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Isabel’s morning briefing
Thursday, Feb 2, 2023 - Posted by Isabel Miller * Here’s your morning roundup… * Cor Strategies | 2022 IL General Election Final Analysis: The Illinois Republicans’ failure in 2022 wasn’t due to just one factor. A monumental failure like this is rarely caused by just one thing, especially since our party has been failing in Illinois for well over a decade. * Sun-Times | Illinois Attorney General sues 3M, other makers of ‘forever chemicals’: In his lawsuit, filed Tuesday in Circuit Court of Cook County, Raoul seeks to recover environmental damage as well as money from the companies “necessary for Illinois to continue identifying, monitoring” PFAS contamination. * Donald DeWitte | Legislators should ask why so many sheriffs refuse to enforce assault weapons law: Law enforcement officers have felt the brunt of these new extreme laws. Whether they are seeing a diminishment in their ability to do their jobs effectively and safely when approaching and apprehending suspected criminals, or knowing the Democrat majority in Springfield sees nothing wrong with providing an avenue for anonymous complaints and civil suits against them — as in the SAFE-T Act, which provides for both — law enforcement personnel recognize they are presumed by a growing number of majority party lawmakers as the bad guys. * Tribune | State Farm, Wells Fargo plan to lay off hundreds in Illinois: Insurance giant State Farm, which is headquartered in Bloomington, told the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity it would eliminate 451 positions at the end of March. Wells Fargo reported the layoff of 140 workers in Springfield. * Center Square | Illinois House passes rules removing pandemic-era remote voting: Removed from the House rules are the pandemic-era provisions that allowed for remote voting. State Rep. Robyn Gabel, D-Evanston, explained some other changes. “It updates the COVID decorum rules, it renames the rule to replace COVID with the more generic term pestilence or public danger,” Gabel said. * Pantagraph | 13 bills Illinois lawmakers have introduced in 2023: So far, 1,646 House bills have been introduced while 280 Senate bills have been put forward. The number is inflated as hundreds of them contain no substance. Known as “shell bills,” these are used as “gut and replace” vehicles at the end of the legislative session for larger items like the budget. It’s a trick for legislators to get around constitutional requirements for bills, such as they be read three separate days in each legislative chamber. * Tribune | Chicago-area parents want zabiha-halal and kosher food options in schools. A proposed bill would be a game changer.: If passed, the Faith By Plate Act would ensure that any state-owned or state-operated facilities such as hospitals, schools and prisons that provide food services or cafeteria services also offer zabiha-halal and kosher food options upon request when provided with notice. * Tribune | First cannabis store with a bar and a bakery under the same roof opens in Illinois: The majority owner is Charles Mayfield, who is interim chief operating officer for Chicago Public Schools, while Chicago 47th Ward Ald. Ameya Pawar and others are minority owners. They formed a partnership with West Town Bakery to include a cafe and an event space that can be rented out for birthday parties or other occasions. * Pantagraph | IEPA invests $9.5M in Central Illinois water projects: Of these loans, about $9.5 million will go to water infrastructure upgrades in McLean, LaSalle, Livingston and Tazewell counties. * Center Square | Illinois second worst state for fines and fees: The Reason Foundation found that Illinois is second highest in the nation, averaging about $50 per resident in 2020. That is compared to less than $3 per resident in Kentucky. * Illinois Newsroom | A new Champaign clinic will focus on equity in abortion care: [Dr. Keith Reisinger-Kindle, the founder of Equity Clinic] said the Champaign Clinic will offer financial and travel assistance to some patients and will be open on weekends to allow for more flexible scheduling. Reisinger-Kindle said the clinic is committed to addressing disparities in reproductive healthcare. * Tribune | Richton Park reaches $12 million settlement with family of 12-year-old boy shot by SWAT officer in 2019: Attorney Al Hofeld Jr. said Wednesday the $12 million settlement will be paid by the village of Richton Park’s insurance company, which has a $12 million limit. In an earlier settlement with other defendants in the case, Hofeld said the family received $322,000 for civil rights violations. * Vox | Insulin is way too expensive. California has a solution: Make its own.: Their premise: Take away the private market’s profit motive and maybe states can deliver affordable insulin as