Governor rolls out the good news
Friday, Dec 1, 2017 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Press release…
Gov. Bruce Rauner joined other state and local government officials today as Canadian manufacturer Brandt Industries announced its plan to grow jobs at an existing plant Brandt is buying in Hudson.
Advanced manufacturing and agriculture are target industries for Illinois, and state and local economic development officials have been working with the Saskatchewan-based agricultural manufacturer for months. Brandt’s deal with Kongskilde is expected to close Dec. 15, and will be the firm’s first manufacturing venture outside of its native Canada.
“It is terrific news that the former Kongskilde facility near Bloomington-Normal will not become another dormant site,” Rauner said of the 200,000-square-foot plant where Kongskilde employees formerly made agricultural equipment. “Brandt is a well-run and exceptionally successful firm that will add hundreds of manufacturing jobs in the years ahead. We’re thrilled to work with and welcome them to Illinois.”
“We are very excited at the prospect of saving this plant from closure,” said Brandt President Shaun Semple. “This is a world-class manufacturing facility with a highly trained workforce, and we are delighted to have the opportunity to make a tangible contribution to the growth of the American economy.”
The governor met with Brandt Chairman Gavin Semple and Shaun Semple prior to a 10 a.m. press conference, where Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council CEO Kyle Ham welcomed the governor, several Brandt officials, McLean County Board Chairman John McIntyre, McLean County Unit 5 School District Superintendent Mark Daniel and others.
Legislators in attendance included state Senate Republican Leader Bill Brady, R-Bloomington, state Sen. Jason Barickman, R-Bloomington, and state Rep. Dan Brady, R-Normal.
“The jobs being created as part of this project will have a positive impact on our economy both locally and throughout the state,” said Bill Brady.
DCEO Director Sean McCarthy said the company’s decision to establish its first U.S. facility in Illinois was “a testament to the workforce and assets of this great region.”
House lawmaker Brady also welcomed the manufacturer.
“I am pleased to have this project call the 105th Legislative District home, along with the jobs and revenue generation for our entire area and the investment Brandt has pledged to provide,” he said.
Bloomington-Normal EDC officials said Brandt’s selection speaks highly of the state and the central Illinois region.
“We’re extremely excited about the Brandt family of companies’ decision to make McLean County their base of operations in the U.S., establishing their first international manufacturing facility in the Bloomington-Normal area,” said Ham. “Our talented workforce, central location, and long history in agriculture make this the perfect match for Brandt.”
The Brandt Group of Companies include Brandt Agricultural Products, Brandt Engineered Products, Brandt Equipment Solutions, Brandt Road Rail, Brandt Developments and Brandt Tractor — the world’s largest privately held John Deere construction and forestry equipment dealer. Brandt has 50 locations in Canada and the U.S., with nearly 2,000 employees.
Between 300 and 500 new jobs are projected at the Hudson plant over the next 10 years.
“This is great news for central Illinois, and all of Illinois,” said Barickman. “We need to make sure we enact the type of business reforms necessary so that we can have more of these celebrations of job and business growth.”
* Press release…
Today, Gov. Bruce Rauner and leaders of the Illinois Bicentennial Commission officially kicked off the state’s yearlong 200th birthday celebration at Fifth Third Bank Winter WonderFest at Navy Pier. Illinois Bicentennial will pay tribute to the people, places, and things that are being BORN, BUILT & GROWN in the nation’s fifth most populous state.
“This is an opportunity to celebrate all that has been great in our first 200 years and lay the foundation for 200 more years of growth and prosperity,” Rauner said. “Illinois is home, and the Bicentennial gives us a chance to reflect on how we can continue to make it great for our children and grandchildren.”
“Today marks Illinois’ 199th birthday,” said Lori Healey, co-chairwoman of the commission and chief executive officer of the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority. “Illinois Bicentennial will be a yearlong celebration between Dec. 3, 2017, and Dec. 3, 2018, which will be our state’s 200th birthday.”
“The Bicentennial is a once-in-a-lifetime invitation to fall in love with Illinois all over again,” said Gloria Castillo, co-chairwoman of the commission and president and CEO of Chicago United. “Throughout the next 365 days, Illinois Bicentennial will pay tribute to the people, places, and things that are being BORN, BUILT & GROWN here every single day.”
