* First, a little bit of news…

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Friday that he and state health officials will no longer be holding daily coronavirus briefings, but will provide updates “as needed.”

Pritzker said he and Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike will end in-person COVID-19 updates because coronavirus numbers are “moving in the right direction.”

“I’ll start with some housekeeping that might bring some relief to our tireless press corps this holiday season,” Pritzker said. “We are moving away from daily press conferences, and instead returning to an as-needed basis.”

Friday marked the 42nd consecutive weekday coronavirus press briefing for the Illinois officials and the 155th since the pandemic began.

He took a break from them last summer and then ramped back up in the fall.

* Manny Sanchez is out as chairman of the Sports Facilities Authority. No word yet on why.

* The Senate has a new spring session schedule. Click here. It’s easier to cancel days than add them, so don’t count on the chamber being in session all of those days. No lame duck session days have yet been scheduled, although Senate President Harmon told me several days ago that he had asked his members to set aside the five days before inauguration, which would mean a January 8th return. And, of course, we’re still waiting on the House to issue its own calendar. The Senate apparently got tired of waiting.

* The SDems also released a list of new laws. Click here.

* Have a great weekend…