Tom Miller: We talk about these big issues, abortion, nationwide issue, weapons, nationwide issue, but when it comes to your district, the 58th District, a large district too, you probably noticed that already on the maps. Would you have a goal in mind that you could share with us today about something you want to accomplish intrinsic to your Senate district that you’re running for in the upcoming primary election?
Wesley Kash: Well, I mean, there’s nothing special about this district over every other district.
He then went on to talk about lowering state taxes and ending business as usual, and concluded, “So no, I don’t really have a specific plan for the 58th Legislative District.”
The big picture is important, but in reality, about the only thing that Republicans can accomplish in the General Assembly is to push things that specifically help their districts. Almost every legislator in both parties can support that. Sen. Bryant is good at it.
Tom Miller: We listened to you talk about things you’re against. That’s pretty much the line right now, except that with that Democratic majority, you would have to turn the tide and that’s a difficult item, especially when you’re in a super minority. I mean, do you have thoughts on that, the Republicans’ role in Illinois if you win and what you’re able to accomplish with the current Democrat/Republican breakdown?
Wesley Kash: Well, yeah, my thoughts were as I’ve been listening to Dan Bongino a lot and uh, well what can’t continue won’t. And apparently Chicago’s about had it with all the illegals pouring in, and I don’t know that they’ll stay blue much longer, they’ll probably start seeing that the Democrats hate ‘em up there. And we might be able to flip the state. And we need principled conservatives that haven’t been willing to play that Springfield game. We need to stand on our principles, win, lose and draw. I might not be able to get anything done at first, but we got to start somewhere. And I’d ask people to start with me right here and right now. I’m going to be a principled conservative. Getting crumbs off the Democrats’ table hasn’t been working for us so far. We vote and go along with their bloated budgets and tax increases and we’re still in a ton of debt. So that’s not working out. So I’d say even if we can’t do nothing right at the beginning, let’s let’s quit going along with them and making terrible legislation, bipartisan legislation. We could run on, ‘Look at what the Democrats are doing. Vote Republican.’
Chicago’s going to flip to the Republican Party. Right. OK.
Also, those taxes have funded a whole lot of infrastructure spending in southern Illinois, just as one example.
The state’s down payment on the Smart Start program to boost PreK enrollment and eliminate education deserts created 5,823 new PreK spots. The goal was 5,000 for the first year. #twillhttps://t.co/NISElSQkvrpic.twitter.com/QrZw5hNrQB
In 2023, the Illinois State Police’s (ISP) modernization of the Divisions of Patrol, the creation of Special Operation Groups focused on criminal interdiction, and the continued implementation of a data-focused command structure led to a decrease in interstate shootings and fatal crashes. These same enforcement strategies also yielded more arrests, as well as increases in gun and vehicle recoveries.
“ISP saw a growing problem in Illinois, used data and first-hand expertise to efficiently address problems, and achieved results—the absolute model of what state government can and should do for its citizens,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “The decrease in fatal expressway shootings and crashes is an important step on the road to a safer Illinois, and I thank ISP for their innovation and dedication to advancing this work.”
“As an agency, we’ve become more nimble and focused on data, making decisions based on where the greatest threats to public safety emerge, rather than following the same old pattern or habits,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “Over the past several years, we have really demanded more of ourselves, making the tough decisions, executing, and empowering the most effective law enforcement tool there is – the well-trained, professional, crime-fighting trooper. Challenges remain, but we are headed in a good direction.”
2023-2022 Patrol Enforcement Data:
Interstate/expressway shootings: In 2023, ISP saw a 32% decrease in reported interstate/expressway shootings from2022.
Fatal Crashes: In 2023, ISP responded to 7% fewer fatal crashes on interstates than in 2022.
Arrests: In 2023, ISP saw a 3% increase in patrol arrests from 2022 (6,543 arrests in 2023).
Guns Recovered: In 2023, ISP patrol reported a 12% increase in guns recovered from 2022.
Vehicles Recovered: In 2023, ISP patrol saw a 7% increase in vehicles recovered from 2022.
* From the Illinois Local Journalism Task Force’s report this week…
Five of Illinois’ 102 counties have no local source of news, and 33 rely on just a single source, according to The State of Local News 2023, a research project led by Northwestern’s Medill Local News Initiative. The report focused on “news deserts,” which Abernathy defines as “a community, either rural or urban, where residents have very limited access to credible and comprehensive news and information that feeds democracy at the grassroots level and nurtures community.”
The five no-local-news Illinois counties are Pulaski, Alexander, Perry, Hamilton, and Edwards.
Jeff Egbert at the Perry County Weekly-Press begs to differ. “I’ve published a newspaper in Perry County for the last 14 years,” he told Rich via email.
He also pointed out that the McLeansboro Gazette operates out of Hamilton County.
Former Mayor Lori Lightfoot is hosting a City Club roundtable on neighborhood investment (her first public event in Chicago since leaving office). Comes as she announces a new non-profit called Chicago Vibrant Neighborhoods Collective to help orgs in disinvested neighborhoods. pic.twitter.com/xJtbQRsF1G
Stellantis’ estimated $4.8 billion plan to build a new vehicle at the Belvidere Assembly Plant, construct a battery production facility and establish a parts distribution “mega hub” could require what officials say is a tremendous amount of additional water, power and sewer capacity. […]
But officials say utilities would have to be extended to an area along Irene Road west of the Belvidere Assembly Plant where Stellantis has told the United Auto Workers it intends to build a $3.2 billion “joint venture” battery production facility.
Four Rivers Sanitation Authority Executive Director Tim Hanson said his office is preparing an estimated $32 million plan talked about for three decades to extend sanitary sewer lines to the area from Cherry Valley to service the Stellantis facility and any suppliers that will be needed. […]
A Winnebago County-based agency that cleans 1.5 billion gallons of sewage a year, Four Rivers has the capacity needed for the project, Hanson said. It would require an agreement in which Boone County owns the pipeline and Four Rivers Sanitation manages it, Hanson said.
How the sanitary sewer pipeline — which would have a main trunk more than 3 miles long and a diameter of up to 42-inches — and an estimated $5 million lift station in Cherry Valley would be paid for remains a question.
* Sun-Times | Car insurance rates went up again for Illinois drivers last year, analysis shows: The price of car insurance for Illinois drivers surged by more than $1.25 billion last year — following a $1.1 billion increase in 2022, according to a consumer group’s analysis of rate filings. The report only looked at the 10 largest auto insurers, who represent 81% of Illinois’ auto insurance market, and suggested that rates could have risen even more last year
* SJ-R | Springfield-area candidates file quarterly campaign finance reports: What to know: Springfield-area candidates are beginning their campaign pushes in 2024, buttressing their campaign chests with the primaries just more than two months away. Quarterly reports were filed with the Illinois State Board of Elections this week, showing how much candidates have made and spent between October and December. It was the last full quarter before the primary election scheduled for March 19.
* The Telegraph | Ethics violation by Madison County’s Prenzler under investigation: No action was taken by the Madison County Executive Committee against county board Chairman Kurt Prenzler over a reported ethics violation relating to passing out campaign material on county property during business hours, but the panel could consider the issue next month.
