Gov. Bruce Rauner issued the following statement regarding his current stay at the Illinois Veterans Home at Quincy:
“During my stay at the Quincy Veterans Home I have had the privilege of personally expressing my gratitude to our veterans and to the world-class staff who cares for them. The work that is being done here to look after residents in the skilled care unit where I am staying is so impressive, so caring, so full of honor and respect for our American heroes.
“I’ve spent my time on campus eating, sleeping and visiting with our residents, learning about the culture of the Quincy Veterans Home. I’ve been alongside the workers at the home, getting an up close look at the admissions process, joining the doctor and nurse practitioner on rounds, observing the maintenance staff and carefully reviewing the water management plan.
“I greeted Sen. Durbin this morning and before lunch I attended a town hall meeting with residents, families and members of the local community, who shared their love for this unique and wonderful campus.
“Most important, I’ve spent quality time with our veterans, learning from them, socializing with them, hearing their phenomenal stories. I plan to stay here until mid-next week when I’ll report more fully on this incredible experience. I simply cannot express how special this New Year has begun thanks to this visit with the heroes who have put it all on the line to protect the greatest nation on earth.”
The joint legislative committee hearing is Tuesday, so all stories on that hearing will note the governor’s location. Just sayin…
This report gives researchers and citizens an opportunity to look at U.S. state crime rates, what crimes are being committed and in what frequency, for all 50 states plus Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. Included is a brief write up on each state, Puerto Rico, D.C., as well as a look at the medians for U.S. states. All figures are as of the FBI’s 2016 Uniform Crime Reports, the most recent data available.
The State of California reported 445.3 violent crimes and 2,553.0 property crimes per 100,000 inhabitants for 2016. Violent crime rates in California are higher than the national median, while property crime is slightly lower. The violent crime rate is 20.3 percent higher than the national median, and the property crime rate being -1.1 percent lower. In California, larceny-theft makes up a significantly lower proportion of overall crimes (54 percent) than the national median (63 percent). Motor vehicle theft makes up 15 percent of all crimes, much higher than the 8 percent national median. The rate for motor vehicle theft in California is more than double the national median.
Illinois
The State of Illinois reported 436.3 violent crimes and 2,049.0 property crimes per 100,000 inhabitants for 2016. Illinois’ violent crime rate is 17.8 percent higher than the national median, and the property crime rate is -20.6 percent lower. Illinois has a similar proportional makeup of crimes by type to the national median.
Indiana
The State of Indiana reported 404.7 violent crimes and 2,589.4 property crimes per 100,000 inhabitants for 2016. Indiana’s violent crime rate is 9.3 percent higher than the national median, and the property crime rate is virtually at the median, being only 0.3 percent higher. Indiana has a similar proportional makeup of crimes by type to the national median.
Michigan
The State of Michigan reported 459.0 violent crimes and 1,909.9 property crimes per 100,000 inhabitants for 2016. Michigan’s violent crime rate is 24.0 percent higher than the national median, and the property crime rate is -26.0 percent lower. Michigan has larceny as a smaller proportion of overall crime (55 percent) than the national median (63 percent).
Minnesota
The State of Minnesota reported 242.6 violent crimes and 2,133.3 property crimes per 100,000 inhabitants for 2016. Minnesota’s violent crime rate is -35.4 percent lower than the national median, and the property crime rate is -17.4 percent lower. Larceny-theft is a larger proportion of overall crime in Minnesota (69 percent) than the national median (63 percent).
Missouri
The State of Missouri reported 519.4 violent crimes and 2,799.1 property crimes per 100,000 inhabitants for 2016. Missouri’s violent crime rate is 40.3 percent higher than the national median, and the property crime rate is 8.4 percent higher. Missouri has a similar proportional makeup of crimes by type to the national median.
