Question of the day
Tuesday, Nov 30, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Have you had trouble purchasing anything recently because of supply chain issues? Explain.
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Pacione-Zayas, Vella and Niemerg profiled
Tuesday, Nov 30, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* I have been dazzled by freshman Sen. Cristina Pacione-Zayas’ resume since I first saw it. Here’s part of her history from a profile by Capitol News Illinois…
She completed her doctorate in education policy at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where her aim was to put the theory she was learning in the classroom to practice in the community. […]
While Pacione-Zayas was finishing her degree, she worked in Little Village as the community schools director at Enlace, a nonprofit social service organization based on the South Side of Chicago. She helped to bring computer literacy, adult education, and youth enrichment programs into neighborhood schools.
She’s held several leadership roles, including the education director for the Latino Policy Forum and co-chair of the Puerto Rican Agenda, a nonprofit organization advocating for the Puerto Rican community.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in 2017, she led organizing efforts to secure local- and state-level resources to help those on the island but also for families relocating to Chicago, according to several news reports. She was appointed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker to serve as secretary for the Illinois State Board of Education, leaving that position before she became a state senator.
Most recently Pacione-Zayas was the vice president of policy at Erikson Institute, a graduate school for childhood development, where she led the development of the school’s Early Childhood Leadership Academy and Community Data Lab, according to her biography.
There’s more. Click here.
* CNI is doing other freshman profiles as well. From its Rep. Dave Vella story…
He said he started knocking doors in June 2020. Vella estimates he personally knocked on 10,000 doors, with another 20,000 knocked by staffers.
He thought if he could turn out the Midwest moderates, both Democrats and Republicans, he could win. […]
Vella says he believed he had lost on election night when Cabello pulled ahead.
On Nov. 17, after a recount of a quarter of the district’s precincts at Cabello’s request, the results were posted.
Vella had won the unwinnable race by just 239 votes, 0.4 percent of the votes cast.
* And from its Rep. Adam Niemerg piece…
As a lawmaker, Niemerg has introduced more than twice the number of bills and resolutions as any other freshman representative.
The 51 bills and resolutions he has introduced include provisions that would have, among other things, instituted stricter voter identification rules, lowered the minimum age to obtain a Firearm Owners Identification Card and make so-called “partial-birth abortion” a state crime.
Despite the number of bills he introduced, he was the chief sponsor on only one bill that became law. The measure was introduced in the Senate by Bailey, R-Xenia. It expands the eligibility to become a firefighter to include volunteer and part-time firefighters with five years of experience.
When asked why he introduces so many bills, most of which have slim to no chance of passing, Niemerg said he feels like it’s his duty because the people of his district feel left out of politics.
“They feel Chicago takes the majority of the attention and really drives the politics of the state,” he said. “They wanted me to speak up and to discuss what their values are to really represent them on the House floor.”
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The hospitalization trend is unfriendly
Tuesday, Nov 30, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* On October 24th, hospitalizations were at 1,198. It’s been uphill ever since…
* Shaw Media…
As of late Monday, Illinois had 2,379 COVID-19 patients in the hospital, the most since February 2. Of those, 457 were in intensive care units, and 217 were on ventilators.
We hit a low this year of 340 hospitalizations on July 4th.
* Back to Shaw…
For Monday, the state administered 53,281 shots. Illinois also has administered a total of 227,873 doses to 5-11 year olds, an increase of 11,396 doses from Monday’s update. As a state, 19.11% of Illinois children 5-11 years old have received a first vaccine dose, and 1.54% have received two doses.
* Vax graph…
* Shaw…
The state received the results of 125,128 COVID-19 tests in the 24 hours leading up to Tuesday afternoon. The state’s positivity rate is 4.1%.
By far the highest 7-day average positivity rate is in Region 1, which is Rockford and northwest Illinois: 9.2 percent. That’s up from 7.2 percent on November 17th. Winnebago County is at 9.3 percent.
* Also, just another reason to avoid click-bait headlines…
Economic powerhouses Japan and France reported their first cases of the omicron variant Tuesday, while new findings indicated the mutant coronavirus had already slipped into Europe close to a week before South Africa sounded the alarm.
The Netherlands’ RIVM health institute disclosed that patient samples dating from Nov. 19 and 23 were found to contain the variant. It was last Wednesday, Nov. 24, that South African authorities reported the existence of the highly mutated virus to the World Health Organization.
South Africa detected the variant first because South Africa has a lot of very good scientists. Now, the country is being punished for no good reason. And wherever it started, it’s out there already.
No further omicron updates because as far as I can tell nobody really knows anything for sure yet, so just hang tight.
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Springfield Rep. Murphy to step down today
Tuesday, Nov 30, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Not a surprise…
State Representative Mike Murphy (R-Springfield) will step down from his position representing the 99th House District in the Illinois House of Representatives effective 11:59 p.m. today, following his final constituent services event later this evening. Below is a farewell message from Murphy to the citizens of the district:
It is with a heavy heart that I write this farewell message. When I entered the Illinois House of Representatives, I could not have imagined the impact the last few years would have on my life.
I said from the beginning that my goal was to get things done and do what’s right for the people of the 99th District. To me, that’s always meant standing up to bad policy when I had to, but also finding ways to work across the aisle when there was an opportunity to benefit the constituents I was elected to serve. This mentality is why I voted for the 2019 capital bill and 2019 state budget.
Besides the obvious need for infrastructure improvements in the 99th District and statewide, the 2019 capital bill has been a catalyst for the $360 million rail relocation project in Springfield to move the tracks from 3rd Street to 10th Street. More than $100 million was included in the capital bill for this project, and once completed in 2025, it will have a transformational impact on Springfield and Sangamon County. Not only will it improve traffic and congestion issues, but it will finally allow the medical district to expand and grow jobs.
Similarly, the 2019 state budget contained a series of compromise provisions to support our businesses, small and large, and help spur job creation. To this day, I carry around the list of the major priorities we achieved: the Blue Collar Jobs Act, data center incentives, eliminating the franchise tax, reinstating the Manufacturer’s Purchase Credit, preserving Invest in Kids, stopping a cap on the retailer’s discount, putting a hold on the Livestock Management Facilities Act, stopping the trade-in cap, stopping the tripling of the real estate transfer tax, and stopping several other taxes. I’m also proud I was able to work on a change to our sales tax structure for brick and mortar businesses to provide a level playing field for them to compete with online retail giants like Amazon.
