* I think there may be more words on this blog right now than any other day ever. Whew. Anyway, have a great weekend and we’ll talk Monday.
Many moons ago, my friends and I would gather every Sunday night at Bruce’s Tavern at 11th and South Grand for Tom Irwin’s open mic. At one point nearly every Sunday, the Bruce’s Tavernacle Choir would gather around the microphone to sing this song. Thanks, Robbie, for writing it. Rest in peace…
People seeking reproductive and gender-affirming health care in Illinois can now count on additional privacy protections, thanks to legislation spearheaded by State Senator Sara Feigenholtz that was signed by Governor JB Pritzker on Friday.
“In Illinois, we will not let this technology be abused and weaponized as a tool to hunt people down based on a lawful decision that took place during an appointment with their doctor,” said Feigenholtz (D-Chicago). “We have a long history of welcoming those seeking refuge in our state – and this law will help protect that important aspect of our history.”
According to the Illinois Secretary of State’s office, Automatic License Plate Reader data – including real-time location – was previously accessible to out-of-state law enforcement with little to no restrictions. Under Feigenholtz’s law, ALPR data from drivers in Illinois is now protected from being shared with another state’s government or law enforcement for the purposes of investigating or enforcing a law regarding a person’s reproductive health care, gender-affirming care or immigration status.
Under the new law, an out-of-state law enforcement agency who seeks to use ALPR data must now provide a written declaration that the data will not be used to enforce laws that deny an individual the right to obtain lawful health care or detain a person based on their immigration status. Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias worked closely with Senator Feigenholtz and Representative Ann Williams, the bill’s sponsor in the House, to introduce the legislation.
“We have witnessed 20 states systematically dismantling the right to choose in this country plank by plank,” Feigenholtz said. “As anti-choice zealots around the country continue to look for every nook and cranny to criminalize those seeking reproductive health care, we continue to protect them.”
House Bill 3326 was signed into law Friday.
* Equality Illinois…
Advocates celebrated Governor JB Pritzker’s signing of House Bill 1286, legislation that will reduce barriers for businesses serving their communities and customers by allowing for the adoption of gender-neutral multiple-occupancy restrooms by businesses, universities, and building owners who wish to do so.
Sponsored by State Rep. Katie Stuart (D-Edwardsville) and State Sen. Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago), the legislation passed the Illinois Senate 35-20 and the Illinois House 63-41.
House Bill 1286 leaves decisions to adopt a gender-neutral multiple-occupancy restroom up to business and building owners as they determine how best to serve their communities and customers. For those businesses that adopt the restrooms, the bill establishes strong requirements to ensure safety, privacy, and inclusion.
HB 1286 is necessary because existing law and regulations require that gendered facilities be adopted before a gender-neutral multiple-occupancy restroom can be implemented. Thus, existing provisions prevent smaller businesses with less resources from serving their customers by adopting gender-neutral restrooms. In 2021, the City of Chicago adopted an ordinance similar to HB 1286.
* Illinois Trial Lawyers…
For nearly 8 years, rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft operating in Illinois have benefitted from a unique loophole in the law that has exempted those companies and their agents from the “common carrier doctrine”, which applies to all other carriers (buses, airplanes, trains, taxis and others) that provide for-hire livery services to passengers. The common carrier doctrine holds that these operators and their agents owe passengers the “highest duty of care” in ensuring safety of their operation, and is grounded in the recognition that passengers surrender control of their safety to such operators when they utilize these transportation services.
The enactment of House Bill 2231 removes the special common carrier exemption that was granted to the rideshare industry in 2015, and ensures that all for-hire livery operators in Illinois are held to the same safety standard.
We applaud Governor Pritzker for enacting this common-sense safety measure, and we thank the sponsors Representative Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz and Senator Rob Martwick for championing this bill through the legislative process, and the host of co-sponsors and supporters in the General Assembly that helped put consumer safety ahead of corporate profits.
Rideshare services are a convenient option for Illinois consumers, and certainly have a place in the menu of options for passengers seeking transportation services. Eight years ago, rideshare services were fledgling companies taking on an established industry; today, in many locations, rideshares are the industry. The enactment of this bill strikes an important balance of helping ensure the safe operation of rideshare companies, while allowing those companies to continue to thrive in the marketplace.
* Illinois Healthcare Cultural Competency Coalition…
The Illinois Healthcare Cultural Competency Coalition applauds Governor JB Pritzker’s approval today of legislation that will ensure cultural competency is part of continuing medical education for a range of healthcare providers in Illinois.
“We are a coalition of civil rights, community healthcare, and labor organizations. HB 2450 will ensure that healthcare providers are equipped with critical information and tools to deliver culturally competent care for the diverse communities they serve. Thank you, Gov. Pritzker, for approving this important legislation that keeps Illinois moving forward. We also appreciate the leadership of our legislative sponsors, Sen. Ram Villivalam and Rep. Dagmara Avelar, for their fierce championing of this important legislation with overwhelming bipartisan support.”
The required healthcare cultural competency education will support healthcare providers, such as physicians, nurses, and dentists, with the tools and information they need to effectively and affirmingly serve communities of color, people with disabilities, people of diverse faiths, undocumented individuals, LGBTQ+ people, people living with HIV, intersex people, and other communities that have been marginalized in the healthcare system. HB 2450 also provides healthcare professionals with the flexibility they need to fulfill their continuing medical education requirements. The bill does not eliminate or repeal any currently mandated topics.
In May, HB 2450 passed the Illinois House with a bipartisan 103-01 vote and the Illinois Senate with a bipartisan 52-04 vote. The new law takes effect on January 1, 2025.
* Sen. Lightford…
Recognizing staff shortages in the EMS workforce, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford led a new law to attract and retain EMS workers.
“The pandemic further exacerbated how vital the EMS professionals are,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “We need to expand the workforce by prioritizing recruitment and retention of highly-skilled workers.”
Senate Bill 761 works to tackle the emergency medical field workforce shortage head on by allowing more flexibility for EMS directors to use alternative staffing models and creating a task force to bring greater training, recruitment and retention to the field.
Currently, there is a shortage of EMS instructors in particular. Lightford’s law will allow people interested in becoming an instructor to bypass taking an IDPH-approved course if they have sufficient experience to become a director. This will help recruit individuals from other states by eliminating unnecessary hoops when moving to Illinois.
“There are plenty of well-trained people who are ready and willing to step up to lead,” said Lightford. “Let’s put that opportunity in reach. Helping EMS workers helps our community.”
Senate Bill 761 was signed into law Friday.
* Sen. Hastings…
The long awaited renovation to the former Tinley Park Mental Health Center will soon be underway thanks to the advocacy of State Senator Michael E. Hastings.
“Transferring the Tinley Park Mental Health Center to the Tinley Park – Park District was one of the best decisions the state made this year,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “The Park District has a track record of working together with everyone in our community and the south suburban region. More importantly, they are capable and have a plan ready when the property is ultimately transferred to them.”
This new law will allow the Tinley Park – Park District to renovate an abandoned property into a first class recreation destination to include a sports park and recreational space for residents in the community to use.
The former Tinley Park Mental Health Center site located on a 280-acre plot of land has been vacant since 2012. The facility was the last of 12 state-owned properties of its kind when its doors were closed a decade ago. Shuttered without maintenance and nestled in the heart of the village, the state-owned property underwent an environmental study in 2019 that lead to the discovery of numerous environmental concerns, including asbestos infested buildings and black mold, among other things.
House Bill 3743 will authorize a land transfer of the presently unoccupied and unused combined campuses of Tinley Park Mental Health District and the Howe Development Center to the Tinley Park - Park District. The Tinley Park – Park District envisions transforming the long-vacant property into a hub of athletic fields, track and field facilities, a domed sports complex and open recreational space to meet the needs of the Tinley Park community and expand opportunities for neighboring communities.
Rep. Rita on the same bill…
State Rep. Bob Rita today is praising a new state law he led this year to create a new recreational and parks showcase in Tinley Park that will create exciting new opportunities for the South Suburbs.
Gov. JB Pritzker has signed House Bill 3743 into law. The bill’s passage was led by Rita in the House from his work with the Tinley Park Park District, his colleagues in the Illinois House and Senate who represent Tinley, and a large coalition of local supporters.
The bill calls for the state of Illinois to sell the rundown former Tinley Park Mental Health Center property to the Park District to move ahead with building a multi-million park and sports complex on the site. Rita also helped ensure $15 million was included in the state budget to clean up the property and prepare it for the Park District to take over.
Rita, D-Blue Island, joined supporters in Tinley in late June to call on the Governor to sign the bill into law.
“This is what the community wanted. They wanted to see a friendly, safe green space, recreational hub, for the entire South Suburbs,” Rita said at the news conference.
Rita said the site will bring people together, and draw activity to the area that doesn’t exist today. The project will serve adults and children, including those with disabilities, and attract sports tournaments and other programs that benefit the entire region.
“We have watched this site sit and waste away for years and years. It’s time to act, and this new complex is the right fit for Tinley Park and the Southland,” Rita said.
“I look forward to working closely with the leaders at the Park Board to make this a turning point for the region, and to build a recreation and park area that makes us proud for many generations ahead. Thank you to Governor Pritzker and my colleagues in Springfield for working together to support our plan.”
* Sen. Villanueva…
State Senator Celina Villanueva championed a newly signed law to allow gender-neutral, multi-occupancy restrooms to be installed in private and public businesses.
“Businesses now have the autonomy to decide how to best show up for their communities,” said Villanueva (D-Chicago). “The inclusivity of this law not only benefits members of the LBGTQ community, but also those with disabilities, the elderly, and people with young children.”
A 2020 law, required that all single occupancy public bathrooms in Illinois become gender neutral.
House Bill 1286 expands on that law, allowing businesses to create gender-neutral multi-occupancy restrooms. However, the legislation is permissive – gender specific multiple-occupancy restrooms are still allowed.
Gender-neutral, multi-occupancy restrooms would be required to include inclusive signage, floor to ceiling stall dividers with locking mechanisms, trash receptacles in each stall, a menstruation supplies vending device, a baby changing station, and be ADA compliant.
“Today we have taken a monumental step to promote privacy, safety and gender inclusivity,” said Villanueva. “We are signaling to parents, caregivers and many other people across the state that their voice matters.”
House Bill 1286 was signed into law Friday.
* Rep. Ammons…
Legislation passed by state Rep. Carol Ammons, D-Urbana, will assist people who have been incarcerated with building new skills and advancing their higher education.
“If the goal of our criminal justice system is rehabilitation, then giving people convicted of crimes the opportunities to learn and develop new skills is absolutely essential,” Ammons said. “Incarceration without rehabilitation is simply revenge, and, in that case, we are inviting offenders to repeat mistakes that pose a threat to their communities.”
House Bill 3648, the Higher Education in Prison Act, requires the Department of Corrections (IDOC) to create a report on higher education programs within IDOC facilities. The goal of this report is to provide the foundation for up-to-date reforms that may be necessary.
The legislation received robust bipartisan support in both the House and Senate and was signed into law by Gov. Pritzker on Friday.
“By helping people get jobs and avoid destructive patterns, this law is a victory for public safety, a victory for our justice system and a victory for incarcerated people looking to earn a second chance,” Ammons said.
* Rep. Canty…
A measure spearheaded by state Rep. Mary Beth Canty, D-Arlington Heights, that promotes equal pay by requiring employers with 15 or more employees to include the pay scale in job postings, was signed into law on Friday.
“It’s past time we relegate unequal pay practices to times past, and this law brings us much closer to making that goal a reality,” Canty said. “Too many generations of workers, especially women, have fought for equal pay and been stymied by employers unwilling to clarify salaries. That ends now. When our kids begin their careers, there will be absolute clarity about pay scale.”
To ensure prospective employees have access to all information on their potential earnings and benefits when determining if they should accept a job, this initiative would require employers with 15 or more employees to publicly post the wage or salary and description of benefits offered for a job, promotion, transfer or other employment opportunity. It also requires employers to provide employees their current wage or salary range along with a general description of benefits upon that employee’s hiring, promotion or transfer, upon the employee’s request.
If an employer does not comply with the act, the Department of Labor would be allowed to conduct its own investigations or file complaints. Any individual who has been aggrieved by their employer’s violation of the wage and salary provisions of the act would also be able to file a complaint with the Department within one year after the date the individual learned of the violation.
“While women have historically been the chief targets of pay inequality, this measure represents progress for all workers,” Canty said. “Simply put, a more transparent workplace is a fairer workplace.”
* Sen. Morrison…
This summer is the perfect time to take up fishing or to reconnect with an old hobby, thanks to a new law from State Senator Julie Morrison that lowers the price of fishing licenses.
“Growing up near a river in Illinois, one of my favorite memories is fishing with my family in the summer,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “Over the past few years, we have grown a greater appreciation for the outdoors, and I want to make sure people have easy access to grow that appreciation and love even more.”
To encourage more people to take up the hobby of fishing, Morrison’s law lowers the annual fee for fishing licenses to $5 for Illinois residents who have not purchased a license in 10 or more years. Non-residents will pay $10.
“There’s nothing better than the bond families can make grabbing a rod and reel and enjoying quality time together,” said Morrison. “From young children to grandparents, fishing is an activity all can grow to love.”
House Bill 2317 was signed by the governor Friday.
* Sen. Koehler…
With the rise of social media influencing, all someone needs to reach fame now is a cell phone. While traditional child actors are protected by the Child Labor Law, there has been nothing on the books for young social media influencers until now, thanks to State Senator Dave Koehler.
“The rise of social media has given children new opportunities to earn a profit,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “Many parents have taken this opportunity to pocket the money, while making their children continue to work in these digital environments.”
Under Senate Bill 1782, minors under the age of 16 featured in vlogs or other online content are covered under the Child Labor Law. The measure calls for the child – also known as a “kidfluencer”— to be accurately compensated.
The idea for the legislation came from Shreya Nallamothu, a 15-year-old high school student in Koehler’s district. Shreya brought her proposal to Koehler with concerns that money made by child influencers is not protected and that too many young people will fall victim to a parent or guardian taking the assets for their own use.
“When scrolling on social media, I always saw young children and families, called family vlog channels, posting videos online. After finding that users could make money off of platforms such as YouTube and TikTok, I learned that, often, these kids are made to participate in videos without any guarantee of the income generated from the content,” said Shreya. “I wanted to work with Senator Koehler to protect the money that these kids have rightfully earned.”
According to CBS News, kidfluencers with one million followers can earn $10,000 or more per sponsored post. Young children are often featured in social media content without any guarantee of the income they have earned. Because of the age restrictions on online platforms, the content is not created in the child’s name, but rather the parent or guardian who runs the account. While traditional child actors in Illinois have the Child Labor Law to safeguard their earnings, there is nothing in place for kidfluencers. Thanks to Senator Koehler and Shreya, Illinois is now the first in the nation to protect child influencers and ensure they are appropriately compensated under the Child Labor Law.
“This new digital age has given us tremendous opportunities to connect with one another, but it’s also presented legal issues that have never existed before,” said Koehler. “We need to work with our children to see the problems they face and tackle them head-on before any further harm is done.”
Senate Bill 1782 was signed into law Friday and goes into effect July 1, 2024.
