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Isabel’s morning briefing
Tuesday, Jun 6, 2023 - Posted by Isabel Miller * Here you go…
* Charles Selle | Don’t expect state lawmakers to crow about new pay hikes: Who knows what else is in that thick document. It reminds one of the classic quote from a New York State jurist in 1866: “No man’s life, liberty, or property are safe while the Legislature is in session.” Or taxpayers’ pocketbooks, it seems. The legislative raises coming out of the recently concluded Springfield session boost Illinois lawmakers’ pay to $89,675 as a base salary. That’s for what is supposed to be a part-time job. * Daily Herald | No more red-light cameras on Route 83 in Oakbrook Terrace, judge rules: “Our communities’ safety at home, at work, or at play and while traveling throughout our region is our top priority. We are deeply disappointed in the ruling, which will endanger our community and those that visit the region,” Oakbrook Terrace Mayor Paul Esposito said Monday in a written statement. “Without red-light cameras, we will have to resort to other tools in combating the over 230,000 drivers who fail to stop at that intersection.” * Jim Dey | Illinois gets some good news on revenue front: Budget mavens were concerned that April’s stunning decline in revenue, as compared with the same month last year, from a variety of sources might set the tone for the final two months of the 2022-23 fiscal year and the impending 2023-24 year. But it was not to be — at least for now. * Sun-Times | Cannabis farm among recipients of $12.6 million in Illinois grants for EV chargers: The Illinois EPA expects to build nearly 350 new direct-current fast-charger ports through this program, funded with proceeds from a 2016 Volkswagen settlement. * Crain’s | Bears’ Naperville talks open the door to a fresh offer from Chicago: In a phone interview, state Rep. Kam Buckner, D-Chicago, said he believes a path to get Chicago back in the game may have opened in the wake of the team’s announcement that it no longer is focusing strictly on Arlington Heights and has talked to Naperville about building a new stadium complex there. * WTTW | Talks Between Chicago Officials and the Bears Could Soon Resume as Team Plots New Stadium Options: Warren apparently accepted an invitation from Naperville’s new Mayor Scott Wehrli, who enticed the team with a letter saying that he’s a lifelong fan representing a community with a lot to offer. “Naperville is accessible via our region’s major interstates and Metra. We have several available or to-be-available sites that may fit the characteristics you are looking for in your future home,” the letter reads. * Fox 32 | Good news for Illinois drivers: Gas prices have declined since Memorial Day weekend: In the past week alone, gas prices have dropped by seven cents, resulting in an average price per gallon of $3.88. This marks a significant difference from a year ago when the state average was as high as $5.39 per gallon. * Sun-Times | James Beard Awards: Chefs from Chicago’s Kasama and Virtue restaurants take home wins in gala ceremony: Chicago chefs/owners Tim Flores and Genie Kwon of the Michelin-starred, modern Filipino powerhouse Kasama in east Ukrainian Village, took home the award for best chef Great Lakes Region, presented by Williams. The duo bested fellow Chicagoan, chef Diana Dávila of Mi Tocaya Antojería, who was also nominated in the category. * Tribune | From Syrian refugee to DePaul Law graduate: How he survived torture during revolution before fleeing to Chicago: Mahou and his father were part of the rebellion during the Syrian revolution, which started roughly in February 2011 with the early stages of protests against Syria’s government, which was led by President Bashar Assad. The rebels, as they called themselves, were taking to the streets to object to the authoritarian tactics of Assad’s regime, which was known for its pervasive censorship, surveillance and brutal violence against those who disagreed. * Sun-Times | J.J. Bittenbinder, colorful ex-Chicago police detective and crime-prevention guru, dead at 80: He taught people how to avoid being crime victims on TV’s ‘Tough Target’ and ‘Street Smarts’ and in a popular book. He also gave safety presentations at schools. * WSPY | Newark state representative to make series of videos about Springfield: Newark Republican State Rep. Jed Davis says he plans to create series of videos about how things work in Springfield. Davis says the short videos will focus how laws are made and the process of moving a bill through the General Assembly.
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- regular democrat - Tuesday, Jun 6, 23 @ 8:16 am:
In Politico today a letter from the three school Supt’s to the Bears explaining their positions on valuations etc. for the stadium. Interesting read if anyone has time.
- Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter - Tuesday, Jun 6, 23 @ 8:31 am:
John Mulvaney’s bit on Bittenbinder is hilarious. Do yourself a favor and YouTube it.
- Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter - Tuesday, Jun 6, 23 @ 8:32 am:
Mulaney not Mulvaney. I hate autocorrect.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jun 6, 23 @ 8:52 am:
Has been told “here” more than a few times, the Bears are looking for “greater revenue”, with maximum relief of taxes and debt.
Staying in Chicago does none of those things.
This is playing into the Bears’ hand with artificial leverage to return to Soldier Field, when in reality if the Bears got no breaks, paid $200+ million to Chicago, the maximizing revenues is the Arlington Heights location, and the Bears are merely trying to get maximized relief on all fronts I stated above.
I don’t blame them, but not one nickel all the same. Not one.
It’s a fool’s errand thinking the Bears staying (now after the AH purchase) is fiscally smart.
Fiscal prudence is leveraging $300 million for Chicago from the Bears (over 10 years) for tax breaks (a 5 year break, renewable for five years, maximum 15 total years, agreed by all parties)
“Chicago” back as an option isn’t sn option, hopefully AH sees the other suitors as a help, not a hurt, for them, even if it’s “Chicago”
- JoanP - Tuesday, Jun 6, 23 @ 9:04 am:
So happy for Damarr Brown. Virtue is one of my favorite restaurants; we were there just last week. Their pastry chef, Becky Pendola, really should get an award, too. Their desserts are awesome.
- Jerry - Tuesday, Jun 6, 23 @ 9:23 am:
With the pension funding problems in this state we cant be giving away “Free Stuff” to a “privately owned, for profit, corporation” that wants to move its home office.
They should have thought of the finances before they bought the property and hired the new president.
Most folks who buy a new home have their ducks lined up.
- Joe Bidenopolous - Tuesday, Jun 6, 23 @ 9:36 am:
=So happy for Damarr Brown. Virtue is one of my favorite restaurants;=
Same (banned punctuation). Amazing restaurant, just wish it was closer for us, but whenever we go, it’s an event.
- H-W - Tuesday, Jun 6, 23 @ 9:52 am:
This drought reminds me of a song by Dan Seals - You Plant Your Fields. Great song for life.
- Pundent - Tuesday, Jun 6, 23 @ 9:54 am:
The end game for the Bears is owning the facility they play in as it maximizes the value of the franchise. That won’t happen in Chicago. And the mere fact that the debt incurred to finance the renovation of Soldier Field has doubled says it shouldn’t.
- Friendly Bob Adams - Tuesday, Jun 6, 23 @ 9:59 am:
Flyin’- Agree on the Mulaney bit. Super funny.
Bittenbinder was all over Chicago TV back in the day, when being on local TV was about as viral as you could get.
- Lucky Pierre - Tuesday, Jun 6, 23 @ 10:08 am:
Jerry property taxes do not go to fund pensions or to the state coffers.
Bears pay $300 million to Chicago for how much tax relief?
- Matty - Tuesday, Jun 6, 23 @ 10:17 am:
A Dan Seals reference on CapFax. What year is this??
- Dotnonymous x - Tuesday, Jun 6, 23 @ 11:19 am:
It’s a good year to be alive.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Jun 6, 23 @ 11:24 am:
===property taxes do not go to fund pensions===
Yes, they do. Lots of it.
- thisjustinagain - Tuesday, Jun 6, 23 @ 11:37 am:
As to the Bears: Not one cent for the rich investors and owners. Time to stop asking for public money or tax breaks for solely private gain
RIP to Det. J.J. Bittenbinder, who worked hard to try keeping kids safe. #respect.
- Amalia - Tuesday, Jun 6, 23 @ 11:59 am:
J.J.Bittenbinder at many an event I attended. everybody get out your money clip or binder clipped money, ready to toss at a would be robber. he had some good advice.
- cermak_rd - Tuesday, Jun 6, 23 @ 12:04 pm:
Amalia,
I still remember his advice to hit every button the elevator if you are threatened in one.
- Amalia - Tuesday, Jun 6, 23 @ 12:08 pm:
@cermak_rd wow, that’s a good one. thanks for the memory.