* Details as they come in. I’ve confirmed that the Black Caucus has endorsed Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch (D-Hillside) for Speaker, but this was first reported by Rachel Hinton at the Sun-Times. She walked back the earlier Madigan angle.
If you take a look at what the women’s groups demanded today, Welch fits the bill. He voted for the ERA, HB40 and the RHA and, as Personal PAC demanded of the next Speaker, he’s the chief sponsor of the bill to repeal of the Parental Notification Act.
Rep. Welch is the current chair of the House Executive Committee, received the most votes for Democratic leadership in a recent Black Caucus election and has been a staunch supporter of Speaker Madigan.
Rep. Welch chaired the House’s special investigative committee of Speaker Madigan. He repeatedly sparred with the committee’s Republicans and tried to tie House GOP Leader Jim Durkin to ComEd.
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* We talked about this a bit earlier today…
The FBI is warning of plans for armed protests at all 50 state capitals and in Washington, D.C., in the days leading up to President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration, stoking fears of more bloodshed after last week’s deadly siege at the U.S. Capitol.
An internal FBI bulletin warned, as of Sunday, that the nationwide protests may start later this week and extend through Biden’s Jan. 20 inauguration, according to two law enforcement officials who read details of the memo to The Associated Press. Investigators believe some of the people are members of extremist groups, the officials said. The bulletin was first reported by ABC.
“Armed protests are being planned at all 50 state capitols from 16 January through at least 20 January, and at the U.S. Capitol from 17 January through 20 January,” the bulletin said, according to one official. The officials were not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.
* Illinois State Police…
The ISP, along with our law enforcement partners, are tracking possible events at the Illinois Capitol building this weekend. The ISP remain vigilant in our mission to protect the safety of those engaged in the process of democracy, constitutional rights and public institutions. The ISP and local law enforcement will have all available resources at our disposal to respond to threats identified through federal, state and local intelligence.
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* Hannah Meisel…
“I’m with Madigan until I hear from him that he is withdrawing his candidacy to be the Speaker of the House,” State Rep. André Thapedi said Monday. […]
State Rep. Marty Moylan (D-Des Plaines) said there’s no path forward for Williams.
“Ann Williams doesn’t have a cross-section of the state backing her,” Moylan said. “There’s no people who look like me — male moderates — she has one Black male, that’s surely not representative of the state, one Hispanic female, there’s no male hispanics, also there’s nobody from downstate…So how is she going to appeal to the rest of us?”
Asked if he thought Madigan’s play on Monday was a display of leadership, Moylan said others from the caucus are free to announce their candidacy to see if they can get to 60 votes.
Thapedi, a member of the House’s Black Caucus, said he likely wouldn’t look kindly on any candidate for House Speaker who comes forward now that Madigan suspended his campaign, calling them “opportunists.”
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* Gov. Pritzker today...
As I have said many times, I will work with whoever the members of the House of Representatives elect as their speaker. Choosing the speaker is the sole responsibility of those representatives, and it is clear that the members are taking their choices.
Please pardon all transcription errors.
* On to questions. He was asked about the last time he spoke with Madigan…
The last time I spoke with the speaker was a couple of days ago about the decoupling bill. So that’s the last conversation that we had, but I’ll work with whoever gets elected speaker and again as I have with the minority leader in the House and the Senate president and the minority.
* Did he ask MJM to resign when they spoke?…
No. I was in a conversation about getting things done. He is still the speaker. Now, we’re trying to get the coupling during this lame duck and, as I’ve said, the members of the House of Representatives are going to be voting on who their speaker is going to be.
* He was also asked about the Senate’s passage of a bill to apply the same collective bargaining standards on the CTU as the rest of the state…
Well, I have favorite passage of that bill since I was a candidate, since, really, before I was a candidate. And so, that bill, I know it’s coming to my desk and I’ll obviously take a serious look at it, but you know where I’ve stood for several years.
* A reporter brought up this topic…
Starting this week and running through at least Inauguration Day, armed protests are being planned at all 50 state capitols and at the U.S. Capitol, according to an internal FBI bulletin obtained by ABC News.
The FBI has also received information in recent days on a group calling for “storming” state, local and federal government courthouses and administrative buildings in the event President Donald Trump is removed from office prior to Inauguration Day. The group is also planning to “storm” government offices in every state the day President-elect Joe Biden will be inaugurated, regardless of whether the states certified electoral votes for Biden or Trump.
“The FBI received information about an identified armed group intending to travel to Washington, DC on 16 January,” the bulletin read. “They have warned that if Congress attempts to remove POTUS via the 25th Amendment, a huge uprising will occur.”
Federal law enforcement officials have advised police agencies to increase their security posture at statehouses around the country following the riot at the U.S. Capitol, law enforcement sources told ABC News.
Pritzker’s response…
I’m not going to talk about the specific security measures but suffice to say that they, the ISP is quite well aware of the challenges that may crop up you know they’ve seen them even reading into the session days here, and they will work you know we have a great security team for the state consisting of all three agency heads. That’s General Neely at our National Guard, Director Kelly at the state police and General Tate-Nadeau at our Emergency Management Agency. And we really work very cohesively and they’ve done a terrific job so far.
This post may be updated.
*** UPDATE *** Press release…
New statement from Leader Durkin on Governor Pritzker’s comments today:
Within the next 48 hours, Mike Madigan is preparing to pass two bills relating to Medicaid and public education with a price tag in the billions of dollars. I strongly urge Governor Pritzker to stop Madigan from further destroying our state’s finances in his final days. The only decoupling the Governor should be engaged in is decoupling Madigan from the legislative process.
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* Press release…
Governor JB Pritzker announced that Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs Director Linda Chapa LaVia is stepping down from her role. Major General Peter Nezamis, Assistant Adjutant General – Air, Illinois National Guard to serve as interim director. The governor will name a permanent director for the department following a nationwide search.
“Our veterans have sacrificed so much for our freedom and this administration will continue to do everything possible to prioritize their care,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “I’m grateful to Linda for her service and wish her well on her next chapter. I’m pleased to welcome Major General Peter Nezamis to his new role and am confident that with his decades of leadership and operations experience, he is the right person to lead this department forward and ensure our veterans receive the quality care they deserve.
“It’s been an honor and a privilege to serve our veterans,” said outgoing IDVA Director Linda Chapa LaVia. “I’m proud of our accomplishments and I look forward to assisting the interim director in any way possible as the department continues its work to serve our heroes.”
