For the past eight months, members of the Save Bell Bowl Prairie coalition have been inundating Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office with emails, petitions, texts, tweets, phone calls and old-fashioned letters, pleading with the governor to broker a deal that would save a patch of ancient prairie from demolition by the Greater Rockford Airport Authority, which plans to rip up the prairie as part of a major expansion of the airfield’s cargo operation.
The deluge of messages has largely been met with silence, save for a brief off-the-cuff comment made by the governor at a press conference back in November. Then, two weeks ago, Pritzker’s reelection campaign dropped a 30-second TV ad called “Cargo Load.”
“Do you know what city has the fastest growing cargo airport in the world? Rockford, Illinois!” the ad boasts. “As governor, J.B. Pritzker made it happen.”
“My first reaction was, ‘What?’” said Kerry Leigh, executive director of the Natural Land Institute, the organization that for decades was entrusted with stewardship of Bell Bowl Prairie — a handful of acres of 8,000-year-old land tucked inside the airport’s nearly 3,000-acre expanse.
In the ad’s emphasis on job creation and the airport’s importance as an economic engine, Leigh distinctly heard echoes of the talking points the airport authority has used in its ongoing battle against the Save Bell Bowl coalition, by portraying the conservationists as anti-development and anti-commerce.
“What I got out of the commercial is (Pritzker’s) only listening to the airport,” said Robb Telfer, of Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves, a nonprofit that’s allied itself with Natural Land Institute in the fight for Bell Bowl.
* Response from Natalie Edelstein at the Pritzker campaign…
The governor’s new ad celebrating Rockford being home to the fastest growing cargo airport in the world does not indicate a shift in any previously held positions. Economic development and environmental protection are not mutually exclusive, and the governor has demonstrated a strong commitment to both. As he said in November, we can protect our environment, while also creating jobs.
The push to clean up a culture of corruption in Illinois could have the unintended short term consequence of flooding farm fields after all of the drainage experts in one local unit of government quit their jobs, leaving the office that monitors and manages flood risks vacant.
Larry Skinner, Dale Ewing, and Randy Mayhall informed the Douglas County Circuit Clerk’s office that they would rather step down from their unpaid government duties than submit to “intrusive” transparency laws.
The Newman Murdock Union Drainage District has a meager budget. It collects $10,579.80 in property taxes each year, and sets aside funds to upgrade or install new drainage tiles to prevent backed up water from flooding farm fields. […]
Skinner and Ewing both submitted letters of resignation, though county officials said Ewing was considering potentially rescinding his resignation and complying with the new ethics law. Mayhall verbally resigned, but had not yet submitted his letter in writing at the time of this report.
“All three of us have resigned because they’re asking us to list our wives, they’re involving our spouses, trying to get us to list things that we owe on or we buy together,” Skinner said. “It’s just stuff that’s totally nobody’s business.”
Skinner’s resignation letter noted it’s an unpaid position and he doesn’t personally handle any government funds. […]
Their resignations are the first reported cases of local officials who fulfill mundane tasks in unpaid government jobs who ditched their posts before a May 1st deadline to fill out the more stringent forms.
Skinner, a local farmer in Newman, Illinois, said he’d rather quit the job than reveal his personal financial information to the government.
“I prefer to resign,” he said in a March 17th letter. “The questions being asked by the Statement of Economic Interest and the potential liability it places on someone just trying to do what is right and helpful is just a problem I don’t need.”
* I asked Alisa Kaplan at Reform for Illinois if she had any comments…
Hi Rich,
Overall we are in favor of more transparency and support the legislature’s moves in that direction. Some officials are not going to like it — that’s inevitable with just about any serious ethics reform. These forms are well in line with what other state legislatures require and are by no means the most detailed out there. And there are some ways in which the new forms require less information than the old forms, by raising the dollar thresholds that trigger reporting, for example.
If this truly becomes a problem, however, it might be worth revisiting the types of office-holders required to disclose certain kinds of information. We may need different information from a state legislator than from an unpaid local official, though we shouldn’t underplay the possibilities for corruption at any level of government.
Finally, there seems to be some confusion that needs to be cleared up about what is actually required in the new forms and how much of a departure it is from the old forms.
* The Question: Should ethics disclosures be loosened for unpaid local board members? Explain.
Long-sought state funding for Kane County’s Longmeadow Parkway will help push the 5.6-mile corridor to completion. But it won’t eliminate the toll — yet.
State lawmakers included $17.5 million for the project in a marathon state budget session last weekend. After the bipartisan Longmeadow funding passed, some state lawmakers, such as state Rep. Suzanne Ness, issued statements saying the money “eliminated” the need for a toll on the parkway.
But the money in the state’s 2023 budget is only about half of what county officials sought to eliminate the toll.
The toll became a necessary to help fund the Longmeadow Parkway bridge over the Fox River when, unlike the Stearns Road bridge, not enough federal and state money came through to pay for the project at the northern border of Kane County. County officials sold bonds to pay for the construction and ongoing maintenance.
We have some terrific news. Last week the Illinois legislature passed bills with two of Reform for Illinois’ top priorities: making voting more accessible for people with disabilities, and advancing a serious discussion about public campaign financing in Illinois.
Accessible Voting
We asked you to show your support for SB 829, a bill we’ve been fighting for with our partners Equip for Equality, Access Living, the Illinois Council of the Blind, and others. The bill takes an important step towards enabling Illinois voters with certain types of disabilities to cast a private ballot without assistance, a right many of us take for granted.
You contacted your representatives and submitted hundreds of witness slips, and we’re thrilled to report that SB 829 passed the legislature and is on its way to the governor’s desk! […]
Task Force on Public Financing of Judicial Campaigns
Reform for Illinois is a fervent advocate of public campaign financing as a way to fight corruption and diversify candidates and political donors. So we are pleased that the General Assembly passed a measure that, if signed by the governor, will establish a task force to explore public financing for judicial elections.
While we support public financing for many offices, the judiciary is a good place to start. Special interests and big donors shouldn’t be able to put their thumbs on the scales of justice. An optional public financing program would offer judicial candidates the opportunity to fund their campaigns without threatening their independence and impartiality.
HB 716 was sponsored by Senate President Don Harmon and Representative Jay Hoffman. Although we have expressed concerns about other provisions of the bill, we enthusiastically support the creation of the task force and look forward to its work.
* Gov. Pritzker…
Celebrating the passage of a FY23 budget that prioritizes responsible spending, Gov. JB Pritzker joined students, lawmakers, and advocates at Gately Park Indoor Track in Chicago to highlight programs designed to foster the success of young people throughout the state. […]
Under the state’s FY23 budget, new investments in youth programs will provide young people with opportunities to learn, work, and grow in a safe environment. These efforts include:
• Additional Early Childhood Education funding of $54.4M to cover services for an additional estimated 7,131 children
• Funding for $300M Strengthen and Grow Childcare grants while continuing investments in rate increases for childcare providers July 1, 2022, and December 1, 2022
• An extra $460M for K-12 schools and programs to provide quality classrooms, qualified and well-compensated educators, and the textbooks and supplies necessary for a good education
• $122M increase in need-based Monetary Assistance Program scholarships for college students to a total of $600M to help over 155,000 students receive awards while also increasing the maximum grant award
• Increase of $12M for the Regional Offices of Education to address truancy and chronic absenteeism issues coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic
• $7M funding increase to support targeted summer youth services in the areas of Teen REACH, Community Youth Services and Youth Employment.
