Sen. Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) tweeted about her resolution calling on the state to “invest Illinois's transportation and infrastructure dollars as promised under the Rebuild Illinois program.” 

Sen. Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) announced her measure that would assign survivors of sexual violence a card documenting their orders of protection (HB 3485) passed the Senate Criminal Law Committee Tuesday. In a statement, Morrison said “the Hope Card will equip survivors with a much easier way to communicate their situation with others.” 

Sen. Mike Hastings (D-Frankfort) passed HB 3865 through the House Veterans Committee Tuesday. The bill would require “any advertisement for veteran and military service benefits must include that these services are available free of charge from federal, state and county veteran service offices.”

Sen. Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) passed a measure addressing racial bias in state hiring practices out of the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday. According to a press release, tHB 3914 "would require the Illinois Department of Central Management Services to identify policies that make it harder for minorities and marginalized people to get hired by the state of Illinois.”

Sen. Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) passed a bill (HB 3097) requiring drivers education curricula to include material on interacting with law enforcement out of the Senate Public Safety Committee Tuesday. In a statement, Hunter said, “When getting pulled over, it is easy to panic, especially if you don’t know the proper protocol. The more you know about the law, the more it could help you in a potentially stressful situation.” 

Sen. Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) moved her bill promoting collaboration between the Illinois Children's Mental Health Partnership and the Illinois State Board of Education out of the Senate Behavioral and Mental Health Committee Tuesday. 

Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) promoted a petition to preserve a nuclear power plant in her area on Facebook.

Ald. Daniel La Spata (1) tweeted about the new guidance around masking, writing “The mix of clarity and ambiguity on mask wearing can make your head spin. Even as a fully vaccinated Chicagoan, I’ll probably keep asking this question first: is this building or business asking me to wear a mask?” 

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) tweeted to promote the new Smart911 service from thee Chicago Office of Emergency Management, writing “I have been working with the city on this since the beginning of the year. Though I am (shockingly) not mentioned, I fully support its implementation. Sign up today!”

Ald. Michael Rodriguez (22) tweeted about his Guest Commentary in The Daily Line: “We support a fully elected school board and a trailer bill sponsored by State Senator Celina Villanueva that would allow all CPS parents to vote in school board elections

Ald. Rossanna Rodriguez-Sanchez (33) tweeted in praise of a push to replace Cook County’s Columbus Day holiday with Indigenous Peoples’ Day, writing “Proud of my brother Cook County Commissioner @BrandonCCD1 for his work to get this done at the County level.”

Ald. Harry Osterman (48) boosted WBEZ’s reporting about housing inequality in Chicago via a tweet, namechecking his colleague Ald. Pat Dowell (3) for her advocacy on the issue earlier this year.

No announcements for today. 

• The Chicago Department of Public Health moved Indiana to its “yellow” classification in its Emergency Travel Order alongside 10 other states and Puerto Rico. As of Tuesday, only seven states are classified as “orange” under the order: Colorado, Florida, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, West Virginia and Washington. Travelers arriving in Chicago from the other 42 states and territories will not need to quarantine or obtain a negative COVID-19 test upon arrival in Chicago. Travelers arriving from an Orange-classified state will need to quarantine for 10 days upon arrival or obtain a negative COVID-19 test no more than 72 hourss before they reach the city. Fully vaccinated individuals do not need to follow these guidelines regardless of where they are traveling from.  

• Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced Tuesday that the Lollapalooza music festival will take place from July 29 to Aug. 1, 2021. The festival will be held in Grant Park, and patrons must have either be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or have tested negative for the disease within 24 hours of each day they plan to attend the festival. Tickets will become available starting on Wednesday, May 19 along with the year’s roster of performers.  

• The Chicago Department of Housing will open applications at 9 a.m. Monday, May 24 for the next round of its federally backed Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Eligible renters can apply at chicago.gov/renthelp.

• Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Monday he would revise his emergency executive order mandating masks in Illinois to comply with the most recent guidance from the Center for Disease Control. Fully vaccinated people — those who have received one shot of Johnson & Johnson vaccine or two doses oof the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines at least two weeks ago — will no longer need to wear masks in many public situations. There are exceptions to this rule, namely in health care settings, on public transit and in large “congregate facilities.” Illinois has vaccinated 64 percent of its eligible residents, according to state health officials. Cities, towns and counties still may require masks in particular settings, and businesses may choose to continue with their mask policies.

Rep. Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield) encouraged constituents to provide feedback on HB 3447, which passed the House in April. Batinick opposed the bill, which changes sentencing for people who possess controlled substances. 

Rep. Carol Ammons (D-Urbana) tweeted about the passage of HB 2877, which creates the COVID-19 Federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program Act: “sending a huge shoutout to @Delia4StateRep for her hard work on HB 2877!” 

