* Tribune…
The Chicago Teachers Union has called in its House of Delegates to vote on a tentative contract, but says the deal hinges on Mayor Lori Lightfoot agreeing to allow lost school days to be made up.
It’s unclear how Lightfoot and CPS will respond on making up school days. Lightfoot has repeatedly said the school district would not make up school days lost to the strike. Last week, Lightfoot was emphatically against the idea, saying: “I’ve been very clear from the beginning: We are not extending the school year. I typically don’t say things in public that I don’t mean.”
* Sun-Times…
Makeup days a sticking point for CTU
The last day of school on the CPS calendar is June 16. If all the missed days were added to the end of the year, school would continue until June 30.
The delegates are meeting at 6 pm. This is yet another question about money. Teachers want to be paid, CPS hasn’t wanted to do that.
*** UPDATE 1 *** Tribune…
Chicago Teachers Union delegates have voted to accept a new contract deal – but won’t end the strike yet because they’re still squabbling with the city over making up the days lost to the walkout.
The union says it will be at City Hall at 10 a.m. Thursday to “demand the mayor return our days.”
CPS responded a short time later by formally canceling classes again Thursday, which will be the 11th day of the walkout.
*** UPDATE 2 *** The end may be very near…
*** UPDATE 3 *** Here we go…
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You don’t see this every day
Wednesday, Oct 30, 2019 - Posted by Rich Miller
* House Bill 2267, which mandates an elected school board in Chicago, passed the House 110-2 during the spring session. The bill’s chief sponsor was Rep. Rob Martwick (D-Chicago). Sen. Omar Aquino (D-Chicago) picked up sponsorship when the bill arrived in his chamber in early April.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot then persuaded Senate President John Cullerton to shelve the bill and it never made it out of the Assignments Committee.
Rep. Martwick was appointed to the Senate after Sen. John Mulroe left to become a judge.
Today, Sen. Aquino gave up his sponsorship to Sen. Martwick.
So, we now have a bill that was sponsored in the House by Rep. Martwick and is currently sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Martwick.
Martwick and Lightfoot got into a bit of a dustup during the campaign, but he has since tried to mend fences. Lindsey LaPointe, a Lightfoot ally, was appointed to fill out the remainder of Martwick’s House term.
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Question of the day
Wednesday, Oct 30, 2019 - Posted by Rich Miller
* I’m leaving in a few minutes to have lunch with Wordslinger’s brother. I’m not sure when I’ll be back, but I’m taking my laptop just in case someone else gets raided. Please be nice to each other while I’m gone.
* The Question: Is there anything you’d like to convey to Wordslinger’s family about what he meant to you, or this website or this state?
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* Notice the “Present” votes…
Democrats killed Leader Durkin’s bill in committee this week, so he and others went “Present” on this bill.
Rep. Dave McSweeney, who has often done battle with Leader Durkin, was the only Republican to vote “Yes,” so he put it over the top.
* Illinois Chamber…
“The ability to safely sterilize medical devices and materials is vital to the health and safety of our community and to employers paying for high-quality health care in Illinois,” said Illinois Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Todd Maisch. “This legislation will have significant ramifications for the health care material supply chain, and could result in shortages of sterilized devices and materials, despite the fact that Illinois passed the most stringent regulatory scheme in the nation earlier this year. Last week, the FDA sent out a statement on their concerns with medical device availability due to certain sterilization facility closures, as a result of potential actions in Illinois and Georgia to limit ethylene oxide sterilization processes. Passing this legislation without a plan for how Illinois will support our health care system’s demand for life-saving medical equipment or make up for years of wasted research and development on new technologies dependent on this form of sterilization, is recklessly endangering the health and welfare of millions of people in Illinois and around the country.”
* Medline…
While we are disappointed in today’s action, we look forward to continuing conversations with legislators in the Senate regarding Medline’s exemplary safety record and the importance of ethylene oxide sterilization to Illinois hospitals.
Medline’s top priority is the safety of our employees and the communities that we operate in. We are proud that our Waukegan facility has always operated at or below federal and state emission standards.
Further, Medline is in the process of installing a series of new controls approved by the Illinois EPA that will capture more than 99.9% of all ethylene oxide used, emitting cleaner air from our facility than the surrounding ambient air.
