We are excited to announce that, earlier today, the nonprofit Franklin News Foundation acquired Advanced Digital Media, Inc, strengthening our ability to deliver reliable news coverage. This opportunity will allow Lisa and I, to not only continue providing the unbiased video journalism you have come to expect, but increase the time we dedicate to covering government issues.
With six days of veto session planned for the Illinois General Assembly this fall, legislators will have their hands full dealing with the state’s energy policies.
Gov. J.B. Pritkzer vetoed a measure that would have lifted the moratorium on new nuclear power facilities that has been in place for decades. He said the proposal changed at the last minute before it cleared the General Assembly last spring.
“There was nothing to line-item, essentially amend without vetoing the entire bill in order to separate the question of whether you’re going to have large scale reactors developed in Illinois or whether you’re talking about [small modular reactors],” Pritzker said. […]
State Rep. Jay Hoffman, the House assistant majority leader, pushed for lifting the moratorium for nuclear and for supporting changes to other bills the governor made.
“I personally believe that we should move forward with assuring that small nuclear moves forward,” Hoffman told The Center Square.
A spokesperson for co-sponsor Rep. Larry Walsh (D-Elwood) sent me this statement last week about the veto, but has not yet responded to follow-up questions about which business and special interest groups had “hijacked this issue and the process for their own personal gain, financial and political”…
I wanted to pass along Rep. Walsh’s statement on the veto of Senate Bill 76.
“I am disappointed in Governor Pritzker’s decision to veto Senate Bill 76. As we maneuver ourselves towards cleaner energy production, nuclear technology must be an option. Senate Bill 76 was an opportunity to allow new, safe, and efficient reactors to be a tool in our energy toolbox. For over two years, hearings on this issue have been held in a bipartisan manner and Senate Bill 76 was the culmination of those efforts. Unfortunately, there are business interests and special interest groups within the renewable energy community that have hijacked this issue and the process for their own personal gain, financial and political.
Despite this setback, we will continue to work to expand clean energy generation in Illinois so that our grid is able to meet the shortfalls that RTOs have forecasted in the coming years. Unfortunately with this veto, that work has become harder.”
If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at your convenience.
* Humane Society…
Hi Rich,
The Humane Society of the U.S. released it’s 2023 scorecard showcasing how State Representatives and Senators voted on animal welfare legislation. We passed several important bills into law this year and a few passed one chamber but got held up in the other. We’re thrilled to see so many 100’s but still have work to do for those that got F’s. Feel free to share!
F’s included Republican Reps. Martin McLaughlin, Jeff Keicher, Jed Davis, CD Davidsmeyer, Chris Miller, Adam Niemerg, Brad Halbrook, Democratic Sen. Patricia Van Pelt (who was gone all spring) and Republican Sen. Don DeWitte.
* SoS union agreement…
This morning I joined the leadership of @SEIU73 to announce that our office has reached a unanimous tentative agreement on a 4-year contract - the earliest an agreement has been reached in the history of the SOS office!! Proud to call these amazing folks my teammates. #ILSOSpic.twitter.com/ODKHJVtN3Z
— Secretary Alexi Giannoulias (@ILSecOfState) August 18, 2023
* Speaking of labor negotiations, here’s the Tribune…
In his weekly message to members, union President John Catanzara said the union and city engaged in two bargaining sessions last week, both of which, he said, were “extremely productive.”
“The city realizes (that) negotiating in good faith for a change is the best path forward as the arbitration process continues,” Catanzara said.
* RIP…
My husband was a remarkable man. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him and loved him. pic.twitter.com/6BG0uSlnM7
* Sun-Times | Pritzker signs bill combating food deserts across Illinois: There were 3.3 million Illinois residents living in a food desert, according to a 2021 Illinois Department of Public Health report. The new measure will support existing grocers and help encourage new grocers by allowing stores receiving grants to be able to receive tax credits and other incentives.
* Crain’s | Chicago Teachers’ Pension Fund says no to Lincoln Yards: The pension fund today said in a statement that it has “declined to take further action” on a proposition from Sterling Bay to become the primary financial backer of the sprawling 53-acre project. Sterling Bay pitched the $12.1 billion fund’s investment committee in May on its vision for the development along the North Branch of the Chicago River between Lincoln Park and Bucktown, hoping to win what could be as much as a $300 million investment to jump-start it.
* NYT | Blue-Light Glasses Are Unlikely to Help Eye Strain. Here’s What Does.: Researchers have long been skeptical that blue-light glasses can curb eye strain, said Mark Rosenfield, a professor at the State University of New York College of Optometry. Previous studies have also typically been small, but several have found that the lenses did not prevent people’s eyes from tiring or getting irritated, and did not appear to improve vision.
* NYT | How States Are Threading the Needle on Flag Design: So is it worth it to attempt a redesign? Elizabeth Goodspeed, a graphic designer and design critic, thinks so. The flag, she said, is “like a physical, visual manifestation of a state’s values in the same way that a logo in a brand system represents what a company cares about.” From that perspective, she explained, “rebranding is a very powerful tool.”
* Sun-Times | As Friday Morning Swim Club grows, so do safety concerns: Zacharias wasn’t planning on making a TikTok, but when her fiance found himself treading water among a sea of colorful floats, Zacharias had to capture it. “I just want everybody to be safe; I don’t want this to turn into a horror story,” she said of making the July 14 video, which has raked in 1.1 million views and 120,000 likes.
When asked before the grand jury on March 31, 2021, whether McClain had “any contact” with Lang “for any purpose” between 2017 and 2019, Mapes said under oath, “I don’t know of any.”
It’s just one of many ways prosecutors have now used a monthslong wiretap of McClain’s phone to make their case that Mapes lied in 2021 and tried to block the feds’ aggressive yearslong investigation of Madigan and McClain.
They piled on further Thursday, despite an early setback in which a key call was stricken from the trial by U.S. District Judge John Kness. […]
Lang testified in McClain’s earlier trial about the Nov. 8, 2018, call in which McClain told him it was time to resign.
McClain called himself “an agent, somebody that cares deeply about ya, who thinks that you really oughta move on.”Lang had faced a separate allegation earlier that year.
The obstruction of justice charge, which comes with a maximum of 20 years in prison, alleges Mapes gave false testimony about more than a dozen topics, including whether he knew McClain communicated with Lang in 2018, with some of those communications at Madigan’s direction.
“I have no knowledge or recall of that,” Mapes told the grand jury when prosecutors asked if he knew whether McClain was in contact with Lang.
But according to the wiretapped calls, Lang was a frequent topic of conversation between Mapes and McClain in 2018, especially that fall.
“My assignment is to tell Lou Lang he has no life in the House anymore,” McClain told Mapes in an Oct. 26, 2018 call.
Three days later, Mapes asked McClain for an update about the Lang situation.
“Hey, how’s your buddy Lou Lang doing?” Mapes asked, chuckling. “Have you delivered the bad news yet?”
In one call from Oct. 26, 2018, McClain told Mapes, “My assignment is to tell Lou Lang that he has no life in the House anymore.”
“You’ve had one discussion with him. Did you have more?” Mapes asked.
“I’m doing it in tiers,” McClain responded.
In a recorded telephone call from Oct. 31, 2018, McClain said he would wait until fundraising checks that they had directed Lang to disperse to other Democratic candidates cleared, “Then I gotta tell (Lang) he’s gotta move on, he has no future in the House.”
Lang said on the call he needed to think things over before making a decision, but thanked McClain for “leveling” with him, stating he would never do anything to “damage my speaker or my caucus.”
Following his testimony, jurors heard more recorded phone calls and viewed email exchanges between McClain and Mapes in which they discussed the Lang situation. […]
In another call from Oct. 31, McClain reiterated that he had to tell Lang “he’s gotta move on, he’s got no more future in the House.”
Weeks later in a call on Nov. 15, McClain informed Mapes that Lang intended to “resign before the end of the calendar year.” Mapes then replied that he’d heard Lang was already informing other legislators of that decision.
* Off-topic, but McClain made some ugly sexist remarks when talking to Mapes, which could have an impact on the jury…
McClain tells Mapes that his replacement as chief of staff is in over her head. “This is between you and me. I never thought that she was the sharpest knife in the drawer and her head has been swimming a lot.”
A federal appeals court on Thursday dismissed a lawsuit challenging a New Jersey law that creates a pathway for the state to sue the gun industry.
A three-judge panel on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit ruled the lawsuit brought by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), a firearm industry trade association, was filed too early. The group challenged the law before enforcement began. […]
The law, which was passed last year, enables New Jersey’s attorney general to sue entities that manufacture, distribute, sell or market gun-related products if they contribute to a public nuisance.
The trade association filed the lawsuit in November before New Jersey’s law went into effect, and a federal district judge blocked the legislation in a preliminary decision.
Federal courts are not forecasters. The Constitution limits our jurisdiction to disputes that have ripened fully. We may not prejudge hypothetical cases or offer legal advice. Instead, par- ties must first be injured before coming to us for redress. Only then do we react. When constitutional rights are at stake, we accelerate that timeline—but only slightly. We may hear a case before a person’s rights are violated only if the threat is imminent.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation challenges a new state gun law as violating its members’ constitutional rights. But we see little evidence that enforcement is looming. Be- cause the Foundation has jumped the gun, its challenge must be dismissed. […]
The first theory goes not to standing, but to the merits. Even if federal law gives gun sellers a statutory immunity that New Jersey would violate just by filing a complaint, a statutory violation is not enough to show standing. The Foundation must also show how violating their purported statutory immunity “has a close relationship to a harm traditionally recognized as providing a basis for a lawsuit in American courts.” It has not done so. Nor has it explained why this potential statutory (rather than constitutional) violation would justify pre-enforcement review. We will not try to connect the dots for it.
The Foundation’s second theory is not much better. It rests on “generalized allegations.” The Foundation says little about what it plans to do. It has pleaded that it is an association of gun makers and sellers, and it has offered declarations that the Law chills its members’ manufacturing, marketing, and sales. From that evidence, we can infer that its members plan to make, market, and sell guns. But that is all.
Yet “an allegation that certain conduct has (or will have) a chilling effect on one’s speech must claim a … threat of specific future harm.” Id. at 269–70 (internal quotation marks omitted). The same goes for one’s Second Amendment rights. But the Foundation makes no such specific claim. It repeatedly conjures the specter of “sweeping liability” that will force its members to shutter their businesses. Yet its bold assertion is backed by no evidence. A plaintiff must do more than assert “subjective chill.”
NSSF General Counsel Lawrence Keane said in a statement the group will file another complaint against New Jersey should the “public nuisance” law be enforced against the gun industry.
“While we respectfully disagree with the court’s decision on our pre-enforcement challenge, it is important to note the court did not say New Jersey’s law does not violate the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act; it clearly does,” Keane said.
But it’s probably also worth noting that the US Supreme Court did pretty much the opposite recently when it struck down a Colorado law that hadn’t yet harmed the plaintiff.
Illinois State Senator Willie Preston came to the rescue of a driver whose truck had flipped onto its side in Chicago last week.
Sen. Preston, who represents Illinois’ 16th District, was driving near 79th and Kedzie last Friday when he saw people recording something on their phones.
He said he then saw a semi that had flipped onto its side. It was smoking, and the driver was trapped inside.
Sen. Preston had a tool in his car, which he used to break the windshield and then helped the driver out of the cab.
Avoid traffic heading west down 79th Street as a major accident has occurred on 79th Kedzie. As a community, when we see someone in distress I encourage us to help, not just record. #unityandprogress
*** UPDATE *** I should’ve mentioned this as well. From a press release…
State Senator Willie Preston gave local south side high school baseball players a surprise of a lifetime with a trip to one of the most famous baseball fields last weekend.
“I am pleased I was able to bring such an amazing opportunity to the players and coaches from the 16th District,” said Preston (D-Chicago). “I want our next generation of kids to know that there is life beyond our neighborhood and that we believe in them and will support them by investing in their dreams and futures.”
At 6 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 13, teammates from Leo, Oaklawn, Simeon, Perspective’s, and Lindblom high schools packed on to a bus to play in State Senator Willie Preston’s Field of Dreams All Star Game at the legendary Field of Dreams from the 1989 film. The baseball players were also able to meet and train with professional baseball players and coaches.
Preston has developed a strong relationship with the schools and the administration in his district. As a newly elected official, he has supported back to school drives, food giveaways, and other community events.
“I am so proud of these young, talented men and their dedication both on and off the field,” said Preston. “Being able to show them they matter and so do their futures is exactly why we brought them to the Field of Dreams.”
Wow! Today was an incredible day!!! God has truly put me in a position to do some incredible things for his people. I’m not waisting a second. #senatorprestonfieldofdreamsallstargame #UnityAndProgress
Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that no electric or gas public utility shall disconnect service for nonpayment of a bill or deposit to any residential customer or master metered apartment building if gas or electricity is used as the primary source of space heating or is used to control or operate the primary source of space heating equipment at the premises and the customer has provided documentation that he or she is applying for grants or financial resources to pay the utility bill until 75 days after the customer provides documented proof of the grant or financial resource application. Provides that during the grace period the electric or gas public utility shall waive any late fees. Provides that an electric or gas public utility is not required to provide a grace period for a 12-month period after the conclusion of the preceding grace period.
Amends the Election Code. Prohibits a political committee from making certain expenditures to provide a defense in any criminal case or a defense in a civil case against any claims that a person has committed misconduct in his or her capacity as a public official, any claims of sexual harassment, or any claims of discrimination. Requires that a person found to have used campaign contributions in violation of the Code shall return contributions to the contributor or pay to the State if the contributor cannot be identified or reimbursed. Requires the political committee to include information on the contributions returned to the contributor or paid to the State in the committee’s quarterly report to the State Board of Elections.
Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Children and Family Services to pay for all inpatient stays at a hospital beginning on the 3rd day a child is in the hospital beyond medical necessity, and the parent or caregiver has denied the child access to the home and has refused or failed to make provisions for another living arrangement for the child or the child’s discharge is being delayed due to a pending inquiry or investigation by the Department of Children and Family Services. In a provision requiring the Department of Children and Family Services to pay the DCFS per diem rate for inpatient psychiatric stays at a free-standing psychiatric hospital or a hospital with a pediatric or adolescent inpatient psychiatric unit, requires the Department to pay the DCFS per diem rate effective the 3rd day (rather than the 11th day) when a child is in the hospital beyond medical necessity.
Amends the Food Handling Regulation Enforcement Act. Provides that if a cottage food operation is located in another state, it must register with the local health department for the unit of local government where it will sell products. Provides that a cottage food product shall not be shipped out of State unless it is compliant with the laws of the state to which it is being shipped. Provides that a local health department may establish policies to allow for the indirect sale by retailers of food and drink produced by a cottage food operation within its jurisdiction. Makes conforming changes.
Creates the Whipped Cream Charger Sales Restriction Act. Provides that no person, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, firm, or any other business entity doing business in the State shall sell or offer for sale a whipped cream charger to any person under the age of 21. Provides that any person, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, firm, or other business entity doing business in the State selling, offering for sale, or distributing whipped cream chargers shall require proof of legal age prior to allowing an individual to purchase or receive a shipment of whipped cream chargers. Provides that identification is not required of any individual who reasonably appears to be at least 25 years of age. Provides that an individual’s appearance shall not constitute a defense in any proceeding alleging the sale or distribution of whipped cream chargers to an individual under 21 years of age. Provides that the Attorney General may impose a civil penalty after notice to the person, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, firm, or any other business accused of violating the Act and an opportunity for that person to be heard in the matter. Provides that the Attorney General may file a civil action in the circuit court to recover any penalty imposed under the Act. Provides that any person, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, firm, or any other business entity that violates the Act shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than $250 for an initial offense and not more than $500 for the second and each subsequent offense.
Recognizes the music genre of hip-hop in commemoration of its 50th anniversary and its continued cultural and social impact on the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois.
The Citizens Utility Board (CUB) on Wednesday thanked Gov. J.B. Pritzker for protecting Illinois consumers and issuing an amendatory veto on Ameren’s controversial “Right of First Refusal” legislation that the watchdog said would have needlessly raised costs for electric customers.
An amendment to House Bill 3445 would have given Ameren Illinois a monopoly over transmission projects. Having the “Right of First Refusal” means Ameren would have gotten first dibs on these big wire projects, thus eliminating the competitive bidding process for transmission projects in the utility’s territory.
Customers pay for these transmission projects through their electric bills, so Ameren’s proposal would have exposed customers to higher costs, at a time when they already face a record $1.3 billion rate-hike request on another part of their power bills. Ameren customers also face the utility’s proposed $148.9 million gas hike.
“CUB thanks Governor J.B. Pritzker for protecting consumers and issuing an amendatory veto on a provision of House Bill 3445 that would have given Ameren a monopoly over transmission projects,” CUB Executive Director Sarah Moskowitz said. “Not having a competitive bidding process for transmission projects risks higher costs for electric customers.”
Interestingly, the bill applies only to Ameren Illinois, which serves downstate Illinois, and not Commonwealth Edison. Ordinarily, the IBEW, which represents thousands of workers at both utilities, would have pushed to favor both companies.
But ComEd’s admission of an elaborate bribery scheme aimed at currying favor with former House Speaker Michael Madigan, and the recent convictions of the so-called “ComEd Four,” including former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore, on conspiracy and bribery charges, led backers to focus only on Ameren.
Senate President Don Harmon told me he viewed the bill as pro-union (IBEW), not pro-Ameren, but, man, this just didn’t smell good.
* The Ameren/union amendment popped up out of nowhere on May 25th. It was sent to the non-substantive Senate Assignments Committee that same day and immediately advanced to the Senate floor, where it passed 41-9 with one abstention. The House concurred the very next day on a 63-32-2 vote, far less than a veto-proof majority, likely because some House members were a bit more informed about the bill by that time, and/or upset with the way it was being muscled through.
While we have not yet reviewed the language in detail, we echo comments issued by the Department of Justice and FTC, which state that the 2011 federal elimination of “Right of First Refusal” resulted in new benefits for consumers: lower rates, improved service and increased innovation. We are concerned about the impact that of a right of first refusal will have on consumers, as a right of first refusal generally increases transmission costs. Research has demonstrated that competitively-bid projects are typically more affordable, costing 40% less than projects that are not competitively bid. We are concerned that right of first refusal stifles competition and discourages new entry to the market.
* The IBEW sent out a press release today with some decent counter-arguments, including these…
* The bottom line is that this is a huge issue involving a large and powerful utility company passed in the literal wake of the biggest utility-related corruption trial in Illinois history. This wasn’t one of those bills (like the assault weapons ban) that had been percolating and negotiated and various elements heard in committee for months or even years and then passed when the votes were finally rounded up.
House Bill 3445 deserved far more debate and scrutiny than it got. But if the legislature is gonna continue doing this sort of stuff, then maybe it does need to be reined in by the Supreme Court. /rant
At the official rally on the Director’s Lawn, Illinois House Republican Leader Tony McCombie, R-Savanna, addressed Pritzker’s remarks a day earlier accusing Republicans of persuading GOP voters to “believe their lies.”
“The problem is that here in Illinois, we have a low tolerance for bull—-,” Pritzker said on Wednesday.
“Democrats’ tolerance for bull—— might be low, but their tolerance for corruption is apparently sky high,” McCombie said Thursday to cheers from fellow Republicans. “They’re huddled up right now on yet another trial brought on by bribery, lying and self-interest.” […]
Illinois Senate Minority Leader John Curran, R-Downers Grove, said most voters “don’t want the extreme, expensive, unsafe policies being shoved down their throats by the Democratic majorities in this state.”
Illinois’ National GOP Committeewoman Demetra DeMonte, meanwhile, strategized on how to deal with the issue of abortion.
“Abortion is a topic that kind of sounds tough to talk about,” she said. “And that’s pretty much what our candidates did in 2022.”
While the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade put the decision on abortion rights back to the states, DeMonte said, Republicans should push back against claims that it did more than that. And they should pressure Democrats to define the acceptable limits for abortion, she said.
“The Democrats won by spewing lies in 2022,” she said. “Make no mistake, abortion will be their number one on their playbook in ‘24. Why change a winning strategy? We are the ones that must change – we Republicans must put Democrats on the defensive on abortion.”
Party leaders also acknowledged that abortion rights, which motivated Democratic voters — particularly women in the once GOP-rich suburbs — and led to election successes last year, will remain a critical 2024 election-year issue that they will have to try to counter.
“Why change a winning strategy?” Demetra DeMonte, the state’s Republican national committeewoman, said of Democrats during a breakfast meeting of GOP leaders. “We are the ones that must change. We Republicans must put Democrats on the defensive on abortion.”
Noting an “unending drumbeat” of Democratic ads on abortion rights last year, DeMonte and other Republicans said the GOP must work to label Democrats as extreme on the issue.
Republicans held their annual breakfast meeting Thursday, where navigating the abortion issue was another touchy topic.
“In Illinois, we’re not talking about life or choice. We’re talking about extremes,” McCombie said. “We’re talking about late term abortions. We’re talking about repealing parental notification. We’re talking about taxpayer funding. We’re not talking about choice or life in Illinois.
*** UPDATE *** Personal PAC CEO Sarah Garza Resnick responds to Leader McCombie…
At Personal PAC, we’ve been crystal clear: abortion rights. No exceptions. Leader McCombie’s rhetoric crosses a dangerous line, indeed calling reproductive choice back into question. This moment calls for the principled expansion of abortion access and improvement of equity across the state. As a non-partisan advocacy organization, we would welcome the partnership and support of any General Assembly member or candidate in this fight.
Still, even if Illinois Republican leaders wanted to redirect the conversation away from the former president and his legal troubles, there were signs of his continued hold over his party, including Trump campaign signs.
It is a reminder of the conundrum facing state Republicans as the former president is politically toxic, with moderate suburban voters needed to win general elections, but remains a favorite of the party’s downstate base.
This was clear in the Republican primary race for the 12th Congressional District, which features incumbent Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, and former GOP gubernatorial nominee Darren Bailey. Both have endorsed Trump.
“It’s bogus, it’s a complete witch hunt,” Bailey told reporters at the fairgrounds on Thursday. “What’s going on should be illegal. We need more attorney generals across the United States actually filing indictments against Joe Biden and many of the other people in office.”
Bailey concluded his term in the state Senate in January after a failed gubernatorial attempt in 2022. He never ruled out a return to politics in the months following and announced his run for the Illinois 12th Congressional District in July.
There, he will face off against U.S. Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, a five-term congressman representing 34 counties in southern Illinois. Bost was not in attendance for GOP Day, but was joined by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy for an O’Fallon campaign event that afternoon.
Bailey characterized the Bost-McCarthy event as a “sign of desperation,” from his primary opponent and attempted to link him as a Washington insider.
“Mike Bost has been very loyal to DC and I expect DC to be very loyal to Mike Bost,” Bailey contended. “When I get elected, my loyalty is going to go to the people in the 12th congressional district.”
* More…
* WAND | Illinois Republicans bash Pritzker, push for conservative family values in state politics: House Republican Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) said she’s optimistic for a productive session when she was sworn in for the 103rd General Assembly in January. While McCombie’s team consistently asked for meetings with Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, she said Welch was not honest or transparent with the House Republican Caucus. McCombie said the spring session was chaos and Welch showed he is the “master of mismanagement.”
* WGN | ‘Let’s talk about Illinois’: GOP leaders turn focus away from Trump at State Fair: There was visible support for the former president at a picnic on Thursday despite the allegations that he orchestrated a conspiracy to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. “I believe an indictment does not prove that you’re guilty,” Republican voter Paul Hofmann said. “I would like to see a change in venue. All of this is politics and politics can be a very brutal sport.”
* Sun-Times | Copi dokey? Illinoisans getting hooked on renamed invasive carp delicacies at State Fair: “We have been very busy,” said Darla Drainer, co-owner of the Grafton-based shack, which was contracted by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to serve up copi. “People have been seeing the signs all over the place. People just absolutely have loved it. Every time I ask: ‘Thumbs up. Very good.’”
* Daily Herald | Glendale Heights board asks village president to resign in wake of criminal charges: The Glendale Heights Village Board on Thursday night asked its embattled president, Chodri Ma Khokhar, to resign because he is facing criminal charges accusing him of filing false police reports. “Considering the mayor’s conduct … the best interest of the community would be served by his immediate resignation,” Trustee Chester Pojack said, reading from a statement he said was signed by all trustees.
* Tribune | City ‘will suffer’ if officer disciplinary hearings are held out of public view, Police Board president says: Addressing a recent effort by the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7 to remove 22 misconduct cases from the board’s docket, Ghian Foreman, the board’s president, said: “Police accountability and, ultimately, the people of Chicago will suffer if the most serious police disciplinary cases are removed from the police board’s jurisdiction, which is what will happen if this decision is allowed to stand.”
* Crain’s | Northwestern floats modifications to stadium project: In a message Thursday night, school President Michael Schill said the university is willing to dial back the number of summer concerts at the new Ryan Field to six from 10, a move apparently aimed at addressing concerns raised by nearby residents in Evanston and neighboring Wilmette.
* Apartment Therapy | A Frank Lloyd Wright Home in Chicago Is Listed for Just $75K: Now, if you’re thinking that’s just too good to be true, it’s worth noting that this dream home does come with some pretty major caveats. The property, located in Wright’s Waller Apartments at 2846 W Walnut Street, is being sold as-is, but it’s definitely not move-in ready. In fact, the interior of the two-story home has been gutted down to the studs, and the back porch needs to be replaced. But even if you’ve got the budget for a complete reno, you’ll need to work with a developer that has city development experience, and the exterior will need to remain in compliance with its Chicago Landmark status, which means only minor repairs to the outside will be allowed.
* The Big Lead | Dick Bigger Jr. Gets His Ball Signed at Illinois State Fair: While most people are paying very close attention to the Iowa State Fair, there’s another Midwestern gathering going on at the neighboring Illinois State Fair. While Ron DeSantis and other Republican presidential hopefuls are in Iowa, Illinois has to settle for Governor J.B. Pritzker who was nice enough to stop and sign a baseball for Dick Bigger Jr., of Biggsville, Illinois.
* Didn’t work for Vallas, so will it work for Davis?…
WHAT: Former Secretary of State Jesse White will endorse Congressman Danny K. Davis for reelection to the 7th Congressional District.
WHO:Congressman Danny K. Davis
Former Secretary of State Jesse White
Supporters
WHEN: Thursday, August 17, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. cst
LOCATION: Blessed Sacrament Youth Center, 3600 W. Cermak, Chicago
* The Democrats threw out a lot of red meat yesterday, and the Republicans did it today. One example…
McCombie says that Welch wants to expand Dems House majority from 78 to 84 seats. Plausible given the gerrymandered map + fundraising challenges for Republicans. Though acknowledging it’ll be a “challenging” cycle, she says “bring it on.” #twillhttps://t.co/kk39om1iF7
* The Director’s Lawn on the Illinois State Fairgrounds has a problem. The area in front of the stage is in direct sunlight, so folks are content to stand or sit in the cool shady breeze. Both Governor’s Day and Republican Day had good-sized crowds, but you’d never know it because people don’t want to sit in the sun. Maybe the two parties need better crowd wranglers, but maybe also the seating could be made more comfortable for the people who schlep themselves to the events. Here’s Governor’s Day…
Republican day…
This was a problem even before they rearranged the Director’s Lawn to move the stage far away from the road (and potential protesters). But it was quite noticeable this year.
* Interesting…
With the departure/move of Sens. Pacione-Zayas and Van Pelt and Reps. Collins, Hurley, and Robinson, here's what the ol' ILGA tenure chart looks like.
Notably, your average Senate Republican has now served longer than the average member of any other caucus. pic.twitter.com/KaqP8m5g7O
Attorney General Kwame Raoul called for immediate action from the federal Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to grant work authorization permits for immigrants who have been allowed to enter and remain in the United States temporarily.
Many new arrivals have been “paroled” into the United States, meaning that they are legally allowed in the country while their request for admission is reviewed. Those who have been granted parole are immediately eligible for work authorization, but processing delays have left many newcomers unable to support themselves and their families. This has also placed an increasing and unsustainable burden on states that offer support services to ensure these new arrivals do not go without food, shelter, education and medical care. Raoul joined a coalition of 19 state attorneys general in sending a letter to DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas calling for immediate action to ensure work authorization for new arrivals.
“People who come to America and are authorized to work should not face long wait times and burdensome bureaucratic hurdles,” Raoul said. “Giving immigrants the chance to work helps relieve overburdened safety net resources and provides them an opportunity to contribute to the country in which they have sought refuge.”
Processing delays have left many new arrivals eager to find employment waiting for ten months or more for work permits. Wait times are particularly long for those who require a fee waiver, as they cannot submit their applications online. Of those immigrants who have managed to secure employment authorization, many have lost their jobs due to the expiration of their work permits while renewal applications are pending.
Specifically, Raoul and the attorneys general are urging DHS to:
Grant work authorization upon issuance of parole, or allow parolees who have applied for work authorization to work while those applications are pending.
Address inconsistent lengths of parole and streamline renewal.
Automatically renew work authorization permits whenever parole or other immigration status is renewed, like the process for Temporary Protected Status.
Make work authorization applications with a fee waiver available online to streamline and expedite processes.
* Sun-Times | Trump? Trump who? GOP focuses on rebuilding at State Fair — not party’s indicted presidential frontrunner: After humbling defeats across the state last year, Illinois Republicans on Thursday spoke of rebuilding and trying to gear up support in the Chicago suburbs ahead of next year’s elections — with most steering clear of delving into the effects of former President Donald Trump’s fourth criminal indictment. While Illinois Republican Party Chairman Don Tracy vowed the GOP must beat President Joe Biden in 2024 and Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker in 2026, he kept his focus on local elections and bashing Chicago as “a great city with lousy governance.”
* Illinois Times | CO2 pipeline stalled in Sangamon County: The Republican-controlled board voted unanimously on Aug. 8 to enact a moratorium through Dec. 31 on issuing any permits for future underground storage of CO2 from the proposed CO2 pipeline through the county.
* WICS | Aim high grant program: A bipartisan effort to retain Illinois’ brightest students becomes permanent law: Signed into law by Governor Pritzker, House Bill 301 will now officially make the aim high grant program permanent. “Really, it’s great because it helps kids, it helps families, parents, you know, and most importantly we want these kids to stay in Illinois, want them to invest in Illinois graduate you know work here spend their money here and it’s just a great program to try to help keep the best and brightest in Illinois,” said Senator Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet).
* SJ-R | Alderman hopes modifications for cannabis-related businesses can spur minority ownership: The resolution would lower the setbacks for such businesses operating in proximity to schools, houses of worship and residential areas. The current setback is 1,500 feet, but the resolution would lower it to 1,000 feet. The setback for businesses that grow cannabis will remain at 1,500 feet.
* Crain‘s | Citadel acquires Yellow debt owned by Apollo, other lenders : An affiliate of Ken Griffin’s Citadel has acquired roughly $485 million in Yellow Corp. debt previously owned by Apollo Global Management Inc. and other senior lenders to the bankrupt trucking firm, according to a person familiar with the matter.
* Tribune | Chicago Air and Water Show 2023: Lineup, schedule, accessibility and where to watch US Air Force Thunderbirds: Just a few generations ago, flying was a marvel to most Chicagoans. They caught “aviationitis” and loved to watch fantastical flying machines soar over the lakefront. That love affair continued to 1959 when water skiers, games and a diving competition filled the lineup for the city’s first air and water show, which was a celebration for kids in the Chicago Park District’s day camp program. It was produced for just $88.
* Block Club | Here’s How West Siders Can Apply For Federal Flood Assistance: For those who suffered damage to their home and have insurance for their home or apartment, FEMA asks that those residents first file a claim with their insurance provider. Residents who did suffer damage and do not have insurance or have under-insured losses can contact FEMA to register for assistance, according to the federal agency.
* AG News | Governor’s sale of Champions brings in more than $280,000 for Illinois Ag Youth: Governor JB Pritzker and First Lady MK Pritzker had the winning bid on the Grand Champion Steer for the 4th year in a row at $105,000 which tied the record the First Lady set in 2021. The steer will be donated to Feeding Illinois and sent to food banks across the state.
- Today, the state of Illinois reported 6,153,500 non-farm jobs beating our previous record from January 2020 of 6,145,400.
- Illinois reported 5,334,000 private sector jobs, beating the previous record of 5,130,000.
- In the last month the state added 11,200 jobs, a .2% increase—that’s double the rate of increase of the nation as a whole.
“Illinois has experienced consecutive job growth every month this year, and today’s record-breaking total payroll jobs data is clear indication of the marked level of strength in the labor market throughout the state,” said Deputy Governor Andy Manar. “As the state continues to prioritize investments in workforce opportunities, IDES and its partners stand ready to provide the services needed for individuals to take advantage of the new and expanding job possibilities across Illinois.”
The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that the unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.0 percent, remaining at the lowest level since the onset of the pandemic, while nonfarm payrolls increased by +11,200 in July, surpassing the pre-pandemic number of total nonfarm payrolls, based on preliminary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and released by IDES. The June revised unemployment rate was 4.0 percent, unchanged from the preliminary June unemployment rate. The June monthly change in payrolls was revised from the preliminary report, from +8,400 to +9,700 jobs. The July unemployment rate and payroll jobs estimate reflect activity for the week including the 12th.
In July, the industry sectors with the largest over-the-month job gains included: Educational and Health Services (+6,400), Trade, Transportation and Utilities (+4,500), and Government (+1,900). The industry sectors with monthly payroll job declines included: Professional and Business Services (-3,000), Other Services (-900) and Manufacturing (-500).
“Illinois has experienced consecutive job growth every month this year, and today’s record-breaking total payroll jobs data is clear indication of the marked level of strength in the labor market throughout the state,” said Deputy Governor Andy Manar. “As the state continues to prioritize investments in workforce opportunities, IDES and its partners stand ready to provide the services needed for individuals to take advantage of the new and expanding job possibilities across Illinois.”
“It’s clear that Illinois is making significant progress as we achieve this notable milestone for payroll jobs,” said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. “Illinois is experiencing a banner year for economic development and DCEO remains committed to providing resources and support to job seekers and job creators across the state.”
The state’s unemployment rate was +0.5 percentage point higher than the national unemployment rate reported for July. The national unemployment rate was 3.5 percent in July, down -0.1 percentage point from the previous month. The Illinois unemployment rate was down -0.4 percentage point from a year ago when it was at 4.4 percent.
Compared to a year ago, nonfarm payroll jobs increased by +89,700 jobs, with gains across most major industries. The industry groups with the largest jobs increases included: Educational and Health Services (+42,500), Government (+27,200), and Leisure and Hospitality (+26,500). Professional and Business Services (-12,400), Manufacturing (-10,200), and Information (-5,200) reported declines in payroll jobs. In July, total nonfarm payrolls were up +1.5 percent over-the-year in Illinois and up +2.2 percent in the nation.
The number of unemployed workers was 255,100, the lowest level since the onset of the pandemic. The number of unemployed was down -1.2 percent from the prior month, and -11.0 percent over the same month one year ago. The labor force was down -0.2 percent over-the-month and down -0.3 percent over-the-year. The unemployment rate identifies those individuals who are out of work and seeking employment. An individual who exhausts or is ineligible for benefits is still reflected in the unemployment rate if they actively seek work.
In June 2020, Governor Pritzker launched Get Hired Illinois, a one-stop-shop website to help connect job seekers with hiring employers in real time. The site features virtual job fairs, no-cost virtual training, and includes IllinoisJobLink.com (IJL), the state’s largest job search engine, which recently showed 53,334 posted resumes with 107,599 available jobs.
The record comes almost a year after the nation passed its pre-pandemic total last September. But gleeful officials in Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration trumpeted the news, saying it proves Illinois is on the right path.
* The day started at the Illinois Democratic County Chairs’ Association Brunch, Rick Pearson reports…
“They say they want to solve real problems. But then they spend all of their time screaming conspiracy theories about ‘The Purge,’ about Disney, about green M&M’s and space lasers,” Pritzker told several hundred people at the annual Democratic County Chairs’ Brunch.
The festivities, both at the brunch in the downtown Bank of Springfield Center and later on the director’s lawn at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, provided an early look into Democrats’ strategy for the 2024 election, focusing on a platform of protecting democracy and abortion rights a year ahead of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
The vote for president is the only statewide race next year, but the ballot will also include all 17 congressional seats — with Democrats now holding a 14-3 advantage — as well as all 118 state House and at least 20 of the 59 state Senate seats. […]
Pritzker thanked the county chairs for their help in his reelection, saying, “Together, we built a blue wave — a tsunami that swept away the red wall of Uihleins and Griffins and Rauners and Trumps.” […]
“Illinois Democrats have done more in the last five years to push back on the wave of authoritarian, anti-democratic MAGA Republican nonsense than in any other place in the country,” the governor said. “Leave it to us to raise the tallest flag in the fight against modern American fascism.
“Let me make one thing clear: Everyone indicted or accused in America is entitled to a presumption of innocence and every right under the due process clause of our Constitution,” U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois, said at the IDCCA event. “But having said that, the charges against Donald Trump are not just another political wrinkle in the campaign – the charges against Donald Trump are the most serious charges ever made against a public official in America.”
Pritzker said Illinoisans rejected Trump and statewide candidates that associated themselves with him because Illinoisans “have a low tolerance for bull—-,” riling up the crowd at the Bank of Springfield convention center.
“You know the old story about the emperor who had no clothes?” Pritzker said. “Well, he couldn’t get 10 feet in the South Side Irish Parade or in the Bud Billiken parade or at the State Fair without someone here telling him he’s naked.”
Pritzker contended that Illinois’ rejection of Trump, along with its actions to bolster unions, protect abortion rights and control guns, all contributed to Illinois being chosen as the site of the 2024 Democratic National Convention.
“We are a beacon for national success,” Pritzker said. “We are Barbie when everyone else is just Ken.”
After the brunch, Democrats held a very short rally on the Director’s Lawn at the Illinois State Fair. Afterward, Pritzker told reporters he’s confident the fight for reproductive rights will continue to bring Democrats to the ballot box — and the momentum will not lose steam ahead of next year’s elections.
“Democrats are motivated, and they are all across the nation, not just in Illinois. But I’ll tell you we can already see — and you see this in Ohio, you saw it in Kansas — that one of the issues that’s animating Democrats is preserving reproductive rights for women, and women’s rights are under attack,” Pritzker said. […]
Of his own political ambitions, Pritzker was asked if he’d challenge President Joe Biden in a primary “in a pinch.”
“I’m for Joe Biden. I’m fighting for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris,” Pritzker said. “They’re gonna win in November of 2024.”
With neither of the state’s U.S. senators or any of its statewide constitutional officers on the ballot next year, the focus this year was decidedly national as Pritzker and Democrats seek to keep Biden in the White House.
However, all state House seats will be up along, with a third of state Senate seats. Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, speaking briefly alongside House Speaker Chris Welch, D-Hillside, touted the gerrymandered legislative maps passed in 2021 that will likely ensure Democrats maintain control of the General Assembly through this decade. […]
Among the attendees of festivities in Springfield Wednesday was Jim Taylor of Decatur, who said it’s an annual pilgrimage for him.
“I always come over here on Democrat Day,” Taylor said. “I’m a die-hard Democrat and I like to be involved as much as I can. Not as much as I used to, but as much as I can.”
* Some stuff from X…
JB and MK Pritzker make a $105,000 donation for the best cow in Illinois. It’s a very nice cow named Bill from Kewanee, but if you’d like to see it again, Ag Director Jerry Costello said it’ll be at food banks around the state pic.twitter.com/lwCtIt80rj
Gov. J. B. Pritzker signs baseballs for Dick Bigger Jr., of Biggsville, during Governors Day at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield on Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023. Bigger has politicians sign baseballs every year he attends the fair and has a ball signed by fmr. President Obama. pic.twitter.com/tHExRwJGZn
First time getting a pork chop on a stick at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield! Thank you to our Illinois Pork Producers!#ILStateFairpic.twitter.com/0M1v66W98V
* WGN | Governor’s Day at State Fair has Dems on display: Chicago alderman Michael Rodriguez made the trip from the city’s Southwest Side to Springfield to celebrate the state’s status as the progressive capitol of the Midwest. “Illinois is an island of blue in a sea of red in the Midwest,” he said. “The fact is we’ve had so many accomplishments in the state of Illinois.”
“You did day in and day out stuff,” McClain told Mapes as he broached the question of whether Mapes would be comfortable going through the list he’d drafted of member assignments to House committees.
Mapes agreed to take a look.
“Are you comfortable with me telling him I talked to you?” McClain asked, referring to Madigan in a phone conversation he did not know was being recorded by federal agents.
Mapes again said he was fine with that, as long as the speaker was too.
“That’s what it comes down to: I don’t want to get in crosshairs with him and some of his staff,” Mapes said. “I hear the view that some of his staff doesn’t like me and they’re on path to shut me out.”
* Today…
Meisner makes a good point about other evidence (there’s plenty), and we still don’t know what exactly Mapes’ defense attorneys wanted redacted.
A downstate judge on Tuesday dismissed a trio of lawsuits brought by a former Republican attorney general candidate challenging Illinois’ sweeping gun ban, citing last week’s state Supreme Court ruling that upheld the law in a separate case.
The outcome was expected after the high court in a 4-3 decision said the ban on an extensive list of high-power semi-automatic weapons and high-capacity magazines does not violate the state constitution’s equal protection clause.
In that case and those brought by attorney Thomas DeVore, the plaintiffs argued the law violated the constitution by creating exemptions for certain trained professionals and for people who owned the now-banned firearms at the time the prohibition took effect, among other issues.
DeVore, who last year ran unsuccessfully for attorney general, said he plans to appeal Tuesday’s lower court ruling. […]
In addition to dismissing the case with prejudice, meaning it can’t be refiled, Jarman vacated temporary restraining orders that had blocked enforcement of the law against more than 150 licensed gun dealers and other entities as well as thousands of individual gun owners who were plaintiffs in the cases.
This matter is taken off advisement. This matter having previously come on for hearing on Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss, having considered the pleadings, the arguments, and applicable authority, now being more fully advised in the premises, I find and Order as follows: Plaintiffs filed the First Amended Complaint For Declaratory Judgment and Injunctive Relief challenging the constitutionality of the Protect Illinois Communities Act, also known as Public Act 102-1116 or House Bill 5471.
In Count I, Plaintiffs allege the act violates the three reading rule contained in the Illinois Constitution. In Count II, they allege that exceptions to the prohibition of possession, and sale of certain weapons, and devices contained in the act, violate the right to equal protection. Count III seeks a permanent injunction against enforcement based on the grounds alleged in Counts I and II.
Since this court heard arguments on Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss, the Illinois Supreme Court issued its Opinion in CAULKINS v. PRITZKER, etal. 2023 IL 129453. In that case the Court held that the exemptions contained in the act did not deny equal protection, and went on to say that the Plaintiffs in that case are not similarly situated to the trained professionals to which the exceptions apply. Based on CAULKINS v. PRITZKER, Count II is dismissed with prejudice.
The Court did not address the three reading rule, because the Plaintiffs in that case failed to cross-appeal from the denial of relief on those grounds in the trial court. The Illinois Supreme Court has, however previously held that because of the enrolled bill doctrine upon certification by the Speaker and the Senate President, a bill is conclusively presumed to have met all procedural requirements for passage, including the three readings rule. GEJA’S CAFE, v. METROPOLITAN PIER & EXPOSITION AUTHORITY, 153 Ill. 2d 239, 258-260 (1992). Based on the enrolled bill doctrine, Count I is dismissed with prejudice.
Because both Counts I and II are dismissed with prejudice, there is no underlying claim to pursue, Count III is dismissed with prejudice. Based on the foregoing, The pending Motions to Quash Non Party Subpoena and Motion to Quash Discovery Request are moot and not addressed.
The Temporary Restraining Order previously entered is vacated.
From the time Dan Caulkins copied and pasted my client’s complaint and filed it as his own and then hastily ran to the Supreme Court woefully unprepared to make a compelling case for gun owners in this state, I raised the strong likelihood that he would lose his case for the exact reasons the Supreme Court ruled. The lack of effort taken by Caulkins and his legal team is why the Court ruled that he had failed to meet their burden. I called it from the beginning. I commend the AG’s office for their skillful defense and ability to get Caulkins to do what they wanted, and I’m sure they are laughing at the naivety and ignorance exhibited by Caulkins.
Having said that, the IL Supreme Court’s decision that Caulkins failed to meet his burden does not bar my clients from being able to proceed to make their case that they are in fact similarly situated to all or part of the exempt class. The decision for dismissal by the circuit court in Effingham county was premature and in error as my clients have a right to make their case. The circuit court dismissed our client’s case without even so much as a hearing on the matter. As such, we will file a motion to reconsider immediately. In the event the motion to reconsider should fail, we will appeal to the Appellate Court and eventually the Supreme Court. We have evidence to prove the exempt class has nothing to do with training and our clients have a right to present it. Moreover, we will not waive our procedural constitutional violation of the three-readings clause, which Caulkins foolishly did, and we will present this argument to the Supreme Court as well.
Sadly, Caulkin’s ineptitude, and desire to have his five minutes of fame, has presently harmed millions of law-abiding gun owners in this state.
Caulkins’ Facebook comments have been bombarded. Click here for the vitriol. Whew.
…Adding… Heh…
Hey @wics_abc20, great story this morning on how Tom DeVore plans to take state’s gun ban to Effingham County court. But Newschannel 20, you didn’t tell viewers the real news: DeVore’s case was already dismissed. https://t.co/zcZzCK1DNc
Thursday, Aug 17, 2023 - Posted by Advertising Department
[The following is a paid advertisement.]
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* The Pantagraph | As Illinois Democrats gather in Springfield, a different-looking state party takes shape: It all sounds like a healthy Democratic Party of Illinois. However, many of these gains have actually been made in spite of the state party organization, which for years largely served as a vehicle for former House Speaker Michael Madigan — party chair between 1998 and 2021 — to send out campaign materials for state House Democrats. By law, state parties receive a significant postage discount.
* Daily Herald | Man pleads guilty to hate crime related to vandalism at McHenry County bakery: Joseph I. Collins of Alsip was immediately remanded to the McHenry County jail to serve the required 50% of an 180-day jail sentence. He also is required to serve 24 months of felony probation, perform 200 hours of public service and pay about $3,700 in fines and fees, and pay $2,300 in restitution, McHenry County Judge Tiffany Davis ordered.
* AP | Illinois will provide burial for migrant toddler who died on bus from Texas to Chicago: Rachel Otwell, spokesperson for the Illinois Department of Human Services, confirmed the girl’s name and said the Illinois Welcoming Center, a partially state-funded program, will cover burial costs for Jismary. The child’s great aunt, Gisela Gonzalez, said the family set out for the United States in May from their home in Colombia, where Jismary was born.
* NYT | The Shortage in School Bus Drivers Is Getting Worse: Looking for an alternative, the school district in Louisville, Ky., turned to a software program — leading to chaos. It’s one of many districts struggling to get students to class.
* Business Journal | Mark Mahoney joins ALPLM as chief of staff: “There’s no greater symbol of Illinois than Abraham Lincoln, and this library and museum is a leader in sharing his legacy with the world,” he said. “It also plays a key role in central Illinois tourism and contributes to Springfield’s economic and cultural vitality. I am very excited to be part of a such a great team that works tirelessly to share our history with tens of thousands of visitors every year from all over the world.”
* ScribbleLive is still down. Twitter has stopped allowing people to embed list feeds on websites. So, click here or here to follow breaking news. You can click here to follow the Tim Mapes trial.
State Rep. Lakesia Collins beat out fellow state Rep. Jawaharial “Omar” Williams in a showdown Tuesday afternoon for the open state Senate seat in the 5th district.
The appointment had high interest among Democrats as it pitted progressives against the old-school pols. Collins was backed by Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, a union ally who called Democratic leaders urging them to support her.
Williams had his own cheer-leading section. It was led by his father, Ald. and Vice Mayor Walter Burnett Jr., who sat on the committee making the appointment and had the largest number of weighted votes on the panel.
Collins and her allies worked the phones to lock down support for the vote. It worked. When it came time to vote, it was clear Collins had it nailed, and she ultimately won by acclamation. Key players in her corner: Alds. Jason Ervin (28th), Emma Mitts (37th) and Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th), and Committeewoman Lucy Moog (43rd).
* From the Lift the Ban Coalition…
Today, the Lift The Ban Coalition held a news conference to announce the Let the People Lift the Ban Act (HB4104), new legislation that allows Illinois communities to opt out of the statewide ban on rent control via local referendum. The legislation also extends additional protections to renters across the state.
With pandemic-related rent relief funds drying up and eviction moratoriums sunsetting, Illinois is spiraling back into a housing affordability crisis. Evictions have reached pre-pandemic levels and are rising. Rent increases are skyrocketing across Illinois, with some counties seeing annual aggregate rent increases of more than 17%.
“Recent U.S. Census Data shows that 47% of Illinois renters are paying more than 30% of their monthly income on housing. This is not sustainable. All across Illinois, our working families are facing significant pressures every month to pay the rent,” said 13th District State Representative and HB4104 Chief Sponsor Hoan Huynh (D-Chicago). “We need to pass HB4104, by allowing local municipalities to be engaged in the democratic process and decide for themselves through a binding referendum whether or not to lift the ban on rent control. The power belongs to the people. Let’s have the people decide, not corporate special interest entities.”
“I know what it feels like to not have sustainable housing to rest my head,” said Springfield renter Quentora Dumas. “Lifting this ban will give Illinois renters the right to fight against rent gouging, limit rents, and help boost the economy.“
Illinois voters should have the right to decide the kinds of policies that can be enacted to address this issue, including rent control. In 1997 a bill was passed in the legislature that precludes the ability for Illinoisans to legislate on this issue. Our bill would put power in the hands of everyday Illinois residents who have been disenfranchised to lift the ban on rent control.
* Press release from Michael Mini, Executive Vice President, Chicagoland Apartment Association, on HB4104…
“We strongly oppose the idea of rent control. When market forces are artificially influenced by rent control policies, investment in the supply of new housing diminishes leaving renters with fewer quality housing options – we’ve this happen from San Francisco to St. Paul to New York. Consensus among housing policy experts remains that rent control policies actually work against affordable housing objectives because they discourage investment in new and existing rental housing, erode property values, and lead to an overall shortage of quality, affordable rental housing.
Our collective efforts need to be focused on developing more housing options, and specifically, more housing that is affordable to local residents in need. There are other policy alternatives to rent control that advocates, developers and affordable housing providers agree will help the housing issues impacting people throughout the state. The SHAPE coalition and our partners are committed to working with policymakers at all levels of government to explore and implement policies and programs to provide affordable housing solutions such as direct rental assistance to residents, tax incentives to keep rents affordable, and policies that streamline, incentivize, and reduce impediments to apartment development.”
* Isabel’s roundup…
* Daily Herald | IDNR to install EV charging, build solar installation as part of new climate plan: The “blueprint” is designed to help combat climate change and reach state greenhouse gas reduction goals, specifically Illinois’ ambition of reaching 100% clean energy by 2050. Organized into five key areas, strategies include utilities and buildings, sustainable site operations, climate-smart natural areas, equity, and learning and engagement.
* Chalkbeat | Chicago is seeing an influx of migrant students. Are schools ready to serve them?: Once a school enrolls 20 or more students with the same language background, state law requires the school to implement a Transitional Bilingual Education program. Full-time TBE programs require educators to teach core subjects in both English and the native language of those students. The school must also provide instruction of English as a second language.
* Crain’s | After a slow liftoff, this crucial O’Hare terminal revamp is years late: The big airport job has virtually vanished from the news. O’Hare traffic has been relatively slow to recover from COVID. There’s been jostling between the city and its airline partners over spiraling costs, and construction on the first of three promised new terminals is not even scheduled to begin until the last half of 2024.
* Daily Herald | ‘Done everything the right way’: Palatine mayor on why video gambling may stay put: But first, the village council decided Monday to cap the number of video gambling liquor licenses in town at 11. If that cap is raised in the future, the council decided, any new applicant would have to obtain at least half its revenues from liquor sales — a move that would block out businesses focused primarily on gambling.
* Crain’s | Illinois cannabis sales rose last year, but taxes fell. How come?: It’s one more example of the growing pains of a young industry that’s being buffeted by both broader economic headwinds as well as the unique forces within the cannabis business — from national politics and local market dynamics.
* SJ-R | Memorial cutbacks end valet service; patients lament the loss: Sherry Walters of Pawnee has been bringing her mother, Barbara, to Springfield Memorial Hospital’s radiology department for treatments five days a week. Walters’ mother uses a walker and Walters has a bad leg that also makes walking difficult. […] “The valet guys were just so great,” Walters said last week. “You couldn’t beat them. They were so nice, and they did whatever they had to do to help you.”
* Sun-Times | State Street revamp ideas aim to revitalize Downtown stretch: Revitalizing State Street should include improving streetscapes, adding more art and light displays, creating new programs tied to major city events and periodically closing the street to vehicle traffic, according to new recommendations from a city-commissioned panel.
* WCIA | Fairgoers react to renovations at Illinois State Fair : “There were many years that went on, under previous administrations, to where either not much or no work was done to a lot of the facilities here on the fairgrounds,” said IDOA Director Jerry Costello. “That has all changed.”
Today, I return House Bill 3445, an energy omnibus bill, with specific recommendations for change. […]
House Bill 3445 contains many useful provisions to advance energy policy in Illinois. However, the right of first refusal language inserted by Senate Amendment 4 will raise costs for rate payers by giving incumbent utility providers in the MISO region a monopoly over new transmission lines. Eliminating competition will cause rates to increase in the MISO region, where there is currently over $3.6 billion in planned transmission construction in the Ameren service territory. Without competition, Ameren ratepayers will pay for these transmission projects at a much higher cost. Competitively bidding transmission construction, instead of giving the utility a monopoly, has been shown to lower costs significantly. My administration is committed to working with stakeholders and our partners in the General Assembly to enact meaningful energy policy, however, I cannot support legislation that puts corporate profits over consumers.
Therefore, pursuant to Article IV, Section 9(e) of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, I hereby return House Bill 3445, entitled, “An Act Concerning State Government,” with the following specific recommendations for change: On Page 217, line 7, delete “and Article XXIII” and delete the entirety of the language added beginning on page 220, line 18 and continuing through page 224, line 17.
With the above changes, House Bill 3445 will have my approval. I respectfully request your concurrence.
Sincerely,
JB Pritzker
Governor, State of Illinois
…Adding… ICJC…
“On behalf consumers and families across the state, the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition thanks Governor Pritzker for his amendatory veto of legislation that had granted Ameren a monopoly and risked them raising costs on their customers. As written, Ameren’s “Right of First Refusal” legislation (House Bill 3445) would have given a big handout to the big utility without providing any protections for workers or customers. We strongly support investment in new transmission capacity to reach our clean energy goals, but HB3445 could limit our ability to build those projects. We applaud the Governor for taking this action toward expanding transmission and bringing us another step closer to our clean energy future.”
* From Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias’ news media availability today…
Q: What lessons do you think Democrats have learned from the Madigan saga? We’ve got the Mapes trial ongoing, but that still kind of hangs over with Madigan facing trial next year.
Giannoulias: I will tell you that within our office and being in Springfield, we don’t talk about Mike Madigan. It doesn’t really come up. I’m focused on what we’ve been able to do. And as all of you know very well, Mike Madigan was never a fan of mine. He did everything he could to make sure I never got into office. So I’m proud of the leadership we have in place. We have great leaders in the Illinois Senate, in the House, and an amazing governor.
Q: But are there any lessons to be learned that you think the Democrats should pick up?
Giannoulias: Yeah, I think people are sick and tired of scandal, corruption. Anything we can do to increase transparency and let people know exactly what happens at every level is important. We’re doing that on our side with lobbyist registration. We want to know if you can increase transparency from the Secretary of State’s standpoint.
* To be very clear, the photo below is posted here with full permission from both House Majority Leader Robyn Gabel (on the left) and Maddie Norris. At the Illinois State Fair Director’s Lawn during Governor’s day ceremonies…
Members of Johnson’s administration have been involved in the discussions, but [Ald. Mike Rodriguez] is taking the lead on the effort. The measure adds to the growing list of legislation being considered heading into fall that affect relatively lower-wage workers. […]
If approved, the ordinance would increase minimum driver pay to $7 per ride, but allow for higher wages if a per-mile or per-minute rate exceeded $7.
[Lori Simmons of the Chicago Gig Alliance] says her group has no interest in giving up the larger fight and suggested a win at City Hall could tee up a larger fight in Springfield.
Although Illinois officials have not seriously pushed to reclassify workers, the General Assembly did deliver a blow to the rideshare companies this year when it approved, over the fierce opposition of Uber, a “common carrier” bill that opens the companies up to liability for accidents and injuries to passengers.
“Ultimately, I do see (reclassification) coming to the state level. And I think Illinois is uniquely positioned to actually win this fight because the companies do not have the same type of leverage to throw around here as they do elsewhere in the country.”
Rideshare companies Lyft and Uber are threatening to pull service out of Minneapolis if the city passes an ordinance Thursday that gives drivers more protections and higher pay.
Rideshare drivers have been pressing the Minneapolis City Council to pass legislation that would set a minimum compensation for drivers and create a process for them to appeal deactivations. The push at the city level comes just months after Gov. Tim Walz vetoed a similar bill that passed both houses of the state Legislature.
The proposed ordinance would, in part, ensure that any driver who has a ride that originates in Minneapolis would make an equivalent to the city’s minimum wage — $15 per hour.
The ordinance would change some protocols around deactivation, or the firing of Uber drivers, to give drivers more of an explanation. It would also eliminate the use of gift cards not issued by the rideshare companies, so there would be a way to trace riders and hold them accountable if necessary.
Minnesota Gov. Walz vetoed legislation after Uber threatened to cut off service in Minneapolis.
* House Bill 2231 was signed into law Friday. Here’s Sen. Martwick’s press release…
Thanks to a new law championed by State Senator Robert Martwick, rideshare companies will be subject to the same standard of care as all other transportation companies.
“As rideshare companies become an integral part of modern transportation, we must demand the same high standards of care as we do for traditional carriers,” said Martwick (D-Chicago). “Holding companies accountable for the actions of their employees is about safeguarding every passenger who places their trust in these services.”
Under the new law, rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft are subject to the common carrier doctrine, which holds transportation companies to the highest standard of care for their passengers. This allows the state to hold the company liable if an employee causes harm to a passenger through intentional means such as assault, or if a driver is intoxicated and causes an accident.
Previously, transportation network companies like Uber and Lyft were exempt from the common carrier doctrine, leaving victims with few means to hold the companies liable for harm caused by their drivers. Between 2017 and 2020, there were almost 14,000 reports of sexual assault from Uber and Lyft passengers, with 824 reported rapes.
“As we embrace innovation, we shouldn’t forget about safety,” Martwick said. “Today we reinforce the notion that safety is non-negotiable for every individual using rideshare services, which is paramount in preserving the trust and peace of mind of all who seek reliable transportation.”
* Related…
* Tribune | Uber enables audio recording safety feature to ride along in Chicago and resolve disputes: Once enabled, the safety feature will pop up on the app, giving both the driver and rider an option to hit the record button for all or part of the journey. The completed audio file is encrypted and stored on the user’s smartphone for seven days in the event that either party wants to submit an incident report to Uber.
Wednesday, Aug 16, 2023 - Posted by Advertising Department
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On Aug. 4, Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed into law House Bill 1120, which requires union neutrality clauses in all charter contract renewals or proposals. These clauses mean charter school operators will be required to support a union’s attempt to organize its staff, making it easier for CTU or other unions in Illinois to unionize charter schools.
*facepalm*
Union neutrality doesn’t force the charter schools to support union organizing. From the new law…
“Union neutrality clause” means a provision whereby a charter school agrees: (1) to be neutral regarding the unionization of any of its employees, such that the charter school will not at any time express a position on the matter of whether its employees will be unionized and such that the charter school will not threaten, intimidate, discriminate against, retaliate against, or take any adverse action against any employees based on their decision to support or oppose union representation; (2) to provide any bona fide labor organization access at reasonable times to areas in which the charter school’s employees work for the purpose of meeting with employees to discuss their right to representation, employment rights under the law, and terms and conditions of employment; and (3) that union recognition shall be through a majority card check verified by a neutral third-party arbitrator mutually selected by the charter school and the bona fide labor organization through alternate striking from a panel of arbitrators provided by the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.
Does a union neutrality requirement make it easier for the unions? Heck yes, it does. It prevents employers from actively undermining their organizing efforts. Do employers dislike these requirements? Heck, yes, they do, and they likely have good reasons. But it does not require the employers to support the activity. They just have to stay out of the decision. Also, keep in mind that these are taxpayer-financed public schools.
* Not sure that low tolerance claim is accurate, but here’s more context…
They say they want to solve real problems. But then they spend all of their time screaming conspiracy theories about the purge, about Disney, about green M&Ms and space lasers.
Because here’s their game ,everyone. Republicans think that if they lie about something often enough, if they deny the truth long enough, maybe we will start to believe their lies. The problem is this. Here in Illinois, we have a low tolerance for bulls–t. [Cheers]
You know the old story about the emperor who had no clothes? Well, he couldn’t get 10 feet in the South Side Irish parade or the Bud Billiken parade or at the State Fair without someone here telling him he’s naked.
Illinois Democrats have done more in the last five years to push back on the wave of authoritarian, anti-democratic MAGA Republican nonsense than in any other place in the country.
Leave it to the Land of Lincoln, Barack Obama’s home state, the home of Olympic gold medal champion Jackie Joyner Kersee.
Leave it to the state that enshrined workers rights into our Constitution. The state where we defeated Donald Trump resoundingly twice already. Leave it to us to raise the tallest flag in the fight against modern American fascism.
There’s a reason that we were chosen to host the Democratic National Convention next year. And it’s because we are a bright light of freedom in the center of the nation. We are a beacon lighting the path for national success. We are Barbie when everyone else is just Ken.
So as we head into 2024, it’s time to rally our troops for the political fight ahead. So I ask you Illinois Democrats. Are you ready for the fight? [Cheers] Are you ready for the fight? [Cheers] Let’s go get ‘em everybody!
Mapes even played down Madigan’s longtime admiration of Mayor Richard J. Daley, someone Madigan often spoke about with reverence.
“I think he had a respect for him,” Mapes said. “I don’t know about esteem.”
Mapes said he remembered Madigan saying Richard J. Daley “was a good politician” but testified that Madigan didn’t say why he thought that.
For crying out loud, Madigan had photos of the old man in his office as well as the prayer card from Daley’s funeral mass. When Madigan was named grand marshal of the St. Patrick’s Day parade, he had an exact replica of a hat Richard J. wore when he was grand marshal. Daley practically made Madigan part of the family after Madigan’s dad passed away. Mapes isn’t accused of perjuring himself on that answer, but sheeeeeeeesh.
“(McClain) was one of my fr– sorry strike that,” Mapes said, apparently stopping short of calling McClain a friend. “He was a member of the legislature before I started. … And then he was also a member of the leadership before he lost his election.”
I think now we’re seeing why the feds were so irked with Mapes’ grand jury testimony.
Facing one of the most serious threats to the power held by then-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan in 2018, his longtime friend and confidant decided it was time to “play hardball and quit doing this nicey/nicey stuff.”
One week earlier, political consultant Alaina Hampton had held a news conference to outline sexual harassment complaints against Kevin Quinn, a top political aide to Madigan. Her claims shook Madigan’s grip on power at the Capitol and created serious concern within his inner-circle, a federal jury heard Tuesday.
So Michael McClain sent a fiery email Feb. 21, 2018. In it, he suggested Madigan’s team go nuclear against their opponents and pitch scandalous stories about an open marriage and other Springfield dirt to “over worked, under payed” news reporters.
“We cannot lose him,” McClain wrote of Madigan. “We cannot give Illinois to these guys. So, we have to play sort of by their rules.”
Madigan’s longtime chief of staff, Tim Mapes, was among the recipients of McClain’s email. A former Madigan aide also testified Tuesday that Mapes was among those trying to insulate the speaker.
But despite apparently being looped in on McClain’s bid to save Madigan in 2018, Mapes later told a grand jury he didn’t remember McClain doing any tasks or assignments for Madigan at that time.
*Hard sigh*
* Hannah Meisel has more on the effort to save Madigan. As you may recall, Madigan created the Anti-Harassment, Equality and Access Panel through the Democratic Party of Illinois and appointed three members: US Rep. Cheri Bustos, Comptroller Susana Mendoza and state Rep. Carol Ammons. They immediately declared independence and refused to take any money from Madigan’s party apparatus. And when Bustos backed out, the others appointed Sen. Melinda Bush, who was a noted Madigan critic…
“I had wanted to talk this afternoon about well, what do we do with this panel?” Madigan said on a conference call with five close advisors, including Mapes and McClain. “What do we do with it? Do we do anything with it? Do we just let it go and go and go?”
Later in the call, longtime Madigan spokesman Steve Brown warned the media would pick up on any clues that the speaker was interfering with the panel’s work, and the sexual harassment allegations against Madigan’s organization would be rehashed.
“I’m trying to get my head around the idea that some other entity crops up and it’s not portrayed as an effort to supplant, derail whatever Mendoza’s supposed to be doing,” Brown said.
Good on Brown.
…Adding… Oof…
Was it because I asked that the bathroom in the House chamber be stocked with women’s menstrual products? I thought I asked really nicely… pic.twitter.com/L9GSypBp5b
As party leaders gathered Tuesday and conducted a question-and-answer session before deciding which candidate to back, [state’s attorney hopeful Eileen O’Neill Burke] snapped at committee members who questioned her over fraternizing with Republicans across the state. Much of what played out between O’Neill Burke and the committeemen felt like a repeat of the mayoral campaign for Paul Vallas, a relative conservative whose Democratic loyalty was challenged after comments he made likening himself to a Republican. […]
“We are a party organization, we want to know where people stand,” Martwick said. “The reason is . . . every Democratic primary opponent I have ever faced, every single one, has been a Republican running as a Democrat.”
Before Martwick could finish, O’Neill Burke shot back.
“Are you accusing me of being a Republican, Rob?” she said.
Martwick noted that O’Neill Burke’s campaign treasurer, Thomas Glasgow, had “only voted in Republican primaries every year since 2002,” which O’Neill Burke confirmed. “What do you have to say —,” Martwick began, before O’Neill Burke jumped in.
Glasgow “is a criminal defense attorney. I have been friends with him for three decades. He’s good with money. I asked him to be my treasurer. He’s not controlling my campaign; he’s merely my treasurer. But good job, Rob. Really thorough vetting on that one,” she said, as committee members murmured. Martwick muttered, “Wow.”
“What else do you want me to say, Rob? I am not a Republican, I have voted in every Democratic primary since I was 18,” she said.
“Justice, I think you’ve said it all,” Martwick replied.
* She was also asked about a small contribution to a Republican candidate for the appellate court. Here’s Craig Wall at ABC 7…
Alderman Michael Rodriguez, another Preckwinkle ally, quizzed Burke about her support for a Republican judge. Burke said the Democrat was rated not qualified.
“I have been a lifetime Democrat. I have supported Democrats but I also think it’s important to look at someone’s qualifications and not just do a litmus test,” she said.
When it came time for a vote, Harris won a unanimous endorsement.
She’ll run as the outsider, they’ll call her a Republican.
* Some background on Clayton Harris from Mitchell Armentrout at the Sun-Times…
Harris, a Washington Park resident, was a prosecutor under former Cook County State’s Attorney Dick Devine; an intergovernmental affairs assistant to former Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley; and lead counsel for the Chicago Department of Transportation.
Harris went on to the Illinois Transportation Department and eventually became the final chief of staff to Blagojevich late in the tenure of the governor who was later convicted on corruption charges.
In a 2012 letter to a federal judge, Harris — who was never accused of wrongdoing — described “chaos” in Blagojevich’s office, including “an episode where I was directed to fire the entire legal department because they lacked the professionalism that the governor believed should have been exhibited.” He also said Blagojevich ordered him to hire an unemployed lawyer “he met in line at Starbucks to be chief legal counsel of the state of Illinois!”
Harris didn’t follow up on either request, but he “did allow [Blagojevich] to believe” that he would do so because that was the best way to refocus the governor’s attention on more important matters, Harris wrote. […]
More recently, Harris served as executive director of the Illinois International Port District from 2016-2020 and then as public policy director for the ride-hailing giant Lyft through 2022, according to a LinkedIn profile. His teaching at the University of Chicago’s Harris School of Public Policy has focused on “the possible solutions available to change how race is policed.”
WGN News asked Harris if he would want Foxx’s endorsement.
“I would absolutely appreciate Kim Foxx’s endorsement,” Harris said.
Harris already has the backing of Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, almost guaranteeing him an influx of campaign cash and volunteers. He told WGN News that he has no problem being labeled the ‘establishment candidate.’ In fact, Harris believes a Preckwinkle endorsement ‘absolutely helps’ his campaign.
“She’s the president of the county. Her support, her backing is very influential, and she’s teed me up so that we can move forward,” Harris said. “I’m looking at garnering a large tree myself so that there are multiple branches on there from all walks of life.”
* Meanwhile, the party also voted yesterday to back Illinois Supreme Court Justice Joy Cunningham over Appellate Justice Jesse Reyes. Here’s Dan Hinkel and Alejandra Cancino at Injustice Watch…
Cunningham’s challenger, Reyes, sought the party stamp again after losing against the party-endorsed candidate in a 2020 bid to become the first Hispanic judge on the highest court. Reyes urged committee members to make history by giving Hispanic residents a “seat at the table of justice.”
“I’m merely a reflection of the Latino community’s dreams and aspirations of having a place on the bench of our state’s highest court,” said Reyes, who was endorsed by U.S. Reps. Jesus “Chuy” García and Delia Ramirez, both Chicago Democrats.
Cunningham, a former state appellate court justice and onetime president of the Chicago Bar Association, rejected that narrative in an interview, calling it divisive and saying she is a justice for all Illinoisans. On Monday, Cunningham introduced herself to the party as the daughter of immigrants from Panama and the Cayman Islands. Her father held two jobs, and she worked as a critical care nurse during law school, she said.
* WCIA | State shuts loophole allowing tax buyers to profit off blighted properties: Decatur Deputy City Manager Jon Kindseth has a backlog of abandoned homes in his city. […] “This is probably the largest tax reform bill in Illinois in the last two decades,” Kindseth said. “It’s that significant. It not only lowered interest rates for homeowners that are delinquent on their taxes. But it ultimately reduces a lot of loopholes that tax buyers have been exploiting for the last two or three decades.”
* SJ-R | Ready, set, go! Politicians gearing up for 2024 races descend on Illinois State Fair: Outside of the fair, the parties will hold meetings in downtown Springfield including the Illinois Democratic County Chairs’ Association brunch at the Bank of Springfield Center. There, Illinois Democrats will be joined by guest speaker U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nevada, starting at 9 a.m. before heading to the fairgrounds.
* WGN | Politics taking main stage at Illinois State Fair: Illinois Democrats will also emphasize the state’s importance as a labor stronghold and progressive capital of the Midwest. They say the state will play a key role in President Joe Biden’s re-election campaign with the Democratic National Convention coming to Chicago a year from now.
* Crain’s | Chicago Teachers Pension Fund exec on ‘do not hire’ list at prior employer: The executive director of Chicago Public School Teachers’ Pension & Retirement Fund was placed on a “do not hire” list by his former employer, Illinois Teachers’ Retirement System, after he had sent himself more than 300 emails containing retirement plan beneficiaries’ Social Security numbers and internal committee meeting information. The Office of Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor found that after Carlton W. Lenoir Sr. departed from Illinois Teachers, he was placed on the pension fund’s “do not hire” list, according to the office’s report dated June 27, 2022.
* ScribbleLive is still down. Twitter has stopped allowing people to embed list feeds on websites. So, click here or here to follow breaking news. You can click here to follow the Tim Mapes trial.
Yesterday the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Legislator Nominating Committee selected the next VP, who will subsequently become the president-elect, then President.
Illinois House of Representatives Assistant Majority Leader and Chairman of the Labor & Commerce Committee Marcus C. Evans, Jr. was selected. NCSL is a bi-partisan, non-political policy focused organization. Speaker Welch and Minority Leader Tony McCombie both supported Leader Evans.
Leader Evans has been actively involved in NCSL leadership since 2017, serving on both the State and Local Taxation Taskforce (SALT) and the Executive Committee.
In 2016 Retired State Senators Toi Hutchinson (NCSL President 2018), Donne Trotter, Pamela J. Althoff and current State Senator Elgie Sims (CSG Vice-President 2023) all were instrumental in encouraging Leader Evans’ initial involvement in national conferences, touting the many policy and legislative development benefits.
* The Cook County Democrats have released their listed of slated candidates. Click here for the list. As expected, Illinois Supreme Court appointed incumbent Joy Cunningham was slated instead of Appellate Court Justice Jesse Reyes. Clayton Harris was slated over Eileen O’Neill Burke. And Mariyana Spyropoulos was slated over incumbent Circuit Court Clerk Iris Martinez. Precious Brady-Davis, Kari Steele, Marcelino Garcia and Daniel Pogorzelski were slated for MWRD.
Burke will stay in the race…
Today, Justice Eileen O’Neill Burke, Candidate for Cook County State’s Attorney, released the following statement after the Cook County Democratic Committee’s slating vote ahead of the March 2024 Primary Election:
“I’m disappointed that the committee overlooked a woman with thirty years of experience in every corner of the courtroom to support a candidate who most recently lobbied against workers’ rights on behalf of corporate special interests. With the implementation of the SAFE-T Act and other reforms on the horizon, this election is critical to the future of Cook County. As a former prosecutor, criminal defense attorney, and judge, I look forward to sharing my vision for public safety and restorative justice with the voters and building the best prosecutor’s office in the country.”
…Adding… Illinois Latino Agenda…
The following is a statement from the Illinois Latino Agenda (ILA), a coalition committed to advocating for equitable representation of Latinos throughout our state government, in response to the CCDP’s slating decision, which was announced today:
“Today, the Cook County Democratic Party missed an opportunity to support a more representative and equitable State Supreme Court. While Illinois’ population is 18% Latino and Latinos are one of the fastest growing demographics in the state, Illinois has never had a Latino Supreme Court Justice.
“Having a Latino Supreme Court Justice with roots in our community, who knows what issues matter to our communities can help the Court make decisions that are more culturally informed and inclusive. While we are disappointed in the Party’s decision, we know it is ultimately up to the voters to choose who will sit on the State’s highest court in 2024.
“The Illinois Latino Agenda remains committed to advancing the wellbeing of Latinos in Illinois, and will continue working to leverage Latino civic engagement and voter turnout.”
…Adding… Harris…
Cook County State’s Attorney candidate Clayton Harris III celebrated the news that the Cook County Democratic Party voted on Tuesday to add him to their official slate for the 2024 election cycle:
“As a lifelong Democrat, I am grateful to have earned the endorsement of the Cook County Democratic Party. I thank the local Democratic Party leaders and grassroots activists who stepped up to join our diverse coalition as we get ready to launch our countywide petition drive,” said Harris. “I’ve been energized by the opportunity to travel across county, hearing people’s concerns, and listening to their ideas on how to make our communities safer. I’m committed to doing the work to ensure our office focuses on holding violent offenders accountable, and continues to push forward on the urgent work of reform.”
* AG Raoul…
Attorney General Kwame Raoul, along with seven attorneys general, is urging a federal court to strengthen a private, consumer class-action settlement with Hyundai and Kia by requiring the companies to recall or buy back the theft-prone vehicles and equip them with engine-immobilizer technology.
In a letter to the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, Raoul and the coalition argue that the current proposed settlement requirements are insufficient and will not resolve the ongoing Hyundai and Kia thefts that continue to jeopardize public safety in Illinois and across the country. While Illinois is not part of this settlement, Raoul signed onto the letter because in 2022, there were over 7,000 Hyundai and Kia thefts in Chicago, which account for 10% of all registered Kia vehicles and 7% of all registered Hyundai vehicles in the city.
“I am urging the court to strengthen its current settlement with Hyundai and Kia to ensure consumers’ vehicles are recalled or properly equipped to protect against theft,” Raoul said. “I remain committed to protecting consumers and our communities, and both car companies need to do their part by taking robust action to prevent these thefts.”
Among the terms of the settlement are that Hyundai and Kia require a key to be in the ignition to start the vehicle, as well as provide a software upgrade to extend the vehicles’ alarm from 30 seconds to one minute. For vehicles incompatible for this software upgrade, the settlement requires Hyundai and Kia to reimburse consumers up to $300 for their purchase of a wheel lock or anti-theft system.
Raoul and the coalition expressed concern, saying the upgrade is not feasible for approximately 2.3 million vehicles, that it requires consumers to proactively seek out the upgrade, and that it will take months to complete all phases of the upgrade. Additionally, the attorneys general do not think the software upgrade is effective because in the six months it has been available, there are reports of Hyundai and Kia thefts in upgraded vehicles.
Joining Raoul in submitting the comments were attorneys general from the District of Columbia, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Washington.
* Press release…
The Illinois Chamber of Commerce and the Illinois Environmental Regulatory Group (IERG) applaud Governor Pritzker on the recent signing of legislation to improve the permitting process for businesses in Illinois.
HB 3017 amends the Business Assistance and Regulatory Reform Act by consolidating status updates from state agencies for covered projects in an accessible online portal. With such a portal, businesses seeking certain new and existing environmental permits for industrial projects can access a website to better understand the timeline and process for agency approval.
“This new law will expedite the outdated and lengthy permit issuance process in Illinois,” said State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago). “By increasing transparency for permit applicants and the public via an online dashboard there can be greater clarity on cases so unnecessary steps can be avoided. If we can streamline any process to make Illinoisans’ lives easier, then it’s a win for all.”
* Rep. Rashid…
State Representative Abdelnasser Rashid (D-Bridgeview) has been appointed by Illinois House Speaker Emanuel ‘Chris’ Welch to serve as co-chair of the state’s new artificial intelligence (AI) task force.
The task force will consist of legislators, technology experts, educators and other stakeholders to provide informed policy recommendations on AI to the legislature. It will look at the impact of AI on our schools, economy, and civil liberties. Once complete, the task force will submit a report to the General Assembly.
Across the country, state and federal lawmakers are debating how to address the impact of AI technologies. The ramifications of AI use cut across industry. The debate around the proper use of AI features prominently in Hollywood as SAG-AFTRA screenwriters and actors fight for a fair contract.
…Adding… Press release…
Today President Joseph Biden signed a Disaster Declaration, allowing the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) to offer Individual Assistance for residents in Cook County, Illinois who were impacted by severe weather in July. FEMA’s Individual Assistance could include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and businesses owners recover from the effects of the storms.
“Thank you to President Biden and FEMA for recognizing the devastating effects of recent extreme weather on Chicago and its surrounding neighbors and taking the appropriate action to ensure impacted residents can get back on their feet,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Residents and businesses, especially those on the West Side of Chicago who were most brutally hit, are now able to access additional resources necessary to rebuild and revitalize, and I know Cook County will build back stronger than ever.”
Beginning June 29, several rounds of severe storms passed through Illinois producing heavy rainfall, flash flooding, hail, tornadoes, and straight-line winds. Central Illinois experienced a derecho that brought damaging straight-line winds resulting in five confirmed tornadoes, along with wind gusts in excess of 100 miles per hour across multiple counties. The tornados and straight-line winds resulted in large debris fields, affecting homeowners, businesses, utilities, and local governments. The storms also caused disruptions to transportation due to flash flooding and debris on the roadways.
On July 2nd, additional severe storms dropped eight inches of water in a short period of time in a historic rainfall total. This caused flash flooding in and around the Chicago area. The storms also downed numerous trees and caused widespread power outages in northern Illinois.
* Media advisory…
What: The Lift The Ban Coalition is holding a news conference at the Illinois State Fair on Wednesday (Governor’s Day) to announce the Let the People Lift the Ban Act (HB4104), new legislation that allows Illinois communities to opt out of the statewide ban on rent control via local referendum. The legislation also extends additional protections to renters across the state.
Who: Speakers will include:
● State Representative Hoan Huynh of the 16th District, Chief Sponsor, IL House
● Springfield residents Quentora Dumas, Tracey Graggs and mobile home resident
Linda Reynolds
The Lift The Ban Coalition comprises more than two dozen groups including community organizations, advocacy groups, service & legal aid organizations, labor unions and more.
When: 11:00 AM, Wednesday, August 16th, 2023
Where: Illinois State Fair in Springfield, IL, Media Center, Building 30 on 8th St
* AP | Man sent to prison for 10 years for setting a fire at an Illinois Planned Parenthood clinic: “I feel for the people who have lost their jobs. I’m not trying to play like I am victim at this. I was sincerely hurt,” Massengill, 32, said in court, apparently a reference to his belief that a former girlfriend had an abortion a few years ago. Prosecutors, however, said the woman told the FBI that wasn’t true.
* Sun-Times | Migrant families kicked out of Rogers Park motel for missing curfew are sleeping in tents: Alejandra Leon said city officials haven’t approached them about relocating to a new location since they were removed from the Super 8 Motel at Sheridan Road and Chase Avenue over the weekend. “I’m asking them to move us to another shelter, somewhere my children can be more comfortable,” Leon said. “We are families with a lot of principles, with a lot of values. We are humble people that came here to work hard. We aren’t bad people.”
* WGLT | Nuclear plant moratorium bill heads to veto session fight in Illinois: Pritzker said the bill, as written, has vague definitions, including an overly broad definition of the advanced reactor that will open the door to more large-scale plants — plants that cost so much they’ll eventually need a state bailout to keep in operation. Republican State Rep. Dan Calkins of Decatur sits on two energy committees in the House. Calkins supported ending the moratorium and said he thinks that’s a false argument.
* AP | States that protect transgender health care now try to absorb demand: “We’re trying our best to make sure we can get those kids in so that they don’t experience an interruption in their care,” said Dr. Angela Kade Goepferd, medical director of the gender health program at Children’s Minnesota hospital in the Twin Cities. “For patients who have not yet been seen and would be added to a general waiting list, it is daunting to think that it’s going to be a year or more before you’re going to be seen by somebody.”
* Tony Sanders | Open Invitation to Florida and Texas Teachers: Come to Illinois. We Trust You: Here in Illinois, we do not shy away from our complex histories or identities. While Texas tries to ban discussions about race and Florida forbids teachers from “saying gay,” we have revised our social studies standards in the opposite direction. We encourage dialogue from multiple perspectives. We require schools to teach about the contributions of Asian Americans, Black Americans, Native Americans and LGBTQ+ Americans. We protect the freedom and professional judgment of educators to choose instructional materials that represent and affirm the diversity of Illinois’ students.
* CNBC | Retailers say organized theft is biting into profits, but internal issues may really be to blame: Behind closed doors, retailers are facing other issues they can better control, including theft by their own employees, that are contributing to losses, according to two sources who advise major retailers. They spoke on the condition of anonymity because they’re not authorized to speak publicly about clients.
* Daily Herald | Rosemont reaches $12.7 million deal for last undeveloped property in town: On Monday, Mayor Brad Stephens announced village hall reached a deal with owner Development Resources Inc. for $12,750,000. The village board formally authorized the purchase of 6608 N. Mannheim Road, set to close Nov. 1. “This is a long time coming, and we’re happy to finally have control of it,” Stephens said. There are no immediate plans for the land, but various proposals have come and gone over the decades — all with little movement.
* Crain’s | Chicago publicist, Illinois chaplain snagged in Trump’s Georgia indictments: Trevian Kutti, a former publicist of rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, and singer R. Kelly, is charged with three counts: violation of the Georgia Racketeer Influenced & Corrupt Organizations, or RICO, Act; conspiracy to commit solicitation of false statements and writings; and influencing witnesses.
* Tribune | Chicago’s first major museum union ratifies contract: Museum staff were joined by employees at the Art Institute’s affiliated school, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, to form the Art Institute of Chicago Workers United. The staff voted to join the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, a public service union that also represents staff at museums such as the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Nontenure-track faculty at the Art Institute’s school later voted to join the union; they are still in the process of bargaining for their first contract.
