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Isabel’s morning briefing
Wednesday, Jul 24, 2024 - Posted by Isabel Miller * Sun-Times | Domestic violence deaths spiked in Illinois last year, adding to calls for passage of Karina’s Bill: Domestic violence deaths rose by 110% across the state last year, according to a coalition of advocacy groups who said the sharp spike is a somber reminder why lawmakers must crack down on abusers who own guns. “This increase really shows that we have to step up our efforts here in Illinois to reduce these preventable homicides,” said Vickie Smith, former executive director and consultant for the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence. “Because if they’re increasing that much just over one year, then what are we looking at over the next few years?” * AP | Survivors sue Illinois over decades of sexual abuse at Chicago youth detention center: Temarkus Washington says the sexual abuse he experienced as a teenager at a troubled Chicago youth detention center still gives him nightmares. […] “It’s actually not something that I like to talk about or even think about. I did what I had to do to survive in there,” said Washington, speaking at a Chicago news conference with other survivors. “I am here because I want to feel confident in myself again. For so long I doubted myself and felt so scared.” * Nik Hunder | Despite scrutiny, the CTA’s president rode the system only 58 times in 2023: Since data showing his 2022 riding habits was made public, Carter had eight months left in 2023 to improve how frequently he rode the system in 2022 (23 times). He did not meaningfully or consistently increase that figure in 2023. Fifty-eight times in 2023 is barely more than once per week. Looking more closely, 52%, or 30, of those trips came in June and July, with 34% (20) being taken in July alone, according to ridership data I received from a Freedom of Information Act request. * WAND | Illinois lawmakers, insurance leaders discuss challenges with pharmacy benefit managers: “The healthcare conglomerates appear to be driving growth by generating increasing levels of revenue from their vertically integrated affiliates,” said Ann Gillespie, acting director of the Illinois Department of Insurance. “Said another way, these corporations are growing by paying their own companies more and more.” Gillespie said she will not tolerate consumers receiving less than the value of the benefits they pay for through insurance plans. * Tribune | Chicago leaders brace for as many as 25,000 new migrants ahead of DNC: ‘We just need to be prepared’: In the event of a surge before and during the convention, which starts Aug. 19, the city would first house new arrivals with its roughly 5,000 available beds, Ponce de León said. If that’s not enough, a mix of city, county, state and federal funding would open several “just-in-time” shelters,” she added. “Everything to be able to open these beds very quickly is beginning to fall into place,” Ponce de León said. * Active Transportation Alliance | Coalition calls for halting NDLSD redesign project: We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to not only reimagine our lakefront, but also to address some of the most pressing challenges facing our city and region. Despite this window of opportunity, the current proposal, called ‘The Essential,’ will largely rebuild the highway as it currently exists. * Sun-Times | Phillips fires state championship coach Paris Martin two weeks after he filed a lawsuit against CPS: Martin, Phillips’ boys basketball coach for the last two seasons, claims that Chicago Public Schools never has paid him and that he never officially has been cleared to coach by CPS. The school district requires that all coaches pass a background test. Martin filed a lawsuit July 8 against CPS, Phillips, Talley, Phillips athletic director James Daniels IV, Phillips operations manager Shelonda Mackey and Phillips girls basketball coach Larry Stokes in the Northern District of Illinois’ Eastern Division. Early Tuesday, Martin started a Go Fund Me page to raise money for state championship rings for Phillips’ boys basketball players. As of Tuesday afternoon, $200 of the $14,300 goal had been donated. * WBEZ | CPS is counting on hundreds of positions going unfilled to balance its budget: Faced with a budget deficit of more than $500 million, the school district is counting on vacancies to provide $220 million in savings in the spending plan being voted on Thursday. The district says it calculated these savings by looking at natural attrition, turnover, and the time it takes to hire and staff positions. * Chalkbeat | State ends scrutiny of Chicago Public Schools over long bus rides for students with disabilities: The state notified the district in April that it was ending a corrective action that required the district to “make every effort” to keep commute times for students with disabilities to less than an hour. The state imposed the monitoring in fall 2022, after district leaders acknowledged that roughly 3,000 students with disabilities had longer bus trips than that, with 365 of those students on trips longer than 90 minutes. In its effort to comply with the state plan and deal with a bus driver shortage, the district cut busing for general education students at the start of last school year, and reserved seats for students with disabilities, as well students who are homeless — groups that are entitled to transportation under federal law. It offered free Ventra transit cards to general education students who would have previously been eligible for bus service, largely those attending selective enrollment and magnet programs. * Sun-Times | Center on Halsted launches website for its HIV hotline, renews push to get people to call in: The Center on Halsted is making a renewed push to get people connected to its HIV hotline by debuting a website alongside it. “We’re continuing to amplify that this resource is available,” said Joli Robinson, CEO of Center on Halsted, which has administered