* Crain’s…

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.”

The bill now goes to the Senate for concurrence.

[ *** End Of Update *** ]

* New Lightfoot TV ad…

Script…

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.

* Daily Herald | ‘Why shouldn’t we consider it?’ Libertyville may put marijuana question to voters April 4: The Libertyville village board tonight will consider asking voters whether the sale of recreational marijuana products should be allowed at state-licensed dispensaries in town.

* 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.

* Daily Herald | ‘Impressive’ Soldier Field plans wouldn’t give Bears stadium ownership, Mayor Hayes says: Arlington Heights Mayor Tom Hayes called plans to transform Soldier Field with a dome and surrounding commercial and entertainment campus “impressive,” but he said the proposal doesn’t change why the Chicago Bears are considering redevelopment of Arlington Park.

* 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

* Daily Herald | Naperville group commemorates U.S. quarter bearing likeness of first Chinese American movie star: Chinese American Women in Action and Naperville Bank & Trust/Wintrust will host the free event from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 555 Fort Hill Drive in Naperville. Attendees will receive an Anna May Wong quarter in a red envelope as a Chinese New Year tradition.

* 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.”