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Isabel’s afternoon roundup
Wednesday, Aug 28, 2024 - Posted by Isabel Miller
Click here to read the redacted filing. * AFSCME 31…
* House Speaker Chris Welch…
* NBC Chicago | Illinois cheer families could be owed money after massive settlement against Varsity Brands: Illinois will now be part of a proposed settlement of a class-action lawsuit against Varsity Brands, a company that puts on cheer camps and competitions and that was accused of using monopolistic tactics to raise prices and undercut competition. According to Attorney General Kwame Raoul, Illinois has signed onto the lawsuit, with a proposed settlement of $82.5 million currently in front of a judge in the case. * BND | Mpox now a global health emergency. What an Illinois doctor says about cases, vaccine: The more severe mpox strain, also referred to as clade I, has been reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and has lead to at least 450 deaths so far, Southern Illinois University Medicine infectious diseases specialist Dr. Vidya Sundareshan said in a recent interview with the BND. […] While vaccination strategies in Illinois and across the U.S. are focusing primarily on men who have sex with men (some guidelines specify multiple partners), anyone can contract mpox. Both clade I and clade II can be spread by contact with infected wild animals, close contact with someone who has mpox and through contact with infected materials. * Block Club | CTA Boss Spent More Time Traveling World Than Visiting Chicago Transit Stations, Schedule Shows: From the end of May 2023 to spring 2024, as CTA riders had to cope with frequent delays and filthy conditions, Carter spent nearly 100 days out of town at conferences, some overseas, his schedule shows. Most of Carter’s trips between June 2023 and May 2024 were for events related to the American Public Transportation Association, a nonprofit advocacy group he chaired in 2022 and 2023. Carter spent a week in Pittsburgh and another in Orlando, six days in Puerto Rico and five days in Washington, D.C. He also took trips to Spain, New Zealand and Australia. * WBEZ | Abortion took center stage during the DNC. But here’s why access could be in jeopardy: But abortion funds that are essential for so many people traveling to states like Illinois — paying for their flights, hotels, child care and their abortions — are running out of money. Providers and advocates say that’s putting access to reproductive medical care in jeopardy. Megan Jeyifo, for one, said she is exhausted. She runs the Chicago Abortion Fund, one of the largest of its kind in the country. […] Jeyifo estimates the fund needs at least $200,000 a month more to cover abortion procedures. * Sun-Times | CPD traffic stops for minor violations ripped as ‘gateway to criminal charges’ at meeting seeking possible reforms: At a special hearing held by Chicago’s Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability on Tuesday evening, dozens of Chicagoans and a panel of experts gathered to provide input on what meaningful traffic stop reform could look like in Chicago. Commission president Anthony Driver Jr. said the purpose of the hearing was to learn how “pretextual traffic stops” — which critics describe as stops for minor infractions used as an excuse, or pretext, to search for evidence of other criminal activity — hurt communities and public safety, and “to learn from other jurisdictions that have changed their policies on police-initiated traffic stops.” * Chalkbeat | Chicago Public Schools inspector general departs: Fletcher, who started a job this week at the Gateway Development Commission — a public transit agency run jointly by New York and New Jersey — said he had felt no pressure to find a new job and left the district only reluctantly. “This job was especially important to me because I had a personal commitment to CPS as a former student and a CPS parent,” he said. * Block Club | Black Family Opens Stussy’s Diner In Bridgeport — 45 Years After Racist Attack Outside Same Spot: In 1979, the Nance family was chased by white men with baseball bats and tried to enter the old Bridgeport Restaurant for help, but no one would let them in. “Now, this place will support everybody.” * WTTW | WTTW News Explains: How Did Redlining Work in Chicago?: Put simply: redlining is the act of denying people access to credit because of where they live and who they are, even if they’re qualified borrowers. […] Furthermore, Blacks were often prevented from moving into new, developing communities due to racially restrictive covenants or clauses — pioneered by Chicago realty groups — that explicitly prohibited Blacks from purchasing that property. * ABC Chicago | United Airlines flight attendants union votes 99.99% to authorize a strike: This is the first time they’ve voted on such a proposal, in nearly 20 years. The historic announcement was made after a demonstration at O’Hare Airport on Wednesday. […] The flight attendants are calling for raises, schedule flexibility, work rule improvements, job security, retirement and more. The flight attendants union said it filed for federal mediation over eight months ago and have been working under an amendable contract