The Navy Pier festivities mark the beginning of events and projects that the Commission has planned to kick off the celebration around the state. In addition to the Winter WonderFest ceremony, events today and Monday include:
“Raise the Curtain on Illinois Bicentennial,” where 100 winners of the commission’s 100 Day Countdown Video Contest will share the stage with the governor and the cast of “Hamilton” following this afternoon’s matinee performance.
The Illinois Bicentennial Exhibit will be previewed today at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum and Library in Springfield, with music provided by the Illinois Symphony.
A simultaneous Bicentennial flag-raising takes place at municipalities around the state at noon Monday, Dec. 4, to note the beginning of the state’s 200th year. The Illinois Municipal League and United Airlines partnered to provide complimentary flags to counties and municipalities statewide, and the Commission will also host a flag raising ceremony at McCormick Place at noon on Dec. 4.
During his kickoff address, the governor encouraged all citizens to participate in the celebration, to visit illinois200.com and to use the hashtag #IllinoisProud on their social media posts.
Fifth Third Bank hosted today’s festivities at Navy Pier, where the Bicentennial logo is featured on the Navy Pier Centennial Wheel and on signage throughout Winter WonderFest today. Guests can also purchase merchandise commemorating the state’s milestone and have pictures taken with “Big Lincoln,” near the Illinois Bicentennial and Office of Tourism booths.
Also in attendance at today’s press conference were Bicentennial Commission co-chair Randy Dunn, president of Southern Illinois University System; Illinois Municipal League Executive Director Brad Cole; United Airlines Vice President State and Local Government Affairs Dan Lynch; UPS Delivery Driver Don Bence; Navy Pier President and CEO Marilynn Gardner; and Fifth Third Bank Executive Leader of Civic Engagement and Strategic Partnerships Francia Harrington.
* Media advisory…
Governor to greet National Guard soldiers returning from Puerto Rico
What: Gov. Bruce Rauner along with Maj. Gen. Richard J. Hayes and IEMA Acting Director Joe Klinger will greet the Illinois Army National Guard Military Police who are returning from Puerto Rico after assisting with Hurricane Maria relief efforts.
Where: Illinois National Guard’s 182nd Airlift Wing
2416 S. Falcon Blvd.
Peoria, IL 61607
Date: Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017
Time: 3 p.m.
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Celebrating sugar after pop tax repeal
Friday, Dec 1, 2017 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Media advisory…
The Cook County sweetened beverage tax has officially been lifted. A few commissioners are literally raising glasses to celebrate. Jewel-Osco is even using the end of the tax as an irresponsible sales ploy. Drink up, everyone! Sugar is cheap. And so is your health.
Is this really the right message for children and families in a county and state suffering from obesity-related illnesses and the associated costs — both physical and financial?
The Illinois Alliance to Prevent Obesity (IAPO) is taking this opportunity to spread a healthier message.
IAPO and its partners are kicking off a weeklong campaign — #RethinkYourDrinkIL — calling on Illinois residents to reconsider the drink choices they make every day.
* From a couple of links that were included in the advisory…
Yuck.
* Meanwhile…
There’s a delay until at least Tuesday in Cook County Chief Judge Tim Evans’ lawsuit against County Board President Toni Preckwinkle over layoffs in the new budget.
A Lake County judge on Friday agreed to delay arguments in the case until 11 a.m. Tuesday after Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx’s lawyers said they needed time to hire outside counsel because the office has a conflict of interest.
Attorneys declined to detail the conflict after the hearing at the Richard J. Daley Center, but Foxx spokesman Robert Foley later said the reason was because “the state’s attorney’s office represents the office of the chief judge in multiple cases pending litigation.” Lawyers for Attorney General Lisa Madigan, whose office is representing the chief judge, agreed to the delay.
In allowing the continuance, Lake County Judge Mitchell L. Hoffman urged both sides to engage in negotiations before Tuesday’s hearing, saying the Illinois Supreme Court has made it “very clear” in the past that it prefers not to see such lawsuits filed between separate branches of government – in this case the judiciary and legislative.
“This type of litigation should be a last resort,” said Hoffman, who was brought in from outside Cook County for the hearing.
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* The governor was asked yesterday if he would clarify where he exactly stood on the congressional tax bill…
Reporter: Yesterday, you applauded Congress on what appears to be a deal on a tax plan for America, and it looks like it might go through tonight in the Senate. In your view, in your estimation, assessment of this bill, it’s likely to change American practice for maybe 30 years – how we run our businesses and how we run our households. What parts of it are you good with and what parts of it are you not good with?
