Kimberly Neely du Buclet replaces Lamont Robinson in the Illinois House’s 5th District. [Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago]

The inauguration of a new Chicago mayor and all 50 aldermen also brought with it a newly appointed state representative to replace now Ald. Lamont Robinson (4), who resigned his 5th District seat in the Illinois House for a spot on the City Council.  

Chicago Democrats on Saturday selected former Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Comm. Kimberly Neely du Buclet to replace Robinson in the House. Robinson had served in the House since 2019. 

Cook County Public Defender Sharone Mitchell, Jr. speaks about the Immigration Division within the public defender's office becoming permanent during an event Tuesday. [Michael McDevitt/The Daily Line]

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle joined officials to announce that a pilot program that provides legal representation to immigrants with ties to Cook County who cannot afford counsel will become a permanent fixture within the public defender’s office. 

Speaking at a news conference at The Resurrection Project in Pilsen Tuesday alongside Cook County Comm. Alma Anaya (D-7), county Public Defender Sharone Mitchell, Jr. and others, the board president said the solidification of the program represented the opening of a door “to the halls of justice.”

Mayor Brandon Johnson was sworn into office on Monday. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line] 

Brandon Johnson was sworn in as Chicago’s 57th mayor Monday as he promised to invest in a variety of issues including housing, mental health, youth jobs and economic development across the city.  

Chief Judge of the Cook County Circuit Court Timothy Evans issued Johnson’s oath of office at the Credit Union 1 Arena Friday morning.

Mayor Brandon Johnson addresses members of the media outside his office Monday. [Erin Hegarty/The Daily Line] 

Mayor Brandon Johnson signed four executive orders during his first day in office, taking action on youth employment; immigrant, migrant and refugee rights; labor relations; and community safety.

Mayor Brandon Johnson is sworn in on May 15, 2023, with Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle present on stage. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

Some of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s former colleagues on the Cook County Board of Commissioners told The Daily Line they hope that collaboration between the county government and City Hall increases on myriad issues under the fledgling administration. 

Johnson, who served just over one full term as the county commissioner for District 1, became the city’s 57th mayor Monday morning during a lively ceremony attended by many of his former board colleagues.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot left City Hall for the final time as leader of Chicago on Friday led by the Shannon Rovers Irish Pipe Band and amid confetti popping into the air. 

The 56th mayor of Chicago was ushered out by cheers from city staffers, supporters and elected officials including several aldermen. After shaking hands and exiting City Hall out onto LaSalle Street, Lightfoot was whisked away in a vintage convertible from Leak and Sons Funeral Home. 

John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital, a facility under Cook County Health, is pictured in this file photo.

The end to state and federal public health emergencies for COVID-19 ended May 11, and their sunset also means changes for Cook County Health.  

Medicaid members must renew their coverage with the state, masks will become optional in hospitals and COVID-19 tests and vaccinations may no longer be free for some. But the county health and hospitals system remains steadfast on providing care regardless of ability to pay.

The city’s watchdog office issued findings and recommendations Friday that criticized the police department for mishandling its storage of body camera footage. And a lawsuit kicked off by a metal shredding firm’s proposed move to the Southeast Side has been settled.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot during a news conference Tuesday. [Erin Hegarty/The Daily Line] 

With less than one week left in office, Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Wednesday issued her 15th executive order during her four years in office as she prepares to solidify her legacy as mayor and pass the baton to the next administration. 

Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson addresses the Cook County Board of Commissioners during his last meeting as a county commissioner on April 27, 2023. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

Four days before he’s sworn into office, Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson announced several key senior members of his staff that he said would help him “usher in a new era for the people of Chicago.” 

The senior staff appointees announced Thursday by the mayor-elect comprise people from the private and public sectors, including employees from the Cook County government, where Johnson cut his teeth as an elected county commissioner before his election as mayor. Johnson also announced an appointee from the powerful Chicago Teachers Union that backed his campaign.

Members of the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability held a news conference Wednesday. [Erin Hegarty/The Daily Line]

Chicago’s Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability received applications from 53 people hoping to be the Chicago Police Department’s new permanent superintendent. 

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle presides over a special meeting of the board of county commissioners in December 2022. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

Cook County’s program to acquire and forgive residents’ medical debt has assisted nearly 73,000 people in eliminating about $80 million in debt, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announced in a Wednesday news release.

A City Council committee on Wednesday approved the city’s special events ordinance for 2023. Mayor Lori Lightfoot issued an executive order related to environmental justice. 

Mayor Lori Lightfoot speaks during a news conference Tuesday. [Erin Hegarty/The Daily Line]

Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Tuesday declared a state of emergency in response to the surge of asylum seekers Chicago has seen this spring and left open the possibility of calling on the National Guard to help the city with staffing in shelters. 

Concept art for the Galleria 89 mixed-use development [548 Enterprise website]

The City Council Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards approved measures Tuesday including landmark status for a notable residence in Old Town and zone changes for an Invest South/West project and the expansion of a charter high school.