Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar » 2023

Raoul, anti-abortion groups to file proposed agreed order in crisis pregnancy center case

Monday, Dec 11, 2023 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Thomas More Society in August…

At an August 3, 2023, hearing in United States District Court, a federal judge granted a motion requested by Thomas More Society attorneys for a preliminary injunction seeking to immediately halt Illinois’ new law attacking life-affirming maternal health care centers. The lawsuit, National Institute of Family Life Advocates et al. v. Raoul, asserts that this law—enacted on July 27, 2023, and amending the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act—was designed to target pregnancy help ministries solely because of their pro-life message.

“Free Speech won today in the Land of Lincoln—pro-life advocates across Illinois can breathe a sigh of relief they won’t be pursued for ‘misinformation’ by Attorney General Kwame Raoul,” stated Peter Breen, Executive Vice President and Head of Litigation for the Thomas More Society. Breen argued the case on behalf of National Institute of Family Life Advocates and other pro-life ministries, including pregnancy care centers in Illinois.

“Across the nation, pregnancy help ministries are being discriminated against by laws that target their life-affirming work,” said Breen. “The injunction granted today sends a strong, clear message to the country that the First Amendment protects pro-life speech.”

* From the judge’s injunction…

In reality, SB1909 reduces the ability of pregnant women to receive information necessary to make an “autonomous” and “informed” decision. Instead of that autonomous decision, SB1909 would cabin a pregnant woman’s decision-making process by allowing only the limited data approved by the state, instead of allowing her to hear both sides’ advocacy and information before making an abortion decision.

The bill was essentially written by Attorney General Kwame Raoul and was based on a Connecticut law which had withstood judicial scrutiny. Raoul was its top advocate…

Attorney General Kwame Raoul, whose office pushed for the law during the General Assembly’s spring legislative session, has often told the story of a visit to an abortion clinic where his driver was stopped by CPC volunteers who carried clip boards and attempted to divert him from going into the facility, instead saying they needed to check him in first.

A spokesperson for Raoul’s office did not return a request for comment Friday, but last week he told reporters that he was “confident” the law would be upheld in court.

* Well, here’s AG Raoul today…

Attorney General Kwame Raoul issued the following statement in the case of National Institute of Family and Life Advocates et al. v. Kwame Raoul. Raoul’s office filed a proposed agreed order in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois Western Division.

“As filed, this proposed order is agreed to by the parties in this case and in no way affects my ongoing work protecting women’s rights to access the full range of reproductive health services. Furthermore, this proposed order does not alter Illinois’ Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Practices Act or my office’s preexisting authority under the act, and I remain committed to protecting consumers against all deceptive practices.

“Patients in Illinois can be assured that as states continue to enact draconian restrictions on access to reproductive health care, I will not waver in my efforts to ensure that Illinois remains an oasis of reproductive freedom in the middle of our nation.”

The proposed order wasn’t included in the release. It won’t actually be filed with the court until tomorrow. But I’ve talked with some pro-choice people this evening who are quite unhappy with this turn of events. Expect reactions tomorrow.

…Adding…. Apparently the AG will agree not to pursue legal claims under the new law, but reserves the right to legally challenge under the state’s Consumer Fraud law, which he believes covers the topic. That begs the question of why he pushed so hard and expended the political capital to pass this new law in the first place.

1 Comment

IDNR removed 750,000 pounds of silver carp from the Illinois River in ten days

Monday, Dec 11, 2023 - Posted by Rich Miller

* This is quite a haul. IDNR press release…

Illinois Department of Natural Resources fisheries biologists, with support from contracted commercial fishers and biologists from the Illinois River Biological Station, wrapped up a 10-day intensive harvest operation in the Starved Rock pool of the Illinois River, resulting in the removal of an astonishing 750,000 pounds of silver carp between Nov. 27 and Dec. 6.

This is the largest single removal effort IDNR has undertaken and is believed to be a record for freshwater harvest within the United States.

“Clearly, this removal technique is highly effective, but it is also highly dependent on water levels and water temperature,” said Brian Schoenung, aquatic nuisance species program manager for IDNR. “This past week provided near perfect conditions, which facilitated the record-breaking haul of fish.”

IDNR uses funding support from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to contract with commercial fishers. These fishers, under supervision by IDNR staff, annually remove more than 1 million pounds of invasive carp from the Starved Rock, Marseilles, and Dresden Island pools of the Illinois River, especially targeting the Starved Rock and Marseilles pools.

These efforts help prevent invasive carp from becoming established in the Great Lakes by reducing the population pressure on the electric dispersal barrier system near Romeoville.

Reducing the numbers of adult fish in this area, where small fish have rarely been found, suppresses adult populations and upstream migration, reducing the risk of invasive carp nearing the electric dispersal barrier. During the past 13 years, such efforts have contributed to a nearly 95% reduction in the density of fish in these upstream areas, further protecting the Great Lakes. […]

The seine operation used in on the Illinois River is an experimental effort to expand removal of silver carp. A seine is a fishing net that surrounds fish on the sides and underneath and brings them to the bank. It’s most effective in cool water when silver carp cannot jump out over the net.

Last year, crews utilized the seine to remove 350,000 pounds of invasive carp. As experience has grown, so has the effectiveness of this technique, culminating in the 750,000 pounds removed this month.

In total, such removal efforts contribute to approximately 1 million pounds of invasive carp removed from Illinois waterways annually. In 2023, the most recent catch will bolster total annual removal to 1.7 million pounds.

These efforts would not be possible without the support of Illinois-based invasive carp processors who provide trucks daily for removal and disposal of the fish. Both Sorce Freshwater in Peoria and Aquatic Protein in Beardstown provided trucking and removal support.

* For comparison, the annual Redneck Fishing Tournament harvested about 20,000 pounds of fish near Bath, Illinois this past summer. But the tournament has some rules which limit their catches…

“The fish were huge this year. We dodged more than we probably caught, but it was a lot of fun,” John Patterson, a participant, said. […]

The fish hurl themselves right out of the water. The goal is to see how many you can net or knock into your team’s boat. Our boat had nine unexpected jumpers, at one point even having three at once.

[Patterson didn’t win a Golden Horseshoe today, but he did get this post.]

16 Comments

Isabel’s afternoon roundup

Monday, Dec 11, 2023 - Posted by Isabel Miller

Today’s top stories

ProPublica writer Vernal Coleman tells the story of an infamous Indiana gun shop that is linked to hundreds of recovered guns in Chicago.

The Belleville News-Democrat reports that U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin and U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski have asked the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to investigate how decades of flooding and exposure to sewage have affected Cahokia Heights residents’ health.

State-wide news

* WGLT | A report on nutrient pollution in Illinois’ waterways shows more work is needed: “Nutrient levels in Illinois waterways continued to increase in 2021 and 2022 compared to baseline measurements, and the NLRS partnership anticipates the strategy will likely fall short of its 2025 interim goals, particularly for phosphorus,” the report notes. “This is despite multi-sector investments in resources and practices that support nutrient loss reduction across the state.”

* Daily Herald | Are electric vehicle owners paying enough for Illinois roads?: An additional $100 fee charged to electric vehicle owners in Illinois generated more than $8.8 million for the state in the last year. That’s up more than $3.3 million from a year ago, and is earmarked for road construction projects in the state, according to Illinois Secretary of State figures.

* Cannabis Business Times | Illinois Governor Signs Bill Waiving Cannabis Transporter Fees: The legislation, Senate Bill 1559, also restricts the Illinois Department of Agriculture from making available or accepting new license applications for cannabis transporters until January 2027. […] “The [multi]-year moratorium on new transporter licenses will allow the current, smaller independent transporters to secure contracts and grow their businesses,” Pritzker said in a press release. “License holders will also have a [multi]-year holiday from paying annual fees to further aid these small businesses as the industry develops.”

* Sun-Times | Illinois hunters harvested 76,232 deer during firearm season, down from 2022: For the first modern season where certain rifles were allowed during Illinois’ firearm deer season, the impact appears negligible or minor on harvest totals. Illinois hunters harvested 76,232 deer (preliminary numbers) during the two parts of firearm season, down slightly from 76,854 deer in the 2022 firearm season. The weather being almost too nice first season may have had a bigger impact than use of rifles.

* Sun-Times | $40M project highlights pastor’s 25-year effort to bring affordable housing to North Lawndale: Developers of a mixed-income complex in North Lawndale hope to inspire residents to return to a community where a lack of affordable housing has driven people away. The six-story, 65-unit Grace Manor has been spearheaded by the Rev. Marvin Hunter, pastor of the nearby Grace Memorial Baptist Church.

SJ-R | Springfield Parks District seeks state OK to install video gaming terminals at golf course: Among them, the Springfield Parks District wants to add video gaming at a local golf club which is pending approval from the Illinois Gaming Board. Executive Director Derek Harms told The State Journal-Register that the district recently applied to install video gaming terminals at the Bunn Golf Course clubhouse. IGB confirmed it had received the application in October and was in the process of reviewing it.

* Patch | Long Grove Student Wins Voting Sticker Contest: Lake County: Annika, a seventh-grader at Woodlawn, was the winner of the 6th through 8th grade category and the overall grand prize winner for all ages. “Annika’s exceptional artistry secured the grand prize, earning the honor of having their design transformed into the official Lake County ‘I Voted’ sticker in 2024,” Lake County Clerk Anthony Vega said in a press release.

* Press Release | Illinois Beverage Association announces selection of Madeline Norris as Executive Director: Skilled in policy analysis, negotiation, relationship management, and legislative process strategy, Norris previously served as Legislative Director for Illinois House Majority Leader Robyn Gabel. “My team and I are excited to take on this new role as Executive Director of the IBA” stated Norris. “The opportunity to serve the IBA’s bottling, manufacturing, and franchisee members throughout the State of Illinois is a great honor and privilege, every day these members serve Illinois residents by providing the most popular, innovative, non-alcoholic beverage choices of every type in the world.”

What’s going on in the Windy City?

Block Club | City Says It Has ‘No Immediate Plans’ To Build Far South Side Tent Camp For Migrants:

* Sun-Times | Near West Side ventures seed growth in Chicago manufacturing: In mHUB’s case, it will cut the ribbon Tuesday on its new home. It has taken over a nearly century-old building with a clock tower at 240 N. Ashland Ave. and given it a new address to suit its purposes, 1623 W. Fulton St. The 80,000 square feet will afford mHUB more space for prototyping and testing compared with its former base on Chicago Avenue.

* WTTW | Private Trash Haulers Rarely Face Punishment for Illegal Pickups, City Data Shows: Despite scores of noise complaints from frustrated residents jolted awake by garbage trucks, private trash haulers have been slapped with just five tickets for illegal pickups during quiet hours over the last two years. That’s according to a WTTW News analysis of data obtained from the Chicago Police Department and the city’s 311 nonemergency line.

