* This is the 15th state trooper struck by a motorist this year alone and the second who was killed…
An Illinois State Police Trooper is dead after being struck by a semi on U.S. 20.
Illinois State Police confirmed the Trooper was killed a little after 3 p.m.
The crash happened around 1 p.m. Thursday afternoon, just west of Highway 75. Details on the crash are unknown at this time, but the crash location is next to the Total Self Storage Facility on E. Currier Road.
At 3:10 p.m. the South Beloit Police Department posted the following message on Facebook:
“The South Beloit Police Department sends our deepest sympathies for the Illinois State Police District 16 Trooper who was killed this afternoon in a crash while on a traffic stop in Stephenson County. This Trooper had assisted our Department on several incidents over the years. Please keep the Trooper’s family and the Illinois State Police in your thoughts and prayers.”
* From the scene earlier today…
#BREAKING: Traffic is backed up in the westbound lanes of US 20 near the Rt. 75 Freeport exit for a serious crash. Illinois State Police are investigating and we have crews on the way. (Photo: Beth Surrarrer Hitz) pic.twitter.com/Uydo3DW0bT
— Eyewitness News WTVO/WQRF (@MyStateline) March 28, 2019
*** UPDATE *** ISP…
Illinois State Police (ISP) Acting Director Brendan F. Kelly regretfully announces the line-of-duty death of ISP District 16 (Pecatonica) Trooper Brooke Jones-Story.
This afternoon, March 28, 2019, at approximately 11:24 a.m., Trooper Brooke Jones-Story, #5966, was inspecting a commercial motor vehicle on United States Route 20 westbound, just west of Illinois Route 75 in Stephenson County. At approximately 12:20 p.m., Trooper Jones-Story was outside her squad car when she was struck and fatally wounded when a truck tractor semi-trailer combination struck her squad car and the semi Trooper Jones-Story was inspecting.
“Today is a dark day for the Illinois State Police family. This is the six-year anniversary of the death of another Trooper, and now another brave soul, Trooper Brooke Jones-Story, has made the ultimate sacrifice for people of this state. At this very moment, the men and women of the ISP are responding and focused on the job and mission, because that’s what Trooper Jones-Story would do,” stated Acting Director Kelly.
Trooper Jones-Story was a 12-year veteran of the Illinois State Police District 16 in Pecatonica.
Labor groups are pushing a proposed super minimum wage of sorts in Springfield—an early test of just how far a pro-union agenda will reach in a Capitol that has a Democratic governor and Democratic supermajorities in both the House and Senate.
Pending in the Senate is a bill, with amendments, that would require construction workers at “high-hazard facilities” not only to be qualified journeypersons who have received advanced safety training, but also would mandate they are “paid at least a rate equivalent to the prevailing (union) hourly wage rate for a journeyperson in the applicable occupation and locality.” […]
But business groups are lining up to oppose the bill, which reportedly stems from an organizing dispute at several Illinois oil refineries but which, according to the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, would apply to workers at ethanol plants, chemical facilities and at least some other manufacturing plants. Similar measures stalled in prior Legislatures in recent years, perhaps because the state then had a Republican governor who would have vetoed it.
“This is all about organized labor using state government to mandate use of their services,” says Illinois Chamber of Commerce President Todd Maisch, who believes the bill could end up applying to many large manufacturing plants. “Along with some other issues, I think this raises the question of how many things Democrats are willing to cram down business’ throat.”
After House and Senate Democrats sent SB 1596 to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s desk, the Illinois Chamber of Commerce is petitioning the governor to veto the Workers’ Compensation reform bill.
The chamber’s recent letter to Pritzker outlines a handful of potential adverse effects on small businesses and invokes Pritzker’s campaign promise to involve employers in any reform process.
“We urge you to veto SB 1596, as business interests were provided no opportunity to negotiate the provisions of SB 1596 and its provisions will have a profound impact on the workers’ compensation system” wrote Illinois Chamber president and CEO Todd Maisch. […]
Maisch wrote that the proposed law would erode liability protection for employers in workplace injury cases. Under current Workers Compensation (WC) and Occupational Disease (OD) law in Illinois, the letter noted, employees are limited in the amount of time they have to sue their employers. […]
“Exclusive remedy protection for Illinois employers [would be] eviscerated, creating significant new exposures to liability, including punitive damages, that far exceed the benefits provided by the WC or OD Acts …” Maisch wrote.
A proposed policy change that would allow the state to capture more revenue is being called “theft of services” by retailers. The idea Gov. J.B. Pritzker uses to balance his budget remains in a committee.
Pritzker hopes to get an additional $170 million from recreational pot licenses for his budget that starts this summer. He’s also banking on $212 million from sports betting licenses. Both ideas have yet to advance at the statehouse. Then there’s the “retailers discount” the governor hopes to change to bring in $75 million.
Retailers get to keep 1.75 percent of the overall state sales tax they collect for the state for acting as the state’s sales tax collector. Illinois Retail Merchants Association’s Rob Karr said that doesn’t even cover the processing fees for electronic transactions, which he said make up almost 70 percent of sales. Pritzker wants to cap that reimbursement at $1,000 a year per retailer, Karr said.
“We are subsidizing the state somewhere between four and five cents for every electronic transaction so clearly it is a reimbursement to us and to take it away frankly or reduce it truly amounts to theft of services,” Karr said.
…Adding… From the governor’s office…
Hi,
The INN piece on the retailer’s discount you have up is wrong. The governor’s proposal caps the retailer’s discount at $1,000 per month, not $1,000 per year. Under the Governor’s proposal more than 95 percent of retailers will see no change in their discount as taxable retail sales are highly concentrated among a small percentage of high-volume retailers.
Gov. Pritzker Appoints All-New Board of Trustees to Revitalize Western Illinois University
Building on a strong team of diverse experts in their fields, Governor JB Pritzker announced his appointments to the Western Illinois University Board of Trustees.
The new board will focus its efforts on revitalizing WIU’s student recruitment and outreach efforts, focusing investments on core programs, burnishing the university’s reputation and brand throughout the state, and strengthening relationships with its surrounding communities.
Greg Aguilar will serve on the Western Illinois Board of Trustees.* Aguilar currently serves as of the Q2030 Regional Action Plan at the Quad-Cities Chamber of Commerce where he collaborates with community leaders, educators, businesses, nonprofits and grassroots organizations to build up the reputation of the Quad-Cities. He previously served as the director of talent attraction and retention for the Quad Cities Chamber where he led the Young Professionals of the Quad Cities as well as diversity initiatives for the Chamber. Prior to working at the Chamber, he served as the Northwest Regional Manager for the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity where he covered 10 counties working with community stakeholders on workforce solutions, business retention, attraction and growth. Aguilar is a founding board member of the Greater Quad-Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. His regional work in economic development, higher education, as well as diversity and inclusion has received various national recognitions including by the National Hispanic Institute and the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. In 2011 Mr. Aguilar’s work in diversity outreach at Ascentra Credit Union earned the credit union a Diamond Award from Credit Union National Association. The East Moline resident received his Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Latin American studies from the University of Iowa.
