Afternoon roundup
Thursday, Aug 10, 2023 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Molly Parker…
At Ludeman Developmental Center in Park Forest, 37 employees have been fired, resigned or face pending disciplinary action after a state watchdog found that they defrauded a federal pandemic-era small business loan program.
The employees who work at the state-run developmental center in south suburban Cook County include 32 mental health technicians – about 6 percent of frontline workers with that job – three residential services supervisors, one habilitation program coordinator and a licensed practical nurse.
A spokesperson for the Illinois Department of Human Services, the agency that runs the 383-bed residential center for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, confirmed these additional details late last week.
Neil Olson, the general counsel for the Illinois Office of the Executive Inspector General, previously confirmed to Capitol News Illinois that dozens of employees of state agencies and other entities under the OEIG’s jurisdiction are the subjects of an ongoing investigation into whether they fraudulently obtained Paycheck Protection Program loans. Beyond confirming the investigation, Olson declined to provide any additional details about the probe.
* In other news…
On a somewhat related note, here’s Sen. Durbin…
U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement regarding ProPublica reporting providing the fullest public account yet of Justice Clarence Thomas’ undisclosed gifts and troubling ethical conduct, to the tune of at least 38 destination vacations, 26 private jet flights, and numerous other luxury gifts:
“The latest ProPublica revelation of unreported lavish gifts to Justice Clarence Thomas makes it clear: these are not merely ethical lapses. This is a shameless lifestyle underwritten for years by a gaggle of fawning billionaires.
“Justices Thomas and Alito have made it clear that they are oblivious to the embarrassment they have visited on the highest court in the land. Now, it is up to Chief Justice Roberts and the other Justices to act on ethics reform to save their own reputations and the integrity of the Court. If the Court will not act, then Congress must continue to.”
The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced the Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency Act to the full Senate on July 20. The bill would require the Supreme Court Justices to adopt a code of conduct, create a mechanism to investigate alleged violations of the code of conduct and other laws, improve disclosure and transparency when a Justice has a connection to a party or amicus before the Court, and require Justices to explain their recusal decisions to the public.
Durbin has been calling on the Supreme Court to adopt an enforceable code of conduct for more than a decade. He first sent a letter to the Chief Justice on this issue more than 11 years ago.
Click here for the story.
* Oof…
According to a copy of the Stellantis proposal [UAW contract negotiation] obtained by Automotive News, the company said it lost 16,706 units of production because of absenteeism in 2021 and 2022, which cost it $217 million. In 2022, it had an absenteeism rate of 23 percent, the document said.
* Daily Herald…
The three school districts locked in a property tax battle with the Chicago Bears launched a website Wednesday about that and other issues related to the proposed stadium at Arlington Park.
The website, suburbanstadium.org, was created and is maintained by Palatine Township Elementary District 15, Northwest Suburban High School District 214 and Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211 — the school systems whose boundaries lie within the 326-acre former racetrack property now owned by the NFL franchise.
It joins similar informational websites maintained by the Bears and village of Arlington Heights, as the schools seek to increase their public messaging around the monthslong tax controversy.
* WCIA…
The Illinois State Fair opened in Springfield Thursday morning, but amusement rides did not open to fairgoers along with the grounds.
The Illinois Departments of Agriculture and Labor announced that the rides are unable to operate because safety inspections were not performed on Wednesday. Rainy weather resulted in the inspections being delayed.
IDOL ride inspectors will be performing those inspections on Thursday. Officials said they hope to have the rides open at 3 p.m.
* He’s not too bad at that…
* Isabel’s roundup…
* Tribune | The Price Kids Pay: Ticketed at school: Ticketing students violates the intent of an Illinois law that prohibits schools from fining students as a form of discipline. Instead of issuing fines directly, school officials refer students to police, who write the tickets. The fines attached can be hundreds of dollars, an impossible burden for many families. An analysis also found Black students were ticketed at higher rates than their white peers.
* Tribune | State representative takes witness stand at perjury trial of Madigan ‘gatekeeper’ Tim Mapes: “He ran a tight ship,” Rita said, with a frown on his face and a slight waver in his voice. “He ran the House, he kept the trains on time, he kept a lot of moving parts moving.”
* Daily Herald | Embattled DuPage clerk’s spending questioned by county board again: “What we’re all hearing here is that it seems to be the same department that is coming forward with these requests and budget issues. That’s why we’re having this discussion,” said board member Lynn LaPlante, a Glen Ellyn Democrat. “I’m concerned that this is going to be death by a thousand papercuts as a way to backward-map a budget that works for you.”
* Tribune | Quantum information school launches at Fermilab, using subatomic principles for groundbreaking technology: About 150 students, including scientists, researchers, college students and industry professionals, are spending two weeks at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory to learn theory and practical skills. They’ll focus especially on superconducting quantum platforms for computing and sensing.
