*** LIVE ELECTION NEWS ***
Tuesday, Mar 15, 2016 - Posted by Rich Miller
* OK, so I decided we needed four posts instead of three. I didn’t want to muck up the two partisan election returns posts with election news about both parties, so here it is via ScribbleLive…
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*** UPDATED x1 *** About tonight…
Tuesday, Mar 15, 2016 - Posted by Rich Miller
* I’m planning to put up three posts before 7 o’clock. One will update you on Republican primary results, one will update you on Democratic primary results and the third will have a list of declared winners as they come in.
My former intern Barton Lorimor will be assisting tonight as well as our great pal Scott Kennedy. It should be fun. So I’ll see you soon!
…Adding… Text from an old friend…
Gal working for Dunkin was passing this today. She thought she was working for Stratton. Lol! Love Chicago.
The flier…
*** UPDATE *** I’m guessing from the somewhat defensive tone of this March 11th memo, there was member blowback to the Chamber’s decision to assist Rep. Ken Dunkin…
Dear Chamber Board Members:
This week, the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, through its special independent expenditure committee, launched a large advertising campaign in Chicago on behalf of a key candidate for state representative, Rep. Ken Dunkin. We believe this is the single most important race in this Primary Election, and perhaps the most important in many election cycles. Rep. Dunkin has shown a willingness to vote against the status quo in Springfield and support a better path forward for our state. He is being vigorously opposed by forces of the status quo.
While Rep. Dunkin was endorsed by the Chamber’s regular political committee, Chamber PAC, this independent expenditure was made through the Chamber’s special independent expenditure committee, which requires strict non-coordination with candidates. The restriction greatly limits our ability to communicate intentions before a campaign is launched. In addition, you should know that is was fully funded by a like-minded organization and NO Chamber dues or other revenues were used to pay for the campaign.
The advertisement we are running is primarily positive about Rep. Dunkin, but does highlight that he is independent from the political powers that be in Chicago. Some of you may have received calls from Chicago Mayor Emmanuel’s representatives complaining about the ad. Given the nature of Chicago politics, we believe this is quite an overreaction. However, we apologize if you feel this has put you in an uncomfortable position. As always, if you have any questions or concerns about this issue, please call me directly at one of the numbers below.
Thanks, and I look forward to seeing everyone next week at the Board meeting on the 17th in Normal.
Todd Maisch
President and CEO
Illinois Chamber of Commerce
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AFSCME loses layoff arbitration, vows appeal
Tuesday, Mar 15, 2016 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From AFSCME Council 31…
Dear AFSCME Member:
Because you are among those potentially impacted by a layoff plan that Governor Rauner announced last summer, I wanted to let you know the most recent development in the Union’s efforts to prevent those layoffs. As you are likely very aware, AFSCME filed a grievance challenging the layoffs at the time they were announced. We also filed a motion in state court seeking an injunction to halt the layoffs until the grievance was resolved. In response to the Union’s legal action, the Rauner Administration entered into an agreement with the Union to suspend any layoffs pending arbitration of the Union’s grievance—as well as any potential appeal of the arbitrator’s ruling in circuit court.
It is because of that agreement that none of the layoffs have proceeded thus far and you have been able to continue working in your current position.
The grievance was heard by an arbitrator several months ago and yesterday we received notification that the arbitrator had ruled against the Union. The arbitrator found that the state had demonstrated there was a lack of funds in each affected state agency and that there was a lack of work and a material reorganization at the ICC and IDOT. Needless to say, we are very disappointed in this outcome.
However, we are not done with this fight. We will now appeal the arbitrator’s ruling in state court. Per the agreement entered into with the Rauner Administration, the layoffs will remain on hold while that appeal is pending—so there will be no change in your employment status at this time.
If you are among the employees who work at an Illinois State Museum site, you should also be aware that AFSCME is working with Senator Andy Manar to develop a new bill that could help the ISM to reopen.
We know this is a very difficult situation for you—and you can be assured that AFSCME is doing everything possible to prevent the harm that layoffs would cause to Union members.
In Unity,
Roberta Lynch
* The union may not have much of a case on appeal, judging from the ruling…
The breadth of the management rights clause in the contract required the Union to present clear evidence of an improper motive on the part of the State or some other indication the State was acting in an arbitrary or capricious manner. While the Union urged the layoffs were a “political football” designed to gain political leverage, there needed to be evidence presented to support that notion other than references to Governor Rauner’s ubiquitous comments about creating “wedge” issues and his often proclaimed animus toward public sector unions. The State’s fiscal condition and its lack of a budget are unique in its history, a fact even the Union acknowledged in its opening statement when it stated “…things are special this time, things are extraordinary, we’ve never had this situation before…especially when you get into a legal battle, but it’s truly the case that both the state and the union are operating in waters that are both uncharted and unsettled.”
