Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar » 2024

Wednesday, Sep 11, 2024 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* “Many Illinois county clerks have left amid mistrust, threats associated with 2024 election,” by CBS 2 Chicago…

“I don’t have bulletproof glass between me and my constituents,” said Knox County, Illinois Clerk Scott Erickson. “That’s not how we should be operating.” […]

After the 2020 election, the Capital riots of Jan. 6, 2021, and threats against election workers, Erickson said many clerks had enough. CBS News Chicago called each county clerk’s office in Illinois, and found since 2020, 39 of the state’s 102 counties reported they are now under new leadership.

That amounts to a nearly 40% turnover rate.

“They’re saying: You know what? I’m done. It’s crazy enough. I don’t want to deal with this anymore. I put up, I put in my time. I’m just going to walk away and not worry about elections,’” said Erickson.

* The Tribune’s Jason Meisner, the Sun-Times’ Jon Seidel and Hannah Meisel from Capitol News Illinois are live tweeting Paul La Schiazza’s bribery trial. Assistant US Attorney Paul Mower had this jab this morning…

La Schiazza knew that Acevedo was not liked in the legislature or by his own colleagues, Mower says. "Acevedo talked too much, drank too much, and was generally despised by Republicans in Springfield," Mower said.
Still, he saw McClain's request as a "go order" on their bill

— Jason Meisner (@jmetr22b) September 11, 2024

* Crain’s…

Stellantis is investing more than $406 million into three Michigan plants to build electrified Ram pickups and Jeep Wagoneer SUVs.

The company’s shuttered assembly plant in Belvidere, which it pledged to reopen for EV production in an agreement with the United Auto Workers last year, was unmentioned in the announcement of new investments. Stellantis said last month it was delaying initial plans to restart the plant just east of Rockford after facing accusations from the union that it was breaching their agreement.

The automaker said it will spend $235.5 million updating the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant to build the fully electric Ram 1500 REV and range-extended electric Ramcharger on the same assembly line as the gasoline-powered Ram 1500 pickup. To do this, the company said it partnered with “equipment suppliers and contractors to carefully plan and execute the installation of a new conveyor system, new automation for BEV-specific processes, and the retooling and rearrangement of workstations in general assembly.”

Stellantis said the Sterling Heights facility will be its first U.S. plant to make electric vehicles. Production of the Ram REV is scheduled to begin before the end of this year.

*** Statehouse News ***

* Sun-Times | Illinois AG Kwame Raoul, local Haitian Americans, deride Trump’s false accusation of Haitians eating pets:“My initial reaction was, I don’t even want to get offended, because that would reflect me recognizing it as a statement that was coming from somebody that was competent,” Raoul said.

*** Statewide ***

* The Times Weekly | Teen voter registration surges after Illinois’ pre-registration law took effect: Marking National Teen Voter Registration Day, Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias reported that nearly 50,000 16- and 17-year-olds have taken advantage of a new law that enables them to pre-register to vote before turning 18. National Teen Voter Registration Day is a nationwide push to get teens involved in the democratic process, with many communities hosting voter registration drives at local high schools.

* WSIL | The Mississippi River is running low again. It’s a problem for farmers moving beans and grain: It was just two months ago that much of the Mississippi River was above flood stage north of St. Louis. Since then, the river level has dropped steadily. The area south of St. Louis has been hit especially hard, mirroring low-water concerns that began around this same time of year in both 2022 and 2023. As part of the fallout, barge companies are forced to limit the soybeans, grain and other cargo they carry to prevent barges from potentially getting stuck. That means less profit for farmers.

*** Chicago ***

* Sun-Times | Three City Council leaders demand ouster of top mayoral aide who called police ‘f—ing pigs’: Ald. Chris Taliaferro (29th), the former Chicago Police sergeant who chairs the Council’s Police Committee, was so outraged by Bartley’s “disparaging” comments about the police, he demanded that Johnson take immediate action against her. […] Public Safety Committee Chair Brian Hopkins (2nd) argued that it is “incumbent on all city employees to support our first-responders” and Bartley’s comments are “incompatible” with that imperative.

* Chicago Reader | The Cook County state’s attorney’s Brady list is missing more than 100 cops who made false or misleading statements.: Reporters found that police officers are rarely investigated for making false reports alone. A review of more than two dozen COPA summary reports with sustained Rule 14 violations showed an overwhelming majority included disciplinary findings related to other rule violations. Many came in the context of serious misconduct allegations, such as excessive use of force, unlawful search or arrest, or wrongful discharge of a firearm.

* Block Club | After Lincoln Square Gym, Nearby Mosque Shot At, Muslim Chicagoans Fear ‘Targeted’ Attacks: Members of Chicago’s Muslim community are asking police to investigate whether multiple incidents where someone damaged windows and doors at an Irving Park mosque and a Muslim-owned martial arts gym in Lincoln Square in the past three months were targeted attacks. […] “I don’t understand. This is the second time we have camera footage of someone driving by and someone from the passenger side shoots at the gym. We made a police report and gave police footage back then,” Idriz Redzovic said.