It’s important to also emphasize what’s at stake: Medline’s 700 team members in Waukegan produce and sterilize more than 16,000 sterile surgical packs per day used by 135 hospitals in Illinois – nearly 80% of the state’s hospitals. And as the FDA stated on October 25, banning EtO for medical device sterilization could create a shortage of life-saving sterile surgical kits to treat patients. Contrary to what anti-EtO advocates suggest, EtO is the only globally accepted, FDA-approved method to sterilize many medical products that are essential to public health.
I’ll add more when I can.
…Adding… IMA…
Because the number of ethylene oxide contract sterilization facilities in the U.S. is limited, we are very concerned that additional facility closures could severely impact the supply of sterile medical devices to health care delivery organizations that depend on those devices to take care of patients. The impact resulting from closure… will be difficult to reverse, and ultimately could result in years of spot or nationwide shortages of critical medical devices, which could compromise patient care.
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* Yesterday…
At a City Hall press conference, Mayor Lori Lightfoot said the union’s bargaining team “continues to move the goalposts and bring in more issues that do not belong in any collective bargaining contract” by introducing issues that don’t belong in a contract and demanding a reduction in class time for students.
The union wants her to support a bill for an elected school board in Springfield that she opposed and changes to the state law that restricts what issues CTU can strike over, Lightfoot said.
As a mayoral candidate, Lightfoot promised to support an elected school board but she has opposed a bill supported by the union that would create a board that’s too large.“
Are we really keeping our kids out of class unless I agree to support the CTU’s full political agenda wholesale?” Lightfoot said. “If the CTU wants a deal, there’s a deal to be had, right now, on the table.”
* Today…
House Speaker Michael J. Madigan released the following statement Wednesday:
“The Illinois House of Representatives has long demonstrated its commitment to improving public schools throughout the state of Illinois, including reforming Illinois’ school funding formula to provide more money, equitably distributed, to schools across the state. Another part of our commitment has been our effort to support the Chicago Public Schools and ensure that Chicago’s voters, as well as Chicago’s teachers and school staffs, are treated equitably. To that end, I have supported—and the House has passed three times—a bill to bring an elected school board to the city of Chicago. Moreover, I have supported—and the House has twice passed—a bill to ensure that Chicago’s school personnel can negotiate over the same issues that educators in every other school district in Illinois can negotiate. The House of Representatives will continue to advocate for equitable treatment for all schools in Illinois, and will again give full consideration to these proposals in the upcoming spring session.”
Translation: “We ain’t passing those bills during the strike, CTU.”
*** UPDATE *** Press release…
Every student in Chicago deserves a high-quality neighborhood public school and every voter in the city deserves a direct say in school governance. In the upcoming spring session, the General Assembly will fully consider two bills to align school governance in Chicago with all other school districts in the state.
The first bill, House Bill 2267, sponsored by Sen. Robert Martwick and Sen. Omar Aquino, creates an elected representative school board in Chicago. The second, House Bill 2275, sponsored by Sen. Bill Cunningham, restores contract bargaining processes, including class size and staffing provisions, that were eliminated from Chicago in 1995.
“Chicago’s voters have spoken - they want an elected school board. And bringing an elected school board to Chicago has been a legislative goal of mine since 2015. I’m excited about taking the next step in making this bill into law,” Martwick said.
“Effective schools require real input from students and parents. Chicago’s families have not had that opportunity, and I’m determined to bring about an elected school board that includes representatives from across Chicago’s vibrant neighborhoods,” Aquino said. “I thank the Senate President for allowing the bill’s full consideration.”
“Funding equity and evidence-based student supports like appropriate class sizes and staffing ratios are at the core of the State’s school funding formula. Ensuring that school personnel in Chicago can negotiate over those issues will help ensure students get what they need,” Cunningham said “I look forward to working on House Bill 2275 in the upcoming spring session.”
Sen. Omar Aquino represents the 2nd Senate District. Sen. Rob Martwick represents the 10th Senate District. Sen. Bill Cunningham represents the 18th Senate District.
* From the Senate President’s office…
The Senate President has committed to working with these members on this issue in the spring session.
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*** UPDATED x1 *** It’s just a bill
Wednesday, Oct 30, 2019 - Posted by Rich Miller
* On to the Senate…
* On to the House…
Indoor vaping would be prohibited in public indoor areas, along with tobacco smoking, under legislation approved Tuesday by the Senate.
The Senate voted 41-11 to add e-cigarettes to the Smoke Free Illinois law that outlawed tobacco smoking in indoor public places. Senate Bill 1864 now moves to the House.
