheory.”  

Ald. George Cardenas (12) tweeted “This week the Illinois legislature has the opportunity to pass a historic energy bill that prioritizes climate & equity for communities like mine, putting IL at the forefront of renewable energy generation. The time has come to move our state forward.” 

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) retweeted a Sun-Times story about a proposal for the city to recognize Juneteenth as an official holiday next year and wrote, “City Council approves official city holidays, not the mayor.” 

Ald. Michael Rodriguez (22) tweeted a photo of himself with two 22nd Ward residents in Daley Plaza celebrating Juneteenth.  

Ald. Brendan Reilly (42) tweeted That feeling when the Red Line [CTA] sits idle for 35 minutes as a baseball game lets out. Total incompetence two nights in a row. Pathetic and wrong. Figure it out.” 

Ald. James Cappleman (46) in his most recent newsletter wrote that his ward office will resume in-person work June 21.  “We will be in person Monday through Thursday the week of the 21st, and begin in-person work Monday through Friday starting June 28th,” Cappleman wrote. 

Ald. Maria Hadden (49) tweeted a video of the Juneteenth Flag that was raised in Daley Plaza on Monday.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot and the city’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events on Monday announced a slew of new cultural events scheduled for this summer around the city. Included in the new events is a nine-part series called “House City” to celebrate the neighborhoods in which House music was created. Also on tap is one week’s worth of “Taste of Chicago To-Go” pop-up events, more than 25 “community meals,” and two celebrations for Latinx and World Music. Also set for this summer is “a unique mash-up of public art and dance at Lurie Garden in Millennium Park.” According to Lightfoot’s office, the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events is lifting capacity restrictions for programs and advance registration will no longer be required. The full announcement is online.

The Shriver Center on Poverty Law will host a virtual roundtable discussion at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday to discuss the city's COVID-19 recovery and a proposed guaranteed income pilot program. The panel will be moderated by Shriver Center CEO Audra Wilson and will feature Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36), Equity and Transformation director Richard Wallace, Heartland Alliance president Evelyn Diaz and Economic Security for Illinois director Harish Patel. Viewers can access the Zoom meeting via this link.

The Chicago Community Trust has issued an "open call" for "ideas that can advance public policies to address systemic inequities contributing to the racial and ethnic wealth gap in the Chicago region." The "ongoing idea solicitation program," with no posted deadline, is looking for pitches that "build public knowledge and public will," "bolster the policy ecosystem" or "advance policy and systems change." Winning applicants could receive grants of between $25,000 and $75,000. Applications instructions and other information on the open call are listed on the Chicago Community Trust's website.

Rep. Marcus Evans (D-Chicago) tweeted an image after he attended an event hosted by U.S. Rep. Danny Davis. 

Rep. Tim Butler (R-Springfield) tweeted images from a Sunday ceremony honoring a World War I veteran who was lost at sea.  

Sen. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) tweeted images from a new market in her district.  

The state Capitol and Stratton office building will be open to the public beginning June 21. Public tours will resume that day as well. Members of the public who have not been vaccinated will be required to wear masks or maintain social distancing in the building while vaccinated individuals can be unmasked and gather normally.

Ald. Sophia King (4) tweeted at Ald. Brian Hopkins (2) regarding a poll that found a lack of support for renaming Lake Shore Drive: "At first you were only opposed because your constituents would have to change their addresses. Now that that’s not the case you come up with some paid survey to tell you what you want to hear. Common Brian."

Ald. George Cardenas (12) tweeted about MALDEF's lawsuit against the state's new legislative maps: "MALDEF has a track record. Much to be said about the process."

Ald. Silvana Tabares (23) shared photos in her latest newsletter of a "cleanup with West Eldson residents on #WorldEnvironmentDay2021."

Ald. Walter Burnett (27) shared photos in his latest newsletter from the groundbreaking ceremony for the 500-car Plumbers Local 130 UA Union Parking Garage at 1341 W. Randolph St.

Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez (33) shared a petition calling on the Chicago Park District to add "life rings" at beaches, tweeting, "There shouldn’t have to be a petition for this but here we are."

Ald. Andre Vasquez (40) tweeted an excerpt from an article in The Daily Line with his quotes on police oversight.

Ald. Brendan Reilly (42) wrote in his latest newsletter that developer Pacific Reach Properties incorporated his feedback into its proposal to build a pair of apartment towers combining for 1,053 new units at 601 W. Monroe St.