* Chalkbeat | Special education advocates file new state complaint on bus service in Chicago Public Schools: The advocates say CPS is violating a federal law that requires districts to provide transportation for students with disabilities if it is in their Individualized Education Programs. They say students need reliable transportation to go to school without disruptions and are urging the state board to monitor the district as it did in 2021 and 2022. As of Sept. 4, the district reported 2,226 students with disabilities had yet to be routed. A spokesperson said the latest number includes new transportation requests, students who have been permanently approved for a stipend, and students who have been temporarily approved for a stipend but are waiting for a route. The district reported that 9,232 students had bus service as of Sept. 4, up from 8,782 students on Aug. 21.

* WBBM | Chicago to close three migrant shelters by end of October, officials say: Chicago, which at one point had 26 shelters, is down to 17. People in the shelters being closed will be offered places and service at one of the remaining shelters. City leaders said the decision to trim excess beds was made in the interest of fiscal responsibility.

* Sun-Times | Parting shot? Last-ditch effort seeks to let Chicago’s top cop extend ShotSpotter deal: Ald. David Moore (17th) introduced the ordinance in mid-July, pushing to give Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling the power to extend the existing deal with ShotSpotter’s parent company, SoundThinking, or enter into a new contract for similar technology. Moore told the Sun-Times he plans to use a parliamentary maneuver at next week’s City Council meeting to force a vote on the ordinance, which has languished in the rules committee, where legislation often goes to die.

* WTTW | Ex-Ald. Carrie Austin Set to Stand Trial Nov. 3, 2025 — More Than 4 Years After Indictment: However, it remains far from certain that Austin, 75, will ever face a jury. U.S. District Court Judge John F. Kness ordered Austin to undergo a physical examination by an expert doctor to determine whether she is too ill to stand trial, as her lawyers insist. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois say the evidence shows Austin is “alert, lucid and responsive” and fit to stand trial.

* City Bureau | ‘I Know What I’m Worth’: The Joys and Struggles of Chicago’s Migrant Go-Go Dancers: At this particular nightclub, about seven dancers are Venezuelan or Colombian. A bar patron in town from Texas said he noticed this same trend in male strip clubs down south, as well. The shift, in some ways, is tied to cultural tropes of Latino passion, says Héctor Carrillo, a professor of sociology at Northwestern University who studies sexuality, immigration and health. His 2017 book, “Pathways of Desire: The Sexual Migration of Mexican Gay Men,” tells the stories of gay Mexican immigrants in San Diego, before and after their journeys to the United States.

* Crain’s | Obamas’ old Hyde Park condo hits the market: Kurt and Jennifer Elling are asking $550,000 for the four-bedroom condo in East View Park, a block-long row of brick six-flats that share a big private greenspace and face a quiet stretch of public park west of DuSable Lake Shore Drive. The first-floor condo, which still has the green tile fireplace Michelle Obama is pictured with in an early 2000s portrait shot by Katrina Wittkamp for Chicago magazine, is going on the market today.

* Tribune | At Chiu Quon, Chicago’s oldest Chinese bakery, mooncakes take center stage for the Mid-Autumn Festival: The moon-shaped pastries are not just desserts but symbols of the harvest season carrying with them the cultural heritage honored across Asia, said Joyce Chiu, owner of Chiu Quon Bakery. “Moon festival is a time for families to get together, have a nice meal together and sit around sharing mooncakes,” Chiu said. “And all the little details, the packaging, and the design are always super intentional.”

*** Cook County and Suburbs ***

* Daily Southtown | Thornton Township trustees vote to cancel events planned by Supervisor Tiffany Henyard: During a combative meeting Tuesday night, Thornton Township trustees refused to approve events they say invite reckless spending on the part of Supervisor Tiffany Henyard, who has been under consistent scrutiny for financial mismanagement as township supervisor and Dolton mayor. Henyard railed against Trustees Chris Gonzalez, Carmen Carlisle and Gerald Jones for voting to cancel the upcoming Gospel Fest, House Fest and bingo, saying the events predate her administration. The board approved the monthly Tech Savvy event that provides technology skills training with a reduced budget.

* Aurora Beacon-News | Aurora gathers to reflect on those lost during Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks: ‘Never forget’: Former Aurora resident Miguel Munoz, who now lives in Kentucky, was in town this week to visit his wife’s family and decided to bring his 9-year-old daughter Rin to Aurora’s event on Wednesday honoring those who lost their lives 23 years ago during the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States. “I wanted her to be here because I think it’s important for her to know the history,” Munoz said about his daughter as they waited for the start of the ceremony held outside the Aurora Police Department headquarters at 1200 E. Indian Trail. “Eventually, she is going to start learning about this in school, but I wanted her to have a first-hand experience about how people felt during that time – people who were there and people who were around then.”

