“Independents are pointing to the ridiculous shapes of some districts. Voters from Chicago suburbs are resisting being in the same district as rural residents. Even some Democrats are afraid seats might flip the way the districts are drawn. The Princeton Gerrymandering Project, a nonpartisan group that studies redistricting, gave Illinois’ proposed map an “F” for fairness. Given our state’s history, that’s hardly a surprise.”

Jim Dey: “Two years ago, state Rep. Carol Ammons pushed — and came close to passing — legislation opening the way for electing more Democratic judges in downstate counties like Champaign. Now Ammons’ bill has been re-cast in a plan to create judicial sub-circuits in counties with populations over 150,000. And Champaign County Chief Judge Randy Rosenbaum isn’t happy about it.”

Under the new maps, a proposed congressional district would connect Latino populations on the northwest side of Chicago with the city’s West Side and western suburbs for a second Latino-leaning district, in addition to the one currently represented by U.S. Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia.

Pritzker already mandated the vaccine or test requirement for state workers who deal with veterans’ homes, group homes, state prisons and other settings in which people are grouped in living quarters. Union pushback led him to delay his vaccination demand date to Nov. 30 from Oct. 4. Others facing vaccine or test mandates include all pre-K-12 teachers and staff, all higher education personnel and students, health care workers in hospitals, nursing homes, urgent care facilities and physician offices.

“The decision to give districts flexibility on teacher evaluations is another example of how COVID-19 has disrupted accountability systems designed by states. It’s not clear yet whether Illinois will rate schools this year; it suspended its rating system last school year.”

Europe has learned the folly of this quest. Surging energy prices have forced the closure of manufacturing plants, curtailed production at others and risk the exodus of other energy intensive industries from the largest economies on the continent.

The requirement applies to all 55,000 day care center employees at all 2,872 licensed facilities in the state. Pritzker’s office noted in their announcement that the mandate was being made to protect children who were not yet authorized by the health agencies to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

Less licensed and certified staff led to a significant drop in services when people needed help the most; Industry leaders told lawmakers employees are dealing with limited funding and burnout. And now Illinois Department of Human Services Secretary Grace Hou says the department is preparing for an expected shortage caused by unvaccinated workers.

A statement from state Senators Terri Bryant, Sue Rezin, Sally Turner, and Jil Tracy read, in part, “Governor Pritzker’s action has the potential to exacerbate an already growing child care crisis in our state. It’s a shortsighted act that will diminish the already limited and sparse availability of child care to families in Illinois.”

Democrats are expected to pass the new map next week during the final week of the fall veto session.