* From an attorney pal: “There’s this little thing called legislative privilege. DeVore would know that if he was a half decent lawyer”…
So today on behalf of our clients, we are sending subpoenas to each of these sponsors of the gun bill. We want to see all text messages, e-mails and documents all of these sponsors have in regard to the bill. Let’s see what they were talking about. pic.twitter.com/ixFpxxWzRa
Except in cases of treason, felony or breach of peace, a member shall be privileged from arrest going to, during, and returning from sessions of the General Assembly. A member shall not be held to answer before any other tribunal for any speech or debate, written or oral, in either house. These immunities shall apply to committee and legislative commission proceedings.
Members of my administration have been in contact with the College Board today to discuss the final curriculum for the AP African American History course. Although we were pleased to see many important core ideas remain in place, there are still significant issues with the way the College Board has chosen to present this curriculum. Refusing to name the components of Black history that Governor DeSantis is most afraid of like intersectionality, feminism and queer Black life, but still including them in the curriculum can be viewed as a weak attempt to please extremists. I’ve asked the College Board to provide more information on the process behind amending this curriculum and will continue to work with them to understand these changes because it is important to me that all students feel represented in the history they learn. I look forward to Illinois educators taking on this task because I know our state is one that is inclusive and welcoming for all.
After heavy criticism from Gov. Ron DeSantis, the College Board released on Wednesday an official curriculum for its new Advanced Placement course in African American Studies — stripped of much of the subject matter that had angered the governor and other conservatives.
The College Board purged the names of many Black writers and scholars associated with critical race theory, the queer experience and Black feminism. It ushered out some politically fraught topics, like Black Lives Matter, from the formal curriculum.
And it added something new: “Black conservatism” is now offered as an idea for a research project.
* While we wait, the College Board has pushed back hard on the NYT story, which has caused quite a bit of stir online…
Today’s New York Times piece about the official AP African American Studies framework is a gross misrepresentation of the content of the course and the process by which it was developed.
The Times reporting is rife with inaccuracies. Despite their claim that Black feminism is “purged” from the course, the facts are that the course framework explicitly includes this material as required content. That section, Black Women and Movements, can be seen below: […]
Note especially the last required topic: Black lesbians’ special role in developing alternatives to mainstream feminism are cited explicitly, including the Combahee River Collective.
The Times reports that gay experience is not in the course, but deliberately ignores that several explicit references to gay Black Americans were included. In addition to the previous material about the role of Black lesbians, a section was also included in the Civil Rights Movement portion calling out Bayard Rustin and Pauli Murray by name and noting their contributions as required content. […]
The Times argues the revisions were made in response to Florida, despite the fact that the College Board has time-stamped records of revisions from December 22, 2022. The article simply ignored that the core revisions were substantially complete – including the removal of all secondary sources – by December 22, weeks before Florida’s objections were shared.
The fact of the matter is that this landmark course has been shaped over years by the most eminent scholars in the field, not political influence.
Dr. Robert Patterson, Professor of African American Studies at Georgetown University and co-chair of the committee of professors and teachers who developed this course, gives the facts of the revision process as follows: “The development of the AP African American Studies course has been an on-going, iterative process that calls upon the expertise of teachers, professors, and experts who understand the key concepts, themes, and methodologies of African American Studies, and this refining process, which is a part of all AP courses, has operated independently from political pressure.”
Dr. Kerry Haynie, Dean of the Social Sciences and Professor, Department of Political Science and Department of African & African American Studies at Duke University, and member of the development committee, put today’s Times story in stark relief: “It’s wildly misleading, at best. We reject any claim that our work either indoctrinates students or, on the other hand, has bowed to political pressure.”
While the leaked and much discussed pilot framework experimented in the assignment of secondary or derivative sources – a privilege of a pilot phase – the fact is that no AP courses, not one, not ever, has required a list of secondary sources in their frameworks. Specific theories in secondary sources, no matter how brilliant, are not part of required AP topics. The Times ignores this fact, and their reckless mischaracterization of our processes and motives is deeply damaging to the promise of this course and the millions of lives it could enlighten and enrich.
The Times reporting is an outlier to otherwise accurate reporting about the framework. But most importantly, we encourage everyone to read the framework. Before criticizing this remarkable work of scholarship, we ask that you immerse yourselves in the facts of what’s there and why.
The AP Program is focused on our long-established processes for creating compelling, meaningful college-level coursework, and in creating an historic course in African American Studies that will make generations of students better informed than they are today. [Emphasis added.]
* Isabel posted this Capitol News Illinois story yesterday, but let’s circle back…
Pritzker and Comptroller Susana Mendoza have frequently pointed out that recent budgets have not been balanced by the $8.1 billion in direct federal COVID-19 stimulus funds sent to Illinois through the American Rescue Plan Act. But the comptroller noted in a recent interview with Capitol News Illinois that the economic effects of broader federal stimulus – such as added unemployment benefits and direct checks to Illinoisans – have been a main driver of state revenue growth nationwide.
