Gov. JB Pritzker announced his reelection bid for 2022, highlighting his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic. And the state’s higher education agencies urged institutions to make vaccines mandatory. 

Gov. JB Pritzker and House Speaker Chris Welch (left)

With less than a year until Illinois’ primary election, contributions are continuing to flow into the campaign committees of candidates and leadership PACs. Last week marked the filing deadline for second-quarter campaign finance reports, giving a chance to look at how some of the state’s top political players fared at raising and spending money in recent months.   

Alexi Giannoulias, seen here campaigning with striking county workers in June, padded his considerable fundraising advantage in the Secretary of State race last quarter.

The campaign to become Illinois’ next Secretary of State is well underway, with the four Democratic candidates reporting significantly different donation totals during the latest reporting period.  

Gov. JB Pritzker on Thursday signed four criminal justice-related bills that he said will put the state at the “forefront” of “true reform.” (Credit: Gov. JB Pritzker’s Twitter)

Gov. JB Pritzker on Thursday signed four criminal justice-related bills that he said will put the state at the “forefront” of “true reform.” 

Gov. JB Pritzker on Thursday signed a measure approved by lawmakers in May aimed at making the state’s marijuana industry more equitable while announcing the latest lottery dates for issuing dispensaries licenses.

Gov. JB Pritzker on Thursday signed a measure approved by lawmakers in May aimed at making the state’s marijuana industry more equitable. He also announced the next round of lotteries for issuing dispensaries licenses will get underway later this month. 

Attorney Samuel Brown (left) told members of the Federal Election Commission on Thursday he and the Democratic Party of Illinois supported a new advisory opinion that would allow the state party to restart fundraising for in-state campaigns while U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly serves as chair. 

The Federal Election Commission (FEC) approved an advisory opinion on Thursday that will allow the Democratic Party of Illinois to once again raise money for in-state candidates by limiting chair Robin Kelly’s role. 

Gov. JB Pritzker traveled to the White House Wednesday to discuss infrastructure, unemployment fund, gun violence. The governor also announced a forthcoming sunset of the state’s eviction moratorium. And state officials announced the first round of recipients for broadband grants.  

Legislative Inspector General Carol Pope said Wednesday she will resign from her post later this year.

Legislative Inspector General Carol Pope said Wednesday she will resign from her post later this year, in part because her position is “essentially a paper tiger.”  

A duo of lawsuits challenging Illinois’ new legislative redistricting maps are scheduled to go to trial in late September, according to a new order filed in federal court on Wednesday.