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Free Six Flags tickets offered for COVID-19 shots in Illinois

05/14/2021

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced a donation of $4 million in Six Flags tickets will be used as an incentive to get more Illinoisans their COVID-19 vaccinations. The 50,000 tickets will be targeted to minority communities.

TAGS: COVID-19, JB Pritzker, Six Flags, vaccine

Pritzker agrees with CDC on dropping masks for vaccinated Illinoisans

By Brad Weisenstein

05/14/2021

The CDC just revised the mask mandates for those fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot quickly followed the advice.

TAGS: COVID-19, JB Pritzker, masks, reopen

79,000 more Illinoisans are in poverty because state can’t fix its culture of corruption

By Orphe Divounguy

05/12/2021

If Illinois could have reduced corruption to the national average, an estimated 79,000 fewer people would be living in poverty, according to an analysis by the Illinois Policy Institute. State lawmakers can help by passing ethics reforms.

TAGS: corruption, economy, ethics reform, Illinois, income inequality, poverty

Free beer with your COVID-19 shot is aim of Illinois lawmakers

By Brad Weisenstein

05/12/2021

There is no such thing as free beer in Illinois, which is why state lawmakers are considering allowing one mug or another alcoholic beverage as a reward for getting a COVID-19 shot. State lawmakers have no plans to pick up the tab.

TAGS: beer, COVID-19, Illinois, vaccine

What you need to know about Pritzker’s next set of COVID-19 rules

By Patrick Andriesen

05/10/2021

Illinois is about to reach the extra COVID-19 reopening phase Gov. J.B. Pritzker added in March. Here are the rules of the ‘Bridge’ phase expected to begin May 14 and last until June 11.

TAGS: COVID-19, Illinois, JB Pritzker, masks, reopen

‘Transparency’ on Illinois legislative maps begins behind closed doors

05/07/2021

Democratic state lawmakers were given a private look at new Illinois House district maps. Partisan legislative maps and gerrymandering seem to be surviving ‘transparency.’

TAGS: Chris Welch, fair maps, JB Pritzker, legislative district, transparency

Illinois ‘reopens’ June 11, but keep those masks on, Pritzker says

By Brad Weisenstein

05/07/2021

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker wants to keep those masks on Illinoisans, he said in announcing a June 11 target to reopen the state. The reopening ‘bridge’ phase he added in March may begin May 14.

TAGS: COVID-19, JB Pritzker, masks, reopen

July may be when Pritzker cautiously lifts Illinois COVID-19 restrictions

By Patrick Andriesen

05/05/2021

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Illinois could fully reopen in July, but fully reopen with some permanent restrictions. The state has yet to enter the ‘bridge phase’ to reopening that he added in March.

TAGS: COVID-19, JB Pritzker, reopen

COVID-19 ‘Vax Pass’ idea getting nixed in Illinois, Pritzker says

By Brad Weisenstein

05/03/2021

After state and Chicago public health administrators floated the idea of vaccination passports, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said it will not happen in the state. Chicago will offer the ‘Vax Pass’ for summer events to encourage COVID-19 immunizations.

TAGS: COVID-19, reopen, vaccine

Illinois public health officials considering ‘vaccine passport’

By Ann Miller, Patrick Andriesen

04/30/2021

Earlier this week, Dr. Allison Arwady, Chicago’s public health commissioner, said the “Vax Pass” will be required to attend concerts and other summer events starting in May.

TAGS: COVID-19, IDPH: Illinois Department of Public Health, vaccine

To prevent political bribery in Illinois, change the House Rules

Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan’s power over Illinois politics is more precarious than ever. A steady stream of federal investigations, wiretaps and raids of people close to him, a deferred prosecution agreement with Commonwealth Edison wherein the utility giant admitted to bribing the speaker, and a grand jury subpoena served to Madigan’s office have led...

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Good Government

To prevent political bribery in Illinois, change the House Rules

Justin Neal

Website posting requirements for local governments in Illinois

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students