Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar » Isabel’s afternoon roundup
SUBSCRIBE to Capitol Fax      Advertise Here      About     Exclusive Subscriber Content     Updated Posts    Contact Rich Miller
CapitolFax.com
To subscribe to Capitol Fax, click here.
Isabel’s afternoon roundup

Tuesday, Jan 16, 2024 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* Subscribers were told about this last week…

Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced the Elm City Roastery coffee station is returning to the Capitol’s second floor for the General Assembly’s 2024 session.

Now in its second year, the station will now offer grab-and-go sandwiches in addition to coffee and other beverages.

“I can’t tell you the number of people we heard from who enjoyed the offerings at the Elm City Roastery station over the course of the 2023 session,” Giannoulias said. “The expanded food offerings this session make the Elm City Roastery station an essential stop for anyone working at or visiting the Capitol.”

The station is located on the second floor near Giannoulias’ office and Hearing Room 212. It will be open from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. on session days.

* Press release…

Members of the Illinois Underground Railroad Task Force had its first meeting where they selected State Senator Dave Koehler and State Representative Debbie Meyers-Martin as co-chairs, and outlined its findings from the first meeting and goals for the coming months.

“This task force will bring a better understanding of how the Underground Railroad operated, as slaves escaped the south for freedom and a better life in Illinois,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “By giving Illinoisans a clear understanding of the past, we are creating a greater future.”

The Illinois Underground Railroad Task Force was created through legislation championed by Koehler last year – Senate Bill 1623. The task force will create a statewide plan to connect existing local projects and new projects to create a cohesive statewide history of the Underground Railroad in Illinois, while establishing new educational and tourism opportunities.

“The history of Underground Railroad is one of freedom, bravery and community. Because of its geographical location, Illinois has a robust history of sites, communities and individuals who helped on or used the Underground Railroad for a network of freedom,” said Jenn Edginton, interim director of the Illinois State Museum. “This task force will help explore more ways to bring this history to light.”

The task force – which held its first meeting Tuesday – is comprised of people from a number of organizations and agencies – like the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Illinois State Historical Society.

Following its introductory meeting, members of the task force held the press conference to highlight how it will determine historical sites, connections they have to one another, and create a picture to recognize the history of the Underground Railroad.

“It’s time we bring to light our history that led us to where we are today,” said State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield). “Illinois played a crucial role in freeing slaves and we need to recognize the pioneers who fought for the rights of African Americans, giving them the freedom and justice they deserved.”

The task force will continue to meet throughout the next few months and will submit a report and recommendations to the General Assembly and governor by July 1.

* Here’s the rest…

    * Chicago Mag | The 10 Pols Who Could Replace Dick Durbin: The senator will be 82 when his fifth term expires in 2027. He will have tied Shelby Moore Cullom’s record of 30 years as Illinois’s longest-serving senator. Durbin’s seatmate, Tammy Duckworth, is just 55, so his retirement would create a once-in-a-generation opportunity for an ambitious politician to move up. Durbin has not yet announced whether he will run again — he has said only that it depends on his “physical and mental abilities” — but there’s already a shadow primary to replace him. “It’s going to be a free-for-all,” predicts political consultant Don Rose. When U.S. senator Peter Fitzgerald announced his retirement in 2004, 16 candidates ran to succeed him. “Don’t you think it would be cool to be a senator?” one remarked. (Barack Obama, a state senator at the time, won — you might have heard of him.)

    * Starved Rock Media | No Vote Yet On Declaring La Salle County A “Non-Sanctuary” County: La Salle County on Thursday could have become the latest entity to declare itself a non-sanctuary location. But the measure presented to members of the La Salle County Board hadn’t come through a proper committee. So, down it goes until the Committee on Appointment, Legislative and Rules can iron out certain elements.

    * Crain’s | Rovner steps into semi-retirement, opening a 7th Circuit seat for Biden: “Today, I am delighted to say, I am one of five women in active service on our court (one of six in total),” Rovner said in her Jan. 12 letter to Biden. “I know that, in choosing my successor, you will consider candidates whose life experiences, professional background, and worldview equip them to think critically, to give respectful hearing to points of view that may be unpopular or go unheard, and to pursue justice with an open heart and mind.”

    * WGN | Suburban politician’s cancer charity fails to file financial records: Tiffany Henyard holds two elected offices and runs a charity for cancer patients. However, the Illinois Attorney General’s office says her namesake foundation has failed to file basic information about how it collects and spends money. WGN Investigates found the Tiffany Henyard Cares Foundation also benefited from money, manpower and promotion from the village of Dolton and Thorntown Township, two municipalities led by Henyard.

    * Tribune | Judge bans Cook County prosecutors’ new Conviction Review Unit boss from courtroom, alleging conflict of interest: The order stemmed from a spat over Mbekeani’s connection to a business venture that connects defendants seeking to overturn their convictions with lawyers while serving as a prosecutor handling post-conviction cases for the state’s attorney’s office.

