President Joe Biden announces that all adults will be eligible to get a vaccine by May.

Meanwhile, more COVID-19 mass vaccination sites opened in Illinois on Friday. But the one at the United Center, set up with the hopes of leveling disparities in inoculations, launched with glitches, confusion over eligibility, suburbanites taking appointments, frustration over the process and no second shot appointments as promised.

City officials have high hopes for a return to normalcy this summer with baseball stadiums reopening to fans and other events like the Air and Water Show possibly happening as Chicago City Council approves a full event lineup. The governor may also reopen convention business. 

Lawmakers return to Springfield next week for one in-person day to vote on adding ballot drop boxes as other states restrict voting rights. Progressives also want to allow prisoners to vote, add background checks for gun transfers, end parental abortion notification, end the predatory payday loan industry and more. And Rep. Marty Moylan has introduced legislation to prevent public officials from profiting from the lucrative pot industry. 

In national news, Congress passes the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package without any Republican Party votes despite a poll showing 75% of voters approve of the measure. It includes $1,400 checks for individuals, $7.5 billion for Illinois and municipalities, $1.8 billion for Chicago Public Schools and money for COVID-19 vaccines, among other things. And after many delays, Lincolnwood native Merrick Garland’s attorney general nomination is approved by a 70-30 bipartisan vote in the Senate. He was sworn in Thursday. 

And in sports, we look back one year after the NBA canceled its first game because of COVID-19 and 24 hours later, the entire sports world shut down. Both the University of Illinois and Loyola are going to the big dance. Spring training is in full swing with the Cubs considered underdogs and expectations for the White Sox high. And could the Bears land a great QB in Russell Wilson or Desean Watson?

Guests

Mike Flannery, Fox 32 News | @PoliticalEditor

Gregory Pratt, Chicago Tribune | @RoyalPratt 

Megan Hickey, CBS 2 News | @MeganHickeyTV

Leila Rahimi, WSCR The Score | @leilarahimi

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