Ald. Pat Dowell (3) included information in her latest newsletter on the city’s Roof and Porch Repair Program.

Ald. Sophia King (4) promoted an “Essential Workers Essential Protections Webinar” set to be hosted by the U.S. Department of Labor Wednesday morning.

Ald. George Cardenas (12) tweeted, “We should be using technology. Absolutely, we need every tool in the box” alongside a Sun-Times article about a Chicago Police Department drone program.

Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez (33) promoted an “Activist’s Guide to Zoning” webinar set to be hosted by the group 33rd Ward Working Families at 7 p.m. next Tuesday, May 18.

Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35) tweeted his recent piece in Jacobin covering the 100-unit affordable housing development recently built in his ward.

Ald. Andre Vasquez (40) announced a meeting set for 6 p.m. Thursday to discuss a proposal for a new park at 5700 N. Ashland Ave.

Ald. Michele Smith (43) shared information about a meeting planned next Tuesday to discuss the proposed Dickens Greenway.

Sen. John Connor’s (D-Lockport) measure to decrease racial discrimination in artificial intelligence-based hiring processes (HB 53) passed Judiciary committee Tuesday. The bill would require companies using the technology to report race and ethnicity of every applicant processed to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

Sen. Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) advanced his bill creating a commission for a high-speed state rail network (HB 399) out of the Senate Transportation Committee Tuesday. In a statement, Stadelman said, “Investing in a network like this would further expand travel opportunities for the residents of Rockford and the rest of the state.” 

Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) and Rep. Mark Batinick’s (R-Plainfield) measure (HB 343) extending school zone speed limits also passed the Senate Transportation Committee. HB 343 would enact school speed limits between 6:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. 

Sen. Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) passed HB 2454 out of the Senate Local Government Committee Tuesday, which “creates an option for counties and municipalities to waive licensing, permitting or registration fees for local businesses and services,” per a press release. Hilton also passed HB 814 out of the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday, which would allow Illinoisans to use inheritances in qualified tuition programs. 

Sen. Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park) passed HB 3147 out of the Senate Health Committee Tuesday. If passed, the measure “would require long-term care facilities to make every reasonable effort to facilitate at least one phone or video call between a resident and a family member each day during a disaster declared by the governor,” according to a press release. Cullerton said in a statement that he’d introduced the bill in response to reports of isolation for residents of long-term care facilities.  

Sen. Chris Belt (D-Centreville) advanced his measure (HB 310) requiring shelters to prioritize buying feminine hygiene products to its clients out of the Senate Health Committee Tuesday, commenting in a statement that “There is no excuse for depriving any individual the right to basic hygiene.”

• Children as young as 12 will be eligible to receive vaccines at mass vaccination sites in Chicago and suburban Cook County starting Thursday, the Chicago Department of Public Health and Cook County Health announced Tuesday. Parents can register for shots at city locations through Zocdoc, and they can book appointments at suburban sites through the county’s vaccination portal. 

• The Chicago Department of Public Health announced a free “Vaccine Ambassador Course” that offers online training through the City Colleges of Chicago. The two-hour program was designed to “educate people to become trusted vaccine education ambassadors in their communities,” according to a Tuesday announcement. The class is available online. 

• Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced a new youth track-and-field competition set to culminate in a 60-meter race at the new Track and Field Center at Gately Park on July 10. Organized by the Chicago Park District, Chicago Public Schools and the Rev. Jesse Jackson, the “Fastest Kids” competition will open qualifying events throughout May and June for students in different age groups. Families can register for the program online. 

• Officials from the state and the city of Aurora on Tuesday announced an expansion of an operations and distribution center owned by Magick Woods, a manufacturer of cabinetry and household goods. The expansion is expected to create 50 new permanent jobs over the next two years. The company already employees 90 people at its Aurora facility. 

Ald. Brian Hopkins (2) tweeted “cutting the ribbon on the 3rd and final phase of the Navy Pier flyover bridge. Yes, they built the pyramids in less time, but you can’t roller blade down them.” 

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) retweeted screenshots of some of the hacked City Hall emails and wrote, “I feel vindicated after pushing so hard to get rid of Susan Lee. She is god-awful!” 

