The Illinois sign at the Democratic National Convention at the United Center last month. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line] 

Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff made another stop in Chicago Friday just two weeks after the Democratic National Convention to stump for his wife, Vice President Kamala Harris, as the Harris-Walz campaign looks to build on strong fundraising numbers with two months before Election Day.

Chicago Bears CEO Kevin Warren told Chicago business leaders on Thursday night he is open to joining forces with other Chicago sports teams to submit a stadium funding pitch to the legislature. And the submission process to design a new state flag is now open despite controversy from some right-wing legislators.  

The Illinois Capitol   

Multiple reports this week on the state of Illinois’ economy point to slowing growth trends for the state along with vulnerability to an economic slowdown. 

House Minority Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) takes questions from reporters in 2022. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line] 

House Minority Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) is continuing to push for more legal protections for state employees working in the field as a Sangamon County judge found a man guilty of killing a Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) worker in 2022.  

A CTA train passes through the Loop in Chicago.

Four homeless people were murdered on a CTA Blue Line train Monday morning as state lawmakers consider new changes to public transportation funding and governance. Hearings on the changes have also included opportunities for senators to press CTA President Dorval Carter about safety on his trains and buses.  

Gov. JB Pritzker holds a guitar at the opening of the Hard Rock Casino in Rockford on Thursday. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]  

The Hard Rock Casino in Rockford’s permanent location opened its doors on Thursday becoming the latest casino approved as part of a gaming expansion law in 2019 to open doors at a physical location.

McHenry County Board Chair Mike Buehler speaks to the Senate Transportation Committee at Elgin Community College on Wednesday. [Blue Room Stream] 

Suburban officials asked state lawmakers on Wednesday to make sure they don’t lose representation if any changes are made to the governing boards of the Chicago area transit agencies as discussions about major public transportation reforms continue.  

The Illinois State Police present the flag on the first night of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center. [PBS]   

The Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago last week was the Illinois State Police’s largest deployment for a single event in the agency’s 102-year history.  

Rep. Nabeela Syed (D-Palatine) speaks at a news conference in Springfield in January. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]  

State legislators and advocates are hoping to move forward a bill to create a state board that will review prescription drug prices in hopes it makes the costs more affordable to people.  

Gov. JB Pritzker speaks at an event hosted by CNN/Politico at the Democratic National Convention on Tuesday. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]   

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson called the 2024 Democratic National Convention (DNC) the “best political convention this country has ever seen” in a victory lap news conference on Friday.  

Fears of civil unrest were quicky brushed aside during the convention that featured four nights of high energy speeches, a packed United Center, celebrities and a new twist on the typically dull delegate roll call. All it took was one night of the convention for Gov. JB Pritzker to float the idea last Tuesday of bidding for the 2028 DNC.