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Isabel’s morning briefing
Tuesday, Oct 31, 2023 - Posted by Isabel Miller * ICYMI: Ford reaches a deal with the UAW. Tribune…
-The Stellantis tentative agreement with the UAW includes bringing thousands of workers back to the Belvidere Assembly Plant near Rockford. * Related stories… ∙ Bloomberg: Tesla and Anti-Union Elon Musk Make Enticing Targets for UAW’s Next Push ∙ Detroit Free Press: GM, UAW reach tentative deal after weeks of contract negotiations ∙ Fox 32: Illinois stands to gain thousands of jobs and more in General Motors-UAW tentative deal * Isabel’s top picks… * Sun-Times | How the near absolute power Edward Burke wielded absolutely paved the way for his alleged corruption: That power came from “scratch my back” Chicago politics. Burke’s clout emanated from the sheer force of his personality, the favors he did for other City Council members and the intimidation he wielded over his colleagues. * Tribune | Plainfield man pleads not guilty to hate crime and murder charges in attack on 6-year-old Muslim boy: Carlson read each charge Czuba faces, including four murder charges, two aggravated battery charges and two hate crime charges. If convicted, Czuba could face life in prison, Carlson said. * Happy Halloween!…
* Here’s the rest of your morning roundup… * Sun-Times | Plan for 2nd migrant tent camp at donated Jewel, parking lot clears City Council committee: “The City will soon begin performing work on the site to confirm the underlying infrastructure’s viability before initiating construction. The City will notify residents as to the outcome of this final assessment and will share further operations details prior to placing any individuals into the facilities. At the conclusion of the base camp mission, the City intends to transfer ownership of the site to a local community development corporation and fully provide support for the development of affordable housing and retail space on the site.” * Tribune | Aldermen delay vote on Johnson paid leave plan amid pushback: It’s likely some version of the paid leave legislation will eventually pass. It’s a key plank of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s pro-worker agenda and supporters Monday said they had the votes necessary to pass it. The delay signaled substantive disagreement over the ordinance, however. It presents a test of whether Johnson, with the help of progressive allies, can live up to the reputation he’s tried to burnish as the city’s unifier. * WTTW | With Few Granted, Time Is Fleeting for People in Illinois Prisons Hoping for Medical Release: ‘My Hope Is Waning’: Under the law, people in prison can petition the Illinois Prisoner Review Board for early release if they are terminally ill and likely to die within the next eighteen months; have become disabled since being incarcerated; or are likely to become disabled within the next six months. During a WTTW News visit to the facility two hours west of Chicago, Dyches shared letters from both his doctor at UI Health and the Dixon Correctional Center doctor attesting to his terminal illness. Despite that documentation, the board still denied him. * Capitol News Illinois | Latest state school report card shows proficiency gains, persistent gaps on racial lines: Although statewide average proficiency rates remained below pre-pandemic levels, the results showed improvement over the previous year across all demographic categories. * CBS Chicago | Hate crimes tripled in Illinois between 2017 and 2022: “Going back to 2017, the number of hate incidents that were reported in Illinois was about 85,” said Special Agent Brian Etchell, who oversees hate crimes out of the Chicago FBI field office. “In five years in 2022, the number of incidents has tripled.” * Daily Herald | Rosemont hotel no longer hosting pro-Palestinian event after receiving threats: “The decision by the Hyatt Regency O’Hare to yield to pressure and threats to cancel our event is not an isolated incident,” Irshaid said in a written statement. “We have witnessed similar cancellations of Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim American events in locations like Orlando, (Florida) and Washington, D.C. Regrettably, by giving in to these threats, these establishments are inadvertently legitimizing and giving credibility to voices of bigotry, violence, and exclusion. In doing so, they contribute to the fueling of Islamophobia, anti-Arab, and Anti-Palestinian racism.” * Business Journal | Illinois Nurses Association, State of Illinois agree on new four-year contract: The new contract was ratified with a 97% vote. Tori Dameron, RN, president of the Illinois Nurses Association, registered nurse at Quincy Veterans Home, and co-chief negotiator, expressed her enthusiasm for this achievement, saying, “The power of organizing is clear. These nurses stood together to support each other’s needs and demands and it paid off. Never before have these nurses seen a contract this strong and a local union so powerful. We were able to come together through rallies, petitions, and other organizing across the state to win the biggest wage increase that state nurses have ever seen. * Streets Blog Chicago | State legislation introduced by Kam Buckner and supported by North Lakefront reps urges CDOT and IDOT to “transform DLSD”: The synopsis adds that the bill’s goal is to get the departments “to incorporate safe and efficient multimodal transportation throughout DuSable Lake Shore Drive for pedestrians, cyclists, public transit users, and drivers, to emphasize green urban mobility.” This would “ensure that any proposed changes are considered as part of a comprehensive plan for efficient traffic management and movement of people, including during special events and weather challenges.” The synopsis concludes that the aim is to have “more green space and recreational opportunities for Chicagoans, as well as visitors, and to repurpose, where possible, existing infrastructure as part of expanded recreational opportunities.” * WTTW | Chicago’s Top Cop Vows to Rein in Police Overtime Spending as 2023 Bill Tops $200M: After spending $126.5 million on overtime for members of the Chicago Police Department during the first six months of 2023, the department remains on track to end the year with a total police overtime bill of more than $250 million. The City Council only budgeted $100 million for police overtime in 2023. * Sun-Times | Northwestern pledges $100 million for Evanston if it gets OK for Ryan Field concerts: Monday’s meeting went late into the night, with most testimony opposing Northwestern. Speakers were given one and a half minutes each to reprise arguments made at length before the city’s Land Use Commission. The advisory panel held three meetings on Ryan Field and on Oct. 11 voted 7-2 against Northwestern’s request for concerts. * Bloomberg | ADM Reviews Plant-Based Protein Growth Plan on Weak Demand for Fake Meat: “The plant-based protein market has been experiencing de-stocking and consumer demand softness over the course of the year,” Chief Executive Officer Juan Luciano said on a conference call with investors, adding adverse conditions would likely persist into 2024.
