…Adding… Press release…

Today, Governor JB Pritzker along with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced Illinois will be allocated over $1 billion in funding to support high-speed internet access through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. This grant will help fund the development of high-speed infrastructure across the nation as part of President Biden’s Internet for All initiative.

“This funding is a significant step in ensuring Illinoisans across the state have access to the reliable high-speed internet that they need,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “I am committed to making Illinois a leader when it comes to technology and innovation, and access to broadband is a critical service for all residents who rely on high-speed internet for everything from healthcare and education, to running a business.”

The $1 billion in funding will build upon Governor Pritzker’s historic $420 million Connect Illinois broadband infrastructure plan — a part of Rebuild Illinois, focused on delivering upgrades to ensure that every community across the state has 21st century broadband capability. Connect Illinois includes allocating $400 million to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) to deploy statewide broadband expansion, especially for the rural families and communities that have been the most impacted by the digital divide. It also includes $20 million to repair, enhance, and expand broadband for schools with a focus on K-12 education.

Reliable, accessible, and affordable broadband is crucial to the economic growth and success of the state. In partnership with the federal government, Governor Pritzker’s administration is enacting a nation-leading approach to eliminate the digital divide.

The BEAD Program is the federal government’s largest-ever investment in the expansion of high-speed internet access and focuses on connecting underserved and rural communities.

* Crain’s…

Typically, an individual’s home is their biggest asset. In Chicago, more than half of white residents — 52.1% — own their homes, while only 30.1% of Black Chicagoans own homes and 28.7% of residents of Hispanic or Latin heritage do, the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2021 American Community Survey shows.

In 2017, the home of a white household in Chicago typically was valued at $275,000. Meanwhile, the homes of typical Black and Latino households were worth $145,000 and $180,000, respectively, a report by the Institute for Research on Race & Public Policy at the University of Illinois Chicago showed.

The city’s predominantly white neighborhoods have a higher average credit score (732) than neighborhoods that are predominantly home to people of color (586), as reported in “State and Local Approaches to the Chicago Region’s Racial and Ethnic Wealth Inequity,” a report by the nonprofit Urban Institute, based in Washington, D.C. By the standards of most lenders, a credit score between 670 to 739 is considered good.

The result: A third of Black and Hispanic/Latin households in Chicago has zero or negative net worth compared to only 15% of white households, the UIC paper states.

“Homeownership is a key component of wealth,” says Damon Jones, associate professor at the University of Chicago’s Harris School of Public Policy. “But its value depends on the race of the owner and race of the neighborhood.”

* The business manager of the Chicago & Vicinity Laborers’ District Council is vice chair of the Tollway Board. Also on the board is the executive secretary-treasurer of the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters and the President-business manager of International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150. So, what in the heck is going on over there?…

Late last week, management at the Illinois Tollway cancelled a negotiating session scheduled for today with Teamsters Local 700, which represents more than 400 bargaining unit members at the agency. Negotiations between the agency and the union for a new collective bargaining agreement have been ongoing for nearly nine months. With the next negotiation session not scheduled until July 14, more than a month will have passed between sessions.

“Local 700 members at the Illinois Tollway keep our roads safe and our economy moving, and they deserve respect from management,” said Teamsters Local 700 President Ramon Williams. “Last minute cancellations and delayed bargaining sessions put our negotiations at risk, which puts our Tollway at risk. I urge management to come back to the bargaining table immediately.”

Management’s decision to cancel comes as the union is waiting on a response to economic proposals designed to fight the exodus of Tollway employees to comparable agencies. Illinois Tollway employees are paid less, staff more shifts, and take longer to reach top scale than virtually all of these competing employers. Chief among the union’s concerns is that the high turnover is leading to staffing problems, which could result in a less safe Tollway for both employees and the commuting public.

“We began bargaining in October of 2022, and it took several months to get this employer to the table on a regular basis,” said Geoff Daniels, Teamsters Local 700 Business Agent assigned to members at the Illinois Tollway. “We felt through the late spring and early summer that we were finally moving in the right direction, with no cancellations and weekly meetings for nearly two months. Now management is cancelling meetings and trying to space out time spent at the table, which is a massive step backwards that shows a complete disregard for the interests of the award-winning essential workers who keep our Tollway moving.”

Local 700 represents more than 400 employees at the Illinois Tollway including auto mechanics, electricians, sign maker/hangers, carpenters, and material distribution drivers. Local 700 members also include equipment operator/laborers who respond to accidents, maintain the roadway, and handle a variety of emergencies including snow and ice control. Local 700’s contract with the Illinois Tollway expired on February 28, 2023.