Ald. Matt Martin (47) wrote in his latest newsletter that his office is "focusing on maintaining and expanding pedestrian and bike safety at intersections that have experienced the highest number of crashes and complaints."

Ald. Maria Hadden (49) wrote in her latest newsletter that "the Illinois Department of Aging has secured additional funds to fully staff our City Ombudsman program AND has agreed to cease their plans to privatize it."

Cook County Comm. Scott Britton (D-14) used his latest newsletter to promote a virtual conversation he had with county board President Toni Preckwinkle and Comm. Kevin Morrison (D-15) about the county's Residential Tenant and Landlord Ordinance, which went into effect on June 1.

City leaders announced they will host a concert event with hip hop group SaveMoney at Chicago State University on July 1 as part of the Protect Chicago Music Series to encourage city residents to get vaccinated. Tickets will only become available to people who book vaccination appointments at the university between Monday and Thursday this week, and starting Friday tickets will become available to anyone else who can demonstrate they are fully vaccinated. Separately, the city will give away 1,200 free single-day Lollapalooza passes to people who sign up to get vaccinated at a city site.

The groups People for Community Recovery and Preservation Chicago will host a news conference and rally at 10 a.m. Monday at 839 E 132nd St. in opposition to "recently revealed plans from Chicago Public Schools to demolish an historic building in Altgeld Gardens at the end of this month." Residents are "concerned about environmental hazards during demolition, and want to see the building renovated for community use, especially for veterans programs or a much needed grocery store," according to a news release.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced The Central City Recovery Roadmap Thursday, meant to “activate streets for maximum citizen engagement” and encourage citizens to visit downtown now that the COVID-19 pandemic is receding. The map, in the works since late last year, emphasizes public transit, new pedestrian and cycling infrastructure and planning for new traffic patterns. In a statement, Lightfoot said, "From introducing a new set of street activations to get residents outdoors and encourage them to support our businesses to working closely with scores of civic organizations and other stakeholders to ensure a solid recovery, our city is more than prepared to welcome residents and visitors alike back to a thriving downtown.” The city is also partnering with organizations like the Chicago Loop Alliance and the Magnificent Mile Association to sponsor a series of programs meant to invite citizens back to downtown — including “family activities, Instagrammable installations, dining, and shopping,” per a news release. 

The Metropolitan Planning Council is hosting a series of events titled Drinking 123 Academy, on water affordability, lead service lines and climate change planning. The series will take place between June 17 and July 17. The first event on June 17 covers water affordability including rate development and “identifying water burdened customers.” The second, titled “Accelerating Climate Action,” will focus on the launch of the Chicago Metropolitan Region’s Climate Action Plan and is slated for July 13. The final event, set to focus on lead service lines, will look at the prospects for replacing lead service lines in the city. It will take place July 17.  

Rep. Marcus Evans (D-Chicago) tweeted images from a recent tour he did of the Indian Ridge and Big Marsh River.  

Sen. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) tweeted an article about the Walker’s Bluff casino project advancing, saying it was “great news for Southern Illinois.” 

Sen. Robert Peters (D-Chicago) tweeted an image of him “standing in solidarity” with union workers as they bargain with the University of Chicago Medicine.  

Sen. Sara Feigenhotlz (D-Chicago) tweeted images from an event she attended when she signed a pride mural. 

Rep. Lakesia Collins (D-Chicago) is set to host an event celebrating fathers on June 12 at 1 p.m. in her district. 

Rep. Will Guzzardi (D-Chicago) and Rep. Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City) engaged in an exchange on Twitter about the forthcoming energy legislation. Guzzardi said he would vote against a bill that provided a carve out for Prairie State Energy Campus. In response, Wilhour said “North Shore & Gold Coast leftists” like Guzzardi and Gov. JB Pritzker could “care less about working families.”  

Sen. Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) and Sen. Adriane Johnson (D-Riverwoods) will hold a virtual job expo on June 17 that will feature 15 employers. Advance registration is required. 

Rep. Stephanie Kifowit (D-Oswego) and Rep. Barbara Hernandez (D-Aurora) will host a virtual town hall on June 12 at 6 p.m. to reflect on the legislature’s work during the 2021 session.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources on Thursday announced summer fishing clinics in Southern Illinois. The clinics will be held East St. Louis, Alton, Carbondale, Godfrey, Mt. Vernon, Collinsville, Wood River, Grafton, Centralia, Bethalto, Edwardsville and Jerseyville. The agency has more information about the summer programs, some of which continue through August, on its website.  