* Tribune | Chicago homicides in 2023: 588 people slain. Here’s how that compares with previous years: After a two-year spike during the pandemic and national outrage over police accountability, Chicago began to see a decline in homicides in 2022. In 2021, 797 people were slain — 25 more than in 2020.

* People’s Fabric | Crooked Chicago Cop Crew Seen in Videos Stealing Guns, Drugs, and Cash: Four Calumet District tactical unit officers were stripped of their police powers after filing false reports—in one instance, they even let a man wanted for murder walk away smoking his blunt.

News from outside the Land of Lincoln

* Chalkbeat | How researchers see AI helping university admissions officers comb through college essays: The possible use of AI in admissions, however, raises questions about how universities would responsibly use it, especially because college admissions officers have said essays might carry more weight in the wake of the Supreme Court decision eliminating the use of race-based admissions. […] To develop the AI tool, D’Mello and researchers from the University of Pennsylvania used more than 300,000 anonymous, 150-word essays submitted to colleges in 2008 and 2009. Those essays focused on extracurricular activities and work experiences.

* Reuters | Texas woman who asked court to allow emergency abortion will leave state for care: A woman who had asked a court for an order allowing her to get an abortion under the medical emergency exception to Texas’ near-total ban will leave the state to receive care while the state’s highest court considers her case, her lawyers said in a court filing on Monday.

* Metro News | Gubernatorial candidate Mac Warner: ‘The election was stolen, and it was stolen by the CIA’: For Warner, who has served as West Virginia’s Secretary of State since 2017, the claim was a variation on a consistent public position of casting doubt on the presidential election. Warner is now vying to become West Virginia’s chief executive, touting his long record in the U.S. Army and his two terms as the state’s chief elections officer. Polls have shown him running behind some of the other candidates, but he has picked up a key endorsement from the former president’s orbit and hopes for more.

10 Comments

The DSA and the Eastern Bloc

Monday, Dec 11, 2023 - Posted by Rich Miller

* I noticed something over the weekend and was curious if you saw the same sorts of parallels. Tribune…

[Ald. Andre Vasquez] has been painted as an anti-law enforcement extremist by his social media critics on the right, yet the Chicago Democratic Socialists of America renounced him in 2020 for a budget vote that maintained Police Department funding.

The alderman is no longer a member of the local DSA, but he still labels himself a socialist — just a realistic one. “When you have movements of people who rightfully, and justifiably, are angry at government, it feels like the only energy people know is angst,” he said in a recent interview. […]

“It’s a microcosm of the big problem — the big question on the left … How much purity can we demand?” [Steve Weishampel, a member of the Chicago DSA and former co-chair] said. “I would not want to elect a socialist who, just like at the end of ‘Animal Farm,’ starts to look like all the others. … They have to stay radical. They can’t become a normie.”

* From US Rep. Mary Miller’s endorsement of Darren Bailey…

“Darren is MAGA to his core, and I was so honored when President Trump came to Illinois last year for a rally to endorse me and Darren as pro-Trump, America First candidates in 2022.” […]

Bailey responded to the announcement by sharing with Illinois Review that Congresswoman Mary Miller’s endorsement is further confirmation of the strong grassroots support he has from the America First movement in the 12th District race.

“Mike Bost is hoping that special interest cash from lobbyists and establishment elites will paper over his liberal voting record, but the truth is the voters know better. They know I am the true conservative in this race, which is why I have the endorsement of one of the most conservative members of Congress – Mary Miller.”

The rhetoric is quite similar. The difference in this particular case is that Ald. Vasquez easily won reelection this year, but Bost might not do the same in March.

Anyway, I’m curious if y’all think this is a fair or even accurate comparison.

39 Comments

Google can be your friend

Monday, Dec 11, 2023 - Posted by Rich Miller

* The rise in crime in Chicago’s Bucktown area is real and undoubtedly scary. But some folks are lashing out at straw men, and members of the news media have too often amplified their false claims. Here’s a particularly egregious example from Block Club Chicago…

Bucktown residents vented frustrations about a recent rise in burglaries, thefts and armed robberies in the neighborhood at a public forum Thursday evening, peppering state lawmakers with safety concerns and calling on them for legislative action.

“Neighbors are feeling terrorized. They’re fearful. They’re scared,” said Steve Jensen, board member of the Bucktown Community Organization, which hosted the forum. “I personally would like to see stricter consequences for crimes so that when the idea pops in peoples’ minds, they think twice.”

Robberies in the Shakespeare (14th) Police District, which includes Bucktown and parts of Wicker Park and Logan Square, are up 59 percent as of Nov. 26 of this year compared to 2022, according to city data. The district has seen a 129 percent jump in robberies in 2023 versus this period in 2019. […]

Jensen said he wanted to give residents the opportunity to voice their concerns directly to lawmakers. In his view, a “watering down” of laws, including raising the felony theft threshold from $250 to $1,000, has allowed burglaries to proliferate. […]

When pressed by neighbors about whether state leaders would commit to sponsoring a bill that would bring the felony theft minimum back down to $250, [Rep. Jawaharial Williams] vowed to meet in the middle.

“Let’s go to $500,” Williams said. “Absolutely, I’ll do that.”

1) The state’s felony theft minimum is set in statute at $500. A five-second Google search (Illinois felony theft law) by the reporter, or Rep. Jawaharial Williams or the two other legislators in attendance would have shown that.

2) Burglary is a different crime and is set in statute as a felony. Again, the Google can be your friend (Illinois burglary law).

3) Robberies are mentioned at the top of the story. Robbery is a felony in Illinois. Again, a five-second Google search (Illinois robbery law) would have cleared that up.

4) It’s not directly mentioned above, but this is not a Pre-Trial Fairness Act issue, either. Robbery, residential burglary and vehicular invasion are all detainable offenses. (Pre-trial Fairness Act).

5) The bottom line is perpetrators can’t even be sentenced if the police don’t catch the alleged criminals. And, yes, the local state’s attorney doesn’t prosecute retail thefts as felonies below $1,000, but people are up in arms about much different crimes. Either way, this is not a sentencing law issue.

29 Comments

Question of the day: 2023 Golden Horseshoe Awards

Monday, Dec 11, 2023 - Posted by Rich Miller

* The 2023 Golden Horseshoe Award for Best Government Spokesperson/Comms goes to Jason Rubin…

He does a lot of work out of the spotlight, but Jason Rubin is a huge reason that the Governor’s office communications shop functions with such efficiency and competency. Jason works with all the state agencies on everything they release to the press every day. The one two punch of Jordan Abudayyeh and Jason are an unrivaled team in Government comms - Rubin deserves recognition for the quiet and steady work he puts in every day.

A very special shout-out to Henry Haupt, who recently retired.

* The 2023 Golden Horseshoe Award for Best Statehouse-Related Public Relations Spokesperson is a tie: Monique Garcia…

Calm, cool, collected, knowledgeable, ever-present. Just a few adjectives that describe her. Seamlessly juggles the needs of an impressive list of demanding clients. Overlays her comms knowledge with deep knowledge of the state house and the overlapping political and social environment.

Becky Carroll…

Becky has a long, diverse career in Ilinois politics and government. She is thoughtful, heartfelt and passionate. The job she did managing Protect Illinois’s Families on the gun control issue led to major results.

Congratulations!

* On to today’s categories…

Best Republican Illinois State Representative

We will also have a lifetime achievement award this year.

Make sure to explain your nominations or they won’t count. And please do your utmost to nominate in both categories. Thanks!

* We’ve raised almost $52,000 to buy Christmas presents for foster kids in Lutheran Social Services of Illinois’ program. Please click here to help. Thanks so very much!

23 Comments

Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Update to today’s edition (Updated numerous times)

Monday, Dec 11, 2023 - Posted by Rich Miller

Comments Off

‘Members of the press outnumbered the protesters’

Monday, Dec 11, 2023 - Posted by Rich Miller

* NBC 5 last Thursday morning…

While controversial migrant base camps in the Chicago neighborhoods of Amundsen Park and Brighton Park won’t move forward, a former Catholic school in Portage Park is set to become a migrant shelter, holding as many as 350 people. […]

Residents of Portage Park, however, are set to protest the move during a rally Thursday afternoon, citing a lack of transparency from the city, and saying they weren’t included in the process.

Video is here.

* NBC 5 Thursday afternoon…

Outside of the former St. Bartholomew Catholic School in Portage Park, a group of residents and community members shared their concerns and complaints with city leadership, now that the building could be slated to become a temporary migrant shelter.

“They have no clue what they are doing,” said Patrick Gibbons. “They have to take care of their own people before they take care of anyone on the outside.”

Residents said a lack of safety is their main issue with the plan.

“I really don’t feel safe with any new strangers walking around the neighborhood,” said Wally Prusko, a longtime resident. “I wish things wouldn’t go in this direction and I hope things can worked out.”

* But, as Block Club Chicago reported, aside from the news media, hardly anyone actually showed up…

A lightly attended protest outside the former Catholic school Thursday, organized by Belmont Cragin resident Patrick Gibbons, included denouncements of the shelter plans from a South Side pastor, a Republican candidate for a suburban congressional seat and a few Portage Park neighbors. Members of the press outnumbered the protesters.

At least Gibbons is finally in his own part of the city for a change. Another “protester,” Anthony Wilson, lives on the South Side.

Anyway, good on Block Club for not going out of its way to gin this up.

* OK, on to the weekly report. On Friday, the city said 30 buses had arrived during the previous week, but only 575 asylum-seekers were in staging areas, with 399 at police district stations and 176 at O’Hare Airport. That’s an overall drop of 44 percent from the week before, when 1,032 were in staging areas.

Two police district stations near St. Bartholomew were literally overrun with asylum-seekers a few weeks ago, with tents set up outside. Those folks have since been moved out, which may be why people in the neighborhood aren’t so concerned about the new shelter.

* More from Isabel…

Journal & Topics | Elk Grove Village Enacts Ordinance To Prevent Migrants From Being Housed In Village :

* Tribune | Johnson administration begins filing lawsuits against operators of ‘rogue buses’ of migrants: The city has filed 55 lawsuits since it implemented new rules about when and where buses can arrive in mid-November, the Law Department said. The lawsuits address 77 total buses accused of violating the rules, and public records show at least some cases are seeking fines against the bus companies. … The mayor’s office is now seeking the ability to impound buses that don’t follow the rules and fine owners up to $3,000. Chicago police would write the citation, Jeffrey Levine, deputy corporation counsel for the city, told aldermen at a committee meeting Friday. The city could also cite companies by mail, if the bus information is captured on camera.