New York
The State of New York reported 376.2 violent crimes and 1,545.6 property crimes per 100,000 inhabitants for 2016. New York’s violent crime rate is 1.6 percent higher than the national median, and the property crime rate is -40.1 percent lower. New York has a similar proportional makeup of crimes by type to the national median, although burglary makes up a somewhat lower proportion of crimes in New York (10 percent) than the national median (16 percent).
Wisconsin
The State of Wisconsin reported 305.9 violent crimes and 1,933.3 property crimes per 100,000 inhabitants for 2016. Wisconsin’s violent crime rate is -17.4 percent lower than the national median, and the property crime rate is -25.1 percent lower. Wisconsin has a similar proportional makeup of crimes by type to the national median.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Friday called Democratic governor candidate Chris Kennedy’s claim that the mayor is making Chicago “whiter” and wealthier a “hallucinatory” insult.
Emanuel said he’s “looking forward to ideas, not insults” in his first public comments since Kennedy on Wednesday accused him of leading a “strategic gentrification plan” forcing African-American residents out of the city.
“It is easy to cast blame and point fingers,” the mayor said. “Where are the ideas? Where are the solutions, real solutions to real challenges that make those challenges opportunities?”
Emanuel also quoted a Chicago Tribune editorial that was critical of Kennedy’s comments. “As the Chicago Tribune referred to it today as imaginary, hallucinatory,” he said. “I hope nobody ever describes any of my ideas that way.” […]
On Friday, the mayor appeared before reporters at a factory in the heavily African-American South Austin neighborhood to talk about the city’s move to install new street lights, starting in black neighborhoods on the South and West sides. He was surrounded by several African-American aldermen and employees at the made-for-TV event and talked about offering job opportunities to ex-offenders and other Chicago residents as the kind of idea Kennedy should be pushing.
In his first public appearance after a long family vacation, Emanuel was asked why he believes African-Americans are leaving the city in droves and whether he’s troubled by it.
“Of course it troubles me. Which is why we’re making investments in the neighborhoods across the city,” the mayor said.
“That’s a longer discussion that’s worthy of a serious discussion of the change going on in the city and the population, where a lot more people are moving in. Different people. Some people are moving out. It has to do with a lot of different factors — not one factor…What do you do to change that? That’s different than trying to cast blame as if this is somebody’s plan.” […]
“If we continue to invest in our city and invest in every part of the city and give it a future where everybody feels hopeful about that tomorrow for not only them but their children, we’re gonna continue to be a city of vibrancy,” the mayor said Friday.
*** UPDATE *** Press release…
Statement from Rebecca Evans, spokeswoman for Chris Kennedy:
Unlike JB Pritzker, who continues to remain silent to protect the political establishment, Chris Kennedy has the political courage to speak truth to power. He will stand up to anyone regardless of party, position or influence if it means standing up for justice, equality and opportunity for everyone in Illinois.
Chris Kennedy isn’t hiding behind $17 million worth of scripted TV ads. He will use his voice to stand up for what is right even if it’s calling out inconvenient truths that are hurting people of color in Chicago.
He has said from the start of this campaign that he wants to dismantle the structural inequities that exist in our government. He has put forward real solutions and plans on how we can do it. We must allow an elected school board, stop closing public schools, put an end to the discriminatory property tax racket, and fully address the civil rights violations described in the Department of Justice’s report on the Chicago Police Department.
On a conference call with reporters IDPH Director Nirav Shah details why the state waited 6 days to public about the Legionnaires outbreak at the Quincy Vet Home. “Before we go public we have to get our facts straight.”
They knew they had an outbreak. They didn’t inform the residents and their families, so nobody could take precautions. That’s a problem. A real problem. How about promising never to do that again to show you’ve learned something?
