We are excited to announce that, earlier today, the nonprofit Franklin News Foundation acquired Advanced Digital Media, Inc, strengthening our ability to deliver reliable news coverage. This opportunity will allow Lisa and I, to not only continue providing the unbiased video journalism you have come to expect, but increase the time we dedicate to covering government issues.
With six days of veto session planned for the Illinois General Assembly this fall, legislators will have their hands full dealing with the state’s energy policies.
Gov. J.B. Pritkzer vetoed a measure that would have lifted the moratorium on new nuclear power facilities that has been in place for decades. He said the proposal changed at the last minute before it cleared the General Assembly last spring.
“There was nothing to line-item, essentially amend without vetoing the entire bill in order to separate the question of whether you’re going to have large scale reactors developed in Illinois or whether you’re talking about [small modular reactors],” Pritzker said. […]
State Rep. Jay Hoffman, the House assistant majority leader, pushed for lifting the moratorium for nuclear and for supporting changes to other bills the governor made.
“I personally believe that we should move forward with assuring that small nuclear moves forward,” Hoffman told The Center Square.
A spokesperson for co-sponsor Rep. Larry Walsh (D-Elwood) sent me this statement last week about the veto, but has not yet responded to follow-up questions about which business and special interest groups had “hijacked this issue and the process for their own personal gain, financial and political”…
I wanted to pass along Rep. Walsh’s statement on the veto of Senate Bill 76.
“I am disappointed in Governor Pritzker’s decision to veto Senate Bill 76. As we maneuver ourselves towards cleaner energy production, nuclear technology must be an option. Senate Bill 76 was an opportunity to allow new, safe, and efficient reactors to be a tool in our energy toolbox. For over two years, hearings on this issue have been held in a bipartisan manner and Senate Bill 76 was the culmination of those efforts. Unfortunately, there are business interests and special interest groups within the renewable energy community that have hijacked this issue and the process for their own personal gain, financial and political.
Despite this setback, we will continue to work to expand clean energy generation in Illinois so that our grid is able to meet the shortfalls that RTOs have forecasted in the coming years. Unfortunately with this veto, that work has become harder.”
If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at your convenience.
* Humane Society…
Hi Rich,
The Humane Society of the U.S. released it’s 2023 scorecard showcasing how State Representatives and Senators voted on animal welfare legislation. We passed several important bills into law this year and a few passed one chamber but got held up in the other. We’re thrilled to see so many 100’s but still have work to do for those that got F’s. Feel free to share!
F’s included Republican Reps. Martin McLaughlin, Jeff Keicher, Jed Davis, CD Davidsmeyer, Chris Miller, Adam Niemerg, Brad Halbrook, Democratic Sen. Patricia Van Pelt (who was gone all spring) and Republican Sen. Don DeWitte.
* SoS union agreement…
This morning I joined the leadership of @SEIU73 to announce that our office has reached a unanimous tentative agreement on a 4-year contract - the earliest an agreement has been reached in the history of the SOS office!! Proud to call these amazing folks my teammates. #ILSOSpic.twitter.com/ODKHJVtN3Z
— Secretary Alexi Giannoulias (@ILSecOfState) August 18, 2023
* Speaking of labor negotiations, here’s the Tribune…
In his weekly message to members, union President John Catanzara said the union and city engaged in two bargaining sessions last week, both of which, he said, were “extremely productive.”
“The city realizes (that) negotiating in good faith for a change is the best path forward as the arbitration process continues,” Catanzara said.
* RIP…
My husband was a remarkable man. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him and loved him. pic.twitter.com/6BG0uSlnM7
* Sun-Times | Pritzker signs bill combating food deserts across Illinois: There were 3.3 million Illinois residents living in a food desert, according to a 2021 Illinois Department of Public Health report. The new measure will support existing grocers and help encourage new grocers by allowing stores receiving grants to be able to receive tax credits and other incentives.
* Crain’s | Chicago Teachers’ Pension Fund says no to Lincoln Yards: The pension fund today said in a statement that it has “declined to take further action” on a proposition from Sterling Bay to become the primary financial backer of the sprawling 53-acre project. Sterling Bay pitched the $12.1 billion fund’s investment committee in May on its vision for the development along the North Branch of the Chicago River between Lincoln Park and Bucktown, hoping to win what could be as much as a $300 million investment to jump-start it.
* NYT | Blue-Light Glasses Are Unlikely to Help Eye Strain. Here’s What Does.: Researchers have long been skeptical that blue-light glasses can curb eye strain, said Mark Rosenfield, a professor at the State University of New York College of Optometry. Previous studies have also typically been small, but several have found that the lenses did not prevent people’s eyes from tiring or getting irritated, and did not appear to improve vision.
* NYT | How States Are Threading the Needle on Flag Design: So is it worth it to attempt a redesign? Elizabeth Goodspeed, a graphic designer and design critic, thinks so. The flag, she said, is “like a physical, visual manifestation of a state’s values in the same way that a logo in a brand system represents what a company cares about.” From that perspective, she explained, “rebranding is a very powerful tool.”
* Sun-Times | As Friday Morning Swim Club grows, so do safety concerns: Zacharias wasn’t planning on making a TikTok, but when her fiance found himself treading water among a sea of colorful floats, Zacharias had to capture it. “I just want everybody to be safe; I don’t want this to turn into a horror story,” she said of making the July 14 video, which has raked in 1.1 million views and 120,000 likes.
When asked before the grand jury on March 31, 2021, whether McClain had “any contact” with Lang “for any purpose” between 2017 and 2019, Mapes said under oath, “I don’t know of any.”
It’s just one of many ways prosecutors have now used a monthslong wiretap of McClain’s phone to make their case that Mapes lied in 2021 and tried to block the feds’ aggressive yearslong investigation of Madigan and McClain.
They piled on further Thursday, despite an early setback in which a key call was stricken from the trial by U.S. District Judge John Kness. […]
Lang testified in McClain’s earlier trial about the Nov. 8, 2018, call in which McClain told him it was time to resign.
McClain called himself “an agent, somebody that cares deeply about ya, who thinks that you really oughta move on.”Lang had faced a separate allegation earlier that year.
