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Isabel’s morning briefing
Wednesday, Mar 22, 2023 - Posted by Isabel Miller * Here you go…
* The Southern | Abortion opponents from across Illinois protest in Springfield: Organizers of the state’s March for Life said that’s one reason why abortion opponents from around the state gathered Tuesday in Springfield, rather than Chicago, where past events have been held. They hoped to meet with lawmakers and in particular to lobby against legislation aimed at anti-abortion pregnancy centers. * Sun-Times | ComEd was pressured to hire politically connected law firm as it fought for key bills in Springfield, former top official testifies: ComEd’s former general counsel said he was told to sign the law firm of political operative Victor Reyes to an unusual three-year contract guaranteeing Reyes’ firm 850 hours of legal work a year. * Daily Herald | Arlington Heights mayor calls accusations of coziness with Bears ‘offensive’: The latest criticism came Monday night during the public comment portion of a village board meeting, when resident Debbie Fisher suggested Mayor Tom Hayes and others would personally benefit from the Bears’ proposed $5 billion makeover of the 326-acre racetrack property. * Sun-Times | Illinois attorney general urges Kia, Hyundai to take ‘comprehensive action’ over Chicago area car thefts: Last year, 10% of all registered Kia vehicles and 7% of all registered Hyundai vehicles in Chicago were stolen, according to Atty. Gen. Kwame Raoul’s office. * WTTW | South Suburban Officials, State Lawmakers Renew Calls for Peotone Airport: An Illinois House committee this month easily passed a measure (HB2531) that would require the state transportation department to proactively seek out developers with the interest and potential of building out the state’s land into a cargo airport within six months of the proposal becoming law. * Daily Herald | House sends 41 bills to Senate as Friday legislative deadline looms: The measures, among others, included a ban on polystyrene food containers, bills focusing on gender inclusivity in state law and a requirement that expectant parents have a “duty” to split pregnancy-related costs, including for abortions. * Shaw Local | Annual report shows how not alone Illinois dementia caregivers are: The Alzheimer’s Association found that dementia caregivers report higher rates of chronic conditions, including stroke, heart disease, diabetes and cancer compared with caregivers of people without dementia or non-caregivers. Here in Illinois, 64.2% of caregivers reported at least one chronic condition. In my case, I’m still being treated for breast cancer. * Tribune | Medical debt in Illinois disproportionately affects Black and Latino communities, advocates say: The series highlighted that the number of undocumented seniors 65 and older will increase 1,300% in the next decade and that most are blocked from accessing social programs that many seniors rely on, such as food stamps, public housing, Medicare and Social Security — programs that they pay billions into every year. * Daily Herald | Kane County GOP sees $2M grant as Democratic election interference: Kane County Republicans are rallying to block a $2 million grant they believe is a Trojan horse that will introduce Democratic influence into how local elections are run. * Shaw Local | ISBE data on recovery spending can empower voting public: Sanders’ newsletter reported the 11 program areas have total funding of $748.5 million, representing 10% of Illinois’ almost $8 billion in federal relief. The websites explaining the programs are full of details, which is great for understanding the public administration approach, but the ISBE also is wisely looking to highlight individual success stories. * SJ-R | Paprocki leads Illinois March for Life rally; abortion access groups have counter protest: Prior to scheduled rallies and a march around the Capitol grounds, a Roman Catholic mass service was held at Sangamon Auditorium. Springfield Bishop Thomas J. Paprocki led the service before a crowd of families and high school religious groups from across the state. * Daily Herald | Schaumburg considers $1,000 ‘inflation relief’ payments for full-time workers: Having recently approved $150 rebates for every owner-occupied household in the village, Schaumburg officials now are considering $1,000 payments for full-time employees and $500 payments for part-timers to help them bear the impacts of inflation. * Sun-Times | City Council urged to postpone declaration of independence: The Better Government Association and the League of Women Voters have long urged the City Council to shed its rubber-stamp reputation and establish its own rules, committee lineups and chairs, taking back the power they have ceded to the mayor. * Tribune | Chicago and Cook County each call for 1,000 election judges before April 4: The required training and one long day of work will earn judges $250 and technicians $385. She encouraged veterans, students, those who are bilingual and all residents registered to vote in the county to apply. The county will hold training sessions for people who sign on as election workers through March 28, she said. Online training will also be offered, Michalowski said. * WAND | Gov. Pritzker names Bria Scudder Deputy Governor: Scudder previously worked in the Governor’s Office as First Assistant to Christian Mitchell, the former Deputy Governor. Mitchell stepped down from his role earlier this month. * Tribune | Some of the Art Institute’s prominent antiquities from Nepal likely looted, investigation says: Donated by Marilynn Alsdorf in 1997, the Alsdorf collection comprises some 500 antiquities from South and Southeast Asia, many of them displayed in a well-trafficked gallery of the same name that connects the Michigan Avenue building to the rest of the museum. * Sun-Times | Notebaert Nature Museum workers urge support for union: The organizing campaign was made public Tuesday in a letter signed by 19 employees of the museum. It asks fellow workers to support the effort and urges museum managers to “honor our legal right to organize a union without facing intimidation or coercion.”
