* He said this several times today…
Congressman Kinzinger also said he wasn’t worried about being challenged for reelection in the GOP primary, saying at least one of the candidates would be a “Pretty easy primary for me.”
* Kinzinger said his end-game right now is building up his new Country First PAC. He wouldn’t disclose how much money he’s raised, but did say that the response has been surprisingly strong, even though he said he was careful not to emphasize the fundraising angle. The money, he said, “came organically,” from “people out there who feel homeless and disaffected.” He plans to spend the cash on behalf of like-minded Republicans.
“All I can do is tell the truth and I’ve made the determination that there’s always going to be some negative in politics, but I think this country needs a dose of good news because we quite honestly have a lot to be proud of. We use fear too much to get elected because fear is compelling.”
* I also asked him about that odd statement issued last week by three dozen southern Illinois Republican county chairs, particularly their line about “One Mind One Strength and No Division.”
Kinzinger said he saw the statement and it gave him a “really eerie” feeling. But, he said, “I don’t represent any of those counties. So, quite honestly, their opinion is meaningless to me.” That doesn’t sound like someone who wants to run statewide.
“But,” he said, “I also do want to use that as an example to say, ‘Look, do you really, is this the Republican heritage you believe? It’s like, everybody has to be like a monolithic thing, under whoever we determined to be the leader, if it’s Donald Trump today, or Sean Hannity tomorrow or whoever?”
“There are a lot of Republicans that have left the party, or were considering, or half-considering leaving the party that want no piece of this. And my goal is to give them voice and, and have the fight. Everybody talks about unity of the Republican Party, and I’m all for it. But I’m not going to unify under the banner of where we’re at right now. And if it takes public, you know, quote, unquote, warfare over the definition of what Republicanism is, count me in and I’ll fight to my political death for it because it’s that important.”
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* In order to become a state licensed health care worker, you must submit information to IDFPR for a background check including your fingerprints. So, this is just totally bizarre because the doctors have already done it…
A Chicago physicians group has asked the governor’s office to waive requirements that mandate fingerprinting and background checks for licensed health care workers before they can volunteer at mass vaccination sites, according to a letter sent to the office on Friday.
* It turns out, this is a local roadblock…
In the letter addressed to Gov. J.B. Pritzker, the Chicago Medical Society said the requirements, set by local governments, are unnecessary for health care workers who are already licensed and in good standing in Illinois, and instead act as barriers for the workers who are trying to lend a hand in the vaccination effort.
“I’m writing to express our concern about the requirement that licensed physicians and nurses need to be fingerprinted and have their backgrounds checked before administering COVID-19 vaccines at mass vaccination centers,” read the letter, signed by the medical society’s president, Dr. Tariq Butt, on behalf of about 17,000 area physicians. […]
But [Dr. Vishnu Chundi, chair of the Chicago Medical Society’s COVID-19 task force] said some volunteers who have tried to volunteer at state sites have been asked by local health departments to go through a cumbersome background check process that is time consuming for doctors and nurses who are already stretched thin.
The Chicago Medical Society says it has over a thousand volunteers who have offered to inoculate people in the collar counties, but the suburbs don’t want those certified doctors (mainly emergency room physicians) unless they redo their cumbersome background checks and submit new fingerprints.
It’s being portrayed as a liability issue. But it sounds like the suburbs have significant barriers against “outsiders” coming in, even if they’re already approved by the state.
Dr. Chundi told me that “each little [home rule] jurisdiction has fashioned its own rules,” and have “made it as hard as possible to go out and help people.” And, I was told, the Chicago docs would have to jump through those same hurdles in each one of those local jurisdictions.
According to the folks I spoke with at the Chicago Medical Society today, a Chicago physician can go to one of these home rule counties to perform heart surgery with no questions asked, but they can’t stick needles into peoples’ arms. I did not make that up.
Since they’re home rule counties, I’m not sure what the governor can legally do and the Pritzker administration says it’s researching the issue. In the meantime, some bully pulpit action is called for here. Put some heat on these counties to let in the volunteers, for crying out loud.
*** UPDATE *** Jordan Abudayyeh…
The governor is committed to using all authority he has to remove barriers that prevent qualified health care workers and volunteers from administering vaccine. IDPH is communicating with local health departments urging them to ensure healthcare workers can assist with their operations without unnecessary burdens.
* Meanwhile, in other news, here’s a press release…
As COVID-19 vaccine distribution continues, Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) and her colleagues have fielded hundreds of questions and concerns from people across the state about the rollout, leading her to schedule a hearing to help get to the bottom of the confusing process and call for a more comprehensive and timely plan.
“The COVID-19 vaccine is the greatest line of defense we have against the pandemic,” Morrison said. “Unfortunately, many people across the state who are eligible for the vaccine haven’t been able to get their dose – and that’s disheartening. I hope this hearing will lead us toward a path of greater efficiency.”
Senator Morrison will be joined by representatives from the Illinois Department of Public Health, Sangamon County Health Department, Chicago Department of Public Health, George Miller Safety Net Hospital, Walgreens and CVS — among others.
The hearing will focus on frequently asked questions and concerns regarding the rollout and supply of the COVID-19 vaccine. Morrison hopes the conversation will help distribution become more convenient and readily available.
* From Hannah’s latest thread…
* Chicago Tribune live blog headlines…
Travelers from 2 states, Puerto Rico no longer restricted under Chicago’s emergency travel order
Illinois reports another 58,189 COVID-19 vaccinations administered; a total of 22 cases of the UK variant have now been identified in Illinois
How Chicago’s Black-owned restaurants have fared during the pandemic
Half of Illinois public school students are still in remote learning only, even as CPS reopening plan advances
Delta, alone among airlines, to leave middle seats empty through April
Walgreens partnering with Uber to offer free rides to vaccine appointments
Comcast to award $1 million in grants to minority-owned small businesses in Chicago
For unemployed Chicagoans, real estate’s flourishing market could provide a solution to being out of work during COVID-19 pandemic
College instructors question why they should wait longer for vaccines than Illinois K-12 educators.
New variants raise worry about COVID-19 virus reinfections.
Coronavirus vaccine rollout leads to frustration, resentment as Americans await their shots.
* Sun-Times live blog headlines…
25,000 Chicago Teachers Union members to vote on deal to bring students back for in-person learning
California uses ZIP codes, outreach to boost vaccine equity
An NFL lesson: Masks were not seen as sign of weakness but as sign of responsibility
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* This is all I got and all I could get from the governor’s office today. Sorry…
FY22 BUDGET PROPOSAL TOPLINES
With the Covid-19 pandemic creating massive new hardship for families, small businesses and the most vulnerable, the Governor will be proposing a budget that protects hardworking families from additional hardship – with no tax increase. Vital services such as IDPH, DCFS, IDES and others will be strengthened.