The obstruction of justice charge, which comes with a maximum of 20 years in prison, alleges Mapes gave false testimony about more than a dozen topics, including whether he knew McClain communicated with Lang in 2018, with some of those communications at Madigan’s direction.
“I have no knowledge or recall of that,” Mapes told the grand jury when prosecutors asked if he knew whether McClain was in contact with Lang.
But according to the wiretapped calls, Lang was a frequent topic of conversation between Mapes and McClain in 2018, especially that fall.
“My assignment is to tell Lou Lang he has no life in the House anymore,” McClain told Mapes in an Oct. 26, 2018 call.
Three days later, Mapes asked McClain for an update about the Lang situation.
“Hey, how’s your buddy Lou Lang doing?” Mapes asked, chuckling. “Have you delivered the bad news yet?”
In one call from Oct. 26, 2018, McClain told Mapes, “My assignment is to tell Lou Lang that he has no life in the House anymore.”
“You’ve had one discussion with him. Did you have more?” Mapes asked.
“I’m doing it in tiers,” McClain responded.
In a recorded telephone call from Oct. 31, 2018, McClain said he would wait until fundraising checks that they had directed Lang to disperse to other Democratic candidates cleared, “Then I gotta tell (Lang) he’s gotta move on, he has no future in the House.”
Lang said on the call he needed to think things over before making a decision, but thanked McClain for “leveling” with him, stating he would never do anything to “damage my speaker or my caucus.”
Following his testimony, jurors heard more recorded phone calls and viewed email exchanges between McClain and Mapes in which they discussed the Lang situation. […]
In another call from Oct. 31, McClain reiterated that he had to tell Lang “he’s gotta move on, he’s got no more future in the House.”
Weeks later in a call on Nov. 15, McClain informed Mapes that Lang intended to “resign before the end of the calendar year.” Mapes then replied that he’d heard Lang was already informing other legislators of that decision.
* Off-topic, but McClain made some ugly sexist remarks when talking to Mapes, which could have an impact on the jury…
McClain tells Mapes that his replacement as chief of staff is in over her head. “This is between you and me. I never thought that she was the sharpest knife in the drawer and her head has been swimming a lot.”
A federal appeals court on Thursday dismissed a lawsuit challenging a New Jersey law that creates a pathway for the state to sue the gun industry.
A three-judge panel on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit ruled the lawsuit brought by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), a firearm industry trade association, was filed too early. The group challenged the law before enforcement began. […]
The law, which was passed last year, enables New Jersey’s attorney general to sue entities that manufacture, distribute, sell or market gun-related products if they contribute to a public nuisance.
The trade association filed the lawsuit in November before New Jersey’s law went into effect, and a federal district judge blocked the legislation in a preliminary decision.
Federal courts are not forecasters. The Constitution limits our jurisdiction to disputes that have ripened fully. We may not prejudge hypothetical cases or offer legal advice. Instead, par- ties must first be injured before coming to us for redress. Only then do we react. When constitutional rights are at stake, we accelerate that timeline—but only slightly. We may hear a case before a person’s rights are violated only if the threat is imminent.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation challenges a new state gun law as violating its members’ constitutional rights. But we see little evidence that enforcement is looming. Be- cause the Foundation has jumped the gun, its challenge must be dismissed. […]
The first theory goes not to standing, but to the merits. Even if federal law gives gun sellers a statutory immunity that New Jersey would violate just by filing a complaint, a statutory violation is not enough to show standing. The Foundation must also show how violating their purported statutory immunity “has a close relationship to a harm traditionally recognized as providing a basis for a lawsuit in American courts.” It has not done so. Nor has it explained why this potential statutory (rather than constitutional) violation would justify pre-enforcement review. We will not try to connect the dots for it.
The Foundation’s second theory is not much better. It rests on “generalized allegations.” The Foundation says little about what it plans to do. It has pleaded that it is an association of gun makers and sellers, and it has offered declarations that the Law chills its members’ manufacturing, marketing, and sales. From that evidence, we can infer that its members plan to make, market, and sell guns. But that is all.
Yet “an allegation that certain conduct has (or will have) a chilling effect on one’s speech must claim a … threat of specific future harm.” Id. at 269–70 (internal quotation marks omitted). The same goes for one’s Second Amendment rights. But the Foundation makes no such specific claim. It repeatedly conjures the specter of “sweeping liability” that will force its members to shutter their businesses. Yet its bold assertion is backed by no evidence. A plaintiff must do more than assert “subjective chill.”
NSSF General Counsel Lawrence Keane said in a statement the group will file another complaint against New Jersey should the “public nuisance” law be enforced against the gun industry.
“While we respectfully disagree with the court’s decision on our pre-enforcement challenge, it is important to note the court did not say New Jersey’s law does not violate the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act; it clearly does,” Keane said.
But it’s probably also worth noting that the US Supreme Court did pretty much the opposite recently when it struck down a Colorado law that hadn’t yet harmed the plaintiff.
Illinois State Senator Willie Preston came to the rescue of a driver whose truck had flipped onto its side in Chicago last week.
Sen. Preston, who represents Illinois’ 16th District, was driving near 79th and Kedzie last Friday when he saw people recording something on their phones.
He said he then saw a semi that had flipped onto its side. It was smoking, and the driver was trapped inside.
Sen. Preston had a tool in his car, which he used to break the windshield and then helped the driver out of the cab.
Avoid traffic heading west down 79th Street as a major accident has occurred on 79th Kedzie. As a community, when we see someone in distress I encourage us to help, not just record. #unityandprogress
*** UPDATE *** I should’ve mentioned this as well. From a press release…
State Senator Willie Preston gave local south side high school baseball players a surprise of a lifetime with a trip to one of the most famous baseball fields last weekend.
“I am pleased I was able to bring such an amazing opportunity to the players and coaches from the 16th District,” said Preston (D-Chicago). “I want our next generation of kids to know that there is life beyond our neighborhood and that we believe in them and will support them by investing in their dreams and futures.”
