Illinois Senate Republicans tightened the screws another notch on what the GOP thinks will be a winning issue this election year, introducing a tougher-than-tough anti-crime package that features a “two-strikes-and-you’re out” clause.
At a Springfield press conference as an official from the Fraternal Order of Police union looked on, senators outlined a package that, among other things, boosts funding for police, requires those convicted of assaulting a police officer to serve at least 85% of their sentence, sets a minimum 10-year sentence for anyone convicted of selling a gun to a felon, and automatically transfers cases of aggravated carjacking or armed robbery that involve a minor to adult court.
The core of the package would be a blast from the past.
Instead of proposing a “three-strikes-and-you’re-out” law of the type that was popular a couple of decades ago, the GOP wants 10 years for a first conviction and life for any others in cases of aggravated carjacking, possessing a gun as a felon, aggravated discharge of a firearm, or use of a stolen or illegally obtained gun in committing a crime.
Provides grants ($125 million/year) to local governments for the hiring, rehiring, and retention of law enforcement officers; funding body camera mandates, including data storage costs and personnel; funding for mandated training; assisting with outreach and community policing; assisting with mental health treatment of individuals in county jails; and purchasing public safety equipment to keep officers and communities safe. Grants to be administered by ILETSB.
We’ll look at anything that we think will help address the problem of rising crime. That’s something that we’ll look at. But, I will say that I think we’ve got significant investments in this budget that address the challenges that municipalities are having with crime.
He did not elaborate.
* Meanwhile, Chalkbeat looks at several education-related bills to watch this year. Here’s one…
A growing movement and research backing phonics-based literacy instruction have spurred changes across the country in how schools teach students how to read. Many states have, or are in the process of, steering wholesale changes in reading instruction.
Illinois has been mostly missing from that conversation. As a state with a tendency toward local control of curriculum, it’s largely up to districts — and even individual schools, in the case of Chicago Public Schools — to determine how reading is taught.
A group of legislators, school board leaders, and education advocates hope to start to change that with a Right to Read Act bill.
The Senate version of the bill, sponsored by Sen. Kimberly Lightford (D-Maywood), would take a three-pronged approach: It would push the state school board to create a list of evidence-based reading programs and offer support, training, and grants for districts who want to adopt them; it would require teacher prep programs to offer an evidence-based reading assessment for teachers seeking relevant licensure in the early grades; and it would kick off a process of creating a statewide online training program for current early childhood and elementary teachers, as well as reading specialists and educators who work with students with disabilities.
Charter school officials are not happy with the current contract renewal process for the pubic school option.
Several Illinois charter schools received contract renewals, but for only two to five years. Andrew Broy, president of the Illinois Network of Charter Schools, said high-performing schools should get a 10-year contract because the renewable process is tedious.
“It really limits their ability to focus on academic improvement, on forward progress and making the process go smoothly and focus on students,” Broy said. “Instead they get caught in this perpetual renewal treadmill.” […]
There are 141 charter school campuses in Illinois, with 128 of them in the city of Chicago.
So, I’m going to read with you something, this really stuck out to me today for February 1. The title is ‘Satan chooses how to tempt.’ The verse is Luke 9:54 and 55. It said ‘They thought that their zeal was kindled by a holy fire until Christ told them you don’t know what matter of spirit that you are.’
As I read this, it certainly resonates to my life spiritually. But as I was reading this, you know in all the problems that I’ve been telling you, you know, in politics, and especially with the Republican Party, and like right now with this new candidate for governor and how many Republican leaders are getting behind this person, because they’re blinded, they think there’s something to be gained, but yet what they’re aligning themselves with is destructive. I want you to listen to this and apply it to your life, first of all, but then just think about Illinois politics as I’m reading this.
‘Not only does he choose when he will tempt, Satan also chooses the best methods for displaying his temptations. One strategy is to hang out false colors. He comes up to the Christian disguised as a friend so that the gates are open to him before his true identity is discovered.’ Paul says that we should not be shocked to find false teachers masquerading as apostles of Christ. ‘Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.’ You can read that in Second Corinthians 11, 13 and 14.