for nearly three years. * Crain’s | How Roti went bankrupt: At the same time, Rōti pulled a lifeline to allow its remaining 26 locations to survive the initial pandemic punches: The company negotiated rent deferral agreements with its landlords. Those deferral agreements are now expiring — and Rōti appears unable to pay up. As Seamonds wrote in the court filings, the expired deferrals are “leading to a significant increase in operational expenses which have been difficult to meet.” * ABC Chicago | Lynwood police officer honored after running toward gunfire, suffering graze wound at homicide scene: “This evening, we’re gathered to recognize the extraordinary bravery of Michael Johnson,” said Lynwood Police Chief Gregory Thomas. […] “It’s just something that you just do. Law enforcement, just like any other thing that you put your life on the line, is something that you got to want to do,” Johnson said. * Daily Herald | Raise a glass: Sip your way across the suburbs with these fall beer festivals: Over two dozen breweries will participate in the annual Illinois Brews @ Bowes Creek fundraiser at Bowes Creek Country Club. General admission tickets are $55 in advance and include admission to the main event from 4-8 p.m. for the craft and home brew beer tasting, snacks and a 5-ounce tasting mug. VIP ticket ($75) holders get in an hour earlier and have access to exclusive beer, whiskey and cocktail tastings. Hosted by the Elgin Parks & Recreation Foundation, ticket sales from the event support the Recreation Youth Scholarship Fund, which provides free access to Elgin Parks programs for at-risk kids. * WAND | Moms Demand Action giving away gun locks at Champaign-Urbana Public Health District: The group will be giving away free gun locks Wednesday. You can stop by the lobby of the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District, located at 201 S. Kenyon Rd. in Champaign from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. * Farm Week | New edible windbreak to provide multiple benefits: An outdoor part of the Heartland Community College’s Ag Complex in Normal is combining form and function. The new edible windbreak is part of the school’s sustainability efforts and offers a model for potential increased income for farmers. Layers of trees and bushes will act as a windbreak and supply a variety of fruits for students and others to enjoy. “It’s part of a sustainable ag model we are promoting,” said Kortney Watts, associate dean of career and technical education at the college. The college offers training in every step of the process. * The Southern | Dobbins will remain Johnston City mayor after rescinding resignation: Mayor Doug Dobbins will continue his term as mayor of Johnston City despite reports of his possible resignation this week. Dobbins told The Southern on Tuesday evening that he had turned in a letter of resignation, but rescinded it before it became effective after discussing the matter with others. * BND | From Belleville to Broadway, West grad makes St. Louis homecoming with cast of ‘Hamilton’: The Belleville native is among the 32-person ensemble that arrives at the Fox Theatre in St. Louis on Aug. 28. Known as the show about America then portrayed by America now, he is cast as George Eacker, a lawyer who gave a patriotic Fourth of July speech but is most known for shooting Philip Hamilton in a duel. He also fills the role of “Man 3.” “It’s crazy. I have wanted to be part of this ever since 2016 and I finally got it in 2024,” he said. “I feel incredibly blessed to be here. It is an amazing piece of art. It’s still so fresh, so relevant. I am so excited to tell this story,” he said in an interview. * PJ Star | Peoria native Kendrick Green lands spot on NFL 53-man roster: The 6-foot-4, 315-pound offensive lineman from the University of Illinois will begin his fourth NFL season with the Texans. The Peoria High School graduate is listed as Houston’s backup left guard and one of nine offensive linemen on the roster for Houston, which last season won the AFC South and a playoff game behind rookie quarterback CJ Stroud. * NPR | As cars and trucks get bigger and taller, lawmakers look to protect pedestrians: Now lawmakers in Congress are expected to introduce a bill on Friday that would require federal standards for hood height and visibility to protect pedestrians and other vulnerable road users. “We’ve seen these standards over time improve vehicle safety with a focus on the people in the vehicle,” said Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D-Pa.), a co-sponsor of the Pedestrian Protection Act, in an interview with NPR. “But this would sort of expand that to pedestrians, bicyclists and people outside the vehicle.” * AP | Immigrant families in limbo after judge puts US program for spouses on hold: Although the Biden administration’s “Keeping Families Together” program only began accepting applications last week, families and immigration attorneys say confusion, uncertainty and frustration is already mounting following the order by U.S. District Judge J. Campbell Barker. Couples who already applied say they are in limbo and those who haven’t yet must weigh whether to wait for Republicans’ court challenge over the program to play out.