At 6 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 13, teammates from Leo, Oaklawn, Simeon, Perspective’s, and Lindblom high schools packed on to a bus to play in State Senator Willie Preston’s Field of Dreams All Star Game at the legendary Field of Dreams from the 1989 film. The baseball players were also able to meet and train with professional baseball players and coaches.
Preston has developed a strong relationship with the schools and the administration in his district. As a newly elected official, he has supported back to school drives, food giveaways, and other community events.
“I am so proud of these young, talented men and their dedication both on and off the field,” said Preston. “Being able to show them they matter and so do their futures is exactly why we brought them to the Field of Dreams.”
Wow! Today was an incredible day!!! God has truly put me in a position to do some incredible things for his people. I’m not waisting a second. #senatorprestonfieldofdreamsallstargame #UnityAndProgress
Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that no electric or gas public utility shall disconnect service for nonpayment of a bill or deposit to any residential customer or master metered apartment building if gas or electricity is used as the primary source of space heating or is used to control or operate the primary source of space heating equipment at the premises and the customer has provided documentation that he or she is applying for grants or financial resources to pay the utility bill until 75 days after the customer provides documented proof of the grant or financial resource application. Provides that during the grace period the electric or gas public utility shall waive any late fees. Provides that an electric or gas public utility is not required to provide a grace period for a 12-month period after the conclusion of the preceding grace period.
Amends the Election Code. Prohibits a political committee from making certain expenditures to provide a defense in any criminal case or a defense in a civil case against any claims that a person has committed misconduct in his or her capacity as a public official, any claims of sexual harassment, or any claims of discrimination. Requires that a person found to have used campaign contributions in violation of the Code shall return contributions to the contributor or pay to the State if the contributor cannot be identified or reimbursed. Requires the political committee to include information on the contributions returned to the contributor or paid to the State in the committee’s quarterly report to the State Board of Elections.
Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Children and Family Services to pay for all inpatient stays at a hospital beginning on the 3rd day a child is in the hospital beyond medical necessity, and the parent or caregiver has denied the child access to the home and has refused or failed to make provisions for another living arrangement for the child or the child’s discharge is being delayed due to a pending inquiry or investigation by the Department of Children and Family Services. In a provision requiring the Department of Children and Family Services to pay the DCFS per diem rate for inpatient psychiatric stays at a free-standing psychiatric hospital or a hospital with a pediatric or adolescent inpatient psychiatric unit, requires the Department to pay the DCFS per diem rate effective the 3rd day (rather than the 11th day) when a child is in the hospital beyond medical necessity.
Amends the Food Handling Regulation Enforcement Act. Provides that if a cottage food operation is located in another state, it must register with the local health department for the unit of local government where it will sell products. Provides that a cottage food product shall not be shipped out of State unless it is compliant with the laws of the state to which it is being shipped. Provides that a local health department may establish policies to allow for the indirect sale by retailers of food and drink produced by a cottage food operation within its jurisdiction. Makes conforming changes.
Creates the Whipped Cream Charger Sales Restriction Act. Provides that no person, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, firm, or any other business entity doing business in the State shall sell or offer for sale a whipped cream charger to any person under the age of 21. Provides that any person, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, firm, or other business entity doing business in the State selling, offering for sale, or distributing whipped cream chargers shall require proof of legal age prior to allowing an individual to purchase or receive a shipment of whipped cream chargers. Provides that identification is not required of any individual who reasonably appears to be at least 25 years of age. Provides that an individual’s appearance shall not constitute a defense in any proceeding alleging the sale or distribution of whipped cream chargers to an individual under 21 years of age. Provides that the Attorney General may impose a civil penalty after notice to the person, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, firm, or any other business accused of violating the Act and an opportunity for that person to be heard in the matter. Provides that the Attorney General may file a civil action in the circuit court to recover any penalty imposed under the Act. Provides that any person, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, firm, or any other business entity that violates the Act shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than $250 for an initial offense and not more than $500 for the second and each subsequent offense.
Recognizes the music genre of hip-hop in commemoration of its 50th anniversary and its continued cultural and social impact on the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois.
The Citizens Utility Board (CUB) on Wednesday thanked Gov. J.B. Pritzker for protecting Illinois consumers and issuing an amendatory veto on Ameren’s controversial “Right of First Refusal” legislation that the watchdog said would have needlessly raised costs for electric customers.
An amendment to House Bill 3445 would have given Ameren Illinois a monopoly over transmission projects. Having the “Right of First Refusal” means Ameren would have gotten first dibs on these big wire projects, thus eliminating the competitive bidding process for transmission projects in the utility’s territory.
Customers pay for these transmission projects through their electric bills, so Ameren’s proposal would have exposed customers to higher costs, at a time when they already face a record $1.3 billion rate-hike request on another part of their power bills. Ameren customers also face the utility’s proposed $148.9 million gas hike.
“CUB thanks Governor J.B. Pritzker for protecting consumers and issuing an amendatory veto on a provision of House Bill 3445 that would have given Ameren a monopoly over transmission projects,” CUB Executive Director Sarah Moskowitz said. “Not having a competitive bidding process for transmission projects risks higher costs for electric customers.”
Interestingly, the bill applies only to Ameren Illinois, which serves downstate Illinois, and not Commonwealth Edison. Ordinarily, the IBEW, which represents thousands of workers at both utilities, would have pushed to favor both companies.
But ComEd’s admission of an elaborate bribery scheme aimed at currying favor with former House Speaker Michael Madigan, and the recent convictions of the so-called “ComEd Four,” including former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore, on conspiracy and bribery charges, led backers to focus only on Ameren.
Senate President Don Harmon told me he viewed the bill as pro-union (IBEW), not pro-Ameren, but, man, this just didn’t smell good.
* The Ameren/union amendment popped up out of nowhere on May 25th. It was sent to the non-substantive Senate Assignments Committee that same day and immediately advanced to the Senate floor, where it passed 41-9 with one abstention. The House concurred the very next day on a 63-32-2 vote, far less than a veto-proof majority, likely because some House members were a bit more informed about the bill by that time, and/or upset with the way it was being muscled through.