* WTTW | Chicago Won’t Evict Migrants Until Feb. 1, Officials Announce: Initially, Johnson granted approximately 650 migrants a week-long reprieve, until Jan. 22, which is set to be the first day of above freezing temperatures in a week. As many as 1,800 migrants could be evicted from city shelters Feb. 1, according to city data. Another 1,600 people could be evicted Feb. 2. It is unclear how many of the 3,400 migrants set to be evicted will be able to find permanent housing in the next two weeks or obtain work permits.
* Daily-Journal | Manteno also passes migrant bus ordinance: “Due to the recent events with buses dropping off migrants at unannounced and random locations, the village is adopting this ordinance in an effort to prevent those random events,” said Trustee Todd Crockett. “The village has limited resources, and bus drivers who make these random drops are putting the lives of those at risk.”
* WCIA | Kyle Patterson named new Champaign Township Supervisor: Patterson is a Champaign County board member and serves as an Urbana Cunningham Township case manager. Council members said the position is an opportunity to show how the new supervisor handles the position under pressure and during the upcoming election.
* Sun-Times | Pitchfork hit by layoffs, downgrade, but music festival will continue: Pitchfork’s owner, media empire Condé Nast, said Wednesday it has folded the brand into GQ, another title at the company. “This decision was made after a careful evaluation of Pitchfork’s performance and what we believe is the best path forward for the brand so that our coverage of music can continue to thrive within the company,” Condé Nast chief content officer Anna Wintour wrote in a memo to staff.
* Farm Progress | 8 questions with Illinois Pork Producers: Jennifer Tirey, Illinois Pork Producers Association executive director, has a lot of good reasons for folks to come to this year’s expo. “We’re a small but mighty group, and we need their voice. Lawmakers take my calls, but they really want to hear from actual producers,” Tirey says. “I can’t stress enough how showing up for your industry will help everyone in the long run.”
* Sun-Times | Nearly 100 cats and dogs saved from PAWS Tinley Park fire: Fire crews rescued 55 dogs and 42 cats from the building and brought them to Midwest Animal Hospital, where they were treated into the night, according to the Tinley Park public safety department. No injuries were reported, but 14 cats and two dogs showed signs of respiratory distress from smoke inhalation.
* CNN | Uvalde school massacre could have been stopped sooner, DOJ report finds: Critical failures in leadership among specific law enforcement officers who rushed to Robb Elementary are blamed by the Justice Department, whose 575-page report nearly 20 months after the massacre is the fullest official accounting of what happened, though much already was known largely through CNN investigation.
Highland Park and Deerfield joined the growing list of municipalities who have placed regulations on one-way buses dropping off 10 or more passengers.
While the ordinances are generic and apply to all one-way buses, no matter who the passengers are, the regulations come after municipalities around Chicago have experienced an influx of unscheduled buses dropping off groups of migrants at all hours of the day and night. […]
At the recommendation of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, suburban municipalities have started to approve regulations around when and where buses can drop off one-way passengers. The rules also seek advance communication from the bus companies about expected arrival date, times and a manifest of who is on the bus.
I checked and, while IEMA has been drafting some guidance, nothing has yet been officially sent to municipalities.
* Gov. Pritzker was asked today about the fact that home rule governments are imposing some restrictions on buses (whether or not it’s constitutional) while other governments cannot. So, should there be some uniformity across the state on this?…
That’s something that the legislature is looking at now and considering. It certainly seems like if one town can do it and another town can’t then we ought to have some uniformity. So that I know is being discussed in committees.
* Capitol News Illinois has a very good and wide-ranging story on what’s happening with the asylum-seekers, including this fact check…
On Tuesday, a group of four conservative lawmakers announced they were filing legislation that would repeal portions of the TRUST Act, a 2017 state law that bars local law enforcement agencies from participating in federal immigration enforcement, such as by working with Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents or by detaining people based on their immigration status.
“Repealing the TRUST Act is absolutely required to solve the Illinois illegal immigration crisis and it’s the right thing to do for the citizens of this state,” Rep. John Cabello, R-Machesney Park, said in a statement.
Individuals seeking asylum, like many of the recently arrived migrants, are generally not subject to deportation through Immigrations and Customs Enforcement action.
Sen. Dave Syverson, R-Cherry Valley, also on Tuesday criticized the management of two state programs that offer Medicaid-style benefits to some noncitizen residents of Illinois. […]
The Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults and Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors programs, which Syverson proposed cutting back, are designed for people who don’t have legal permission to be in the country and some others. Asylum seekers generally don’t qualify for those programs but do qualify for some federal benefits.
They’re not being serious people, but it’s not like anyone else has come up with a solution. Anyway, go read the rest.
* Tribune | Texas transportation company sues Chicago for migrant bus restrictions: Wynne’s subcontractors have faced 95 separate lawsuits filed by the city for violating the new rules, each seeking $2,000 to $10,000 fines, said the company’s attorney, Michael Kozlowski, of the Chicago-based law firm Esbrook P.C. “It unlawfully interferes with the business and makes the business very difficult to run,” he said. “It’s certainly not chump change.”
* WBEZ | Chicago migrants cook, wash windows and sell candy for cash without work permits: Like other migrants in Chicago, Fernandez is desperate for money. More than 34,000 migrants sent to Chicago from Texas and other states since August 2022 want financial stability. Many are seeking asylum and may qualify for work permits. But these applications can take a long time and not everyone knows how to navigate the process or where to go for help. Most migrants do not speak English, making it harder to find employment.
* CBS News | Man welcomes migrants into building he owns in Chicago: A lucrative investment in cryptocurrency provided the funding for the mission, while Chris Amatore himself provides the kindness. Amatore, chief executive officer of Manage Chicago, owns a South Shore neighborhood building with eight units and 60 beds – and he’s using one big heart to welcome in residents.
* Chalkbeat | Chicago educators ask lawmakers to step up support for schools seeing increase in migrant students: Gabriel Paez, an English learner program teacher at Cameron and chair of the Chicago Teachers Union bilingual education committee, estimate that about 200 migrant students at the school need access to more bilingual education, transportation, and basic needs — a reflection of the wider challenges presented by the arrival of thousands of migrant families to the city.
* NYT | Chicago Warms New Migrants in Idling Buses as the Weather Turns Nasty: A limit of 60 days on stays in city shelters would be set aside temporarily because of the snow and the predicted single-digit temperatures that would follow, the mayor said. “We’re not evicting new arrivals out in the cold this winter,” Mr. Johnson said at a news conference. “Our mission is to continue to live up to our values as we welcome new arrivals.” More than 14,500 migrants are in city shelters.
Will the South Siders be playing baseball in the South Loop?
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, “serious” negotiations have taken place between the Chicago White Sox and developer Related Midwest in regard to possibly building a baseball-only stadium at Roosevelt Road and Clark Street — an area known as “the 78.”
Related Midwest owns the site. The Illinois Sports Facilities Authority — which owns Guaranteed Rate Field — has not been involved in the talks, the organization’s CEO, Frank Bilecki, told the Tribune.
“I’m not part of the discussion, at least as of yet,” Bilecki said. “I truly know nothing. I’m a landlord and they’re a tenant, and they’re looking at options as tenants do everywhere.”
* A park that close to downtown would be a great after-work draw. A cool stadium would also bring in tourists. And the view could be just tremendous…
Ownership being what it is means I ain’t holding my breath on any of it.
