CHICAGO—Governor Pritzker issued a proclamation August 1 declaring the monkeypox virus a public health emergency and declaring the state of Illinois a disaster area regarding the disease. The declaration, which applies to the entire state, will allow the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) to utilize resources for coordinating logistics across state agencies, quickly and…

Encourages the public to conduct business online at ilsos.gov Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White announced that expiration dates for driver’s licenses, ID cards and learner’s permits are being extended until December 1, 2022. The previous extension was set to end on July 31, 2022. As a result, expired driver’s licenses, ID cards and learner’s…

Governor had $60 million cash on hand at end of June compared to $363K for Bailey By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com A new poll from the firm Morning Consult showed Gov. JB Pritzker’s approval rating at 51 percent among Illinois voters, or seven points “above water” in polling lingo. It’s the latest quarterly…

Bill pending in General Assembly would prohibit further sales By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – In the wake of a July 4 mass shooting in Highland Park that left seven people dead and dozens more injured, Gov. JB Pritzker is calling for a ban at both the state and national levels on…

Republican justice succeeds Rita Garman By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Lisa Holder White was sworn in Thursday as the first Black woman to serve on the Illinois Supreme Court. Holder White, who previously served on the 4th District Court of Appeals, was chosen to succeed one of her mentors in the…

CHICAGO – Today Governor JB Pritzker issued a disaster proclamation for Lake County to assist in recovery efforts following Monday’s mass shooting in Highland Park. A disaster proclamation grants the State of Illinois the ability to expedite the use of state resources, personnel, or equipment to help affected communities recover. “There are no words for…

Program offers $4,000 rebate for purchase of an electric passenger vehicle or $1,500 rebate for purchase of an electric motorcycle beginning July 1 SPRINGFIELD — Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) Director John J. Kim announced the opening of Illinois’ Electric Vehicle (EV) Rebate Program. The program was created under the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act…

Illinois Family Relief Plan to Begin July 1 Comptroller plans to roll out tax rebates in September CHICAGO — Beginning tomorrow, July 1, the Illinois Family Relief Plan will go into effect, making good on the promise by Governor Pritzker and the General Assembly to provide relief on the grocery tax, gas tax, and property…

Move prompted by U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker will call a special session of the General Assembly in the coming weeks to focus on legislation to strengthen women’s access to abortion and other reproductive health services in Illinois. Pritzker made that…