Isabel’s afternoon roundup
Thursday, Feb 1, 2024 - Posted by Isabel Miller
* Bost v. Bailey fundraising update…
* That’s a lot of money…
* Tribune reporters are on the picket line today, here’s some coverage from X…
* NBC Chicago…
A boil order has been issued in Dixmoor following two water main breaks, according to the Village President, bringing more issues to the suburb frequently plagued by interruptions to water service.
According to Village President Fitzgerald Roberts, the breaks occurred near the intersections of 141st Street/Wood Street and 141st Street/Page Street.
The two breaks on Wednesday add to what has been a consistent issue for Dixmoor in recent days, with nine separate water main breaks occurring in the past week.
Governor Pritzker was asked about that during today’s press conference…
I haven’t been briefed, although the county commissioner from the area just walked up to me and told me about those water main breaks. And I assured her that we will work on that immediately.
Obviously, much of the infrastructure in the south suburbs, water infrastructure particularly, is so old and hasn’t been replaced. As far as I understand more than 60 years. So we’ve been doing it rapidly as we could within the context of our infrastructure bill. But obviously when you’ve got emergencies like this, we need to make sure that we’re assisting in every way we can.
Meanwhile, the village of Thayer, south of Springfield, has had at least five water main breaks in the last two weeks.
* Here’s the rest…
* WTTW | While Many in Illinois Prisons Need Medication for Opioid Use Disorders, Advocates Say System Slow to Provide: The medications have been found to have a 50% reduction in mortality rate for patients in long-term treatment, meaning people are less likely to die than when untreated. “Medication for opiate use disorder is one of the closest things we have to a miracle drug,” said Justin Berk, director of the Jail and Prison Opioid Project, a project that catalogs which facilities nationwide provide such medications.
* BND | 3 issues that may threaten student safety, according to metro-east educators and law enforcement: The presentations that followed focused on mental health, substance abuse, online exploitation and grooming. Donna Nahlik, director of prevention and community education at Chestnut Health Systems, spoke about substance use and how it affects students and schools as well as the myriad programs Chestnut provides for youth, which includes prevention curriculum in partnership with local districts.
* Bloomberg | Chicago’s wealthiest raise $66 million for fight against crime: Donors including the Crown and Pritzker family foundations contributed just over 30% of the $200 million the business community will need for an initiative to reduce gun violence. The fundrasing effort is being led by the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago, which includes senior leaders from companies including McDonald’s, Ulta Beauty and Morningstar.
* WTTW | CPS Proposes Delaying First Day of 2024-25 School Year With Democratic National Convention Coming to Chicago: “This shift not only accommodates the city’s logistical needs as they relate to the influx of Conventiongoers, but it also allows time for students to attend, volunteer, and participate in the civic process of hosting the Convention,” the district said in a statement.
* ABC Chicago | Former administrator sues suburban school district over alleged racial discriminationi: Administrators and teachers took photos with the doll, which appears to be based on rapper Snoop Dogg, with fake money and drug paraphernalia attached. […] Gibson alleges he complained and the administrator who actually brought the doll into the office was put in charge of Gibson’s review which led to the district not renewing Gibson’s contract.
* WBEZ | A new FAFSA setback means many college financial aid offers won’t come until April: This new, four-to-six-week delay puts schools in a difficult bind as colleges can’t determine what financial aid students should get until they receive the government’s FAFSA data. There is some good news: One big reason for the delay is that the department is fixing a $1.8 billion mistake in the FAFSA that could have especially hurt lower-income students. Proceeding without a fix would have, at best, confused many lower-income borrowers. At worst, it would have taken money out of their pockets and likely discouraged some from enrolling in college.
* Shaw Local | GOP congressional candidates in 11th District differ on immigration, gun control : The U.S. should end chain migration for families and eliminate the green card lottery, which formally is called the diversity immigrant visa program. Mercado said he also opposes amnesty “as a mass cure for this.” As for gun control, Mercado said he supports universal background checks for would-be firearms buyers.
* Sun-Times | Ventra app crashes on first day of new Metra fares, closed ticket windows: In the meantime, riders can show their frozen app to Metra employees in order to get on the train. “Basically we’re telling customers to show their screen, show that it’s frozen and letting them ride,” Reile said. “Our conductors are aware.”
