Erika Harold would be dangerous for Illinois. If elected Attorney General, she will be an extension of Bruce Rauner’s failed leadership and Donald Trump’s bigotry.
Harold once said that she would place foster children in the home of child abusers rather than with a loving gay couple. This rhetoric is despicable. This kind of blatant hatred is not who we are as a state, and no one who believes it should represent Illinoisans in office.
Candidates like Erika Harold are why Blue Wave Illinois 2018 is so important. This November, voters are going to be faced with a choice. Will we elect people like Erika Harold and Donald Trump, who spew bigotry and seek to divide us, or will we elect those who honor the American values of inclusion, diversity, and justice?
The choice is clear. Chip in today to make sure we elect me and other leaders who represent our values.
Up and down the ballot, Democrats are running who will fight to make sure Illinois becomes a state that is on the side of hardworking Illinoisans. Candidates like Kwame Raoul, the Democratic candidate for Attorney General, will stand with our families and stand up to Donald Trump.
Candidates like Erika Harold do not represent our values. But this November, we have to elect candidates who do. Together, we can make Illinois a Democratic stronghold, and a place where all people, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, or background feel welcome.
Support Blue Wave Illinois 2018 today and be on the right side of history this November.
In the race for governor, two very wealthy men are proposing two very different ideas for how to solve the single most elusive, expensive financial problem plaguing the state.
J.B. Pritzker, the Democratic challenger, is focused on how to pay the burden down; incumbent Republican Governor Bruce Rauner wants to change the way it piles up.
“What I have agreed with the Senate Democrats, Senate President Cullerton,” is to do what is called a consideration model,” Rauner said on Tuesday. “Basically, go to our hard working state employees and say ‘Let’s tie your salary increases to the type of pension that you choose to be in, either Tier One or Tier Two or Tier Three, and customize compensation to fit depending on what the employee would prefer for a pension and a pay structure.’ […]
While he has not yet said how high he would go in raising the annual pension payments, Pritzker says he would prefer a dramatic increase all at once instead of the continually upward sliding scale that puts increasing year-over-year pressure on the legislature to make spending cuts elsewhere.
“There is really only one good way to do it and that is to step up payments, Pritzker told Crain’s. “Think about the principal payments on your home. Step up principal payments earlier than they are due and try to flatten out the amortization schedule on an annual basis. Flatten it. The result of that will be that we can manage the budget of the state. Because that is really what is at stake here.”
By the way, Pritzker said he’d pay for it with a progressive income tax. He says that about a lot of things. But it’s all magic fairy dust until we see the actual plan, and maybe even then it’ll still be magic dust.
* In related news, here’s a small excerpt from Democratic congressional candidate Brendan Kelly’s “Save Southern Illinois” plan…
Put failing pension plans back on solid ground to ensure they can meet their commitments to retirees today and workers for decades to come, in part by setting up a Pension Rehabilitation Administration (PRA)
“If we as a country bailed out Wall Street, bailed out Detroit, we can take care of the American worker who did what they were supposed to do,” Kelly said, adding that, “They earned it. They deserve it.”
But I didn’t see anything in the article about whether this idea is for both public and private pension systems.
So, I checked with the campaign and was told that this is only about private pension plans. The Illinois pension system is Illinois’ responsibility, the spokesperson said.
On or before October 31, 2015 and on or before October 31 of each subsequent year, the State Board of Education, through the State Superintendent of Education, shall prepare a report on student discipline in all school districts in this State, including State-authorized charter schools. This report shall include data from all public schools within school districts, including district-authorized charter schools. This report must be posted on the Internet website of the State Board of Education. The report shall include data on the issuance of out-of-school suspensions, expulsions, and removals to alternative settings in lieu of another disciplinary action, disaggregated by race and ethnicity, gender, age, grade level, limited English proficiency, incident type, and discipline duration. [Emphasis added.]