Ald. Daniel La Spata (1) invited people to participate in ComEd's summer STEM Home Labs youth mentoring program.

Ald. Sophia King (4) posted a photos in her latest newsletter of a groundbreaking event for a new clubhouse and amenity center for the Prairie Shores housing complex.

Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez (33), Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35), Ald. Matt Martin (42) Ald. Maria Hadden (49) and Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25) all tweeted that they were proud to be among nine aldermen who received 100 percent scores from the Illinois Environmental Council. 

Ald. Brendan Reilly (42) shared a Washington Post article about higher Uber surge prices, tweeting, "While you’re getting gouged by Uber 'surge pricing' chew on this…"

Ald. Michele Smith (43) promoted the kickoff of Lincoln Park Summer Sundaes on Clark Street starting this Sunday.

Ald. Harry Osterman (48) shared a schedule of community meetings he plans to host over the weekend related to local projects.

Certain Chicago museums will be open Friday evening to celebrate the city’s transition into Phase Five of its coronavirus response. In a statement, Mayor Lori Lightfoot said, "one of the best ways we can celebrate our city's reopening is by spending time at our renowned museums, which have undergone so many challenges over the course of this past year." The Field Museum, The Shedd Aquarium, The Museum of Science and Industry, The DuSable Museum and the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture will all be open for extended hours on Friday. Under Phase Five, all museums will be able to operate without capacity limits.

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced Wednesday $105.97 million will be awarded to fund 99 projects that will “expand travel options and enhance quality of life in communities.” The newly announced funding derives from the 2019 Rebuild Illinois capital plan. Projects that will be funded include $2 million for the reconstruction of a pedestrian bridge in Chicago, $2 million for a bikeway in Decatur and $1.3 million for bike and pedestrian road improvements in Kankakee. A full list of projects that will be funded can be found here. The selected projects were among 270 applications that requested $293 million in funding from the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program. The next round of funding for the program will be announced in fall 2022.  

Officials in the Illinois Emergency Management Agency said Wednesday three additional Federal Emergency Management Agency Disaster Survivor Assistance teams had arrived in Illinois. With the new teams, Illinois will have 11 of the federal teams located throughout the state. They are tasked with distributing information about COVID-19 vaccination sites, assisting residents with access to the vaccine and raising awareness about the federal agency’s funeral assistance program.  

The Illinois Department of Public Health announced Wednesday it is expanding access to COVID-19 testing to elementary schools throughout the state. Schools will be given the ability to use the saliva-based covidSHIELD test, which was developed by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The tests will be free for schools in districts that are predominantly low-income and have experienced high rates of infection. Other schools will get access to the tests at discounted rates. The new announcement comes after the state health department expanded the covidSHIELD test to middle and high schools across the state last month.   

Ald. Pat Dowell (3) shared information about a Washington Park community meeting, a pet health event and a vaccine clinic in her latest ward newsletter.  

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) tweeted, “here is an idea for Public Safety Com: hold hearings into planned “emergency mobilization” plans drafted by CPD a month in advance requiring 12 hour shifts & no days off (again). My resolution R2021-643, cosponsored by @mattoshea19 @aldnapolitano41 & @AldermanTabares is waiting!” 

Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez (33) tweeted about a community cookout in her ward, writing “we love space activation in the 33rd ward and we absolutely love to see this! Please support these efforts and contribute to their drive. We need more of this kind of work to keep our city safe this summer!” 

Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36) tweeted, “thank you @RepDannyDavis for supporting the Chicago COVID-19 Plan for Recovery (CPR) as we pilot a Guaranteed Basic Income in Chicago.” 

Ald. Anthony Napolitano (41) tweeted about a vandalized billboard memorializing a police officer who had died, writing “cowardly acts like this are perpetrated by those who devour the pride of our country on the backs of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Your constant brazen acts will never erase our memory of our fallen heroes who gave their lives so you can freely be an asshole.” 

Ald. Andre Vasquez (40) tweeted about the Empowering Communities for Public Safety Ordinance, writing “the presentation for the Mayor’s version of “police accountability” highlights why ECPS is a better version because it power in the hands of the people.” 

Ald. Maria Hadden (50) tweeted a thread about changes to the City Ombudsman program, writing  “yesterday, we learned that, thanks to a joint effort with @RepKellyCassidy, and community advocates, the Illinois Department of Aging has secured additional funds to fully staff our City Ombudsman program AND has agreed to cease their plans to privatize it.” 
 