“I’ve been privileged to serve our state and county in a number of capacities throughout my career and I pledge to lead the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs forward in a way that is transparent, equitable and fair,” said incoming IDVA Interim Director Major General Peter Nezamis. “IDVA is tasked with caring for our state’s heroic veterans, the most noble of missions, and one I look forward to leading in the weeks to come.”
Maj. Gen. Nezamis currently serves as the Assistant Adjutant General - Air, Illinois Air National Guard. As the Assistant Adjutant General for Air, he is responsible for the command, control and operations of plans and programs affecting more than 3,000 ILANG personnel located at Scott Air Force Base, Peoria and Springfield, Ill. as well as supervising a full-time force of over 900 state and federal employees. Additionally, General Nezamis serves as an Airborne Emergency Action Officer (AEAO) for Commander USSTRATCOM performing periodic alert duties as part of the Battle Staff onboard the USSTRATCOM Airborne Command Post (ABNCP) Looking Glass. He is trained as a Director of Mobility Operations (DIRMOP), and is the Vice for the Midwest Region Strategic Planning System and member of the national level Steering Committee (SPS-SC).
General Nezamis graduated from Western Michigan University in 1986, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation Technology and Management. In December 1986, he commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Michigan ANG. He completed Undergraduate Pilot Training and was assigned to the 108th Air Refueling Squadron, O’Hare International Airport Air Reserve Station, Illinois, as a KC-135 pilot.
He is a command pilot, instructor and evaluator with more than 5,200 hours, commanded numerous expeditionary operations including the 492nd and the 506th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadrons and flown over 275 combat hours in support of several operations including Operations Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom. Previously he served as 126 ARW Wing Commander, Operations Group Commander, and Squadron Commander. Prior to his current assignment, General Nezamis was the Chief of the Joint Staff, Illinois National Guard, Camp Lincoln, Springfield Ill.
…Adding… Rep. David Welter (R-Morris)…
Director Chapa LaVia’s resignation was a necessary step in bringing accountability to the Pritzker Administration’s lackluster response to the deadly outbreak at the LaSalle Veterans’ Home. I welcome the naming of Major General Peter Nezamis to serve as acting director and encourage him to maintain an active dialogue with members of the Illinois General Assembly as he works to keep our veterans safe.
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Question of the day
Monday, Jan 11, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
On December 5th, 2020, current Illinois Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider appointed four State Central Committee members to serve on a committee tasked with recommending a process for choosing a successor Chairman. This past Saturday, the State Central Committee unanimously approved the select committee’s recommendations on an open process and timeline for the selection of a new Chairman.
Key Details:
• Applications must be submitted by January 21, 2021, no later than 5 PM CST to ILGOP Executive Director Derek Murphy via email at derek@illinois.gop.
• The State Central Committee will meet January 23, 2021, to vet the candidates and select the finalists for interview.
• The State Central Committee will meet on January 30, 2021, to interview finalists and take a final vote on the selection of a new ILGOP Chairman.
• The Chairman selected by the Illinois Republican Party State Central Committee in 2021 will serve the remainder of the four-year 2018-2022 term pursuant to the conditions and requirements of the Illinois Republican Party by-laws.
To read more about qualifications and to view/print the application, please CLICK HERE.
“In stark contrast to the Democratic Party of Illinois, the ILGOP is a grassroots-led party that functions with transparency and in service to all Republicans fighting to save Illinois. While the most corrupt politician in America, Mike Madigan, continues his white-knuckled control of the Democrat apparatus, Illinois Republicans are proud to have a process for the selection of a new leader open to all freedom-loving Illinoisans who believe they can continue growing our party.” - ILGOP Chairman Tim Schneider
* Rep. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) penned an op-ed about the state party’s direction…
Looking forward, the Illinois Republican Party must redouble its efforts to reach out to Illinoisans fed-up with years of corruption and disrespect due to one-party domination. Our priority should be putting Illinois workers and families first. We can accomplish this by applying policies that put money in the pockets of our workers and not the powerful, policies that empower Americans to live a better life for themselves and limits the power of government to make things worse.
At the same time, we need to reverse past policies that act as a deterrent to business expansion and job creation.
Illinois’ hope, recovery and restoration lies with true government reform and a return to government Abraham Lincoln so eloquently described as, “of the people, by the people, for the people.”
The next Illinois Republican Party chairman must have vision guided by tradition.
* The Question: Who should be the next ILGOP chair? Explain.
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Senate sends long-sought CTU bill to governor
Monday, Jan 11, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* The Senate has passed HB2275 on a 38-16 vote. Four members did not vote.
Some background from the Sun-Times…
A 25-year-old, one-page section of an Illinois law governing educational labor that limits the Chicago Teachers Union’s bargaining rights could be repealed as soon as this week in Springfield, a move that would mark a win for the union after a long lobbying fight.
A repeal could have serious short-term implications for Chicago Public Schools’ reopening plans if the bill passes and is signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker — and have a significant long-term impact on the CTU’s relationship with CPS.
The repeal bill was passed in the Illinois House in March 2019, and it appears likely the Senate will follow suit in the week ahead — though it’s unclear if the governor will immediately sign it. A Pritzker spokeswoman did not respond to requests for comment Friday.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who campaigned on repealing this part of the law, is now concerned about those prospects. In a letter sent to state senators Friday, she wrote that a repeal “at this critical time would impair our efforts to reopen Chicago Public Schools and jeopardize our fiscal and educational gains.”
Section 4.5 of the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act, passed in 1995, only covers unions negotiating with Chicago Public Schools — all other districts in the state are not affected. The section limits the bargaining power of the CTU — and other unions that represent school support staff — to bread-and-butter labor issues such as pay and benefits. It allows CPS to avoid negotiations over several school-related topics such as class sizes, staff assignments, charter schools, subcontracting, layoffs, and the length of the school day and year.
The original law was enacted during the brief era of total Republican rule. This bill merely puts CPS under the same rules as all other school districts in the state.
The bill already passed the House and now goes to the governor.
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* Illinois Democratic Women, Illinois NOW, She Votes Illinois, WE WILL, Indivisible Illinois, Chicago NOW, Democratic Women of McDonough County, Lake County Democratic Women and Indivisible Illinois IL9…
With the news of Speaker Madigan suspending his campaign, our coalition recognizes that more candidates may join the race for Speaker of the House. It is our expectation as strong supporters of women’s rights, and especially women’s reproductive rights, that the next Speaker of the House from the Democratic caucus will have supported the ERA, HB40, and the RHA, and is planning to support the repeal of the Parental Notification Act. We cannot go backwards to protecting the rights of women and girls in Illinois.
HB40 was the abortion bill signed by Gov. Bruce Rauner. RHA is the Reproductive Health Act, which passed in 2019.