‘Of all his plots, this is perhaps the most dangerous to the saints. When he appears in the mantle of a prophet and silver plates, his corroded tongue with fair sounding language. In this manner, he corrupts some in their judgment by interpreting gospel truth in such a way that God appears to condone questionable behavior. These Christians get caught up in the world’s morality under the guise of Christian liberty. Not everyone will swallow such heresy, so Satan tempts them with other wares, though still in the disguise of a saint himself. He desecrates scripture by magnifying faith to the exclusion of every other grace, or he labors to undermine repentance and overpraise good works. He pulls back in seeming horror at the corruption of church administrations, and thus draws unstable souls from the body of believers. Under the pretense of zeal, he kindles wrath in the Christians heart and makes his spirit boil over into desires for revenge in situations where God would have him forgive.’
Luke records such an occasion where the disciples wanted fire to come down from heaven. [laughs] I will confess, I’ve prayed for fire to come down many times on people. That’s not how God works.
‘They thought their zeal was kindled by holy fire until Christ told them.’ And here’s some old English, I’m just going to read, but it says, ‘Ye know, not what matter of spirit you’re of.’ Luke, 9:54 and 55. How we need to study the Scriptures, our hearts and Satan’s wiles that we may not bid this enemy welcome. And all the while think it is Christ, who is our guest.’
I hope that made some sense to you. Look up some of those verses I read. And friends, if you’re in God’s word, and you’re understanding and you know what it means to put that armor on, you’re going to be prepared. And so it is with politics, whether you’re a precinct committee person, whether you’re working in the township, whether you’re working in the village, whether you’re a school board member, whether you’re a county board member, maybe you’re a park board member, or a library board member, or maybe you are serving in state or federal government somewhere, get yourself educated and be ready for these attacks. And these false ideas, these false narratives, and stand up against them. That’s how we save and restore Illinois.
* The Question: What should the governor say during his State of the State/budget address tomorrow? Snark is not necessarily encouraged, but allowed. /s
Maxwell: You can learn an awful lot about a politician combing through their voting record, especially when what they say on the campaign trail and what they do in office doesn’t quite add up.
Darren Bailey: I got ticked off at the tax increases that came in 2018.
Maxwell: Long before Darren Bailey arrived in Springfield in 2019, he was voting on issues that impacted his neighbor’s budgets,
Bailey: Serving on the school board.
Maxwell: From 1996 to 2012, Clay County’s tax records show every time a property tax hike was on the table in the North Clay school district, Darren Bailey voted for it.
Bailey: I believe that’s a much different scenario. You know, taxing bodies have the ability to levy a certain amount.
Maxwell: When reporters pressed Bailey to explain his tax hikes, he downplayed the incremental cost increases.
Bailey: Many times it was $5 a household. I think the one time at the maximum was $19 a household.
Helen Joan-Cook: It could be a little better, especially for senior citizens.
Maxwell: 87-year-old Helen Joan-Cook lives in Bailey’s hometown on a fixed income.
Joan-Cook: Don’t go too far, when you make your house payment and everything else.
Maxwell: Over 17 years, Bailey voted to raise the property tax levy 13 times, adding up to an 81 percent increase, far higher than the rate of property tax growth in Chicago over that same span.
Joan-Cook: I just think that the taxes should be lowered, really.
Maxwell: What would it mean for you if you had a lower property tax bill?
Joan-Cook: It would mean I’d have a few dollars left over for food when I have to really cut corners.
Maxwell: Bailey blamed his votes on the state’s record low levels of state education funding.
Bailey: Many times in a small school district, state government would short school districts ,they still do it today. Sometimes we got the money a year, two years later, sometimes we didn’t.
Maxwell: On that point, Bailey is right. Illinois spent so little money on education for so long, local school districts often had to make up the difference with property tax increases. But here’s the key, when Bailey finally arrived in Springfield and had the power to do something about it, the House and Senate voted to increase state education funding three times. And three times, Bailey voted against it.
When Grain Systems, Inc. (GSI) closed its Flora manufacturing site in Bailey’s district in 2019, the newly inaugurated state representative blamed the job losses on “tax hikers” who “keep raising taxes and increasing fees on families and businesses.”
However, long before he was taking votes in the General Assembly, Bailey was voting to extend and raise property tax levies at the North Clay School District.
Tax records at the Clay County Treasurer’s office and the Illinois Department of Revenue show that from 1996 to 2012, Bailey voted to raise the property tax levy by a combined 81%. Chicago Public Schools showed more fiscal restraint, raising its property tax levy by 57.1% over the same period.