• Additional $16M for Homeless Prevention and Homeless Youth services, in addition to continued authority to maintain rental assistance programming into FY23
• Additional $8M investment in Redeploy Illinois to reduce juvenile incarcerations and prevent crime
• Increase of $87 million to bolster the DCFS provider network
• Increase of $15.5 million to hire an additional 360 DCFS staff
• New funding of $25 million to rebuild residential capacity for vulnerable youth in care.
• Includes $56M for new Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development grants at IDNR to provide for parks for children to explore, the largest and most accessible round in the state’s history for distressed communities.
• Includes funding to fully implement the Pathways to Success Program for children with serious mental illnesses approximately $150M. Pathways to Success is a program for Medicaid enrolled children under the age of 21 in Illinois who have complex behavioral health needs and require intensive services and support
• Expands the Earned Income Credit for working families from 18% of the federal credit to 20%, while expanding the number of households covered
• Provides families with a “Back to School” sales tax holiday on clothing and school supplies for a week this August
These programs serve as major components of a state budget that prioritizes building a financially strong and responsible state that can be passed down to the next generation of leaders.
Plastic forks may soon be a thing of the past in Illinois’ state parks after the legislature passed a bill that could soon be sent to the governor’s desk.
If Gov. J.B. Pritzker signs it, Senate Bill 1915 will require state agencies to contract with suppliers only providing compostable or recyclable foodware in state parks and natural areas.
The bill was sponsored by state Sen. Julie Morrison, D-Lake Forest, who said the goal is simple: to reduce waste.
Illinois Environmental Council Executive Director Jen Walling said it shouldn’t cost the state much either.
New Orleans City Councilwoman Helena Moreno has sent a subpoena to a senior member of Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s administration on Monday demanding he hand over a wide array of documents and appear before the council for questioning related to a potential multimillion-dollar “smart cities” project and contract-fixing allegations regarding a Chicago-based consultant called Ignite Cities. […]
Moreno has previously complained about the lack of public information and the administration’s refusal to share details about the project — a sprawling plan that includes creating a “city-directed” but privately run internet service to compete with existing internet providers like Cox Communications and AT&T. The project would also install thousands of “smart” devices throughout the city to collect data that the city could use to improve services and sell to private companies. […]
The subpoena also comes days after Ignite Cities became embroiled in another controversy in Chicago that sheds new light onto the contract-fixing allegations in New Orleans, and pokes big a hole in the Cantrell administration’s central justification for dismissing those allegations. […]
The reporting from Illinois TV station WCIA-TV centered on Ignite Cities’ managing director, Reyahd Kazmi, and his wife, City Clerk of Chicago Anna Valencia. The station reported on emails from Valencia, a public official, showing how she used her position to advance government projects that involved Kazmi and Ignite Cities.
Vitally, the report revealed that Kazmi is also a registered lobbyist for IKE Smart Cities — a WiFi kiosk manufacturer that, unlike Ignite Cities, is an official member of the Smart+Connected NOLA consortium that would be responsible for installing dozens of kiosks around New Orleans. Kazmi was also present at the recent “WiFi for All” events in New Orleans to promote the smart cities project. […]
In her subpoena, one category of documents that Moreno requested in her subpoena is “any and all communications with George Burciaga, Anna Valencia and Reyahd Kazmi.”
I fully admit that I’m not quite understanding this yet. But it sure does look like Valencia has been providing help to her husband’s business through her city office, which wouldn’t be good.
* Meanwhile, we’ve talked about how the People’s Coalition Map crowd has been hammering away at the Chicago United Map group for its Madigan connections. Well…
Supporters of the Chicago United Map today called on the political committee supporting the “People’s Coalition Map” to return a $10,000 contribution Victor Reyes’ law firm made to the political committee supporting the Latino Caucus-backed map that flies in the face of City of Chicago ethics rules.
The law firm, Reyes Kurson, was hired to advise the Latino Caucus in the city remap process and is headed by attorney and lobbyist Victor Reyes. Reyes is named as “Lawyer A” in the federal criminal indictment case against former House Speaker Michael Madigan and Reyes Kurson is named as “Law Firm A” in the indictment. Reyes’ firm has billed the city nearly $150,000 for work on the remap from the end of May to the end of November, according to a recent media report.
An advisory opinion issued by the City of Chicago Board of Ethics in Feb. 2022 found that the city’s Governmental Ethics Ordinance limits certain contributors, including those “seeking to do business with the City,” to $1,500 in political contributions per calendar year to a candidate or the “candidate’s authorized political committees.” The Reyes Kurson contribution to the Chicago Coalition Map to Redistrict Chicago may be in violation of this ethics rule.
The Chicago United Map is supported by the majority of the Chicago City Council. Supporters of the Chicago United Map are calling on the Chicago Coalition Map to Redistrict Chicago to return the campaign contribution immediately.
* Irvin…
J.B. Pritzker and Illinois Democrats did nothing to clean out corruption in government prior to adjourning session last Friday, even as it was announced the very same day that a state legislator was being investigated by the federal authorities for misusing campaign funds and that former Chicago Alderman Danny Solis was charged for taking bribes in return for favorable ordinance rulings on the City’s Zoning Committee.
The Deferred Prosecution Agreement between Solis and the U.S. Attorney’s Office that was unveiled yesterday showed he had been wearing a wire since December 2018 in his cooperation with the feds, which ultimately resulted in the takedown of former House Speaker Mike Madigan. Solis is being arraigned in federal court this morning.
“J.B. Pritzker’s record when it comes to cleaning out corruption in government is nothing but words and no actions,” said Irvin for Illinois spokesperson Eleni Demertizis. “Pritzker’s continued denial of his connection to Madigan and his criminal enterprise goes hand in hand with his refusal to enact meaningful ethics reform that would prevent any further corruption and misuse taxpayer dollars.”
* Casten…
Today, U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (D-IL) announced he has been endorsed by the NRDC Action Fund. This endorsement comes on the heels of the League of Conservation Voters endorsing Rep. Casten and adds to the growing list of pro-environmental groups backing him over his opponent in his re-election campaign.
“It’s never been more important for lawmakers to help lower energy costs for American families by standing up to the fossil fuel industry and securing a clean energy future,” said Kevin S. Curtis, executive director of the NRDC Action Fund. “We’re proud to support Congressman Sean Casten because he is in the thick of that fight, working to build a better future for his constituents by growing clean energy jobs, cutting fossil fuels pollution and working to solve the climate crisis.”
“I have spent my entire life working to combat the climate crisis,” said Rep. Sean Casten. “The evidence is overwhelmingly clear - this is the greatest existential threat we face as a species. I’m proud to be endorsed by the NRDC Action Fund as we continue our work together to create clean energy jobs and pass a livable planet on to our children and grandchildren.”
Since coming to Congress, Rep. Casten has passed critical legislation to address the climate crisis. In December, President Biden signed into law legislation from Rep. Casten to reduce the carbon footprint of the federal government. Rep. Casten has also passed legislation to invest in clean energy storage technologies and protect the US financial system from the devastating impacts of the climate crisis.
* Foster…
Today, scientist and businessman Bill Foster announced that his re-election campaign raised over $620,000 in the first quarter of 2022. Foster currently has $4.59 million cash on hand, a clear sign of the strong and broad-based support for his campaign.
“I am so grateful for everyone who has supported our campaign,” Foster said. “When I left my career in physics to run for public office, I didn’t know if we would succeed but I was humbled by the widespread and grassroots support for my campaign. I continue to be honored by everyone who chooses to support me and I look forward to serving the new Illinois’ 11th District next Congress as the only PhD physicist in Congress.”