* Daily Herald | Sugar Grove OKs controversial 761-acre development proposal: Despite passionate opposition from some residents, the Sugar Grove village board on Tuesday approved the controversial mixed-use The Grove development. The board voted 4-2 to annex 761 acres at I-88 and Route 47, and create a planned development district with housing, offices, stores and businesses that could include warehouses and data centers.

*** Downstate ***

* WSIL | Williamson County Supervisor of Assessments to Resign: The Williamson County Supervisor of Assessments Alex Simpson stated he was asked by the Williamson County Commissioners to resign his position. This resignation letter was dated for September 11, 2024.

* SJ-R | ‘Moved’ by SPD chief’s speech, family of crash victim wants transparency in investigation: An emotional Springfield Police Chief Ken Scarlette said Tuesday that a retired police sergeant charged in a crash involving two people on a motorcycle last week “failed his oath” and “embarrassed the profession of law enforcement.” Scarlette also apologized for “the lack of compassion” shown by officers at the crash site near Lake Springfield where many believe Michael Egan, who was on the last day of his job but off duty, was shown favoritism.

* NPR Illinois | UIS sees a slight drop in fall enrollment: The University of Illinois Springfield has 33 fewer students on campus this fall compared to a year ago. The school announced its official enrollment numbers Wednesday. The drop ends a two year run of enrollment increases. Last year, the number of students jumped 11%.

* WCIA | Crunching the numbers of U of I’s record-breaking enrollment: University officials said total student enrollment for the fall of 2024 stands at a record number of 59,238. This number consists of 37,140 undergraduates and 20,765 graduate students who attend in-person, on-campus classes and classes online. The freshman Class of 2028 consists of 9,008 students, also a new record. Within this number:

* STLPR | East St. Louis forum attendees propose community-driven solutions to child poverty: Children’s Advocates for Change, a Chicago-based nonprofit organization, hosted a forum aimed at addressing child poverty in East St. Louis, where the poverty rate for children is three times the national average. More than 100 educators, religious leaders, metro-east officials and others gathered at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s East St. Louis Learning Center to discuss potential solutions.

*** National ***

* AP | Election officials warn that widespread problems with the US mail system could disrupt voting: In an alarming letter, the officials said that over the past year, including the just-concluded primary season, mailed ballots that were postmarked on time were received by local election offices days after the deadline to be counted. They also noted that properly addressed election mail was being returned to them as undeliverable, a problem that could automatically send voters to inactive status through no fault of their own, potentially creating chaos when those voters show up to cast a ballot.

* Missouri Independent | GOP legislator’s son asks Supreme Court to order inquiry into donations to Missouri AG: Eight months into his term as Missouri’s attorney general, Andrew Bailey withdrew his office from defending a state agency being sued by a legislator’s son for disability discrimination. A few months earlier, his campaign and an affiliated political action committee accepted more than $150,000 in donations connected to a witness in the case.

6 Comments

Map shows historical decline of county populations, with about a third peaking between 1870 and 1900

Wednesday, Sep 11, 2024 - Posted by Rich Miller

* This map is from a PowerPoint displayed at a recent faculty Senate meeting at Western Illinois University. Click the pic for a larger image…

The full document is here.

Discuss.

36 Comments

Question of the day

Wednesday, Sep 11, 2024 - Posted by Rich Miller

* AG press release…

Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a bipartisan coalition of 42 attorneys general, is calling on lawmakers to pass legislation requiring a U.S. surgeon general warning on all algorithm-driven social media platforms. Raoul and the coalition issued a letter to Congress amid growing scrutiny of social media companies for their role in generational harm to young people’s mental health.

“Our children should be aware that social media platforms utilize features to make their platforms more addictive to young people. These algorithm-driven platforms can interfere with sleep and education, enable cyberbullying and contribute to depression, anxiety, body dysmorphia and thoughts of self-harm,” Raoul said. “I am committed to holding responsible actors accountable for putting profits ahead of mental health and well-being of our children.”

In the letter, Raoul and the coalition highlight growing bodies of research that link young people’s use of social media platforms to psychological harm, including depression, anxiety and even suicidal thoughts in children and teens. The attorneys general also note how platforms feature irresistible algorithm recommendations, infinite scrolling and a constant stream of notifications that are designed to keep kids relentlessly engaged on the platforms, even at the expense of taking breaks, engaging in other activities or sleeping.

This is Raoul’s latest action to hold social media platforms accountable for the harm they have caused young people. In 2023, Raoul joined a lawsuit against Meta Platforms Inc. (Meta), the company that owns and operates Facebook and Instagram, for its harmful business practices targeting children. Earlier this year, Raoul led a bipartisan coalition calling on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to update and strengthen the rules technology companies must follow under the federal Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).

