• House Bill 3699 would allow Metropolitan Enforcement Groups, or cooperatives of law enforcement, to work together to target carjacking.
• The measure would allow the Metropolitan Enforcement Groups to receive state grants to assist in enforcement.
• A person commits vehicular hijacking when he or she knowingly takes a motor vehicle from the person or the immediate presence of another by the use of force or threatening the imminent use of force.
o Carjacking is currently a Class 1 felony, punishable by 4-15 years imprisonment. If a gun is used in the carjacking, the person is guilty of a Class X felony, punishable by 15 years up to natural life imprisonment.
• House Bill 3699 would provide additional resources to law enforcement to target and capture these offenders.
House Bill 3772 (Aquino/Peters)
• House Bill 3772 would provide protections for victims of carjackings who receive red light or speed camera violations after their vehicle has been hijacked.
• Under the measure, if a person receives a citation due to one of these systems, the court or hearing officer would be able to consider whether the vehicle was hijacked before the violation occurred or not under the control of or possession of the vehicle at the time of violation.
• Under current law, any county or municipality can charge administrative, towing and storage fees if a person’s car is impounded. However, under House Bill 3772, those fees would be waived if an owner submits proof that a report demonstrating the vehicle was hijacked was filed with law enforcement in a timely manner.
…Adding… Press release…
Last year alone, more carjackings were reported in Chicago than in any other city. To address the increase of the crime and provide relief to victims, Illinois Senate Democrats are spearheading legislation which they outlined at a press conference Tuesday.
“When someone is a victim of a carjacking, they are already dealing with a traumatic experience that could be worsened by burdensome fees and tickets they weren’t even at fault for,” said State Senator Omar Aquino (D-Chicago). “This measure is about ensuring economic security for folks who have already been victimized.”
Aquino’s House Bill 3772 would provide protections for victims of carjackings who receive red light or speed camera violations after their vehicle has been hijacked. Under the measure, if a person receives a citation due to one of these camera violations, the court or hearing officer would be able to consider whether the vehicle was hijacked before the violation occurred or the victim not under the control of or possession of the vehicle at the time of violation.
Additionally, if a person’s car was towed following a carjacking, the associated fees would be waived if they submit their police report.
According to a January report from CNN, cities around the country have seen an increase in the rate of carjackings in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 1,800 carjackings were reported in Chicago last year, according to data released by police departments to CNN.
Chicago’s 2021 tally was the most on record over the last 20 years. Carjackings had been steadily declining in the city after 2001, hitting a low of 303 in 2014 but began to tick upward before skyrocketing to 1,400 in 2020 following the onset of the pandemic. Last year saw more than five times as many carjackings as in 2014.
State Senator Robert Martwick (D-Chicago) is sponsoring House Bill 3699, which would allow Metropolitan Enforcement Groups, or cooperatives of law enforcement, to work together to target carjacking. Further, it would allow the Metropolitan Enforcement Groups to receive state grants to assist in enforcement, and provide additional resources to law enforcement to target and capture these offenders.
“The uptick in carjackings is a disturbing trend,” Martwick said. “But because of the nature of the crime, suspects aren’t often caught. By allowing law enforcement officers to put their heads together to decipher ways to tackle the ongoing issue, we are a step closer to getting to the bottom of the issue.”
Members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus hope to hear the bills on the Senate floor before the planned April 8 adjournment date.
“Our view is that the state is heading in the right direction,” said Eric Kim, the head of U.S. state ratings for Fitch Ratings, which dropped Illinois’ bond rating to a notch above junk bond status in the early days of the pandemic.
Fitch was the last of the three major bond ratings agencies to put Illinois on the cusp of junk bond status, but the other two ratings agencies increased Illinois’ bond rating last summer. The upgrades were the first time in two decades that Illinois had received better bond ratings.
If trends continue, Kim said, Fitch may upgrade its grade for Illinois bonds, too. “We’ve been seeing some positive things over the past year and a half,” he said. […]
While congressional Republicans have criticized the $350 billion in support for state and local governments as a blue state bailout, Kim, the Fitch Ratings analyst, said other federal support helped Illinois and other states even more.
“Frankly, the entire country, every state, every city and every local government benefited from all the economic stimulus that the federal government provided – trillions and trillions of dollars,” he said.
When 7th grade student Gentry Heiple of Carterville approached State Rep. Dave Severin with an idea for a new law, he began a journey that now includes a visit to the State Capitol in Springfield to serve as a Page for a Day.
“It has been a pleasure getting to know Gentry and his mom and dad through this process,” Severin said. “Gentry is an animal enthusiast, and came to me with an idea to designate the Eastern Milksnake as the state’s official snake.” […]
Last week, the Illinois Senate unanimously passed HB 4821. The bill now heads to the desk of Governor JB Pritzker.
Rep. Severin made a point of introducing me to Gentry yesterday…
* Last week, I had the opportunity to meet Kyra Jagodzinski, who is a volunteer for Sen. Melinda Bush. Kyra is just 16 and she wrote this bill…
Provides that all employees shall be entitled to use a maximum of 2 weeks (10 work days) of unpaid bereavement leave to be absent from work due to (i) a miscarriage; (ii) an unsuccessful round of intrauterine insemination or of an assisted reproductive technology procedure; (iii) a failed adoption match or an adoption that is not finalized because it is contested by another party; (iv) a failed surrogacy agreement; (v) a diagnosis that negatively impacts pregnancy or fertility; or (vi) a stillbirth. Provides that the employer may not require that the employee identify which category of event the leave pertains to as a condition of exercising rights under the Act.
Her bill passed both chambers. That’s pretty darned amazing.
* Gov. Pritzker was asked today if he supports the DGA’s efforts against Richard Irvin…
I’ve been a Democrat my whole life and I’ve supported not just the DGA, but the DCCC, the DNC and Democrats up and down the ticket both here in Illinois and across the nation. So, I think it’s important that Democrats be involved in telling the truth out there. And when it comes to what the DGA is doing here in Illinois, they’re simply telling the truth, which is more than the Irvin campaign can say. So they’re getting the word out about what the truth is about his record.
* Press release…
Continuing to build a statewide, grassroots-powered campaign, Democratic Secretary of State candidate Anna Valencia today announced her best fundraising quarter of the campaign, bringing in a total of $456,451 from January 1 through March 31– an increase of $127,000 from the previous quarter’s total of $329,131.
Valencia received 1,004 grassroots contributions of $100 or less. Since launching her campaign, Valencia has received more than 2,000 donations of $100 or less. The campaign has just over $1.1M in cash-on-hand. Eighty-nine percent of contributions came from Illinois donors.
“I’m so grateful for the grassroots supporters across our state who are backing our campaign because they know I’ll always fight for hard-working Illinoisans, not the wealthy and well-connected,” said Valencia. “Because of their support, we have the resources to share my story of being raised by working class parents in a union household and delivering bold and innovative ideas as Chicago City Clerk, a record I’ll build on as the first woman Secretary of State in Illinois history.”
“While her opponent has benefited from nearly a million dollars in family loans and has cultivated wealthy donor friends through his time as a Wall Street investment banker, Anna’s worked hard for every dollar she’s raised from grassroot supporters across Illinois who know she fought for them during the Trump and Rauner administrations,” said Cheryl Bruce, Valencia’s campaign manager. “With fewer than three months to go until the June 28 primary, we are in a strong position to communicate with Democratic primary voters about why Anna’s the best candidate to be on the ticket in November and to succeed Secretary White—who has endorsed Anna because he knows she will continue his legacy of leading with integrity and putting people first.”
* Press release…
Today the Villegas for Congress campaign released a preliminary estimate of the total funds raised since announcing his run for Congress on the birthday of the United States Marine Corps November of 2021. In the 1st Quarter of 2022, Villegas for Congress expects to report more than $390,000 raised bringing in approximately $775,000 since Alderman Gilbert Villegas entered the race for the newly created Third Congressional District of Illinois.