Sen. Chris Belt (D-Centreville) tweeted about infrastructure grants funded through Rebuild Illinois, writing “I’m pleased to see funds being spent to improve transportation needs that will make a difference in people’s daily lives. Investing in local governments improves our state as a whole.” 

Sen. Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) tweeted about abortion access: As a proud co-sponsor of the repeal PNA bill (SB 2190), I can’t stress enough how critical it is to protect the right and access to abortion care in IL, especially for our young people. 

Sen. Jason Plummer (R-Edwardsville) posted to Facebook about population loss in Illinois, writing “amazing what one party rule can do in a little less than 20 years. The juggernaut of the Midwest, a vibrant economy of business startups and plentiful quality jobs...to being one of only 3 states that actually lost population over the last decade.”

• Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced a new My CHI campaign, “Rediscover Summer,” Monday. Chicago Public Schools CEO Janice Jackson said the initiative would “help address the academic and social and emotional needs created by the pandemic and ensure thousands of CPS students have a strong foundation of support when returning to the classroom next fall.” The program’s offerings will include Day Camp programming beginning June 28, track and field competitions “to find Chicago’s fastest,” increased capacity at the city’s public libraries and arts-themed programs, the GreenCorps Chicago Youth Program, fishing lessons, career coaching for youth 16 and up and a range of apprenticeship programs. In a statement, Lightfoot said the “200,000 summer opportunities,” would give the city‘s young people “the nurturing, out-of-school environments they deserve and need in order to develop their talents and reach their highest potential.” 

• Cook County Health announced Monday it will return to distributing Johnson & Johnson vaccines at its Des Plaines mass vaccination site. The one-dose vaccine will be one choice, with the other option being the two-dose Pfizer vaccine. Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine administration was paused briefly in April after reports of blood clots among some recipients; however, public health officials later determined that the vaccine is still safe and effective for the vast majority of people who receive it.

• Chicago City Clerk Anna Valencia will host a virtual mini-summit called “Secure Your Self & Rights” at 5 p.m. Tuesday. According to a press release, the event “will provide space for an open dialogue with young womxn, girls, trans, and gender non-binary youth on how to protect themselves from discrimination and inequality.” Participants will include U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth and Lt. Gov. Julianna Stratton, other Chicago and Cook County officials and high-ranking officials from companies based in Chicago. Online registration is required.

Ald. Pat Dowell (3) promoted The City of Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management & Communications’ new privacy feature, Smart911, to ward residents in an email. The feature allows residents to opt in or out of sharing home surveillance video footage with Chicago Police. 

Ald. David Moore (17) posted to Facebook about rental assistance with a page from the Illinois Housing Development Authority.

Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25) retweeted a press conference covering the signage of HB 2877 and upcoming state rental relief.

Ald. Matt Martin (47) reminded residents to file their taxes and promoted the new federal Child Tax Credit.

Ald. Harry Osterman (48) sent a newsletter about an arrest that occurred in his ward over the weekend alongside other violent incidents that had occurred in the area over the preceding days, writing “safety in our community is a responsibility we all share. Please stay vigilant, look out for your neighbors, and report any illegal activity.”

Ald. Matthew O’Shea (19) tweeted about National Police Week, writing “On behalf of a grateful community, we thank the men & women of the Chicago Police Department for their sacrifice, commitment and dedication.” 

Ald. Scott Waguespack (32) shared an interest form to “help find Chicago Public Schools next CEO” and an opportunity to apply for a Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events Grant in his weekly newsletter. 

Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35) tweeted, “Chicago is losing our greatest source of naturally occurring affordable housing (NOAH), particularly NOAH with family-size units. In Chicago the fight for housing affordability is the fight to protect two- & three- flats from demolition & deconversion.” The alderman also got engaged late last week, which he announced in a tweet. 

Ald. Harry Osterman (48) asked residents to be patient as Chicago and Illinois enter the “bridge phase” of reopening in his weekly newsletter: “As we all emerge from winter and begin to support our favorite local Andersonville, Edgewater, and Uptown businesses, I encourage you to be patient as staff members adjust to new guidelines.” 

Ald. Brendan Reilly (42) reminded constituents in his latest newsletter  that Crescent Heights’ proposal to build a 47-story, 413-unit mixed-use building at 640 W. Washington St. is set for approval by the Chicago Plan Commission on Thursday. 

Ald. Maria Hadden (49) promoted the Indian Boundary Lines Marker Survey, which is meant to gauge community opinions about what the future of colonial landmarks should be, in her newsletter. 

Ald. Debra Silverstein (50) announced an upcoming vaccine clinic and wished residents a happy Shavuot, the Jewish festival commemorating the giving of the law to the Jews, in her weekly newsletter.

