* Hannah Meisel has a really good tracker of Illinois Democrats who have endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris. Here’s her list as of 7:45 pm…
US Reps. Jonathan Jackson, Robin Kelly, Delia Ramirez, Chuy García,
Sean Casten, Danny Davis, Jan Schakowsky, Brad Schneider, Bill Foster, Mike Quigley and Nikki Budzinski, plus Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson
Hannah links to every statement, so again click here.
All 50 Democratic party state chairs have thrown their weight behind Vice President Kamala Harris to be the party’s new presidential nominee, according to sources familiar with the matter.[See update below.]
…Adding… Illinois AG Kwame Raoul has endorsed VP Harris…
Soon after, the Democratic Party of Illinois emailed delegates with a statement issued by State Rep. Lisa Hernandez, a Pritzker ally who chairs the state party and secured the position with his backing, to “use as messaging guidance.”
“Our recommendation is that you hold tight and outside of thanking Biden for his service, you hold back from reacting publicly at this time,” the email said. “If needed, please refer to our statement.”
…Adding… Widespread rumors that Gov. Pritzker will make a statement tomorrow. “Tomorrow morning will be less than 24 hours, and it is perfectly acceptable for everyone to take a beat,” says a top Pritzker insider.
State Rep. La Shawn Ford, a convention delegate from Chicago’s West Side, said he believed Harris was in the best position to give Trump “the greatest challenge in such a short time.” He also said he wanted to see Pritzker as her running mate. […]
State Rep. Theresa Mah, another convention delegate from Chicago, pointed to a statement from the Asian American Caucus, a group of elected officials from different levels of government in the state that she belongs to, and its endorsement of Harris, saying it’s “time to rally together” to “elect our first Black, Asian and woman President!”
Another delegate, former Democratic state Sen. Jacqueline Collins, of Chicago’s South Side, also said she supports Harris to be president since she’s spent the last three and a half years in the executive branch and has the “intellect and the stamina” to bring in younger voters and is “the best advocate and spokesperson” on abortion rights.
“Speaking as not only a delegate but as a Black woman, I feel that she’s deserved the opportunity to take on the Trumpsters,” Collins said. “But I believe that as many know by now that Black women, really, they are the foundation of the Democratic party, and I think it’s going to energize a whole segment of individuals, Democrats who might have felt that they were going to sit it out.”
…Adding… No mention of Harris in State Rep. Anna Moeller’s statement…
President Biden has once again proven what true leadership is. His decision to step down from the presidential race exemplifies his profound commitment to the well-being of the nation. This cannot have been an easy decision for anyone. But he did what he knew was best for the people of this great country. This pivotal moment is a testament to President Biden’s dedication to democratic principles and the greater good, and it fills me with hope and optimism for the future.
His selfless act paves the way for fresh leadership and new ideas, ensuring that the party remains dynamic and responsive to the evolving needs of the American people. This is an exciting time for our country as we pick a leader that can inspire; a leader who can unite; a leader who believes in the rule of law; and a leader that upholds a more inclusive, equitable, and forward-thinking America. I am truly energized as we go into the next few weeks. Our nominee will be the option our country needs as we choose between civility and, of course, the unthinkable. Our future is bright.
It’s noteworthy that Pritzker, Democratic leaders overseeing the Illinois General Assembly and the state Democratic Party did not jump on the Harris bandwagon in their statements. […]
Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, and Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, were in lockstep with the Harris omission, instead focusing on Biden’s leadership and selflessness.
Chicago, IL –– Following President Biden’s announcement, Governor JB Pritzker has released the following statement:
“President Joe Biden has dedicated his life in service to this nation, and its citizens are all the better for it. His is a storied political career culminating in one of the most accomplished and effective presidencies of our lifetime. As President of the United States he led us through a recovery from a devastating pandemic and shepherded our economy away from a recession to prosperity. He worked across the aisle to pass some of the most consequential legislation in decades to rebuild our roads and bridges while investing in the infrastructure and jobs of the 21st century. Perhaps most consequentially, President Biden restored dignity to the Oval Office, bringing the statesmanship and honor that have been the hallmarks of his years of service, back to the White House.
“As we extend our gratitude to President Biden and reflect on his many accomplishments, we must not ignore the threat posed by Donald Trump’s potential return to the White House. Donald Trump is a 34 time convicted felon, adjudicated to have committed sexual assault, a racist, homophobe and misogynist. Trump brags about taking away a woman’s right to choose, wants to rip healthcare away from tens of millions of people, proposes economic policies that will cost the middle class thousands of dollars a year, and threatens the fundamental American ideals we hold dear. I will work every day to ensure that he does not win in November.”
* Senate President Harmon…
Illinois Senate President Don Harmon of Oak Park released the following statement in reaction to the news today that President Biden ended his campaign for President of the United States:
“I commend President Joseph R. Biden for his tremendous courage today and service to our nation. I’m reminded of another great president, John F. Kennedy, who said, “In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger.” Like President Kennedy, Joe Biden did not shrink from this responsibility as he made a difficult decision today to pass the torch to the next generation.
“His presidency will go down in American history as one of our most consequential. His legacy of service to our nation, and specifically to the people of Delaware, is secure. His leadership, faith, and bravery in this moment will live in the memories of the American people for all time because the choice before the American people is now set.
“Joe Biden did today what Donald Trump could not. He put his country first before his own ambition. Voters will have a clear choice in 2024 - Donald Trump, who is only concerned about himself, or a candidate for president who believes in something bigger.”
President Biden has put our country first time and time again. His commitment to moving forward even amidst adversity and personal loss embodies who we are as Americans. Today, he has put our country first again.
I want to thank President Biden for his selfless leadership, and for again putting our country and our democracy ahead of individual ambition. I look forward to working with my colleagues to help move a united Democratic Party forward to victory in November.
* US Sen. Durbin…
U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today issued the following statement on President Joe Biden:
“Throughout his public career, Joe Biden always put country first. His four years as President made it clear that he was determined to put our country back on track and restore the soul of our nation. America will be forever grateful for all he has given to this country.