* Crain’s | Chicago museums remove Native American items following new rules from feds: On Jan. 10, the Field Museum announced it had covered up several display cases that featured Native American cultural items. The Art Institute of Chicago told Crain’s that it will be removing “several” Native American archaeological artifacts currently on display in its galleries. The Museum of Science & Industry said it will not be affected by the new regulations.
* Daily Dot | Mark Cuban says X is ‘impossible’ to use, shares barrage of daily antisemitism his account gets: Cuban in recent weeks has drawn the ire of conservatives and far-right activists due to his support for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), a set of policies that aim to promote the representation and participation of different groups of individuals in business regardless of factors such as age, race, or ethnicity. Cuban told the Daily Dot that the reposts represented only a small fraction of the hateful content he’s received on X, “the only platform” where he says he has experienced anti-Semitism.
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* CNN reporting from Washington, DC…
The House voted on Wednesday evening to pass a $78 billion bipartisan tax package that would temporarily expand the child tax credit and restore a number of business tax benefits.
The bill will next go to the Senate. House Speaker Mike Johnson currently oversees a razor-thin majority, but the bill passed with rare bipartisan support. The vote was 357 to 70 with 188 Democrats and 169 Republicans voting in favor and 23 Democrats and 47 Republicans opposed.
Some issues remain in the US Senate, however.
* Press release from Economic Security Project Action…
In response to news that the House of Representatives has voted to pass an expanded Child Tax Credit (CTC) in the latest tax deal, leaders and advocates in Illinois are spotlighting the need to pass a statewide Child Tax Credit in Illinois this year. Sponsored by State Senator Omar Aquino and State Rep. Marcus Evans Jr., the bill would create a robust Child Tax Credit, which would offer $300 for Illinois families who earn less than the median income. Such a credit would benefit 1.4 million kids and 2.8 million parents and generate over $1 billion in local economic stimulus.
Calls for a Child Tax Credit are growing across the state, with +40 organizations across Illinois currently signed on to this proposal.
“We are happy to see Congress is taking action to expand the Child Tax Credit, with the House of Representatives voting on a version of the deal,” said Erion Malasi, Director of Policy & Advocacy at Economic Security of Illinois. “While the Senate considers the proposal, we celebrate a small step towards addressing the needs of the lowest-income American families. At the same time, we know families here in Illinois still need more support from their government. We have an opportunity this year to create a robust CTC that would benefit half of all children throughout Illinois, and help families manage rising costs for housing and living expenses. We are calling on our colleagues in the Illinois Legislature to pass a CTC this year and help Illinois families thrive.”
“The House of Representatives did the right thing by moving forward with a tax deal that expands the Child Tax Credit; now it’s time to pass our own version here in Illinois,” shared State Representative Marcus Evans Jr. “By offering hard-working families more money at tax time, we can combat the affordability crisis that faces our families in Chicago and across the state, and help to bridge the divide in racial financial equality. If we pass this CTC, 60% of the children who would benefit are from Black and brown households.”
“Congress did the right thing, and now so should Illinois,” added State Senator Omar Aquino. “The Child Tax Credit I am proposing this year would put money back in working-class parents’ pockets. That money helps families stay afloat, provide a good education for their children, and re-invest that money right back into our local economy. It’s time for Illinois to join the 14 other states that have their own child tax credits as the fifteenth.”
* As we’ve already discussed, the $300 million price tag is worrying the governor because the state is looking at a significant deficit in the coming fiscal year. So, I asked the governor’s office for comment about the above press release…
The Governor looks forward to delivering his budget address in a few weeks and he has a demonstrated record of balancing our budget while investing in the people of Illinois. Working with the General Assembly, we’ve already invested historic amounts of money into early childhood education and childcare through Smart Start IL and we look forward to our second year of implementation. Whether it’s home visiting or making college more affordable, the state of Illinois has made enormous progress making Illinois the best place to raise a family.
Your thoughts?