the hotline for more than three decades. * Tribune | ‘Titanique the Musical’ parody show is headed to Chicago: “Titanique the Musical,” a critically acclaimed and highly successful off-Broadway parody of the famous 1997 movie “Titanic,” 1990s pop culture and the song stylings of Céline Dion, is sailing to the Broadway Playhouse (175 E. Chestnut St.) for an eight-week run next spring, from March 25 to May 18, 2025. The campy, comedic attraction will appear on the subscription seasons of both Broadway in Chicago and Porchlight Music Theatre Chicago. This will be, in essence, a Porchlight production developed for Chicago. * Chicago Records | Bridgeport Records builds on its blowout opening weekend: Chicago’s newest independent vinyl shop, Bridgeport Records, opened its doors on July 12 at 3336 S. Halsted. The store is the brainchild of veteran deep-house DJ and producer Vick Lavender and former union leader Jerry Morrison, who’ve both spent decades in the house-music scene but connected for the first time only a few years ago. Lavender founded Sophisticado Recordings in the mid-2000s, and Morrison spent 22 years with the Service Employees International Union, where he played a major role building labor power in Illinois. * Daily Herald | How will suburbs respond to SCOTUS decision allowing cities to fine, arrest homeless people?: Arlington Heights officials are reviewing the Supreme Court’s decision, Village Manager Randall Recklaus said via email. In the past, police were called about people living in the parking garage located below the Arlington Town Square shopping center. In response, the village introduced an ordinance prohibiting “the use of village parking facilities for activities other than parking a vehicle or walking to and from that vehicle,” Recklaus wrote, adding that officers issue citations “when appropriate.” * WCIA | Newly released dispatch records detail confusion following shooting of Sonya Massey: James Wilburn spent days not knowing how his daughter Sonya Massey died. […] “I was under the impression that a prowler had broke in and killed my baby,” Wilburn said Monday. “Never did they say it was a deputy-involved shooting until my brother read it on the internet.” * WCIA | Sonya Massey’s family wasn’t immediately told her death was deputy-involved: Massey’s family is also calling for Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell to resign for hiring Grayson in the first place. State records obtained by WCIA show that Grayson worked at six different law enforcement agencies within a four-year period and that he has two misdemeanor DUIs in his background. County officials said they were aware of the DUIs due to required background checks but added that according to their knowledge, Grayson had not been terminated from any previous jobs. * SJ-R | Massey family meets with Pritzker; DOJ opens investigation into fatal shooting: The high-profile attorney who has been retained by the Massey family confirmed at a press conference at the Springfield NAACP Building that Massey’s mother and father and Massey’s two children were among those who met in private with Gov. JB Pritzker and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton on Tuesday. It was open “but emotional at times,” Crump admitted. […] Wilburn also pushed the governor, Crump said, to consider legislation that prevents law enforcement officers with blemishes on their records to be able to resign without having any findings and then go to the next law enforcement agency. * Capitol News Illinois | DOJ confirms it is ‘assessing the circumstances’ of Sonya Massey shooting: A spokesman for the Department of Justice issued a statement to Capitol News late Tuesday: “The Department of Justice is aware of and assessing the circumstances surrounding the tragic officer-involved death of Ms. Sonya Massey and extends condolences to her family and loved ones.” * WGLT | Bloomington pawn shops raided by Illinois Attorney General’s Office: “Investigators from the Illinois Attorney General’s organized retail crime task force executed a number of search warrants today as part of an ongoing investigation,” said AG Deputy Press Secretary April McLaren. […] The AG’s office declined further comment, including whether there are more business locations affected. McLaren only noted that there were a number of warrants in play.
* WCIA | Local filmmakers bring Central Illinois to movie screens: Central Illinois is working towards its Hollywood moment. One Danville filmmaker is ready to share his movie that features local actors and locations. He said they created this film independently and the mission was to keep it within the community. * EFfingham Daily News | 17th annual Effingham Artisan Fair provides oasis for area artists: In total, 35 artists participated in the fair which is five more than last year. This included both experienced and emerging artists. “I think this is one of the best years for novice artists that we’ve ever had,” said Kim Stanfield, one of the lead organizers of the event. * WaPo | Sunday was the hottest day ever recorded on Earth, scientists say: The results from the Copernicus Climate Change Service show the planet’s average temperature on July 21 was 17.09 degrees Celsius (62.76 degrees Fahrenheit) — breaking a record set only last year. The historic day comes on the heels of 13 straight months of unprecedented temperatures and the hottest year scientists have ever seen. * TND | FCC head seeks new protections against AI-generated robocalls: The head of the Federal Communications Commission wants to require callers to disclose their use of artificial intelligence. FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel said it’s the latest effort from her agency to protect Americans from misleading uses of AI. “Bad actors are already using AI technology in robocalls to mislead consumers and misinform the public,” Rosenworcel said in a news release. “That’s why we want to put in place rules that empower consumers to avoid this junk and make informed decisions.”