Broadly speaking, his plan can accomplish this because:
• following the Governor’s $700 million in spending reductions in FY21, the FY22 budget proposal maintains that fiscal discipline by holding state spending flat vs FY21;
• the FY22 budget proposal will close corporate tax loopholes of $900 million and redirect revenue such as the cigarette tax into the General Fund;
• significant federal funding for education will provide additional support for schools while the state maintains its existing investment, and the governor is committed to ensuring that education is fully funded in future years;
• the FY22 budget deficit is projected to be $3 billion, rather than $5.5 billion, after the Governor called for the state to pay off $700 million in MLF borrowing early and the economy performed more strongly than expected.
There is no question that this budget will include painful choices, but as the effect of the pandemic diminishes over the coming months, the Governor will continue to focus on economic recovery for the hardest hit. The Governor will also continue to advance long-term structural budget improvements that continue the stronger fiscal trajectory Illinois was on before the pandemic. The Governor looks forward to collaborating with the General Assembly to finalize a responsible state budget.
The governor’s office claims the $3 billion budget deficit will be closed by his proposal. They didn’t say how. If I had to guess, it would be federal money.
…Adding… I was just told by the governor’s office that they won’t rely on new federal money to close the deficit.
So, flat state spending, including education spending (but heavy federal money for schools on top of state money), corporate loophole closures (tried many times by other governors and usually failed). And one can only wonder what other state money will be redirected into the General Fund (LGDF?).
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* Press release…
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today reported 2,082 new confirmed and probable cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Illinois, including 20 additional deaths.
- Clinton County: 1 male 70s
- Cook County: 1 male 40s, 1 female 60s, 1 male 60s, 1 female 70s, 2 males 70s, 1 male 80s
- Edwards County; 1 male 70s
- LaSalle County: 1 female 70s, 1 male 70s, 1 female 90s
- Madison County: 1 male 80s
- McDonough County: 1 male 80s
- McHenry County: 2 males 70s
- McLean County: 1 female 80s
- Monroe County: 1 male 90s
- St. Clair County: 1 male 70s
- Winnebago County: 1 female 90s
Currently, IDPH is reporting a total of 1,150,170 cases, including 19,686 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 55,705 specimens for a total of 16,739,500. As of last night, 2,117 individuals in Illinois were reported to be in the hospital with COVID-19. Of those, 497 patients were in the ICU and 240 patients with COVID-19 were on ventilators.
The preliminary seven-day statewide positivity for cases as a percent of total test from February 2–8, 2021 is 3.3%. The preliminary seven-day statewide test positivity from February 2–8, 2021 is 4.0%.
A total of 1,638,125 doses of vaccine have been delivered to providers in Illinois, including Chicago. In addition, approximately 496,100 doses total have been allocated to the federal government’s Pharmacy Partnership Program for long-term care facilities. This brings the total Illinois doses to 2,134,225. A total of 1,417,156 vaccines have been administered in Illinois as of last midnight, including 216,522 for long-term care facilities. The 7-day rolling average of vaccines administered daily is 55,455 doses. Yesterday, 58,189 doses were administered, almost doubled compared to a week ago Monday, February 1, when 32,559 vaccines were administered.
*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 deaths 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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Doesn’t anyone remember the Senate?
Tuesday, Feb 9, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* The Illinois Policy Institute has some House rule change ideas. I agree with some, disagree with others, partially agree on a couple. But, interestingly enough, there’s almost no mention of the Senate’s rules, which are nearly identical to the House’s except for term limits, and the new House rules would change that provision, too. Apparently, it’s fine that the Senate has this rule but it’s not nearly enough when it comes to the House…
Like the Senate, the Illinois House Rules should limit the term of the speaker to no more than five General Assemblies, so the state does not have to see generations pass without a change in leadership. There is cause for optimism on this front: term limits for legislative leaders is one reform that made it into the recently proposed House Rules resolution. It’s an important step, but all of the above reforms should be considered to truly ensure that the legislative process is fair.
* Again, the Senate has the same rules…
Under the House Rules, the speaker appoints each committee chairperson, positions that come with a generous stipend of over $10,000. The speaker can grant and withhold these positions to reward loyalty and punish opposition. For example, former Rep. Scott Drury was denied a committee chairmanship after he did not vote to re-elect Madigan as speaker in 2017.
Committee chair positions should not be used as the speaker’s carrot and stick to influence lawmakers. Committee chair appointments should be approved by a majority vote of the House. House members should eliminate the seniority requirement that members be in their third term to serve as a committee chair.
Madigan couldn’t have done that to Drury without his caucus’ tacit support. He was despised by just about everyone except for the people who loved using him as an example of “Because… Madigan!”
Meanwhile, in the Senate, former Sens. Heather Steans and Andy Manar lost their appropriations committee chairmanships because they picked the wrong horse in the leadership election a year ago.
* There is no odd-numbered-year rule for the Senate Assignments Committee, so the House’s new rules are an improvement…
A recent resolution proposing changes to the House Rules would require the Rules Committee to refer all bills to a standing or special committee during odd-numbered years, and all appropriation bills during even numbered-years. That is certainly an improvement on the status quo. But any time a piece of legislation has enough support that a majority are willing to see it moved out of the Rules Committee, a handpicked minority should not be allowed to keep it from getting a fair hearing. A majority vote should discharge a bill from the Rules Committee and send it to the appropriate substantive committee.
* The Senate doesn’t have this, either, but I’m not sure it would work. You call your bill when you have the votes. This seems like a tactic to delay the passage of needed bills until the number appears on a schedule…
The rules allow the speaker to change any order of business at any time; there is no requirement for a schedule to be set in advance. This means that hundreds of bills can be on the calendar, and only the speaker knows for sure which ones will get a vote that day.
Lawmakers should have an idea of the votes coming up so they can debate and act on the legislation intelligently. The rules should require a schedule set in advance that can only be changed with the approval of a majority of the House.
* Once again, no similar demand is made of the Senate…
The Illinois Constitution requires that all bills be read by title on three separate days before they can be passed, but lawmakers use shell bills to get around this requirement. These bills are designed to be amended later, usually by removing a word in the Illinois code and replacing it with the same word. Once a shell bill is read on two separate days, it can be amended to include substantive changes. Lawmakers will insert whole pieces of unrelated legislation into shell bills after they had already been read into the record three times, technically meeting constitutional requirements. […]
The House Rules need to be changed so all bills must be read by title on three separate days in their final form. Lawmakers need time to understand what they are voting on – as the spirit of the constitution intended.
* The Senate President can replace committee members if they have an “unforeseen absence from the Capitol at the time of the committee hearing”…
The speaker can temporarily replace committee members if they are “otherwise unavailable.” This can be done to protect members from votes that would be controversial in their districts or to get more favorable results. For example, WBEZ reported that in 2014, the speaker substituted certain Democratic representatives on the House Environment Committee to achieve a unanimous vote in favor of a measure Exelon wanted to pass.
Members should not be switched in and out of committees for political reasons. Temporary replacement should be prohibited unless the member has a conflict with another committee meeting or has an excused absence from session.
