A measure that would create a huge deal-closing fund to lure electric vehicle makers and other big manufacturers here cleared a major hurdle at midday and could be on Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s desk by day’s end.
The action came when, on an 11-4 vote, the House Revenue & Finance Committee approved and sent to the House floor for final action in that chamber a bill that would give Pritzker the same kind of discretionary incentive pot that governors in states including Michigan, Ohio and Texas already have.
In Illinois’ case, lawmakers already have authorized putting $400 million into the fund, which is being created with an eye toward getting Stellantis to convert its Belvidere Jeep factory to EV production but could be used for non-EV projects. Other provisions of the bill would make it easier for companies to get tax breaks under the state’s existing Edge program without having to prove they’d get a better deal in another state.
“I think it looks good, very good,” said committee Chairman Rep. Mike Zalewski, D-Riverside, who expects to bring the bill to the House floor this afternoon. The final version then must be approved by the Senate, but knowledgeable sources said they expect that to occur.
*** UPDATE *** The bill passed the House 86-23. From the IMA…
The Illinois Manufacturers’ Association (IMA) has issued the following statement after House passage of SB 2951, which builds on the state’s efforts to encourage in-state production of electric vehicles and related components:
“Manufacturers appreciate Gov. JB Pritzker’s commitment to creating an environment in Illinois to help attract the next generation of manufacturers and suppliers for electric vehicles, batteries, and semiconductors,” said Mark Denzler, President & CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association. “This legislation makes Illinois more competitive with neighboring states by creating a closing fund that can be used to lure businesses, increasing incentives for retaining employees and expanding the program so small manufacturers can participate. We thank lawmakers for their support and look forward to growing this important sector.”
You wouldn’t know it by watching the news…or listening to the haters.
But on crime? Mayor Lightfoot’s got a plan. She’s putting more police on the streets and getting more guns off ‘em.
When it comes to new strategies, new technology – Lightfoot’s invested more than any mayor.
Those are facts. Anyone that says there are simple solutions is lying. We didn’t get here overnight, and we have a long way to go. But Lightfoot won’t quit until we’re the safest big city in America.
…Adding… Rep. Buckner…
The nearly 3 million people of Chicago who care about safety are the latest to receive the brunt of Lori Lightfoot’s highly defensive insults.
In Lightfoot’s latest TV ad meant to make the people of Chicago forget about her failure to deliver on her campaign promises, she calls those of us concerned about crime and violence, “haters.”
“While I was in Springfield helping to pass the assault weapons ban after having successfully banned ghost guns from our streets just a few months earlier, Mayor Lightfoot blasted the people of Chicago concerned about safety by calling them ‘haters’,” candidate for mayor Kam Buckner said. “The truth is Chicago had nearly 700 homicides last year, 2600 shootings, including six children who lost their lives to gun violence. Crime is up, the clearance rate is down and Chicagoans don’t feel safe. We don’t need a mayor hurling insults at the people of Chicago who deserve public safety. We need a Mayor with a plan to keep Chicago safe.”
Buckner’s Safer 77 public safety plan that balances safety and Justice, calls for investment in communities and violence prevention, filling police vacancies and reforming CPD. The plan also details preventative engagement for Chicago’s youth and improving Chicago’s clearance rates.
* ILGOP email…
Rich,
It’s a new year, which means new opportunities for Republicans in Illinois to take back the Land of Lincoln and make it STRONG. We need your help to finalize our plans and goals for the 2023 year.
Please take our quick 10-second survey NOW.
What issues should the ILGOP focus on in the new year?
Inflation
Corruption
Crime
Firing Pritzker
Energy
Taxes
Education
Other
Your response is very important to us, Rich. Take our survey before the link expires TONIGHT
Not sure how they can fire Pritzker since he was just reelected, but OK.
* Isabel’s roundup…
* Bloomberg | Illinois Justices Set for New Term With Historic Female Majority: Justices Mary O’Brien and Elizabeth Rochford were sworn in last month following narrow victories in the November elections. The court appointed Lisa Holder White in July to fill one vacancy and appointed Joy Cunningham in November to fill the seat of a second retiring justice. Cunningham was also sworn in in December.
* Tribune | NEH, NEA give more than $2 million in grants for humanities and art projects in Illinois: The NEA grants included research awards, grants for art projects and Challenge America grants, which aim to reach historically underserved communities. “Together, these grants show the NEA’s support nationwide for strengthening our arts and cultural ecosystems, providing equitable opportunities for arts participation and practice, and contributing to the health of our communities and our economy,” said NEA chair Maria Rosario Jackson.