* Crain’s | A new lawsuit against Northwestern alleges inaction on report of sexual assault: Filed yesterday by a current student identified in the complaint as Jane Doe, it’s the latest in a series of lawsuits against Northwestern since allegations of hazing in the university’s football program unleashed a firestorm of controversy and led to the firing of former head football coach Pat Fitzgerald. Northwestern also has appointed former U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch to conduct a wide-ranging probe into the culture and practices of its athletic department.
* 21st Show | Comptroller Susana Mendoza talks Illinois budget, pensions, and diversity: Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza (D) joins The 21st show to discuss the state’s growing rainy day fund from $48,000 to nearly $2 billion, which would cover 10 days’ worth of state operations.
* Axios | Illinois farmers join calls for migrant work authorization: Farmers tell me they can’t continue their operations without immigrants coming in and reinforcing our workforce,” Durbin told the audience at a food policy conference last week.
* WBEZ | What do you think a new Illinois flag should look like?: We turn to a longtime local flag maker for his take.
* SJ-R | Former chief deputy appointed Sangamon County Circuit Clerk: Joe Roesch, who worked for more than 20 years at the sheriff’s office, including a four-year stint as chief deputy under Wes Barr, was confirmed as the new circuit clerk after the Sangamon County Board approved his nomination Tuesday. Roesch is currently serving as an attorney specializing in labor and employment law with Stratton, Moran, Reichert, Sronce and Appleton in Springfield, with a wide range of public and private employers under his purview.
* Tribune | Corn dogs, livestock and the Butter Cow: Illinois State Fair kicks off Thursday in Springfield: Gov. J.B. Pritzker was on hand for the unveiling of the Butter Cow sculpture Wednesday afternoon. Sculptor Sarah Pratt’s work depicts a cow being milked by dairy farmer Lorilee Schultz of Orangeville. A fixture at the fair since 1922, the cow celebrates Illinois dairy farmers.
* SJ-R | Five Grand Central Stage acts at the Illinois State Fair you won’t want to miss: Fairgoers can also find free musical entertainment at the Apex Stage (corner of Grandstand and Illinois Avenue); the Busch Light True Music Tent (on the Avenue of Flags behind the Commodity Pavilion); the Coors Light Tent (across from the Grandstand); the Illinois Building/Senior Center (just inside the Main Gate); the Lincoln Stage (on Central Avenue across from The Shed); the Miller Lite Tent (on Illinois Avenue) and Village of Cultures.
* WICS | Copi returns to Conservation World for 2023 Illinois State Fair: “We know there’s a lot of curiosity about Copi, and the Illinois State Fair is a perfect time for people to find out what all the buzz is about,” Phelps Finnie said. “Anytime IDNR has offered Copi during the fair, people walk away impressed by how light, delicious and versatile it is.”
* WICS | Illinois State Fair delays opening of amusement rides due to safety inspections: Officials say Ride safety inspections were canceled on Wednesday due to the rain. To ensure the safety of fairgoers and amusement riders, IDOL ride inspectors are working Thursday morning in an effort to permit the rides to operate for Thursday afternoon at 3 p.m.
* Sun-Times | The Jerry Reinsdorf problem: When an owner doesn’t want to own up to anything: It’s hard to understand the point of this nothingness, this sports nihilism. Why own a team if you don’t want to behave like an owner? If you want to run a neighborhood grocery store where all the employees have worked there for 30 years and you know the customers by name, go do that. But even a grocery store owner wouldn’t put up with ineffective stockers and some bad apples in the produce department.
* NYT | The Sandwich Southerners Wait for All Year: Five years ago, Mary — a Greensboro, N.C., YouTuber known as SouthernASMR Sounds — posted an innocent-enough video of herself making and eating a classic Southern tomato sandwich. Speaking gently, she walked through each element of her ideal sandwich, from the soft white bread to the thinly sliced, salted and peppered tomatoes, down to the brand of mayonnaise (“twangy” Duke’s, of course). “Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it,” she says.
* Illinois Newsroom | Champaign Clippers is a throwback to vintage baseball: Before baseball became the popular game we know today, in the mid-19th century an early iteration of the game known as “base ball,” yes two words, was the game of the century. On August 26, the Champaign Clippers will host a vintage base ball game at Weaver Park.
* WBEZ | Meet the lobster-like crustaceans invading the Chicago River: It turns out the creature the listener saw was a red swamp crayfish, and its presence in Chicago waterways is a warning sign. According to one ecologist, that particular crayfish species currently inhabiting the Chicago River is second only to Asian carp in terms of its invasiveness and potential to wreak havoc on local ecosystems.