“Now the Democratic Party must unite behind a candidate who can defeat Donald Trump and keep America moving in the right direction. I will do everything in my power to help that effort.”
* US Sen. Duckworth…
United States Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today issued the following statement regarding President Joe Biden:
“No one has done more for working Americans than Joe Biden—and so many of us owe him a debt of gratitude for everything he’s done to improve our country.
“Over more than 50 years in public service, he’s built an unparalleled record of accomplishments. From helping write the Violence Against Women Act in the Senate to shepherding the Affordable Care Act into law as Vice President and from helping guide our nation out of a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic to overseeing historic wage and job growth during his Presidency, Joe Biden has always put our country first and worked to change so many aspects of our lives for the better.
“From the bottom of my heart, I thank him for his effective and successful leadership and for, once again, putting our country before himself. This difficult decision ensures that Democrats can focus on the goal that unites each and every one of us: defeating Donald Trump and preventing another four years of his destructive chaos and corruption.”
* US Rep. Schneider…
Rep. Brad Schneider (IL-10) released the following statement:
“Thank you, President Joe Biden.
Joe Biden has selflessly served our nation with courage, heart and honor. As President, he guided our nation through and out of an unprecedented global pandemic. He passed transformative legislation that has led to our economy becoming the strongest in the world. He lowered costs for families, took on the climate crisis and made our tax code fairer. He rescued our country from a potential despot and restored international confidence in the U.S. as the world’s indispensable nation.
He put our nation and the American people front and center. Our country is better and our future is brighter due to his leadership.
Joe Biden has secured his legacy as one of the greatest presidents in our history. It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve in Congress during his presidency.
Now, we must come together, build on the legacy of the Biden administration and show voters that Democrats up and down the ballot are improving the lives of all Americans. I’m confident that, with Vice President Kamala Harris at the helm of the Democratic ticket, we can do exactly that. We will defeat Donald Trump.
Onward.”
* ILGOP…
Illinois Republican Party Chair Kathy Salvi released the following statement regarding the announcement that President Biden is no longer seeking reelection:
“Today’s announcement is the culmination of years of lies from the Biden White House and Democrats shaming anyone who questioned the fitness of President Biden. Democrats are divided, torn apart by their own duplicity trying to pass off President Biden’s inability to fulfill his role, while Republicans stand united behind President Trump and an agenda of freedom, prosperity, and safety. Democrats have become the party of self-service while Republicans have become the voice of this nation. We as Illinois Republicans must continue to call attention to JB Pritzker’s tax-and-spend, pro-criminal agenda that drives families away from this state to protect the rest of the nation.”
* US Rep. Bost…
U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12) today released the following statement following Joe Biden ending his presidential campaign:
“Republicans in Congress and concerned citizens across America have questioned President Biden’s fitness for office for months,” said Bost. “After dismissing those concerns at every turn, Biden’s allies have now forced him out of the campaign in hopes of salvaging races up and down the ballot. Unfortunately for them, it’s too late. The American people are hungry for change and for real leadership, and you aren’t going to get that from Vice President Harris or any of the other top Democrats who helped create this mess in the first place. President Trump is the clear front runner heading into November, regardless of who the Democrats nominate at their convention.”
…Adding… US Rep. García…
Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García Commends President Biden and Endorses Kamala Harris as Democratic Nominee
President Joe Biden’s selfless decision to not seek re-election and prioritize our country’s future deserves the highest praise. His tenure has been marked by significant achievements, making him the most impactful President since Franklin D. Roosevelt. His leadership has brought historic investments that will benefit generations.
As we move forward, it’s crucial that we unite behind Vice President Kamala Harris and continue the progress we’ve made. Defeating the resurgence of Trumpism is essential for the future of our democracy.
Thank you, President Biden, for your unwavering dedication and service to our nation.
* DPI…
With news of President Biden no longer campaigning for re-election, Democratic Party of Illinois Chair Lisa Hernandez issued the following statement about his legacy:
“Today, we express our deepest gratitude to President Joe Biden for his unwavering service and dedication to our nation. Under his leadership, President Biden navigated some of the most challenging times in recent history–and without failure, he showed us that he is a man of the people. President Biden’s legacy is defined by his empathy, resilience, and steadfast commitment to the American people.
When President Biden took office, our nation was grappling with a devastating once-in-a-century pandemic. His administration successfully guided us through this unprecedented crisis. And during his presidency, President Biden has worked tirelessly to rebuild the backbone of America–a strong and inclusive middle class. His administration has created over 15.5 million jobs, including 459.7k jobs in Illinois in the last 3.5 years. His efforts to lower prescription drug costs and make health care more accessible have provided relief to millions for Americans. These accomplishments will have a lasting impact on our country and will continue to guide as we move forward.
We face a critical moment in our democracy. The stakes could not be higher, and we must stand firm against the threats posed by a potential Trump-Vance presidency. Donald Trump and J.D. Vance represents a return to policies that favor the wealthy, threaten our health care, and undermine our democratic institutions. We must ensure that their regressive and divisive agenda does not prevail.
The Democratic Party of Illinois is committed to this fight. We will mobilize, organize, and vote to ensure that the Democratic ticket prevails in November. Together, we can finish the job and build a stronger, more equitable nation. Thank you, President Biden, for your service and leadership. The work continues, and we are ready to face the challenges ahead with unity and resolve.”
* US Rep. Miller…
Congresswoman Mary Miller (R-IL) released the following statement:
“Kamala Harris led the Democrats’ cover-up of Joe Biden’s severe cognitive decline. Their donors only forced Biden out once they got ‘caught.’ ‘Border Czar’ Kamala Harris must answer for the deadly invasion of our southern border and her cover-up of Biden’s cognitive decline. The American people deserve to know who is actually running the country right now since the Democrats are finally admitting it is not Joe Biden.”
* VP Harris…
VP Harris: “I am honored to have the President’s endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination.” pic.twitter.com/TpAr8ngouM
Joe Biden has been one of America’s most consequential presidents, as well as a dear friend and partner to me. Today, we’ve also been reminded – again – that he’s a patriot of the highest order.