* Journal Star | How a tiny park police department became a vital resource for policing the Illinois River: It could be said the future of the Fon du Lac Park Police Department began with the purchase of a 17-foot boat in the late 1990s. Since then, the small department of less than a dozen officers has bucked the statewide trend of park police departments going by the wayside. Instead, it has become a go-to resource for law enforcement on the Illinois River and beyond.
* Block Club | 5 Candidates Are Challenging Ald. Jim Gardiner To Represent Far Northwest Side’s 45th Ward: Gardiner, who is under federal criminal investigation, is seeking a second term. Challenging him are Ana Santoyo, a longtime activist and library page; organizer and historian Susanna Ernst; attorney Megan Mathias; Jefferson Park resident Marija Tomic; and business owner and community organizer James Suh.
* Crain’s | A congestion conundrum looms for Fulton Market: Developers last month formally proposed new projects in the once-gritty corridor totaling as many as 2,100 new apartments—including a 52-story high-rise—and nearly 1.4 million square feet of offices across two new, large buildings. Another that developer Related Midwest will present to planning officials this week would add a 41-story, 1 million-square-foot office tower to the mix.
* Fox 2 | Best BBQ in Illinois, according to the Food Network: Not everyone thinks of southern Illinois barbecue. Chicago tends to overwhelm lists of the best food in the state. The Food Network just picked a Murphysboro restaurant for their “50 States of Barbecue” list. The owner of 17th St BBQ has several Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest wins under his belt. Mike Mills also impressed Iron Chef Michael Symon with his ribs on Best Thing I Ever Ate. So, it is no wonder that food writer Sara Ventiera listed this restaurant as the best BBQ in Illinois
* WCIA | U of I Research Park helps boost Illinois to No. 10 in women-led startups: The U of I Research Park and EnterpriseWorks is at the forefront of providing women the tools they need to achieve. Director of External Engagement Laura Bleill said having organizations that support women on their entrepreneurial journey are crucial for success. “We do that through a variety of resources that includes educational workshops,” Bleill said. “Educational courses that teach things like customer discovery. As well as providing mentors.”
==What issues should the ILGOP focus on in the new year?==
Not nominating unelectable candidates
Getting a clue
People that can raise more than $50
Avoiding trashing the city where the most votes are
Stop making excuses for Jan 6th
What a tone deaf commercial! The Chicago Police Department released another set of Compstat figures recently. Crime is way up since 2019 according to the bar graphs. The 20th Police District, once one of the safest police districts in the city has seen an almost 80% spike in crimes since Lightfoot took office (only the 2nd District had an increase just as bad). The ugly figures are available online at CWB Chicago.
19 was one of the better years on record for crime. Then 2020 happened. Crime is up over 19 everywhere, not just Chicago. But, yeah, it’s not a very believable ad.
- Telling voters that if they don’t feel/see the improvements she claims makes them “haters” isn’t going to win anyone over.
- Saying over and over “I have a plan” when you are the incumbent is basically saying you can’t run on your record.
- Correct me if I am wrong, but I don’t think anyone has ever won re-election with the tag line “change doesn’t happen overnight.” It’s true, but it doesn’t win elections.
If Mayor Lightfoot has/had a workable “plan” affected citizens would not be talking about crime so much and the media would not be accurately reporting on actual crime so much. This re-elect me ad was even more tone deaf than usual for Lori but what does she have to run on?
- West Side the Best Side - Tuesday, Jan 10, 23 @ 4:10 pm:
Did the ILGOP forget that last year was election year? They had their chance to fire Pritzker in 2022 and how did that work out. Or maybe it’s just “We got nothing”, lets put 2023 over 2022 and hope no one notices.
The only way Republicans can “fire” Pritzker is the same way they “fired” Governor Cuomo of New York, by promoting dubious claims of sexual harassment.
The EV dealmaking sounds like a repeat of the “wheeling dealing” James R Thompson (JRT) years, which brought auto manufacturing to Bloomington-Normal. My query: would a JRT be possible in the current GOP?
The ad is not very convincing. C+ But I pity those who have to make the choice for Mayor because the candidates list is very unimpressive. BJohnson’s commercials say he has a plan but no idea what it is. Where is Kim Buckner? Vallas still has that right wing tinge. And Chuy can’t even get the MC he put into Congress to back him. Chicago’s Mayor matters to the entire state. and it’s a sad state of election choices.