“The stimulus that went directly into people’s homes was significant in terms of its help, not just in Illinois, but across the country,” Mendoza said. “These numbers could be replicated in any other state, where instead of collapsing the economies, those states saw that their residents who received this direct stimulus did not save it in most instances, but they actually spent it in the marketplace.”
Low unemployment rates continue to boost revenue performance, she said.
Startup electric truck manufacturer Rivian said Wednesday it is laying off 6% of its workforce, including a small number of nonmanufacturing employees at its downstate Normal assembly plant.
California-based Rivian has about 7,000 employees at its assembly plant and 14,000 across the company, meaning about 840 total positions are being eliminated. The company did not disclose the number of employees being laid off at the plant, but the restructuring “doesn’t impact manufacturing jobs in Normal,” Rivian CEO and founder R.J. Scaringe said in an email to employees.
Bryce Hill is the Director of Fiscal and Economic Research with the Illinois Policy Institute. Bryce graduated from Capital University in 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Political Science.
Prior to joining the Institute, Bryce was an economic research assistant at The Buckeye Institute in Columbus, Ohio.
A recent statewide poll in Michigan found that 58% of voters support the state’s right-to-work law, though unions are lobbying for its repeal, hoping to be successful now that Democrats control the state House.
A study by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, a think tank based in Midland, Mich., states “right-to-work laws have shown themselves to be useful economic development tools. Research by academics and other scholars generally show positive economic gains from adoption of right-to-work laws.”
Not mentioned is that the poll was taken by a Republican PR firm and was commissioned by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, another Illinois Policy Institute clone.
From another poll taken in December for Progress Michigan by liberal pollster PPP…
I am going to list possible priorities the Michigan legislature could tackle in 2023 and ask if you strongly support, somewhat support, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose the legislature taking action on these issues. … Here’s the next issue: repealing Michigan’s right to work laws:
Strongly support 30%
Somewhat support 12%
Somewhat oppose 8%
Strongly oppose 18%
Not sure 31%
* Meanwhile, WGN amplifies a police “shortage” in this piece, but couldn’t non-officers handle this paperwork?…
A growing shortage of Chicago Police officers is impacting how the department staffs a key office that helps track people convicted of certain crimes. […]
WGN Investigates found people waiting in line for hours, simply to comply with a state law that requires arsonists and those convicted of sex and gun crimes to check-in and register with police. There is no other registration unit in the city.
Also…
Stop saying CPD has "staffing" problems when you mean "priority," "efficiency," or "management"
[Note: I might update this chart since the Fall 2022 FBI report is likely out, but it is not misleadingly out-of-date. As of January 3, 2023, CPD has 434 officers per 100k residents] pic.twitter.com/ZYVZUIeirS
And from the Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation…
From our perspective at CAASE, the sex offender registry system is a drain on law enforcement resources and promotes a lot of myths about sexual violence. As lawyers for victims of sexual harm seeking justice in the criminal legal system, we’ve seen officers having to spend more time on updating registrations for people with past convictions and are compliant or trying to be compliant (as seen in WBEZ and WGN stories), than meeting with victims in real time asking for their help.
The registry system also does not prevent violence from occurring. Most often, people are harmed by people they already know who are not on the registry. This is often a family member, friend or acquaintance, not a stranger they discovered from the registry (survivors know the perpetrator in 85% of sexual assault cases). And, the person who harms them very likely will never be on the registry, given that less than 3% of sexual assault incidents lead to a conviction and likely registration. It’s an uncomfortable truth, as so many things are about the reality of sexual assault and our justice system, versus how people assume it happens from what they see on police TV shows, etc. People may *feel* safer that a registry exists, but research and evidence demonstrates that the registry system doesn’t actually prevent violence or keep people safe.
We would much rather direct these finite resources to supporting survivors in real time asking for help from law enforcement, and to proven prevention strategies like quality health, sex and consent education. We also have to confront the discrimination and oppression that make people disproportionately vulnerable to experiencing harm like sexism, racism, misogyny, poverty, homophobia and transphobia, among others.
We also want to create opportunities for people who have caused harm to successfully re-integrate into their communities, improve their lives, and meet their basic needs. There’s a maze of laws and requirements for people with past convictions to follow that make re-entering their communities extremely difficult, as the 2017 task force report found too. Also, lowering the housing restrictions (from 500 ft to 250 ft) will help address the housing crisis created by the sex offender registry in Chicago and elsewhere among people with sex offenses who have homes but legally cannot live in them when they exit prison.