Doing what’s right for our communities also means promoting career readiness for the next generation. I’m honored I was able to serve as the lead sponsor of legislation to change Illinois’ high school math requirement to give our students the opportunity to take courses for integrated, applied, interdisciplinary, or career and technical education that prepares them for a career readiness path.
While getting things done in the legislature is often measured by legislation passed, I hope residents will remember my office for the work we did to serve constituents. First and foremost, my duty as a Representative was to serve, and this was made even more pressing when the COVID-19 pandemic first hit. Working alongside the Illinois Treasurer’s Office, we were able to institute a low-interest bridge loan program to help small businesses stay afloat as the shutdown began.
After the unprecedented surge in natural gas prices last winter threatened many central Illinois communities, we worked with the Governor and the Illinois Finance Authority to help. The resulting relief program assisted impacted municipalities by allowing them to spread the payments across a more manageable timeframe without placing an overwhelming burden on residents or businesses.
The true credit for constituent services goes to my dedicated staff – my District Director, Ryan Melchin, and my Legislative Aide, Courtney Ausmus. If you’ve ever called my office, you have likely spoken to one, or both, of them. Whether helping constituents through the IDES process, FOID card renewal, coordinating constituent service events, and many other issues, I cannot thank them enough for all their work. Likewise, I have to thank my Communications Director, Joel Sikes, and the entire House Republican Staff. In all my years, I have never been more impressed by the hard work and dedication of these people. They have all worked tirelessly behind the scenes to help me serve the people of the 99th District.
As with everything in life, thank you to my family – my loving wife Cindy, along with my children and their families. I cannot thank them enough for their unwavering love and support.
Finally, I must thank the citizens of the 99th District for trusting and allowing me to serve as your State Representative. This has been the best experience of my life and I sincerely thank you for this opportunity.
With Sincere Thanks,
Mike Murphy
P.S. Feel free to stop by and help us pack up!
He was mapped into the same district as fellow GOP Rep. Avery Bourne, so this takes care of another remap problem for the HGOPs. Still, I hate to see him go. Good guy.
…Adding… Makes sense…
…Adding… Lots of inexperienced legislators these days…
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* Cook County Record…
A federal judge has explained he recently refused to block the Illinois governor and Chicago mayor from forcing COVID-19 vaccinations upon Chicago city workers, saying the workers’ evidence against the value of vaccines was “slim” and the city’s evidence in favor was “substantial.”
Judge John Z. Lee, of U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, issued the explanation Nov. 24, declaring the workers “do not have a fundamental constitutional right to refuse COVID-19 vaccinations.”
On Oct. 21, a group of employees of Chicago’s fire, water and transportation departments asked Lee to stop Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Mayor Lori Lightfoot from ordering them to be vaccinated and tested for COVID-19 or risk losing their jobs. The workers claim the mandate trespasses on their rights to bodily autonomy.
They also argued they are being denied due process, because they are not given the right to show they do not need the vaccine because of natural immunity. Further, they asserted it is almost impossible to obtain a religious exemption.
* I’m going to post several excerpts because it’s a very important opinion…
According to Plaintiffs, requiring them to be vaccinated and submit to regular testing as a condition of employment infringes their fundamental right to bodily autonomy. More specifically, Plaintiffs argue that the vaccination and testing requirements violate the fundamental right to refuse unwanted medical treatment as articulated in Cruzan v. Director, Missouri Department of Health, 497 U.S. 261 (1990) and Washington v. Harper, 495 U.S. 210 (1990). From this, they assert that, because they have identified a fundamental right at stake, the Supreme Court’s decisions in Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113 (1973) and Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey, 505 U.S. 833 (1992), require the Court to apply strict scrutiny to the vaccination orders. […]
As an initial matter, Plaintiffs’ argument that the Defendants’ vaccine orders infringe their fundamental right to bodily autonomy runs squarely in the face of the Seventh Circuit’s recent decision in Klaassen v. Trustees of Indiana University, 7 F.4th 592 (7th Cir. 2021). There, the Seventh Circuit upheld Indiana University’s recent vaccination, masking, and testing requirements against a challenge from a group of students, who asserted nearly identical substantive due process claims. … The students, like Plaintiffs here, argued that the vaccine requirement comprised an invasion of bodily privacy that merited strict scrutiny.
