Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar » 2011

Wednesday, Feb 2, 2011 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Gov. Pat Quinn’s spokesperson Annie Thompson reacting to criticism from Springfield’s Republican state Representatives about discontinuing the $1 million state subsidy to the National High School Finals Rodeo, which means the event will not be held in Springfield this year…

“Republicans keep calling on the governor’s office to make cuts, but when those cuts affect their communities, they want no part of it.”

* The Question: Fair or unfair retort? Explain.

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Emanuel still refuses to talk tax details

Wednesday, Feb 2, 2011 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Reporters tried, but so far Rahm Emanuel still won’t come clean on what services he would tax under his new plan…

Pressed once again for the complete list of services he intends to tax, Emanuel said he would “work with the Legislature,” where the sales tax swap must be authorized.

* The Tribune kinda likes the idea, but, like the rest of us, wants more details…

The problem is, Emanuel can’t seem to spell out a bright line for what would be taxed and what wouldn’t. This has turned into a parlor game.

Would he tax limo rides?

Campaign says: You bet.

Car services? Maybe.

Taxicabs? Certainly not!

Huh?

“Huh?” is right. This is a major proposal. Emanuel ought to provide some details.

* Related…

* Chicago mayoral candidates tackle ethics issues - Ideas range from expanding inspector general’s duties to requiring more competitive bidding of contracts

* Mayoral candidates hit the streets, but some community members want more substance

* Rahm would OK mobile food trucks restaurants oppose

* With early voting in action, mayoral race gets heated

* We asked mayoral candidates: Do you support ‘dibs’ on parking spots?: “Look, if a guy’s out there shoveling for an hour and a half, he’s not shoveling it for someone else to use it,” said former School Board chief Gery Chico, who calls himself unabashedly “pro-dibs,” even though he lives in a downtown condo now. He used to shovel his own place on Loomis, he said. “It’s a civil way to allocate parking and it’s been going on for 100 years in Chicago,” Chico said.

* Braun apologizes for calling rival a crack addict

* Marin: No reason to make Sanchez fall guy

* Playing Super Bowl in Chicago would be ridiculous: Chico can’t be blamed for thinking big. He’s pushing for the economic benefits a Super Bowl purportedly brings to a city. Tourists would flock to the city. Money would flock with them. But there’s a reason birds flock to the South in the winter: It’s cold in the North. It appears that same cold has caused a bad case of brain freeze for Chico.

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Morning videos

Wednesday, Feb 2, 2011 - Posted by Rich Miller

* My brother Darian was born just before the Great Blizzard of 1967. He was born premature, so he had to stay in the hospital and the storm hit about the time he was supposed to come home. I don’t remember much about that blizzard except that we were all bummed out that our new brother was still at the hospital.

That storm was a biggie. Huge. 77 Midwesterners died during that one. Here’s a great video documenting its Chicago impact…

The blizzard of 1979 is infamous for bringing down Mayor Bilandic. Here is a wonderful short film about “dibs” back then….

* OK, enough of this cold, snowy stuff. How about something to warm you up? Remember this video from the State Fair?…

Part 2…

Part 3…

Ah. I feel better already.

* Click here for all snow-related news updates. But make extra sure to read this one. Heh. Cub Park just can’t take it.

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Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Supplement to today’s edition

Wednesday, Feb 2, 2011 - Posted by Rich Miller

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Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today’s edition of Capitol Fax (use all CAPS in password)

Wednesday, Feb 2, 2011 - Posted by Rich Miller

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Quinn: State employees should stay home Wednesday - Tollway: Motorists should stay home

Wednesday, Feb 2, 2011 - Posted by Rich Miller

[Bumped up for visibility.]

* Tuesday, 10:58 pm - Gov. Pat Quinn has ordered all state workers who aren’t serving in “continuity” functions to stay home from work tomorrow. From a press release…

SPRINGFIELD – February 1, 2011. Due to the severe winter storm and extremely hazardous conditions across Illinois, Governor Pat Quinn, in consultation with the Illinois State Police (ISP), Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and the Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS), has implemented the State’s Continuity of Operations/Continuity of Government Plans (COOP/COG). The inter-agency COOP/COG plans will ensure continued delivery of essential state services during severe winter weather conditions.

Based on National Weather Service warnings and hazardous travel conditions, state government employees – except those serving in continuity of government functions – are instructed to stay home on Wednesday, Feb. 2. Regular state operations will resume on Thursday, Feb. 3.

“We have been monitoring weather conditions, and working with a number of agencies statewide to coordinate preparations for the effects of this storm. Across Illinois, essential services will continue without interruption,” said Governor Quinn. “To protect the safety of our employees and the people they serve, we are directing state employees whose duties are not critical to continuity of essential state services to avoid traveling to work Wednesday.”

COOP/COG ensures that employees responsible for continuity of operations observe the hours needed to guarantee continued delivery and availability of essential public health and safety state services, including: Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) Veterans’ Homes, Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) central health centers and centers for the developmentally disabled, Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) youth centers, Illinois Department of Corrections (DOC) correctional institutions, as well as IDOT, ISP and IEMA.

Information on continued essential state services and service locations for the public, as well as situation updates for state employees, will be available online at www.Ready.Illinois.gov starting on Wednesday. Employees without Internet access may call 866-848-2125 (Springfield) and 866-848-2135 (Chicago) for this information.

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) cautions motorists against venturing out unless travel is absolutely necessary. The agency is fully-staffed and equipped to plow and salt roadways as necessary, but the department urges motorists to use extreme caution for the duration of the storm. Motorists can acquire up-to-date roadway conditions information at www.gettingaroundillinois.com or at www.travelmidwest.com.

On Monday, Governor Quinn activated the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) in Springfield to coordinate the state’s response to the storm. Representatives from nearly a dozen state agencies are staffing the SEOC 24 hours a day throughout the duration of the storm. Governor Quinn also issued a disaster declaration for the entire state in advance of the heavy snow, ice and blizzard conditions expected over the next few days, and today activated more than 500 Illinois National Guard troops to help ensure traveler safety on interstate highways.

Other state assistance includes:

• Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Conservation Police are using all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles and four-wheel drive trucks to assist Illinois State Police, perform welfare checks and help motorists and others throughout the storm event.

• The American Red Cross has opened 28 shelters around the state and has nearly two dozen additional shelters on standby. The State of Illinois has also opened a number of shelters (in conjunction with the Red Cross) and warming centers across the City of Chicago and counties across Illinois. More information about shelters and warming centers can be found at: www.Ready.Illinois.gov.

• Supplying generators to local units of governments as requested.
More information about Winter Storm Preparedness is available from www.Ready.Illinois.gov.

* And from the Tollway…

“Travel on the Illinois Tollway is not recommended [Wednesday] morning, “Lafleur said. “We are urging our customers to stay home unless it’s an extreme emergency.

* An appropriate end to the evening. Bob will play us out…

It’s doom alone that counts

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