* So, this sounds bogus…
"We determined that the risk here of going up too early and providing misinformation could cause panic or dilute our voice later." - @GovRauner Public Health Director Dr. Nirav Shah on why they waited six days to announce Legionaries at #Quincy@wlsam890
TIMELINE 8/21/15: IDPH recognizes "beginning of an epidemic" 8/23: IDPH notifies CDC of 5 confirmed Legionnaires' cases 8/24: IDVA spox said he didn't intend to publicize test results unless “directed or in the case of wide media interest" 8/27: State notifies public of outbreak https://t.co/yM8vNISsDH
— Illinois Working Together (@IllinoisWorking) January 5, 2018
The water system at a state-run veterans’ home in Quincy where 13 people have died of Legionnaires’ disease may never be fully cleansed of the bacteria that causes the sometimes fatal illness, and more cases could be inevitable, federal public health authorities warned Thursday.
In a new report, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encouraged the state to undertake a series of new precautions aimed at curtailing the threat of more Legionnaires’ cases at the 132-year-old Illinois Veterans Home, but conceded none of its recommendations represent an ironclad safeguard for the facility’s nearly 400 residents.
“While adoption of these recommendations should further reduce risk, the possibility of future cases of disease associated with the [Quincy veterans’ home] cannot be eliminated,” the CDC said in a report released by Illinois public health authorities.
Nobody can ever guarantee that anywhere. The issue is about making sure that a very vulnerable population is treated as quickly as possible. That’s the real lesson here. According to the original WBEZ report, residents with obvious symptoms (including high fevers) were not immediately tested for Legionnaires’ and were therefore given aspirin instead of antibiotics.
Durbin says after meeting with Rauner at Quincy Vets Home he no longer seeks facility’s closing as long as state has plan to move forward. Offers federal funding help to deal with Legionnaire’s Disease. “We need to do more,” Durbin said.
When Gov. Rauner is done with his stay at the veteran’s home in Quincy, MRE says he should “bring his sleeping bag” to the shell of a vets home in Chicago where construction was halted by the state. pic.twitter.com/X78iJx4Ts0
* Quincy mayor vows support of veterans’ home: “We know the state is not hiding from this, but is doing everything they can to stop further outbreaks,” Moore continued. “The Quincy Veterans’ Home has over 131 years of experience in caring for our veterans, providing them with 210 acres in a park-like setting to live out their days with the respect and dignity they deserve. Over 500 employees dedicate their lives to taking care of our veterans and have enormous pride in the quality of care they deliver. Our committee’s goal is to work with the Quincy Veterans’ Home to tell their story, to support the staff who provide quality care to the veterans who call this their home.“
In light of today’s report by the Chicago Tribune highlighting the damages caused to Illinois farming communities by the controversial Dakota Access Pipeline, Daniel Biss is calling on candidates for governor to divest from all holdings in dirty energy companies.
“The Dakota Access Pipeline is already damaging crops and natural spaces, lowering property values, and threatening leaks and spills in Illinois’ farming communities. Despite nationwide opposition by environmental activists and protests by Native Americans for building on sacred ground, J.B. cared more about his own profits. J.B.’s investments in the Dakota Access Pipeline are a clear conflict of interest, an unconscionable affront to affected Illinois families, and a concerning contradiction of his self-described progressive values.
“Just last year, Gov. Bruce Rauner allowed Dynergy to set its own emissions standards, so we know the consequences of having a governor who puts corporate profits over protecting the environment and Illinois families. To eliminate these conflicts of interests and ensure Illinois is a leader in clean energy, Bruce Rauner, J.B. Pritzker and Chris Kennedy should divest from all holdings in dirty energy companies as they run for governor.”
* Pritzker campaign yesterday…
For years, our failed governor, @BruceRauner, has resisted policies and worked against protecting our planet.
Illinois deserves a real leader, and when I'm governor, I will be 100% committed in the fight to protect our environment. pic.twitter.com/uHrnfHm7FD
Last night, J.B. Pritzker was talking a big game on climate change. But what he won’t tell anyone is that he’s personally profiting from his investments in a company that’s helping construct the Keystone Pipeline, three companies that use fracking, and Exxon and Chevron.
