- Gov. JB Pritzker on Wednesday announced five new appointments and six reappointments. He named Tim Ryan to the Finance Authority, Edward Washington II to the Independent Tax Tribunal, Lisa McLeod as executive director of the Liquor Control Commission and Jared Bohland and Kenneth Tupy to the Prisoner Review Board. Pritzker’s reappointments include renaming G.A. Finch to the Civil Service Commission and Willard Evans Jr., Alice Gallagher, Karen McConnaughay, Scott Paddock and Gary Perinar to the Toll Highway Authority. All of the appointments require approval by the state Senate.
Springfield Announcements 05-06-21
Sen. Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) issued a statement after one of her proposals seeks to allow students to use college savings plans for educational loans and vocational programs was approved by a Senate committee.
Sen. Robert Peters (D-Chicago) issued a statement after a bill of his seeking to decriminalize HIV transmission was approved by a Senate committee.
Sen. Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) issued a statement after a bill of his seeking to require state agencies to purchase flags made in the United States was approved by a Senate committee.
Rep. Ann Williams (D-Chicago) tweeted about a “small change” to a bill about changing gender language on marriage certificates was approved in a House committee.
Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) tweeted an image of the House Democratic leadership team.
District Dispatches 05-06-21
Lightfoot, Pritzker expressed optimism about full reopening by July 4. A House committee anticipates holding a hearing on a recent audit about the LaSalle Veterans’ Home. And Catholic bishops expressed concern about one of Pritzker’s proposed tax changes.
News in brief: Lightfoot wants Chicago fully reopened by July 4, Pritzker ‘optimistic’ state is on a similar timeline
Rep. Will Guzzardi (D-Chicago) tweeted, “Last week Leader @repdeliaramirez passed her COVID-19 Emergency Housing Protections Act. This critical legislation will create protections for Illinoisans struggling to pay their rent or mortgages as a result of the pandemic.”
Sen. Cristina Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago) tweeted an op-ed by the Latino Policy Forum to promote SB 1832, which would fast-track certifications for early childhood educators.
Speaker Chris Welch (D-Mayfield) tweeted, “Here’s some great news from @GovPritzker : we may be on track to fully reopen Illinois this summer. We still need to get people vaccinated and follow safety measures, but this is exciting news to say the least. Make sure to get your shot!”
Sen. Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) tweeted in support of his measure HB 226, writing “It's simple: Students are more than a test score. This measure ensures our universities take more than one score into account when considering applicants.”
Sen. Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods) released a statement promoting his “Appreciation for Your Dedication” card drive for law enforcement members in honor of National Police Week.
District Dispatches 05-05-21
Gov. JB Pritzker on Tuesday announced a new mobile vaccination site will open at the Worldwide Shooting and Recreation Complex in Sparta. To encourage vaccinations, the governor also said anyone who receives a vaccine at the new mobile site will be eligible to receive 100 free targets of trap, skeet or sporting clays for use at the recreation complex.
Springfield Announcements 05-05-21
Ald. Daniel La Spata (1) promoted the Vaccine Anti-retaliation Ordinance, which mandates employers to compensate workers who receive a COVID-19 vaccine during working hours, in his ward newsletter.
Ald. Sophia King (4) tweeted to promote an event organizing around “wrong raids” by Chicago Police, writing “join us Tonight at 6pm as we look at policy to reform search warrants and raids.”
Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) tweeted about the Circuit court system, asking if the system was “worth it” if “repeat gun offenders aren’t given stricter sentencing.”
Ald. Matthew O’Shea (19) tweeted about Teacher Appreciation Week, writing “our teachers have done incredible work this year and they deserve gratitude and recognition.”
Ald. Jeanette Taylor (20) retweeted the Chicago Teachers Union’s statement, which referenced her activism to save Dyett High School: “District leaders said they often hear from parents who feel "drowned out" by calls for democracy in our school system, yet parents like @taylorfor20th @brothajitu and others had to literally starve themselves to save Dyett H.S.”
