Sims pushes back against GOP redistricting critics 

The Senate redistricting process turned into a back-and-forth on Monday between Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) and Sen. Elgie Sims (D-Chicago) during a subcommittee meeting focused on Will and Kankakee counties that featured little public testimony.  

When the Senate Redistricting Kankakee and Will Counties Subcommittee convened early Monday evening, just four witnesses offered testimony, including three from the same organization, during a meeting that lasted a little more than 30 minutes.   

Pritzker, Black Caucus tout economic measures aimed at boosting Black farmers 

Gov. JB Pritzker joined Lt. Gov. Julianna Stratton and members of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Monday to promote an upcoming disparity study meant to reduce inequities between Black farmers and their white counterparts. The study is part of the economic access, equity and opportunity pillar in the Black Caucus’ recent legislative package Pritzker signed into law last week.  

The new law, SB1792, calls for the state to collect data on the "economic, land ownership, education, and other related differences between African American farmers and white farmers.” 

City, unions launch new vaccination site; Lightfoot says stimulus spending plan may not go before City Council until June 

Preckwinkle endorses Clean Energy Jobs Act: ‘the urgency...is crystal clear’ 

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle on Monday threw her support behind the Clean Energy Jobs Act, urging lawmakers to take action on one of two major energy measures advancing in the state legislature. 

Sponsored by Rep. Ann Williams (D-Chicago), HB 804 seeks to increase development of renewable energy sources, reduce the state’s carbon production and pollution in Illinois and create jobs. Earlier this month, the House Energy and Environment Committee approved the Clean Energy Jobs Act, sending it the House floor.  

Cook County may pause on ‘long overdue’ ethics overhaul as state legislation hangs in wait 

Cook County commissioners and at least one government watchdog praised a raft of updates officials have in store for the county’s ethics code, but they may hit pause while they wait for a cue from state lawmakers, they said Monday. 

Cook County Comm. Larry Suffredin (D-13) said at the end of Monday’s brisk 30-minute meeting of the county board’s Legislation and Intergovernmental Relations Committee that he plans to introduce a “new draft” next month of his ordinance (20-4404), which would tighten county rules on nepotism, sexual harassment and other ethical red flags. 

Concerns over data, minority community involvement continue to consume redistricting process  

Witnesses who testified during the latest Senate redistricting committee meeting on Friday reiterated an ever-increasing chorus of criticism, calling for lawmakers to bolster their efforts to engage community members.  

The Senate Redistricting Northwest Cook County Subcommittee listened to testimony from six witnesses, many of whom expressed disappointment and confusion about the ongoing process, with one high school student calling for redistricting to be taken out of lawmakers’ hands. 

‘Bridge’ phase could be delayed due to recent COVID-19 spike, Pritzker says  

Gov. JB Pritzker on Friday expressed concern over a recent rise in COVID-19 cases that could prevent Illinois from entering the so-called “bridge” phase that would prelude the state’s full reopening.  

Under the governor’s reopening plan, 70 percent of adults 65 and older need to receive at least one vaccine dose before the state can enter the bridge phase. As of Friday, 67 percent of the state’s seniors had been vaccinated.  

‘Long overdue’ committee would demand ‘design excellence’ from major Chicago developments 

An advisory committee being assembled under the city’s Department of Planning and Development will add a “peer review” component to the development process and ensure “design excellence” in some Chicago developments, planning officials announced this month. 

The Chicago Plan Commission discussed the new advisory Committee on Design during its March 18 meeting, and the city has created a website where those interested can learn more about becoming one of 15 members, all of whom will be appointed by planning department Comm. Maurice Cox. 

Suffredin to air out proposed county ethics overhaul Monday ahead of potential April vote 

More than a year after a proposed update to Cook County’s Code of Ethics emerged in a cloud of controversy, commissioners are preparing to adopt a version of the changes as soon as next month.  

Cook County Comm. Larry Suffredin (D-13) is set to convene a hearing of the county Board of Commissioners’ Legislation and Intergovernmental Relations Committee at 1:30 p.m. Monday for a public hearing on his proposed suite of updates (20-4404) to the county’s ethics rules. The commissioner is inviting leaders from a panoply of good government watchdog groups, plus current and past members of the county’s Board of Ethics, to testify with their thoughts. 

News in brief: Senate approves vote-by-mail expansion and health care reform bill, sending both to Pritzker’s desk 

Lawmakers press unemployment officials on hiring, virtual access after release of new audit  

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.  

Industrial zoning ordinance up approval Wednesday; Hadden to force vote on India resolution  

Aldermen are set to approve a proposal from Mayor Lori Lightfoot to tack on more regulations on industrial development after months of deadlock and revisions to the ordinance to aimed at softening the measure’s impact on developers.  

The ordinance (O2020-4590) will be considered by aldermen during the Wednesday City Council meeting set to begin at 10 a.m., along with an ordinance (O2021-746) that would tack on a surcharge to residential demolitions in Pilsen and near the 606 trail. Another measure (O2021-446) up for consideration would restart the clock on city-backed affordable housing covenants each time a home changes hands.  

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: New mass vaccination site launched in Forest Park; land bank director resigns to “pursue other opportunities” 

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 approves voting expansion bill; Pritzker extends income tax filing deadline 

News in brief: snow shoveling restriction advances; Aldermen to consider increased penalties, fines for drag racing, drifting 

Approval of 12-story mixed-income development marks ‘final phase’ of Horner Homes vision, Commissioner says 

Members of the Chicago Plan Commission on Thursday approved proposals for a 12-story mixed-income development and Chicago’s first Epsorts stadium in Bronzeville.  

Commissioners gave unanimous approval to all four proposals on their agenda Thursday, including what multiple commissioners referred to as a “beautiful” office and retail building proposed for the West Loop and a 375-unit building planned at 160 N. Elizabeth St. 

News in brief: Pritzker elaborates on forthcoming reopening plan; House Republicans launch new platform 

News in brief: CPAC and GAPA coalitions reach agreement on police oversight ordinance; Snow removal ordinance set for consideration