CHANGE Illinois policy director Ryan Tolley on Thursday encouraged House lawmakers to give the public at least two weeks to consider any new congressional map proposals before the General Assembly votes on new political boundaries.  

The Illinois House kicked off the state’s congressional redistricting process Thursday, holding a short hearing that featured a brief overview of the state’s population shifts that will play a central role in creating new political boundaries as a single witness once again encouraged lawmakers to listen to the desires of community members.  

President Joe Biden praised Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot during his latest visit. The governor announced two more agreements with labor unions to vaccinate state employees. And the state’s Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity launched new tools to bolster broadband.   

Gov. JB Pritzker on Wednesday touted the state’s manufacturing industry at a news conference announcing the expansion of the Chicago Magnesium Casting Company. 

Commemorating manufacturing month in Illinois, Gov. JB Pritzker on Wednesday touted the state’s manufacturing industry, which he said has become more attractive since he took office. But federal data indicates a less than rosy picture of the state’s manufacturing sector.  

Lawmakers on Thursday will begin the congressional redistricting process. Five Republican senators introduced new public safety proposals. And state fire officials announced the recipients of 36 fire department grants for COVID-19 recovery. 

AARP Illinois advocacy and outreach director Mary Anderson on Tuesday highlighted a new report from her organization and SAGE that examined the issues facing the state’s LGBTQ residents who are 50 or older. 

State policymakers should ensure a 2019 law aimed at helping older LGBTQ Illinoisans is fully implemented, establish an LGBTQ aging commission and bolster efforts to collect data on the population, according to a new report from two nonprofit organizations.  

Gov. JB Pritzker on Tuesday touted the state’s efforts to provide affordable housing, including the state’s allocation of housing assistance funds. 

Gov. JB Pritzker said Tuesday Illinois was “so far ahead” of other states in allocating federal rental housing assistance that the state is asking the federal government to “redistribute” unused money from other states to Illinois. 

Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday signed an executive order that seeks to ensure people with disabilities are paid equal wages. 

Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday signed an executive order (EO 2021-26) designed to ensure Illinois companies doing business with the state pay people with disabilities at the same level they pay non-disabled people. 

Attorney General Kwame Raoul held a news conference Monday to announce a series of efforts aimed at protecting children from online predators.  

Attorney General Kwame Raoul on Monday announced a series of ongoing efforts by his office aimed at protecting children from online predators, including the launch of a new mobile forensic unit.  

The Illinois General Assembly is set to return for its fall legislative session on Oct. 19.

Illinois lawmakers have been quick to respond to a recently passed Texas law that effectively bans most abortions in the state. So far, two Chicago lawmakers have filed bills inspired by the Texas law: one to expand abortion access, and one that aims to rein in gun violence. Both proposals could see discussion during the upcoming veto session.

Tim Carey of Hawthorne Race Course displays a rendering of a planned update to Hawthorne’s facility during a virtual meeting of the Senate Gaming Committee.

Under pressure to expand and update their facilities racetracks close or repurposed, members of Illinois' beleaguered horseracing industry are working to adapt and secure funding for new ventures, they told legislators on Thursday.