Campaign Magdalena Fudalewicz released the following statement:
“We’ve been absolutely blown away by the support from across the district and it’s a testament to the fact that Gilbert’s background and message are resonating strongly in his run for Congress,” said Magdalena Fudalewicz.
Candidates for congressional districts serving the North, West and Northwest suburbs are divided — almost perfectly along party lines — as to whether they’ll respect a strike by WTTW Channel 11 employees and not participate in election forums or interviews with the station.
Local Union 1220 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, representing technicians, graphic artists and floor crew members, walked out March 16 over work jurisdiction and job protection issues.
The Daily Herald asked more than 40 candidates running for Congress in the 3rd, 5th, 6th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th and 14th districts if they intend to honor the picket lines. About half responded.
All but one of the Democrats who replied said they wouldn’t speak with WTTW until the strike is settled. Juan Aguirre, a Chicagoan running in the 3rd District representing parts of Cook and DuPage counties, said he’d appear on WTTW if asked. […]
Most of the Republicans who replied said they would speak with WTTW despite the strike. Three — Burr Ridge Mayor Gary Grasso, who’s running in the 6th District, Winfield’s Justin Burau in the 3rd, and Susan Hathaway-Altman of the Geneva area, who’s running in the 11th — said they wouldn’t cross the picket lines.
* Richard Irvin’s campaign acknowledges mailer blasting rival violated election code, blames the printer: In reaction to Irvin’s mailer, Bailey’s campaign retweeted a tweet from David Smith, executive director of the evangelical conservative Illinois Family Institute, a group opposed to abortion and same-sex marriage. “Wow! The Richard Irvin campaign is lying like a rug in an attempt to discredit the best GOP candidate in the primary race for #Illinois governor,” Smith’s tweet said.
* DPI: After nearly three months dodging reporters and voters, it is time for Richard Irvin to answer the question: Did you vote for Donald Trump?
Joined by stakeholders, advocates and lawmakers, Gov. JB Pritzker signed House Bill 1167, a measure that will keep students and teachers safe in the classroom without penalizing vaccinated school employees for taking COVID-required leave for themselves or their children. Ensuring support for all working families, the legislation protects all hourly school employees in addition to classroom teachers, such as bus drivers, food service providers, and administrative personnel.
“We want to ensure that our school children see the fewest disruptions to their in-person learning due to the public health crisis,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “The bill I signed into law today fulfills that promise by guaranteeing that if a teacher has done their part to keep their classroom safe for their most vulnerable students, they won’t have to worry for a second about their pay or their paid time off should COVID-19 affect their livelihood. At a time when we want to bring people into the education professions, this bill will help Illinois retain and attract teachers and support staff.”
“For the last two years, we have lauded our educators and support staff for their Herculean efforts in keeping our schools running and our students learning, all while keeping them safe and healthy,” said State Rep. Janet Yang Rohr (D-Naperville). “With this Covid wage and benefit protection legislation, we’re putting real action behind our words and making a difference for the teachers and staff that make a difference every day for our students and community.”
“This is a step to recognize those who have done all they can to protect themselves, their families, their students and their schools, but still end up facing hardships because of the pandemic,” said Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park). “They’ve played by the rules, done everything that was recommended, and they shouldn’t lose sick days or pay for doing the right thing. I want to thank the governor for working together with us to find a common-sense approach to address this situation.”
“Our state is in the middle of a growing teacher and education employee shortage,” said Kathi Griffin, President of the Illinois Education Association. We have thousands of open public education positions right now. We need to be doing everything we can to attract young people to the profession and to also show those who’ve chosen education as their life’s work that they are respected. Providing COVID administrative days and paycheck protection for hourly employees is one way we can do that. House Bill 1167 would provide much needed relief to our teachers and support staff who’ve worked diligently to not only provide a quality education for students but also work to keep their students, schools and their communities safe over the past two years.”
“The pandemic has been emotionally and economically daunting for us all, especially educators, school staff, and their families who have been on the front lines of COVID’s effects from day one,” said Illinois Federation of Teachers President Dan Montgomery. “By signing this bill today, Governor Pritzker has provided important relief and ensured that education personnel can afford to take time off if they or their families become ill with COVID-19. His leadership will help keep our students and communities healthy even as new variants arise and COVID rates in our state fluctuate over time.”
HB 1167 requires school districts, public universities, and community colleges to pay educational support personnel and contractors during any school closure and provides paid administrative leave to vaccinated employees for purposes related to COVID-19.
The legislation delivers on a promise to offer the following protections for educators, school employees, and their families in more than 800 school districts statewide:
• Paid administrative leave for every employee of a public school district established under Article 10 or Article 34 of the School Code, public university, and public community college who meets the following criteria:
o fully vaccinated or has received the required doses to become fully vaccinated within five weeks of the effective date of the Act.
o required, or whose child is required, to be excluded from school because of a positive COVID-19 test result or close contact with a person who had a confirmed case of COVID-19.
o has been required by the school or school district policy to be excluded from school district property due to COVID-19 symptoms.
• Restoration of sick leave for every employee of a public school district, public university, and public community college who meets the following criteria:
o fully vaccinated or has received the required doses to become fully vaccinated within five weeks of the effective date of the Act, and
o who has previously used their sick time because they or their child were required to be excluded from school because of a positive COVID-19 test result or close contact with a person who had a confirmed case of COVID-19.
o has been required by the school or school district policy to be excluded from school district property due to COVID-19 symptoms.
• Maintains wage protections for all hourly school employees, including but not limited to, custodians, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, classroom assistants, or administrative staff. This protection applies for the entire 2021-22 school year, including any days that a school has already closed or switched to e-learning which caused the paraprofessional to go without pay or take their own earned paid time off.
A Springfield police officer has been placed on unpaid leave after allegedly posting racist and anti-semitic posts on social media.
Springfield opened an investigation after online reports identified officer Aaron Paul Nichols, 46, as the person responsible for racist and anti-Semitic postings on multiple social media forums.
The website Anonymous Comrades Collective, which describes itself as “dedicated to exposing Nazis, racists, and fascists” shared a series of posts made by accounts reportedly belonging to the nearly 20-year veteran of the Springfield police force on Gab – a social media network that champions free speech and is known for its far-right userbase.
In his posts, made from accounts with the name “WeWillWin” and “MagicDirtFarmer,” Nichols not only praised Hitler but also disparaged Jews and people of color. In one post, Nichols said the convicted vigilante killers of Ahmaud Arbery “did nothing wrong” and were only charged “because of Jews.”
* Press release…
As members of the Illinois General Assembly, we come from several different caucuses (Asian-American, Black, Jewish, Latino, Progressive, and Queer) to demand that the Springfield Police Department fully address the incredibly disturbing allegations of hate activity by an officer in their employ. We further urge all of our law enforcement partners to identify and eliminate the presence of officers in your ranks who operate without respect for our constitution, the human dignity of our communities, or basic human decency.
We learned this week via an investigation by Anonymous that Officer Aaron P. Nichols appears to be the person behind several online accounts (including one on Ken Griffin funded Gab) associated with extreme right wing agendas including racism, homophobia, and antisemitism. A post published 4/1/2022 provides extensive details of the investigative methodology and links to Officer Nichols’ online accounts and disturbing posts. We have subsequently learned that the Springfield Police Department has suspended Officer Nichols and are thankful for their swift action. We await the results of a truly independent investigation.
A few examples of online traffic from accounts allegedly tracing back to Officer Nichols include:
“I despise the government and have for nearly 3 decades. The best place I can possibly be inside the beast.”