Gov. Rauner: Yeah, so let’s talk about taxes. This is an important point and if you listen to what I said, it’s a little different than what your question was premised on and what’s being spun. I have not commented on any specifics about the federal tax proposals. And I will not. And I believe it’s a long way from being done. I think it’s a long way from being baked. They got a long way to go, and I won’t comment on any specifics.
What I applauded, and do applaud, is them trying, trying to reduce the tax burden on our families and our businesses, that’s what they’re trying to do. They’re a long way to go. And I’m applauding them for trying and for keep trying. Whatever passes in one house or the other, it’s a long way from done. And I encourage them to keep trying.
Here’s what the goal should be – every effort in tax reform should focus on one thing: increasing the net take-home pay for middle-class families. That should be the goal of any and every tax reform. Increase the net take-home pay for working-class and middle-class families. That’s it. They’re a long way from that so far, so I don’t applaud, I don’t applaud the current result, what I applaud is the process. And this is an important distinction that I want you guys to understand.
[Crosstalk]
Reporter: So, in other words, you do agree with so many who have analyzed this, that they really haven’t done a good job yet at looking out for the middle class?
Gov. Rauner: They are not where they need to be. They are not there yet.
Reporter: And what do you think it’s going to take for that to occur?
Gov. Rauner: Well again, Ed, you know, for me, it’s not a good idea – it doesn’t help anybody by trying to negotiate through the media. So, I’m talking to members of the federal administration. I’m encouraging things. We need to increase the net-take-home pay for middle-class families, for working families. Most important thing. So, I’ve encouraged them to focus on the middle-class. I’ve encouraged them to help small-business, particularly. And we’ll see where it goes. It’s a long way from done. And I don’t to get want too much to get in the middle of it.
*** UPDATE *** From a DGA press release…
While speaking with reporters yesterday, Bruce Rauner came up with his third different answer to queries if he supports the proposed GOP tax changes in Washington. Independent analysts have shown the plan would raise costs and taxes on many middle-class families while the wealthiest would get a tax cut. On Wednesday, Rauner told a Southern Illinois radio station that he “applauded” Republicans’ efforts and said, “I hope they come through.” By that afternoon, his staff claimed Rauner had merely expressing “general” support.
On to Rauner’s newest answer to a simple question: [Part of transcript from above quoted…]
Rauner acknowledges the bill is not helping the middle-class, but he still will not use his position to demand changes and continues to applaud Washington Republicans’ efforts. Got it?
“Bruce Rauner has admitted Donald Trump’s tax plan hurts the middle-class but he still supports it,” said DGA Illinois Communications Director Sam Salustro. “Rauner continues to encourage and applaud Washington Republicans’ efforts to pass a tax bill, which currently benefits the wealthiest while raising taxes on middle-class families. It’s time for Rauner to take a stand and protect the people of Illinois, otherwise he’s culpable for the passage of the bill.”
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Rauner talks growth in DeKalb
Friday, Dec 1, 2017 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Rauner campaign…
Governor Rauner joined the DeKalb County Economic Development Corp. Thursday, helping them celebrate 30 years of growing jobs in DeKalb County. The governor gave the keynote speech at the celebration, and lauded the efforts of DCEDC while providing commonsense solutions to continue growing jobs in DeKalb County and throughout the state.
Check out the Daily Chronicle coverage below:
When the DeKalb County Economic Development Corp. celebrated its 30th anniversary, it was able to brag that DeKalb County is now on international radar, having doubled the number of international companies with locations in the county, as well as companies in other countries excited about the prospect of moving here.
Gov. Bruce Rauner gave the keynote speech at the State of the County banquet Thursday at Faranda’s Banquet Center in DeKalb.
…Rauner said that with a few small changes in Illinois, the state could be very competitive in attracting businesses from around the country and world.
“We gotta tweak a couple things, and if we tweak a couple things we’re going to bring them in on a massive scale,” he said. “We gotta reduce the regulatory burden, and we have to have tax relief. … It’s not rocket science, it’s not complicated.”
Rauner said many businesses told him while he was on recruiting tours of China, Japan and Israel that even if half of the reforms get done, they’ll move to Illinois.
…The county also doubled the number of international companies with a presence in it in 2017. Finnish company LEDiL, an LED light manufacturer, and Solotech, an audio visual company from Quebec, joined Nestle and Tate & Lyle as foreign companies with a presence here.
