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.   

Senate President Don Harmon, House Speaker Chris Welch and Gov. JB Pritzker posed for a photo on Sept. 15 after the governor signed the omnibus energy bill into law. 

The General Assembly on Tuesday will reconvene for its scheduled veto session that is expected to be more focused on approving new congressional redistricting boundaries and a handful of lingering bills more than it will be on overriding any bills rejected by the governor.  

The East St. Louis NAACP has filed a lawsuit over Illinois’ legislative redistricting map. U.S. Rep. Rush (D-Ill.) excoriated Democrats’ draft congressional map. Gov. JB Pritzker announced a third union vaccine agreement. And Pritzker announced new funding for a years-long renovation of I-80.