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[The following is a paid advertisement.]
In a Chicago Tribune op-ed last week, Senator Cristina Castro and Representative Ann Williams stressed the importance of passing the Clean Energy Jobs Act without delay. They wrote that while President Biden has made some important strides toward addressing the climate crisis, Illinois must take action at the state level to create thousands of clean energy jobs and build stronger, more equitable and healthier communities. Without it, Illinois risks being left behind in the clean energy economy.
“The path forward is clear — it’s time to put communities first and set Illinois on a path to 100% renewable clean energy. It’s time to address the growing climate crisis, take steps toward COVID-19 recovery by creating jobs where they are needed the most and end the corruption that has clouded the energy discussion in Springfield for years.”
Equitable jobs. Lower energy bills. No utility bailouts. CEJA can’t wait.
Read the full op-ed in the Chicago Tribune here and learn more about the Clean Energy Jobs Act here.
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It’s just a bill
Tuesday, Feb 9, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Former Speaker Michael Madigan has co-sponsored only one bill so far, and it’s this one…
The Your Care Can’t Wait Coalition, a group of healthcare and patient advocacy organizations, announced their support of the Prior Authorization Reform Act. The comprehensive, bipartisan bill was introduced today in the Illinois House of Representatives (House Bill 711) to address patient and physician concerns about the bureaucratic delays caused by the prior authorization processes used by state-regulated health insurance plans. The bill is expected to be introduced in the Illinois Senate (Senate Bill 177) on Wednesday, Feb. 10.
“The pandemic has only exacerbated the issues that physicians and other healthcare professionals face in delivering patient care,” said Illinois State Medical Society (ISMS) President Robert W. Panton, MD. “Before COVID-19, more than a thousand Illinois physicians responded to an ISMS survey and the vast majority expressed frustration about the harms caused to patients by this cumbersome prior authorization system.”
“We need to remove artificial barriers so patients get the treatments they need, and eliminate bureaucratic hurdles for doctors and other medical professionals. People should get the best quality care, whether it is physical health or behavioral health services, according to the best scientific standards and we need to cut through the red tape,” said House Majority Leader Gregory Harris (D-Chicago).
The use of prior authorization has exploded in recent years as a cost-cutting measure by health plans, at the expense of patient care.
“Patients are left in limbo for days or weeks before they can begin receiving needed care – even some cancer patients,” remarked Deputy House Republican Leader Tom Demmer (R-Dixon). “It’s heartbreaking and cruel to the patients waiting to know whether the life-saving treatments their doctor has ordered will be covered.”
The Prior Authorization Reform Act will establish consistent timelines so patients don’t have to worry about decision-making delays causing further damage to their health. The legislation will also make sure prior authorization requirements are based on medical evidence and administered by qualified individuals.
“Our bill defines who can review and make prior authorization decisions, because only qualified medical professionals should be making determinations about patient care,” explained Assistant Senate Majority Leader Linda Holmes (D-Aurora).
This legislation also removes the possibility that an insurance company can later deny payment for medical care that they previously approved. “We’ve all heard stories of patients who received surprise medical bills for treatment the insurance company said they would cover,” said Sen. Donald DeWitte (R-West Dundee). “Under the Prior Authorization Reform Act, the insurance companies will have to honor their commitments to the patients and care team.”
“It’s time to make prior authorization work for the people of Illinois. We don’t want to abolish it altogether, but it desperately needs to be reformed,” concluded Dr. Panton. “Our message to Illinois patients is simple: Your care can’t wait!”
* WIFR on an odd couple…
Rep. Will Guzzardi (D-Chicago) and Rep. Andrew Chesney (R-Freeport) wrote an opinion editorial form together over their shared interest in protections against exploitative loans on Monday.
You can read the opinion editorial in its entirety below.
“We are two legislators who don’t agree on a lot.
One of us is a Chicago Democrat who co-chairs the Illinois House Progressive Caucus. The other is a Northwest Illinois Republican who is a firebrand for Conservative causes.
Despite these obvious ideological differences, this summer we joined forces on an issue that matters deeply to both of us: curbing excessive interest rates on payday loans.
A payday loan is a short-term loan that is supposed to be meant to keep a family afloat until the next paycheck comes in. It is intended to be a tool of last resort for people whose backs are against the wall.
The payday lending industry knows their customer base are desperate, and they have been insufficiently prevented from taking advantage of that desperation. Payday loans could be issued at annualized interests rates over 400 percent.
* Press release…
As Illinois faces an economic and public health crisis, a racial and economic justice crisis, and a crisis of utility corruption, leaders of the Illinois General Assembly and the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition (ICJC) today announced the reintroduction of the Clean Energy Jobs Act (CEJA) with a pledge to pass the comprehensive legislation in the General Assembly by May 2021.
With a new Biden administration pursuing rapid federal action on the climate crisis, a clean jobs champion serving as the new Speaker of the Illinois House, and CEJA champions taking over leadership of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, the urgency and opportunity to pass CEJA is at an all-time high.
More than a year ago, Governor Pritzker committed to passing community-driven clean energy legislation that would create jobs and protect our planet. In his 2020 State of the State address, Gov. Pritzker said, “It’s time to put consumers and climate first. I’m not going to sign a bill written by the utility companies.”
In fact, Illinois and Oregon are the only states in the country led by Democrats that haven’t committed to 100% clean energy by 2050. CEJA changes all of that.
CEJA would hold utilities accountable and move Illinois to 100 percent clean energy by 2050, by drawing billions of dollars in renewable energy investment to Illinois, expanding money-saving efficiency programs, and promoting vehicle electrification. CEJA would spark tens of thousands of clean energy jobs without raising taxes, hiking power bills, or giving bailouts to Exelon or fossil fuel companies.
“The days of the big utility companies meeting in back rooms to shape energy policy to benefit their bottom lines are over. CEJA is a product of the most grassroots-intensive energy policy development effort in the history of Illinois. It was put together after over 100 ‘Listen. Lead. Share.’ community meetings were held across the state. As a result of this grassroots effort, the bill addresses head on the issues most important to communities: it tackles climate change, creates equitable jobs in every part of Illinois, and holds utilities accountable. This is what the people of Illinois want, and we’re working to make it happen on behalf of all Illinois communities,” said State Rep. Ann Williams, House sponsor of CEJA and chair of the House Energy & Environment Committee.
“While we are heartened by President Biden’s leadership on climate change, only the states can ensure the benefits of clean energy policy flow equitably to communities of color often left behind, support the development of rooftop solar and energy efficiency programs, hold utilities accountable, deploy electric vehicles, and support a just transition for former fossil fuel communities. CEJA is the most comprehensive energy bill that tackles all these issues, and without it, President Biden cannot achieve his ambitious climate change goals. Illinois must lead the way,” said State Sen. Cristina Castro, Senate sponsor of CEJA.