As currently written, the bill would even prohibit the use of vaping products inside a store that sells them. Sen. Dave Syverson, R-Rockford, noted the Smoke Free Illinois law allows smoking inside a tobacco store. Sen. Terry Link, D-Vernon Hills, said that he wanted the Senate to act on the bill Tuesday, but if the House later changed it to allow e-cigarettes to be used inside vape shops, he would support the change.
* Also heading to the House…
Illinois senators Tuesday approved legislation that would cap out-of-pocket payments for insulin for some diabetics.
The Senate approved Senate Bill 667 on a vote of 48-7. It must still be approved by the House.
The legislation caps out-of-pocket insulin payments at $100 for a 30-day supply. Sen. Andy Manar, D-Bunker Hill, said the idea came to him after a constituent called his office and said she and her family had to choose between making their house payment or paying for insulin for their diabetic daughters.
“That’s a position no one in the state of Illinois should be in,” Manar said.
* Going nowhere for now…
Meanwhile, a bill to ban the sale of flavored tobacco and vaping products still hasn’t moved forward. The Senate Executive Committee took testimony on the pros and cons of the bill, but took no action on it.
The sticking point here is the proposed ban on menthol cigarettes.
…Adding… Dead…
Illinois state senators failed to override Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s veto of a measure that would have restricted the Illinois governor’s ability to unilaterally request waivers from the federal government for things like Medicaid.
Lawmakers are in Springfield for fall veto session to consider not just new legislation but also bills the governor vetoed. He didn’t veto many, but one would have put restrictions on the governor’s ability to ask the federal government for the ability to change how it administers certain programs.
State Sen. Sue Rezin’s bill, Senate Bill 2026, passed the Senate in April unanimously. It passed the House in May, 75-41. Gov. J.B. Pritzker vetoed it in July.
“While this legislation was well intended, unfortunately it does not afford the state enough flexibility to operate these programs,” Pritzker’s veto message said. “I do not anticipate any circumstances in which my administration would pursue waivers to limit Illinoisans’ access to federal programs or benefits. Nonetheless, it’s critical to retain our flexibility to innovate and be responsive to the evolving healthcare needs of the people of Illinois.”
The override vote was 27-23-1. It needed 36.
*** UPDATE *** Excerpt from Sen. Rezin’s press release…
“To say I am disappointed in the outcome of today’s vote would be an understatement,” said Sen. Rezin. “For far too long, those with pre-existing conditions have been on defense in a healthcare battle that has been playing out politically. Today, we had the chance to give those individuals the peace of mind they deserve, but instead, they will continue to worry about their healthcare coverage.” […]
“Why would we leave this decision up to the Second Floor, when we have the ability, today, to ensure that those with pre-existing conditions get the coverage they deserve and desperately need,” asked Sen. Rezin during her floor remarks. “Applying for these waivers could have a detrimental effect on people with pre-existing conditions, causing them to be denied coverage, be charged higher premiums, or worst-case scenario, lose access to health care services.”
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*** UPDATED x2 *** C’mon, Bill
Wednesday, Oct 30, 2019 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Mark Maxwell…
When Governor J.B. Pritzker appointed former state Senator Bill Haine to serve on the State Board of Elections in May, the former downstate Democratic Senator had to surrender control of his campaign fund and the $286,786 in it. But now, months later, Haine controls the same money, just under a different name. […]
State election law prohibits board members, who are tasked with regulating other political committees, from controlling campaign committees of their own while they adjudicate other potential campaign finance violations. […]
In paperwork submitted to the state board in June, Haine relinquished control of the account, signing it over to his wife, Anna Haine, and effectively removing himself as chairman. The same document also changed the name of his campaign committee to the Illinois Metro East Improvement Committee with a newly defined purpose “to advance the progress of the Metro-East.” […]
Haine was sworn in as a new member at the State Board of Elections on July 1st. Two weeks later, Haine retook control of his old campaign fund, but under a new name and with a new purpose. Now, state records list Haine as the chairman of a newly formed political action committee, the “William Haine Fund to Promote Progress of Citizens of the Metro-East.” […]
Haine said he believes the law would allow him to spend money in his son’s race [for state’s attorney], or any race, if he chooses.
That’s not all. His latest D-2 filing shows his fund paid $2,588.16 to lease a car. Haine then partially reimbursed the fund $1,050 for that lease on October 24th.
Bill Haine was one of the most respected state Senators of the past quarter century. He shouldn’t taint that image now. He ought to reimburse the fund for all auto lease payments and empty the fund’s account by giving it to charity before this gets out of hand.
