Faith Colson, who testified before a Senate committee in August, is the namesake for "Faith's Law" signed by Gov. JB Pritzker on Friday.

Gov. JB Pritzker signed a measure into law Friday designed to bolster training and resources to combat sexual abuse and misconduct in Illinois schools, calling it part of a broader effort to “support the wellbeing of all students.”

 

More than 3 million Illinoisans live in an area without easy access to groceries, according to a recent report. [nicottito via Unsplash]

A decade-long fight against statewide hunger has not helped reduce the number of food deserts across Illinois, according to a recent report. In fact, the state saw an uptick in food deserts between 2015 and 2019. 

Illinois child care providers will be able to apply for a stake of $300 million in new relief grants, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced during a Thursday morning press conference. Officials also revealed that $45 million in state funds will go toward previous recipients of the state’s Child Care Restoration Grants, a program that has been extended by six months past the Dec. 15 deadline. With the recent influx of funding, the state has surpassed $1 billion in total pandemic child care relief grants, officials said.

Gov. JB Pritzker announced $94 million in new funds for Illinois airports at the Quad Cities International Airport Wednesday.

Gov. JB Pritzker announced almost $94 million in new funding for Illinois airports through the Rebuild Illinois Capital Improvement Program, which he touted as “the most robust infrastructure upgrade in Illinois’ history.” 

From left: Rep. Denyse Stoneback (D-Skokie), Rep. Will Guzzardi (D-Chicago) and Access Living organizer Cathleen O'Brien speak during a House Housing Committee meeting on Tuesday.

Lawmakers should hone state-backed housing assistance to better suit some of the state’s most vulnerable populations, including people who are chronically homeless, people with prior convictions and people with disabilities, advocates testified on Tuesday.

House Majority Leader Greg Harris will step down at the end of his current term in January 2023, he announced Monday.

House Majority Leader Greg Harris (D-Chicago) will not run for reelection in 2022, capping his state house tenure at 16 years, he announced on Monday. The news set off a starting gun on what is sure to be a crowded and expensive open race to represent the North Side Chicago district, an area one political consultant called “one of the most politically engaged districts in the state.”

Illinois schools saw setbacks to students’ academic progress due to the COVID-19 pandemic, new data shows. [Unsplash/CDC]

Enrollment, graduation rates and math proficiency rates have all ebbed in Illinois schools during the last year, according to data released this month from the Illinois State Board of Education.

Cook County Judge Lorraine Murphy swears in firefighter Michael Kelly as the new state representative for the Illinois 15^th House District. [39th Ward Democratic Organization]

Firefighter Michael Kelly, a self-described “center Democrat” and ally of retired Rep. John D’Amico (D-Chicago), is the newest member of the Illinois House of Representatives after being blessed by a gaggle of local Democratic Party officials late Tuesday.

Home heating will become more expensive this winter for more than a dozen Illinois counties. [Unsplash via @realaxer]

On Thursday, the Illinois Commerce Commission voted unanimously to approve a $240.2 million rate hike requested by Nicor Gas in January.

Five of the seven candidates (lower two rows) to replace John D’Amico in the 15th House District took part in a 39th Ward Neighbors United candidate forum on Saturday. 

A community organizer, a municipal financial consultant, a former president of the Chicago Bar Association, a community college professor and a former Democratic volunteer are among the candidates who will vie on Tuesday to replace Rep. John D’Amico (D-Chicago) in the 15th House District after his Nov. 5 resignation.