(SPRINGFIELD) Governor J.B. Pritzker has signed into law an election bill that would give Democrats a significant advantage toward keeping their legislative majorities before the November general election. Under the measure, local political party organizations would no longer appoint candidates to fill out legislative ballots where the party did not field a candidate in the Primary Election last month. Some say the process that led to this passage moved through the State House in just a single day which very rarely ever happens.
(SPRINGFIELD) Emotions ran high at the annual service last week to honor fallen Illinois police officers as the Illinois Peace Officers Memorial Service to honor law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty last year was held in Springfield. The day’s observance began with a lineup of squad cars from all around the state at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, moving to the downtown Cathedral of Immaculate Conception for a memorial service. The procession then traveled to the State Capitol for a ceremony there as well.
(CHICAGO) A group of nine organizations have filed a federal lawsuit with the ACLU of Illinois after the City of Chicago denied their request to march and protest near the Democratic National Convention. The coalition, calling itself Bodies Outside of Unjust Laws, wants to demonstrate near the United Center, the McCormick Place, and along Michigan Avenue, but Windy City officials told them they are restricted to an area that is more than three (3) miles from the United Center. The DNC will be held August 19th–22nd.
(SPRINGFIELD) With warmer weather, the Illinois Department of Public Health is urging the public to get educated about how to protect themselves from ticks and Lyme Disease, which sickens an estimated 500,000 people each year in America. The IDPH says if folks become ill with fever and/or a rash after being in an area where ticks may be active, they should contact their health care provider as soon as possible. While May is National Lyme Disease Awareness Month, the public can get more details on the dph.illinois.gov website.