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- RNUG - Wednesday, Jul 24, 24 @ 8:41 am:
== must crack down on abusers who own guns. ==
Right now police don’t have the resources to follow up on revoked FOID’s. Plus law enforcement views such operations as being somewhat high risk that could lead to confrontations / standoffs.
This bill would add to said burden. Not saying they shouldn’t do it, but lawmakers need to recognize the need for more personnel and the possibility of civilian / LE incidents going forward. LE will need to figure out how to minimize the risks involved in confiscation.
- RNUG - Wednesday, Jul 24, 24 @ 8:43 am:
== driving growth by generating increasing levels of revenue from their vertically integrated affiliates ==
Expect PBM’s will be a hot legislative topic this coming year at both the State and Federal levels. How to rein them in without tossing out the positive aspects looks to be a challenge.
- TinyDancer(FKASue) - Wednesday, Jul 24, 24 @ 8:51 am:
=CPS is counting hundreds of positions to go unfilled to balance its budget.=
Hmmmm. Sounds familiar.
First they come for the art and music teachers.
- RNUG - Wednesday, Jul 24, 24 @ 8:53 am:
== how will suburbs respond … ==
The cities and towns are in a Catch-22. There is no one size fits all solution. They can try to regulate it, they can try to provide shelter, they can try to provide help, but not everyone they want to target will accept the help. Then you are at the junction of municipal power / public safety and individual rights. I don’t know that there is an answer acceptable to everyone.
- froganon - Wednesday, Jul 24, 24 @ 9:11 am:
e have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to not only reimagine our lakefront, but also to address some of the most pressing challenges facing our city and region.
More of this. Transportation can be safe and accessible to everyone. Electric trams, electric buses, lots of pedestrian and bike space. With a broader vision and better goals, we can build transportation for everyone, not just people with cars. Start with Lake Shore & DuSable. Focus on how to move people not cars.
- Donnie Elgin - Wednesday, Jul 24, 24 @ 9:38 am:
=WBEZ | CPS is counting on hundreds of positions going unfilled=
This “hiring” crisis is of their own making – CPS student population has been shrinking (with a one-year exception ) since 2010- from 402 Thousand in 2010 – to 323K in 2023. The number of teachers went up despite the drop in students. Add to that CPS leadership foolishly spent COVID money to fill jobs ( rather than on infrastructure) knowing that was temporary cash.
https://www.cps.edu/about/district-data/demographics/
https://www.cps.edu/press-releases/chicago-public-schools-begins-school-year-reporting-strongest-staffing-figures-in-recent-years/
- TJ - Wednesday, Jul 24, 24 @ 10:40 am:
re CTA - eh… that seems like searching things to complain about. There are plenty of things to complain about Carter, but not taking public transit very often seems like a stretch to me.
re arresting homeless people - sorry, I don’t care if some wigs on a bench say it’s legal, but arresting homeless people for being homeless in your municipality is beyond inhumane.
- sim1 - Wednesday, Jul 24, 24 @ 10:43 am:
froganon — I was just looking at the DuSable LSD presentation materials online and having trouble squaring that with the suggestion that the proposed plans might not “build transportation for everyone, not just people with cars.” Please take a look for yourself, especially meeting presentation slides 58-60. Curious whether you think the recommended plan doesn’t address your concerns and why. It seems pretty impressive to me, and remarkably balanced in terms of improving conditions for everyone, whether they’re driving or not.
https://northdusablelsd.org/task-force-committee-meeting-14/
- NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham - Wednesday, Jul 24, 24 @ 10:44 am:
I would love to see those Monster Pawn stores shut down. Those places are trash and prey on people in need, plus an ongoing eyesore to the MacArthur corridor and other downtrodden places in Springfield and other areas they “serve.” (Unfortunately, if the AG shuts down MP for good, sadly I foresee the building sitting empty for years).
- Hannibal Lecter - Wednesday, Jul 24, 24 @ 11:18 am:
=== re arresting homeless people - sorry, I don’t care if some wigs on a bench say it’s legal, but arresting homeless people for being homeless in your municipality is beyond inhumane. ===
Wouldn’t you agree though that there have to be certain restrictions as to the spaces that homeless people can occupy? I am sure you wouldn’t feel very safe if a homeless person decided to camp out on the parkway in front of your home for an extended period of time.
- Excitable Boy - Wednesday, Jul 24, 24 @ 11:36 am:
- I am sure you wouldn’t feel very safe if a homeless person decided to camp out on the parkway in front of your home for an extended period of time. -
I’d probably feel safer than the person who has to live outdoors. What you really mean is you don’t want to see it.
Arresting people for homelessness solves nothing, house them.