* Freshman state Representative protests in Chicago…
Following a deadly raid by Israel in the occupied West Bank last week, dozens of protesters gathered in downtown Chicago on Sunday demanding an end to U.S. support for the country and calling for Palestinian independence.
Demonstrators gathered at the intersection of Ida B. Wells Drive and Michigan Avenue, waving Palestinian flags and chanting “Free free Palestine” and “long live Palestine.” The Chicago Coalition for Justice in Palestine, which organized the protest, called the Israeli raid “a massacre.” […]
State Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid, who joined the rally, said the latest Israeli raids represent “a continuation of what the occupation represents, which is violence against the Palestinian people.”
Rashid urged the crowd to continue to contact elected representatives to enact change in the region.
“I can tell you this, you will have a receptive audience among many of them, maybe not among all but among many,” Rashid said. “It’s on us to take that opportunity to let them know the truth because the truth is on our side. Our struggle is a just struggle.”
Chicago’s mayoral hopefuls exchanged personal attacks during a contentious candidate forum Tuesday evening that was repeatedly interrupted by loud protesters.
A group of demonstrators chanted against Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson, who joked during the live broadcast that he must be doing something right if he isn’t mayor yet but already drawing protests. Mayor Lori Lightfoot, meanwhile, stood up for Johnson, saying he “has a right to talk without interruption.”
Nobody seems to know what the hecklers were angry about, but here is a clip…
These opportunities range from generating higher returns by better managing the assets the city owns, to using the city’s buying power to drive lower costs – and then marketing these advantages to businesses and other governments. That means getting serious about selling our world-class water, exploring expanding our public workers health care plan to neighboring municipalities, and additional creative approaches other states and cities have adopted.
Why did she rush this, it’s confounding. Unless there’s some deadline—the agreement just renews year to year now—why engage this issue now? Even if it’s a good deal, how is “I signed an agreement with one of the names on your monthly bills!” A headline you want https://t.co/5lf3q2GVTX
Yesterday, the CTA L lines ran: 62% Blue 77% Brown 96% Green 98% Orange 79% Pink 75% Purple 78% Red 57% Yellow … of scheduled trains. Riders deserve more accurate schedules.
The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that a series of improvement projects along Interstate 57 made possible by Gov. JB Pritzker’s historic Rebuild Illinois capital program have been completed, with another anticipated to wrap up later this year. The four projects, which involve repairing two bridges and resurfacing nearly 20 miles of interstate highway from Chicago through the south suburbs, represent a total investment of $82.1 million for the region. […]
Projects include:
• I-57 from Steger Road, in University Park, to West County Line Road, in Peotone
The $42.2 million project patched and resurfaced the 13-mile stretch of I-57, including the ramps, rest areas and weigh stations. New ADA-compliant sidewalk ramps were constructed at the rest areas and the weigh-in-motion (WIM) scale and Bluetooth sensors were upgraded. The project started in spring 2022 and was completed in December.
• I-57 bridge over Interstate 80, in Country Club Hills
The $5.2 million project repaired the bridge deck and structural steel and installed a new bridge deck overlay and approaches. The project started in spring 2022 and was completed in December, with landscaping to be finished this spring.
• I-57 bridge over the Canadian National Railroad, in Matteson and Richton Park
The $2.1 million project installed a new bridge deck overlay, replaced joints and repaired structural steel. The project started in spring 2022 and was completed in November.
• I-57 from Interstate 294, in Posen, to Halsted Street (Illinois 1), in Chicago
The $32.6 million project consists of patching and resurfacing the 7.6-mile stretch of I-57, along with replacing large overhead expressway signs. The project started in spring 2022 and is anticipated to be completed this fall.
* Press release…
After nearly three years of reduced operating hours due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Illinois State Museum (ISM) is announcing that, effective today, its flagship facility in Springfield and its Dickson Mounds Museum in Lewistown will return to pre-pandemic operating hours.
Additionally, the Illinois State Museum flagship facility in Springfield and all its affiliated locations will continue to offer free admission.
“We are thrilled to announce this expansion of hours and continued free admission at the Illinois State Museum and Dickson Mounds,” said Natalie Phelps Finnie, director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, which oversees ISM operations. “These attractions are special places with a long history of delivering exciting, educational and affordable experiences for all visitors.”
The Museum’s downtown Springfield facility will now be open to visitors seven days a week from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from noon to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday.
Dickson Mounds Museum in Lewistown will open seven days a week from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Sunday. ISM’s Lockport Gallery in Lockport will continue to operate five days a week. The location’s hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
For more information on the Illinois State Museum’s location and hours, visitors can learn more at www.illinoisstatemuseum.org.
If you are Rep. Kelly Cassidy, Playbook would like to know what you look for in a good central committee member. Email skapos@politico.com.