* CBS 2 | Chicago migrant crisis: Records shed light on contract for tents, city cracks down on buses: We are also keeping tabs on the environmental review for the second proposed migrant tent location in Morgan Park. Sources told us the review was supposed to be completed on Friday. Ald. Ronnie Mosley (21st), whose ward includes the area, told us he has not received anything yet.

* Crain’s | City moves to step up enforcement on bus companies bringing migrants: The city is adding impoundment to the list of penalties on private bus operators that don’t obey rules on where and when to drop off migrants they’re bringing to Chicago. The additional penalties were teased last month when Mayor Brandon Johnson announced new rules around how the city will care for asylum-seekers arriving here, including issuing 60-day exit notices to migrants living in city shelters.

* Tribune | Waiting in fear: A migrant mother struggles to find health care in Chicago: Migrants interviewed by the Tribune staying at city-run shelters and police stations say they are worried about their health and that of their children. Esperanza said health care was not an option for her in Venezuela. Hospitals were understaffed and treatment was too expensive, she said. “The operation I needed at Hospital Universitario in Maracaibo would have cost me $2,000. That just wasn’t feasible,” Esperanza said.

* WGN | St. Sabina Church helps migrants in Chicago with donations: Migrants have been coming to St. Sabina for quite some time now. The giveaway included things like teddy bears, bus cards, clothes and hygiene products. “We are spending somewhere between $12-15,000 a week on coats, cards, McDonalds,” Father Michael Pflegere said. He said the vast majority is from donations but as the group grows, more help is needed.

* ABC Chicago | Legal aid clinic helps Venezuelan migrants apply for temporary protected status, work authorization: “We don’t have a Venezuelan consulate, so if they don’t have a passport, it makes things even more complicated,” said immigration attorney Nubia Willman. Dozens of lawyers, law school students, and translators volunteered their time on Saturday to help the native Spanish speakers navigate the process, which includes filing out 31 pages of government forms, all in English.

* Chicago Defender | A Venezuelan Exodus: UIC Prof Explains What Helped Fuel Migrant Crisis: Nicole Jeanine Johnson: As this is a recipe for disaster, how have these factors contributed to the country’s mass exodus? Soledad Álvarez Velasco: So the fall of the oil prices in the global economy, commodities, sanctions and the internal collapse of its state has provoked this massive exodus. We haven’t witnessed any exodus of such magnitude in the region ever in the scope of its 14 years. Since 1999, up until the present, [nearly] 8 million Venezuelans have left their country.

19 Comments

A rethink may be in order here

Monday, Dec 11, 2023 - Posted by Rich Miller

* My weekly syndicated newspaper column…

Imagine a lobbyist approaching a legislator and promising that if the member voted for a specific bill, the lobbyist would contribute to their campaign committee.

Lobbyists have been convicted here for doing just that, going back to at least 1982.

Legislators would be violating state law if they made that deal. The statute prohibits legislators, candidates and others from promising “anything of value related to State government,” including any “action or inaction on any legislative or regulatory matter, in consideration for a contribution to a political committee, political party, or other entity that has as one of its purposes the financial support of a candidate for elective office.”

So, when I saw a recent candidate endorsement questionnaire, that’s the first thing that came to mind. But after I thought about it and did some research, I decided my initial impression may be wrong. Even so, I came away from this believing organizations that send out these questionnaires need to rethink their approaches, and legislators definitely need to study what they’re signing.

Equality Illinois’ latest endorsement questionnaire informs candidates: “We will consider your votes on the following bills as well as your responses to the following questions.”

The first question involves legislation to fully implement the Keeping Youth Safe and Healthy Act from 2021. “Will you recommit to voting for this initiative?” legislators are asked.

To be clear, it doesn’t look like they’re violating state law, nor are the many other groups that ask similarly worded questions. As you can see above, the law as written is aimed at legislators and candidates, and the criminal case law in question (People v. Brandstetter) was a straight-up offer of a $1,000 campaign contribution for a vote.

Equality Illinois’ CEO Brian Johnson said the questionnaire was vetted by longtime elections attorney Michael Dorf, who Johnson said, “sees no legal issues with our questions or our process.”

Equality Illinois’ Johnson insisted “a positive answer on any one question does not guarantee an endorsement, nor does a negative answer on any one question guarantee a non-endorsement.”

It is instead a “totality of factors,” including their voting history, their “level of support for the LGBTQ+ community broadly,” their “partnership with LGBTQ+ community groups,” their “connection to the LGBTQ+ community” and their answer to the four questions posed to them. Those questions are part of a “holistic picture,” Johnson said.

Illinois is among “a minority of states that doesn’t require the teaching of sex ed,” Johnson said, and that’s what the bill on the questionnaire is about — making sex education mandatory in public schools.

Illinois law allows school districts to opt out. “LGBTQ+ kids are literally dying,” Johnson said, pointing to a decline in the number of schools offering sex ed during the past few years. “LGBTQ+ youth have higher rates of bullying, higher rates of mental health challenges and higher rates of suicide. When schools refuse to teach public health and safety education, LGBTQ+ kids suffer, some with their lives.”

So, Johnson said, “Knowing whether a candidate is willing to support legislation that will save kids’ lives — while not dispositive — is very important to our board in making their endorsements.”

Jay Young of Common Cause Illinois told me, “The prohibition in Section 5-30 applies to legislators and candidates and not to groups like Equality Illinois, so there isn’t anything unlawful about their questionnaire.”

But does that mean legislators and candidates could be the ones in hot water if they pledge to vote for a bill on an endorsement questionnaire?

Common Cause’s Young wondered whether candidates and legislators “shared the same understanding about providing a “holistic” picture that Equality Illinois claims to be looking for.

“I’m not sure that that comes across fully in the language of the questionnaire that plainly states, ‘We will consider your votes on the following bills as well as your responses to the following questions.’”

Also, would the group really endorse someone who answered “no” on that very important question? Johnson said they could in certain circumstances, like if a strong supporter opposed it over a local issue or faced a homophobic opponent with a decent chance of winning.

The bottom line, though, is associations, legislators and candidates really need to think these things through. Are the groups putting legislators and candidates in any sort of jeopardy? And are the legislators and candidates opening themselves up to criticism … or worse?

Yes, these groups need to know who they’re dealing with. I can certainly see the nuance here. But others may not be so inclined.

22 Comments

Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today’s edition of Capitol Fax (use all CAPS in password)

Monday, Dec 11, 2023 - Posted by Rich Miller

Comments Off

Open thread

Monday, Dec 11, 2023 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* I hope y’all had a relaxing weekend! What’s going on in your part of Illinois?…

5 Comments

Isabel’s morning briefing

Monday, Dec 11, 2023 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* ICYMI: Chicago steps-up enforcement on “rogue” buses that drop off asylum seekers without notifying the city.Tribune…

* Related stories…

∙ Crain’s: City moves to step up enforcement on bus companies bringing migrants
∙ ABC Chicago | ‘Rogue’ buses are trying to dump migrants in Cicero and leave to avoid Chicago fines

* Isabel’s top picks…

* Capitol News Illinois | Pritzker signs measure allowing new small-scale nuclear technology in Illinois: Gov. JB Pritzker on Friday signed into law a measure that will allow for the limited development of new nuclear power generation technology in the state. […] The measure, House Bill 2473, does not allow new large-scale power generation facilities like the six plants that are already operational in the state, but rather allows for new smaller-scale emergent technology.

* Crain’s | Arlington Heights school districts take step in property tax talks with Bears: A spokesman for Arlington Heights school districts 15, 211 and 214 today said in a statement they recently got a pair of appraisals pegging the 326-acre former racetrack property’s value at $160 million. It’s a starting point of sorts in an appeal process the Bears will likely go through after Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi said the property’s 2023 value was $192 million.

* Tribune | After controversy in Quincy, advocates question whether Illinois should require judges to undergo training on sexual assault cases: Adrian’s stated reasoning for the reversal raised eyebrows among survivor advocates, who also bristled at comments he made during the January 2022 sentencing hearing. After reversing his ruling, a transcript shows he blamed parents and adults for “having parties for teenagers, and they allow coeds and female people to swim in their underwear in their swimming pool. And, no, underwear is not the same as swimming suits.”

* Here’s the rest of your morning roundup…

* WCIA | Illinois looking to expand food infrastructure with state grant: The state is funding nearly $2 million in projects to expand local food networks through a new grant approved by the Illinois legislature. Examples of projects under the grant include animal processing, trucking, food hubs and community kitchens. The Illinois Stewardship Alliance is working with the Illinois Department of Agriculture for the first year of the grant.

* Tribune | Calling FBI mole Danny Solis to testify could be risky, ‘blow back’ on ex-Ald. Ed Burke’s defense in corruption case, experts say: “It’s a bit of a chess game,” said Nancy DePodesta, a former federal prosecutor now in private practice. “The government made the first move and decided not to call Solis … If the defense doesn’t call Solis then they’re left with the tapes, (and) you don’t get to cross-examine the tapes.

* Sun-Times | Feds play recording of call with Gery Chico as they allege Ed Burke used threats over permits ‘to extort benefits’ from businesses: “They’re ok, ok?”Chico said.“They’re not perfect. They’re just pretty naive on this stuff, so we’ve had to drag their asses along the way, but we’ll have a nice event.” Burke replied, “Well, maybe if they don’t have any access to the property because the driveway isn’t legal, they might get the message.”

* Chalkbeat | Dual credit courses growing in Illinois, but students of color less likely to take them, report says: Due to recent changes in state law in 2021, Illinois high schools were encouraged to expand their dual credit courses. And the share of students who are taking these advanced classes has been on the rise over the past several years: Participation in dual credit courses grew from 10.2% of high school students in the 2017-18 school year to 14% for 2021-22, according to a recent report from the Illinois Workforce and Education Research Collaborative.

* Daily Herald | Is Illinois’ mandatory road test for seniors fair? The 49 other states don’t do it: The law requires drivers aged 79 and 80 to take a road exam if their four-year license renewal is up. For drivers aged 81 to 86, it’s every two years, and for those 87 and older, it’s yearly. But according to a recent study, “statistics show that our senior drivers are among the safest drivers in the state,” Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias said.

* Sun-Times | New state ID program for Cook County Jail detainees aims to ‘help people reintegrate’: Starting Monday, some detainees leaving jail custody on electronic monitoring will be handed a free state ID, a critical and often elusive stepping-stone that hasn’t been available to former inmates as they try to find housing, jobs and other foundations to rebuild their lives, officials and advocates say.

* Tribune | At Stateville maximum security prison, first group of prisoners earns college degrees from Northwestern: ‘A place of second chances’: Last month, 16 men became the first group to graduate from Northwestern’s Prison Education Program, an accomplishment they and their professors hope will lead to a second chance. Experts believe similar educational offerings could reduce recidivism rates and save taxpayers money statewide. “It all hasn’t hit me yet, still. I know it’s a great thing, it’s a great feeling,” one of the graduates, Taurean Decatur, told the Tribune recently at Stateville. “It’s one of the best feelings of my life, like I did it. I wish I could put it on a T-shirt.”