* Rep. LaPointe…
A pair of bills spearheaded by state Rep. Lindsey LaPointe, D-Chicago, to connect more residents with mental health support and transform the state’s approach to children’s behavioral health are now law.
“It’s critical that we break down barriers to accessing mental health support for our kids and adults - both day to day and in times of crisis,” LaPointe said. “We should think of mental health care as health care, and continue to change policies so more people can easily pursue support across the spectrum, including annual wellness visits through their insurance.”
LaPointe’s House Bill 2847 will require most insurance plans to offer an annual mental health wellness visit at no cost and no diagnosis. Illinois is the third state to enact this kind of law, which encourages Illinoisans to integrate mental health and wellness into their day to day.
LaPointe also led the passage of Senate Bill 724, which implements recommendations from the Governor’s Children’s Behavioral Health Transformation Initiative. The new law aims to increase and streamline access to care, provide for earlier intervention, improve accountability and transparency in service delivery, and create greater flexibility for state systems to respond to the changing needs of the youth population.
“Drastically improving children’s mental health care in Illinois is a ‘must do’,” LaPointe said. “It’s unacceptable that most Illinois parents don’t know where to turn, and often have to send their children out of state for acute residential care. We have tremendous work ahead to build out our state’s mental health services, including the workforce and system navigation help, but I’m encouraged by the direction we are going and the momentum to expand access for families across the state.”
Both measures passed with bipartisan support and were signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Friday.
“I appreciate the strong advocacy from state Sen. Laura Fine and state Sen. Sara Feigenholtz who led efforts in the Senate to get these passed,” LaPointe said. “I also want to thank Thresholds who was the lead advocate behind House Bill 2847. These bills are the result of hard work and dedication from passionate advocates across our state who are making an impactful difference to improve the lives of countless residents. I am incredibly grateful for their partnership.”
* Sen. Aquino…
Legislation sponsored by State Senator Omar Aquino expanding licensing opportunities and procedures for internationally trained and licensed health care professionals was signed into law Friday.
“The demand for qualified health care professionals in our state will continue to grow in the coming years,” said Aquino (D-Chicago). “This law creates a licensing liaison to serve as a resource for international applicants and streamline the process so we can continue to grow our health care workforce.”
Under Aquino’s legislation, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation will create an Office of the Ombudsman for International Applicants. This office will employ a full-time licensing liaison for international applicants to assist applicants in answering questions and providing information on education requirements for licenses.
During the 102nd General Assembly, Aquino supported a law creating the Task Force on Internationally-Licensed Health Care Professionals to explore strategies for removing barriers to licensure for international health care professionals. The Task Force identified the need to create a full-time position at IDFPR dedicated to helping applicants navigate the process of gaining licensure in Illinois.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, international medical graduates worked on the front lines providing critical care to patients across our state,” Aquino said. “Creating a permanent office to help applicants navigate the process of re-establishing their licensure in Illinois is a small way to show our appreciation for their dedication to public health while also helping to combat the shortage of qualified medical professionals.”
House Bill 2948 was signed into law Friday and takes effect Jan. 1, 2024.
* Sen. Feigenholtz…
To set forth concrete guidelines, supports and collaborations that will transform the way Illinois delivers high quality behavioral and mental health care to children and youth, State Senator Sara Feigenholtz championed the Interagency Children’s Behavioral Health Services Act, which was signed into law Friday.
“Families of children with behavioral health challenges seeking help have faced barriers for far too long,” said Feigenholtz (D-Chicago). “The evidence-driven solutions in this plan will create a more streamlined, accessible and responsive system of care for youth in Illinois.”
The plan implements recommendations from the Governor’s Behavioral Health Transformation Blueprint that was released in February. The initiative, which set out to research the current state of mental and behavioral health issues facing children in Illinois and develop recommendations to better help families, was spearheaded by Dr. Dana Weiner and Senator Feigenholtz in collaboration with experts and state agencies that currently serve youth and families.
Feigenholtz’s law creates a centralized intake portal to manage information and provide parents with guidance and referrals to state and community-based programs they are eligible for. It also broadens the supports and placements that community-based providers can offer to youth in crisis, creates a Parent and Guardian Navigator Assistance Program, increases transparency in staffing at residential and institutional facilities and lays the foundation for a plan to provide annual mental health screenings to all K-12 students in the state. Additionally, the law establishes a Children’s Behavioral Health Transformation Officer and Children’s Behavioral Health Services Team in response to the nationwide youth mental health crisis.
“The need for timely and appropriate care cannot be overstated – families and children need access to services now,” Feigenholtz said. “Soon, parents and providers will be able to rely on this legislation as a roadmap to finally get children the care they need.”
Senate Bill 724 was signed into law Friday and takes effect immediately.
* Sen. Belt…
State Senator Christopher Belt led a new law that will ensure fair compensation for teachers and protect school boards from undue financial burdens.
“Our state’s educators deserve a fair salary that keeps pace with the rising cost of living,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “This shows that we care about all teachers in the state who are educating our future leaders.”
The new law will establish the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability as the agency responsible for adjusting the teacher minimum salary in accordance with annual increases in inflation rates. In addition, the law addresses concerns related to potential higher pension contributions resulting from increased minimum teacher salaries. It ensures that school boards will not be penalized for fulfilling their obligation to provide competitive compensation to teachers.
“I’ve always been a vocal advocate for education and a champion for teachers’ rights, and I’ll continue to work hard to support and value them,” said Belt.
House Bill 300 was signed Friday and takes effect immediately.
* Sen. Peters…
Recognizing the humanity of individuals impacted by the criminal justice system, State Senator Robert Peters championed a new law that will end the requirement of disclosing criminal background information in certain license applications.
“There’s no need to disclose criminal background information when it can’t be used against an applicant for licensure,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “Once individuals impacted by the justice system disclose this information, they often face discrimination despite rectifying their mistakes.”
Under previous law, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation would consider mitigating factors and evidence of rehabilitation contained in an applicant’s record after finding that the applicant for a license, certificate, or registration was previously convicted of a felony or misdemeanor.
Peters’ law forbids inquiry into criminal history by IDFPR if the licensing statute states that criminal history cannot be used against an applicant. With this new prohibition, IDFPR would only need to perform a mitigating factor analysis in limited circumstances.
“One of the goals of the justice system is to rehabilitate individuals, not blacklist them once they are released from detention centers,” Peters said. “Second chances are given endlessly to those without justice system involvement. This same opportunity should be extended to everyone seeking to improve their lives and the community around them without judgement.”
House Bill 2826 was signed into law Friday.
* Sen. Peters…
State Senator Robert Peters’ measure establishing an annual report on the racial and ethnic makeup of applicants denied licensure by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional regulation was signed into law Friday.
“Appropriate licensure of businesses is an important stepping stone that allows businesses operate,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “We want businesses to thrive in Illinois. To make sure this is happening, we need our ears to the ground at every level to make sure we are doing everything we can to remove bias in the licensing process.”
Peters’ new law will require the Department to request and report information regarding applicants’ ethnicity, race, sex and disability. By March 1 each year, IDFPR is now required to publish a report with the demographic information it collected, the number of applications for licensure and renewal, and the number of applicants denied licensure in the preceding calendar year.
Under previous law, IDFPR was not required to collect this type of data in licensure applications.
“There comes a time when every information system, no matter how big or small, needs to be updated,” Peters said. “The system update required by this new law will shed light on areas that may need further action, such as a pattern in licensing application denials.”
House Bill 1612 was signed into law Friday.
Today is the first time the House Democrats have been out with timely bill-signing statements in a while.
* Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation executive director Kaethe Morris Hoffer writing in the Tribune…
With the Illinois Supreme Court’s ruling affirming the end of money bail, a more victim-centered system will start in September. Survivor advocacy groups such as the Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation were vital leaders in drafting the Pretrial Fairness Act to support survivors of gender-based violence.
Our attorneys provide free legal assistance to survivors of sexual assault and trafficking. Under the money bail system, we saw the courts disregard victims’ safety by allowing people who caused harm to buy their way out of jail, regardless of risk.
We fought to change this by putting survivor needs front and center while helping draft the Pretrial Fairness Act. Now, when a person is charged with a serious crime, such as rape or domestic battery, they’ll go before a judge for a thorough, risk-based assessment before a decision about their release is made. If a judge decides a person is a “real and present threat” to someone or the community, the person will be held.
Proponents of the money bail system claim that it is a critical source of funding for victim services, but in reality, victims receive minimal funding this way. According to a 2021 state report, of the $1.27 billion collected by Illinois courts, excluding funds refunded to defendants who paid bond, only $11.5 million went to victim restitution across Illinois, and it exclusively went to a small minority of crime victims — those whose perpetrators were arrested, prosecuted and found guilty. […]
Rather than opponents undermining a critical reform like the SAFE-T Act based on spurious concerns about victim services, we encourage lawmakers and Gov. J.B. Pritzker to improve direct funding to victim services and move away from reliance on court fees and fines. This would enable all survivors, not just those who report to police, to get the legal aid, advocacy and mental health care they need to heal.
This year, due to federal cuts, 78% of rape crisis centers statewide will cut staff, 72% will put survivors on waitlists for services and 40% will shut down, the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault predicts.
We urge lawmakers to fully fund rape services programs and ensure all survivors can get support.
* IDPH…
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced that the CDC is reporting that all 102 Illinois counties remained at a low level for COVID-19 hospital admissions as of the end of July. IDPH is continuing to closely watch COVID-19 data and also monitoring other respiratory viruses, particularly flu and RSV ahead of the fall and winter seasons.
* Governor’s office…
Governor JB Pritzker today signed legislation which will allow individuals with certain felony convictions the opportunity to apply for non-gaming positions at Illinois casinos, largely in the hospitality industry. The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) worked cooperatively with UNITE HERE Local 1 and Senate Bill 1462’s sponsors Senator Robert Peters and Representative Kam Buckner to draft the bill. […]
Currently under state law, people who have a felony conviction are ineligible to work at a casino in both gaming and non-gaming positions. SB 1462 removes automatic disqualification for non-gaming positions and allows the IGB to consider individual facts and circumstances about past criminal convictions when making a licensing decision for casino occupational license applicants.
The jobs affected by SB 1462 are for non-gaming positions such as restaurant staff, maintenance, and housekeeping.
The IGB will consider the following factors when determining an applicant’s eligibility for licensure including:
• Length of time since the conviction occurred
• Number of convictions that appear on the conviction record
• Nature and severity of the conviction and its relationship to the safety and security of others and/or the integrity of gaming
• The facts or circumstances surrounding the conviction
• The age of the employee at the time of the conviction
• Any evidence of rehabilitation efforts.
The UpRising Bakery and Cafe in Lake in the Hills made national news last year when its plan to hold an all-ages drag brunch sparked not just outcry and protests but threats of violence against its owner and employees, and multiple instances of vandalism to the business.
Among those paying attention was state Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz. A year later, legislation the Glenview Democrat wrote in part because of what happened to UpRising — which went out of business in May — is on its way to becoming state law.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker last Friday signed Gong-Gershowitz’s Civil Liability for Doxing Act, which will allow some victims of online harassment to sue their tormentors for monetary damages.
“One thing we’ve been seeing is the ability of perpetrators to use the internet to crowdsource hate,” Gong-Gershowitz told us Thursday. “This (law) creates a way to hold accountable those who perpetuate hate online.”
* Governor’s office…
Today, Governor JB Pritzker signed House Bill 1378, which will create the Illinois Graduate and Retain Our Workforce (iGROW) Tech Act to establish a new program that allows students majoring in technology fields to receive tuition grants. The iGROW program will be administered by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) and will be open to students enrolled in associate or bachelor’s degree programs at public or private colleges and universities. Students in IT fields can receive a grant amount up to the total cost of attendance.
* Isabel’s roundup…
* Sun-Times | Illinois Supreme Court upholds state’s semiautomatic weapons ban Friday: The suit from state Rep. Dan Caulkins, R-Decatur, was part of a flurry of challenges to the constitutionality of the ban after it was signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Jan. 10. Some of those challenges are still being fought in federal court.[…] Caulkins tried to get O’Brien and Rochford disqualified from taking part in the weapons ban decision, citing donations from the governor and other Democratic officials. The court denied the request.
* WAND | Illinois Supreme Court finds assault weapons ban constitutional: The Illinois Supreme Court announced its decision in Caulkins v. Pritzker (assault weapons ban case) at 9 a.m. Friday. In a 4-3 ruling, the State Supreme Court ruled the assault weapons bans to be constitutional.
* AP | Illinois Supreme Court upholds state’s ban on semiautomatic weapons: The court also decreed that state Rep. Dan Caulkins, a Decatur Republican, a Decatur pawn broker and like-minded Macon County gun-owners who brought the lawsuit had earlier waived their claims that the law infringes on the Second Amendment to own firearms and could not raise it before the Supreme Court. It’s a claim Caulkins’ attorney vehemently denies.
* Center Square | Illinois Supreme Court upholds state’s gun and magazine ban: “First, we hold that the exemptions neither deny equal protection nor constitute special legislation because plaintiffs have not sufficiently alleged that they are similarly situated to and treated differently from the exempt classes,” the majority opinion said. “Second, plaintiffs expressly waived in the circuit court any independent claim that the restrictions impermissibly infringe the second amendment. Third, plaintiffs’ failure to cross-appeal is a jurisdictional bar to renewing their three-readings claim. Accordingly, we reverse the circuit court and enter judgment for defendants on the equal protection and special legislation claims. We express no opinion on the potential viability of plaintiffs’ waived claim concerning the second amendment.”
* ABC Chicago | Illinois Supreme Court finds state assault weapons ban constitutional: “This bill was written with constitutionality in mind. It was based on bills in other states where the same ban has been upheld and so I am just grateful for the Illinois Supreme Court following along with precedent and doing the right thing,”Ashbey Beasley, Highland Park shooting survivor and gun control advocate, said. “When you have a supreme court where the last two justices that were elected benefitted greatly from political contributions from the governor, it is really hard to be realistic,”Caulkins said.
* AP | COVID-19 took a toll on heart health and doctors are still grappling with how to help: It’s not only an issue for long COVID patients like Camilleri. For up to a year after a case of COVID-19, people may be at increased risk of developing a new heart-related problem, anything from blood clots and irregular heartbeats to a heart attack –- even if they initially seem to recover just fine.
* Crain’s | Maurice Cox, City Hall’s point person on planning and development, is out: The resignation marks the third high-profile appointee of former Mayor Lori Lightfoot to leave Johnson’s administration, following former Housing Commissioner Marisa Novara and the commissioner of the Department of Transportation, Gia Biagi. All three have left within the last month.
* WBEZ | Chicagoans are being left out of manufacturing jobs, a new report claims: But in a recent report, a workers rights group says Chicagoans like De La Rosa who live near these districts aren’t getting the benefits. Instead, the group identifies a “disturbing trend of residents being unable to find work within neighboring manufacturing districts.”
* Crain’s | A bigger Lolla paid off for Chicago hotels, restaurants: Chicago hotels booked a total of 131,190 rooms for last Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, 18% higher than last year’s run and a record for a Lollapalooza weekend, according to Choose Chicago. Revenue was $39.9 million, up 27% from a year ago. Occupancy ranged from 93% to 97% over three nights, the highest for Lolla since 2018.
