* I received this Illinois Latino Agenda press release late yesterday…

Yesterday, members of the Illinois Latino Agenda (ILA) met with Toni Preckwinkle, Chairperson of the Cook County Democratic Party, to discuss the urgency for the Party to increase equity on our state’s highest court by slating a candidate with roots in Latino communities. Given recent retention, it is unlikely that voters will have a chance to elect a Latino Supreme Court Justice in Cook County for at least another ten years.

Although the ultimate decision of who becomes Illinois’ next Supreme Court Justice comes down to voters, the Party’s endorsement has been a seal of approval and a path to victory for all Supreme Court candidates they’ve slated in recent history.

“We thank Chair Preckwinkle for the opportunity to meet with her and discuss the historical underrepresentation of Latinos in our state’s judiciary, and we continue to urge her to consider supporting a Latino to serve as an Illinois Supreme Court Justice for the first time in our state’s history,” said Jose M. Muñoz, Co-Chair of the Illinois Latino Agenda. “We believe that a Latino Supreme Court Justice, who understands the issues we face and has roots in our community, will enrich the Court and help make more inclusive and culturally responsive decisions.”

In the past five years, there have been three vacancies filled in the Illinois Supreme Court–three opportunities to finally bring Latino representation to the state’s highest court. Despite the community’s vocal and united effort to have a Latino appointed in these vacancies, they were ignored, and no Latino was appointed.

“Illinois may be a progressive state, but when it comes to equity in the highest levels of government, it is falling short,” said Sylvia Puente, Co-Chair of the Illinois Latino Agenda and CEO of the Latino Policy Forum. “We can no longer accept a court that is not reflective of the communities it serves, which is why we are strongly advocating for committee members to support a Latino candidate with lived experience who can give voice to the values and needs of our communities.”

Latinos are one of the fastest growing demographics in Illinois, and they make up more than 26% of the population in Cook County and 18% in the state. Even though Illinois has the fifth largest Latino population in the country, it is not on the list of ten states with a Latino Supreme Court Justice.

“Having an open dialogue with Chair Preckwinkle and other Party representatives about the importance of Latino representation in all levels of government is a step in the right direction, and we look forward to working with her to also ensure more Latinos are represented in state Appellate and Circuit Courts,” said Juan Morado, Jr., Chair Emeritus of the Latino Leadership Council and Illinois Latino Agenda member. “We are now counting on the support of the Party’s committeemen to help Illinois create a more equitable judiciary.”

I ran into Appellate Justice Jesse Reyes at a political function last night. I’d heard he was out there working the hustings, and it appears to check out. Justice Reyes wants to run for the top court, but Supreme Court Justice Joy Cunningham was appointed last year (an appointment Reyes also sought) and is up for election in 2024. A highly credentialed Black woman with an Irish-sounding surname is gonna be tough to beat, with or without party support. And she is expected to have that party support. Progressives, including some (not all) Latino progressives, appear to be wary of Reyes. This could very well be yet another in a series of intra-party battles next year.

* I received this release yesterday as well…

State Senator Ram Villivalam’s comprehensive public transit plan and commuter benefits legislation were signed into law Friday.

“As we work on a comprehensive solution to address the funding challenges that our major public transit agencies are facing, these laws are critical first steps to making our public transit operations more accessible, equitable, environmentally conscious, transparent and safer,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “These laws will significantly assist the hundreds of thousands of riders who use Illinois transit every day and encourage more residents to do the same.”

House Bill 1342 allows public transit agencies to suspend riders if the rider commits assault, battery, sexual assault or violations of public indecency toward an employee or another commuter. It also provides for a formal appeals process.

To help survivors of domestic violence seek the services they need and deserve, the legislation requires the Regional Transportation Authority to distribute 25,000 pre-loaded $20 fare cards to domestic violence service providers. Villivalam’s law also provides for reduced fares for youth as they travel to and from their place of employment. Further, CTA, PACE and METRA are required to purchase buses that are zero-emission come July 1, 2026, which puts the state on a clearer path to achieve the climate goals that residents are advocating for.

House Bill 2068 requires employers to allow employees to use pre-tax earnings on a transit pass that would be deducted through the employee’s payroll before tax, lowering the tax burden for both the employer and employee.