While we have not yet reviewed the language in detail, we echo comments issued by the Department of Justice and FTC, which state that the 2011 federal elimination of “Right of First Refusal” resulted in new benefits for consumers: lower rates, improved service and increased innovation. We are concerned about the impact that of a right of first refusal will have on consumers, as a right of first refusal generally increases transmission costs. Research has demonstrated that competitively-bid projects are typically more affordable, costing 40% less than projects that are not competitively bid. We are concerned that right of first refusal stifles competition and discourages new entry to the market.
* The IBEW sent out a press release today with some decent counter-arguments, including these…
* The bottom line is that this is a huge issue involving a large and powerful utility company passed in the literal wake of the biggest utility-related corruption trial in Illinois history. This wasn’t one of those bills (like the assault weapons ban) that had been percolating and negotiated and various elements heard in committee for months or even years and then passed when the votes were finally rounded up.
House Bill 3445 deserved far more debate and scrutiny than it got. But if the legislature is gonna continue doing this sort of stuff, then maybe it does need to be reined in by the Supreme Court. /rant
At the official rally on the Director’s Lawn, Illinois House Republican Leader Tony McCombie, R-Savanna, addressed Pritzker’s remarks a day earlier accusing Republicans of persuading GOP voters to “believe their lies.”
“The problem is that here in Illinois, we have a low tolerance for bull—-,” Pritzker said on Wednesday.
“Democrats’ tolerance for bull—— might be low, but their tolerance for corruption is apparently sky high,” McCombie said Thursday to cheers from fellow Republicans. “They’re huddled up right now on yet another trial brought on by bribery, lying and self-interest.” […]
Illinois Senate Minority Leader John Curran, R-Downers Grove, said most voters “don’t want the extreme, expensive, unsafe policies being shoved down their throats by the Democratic majorities in this state.”
Illinois’ National GOP Committeewoman Demetra DeMonte, meanwhile, strategized on how to deal with the issue of abortion.
“Abortion is a topic that kind of sounds tough to talk about,” she said. “And that’s pretty much what our candidates did in 2022.”
While the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade put the decision on abortion rights back to the states, DeMonte said, Republicans should push back against claims that it did more than that. And they should pressure Democrats to define the acceptable limits for abortion, she said.
“The Democrats won by spewing lies in 2022,” she said. “Make no mistake, abortion will be their number one on their playbook in ‘24. Why change a winning strategy? We are the ones that must change – we Republicans must put Democrats on the defensive on abortion.”
Party leaders also acknowledged that abortion rights, which motivated Democratic voters — particularly women in the once GOP-rich suburbs — and led to election successes last year, will remain a critical 2024 election-year issue that they will have to try to counter.
“Why change a winning strategy?” Demetra DeMonte, the state’s Republican national committeewoman, said of Democrats during a breakfast meeting of GOP leaders. “We are the ones that must change. We Republicans must put Democrats on the defensive on abortion.”
Noting an “unending drumbeat” of Democratic ads on abortion rights last year, DeMonte and other Republicans said the GOP must work to label Democrats as extreme on the issue.
Republicans held their annual breakfast meeting Thursday, where navigating the abortion issue was another touchy topic.
“In Illinois, we’re not talking about life or choice. We’re talking about extremes,” McCombie said. “We’re talking about late term abortions. We’re talking about repealing parental notification. We’re talking about taxpayer funding. We’re not talking about choice or life in Illinois.
*** UPDATE *** Personal PAC CEO Sarah Garza Resnick responds to Leader McCombie…
At Personal PAC, we’ve been crystal clear: abortion rights. No exceptions. Leader McCombie’s rhetoric crosses a dangerous line, indeed calling reproductive choice back into question. This moment calls for the principled expansion of abortion access and improvement of equity across the state. As a non-partisan advocacy organization, we would welcome the partnership and support of any General Assembly member or candidate in this fight.
Still, even if Illinois Republican leaders wanted to redirect the conversation away from the former president and his legal troubles, there were signs of his continued hold over his party, including Trump campaign signs.
It is a reminder of the conundrum facing state Republicans as the former president is politically toxic, with moderate suburban voters needed to win general elections, but remains a favorite of the party’s downstate base.
This was clear in the Republican primary race for the 12th Congressional District, which features incumbent Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, and former GOP gubernatorial nominee Darren Bailey. Both have endorsed Trump.
“It’s bogus, it’s a complete witch hunt,” Bailey told reporters at the fairgrounds on Thursday. “What’s going on should be illegal. We need more attorney generals across the United States actually filing indictments against Joe Biden and many of the other people in office.”
Bailey concluded his term in the state Senate in January after a failed gubernatorial attempt in 2022. He never ruled out a return to politics in the months following and announced his run for the Illinois 12th Congressional District in July.
There, he will face off against U.S. Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, a five-term congressman representing 34 counties in southern Illinois. Bost was not in attendance for GOP Day, but was joined by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy for an O’Fallon campaign event that afternoon.
Bailey characterized the Bost-McCarthy event as a “sign of desperation,” from his primary opponent and attempted to link him as a Washington insider.
“Mike Bost has been very loyal to DC and I expect DC to be very loyal to Mike Bost,” Bailey contended. “When I get elected, my loyalty is going to go to the people in the 12th congressional district.”
* More…
* WAND | Illinois Republicans bash Pritzker, push for conservative family values in state politics: House Republican Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) said she’s optimistic for a productive session when she was sworn in for the 103rd General Assembly in January. While McCombie’s team consistently asked for meetings with Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, she said Welch was not honest or transparent with the House Republican Caucus. McCombie said the spring session was chaos and Welch showed he is the “master of mismanagement.”
* WGN | ‘Let’s talk about Illinois’: GOP leaders turn focus away from Trump at State Fair: There was visible support for the former president at a picnic on Thursday despite the allegations that he orchestrated a conspiracy to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. “I believe an indictment does not prove that you’re guilty,” Republican voter Paul Hofmann said. “I would like to see a change in venue. All of this is politics and politics can be a very brutal sport.”
* Sun-Times | Copi dokey? Illinoisans getting hooked on renamed invasive carp delicacies at State Fair: “We have been very busy,” said Darla Drainer, co-owner of the Grafton-based shack, which was contracted by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to serve up copi. “People have been seeing the signs all over the place. People just absolutely have loved it. Every time I ask: ‘Thumbs up. Very good.’”