IDCCA President Mark Guethle released the following statement in response to President Joe Biden announcing his departure from the Presidential ticket:
“I am holding my head high today for President Joe Biden, the Democratic Party, and for America. This November, we must all unite to stop Donald Trump from winning a second term, and President Biden has decided that, for the good of the country, that someone else is the right person for the job.
Joe Biden’s record of accomplishments as our President is unprecedented. He has fought for unions and working-class families – with more people working today than at any point in history. He has invested in manufacturing and renewable energy jobs more than any previous administration. He expanded benefits and services for Veterans, passed the first meaningful gun violence legislation in 30 years, and he saved our economy when other countries continue to struggle to recover from the pandemic. He is a true statesman in every sense of the word.
* US Rep. Kelly…
President Biden is one of the most impactful leaders of my lifetime, and he will continue to serve the American people well. In the last four years, President Biden saved our country from a pandemic, brought back our economy better than before, and passed historic pic.twitter.com/6JdkrXaCbs
U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) has released the following statement:
“President Joe Biden is among the most effective presidents in American history. Over the last four years, Congress has worked hand-in-hand with President Biden to pass the largest investment in climate action ever. Together, we passed a robust infrastructure bill to fix roads and bridges across Illinois. We passed the first gun violence prevention bill in decades. We expanded health coverage for veterans, with more than one million of them using the PACT Act to gain access to the care they need. We returned the United States to the pinnacle of global manufacturing through the CHIPS and Science Act.
“More than anything else, President Biden restored the dignity of the Oval Office and reinforced American leadership abroad. We owe him our thanks and gratitude for his five decades of public service.
“The coming election is a referendum on the future of American democracy. The stakes of this election could not be higher. Donald Trump remains a twice-impeached convicted felon and adjudicated rapist who has promised to be a dictator on day one. Vice President Kamala Harris will beat him this November, and I’m proud to endorse her for President of the United States.”
* Forrest Brandon of DeKalb has been arrested for threatening a public official, Rep. Jeff Keicher (R-Sycamore). From the police department synopsis…
On July 15, 2024 at 9:38 PM, a threatening voice mail from phone number 312-xxx-xxxx was left on IL State Representative Jeffrey Keicher’s office voice mail. The caller, who identified himself as Forrest Brandon, suggested he may assassinate Kreicher because of a partisan event being hosted at a public high school. The event was determined
to be a senior fair planned for 7/18/24 at the Dekalb High School.
The threat was transcribed as “Yeah, yes, sir, my name is Forrest Brandon. I’m a U.S. Air Force veteran. I wanna know what the hell’s going on with you hosting a partisan event at a public high school. Screw you Republicans. Hey! Maybe I might assassinate you. I may. Not saying I will. I’m just saying I may.”
Forrest was Interviewed on 07/17/24 and admitted to making the call and saying he sald he “may” assassinate the representative, but claimed he never intended to carry out the threat. Forrest said he was “angry” and “confused” at the time. Mr. Keicher advised he felt apprehensive of receiving bodily harm after recieving the threatening message and was forced to postpone the senior fair.
It’s a Class 3 Felony.
…Adding… Sen. Rezin…
Illinois Senate Deputy Minority Leader Sue Rezin (R-Morris) released the following statement in response to the Illinois State Police’s (ISP) arrest of a DeKalb resident who allegedly threatened to commit an assassination at the DeKalb Senior Health Fair, days after the failed assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump:
“After communicating with law enforcement, we decided to postpone our Senior Health Fair due to a politically motivated and chilling threat of possible plans to commit an assassination at the event. Though we were disappointed that we weren’t able to assist members of our community at the date planned, ensuring the safety of our seniors, vendors, and staff was our top priority.
“I am grateful to the Illinois State Police and local law enforcement for taking the threat seriously and quickly acting with a thorough investigation and arrest of the alleged suspect. I look forward to rescheduling a Senior Health Fair in DeKalb in the near future.”
Keicher, R-Sycamore, told Shaw Local News Network Friday the fair was postponed because a threat upon his life had been made. He said he’s never received a threat as severe as Monday’s. Keicher’s district includes portions of DeKalb, Boone, Kane and McHenry counties.
”There was, during [COVID-19], a lot of frustrations about some government policies but it never rose to the level of an overt threat on life, and I think it’s a reflection of the heat of the political dialogue that’s going on in our country right now, and I’m hopeful that we can use it as a lesson to be able to calm down the rhetoric a little bit, and talk about solving our issues, instead of violence,” Keicher said.
“It was definitely something that you don’t expect to receive and listen to,” said Keicher of Sycamore. “When you hear the tone in the voice, and two days after former President Donald Trump was shot, it is a little chilling.”
The event in question was a popular, long-standing Senior Health Fare offering information about state services as well as medical and dental care and veterans’ needs. Keicher and other organizers canceled the fair, which had been set for Thursday at DeKalb High School, but will reschedule it.
“It’s my sincerest hope that in hearing about this incident, we are able to dial down the rhetoric in the current political season,” he said.
He added that he was “very impressed and thankful for the response of the Illinois State Police and the city of DeKalb Police Department.”
Lawyers for ex-House Speaker Michael Madigan are offering to pay out of their own pocket for a company to scrub prospective jurors’ social media and other public records to ferret out any potential biases before his historic racketeering trial gets underway.
In a motion filed Friday, the defense said the unidentified company would use its proprietary research protocol “to delve into potential jurors’ publicly accessible information, including public record searches and publicly facing social media profiles and platforms.” […]
Assistant U.S. Attorney Amarjeet Bhachu said the extensive questioning that Blakey and the attorneys are expected to conduct during the in-court selection process will be enough to identify and weed out potential bias.
“The jury is not a fantasy team composed by consultants, but good citizens,” Bhachu said. “… Their privacy matters. (If the) jury pool finds out there’s going to be this fiasco of somebody investigating me as a precursor to me being on the jury, somebody out there probing my background … I don’t think jurors will take too kindly to that. I think it will make matters worse.”
Bodycam footage of the shooting is expected to be released Monday. The video “will shock America’s conscience,” Crump said.