Note to IL GOP: “Fire Pritzker” isn’t the rallying cry you think it is. It just makes you sound angry and without a plan. You might as well be outside yelling “I don’t like the way things are!” or “Things cost too much!”
17th Street BBQ is very good. I will say however that about 1 mile north of there is Pats BBQ which I like even more. Top it off with some good brews from Big Muddy Brewery and you’ve had a great afternoon
What’s your over under for sine die for both chambers. Way things have been moving today it would appear neither chamber will be done until after midnight at a minimum
Etown, I’m prepared for whatever happens, but I do wonder if Leader Durkin should’ve resigned as of 11:59 am tomorrow instead of pm tonight. lol
- northsider (the original) - Tuesday, Jan 10, 23 @ 5:39 pm:
I am not a hater. I am not a liar. I deeply love my city and I am terribly worried for it. How dare the mayor belittle and hector citizens who speak their fear out loud?
I would give the ad an F, and I am very sad it has come to this.
CPD and SWAT close Old Town Streets at Division and Wells. Suspects barricaded in an apartment building.Several firearms recovered and suspects in custody.
SWAT and CPD remain on scene. All this transpired in the last few hours.
Kinda ironic as a background for MLL’s latest spot.
- Friendly Bob Adams - Tuesday, Jan 10, 23 @ 7:04 pm:
- Big Dipper - Tuesday, Jan 10, 23 @ 2:51 pm:
Re Gardiner
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/criminal-justice/ct-ald-jim-gardiner-facebook-lawsuit-depositions-20230109-iv7razz6ffes3odb25e4vrbzde-story.html
- Ducky LaMoore - Tuesday, Jan 10, 23 @ 2:57 pm:
“Firing Pritzker”
I pity the poor low level staffer that has to empty a closet of anti-Madigan campaign mailers and paste “Pritzker” over “Madigan.”
- Rudy’s teeth - Tuesday, Jan 10, 23 @ 3:04 pm:
Mayor Lightfoot’s script for another ad—-
So much for respecting voters…now we’re labeled as haters. Claims of simple solutions are lying.
Has MLL taken a page from Darren Bailey’s handbook? Insulting voters is not a path to victory.
- Moe Berg - Tuesday, Jan 10, 23 @ 3:04 pm:
As a Democrat I’m delighted to see the ILGOP remains in such capable hands. Really don’t need to write it, but never change guys. Please.
- cover - Tuesday, Jan 10, 23 @ 3:09 pm:
= I pity the poor low level staffer that has to empty a closet of anti-Madigan campaign mailers and paste “Pritzker” over “Madigan.” =
I’m surprised the GOP remembered *not* to include “Fire Madigan” as an option.
- Henry Francis - Tuesday, Jan 10, 23 @ 3:12 pm:
Looking at the ILGOP issue list, I noticed there is nothing about 2A, Immigration, election integrity, and trans people grooming our kids.
Bailey would take a flame thrower to that list.
- Saluki24 - Tuesday, Jan 10, 23 @ 3:23 pm:
Did GOP not listen to the Governor’s inaugural address?
Fire Pritzker? More like, Pritzker is FIRE!
- low level - Tuesday, Jan 10, 23 @ 3:40 pm:
==What issues should the ILGOP focus on in the new year?==
Not nominating unelectable candidates
Getting a clue
People that can raise more than $50
Avoiding trashing the city where the most votes are
Stop making excuses for Jan 6th
- Gravitas - Tuesday, Jan 10, 23 @ 3:42 pm:
What a tone deaf commercial! The Chicago Police Department released another set of Compstat figures recently. Crime is way up since 2019 according to the bar graphs. The 20th Police District, once one of the safest police districts in the city has seen an almost 80% spike in crimes since Lightfoot took office (only the 2nd District had an increase just as bad). The ugly figures are available online at CWB Chicago.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Jan 10, 23 @ 3:44 pm:
=== Crime is way up since 2019===
19 was one of the better years on record for crime. Then 2020 happened. Crime is up over 19 everywhere, not just Chicago. But, yeah, it’s not a very believable ad.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jan 10, 23 @ 3:45 pm:
===What issues should the ILGOP focus on in the new year?===
Decide, right here and now…
Party of Mary Miller…
…or the party wanting Adam Kinzinger back and more like him, *without* the Mary Millers
The rest is for mere decoration
That’s the ball game now. They just don’t know it.
