AFSCME Council 31 members who work for the Illinois Department of Corrections protest in Lincoln on Thursday. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]  

Members of the AFSCME Council 31 who work for the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) held statewide pickets at or near Illinois prisons on Thursday to draw attention to safety concerns at their workplace, specifically increasing exposures to drugs.

Illinois Capitol   

Fall quarterly financial reports continued to confirm an ongoing trend in Illinois politics: despite Republicans’ best efforts, Democrats have virtually unlimited resources thanks to a multi-million-dollar cash advantage.  

From left to right, Deputy Gov. Andy Manar, Rep. Steve Reick (R-Woodstock), Rep. Stephanie Kifowit (D-Oswego) and Sen. Robert Martwick (D-Chicago) speak at an event with the Better Government Association on Tuesday. [Blue Room Stream] 

Conversations have continued for more than a year in Springfield about possible pension reform, including making necessary reforms to the Tier 2 pension system. Lawmakers say they are well aware of the problem and the growing urgency to address it, when that happens remains to be seen.  

U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen (D-Moline) reported a strong fundraising lead in the race for the 17th House District. And a new campaign finance report shows how much money former Speaker Mike Madigan has available as his trial begins.

Leaders of downstate public transportation agencies speak to the Senate Transportation Committee in Springfield on Tuesday. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]  

The Senate wrapped up months of hearings on Tuesday that dug into challenges facing public transportation systems in Illinois with a deadline coming next year to address a 2026 fiscal cliff for the agencies’ budgets.

Former Rep. LaToya Greenwood (D-East St. Louis), left, and Rep. Kevin Schmidt (R-Millstadt), right. [Illinois House of Representatives]   

Heads turned when Republicans managed to overthrow a member of the House Democratic leadership team in 2022 when former Rep. LaToya Greenwood (D-East St. Louis) was ousted by now-Rep. Kevin Schmidt (R-Millstadt). 

Though the boundaries of the 114th House District in the Metro East area were new, voters had reliably supported Democratic candidates in previous election cycles. That changed in 2022 as voters saw their House districts change and rewarded Schmidt, a chiropractor, with a term in Springfield.  

Gov. JB Pritzker speaks at an event in Tokyo last week. [Office of the Governor]   

Gov. JB Pritzker and 49 others wrapped up a state economic mission to Japan on Thursday, returning home with 110 new jobs at a north suburban manufacturing facility and hopes for more Japanese investments in Illinois.  

Gov. JB Pritzker released his tax returns showing his income grew in 2023. And the governor also urged Stellantis to move forward on reopening the Belvidere assembly plant. 

Liz Bishop of LaSalle, left, and Amy “Murri” Briel of Ottawa, right, are running for the 76^th House District. [Bishop and Briel campaigns]  

The 76^th House District centered in LaSalle County is one of the few House races this fall without an incumbent and the district’s moderate nature leaves Republicans hoping to pick up a seat.

The Illinois Capitol  

Many Illinois teachers have considered leaving the profession, according to a poll of Illinois Education Association (IEA) members, with financial concerns driving their worries.