Erik Dolieslager will serve on the Western Illinois Board of Trustees.* Dolieslager brings a 19-year background in business, operations, regional marketing, public affairs and communications to the board. Since 2000, Dolieslager as served multiple regional management, sales and leadership roles within the Central States Coca-Cola Bottling Division, including district sales manager, business development manager and account manager. The former redshirt freshman Leatherneck linebacker began his career at WIU playing for the eventual all-time winningest Head Coach Randy Ball. As a WIU student athlete his focus on academics was paramount earning top tier semester GPA’s and All Conference Football Academic Honor Roll. Dolieslager brings experiences from both public and private university settings. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sports Medicine from North Park University in Chicago where he was voted two-year football team captain and earned All College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Honors while becoming a small school NFL prospect. The Quincy resident an active supporter in the multiple communities in which he serves including the Macomb Area Economic Development Corporation, Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce, Business Exchange Club and Community Business Association.
Kisha Lang will serve on the Western Illinois Board of Trustees.* Since 2014, Lang has been the principal of Bridgescape Learning Academy’s Humboldt Park campus, which has increased reading and math test scores, attendance rate and graduation rate under her leadership. She previously served as assistant principal at Proviso East High School from 2011 to 2014. Lang also taught and served as dean of students, director of operations and turnaround administrator at three Chicago Public Schools — Thurgood Marshall Middle School, Harper High School and Orr Academy High School — for the prior 17 years. The Maywood resident is completing her doctorate in educational leadership and management from Capella University in May 2019 and received her Master of Arts from Concordia University and her Bachelor of Science from Western Illinois University.
Nick Padgett will serve on the Western Illinois Board of Trustees.* Padgett is the managing director of Frontaura Capital, which he co-founded to invest in stocks in frontier countries such as Vietnam, Nigeria, and Sri Lanka that are not yet classified as emerging markets. Previously, he served as the chief financial officer with Inforte Corp, a global technology consulting firm that he helped grow from its inception through its NASDAQ IPO in 2000. Before this, he was a sell-side technology research analyst with investment bank William Blair & Co. in the mid-1990s, after beginning his career with technology consultancy Accenture. Padgett received WIU’s Alumni Achievement Award in 2014 and the College of Business and Technology’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 2012. He has served on Western’s Presidential Advisory Board since 2014 and its College of Business and Technology Dean’s Advisory Board since 2008. The Macomb native who now lives in Chicago received his Master of Business Administration from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College and his Bachelor of Science in computer science from Western Illinois University.
Polly Radosh will serve on the Western Illinois Board of Trustees.* Dr. Radosh retired from Western Illinois University in 2008 after 24 years on the faculty, where she was a professor of sociology and the founding chair of the Department of Women’s Studies. Dr. Radosh was the recipient of multiple awards and honors at WIU, including four faculty excellence awards, three College of Arts and Sciences awards for excellence, the Provost’s award for excellence in multicultural teaching, and she was named the 2007 Distinguished Faculty Lecturer. After retiring from WIU, Dr. Radosh was the Dean of the College at the State University of New York at Geneseo from 2008 to 2011. In that position, she oversaw significant campus changes to address fiscal and enrollment challenges and established review procedures for program cuts and staff reductions. The Good Hope, Ill., resident received her Ph.D. and Master of Arts in sociology from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and her Bachelor of Arts from the State University of New York at Geneseo.
Douglas Shaw will serve on the Western Illinois Board of Trustees.* Shaw spent 22 years as an IT professional for Caterpillar, beginning his career as a program analyst in 1997 and rising up the ranks to a global support team lead. Since 1999, Shaw has also taught management information systems as an adjunct lecturer at the University of Illinois at Springfield-Peoria Center. He also currently serves as Vice President of the Board of Education for Peoria Public Schools and has previously served on the boards of Leaders Change Illinois, Illinois Valley Fuller Center for Housing, the Illinois Central College Scholarship Selection Committee, and the Planning Committee for the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce’s Community Leadership School. A veteran of the United States Army, the Peoria resident received his Master of Arts in management information system from the University of Illinois at Springfield and his Bachelor of Science in computer science from Western Illinois University.
Jackie Thompson will serve on the Western Illinois Board of Trustees.* With 41 years of broad experience at Western Illinois University, Thompson began her career at WIU in 1970 in a clerical role and held several positions with increasing responsibilities throughout her career. Thompson was named Vice President for Administrative Services in 1997 and served in that role until her retirement in June 2011. She served as president of the WIU Alumni Council from 1999 to 2001 and is currently serving as president of the WIU Foundation Board. She received the WIU Community Service Award, Alumni Achievement Award and the Affirmative Action Director’s Award. She and her husband, Dave, established two scholarships for their respective high schools, sponsor the Fallen Soldiers 5K walk/run, provided funding for the WIU Wellness Program, funded the Ray “Rock” Hanson statue and provide support to the WIU Alumni Association, Athletics, Performing Arts Society and many others. The Macomb resident received her associate of science from Robert Morris College and her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science in education leadership from Western Illinois University.
*Appointments pending confirmation by the Illinois Senate.
In a sign of which way the political winds are blowing in Springfield, a major business group today came out in favor of a big increase in the state’s tax on gasoline and diesel fuel to pay for needed improvements in roads, bridges, transit and other transportation projects.
In a statement and interview—and in a piece of legislation introduced on its behalf—the Illinois Chamber of Commerce proposed a plan that would inject an additional $2 billion a year into the state budget for transportation, largely by raising the state’s motor-fuel tax from 19 cents a gallon now to 44 cents.
The measure sponsored by Rep. Andre Thapedi, D-Chicago, would partially compensate motorists by, over a five-year period, phasing out most of the state’s current 5 percent sales tax on sales, which has amounted to a tax on a tax. […]
Maisch said he has met with all four legislative caucuses and officials in Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office, none of whom have endorsed any plan but all of which listened.
By my rough calculations (4.8 billion gallons sold a year, times $2.14 a gallon - which is the approximate price without all taxes - and calculating 5 percent of that), eliminating the state sales tax on gasoline would cost the annual GRF budget roughly $500 million.
* Measure allowing local gas tax on top of state gas tax approved in committee: “This bill gives an opportunity for the locals to impose a 3 cents a gallon motor fuel tax,” said state Rep. Mike Zalewski, D-Riverside. “I intend to have fuller discussions with the transit board and all interested stakeholders including labor.” The amendment passed without debate, 8 to 7. During the vote, state Rep. Margo McDermed, R-Moneka, explained her no vote. “I’m not sure why we’re doing this one off when we need an overall solution to revenue in this area, so I’m a ‘no’,” McDermed said.
The Illinois Petroleum Marketers Association (IPMA) and the Illinois Association of Convenience Stores (IACS) released the following statement pushing back against any increase in the state’s gas tax. The latest proposal would more than double the tax Illinois residents already pay for gasoline from 19 cents a gallon to 44 cents a gallon.
