* If you go to Tom DeVore’s law firm website and sign up to be a client in a new assault weapons ban case, you’ll eventually get to this information…

ATTORNEY’S FEES. The amount Attorney will receive for attorney’s fees for the legal services to be provided under this agreement will be:

(a) Non-refundable flat fee of $200.00.

Well, the Illinois Supreme Court issued some new rules this week. They take effect on July 1st and include this bit…

Nonrefundable fees and nonrefundable retainers are prohibited.

There is some debate over whether that rule would apply to DeVore. The court’s spokesperson referred me to the ARDC instead of answering my question.

* According to the Center for American Women and Politics, 2,414 women serve in state legislatures, which is 32.7 percent of 7,383 total seats. Of those, 1,583 are Democrats, 805 are Republicans, 20 are non-partisan and 6 are independents. Illinois’ General Assembly is 41.2 percent female (62 Democrats, 11 Republicans), but it’s not even in the top ten…

Nevada (60.3%)
Colorado (50.0%)
Arizona (47.8%)
Washington (46.3%)
Vermont (45.0%)
New Mexico (44.6%)
Rhode Island (44.2%)
Maine (44.1%)
Oregon (42.2%)
Maryland (42.0%)

Bottom ten…

West Virginia (11.9%)
Mississippi (14.4%)
Tennessee (14.4%)
South Carolina (14.7%)
Alabama (17.1%)
Louisiana (19.4%)
Oklahoma (19.5%)
Wyoming (22.2%)
Arkansas (23.7%)
North Dakota (24.1%)

Illinois is ranked 13th. And the House Republican Leader is a woman.

* Speaking of women, this is from the House Democrats…

On Thursday, the Illinois House of Representatives elected Nicole Hill to become the chamber’s first female chief doorkeeper. Hill, a Springfield resident, was selected from a pool of more than 80 applicants and comes to the House with an impressive resume. Prior to this role, Hill led security efforts at Springfield Public Schools for more than a decade, she’s currently a certified nursing assistant, and holds an associate degree in criminal justice.

“I’m honored to have been selected as the new doorkeeper for the Illinois House,” said Hill. “As someone who was responsible for keeping children safe in schools for 12 years, I understand the importance of maintaining security and I do not take this responsibility lightly. I look forward to getting to know members and staff and welcoming their friends and loved ones into the House chamber.”

As doorkeeper, Hill will oversee the enforcement of House Rules and decorum, ensure order in the chamber, work with the Secretary of State Police and other law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety of members and guests, and more. In addition to her background in security, Ms. Hill is also certified in CPR/AED and Stop the Bleed FIRST AID, and she began her work as a CNA back in 2006.

“One year ago, I had a medical emergency on the House floor. Quick intervention made a serious situation more treatable. So, I’m very grateful to know Ms. Hill has the nursing training that could potentially save a life,” said state Rep. Barbara Hernandez. “We count on our doorkeepers to keep us safe, and Ms. Hill is extremely qualified to step into this role.”

This is the first new doorkeeper elected in more than two decades, after Lee Crawford retired from the position at the conclusion of the 2022 legislative session. After being elected by the chamber on Thursday, Hill will begin her official duties as doorkeeper next week.

“As the leader of this chamber, safety of all members, staff, and guests is my top priority,” said House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch. “I frequently bring my young children and loved ones to the Capitol and many of our members do as well. This isn’t just a ‘job’ to Ms. Hill; protecting and caring for people truly is her calling. After a very thorough application and interview process, I can say with certainty she is the perfect fit to be our House doorkeeper.”

* Isabel’s roundup…

* Sun-Times | Chicago police officer was killed in front of kids playing at school. ‘I’m glad they were there to keep my sister safe and her friends.’: “I feel sorry for the loss of the police officer’s family and his colleagues and friends,” the woman said. “But I’m glad they were there to keep my sister safe and her friends.”

* Daily Southtown | Oak Lawn protest shuts down Fire & Police Commission meeting; village claims no communication from state’s attorney’s office: The crowded Village Hall was filled with people who accuse three Oak Lawn officers of brutality and discrimination in the July 27 arrest of a 17-year-old who fled police during a traffic stop and with people who support the officers’ actions.

* Crain’s | ‘Days of fat margins and easy money’ for cannabis industry are over, says GTI chief: “Concerns around price compression in our industry are very real. The days of fat margins and easy money and cannabis are waning,” Kovler warned shareholders during the call on Tuesday, after his company posted a $51 million loss for the final quarter of 2022.

* Center Square | Madigan asks judge to toss out 14 of 23 corruption counts: “After years of investigation, thousands of hours of wiretaps and consensual recordings, wide-ranging searches of homes and offices, and countless witness interviews, the government’s case against Michael J. Madigan comes down principally to this: He recommended people for jobs with ComEd and AT&T while legislation of interest to those utilities was pending before the Illinois House of Representatives,” according to a motion to dismiss filed by his attorneys.

* Crain’s | New U of I NIL collective seeks big-money donors: “The collectives that are most effective are the ones that have some pretty narrow focuses, versus the ones who are there to sort of be all things to all people,” Knight said. “We are here to be excellent at what we do and compliment the other collective, which I think will benefit all student athletes.”

* KFVS | License plate reader technology coming to Sikeston, Carbondale: License plate reader (LPR) technology is coming to two more Heartland communities. The Sikeston Department of Public Safety and Carbondale Police Department will adding the technology in an effort to combat criminal activity.

* Tribune | Lake County Board Republicans say ‘patronage’ behind former state Sen. Melinda Bush’s Metra board appointment: Lake County Board Chair and District 13 member Sandy Hart, D-Lake Bluff, countered that Hunter’s statements were “extremely disappointing and offensive,” noting that he claimed incorrectly on the board floor that Bush still chairs the committee. … Hart said outgoing Metra board representative Norm Carlson, whose retirement created the vacancy, District 6 County Board member John Wasik, D-Grayslake, and herself agreed Bush was the right fit after interviewing all three applicants. “I don’t even understand the (criticism),” Hart said. “I don’t get it.”

* Crain’s | Walgreens cuts its stake in Option Care Health: The Deerfield-based pharmacy giant said it sold about 15.5 million Option Care shares for $30.75 per share. With the sale, Walgreens’ ownership stake in Bannockburn-based Option Care falls from 14% to 6%.

* WQAD | John Deere to open parts distribution center in Mattoon, Illinois: The facility will serve as a secondary parts distribution center for the U.S. network, with Milan remaining its primary parts distribution center.

* Tribune | Mi Tocaya throwing birthday taco party with all-star lineup of top women chefs in Logan Square: “Each all-star chef will have a station serving two different tacos they’ve created based on their personal style of food or preferred cuisine,” according to a release. “Guests will also enjoy birthday sweets and an array of beverages provided by Casa Humilde Cerveceria, Madre Mezcal and San Pellegrino and Aqua Panna. DJ Tess, known for her vibrant energy on stage mixing old school into contemporary music, will create the ultimate dance party for in between bites.”

* The Southern | Southern Illinois wineries react to rollback of license fees: “This really won’t just benefit wineries,” explained Bonnie Cissell, co-owner of Lincoln Heritage Winery near Cobden. “It benefits our whole region because of the impact on tourism.”

* Tribune | Winter weather is not over, as officials issue a storm watch in effect until Friday evening: The watch is for portions of central, east central, north central and northeast Illinois, as well as northwest Indiana. Officials said rain was expected to change into heavy wet snow with accumulations of up to 5 to 8 inches possible.