Sen. Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) speaks on the abortion bill in the Senate Tuesday. [Blue Room Stream]   

Illinois lawmakers sent Gov. JB Pritzker a bill Tuesday that serves as Democratic lawmakers’ response to the overturning of Roe v. Wade in a measure designed to boost Illinois’ capacity to handle an increasing demand for abortion care.  

Rep. Mike Zalewski (D-Riverside) presents his last bill in the House Tuesday. [Blue Room Sream]   

State lawmakers approved a bill with a series of tax credits and updates to state law designed to boost Illinois’ economic competitiveness, but the plan could make it more difficult for the Chicago Bears to ask for funds to help them move to Arlington Heights.  

House Minority Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) speaks to reporters in Springfield Tuesday on his final day as a state lawmaker. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line] 

Tuesday was the end of the road for House Minority Leader Jim Durkin’s (R-Western Springs) legislative career, but the long-time Republican leader said he will still be involved in Republican politics.  

Gov. JB Pritzker takes the oath of office administered by Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis Monday at the Bank of Springfield Center in Springfield. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]   

After a resounding victory in the November election, Gov. JB Pritzker was sworn in to a second term Monday and outlined plans to expand on accomplishments Democrats achieved in his first term.  

Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) presents a bill to ban “assault weapons” in the Senate Executive Committee Monday morning. [Blue Room Stream]   

A new version of a bill to ban “assault weapons” that strikes a balance between the version the House passed last week and a “watered down” version introduced Sunday emerged and wound its way through the Senate Monday.  

Gov. JB Pritzker is calling for a constitutional amendment to protect access to abortion.

National trends related to abortion “demand” that Illinois protect reproductive rights, the governor said during his inauguration speech Monday in Springfield.

Deputy Gov. Andy Manar speaks in the Senate Executive Committee Sunday. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]   

The Illinois Senate approved legislation increasing spending in Fiscal Year 2023 as the state enjoys an additional year of better-than-expected revenue.  

The proposal includes funding for several requests including additional funding to care for immigrants sent to Illinois, a fund to help governors close deals to attract businesses to Illinois, as well as controversial salary increases for state lawmakers, statewide elected officials and state agency directors.  

Sen. Robert Peters (D-Chicago), left, and Sen. Cristina Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago), right, speak on the Senate floor Friday. [Blue Room Stream] 

Lawmakers sent Gov. JB Pritzker a bill Friday that would allow principals in the Chicago Public Schools system to form a union, but not go on strike.    

House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Hillside) presents a bill to ban “assault weapons” in Illinois with Gov. JB Pritzker seated next to him on the House floor. [Blue Room Stream]   

The Illinois House took a historic step Friday morning passing a bill that would make Illinois the ninth state to ban “assault weapons.” The bill’s passage came nearly six months to the day since a gunman killed seven people at Highland Park’s Independence Day parade and injured dozens of others with a Smith & Wesson M&P15 semi-automatic rifle and 30-round clips.  

Rep. Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago) speaks at a news conference Thursday night. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]   

The House passed a bill late Thursday night making several changes to Illinois’ abortion law as a response to last year’s end of Roe v. Wade, but it’s not clear where the Senate stands on the proposed legislation.