*** Statewide ***
* Capitol News Illinois | State’s largest privately owned water utilities seek rate increase amid lawmaker scrutiny: Aqua Illinois, which serves 273,000 people, is seeking a $19.2 million increase. That would bring with it $29.91 in bill increases, according to the Citizens Utility Board, a consumer advocacy group. The requests must be reviewed by the Illinois Commerce Commission before the utilities are allowed to modify their rates. The ICC will then likely modify the requests to comply with state law, and it will respond to arguments presented by entities such as the Illinois attorney general, local municipalities and advocacy organization.
* Brownfield Ag News | Illinois famers could see best crop ever: Matt Bennett, who grows corn and soybeans in Shelby County, says a rainy July has changed his fortunes. “It’s all pollinated at this point.” He says, “Then getting three inches of rain on corn that’s pollinated. I’ll tell you what. It put a smile on my face. I think that there’s going to be some awfully, awfully good corn here this year.”
* Crain’s | McDonald’s, Metra hit in CrowdStrike cyber woes, but crisis seems to be easing: McDonald’s Corp., United Airlines Holdings Inc., and the LSE Group were among the major companies to disclose issues from communications to customer service. Airports from Singapore to Zurich were impacted. The New York subway said arrival information is unavailable for most of its lines, but services are operating. Bloomberg terminals were operating as normal.
* WBEZ | Goal! For migrant kids, a free soccer program in Chicago: Amigos Unidos FC is mostly for migrant children from Colombia and Venezuela. The program, which started in June and runs twice a week through the first week of August, isn’t managed by any specific agency or nonprofit. Instead, a couple college students and their friends came together hoping to create a unique space for young asylum seekers who are passionate about soccer.
* Crain’s | Chicago newspaper delivery snafus continue after storm takes down Trib printing plant: Because of the size and volume of Tribune’s print operation — which handles printing for the Chicago Sun-Times, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and the Daily Herald as well as the Chicago Tribune — the company has been searching for existing plants in different states, sending drivers as far as Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa and Missouri to collect papers for distribution in the Chicago area, according to the memo.
* Chicago Mag | A New Tour Gets a Head Start on the Centennial of Route 66: Route 66 means something different to everyone, and the road has something to offer everyone, even in the few miles that pass through Chicago. The fabled highway turns 100 years old in 2026, and Chicago is already celebrating its centennial with this trolley tour, new interpretive signs, and a classic car show series. A ride down Route 66 is a ride through Chicago history.
* Sun-Times | More than 10 years added to sentence of man who plotted to detonate car bomb outside Chicago bar: A man who plotted to detonate a massive car bomb outside a Chicago bar has been resentenced to 27 years in prison after a federal appeals found his initial sentence too lenient. Adel Daoud was handed the new prison term on Friday at the Dirksen Federal Courthouse more than three years after the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that his initial 16-year sentence “fell outside the range of reasonable sentences” and removed the judge in the case.
* Block Club | 5 Years Ago, Chance The Snapper Was Rescued From Humboldt Park Lagoon. Now, The Gator Is Thriving: Five years ago this week, Florida gator trapper Frank Robb heroically rescued a wayward gator from the lagoon’s murky waters, ending a frenzied search that brought hundreds of people and news crews from across the country to Humboldt Park’s namesake park. For a week leading up to Chance’s capture, hundreds, if not thousands, of Chicagoans camped out around the perimeter of the lagoon, trying to catch sight of the evasive gator. We dubbed it “Gator Watch.” Block Club readers named him Chance the Snapper in an online poll.
* The Onion | MLB Reminds White Sox That Games Televised: “Based on the way you’re playing, we just wanted to make sure you understand that there are people watching you—that pretty much anyone can go on TV and see what you’re doing on the field,” said MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, explaining that many, many Americans have cable and internet connections and can watch all the games the team is losing, as well as highlights of every White Sox batter who strikes out, every fielder who drops the ball, and every pitcher who, once again, allows the bases to become loaded.
*** Cook County and Suburbs ***
* Sun-Times | With Monday’s storms, the Chicago area surpassed the yearly tornado average in one night: The tally could increase as the weather service investigations continue, with meteorologists now studying satellite footage to confirm tornadoes. Typically, the area covered by the weather service’s Chicago office experiences between 16 and 20 twisters in a year, according to meteorologist David King.
*** Downstate ***
* WTTW | A Southern Illinois Resident and His Band Have Been Providing the Soundtrack to the RNC: For the entirety of the Republican National Convention, a five-piece band has filled the arena with musical interludes, prompting delegates to sway and sing to “What I Like About You” by The Romantics and The Beatles’ “I Wanna Hold Your Hand.” They are among the popular songs covered by the band Sixwire. The band is based in Nashville, but its keyboardist, Steve Hornbeak, is from southern Illinois. “I moved away when I was 20 years old, pursuing the music dream,” Hornbeak said, but “decided to move back to where I grew up, and settled in Anna.”
* WSIL | Marion VA volunteer becomes Illinois State DAV Commander: A former volunteer with the Marion VA has taken the title as the new Illinois State Disabled American Veteran (DAV) Commander. U. S. Veteran Donnie Houghland fulfills the role after many years of dedication to veterans in Southern Illinois. […] Houghland says he feels honored to take the role of State Commander of the DAV and hopes to improve the lives of veterans and their families during his time in this position.
* PJ Star | HOI Fair, Pride Fest and more: Here are 5 things to do in Peoria this weekend: River City Pride Fest 2024, presented by Peoria Proud, will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 20, at Riverfront Park in Downtown Peoria. Admission is $5 for adults and free for children ages 17 and under. The event will include activities for the whole family.
* SJ-R | Springfield eatery celebrating 100 years by offering original prices from 1924: It’s been a century since the first Maid-Rite sandwich was served, staking Springfield’s claim as home of the nation’s first drive-thru. The recipes for the signature, seasoned loose meat sandwich served with mustard, onions and pickle relish on a steamed bun and scratch-made root beer haven’t changed over the decades. […] Quaisi is celebrating the local landmark’s anniversary by rolling back prices from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. during the celebration. Buy one sandwich or root beer at regular price and get the second for a nickel. That’s a bargain, considering Maid-Rite’s 75th anniversary was marked with menu items selling for 75-cents.
