House Majority Leader Greg Harris (D-Chicago) outlined Democrats’ latest version of the state budget before a House committee on Monday afternoon.

Lawmakers on Monday introduced an approved a $42 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year that included notable changes from what Gov. JB Pritzker proposed in February.

When Pritzker outlined his recommended $41.6 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2022, it relied on diverting revenues, closing so-called corporate loopholes and reducing payouts to local governments.

Sen. Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) and several Republican lawmakers outlined a new bill during a Monday news conference that would revamp the state’s ethics laws.

After months of delay, lawmakers on Monday introduced and approved a proposal that will revamp the state’s ethics laws. While Democrats and some Republicans touted the measure as a necessary step to move the state past a recent string of corruption scandals, critics said the provisions included in the bill did not go far enough.

Lawmakers approved an omnibus bill on Monday that would make a host of changes to the state’s election laws, including delaying next year’s primary to June, requiring all Illinois counties to institute “voting centers,” permitting voting in jails and designating the November 2022 general election as a state holiday.

Gov. JB Pritzker on Friday signed off on two bills lawmakers approved earlier this year.

Gov. JB Pritzker signed two bills into law over the weekend, including an updated version of a legal measure that he previously vetoed.

Rep. Lisa Hernandez (D-Cicero) and Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) defended Democrats’ redistricting effort throughout the day Friday, when lawmakers approved the remap bills along party lines.

Lawmakers approved various measures to redraw the state’s legislative and Supreme Court districts on Friday, less than 24 hours after publishing their final proposals. 

The flurry of action, which came more than two months after lawmakers initiated the redistricting process, once again generated criticism from Republicans and community members, who made their final pleas with Democrats during two final hearings.

Existing boundaries (left) for the Cook County Board of Review’s three districts, and a new map approved by state lawmakers [Cook County; Frank Calabrese]

Illinois Democrats will take advantage of shifting political winds in Chicago’s suburbs to effectively lock Republicans out of power in the three-member Cook County Board of Review under a new map approved by Illinois General Assembly on Friday.

Lawmakers on Thursday held lengthy floor sessions to pass a wide range of bills as just four days remain in this year’s legislative session.

Meeting throughout the day, the Senate approved more than 100 bills. During a six-hour floor session, the House signed off on 54 bills on its regular calendar.

Jay Young, Madeleine Doubek and Allan Lichtman were among more than 30 witnesses who testified before lawmakers during this week’s latest redistricting meetings.

Lawmakers on Wednesday wrapped up a two-day series of hearings designed to field feedback from the public and interest groups about newly released legislative redistricting maps.

Sen. Kimberly Lightford (D-Maywood) defended her bill adjusting the state’s cannabis law before the Senate Executive Committee Wednesday.

Adjustments to Illinois cannabis law and an elected school board in Chicago each leapt one step closer to the governor's desk as the Senate Executive Committee advanced HB 1443 and HB 2908 to the Senate Floor Wednesday afternoon.

The Senate approved a host of bills Wednesday, including one that would ban restraints in Illinois schools.

The Senate on Wednesday continued its final push to pass legislation, including a proposal to curtail isolation in schools and another measure setting the stage for the passage of Gov. JB Pritzker’s proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The chamber approved 14 proposals.