* Press release…

Governor JB Pritzker joined federal, state, and local officials, along with the Federal Railroad Administration, Amtrak, the Union Pacific Railroad, and project supporters at Union Station today to celebrate the start of 110 mph passenger rail service between Chicago and St. Louis. This multi-year project better connects the state’s communities and major institutions while improving safety, convenience, and accessibility. Starting with the first trains on Amtrak’s state-supported Lincoln Service this morning, the higher speeds are eliminating approximately 15 minutes from the previous 90 mph runtimes between the two cities and 30 minutes from the initial 79 mph schedule in place when the project broke ground. […]

In addition to increasing speeds, the $1.96 billion project has boosted safety and reliability for passengers while providing upgraded and new stations. Ride quality has also been enhanced up and down the corridor for both passenger and freight service on the Union Pacific Railroad, thanks to the addition of new concrete ties along the route and improvements to bridges, culverts, and signaling systems.

* Good job, ISP…

On June 22, 2023, the Illinois State Police (ISP) arrested 36-year-old Saul Martinez Castanon of Berkeley, Illinois, who is suspected of pointing a laser pointer at aircraft flying overhead. These laser pointers have been a national issue for aviators for several year. When pointed into an aircraft cockpit, the light can temporarily blind pilots as they navigate busy airspace or land the aircraft.

“Targeting aircraft with a laser pointer creates a safety threat that can put the lives of hundreds of passengers at risk,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “Our ISP Air Operations did a phenomenal job identifying the source of the light and working with officers on the ground to arrest the suspect.”

At approximately 9:45 Thursday evening, ISP Air-6 Troopers, a spotter and pilot, were participating in Special Operations Group Operation Safe Drive. While in the air, they reported being contacted by a hand-held device that emits amplified light (laser pointer) from the ground. Troopers used the aircraft camera and identified a residential yard in the 1200 block of Sunnyside Drive in Berkeley as the likely source of the light. Intelligence from the Federal Aviation Administration revealed several aircraft departing from Chicago O’Hare International Airport and Chicago Midway International Airport, including commercial aircraft carrying hundreds of passengers, reported the same issue from a similar geographic origin.

ISP Statewide Anti-Violence Enforcement Unit Troopers on the ground and the Berkeley Police Department were alerted and arrived at the residence where they took Martinez Castanon into custody without incident. Martinez Castanon was charged with two counts of misdemeanor Disorderly Conduct (Laser Pointer vs. Law Enforcement Officer and Laser Pointer vs. Aircraft). No further information will be disseminated.

Video taken from the plane can be found at https://youtu.be/FlDjj9kxrFY.

* Frerichs…

Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs has earned more than $2 billion in investment earnings for the state portfolio since taking office, the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office announced today.

That total includes a record $113 million in May investment earnings for the state portfolio.

The office earned an additional $81.4 million in gross investment earnings in May for cities, villages, school districts, counties and other units of local government that take part in the highly rated Illinois Funds local government investment pool. Frerichs now has surged past the $1 billion mark in gross investment earnings for Illinois Funds since he took office.

“Every dollar we make through smart, safe investing is a dollar that does not need to be raised in taxes,” said Frerichs, who, as treasurer, is the state’s Chief Investment and Banking Officer. “The Illinois Treasurer’s Office truly is an economic engine for our state.”

These key monthly metrics and more are available at The Vault, the transparency website that allows Illinois residents to see how the State Treasurer’s Office is working for them. The site is at iltreasurervault.com.

Greg Hinz followed up…

In a phone interview, Frerichs said part of the reason for the booming return is that the state is current on its bills to vendors, so “there’s more money in the accounts.” Another reason is rising interest rates nationally, with those who have money to invest getting more than those who need to borrow paying more.

But with General Assembly approval, the state has tweaked its investment goals, “trying to balance” the three goals of returns, risk and liquidity, Frerichs said. As a result, the state now invests in “highly rated corporate paper.” And with money not needed to pay overdue bills as it was a few years ago, the state can put its money in longer-term, better-paying assets.

* Young Democrats of America elect Chicagoan to exec committee…

Isabel (Izzy) Dobbel,a local activist from Chicago, Illinois, was elected to serve on YDA’s Executive Committee, the highest-level governing body that oversees and helps establish priorities for the country’s youth progressive movement and oldest youth partisan organization, the Young Democrats of America (YDA). Dobbel — National Committeewoman for IL — was elected Treasurer by a unanimous vote for a two-year term that began on June 21.

Dobbel addressed her fellow delegates at YDA’s national convention, discussing the accomplishments they have helped achieve in Illinois and emphasizing the necessity for leadership rooted in grassroots efforts. “As National Committeewoman for the Young Democrats of Illinois, we have led legislative strategies to advance abortion rights by mobilizing young people to call legislators to repeal the Parental Notification of Abortion Act. The bill was later signed to make IL the most pro-choice state in the nation. Young democrats are committed and quick to mobilize on the issues that matter most to our least advantaged communities. These programs require time and monetary investment to push progressive policies over the finish line”, she said, outlining their commitment to communication, transparency, and organizing within the YDA.

* LG Stratton…

As the right to bodily autonomy continues to come under attack nationwide, it is critical that the dedicated professionals on the frontlines of reproductive care are seen and heard. Doulas and midwives play an invaluable role in ensuring Illinois remains an oasis of care, and Lt. Governor Stratton amplified their voices on the first anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision.