“Raising the state gas tax would push more customers to purchase gasoline and other goods outside of Illinois. Illinois already has the tenth highest gas tax in the nation and is one of eight states that also adds sales tax to the price of motor fuel,” said Bill Fleischli, executive vice president, IPMA-IACS. “Any increase would adversely impact low and middle-class families trying to get to work and school, as well as have devastating consequences on our local convenience stores, particularly those along the borders that are already competing for business with our surrounding states.”
A recent poll by AAA found that nearly 74 percent of Illinoisans do not support raising taxes to make improvements to infrastructure. Gas stations and convenience stores along the border have been hit especially hard by increased taxes. The state has already seen 700 gas stations close and a reduction of 9,000 employees in this industry in the last five years. The last time the motor fuel tax was increased, convenience stores and gas stations saw volume losses of 3 to 6 percent. Further, when consumers purchase gasoline in neighboring states, they purchase other goods as well, such as candy, beverages and food, which results in additional losses of 8 to 10 percent. This makes it harder for businesses to survive and results in lost revenue for the state.
* I liked Foghat and Bad Company in the 1970s and early 1980s. But I didn’t know they were still touring, or alive. Press release…
On Saturday, August 10, Bad Company will take the Illinois State Fair Illinois Lottery grandstand stage. Opening for them will be Foghat.
Formed in 1973 with members Paul Rodgers, Mick Ralphs, Boz Burrell, and Simon Kirke, Bad Company was the first band signed to Zeppelin’s Swan Song label. Their self-titled debut album went five times platinum, cementing their success in the UK and later on the US. Their hits include “Can’t Get Enough” (#1), “Rock Steady,” “Feel Like Makin’ Love,” and more!
After taking a break and pursing other avenues in the 80’s/90’s the band got back together in 1999 to release an anthology with four new songs and start touring again.
Opening for them is Foghat. Not a group to take it easy, they released their “Under the Influence” album in 2016 and another live album in 2017. Expect an energetic show with all their hits, including the ever popular “Slow Ride.”
Tickets for the concerts listed below go on sale via Ticketmaster on Saturday, April 20 at 10:00 a.m. and at the Emmerson Building on the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield on Monday, April 22 at the following prices:
Saturday, August 10: Bad Company with Foghat
Tier 3 - $30 / Tier 2 - $35 / Tier 1 - $40 / Gen Track - $40 / VIP Track - $60
I suppose it’ll be a fun little outing if the weather is nice and the beer is cold and nothing else is going on.
An audit released Wednesday found that a plan to save $500 million a year on state employee health insurance was so ill-conceived and poorly executed that it’s costing taxpayers $10 million extra annually without delivering the service promised.
Auditor General Frank Mautino reported that former Gov. Bruce Rauner’s administration, which originally proposed a private health insurance exchange, switched gears to an online custom-benefit portal that officials said could have been created in house. It replaced a paper-based health care program for 450,000 workers and retirees, but the promised cost-saving marketplace still isn’t in place, Mautino said. […]
State lawmakers ordered the review of the $94 million, 10-year contract with Georgia-based Morneau Shepell after an Associated Press report in June 2017 found that Morneau Shepell was the only company to respond to a November 2015 solicitation by Rauner’s Department of Central Management Services, that CMS was instructed to skip state guidelines for ensuring minority business participation, and that customers complained of system glitches.
Since then, Morneau Shepell repeatedly failed to meet performance guarantees and was allowed to revise them when reporting performance goals to CMS, the audit said. A breach of contract provision outlined in the solicitation never made it into the contract.
The idea for what became the Custom Benefit Solution procurement came out of labor negotiations from the Governor’s Office and focused on achieving $500 million in annual savings. While the CMS Bureau of Benefits was unable to locate specific documentation from 2014-2015 relative to how the $500 million in annual savings would result from this procurement, it did assert that the savings were to be generated from changes to employee health insurance. The proposed changes were to create a multi-tiered system of plans, called “metal bands,” for the existing health insurance program for employees and retirees. Four tiers were to be set up – platinum, gold, silver, and bronze. The new tiered plans would have different premiums, deductibles, and co-payments levels, which the employees could choose from for their health insurance needs. The end result would have been a 60/40 split in healthcare costs borne by the employer/employee. As of December 4, 2018, over 1,000 days since the Custom Benefit Solution was awarded to Morneau Shepell, CMS reported the State has not implemented the new health plan options. Without the new plans the State has not achieved any of the anticipated savings.
Thursday, Mar 28, 2019 - Posted by Advertising Department
[The following is a paid advertisement.]
More than 270,000 Illinoisans are looking for work. But an analysis of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s progressive income tax proposal shows just how harmful it would be for Illinois’ business climate – the state’s job engine.
The nonpartisan Tax Foundation projects Illinois’ business tax climate ranking would plummet to 48th in the nation – and the worst in the region – under Pritzker’s “fair tax” rates. Only California and New Jersey would rank worse.
It’s no wonder family-owned businesses like Piasa Motor Fuels near Alton, Illinois, would look for relief across state lines. State lawmakers representing districts with strong small business communities should be wary of following the governor’s lead.
Statewide, 97 percent of Illinois taxpayers will pay the same or less in state income taxes under Gov. JB Pritzker’s fair tax plan, with only 3 percent of taxpayers paying more. County-level data shows that in over half of the state’s 102 counties, less than 1 percent of filers will pay more.
The new county-level data illustrates how a vast majority of communities stand to do even better than the statewide average if the governor’s fair tax is adopted.
A few sample counties are below:
* Adams County (Quincy): 98.44% of taxpayers will pay the same or less while millionaires who make up only 0.15% of the county will pay the top rate.
* Champaign County (Champaign, Urbana): 98.12% of taxpayers will pay the same or less while millionaires who make up only 0.15% of the county will pay the top rate.
* Cook County (Chicago, Schaumburg): 96.78% of taxpayers will pay the same or less while millionaires who make up only 0.40% of the county will pay the top rate.
* Jackson County (Murphysboro, Carbondale): 98.87% of taxpayers will pay the same or less while millionaires who make up only 0.11% of the county will pay the top rate.
* Kane County (Aurora, Geneva): 97.13% of taxpayers will pay the same or less while millionaires who make up only 0.23% of the county will pay the top rate.
* Kankakee County (Kankakee, Manteno): 99.09% of taxpayers will pay the same or less while millionaires who make up only 0.07% of the county will pay the top rate.
* LaSalle County (Ottawa): 99.06% of taxpayers will pay the same or less while millionaires who make up 0.08% of the county will pay the top rate.
* Macon County (Decatur): 98.49% of taxpayers will pay the same or less while millionaires who make up 0.15% of the county will pay the top rate.
* Madison County (Edwardsville, Granite City): 98.72% of taxpayers will pay the same or less while millionaires who make up 0.10% of the county will pay the top rate.
* McHenry County (Crystal Lake, Woodstock): 97.59% of taxpayers will pay the same or less while millionaires who make up 0.19% of the county will pay the top rate.