The Seventh Circuit in Klaassen soundly rejected that argument. It instructed that the Supreme Court’s decision in Jacobson v. Massachusetts, 197 U.S. 11 (1905), “shows that plaintiffs lack” a substantive due process right not to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Klaassen, 7 F.4th at 593. The court further noted that the University’s testing requirements “cannot be constitutionally problematic” considering the sweeping vaccine mandates that Jacobson authorized. […]
Plaintiffs alternatively argue that Jacobson, which figured heavily in Klaassen’s analysis, should not guide the Court’s due process analysis because “it is part of a bygone era in American jurisprudence” akin to the Supreme Court’s discredited decisions in Buck v. Bell, 274 U.S 200 (1927), and Korematsu v. United States, 323 U.S. 214 (1944). But the Supreme Court has given no indication that Jacobson is void, and this Court cannot ignore binding precedent simply because Plaintiffs find it to be antiquated. Indeed, just this past year, Chief Justice Roberts cited favorably to Jacobson. […]
Plaintiffs’ reliance upon the Supreme Court’s right-to-privacy cases does not support their claim that Defendants’ policies infringe a fundamental right. As Defendants point out, the issues at stake in Roe, Casey, Cruzan, and Harper were “rights to individual bodily autonomy [that] do not impact the public health.” […]
The core flaw with Plaintiffs’ claim that refusing vaccination is a fundamental right, then, is not that there is no privacy interest implicated when someone is required or coerced to take a vaccine that they do not want. There certainly is. Rather, the problem is that, when a person’s decision to refuse a vaccine creates negative consequences (even life-threatening at times) for other people, that interest is not absolute. […]
On the present record, Defendants have demonstrated that their vaccination policies have a rational justification. Defendants have submitted a substantial amount of evidence supporting the public health necessity of vaccination and testing in abating the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. […]
For example, Dr. Arwady notes that City employees are “approximately twice as likely” to be infected with COVID-19 than residents of Chicago as a whole. […]
In response, Plaintiffs argue that Defendants’ vaccination policies have no rational basis, because there is evidence that “natural immunity” against COVID-19 is more effective than vaccine-created immunity in preventing transmission. And to support this contention, Plaintiffs rely upon two academic sources. The first is a study that, while showing that prior infection from COVID-19 results in some degree of immunity, does not compare natural immunity with vaccine-created immunity. The second is an unpublished, non-peer reviewed study conducted in Israel in January and February 2021, to which Defendants have raised serious questions regarding its methodological rigor and reliability. This is the sum total of Plaintiff’s evidence. […]
For a government regulation to have a rational basis, the state need not prove the premises upon which it based the action to a degree of scientific certainty. Rather, the government need only show that its rationale is supported by a “reasonably conceivable state of facts.” Minerva Dairy, Inc. v. 16 Harsdorf. This is a low bar. And, in relying on federal and state public health recommendations, credible academic sources, and the expertise of its own health officials, Defendants have met this burden, even if there might be some scientific disagreement on the issue. […]
Second, many of Plaintiffs’ employment contracts are governed by collective bargaining agreements between the City and public employee unions. Thus, any alleged procedural deficiency in the alteration of Plaintiffs’ employment contracts is properly aggrieved under Illinois labor law. […]
Plaintiffs are correct that they have “the right to hold specific private employment and to follow a chosen profession free from unreasonable governmental interference,” Greene v. McElroy, but the vaccine policies in question are not unreasonable, because they satisfy the rational basis test. […]
But no Plaintiffs have been denied a religious exemption on grounds other than failing to adequately articulate their individual circumstances, as the City Vaccination Policy requires. […]
Plaintiffs’ [Illinois Healthcare Right of Conscience Act] claims against the Governor must be dismissed at the outset, because Governor Pritzker has properly invoked sovereign immunity. […]
(B)ecause Plaintiffs lack a fundamental constitutional right to decline vaccinations during times of pandemic, see Klaassen, 7 F.4th at 593, they cannot rely upon the abridgment of that right to establish irreparable harm. […]
The Seventh Circuit has indicated that there are circumstances where termination of employment may lead to irreparable harm, but only when the particular injuries alleged “really depart from the harms common to most discharged employees.” Bedrossian v. Northwestern Memorial Hosp.. Plaintiffs here have not alleged any such extraordinary injuries. [Emphasis added.]
Plaintiffs are also in Cook County court on the state labor law issue…
Unions for city workers have made headway, in separate court actions, to block the vaccine mandate on grounds it goes against collective bargaining agreements. The unions have argued the mandate didn’t let them arbitrate grievances concerning the mandate. Those cases remain pending. However, the city has told a Cook County judge it expects to have arbitration on the unions’ vaccine related grievances completed before the Dec. 31 COVID vaccine mandate deadline.
If you see any other excerpts that should be posted here, let me know in comments. Thanks.
Also, interesting that they cite the landmark Roe v. Wade, the Japanese-American internment case and the inmate sterilization case. So dramatic. We’re talking about a vaccine, for crying out loud.
…Adding… A commenter boiled this opinion down to one succinct sentence: “It’s not all about you.”
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Unclear on the concept
Tuesday, Nov 30, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Heart of Illinois ABC…
Illinois state senator, Darren Bailey, joined the Tenth annual Tent-A-thon hosted by Pastor Corey Brooks. The Tent-A-Thon is a part of Pastor Brooks H.O.O.D foundation (Helping Others Obtain Destiny). The program consists of fifteen projects focused on violence prevention, entrepreneurship, and job training.
Pastor Brooks invites community leaders, politicians and parents to camp out on his roof Tent-A-Thon to bring awareness to violence.
Senator Bailey camped out and held a press conference the next morning about his experience.
“We were camping out in a tent at the end of this platform last night. At two o’clock in the morning we heard gunshots. These gunshots less than a hundred yards over. I’m laying there thinking, okay that surely was something else. About fifteen minutes later I heard a female voice screaming he’s been shot,” said Bailey.
He apparently didn’t call the police, which is odd. I think if I heard a nearby woman screaming that somebody had been shot, I’d call 911.
* But let’s get to the point, which is that Bailey is apparently unaware that the state is already doing something that he wants it to do, and is actually increasing the funding.
Here’s what Bailey said at yesterday’s Project H.O.O.D event…
Government has got to start working with 501(c)(3)s, with non for profit organizations. This is how we change Illinois. This is how we change our society. Government is not the answer.
Except, that’s exactly what government does. The state doesn’t directly employ violence interrupters. It awards grants to groups like Communities Partnering 4 Peace, a project of Metropolitan Family Services. Those groups vet neighborhood organizations’ programs and award them money.
From the Project H.O.O.D website…
With newly gained funding and partnership with CP4P, Project H.O.O.D. has launched a new violence reduction initiative that targets the Woodlawn community.
* According to the governor’s office, the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority has awarded $6,094,300 to Metropolitan Family Services for its violence reduction projects starting in 2019. Of that, $5.87 million has gone to CP4P. If you look at the CP4P website, you’ll see that Project H.O.O.D. is one of 28 neighborhood groups that have received grant money for anti-violence programs.
And, as this Project H.O.O.D. video claims, the group is having success with its crime reduction programs.
* Pastor Brooks is raising money to help build a new facility. He was close to Gov. Rauner, and even got an appointment to the tollway board. Todd Ricketts, who recently resigned as RNC finance chair, is a recent contributor. Republican gubernatorial candidate Gary Rabine is also a recent camper. And Jesse Sullivan is a supporter as well.
Nothing wrong with any of that. More power to the man if he’s raising money for a good cause. They can afford it for sure. But he allowed Bailey to take some campaign shots yesterday, so just keep all that in mind.