From my favorite group chat, here’s another ChatGPT request…
Please write a funny email in the form of an epic poem from Rep. Kelly Cassidy to Politico Playbook about what she looks for in a good central committee member.
Dear Politico Playbook, I write to you
With tales of what I look for in a crew
Of central committee members, brave and true
Their duties, many, their challenges few.
I search for ones with wit and tonque sharp
Who can recite the rules with nary a harp
And make decisions that won’t bring us harm
And put our party’s values at the forefront, arm in arm.
Ilook for ones who know how to communicate
And work well with others, it’s simply first-rate
For in a team, we rise and conquer all
With a united front. we’ll never fall.
But most of all, I seek a member bold
With a heart of gold and a story untold
Someone who laughs at life’s little quirks
And never fails to put forth their best in their work.
So if you know of someone who fits the bill
Send them my way, I promise I will
Welcome them to our central committee band
Where together, we’ll make our party stand!
Yours truly,
Rep. Kelly Cassidy
* Isabel’s roundup…
* Crain’s | Lightfoot looks for new city leaders after Ken Griffin exit: The Democratic mayor, seeking reelection this month, is urging executives who have “profited mightily” to tell their success stories, she said in an interview at Bloomberg’s office in Chicago. While New York has renowned business giants such as JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s Jamie Dimon, Lightfoot said her city has an opportunity for its leaders to promote its economic competitiveness and bolster its reputation.
* Center Square | Illinois school superintendents describe staffing situation as ‘crisis’: The Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools is describing what he says is a teacher shortage around the state as a crisis. The group conducted its sixth statewide survey of school superintendents on the staffing situation, and found that 79% of the 690 respondents said they have a teacher shortage problem.
* Chicago Reader | Brandon Johnson supports safe consumption sites: “Yes, I do support safe consumption sites in Chicago, and I also want to make sure that there’s some real equity with these sites. I know I’ve mentioned this before, but my eldest brother died from untreated trauma, addicted and unhoused. I have another brother who is also struggling with addiction.”
* WBEZ | Paul Vallas will keep campaign contribution from former CPS board member: Vallas said he would keep the total of $7,500 he received from Quazzo in the past couple weeks. The move marked an about-face from the candidate’s position four years ago, when he returned a $500 contribution from Quazzo during his losing run for mayor.
* Windy City Times | Lamont Robinson talks political switch, guns, LGBTQ+ issues:“ I have been humbled by the work I have been doing in the Illinois General Assembly—saving Mercy Hospital, securing funding for an LGBTQ center on the South Side and funding for a senior center, passing legislation to help replace lead pipes across the state and making sure [people] get PrEP. As a state rep, I can appropriate monies, make and amend laws—but as it relates to the ills (crime, economic parity) that affect our city, particularly in the 4th Ward, my reach is short. And I see a void, with Ald. [Sophia] King running for mayor, in the community that I run my [insurance] business in.”
* Crain’s | Meet Lori Lightfoot’s top donor: Laura Ricketts: But Lightfoot’s largest individual personal donor may come as a bit of a surprise. It’s Laura Ricketts, who like Lightfoot is one of the leaders of the LGBTQ community nationally but also happens to be a co-owner of the Chicago Cubs, a business that depends on City Hall’s largesse.
* Beacon-News | Former Aurora police chief offers thoughts in wake of fatal beating of Tyre Nichols in Memphis:Early in his long law enforcement career that included the title of Aurora’s first Black police chief, a suspect spit into his face during an arrest. Which did not sit well with this young officer, whose father taught him as a child that if anyone ever spits at you and “you don’t turn around and go back, then I will do something to you.”
* Press release | Illinois State Museum returning to pre-pandemic hours: After nearly three years of reduced operating hours due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Illinois State Museum (ISM) is announcing that, effective today, its flagship facility in Springfield and its Dickson Mounds Museum in Lewistown will return to pre-pandemic operating hours.
State Rep. Debbie Meyers-Martin, D-Matteson, said the bill, introduced last month, would give county homeowners who are behind on property taxes and at risk of losing their homes a chance to keep their properties.
Her legislation, House Bill 1238, and corresponding legislation in the Senate introduced by Sen. Robert Peters, D-Chicago, would allow taxpayers the opportunity to catch up on delinquent tax bills, which Meyers-Martin said has been a big obstacle for homeowners in the south and southwest suburbs.
Under the current system, homeowners who want to avoid having their home sold for back taxes have to pay the full amount of taxes owed, plus interest and penalties, which can be a daunting challenge, Meyers-Martin said. […]
Her bill was introduced Jan. 18 in the House, and the Senate bill was introduced Jan. 20. For now, both bills are being evaluated in committee.