* Meanwhile, Bailey was on WGN Radio’s Lisa Dent show today. Here he is talking about Richard Irvin…
This situation with Irvin is an absolute farce and I think it’s going to fall flat on its face. Irvin is a Democrat in disguise. I think the Republicans across Illinois have already figured that out. And I think he’s probably spent what he’s got.
We have absolutely no facts or proof that Ken Griffin is backing this. This is rumor. I’ll believe it when I see it. And and I will wait, I’ll wait expectantly for his call when he realizes that the candidates, I’m the candidate who will get Illinois back on track.
That’s the second time Bailey has made a pitch for Grif money. But just a few weeks ago, he was calling Irvin and the rest of the slate “bought and paid for candidates.” I dunno, maybe pick a lane?
* On the governor’s proposed one-year elimination of the grocery tax and freezing the Motor Fuel Tax for a year…
Well, again, I’ll believe it when I see it. It doesn’t surprise me. We’ve received over $21 billion of COVID relief that the governor has taken and unfortunately refused to get the state fiscally sound again. And yeah, I expect him to toss money to the four winds to people, and I expect him to hope that they forget the devastation and the destruction that Illinois has gone through in the last two years.
Please pardon any transcription errors.
*** UPDATE 1 *** The Irvin/Bourne campaign is pushing this video made by Darren Bailey on February 17, 2021…
If only someone had listened to 2021 Darren Bailey back then and gotten involved to stop 1996-2012 Darren Bailey from raising taxes 13 times.https://t.co/NXfTOhL2hRhttps://t.co/AFFBl76XsG
I think many people have become disgusted with politics. I was that way 10 years ago, I checked out. Friends we can’t check out right now because we’ve got to get ourselves educated, we’ve got to get ourselves informed. And then we’ve got to get to work and do something about it.
Get involved locally, the decisions that are made locally, they affect the property taxes that are affecting us so adversely.
As usual with Bailey, when somebody else does it - COVID loans, tax hikes, etc. - it’s bad. When he does it, well, friends, it’s good.
We wanted to make sure you got to see this local news report about Darren Bailey. He may say he’s against tax increases, but as a member of his local school board he voted to increase taxes THIRTEEN TIMES by more than EIGHTY PERCENT!!
Darren Bailey Voted for 81% Property Tax Hikes
But that shouldn’t surprise you about a career politician who’s been in office for 20 years, and now running for his 4th different elected office.
87 year-old Helen Joan Cook, who lives in Bailey’s hometown, says property tax hikes like Bailey’s make it hard to afford food and thinks they should be lowered. If you agree with Helen that property taxes should be lowered, SHARE THIS VIDEO AND HOLD CAREER POLITICIANS ACCOUNTABLE.
The Illinois Department of Transportation is warning the public that a major winter storm is expected to create treacherous conditions starting tonight and lasting for several days, with the potential for extremely dangerous and, at times, life-threatening travel across much of the state. Throughout Illinois, periods of heavy snow, rain, ice, high winds and bitter cold should be anticipated, leading to a likelihood of whiteout conditions and roads that will be impassable in the hardest-hit regions.
“The Illinois Department of Transportation spends the entire year preparing for snow-and-ice season and is ready to respond around the clock to this significant weather event, but clearly the public needs to be prepared for the worst-case scenario and postpone all unnecessary travel,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “Always remember, during extreme weather, the safest option is to stay home. If you must be on the roads, please be prepared for the real possibility of becoming stranded if you are unable to make it to your destination. Your cooperation and patience will be essential to keeping everyone safe the next several days.”
The National Weather Service is forecasting a winter storm warning starting later today, with mixed precipitation shifting to snow this afternoon and evening, extending into the overnight hours.
In central Illinois, along the Interstate 55, 57, 70 and 72 corridors, snow totals are expected to range between 6 and 20 inches, with the highest amounts in the Springfield, Bloomington, Champaign areas and as far north as Kankakee. Because of the intensity and amounts of snow, travel is expected to be dangerous and strongly discouraged.
Across the Chicago area, trace accumulations to more than a foot of snow are predicted. Significant ice and sleet accumulations are possible in much of southern Illinois, creating extremely slippery surfaces and slick conditions. The far northwest region of the state, Rockford and the Quad Cities, are expected to miss much of the storm.
Blowing and drifting snow will create hazardous conditions Wednesday night and Thursday, with winds gusting to 30 mph. Colder air will bring subzero temperatures by Friday morning.