* Gov. Pritzker has opposed public funding for a new suburban Bears stadium, but the White Sox play in a park owned by a state agency, so he was asked today whether he would support state funding for this…
Nobody’s made the ask yet. So having said that, I think you know my views about privately owned teams and whether the public should be paying for private facilities that will be used by private businesses. Having said that, I mean, there are things that government does to support business all across the state, investing in infrastructure, making sure that we’re supporting the success of business in Illinois. So, as with all of the other, whether it’s sports teams, or other private businesses, we’ll be looking at whatever they may be suggesting or asking for.
* The Question: Your own thoughts on this topic?
…Adding… In response to some comments, here’s NBC 5…
State taxpayers still owe roughly $50 million on bonds used to construct the stadium. The White Sox lease expires after the conclusion of the 2028 season.
One of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s signature priorities — a major tweak to the real estate transfer tax designed to boost funding for anti-homelessness initiatives — has been dealt a significant setback, failing to garner the coveted endorsement of the Chicago Federation of Labor.
In a vote last week, a motion to endorse the referendum measure came up just decimal points shy of the two-thirds weighted vote necessary to receive the official backing of the federation, an umbrella organization that represents more than 300 unions in Chicago and Cook County.
The rejection came despite personal calls from Johnson to some union leaders expressing how important the issue is to this labor-friendly administration. The opposition, meanwhile, was aided by two traditionally progressive unions that represent workers who staff hotels and buildings that would be affected by the proposed increase in taxes on property sales over $1 million. […]
If [CFL President Bob Reiter] decides to allow the CFL to reconsider Friday’s vote, it would be rare and could lead to tension among labor groups. But the fact that the vote was so close and that some unions were absent from the vote because of poor weather allows an opening, sources within unions told Crain’s.
Local 150 of the Operating Engineers and Unite Here Local 1 sided with their members’ employers (real estate developers, hotel owners, etc.) and voted against it. SEIU Local 1 abstained.
* Meanwhile, the CFL endorsements contained two other bits worth noting…
Cook County States Attorney
Neutral
Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Court
Maryiana T. Spyropoulos
CFL affiliates are on both sides in the state’s attorney race, ergo the neutrality. And the CFL went with the Cook County Democrats’ slated candidate against incumbent circuit court clerk Iris Martinez.
* Background is here and here if you need it. The gist of NAACP Illinois State Conference President Teresa Haley’s remarks last October…
But these immigrants have come over here, they’ve been raping people. They’ve been breaking into homes. They’re like savages as well. They don’t speak the language and they look at us like we were crazy, because we were the only people in America who were brought over here against our wills and were slaves, sold into slavery. But everybody else who comes over here? We’re so kind we’re so friendly. You need some clothes, you need a place to stay? We’re gonna make it happen. So brother, I feel your pain. I’m right there with you. I’m trying not to be a [N-Word] but you know, I’m pro-Black.
Teresa Haley says her controversial comments about immigrants brought from the Mexican border to Chicago were misinterpreted and taken out of context. […]
Recalling the November Zoom call, Haley said savages isn’t a word that is part of her everyday vocabulary. She said she used the word in the video when she was summarizing and referring to the same term used by at least two other Illinois branch presidents during the meeting.
Illinois NAACP officials were airing concerns about immigrants being transported unannounced by Texas officials to impoverished, predominantly Black Chicago neighborhoods in late fall and winter.
Haley told Illinois Times she regretted repeating her peers’ comments.
“A good leader listens and summarizes what is being said,” she said. “My intent was just to simply have the conversations and let my branch presidents and leaders know, ‘I hear you. I’m listening to you.’”
I guess she has a different understanding of leadership than most.
Haley said it was “out of order” for Gov. JB Pritzker to criticize her comments and call for her to apologize.
Haley said she believes the Democratic governor’s comments were fueled by policy differences between the two, including Haley’s opposition to legalization of adult-use marijuana and the NAACP’s unsuccessful legal challenge of the new legislative redistricting map that Pritzker signed into law.
The Rink, a longtime roller skating rink on the South Side, has a starring role in a new music video by Chicago band Wilco, out Thursday.
The video for “Meant To Be,” a song off Wilco’s 2023 studio album “Cousin,” was filmed at The Rink, 1122 E. 87th St. The Rink was one of the birthplaces of “JB skating,” a flowing, laid-back style often skated to the music of James Brown. According to The Rink’s website, the location has been open for some 50 years and is the sole African American-owned roller skating rink in Illinois.
In the video, the skaters swirling around the band include a number of Chicagoans, according to a band announcement Thursday, including Calvin Small, an originator of JB style, and champion skater Darius Sanders.
Indiana State Rep. Earl Harris Jr. (D-East Chicago) is looking to continue his late father’s dream of luring an NFL team to Northwest Indiana, and with the nearby Chicago Bears mulling the option of leaving Soldier Field, a short move across state lines might not be out of the realm of possibility.
Authored by Harris, House Bill 1174 proposes forming a 19-member sports development commission for Northwest Indiana and assigning the commission the tall task of enticing a professional sports franchise to set up shop in the Region.
While the bill itself doesn’t allocate any funding or target any specific teams — and is just about forming a board to develop a comprehensive plan to attract and develop a sports franchise in Northwest Indiana — there is one specific NFL team that Harris thinks Indiana can entice: The neighboring Chicago Bears.
“With the Chicago Bears looking into options for a new location, this legislation will help make Northwest Indiana a more attractive option for them and other sports teams,” Harris said.
Amends the Small Business Job Creation Tax Credit Act. Renews the program for incentive periods beginning on or after July 1, 2018 and ending on or before June 30, 2025. Removes language concerning the Put Illinois to Work Program for the second series of incentive periods. Provides that the term “full-time employee” means an individual who is employed for a basic wage for at least 35 hours each week (currently, employed for a basic wage for at least 35 hours each week or renders any other standard of service generally accepted by industry custom or practice as full-time employment). Provides that a net increase in the number of full-time Illinois employees shall be treated as continuous if a different new employee is hired as a replacement within 8 weeks after the position becomes vacant (currently, a reasonable time). Effective immediately.
Amends the Child Care Act of 1969. Provides that a qualified child care director must be present at the open or close of the facility. Provides that a qualified early childhood teacher who has been employed by the facility continuously for at least 24 months may otherwise be present for the first or last hour of the workday.
A new bill in the Illinois General Assembly would create a board of health care experts that would have the authority to set price limits on prescription medications.
House Bill 4472 was introduced Wednesday by state Rep. Nabeela Syed, D-Palatine, and state Sen. David Koehler, D-Peoria.
Using a variety of information related to the medication’s market, including the number of people taking the medication and its out-of-pocket cost, the board would assess a price. If the board finds it to be unreasonable, it could limit the amount wholesalers, pharmacies and hospitals can bill insurers and consumers for the drug.
The bill’s sponsors said it was an effort to limit health care costs across the board.