The layoff language has been a part of the parties’ agreement for decades and has been tested in many other court battles and grievance arbitrations over layoffs and issues associated with layoffs. Each time the language has been put to test in the past, the State has prevailed on the question of its authority to layoff. Neither that language nor the law permit the Union or this arbitrator to supplant the Governor’s decision-making with their own. Suggestions of what he could have done or should have done have no bearing on the meaning or application of “lack of work or other legitimate reasons.” Neither the Union nor the arbitrator was elected to be the chief executive officer of this State. It goes without question the Union would have acted otherwise if the power to make such decisions rested with it; so too likely would have this neutral.
The purpose of this arbitration is not for it to constitute an endorsement or a condemnation of the State’s actions, what has transpired with the Illinois State Museum, or the withholding of support for the social service and education programs historically funded by the State. Rather the purpose of this award is limited by the parties’ agreement to being a determination of whether the State violated the negotiated contract language governing the State’s authority to layoff. The burden was on the Union to prove the State’s actions were arbitrary, capricious or arose from an illegal motivation was simply too great for it to surmount. There is no proof in the record that is the case. The Union’s grievance is denied for the detailed reasons that follow in this award.
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Late afternoon/early evening precinct reports
Tuesday, Mar 15, 2016 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Only in Illinois…
That’s a Jason Gonzales sign, of course. Gonzales was pardoned, by the way. But I’m pretty sure felons can run for the state legislature.
* Meanwhile, even the 23rd Ward is feeling the Bern…
Madigan’s wife is a Hillary delegate, but whatever works I suppose, including the Donald…
Click here for some yard signs at Madigan’s home polling place. Ya think he’s got that covered?
* Oof…
…Adding… More oof…
* Bernie Sanders ain’t the only candidate out there trying to tie his Democratic opponent to Rahm Emanuel…
* And, as we all know, Rahm’s former buddy is being used in some Democratic campaigns as well, like the one to replace retiring state Sen. Willie Delgado (D-Chicago)…
* And even a Rauner/Rahm campaign contributor is getting some Bernie time…
* Meanwhile, in actual news…
Interest in election contests and same-day voter registration are two reasons that voters may need to exercise patience at polling places, Sangamon County Clerk Don Gray said Tuesday.
“People are coming out at a steady pace and people should expect to know that it’s taking a little bit longer than normal,” Gray said in a late-morning Election Day interview. “Patience is appreciated, and we’re working very hard.”
Gray had said he thought turnout could peak at about 25 percent – a few percentage points higher than in similar elections in recent years. […]
Gray also said that “a fair amount of folks” were taking advantage of law allowing same-day registration and voting. He recommends the most efficient route for people using that option is to go to the county election office, Room 105 of the Sangamon County Complex, 200 S. Ninth St., Springfield. All ballot forms are on hand there, so people with the needed two forms of identification – including one with their current home address – can register and vote, all in a matter of minutes.
* And a spokesman for the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners said during a conference call this afternoon that there was strong turnout in the morning, but it has since fallen off…
“We do not expect to reach the 53 percent turnout (equal to 2008) or anything close to it unless there’s a huge evening rush… Assuming that the weather holds, we’re looking at in the range of 40 percent.”
He then backed totally off that informal projection.
Either way, as I’ve said many times before, 2008 was an outlier. You can’t really compare any other year to that one. And this year’s turnout would be a lot better than 2012, which was 17 percent.
* Related…
* People Hate Rahm Emanuel So Much It Might Cost Hillary Clinton Illinois
* What’s the story on delegate selection in Illinois?
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New CUB Poll: 84% Oppose Exelon Nuclear Bailout
Tuesday, Mar 15, 2016 - Posted by Advertising Department
[The following is a paid advertisement.]
Nearly 1,900 people responded to the recent Citizen’s Utility Board survey about Exelon’s push to bailout its nuclear plants. Here is how CUB put it:
“Exelon says keeping its nuclear plants open will fight climate change—and they need economic help. Opponents say Exelon just wants bigger profits.
Should Illinois give unprofitable nuclear plants more money if it helps fight climate change?
No: 1,583 (about 84 percent)
Yes: 298 (about 16 percent)”
—————————————————
Illinois still has no budget, the state’s finances and services are in shambles, the social safety net is being decimated but Exelon STILL wants the Legislature to pass a huge BAILOUT.
Just say no to the Exelon Bailout.
www.noexelonbailout.com
BEST Coalition is a 501C4 nonprofit group of dozens of business, consumer and government groups, as well as large and small businesses. Visit www.noexelonbailout.com.
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* Twitters…
Setting aside the fact that Madigan probably has that many people in each precinct (only semi-snark), I can’t help but wonder if some of those folks answered a recent CraigsList help wanted ad.
* Meanwhile…
How seriously did House Speaker Michael Madigan take the Democratic primary challenge of Jason Gonzales? Early voting was up 258 percent in Madigan’s 13th Ward compared with 2008. By Sunday night, 4,396 early votes had been cast there, the second-most of any Chicago ward.
* Rep. Christian Mitchell got an assist from Bubba today…
* Meanwhile, in that same contest…
From that link…
Travis campaign workers were reporting ballot problems and issues related to voter supression in a number of precincts across the far-flung district, particularly at the precinct at Lawless Gardens senior housing at 3510 S. Rhodes in the 4th Ward, where Toni Preckwinkle, who’s supporting incumbent Mitchell as well, is committeewoman.