“In our state, we will continue to champion the right to live in communities with access to care and where bodily autonomy is respected, regardless of income, race, or religion,” said Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton. “While the Dobbs decision continues to harm the livelihoods of thousands of women across our country, Illinois stands tall as a beacon of hope and celebrates the workers who provide all types of reproductive health care.”

Lt. Governor Stratton met with doulas and midwives for tea and conversation, listening and learning from their experiences and shining a light on how state leaders can continue the work for reproductive justice.

“Tea with the Lieutenant Governor was an inspiring opportunity to reconnect to purpose,” said Dakisha Lewis, MD, FACOG Medical Director and Chairperson for the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Advocate Trinity Hospital, Advocate Health. “It was a privilege to meet and engage with Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton and a diverse group of women who are passionate about women’s healthcare. This gives me hope for the future of maternal healthcare in Illinois.”

* Isabel’s roundup…

* SJ-R | Inside IHSA’s rare drop of two state series, and what could join lineup: There will be room for debate, and an opportunity to go head over heels for boys gymnastics somewhere in Illinois during the 2023-24 season.

* Tribune | Mayor Brandon Johnson aims to boost teen employment, one of his signature campaign promises: The program, called One Summer Chicago, is a longtime staple of City Hall’s approach to summer violence and youth enrichment that serves youth ages 14 to 24. It has shrunk from employing 31,552 young people in 2019 to 20,544 youths last year, according to city figures. Johnson said Monday that the program is on track to hire 2,000 more teens than last year.

* WTTW | Removed Jones College Prep Principal Retires Amid District Investigation: The head of a prominent South Loop high school is retiring, months after he was removed from his position pending a district investigation into a Halloween costume contest that included a student wearing what appeared to be a Nazi uniform.

* Daily Herald | Allergies are worse this year. Here’s what you can do about it: The warm, dry spring means more grass and tree pollen this season, said Tanya Tanzillo, a professor at Northern Illinois University’s College of Health and Human Sciences. She pointed to the cottonwood puffs blanketing some areas in the past month as an example of how intense pollen is this season. Pollen not seen with the naked eye has been similarly bad.

* Sun-Times | Pharmacist convicted of stealing and selling hundreds of COVID vaccination cards: A jury convicted Tangtang Zhao, 34, of theft of government property. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 28 and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

* Journal Star | Some Dunlap schools need repairs and renovations. Here’s the plan for this summer: “The district is in need of a new facility to address our growing elementary enrollment, and to replace one of our elementary buildings, Wilder-Waite, which was built in, I think, 1947,” said Scott Adreon, assistant superintendent of business services for the district. “We’ve identified it as something we’re pursuing, but we are really early in the planning stages. There’s been no commitment from the board of education on what that will look like, other than they recognized the need to increase facilities.”

* Sun-Times | James Crown dead in Colorado racetrack accident at 70; Chicago billionaire had just announced plans to enlist CEOs to fight violent crime: Mr. Crown, who headed a Commercial Club task force on public safety, set an ambitious goal of reducing the number of killings in Chicago to fewer than 400 a year within five years. Last year, there were 695 killings in the city. “People are really hoping that we can get traction here,” Mr. Crown said in a May 31 interview with the Chicago Sun-Times. “But it’s gonna take a lot of years before we can look back on this and say that we really had a lasting impact.”

* SJ-R | Cooling centers around city open for relief from the heat: With high temperatures in the Springfield area hovering around 90 or above Tuesday through Saturday, the city’s Office of Community Relations has designated several public spaces, businesses and offices as cooling centers during regular operating hours. According to the National Weather Service in Lincoln, Friday could be the hottest day of the year with a projected high of 97 degrees, though there is a 30% chance of showers.

* WBEZ | Illinois has had a rich history of auto racing: The July 1-2 NASCAR doubleheader has become the talk of the town — with opinions stretching to both extremes. Drivers and their cars will be cruising a 2.2-mile course through Grant Park, with Jackson Drive on the north, Michigan Avenue to the west, Roosevelt Road to the south, a stretch of DuSable Lake Shore Drive to the east and stretches of Balbo Drive and Columbus Drive mixed between.

* Sun-Times | How fast will they go in Grant Park 220? NASCAR great has a mighty big number in mind: “I’m telling you, they’re going to be hauling a**,” Evernham said Friday while en route to Guaranteed Rate Field to throw out the first pitch before the White Sox game. “We’re going to see 150, 160 miles an hour.”

* Daily Herald | What suburbanites need to know to attend — or avoid — Chicago NASCAR race: “It will be an interesting study in traffic dynamics and human nature — not to mention testing commuters’ patience and skill at navigation.”To accommodate the crowds, Metra and the Chicago Transit Authority are piling on trains and buses.

* NBC Chicago | Illinois’ ‘largest’ fireworks show is in a Chicago suburb: According to organizers, the “largest fireworks show in Illinois” can be found beginning at 10 p.m. on July 4 in Itasca, located in DuPage County. The show, complete with a “live pyrotechnics spectacular,” is synchronized to pop, movie and patriotic music “broadcast on a concert-quality sound system,” a release from the village says.