Ald. Carlos Ramirez Rosa (35) tweeted, “as we face a looming foreclosure crisis, a judge has ruled that Illinois ban on rent control means the City of Chicago can't protect tenants in foreclosed properties. Another reason why we *must* #LiftTheBan on rent control. Tenants shouldn't be displaced by bank foreclosures.”
Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36) shared a rendering of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art planned in Los Angeles and tweeted, "Look it’s our museum on the lake. Oh no it’s not because we wanted a parking lot. The force was not with us."
Ward Reports 05-05-21
- The Chicago Department of Public Health on Tuesday downgraded eight states and the District of Columbia in its Emergency Travel Order List as COVID-19 caseloads steadily decline in most states. South Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, Virginia, South Carolina, Vermont, Alaska and Connecticut moved from the city’s “orange tier” to its “yellow tier,” meaning the city is no longer asking unvaccinated people traveling from those states to quarantine or get tested upon arrival. At the same time, the health department upgraded Indiana to the "orange tier." Eighteen states and Puerto Rico remain in the city’s “orange tier” because their seven-day averages of new cases there exceed 15 per 100,000.
Chicago Announcements 05-05-21
Ald. Sophia King (4) tweeted, "job well done, @janicejackson! We wish you the best" in response to news that the CEO of Chicago Public Schools would step down in June.
Ald. Jeanette Taylor (20) retweeted Ald. Rossana Rodriguez's (33) tweet recognizing the newly-formed Democratic Socialist Caucus on City Council.
Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25) tweeted, "I will be chairing a joint committee hearing to address public safety and the root causes of violence in our city. Please join us."
Ald. Andre Vasquez (40) tweeted "public safety" with an eyeroll emoji alongside a WBEZ story discussing Chicago policemen's low vaccination rate.
Ald. Pat Dowell's (3) weekly newsletter hailed the recent passage of O2021-363, which allows for stronger punitive responses to people who race or do vehicle stunts in the streets.
ward-reports-05-04-21
Sen. Teri Bryant (R-?) thanked A.B.A.T.E Illinois for bestowing the “Senator of the Year” award in a tweet of her wearing a custom vest.
In an email, Sen. John Curran (R-Lemont) touted the passage of “Kelsey’s Law” in the Illinois Senate (SB 1892), which “seeks to strengthen child pornography laws by making possession of child pornography when the child is a household or family member of the defendant a non-probational offense.”
Rep. Keith Wheeler (R-Oswego) posted to Facebook about “all the AMAZING foster parents here in the Fox Valley! May is Foster Parent Appreciation Month in Illinois, a time to thank the thousands of foster families across the state who are providing temporary safe havens to youth and urge other residents to become licensed foster families.
Rep. Will Guzzardi (D-Chicago) tweeted, “As long as we keep sending armed officers trained in lethal violence to respond to homelessness, mental health episodes, and traffic violations, these killings are not going to stop. We need to transform the role of police in society” in response to the recent killing of Anthony Alvarez in Portage Park.
Rep. Denyse Stoneback (D-Skokie) tweeted, “I'm a proud cosponsor of HB 376, or the TEAACH Act. This bill will ensure the contributions and accomplishments of those in the AAPI community are taught in Illinois schools.”
District Dispatches-05-04-21
- Former Cook County Public Defender Amy Campanelli will be the Vice President of Restorative Justice at the Lawndale Christian Legal Center, she announced. Campanelli spent six years as the county’s top public defender before Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle tapped Sharone Mitchell, Jr. to take her place earlier this year. Comm. Dennis Deer (D-2), said in a press release that Campanelli “is a welcome addition as we fight for justice and equity in my home community of North Lawndale and beyond.” Campanelli said she’d been an admirer of the Center for many years and looks “forward to transforming our ‘systems’ by being committed to racial equity and justice for all.”
- Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced a new round of applications for Additional Dwelling Units (ADUs) in an effort to “expand housing access across Chicago.” More details are available at chicago.gov/adu. In December 2020, the City Council passed an ordinance making Additional Dwelling Units legal again in five “pilot areas” of Chicago. Previously, “in-law units,” coach houses, and other secondary dwelling structures had been illegal since 1957. Applicants may request permission to establish an additional dwelling unit in their attic, basement, or in another structure, or request post-hoc legalization of “units that were previously built without zoning approval and building permits,” according to a city news release.