* WCIA | Man accused of killing Pour Bros. manager not guilty by insanity: In a trial that lasted less than an hour, Lee found that the prosecution had submitted evidence that would have found Tshimanga guilty, but expert opinions from two doctors indicated he suffered from mood disorders, paranoia and severe delusions. […] For that reason, [Judge Matthew Lee] found Tshimanga not guilty by reason of insanity. Tshimanga will, however, remain in custody until he can be transferred to a facility operated by the Illinois Department of Human Services to receive treatment for his conditions. Lee said he will spend an indefinite amount of time there, possibly the rest of his life, which would have been the maximum sentence had he been found fit to be convicted.
*** National ***
* AP | Moon fests, moon movie and even a full moon mark 55th anniversary of Apollo 11 landing: The cosmos is providing a full moon for the 55th anniversary of the first lunar landing this weekend, and plenty of other events honor Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin’s giant leap. Aldrin, 94, the last surviving member of the Apollo 11 crew, headlines a gala at the San Diego Air and Space Museum on Saturday night. He’ll be joined by astronaut Charlie Duke, who was the voice inside Mission Control for the July 20, 1969 moon landing.
Friday, Jul 19, 2024 - Posted by Advertising Department
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* Five Illinois US Reps. have now said the POTUS should drop out. Mike Quigley, Brad Schneider and Eric Sorensen have already done so, and we have two more today. Casten…
Today, U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) called on President Joe Biden to withdraw as the Democratic nominee for President of the United States.
“It is with a heavy heart and much personal reflection that I am therefore calling on Joe Biden to pass the torch to a new generation,” wrote Rep. Casten in the Chicago Tribune. “To manage an exit with all the dignity and decency that has guided his half-century of public service. To cement his legacy as the President who saved our democracy in 2020 and handed it off to trusted hands in 2024 who could carry his legacy forward.”
Read Rep. Casten’s full op-ed in the Chicago Tribune here.
* Garcia…
Today, U.S. Representatives Jared Huffman (CA-02), Marc Veasey TX- 33), Chuy Garcia (IL-04), and Mark Pocan (WI-02) released a joint message to President Joe Biden:
“Mr. President, with great admiration for you personally, sincere respect for your decades of public service and patriotic leadership, and deep appreciation for everything we have accomplished together during your presidency, it is now time for you to pass the torch to a new generation of Democratic leaders. We must defeat Donald Trump to save our democracy, protect our alliances and the rules-based international order, and continue building on the strong foundation you have established over the past four years.
“At this point, however, we must face the reality that widespread public concerns about your age and fitness are jeopardizing what should be a winning campaign. These perceptions may not be fair, but they have hardened in the aftermath of last month’s debate and are now unlikely to change. We believe the most responsible and patriotic thing you can do in this moment is to step aside as our nominee while continuing to lead our party from the White House. Democrats have a deep and talented bench of younger leaders, led by Vice President Kamala Harris, who you have lifted up, empowered, and prepared for this moment. Passing the torch would fundamentally change the trajectory of the campaign. It would reinvigorate the race and infuse Democrats with enthusiasm and momentum heading into our convention next month. Mr. President, you have always put our country and our values first. We call on you to do it once again, so that we can come together and save the country we love.”
* And while this statement doesn’t call on Biden to step aside, it’s still worth noting…
In light of the ongoing national conversation regarding President Biden’s candidacy as the Democratic nominee for President of the United States and the Republican Party unifying under Donald Trump’s extreme right wing agenda, Latina/o elected officials on Chicago’s Northwest side and Western Suburbs released the following statement:
We understand that a second Trump Presidency presents an existential threat to our democratic institutions and will cause immeasurable harm to working people, especially our most vulnerable and marginalized communities. Our top priority remains clear: we must do everything we can to defeat the far-right agenda of Donald Trump, MAGA Republicans, and the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 at the ballot box this November.
We remain steadfast in our commitment to advance a transformative progressive agenda that is responsive to the needs of working-class people. We affirm that political violence and hateful rhetoric of any kind have no place in our politics. We condemn the attempted assassination of Donald Trump just as we have condemned the dangerous, divisive, and xenophobic agenda which he has advocated during his tenure as a public official. We hold that the best way to counter and prevent the advance of Trump’s right-wing agenda is to organize a mass working-class people’s movement that unapologetically fights for social, racial, economic, and environmental justice, equitable distribution of resources, and protecting the basic human rights of all people.
Regardless of who the Democratic Nominee for President is, Democratic leaders and progressive elected officials are responsible for listening to the voices of communities across our country that are demanding more from our political system. It is not enough to demand that people show up to vote against an authoritarian threat every four years. People across our country are exhausted from the never-ending rhetoric and politics of fear while they are struggling to put food on the table or to meet their family’s basic needs.
The way we defeat the dangerous and hateful vision of Project 2025 is by presenting our vision of a country that is boldly inclusive, just, and equitable, where everyone’s basic needs are met. Now is the time to champion a bold policy agenda that includes universal healthcare through Medicare for All, making the rich pay their fair share in taxes, protecting and expanding Social Security, codifying Roe and safeguarding reproductive rights, protecting people from deportation, and creating a pathway to citizenship for all 11 million of our undocumented neighbors, raising the federal minimum wage to be a living wage, forgiving student loans, guaranteeing access to free public colleges and universities, and helping achieve a ceasefire in Gaza that builds a bridge towards lasting peace for Palestinians and Israelis.
The Democratic party and the Democratic Nominee for President are responsible for adopting an agenda that addresses the needs and concerns of working people across our country. We stand ready to help advance this agenda and to defeat Donald Trump’s extreme right-wing agenda.
Congresswoman Delia Ramirez
State Senator Omar Aquino
State Senator Karina Villa
Democratic Nominee for State Senator Graciela Guzman
State Representative Lilian Jimenez
State Representative Norma Hernandez
Cook County Commissioner Anthony Joel Quezada
Alderperson Carlos Ramirez-Rosa
Alderperson Rossana Rodriguez
Alderperson Jessie Fuentes
Alderperson Ruth Cruz
…Adding… ILGOP…
After a week of unity in Milwaukee, Republicans in Illinois and across the country are ready to win in November. Democrats on the other hand don’t even know who will be at the top of the ticket yet.