* Daily Herald | Glendale Heights board asks village president to resign in wake of criminal charges: The Glendale Heights Village Board on Thursday night asked its embattled president, Chodri Ma Khokhar, to resign because he is facing criminal charges accusing him of filing false police reports. “Considering the mayor’s conduct … the best interest of the community would be served by his immediate resignation,” Trustee Chester Pojack said, reading from a statement he said was signed by all trustees.
* Tribune | City ‘will suffer’ if officer disciplinary hearings are held out of public view, Police Board president says: Addressing a recent effort by the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7 to remove 22 misconduct cases from the board’s docket, Ghian Foreman, the board’s president, said: “Police accountability and, ultimately, the people of Chicago will suffer if the most serious police disciplinary cases are removed from the police board’s jurisdiction, which is what will happen if this decision is allowed to stand.”
* Crain’s | Northwestern floats modifications to stadium project: In a message Thursday night, school President Michael Schill said the university is willing to dial back the number of summer concerts at the new Ryan Field to six from 10, a move apparently aimed at addressing concerns raised by nearby residents in Evanston and neighboring Wilmette.
* Apartment Therapy | A Frank Lloyd Wright Home in Chicago Is Listed for Just $75K: Now, if you’re thinking that’s just too good to be true, it’s worth noting that this dream home does come with some pretty major caveats. The property, located in Wright’s Waller Apartments at 2846 W Walnut Street, is being sold as-is, but it’s definitely not move-in ready. In fact, the interior of the two-story home has been gutted down to the studs, and the back porch needs to be replaced. But even if you’ve got the budget for a complete reno, you’ll need to work with a developer that has city development experience, and the exterior will need to remain in compliance with its Chicago Landmark status, which means only minor repairs to the outside will be allowed.
* The Big Lead | Dick Bigger Jr. Gets His Ball Signed at Illinois State Fair: While most people are paying very close attention to the Iowa State Fair, there’s another Midwestern gathering going on at the neighboring Illinois State Fair. While Ron DeSantis and other Republican presidential hopefuls are in Iowa, Illinois has to settle for Governor J.B. Pritzker who was nice enough to stop and sign a baseball for Dick Bigger Jr., of Biggsville, Illinois.
* Didn’t work for Vallas, so will it work for Davis?…
WHAT: Former Secretary of State Jesse White will endorse Congressman Danny K. Davis for reelection to the 7th Congressional District.
WHO:Congressman Danny K. Davis
Former Secretary of State Jesse White
Supporters
WHEN: Thursday, August 17, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. cst
LOCATION: Blessed Sacrament Youth Center, 3600 W. Cermak, Chicago
* The Democrats threw out a lot of red meat yesterday, and the Republicans did it today. One example…
McCombie says that Welch wants to expand Dems House majority from 78 to 84 seats. Plausible given the gerrymandered map + fundraising challenges for Republicans. Though acknowledging it’ll be a “challenging” cycle, she says “bring it on.” #twillhttps://t.co/kk39om1iF7
* The Director’s Lawn on the Illinois State Fairgrounds has a problem. The area in front of the stage is in direct sunlight, so folks are content to stand or sit in the cool shady breeze. Both Governor’s Day and Republican Day had good-sized crowds, but you’d never know it because people don’t want to sit in the sun. Maybe the two parties need better crowd wranglers, but maybe also the seating could be made more comfortable for the people who schlep themselves to the events. Here’s Governor’s Day…
Republican day…
This was a problem even before they rearranged the Director’s Lawn to move the stage far away from the road (and potential protesters). But it was quite noticeable this year.
* Interesting…
With the departure/move of Sens. Pacione-Zayas and Van Pelt and Reps. Collins, Hurley, and Robinson, here's what the ol' ILGA tenure chart looks like.
Notably, your average Senate Republican has now served longer than the average member of any other caucus. pic.twitter.com/KaqP8m5g7O
Attorney General Kwame Raoul called for immediate action from the federal Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to grant work authorization permits for immigrants who have been allowed to enter and remain in the United States temporarily.
Many new arrivals have been “paroled” into the United States, meaning that they are legally allowed in the country while their request for admission is reviewed. Those who have been granted parole are immediately eligible for work authorization, but processing delays have left many newcomers unable to support themselves and their families. This has also placed an increasing and unsustainable burden on states that offer support services to ensure these new arrivals do not go without food, shelter, education and medical care. Raoul joined a coalition of 19 state attorneys general in sending a letter to DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas calling for immediate action to ensure work authorization for new arrivals.
“People who come to America and are authorized to work should not face long wait times and burdensome bureaucratic hurdles,” Raoul said. “Giving immigrants the chance to work helps relieve overburdened safety net resources and provides them an opportunity to contribute to the country in which they have sought refuge.”
Processing delays have left many new arrivals eager to find employment waiting for ten months or more for work permits. Wait times are particularly long for those who require a fee waiver, as they cannot submit their applications online. Of those immigrants who have managed to secure employment authorization, many have lost their jobs due to the expiration of their work permits while renewal applications are pending.
Specifically, Raoul and the attorneys general are urging DHS to:
Grant work authorization upon issuance of parole, or allow parolees who have applied for work authorization to work while those applications are pending.
Address inconsistent lengths of parole and streamline renewal.
Automatically renew work authorization permits whenever parole or other immigration status is renewed, like the process for Temporary Protected Status.
Make work authorization applications with a fee waiver available online to streamline and expedite processes.
* Sun-Times | Trump? Trump who? GOP focuses on rebuilding at State Fair — not party’s indicted presidential frontrunner: After humbling defeats across the state last year, Illinois Republicans on Thursday spoke of rebuilding and trying to gear up support in the Chicago suburbs ahead of next year’s elections — with most steering clear of delving into the effects of former President Donald Trump’s fourth criminal indictment. While Illinois Republican Party Chairman Don Tracy vowed the GOP must beat President Joe Biden in 2024 and Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker in 2026, he kept his focus on local elections and bashing Chicago as “a great city with lousy governance.”
