Isabel’s morning briefing
Friday, Aug 25, 2023 - Posted by Isabel Miller * Here you go… * Sun-Times | Three women who brought #MeToo allegations against Madigan circle find relief and hope in guilty verdict of ex-top aide: “It was just a few minutes of tears of relief,” Cassidy, D-Chicago, said shortly after a jury convicted Mapes of perjury and attempted obstruction of justice. “And really, I still work with people who told us they were afraid to come forward, and they’re heavy in my thoughts right now.” * NBC Chicago | Jury reaches verdict in case of Tim Mapes, former Madigan chief of staff: Mapes’ trial marks the latest chapter in the wide-ranging, years-long federal investigation into public corruption that has ensnared some of the most powerful people in Chicago and Illinois. * WCBU | Lt. Gov. Stratton talks preventative measures to stop gun violence, calls for federal assault weapons ban: WCBU’s Camryn Cutinello spoke with Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, who says Illinois is on the right side of history with the ban and other measures to stop gun violence. * Sun-Times | $2 million in grants heading to Chicago literacy centers: More than 400,000 Illinois residents — about 3% of the population — have less than a ninth-grade education, and about 900,000 adults older than 25 don’t have a high school diploma, according to state figures. * Sun-Times | Migrants returned to controversial police stations as crisis intensifies: The Ogden and Town Hall police districts had been emptied due to allegations of sexual misconduct. The city said a rising number of immigrants arriving has forced them to reuse the stations. * Tribune | Chicago COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations on the rise; Northwestern team warns of undiagnosed long-COVID consequences: “It’s a good reminder that COVID is here, that COVID can make an impact,” said Massimo Pacilli, the Chicago Department of Public Health’s disease control deputy commissioner. “The pandemic isn’t gone. While there is some desire of putting it behind us, COVID is with us.” * Taylorville Daily News | State Rep Speaks Out On Behavioral Health Licenses: Representative Rosenthal says that those who suffer mental health and substance abuse need professional aid to provide necessary treatment that helps them. Rosenthal stressed that the state is in need dire need of licensed staff to fill vacant positions, and unnecessary delays have a negative impact on qualified applicants and the constituents in the community. * Bloomberg | Chicago Blames Carmakers as Thieves Livestream Thefts: hicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has a plan to help tackle soaring car thefts in the city: sue the automakers. The city has filed a civil suit against Kia Corp. and Hyundai Motor Co. for failing to include engine immobilizers in various models, causing “a steep rise in vehicle thefts, reckless driving, property damage, and a wide array of related violent crimes in Chicago,” according to a statement on Thursday. * Block Club | Logan Square Farmers Market Canceled For First Time Ever, Leaving Vendors Scrambling: The market organizer called off this weekend’s event after the city denied expansion plans she said would make the event safer. But vendors said they will lose key profits and have nowhere to sell harvested produce. * Sun-Times | New details on little-known Obama Presidential Library, tucked away in Hoffman Estates: When Colleen Shogan, the new archivist of the United States, pulled up in front of the Obama Presidential Library in Hoffman Estates for the first time, “I thought it looked like a wedding center.” The gray brick exterior of 2500 Golf Rd. in the northwest suburb, once a Plunkett Furniture showroom and warehouse, has decorative front and side portico entrances. But there’s no grand architectural detail or even a sign to suggest that inside, for the past seven years, it’s been the temporary home of the official Barack Obama Presidential Library. * WPSD | Walker’s Bluff Casino Resort officially opens Friday: “We’re thrilled to have worked with local and regional contractors and suppliers who brought their exceptional craftsmanship and dedication to the table,” Dan Kehl, CEO at Elite Casino Resorts, said in a statement released Thursday. “This collaboration has not only resulted in a state-of-the-art establishment but has also empowered our community by driving economic growth and creating jobs. I’d also like to thank Cynde and the late David Bunch for bringing this project here.” The Bunches built Walker’s Bluff. David Bunch died in 2021. * Tribune | Chicago Water Taxi to return Sept. 5, refocusing on commuters: A lone boat will make trips three days a week, from Tuesday to Thursday, between Ogilvie Transportation Center in the West Loop and Michigan Avenue in Streeterville. The West Loop stop is located between Ogilvie and Union Station, while the Michigan Avenue stop is located near the intersection of North Rush Street and East Kinzie Street. * Shaw Local | Current Illinois state flag designed by former school teacher: The state flag was back in the news this month with Gov. JB Pritzker’s announcement that a commission was being established to consider a redesign of the flag. Whether Mrs. Hutchison, who died in 2004 at age 93, would have been happy with that news is unclear. But there is no questioning her vast knowledge of flags, in addition to her keen interests in history, genealogy and cemetery records. Indeed, Hutchison found a way to turn her passion into her life’s work. * Capitol News Illinois | Illinois heat wave is the latest of several weather extremes in the state: The heat index, a measure that combines air temperature with humidity, reached higher than 128 degrees in Galesburg Wednesday. Chicago’s O’Hare airport recorded an air temperature of 98 degrees, the highest temperature for Aug. 23 since 1947, according to the National Weather Service. The heat index there peaked at 116, just two degrees shy of the record high that came during Chicago’s infamous 1995 heat wave. * NBC Chicago | What could Chicago’s winter look like? Here are the latest projections: Last winter provided a surprising amount of rain and warmer-than-normal temperatures in the Chicago area, but could the region be in for a repeat? According to the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center, that very well could be the case. * WGN | Bears legend Steve McMichael named 1 of 4 committee finalists for 2024 Hall of Fame class: The three finalists from the Seniors Committee now move on to the main vote for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024. That will be in front of the main 50-person committee that will meet Super Bowl week, with each candidate needing 80 percent approval to get in.
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- OneMan - Friday, Aug 25, 23 @ 8:05 am:
Glad to see the return of the water taxi. It was a handy and fun way to get around and opened up some lunch options.
An excellent way to see a bit of the city a bit of a break.
- JS Mill - Friday, Aug 25, 23 @ 8:42 am:
I am hoping McMichael get in the HOF. I really hope it happens before he passes. HE was an anchor for one of the best teams in history and really productive for an interior lineman, hall of fame productive.
Plus…he is Mongo.
- Friendly Bob Adams - Friday, Aug 25, 23 @ 9:42 am:
I never met Mapes but I’ve met several people like him. These are guys that are the “first lieutenant” and gatekeeper to a genuinely important person, but who bask in the glow of the other person’s importance. There is a tendency to become arrogant in this role, and by all accounts Mapes was more arrogant than most.
In terms of why he didn’t testify truthfully about Madigan, I don’t think it’s anything more complicated than his ego attachment to his old role. Disconnected from Madigan he’s not important to anyone.
- Amalia - Friday, Aug 25, 23 @ 11:38 am:
I keep having an argument with a lawyer following the Mapes matter. I state all sorts of grievances, including personal, and the response is, “that’s not what this trial is about.” yes, but we are all happy watching a mean person get it. mess around, find out.
- Hannibal Lecter - Friday, Aug 25, 23 @ 2:33 pm:
=== I state all sorts of grievances, including personal ===
Didn’t enjoy dealing with him when you worked for Quinn?
- Just a guy - Friday, Aug 25, 23 @ 4:20 pm:
We all know the automakers are the reason for the rampant increase in auto thefts. If we could just go back to bikes and the horse and buggy, we’ll have this problem licked in no time.