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- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Mar 22, 23 @ 7:46 am:
===Arlington Heights mayor calls accusations of coziness with Bears ‘offensive’: The latest criticism came Monday night during the public comment portion of a village board meeting, when resident Debbie Fisher suggested Mayor Tom Hayes and others would personally benefit from the Bears’ proposed $5 billion makeover of the 326-acre racetrack property.===
The grift most assuredly will be real and real money from the Bears.
I have no idea if the mayor or others will be benefiting from that grift.
I do know the Gillespie Bears Bailout Bill is horrific for Arlington Heights, her schools, and a 40 year, (4-0) bailout for a building needing renovations in 20-25 years… now the grift of others is being questioned (I dunno if it’s true to those specific individuals) that will occur…
Let the Bears handle it, not one nickel.
- Norseman - Wednesday, Mar 22, 23 @ 8:18 am:
Kane MAGA GOP does its suppression thing. It’s nuts because it’s money that will improve elections will save taxpayers money and it’s being accepted by a GOP (MAGA?) clerk.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Mar 22, 23 @ 8:24 am:
- Norseman -
You ask and state the important things there, even as Chairman Tracy is flat out begging MAGA types to embrace (gasp) vote by mail “again”
The good is that as the MAGA fight these things, MAGA has no real GOTV recourse for VBM which is hurting “Republicans”.
I’d like to hear Tracy’s take to this, which side will he be on?
- Demoralized - Wednesday, Mar 22, 23 @ 8:54 am:
The Kane county dolts don’t seem to understand that election procedures still have to be followed. They continue to spread misinformation when they act like this by insinuating somehow that elections aren’t fair. And they are also insinuating that the purchase of certain election machines would not be acceptable which I’m assuming is their underhanded way of saying they don’t think they should buy Dominion machines because they “cheat.” I get so sick and tired of the Republicans saying that people need to have faith in elections when in is they themselves which are sowing the seeds of that lack of faith among their blind followers……………….
- low level - Wednesday, Mar 22, 23 @ 8:55 am:
There’s Victor Reyes again. He keeps popping up. Amazing.
The “do we have to go through this drill” email from may be the one that convicts McClain.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Mar 22, 23 @ 9:01 am:
Wasn’t Victor Reyes part of that “Daleyite” Crew that included…
Paul Vallas?
Rose colored glasses while having a blind spot to historic context?
That’s the Vallas schtick.
- Independent - Wednesday, Mar 22, 23 @ 9:08 am:
Victor Reyes-represented clients must have batted over .990 in city contract bids during Daley’s run. It’s no surprise he got his hands into the ComEd pie.
- Rabid - Wednesday, Mar 22, 23 @ 9:12 am:
unusual contract, was it a retainer, insurance policy, or unclaimed politcal donations
- OneMan - Wednesday, Mar 22, 23 @ 9:28 am:
Full disclosure I used to be active in the Kane Couty GOP, and I know the clerk and have known him since I first got involved in politics in the county.
The Kane GOP has lost its mind. I can’t say I am surprised about that, but here we are.
- lake county democrat - Wednesday, Mar 22, 23 @ 9:28 am:
So the mayor of Arlington Heights says the citizens will get to “weigh in” and have “input.”
How nice. The only meaningful “input” they’ll have is if they get to vote up or down on a final proposal, even if it’s an advisory referendum. Anything after the fact is too late.
- Demoralized - Wednesday, Mar 22, 23 @ 9:36 am:
I’ve had 3 kids, two of which have graduated from high school, since the idea of a Peotone airport arose.
- cermak_rd - Wednesday, Mar 22, 23 @ 10:08 am:
I find it odd that Schaumburg of all places is sending out stimulus checks. Also only to owner-occupied homes first and now to full time workers. I would figure those residents for the least likely to need a stimulus (either full-time or home owning). When I worked there 20 years ago it was the professional class that called it home. Maybe that’s changed?
- Lucky Pierre - Wednesday, Mar 22, 23 @ 10:30 am:
Why don’t you let the good people in Arlington Heights decide what is best for them as far their tax base and employment opportunities.
It is in their interest to make a deal with the Bears that works for best for both parties.