* Illinois Times | CO2 pipeline stalled in Sangamon County: The Republican-controlled board voted unanimously on Aug. 8 to enact a moratorium through Dec. 31 on issuing any permits for future underground storage of CO2 from the proposed CO2 pipeline through the county.
* WICS | Aim high grant program: A bipartisan effort to retain Illinois’ brightest students becomes permanent law: Signed into law by Governor Pritzker, House Bill 301 will now officially make the aim high grant program permanent. “Really, it’s great because it helps kids, it helps families, parents, you know, and most importantly we want these kids to stay in Illinois, want them to invest in Illinois graduate you know work here spend their money here and it’s just a great program to try to help keep the best and brightest in Illinois,” said Senator Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet).
* SJ-R | Alderman hopes modifications for cannabis-related businesses can spur minority ownership: The resolution would lower the setbacks for such businesses operating in proximity to schools, houses of worship and residential areas. The current setback is 1,500 feet, but the resolution would lower it to 1,000 feet. The setback for businesses that grow cannabis will remain at 1,500 feet.
* Crain‘s | Citadel acquires Yellow debt owned by Apollo, other lenders : An affiliate of Ken Griffin’s Citadel has acquired roughly $485 million in Yellow Corp. debt previously owned by Apollo Global Management Inc. and other senior lenders to the bankrupt trucking firm, according to a person familiar with the matter.
* Tribune | Chicago Air and Water Show 2023: Lineup, schedule, accessibility and where to watch US Air Force Thunderbirds: Just a few generations ago, flying was a marvel to most Chicagoans. They caught “aviationitis” and loved to watch fantastical flying machines soar over the lakefront. That love affair continued to 1959 when water skiers, games and a diving competition filled the lineup for the city’s first air and water show, which was a celebration for kids in the Chicago Park District’s day camp program. It was produced for just $88.
* Block Club | Here’s How West Siders Can Apply For Federal Flood Assistance: For those who suffered damage to their home and have insurance for their home or apartment, FEMA asks that those residents first file a claim with their insurance provider. Residents who did suffer damage and do not have insurance or have under-insured losses can contact FEMA to register for assistance, according to the federal agency.
* AG News | Governor’s sale of Champions brings in more than $280,000 for Illinois Ag Youth: Governor JB Pritzker and First Lady MK Pritzker had the winning bid on the Grand Champion Steer for the 4th year in a row at $105,000 which tied the record the First Lady set in 2021. The steer will be donated to Feeding Illinois and sent to food banks across the state.
- Today, the state of Illinois reported 6,153,500 non-farm jobs beating our previous record from January 2020 of 6,145,400.
- Illinois reported 5,334,000 private sector jobs, beating the previous record of 5,130,000.
- In the last month the state added 11,200 jobs, a .2% increase—that’s double the rate of increase of the nation as a whole.
“Illinois has experienced consecutive job growth every month this year, and today’s record-breaking total payroll jobs data is clear indication of the marked level of strength in the labor market throughout the state,” said Deputy Governor Andy Manar. “As the state continues to prioritize investments in workforce opportunities, IDES and its partners stand ready to provide the services needed for individuals to take advantage of the new and expanding job possibilities across Illinois.”
The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that the unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.0 percent, remaining at the lowest level since the onset of the pandemic, while nonfarm payrolls increased by +11,200 in July, surpassing the pre-pandemic number of total nonfarm payrolls, based on preliminary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and released by IDES. The June revised unemployment rate was 4.0 percent, unchanged from the preliminary June unemployment rate. The June monthly change in payrolls was revised from the preliminary report, from +8,400 to +9,700 jobs. The July unemployment rate and payroll jobs estimate reflect activity for the week including the 12th.
In July, the industry sectors with the largest over-the-month job gains included: Educational and Health Services (+6,400), Trade, Transportation and Utilities (+4,500), and Government (+1,900). The industry sectors with monthly payroll job declines included: Professional and Business Services (-3,000), Other Services (-900) and Manufacturing (-500).
“Illinois has experienced consecutive job growth every month this year, and today’s record-breaking total payroll jobs data is clear indication of the marked level of strength in the labor market throughout the state,” said Deputy Governor Andy Manar. “As the state continues to prioritize investments in workforce opportunities, IDES and its partners stand ready to provide the services needed for individuals to take advantage of the new and expanding job possibilities across Illinois.”
“It’s clear that Illinois is making significant progress as we achieve this notable milestone for payroll jobs,” said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. “Illinois is experiencing a banner year for economic development and DCEO remains committed to providing resources and support to job seekers and job creators across the state.”
The state’s unemployment rate was +0.5 percentage point higher than the national unemployment rate reported for July. The national unemployment rate was 3.5 percent in July, down -0.1 percentage point from the previous month. The Illinois unemployment rate was down -0.4 percentage point from a year ago when it was at 4.4 percent.
Compared to a year ago, nonfarm payroll jobs increased by +89,700 jobs, with gains across most major industries. The industry groups with the largest jobs increases included: Educational and Health Services (+42,500), Government (+27,200), and Leisure and Hospitality (+26,500). Professional and Business Services (-12,400), Manufacturing (-10,200), and Information (-5,200) reported declines in payroll jobs. In July, total nonfarm payrolls were up +1.5 percent over-the-year in Illinois and up +2.2 percent in the nation.
The number of unemployed workers was 255,100, the lowest level since the onset of the pandemic. The number of unemployed was down -1.2 percent from the prior month, and -11.0 percent over the same month one year ago. The labor force was down -0.2 percent over-the-month and down -0.3 percent over-the-year. The unemployment rate identifies those individuals who are out of work and seeking employment. An individual who exhausts or is ineligible for benefits is still reflected in the unemployment rate if they actively seek work.
In June 2020, Governor Pritzker launched Get Hired Illinois, a one-stop-shop website to help connect job seekers with hiring employers in real time. The site features virtual job fairs, no-cost virtual training, and includes IllinoisJobLink.com (IJL), the state’s largest job search engine, which recently showed 53,334 posted resumes with 107,599 available jobs.
The record comes almost a year after the nation passed its pre-pandemic total last September. But gleeful officials in Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration trumpeted the news, saying it proves Illinois is on the right path.
* The day started at the Illinois Democratic County Chairs’ Association Brunch, Rick Pearson reports…
“They say they want to solve real problems. But then they spend all of their time screaming conspiracy theories about ‘The Purge,’ about Disney, about green M&M’s and space lasers,” Pritzker told several hundred people at the annual Democratic County Chairs’ Brunch.
The festivities, both at the brunch in the downtown Bank of Springfield Center and later on the director’s lawn at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, provided an early look into Democrats’ strategy for the 2024 election, focusing on a platform of protecting democracy and abortion rights a year ahead of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
The vote for president is the only statewide race next year, but the ballot will also include all 17 congressional seats — with Democrats now holding a 14-3 advantage — as well as all 118 state House and at least 20 of the 59 state Senate seats. […]
Pritzker thanked the county chairs for their help in his reelection, saying, “Together, we built a blue wave — a tsunami that swept away the red wall of Uihleins and Griffins and Rauners and Trumps.” […]
“Illinois Democrats have done more in the last five years to push back on the wave of authoritarian, anti-democratic MAGA Republican nonsense than in any other place in the country,” the governor said. “Leave it to us to raise the tallest flag in the fight against modern American fascism.
“Let me make one thing clear: Everyone indicted or accused in America is entitled to a presumption of innocence and every right under the due process clause of our Constitution,” U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois, said at the IDCCA event. “But having said that, the charges against Donald Trump are not just another political wrinkle in the campaign – the charges against Donald Trump are the most serious charges ever made against a public official in America.”
Pritzker said Illinoisans rejected Trump and statewide candidates that associated themselves with him because Illinoisans “have a low tolerance for bull—-,” riling up the crowd at the Bank of Springfield convention center.
“You know the old story about the emperor who had no clothes?” Pritzker said. “Well, he couldn’t get 10 feet in the South Side Irish Parade or in the Bud Billiken parade or at the State Fair without someone here telling him he’s naked.”
Pritzker contended that Illinois’ rejection of Trump, along with its actions to bolster unions, protect abortion rights and control guns, all contributed to Illinois being chosen as the site of the 2024 Democratic National Convention.
“We are a beacon for national success,” Pritzker said. “We are Barbie when everyone else is just Ken.”
After the brunch, Democrats held a very short rally on the Director’s Lawn at the Illinois State Fair. Afterward, Pritzker told reporters he’s confident the fight for reproductive rights will continue to bring Democrats to the ballot box — and the momentum will not lose steam ahead of next year’s elections.
“Democrats are motivated, and they are all across the nation, not just in Illinois. But I’ll tell you we can already see — and you see this in Ohio, you saw it in Kansas — that one of the issues that’s animating Democrats is preserving reproductive rights for women, and women’s rights are under attack,” Pritzker said. […]
Of his own political ambitions, Pritzker was asked if he’d challenge President Joe Biden in a primary “in a pinch.”
“I’m for Joe Biden. I’m fighting for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris,” Pritzker said. “They’re gonna win in November of 2024.”
With neither of the state’s U.S. senators or any of its statewide constitutional officers on the ballot next year, the focus this year was decidedly national as Pritzker and Democrats seek to keep Biden in the White House.
However, all state House seats will be up along, with a third of state Senate seats. Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, speaking briefly alongside House Speaker Chris Welch, D-Hillside, touted the gerrymandered legislative maps passed in 2021 that will likely ensure Democrats maintain control of the General Assembly through this decade. […]
Among the attendees of festivities in Springfield Wednesday was Jim Taylor of Decatur, who said it’s an annual pilgrimage for him.
“I always come over here on Democrat Day,” Taylor said. “I’m a die-hard Democrat and I like to be involved as much as I can. Not as much as I used to, but as much as I can.”
* Some stuff from X…
JB and MK Pritzker make a $105,000 donation for the best cow in Illinois. It’s a very nice cow named Bill from Kewanee, but if you’d like to see it again, Ag Director Jerry Costello said it’ll be at food banks around the state pic.twitter.com/lwCtIt80rj
Gov. J. B. Pritzker signs baseballs for Dick Bigger Jr., of Biggsville, during Governors Day at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield on Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023. Bigger has politicians sign baseballs every year he attends the fair and has a ball signed by fmr. President Obama. pic.twitter.com/tHExRwJGZn
First time getting a pork chop on a stick at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield! Thank you to our Illinois Pork Producers!#ILStateFairpic.twitter.com/0M1v66W98V
* WGN | Governor’s Day at State Fair has Dems on display: Chicago alderman Michael Rodriguez made the trip from the city’s Southwest Side to Springfield to celebrate the state’s status as the progressive capitol of the Midwest. “Illinois is an island of blue in a sea of red in the Midwest,” he said. “The fact is we’ve had so many accomplishments in the state of Illinois.”
“You did day in and day out stuff,” McClain told Mapes as he broached the question of whether Mapes would be comfortable going through the list he’d drafted of member assignments to House committees.
Mapes agreed to take a look.
“Are you comfortable with me telling him I talked to you?” McClain asked, referring to Madigan in a phone conversation he did not know was being recorded by federal agents.
Mapes again said he was fine with that, as long as the speaker was too.
“That’s what it comes down to: I don’t want to get in crosshairs with him and some of his staff,” Mapes said. “I hear the view that some of his staff doesn’t like me and they’re on path to shut me out.”
* Today…
Meisner makes a good point about other evidence (there’s plenty), and we still don’t know what exactly Mapes’ defense attorneys wanted redacted.
A downstate judge on Tuesday dismissed a trio of lawsuits brought by a former Republican attorney general candidate challenging Illinois’ sweeping gun ban, citing last week’s state Supreme Court ruling that upheld the law in a separate case.
The outcome was expected after the high court in a 4-3 decision said the ban on an extensive list of high-power semi-automatic weapons and high-capacity magazines does not violate the state constitution’s equal protection clause.
In that case and those brought by attorney Thomas DeVore, the plaintiffs argued the law violated the constitution by creating exemptions for certain trained professionals and for people who owned the now-banned firearms at the time the prohibition took effect, among other issues.