Due to the long duration of the storm, sustained high winds, severe cold reducing the effectiveness of materials to treat the roads, as well as the challenges of staffing a prolonged winter weather event, IDOT is advising the public to remain patient and prepare for longer travel times to persist, with snow-and-ice response and cleanup efforts potentially lasting several days.
Statewide, IDOT has available more than 1,800 trucks and equipment to plow, treat roads and respond to weather emergencies. If you encounter a plow or any maintenance vehicle during your travels, please slow down, increase your driving distance and remain patient. Do not attempt to pass – conditions in front of the plow will be worse than behind it.
“The Illinois State Police, along with our state and local partners, are tracking this storm and stand constantly ready to meet the challenges presented by these types of weather events,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “While we are helping motorists out of ditches and handling crashes related to this snow-and-ice storm, we want to remind the public of the Move Over Law. By slowing down and moving over, drivers are helping all first responders and stranded motorists get back home to their families safely.”
If travel is absolutely necessary:
• Drastically reduce speeds and take it slow, especially when approaching intersections, ramps, bridges and shaded areas that are prone to icing.
• Make sure your gas tank is full.
• Keep a cell phone, warm clothes, blankets, food, water, a first-aid kit, washer fluid and an ice scraper in your vehicle. Dial *999 in the Chicago area for assistance in case of emergency.
• Check the forecast and make sure someone is aware of your route and schedule.
• Reminder: Using handheld phones while driving is illegal in Illinois, unless it is an emergency.
• If you are involved in a crash or break down, remain inside your vehicle, which is your safest form of shelter. Exiting your vehicle into live traffic can have fatal consequences.
• Always wear a seat belt, whether you’re sitting in the front seat or back seat. It’s the law. Never get behind the wheel impaired.
That reminds me that my truck is almost on empty. I think I’ll be taking a pause to go fill it up after I put up another post. Stay safe out there.
*** UPDATE *** Press release…
In advance of the anticipated severe winter storm expected to hit the entire state, Governor JB Pritzker today issued a disaster declaration and activated approximately 130 members of the Illinois National Guard to ensure all state resources are available to deal with the heavy snow, ice, and blizzard conditions expected over the coming days. The Governor is directing IEMA to coordinate a robust, statewide response which will include more than 1,800 IDOT trucks and equipment, ISP patrols to help stranded motorists, and approximately 130 members of the Illinois National Guard.
“I’m authorizing a disaster proclamation for Winter Storm Landon, effective immediately, to support local government disaster response and recovery operations wherever necessary. I want to assure county and local officials and everyone in the path of the storm that my administration will provide resources every step of the way,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “On the ground, all state assets stand ready to assist. I encourage everyone to do what you can to stay safe: listen to local authorities to stay up to date with the latest conditions in your community and make sure your household has essentials.”
IEMA’s State Emergency Operations Center in Springfield will be activated to coordinate the state’s response to the storm. Representatives from relevant state agencies will staff the SEOC 24 hours a day throughout the storm and quickly deploy resources to impacted communities.
“We’re working closely with local emergency management officials throughout the state to monitor conditions and be ready to provide assistance they may need,” said Scott Swinford, Deputy Director of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA). “But it’s also important that people prepare themselves for this storm with food, water, working flashlights, weather radios, and other necessities.”
In response to the storm, the Governor is activating approximately 130 members of the Illinois National Guard to support winter weather operations in central Illinois. The soldiers and airmen will be assigned as winter weather platoons with each platoon consisting of approximately 18 soldiers equipped with six High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV) and one Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck Wrecker. The Airmen, from the 182nd Airlift Wing, based in Peoria, will also be equipped with six HMMWVs.
“While most people will be watching this week’s weather event unfold from the comfort of their home, the Illinois National Guard will be braving the cold weather and snow alongside local and state first responders as they assist to protect life and property, and alleviate suffering in the communities where they will be assigned,” said Maj. Gen. Rich Neely, the Adjutant General of Illinois and Commander of the Illinois National Guard.
The Illinois National Guard will serve as a critical force multiplier for the ISP, who will be deploying teams of troopers to assist stranded motorists across the state. Guard units will initially be deployed to ISP Districts 9 - Springfield, 10 - Pesotum, 18 - Litchfield, 20 - Pittsfield and 21 – Ashkum, helping reduce response times and capacity to reach motorists. From the SEOC, ISP will be monitoring conditions on the ground and shifting personnel based on the trajectory of the storm.
