The Latest Breaking News from JB Pritzker

CHICAGO — By Fourth of July, Illinois drivers likely will be greeted at the gas pump by 4-by-8-inch signs informing them that as they fill their tanks, they’re actually saving money, courtesy of their elected leaders in Springfield.

The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 3,340 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, the highest daily count in two months and the latest red flag in the state’s three-week upswing in infections.

Asked whether the state would consider another indoor mask mandate, as other U.S. cities respond to rising cases, Pritzker said, “I think that towns, cities across Illinois, not to mention across the country, should do what they feel is necessary in their communities to keep people safe.”

The Illinois measure — which is on its way to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s desk — requires all firearms, including 3D printed guns, to have serial numbers, which would effectively ban ghost guns. It’s the lack of those identifying numbers that has made the guns undetectable.

“I think we can be a lot further along. We need more cooperation,” Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., told the Sun-Times. “We’re moving in the right direction but too slowly.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Republican state lawmakers, outnumbered and looking to boost their relevance, had one goal for the election-year legislative session — to paint majority Democrats as soft-on-crime and anti-police.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois lawmakers early Saturday approved a $46.5 billion budget that includes $1.8 billion in largely temporary election-year tax relief and a $1 billion deposit into the state’s rainy day fund.

Asked why the governor turned to a high-ranking former Rauner staffer for the appointment, Pritzker’s spokeswoman pointed to Rodger Heaton’s background. “The board has specific requirements for party and region,” Jordan Abudayyeh said. “He expressed interest and has the right qualifications to…

CHICAGO — Former Chicago Ald. Daniel Solis, who turned government mole to help federal investigators build cases against Ald. Edward Burke and ex-House Speaker Michael Madigan, has been charged with a bribery count.

CHICAGO — An Illinois judge issued a temporary restraining order Friday that prevents Chicago Public Schools from taking employment action against six teachers for refusing to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or undergo weekly testing.

Josephine’s Cooking in Chatham hasn’t paid its property taxes in 12 years. Thanks to the actions of the Cook County Land Bank Authority, it’s avoided losing the property through a tax sale.