* McLean County (Bloomington): 97.94% of taxpayers pay the same or less while millionaires who make up 0.18% of the county will pay the top rate.
* Peoria County (Peoria): 97.32% of taxpayers pay the same or less while millionaires who make up 0.22% of the county will pay the top rate.
* Rock Island County (Moline, Rock Island): 99.07% of taxpayers will pay the same or less while millionaires who make up 0.11% of the county will pay the top rate.
* Sangamon County (Springfield): 98.13% of taxpayers will pay the same or less while millionaires who make up 0.13% of the county will pay the top rate.
* St. Clair County (Belleville): 98.80% of taxpayers pay the same or less while millionaires who make up 0.10% of the county will pay the top rate.
* Vermillion County (Danville): 99.42% of taxpayers will pay the same or less while millionaires who make up 0.05% of the county will pay the top rate.
* Winnebago County (Rockford): 98.89% of taxpayers will pay the same or less while millionaires who make up 0.08% of the county will pay the top rate.
Of the over 5.68 million filers in tax year 2016, less than 18,000 millionaires will pay the top rate while 5.52 million taxpayers — 97 percent statewide — will pay the same or less in state income taxes.
* Meanwhile, remember how Think Big Illinois slammed Sen. Dan McConchie’s proposal to require a two-thirds super-majority to impose or raise taxes? McConchie responded and I didn’t get around to posting it. Oops. Here it is now…
Our initiative is to protect middle-income families. Now that the dark money group Think Big Illinois is voicing their opposition, it proves that people should be skeptical of the Governor’s proposed graduated income tax plan. They oppose a super-majority to raise taxes, which means we are unable to trust them to not raise taxes in the future. If it requires a super-majority to implement a graduated income tax in Illinois, then it should also require a super-majority to raise those tax rates. Otherwise, this is merely a place holder for a future tax increase on the people of Illinois.
…Adding… Rep. Tim Butler (R-Springfield)…
The question is not, and never will be, about what arbitrary rates Illinois Democrats are trying to sell to families and businesses. The question is, do taxpayers trust handing a blank check to lawmakers who have proven time and time again to be unable to rein in spending and offer real reforms to the state of Illinois?
Thursday, Mar 28, 2019 - Posted by Advertising Department
[The following is a paid advertisement.]
Pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) are the primary advocate for consumers and health plans in the fight to keep prescription drugs accessible and affordable. By leveraging competition among drug-makers and drugstores, PBMs help 266 million Americans every year access needed medications. PBMs will save patients and payers $123 per brand prescription, help prevent 100 million medication errors, and negotiate prescription costs down nearly $26 billion in Illinois. That means better care for more people at a lower cost.
Think of PBMs as your advocates—they’re in your corner, clamping down on prescription drug hikes because your health is non-negotiable. Learn more at http://OnYourRxSide.org
Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) officials are reporting a confirmed case of measles in a north suburban Cook County resident with recent travel history to another country with ongoing measles transmission. The case was confirmed on Mar. 26, 2019, and is no longer infectious, but may have exposed others before realizing s/he was sick. Symptoms of measles include fever, rash, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes.
If you visited the following locationson the days and times listed below, AND are experiencing symptoms: CALL your healthcare provider BEFORE going to a medical office or emergency department to make special arrangements for evaluation and protect other patients and medical staff from possible infection […]
There is no ongoing risk of transmission at the above locations. Public health officials are working with businesses to contact employees who were present during the potential exposure times.The healthcare facilities where the patient was evaluated are working to identify all possible areas of exposure and notify susceptible patients, staff, and visitors. The Illinois Department of Public Health is working with local health departments and hospitals during this investigation and information is subject to change
Illinois has averaged a little more than five cases of measles per year over the last several years, with six cases reported so far in 2019, according to the most recent figures available. Health officials urge people to stay up to date on vaccines, as parents who have declined to get their children immunized have contributed to a resurgence in measles. Just this week, a county in suburban New York banned unvaccinated children from public spaces as it tries to stem an outbreak of the disease.
* I’ve been covering this in the subscriber section for a while now, but let’s discuss it here today. From Friday…
The only Democratic state representative to not vote for House Speaker Michael Madigan for another leadership term says she plans to file a complaint for what she says is retaliation.
State Rep. Anne Stava-Murray, D-Naperville, said her House Bill 1474 to give rights to those who file complaints to the Legislative Inspector General against state lawmakers or their staff has hit roadblock after roadblock.
“I had been informed that my bill had a ‘do not call’ designation on it and that they were going to try and use bureaucracy to kill the bill and that’s exactly what’s happening,” Stava-Murray said. “But I’m not going to let it go down without a fight.”
Her measure was put into a subcommittee where she was first told it was unconstitutional. She said she worked with several organizations to modify the measure to bring their opposition to neutral. She said she was then told her measure was being lumped in with other bills to address ethics complaints at the statehouse, but she didn’t trust that process because it would take control of the legislation out of her hands.
“I see this as direct retribution for my vote against the speaker,” Stava-Murray said.
State Rep. Anne Stava-Murray, D-Naperville, was joined by Denise Rotheimer on Wednesday at a news conference to draw attention to House Bill 1474, which had not been called for a hearing.
Rotheimer urged House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, to release the bill.
“Speaker Madigan, you publicly admitted that you failed to protect the people from abuse of power, retaliation, sexual harassment and other forms of discrimination by state officials and employees in your apology letter saying you didn’t do enough. I believed it,” Rotheimer said. “It’s time to remove the flag that you put on House Bill 1474 and allow the people who file ethics complaints [to have] rights.” […]
Stava-Murray said she was first told her bill was unconstitutional. Then she was told it was being included along with other measures to address ethics in Springfield.
“It’s an established tactic” to kill a bill, Stava-Murray said. “It seems like legitimately they’re going to try and put something together, what that actually looks like is completely opaque and does not seem like it will be a very transparent system beyond those who are active in the working group.”
* Press release…
Majority Leader Greg Harris, Assistant Majority Leader Natalie Manley and Majority Conference Chair Kathleen Willis released the following statement Wednesday:
“A number of members have filed bills related to ethics and human rights issues in this legislative session. As members of the Legislative Ethics Commission, Representatives Manley and Willis believe these individual bills are best considered in a comprehensive approach. They have taken the initiative of using the variety of ideas introduced in these bills to develop a thoughtful approach to these issues.
“The individual sponsors of these bills—including Representative Stava-Murray—have been invited to be a part of this process.
“This is not a unique approach; over the years, we have used this process to develop thoughtful and impactful legislative solutions to large and complex challenges, including bills related to the Medicaid program, energy and utilities, and bills with a significant impact on the state budget, among other issues.”
Stava-Murray said she didn’t want to work with Willis on the bill because she felt Willis bullied her for not supporting Madigan for another term as House Speaker.
A spokesperson for Willis couldn’t immediately be reached for comment. […]
“What we’re most concerned about here is a sort of usurpation of democracy,” Stava-Murray said of the process. “Instead of that being a collaborative process, it’s looking like to be more of a closed off process with a very specified leader who’s known to be close to the Speaker.”