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* Block Club Chicago…
Fewer buses have brought migrants to Chicago over the past few weeks, leading to a decrease in the number of people staying in temporary city-run shelters. […]
In the last week of December, there were as many as 14,900 migrants in 27 city-run shelters, with 45 people waiting at the landing zone and 255 people waiting at O’Hare Airport, according to data from the Office of Emergency Management and Communications.
As of Tuesday morning, there are about 13,900 people in 28 shelters in the city, with one person at the landing zone and 171 people at O’Hare, data shows.
Matt Doughtie, with the Office of Emergency Management and Communications, said arrivals began to slow around the time Chicago had severe weather earlier this month, “anecdotally.”
Over the past week, Chicago has only received buses on two days, Doughtie said.
There’s more, so click here.
* Echelon Insights does polling for the Illinois Policy Institute and its affiliates. It scores a 2.6 out of 3 in FiveThirtyEight’s ratings system, ranking 27th.
Its latest poll is skewed White. 40 percent of respondents were White, compared to 31 who were Black and 22 who were Latino. Then again, turnout in Black and Latino wards last year was very soft.
* With all that in mind, here’s the IPI…
New polling shows 69% of Chicago voters disapprove of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s handling of the migrant crisis, with only 23% approving with 8% unsure.
Johnson’s handling of crime saw 66% of voters disapproving to some degree, with half strongly disapproving. The Illinois Policy Institute poll of 800 registered Chicago voters conducted from Jan. 16-21 by Echelon Insights also found a majority of voters disapproved of Johnson’s handling of all six issues surveyed.
Overall, 29% of Chicago voters approve of the mayor’s job, up slightly from 28% in October. The share of voters somewhat or strongly disapproving of Johnson’s job grew from 50% to 57% since October. Nearly half as many voters remained undecided about him.
Toplines are here, crosstabs are here.
* The benefit of the House Speaker creating a “working group” to address the migrant issue is that members can point to that group when approached by the news media…
State Rep. Mike Kelly (D-15th), whose district includes both Chicago and portions of suburbs just outside Chicago, has an existing migrant shelter in his district, which has not been problematic, a spokeswoman for Kelly said. The site is the former United States Marine Corps Reserve base off Foster Avenue. Kelly’s spokeswoman Katie Ali said the base is a unique site equipped with showers and other facilities to house large numbers of people.
She said Kelly is, “Excited to see what kind of solutions the working group comes up with.”
Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch recently formed a House working group to craft a response to the recent spike in migrant arrivals, chaired by State Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (D-17th) of Glenview.
“As chair of the House Democrats’ New Arrivals Working Group, I am beginning our work with the understanding that this situation is affecting every community in our state,” Gong-Gershowitz said in an email to the Journal & Topics. Tuesday (Jan. 30). “We know that communities are affected in very different ways, and even within those communities historically disadvantaged areas are facing additional strain.
“While so much of what drives migration is outside of our control, we need to respond collectively to the things we can control. My focus is on bringing stakeholders together for discussions on how we can best meet our communities’ varied needs.”
* Gov. Pritzker was asked today about new shelters and whether they should be in Chicago…
Well, again, we have already identified one or two places with the Archdiocese, who have been willing to offer up some of their properties. And we’ve got to work through some details, but we’re close with one of those.
I have said to the mayor that if they will identify, and I’m talking about the city, identify places for shelters, we will fund them with the dollars that I allocated. And remember I made that decision that the $65 million that we could not put into the tent at the location where there was an environmental hazard, that we would dedicate that to other shelters so that we could accomplish the same thing, which is to have 2000 people that would be sheltered by virtue of state support.
However, we need the city to help out and and, on occasion, they have been willing to be a part of that recently. Obviously done a lot of work before that, but we need them to continue that work and even with Archdiocese sites, the city has been willing at least to let go of some of their normal processes in order to let us continue moving forward with the Archdiocese.
But still we need locations. We can’t just point at places and say you know, this is where we’re going. We need planning, zoning, we need to make sure that the communities the aldermen, etc. That’s all work that the city normally should do. And that’s what’s happening in places like Oak Park and elsewhere where there are shelters outside of the city of Chicago that the state is supportive of.
