Pritzker signs education overhaul pushed by Illinois Legislative Black Caucus 

Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday signed the second pillar of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus’ agenda from the January lame duck session, kickstarting an overhaul aimed at improving equity and eliminating systemic racism in the state’s education system.  

Joined by members of the Black Caucus for an in-person bill signing at Proviso East High School in Maywood, Pritzker said the passage and his signature of HB 2170 align with his personal history of supporting improvements to education, including early childhood education, in Illinois. 

Screenshots of members of the House Personnel & Pensions Committee on Friday, March 5.

Last week, the Illinois House of Representatives made history, holding the chamber’s first-ever virtual hearings.

On March 1, the House held seven committee hearings, with Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) noting the milestone on Twitter. “First bill voted out of remote committee in the House EVER!!” he wrote.

Comptroller Susana Mendoza testified before the Senate Tourism and Hospitality Committee on Thursday.

For the second time in three weeks, members of the Senate Tourism and Hospitality Committee listened to witnesses on Thursday calling for the state to begin planning how to restart the state’s hospitality industry, which has been upended by the COVID-19 pandemic.

This time, state Comptroller Susana Mendoza was among those issuing the call.

News in brief: State partnering with safety net hospitals, FQHCs; New mass vaccination sites announced; Hastings outlines campaign

U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly addressed members of the Democratic Party of Illinois on Wednesday before being elected the next chair.

Members of the Democratic Party of Illinois selected their next chair on Wednesday, narrowly electing U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Ill.) despite questions about her ability to raise money due to federal laws.

Kelly bested Chicago Ald. Michelle Harris (8) during a nearly two-hour virtual committee meeting Wednesday, as Kelly secured 51 percent of the weighted votes from the 36-member State Central Committee.

News in brief: State partnering with safety net hospitals, FQHCs; New mass vaccination sites announced; Hastings outlines campaign 

News in brief: Hastings to run for Secretary of State; Cook County Cannabis Commission to meet Wednesday; Johnson & Johnson vaccine headed to state.

Chicago Ald. Michelle Harris and U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly are vying to be the next chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois.

Like the state House of Representatives did in early January, the Democratic Party of Illinois is set to enter a new era Wednesday, when members of the party select a replacement for former chair Mike Madigan.

Madigan, who was first elected chair in 1998, resigned last month, causing a mad dash to replace him as head of the state party.

News in brief: Hastings to run for Secretary of State; Cook County Cannabis Commission to meet Wednesday; Johnson & Johnson vaccine headed to state 

Republicans eye changes, audit after deadly COVID-19 outbreak at state veterans’ homes 

Two Republican lawmakers have introduced measures aimed at tightening safety regulations in response to the deadly COVID-19 outbreak inside the state’s veterans’ homes. 

On Monday, Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) and Rep. David Welter (R-Morris) highlighted a pair of proposals during a virtual press conference that they say would prevent a similar deadly outbreak in the future. They would also require an audit to be performed to examine issues in the state’s handling of the COVID-19 outbreak at the facilities.