Jay Young, Madeleine Doubek and Allan Lichtman were among more than 30 witnesses who testified before lawmakers during this week’s latest redistricting meetings.

Lawmakers on Wednesday wrapped up a two-day series of hearings designed to field feedback from the public and interest groups about newly released legislative redistricting maps.

Sen. Kimberly Lightford (D-Maywood) defended her bill adjusting the state’s cannabis law before the Senate Executive Committee Wednesday.

Adjustments to Illinois cannabis law and an elected school board in Chicago each leapt one step closer to the governor's desk as the Senate Executive Committee advanced HB 1443 and HB 2908 to the Senate Floor Wednesday afternoon.

The Senate approved a host of bills Wednesday, including one that would ban restraints in Illinois schools.

The Senate on Wednesday continued its final push to pass legislation, including a proposal to curtail isolation in schools and another measure setting the stage for the passage of Gov. JB Pritzker’s proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The chamber approved 14 proposals.

Rep. LaShawn Ford fielded questions on the House floor Tuesday about his effort to increase equity in cannabis licenses.

House lawmakers nudged the state's cannabis industry toward overhaul with the approval of HB 1443 Tuesday. The hefty trailer bill, sponsored by Rep. LaShawn Ford (D-Chicago) seeks to address many of the difficulties that arose after the state legalized recreational marijuana in 2019.

Democrats on Tuesday released a new map proposal for the Illinois Supreme Court’s boundaries.

Democrats on Tuesday released a proposed map of new Illinois Supreme Court boundaries, dropping the plan less than three hours before holding their first hearing to allow the public to react to their redistricting proposals.

 

The Senate approved 25 bills on Tuesday.

The Senate on Tuesday approved roughly two dozen bills on a variety of topics, ranging from advancing racial equity in hiring and making tampons more widely available to loosening college admissions requirements.

Gov. JB Pritzker addressed reporters last week during a news conference in Springfield that was also attended by House Speaker Chris Welch.

Lawmakers are set to wrap up the first half of the 102^nd General Assembly next week. But with mere days remaining in session, a host of high-profile issues that leaders have described as top priorities have yet to cross the finish line.

Rep. Barbara Hernandez (D-Aurora), left, highlighted a bill she’s sponsoring to ensure menstrual hygiene products are provided in all Illinois schools during a news conference last week.

Last week, lawmakers approved a host of new bills as they began to zero in on the end of this year’s legislative session. With the end in sight, the House approved nearly 90 bills, most of which were part of the chamber’s consent calendar — largely non-controversial bills that are unanimously supported —  while the Senate signed off on five measures.

 

Democrats on Friday released their long-awaited legislative redistricting map proposals, which they touted as a fair reflection of the state’s diversity while facing pointed criticism from Republicans and advocacy groups.

The majority party published the new maps on Friday evening, less than three months after lawmakers began the decennial redistricting process.

House Majority Leader Greg Harris said Thursday lawmakers are looking at using state revenue, rather than the money the state will receive from the American Rescue Plan, to repay money it borrowed last year.

In a rare joint statement, Gov. JB Pritzker, Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park), House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Hillside) and Comptroller Susana Mendoza on Thursday announced a plan to pay off the money the state borrowed from the federal government last year without relying on funds from the American Rescue Plan.