As demonstrated in the recent lame duck session, the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus is a key force for change in Springfield. Black Caucus Chairs Sen. Robert Peters and Rep. Kam Buckner, as well as Joint Caucus Chair Rep. Sonya Harper, are all strong supporters of the Clean Energy Jobs Act.
“We don’t just want electric vehicle charging stations, rooftop and community solar, and energy efficiency projects completed in Black neighborhoods and communities. We want Black workers installing them, and we want Black-owned businesses designing the projects and getting them built. Chicago should be at the forefront of moving from the Rust Belt to a Green Belt. Clean energy must become an engine of safety and stability in our communities, and CEJA is the only comprehensive energy bill that delivers on that promise,” said State Sen. Robert Peters, Senate chair of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus.
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* Last night…
* It was the usual hyperventilating from the usual types…
* But…
Such responsible rhetoric.
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* CNN…
The Justice Department, as soon as Tuesday, is expected to ask US attorneys appointed by former President Donald Trump to submit their resignations, a turnover expected to spare two top prosecutors in Delaware and Connecticut overseeing two sensitive Trump-era investigations, a senior Justice Department official said.
In a call Monday night, acting Attorney General Monty Wilkinson asked Delaware US Attorney David Weiss to remain in office, where he is overseeing the tax probe of Hunter Biden, President Joe Biden’s son. John Durham, appointed as special counsel by former Attorney General William Barr to reinvestigate the origins of the Trump-Russia probe, will also continue his work, but he is expected to resign as US attorney in Connecticut, the Justice official said.
The resignation request is expected to apply to 56 Senate-confirmed US attorneys appointed by Trump.
Justice officials have scheduled a call with US attorneys around the country to discuss a transition that is expected to take weeks. The Justice official didn’t say when the resignations would take effect.
The changeover of US attorneys is routine, but is often fraught with political overtones. In 2017, then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions asked 46 Obama-appointed US attorneys to submit their resignations. A handful were allowed to stay on for a brief period, but most had to leave immediately.
* Press release…
U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today released the following statement after it was reported that the Biden Administration will terminate John Lausch as United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois:
“While we agree with the Biden Administration’s criminal justice agenda, we are disappointed with the decision to terminate U.S. Attorney Lausch without consulting us. In 2017, our non-partisan screening committee gave its support for Mr. Lausch to serve in this position, and the Senate confirmed him unanimously.
“While the President has the right to remove U.S. Attorneys, there is precedent for U.S. Attorneys in the Northern District of Illinois to remain in office to conclude sensitive investigations. We believe Mr. Lausch should be permitted to continue in his position until his successor is confirmed by the Senate, and we urge the Biden Administration to allow him to do so.”
In August 2017, the non-partisan screening committee set up by Durbin and Duckworth to assist them in evaluating candidates for vacant U.S. Attorney, U.S. Marshal, and federal judgeship positions in Illinois recommended Mr. Lausch to serve as the next United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois. He was unanimously confirmed by voice vote in the Senate on November 9, 2017.
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* Rachel Hinton…
North Side Democrats promised no backroom dealing in appointing a successor to former state Sen. Heather Steans, vowing the process would be open and transparent.
But state Rep. Kelly Cassidy said Monday that wasn’t the case — and her decision to not engage in those dealings may have been a key reason why she lost the chance to win the appointment herself.
“I think that what it says is that we’ve got a long way to go to fix the culture, and get people accustomed to doing things in a truly open manner,” Cassidy said. “A deal that is supposedly high-minded is still a backroom deal.” […]
Cassidy said when the committeepersons were weighing the appointment, “everybody in their own way,” either personally or through an “emissary,” tried to cut some sort of deal with her, including one that would’ve ensured her state representative seat would go to a person of color had she moved up.
The North Side legislator said her decision not to engage in the deal-making was related to community groups who were “upset about the process” and the group of committeepersons “making all these assurances about it not being a backroom deal — and so I wasn’t going to make any deal.”
Lots more in there, including react, so go read the whole thing.
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* Illinois Gaming Board…
Based on information available to the Gaming Board from Illinois sports wagering operators as of the date of this release, the approximate sports wagering handle and adjusted gross receipts (“AGR”) for Super Bowl LV on February 7, 2021 are as follows:
* Online Handle: $42,756,647
* Retail Handle: $2,853,866
* Total Handle: $45,610,513
* AGR: $7,659,269
* State Tax Revenue: $1,148,890
Note: The above numbers are subject to change pending more information from licensees and further review and analysis.
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* The new House rules language has surfaced. I’m still going through it, but click here and go through it with me in comments. I’ll be posting updates as I read it.
First new language I noticed was Speaker term limits…
No member may be elected as Speaker for more than five General Assemblies, including any term in which the member was
elected to fill a vacancy in the office […]
The same term limit applies to the Minority Leader.
Updates to follow.
* Here’s a nod to bipartisanship. If for whatever reason the Assistant Clerk of the House position becomes vacant, the House Speaker is allowed to appoint the replacement. The new rules would require the Speaker to consult with the Minority Leader.
* “The Speaker and the Minority Leader shall not serve as members of are each eligible to be appointed to the Rules Committee.”
* Remote legislating is in the rules. Here’s one…
Notwithstanding any other provision of these Rules, members of the Rules Committee may participate remotely in its
meetings.
* More Rules Committee changes…
During odd-numbered years, the Rules Committee shall refer any House bill initially before it to a standing committee or a special committee prior to the deadline for House committee consideration of House bills, provided that referral shall not be required for a House bill that is introduced after the introduction deadline for House bills or for which the Principal Sponsor has submitted a written request to hold the bill in the Rules Committee.
That has been odd-numbered years practice for several years, but now it’s codified.
* Remote Participation in Committees and Task Forces…
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of these Rules, in the case of pestilence or public danger upon declaration of the Speaker, members may participate remotely in hearings for committees and task forces. A member of the committee or task force participating remotely shall be considered present and in attendance at the committee hearing, including for purposes of voting in accordance with Rule 49 and determining if a quorum is present. Action taken by a member of a committee who is participating remotely shall have the same legal effect as if the member were physically present when the action is taken.
(b) The Speaker may establish additional procedures for remote participation under this Section and shall designate the technology or software that must be used. The technology or software must, at a minimum, be sufficient to (1) verify the identity of a member who is participating remotely, (2) allow the public, including representatives of the press, to hear or view each member and witness who is participating remotely, and (3) allow witnesses to testify as permitted under Rule 26.
* Those who wish to testify in committee must now submit a form on the General Assembly website. The era of paper slips is over.
