Pritzker defends state’s vaccine distribution efforts as Illinois falls behind other states 

Marking the start of Illinois’ next phase of COVID-19 vaccine distribution, Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday celebrated the opening of a new mass vaccination site in a southwest suburb of Chicago while defending the state’s approach to coordinating immunizations. 

Appearing at the new vaccination site at the Tinley Park Convention Center, Pritzker heralded the state’s early vaccination efforts. “Nearly three-quarters of a million doses of vaccine have been administered in Illinois already,” he said, calling the start of Phase 1B, which began Monday, “an exciting development.” 

Pritzker urges caution as regions loosen restrictions, vaccine distribution remains slow

Even as new strains of COVID-19 have entered Illinois in recent weeks and vaccine distribution  remains sluggish, the state is moving forward with easing restrictions on businesses and gatherings. 

But state leaders are warning the increased mitigation measures could be back if residents aren’t cautious.  

News in brief: Senate delays return to session; Welch announces House Democrats’ leadership team 

More than four years after Russian hackers breached it, Illinois’ voter registration database is set for a revamp. 

Last month, members of the Illinois State Board of Elections (ISBOE) voted to initiate the process to replace the statewide voter registration database, which was launched in 2009 to meet requirements set by the federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA).

The Illinois State Board of Elections moved toward issuing a fine against Rep. Terra Costa Howard (left) after a complaint was filed by a supporter of Republican Peter Breen (right), who unsuccessfully challenged the incumbent Democrat last year.

The Illinois State Board of Elections on Tuesday moved toward issuing fines against Rep. Terra Costa Howard (D-Glen Ellyn) after she faced a complaint over alleged misreporting of campaign contributions from committees controlled by former House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) and Planned Parenthood.

News in brief: Steans to resign from Senate; Cook County vaccination sites launched 

Lawmakers to consider remote voting among key rule change priorities when legislature reconvenes 

Unlike 2020, which was largely a lost year for the Illinois General Assembly, the days and months ahead are expected to be busy for state lawmakers.  

Tasked with resolving  a host of major issues facing the state, including redistricting and a $3.9 billion budget shortfall, lawmakers are set to return later this month although the exact format remains unclear.  

Ethics reforms, revenue savings among proposals likely to be reconsidered when lawmakers return  

Although Illinois lawmakers approved 23 bills during lame duck session that led to the adjournment of the 101st General Assembly on Wednesday, a host of other proposals failed to make it across the finish line. With much of the discussion focused on the approved comprehensive agenda pushed by the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus last week, bills ranging from ethics and lobbying reform to launching an elected board to oversee the Chicago Public Schools were left unfinished before the new General Assembly was sworn in. As a result, lawmakers are likely to reconsider many of the failed proposals as the regular legislative session gets underway in the coming weeks.  

The following is an overview of some of the most significant pieces of legislation that failed to advance during the lame duck session, and whose advocates are regrouping for another push.  

Union wins, pension tweaks and booze on trains: a look at the 23 bills approved during the lame duck session 

When the dust finally settled on the 101st General Assembly’s whirlwind six-day lame duck session, which included an all-night flurry of activity Tuesday night and early Wednesday, several consequential bills were passed, including a sweeping criminal justice overhaul and a power boost for the Chicago Teachers Union.   

The following is an overview of the most significant pieces of legislation that were passed during the lame duck session. In total, lawmakers approved just 23 bills during the truncated session, most of which passed in the final hours.  They now await Gov. JB Pritzker’s signature or veto.