* From the governor’s office…
• In his first year in office, Gov. Pritzker increased investments in programs to interrupt and prevent violence by $50 million. In addition, this year’s budget invests $128 million in violence prevention and summer youth employment programs.
• The General Assembly passed and the Governor signed legislation to create an Office of Violence Prevention.
• Under Governor Pritzker’s leadership, the State Police started a gun violence task force. Governor Pritzker is also adding hundreds of new troopers to the depleted ranks of the State Police, building a new state-of-the-art forensics facility to investigate crimes and tackled the rape kit backlog left behind by his predecessor.
• The Governor continues to offer and make available Illinois State Police and has invested in increased state police patrols of the highways, cameras, forensics labs and in reducing evidence backlogs that assist substantially in solving crimes.
• On top of rebuilding our social safety net, the budgets signed by Gov. Pritzker have provided hundreds of millions of additional dollars to local governments and community-based organizations to support vulnerable communities.
Maybe Bailey ought to start reading state budgets before voting against them and then literally shooting them for fun.
…Adding… This would’ve been a much better headline…
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* This is not even a little bit of a surprise since the Democrats gave him such a favorable district…
Rodney Davis, a Republican from Taylorville, announced today he is running for re-election to Congress in the newly-drawn 15th Congressional district, which includes his home in Taylorville and much of the district he currently represents. He is the only incumbent member of Congress who resides in this district following the Congressional redistricting process.
“My family and I are excited to announce that I am running for re-election to Congress,” said Rodney Davis. “I’ve been proud to fight hard for and work on behalf of central Illinois families in this district for many years, both as a member of Congress and as a staffer to my good friend and mentor, former Congressman John Shimkus.”
“Democrats in Washington have put our nation in crisis with their big government, socialist schemes and dreams,” Rodney continued. “Republicans are primed to retake the House next year, and I’m ready to work with a new Republican majority to finally fire Nancy Pelosi and hold the Biden Administration accountable for their massive failures. I look forward to campaigning hard and earning every vote in this district over the next year.”
“Karen and I wholeheartedly endorse Rodney Davis for re-election to Illinois’ new 15th District. While the boundaries are new, Rodney knows this area well. He is a trusted and respected leader on rebuilding our roads and bridges, on farming and the needs of small businesses, and advocating for working families. Rodney knows us, and we know him.” - former Congressman John Shimkus, IL-15
“Rodney Davis is a great friend, and I’m proud to support his re-election to Congress. We’ve worked together frequently to help the people we serve, including working with President Trump to pass the Republican tax cuts. Rodney is a strong conservative who is committed to making Washington work for Illinois families, and I know he will represent central and west central Illinois well.” - Congressman Darin LaHood, IL-18
“2022 will be the year we finally retire Nancy Pelosi, and we need strong conservatives like Rodney Davis to get the job done. That’s why I’m proud to support Rodney for Congress. I look forward to serving with Rodney in the majority in the next session of Congress so we can put a stop to the Democrats’ march to socialism.” - Congressman Mike Bost, IL-12
“As Republican leaders in downstate Illinois, we are excited to endorse Rodney Davis for Congress in the 15th District. We know that Rodney shares our values, fights for our communities, and is standing up to the Democrats’ tax-and-spend, far left, socialist agenda. He is a leading Republican voice in Congress and has a proven track record of getting things done for Illinois families. We urge Republicans in the 35 counties that comprise the 15th District to get out and vote in next year’s primary and support Rodney.” - IL-15 Republican County Chairmen
IL-15 Republican County Chairmen Endorsing Rodney:
Randy Pollard, former President of the Illinois Republican County Chairmen’s Association and former Fayette County Republican Central Committee Chairman
Dave Bockhold, Adams County Republican Central Committee Chairman
Patrick Simon, Calhoun County Republican Central Committee Chairman
Terry Blakeman, Cass County Republican Central Committee Chairman
Dee Shonkwiler, Champaign County Republican Central Committee Chairman
Seth McMillan, Christian County Republican Central Committee Chairman
Dustin Peterson, DeWitt County Republican Central Committee Chairman
Scott Harris, Douglas County Republican Central Committee Chairman
Doug Cochran, Edgar County Republican Central Committee Chairman
Matt Hall, Fayette County Republican Central Committee Chairman
John Spangler, Fulton County Republican Central Committee Chairman
Dan Armold, Greene County Republican Central Committee Chairman
Kathy Sparrow, Hancock County Republican Central Committee Chairman
John Reilly, Henderson County Republican Central Committee Chairman
Kevin Ayers, Jersey County Republican Central Committee Chairman
Jim Drew, Logan County Republican Central Committee Chairman
Bruce Pillsbury, Macon County Republican Central Committee Chairman
Ray Wesley, Madison County Republican Central Committee Chairman
Shawn Sievers, Mason County Republican Central Committee Chairman
Mary Brookhart, McDonough County Republican Central Committee Chairwoman
Jason Huffman, Menard County Republican Central Committee Chairman
Jeremy Conaway, Mercer County Republican Central Committee Chairman
Terry Richmond, Montgomery County Republican Central Committee Chairman
Steve Hardin, Morgan County Republican Central Committee Chairman
Dave Kinert, Moultrie County Republican Central Committee Chairman
Jim Ayers, Piatt County Republican Central Committee Chairman
John Birch, Pike County Republican Central Committee Chairman
Dianne Barghouti Hardwick, Sangamon County Republican Central Committee Chairwoman
Jeff Ervin, Schuyler County Republican Central Committee Chairman
Brad Jefferson, Scott County Republican Central Committee Chairman
Mary Suprenant, Vermillion County Republican Central Committee Chairwoman
Cory Burgland, Warren County Republican Central Committee Chairman
IL-15 Republican State Lawmakers Endorsing Rodney:
Jil Tracy, District 47 State Senator and ILGOP State Central Committeewoman for IL-18
Sally Turner, District 44 State Senator
Jason Plummer, District 54 State Senator
Steve McClure, District 50 State Senator
Avery Bourne, District 95 State Representative and ILGOP State Central Committeewoman for IL-13
Tim Butler, District 87 State Representative and Deputy ILGOP State Central Committeeman for IL-13
C.D. Davidsmeyer, District 100 State Representative
Amy Elik, District 111 State Representative
Randy Frese, District 94 State Representative
Norine Hammond, District 93 State Representative
Mark Luft, District 91 State Representative
Mike Marron, District 104 State Representative
Charlie Meier, District 108 State Representative
Mike Murphy, District 99 State Representative
* Hannah Meisel…
(W)ithout having to worry about a serious electoral threat in the new 15th district, Davis could focus a long-term goal — if the GOP takes back control of the House.