* Peoria Journal Star | These are the Illinois vanity license plates denied by Secretary of State in 2022: Illinois received 54,236 requests for personalized vanity plates in 2022, according to a news release from the state office. Of those submissions, 383 were denied based on “their tawdry, lewd or offensive nature, or because they were difficult to read.”
* City Cast | Hannah Meisel’s Guide to Springfield: Springfield became the state capital in 1839 thanks to Abraham Lincoln and his associates. Railroads, agriculture, and mining once contributed significantly to Springfield’s economy. Today, Illinois legislators wheel and deal at the Statehouse while tourists explore Lincoln’s legacy. Hannah Meisel, a Capitol News Illinois reporter, has covered Springfield for the last decade. She shares her recs.
21 Comments  
|
* Why this ever made it to trial is completely beyond me. So ridiculous. From Jodi S. Cohen and Jennifer Smith Richards at ProPublica…
Earlier this week, Amara Harris had one last chance to take a plea deal. For $100, she could have avoided a trial, the testimony of her former high school classmates and deans, and the stress of not knowing whether a jury would believe her when she said she had mistakenly picked up a classmate’s AirPods — not stolen them. It would’ve been over.
Instead, as she had for more than 3 ½ years, she chose to fight. Like other families and students across Illinois who have been ticketed by police for alleged behavior at school, Harris and her mother saw the system as unfair and capricious.
But in a rare move, Harris, now 20, went to trial, hoping to clear her name — even as she knew that municipal tickets are hard to beat because the burden of proof is so low.
On Wednesday, she was cleared of violating Naperville’s ordinance against theft when a six-person jury decided that the city did not prove she’d knowingly taken a classmate’s AirPods.
“I’m glad we were able to see it through,” Harris said Thursday morning before the verdict. She noted her story never changed.
The verdict capped an extraordinarily unusual, drawn-out saga over a controversial municipal ticket issued to Harris when she was a junior at Naperville North High School, in DuPage County, west of Chicago.
The case was decided after a three-day trial heard by a jury of two young women, including an 18-year-old college student, and four men, three of whom are fathers of teenagers. A trial over an ordinance violation, which carries a fine only and no jail time, is so rare that the judge and lawyers had to repeatedly tweak instructions and other procedures to adapt to this type of case. […]
The principal said while she initially suggested that Harris get a one-day in-school suspension for the AirPod incident, the suspension was never issued. […]
Minutes before jury selection began on the first day of trial Tuesday, Prosecutor Joseph Solon Jr. offered Harris a deal to settle the case with no fine and a $100 court fee — an offer he said he had made several times before. Harris would have had to agree that she could be found liable by a jury, something she said she could not accept since she says she accidentally picked up the AirPods and returned them to the rightful owner when school officials determined they weren’t hers.
“We offered to waive the fine because the case dragged on so long,” Solon told reporters outside the courtroom.
The testimony from nine witnesses, over two days, largely centered around two questions: How did Harris come into possession of AirPods that weren’t hers and when did she realize they weren’t hers? […]
A series of other city witnesses acknowledged a lack of direct evidence that Harris knowingly took AirPods that weren’t hers.
Unabia, when pressed on how she could be sure Harris had stolen the device, said there wasn’t any direct evidence.
“So, you made an assumption?” Yeary asked.
“Yeah, I guess,” Unabia said. […]
Even the officer who issued the ticket, Juan Leon, testified he had no direct evidence that Harris had sought to steal the AirPods instead of picking them up in error. […]
A Naperville spokesperson said the city hasn’t spent extra money on legal fees for the case because it’s being handled by a city prosecutor, though he has spent many days in court handling it. A school district spokesperson would not immediately say whether the district has incurred costs, but multiple attorneys representing it were at the trial this week.
Not to mention all the money Ms. Harris likely had to spend while defending herself.
* By the way…
She graduated early from high school, earned an associate’s degree at a local community college and next week will move back to Atlanta to begin her senior year at Spelman College.
28 Comments
|
* From Hannah Meisel’s latest Tim Mapes trial story…
[Mapes’ defense attorney Katie Hill] also tried to preempt the dozens of wiretapped phone calls the jury will hear during trial by telling them that Mapes’ indictment is based on his answers to just seven of the more than 650 questions he was asked during his grand jury testimony.
“You already know the government’s big punchline: All of this is on tape,” Hill said. “But as you consider that evidence ladies and gentlemen, consider that…they didn’t play him the tapes.”
The idea that Mapes was not given the opportunity to review any of the wiretapped calls or any other evidence – save for one document – during an early 2021 meeting with the FBI or his grand jury testimony is one the defense sprinkled throughout opening statements and while cross-examining the two witnesses put on the stand on Wednesday. Hill likened it to not being able to recall details from high school a decade after graduation unless prompted with items like a yearbook or notes passed in class.