The covered employer must be located in Cook County or specified townships in collar counties, have at least 50 full time employees, and be located at an address within one mile of a transit service. Under the new law, the Regional Transit Authority will create a publicly searchable map of addresses that are located within one mile of a transit service.

“We are looking at every community across Illinois to ensure their transit options are accessible and affordable,” Villivalam said. “I am honored to have pushed for improvements to safety and increased accessibility for transit as we work to find ways to help our residents who ride Illinois transportation every day.”

House Bill 1342 and House Bill 2068 were signed into law on Friday.

* And this…

Governor JB Pritzker signed HB2879 into law today, establishing the Illinois Farm to Food Bank Program to expand resources for food bank systems across the state while supporting local farmers. The bill creates mechanisms for acquiring and distributing fresh fruits, vegetables, meat and poultry, dairy, and eggs to organizations providing free food for those in need. The program initially began with a pilot in 2021 with grant funding from USDA and is made permanent through this bill.

“Illinois farmers are producing some of the finest food in the country, and now that produce, dairy, and meat can go directly to Illinoisans struggling with food insecurity,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “It’s good for our farmers’ bottom line, it’s good for those in need, and it’s good for our state—a win for everyone in Illinois.”

The program, administered by the Illinois Department of Human Services with a $2 million investment in FY24, seeks to address the strain placed on nonprofits and other organizations due to increased food bank usage while also supporting local farmers. During the two years of the pilot program, nearly 2.5 million pounds of food were donated.

Food acquired via this program must be from Illinois producers and must meet market-grade quality and consumption levels. However, much of the food going to the program is excess food that would have been wasted without foodbanks as an outlet. The lack of centralized donation program was a barrier to farmers looking to donate in the past.

The bill also includes capacity-building grants for capital improvements needed to store and transport fresh food to better reach underserved communities. The program focuses on fresh and nutritious foods, which are often difficult to secure at many food banks. The bill also creates a Farm to Food Bank Advisory Council to support and advise the work of the program and establish and build relationships with agricultural producers.

* Illinois National Guard…

When Senior Master Sgt. David Schreffler started riding with Gold Star Mission it was a great way to combine two of his greatest passions, bicycle riding and a desire to honor and remember fallen U.S. service members.

The Illinois Air National Guard NCO never thought it would bring him across the ocean to ride in honor of the fallen service members of our nation’s staunch ally, Poland. But, from Aug. 8-12, Schreffler will join five other volunteer U.S. riders and two volunteer support staff on the first Polish Veterans Bike Rally.

“It is a great way to ensure the fallen are not forgotten,” said Schreffler, the Chief of Quality Assurance with the 217th Engineering and installation Squadron, 183rd Wing, based in Springfield.

The rally, sponsored by the Polish Association of Families of Fallen Soldiers, will travel 538 kilometers (almost 335 miles) throughout Poland from the city of Siedlce to Rzeszów, with stops in Terespol, Chełm, Zamość, and Stalowa Wola. It is expected to include about 60 cyclists and is modeled on the Gold Star Mission’s annual Gold Star 500 in Illinois. Last year, the Polish had 16 participants in the Gold Star 500 including seven Polish Army Soldiers, six students and three Polish Gold Star Family members.

* ILGOP…

Friend,

As you probably know, the People’s Republic of California’s government has decided that all of the economic strife they are going through isn’t enough, so now they are flirting with the idea of reparations.

STOP THE DEMOCRAT DIVISION >>

We in the Illinois Republican Party believe in creating opportunity over dependence on government handouts. We believe in the freedom to prosper and the availability of opportunity to all our fellow Americans.

Chicago suburb starts making reparations payouts

We are asking for your voice today as we get ready to send out this petition of ours to the Illinois Legislature, the Chicago City Council and Mayor, and the Governor of Illinois >>

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LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR PRO-OPPORTUNITY PLATFORM >>

For America
Illinois Republican Party

* And this is from last night, so we didn’t miss it, but it’s quite something…

Best park.
Best lakefront.
Best season. 🤔
Best city in the world.

Welcome Billie. Welcome Lolla. 🖤 pic.twitter.com/1cGGRSe3u9

— Mayor Brandon Johnson (@ChicagosMayor) August 4, 2023

Politicians are usually booed at Chicago events. I saw Harold Washington booed during the Chicago Blues Festival back in the day. My out of town brother was horrified.