    * WTTW | E-Learning or a Snow Day? Here’s How Illinois School Districts Decide: “It’s locally determined,” said Jackie Matthews, spokesperson for the Illinois State Board of Education. “No one is required to have one. Some may feel it’s a good fit, and some may not.” ISBE did not immediately have an accounting of how many of Illinois’ approximately 850 districts have e-learning policies.

    * NBC Chicago | Chicago Bears stadium updates: What Kevin Warren has said about Arlington Heights, downtown sites: The timeline for the Bears to break ground on a new stadium site is still unclear. Hell, they still haven’t officially announced where the new stadium will be. During the Bears end-of-season press conference, president and CEO Kevin Warren said that finalizing the location for the team’s next home is one of the most pressing steps for the Bears to take in the short term as they continue to work on their long term plans. But there’s more to it than just picking a spot.

    * Tribune | CPS to buy green buses with federal grant, but driver shortage remains a challenge for worn-out parents: Since August, CPS has provided transportation only for students with disabilities who have Individual Education Plans or 504 Plans requiring transportation, and students in temporary living situations, for whom the district is federally mandated to provide transportation services. Parents advocating for busing recognized the importance of electric buses but questioned how the district would provide support to families currently without any busing.

    * WICS | Federal court date set for Terrence Shannon Jr.’s motion for a temporary restraining order: Shannon is expected to plead not guilty to the charges on January 18th. But with the trial not expected to be resolved until this summer — after the college basketball season and NBA draft — Shannon’s legal team is looking to the federal court to pause the University’s suspension.

    * ABC Chicago | Kankakee River ice jam causes floodwaters to surround homes in Wilmington: Chunks of ice built up along the Kankakee River banks in Wilmington on Monday night, giving rise to flood waters and concerns for neighbors. “About a foot off of this pipe right here is our seawall, so then the water is usually about 2 feet below that,” said Chris Krall.

    * WBEZ | EPA to decide if foul-smelling, toxic Southwest Side waterway needs cleanup — and who would do it: The source of the odors is the collateral channel, about a quarter-mile stretch of water that connects West 31st Street, just east of Kedzie Avenue, to the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. The channel is not only foul-smelling but also toxic and a threat to human health, community members say.

    * Tribune | ‘Grandmothering While Black’ takes a deep dive into how parents’ parents are coping with raising the next generation: The Northwestern University alumna collected data from nearly 100 women on Chicago’s South Side for four years through in-depth interviews with the women and ethnographic research via doctor’s visits, welfare offices, school and day care center appointments, and caseworker meetings.

    * AP | Ground collision of two Boeing planes at O’Hare sparks investigation: Delta spokesperson Emma Johnson said Monday afternoon by phone that an All Nippon Airways aircraft clipped a Delta plane while it was parking at a gate after arriving at O’Hare from Detroit. “Customers deplaned normally at the gate and the aircraft is being evaluated by Delta’s maintenance technicians,” the company said in an emailed statement.

    * Baltimore Sun | The Baltimore Sun purchased by Sinclair’s David D. Smith: Smith would not disclose how much he paid for Baltimore Sun Media. He purchased the newspaper group independently of Sinclair, which is known for its ownership of television stations and local news programming across the U.S. and a recent failed foray into regional sports network ownership. The Sinclair empire started with Baltimore’s WBFF Fox 45 television station.

    * WBEZ | M&M’s guru mulls chocolate all day at Mars Wrigley headquarters on Goose Island: “I actually talk very little about what I do, I’m not big on going on about myself,” [Matthew Kradenpoth] said in an interview next to a wall of M&M’s dispensers in the cafeteria of the Mars Wrigley global headquarters on Goose Island. “I don’t know why because I have, like, the greatest job.”

    * NBC Chicago | What should you do if your pipes freeze? Here are several steps you can take: It will likely take around 30 minutes for pipes to thaw. However, this may vary depending on how cold it is, how long the pipe has been frozen and its location. If you’re not successful with any of the above steps, you’ll want to call a plumber for help.

       

10 Comments
  1. - bhartbanjo - Tuesday, Jan 16, 24 @ 3:21 pm:

    The underground railroad interests me far more than the current hot history topic in Illinois, route 66.


  2. - Gravitas - Tuesday, Jan 16, 24 @ 3:27 pm:

    Will Tiffany Henyard be sporting a stylish orange jump suit someday soon?

    Her conduct as an elected official has been outrageous. The residents of Village of Dolton have incurred millions in debts due to her extravagant spending. Her salary exceeds that of the governor.


  3. - Jibba - Tuesday, Jan 16, 24 @ 3:33 pm:

    I would imagine the Bears have more pressing steps to take in the short term than a new stadium. Like a good product. A few late season wins does not erase the season performance.


  4. - Amalia - Tuesday, Jan 16, 24 @ 3:54 pm:

    Tribune story on Judge banning new Conviction Review Unit boss from courtroom very disturbing. what is that lawyer thinking? also Kim Foxx, the gift that keeps on messing up.