Hill told the jury that when the defense makes its case later in trial, they’ll hear from a witness with expertise in how memory works, and how the ability to recall certain facts can be affected by being under stress. On that note, Hill said, Mapes was acutely aware of the high-stakes immunity order he was under, and therefore chose his answers to the grand jury carefully.
* From yesterday’s cross examination of former House Majority Leader Greg Harris…
* From today’s testimony by Rep. Bob Rita (D-Blue Island)…
It’s probably the best, maybe even the only thing the defense has in its favor. But this is a federal trial with federal rules. Always bet on the prosecution in these things. We’ll see.
* Meanwhile, from the ILGOP…
As the Tim Mapes trial gets underway, let us remember: Mapes is accused of lying to federal agents and facing prison to protect Mike Madigan. The two of them oversaw multiple governmental and political entities that demanded blind loyalty from state legislators for more than 4 decades, made or broke careers of politicians based on their votes, and buried any dissent while helping their chosen few patsies rise to the highest levels of state government. From the Governor’s Administration to the House Floor, Illinois Democrats across this state have been tainted by Madigan and Mapes culture of corruption they created, and even now continue to shape Illinois policy even after their patriarch’s actions have been exposed to the public.
ILGOP Chairman Don Tracy issued the following statement:
“Madigan and Mapes controlled all the levers of power between the Speaker’s office and DPI. They decided how government and political money was among legislators and areas of the state, cut out legislators that voted against them and elevated those that were loyal to them.
In this case, Mapes is accused of perjuring himself to stay loyal to Madigan. Madigan’s handpicked successor, Speaker Welch shut down the legislative committee established to investigate the crimes alleged against Madigan. These are not the actions of dedicated public servants, rather they are the actions of ambitious politicians putting their personal political careers above the public good.”
* And the HRO…
As Tim Mapes stands trial today at the federal courthouse, Illinois voters should be reminded of the integral part he played in Mike Madigan’s corrupt enterprise. Not only did Mapes serve as Mike Madigan’s longtime Chief of Staff in the Illinois House, he was also the Illinois House Clerk and the Executive Director of the Democratic Party of Illinois. Mike Madigan’s operation would not have functioned without Tim Mapes making the trains run on time.
So why is Tim Mapes before a federal jury? Federal agents approached Mapes and offered him a full immunity deal - all he had to do was tell the truth. The problem? That would mean selling out his long-time boss. So what did he choose? The allegations against him in court are that Mapes lied in order to protect Madigan. When Mapes was given the choice between protecting himself and his own interests or staying loyal to Madigan, he chose Madigan.
“For decades Illinois Democrats have chosen blind loyalty to Mike Madigan over the interests of the state of Illinois. Today, that loyalty to Madigan at all costs is coming home to roost for Tim Mapes. Following this trial, every single House Democrat who has chosen loyalty to Madigan and his corrupt political system over the interests of their constituents should also be held accountable at the ballot box.” - Tony Esposito, Executive Director of the Illinois House Republican Organization
26 Comments
|
Question of the day
Thursday, Aug 10, 2023 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Jud DeLoss, CEO of the Illinois Association for Behavioral Health, writing in the Sun-Times…
According to a 2019 report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, approximately one in five adults in the U.S., or around 47.6 million people, experienced a mental illness in 2018. The report also revealed that approximately 11.4 million adults had a serious mental illness that resulted in significant functional impairment. This prevalence underlines the immense need for mental health workers nationwide.
However, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has estimated that by 2025, the country will have a shortage of about 250,000 mental health professionals, including psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and psychiatric nurses. This data shows that the current supply of mental health professionals is far from meeting the existing demand, leading to vast service gaps across the country.
The situation in Illinois is an example of this national crisis. The state serves as a microcosm of the broader U.S. and has been grappling with a shortage of mental health professionals for years. A recent report by the Illinois Psychiatric Society highlighted that out of the 102 counties in Illinois, 91 lack sufficient psychiatrists. This shortage means that individuals seeking help often have to travel long distances, face long wait times or go without necessary care — which in turn jeopardizes the well-being of millions of people who are unable to access timely and adequate care. […]
Rural areas, for instance, are particularly underserved, with 60% of rural Americans living in a mental health professional shortage area. Additionally, marginalized communities, such as those who are low-income, uninsured, and racial or ethnic minorities, are disproportionately affected by the shortage. […]
First, the aging mental health workforce is retiring at a faster pace than it is being replaced. The American Psychological Association reports that 40% of practicing psychologists are 60 years or older, and are hence nearing retirement. Second, compensation for mental health professionals, especially in public sectors, is not competitive with other medical fields, which disincentivizes professionals from joining the field. Lastly, the stigmatization of mental health issues could also be contributing to the lack of interest in pursuing a career in this field.