*** UPDATE 1 *** I just got off the phone with former Sen. Haine. He said the committee won’t have any fundraisers.
“My intent” he said, “was to give it away over time,” but added “I’m going to accelerate the depletion of the fund” and give the money to local charities. And even though he’s allowed to take some money out for personal use, he won’t do that, either.
He said he’d consulted with the Senate Democrats’ lawyer and was told to move the money into a non-candidate fund. He also said he took some of the comments here to heart.
However, he did say that if his son, a Republican, asks for a contribution, he will give him some of the money.
*** UPDATE 2 *** Matt Dietrich at the Illinois State Board of Elections…
Bill Haine also consulted with our staff before joining the board about the disposition of his candidate committee. His conversion of the committee to a political action committee puts him in compliance with board rules.
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* SB2297…
Amends the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act. Provides that the [Legislative Ethics] Commission shall adopt no rule requiring the Legislative Inspector General to seek the Commission’s advance approval before commencing any investigation or issuing a subpoena. Provides that any existing rule, as of the effective date of the amendatory Act, requiring the Legislative Inspector General to seek the Commission’s advance approval before commencing any investigation or issuing a subpoena is void. Removes language providing that the Legislative Inspector General needs the advance approval of the Commission to issue subpoenas.
* Press release…
The Senate Republican Caucus took action today to restore public trust in an honest and ethical state government.
At a press conference in the Capitol’s blue room, members unveiled a legislative proposal to ensure independent investigations of members of the General Assembly.
State Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) filed Senate Bill 2297, which gives the Legislative Inspector General (LIG) the appropriate tools, which the current LIG has suggested, to conduct independent investigations of legislators.
“There is a cloud hanging over the capitol. Recent events have reminded the public that the Illinois legislature is incapable of policing itself,” said Barickman. “Under current law, the Office of the Legislative Inspector General isn’t allowed to have the independence necessary to do its job. It looks like the fox is guarding the hen house. Today we’re acting to change that.”
Currently, except in cases alleging sexual harassment, the LIG must get advance approval from the Legislative Ethics Commission (LEC) before opening an investigation, or issuing subpoenas. Additionally, if, during the investigation, the LIG discovers wrongdoing that is beyond the scope of, or unrelated to the initial complaint, they have to go back to the LEC to get approval to investigate further.
“What we have currently is a system where politicians are being trusted to police politicians,” said State Sen. Jil Tracy (R-Quincy). “Our proposal takes politicians out of the equation and allows the Legislative Inspector General the independence necessary to do their job.”
* Sen. Tracy is a member of the Legislative Ethics Commission. She struggled with a reporter’s question today about another problem with the process. Former Legislative Inspector General Julie Porter wrote an op-ed earlier this year which complained about the item addressed in the Senate Republican bill and something else…
When I agreed to serve as acting legislative inspector general in 2017, I knew that there were structural problems, but never for a minute did I believe that the commission would take any action to thwart my independence. I certainly did not think that the commission would refuse to publish one of my founded summary reports.
Sen. Tracy was on the commission when it decided to forbid Porter from publishing that report.
Thoughts?
…Adding… Senate President John Cullerton…
I welcome their ideas and look forward to working with them and others to get effective results.
*** UPDATE 1 *** Sen. Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) introduced an almost identical bill (the bill does not include subpoena powers) way back in January…
Amends the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act. Provides that the Legislative Ethics Commission shall adopt no rule requiring the Legislative Inspector General to seek the Commission’s advance approval before commencing any investigation authorized under specified provisions. Provides that any existing rule, as of the effective date of the amendatory Act, requiring the Legislative Inspector General to seek the Commission’s advance approval before commencing any investigation is void. Effective immediately.
She picked up just one sponsor, a fellow Democrat.
*** UPDATE 2 *** Here you go…
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Fun (literally) with numbers
Wednesday, Oct 30, 2019 - Posted by Rich Miller
* We talked yesterday about the Illinois Policy Institute’s revelation that a large number of people in the tony suburb of Wilmette will pay higher income taxes if voters approve the graduated income tax next year. One Illinois had a bit of fun with the post…
(W)e’ve had the tech monkeys at One Illinois devise the Sense-Us Illinois Income Hair-Splitter (trademark), a hypermegawatt intuitive AI device that breaks down income for various demographic groups, no matter how unlikely.