Just yesterday, the groups were demanding that a woman be elected Speaker.
…Adding… Click here for the roll call on the RHA. And click here for the HB40 roll call. Click here for the ERA roll call. The parental notification bill hasn’t yet been voted on, but click here for a list of sponsors.
…Adding… More groups added to the list…
Men4Choice PAC
Illinois Handmaids
Indivisible Oak Park
Peoria NOW
North/Northwest NOW
Resistor Sisterhood
*** UPDATE 1 *** A buddy of mine went through all three roll calls of the three aforementioned bills. Click here to see his document. Highlighted names voted for all three bills.
…Adding… Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth was inadvertently left off the list.
*** UPDATE 2 *** Terry Cosgrove, President & CEO of Personal PAC…
Almost daily, a pregnant young woman in Illinois is forced to beg a judge in a room full of strangers to “allow” her to seek an abortion, with her only other choices being a self-induced illegal abortion, telling a violent or abusive parent she is pregnant, or becoming a parent against her will and better judgement. This is what Illinois’ dangerous Parental Notice of Abortion (PNA) law does to countless young women across Illinois and why the next Speaker of the Illinois House must publicly commit to play a leadership role in its repeal prior to May 31, 2021. Putting the health and lives of young women at risk for one more day is unacceptable and lacks excuse. The repeal of PNA simply requires striking a few sentences from the state statute, is revenue neutral (actually saves money), and is supported by every mainstream medical and child advocacy organization in Illinois and across the country. The time for leadership is now.
That group raises and spends a ton of money on legislative races.
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* Press release…
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today reported 4,776 new confirmed and probable cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Illinois, including 53 additional deaths.
Cook County: 1 female 30s, 1 female 40s, 2 males 40s, 2 females 50s, 2 males 50s, 1 female 60s, 7 males 60s, 5 females 70s, 2 males 70s, 7 females 80s, 7 males 80s, 3 females 90s, 3 males 90s
DuPage County: 1 male 70s, 1 male 80s
Kane County: 1 female 80s
Lake County: 1 male 80s
LaSalle County: 1 female 80s, 1 female 90s
Livingston County: 1 male 40s
McDonough County: 1 female 70s
Will County: 1 male 60s
Winnebago County: 1 female 70s
Currently, IDPH is reporting a total of 1,033,526 cases, including 17,627 deaths, in 102 counties in Illinois. The age of cases ranges from younger than one to older than 100 years. Within the past 24 hours, laboratories have reported 66,697 specimens for a total 14,169,986. As of last night, 3,540 in Illinois were reported to be in the hospital with COVID-19. Of those, 759 patients were in the ICU and 401 patients with COVID-19 were on ventilators.
The preliminary seven-day statewide positivity for cases as a percent of total test from January 4–10, 2021 is 7.6%. The preliminary seven-day statewide test positivity from January 4–10, 2021 is 8.9%.
*All data are provisional and will change. In order to rapidly report COVID-19 information to the public, data are being reported in real-time. Information is constantly being entered into an electronic system and the number of cases and deaths can change as additional information is gathered. For health questions about COVID-19, call the hotline at 1-800-889-3931 or email dph.sick@illinois.gov.
* Related…
* Which Illinois Regions Are Currently Meeting the Metrics to Lift Tier 3 Mitigations?
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* Press release…
“I have lost confidence that the current leadership is equipped to address the many challenges facing the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Director Chapa LaVia should resign so we can begin the process of rebuilding trust with Illinois’ veterans and their families.”
Rep. Daniel Didech (D - Buffalo Grove)
*** UPDATE *** Rep. David Welter (R-Morris)…
Director Chapa LaVia’s performance at today’s House Judiciary – Civil Committee does not provide me the confidence in her leadership skills to lead the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs any longer. If Director Chapa LaVia fails to do the honorable thing and resign then, Governor Pritzker must demand her resignation.
* Press release…
State Representative Deanne Mazzochi (R-Elmhurst), a member of the House Judiciary-Civil Committee, has released the following statement after this morning’s hearing on the LaSalle Veteran’s Home COVID-19 outbreak:
“I have spent months warning about the dangers COVID can present to vulnerable seniors in long term care facilities, and encouraging the state to devote more resources to protect them.
When we have a veteran’s facility where over 25% of the residents have died subsequent to a COVID outbreak, I had hoped Director Chapa LaVia would have clear, direct answers; would be intimately knowledgeable with the facts from the fateful two weeks in late October to early November when the COVID outbreak at the facility lost containment; and that she personally had initiated discussions with not just the personnel involved, but the Governor, to keep our veterans in not just LaSalle, but everywhere in the state, safe.
However, after spending the morning questioning director Chapa LaVia and her staff, the department and our veterans would be better served by a change in leadership, and I am calling upon her to resign. I am holding her to no less of a standard than the one she applied when she served as a legislator with oversight on issues involving our veterans.
Under her leadership, COVID-19 was able to run rampant in two of the state’s four homes, resulting in the deaths of dozens of veterans in the state’s care. Finding out what went wrong and where, and demanding accountability is not, as she called it, “micromanagement”; and understanding what went wrong is not just the job of people with medical credentials. It means getting all the facts immediately; and taking responsibility for the organization that she heads to resolve a crisis.
I am particularly disturbed that the agency has outsourced any continued investigation or options for improvement onto a separate agency, with no concurrent self-assessment on the practices and policies that led to the outbreaks. As members of our committee from both sides of the aisle agree, what they heard today was stonewalling of our legislative investigation; and a distinct lack of corrective action being taken by the agency. And, that no steps were taken to ensure the investigative cooperation of the administrator in charge of the facility at the time is an independent critical oversight error.
Furthermore, the apparent effort to insist that this outbreak must have arisen as the result of generalized COVID “community spread” in the LaSalle area, while calling “speculative” the heartbreaking possibility that COVID spread and deaths arose because patient bubbles were not preserved; doors to the rooms of COVID-positive patients were kept wide open; re-gloving from patient to patient was not properly done; the wrong kind of hand sanitizer was in dispensers; cross-contamination risks in administrative areas, and much more as detailed in the evidence of infectious disease control reports who visited the site on just one day, is appalling.
We can’t be afraid to say mistakes were made, and use that to find ways to get better. But to suggest, as was done today, that collective bargaining requirements may prevent full and immediate compliance by staff with infection control requirements is fundamentally disturbing. We can’t be afraid to tell union leadership that our veterans deserve our best. If you cannot get what you need because of procedural rules, then go to bat for our veterans with the Governor, and if he won’t act, then to us, so the necessary change occurs. Every Agency director should be expected to do that, and anyone in charge of our state’s veterans must be someone who not only wants to, but will, identify and rectify their facilities’ COVID policies and practices immediately and to ensure our veterans get the best care.”