Chicago Announcements 05-04-21
- Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday announced the issuance of a request for proposals for the sale of the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago. In a statement, Pritzker said the property “provides a unique opportunity to maximize taxpayer savings, create thousands of union jobs, generate millions of dollars in estate taxes” for Chicago and “spur economic development.” Bids are due by 3 p.m. on Aug. 16.
springfield-announcements-05-04-21
Ald. Sophia King (4) will host a virtual town hall meeting at 5 p.m. Monday to “review the four Request For Proposals from the finalist teams for the C40 Reinventing Cities Competition site at the northeast corner of Plymouth Court and Van Buren Street.” Online registration is required.
Ald. Anthony Beale (9) held a “community picnic” with Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, Comm. Bridget Gainer (10), Chicago Department of Housing Comm. Marisa Novara and others to celebrate the rehabilitation of 35 vacant rowhomes in North Pullman.
Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) shared a photo of himself marching with hospitality workers in Unite Here Local 1 and tweeted, “As Chicago’s economy opens up, workers deserve a right to return! #HappyMayDay”
Ald. Walter Burnett (27) will co-host a virtual community meeting with the West Loop Community Organization at 6 p.m. Tuesday to discuss a proposal for a new 320-unit at 160 N. Morgan St. Online registration is required.
Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35) tweeted remarks from Chicago Federation of Labor president Bob Reiter at the site of the Haymarket riots for May Day on Saturday.
Ald. Brendan Reilly (42) included details in his latest newsletter on the Expanded Outdoor Dining program, which blocked off part of Rush Street in the Gold Cost to traffic starting this weekend.
Ald. Matt Martin (47) wrote in his latest newsletter that he met last week with ComEd officials to “discuss their efforts to improve electricity service in our Ward, and to underscore the need to craft a new franchise agreement that will help support broader usage of solar panels and electric vehicle charging.”
Ald. Maria Hadden (49) included photos in her latest newsletter of a vaccination event she co-hosted on Friday along with Heartland Health, the Chicago Covid Response Team, the Chicago Vaccine Brigade, Centro Romero and others.
Ward Reports 05-03-21
Sen. Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) knocked Gov. J.B. Pritzker's walkback of his campaign promise for an independent remapping process. In. press release, Fowler said, "Senate Republicans have sent multiple official requests to the Governor to ask that he, or a senior member of his staff, testify at one of many virtual or in-person redistricting hearings to explain how he intends to keep his promise to voters on independent maps. To date, his office has declined or not responded to all requests."
Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) tweeted a WBEZ investigation about the LaSalle Veteran's home, ‘Nobody Seemed To Know What To Do’: Blistering Report Outlines Illinois’ Failure To Protect Vets From Deadly COVID Outbreak.”
Sen. Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) tweeted, "workers need a living wage with dignified working conditions, which is why I am sponsoring the #FutureOfWork Act (HB 645).
Rep. Marcus Evans (D-Chicago) tweeted images from a parade in Lansing.
district-dispatches-05-03-21
- The Next Steps Collaborative will host the first part of a three-part webinar series at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday titled “Exploring Progressive Women & Political Values.” The panel will include Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Ill.), WVON host Kimberley Egonmwan and Kennedy-King College professor Jennifer Watson. Online registration is required.
Springfield Announcements 04.16.21
- Former Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez starts this month as chief legal counsel for Maryville Academy, according to her LinkedIn page. Alvarez previously spent two years as a management consultant with the firm Alvarez & Marsal.
Chicago Announcements 05.03.21
City health officials will update aldermen on city’s pandemic response as COVID-19 case numbers decline. Mayor Lori Lightfoot joined other Great Lakes mayors in calling for federal dollars to help replace lead water pipes. And Senate President Don Harmon weighed in on elected school board negotiations.
News in brief: Arwady to face questions on pandemic response; Lightfoot joins mayors in call for federal lead replacement funding; Harmon weighs in on school board talks
Chicago health officials released more details of a city reopening plan. The Civilian Office of Police Accountability wraps its investigation of the Anjanette Young police raid. And Cook County Health officials detail plans to get food service workers vaccinated.