For instance, an astounding 99.7 percent of people buying a Lamborghini with cash in Illinois will pay more taxes, but just 5.3 percent of those visiting a Lamborghini showroom will pay more.
An amazing 29.8 percent of Chicago Cubs full-season-ticket holders will pay more, but just 3.7 percent of those who bought one single ticket to a White Sox game this year will.
A jaw-dropping 64.8 percent of those picking up a dinner tab at Alinea in Chicago will pay more, but just 0.9 percent of those dining at Marko’s Fish House in Madison will.
A knee-knocking 94.5 percent of those openly identifying as “fat cats” will pay more, but not a single Illinois fat dog will pay any taxes at all — this year or any year.
And a not-at-all-surprising 100 percent of Richard and Elizabeth Uihleins in Lake Forest and John Tillmans who just happen to be chief executive officer at the IPI will pay more if voters endorse a change in the state constitution and a graduated income tax next year.
Which is really what the IPI’s deep dive into residential income is all about.
Ouch.
Any other examples you can think of?
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* Gov. Pritzker participated in a public policy conference today hosted by Axios. One of the questions was about the corruption probe…
Let me be clear with you and everyone else. I’m angry, frankly, and I’m disgusted by these people who take advantage of the public, who take public office and think that this is OK. That stealing, that lying, that doing business that’s taking away from the public trough. The taxpayers and voters put elected officials in office to safeguard them, to safeguard your resources to make sure that we’re doing the right things so that you have an opportunity to succeed.
And so these people who are taking advantage as if this is all about them and not all about the people that they’re elected by… We are going to make changes in the state of Illinois. We are going to make changes in our ethics laws. We are going to root these people out.
And I’m glad, frankly, that people are being caught and sent away. It is time.
We really have to fix the system in the state. We have too many things to accomplish. You know we have challenges in the state of Illinois. I’m disgusted by all of what’s going on in this regard, and I also view it as they’re throwing obstacles in the way of us accomplishing pension consolidation and lowering taxes, property taxes and other things in the state. There is a corruption tax that sits on top of everyone in the state. We need to get rid of it.
* He was also asked if he thinks other lawmakers are wearing wires…
Could be. I mean, certainly it seems like some sprawling investigation here. I mean, I’m wearing the wire you gave me, but [laughter] everyone can hear that.
*** UPDATE *** ILGOP…
At an event organized by Axios, Governor Pritzker, commenting on the recent spate of federal investigations into Democrat politicians, had this to say: “I’m angry, frankly, and I’m disgusted by these people who take advantage of the public, who take public office and think that this is OK, that the stealing, the lying, that doing businesses that’s taking away from the public trough.”
The hypocrisy from the Governor is stunning and should be addressed.
Given that the Governor is disgusted by corruption and those under federal investigation in his own party, how does he feel about himself? He is currently under federal investigation for possible tax fraud.
The Governor recently said he doesn’t believe Madigan should step down as either Speaker or Chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois despite the Speaker being named in FBI subpoenas and his close allies having their offices raided by federal investigators. If Pritzker finds the Madigan Machine’s public corruption “disgusting”, why would he not call on Madigan to step aside? Is the Governor trying to have his cake and eat it too?
“The Governor’s words ring hollow. He can’t pretend to clutch his pearls about those under federal investigation when he is currently the center of a federal probe himself. Pritzker should cut the act until he calls on the Mike Madigan, leader of the Illinois Democrat Crime Ring, to step down.” - Joe Hackler, ILGOP Spokesman
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Two totally different styles
Wednesday, Oct 30, 2019 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Let’s go back to the end of my Crain’s column from earlier this month, which compared and contrasted the leadership styles of House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton, particularly as it relates to the ongoing corruption probe…
When Sen. Ira Silverstein resigned his Senate Democratic leadership after allegations were made of sexual misconduct, and when Cullerton’s cousin was moved out of his Labor Committee chairmanship, the actions were portrayed as a “mutual decision.”
No way would a guy like Sandoval agree to such a “mutual decision.” And no way would Cullerton push him out under these circumstances.
Madigan’s top-down approach has caused him endless grief and even some federal lawsuits, but, for better or worse, I doubt he would have behaved like Cullerton in this [Sandoval] instance.
We saw that clearly play out this week when Madigan quickly started the process of kicking Rep. Luis Arroyo (D-Chicago) out of office.
* We discussed this a bit yesterday…
State Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago, said there are intricacies to each case, including the charges filed against Sen. Tom Cullerton, D-Villa Park.