“Hoping to [stay in Congress] and be, eventually, the chair of our Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to work in a bipartisan way to bring resources back to Illinois,” Davis told reporters in August.
Presented with the chance to vote for a massive infrastructure package earlier this month, however, Davis and all but 13 Republicans voted against President Joe Biden’s $1.2 trillion-dollar infrastructure package. Davis panned Democrats for tying the infrastructure package to the passage of an even larger social spending plan dubbed “Build Back Better,” though its parameters are still being negotiated. Even so, Davis dubbed it “reckless.”
With no substantial Democratic challenger, however, Davis could still face a contest from his own party. Freshman U.S. Rep. Mary Miller (R-Oakland) is the only Republican in Illinois’ congressional delegation who hasn’t announced her plans for 2022, and could challenge U.S. Rep. Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro) in the much-expanded 12th District or mount a contest against Davis in the 15th district.
I’m told that US Rep. Miller has recently polled both the Davis and Bost districts.
* Miller’s spouse, state Rep. Chris Miller (no relation), has already signaled that the couple is moving out of their current house. Their house is close to the congressional district borders, so they could move into either district pretty easily. From Capitol News Illinois’ recent profile of GOP state Rep. Adam Niemerg…
Niemerg’s new district is almost entirely different. It now covers an area stretching from Lawrence County all the way to Champaign County.
To add onto that, the new area Niemerg is running in, District 102, is also home to Rep. Chris Miller, R-Oakland.
“The boundary line for the 101 can’t be 200, 300 yards from my property line,” Miller said, referring to an adjacent district with no incumbent lawmakers in it. “The reasonable thing for them to do would be for them to move that line 400 yards east.”
Illinois law allows for incumbent lawmakers to run either in the district they live in or in a district which contains part of their previous district.
“Adam, (state Sen.) Chapin Rose and I have talked about this a good bit,” said Miller, adding that the three have come to an agreement where Niemerg will run in District 102 and Miller will run in District 101. Rose, R-Mahomet, will run in the Senate district that covers the same area.
And maybe now we know why Chapin Rose isn’t on the Rodney Davis endorsement list.
…Adding… Politico…
— Congressman Darin LaHood has secured endorsements of all 21 GOP county chairs in the new IL-16. The 21 county party chairs “represent a key coalition of grassroots Republican support as LaHood launches his re-election campaign,” according to a statement from his team.
— Since announcing his run for IL-03 three weeks ago, Gil Villegas has raised $105,000, according to a source familiar with the campaign’s fundraising efforts. The word “overwhelming” was dropped. Villegas is a Chicago alderman who has advocated for greater Latino representation in Illinois since the latest census figures show an increase in the Latino population. […]
— Secretary of state candidate Alexi Giannoulias has secured a new labor endorsement and a high-profile donation Tuesday. United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers Local 11 has endorsed Giannoulias, the former state treasurer. The 2,700-member union, which covers most of northern Illinois, represents all segments of the roofing and waterproofing industry. Giannoulias also reported $100,000 in donations Monday, including $6,000 from Bulls owner Michael Reinsdorf. He’s raised about $300,000 this quarter.
— Secretary of state candidate Pat Dowell has expanded her campaign team. Thaddeus Walls will serve as campaign administrator and oversee the day to day operations. Nick Daggers and J.R. Patton of the 1833 Group will handle fundraising activities. And Nora Brathol of Arka Pana Consulting will direct social media. Walls has worked for the campaigns of John Ossoff, Stacey Abrams, Fritz Kaegi, Lamont Robinson, and Lori Lightfoot. Daggers and Patton have raised funds for candidates and progressive causes across the country.
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Open thread
Tuesday, Nov 30, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* I finished watching the Beatles documentary last night. It was even better than I hoped for and exhausting at the same time.
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* Jason Meisner and Annie Sweeney at the Tribune…
The announcement earlier this month of a [federal] racketeering indictment charging the Wicked Town gang faction with 19 of those killings was the latest in a concerted push by federal investigators to go after those believed to be driving the gun violence in Chicago, which has reached levels not seen in years. […]
At the core of each indictment, though, is a common theme: That much of today’s violence is being driven not by sophisticated drug trafficking enterprises but by gang factions trying to boost their group’s reputation on the street or on social media, creating a seemingly endless cycle of shootings and retaliation. […]
“We’ve seen the gangs change and shift,” [US Attorney John Lausch] said. “They’re more factionalized. … When we’re looking at the drivers of violence, we’ve seen a lot of it relate to turf and social media and retaliation upon retaliation. And this is a way from a federal law enforcement standpoint that we can make an impact.”
* From the press release announcing the racketeering indictment…
The indictment alleges that the Wicked Town faction engaged in numerous acts of violence, including at least 19 murders, 19 attempted murders, several armed robberies, and assaults. The gang used threats and intimidation to prevent victims and witnesses from cooperating with law enforcement, the charges allege.
Wicked Town members regularly promoted their violent enterprise on social media, posting comments, photos, and videos to proclaim membership in the gang, taunt rival gang members, and boast about murders and other acts of violence, the indictment states. The gang operated primarily in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood, where members allegedly maintained “trap houses” to store firearms and illegal narcotics, including cocaine and heroin.
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Question of the day
Monday, Nov 29, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Sen. Darren Bailey chatted recently with Quad Cities TV news person Jim Niedelman about his political career to date…
Just three short years ago whenever Cindy and I decided to step up for this journey, it was because we as normal Illinoisans are fed up, we’re tired and we’re concerned about the future for our children.
That got me to wondering what “normal” is.
* The Question: Do you consider yourself to be a normal Illinoisan? Explain.