* No lobbyists at in-person hearings? Looks like it…
For meetings of committees during a disaster proclaimed by the Governor due to the COVID-19 virus, access to the room in which the committee is held shall be limited to members and officers of the General Assembly, majority and minority staff, and no more than 5 members of the public who are representatives of the press, except as otherwise authorized by the Speaker. The Speaker shall designate one or more locations outside of the committee room for the public to safely watch and listen to the proceedings of the House and its committees via a live audio/video broadcast. Access to such locations may be limited as necessary to maintain safety, including, but not limited to, requiring that persons at such locations follow the decorum requirements of Rule 51.5(a). Notwithstanding any other provision of these Rules, testimony at a committee hearing during a disaster proclaimed by the Governor due to COVID-19 virus may be limited to written testimony at the discretion of the Chairperson. This subsection shall only apply to meetings in which members are physically present and may not be suspended.
(This was in the rules change passed last year except for the final sentence.)
* This looks to be special language to reimburse folks for the challenge to Rep. Eva Dina Delgado’s appointment…
Adoption of Reports in Contests and Challenges […]
If the committee fails to file a final report prior to the end of the General Assembly term, each party may, within 60 days of the beginning of the next General Assembly term, file with the Clerk of House a request for reimbursement including a detailed statement of attorney’s fees and expenses incurred by that party in connection with the case. The request shall be referred to the Rules Committee which may refer it to a standing committee, special committee, or a committee created under this Article X for consideration. The committee may make recommendations to the House concerning reimbursement of attorney’s fees and the expenses of the parties. The recommendation for reimbursement under this Section shall not exceed a sum that is reasonable, just, and proper.
* Cleanup language after the experience of the Madigan Special Investigating Committee…
Notwithstanding any other provision of these Rules, if the Speaker is a petitioner or the subject of the petition, the highest ranking member of the majority caucus who is not a petitioner or the subject of the petition shall have the powers and duties of the Speaker in connection with the Special Investigating Committee, and if the Minority Leader is a petitioner or the subject of the petition, the highest ranking member of the minority caucus who is not a petitioner or the subject of the petition shall have the powers and duties of the Minority Leader in connection with the Special Investigating Committee.
The new rules would also allow chairs of those special committees to establish their own rules as long as they don’t conflict with the House’s rules.
* I think that’s it. Did I miss anything?
* A commenter noted that the House is now supposed to convene at noon instead of 12:30.
*** UPDATE *** HGOP spokesperson Eleni Demertzis…
“With the exception of allowing remote committee meetings during the pandemic, the House Rules are functionally identical to the Madigan-led sessions of the past. The Speaker retains centralized control over every bill, amendment, or motion. Nothing in these House Rules improve transparency or bring sunlight to legislative proceedings. The same problems previously pointed out by good government advocates—like taking a midnight vote on a several-hundred-page amendment or budget only moments after it has been filed—are allowed by and re-authorized in these Rules for the next two years.”
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Question of the day
Monday, Feb 8, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* New aspects to the Chicago Public Schools’ tentative agreement with the CTU, according to CPS…
• Expediting Vaccination Opportunities and Prioritizing Individuals who live with Vulnerable Family Members: The district is doing everything in its power to vaccinate staff and educators as quickly as possible in an equitable manner. Through a partnership with Walgreens and the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH), 2,000 pre-k and cluster staff and staff without an accommodation who have medically vulnerable household members will be offered vaccinations beginning this week. To ensure doses are prioritized for employees who will be supporting school operations, staff members who live with medically vulnerable family members and accept this expedited vaccination opportunity must commit to returning to school within two weeks of receiving their first dose.
Through the district’s own vaccination sites — which will open later this month and will be available exclusively for CPS employees — we will be able to provide vaccination doses to 1,500 CPS employees per week out of the city’s limited supply. Staff who work in the city’s 15 most impacted and vulnerable communities may also be offered vaccinations through the city’s Protect Chicago Plus initiative.
• Metrics to Pause In-Person Learning District-Wide: Under the tentative agreement, the district will revert to online learning for at least 14 calendar days if the city’s COVID-19 test positivity rate (7-day rolling average) meets the following criteria:
1. Rate increases for 7 consecutive days:
2. Rate for each of the 7 consecutive days is at least 15% higher than the rate one week prior; and
3. Citywide positivity rate on the 7th day is 10% or greater.
CPS will resume in-person learning after 14 days or when the positivity rate no longer meets all of the criteria above — whichever occurs at a later time. The agreement also establishes pause metrics for individual pods and schools:
• Pausing in-person learning for individual pods: CPS will pause in-person instruction in a classroom (pod) when there has been one confirmed positive COVID-19 case.
• Pausing in-person learning for individual schools: CPS will implement a school-wide operational pause when there are three or more confirmed positive cases in three or more different classrooms at a school within a 14-day period. If cases are traced to identified exposures from in-school or non-school circumstances, the impacted classrooms and individuals will remain quarantined and other classes can resume. If cases cannot be linked and in-school transmission cannot be ruled out, the school will remain closed for 14 days.
• Accommodations and Leave: CPS has granted and will continue to grant approval for telework accommodations to employees at increased risk for severe illness due to COVID-19 and to employees who serve as primary caregivers for family members at increased risk for severe illness due to COVID-19, provided employees complete the application with proper documentation. All other accommodation requests will continue to be granted when operationally feasible and consistent with providing a high quality learning experience to in-person students. Any CTU member without an accommodation who is not fully vaccinated may take a job-protected unpaid leave of absence, with full benefits during the third academic quarter.
* Already agreed-to language…
• Health and Safety Protocols: The health and safety of everyone in CPS schools is priority number one, and the district has worked with the Chicago Department of Public Health to ensure its plan meets and exceeds the recommendations for safely operating during the pandemic. Key mitigations include health screenings and temperature checks, access to hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes, face coverings and PPE, regular cleaning and disinfection protocols, and social distancing.
• Ventilation: In addition to the Centers for Disease Control’s primary recommendations for preventing the spread of COVID-19, the district has undertaken an extensive effort to ensure all classrooms used this year are properly ventilated. Independent, state certified environmental specialists have tested every school’s indoor air quality, and engineers have done ventilation checks in all classrooms. To provide an additional layer of protection, the district has invested $8.5 million in HEPA air purifiers for all classrooms and office spaces. Families can view the results of their school’s air quality assessments at cps.edu/airquality.
• Contact Tracing: To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, the district has established a 10-person contact tracing team, which investigates all known cases of COVID in district schools. Working in close coordination with the Chicago Department of Public Health, the district’s contact tracing team notifies all close contacts and ensures that proper notifications are sent to each school community in a timely manner.
• Health and Safety Committees: To ensure union members and other school staff have a role to play in promoting safe learning environments, the district will establish district- and school-level health and safety committees charged with ensuring safety and mitigation measures are implemented appropriately and consistently.
Click here for the entire document, including links.
* The Question: Your thoughts on this? Make sure to explain.
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* Shaw Media…
Bull Valley resident Gary Rabine, CEO and founder of Schaumburg-based paving, roofing and snow removal company Rabine Group, said Sunday he intends to run for governor in 2022 as a Republican. […]
“Gary Rabine would be a great governor for Illinois,” McHenry Mayor Wayne Jett said. “I believe he can win the primary and ultimately be the next governor.”