Illinois specifically is confronting a serious shortage of mental health professionals. In 2022, the Illinois General Assembly and Gov. J.B. Pritzker approved a new state budget that included a historic $140 million annual increase for Illinois’ long financially starved mental health care providers. It was a welcome and impressive first-step investment. Yet, it remains imperative for additional government investment in strategies that address this workforce shortage, such as incentivizing mental health professions and investing in telehealth solutions.
* Former US Rep. Glenn Poshard opens up about his own mental health troubles in his new book…
“At one point in my life, I went through a nervous breakdown and [co-author Carl Walworth] and I talked about whether we should include that,” said Poshard, who enlisted in the U.S. Army on his 17th birthday. “We talked honestly and openly about it and how I got through it.
“When I was 14, my sister and three of my best friends, who were all 17, were killed in an accident. My mom and dad’s marriage fell apart over that and then I lost my best friend in Vietnam, and he was the first kid from White County to die over there.
“I worked in a Korean orphanage when I was there in the Army, and I somehow blamed myself for not helping these kids enough to overcome their plight. It all fell in on me one day and poor farmer’s kids don’t go to psychologists.
“I had buried all those feelings and I had to get some help, so we talk about mental health issues in the book. There are a lot of folks today, especially young people, who are going through the same thing and hopefully my experiences can help them.”
* Gov. Pritzker was asked yesterday about whether he believed more people were talking about the mental health issue and whether society was meeting the need…
I feel, I don’t know if you do, that people are more willing to talk about mental health today than they were 10 years ago, or five years ago. That people are willing to share their own challenges, challenges within their families. And that’s part of getting rid of the stigma and recognizing that mental health and physical health are one in the same, or at least they belong treated as seriously as each other. And again, that’s why putting significant resources into bringing up mental health treatment across the state is so important.
* The Question: Can you talk about any mental health challenges your family has faced or is facing? No pressure, of course, but if you can, let us know.
33 Comments
|
* As we discussed yesterday, Gov. Pritzker talked about his involvement with the recent Ohio constitutional fight…
I’m proud to have supported the Vote No, that’s the side that supported choice. And it was a resounding victory. As you saw in 2022 in so many places around the country, a resounding victory for those of us who are pro-choice and for the people who live in those states who just want to preserve their reproductive freedom. So I was pleased with the outcome.
* Tribune…
Pritzker, a billionaire entrepreneur and heir to the Hyatt Hotels fortune, in June gave $250,000 to the Ohioans for Reproductive Freedom PAC, a coalition of abortion rights organizations, Ohio campaign finance records show.
* Politico…
The governor also assigned some members of his political team, including political adviser and former campaign manager Mike Ollen, to help with strategic support in defeating the Ohio ballot measure. Pritzker team members sat in on the steering committee meetings for Ohioans for Reproductive Freedom.
* Of course, this isn’t the first time the governor has involved himself in other states. ABC News…
A prolific fundraiser, Pritzker has poured money into groups like the DGA and high-stakes races such as the recent contest for a seat on Wisconsin’s narrowly divided Supreme Court. […]
But he is also going out of his way to support the national party, through securing donations in battleground elections, joining Biden’s reelection advisory board and attracting the upcoming convention to Chicago.
* New York Magazine…
Pritzker, Biden confided to those in Chicago’s JW Marriott, “did more in 2020 to help me get elected president of the United States than just about anybody in the country. And that’s a fact.” […]
He is unapologetic about the political headway his donations and suggestions can make — electing Democrats is important, he says, so he’s doing what he can to help — and though he has yet to decide exactly what form his 2024 spending will take, he’s already been inundated with pitches from committees and super-PACs and from people suggesting he consider funding turnout-juicing projects like abortion referenda on swing-state ballots. […]
“From a financial perspective, it would be hard to find a hard-core Democrat who J. B. hasn’t helped,” said former Illinois congresswoman Cheri Bustos, who got her own significant boost from Pritzker after finding herself in political trouble when running the House Democrats’ campaign wing in 2020. […]
Pritzker maintains that he’s perfectly happy about the positive coverage surrounding Whitmer and others — perhaps not least because he knows how they got there. “I helped her get elected,” he says, shrugging. “And I helped her get reelected and I helped them get people elected to their legislatures, too.”
Bustos ain’t wrong. If you click here you can scroll through the contributions the governor has made. It looks, for instance, like he gave a couple of grand to the federal committees of most state parties in the country last year. His top federal contribution was $1 million to the Senate Majority PAC. He also gave at leat $350K each to Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s campaign and Minnesota’s Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party last year, plus $600K+ to the Wisconsin Democratic Party. Democratic parties in Arizona, N. Carolina and Maine received $100K checks (with some receiving other contributions as well). It’s quite a list.