J.B. Pritzker likes to talk about how he’s a die-hard progressive. But the truth is, he’ll pull the wool over the eyes of Democrats if it makes him more money.
Will Allison
Communications Director
Citizens for Rauner
*** UPDATE 1 *** Biss campaign…
Daniel Biss spokesman Tom Elliott issued the following statement today, reiterating the campaign’s position that any candidate for governor, from any party, should not be supporting and profiting from investments in the Dakota Access Pipeline:
“Yesterday, Daniel Biss called for all candidates to divest from any and all holdings in dirty energy companies, including the Dakota Access Pipeline. This isn’t just directed at J.B. Pritzker - Daniel also believes that Chris Kennedy should divest from his own investments in Exxon Mobil, Halliburton, ConocoPhillips, and Occidental Petroleum, as well as for Bruce Rauner to divest from his holdings in some of those very same companies, including Halliburton, Exxon Mobil, and his own stake in the Dakota Access Pipeline.
“Speaking of Rauner, the only thing more ridiculous than his hypocrisy on this attack is his failure to note that Pritzker is invested in the Dakota Access Pipeline, not Keystone. Apparently the governor isn’t a big details guy, which must be why he lets polluters like Dynergy write their own rules, so he doesn’t have to be bothered.”
*** UPDATE 2 *** IMA’s Mark Denzler…
Political pandering is unfortunately expected at this time of year. However, politicians may want to consider that millions of Illinoisans have heat in their homes and businesses this week during record cold temperatures thanks to these “energy companies” that supply our grid throughout the year and especially during peak times. Perhaps they don’t realize that petroleum products are used to grease wind turbines and petroleum-based chemicals are used on solar panels. Further, the companies mentioned are spending billions of dollars investing in sustainable and alternative energy research and own or operate wind farms, solar panels, geothermal technology, and hydroelectric power.
Illinois doesn’t need political fairy dust. We need real leaders and real solutions to the challenges facing the state. And Illinois needs to keep an “all of the above” domestic approach when it comes to energy that includes nuclear, coal, oil, natural gas, and renewables.
Hb4214 Illinois. Deputy Majority Leader @StateRepLouLang filed a sports betting bill today. Just a caption. No language yet. Go Lou. Purses will need a cut BTW.
It seems like a new sports betting bill — or at least the possibility of one — surfaces almost daily in US jurisdictions in recent weeks.
The latest example comes in Illinois, which has not seriously tackled the topic of sports betting to date […]
Like efforts around the country, Illinois would need a change to federal law in order to offer sports gambling. That could come as soon as the first half of this year, if the US Supreme Court strikes down the federal ban in the New Jersey sports betting case.
More than a dozen states have eyed legal sports betting in recent weeks. […]
How sports betting would go down in Illinois is not clear, but the state has casinos, video gaming terminals and horse racing tracks, all of which would likely want to be involved with sports wagering if possible. There is also the Illinois Lottery.
* The Question: If the federal ban is killed off, should Illinois legalize sports betting? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.
A top behavioral health advocate group told Illinois lawmakers at public hearing in Chicago on Thursday that multiple insurance companies managing the state’s Medicaid program owe community care providers an estimated $10 million on overdue bills stretching back to 2014.
Community Behavioral Healthcare (CBHA) CEO Marvin Lindsey revealed to members of the House Human Services Appropriations Committee that have some MCOs have made progress on paying providers since the panel’s last legislative hearing in March 2017.
“While some Managed Care Organizations have made progress in paying outstanding claims, before the start of the new contract date, our members are still owed $10 million that date back as far as three years,” said Lindsey.
The House panel, chaired by State Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago), is reviewing the Illinois Department of Health and Family Services’ new, $60 billion Medicaid managed care contract with seven different insurance companies that took effect January 1, 2018.
Among those behavioral health providers with outstanding bills payable by managed care insurance companies is Lutheran Social Services of Illinois, which is currently owed $2.3 million. Of that amount, $1,026,000 is 90 days or more overdue and $436,615 is more than 365 days overdue.