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Are You Ready For The Chicago Reassessment?
Monday, Jan 11, 2021 - Posted by Advertising Department
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* Two high-level House Democrats have confirmed rampant rumors that House Speaker Michael Madigan is suspending his reelection campaign so that he’s not standing in the way of someone else trying to get to 60. More in a bit.
*** UPDATE 1 *** Press release…
House Speaker Michael J. Madigan released the following statement Monday:
“This is not a withdrawal.
“I have suspended my campaign for Speaker.
“As I have said many times in the past, I have always put the best interest of the House Democratic Caucus and our members first.
“The House Democratic Caucus can work to find someone, other than me, to get 60 votes for Speaker.”
…Adding… Tribune…
By stepping aside, albeit temporarily, Madigan may be aiming to show the fractured caucus that no one else can muster the necessary support.
I think that’s a big part of this, but I don’t see more than a tiny handful of the members who voted against him yesterday crawling back and asking him to save them. The harsh reality is, he can’t get to 60. This isn’t like a campaign where the person with the most votes wins. For Madigan, this is like passing a bill. And 60 is the magic number.
* Back to the article…
As Madigan waits to see if an alternative can gather 60 votes from a very diverse caucus, it also opens up the door to new candidates, including from the House Black and Latinx caucuses whose members overwhelmingly endorsed the speaker’s reelection.
And women. Don’t forget women.
The list of groups demanding the House elect a woman Speaker now includes: Illinois Democratic Women, We Will, Vote Mama, She Votes, Illinois NOW, Lake County Democratic Women, Northwest/North NOW, McHenry NOW, Resistor SisterHood, Democratic Women of McDonough County, Illinois Handmaids, Peoria NOW, Indivisible Oak Park, Friends Who March, Indivisible Illinois, Chicago NOW and Women’s March Chicago.
…Adding… Press release…
Illinois House Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) released the following statement on the latest updates of the Speaker’s election:
“With 36 hours left before the swearing-in of a new General Assembly, Michael Madigan continues to create uncertainty and misdirection. His latest statement about suspending his bid for Speaker, but not withdrawing, is typical of his style and appears to be another ploy or a head fake. For the sake of the institution, his caucus must demand that he be direct and honest about his intentions – in or out.”
Good point.
*** UPDATE 2 *** Press release…
Following is a statement from State Rep. Kelly Cassidy in reaction to the news that Speaker Madigan is suspending his campaign for speaker.
“This is truly a historic moment for our caucus and our state. Speaker Madigan’s decision to suspend his campaign is an opportunity for us to come together as Democrats and carve a new path forward. Our caucus’ growing diversity is our strength, and we need to respect that as we decide what our leadership team looks like going forward. I anticipate that this debate will be robust and impassioned, but in the end, we are all Democrats, and we will come together to turn the page and fight for new solutions for the people of Illinois.
“This news came as a shock to a lot of the caucus, so I expect the race will change dramatically as a result. This is a time to hear what all of our colleagues have to say about their visions for a new leadership team. I have nothing to announce right now, but will keep everyone apprised if that should change.”
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Keep an eye on Kinzinger
Monday, Jan 11, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* My weekly syndicated newspaper column…
“This isn’t their Republican Party anymore!” Donald Trump Jr. declared on Jan. 6 during a fiery speech near the U.S. Capitol.
“This is Donald Trump’s Republican Party,” the president’s son insisted. “Today, Republicans, you get to pick a side for the future of this party. I suggest you choose wisely.”
And then, later in the day, all heck broke loose. A large number of furious cretins stormed the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to stop a legitimate presidential election from being certified. Five people died in the resulting melee, including one member of the U.S. Capitol police force.
Freshman Illinois U.S. Rep. Mary Miller, a Republican, was at a rally the day before and made a bizarre comment about how Adolf Hitler was right about kids being the future.
Both Miller and U.S. Rep. Mike Bost (R-12) represent Southern Illinois, and after Congress reconvened that evening, they voted against certifying the presidential election results.
Bost and U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood (R-18) signed on last month to a doomed attempt to convince the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the election results.
While U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-13) did not go as far as his three GOP colleagues, he has been an ardent President Trump supporter for the past four years.
Those are not the public faces the party needs in the Chicago suburbs. And you simply can’t win statewide in Illinois without carrying that region.
U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-16), on the other hand, has made a national name for himself by occasionally yet forcefully criticizing the president, and he has stepped up his game ever since it became clear that Trump lost the election. He took it to a much higher level on the day of the insurrection, however.
“I outright condemn this garbage,” Kinzinger said of Rep. Miller’s speech. He called the storming of the Capitol a “coup attempt.” He slammed fellow Republicans for refusing to certify the results. And he said the president is a “weak, self-absorbed man” who was attempting to “overthrow the will of the people.”
“He is no longer the leader of our party,” Kinzinger said of Trump. “And our party must reject these treasonous acts.”
Back when then-Congressman Ray LaHood (Darin’s father) was thinking about running against Gov. Rod Blagojevich, I wrote that “moderate” Washington, D.C. Republicans usually have voting records which don’t look at all moderate when they run statewide here. Kinzinger has voted with Trump 92% of the time and definitely has a conservative record.
But, man, those statements could erase a whole lot of whatever can be thrown at him if he decides to run for governor or U.S. Senate, especially in a state that Trump twice lost by 17 points.
One should never make predictions during times of massive upheaval and change, so let’s not anoint him yet. Plus, we’ve all seen politicians rise like rockets only to fall like meteors. And I’ve seen plenty of very solid, hard-working candidates fail simply because they lived in the “wrong” district or state.
With that being said, Kinzinger has a sharp wit and obviously knows how to land a hard punch.
Kinzinger won a McLean County board seat when he was just 20 years old and then joined the Air Force after college and went on to fly missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. He won his first congressional race against an incumbent Democrat and then soundly defeated a longtime Republican incumbent in a post-remap primary. The dude has serious chops.
I was impressed with the way he rhetorically knocked Gov. J.B. Pritzker back on his heels last month over the LaSalle Veterans’ Home debacle, where 35 residents died of COVID-19. Then again, Kinzinger has not exactly been out front about warning his constituents to take precautions during the pandemic. The virus was raging through the surrounding community when it found its way into the facility.
The money to fund the Republican Party is in the Chicago area, where most corporate types tend to shun the far-right’s views. Those folks are definitely not going to want to reside in Donald Trump’s GOP going forward, no matter what the president’s son says. So they may be eager to embrace someone like Kinzinger.