“The men and women of the ISP stand ready to face the challenges mother nature has in store and, like we always do, will rise to the occasion,” stated Illinois State Police Director Brendan F. Kelly. “The Illinois National Guard will also be standing with us as a force multiplier. With their assistance, service to the public will be greatly augmented, reducing first responder response times to stranded motorists.”
Statewide, IDOT will deploy more than 1,800 trucks and equipment to plow, treat roads and respond to weather emergencies. If you encounter a plow or any maintenance vehicle during your travels, please slow down, increase your driving distance and remain patient. Do not attempt to pass – conditions in front of the plow will be worse than behind it. Because of the storm’s potential, non-essential travel is strongly discouraged.
*** UPDATE *** I forgot to post this, so I’m putting it at the top…
Today, the REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC) expressed their support for State Representative Sam Yingling’s bid for State Senate.
“Sam’s legislative career has focused on property tax relief, reform, and promoting affordability and access to housing for all Illinoisans. His work on local government consolidation and homeowner rights, combined with his leadership on reducing the property tax burden on property owners, make him worthy of our support,” said Michael Oldenettel of Jacksonville, Chair of the REALTORS® Political Action Committee Board.
“That is why the REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC) is ‘all-in’ for Sam’s Senate bid and recently increased its financial support of his campaign so that he can continue to champion policies that enable all Illinoisians the opportunity to achieve the American Dream of homeownership,” continued Oldenettel.
State Rep and candidate for Illinois State Senate, Sam Yingling, said, “I am very proud to have the support of the REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC) in my race for State Senate. REALTORS® are one of the backbones of small business in our communities. As a REALTOR®, I have seen their commitment to helping people pursue their dream of homeownership. This has inspired my career of public service, which I will carry to the Illinois State Senate.”
Republican Rep. Rodney Davis and Democratic Rep. Sean Casten are outpacing their intra-party opponents in fundraising, though no one can keep up with Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi.
The 8th Congressional District Democrat has banked $11 million — double what House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has on hand at $5.4 million — after raking in $1.1M in the fourth quarter of 2021.
In the race to represent the newly shaped 15th District, Davis raised $420,699 in the fourth quarter, according to FEC reports, and has $1 million on hand. His GOP opponent, Rep. Mary Miller, raised $164,262 in the same period and has $414,795 in the bank.
In the 6th Congressional District, Casten raised $699,384 and has nearly $1.6 million on hand. His Democratic opponent, Rep. Marie Newman, raised $337,876 and has $573,120 cash on hand.
And in the newly created 3rd Congressional District, Democrat Gilbert Villegas, a Chicago alderman, raised $386,473 and has $377,055 in the bank in his race to best Democratic state Rep. Delia Ramirez, who raised $113,2018 and has $110,443 cash on hand.
In other races: Rep. Lauren Underwood in the 14th District said she raised $752,011 during the fourth quarterly FEC filing period and reported nearly $2.1 million cash on hand. And in the 17th District’s open seat, Republican Esther Joy King raised $639,970 and has $655,957 in the bank.
* Coming a bit late to this…
It’s going to be a battle to replace Frank Zucarelli as Thornton Twshp Committeeman. Thaddeus Jones, State Rep and Cal city Mayor circulating petitions. #ILPrimarypic.twitter.com/FOqOdh4Enz
My name is Chase Thrasher. I’m from Olney, a little town in southern Illinois. I am 34 years old and a single father to an amazing 4-year-old son. I have been a Correctional Officer for the last 7-and-a-half years and have lived in Illinois for the past 25 years.
I am running for Illinois Governor in 2022 as I have long been dedicated to serving Illinois and want to make this state a great place to live, for you, for myself, and for generations to come.
* Speaking of Richard Irvin, the Bears hired head coach Matt Eberflus last Thursday. Yesterday, just four days later, Eberflus and new general manager Ryan Poles held a free-wheeling, 90-minute press conference. It’s now been more than two weeks since Irvin formally kicked off his campaign and he has yet to grant a single interview that I’m aware of.
…Adding… From a member of Rep. Bob Rita’s (D-Blue Island) political organization…
News From the Actual Front: Rita’s organization started circulating last week. 6 days they got 1000 signatures door to door. No cocktail parties. No social media meetups. Just good old fashioned field work. Didn’t get one complaint about people not answering doors for covid or any other reason.