“According to their contract with the Illinois Department of Health and Family Services, managed care companies are required to pay 90% of claims within 30 days and 99% of claims within 90 days,” Lutheran Social Services of Illinois Home and Community Services Vice President Tim Sheehan. “Fortunately, some Medicaid managed care organizations have made a concerted effort to pay down outstanding claims while others have not.”
Lindsey also noted that the state has contracted a private auditor to examine MCOs’ estimated liabilities to providers and that a report is scheduled to be released next month, but that the auditor has yet to contact community behavioral health providers.
“I am not aware of the auditing firm contacting one of our members,” said Lindsey. “And an interim report is due February 2018 and the clock is ticking on both the report and our members getting paid.”
The Department of Family Services hired Meyers and Stauffer, LLC, effective November 1, 2017, to audit the current MCOs to estimate liabilities for services provided by community behavioral health providers from July 1, 2014 to December 31, 2017.
“Last March, we testified before this committee on the MCO contract on what we believed would lead to a smoother process and transitions for community behavioral health providers, and providers getting paid for services delivered was near the top of that list,” said Lindsey. “Over the last 9 months, some managed care companies have made progress in paying back claims, but the fact remains other insurance companies are seriously lagging behind and community behavioral health providers are still owed $10 million.”
Gov. Bruce Rauner said last month that’s he’s not in charge. Maybe Nancy Kimme is.
Since Rauner’s election Kimme, who reportedly worked out of the governor’s office for much of his term, has amassed $17 billion in state contracts for her lobbying clients. (See chart here)
It is widely known in Springfield circles that she trades on her relationship with the Rauners to amass clients for her business.
It seems that wherever there is a lucrative state contract to be had, one finds Nancy Kimme wetting her beak. And so it is the case with the $2 billion deal for a private operator to manage the Illinois Lottery per a Chicago Tribune investigation.
Nancy Kimme is yet another commentary on Gov. Rauner’s abdication of leadership and betrayal of Illinois Republicans.
“Gov. Rauner isn’t in charge so institutional interests in Springfield, the men and women of always, filled the power vacuum left by the governor to line their pockets at taxpayer expense,” said conservative reform GOP gubernatorial candidate Jeanne Ives. “Rather than shaking up Springfield and turning around Illinois, Gov. Rauner has allowed Springfield insiders to shake down Illinois families while he turned away from the fight.”
Nobody’s gonna doubt or dispute that Nancy Kimme is a hugely influential Statehouse insider. She knows everybody and she’s shown a real talent for lobbying.
But $12 billion of that “$17 billion in state contracts” is attributed to Family Health Network, which the linked article (from one of Dan Proft’s papers) claims has secured those contracts over the “past three fiscal years.” Trouble is, Kimme was only registered as a lobbyist for that entity last year for less than two months. And since this is Medicaid, all it had to do was provide services to get paid. It wasn’t like it bid on contracts all those years.
The rest of those contracts are for businesses and not-for-profit groups that all have a bunch of Statehouse lobsters.
A top staffer for the Illinois Lottery failed to disclose her relationships and contact with lobbyists for a firm that was bidding for a massive contract to manage the lottery, a state investigation has found.
The lack of disclosure led the state’s top contract officer to suspend the contract with the British lottery firm Camelot, potentially worth at least $2 billion, according to records reviewed by the Tribune. The state reinstated the contract last week after a five-week investigation by an outside law firm determined the lapses were not significant enough to affect the fairness of the bidding process, the records show.
Um, “not significant enough to affect the fairness of the bidding process”? Read the law firm’s actual report and you’ll see this…
The Investigation Found No Evidence Of Outside Infuences By Lobbyists On The Evaluation Committee
Our investigation found no evidence that any evaluation committee member was improperly influenced by a lobbyist for Camelot, or that the work of the evaluation committee was influenced by lobbyists for Camelot.