Um, why would Preckwinkle want to suppress the vote in her own ward when she’s pushing Kimberly Foxx so hard?
* This is the executive director of Common Cause Illinois…
* E-mail from a labor union official…
We have Dunkin workers trying to come over and work for us.
* Rep. Dunkin’s sample ballot…
* Illinois Review…
Yesterday, the Illinois State Board of Elections met to determine what action to take regarding complaints that had been filed against Liberty Principles PAC. Specifically the matters of Jonathan & Clair Kaye & Kenneth Cabay vs Liberty Principles PAC, Inc (“LPPAC”).
Kayes and Cabay had alleged that LPPAC’s production and distribution of newspaper mailings that inform the electorate on the policy positions of various candidates were “fraudulent” and “misleading.” In addition, they alleged that the newspapers were prepared in direct coordination with state representative candidates Allen Skillicorn and current representative Reggie Phillips.
After a closed preliminary hearing on March 3, 2016, a hearing officer determined that there were “justifiable grounds” to allow for a public hearing on the issue of coordination, and the General Counsel for the State Board of Elections concurred with the recommendation on Monday.
However, the Board reversed the hearing officer’s determination in a stunning 7-0 unanimous decision (Coffrin abstaining).
Meh. He created a newspaper. He’s protected by the 1st Amendment. Move along.
* Harsh…
* Harsher…
* I need to go vote and run an errand. What are y’all seeing out there?
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Ground-level video of post-Trump protest
Tuesday, Mar 15, 2016 - Posted by Rich Miller
* If you were watching the live cable news coverage of the Chicago Donald Trump rally last week, you may have noticed some footage taken from a helicopter of police battling with protesters outside the venue after the event was canceled. The commentators basically ignored it.
Well, footage from ground-level has since been posted to Facebook. Obviously, there’s some bad language and violence, so decide for yourself what you can do here, but have a look if you can…
Pretty intense stuff.
* Semi-related…
* Chief: Police did not direct Trump rally traffic into cemetery
* At Old Capitol, Clinton invokes Kennedy, Lincoln, blames Trump for inciting violence
* Sanders holds late-night rally in Loop ahead of Tuesday’s Illinois primary
* Clinton, Cruz make final pitches to Illinois voters
* GOP presidential candidate Ted Cruz ends Illinois rallying efforts in Springfield
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More trouble for McCann
Tuesday, Mar 15, 2016 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Even if Sen. McCann wins his primary today, he could ultimately lose…
Elections authorities voted Monday to hold a public hearing on the thousands of dollars in mileage reimbursements that state Sen. Sam McCann, R-Plainview, has billed to his campaign fund.
The State Board of Elections voted unanimously to conduct the hearing, which has yet to be scheduled.
McCann may avoid a public hearing on thousands of additional dollars he billed to his campaign fund for unspecified “grouped expenses.” The board gave McCann until the end of business Monday to file amended reports that detail those expenses.
Records showed McCann’s campaign did file a series of amendments late Monday that contained “corrections and clarifications of expenditures.” Steve Sandvoss, executive director of the State Board of Elections, said staff will have to review the filings to make sure they comply with the additional information being sought.
Background on this story is here. His amended filings are here.
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More bad news
Tuesday, Mar 15, 2016 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Tribune…
Illinois has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country.
In January, Illinois’ unemployment rate was 6.3 percent, far higher than the nation’s 4.9 percent for the same month, according to the latest information released Monday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Only three other states plus the District of Columbia have unemployment rates worse than Illinois: Mississippi at 6.9 percent; Alaska at 6.6 percent; New Mexico at 6.5 percent; and D.C. at 6.5 percent.
Over the last year, Illinois added 49,600 jobs, but there were not enough added to make up for those lost. In January 2015, the state’s unemployment rate was better at 6 percent.
The state added about 10,000 construction jobs over the last year but lost about 5,100 in manufacturing. It also added 15,200 in education and health care, and 4,500 in professional services jobs. The greatest increase was in an area typically with lower-paying jobs: Leisure and hospitality, which includes restaurants and hotels, added 20,700 jobs.
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Morning precinct reports
Tuesday, Mar 15, 2016 - Posted by Rich Miller
* What are you seeing out there? How’s the turnout? How’s the weather? Are poll watchers behaving, or are they even around? Any problems at the polls?
…Adding… Most of you are doing so, but make sure to tell us where you’re voting, please. Thanks!
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Morning money report
Tuesday, Mar 15, 2016 - Posted by Rich Miller
* That’s a lot of street money…
I think we probably have a pretty good idea about who has enough money to be funding Dunkin and would also want to conceal the source via a “dark money” organization.
Three guesses.
* On the other side of that primary coin…
Sacks is a close friend of Mayor Emanuel’s. I’d bet money that he got heavily involved in this race because the Illinois Chamber ran a TV ad against Stratton which blasted the mayor.
* In other news, the Cook County State’s Attorney is having trouble raising money from the usual Democratic funders and has had to rely on her own bank account…
* Scott has a great election day preview using campaign finance data. Click here to read it.
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