Amends the Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975. Provides that the Illinois Racing Board may appoint the Director of Mutuels to serve as the State director for inter-track wagering and simulcast wagering by inter-track wagering licensees and inter-track wagering location licensees. Provides that the pari-mutuel tax imposed at all pari-mutuel wagering facilities and on advance deposit wagering shall be remitted to the Board (rather than the Department of Revenue). Provides that the Board shall distribute contributed funds to a charitable organization on a schedule determined by the Board, based on the charitable organization’s estimated expenditures related to the grant (rather than by December 31 of each year). Provides that any funds not expended by the grantee in a grant year shall be distributed to the charitable organization or charitable organizations selected in the next grant year after the funds are recovered. Repeals provisions authorizing the Board to make daily temporary deposits of certain fees and provisions requiring the Board and the Department of Agriculture to establish a program to conduct drug testing on horses at county fairs. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.
Amends the Counties Code and the Autopsy Act. Provides that autopsies must be performed by board-certified forensic pathologists or, if under the direct supervision of a board-certified forensic pathologist, pathology residents or forensic pathology fellows (rather than a licensed physician must perform autopsies). In the Autopsy Act, further provides that other qualified personnel or other qualified personnel selected by a board-certified forensic pathologist (rather than a physician) may perform (rather than assist) an autopsy. Further amends the Counties Code. Provides that a county in which the body of a deceased person is found shall indemnify and hold harmless a board-certified forensic pathologist who renders services under the provisions for all of the pathologist’s conduct arising out of the pathologist’s testimony as an expert witness in a criminal proceeding based on the service provided under the provisions, except actions involving willful and wanton misconduct of the pathologist. Conditions the duty of the county to indemnify a board-certified forensic pathologist who rendered services under the provisions for a judgment recovered against the pathologist upon receiving notice of the filing of the action. Provides that, if a board-certified forensic pathologist is made a party defendant to an action and the action against the pathologist is based upon the pathologist’s conduct arising out of the pathologist’s testimony as an expert witness in a criminal proceeding, then, within 10 days of service of process, the pathologist shall notify the county in which the body of a deceased person was found of the fact that the pathologist has been made a party defendant to the action. Includes requirements for the notice. Provides that the State’s Attorney of the county in which the body of the deceased person is found may appear and defend on behalf of the board-certified forensic pathologist. Effective immediately.
Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code. Provides that a voluntary recipient admitted to a mental health facility who gives a written notice to the treatment staff that the recipient wishes to be discharged from the facility may be involuntarily held at the facility if within 5 days after giving the notice, a copy of the notice and a petition and the 2 certificates executed by a physician, qualified examiner, psychiatrist, advanced practice psychiatric nurse, or clinical psychologist which states that the recipient is subject to involuntary admission on an inpatient basis and requires immediate hospitalization are filed with the court (rather than only the petition and 2 certificates).
Amends the Illinois Controlled Substances Act. Provides that a person who reasonably believes that another person is experiencing an overdose and knowingly fails to seek emergency medical assistance for that person is guilty of a Class 4 felony unless the person experiencing the overdose dies as a result of failing to obtain the emergency medical assistance, in which case the penalty for violating this provision is a Class 1 felony.
Amends the State Universities Civil Service Act. Provides that each academic year, a public university shall offer a 50% tuition waiver for undergraduate education to each child of an employee of the State Universities Civil Service System (”University System”) who has been employed by the University System for an aggregate period of at least 7 years. Sets forth requirements relating to the 50% tuition waiver. Provides that each academic year, a public university shall offer a full tuition waiver for undergraduate education to each child of a person who died while employed full time by the University System or while on leave from full-time employment. Sets forth requirements relating to the full tuition waiver. Amends various Acts relating to the governance of public universities in this State to require full undergraduate tuition waivers for the children of persons who died while employed full time by any public university or while on leave from full-time employment. Sets forth requirements relating to the full tuition waiver. Effective July 1, 2024.
Amends the Acupuncture Practice Act. Provides that none of the provisions of the Act shall prevent an unlicensed person from engaging in a standardized 5-needle protocol if the person satisfies specified conditions. Provides that the treatment utilizing the 5-needle protocol shall be limited to the insertion of disposable, sterile acupuncture needles into the ear and only in compliance with the 5-needle protocol. Provides that the application or insertion of needles anywhere else on the body of another person by a person shall be considered engaging in the practice of acupuncture without a license.
A Texas-based bus company is suing Chicago, alleging discrimination in a city ordinance that controls where buses can and can’t drop off passengers.
Wynne Transportation, which has brought migrants from Texas to Chicago, filed lawsuit in federal court in Chicago. The company says the city’s rules interfere with interstate commerce.
The mayor’s office said the city doesn’t comment on pending litigation.
The city ordinance seeks to govern how and where buses can stand. Violators risk a $3,000 fine or impoundment of the vehicle.
“No owner or operator of any intercity bus shall use any designated bus stop, bus stand or passenger loading/unloading zone, or any other location, for loading or unloading of passengers, luggage or other goods without first obtaining the approval of the Commissioner,” the ordinance reads.
The Supremacy Clause enables Congress to preempt state law. A state law is preempted if Congress: (1) enacts a statute with an express preemption provision; (2) determines that a field must be controlled by its exclusive governance; or (3) when the state law conflicts with federal law. […]
In Villas at Parkside Partners v. City of Farmers Branch, 726 F.3d 524 (5th Cir. 2013), an ordinance that required occupancy licenses before renting was deemed to infringe on Congress’s authority over the subject of immigration. The ordinance was seen as forcing undocumented aliens to relocate, which was considered as establishing the city’s own regulations on immigration. The court held that the criminal offense and penalty provisions of the city ordinance and its state judicial review process was preempted by federal immigration laws.
Similarly, the [Chicago] Ordinance is specifically designed to prevent entry of migrants into Chicago by placing stringent requirements and harsh punishments. Therefore, the City of Chicago is creating its own policy and regulations concerning immigration, and hence, violating the Supremacy Clause.
The Ordinance interferes with trips from points outside of Illinois, and hence, it is controlled by the Commerce Clause […]
A statute or ordinance that facially applies even-handedly to in-state and out-of- state market participants may violate the Commerce Clause if it burdens interstate commerce by impacting the out-of-state participants more than their in-state counterparts. […]
Similarly, the Ordinance targets the out-of-state unscheduled intercity buses. The stringent limits placed on these buses, coupled with harsh punishment for violation of the Ordinance, are designed to force Plaintiff to use subcontractors within the Chicago-Naperville- Joliet, IL-IN-WI Metropolitan Statistical Area, instead of Texas transportation companies. […]
Additionally, a state law that has an extraterritorial effect violates the Commerce Clause. Therefore, under the Commerce Clause, a state law cannot have the practical effect of controlling conduct beyond the boundaries of the state. […]
The Ordinance punishes the transportation companies working with the State of Texas. Additionally, the Ordinance’s unreasonable permit procedures and its strict arrival time requirements dictate how the transportation companies should arrange their departure date and time in Texas and effectively prohibit cross-country travel. […]
Finally, a regulation cannot impose conditions hampering a right to pursue interstate commerce operations. … Similarly, the Ordinance is hampering Plaintiff’s right to pursue interstate commerce operations by inter alia: (1) creating strict permit procedures, which may result in 32 days delay of a trip; (2) prohibiting operation after business hours; (3) prohibiting operation during weekends; and (4) subjecting Plaintiff to significant fines and seizure of its buses for each violation of the Ordinance.