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- Three Dimensional Checkers - Tuesday, Oct 31, 23 @ 8:36 am:
The disingenuous quotes from the former federal prosecutors in Fran’s stories also make my brain hurt. Where are all these people in City government who did Burke’s bidding? Hot air waxing poetic about hot air.
- Thomas Paine - Tuesday, Oct 31, 23 @ 9:02 am:
=== Northwestern Pledges $100M for Evanston ===
Northwestern should threaten to move to Arlington Heights.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Oct 31, 23 @ 9:18 am:
=== Northwestern Pledges $100M for Evanston ===
If… “If”… the Bears committed $300 million (over 10 years) to Chicago, I’d be far more inclined to look at any Bears “windfall” to build much differently.
Thing is, to Northwestern, now that the toxic Fitzgerald is gone, so much of the overview (the undercurrent, sadly and almost toxically remains) is gone too, why was there this need to keep a coach with the last two years of awful (4-20), it was not wanting to let a culture go. Maybe the lesson is being learned, I dunno.
The $100 million speaks to what partners should say.
The Bears refuse to see that symbiotic
- Amalia - Tuesday, Oct 31, 23 @ 9:27 am:
thanks for posting the Chris Welch costume photo. fun and making me happy just looking at it.
- Lucky Pierre - Tuesday, Oct 31, 23 @ 10:12 am:
Why would the Bears pay $300 million to Chicago? At their current rent that would cover the next 46 years for a stadium they wouldn’t be using.
The “toxic” Fitz is gone after the University did an independent investigation that found zero evidence he knew about the hazing.
The University agreed to suspend him for not knowing about the hazing and then subsequently fired him without due process.
Somehow all assistant coaches who also should have known about hazing still are employed.
The toxicity will return when Dan Webb starts his cross examination for wrongful termination and breach of contract.
https://www.npr.org/2023/07/11/1186971916/northwestern-university-football-hazing-pat-fitzgerald-fired
- Lucky Pierre - Tuesday, Oct 31, 23 @ 10:19 am:
Northwestern can easily afford the $100 million as an olive branch to Evanston
They have a 16 billion dollar endowment and pay zero property taxes
- Cool Papa Bell - Tuesday, Oct 31, 23 @ 10:38 am:
=The “toxic” Fitz is gone after the University did an independent investigation that found zero evidence he knew about the hazing.=
Coaches demand absolute power until they need to feign ignorance to absolve them of their lack of oversight when given absolute power.
=Northwestern can easily afford the $100 million as an olive branch to Evanston
They have a 16 billion dollar endowment and pay zero property taxes=
The Bears are worth $6.3 billon and play in a business that’s a rigged game to fill owners pockets with consistent revenue and ever increasing team values.
The Bears can easily afford $300 million too.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Oct 31, 23 @ 10:38 am:
===Why would the Bears pay $300 million to Chicago? At their current rent that would cover the next 46 years for a stadium they wouldn’t be using.===
As the governor said, the Bears want a bailout. NU is committing $100 million of their own monies.
Heck, I’d like to see the Bears get $600+ million in naming rights before breaking ground, finance the rest, a franchise that got a $300+ million, a quarter of a billion (that’s with a B) of value doing nothing but voting to approve the sale of the Commanders… they have now, with that windfall, less than 2% debt for the franchise… going alone. Have at it. Go crazy. Build. The Bears want help, then commit to payoff the bonds, “good faith”, and free money too now, given the windfall of worth just gotten.
Let’s do this one by one, LOL
===The “toxic” Fitz is gone after the University did an independent investigation that found zero evidence he knew about the hazing.===
That’s interesting spin, the reality is, at that moment of alleged “full investigation”, the school newspaper happened upon 11 (or more) athletes refuting such ignorance, and further, what institution wants an aloof leader “of men” who goes into living rooms and talks about “family and protecting students” when readily admitting he had “no clue”?