- Three Dimensional Checkers - Tuesday, Jan 10, 23 @ 3:51 pm:
There are so many random stock characters in these Lightfoot ads. Who is this new guy? I have no idea.
- Montrose - Tuesday, Jan 10, 23 @ 3:52 pm:
To the Lightfoot ad:
- Telling voters that if they don’t feel/see the improvements she claims makes them “haters” isn’t going to win anyone over.
- Saying over and over “I have a plan” when you are the incumbent is basically saying you can’t run on your record.
- Correct me if I am wrong, but I don’t think anyone has ever won re-election with the tag line “change doesn’t happen overnight.” It’s true, but it doesn’t win elections.
- Responsa - Tuesday, Jan 10, 23 @ 4:01 pm:
If Mayor Lightfoot has/had a workable “plan” affected citizens would not be talking about crime so much and the media would not be accurately reporting on actual crime so much. This re-elect me ad was even more tone deaf than usual for Lori but what does she have to run on?
- West Side the Best Side - Tuesday, Jan 10, 23 @ 4:10 pm:
Did the ILGOP forget that last year was election year? They had their chance to fire Pritzker in 2022 and how did that work out. Or maybe it’s just “We got nothing”, lets put 2023 over 2022 and hope no one notices.
- Early voter - Tuesday, Jan 10, 23 @ 4:16 pm:
The only way Republicans can “fire” Pritzker is the same way they “fired” Governor Cuomo of New York, by promoting dubious claims of sexual harassment.
- Ares - Tuesday, Jan 10, 23 @ 4:18 pm:
The EV dealmaking sounds like a repeat of the “wheeling dealing” James R Thompson (JRT) years, which brought auto manufacturing to Bloomington-Normal. My query: would a JRT be possible in the current GOP?
- Amalia - Tuesday, Jan 10, 23 @ 4:32 pm:
The ad is not very convincing. C+ But I pity those who have to make the choice for Mayor because the candidates list is very unimpressive. BJohnson’s commercials say he has a plan but no idea what it is. Where is Kim Buckner? Vallas still has that right wing tinge. And Chuy can’t even get the MC he put into Congress to back him. Chicago’s Mayor matters to the entire state. and it’s a sad state of election choices.
- Scurvydog - Tuesday, Jan 10, 23 @ 4:35 pm:
Note to IL GOP: “Fire Pritzker” isn’t the rallying cry you think it is. It just makes you sound angry and without a plan. You might as well be outside yelling “I don’t like the way things are!” or “Things cost too much!”
- amalia - Tuesday, Jan 10, 23 @ 4:41 pm:
Jack puts some big work into his free blog, this time on judges https://leyhane.blogspot.com/2023/01/weeping-angles-strike-springfield-yet.html
- Stormsw7706 - Tuesday, Jan 10, 23 @ 5:04 pm:
17th Street BBQ is very good. I will say however that about 1 mile north of there is Pats BBQ which I like even more. Top it off with some good brews from Big Muddy Brewery and you’ve had a great afternoon
- Etown - Tuesday, Jan 10, 23 @ 5:14 pm:
Rich
What’s your over under for sine die for both chambers. Way things have been moving today it would appear neither chamber will be done until after midnight at a minimum
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Jan 10, 23 @ 5:32 pm:
Etown, I’m prepared for whatever happens, but I do wonder if Leader Durkin should’ve resigned as of 11:59 am tomorrow instead of pm tonight. lol
- northsider (the original) - Tuesday, Jan 10, 23 @ 5:39 pm:
I am not a hater. I am not a liar. I deeply love my city and I am terribly worried for it. How dare the mayor belittle and hector citizens who speak their fear out loud?
I would give the ad an F, and I am very sad it has come to this.
- Etown - Tuesday, Jan 10, 23 @ 6:41 pm:
I imagine Leader Durkin is thinking same thing Rich😉
- Rudy’s teeth - Tuesday, Jan 10, 23 @ 6:55 pm:
CPD and SWAT close Old Town Streets at Division and Wells. Suspects barricaded in an apartment building.Several firearms recovered and suspects in custody.
SWAT and CPD remain on scene. All this transpired in the last few hours.
Kinda ironic as a background for MLL’s latest spot.
- Friendly Bob Adams - Tuesday, Jan 10, 23 @ 7:04 pm:
“Haters” is the new “deplorables”.