A. Violation of the Equal Protection rights based on the national origin, alienage, and race of Plaintiff’s passengers.
The Ordinance is intentionally discriminatory based on national origin, alienage, and race and fails the “strict scrutiny” test. Although it may be facially neutral, it has an adverse effect motivated by discriminatory animus and also was applied in an intentionally discriminatory manner. […]
The intentional discrimination is obvious from: (1) the City Council members’ proposed referendums on migrant issues; (2) the purported traffic rules that target only the migrant charter buses; and (3) comments from some city council members such as “[w]e need to set some ground rules on what is acceptable in our city, what we are willing to accept of our new guests, new arrivals.” […]
B. Violation of Plaintiff’s Equal Protection rights due to arbitrary classification.
The Ordinance treats similarly situated persons (bus companies and their passengers) differently. […]
The rules implementing the Ordinance classified the intercity buses into two categories of regularly scheduled and unscheduled intercity buses. The rules then placed stringent limits on the unscheduled intercity buses. The distinction between these two categories of buses is completely arbitrary and unreasonable.
The Ordinance violates the fundamental right of interstate travel of Plaintiff and its passengers. The Ordinance makes it extremely difficult, if not impossible, for Plaintiff to transport people across state lines from Texas to Chicago and even within Illinois.
An ordinance adopted by the governing body of a city must satisfy the same requirement of reasonableness that is applicable to statutes enacted by the General Assembly.
By classifying the intercity buses into two categories of regularly scheduled and unscheduled intercity buses, and then placing stringent limits on the unscheduled intercity buses, the Ordinance confers upon the scheduled buses a special benefit that is denied to the similarly situated unscheduled buses—by allowing the scheduled buses to operate absent the Ordinance’s burdensome restrictions. This violates the State’s constitutional prohibition on special legislation. […]
The Ordinance infringes on the fundamental right of travel, discriminates in favor of a select group and makes an arbitrary classification between regularly scheduled and unscheduled intercity buses. This violates the Illinois Constitution’s mandate that a general law should be made applicable to both groups.
The Ordinance on its face and/or as applied confers a special benefit or exclusive privilege on intercity buses with regularly scheduled service
* ICYMI: Chicago releases emails detailing unsanitary conditions at Pilsen migrant shelter, officials were aware of issues. WTTW…
-The shelter was put under scrutiny in December after 5-year-old Jean Carlos Martinez Rivero fell ill and later died at a hospital.
-Nearly two months before Martinez Rivero’s death, Ald. Nicole Lee sent an email to Johnson and top administration officials warning of the alleged conditions at the shelter.
-Despite the stated efforts in late October, complaints about unsanitary and overcrowded conditions from migrants and the volunteers serving them have persisted to the present day.
* Sun-Times | White Sox in ‘serious’ talks to build new stadium in South Loop’s ‘The 78’: The Illinois Sports Facilities Authority, which owns and financed Guaranteed Rate Field, has not yet been involved in the discussions, according to the authority’s CEO Frank Bilecki. At some point, the stadium authority would need to get involved in determining the future of Guaranteed Rate Field and possibly in building a new ballpark, if it is publicly funded.
* Bolts | How Illinois Housing Banishment Laws Push People into Homelessness and Prison : That’s why state police came calling in 2013. “You have to move, sir,” the officer repeated. “A day care moved [within] 500 feet.” Orr says he panicked and started calling around, trying to find a place to go. But each time he found an available apartment, police shot down the address saying it wasn’t compliant with Illinois’s dense web of housing restrictions.
Governor Pritzker will be at the Rochester Elementary School at 10 a.m. to celebrate Smart Start investments in early childhood education, and the Peoria Heights Grade School at 12:45. Click here to watch.
* BND | Under new owner, a metro-east manufacturer plans expansion to make electric car parts: Wieland Rolled Products North America, the German firm that owns the former ammunition manufacturer, unveiled plans for a $500 million modernization and expansion project so that it can increase production of copper and copper alloy parts for electric vehicles, charging stations and other renewable energy sources.
* AP | Freezing temperatures complicate Chicago’s struggles to house asylum-seekers: “The city’s favorite word for everything is ‘temporary,’” said Vianney Marzullo, a volunteer who has helped migrants staying at O’Hare International Airport. “It’s their new choice of Band-Aid word. Everything is temporary, temporary, temporary.”
* Sun-Times | Mayor Brandon Johnson’s campaign returns contributions improperly accepted from city contractors: Records filed Tuesday with the Illinois State Board of Elections show Johnson’s campaign fund made refunds to many — but not all — of those people and companies between Nov. 9 and the end of the year. Among those who gave to the Friends of Brandon Johnson despite being city contractors are Michael Tadin Sr., who runs MAT Leasing Inc., and his son Michael Tadin Jr., who runs MAT Construction Leasing Inc.
* Crain’s | Bally’s seeks big change to casino hotel due to ‘unforeseen infrastructure issues’: City water pipes below the Chicago Tribune’s Freedom Center printing plant are forcing Bally’s to find a new location for 400 hotel rooms at the casino and entertainment complex it intends to build on the site, raising questions as to whether the gambling giant will need to clear another public review process and why city officials didn’t flag the problem before choosing Bally’s to run Chicago’s first casino.
* WTTW | Despite Decades of Cries for Help, Chicago Failed to Aid Blind Pedestrians. Now, City Wants Lengthy Timeline to Fix Problem: The Chicago Department of Transportation said it currently maintains 2,703 signalized intersections with pedestrian signals. In March 2022, CDOT told WTTW News it planned to install 150 APS during 2022 and 2023. But the agency only installed nine signals in 2022 — one of which was an upgrade to an existing signal — and 12 signals in 2023, bringing the total number of APS across the city to 45. CDOT said it has yet to determine how many APS it plans to install this year.
* WICS | Illinois State Museum to host “Latinos in Illinois and USA”: Join the ISM as we dive into the cultural history of Latine music in Illinois with Bilingual Chicago-based music journalist, Catalina Maria Johnson. She brings this rich history from the last several hundred years of music in the Latine U.S. to life during this lively virtual presentation.
Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton raised $57,181, spent $67,000 and has $295,000 in the bank.
Atty Gen. Kwame Raoul raised $354,000, spent $97,000 and has $941,000 cash on hand.
Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias raised $606,000, spent $29,000 and has $1.6 million cash on hand.
Treasurer Mike Frerichs raised $144,000, spent $58,000 and has $798,000 in the bank.
Comptroller Susana Mendoza raised $311,521, spent $39,000 and has $579,000 in the bank.
* Press release…
Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) today announced the addition of 5,886 new preschool seats in preschool deserts—areas of the state with too few publicly funded preschool seats to serve 80% of low-income 3- and 4-year-olds in the area. As part of Governor JB Pritzker’s broader Smart Start initiative, ISBE originally aimed to add 5,000 new seats and exceeded the goal by 18%, expanding access to early childhood education to more than 5,800 additional children in preschool deserts statewide. ISBE also expanded services to families with babies and toddlers from birth to age 3, serving 1,130 additional children.
* Wieland announced a $500M expansion and modernization plan in East Alton…
A year ago today I sat with @GovPritzker & our team in Germany while he personally made the pitch to Wieland’s top leadership to stay in Illinois and invest in our future together and this is the result. Having a Governor who believes in the state matters. https://t.co/vmhgatQ7va
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is planning to distribute $17 million to municipalities helping the state handle the influx of asylum seekers who are being sent here from Texas without any assistance. […]
The grants will be distributed through a partnership with the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus. The group will issue $11 million to municipalities outside Chicago to “welcome and support recent arrivals living in their communities.”