* WTTW | Chicago Officials Revise Rules Limiting Access to City Council Meetings After Warning: The new rules, issued Thursday, came several days after the president of the Better Government Association warned Mayor Brandon Johnson that the administration’s efforts to restrict access to meetings of the City Council were “inequitable and likely illegal.” […] “The new rules violate the spirit and likely the letter” of state law and should be reversed, according to a statement from the BGA.

* Tribune | Johnson administration begins filing lawsuits against operators of ‘rogue buses’ of migrants: The stepped-up enforcement is the Johnson administration’s latest effort to address the influx of new arrivals, which has become one of the mayor’s most vexing challenges. The care of more than 24,400 migrants who have arrived in Chicago since August 2022 has taken on heightened urgency as winter sets in, and tested the limits of how welcoming the city can be.

* WGN | Family, friends ‘outraged’ after mother shot dead during mental health call in Morris; body cam released: The mother who “lived for her kids” had been battling schizophrenia and bi-polar disorder for several years, according to family and friends. That morning while at her new apartment, 911 was called after Schwab informed a case manager in a phone call that she had a knife and was going to hurt herself. That information was relayed to the 911 center, according to the state’s attorney’s office.

* Sun-Times | Ex-Chicago cop gets probation for sexually abusing man shackled to hospital bed: Carlyle Calhoun was sentenced to three years of probation with 90 days of home confinement. Calhoun was told he would be required to register as a sex offender for 10 years.

* Sun-Times | City Council panel advances new 311 ‘hate incident’ reporting plan: The “Chi vs. Hate” ordinance aims to collect reports of disturbing acts that might fall short of a crime, but hint at more troubling actions to come, as hate crimes spike in Chicago and beyond.

* BND | Mother volunteering as treasurer admits to stealing from metro-east girls softball club: Heather Sullivan, 38, of Roodhouse, whose daughter played on one of the teams, pleaded guilty to one count of theft over $10,000 and under $100,000, a Class 2 felony, on Friday in Madison County Circuit Court. Associate Judge Ronald Slemer agreed to dismiss a second count of theft per Sullivan’s plea agreement with the state’s attorney’s office. She could be sentenced to probation or up to five years in prison.

* AP | The NRA has a surprising defender in its free speech case before the Supreme Court: the ACLU: “We don’t support the NRA’s mission or its viewpoints on gun rights, and we don’t agree with their goals, strategies, or tactics,” the ACLU in a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter. “But we both know that government officials can’t punish organizations because they disapprove of their views.” The NRA, which reshared the ACLU’s statement on its social media account, wrote in a follow-up post that it was “proud” to stand with the ACLU and others who recognize that “regulatory authority cannot be used to silence political speech.”

* NYT | The Guns Were Said to Be Destroyed. Instead, They Were Reborn.: When Flint, Mich., announced in September that 68 assault weapons collected in a gun buyback would be incinerated, the city cited its policy of never reselling firearms.[…] But Flint’s guns were not going to be melted down. Instead, they made their way to a private company that has collected millions of dollars taking firearms from police agencies, destroying a single piece of each weapon stamped with the serial number and selling the rest as nearly complete gun kits. Buyers online can easily replace what’s missing and reconstitute the weapon.

* Daily Herald | Bolingbrook CosMc’s opens to long lines, hours of waiting: Maya Wysocki of Romeoville waited in line three hours Friday for a chance to sample CosMc’s, the new McDonald’s spinoff restaurant in Bolingbrook. But the wait for the restaurant, a pilot operation, was worth it to Wysocki, who said she really wanted to try a beverage with a vitamin C or pre-workout “boost.”

* SJ-R | Illinois State, Norfolk State erupts over alleged racial slurs: benches clear, fans ejected: According to Norfolk State coach Robert Jones, racial slurs were used and it is why the altercation with Ryan Pedon took place in front of the scorer’s table. The coach took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to explain in his own words what went down during the game. “I’m not letting anybody call my players a racial slur,” Jones said on Twitter. “Those are my kids and I will fight for them. We have come too far in society to be called the ‘N-word’ at a college basketball game.”

* Block Club | Olive Harvey College’s Electric Car Apprenticeship Aims To Help Workers In Emerging Green Economy: Apprentices for the Rivian Technical Trades program received a scholarship to cover the full cost of tuition, and they were paid $26 hourly as they did hands-on work learning the latest electric vehicle technologies at the Olive Harvey campus and Rivian’s centers in the West Loop and in downstate Normal.

* Les Winkeler | It has been a privilege and an honor: So, after 35 years, there are just 600 words remaining in a newspaper career. It is humbling to be one of those remaining to offer their final words. Thinking of the great journalists that have plied their trade at this newspaper over the years is sobering, selfless men and women worked tirelessly to tell the stories of triumph, the stories of tragedy and just the everyday stories of Southern Illinois residents.

* WCIA | ‘Such a force’: Remembering late Champaign state senator Scott Bennett a year after his death: Frerichs described Bennett as one of his closest friends. “We talked or texted most days, we frequently have lunches or dinners together,” the treasurer said. “And it seemed like there was a constant battle to make each other laugh. And Scott clearly won.”

7 Comments

Live coverage

Monday, Dec 11, 2023 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* Live coverage is back, sorta. This will be different than the old Scribble Live feed because Twitter broke itself and almost everything else it touched. These new feeds do not update instantly. There’s a bit of posting lagtime, but it’s much better than nothing. We are also limited to just 20 Twitter sources. The service may also not last long. We just can’t give you any guarantees about this. You can still click here or here to follow breaking news the way we’ve done since Twitter stopped Scribble Live from working…

Comments Off

Live Ed Burke Trial Coverage

Monday, Dec 11, 2023 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* These new feeds do not update instantly. There’s a bit of a lagtime and you have to refresh the page every now and then. The service we’re using may also not last long. We just can’t give you any guarantees. You can still click here to follow the Ed Burke trial on Twitter. Posts without a Twitter author name below them are from online news sources via Bing…

Comments Off

Reader comments closed for the weekend

Friday, Dec 8, 2023 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Even though comments are closed, you can continue voting on our two Golden Horseshoe Award categories. I’ll still see them.

* Fundraising has definitely slowed to a crawl. This always happens, but I’m still going to remind you at least once every weekday. So, click here if you haven’t yet contributed to our effort to buy Christmas presents for foster kids or if you think you can give just a little bit more. We’ve now gathered enough money to buy presents for 2,053 foster children. But Lutheran Social Services of Illinois serves 2,530 kids. Thanks!

* Tomorrow is the one-year anniversary of Sen. Scott Bennett’s unexpected death. Treasurer Michael Frerichs was a longtime friend and he posted his thoughts about the anniversary on Facebook. Excerpt…

It’s been a year, and I still can’t believe Scott is gone. He was one of my closest friends, and he’s so greatly missed.

Scott was such a good husband to Stacy and father to their young twins, Sam and Emma. I recently became a father of twins myself, and I wish that Scott could have met Theo and Max. I admire Stacy’s strength during the past year and know the cherished memories she and Scott made as a family have helped sustain her. […]

In the State Treasurer’s Office, we honor part of Scott’s legacy by promoting and continuing to grow the IL ABLE program that he sponsored to allow people with disabilities and their family to save money without losing federal benefits. That program now bears his name, as does a portion of Interstate 74 that he frequently traveled in East Central Illinois.

In the year I’ve had to mourn Scott’s unexpected passing, I’ve only become more thankful that I’m able to call Scott my friend.

* From American Songwriter…

Denny Laine had a career that most musicians would envy. He was a co-founder of two of the most prominent bands in rock and roll history—Wings and The Moody Blues—earning him a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as part of The Moody Blues. Though the lineup changed several times, McCartney and Laine remained steadfast throughout Wings’ decade-long history.

While McCartney’s wife Linda was his main songwriting collaborator in Wings, Laine also frequently wrote with McCartney, the two producing some of Wings’ most famous songs. Laine passed away in December 2023 at the age of 79, leaving behind a legacy of timeless music. […]

Arguably the most famous song McCartney and Laine wrote together for Wings is “Mull of Kintyre.” … Though not technically a Christmas song, it was deemed the No. 1 Christmas song in the U.K. in 1977 when it reached the top of the Singles chart the week of Christmas Day.

It’s December, and that means we end each week with a holiday song. This one is close enough…

Far have I traveled and much have I seen
Dark distant mountains with valleys of green
Past painted deserts, the sunset’s on fire
As he carries me home to the Mull of Kintyre

Comments Off

New laws (Updated)

Friday, Dec 8, 2023 - Posted by Rich Miller

* The governor signed 17 bills into law today. Click here for the list. Let’s take a look at some press releases. Sen. Glowiak Hilton…

Professionals seeking licensure through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation will soon see improvements to the process thanks to a newly signed law championed by State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton.

“We have plenty of folks in Illinois who are ready to work but are left waiting due to the burdensome licensure process,” said Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs). “We have taken a positive step to modernize, streamline and expedite the licensure process.”

IDFPR administers licenses for over 100 different professions including nurses, barbers, roofers, social workers, dentists and others. In Illinois, over one million people need a professional license or registration to work.

House Bill 2394 addresses the backlog of licenses and registrations by creating an expedited and competitive bid procurement process for software to modernize the way IDFPR processes licensing.

The measure also requires the department to extend the expiration date or renewal period for any profession licensed by them if the agency secretary finds that there is a significant operational need to do so or it is necessary to avoid undue hardship on a profession’s licensees.

“This new law will move us one step closer to streamlining the state’s licensure process to help connect residents with good jobs and alleviate workforce shortages across our communities,” said Glowiak Hilton. “Providing IDFPR with this support will move us further down the path toward an effective and efficient licensure process for all Illinoisans.”

House Bill 2394 was signed by the governor Friday and takes immediate effect.

* Sen. Rezin…

The state of Illinois has officially taken the next step necessary to pave the way for the development of new nuclear reactors, as the Governor signed Illinois Senate Deputy Minority Leader Sue Rezin’s (R-Morris) legislation, House Bill 2473, to lift the nuclear moratorium on small modular reactors (SMRs) this afternoon.

“Illinois has a long, successful, and safe history of nuclear energy generation,” said Sen. Rezin. “The signing of House bill 2473 will ensure that our state can remain a leader in the energy sector by offering us the ability to utilize the amazing advancements in new nuclear energy technology.”

House Bill 2473 lifts the ban on next generation nuclear reactors less than 300 MW beginning January 1, 2026. Additionally, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Office of Homeland Security will be directed to establish rules for reactor decommissioning, environmental monitoring, and emergency preparedness by January 1, 2026. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency will also provide consultation.