But Kinzinger went so far out on a limb on Trump (even calling for his removal from office) that he may have seriously damaged his chances of winning a statewide primary. And even if he does win that round, a significant chunk of his party’s base might angrily choose to skip over him in a general election.
Keep watching.
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* Press release…
On Sunday, January 10th, 2021, State Representative Karina Villa introduced an amendment to Illinois’ Election Code concerning the optional loyalty oath candidates sign when submitting petitions to get on the ballot. The amendment states that the oath - in which signees swear they will not be part of any communist organization or group plotting to overthrow constitutional government - shall now add white supremacist groups and hate groups.
“White supremacists have no business occupying positions of power in our government, at any level,” Villa said. “The loyalty oath should cover members of these dangerous groups as well.”
In the wake of this past week’s events on Capitol Hill and a spike in hate crimes and white supremacist violence across the country, states must find ways to protect their residents from the dangers posed by white supremacist organizations and hate groups.
“State elected officials from multiple states across the country participated in the insurrection at the Capitol this week. That’s unconscionable. We have no choice but to ensure that white supremacists and insurrectionists cannot continue to run for office without making their hateful beliefs known to voters first.”
Discuss.
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House Speaker election coverage roundup
Monday, Jan 11, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Tribune…
With less than three days to shore up the votes needed to claim another term as House speaker, Michael Madigan on Sunday was confronted with the reality that he lacks support from nearly a third of his 73-member Democratic caucus.
In the first closed-door ballot cast by divided House Democrats, Madigan received 51 votes, sources said, short of the 60 he needs to lengthen a tenure as speaker that stretches back to 1983, save two years of Republican control in the mid-1990s.
Rep. Ann Williams of Chicago has rallied the most support of Madigan’s challengers, garnering 18 votes in the first ballot on Sunday, according to sources. Rep. Stephanie Kifowit of Oswego received three votes and one member voted present. […]
Earlier Sunday, the 19 House Democrats who have publicly opposed Madigan hardened their opposition Sunday and pledged to stay united, issuing a statement declaring they will not support Madigan “at any stage of the voting process.”
* WCIA…
Due to the public nature of the campaign to unseat Madigan, few expected the first round of balloting to yield a clear winner. Instead, the highly anticipated voice vote put every member on the record, and tested the strength and potential limits of the Speaker’s political support.
Madigan’s coalition of supporters includes the Legislative Black Caucus, the Latinx Caucus, downstate and moderate Democrats, and organized labor unions, many of whom say they’re prepared to dig in and defend his claim to the gavel against more inexperienced challengers.
And what happens if Madigan can’t get to 60 votes?
“Oh, he’ll get to 60 votes,” a confident Rep. Rita Mayfield (D-Waukegan) replied on her way out.
* WBEZ…
After the vote, Madigan’s spokesman said the incumbent speaker is continuing to work to be reelected. […]
Two incoming House Democrats also voted against Madigan: Rep.-elect Denyse Wang Stoneback, D-Skokie, and Rep.-elect Suzanne Ness, D-Crystal Lake. State Rep. Kelly Cassidy, D-Chicago, voted present
While Madigan hasn’t been charged, federal prosecutors have identified him repeatedly in court filings as “Public Official A” in the government’s probe of ComEd’s Springfield lobbying practices between 2011 and 2019. The company admitted to showering Madigan precinct captains and other associates with no-work jobs and contracts to curry favor with the speaker to help advance its legislative agenda.
Madigan has denied knowing about ComEd’s efforts to bribe him.
* WUIS…
State Rep. Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago), who has been one of Madigan’s most vocal critics for the past three years, voted present.
“I voted present because I just don’t think we’re there yet,” Cassidy told reporters after caucus adjourned Sunday night. “I don’t think we’re at a viable place yet.”
* Sun-Times
“What we learned tonight is that Speaker Madigan doesn’t have enough votes [said Rep. Kelly Cassidy] … I’m pretty certain that there are folks who are going to suggest that that means that a good Democrat would make that switch; I would argue that a good Democrat would argue that you’re not capable of uniting your caucus and step out of the way to let someone who can, do so.”
There’s more in all those stories, so click the links.
* Blog coverage…
* House Speaker election updates - Madigan is 9 votes short of 60, opposition grows from 19 to 22
* Rep. Williams: Vote makes it clear that “House Democratic Caucus is ready for a change in leadership” (updated)
* Fireworks before vote on House Speaker (newly updated with comments from Rep. Mary Flowers and Rep. André Thapedi)
* Women’s groups urge vote for woman as new House Speaker - All 19 MJM opponents say they are still together (updated x5)
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* Capitol News Illinois…
Body cameras would be mandatory for all law enforcement agencies under the law. Larger agencies would be required to have cameras in place by Jan. 1, 2022, and all agencies would need to have cameras in place by 2025.
Any municipality or county whose law enforcement agency does not comply would have its Local Government Distributive Fund contributions from the state reduced by 20% each year until it meets the requirements. The LGDF is the portion of state income tax revenue that goes to cities and counties.
Law enforcement groups, including the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police and the Chicago FOP, have referred to the Black Caucus legislation as the “Defund the police bill” because of this provision, a notion repeated by Chief Black, of Crystal Lake.
[House Criminal Judiciary Committee Chair Rep. Justin Slaughter] and other members of the Black Caucus have disputed the characterization, given that law enforcement agencies are given time to comply and do not have funding cut outright.
* Tribune…
House Democrats also accused law enforcement groups of spreading misinformation about the proposals, citing a Facebook post from the Illinois Sheriffs’ Association that labels the legislation the “defund the police bill.” The post falsely claims that the bill “completely eliminates felony murder immediately” and makes other misleading claims, lawmakers said.
Rep. Kam Buckner of Chicago called the post “a sensational hit piece,” and Rep. Anne Stava-Murray of Naperville, who is white, asked Ogle County Sheriff Brian VanVickle, testifying Sunday on behalf of the sheriffs association, to have it removed. VanVickle said he would discuss the matter with the organization’s staff.
* SJ-R…
[Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightfort] told The State Journal-Register: “We’re in the midst of trying to strike a balance between those who say, ‘Defund the police,’ all the way to those who say, ‘Don’t do anything at all.’”
She added: “We’re trying to strike a balance where we can have some good, solid reforms that can be very helpful and beneficial to Black Americans but also allow our communities to remain safe. We’re pro-safety. We’re pro-police.”
* But voters don’t do nuance and opponents are not letting up. From the Illinois FOP’s dot points…
• Defunds any department that does not comply 100% with the draconian requirements of the legislation
* Sen. Jason Plummer…
“We should call this what it is, a blatant attack on the police profession and an underhanded attempt to defund our law enforcement.”