As noted above; we reviewed the evaluation committee members’ technical response scores. The scores are summarized in the chart in Section III. C. above. The scores for Odom and Mahoney are consistent with their fellow committee members, and their scores do not suggest that they particularly favored Camelot’s proposal. Odom’s average score of 6.188 out of 8 for Camelot’s proposal was in the middle, third highest, among the five-member committee’s scoring. Mahoney’s average score of 5.438 out of 8 for Camelot’s proposal was the lowest of the five member committee.
A complete nothingburger.
* But, of course, another candidate backed by Proft is weighing in as well…
“Illinois families suffer when Jim Durkin and his staff act without transparency or integrity,” said conservative Republican candidate Mickey Straub. “This behavior is rampant in Springfield and is again on display in Durkin’s office. News reports this week detail how Durkin staffer Michael Mahoney declined to disclose his friendship with a lobbyist representing a firm bidding for a ‘massive contract’ that Mahoney himself was partially responsible for vetting.
“These stunning conflicts of interest and continued lack of transparency come from the top. Jim Durkin and his staff are not acting in the best interest of families or this state, whether it be abusing his legislative position in a ‘horrible conflict of interest’ to make money for his law firm, Arnstein & Lehr LLP, helping a strip club consultant and Madigan ally secure an influential meeting, or a staffer who makes decisions on state contracts that benefit his friends.
“Unfortunately, Durkin has consistently shown himself to be more interested in helping other career politicians and well-connected insiders. This culture of corruption and consistent conflicts of interest is why I’m running. I’m going to Springfield to represent the citizens, not self-interest and to promote Lincoln’s core values. It’s time for honesty and transparency in Springfield.”
First, keep in mind that Mahoney’s score was the lowest of anybody’s on that selection committee. Now, as for the alleged “stunning conflicts of interest,” let’s go back to the outside investigative report…
Mahoney’s personal relationship with Elk and Winters was not an actual conflict of interest, but the relationship had the potential to create the appearance of a conflict of interest.
The potential to create an appearance. Whew. Off with his head!
* From the Illinois Policy Institute’s news service…
Anti-violence advocate Denise Rotheimer filed a complaint with Legislative Inspector General Julie Porter Wednesday against the panel Porter answers to: the Legislative Ethics Commission. In her complaint Rotheimer says the eight-lawmaker panel broke state law when they failed to appoint an acting legislative inspector general for three years, leaving dozens of complaints to go unaddressed.
“To allow for that vacancy to remain for three years shows that they are not serious about having these complaints investigated,” she said Thursday. […]
In addition to the new complaint, Rotheimer’s also asking that the commission members recuse themselves from her harassment complaint against state Sen. Ira Silverstein, D-Chicago, since hers was one of the complaints they shelved.
“Why should I feel as though they would take my complaint seriously if they allowed that position to remain vacant for three years,” she said.
These cases are typically handled in anonymity to protect both sides of a complaint, but Rotheimer has decided to forgo that in hopes that it will shed more light on a process that’s been criticized as ineffective and riddled with conflicts of interest in favor of the accused.
Most notably is the fact that Porter must ask the commission before she can investigate Rotheimer’s case against Silverstein. A split vote means the case goes nowhere. This step has been criticized by not only victims and their representatives, but lawmakers on the ethics commission itself.
“There are a lot of people still stuck in the dark, silently suffering because there has been no real reform,” Rotheimer said.
However, just one day later, Governor Bruce Rauner trashed the tax bill, specifically calling out how it will hurt the middle-class and kill jobs across our state. In a radio interview, Rauner said the tax bill is “going to hurt a lot of middle-class families… and it’s going to push more employers out of the state. That’s going to hurt job creation and that’s going to increase the cost of living for the people of Illinois.” Rauner then added that the bill is “punishing” to Illinois.