DeVore, who last year ran unsuccessfully for attorney general, said he plans to appeal Tuesday’s lower court ruling. […]
In addition to dismissing the case with prejudice, meaning it can’t be refiled, Jarman vacated temporary restraining orders that had blocked enforcement of the law against more than 150 licensed gun dealers and other entities as well as thousands of individual gun owners who were plaintiffs in the cases.
This matter is taken off advisement. This matter having previously come on for hearing on Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss, having considered the pleadings, the arguments, and applicable authority, now being more fully advised in the premises, I find and Order as follows: Plaintiffs filed the First Amended Complaint For Declaratory Judgment and Injunctive Relief challenging the constitutionality of the Protect Illinois Communities Act, also known as Public Act 102-1116 or House Bill 5471.
In Count I, Plaintiffs allege the act violates the three reading rule contained in the Illinois Constitution. In Count II, they allege that exceptions to the prohibition of possession, and sale of certain weapons, and devices contained in the act, violate the right to equal protection. Count III seeks a permanent injunction against enforcement based on the grounds alleged in Counts I and II.
Since this court heard arguments on Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss, the Illinois Supreme Court issued its Opinion in CAULKINS v. PRITZKER, etal. 2023 IL 129453. In that case the Court held that the exemptions contained in the act did not deny equal protection, and went on to say that the Plaintiffs in that case are not similarly situated to the trained professionals to which the exceptions apply. Based on CAULKINS v. PRITZKER, Count II is dismissed with prejudice.
The Court did not address the three reading rule, because the Plaintiffs in that case failed to cross-appeal from the denial of relief on those grounds in the trial court. The Illinois Supreme Court has, however previously held that because of the enrolled bill doctrine upon certification by the Speaker and the Senate President, a bill is conclusively presumed to have met all procedural requirements for passage, including the three readings rule. GEJA’S CAFE, v. METROPOLITAN PIER & EXPOSITION AUTHORITY, 153 Ill. 2d 239, 258-260 (1992). Based on the enrolled bill doctrine, Count I is dismissed with prejudice.
Because both Counts I and II are dismissed with prejudice, there is no underlying claim to pursue, Count III is dismissed with prejudice. Based on the foregoing, The pending Motions to Quash Non Party Subpoena and Motion to Quash Discovery Request are moot and not addressed.
The Temporary Restraining Order previously entered is vacated.
From the time Dan Caulkins copied and pasted my client’s complaint and filed it as his own and then hastily ran to the Supreme Court woefully unprepared to make a compelling case for gun owners in this state, I raised the strong likelihood that he would lose his case for the exact reasons the Supreme Court ruled. The lack of effort taken by Caulkins and his legal team is why the Court ruled that he had failed to meet their burden. I called it from the beginning. I commend the AG’s office for their skillful defense and ability to get Caulkins to do what they wanted, and I’m sure they are laughing at the naivety and ignorance exhibited by Caulkins.
Having said that, the IL Supreme Court’s decision that Caulkins failed to meet his burden does not bar my clients from being able to proceed to make their case that they are in fact similarly situated to all or part of the exempt class. The decision for dismissal by the circuit court in Effingham county was premature and in error as my clients have a right to make their case. The circuit court dismissed our client’s case without even so much as a hearing on the matter. As such, we will file a motion to reconsider immediately. In the event the motion to reconsider should fail, we will appeal to the Appellate Court and eventually the Supreme Court. We have evidence to prove the exempt class has nothing to do with training and our clients have a right to present it. Moreover, we will not waive our procedural constitutional violation of the three-readings clause, which Caulkins foolishly did, and we will present this argument to the Supreme Court as well.
Sadly, Caulkin’s ineptitude, and desire to have his five minutes of fame, has presently harmed millions of law-abiding gun owners in this state.
Caulkins’ Facebook comments have been bombarded. Click here for the vitriol. Whew.
…Adding… Heh…
Hey @wics_abc20, great story this morning on how Tom DeVore plans to take state’s gun ban to Effingham County court. But Newschannel 20, you didn’t tell viewers the real news: DeVore’s case was already dismissed. https://t.co/zcZzCK1DNc
Thursday, Aug 17, 2023 - Posted by Advertising Department
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* The Pantagraph | As Illinois Democrats gather in Springfield, a different-looking state party takes shape: It all sounds like a healthy Democratic Party of Illinois. However, many of these gains have actually been made in spite of the state party organization, which for years largely served as a vehicle for former House Speaker Michael Madigan — party chair between 1998 and 2021 — to send out campaign materials for state House Democrats. By law, state parties receive a significant postage discount.
* Daily Herald | Man pleads guilty to hate crime related to vandalism at McHenry County bakery: Joseph I. Collins of Alsip was immediately remanded to the McHenry County jail to serve the required 50% of an 180-day jail sentence. He also is required to serve 24 months of felony probation, perform 200 hours of public service and pay about $3,700 in fines and fees, and pay $2,300 in restitution, McHenry County Judge Tiffany Davis ordered.
* AP | Illinois will provide burial for migrant toddler who died on bus from Texas to Chicago: Rachel Otwell, spokesperson for the Illinois Department of Human Services, confirmed the girl’s name and said the Illinois Welcoming Center, a partially state-funded program, will cover burial costs for Jismary. The child’s great aunt, Gisela Gonzalez, said the family set out for the United States in May from their home in Colombia, where Jismary was born.
* NYT | The Shortage in School Bus Drivers Is Getting Worse: Looking for an alternative, the school district in Louisville, Ky., turned to a software program — leading to chaos. It’s one of many districts struggling to get students to class.
* Business Journal | Mark Mahoney joins ALPLM as chief of staff: “There’s no greater symbol of Illinois than Abraham Lincoln, and this library and museum is a leader in sharing his legacy with the world,” he said. “It also plays a key role in central Illinois tourism and contributes to Springfield’s economic and cultural vitality. I am very excited to be part of a such a great team that works tirelessly to share our history with tens of thousands of visitors every year from all over the world.”
* ScribbleLive is still down. Twitter has stopped allowing people to embed list feeds on websites. So, click here or here to follow breaking news. You can click here to follow the Tim Mapes trial.