326 empty acres is not doing a whole lot for them right now is it?
- From DaZoo - Wednesday, Mar 22, 23 @ 10:34 am:
Re: Kane Co grant award
So if some people get their way, they’ll reject the $2M grant to upgrade aging equipment which will result in a request for an increase in taxes? Is the Kane Co GOP preparing a lawsuit saying their votes are not being counted when it’s their own fault for not having the resources to conduct a responsible voting process? Whew…
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Mar 22, 23 @ 10:39 am:
===326 empty acres is not doing a whole lot for them right now is it?===
That’s a Bears Problem.
They didn’t have to buy it.
If it’s so great for redevelopment maybe the Bears should sell the land at a huge profit… otherwise the Bears are utter fools buying land without any real plan to get breaks… before signing the deal.
===Why don’t you let the good people in Arlington Heights decide what is best for them as far their tax base and employment opportunities.===
Then why do they need legislation to do so?
A plan of 40 years (that’s 4-0 years) on a stadium footprint that will need renovations in 20-25 years is a horrendous legislative bill for all of Illinois… as AH will need… infrastructure, for one.
===It is in their interest to make a deal with the Bears that works for best for both parties.===
No, you said yourself, I’ll bring it back if you like… it’s about revenues.
That’s maximizing revenues… for the Bears.
Where’s your 60 and 30 on the steps?
Where’s your governor, in Big Jim fashion, working the bill on the floor?
You despise Democrats. I can show you where.
Democrats have unbalanced budgets.
Democrats make Illinois the worst for… taxing, business, education…
Democrats have made huge pension debts.
Now you want Democrats to bail out the Bears?
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Mar 22, 23 @ 10:44 am:
Oh… “Lucky Pierre”…
I look forward to you being adamantly and stridently opposed to any 11th hour Bears Bailout that “lands on legislators’ desk”… no one has read… voting on something no one even knows what the bill says… for a special interest… and a windfall for billionaires…
I’m especially looking forward to that…
- Big Dipper - Wednesday, Mar 22, 23 @ 10:50 am:
== their underhanded way of saying they don’t think they should buy Dominion machines because they “cheat==
And because Dominion is exposing FoxNews in court.
- Lucky Pierre - Wednesday, Mar 22, 23 @ 11:00 am:
Criticizing a plan that doesn’t even exist yet as a disaster for Arlington Heights is on brand for you.
Do you think a massive 5 billion dollar development happens anywhere in the US without government and business partnering together?
Your disdain for all Republicans despite claiming to be one is also noted
- Huh? - Wednesday, Mar 22, 23 @ 11:01 am:
“they act like this by insinuating somehow that elections aren’t fair”
The election isn’t fair if they don’t win. /s
- Lucky Pierre - Wednesday, Mar 22, 23 @ 11:02 am:
What do you bet that Arlington Park was purchased by the Bears to make the sale of the team more attractive to a new ownership group in a few years?
- Rudy’s teeth - Wednesday, Mar 22, 23 @ 12:45 pm:
Wonder if Bishop Paprocki will address the investigation on Catholic priests who use apps like Grindr to find dates.
And, Catholics can’t enjoy a corned beef sandwich on Friday. What?
- Demoralized - Wednesday, Mar 22, 23 @ 1:04 pm:
==Your disdain for all Republicans==
Are you able to go through one day without playing the victim? It’s tiring.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Mar 22, 23 @ 1:11 pm:
===Criticizing a plan that doesn’t even exist yet===
Narrator: there’s a bill.
If you’re telling me it doesn’t exist, why were you touting the bill passage when it finally popped?
You’re not very good at any of this.
===What do you bet that Arlington Park was purchased by the Bears to make the sale of the team more attractive to a new ownership group in a few years?===
That’s a private business decision that doesn’t need public sector support or breaks.
You are now saying that the purchase was made in hopes of horrendous breaks for AH to sell the Bears at a higher price?
Why should Illinois help billionaires make more money?
===Your disdain for all Republicans===
Between Raunerites who listened to “Democrat” Diana Rauner and Trump, if you are aligned with either, that’s pretty sad.
Your distain for Dems… for Pritzker…
Why should they help you or the Bears with 60/30 and a signature to purposely hurt AH so the Bears get a better sale price?
You think on that and lemme know when you start supporting the 11th hour Bears Bailout that “lands on legislators’ desk”… no one has read… voting on something no one even knows what the bill says… for a special interest… and a windfall for billionaires…
LOL
That’ll be priceless
- Dotnonymous - Wednesday, Mar 22, 23 @ 1:51 pm:
This system makes (too many) of us grind out a living, then grinds it back out of us before we die.
I hear the gears grinding…how long before the seize…I wonder?