“Today’s bill signing moves us one step closer towards our goal of energy independence by allowing clean, reliable energy production in Illinois,” said State Representative Lance Yednock (D-Ottawa). “By leading on this issue, Illinois is signaling to the rest of the country that we are open for business and ready for much needed economic development.”

Furthermore, House Bill 2473 authorizes the Governor to commission a new study to research the State’s role in guiding the development of new nuclear technology and makes conforming statutory changes, including updating references to IEMA-OHS in preexisting Illinois law.

“Lifting our state’s archaic moratorium on new nuclear energy construction will allow for companies that have been developing new advanced nuclear energy technology the opportunity to invest in Illinois,” continued Sen. Rezin.

House Bill 2473 passed out of the General Assembly during its November veto session along a large bipartisan roll call in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

* Sen. Belt…

A new law spearheaded by State Senator Christopher Belt was signed into law Friday that will allow the City of Venice to acquire property to develop new essential health care and recreation facilities for residents.

“The transfer of this property shows the collaborative efforts between both state and local authorities working together to address the needs of our community,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “Not only does this jumpstart community revitalization in the area, but Venice and surrounding communities have long deserved new facilities that will be useful for the everyday life of residents.”

The new law authorizes the state to deliver a property, previously owned by the Illinois Department of Transportation, to the city of Venice. The acquired property will be used for community revitalization in the area, which aims to establish essential facilities, such as a comprehensive health care center, a community recreation facility and a new mortuary with a chapel.

“By providing this property to Venice, we are unlocking opportunities for growth, development and improved quality of life for our residents,” said Belt. “I will always be committed to investing in communities all over the Metro East.”

Senate Bill 385 was signed Friday and takes effect immediately.

* Sen. Castro…

Cook County taxpayers can rely on a standard, 30-business-day period to file property assessment appeals in the coming tax years, thanks to a new law led by State Senator Cristina Castro.

“A uniform filing period ensures clarity and reliability for homeowners in different townships when it comes to the appeals deadline,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “With suburban taxpayers seeing across-the-board increases to the value of their property, it’s an important moment to make sure they have the ability to file, argue and support their appeal to the assessor.”

The Cook County Assessor’s filing deadlines for taxpayer complaints can change from year to year and from one township to another. While the assessor’s office established a deadline of 30 calendar days for filing complaints this year, the available business days for filing varied from 19 to 22 days, depending on the township. Castro’s measure establishes a uniform filing period to ensure all Cook County homeowners have adequate time to address their complaints to the assessor.

The new law requires the Cook County Assessor to accept assessment appeals from taxpayers for at least 30 business days after an increased property assessment is mailed to the homeowner or published on the assessor’s website — whichever is later.

“Appealing the assessed value of your home shouldn’t be a complex and grueling process that people have to scramble to complete quickly,” Castro said. “Local governments need to have clear, simple and reasonable rules and filing periods so everyone in the community has the ability to voice their concerns.”

Senate Bill 1988 was signed into law Friday.

…Adding… Illinois State Medical Society…

The doctors of Illinois thank Gov. Pritzker for signing HB 2394 to address the professional licensing processing delays at the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). This measure, backed by the Illinois State Medical Society (ISMS), allows IDFPR to update its antiquated systems, which we hope will result in avoiding the snafus doctors and other healthcare professionals experienced when applying for or renewing a professional license. We look forward to an improved, expedited and more transparent process for physicians seeking new Illinois medical licenses and those renewing in the years to come.

In addition to the Governor, ISMS thanks IDFPR Secretary Treto and the bill sponsors, Representatives Morgan, Hauter, Mah and Senators Glowiak and McClure for championing this cause on behalf of the citizens of Illinois. Because it is the citizens – our patients – who are most affected by these delays when it impacts whether they have access to the healthcare professionals they need and deserve.

* Sen. Villivalam…

A new law led by State Senator Ram Villivalam will introduce more water safety instructions into school curriculum for youth in preschool through sixth-grade following a recent tragedy that occurred in the 8th District.

“With water safety instruction, more of our youth and families will be equipped with the tools to protect themselves and others,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “This legislation is an important step toward saving lives and ensuring better water safety education across the state.”

Drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury death for children age 5-14 after car accidents, and at age 15, drowning rates triple. For every fatal child drowning, another eight children receive emergency care for non-fatal drowning injuries.

“Today marks a turning point in our children’s safety,” said State Representative Eva-Dina Delgado (D-Chicago). “We promised to provide comprehensive water safety education, and we delivered. I’m thankful to Governor Pritzker for joining us in this effort by signing this legislation into law earlier today.”

Villivalam’s measure seeks to prevent as many of these deaths as possible by beginning water safety instruction in preschool.

“Drowning is the number one reason a child will die before kindergarten and the number two killer for all of childhood,” said Halle Quezada, a teacher and mother who lives in the district Villivalam represents. “When my four-year-old had fire safety in school, she was eager to make sure our whole family knew how to survive a fire. With this bill, we hope Illinois families will have water safety plans too and we can finally reverse these terrifying statistics.”

House Bill 2104 requires school boards supported wholly or partially by the state to provide water safety instruction that incorporates evidence-based water safety materials and resources from preschool through sixth-grade.

“Water safety education in schools is the fastest approach to reach the largest audience and make a significant impact in the shortest amount of time,” said Dave Benjamin of the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project. “We teach kids how to navigate those threats in school and we are proud of Illinois for following the research and taking a step to change the horrifying statistics around drowning.”

* Sen. Ventura…

Illinois is now leading the way toward a cleaner, greener future thanks to a new law championed by State Senator Rachel Ventura that will require state-owned vehicles to be zero emission.

“To tackle the ongoing climate crisis, Illinois needs to be a frontrunner in clean energy investments,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “One such way to help is by investing in zero emission vehicles to deliver big gains for both our environment and our economy.”

Senate Bill 1769 will require passenger vehicles purchased or leased by the state to either be a manufactured zero-emission vehicle or converted into a zero-emission vehicle by 2030. Exceptions will be made for law enforcement and IDOT vehicles.

Highway vehicles release about 1.4 billion tons of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere each year — mostly in the form of carbon dioxide — which contribute to the global climate crisis. The continuous adoption of zero-emission vehicles has the ability to move the nation close to an 80% decrease in transportation greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Ventura’s measure will play a major part in reducing emissions at the state level – ensuring Illinois keeps its promise to build a healthier, more equitable and energy efficient state following the passage of the historic Climate and Equitable Jobs Act in 2021.

“I’m proud to see the state implementing tangible solutions to meet clean air standards as transportation is the leading source of air pollution,” said Ventura. “I will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure our state is taking bold and substantial steps toward 100% clean energy reliance.”

3 Comments

Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Campaign update: Circling the wagons

Friday, Dec 8, 2023 - Posted by Rich Miller

Comments Off

Isabel’s afternoon roundup

Friday, Dec 8, 2023 - Posted by Isabel Miller

Some stories of interest

* Capitol News Illinois | Chicago utility pushes back against state oversight, asks for further rate increase: In November, the Illinois Commerce Commission forced a yearlong pause on the company’s controversial pipeline replacement program while it investigates whether the program adequately prioritizes replacing high-risk natural gas pipes throughout Chicago, where the utility serves about 875,000 customers. The company alleged in a filing with the ICC last week that a “misunderstanding” in last month’s ruling will prevent the company from conducting emergency repairs and other “critical” work.

* Sun-Times | Chicago police Sgt. John Poulos, whose fatal shootings of 2 men led to about $2 million in City Hall payouts, now running for judge: Sgt. John Poulos — whose career as a Chicago cop has been marked by two controversial fatal shootings and a push by the police superintendent to fire him in a misconduct case — is now running for judge in Cook County with the help of a Democratic Party insider and $500,000 in loans from his wife. … Poulos’ campaign committee is chaired by Tim Egan, the chief executive officer of Roseland Community Hospital, who ran two unsuccessful campaigns for the Chicago City Council from the 43rd Ward and now is the 2nd Ward Democratic committeeperson.

* Shaw Local | McHenry County sheriff addresses deaths of 4 jail inmates this year: In acknowledging the inmate deaths, the statement said the office “has been fully transparent in providing information in conjunction with McHenry County Sheriff’s Office General Orders, policy and procedures, state laws and the consideration of affected families.” […] Despite its assertions of transparency, the office, led by Sheriff Robb Tadelman, did not proactively release any information about Sabo’s death or his identity at the time it occurred and confirmed it months later only after multiple inquiries by the Northwest Herald. It also remains unclear which agency is heading up that investigation. The McHenry County Major Investigation Assistance Team, or MIAT, is the agency the sheriff’s office cited in its Thursday release as handling the probes into the recent inmate deaths.

* IDHS press release…

The Illinois Department of Human Services’ (IDHS) State-Operated Developmental Centers (SODCs) are amplifying COVID-19 testing and infection-prevention policies as a response to increased cases among residents and staff.

SODCs provide residential programs to people with intellectual/developmental disabilities who have severe medical and/or behavioral needs. IDHS operates seven developmental centers in the state.

Across the state, COVID-19 laboratory confirmed cases and COVID-19 related hospitalizations have increased by nearly 50% since early November, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

As of December 6, there were 58 residents, out of approximately 1,650 total, and 35 staff, out of approximately 3,500 total, who have tested positive for COVID-19 since November 20, with nearly all presenting mild symptoms.

SODC staff have provided positive residents and patients with treatment, including antiviral medication as appropriate. Only one resident is hospitalized, and they are in stable condition.

According to the release, 30 residents and 10 staff were infected at Waukegan’s Kiley Developmental Center. Another 15 residents and 10 staff were infected at Park Forest’s Ludeman Developmental Center. And 12 residents and 12 staff were infect at Kankakee’s Shapiro Developmental Center. More at the link.

* Meanwhile…

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced that with the holidays approaching, data indicate that the impact of respiratory viruses is being felt across the state with 44 counties now at an elevated level for COVID-19 hospitalizations, according to the CDC’s national COVID Data Tracker, as of the week ending November 25. COVID-19 hospitalization data indicate that 39 counties are at medium level and five are at high level, while statewide, there were 1,039 new hospitalizations reported, an increase of 20% over the previous week.

Data also show that broad acute respiratory hospitalizations are increasing across Illinois including COVID-19, flu and RSV. IDPH officials are especially concerned about pediatric ICU (PICU) capacity which is limited in many areas of the state. [Emphasis added.]

What’s going on in the Windy City?

City Council shared its new seating policy for public meetings which include neededing an ID and a reservation to sit in the main chamber. WBEZ reporter Mariah Woelfel has the story.

