Recent Publication:
ILLINOIS AROUND THE STATE Illinois Speaker Welch tries to contain fallout over handling of Harry Benton harassment allegations “Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, seeking to contain political fallout over his handling of sexual harassment complaints against former state Rep. Harry Benton, held outreach meetings with Democratic caucuses Tuesday, telling members that delays in taking […]
Rianda advises clients on legislative and regulatory developments at the state and local levels across Illinois. She supports client engagements by monitoring a wide range of legislative and regulatory activity, analyzing policy proposals, and tracking developments across key issue areas.
Rianda previously supported the team as a legislative analyst. Before joining Public Strategies, she worked at The Strategy Group, where she analyzed polling data and supported strategic communications and direct mail outreach for federal, state, and municipal Democratic campaigns. She began her career in Missouri politics, interning with her county legislator and staffing local campaigns. She later served as a research fellow at the University of Missouri’s Political Communication Institute and held roles with the ACLU of Missouri and the People’s Action Institute, where she conducted policy research, community outreach, advocacy campaigns, and grant monitoring.
Rianda earned a Master of Public Policy, with a specialization in survey research, from the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago, and a Bachelor of Arts in political science and communication, with a minor in peace studies, from the University of Missouri.
Publications
July 22, 2026
ILLINOIS AROUND THE STATE Illinois Speaker Welch tries to contain fallout over handling of Harry Benton harassment allegations “Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, seeking to contain political fallout over his handling of sexual harassment complaints against former state Rep. Harry Benton, held outreach meetings with Democratic caucuses Tuesday, telling members that delays in taking […]
July 20, 2026
ILLINOIS AROUND THE STATE Pritzker says Illinois ethics panel should release Harry Benton harassment report amid Welch office scrutiny “Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker called on members of the state Legislative Ethics Commission to publicly release an inspector general’s investigative report of misconduct involving disgraced former state Rep. Harry Benton for participating in a “clear pattern […]
July 15, 2026
ILLINOIS AROUND THE STATE Illinois raises limits on wrongful conviction payouts under new law Gov. JB Pritzker has signed “People who were wrongfully imprisoned in Illinois could see larger payouts after Gov. JB Pritzker announced Tuesday he had signed a law raising the compensation cap,” by the Chicago Tribune. Subscribe Pritzker signs new laws on […]
July 13, 2026
ILLINOIS AROUND THE STATE Illinois House to investigate Rep. Carol Ammons following indictment “An Illinois House committee will investigate actions by Rep. Carol Ammons, D-Urbana, following her indictment on 10 federal charges this week,” by Capitol News Illinois. Subscribe Federal appeals court upholds Illinois assault weapons ban, overturning lower court ruling “A federal appeals […]
July 08, 2026
ILLINOIS AROUND THE STATE Pritzker signs landmark AI regulation bill that aims to mitigate risks “Gov. JB Pritzker signed artificial intelligence legislation modeled after similar bills in California and New York yesterday, furthering a push for a state-driven national framework in lieu of federal regulations,” by Crain’s Chicago Business. Subscribe New regulations on intoxicating […]
July 06, 2026
Overview The Chicago Financial Future Task Force’s Final Report provides a comprehensive assessment of the City’s long-term fiscal outlook and presents a range of policy options intended to strengthen Chicago’s financial stability. Launched through an executive order issued by Mayor Brandon Johnson in 2025, the independent 23-member task force brought together business, labor, community, and […]
July 01, 2026
ILLINOIS AROUND THE STATE New Illinois laws take effect Wednesday including gas tax freeze and changes for driving tests and tuition “More than a dozen new laws take effect in Illinois on Wednesday, touching everything from transportation and education to prisons and liquor licenses,” by the Chicago Tribune. Subscribe Pritzker issues disaster proclamation for […]
June 29, 2026