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ComEd Four defendants claim prosecution was built on a ‘rotten foundation’
Wednesday, Aug 28, 2024 - Posted by Rich Miller * Jason Meisner…
The full motion is here.
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Amy Jacobson resigns from CPS coaching position after uproar
Wednesday, Aug 28, 2024 - Posted by Rich Miller * Background is here and here if you need it. Isabel has confirmed this with the school’s athletic director…
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Report: Heat deaths are underreported
Wednesday, Aug 28, 2024 - Posted by Rich Miller * From the National Weather Service…  The footnote reads: “Due to an inherent delay in the reporting of official heat fatalities in some jurisdictions, this number will likely rise in subsequent updates.” * From Harvest Public Media, a collaboration of public media newsrooms in the Midwest…
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Showcasing The Retailers Who Make Illinois Work
Wednesday, Aug 28, 2024 - Posted by Advertising Department [The following is a paid advertisement.] Retail provides one out of every five Illinois jobs, generates the second largest amount of tax revenue for the state, and is the largest source of revenue for local governments. But retail is also so much more, with retailers serving as the trusted contributors to life’s moments, big and small. We Are Retail and IRMA are dedicated to sharing the stories of retailers like Scott, who serve their communities with dedication and pride.
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Illinois opens contest to redesign state flag (Updated)
Wednesday, Aug 28, 2024 - Posted by Isabel Miller * Click here for some background. Illinois Flag Commission…
* Our current flag…
* Here are the guidelines…
* Voters in Maine will decide on a new state flag design this fall. The new design…
* The old one…  …Adding… WBEZ…
* Evanston’s new flag…
* What it replaced…
What are your thoughts?
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Open thread
Wednesday, Aug 28, 2024 - Posted by Isabel Miller * What’s going on?…
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Isabel’s morning briefing
Wednesday, Aug 28, 2024 - Posted by Isabel Miller * River Bender | EV Manufacturer Ymer Technology Announces Opening of U.S. Headquarters in Illinois: Ymer Technology, a manufacturer of electric vehicle (EV) components for the heavy equipment industry, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), Lake County Partners, and the Village of Buffalo Grove, announced the grand opening of its new U.S. headquarters in Buffalo Grove. The company’s $5.7 million investment, bolstered by a Reimagining Energy and Vehicles in Illinois (REV Illinois) agreement, will enable Ymer Technology to produce cooling technology and thermal management systems for EVs while supporting Illinois’ clean energy economy. * Lake County News-Sun | Efforts underway to revitalize naval station’s ‘zombie village’; ‘No one should be living in Halsey Village’: Illinois U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth called it a “zombie village,” and Lake County Board Chair Sandy Hart suggested, “There is not a neighborhood in all of Lake County in a worse condition.” They were referring to the privately managed Halsey Village at Naval Station Great Lakes, where approximately 70.5% of the houses are uninhabitable. Of those, 44 are fenced off in the southwest corner of the project near Green Bay and Buckley roads. * WTTW | Homeowner Associations Can’t Ban Native Plants, Thanks to New Illinois Law: “This law gives all folks an opportunity to be part of a collective movement,” said state Rep. Laura Faver Dias (D-Grayslake), who introduced the bill in the General Assembly. “The reality of climate change can be debilitating, it’s hard to know where to even start. But now anyone can help restore native habitat right in our own yards.” * WAND | Illinois lawmakers could create prescription drug affordability board to tackle high prices: A recent Public Policy Polling survey found 75% of Illinois voters take prescription medications on a regular basis. Although, an alarming amount of those people ration their drugs due to cost. “You are being pitted against how much money is being made off the stock market or off of someone’s profit,” said Sen. Robert Peters (D-Chicago). “To me, when we have have a healthcare system