The city is adding impoundment to the list of penalties on bus companies bringing in asylum seekers. Crain’s reports that this applies to bus operators that don’t obey rules on where and when to drop off migrants they’re bringing to Chicago.

Rest of the roundup

NBC Chicago | Hourly minimum wage in Illinois set to increase on Jan. 1:

* Press release | Illinois Collaboration on Youth Partners with Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s All Children-All Families Initiative: With 1 in every 3 youth in foster and adoption care identifying as LGBTQ+, it has never been more dire for all foster care and adoption agencies to tend to the specific needs of LGBTQ+ youth. Apart from working closely with ICOY, our ACAF program works with over 135 agencies across the country to help them better implement LGBTQ+ inclusive practices and policies. Collectively, these agencies serve more than 1 million clients annually in 36 states and employ more than 26,000 employees.

* WGEM | Quincy housing problems described as ‘not good’: The Great Plains Action Society’s itinerary concluded Thursday by attending Quincy’s Human Rights Commission meeting. That’s where they heard about the status of affordable housing in Quincy. Commissioners received updates from both the YWCA and Safe and Livable Housing committee. Representatives from both organizations described the status of affordable, livable and available housing as “not good.”

* Daily Herald | Election season is here: Races to watch in Kane and DuPage counties: A three-way race will decide who becomes the Democratic nominee for the recorder position in DuPage. Meanwhile, Democrats in Kane will determine which of the two candidates for recorder moves on to the general election.

* Sun-Times | Why youth homelessness is a big problem in Cook County: Young Black men are disproportionately affected by housing instability, and youth in foster care or who have experienced the death of a parent or caregiver are also at high risk, a recent Chapin Hall study found.

* Chalkbeat | New data shows hundreds of Chicago Public Schools bus routes with fewer than 10 students: However, the data does not include students who have 504 plans — another type of legal document for students with disabilities — or homeless students, who are also entitled to transportation. District officials said the routes may include those students. One week before the data was captured, the district said it had routed a total of 8,105 students. […] Chalkbeat’s analysis of the route data for 7,350 students with IEPs found: There are an average 6.9 students with IEPs per route. 785 of the more than 1,000 routes have. 10 or fewer children with IEPs. 59 routes — or 5.4% — transport one child with an IEP.

* WAND | 240 volunteers needed urgently for Sangamon County Toys for Tots program: Over 200 volunteers are urgently needed for Sangamon County Toys for Tots program. The Toys for Tots warehouse at White Oaks Mall is set up as a store for one day (Dec 15). There are ten tables, five for boys and five for girls, ages 0-2, 3-5, 6-7, 8-10, 11-18. Families who apply and are approved show up at an assigned time slot and get to pick out what toys they want for their children.

* Crain’s | Wrigleyville’s oldest dive bar to Malört: Quit stealing our mixology ideas: Nisei’s Malört infusions date back to 2016 when a few employees stumbled upon an old box of candy canes behind the bar and decided it best not to let them go to waste. As any bartender would do, they dropped the peppermints into their favorite bottles of liquor — and so candy cane Malört was born. “It became a bar sensation for us,” Capone said.

* Tribune | University of Chicago buys Hyde Park mansion once owned by late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia for $3.4M: Built around 1900, the 5,112-square-foot brick house, at 5725 S. Woodlawn Ave., was designed by the Rapp & Rapp architectural firm, which was widely known for designing movie palaces. The mansion was built for Cora Howland, who was the daughter of onetime Chicago Mayor John A. Roche, and her husband, lawyer and professor George C. Howland, who was part of U. of C.’s original teaching staff and who also wrote editorials for a time for the Tribune, according to Susan O’Connor Davis’ book “Chicago’s Historic Hyde Park.”

* NYT | Amazon Is Cracking Down on Union Organizing, Workers Say: In disciplining the employees, Amazon has raised questions about the extent to which they are free to approach co-workers to persuade them to join a union, a federally protected right. The general counsel of the National Labor Relations Board has said Amazon is breaking the law through a policy governing the access that off-duty workers have to its facilities, which Amazon invoked in the recent firing. The board is seeking to overturn the policy at an upcoming trial.

* NYT | How Much Can Forests Fight Climate Change? A Sensor in Space Has Answers: Now, high in orbit, a new way of seeing forests is making it clear that, even when under assault, protected areas can still be a crucial buffer against climate change. Scientists are using laser technology to gauge the biomass of forests all around the world, which lets them calculate how much planet-warming carbon the trees are keeping out of Earth’s atmosphere.

* AP | FDA approves 2 gene editing therapies that may cure sickle cell disease: In the U.S., an estimated 100,000 people have the disease and about a fifth of them have the severe form. Sickle cell is most common among Black people and 1 in 365 Black babies are born with the disease nationally. Scientists believe being a carrier of the sickle cell trait helps protect against severe malaria, so the disease occurs more often in mosquito-prone regions such as Africa or in people whose ancestors lived in those places.

5 Comments

Southern Illinoisan newspaper journalists say goodbye to their community after new owner fires all employees

Friday, Dec 8, 2023 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* Paxton Media Group released this after acquiring the Southern Illinoisian in September…

PMG Group Publisher Bill Evans will add The Southern to his stable of media properties located in southern Illinois and western Kentucky. No stranger to southern Illinois, Evans has led the PMG-owned NBC television affiliate for the region, WPSD-TV in Paducah, KY, for the last 23 years. He is also publisher of Paxton’s flagship newspaper The Paducah Sun, and weekly newspapers in Mayfield, KY; Benton, KY; Eddyville, KY; Princeton, KY; and Metropolis, IL.

“The SI naturally fits our footprint for community-based journalism. The team of journalists I have the opportunity to lead from our Paducah and southern Illinois newsrooms has covered many of the important stories impacting our hometowns in southern Illinois. I look forward to expanding our coverage. We have the resources to allocate to covering southern Illinois,” said Evans.

* Today is the last day for all reporters and photographers at the paper after Paxton announced they would let all union-represented journalists go. From the News Guild in November …

The Unions of Lee Enterprises is denouncing plans by Lee Enterprises to sell The Southern Illinoisan newspaper to Paxton Media Group under terms that will result in the elimination of all the local journalists who currently work for it.

Despite pronouncements by Paxton Media on Oct. 27 that it will foster “community-based journalism” and “expand” coverage through the purchase of The Southern Illinoisan, the entire union-represented newsroom has been told they should clear out their desks by Nov. 24.

This ill-advised sale transaction ignores not only the needs of the Carbondale community and the paper’s current employees, but the rights of investors who are being denied the opportunity to benefit from a better offer, from a local benefactor who would actually save jobs.

Paxton Media representatives have been telling major Southern Illinoisan advertisers and community leaders they are “saving” the local paper by acquiring it. These statements are both deceitful and disgusting.

* This week, reporters looked back at their time at the paper and give hints at what’s next for them. From the Southern Illinoisan Editor-in-Chief Jackson Brandhorst…

And that’s just it. The end of an era.

Gratitude. That’s all I can express.

To the incredible staff here who, despite consistently facing tumultuous times, persevered through every sticky situation, every vapid comment and every schedule changing setback, thank you. […]

Despite the overwhelming amount of grief I feel toward leaving this area, these people and the status of the happenings in the place that I grew up, it’s impossible for someone with as much confidence as I have in myself not to be optimistic about my future.

I am not entirely sure about what is next for The Southern, I wish it the best for the sake of the community. But I am sure about its past and that I won’t be a part of its future.

* Southern Illinoisan Photographer Byron Hetzler…

When I first moved to Carbondale almost nine years ago I didn’t know how long I would stay. I had lived in Colorado for nearly 30 years after moving there from Iowa, where I had grown up and gone to school. I even kept my Colorado phone number in case things here didn’t work out and I decided to move back. When people would ask me where I had lived before moving to Carbondale and I would tell them Colorado, the response was always the same, “why in the world did you move here?”

But here we are, just short of nine years of working as a photographer at The Southern Illinoisan. In that time I have come to call Carbondale and Southern Illinois home. Now, due to unexpected, yet not totally unforeseen, circumstances, my time, at least at The Southern is ending.

Not only is my time, as well as that of my colleagues, here at The Southern coming to an end, but I have come to realize that this will likely be the end of my career as a photojournalist. The nature of the journalism world has changed dramatically over the 40 years since I decided to make a career out of it — how that came about is a story for another day, so maybe this is a good time to move on anyhow. […]

And finally to our readers. It has been an honor being able to share my images of Southern Illinois news, sports and life with you. Some of you have been kind enough to reach out over the years and let me know how much you have appreciated my work — that means a lot, more than you probably realize.

Unfortunately for me, and my fellow coworkers at The Southern, this is the end of the line as far as our work here is concerned. I plan on staying in the area, at least for the time being. We’ll see what this next chapter has in store for me.

Click here to see Hetzler’s favorite photos from his time at the Southern.

* Sportswriter James Dent…

* I spent about three years sitting on the sidelines of SIUC games with Southern photogs while I was at the Daily Egyptian. It’s a bleak thought that their coverage will no longer continue…

15 Comments

Report examines Illinois women’s political power

Friday, Dec 8, 2023 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* Press release from the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University…

From late 2021 to summer 2023, we conducted nearly 200 interviews with political leaders and practitioners like you in five states (Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania). Those interviews are the heart of our new report, Rethinking Women’s Political Power, which is now available as a microsite at rethinkingpower.rutgers.edu.

This report examines specific political ecosystems in our selected states to illustrate that increasing women’s political power is a multi-site, multiracial, and bipartisan endeavor. It provides a deeper, more thorough understanding of the factors that shape women’s access to political power both within and across states, and specifically interrogates differences in experiences, as well as obstacles and opportunities for women’s expanded political power, by race/ethnicity, party, and position. It is also the first of multiple publications reliant on this interview data. Next up are more state-specific analyses that we plan to share in briefing and book format.

* Chapter two really goes into Illinois, especially the rise of Democratic women representation…

The number of Democratic women serving in Illinois’ state legislature increased by 58% from 2010 to 2021, the year that long-time Speaker Michael Madigan (D) resigned from leadership of both the state House and the Illinois Democratic Party. Women were key to growing the Democratic majority in the legislature, representing over half of all newly-elected or appointed Democratic legislators in this period and increasing their proportion of the Democratic caucus from 36% in 2010 to more than 50% by 2021. In the same period, the number of Republican women state legislators in Illinois dropped. And this decline was not simply a function of Republican losses; women dropped from 23% to 19% of their party’s state legislators and were just 23% of Republican legislators elected for the first time from 2010 to 2020. As of November 2023, women are 41.8% of Illinois state legislators, including 53% of Democratic and 19% of Republican legislators. […]

Without a value-based motive for increasing women’s political representation, Madigan’s political program benefitted only some women, particularly those deemed by Madigan and his team as most electable in swing districts. For the most part, that translated into recruitment of white, moderate women in suburban districts, leaving other women – racially/ethnically diverse and more progressive – to fend for themselves. Commissioner Josina Morita (D) made this distinction, saying that Democratic leaders were looking for “a party player [who] would toe the party line and they tended to be white women who were socially progressive and fiscally moderate, and just kind of ran on the party line,” adding, “They weren’t real progressive types.” State Representative Kelly Cassidy (D) clarified that while Madigan hoped to recruit women he could control, “[He] accidentally brought some good strong women onboard, but definitely accidentally.”