McHenry Township Trustee Steve Verr suggested Rabine would be a better governor than fellow Republican Bruce Rauner. […]
“He’s hardly a career politician. Just a brave fellow who can see several steps ahead and the downward spiral of the state under terrible hacks like Rauner and (Gov. J.B.) Pritzker,” he added.
* Rabine is such a country club Republican that he actually owns part of a country club…
McHenry County businessman Gary Rabine is considering running for the Republican nomination for Governor.
He says he will make an announcement by mid-February. […]
In this past year’s 14th congressional district primary election, he endorsed Catalina Lauf, explaining at a Trump rally he hosted at the Bull Valley Country Club (in which he has an ownership interest) that he was a good friend of winner Jim Oberweis, but that Catalina had asked him first.
Republican National Finance Chairman Todd Ricketts was one of the speakers at the event.
Former Milwaukee Sheriff David Clarke was the headliner at that event.
* Like Rauner, Rabine was an early supporter of Charlie Kirk’s Turning Point USA. Unlike Rauner, he continues to be a big backer. From last June…
Donations to the conservative student activist group Turning Point USA have more than doubled, leading it to expand its footprint to some 2,000 colleges, universities, and high schools, and deploy thousands of supporters to challenge the wave of young liberal protests tearing down statues and calling the United States systemically racist.
In new tax documents, the Indiana-based group and its affiliates, one of which hosted President Trump in the packed Phoenix Dream City Church yesterday, showed contributions jumped from $10 million in 2018 to $24 million in 2019, and gross receipts at over $30 million. […]
Fundraising support was offered by Friess, who set up “challenge” grants, and conservative philanthropists Bill and Rebecca Dunn and the Jack Roth Charitable Foundation. Others include Tom Sodeika, president of Precision Payroll of America, Rabine Group Founder Gary Rabine, and Doug DeGroote.
* Last October…
Recently, Rabine has become the leader of an informal political organization called Save Illinois, which organizes to replace Illinois politicians who they feel are bad for the economic well-being of residents, Rabine said. The group has hosted a number of rallies in support of Trump and other local candidates that they think will “save Illinois from the fiscal depths that we’re up against,” he said.
The Facebook page appears to be here.
*** UPDATE *** “I believe you shoot to stop bad people, and this has not been the case in Chicago,” Rabine told Jeff Berkowitz last month.
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* Press release…
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today reported 1,747 new confirmed and probable cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Illinois, including 35 additional deaths.
Boone County: 1 male 90s
Cook County: 1 male 40s, 1 female 50s, 2 males 50s, 3 males 60s, 1 female 70s, 2 males 70s, 1 female 80s, 3 males 80s, 4 males 90s
DuPage County: 1 female 60s, 1 male 80s, 1 female 100+
Hardin County: 1 female 90s
Kane County: 1 male 60s, 1 female 90s
Kendall County: 1 male 30s
Knox County: 1 male 60s
Lake County: 1 male 70s
Montgomery County: 1 male 40s
Morgan County: 1 male 80s
Peoria County: 1 male 80s
Richland County: 1 female 60s
Washington County: 1 male 90s
Whiteside County: 1 male 90s
Winnebago County: 1 male 70s
Currently, IDPH is reporting a total of 1,148,088 cases, including 19,668 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 47,210 specimens for a total of 16,683,795. As of last night, 2,161 individuals in Illinois were reported to be in the hospital with COVID-19. Of those, 469 patients were in the ICU and 251 patients with COVID-19 were on ventilators.
The preliminary seven-day statewide positivity for cases as a percent of total test from February 1–7, 2021 is 3.3%. The preliminary seven-day statewide test positivity from February 1–7, 2021 is 4.1%.
A total of 1,638,125 doses of vaccine have been delivered to providers in Illinois, including Chicago. In addition, approximately 496,100 doses total have been allocated to the federal government’s Pharmacy Partnership Program for long-term care facilities. This brings the total Illinois doses to 2,134,225. A total of 1,358,967 vaccines have been administered in Illinois as of last midnight, including 212,256 for long-term care facilities. The 7-day rolling average of vaccines administered daily is 51,794 doses. Yesterday, 16,110 doses were administered.
*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 deaths 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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Caption contest!
Monday, Feb 8, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* I am a fierce hair libertarian. I think I’ve told you the story about how the lunch ladies refused to serve me in grade school because I had bangs. My father gave me never-ending grief about the length of my hair when I was in high school and beyond.
So, I decided very early in life that I would never be judgmental about someone else’s hair. Punk rock spikes? Cool by me. Women and balding men shaving their heads? Awesome option. Daughter shows up one day with dyed hair? Smile and suggest she try some other colors.
So, I gotta say I’m kinda loving the hairdo on newly appointed Illinois Sen. Mike Simmons. He’ll most definitely stand out in that otherwise staid chamber. Who knows, maybe he’ll even start a new legislative trend. His official photo…
He definitely has a certain panache. Let’s give him a friendly welcome.
70 Comments
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Just do it already
Monday, Feb 8, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Joe Mahr and Angie Leventis Lourgos at the Tribune…
The Tribune spoke to more than a dozen health officials, researchers, doctors and families, and analyzed federal, state and local datasets to try to assess a system that’s considered key to ending the pandemic but, so far, has attracted widespread frustration.
As of Friday, roughly 960,000 Illinoisans have received at least one shot — and about 270,000 of them have received both shots. But the state’s pace has ranked in the bottom third of the country for residents vaccinated, when adjusted for population sizes.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration has pointed to different metrics to argue the state is doing relatively well at vaccinating people, particularly recently. And echoing other states’ complaints, Illinois officials have blamed rollout frustrations on scarce supplies and poor planning by the Trump administration. […]
Still, Illinois’ lagging vaccination numbers have become political fodder in the national finger-pointing over the slow rollout. At that same congressional hearing, a West Virginia Republican noted Illinois had used up less than 60% of vaccine it had received, compared with his home state, which had used up more than 80% by then.
Gov. Pritzker promised to actually run the government, unlike several of his predecessors. The state, therefore, deserves the best possible response without excuses. The article points out numerous problems, with one being that the state appeared to get a late start, then abandoned its management plan.
* Meanwhile…
The coronavirus variant that shut down much of the United Kingdom is spreading rapidly across the United States, outcompeting other strains and doubling its prevalence among confirmed infections every week and a half, according to new research made public Sunday. […]
The spread of the variant, officially known as B.1.1.7, and the threat of other mutant strains of the virus, have added urgency to the effort to vaccinate as many people as possible as quickly as possible.
I completely understand about the international shortage and the national problems since the vaccine was approved. I think most of us are willing to cut everyone some slack. And, yes, there are some local public health agencies which aren’t holding up their end and the big pharmacy companies appear to have bungled the nursing home vaccination program.