* Pekau…
Mayor of Orland Park and 6th Congressional District candidate Keith Pekau released his first official campaign video and digital video ad, which focuses on how politicians like Marie Newman, Sean Casten, Nancy Pelosi, and Kim Foxx have put special interests, party politics, and extreme far-left agendas ahead of doing what’s best for the people they’re supposed to represent, and how he will put people over politics in the 6th District.
Video Script:
Politicians like Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx are letting violent criminals run free, putting our families’ safety at risk. I didn’t put my life on the line to defend our country in the Air Force, including three tours in Iraq, so families would feel unsafe in their homes. Here in Orland Park, we’re fighting back. We’ve reduced crime to the lowest rate in 27 years and we’re rated the safest city in Illinois.
Our economy is struggling. Workers are especially hurting in Illinois, where unemployment remains among the highest in the nation. As a successful small business owner, I will fight to bring economic growth and prosperity back to our country, especially right here in the 6th District. That’s what we’ve done here in Orland Park, where our businesses are thriving and creating good-paying jobs for our residents.
But with the highest inflation since 1980, working families are struggling to keep up. Gas, groceries, utilities, and even eating at restaurants costs more now. This is because Washington politicians keep spending and printing money like drunken sailors. It needs to stop. I’ve led by example in Orland Park. I’ve cut spending, paid down debt, and lowered taxes.
While the other Republican candidates talk about solving challenges like crime, inflation, and the economy, I’ve actually done it. This is the common sense leadership we need to take on the failed far-left politics of Marie Newman and Sean Casten. Join me and let’s put people over politics.
* Lightfoot…
Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot’s political operation announced its fundraising efforts will be chaired by civic leaders Laura and Brooke Skinner Ricketts, Charles Smith and Sam Sanchez.
“I am grateful to these four incredible civic leaders for believing in this campaign, and for being willing to step up and lead this effort,” said Mayor Lightfoot. “Charles, Brooke, Laura and Sam have spent this pandemic doing all that they can to help Chicagoans in communities across the city. I’m humbled to have their support.”
“From refocusing more than $1.4 billion in public investment into our historically underserved South and West Side neighborhoods through the INVEST South/West program, to raising the minimum wage to $15 for hundreds of thousands of Chicago workers, Mayor Lightfoot has stayed focused on her mission of equity and opportunity for every Chicagoan,” said Smith. “That’s why Brooke, Laura, Sam and I are already hard at work, and we’re confident that we will have all the resources we need to ensure Mayor Lightfoot can continue her crucial work to guide our city back onto solid ground following this unprecedented time.”
In the first quarter of 2022, the campaign had its strongest fundraising quarter since her election, raising more than $800,000, and reporting more than $1.7 million in cash on hand.
Abdelnasser Rashid raised nearly $115,000 in less than three weeks of his campaign for state representative in the 21st District. Rashid is also first out of the box with a timely digital ad targeting incumbent Rep. Mike Zalewski for legislation he introduced that would allow cities to raise the gas tax. […]
— Republican Kathy Salvi has been endorsed by the Republicans of Wheeling Township in her bid for the U.S. Senate. […]
— Kina Collins has been endorsed by the Sunrise Movement, a grassroots network of youth climate advocates, in her bid for the 7th Congressional House seat.
— Fernando “Sergio” Mojica, a former Chicago Public School principal, has been endorsed by state Rep. Lamont Robinson, Equality Illinois co-founder Art Johnston, and former Midwest Regional Director at Lambda Legal Jim Bennett. Mojica is running to replace retiring Rep. Greg Harris in the Illinois 13th District. Full list
Rashid’s total included a $25K loan from a retired relative. Zalewski has not been reporting many large contributions, but he had $338K on-hand at the end of last year.
* As you know, the Illinois legislature just voted to get rid of the state’s 1 percent grocery tax for a year. Revenues from that tax go to local governments, but the locals will be reimbursed by the state for the loss. So, while this Tax Foundation take is a bit late for our purposes, it’s still worth a look…
In the face of decades high inflation, policymakers across the political spectrum have proposed either reducing or repealing their states’ grocery taxes. Doing would “actually increase tax liability for the lowest-earning households” while “providing only extremely modest tax savings for the middle class,” according to a new study released today by the Tax Foundation.
Current state of grocery taxes:
13 states currently tax groceries to some degree. While they may be in the minority, “the economic evidence strongly suggests that they are in the right,” said Jared Walczak of the Tax Foundation. Of these 13 states, only three tax groceries at the ordinary rate without providing some sort of offsetting grocery tax credit.
State definitions of groceries vary, but mostly at the margin. All states distinguish between prepared and unprepared foods, and prepared foods are subject to tax. (For example, a rotisserie chicken is a “prepared food” and therefore subject to grocery tax.)
A flawed logic for exemption:
Exempting groceries from state sales tax bases is seen as a progressive move; advocates say that it would benefit low-and middle-income taxpayers most since they spend more of their income on groceries.
“The assumption is simple and, on the surface, reasonable—and it is wrong,” Walczak said. “Grocery exemptions are a middle-income, not a low-income, benefit—and middle earners can be more efficiently made whole through grocery tax credits.”
Here are the flaws to the argument, Jared finds:
• It largely ignores the full impact of the universal policy of exempting from sales tax any purchases made using federal food-purchasing assistance programs, such as SNAP. These kinds of policies can dramatically reduce taxable consumption for low-income families.
• Additionally, the conventional wisdom underestimates the degree to which higher consumption of groceries does scale with income. Higher earning households purchase not only more, but higher qualities of, groceries. Low-income households, in fact, are more likely to purchase taxable substitutes to what states classify as groceries, a category that traditionally only covers unprepared foods.
• Finally, while low-income households spend more on groceries as a share of income than do the highest-income households, they do not necessarily spend more on groceries relative to other necessities.
The result is that a policy designed to inject progressivity into the sales tax has the opposite effect, increasing tax liability on the lowest-income households.
The bottom line: “Public perceptions regarding grocery taxation are not easily changed. In states where groceries are taxed, the policy is not always very controversial, because it is deemed the ordinary condition, at least until policymakers agitate for change. But in states where groceries are exempt, or taxed at a preferential rate, a reversal is likely to meet with stiff opposition unless the public can be convinced of the benefits,” said Walczak.
“A more comprehensive approach, however, is possible, broadening the sales tax bases to include both groceries and consumer services (which tend to be consumed by higher earners) and is potentially paired with a modest grocery tax credit, with remaining revenues dedicated to income tax reductions. This approach can manage something of a tax policy hat trick: it is progressive, it yields greater revenue stability, and it makes the overall tax code more pro-growth,” said Walczak.
* But what hasn’t really been highlighted yet is that millions of Illinoisans will still be paying sales tax on groceries via the mass transit tax. Here’s the breakdown…
• 1.25 percent sales tax on qualifying food, drugs, and medical appliances in Cook County
• 0.75 percent sales tax on general merchandise and qualifying food, drugs, and medical appliances in DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties […]
• 0.25 percent sales tax on general merchandise and sales of qualifying food, drugs, and medical appliances in Madison County
• 0.75 percent sales tax on general merchandise (excluding items that are titled or registered) and sales of qualifying food, drugs, and medical appliances in St. Clair County
“Qualifying food” means groceries and is defined here.
