News in brief: House set to delay return; Peters to chair new permanent Sente committee Via @joelebert29

News in brief: Turner appointed to Senate; Durkin announces House GOP leadership team; State launches vaccination website  

Pritzker defends state’s vaccine distribution efforts as Illinois falls behind other states 

Marking the start of Illinois’ next phase of COVID-19 vaccine distribution, Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday celebrated the opening of a new mass vaccination site in a southwest suburb of Chicago while defending the state’s approach to coordinating immunizations. 

Appearing at the new vaccination site at the Tinley Park Convention Center, Pritzker heralded the state’s early vaccination efforts. “Nearly three-quarters of a million doses of vaccine have been administered in Illinois already,” he said, calling the start of Phase 1B, which began Monday, “an exciting development.” 

Pritzker urges caution as regions loosen restrictions, vaccine distribution remains slow

Even as new strains of COVID-19 have entered Illinois in recent weeks and vaccine distribution  remains sluggish, the state is moving forward with easing restrictions on businesses and gatherings. 

But state leaders are warning the increased mitigation measures could be back if residents aren’t cautious.  

News in brief: Senate delays return to session; Welch announces House Democrats’ leadership team 

More than four years after Russian hackers breached it, Illinois’ voter registration database is set for a revamp. 

Last month, members of the Illinois State Board of Elections (ISBOE) voted to initiate the process to replace the statewide voter registration database, which was launched in 2009 to meet requirements set by the federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA).

The Illinois State Board of Elections moved toward issuing a fine against Rep. Terra Costa Howard (left) after a complaint was filed by a supporter of Republican Peter Breen (right), who unsuccessfully challenged the incumbent Democrat last year.

The Illinois State Board of Elections on Tuesday moved toward issuing fines against Rep. Terra Costa Howard (D-Glen Ellyn) after she faced a complaint over alleged misreporting of campaign contributions from committees controlled by former House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) and Planned Parenthood.

News in brief: Steans to resign from Senate; Cook County vaccination sites launched 

Lawmakers to consider remote voting among key rule change priorities when legislature reconvenes 

Unlike 2020, which was largely a lost year for the Illinois General Assembly, the days and months ahead are expected to be busy for state lawmakers.  

Tasked with resolving  a host of major issues facing the state, including redistricting and a $3.9 billion budget shortfall, lawmakers are set to return later this month although the exact format remains unclear.