Joe Biden’s poll numbers keep getting worse and big name Democrats are calling it quits on the President. Sean Casten joined a growing chorus of Democrats calling for Biden to step down this morning, a chorus that includes Reps. Chuy Garcia, Mike Quigley, and Eric Sorenson.
But former Biden/Pritzker staffer Nikki Budzinski and Senator Dick Durbin are #RidinWithBiden.
And Governor Pritzker? He’s supporting the “Democratic nominee” who is “apparently” Joe Biden. Sounds like a full throated endorsement to us.
With less than a month to go until Democrats descend on Chicago, their party here in Illinois and across the country is in complete and utter disarray.
Financial services and doctors’ offices were disrupted on Friday, while TV broadcasters went offline as businesses worldwide grappled with an ongoing major IT outage. Air travel has been particularly hit, with planes grounded, services delayed and airports issuing advice to passengers.
Earlier on Friday, cybersecurity giant CrowdStrike experienced a major disruption, the company told NBC, following an issue with its latest tech update.
The company’s CEO George Kurtz has since said that the company is “actively working with customers impacted by a defect found in a single content update for Windows hosts,” stressing that Mac and Linux hosts are not affected.
“This is not a security incident or cyberattack. The issue has been identified, isolated and a fix has been deployed,” he said on social media.
The outage was linked to problems with Microsoft’s Azure cloud computing system, causing users to lose access to Office products and Windows systems more broadly. Widely used cybersecurity platform CrowdStrike pointed to a defect in an update it had delivered for Microsoft customers, while other operating systems including Mac were unaffected.
Chicago’s two airports and Metra trains were hit with cancellations and delays amid a global technology outage that grounded flights, knocked banks and hospital systems offline and media outlets off air Friday around the world.
By 8:45 a.m. Friday, 104 flights had been cancelled at O’Hare International Airport and 244 were delayed, according to flight tracking firm FlightAware. At Midway, where Southwest Airlines is dominant, six flights were cancelled and 73 were delayed.
But that was a fraction of the 2,691 flights that had been cancelled globally around 7 a.m., according to data from Cirium, an aviation analytics company.
At O’Hare, travelers were left staring at blank screens instead of the typical arrivals and departures displays. The Chicago Department of Aviation said it was working with federal agencies and airlines to restore operations, and urged travelers to check the status of their flights before heading to the airport.
American Airlines has lifted its ground stop. They released a statement saying, “Earlier this morning, a technical issue with a vendor impacted multiple carriers, including American. As of 5 a.m. ET, we have been able to safely re-establish our operation. We apologize to our customers for the inconvenience.”
Delta said in a statement, “Delta has resumed some flight departures after a vendor technology issue impacted several airlines and businesses around the world. That issue necessitated a pause in Delta’s global flight schedule this morning while it was addressed. Additional delays and cancelations are expected Friday. Delta has issued a travel waiver for all customers who have booked flights departing Friday, July 19. It allows customers to manage their own travel changes via delta.com and the Fly Delta app. The fare difference for customers will be waived when rebooked travel occurs on or before July 24, in the same cabin of service as originally booked. If travel is rebooked after July 24, any difference in fare between the original ticket and the new ticket will be collected at the time of booking.”
Metra said some trains were operating with delays as a result of the Microsoft outage.
CTA, and the Illinois Department of Transportation said they were not impacted. Chicago police said they have intermittent computer issues, but there is no impact for 911 and dispatcher service.
* Some of the state’s driver facilities are impacted…
⚠ NOTICE: Global outage of Microsoft/CrowdStrike outage impacting DMVs.
Please call 800-252-8980 before you visit our DMVs as global outage may impact operating hours or services (including road tests).
Unfortunately, the RTA’s Travel Information Center was impacted by the CrowdStrike global IT issue, causing long wait times for our callers. We do not have an estimate of when this will resolve, but are working quickly to find work-arounds.
The Illinois Treasurer’s office started using CrowdStrike in 2022, I’ve reached out to see if they’re having any problems. I’ll update if they respond.
… Adding… The Treasurer’s office got back to me…
All constituent and banking information is safe and secure.
The Illinois State Treasurer’s Office (ISTO) employs several layers of cybersecurity.
CrowdStrike is one of several vendors engaged as part of our cybersecurity defenses.
ISTO is fully operational. No personal, programmatic, or financial data was compromised or affected.
No financial – banking and consumer – transactions were impacted.
ISTO programs are intact and were unaffected.
The icash.illinoistreasurer.gov/, www.BrightStart.com, and all publicly facing websites are fully operational.
State agencies were unable to communicate with the ISTO for three minutes at approximately 6:30 a.m., as the ISTO staff remedied the CrowdStrike issue before the state business day began.
Some ISTO employee laptops were affected by the unscheduled Microsoft update pushed out by CrowdStrike.
* Chicago hasn’t updated its migrant dashboard since Wednesday, when it reported 5,665 people in shelters, well below the 13,900 in late January - a 59 percent decrease.
Chicago could experience a fivefold increase in arriving migrants — up to 10 busloads a day — sent here by Republican governors trying to embarrass and strain Democratic sanctuary cities in the run-up to the 2024 Democratic National Convention, a top mayoral aide said Monday.
In a primetime speech Wednesday at the Republican National Convention, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott doubled down on busing migrants from border cities to Chicago.
Abbott began sending busloads of migrants from Texas to Chicago and other Democrat-led cities in August 2022 in protest of federal policies. He was soon joined by other leaders; in all, almost 45,000 migrants and 950 buses have been sent to Chicago, according to the latest city data
And the controversial practice will “continue to roll until we finally secure our border,” Abbott said as the RNC crowd chanted “send them back.” […]
Last month, Biden signed executive orders that temporarily closed the southern U.S. border, “the most restrictive border policy implemented by a modern Democratic president,” according to Borderless Magazine. Crossings have plunged since then, CBS2 reports.