Last summer, several women gathered at Delia Barajas’ home. As part of the community group Ixchel, they tackle education issues like school discipline in the mostly Hispanic communities of Cicero and Berwyn.
But as the women searched the Illinois State Board of Education’s website for data about how students in their area had been disciplined, they hit a wall. They found the race and ethnicity of students who’d been disciplined in their local districts had been redacted. […]
State officials say they have to redact race and ethnicity data to comply with federal and state requirements about protecting student privacy. They’ve decided that to do that, they won’t reveal any student groups that are smaller than 10 — a common practice in government reports. But Illinois officials say they also have to remove data on student groups much larger than 10 to protect the identity of students in smaller groups. As a result, few school districts have any race or ethnicity data.
Here’s how that looks in practice: Say a school district gave out 309 suspensions and 100 went to black children, 100 went to Hispanic children, 100 went to white children and nine went to multiracial children. State officials have redacted all of the race and ethnicity data in their reports to protect the nine multiracial students. They say a “reasonable person” could look at the total, do the math and identify individual students.
The state refused to supply the data to the Chicago Reporter, but Loyola University Chicago clinical law professor Miranda Johnson “managed to pry loose some of the state’s discipline data for black, white and Hispanic students,” according to the article.
Four years ago, Illinois passed the first in a series of discipline reforms meant to reduce student suspensions and expulsions from public schools.
The law tasks state officials with two responsibilities: Make school discipline data available to the public, and require districts with the consistently highest suspension and expulsion rates to improve.
At the time, there was national momentum to address discipline disparities, especially for black students, who are suspended and expelled from school far more often than their white classmates. In 2014, the Obama administration issued guidance to reduce discipline that removes students from class and interrupts their learning. Advocates and lawmakers knew Illinois needed to make drastic changes after a 2012 report by The Civil Rights Project at UCLA found the state’s suspension rate for black students was the highest in the nation.
But the 2014 law hasn’t had the outcomes legislators intended. The Illinois State Board of Education redacts the race and ethnicity of nearly all students who’ve been suspended or expelled, so parents and school communities can’t see what’s happening in their local districts. On top of that, the state board hasn’t required districts with the consistently highest suspension and expulsion rates to make any changes. [Emphasis added.]
With respect to school discipline improvement plans, makes changes to how the State Board of Education determines the top 20% of school districts, when notification is given that a plan must be submitted, which school districts are required to submit a plan, the timeframe for school board approval of a plan and submission of that plan to the State Board, and when additional annual progress reports are required
Gov. Bruce Rauner has a new strategy for getting reelected this fall: Ask sitting lawmakers to sign a pledge agreeing to term-limits pledge and to getting rid of Mike Madigan.
The Republican governor appeared Wednesday in Ottawa for a campaign stop in which he and two House Republicans, Jerry Long of Streator and Tom Demmer of Rochelle, together signed “The People’s Pledge.”
The pledge is a two-pronged, non-binding resolution. First, to push a referendum for voters to impose term limits (suggested cap: eight years in office. Secondly, lawmakers must “vote for someone — anyone — other than Speaker Michael Madigan for Speaker of the House.”
“Don’t talk about it, don’t give it lip service, don’t pretend — sign it,” Rauner said, adding later, “Anyone who won’t sign this pledge isn’t working for their constituents.” […]
“The governor and I have not always seen eye-to-eye on everything,” Long said as Rauner nodded agreeably. “This particular issue we stand solid on.”
Once again, with feeling: “Madigan, taxes, corruption, toilets. Lather, rinse, repeat.”
Mike Barkau, of Ottawa, asked Long prior to the signing how he planned to “stop” Madigan and Rauner said the signing of the petition was the best way to do so.
Barkau explained to The Times after the meeting that he’s dealing with a “monster” property tax issue and voted for Long in 2016 because he wanted to tip the scales and see Madigan’s term in office end.
Barkau said he remains confident it can be done.
