Rep. Lisa Hernandez (D-Cicero) and Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) defended Democrats’ redistricting effort throughout the day Friday, when lawmakers approved the remap bills along party lines.

Lawmakers approved various measures to redraw the state’s legislative and Supreme Court districts on Friday, less than 24 hours after publishing their final proposals. 

The flurry of action, which came more than two months after lawmakers initiated the redistricting process, once again generated criticism from Republicans and community members, who made their final pleas with Democrats during two final hearings.

Existing boundaries (left) for the Cook County Board of Review’s three districts, and a new map approved by state lawmakers [Cook County; Frank Calabrese]

Illinois Democrats will take advantage of shifting political winds in Chicago’s suburbs to effectively lock Republicans out of power in the three-member Cook County Board of Review under a new map approved by Illinois General Assembly on Friday.

Lawmakers on Thursday held lengthy floor sessions to pass a wide range of bills as just four days remain in this year’s legislative session.

Meeting throughout the day, the Senate approved more than 100 bills. During a six-hour floor session, the House signed off on 54 bills on its regular calendar.

Jay Young, Madeleine Doubek and Allan Lichtman were among more than 30 witnesses who testified before lawmakers during this week’s latest redistricting meetings.

Lawmakers on Wednesday wrapped up a two-day series of hearings designed to field feedback from the public and interest groups about newly released legislative redistricting maps.

Sen. Kimberly Lightford (D-Maywood) defended her bill adjusting the state’s cannabis law before the Senate Executive Committee Wednesday.

Adjustments to Illinois cannabis law and an elected school board in Chicago each leapt one step closer to the governor's desk as the Senate Executive Committee advanced HB 1443 and HB 2908 to the Senate Floor Wednesday afternoon.

The Senate approved a host of bills Wednesday, including one that would ban restraints in Illinois schools.

The Senate on Wednesday continued its final push to pass legislation, including a proposal to curtail isolation in schools and another measure setting the stage for the passage of Gov. JB Pritzker’s proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The chamber approved 14 proposals.

Rep. LaShawn Ford fielded questions on the House floor Tuesday about his effort to increase equity in cannabis licenses.

House lawmakers nudged the state's cannabis industry toward overhaul with the approval of HB 1443 Tuesday. The hefty trailer bill, sponsored by Rep. LaShawn Ford (D-Chicago) seeks to address many of the difficulties that arose after the state legalized recreational marijuana in 2019.

Democrats on Tuesday released a new map proposal for the Illinois Supreme Court’s boundaries.

Democrats on Tuesday released a proposed map of new Illinois Supreme Court boundaries, dropping the plan less than three hours before holding their first hearing to allow the public to react to their redistricting proposals.

 

The Senate approved 25 bills on Tuesday.

The Senate on Tuesday approved roughly two dozen bills on a variety of topics, ranging from advancing racial equity in hiring and making tampons more widely available to loosening college admissions requirements.

Gov. JB Pritzker addressed reporters last week during a news conference in Springfield that was also attended by House Speaker Chris Welch.

Lawmakers are set to wrap up the first half of the 102^nd General Assembly next week. But with mere days remaining in session, a host of high-profile issues that leaders have described as top priorities have yet to cross the finish line.