Democratic political consultant Alex Sims included Madigan’s approach as part of a broader Democratic strategy at the time. She said, “It was very frustrating in 2015. It was the Wendy Davis time. It was the time when a lot of Democrats thought white women in the suburbs were what’s going to win the Democratic Party everything. …And so the Democratic Party would invest a lot of money in those efforts.” She added, “But that’s not to say that the white female vote in the suburbs isn’t an important vote…[but] it’s also a little bit about investment and who’s been with you for so long.” Black women were and continue to be the most reliable Democratic voters but were not primary beneficiaries of Madigan’s efforts. As U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D) pointed out, “It was about [Madigan] at the end. …Because I’ll give you an example. I was the Democratic nominee for [state] treasurer, right? The Democratic Party of Illinois didn’t help me one bit. I’m Black and I’m a woman [and they] did not help me one bit and I lost because of lack of money, so, yeah.”

Click here to read the entire report.

* Republican women lawmakers voiced how their party is falling behind…

I find that in the Republican Party they are trying harder to get a mix because…we lost a lot of Republican women. They were turned off by our party so the idea is now to make a push for getting more women to run for office because of that and because we need to get to those people that are undecided or turned off by the party. So I feel that there’s a big push here now. But we are certainly more open and willing to bring in more women now because we need to bring back these women that were so turned off [by] our party.”

- Evelyn Sanguinetti (R-IL) Former Lieutenant Governor

I know the House Republicans, [we] were always involved in looking for candidates and we love to have women. The problem is…a lot of times [women] don’t want to do it or they don’t pass the litmus tests that are now being imposed.”

- Christine Radogno (R-IL) Former State Senate Minority Leader

* Here are some comments from women members of the Democratic Party…

I’m seeing over time though…we’ve had representatives of our party attend our meetings [of Lake County Democratic Women] which is great but again it felt like they really didn’t want us to exist. They felt there was some kind of competition there instead of seeing that this is a benefit to them. …When I talk to party leadership [about our organization’s work] they will say, ‘But we already do this, right, within the party.’ Not with intentionality. ….The competition really lifts everybody because you have to do better if they are doing better. So we’ve actually seen…our local party working much harder than they did [to support women].”

- Melinda Bush (D-IL) Former State Senator and Founder of Lake County Democratic Women

The toxicity of our politics [gives me pause for concern]. It’s definitely a disincentive for…everyone, but I think it’s particularly a disincentive for women because the vitriol that we get is much worse. I lost count of how many people over the last two years during the pandemic got their first death threat and called me first, [telling me] ‘You were the first person I thought of to ask what I should do about this,’ because I’ve been getting them forever as a lesbian, as a woman, as a big target – they’ve been coming for me for a long time. So that was a really interesting moment. The first time somebody called me…[I thought] ‘Oh God, I didn’t realize that’s who I was, you know.’”

- Kelly Cassidy (D-IL) State Representative

I would say there’s a support infrastructure to some degree [for women in Illinois politics]. And it’s in silos. …There is some support system [for women in politics in Illinois] but it’s not centralized. There’s no real centralized support system. That’s my view.”

- Heather Wier Vaught (D-IL) Democratic Lobbyist and Consultant and Former Chief Counsel to Speaker Michael Madigan

13 Comments

Proposal to save suburban, Chicago public transit transit includes tax on services, parking and raising RTA sales tax

Friday, Dec 8, 2023 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* Sun-Times…

Chicago-area public transit faces a crisis when federal COVID-19 dollars run out in two years, forcing transit agencies struggling with reduced ridership to make major service cuts.

With this fiscal cliff looming, regional leaders tasked with saving public transit sent a set of policy recommendations to state lawmakers Thursday.

Lawmakers now face politically tough choices to raise $1.5 billion in new funding and implement sweeping organizational reforms recommended by the report, called the Plan of Action for Regional Transit.

They must consider new taxes, consolidating the four regional transit agencies under one board and changing fee structures, according to the 130-page report prepared by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning at the behest of the General Assembly.

* From the report…

PART recommends transit funding solutions that put these priorities into action for 2026 and beyond. The revenue options explored include savings and system-generated revenues, as well as a set of baseline revenues that include:

• Full state funding for paratransit.
• Full state funding for existing reduced fare mandates.
• A modernized state sales tax base that includes services, delivering needed revenues for the transit system, state, counties, and local communities.

The regional transportation system would also benefit from additional revenues, including flexing federal funds for transit and new road revenues (e.g., tolling, parking taxes, and vehicle registration surcharges). […]

The package further relies on durable sources that should be implemented to make the system’s funding more fiscally sustainable, progressive, and climate-friendly: expanding the sales tax base to include a broad range of services, increasing commercial parking taxes in downtown Chicago, and imposing a regional surcharge on vehicle registrations. If the region and state are unable to reach consensus on these revenues, other durable revenues outlined below could replace them, such as a higher parking tax, a higher vehicle registration surcharge, or a payroll tax.

To meet immediate funding needs, some diminishing sources will be needed to achieve transformational investment. Raising the RTA sales tax rate in combination with a sales tax base expansion would provide funds that are critically needed to avoid the transit system’s financial collapse. However, as more appropriate sources are identified and implemented, this temporary RTA sales tax increase can sunset. Similarly, increasing tolls for passenger cars on existing toll highways and dedicating that increment to transit provides the funds needed in the near-term, while other solutions that provide greater ties with road usage, congestion management, and climate outcomes — such as road usage charges and congestion pricing — should be explored over time.

* Tribune…

The report came from the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, which was tasked by the legislature with drafting recommendations as the region’s public transit agencies face a combined $730 million budget hole once federal COVID-19 relief funding starts running out in 2025. Transit agencies have warned that failure to plug the hole could lead to catastrophic service cuts and fare increases. […]

The recommendations also address service, including improvements to the bus system, adding “transit ambassadors” to boost safety and the perception of safety, and moving to one fare system across all types of public transit, instead of maintaining largely separate fares for the CTA, Metra and Pace. […]

The recommendations could include simply strengthening the RTA and keeping the separate agencies, or folding the three transit agencies into one entity, an idea that has been floated before but never gained traction. Whether the concept would gain enough traction this time around remains to be seen.

* Daily Herald last week…

The state and other stakeholders will resolve a looming $730 million annual shortfall facing Metra, Pace and the CTA in 2026, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Monday.

The funding gap emerged after COVID-19 decimated ridership. It’s an issue transit agencies across the U.S. are facing, Pritzker said at a Crain’s event.

“We need subways and trains and buses and it’s vital to our economy. We’re going to do whatever is necessary,” said Pritzker, who also mentioned fares but without specifics.

“The General Assembly and I and the federal government, we all have to address it,” he noted.

* WTTW…

“We know that the cost of inaction is greater than the cost of action,” said CMAP Executive Director Erin Aleman. “We are at a decisive and pivotal juncture with an opportunity to make a transformative change.”

“The longstanding underfunding of transit operations coupled with the unprecedented challenges spurred by the pandemic have brought us to a critical inflection point in transit’s history,” said city of Chicago COO John Roberson. “We cannot shy away from the scale of the funding needs our transit system faces. It is significant, but the value transit provides for the city and for our region is immeasurable.”

In addition to more funding, the plan CMAP came up with proposes unprecedented changes to the way transit is run. One option would give more power to the regional authority overseeing CTA, Metra and Pace.

The other, far bolder option would create a single regional transit agency, essentially combining the current hodgepodge of transit agencies into one.

* Nationally…

Governing | Navigating the Fiscal Crisis in Public Transit:

* Bloomberg | Commuters Ditched Public Transit for Work From Home. Now There’s a Crisis: As pandemic aid dwindles, the nation’s biggest transit systems face a roughly $6.6 billion shortfall through fiscal year 2026, according to a Bloomberg tally of the top eight US transportation agencies based on passenger trips. Rising labor costs and inflation are hitting as farebox revenue stagnates after ridership collapsed. Those eight agencies serve regions that combined contribute about $6 trillion annually to the national economy. Local officials are pressing for help. Last month, the California Transit Association asked the state for $5.15 billion over the next five fiscal years. Without more money, transit officials across the country warn that the public can expect steep ticket price increases and drastic cuts to train and bus schedules, while long-planned expansion projects are on the chopping block. That pleading worked for New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority when state lawmakers recently approved a massive bailout.

* GovTech | How Important Is Surveillance Tech on Public Transit?: A poll conducted to determine why riders haven’t returned to the service revealed public safety and cleanliness concerns. More than half of 1,000 survey respondents had witnessed or been a victim of a crime on BART. Meanwhile, 85 percent of BART riders who have reduced or eliminated their usage said they would ride the system more often if it was significantly cleaner and safer. In early 2023, BART announced new public safety initiatives, most visibly, doubling the amount of officers on trains.

33 Comments

AG Raoul, others file antitrust lawsuit against NCAA

Friday, Dec 8, 2023 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Crain’s…

The NCAA is still forcing some athletes sit out a year following multiple transfers — and Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul won’t stand for it.

Raoul and attorneys general in six other states filed a federal antitrust lawsuit on Thursday, challenging the NCAA’s transfer rules as “an illegal restraint on college athletes’ ability to market their labor and control their education.” […]

Six weeks ago, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost sent a letter to the NCAA expressing concerns over the eligibility of second-time transfer Aziz Bandaogo, a 7-foot center for the University of Cincinnati basketball team whose appeal for a waiver was denied on Nov. 10.

Yost wrote that the decision was not only wrong “as a matter of common sense and decency, it is likely illegal” and raises antitrust concerns as an illegal restraint of trade.

* Thursday press release…

Attorney General Kwame Raoul today filed a federal antitrust lawsuit challenging the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) transfer eligibility rule as an illegal restraint on college athletes’ ability to market their labor and control their education.

The NCAA rule requires college athletes who transfer among Division I schools to wait one year before competing in games, unless the NCAA waives the rule for a particular athlete. The NCAA began automatically exempting first-time transfers from the regulation in 2021 but has continued to enforce the rule for subsequent transfers and deny waivers for no legitimate reason.

Raoul and a bipartisan coalition of six attorneys general filed their lawsuit today in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia seeking a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction to keep the NCAA from enforcing the rule.