“I’m hoping we can keep chipping away at it,” Barkau said. “I’d like to see it move a little faster but as long as we keep chipping away.”
Republican candidate Patrick Windhorst recently joined Gov. Bruce Rauner and other state representatives in seeking the removal of House Speaker Mike Madigan by putting term limits on the ballot.
Windhorst, running against state Rep. Natalie Phelps-Finnie (D-Elizabethtown) in the 118th House District, recently joined Rauner and fellow GOP Reps. Dave Severin (R-Benton) and Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) in inking “The People’s Pledge” that vows to oust Madigan from power and to put the issue of term limits on the ballot.
“For far too long, Illinoisans have been forced to suffer the consequences of Speaker Madigan’s endless pursuit of consolidated power,” Windhorst wrote on Facebook. “By signing The People’s Pledge I am standing with the vast majority of Illinoisans, Democrats and Republicans, who know Illinois’ future has no room for entrenched special interests.”
“Politicians like Mike Madigan run for office year after year, accumulating more power and personally enriching themselves off public service,” David Friess of Red Bud said. “Madigan himself has been in power since 1971. That’s 47 years in office and that’s wrong.”
Rauner also expressed support for the pledge. […]
Rep. Jerry Costello II (D-Smithton) said he does not plan to sign the pledge.
“I do not sign pledges of any sort,” he said. “I believe this whole pledge gimmick is designed to distract from the record.”
The most “equal” town in Illinois is Johnson, in the deep south. Its average income for the top 1 percent is $279,021, while the average for everyone else is $36,881, giving it a top-to-bottom ratio of 7.6.
Hat tip to Jake, who notes the obvious: In Illinois, the top 1% take home more than 21% of all the income in the state…but pay the same state income tax rate.
To the east, the Illinois gubernatorial contest appears increasingly uncompetitive. Gov. Bruce Rauner (R-IL) began the 2018 cycle as the most endangered incumbent Republican in the country and his position has really only worsened since then. Rauner only narrowly won renomination in the March primary against state Rep. Jeanne Ives (R), indicating the GOP base’s frustration with the incumbent.
Following the primary, the Crystal Ball shifted its rating in Illinois from Toss-up to Leans Democratic. Since the primary, every general election poll has found billionaire businessman J.B. Pritzker (D) comfortably ahead of Rauner.
While Rauner has a great deal of personal wealth, Pritzker’s bank account has an extra zero in it, and the Democratic nominee outspent Rauner $20.1 million to $7.8 million in the second quarter of 2018. What’s more, because many Republicans are displeased with Rauner, political space has opened for the third-party bid by state Sen. Sam McCann (R). As the Conservative Party nominee, the state senator is running to the right of Rauner on fiscal and social issues, though McCann has a pro-union record. McCann seems likely to peel at least a few Republican votes away from the incumbent, making Rauner’s reelection path even more difficult.
The Crystal Ball typically gives incumbents the benefit of the doubt, but there has been no good news for Rauner in 2018. The Land of Lincoln contest is now rated as Likely Democratic.
With the three ratings changes in Arizona, Illinois, and Iowa, the Crystal Ball now rates nine gubernatorial races as Toss-ups, with 18 others favoring Republicans to some degree and nine more favoring Democrats to some extent. We now view Illinois as the likeliest party flip among the 36 gubernatorial contests in 2018.
* DGA…
“Bruce Rauner needed a turnaround this summer, but the most vulnerable incumbent is finding he cannot escape his three years of failed leadership,” said DGA Illinois Communications Director Sam Salustro. “With no positive record to run on, Rauner has been reduced to running desperate negative ads and cozying up to Donald Trump.”
The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that the unemployment rate held steady at 4.3 percent in June and nonfarm payrolls increased by +18,100 jobs over-the-month, based on preliminary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and released by IDES. The May job gain was revised down slightly from its initial report to show a smaller gain. (+7,700 jobs versus +8,600 jobs).
