Planned Parenthood of Illinois CEO Jennifer Welch speaks during a news conference on June 24 responding to the end of Roe v. Wade. [Erin Hegarty/The Daily Line]

Legislative leaders and Gov. JB Pritzker are planning a special session in the coming months to shore up Illinois’ abortion laws after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade at the end of June. With Illinois law already protecting access to abortion, the session is expected to focus on building up the state’s ability to handle an influx of abortion cases from nearby states where the practice has been limited.

The scene of Highland Park’s mass shooting remained under investigation on July 5. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line] 

As state lawmakers explore how to respond to Highland Park’s Independence Day shooting, gun violence prevention advocates say future state legislation should remain focused on guns to reduce the number of shootings in Illinois.

Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) speaks about Monday’s Highland Park shooting during a Springfield news conference Thursday. [Blue Room Stream] 

Republican nominee for governor Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) is blaming Gov. JB Pritzker’s administration for not more strongly enforcing Illinois “red flag” laws in response to Monday’s shooting at Highland Park’s Independence Day parade.

Lisa Holder White was sworn in Thursday as the first Black woman ever to serve on the Illinois Supreme Court. And the Illinois Commerce Commission unanimously approved a proposal by ComEd to electrify a portion of its vehicle fleet.

Rep. Bob Morgan (D-Deerfield) speaks with U.S. Rep. Brad Schnieder (D-Ill.) after visiting with Vice President Kamala Harris in Highland Park Tuesday. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]

Illinois imposes more layers of review over gun purchases than most other states with its background checks, firearm owner identification (FOID) card requirements and “red flag” laws designed to keep guns out of the hands of people who may harm themselves or others.

However, Monday’s shooting that killed seven and injured more than 40 people at the Highland Park Independence Day parade is sparking reviews of the strength of the state’s gun laws after authorities revealed the shooter obtained a FOID card and legally purchased weapons despite prior contact with police.

Brian Urbaszewski, center, of the Respiratory Health Association joined ComEd leaders including Michelle Blaise, right, to unveil a new charging station in Bronzeville Wednesday. [Alex Nitkin/The Daily Line]

The mega-utility firm ComEd will dedicate $100 million annually for the next three years to a host of efforts designed to speed Illinois through its transition to electric cars, leaders of the company announced Wednesday.

The spending commitment was the topline goal of the “Beneficial Electrification” plan that ComEd submitted to the Illinois Commerce Commission under a new state law and unveiled during a ribbon-cutting for new charging stations in Bronzeville on Wednesday. The rollout comes as state leaders push toward a goal of seeing one million electric vehicles on Illinois roads by 2030 and as ComEd faces pressure to get a handle on price hikes.

Gov. JB Pritzker speaks to reporters in Highland Park on July 4 alongside Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering and U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Ill.). [Gov. JB Pritzker/Facebook]

After north-suburban Highland Park became the latest American community to suffer a mass shooting, Illinois lawmakers are stepping up their calls to crack down on guns to prevent future violence.

Gov. JB Pritzker responds to the overturning of Roe v. Wade on June 25. [Blue Room Stream] 

Lawmakers and abortion advocates will continue to work through the summer to craft legislation in response to the end of Roe v. Wade before returning to Springfield for a special session, legislative leaders and Gov. JB Pritzker announced Tuesday.

Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin, right, speaks after conceding defeat to Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) on election night. [Blue Room Stream]  

Six months ago, Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin was the clear favorite for the Republican nomination for governor. He counted support from establishment Republicans and Illinois’ richest man, and his record as mayor of Illinois’ second-largest city convinced political observers he could attract independent voters to help him make a serious challenge to Gov. JB Pritzker in November.

On Tuesday night, the former front-runner went home after finishing in a distant third place with less than 15 percent of the vote.

Sen. Elgie Sims (D-Chicago) speaks about the tax relief plan at a news conference in Chicago Thursday. [Blue Room Stream]

Illinois taxpayers will receive $1.8 billion of relief in some form during the next year as Gov. JB Pritzker’s and General Assembly Democrats’ tax relief plan officially becomes law Friday.