To increase the region’s competitiveness, Rauner said he wanted NIU and other Illinois colleges and universities to integrate more with businesses as they do on the West Coast and in Israel. To help universities recover from the two years of budget uncertainty and declining enrollments, he said he wanted to add $500 million into higher education funding.
“This is a labor of love. We love Illinois,” he said. “This is home.”
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* From a November 8th article in the Southern Illinoisan…
The following political leaders have visited Cairo since the public housing crisis in Illinois’ southernmost city came to a head:
• Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson • U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, both Democrats • U.S. Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro • Delta Regional Authority Federal Co-Chairman Chris Masingill • State Sen. Dale Fowler, R-Harrisburg • State Rep. Natalie Phelps Finnie, D-Elizabethtown • Former State Rep. Brandon Phelps, D-Eldorado • Former Illinois Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno, of Lemont • State Treasurer Mike Frerichs • Democratic gubernatorial candidates J.B. Pritzker, Chris Kennedy and Daniel Biss and former candidate Ameya Pawar
Meanwhile, one prominent Illinois political leader has not visited Cairo since HUD announced in April its decision to relocate about 400 people from two derelict public housing complexes that have been deemed beyond repair:
As you will see, that one stung him but good.
* A week later, Rauner was in the region for a hastily arranged press conference to announce a project that few knew was coming…
In 1993, the Sahara Coal Co. closed its doors and some 300 miners lost their jobs.
On Wednesday, Gov. Bruce Rauner visited that company’s reclaimed strip mine near Carrier Mills and announced that the state plans to develop a 26-mile off-highway vehicle trail system here, the first-of-its kind on state-owned land in Illinois.
* As we’ve already discussed, the Southern wasn’t impressed by the visit…
Gov. Bruce Rauner made a cameo appearance Wednesday in Southern Illinois, appearing at a hastily-called, bizarre press availability at Sahara Woods State Fish and Wildlife Area near Carrier Mills. […]
Assembled media members fired questions at Rauner after the announcement. His response, or lack thereof, was reminiscent of an absentee father bringing elaborately wrapped gifts to his child’s birthday party, but having absolutely no idea what was inside the packages.
It wouldn’t have taken much thought to anticipate the first two questions — how many jobs will be created by this project and when will ground be broken. Yet, Rauner didn’t have these most basic answers. […]
The number of jobs will be determined when construction plans are finalized. And, no timetable for construction was announced, although Rauner did say he hopes it will open in the first half of 2019.
Yet, the governor assured us that the track would be an economic engine for the area.
Pardon us if we’re skeptical.
There are two similar commercial operations nearby — Little Egypt Off Road, located in Williamson County, and Williams Hill Pass, which is southeast of Harrisburg. While both contribute to the financial health of the region, calling the two entities economic engines would seem to be a stretch.
Opening a government-operated off-road vehicle trail that will compete with two privately owned trails seems a bit counter-productive, but whatever.
* Anyway, if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. Rauner was back in the region this week…
Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner stressed the importance of economic growth and investing in education during a special luncheon Wednesday at Rend Lake College.
The event was held in honor of a delegation from the Japanese Consulate’s Chicago office which toured Jefferson County to learn more about the region’s economy. Rauner and Japanese Consulate Consul General Naoki Ito were featured guests at the luncheon.
* And…
Governor Bruce Rauner joined Japan’s Consul General to the Midwest at Rend Lake College for a workforce and education roundtable.
* But the governor also faced questions while he was down there about a project he launched over a year ago that hasn’t yet gotten off the ground…
The proposed re-purposing of the Illinois Youth Center facility in Murphysboro is taking longer than originally announced.
In October 2016, Governor Bruce Rauner said he wanted to re-open the center as a life skills and a re-entry facility. He expected it to open in about six months. But, 13 months later, the facility remains closed.
Rauner was asked about it during a visit to southern Illinois Wednesday. The governor said he doesn’t know when it will re-open, but as far as he’s concerned, the sooner the better.
“I don’t want to give you an exact date. But, I’m pushing this fast. I want it open yesterday. I’m going to push as much as I can.”
He said it’ll be an important economic engine for the region and help keep communities safer.
* From October 14, 2016…
This facility — expected to open in six months — will house about 300 prisoners on the verge of re-entering the community and employ about 120 people, Rauner said. It will be managed under the Pinckneyville facility, which is managed by Warden Jacqueline Lashbrook, who was also at Friday’s news conference.