* Car hijacking: The Illinois Vehicle Hijacking and Motor Vehicle Theft Preventing and Insurance Verification Council will provide grants and financial support to help identify, apprehend, and prosecute hijackers and recovery hijacked and stolen vehicles. It also must develop strategies for combating hijackings and improving how laws are administered (HB3699 Delgado/Martwick). Additionally, language was approved to protect those who receive red light tickets as a result of car hijackings (HB 3772 Delgado/Aquino).
* Ghost Guns: Bans sale and possession of ghost guns which are untraceable due to lack of a serial number (HB 4383 Buckner/Collins).
* Expressway cameras: The Expressway Camera Act was expanded to include Lake Shore Drive and allows the use of images from the cameras to investigate and prosecute car hijackings, terrorism, or any forcible felony (HB 260 Williams/Feigenholtz). The law was also expanded to cover 21 additional counties (HB 4481 Greenwood/Murphy).
* Assistance for first responders: Requires DHS to provide grant programs for (i) childcare centers to provide late night care for children of first responders and other late-shift workers (HB 1571 Manley/Glowiak Hilton); (ii) local law enforcement, fire districts, schools, hospitals, and ambulance services to provide behavioral health services for first responders (HB 1321 LaPointe/Hastings); (iii) local governments for mental health and substance use prevention for individuals who are incarcerated and individuals in county jails or recently discharged. (HB 4364 Tarver/Loughran Cappel); (iv) departments for officer hiring and training and retention strategies (HB 3863 Vella/Morrison). To aid with retention and recruitment, the General Assembly approved (i) a program to review the standards for transferring credits from community colleges to 4-year colleges to satisfy requirements for law enforcement positions, and allow officers to purchase their guns and badges (HB 1568 Vella/Martwick); and (ii) create a waiver process for out-of-state officers wishing to work in Illinois (HB 4608 Delgado/Bennett).
* Victim protections: To aid victims, (i) investigators will receive instruction and training on victim-centered, trauma-informed investigations; (ii) grants were approved to set up anonymous tip hotlines with cash rewards for info that leads to an arrest; (iii) aspects of the witness protection program are expanded, and a pilot program is established whereby social workers will work alongside law enforcement officers (HB 4736 Gordon-Booth/Peters). The bill also creates a task force to review researched based methods for reducing crime.
* Smash-and-grabs: The General Assembly approved IRMA’s initiative to deter smash-and-grab thefts and moves to resell stolen goods online. The bill creates a new organized retail theft crime and gives the Attorney General and local prosecutors additional tools to prosecute offenders (HB 1091 Buckner/Glowiak Hilton).
* Officer worn cameras: allows officers to identify video they believe has evidentiary value, and clarifies when an officer does not have to have a camera turned on. (HB 4608 (Delgado/Bennett)
* Eavesdropping: Extends the sunsets on laws that allow investigators to recording conversations for qualified sex and drug offenses (date moved from January 1, 2023 to January 1, 2027), and the Illinois Street Gang and Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Law (date moved to June 11, 2023) (HB 3893 (Hernandez/Joyce).
* Gun storage campaign: Department of Public Health must conduct a multi-year safe gun storage campaign (HB 4729 Willis/Morrison).
* Burglary: Updates the definition of burglary tools to include new technologies (HB601 Andrade/Gillespie).
* Meanwhile, Deputy House Republican Leader Tom Demmer appeared with other legislative leaders on Chicago Tonight…
(W)hat is the message that the majority party today, Democrats who control the governor’s office, the Senate in the house, what’s the message they’re sending about how serious they are about addressing the public safety issues in Illinois? We’ve had a record level of retirements and resignations from police officers and sheriff’s deputies. We have a system in place right now that come January a carjacker will be back on the streets mere hours after they’ve committed their carjacking because cash bail has been abolished. We have to ask about what’s the longer-running narrative there. This was never an issue that was just related to the to the Prisoner Review Board. This is about a larger approach of what does it take to achieve public safety and which party is actually looking out for people every day.
The host attempted to change the subject to a budget question, but Senate President Don Harmon wanted to respond first to Leader Demmer…
Paris, I’ll answer that question, but I have to respond [crosstalk]. Republicans have clearly latched on to this political strategy that doesn’t match with reality. Democrats are voting to fund police. Representative Demmer’s notion that cash bail is going to release people is upside down. Today, a carjacker can bail out so long as he has enough money. When the new bail system is put into place, those people can be held in jail pending trial because they’re a danger to the community. This is, it’s fear mongering and panic. It is totally inappropriate. I’ll leave it at that.
…Adding… House Speaker Chris Welch was asked today if he is confident that the crime bill is better today than it was a year ago…
I’m very confident in what we passed a year ago. I want to make sure people understand that we never bought into the false narrative created by our colleagues on the other side of the aisle. What we passed a year ago was monumental, historic legislation celebrated by people as high as the Supreme Court of this state. Advocates believed the work that we did was extremely important.
What we did this session was continue to listen to the people that send us to Springfield. We know that carjackings have been a problem, we responded to that. We know that organized retail theft has been a problem, we responded to that. We know that ghost guns have been a problem, we responded to that. We continue to make our state a safer place. We even included half a billion dollars in our budget toward public safety, and what did our friends on the other side of the aisle do? They voted no to a half a billion dollars in things that are going to increase public safety. And so what what I like to point out is, there’s only one party in this state that’s voting to defund the police. There’s only one state in this party that is voting to defund youth investment programs. And that’s not the Democratic Party. I’m proud of the work that we’ve done for public safety. And we’re going to continue to build on that.
…Adding… Jesse Sullivan campaign…
“Illinois families deserve to feel safe in their homes and in their communities. But J.B. Pritzker and the insider politicians are more interested in protecting criminals and handcuffing our cops than providing the real change that law enforcement is asking for.
“The Democrats hope that election-year gimmicks – bills that nibble around the edges – will trick voters into forgetting that Kim Foxx is releasing criminals out of jail and refusing to enforce our laws.
“They’re hoping voters will forget that Pritzker refused to bring law enforcement to the table to fix his disastrous anti-police bill.
“They’re hoping voters will ignore the rising crime in their communities and reward the insider politicians responsible.
“If we want real change, we need a real outsider. That’s why more than 20 sheriffs, state’s attorneys and law-enforcement leaders around Illinois are backing me and my Safe Streets Plan, and why the voters are going to demand real change this election.”
* Related…
* ADDED: CPD makes significant headway on reform but still grapples with longstanding problems, consent decree monitor says: In an unusual move, the court-appointed monitor, Maggie Hickey, included a letter in the report that reiterates much of her team’s criticism and slams members of the department “who believe crime reduction is separate from, or even opposed to, reform efforts. Constitutional and effective policing — and the Consent Decree — requires the CPD and its officers to reduce crime as community partners, which requires building, maintaining, and rigorously protecting community trust and confidence,” wrote Hickey, a former federal prosecutor.
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is adopting new federal guidelines for tracking COVID-19 at the community level. The new CDC guidelines emphasize the case rate and hospitalizations in order to better track the prevalence of COVID-19 in communities. As a result of these new guidelines, testing providers will no longer be required to report some negative tests and IDPH will therefore no longer report test and case positivity.
In addition to adopting new CDC guidelines, IDPH is bolstering the data on its COVID-19 dashboard to provide additional information to help communities respond to changes in the course of the virus.
Among the new data that has been or will be shared on the IDPH COVID-19 dashboard are the following:
• Updated data on vaccination rates to reflect the full population eligible as eligibility continues to evolve.