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A look at campaign Facebook spending
Monday, Nov 29, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From the Center Square…
It’s not fake news, but social media ads funded by Gov. J.B. Pritzker could still fool some users.
Illinois gubernatorial candidates are expected to use traditional media like TV and radio to get their message out. But, millions have already been spent on social media outlets such as Facebook, mostly by Pritzker.
Since 2018, a Facebook page for “JB Pritzker” has spent more than $3.6 million on ads, $271,000 of which Facebook notes ran without a disclaimer.
Reform For Illinois Executive Director Alisa Kaplan said there is additional spending.
“Social media, in particular, can be a little deceptive in how ads are presented,” Kaplan said. “Some of the Pritzker ads for example are presented as news pieces.”
* Here’s one of the ads featured in the above story…
And if you click that image, it takes you directly to the Tribune column. Seems like the usual stuff you’d see in TV ads, only interactive. Labeling it “Illinois Daily” is a bit much, though.
* While we’re at it, let’s go back to the article to see what else is going on at Facebook…
The lead Facebook spender for the Republicans from the past week was Jesse Sullivan, spending $1,700, though all time Sullivan’s campaign has spent $134,000 in Facebook ads.
Businessman Gary Rabine spent around $480 in the past week and nearly $53,000 all time.
Former state Sen. Paul Schimpf, R-Waterloo, spent about $350 in the past week and $10,500 in total on Facebook.
State Sen. Darren Bailey, R-Xenia, has spent $55,300 all time and just $190 in the past week.
* Some of their ads. Click the pics for more info…
* But then there are ads that perhaps Reform For Illinois and other groups ought to be truly concerned with. We used to call Local Government Information Services the “Proft newspapers,” but whoever the ownership, check out their latest FB ads…
I’m guessing you won’t see that in Center Square.
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* Subscribers were just sent an interview with Leader Harris…
Following 15 years of service as a state representative, Majority Leader Greg Harris announced he will not seek re-election to the Illinois House of Representatives.
“When I stepped into this office 15 years ago, I was committed to making change. I wanted to improve the lives of LGBTQ folks, support our immigrant community, increase the diversity of our caucus and fight for those who for so long have been ignored. As I look back at my time in Springfield, I can confidently say that I was fortunate to do that and more. Therefore, while I will finish the rest of my term and continue leading our caucus through the annual budget process, I will not be seeking re-election,” said Leader Harris.
Harris is leaving office with a litany of legislative achievements to his name. Harris was the chief sponsor of the law that delivered marriage equality throughout Illinois. Following this, Harris became the first LGBTQ person in Illinois history to be in legislative leadership. Additionally, despite Gov. Rauner’s heartless efforts, Harris successfully protected funding for critical human services programs. Early in his tenure, Harris successfully spearheaded legislation reducing economic disparities in mammograms and breast cancer treatment. He is also credited with numerous laws cutting red tape in Illinois’ health care system and lowering the costs of prescription drugs.
“As a proud member of the Democratic Caucus, I can say we stood together and worked toward change over the course of eight General Assemblies, four Governors, two recessions and a global pandemic. I am proud to have worked with dedicated colleagues, staff and activists. I am immensely proud to have served with Speaker Welch, our state’s first African-American Speaker. And finally, I’m most proud to have served my district and demonstrated that good government matters—that, with thoughtful policy, we can improve lives and make a more just society together,” said Leader Harris.
Other major bills Leader Harris has sponsored include:
· Legislation providing that Transgender Illinoisans can correct their birth certificates;
· Legislation preventing consumer reporting agencies from imposing a fee for credit freezes;
· Legislation reforming anti-consumer practices in prescription drug pricing.
“I’m making this announcement now so people considering running for office have time to think and prepare. There is much more to accomplish and we have a young, diverse group of leaders who are ready to take the reins and lead. It’s time to give them the opportunity to do so,” said Leader Harris.
“I want to thank my colleagues—on both sides of the aisle—who have worked tirelessly alongside me. I have learned many lessons, created countless memories and cemented life-long friendships. This has been an honor of a lifetime, so thank you,” said Leader Harris.
* From House Speaker Chris Welch…
Greg Harris embodies public service, and throughout his fifteen year career he has been a passionate advocate for what’s fair and just. His command of a wide range of public policy issues, particularly Medicaid and our state budget, has been such a vital asset to the entire state. Greg led the way to deliver marriage equality, protected social service programs during the budget impasse and helped lower medical costs for everyday families. As a values-oriented leader and as the first openly gay majority leader, Greg has given a voice to so many who have continuously felt left out of state government. I am grateful for Leader Harris’s support as I’ve navigated my first year as Speaker. I look forward to his continued guidance throughout the 102nd General Assembly, but I will forever be blessed to call him a friend.
…Adding… Greg Hinz…
Harris not only lasted through the politically rough final years of Madigan’s reign without tarnishing his reputation or being caught in continuing legal probes into the former speaker, he was held over as majority leader by Madigan’s successor Emanuel “Chris” Welch.
Harris’ forte has been budgets and fiscal matters. But as the highest-ranking openly gay person ever to have served in state government, he says his proudest accomplishment was serving as chief sponsor of the bill allowing same-sex marriage in the state, an action that came years before the U.S. Supreme Court mandated that nationally.
Harris also lists as top accomplishments helping break the budget impasse in which former Gov. Bruce Rauner tried to slash state spending on social programs, something Rauner said was needed but Democrats bitterly opposed.
I’m remembering it differently.
…Adding… DPI…
Democratic Party of Illinois Chair Rep. Robin Kelly released the following statement regarding the news that Illinois House Majority Leader Greg Harris will retire at the end of his current term:
“Greg Harris represents the very best of Illinois. His fearless advocacy and commitment to service on behalf of the people of his district and the entire state sets an example that the rest of us can only hope to follow. From healthcare to LGBTQ+ rights to the state budget, Leader Harris consistently demonstrated an unparalleled command of policy and the legislative process that will be deeply missed in Springfield. And he did it with humor and a warm demeanor that brought people together in common cause. Because of Greg Harris, our state is a better place for all its residents. Congratulations, Leader Harris, it was an honor to serve with you and I wish you well in the next chapter of your life!”