Ald. Matt O’Shea (19) wrote in his latest newsletter that the annual Ridge Run will be virtual this year and “route maps and registration are available online at www.bapa.org.” 

Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35) retweeted screenshots of some of the hacked City Hall emails and wrote “Lightfoot promised she'd enact robust civilian oversight during her first 100 days. Now, as we approach her 2 year mark as mayor, Chicago has paid tens of millions more in police misconduct settlements. These emails give us a glimpse into how she's obstructed police reform.” 

Ald. Matt Martin (47) tweeted a link to a story from The DePaulia in which he is interviewed about his family’s use of a cargo bike.

Sen. Adriane Johnson (D-Riverwoods) tweeted images from an event over the weekend to honor a 100 year old resident in her district. 

Sen. Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) said on Twitter after she joined Gov. JB Pritzker and others for a news conference to highlight a bill that she said “took many months” and would address “COVID-19 and other public health issues, community health workers, MCOs, and overall hospital reform.”  

Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford (D-Maywood) tweeted images from the same news conference, adding “quality, affordable health care should be recognized as a right for all.” 

Sen. Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) tweeted an image of him and others, including Secretary of State Jesse White, commemorating the opening of a new driver services facility in his district.  

Rep. Joyce Mason (D-Gurnee) tweeted a link to a recent statement she issued about legislation she’s sponsoring seeking to help students with disabilities.

• The Metropolitan Planning Council will host a virtual panel event at noon Tuesday titled “Where The Sidewalk Ends: It's Time For a More Walkable Chicago Region.” Panelists will include Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities Comm. Rafael Arfa, Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning transportation planner Vickie Jacobsen and Elevated Chicago representative Leslé Honoré. 

• The Chicago Park District opened online registration on Monday for 2021 Summer Day Camp and Summer Park Programs. Summer Day Camp will run for six weeks, from June 28 to Aug. 6. Other park programs will run from June 21 to Aug. 28. Financial assistance is available on the district’s online portal. 

• The Chicago Department of Procurement Services is hosting an informational workshop on the city’s procurement process called “Procurement Fundamentals: Doing Business With The City” at 2 p.m. Thursday. Those who attend the virtual workshop “will better understand what it takes before you start the bidding process and your responsibilities after you have won a contract with the City of Chicago,” according to the event description.  

• The House Moderate Caucus has selected Rep. Frances Ann Hurley (D-Chicago) as its new caucus whip, Speaker Chris Welch announced on Monday. The “Mod Caucus” is a “a relatively new caucus of like-minded members who advocate for a balanced, steady approach to lawmaking,” according to a news release. Hurley is also chair of the special House Police and Fire Committee. 

The Daily Line reporter Joel Ebert breaks down the highlights from nearly 50 hours of redistricting hearings lawmakers have led since mid-March. The once-every-decade effort to redraw Illinois’ political boundaries of federal and legislative districts is complicated and contentious. To better understand the history of redistricting, the process and the stakes at play, Joel will speak with Kent Redfield, a professor emeritus of political science at the University of Illinois at Springfield, and Griselda Vega Samuel, the Midwest regional counsel for the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund.

Sen. Steve Stadleman (D-Rockford) announced his measure to expand the River Edge Historic Tax Credit for Rockford had passed the Senate. The tax credit, which would have expired at the end of 2021, “has brought life to many historic buildings, which helps boost property values in the area,” Stadelman said. 

In an email, Rep. Tom Bennett (R-Gibson City) knocked backlogs at the Illinois department of employment security, writing that “the problem at IDES is of such severity and has gone on for so long that the current system of using the phone hotline or website and then waiting for a response is clearly not working.” 

Sen. Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) thanked police officers for their service, dedication and sacrifice” in an email newsletter.  

Rep. Jonathan Carroll (D-Buffalo Grove) tweeted, “where’s my helmet?” alongside a tweet by Rep. Tim Butler (R-Springfield) reading “@repjcarroll wasn't around, so I just hung onto the papers.” 

Rep. Ann Williams (D-Chicago) tweeted, “In a rapidly changing technological world, data privacy is everyone’s right. House Bill 2553, the Protecting Household Privacy Act, would prevent law enforcement from accessing the data on your Ring doorbells, Alexas, and similar devices without a warrant or your consent.”