Despite these efforts to address the harms caused by social media platforms, Raoul and the attorneys general say the need for federal action is clear. The coalition said in the letter that more action is necessary because, “social media platforms have demonstrated an unwillingness to fix the problem on their own.”

Joining Raoul in submitting the letter are attorneys general of Alabama, American Samoa, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

The letter is here.

* The Question: What do you think about this proposal? Explain.

12 Comments

23 years after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Illinois remembers the lives lost

Wednesday, Sep 11, 2024 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* Governor Pritzker…

23 years ago, our nation watched in horror as the 9/11 attacks unfolded.

We come together on this day of remembrance to honor those we lost and the brave heroes who risked their lives to save their fellow Americans. Their sacrifice can never be repaid.

We will never forget.

— Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) September 11, 2024

* Patch…

In the days immediately following the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001, Oak Lawn police officers and firefighters traveled to assist the beleaguered New York City first responders where 343 firefighters and 72 police officers died responding to the World Trade Center attacks.

Nine years later, some of those same Oak Lawn first responders went to New York to escort four beams from the fallen towers back to Oak Lawn. For those unfamiliar or to young to remember the installation of the 9/11 memorial in front of the train station, here is a timeline: […]

Four WTC beams arrived in Oak Lawn on a flatbed truck Dec. 17, 2010. The beams were escorted by four Oak Lawn first responders who had volunteered to assist in the aftermath in New York City. Prior to that, Ground Zero debris was being held as crime scene evidence by the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, which owned the trade center. The port authority was granted permission by the courts to make pieces of the wreckage available to communities for 9/11 memorials nationwide.

Prior to the beams’ arrival, the Oak Lawn Village Board entered into an agreement with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to bring remnants of the World Trade Center to the village. […]

Footing the costs for transporting the beams from New York and New Jersey were the Oak Lawn Police and Fire Clubs, and the International Union of Operation Engineers Local 150. […]

Renowned sculptor Erik Blome, whose works dot the North American landscape —including the larger-than-life-sized bronze bust of Jean-Baptiste Pointe DuSable on Michigan Avenue – was hired to create the memorial with the help of students from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. […]

Embedded into the obelisks are likenesses of hands and faces of people: police officers, fire fighters, and civilians who came to the aid of strangers.

* Winnetka annually plants 2,977 American Flags to remember victims…

Winnetka, IL: Neighbors, students, and village officials planted nearly 3000 flags to remember the lives lost on this date in 2001. #neverforget pic.twitter.com/VAvofrCi5s

— Trent 🇺🇸 (@tnertz) September 11, 2024

* Chicago Fire Department…

Today, we honor and remember the 343 members of the FDNY and all the lives taken during 9/11 Terrorist Attack on America. The CFD and the City of Chicago will never forget. pic.twitter.com/ukxo3oeVly

— Chicago Fire Media (@CFDMedia) September 11, 2024

* More…

* SJ-R | ‘I’m not sure if it ever, ever sunk in’: Harvel World Trade Center survivor remembers 9/11: When a plane initially hit Tower 1 of the World Trade Center at 7:46 a.m. on Sept. 11, 2001, Shelley Lebeck felt the building go sideways and then right itself. Lebeck, a Harvel native working on the 44th floor as an office manager for a trade group for Wall Street technical analysts, said she thought it was an explosion. A small plane flying into the building also crossed her mind. […] “I’m not sure if it ever, ever sunk in, that it was all gone like that,” Lebeck said of the twin towers.

* WILL | 800 Miles from Ground Zero: 9/11’s Impact on Central Illinois: The first plane hit the World Trade Center in NYC at 7:46 CST in 2001. In this first episode of 800 Miles from Ground Zero: 9/11’s Impact on Central Illinois listeners hear memories from this day and the weeks following from a variety of people currently living in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois who recount their experiences during a time that horrified, traumatized, and brought together a nation.

* NBC Chicago | From the Archives: Survivor Recalls His Viral 9/11 Email: Adam Mayblum worked on the 87th floor of the World Trade Center’s north tower, just below where American Airlines Flight 11 struck, and he was one of the few who made it out. Shortly after he walked down all those flights of stairs, past firefighters going the other way, he wrote an email to family and friends describing his experience. It quickly went viral, and Mayblum’s words resonated around the world as people were able to relive those moments he spent inside the tower.

* Patch | 9/11 Remembrance Events Scheduled For Glencoe, Northfield, Winnetka: In communities around New Trier Township, ceremonies are being held to honor those slain. In Glencoe, the public safety department has partnered with the Am Shalom synagogue to host a memorial service at the flagpole at the coroner of Vernon and Lincoln avenues. It begins at 7:46 a.m. on Wednesday.