Sen. Don DeWitte (R-St. Charles) shared a recent opinion piece he wrote in The Chicago Daily Herald via an email newsletter, discussing his frustration with Democratic lawmakers’ transparency practices in the COVID-19 era.

Rep. Bob Morgan (D-Deerfield) touted the passage of several bills on which he was a co-sponsor, including SB 512, which puts tighter regulations on youth vaping and e-cigarette use. 

Rep. Keith Wheeler (R-Oswego) posted to Facebook about a bill he is sponsoring to lower the trailer license fee, writing “There is bipartisan support from a majority of House members to roll back the outrageous $100 fee increase to license a small trailer in Illinois.” 

A coalition of groups including ONE Northside, SEIU Healthcare and the Jane Addams Senior Caucus will hold a rally outside the Chicago Board of Trade building at 11 a.m. Monday to “demand that the Illinois State Legislature move forward with proposals that would raise more than $2 billion dollars each year, by ending tax breaks for large corporations and ultra-wealthy individuals” — including by repealing a tax break for the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. 

Gov. JB Pritzker on Friday appointed Saul Morse to the Capital Development Board, Garien Gatewood to the Criminal Justice Information Authority and Kevin Huber to serve as chair of the Student Assistance Commission. All three appointments must be confirmed by the state Senate.

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) tweeted, "I'm proud to say I have several PAID news outlet subscriptions not dependent on how they cover me. #FreedomofthePress" 

Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35) tweeted, "There have been reports of American workers withholding their labor, and now low-paying corporations are increasing wages. Withholding your labor = striking, and striking works. All power to the workers!" 

Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36) called on Mayor Lori Lightfoot in a press release to support the Chicago Covid-19 Plan for Recovery (O2021-1564) in light of the arrival of Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, which are meant to assist families which have weathered the pandemic.  

Ald. James Cappleman (46) tweeted, "we still have too many people that fall through the cracks and remain stuck in the cycle of homelessness. It's MUCH CHEAPER to place these individuals in subsidized housing with wrap-around services. Health care costs quadruple when people are living on the streets."  

Comm. Kevin Morrison (D-15) tweeted, “Thank you, @RepRobinKelly, for speaking at the Cook County Board meeting today and for discussing how @POTUS plans to address gun violence. Gun violence is a public health crisis. We must do all we can to end this epidemic.”

Rep. Daniel Diedich (D- Buffalo Grove) tweeted, "Thank you @DenyseStoneback for your leadership on this issue! I was proud to vote YES" on a bill that added muscle to the Firearm Restraining Order (HB 1092).

Sen. Jil Tracy (R-Quincy) promoted a card drive in honor of National Police Week in an email newsletter. 

Sen. Laura Fine (D-Glenview) passed a bill out of the Senate Executive Committee that would allow that transgender people to receive fee waivers for copies of corrected birth certificates and make certificate changes without a note from a medical provider.  

Sen. Karina Villa (D-West Chicago) passed her bill out of the Senate Health Committee to create a Prescription Drug Repository Program, which would help redistribute unused, unexpired prescription drugs to families who need them. “Illinoisans should not have to choose between putting food on the table and affording their prescriptions,” Villa said in a statement. 

Sen. Cristina Castro (D- Elgin) passed SB 967, a bill meant to reduce disparities in Illinois’ maternal mortality rate by “requiring private insurance plans to cover postpartum complications up to one year after delivery among other requirements.” In a statement, Castro said “this measure will put us one step closer to reducing preventable postpartum deaths in Illinois.” 

Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz (D-Chicago) passed a measure out of the Senate Insurance Committee requiring insurance companies to cover biomarker testing. The bill is meant to improve cancer detection policies in Illinois. 

Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Chicago Business Affairs and Consumer Protection Comm. Rosa Escareño and Chicago Department of Public Health Comm. Allison Arwady on Thursday announced an extended "vaccine exemption" set to start with the Bridge Phase of Chicago's reopening. Under the exemption, businesses need not account for fully vaccinated individuals when determining capacity limits. Capacity limits themselves are also set to increase in the new phase: bars and restaurants' normal liquor license hours will apply, outdoor events may have 500 participants while indoor events may have 250, and conventions may host the smaller number of 60 percent of its normal participants or 1,000 attendees. Chicago is moving into the Bridge Phase because its test positivity rate is under 4 percent and average daily case counts and deaths have continued to decline. 

The Chicago Department of Public Health, the Chicago Teachers' Union and Chicago Public Schools are set to open mobile vaccine clinics at 15 elementary and high schools in the next three weeks. The announcement comes on the heels of the Food and drug Administration's emergency authorization of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 12-15; however, the clinics will offer both Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines to adult chaperones. Vaccines will be distributed by bus from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at each location, with the buses returning for second doses of the Pfizer vaccine three weeks from the clinic date.   