…Adding… Terry Cosgrove…
Greg Harris is a hero to many of us for a long list of reasons. Had I called central casting and asked for a legislator who embodies all the best qualities, I would have been sent Greg Harris. It has been my honor and privilege to learn from and work with him over the past 15 years. And now his retiring responsibly should come as no surprise.
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* Block Club Chicago last week…
Chicago Public Schools knew about allegations of sex abuse at a Logan Square school for years — and the district recently promoted a principal who knew about the abuse and did nothing to stop it, records show. […]
An explosive inspector general report Friday revealed wide-ranging sexual abuse and a cover up at Marine Leadership Academy. The report describes sexual abuse and inappropriate contact between students and teachers, the “grooming” of students who later had personal relationships with staffers upon their graduation, sexual harassment and retaliation. The report also alleges those in charge attempted to cover up this behavior.
* Also from Block Club Chicago…
A state bill aimed at closing a loophole that doesn’t criminalize some sexual misconduct in schools could soon become law after two years of advocacy — and as a sexual abuse scandal unfolds at a Logan Square school.
The bill — HB1975, also known as Faith’s Law — was sent to Gov. JB Pritzker’s office Monday, just days after a Chicago Public Schools inspector general report exposed sexual abuse, misconduct, harassment and grooming at Marine Leadership Academy in Logan Square. […]
The bill, filed by Rep. Michelle Mussman, a Democrat representing suburban Schaumburg, would expand the state’s criminal code to make it illegal for school employees to groom students for sexual relationships. It also increases protections for sexual abuse survivors and their families.
Grooming in Illinois law is defined as luring a child into unlawful sex using the internet. The bill would update the definition to include in-person interactions and written communication, said Faith Colson, the bill’s namesake. Colson was sexually abused by a teacher about 20 years ago while in high school in Schaumburg. […]
CPS CEO Pedro Martinez pointed to the current law last week as one of the major challenges of the Marine Leadership Academy case. Multiple adults groomed students for sexual relationships, but, in some cases, there was no indication sex acts occurred until students graduated and were legally adults. That meant there is little recourse to prosecute them, Martinez said.
The bill is expected to be signed into law.
* From this past March…
In 2001, Faith Colson was a 17-year-old student at Schaumburg High School, where she was a varsity athlete and a good student with lots of friends. But something else was happening to Colson: She was being groomed by a teacher to be sexually manipulated.
There were warning signs, Colson and others said in police interviews years later that led to the arrest and 2019 guilty plea of former teacher Ronald L. Williams on charges of criminal sexual abuse.
Other teachers recalled hearing about the inappropriate relationship, including one who said Williams told him about it, according to police reports from 2018.
This is where Colson believes the problem lies, and it’s why she has worked with state Rep. Michelle Mussman, a Democrat from Schaumburg, to write legislation, HB 1975, known as Faith’s Law.
The bill is here.
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* Peter Hancock at Capitol News Illinois…
Lawyers for the General Assembly’s Democratic leaders filed documents in federal court Wednesday denying that newly drawn state legislative district maps amount to racial gerrymandering, instead accusing the plaintiffs in the three lawsuits of trying to use race to redraw districts for their own purposes.
Wednesday’s filings are the Democrats’ response to proposed changes in the district maps submitted last week by Republican leaders, a Latino advocacy group in Chicago and Black civil rights groups in the Metro East region. […]
“The September Redistricting Plan … protects minority voting strength and provides Hispanic and Black voters more than an equal opportunity to elect candidates of their choice,” their brief states. “The three plaintiffs have failed to provide evidence to support otherwise and have not demonstrated that the September Redistricting Plan violates the Voting Rights Act or the U.S. Constitution.” […]
“The General Assembly, understanding the different political factions in this area [Chicago’s Southwest Side], worked to carefully balance the interest of progressive and moderate factions in separate Senate and House districts to reduce political infighting among Latino groups,” lawyers for the Democrats wrote.
* As subscribers already know, the filing is long, but well worth a read. For instance, here is just one of several examples of what the Republican proposal would allegedly do…
The McConchie plan makes additional, unnecessary changes to districts not subject to challenge that result in packing minorities and Democrats in several districts. HDs 35 and 36 both currently represented by Democrats. The plan would swap precincts between the two districts such that HD 35 becomes the most Republican district in Chicago.
That’s Rep. Fran Hurley’s district.
* One more…
Plaintiff Republican Leader Durkin’s District. Finally, the McConchie plan’s attempt to proclaim themselves the champions of minority interests are compromised by engaging in a brazen racial gerrymander to create a whiter district for named Plaintiff Republican Leader Jim Durkin. In HD 82, the plan swaps Black and white populations between three districts. White precincts in Proviso Township and Lyons Township are moved into HD 8, a district with a Black incumbent, to reduce the Black VAP of HD 8 from 49.51% to 48.29%. Maxson Decl., Ex. A. Several diverse precincts in Lyons Township are moved from HD 82 into HD 21, and the population loss in HD 82 is replaced by adding white precincts from Palos Township. The changes to Plaintiff Republican Leader Durkin’s district are blatant racial gerrymanders that have the result of creating a whiter district, and therefore more politically stable, district for Rep. Durkin.
* And a sampling of what the Democrats say about the MALDEF proposal…
Little Village and Chinatown Communities of Interest. Similar to the McConchie plan, the Contreras plan splits Little Village between three House districts (HDs 21, 23, and 24) and two Senate Districts (SDs 11 and 12), and removes a Latino incumbent from the core of his current district. The Plan fractures the political base for progressive Latinos in Little Village and alters the delicate balance between the moderate and conservative factions in the area.
The Plan also splits the greater Chinatown community between two House Districts (HDs 23 and 24) while pairing the greater Chinatown community and a portion of Little Village in HD 24, which pits two significant political bases against each other and reduces the Asian American influence in the district. Historically, the 11th Ward which contains much of the greater Chinatown community and the Little Village neighborhood (Wards 12 and 22) often support different candidates, and it’s highly unlikely that these communities would coalesce around one candidate of choice. This map creates a situation where candidates would be encouraged to cater to their own political bases at the expense of districtwide representation.