* More from Isabel…
* WBEZ | A Pilsen medical center that treats migrants is furloughing workers: Lately, many migrants arriving in Chicago have come to rely on [Alivio Medical Center] clinic in Pilsen. This area is home to the largest city-run shelter where about 2,500 people are staying. As of Jan. 19, about half were children, according to data shared by the city. […] [Spokeswoman Terri Rivera] said a host of factors fueled the furloughs, including supplies becoming more expensive, COVID-19 money that is running out and treating fewer patients. Alivio’s CEO Esther Corpuz was not available for an interview, nor was anyone who could discuss the health center’s financials. But Igoe said information Alivio shared with the union shows that patient visits have increased since at least the summer and as of November surpassed 6,000 visits that month.
* Sun-Times | 16-year-old asylum-seeker missing from West Loop found safe: CPD: A spokesperson with the police department didn’t disclose where Chiquinquira Iwa-Ruiz was found or who she was found by, but said she was “located safely.” Iwa-Ruiz was previously last seen on a CTA bus at Ashland Avenue near West Lake Street on Saturday.
* News-Gazette | Ford County Board to vote on ‘no-migrant’ declaration: Ann Ihrke, chair of the county’s zoning committee, said the measure was sent to State’s Attorney Andrew Killian to examine the wording. “If there are suggestions (for rewording of the declaration), it will go back to the full committee and from there to the full county board,” Ihrke said.
* NPR | For Chicago’s new migrants, informal support groups help ease the pain and trauma: Interviews with more than 30 people reveal the emotional toll migrants face, and the efforts of individuals and organizations that are trying to fill the gaps of a frayed mental health system. […] For many, their journeys here were terrifying. A young girl who fell into a river, her pregnant mother struggling to hold her small hand, so the current wouldn’t whisk her away. Women who were forced to have sex with gang members to get from country to country. People who walked over the dead in the jungle, or are wracked with guilt over the sick and injured left behind.
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* Sun-Times…
Democratic leaders in the Illinois General Assembly have met with Related Midwest, the developers in talks with the White Sox to build a new stadium on vacant South Loop land known as The 78. […]
Related Midwest met with Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, on Jan. 24, while Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, held meetings with the developers on Jan. 25, according to both offices.
Developers did not ask for state money, but instead said they want the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority (ISFA) to be granted authority to “rearrange existing bonds.” They were also aware of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s disdain for using taxpayer funds for sports stadiums — which is viewed as politically unpopular despite its prevalence in other cities. […]
According to someone close to the talks, there have been no discussions about creating new revenue or tax increases to help fund the new stadium. The goal is to work creatively within the current system.
Sources familiar with the plan say the development would include residences, offices, a hotel and dozens of restaurants and bars.
* From House Speaker Welch’s office…
Speaker Welch was briefed by the developer, Related Midwest. He said it was a very interesting proposal and is looking forward to learning more.
* From Senate President Harmon’s office…
President Harmon has not been briefed by the White Sox but has been briefed on the proposed surrounding development of the area. He looks forward to learning more.
* Gov. Pritzker was asked about the potential project today…
I don’t really want to opine about it because I don’t know what financing they’re looking for. … You know, my view in general is the taxpayer shouldn’t have to pick up any bills for private businesses that are trying to extend their franchise in the city or the state, other than the normal things that we help businesses with, like infrastructure and so on. But, again, I don’t know what’s been talked about.
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* Shaw Local…
Teamsters, who have gone without a contract for 7 months and are angered by the course of negotiations, are preparing to vote on whether to vote to authorize a strike, said JP Fyans, president of Teamsters Local 916.
In the meantime, rallies are being organized in the state’s nine Illinois Department of Transportation districts, starting with one organized by union locals 330, 700, 916 and the union umbrella organization, Joint Council 25, that ran from 6:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. Wednesday in the District 1 office at 201 W. Center Court in Schaumburg. […]
“Mediators have been brought in, and we are following the process,” Fyans said, but “a vote to authorize a vote to strike is in the works.”
Negotiations have gotten contentious, with the state refusing to include pay raises, and insisting that the 4,500 Teamsters in 10 locals employed by IDOT switch back to the state insurance plan, which is more costly and effectively will mean a 25% loss in take-home pay, Fyans said.
