Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-Chicago) withdrew her motion to reconsider the vote on the Chicago elected school board bill, allowing the bill to head to Gov. JB Pritzker’s desk. And the Illinois Supreme Court issued new orders designed to speed up trials and relax social distancing rules. 

Gov. JB Pritzker on Tuesday hailed Moody’s Investor Services upgrade of the state’s general obligation credit rating.

Gov. JB Pritzker on Tuesday hailed Moody’s Investor Services upgrade of the state’s general obligation credit rating on Tuesday, calling it a “major milestone” and a “monumental development.” 

Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority chief executive officer Larita Clark [left] and McCormick Place general manager David Causten showed optimism during Tuesday’s meeting as conventions are scheduled to return to Illinois for the first time in more than a year.

Representatives from the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority expressed renewed optimism Tuesday after lawmakers approved a budget providing the agency financial assistance and as conventions are scheduled to begin officially returning to Illinois after the state’s recent reopening.  

Gov. JB Pritzker signed a bill that will student athletes to enter endorsement deals. And the Pritzker administration announced an expansion of financial assistance for child care.  

Speaking at an event in North Lawndale on Monday, Gov. JB Pritzker thanked former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel for his early support of a project that now is the recipient of a state-funded grant. [Joel Ebert/The Daily Line]

With a continued focus on helping minority-owned businesses overcome economic barriers, Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday said his administration will launch another round of grant applications available to companies in under-resourced communities.  

Gov. JB Pritzker issued a warning about the Delta COVID-19 variant. Secretary of State Jesse White extended the deadline to renew expiring driver’s licenses. And the Illinois Department of Labor outlined a new reporting requirement for large businesses. 

Rep. Steven Reick (R-Harvard) said during a June 16 House floor debate the state’s more than $5 billion unemployment fund deficit was a “sort of Damocles that’s hanging over” the legislature.

Last week, Illinois received another round of good financial news when Fitch Ratings upgraded its credit outlook for the state to positive. The ratings agency, which previously had a negative outlook for Illinois, said the change reflects the state’s “preservation of fiscal resilience” while noting the Fiscal Year 2022 budget signed by Gov. JB Pritzker this month indicated “further improvements in operating performance and structural balance.” 

Sen. Rachelle Crowe is a finalist included on a list to fill Illinois’ US attorney openings. And drone and esports competitions will be at the State Fair. 

Federal Election Commission members Ellen Weintraub (left) and James “Trey” Trainor pressed attorney Samuel Brown for answers about a proposal that would make special accommodations for the Democratic Party of Illinois, which in March named U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly as chair.

The Federal Election Commission on Thursday signaled a willingness to work with the Democratic Party of Illinois to make special arrangements that could allow the party to raise money for state-level candidates while U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly is at the helm. 

Legislative Inspector General Carol Pope said Wednesday portions of the omnibus ethics bill surprised her when they were introduced during the final hours of the legislative session. 

The changes lawmakers made to the Legislative Inspector General's office in the omnibus ethics bill they approved last month don’t go far enough to expand the agency’s reach — and some parts of the bill could even erect new barriers to independent investigations, according to Carol Pope, the office’s head.