Again, click here to read the rest.
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* Jesse Sullivan on Fox News over the weekend…
And you know what, I know what it takes to serve the people of Illinois and protect them, make the city streets safe again. And you know what, speaking of Glenn Younkin, and what he did over in Virginia, well, his team could choose to work with anyone in the entire country and they chose to come and work with me and are going to be helping us win this victory in Illinois.
* Politico today…
Kristin Davison, who most recently worked on the GOP governor’s race in Virginia, has joined Illinois Republican Jesse Sullivan’s gubernatorial campaign. Davison was senior strategist for Glenn Youngkin, who defeated Terry McAuliffe to take the Virginia governor’s mansion, handing Democrats a stinging loss. Along with Davison, Poolhouse media agency, which also worked with Youngkin’s campaign, is on Sullivan’s team, too.
Poolhouse designed Youngkin’s logo. Davison is with Axiom Strategies, which provides a menu of services for campaigns, particularly those with money, and Sullivan does have cash.
* Davison was integral to Youngkin’s win and she has talked about it several times since then. One example…
First, I think it was a textbook example of the theory that candidate quality matters. We started with a once-in-a-generation talent in Glenn. He — you know, what you see is what you get. He’s a genuine guy with a positive, upbeat attitude all the time who really wanted to focus on a positive, unifying campaign. So when you have that foundation, I think [that’s] an advantage to start.
Then, the strategy: From day one, we didn’t run to win a convention and lose a general election. We started very early to reach out to different voting groups that haven’t been Republican ever or haven’t been Republican in a long time; starting different coalitions back in February — African-American Virginians, Asians, Hispanics, women — and then focusing the race on Virginia and what families were talking about at their kitchen tables, not what the talking heads were talking about on TV.
I think the third takeaway that helped drive this home: We had an opponent who focused on every political talking point the DNC probably gave him. And Glenn stayed focused on things like cost of living, education and safety — [which] were on the forefront of conversations that families were having every day.
* She also has some Illinois experience, which didn’t turn out so well. Here’s the McHenry County Blog…
McHenry County voters have seen Kristin Davison’s handiwork in Illinois before, as recent as the 2020 election cycle when she was the general consultant for then IL-14 Republican candidate Catalina Lauf (R, Woodstock).
Davison also organized in December of 2019. the short-lived “Stop The Squad” slate uniting Lauf with Anna Paulina Luna (R, FL-13), Lisa Song Sutton (R, NV-04) and others, covered on McHenry County Blog nearly two years ago.
As many local Republican activists are aware, Axiom Strategies was trying to recruit young, attractive minority women to seek election to Congress for the 2020 election cycle, and Stop the Squad slate was a result of this recruitment effort.
Only two of the original Stop the Squad slate members won their respective Republican nominations, and none won election to Congress last year.
Lauf lost the primary to Jim Oberweis.
* Back to Sullivan’s Fox News interview. It focused on Chicago crime, of course…
Blood on the streets of Chicago every single day. Look, I’ve lived and worked in some of the most dangerous, corrupt violent cities across the world, from Port au Prince, Haiti, to Helmand, Afghanistan. And it pains me that this home that I love so much, Illinois and this great city of Chicago, it’s now become a corrupt warzone. Why? Because our political leaders have failed us. They want to separate this out into blue lives, verse Black lives. It’s not only wrongheaded, it’s dangerous because the truth is 95 percent of all of those violent deaths that have happened, the victims are minority communities, our Black and Brown brothers and sisters. I listen to those gunshots happen on the streets of Chicago and it brought me right back to Helmand, Afghanistan. And it’s wrong and our political leaders need to step up and quit prioritizing criminals and putting them before victims and police
* On challenging Gov. Pritzker…
Nobody creates a better contrast with JB Pritzker than me. You know, JB Pritzker was born in California with a silver spoon in his mouth. He’s one of the wealthiest governors in the country. But you know what, he’s morally bankrupt. And the people of Illinois know that. Whereas I was born in central Illinois with a set of values of faith and family and service. And I grew up working on a farm, and I’ve earned everything that I have. JB Pritzker, he wants to raise taxes on the people of Illinois, whereas I want to lower taxes. I’ve worked with Alter to create jobs around the world to back entrepreneurs. I know what it takes to make Illinois a business-friendly state. JB Pritzker, he doesn’t know the first thing about what it means to protect and to serve. It’s the reason he’s not backing are law enforcement falls back on these, you know, Democrat talking points of blaming guns, and throwing money at the problem through social programs, not actually backing and supporting our police. I’ve served over in Afghanistan. And you know what, I know what it takes to serve the people of Illinois and protect them make the city streets safe again.
He never actually says what he’ll do, however. We hear this a lot. One 2016 presidential candidate claimed the problem could be solved in a week with unspecified tougher police tactics.
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* There’s more to this Mark Maxwell interview of former Gov. Jim Edgar, so make sure to read the rest…
“Yeah, we’re a year-and-a-half in, but a lot of these decisions had to be made very quickly, because nobody knew what the impact was going to be,” he said, adding that he doesn’t fault Pritzker.
“Now, we can have a debate about what we could and couldn’t have done differently. And I think there should be once we’re done with the pandemic,” he said. “I don’t think we’re quite done, though. I think we’re getting close. If people would just get vaccinated, I mean, this thing could be behind us. That’s the thing that just I cannot understand.”
“I mean, I grew up in the era of polio,” Edgar said. “I mean, we rushed as kids down to get vaccinated and they hadn’t tested that thing. But we wanted vaccinated. We didn’t want to get polio. And so I have a hard time today — maybe I’m just too old. I just don’t understand this hesitancy to get vaccinated, but a lot of people haven’t, so we still have the pandemic hanging around.”
“I do think once it’s done — and I hopefully it’ll be done sooner than later — you take a look at what is the right procedure,” he added. “I don’t begrudge some of the things that Governor Pritzker had to do. You never want to have to… That would have been a terrible thing to have to deal with. Saying that, there is no doubt there is fatigue.”
Edgar says Pritzker could be defeated in the upcoming 2022 election, but only if his party picks an electable candidate who can appeal to a statewide audience beyond the primary.
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