Meanwhile, the city has closed some of its shelters, including those taking over Park District field houses, as busing has slowed since the start of the year.
The city now has 17 shelters, down from nearly 30.
* From Pritzker spokesperson Alex Gough…
“Governor Abbott continues to demonstrate that his number one priority is political grandstanding, rather than the lives and wellbeing of human beings desperately seeking a better life. Illinois continues to humanely provide shelter and services to new arrivals, just as we also continue to call for Republicans in Congress to move beyond empty rhetoric and actually work with President Biden to pass meaningful immigration reform.”
* ICYMI: Bill aimed at protecting domestic abuse victims from gun violence gets fresh look after high court ruling. Tribune…
Senate President Don Harmon on Thursday indicated lawmakers will take another look at stalled legislation that aims to protect victims of domestic abuse from gun violence in light of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to uphold a law prohibiting people under restraining orders from their partners from owning guns.
Some lawmakers had been concerned that a ruling against such laws would have put the legislation, known as Karina’s bill, in jeopardy. Harmon acknowledged that he didn’t expect a high court dominated by a conservative majority to issue the ruling it did.
“We were waiting on the Supreme Court’s decision … and they surprised me in saying that we can, in fact, regulate that intersection of guns and domestic violence,” Harmon said at a City Club of Chicago event Thursday afternoon. “And we need to.” […]
The Illinois legislation would require that law enforcement remove firearms from individuals who have orders of protection against them, clarifying when and how law enforcement can confiscate such weapons. As it stands now, firearms aren’t always removed from people involved in those situations even if the owner’s firearm identification card is technically revoked.
If you want to watch the City Club of Chicago event click here.
*** Isabel’s Top Picks ***
* Tribune | Judge ends Aqua lawsuit, activists, legislators oppose proposed water rate hikes: Will County Judge John Anderson has approved a consent order ending the years-long lawsuit between state officials, University Park and Aqua Illinois. This decision comes while Aqua and Illinois American Water — the state’s two largest private water providers — face opposition from legislators and the Citizens Utility Board for requested rate hikes that could raise water bills by $30 a month. Anderson delayed the decision July 8 after some University Park residents raised concerns the $900,000 Aqua would pay for lead remediation was insufficient. However, because the order was previously agreed upon by the village’s lawyer, Burt Odelson, and the other representing attorneys June 7, Anderson signed the order.
* Crain’s | Dan Seals is leaving Intersect Illinois as CEO: Dan Seals will step down as CEO by the end of the month after nearly three years in the job, Chairman John Atkinson said today. “Intersect Illinois has seen tremendous growth over Dan’s tenure, and we truly appreciate his passion for economic development and his dedication to the state of Illinois,” he said in a statement. Paulina San Millan, senior vice resident of business development, will serve as interim CEO while the group looks for a replacement for Seals.
* Sun-Times | Bob Newhart, comedic legend who grew up on Chicago’s West Side, dies at 94: Sitcom and stand-up legend Bob Newhart, who was a relatively unknown commodity living with his parents on the West Side when his first comedy album catapulted him to fame in 1960, has died at 94. […] It all started with “The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart,” a collection of Mr. Newhart’s phone conversations with imaginary, unheard characters, as well as his angst-filled portrayal of a driving instructor.
* Sun-Times | Illinois Republicans close out RNC with energy behind ‘more focused, disciplined’ Trump: Hours before former President Donald Trump accepted the GOP nomination, Illinois Republicans on Thursday claimed the “the table has been flipped” on Democrats who head toward the Nov. 5 election with uncertainty at the top of the ticket while the GOP builds momentum. The state’s super-minority Republicans are leaving the GOP National Convention energized, and with a lot of confidence, which they claim will help them win more seats in the state — despite a redistricting lockout and a severe lack of high-profile donors.
* Daily Herald | Outgoing Illinois GOP chair bemoans ‘loose’ voting laws: Under Tracy, the state party hired a full-time election integrity director, filling the role of local county and township organizations that have weakened amid GOP electoral losses. […] “It used to be we had election day. Now we have election season,” Tracy said at the Illinois GOP’s daily press briefing Thursday.
* Tribune | Rod Blagojevich drops into Milwaukee to tout Trump. Illinois GOP left unenthused.: Outgoing Illinois GOP Chairman Don Tracy said he’s “not a fan of Gov. Blagojevich at all,” though he can understand why he’d want to ride on Trump’s coattails. He also said he thinks Blagojevich’s conviction is not comparable to Trump’s. “There is no comparison between what Blagojevich did to get convicted by the feds for trying to sell a U.S. Senate office and the sham political prosecution of President Trump,” said Tracy, of Springfield. […] “If he wants to talk good about Republicans, God bless him,” Bost said of Blagojevich. “He sure wasn’t a Republican when he did what he did.”
* WTTW | Illinois Republicans Say Democrats in ‘Freefall,’ Confident in Trump Against Biden or Any Nominee: Should Biden step aside, U.S. Rep. Mike Bost (R-Illinois) said, Republicans should expect that Trump will face Harris. Convention rules would make it hard for Democrats to go another route, according to Bost. “It all boils down to the fact that this particular president, who has earned these delegates, has to actually step down and turn the delegates over,” Bost said. “Unless they use the 25th Amendment.”
* Sun-Times | GOP Pritzker-replacing-Biden quip gets jeers from Illinois delegation: U.S. Senate candidate Bernie Moreno, who is running against Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown, elicited some boos from a tired but happy room of Illinois Republican delegates on Thursday when he offered Gov. J.B. Pritzker as a top of the ticket replacement for President Joe Biden. “The Democrats are in a full blown civil war,” Moreno said. “Think about this for a second now. One hundred and 10 days away from this election, we don’t even know who President Trump and JD Vance is going to run against. We have no idea. It could be your governor.”
* Fox Chicago | Pritzker blasts Trump following RNC speech: ‘narcissism and dishonesty’: “Tonight, Donald Trump demonstrated once again his narcissism and dishonesty. “We know what a second Trump term would look like. It would be a disaster for America’s working families. Trump wants to enact the extremist policies in the Project 2025 manifesto. Another Trump administration would further deny women access to abortion, IVF, and contraception - even in states where Democrats have protected those rights. Trump promises to take away overtime pay and increase dangers for workers.”