But I don’t care what it takes, I don’t care what the governor has to do, this needs to be fixed and it needs to be fixed right freaking now. I hate it that other states are doing better than us, even though that’s admittedly a silly metric. We definitely need a better national plan, but until that happens, Illinois has got to up its game.
Governors own.
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Karen Lewis
Monday, Feb 8, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Sun-Times…
Karen Lewis, the charismatic former head of the Chicago Teachers Union, has died, her spokeswoman confirmed.
“The nation has lost a true champion. Karen Lewis was one of the most powerful and prolific voices in public education, advocating for students, their families and the communities in which they live,” said Stephanie Gadlin, a spokeswoman for Lewis.
“For her tenure as president of the Chicago Teachers Union, she was the architect of today’s fight for education justice. As her spokeswoman, I cannot tell you how inspired I was by her leadership as well as her vulnerability as she navigated the treacherous terrain of Chicago politics. …
“Our city has lost a great voice. I send my heartfelt condolences to her loved ones, friends and to the 25,000 members of the CTU. May her memory reign for all days to come and she find rest in the bosom of God.”
She truly stomped on the terra.
* NBC 5…
Lewis, who retired from her role in CTU in 2018 to focus on her health, was first diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive type of brain cancer, in 2015 as she was considering a run for Chicago mayor. In 2017, the one-time chemistry teacher revealed she suffered a stroke.
The fiery Lewis was known for speaking her mind. She led the Chicago Teachers Union and its 32,000 members in a style hadn’t been seen in years and tangled with then-Mayor Rahm Emanuel. […]
The Chicago union wasn’t the first to use that strategy. But its leadership, including Lewis, acted when teachers nationwide felt unions’ political power and clout had been severely weakened, said John Rogers, a professor of education at the University of California, Los Angeles.
“Chicago was a dramatic moment, when this set of ideas coalesced and was enacted and then caught the attention of other unions,” Rogers said.
* Tribune…
Born Karen Jennings, Lewis grew up in Hyde Park. Her parents were both CPS teachers. She attended Kozminski Elementary School and Kenwood Academy High School, according to her official union biography, before accepting early admission at Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts.
She later transferred to Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. Lewis frequently pointed out she was the sole black woman in the college’s graduating class of 1974, but it was not a happy time. Dartmouth began enrolling women in 1972.
“Dartmouth was a really bad experience for me, but it made me stronger,” she told the school alumni magazine in an interview published in 2011.
“I was the only black woman in my class, and it was clear that women weren’t wanted. That did teach me that top-down decisions usually take a while for people to buy into.”
* Crain’s…
Lewis was a gifted cook, opera aficionado, and film buff who could speak Italian, French, and Latin. She converted to Judaism as an adult and celebrated her bat mitzvah at age 59.
* RIP…
…Adding… Press release…
Senate President Don Harmon statement on the passing of Karen Lewis:
“I cherished Karen’s friendship and mentorship and will always be better for it. She was an amazing person, devoted teacher, champion of the professional educator and skilled leader. She was one of a kind, dedicated to her core to challenging and changing lives and communities. We are indebted to her service and leadership, for which she will be remembered and forever missed.”
…Adding… Press release…
The following is a statement from SEIU Illinois State Council President Tom Balanoff regarding the passing of Chicago Teachers Union President Emerita Karen Lewis:
“Karen Lewis never shied away from a fight. She unflinchingly took on politicians and special interests, usually in her own humorous and disarming way.
“The 2012 teachers’ strike changed the course of Chicago and our entire country. Karen’s leadership inspired teachers across the country to fight for quality public education that their communities deserve.
“Through her work and vision, Karen transformed CTU into the powerful organization it is today and reminded the world how unions are a potent force for the common good. Her legacy lives on through the millions of working people she inspired to fight for collective justice.”
…Adding… Lt. Gov. Stratton…
Today we mourn the loss of a dynamic woman who had an amazing impact on the education of Chicago school children and the people who dedicate their lives to teaching them. Karen Lewis led the Chicago Teachers Union with brilliance, grit, love, and style. She often found herself in rooms and spaces where she was the only woman and person of color, and she never failed to bring her authentic self to the table where decisions were made. I learned from Karen Lewis that when you find yourself in these rooms and spaces, you never dim your light to make others feel comfortable. My heartfelt condolences to her loved ones and the CTU family. May she rest in power.
…Adding… Press release…
Illinois Federation of Teachers President Dan Montgomery issued the following statement on the passing of former Illinois Federation of Teachers Executive Vice President and Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis.
“Karen Lewis was a warrior, an undeniably powerful presence, and she spoke truth to power like no one else. She was one of the most committed unionists I have ever known, and she did absolutely nothing half way for the cause of labor. To stand beside her and see her members’ love for her at rallies on the streets of her beloved hometown of Chicago was a sight I’ll always cherish.
“Karen dedicated her life to the fight for equality, fairness, and respect for all people. She led the revival of the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) and sparked the reinvigoration of teacher unionism across the nation. Under Karen’s leadership during the historic strike of 2012, CTU won a fair and equitable contract for members, and reframed the education debate in Chicago around the schools all children deserve.
“Karen was hilariously funny and could be daringly acerbic. More than anyone I’ve ever known, she contained multitudes and could smartly discuss anything from opera to critical theory to medicine to where to eat in Montreal. In her heart she was a teacher, a nationally board-certified chemistry teacher, no less. It was a privilege to work with her in her role as IFT executive vice president, a position she held for nearly a decade before retiring in 2019. It was an honor to call her a distinguished colleague. Most importantly, it was a joy to call her a friend.
“On behalf of the members of the IFT, I send our love to Karen’s husband, John, and their family. May her memory be a blessing and may she rest in peace.”
…Adding… Speaker Welch…
“This morning, we learned we lost the great Karen Lewis—a giant among giants. Of course, as president of the Chicago Teachers Union, her leadership in education justice, student advocacy and labor rights will forever be sketched in history. But before that, she was a teacher born to parents who were themselves teachers. With fire and fury, she dedicated her life to the promise that we will leave the world better for our children than we inherited ourselves. For that and a life full of love, we thank you, Karen.”
…Adding… Press release…
The Chicago Federation of Labor released the following statement regarding the passing of Karen Lewis, Chicago Teachers Union president emerita and former CFL Executive Board member:
“Chicago has lost a legend. A teacher, a leader, a trailblazer, and a friend, Karen Lewis was someone who stood tall not only for the educators of this city, but for every single worker in Chicago. She never compromised on the values she held dear, fighting for her students and their families with a fierce determination that will never be matched. Karen’s leadership gave rise to a generation of activists across the country, sparking a renewed energy in the fight for public education that continues to this day. She also inspired countless Chicagoans within and outside of the labor movement as she spoke truth to power without fear. She was beloved and revered as a member of the Chicago Federation of Labor Executive Board, serving as a role model of the solidarity we hold dear. Her voice – unique, uncompromising, brilliant, and kind – will be forever missed.”