A former state worker in Illinois who won a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case last year striking down mandatory union fees for public employees is now asking a federal appeals court to order the union to refund nearly $3,000 in fees he was forced to pay over the course of his career.
Mark Janus worked as a child support specialist for the state from 2007 until 2018. And although he never joined a union, under Illinois law at the time, he was required to pay a “fair share” fee to the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, or AFSCME, Council 31. […]
In Janus’ case, however, the high court did not order any specific relief, but instead remanded the case back to federal district court in Chicago for further proceedings. Janus then asked the district court to award damages in the amount of fair share fees he had paid prior to the Supreme Court’s decision.
Last week, U.S. District Judge Robert Gettleman denied that request and granted a motion by AFSCME to dismiss the claim, saying the union had acted “in good faith,” based on controlling law at the time.
The National Right to Work Foundation, which helped represent Janus in the Supreme Court case, announced Wednesday it would take its case to the Seventh Circuit Court of appeals after the efforts to reclaim the $3,000 were rebuffed by an Illinois federal judge earlier this month.
But a Seventh Circuit panel has already rejected the idea in a case that came before it in December, when it said home health care workers, who won their own case in front of the U.S. Supreme Court in a 2014 case that originated out of Illinois, were not entitled to the union wages they had to pay before the Harris v. Quinn decision.
The biggest canard in the debate over Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s progressive income tax plan is that wealthy folks don’t want to pay more because they’re greedy.
That’s unfair and just plain wrong, and I know it from firsthand experience.
When I headed the Better Government Association, a nonprofit watchdog organization, from 2009 to 2018, one of my main responsibilities was to raise enough money to pay the bills and grow the staff.
In the process, I met many of the Chicago area’s top philanthropists, who are among our most successful business executives and civic leaders. They’re extraordinary individuals who give huge amounts of time and money to our iconic cultural and academic institutions, social welfare agencies and reform groups like the BGA.
But their generous support of good government organizations is tenuous, and for good reason: They’re increasingly pessimistic about the possibility of meaningful reform in Illinois after living through years — in some cases, decades — of waste, fraud, corruption and inefficiency in city, suburban, county and state government. […]
Illinois voters should not be asked to consider a progressive income tax that will cost wealthy individuals and companies more than $3 billion a year, and further weaken donor support for reform organizations, until Springfield lawmakers do their jobs by demonstrating a real appetite for the responsible budgeting, spending and cost-cutting they’ve mostly avoided for decades.
Illinois House Republican Leader Jim Durkin on Wednesday called on Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul to review the handling of Jussie Smollett’s case, saying the decision to drop all the charges sets a “dangerous precedent for high profile cases.”
A former prosecutor himself, Durkin argued that the surprise move to abandon the prosecution of Smollett raises questions about the “integrity” of the Cook County State’s Attorney Office. […]
“As a former Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney, I am concerned about the integrity of this investigation and of the office,” Durkin said in the letter e-mailed to Raoul and hand-delivered to his office. “This case has shed a negative light onto an office that I had the privilege to work in for many years. For someone to falsify a hate crime and to be ‘let off the hook’ is not only unfair but sets a dangerous precedent for high profile cases.” […]
“The Cook County State’s Attorney has primary criminal jurisdiction over criminal matters in Cook County and has discretion in how it handles criminal cases,” the statement [from the attorney general’s office] said. “Cook County chose to exercise its jurisdiction in this case and as a result, the Attorney General’s office had no role in this prosecution. The Attorney General’s office investigates matters of public integrity based on specific and credible allegations.”
And until somebody comes up with a “specific and credible allegation,” there’s not much he can do on his own.
President Donald Trump on Thursday said that the US Department of Justice and FBI will look into the Jussie Smollett case in Chicago, after local prosecutors dropped charges against the Empire actor for allegedly filing a false police report in a hate crime hoax. […]
It’s unclear how or if the FBI and Justice Department will get involved. Federal investigators were already on part of the case, looking into a threatening letter Smollett allegedly mailed to himself.
Again, they’ll have to look for some sort of a crime. And as I told subscribers today, the only likely crime here is one against basic common sense, which isn’t actually in the statutes.
* Kerry Lester takes a look at Illinois’ last constitutional convention in the context of the flat tax settled on by the drafters…
“A graduated, or progressive tax was first brought out for discussion when Otto Kerner was governor,” said Ray Serati, who covered the constitutional convention for Copley News Services at the time. “While there was some discussion of that in Con-Con, it just couldn’t gather enough support.”
[House Speaker Michael Madigan, who was a con-con delegate] said lobbying efforts led by delegate Joseph T. Meek, a Western Springs resident who was also president of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association at the time, ensured the constitutional language would stop today’s lawmakers from instituting a graduated income tax without voters amending the constitution.
“He was the Rob Karr of his day, and he would spend every day, almost the entire day arguing for a flat rate of the income tax,” Madigan said. “He had a very persistent, but pleasant personality.”
Karr is president of today’s IRMA, which continues to oppose a progressive tax, spokesman Ryan McLaughlin said.
* Six days out and she goes back up. Also, I have no info yet about the size of this buy. Press release…
Today, the campaign for Toni Preckwinkle released it’s next ad, “Troubling,” which will air on broadcast, cable and digital.
The ad exposes mayoral candidate Lori Lightfoot’s role, then serving as Chief of Staff in the Office of Emergency Management and Communications, in the botched response to a tragic West Side fire that resulted in the death of four children, and the ensuing cover up.
A judge ordered sanctions against Lightfoot for her “shockingly lax” and “cavalier” handling of the case, in which evidence was either withheld or destroyed.
The judge in the case called Lightfoot’s actions troubling, and questioned Lightfoot’s honesty with the court, to the point that he advised her that she might want to retain legal counsel.
A tragic fire made worse when the 9-1-1 call center run by Lori Lightfoot, allegedly botched the response, costing lives.
To cover it up, Lightfoot allegedly lied, and became extremely evasive. That’s not “bringing in the light.”
“Lori Lightfoot says she wants to bring in the light, but her actions tell a different story,” said Jessey Neves, campaign manager. “This tragic story sheds light on the fact that when Lori Lightfoot had the opportunity to show accountability and transparency, she led a troubling cover up.”
After years of delays, all Illinois residents will be able to get new driver’s licenses and state IDs beginning Monday that comply with post-9/11 federal requirements aimed at making identification cards more secure.
Secretary of State Jesse White’s office began issuing cards that comply with the federal Real ID Act in January, and they will be available at all 138 driver services facilities statewide by Monday. Beginning Oct. 1, 2020, Illinois residents will no longer be able to use their current state-issued cards to board domestic flights or enter federal facilities.
But White said Wednesday that residents still have a choice about whether to get a new driver’s license or ID. They’ll still be able to use a passport instead of a driver’s license when traveling by air or accessing federal buildings, and people who don’t fly or visit government facilities won’t need a new ID or a passport.