“I agree with Governor Rauner that Paul Ryan’s tax scam is going to hurt millions of middle-class families and kill jobs,” said Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. “I’m disappointed that my opponent endorsed a plan that will raise taxes on 86 million middle-class households to pay for tax breaks for the ultrawealthy. Perhaps worst of all, by adding trillions of dollars to the national debt, this tax scam is designed to put programs like Medicare and Social Security on the chopping block. I’m proud to fight for hardworking families every day because we don’t need another rubberstamp for Paul Ryan’s Washington agenda.”
* Democratic candidates always know when they’ve touched a raw nerve when the Tribune publishes an indignant editorial…
Chris Kennedy’s divisive fantasy
We know it’s early, but we hope the 2018 governor’s race doesn’t get any uglier than it did this week, when Democratic hopeful Chris Kennedy hallucinated aloud about Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s secret plan to drive minorities out of Chicago.
Kennedy’s Wednesday news conference was supposed to be about violence, but veered off into irresponsible and baseless conjecture about the exodus of black families from the city’s South and West sides.
“I believe that black people are being pushed out of Chicago intentionally by a strategy that involves disinvestment in communities being implemented by the city administration,” Kennedy said.
That population loss is real. The “strategic gentrification plan” is imaginary. It’s a cynical and divisive pitch for votes, and it conveniently commits the candidate to nothing.
I’m not defending Kennedy’s claims. To say that there’s a deliberate plan with a name and everything is pretty darned weird. But I do recognize that Tribune editorial board positions generally don’t win Democratic primaries.
Also, how many angry Tribune editorials did we see published over the past three years while a sitting governor repeatedly bashed Chicago in order to gin up his Downstate base?
…Adding… Wordslinger in comments below…
I don’t get it. The troncs have long contended that Chicago Democrats are driving citizens out of the state.
Last I checked, black Chicagoans were Illinois citizens and they’ve been leaving the city and state in droves. In 1980, the black population of Chicago was 1.2M. Today, it is 850K.
What actually is the tronc position? Chicago Democrats are driving people out, but they’re not doing it on purpose?
Cook County Commissioner Jesus “Chuy” Garcia endorsed Chris Kennedy for governor back in September — and he has a well-known history with Mayor Rahm Emanuel, whom he forced into a 2015 runoff election.
So it was more a resumption of old hostilities than it was a shock to hear Garcia on Thursday back Kennedy’s incendiary claim that Emanuel is overseeing a “strategic gentrification plan” to force poor black and minority residents out of Chicago to make the city “whiter” and wealthier.
“The statement is correct,” Garcia said of Kennedy’s headline-making comments. Speaking at an event to promote a slate of young Latino Southwest Side progressives he is endorsing alongside his own run for retiring U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez’s congressional seat, Garcia added, “The mayor has had seven years to fulfill many of the promises that he made when he first ran for mayor.
“The lack of investment in Chicago’s poorest communities obviously drives people to leave the city seeking communities that are safer, that are more affordable, that have more opportunities.”
Kennedy’s criticism of city and county power brokers is on target, even if not for the reasons he suggests.
The property tax assessment system is, for all practical purposes, a continuing criminal enterprise that represents a bonanza for political insiders. The city, for all its fine qualities, fails in many respects to serve its citizens well.
Pointing out these problems may not get Kennedy the Democratic gubernatorial nomination. But it raises subjects that the city’s scandal-weary taxpayers need to hear.
Of course, when Kennedy is talking about exclusively Cook County and Chicago issues, he’s not talking about the serious problems that plague Illinois. But Cook County is where the votes are, particularly in the primary.
So look for Kennedy and his fellow candidates to keep leveling fire at the bosses in the hope they will diminish Pritzker, the bosses’ favored candidate in the race for governor.
One of the less-affluent candidates for Governor is sounding off about taxes, media coverage and more. […]
“As rigorous as I have campaigned in this state, not just here in the city…many of you have been with me a number of times weekly, we don’t draw the attention because we are just a middle class candidate,” Daiber said.