• The number of people admitted to the hospital with a COVID-19 diagnosis.
• More detailed data on hospitalizations, including information about vaccination status in those who are hospitalized.
“Test and case positivity rates were seen as a good way to monitor the level of community spread early in the pandemic,” said IDPH Acting Director Amaal Tokars. “At this stage, now that we have vaccines and effective therapies available, it is more useful to rely on data that indicates the case rate, disease severity and the level of strain on healthcare system to guide our public health recommendations.”
The changes adopted by the CDC mean that states will no longer be required to report negative antigen test (rapid test) results – and are only required to report negative PCR and NAAT (Nucleic Acid Amplification Test) results that were performed in certified labs. In addition, the widespread use of at-home tests means that national testing data is not as comprehensive or representative of population-based testing as it was before the introduction of at-home tests.
The CDC announced in March that is relying on these three metrics to determine the community level of COVID-19 and to classify it as low, medium or high:
• Total new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population in the past 7 days.
• New COVID-19 admissions per 100,000 population in the past 7 days.
• The percent of staffed inpatient beds occupied by COVID-19 patients.
IDPH officials note that case rates for COVID-19 are now slowly rising in many areas of the state. However, hospitalizations and deaths continue to remain low at this time.
A Freedom Peaceful Assembly and Convoy / Motorcade Rally will be held near the Lincoln statue at the Illinois Capitol Building grounds, corners of S. 2nd Street, 1st Street , Monroe Street and E. Capitol Avenue in Springfield Illinois starting at 11 am on April 30, 2022.
The rally will begin at High Noon near the statue and along the “Grassy Knoll” along Monroe Ave.
For the Convoy and Motorcade beginning at 11 am, participants are encouraged to display one or more American flags and signs of their choice conspicuously on or in their vehicle’s windows to identify participants to each other.
Participants will drive the streets surrounding the Capitol building and “follow the leader”, driving only on the streets and allys that are closest to the Capitol complex, and joining together into an impromptu motorcade.
Any legally licensed roadworthy vehicle is encouraged to join: semi trucks with or without trailers, tractors and farm equipment with proper safety placarding and licensing, campers, RVs, pickups, automobiles, motorcycles, bicycles, or mopeds.
Also horses and/or horse drawn wagons and carriages with road safety placards are welcome to show support of the assembly.
Pedestrians, joggers, wagons, strollers, wheelchairs, families, and legally operated drones, kids battery powered vehicles, roller skaters, those with walkers or prosthetics are all encouraged to safely participate and carry flags and signs and walk the sidewalks around the capital at the same time as the motorcade from 11 am to noon. Or simply bring your favorite chair to watch the event unfold.
At 12 noon or thereabout the participants will peacefully assembly for a rally aimed at citizens airing their dissatisfaction publicly on the loss of their rights and freedoms, and how the misuse of the Governor’s Emergency Orders and ever-changing rules of his health department and pressuring of private businesses and medical facilities have impacted the lives of them, their children and livelihood.
The motto for the Protest and Rally for April 30, according to the handout flyer, is to “Remind the government that THEY WORK FOR US, and not the other way around”. Their handout also states that “Emergency Powers = Tyranny” and get involved to “STOP The Tyranny NOW!!”
Every resident of Illinois is encouraged to join the protest. Lord knows that our elected representatives are not representing us in Springfield and are passing impossible unfunded budgets, killing small businesses with their impossible regulations and taxes, caving to personal and special interests, spending money they don’t have, infringing on our free speech and medical privacy and trying to force us into submitting to their narratives of oppression and control.
Add to that the tyrannical and out of date Emergency Orders ad nauseum and our tromped upon Constitutional Rights over the last two years, and their ever increasing laws and rules for increasing pay raises and benefits for themselves that pad their pockets and set themselves as a preferred status Ruling Class Citizen, and you have statewide frustration and distrust of lawmakers and Governor.
The government we have before us is NOT a representational government OF the people and BY the people. This misbehavior by our elected and appointed officials must stop.
Bring megaphones, bells, whistles, sirens, noisemakers, pots and pans, cymbals, gongs and horns! Maybe they will hear us. If they don’t, we will continue pressuring them to stop their lies and deceit.
Republican governor candidate Richard Irvin’s campaign is out with another mailer that’s full of irony. In the latest item landing in mail boxes, the Aurora mayor slams fellow Republican gubernatorial candidate Jesse Sullivan for backing open borders and amnesty for illegal immigrants.
It’s apparently based on an article Sullivan wrote some 15 years ago. The funny thing, though, is that Irvin has supported Aurora as a sanctuary city and has praised DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. It’s the policy that allows some immigrants to stay in the United States even if they don’t have citizenship.
In a little bit of oppo, Irvin in 2019 said Aurora backs Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot in “prohibiting the use of our resources to aid or support ICE in its enforcement activities.” In the same statement, Irvin vowed that Aurora Police will continue their practice of declining to ask for a person’s immigration status.
The Irvin campaign is a well-funded exercise in pure projection.
The City of Aurora joins with Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot in prohibiting the use of our resources to aid or support ICE in its enforcement activities.
While Aurora does not have any jurisdiction over federal actions, including the pending raids, I fully support our immigrant and refugee families who live in Aurora and object to any such raids that will separate families and traumatize entire segments of our community.
As Aurora Police Chief Kristen Ziman and I have both previously stated, our Aurora police officers do not, have not and will not ask for or use immigration status in routine police activities. These policies have been in place for many years and, rest assured, they will not be compromised during my administration. Furthermore, the City of Aurora will not enter into a ‘287g Agreement’ with ICE and deputize our officers to engage in immigration enforcement work.
Aurora remains focused on unifying and not dividing our community. We are One Aurora and support all residents in our city.
I encourage all of our immigrant residents - and their families, friends and allies - to review their rights by visiting the National Immigrant Justice Center’s website at www.immigrantjustice.org.”
…Adding… From Eleni Demertzis at the Irvin campaign…
Aurora is not a sanctuary city, and Aurora police regularly work with federal law enforcement to fight violent criminals. Mayor Irvin opposes Illinois having sanctuary cities, and believes that immigration is a federal responsibility where federal resources should be used to enforce immigration laws, not state or local resources.
* I will be in Florida soon, but it ain’t for the alleged “freedom” unless you count freedom from cold and grey and long pants…
We want Illinois to look more like the free states of Texas and Florida, not New York and California!
* Here’s a quick primer on how political coverage too often works: A candidate, in this case Democratic 19th House District candidate Tina Wallace, sends an exclusive preview of a press release to a reporter which makes a claim of fundraising prowess. The reporter dutifully hypes the impressive fundraising claim, but doesn’t bother taking 30 seconds to check the candidate’s report online to see that, instead of “raising” $100,000 as claimed, Wallace actually raised only $18,450 from named contributors, $500 from not-itemized others and loaned herself the rest. The money will spend the same, though.
With Republicans already on defense over their agenda of tax hikes, which could raise taxes on 33% of Illinoisans, and raised premiums, now they will also have to explain their recent votes against measures to lower costs for Illinois families.
Over the past two weeks, Illinois Republicans in Congress have voted against bills to make insulin more affordable, which as many as 993,000 Illinoisans rely on, and help more than 11,000 Illinois restaurants and businesses who didn’t receive the first round of Restaurant Revitalization Fund relief cover costs. Plus, state Republicans belittled critical tax relief efforts for Illinois families while voting against a balanced state budget.
Illinois Democrats, meanwhile, are hard at work in Springfield and in Washington, D.C. to lower costs and provide tax relief. In Congress, Illinois Democrats overwhelmingly voted in favor of bills to cap the monthly cost of insulin at $35 and get much needed relief to local businesses. At the state level, Democrats just passed more than $1.8 billion in tax relief as part of the FY2023 balanced budget, including direct relief checks to working families along with relief at the gas pump, at the grocery store, and on property taxes.
The difference couldn’t be clearer: while Illinois Democrats at the state and federal level want to help lower costs and provide relief for Illinoisans, Republicans have no plan to lower costs — leaving working families to foot the bill.
* From the League of Women Voters of Illinois…
You can apply for permanent vote by mail status as early as 45 days before election day. Voters with permanent vote by mail status will be automatically sent a vote by mail ballot for every election. You can ask to be removed from this list at any time.
May 19: First day for the election authority to send vote by mail ballots to applicants.
June 13: Early voting begins. Voters may place their vote by mail ballots in a drop box, if drop boxes are available in their county. Voters may also deliver their vote by mail ballots in person to their local election authority during early voting. Check with your election authority for locations.
June 23: Last day for an election authority to receive vote by mail ballot applications via mail.
June 27: Last day for a registered voter to apply in person at an election authority for a vote by mail ballot.
June 28: General primary election day! Mailed-in ballots must be postmarked by this date. Voters may also drop off vote by mail ballots with their election authority or in a drop box. Check with your election authority for locations.
NOTE: If you change your mind, you may surrender your vote by mail ballot at your polling place and vote in person instead. If you lose your vote by mail ballot, or it doesn’t arrive in the mail, you can vote with a provisional ballot at your polling place. Provisional ballots are counted 14 days after the polls close, once the election authority confirms that you haven’t cast a vote by mail ballot.
Consumer prices rose 8.5 percent in the year through March, reaching the fastest inflation rate since 1981. Stubbornly rapid price increases have been exacerbated by a surge in gas costs tied to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Fuel prices jumped sharply higher last month, with the U.S. average for a gallon of regular gas peaking at $4.33 on March 11.
Gas is not the entire story. Stripping out volatile fuel and food, so-called core prices climbed at a brisk 6.5 percent in the year through March, up from 6.4 percent in the year through February. Even so, the core index offered a rare glimmer of good inflation news: It slowed down a bit on a monthly basis, rising 0.3 percent from February, compared with 0.5 percent the prior month.
March’s data may represent a high-water mark for inflation, some economists have said. Overall price increases could begin abating in the coming months in part because gasoline prices have come down somewhat — a gallon cost $4.10 on Tuesday, according to AAA. Researchers have been expecting consumers to stop buying so many goods, like cars and appliances, potentially taking pressure off overburdened supply chains and allowing prices for those products to moderate.
* More…
* Richard Irvin Only Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Who Broke From Trump: So was Mayor Irvin being intentionally naive when he worked with Underwood to undermine the Trump tax cuts? Remembering after Underwood was first elected and flipped the IL-14, Irvin, in late December of 2018, gave Underwood the key to the city. As for the results of Irvin’s efforts working with Underwood to undermine the Trump tax cuts, the U.S. House Democratic leadership rejected Underwood’s bill, and opted to go for a two-year repeal of SALT deduction caps. The Democrats’ plan went nowhere with the Senate. So in light of this record, and the Irvin gubernatorial campaign accusing rival Darren Bailey as “leaving Trump” and a “Never Trumper”, the evidence overwhelming Mayor Irvin’s campaign was projecting.
The War on Ukraine is an unimaginable tragedy… As a human, and as an artist, I felt compelled to respond in the most significant way I could.
So today, for the first time ever, I publicly performed my Dad’s song, IMAGINE.
Why now, after all these years? - I had always said, that the only time I would ever consider singing ‘IMAGINE’ would be if it was the ‘End of the World’…
But also because his lyrics reflect our collective desire for peace worldwide. Because within this song, we’re transported to a space, where love and togetherness become our reality, if but for a moment in time…
The song reflects the light at the end of the tunnel, that we are all hoping for…
As a result of the ongoing murderous violence, millions of innocent families, have been forced to leave the comfort of their homes, to seek asylum elsewhere.
I’m calling on world leaders and everyone who believes in the sentiment of IMAGINE, to stand up for refugees everywhere! Please advocate and donate from the heart. #StandUpForUkraine
With children under watch of the Department of Children and Family Services continuing to die and contempt of court citations piling up, how long can Gov. JB Pritzker continue to stick with director Marc Smith? […]
Pritzker summed it up: you can’t just fire the director every time there’s a problem.
* Pritzker’s full response…
Let me remind you that there have been over a dozen leaders of DCFS over the prior years to my becoming governor. It’s important for us to bring stability to DCFS with a good leader who is bringing change. It is hard to make changes in a bureaucracy when you walk in Day One. It takes some time, and especially after you had two years of no budget, and essentially defunding of DCFS over an awful lot of years.
So we’ve increased budgeting. We brought in outside help for the agency from both the University of Chicago Chapin Hall, as well as the Annie Casey Foundation and others to make sure that we’re surrounding the leadership at DCFS with the right kinds of advisors. They bring their own experienced leaders to DCFS. And together they’ve made a lot of progress.
Are there still challenges? Absolutely. Every circumstance of a death or neglect or abuse is a tragedy at DCFS. So we’re trying to address those. And but you can’t do it by just saying every time there’s a problem, ‘Let’s toss out the director. That’s the answer, toss out the director.’
There are a lot of changes that needed to happen at DCFS. And they are happening. Do they always happen fast enough? No. But look at just the hotline at DCFS where just three short years ago, only 50% of the calls coming into that hotline, were getting answered. Think about that. Neglect and abuse charges, 50% were getting responded to immediately. Now 99% are getting responded to immediately.
And not every time that you hear about a tragedy of a child that has had some contact with DCFS is it simply DCFS’ fault that something occurred. There often are state’s attorneys involved, and sheriffs and local authorities. And DCFS is just one of a number of agencies. And yes, DCFS should take responsibility, but so too, should local authorities engaged in that child’s life, engaged in that family.
So look, we’ve got to continue to make changes. I’m dedicated to that. I’ve stood out front here on this issue when many governors have tried to bury DCFS, put it aside and not stand up for our most vulnerable children. That’s something that matters a great deal to me, and I will continue to stand up for them and make the investments necessary.
A measure intended to protect Illinois restaurants from unauthorized third-party delivery services has cleared the House and Senate.
The plan, known as the Fair Food and Retail Act, would prohibit services like Grubhub, DoorDash, and Uber Eats from using the name, likeness, or intellectual property of a merchant without first obtaining written approval. The delivery services also would not be allowed to provide delivery or pick-up services without that approval.
“If you have somebody representing your goodwill within your community, you’ve got to have an understanding of who that is and what they’re doing with it,” state Rep. Jeff Keicher, R-Sycamore, said. “We need to make sure our mom and pop businesses, after what they’ve been through under COVID, are looked out after. We have to stop this abuse.” […]
“Their entire being and their entire life’s work is in that restaurant,” Keicher said. “For someone to come in and damage that reputation or alter the experience of the customer that the owner has worked sometimes generations to experience, it’s wrong.”
Keicher was a hyphenated co-sponsor. This bill was the brainchild of Sen. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago).
* SEIU Healthcare…
Greg Kelley, President of SEIU Healthcare Illinois, issued the following statement in response to the budget passed by lawmakers in Springfield over the weekend:
“As a union of the frontline home care, child care and healthcare workers who have experienced the direct impact of underfunded public services greatly exacerbated by a pandemic, we applaud the leadership of Governor Pritzker, President Harmon and Speaker Welch in passing a balanced budget with significant increases to home care programs, investment in affordable housing and no cuts to crucial programs.
“We also appreciate the continued investment in child care, safety net hospitals and other avenues of crucial community support.
“The final budget contained much that will strengthen the care and service programs through which our members provide crucial support to many of the state’s most vulnerable residents, from small children to seniors in need of home care. In addition, through our advocacy and that of lawmakers committed to fighting for the services their communities most need, we were able to win significant nursing home rate reform and funding, 65% of which is slated to go directly to workers and a rate increase and training improvements for Developmental Disabilities Services home care workers.
“While the budget passed this weekend will provide crucial help to the workers and communities hardest hit by the pandemic, additional investment is still needed. We look forward to continue working with the Governor and the General Assembly to address the need for additional investment in crucial care services and infrastructure in communities across the state.”
* AIDS Foundation of Chicago…
On April 7, 2022, HB4430—Increasing Access to PrEP and PEP sponsored by State Representative Kelly M. Cassidy—passed the Illinois House on concurrence with a vote of 72-30. This bill specifically prioritizes pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), which are two highly effective prevention methods in reducing the risk of acquiring HIV. The bill will soon be sent over to the Governor’s Desk for the final step in the state legislative process.
Once signed into law, HB4430 would enact the following reforms:
• Allow pharmacists, under a standing order, to initiate lifesaving pre-and post-exposure prophylaxis medication and care to the communities most vulnerable to HIV.
• Aid pharmacists in referring individuals to ongoing preventative care and giving them the ability to connect patients to laboratories for additional tests to determine if PrEP is the most appropriate course of care. Pharmacists will continue to facilitate connections to ongoing medical care and social support services.
With Governor Pritzker’s signature, Illinois will become the 8th state in the nation to make HIV prevention care more accessible by expanding access through pharmacies.
“The passing of HB4430 is momentous as we are truly changing lives and circumstances for many Illinoisians who’ve been too often left out and left behind,” said State Representative Kelly M. Cassidy (D-Chicago). “This win exemplifies our power to change once we engage the whole community, from medical providers to community advocates. We are one step closer to our goal of getting to zero new cases of HIV transmission by 2030, but work does not stop here. Together, we must continue listening and addressing the needs of our community.”
* Illinois Families for Public Schools…
Young children will be protected from any current or future plans to expand state standardized testing into prekindergarten through second grade if Governor Pritzker signs a new Too Young To Test law passed by the Illinois General Assembly this session.
The Too Young To Test bill, SB 3986, received broad and bipartisan support from legislators and a coalition of Illinois parents, educators, researchers, and advocacy orgs concerned about the possible encroachment of the state testing system into PreK-2. The Too Young To Test bill prevents the state from requiring or paying for any non-diagnostic standardized testing of children before third grade.
“Too Young To Test seeks to safeguard the early years by ensuring that the Illinois State Board of Education does not spend finite resources or require standardized assessments in K-2 that have been proven to be developmentally inappropriate during such a fluid time of child development.” said State Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago), the bill’s chief sponsor in the Senate. “Instead, the state should invest in research-based practices that support whole child development such as play-based learning, social-emotional skill building, and teacher coaching. Especially after the unprecedented disruptions of these last two years, we cannot forget that the same part of the brain that registers stress and trauma is also responsible for memory and learning.”
“Our decisions about state standardized testing should reflect evidence-based research and provide reliable data,” chief House sponsor of SB 3986 State Representative Lindsey LaPointe (D-Chicago) said. “Encouraging schools to focus on unreliable standardized tests for children too young will change the focus of classroom instruction and create further inequity. We need to direct our education resources and energy toward proven strategies that enrich the classroom experience for our youngest learners.”
Assessment experts, teachers, and early childhood researchers all agree that test scores from children below age eight are not statistically reliable or valid measures of what children know and can do and should not be used to assess academic achievement or school performance.
Despite this, the Illinois State Board of Education has been considering a proposal to add optional, state-funded K-2 testing in Illinois to the existing 3-8th grade tests. That proposal has been unpopular with parents and teachers. A petition from grassroots public ed advocacy group Illinois Families for Public Schools calling on ISBE to drop the plan garnered over 1300 signatures from parents and community members in over 150 towns and cities across Illinois.
Too Young To Test wouldn’t restrict the ability of districts, schools, and teachers to use or develop assessments paid for with local funding dollars. It also does not stop the state from creating or funding tests or evaluations used for screening or diagnostic purposes.
Since the passage of the federal No Child Left Behind Act in 2001, overtesting has become a significant problem in early elementary school because younger students are being prepped for high-stakes tests in later grades. “We are relieved and encouraged by the General Assembly’s action to set clear criteria for what types of assessment the state can develop, fund and require before third grade.” said Cassie Creswell, director of Illinois Families for Public Schools.
“Before age eight, and even after, kids should be learning via play, exploration and inquiry, and the way teachers assess what they’ve learned should reflect that. What parents want for their children is small classes with teachers who use meaningful assessment methods, not more contracts with commercial test vendors,” added Creswell. “Governor Pritzker has said he’s committed to Illinois becoming the best state in the nation for families raising young children, and we think the Too Young To Test bill is an important part of fulfilling that. We hope we can count on him to sign this bill into law as soon as it gets to his desk.”
Too Young to Test was supported by a broad coalition of organizations, including the Chicago Teachers Union, Defending the Early Years, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Illinois School Counselor Association, Learning Disabilities Association of IL, and the National Association of Social Workers - IL Chapter.
* Illinois Partners for Human Service…
Budget Highlights for Health and Human Services
Mental/Behavioral Health: $170M increase from FY22, which includes Mental Health and Substance Use Medicaid rate increases (to learn more about the incredible advocacy behind this investment, view this fact sheet).
Intellectual/Developmental Disability Services: Appropriations remained the same as the Governor’s initial proposal, which included $2 billion for services for people with developmental disabilities, including funds for the implementation of the second phase of the Guidehouse rate study (though the second phase of implementation is not fully covered through this appropriation). Included in this is $94.8M to support mid-year implementation of a $1.00 an hour rate increase for DSPs and the CILA Rate Study calculator; $45.1M to fund the annualization of the FY22 rate increases and liability changes; $69.6M to support 700 new PUNS placements, a 5.9% increase in the Home-Based program liability, a 2% mid-year grant COLA, and additional support for the DD service delivery system.
Childcare: Appropriations remained the same as the Governor’s initial proposal, which includes funding to support Child Care Assistance Program rate increases and anticipated caseload growth and also includes sufficient budget for federal ARPA stabilization programming. The Budget continues support for FY22 Child Care policy changes (co-pay caps, 250% FPL exit eligibility, 70% attendance policy).
Early Intervention: Appropriations increased by $7m (6.4%) from the Governor’s proposed budget.
Domestic Violence Services: Appropriations increased from $20m in the Governor’s proposed budget to $70m, thanks to the incredible advocacy of Domestic Violence providers and coalitions across the state.
Older Adult Services: Appropriations were the same as the Governor’s proposal, which included $14 million to fund a rate increase for CCP providers beginning January 1, 2023; $100.7 million funding increase for the Community Care Program (CCP) to accommodate caseload growth and utilization, with the assistance of increased federal aid.
