News in brief: Former Sen. Annazette Collins indicted; Department of Corrections provides COVID-19 vaccine update 

Throughout eight Senate redistricting hearings, much has been made about the type of data Illinois lawmakers will use to help redraw the state’s political boundaries this year.

Leading Democrats have yet to make a final decision about which data will be used to draw state lines. But the party’s goal of drawing new maps before June 30 will mean this year’s redistricting process will be the first time the state does not utilize the U.S. Census Bureau’s decennial data, which is not expected to be released until the fall.

News in brief: Former Sen. Annazette Collins indicted; Department of Corrections provides COVID-19 vaccine update.

News in brief: Rabine launches bid for governor; ‘bridge’ phase delayed due to hospitalizations 

The Senate Redistricting Committee held its eighth and longest meeting yet on Tuesday, hours after Republican lawmakers introduced legislation that seeks to take the legislature out of the redistricting process.

Members of the Senate Redistricting Committee, who gathered at the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture in Chicago, listened to 11 witnesses who appeared virtually while sharing their recommendations and concerns during the more than two-hour hearing.

News in brief: Rabine launches bid for governor; ‘bridge’ phase delayed due to hospitalizations

Pritzker, Black Caucus tout economic measures aimed at boosting Black farmers 

Gov. JB Pritzker joined Lt. Gov. Julianna Stratton and members of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Monday to promote an upcoming disparity study meant to reduce inequities between Black farmers and their white counterparts. The study is part of the economic access, equity and opportunity pillar in the Black Caucus’ recent legislative package Pritzker signed into law last week.  

The new law, SB1792, calls for the state to collect data on the "economic, land ownership, education, and other related differences between African American farmers and white farmers.” 

Sims pushes back against GOP redistricting critics 

The Senate redistricting process turned into a back-and-forth on Monday between Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) and Sen. Elgie Sims (D-Chicago) during a subcommittee meeting focused on Will and Kankakee counties that featured little public testimony.  

When the Senate Redistricting Kankakee and Will Counties Subcommittee convened early Monday evening, just four witnesses offered testimony, including three from the same organization, during a meeting that lasted a little more than 30 minutes.   

Preckwinkle endorses Clean Energy Jobs Act: ‘the urgency...is crystal clear’ 

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle on Monday threw her support behind the Clean Energy Jobs Act, urging lawmakers to take action on one of two major energy measures advancing in the state legislature. 

Sponsored by Rep. Ann Williams (D-Chicago), HB 804 seeks to increase development of renewable energy sources, reduce the state’s carbon production and pollution in Illinois and create jobs. Earlier this month, the House Energy and Environment Committee approved the Clean Energy Jobs Act, sending it the House floor.  

Concerns over data, minority community involvement continue to consume redistricting process  

Witnesses who testified during the latest Senate redistricting committee meeting on Friday reiterated an ever-increasing chorus of criticism, calling for lawmakers to bolster their efforts to engage community members.  

The Senate Redistricting Northwest Cook County Subcommittee listened to testimony from six witnesses, many of whom expressed disappointment and confusion about the ongoing process, with one high school student calling for redistricting to be taken out of lawmakers’ hands.