The money must be used to support migrants within the municipality and can’t be used to transport them elsewhere, state officials said.
Another $4 million is earmarked for the creation of 13 Illinois Welcoming Centers, which will provide case management services for migrants seeking shelter, employment and other resources.
The final $2 million is intended for Immigrant Family Resources Program (IFRP) providers. These agencies provide new arrivals with interpretation and translation services, information about public benefits and advocacy as they settle into their new communities, state officials said.
* NBC Chicago | Texas bus company sues City of Chicago over migrant drop-off ordinance: A Texas bus company has filed a federal lawsuit against the City of Chicago alleging the city’s recent ordinance aimed at deterring buses from dropping off migrants unannounced is “unconstitutional” and “punishes” transportation companies who do business with Texas.
* PJ Star | 11 WTVP board members resign amid financial crisis: WTVP-TV Board Chairman Andrew Rand and 10 other members of the WTVP Board of Directors announced their resignations Tuesday in yet another bombshell development at the embattled public television station. The board then accepted appointments of eight new members, including John Wieland, MH Equipment Company’s CEO, as the board’s new chair.
* Crain’s | Dan McGrath: For Bulls fans, being cruel to Jerry Krause when he was alive just wasn’t enough: Jerry Krause could be a hard guy to like. That said, the booing that rained down on him during the Bulls’ “Ring of Honor” ceremony last Friday — on his memory, really, as Krause died in 2017 — was thoughtlessly cruel, an embarrassment to a city that fashions itself as classy, above the incivility that runs rampant in this country.
* WGN | Lawmaker wants to entice Chicago Bears to move to Indiana: Indiana State Rep. Earl Harris Jr. (D-East Chicago) is looking to continue his late father’s dream of luring an NFL team to Northwest Indiana, and with the nearby Chicago Bears mulling the option of leaving Soldier Field, a short move across state lines might not be out of the realm of possibility.
* Sun -Times | Illinois saw the most tornadoes in the U.S. in 2023, National Weather Service says: About 120 tornadoes were reported in the state, more than triple the amount in 2022 when there were 39. “We had a significant number of days where just … all the ingredients you need for tornadoes all came together,” said Victor Gensini, a professor at Northern Illinois University.
* Considering that the Illinois Local Journalism Task Force’s new report reveals that “journalism jobs at Illinois newspapers have plummeted 86 percent” since 2015, this photo showing more task force report presenters than actual journalists is worth a thousand words…
* I do take some issue with the report’s analysis. For instance…
Newspapers have always described their three largest costs as people, paper, and distribution, including postage. Unfortunately, as postage, paper and gasoline prices have gone up, people have taken the hit.
One actual problem these days is that lots of large news media companies are leveraged to the hilt. Revenues are diverted to loan/bond payments. Another is that some companies are brutally squeezing every last dollar they can from the local papers before the outlets eventually die. And another is just plain old greed. Newspaper profit margins used to be pretty hefty. But with those margins vanishing, ownership is cutting into the marrow for their short-term profits.
Several types of tax credits can be utilized to benefit local news. The first, subscription tax credits, provide tax credits to state residents who subscribe to digital or print media. A bill involving subscription tax credits in Massachusetts, still in the amendment process, would offer state residents a $250 tax credit for digital or print media subscriptions to community newspapers. […]
Advertising tax credits
These credits are provided to small businesses that advertise in local news outlets. As a result, this type of tax credit provides benefits to local businesses, local economies and local news. These benefits were studied in the 2022 Colorado Market Study, which found that 85% of consumers believe a product is “right” for them if seen in a news product. The study also found that advertisements in newspapers produce a return on investment that is 20% higher than that generated from online search and 10% higher than social media. […]
Labor/payroll tax credits
These credits intend to incentivize hiring, retention and fair pay of local journalists. The Local Journalism Sustainability Act, a proposed federal `of which Rebuild Local News is a strong advocate, includes payroll tax credits. […]
Tax exemptions
As passed in the state of Washington, a tax exemption will excuse local news outlets from state business and occupation (B&O) taxes, which are a tax on gross receipts. Illinois does not have such a tax, but a similar move would be an exemption from corporate income taxes. […]
Advertising set-asides:
A type of public policy that has proven beneficial for local news in New York City is the advertising set-aside, which mandates a percentage (often at least 50%) of government advertising dollars to be spent on ads in local news/media outlets. This program is considered beneficial because community media outlets are likely to reach the intended audiences of public information campaigns; thus, it helps the city reach the communities it serves.
* Chris Teale at Route Fifty compiles all the reporting and online furor over Thornton Township Supervisor and Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard. A brief excerpt…
But the self-proclaimed “super mayor” is also garnering attention from social media, online forums and local news outlets for her alleged misdeeds. Henyard has been sued for fraud, accused of misusing public funds, and criticized for flaunting the law and frivolous spending, in general. Just before Christmas, TikTok videos of the local lawmaker popped up discussing her latest controversy—a salary ordinance.
Henyard got a measure through the Thornton Township board that would reduce the salary of her potential successor in the event she loses her bid for reelection next year. Henyard, who makes $224,000 a year as township supervisor, drafted legislation that would cut her successor’s salary to just $25,000. If Henyard stays in office, her salary stays the same.
The editorial board of the Chicago Sun-Times denounced the move as “about as politically rotten and self-serving as it gets—a bid by elected officials to use tax dollars and the law to chase away political rivals.” Her colleagues on the Board of Trustees criticized the move in the local media, while municipal attorney Burt Odelson, who represents Henyard’s political opponents, called it “illegal in so many ways.”
* We’ve already talked about the first half of this excerpt, but the second part is new. Block Club Chicago…
City officials “paused” efforts to open additional migrant shelters as of Dec. 22, citing “budget constraints,” according to a briefing obtained by Block Club Chicago.
The city is switching its migrant housing strategy and has begun planning the “rightsizing” of its shelter system to help address budget concerns, according to the briefing. Officials are also working to fill available shelter space immediately when people are resettled, according to the briefing.
In a statement, mayoral spokesperson Ronnie Reese said the city is expanding its “outmigration and resettlement services” to free up more space at existing shelters.
The change in policy comes as new migrants continue to outpace available shelter beds, and after the city’s plans for large migrant base camps were halted. State officials, who are spending $160 million to help house and resettle migrants, will lead the way in establishing another 2,000 migrant shelter beds, Reese said.
That’s quite a policy change, especially considering that the state, not the city, is in charge of resettling new arrivals. Also, from what I can gather, the city hasn’t yet told the state that they’re shifting money toward resettlement.
* We talked about Greg Hinz’s story on the Chicago elected school board bill the other day, but not this part…
Harmon said he has not yet decided whether to push for a House vote on his bill, call the hybrid House bill for a vote in the Senate or pursue another course. One thing he’s awaiting before deciding: guidance from Johnson. So far, the mayor has given “no clear direction” on which bill should be approved. The mayor’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Taking a firm position could create a political risk for Johnson. A former CTU organizer himself, the mayor for years has advocated for a fully elected board. But doing so now would put him and his union allies on the opposite side of a big issue.