NU had Fitzgerald as the face of NU athletics, embracing a toxic man and his culture, and given the student newspaper cared more about the athletes than Fitzgerald, it became apparent NU seemingly cared more about a bad actor in Fitzgerald than the players. Fitzgerald had to go.
=== Somehow all assistant coaches who also should have known about hazing still are employed.===
So.. you think NU handled it poorly? Heck yeah they did. Even the new Head Coach was found lying about his academic career as presented in his own credentials. They kept the assistants because NU will get $50+ million for playing B1G football games, it’s about the money, like with all things. You know this, and paying a bunch of assistants to play out the year, reassess, the money is still coming in.
===The toxicity will return when Dan Webb starts his cross examination for wrongful termination and breach of contract.===
Meh. NU will still remain, be in B1G, still be a beacon of higher ed. Fitzgerald will be, in his examination a man driven by a belief that sexualized hazing and racial underpinnings from multiple witnesses… what university is ever going to hire a man “of men” with creepy ideas of “team punishment” while allowing that same man “leading men” to go into living rooms and say your son is safe with me.
“Yeah, I didn’t know”
You’re the face of NU athletics, you didn’t know, had no knowledge, 11 or so say you were not only knowing but encouraging, and you wanna run a football program again?
What family of color is gonna want Fitzgerald to tell them he cares about their son after what the NU newspaper found?
I’m glad Fitzgerald wants to be deposed, it’ll be so enlightening to the crass toxicity of his football program, and at best… total lack of control and hurting students along the way.
It’s creepy to support a guy who is more worried about process to “get his” than a concern he allegedly missed to his players, as the discrediting is now on the table of real victims.
It’s sad how you look at this as Fitzgerald is the victim. Whew
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Oct 31, 23 @ 10:41 am:
===Northwestern can easily afford===
Claiming the Bears are poor… after the $300 million windfall worth the franchise got with the sale of the Commanders…
Claiming the Bears are poor is a losing argument x100
They have less than 2% debt on top of it, lol
- walker - Tuesday, Oct 31, 23 @ 10:59 am:
UAW strategic management of this whole process has been masterful. Just amazing.
- Lucky Pierre - Tuesday, Oct 31, 23 @ 11:10 am:
I must have missed where I claimed the Bears were poor.
I just stated the obvious fact that it is absurd on its face to demand they pay Chicago $300 million after tax dollars for a stadium they are no longer renting.
- DuPage - Tuesday, Oct 31, 23 @ 11:18 am:
“Saving money” by being over 1000 police officers short. A plan to save more money by cutting overtime. What could go wrong?
Maybe they should try filling some vacant police positions, reducing the need for overtime.
- jackmac - Tuesday, Oct 31, 23 @ 11:18 am:
I love Chris Welch’s macabre sense of humor.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Oct 31, 23 @ 11:19 am:
===that it is absurd on its face===
Fine.
Not one nickel to the Bears. It’s a bailout, even the governor agrees.
Build your building, on your own. Not one person is stopping them.
At least NU understands… that $100 million is worth more than its dollar value.
- Sir Reel - Tuesday, Oct 31, 23 @ 11:23 am:
The lakefront is Chicago’s star attraction. Making it accessible and more attractive will pay dividends. Using it to move cars will only encourage more cars.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Oct 31, 23 @ 11:27 am:
===I must have missed where I claimed the Bears were poor.===
They can afford $300 million to Chicago, if a bailout exists, AND the naming rights, AND the windfall of the Commanders’ sale, AND the asset the building would be.
It’s like the Charleston Chiefs, - LP -, you don’t understand high finance, lol
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Oct 31, 23 @ 12:04 pm:
That picture by Speaker Welch is EPIC.
That’s winning Halloween, along with the Pritzkers.
All four of you, well done. (Standing Ovation)
OW
- Demoralized - Tuesday, Oct 31, 23 @ 1:18 pm:
OW
LP is the biggest shill for the Bears probably in the entire state. You’re wasting your breath on the guy.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Oct 31, 23 @ 1:21 pm:
- Demoralized -
With sincere and honest respect. Truthfully.
“Between us”?
Some things I write aren’t wholly intended to the person I’m seemingly addressing. Sometimes, it works out that a message and vessel exists beyond the simple retort.
:)
- Larry Bowa Jr. - Tuesday, Oct 31, 23 @ 2:15 pm:
‘The “toxic” Fitz is gone after the University did an independent investigation that found zero evidence he knew about the hazing.’
What kind of authority worshipping nonsense is this? Is Pat Fitzgerald your nephew? Does the big strong ball coach need you to stand up for his honor?
Make Dan Webb try a case. NU can afford to pay any judgment.
- Amalia - Tuesday, Oct 31, 23 @ 4:07 pm:
that stadium discussion at Evanston’s City Council had a tie vote to move the item to a Council meeting. Mayor Biss broke the tie and moved it forward. Wonder what statewide candidate Biss would say about what Mayor Biss did?