“There’s no rush for you to apply for the Real ID,” White said at a news conference at the Thompson Center in the Loop.
* From Secretary White’s office…
Based on federal guidelines, to obtain an Illinois REAL ID card, all applicants – including those who currently hold a standard Illinois DL/ID – must provide:
• One document proving identity (examples: a U.S. birth certificate, a U.S. passport, an employment authorization document, a permanent resident card or a foreign passport with an approved I-94 form).
IMPORTANT: Name change documents, such as a marriage certificate, will be required if the applicant’s current name is different than the name that appears on the document used to prove identity (example: birth certificate).
• One document proving Social Security Number (SSN) (examples: an SSN card, a W-2 or a pay stub with full SSN).
• Two documents proving residency with the applicant’s correct name and address (examples: a utility bill, rental agreement, deed/title or bank statement).
• One document proving signature (examples: a credit/debit card, a canceled check or a current Illinois DL/ID).
House Bill 3493 would set up a state commission similar to the Illinois Commerce Commission, which regulates utilities. The commission could investigate drug prices and set limits on reimbursements and payments. The poll found the idea was strongly favored by 42 percent and somewhat favored by another 27 percent.
* That bill went down today in committee on a tie vote after two Democrats flipped to “No” and another Dem sided against it…
Republican House members Deanne Mazzochi and Ryan Spain tear into @WillGuzzardi’s bill, calling it a “government price control” on prescription drugs. Mazzochi predicts it would be struck down in courts and says the workload would overwhelm any state board. pic.twitter.com/X8QD9fBVBG
House Democrats Thaddeus Jones, Rita Mayfield and Larry Walsh voted no on HB 3493. Jones signed on as a co-sponsor and told supporters he would vote yes as recently as last night. So Jones voted against his own bill. Mayfield was also leaning toward yes but flipped to no. https://t.co/rUW30uQlrQ
* Meanwhile, Rep. Guzzardi lives in the Logan Square neighborhood and voters in that part of town overwhelmingly supported lifting the state’s ban on rent control last November…
In wards that encompass parts of Logan Square (35th), Uptown (46th) and Rogers Park (49th), a nonbinding referendum asked voters whether they want the state’s ban on rent control to be lifted.
In each of the three wards, at least two-thirds of voters supported lifting the ban: 71 percent in the 35th, 70 percent in the 46th and 66 percent the 49th, according to vote totals posted by the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners.
* Guzzardi’s bill died in subcommittee today when Democratic Reps. Curtis Tarver and Rita Mayfield sided with Republicans and voted against it and Rep. Andre Thapedi voted “Present.” The Chicagoland Apartment Association put together a coalition to lobby against the bill and issued a press release celebrating its demise…
We believe today’s decision is a positive development for the millions who rent their homes in Illinois because market-rate housing will continue to function without interference. It is true that affordable workforce housing, especially in Cook County, is currently lacking in supply, but the concept of rent control would make the goal of providing additional affordable housing less attainable because it would reduce the supply and quality of rental units to select from. SHAPE Illinois can now concentrate our efforts on advocacy for legislative initiatives that create more vitally important affordable housing, including, 1) HB2168 by Rep. Sara Feigenholtz to provide tax relief for the construction and rehab of affordable housing, 2) Prioritizing at least one billion dollars for the construction and preservation of affordable housing in the upcoming capital bill, and 3) SB2090 by Sen. Omar Aquino which allocates more resources to the state’s Rental Housing Support Program by doubling the modest $9 cost for each county’s document recordation fees.
A measure to require the Chicago Public School Board be elected by voters, rather than appointed by the city’s mayor, advanced out of committee Wednesday.
State Rep. Robert Martwick, D-Chicago, said his bill codifies a popular idea that some city residents have been seeking for years.
“It’s something I’ve been pushing for for a while,” he said. “It’s something that I think the citizens of Chicago deserve.”
Martwick said he’s confident Gov. J.B. Pritzker will sign it if it were to pass.
A representative from the city of Chicago opposed the move in committee Wednesday morning, saying the new mayor, whoever she is, should have the ability to appoint a new member. […]
If passed, there would be 20 subdivisions for Chicago Public Schools with districts drawn by the Illinois General Assembly. The first election would be for the 2023 consolidated primary elections.
So, Speaker Madigan and Senate President Cullerton will be in charge of drawing the maps?
A lawmaker has filed a bill in response to a Northwest Herald investigation that would amend the state’s school code to require school districts to report any investigation of sexual misconduct allegations against a school employee or contractor to parents.
On Monday, state Rep. David McSweeney, R-Barrington Hills, filed House Bill 3819 to address concerns raised after a Northwest Herald investigation revealed Community High School District 155 officials knew in August – months before notifying parents – about a police probe into allegations against a Crystal Lake Central High School teacher later charged with felony grooming of an underage girl for sex.
After a two-week internal investigation in the school district’s human resources department, 48-year-old Matthew R. Fralick was allowed to return to his high school classroom.
Filed in Springfield on Monday, McSweeney’s bill would amend the state’s School Code to require any school district that takes disciplinary action against an educator or contractor due to allegations involving an offense that is sexually motivated to report the allegation – including the person’s name – to parents and guardians.
Illinois lawmakers have set the wheels in motion to allow for power provider Exelon’s nuclear fleet, as well as wind and solar power providers, to sell energy to a state authority that opponents say will give it preferential pricing over coal and natural gas sources.
Testimony about how the legislation would affect costs for ComEd ratepayers differed, so what it means for consumers isn’t clear.
The move is a response to wholesale power grid operator PJM Interconnection Inc. separating Exelon’s nuclear power from other sources’ bids because Exelon gets subsidies from the state and would be able to undercut coal plants and others looking to sell energy commitments on the wholesale power market.
“The clean capacity procurement provisions in this bill are driven by new federal regulations that change the way the regional grid operator, PJM in the northern part of the state, procures its generating capacities,” said Rep. Larry Walsh, D-Joliet. “Under these regulations, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, would undercut key provisions of the Future Energy Jobs Act … including the development of clean energy like wind and solar and our existing clean energy resources.”
Exelon said in a government filing last month that its Dresden, Byron and Braidwood stations were at risk for “early retirement” due to economic conditions related to the bidding process.
* I told subscribers about these dark money group ads earlier today, so I’ll just leave it at this press release…
Today, Ideas Illinois launched a campaign targeting state legislators calling on them to oppose the Pritzker-Madigan Jobs Tax on middle class families.
“The politicians in Springfield can stop this massive Jobs Tax now by simply not putting it on the ballot in 2020,” Ideas Illinois Chairman Greg Baise said. “Ideas Illinois is calling on legislators to protect the interests of middle class families in their districts rather than handing a blank check to Springfield insiders.”
Democratic Reps. Monica Bristow, Jonathon Carroll, Terra Costa Howard and Mary Edly-Allen are being targeted. Here’s one of the spots…
The group’s online ads say Springfield politicians have hiked taxes in the past and promised those tax increases would fix the state’s problems.