* WGN | CFD hold memorial tribute on 23rd anniversary of 9/11 terrorist attacks: The Chicago Fire Department held a memorial tribute on Wednesday at Engine 42 headquarters on the Near North Side to mark the 23rd anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. A moment of silence is scheduled occurred at 7:46 a.m.

* Shaw Local | 9/11 remembrances will mark anniversary in McHenry County: Algonquin: The Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District will host a public remembrance ceremony at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday at Riverfront Park, 201 N Harrison St., Algonquin. Carpentersville: Join the Carpentersville Fire Department in the 23rd anniversary of the National Day of Service and Remembrance 8:30 a.m. Wednesday at Carpentersville Fire Station 91, 213 Spring St.

* WSIL | Benton School Honors Victims of 9/11 Attacks: A local school is honoring the victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks. The Benton Consolidated High School is displaying 2,977 American Flags on their front lawn and joining campuses across the nation this week in honoring the victims. This is part of the Never Forget Project with the Young America’s Foundation which launched in 2003.

* Daily Herald | Sept. 11 observances across the suburbs: Evanston 9/11 Ceremony: 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11, at Firemen’s Park, Simpson Street and Maple Avenue in Evanston. The Evanston fire and police departments will honor the brave men and women who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001.

* KMOX | Saluki Stair Climb in Southern Illinois set to honor 9/11 victims: Lt. Col Chay Derbigny, commander and professor of aerospace studies for SIUC’s Air Force ROTC detachment 205, explained that his predecessor originally came up with the idea. “She had the idea last year and she ran it. I mean that was her baby and she made it an incredible event that doubled the pot of people that they were expecting to participate just out of her marketing efforts,” said Derbigny.

5 Comments

IDOC responds to more Menard claims from Sen. Bryant

Wednesday, Sep 11, 2024 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Some background is here if you need it. Sen. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) was on Will Stephens’ WXAN radio show on Monday and said this about Menard Correctional Center, which is in her district…

Last week, the director [of the Illinois Department of Corrections] went to the facility on Thursday. These are the reports that I’m receiving. When she got there, she brought an entourage with her. They decided to go on to the North 2 Seg Unit, which is where a lot of the problems are being found.

And when they went on the unit, they all wore face masks. That angered the offenders, because they don’t have face masks. So they began acting out. Set some mattresses on fire, began flooding the cell house. I’m told that they actually had to bring the TAC unit on to get them to escort them off the gallery. And then the next morning, the statewide TAC team showed up, did a shakedown of North 2.

The reports that I’m receiving are that they found K2, they found a bunch of other contraband, maybe a shank.

And then I’m also hearing that in the mail room, they found some fentanyl coming in through the mail. There were multiple individuals, again, taken to the hospital, some by ambulance on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. There are some unofficial reports coming out today, on Monday, that there’s another fentanyl exposure at Menard today, and I’m scheduled to go to Menard tomorrow to tour the facility. Let’s see if that happens. I’m willing to go. I don’t know if they willing to let me in, so I should find out later today if that happens.

* So, I reached out to IDOC for a response and received this late yesterday afternoon…

On Thursday, 9/5, Acting Director Hughes and executive staff members made an unannounced visit to Menard Correctional Center. As is standard practice, the director and staff were escorted by the Emergency Response Team (ERT), who were on-site for scheduled work that day. The Department maintains a long-standing practice, especially at a maximum-security facility, that assigned security staff and administrative staff escort the director and executive staff members during their visits.

The Department is currently urging all staff to utilize PPE including masks and the Acting Director and staff followed that protocol. All individuals in custody can request masks, and one individual did during the tour and his request was promptly granted. During the tour, the group visited a housing unit floor to speak with individuals in custody. There were reports of individuals in custody flooding their cells in North 2, and water was observed on the floor in North 2. Additionally, there were reports of some individuals burning items, but none of the incidents necessitated using fire extinguishers or hoses. No events occurred during the visit that required the Emergency Response Team (ERT) to escort the group out of the gallery or any other part of the facility. The facility has been on a level 1 lockdown since August 28 to allow for a thorough investigation of ongoing challenges related to employees reporting medical symptoms. Individuals in custody have expressed their concern to the director, and IDOC is working to return to normal operations as soon as possible.

On Friday, 9/6, the TACT Team began their previously scheduled searches as part of the ongoing investigation at Menard. During the searches, the team discovered a piece of paper, which yielded a preliminary positive result for synthetic cannabinoids. An additional discovery from the mailroom revealed a book with several pages being covered in an oily substance, which yielded a preliminary positive result for Fentanyl.

On Saturday 9/7, TACT continued searches and confiscated two improvised weapons and made two separate discoveries of pieces of paper that yielded a preliminary positive result for synthetic cannabinoids.