* Last year, Sen. Elgie Sims (D-Chicago) predicted to me that the state budget he and others were crafting was going to lead to the first credit upgrade for Illinois in more than two decades. He was right. So, when I asked the Senate Appropriations Committee Chair this morning about the governor’s proposed budget, he reminded me of his prediction and made another prediction…
You and I talked last year before we passed the 2022 budget, and I was sure, I was very confident that it was going to lead to a credit rating upgrade. I think this budget will do the same. This is going to show taxpayers that we are good fiscal stewards, that we’re taking care of their money they entrust us with. And it’s going to show the rating agencies that Illinois knows how to govern.
Discuss.
…Adding… A comment below made me think that I probably should’ve put this here. Greg Hinz …
The Pritzker administration is promising to inject “substantial” amounts of federal COVID relief cash into the state’s cash-short unemployment insurance program, an action that will reduce and perhaps virtually eliminate the need for sharp tax hikes on employers and/or benefit cuts for workers.
In the first public comments after weeks of behind-the-scenes negotiations, Deputy Gov. Andy Manar said “very productive” talks have advanced enough that Gov. J.B. Pritzker will dangle a big carrot during his speech tomorrow on what will be in his proposed fiscal 2023 budget.
The carrot: allotting a chunk and maybe most of the $3.5 billion the state still has left over from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to begin paying off the roughly $4.5 billion in loans from the U.S. Treasury that kept the unemployment insurance system operational. […]
But Manar did give a tantalizing hint, saying states like Illinois that borrowed from the U.S. Treasury at the height of the pandemic have typically used one quarter to one third of their ARPA funds for such a purpose.
…Adding… Might as well put this here, too…
U of I Flash Index up again in January
URBANA — The resurgence of the University of Illinois Flash Index continued in January, rising to 105.9 from its 105.7 level last month. This reading approaches the post-recession high of 106 from June and September of 2021.
Illinois’ unemployment rate fell to 5.3% from its 5.7% level the previous month and 8% a year ago. Fourth-quarter national gross domestic product rose by 6.9% in real terms. Similarly, the components of the Flash Index (individual income tax, sales tax, and corporate tax receipts) were all up in real terms compared with the same month last year, with especially large percentage increases in corporate and individual income tax collections.
“These strong indicators of economic performance pose a perplexing picture since the emergence of the omicron COVID-19 variant, supply chain disruptions, weakness in financial markets, and the emergence of serious inflation paint a darker image,” said University of Illinois economist J. Fred Giertz, who compiles the monthly index for the Institute of Government and Public Affairs. “There are unanswered questions about whether the relationship of Illinois tax revenues and state economic performance have become untethered; only time will tell.”
Most observers do expect a cooling of the national economy in 2022, in part, because of a paring of expansionary fiscal and monetary policy.
“The strong performance of Illinois revenues has apparently not escaped the notice of Gov. J.B. Pritzker. The governor reportedly plans to call for a one-year, one-billion-dollar tax cut, only 15 months after the failure of a constitutional amendment that would have allowed the state to bring in more revenue through a graduated income tax structure,” Giertz said.
The Flash Index is a weighted average of Illinois growth rates in corporate earnings, consumer spending and personal income as estimated from receipts for corporate income, individual income, and retail sales taxes. These are adjusted for inflation before growth rates are calculated. The growth rate for each component is then calculated for the 12-month period using data through January 31, 2022. Nearing two years since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, ad hoc adjustments are still needed because of the timing of the tax receipts resulting from state and Federal changes in payment dates.
…Adding… Press release…
Governor JB Pritzker today announced the State of Illinois has acquired nearly 10 acres of land in the Dirksen Business Park located at 2900 Dotmar for a purchase price of $1.55 million, to construct a new Central Computing Facility (CCF) for the Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology.
“As governor, I’ve sought to bring efficiency and modernization to state government, and this new data center is a key asset in that endeavor,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Through this new facility, we’re enhancing the State of Illinois’ digital infrastructure and doing so while bringing hundreds of new jobs to the east side of Springfield. I want to recognize Senator Doris Turner for her leadership in bringing this development to the region.”
DoIT’s current central computing facility in Springfield is inefficient and dated. DoIT is working with the Illinois Capital Development Board and the Illinois Department of Central Management Services to build the new CCF in the Springfield area.
“With the evolution of technology and DoIT’s continuing modernization of digital assets, the current data center has grown less suitable for our needs,” said Jennifer Ricker, Acting Secretary for DoIT. “A modern, efficient, and secure data center will allow Illinois to continue to be a leader in technology and innovation.”