It was built in 1997 and closed in 2011.
“This facility should never have been closed,” Rauner said, to a spattering of applause from some of those assembled. “We’ve got budget trouble, but we have to make sure our facilities are run well.” […]
At the news conference, the governor did not specifically say where the money would come from to finance the project. Rauner’s press secretary said later that it would cost $800,000 to reopen and repurpose the facility.
* Related…
* 1 year after Rauner pledged to reopen IYC as adult re-entry center, open date remains unclear
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* Gov. Rauner was asked by WSIL about legalizing marijuana in Illinois…
I do not support legalizing marijuana. I think that’s a mistake. You know there’s a massive human experiment going on in Colorado and California and other places. We should see how that’s impacting lives and addiction and hurting young people before we make any decision about it here. I do not support legalizing marijuana.
* Meanwhile…
It’s looking more likely Michigan will vote next year on whether to legalize recreational marijuana.
This week, the The Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol submitted over 360,000 petition signatures to place the question on the 2018 ballot.
If the Michigan Bureau of Elections determines that at least 252,523 of those signatures are valid, the question will likely appear before voters next November. […]
“The revenue would be shared between schools, roads, and local governments (under the proposal),” says Roth. “And these are areas that people are constantly saying are in desperate need of money.”
Michigan could very well be the first Great Lakes state to legalize it.
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* Press release…
Today, Daniel Biss’ campaign released a new video, “What Are They Hiding?” highlighting the financial interests JB Pritzker and Chris Kennedy have in major corporations that bring into question their progressive credentials, the sources of their income, and what business entanglements they may have.
“Candidates for governor must disclose personal investments with companies that do business in Illinois. This helps identify potential conflicts of interest,” says the narrator in the video. “JB Pritzker and Chris Kennedy just disclosed theirs. Here’s what we learned about where they make their money. These are just some of the companies that JB Pritzker and Chris Kennedy have profited from.”
Halliburton | Philip Morris | Exxon Mobil
Lockheed Martin | Energy Transfer Partners LP (Dakota Access Pipeline)
“This is what they’re forced to disclose - but we won’t know the rest of the story until they release their full tax returns. What are they hiding?”
“JB Pritzker’s and Chris Kennedy’s financial disclosures perfectly encapsulate why we should be skeptical of billionaire businessmen who say they’ll fight for us - and why we need to see full tax returns to better understand their financial interests,” says Biss campaign manager Abby Witt. “How can we trust someone invested in the Dakota Access Pipeline to stand against big oil once in office? Someone invested in the nation’s largest cigarette company to work to curb teen smoking? Someone invested in fracking to keep fracking out of our state? The revelations of these financial disclosure forms, a legally-required bare minimum standard of transparency, raise serious doubts in my mind—and make me wonder what they’re still hiding.”
* The video…
Investments
Exxon Mobil, Philip Morris, the Dakota Access Pipeline, Halliburton. These are the investments JB Pritzker and Chris Kennedy were forced to tell us about. What else are they hiding? How can we trust them to put our interests first when their money is tied to the profits of these companies? Illinois needs a governor that puts the people and planet first, not big tobacco and big oil.
Posted by Daniel Biss on Thursday, November 30, 2017
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* Charlie Wheeler…
In November, 2014, Republican Bruce Rauner beat then-Gov. Pat Quinn by some 142,000 votes following a campaign featuring “the incumbent Democrat is a failure” as a major theme.
Not surprisingly, a lot of folks — many of them union workers smarting from Quinn’s efforts to cut public employee retirement benefits — voted for Rauner simply because he was not Quinn.
As candidate filing this week officially kicked off campaign 2018, one might suspect that Rauner’s new mantra is, “Vote for me because I’m not Mike Madigan.” The focus on the long-serving House Speaker is politically expedient, of course, because Madigan may well be the most disliked political figure in the state, after the governor and his operatives have spent millions characterizing the Chicago Democrat as the Darth Vader-Lord Voldemort of Illinois.
But the governor’s Madigan fixation also may reflect that by many measures, Rauner’s three years in office have been worse for Illinois than the “failed” Quinn, leaving Rauner with little to crow about.
Consider the record in three important areas:
Go check it out.
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* AP…
Democratic state lawmakers announced a plan Thursday to halt Illinois’ participation in a controversial multi-state voter registration database after efforts to persuade the State Board of Elections failed.