16 Comments
|
Always read the fine print
Thursday, Aug 10, 2023 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Headline…
Illinois EPA Announces Dates of Next Electric Vehicle Rebate Program Funding Round
Program opening November 1st offers $4,000 rebate for purchase of an all-electric passenger vehicle or $1,500 rebate for purchase of an all-electric motorcycle
* The pitch…
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) is announcing that the next funding round for Illinois’ Electric Vehicle (EV) Rebate Program will open Wednesday, November 1, 2023 and run through Wednesday, January 31, 2024. Individuals that purchase a new or used all-electric vehicle from an Illinois licensed dealer, meet all other eligibility requirements, and apply during the rebate cycle will be eligible for a rebate as long as funds are available. Forms and instructions on submitting a rebate application will be made available on the Electric Vehicle Rebate Program webpage on October 18, 2023.
“Here in Illinois, we are leading the clean energy revolution—providing competitive incentives for companies and consumers alike,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Ever since I signed the landmark Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, we’ve distributed millions of dollars in rebates for residents who buy all-electric vehicles. Today, I couldn’t be happier to announce that the next round of the Illinois EV Rebate Program will open November 1st. I encourage all Illinoisans to take advantage of this nation-leading opportunity—helping us reach our ambitious goal of 1 million registered EVs on the road by 2030.”
“This incentive program was created to encourage Illinois residents to purchase electric vehicles and has already received tremendous response from Illinois motorists, with over $19 million in rebates awarded in fiscal year 2023,” said Illinois EPA Director John J. Kim. “We are pleased to provide notice of the next funding round to share this important information and give ample notice to those who may be in the market to purchase an all-electric vehicle in the coming weeks or months.”
* The fine print…
EV purchasers must apply for a rebate within 90 days of the vehicle purchase date. However, applications will not be accepted or reviewed if submitted or postmarked prior to the November 1, 2023 rebate cycle start date. Payments will be made to eligible individuals as long as funding is available.
The Illinois General Assembly has appropriated $12 million to Illinois EPA for the current fiscal year, which ends on June 30, 2024. Actual funding amounts will be determined by the amount of money available in the Electric Vehicle Rebate Fund, not to exceed $12 million.
Generally, to be eligible for a rebate, the vehicle must be exclusively powered and refueled by electricity, plugged in to charge, and licensed to drive on public roadways. Electric mopeds, electric off-highway vehicles, hybrid electric or extended-range electric vehicles that are also equipped with conventional fueled propulsion or auxiliary engines are not eligible under the program. Eligibility requirements for an EV rebate in Illinois are set forth in the Illinois EPA’s regulations at 35 Ill. Adm. Code 275. These requirements include, but are not limited to:
• The purchaser must reside in Illinois at time of vehicle purchase and at the time the rebate is issued.
• An applicant may not previously have received an Electric Vehicle Rebate..
• The vehicle must be purchased from a dealer licensed by the Illinois Secretary of State.
• Rented or leased vehicles do not qualify for the rebate.
• Vehicles purchased from an out-of-state dealership, and vehicles delivered to or received by the purchaser out-of-state are not eligible for a rebate.
• The purchaser must apply for the rebate within 90-days after the vehicle purchase date.
• The purchaser must retain ownership of the vehicle for a minimum of 12 consecutive months immediately after the vehicle purchase date.
• The rebate amount cannot exceed the purchase price of the vehicle.
• Documentation requirements include a copy of purchase invoice, proof of purchase, vehicle registration, and IRS W-9 or W-8 forms.
The Illinois’ Electric Vehicle Rebate Program webpage includes a Frequently Asked Questions document, and other relevant information. Please note, a new EV Rebate Application form will be posted to the webpage on October 18, 2023, along with instructions for completing the application.
The Illinois EV Rebate Program was created under the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) passed by the General Assembly and signed by Governor Pritzker in the fall of 2021. As required under CEJA, Illinois EPA will prioritize the review of applications from low-income purchasers and award rebates accordingly. Low income is defined as persons and families whose income does not exceed 80 percent of the State median income, as established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. All other applications will be processed as received on a first come, first serve basis.
Questions about the EV Rebate Program may be submitted to EPA.EV@Illinois.gov. Individuals interested in receiving updates on Illinois EPA’s EV programs may register for the EV Listserv located at the bottom of the Electric Vehicle Rebate Program webpage.
For information on federal incentives for electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, please visit the U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center.
* And here’s more fine print from another source…
The new state budget includes less money for a popular electric-vehicle rebate program, potentially hindering efforts to reach a stated goal of 1 million EVs on the road by 2030.
The new budget, signed into law last week, includes $12 million for the EV rebate program, officials said. That’s about $7.3 million less than was spent on the rebate program last year.