* Hmm…
New Illinois Senate bill! @senvillivalam has introduced SB0166 - a bill to ban the sale of alcohol at self-checkout stands. Not that I don't love my time at @jewelosco or @MarianosMarket but do I really want to spend more time checking out to buy 6 pack?https://t.co/IcxsdArlsu
A bill to make sure that patients know about changes to their medical records has been introduced in the Illinois state capitol.
Representative Dan Caulkins, the bill’s sponsor, said that some healthcare provider systems are filtering out information on changes to medical records. He said that the bill is also meant to make sure that patients have the most accurate version of their medical history.
“What we what we hope to accomplish here is to give the patients an opportunity, or the comfort of knowing that what they’re seeing in their medical record is the most current and up to date version,” Caulkins said.
The bill also makes sure that patients know if their records have been altered and why, including after their date of care.
🏛 Status Change 🏛 📜Bill: Illinois HB1562 📑Title: INTERSCHOLASTIC SPORTS-GENDER 🏷️Bill Type: Trans Sports Ban 🚦Erin Reed's State Risk: Safest 🏛Status: Referred to Rules Committee 🔗Bill Text:https://t.co/dEge5dLOQG
In light of a rising number of mass shootings the country has seen in recent weeks, U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette, a Denver Democrat, and two Democratic colleagues put forward another push to ban the sale of high-capacity gun magazines nationwide.
The Keep Americans Safe Act would prohibit the sale of high-capacity magazines capable of holding more than 15 rounds to anyone other than law enforcement, according to a news release from DeGette’s office. Co-sponsored by Reps. Dina Titus of Nevada and Brad Schneider of Illinois, the bill comes after occurrence of more than 40 mass shootings in January, the most the country has ever seen in the first month of the year, according to DeGette.
(a) On any session day through January 11, 2023, the House may adopt a motion to allow members to remotely participate and vote in session on any matter before the House that day, provided that at all times a quorum of members is physically present at the location of session.
Some limited remote committee participation will be allowed for members. Those who testify in committees will be allowed to do so if the technology is available. But no more remote floor voting. The Senate has kept its options open.
* The Question: Are you in favor of eliminating remote floor voting or should it have been kept? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.
The Illinois Freedom Caucus today is announcing the addition of their newest member, State Representative Jed Davis (R-Newark) who was elected to the Statehouse in the 2022 election.
Representative Davis is a 5th generation resident of Kendall County. He married his high school sweetheart, Melissa, and together they have four children with one being adopted from foster care. Jed is a firm believer in local government and the freedom of local boards to direct the institutions they represent without overreach from state agencies or officials.
“Jed ran for State Representative because he is concerned about the direction of our state and because he wants to ensure his kids and grandchildren are not saddled with out-of-control debt and are not forced to comply with over-the-top government mandates,” said Illinois Freedom Caucus Chairman Chris Miller. “He is a man of integrity and someone who will fight for lower taxes, limited government, and stand up to the corruption that has become so pervasive in Illinois government. We are pleased to welcome Jed to the Freedom Caucus to help us stand up for Illinois families.
Davis said joining the Illinois Freedom Caucus was an easy decision.
“I ran on a platform of family, finances and freedom,” Davis said. “These are the values of the Illinois Freedom Caucus. We are fighting every day to improve the lives of Illinois families, to get our state finances in order, to lower the tax burden and preserve our Constitutional rights and freedoms. I did not get elected to get a title. I ran and won my elections to fight for the rights of families and to stand against government overreach. That is what being an Illinois Freedom Caucus member is all about.”
The Illinois Freedom Caucus is comprised of State Representatives Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich); Chris Miller (R-Oakland); Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville); Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City); Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur); and State Representative Jed Davis (R-Newark). The members of the Illinois Freedom Caucus are members of the Illinois General Assembly who are advocating for limited government, lower taxes and accountability and integrity in government.
This depiction of George Rogers Clark negotiating with Native Americans at Fort Kaskaskia in 1778 is the largest painting in the Capitol and is best viewed from the third floor. It was done by Gustav A. Fuchs, a German immigrant from Chicago, and completed in 1886. The painting measures 40 x 20 feet and has been criticized because the Indian culture portrayed was never found in Illinois.
Illinois Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) State Lodge President Chris Southwood issued the following statement regarding the police beating death of Tyre Nichols in Memphis.
Tyre Nichols died at the hands of bad police officers. All good law enforcement officers are outraged and sickened by his brutal and senseless slaughter. But there are some politicians in Illinois who are using Nichols’ horrific death as another opportunity to bash all police officers, painting the thousands of good cops with the same brush as the five Memphis officers who murdered him. Would those same politicians sit by silently if they were accused of being felons simply because several of their fellow office-holders have been sent to prison?”
