|
Isabel’s morning briefing
Tuesday, Feb 7, 2023 - Posted by Isabel Miller * Here you go… * Tribune | Tax plan proposal filed in Springfield that could aid Bears’ proposed Arlington Heights development: The plan, which would require the Bears to invest at least $500 million in converting the 326-acre site to a stadium and surrounding mixed-use development, has been floated for weeks and is being met with some skepticism, even from the state lawmaker who filed the legislation. * Capitol News Illinois | Pritzker announces $40 million grant program to promote development-ready ‘megasites’: The program is open to private entities, nonprofits and local governments, and the application portal is open through April 6. Those receiving the grant must match each dollar granted by the state with other private or local funding. Grant allotments would range from $250,000 up to $5 million, depending on the acreage of the site. Eligible sites must have at least 200 contiguous acres and applicants must own or have an agreement in place to acquire the property when they apply. * WGLC | Legislators hope to reopen OB unit at St. Margaret’s Health, urges hospital to create plan for mothers: State Representative Lance Yednock says the road to reopening Peru will be very difficult and take longer than hoped and is researching every statute and program to find a solution. If SMH decides to reopen the OB and delivery unit in Spring Valley again, Rezin says it could take months to go through the licensure process. * Crain’s | Some Illinois hospitals still don’t comply with price transparency rule, report says: The report, published by health care transparency nonprofit Patient Rights Advocate, showed that dozens of hospitals in Illinois—from Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago to several owned by Ascension Illinois—are not fully compliant with the Hospital Price Transparency Rule. Implemented in January 2021, the rule requires hospitals to post all service and treatment prices on their websites in detail. The regulation is aimed at giving patients an opportunity to comparison shop and get an idea of how much care costs upfront. * Herald-Whig | Miller skipping State of the Union: Miller released a statement Monday saying she wouldn’t attend President Joe Biden’s speech Tuesday as a “protest of Joe Biden’s record of lying to the American people.” * Green Market Report | Curaleaf Employees Asks for Class Action Status Over Stolen Tips: Employees allege that store managers pocketed more than $125,000 in stolen tip jar money. Four dispensary employees asked an Illinois judge to certify a class in their suit against Curaleaf Holdings (CSE: CURA) (OTCQX: CURLF) alleging that MSO store managers pocketed more than $125,000 in stolen tip jar money meant for workers. * Sun-Times | Shorter ‘time-to-crime’ for guns used in crimes in Chicago than in NY, LA, a sign of illegal trafficking, Justice Department says: The new report by the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives provides a detailed look at guns that were recovered after being used in the commission of crimes and investigated to determine their original owners. Chicago’s median time-to-crime was 2.8 years compared with 6.3 years in New York and 4.2 years in Los Angeles, according to the report. * Tribune | Mayoral challenger Brandon Johnson unveils sweeping plan to fight violent crime: Johnson’s lengthy list includes“training and promoting” 200 new detectives and launching a “comprehensive efficiency audit” to identify savings, such as streamlining the number of “non-sergeant” police supervisors. * Politico | House divided: The megadonor couple battling in the GOP’s civil war: The RNC contest is only the most recent party fight that has seen the husband-and-wife duo land on opposite sides. After Liz Uihlein came out in support of former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch in the 2022 Wisconsin governor’s race, Dick Uihlein released a public statement praising rival Kevin Nicholson as an “outsider” who “can shake things up.” And while Dick bankrolled bomb-throwing conservative Josh Mandel in last year’s Ohio Senate primary, Liz financed two other candidates — one of whom, Jane Timken, was the former state party chairwoman. * Crain’s | Cardinal Blase Cupich weighs in against proposed Chicago labor ordinance: In an unusually public move, Cupich today sent a letter to Mayor Lori Lightfoot and all 50 aldermen asking them to oppose a pending proposal that would require Catholic Charities to sign a labor peace agreement with union officials. Such a pact wouldn’t necessarily result in staffers being unionized, but it would likely result in higher wage and related costs—costs Cupich says the archdiocese can’t afford to pay. * Tribune | In mayor’s race, ‘Chuy’ García floats property tax relief grants while Brandon Johnson unveils public safety plan: Johnson, meanwhile, unveiled a plan Monday that he said would train 200 new police detectives from the existing rank and file, double summer employment opportunities for at-risk youth to more than 60,000 jobs and expand support for victims of crime. Those programs and increased support for homeless people and those with addictions will help curb crime, Johnson said. * WTTW | Negative Ads Fly in Chicago Mayoral Race as Candidates Seek to Define Opponents: “Math, message and money are what campaigns are ultimately about, particularly in a primary field,” says Jason DeSanto, senior lecturer at both Northwestern University’s School of Law and School of Communication. * Block Club | 6 Candidates Are Challenging Ald. Nicole Lee In 11th Ward Race: Two teachers, a veteran