Job growth accelerated in the April to June period posting average monthly gains of +9,500 jobs over this three-month period, more than the 6-month average monthly gain of +7,500 jobs between January and June 2018.
“June’s payroll gain is the largest in 12 months and the third largest in 24 months,” said IDES Director Jeff Mays. “Illinois’ unemployment rate held steady in June and stands at its lowest point in 12 years.”
“This positive trend of 12-year lows and new job growth is encouraging,” said Illinois Department of Commerce Director Sean McCarthy. “Our commitment to the people of Illinois remains building a competitive economy that attracts opportunity and allows our hard-working citizens to thrive.”
In June, the three industry sectors with the largest over-the-month gains in employment were: Government (+7,400); Leisure and Hospitality (+6,300); and Professional and Business Services (+5,300). The industry sector with the largest payroll decline was: Trade, Transportation and Utilities (-5,000).
Over-the-year, nonfarm payroll employment increased by +58,300 jobs with the largest gains in these industry sectors in June: Government (+12,900); Leisure and Hospitality (+11,800); and Education and Health Services (+9,400). The industry sectors with the largest over-the-year declines were: Information Services (-3,800) and Mining (-200). Illinois nonfarm payrolls were up +1.0 percent over-the-year in sharp contrast to the nation’s +1.6 percent over-the-year gain in June. This was the second consecutive month for an increase of this magnitude in Illinois.
The “education and healthcare” category was up 3,000 over the month and 9,400 over the past year.
It will be interesting when JB wins to watch how legislators who rely on leadership for money respond when JB and Speaker Madigan have a split on opinions. #Twillhttps://t.co/3u9ii2LAxy
As an example, Speaker Madigan pays a lot of lip service to raising the minimum wage, but more often than not defers to the business community (particularly IRMA) when it comes time to pass a real bill. Several of his more liberal members are not pleased with this and similar Madigan moves.
* The Question: Assuming for argument’s sake that the billionaire Pritzker is elected, what do you think rank and file House Democrats will do when he and MJM eventually have a significant difference of opinion on legislation?
* From the May 21st edition of the National Black Chamber of Commerce’s newsletter…
There is no elected official in our nation who is showing the commitment of Governor Bruce Rauner, Governor, State of Illinois. His recent Executive Order [to establish parity for African-American contractors] should be used as an example for all mayors, county executives and governors throughout our nation. We, the federation of the National Black Chamber of Commerce, should show our appreciation and recognize his wisdom. We are preparing a thank you letter and, hereby, ask for all NBCC chapters and other business associations to join in.
That item was forwarded to this publication the day that Gov. Rauner took heat for replying “Exactly” when asked “Hold on, Governor. You said you did more than any other governor for black folks?”
* So, today’s event could dredge that up all over again. From the governor’s public schedule…
What: Gov. Rauner receives Arthur A. Fletcher Lifetime Achievement Award, addresses the National Black Chamber of Commerce 26th Annual Conference
Where: U.S. Senate Hart Office Building, Room SD-106, 120 Constitution Ave. NE, Washington, D.C.
Date: Thursday, July 19, 2018
Time: 10:45 a.m. CDT/11:45 a.m. EDT
Note: No additional media availability. Media should enter building on Constitution Avenue.
…Adding… Press release excerpt…
The National Black Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) today gave its prestigious Arthur A. Fletcher Lifetime Achievement Award to Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner. The award is conferred on leaders who, in NBCC’s estimation, have demonstrated an undeniable commitment to diversity in the procurement sector.
The award was presented by Larry Ivory, a previous Fletcher Award winner and the CEO of the Illinois Black Chamber of Commerce.
“In this decade, there has been no elected official who has done more for the development of Black-owned businesses than Gov. Bruce Rauner,” said Harry Alford, NBCC co-founder and CEO.