* Rep. Andrew Chesney and Stephenson County sheriff David Snyder…
These proposals by “Defund the Police” reformers simply increase costs and too-often treat alleged criminals better than the victims as well as the law enforcement officers sworn to protect and serve the public.
* Illinois House Republicans’ dot points…
Creates costly new mandates on our local law enforcement with threats of reduced funding if they do not comply.
* Member of the Eastern Bloc…
This is a punish the police bill. (Senate Amendment 2 to HB 163)
It will not make communities safer.
It puts our…
Posted by State Representative Blaine Wilhour - District 107 on Friday, January 8, 2021
* Deputy Senate Republican Leader…
* Yet, I don’t think a word was spoken last month when this happened in Washington, DC…
GOP leaders over the past week defeated efforts to help states and cities that are facing cutbacks to public safety and other services because of the pandemic-caused budget crisis. They claimed this would amount to what Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) called a “blue state bailout.” In reality, it was more of a “blue bailout” — and police in blue and red states alike are now on the chopping block.
“Despite the clear evidence that shrinking revenue in cities across the country is leading to job loss and the reduction of critical services like public safety,” the bipartisan U.S. Conference of Mayors protested this week, “Congress chose to turn its back on first responders, police, firefighters and other essential workers.”
This isn’t theoretical. In large part because of the federal government’s months-long refusal to help, localities across the country are involuntarily defunding the police in real time.
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Open thread
Monday, Jan 11, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Keep your comments strictly about Illinois and please be nice to each other. Thanks.
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* Background is here if you somehow need it. Rep. Ann Williams (D-Chicago)…
Today’s vote makes clear the House Democratic Caucus is ready for a change in leadership. I want to thank Representative Kathy Willis and Representative Stephanie Kifowit in joining me on this journey to elect Illinois’ first woman Speaker. I am grateful for the support of so many of my colleagues and will continue to work to earn the support of the rest and unify the caucus.
*** UPDATE *** Some folks I’ve talked to tonight misread that press release and wrongly assumed that Kifowit was supporting Williams. Here’s Rep. Kifowit…
I am still in the race.
…Adding… Rep. Williams…
I’m sorry if my statement was misinterpreted…Rep. Kifowit remains a strong contender as we both continue to make the case for new leadership in the Illinois House.
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* 6:56 pm: According to three sources, Rep. Kathy Willis has dropped out of the race for Speaker.
This post will be updated.
* 7:12 pm: Hearing Rep. Willis has endorsed Rep. Ann Williams for Speaker.
* 7:18 pm: Not only do they bar reporters from the floor, have Illinois State Police troopers escort credentialed journalists to and from the restroom, but they are repeatedly yelling at grown adults tonight for telling reporters what’s going on in a caucus meeting about the future of this state. The HDem leadership attitude on display this week is really a bit much.
* 7:33 pm: Haven’t confirmed this yet, but nice job by Maxwell…
Hearing 1 Present.
I’ve been trying to tell folks that Madigan is more than 6 votes short.
* I’m hearing the same…
* Confirmed…
They’re done for the night, by the way.
* 8:17 pm: Of those who hadn’t pledged one way or the other, Suzanne Ness, Denyse Wang Stoneback and Michelle Mussman all voted for someone other than MJM. Ness and Stoneback were with Rep. Ann Williams, Mussman was with Rep. Stephanie Kifowit. More tomorrow.
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* Rep. Stava-Murray told me yesterday that she had prepared a line of questioning for Speaker Madigan today that would be tough…
“Everyone’s yelling at her,” I was told. “She just said ‘very angry questions were being asked of the other three yesterday and nobody yelled at them.’” Decent point. Even so, she apparently didn’t exactly rally the caucus to her side.
*** UPDATE *** WCIA’s Mark Maxwell had this react from Rep. Mary Flowers…
“That was so out of place for her to put that on the Speaker,” Rep. Mary Flowers (D-Chicago) told reporters Sunday night. “And I’m not making any excuses for him. But he didn’t bring racism into Springfield, where the worst race riot has been years ago.”
“Before the speaker was born, we had systemic racism,” Flowers said. “We had 400 years of slavery, so we won’t go there. And I think everybody [has] a little bias in them. But everyone is trying to evolve to do the right thing.”
If Stava-Murray’s attack was designed to weaken Madigan’s alliance with the Black Caucus, Flowers’ comments show it may have only strengthened it. The legislature is in the middle of a thorny debate about police reform measures, and several members, including Flowers, value Madigan’s experience as a negotiator who can muster the votes to pass difficult legislation.
“He’s a hard working man,” Flowers said. “Negotiating with various entities across this state is heavy lifting, and I would not want to be driving with an inexperienced driver that may run this state further off the track.”
* Hannah Meisel caught up to another Black Caucus member…
Stava-Murray’s heated exchange with the Speaker didn’t sit well with Black Caucus members in the room.
“The Black Caucus is fully capable of advocating for itself and Black issues,” State Rep. André Thapedi (D-Chicago) told NPR Illiinois. “We don’t need anyone to do that for us.”
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* Press release…
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today reported 4,711 new confirmed and probable cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Illinois, including 81 additional deaths. Illinois has now reported more than one million cases since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cook County: 1 female 30s, 1 male 30s, 3 females 40s, 1 male 40s, 2 males 50s, 5 females 60s, 2 males 60s, 6 females 70s, 12 males 70s, 10 females 80s, 5 males 80s, 4 females 90s, 7 males 90s
DuPage County: 1 male 80s, 1 male 90s
Franklin County: 1 female 80s
Fulton County: 1 male 90s
Kane County: 2 males 80s
Knox County: 1 male 50s
Madison County: 1 male 70s, 1 male 80s, 1 female 90s,1 male 90s
McLean County: 1 female 50s, 1 male 70s
Montgomery County: 2 females 80s
Peoria County: 1 male 60s, 1 female 80s
St. Clair County: 1 male 90s
Tazewell County: 2 males 70s
Will County: 1 male 60s, 1 female 70s
Currently, IDPH is reporting a total of 1,028,750 cases, including 17,574 deaths, in 102 counties in Illinois. The age of cases ranges from younger than one to older than 100 years. Within the past 24 hours, laboratories have reported 77,775 specimens for a total 14,103,289. As of last night, 3,527 in Illinois were reported to be in the hospital with COVID-19. Of those, 740 patients were in the ICU and 391 patients with COVID-19 were on ventilators.