a wholly public enterprise, run by civil workers, that does not need to make money. Because these states buy a lot of drugs too, through their Medicaid programs and the health plans for government workers, they would also reap the rewards if those drugs are cheaper. * ABC Chicago | Hundreds of high schoolers get hands-on construction experience at Obama Presidential Center site: One of the main goals behind this center is to give students all across Chicago some hands-on experience. Students told ABC7 they came together with plumbers to create some of the interior construction. The hope is for Saturday’s event to create more of those opportunities. * Crain’s | Mike Quigley denied a spot on House Intel—and he’s not happy about it: U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley of Chicago began getting texts from his U.S. House colleagues on Wednesday saying, “Sorry.” He was briefly mystified before he realized that they had seen a news release from House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York about final committee assignments. Quigley had lost his seat on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, where he has served for eight years. * WSJ | Dangerous Fungi Are Spreading Across U.S. as Temperatures Rise: Dangerous fungal infections are on the rise, and a growing body of research suggests warmer temperatures might be a culprit. The human body’s average temperature of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit has long been too hot for most fungi to thrive, infectious-disease specialists say. But as temperatures have risen globally, some fungi might be adapting to endure more heat stress, including conditions within the human body, research suggests. * The Wrap | Marjorie Taylor Greene Dragged for Saying Grade School Got $5 Billion to Teach Critical Race Theory: This time, during a congressional hearing, she claimed that an Illinois elementary school (which she, of course, didn’t name or offer anymore identifying characteristics for) was awarded $5.1 billion to teach critical race theory, which she called “a racist curriculum used to teach children that somehow their white skin aren’t equal to Black skin.” (It’s actually the study of how the social conceptions of race are shaped by media, politics and preexisting laws.) * WMBD | FACT CHECK: Did one Illinois school really get $5 billion for CRT?: It is true that Illinois received over $5 billion in education funding during the second round of COVID-19 relief funding in 2021. This was part of the American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Relief program (ARP ESSER) which distributed over $81 billion to all 50 states. It is not true that all of this funding went to a single elementary school. The money was split between 851 school districts in Illinois. * WSJ | One Company’s Trick to Getting 95,000 Hours Back? Canceling Meetings: When Reynolds American Inc. was preparing to update staff on its restructuring plans in January, it scrapped plans for a 90-minute town hall meeting. Instead, it posted a 10-minute video for employees to watch. * NPR | A knockoff of ChatGPT speaks in a different language: cat: It’s called CatGPT. Ask a question, and it replies “meeeeeeeeow.” A Dutch data-journalist says he started the project while learning how to make a basic website.
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- dr. jimmy - Thursday, Feb 2, 23 @ 7:48 am:
It amazes me that a member of congress believes that a single Illinois school received over 5 billion dollars and spent it all on teaching critical race theory. What’s worse is that many people in Illinois will hear this blather and believe it. Could you imagine one school getting 5 billion. This congresswoman is not tethered to our planet.
- Bothanspied - Thursday, Feb 2, 23 @ 8:21 am:
Can you imagine what would happen if individual elementary schools actually received an individual $5 Billion grant for anything at all?
- Dysfunction Junction - Thursday, Feb 2, 23 @ 8:35 am:
= Can you imagine what would happen if individual elementary schools actually received an individual $5 Billion grant for anything at all?=
It’d be the end of bake sales for one thing.
- JS Mill - Thursday, Feb 2, 23 @ 8:46 am:
=It’d be the end of bake sales for one thing.=
If it ends the endless cycle of fundraising and puts fundraising companies out of business count me in.
Also…Donald DeWitte complaining about legislative extremism is an absolute laugh riot. Oof, that is some hypocrisy their pal.
- Chicagonk - Thursday, Feb 2, 23 @ 8:50 am:
Every cannabis operation seems to have politicians involved as investors or owners and no one seems to bat an eye.
- Back to the Future - Thursday, Feb 2, 23 @ 8:53 am:
Nice news on students working with trade folks on the Obama construction project.
We need more work related projects that students can learn from.
- Socially DIstant watcher - Thursday, Feb 2, 23 @ 8:54 am:
It also amazes me that a state legislator thinks his fellow legislators didn’t investigate why sherrifs were opposed to the assault weapons ban. There were hearings, all opinions were considered, and the legislators did what they thought prudent. Sherrifs aren’t legislators. And a good thing, too
- Lincoln Lad - Thursday, Feb 2, 23 @ 8:59 am:
Misrepresent the amount of money
Misrepresent what it is supporting
Misrepresent what CRT means
She hit three points that all play into the game plan to turn people against each other and against our government. And you thought she was just not bright… she’s a rockstar for the insurrectionist mindset.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Feb 2, 23 @ 8:59 am:
===Every cannabis operation seems to have politicians involved as investors or owners and no one seems to bat an eye. ===
One got her wings clipped a few years back. But I’m not sure who else you’re referring to. Please be more specific. Thanks.
- H-W - Thursday, Feb 2, 23 @ 9:11 am:
The opinion piece by Sen. DeWitte clearly shows a Senator (and political party?) unwilling to work with the majority party, and unwilling to do the people’s business. His confrontational language betrays his position of leadership, and his responsibilities to the people.
- Chicago Blue - Thursday, Feb 2, 23 @ 9:15 am:
Bridget Degene was a pot regulator before becoming a County Commissioner and also part owner of a dispensary.
- Telly - Thursday, Feb 2, 23 @ 9:28 am:
DeWitte’s “see you in court” swipe against Harmon is intentionally out of context. That wasn’t an unprovoked taunt from Harmon, as DeWitte implies. It was a direct response to Republican members who repeatedly talked about the challenging the law in court during the floor debate.
I thought DeWitte was more of a traditional conservative — the kind that respects institutions and traditions, like the separation of powers and judicial review…you know, “law and order” stuff. It’s disappointing to see him embrace the Trump-style conservatism of the sheriffs. I guess that will play well in his next primary, but it won’t in the next general election in his suburban district.
- OneMan - Thursday, Feb 2, 23 @ 9:28 am:
I am going to say the Core Strategies folks hit it mostly on the nose.
I will add this when it comes to some issues the idea of personal responsibility, while great, implies that enough people will be responsible persons. Identifying and communicating that threshold will be part of the GOP challenge.
- Michelle Flaherty - Thursday, Feb 2, 23 @ 9:31 am:
Odd opinion piece by DeWitte.
He’s been known as a bipartisan worker.
I mean there were all those hours and hours and hours he spent working behind the scenes with Marty Sandoval.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Feb 2, 23 @ 9:44 am:
===hit it mostly on the nose===
I think they missed an opportunity. The Republicans had a pretty good statewide year in 2014. Not all elections will be as bad for the GOP as 2018 (Trump midterm) and 2020 (Bailey heading the ticket). They should focus on trying to replicate the win.
- Anyone Remember - Thursday, Feb 2, 23 @ 9:47 am:
“Madigan … crafted much of the rules that governed the House carried over term after term.”
State Rep. Adam Niemerg, R-Dieterich
Once again, whitewashing of history. Madigan got his rules from Lee Daniels, who got them from Pate Philip. Greg Bishop knows this.
- John Lopez - Thursday, Feb 2, 23 @ 9:49 am:
=== I am going to say the [Cor] Strategies folks hit it mostly on the nose. ===
Hope all four articles Cor Strategies published were read, as 2024 will be much worse than 2022 for Republicans, in spite of no statewide U.S. Senate race next year, and no matter whom the established parties nominate for POTUS.
This morning, Cook Political Report with Amy Walter published their initial U.S. House ratings for 2024, and outside of the IL-17, all 16 other House districts are rated Strong/Safe Democrat (IL-12, IL-15 & IL-16 rated Strong/Safe Republican).
Freshman Congressman Eric Sorensen’s reelection campaign begins in a “Leans Democrat” rated IL-17. Will be interesting whom Republicans nominate to challenge Sorensen, but Esther Joy King is now a 2-time loser, so likely won’t be her.
In spite of MTG’s ridiculous statement, battle for control of the U.S. House, like battle for the White House, will not be fought in Illinois in the fall of 2024.
- TooManyJens - Thursday, Feb 2, 23 @ 9:54 am:
== It amazes me that a member of congress believes that a single Illinois school received over 5 billion dollars and spent it all on teaching critical race theory. ==
Who knows whether she believes it. Maybe she’s just lying, or maybe she’s convinced herself (through only consuming far-right information sources and never applying critical thought) that it’s true because it’s useful to believe it. It doesn’t really matter in the end.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Feb 2, 23 @ 10:12 am:
Chicago Blue, that’s one. And it was reported on more than once.
But the statement was “Every cannabis operation seems to have politicians involved.” That’s way more than one.
- Ducky LaMoore - Thursday, Feb 2, 23 @ 10:30 am:
“They should focus on trying to replicate the win.”
I fail to see how Republicans can run against Pat Quinn for every seat. /s
- watchful eye - Thursday, Feb 2, 23 @ 10:35 am:
Point of order—just how many elections did Cor Strategies win last cycle? Mike Z? They pretty much lost everything. It amazes me that the folks that consistently lose, Proft, Z, Cor still telling the rest of the world how to do it. I know this will get blocked because of Z love—but the reality is this state saw the worst grift in political terms since Doyle Lonigan got taken in the Sting.
- Grandson of Man - Thursday, Feb 2, 23 @ 10:56 am:
2024 may not be so hot for the ILGOP, with a certain someone at the top of the ticket. This “leader” cost Republicans many votes in 2022, many of their own voters refused to vote MAGA. Hats off to the folks who believe in decency and democracy.
- DTown Resident - Thursday, Feb 2, 23 @ 11:00 am:
” This congresswoman is not tethered to our planet ” The scary thing is she actually is. Greene actually willfully spreads disinformation. She knows it is all false but she digs in and says this all to get people riled up and angrier. It is much scarier than someone being crazy.
- Stuck in Celliniland - Thursday, Feb 2, 23 @ 11:13 am:
In my state employee opinion, any firm with the words “Strategies” or “Ventures” in it reads to me like nothing more than a bunch of scammers.
- Rudy’s teeth - Thursday, Feb 2, 23 @ 11:17 am:
Yesterday, a post discussed a shortage of credentialed teachers in subject matter areas. There is a shortage of teachers and substitutes everywhere in all states.
Yet Marjorie Taylor Greene rails about CRT. Nonsense.
The substitutes and teachers in classrooms are focused on teaching Literature, Math, and English. If students are unable to read at level, any extraneous material like CRT will not become a focus of instruction.
Looks as if MTG is blathering for attention like a former Illinois candidate for the governor’s office.
- Roman - Thursday, Feb 2, 23 @ 11:27 am:
On the COR memo: the ex-Raunerite/Irvin approach wasn’t wrong as a general election strategy, it just couldn’t survive a Trump era GOP primary.
The 2014 Rauner win and Lee Zeldin’s over-performance last year in the New York governor’s race should be the model for the Illinois GOP. Both candidates were successfully able to project themselves as suburban moderates and (surprise) that help draw suburban moderate voters. Rauner won because of that, and Zeldin did well enough (within 6 points of Hochul) that he didn’t tank the rest of the Republican ticket. Sometimes getting close counts in politics. The NY GOP picked up congressional and state legislative seats in ‘22, winning in districts Biden carried by focusing on crime — a strategy Illinois GOP legislative candidates tried here and failed with. And it probably would have failed in NY too if the GOP had an upstate conservative culture warrior turning off suburban voters at the top of their ticket.
Getting a moderate-ish candidate out of the primary is the tricky part.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Feb 2, 23 @ 11:30 am:
===The 2014 Rauner win and Lee Zeldin’s over-performance last year in the New York governor’s race should be the model===
===Getting a moderate-ish candidate out of the primary is the tricky part. ===
Agreed on both.
The fundamental flaw of that report is focusing on two losing races to see which was the least worse. Find out your strengths and emphasize that.
2014 can’t be exactly replicated unless Pritzker tanks his second term and runs for a third term. Same with 2010, when Bill Brady narrowly lost. But the GOP can clearly do better and has.
- Big Rocker - Thursday, Feb 2, 23 @ 2:26 pm:
Meow, Meow