* WLPO Radio…
A raw wind blew in Ottawa as members of the Teamsters union walked a picket line outside the District 3 office of the Illinois Department of Transportation.
It was the second picket outside an IDOT building on Wednesday, following a similar demonstration in the suburbs. Teamsters believe they’ve been left out of the significant investment the state is making in infrastructure improvements. […]
Fellow picketer Jon Woodyer says the state’s offer removes “good union insurance” and would cause a take home pay loss of 24 percent on average. He adds that the state’s suggestion of a starting IDOT salary of $32,000 a year is federal poverty level wages.
* WBBM Radio…
Jimmy Provenzano says the work he and other maintenance workers do is dangerous, whether it’s fixing potholes or blocking highway ramps.
“All these protests have been going on,” he said. “Our guys are put out there. In the majority of the time, there is no police backup. We’re on our own in these trucks and have to deal with irate citizens.”
Teamster Robert Cohn said the state’s proposal would move them out of their union health insurance, which include benefits they won in a prior contract in lieu of pay raises worth about $3.40 an hour.
The unions say despite plenty of bargaining sessions since their contracts expired, they are far apart from the state’s offer.
* Teamsters Joint Council 25…
“Our members have sacrificed wages and other benefits in previous negotiations to maintain their Teamster healthcare and we are not going to just walk away from it now without a fight”, said Teamsters Joint Council 25 President Thomas W. Stiede. “These workers keep the Illinois traveling public safe, and it’s unfortunate to see their value being undermined by this administration. We are nearing the breaking-point and may be left with no other choice than to strike this winter.”
* From the governor’s office…
Over the past several months, the State has reached labor agreements with unions representing the vast majority of the State workforce, which were ratified by overwhelming majorities of State employees. Those agreements recognize the important work that State employees perform, and each of them includes fair wage and healthcare provisions that provide good compensation and healthcare benefits to employees while recognizing that the State must balance its budget. Contract negotiations with the Teamsters are ongoing, and the Governor is committed to ensuring a fair agreement for everyone involved, like those that have already been reached with other unions.
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It’s just a bill
Thursday, Feb 1, 2024 - Posted by Isabel Miller
* HB4668 from Rep. Daniel Didech…
Amends the Election Code. Provides that, except during the 27 days immediately preceding any election, the State Board of Elections may furnish electronic voter registration records at a reasonable cost to any person who makes a sworn affidavit. Sets forth restrictions on the information that may be disclosed. Provides that voter registration records or data shall be limited to bona fide election purposes and shall not be used for any personal, private, or commercial purpose, including, but not limited to, the intimidation, threat, or deception of any person or the advertising, solicitation, sale, or marketing of products or services. Sets forth penalties for violations of these provisions. Makes conforming changes.
* SB2971 from Sen. Robert Peters…
Amends the Department of Children and Family Services Powers Law. Repeals a provision that grants the Department of Children and Family Services the power to appoint members of a police and security force to act as peace officers and have all powers possessed by police officers in cities and sheriffs under certain circumstances. Effective immediately.
* WGLT…
Preserving family farms is the focus of two new bills filed with the Illinois General Assembly that seek to update language in the Illinois Estate and Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Act.
Democratic State Sen. Dave Koehler and State Rep. Sharon Chung last week filed identical pieces of legislation called the Family Farm Preservation Act in the House [4600] and Senate [2921] aimed at raising the exemption for family farm estates from $4 million to $6 million.
At a news conference Wednesday, both lawmakers said the change is meant to reflect the growing divide between farm estate valuations and how much money a farm actually makes. The disparity comes from the valuation of the farm estate that looks at the market price per acre of land — and not the income generated by the land.
About 96% of Illinois farms are family-owned. Data from the Illinois Department of Agriculture puts the estimated average size of farms at around 375 acres, although that figure does include hobby farms.
Farm operations around that size could pull in an income ranging from below or around $100,000 per year. But if that farm becomes an estate due to the death of its owner and operator, it could be taxed up to “almost $5 million,” said Koheler, leaving the remaining family members to figure out how to pay a sudden and large tax bill.
