A newly released audit of the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) gave lawmakers Tuesday an opportunity to question agency officials, who outlined ongoing efforts to combat fraud and process an unprecedented onslaught of demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

While examining the findings of an audit for the two-year period ending June 30, 2019, members of the Legislative Audit Commission pressed IDES director Kristin Richards and other agency officials about how to speed hiring at the agency and help more residents access its services.

Gov. JB Pritzker on Tuesday signed the final four bills included in the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus’ agenda that were approved during the January veto session. 

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Gov. JB Pritzker on Tuesday signed off on the remaining measures included in the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus’ agenda that were approved during the January lame duck session.  

The four proposals — SB 1480, SB 1608, SB 1792 and SB 1980 — seek to make economic opportunities more equitable in Illinois.  

Speaking at a bill signing event at Union Baptist Church in Springfield, Pritzker said, “We still have much more work to do, but hope is in the air today.” 

News in brief: Illinois launches new Cook County mass vaccine site; Pritzker offers rebuke, ‘call to action’ in response to Atlanta shooting 

Republican lawmakers continued to press their Democratic colleagues for answers about the ongoing legislative redistricting process Monday, when a Senate subcommittee  held an in-person hearing in Peoria to discuss remapping in West Central Illinois.  

Like last week’s virtual meetings, which featured few witnesses, Monday’s hearing at the Peoria Civic Center saw just three people testify. And like last week, the latest witness testimony called on top legislators to ensure transparency throughout the redistricting process. 

News in brief: Illinois launches new Cook County mass vaccine site; Pritzker offers rebuke, ‘call to action’ in response to Atlanta shooting

News in brief: House Democrats launch new campaign committee; Pritzker contributes $35 million to own campaign committee; Pritzker expands vaccine eligibility even more

News in brief: House Democrats launch new campaign committee; Pritzker contributes $35 million to own campaign committee; Pritzker expands vaccine eligibility even more  

For the third time in as many days, Senate Democrats leading the state’s redistricting process faced questions and criticism on Friday from residents and Republicans who pushed for greater transparency and public involvement, with one witness calling the latest meeting a “travesty.”

During a one-hour virtual hearing, Sen. Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford), chair of the Senate Redistricting Northern Illinois subcommittee, said the purpose of Friday afternoon’s meeting was to “gather input” from as many people and community interest groups as possible.

News in brief: House approves voting expansion bill; Pritzker extends income tax filing deadline

DuPage County Redistricting Committee chair James Zay testified before the Senate Redistricting DuPage County subcommittee on Thursday.

Illinois lawmakers should consider passing a law to let counties delay drawing new boundaries and potentially even move back the state’s March primary election, a DuPage County official said Thursday.

James Zay, chair of the DuPage County Redistricting Committee, made those recommendations Thursday, during what was the first of several Senate subcommittee hearings aimed at allowing communities throughout the state to offer input as lawmakers embark on the months-long redistricting process.