The preliminary seven-day statewide positivity for cases as a percent of total test from January 3–9, 2021 is 7.9%. The preliminary seven-day statewide test positivity from January 3–9, 2021 is 9.1%.
*All data are provisional and will change. In order to rapidly report COVID-19 information to the public, data are being reported in real-time. Information is constantly being entered into an electronic system and the number of cases and deaths can change as additional information is gathered. Information for a death previously reported has changed, therefore, today’s numbers have been adjusted. For health questions about COVID-19, call the hotline at 1-800-889-3931 or email dph.sick@illinois.gov.
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* Rep. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) appears to have had some sort of medical emergency. Live video from BlueRoomStream.com showed Bailey lying on his back on the floor for several minutes. He eventually stood up and was placed in a gurnee by paramedics and wheeled out of the House chambers at the BOS Center.
…Adding… Photo…
…Adding… House GOP Leader Jim Durkin said Bailey has been experiencing some “gastrointestinal issues over the past few days” and likely passed out because he hadn’t yet eaten today.
Leader Durkin said Bailey “hit his head,” but said he believes Bailey will “be fine.” He asked for prayers for a quick recovery so Bailey can rejoin the chamber.
I’m told by a witness that Bailey hit his head “hard,” but was coherent within seconds of going down.
*** UPDATE *** From Rep. Bailey…
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*** UPDATED x6 - Lake County Democratic Women, Northwest/North NOW, McHenry NOW, Resistor SisterHood, Democratic Women of McDonough County, Illinois Handmaids, Peoria NOW, Indivisible Oak Park, Friends Who March, Indivisible Illinois, Chicago NOW, Women’s March Chicago, Illinois NOW join call *** Women’s groups urge vote for woman as new House Speaker - All 19 MJM opponents say they are still together
Sunday, Jan 10, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Illinois Democratic Women, We Will, Vote Mama and She Votes…
Open Letter to the House Democratic Caucus
We are writing today to strongly encourage the House Democratic Caucus to choose a woman as their new leader when they convene to vote for the Speaker of the House of the 102nd General Assembly. As statewide women’s organizations, we’ve watched with pride and gratification as the declared candidates to the current Speaker, Michael Madigan, have all come from the House Democratic Women’s Caucus, which in the past several years has taken the lead on legislation important to us such as the Clean Energy Jobs Act, Equal Rights Amendment Ratification, and Reproductive Health Act, as well as initiatives on minimum wage, education, and mental health.
While we appreciate the leadership the current Speaker has provided, we believe it is time for a change, and choosing a strong female leader is the change that is needed. We’ve also watched with some concern arguments that are being made that Speaker Madigan is the only one running who can hold the caucus together, pass important legislation, and help re-elect his members. This suggests that the female candidates that have announced do not share these same qualities. We do not believe that to be true. Further, we find that sexist school of thought to be one that has permeated the legislature in Springfield for decades. Changing that culture is another reason why it is important that a woman should be chosen to lead.
All the female candidates that have declared their intention to run for Speaker of the House have done so in an environment that has been hostile to a change in leadership; this alone gives credence to their courage and fortitude. Illinois is on the precipice of a great transition as we work to come out of a global pandemic and restore jobs to working families and revive an economy that has been ravaged by Covid-19. We recognize strong leadership is needed to meet these challenges and many pressing issues, especially the much-needed criminal justice reform being championed by the House Black Caucus. We believe that all the women who have announced their candidacy are up to this challenge and strongly urge the House Democratic caucus to elect one of them as their new Speaker.
* Meanwhile…
Today, 19 Illinois House Democrats in opposition to Michael Madigan’s re-election as Speaker of the House released the following statement:
“After meeting the past two days in Springfield, and having had the opportunity to participate in multiple candidate forums in the Speaker’s election, our position has not changed. We will not be supporting Michael J. Madigan for Speaker of the Illinois House at any stage of the voting process. It is time for new Democratic leadership in the Illinois House.”
*** UPDATE 1 *** Illinois NOW has joined the call to elect a woman Speaker. Click here for the revised press release.
*** UPDATE 2 *** Women’s March Chicago has now signed the letter. Click here.
*** UPDATE 3 *** Indivisible Illinois and Chicago NOW have also joined the letter.
*** UPDATE 4 *** More signatories…
Illinois Handmaids
Peoria NOW
Indivisible Oak Park
Friends Who March
*** UPDATE 5 *** The Democratic Women of McDonough County has added its name to the list and released this statement…
The Democratic Women of McDonough County, a 501(c)4 non-profit, firmly supports the call for Illinois to have our First Woman Speaker named. It’s time for Democrats to show allyship to women and send a strong message of solidarity with womens rights and interests, which are the interests of all our communities. Representation matters.
*** UPDATE 6 *** More…
Lake County Democratic Women
Northwest/North NOW
McHenry NOW
Resistor SisterHood
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* Capitol News Illinois…
A bill aimed at making college education and teacher preparation programs more accessible and affordable for people of color began working its way through the General Assembly on Saturday with the formal introduction of language that lawmakers have been negotiating for months.
The action came on the second day of the General Assembly’s lame duck session, which is focused heavily on a racial and social justice agenda developed over the summer and fall by the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus.
Rep. Carol Ammons, D-Urbana, who chairs the House Higher Education Committee, introduced the language in the form of a 268-page amendment to Senate Bill 458. During a hearing Saturday, she said the omnibus bill touches on numerous aspects of higher education, but she focused the hearing on a few key parts: restructuring the AIM HIGH scholarship program; increasing the diversity of the state’s teaching workforce; and reforming the way schools place students into non-credit bearing “developmental” or “remedial” classes.
Go read the rest for the details.
* And while we’re on this topic…
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Today’s quotable
Sunday, Jan 10, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Todd Greenburg of Normal…
When I was starting out as an attorney 40 years ago, I told my first boss, John P. Meyer, a former state senator, that I was unsure which political party to associate with. “You can go into the Republican Party and try to moderate it, or you can go into the Democratic Party and try to reform it,” he told me.
Forty years later, the political parties in Illinois are about where they were then.
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* NBC News…
An arm of the Republican Attorneys General Association, a national group representing the top law enforcement officers in their states, sent out robocalls encouraging people to march to the U.S. Capitol the day before the building was stormed by a pro-Trump mob.
“At 1 p.m., we will march to the Capitol building and call on Congress to stop the steal,” said the voice on the recording, which was obtained by NBC News.
The calls, which did not advocate violence or suggest the building should be breached, was sent out by the Rule of Law Defense Fund, a fundraising arm of the Republican Attorneys General Association. The groups share funding, staff and office space in Washington, D.C.