News in brief: Chicago loosens COVID restrictions; COPA wraps probe of Anjanette Young raid; Cook County plans vaccination ‘Restaurant Day’
Minority Leader Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods) retweeted a reporter who quoted his description of Gov. J.B. Pritzker as "simply running away into the darkness of partisan politics." The statement came in response to Pritzker signaling he'd backtrack on campaign statements about redistricting.
Sen. Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) announced she would sponsor legislation (SB 672) preventing prohibits third-party delivery services from posting or advertising restaurant or bar menus without express permission from the businesses. In a press release, Bush said, "it’s simply not fair for other people to receive profits from a business without permission to deliver its items.”
Sen. Michael Hastings (D-Tinley Park) congratulated 400 high schoolers from the south suburbs for outstanding academic successes. In a press release, Hastings added, "these remarkable young people always deserve recognition for their hard work – but even more so as they persevered to emerge from a global pandemic as one of our state’s brightest.”
Sen. Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) is sponsoring SB 701, which would expand the Adult Protective Services Act to cover abandonment reports and extend the statute of limitations from three years to seven years for cases of theft by deception for adults 60 and older.
Sen. Karina Villa (D-Chicago) has advanced a proposal urging the federal government to "grant residency to all farm, agricultural and manufacturing workers who are working during the COVID-19 pandemic and to grant their employers and agents immunity against any adverse action," per a press release.
Sen. Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) lauded the Food and Drug Administration ban on menthol cigarettes and all flavored cigars in a press release, but called for further action. "We must work to ban flavored vaping products that lure children into deadly addiction," she said.
Sen. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) tweeted her support for making sure "convention centers are on a steady path to re-opening, while also ensuring the safety of visitors and employees returning to work."
Sen. Christopher Belt (D-Centrevile) tweeted about his initiative to pay all Illinois construction workers a "prevailing wage," writing "The government shouldn’t be involved in underpaying construction workers."
Rep. Martin McGlaughlin (R-Barrington Hills) tweeted about shortcomings in the state’s unemployment system, writing “Illinois Department of Employment Security is still failing us. Read about our constituent who we've helped w/ IDES & who we've also provided resources for rental and utility assistance. When is the Governor going to fix this broken department?”
district-dispatches-04-30-21
Ald. Sophia King (4) tweeted, “Happy to co-sponsor this effort with my colleague Ald. David Moore @c4m17ward Thanks for your leadership!” following the City Council Transportation Committee’s endorsement of the ordinance to rename Lake Shore Drive for Jean Baptiste DuSable.
Ald. George Cardenas (12) tweeted about a Target coming to Little Village that expects to hire 2,000 people.
Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35) weighed in on the debate over renaming Lake Shore Drive. He tweeted, "I'm voting YES for Du Sable Drive because it's time we recognize our Black Haitian founder."
Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36) tweeted in response to President Biden's congressional address Wednesday: "Thank you @POTUS for pushing for funding for lead service line replacement. We need to ensure that every American has clean drinking water. #PresidentialAddress," he wrote.
Ald. Andre Vasquez (40) tweeted in support of the Empowering Communities For Public Safety (ECPS) ordinance: "Talks of reform appear more disingenuous when our Mayor obstructs the ONLY Police Accountability legislation by cancelling a chance to vote on it to “introduce” a piece of legislation that has yet to exist. It’s been months. #ECPSNow," he wrote.
Ald. Matt Martin (47) tweeted about follow-through on reported cases of sexual assault, writing "in the past decade, 80-90% of sexual assault and abuse claims made to the Chicago Police Department have not resulted in an arrest. As we close out Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Chicago must ensure our institutions work for survivors."
ward-reports-04-30-21
- Gov. JB Pritzker on Thursday announced a new funding opportunity and unveiled an updated plan to spend the state's share of a federal settlement with Volkswagen. The state is seeking applicants for $9 million in funding to electrify school buses in Chicagoland and Metro East. The state is also proposing to revamp its Volkswagen Beneficiary Mitigation Plan to award money to replace old diesel engines with electric school bus, public transit and infrastructure projects to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions.