Western Springs resident Meghann McEntee was one of several witnesses on Tuesday who told lawmakers the latest draft congressional map would splinter communities currently in the Southwest Side of Chicago. 

Illinoisans on Tuesday offered their first reactions to Democrats’ latest proposed congressional boundaries, once again reiterating concerns that the map as drafted would splinter the district currently represented by U.S. Rep. Marie Newman (D-Ill).  

Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday outlined the state’s distribution plan for the forthcoming COVID-19 vaccine for children between 5 and 11 years old. 

Anticipating the forthcoming regulatory approval for the next round COVID-19 vaccines, Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday said children in Illinois between 5 and 11 –years old could start getting vaccinated as early as next week.  

Rep. Robyn Gabel (D-Evanston) has filed bill to create a COVID-19 exemption to a 1998 ‘conscience’ law in an effort to deprive vaccination opponents of a legal tool. And Gov. JB Pritzker announced a sixth union agreement to require state workers to get vaccinated against the virus.  

ComWell Behavioral Health Services executive director Shea Haurey was one of several behavorial and mental health providers who urged lawmakers on Friday to provide the industry greater funding to help address workforce shortages. 

With an increased demand for mental and behavioral health services and a shortage of workers, Illinois should fully utilize its federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars, deploy mobile health units, waive regulations and ultimately change the way providers are paid, a panel of state officials and advocates told lawmakers on Friday.  

Democrats on Friday released an updated congressional map proposal. And Gov. JB Pritzker ordered COVID-19 vaccinations for daycare staff. 

Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) posted his best quarter yet in terms of fundraising according to his latest campaign finance reports. 

New campaign finance reports revealed the ongoing struggles of the state Democratic Party to raise money, a surge of new donations to legislative leaders and the continued financial difficulties facing the Republican candidates running for the chance to oust Gov. JB Pritzker. 

Faith Colson, who testified before a Senate committee in August, praised the chamber’s passage on Wednesday of a bill aimed at combatting sexual abuse and misconduct in Illinois schools. 

The Senate on Wednesday unanimously approved a measure designed to bolster training and resources to combat sexual abuse and misconduct in Illinois schools, plus a separate bill to make midwifery in Illinois a licensed occupation.  

Witnesses on Wednesday urged Democrats to keep the state’s 3rd congressional district intact. And Gov. JB Pritzker announced a new school safety initiative and a fifth union vaccine agreement.  

A three-judge panel on Tuesday issued an opinion that found the legislative redistricting maps touted by Rep. Lisa Hernandez (D-Cicero) and Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) earlier this year were unconstitutional. 

A panel of judges handling two of the lawsuits challenging the state’s legislative redistricting maps on Tuesday issued an opinion that said the June-approved district boundaries violated the U.S. Constitution, leaving open the possibility for the federal court to create new maps.  

Rep. La Shawn Ford (D-Chicago) on Tuesday touted a bill that would give prisoners the right to vote. Four GOP senators proactively pushed back on a bill that would eliminate Illinois’ parental notification law for teen abortions. And Gov. JB Pritzker encouraged elderly residents to get their COVID-19 booster shots.