* Rep. Martin Moylan filed HB4655 yesterday…
Creates the Megaproject Sports and Entertainment Facility Admission Tax Act. Imposes a tax of $3 for each individual admitted to a sports and entertainment facility located on megaproject property. Contains provisions concerning the distribution of the proceeds of the tax. Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that certain property may be certified by the Department of Revenue as containing a megaproject. Provides that a “megaproject” is a project with respect to which a company makes a specified investment during a specified investment period. Provides that the Department of Revenue may issue a megaproject certificate only for a megaproject in the Village of Arlington Heights. Provides that the megaproject property is eligible for an assessment freeze. Provides that megaproject property may be granted an abatement. Provides that a company that operates a megaproject shall enter into an agreement with the municipality in which the project is located to make certain special payments. Creates the Arlington Megaproject Oversight Board. Provides that the incentive agreement must be approved by resolution of the Arlington Megaproject Oversight Board. Amends the State Finance Act making conforming changes. Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers’ Occupation Tax Act. Provides that qualified tangible personal property used in the construction or operation of a megaproject is exempt from the taxes imposed under those Acts. Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, the Retailers’ Occupation Tax Act, the Hotel Operators’ Occupation Tax Act, and the Liquor Control Act of 1934. Provides that certain tax proceeds from megaproject property shall be deposited into the Arlington Megaproject Infrastructure Fund. Makes other changes. Effective June 1, 2024.
* HB4658 from Rep. Curtis Tarver…
Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. Instead of requiring consumer education to be taught and studied, provides that, beginning with pupils entering the 9th grade in the 2027-2028 school year, pupils in the public schools in grade 11 or 12 shall be taught and be required to complete a stand-alone, one-semester or equivalent course covering personal finance. Sets forth what topics must be included. Provides that the State Board of Education shall devise or approve the personal finance education standards for the course. Provides that the school board shall oversee implementation of the course for each high school student prior to graduation. Provides that the State Board of Education shall establish a Financial Literacy Implementation Committee no later than June 30, 2024 to make recommendations to the State Superintendent of Education concerning the implementation of the course for each high school student prior to graduation. Sets forth provisions concerning Committee members, meetings, and support. Provides that the State Board of Education shall present regular and timely reports to the Committee regarding the implementation of the course. Requires a pupil to successfully complete a course on personal finance education as a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma (rather than allowing a financial literacy course to be included as part of the social studies requirement). Makes other changes. Effective immediately.
* SB2932 filed by Sen. Steve Stadelman…
Amends the Election Code. Provides that it is unlawful for any person to intimidate, threaten, coerce, use violence or force, or attempt to intimidate, threaten, coerce, or use violence or force against an election worker with the specific intent to: (1) impede or interfere with that election worker in the performance or discharge of his or her election-related duties; (2) induce that election worker to violate or refuse to perform his or her election-related duties or violate or refuse to comply with any law regulating elections; or (3) retaliate against that election worker for the performance of his or her election-related official duties. Provides that any person who violates the provision is guilty of a petty offense and is subject to a fine of not more than $1,000
* Sen. Stadelman also filed SB2935…
Amends the Mobile Landlord and Tenant Act. Requires a mobile manufactured park owner to give written notice by first class mail or personal delivery to each mobile home in the park that the park owner intends to discontinue the use of the land as a park or to sell land if the transaction or sale will discontinue the use of the land as a park. Provides that the notice must be mailed or delivered at least 120 days before the discontinuance of the park or sale. Allows an association that represents 33% or more of the units in the park to notify the park owner that the association is interested in purchasing the mobile park. Allows the association 365 days after this notice is given to purchase the park as outlined in the Act. Provides that if the association and the park owner cannot agree upon a purchase price, the association shall have the right to purchase the property: (i) if the association matches the essential provisions of any existing bona fide offer to purchase the park made by another potential purchaser that the park owner is prepared to accept; or (ii) if there is no such offer, at a purchase price to be established by an appraiser chosen by the association and the park owner. Provides that if the 2 parties cannot agree upon one appraiser, either party may notify the other, in writing, of such disagreement, and the association shall choose an appraiser, the park owner shall choose an appraiser, and the 2 appraisers shall choose a third appraiser, and the 3 appraisers shall establish a value of the park. Voids any rights under this Act if no agreement for a sale signed by the association and the park owner has been filed upon the land records, or if the association has not filed a certified statement to purchase the park at the appraised value.
