Speaking at an event in North Lawndale on Monday, Gov. JB Pritzker thanked former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel for his early support of a project that now is the recipient of a state-funded grant. [Joel Ebert/The Daily Line]

With a continued focus on helping minority-owned businesses overcome economic barriers, Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday said his administration will launch another round of grant applications available to companies in under-resourced communities.  

Gov. JB Pritzker issued a warning about the Delta COVID-19 variant. Secretary of State Jesse White extended the deadline to renew expiring driver’s licenses. And the Illinois Department of Labor outlined a new reporting requirement for large businesses. 

Rep. Steven Reick (R-Harvard) said during a June 16 House floor debate the state’s more than $5 billion unemployment fund deficit was a “sort of Damocles that’s hanging over” the legislature.

Last week, Illinois received another round of good financial news when Fitch Ratings upgraded its credit outlook for the state to positive. The ratings agency, which previously had a negative outlook for Illinois, said the change reflects the state’s “preservation of fiscal resilience” while noting the Fiscal Year 2022 budget signed by Gov. JB Pritzker this month indicated “further improvements in operating performance and structural balance.” 

Sen. Rachelle Crowe is a finalist included on a list to fill Illinois’ US attorney openings. And drone and esports competitions will be at the State Fair. 

Federal Election Commission members Ellen Weintraub (left) and James “Trey” Trainor pressed attorney Samuel Brown for answers about a proposal that would make special accommodations for the Democratic Party of Illinois, which in March named U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly as chair.

The Federal Election Commission on Thursday signaled a willingness to work with the Democratic Party of Illinois to make special arrangements that could allow the party to raise money for state-level candidates while U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly is at the helm. 

Legislative Inspector General Carol Pope said Wednesday portions of the omnibus ethics bill surprised her when they were introduced during the final hours of the legislative session. 

The changes lawmakers made to the Legislative Inspector General's office in the omnibus ethics bill they approved last month don’t go far enough to expand the agency’s reach — and some parts of the bill could even erect new barriers to independent investigations, according to Carol Pope, the office’s head. 

Fitch Ratings upgraded Illinois’ outlook, citing its “fiscal resilience” as it recovers from the pandemic. The Federal Election Commission on Thursday will consider whether U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly can raise money for the Democratic Party of Illinois. And the state announced new grants for broadband plans.  

Members of the Illinois Racing Board expressed optimism Tuesday about the prospects of keeping racing at Arlington International Racecourse.  [Arlington Racecourse]

Members of the Illinois Racing Board on Tuesday expressed new interest in trying to keep horse racing at Arlington International Racecourse, despite the Chicago Bears and others’ recent bids to take over the embattled facility.  

Attorney General Kwame Raoul filed a lawsuit against Dynegy Midwest Generation for allegedly unlawfully disposing coal ash. And the Illinois Department of Transportation issued a warning about a recent phishing scam.  

Sen. Bill Cunningham (D-Chicago) said last week the ongoing disagreement over the omnibus energy bill has put Democrats in a difficult position.  

Last week, lawmakers returned to Springfield with a main goal of taking up the long-delayed and heavily altered omnibus energy bill that seeks to transform the state’s energy sector and make Illinois more climate-friendly. In a repeat of what occurred two weeks before, when the legislative session was scheduled to end, lawmakers kicked the can down the road once again.