Sen. Doris Turner (D-Springfield) speaks Thursday about legislation aimed at improving Illinois’ teacher shortage. Turner was joined by Sens. Christina Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago), left, Napoleon Harris (D-Harvey), center, and Christopher Belt (D-Swansea), right.  

Senate Democrats are targeting requirements for substitute and retired teachers as a way to dilute the effects of the state’s teacher shortage by making it easier for people to become subs, and for districts to use substitutes when full-time teachers are gone.

American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois president CEO joins fellow board members for a news conference on Thursday [Blue Room Stream] 

Less than a month after Gov. J.B. Pritzker proposed delaying a planned increase to the state’s gas tax, the American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois held a press conference encouraging legislators to stand by the original Rebuild Illinois infrastructure bill and its planned increase in the gas tax. 

The Dirksen Federal Building in Chicago is pictured in February 2022. [Erin Hegarty/The Daily Line] 

Sen. Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park) resigned from the Senate Wednesday and now plans to change his not guilty plea in a federal embezzlement case.  

The Senate advanced a bill Republicans argue fails to consider patronage hiring issues at the Capital Development Board. The House passed an effort to make it easier to prosecute people who make sexual contact with minors. The House passed a bill expanding access to the Child Care Assistance Program despite Republican objections. And the House advanced a bill to create drug take-back programs. 

Rep. Steve Reick (R-Woodstock) and House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Hillside) speak on the House floor Tuesday afternoon.

Lawmakers tried to make amends Tuesday and leaders pledged to foster a more civil tone in the House after last week's debate over mask rules that got personal at times and spilled into letters between House Democrats and Republicans over the weekend.  

However, Democrats continued to scold Republicans Tuesday for flouting the chamber’s mask-wearing rules, rekindling tensions over the issue as the state prepares to lift its indoor mask mandate next week. 

Rep. Terra Costa Howard (D-Glen Ellyn), left, and Rep. Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield), right, speak during committee Tuesday.

Proposals to allow electronic signatures on ballot petitions, randomize ballot name order in some elections and make Election Day a permanent state holiday are among changes lawmakers are proposing to Illinois election laws as the state prepares to vote later this year.   

The House Ethics and Elections Committee held a subject matter hearing on several proposals Tuesday. Lawmakers are proposing several pieces of legislation aimed at clarifying details about the election process and bolstering the ability to vote.

Gov. JB Pritzker speaks at an event in October 2021.

The 2022 elections are expected to be more expensive than ever in Illinois, with two of Illinois’ wealthiest people already pouring in more than $100 million this year into political accounts.

Sen. Mike Simmons (D-Chicago), right, and Waukegan activist Eduardo Flores speak during the Illinois Environment Council’s virtual lobby day Friday.

Clean energy advocates joined some state lawmakers Friday during the Illinois Environmental Council’s virtual lobby day to call on the General Assembly to pass environmental legislation prioritizing social justice and health in poor communities and communities of color. 

House Minority Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs), Rep. Maurice West (D-Rockford) and Speaker of the House Chris Welch (D-Hillside) speak on a resolution to nominate a new legislative inspector general Thursday.

The House confirmed the nomination of former U.S. District Judge Michael McCuskey to be the state’s new legislative inspector general Thursday. But instead of focusing on McCuskey’s qualifications, the debate raged over whether lawmakers were following the correct process for the nomination. 

Rep. Lakesia Collins (D-Chicago) requests nine Republicans be removed from the House Thursday for not wearing a mask. House Minority Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs), left, and Rep. Steve Reick (R-Woodstock), right, voice their objections.

After three days of trying, Rep. Lakesia Collins (D-Chicago) successfully removed nine House Republicans from the chamber Thursday after the members refused to wear masks as required by House rules.