Senate President Don Harmon has contracted COVID-19. Former Sen. Bill Haine has died. And the Illinois Commerce Commission announced a new area code.   

Former Sen. Matt Murphy called for lawmakers on Friday to provide more federal funding to help the state’s hotel industry.  

Lawmakers should use more federal American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds to help Illinois’ struggling hospitality industry as soon as possible, a former state senator told a House committee on Friday.  

Gov. JB Pritzker hands a copy of SB 817, which bans schools from adopting hair discrimination policies, to student Jett Hawkins during a Friday news conference. 

Gov. JB Pritzker on Friday signed two education-related measures into law that were much discussed during this year’s legislative session.  

After he signed more than 80 proposals into law last week, Gov. JB Pritzker still has about 330 measures approved by the legislature this spring to take action on as of Tuesday.  

Gov. JB Pritzker on Friday signed into law 83 bills that were approved during the General Assembly’s spring session.  

Joined by Illinois Education Association president Kathi Griffin (left), Gov. JB Pritzker on Tuesday signed into law a measure that will expand access to family and medical leave for educational support staff. 

Gov. JB Pritzker on Tuesday signed into law a measure (HB 12) that will expand access to family and medical leave for educational support staff.  

Illinois Department of Human Services senior policy advisory Dana Kelly told lawmakers on Monday 53 percent of the 6,200 employees working at state-run psychiatric hospitals and developmental centers have been vaccinated for COVID-19.

Fifty-three percent of the more than 6,200 employees working in state-run psychiatric hospitals and developmental centers have been vaccinated for COVID-19, an agency official told lawmakers on Monday. Officials are blaming large unvaccinated staff populations for a series of new outbreaks spreading through nearly a dozen facilities. 

Former House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) has more than $12.8 million in campaign money that he can use at his discretion. [Justin Fowler/State Journal-Register]

Former House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) may be out of office and out of favor with many within his own party, but he still maintains more than $12.8 million in campaign money that he can use at his discretion.  

Gov. JB Pritzker on Thursday signed three bills into law that seek to make feminine hygiene products more accessible throughout Illinois.  

Gov. JB Pritzker on Thursday signed three bills into law that seek to make feminine hygiene products more accessible throughout Illinois.  

Avijit Ghosh, the University of Illinois’ interim executive vice president and chief financial officer, fielded questions from Rep. Deanne Mazzochi (R-Elmhurst) on Thursday about the university’s plans as students are set to return to campus. 

Officials from nine public Illinois universities told lawmakers on Thursday they plan to follow recently issued public health guidance that calls for students, faculty and staff to be vaccinated while requiring masks be worn indoors.  

Winners of social equity justice-involved cannabis license lottery were announced Thursday. Secretary of State Jesse White to require unvaccinated employees to undergo regular testing. U.S. Census data to be released on Aug. 12. 

Speaking at a news conference in Chicago, Gov. JB Pritzker on Wednesday announced a series of new mandates aimed at protecting children, congregate care residents and “highly vulnerable” Illinoisans.

Faced with a recent spike of COVID-19 hospitalizations and case counts, Gov. JB Pritzker on Wednesday announced a series of new mandates aimed at protecting children, congregate care residents and “highly vulnerable” Illinoisans. 

The Illinois Department of Public Health released data on long-term care facility vaccination rates. And all public K-12 schools are eligible for free saliva tests. 

Gov. JB Pritzker held a bill signing ceremony in Aurora on Monday as he signed into law a measure aimed at fixing and modernizing the state’s firearms owner identification (FOID) card system.

Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday signed into law a compromise measure aimed at fixing and modernizing the state’s firearms owner identification (FOID) card system.  

Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday signed four bills into law and issued an executive order aimed at helping immigrants and refugees in Illinois.  

Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday signed four bills into law and issued an executive order aimed at helping immigrants and refugees in Illinois.  

The view outside the governor's office inside the Capitol. (Joel Ebert/The Daily Line0

Gov. JB Pritzker signed an executive order (2021-16) on Friday that will create the Office of Equity. Officials from the governor’s office said the standalone equity office will be tasked with promoting diversity, equity and inclusion all across state government.

Gov. JB Pritzker on Friday signed into law 65 bills approved by lawmakers during the spring session.  

Gov. JB Pritzker on Friday signed into law 65 bills approved by lawmakers during the spring session. 

A Senate committee on Thursday heard from witnesses who encouraged lawmakers to support a bill that would change the way certain state-led transportation and infrastructure projects are done in Illinois.

A Senate committee on Thursday heard from witnesses who encouraged lawmakers to support a bill they said would speed up some state-led transportation and infrastructure projects. 

Gov. JB Pritzker on Thursday signed into law an omnibus housing bill (HB 2621) and separate measure (SB 265) that will expand a utility assistance program for low-income families.

Gov. JB Pritzker on Thursday signed into law an omnibus housing bill (HB 2621) and separate measure (SB 265) that will expand a utility assistance program for low-income families.

Gov. JB Pritzker signed the bill to set up an eventual elected school board in Chicago. Republican lawmakers called for more scrutiny of the Illinois Department of Employment Security after a new audit. And the Illinois Republican Party is hoping to join one of two pending redistricting lawsuits. 

Native American images, such as this one by German immigrant Gustav Fuchs in the 1880s, are found throughout the Illinois Capitol. Fuch’s painting is found on the third floor of the Capitol outside the House and Senate chambers. (Joel Ebert/The Daily Line)

As lawmakers continue to review statues and monuments on state property, a historian told a House committee on Wednesday legislators need to revisit depictions of Native Americans inside the state Capitol.