Those politicians need to realize that the so-called police reform laws they passed in Illinois have driven many good potential and serving officers away from the law enforcement profession. Many departments in this state have had to lower their hiring standards since those laws were passed just to get enough officers on the street. No one wants to be a cop in a state that treats police like villains, and lower standards in one of the nation’s most stressful occupations is a certain recipe for disaster.
Good cops hate bad cops. Don’t lump the good in with the bad. And don’t think that bad laws will produce good results.
I also received that statement from the group’s spokesperson.
Since the statement refers to the “so-called police reform laws they passed,” I figured the claim that the same politicians who were using the death to “bash all police officers” were state legislators. So, I reached out to the FOP and asked what specific politicians had made such statement.
No response.
So, I tried again.
No response.
* We already talked about the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus’ statement…
“The release of police body camera footage makes clear what we already knew: the murder of 29-year-old Tyre Nichols was brutal and unjustified. Our deepest condolences are with his family and all those who knew and loved him. The police officers who beat this young man to death have no place in law enforcement, and were rightly dismissed. Still, this is not enough. These officers callously and viciously killed another human being, and Mr. Nichols’ family deserves justice. We know very clearly this is about more than a few bad apples.
“For the people who are angry, for the people who are sick of living in fear, we will always stand with you in the fight for justice. We are proud of the steps we have taken in Illinois, including restrictions on dangerous policing methods and closing prosecution loopholes in officer-involved killings, but we know there is still much more work to do.”
I guess maybe speaking to angry people and those living in fear could be twisted somehow into what the FOP was saying, but that seems like a real stretch.
* The Illinois House Progressive Caucus released a statement today…
The Illinois House Progressive Caucus today released the following statement on the death of Tyre Nichols in Memphis, TN:
“As we begin Black History Month and Tyre Nichols is laid to rest today, the Illinois House Progressive Caucus today stands with the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus in response to his senseless death at the hands of police officers in Memphis, TN.
We strongly condemn the outrageous actions of these now-former officers and call for accountability and justice for Mr. Nichols and his family. We have taken important steps in Illinois to ensure the law is enforced equally and fairly. But this case is clear evidence our work is only beginning.
We share these powerful words from the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus as we seek healing, accountability, and a recognition that we all are human beings who deserve much better.
‘The release of police body camera footage makes clear what we already knew: the murder of 29-year-old Tyre Nichols was brutal and unjustified. Our deepest condolences are with his family and all those who knew and loved him. The police officers who beat this young man to death have no place in law enforcement, and were rightly dismissed. Still, this is not enough. These officers callously and viciously killed another human being, and Mr. Nichols’ family deserves justice. We know very clearly this is about more than a few bad apples.
‘For the people who are angry, for the people who are sick of living in fear, we will always stand with you in the fight for justice. We are proud of the steps we have taken in Illinois, including restrictions on dangerous policing methods and closing prosecution loopholes in officer-involved killings, but we know there is still much more work to do.’”
So, I’m still waiting. Have any of y’all seen anything?
“What you can’t do is use campaign money for your own personal legal fees… if you’re gonna spend money on legal fees it has to be associated with your political activities, and this lawsuit that was filed by Mr. Caulkins, in his individual capacity, he can’t use campaign funds and you certainly can’t use that money to pay for some association that doesn’t exist,” said DeVore. “You can give it to Gun Saves Lives and National Rifle Associations because those are non-profit organizations.”
The Illinois Supreme Court recently weighed in on this topic…
The Supreme Court affirmed the Illinois State Board of Elections decision that found Solis’ use of campaign funds to pay legal fees was a proper expenditure “incurred to defray the customary and reasonable expenses of an officeholder in connection with the performance of governmental and public service functions” in accordance with state law.
Rep. Caulkins could probably claim that his lawsuit has a “public service” function. But…
Caulkins filed the lawsuit in his personal capacity outside of his official position and is the lead plaintiff.
Tom DeVore said six individuals felt misled by Dan and reached out to him and expressed that they were upset that they have been added to an association,Law-Abiding Gun Owners of Macon County,” that they have never heard of. So now, DeVore filed a request in that case for the judge to issue an order saying, ‘We are not members of this association and we are not plaintiffs in this case.’ […]
Caulkins also said his attorney has talked with Tom DeVore and Caulkins offered to pay Tom $5,000 for using his lawsuit arguments in his own lawsuit. Tom said he refused the money.
“He thinks he is smarter than anyone else,” said Caulkins. “We will see him in court.”‘
* The Illinois Freedom Caucus, of which Caulkins is a member, released this statement the other day, which not so subtly sides with Caulkins…
The Illinois Freedom Caucus today is issuing the following statement on the various lawsuits being filed to challenge the weapons ban legislation recently signed into law.
“Illinois, like the federal government, is comprised of three co-equal branches. The Legislative and Executive branch have the ability to enact legislation into law, but it is the job of the courts to be a check on the other two branches and to ensure the laws we have on the books are Constitutional.