During cell searches on Sunday 9/8, the TACT team located a liquid substance in a nasal spray bottle, but preliminary testing did not yield any known substance. Additionally on Sunday 9/8, the team located pieces of paper saturated in an unknown substance, which yielded a preliminary positive result for synthetic cannabinoids. The Department is working with the Illinois State Police (ISP) to conduct further testing of those items. All substances located during the searches on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday were sent to ISP for additional testing.

On Monday 9/9, TACT continued searches and made three different recoveries of pieces of paper that yielded a preliminary positive result for synthetic cannabinoids. These items were sent to ISP for additional testing.

In a separate incident on Monday, 9/9, one staff member from the mailroom started exhibiting symptoms while opening mail and was transported to an outside hospital via ambulance. The remaining staff in the mailroom were then relocated to the facility’s warehouse. While in the warehouse, another mailroom employee exhibited symptoms and was transported to an outside hospital via ambulance. Subsequently, two other staff members, who were not in the mailroom but came in contact with the first two mailroom employees, started exhibiting symptoms and were taken to the outside hospital via ambulance. Later, one mailroom staff member reported feeling ill and was transported to an outside hospital via state vehicle. Another mailroom staff member was taken to the hospital by state vehicle without symptoms for precautionary measures. All impacted staff were treated and released. A team consisting of members of the Illinois State Police (ISP), supported by members of the Illinois National Guard, were on-site to assist with testing items of concern in the mailroom. The investigation into the recent events at Menard are ongoing.

13 Comments

Open thread

Wednesday, Sep 11, 2024 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* What’s going on? Keep it Illinois-centric please…

17 Comments

Isabel’s morning briefing

Wednesday, Sep 11, 2024 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* ICYMI: Opening statements are scheduled to begin this morning in the federal corruption trial of Paul La Schiazza. Capitol News Illinois…

* Related stories…

∙ Tribune: Jury selected in trial of ex-AT&T boss accused of bribing Michael Madigan
∙ Tribune: Opening statements to kick off trial of ex-AT&T boss accused of bribing Ex-House Speaker Madigan

*** Isabel’s Top Picks ***

* WAND | Illinois agency criticized for implementation of child care provider grant program: The Smart Start grant program was created to help day care providers recruit and retain workers without burdening families by raising tuition or co-pays. However, the Illinois Department of Human Services implemented the grant program without a top committee of state lawmakers approving the rules. JCAR members noted that DHS did not file rules for the grant program until July 5, 2024. Yet, the agency had already opened and closed the application process for the grant program before filing the rules. “While the department cited the need to negotiate with stakeholders and obtain appropriations for the program as the reason for the delay in promulgating rules, the consultation and rulemaking processes could have been started any time after the public act became effective,” JCAR wrote.

* PJ Star | ‘Serious criminal charges’ possible as Peoria police investigating anti-violence group: Peoria Mayor Rita Ali said she has not yet had any discussions with the City/County Board of Health about its decision to cut ties with the Cure Violence initiative but did say she “respects their decision” and understands that there were “capacity issues” with some of the non-profits awarded money. “I think there became some problems along the way from what I understand, again without many real details, I think there were some capacity issues,” Ali told the Journal Star. “I was disappointed, of course, that Cure Violence is not likely to continue or happen for Peoria. It is a national and international strategy and project that has happened very successfully in other cities across the world and across the nation.”

* Capitol News Illinois | Supreme Court hears cases pertaining to detention under the SAFE-T Act: The second case the court heard Tuesday concerned Christian Mikolaitis, 19, of Elwood, who was arrested in December 2023 and charged with attempted first-degree murder and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon for allegedly stabbing another individual during a drug deal. Prosecutors filed a petition to hold Mikolaitis pending trial, arguing that he continued to pose a real and present danger to the victim. But they did not make an argument as to why conditions of release could not mitigate the risk he posed.

*** Chicago ***

* Block Club | City To Close Troubled Pilsen Migrant Shelter, 2 Others As Pace Of New Arrivals Slows: The city is closing three more migrant shelters — including one of its largest and most troubled — as a federal order slows border crossings and a pledge to send more buses during the Democratic National Convention did not materialize. Next month, the city will close the three shelters located at a Pilsen warehouse, 2241 S. Halsted St., a West Loop office building, 344 N. Ogden Ave., and Kenwood’s Lakeshore Hotel, 4900 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, a Department of Family and Support Services spokesperson said in a statement.

* Tribune | As shelters close, a CPS migrant family sleeps in a truck to stay close to school: Facing pressure to leave the shelter from city officials but wanting to stay near his son’s school, Reynaldo’s father Yohan Perdomo, 37, made the decision to sleep in the truck instead of move elsewhere. “If I had a job, I would rent an apartment and move us there,” said Perdomo, who has struggled to find stable work for the past eight months to move them out of a migrant shelter on the Lower West Side.