In a statement to NBC News, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, who runs the fund, said the calls were sent out without his knowledge.
* Illinois’ attorney general responds…
* Related…
* Inside the Capitol siege: How barricaded lawmakers and aides sounded urgent pleas for help as police lost control
* A mob insurrection stoked by false claims of election fraud and promises of violent restoration
* Journalists were attacked, threatened and detained during the Capitol siege
* Companies act quickly on employees involved in D.C. riot - If they don’t, “their reputation stands to be shredded in the public sphere,” says Northwestern’s Danielle Bell.
* Chicago-area CEO fired as companies grapple with how to respond to employee participation in US Capitol siege. ‘This is a character-forming moment.’
* Police departments across the U.S. open probes into whether their own members took part in the Capitol riot
* Crain’s: The police union’s chief should resign over this
* FBI: No evidence antifa involved in Capitol riot
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* I went over this with subscribers earlier today, but here’s WTAX…
Illinois House Democrats will start voting on Sunday, as House Speaker Mike Madigan is in danger of missing out on a nineteenth term.
He has been speaker – except for 1995-96 – since 1983. But people close to him were caught up in the #MeToo scandal, and, more recently, Commonwealth Edison has admitted to a nearly decade-long attempt to bribe him to get its way in the legislature. The massive bribery case has implicated Madigan, though he is not indicted.
Three Democrats want to succeed him as speaker: Stephanie Kifowit of Oswego, Ann Williams of Chicago, and Kathleen Willis of Addison. It will take sixty votes of the 73-member caucus to win, and 19 of them have publicly said they are not going to vote for Madigan.
Black and Latino lawmakers are sticking with him.
* Sun-Times…
The Sunday vote will likely be a voice vote.
That’s likely because Madigan opposes using secret ballots, which would allow representatives to vote anonymously, sources told the Chicago Sun-Times.
“Just one vote should help us figure out where people are at,” the representative said. […]
Assuming none of the 19 changes position, Madigan will be at least six votes shy of the 60 he needs to continue in the leadership role he’s held for nearly four decades.
* Subscribers have been following these developments as well…
* Perspective…
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* Tribune…
Police unions and law enforcement organizations from across Illinois were united on Saturday in opposition to a broad criminal justice overhaul the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus is pushing during the General Assembly’s lame-duck session, while Cook County’s top prosecutor weighed in with her support.
Many of the objections from police unions and others were aired during a nearly four-hour Senate committee hearing, and centered largely on proposed restrictions on collective bargaining rights for police and the removal of protections for officers against lawsuits alleging civil rights violations. […]
Tamara Cummings, general counsel for the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council, warned that eliminating so-called qualified immunity for officers would “open the floodgates for frivolous lawsuits.”
“This bill goes beyond reasonable reform and goes beyond necessary reform, and it’s frankly punitive,” Cummings testified before the Senate Executive Committee.
* Sun-Times…
Law enforcement officials criticize the bill as only making their jobs harder.
Rep. Terri Bryant, R-Murphysboro, minority spokeswoman of the House committee, said she was frustrated the bill was being brought during the lame duck session.
“If you’re going to run it as an omnibus bill then it’s a bill that should be negotiated until you can find not only bipartisanship on it, but you might actually be able to come to an agreed bill,” Bryant said of the proposal, which packages together several subjects related to criminal justice reform.
Sen. Kimberly Lightford, D-Maywood, the current chair of the Black Caucus, sought to quash the idea that the bill was rushed and said during the Saturday committee “… we’ve tried to reform the police system a number of times and every time it’s always an excuse from law enforcement to work with us.”
* ABC 7…
In the lame-duck session, state lawmakers discussed a new controversial criminal justice reform bill put forth by the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus.
“This is a big problem and requires a bold response. House Bill 163 as now amended is a bold response,” said John Rakowski with the Illinois State Bar Association.
* The ISBA’s Rakowski noted that when several criminal justice reform measures were proposed in the past, opponents predicted an “apocalypse.” This bill, he said, would not cause an apocalypse either…
When you look at this bill as a whole, what you see is that it really about three things.
It’s about transparency and accountability. It’s about basic humanity. It’s about making a better and more skilled law enforcement for the state of Illinois.
Transparency includes such things as wearing body cams. It includes a provision not to erase the tapes after they’re recorded. It requires reporting details of deaths of people in custody. It allows the reporting of police misconduct without the person who was abused or potentially abused having to be sworn in and take an oath. It publishes what the police are doing in terms of the hardware that they purchase. That’s transparency that this bill provides.
It provides accountability. It provides whistleblower protection, for example. It provides a specific thing to [garbled] that is not in the police reports. Police reports have to be truthful. It requires that applications for no-knock search warrants have detailed plans for implementing the no-knock search warrant, and that the affidavits in the background information be accurate. It requires officers to identify themselves to others. This is accountability. This is exactly what we want in our judicial system and in our law enforcement system.
The next thing that brings us to is humanity. There are provisions in this bill to provide medical care when it is imminently needed. I don’t think there is a person in this room or probably in the state that thinks that we shouldn’t provide medical care when it is imminently needed. It requires that pregnant women who are in custody have their condition recognized and treated and the concerns that they raise be tended to. It requires that the police provide more than just one phone call if a person becomes arrested and can’t contact somebody on the first phone call. It provides that there should be warnings issued by the police, just verbally, nothing very formal, before they start clearing protesters out of the street. And it requires that non-lethal force in clearing streets, such as rubber bullets, not be used indiscriminately. […]
If you give immunity in this blanket fashion that is given now to certain police officer conduct, the rights that are in the US Constitution, the rights that are embedded in Article One of the Illinois Constitution become meaningless, because a right without a remedy is not really a right at all.
And then the last thing this bill talks about is improving law enforcement for all of Illinois. It provides for training in sensitive areas such as bias and gender. […]
It provides for tighter grounds for deciding who can be certified to be a police officer, and makes clear and more transparent for everyone how you revoke a certified police officer, when it is clearly shown that there are problems with this person being a law enforcement officer. […]
Another aspect of better law enforcement is that with the body cams that this mandates and phases in over a period of years, there will be no question as to what happened that day on the street, when it happens, because there’s going to be a record of it. The officers’ body cam. The car cams. All that is going to be available, it’s going to be preserved. And that makes for better law enforcement. […]
Be fair, equitable, humane and transparent. Those are the key issues. This is a broad bill. And it is a broad bill that requires a great deal to digest, but at the same time, it is not a particularly difficult thing to understand if you break it down into its relative segments and realize that as a whole, this is a bill that will make a better Illinois.
Please pardon all transcription errors.
* Related…
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