The legislation would remove Illinois from the Kansas-run Interstate Voter Registration Crosscheck Program, a free and voluntary program that helps states determine if voters are registered in more than one state.
However, advocacy groups in Illinois and elsewhere argue Crosscheck isn’t secure and could contribute to voter suppression. They’ve also raised questions about the partisan ties of Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach. He oversees Crosscheck and is a chairman of President Donald Trump’s election fraud commission, which is investigating unsubstantiated claims that millions voted illegally in 2016.
Advocacy groups including Indivisible Chicago and the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois pushed for a recent legislative hearing where an expert pointed to security flaws with emailed passwords and unsecured servers storing voters’ names and dates of birth. […]
Also, there isn’t yet bipartisan support. A message left for Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner’s spokeswoman wasn’t immediately returned Thursday. The State Board of Elections was split 4-4 on party lines to exit the program.
* Press release…
Crosscheck, which was pioneered by Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, is seen by many as nothing more than an attempt to keep minorities from voting.
Senator Raoul has made his opposition to the racially-biased program clear, calling for the state to cease using it at once.
“Crosscheck can be used to knock valid voters off the rolls, and it disproportionately impacts minority voters, who are more likely to share last names and be flagged by the system,” Raoul said. “That flies in the face of the voter protection policies we have embraced in Illinois.”
Earlier this month, a joint committee heard testimony from Shawn Davis, a faculty member at the Illinois Institute of Technology Center for Cyber Security and Forensics Education. Davis testified that the Crosscheck system has several security concerns that make private personal information easily accessible. While most websites handling sensitive information use secure file transmission networks called SFTPs, Crosscheck uses an unsecured network system.
Senator Cunningham says the state should address these concerns by leaving Crosscheck to protect voter information.
* WRSP…
That’s one of the state’s two voter database systems used to identify voters who are registered in more than one state.
The other is the Electronic Registration Information Center, commonly called ERIC. […]
“When you look at the security between two of the systems, the ERIC system, and the Crosscheck system, it is evident that Crosscheck is a far inferior program that makes data susceptible to hackers,” Sen. Michael Hastings, D-Tinley Park, said. […]
Over half the states in the union currently use the International Crosscheck system and 16 states and Washington, D.C. use the ERIC system.
One of the arguments people employ on behalf of staying in Crosscheck is that ERIC only has a handful of participants and neighboring states don’t use it, perhaps because it costs money.
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Will we get a budget next year?
Friday, Dec 1, 2017 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Daily Southtown…
“I believe the legislature will pass a responsible budget in 2018,” [Sen. Michael Hastings, D-Tinley Park] said. “But will the governor sign it? The governor is a little erratic these days.”
Uncertainty over funding is hurting enrollments, but Governors State University in University Park saw its number of applications quadruple this year after passage of the first full-year state budget since 2014, Hastings said.
Funding cuts for higher education, public transportation and other areas, along with an income tax hike, were needed to restore balance to the state’s finances, said state Sen. Bill Cunningham, D-Chicago.
“We still have a rather large hole we have to climb out of,” Cunningham said. “I think next year’s budget will not be nearly as difficult as the last one … I don’t think the governor wants to be bogged down in Springfield when he’d rather be out campaigning.”
Your thoughts?
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Another one of those weeks for Gov. Rauner
Friday, Dec 1, 2017 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Once again, Gov. Rauner is not having a great week. As Greg Hinz notes, he’s taking heat because one of his top contributors, Dick Uihlein, is backing Roy Moore in Alabama. He “seemed to waffle” on where he’s at on the DC tax bill. And the National Review called him the “worst Republican governor in America.” Not good…
It’s all got to be weighing on the Chicago private-equity mogul who thought he would save the state. It certainly is showing on his increasingly haggard face. […]
“Republicans understand that Gov. Rauner is unelectable,” [Rep. Jeanne Ives] declared in a statement. “He betrayed his party’s values. He broke promises. And lied about his intentions, most notably on a bill that forces taxpayer funding of abortion on demand.”
Ives is right about the latter. Rauner was for abortion rights, then against them, before he finally was for them again. The position irritated just about everybody on all sides of the volatile abortion issue and was only the latest sign a guy who couldn’t get his own way on taxes, workers compensation reform, spending or lots of other things couldn’t find a middle ground to get what he needed.
“He never understood the concept of 30 and 60,” quips Greg Baise, the veteran Republican who heads the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, referring to the number of votes needed to pass a bill in the Democratic-controlled Senate and House, respectively.