* Fox Chicago | One of Chicago Mayor Johnson’s top aides calls police ‘f—ing pigs’ in 2021 podcast: Kennedy Bartley allegedly made the comments during a 2021 podcast interview. She is currently Johnson’s Managing Deputy for External Relations, a position that was created for her back in May. […] The comments came as part of a conversation about the killing of Elijah McClain, a suburban Denver man, at the hands of police and paramedics.

* Sun-Times | Victim recalls tire-cutting that led to charges against 2 Chicago cops: ‘They just started slashing’: Police officials sought felony charges against the officers, but they weren’t approved by prosecutors. “After a thorough review of the information presented to us by police, it was determined that the evidence was insufficient to meet our burden of proof to file felony charges,” according to a spokesperson for the Cook County state’s attorney’s office.

* ABC Chicago | Northwest Side residents ask city to remove homeless encampment from Gompers Park: ‘It’s not safe’: Members of the Restore Gompers Park Coalition delivered petitions to the alderperson’s office Tuesday morning, asking that the city begin moving them out of the park. They say those living there are part of the unhoused population and are not migrants or recent arrivals. “We want proper housing for these individuals. We’re not saying kick them out and put them on the street,” said Gail Fritz with the Restore Gompers Park Coalition.

* Sun-Times | Transgender woman slain on West Side; family calls for hate crime investigation: Redd is the first trans woman killed in Chicago this year, though violence against trans women is often underreported. At least 14 transgender and gender-nonconforming people have been killed in Chicago since 2016, according to data compiled by the Sun-Times, and the majority of those cases remain unsolved.

*** Cook County and Suburbs ***

* Sun-Times | Hot mic still smoldering? Former judge caught insulting lawyer is facing state complaint: The complaint against former Associate Judge William Raines was filed in August by the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission, which accused him of violating its code of conduct. […] After Bonjean left the Zoom hearing, Raines began talking to others in the virtual courtroom, describing Bonjean’s demeanor during the proceedings as “entertaining.” “Did you see her going nuts? Glasses off, fingers through her hair, the phone’s going all over the place. It’s insane,” Raines said, according to the commission’s complaint filing.

* Daily Herald | DuPage County Clerk asks for private attorney to represent her: The DuPage County state’s attorney’s office last week filed the lawsuit that claims Kaczmarek is breaking state law because she has refused to indicate from where in her budget a bill should be paid when the dedicated budget line item does not have enough money to cover a bill’s payment. Kaczmarek’s request for a private attorney comes days after DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin filed a motion requesting that a special state’s attorney be appointed to represent the clerk since his office cannot represent both her and the county in the legal dispute.

* AP | Protections sought for prison workers in closing of aging Illinois prison: On Tuesday, 187 inmates remained at Stateville, AFSCME spokesperson Anders Lindall said. When plaintiffs in the case sought an injunction in July to shutter Stateville, AFSCME expected Corrections to oppose it, according to the complaint. It says that days before Wood’s ruling, AFSCME and the Department of Central Management Services, the state’s personnel agency, agreed that bargaining over the employee impact of Stateville’s shutdown was premature because Corrections’ plans were not finalized.

* Naperville Sun | Changes in state legislation prompt Naperville Park District to consider ban on e-scooters, altered drone regulations: The modification is in response to a state measure that Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed into law last month. The legislation — Senate Bill 1960 — created a definition for “low-speed electric scooter” in Illinois Vehicle Code and provides a regulatory framework for the operation of electric scooters by local governments that authorize their use by ordinance.

* Shaw Local | Joliet, Lockport bridges top list of IDOT projects for Will County: Bridge repairs and replacements top the Illinois Department of Transportation’s ongoing and planned infrastructure projects in Will County over the next six years. Ten projects across the county represent a total investment of $118 million through the Rebuild Illinois capital program, according to a news release from IDOT.

*** Downstate ***

* WAND | Springfield Police Chief says disgraced Sgt. failed his oath: The chief said during the meeting, “That oath doesn’t end the day that you retire, that oath is something you take with you to your grave. That man failed this oath, that man embarrassed the profession of law enforcement. That man should be ashamed of his actions, his selfish actions that led to such a horrific crash.” Egan had just retired. Chief Scarlett also reiterated his commitment to a transparent internal investigation of his office.

* SJ-R | Former Springfield Police sergeant pleads not guilty in aggravated DUI case: Egan, said Sangamon County State’s Attorney John Milhiser, was released from custody with conditions after the hearing. Egan cannot legally drive a vehicle or go to any bars. He must undergo a drug and alcohol assessment and cooperate with probation. Braud set an Oct. 3 preliminary hearing for Egan, who faces 1 to 12 years behind bars if convicted. The charge is probation eligible.

* WAND | Springfield bridge to be renamed “Massey Memorial Bridge”: During Tuesday night”s Springfield City Council meeting the council approved a measure to commission a mural for the Jefferson Bridge, and work with IDOT to rename the bridge in her honor. Springfield Alderwoman Erin Conley spoke at the meeting and stated, “Sonya Massey’s mom is in the audience tonight and I just want to say this is a very small gesture in terms of everything, but we’re honored to have her name as part of our city. We will keep her in our hearts and in our thoughts.”