Taking a firm position could create a political risk for Johnson. A former CTU organizer himself, the mayor for years has advocated for a fully elected board. But doing so now would put him and his union allies on the opposite side of a big issue.
* The lack of any real guidance from the mayor’s office came up again in a recent Tribune story…
Heading into this year’s session, the issue remains under negotiation, Harmon said.
“We’re still wrestling with the best way to implement this to ensure maximum representation from all voters in the city,” Harmon said. “We’re waiting for clear direction from the city of Chicago, from Chicago Public Schools and from the Chicago Teachers Union as to how they think we should best proceed. We are open to all good ideas to get this done as quickly as possible.”
The CTU has said it prefers the hybrid system, so I suppose the mayor will eventually publicly fall in line. But that flip-flop would be Lightfootian in scope.
…Adding… I forgot to post this statement from Rep. Ann Williams, who heads the House Democratic CPS Districting working group…
An agreed map, strong ethics requirements, and an election process consistent with the negotiated framework paving the way for an elected, representative school board in Chicago can be finalized this week with a concurrence vote in the Senate. With the historic first school board election less than a year away, we hope the Senate will act now so that the transition to a fully elected school board can begin, prospective candidates can review district boundaries and Chicagoans will have the opportunity to vote for a representative school board for the first time this November.
Some civic leaders are calling for the city to re-examine its do-not-hire list practices after another former staffer in the mayor’s office said they were placed on the list in retaliation for complaints they made in the office.
Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration fired another employee in the mayor’s office and placed them on the city’s do-not-hire list late this summer, raising questions over whether the administration has gone too far in its use of the authority.
The episode marks the fourth reported incident of the Johnson administration wielding the do-not-hire list on holdovers from former Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s term, following a Chicago Tribune story that identified three Lightfoot staffers who transitioned to the Johnson team and were later fired after complaining about alleged mistreatment by top officials in the mayor’s office. […]
Ald. Scott Waguespack, 32nd, still shares those concerns, but he said the Johnson administration’s recent use of the designation also raises serious ethical questions. While the do-not-hire list is not advertised publicly, anyone can submit a Freedom of Information Act request to obtain the list. That means the designation could have ramifications for workers seeking employment in the private sector as well.
* Subscribers can find Rich’s interview with Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz here. Press release…
Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, has convened a “New Arrivals Working Group” to be led by state Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz, D-Glenview.
“The recent influx of migrants into our state provides challenges and opportunities that require thoughtful engagement and consensus building,” Speaker Welch said. “We know this issue will be an important part of conversations this session, which is why I’m putting together a diverse team with strong, relevant backgrounds ready to act as needed. Rep. Gong-Gershowitz has decades of experience understanding the complex issues related to immigration, and I’m confident she will lead this group with the skill, knowledge and compassion required.”
“I’m honored to work with a group of individuals who are actively engaged on this topic and can provide quality feedback,” Gong-Gershowitz said. “We come from a variety of backgrounds, but we share an understanding that this must be a human-centered approach that respects the real lives that are impacted. I look forward to the work ahead.”
Joining Gong-Gershowitz on the working group are:
- House Majority Leader Robyn Gabel, D-Evanston
- Speaker Pro Tempore Jehan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria
- Assistant Majority Leader Kam Buckner, D-Chicago
- State Rep. Dagmara “Dee” Avelar, D-Bolingbrook
- State Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado, D-Chicago
- State Rep. Terra Costa Howard, D-Glen Ellyn
- State Rep. Hoan Huynh, D-Chicago
- State Rep. Dave Vella, D-Rockford
* HB4462 was filed by Rep. Lance Yednock yesterday…
Amends the Minors Requiring Authoritative Intervention Article of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Provides that no minor shall be sheltered in a temporary living arrangement for more than 48 hours (rather than 21 business days.)
Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Provides that if the minor (1) has previously been placed on probation for an offense that involves the possession or discharge of a firearm not causing any injury; and (2) is convicted of a subsequent offense involving the possession or discharge of a firearm not causing any injury, then the court shall require the minor to participate in social service programs offered through juvenile probation and comply with referral recommendations for no less than 3 months. Provides that if the minor does not complete the referral recommendations, the court shall commit the minor to the Department of Juvenile Justice to complete the recommended services. Provides that a minor convicted of a subsequent offense involving the use of a firearm causing serious injury, great bodily harm, or death shall be committed to the Department of Juvenile Justice with the Department providing services, including, but not limited to, education, mental health services, drug treatment, and mentoring. Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Reenacts the provisions of the Code that were repealed on January 1, 2024 concerning sentencing guidelines for individuals with prior felony firearm-related or other specified convictions. Deletes the repeal of those provisions. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012 to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.
Amends the Liquor Control Act of 1934. Creates a distiller showcase permit and a class 3 craft distiller license. Provides that a class 3 craft distiller license, which may be issued to a distiller or a non-resident dealer, shall allow the manufacture of no more than 100,000 gallons of spirits per year and shall allow the sale of no more than 5,000 gallons of spirits in the aggregate from the class 3 craft distiller’s in-state or out-of-state class 3 craft distillery premises to retail licensees, class 3 brewers, and class 3 craft distillers as long as the class 3 craft distiller licensee meets certain requirements. Authorizes a class 3 craft distiller to self-distribute subject to certain requirements and limitations. Provides that a spirits showcase permit shall allow an Illinois-licensed distributor to transfer a portion of its spirits inventory from its licensed premises to the premises specified in the spirits showcase permit license, and, in the case of a class 3 craft distiller, transfer only spirits the class 3 craft distiller manufactures from its licensed premises to the premises specified in the spirits showcase permit license; and to sell or offer for sale at retail, only in the premises specified in the spirits showcase permit license, the transferred or delivered spirits for on or off premises consumption, but not for resale in any form and to sell to non-licensees not more than 156 fluid ounces of spirits per person. Provides that a distilling pub license shall allow the licensee to manufacture up to 10,000 gallons (instead of 5,000 gallons) of spirits per year on the premises specified in the license.
Amends the Firearms Restraining Order Act to include in the definition of “petitioner” an intimate partner. Amends the Protective Orders Article of the Code of Criminal Procedures of 1963 and the Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986. Provides that, if the petitioner seeks a court order prohibiting the respondent from possessing firearms, firearm ammunition, and firearm parts that could be assembled to make an operable firearm, the court shall immediately issue a search warrant directing seizure of firearms at the time an ex parte or final order of protection is issued, if the court finds, based upon sworn testimony, that: (1) probable cause exists that the respondent possesses firearms, ammunition, or firearm parts that could be assembled to make an operable firearm; (2) probable cause exists to believe that the respondent poses a danger of causing personal injury to the petitioner or child and that the danger is imminent and present; and (3) probable cause exists that firearms, ammunition, or firearm parts that could be assembled to make an operable firearm are located at the residence, vehicle, or other property of the respondent. Provides that a finding of probable cause for a warrant upon oral testimony may be based on the same kind of evidence as is sufficient for a warrant upon affidavit. Effective immediately.