Rep. Jonathan Carroll (D-Northbrook) highlighted his work on a bill restricting the use of prone restraint in schools and a resolution creating Holocaust Education Week in schools, among other initiatives, in his end-of-session update.   

Rep. Tim Butler (R-Springfield) retweeted a thread discussing the placement of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Statue on the Capitol grounds.  

Senate Republican Leader Dan McConchie (R-Lake Zurich) tweeted about a lawsuit Republicans are filing over newly drawn legislative districts, writing, “democracy is about representing the people and advocating for their priorities, not your own. We believe this is the best option to do just that on behalf of all the Illinoisans who have been denied an independent redistricting process for the legislative maps.” 

Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) tweeted a News-Gazette article discussing a new law allowing gambling on college athletics.  

Rep. Maura Hirschauer (D-Batavia) tweeted a slate of six bills she sponsored that are headed to the governor’s desk that include protections for sexual assault survivors and resources for special education students. 

Rep. Will Guzzardi (D-Chicago) tweeted about bicycle infrastructure and the death of Kevin Clark: “A devastating tragedy, and a totally preventable one,” he wrote. “I've been riding past the ghost bike of Tyler Fabeck since I moved to this city 12 years ago - killed at the exact same intersection. WAY past time for action.” 

 Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) tweeted about ongoing energy bill negotiations and its implications for state power plants: “The Senate President indicted that he believes the energy bill has enough votes to pass & that the Senate may return next week to vote on it,” she wrote. “This is an critical step as we fight to keep our nuclear plants open & save thousands of good-paying jobs.”   

Sen. Robert Peters (D-Chicago) tweeted about recent reporting on the income tax payments of the wealthiest Americans, writing “working class and poor people hustle and grind everyday. It’s both financially and emotionally expensive to be poor in this country. Meanwhile, the wealthy are just skipping out on their taxes, monopolizing everything, and then lazily calling it “freedom.” This has to end.” 

Rep. Avery Bourne (R-Morrisonville) tweeted about the recently passed ethics bill: “The most important change we can make to hold legislators accountable in Illinois is to make the LIG truly independent,” she wrote. “More jurisdiction, subpoena power, equal jurisdiction for the LEC, and supermajority votes to block publication of reports. None of that is in this bill.” 

Rep. Seth Lewis (R-Bartlett) posted to Facebook about the passage of Cal’s Law: This bill will ensure that kids with cancer have access to comprehensive testing that could help save their lives,” he wrote. “I’m proud we were able to come together to get this done.” 

Speaker Chris Welch (D-Hillside) tweeted about a special legislative session to take place next week: “Items such as the energy proposal, unemployment insurance, and an elected school board for Chicago will be at the top of our list. We were able to accomplish big things this legislative session, and I'm eager to keep that spirit alive in a quick special session next week.” 

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources on Tuesday announced the Illinois Caverns will reopen to the public starting June 16. The southern Illinois caverns have been closed for more than 10 years as a precaution against the spread of white-nose syndrome, a fungal disease that affects bats. Once open, the caverns will operate from April through October, Wednesday through Sunday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Ald. Daniel La Spata (1) tweeted about an event “to learn relevant and effective alternatives to 911 when you or someone you know is experience a mental health, substance abuse, domestic violence, or other crisis. 

Ald. Brian Hopkins (2) posted to Facebook about the completion of the Chicago Smart Lighting Grid Program in his ward: “These better quality, more reliable LED light fixtures are being installed on streets, alleys and viaducts to increase safety, reduce energy costs and improve the environment,” he wrote . 

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) tweeted about changing mask regulations. “If the @CDCgov says fully vaccinated people can walk around without masks & @POTUS repeated it, why was I confronted walking into City Hall for not having a mask?,” he wrote. 

Ald. Matthew O’Shea (19) retweeted a CBS article about train delays following Monday’s 43 minute train stop on the Southwest side.  

Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36) tweeted, “we need High Speed Rail in the MidWest with Chicago as the main hub. Until trains are going 220+ mph we do not have true High Speed Rail in Illinois.” 

Chicago has extended its application deadline for its Emergency Rental Assistance Program to next Tuesday, June 15. Eligible applicants for rental assistance must have lost a job or experienced employment instability due to COVID-19 and be at risk of losing their housing without rental assistance. If an applicant meets those qualifications, the city will provide up to a year of unpaid rent and three months of future rent payments as grants. Landlords are also eligible for financial relief.  Details and application instructions are available online.