Daiber told reporters there is nothing wrong with being a millionaire or billionaire, but it has nothing to do with qualifications for office. And he says it is important to know that the rich are paying their fair share of taxes. So, he says, it is important for candidates to disclose more of their tax information than the others in this race have done so far.
“We don’t draw the attention because we’re just a middle-class candidate. There is not this just awe about you because you’re a billionaire. It has nothing to do with your qualifications. It has nothing to do (with) whether you’re on TV or how many times people see you on TV,” he said Wednesday. […]
Despite his frustration, Daiber said it “hasn’t stopped me from staying in this race. It hasn’t stopped me from getting my message to the residents in the state of Illinois. We campaign hard each and every day to get our message out.” […]
“I can’t say that any candidate approached me to drop out, but I can tell you many higher-level elected officials have contacted me and have encouraged me to support the party,” he replied.
Asked what that meant, Daiber said he assumed it was an invitation to drop out and “support a candidate who was looked at as having been endorsed by the county chairmen’s association.”
First, he’s not getting coverage because he hasn’t been doing anything worth covering. Look at his Twitter page. It’s mostly bereft of policy ideas or newsworthiness. He doesn’t send out press releases on topics of the day. Until yesterday, he hasn’t held press conferences. If you want coverage, do something. He did do something yesterday, so he got some coverage. This ain’t rocket science…
* We read all the time about how we should do this or that to stop people from moving out of Illinois. But one of the best places to start is higher education…
In 2002, 71 percent of Illinois high school graduates who attended four-year universities chose in-state schools, according to the Illinois Board of Higher Education. By 2015, the most recent year data were available, just 55 percent chose Illinois colleges.
This is yet another long-term problem which was exacerbated by the impasse. We need to ask college-bound kids and their families what they want and then try our best to give it to them.
Today, the JB Pritzker campaign released two new TV ads, “All Ideas” and “Real Change.” The ads highlight how JB and Juliana will beat Bruce Rauner and bring real change to Illinois, and will air in markets across the state.
Throughout the campaign, JB and Juliana have released detailed plans to move Illinois forward, including how they will expand healthcare, grow the economy and create jobs, and support quality childcare and preschool. “All Ideas” features JB and Juliana direct to camera highlighting their plans for Illinois and “Real Change” features supporters sharing JB’s vision and commitment to moving Illinois forward.
“I’m focused on beating Bruce Rauner and getting Illinois back on track,” said JB Pritzker. “Throughout this campaign, I’ve put forward real policy plans to repair Rauner’s damage and bring real change to Illinois. I’m thrilled by the energy and support our campaign has received from people across the state, and I know we’re ready to come together to move Illinois forward.”
“J.B. Pritzker’s so-called ‘detailed plan’ to increase taxes is light on details because he knows he can’t make the math work for all of his new spending. Pritzker says he’ll hike taxes even higher than Madigan, but won’t say by how much. Pritzker’s tax hike plan lacks specifics because he knows it will decimate Illinois jobs and small businesses. Illinois taxpayers can’t afford J.B. Pritzker working hand in hand with Mike Madigan in Springfield to hike taxes even higher.” - Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Aaron DeGroot
Today, J.B. Pritzker’s campaign for governor released two new television ads touting a “detailed plan” to hike taxes even higher than Mike Madigan’s recent 32% tax hike.
So how detailed is Pritzker’s tax hike plan?
Not detailed at all. In fact, Pritzker’s tax hike plan doesn’t even say what the tax rates will be. He just promises that taxes will be going up, decimating Illinois small businesses in the process, as one independent group said about a similar tax hike plan.
So where exactly are J.B. Pritzker’s so-called “detailed plans” to hike taxes? How high is Pritzker willing to increase taxes? Does Pritzker think further tax hikes won’t destroy jobs or increase the exodus of Illinois families to other states? These are questions Pritzker must answer.
Since J.B. Pritzker is light on details, perhaps Illinois voters should give his political patron, Mike Madigan, a call.