“Hitler did nothing wrong”
“Hitler is the most lied about figure in history, bar none.”
“If I found a genie and I had one wish? The Jews would be a distant memory in 72 hours.”
“I am a supporter of as many holocausts as it takes to cleanse this world of Talmudic influence.”
“N**’s ruin everything. Even if it’s Whites doing the stealing, they’re likely selling the meat to blaq run restaurants or trading it to n**’s for dope. Real talk.”
“I frequently deal with a basketball American who is related to a pro basketball American. Dude parks a $200,000 car in the drive of a $60,000 house. N**’s are so fucking dumb.”
“Being forced to live with n**’s is a human right violation. Where’s Merrick Garland when he could actually be useful?”
(With a pic of Supreme Court Nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson) “Here’s our next Sheeboon Supreme Court Justice. I’m sure she’ll be completely impartial.”
“Homosexuality is rampant in the blaq community because the majority didn’t have dads around to protect them.”
“I’m a n** harm reduction specialist and we have minimum manning requirements. Someone has to clean these streets.”
“I dumped a homeless women’s (sic) cart out in the drive up of a @tacobell because she repeatedly refused to unload it herself. I then took the cart back to the @babiesrus she appropriated it from. I’m doing the Lord’s work out here”
“When I seize power ‘hate crimes’ will be encouraged.”
“I’m not willingly giving up my way of life. I’ll die in a pile of brass.” “When you decide you’re not afraid of death you’re finally free”
His social media handles have changed over time. While this investigation initially focused on @NogAirForce, he also allegedly wrote on an explicitly racist site known as Gab under the handle @_14words, which refers to the white supremacist slogan “we must secure the existence of our people and a future for White children,” quoting American neo-Nazi David Lane. The published results of their investigation provide significant evidence of the validity of the claims.
It would be disturbing enough to know someone with these views was living in your community. But to learn that such a person is exercising authority over the very people he declares his hatred for is terrifying. We need a thorough and independent investigation on Officer Nichols and anyone else espousing these beliefs. We need transparency on any misconduct and allegations. After such investigation anyone holding these beliefs must be immediately removed from their positions of authority before someone is hurt.
Senator Omar Aquino
Senator Chris Belt
Senator Melinda Bush
Senator Jacqui Collins
Senator Sara Feigenholtz
Senator Napoleon Harris
Senator Mattie Hunter
Senator Adriane Johnson Senator Emil Jones III
Senator Laura Fine
Senator Julie Morrison
Senator Cristina Paciones-Zayas Senator Robert Peters
Senator Elgie Sims
Senator Mike Simmons
Senator Doris Turner
Senator Ram Villivalam
Senator Celina Villanueva
Representative Carol Ammons
Representative Dagmara Avelar
Representative Kambium Buckner
Representative Jonathan Carroll
Representative Kelly Cassidy
Representative Lakesia Collins
Representative Margaret Croke
Representative Daniel Didech
Representative Robyn Gabel
Representative Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz
Representative Edgar Gonzalez
Representative Will Guzzardi
Representative Greg Harris
Representative Theresa Mah
Representative Joyce Mason
Representative Anna Moeller
Representative Bob Morgan
Representative Delia Ramirez
Representative Anne Stava-Murray
Representative Denyse Wang Stoneback
Representative Ann Williams
Representative Sam Yingling
*** UPDATE *** I’m told that Nichols has resigned from the police department. Because he quit while under investigation, he’ll be decertified and placed on the “do not hire” list by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board.
MEDIA ADVISORY: Senate Democrats outline plan to address increase in carjackings statewide
SPRINGFIELD – Last year alone, more carjackings were reported in Chicago than in any other city. To address the increase of the crime and provide relief to victims, Illinois Senate Democrats are spearheading legislation which they will outline at a Tuesday press conference.
WHO: State Senators Robert Marwick, Omar Aquino, Kimberly A. Lightford, Bill Cunningham, Michael E. Hastings and Robert Peters
WHAT: Press conference on plan to address carjackings
WHEN: Tuesday, April 5 at 1 p.m.
WHERE: Blue Room, Illinois State Capitol and live on BlueRoomStream.com
Officials at the Department of Healthcare and Family Services believe they made “significant progress” last week toward reaching agreement on a plan to overhaul the way nursing homes are reimbursed through the state’s Medicaid program, according to a letter obtained by Capitol News Illinois.
It’s something Gov. JB Pritzker’s administration has been working on for two years to ease the severe staffing shortages that exist in many of the state’s long-term care facilities. An estimated 45,000 Illinois Medicaid recipients live in about 700 nursing homes throughout the state.
In his budget proposal in February, Pritzker proposed a $500 million plan to increase reimbursement rates for facilities that raise their staffing levels up to certain targets. Some of the money would also be used to fund pay raises for certified nursing assistants as they gain more experience in their jobs.
The money for that would come from a bed tax the state levies on nursing homes, which would draw down additional federal reimbursements.
* Press release…
On Monday, Rep. Will Guzzardi (D-39) passed House Bill 1466 in the Illinois House. The legislation aims to make insulin more affordable and accessible for all Illinoisans.
HB 1466 tackles insulin affordability in two ways. First, it creates an Urgent Need Program, which allows people with diabetes to access an emergency 30-day supply of insulin at a minimal cost of $35 from their local pharmacy. This program ensures that people with diabetes have access to life-saving and sustaining medication regardless of their insurance status, and prevents the need for insulin rationing and other high-risk cost-cutting measures.
The bill also caps the total copay amount an insurer is allowed to charge an insured person at $35 a month. The $35 copay cap will apply to all Illinoisans who purchase health plans on the state-regulated exchange, roughly 20% of insured people in the state.
“Taken together, these two provisions will provide a vital safety net for people struggling to afford their insulin,” said Rep. Will Guzzardi (D-39). “People in crisis will be able to get insulin when they need it, rather than rationing and putting their health at risk.”
This act strives to make diabetes medicine more affordable to people who need it, many of whom now have to choose between their medication and other life-saving essentials such as food, housing, or other healthcare.
According to the American Diabetes Association, the price of the most popular types of insulin has tripled over the past decade. For instance, a 10ml vial of Eli Lilly’s Humalog cost $93 in 2009; today it costs around $335. One in four insulin users across the US have said cost has impacted their insulin use. Using less insulin than medically necessary can lead to drastic health impacts including brain swelling, organ failure, and death.
“The past two years have been a vivid reminder that pharmaceutical research can produce incredible results. But no matter how great they are, drugs don’t work if people can’t afford them,” said Rep. Will Guzzardi (D-39).
* Press release…
[Yesterday], the Illinois House of Representatives passed legislation sponsored by State Representative Chris Bos (R-Lake Zurich) to ensure no one has to die alone, even in a pandemic. Senate Bill 1405, sponsored in the Senate by Republican Minority Leader Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods), ensures a family member may be by the side of their loved one in their final moments while in a healthcare facility.
“No one should have to die without a family member by their side. No one should have to learn their mother or their husband is suffering rapid decline but be denied the opportunity to give them love and compassion in their final moments,” said Bos. “Unfortunately, many were denied this opportunity.”
Due to executive orders in response to COVID-19, no exceptions existed to allow for end-of-life visitation with a family member in a healthcare facility. Even as mitigation rules were changed in response to the pandemic, residents in skilled nursing homes, extended care, or intermediate care facilities were denied even one visitor. Under SB 1405, at least one visitor, not including a member of the clergy, must be permitted to visit a loved one. Healthcare facilities are empowered to set safety guidelines and ensure that neither the patient nor visitor are endangered by the visit, but no longer could they be outright denied due to an executive order.
“This legislation recognizes the dignity of every life and ensures no one else will be forced to face death alone,” said Bos.
As SB 1405 was amended in the House, it now heads back to the Senate for a concurrence vote before being sent to the Governor for his signature. Bos is hopeful it receives the same strong level of support and will be signed into law without delay.
* Press release…
The following statement is attributable to Jacqueline Gomez, executive director of the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association (HACIA), on House Bill 5412, which may soon be called for a vote in the Illinois State Senate:
“We are disappointed that Illinois lawmakers have allowed House Bill 5412 to reach this phase of the legislative process despite several warnings from minority and women-owned construction firms of the detrimental impacts it will have on small business. Wage theft is a crime that ruins working families. It deserves more attention and more thought-out solutions than this hastily crafted legislation. HACIA is committed to working with the Legislature and the Illinois Dept. of Labor to prevent these crimes from taking place.
Unfortunately, Illinois lawmakers seem to believe they know better than those of us who work in this industry day in and day out. Instead of incorporating ANY of our suggestions into their proposal, they are moving forward with their own. If HB 5412 becomes law, prime contractors will unfairly be held responsible for bad acting subcontractors who do not fulfill their payroll obligations and will create competitive barriers for small businesses as a result of higher liability costs.
On behalf of HACIA members and women and minority-owned construction firms across Illinois, I call on the Illinois State Senate to reject HB 5412 and instead engage in honest discussions with our dedicated small business owners and entrepreneurs who are the backbone of our community and who believe that a diverse construction industry is a direct bridge to the middle class for our young and talented workforce.”
* Some very informal proponent dot points on the revamped Organized Retail Crime bill…
• It creates a dedicated [Organized Retail Crime] statute. Illinois is one of the few states in the nation that do not have a dedicated ORC statute. No more piecing together various crimes trying to come up with something. Doesn’t exist today.
• Funding for AG and assistant state’s attorneys dedicated to ORC and illicit trade; a major focus is on investigators which is a priority of the AG’s office. Doesn’t exist today.
• Funding for a statewide intelligence gathering platform. Does not exist today and is essential to effectively addressing ORC.
• We changed it so an individual cannot get caught up in ORC. Has to be 2 or more people working together with the intent to monetize. Again, the ORC measure is aimed at what we all saw what occurred in Chicago and the suburbs (and continue to see) – smash and grabs, U-Hauls, social media folks organizing, etc.
• We inserted a $300 threshold so someone stealing lip gloss, as an example, can’t get caught in ORC. The current felony threshold in retail theft is $300 so it is consistent.
• Addresses on-line marketplaces which are the flea markets and pawn shops of the 21st century. Mirrors the legislation being pushed in DC by Senator Durbin and Congresswoman Schakowsky. Doesn’t exist today.
• Allows a state’s attorney in any jurisdiction in which any element of the crime occurred to bring suit. This is imperative to prosecute criminals. Doesn’t exist today.
• AG given specific authority to utilize statewide grand jury for ORC. Doesn’t exist today.
04/04/2022
Re: Opposition to HB 1091
To the members of the Illinois House and Senate:
The undersigned organizations represent thousands of Illinoisans who are writing to express strong opposition to HB 1091, the “organized retail theft” bill. While the impact of this legislation on mass incarceration is ample reason to oppose it, we would like to share our specific opposition to this measure because of its impact on survivors of gender-based violence and women in general.
Retail theft laws already disproportionately impact women and survivors of gender- based violence.
There is a strong connection between domestic violence and incarceration of women. When a survivor leaves an abusive relationship, they are usually at an economic disadvantage. This can exacerbate mental health challenges including problems with substance use, and result in resorting to survival crimes. Results of a 2017-2018 survey of women incarcerated at Logan Correctional Center showed that 99 percent of the women incarcerated there have experienced physical, emotional, or sexual abuse at some point in their lives. Women who are subjected to domestic violence are nine times more likely to use drugs and 15 times more likely to use alcohol. While men are more likely to be targeted by law enforcement, many of the victims of the war on drugs are women and are disproportionately women of color. These factors all mean that further criminalizing retail theft will harm survivors of domestic violence.
Statewide data shows that a significant number of women are arrested for retail theft. According to data from Loyola University, from 1989-2019, there were 29,307 court admissions to women’s prisons for property crimes, representing 38% of ALL court admissions during this period. Retail theft cases have rightfully been linked to supporting an addiction or basic survival needs, but the link to domestic violence and human trafficking is often overlooked. In our collective experience, it is common for domestic abusers and traffickers to force and coerce their victims into committing crimes, including retail theft. Also, survivors experience extreme financial control leaving them to commit theft to meet basic needs for themselves and their children, including diapers, clothing and food.
State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) advanced a measure out of the Senate that would collect additional information for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services in an effort to strengthen support and care for children in the foster system.
“One of the best ways we can improve our foster care system in this state is to listen to the kids about their experiences,” Ellman said. “It’s our responsibility to make sure they’re cared for and their concerns are heard as they move from one home to another.”
House Bill 4304 requires exit interviews to be conducted within five days of removal for every child age five and older who leaves a foster home. This process is modeled after a similar procedure followed by caseworkers in Florida.
Under current regulations, DCFS caseworkers are involved in the child removal process when requested by the foster home. This legislation lays the groundwork for a formal process to work to ensure caseworkers are gathering important information about each child’s experience in a home upon removal.
Information gathered during these interviews will depend on the age and maturity of the child and the circumstances of the removal request. House Bill 4304 requires the child to be asked if their basic needs were met in the home, if they had access to a caseworker or therapist, if they felt safe and comfortable in the home, and whether or not they felt included by their foster family.
“When fostering situations change, we need to understand why,” Ellman said. “Children should feel safe and included in their foster homes, and the data collected from these interviews will improve foster family conditions over time.”
The legislation now awaits further action by the governor.
…Adding… Press release…
In response to an event that stopped traffic on Eisenhower Expressway, Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz (D-Chicago) lead a measure through the Senate Tuesday that would prohibit a street sideshow on any street or highway that causes traffic to slow or stop.
“People should not be allowed to stop traffic for their own entertainment, especially on a busy, fast expressway,” Munoz said. “Situations like these put residents in unneeded danger. It’s important that we work with law enforcement officials to ensure they are able to protect people in any situation.”
According to a CBS report, Eisenhower Expressway was shut down in December 2021 with drivers blocking the on- and off-ramps and every lane while a group of people engaged in dangerous stunts, such as doing donuts with their cars and dancing on the expressway.
House Bill 5439 defines a street sideshow as any event in which one or more cars block or impede traffic to perform unauthorized motor vehicle stunts, motor vehicle speed contests, or motor vehicle exhibitions of speed. Munoz’ measure would prohibit a street sideshow on any street or highway in Illinois and a person may not knowingly cause the movement of traffic to slow or stop for the purpose of facilitating street racing or a street sideshow. Under current law, people cannot be arrested for blocking a street or highway.
The measure would penalize the impediment of traffic for a street sideshow or street racing in the same manner as the act of street racing. The first violation is considered a Class A misdemeanor punishable by a determinate sentence of less than one year and a minimum fine of $250. A second or subsequent violation is considered a Class 4 felony punishable by a sentence of one to three years and a minimum fine of $500.
“As a former Chicago police officer, I know law enforcement’s number one job is to protect people,” Munoz said. “Without this measure, drivers could be put in an unsafe situation and police officers can’t do anything to protect them.”
House Bill 5439 passed the Senate with bipartisan support and now heads to the House for concurrence.
Tuesday, Apr 5, 2022 - Posted by Advertising Department
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A group of Democratic state legislators made another anti-crime pitch Monday with measures aimed at showing support for law enforcement and countering the Republican narrative that their party’s policies are facilitating an uptick in violence.
The legislators who laid out a plan at a news conference in Springfield were mostly from the more moderate wing of the Democratic Party, which has found itself somewhat at odds with progressives in the effort to come up with a winning formula for anti-crime legislation.
The legislators offered plans to give police officers greater incentives to stay on the job at a time when police forces across the country are seeing an exodus of cops, and to increase funding for officer wellness programs. It’s unclear how much money the Democrats are seeking for that — but they said the current state budget includes $5 million for addressing the mental health of cops and firefighters.
“We have to look at comprehensive ways to support law enforcement and to make sure that we can really bust through those barriers that have prevented first responders from accessing the desperately needed mental health support that they need,” said state Rep. Lindsey LaPointe, who is considered part of the Democratic progressive wing but whose Northwest Side district of Chicago includes many cops and firefighters.
* Dot points…
Lawmakers were joined Monday by Jason Devino, Secretary of Trooper’s Lodge 41, Jim Kaitschuk, Executive Director of the Illinois Sheriffs’ Association, Ed Wojcicki, Executive Director of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, and the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police. Introduced bills include:
HB 1568 – Police Retention and Recruitment Package (Vella)
- Creates deferred retirement option plans (DROP) for Illinois State Police officers under the State Employees Retirement System (SERS) and sheriff’s law enforcement employees under the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF).
- Lowers the retirement age for select Illinois State Police employees from 60 to 55 years of age.
- Creates the Illinois Law Enforcement Recruitment and Retention Board and an associated fund.
- Tasks the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board and the Illinois Community College Board with creating a report with recommendations to the General Assembly for establishing minimum requirements for credits that may transfer from Illinois community colleges to satisfy the requirements of law enforcement and correctional intern courses.
- Allows retiring sheriffs, investigators, security employees, and probation officers to purchase their badge and service firearm.
HB 1571 – First Responder and Shift Worker Daycare Grants (Manley)
- Creates a grant program for child care centers to provide after hours and nightly child care for the children of first responders and other workers working late shifts.
- Recognizes that finding child care is a burden on third shift workers (e.g. firefighters, paramedics, police, nurses, etc.) because most child care centers in Illinois are only open during normal work hours.
HB 1321 – Law Enforcement Mental Health (LaPointe/Hurley)
- Creates a fund and grant program to provide behavioral health services to first responders. Allows the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board to establish statewide minimum standards for mental health screenings for officers, based on statutory guidelines.
HB 3863 – Law Enforcement Funding (Morrison/Hastings)
- Creates the Law Enforcement Recruitment and Retention Fund to be used by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board to provide grants to law enforcement agencies for hiring and retention of law enforcement officers.
- Extends the Jan. 1, 2023 sunset date for certain eavesdropping exemptions, permitting law enforcement to use a device to record a conversation during an investigation of qualified offenses, such as drug and sex offenses, for four years to Jan. 1, 2027.
- Extends the Illinois Street Gang and Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Law (RICO) by one year to June 11, 2023.
HB 4228 – Sheriff Pay (Turner/Crowe)
- Adjusts sheriff’s pay to 80% of pay for state’s attorneys.
HB 4364 – Mental Health and Substance Use Prevention Funding (Cappel/Stadelman)
- Allows DHS to fund grants to offer mental health and substance use prevention to people who are incarcerated and individuals in county jails or recently discharged.
HB 4608 – Body Cameras (Bennett/Turner)
- Allows body camera grant funds to be used for data storage costs.
- Allows officers to flag video if they believe it may have evidentiary value.
- Makes clarifying changes on when an officer does not have to have a camera turned on, such as in training or only in the presence of other officers.
While opposed to the SAFE-T Act, the law enforcement groups previously worked with lawmakers on two trailer bills that softened use-of-force guidelines and pushed back implementation dates of decertification standards among other changes.
[Illinois Sheriffs’ Association Executive Director Jim Kaitschuk], after the news conference, told Capitol News Illinois he viewed the measures proposed Monday as separate from the SAFE-T Act, and declined to directly answer whether he believed they would counteract any real or perceived negative effects on officer recruitment that resulted from the 2021 criminal justice reform.
“This wasn’t about the SAFE-T Act,” he said after Monday’s news conference. “This was about efforts to recruit and retain. And this has been a – it hasn’t been just one thing that caused the issues in terms of recruitment and retention. Back in the 90s, we had a lot of federal funding that came to hire officers, those officers – one, the funding went away, and two, those officers are obviously, they’re my age, so they’re retirement age, so they’ve moved on to other careers and retired.”
The measures laid out Monday are a message from lawmakers “that we do care about law enforcement,” Kaitschuk said, making recruitment and retainment easier.
With four days left in the spring session, this is the second crime-reduction package to come from Democrats in four days. The first focused on support services for victims. Monday’s measures aim to support police communities that complained they were demonized 15 months ago when the Black Caucus-led policing overhaul was signed into law. Known as the -T Act, the overhaul came amid a spate of police-involved shootings in Chicago and nationwide.
SAFE-T set standards for police use of force, set a schedule to require all police to wear body cameras, eliminated cash bail for criminal suspects and more.
Presenters at the Democrats’ state Capitol news conference Monday were overwhelmingly white. Rockford Democratic Rep. Dave Vella said members of the Black Caucus were meeting on other issues but had worked on and endorsed the package. He rebuffed a question about whether the the plan is an “antidote” to ease the discomfort police feel about SAFE-T.
“This isn’t an antidote to anything,” Vella said. “This is us trying to make the streets safer and get more police on the street. That’s it.”
* The Deputy House Majority Leader and co-chair of the public safety working group matter of factly pushed back against criticism yesterday…
As election season is in full swing and the legislative session comes to an end, Illinois Democrats are scrambling to come up with “crime proposals” to combat their record of siding with criminals over police, rather than proposals to actually combat crime.
One proposal unveiled yesterday would give officers “incentives” to stay on the job as law enforcement agencies across the state are seeing a wave of resignations and retirements after the SAFE-T Act became law. The incentives dangled by Democrats include day care grants and allowing police officers to buy their badge after they retire.
Absent from the Democrats’ package was the biggest incentive law enforcement needs right now: any proposal to repeal the dangerous and misguided provisions of the SAFE-T Act, including abolishing cash bail, allowing anonymous complaints against police officers, and dangerous changes to electronic monitoring rules that enabled accused criminals to commit more crimes.
Just last week, a new report uncovered dozens of criminals have reoffended, from armed robbery to murder, after a new provision of SAFE-T Act took effect in January that allows criminals on home confinement 48 hours of unmonitored movement to roam freely.
“Our law enforcement agencies across the state are struggling with low morale and depleted work forces because they don’t feel supported by our state’s leadership, and no amount of ‘incentives’ can erase those sentiments,” said Irvin for Illinois campaign spokesperson Eleni Demertzis. “Our men and women who wear the badge deserve our full support, and that starts with repealing the dangerous policies in the SAFE-T Act.”
* Leader Durkin…
House Republican Leader Jim Durkin offered the following statement after Illinois Democrats introduced legislation that attempts to distract from the disastrous effects of the SAFE-T Act.
“Democrats in Illinois have repeatedly attacked our police and justice system. Today, they are trying to rewrite history. Until they wake up and repeal their pro-criminal SAFE-T Act, there will be no safe communities in Illinois.”
The undersigned write to urge you for your support for a budget that provides tangible tax relief for hard-working Illinois families.
A proposal to expand the Earned Income Credit (EIC) would offer over 4.8 million Illinois residents across every zip code and legislative district needed relief– in the form of a cash refund– at tax time. More credit to no-, low-, and middle-income families is not simply morally sound, but is also financially beneficial, as the proposed additional credit costs only a mere one percent of the State’s total budget and would create over one billion dollars in local and state economic benefits.
We are in the midst of a critical moment where the pandemic continues to harm our most vulnerable communities. At this moment, however, the federal government has been unable to continue supporting the families most affected. Thus, it becomes our duty to ensure the State of Illinois to step up to the plate and provide solutions for the families in need of financial aid.
The Fiscal Year 2023 budget will be generationally important to our constituents and comes at a critical moment. We ask you to convey to the legislative leaders your desire that an expansion of the EITC be included in the State’s FY2023 budget legislation. We have the funds to act, what we need from you is a commitment to proceed.
Thank you for your letter expressing support for the EIC. I appreciate your passion on this issue, and it’s one that I share. My administration has always supported an expansion of the EIC. In fact, in 2019 we were proud to work with the 101st General Assembly to introduce HB5669, a bill that expands the EIC to:
• Permanently add individuals 18-24 without children
• Permanently add individuals 65+, and
• Add ITIN filers
It’s important to note that in that proposal, the EIC was refundable.
In addition to supporting an expansion of the EIC, I’d like to explore the possibility of targeting tax relief directly to low-to middle-income households who are eligible for the EIC.
Thank you again for your passion.
Sincerely,
Governor JB Pritzker
Pritzker’s most recent tax cut proposal didn’t mention the EIC.
…Adding… The governor’s office says the EIC expansion will cost $53.5 million, plus $25 milllion for every one percent increase.
…Adding… Amber Wilson, Statewide Coalition Manager at Economic Security for Illinois on behalf of the Coalition to Make EIC Work…
“We’re delighted to see the House and Governor’s Office align on the need to give more Illinois’ families and workers meaningful, permanent tax relief. The letters signal a commitment to expand the Earned Income Credit this year. We hope this can push budgeteers in both chambers to make EIC a top priority in the FY2023 budget.
While all Illinoisans have been impacted by the pandemic, we know that financial burden fell hardest on low-income Black and Brown families, which is why we are eager to see additional relief targeted to the families who could use the cash to pay for their basic living expenses this year.
Our coalition has been fighting since 2019 for an Earned Income Credit that includes ITIN filers, younger and older childless workers, and to make more credit available to each low- and middle-income family who qualifies. We feel confident 2022 is the year we can make it happen.”
Jim Reilly, a downstate Illinois lawmaker who became chief of staff to two governors and headed agencies that oversaw mass transit in the Chicago area, state construction projects and the operations of McCormick Place and Navy Pier, has died at 77.
He died of pneumonia Monday at the St. Joseph Village assisted living facility in Chicago, where he had been recovering from a fall, according to Steve Schlickman, a friend who was executive director of the Regional Transportation Agency during Mr. Reilly’s 2005-2010 tenure as chairman of the RTA board.
Schlickman credited Mr. Reilly with steering that agency through a period when it faced a $400 million yearly shortfall.
“As chairman of the RTA, he did more for transit than any other chairman of that organization that I’m aware of for the last 42 years,” Schlickman said. “He helped secure a [state] funding initiative that avoided huge cuts in service and fare increases in 2008.”
A Springfield native, Reilly graduated from the University of Chicago Law School and worked for the downstate city of Jacksonville before he became a state representative in 1977. Before serving in the Illinois House, Reilly also taught grade school in Winchester, Illinois.
He was chief of staff to former Republican Gov. Jim Thompson, and returned to the same role during Gov. Jim Edgar’s reelection campaign. […]
As Edgar recovered from emergency quadruple-bypass heart surgery, Reilly was “a familiar and respected stand-in for the governor,” the Tribune reported in 1994. The Tribune described Reilly as “an administrator with a well-known contempt for inertia.” […]
Between those stints, Reilly headed the city’s convention and tourism bureau. Later, he was chairman of the RTA board as the region’s transportation agencies sought to avoid financial doomsday. He helped avoid the worst-case scenario, and worked to plug a huge CTA pension shortfall, said Steve Schlickman, who was executive director of RTA at the time.
“He was a guy that was so nonpartisan in that position,” Schlickman said. “He worked so easily with both sides of the aisle, and he had great relationships with Democratic leadership as well as the Republican.”
“Jim Reilly was, I think, the most significant (Illinois) individual in the last 30 years, maybe 40, who wasn’t elected,” says former Gov. Jim Edgar, for whom Reilly worked as chief of staff 1994-95. “He could walk with and get things done with Democrats and Republicans.” […]
“He was one of a kind. There weren’t many like him,” says former state Rep. Judy Erwin, D-Chicago, who got to know Reilly when she was press aide to then-Illinois Senate President Phil Rock and continued to interact with him through her days as chair of the Illinois Board of Higher Education. “It’s sort of a bygone era.” […]
“We both went into the (Illinois) House at the same time,” recalls Edgar. That experience moved Edgar into the higher office, as secretary of state and later as governor. It also brought Reilly, a self-described Rockefeller Republican, to the attention of Gov. Jim Thompson, a big-ideas type with a knack for finding top talent. Thompson made Reilly his counsel and then chief of staff.
* Marilynn Gardner, Navy Pier President & CEO…
“Navy Pier is saddened to learn of the passing of Jim Reilly, Life Trustee of Navy Pier, former Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA), RTA and Chicago Convention Chief. Jim played an extremely significant role in the redevelopment and philanthropic support of Navy Pier. He worked alongside our Board of Directors and countless Pier staff members to advance our mission as a welcoming, inclusive, nonprofit cultural institution for all.”
“Jim was an amazing leader and colleague, and, most importantly, friend to us all at the Pier. We cherish his vision for Navy Pier and promise to uphold his legacy by keeping our destination exciting, accepting and available for everyone to experience. His contributions to Navy Pier will truly never be forgotten.”
* From his official obituary…
His interests were many and varied, but first and foremost, he considered the highlight of his life to be his love and affection for his wife of 30 years, M. Veronica Lynch. They were true companions and best friends.
Trains, both real and model, were among his many favorite pastime passions, highlighted by showcasing his train network for his many nieces and nephews during the holiday gatherings. They, and all who knew him, enjoyed his quick wit and easy smile.
The Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra reflected his appreciation and passion for music, surpassed only by his commitment and dedication to the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. In the sports world, as a true Chicagoan, the Chicago Bears and Chicago Bulls were his rooting interests, although his years spent in downstate Illinois led to the St. Louis Cardinals becoming his favorite baseball team.
Jim’s sense of adventure found him traveling extensively, both overseas and throughout the United States. His visits to Europe were frequent and he enjoyed calling the British Island of Tortola a second home. Favorite destinations were many, but he particularly appreciated Vienna, Taiwan, Venice, Kenya, and Paris.
Numerous charities were recipients of Jim’s generous support. Navy Pier, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Mercy Hospital, the Illinois Institute of Technology, Choose Chicago, the Boards of the Jacksonville Area Association of Citizens with Intellectual Disability, the Jacksonville Theater Guild, Illinois College, the Edgar Fellows Program and Chicago’s culture and arts community were among the organizations benefiting from his guidance.
The man loved his state and did a lot of good along the way. He was Illinois’ go-to guy and there will never be another like him.
…Adding… Illinois Council of Convention & Visitor Bureaus…
Jim Reilly understood the powerful connection between tourism and economic growth and prosperity for Illinois, serving as a visionary for the Illinois convention and tourism industry. His legacy will guide our state’s second largest industry for generations to come. Our thoughts are with his family and everyone who was lucky to call him a friend and a colleague.
* It was reported elsewhere today that Delia Ramirez only raised $303K. She raised $416K, with $303K coming from within CD3, which is pretty darned good…
Momentum continues to grow for Delia Ramirez’s bid for congress. Today, she announced her campaign raised over $303,000 with 1,800 contributions from people in the 3rd Congressional District. In addition, Ramirez has raised more than $416,000 for her campaign since her launch. The latest poll shows Delia Ramirez leading by 15 points as her broad coalition continues to grow.