To that end, the Illinois Freedom Caucus supports ALL legal challenges to this unconstitutional legislation. We are in unprecedented territory and now is the time to be united. We support and welcome all legal actions that could result in restoring our 2nd Amendment rights and putting our out of control government in check.
We support these lawsuits because upholding our Constitution is paramount. The idea that honest citizens must register their firearms with the state as a condition to exercising their 2nd Amendment rights is unconstitutional on its face. It is imperative for honest citizens to take a stand against this extreme law and that is what exactly what Illinois Freedom Caucus members are doing.”
The Illinois Freedom Caucus is comprised of State Representatives Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich); Chris Miller (R-Oakland); Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville); Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City) and Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur). The members of the Illinois Freedom Caucus are members of the Illinois General Assembly who are advocating for limited government, lower taxes and accountability and integrity in government.
I’ve tried to stay above board, take the high road. Tom just seems to keep wanting to pound away and pound away. I don’t know whether he misses the spotlight of running for Attorney General. I don’t know what’s wrong. […]
Now, this is a big money-making deal for Tom. He’s made almost $500,000 in the last month or so with these two lawsuits, and soon to be three lawsuits. And I don’t you know, I don’t understand, you know, why he thinks he needs to get involved in mine. […]
I’ve talked to him and I’ve corresponded with him. He is on a rampage. I don’t know why he won’t listen. He talked to our attorney yesterday, called the Attorney General’s Office, he’s making a mess of this. […]
He’s gotten on my Facebook page, and put up things that I think are probably derogatory. Well, they are derogatory. And defamatory? I don’t know, but I’m not interested in that. And I can’t talk to Tom. He has already made it perfectly clear that he’s on his own trail.
Mike Cabonargi, the longtime Chicago Democratic insider and former Cook County Board of Review commissioner, is exiting the Democratic State Central Committee because he’s taking a job in the Biden administration. […]
Cabonargi, once an aide to Sen. Dick Durbin, stepped down from the state Democratic Party committee Sunday. Democrats have until Feb. 28 to replace him in a process that’s similar to how state representatives are chosen. Elected Democrats from the area represented by Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky’s 9th Congressional District will name Cabonargi’s successor.
Angling for the seat: Leo Smith, director of policy at Chicago CRED (Creating Real Economic Destiny) and husband of former state Sen Heather Steans, is a name that’s popped up.
And the Asian American Caucus is pushing for an Asian American to get the appointment. “Asian Americans are the fastest growing demographic in Illinois,” the group wrote in a letter to fellow Dems who will vote on Cabonargi’s replacement. Here’s the letter.
Population power: The caucus notes that the 9th District contains the largest Asian-American population of any congressional district in Illinois and that it helped flip three Illinois General Assembly seats from R to D in the past two cycles. “We deserve a seat at the table,” the group wrote.
Cabonargi won reelection to the state central committee, but lost his Board of Review seat (and his paying job) last year to fellow Democrat Samantha Steele.
* Not mentioned in the above story, for whatever reason, is that the Asian American Caucus is backing freshman state Rep. Kevin Olickal (D-Skokie) for the appointment…
We support State Representative Kevin Olickal to be the first Asian American / Indian American State Central Committeeperson in Illinois.
● Kevin is a sitting State Representative in the 16th District. He represents a diverse district that is city and suburban, just like the 9th District.
● Kevin is a proven campaigner. He ran successful target races for the Illinois House Democrats. And he just won a very competitive primary.
● Kevin will represent the suburbs in a majority suburban district. He will help cover the district by balancing the 9th CD’s State Central Committee with the sitting city Committeewoman.
● Kevin can represent, recruit, and fundraise from a community that needs to be engaged more in the Democratic Party of Illinois.
Olickal defeated Rep. Denyse Wang Stoneback in the 2022 primary.
* Rep. Theresa Mah (D-Chicago) is one of the signatories. This is what she told me…
People are going to question Kevin’s qualifications because he’s a new state Rep, but if years in office is the criteria our entire community is at a structural disadvantage. There aren’t going to be many electeds to choose from. But as a collective, we bring a lot, and the job for Kevin is to represent all of us on that body. He is connected to Ram and Raja and all the fundraising potential in the South Asian community, me and the Chinese community, Sharon and the Korean community, Hoan and the Vietnamese community, Nabeela and the Muslim community, etc. Leo Smith is not in office and yes he (or Heather) has money but is it new money for the party? Is it a whole new population of voters? My hope is the committeepeople will vote for what’s good for the party and not the same old cronyism because that will be the party’s downfall.