* NBC Chicago | Chicago-area volunteers to assist with Maui wildfire recovery efforts: As many people are fleeing Maui and trying to get a flight out, some volunteers with the American Red Cross are heading there to assist those whose lives have been uprooted. Paul, a volunteer from south suburban Frankfort, explained that he’ll be working with a fulfillment group, which will load essential supplies and deliver them to those in need.
* SJ-R | ‘He gave everything he had for this town’: Former Sherman Mayor Frank Meredith passes away: “He put all of his heart and soul into making Sherman a better place and exploring all of the different avenues in terms of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and other different mechanisms within Illinois statute that set the village on a path to prosperity that others and I enjoy today,” Clatfelter said Thursday.
* Illinois Times | What’s new at the Illinois State Fair?: Clark also highlighted two initiatives to ensure accessibility to those fairgoers who suffer from sensory-processing disorders and sensitivities, such as autism or anxiety. These include the creation of The Sensory Station in the Emmerson Building, which will serve as a designated quiet space with trained staff available to help overwhelmed individuals regroup, as well as new Sunflower Hours on Aug. 12 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
* SJ-R | Ribbon cut to open State Fair promising excitement for all: The Governor was joined by Lt. Governor Julianna Stratton, Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello II, Springfield Mayor Misty Buscher, State Sens. Doris Turner, D-Springfield, and Steve McClure, R-Springfield, Illinois County Fair Queen Paige Van Dyke and a host of mascots and cheerleaders from the state’s colleges and universities to help welcome people to the 170th annual celebration of all things Illinois, with a large emphasis on the theme of the fair, “Harvest the Fun.”
The “57” represents my time serving as Missouri’s 57th Governor. I was honored to earn 57% of the vote during our election in 2020. AND, as a lifelong Chiefs fan, serving as the 57th Governor when the Chiefs won the 57th Super Bowl was a welcomed bonus.
The outline of Missouri represents my love for this state and its people. This state has always been my home, and when I got out of the Army, I told myself on the tarmac in Springfield that I would never leave this state again.
The lightning bolt is a nod to Elvis Presley’s album and motto “taking care of business in a flash” – perfectly summarizing the actions of our Administration since day one. Through every challenge, we’ve always taken care of business.
This tattoo is even more special to me because my talented granddaughter drew and designed the whole thing.
Following a comprehensive internal review of federal revenue reimbursements in the State’s Medicaid related programs, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) and the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) identified a computer programming error that led to incomplete federal Medicaid match claims. While this delayed the receipt of a portion of federal funding match, the state is now pursuing this additional one-time federal reimbursement that is within the allowable federal funding window. There was no delay in payment to organizations providing services to individuals and this federal reimbursement delay did not postpone any implementation of developmental disability services.
After a multi-agency internal review of federal funding sources, the agencies impacted determined that a technical coding error delayed communication between IDHS and HFS to submit claims for federal Medicaid reimbursement for community-based services for people with developmental disabilities. Submission files to HFS for payments for service dates between the end of 2020 and June 2022, totaling $601 million in federal match, were impacted by the programming errors, or less than 2% of what HFS drew in federal revenues during that time period. Internal checks on the multi-agency process were missed during this period due to increased Medicaid spending and enhanced federal match rates that masked the delayed reimbursement.
The programming error has been corrected and IDHS has transferred the completed files to HFS so that HFS can submit outstanding claims to the federal government for reimbursement. The vast majority of the spending is still claimable and HFS will seek a federal waiver to process claims for a smaller number of older bills impacted. An additional $250-$300 million in federal claiming was delayed for the period in FY23 prior to when the programming fix was implemented. These amounts will also be claimed in FY24, though it is not unusual for federal claiming to include expenses from the prior fiscal year.
After studying the issue to gauge the scope of the bills impacted, IDHS and HFS alerted their external auditors to the delayed reimbursement found by the internal review as part of their annual financial audit process.
Today, Governor JB Pritzker vetoed the following legislation:
Senate Bill 76 – Veto
Senate Bill 76 removes the moratorium on new construction of nuclear power plants to allow for the construction of both advanced and traditional large-scale nuclear reactors in Illinois.
The bill is vetoed because the vague definitions in the bill, including the overly broad definition of advanced reactors, will open the door to the proliferation of large-scale nuclear reactors that are so costly to build that they will cause exorbitant ratepayer-funded bailouts. Additionally, it provides no regulatory protections or updates to address the health and safety of Illinois residents who would live and work around these new reactors.
House Bill 2507 – Amendatory Veto
House Bill 2507 addresses many issues surrounding property taxes, including important property tax relief for surviving spouses of first responders and other more technical changes that the Pritzker Administration supports.
The Governor has issued an Amendatory Veto due to a change that was added to give private nursing home owners in Cook County a property tax break. That break passes the tax burden to Suburban Cook County homeowners and small businesses, with the most impact felt in the South Suburbs. That change to property taxes on homeowners risks driving up costs for residents and threatens local school funding.
House Bill 2878 – Amendatory Veto
House Bill 2878 addresses procurement issues important to the Pritzker Administration. But, because the bill allows for the creation of public private partnerships (P3s) with counties, municipalities, and any other unit of local government without proper oversight in place, the Governor has issued an Amendatory Veto.
The Governor has removed this provision through an Amendatory Veto that creates a local pathway for private industry to enter P3 agreements that skirts transparency and anti-corruption requirements established in state statute, including ethics, BEP, campaign finance, and procurement laws. It also puts the state at greater risk of project failure by decreasing competition and reducing the opportunity for public input currently required under state law during the P3 project planning and implementation process.
House Bill 3643 – Veto
House Bill 3643 amends the School Code to require the Illinois State Board of Education to enter into a statewide education master contract to provide religious dietary options to all Illinois school districts.
The bill is vetoed because it requires the Illinois State Board of Education to enter into a master contract they cannot execute because this is a local school district responsibility. Local school districts, not the Illinois State Board of Education, have the expertise and understanding of local needs required to enter into food service contracts based on federal USDA nutrition guidelines. The bill would restrict the capability that local school districts have to contract meal vendors based on their students’ unique local and cultural needs.
…Adding… Links to full veto messages…
* SB76: Today, at the request of the leadership team of the Speaker of the House and advocates, I will veto Senate Bill 76 from the 103rd General Assembly. … There appears to be real potential for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), which could, in the future, safely provide power for large energy consuming businesses in areas where their energy needs cannot currently be met. However, this bill provides no regulatory protections for the health and safety of Illinois residents who would live and work around these new reactors. My hope is that future legislation in Illinois regarding SMRs would address this regulation gap, and that Illinois will adopt standards that will have been reviewed by experts in the field along with the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission or another similar review panel.
* HB2507: Dr. James Discipio, President of the Village of LaGrange Park, wrote to me and said “I cannot support a law that provides tax breaks for for-profit nursing homes on the backs of already burdened property tax payers.” It is difficult for me to imagine that the General Assembly, had they been aware of this aspect of the bill, would feel any differently. I could not agree more with Dr. Discipio on this matter, and I hope that members of the General Assembly will agree by accepting my amendatory veto.
* HB2878: The bill is the product of months of hard work by staff, contains positive developments to address procurement issues, and includes many items important to stakeholders, including my Administration. Unfortunately, the bill also extends the authority for public private partnerships (P3s) in Illinois from the Department of Transportation and Tollway to also include counties, municipalities, and any other unit of local government, while not providing proper oversight.
* HB3643: Local school districts, not the Illinois State Board of Education, have the expertise and understanding of local needs required to enter into food service contracts. Districts are already responsible for all their food service contracts and will continue to have the capability to enter into contracts with meal vendors based on the unique cultural needs of the students in their communities. Local school districts currently already engage in this practice and do so based on federal USDA nutrition guidelines.
* Jen Walling with the Illinois Environmental Council sent me this earlier today…
Hi Rich,
Attached is a letter asking for a veto on SB76 and I wanted to let you know that Jack Darin from Sierra Club and I have had productive conversations with the Governor’s office and Leader Gabel on behalf of Speaker Welch with respect to our concerns on this issue this week.
The Illinois Environmental Council (IEC), Sierra Club Illinois, and our allies respectfully request that you veto SB76—a bill that would lift Illinois’ decades-old moratorium on new nuclear facilities.
Illinois already has the most nuclear reactors in the country, and we should not add to the growing stockpiles of waste in Illinois communities. The original concerns about constructing new nuclear power plants that led the General Assembly to impose the current moratorium remain today, and in fact, those concerns are arguably greater now than they were in 1987. We are no closer to a national solution for the disposal of dangerous high-level nuclear wastes. As a result, Illinois bears the burden of storing this waste in our communities, including along the shores of Lake Michigan and the Mississippi River. These wastes have significant safety risks and threaten our drinking water and communities.
In addition, nuclear power is extremely expensive. Efforts in other states to build new nuclear plants are plagued with high cost overruns and extensive delays. These exorbitant costs not only dwarf those associated with readily available clean energy technologies, but they also threaten to derail the progress Illinois is now making to deploy win-win solutions like renewable energy, storage, and energy efficiency programs. Illinois should continue prioritizing these investments, which support good union jobs and pathways to prosperity for our marginalized communities, rather than encourage highly speculative proposals for new nuclear energy that jeopardize our clean energy future.
SB76 will not solve any grid capacity issues in Illinois. Illinois does not need the massive, decades-long rate hikes it would take to attempt to site and build new nuclear power plants that wouldn’t be available for over a decade. Illinois does need action and investment now in transmission, storage, energy efficiency, and demand response solutions to ensure adequate capacity and protect consumers from spikes in fossil fuel prices. While Illinois hosts roughly 11 gigawatts of nuclear power, over 700 gigawatts of additional power are awaiting interconnection approval from regional energy markets across the country to backfill the retirement of uneconomic power plants. The majority of these resources waiting in line are solar, wind, and battery storage—proven technologies that are already creating good jobs and delivering consumer savings. These smart solutions should remain our focus.
The rules, regulations, and oversight for all nuclear plants are not up to date. SB76 removes the moratorium on nuclear power without a full study and review of whether current rules and regulations are sufficient to site, build, and operate a nuclear power plant safely. The nuclear moratorium law has been in place since 1987, when the Illinois Commerce Commission supervised and regulated power plants. For the past 25 years, there has been no entity in Illinois that oversees, regulates, or determines generally what plants are built, when, or where. Moreover, the language about granting certificates of public need and necessity no longer applies. SB76 does nothing to update programs or provide additional capacity to IEPA or IEMA, which would be needed to appropriately regulate nuclear facilities.
The siting laws for nuclear are completely insufficient. There are little to no local nuclear permitting and zoning rules on the books. Any plant could be built anywhere at any time, with only approval at the federal level. The issue is even worse in the case of Small Modular Nuclear Reactors, which are proposed to be small units in shipping containers deployed within communities. Projects could, in theory, be deployed near residences, for example.
Finally, we have not solved the issue of waste. Every lawmaker representing the closed Zion nuclear plant voted no on SB76 because of the devastating long-term impact the closed Zion plant is having on the community. The waste will remain at any of these sites for all time, preventing future development or natural resource protection at any site.
Our community is proud of the work we did together with the General Assembly and stakeholders to enact the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) in 2021. CEJA gives Illinois a roadmap to a clean energy future that generates high-quality jobs equitably and attracts global investments in our communities. To sustain that progress, we must stay the course in implementing that vision and reject proposals that would distract our resources from this framework.
In conclusion, SB76 was moved forward without careful consideration, and signing it would open the door to increased risk, negative environmental impacts, and higher costs for consumers while jeopardizing our progress toward Illinois’ clean energy future. Thank you for your consideration of this veto request.
…Adding… Sen. Rezin on the nuke bill…
State Senator Sue Rezin (R-Morris) issued the following statement in reaction to Governor Pritzker’s decision to veto Senate Bill 76, which would have ended state’s moratorium on building advanced, small modular nuclear reactors:
“The governor is clearly putting his own partisan political ambitions over what is in the best interest of the people of Illinois by his sole decision to veto bi-partisan legislation to improve Illinois’ future energy portfolio sustainably and cost-effectively.
Creating a sustainable energy future for our children and our children’s children is not a zero-sum game. We must take advantage of the massive advancements in nuclear technology if we truly want to reach a carbon-free future. Advanced nuclear reactors would help supplement the flaws that wind and solar unfortunately have by providing reliable power 24/7, because wind and solar alone don’t have the infrastructure or technology to provide our state with the reliable, affordable and efficient energy it needs.
Senate Bill 76 passed out of the General Assembly with veto-proof rollcalls because the members of the General Assembly who live and work in our communities know that it is our constituents, and not special interests and political ambitions we are here to serve. That’s why I have immediately filed paperwork to override this veto during our upcoming Veto Session this fall.”
…Adding… Operating Engineers Local 150 on the AV of HB2878…
This amendatory veto won’t impact the I-55 managed lanes project. The Governor’s office wants to ensure that appropriate guardrails are in place, which is well within his purview, and we look forward to working with his office later this year on legislation that will achieve that.
…Adding… Not sure where to put this, but here you go…
In light of today’s news on the assault weapons ban from the Illinois Supreme Court and Governor Pritzker’s veto of Senate Bill 76, below is a statement from House Republican Leader Tony McCombie:
“The extremism of Illinois Democrats knows no bounds. More fraud, more federal investigations, higher energy costs, and more rights infringed.
“Last week State Auditors revealed $5.2 billion of fraud within the unemployment system - some of which was collected by Governor Pritzker’s Executive Branch employees.
“The same week, another federal corruption trial began and Democrats are silent about the need for meaningful ethics reforms.
“Governor Pritzker vetoed a pathway to inexpensive, clean energy, all because Illinois Democrats are dead-set on virtue signaling instead of problem-solving.
“And today, Constitutional rights were besieged by the Democratic Supreme Court that Governor Pritzker spent millions to elect.
“When will enough be enough?”
…Adding… Sen. Villivalam on the kosher and halal bill…
State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) issued the following statement after Governor JB Pritzker vetoed House Bill 3643, which would have required all public schools, the University of Illinois Hospital and state correctional facilities to offer a kosher and halal food option upon request:
“I am disappointed in the governor’s veto of providing Halal and Kosher food options to our youth in schools.
“The innovative concept of the Illinois State Board of Education securing a master contract to accomplish the above goal was one that was brought forward by school districts in their attempt to meet the diverse dietary needs of our students.
“As I have from the beginning, I look forward to continuing robust discussions to accomplish this goal.”
…Adding… ICJC…
Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition (ICJC) on Governor Pritzker’s Amendatory Veto of HB 2878.
“We applaud Governor JB Pritzker for his amendatory veto of HB 2878, calling for greater public input into project planning and implementation. The transportation sector is the largest source of greenhouse gases and past transportation projects have not adequately considered impacts on communities, and especially environmental justice communities already overwhelmed by pollution from big trucks and other vehicles. That input should, at a minimum, include a greenhouse gas analysis of the project and whether there are alternatives that provide more efficient and affordable transportation options.”
…Adding… Leader Gabel…
Majority Leader Robyn Gabel released the following statement Friday:
“I’m pleased to see the governor’s veto of nuclear expansion. Based on concerns raised by the Illinois Environmental Council and Sierra Club, I asked the governor to veto Senate Bill 76. While discussion of the bill was focused on small-scale generators, the language was much broader and would have completely removed the moratorium on any size of nuclear project.
“As IEC noted, our rules, regulations and oversight of nuclear plants is not properly updated to safely accommodate such a dramatic change. There are little to no local nuclear permitting and zoning rules on the books. Unresolved issues regarding waste are also concerning.
“For these reasons, I requested the governor veto this bill, and allow stakeholders to discuss these concerns.”
…Adding… Rep. Larry Walsh…
“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.”
…Adding… The Illinois Environmental Council and Sierra Club Illinois …
“Governor Pritzker acted today to protect Illinois communities from dangerous regulatory gaps in SB76,” said Illinois Environmental Council Executive Director Jen Walling. “Nuclear power comes with significant safety risks and results in highly hazardous wastes that threaten our drinking water, with no safe, permanent waste solution in sight. Rather than abandon all safeguards, Governor Pritzker recognized that such substantial risks merit the highest protective guardrails our state can offer.”
“SB76 would have opened the door to increased risk, negative environmental impacts, and higher costs for consumers while jeopardizing our progress toward Illinois’ clean energy future. We applaud Governor Pritzker for vetoing the bill and ensuring that Illinois follows the roadmap laid out in the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act toward that vision for our future,” said Sierra Club Illinois Director Jack Darin.
* Isabel did a recent coverage roundup…
* Illinois Times | House bill would lift nuclear power construction moratorium: Nuclear power plant construction has been prohibited in Illinois since 1987 over concerns about safe disposal of nuclear waste. The current law requires that there be a demonstrable technology, or means for the disposal of high-level nuclear waste, before any construction permit for a nuclear power plant may be issued. So far, no such technology or means of disposal has been developed. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, some nuclear waste is highly radioactive and will remain so for thousands of years.
* Capitol News Illinois | Pritzker: ‘Devil’s in the details’ when considering lifting ban on new nuclear: “These are smaller, less prone to an accident, more likely for us to be able to maintain them for a long period of time, that’s something that’s worthy of consideration,” Pritzker said. “Now the devil’s in the details and we want to make sure that we’re not just opening this up to nuclear everywhere or any type of nuclear.”
* Tribune | Illinois may lift historic ban on building nuclear power plants as state continues transition from coal and gas: The following week, [Pritzker] told an audience at Harvard University’s Institute of Politics that Illinois was “looking now at removing the ban on nuclear — not to build any major new plants, but there’s small nuclear reactors that are being developed now that are much safer, that could be used in places in Illinois where there’s a lack of energy production.”
* An important key to the prosecution’s case against Tim Mapes is showing that Mike McClain did House Speaker Michael Madigan’s bidding and that everyone knew it. Megan Crepeau and Ray Long…
Gambling legislation, particularly one that included a new casino in Chicago and elsewhere around the state, was one of the thorniest matters to navigate in Springfield because there are so many different special interests seeking input, including horse racing and established riverboats.
[Rep. Bob Rita] said McClain was made available “so I would be guided in the right direction.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia Schwartz immediately asked: The “right direction” according to whom?
“The speaker,” Rita replied, an answer that signaled Madigan could have influence over the legislation despite his potential conflict of interest.
* The defense is trying to show jurors that McClain’s word could be untrustworthy. Jon Seidel at the Sun-Times…
Mapes’ defense attorneys told jurors in opening statements that Mapes knew better than to believe everything McClain said. So, when placed under oath before the grand jury, he chose not to guess or speculate about things he didn’t know or couldn’t remember.
Outside the presence of the jury Thursday, Mapes attorney Andrew Porter tried to persuade U.S. District Judge John Kness to let him ask O’Leary about a previous FBI investigation involving McClain around 2013 or 2014.
Porter said McClain had acknowledged lying to a client about Madigan’s involvement in a matter — and Porter hoped to make the point that even the FBI didn’t believe everything McClain said.
Porter told the judge McClain had said some “frankly crazy things” caught on federal wiretaps.
Kness didn’t allow Porter to get into that investigation in front of the jury. But Porter still asked O’Leary about recorded claims by McClain that then-Gov. Bruce Rauner might pay up to $100,000 for a damaging report on Madigan, or that someone had extorted Major League Baseball.
O’Leary acknowledged he was unaware of any FBI investigations that ensued as a result of those allegations.
And in what could be another point for the defense, O’Leary initially testified that he didn’t even remember them.
Longtime Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan was elevated to that powerful position in 1983 – the same year Motorola launched the first-ever commercially available mobile phone and CompuServe applied to trademark the word “email.”
But Madigan, who held the speaker’s gavel for all but two years until early 2021, never had a cell phone or email address of his own. Madigan, now 81, instead relied on his “tight inner circle” to communicate on his behalf, according to former FBI special agent Brendan O’Leary’s testimony in a Chicago federal courtroom on Thursday.
O’Leary, who retired from the FBI in 2021, spent nearly the last seven years of his law enforcement career overseeing a sprawling investigation into Madigan and his inner circle. The investigation has yielded charges, guilty pleas and convictions from a number of political figures in Illinois – including Madigan himself, who is scheduled for trial on bribery and racketeering charges in April. […]
“He didn’t have a cell phone, he didn’t use emails, didn’t text,” O’Leary said of Madigan. “He used McClain as a go-between…that’s how he communicated – through people he trusted. That’s how his orders went out.”
"Paulie hated phones. He wouldn't have one in his House. He used to get all his calls second-hand, and then you'd have to call people back from an outside phone. There were guys, that's all they did, all day long was take care of Paulie's phone calls" https://t.co/7DUspF9J2R
This is a blow to Illinois. This is a blow to our freedoms. This is a blow to our constitution, the 2nd Amendment. This is a blow to this great republic. My question to you is how much more of this are we going to take, friends?
I’m standing here on my front porch. This porch kind of became famous through the governor’s run and became famous when I was speaking on nonsense. And I made a statement. And sometimes when we make these statements, we don’t know where this is going to go. But if need be, this front porch will be my final stand. I will not allow anyone to infringe on my property on my second amendment rights. I will not allow anyone to come and take anything from me. And if need be, as I quoted before, I will die on this front porch before I give up any of my Second Amendment freedoms.
That is why we must have fighters in Springfield and we must have fighters in Washington DC. That’s why I’m taking our message to Washington DC, because the message has been snuffed out here in Illinois. We must demand more out of our elected officials go along to get along. ‘Oh, I voted no, and I’ve supported this and I didn’t support that.’ That’s not good enough. What are you saying? What are you doing? How are you making your stand?
He then went on to make his pitch for Congress and closed with this…
Be prepared to stand, friends. I’m right there with ‘ya.
State Rep. Bob Morgan (D-Deerfield), the chief sponsor of the Protect Illinois Communities Act, celebrated the Illinois Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the Illinois assault weapons ban on Friday.
The Protect Illinois Communities Act bans the sale of assault weapons, which have consistently been used in mass shootings, as well as large capacity magazines and rapid fire devices. Prior to today’s Illinois Supreme Court ruling, the Act had already survived multiple constitutional challenges. On May 4, 2023, the 7th Circuit Federal Appeals Court rejected a temporary injunction from a lower court judge. On May 17, 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court also declined to block the law.
“With the Illinois Supreme Court upholding the Protect Illinois Communities Act, this common-sense gun reform law continues in full force, despite the efforts of the gun lobby,” said Rep. Morgan. “Since its enactment in January, this law has already prevented the sales of thousands of assault weapons and high capacity magazines, making Illinois safer for our families. The federal courts will continue to assess this law, but today’s ruling prioritizes public safety over the gun lobby trying to impose their dangerous, extreme views through the judiciary.”
Morgan, who is the Chair of the House Firearm Safety and Reform Working Group, is recognized as a legislative champion of gun safety in Illinois, and is working with other national leaders to reduce gun deaths. Morgan witnessed the devastating effects that gun violence can have on a community. Highland Park, Illinois is a part of his 58th District, and he was present at the July 4th, 2022 mass shooting with his wife and children, during which 83 rounds were fired in less than 60 seconds, killing seven and injuring 48 people.
* Sen. Sims…
State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago) released the following statement after the Illinois Supreme Court upheld the General Assembly’s assault weapons ban:
“Today’s decision is a victory for public safety, a victory for communities, a victory for the far too many victims and survivors of gun violence who demand action to pass commonsense gun laws in our state.
“Our communities are tired of the of gun violence plaguing our streets and today’s decision reinforces that Illinois is taking the steps necessary to protect our neighbors and their families. I will rest a bit easier knowing that not only my family, but countless other families, will be protected as they travel to work, school, the mall or church.
“Limiting access to high-capacity magazines and military-style assault weapons will save countless lives. While the Illinois Supreme Court’s decision is a massive step toward ending the bloodshed on our streets, more work is needed to ensure that the tragic gun violence epidemic ends once and for all. I renew my commitment to be a voice and advocate for the victims who have lost their lives to gun violence and for their families who are counting on elected officials for the changes we need to ensure what happened to their loved one doesn’t happen to someone else.
“We celebrate today’s decision, but our work continues.”
* Speaker Welch…
House Speaker Emanuel ‘Chris’ Welch released the following statement Friday after the Illinois Supreme Court upheld House Democrats’ law banning the sale of assault rifles, high-capacity magazines, and rapid-fire modifications:
“The Supreme Court’s ruling upholds the legislature’s commitment to value the lives of our children over guns. This ruling makes it clear that the safety of our cities, our suburbs, and our small towns is not subject to the veto of the gun lobby. Such statements should not be profound or controversial, but in a time when the specter of gun violence looms over every aspect of our lives and preventable tragedies are seemingly a daily occurrence in communities small and large across the country, this ruling in favor of commonsense gun safety is monumental.
“I want to thank Representative Bob Morgan and Representative Maura Hirschauer, who championed this legislation, along with all the members of the Firearm Safety Working Group who dedicated so much time to meeting with stakeholders, studying efforts undertaken in other states, and utilizing that insight to create one of the nation’s strongest gun safety laws.
“We know there is more work to be done. We know no single law can make up for decades of Washington politicians allowing federal regulation to wither and neighboring states refusing even the most reasonable measures to address unregulated gun sales. Our commitment to value innocent lives calls on us to continue the work to get guns out of the wrong hands, to expand access to mental health treatment, and to invest in community-based approaches to violence prevention. I encourage our Republican colleagues to join in these efforts as partners, rather than litigants.”
* Sen. Morrison…
State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) released the following statement after the Illinois Supreme Court upheld the General Assembly’s assault weapons ban:
“I commend the Illinois Supreme Court for taking appropriate action to ensure our state becomes safer. Military-style weapons designed for war have no use on our streets and in our neighborhoods.”
Senator Morrison first led an assault weapons ban bill in 2017. She was instrumental in the passage of the measure passed in January, which came just six after she and her family ran for their lives during the 2022 Fourth of July mass shooting in Highland Park.
This post will be updated.
…Adding… Advocates…
“Weapons and accessories designed for the battlefield shouldn’t have a place in our communities,” said Nick Suplina, Senior Vice President for Law and Public Policy at Everytown for Gun Safety. “Communities across Illinois cannot afford another tragedy like Highland Park to occur and today’s decision by the Illinois Supreme Court ensures that we can keep these deadly weapons of war off our streets.”
“For years, moms, students, survivors of gun violence and other community safety advocates fought hard to pass comprehensive gun safety legislation in Illinois,” said Angela Ferrell-Zabala, Executive Director of Moms Demand Action. “Today’s decision by the Illinois Supreme Court is an incredible victory for our dedicated volunteers who were relentless in their advocacy to pass this life-saving legislation, especially in the aftermath of the tragedy in Highland Park.”
“Earlier this year, following the tireless advocacy of Illinois’ chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, our state took a huge step in preventing gun violence in our communities by banning weapons and accessories of war,” said Sheri Williams, co-chapter lead of the Illinois chapter of Moms Demand Action. “The Supreme Court’s decision today put public safety over the gun lobby’s agenda, and our families will all be safer because of it.”
* One Aim Illinois…
“Today the Illinois Supreme Court ruled in favor of saving lives, without any violation to people’s 2nd Amendment rights. Military-style assault weapons are used for the purpose of killing at a high volume. In fact, data shows that when assault weapons or high-capacity magazines are used about 50% more people are killed and more than twice as many are shot. Today’s decision validates the work done by survivors, advocates and legislators from every corner of Illinois. Our children, our families, and our entire state will be safer for it.”
* Senate President Harmon…
Illinois Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) issued the following statement regarding the Illinois Supreme Court upholding the state’s assault weapons ban.
“This is a victory for common sense. Weapons of war have no place on our streets. I am proud to have worked on it and even prouder to see it upheld in court today.”
Harmon was the sponsor of the legislation creating the assault weapons ban.
* Rep. Hirschauer…
State Rep. Maura Hirschauer released the following statement Friday after the Illinois Supreme Court upheld legislation she worked to pass banning the sale of assault rifles, high-capacity magazines, and rapid-fire modifications:
“I applaud today’s ruling for commonsense gun safety as a lawmaker, as a Moms Demand Action volunteer, and as a mother myself. First and foremost, I’m glad to see our Supreme Court upholding the work so many of my neighbors sent me to Springfield to do. I know there is more work to be done, so I am heartened to see that the voices of so many students, moms, and other advocates means more than the money and clout of the gun lobby. And I’m grateful to know, at least in Illinois, we will value our children more than we value guns. We will not accept the national mania that would have us believe that seeing people massacred in our classrooms, in movie theaters, and on our streets is a price we must pay again and again. We will act on behalf of the students who have spoken clearly about the need for change; we will comfort the parents who drop their kids off at school and say a silent prayer that they make it home safe; and we will continue the work of ending gun violence in every community in this state.”
* Gov. Pritzker…
“I am pleased that the Illinois Supreme Court has upheld the constitutionality of the Protect Illinois Communities Act. This is a commonsense gun reform law to keep mass-killing machines off of our streets and out of our schools, malls, parks, and places of worship. Illinoisans deserve to feel safe in every corner of our state—whether they are attending a Fourth of July Parade or heading to work—and that’s precisely what the Protect Illinois Communities Act accomplishes. This decision is a win for advocates, survivors, and families alike because it preserves this nation-leading legislation to combat gun violence and save countless lives.
* Sen. Feigenholtz…
In response to the Illinois Supreme Court’s ruling on the Protect Illinois Communities Act, State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) released the following statement:
“For decades, the gun lobby has cloaked themselves in the Second Amendment and has purported that America has to live with mass shootings caused by military-style weapons in order to protect their rights. Today in Illinois that ends. The gun lobby has lost and the safety of our communities has won.
“I want survivors of gun violence and loved ones of people killed by guns to know they are not alone in their pain. We are lucky to have so many dedicated advocates and survivors in our state who stepped up and won this fight by talking to their neighbors, sharing their stories, making their voices heard and standing up to those who seek to encourage the use of these weapons in our communities.
“Simply put, this measure will save countless lives. Though no one should have to carry the pain of losing a loved one to senseless violence, I thank the many survivors and family members who so bravely shared their stories to get this measure codified into law.”
* DPI…
Following the Illinois Supreme Court decision to uphold the Protect Illinois Communities Act, Democratic Party of Illinois Chair Lisa Hernandez released the following statement:
“Today, the Illinois Supreme Court has upheld the constitutionality of the Protect Illinois Communities Act, an important victory in the fight to end preventable and senseless gun violence. All Illinoisans deserve to live without fear of being gunned down at school, at parades, in houses of worship, or in any of our communities. Illinois Democrats are leading the way to make that a reality. It is essential that we keep these lethal weapons out of the wrong hands, and I thank Governor Pritzker, President Harmon, Speaker Welch, and Representative Morgan for their commitment to protecting the wellbeing of all Illinoisans. We will continue our work to protect our children, our communities, and our right to live in a world free from gun violence,” said DPI Chair Lisa Hernandez.
* LG Stratton…
Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton released the following statement on the Illinois Supreme Court’s ruling on the Protect Illinois Communities Act:
“Today the Illinois Supreme Court affirmed that we are on the right side of history in the work to end mass shootings by upholding the Protect Illinois Communities Act. Even as we acknowledge the significance of this ruling, we keep in our memories the countless lives lost and disrupted by senseless gun violence. By banning assault-style weapons, high-capacity magazines, and more, today’s victory takes us further in improving our gun safety efforts and building healthier, stronger communities in our state.
“I thank Governor Pritzker, the General Assembly and the thousands of advocates who came together to say, “enough is enough.” There is more work to do, and we are driven to protect the people of Illinois and continue our efforts to make Illinois the safest state in our nation.”
* Sen. Castro…
State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) issued the following statement Friday after the Illinois Supreme Court upheld the assault weapons ban within the Protect Illinois Communities Act:
“Today marks a historic step in ending the continuous gun violence in our neighborhoods and across our state. With a plan in place that bans these weapons, strengthens our ‘red flag’ laws and bans rapid-fire devices, the historic provisions in the Protect Illinois Communities Act will save lives and prevent further tragedies in every corner of our state.
“Reducing the ways dangerous people can obtain automatic weapons creates safer communities. As mass shootings become more and more common, and the use of military-style weapons continues unabated, more lives will be lost without action. Today’s decision shows the rest of the nation that Illinois continues to be a model for transformative change and progress, even when it seems impossible.
“All communities deserve to feel safe in their homes, schools, places of worship and public spaces. The tragic mass shooting in Highland Park last Fourth of July only intensified the need for action. I have heard from residents across the 22nd District – families have had enough. If the federal government won’t step up to save lives and keep violent weapons off our streets, it’s up to us to keep our communities safe.”
* Sen. Aquino…
In response to the Illinois Supreme Court’s ruling on House Bill 5471, the Protect Illinois Communities Act, State Senator Omar Aquino (D-Chicago) released the following statement:
“For far too long, communities across our state and nation have felt the scourge of gun violence in their everyday lives – including our children. With this provision in place, we’re sending a message to the people across our state that we will not tolerate weapons of war flooding our communities, killing our neighbors, family and children.
“There is no reason these weapons should be available for any reason other than for trained law enforcement and military officers to uphold public safety. As a parent, I want to see my children live and grow up without the fear of mass shootings at school or in their communities. Moving forward with the implementation of this law moves us closer to that world.”
* Attorney General Kwame Raoul…
We are pleased with the court’s decision. The Protect Illinois Communities Act is a critical part of a multi-faceted approach to addressing gun violence. We are firmly committed to protecting Illinois residents from the gun violence that impacts too many communities throughout the state. We will continue to defend the constitutionality of the Protect Illinois Communities Act and other measures that reduce gun violence in our communities.
* Sen. Bryant ignores the fact that one of the justices Pritzker supported last year dissented from the majority…
State Senator Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) released the following statement after the Illinois Supreme Court ruled 4-3 to uphold the state’s “assault weapons” ban:
“While the Illinois Supreme Court’s ruling is disappointing, it shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone. The Governor’s hand-picked court provided him cover by not ruling on whether this law violates the 2nd Amendment. But even the Governor knows that this law won’t stand on the grounds of our constitutional right to bear arms when it makes its way through the federal court system.
“I will continue to stand behind and support law-abiding gun owners who want nothing more than to exercise their 2nd Amendment rights and look forward to closely watching the other legal cases currently going through our federal court system.”
* Rep. Windhorst actually quotes MKO…
House Republican Floor Leader State Representative Patrick Windhorst (R-Metropolis) issued the following statement upon learning of the Illinois State Supreme Court’s 4-3 ruling upholding the controversial firearms and magazine ban signed into law in January.
“I was vigorously opposed to the firearms and magazine ban that I believe unfairly and unconstitutionally outlaws firearms and magazines in common use by millions of law-abiding Illinois citizens. Today’s ruling is a disappointment, but I am not surprised given the current makeup of the State Supreme Court.
“For years, I have stood with the law-abiding citizens of Illinois in defense of their right to carry firearms and use them responsibly. For decades, Democrats in Springfield have worked to undermine and take away these 2nd Amendment rights. While we may hear declarations of victory from politicians from the Democratic side of the aisle today, we must remember that there is currently a federal lawsuit pending before the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. The United States Constitution clearly states that the right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. I remain hopeful that the lawsuit pending on the federal docket will be successful, and ultimately the nation’s highest court will deem Illinois’ firearms and magazine ban unconstitutional.
“Democratic Justice Mary K. O’Brien, in her dissent wrote the classifications of firearms and magazines banned, “Do not and will not reasonably remedy the evils the legislation was designed to combat.”
“Instead of addressing crime and criminal behavior, Democratic politicians have continuously passed laws that help criminals avoid punishment and consequences for their criminal actions. A firearms ban will do nothing to stop criminals bent on committing mass shootings or other acts of violence.”
* ISRA…
On Friday, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled in a 4-3 decision in the Caulkins v. Pritzker case, that the assault weapons ban does not violate the state constitution. Richard Pearson, Executive Director of the Illinois State Rifle Association – one of the oldest and most respected gun organizations in the United States, released the following statement:
“Today’s 4-3 decision by the Illinois Supreme Court that the assault weapons ban does not violate the constitution, was no surprise. But gun advocates across the state should not lose hope because our federal case — the ISRA case — which we expect to go before the U.S. Supreme Court, will prove to be a victory not just for law-abiding gun owners in Illinois — but across the country. And the ISRA and the Second Amendment Foundation are proud to stand up for gun owners as we take our case to the highest court in the land.”
* US Rep. Miller…
Congresswoman Mary Miller (R-IL) issued the following statement on the Illinois Supreme Court’s decision to uphold Governor JB Pritzker’s unconstitutional Illinois gun ban.
“The Illinois Supreme Court ignored the Second Amendment by upholding JB Pritzker’s unconstitutional gun ban,” Miller said. “JB Pritzker’s goal is to defund the police, release dangerous criminals onto the streets with his “SAFE-T Act,” and take away your ability to protect yourself and your family. This fight is not over, and the Second Amendment will prevail!”
* Esther Sanchez-Gomez, Litigation Director, GIFFORDS Law Center…
“GIFFORDS applauds the Illinois Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the state’s assault weapon and large capacity magazine regulations. This commonsense law is consistent with the Second Amendment, under which state and local governments have always been empowered to act to protect public safety. This law will undoubtedly save lives.”
* Sen. Chesney…
On Friday morning, the Illinois Supreme Court issued a ruling that upholds the controversial assault-style weapons and magazines ban law. The U.S. Supreme Court will likely decide the issue. In response to the ruling, State Senator Andrew Chesney (R-Freeport), issued the following statement:
“I am disappointed, yet not surprised, that the highly politicized Illinois Supreme Court has chosen to act yet again as a rubber stamp for the Illinois Democratic Party. As long as Democrat lawmakers continue to go after law-abiding citizens rather than the criminals who abuse their gun rights, crime in all forms will continue to rise.”
* Sen. Anderson…
State Senator Neil Anderson’s (R-Andalusia) released the below statement following the Illinois Supreme Court’s ruling on Illinois’ recently enacted gun ban:
“Today, Governor Pritzker was protected by his hand-picked Illinois Supreme Court, which chose not to rule on the merits of the 2nd Amendment. It’s clear that Illinois’ gun ban law violates our right to bear arms and Illinoisans will get a fair shake at getting their rights restored when this law is taken up at the federal level.
“As always, I stand firm behind law-abiding gun owners and will fight against any attempt to infringe on our constitutional rights.”
* Sen. Rose…
State Senator Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) released the following statement after the Illinois Supreme Court ruled to uphold the recently passed gun ban:
“Despite what the Illinois Supreme Court may have ruled, I remain confident that the rights of law-abiding citizens will be upheld in federal court. I would remind everyone that under the Democrats’ other legislative push, the so-called SAFE-T Act, that criminals are running our streets, because the Democrats and their allies fail to enforce the countless criminal statutes that were already in place. They don’t want to arrest and prosecute actual criminals, but they continue going after law abiding citizens. Until you get serious about actually putting bad guys behind bars, all crime, including gun crimes, will remain rampant. That lies solely at the feet of JB Pritzker and his Democrats.
* Sen. Plummer…
State Senator Jason Plummer (R-Edwardsville) released the below statement following the Illinois Supreme Court’s ruling upholding the state’s recently enacted gun ban.
“Today the Illinois Supreme Court tried to thread a needle by refusing to rule on some extremely important aspects of this case, including whether the ban violates the Second Amendment. The justices in the majority stood by their political patrons, not the people of Illinois. But they also clearly showed that they are worried about being overruled by the federal case. The issue sits in the federal courts now, where I pray they have the courage and the decency to put the constitution over petty politics.”
* Sen. McClure…
State Senator Steve McClure (R-Springfield) released the following statement following the Illinois Supreme Court’s ruling on the state’s recently enacted gun ban:
“This ruling went as expected, with Illinois’ very political state Supreme Court ruling to protect their allies in the majority party. There are lawsuits against this ban which are still underway in the federal system, and which have a much better chance of getting a fair ruling on the merits of the law. I believe the gun ban is unconstitutional, which is why I joined with a bipartisan group of lawmakers to oppose it in the General Assembly. I am optimistic that our nation’s highest court will agree and will overturn the law.”
* Rep. Weber…
Following the 4-3 split ruling issued today by the Illinois Supreme Court to uphold the state’s ban on so-called “assault weapons” and “large capacity magazines,” State Representative Tom Weber (R-Lake Villa) issued the following response:
“Once again, the gerrymandered Illinois Supreme Court has issued a ruling based more on partisan preference than constitutional reality. The fact that the majority opinion used a procedural dance around to avoid addressing the second amendment question says it all. Ultimately, it will be up to the federal courts now.”
* Rep. Niemerg…
State Rep. Adam Niemerg (R-Dietrich) is issuing the following statement on the Illinois Supreme Court’s ruling on DAN CAULKINS et al., Appellees, v. JAY ROBERT PRITZKER, in His Official Capacity as Governor of the State of Illinois, et al.
“There was little doubt going into the release of this ruling of how our completely partisan Supreme Court would decide this case. Politics trumps all in the corrupt State of Illinois. This law unequally applies the law by granting some FOID card holders the right to bear certain types of firearms but denies that same right to others. It violates Article IV Section 8 (d) of the Constitution which requires all bills to be read three times. And it violates the Second Amendment. If the ruling class in Illinois had even a shred of honesty and decency the rights of honest citizens would have been protected today. Instead, the far-left activists on the Supreme Court decided to put politics above the law. This decision – while not a surprising one – is the outcome Governor Pritzker bought with the millions of dollars he put into Supreme Court races in the last election. Today is a dark day for Illinois.”
* Rep. Stava-Murray…
Following the statewide assault weapons ban signed into law earlier this year being upheld by the Illinois Supreme Court on Friday, state Rep. Anne Stava-Murray, D-Downers Grove, issued the following statement:
“Today’s holding by the Illinois Supreme Court affirms what those of us who supported this landmark bill knew all along: there is nothing about it that is unconstitutional or legally questionable. Keeping weapons of war out of our neighborhoods and communities and preventing their use in domestic terror attacks and mass shootings is a completely normal and necessary government function in any sane society.
“We knew from the beginning that there would be a reaction from partisan extremists who want these weapons easily accessible to the masses. But today the state’s highest court upheld the principle that public safety is far and away more important than the subjective wants of a fringe minority.
“The fight isn’t over, because other lawsuits are still working their way through federal courts. But today’s holding shows that there’s reason for optimism. We can look forward to a safer, saner Illinois where families can live with greater peace of mind.”
* Rep. Fritts…
Following the release of the Illinois Supreme Court Decision to uphold legislation enforcing a gun and magazine ban, State Representative Bradley Fritts (R-Dixon) released the following statement:
“Today’s Supreme Court ruling comes as no surprise. As elected officials, we take an oath to protect and defend our Constitution. It is disappointing to see some officials put political ideology ahead of that promise. Instead of ruling on the question of law at hand, the majority opinion is hiding behind a procedural ruling that does not address the constitutional violations present in this legislation.
“The second amendment is clear: the right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. This legislation severely restricts the rights and freedoms we are granted as citizens of the United States in our Constitution. I am confident that the United States Supreme Court will ultimately overturn this law and protect law-abiding gun owners in our state.”
* Rep. Coffey…
Today the Illinois Supreme Court ruled 4-3 that the firearms ban is constitutional and will uphold legislation enforcing strict new laws. State Representative Mike Coffey (R-Springfield) knows how dangerous this law is and he is furious about how quickly it was passed through the lame-duck session.
“Passing unconstitutional laws during the lame-duck session to please donors sheds light on how this administration operates in the capital and should be condemned,” said Coffey. “The firearms ban is outright ridiculous and strips away the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens”.
This firearms ban is a direct attack on common use firearms used for personal protection. If Democrats want to curb gun violence, they should focus on enforcing current laws, prosecute criminals, and allow law enforcement to protect the people. Banning firearms, standard size magazines, and forcing citizens to register their firearms does absolutely nothing to improve public safety.
This administration and their agenda are making criminals out of law-abiding citizens while the actual criminals continue to be rewarded with Democratic gifts. Illinois residents should not be subjected to continuous attacks from their own government who undermines their constitutional rights.
* IL FOP…
Illinois Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) State Lodge President Chris Southwood issued the following statement today regarding the Illinois Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the law that bans the sale and further regulates the ownership of semiautomatic weapons in Illinois:
“The Illinois General Assembly’s recent actions have made it harder and more dangerous to be a cop and for police officers to protect the general public. Now, with this decision, the Illinois Supreme Court has indicated it is willing to go along with a law that removes an important self-defense option for law-abiding citizens to use when the police aren’t nearby. Thankfully, this case will now be taken to the U.S. Supreme Court, where Illinois’ citizens may be given the fighting chance they deserve.”
“Make no mistake, criminals will always find a way to use banned firearms against the police and the citizens we are sworn to protect. Suddenly making law-abiding citizens into criminals will put all of us more at the mercy of lawbreakers. We are optimistic that the U.S. Supreme Court will strike down this law and keep police from becoming dreaded, gun-confiscating agents of the government.”