“I’m honored by the overwhelming grassroots support that my campaign has received. Our campaign is fueled by people, not corporations or special interests,” said 3rd Congressional District candidate Delia Ramirez. “The constituents have sent a clear message in the 3rd Congressional District - they are tired of the status quo politics that only works for a select few and corporations.”
According to the latest polling numbers, 63% of constituents in the 3rd Congressional District want to elect a bold progressive and for leadership that is accountable to the people and not to corporations or special interests. Delia Ramirez has been endorsed by Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Congressman Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood, Chicago Teachers Union, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Mijente, Architectural and Ornamental Iron Workers Union 63, Elect Democratic Women, EMILY’s List, and the United Working Families and Working Families Party.
“Momentum is on our side. Our campaign has been endorsed by a slew of progressive Members of Congress, over 47 elected officials in Illinois, a third of them who overlap with the 3rd Congressional District, and more than two dozen national and grassroots organizations including labor partners who recognize the need to support a real champion for working families in Illinois,” said Mayra Lopez-Zuniga, campaign manager.
* Alexi Giannoulias…
Today, we announced our first quarter fundraising numbers, and thanks to your generosity and support to our campaign, we exceeded our fundraising goal and raised over $600,000!
For dozens of unlucky politicians in Illinois, a springtime scramble is under way as they fight to stave off objections to their candidacy paperwork. […]
About 140 objections were filed. State hearing officers are handling 75 of them, including statewide races. Local election authorities will adjudicate ballot challenges for districts that are contained entirely in a single county or Chicago. […]
In 2020, 111 objections were filed with 44 overruled and 26 sustained, meaning an elections board voted to remove candidates from the ballot. Another 23 candidates opted to withdraw, and 14 objections were dropped. In 2018, there were 155 objections, with 33 sustained and 55 overruled. Another 24 candidates dropped out and 39 objections were withdrawn. And in 2016, there were 146 objections, with 34 sustained and 46 overruled. Another 31 candidates opted out of running and 30 objections were withdrawn.
Former Illinois Speaker of the House Michael Madigan is still planning political strategy for the state’s June primary election, even though he was indicted on bribery and racketeering charges last month, according to sources.
Multiple sources told NBC 5 Madigan on Saturday led a meeting at the office on Chicago’s Southwest Side where he has directed political meetings for decades.
Madigan asked the 30 or so precinct captains who attended the early morning meeting to identify who will be voting early, by absentee or on Election Day, June 28. No mention was made of his recent federal indictment.
Madigan remains the 13th Ward Democratic committeeman and a member of the Democratic State Central Committee. The former house speaker is not running again for the State Central Committee. His term expires ends in August.
John Milhiser reacted…
Mike Madigan may be facing federal indictment on 22 counts, allegedly leading a “criminal enterprise” designed to bolster his own power, but that isn’t stopping him from continuing to strategize for his candidates in the June primary. Madigan’s continued involvement shows that the culture of corruption runs deep in this state and needs to be rooted out.
John Milhiser released the following statement on Madigan’s continued involvement in Illinois politics:
“Mike Madigan may not be in office anymore, but his culture of corruption doesn’t just end. Madigan’s continued involvement in the state’s politics show exactly why the people of Illinois no longer believe their leaders work for the good of the people. The Democrats running in this race personify this culture Madigan has fostered, pointing fingers at one another to show who is more corrupt and less ethical. We need public servants, not career politicians, elected to statewide office to root out this corruption from the inside.”
“People want to hear what he has to say. The general consensus of people I talk to in central Illinois is that there’s a trust issue,” Jim Rule, chairman of the Tazewell County Republicans, told Playbook. “He comes from what some people view as a Chicago machine or may think that. He has in fact voted Democrat a number of times in the past. That doesn’t resonate well with people.”
The Tazewell GOP is organizing a candidate forum April 25 and state Sen. Darren Bailey, former state Sen. Paul Schimpf, businessmen Gary Rabine and Jesse Sullivan, and attorney Max Solomon have committed to attend.
Irvin hasn’t responded to repeated requests to participate, Rule said.
Irvin’s absence from live political discourse seems to reflect a national trend among GOP candidates this election season. Across the country, Republicans are ducking primary debates and trying to have greater control of how their messaging gets out, according to POLITICO’s David Siders. […]
The debate dodge is a political tactic to avoid going on the record on issues that may play differently in the primary than the general election. More conservative voters come out for the primary, so answers to questions about views on the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol or whether President Joe Biden won the presidency fair and square would differentiate conservative and mainstream GOP candidates.
* John Amdor’s Cricket met Oscar for the first time Saturday. They got along famously. Here they are hoping for a treat while we positioned them for photos…
Announcer: Who’s paying for this false ad against Richard Irvin? Check the fine print.
Mary Ann Ahern: The new ad paid for by the Democratic Governors Association. Republicans call it meddling.
Announcer: It sure is. JB Pritzker knows he can beat Darren Bailey and Jesse Sullivan. After all, they both supported Obama for President. Bailey even admitted he backed Joe Biden.
Bailey: I might have voted for Biden.
Announcer: So the next time you see Pritzker smearing Richard Irvin, don’t fall for it.
There’s no proof that Bailey voted for Obama in 2008. And, as you’ll see, he actually said he might’ve voted for Joe Biden in 2008, not 2020 as implied.
First of all, in 2008, you guys remember Rush Limbaugh? So he had Operation Chaos. And it was because everybody was scared to death of Hillary Clinton getting in. So the goal was if you didn’t have a local race, which, interestingly enough, we did at the time in Clay County, where I live at, we did not have a Republican running for state’s attorney. We had two Democrats running for State’s attorney. State’s attorneys grow up to be judges. So, I’ve never pulled a Democrat ballot in my life, but I can tell you, I’ll never do it again. Cindy and I being a, and this is, you’re gonna laugh at this, but the next two years Cindy and I were thinking, what if the world ends and Jesus comes back and we’re registered Democrats? That’s been that’s been 12 years, 14 years ago now. And you have no idea. And when I tell you this stuff, like I said you can walk over and ask Cindy about it. So I had a brother [crosstalk] I had a brother that followed him, and it made sense because it’s Hillary, I don’t even, I think I might have voted for Biden. I don’t even remember. Biden rhymes with [garbled]. I didn’t even know who these guys were in 2008. But we did that.
Emphasis added to show he’s being hit for voting for two Democratic presidential candidates in the very same primary. Also, please pardon all transcription errors.
Whatever the truth is, Bailey is gonna get absolutely freaking buried by this stuff if he doesn’t start fighting back on the air and in the boxes.
* And there is a way. A bit of Democratic oppo was tossed my direction today. Here’s Richard Irvin speaking in February of 2020 about former President Barack Obama…
And even through all of that, I don’t know if my grandfather, grandmother, or my slave-born great-grandfather could have ever imagined that our vote, our Black vote would make such a difference in this country that will elect a Black man to the presidency in 2008 when Barack Obama made history.
Also…
Mayor Richard C. Irvin and the City of Aurora congratulate President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on their historic election and empowering inauguration ceremony today. #POTUS#VPOTUS#UnitedStatesofAmericapic.twitter.com/fph2V8ouQ8
Again, none of this means anything if it ain’t on the air.
…Adding… Prompted by a commenter, I looked up Operation Chaos. According to Wikipedia, Limbaugh launched the program in late February of 2008. The 2008 Illinois primary was on Feb. 5. So, Bailey’s explanation may not actually be true.
In the past decade, a Chicago political insider’s company has raked in hundreds of millions of dollars through a state of Illinois program.
Now, a newly unsealed lawsuit alleges the company also schemed to “avoid paying Illinois income taxes” on the profits from its highly lucrative arrangement with the state.
The accusations target Vendor Assistance Program LLC, a Chicago company led by lawyer and lobbyist Brian Hynes. He got his start in politics as an aide to recently indicted former Illinois Democratic boss Michael Madigan, and Hynes also has close ties to disgraced ex-Chicago Ald. Danny Solis.
VAP has thrived as by far the biggest player in a program that allows a small group of state-certified companies to buy up debt from Illinois’ once-mountainous pile of unpaid bills.
VAP and the other companies in the program front unpaid state contractors 90% of what Springfield owes them — but later pocket late-penalty payments from the state, which pile up at a rate of 1% each month.
Hynes reached out to me today to point out, among other things, that all but two of the other companies which have participated in this program are either registered in Delaware or (one) in Minnesota. Click here for the list. Just one other company is registered in Illinois. I don’t really get this tax avoidance angle because the vast majority of these companies aren’t paying Illinois taxes anyway, and being an Illinois company is obviously not a requirement of the program. Also, most of the companies appear to be LLCs, which exist to pass corporate income through to individuals. But it’s definitely a kitchen sink story, so read the rest. Whew. Lots of threads.
* DeVore seems awful certain that there’s a case to be made, however…
A little-known provision of the SAFE-T Act — the criminal justice reform law Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed last year —now requires that criminal defendants who are on home confinement while awaiting trial must be given a minimum of two days a week to move freely, without being actively monitored.
During that time, they’re supposed to be working or looking for a job, undergoing treatment for mental illness or drug addiction, attending school or buying groceries, according to the law. […]
Since Jan. 1, about two dozen people have been arrested in Cook County while on essential movement time —about 1% of the people in the sheriff’s electronic-monitoring program, according to Cook County sheriff’s reports. […]
Sharone Mitchell, Cook County’s public defender, says it’s important to offer the two eight-hour periods free from monitoring and that the “vast majority” of people awaiting trial on electronic monitoring comply with the terms of their release, show up for court dates and don’t commit new crimes.
“Communities are safer when people who have not been convicted of a crime are able to take care of essential life activities, such as shopping for food, going to the laundromat and doctor appointments and picking up children from school,” he says.
Remember, these are people who are still waiting on a trial.
* ILGOP…
Last Friday, the Sun-Times reported on more outrageous, pro-criminal consequences of Governor JB Pritzker’s anti-police bill (SAFE-T Act). Criminal defendants on home confinement while awaiting trial are now required to be set free at least two days a week with no monitoring.
“During that time, they’re supposed to be working or looking for a job, undergoing treatment for mental illness or drug addiction, attending school or buying groceries, according to the law.”
They’re “supposed” to be doing those things. But, unsurprisingly, criminals are using time off monitoring to commit more crimes.
From the Chicago Sun-Times…
“Since Jan. 1, about two dozen people have been arrested in Cook County while on essential movement time —about 1% of the people in the sheriff’s electronic-monitoring program, according to Cook County sheriff’s reports.
One man was accused of committing an armed robbery.
Others were charged with illegal gun possession and drug dealing.
Three went on shoplifting sprees, police say.
Two others were shot to death.”
Even fellow Democrat and Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart finds this provision of the SAFE-T Act not particularly safe, saying, “At a bare minimum, they should say, ‘If you’re charged with a violent offense, and you’re given home monitoring, you don’t get to wander around free for two days a week.” Dart also said that the 1% figure might be understating the issue because violent crimes like shootings do not always result in an arrest being made.
Yet again, as Illinois and Chicago experience a rising wave of violent crime, the Governor’s pro-criminal policies get exposed as wildly out of touch and downright dangerous to the public.
Look, if you were the armed robbery victim, you probably and understandably feel like you never should’ve gone through that. And Dart is right that not everyone who commits a crime is caught.
But programs with calculable 1 percent failure rates are generally considered pretty darned good.
As you probably already know, the Democratic Governors Association recently launched a TV ad blasting Republican gubernatorial candidate Richard Irvin for claiming to be a crime-fighter while having defended dangerous criminals as a defense attorney.
“Richard Irvin’s real record on crime?” the DGA ad begins. “For 15 years, Irvin has been a defense lawyer, profiting by defending some of the most violent and heinous criminals. Domestic abusers and sexual assaults. Kidnapper who molested a child. Reckless homicide. Even accused child pornographers. Irvin has been getting rich by putting violent criminals back on our streets. Tell Richard Irvin to stop pretending to be tough on crime and start supporting policies to keep people safe.”
Irvin, in response, said, “For months, I’ve told voters that [Gov. J.B.] Pritzker was desperate and would do anything to win. Now, Pritzker is trying to hijack the Republican primary because he can’t run from the facts: Crime is out of control, tax hikes continue, and corruption lives on in state government under Pritzker’s reign.”
Irvin released a TV ad with much the same message the following day.
Irvin has hyped the crime problem during his campaign, blaming the governor for the deteriorating situation. Crime is being used by the GOP throughout the country as a cudgel against Democrats, and the issue is no doubt helping Irvin’s poll numbers as his funding from the state’s wealthiest resident, Ken Griffin, has paid for endless TV and online ads, as well as direct mail. So, the idea of the DGA ad is to undermine Irvin’s credibility with Republican voters and prevent him from winning the primary.
The Republicans pointed out a few ironies, or hypocrisies, in the ad. For instance, DGA Chair Roy Cooper was himself a criminal defense attorney. Pritzker, a lawyer, donated $100 million to Northwestern University’s law school in 2015. And Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton attended Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s first confirmation hearing for the U.S. Supreme Court. Jackson is a former criminal defense attorney.
Unlike Irvin, however, none of these Democrats have positioned themselves as crime-fighting super heroes.
This is all happening as the spring legislative session winds down, and one item at the top of the majority Democratic Party’s agenda is public safety. The party is dealing with sharp internal divisions over how to deal with the topic. This ad campaign, paid for with Democratic money, will only reinforce the GOP’s “get tough on crime” message. Not great timing.
If past is prologue, the next TV ad from the DGA will come close to a statement released last week by Pritzker’s campaign after far-right Republican gubernatorial candidate Sen. Darren Bailey publicized a gun raffle fundraiser.
“This is just another example of how out of touch and extreme Darren Bailey’s conservative views are,” the Pritzker campaign claimed.
Now, roll back the clock to the 2018 Republican primary. The DGA weighed in with two TV ads, one attacking Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and another claiming Rauner’s GOP primary opponent Jeanne Ives was “too conservative for Illinois.” The Ives-related ad went on to point out she wanted to ban abortion, had an “A” rating from the NRA and that she marched in “lockstep with President Trump, trying to eliminate protections for undocumented immigrants.”
Pritzker preferred to run against the more beatable Ives, so the DGA helped boost her bonafides. The same will likely happen this year for Bailey.
The big difference between now and then is the DGA didn’t start running its TV ads until five days before the 2018 primary. We’re now almost three full months before our June 28 primary. That suggests a far more aggressive, expensive and lengthy campaign against Irvin and, likely, for Bailey (and any other avenues the DGA wants to pursue) than we saw four years ago.
If Irvin makes it out of this primary, he will have the best chance of anyone at giving Pritzker a real run for his money. Irvin can tap limitless funds from billionaire Griffin, he’ll have history on his side as potentially the state’s first Black governor, and he has a very strong and experienced team.
Bailey so far hasn’t raised the money or demonstrated he’s put together the infrastructure necessary to take on the spectacularly well-funded and staffed-up Irvin. I don’t like this meddling stuff, either, but if the Democrats leave Bailey to his own devices while Irvin dumps millions into advertising and opposition research and state party leaders continue to climb on board his bandwagon, Bailey probably won’t make it.
* Yeah, things can sometimes seem like a bummer during session, particularly as the adjournment looms. But, those of us who are in this business are truly fortunate and I’m grateful every day for this opportunity…