Amends the Mobile Home Park Act. Provides that operating a mobile home park without a current license shall result in a fine of $10 per day per site. Provides that licenses issued under the Act are nontransferable. Provides that if a mobile home park is sold, the application for a new license shall be mailed to the Department of Public Health and postmarked no later than 10 days after the date of sale. Provides that delinquent licensing fees and reinspection fees of the prior owner or owners are to be paid by the new owner before a license is issued. Requires the current name, address, email address, and telephone number of the licensee and mobile home park manager to be displayed at all times on the mobile home park property in a location visible to the public and protected from weather. Requires the Department to conduct an annual inspection of each mobile home park. Provides that if violations are documented during the annual inspection and the Department is required to reinspect the mobile home park to ensure the violations have been corrected, the Department, at its discretion, may charge a reinspection fee of $300 per site visit due at the time of license renewal. Provides that licensing fees and reinspection fees are nonrefundable. Provides that a mobile home park whose license has been voided, suspended, denied or revoked may be relicensed once the park is in substantial compliance, all delinquent licensing fees are paid, all reinspection fees are paid, and the mobile home park submits an application and application fee. Increases fees to be paid for the annual mobile home park license, individual mobile home spaces, and late charges.
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Establishes that a municipality that operates an automated speed enforcement system shall set aside 10% of the net proceeds from each system that generates more than $500,000 in revenue for the respective school district or park district in which the automated speed enforcement system is located. Provides that the set aside proceeds may be allocated for any purpose designated by the school district or park district. Set forth home rule provisions.
Creates the Responsible Outdoor Lighting Control Act. Restricts State money from being used to install or replace permanent outdoor lighting units unless certain conditions are met. Provides that specified lighting units that were installed prior to the effective date of the Act and that produce light pollution need not be replaced until the end of the life of the lamp. Provides that these requirements apply to all lighting on or in all newly constructed, renovated, and retrofitted State-owned, State-supported, State-funded, or State-related rights-of-way, roadways and sidewalks, spaces, facilities, properties, nonhabitable structures, monuments, and flagpoles. Sets forth exemptions. Effective January 1, 2025.
Amends the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. Allows a grandparent to file a petition seeking visitation if there has been a complete denial of visitation, subject to specified criteria.
…Adding… PhRMA regarding Illinois House Bill 4472, filed today, to establish a prescription drug affordability board (PDAB)…
“Lawmakers seeking to lower prescription drug costs should know government price setting doesn’t get to the root of the problem. Legislation that fails to address health insurance companies and their pharmacy benefit managers makes lowering costs for Illinois patients impossible. Other states have spent millions of dollars establishing prescription drug affordability boards, but they have yet to save patients one cent at the pharmacy counter.” – Stami Williams, spokeswoman at PhRMA.
For additional context, please see:
* PhRMA’s background document on the problems with PDABs.
* PhRMA’s resource page on how states can help patients pay less for their medicines: https://phrma.org/States
Creates the Health Care Availability and Access Board Act. Establishes the Health Care Availability and Access Board to protect State residents, State and local governments, commercial health plans, health care providers, pharmacies licensed in the State, and other stakeholders within the health care system from the high costs of prescription drug products. Contains provisions concerning Board membership and terms; staff for the Board; Board meetings; circumstances under which Board members must recuse themselves; and other matters. Provides that the Board shall perform the following actions in open session: (i) deliberations on whether to subject a prescription drug product to a cost review; and (ii) any vote on whether to impose an upper payment limit on purchases, payments, and payor reimbursements of prescription drug products in the State. Permits the Board to adopt rules to implement the Act and to enter into a contract with a qualified, independent third party for any service necessary to carry out the powers and duties of the Board. Creates the Health Care Availability and Access Stakeholder Council to provide stakeholder input to assist the Board in making decisions as required by the Act. Contains provisions concerning Council membership, member terms, and other matters. Provides that the Board shall adopt the federal Medicare Maximum Fair Price as the upper payment limit for a prescription drug product intended for use by individuals in the State. Requires the Attorney General to enforce the Act. Effective 180 days after becoming law.
* ICYMI: Legislators OK rules for maintaining, enforcing registry of guns covered by state ban. Tribune…
-During Tuesday’s hearing of the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, or JCAR, state police officials addressed issuesdfrom those oppose the ban that ranged from privacy for gun owners to what information would be available to police when they stop someone whose firearm information is in the registry.
-While Republicans on JCAR failed to stop the rules from being put into place, their motion to object to the rules passed in a 6-5 vote along partisan lines, meaning the state police will have 90 days to address the objection.
Governor Pritzker will be at Wieland in East Alton at 10:30 a.m. to announce new investments and then Ellis Elementary School in Belleville at 12:30 p.m. touting Smart Start investments. Click here to watch.
* Here’s the rest of your morning roundup…
* Journal Republican | Get to know Chuck Erickson, candidate 88th statehouse district: People have been asking me to run for a long time. But I am a public servant interested in serving, not a politician in search of a seat. In 2022, one didn’t have to live in the district in which one wanted to represent but could move their afterwards. I wouldn’t do it. I like where I live. Many encouraged me to run but I said no. I take the view if it is meant to be then it is meant to be. When this seat opened up, I decided to run. I want to serve.
* Sun-Times | Family demands answers after veteran dies from self-inflicted gunshot inside Chicago VA hospital: “By the time I was getting ready to leave, again he said, ‘I’m gonna miss you guys,’” Donald Giddens said. “I’m thinking, I don’t have anything to worry about … because I can’t think of a better place for him to be.” On the drive home, Donald Giddens learned his brother might have access to a gun. Minutes later he received a call from the VA: His brother had shot himself.
* Tribune | Racial equity activist must pay at least $38,000 after judge dismisses her lawsuit alleging harm from Awake Illinois leader: Cook County Judge Daniel Kubasiak on Dec. 14 ordered Jasmine Sebaggala, who works as an assistant principal for Evanston/Skokie District 65 schools, to pay the $38,000 after he dismissed her lawsuit. Sebaggala had sued Helen Levinson, vice president of the board of the conservative group Awake Illinois and, according to her Facebook page, chair of Moms For Liberty Cook County, for defamation and intentionally causing her emotional distress in 2022.
* BBC | ‘It hasn’t delivered’: The spectacular failure of self-checkout technology: While self-checkout technology has its theoretical selling points for both consumers and businesses, it mostly isn’t living up to expectations. Customers are still queueing. They need store employees to help clear kiosk errors or check their identifications for age-restricted items. Stores still need to have workers on-hand to help them, and to service the machines
* Sun-Times | Boos of Jerry Krause at Bulls’ Ring of Honor ceremony should have been expected: I know Thelma Krause, a kind and decent woman. And if I worked for the Bulls, I would have told her Friday to be prepared for boos ringing out at the mention of late husband Jerry’s name. The event was the Bulls’ inaugural Ring of Honor induction, and there were 21,153 people at the United Center. Some were going to boo. The Bulls should have been prepared for it. When alive, Jerry Krause had been booed at Bulls events before.
* SJ-R | Five places where it’s warmer–and five places where it’s colder than Springfield: Tuesday didn’t provide much of a reprieve, with below zero temperatures reported at 8:52 a.m. at Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport – 2 below zero to be exact – and wind chills at 23 degrees below zero. Things should warm up on Wednesday, with high temperatures expected to reach the upper 20s, moving towards something more like normal for this time of year, but still cold.