The rebates launched in July 2022, offering $4,000 to Illinoisans who bought a new or used EV from an Illinois licensed dealer. The number of applications well exceeded the available funds by early January 2023, said a spokesperson for the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, which administers the program. In all, 4,832 rebates were awarded, from $19.3 million in funding.
The program was “wildly successful,” so it’s concerning that it’s now seeing a 38% funding cut, said Brian Urbaszewski, director of environmental health programs at the Chicago-based Respiratory Health Association.
4 Comments
|
Today’s number: 15 percent
Thursday, Aug 10, 2023 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Illinois Answers Project…
The city has budgeted more than $200 million this year to provide services for people like David who are experiencing homelessness, with much of that money coming from federal pandemic relief aid.
But what the city’s homelessness support system has actually spent so far tells a different story.
Though the city continues to expel people experiencing homelessness from its airports, underpasses and L cars, it has spent at most only 15% out of one of the largest pots of federal money it was given for programs to help people experiencing homelessness get into housing faster, according to the city.
The clock is ticking for the city.
Municipalities that received pandemic recovery funds must create a plan to use them by the end of 2024 and spend the funds for that plan by the end of 2026, according to the Chicago Recovery Plan. Other federal dollars the city received have a deadline of 2030. The city’s recovery plan devotes $117 million to a range of homelessness support services. […]
In total, the city has budgeted about $52 million in American Rescue Plan Act-related funds for programs to support people experiencing homelessness, but as of the city’s most recent federal report they’ve spent nearly 15% from that pot of federal money, records show.
As a result of the city’s spending, an Illinois Answers Project investigation found that some of its initiatives are off to slow starts or haven’t begun.
• The city’s Rapid Rehousing Program has the largest budget with more than $27.3 million designated for quickly getting Chicagoans into housing. The city has spent $7.4 million — a little more than 27% of the money for a program expected to run 2 ½ years, according to the city’s second quarter report just released to the feds.
• The $12 million Stabilization Housing pilot program was created to help people with complex mental health or substance abuse problems who cycle through jails, emergency rooms and the city’s shelter system. The city has not released any funding for this program yet. City Council members recently voted to approve a $2.9 million purchase of a motel that will be part of the program.
• The $8.2 million Re-entry Workforce Development Program looks to help those facing employment barriers, focusing on people returning from incarceration, people with limited English skills and those experiencing homelessness. City officials initially told the feds they’ve spent $543,315 — or about 7% of the money. But in response to questions from Illinois Answers they said that number was in error and put that spending figure at $157,626 — or about 2% — as of Aug. 1.
• The Rapid Rehousing Services of Gender-Based Violence Survivors, which includes domestic violence survivors, aims to find homes for those people. The program was budgeted to cost more than $4.6 million over 2 ½ years, but it had spent $396,377, according to the city’s most recent federal report. Officials said that figure reflects spending through the end of the second quarter, but as of Aug. 1 the city says it has spent a bit more — $440,691.
The city also created a nearly $5 million program to help formerly incarcerated people at risk of homelessness or returning to the criminal justice system, and another, $500,000 shelter initiative, the second quarter report shows.
When asked about the city’s spending pace, the Department of Family and Support Services said it had to hire new staff to develop and oversee several programs as well as choose a delegate agency to provide direct services.
8 Comments
|
Open thread
Thursday, Aug 10, 2023 - Posted by Isabel Miller
* What’s goin on in your part of Illinois today? It’s the first day of the State Fair and my dreams were filled of fried food…
10 Comments
|
Isabel’s morning briefing
Thursday, Aug 10, 2023 - Posted by Isabel Miller
* Here you go…
* Tribune | Tim Mapes perjury trial opens in earnest with clash over alleged lies in sprawling federal probe: The Mapes defense team countered with a far different picture: Mapes “did his level best” in giving answers during an intimidating grand jury process but simply could not remember details about key questions prosecutors asked about Madigan’s political association with a top confidant.
* Sun-Times | Defense in perjury trial of ex-Madigan top aide begins with talk of high school reunions, old crushes and a faulty memory: But Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane MacArthur argued that Mapes was once part of a tight inner-circle involving Madigan and fellow Springfield insider Michael McClain. She stressed that Mapes claimed in 2021 not to know anything — “anything” — about work that had been done by McClain for Madigan.
* ABC Chicago | ‘Butter Cow’ sculpture unveiled ahead of 2023 Illinois State Fair: One of the most famous stars of the Illinois State Fair made its first appearance Wednesday. The 2023 “Butter Cow” was unveiled ahead of Thursday’s fair opening. The cow made its first appearance in 1922 and has been a fan favorite ever since.
* Block Club | As Illinois Becomes Hub For Abortion Care, New Hotline Connects People With Complex Cases To Hospitals: The CARLA hotline, which stands for Complex Abortion Regional Line for Access, will connect abortion clinic staff with four major Chicago-area hospitals so they can schedule abortion appointments for patients who need hospital-based care.