* SB2938 from Sen. Laura Fine…
Amends the Mosquito Abatement District Act. Provides that the board of trustees of a mosquito abatement district shall have power to take all necessary or proper steps for the surveillance, monitoring, and extermination of mosquitoes, flies, ticks, and vectors within the district (rather than for the extermination of mosquitoes, files and other insects within the district), and, subject to the paramount control of the municipal or other public authorities, to abate as nuisances all stagnant pools of water and other breeding places for mosquitoes, flies, ticks, and vectors (rather than mosquitoes and other insects) within the district. Provides that a district may annex territory by ordinance whenever a mosquito abatement district operating within territory predominantly in a municipality or 2 or more municipalities that would become coterminous or nearly coterminous with the municipality or municipalities upon the annexation of additional territory within the municipality or municipalities (rather than whenever a mosquito abatement district contains over 90% of territory of a specific city or village, the mosquito abatement district may annex additional adjacent and contiguous territory within that city or village). Requires the ordinance to describe the territory annexed together with an accurate map of the annexed territory and that, if the ordinance becomes effective 30 days after the date of publication or is approved by referendum, a copy of the ordinance shall be filed in the offices of the county clerk and recorder of each county in which the annexation takes place. Removes a prohibition to annexing territory until more than one year after territory has first been included in a municipality unless the territory annexed is 50 acres or less. Makes other changes.
* Sen. Tom Bennett filed SB2972…
Amends the Illinois Prescribed Burning Act. Establishes the procedures required before conducting a prescribed burning. Provides that no landowner, agent of the landowner, or certified prescribed burn manager shall be liable for damage, injury, or loss caused by a prescribed burning or smoke resulting from a prescribed burning unless the landowner, agent of the landowner, or certified prescribed burn manager is proven to be grossly negligent. Effective immediately.
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Isabel’s morning briefing
Thursday, Feb 1, 2024 - Posted by Isabel Miller
* ICYMI: The Chicago Tribune’s unionized newsroom staff are on strike. Sun-Times…
- Over 200 journalists and production workers at seven newsrooms across the country are participating in the 24-hour strike to demand fair wages and that management not eliminate their 401(k) match benefits
- It’s believed to be a first in Chicago newspaper history
* Isabel’s top picks…
* Sun-Times | Developers eyeing new White Sox stadium at The 78 meet with state Democratic leaders: Developers did not ask for state money, but instead said they want the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority to rearrange existing bonds. They were also aware of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s disdain for using taxpayer funds for sports stadiums — which is viewed as politically unpopular despite its prevalence in other cities.
* Crain’s | New effort aims to advance trauma-informed care in Illinois: The Jan. 30 launch of the Illinois Healing-Centered Task Force by Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton has been a long time coming and provides much-needed legislative support to a concept that began in Illinois some 20 years ago by “five or six innovative organizations,” said Colleen Cicchetti, executive director of the Center for Childhood Resilience at Lurie Children’s Hospital.
* Good news…
Governor Pritzker will be at the South Shore Cultural Center in Chicago at 11 am to unveil an anti-violence initiative. Click here to watch.
* Here’s the rest of your morning roundup…
* Sun-Times | State-passed online privacy laws are inadequate, advocate group warns: “It’s super-alarming how tech companies and others that rely on our data have infiltrated state legislatures with industry-friendly bills that don’t do much to protect people,” said R.J. Cross, consumer policy director and report author for Illinois PIRG.
* Daily Herald | Suburban library adds political scientist to help patrons through 2024 elections: The Vernon Area Public Library in Lincolnshire has brought in an expert to serve as a political scientist in residence for the election cycle. Alexandra Filindra, an associate professor of political science and psychology at the University of Illinois Chicago, will lead discussions with patrons, write articles for the library newsletter and recommend reading material concerning the election and important issues.
* In these times | The UAW Strike Saved Their Shuttered Plant, But the Fight Is Just Beginning: The revival of the Stellantis plant is a stunning reversal of fortunes for Belvidere, Ill. But workers say they won’t rest until they see the concrete being poured.
