News in brief: State buys West Loop property; House lawmakers urge Pritzker to veto criminal justice bill; Illinois Gaming Board lobs warning on illegal Super Bowl bets 

Welch announces House committee chairs, new committees tackling ethics, restorative justice 

Making one of his first major decisions since being voted into leadership, House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Hillside) named the chairs of 43 committees Thursday while creating a few new ones aimed at reflecting his priorities.  

In an interview with The Daily Line, Welch said the committee assignments highlighted the “talented bench” of the House Democratic Caucus.   

Madigan raised more than $1M after string of ComEd indictments, records show 

In the weeks after four former Commonwealth Edison executives and lobbyists were charged in an alleged bribery conspiracy and before former House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) halted his bid for a 19th term, the powerful South Side Democrat continued to rake in money, campaign finance records show.  

Last month, Madigan’s personal campaign committee, known as Friends of Michael J. Madigan, received more than $1 million, according to his most recent financial disclosure.  

News in brief: House set to delay return; Peters to chair new permanent Sente committee Via @joelebert29

Pritzker defends state’s vaccine distribution efforts as Illinois falls behind other states 

Marking the start of Illinois’ next phase of COVID-19 vaccine distribution, Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday celebrated the opening of a new mass vaccination site in a southwest suburb of Chicago while defending the state’s approach to coordinating immunizations. 

Appearing at the new vaccination site at the Tinley Park Convention Center, Pritzker heralded the state’s early vaccination efforts. “Nearly three-quarters of a million doses of vaccine have been administered in Illinois already,” he said, calling the start of Phase 1B, which began Monday, “an exciting development.” 

News in brief: Turner appointed to Senate; Durkin announces House GOP leadership team; State launches vaccination website  

Pritzker urges caution as regions loosen restrictions, vaccine distribution remains slow

Even as new strains of COVID-19 have entered Illinois in recent weeks and vaccine distribution  remains sluggish, the state is moving forward with easing restrictions on businesses and gatherings. 

But state leaders are warning the increased mitigation measures could be back if residents aren’t cautious.  

News in brief: Senate delays return to session; Welch announces House Democrats’ leadership team 

More than four years after Russian hackers breached it, Illinois’ voter registration database is set for a revamp. 

Last month, members of the Illinois State Board of Elections (ISBOE) voted to initiate the process to replace the statewide voter registration database, which was launched in 2009 to meet requirements set by the federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA).