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Isabel’s morning briefing
Thursday, Sep 21, 2023 - Posted by Isabel Miller * Here you go…
* Crain’s | Contractor that moved migrants from Florida wins contract to build their tents here: The city of Chicago partnered with the state of Illinois last week to quietly award an up to $29 million contract to erect large tents to serve as “base camps” in an effort to “expeditiously” move migrants from the city’s police stations before winter. The contract was awarded just a few days after Mayor Brandon Johnson announced plans to “move with expediency” to transfer the nearly 1,600 migrants currently living in the city’s police stations and airports to base camps before winter. * Oak Park Journal | Libraries on edge as bomb threats grow: “We’re all really relieved that these threats have turned out to be false, but, at the end of the day, they’re still threats and those aren’t designed to make people feel comfortable or safe,” said Vicki Rakowski, director of the Forest Park Public Library. * Daily Herald | Murphy honored for support of people with various disabilities: State Senate Assistant Majority Leader Laura Murphy (Des Plaines) was presented the 2023 Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities’ Champion Award by Josh Evans, president and CEO, during the association’s 2023 IARF Educational Conference & Expo at the East Peoria Embassy Suites. * WBBM | Suburban prosecutor says end of cash bail in Illinois is already backfiring on public safety: State’s Attorney Patrick Kenneally offered two examples of people he would like to have seen put in jail, pending trial, but who instead were freed because judges had no choice. * WMBD | Washington mayor running for state senate: Washington Mayor Gary Manier announced Wednesday that he will seek to become an Illinois state senator as a Republican in the next election. According to Manier, he will be running for the 53rd district seat which is currently held by Tom Bennett, a Morris Republican. * Herald-Whig | Frese announces he will not seek reelection: “It has been both an honor and a privilege to represent the fine people of West-Central Illinois for the past eight and a half years,” Frese said. “The job I have been elected to is both quite challenging and very rewarding.” * NBC Chicago | Chicago takes another step toward raising subminimum wage for tipped workers: The move isn’t complete just yet, however. The proposal now heads to the full City Council for a vote, which is expected in two weeks. The change would mean raising the minimum wage for tipped workers from $9 to $15.80 per hour, though such employees could still get tips. Under the guidelines, the $9 hourly wage would rise by 8% for five years until it reaches the $15.80 total. * Crain’s | City Council has its own budget wish list for Johnson: The Johnson administration also has nixed the idea of instituting a service tax, at least for the 2024 budget. In 2019, former Mayor Lori Lightfoot floated a tax on professional services like attorneys and accountants as a way to shore up the city’s pension payments, but the measure requires approval from the Illinois General Assembly, which is now entering its fall veto session. * WBEZ | Midwives could help prevent more deaths. Why don’t more Chicago-area hospitals have them?: Despite research that shows midwives tend to have low C-section rates and better outcomes for both parent and child, WBEZ found many hospitals across the Chicago area are not investing in midwives — or, they’re cutting back. The latest example is Swedish Hospital on the North Side, which has been a training ground for other midwives and a destination for pregnant people who sought out the hands-on care the midwives were known for. * Tribune | Without busing, CPS parents tell board of ed, they’re commuting for hours and risking their jobs: Jha was among the scores of Chicago Public Schools parents who received a three-week notice that their children wouldn’t have bus transportation to and from school this year. For Jha, not only will winter affect the long stretches of walking and waiting outdoors for buses during their daily travel, but costs are adding up, totaling about $400 a month. * Week 25 | Group forms to stop CO2 pipeline project in Central Illinois: Berg and more than 1,900 other people have joined the Tazewell County: Stop the CO2 Pipeline Facebook group. Their main concerns were the safety and property values of their homes. Group spokesman Elton Rocke says many people they speak with don’t initially know about the pipeline proposal. * NBC | White House told U.S. ambassador to Japan to stop taunting China on social media: Officials at the National Security Council told Emanuel’s staff in recent days that his comments risk undermining the administration’s efforts to mend deeply strained relations with China, including with a possible meeting this fall between Biden and Xi, according to the officials. * Sun-Times | Bears coordinator Alan Williams resigns after bizarre day at Halas Hall: Williams, who was in his second season as defensive coordinator, left the team last week after a 38-20 loss to the Packers on Sept. 10. His absence and the lack of clarity regarding it led to internet and social-media speculation, including a report that Williams’ home and Halas Hall were “raided” as part of an investigation into presumed wrongdoing. * IEA | Former president of Illinois Education Association dies, fondly remembered: Bob Haisman, who served as president of the Illinois Education Association, from 1993 to 1999 and who was an ardent supporter of public education in Illinois, passed away at age 77 on Sat., Sept. 2 at his home. * Daily Herald | Metra dubious about idea of merging with Pace and CTA: “The cost of action is greater than the cost of inaction,” CMAP’s Laura Wilkison told the board. The key is “not only to go back to where we were (before COVID-19), but to make it better.” * Sun-Times | James Hoge, Sun-Times editor who oversaw era of audacious investigations and 6 Pulitzers, dies at 87: Former Sun-Times Editor James Hoge helped usher in a golden age of Chicago journalism by hiring young talent and signing off on audacious investigative projects, including the Mirage Tavern undercover sting. The newspaper would win six Pulitzer Prizes under his watch.
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- Suburban Mom - Thursday, Sep 21, 23 @ 8:20 am:
I had all three of my kids with a joint obstetrician/midwife practice, and it was GREAT. All of my pregnancies were medically-complicated, so I needed obstetrician involvement, but the midwife was able to handle the day-to-day and had the freedom to be more hands-on and listen longer and so on, and when she told my doctor she wanted him to come look at something, he’d come right away because they trusted each others’ professional expertise. She was able to walk me through all the scary parts, including helping me prepare psychologically for a difficult birth. She offered to be there for the birth itself, but I felt so comfortable with the obstetrician by having had the tandem care from the two of them that I felt like I was in good hands.
Honestly recommend the model to everyone. You can have a high-touch, low-intervention pregnancy with your midwife right up until the exact moment that a serious intervention is necessary, at which point the handoff to the obstetrician is perfectly smooth and your midwife remains involved in your care. No, “Oh, I had a midwife and suddenly things are scary and I’m in the hospital with a stranger.” Midwife is still there, you already know the doctor-partner, there was no chaotic search for emergency care.
Plus you get the kind of obstetricians who value what midwives do and are likely to be a little more low-intervention and mother-centric in their own philosophy of practice.
- Rabid - Thursday, Sep 21, 23 @ 8:45 am:
Patrick Keneally says he’s bad at his job
- H-W - Thursday, Sep 21, 23 @ 9:13 am:
Re: WBBM Story
With all due respect to the Editor of the story, the story provides no evidence of a “backfire.”
The story only says that McHenry County State’s Attorney Patrick Kenneally would have preferred the two people accused of crimes had not been released. It does not show that since being released, the two people have committed heinous crimes.
Sloppy journalism.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Sep 21, 23 @ 9:17 am:
===Sloppy journalism. ===
Expect more of this. No follow up questions, no mention that the accused could’ve posted bail to get out, no mention of when their court dates are, etc.
- H-W - Thursday, Sep 21, 23 @ 9:18 am:
The Crain’s story at the top of the column is important. In a civil society, we do not reward people or corporations for unethical actions. The several stories I have read indicate that the contractor is an unethical corporation. Indeed, yesterday’s story on this blogged raised a very serious issue. If the temperatures in Chicago go below 40 degrees, what does the contractor promise regarding the safety and comfort of the asylum seekers?
This situation really stinks, and the mayor really needs to decide if he wants to continue down this path, or find another vendor who is not simply grubbing for money at the expense of immigrants.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Sep 21, 23 @ 9:22 am:
After reading the links, (thanks Isabel) the WBBM one really stood out and felt more of a narrative than a reporting, including “Democrat majority”, which on its own, “ok”, but in context to the truly sloppy and lazy of the piece, it seemed more like a press release spruced up to be a news report.
The idea of choosing “two” examples as the rule without context of how bail could’ve gone in a past situation for the honest compare, it was disappointing.
- Captain Obvious - Thursday, Sep 21, 23 @ 9:22 am:
So HW the law hasn’t backfired until a heinous crime has been committed? You’re willing to gamble that won’t happen when dangerous people are released back into society?
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Sep 21, 23 @ 9:23 am:
===when dangerous people are released back into society?===
You ever hear of people being released on bail?
- Anyone Remember - Thursday, Sep 21, 23 @ 9:29 am:
===Sloppy journalism. ===
Do miss Mark Maxwell.
- hisgirlfriday - Thursday, Sep 21, 23 @ 9:29 am:
The Kenneally comments in the WBBM piece made no logical sense just on their own terms. At one point in the story he is claiming (falsely) that judges have no discretion post-SAFET act. Then he talks about inmates petitioning for release and how he hopes judges (who now have discretion apparently) don’t let them out
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Sep 21, 23 @ 9:30 am:
===Mark Maxwell===
Mark was a downstate tv reporter, not a Chicago radio reporter.
- Torco Sign - Thursday, Sep 21, 23 @ 9:40 am:
Correct me if I’m wrong, but in regards to the “judges don’t have discretion” argument, I think it’s because the burden is now on the state in the initial appearance. The power has shifted from judge to state’s attorney. Not the strongest argument from a prosecutor but not wrong per se about judges.
- Annonin' - Thursday, Sep 21, 23 @ 9:44 am:
Sad to learn of the passing of Jim Hoge. One of the most lively people to be part of Chicago area journalism in “modern times” Interviewed with him for a job I did not get. Found him inspiring. RIP.
- Demoralized - Thursday, Sep 21, 23 @ 9:44 am:
@Captain Obvious
Everything with the law is going to be negative with you so there’s really no point in trying to talk to people like you. You’ve already got yourself convinced that it’s all bad.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Sep 21, 23 @ 9:56 am:
===The power has shifted from judge to state’s attorney. Not the strongest argument from a prosecutor but not wrong per se about judges.===
Prosecutors need to work to meet thresholds, a burden required far more (very far more) now, so I keep wondering (even “here”, aloud) why do these SAs and Sheriffs think it’ll work for them to seem inept with this rollout when they can be seen as engaged in process and show where they are championing their thoughts, to the law and using the tools of the Act to their needs in process.
The lazy is… to choose to be a victim of being lazy… to the work available to them.
- Grandson of Man - Thursday, Sep 21, 23 @ 9:57 am:
How can any ILGOP criticize the SAFE-T act when this party’s leader fomented a violent coup attempt? Take a seat and be quiet.
- H-W - Thursday, Sep 21, 23 @ 9:59 am:
@ Captian Obvious
=== You’re willing to gamble that won’t happen? ===
Yes.
- Steve - Thursday, Sep 21, 23 @ 10:03 am:
The Biden Administration has removed a major hurdle for those migrants looking to work. I wonder if this will encourage Abbott and De Santis to send more buses to Chicago.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Sep 21, 23 @ 10:08 am:
===I wonder if this will encourage Abbott and De Santis to send more buses===
lol
You think they need reasons?
- Steve - Thursday, Sep 21, 23 @ 10:14 am:
-You think they need reasons?-
In this kind of PR, it just adds to the reasons. Their bases don’t want anyone migrants.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Sep 21, 23 @ 10:16 am:
===In this kind of PR, it just adds to the reasons. Their bases don’t want anyone migrants.===
Friend, with that thinking, the politics will demand they never be satisfied or want pause.
Your edging on “concerned trolling” as you ignore the obvious political wants by them, not the needs of the immigrants.
- smile politely - Thursday, Sep 21, 23 @ 10:49 am:
OW
you did read what the democratic gov of ny just said right about the migrant crisis…….. we are running out of space
and here is your :”cite”
https://nypost.com/2023/09/21/hochul-warns-migrants-coming-to-ny-we-are-truly-out-of-space/
So is she wrong or right?
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Sep 21, 23 @ 10:51 am:
===So is she wrong or right?===
What is the *population* by square mile in rural Texas counties?
Can staging be done in areas where the Feds can do that?
Why or why not?
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Sep 21, 23 @ 10:55 am:
I’d also submit NM and AZ, with the Feds taking charge and working to begin with staging, then processing, then working to help people and other states.
I can almost *feel* your vacant stare and silly grin.
The politics of having NY, IL, FL, TX, AZ, CA, and NM work in a bipartisan way to apply pressure to the Feds and treat people as people too… the politics of DeSantis and Abbott aren’t about that.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Sep 21, 23 @ 10:57 am:
===I wonder if this will encourage Abbott and De Santis to send more buses to Chicago.===
Only if they are stupid. With work authorization and thousands of vacant jobs in the hospitality industry in both states (and here), a lot of these Venezuelans going to work is exactly what Florida needs.
Lunch doesn’t cook itself. Hotels rooms don’t clean themselves. Oranges don’t pick themselves. Etc. The Sun Belt is being overrun with retirees. If the labor market doesn’t keep up, these state economies are in serious trouble.
Migrants working will solve a lot of problems. My bet is the bus stunt made its point and now it can end. DeSantis and Abbott can now exploit cheap unskilled labor instead of exporting it elsewhere.
- Big Dipper - Thursday, Sep 21, 23 @ 11:06 am:
==He said he doubts lawmakers will agree to modify the law, even if prosecutors provide them with evidence of how the legislation is backfiring.
“I have no faith that any of this is going to get fixed,” Kenneally said.==
Um, there already had been amendments. What a sorry excuse for a public official.
- btowntruth from forgottonia - Thursday, Sep 21, 23 @ 11:11 am:
“Their bases don’t want any migrants.”
Fixed it for you Steve.
- Independent - Thursday, Sep 21, 23 @ 1:14 pm:
If someone had told me fifteen years ago that bomb threats against libraries would become a regular thing I would have been perplexed. But then arose the Tea Party, which then was swallowed by the MAGA movement, and sadly it all makes sense now.
- Agora - Thursday, Sep 21, 23 @ 2:18 pm:
Vale James Hoge. I’ll have a drink at the Mirage in your memory.
- DuPage - Thursday, Sep 21, 23 @ 2:48 pm:
I would have to side with the CO2 pipeline NIMBYs. Unlike the power lines, which help bring in cheaper wind power to customers in Illinois, the CO2 pipeline and underground dump does not benefit the Illinois public. The dump does have significant risks to aquafers and water wells over a large area.
- Dotnonymous x - Thursday, Sep 21, 23 @ 3:29 pm:
- If someone had told me fifteen years ago that bomb threats against libraries would become a regular thing I would have been perplexed. -
I tried… to issue the warning…to no avail.