Rep. Marua Hirshaurer (D-Batavia) speaks at a news conference in Chicago on Wednesday. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line] 

With two headline-grabbing domestic violence shootings in the last week, lawmakers and advocates are renewing calls for a bill to close what they believe is a loophole in state law that has allowed accused domestic abusers to keep guns even after an order of protection is issued.  

The State Board of Elections  

Just like how members of the Electoral College in each state officially elect the President of the United States, presidential nominees are voted on by delegates from each state when they meet at the party’s convention in the summer.  

Delegates for presidential candidates in Illinois will file to run for office on Thursday and Friday alongside the presidential candidates themselves.

The Illinois Capitol   

Study up — Illinoisians will have 318 new laws to follow when they ring in 2024. The laws include new prohibited activities such as vaping indoors and having video calls while driving and new requirements for units of government to solve carjackings and uphold abortion access. 

The Illinois Capitol   

Illinois business groups are sending letters to federal officials worried about the economic effects from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) decision to close two rail crossings into Texas to reduce illegal entries into the United States.  

From left to right: Geary Yonker, Dr. Dave Nayak, Graciela Guzman, and Sen. Natalie Toro (D-Chicago).  

A crowded Democratic primary in the 20th Senate District is emerging with Sen. Natalie Toro (D-Chicago) and opponent Graciela Guzman distancing themselves from their opponents in the fundraising race with the help of big financial backers.   

But new self-funding efforts by Dr. Dave Nayak lifted contribution limits in the race on Monday, setting the stage for an even more expensive race.  

Rep. Mike Marron (R-Fithian) will resign from the House on Monday. [House Republicans] 

Rep. Mike Marron (R-Fithian) will still be involved in advocating for improvements and growth in his district, but in a new role after Monday, when he resigns from the House to take a job leading a local economic development organization in Vermilion County.

Former U.S. Rep. Mayra Flores (R-Texas) speaks at a news conference in Chicago Thursday with House Minority Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna). [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line] 

As Chicago and the state step up new efforts to find shelter for migrants as winter settles in, Illinois Republicans enlisted help from former U.S. Rep. Mayra Flores (R-Texas) as part of new criticism from the party of the state and city’s handling of the crisis.