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) tweeted, “Lightfoot says she opposed the “Defund Police” movement during last year’s budget discussions but I don’t believe her. She is absolutely working to starve the beast and keep them from catching criminals.” 

Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25) retweeted news that Chicago will delay a permit to the scrap metal plant planned by General Iron. 

Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35) tweeted his op-ed in The Midwest Socialist, writing “only by putting more power in the hands of poor and working class people can we win the affordable housing our communities need and deserve.” 

Ald. Harry Osterman (48) tweeted his weekly ward newsletter,  in which he thanked outgoing Chicago Public Schools Chief Education Officer Janice Jackson for her work as well as Chicago’s teachers in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week. 

In her weekly newsletter, Ald. Maria Hadden (49) shared a Block Club Chicago article about a formerly incarcerated 49th Ward resident Juan Rivera, who “has returned to his roots in Rogers Park to make good on a promise he struck in prison with a guard: to give back by helping youth in underserved communities carve a path towards a successful career.”

• Gov. JB Pritzker announced plans Friday for a $70 million electric vehicle plant that would be built in Illinois as the first United States outpost for the Canadian company Lion Electric. According to a press release, the plant will be the largest of its kind in the country and will start production of medium- and heavy-duty electric vehicles in the second half of 2022. The plant is projected to product 20,000 electric vehicles every year, creating 745 million jobs. 

• Republican officials at the state and county level announced they were proposing the Election Standardization Act Friday. A news release said the act would “instill transparency and uniformity to the state’s election process.” Sen. Sally Turner (R-Beason), a former county clerk, said, “I have spent over 20 years of my career working to ensure the safety, transparency, and efficiency of our election system. My passion for this continues as I continue my public service as a state senator.” 

• The public policy nonprofit Forefront announced two major departures on Friday, as Chief Operating Officer Dawn Melchiorre and Director of Statewide Partnerships Sarah Tapscott are moving to new roles elsewhere. Melchiorre will take ownership of the newest location of Waters Edge Winery, and Tapscott will become the new Director of Advancement for Springfield’s Sacred Heart-Griffin High School, according to a newsletter from Forefront CEO Monique Jones. 

• Chicago Area Clean Cities will host a webinar on May 27 to discuss powering vehicles with hydrogen. Speakers include representatives from Hyzon Motors and the Gas Technology Institute.  

• The Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago will host a virtual lecture at 7 p.m. on May 18 examining the most effective ways to tackle climate change and scale clean energy technologies while keeping energy affordable and supporting economic growth. 

Ald. Pat Dowell (3) shared a vaccination opportunity through Mariano's Family Day event that is open to walk-ins in her ward newsletter.  

Ald. George Cardenas (12) tweeted, “breaking: a newly released poll on national Hispanic/Latino survey only 1% of Hispanics prefer to be called Latinx. Please make a note of it.”

Ald. Matthew O'Shea (19) tweeted, The Department of Water Management has issued a boil order for properties in the shaded area of this map. Pls bring water to a full boil for at least 5 minutes to ensure it is safe for consumption."  

Ald. Rossana Rodriguez (33) tweeted, Apparently “school choice” is making a comeback as an argument. That’s free market thinking and has no place in education. Setting the stage for the hunger games helps no one. Fund and prioritize neighborhood schools." 

Ald. Andre Vasquez (40) retweeted his suggestion that Chicago should convert the Thompson Center into a cannabis greenhouse, writing "putting this on repeat in hopes that our state folks getting something going. #LetChicagoGrow." 

Comm. Frank Aguilar (D-16) shared his push for installing English language assistants at high-need post offices in his district newsletter.

Republicans blasted Democrats for holding closed-door redistricting discussions. And Gov. JB Pritzker weighed in on the Chicago elected school board bill and announced an evidence-based education funding boost.

Sen. Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) tweeted about SB 1747, writing "to protect our environment and stop global warming, we need to close coal plants – that’s not up for debate. But, as we make strides toward green energy, we can’t forget about the families who rely on these plants to put food on the table." The bill would create the Energy Transition Zone Act, designating areas which formerly hosted coal or nuclear facilities as eligible for particular tax benefits.