  5. - Annon'in - Tuesday, Jan 16, 24 @ 4:35 pm:

    The Durbin Derby looks like fun, but there will be a need to wait 3 years, see if Schummer is still kickin and if the emerge — aka whatever happened to Christian Mitchell?
    Biggest laugh goes to Smiley LaHood. He started giving Trump a new lick job which is consistent with paying back Trump for the sweet deal he have the ConfessedCongressman awhile.
    Does it remain a remain white, downstate, male seat? Then Ferichs might have a chance.
    We are sure there may be a billionaire out there.
    Michael Sacks might be ready by then.


  6. - DuPage Saint - Tuesday, Jan 16, 24 @ 4:50 pm:

    I hope they do a tremendous amount of research before claiming this or that site was part of the Underground Railroad. I am often told some place was part of it and I have my doubts. Just like every old bar was a Capone hideaway. Given Illinois history I am sure sites were scares and not openly know. Later after Civil War I think people tended to exaggerate their anti slavery credentials


  7. - TJ - Tuesday, Jan 16, 24 @ 4:53 pm:

    Who will replace Raja? Oh, I don’t know, maybe the suburban Dem that’s raised an absolutely gob-smacking amount of money that would in no way be necessary unless they were planning on a future statewide run?

    Raja Krishnamoorthi is pretty definitively going to be the one gunning for the senate seat.


  8. - TJ - Tuesday, Jan 16, 24 @ 4:54 pm:

    And by that, I clearly meant who will replace Durbin. D’oh.


  9. - lake county democrat - Tuesday, Jan 16, 24 @ 5:25 pm:

    The Rovner story is big: keeping that seat sane (i.e., non-MAGA) for several decades.


  10. - Judge Rovner - Tuesday, Jan 16, 24 @ 7:40 pm:

    Judge Rovner was appointed by Reagan to the District Court and George HW Bush to the 7th Circuit. Not from my Party but not from today’s Republican Party. Despite those appointments by R’s I’ve always found her to be fair minded and reasonable. Congrats on retirement after a long career.


Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.


* Reader comments closed for the weekend
* Showcasing The Retailers Who Make Illinois Work
* Isabel’s afternoon roundup
* Uber’s Local Partnership = Stress-Free Travel For Paratransit Riders
* UIC testing lab accused of providing flawed results in 1,600 cannabis DUI convictions
* Today's must-read
* COGFA: Illinois job growth rate is about a tenth of national growth rate since October of 2019
* Question of the day: Golden Horseshoe Awards
* Roundup: Madigan trial delves into political fight over Chinatown land deal
* It’s just a bill
* Open thread
* Isabel’s morning briefing
* Live coverage
* Selected press releases (Live updates)
* Federal appeals court stays Downstate federal judge's gun ruling (Updated)
* Yesterday's stories

Support CapitolFax.com
Visit our advertisers...

...............

...............

...............

...............

...............

...............

...............


Loading


Main Menu
Home
Illinois
YouTube
Pundit rankings
Obama
Subscriber Content
Durbin
Burris
Blagojevich Trial
Advertising
Updated Posts
Polls

Archives
December 2024
November 2024
October 2024
September 2024
August 2024
July 2024
June 2024
May 2024
April 2024
March 2024
February 2024
January 2024
December 2023
November 2023
October 2023
September 2023
August 2023
July 2023
June 2023
May 2023
April 2023
March 2023
February 2023
January 2023
December 2022
November 2022
October 2022
September 2022
August 2022
July 2022
June 2022
May 2022
April 2022
March 2022
February 2022
January 2022
December 2021
November 2021
October 2021
September 2021
August 2021
July 2021
June 2021
May 2021
April 2021
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
June 2020
May 2020
April 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
August 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
January 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
September 2017
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
March 2017
February 2017
January 2017
December 2016
November 2016
October 2016
September 2016
August 2016
July 2016
June 2016
May 2016
April 2016
March 2016
February 2016
January 2016
December 2015
November 2015
October 2015
September 2015
August 2015
July 2015
June 2015
May 2015
April 2015
March 2015
February 2015
January 2015
December 2014
November 2014
October 2014
September 2014
August 2014
July 2014
June 2014
May 2014
April 2014
March 2014
February 2014
January 2014
December 2013
November 2013
October 2013
September 2013
August 2013
July 2013
June 2013
May 2013
April 2013
March 2013
February 2013
January 2013
December 2012
November 2012
October 2012
September 2012
August 2012
July 2012
June 2012
May 2012
April 2012
March 2012
February 2012
January 2012
December 2011
November 2011
October 2011
September 2011
August 2011
July 2011
June 2011
May 2011
April 2011
March 2011
February 2011
January 2011
December 2010
November 2010
October 2010
September 2010
August 2010
July 2010
June 2010
May 2010
April 2010
March 2010
February 2010
January 2010
December 2009
November 2009
October 2009
September 2009
August 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
February 2009
January 2009
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006
August 2006
July 2006
June 2006
May 2006
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
December 2005
April 2005
March 2005
February 2005
January 2005
December 2004
November 2004
October 2004

Blog*Spot Archives
November 2005
October 2005
September 2005
August 2005
July 2005
June 2005
May 2005

Syndication

RSS Feed 2.0
Comments RSS 2.0




Hosted by MCS SUBSCRIBE to Capitol Fax Advertise Here Mobile Version Contact Rich Miller