- lake county democrat - Wednesday, Jul 24, 24 @ 11:40 am:
“Sunday was the hottest day ever recorded on Earth, scientists say.” Other climate records have been dropping left and right over the past year. If the Democrats can’t make an ad juxtaposing these reports with Trump/GOP “climate change is a hoax” statements in a context that makes voters think of their kids, it’ll be poitical malpractice.
- 17% Solution - Wednesday, Jul 24, 24 @ 12:11 pm:
=== I am sure you wouldn’t feel very safe if a homeless person decided to camp out on the parkway in front of your home for an extended period of time.===
I’d feel sorry for that person. I wouldn’t feel unsafe.
https://abcnews.go.com/Health/unhoused-people-perceived-dangerous/story?id=103751928
- Google Is Your Friend - Wednesday, Jul 24, 24 @ 12:19 pm:
== WCIA | Newly released dispatch records detail confusion following shooting of Sonya Massey:==
==* WCIA | Sonya Massey’s family wasn’t immediately told her death was deputy-involved:==
We’ve heard a lot that more training is needed for cops, but specifically, what training would prevent this?
Training for Jack Campbell so he doesn’t hire alcoholics who can’t hold a job?
Training so cops don’t murder? I’ve never murdered anyone and didn’t need to be trained not to kill.
Anti-lie training so Jack Campbell’s staff doesn’t lie to the families of people they shoot?
The point is that this was all a choice: Campbell choose to hire someone with a drinking problem, that person to chose to kill, and for hours and hours Campbell’s staff worked to not tell the truth to dispatchers, other law enforcement, and for days to her family. And yet just last week, people were falling all over themselves to pat Campbell on the back. How many times are you gonna let cops pull the wool over your eyes?
- Proud Sucker - Wednesday, Jul 24, 24 @ 12:37 pm:
“I was just looking at the DuSable LSD presentation materials online…”
Upfront I declare my bias as I’ve know the president of the lead consultant for thirty years. That does not detract from how much public input they have garnered for this project and that all modes of transportation are being considered in the latest five alternatives. This, along with the substantial expansion of Oak Street beach, and improvements to the other lakefront parks would be a fantastic quality of life improvement for the City. As with all things infrastructure, the money will dictate the level of improvements possible.
- H-W - Wednesday, Jul 24, 24 @ 12:56 pm:
=== Wouldn’t you agree though that there have to be certain restrictions as to the spaces that homeless people can occupy? ===
No. They should have the same freedom of mobility that Hannibal Lecter has. Next question?
- Hannibal Lecter - Wednesday, Jul 24, 24 @ 1:24 pm:
=== What you really mean is you don’t want to see it. ===
That is not what I mean. Many homeless suffer from substance abuse problems and mental illness. Even if you are sympathetic with the homeless person on the parkway in front of your house, it does not mean that you would want them there. There a lot of reasons why you wouldn’t. So please stop pretending that you would be fine with it.
- Hannibal Lecter - Wednesday, Jul 24, 24 @ 1:26 pm:
=== I’d feel sorry for that person. I wouldn’t feel unsafe. ===
It is possible to feel both. I mean, what if this person absolutely refused to leave. Imagine your children unable to ride their bike in the front of the house because a homeless man is mumbling profanities to himself right in front of your house on City property. I don’t think you all are thinking this through.
- Hannibal Lecter - Wednesday, Jul 24, 24 @ 1:29 pm:
=== No. They should have the same freedom of mobility that Hannibal Lecter has. Next question? ===
For a profession at one of Illinois’s institutions of higher education, you really are obtuse. So you think that a homeless person can just camp out in front of your house without any repercussions? That is one of the most non-sensical things I have ever heard.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jul 24, 24 @ 1:32 pm:
===So please stop pretending that you would be fine with it. ===
Please stop pretending you can read someone else’s mind. Speak for yourself here, and only yourself.
- Hannibal Lecter - Wednesday, Jul 24, 24 @ 1:39 pm:
=== Please stop pretending you can read someone else’s mind. ===
With all due respect, Rich, that same commenter told me that I my perspective on the issue is based on the fact that “I just don’t want to see” homelessness. So they can try to make assumptions about what is in my head without reprimand, but I get scolded by the moderator? What gives?
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jul 24, 24 @ 1:43 pm:
The statement refers to everyone. Take a breath.
- Give Us Barabbas - Wednesday, Jul 24, 24 @ 1:54 pm:
I am a regular customer at the MacArthur Monster pawn: good deals on music making stuff. I’ll be sad if they close for good.
- Excitable Boy - Wednesday, Jul 24, 24 @ 3:20 pm:
- So please stop pretending that you would be fine with it. -
I wouldn’t be fine with it, I don’t want anyone to be homeless. But I wouldn’t be scared, and I wouldn’t demand they be removed.