“The Transfer Eligibility Rule unfairly restricts collegiate athletes and is not implemented in a consistent and straightforward way that is easy for athletes and their families to understand,” Raoul said. “I filed this lawsuit to bring fairness to this flawed system and ensure the needs of collegiate athletes and their families are prioritized and respected.”

Since its founding in 1906, the NCAA has expanded its rulebook beyond field contests to regulate off-the-field competition among its member institutions and manage the burgeoning business of collegiate sports. Some regulations are essential for the administration of college sports, the coalition’s lawsuit acknowledges. However, Raoul and the attorneys general argue, certain rules lacking a clear procompetitive benefit may run afoul of the nation’s antitrust laws, which are rooted in the belief that market forces yield the best outcomes.

In justifying the one-year waiting period for second-time transfers, the NCAA cites the promotion of academic well-being and the preservation of athletic amateurism. Raoul and the coalition call the connection between the rule and these goals “pretextual”; note that these purported goals can be accomplished through less-restrictive means; and argue that the harm it does to athletes, universities, and fans far exceeds any supposed benefits.

According to Raoul and the coalition, the one-year waiting period constitutes 20% of the total time allotted by NCAA regulations for the completion of a college athlete’s full eligibility – and, as such, could prove devastating for athletes seeking to optimize their career and welfare by transferring to schools that better suit them.

The NCAA often describes the college athlete experience as transformative, with competition playing a key role. By preventing students from competing, however, it hinders the full realization of this experience. Students deprived of the opportunity to compete in their chosen sports are denied the benefits that competition offers in preparing them for life, as acknowledged by the NCAA, and often suffer financial harm.

The lawsuit is here.

Thoughts?

15 Comments

Question of the day: 2023 Golden Horseshoe Awards

Friday, Dec 8, 2023 - Posted by Rich Miller

* The 2023 Golden Horseshoe Award for Best Democratic State House Staff Member is a tie. Kendra Piercy…

It’s an understatement to say that it’s rare to see the Speaker of the House present a bill in committee, but we saw it this year and who was sitting right next to him? Kendra Piercy, Deputy Counsel to the Speaker. She was the legal leader of the House Dobbs / Reproductive Rights Working Group. She was the reason there was a last minute lame duck Cannabis transporter bill. And probably most importantly in the business we are in (and also for an award like this), she is a genuinely kind individual who is beloved by those that get to work with her.

* And Kylie Kelly…

It’s hard to find a more dedicated or loyal staff member than Kylie. As this Caucus rebuilds itself, Kylie is the woman behind the curtain. Respected on both sides of the aisle by members and staff alike, she manages Caucus members successfully and remains extremely humble.

Honorable mention is awarded to Taylor Howard.

* The 2023 Golden Horseshoe Award for Best Republican State House Staff Member goes to Jen Passwater…

First of all, how does she find the time to still staff the Judiciary-Criminal Committee? In addition to being Deputy Counsel, she now also serves as a Senior Advisor to Leader McCombie, so on basically every important or sensitive issue, Jen is there. And despite working on the most divisive and controversial subjects, from the freedom caucus to the Black Caucus, she is liked and respected by everyone. And she does all of this while still staffing 2-hour Jud-Crim hearings!! I don’t get it. Seriously can we do something about this??

Runner-up is Lauren Hund. Honorable mention is awarded to Frank Strauss.

Congratulations to everyone!

* Today’s categories…

Best Statehouse-Related Public Relations Spokesperson

That second category is new, but there are a lot of Statehouse types who run or work for PR firms, so let’s give it a try.

As always, make sure to explain your votes or they won’t count. And do your very best to nominate in both categories. Thanks.

* We didn’t raise much yesterday to give Christmas presents to foster kids. Still, every little bit helps. We’ve raised enough so far to buy presents for 2,045 foster kids served by Lutheran Social Services of Illinois, but they have 2,530 children in their program. So, please, click here. Thank you so much.

14 Comments

Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Supplement to today’s edition

Friday, Dec 8, 2023 - Posted by Rich Miller

Comments Off

Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today’s edition of Capitol Fax (use all CAPS in password)

Friday, Dec 8, 2023 - Posted by Rich Miller

Comments Off

Open thread

Friday, Dec 8, 2023 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* What’s going on in your part of Illinois?

2 Comments

Isabel’s morning briefing

Friday, Dec 8, 2023 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* ICYMI: WCIA’s breakdown of what laws will go into effect in 2024…

Click here for the full list.

* Isabel’s top picks…

* Capitol News Illinois | State health plan declares racism a public health crisis: A new state health report pinpoints racism as a public health crisis while also noting Illinois needs to improve in the areas of maternal and infant health, mental health and substance use disorders. The broad goals are laid out in a draft of the State Health Improvement Plan, which will be finalized and presented to the Illinois General Assembly next year. The SHIP is part of Healthy Illinois 2028, a five-year plan outlining the major public health crises the state hopes to address.

* Tribune | Recommended changes to transit head to state lawmakers, who could debate expanded sales tax and consolidating agencies: The report, drafted by regional planners after meetings with community organizations, lays out recommendations to address public transit funding, governance and the experience of riding buses and trains, as the region’s three public transit agencies face a looming financial cliff and languishing ridership numbers. Among the options included are additional taxes, such as expanding the sales tax base, and two options to revamp oversight of the region’s separate transit agencies.

* Crain’s | Illinois in multistate lawsuit over NCAA transfer rule: Raoul and attorneys general in six other states filed a federal antitrust lawsuit on Thursday, challenging the NCAA’s transfer rules as “an illegal restraint on college athletes’ ability to market their labor and control their education.”

* Two SIU athletes are mentioned in the complaint…

Here are the student-athletes the seven states mentioned in the complaint vs. the NCAA:

• RaeQuan Battle - WVU basketball
• Jarrett Hensley - SIU basketball
• Noah Fenske - SIU football

— Ethan Bock (@ethanbock_) December 7, 2023

* Here’s the rest of your morning roundup…

* WTTW | One Agency to Rule Them All? As Fiscal Cliff Looms, CMAP Pitches Bold Plan to Overhaul Chicagoland Public Transit: With CTA, Metra and Pace expected to have a combined $730 million budget deficit starting in 2026, state lawmakers passed a measure charging the regional planning agency CMAP to think big and come up with a plan to improve service, make buses and trains more accessible and make sure all the different bus and train lines effectively link up with one another. The funding gap, which is expected to worsen every year without major action, is largely due to ridership that’s still far below pre-pandemic levels. Federal stimulus money that’s been making up for lost revenue is running out — and advocates say that in any case, transit has been underfunded for years.

* WCIA | Illinois Department of Labor explains proposed rules to new paid time off law: The AFL-CIO hosted a webinar Wednesday afternoon with the Illinois Department of Labor explaining their proposed rules of the new policy. “This bill is for the millions of workers in and out of unions, who until now were faced with the impossible choice of either taking time off or keeping their job,” Francis Orenic, the legislative director for the Illinois AFL-CIO, said.

* Lake County News-Sun | State pot-shop sales continue flight to record highs: The fourth anniversary of the opening of the first legal marijuana dispensaries in Illinois will be marked Jan. 1, as sales continue at a high rate across the state. With growth continuing, another grassroots pot shop opened this week in Waukegan.

* Sun-Times | Defense: ‘Computer mistake,’ not pressure from Ed Burke, caused delays in Burger King work: But Thursday, attorneys for Burke and Andrews grilled the Palatine architect who handled the project — and who apparently benefitted from a City Hall computer glitch that helped him land a building permit without the necessary driveway permit. “If you would have addressed the driveway permit, then none of this would have happened, correct?” Joseph Duffy, one of Burke’s defense attorneys, asked architect Warren Johnson.

* Sun-Times | Off-duty Chicago cop strikes, kills pedestrian near House of Blues in River North: Law enforcement sources identified the driver as a police officer. The report shows responding officers didn’t offer her a blood-alcohol test at the scene.

* WGN | Chicago officer relieved of police powers after deadly pedestrian accident in River North: According to an employee at a nearby hotel in the city and several Facebook posts, WGN News has learned that there was a Chicago Police Department holiday party at the House of Blues Wednesday night. It is unclear at this time if the officer attended that party.

* Daily Southtown | Community solar farm comes to Chicago Heights with promise of lower utility bills and cleaner energy: First activated in Illinois four years ago, this project allows residents and business owners to rely on solar for their energy needs without installing expensive and large solar panels by paying a monthly subscription to a group that manages a solar farm.

* Tribune | City Council committee rejects discipline provision in Chicago police contract but OKs pay hikes: The mayor pledged on the campaign trail to not raise CPD’s budget, then pivoted to propose a spending plan that allocated a record $2 billion to the department, including the $60 million in planned bonuses and raises in the new police contract. While the department’s bottom line rose, Johnson reshuffled positions to reduce the number of beat cops and boost civilian positions and those dedicated to fulfilling the department’s consent decree requirements.

* Chicago Reader | Johnson administration’s early days marked by lapses in transparency: Since taking office, Johnson moved largely outside public view to erect a now-scrapped tent encampment for newly arriving migrants on contaminated land, he and his Rules Committee chair walled off parts of council chambers—and entire floors of City Hall—from the public, and he has often evaded key questions on the future of surveillance technology he unabashedly rebuked on the campaign trail.

* USA Today | Judge allows emergency abortion in Texas in first case of its kind since before Roe v. Wade: On Thursday morning, two days after Cox’s case was filed, Travis County state District Judge Maya Guerra Gamble signed a temporary restraining order, preventing the state, Attorney General Ken Paxton and the Texas Medical Board from enforcing the state’s abortion ban should Cox terminate her pregnancy. The order also protects Cox’s husband, Justin, and her OB/GYN, Dr. Damla Karsan, from prosecution or fines related to any abortion care.

* SJ-R | Sangamon County to consider tourism district in first step to expanded convention center: The Dec. 19 meeting also could include a vote that would establish the new district, which would allow local hotels to levy a fee on every night spent in a hotel room throughout the county. The Springfield Metropolitan Exposition and Auditorium Authority, the agency tasked with running the convention center, would use the fee to help with future bond issues funding the new construction.

* Slate | “Imagine a Child Gets Stabbed 26 Times”: They gave him bits of information piece by piece. By that night, it was becoming national news out of Chicago that his son had been killed, and the child’s mother, his ex-wife, was hospitalized. “I cried nonstop until that evening,” Odai said. “He left this world and he took our hearts with him.”

10 Comments

Live Ed Burke Trial Coverage

Friday, Dec 8, 2023 - Posted by Isabel Miller

Comments Off

Live coverage

Friday, Dec 8, 2023 - Posted by Isabel Miller

Comments Off

« NEWER POSTS