To put it a little differently, it took Rauner three years to learn, if he really has learned, the difference between firing off orders as a private-equity chieftain and governing a mostly Democratic blue state.
* IWT rubs it in…
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* Buzzfeed…
Massage Envy, the first and by far the largest chain of massage franchises in the country, is a billion-dollar business that promises trustworthy services at an affordable price. But BuzzFeed News found that more than 180 people have filed sexual assault lawsuits, police reports, and state board complaints against Massage Envy spas, their employees, and the national company. Like Susan Ingram, many say their claims were mishandled or ignored by employees and owners of individual Massage Envy spas, and by the national company itself.
It’s one of the most disgusting stories I’ve read in a long while.
* Chicago Tribune…
Four women have filed lawsuits against Massage Envy franchises in Chicago and the suburbs claiming they were sexually assaulted by massage therapists, part of a growing list of women who say they were sexually assaulted by employees at the company’s franchises across the U.S. […]
An attorney for LCG Massage, owner of the Tinley Park Massage Envy franchise, denies the allegations of any sexual touching, according to court documents. The attorney also noted that law enforcement was notified of the woman’s complaint, but no charges were filed against the massage therapist, according to court documents.
The other three women have either settled or voluntarily dismissed their lawsuits, according to a review of court records in Will, Cook and DuPage counties.
In April, a Plainfield woman settled a 20-count lawsuit against Massage Envy, a massage therapist and the franchise manager regarding a May 2013 incident at the Massage Envy at 2775 Showplace Drive in Naperville. The lawsuit sought at least $1 million in damages and court costs. Court documents do not disclose the settlement amount.
* Press release…
Attorney General Lisa Madigan [on November 29] issued subpoenas to the Scottsdale, Ariz.-based franchisor Massage Envy and four of its Illinois-based franchisees as part of an investigation into claims the spa chain failed to handle sexual assault allegations by customers appropriately.
Madigan’s office is investigating Massage Envy and its Illinois franchisees at certain locations in Chicago, Elmhurst, Naperville and Tinley Park following public reports of women alleging they were sexually assaulted by male massage therapists. Through the subpoenas, Madigan is seeking information about the company’s policies, employee training, and handling of complaints related to sexual assault and sexually inappropriate behavior.
“I appreciate the women who have reported the sexual assaults they experienced during their massages,” Madigan said. “I issued subpoenas to Massage Envy because the public has a right to know what Massage Envy’s policies are and what steps the company takes to prevent and address sexual assaults.”
Madigan’s investigation into Massage Envy’s sexual assault policies comes as women around the country are coming forward to report instances of sexual harassment and sexual assault. Earlier this week, an investigation by Buzzfeed News found that more than 180 women throughout the country alleged that they were sexually assaulted during services at Massage Envy spas. Despite multiple lawsuits, police reports and complaints by women, Buzzfeed found that many claims were mishandled, and the company’s policies and procedures for reporting and addressing sexual assault allegations were vague or unclear.
According to its website, Massage Envy has more than 1,170 franchised locations in 49 states that employ approximately 25,000 massage therapists and estheticians that provide massage and skin care services to around 1.65 million members.
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* HB3157, which was signed in September…
Tracking food deserts. The Department [of Public Health] shall provide an annual report to the General Assembly by December 31 of each year that identifies the locations of food deserts within the State and provides information about health issues associated with food deserts. If the annual report contains information from the federal government that identifies the locations of food deserts in the State and provides information on health issues associated with food deserts, then the requirements of this Section shall be satisfied. For the purposes of this Section, “food desert” means a location vapid of fresh fruit, vegetables, and other healthful whole foods, in part due to a lack of grocery stores, farmers’ markets, or healthy food providers.
* Illinois Public Radio…
Representative Sonya Harper, a Chicago Democrat who sponsored the legislation, says many communities in and out of Chicago have gone generations without the option of fresh food in their neighborhoods. As a result of this, she says, “…we have a lot of people dying in our communities simply from preventable, diet-related diseases. And I believe it’s because they lack access, it’s because fruits and vegetables are not something that’s easy to come by in their community.”
The information gathered could help bring food stores to neighborhoods where they are needed, and in turn help create jobs.
“And again—just trying to figure out ways—how do we bring in more sources for fresh food, and perhaps even jobs—at that right?” Harper says, “because there is an opportunity as well, for those food retailers to also spur some local economy and bring some more jobs.”