* Tribune | Illinois COVID-19 disaster declaration to end: These disaster declarations have allowed those states – including Republican-run Texas – to continue benefiting from COVID-era bumps in federal reimbursements for programs like Medicaid, additional benefits for those on food stamps and the ability to quickly deploy emergency workers to respond to areas in need, like hospitals with severely short staffing.
* WCIA | Illinois House Republicans discuss reforms to budget-making process: “Illinois House Republicans are here to govern,” House Minority Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna), said. “We are here to give solutions. We want to help and are willing to share our ideas that address the budget shortcomings and provide tax reform policies that Illinois taxpayers and job creators need to stay in Illinois and need to grow in Illinois.”
* Bloomberg Law | Illinois Paid Leave Brings a Twist to Expanding Sick Time Laws: “The mandatory paid time off laws are an interesting twist,” she said, noting measures like the Illinois legislation raise employer concerns about possible abuses. “The time can be used for any reasons, but that time appears to still have job protections attached to it that a paid sick time law would have.”
* Chicago Mag | The Computer That Will Change Everything: Eight years in the making, Aurora, a powerful new machine at Argonne National Laboratory, could help solve some of the most pressing questions of our time. Welcome to the new era of supercomputing.
* Tribune | Protesters disrupt Chicago mayoral forum as candidates exchange personal attacks: A group of demonstrators chanted against Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson, who joked during the live broadcast that he must be doing something right if he isn’t mayor yet but already drawing protests. Mayor Lori Lightfoot, meanwhile, stood up for Johnson, saying he “has a right to talk without interruption.”
* AP | Republicans set to oust Rep. Omar from Foreign Affairs panel: House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has been eager to flex Republican power to remove the Minnesota Democrat after he blocked two other Democrats, Rep. Adam Schiff and Rep. Eric Swalwell, from rejoining the House Intelligence Committee once the GOP took control of the chamber in the new Congress.
* Tribune | Lake County vigil raises awareness about human trafficking: Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart and Pat Davenport of Mundelein, chief executive officer of A Safe Place, opened the program. “We need all hands on deck,” Rinehart said. “We’re not only talking about sex offenses or sex trafficking, but also labor trafficking; and we know that labor trafficking is also very hidden in a lot of our underserved communities.
* Center Square | Invest in Kids program slated to end in 2023: Illinois’ only scholarship-based school choice program is in peril unless lawmakers take action. The Invest in Kids program, which is funded by charitable donations, will expire at the end of the year unless it is extended by lawmakers.
* WILL | What effect is Illinois’ rising minimum wage actually having?: To discuss these questions and more, The 21st was joined by the CEOs of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association and the Shriver Center on Poverty Law, as well as a worker who has been part of the Fight for 15 movement.
* Capitol News Illinois | Gun lawsuit restraining order remains in place: In a 2-1 ruling, the justices said plaintiffs in the case made a plausible argument that the law violates their rights to equal protection under the law. Under the law, some categories of people – active and retired law enforcement officers, correctional officers and military personnel on active duty, for example – may purchase and possess those weapons. Other groups, such as retired military personnel or those who are not on active duty, are barred from obtaining assault-style weapons after Jan. 1, 2024.
* Eliot Clay | Clean, affordable, reliable energy is best for state’s future: Investing in new and more reliable transmission infrastructure will generate jobs, which means more economic growth for communities. The proof is in the numbers — nearly 120,000 people work in Illinois’ clean power industry. Besides that, manufacturers support clean energy technology and build much of that technology in the state. Illinois needs to add renewables to the energy sector since American manufacturers consume one-third of all U.S. energy. The industry created new technologies that make energy more affordable and reliable.
* Axios | New AI tool instantly analyzes police bodycam footage: A small but growing number of police departments are using a new AI system that analyzes officers’ bodycam footage and flags problematic encounters — as well as commendable ones. Police departments may be more likely to seek out such tools after five Memphis Police Department officers were charged with second-degree murder and other crimes in the death of Tyre Nichols.
* NYT | Vaccine Makers Kept $1.4 Billion in Prepayments for Canceled Covid Shots for the World’s Poor: Gavi, the international immunization organization that bought the shots on behalf of the global Covid vaccination program, Covax, has said little publicly about the costs of canceling the orders. But Gavi financial documents show the organization has been trying to stanch the financial damage. If it cannot strike a more favorable agreement with another company, Johnson & Johnson, it could have to pay still more.
* Tribune | For the first time, jazz musician Roscoe Mitchell takes center stage as a painter : Mitchell, 82, is among the most influential living musicians in the free-jazz firmament, famed for his work with the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians and the Art Ensemble of Chicago, an AACM outgrowth he cofounded. Mitchell’s first forays into painting coincided with his first footholds in Chicago’s creative music scene in the early 1960s. Those artistic practices might have continued in tandem, had Mitchell not walked away from painting in the 1970s to focus on music.
