COVID-19 is once again sweeping through Illinois’ prisons, sickening thousands of Illinois prisoners and hundreds of staff members. And while hospitalizations have been rare during the latest wave, state prison officials are struggling to keep a lid on the infection rate.

The prison system is better prepared for the omicron surge than it had been in previous waves of the disease, in part because the prison population has plummeted by more than 25% in the past two years.

It looks like state lawmakers are preparing to roll over one of the few initiatives that has taken a decent bite out of state’s huge unfunded pension liability.

Pending in the House—and on a “short debate” fast track to passage—is a measure sponsored by Rep. Bob Morgan, D-Highwood, that would renew a pilot program in which retirees covered by Illinois’ four big retirement funds can cash out early, taking a lump sum up front in lieu of either their entire pension or, more typically, annual guaranteed 3% compounded cost of living increases.

More oversight is coming for the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) through legislation that became law on Wednesday, Jan. 26.

The change comes after the deaths of 36 veterans from a COVID-19 outbreak at the LaSalle Veterans Home in the fall of 2020.

A candidate for state treasurer wants to combine that office with that of state comptroller. But it was corruption which led Illinois to have separate offices to begin with.

“Look at how difficult it was to get oversight and information and find transparency in government offices” in the past, says State Rep. Tom Demmer (R-Dixon). “We have a much greater ability to do those things today; to run computer reports that show how dollars have been spent.”

Illinois has provided financial assistance to thousands of people throughout the COVID-19 pandemic so they could keep a roof over their heads. In fact, the Illinois Housing Development Authority helped give $815 million to renters and landlords over the past two years.

State representatives had the opportunity Wednesday to check in with the organization in charge of distributing those funds.

The union representing teachers at Springfield public schools has asked to enter negotiations with the school district over policy surrounding sick leave related to COVID-19.

This comes two days after Gov. JB Pritzker reached an agreement with Illinois’ two statewide unions concerning the use of sick days.

A nonpartisan think tank says Illinois should be wary of falling off a financial cliff after their federal taxpayer COVID-19 relief aid expires.

Pew Charitable Trusts points to the Great Recession when states plowed through federal aid without looking to the future. In 2009, with state finances in distress, Congress offered them money through the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA). The funds provided critical relief, but when most of the money ran out at the end of 2011, states suddenly lacked the funds to support ongoing programs and services.

The Illinois Supreme Court is being asked to decide whether public officials who are under investigation or charged with crimes may use their campaign funds to pay for their legal defense.

The court heard oral arguments last week in a case involving a former Chicago city alderman, Daniel Solis, then chairman of the City Council’s Zoning Committee, who was being investigated by the FBI for allegedly taking campaign donations from developers in exchange for official action.

Illinois is changing the way it decides which students must quarantine and for how long. The rules will follow the latest recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The new guidance should keep more kids in the classrooms and out of quarantine. The change comes for who is considered to be a close contact with a positive COVID-19 case.