“Pritzker and Madigan want to change the constitution to allow a permanent jobs tax on middle class families,” it says. “It won’t say how much you’ll pay: a blank check for Springfield. Pritzker and Madigan want you to trust them to do the right thing. But they broke their promise before … and they’ll do it again, if we trust them again.”
The ads are supposedly online and TV, but they’re not yet on Facebook (I’m told they start tomorrow) and the other side says they haven’t seen any TV buys as of yet (I’m told they’re coming). Think Big Illinois started its own campaign two weeks ago, but its Facebook ads have stopped running.
…Adding… Think Big Illinois…
This is the latest in a string of attacks by some of the wealthiest Illinoisans who will do or say anything to avoid being forced to pay their fair share.
But the facts are clear – irresponsible governance and financial mismanagement have left Illinois with a $3.2 billion deficit. A fair tax will address this crisis, while only raising taxes on people making more than $250,000 a year and bringing in $3.4 billion a year in much-needed revenue that will go toward funding critical programs, including our schools.
As evidence mounts that Illinoisans across the state support a fair tax, we expect efforts by opponents to only grow more desperate as they fight to keep in place a system that benefits them and their bottom line.
Today, the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability (CTBA) released a report, Fully Funding the Evidence-Based Formula: Four Scenarios, which shows that, even if Illinois annually increases school funding up to the full $350 million minimum established under the Evidence-Based Funding for Student Success Act, or EBF, it would take over 30 years to fund all schools to the levels which the evidence indicates is needed, on a fully inflation-adjusted basis.
After decades of failing its children, particularly children of color and children in low-income communities, Illinois finally has a school funding formula designed both to close the state’s historic income- and race-based funding gaps, and ultimately to provide every school district the resources which the evidence shows is required for all students to succeed academically. The EBF accomplishes this by:
* first identifying an unique “Adequacy Target” of funding for each school district-which represents the amount the research indicates that school district needs to provide an adequate level of education to the students it serves; and then
* distributing most of the new funding Illinois invests in education to those districts furthest from their respective Adequacy Targets.
Unfortunately, according to the Illinois State Board of Education, the state’s FY 2019 appropriation for K-12 education is $7.35 billion short of what the evidence shows is needed to fund every school district in the state up to its full Adequacy Target.
“The report illustrates that an extraordinary funding effort is necessary to move Illinois’ children to adequacy,” State Representative Will Davis said. “If we believe in what we seek to accomplish, additional resources are necessary.”
As it stands now, the EBF only requires the state to increase funding for K-12 education by a minimum amount which ranges from $300 million to $350 million annually. The EBF also commits the state to funding the formula fully by June 30, 2027. However, if the annual, year-to-year increase in school funding is capped at $350 million, it would take 31 years, or until 2051, to cover the current $7.35 billion shortfall on a fully inflation-adjusted basis.
CTBA’s report details the following different funding scenarios for the EBF, which vary by timeline:
* If Illinois were to increase K-12 appropriations by a flat $350 million each year, it would take approximately 31 years to fund the EBF fully after adjusting for inflation.
* To fund the EBF on a fully inflation-adjusted basis in 10 years as required by statute, Illinois would have to increase K-12 funding by $779 million annually, or slightly more than double the minimum currently established by law.
* To fund the EBF fully in 5 years, Illinois would have to increase K-12 funding by $1.58 billion each year.
Wednesday, Mar 27, 2019 - Posted by Advertising Department
[The following is a paid advertisement.]
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is having a hard time getting the numbers to add up on his $3.4 billion progressive income tax hike. And the administration now is releasing details contradicting data they previously released.
Despite changing their numbers, each of the figures reported by Pritzker’s team has failed to match any of the actual data. This has not only been confirmed by the Illinois Policy Institute’s analysis of both IDOR and IRS data, but by the Civic Federation’s analysis of IDOR data as well.
One problem is that the governor’s team based their growth estimates on a preliminary 2016 income number from IDOR even though a final number is available. The final number is lower by nearly $3 billion, which means their growth rates are artificially inflated.
By using outlandish projections for income growth, the administration alleges that a graduated income tax plan is capable of bringing in an additional $3.4 billion while avoiding tax hikes for 97 percent of Illinoisans. Unfortunately, because the governor’s baseline is far off, his plan will not deliver on his promise of closing the structural deficit. When his plan ultimately fails to bring in enough revenue, he will have to raise taxes on middle-class Illinoisans.
DCFS Interim Director Debra Dyer-Webster said Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s budget request is intended to address many of the agency’s needs. It calls for total spending of $1.26 billion in the upcoming fiscal year, a $75 million increase over this year’s budget. That would be the largest single-year increase the agency has had in more than 20 years.
Much of the increase would be used to hire 126 additional investigators and case workers to ease the workloads on staff in local and regional offices around the state. […]
But Sen. Andy Manar, a Democrat from Bunker Hill, questioned whether the $75 million increase the administration wants would be enough to address the agency’s needs.
“The $75 million is the single biggest increase we’ve had in over 20 years, but it is only a first step,” said Royce Kirkpatrick, DCFS’s acting chief financial officer.
Lawmakers questioned why they didn’t ask for all the money that they needed.
“We recite the names of dead children in this committee hearing once a year,” Senator Andy Manar said. “So why didn’t the department walk in the door today with the request that is necessary to operate the department for the upcoming fiscal year?”
All agencies testify about the official budget request that comes directly from the governor. Manar knows this, of course, but he also has a valid point. Shouldn’t DCFS tell the General Assembly exactly what it needs? That might make the governor look bad for skimping, but the Illinois State Board of Education presents its own budget proposal every year. Yes, it’s a quasi independent body with its own board, but it’s still not a bad idea.
DCFS has huge problems. So, what do you really need?
* And we may know some answers to that question in six weeks or so. As I was writing all of that, this popped into my in-box…
Building on a strong team of diverse experts in their fields, Governor JB Pritzker announced that Marc D. Smith, the Executive Vice President of Foster Care and Intact Services at Aunt Martha’s Health & Wellness, will be his nominee to lead the Department of Children and Family Services.
Governor Pritzker has also expanded expert services that the University of Chicago’s Chapin Hall already provides to DCFS, asking them to conduct an independent and comprehensive review of how the agency’s Intact Family Services unit functions, and has asked for initial actionable recommendations in the next six weeks. This will ensure that respected independent experts with a deep understanding of DCFS operations and challenges can provide immediate input to the new director and administration.
“The most vulnerable people in Illinois are the children served by DCFS, and we must provide them the best services that our state can offer, which means assessing and implementing the recommendations of child welfare experts,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Within six weeks, Chapin Hall will deliver a report to the new DCFS director with strategic recommendations for improving children’s safety and the quality of the services the agency is providing.”
Following the initial recommendations, Chapin Hall will also provide a more comprehensive review of policies, practices and procedures in the Intact Family Services Unit in order to make additional concrete recommendations for action. Chapin Hall will apply a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary systems approach and will survey several areas, including infrastructure supports like technology to determine if there are better ways to detect increased risk and prevent harm to children. A copy of their scope of work is attached.