“There are issues dealing with whether or not the activity alleged directly relates to the legislature – like taking a bribe to pass a bill, something like that – as opposed to something that’s not related,” John Cullerton said.
Tom Cullerton was removed from his position the chairman of the Senate Labor Committee after he was charged with embezzling from the Teamsters union. He was made the chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, a move that allowed him to keep a leadership stipend that comes on top of his base salary.
I think an argument could be made that the charges against Tom Cullerton did relate to the legislature. Would he have allegedly obtained that allegedly ghost-payroll job if he wasn’t a state Senator?
Look, I have always liked Tom. I thought he was a decent blue-collar legislator and I was pretty shocked at his indictment, as were plenty of others. But it is what it is. The Senate is the legislative branch, not the judicial branch, so things like due process don’t always translate from one to the other.
* Meanwhile…
State Sen. Tom Cullerton, D-Villa Park — who has been accused in a federal indictment of being a ghost payroller for the Teamsters — has been in attendance for veto session this week. But state Sen. Martin Sandoval, D-Chicago, has not shown up for session. Sandoval’s offices and home were raided last month as FBI agents sought evidence of kickbacks in exchange for official actions — as well as information related to five Illinois Department of Transportation employees and several lobbyists. Sandoval, who was a key figure in passing the capital bill, has not been charged.
As part of his bail, Rep. Arroyo was ordered not to have any contact with anyone involved with his case, including the unnamed Senator he allegedly attempted to bribe. As long as that Senator is in Springfield, Arroyo can’t show up without risking a violation. Like he would show up anyway, but you get the idea.
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“How could that be legal?”
Wednesday, Oct 30, 2019 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Mark Brown…
If this were a normal state with reasonable expectations and standards for the ethical conduct of public officials, the first reaction to the news of state Rep. Luis Arroyo’s arrest might have been: What do you mean the state legislator was acting as a lobbyist on the side? How could that be legal?
* AP on this topic…
“This is just a large loophole here,” said Jay Young, executive director of Common Cause Illinois. “It’s the quintessential backroom deal where people with power are making deals to benefit themselves.”
* Back to Mark…
On Tuesday, Republican state Rep. Tom Demmer of Dixon introduced legislation that would ban state lawmakers from getting paid to lobby local governments. Demmer would extend the prohibition to spouses and immediate family members.
“There is a clear conflict of interest for sitting lawmakers to perform paid lobbying work while in office,” Demmer said.
Demmer should consider amending his legislation to also bar local officials from being hired by private entities to lobby state government.
Agreed.
Rep. Demmer’s press release is here. His bill is here.
* Related…
Illinois Senate President John Cullerton is suggesting a joint House-Senate review of state ethics laws following allegations of bribery against a House member.
The Chicago Democrat said Tuesday the two chambers should consider repeating their combined review of ethics and campaign finance laws following the 2009 impeachment and expulsion of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
House Speaker Michael Madigan said Monday he would appoint a committee to review ethics laws after Rep. Luis Arroyo was accused in a federal complaint of trying to bribe a state senator to support legalization of gambling machines. Arroyo is registered to lobby the Chicago City Council on the same issue.
Arroyo faces expulsion from the House after Madigan started the process Tuesday to investigate Arroyo. He named three House Democrats. House Republican Leader Jim Durkin later tabbed GOP Reps. Margo McDermed of Mokena, Grant Wehrli (WUR’-lee) of Naperville and Dan Ugaste of Geneva.
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* We already knew that the feds had interviewed Crestwood’s mayor, but we hadn’t yet seen this subpoena. Here’s Joe Mahr in the Tribune…
Federal authorities sought information related to $27,000 worth of expense reimbursements to Crestwood’s mayor as part of a government corruption investigation that stretches from the southwest suburbs to the statehouse.
The subpoena to Crestwood, obtained by the Tribune through an open records request, resulted in records that touch on some of the same people and same towns that have arisen in the federal probe.
While that wide-ranging effort remains undefined for the public, the Crestwood subpoena was dated Sept. 26, around the same time authorities conducted raids at village halls in McCook and Lyons, as well as the Capitol office of Democratic state Sen. Martin Sandoval.
Crestwood Mayor Lou Presta’s mileage reimbursements show he frequently reported traveling to McCook, including for meetings with Lyons Mayor Christopher Getty. And Presta’s calendar lists a meeting with “Mr. Madigan,” though both the mayor and House Speaker Michael Madigan maintain it never took place.
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