*** Statehouse News ***
* Capitol News Illinois | After years of controversy, state pauses CO2 pipeline construction, for now: The law issues new regulations for carbon capture and sequestration, a technology used to take carbon dioxide pollution and store it deep underground. Sandstone formations in central Illinois are uniquely suited for gas storage, which has attracted national attention to the region as a possible hub for carbon dioxide storage.
* Bond Buyer | Treasurers explore political line between ESG policy and data: As states tinker with laws that restrict pension investments in funds that favor environment, social, and governance factors, the debate over strategy and long-term fiscal responsibility continues between red and blue state treasurers who oversee investment policies.
* QC Times | Illinois lawmaker recap: New child tax credit will ‘help a lot of working class people,’ Halpin says: Halpin said “it wasn’t a perfect budget” that legislators passed and Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed, but he supported it due to some of the “great things” included, such as $50 million in funding for a child tax credit. The credit would apply to low- and middle-income families with children under the age of 12. “I think that’s going to help a lot of working class people here in the Quad Cities and Western Illinois. And I’m excited about making sure we’re continuing to fund our K-12 education in the way that we’ve committed to do in the past.”
* QC Times | Illinois lawmaker recap: Swanson ‘disappointed’ farm groups cut out of carbon capture talks: Swanson said he was proud to sponsor legislation bringing greater awareness to the law colloquially known as Scott’s Law, which requires that drivers change lanes (or slow down if not possible) when approaching a stationary emergency vehicle displaying flashing warning lights. He said he was also hopeful that legislation creating a historic preservation board to assist the Illinois Department of Natural Resources in managing and preserving state historic sites will lead to more attention and resources for sites like Bishop Hill and the boyhood home of Carl Sandburg.
*** Chicago ***
* Sun-Times | Chicago’s water-bill delinquents include City Council members: Diane Gottlieb, who has made a fortune as a public housing landlord, has nearly $1.5 million in past-due bills owed for dozens of properties. Gottlieb has collected millions of dollars in government subsidies from the Chicago Housing Authority to pay all or part of the rent for her low-income tenants. […] Ald. William Hall (6th) was one of them. His Chatham home had a utility bill backlog of $1,769.53 dating to June 2023. Then, earlier this month, he paid the past-due tab shortly after Sun-Times reporters asked about it. That included $112 in late-payment penalties. Hall says he had his account set to auto-pay with a debit card that got hacked and that he forgot to update his payment information after canceling the card.
* Press Release | Joyce Appoints Julie Morita as President & CEO: The Joyce Foundation has appointed Julie Morita, MD, as its new President and CEO. Morita was selected following an extensive national search to replace longtime President and CEO Ellen Alberding, who is stepping down after 22 years in the role. Morita will join the Foundation on October 1. “I am thrilled and deeply honored to step into the role of President at the Joyce Foundation. It is a tremendous privilege to lead an organization with such a remarkable legacy of positive impact,” Morita said. “I take seriously the responsibility of upholding the Foundation’s values and am committed to working closely with the Foundation’s staff, partners, and Board to further its mission and vision.”
*** Cook County and Suburbs ***
* Daily Southtown | Will County Board votes against non-sanctuary designation, calling it anti-immigrant: Several audience members held signs saying immigrants are welcome here, and told the board the resolution tells current residents and immigrants they do not belong. The resolution needlessly scapegoats people who come to Illinois seeking safety and opportunities, they said. “It does nothing in the affirmative,” Cesar Guerrero said. “It is, quite simply, political posturing.” Eleven Democrats voted against the resolution and eight Republicans voted in favor of it.
* Daily Southtown | Tinley Park and Park District spar over remediation at former mental health center: The Village Board approved a $134,612 contract extension with Sewer Assessment Services for inflow and infiltration investigations, allowing for smoke testing in high-risk areas to identify defects that allows groundwater to infiltrate the village’s sanitary system. […] However, Elizabeth Harvey, an environmental attorney representing the Park District, said the district does not plan to pump the stagnant water through village sewer systems. Instead, they intend to manage it on the property or in a ditch owned by the district that runs along the property.
* Sun-Times | Highland Park massacre victims sue Illinois State Police for approving suspect’s gun card: Five lawsuits filed in the last month in the Illinois Court of Claims allege state police negligently approved Robert E. Crimo III’s gun ownership application in 2019 despite Highland Park police issuing a “clear and present danger” alert against him months earlier. […] The state police — who won’t comment — have said the alert did not rise to the level of denying him a gun ownership card. But the lawsuits claim the alert, prompted by a police house call, included details that showed Crimo was not fit to obtain guns.
* Daily Herald | What’s behind one suburb’s 184% increase in DUI arrests? ‘Unwavering commitment’: In 2022, West Chicago police made 72 arrests on driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs charges. One year later, the number of busts rocketed to 202. That astounding 184.7% increase got a shoutout this week from the Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists, which on Wednesday released its 2023 DUI Survey.
*** Downstate ***
* WCIA | Former Sangamon Co. deputy arraigned, new details revealed in Sonya Massey’s death: Court documents filed by the Sangteamon County State’s Attorney reveal that the two entered Massey’s home to gather further information and ensure the home was safe. While the other deputy checked the home and found nothing dangerous, Grayson is said to have remained with Massey in the living room.
* SJ-R | Ribs, oysters and beer, cars and more: 8 summer festivals on deck in Springfield: There’s live music from Revel in Red (July 19) and Soul Experience and The Shenanigans (both July 20), food, vendors, a “sweet cornhole” tournament, a 5K, a Row4Dough to benefit Special Olympics, Ancient Games, children’s activities and the Illinois Championship Cow Chip Throw.
*** National ***
* WaPo | Trump, Biden photos found on rally shooter’s phone, but motive unclear: The 20-year-old Pennsylvania man who tried to kill former president Donald Trump at a rally last weekend had searched online for information about Trump and President Biden and had photos of both men saved on his phone, according to lawmakers and others briefed on the investigation.