Background
Marc D. Smith will serve as Director of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). Since 2009, Smith has served as the Executive Vice President of Foster Care and Intact Services at Aunt Martha’s Health & Wellness, Illinois’ largest provider of services to families in crisis. In the role, he collaborates with child welfare leaders, professionals, and other stakeholders to implement family-centered systems and practices that protect and support vulnerable children and families. Smith came to his most recent role after working for more than two decades as a social worker, trainer, and leader in child welfare. From 2004 to 2009, he served as a program administrator and recovery coach at Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities, where he managed the Child Welfare Division. Earlier in his career, Smith worked as a public service administrator for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services from 1993 to 2000. Smith has served on numerous boards, committees, and work groups, helping to shape policies and inform best practices in leadership and in the field. He has also led the development of program models that have increased the likelihood of family reunification, increased adoptions, and significantly improved the ability of workers and agencies to connect people with substance abuse treatment, mental health care, and other supportive services. A licensed clinical social worker and certified trainer, the Joliet resident received his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Illinois State University and a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
“The National Association of Social Workers, Illinois Chapter, is encouraged to hear that Governor J.B. Pritzker has selected Marc Smith, LCSW, for the role of director of the Illinois Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS). As a licensed clinical social worker and leader in foster care services, Mr. Smith brings a deep understanding of the system and how our contracted services work. DCFS has numerous challenges that need to be addressed, and we stand ready to work with the new appointment in improving the outcomes of youth in care and those who are now alumni.”
Wednesday, Mar 27, 2019 - Posted by Advertising Department
[The following is a paid advertisement.]
Credit unions value customer and staff education. The Illinois Credit Union League, the primary trade association for credit unions in Illinois, provides education and training for members, elected representatives, managers and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of the cooperative. ICUL provides credit unions with the latest training and insights through webinars, conferences and peer networking groups. Along with providing education to members, ICUL consistently works to ensure the general public and policy makers are informed about the nature, structure and benefits of credit unions! For more information about the credit union difference, please visit: www.yourmoneyfurther.com.
In response to the surprising decision by prosecutors to drop the case against Chicago actor Jussie Smollett, State Representative Michael McAuliffe (R-Chicago) plans to file legislation to prohibit any production using the actor from receiving Illinois Film Tax Credits. […]
Rep. McAuliffe will be filing the bill this week.
*Sigh*
McAuliffe and I go way back, and if he runs again next year (very doubtful, I think) he may not have an easy time of it. To his credit, he always thinks like a target. And many (not all) targets love them some publicity.
And it’s not like Michael is all that unique. Every time something big happens, some legislator tries to jump on the publicity hound bandwagon with some bill tailor-made to attract attention. The practice is as old as legislatures themselves. Some members are probably kicking themselves today for not thinking of this tax credit angle first.
* And, of course, it worked like a charm…
* Tribune: State legislator says productions employing Jussie Smollett should not get state tax credits
* Sun-Times: A ‘Jussie’ restriction? Lawmaker would nix tax credits for Smollett shows, films
* Daily Line: Chicago’s only GOP lawmaker calls for ‘Empire’ to lose tax credits after charges dropped against Smollett
* CBS 2: IL State Representative Wants To Prohibit TV Companies From Receiving Tax Credits If They Employ Jussie Smollett
All of those stories are basically just re-writes of his press release. Mission accomplished.
* I asked the HGOPs how Rep. McAuliffe could possibly draft a constitutional bill to deprive an otherwise eligible company from receiving state tax credits if they employed this goofball and was told only that a bill would be filed by the end of the week.
So, I guess we gotta wait. But how are they gonna draft this thing? “Any production company that employs any person who was arrested for (fill in the blank) between (fill in date range) and then all charges were mysteriously and suddenly dropped is ineligible to receive the state film tax credit”?
* ABATE withdrew its endorsement of Gov. Bruce Rauner last year after he issued an executive order allowing relatively easy access to roads by so-called “autonomous” cars and trucks. I received this ABATE release yesterday…
[Monday] at a press conference with the Illinois State Police raising awareness for Scott’s Law, Governor J.B. Pritzker responded to a question on driverless vehicles with remarks urging caution on the implementation and utilization of driverless vehicles. ABATE of Illinois agrees with Governor Pritzker’s remarks, especially with the admission that this technology is “not ready today”. A point so important that the Governor repeated it for emphasis. The Governor even went so far as to say “This is not something that we’re going to authorize sometime soon in the State of Illinois.”
Unfortunately, this unproven technology is currently allowed on Illinois roads with no oversight due to an executive order signed by former Governor Rauner in October of 2018. The order allows robot cars and semi-trucks on Illinois Roads simply by filing a letter with IDOT. ABATE of Illinois calls on Governor Pritzker to rescind that dangerous order, and return the issue of Autonomous Vehicles back to the General Assembly where stakeholders can work together to craft reasonable regulations that protect the safety of all road users in Illinois.
“We certainly need to be careful about the implementation, the utilization of driverless vehicles. They’re not ready today. They’re not ready today. And I know that the tests that I’ve seen have been imperfect at best. And so we’re going to have to wait and see. This is not something that we’re going to authorize sometime soon in the State of Illinois” - J.B. Pritzker, Governor of Illinois
* So, I checked in with the governor’s office. Here’s Jordan Abudayyeh…
The governor was clear in his comments [Monday] and is always open to reviewing proposals brought forth by advocates.
…Adding…A resolution sponsored by Sen. Tom Cullerton to disapprove Rauner’s EO was adopted 18-0 by the Senate Transportation Committee on March 5th. It’s now awaiting floor action.
* From House Majority Leader Greg Harris’ Facebook page…
Today is Gun Rights Lobby Day, Alliance for Sound AIDS Policy Lobby Day, Episcopal Lobby Day, Catholic Charities Lobby Day, lots of Mayors and Town administrators who want interchanges, water and waste water plants, a bridge or such, hospitals looking for upgrades, expensive radiology equipment and ADA compliance and I don’t know who else. The Rotunda and galleries will be a mob scene P.S. Did I miss anyone who’s coming today.? UPDATED: IARF, Access Living, Disability Advocates and SEIU Healthcare have lobby days too!
Gun owners are heading to the Illinois state capitol Wednesday to try to convince lawmakers to rethink a number of bills that they say go too far.
IllinoisCarry.com spokesperson Valinda Rowe said she expects to see a record turnout for the Illinois Gun Owner Lobby Day, or I-GOLD. She said Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s decision to sign the Gun Dealer Licensing Act as his first bill was the beginning of a wave of what she said were attacks against gun owners. […]
A program at the Bank of Springfield Center, a few blocks from the capitol, will begin in the morning with a march through Springfield and down Capitol Avenue to the state capitol building at 1 p.m.
Rowe those showing up will talk to lawmakers about their rights on the legislative front.
“Which, right now, the tide is against us on that front because of the numbers that they have in the House and Senate and a governor that will sign whatever is passed,” Rowe said.