that pits you versus the quarterly earnings and there’s no controls to that, that is extremely dangerous to you as the patient.” * Crain’s | Judge hits Amazon with $148M in interest on Chicago patent verdict: Adding interest to injury, a judge tacked on $148 million in interest payments to a $525 million jury award against Amazon Web Services in a case brought by a small Chicago software maker. […] Kennelly ordered Amazon to pay accumulated interest on the jury award for the more than five years that the case took to work its way through the courts. The two sides finalized the amount yesterday. * Sun-Times | Chicago Latinos shared some of their top issues at the Democratic National Convention: Ahead of Monday night’s opening events, Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza shared that reproductive rights are at stake for Latinas this election. “I’m a woman with a uterus,” Mendoza said. “As far as I’m concerned, Donald Trump has had way too much access to way too many uteruses in his lifetime and he shouldn’t have access to one more,” she said. * Tribune | Cook County judge who implemented controversial courthouse ban over cellphone ordered to undergo training: A Cook County judge who controversially banned a law clerk from the county’s main courthouse for using a cellphone in her courtroom will undergo training and mentoring, officials said. The order comes after an executive committee convened by Chief Judge Tim Evans investigated the nine-month courthouse ban implemented by Judge Peggy Chiampas for Robert Almodóvar, an exoneree who was issued a certificate of innocence in 2018 and now clerks for a high-profile law group. * Chalkbeat | Who are the Chicago school board candidates for the 2024 election?: To learn more about the new school board districts and find out which one you live in, Chalkbeat created an interactive map. Many candidates have also begun fundraising for their campaigns, reporting contributions to the Illinois State Board of Elections. * Crain’s | Chicago Teachers’ Pension prepares to pull Wamco bond investment: The Chicago Teachers’ Pension Fund is preparing to liquidate its investment in one of Western Asset Management Co.’s flagship bond funds, in an early sign of the potential fallout from federal investigations into the firm. The pension’s investment committee voted Tuesday to recommend terminating Wamco’s Core Plus fixed-income mandate, Fernando Vinzons, Chicago Teachers’ chief investment officer, said in an emailed statement. Wamco managed $550 million for the pension fund at the end of June. * Sun-Times | COVID-19 also attended last week’s Democratic National Convention, infecting ‘too many’: Health officials say they saw no sign of a COVID-19 uptick after the convention, while attendees grumble on social media about getting sick. One union official said he knows at least 14 people who tested positive since attending the convention. * Sun-Times | Developers of color shut out of multi-unit family housing in Chicago, analysis finds: Less than a quarter of the developers building multifamily housing in Chicago are led or managed by a person of color, a newly released analysis from the Urban Institute found. The analysis looked at building permits from 2019 to 2023 to identify 207 developers who were requesting permits for housing that included 10 or more units, according to the Urban Institute. From the 207 developers, the Washington, D.C.-based organization narrowed its scope to 177 developers, determining that only 17 had Black leaders, six had Latino leaders and seven had Asian leaders. * Sun-Times | Girls running lemonade stand get $2,000 gift to attend Chicago Sky Barbie Night game: Jade and Joy Lee, 12 and 11, set up a lemonade stand on the corner of 111th Street and Princeton Avenue with a goal of raising $700. On Tuesday they received a gift of $2,000 for tickets to Friday night’s game. When philanthropist Early Walker, CEO of I’m Telling, Don’t Shoot, heard about the lemonade stand he said he wanted to make sure the sisters were able to attend. * Sun-Times | Chicago breaks heat record at 99 degrees: The temperature around 3 p.m. reached 99 degrees at O’Hare, surpassing the previous record for Aug. 27 of 97 degrees, set in 1973. With heat and humidity, it could feel somewhere between 105 to 115 degrees outside, the weather service said. * WGN | Dolton mayor’s Texas trip tab: Tens of thousands billed to taxpayers: Based on a review of Dolton’s credit card statements, WGN Investigates found village taxpayers were charged an additional $33,920 for the same trips to New York, Atlanta, Portland and more. Expenditures include a five-day trip to Austin in July 2023. In attendance were Henyard, her top aide Keith Freeman and three township officials. In all, the group spent more than $20,000 of Dolton taxpayer money in Texas. * Daily Herald | DuPage County Board welcomes beekeeping on smaller lots: County board members voted 10-8 Tuesday to support zoning code changes to allow beekeeping on lots smaller than an acre. Before the vote, the county only allowed beekeeping on lots greater than an acre. The change sparked debate among board members who worried the potential increase of honeybees would adversely impact native pollinators, like the endangered rusty patched bumblebee. However, board members supporting the change noted honeybees have buzzed about for centuries. * FOX 32 | Lake County welcomes first courthouse comfort dog: Desi, a highly-trained one-year-old Standard Poodle, has officially joined the courthouse team, becoming Lake County’s only designated courthouse dog. “When first thing in the morning you see this little muppet face who loves to be petted and is such a calm, good girl, I think it changes your attitude about the start of your experience,” said Judge Patricia Fix, Desi’s primary handler. * ABC Chicago | Illinois reports first West Nile Virus death this year: The person was in their 80s and lived in Lake County, Illinois. They developed symptoms in the middle of this month and died soon after. The Illinois Health Department says nine people across the state have come down with the virus so far this year. * SJ-R | Massey family makes presence felt at ex-deputy’s court hearing: About 20 to 30 members of Massey’s family and allies packed the courtroom Monday. “Every time Sean Grayson is here for court, you will see the Massey family,” promised Shadia Massey, Sonya Massey’s cousin, afterwards. * WAND | Blue Mound employee fired due to ‘actions detrimental to the Village’: The village board voted to terminate Jennifer Prasun at a meeting on July 1st. According to minutes from the meeting, employees and board members were encouraged not to discuss particular issues and were instructed to say that she was terminated due to “Actions detrimental to the Village.” * SJ-R | Rarely before seen Abraham Lincoln-related images now available to public. What to know: According to the library, 129 of the photos are of Lincoln. Some are from his time in Springfield, and some are from his presidency. Almost 200 of the photos are of Lincoln’s Tomb in Oak Ridge Cemetery, including some of Lincoln’s coffin when it was unearthed during a construction project in 1901. * KFVS | Southern Illinois Food Insecurity Summit held at John A. Logan College: Numbers from Feeding America show food insecurity affects approximately 13,000 children across southern Illinois. Jennifer Paulson is working to change that by supplying food and teaching sustainable farming methods through the non-profit Food Works. ”That can look like a lot of things: workshops for farmers, farmers markets, food hubs, and then the snap and link program at farmers markets across southern Illinois,” Paulson said. * Reuters | AI’s race for US energy butts up against bitcoin mining : The electricity scramble is jolting the energy-intensive cryptocurrency mining industry. Some miners are making huge profits leasing or selling their power-connected infrastructure and sites to tech, while others are losing access to the electricity needed to stay in business. “The AI battle for dominance is a battle being had by the biggest and best capitalized companies in the world and they care like their lives depend on it that they win,” said Greg Beard, CEO of Stronghold Digital Mining (SDIG.O), opens new tab, a publicly-traded bitcoin mining company. “Do they care about what they pay for power? Probably not.”
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Live coverage
Wednesday, Aug 28, 2024 - Posted by Isabel Miller * You can click here or here to follow breaking news. It’s the best we can do unless or until Twitter gets its act together.
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Selected press releases (Live updates)
Wednesday, Aug 28, 2024 - Posted by Isabel Miller
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