* Rockford Register Star | Rockford has a $23 million budget surplus. Here’s how it hopes to spend the money: Rockford could use a $23 million 2023 budget surplus to give a one-time boost to its neighborhood road program, close TIF Districts that are in the red and complete several road resurfacing projects. Collections of income taxes and corporate replacement taxes that flowed into the city from the state of Illinois far exceeded expectations last year, Finance Director Carrie Hagerty said. The city also saved money because of vacancies in the Rockford Police Department.

* WREX | Hard Rock Casino Rockford says things are going well less than two weeks after opening: “It’s more about just watching people feed into the building and see how they utilize the space and how they move around and navigate the space. We’ve identified some areas that are a little bit busier than we had thought they would be and probably should have bigger aisleways,” President, Geno Iafrate said. […] “Occupancy and visitation has just been through the roof. We actually twice on opening weekend, we exceeded capacity and had to stop letting people in the building, which I wish that wasn’t the case but at the same time that’s pretty exciting that you got more people than we can actually fit in the building,” Iafrate said.

* WQAD | City of Rock Island approves purchase of drones for police department: The Rock Island Police Department will be receiving three drones after city council members voted to approve the purchase on Monday, Sept. 9. All three devices will cost just over $53,000. The city plans to use part of its American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for the purchase. RIPD will now join numerous other Quad Cities agencies using the technology, including the Moline Police Department, East Moline Police Department, Rock Island County Sheriff’s Office, Scott County Sheriff’s Office, Bettendorf Police Department and the Rock Island Fire Department.

* WAND | One year of progress at Scheels Sport Park: While the over 50 acre plot of dirt behind Scheels might not seem like much, a lot of work has happened in the lot since the groundbreaking occurred a year ago. Construction crews have laid more than two miles of underground piping, set up electrical wires for overhead lights, and built drainage systems for the outdoor fields. Soon crews will start building the foundation of the building and prepare to place the dome. A new General Manager was added to the Sports Park team today. Brandon Doherty will lead the facilities team for the rest of the construction, and when the building is completed.

* PJ Star | Peoria’s Brat Summer? Pop star Charli XCX shares TikTok while rehearsing in Illinois: Iconic English singer and songwriter Charli XCX — whose album Brat was a pop culture phenomenon this summer — was apparently in Peoria, Illinois, this week while rehearsing for her upcoming tour with fellow pop star Troye Sivan. The two filmed a TikTok on the streets of Downtown Peoria, posted Monday, in which the duo walks down Main Street near the intersection of Perry Avenue. The words “sweat tour rehearsals lfg” are on screen.

*** National ***

* WaPo | 42 state AGs endorse federal plan to add warning labels on social media: A coalition of over 40 state attorneys general urged Congress on Tuesday to place labels on social media platforms warning of their potential risks to children, rallying substantial bipartisan support behind a proposal championed by U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy. In a June op-ed, Murthy called on federal lawmakers to pass legislation authorizing the placement of tobacco-style surgeon general’s labels “stating that social media is associated with significant mental health harms for adolescents.” Murthy said the move would help tackle concerns that social media is fueling real-world harms among kids and teens.

* WaPo | Elon Musk’s misleading election claims reach millions and alarm election officials: A separate analysis found that 50 of Musk’s false or misleading claims about the U.S. election between Jan. 1 and July 31 were debunked by independent fact-checkers and still generated almost 1.2 billion views, according to a recent study from the Center for Countering Digital Hate. None displayed community notes, X’s term for user-generated fact checks that Musk has promised serve as an “immediate way to refute anything false” that is posted on the platform.

15 Comments

Energy Storage Now!

Wednesday, Sep 11, 2024 - Posted by Advertising Department

[The following is a paid advertisement.]

If a major storm hits and the electricity goes out, are you prepared? Will your family be safe? What about your friends and neighbors? With climate change causing more massive storms, now is the time to ask yourself these questions. Fortunately, there is a solution.

On a typical day, clean energy – like solar and wind installations – creates more energy than we can use that day. The solution? Store now so we can use it later. That stored energy can then be used in the event of a traditional power outage. With storage capacity, we can use energy when it’s needed most, and optimize the clean power produced by wind and solar — making power more affordable and reliable for Illinois.

Make sure you’re ready, and make sure Illinois is ready. Click here to learn more!

Paid for by Counterspark.

Comments Off

Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Supplement to today’s edition

Wednesday, Sep 11, 2024 - Posted by Rich Miller

Comments Off

Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today’s edition of Capitol Fax (use all CAPS in password)

Wednesday, Sep 11, 2024 - Posted by Rich Miller

Comments Off

Live coverage

Wednesday, Sep 11, 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.