Illinois Housing Development Authority executive director Kristin Faust speaking during an event in February. The authority on Friday approved a series of resolutions that will officially trigger the start of several affordable housing-related programs in Illinois. [Facebook]

The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) on Friday approved a series of resolutions that will officially trigger the start of several affordable housing-related programs in Illinois, including a new law that will allocate $75 million to qualified developers.  

Members of the Legislative Audit Commission challenged Illinois Department of Employment Security director Kristin Richards (center) and other agency officials during a March 2021 meeting. 

The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) did not perform wage verifications for claimants of unemployment benefits who received a total of $155 million through June 2020, potentially resulting in “erroneous” benefit payments to some recipients, according to an audit released this month.  

The Illinois Supreme Court on Thursday listened to attorneys on both sides of a case involving an Illinois resident who had his Firearm Owner’s Identification card revoked in 2016. 

Attorneys on behalf of an Illinois resident who had his Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) card revoked and the state attorney general’s office pleaded their cases before the Illinois Supreme Court on Thursday, urging the justices to side with them in a case that could have implications for residents with criminal histories applying for gun licenses.  

Gov. JB Pritzker signed the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act into law on Wednesday. 

Gov. JB Pritzker on Wednesday signed the recently approved omnibus energy bill into law, declaring it one of the “most comprehensive and importance pieces of legislation” in decades, “maybe ever.” 

Becky Dragoo, the deputy director of the Illinois Department of Public Health's Office of Healthcare Regulation, faced critical questions from lawmakers on Wednesday. 

Lawmakers on Wednesday pushed an Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) official for answers on a wide range of topics that largely centered on the deadly impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on residents of the state’s long-term care facilities.  

The Illinois Supreme Court returned to Springfield this week to kick off its September term, in which the high court is set to consider cases that could have implications on assault weapons bans, the state’s firearms identification system and the Freedom of Information Act.  

Gov. JB Pritzker and U.S. Reps. Bill Foster (D-Ill.), Lauren Underwood (D-Ill.) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.) on Tuesday called for Congress to pass a federal law protecting abortion rights. And JCAR urged the state board of education to update rules over school revocations. 

Sen. Michael Hastings (D-Tinley Park) and Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) addressed reporters Monday after the Senate’s passage of the omnibus energy bill. 

The Senate on Monday concurred with the House version of the omnibus energy bill, allowing the measure to head to Gov. JB Pritzker, who has vowed to sign it.  

House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Hillside) at a news conference in June. During Thursday’s floor debate, Welch urged his colleagues to set aside politics and rhetoric while considering the omnibus energy bill. 

Despite months of gridlock, the House vote to approve the omnibus energy bill on Thursday was overwhelmingly in favor of the legislation. The bill (SB 2408), which required 71 votes for approval, ultimately received 83 “yes” votes.  

Illinois recorded more opioid overdose deaths in 2020 than any other year on record. (Photo: US Department of Homeland Security) 

Illinois recorded more opioid overdose deaths in 2020 than any other year on record, according to report released last month from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH).