In 2008, a collection agency took him to court and obtained a court order known as a “judgment” allowing it to be more aggressive in pursuing him. That meant his debt began to be subject to the state-set annual interest rate of 9 percent.
Today, Majcher owes $21,821 — more than ten times what he originally spent.
“The feeling is like suicide,” Majcher said. “You end up in the situation in which comes suicidal thoughts. No exit.” (Majcher is not currently having suicidal thoughts.)
A group of Illinois lawmakers are now working on a package of legislation designed to increase state protections for debtors like Majcher. Advocates say, if passed, these bills would lift the economic fortunes of thousands of Illinoisans struggling with debt. But opponents argue that the legislation would be harmful to the low-income people it is meant to help. […]
Democratic Illinois state representatives Barbara Flynn Currie, Juliana Stratton, Will Guzzardi, and Christian Mitchell are sponsoring a package of legislation that would increase protections for debtors. Notably, HB 5487 would cut Illinois’ post-judgment interest rate for small claims from 9 percent to 2 percent. Another bill, HB 5483, would reduce the amount of time a judgment can be pursued from 27 years to five years. Other bills in the package would make it harder for creditors to take people’s wages or money from the sale of their home or vehicle, and establish a “debtor’s bill of rights.”
* Other bills…
* Illinois considers changing gun transfer rules following Waffle House shooting: The Illinois Senate on Wednesday advanced new rules about the transfer of firearms in response to the mass shooting at a Waffle House last month in Nashville, Tenn. Travis Reinking of downstate Morton has been charged with four counts of criminal homicide in the killings. Authorities have said his firearm owner’s identification card previously had been revoked and his guns transferred to his father, who returned them. The measure aims to prevent similar situations by allowing for a minimum of one year in jail for people who return firearms without first checking to see if the recipient has a valid license. There’s currently no punishment on the books.
* Gun dealer licensing compromise passes Senate: “Every gun used in the state of Illinois to kill someone starts as a legal gun,” Harmon said. “Somewhere between the manufacturer and the crime scene, someone who is pretending to be a law-abiding gun owner is not. This bill attacks that problem.”
* Illinois Rep. Says Grad Student Union Is Disrespectful To Military: State Rep. Jeanne Ives, a Republican from Wheaton, is a proud West Point grad, and not a fan of unions. So when state Rep.Will Guzzardi, a Chicago Democrat, proposed expanding grad student union benefits to include research assistants, Ives was outraged by an anti-military petition on the group’s website, and a verbal firefight ensued. Guzzardi: “Representative your political disagreements with the positions of this union have not the slightest bearing with either the merits of this legislation or the first amendments rights of employees to collectively bargain.” Ives: “This has everything to do with this legislation because these are not the people that we should be expanding benefits for.”
Justice Charles E. Freeman, the first African-American to serve on the Illinois Supreme Court and as Chief Justice, has announced he will be retiring effective June 14 after a long and distinguished career as a lawyer and judge. Justice Freeman, 84, is the fifth-longest serving justice in Illinois Supreme Court history at 27 years, six months.
“I have been honored to serve with Justice Freeman for nearly 13½ years. As one of the most senior and experienced members of the Illinois judiciary, Justice Freeman brought to the court not only a wealth of legal knowledge, but also unparalleled insight into the court as an institution,” Chief Justice Lloyd A. Karmeier said. “As the first African-American to sit on the high court, he inspired generations of attorneys of color to pursue careers in public service and positions of leadership. As a colleague, he was the embodiment of collegiality.
“It is impossible to overstate Justice Freeman’s impact on Illinois law. In the course of his long tenure, he has participated in resolution of some of the most difficult and important controversies to come before the courts of Illinois. Research nearly any point of Illinois law and you will find controlling precedent that he authored. While Justice Freeman may be retiring from office, the extraordinary body of legal decisions he helped craft will serve as an enduring legacy of his commitment to justice and to the people of Illinois.”
* The court has already appointed First District Appellate Justice P. Scott Neville, Jr. to fill Freeman’s seat, effective June 15 through Dec. 7, 2020.
Freeman is 84, and is the fifth-longest serving justice in the court's history, according to a release. He was first elected in 1990.
* Freeman has had an interesting and varied career in the law. He was born in Richmond, Virginia and was descended from slaves freed by Quakers before the American Civil War. He came to Chicago to pursue a law degree from the John Marshall Law School in 1962, and remained in Illinois ever since.
After serving as an Illinois assistant attorney general, Cook County assistant state’s attorney, he was appointed by various governors (Otto Kerner, Dan Walker) to state administrative law positions.
Justice Freeman won election to the Cook County Circuit Court in 1976 and served for 10 years, during which time he swore in longtime friend Harold Washington as Mayor in 1983. The two had shared an office in Chicago as attorneys.
Freeman was elected to the First District Appellate Court in 1986, and then was elected to the Illinois Supreme Court in 1990, defeating his opponent Robert Chapman Buckley 62 percent to 38 percent.
In 1997, Freeman was chosen by his colleagues to serve as Chief Justice, a role he served in for three years, making him the first African-American to lead a branch of Illinois government.
Asked about the significance of being the first African-American Chief Justice, Freeman responded, “I’m an African American who now has become chief judge; I’m not an AfricanAmerican chief justice. I have no different perception on what course I would take because of my heritage.”
* Freeman is known for his opinions upholding defendants’ rights, including a 1994 case in which the court ultimately overturned a wrongful conviction and saved the man from death row.
* Rep. Tom Demmer (R-Dixon) on yesterday’s shooting at Dixon High School…
“The decisive actions taken by Officer Mark Dallas today prevented what could have been a tragedy on a massive scale at Dixon High School. I know I am joined by many in the Dixon-area and throughout the state in thanking him for his bravery; he is a true hero. His actions today also show the importance of school resource officers and the essential role they play in public safety by protecting students and teachers each and every day,” said Rep. Tom Demmer (R-Dixon).
* Illinois Education Association President Kathi Griffin…
“Our hearts are heavy with the news of another school shooting. The quick, brave actions of Dixon Police Department School Resource Officer Mark Dallas stopped the gunman and saved many lives,” said IEA President Kathi Griffin. “Today’s events will undoubtedly cause some to wonder if arming teachers will somehow be a deterrent, a way to keep our children and our schools safe. But that’s not what our educators have signed up for. It’s the job of a school resource officer, and we commend him for keeping our students and staff safe.”
A school resource police officer is being lauded as a hero for intervening when a former student at Dixon High School opened fire Wednesday morning near the school gym where students were gathered for a graduation rehearsal, authorities said.
The officer, identified by the city as 15-year department veteran Mark Dallas, shot and injured the gunman after the suspect fired at the officer while trying to flee, police said.
The suspect, identified as 19-year-old former student Matthew A. Milby, was taken into custody, and no one else was injured in the gunfire exchange, authorities said. […]
According to WGN-Ch. 9, a woman who identified herself as the gunman’s mother told reporters, “My son has been very, very sad for a long time.”
She said her son was bullied and ostracized at school, and was beaten up in October. She said she doesn’t know where her son got a gun, according to WGN.
Howell said Dallas ran toward the shots, coming face-to-face with Milby, a former student, holding a gun.
Milby ran away and out of the school. Police said he fired at Dallas when he tried to chase him down. That’s when the officer fired back, hitting and injuring Milby. […]
“I could not be more proud of the police officer and the way he responded to the situation. While shots were ringing out through the hallways of the school, he charged towards the suspect and confronted him head on,” Howell said. […]
Julie Milby, the alleged shooter’s mother, said her son was ostracized at school and left to finish his credits outside of class.
“I know that he’s been very sad for a long time,” she said. “Well, my kid is laying up at the hospital shot. Thank god they didn’t kill him, that’s a blessing. Thank god he didn’t kill anyone else.”
Julie told NBC that she did not believe he was trying to hurt anyone and suspects he was “thinking they were going to kill him.” She said her son had been sad for so long.
According to Julie, Matt was on the football team but had been kicked off for smoking marijuana. She also said kids had stolen from him and his friends stopped talking to him, so he felt isolated.
Julie grew up with Officer Mark Dallas and told NBC they saw each other while she waited outside of the school yesterday. She was waiting for her son like other parents were, at this point she had no idea her son was the shooter.
According to Matt’s mother, he was badly beaten by a 25-year-old in October and said other kids just watched. After being beaten, Julie says the principal, Dr. Grady would let him stay in his office.
Although several of his friends said he had not been to school in months, Milby was not expelled, as previously reported, did not drop out, and was eligible to graduate with his class, Superintendent Margo Empen said. She said she could not provide further details because of school privacy laws.
In fact, Milby went to the school this morning to pick up his cap and gown, his mother said.
Senior Caleb Carlson, 19, said he’s known Milby since middle school, when they were friends.
Tom Miller: It’s interesting because Governor I couldn’t help but see yesterday’s Dixon event without using the filter of the proposal in Springfield to remove police officers and replace them with counselors.
Governor Rauner: Yes that’s exactly wrong. It’s fine for schools to have counselors as well, being proactive to deal with mental illness health issues that’s good and appropriate. And I think that was also included in my public safety proposal. I said let’s free up local sales tax revenues so schools have that choice, if they choose to, to have a resource officer, a security trained police officer or person as well if they also want mental health professionals that would be great. I supported that as well.
* But that bill he referred to was changed before it passed the House…
State Rep. Chris Emanuel Welch, D-Westchester, said he amended his House Bill 4208 to take out some of the language that would have encouraged schools to phase out armed resource officers in favor of mental health professionals. Welch’s amended measure would create a new grant for schools “that would expand or create restorative justice programs, hire school psychologists, social workers and other mental health and behavioral specialists,” Welch said in floor debate Friday.
* More background is here. Bloomington radio station host Sam Wood said he “laid into” Gov. Bruce Rauner during his radio show yesterday over this…
Gov. BRUCE RAUNER again falsely said in an appearance in Chicago last week that no auto company would take over the former Mitsubishi plant in Normal, omitting the fact that an electric vehicle manufacturer bought it in 2017 in a deal his own administration touted. […]
“We tried to get another … car manufacturer to take over the plant. No one would come in. No one would even take the plant if we gave it to them, because our regulations are so hostile to business and our taxes are so high.” […]
His Chicago remarks were similar to a story — minus the race of the United Auto Workers member involved — that Rauner told talk-show host TOM MILLER in December on Carterville-based WJPF, a station which bills itself as “the voice of southern Illinois.”
“I can’t give this plant away,” Rauner said then, adding, “No auto company wants to invest in Illinois because of (House Speaker MICHAEL) MADIGAN’s power, because of regulations and taxes.”
* Gov. Rauner told Wood his staff was monitoring Wood’s radio program, so he decided to call in unannounced…
Wood: We’ve been talking a little bit about the news — CapitolFax reported out earlier today about some comments you made at a press conference about Rivian Automotive. I have not been filled in on why you’re calling. I’m assuming this is related to that?
Gov: It is. My team listens to you every day. I’m over in Quincy right now at the Veterans home meeting with our heroes here and talking about the new water sources at the veterans home. My team told me that some of our political opponents are spinning up a bunch of kind of false spin in the media and the blogs and with a reporter in Springfield.
Wood: Well I’m going to cut you off there, Governor. What spin? Because we don’t have much time. How is this being spun?
Gov: So quickly, somehow there’s some spin out there that I’m critical of Rivian or don’t think Rivian’s good or gonna do well, and that’s just not true. I love Rivian. We worked hard to recruit them. We cut a deal with them to give them EDGE tax credits and I’m all in for them to succeed. What some of our political opponents are taking out of context is my concern that our regulations and our taxes are not competitive and attractive for manufacturing firms, especially auto companies. The auto industry is booming around the country especially in Indiana and other states. We are not booming like they are we had a hard time finding someone to take that Mitsubishi plant. It had 1,000 UAW workers there and I want tens of thousands of UAW jobs created in Illinois, but our regulations and taxes are pushing us out. So we took a gamble with Rivian, they’re at 40 employees, which is awesome, they hope to add hundreds and we gave them EDGE credits to do it, but it’s frustrating because if we had better competitiveness as a state, we could already have thousands of jobs working in and around that facility. That’s, that was the point I made and it’s being spun, I think, in not a valid way.
Wood: But you can understand why a lot of people in Bloomington-Normal feel like — I mean, this is not the first time you have failed to mention Rivian Automotive. At the Kemp Forum, you completely dismissed the fact that there is an occupant inside that former Mitsubishi plant. It’s Rivian. Why the confusion? Why do you forget that plant is occupied?
Gov: It’s not forgetting, and it’s not being critical of Rivian. The fact is, if we were competitive, if we had the regulations and the tax structure to be attractive to major manufacturing firms, that plant would already be full. That’s not a criticism of Rivian. I’m cheering for them. We worked hard — I worked hard to bring them.
Wood: Gov. Rauner, where does the 1,000 employee number come from? Were you not aware of the benchmarks that were set up as a part of these tax incentives that were offered to Rivian?
Gov: Rivian has nothing to do with 1,000. We hope they get big. We don’t know how big. They’re a startup. The 1,000 was who was there before with Mitsubishi —
Wood: It was more than 1,000.
Gov: Well at the very end that’s what it was, it was way more than 1,000. We could have had thousands of folks there if we were competitive. That’s my point. That’s my only point. It’s not at all critical of Rivian. Rivian’s a great start-up. We want more high-tech start-ups in Illinois. But that plant could have and should have been full with UAW members if we were competitive. That was the point I was making.
Wood: But do you disagree with the fact that Rivian is meeting their benchmarks in terms of what was agreed-upon?
Gov: Uh, I haven’t looked at their latest benchmarks. They are a start-up doing well and we’re cheering for them and I’m a big advocate for Rivian. Different issue from what could have been in that plant if we were competitive, that was the point I’m making.
Wood: All right, fair enough.
Nobody said or even implied that the governor was “critical of Rivian or don’t think Rivian’s good or gonna do well.” The point was he continually talks like Rivian never opened its plant.
The Illinois State Board of Education took on sweeping authority to supervise special education at Chicago Public Schools on Wednesday, voting to appoint an outside monitor who for at least three years will have to approve any changes to the district’s special ed policies and procedures.
ISBE will now meet with CPS to map out what state schools Superintendent Tony Smith described as “the road to transformation” after officials concluded that the district’s 2016 overhaul of special ed violated a swath of federal law and regulations.
“The corrective action and recommendations we offered today are the right first step to helping CPS fully serve all children and families,” Smith said in a statement. “The common good requires uncommonly good public schools.”
The ISBE vote Wednesday followed a state probe begun last fall after a group of special education advocates, bolstered by reporting from WBEZ, Chicago’s public radio station, asked for the state’s help in examining sudden and unpopular changes to special education at CPS, changes they believed were illegal and “driven by budgetary concerns.”
Among other things, state investigators held three public meetings in March and also collected some 8,600 pages of documents before releasing their report April 18.
In a press conference held after the state made its decision, Jesse Sharkey, vice president of the Chicago Teachers Union, said the city’s board of education were “deaf, dumb and blind judges made of stone” to complaints that union members and parents brought before them.
“If they’re going to say ‘We’ve turned over a new leaf’ and ‘We hear you, and we’re going to now fix the problem,’ I want to know why they didn’t do anything to fix this problem for over a year when we brought them specific instances of this system being broken,” Sharkey said.
Advocates say a single independent monitor won’t be enough to clean things up.
“We cannot change this culture or practice at CPS without robust supports,” said Amy Zimmerman of the Legal Council for Health Justice, “and that’s going to require a significant amount not only of monitoring and ensuring compliance with the remedies that ISBE has put forth, but there’s also a requirement for a lot of technical assistance that they’re going to need.” […]
The district will have to get approval from the monitor to make any changes to special education policies or procedures, access to any and all meetings and trainings, as well as serving as the third party when staff, parents or advocates have a concern to raise.
Even the state board acknowledges it will be a heavy lift.
“It is a robust report,” said Stephanie Jones, general counsel for ISBE. “There’s a lot of requirements, and it’s probably more than one person can do. We acknowledge that. But we do believe that we have the staffers in the agency to support the monitor and provide the services that ISBE is requiring of itself to provide, through the recommendations, and also provide the oversight that we believe CPS needs.”
* Cook County Clerk David Orr sat down with the Sun-Times editorial board to lay out three reform ideas…
Between the deadline for candidates to file their petitions and the start of early voting, there simply isn’t enough time to fairly settle all ballot challenges. Most recently, candidates had to file by Dec. 4, and early voting started on March 5.
Orr wants to add two more weeks, and the Legislature should go for it, although his companion idea to move the primary to May might not get much support.
Second, Orr points out that it makes no sense to require some candidates for office in Cook County to gather more than 8,000 signatures when only 5,000 are needed to run for governor. To run for mayor of Chicago, a candidate must collect 12,500 valid signatures, which in the real world of city politics usually means having to collect at least 25,000 signatures to weather the storm of petition challenges. […]
A little excessive, can we agree? A 5,000-signature cap on signatures for all state and local offices would be prudent.
A third promising idea is to follow Denver’s lead and allow people circulating petitions to use internet-connected tablet computers that would instantly determine whether a signature on a petition is valid. That would cut down on the time needed to deal with signature challenges after candidates file.
A May primary would be a nightmare for legislators stuck in session. I just don’t see that happening.
Bruce Rauner told us he could grow jobs, but after three years in office Illinois is growing fewer jobs than before Rauner. Invest in our state, stop attacking working families, and let's get Illinois back on track!
* Kathleen Chwalisz, co-chair of the SIUC Faculty Senate Budget Committee, in a Southern Illinoisan op-ed…
After Southern Illinois University Carbondale and the rest of the region were blindsided last month by a $5 million reallocation threat to campus and the associated $39 million threat to the region, the SIUC community has been wondering, “How did we get here?”
Budget-related documents acquired through the Freedom of Information Act show that SIU President Randy Dunn actively concealed from SIUC Chancellor Carlo Montemagno his plan to transfer $5.125 million from the Carbondale to Edwardsville campus. He sought to use the fictitious 60/40 split formula to — in Dunn’s words in an email exchange with Vice President Duane Stucky, SIUE Chancellor Randy Pembrook and SIUE Budget Director William Winter — “shut up the b*tchers from Carbondale.”
Randy Dunn’s email reveals his contempt for the Carbondale campus and community, as he denigrates us for questioning the rationale, process and timing of the proposed reallocation move.
In emails and meeting notes, it is apparent that Dunn charged SIUE officials to come up with justification for a manufactured dollar amount — and Board of Trustees Chair Amy Sholar was in on the plan.
*** UPDATE *** Rep. Terri Bryant, who represents SIUC, just delivered a thundering address on the House floor calling for Randy Dunn to resign immediately.
…Adding… Rep. Bryant did a radio interview after her floor speech. Click here.
“The issues the governor raised in his amendatory veto of House Bill 1468 deserve a full hearing and consideration before the House. With this in mind, we have filed an amendment to Senate Bill 2580, containing the exact language the governor suggested. The amendment will be sent directly to the House floor this morning and a subject matter hearing on the measure will be held on Monday afternoon. We look forward to hearing from stakeholders and continuing our effort to keep our children, our schools and our communities safe from senseless gun violence.”
As state lawmakers delay a vote on the Equal Rights Amendment, the Democrat running against Gov. Bruce Rauner is pushing him to say where he stands on it. […]
The Rauner campaign responded with this statement: “The Governor supports equal rights for everyone.”
Democrats have clearly calculated that bringing up the ERA at this time puts Republicans, especially Rauner, in a tough spot.
For the governor, declaring himself in favor of the amendment would risk further alienating the conservative wing of the Republican Party that he is trying to win back after a divisive primary election against Rep. Jeanne Ives.
Conservative Republicans argue the ERA would open the way for government-paid abortions and co-ed prisons, which ERA supporters deny.
But openly opposing the ERA would hurt Rauner’s chances with women voters, particularly the suburban independent women who provided an important part of his winning coalition in 2014.
With concerns about taking any stand that might further anger his base this election year, Governor Rauner has refused to directly support the Amendment.
“I’ve made my position clear, I support equal rights for everyone,” Rauner said.
Rauner also urged lawmakers to act quickly to authorize $230 million to rebuild the post-Civil War era veterans home, including replacing aging water pipes that the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention contends may be the source of bacterial contamination.
“We need that bill to pass,” Rauner said, adding “that bill should have been sent to my desk already.”
“For the legislation, the General Assembly’s meeting today. They’ve been meeting every day. They could get this done, like today, tomorrow,” he said.
They need a few more days than that.
The administration-backed bill authorizing the money was introduced Wednesday. The House and Senate need three days each to pass a new bill.
Thursday, May 17, 2018 - Posted by Advertising Department
[The following is a paid advertisement.]
For the fifth year in a row, DuPage Credit Union will host its annual “We’ve Got Your Back” fundraiser in partnership with the DuPage Regional Office of Education and Catholic Charities Diocese of Joliet. This event raises money for students across DuPage County who are in need and exemplifies the credit union philosophy of “People Helping People.” The credit union expects to raise more than $10,000 this year; 100% of the proceeds will go towards school supplies for students in DuPage County. The “We’ve Got Your Back” fundraiser has raised more than $50,000 and provided more than 4,200 DuPage County students in need with backpacks packed with school essentials since its inception. This year’s event has recently kicked off, and donations will be accepted through July at any branch location or at https://www.dupagecu.com/backpacks/.
* Michael O’Brien and Jon Seidel from the Sun-Times have been following this story for months now, in November publishing an expose on former Olympic volleyball coach turned suburban club coach Rick Butler’s alleged sexual abuse of his female team members.
* Earlier this week, two of Butler’s former players testified in front of a special Senate committee hearing on sexual harassment about the alleged sexual abuse and even rape they endured while being coached by Butler decades ago.
They asked lawmakers to consider extending the statute of limitations in sexual abuse cases, in situations when the accused abuser threatens to sue victims for defamation to try to keep them from coming forward.
Three women who in the 1990s accused a popular west suburban volleyball coach of sexual abuse have long said he was never prosecuted because they didn’t make their accusations until crucial legal deadlines had passed.
But Tuesday, one of them told state lawmakers Rick Butler could have faced criminal charges if another accuser, who remains anonymous to this day, had come forward at the same time. Instead, she was allegedly threatened into silence.
“She’s still ‘Jane Doe,’ as you can imagine,” Sarah Powers-Barnhard said during a hearing in Springfield. “And that came from being threatened.”
“He told me I had to follow him blindly. That if I wanted to reach my goals to play in college and the Olympics, I had to understand I was different from everybody else. I had to follow him blindly. I just listened and he just leaned over and kissed me. I hadn’t even kissed a boy at that point,” Powers Barnhard said.
She said kissing was just the beginning. And while she played for him, he sexually assaulted her hundreds of times.
“When we were in Germany as a team, we were on a train, and he grabbed me and took me into the bathroom and raped me there with my teammates close by,” she said.
“We were staying in tents and our host put is in a room. Rick slept on the floor next to me and he fondled me during the night with my teammates next to me. I could do nothing about it.”
“I’m not here today because I want to relive all of the horrible things that Rick Butler did to me when I was a child entrusted to his care,” Julie Romias said in a hushed Capitol hearing room. “I’m here because I feel that I have to be because change needs to happen.”
The city of Quincy is building a new, alternate water source that will feed cleaner water to its residents and those who live at the Illinois Veterans’ Home, Gov. Bruce Rauner announced today.
City officials will break ground on a large diameter, Ranney collector well in August. It’s being partially funded through a $3 million grant from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which will cover half the cost of construction. The City of Quincy will cover the remaining costs and will operate the new well.
* Rauner campaign…
“Pritzker is trying to have it both ways by calling Governor Rauner’s trips to Quincy ‘a political stunt.’ It’s time for Pritzker to put politics aside and call on Madigan to pass the funding bill through the General Assembly to get this done for the veterans at Quincy.” -Rauner campaign spokesman Will Allison
* A short video provided by the Rauner campaign shows Pritzker did, indeed, refer to Rauner’s Quincy visit as a “political stunt”…
* The Pritzker campaign, however, provided this transcript from today…
Reporter: So should the legislature authorize the $250 million dollars?
JB: I do believe the legislature is going to have to act to, again, the reports give us a couple of options here and one of them is tearing down the existing buildings and replacing them, moving the residents. Here’s the most important thing we’ve got to do and act upon right now: make sure our veterans and their families are safe. That’s the principle you have to act on from the very beginning, it’s taken him two and a half years or more to get there. So whatever money gets spent right now has to be money to make sure our veterans are safe and secure.
* The bill in question is SB3611. The legislation would appropriate $16.1 million for “campus improvements, water quality improvement projects, and emergency capital projects at the Quincy Veterans Home including, but not limited to, any other State owned building in Quincy.” It also appropriates $230 million for “campus upgrades, and other capital improvements.”
The bill was just introduced today. Its effective date isn’t until July 1.
Needless to say, sending an appropriations bill over to the House in mid-May is not something the Senate Democrats would like to do. Speaker Madigan could use that approp bill to make all sorts of mischief with amendments. In the past, he’s amended Senate appropriations bills with the House’s budget, launched them across the rotunda and then immediately adjourned, leaving the Senate the choice of passing it as-is or forcing an overtime session.
Attorneys on behalf of thousands of low-income people filed a motion in court on Wednesday to enforce federal law and the State of Illinois’ agreement to process Medicaid applications in a timely fashion. The attorneys charge that the State is violating both federal law and an Illinois court order by significantly delaying Medicaid applications and denying residents access to health coverage.
The motion, filed in U.S. District Court in Chicago, asks the court to enforce an existing consent decree that requires the State to determine eligibility for Medicaid within federal timelines, and to offer temporary medical assistance to people whose applications nonetheless pend beyond the federal time limits. The advocates allege the State is woefully behind on its processing and has not offered temporary medical assistance as a solution.
“I have represented a multitude of youth clients experiencing homelessness, many of whom have significant physical and mental healthcare needs, who are going without access to care for months,” said Tanya Gassenheimer, Youth Health Attorney at the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless. Gassenheimer, who helps youth experiencing homelessness apply for Medicaid and file appeals with DHS regarding any issues with those applications, filed a declaration in the motion. “My clients rely on programs like Medicaid for survival. These issues are simply inexcusable and it’s well past time for DHS to act.”
Under federal law, the State of Illinois is required to process most applications for Medicaid—the federal-state program that provides health coverage to roughly 3 million Illinoisans—within 45 days. Pursuant to the existing consent decree in Cohen v. Wright, if a determination has not been made in that period, the State must notify applicants that they are eligible for temporary coverage and promptly provide it if requested.
Yet as detailed in declarations filed by enrollment assisters and healthcare providers, the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) is months behind in processing applications and has also stopped sending notices offering temporary eligibility. As a result, tens of thousands of low-income people throughout Illinois are being denied medical care. Among the widespread suffering and hardship, pregnant women are giving birth without health coverage, people facing mental health crises are missing treatment, and children with serious medical conditions are forgoing crucial medication. […]
Plaintiffs allege that delays in processing Medicaid applications have worsened in the last several months, and that eligible individuals are routinely waiting for three to six months to have their applications processed and approved. The lawsuit comes after lawyers representing the plaintiffs tried for months to resolve the issues without legal action, but were unable to compel DHS to comply.
Wednesday, May 16, 2018 - Posted by Advertising Department
[The following is a paid advertisement.]
Passage of HB 4900 will drive up the cost of generic drugs and jeopardize the one aspect of health care—generic medicines—where patients are actually saving money. Generic medicines saved Illinois patient and state programs almost $10 billion in 2016. HB 4900 is bad medicine for Illinois. Vote no. Learn more.
Another great thing about Chicago? We’re an incubator for what’s new, life-style relevant. We are fearless testers: we tell you what we think and adopt accordingly. Really important for innovators like Amazon. Can’t wait to GO. https://t.co/scB1mWwPQr
Gov. Bruce Rauner is joining humanitarian and mayoral candidate Dr. Willie Wilson at 3:30 p.m. Thursday at the Bruce Montgomery Operation HOPE, 815 W. 63rd St., 4th Floor, Chicago, IL, to sign an executive order that will give African Americans a fair share of all state contracts.
For three-years, Dr. Wilson has been working on getting a state bill passed to get equity for blacks seeking state contracts. He thanked Rep. Will Davis (D-30th) and Senator Mattie Hunter (D-3rd) for helping to get a bill passed that creates a task force to ensure African Americans get their fair share of state contracts.
Thursday, Dr. Wilson said the governor would sign an executive order guaranteeing that Blacks will get a fair share of state contracts including ads for the black press. “This is a big deal,” Dr. Wilson said.
The executive order will create a Commission charged with issuing regularly proposed solutions to systemic causes in minority including African-American participation in state procurements. It will review on a quarterly basis state agency performance as it relates to African American businesses and to increase transparency surrounding state agency compliance, report results to the African American-owned business community.
(W)hat is the most expensive race of 2018 so far? Try the gubernatorial contest in Illinois between wealthy Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and wealthy Democratic opponent J.B. Pritzker, where a whopping $66 million has already been spent on TV and radio ads, per Advertising Analytics.
Here are the most expensive contests of 2018 in terms of ad spending through May 13:
Illinois Governor: $66.3 million
Indiana Senate: $16.0 million
Florida Governor: $15.2 million
Wisconsin Senate: $14.2 million
Ohio Governor: $12.9 million
PA-18 race: $11.9 million
Georgia Governor: $10.5 million
West Virginia Senate: $9.6 million
Florida Senate: $8.9 million
Pennsylvania Governor: $8.9 million
* Lari A. Dierks takes a very long, but quite sound look at the pension “consideration” proposals currently under consideration. Her conclusion…
Illinois faces drastically increasing pension payments that will continue to strain the revenue available for other vital state services. While current employees’ retirement benefits could be modified through classic contract principles, the illusory proposals offered by Governor Rauner or Senate President Cullerton will likely fail in the courts. To successfully withstand a constitutional challenge, the consideration offered to employees must provide a true benefit that is not currently available to the employee. While this idea is generally inconsistent with the overall goal of pension reform, it may be possible to offer a new, subjectively greater, benefit to the employee that would result in monetary relief for the state.
At the end of the day, significant decisions must be made by the Governor and the legislature to ensure the fiscal health of the state and the pension systems. The Illinois Supreme Court established the boundaries of these potential decisions through its decisions emphasizing that pension benefits may not be unilaterally diminished or impaired. It is true that the court may entertain modification of pension benefits using the classic contract principles of valid offer, acceptance, and consideration. Still, the key to this caveat left by the court focuses on the validity of the consideration offered. The choice between two currently available benefits does not satisfy the test for valid consideration; thus, it is unlikely that the current “consideration” proposals would withstand the court’s scrutiny. Put bluntly, such a false promise of consideration does nothing to rectify Illinois’ growing pension payments and liabilities. Going forward, responsible debate should focus on true consideration, reform of the tax system, or modification of the state’s statutorily required contribution.
The article’s title is “A Lesson from Goodfellas: Why Current Illinois Consideration Based Pension Reform Proposals Still Fail.” I believe it refers to this video clip that you shouldn’t watch if you don’t like profanity or are at work.
State Rep. Jonathan Carroll, D-Buffalo Grove, filed a motion Wednesday to accept Gov. Bruce Rauner’s changes to Carroll’s legislation limiting access to military-style assault rifles in the wake of the Parkland shooting. While Rauner is insisting on a number of unvetted, last-minute changes to the bipartisan bill, Carroll will seek to move the amended legislation forward and will hold discussions with all stakeholders.
Carroll released the following statement Wednesday:
“I was disturbed to learn through the media—and not from the governor himself—that Governor Rauner had made completely unvetted changes to my bill. While I’m new to this Legislature, I’m shocked that the governor’s approach to an issue that has long divided Republicans and Democrats is to veto bipartisan legislation and substitute his own language at the last minute, without any consultation from the bill’s sponsors, supporters, or even from his own bipartisan gun safety task force.
“But my focus remains on enacting serious gun laws that keep deadly, military-style assault rifles off our streets, and keep our children, our schools and our communities safe. I will not let the governor end debate by forcing a political stalemate, and that is why I filed the motion to accept the governor’s amendatory veto.”
“The House has for decades had a process where amendatory vetoes are reviewed to deter whether they comply with the constitution,” said Steve Brown, spokesman for House Speaker Michael Madigan, Rauner’s political nemesis. “I’m not certain what (the death penalty) necessarily has to do with gun violence or guns.”
Should Madigan determine that Rauner’s plan is too broad, legislators may never have the chance to vote on it – killing both Rauner’s package and the underlying measure to put a hold on gun purchases.
What [Gov. Rod Blagojevich] did was use his amendatory veto power to change the bill, adding the free [transit] rides for seniors but leaving stand the [CTA sales] tax increase. The Legislature narrowly approved the change.
…Adding… I suppose it’s possible that they could run the floor vote just to put Republicans on record, particularly on the gun control stuff. We’ll see.
* Other bills…
* Illinois lawmakers ask, does research count as work?: The House Labor & Commerce Committee is scheduled to meet Wednesday to continue discussing a measure allowing all graduate students to collectively bargain. State law says students who work as teaching assistants can unionize but not those who work as research assistants.
* Lawmakers Consider Physician Exemption For Lyme Disease: Illinois lawmakers could give doctors more protection when it comes to prescribing experimental drugs for Lyme disease. Experts say the bloodsucking bugs could be expanding their range this year, spreading the disease and other tick-borne illnesses. … The proposal would exempt doctors from disciplinary action in these cases. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation is opposed to the idea. Meghan Kolassa, with the department, said no doctors have been disciplined for treating Lyme disease in Illinois.
* On Local Food Lobby Day, lobbyists ask for leeway to grow hemp in Illinois: Osland said there is potential for Illinois to grow hemp that it now imports from China, Europe, Canada and other states such as Kentucky. Illinois’ hemp bill, which passed in 2014, currently allows only certain universities to apply for permits to grow hemp for research. The Industrial Hemp Farming Bill (SB2298) would allow Illinois farmers to apply for permits to grow hemp as authorized in the 2014 farm bill. … Industrial hemp can outcompete “super weeds” that are herbicide resistant, she said. It can also be a transition crop on the way to organic certification. Part of the opposition is connected with those against legalizing marijuana. Therapeutic hemp is thought to have medicinal benefits but is not a drug by definition, Osland said. There is also some pushback from the medial cannabis industry that wants exclusive rights for therapeutic products.
* Our View: In Illinois, bet on expanded gambling: One local company will surely be watching what happens next – if it hasn’t already begun lobbying to make it so. Effingham-based J&J Ventures owns many of those video gaming terminals across the state. Managing Member Bob Willenborg offered a carefully worded statement on Monday about the potential for widespread gambling on sports.
* Powering Into the Future: Illinois, which passed grid-modernization bills in 2011 and 2016, ranked second in Gridwise Alliance’s Grid Modernization Index. The Future Energy Jobs Act, passed in 2016, created incentives for utility efficiency and demand-response investment and builds on previous smart-grid efforts with modern regulatory and pricing approaches. It also removes market barriers to real-time power pricing options. “Illinois is now a leader with New York in helping its grid move forward and evolve in the 21st Century,” says Illinois Senator Sue Rezin (R). “Illinois chose to keep its highly reliable nuclear fleet operating at full speed for the next 10 years while phasing in the energy efficiency programs.”
Illinois is spending millions to rent a warehouse in Springfield to store Department of Human Services’ records when it could have been purchased for substantially less, state Sen. Andy Manar said Tuesday.
Manar, D-Bunker Hill, said the administration of Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner signed a five-year, $2.4 million lease for property at 2410 South Grand Ave. E. that could have been purchased for about one-third of that cost.
The warehouse was the former home of Barney’s Furniture before the store moved to a new location on Wabash Avenue last year. Chicago-based Climate Controlled Holdings LLC bought the building from Barney’s. That sale closed at the beginning of this year, Sangamon County records show. Climate Controlled then leased the building to the state for five years at a cost of $478,256 annually the first two years, $487,881 for years three and four, and $497,507 for the final year.
The latest county assessment shows the property has a fair market value of $1.2 million. Manar said Tuesday the building could have been purchased for $750,000.
* The Illinois Auditor General is out with its report today, and it’s stinging…
The decision to enter into the lease actually involved two different leases – one for a file storage warehouse and one for an IT (Information Technology) and Telecommunications Support Center. After the winning vendors were selected but prior to the final award, the Department of Central Management Services (CMS) switched the purposes of the leases and the using agencies. However, CMS violated a provision of the Illinois Procurement Code by awarding leases to vendors who were not qualified respondents for the leases awarded. For example, the vendor awarded the warehouse lease was not a qualified respondent under the Procurement Code as it had submitted a response for the IT and Telecommunications Support Center and not the warehouse lease. This was no fault of the vendors as the decision to switch leases was made by CMS. In addition:
• Offers were evaluated and awards selected based on the requirements set forth in the solicitation document. These requirements were then changed.
• CMS and the Chief Procurement Office for General Services have characterized the switch of the leases as substituting using agencies. However, the switch was not a simple substituting of using agencies. Not only were the agencies changed, the purposes of the leases were changed, the structural layouts were changed, the tenant space requirements were changed, and the prices offered were changed.
• Other responders did not get the opportunity to change their bids to meet the new lease requirements violating the principle of fair and equal treatment.
• By not rebidding, CMS may have excluded potential bidders who were not afforded the opportunity to bid on the new space requirements.
• The State Purchasing Officer responsible for reviewing the leases could not provide adequate documentation of review.
Other key findings of the audit include the following:
• The information provided by CMS to the Procurement Policy Board for the Department of Human Services (DHS) warehouse lease was misleading and incomplete which hampered the Board’s ability to review the lease. A draft version of the information sent to the Board contained additional language explaining the switching of leases but it was removed in the final version sent to the Board.
• The amount of space requested in the DHS space request was insufficient to meet its file storage needs. DHS also could not provide documentation demonstrating any cost savings resulting from consolidating files.
• CMS did not conduct an analysis of the cost-benefit of purchasing instead of leasing the property at 2410 South Grand Ave. East.
• DHS has not conducted a comprehensive cost- benefit analysis of digitizing records.
The switching of leases lacked transparency. The information provided by CMS to the Procurement Policy Board for the DHS warehouse lease was misleading and incomplete which hampered the Board’s ability to review the lease. Based on the information provided, the Board would have been unable to tell that the lease originated as an IT and Telecommunications Support Center. A draft version of the white paper prepared by CMS contained additional explanatory language that was removed in the final version sent to the Board.
The Department of Central Management Services and the Chief Procurement Office for General Services should put procedures in place to ensure that leases are awarded only to qualified respondents who submitted bids meeting the original lease specifications. […]
The Procurement Policy Board should consider developing a written conflict of interest policy for Board members to clarify instances where a conflict may exist and establish steps to take when a conflict does exist.
I’m sure there will be react, so this post will likely be updated.
*** UPDATE 1 *** GOP Rep. Dave McSweeney…
The Performance Audit report on the Barney’s warehouse lease is a devastating indictment of incompetence and wasteful spending. My HJR 63, which I worked closely on with Senators Manar and Tom Cullerton, helped bring light to this situation. I hope that all ten recommendations by the Auditor General are immediately implemented.
*** UPDATE 2 *** Democratic Sen. Tom Cullerton…
“The release of today’s audit report on the Gov. Bruce Rauner’s corrupt insider deal is eye opening. I was honored to work with Senator Manar and Representative McSweeney to pass HJR 63. Many questions are still left out there including whether Governor Rauner will ever admit his failure in leadership and the obvious corruption revealed within this report. I trust the Attorney General is reviewing the details of this audit.”
*** UPDATE 3 *** Democratic Sen. Andy Manar…
Audit results released today regarding the Rauner administration’s pricey lease of a Springfield warehouse for paper storage confirms what some lawmakers have known all along: that the deal doesn’t pass the smell test.
State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill), chairman of the Senate Appropriations II Committee, said he is troubled by the audit report.
“At various points in the process, people chose to ignore rules, guidelines and best practices that are there to eliminate questions about backroom deals and political favors,” Manar said. “This was an unnecessary cost to taxpayers, and it seems to me the problems uncovered by this audit merit further scrutiny.”
“I still have a lot of questions, and I think it is clear more conversations should occur, not the least of which are about the ethical expectations and the spending priorities of the Rauner administration,” Manar said.
“Ultimately, I think the average Illinois taxpayer doesn’t believe we should be spending money on politically connected leases for storing paper. We have more important needs in Illinois. I’ve never understood why any of this happened to begin with.”
*** UPDATE 4 *** Comptroller Mendoza…
We are studying the Auditor General’s disturbing findings about the Rauner Administration manipulating leases to reward insiders. The stinging audit finding that the Rauner Administration violated state procurement code vindicates our decision to put a hold on the payments of these leases.
The Comptroller’s office exists to serve as a watchdog for the taxpayers of Illinois and when state contracts are found to be in violation of state laws or codes, you can bet I will hold those up for review. A decision about whether or when we release the hold on these payments will come after further review of these alarming audit findings.
*** UPDATE 5 *** CMS…
As the Auditor General’s report notes, the Illinois Chief Procurement Office (CPO), which oversees State procurements agreed that CMS properly complied with Section 40 of the Illinois State Procurement Code.
However, per the Auditor General’s recommendations, CMS has taken steps to tighten up the leasing procurement process. We have made improvements that will ensure more comprehensive documentation, including revision of the agency space request form to clarify reasons for choice of location. CMS is also revising its process to require formal documentation of decisions on leasing vs. purchase of real property. CMS has proposed legislation (SB3143) to annually analyze all leases with a purchase option and to provide recommendations to the General Assembly on leasing vs. purchase decisions. The Department has also implemented better procedures to protect confidential information, and to ensure that staff adheres to recommended practices throughout the procurement process going forward.
*** UPDATE 6 *** Pritzker campaign…
“Violating procurement law, skirting accountability requirements, and handing out no-bid contracts to unqualified vendors is how Bruce Rauner does procurement reform,” said Pritzker campaign spokesman Jason Rubin. “This scathing report shines a light on a failed governor whose mismanagement keeps costing Illinois taxpayers.”
* But Gov. Rauner seems to be a little behind on the space-time continuum when it comes to this issue, because he keeps publicly implying that the plant sits empty…
“We tried to get another car plant to come in, car manufacturer to take over the plant. No one would come in. No one would even take the plant if we gave it to them because our regulations are so hostile to business and our taxes are so high.”
* But wait…has the Mitsubishi plant really been sitting empty for nearly two years? The way the governor tells it, no one would be faulted if they believed that to be the case…
November 2016: The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity cut a $49 million EDGE tax credit deal with Michigan-based car company Rivian Automotive.
* So Bernie Schoenberg asked the governor yesterday why he repeatedly acts like the plant is closed and completely unproductive…
Bernie: Governor, why did you say last week at the Kemp Forum last week that the business climate is so bad that no one would buy that [Mitsubishi] plant and people are moving out of state from it, when you were there a year ago with Rivian Automotive CEO to open the new plant and the state is offering $49 million in incentives? You have repeatedly said in forums that no one will buy that plant — isn’t that a flat-out falsehood?
Rauner: Um, Rivian didn’t really buy it. They sort of were pretty much given the plant —
Bernie: You said nobody would even take it if we gave it to them. So that was also wrong. You said that last week in the Kemp Forum when you were trying to say how bad Illinois is. I’m wondering why you keep telling that falsehood?
Rauner: There’s nothing false about it, Bernie. We are not competitive on our regulations and our taxes. This is a huge problem. It’s the reason we have outmigration net from the state. And we’re not growing anywhere near as fast as we should. These facts are well-established. We’re working as hard as we can. We’ve added about 180,000 new jobs since I became governor, we’ve been working hard to do it. I’m proud of that. But you know what? We should be growing five times faster than that, and to do it, we need to get regulatory relief on our businesses, cut the red tape. We need to bring down our tax burden. Our taxes are already too high —
Bernie: They have 40 employees already. They have promised to have 500 within a few years or 1,000 to match — to get the state aid that you promised: the tax break. How can you keep saying, ‘Nobody will buy that plant, nobody will use that plant’ when you were there? They have 40 employees, your own Department of Commerce has a deal with them — it’s just a flat-out falsehood, is it not?
Rauner: [laughs] No, Bernie, it’s not at all. That plant should have well over 1,000 people today. And that plant should have brought hundreds of millions of dollars today. We had to basically cut a deal on the hope, on a gamble that it might work out. And it’s the best we could do and hopefully that will become successful someday. But that should be generating tax revenue already today and should be hugely successful over the last five years. Our regulations and our taxes have driven our employers out of the state. That’s a fact and we’ve got to change it. And raising our taxes will not solve our problem.
* This isn’t the first time Bernie has tried to pin down the governor on the story about the Mitsubishi plant: Read his December story here.
* Ever since the days when the Equal Rights Amendment was first proposed, the constitutional amendment would regularly pass one Illinois legislative chamber and then die in the other. The Senate approved the measure earlier this year…
BREAKING: Rep. Lang says he does not have the votes and will not call the ERA for a vote today in the Illinois House.
At a presser afterward, Lang said part of the reason he's not looking to call #SJRCA4 in the House today is that every vote is needed and there are some attendance issues. #twill#ERAIllinoishttps://t.co/9UHEvVrlj6
Vice Chair Rep Wallace asks #ERA opponent Bouc, who testified that her oppo comes from her great advocacy for women, to tell cmte what kind of work she's done for women:
"Have you spoken on women-specific programs and issues before?"
Some video of Rep. Lang’s press conference is here.
* But a Chicago event is apparently going ahead anyway…
JB Pritzker and ERA Advocates to Hold Press Conference Ahead of House Vote
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, Chicago Women’s March Co-Founder Jessica Scheller to Speak
WHAT
JB Pritzker to speak in support of the Equal Rights Amendment and call on Bruce Rauner to stand with Illinois women. Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, Chicago Women’s March co-founder Jessica Scheller and ERA advocates to join press conference.
WHEN
Wednesday, May 16 at 11:00 AM
…Adding… JB Pritzker…
“It’s time to pass the Equal Rights Amendment. I urge Republicans and Democrats in the House to come together and get this done, and I call on the governor to get off the sidelines and finally summon the courage to lead,” said JB Pritzker. “This isn’t hard. Women are asking for some basic rights. Our state is dealing with a lot of complicated issues. This isn’t one of them. Bruce Rauner should declare his support, and ask members of his own party to step up and vote for the ERA. I’m proud to stand with supporters of the ERA to fight for its passage, and I will be an unwavering advocate and ally for women’s rights as I have always been. It’s time for Bruce Rauner to do the same.”
Governor Bruce Rauner’s surprise proposal to revive a debate over the death penalty for cop killers and mass murderers in Illinois drew mixed reactions from the state legislature on Tuesday. […]
Rauner initially said that his death penalty proposal would “dramatically increase public safety.” But pressed on whether or not the policy would actually deter mass shootings, he only said it would be “serving justice.”
“I’ve never said that it’s a deterrent, but I believe that is the appropriate penalty in the worst crimes that are imaginable within society,” [House Republican Leader Jim Durkin] said, adding that restoring the death penalty would signal a shift in how police officers are perceived by the public.
“We have to be able to change society about who we respect. Right now, there’s an attitude that police are the ones that are being vilified more so than the criminals who are committing these terrible crimes. So, we have to change the attitude about what police do. It’s for the people who have lambasted the police and have been highly critical of police. When their house is burglarized, who do they call? They call the first people, the police, to come over.”
Kind of a stretch.
* Related…
* Zorn: Even a ‘no doubt’ death penalty is fatally flawed: What we do know, Dunham said, is that in many of the 162 cases since the mid-1970s in which death row inmates have ultimately been exonerated, lower-level appellate courts have thundered about the “overwhelming evidence of guilt.”
* Former Gov. Quinn calls Rauner death penalty proposal ‘insincere’: “I think it’s regrettable that Rauner has tied this issue to anything other than a straight up issue of the death penalty,” Quinn told the Sun-Times. “It deserves that kind of complete focus, to not be tied to anything else. It hurts democracy. I think his actions yesterday were completely insincere. And it’s the way he operates.”
* Rauner on Death Penalty: More Politics than Policy?: The death penalty is not a deterrent, said Jennifer Vollen-Katz, executive director of the John Howard Association, an independent prison monitor and criminal justice reform advocacy group. She said the move was a step back from the strides Rauner made in criminal justice reform. … “It doesn’t do any favors to the state of Illinois,” Vollen-Katz said. “It is not going to make us safer, it is not going to save us money, it is just another failed tough-on-crime policy that seems to be an attempt at gaining attention and not doing what’s right for the people of Illinois.” … “We are distressed and alarmed by Gov. Bruce Rauner’s call for the reinstatement of the death penalty in any way, shape or form,” the [Catholic Conference of Illinois] said in the statement. “His call to put to death individuals convicted of mass shootings or the fatal shooting of a law enforcement officer under proof of ‘beyond all doubt’ instead of ‘beyond a reasonable doubt’ is simply parsing words. You cannot teach killing is wrong by killing.”
* Our View: Don’t play politics on death penalty: But putting people to death should not be a “gotcha” move that aims for a payoff in November in the voting booth. If the governor truly wants to reinstate the death penalty in Illinois in certain cases, an amendatory veto of a bill that has nothing to do with that issue is not the place to do so. A proposal of that magnitude should have hearings and be debated in the legislature and in the public realm. Is the death penalty actually a deterrent to committing crimes, as many proponents claim? Has enough changed in the way cases are handled and evidence processed since the death penalty was abolished that Illinois can be confident it could be reinstated without having the same problems that led to its demise? These are valid questions that deserve serious discussion.
The foundation that supports the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is selling a black dress once owned by movie star Marilyn Monroe to raise funds to repay a loan used to buy artifacts relating to the 16th president.
The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation is putting nine items up for auction in Las Vegas June 23, including photos of the 1950s movie icon. Julien’s Auctions says the wool dress could sell for more than $60,000.
The foundation owes about $10 million on a 2007 loan it used to buy items purportedly belonging to Lincoln, including a stovepipe hat, bloodstained gloves and an 1824 book.
There is a burgeoning threat to President Abraham Lincoln’s legacy.
As the Tribune has reported, his presidential seal, stovepipe hat, locks of his hair, gloves he carried with him the night of the assassination — stained with the very blood he spilled that this nation might have a new birth of freedom — could regrettably be moving closer to the auction block. […]
If a single Lincoln artifact goes to auction, taken from the public realm, then we, as a nation are collectively diminished and must look ourselves in the mirror and take responsibility. It is not any one individual’s or group’s responsibility to bear; it is all of ours to bear.
What would Lincoln do if faced with this problem? He would solve it and not let us down. In that same vein, we must solve it and not let him down. We should, posthaste, set our hearts, minds and yes, money to the task we have before us.
* Gov. Rauner was asked about the issue yesterday…
Gov. Rauner said the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum foundation that’s considering unloading prized Abraham Lincoln artifacts to pay down debt shouldn’t do “any panicked selling.”
The governor on Tuesday didn’t say whether taxpayer money would be used to try to keep the Land of Lincoln’s Lincoln stuff off the auction block. […]
“The loan that they used to buy that material is not due (until October 2019). That’s a long time. So, move slowly,” Rauner said. “Certainly let’s not have any panicked selling or action or whatever.”
“And obviously we, as the state government — it’s separate from that foundation,” he said. “They’re separate, we have to keep them separate, we have to make sure we manage our taxpayer funds very prudently.”
Illinois Policy Institute CEO John Tillman announced today the results of a full compliance review of the good government organizations he has fostered over the years. The review was conducted in the wake of a hit piece by the Chicago Sun-Times, which made false allegations in the hope of triggering a legal investigation.
For example, the Sun-Times reported an alleged “no-interest loan,” which was actually a bookkeeping error that misidentified a double payment to a vendor and was quickly rectified.
The Sun-Times has refused to address these errors. Further, on Monday one of the two reporters involved in the February article began a new line of inquiry that indicates another agenda-driven article is forthcoming.
Statement from John Tillman:
“I joined the Illinois Policy Institute in 2007 because I wanted to find policy solutions that will help save this state.
“Since then, we’ve become the strongest voice for taxpayers in Illinois. We read every bill. We have top experts analyzing Illinois’ challenges and finding solutions. Thousands and thousands of Illinoisans have turned to us for a voice. And we are excited to be a champion for people who have felt neglected by their elected officials for too long.
“One way we’ve promoted free markets and small government is by serving as an incubator for other good government organizations, working with them as they launch and then stepping back as these groups go off on their own.
“Rather than focusing on this amazing work, on Feb. 11, 2018, the Chicago Sun-Times published an article riddled with errors that misled readers about our work. The authors presented this as if it were investigative journalism, but there was no investigation and no journalism – simply the stitching together of information found in publicly available documents in such a way that suggested wrongdoing, of which there was none.
“The article got a lot of things wrong and purposely misled readers. The Sun-Times singled out a particular transaction that an outsourced accounting firm referred to as a “no interest” loan to a related party where I have an ownership interest. We were not given time to research that transaction before the story was published. Since then, as part of our internal review, we have researched that alleged “no interest” loan. It turned out to be a bookkeeping error: A double payment on an invoice that was quickly rectified. The Sun-Times has refused to update their article with this information, despite their journalistic obligation to gather, update and correct information throughout the life of a news story.
“Further, the Sun-Times presented perfectly normal contracts for services provided as money being ‘channeled’ to people improperly. They massively underreported the revenues of our total operation to create the illusion that my compensation is out of line.
“In a changing media landscape, it’s important that legacy media players such as the Sun-Times live up to the tradition of journalistic excellence. Sadly, they failed in this article and appear poised to try again. An email we received Monday reflected a new line of questioning that is equally inaccurate and misleading in its narrative.
“None of what is happening is a coincidence. It’s part of a concerted, bipartisan effort to silence effective voices of dissent that seek to hold politicians of both parties accountable for their policy and leadership choices.
“It’s important to have a healthy ecosystem of government watchdogs keeping elected officials from both parties in check, especially in a city like Chicago and a state like Illinois.
“But make no mistake, any effective voice for taxpayers at the state level will come under this sort of attack.
“We will not be silenced.”
For a rundown of the inaccuracies in the Chicago Sun-Times article, visit illin.is/suntimes.
* E-mail to state party officials from ILGOP Chairman Tim Schneider…
Good evening,
Ahead of our meeting on Saturday, I’d like to share some important updates with you. After many conversations and hearing from many of you, Mark Shaw and I have come to an agreement that we believe is best for the party to achieve our shared goal of reelecting Gov. Rauner. Mark has decided to run for President of the Republican County Chairmen’s Association with the full support of Gov. Rauner and me, rather than run for Chairman of the state party.
To ensure that the Illinois Republican Party and the Republican County Chairmen’s Association work together in an efficient and seamless manner, I am happy to announce that I have appointed Mark as a Co-Chairman of the Illinois Republican Party as well. In this new role, Mark will be the primary liaison to our County Chairmen and will take the lead on grassroots engagement, training, and mobilization. To win in November we are going to need a grassroots army to battle the Democrats, and I am confident Mark will get the job done.
To beat Mike Madigan and J.B. Pritzker, we need to work on addition, not subtraction. In these new roles that Mark is taking on, I truly believe that we are utilizing each other’s strengths and talents in the best way to serve our party.
I know these past few weeks haven’t been easy on all of you as we’ve worked through these internal family issues. I hope that with this announcement, we can end this chapter and get to work on the important tasks in front of us. Mark and I are 100% committed to focusing our attention on coming together to defeat Mike Madigan, JB Pritzker, and the Democrats. We ask each of you to join us in that effort.
I’d like to thank Mark for his input on how we can make the Illinois Republican Party stronger. Because of his contributions in this process, I believe we have emerged stronger together with a renewed focus on what we need to do to win in November.
I look forward to seeing all of you on Saturday.
Sincerely,
Tim
* Press release…
ILGOP Leadership Announcement
ILGOP Chairman Tim Schneider and Lake Co. GOP Chairman Mark Shaw announce a reorganization plan that focuses on grassroots organizing dedicated to reelecting Gov. Rauner and Republicans statewide
“Chairman Mark Shaw is a great asset to the Illinois Republican Party, and I’m very pleased to announce a new joint effort with him to refocus our party’s efforts on grassroots and county-level organizing. This year’s election might be the most consequential one in our state’s history, so we must be more organized than ever before. That is why I wholeheartedly endorse Mark Shaw to lead the Illinois Republican County Chairmen’s Association as President. Mark will also serve as co-Chairman of the Illinois Republican Party and lead conservative and grassroots outreach for the party. With Mark joining me at the helm, the state party and Republican organizations across Illinois will coordinate new efforts to reelect Gov. Bruce Rauner and our Republican ticket statewide.” - Illinois Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider
“Many conservatives sent Governor Rauner a message in the primary. On the night of the primary, Governor Rauner said he heard them, and I heard them – loud and clear. But Republicans must focus on the issues that unite us and the election ahead of us. Conservatives in Illinois must come together to reelect Governor Rauner, or we won’t have a voice in state government for the next decade.
“That is why I’ve decided to join together with Chairman Tim Schneider in a unity effort to lead Republicans in Illinois. I’m asking the State Central Committee to reelect Tim Schneider to another term as our party chairman, and I am honored to serve as co-Chairman of the party. The joint unity effort will make our conservative voice louder and ultimately make our party stronger. I look forward to working with Tim in my new role to focus our party’s attention on the grassroots and do the important organizing work to reelect Gov. Rauner, elect more Republicans statewide, and build our party at the statewide and local level.” - Lake County Republican Party Chairman Mark Shaw
Today, Illinois Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider and Lake County Republican Party Chairman Mark Shaw announced an agreed reorganization plan that restructures party leadership and refocuses party efforts on grassroots and county-level organizing dedicated to reelecting Governor Rauner and the statewide Republican ticket.
With the full support of Chairman Shaw, Chairman Schneider will continue to serve as Chairman of the Illinois Republican Party, and Chairman Shaw will serve as Co-Chairman of the Illinois Republican Party and lead conservative and grassroots outreach. Additionally, with the full support of Governor Bruce Rauner and Chairman Schneider, Chairman Shaw will run for President of the Illinois Republican County Chairmen’s Association. Both leadership positions will be elected this Saturday, May 19, at organizational meetings in Springfield.
Chairman Schneider and Chairman Shaw look forward to working together over the next six months to unify Republicans in Illinois, reelect Gov. Rauner, and defeat Mike Madigan.
*** UPDATE 1 *** From Rep. Jeanne Ives…
Late last night, the two candidates for ILGOP Chair, Chairman Tim Schneider and Lake County GOP Chairman Mark Shaw, announced a compromise that has the candidates sharing the seat. State Representative Jeanne Ives, a former Republican candidate for Governor, released the following statement in response:
This is an encouraging about face by Rauner and his surrogates including Tim Schneider who spent the primary campaign ridiculing conservatives and telling us to leave the party.
If this compromise elevates the party’s conservative base in terms of both policy views and party leadership, that would be good.
If this compromise turns out to be the typical surrender Republican Rauner play of buying people off with money and titles, that would not be good.
While I’m guardedly optimistic, I’ll reserve judgment to see how the deal operates in practice.
*** UPDATE 1 *** DGA…
The nation’s most vulnerable incumbent was forced to partially cede control over his party’s operations this morning, as news broke Rauner’s hand-picked party chairman agreed to be a “co-chairman” to avoid a divisive party vote. Politico Illinois wrote Rauner’s bowing to reality shows “weakness” and would “never could have happened under Rauner two years ago.”
But Rauner still has not solved his biggest problem — winning back state Representative Jeanne Ives and the 48% of Republicans that supported her. Ives was skeptical of today’s news, warning that if this was the “typical surrender Republican Rauner play of buying people off with money and titles, that would not be good.” Her statement also showed she was not involved in the deal. She told CLTV last week they still have not spoken.
“Bruce Rauner is fighting for his political life and he only has himself blame,” said DGA Illinois Communications Director Sam Salustro. “Rauner still has to find a way to win back the 48% of Republicans that voted to throw him out two months ago, and the millions of Democrats and Independents that are tired of watching Illinois fall behind under his failed leadership.”
* As Rich noted this morning in the subscriber-only edition, the Democrats’ response to Gov. Rauner’s proposal for the reinstatement of the death penalty yesterday was fairly quiet. The party’s nominee for Attorney General, Sen. Kwame Raoul, had no reaction for over a day, which seems unusual because Raoul was the Senate sponsor of the 2011 bill that ended up killing the death penalty once and for all.
But speaking with reporters after a related press conference early this afternoon, Raoul was heated in his response…
Meanwhile, Sen. Kwame Raoul, who sponsored bill to abolish death penalty in Illinois, called Gov. Rauner's amendatory veto in which he proposes bringing it back for cop killers and mass murderers politically motivated and a "stupid" diversion.
* Raoul and the governor’s office have also worked together on some criminal justice reform issues over the last few years; one of the few bright spots of cooperation between Rauner and the Democrats. Rauner signed an executive order to create a commission on these issues very early in his administration.
I asked Sen. Raoul if the governor’s death penalty proposal poisons the waters or hurts the goodwill built on that issue…
“I do credit the governor for signing an executive order creating that commission. But the fact that he did so does not give him credibility to just destroy conversations around commonsense policy to try to obstruct the gun trafficking that leads to the murders of police officers and common citizens on a week to week basis.”
I also asked about the cost consideration of prisoners on death row, and Raoul pointed out that, yes, it costs more to house death row inmates than other types. That would undermine the cost-saving motivations at play in the cooperation, no?
“Guys, I don’t even know how to respond to this. I’m speechless!”, he said in a classroom, literally, with a stopped clock, “One morning without speaking to anybody after the State of Illinois had a big discussion, led the country to ban the death penalty for a whole host of appropriate reasons, and then say here’s what I want without consulting or working with anybody.”
Translation? Rahm thinks Rauner’s move is pure politics.
Three months ago this week, Governor Rauner addressed the Illinois General Assembly and proposed a balanced budget for the state.
Governor Rauner’s budget proposal meets provisions set forth in the historic school funding compromise passed last year, addresses the looming pension crisis, and opens the door to rolling back the Madigan 32% income tax hike.
With time running short in the General Assembly’s spring legislative session, now is the time for parties enact a balanced budget for a full year.
The Governor made his case three months ago. It’s time for both parties to come to the table.
I’ve since confirmed that the governor and the four legislative leaders are scheduled to meet at 5 o’clock this afternoon.
* But that meeting may not last long. From the governor’s public schedule…
What: Gov. Rauner delivers remarks at the Illinois Travel and Tourism Industry legislative reception
Where: Abraham Lincoln DoubleTree Hotel, 701 E. Adams St., Springfield
Date: Tuesday, May 15, 2018
Time: 5:45 p.m.
State Senator Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) joined Democratic and Republican lawmakers today to announce a new effort to tackle the issue of illegal guns being used in crimes in Illinois.
The legislation, Senate Bill 337, incorporates portions of Harmon’s Gun Dealer Licensing Act, which Gov. Bruce Rauner recently vetoed, as well as provisions to better record and track private sales.
“We took seriously concerns about the bureaucracy included in the Gun Dealer Licensing Act,” Harmon said. “This legislation provides much-needed oversight on gun purchases without creating a new bureaucracy.”
Harmon’s measure would require the Illinois State Police, rather than the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, to certify dealers.
The legislation also treats all firearm licensees the same, eliminating exemptions for small and large dealers to focus on their actions, not their size.
To crack down on illegal transfers after a gun is purchased, the measure puts in place a penalty for individuals who fail to maintain a record of a private sale and requires State Police to make key information about guns used in crimes available to the public.
“We recognize that blame does not lie solely on the dealer when someone uses a gun to commit a crime,” Harmon said. “By certifying gun dealers and implementing better practices to track straw purchasers, we hope to be able to make it harder for someone to use an illegal gun to commit a crime.”
Several key provisions included from the Gun Dealer Licensing Act are:
· requiring gun dealers to implement a safe storage plan for firearms during retail hours and after closing,
· requiring the posting of signage reminding employees and customers to keep guns out of the hands of people who shouldn’t have access,
· requiring certified licensees to make a copy of the buyers or transferee’s valid FOID card or ID and attach it to the documentation detailing the sale,
· requiring employees to have annual training regarding legal requirements and responsible business practices,
· and requiring certified licensees to have their place of business open for inspection by the State Police and local law enforcement.
Senate Bill 337 awaits action in the Senate.
Harmon said today he expects the bill to get a hearing as early as today.
* From the presser…
On @GovRauner's 72-h Cool-Down AV, Harmon says: "The governor's amendatory veto was not an amendatory veto. It was a veto." pic.twitter.com/kYibOEjIyn
The lobbying group for gun shop owners is opposed, says the bill appears designed to force some out of operation and put felony penalties on private sellers who may misplace certain paperwork. https://t.co/VPEGpki5IJ
* Police Gang Databases Under Fire In Statehouse Bill: Illinois legislators are taking up a measure to change the way police gather information for gang databases. It comes after more than a year of controversy surrounding the Chicago Police Department’s data collection practices.
* IL Lawmakers to Vote on Equality Issues: Human rights dvocates are hoping legislation that would advance the voices of women and the LGBT community will make it as far as Gov. Bruce Rauner’s desk, and if it does, they’re urging him to sign the bills. Rep. Anna Moeller is co-author of SB 3249, which would require lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history to be taught in public schools. The Elgin Democrat says it means Illinois students would learn about the significant historical events and contributions by LGBTQ people.
When it comes to Republican governors in blue states, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker is considered the gold standard. In the face of fierce anti-Trump sentiment in his state, he’s steadily held the enviable position as the most popular governor in the nation. And last week, a political forecaster pegged Baker as having a lock on reelection.
* Of course, yesterday Rauner announced that within his Amendatory Veto on the 72-hour cooling off period gun purchase bill, he was adding language to reinstate the death penalty for those who commit mass murder and kill law enforcement officers.
Here in Illinois, Chicago Police Commander Paul Bauer was tragically slain in the line of duty at the Thompson Center in February. In Massachusetts, two law enforcement officers have been murdered in the past two years.
Illinois abolished the death penalty in 2011 under Gov. Pat Quinn, though the last execution in Illinois was 12 years earlier, in 1999. Gov. George Ryan issued a moratorium on the death penalty in the state, and commuted over 160 death sentences to life sentences before leaving office in early 2003. Ryan and many others pointed to the likelihood of wrongful convictions.
Massachusetts has not executed a single person since 1947, according to the Death Penalty Information Center, a Washington-based research organization. The 1982 law allowing capital punishment was found unconstitutional in 1984.
Massachusetts governors, including Mitt Romney, have tried to reinstate the death penalty in the commonwealth in the last three decades, but since Republican Bill Brady took up the cause for lifting the moratorium on the death penalty in his 2010 race against Quinn, not many mainstream candidates have wanted to touch the issue.
* The political calculus at work here: While it seems like Gov. Baker in Massachusetts has been championing the death penalty for cop killers on the campaign trail, but not from the governor’s office, Rauner took the opposite approach. Rauner made the announcement and then filed language for his amendatory Veto. But now he’s also got a new campaign issue, and can also try to paint Democrats into a corner.
Baker is clearly more popular as a Republican governor in a “Blue” state, but his campaign-only approach has brought some criticism…
Gov. Charlie Baker’s campaign-trail rhetoric to reinstate the death penalty for cop killers suddenly falls silent when he’s on Beacon Hill, where the Swampscott Republican hasn’t filed a single bill to back up his bluster despite two police officers being killed on the job in the last two years.
The politically milquetoast governor is even ducking support for lawmakers and a law enforcement group currently crafting a death penalty bill in the wake of Yarmouth K-9 Sgt. Sean Gannon’s killing.
Baker’s office says only that the governor will “carefully review” any legislation that reaches his desk.
President Donald Trump on Tuesday renewed his call for individuals convicted of killing police officers to receive the death penalty, but his White House has yet to produce a proposal to turn his campaign pledge into policy.
During the 2016 presidential election, candidate Trump often vowed, if elected, to sign an executive order that he contended would force convicted cop killers to be put to death. He renewed that call in December. But he has yet to sign such an executive action and his administration has yet to send Congress legislative language on the matter.
As always, though, the biggest obstacle to legalized sports betting in Illinois won’t be gambling opponents so much as gambling industry competitors.
“By no means is this going to be simple and elegant,” said Rep. Mike Zalewski (D-Riverside), the House sponsor of Harris’ bill.
Zalewski warned there’s a possibility someone could try to step into the void created by the Supreme Court ruling and begin openly accepting sports bets in Illinois, challenging regulators to shut them down despite a state law that prohibits sports gambling.
That would be similar to the business model recently used by fantasy sports operators and market disrupters in other industries, he noted.
Arlington International Racecourse General Manager Tony Petrillo could not be reached for comment Monday, but in March he told the Daily Herald the track would want a casino along with sports betting.
The State Where Nothing Works will almost certainly butcher the opportunity to create instant revenue.
Never mind all the gambling bills in the past that could have saved Illinois racetracks, the ones that either didn’t pass or were vetoed by the previous governor.
Illinois should have had a bill ready Monday that allowed for casinos at race tracks with a full sports betting parlor.
New Jersey has its bill and Monmouth Park — a New Jersey racetrack — plans to have sports betting within two weeks. It will probably be two decades before Illinois takes advantage of the revenue opportunity.
New Jersey was at the center of the court case, so of course they were ready to go.
Democratic state Sen. Steve Stadelman of Loves Park, chairman of the gaming committee, said he expects the pace of the panel’s work to quicken. Sports gambling consultants and representatives from the professional sports leagues, along with assorted opponents and supporters, testified at a preliminary hearing on the issue last month.
Stadelman said it’s unlikely legislation will be up for a vote before the General Assembly adjourns May 31. Issues to be addressed include tax rates, online wagering and potential venues such as casinos and horse racing tracks. […]
Stadelman and Democratic state Rep. Lou Lang of Skokie said lawmakers can’t be hasty in putting together a final sports gambling bill to keep pace with other states. Lang said he conducted four days of research — at his personal expense — on a trip to Las Vegas by meeting with sports books, the Nevada Gaming Control Board and others.
“I learned quite a bit,” said Lang. “I learned that some states were so much in a hurry to pass a law on this that they screwed it up. We’re not going to screw it up. We’re going to do it right. And I’m not going to put a (House) bill together and get it out there for people to look at until I’m comfortable that it’s the right bill.”
* How much would it bring in? From a Tribune editorial…
Illinois could reap from $300 million to $681 million a year, according to Chris Grove of research firm Eilers & Krejcik Gaming, depending on whether it limited sports gambling to casinos and other physical sites or allowed it online as well.
Deutsche Bank Market Research estimates the potential legalized sports betting market in Illinois at $681 million annually.
Harris would impose a 12.5 percent tax on gross sports wagering revenue and a 1 percent fee that would go to pro sports leagues and the NCAA, both of which he said are open to negotiation.
So, Deutche Bank thinks the market is $681 million and Eilers & Krejcik believes Illinois government would reap up to that very same $681 million? Hmm.
Gov. Bruce Rauner, speaking at a news conference Monday, did not take a position on sports betting.
“I’ve been clear on gaming: I personally don’t gamble,” he said. “I think that gambling is something that takes money away from folks who can least afford to lose their money.
“That said, people like to gamble; it’s here. I believe in local control. I personally support those communities that would like to see gaming expanded in their communities.”
* From Gov. Rauner’s amendatory veto press release…
Defendants would be tried using a higher standard for determining guilt. Death penalty murder suspects would have to be convicted by juries “beyond all doubt,” not just “beyond a reasonable doubt” required for guilty findings of other criminal offenses.
A bipartisan group of legislators called Friday to raise the standard of proof for sentencing a person to death in Illinois by requiring a judge or jury to determine a defendant is guilty beyond “all doubt,” a move that could renew efforts to lift Illinois’ moratorium on executions. […]
The legislation would not change the “beyond a reasonable doubt” standard of proof long required to win a criminal conviction. The beyond “all doubt” standard would only be applied once a guilty verdict has been rendered and a jury or judge is weighing whether to invoke the death penalty.
If there remained what the legislation calls “residual doubt” during the sentencing phase of a capital trial, the defendant would be sentenced to life in prison instead of lethal injection. […]
An aide to Cook County State’s Atty. Richard Devine said the beyond “all doubt” standard would set the bar so high that it would be hard to sentence anybody to death no matter how heinous the crime.
“DNA evidence that might be introduced at trial might say that there’s one chance in a billion that the perpetrator was someone other than the convicted defendant,” said John Gorman, the Devine spokesman. “Then the burden would appear to compel a jury to come up with no death [penalty].” […]
The Illinois Supreme Court, which consistently rules against attempts to define reasonable doubt, would likely reject two standards in a death penalty case, said Gorman, the spokesman for Devine. […]
Peoria County State’s Atty. Kevin Lyons said the legislation could cause jurors to vote to convict in some cases where they might otherwise have not because they don’t have to worry that their action will lead to someone’s death.
That bill was sponsored by House Republican Leader Tom Cross. It went basically nowhere.
* Meanwhile, let’s move on to Cross’ successor, Illinois House Republican Leader Jim Durkin. His statement yesterday…
“As a former prosecutor, I believe the governor’s recommended changes strike the right balance to reduce senseless gun violence in Chicago and throughout the state. Allowing a prosecutor the option to seek the death penalty in the most horrific and brutal of crimes should be the law of Illinois and sends a message that we support those who wear the badge.”
It “sends a message”? That ain’t much.
* Leader Durkin has long been a proponent of the death penalty. From June 5, 2009…
The Chicago Bar Association held a forum today and a couple hundred lawyers attended. One of the attendees and presenters was Republican State Representative Jim Durkin. He says Illinois will never repeal the death penalty.
Rep. Jim Durkin, R-Western Springs, disputed the notion that Illinois’ death penalty system is still flawed after several legislative reforms have been passed in the last decade. He said Illinois’ system “is better than any other state in the union” and that the 15 men who had been on Illinois’ death row until Wednesday “have been given more than due process.”
“Our system is not broken. It was fixed,” Durkin said. He said he does not believe the death penalty is a deterrent to crime, but “it is important to have the option available. A lot of times we forget about the families that lost somebody. If this penalty is available, this option, to bring closure to those families, I think we need to have that.” [Emphasis added.]
So, if it’s not a deterrent, how does it “reduce senseless gun violence”?
Without the death penalty, Durkin believes, there is no adequate punishment for the most vicious criminals. “A lot of these other arguments will not matter when someone is faced with the murder of a loved one.”
Tuesday, May 15, 2018 - Posted by Advertising Department
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[Note from Rich Miller: Experienced Statehouse reporter Hannah Meisel’s position was recently and abruptly eliminated, so I asked her to do some work for me during the closing weeks of spring session.]
By Hannah Meisel
* JB Pritzker made two public stops in Springfield Monday, first touring a local business incubator, then heading to the AFL-CIO headquarters to sign Personal PAC’s pledge to keep HB40 — the expanded abortion access law — on the books and untouched until at least 2023.
Several lawmakers in the General Assembly have filed three different proposals meant to repeal the law, but none were assigned to a committee for further consideration. Personal PAC, a Chicago-based pro-choice group, and some lawmakers said they want the guarantee that these don’t get approved by the future governor. The group plans to send Rauner and Democratic candidate J.B. Pritzker a pledge to establish this guarantee.
* Pritzker accused Rauner of waffling on HB40, which he ultimately signed in September after having reportedly told Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich that he wouldn’t…
“He was against it, then he was for it. Then he was against it. He lied. He lied to the Cardinal. This is a governor who can’t be trusted, and certainly can’t be trusted to stand up for women’s rights, and a woman’s right to choose.”
* Sen. Heather Steans was also on hand and warned of bills filed to repeal HB40…
“Here in Illinois, we truly are a haven. And it’s very scary to think what would happen to not just Illinois women, but so many women even from surrounding states have to come here to get their fundamental rights protected.”
“It was a total roller coaster. We never quite knew what was going to happen with the bill. The governor was for it, then he was against it, then he was for it. There was a lot of flip-flopping going on.”
“Rauner’s campaign refused to engage in the back-and-forth on the issue that has, for them, proven a political minefield. Many of the governor’s own staff members oppose abortion, and shy away from discussing the matter on the record. State legislators in the social conservative wing still hold lasting grudges with a governor who, according to them, leaves little space between his views on abortion and the Democrat running to replace him. “
* Most recent poll data I could find on public opinion of abortion in Illinois…
“In a February 2016 poll by Southern Illinois University’s Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, 36 percent of Illinoisans said abortion should be legal in all circumstances, compared with 29 percent in a nationwide Gallup poll last May. In the same polls, 44 percent in Illinois said abortion should be legal only in certain circumstances, compared with 50 percent who said that nationwide. And 15 percent of Illinoisans told the pollsters that abortion should be illegal in all circumstances — compared with 19 percent of Americans.”
“73% percent of Illinois voters believe abortion should be a private decision between a woman and her doctor versus 20% who do not, making the margin of difference 53%. 7% were not sure.”
MADIGAN’S SOIREE — Speaker Mike Madigan spent the evening at the Island Bay Yacht Club for his annual fundraising event in Springfield. It’s one of two major events he holds every year. For all the anti-Madigan ads on TV, behind closed doors there was an outpouring of support for him, we’re told. Attendees were telling Madigan things like: “Don’t pay attention to TV ads.” “It’s just rhetoric,” and “Stay strong!”
* The Question: What would you tell Speaker Madigan if you could? No matter which side you’re on, you should probably take a very deep breath before answering.
At Friday’s [Kemp Forum], Rauner discussed his belief in attempting to create a movement for economic opportunity that mirrored his statements about mobilizing his re-election effort.
“The system of government, the system of politics in Illinois is broken. We need a movement to take it on, and it’s not Democrat or Republican, it’s not liberal or conservative, it’s not name-calling or labeling or categorizing people,” he said.
The governor then decried Illinois’ workers’ compensation program as filled with a “corrupt group of trial lawyers and judges and arbitrators along with unethical individuals” who work to game the system.
In other states, “it’s not full of the fraud and the abuse and the illegal behavior, I should say unethical behavior, that we have in Illinois,” he said.
The Russians attacked Illinois, and now authorities vow to protect the state.
“In a sense, it’s a declaration of war. It’s a cyberwar,” said Steve Sandvoss, executive director of the Illinois State Board of Elections.
“When a foreign government attacks your system, obviously you know they are up to no good,” he told Fox News. “Elections being a central part of our democracy, being attacked by a foreign government I think everybody in the country should be concerned about that.” […]
State officials said up to 80,000 voter registration records were accessed. It turned out that the greatest concentration of breached files belonged to the residents of Galesburg. A total of 14,121 residents, or almost half of the city’s population, had their voter registration information compromised.
“I certainly don’t want to be on the front of any cyberwar,” Sandvoss said.” We are as prepared as we can be.”
The Fox News story also included an interview with state Sen. Michael Hastings of Tinley Park and pointed out his background as a West Point graduate who served 10 years in Iraq. Hastings is chairman of the House subcommittee on cybersecurity.
“I want to make sure that Illinois residents feel safe and secure in casting their vote for whatever candidate they choose, whoever that may be,” he said. “And having these investigations to provide the assurances to Illinois residents that our voter systems are secure, or will be secure, is of the utmost importance to me.”
Fox News did not point out that Hastings is a Democrat.
Progress Chicago, a nonprofit issue advocacy organization dedicated to promoting sound public policies for the city’s continued advancement, today officially launched and outlined its spring agenda to counteract potential threats to the equal funding formula for Illinois schools that was reached with bipartisan support during last year’s legislative session in Springfield.
Through a mix of proactive communications, issue advocacy efforts and partnership initiatives, Progress Chicago will counter the faulty and misleading narrative about the city that disregards significant gains in recent years, particularly in education, with independent reports showing Chicago Public Schools are leading nationally on several fronts.
* IBEW Local 134
* IUOE Local 150
*LiUNA Chicago Laborers’ District Council
* Michael J. Sacks
Michael Sacks, eh? Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s favorite billionaire? The same guy who just hired the former Chicago Federation of Labor president who is expected to help Emanuel with his reelection campaign?
