A supporter of Gov. JB Pritzker holds up a campaign sign in support of abortion in front of Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton after Pritzker and Stratton won reelection on November 8. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line] 

Sunday marked 50 years since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in the 1973 Roe v. Wade case that abortion was a constitutional right. The anniversary came less than a year after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last June in its ruling on Dobbs v. Jackson, which upheld Mississippi’s new abortion restrictions.   

As the abortion landscape dramatically shifted across the country in 2022, little changed in Illinois, but both pro-choice and pro-life advocates are continuing to work to influence lawmakers to see their side of one of America’s most controversial issues.  

Former Rep. Tom Demmer (R-Dixon) speaks at Republican Day at the Illinois State Fair last August. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]   

Former Rep. Tom Demmer (R-Dixon) is not yet 40 years old but closed the book this month on a 10-year career in the Illinois House that concluded with an unsuccessful run for treasurer.  

After a long legislative career that put him at the front of key Republican negotiations on budgets, Demmer said he’s ready for his post-General Assembly life even after a tough election loss. 

The Department of Children and Family Services is being sued by the Cook County Public Guardian for repeatedly housing children in its care at jails as the agency deals with a lack of space for children in its care. And Gov. JB Pritzker said trying to pass the graduated income tax again is not a priority for him even as some Democrats hope to revive the proposal.  

Gov. JB Pritzker signs the state’s “assault weapons” ban last week. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]   

The Illinois State Rifle Association filed the first federal lawsuit late Tuesday challenging Illinois’ new “assault weapons” ban as the start of a legal fight promised by gun rights advocates in the wake of the law’s passage.  

Gov. JB Pritzker celebrates after winning a second term as governor. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line] 

The final quarterly financial reports of the 2022 campaign confirm what many observed throughout the year: the governor’s race was a blowout for Gov. JB Pritzker at the ballot box and at the bank.  

Sen. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) speaks at a news conference last March alongside Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association President Michael Jacobson, right. [Blue Room Stream]   

State lawmakers approved legislation last week creating a framework for local government to tap into that could boost budgets for local tourism bureaus in hopes of attracting more visitors to Illinois.

Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth (D-Peoria) speaks on the House floor last Tuesday. [Blue Room Stream]   

Legislation on Gov. JB Pritzker’s desk would require all Illinois workers in both the public and private sector to have five days of paid leave from their jobs.  

Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) presides over the Illinois Senate Thursday. [Blue Room Stream]   

The Senate will continue to allow remote participation and voting in committees and floor action “in times of pestilence or public danger” with other changes made to improve “efficiency,” under rules passed by the Senate Thursday.

House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Hillside), left, and House Minority Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna), right in the green dress, at the Illinois House inauguration Wednesday at the University of Illinois Springfield. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line] 

With a record 78 House Democrats and Senate Democrats holding a super majority in the Senate, Republicans are entering the 103rd General Assembly with new leadership and a request to be included in bill negotiations.  

Gov. JB Pritzker signs bill to make Illinois the ninth state to ban assault weapons. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]   

Gov. JB Pritzker signed a historic bill making Illinois the ninth state in the country to ban assault weapons just hours after the legislation cleared the General Assembly. The vote concluded a months-long process to craft legislation to respond to the July 4 Highland Park parade shooting.