* ABC Chicago | Southwest Airlines employees picket outside corporate party in Wrigleyville: The crowd of protesters includes include off-duty Southwest flight attendants, who say they are long overdue for a new contract. “It’s been four and a half years since flight attendants received a raise and it’s just been too long and we need to see that we exceed the industry,” Montgomery said.
* Crain’s | U of C to pay $13.5 million settlement in financial aid ‘cartel’ lawsuit: The lawsuit, filed in Illinois federal court in January 2022, accuses 17 colleges and universities, including Northwestern University and Ivy League schools, of participating in a “price-fixing conspiracy” that aimed to reduce or eliminate price competition among the schools and artificially inflated the net price of attendance for students receiving financial aid.
* SJ-R | Bird in Logan County tests positive for West Nile virus: According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, Logan County is one of 39 across the state reporting West Nile activity, with a batch of mosquitoes also testing positive in Beason on July 18. No human cases have been reported, according to IDPH, but over 1,000 batches of mosquitoes have tested positive statewide, along with seven crows, two bluejays, and three other birds.
A former celebrity publicist for R. Kelly and confidante of Kanye West has jumped into Illinois politics, lobbying for a major Canadian cannabis firm that wants to start growing weed here.
But Trevian Kutti has already ruffled feathers in just a short time in the fray, lodging a series of incendiary and profanity-laden attacks against Toi Hutchinson, Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s top adviser on cannabis issues. While both women are Black, Kutti has vowed to “keep my knee on Toi W. Hutchinson’s neck” and has referred to her as a “slave.”
Kutti says she is furious over the state’s delays in awarding the next round of licenses prioritized for so-called social equity applicants, saying “those in greatest need are being screwed with again.”
Trevian C. Kutti and Stephen Cliffgard Lee are two of the 19 people charged in the 41-count indictment accusing former President Donald Trump and his allies of a criminal enterprise to overturn his narrow loss in Georgia during the 2020 presidential election.
Kutti and Lee each face three charges of conspiring to commit solicitation of false statements and writings, influencing witnesses and violating Georgia’s RICO Act, the state’s racketeering law. […]
The nearly 100-page indictment alleges Kutti, Lee and other co-conspirators tried to intimidate election worker Ruby Freeman to falsely confess to election crimes she did not commit. Freeman helped count ballots at Atlanta’s State Farm Arena on election night. […]
On January 4, 2021, Kutti was recruited to travel from Chicago to Atlanta to also attempt to sway Freeman, the charges allege.
That day, Kutti unsuccessfully tried to visit Freeman at her home. Kutti falsely claimed to a neighbor she was a crisis manager there to help Freeman. She later called Freeman to tell her she was in danger, the indictment said.
Authorities are investigating the death of a young child who passed away in Marion County while traveling with her parents on a bus from Texas to Chicago.
Marion County Coroner Troy Cannon reported that his office is investigating the death of the 3-year-old girl, who was on a charter bus with her parents.
“Preliminary autopsy results from early today (Saturday) are inconclusive, but microscopic studies of tissue samples may provide a definitive cause of death,” according to a statement issued by Cannon. “More information may become available in the coming days, but no further information will be released at this time.”
Cannon told ABC News that the child had diarrhea, vomiting and a low-grade fever before their death. […]
Before the bus departed from Brownsville, “each bus passenger underwent a temperature check and was asked if they had medical conditions that may require medical assistance,” [Texas Division of Emergency Management] said in its statement.
According to the statement, after no passengers presented medical concerns or a fever, the bus departed, and “each bus is stocked with food and water, which are distributed on board.”
TDEM has not responded to multiple requests for comment and did not disclose whether the security personnel onboard have medical training.
“The reaction is emotional because it’s a little girl,” Ricardo Diaz, of the CI Immigration Forum, said.
Diaz said he’s been supporting the child’s family during this time as they look for answers. He said he’s been helping her family with basic needs.
“The family is very confused because they don’t yet know the cause of death. It’s, you know under analysis and so they don’t even know how they lost their girl,” Diaz said. […]
Illinois State Police are currently investigating.
The Illinois Department of Public Health said they are also working with officials to get answers.
The bill received wide support in the Illinois General Assembly and from the state’s chiefs of police, the Illinois State’s Attorneys’ Association and Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx. […]
Illinois state Sen. Robert Peters said the signing is Chicago’s first step in the “long journey to end the infamy of the false confession capital of the world.”
It was previously legal for police in all 50 states to lie during interrogations. False confessions have played a role in about 30% of all wrongful convictions overturned with DNA evidence, according to the Innocence Project, a nonprofit working to exonerate wrongly convicted people. People under 18 are two to three times more likely to falsely confess than adults, according to a 2017 article in the New York University Law Review.
* He may pick up another bill this winter requiring lawyers in juvenile interrogations. WBEZ…
In light of video footage that shows a suburban Chicago police officer steering a 15-year-old to confess to a shooting he did not commit, some Illinois lawmakers are pledging to back planned legislation requiring a lawyer for any child being interrogated by police.
The video, released as a result of a WBEZ open-records lawsuit against the city of Waukegan, shows a 43-minute interrogation in which the teen declined an attorney before making self-incriminating statements about the shooting, which injured a dollar-store clerk last year. The police charged the 15-year-old with attempted murder and sent him to jail. He was held until his basketball team proved he was in another town during the shooting. […]
“The current way we are doing things has failed so much and too often,” said state Sen. Robert Peters, D-Chicago, pointing to a long history of false confessions in Waukegan and other parts of the state. “Those failed practices include making Illinois a wrongful conviction capital.” […]
With the case fresh in their minds, [Elizabeth Clarke, an attorney who founded the Evanston-based nonprofit Juvenile Justice Initiative] said she expects lawmakers to introduce a bill requiring an attorney for all kids under 18 this coming winter.
State Rep. Rita Mayfield, D-Waukegan, said in an email that she is “interested in sponsoring.”
Peters, the senator, texted that he is interested too.
Two months after the feds made a big move on allies of then-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan in 2019, one longtime lieutenant of the Southwest Side Democrat reached out to another. […]
McClain complained to Mapes of “psychological pressure,” and he warned they probably shouldn’t speak.
“I do not think we should talk in person or on the phone for a while,” McClain wrote to Mapes on July 16, 2019. “I cannot explain but trust me this is serious.” […]
McClain was right to be concerned about speaking on the phone, as his had already been wiretapped by the feds for several months. During that time, Madigan had forced Mapes to resign as chief of staff over unrelated bullying and harassment allegations.
* Hannah Meisel…
We’ve now seen seven other emails exchanges between McClain and Mapes (up to a year later) that started w McClain forwarding Mapes @capitolfax’s morning or afternoon emails, followed up by Mapes wishing him well and the two saying they missed each other/their families.
In a May 2020 email exchange that centered around McClain’s health and pandemic-related worries, Mapes asked if McClain was “surviving the feds up north.”
“The feds are still after me and our Friend,” McClain wrote, using a euphemism he often employed when speaking about Madigan.
Less than two months later, federal prosecutors announced electric utility Commonwealth Edison – McClain’s biggest lobbying client for decades – had entered into a $200 million deferred prosecution agreement and agreed to cooperate with the feds’ investigation into an alleged bribery scheme aimed at currying favor with Madigan. […]
Despite McClain’s warning to Mapes that the two shouldn’t speak on the phone, FBI special agent Ryan McDonald on Monday testified – after looking at call records on the witness stand – that McClain called Mapes in October 2020. The call lasted a little over 14 minutes, McDonald said.
* Judge Kness allowed Assistant U.S. Attorney Amarjeet Bhachu into the courtroom yesterday, after the defense named him as a potential witness…
Bhachu asked Mapes the questions before the grand jury that led to the perjury charge against Mapes.
Prosecutors say they intend to call former Madigan operative Will Cousineau to the stand on Tuesday. They want to ask him about a 2014 memo detailing a meeting of Madigan's inner circle about an investigation by the legislative IG into allegations of favorable hiring at Metra
Cousineau also took the stand in March during McClain’s trial, having secured immunity from prosecutors who made clear he was not a target of the investigation.
During that appearance, prosecutors played a recording the FBI had made of aDecember 2018 call in which Madigan could be heard soliciting strategic advice about who should serve on his upcoming leadership team in the Illinois General Assembly.
“I understand we have a lot of people walking around trying to find things to complain about,” Madigan could be heard saying in the Dec. 9, 2018, chat with his inner circle.
“Every once in a while, the speaker gets to do what he wants to do,” Madigan said. […]
That call took place after Mapes resigned as Madigan’s chief of staff. However, the feds say Mapes remained in close contact with McClain into 2019.
* Jon Seidel…
Lawyers are chatting with the judge about various issues. Judge Kness asks how they are doing time-wise.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane MacArthur says they are "moving slowly." After previously predicting that they'd wrap up their case early this week, they need the whole week. https://t.co/zJfOzNYUJ6
* Tribune | Tim Mapes perjury trial: Evidence seen and heard by the jury: Tim Mapes, former chief of staff to ex-House Speaker Michael Madigan, was captured on dozens of undercover FBI recordings talking about his family, political fundraising and his ouster in a 2018 sexual harassment scandal. The conversations shed new light on the behind-the-scenes maneuvering and relationships among key members of Madigan’s inner circle as a series of scandals began to threaten the Democratic speaker’s decadeslong grip on power.
* WBEZ | Civil rights lawyers call on Illinois to fire private prison health care company: Illinois lawmakers heard testimony on Monday from civil rights lawyers and family members about the dismal state of health care in the state’s prisons: people in wheelchairs left sitting in their own waste, bedsores and falls because of improper assistance and virtually no therapy for people with severe mental illness.
* Scott Holland | Navigating nuclear future remains politically challenging for governor: On the national political scene, energy legislation remains challenging for Democrats. The party’s progressive wing demands much stronger action than the conventional liberals holding power can or will advance. Every possible reform has dramatic economic implications. For Pritzker specifically, translating his Illinois approach to federal office might be challenging because how we get our power varies greatly from state to state.
* WAND | Illinois law blocks police from using license plate readers to track abortion patients: “We created an island on which every human being is recognized and given the dignity of controlling their own body and their own destiny,” said Rep. Ann Williams (D-Chicago). “That includes people who are traveling into the state of Illinois to seek legal healthcare services.”
* ABC Chicago | Judge rules Cook County properly used $240 million in transportation funds: The legal battle has been raging for years after the Illinois Road and Transportation Builders Association filed a lawsuit, along with numerous other groups, arguing that Cook County was violating the language of the “Illinois Transportation taxes and Fees Lockbox Amendment,” which passed during the 2016 election.
* Jen Walling and Jack Darin | Pritzker was right to keep moratorium on new Illinois nuclear plants: We are no closer to a national solution for the disposal of dangerous high-level nuclear wastes. Illinois already has the most nuclear reactors in the country and bears the burden of storing this waste in our communities, including along the shores of Lake Michigan and the Mississippi River. These wastes have significant safety risks and threaten our drinking water and communities. We should not add to the growing stockpiles of hazardous waste.
* NBC Chicago | Chicago’s ex-top doctor reveals how she was fired in new wide-reaching interview: “So I got a call from the chief of staff, and I met with him and he said, ‘This is a hard discussion, but you are being terminated,’” Arwady said. “And I said, ‘That is not a major surprise at this point.’ Just knowing the mayor, of course, has the opportunity to bring on whomever he wants. But then what really was disturbing to me, was I said, ‘Let’s talk timeline,’ and he said, ‘It’s effective immediately.’”
* Sun-Times | Chicago police officer, sister convicted of charges stemming from Capitol riot: Officer Karol Chwiesiuk and his sister, Agnieszka, were convicted of entering and remaining in a restricted building; disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building; disorderly conduct in a Capitol building; and parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building.
* Crain’s | No, it’s not going to be above 110 degrees in Chicago next week: iPhone users in the Chicago area who checked the Apple weather app Monday morning may have seen a startling prediction at the end of the 10-day forecast. In what would be the city’s hottest day on record, the app predicted temperatures to reach as high as 111 degrees Fahrenheit next Wednesday, Aug. 23. That kind of heat would likely close schools, shut down businesses and pose significant health risks to some residents.
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