Lawmakers have already begun introducing a raft of new legislation as they prepare to hold in-person and virtual meetings starting this week. Last year, the COVID-19 pandemic and the shortened legislative session pushed the vast majority of members’ proposals off the table.

Hundreds of bills are introduced every General Assembly, and this year has proven to be no different. As of Sunday, 706 bills have been introduced in the House so far, according to the General Assembly’s website. The Senate, meanwhile, has seen the introduction of 133 bills.

News in brief: Doris Turner picked to replace Manar; Don Tracy named IL GOP chair 

nearly two-dozen bills approved during last month’s lame duck session that are now awaiting action from Gov. JB Pritzker, one measure is pitting the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association and the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce on opposite sides.

The legislation (HB 3360) would allow plaintiffs who file lawsuits related to personal injury or wrongful death to begin accruing interest earlier in the legal process.

In a reversal, Gov. JB Pritzker announced Wednesday members of the Illinois General Assembly would be bumped ahead and given access to receive a COVID-19 vaccine alongside seniors and “frontline” workers.

Pritzker announced the move less than three weeks after he said lawmakers should wait their turns, but members of the legislature have since called for the governor to prioritize them.

News in brief: IDPH redirecting nursing home vaccines; Senate Democrats launch podcast; former Sen. Sam McCann indicted

News in brief: IDPH redirecting nursing home vaccines; Senate Democrats launch podcast; former Sen. Sam McCann indicted 

News in brief: Senate set for virtual return; Pritzker announces central Illinois youth facility  

News in brief: Senate set for virtual return; Pritzker announces central Illinois youth facility.

Illinois Department of Public Health director Ngozi Ezike on Tuesday encouraged members of Congress to widen the federal supply chain of COVID-19 vaccines to states and said the federal response to the pandemic under former President Donald Trump “hampered” states’ efforts to fight the virus.

Ezike was one of five public health experts to testify before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce in a virtual hearing, with members of the panel peppering the witnesses on a variety of topics with the aim of finding solutions to accelerate COVID-19 vaccinations.

A handful of Illinois lawmakers are calling for state officials to create a new database aimed at preventing COVID-19 vaccine doses from being wasted.

On Jan. 22, 15 state senators, all Democrats, urged Gov. JB Pritzker and Illinois Department of Public Health director Ngozi Ezike to create such a database due to concerns that local health departments may not be able to use all the vaccine doses they are given.