police officer, a firefighter and an attorney are among the challengers looking to unseat Lee, who was appointed to the City Council seat in 2022. * Block Club | Roderick Sawyer’s Father Is His Hero. But The Former Mayor’s Son Says He’ll Bring His Own Ideas To City Hall: In a conversation with Block Club, the 6th Ward alderman said he’d reform the city’s TIF system and Invest South/West program and intentionally focus on equity citywide. * Sun-Times | Applications open for one-time $500 payments aimed at providing relief to domestic workers, undocumented immigrants: The Chicago Resiliency Fund 2.0 is aimed at providing cash assistance to households excluded from the federal 2020 and 2021 stimulus checks that provided economic relief from the coronavirus pandemic. * NPR Illinois | Tributes pour in for Laurence Msall, government finance expert and NPR Illinois advisory board member: “Such a loss for good government,” said Randy Eccles, NPR Illinois General Manager. “Through his years on the Illinois Issues and NPR Illinois Community Advisory Boards, he kept us focused on how to make government serve citizens better. During the multi-year budget impasse, Laurence was the first and most adamant to point out the negative impact it was having for people and organizations across the state. We will all miss his counsel.” * Tribune | Patrick Kane on ‘intriguing’ trade possibilities — and some Chicago Blackhawks tickets are getting a price hike: Patrick Kane didn’t outright say he’s open to a trade to a Stanley Cup contender, but the Chicago Blackhawks star did acknowledge some “potential suitors are “intriguing.” * Block Club | Owner Of Chicago’s J.B. Alberto’s Helps Throw World’s Largest Pizza Party, Beating Guinness Record While Helping Kids In Need: The party raised $42,090 for Make-A-Wish Oklahoma, granting eight children’s wishes, according to the news release. “It wasn’t just for the record, even though everyone had fun doing that,” said Troiano, who has owned J.B. Alberto’s since 1978. “Along the way, we raised all that money for kids who really need it, and that was the best part about it. Everybody had a great time; but at the end of the day, it was for a great cause.” * Pioneer Press | Anticipating security needs for a Bears stadium in Arlington Heights, village police and fire visit stadium venues in LA, Vegas and Dallas: “The lesson that we learned is [that] from a liability perspective, you’ve got to go in there informed and say from a police department perspective, from a firefighter perspective, from the city of Las Vegas perspective, we’re recommending that you, the event promoter, cancel this event,” Pecora said. * Southern | SIU awards millions locally in one-day scholarship blitz: That journey began with the presentation of millions of dollars in scholarship to students throughout the day. Lane and a contingent of admissions and financial aid staff members from SIU surprised dozens of students with ceremonial large checks to recognize the awarding of Chancellor’s scholarships. * NBC Sports | When White Sox pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training: White Sox pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training on Feb. 15. Position players join them on Feb. 20. Teams are divided into the Cactus League, which is held in Arizona, and the Grapefruit League, which is in Florida. In some cases, teams share a home facility.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
- H-W - Tuesday, Feb 7, 23 @ 8:03 am:
Ah, Mary Miller. Having nothing to stand upon, no record of accomplishments, she chooses to lie about those who have served the People so as to not acknowledge her shortcomings.
May your descendants be for three generations to come, be saddled with your memory.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 7, 23 @ 8:11 am:
So…
Sen. Gillespie filed the “Bears Bailout Bill”
Gillespie is now the sponsor of a bill that aids a billion (with a b) dollar entity that as a franchise earns it’s needed revenues to function (and profit) not during the season, oh no, the Bears get their profit making revenues in *MARCH* and this franchise needs incentives?
Maybe Gillespie isn’t aware that Arlington Heights is the only option for the franchise. The Bears already own the property, and the Bears are *NOT* leaving the 3rd largest media market AND the market is unshared, the largest unshared market in the league.
According to Forbes? Well, according to Forbes the debt value is 2% of the franchise. They are, for all practical measures “debt free” without the stadium, and further, the Halas Hall complex, how much debt is there?
My point? If Gillespie was at all honest with herself, the value of the franchise, the low debt, the guaranteed income, and the NFL signing on the note, the Bears need ZERO assistance, they are only looking for handouts… to maximize profits… nothing more.
It’s embarrassing to sponsor such a bill giving aid to something or anything that is already locked in, won’t leave, owns the property, and seeks to ONLY maximize profits…
… at the cost of likely property owners, school districts, and other taxing bodies that will need to service the “Cash Cow” Gillespie seems more than willing to help get all the profits possible, as fast as possible for a business that has as its business model… “cash TV monies checks”
Gillespie is apparently looking out for the Bears interests and not the interests of her constituents, the region, or this state, even if the relief is “local”… just wait till AH asks for more state money for police, fire, infrastructure… the upkeep of a facility and things around it gaining a windfall of breaks… all unneeded.
Not one nickel. Not ONE.
Ask the Ricketts, the Wirtzs, the Reinsdorfs…
There’s nothing to discuss or “figure out”, the figures are clear… the Bears need no help, and they aren’t figuring to move from the purchased land, assistance or not.
- Candy Dogood - Tuesday, Feb 7, 23 @ 8:21 am:
===Sen. Gillespie filed the “Bears Bailout Bill”===
I think it’s only appropriate to call it a bail out bill if it somehow gives them a functional offensive line and a ln outlook on life that doesn’t cause them to celebrate getting the number one draft pick.
There needs to be a worse term for this than a “Bailout.” Filing this bill merits a single issue primary. The only think sinking because of this situation is the Senator’s reputation.
- MisterJayEm - Tuesday, Feb 7, 23 @ 8:25 am:
“Tax plan proposal filed in Springfield that could aid Bears’ proposed Arlington Heights development”
Counter-proposal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qynydbBpqy4&t=20s
– MrJM
- Steve Rogers - Tuesday, Feb 7, 23 @ 8:27 am:
For Mary Miller, according to the Washington Post, your orange master lied 30,573 times during his tenure in office. What is your performance protest against him?
- Nearly Normal - Tuesday, Feb 7, 23 @ 8:32 am:
Good job SIU Carbondale for surprise presentations to area students receiving full-ride scholarships. Other state universities should take note.
- Chambananon - Tuesday, Feb 7, 23 @ 8:34 am:
Wasn’t it just yesterday that a Curaleaf executive was lamenting how all the business was going to “felons” and people with “two heads”?
That said, seeing as he IS apparently engaged in wage theft and talking out of both sides of his mouth, maybe he’s got some personal knowledge of the danger after all?
- Amalia - Tuesday, Feb 7, 23 @ 9:00 am:
The time to crime piece in the Sun Times makes you wonder. The distance between supposedly good people and bad people is very short.
- Back to the Future - Tuesday, Feb 7, 23 @ 9:07 am:
Read Cardinal Cupich’s letter to our local elected officials.
Troubled by the direction the city council is going in.
- Amalia - Tuesday, Feb 7, 23 @ 9:09 am:
whoa that new negative ad from Lightfoot. it just proves what Joan P wrote yesterday I don’t trust him.
- JoanP - Tuesday, Feb 7, 23 @ 9:09 am:
I don’t think Mary Miller will be missed.
- MisterJayEm - Tuesday, Feb 7, 23 @ 9:28 am:
“The distance between supposedly good people and bad people is very short.”
Counterpoint: The distance between supposedly bad people and good people is very short.
– MrJM
- Blue Dog - Tuesday, Feb 7, 23 @ 9:55 am:
Mary Miller is a disgrace for not attending. so childish. not one nickel for the bears.
- Amalia - Tuesday, Feb 7, 23 @ 10:20 am:
A notice about pitchers and catcher only a week away actually makes me feel warm.
- Dotnonymous - Tuesday, Feb 7, 23 @ 11:59 am:
Mary Miller…may she have the day she deserves.
- Dotnonymous - Tuesday, Feb 7, 23 @ 12:03 pm:
Will Mary Miller be missed?
- cermak_rd - Tuesday, Feb 7, 23 @ 12:09 pm:
Not familiar with Taurus but Smith and Wesson and Glock are brand names and I can’t imagine a 9mm is cheap. I guess that’s why the stolen guns. Are these guns really stolen and if so were they reported stolen before they were traced? If they are real thefts, how do so many guns get stolen?
I’ve been of the opinion that guns that aren’t being involved in crimes are no harm to anyone, but if they have a high propensity to getting stolen, I may have to rethink that.
- Sir Reel - Tuesday, Feb 7, 23 @ 12:58 pm:
Mary Miller is my congressperson. I gag when I say that. What a nothing burger.
- Blue Dog - Tuesday, Feb 7, 23 @ 1:34 pm:
I am not a fan of this president or the last one. but you respect the office. BTW, I hope this speaker of the house doesn’t pull the childish antics in the background like the last one.
- Lagertha's Shield - Tuesday, Feb 7, 23 @ 2:39 pm:
I will not even attempt to do my job since performative politics is all anyone needs to do to get elected in my district these days. *yawn* - Mary Miller, probably.
She most definitely does not speak for us all.
- Amalia - Tuesday, Feb 7, 23 @ 3:53 pm:
@MisterJayEm, I still think my way because I truly wonder about who sells what…or gives what…to whom after they buy it legally. too many stories about legal purchasers knowing they got it for someone who could not otherwise get it cause it was my brother/best friend/ he needed protection. very sad.
- Just Peachy - Tuesday, Feb 7, 23 @ 4:30 pm:
So what Mary Miller…you expect President Biden to cancel his speech since you won’t be there? I doubt you’ll be missed.