Former state Treasurer and Democratic candidate for Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias said in a fundraising email Thursday he had recently been endorsed by “influential Chicago leaders.” Giannoulias’ endorsements include Ald. Anthony Beal (9), Ald. George Cardenas (12), Ald. Felix Cardona (31), Ald. Brian Hopkins (2), Ald. Ariel Reboyras (30), Ald. Harry Osterman (48), Ald. Silvana Tabares (23), Ald. Tom Tunney (44), Committeeperson Angee Gonzalez Rodriguez (26) and Committeeperson Carol Ronen (48).  

Gov. JB Pritzker on Thursday confirmed the state will enter the so-called “bridge” phase to reopening on Friday. The “bridge” phase will let businesses increase their capacity limits and expand their hours of operation. Unless the state sees any major reversals in COVID-19 metrics, Illinois would be able to fully reopen by June 11. Pritzker also on Thursday announced an initiative to encourage youth in underserved communities to get vaccinated by offering 50,000 free tickets to Six Flags Great America.

Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Office of Tourism on Wednesday announced a new campaign aimed at restarting tourism in the state. Dubbed the “Time for Me to Drive” campaign, the initiative seeks to encourage tourists to explore all parts of Illinois. Speaking at an in-person news conference, Pritzker said the campaign would highlight Illinois’ many assets, including state parks, architecture, museums, restaurants and other attractions. The state is set to spend $6 million on television, radio, digital and print media and billboards across 18 markets in Illinois and its six bordering states. 

The Illinois Department of Public Health on Wednesday announced a $225 million investment to expand access to COVID-19 tests in middle and high schools across the state. Schools using the covidSHIELD test, a saliva-based test developed by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, in districts that are predominantly low-income and have higher rates of COVID-19 infection will be eligible to receive the tests for free. Other schools will be able to get the tests at a discounted rate of $10 per test.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced Michael Fassnacht as the new president and CEO of World Business Chicago, the public-private entity charged with promoting the city to outsiders. Fassnacht, who is also the city’s Chief Marketing Officer, has led World Business Chicago in an interim capacity since January. Fassnacht succeeds Andrea Zopp, who left the position for the private sector in December. 

Paul Stewart, a former adviser and deputy assistant to Mayor Lori Lightfoot, has launched a new communications firm called Iluminara Public Affairs, according to a Wednesday announcement. The news release describes Iluminara as “a minority- owned shop offering strategic public affairs consulting services to clients across myriad sectors and industries.” Stewart was Lightfoot’s top adviser on cannabis policy until she fired him last year for unexplained reasons.

Senate Republican Leader Dan McConchie (R-Lake Zurich) tweeted “Let’s be real what this year’s redistricting in Illinois is – it's a way for the Democratic Majority to draw their maps to keep their power so they can spend recklessly and raise your taxes at will.” 

Sen. Karina Villa (D-West Chicago) passed House Bill 155 out of the Senate Health Committee Wednesday, which would allow recipients of food assistance to buy menstrual products and diapers with that aid. 

Sen. Robert Peters' (D-Chicago) measure HB 15 passed out of the Senate Education committee Tuesday. According to a press release, the measure would require Chicago Public Schools to "provide written notification to parents or guardians of students who commit misconduct and of students who are victims of the act of misconduct." 

Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) tweeted a video of her and “area veterans” at the LaSalle Veteran’s Home “to demand accountability and action.” 

Rep. Denyse Stoneback (D-Skokie) thanked her colleagues on Twitter for supporting one of her bills which she said would “strengthen” the state’s Firearms Restraining Order Act. 

Rep. Joyce Mason (D-Gurnee) tweeted about a bill she’s sponsoring that seeks to “keep veterans better protected from harmful services scams and makes it easier for them to connect with state agencies that can help them access their benefits for free.”

Ald. Daniel La Spata (1) tweeted a link to his interview with Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, chair of the Cook County Democrats, for the podcast The 80.

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) retweeted a message from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission telling people not to fill plastic bags with gasoline and wrote, “We are doomed” 

Ald. Rossanna Rodriguez (33) tweeted about the Chicago Democratic Socialists' upcoming protest for Palestinian rights, adding  "Free Palestine, end the occupation, hold Israel accountable for war crimes. Stop funding genocide."

Ald. Carlos Ramirez Rosa (35) tweeted, "Demolishing the James R. Thompson Center would be an environmental disaster, a public transportation disaster, a cultural disaster, and a historical disaster."

Ald. Tom Tunney (44) in a tweet welcomed vegan burger chain Stand-Up Burgers to his ward. “They are located at 614 W. Diversey and they will be a great addition to the neighborhood”

Ald. Matt Martin (47) encouraged residents to participate in the Participatory Budgeting Process.