Over the last few years, residents in food deserts have responded by creating communal gardens and urban farms to teach each other how to grow their own food.
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* Greg Hinz…
Is U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush going to be the second Chicago congressman in a week to hang it up? […]
As of [yesterday] morning, with filing due to close in just four days, on Dec. 3, neither Rush nor anyone else seems to be circulating petitions in his 1st District, which stretches from the South Side of the city past Joliet into Will County. And Rush’s office isn’t returning phone calls or emails asking what’s up.
In talking to insiders here and in Washington, I’ve picked up two theories. The first is that Rush is running, but is intentionally filing late this time, having almost been knocked off the ballot by a petition challenge two years ago. The second is that he really is retiring, and perhaps is trying to work out a way to hand off the seat to his son, Flynn Rush, who had been viewed as a likely candidate for the Illinois House seat being vacated by Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie, but hasn’t yet filed.
If petitions aren’t out circulating yet, it will be very, very difficult to get enough valid signatures just over the weekend.
He’ll need 1,230 valid signatures, according to the Board of Elections.
* NBC 5…
Representative Bobby Rush is the only Illinois Congressman not to file his petitions for re-election, but this isn’t the first time that he’s put off filing.
In his re-election bid for the 2016 race, he waited until the very last day to file his petitions. If he chooses to do that again this year, Monday would be the last day that he can turn them in to be eligible for the March ballot.
Despite the delay in filing, those close to the congressman, including community activist Hal Baskin, say that “he’s in.” Even Rush’s Congressional colleagues have asked him if he is retiring and he has told them no.
Rush’s son Flynn Rush has not filed yet either, but he is circulating petitions for the first time to replace State Rep Barbara Flynn Currie, as she will not be seeking re-election. Some skeptics have insinuated that there could be a switch in plans for Rush, but those whispers remain rumors as the deadline date approaches.
* Sneed…
Ending weeks of speculation, U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush tells Sneed exclusively he will file for his 14th term in office on Monday. […]
“We must go back and protect the legacy of President Barack Obama, in the area of jobs, health care, education and environment,” he said.
Rush, who has been in office for 25 years, also told Sneed that his son Flynn will also file his nominating petition on Monday to run for the seat of retiring state Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie, who is the majority whip of the Illinois Assembly representing the 25th District.
In response to the BGA investigation of a church owned by Rush, he told Sneed, “It’s all in the Lord’s hands, it’s always in God’s hands.”
That BGA story is here.
*** UPDATE *** Mary Ann Ahern…
Ald. Howard Brookins has decided at the last minute to circulate petitions for the March primary to run for Congress in Illinois’ 1st District, he told NBC 5 Friday.
That’s the seat held by longtime Congressman Bobby Rush.
While those close to Rush say he plans to file his petitions on the last day — Monday — Brookins told NBC 5 he began circulating petitions because “something doesn’t seem right.”
Rush is the only Illinois Congressman who has not yet filed his petitions for re-election, but this isn’t the first time that he’s put off filing.
Brookins lost badly to Rush in the 2016 primary.
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Today’s quotable
Friday, Dec 1, 2017 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Daily Southtown…
“This guy hasn’t stopped campaigning since day one,” [Sen. Michael Hastings, D-Tinley Park] said. “I try to be quiet about these things but I can’t help it. My district is the heart and soul of organized labor in the entire state of Illinois.”
Large numbers of tradesmen, teachers, public safety and other government workers live in the area, Hastings said. He said Rauner once invited him to the Governor’s Mansion to talk issues over beer and cigars.
“He asked me, ‘How do you feel about organized labor?’” Hastings recalled. “‘How do you feel about unions in the state of Illinois?’ as if he didn’t do his research about the district I represent.”
“‘Would you be willing when the time came to take a vote and make Illinois a right-to-work state or diminish workers’ rights?’” Hastings said the governor asked. “It’s almost like getting a slap in the face, right there, when it’s one-on-one. I didn’t know whether to go off the chain or whether to be calm.
“But I’m thinking to myself, ‘These people are my neighbors, these people are my family members, these people put food on the table for their children, and I’m going to vote against that? You’ve got to be out of your mind.’ It’s an example of his lack of leadership, and knowing who you’re talking to.”
Asking Sen. Hastings, of all people, to consider voting for a “right to work” bill is a truly silly idea.
But the real quotable here is Hastings claiming “I try to be quiet about these things.” /s
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