In this week’s edition ofSpotlight Politics:

State lawmakers hold the second special session of the summer. Democrats passednew district maps, but rejected the governor’s amendment to an ethics bill. Meanwhile, the clean energy bill hangs in the balance.

Mental health professionals are now responding to some 911 calls for help in Chicago. Officials on Wednesday updated the City Council’s Committee on Health and Human Relations on the pilot program.

The continuing surge of COVID-19 infections in Chicago could slow the city’s economic recovery, Chicago’s top financial officials warned members of the City Council on Monday. Mayor Lori Lightfoot is expected to present her detailed budget this month, which is likely to include an increase in the Chicago Police Department’s budget.

Shootings and homicides in Chicago continue to outpace figures from 2020, according to police data.

Chicago updates its travel advisoryto include all but one state: Vermont.

And Chicago Public Schools students are back in the classroomas the district faces a bus driver shortage, and after more than 70 drivers quitin response to the vaccine mandate.

Our politics team of Amanda Vinicky, Paris Schutz and Heather Cherone takes on those stories and more.