* IDPH and DHS…
Statement from Dr. Sameer Vohra, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health:
“I am pleased that the Illinois Supreme Court has upheld the Protect Illinois Communities Act. Easy access to assault-style weapons has created a clear and present danger for Illinoisans. Gun violence is a significant public health threat in Illinois, and the public deserves the right to be free from the threat of mass shootings. IDPH will continue its efforts to reduce gun violence, through the ongoing distribution of gun locks and other firearms safety initiatives to prevent such tragedies.”
Statement from Grace B. Hou, Secretary of the Illinois Department of Human Services:
“Here at IDHS, we are committed to ending cycles of violence in communities that have been disproportionately impacted for generations. The Illinois Supreme Court made the right decision today to uphold an act meant to protect these communities from further harm. I’m thankful for the relentless work of so many advocates, our legislative leaders, Gov. JB Pritzker and his administration, and community outreach and violence prevention workers who have made reducing gun violence a priority in Illinois. IDHS will continue to advance our efforts and investment in public safety through initiatives like the Reimagine Public Safety Act and our Office of Firearm Violence Prevention. By utilizing data to inform where help is most needed, we continue to address both immediate needs and systematic change to reduce gun violence, and most importantly, reach even more communities that have historically been left to fend for themselves.”
* Sen. Simmons…
As a tireless advocate in the fight against gun violence, State Senator Mike Simmons attended the annual Everytown for Gun Safety gathering in Chicago on Friday, August 11 where Vice President Kamala Harris spoke about the urgency of the fight for stronger gun laws; the same day the Illinois Supreme Court decided to uphold the assault weapon ban.
“Today is a historic day - the Illinois Supreme Court has upheld the Protect Illinois Communities Act which bans the sale and manufacturing of assault weapons and high capacity magazines, a law I strongly supported and helped pass in January. Coinciding with Vice President Harris’ visit to address the epidemic of gun violence, today we have made progress in making our communities safer,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “Gun violence has left us all traumatized from neighborhoods in Chicago to suburbs and small towns. Collectively we must step up our efforts to advocate for and pass stronger legislation to get weapons of war off our streets and impose enforcement mechanisms that will help us make our communities safer. We also have to step up our investments in community-based programming that we know helps our neighbors recover from the emotional trauma that grips communities hit by the gun violence epidemic.”
Alongside thousands of activists, volunteers and survivors of gun violence, Simmons listened to Vice President Harris discuss the commitment of The Biden Administration to reduce gun violence during a moderated conversation with Moms Demand Action’s Executive Director Angela Ferrell-Zabala.
The gun safety legislation upheld Friday bans the sale and manufacturing of assault weapons and high capacity magazines, and places a ban on rapid-fire devices and increases the duration of a Firearm Restraining Order from six months to up to one year.
Studies show that approximately one-third of public mass shooting events include the use of an assault weapon, and nearly 40% involve a high-capacity magazine.
“I will continue to be aggressive in supporting stronger gun control legislation. I want our children to be able to walk to school and feel safe, moms and dads to see their children grow up and become adults, and for our schools, places of worship, public transit, and nightclubs to be places where we can live and gather in peace,” said Simmons. “Thank you to so many of my constituents whose lives have been directly impacted by gun violence who have partnered with my office to make our advocacy efforts on gun control more robust and directly responsive to the lived experiences of 7th District residents and people all across Illinois.”
* Rep. Rashid…
State Representative Abdelnasser Rashid released the following statement following the Illinois Supreme Court ruling upholding the ban on assault weapons:
“I applaud the decision by the Illinois Supreme Court for upholding common sense gun reform legislation. We cannot afford to grow desensitized to the tragic toll of gun violence. Let’s be clear: this court ruling was a critical step forward for our state, but our work is not done. I look forward to continue working with my colleagues and advocates to ensure Illinois is at the forefront of protecting our communities from the scourge of gun violence.”
The Protect Illinois Communities Act (Act) restricts firearms and related items that the Act defines as “an assault weapon, assault weapon attachment, .50 caliber rifle, or .50 caliber cartridge” (collectively, assault weapons) (720 ILCS 5/24-1.9(b) (West 2022)) and “large capacity ammunition feeding device[s],” commonly known as large capacity magazines (LCMs) (id. § 24-1.10(b)). Certain restrictions do not apply to (1) law enforcement agencies and individuals who complete firearms training as part of their employment in law enforcement, corrections, the military, and private security (trained professionals) (id. §§ 24-1.9(e), 24-1.10(e)) and (2) individuals who possessed assault weapons or LCMs before the restrictions became effective (grandfathered individuals) (id. §§ 24-1.9(d), 24-1.10(d)).
The circuit court of Macon County entered declaratory judgment for plaintiffs on two claims that the restrictions are facially unconstitutional because the exemptions deny the “law-abiding public” equal protection (Ill. Const. 1970, art. I, § 2) and constitute special legislation (id. art. IV, § 13) under the Illinois Constitution. Defendants appeal directly to this court. Ill. S. Ct. R. 302(a)(1) (eff. Oct. 4, 2011).
Plaintiffs defend the judgment on equal protection and special legislation grounds and allege for the first time that, regardless of the exemptions, the restrictions violate the second amendment to the United States Constitution. U.S. Const., amend. II. They further argue that Public Act 102-1116 (eff. Jan. 10, 2023), which added sections 24-1.9 and 24-1.10 to the Criminal Code of 2012 (720 ILCS 5/1-1 et seq. (West 2022)), violates the three-readings requirement of the Illinois Constitution and that the circuit court erred in ruling to the contrary. Ill. Const. 1970, art. IV, § 8(d).
First, we hold that the exemptions neither deny equal protection nor constitute special legislation because plaintiffs have not sufficiently alleged that they are similarly situated to and treated differently from the exempt classes.
Second, plaintiffs expressly waived in the circuit court any independent claim that the restrictions impermissibly infringe the second amendment.
Third, plaintiffs’ failure to cross-appeal is a jurisdictional bar to renewing their three-readings claim.
Accordingly, we reverse the circuit court and enter judgment for defendants on the equal protection and special legislation claims. We express no opinion on the potential viability of plaintiffs’ waived claim concerning the second amendment.
Justice Rochford wrote the opinion. Chief Justice Theis and Justices Neville and Cunningham concurred in the judgment and opinion. Justice Holder White dissented, with opinion, joined by Justice Overstreet. Justice O’Brien dissented, with opinion.
I respectfully dissent because I do not find that the classifications at issue in this legislation further its claimed purpose and it is thus violative of the special legislation provision in our state constitution.
The special legislation clause states:
“The General Assembly shall pass no special or local law when a general law is or can be made applicable. Whether a general law is or can be made applicable shall be a matter for judicial determination.” Ill. Const. 1970, art. IV, § 13.
“This court has consistently held that the purpose of the special legislation clause is to prevent arbitrary legislative classifications that discriminate in favor of a select group without a sound, reasonable basis.” Best v. Taylor Machine Works, 179 Ill. 2d 367, 391 (1997). Under the clause, the General Assembly may not confer “a special benefit or exclusive privilege on a person or a group of persons to the exclusion of others similarly situated.” Id
We employ a two-part test to determine whether a law is special legislation. Piccioli v. Board of Trustees of the Teachers’ Retirement System, 2019 IL 122905, ¶ 18. The first determination is whether the classification discriminates in favor of a select group to the exclusion of a group similarly situated. Id. If the classification does discriminate, we next determine whether the classification is arbitrary. Id. We use the same standards applicable to equal protection challenges to decide if a classification is arbitrary. In re Estate of Jolliff, 199 Ill. 2d 510, 520 (2002)
Unlike the majority, I would find that the plaintiffs are similarly situated in light of the purpose of the legislation. In re M.A., 2015 IL 118049, ¶ 29 (“The determination whether individuals are similarly situated generally can only be made by considering the purpose of the particular legislation.”). We do so by considering whether the classification is “based upon reasonable differences in kind or situation, and whether the basis for the classifications is sufficiently related to the evil to be obviated by the statute.” Best, 179 Ill. 2d at 394.
The majority finds that the plaintiffs are not similarly situated to the exempted classifications and ends its analysis on that basis. To make the similarly situated determination, this court must view the classifications in light of the purpose of the legislation and the evils it seeks to remedy. In re Belmont Fire Protection District, 111 Ill. 2d 373, 380 (1986). The majority acknowledges that the legislation itself does not state a purpose but concludes that the defendants infer the intent of the Protect Illinois Communities Act (Act) (see Pub. Act 102-1116 (eff. Jan. 10, 2023)) is “to reduce the number of assault weapons and LCMs in circulation” because they are often used in mass shootings. Supra ¶ 51. The majority correctly reiterates that, - 32 - to determine whether the plaintiffs are similarly situated, the legislative purpose of the Act must frame its analysis.
The majority, however, did not consider whether the classifications further the legislative purpose of reducing the number of assault weapons and large capacity magazines (LCMs) and consequently the number of mass shootings. I find they do not and will not reasonably remedy the evils the legislation was designed to combat. Importantly, exempting the professionals and grandfathered groups does nothing to prevent the proliferation of out-of-state assault weapon possession or prevent those weapons from being used for mass shootings in this state or elsewhere. The legislation does not prevent weapon manufacturers, some located within this state, from continuing to sell assault weapons and LCMs to out-of-state residents, who may then potentially perpetrate a mass shooting. Because 60% of the weapons used in crimes in Illinois come from out of state, the legislation does not further its purported goal of reducing the number of weapons in the state.
Similarly, the enumerated professional groups who are exempted based on their firearm training and roles as societal protectors are presumably not apt to engage in mass shootings, and their ability to possess assault weapons and LCMs does not reduce either the number of assault weapons and LCMs or the threat of mass shootings. They may continue to possess and purchase the items the legislation bans nearly everyone else from possessing and purchasing. Moreover, not all the professionals are limited in the possession and use of their assault weapons to on- duty conduct, which places them in the same circumstance as members of the general public who may also have weapons training. For example, retired peace officers may continue to purchase and possess assault weapons despite that they no longer have any peacekeeping responsibilities or obligations. They are no different from private citizens who hold Firearm Owner’s Identification cards, like the plaintiffs in this case, but are granted special treatment. Our constitution’s prohibition against special legislation does not allow a law to afford special treatment to one group of citizens without a rational basis to do so. The special legislation provision in the constitution prohibits the different treatment of people based on criteria unrelated to the legislation’s purpose.
The majority says the circuit court invalidated certain sections of the Protect Illinois Communities Act (Act) (see Pub. Act 102-1116 (eff. Jan. 10, 2023)) and upheld others and thus contends the three-readings-rule issue is not now before us because plaintiffs should have cross-appealed from the denial of relief on that claim. However, plaintiffs are properly before this court, and both parties have had ample opportunity to address the procedural requirements of the Illinois Constitution and their impact on the validity of the Act here. Moreover, if the invalidated sections are before us (by way of the State’s appeal), then a finding of a three-readings-rule violation on those sections (as we may affirm on any basis in the record) requires a similar finding as to the entire Act because the Act was passed as one. Thus, I would find the long-standing principle cited above in Ultsch and numerous other cases allows us to consider the three-readings issue. […]
Given the legislature’s repeated failures, continued adherence to the enrolled- bill doctrine should no longer be countenanced. The doctrine “is contrary to modern legal thinking, which does not favor conclusive presumptions that may produce results which do not accord with fact.” […]
Here, it is abundantly clear that the Protect Illinois Communities Act was not before the House or the Senate on three different days in each house. On January 8 and 9, 2023, the original Insurance Code bill was gutted, and the new amendments, including the restrictions on assault weapons and large-capacity magazines, were considered and approved in the Senate. The new bill setting forth the Protect Illinois Communities Act then only spent one day in the House before it was passed and signed into law.
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* SJ-R | Hundreds of bill signings: What still awaits on Gov. Pritzker’s desk?: According to the Illinois General Assembly website, Pritzker has signed 513 bills and vetoed one due to “irreconcilable drafting errors” from the spring session as of Monday. Still, others await the governor’s John Hancock. A total of 53 bills - 37 from the House and 16 from the Senate - fit that depiction.
* Lake County News-Sun | Casino clash coming down to who gets a piece of the action: A state appellate court overruled a Cook County Circuit Court judge late last month saying the Forest County, Wisconsin, Potawatomi Community wasn’t given a fair deal in 2019 when state gaming officials and the Waukegan City Council decided to grant a casino license to Full House Resorts of Las Vegas. From that ruling, there’s a lot of uncertainty, especially if the entire selection process begins anew.
* ProPublica | Years After Being Ticketed at School for a Theft She Said Never Happened, Former Student Prevails in Court: Earlier this week, Amara Harris had one last chance to take a plea deal. For $100, she could have avoided a trial, the testimony of her former high school classmates and deans, and the stress of not knowing whether a jury would believe her when she said she had mistakenly picked up a classmate’s AirPods — not stolen them. It would’ve been over. Instead, as she had for more than 3 ½ years, she chose to fight. Like other families and students across Illinois who have been ticketed by police for alleged behavior at school, Harris and her mother saw the system as unfair and capricious.
* Tribune | Chicago Board of Health asks Mayor Brandon Johnson to keep Commissioner Allison Arwady in her job: ‘It’s not political’: The nine-member health advisory panel convened a special meeting Thursday evening where the seven members present members unanimously pledged their support for Arwady, who to some was known for her unflappable assurances as Chicago’s COVID czar. But others have said she was too hasty in loosening pandemic restrictions, especially reopening public schools, while failing to uphold activist demands regarding environmental permitting and mental health services.
* Sun-Times | Striking Loretto Hospital workers hail tentative pact with management: Although the hospital had received $10 million in funding from the state of Illinois specifically to address worker recruitment and retention, union members went back and forth with hospital management for months before landing on an agreement, the statement said.
* WICS | Gaming Board welcomes new gaming agents at police academy graduation ceremony: The swearing-in ceremony was held at the Illinois State Police Academy in Springfield following the completion of a 560-hour basic training course for law enforcement officers by the trainees and other recruits. This is the IGB’s second police graduating class this year, bringing a total of eight new Police Academy graduates to the agency in 2023.
* Tribune | Hair relaxers have been linked to cancer among Black women, litigation says. ‘Nobody cares except us.’: The complaint alleges women and children were exploited for profit and hair relaxer products were advertised as “organic,” “natural,” “botanicals,” and “safe,” all while manufacturers had knowledge that the hair relaxer products they designed, manufactured, advertised and sold contained carcinogens. “Defendants failed to give appropriate and adequate warning of such risks,” the complaint says.
* WMBD | 2023 Illinois State Fair Ag Day Breakfast canceled: The event was canceled due to storms with strong winds predicted to hit the area Friday morning. The Fair also said that those who were planning on attending the Ag Day Breakfast are welcome to make their way to the Ag Tent on Sunday from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. for a complimentary breakfast.
* SJ-R | As Twilight Parade marshals, state FFA leaders bring ag to the forefront: “I’m looking at all of the cars and the people who are lined up,” said the 18-year-old President of the Illinois FFA, prior to the start of the Illinois State Fair Twilight Parade, “and I can’t believe I’m a grand marshal of it. It really makes me proud to be a part of Illinois FFA and a part of the industry of agriculture that’s put us here and that’s valued. That says a lot.”
At Ludeman Developmental Center in Park Forest, 37 employees have been fired, resigned or face pending disciplinary action after a state watchdog found that they defrauded a federal pandemic-era small business loan program.
The employees who work at the state-run developmental center in south suburban Cook County include 32 mental health technicians – about 6 percent of frontline workers with that job – three residential services supervisors, one habilitation program coordinator and a licensed practical nurse.
A spokesperson for the Illinois Department of Human Services, the agency that runs the 383-bed residential center for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, confirmed these additional details late last week.
Neil Olson, the general counsel for the Illinois Office of the Executive Inspector General, previously confirmed to Capitol News Illinois that dozens of employees of state agencies and other entities under the OEIG’s jurisdiction are the subjects of an ongoing investigation into whether they fraudulently obtained Paycheck Protection Program loans. Beyond confirming the investigation, Olson declined to provide any additional details about the probe.
* In other news…
WATCH: Pritzker on expected release of IL Supreme Court gun ban opinion Friday and conflicts of interest https://t.co/8vtWm9f1jh
U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement regarding ProPublica reporting providing the fullest public account yet of Justice Clarence Thomas’ undisclosed gifts and troubling ethical conduct, to the tune of at least 38 destination vacations, 26 private jet flights, and numerous other luxury gifts:
“The latest ProPublica revelation of unreported lavish gifts to Justice Clarence Thomas makes it clear: these are not merely ethical lapses. This is a shameless lifestyle underwritten for years by a gaggle of fawning billionaires.
“Justices Thomas and Alito have made it clear that they are oblivious to the embarrassment they have visited on the highest court in the land. Now, it is up to Chief Justice Roberts and the other Justices to act on ethics reform to save their own reputations and the integrity of the Court. If the Court will not act, then Congress must continue to.”
The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced the Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency Act to the full Senate on July 20. The bill would require the Supreme Court Justices to adopt a code of conduct, create a mechanism to investigate alleged violations of the code of conduct and other laws, improve disclosure and transparency when a Justice has a connection to a party or amicus before the Court, and require Justices to explain their recusal decisions to the public.
Durbin has been calling on the Supreme Court to adopt an enforceable code of conduct for more than a decade. He first sent a letter to the Chief Justice on this issue more than 11 years ago.
According to a copy of the Stellantis proposal [UAW contract negotiation] obtained by Automotive News, the company said it lost 16,706 units of production because of absenteeism in 2021 and 2022, which cost it $217 million. In 2022, it had an absenteeism rate of 23 percent, the document said.
The three school districts locked in a property tax battle with the Chicago Bears launched a website Wednesday about that and other issues related to the proposed stadium at Arlington Park.
The website, suburbanstadium.org, was created and is maintained by Palatine Township Elementary District 15, Northwest Suburban High School District 214 and Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211 — the school systems whose boundaries lie within the 326-acre former racetrack property now owned by the NFL franchise.
It joins similar informational websites maintained by the Bears and village of Arlington Heights, as the schools seek to increase their public messaging around the monthslong tax controversy.
The Illinois State Fair opened in Springfield Thursday morning, but amusement rides did not open to fairgoers along with the grounds.
The Illinois Departments of Agriculture and Labor announced that the rides are unable to operate because safety inspections were not performed on Wednesday. Rainy weather resulted in the inspections being delayed.
IDOL ride inspectors will be performing those inspections on Thursday. Officials said they hope to have the rides open at 3 p.m.
* Tribune | The Price Kids Pay: Ticketed at school: Ticketing students violates the intent of an Illinois law that prohibits schools from fining students as a form of discipline. Instead of issuing fines directly, school officials refer students to police, who write the tickets. The fines attached can be hundreds of dollars, an impossible burden for many families. An analysis also found Black students were ticketed at higher rates than their white peers.
* Daily Herald | Embattled DuPage clerk’s spending questioned by county board again: “What we’re all hearing here is that it seems to be the same department that is coming forward with these requests and budget issues. That’s why we’re having this discussion,” said board member Lynn LaPlante, a Glen Ellyn Democrat. “I’m concerned that this is going to be death by a thousand papercuts as a way to backward-map a budget that works for you.”
* Crain’s | A new lawsuit against Northwestern alleges inaction on report of sexual assault: Filed yesterday by a current student identified in the complaint as Jane Doe, it’s the latest in a series of lawsuits against Northwestern since allegations of hazing in the university’s football program unleashed a firestorm of controversy and led to the firing of former head football coach Pat Fitzgerald. Northwestern also has appointed former U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch to conduct a wide-ranging probe into the culture and practices of its athletic department.
* SJ-R | Former chief deputy appointed Sangamon County Circuit Clerk: Joe Roesch, who worked for more than 20 years at the sheriff’s office, including a four-year stint as chief deputy under Wes Barr, was confirmed as the new circuit clerk after the Sangamon County Board approved his nomination Tuesday. Roesch is currently serving as an attorney specializing in labor and employment law with Stratton, Moran, Reichert, Sronce and Appleton in Springfield, with a wide range of public and private employers under his purview.
* SJ-R | Five Grand Central Stage acts at the Illinois State Fair you won’t want to miss: Fairgoers can also find free musical entertainment at the Apex Stage (corner of Grandstand and Illinois Avenue); the Busch Light True Music Tent (on the Avenue of Flags behind the Commodity Pavilion); the Coors Light Tent (across from the Grandstand); the Illinois Building/Senior Center (just inside the Main Gate); the Lincoln Stage (on Central Avenue across from The Shed); the Miller Lite Tent (on Illinois Avenue) and Village of Cultures.
* WICS | Copi returns to Conservation World for 2023 Illinois State Fair: “We know there’s a lot of curiosity about Copi, and the Illinois State Fair is a perfect time for people to find out what all the buzz is about,” Phelps Finnie said. “Anytime IDNR has offered Copi during the fair, people walk away impressed by how light, delicious and versatile it is.”
* WICS | Illinois State Fair delays opening of amusement rides due to safety inspections: Officials say Ride safety inspections were canceled on Wednesday due to the rain. To ensure the safety of fairgoers and amusement riders, IDOL ride inspectors are working Thursday morning in an effort to permit the rides to operate for Thursday afternoon at 3 p.m.
* Sun-Times | The Jerry Reinsdorf problem: When an owner doesn’t want to own up to anything: It’s hard to understand the point of this nothingness, this sports nihilism. Why own a team if you don’t want to behave like an owner? If you want to run a neighborhood grocery store where all the employees have worked there for 30 years and you know the customers by name, go do that. But even a grocery store owner wouldn’t put up with ineffective stockers and some bad apples in the produce department.
* NYT | The Sandwich Southerners Wait for All Year: Five years ago, Mary — a Greensboro, N.C., YouTuber known as SouthernASMR Sounds — posted an innocent-enough video of herself making and eating a classic Southern tomato sandwich. Speaking gently, she walked through each element of her ideal sandwich, from the soft white bread to the thinly sliced, salted and peppered tomatoes, down to the brand of mayonnaise (“twangy” Duke’s, of course). “Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it,” she says.
* Illinois Newsroom | Champaign Clippers is a throwback to vintage baseball: Before baseball became the popular game we know today, in the mid-19th century an early iteration of the game known as “base ball,” yes two words, was the game of the century. On August 26, the Champaign Clippers will host a vintage base ball game at Weaver Park.
* WBEZ | Meet the lobster-like crustaceans invading the Chicago River: It turns out the creature the listener saw was a red swamp crayfish, and its presence in Chicago waterways is a warning sign. According to one ecologist, that particular crayfish species currently inhabiting the Chicago River is second only to Asian carp in terms of its invasiveness and potential to wreak havoc on local ecosystems.
* City Cast | Hannah Meisel’s Guide to Springfield: Springfield became the state capital in 1839 thanks to Abraham Lincoln and his associates. Railroads, agriculture, and mining once contributed significantly to Springfield’s economy. Today, Illinois legislators wheel and deal at the Statehouse while tourists explore Lincoln’s legacy. Hannah Meisel, a Capitol News Illinois reporter, has covered Springfield for the last decade. She shares her recs.
Earlier this week, Amara Harris had one last chance to take a plea deal. For $100, she could have avoided a trial, the testimony of her former high school classmates and deans, and the stress of not knowing whether a jury would believe her when she said she had mistakenly picked up a classmate’s AirPods — not stolen them. It would’ve been over.
Instead, as she had for more than 3 ½ years, she chose to fight. Like other families and students across Illinois who have been ticketed by police for alleged behavior at school, Harris and her mother saw the system as unfair and capricious.
But in a rare move, Harris, now 20, went to trial, hoping to clear her name — even as she knew that municipal tickets are hard to beat because the burden of proof is so low.
On Wednesday, she was cleared of violating Naperville’s ordinance against theft when a six-person jury decided that the city did not prove she’d knowingly taken a classmate’s AirPods.
“I’m glad we were able to see it through,” Harris said Thursday morning before the verdict. She noted her story never changed.
The verdict capped an extraordinarily unusual, drawn-out saga over a controversial municipal ticket issued to Harris when she was a junior at Naperville North High School, in DuPage County, west of Chicago.
The case was decided after a three-day trial heard by a jury of two young women, including an 18-year-old college student, and four men, three of whom are fathers of teenagers. A trial over an ordinance violation, which carries a fine only and no jail time, is so rare that the judge and lawyers had to repeatedly tweak instructions and other procedures to adapt to this type of case. […]
The principal said while she initially suggested that Harris get a one-day in-school suspension for the AirPod incident, the suspension was never issued. […]
Minutes before jury selection began on the first day of trial Tuesday, Prosecutor Joseph Solon Jr. offered Harris a deal to settle the case with no fine and a $100 court fee — an offer he said he had made several times before. Harris would have had to agree that she could be found liable by a jury, something she said she could not accept since she says she accidentally picked up the AirPods and returned them to the rightful owner when school officials determined they weren’t hers.
“We offered to waive the fine because the case dragged on so long,” Solon told reporters outside the courtroom.
The testimony from nine witnesses, over two days, largely centered around two questions: How did Harris come into possession of AirPods that weren’t hers and when did she realize they weren’t hers? […]
A series of other city witnesses acknowledged a lack of direct evidence that Harris knowingly took AirPods that weren’t hers.
Unabia, when pressed on how she could be sure Harris had stolen the device, said there wasn’t any direct evidence.
“So, you made an assumption?” Yeary asked.
“Yeah, I guess,” Unabia said. […]
Even the officer who issued the ticket, Juan Leon, testified he had no direct evidence that Harris had sought to steal the AirPods instead of picking them up in error. […]
A Naperville spokesperson said the city hasn’t spent extra money on legal fees for the case because it’s being handled by a city prosecutor, though he has spent many days in court handling it. A school district spokesperson would not immediately say whether the district has incurred costs, but multiple attorneys representing it were at the trial this week.
Not to mention all the money Ms. Harris likely had to spend while defending herself.
She graduated early from high school, earned an associate’s degree at a local community college and next week will move back to Atlanta to begin her senior year at Spelman College.
[Mapes’ defense attorney Katie Hill] also tried to preempt the dozens of wiretapped phone calls the jury will hear during trial by telling them that Mapes’ indictment is based on his answers to just seven of the more than 650 questions he was asked during his grand jury testimony.
“You already know the government’s big punchline: All of this is on tape,” Hill said. “But as you consider that evidence ladies and gentlemen, consider that…they didn’t play him the tapes.”
The idea that Mapes was not given the opportunity to review any of the wiretapped calls or any other evidence – save for one document – during an early 2021 meeting with the FBI or his grand jury testimony is one the defense sprinkled throughout opening statements and while cross-examining the two witnesses put on the stand on Wednesday. Hill likened it to not being able to recall details from high school a decade after graduation unless prompted with items like a yearbook or notes passed in class.
Hill told the jury that when the defense makes its case later in trial, they’ll hear from a witness with expertise in how memory works, and how the ability to recall certain facts can be affected by being under stress. On that note, Hill said, Mapes was acutely aware of the high-stakes immunity order he was under, and therefore chose his answers to the grand jury carefully.
It’s probably the best, maybe even the only thing the defense has in its favor. But this is a federal trial with federal rules. Always bet on the prosecution in these things. We’ll see.
* Meanwhile, from the ILGOP…
As the Tim Mapes trial gets underway, let us remember: Mapes is accused of lying to federal agents and facing prison to protect Mike Madigan. The two of them oversaw multiple governmental and political entities that demanded blind loyalty from state legislators for more than 4 decades, made or broke careers of politicians based on their votes, and buried any dissent while helping their chosen few patsies rise to the highest levels of state government. From the Governor’s Administration to the House Floor, Illinois Democrats across this state have been tainted by Madigan and Mapes culture of corruption they created, and even now continue to shape Illinois policy even after their patriarch’s actions have been exposed to the public.
ILGOP Chairman Don Tracy issued the following statement:
“Madigan and Mapes controlled all the levers of power between the Speaker’s office and DPI. They decided how government and political money was among legislators and areas of the state, cut out legislators that voted against them and elevated those that were loyal to them.
In this case, Mapes is accused of perjuring himself to stay loyal to Madigan. Madigan’s handpicked successor, Speaker Welch shut down the legislative committee established to investigate the crimes alleged against Madigan. These are not the actions of dedicated public servants, rather they are the actions of ambitious politicians putting their personal political careers above the public good.”
* And the HRO…
As Tim Mapes stands trial today at the federal courthouse, Illinois voters should be reminded of the integral part he played in Mike Madigan’s corrupt enterprise. Not only did Mapes serve as Mike Madigan’s longtime Chief of Staff in the Illinois House, he was also the Illinois House Clerk and the Executive Director of the Democratic Party of Illinois. Mike Madigan’s operation would not have functioned without Tim Mapes making the trains run on time.
So why is Tim Mapes before a federal jury? Federal agents approached Mapes and offered him a full immunity deal - all he had to do was tell the truth. The problem? That would mean selling out his long-time boss. So what did he choose? The allegations against him in court are that Mapes lied in order to protect Madigan. When Mapes was given the choice between protecting himself and his own interests or staying loyal to Madigan, he chose Madigan.
“For decades Illinois Democrats have chosen blind loyalty to Mike Madigan over the interests of the state of Illinois. Today, that loyalty to Madigan at all costs is coming home to roost for Tim Mapes. Following this trial, every single House Democrat who has chosen loyalty to Madigan and his corrupt political system over the interests of their constituents should also be held accountable at the ballot box.” - Tony Esposito, Executive Director of the Illinois House Republican Organization
According to a 2019 report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, approximately one in five adults in the U.S., or around 47.6 million people, experienced a mental illness in 2018. The report also revealed that approximately 11.4 million adults had a serious mental illness that resulted in significant functional impairment. This prevalence underlines the immense need for mental health workers nationwide.
However, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has estimated that by 2025, the country will have a shortage of about 250,000 mental health professionals, including psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and psychiatric nurses. This data shows that the current supply of mental health professionals is far from meeting the existing demand, leading to vast service gaps across the country.
The situation in Illinois is an example of this national crisis. The state serves as a microcosm of the broader U.S. and has been grappling with a shortage of mental health professionals for years. A recent report by the Illinois Psychiatric Society highlighted that out of the 102 counties in Illinois, 91 lack sufficient psychiatrists. This shortage means that individuals seeking help often have to travel long distances, face long wait times or go without necessary care — which in turn jeopardizes the well-being of millions of people who are unable to access timely and adequate care. […]
Rural areas, for instance, are particularly underserved, with 60% of rural Americans living in a mental health professional shortage area. Additionally, marginalized communities, such as those who are low-income, uninsured, and racial or ethnic minorities, are disproportionately affected by the shortage. […]
First, the aging mental health workforce is retiring at a faster pace than it is being replaced. The American Psychological Association reports that 40% of practicing psychologists are 60 years or older, and are hence nearing retirement. Second, compensation for mental health professionals, especially in public sectors, is not competitive with other medical fields, which disincentivizes professionals from joining the field. Lastly, the stigmatization of mental health issues could also be contributing to the lack of interest in pursuing a career in this field.
Illinois specifically is confronting a serious shortage of mental health professionals. In 2022, the Illinois General Assembly and Gov. J.B. Pritzker approved a new state budget that included a historic $140 million annual increase for Illinois’ long financially starved mental health care providers. It was a welcome and impressive first-step investment. Yet, it remains imperative for additional government investment in strategies that address this workforce shortage, such as incentivizing mental health professions and investing in telehealth solutions.
* Former US Rep. Glenn Poshard opens up about his own mental health troubles in his new book…
“At one point in my life, I went through a nervous breakdown and [co-author Carl Walworth] and I talked about whether we should include that,” said Poshard, who enlisted in the U.S. Army on his 17th birthday. “We talked honestly and openly about it and how I got through it.
“When I was 14, my sister and three of my best friends, who were all 17, were killed in an accident. My mom and dad’s marriage fell apart over that and then I lost my best friend in Vietnam, and he was the first kid from White County to die over there.
“I worked in a Korean orphanage when I was there in the Army, and I somehow blamed myself for not helping these kids enough to overcome their plight. It all fell in on me one day and poor farmer’s kids don’t go to psychologists.
“I had buried all those feelings and I had to get some help, so we talk about mental health issues in the book. There are a lot of folks today, especially young people, who are going through the same thing and hopefully my experiences can help them.”
* Gov. Pritzker was asked yesterday about whether he believed more people were talking about the mental health issue and whether society was meeting the need…
I feel, I don’t know if you do, that people are more willing to talk about mental health today than they were 10 years ago, or five years ago. That people are willing to share their own challenges, challenges within their families. And that’s part of getting rid of the stigma and recognizing that mental health and physical health are one in the same, or at least they belong treated as seriously as each other. And again, that’s why putting significant resources into bringing up mental health treatment across the state is so important.
* The Question: Can you talk about any mental health challenges your family has faced or is facing? No pressure, of course, but if you can, let us know.
I’m proud to have supported the Vote No, that’s the side that supported choice. And it was a resounding victory. As you saw in 2022 in so many places around the country, a resounding victory for those of us who are pro-choice and for the people who live in those states who just want to preserve their reproductive freedom. So I was pleased with the outcome.
Pritzker, a billionaire entrepreneur and heir to the Hyatt Hotels fortune, in June gave $250,000 to the Ohioans for Reproductive Freedom PAC, a coalition of abortion rights organizations, Ohio campaign finance records show.
The governor also assigned some members of his political team, including political adviser and former campaign manager Mike Ollen, to help with strategic support in defeating the Ohio ballot measure. Pritzker team members sat in on the steering committee meetings for Ohioans for Reproductive Freedom.
* Of course, this isn’t the first time the governor has involved himself in other states. ABC News…
A prolific fundraiser, Pritzker has poured money into groups like the DGA and high-stakes races such as the recent contest for a seat on Wisconsin’s narrowly divided Supreme Court. […]
But he is also going out of his way to support the national party, through securing donations in battleground elections, joining Biden’s reelection advisory board and attracting the upcoming convention to Chicago.
Pritzker, Biden confided to those in Chicago’s JW Marriott, “did more in 2020 to help me get elected president of the United States than just about anybody in the country. And that’s a fact.” […]
He is unapologetic about the political headway his donations and suggestions can make — electing Democrats is important, he says, so he’s doing what he can to help — and though he has yet to decide exactly what form his 2024 spending will take, he’s already been inundated with pitches from committees and super-PACs and from people suggesting he consider funding turnout-juicing projects like abortion referenda on swing-state ballots. […]
“From a financial perspective, it would be hard to find a hard-core Democrat who J. B. hasn’t helped,” said former Illinois congresswoman Cheri Bustos, who got her own significant boost from Pritzker after finding herself in political trouble when running the House Democrats’ campaign wing in 2020. […]
Pritzker maintains that he’s perfectly happy about the positive coverage surrounding Whitmer and others — perhaps not least because he knows how they got there. “I helped her get elected,” he says, shrugging. “And I helped her get reelected and I helped them get people elected to their legislatures, too.”
Bustos ain’t wrong. If you click here you can scroll through the contributions the governor has made. It looks, for instance, like he gave a couple of grand to the federal committees of most state parties in the country last year. His top federal contribution was $1 million to the Senate Majority PAC. He also gave at leat $350K each to Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s campaign and Minnesota’s Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party last year, plus $600K+ to the Wisconsin Democratic Party. Democratic parties in Arizona, N. Carolina and Maine received $100K checks (with some receiving other contributions as well). It’s quite a list.
Illinois EPA Announces Dates of Next Electric Vehicle Rebate Program Funding Round
Program opening November 1st offers $4,000 rebate for purchase of an all-electric passenger vehicle or $1,500 rebate for purchase of an all-electric motorcycle
* The pitch…
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) is announcing that the next funding round for Illinois’ Electric Vehicle (EV) Rebate Program will open Wednesday, November 1, 2023 and run through Wednesday, January 31, 2024. Individuals that purchase a new or used all-electric vehicle from an Illinois licensed dealer, meet all other eligibility requirements, and apply during the rebate cycle will be eligible for a rebate as long as funds are available. Forms and instructions on submitting a rebate application will be made available on the Electric Vehicle Rebate Program webpage on October 18, 2023.
“Here in Illinois, we are leading the clean energy revolution—providing competitive incentives for companies and consumers alike,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Ever since I signed the landmark Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, we’ve distributed millions of dollars in rebates for residents who buy all-electric vehicles. Today, I couldn’t be happier to announce that the next round of the Illinois EV Rebate Program will open November 1st. I encourage all Illinoisans to take advantage of this nation-leading opportunity—helping us reach our ambitious goal of 1 million registered EVs on the road by 2030.”
“This incentive program was created to encourage Illinois residents to purchase electric vehicles and has already received tremendous response from Illinois motorists, with over $19 million in rebates awarded in fiscal year 2023,” said Illinois EPA Director John J. Kim. “We are pleased to provide notice of the next funding round to share this important information and give ample notice to those who may be in the market to purchase an all-electric vehicle in the coming weeks or months.”
* The fine print…
EV purchasers must apply for a rebate within 90 days of the vehicle purchase date. However, applications will not be accepted or reviewed if submitted or postmarked prior to the November 1, 2023 rebate cycle start date. Payments will be made to eligible individuals as long as funding is available.
The Illinois General Assembly has appropriated $12 million to Illinois EPA for the current fiscal year, which ends on June 30, 2024. Actual funding amounts will be determined by the amount of money available in the Electric Vehicle Rebate Fund, not to exceed $12 million.
Generally, to be eligible for a rebate, the vehicle must be exclusively powered and refueled by electricity, plugged in to charge, and licensed to drive on public roadways. Electric mopeds, electric off-highway vehicles, hybrid electric or extended-range electric vehicles that are also equipped with conventional fueled propulsion or auxiliary engines are not eligible under the program. Eligibility requirements for an EV rebate in Illinois are set forth in the Illinois EPA’s regulations at 35 Ill. Adm. Code 275. These requirements include, but are not limited to:
• The purchaser must reside in Illinois at time of vehicle purchase and at the time the rebate is issued.
• An applicant may not previously have received an Electric Vehicle Rebate..
• The vehicle must be purchased from a dealer licensed by the Illinois Secretary of State.
• Rented or leased vehicles do not qualify for the rebate.
• Vehicles purchased from an out-of-state dealership, and vehicles delivered to or received by the purchaser out-of-state are not eligible for a rebate.
• The purchaser must apply for the rebate within 90-days after the vehicle purchase date.
• The purchaser must retain ownership of the vehicle for a minimum of 12 consecutive months immediately after the vehicle purchase date.
• The rebate amount cannot exceed the purchase price of the vehicle.
• Documentation requirements include a copy of purchase invoice, proof of purchase, vehicle registration, and IRS W-9 or W-8 forms.
The Illinois’ Electric Vehicle Rebate Program webpage includes a Frequently Asked Questions document, and other relevant information. Please note, a new EV Rebate Application form will be posted to the webpage on October 18, 2023, along with instructions for completing the application.
The Illinois EV Rebate Program was created under the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) passed by the General Assembly and signed by Governor Pritzker in the fall of 2021. As required under CEJA, Illinois EPA will prioritize the review of applications from low-income purchasers and award rebates accordingly. Low income is defined as persons and families whose income does not exceed 80 percent of the State median income, as established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. All other applications will be processed as received on a first come, first serve basis.
Questions about the EV Rebate Program may be submitted to EPA.EV@Illinois.gov. Individuals interested in receiving updates on Illinois EPA’s EV programs may register for the EV Listserv located at the bottom of the Electric Vehicle Rebate Program webpage.
For information on federal incentives for electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, please visit the U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center.
The new state budget includes less money for a popular electric-vehicle rebate program, potentially hindering efforts to reach a stated goal of 1 million EVs on the road by 2030.
The new budget, signed into law last week, includes $12 million for the EV rebate program, officials said. That’s about $7.3 million less than was spent on the rebate program last year.
The rebates launched in July 2022, offering $4,000 to Illinoisans who bought a new or used EV from an Illinois licensed dealer. The number of applications well exceeded the available funds by early January 2023, said a spokesperson for the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, which administers the program. In all, 4,832 rebates were awarded, from $19.3 million in funding.
The program was “wildly successful,” so it’s concerning that it’s now seeing a 38% funding cut, said Brian Urbaszewski, director of environmental health programs at the Chicago-based Respiratory Health Association.
The city has budgeted more than $200 million this year to provide services for people like David who are experiencing homelessness, with much of that money coming from federal pandemic relief aid.
But what the city’s homelessness support system has actually spent so far tells a different story.
Though the city continues to expel people experiencing homelessness from its airports, underpasses and L cars, it has spent at most only 15% out of one of the largest pots of federal money it was given for programs to help people experiencing homelessness get into housing faster, according to the city.
The clock is ticking for the city.
Municipalities that received pandemic recovery funds must create a plan to use them by the end of 2024 and spend the funds for that plan by the end of 2026, according to the Chicago Recovery Plan. Other federal dollars the city received have a deadline of 2030. The city’s recovery plan devotes $117 million to a range of homelessness support services. […]
In total, the city has budgeted about $52 million in American Rescue Plan Act-related funds for programs to support people experiencing homelessness, but as of the city’s most recent federal report they’ve spent nearly 15% from that pot of federal money, records show.
As a result of the city’s spending, an Illinois Answers Project investigation found that some of its initiatives are off to slow starts or haven’t begun.
• The city’s Rapid Rehousing Program has the largest budget with more than $27.3 million designated for quickly getting Chicagoans into housing. The city has spent $7.4 million — a little more than 27% of the money for a program expected to run 2 ½ years, according to the city’s second quarter report just released to the feds.
• The $12 million Stabilization Housing pilot program was created to help people with complex mental health or substance abuse problems who cycle through jails, emergency rooms and the city’s shelter system. The city has not released any funding for this program yet. City Council members recently voted to approve a $2.9 million purchase of a motel that will be part of the program.
• The $8.2 million Re-entry Workforce Development Program looks to help those facing employment barriers, focusing on people returning from incarceration, people with limited English skills and those experiencing homelessness. City officials initially told the feds they’ve spent $543,315 — or about 7% of the money. But in response to questions from Illinois Answers they said that number was in error and put that spending figure at $157,626 — or about 2% — as of Aug. 1.
• The Rapid Rehousing Services of Gender-Based Violence Survivors, which includes domestic violence survivors, aims to find homes for those people. The program was budgeted to cost more than $4.6 million over 2 ½ years, but it had spent $396,377, according to the city’s most recent federal report. Officials said that figure reflects spending through the end of the second quarter, but as of Aug. 1 the city says it has spent a bit more — $440,691.
The city also created a nearly $5 million program to help formerly incarcerated people at risk of homelessness or returning to the criminal justice system, and another, $500,000 shelter initiative, the second quarter report shows.
When asked about the city’s spending pace, the Department of Family and Support Services said it had to hire new staff to develop and oversee several programs as well as choose a delegate agency to provide direct services.
* ABC Chicago | ‘Butter Cow’ sculpture unveiled ahead of 2023 Illinois State Fair: One of the most famous stars of the Illinois State Fair made its first appearance Wednesday. The 2023 “Butter Cow” was unveiled ahead of Thursday’s fair opening. The cow made its first appearance in 1922 and has been a fan favorite ever since.
* Daily Herald | 14 more suburbs, DuPage County join program to become ‘EV ready’: The 15 local governments — which include those of Batavia, Elgin and Highland Park, as well as DuPage County — will receive training programs and technical assistance to prepare for a growing demand for EVs and charging infrastructure.
* Sun-Times | Keeping campaign promises will take time, top Johnson aide says: ‘Nothing can be done in a single year’: Johnson campaigned on a promise to make $1 billion in investments in people, with that money coming from $800 million in increased taxes, fines and fees. But Chief Operating Officer John Roberson said the mayor knows it’ll take years to deliver those investments, with the pace of progress depending on how much new revenue he can get, and when.
* Greg Hinz | The top cop pick is a decision Johnson — and the city he runs — can’t afford to blow: In theory, Johnson could reject the three finalists sent to him by the Chicago Commission on Community Safety & Accountability: Larry Snelling, a long-term Chicago Police Department veteran who now heads its counterterrorism unit and appears to be the front-runner; Angel Novalez, CPD’s chief of constitutional policing and reform; and Madison Police Department Chief Shon Barnes, who despite working in Wisconsin’s capital has lots of Chicago experience.
* Capitol News Illinois | 160 years later, activist Elizabeth Packard honored in place of psychiatrist she exposed: “Today we are putting a spotlight on the real hero associated with this institution,” Gov. JB Pritzker said before signing an order Wednesday to change the name of the 120-bed mental health hospital. Packard, he said, is “someone who, in truth, better expresses our proud history of positive reform; someone who changed our world for the better.”
* The Intelligencer | Glenn Poshard shares struggles: Poshard, 77, is a former U.S. representative and was a 1998 gubernatorial candidate. He was also the system president for Southern Illinois University from 2006 to 2014. Poshard discussed those parts of his life and much more Tuesday afternoon at Lovejoy Library at Southern Illinois University in a signing for his new book, “Son of Southern Illinois: Glenn Poshard’s Life in Politics and Education.”
* Tribune | Videos show longtime Tylenol murder suspect James Lewis discussing the crime with undercover agents: Arlington Heights police, the lead law enforcement agency in the investigation, provided the video clips late Tuesday in response to a Tribune open-records request. The Tylenol investigation remains open, but Lewis’ July 9 death from a blood clot in his lungs cleared a legal path for some of the long-confidential recordings to be released.
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