Governor Pritzker’s bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital plan, the first in nearly a decade, appropriated nearly $80.5 million to CDB, who will oversee the project’s design and construction with Exp U.S. Services, serving as the architect of record. The new facility will be programmed to achieve, at a minimum, LEED Silver Certification for data centers.
CMS, who will serve as the owner and property manager of the facility, researched property in the area and subsequently issued a Request for Information (RFI) on June 9, 2021 for the purchase of vacant land within the City of Springfield to construct a CCF. The selected 9.4 acre site is located within an Enterprise Zone and offers access to a fiber network, synergies to nearby State offices, and close proximity to transportation options.
“This investment is further evidence the State of Illinois is striving to deliver the best, most cutting-edge infrastructure to support our operations,” said Janel L. Forde, Director for the Department of Central Management Services. “The new state-of-the-art facility will be built with the most advanced infrastructure technology, and designed with the highest standards of redundancy, resiliency, and reliability.”
“The relocation of the Central Computing Facility is a game changer for the East Side of Springfield – an area I was proud to represent on the Springfield City Council,” said State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield). “The new data center will spur additional economic development to the area and expand our technological opportunities. I am proud and thankful that Governor Pritzker is prioritizing Springfield in the ambitious Rebuild Illinois Project.”
The relocation of the CCF to the East Side of the City will also bring hundreds of State jobs to the area, spur economic development, and ensure the State’s technology infrastructure keeps pace as technologies advance.
The historic Rebuild Illinois capital plan passed with bipartisan super-majorities will invest $45 billion in roads, bridges, railways, universities, early childhood centers, and state facilities that will create and support an estimated 540,000 jobs over the life of the six-year plan and revitalize local economies across the State.
Advocates and Illinois state lawmakers are making a push to end a gas utility surcharge that allows companies to raise customer heating bills in order to pay for infrastructure projects.
The surcharge, known as the Qualified Infrastructure Plant (QIP), became law in 2013 after similar legislation was passed for utility giant Commonwealth Edison.
Supporters of Senate Bill 570 and House Bill 3941, which seeks to repeal the surcharge law, include AARP Illinois, the Citizens Utility Board and Illinois Public Interest Research Group. Members of the three groups held a news conference Monday to urge the General Assembly to end the QIP surcharge. They say the law allowed heating bills to skyrocket while lining the pockets of major utilities.
“The General Assembly was told the special ability to raise bills was needed for safety, that spending would be limited and utility bill impacts would be kept low,” said Rep. Joyce Mason, D-Gurnee, chief sponsor of the House bill. “None of these things are true today.”
The utilities claim the surcharge is a necessity to pay for pipe replacement and other work. While everyone agrees old pipes should be replaced, consumer advocates argue the utilities should do it in a responsible way that doesn’t cause hardship for their customers.
Bryan McDaniel, CUB director of governmental affairs, said by law, utilities are already required to keep the system safe and reliable.
“This legislation will not shut down infrastructure spending as the utilities will claim,” McDaniel said. “It will simply transition it to traditional regulatory oversight.” […]
“The utilities are now spending money on things like installing new meters and replacing perfectly safe pipes and we’re all getting stuck with the bill,” said Mason.
* From Nicor…
Nicor Gas customers expect and deserve natural gas service that’s safe and reliable every day, including during extreme weather such as the polar vortexes and unexpected crises like the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Increased demand stemming from people spending more time and using more natural gas at home, dropping temperatures and economic inflation, have caused natural gas prices to rise around the world and right here in Illinois. Nicor Gas cannot make a profit on these increased prices and instead the market price is passed on to the customer through a highly regulated rate process. This natural gas cost currently makes up about 70% of the total charges Nicor Gas residential customers see on their bills.
Since 2014, the Qualified Infrastructure Plant (QIP) has helped Nicor Gas invest over $2.5 billion in infrastructure improvement including replacing approximately 990 miles of natural gas main, 111,250 natural gas service lines and another 187 improvement projects across 100 communities are scheduled for this year. These improvements along with Nicor Gas’ storage facility reserves have allowed the company to deliver natural gas safely and effectively to our 2.2 million customers.
As Illinois’ largest natural gas distributor, Nicor Gas is committed to providing clean, safe, reliable and affordable natural gas service to the 650 communities it serves.