CFL President Bob Reiter: “Karen Lewis was my friend. We started out as seatmates and as the new people in the room. We had our own little corner of the table and we built a relationship that was fun, loyal, and personal. That relationship between us became more than just the table. And I have stories of my friend. She was a great leader, but she was a person too. We made light of situations happening around us. I ran interference for her. She ran interference for me. I believed in her. She believed in me. We shared. We talked. We supported each other. I’ll miss her and I’m heartbroken. John and the rest of her family have my undying support for sharing her with me, Chicago, and the entire labor movement. I love you Karen.”
CFL Secretary-Treasurer Don Villar: “We will never forget Sister Lewis’ courage, charisma, and passion for teachers and the labor movement. From the classrooms at Lane Tech to city hall, she inspired students, teachers, families, and labor activists in her fight for equity, dignity, and respect for educators. Sister Lewis is that once in a lifetime legend, a game changer. In leading CTU, she sparked a renewed call for activism in the labor movement that spread across the country.”
…Adding… IEA…
The following statement is attributable to former IEA President Ken Swanson:
“I’m very saddened to learn of Karen Lewis’ passing. Karen was a tenacious advocate for teachers, support staff and students. She was never afraid to speak truth to power, as she saw it. Her compass was always pointing her in the direction of relentless, passionate advocacy to empower staff and the students of Chicago Public Schools. I have always wondered how different things might be today had she not developed cancer and successfully run for mayor. My deepest sympathies to Karen’s family, friends and colleagues in Chicago, across Illinois and across the nation.”
The statement below is attributable to current IEA President Kathi Griffin:
“The Illinois Education Association would also like to add its condolences on the loss of Karen Lewis, a charismatic and dedicated public education warrior who provided a strong voice for not only the Chicago Teachers Union and their students, but for educators and students across the nation. Our hearts go out to all who knew her.”
…Adding… MJM and Shirley…
The following is a statement from Chairman and Mrs. Madigan:
“Shirley and I are saddened to hear of Karen Lewis’ passing. Karen was an outspoken voice and passionate advocate who championed equality in public education and a better future for the children of Chicago. Karen’s impact on the Chicago Teachers Union will be felt for generations to come. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends and members of the CTU. Most of all we valued her strength and friendship.”
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* My weekly syndicated newspaper column…
The immediate partisan reaction to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s reversal on whether legislators should be allowed to get vaccinated during Phase 1B was fairly predictable.
“Gov. Pritzker is prioritizing young healthy felons and Springfield politicians over high-risk adults,” the Illinois Republican Party seethed.
However, no such press release was issued the week before when U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood, a 52-year-old Republican, cheerfully announced that he’d been vaccinated. And not a harsh word was uttered by the state GOP when federal prisoners received vaccinations during the Trump administration.
Senate Republican Leader Dan McConchie’s office first denounced Senate President Don Harmon’s decision to cancel floor sessions and hold committee hearings online this month, saying it was time to get back to work. The very next day, McConchie said that allowing legislators to be vaccinated was “ridiculous,” without any apparent sense of irony.
There’s more, but you get the idea.
It’s the outrage of the day and the arguments don’t have to be consistent because it’s about generating heat. Plus, almost nobody ever calls out the Republican critics on their contradictory logic, so it’s a free shot. They are very successful at ginning up this sort of outrage, even if it’s only for a few days. And then they’ll move on to the next one.
With the national Republican Party in disarray after President Donald Trump’s reelection loss, the seditionist riots on Jan. 6 and the bizarre influence of the even more bizarre QAnon cult, perhaps the best way forward is to do what pretty much every party member can agree on — attack Democrats night and day.
So get used to it. It’s the Republican version of unity.
In a weird way, though, the more public heat Pritzker takes over this flip-flop, the more loyalty he can earn from at least some rank and file Democrats. Others appear to be hanging back while the social media winds are swirling and may end up blaming Pritzker. Such is a governor’s life.
Taking one for the team is just part of the governor’s job, something Rod Blagojevich and Bruce Rauner would never dream of doing and Pat Quinn only occasionally showed that he understood. Unlike those three fellows, Pritzker didn’t run as a bomb-throwing populist. He ran on a platform of getting big things done, and you can’t get big things done if you treat the General Assembly purely as a nuisance or an obstacle.
You also can’t get anything at all done if lots of legislators say they don’t want to return to Springfield unless and until they’re vaccinated. With the cancellation of most of last spring’s session and the entire fall veto session due to the pandemic, and the possibility that much of this spring’s session could be in jeopardy, the governor needed to find a way to drag his voluminous legislative agenda out of a very deep ditch.
And it didn’t go unnoticed when Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who doesn’t have the greatest relationship with her City Council, not only allowed aldermen to get vaccinated but seemed to advance their place in line, though the council meets remotely. Remember, multiple COVID-19 cases were reported after January’s in-person lame duck state legislative session.
“It is beginning to feel like the governor is purposely working against the Legislature returning to do the work of the people,” Rep. Stephanie Kifowit (D-Oswego) emailed Pritzker’s chief legislative aide last week, according to WCIA TV. Kifowit pointed to Mayor Lightfoot’s decision to vaccinate aldermen and pointedly noted, “The longer the governor denies the legislature a safe way to work, the longer it will take to pass significant legislation that the state needs.”
So, on balance, this policy change should help. And perhaps allowing a few key staff members who must regularly be on the House and Senate floors access to vaccinations could also help. No formal request has been made to the governor’s top staff about legislative staff vaccines, but there may have been a conversation with one of the leaders about it. You’ll recall that the only name released of anyone who caught the virus during the lame duck session was Speaker Chris Welch’s chief of staff.
And while nothing huge can change until more vaccine is manufactured, a faster distribution system and some effective member education has to happen PDQ because legislators are getting pretty darned fed up with all the frantic constituent calls.
I’ll be getting to that last topic in a bit.
…Adding… BND…
Republicans such as state Rep. David Friess of Red Bud are also dubious about Welch’s recent olive branch to the GOP and to Minority House Leader Jim Durkin of Western Springs. Welch says he plans to keep “an open line of communication” with Durkin, who led an effort to remove Madigan from office last year, Capitol News Illinois reported.
“I’m curious to see whether or not the joke that he’s not speaker in name but he’s going to be speaker behind the scenes will come true,” Friess said. “I hope, given the fact that he could not muster up the support in his own caucus, that he moves on and that he lets Speaker Welch act as speaker on his own.”
If southern Illinois Republicans want to address worries about business and guns back home, they’re going to have to work with the Democratic supermajority in Springfield, said John Jackson, a visiting political professor at the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute in Carbondale.
“Southern Illinois legislators have to got change their tactics or it’s just not going to be in the cards,” Jackson said. “They have to learn to build coalitions and work with the realities of Illinois politics.”
That assumes they actually want to get something done.
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Open thread
Monday, Feb 8, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Heh…
Keep it local (except for sports) and be polite to each other (except for sports). Thanks.
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