“His example is one for all elected officials to emulate,” added NBCC co-founder Kay DeBow. “His sheltered markets program and his recent executive order addressing procurement fairness for Black-owned businesses in Illinois demonstrate his dedication to diversity and the role that business plays in achieving enterprise and, ultimately, social objectives.”
* Meanwhile, you have probably seen the story this morning about how Chance the Rapper bought the assets of the defunct Chicagoist…
On Wednesday night, fans of Chance the Rapper were treated to a surprise release of four new singles.
The songs, available on all streaming platforms, include “Work Out,” “Wala Cam,” “65th and Ingleside” and “I Might Need Security.”
But within the NSFW lyrics of “I Might Need Security,” there was an even bigger surprise waiting to be discovered.
“I bought the Chicagoist/just to run you racist b—-es [rhymes with witches] out of business.”
I don’t get no paper I gotta sign at the bottom
Still in my bag like the fries at the bottom
And I can’t do nothing right, they gon’ always be at me
I missed a Crain’s interview, they tried leaking my addy
I donate to the schools next, they call me a deadbeat daddy
But Sun-Times get in that Rauner business
I got a hit-list so long I don’t know how to finish
I bought the Chicagoist just to run you racist [rhymes with witches] out of business
Speaking of racist, [rhymes with buck] your micro aggressions
I’ll make you fix your words like a typo suggestion
Pat me on the back too hard and Pat’ll ask for your job
And in unrelated news, someone’ll beat your [rhymes with sass] at your job
I’m the real deal
I think that he’s saying that the Chicago newspapers are going after him so he bought the Chicagoist. He’s telling the Sun-Times to focus on Rauner instead of him I think.
…Adding… Word is that Chance may believe that Rauner or his people planted an unfavorable Sun-Times story about his child support payments after the two men had their public spat.
* More lyrics…
And Rahm you done I’m expectin’ resignation
An open investigation on all of these paid vacations for murderers
Gov. Bruce Rauner, who initiated the lawsuit, hopes the Janus decision will reduce the enormous influence that public-employee labor unions have on government at all levels in this state.
That’s one of the reasons his administration immediately posted information online instructing employees how they could drop union membership.
So far, however, his administration is being quiet as to what steps employees are taking. AFSCME is similarly circumspect on that question.
Union spokesman Anders Lindall stated that “just a handful” of members have decided to drop out. But he did say “hundreds of former fee-payers” — non-union members required to pay agency fees to the union — “have joined the union as new members.” He said the ratio of those joining to those leaving is “more than 10 to 1.”
Just over two weeks since the decision, about a third of the affected states – most led by Democrats — have already taken actions meant to make it harder for people to leave unions and harder for anti-union advocates to persuade them to leave. […]
For example, Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo signed two bills in early July to let police unions stop representing non-members in grievance cases. New York tucked a similar rule — for all state employees — into its 2019 budget, which was signed in March.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo also signed an executive order — on the day the justices announced their Janus decision — to prevent state agencies from releasing employees’ personal data that could be used by anti-union groups to persuade members to pull out. He said he plans to advance follow-up legislation to expand these new rules to local entities as well. […]
Some states have passed legislation to help unions make their case for membership to new employees. California, Maryland and Washington state now guarantee unions full access to hiring orientation sessions so they can explain the advantages of membership. California and Washington, as well as New Jersey, also prohibit public employers from discouraging membership. In New Jersey, violating this law comes with a financial penalty: Employers have to reimburse unions for any lost dues that result from their actions.
Today, the Rauner campaign is launching a new statewide ad titled “Works For Madigan.”
The ad documents Madigan’s record of getting rich from a corrupt property tax system and shines a light on Pritzker as Madigan’s handpicked candidate for governor. Their relationship spans years, including a company owned by Pritzker utilizing Madigan’s firm to receive massive tax breaks.
If Madigan and Pritzker get their way, hardworking Illinois families will see more of the same high taxes and corruption they’ve faced for decades.