Rep. Tom Morrison (R-Palatine) tweeted about 22 Illinois police officers whose names were added to a memorial wall in Springfield Thursday.

Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Peoria) tweeted about the redistricting process: "The Democrats said it would be transparent, but it isn't. As a candidate, the Governor promised voters he would veto any map produced by politicians. Please share this video and call on the Governor to keep his promise to you to veto this partisan map!"

Sen. Elgie Sims (D-Chicago) is sponsoring HB 665, "which would require the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) to establish and support entrepreneurship assistance centers around the state." In a press release, Sims said he was sponsoring the bill to "make this process easier for those who have a passion to build their own brand while equipping them with the necessary skills to become successful.” The measure will head to the full Senate after passing in the Commerce Committee. 

Sen. Michael Simmons (D-Chicago) announced in a press release that his measure, SB 2132, passed the Senate Revenue Committee and is headed for the full Senate floor. The bill "would offer a tax credit of $600 per child for single parents making less than $40,000 annually or jointly filing parents earning less than $60,000." 

Sen. Michael Hastings (D-Tinley Park) announced infrastructure upgrades in the Village of Richton Park, funded through a $90,679 grant from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s Green Infrastructure Grant Opportunity program. In a statement, Hastings said the grant will help Richton Park residents "rest easy knowing their critical infrastructure will remain first class." 

• Gov. JB Pritzker’s administration announced a series of events set to take place throughout May in honor of National Asian American and Pacific Island Heritage Month. Hosted by the Illinois Department of Commerce Office of Minority Economic Empowerment, events will take place on May 12, May 20, May 25, May 26, May 27 and May 28, with topics ranging from business growth opportunities and addressing “anti-Asian hate” to the benefits of the American Rescue Plan. Registration for each event is required.  

• The Cook County Democratic Party is scheduled to host a forum June 5 with the candidates planning to run for Illinois Secretary of State in the 2022 election. The virtual forum will be moderated by Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, who also chairs the party organization. The event is set to run from 10 a.m. to noon. 

• Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced three major personnel moves on Wednesday. Celia Meza, who became the city’s interim corporation counsel after the mayor asked Mark Flessner to resign last December, will move into the role on a permanent basis. Former U.S. Marshall John O’Malley Jr. will become the new deputy mayor for public safety, a role that has been vacant since Susan Lee’s departure last year. And the mayor has tapped Beniamino Capellupo, previously the executive director of of SEIU Illinois Council, as her senior adviser for labor partnerships. 

• Chicago officials on Wednesday announced the city’s Protect Chicago Music series, a series of concerts open only to fully vaccinated city residents. The first concert will take place on May 22 in partnership with Hyde Park’s Silver Room, featuring DJ Ron Trent and Duane Powell. In order to attend, Chicagoans will need to have received their final dose of the COVID-19 vaccine two weeks before the event date. Attendees will be asked to show their CDC vaccination card and picture identification alongside their tickets in order to be allowed into the event. Tickets will be available beginning May 11 for the vaccinated public and May 8 for those who get vaccinated during a clinic held at Apostolic Faith Church, 3823 S. Indiana Ave. 

Ald. George Cardenas (12) shared news of Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s hire of Beniamino Capellupo as her senior labor adviser and wrote, “Go Bennie. Good choice” 

Ald. Carlos Ramirez Rosa (35) tweeted, A civilian commission would select the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) chief administrator under our Empowering Communities for Public Safety (ECPS) Ordinance. We need a responsive COPA that is accountable to the public and doing its job. #ECPSNow

Ald. Andre Vasquez (40) shared news of COPA chief Sydney Roberts’s resignation with a DJ Khaled “And Another One” gif.

Cook County Comm. Kevin Morrison (D-15) shared a list of his “favorite restaurants” in his district and wrote “Now more than ever, we must do all we can to help our local mom-and-pop shops.” 

Comm. Sean Morrison (R-17) shared a Tribune article about communication lapses in State’s Attorney Kim Foxx’s office and wrote, “This is astounding incompetence. And yet another example of the Train wreck Kim FOXX administration.”