ILLINOIS AROUND THE STATE Illinois to see greater protections from ‘junk fees,’ ticket-buying bots, Gov. JB Pritzker says “Illinoisans will soon see fewer unexpected “junk fees” and greater protections from robots snatching up concert tickets, lawmakers and Gov. JB Pritzker said at a signing for a handful of consumer protection bills Thursday,” by the Chicago […]
June 24, 2026
ILLINOIS AROUND THE STATE Chicago Bears still looking to piece together stadium legislation in Illinois, Gov. JB Pritzker says “The Chicago Bears are looking to piece together legislation in Illinois that might pass the General Assembly in Springfield, Gov. JB Pritzker said Tuesday, as the team continues to weigh whether to stay or move across […]
June 22, 2026
ILLINOIS AROUND THE STATE Gov. JB Pritzker continues Illinois Prisoner Review Board restructuring following controversial rulings “Four new members of the Illinois Prisoner Review Board began work Monday on a panel whose controversial early-release decisions have repeatedly tested Gov. JB Pritzker politically and whose most consequential decision led to the homicide of an 11-year-old Chicago […]
June 17, 2026
ILLINOIS AROUND THE STATE Pritzker signs nearly $56B budget with new business taxes as he seeks 3rd term “Gov. JB Pritzker signed the eighth budget of his tenure on Tuesday as he and Illinois Democrats gear up for an election-year battle centered around affordability — though he had to issue a clean-up veto aimed at […]
June 15, 2026
ILLINOIS AROUND THE STATE Gov. JB Pritzker signs hemp regulations into law, settling Illinois’ lengthy delta-8 debate for now “The long-running tug-of-war between Illinois’ licensed cannabis and unregulated hemp industries reached a head at the end of the legislative session in Springfield, where lawmakers approved sweeping reforms to regulate delta-8 and other intoxicating, hemp-derived products […]
June 08, 2026
Overview The Illinois General Assembly approved a $55.9 billion budget in the early morning hours of Monday, June 1, 2026. The more than 3,700-page operating budget, along with its accompanying implementation measure and revenue package, were introduced and passed in the final 48 hours of session. The operating budget (House Bill 111) was approved around […]
June 03, 2026
ILLINOIS AROUND THE STATE Illinois’ ‘swipe fee’ law on the brink after another delay, adverse court ruling “An Illinois law banning ‘swipe fees’ on taxes and tips — already delayed twice by lawmakers — appears to be on life support after a federal judge that once permitted it issued a permanent injunction against it this […]
June 01, 2026
ILLINOIS AROUND THE STATE Session slog ends in $56B budget, new taxes on social media companies, crypto, fantasy sports “Illinois lawmakers approved the state budget early Monday morning after slogging through the night, enacting new taxes on businesses and authorizing less spending than what Gov. JB Pritzker proposed in February,” by Capitol News Illinois. […]
May 27, 2026
ILLINOIS AROUND THE STATE Governor JB Pritzker open to pausing gas tax increase set for July 1 “Illinois’ gas tax is set to automatically increase by about a cent this July 1. But Illinois Governor JB Pritzker says he’s open to pausing that increase to help drivers struggling with high gas prices,” by ABC7 Chicago. […]
May 20, 2026
ILLINOIS AROUND THE STATE Gov. JB Pritzker says he updated NFL commissioner as Arlington Heights, Indiana sites remain at forefront “With days left until a deadline to pass legislation this spring, Gov. JB Pritzker acknowledged he had recently spoken with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and maintained that the Bears and NFL are only considering a […]
May 18, 2026
ILLINOIS AROUND THE STATE Gov. JB Pritzker optimistic of Bears deal but knocks Mayor Johnson for ‘no plan’ on keeping team in Chicago “Gov. JB Pritzker said Monday he expects the Illinois General Assembly to pass legislation incentivizing a Chicago Bears stadium and other major development projects before the end of the spring legislative session, […]
May 13, 2026
ILLINOIS AROUND THE STATE Pritzker urges feds to release $1B in broadband funds to Illinois “Gov. JB Pritzker sent a letter to U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Tuesday, urging him to approve Illinois’ proposal for federal broadband infrastructure funds,” by Capitol News Illinois. Subscribe State lawmakers want to rein in artificial intelligence. Here’s how. […]
May 11, 2026
ILLINOIS AROUND THE STATE Illinois lawmakers face budget deadline, Bears stadium fight and insurance battle with 3 weeks left “With less than three weeks before the Illinois General Assembly’s scheduled adjournment, lawmakers are in a race to finish a multibillion-dollar budget while navigating threats from Washington, a simmering fight over soaring insurance rates, a stadium […]