* Crain’s | Interim CEO of National Association of Realtors to new competitor: Bring it on: The video landed a little over a week after two real estate agents launched a competitor to the 108-year-old Chicago-based Realtors group and amidst a bevy of lawsuits nationwide targeting the association’s alleged collusion to keep agent commissions high.
* Farm Week | Legislation introduced to change Illinois estate tax: Supported by Illinois Farm Bureau, Senate Bill 2921, introduced by State Sen. Dave Koehler, D-Peoria, and House Bill 4600, introduced by State Rep. Sharon Chung, D-Bloomington, are identical bills that if passed would change the state’s estate tax, specific to farms. “Illinois Farm Bureau is proud to support the Family Farm Preservation Act because our policy supports the preservation of family farms and this is a bipartisan effort to keep farm families on the family farm,” said Brian Duncan, IFB president. “We are grateful and excited to see members from all four caucuses (lend their support for the legislation).”
* WTTW | CPS Principal Files Police Report Saying Chicago Teachers Union President Made ‘Very Concerning’ Comments: According to a copy of the Jan. 26 police report obtained by WTTW News, William Hozian, principal of Stevenson Elementary School at 8040 S. Kostner Ave., reported that Davis-Gates spoke to attendees at a union meeting and said, “In talking to my Stevenson brothers and sisters, I told them they should punch their principal in the face.”
* Sun-Times | Judge halts all proceedings before Chicago Police Board after City Council again delays vote on what cases can be heard in private: During Wednesday’s City Council meeting, Mayor Johnson’s allies used a parliamentary maneuver to push back a vote on whether cops facing dismissal or suspensions over one year can choose to have their cases heard by an arbitrator instead of the police board.
* WBEZ | A Pilsen medical center that treats migrants is furloughing workers: “No services have changed or hours changed,” Rivera emphasized. She added that no one has been laid off, but also confirmed some employees have quit over the furloughs. She would not say how many total people have been furloughed, but said Alivio still has about 250 employees across seven clinics.
* Crain’s | CPD chief aims to calm an anxious Chicago business crowd: Still, the LaSalle Street contingent remains unsettled by a continued spate of carjackings and robberies in Chicago. Just last week, masked gunmen shot and killed two high school students in the Loop at Washington Street and Wabash Avenue. Asked why Deputy Police Chief Jon Hein spoke to the media after the brazen incident and not the superintendent, Snelling explained that he wanted to report the facts as soon as possible in order to reduce the public’s fear that the shooting was a random act.
* CNN | House passes bipartisan tax bill that expands child tax credit: The deal would provide a larger credit in the first year to the low-income families of roughly 16 million children, or more than 80% of those who currently don’t receive the full credit because their families earn too little, according to the left-leaning Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. The package would lift at least half a million children out of poverty and improve the financial situation of about 5 million more children who would remain below the poverty line, once the proposal is fully in effect in 2025, according to the center.
* Jam Base | The Music Won’t Stop: Dead & Company Teases Return At Vegas Sphere: The confirmation of the band’s upcoming return comes on the heels of a New York Post report published earlier today indicating Dead & Company will perform a 14-show residency at the Vegas Sphere. Sources told the New York Post the run will begin in May with an announcement due this week. Meanwhile, Rolling Stone reports the publication has confirmation Dead & Co. “will play at least 15 shows at the Sphere.”
* WTVO | Rockford Medal of Honor recipient on a mission to prevent veteran suicide: “Making sure that that are the values, that we fought for and that our buddies died for and were wounded for, stay our values. That’s our mission in life, to make sure that our friends did not die in vain. And we have to be here to do that,” he said.
* CBS | Five years ago this week: Lows plunge below -20 during Chicago’s polar vortex cold snap: Surface temps fell to minus 23 – and then we got snow! We endured 52 hours of below zero temperatures, the fourth-longest such deep freeze ever recorded in Chicago. It was so cold, that experts warned people that they shouldn’t talk too much—or breathe deeply outside “to protect your lungs from severely cold air.”
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Thursday, Feb 1, 2024 - Posted by Isabel Miller
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