* Sun-Times | Lawsuit over ‘sham’ Waukegan casino selection process could delay construction, developer says: Full House Resorts has been running a temporary casino in the north suburb since February, but an appellate court ruling could end up forcing officials to restart the selection process following complaints from the Forest County Potawatomi Community.
* Florida Phoenix | CFO Patronis goes after Gov. Pritzker over abolishing cash bail in IL, says it’s ‘pure insanity’: With Illinois set to become the first state in the nation to fully abolish cash bail next month, Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis made an appeal to Illinois business owners on Wednesday, saying they should consider moving their businesses and family members to the Sunshine State.
* Daily Herald | 14 more suburbs, DuPage County join program to become ‘EV ready’: The 15 local governments — which include those of Batavia, Elgin and Highland Park, as well as DuPage County — will receive training programs and technical assistance to prepare for a growing demand for EVs and charging infrastructure.
* WTTW | From Delayed Ambulances to Late Buses, Some Chicago-Area Communities Hit With Lengthy Blocked Train Crossings: Illinois has registered 8,550 complaints, the third highest total in the country since blocked crossings began being tracked at the end of 2019 by the Federal Railroad Administration, an agency within the United States Department of Transportation.
* Sun-Times | Keeping campaign promises will take time, top Johnson aide says: ‘Nothing can be done in a single year’: Johnson campaigned on a promise to make $1 billion in investments in people, with that money coming from $800 million in increased taxes, fines and fees. But Chief Operating Officer John Roberson said the mayor knows it’ll take years to deliver those investments, with the pace of progress depending on how much new revenue he can get, and when.
* Greg Hinz | The top cop pick is a decision Johnson — and the city he runs — can’t afford to blow: In theory, Johnson could reject the three finalists sent to him by the Chicago Commission on Community Safety & Accountability: Larry Snelling, a long-term Chicago Police Department veteran who now heads its counterterrorism unit and appears to be the front-runner; Angel Novalez, CPD’s chief of constitutional policing and reform; and Madison Police Department Chief Shon Barnes, who despite working in Wisconsin’s capital has lots of Chicago experience.
* Chalkbeat | Chicago will get smaller share of state’s increased K-12 education budget for second year in a row: The largest share of the state’s new K-12 funding – $35 million – will go to Elgin U-46, Illinois’ second largest district. Plainfield School District 202, the state’s fifth largest district, will receive $13.1 million of the increase.
* Capitol News Illinois | 160 years later, activist Elizabeth Packard honored in place of psychiatrist she exposed: “Today we are putting a spotlight on the real hero associated with this institution,” Gov. JB Pritzker said before signing an order Wednesday to change the name of the 120-bed mental health hospital. Packard, he said, is “someone who, in truth, better expresses our proud history of positive reform; someone who changed our world for the better.”
* The Intelligencer | Glenn Poshard shares struggles: Poshard, 77, is a former U.S. representative and was a 1998 gubernatorial candidate. He was also the system president for Southern Illinois University from 2006 to 2014. Poshard discussed those parts of his life and much more Tuesday afternoon at Lovejoy Library at Southern Illinois University in a signing for his new book, “Son of Southern Illinois: Glenn Poshard’s Life in Politics and Education.”
* Tribune | Videos show longtime Tylenol murder suspect James Lewis discussing the crime with undercover agents: Arlington Heights police, the lead law enforcement agency in the investigation, provided the video clips late Tuesday in response to a Tribune open-records request. The Tylenol investigation remains open, but Lewis’ July 9 death from a blood clot in his lungs cleared a legal path for some of the long-confidential recordings to be released.
* Sun-Times | Can classical music deter panhandlers? Walgreens blares Bach outside Chicago stores: The Sun-Times this week found classical music greeting customers as they approached the entrance of stores in Greektown, the West Side and River North at 641 N. Clark St. It plays from speakers connected to the building that are covered by a protective screen.
* Sun-Times | Leo Louchios, an adviser to Jesse White and Alexi Giannoulias and Greektown staple, dies at 66: “Ever since I was much younger, he was always the guy, not just in the secretary of state’s office, but in the Greek American community, he was one of our leaders and someone everyone knew,” Giannoulias said.
10 Comments
|
Live coverage
Thursday, Aug 10, 2023 - Posted by Isabel Miller
* ScribbleLive is still down. Twitter has stopped allowing people to embed list feeds on websites. So, click here or here to follow breaking news. You can click here to follow the Tim Mapes trial.
Comments Off
|
|
Support CapitolFax.com
Visit our advertisers...
...............
...............
...............
...............
|
   
|
Hosted by MCS
SUBSCRIBE to Capitol Fax
Advertise Here
Mobile Version
Contact Rich Miller
|