Mike Madigan: the most corrupt politician in all America. JB Pritzker: Madigan’s handpicked machine candidate for governor. Mike Madigan: he spent decades keeping Illinois property taxes high, and became a millionaire helping corrupt insiders dodge them. JB Prtizker: he hired Madigan, dodged thousands in property taxes, helped make Madigan rich, and stuck us with the bill.
* As you know, Gov. Rauner vetoed a bill that would’ve removed Illinois from the controversial Crosscheck program. Tribune…
Democrats have contended the database is being used to deny people the ability to vote, noting that some states have been sued for wiping out voter registrations based solely on the system’s findings without following procedures spelled out in federal voting rights laws. They also say the system has faulty security, including out-of-date encryption technology and instances in which usernames and passwords were routinely emailed to states across the country. […]
The governor Tuesday rejected security concerns about CrossCheck, saying they are being put forth for “political purposes.”
“I think that’s not true and I think that’s more politically motivated. I don’t think that’s based upon security issues,” Rauner said. “As I have indicated in the past, I think it’s good and worthwhile for Illinois to be a part of the CrossCheck system.”
Questions about the state’s enrollment in CrossCheck were brought to the fore by Indivisible Chicago, a progressive group formed following President Donald Trump’s election that found various security lapses.
The Illinois State Board of Elections said Gov. Bruce Rauner’s veto of the plan to remove Illinois from the Interstate Voter Crosscheck Program won’t change much because Illinois isn’t using Crosscheck right now.
Matt Dietrich, a spokesman for the Illinois State Board of Elections, said the state of Illinois hasn’t sent any voter data to the Crosscheck program in over a year, and hasn’t used any information from Crosscheck in two years.
Dietrich said Crosscheck has been, essentially, dormant.
“Back in January, Crosscheck told us they were waiting on an assessment from the Department of Homeland Security on their security and data handling,” Dietrich said. “They said they would get back to us, and would not ask for any data or accept any data until they had a clean bill of health from DHS.” […]
Dietrich said the state board looked at dropping Crosscheck earlier this year, but the board couldn’t agree on whether it was a good idea or not.
“The real question now, for us, is what is the status of Crosscheck itself,” Dietrich said. “The ball is in their court now. They told us that when DHS says they’re good to go that we will hear from them. We never heard anything from them.”
The state board split 4-4 on partisan lines on whether to get out of Crosscheck.
Some Republicans say Rauner’s support helped revive the party and make it more competitive. Though Democrats have accused him of using this money to intimidate lawmakers to follow his agenda, which Rauner has denied. […]
For one thing, there’s not a power vacuum atop the Democratic Party — Speaker Madigan retains a firm grip. And Democrats have majorities in both chambers of the General Assembly. This leaves less room for a wealthy donor to come in and assert influence.
Brendan O’Sullivan, a Democratic strategist and fundraiser in Illinois, remembers one particular donation, a $9 million check from Rauner to support a few House and Senate races in October of 2016.
“It was a deflating to say the least for me to see that,” he said. “It was on a Friday night. And I thought, ‘Oh my God, I can’t believe I have to figure out how to bring in a new $9 million over the last weeks of this election.” […]
“I think there’s a sense of relief on the Democratic side that we have someone who can help us match what Gov. Rauner decides to spend,” he said.
I believe a lot of elected Illinois Democrats feel relieved that they won’t be outspent this time around.
[Reporter’s name was changed because of an error at the other end of the original lin, which was also changed.]
* Related…
* New Pritzker investment fund takes in $1.8 billion: Conscious of the conflicts that might seem to exist given J.B. Pritzker’s political run, Tony Pritzker said that the only Illinois investors in the second fund are family members. “J.B.’s not involved in PPC Partners and we didn’t solicit nor do we have any Illinois investors,” Tony Pritzker said. “J.B.’s very careful about this stuff.”