Homeless Services: An additional $15M in homelessness prevention funding was appropriated in the General Revenue Fund from the Governor’s initial proposal, along with $1M for homeless Youth through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
Healthcare: There were no cuts from the Governor’s proposed budget, and additional funding was included for nursing homes, hospitals, and expansion of Medicaid for undocumented individuals down to age 42.
* Healthy Illinois…
We were told over and over that the state budget was tight this year, and it wasn’t the right time to expand healthcare access. But we didn’t give up–we kept organizing, making calls, sending letters, telling our stories, and meeting with legislators. And we built the power necessary to win an expansion of healthcare coverage for tens of thousands of additional undocumented Illinoisans. Starting July 1, 2022, everyone in Illinois ages 42 and older will have a pathway to healthcare coverage, regardless of their immigration status.
This win is the result of 8 years of campaigning and thousands of hours of work by dozens of organizations and countless individuals. Congratulations to all who have made a phone call, sent an email, shared their story, and helped build this campaign. Because of you, tens of thousands of people in Illinois will have access to healthcare coverage, many for the first time in decades.
* One Aim Illinois on HB4383, the ghost guns bill…
The passage of the new legislation adds Illinois to the list of the eleven other states that have passed similar ghost gun laws and ensures the following solutions:
• Immediately prohibits the sale of unserialized gun parts that can be turned into guns.
• Requires serial numbers on guns manufactured with a 3D printer.
• Creates standards for serialization for existing unserialized firearms at federally licensed firearms dealers and other federal licensees authorized to imprint serial numbers.
This legislation requires gun companies to serialize gun kits and goes one step further than today’s federal rule by requiring individuals who currently possess ghost guns to get them serialized.
Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Declares that it is the public policy of the State to prevent discrimination based on source of income in real estate transactions. Defines “source of income” as the lawful manner by which an individual supports himself or herself and his or her dependents. Provides that it is a civil rights violation for various people to participate in specified discriminatory actions related to real estate transactions because of an individual’s source of income.
Paul Arena, director of legislative affairs at the Illinois Rental Property Association, said if the bill is signed into law, landlords statewide will lose control.
“It’s a blank check for government to further control rental property moving forward, and that is why it is so dangerous,” Arena said.
Under the measure, landlords would continue to be able to screen tenants. However, if those tenants meet the landlord’s criteria, and the tenants use Section 8 subsidies, landlords would be required to sign Section 8 contracts and abide by Section 8 rules and restrictions.
The legislation also mandates that housing providers who require tenants or prospective tenants to have a certain threshold level of income must subtract any subsidies the tenant receives from the monthly rent before calculating if the income criteria have been met.
The bill’s sponsor, state Rep. LaShawn Ford, D-Chicago, said the law has been enacted in 19 other states with success.
“No one across the country that has this law has repealed it,” Ford said. “It is the right thing to do, and it was great negotiations because even the realtors decided to be in support.”
This story has been edited since initial publication to reflect changes to the legislation that were made before final passage and add a comment from a supporter of it. Also, the Illinois Realtors now support the measure.
Gotta read those amendments.
* More…
* Illinois lawmakers approve incentivizing nursing home quality with more funding: House Bill 246 would inject more than $700 million from state and federal tax funds annually into Medicaid-funded nursing homes to reform the facilities by offering a number of incentives for safe staffing. The measure also includes a pay raise for certified nursing assistants. More than $300 million would be used as incentive payments for nursing homes to increase their staffing levels up to or beyond certain target levels.
* Illinois lawmakers pass budget with more money for schools, tax relief for families: The Monetary Award Program, otherwise known as MAP, provides scholarships to students who demonstrate financial need. The fund has grown to $601 million in the latest budget plan and would give an additional 24,000 students funding for tuition and fees as they pursue an undergraduate degree. The maximum award for students increased from $6,438 last year to $8,508 this year.
* Proposal to remove NRG’s Waukegan coal ash ponds stalls in state legislature: Once the bill arrived in the House in late February, Mayfield said NRG and lobbyists like the Illinois Manufacturers Association, the Chamber of Commerce and others began to question members about the proposed legislation. “They took them to dinner and fed them misinformation,” Mayfield said. “There is still an opportunity for the bill to pass. Schrader, who said the company representatives testified several times before the legislature, claimed the legislation was aimed at one entity. He said there is existing law establishing a regulatory process to deal with coal ash ponds.
Criminals continue to feel empowered in J.B. Pritzker’s Illinois as brazen acts are committed repeatedly, and in some instances, on the Governor’s front lawn. In just one week, the Chicago Transit Authority saw five violent incidents that included stabbings and beatings on platforms in the Loop, and in one case a CTA employee was pushed onto the tracks. The CTA’s union president said that the “violence has gotten out of control.”
Carjackings continue to be an epidemic. An 18-year-old man who carjacked a rideshare driver downtown this weekend was the same individual who carjacked another driver in front of J.B. Pritzker’s front lawn in the Gold Coast last year.
Just last week we learned that a four-time convicted felon for gun possession and narcotics charges was paroled by the Illinois Department of Corrections and didn’t last six months before being arrested for carjacking, robbery, and heroin delivery. The Illinois Department of Corrections failed to revoke his parole and he was eventually released on electronic monitoring. Just nine days after being released, he was arrested again for drug dealing. He is now being held without bail.
“The simple truth is that criminals run rampant throughout Chicago and Illinois because they know J.B. Pritzker and Kim Foxx will not hold them accountable for their actions,” said Irvin for Illinois campaign spokesperson Eleni Demertzis. “We need leaders who will prioritize the safety of our citizens over criminals.”
Prisoner releases are gonna be the gift that keeps on giving for the GOP this year…
The Irvin for Illinois campaign is announcing a new list of 20 endorsements for Richard Irvin and Avery Bourne from law enforcement leaders across the state. The support from these influential leaders in our law enforcement community shows Irvin has a strong record in supporting police and giving them the resources they need to keep communities safe.
“I am thrilled to have the support of even more law enforcement leaders from across Illinois who will help me take our state back from out of control crime,” said Mayor of Aurora and gubernatorial candidate, Richard Irvin. “Working with law enforcement is essential to creating safe communities, and earning these endorsements today is one step closer to achieving that for Illinois.”
Sangamon County Sheriff, Jack Campbell, is backing Richard Irvin because he is the only candidate that can truly take Illinois back from sky high crime by working with law enforcement, not signing dangerous anti-police policies into law.
“Our great state of Illinois has been made less safe by politicians who backed false narratives, rather than enforcing the rule of law,” said Campbell. “They didn’t bother asking law enforcement for our input on the disastrous crime bill. Richard Irvin is the candidate who will listen to us and seek our counsel. I have gotten to know Mayor Irvin and he is the real deal. I believe he is the best chance to return safety and security to the forefront of Illinois politics.”
Brian VanVickle, Ogle County Sheriff and Past-President of the Illinois Sheriffs’ Association, spoke to Richard Irvin’s proven record as Mayor of Aurora, working with police and against Pritzker’s damaging crime policy.
“From Northern to Southern Illinois, Governor Pritzker’s crime bill has made all of our communities less safe,” said VanVickle. “In his time as Mayor, Richard Irvin has shown a blueprint for how he will govern, that he will work with local Sheriffs’ offices and empower law enforcement with the resources needed to keep our communities safe. Mayor Irvin is the best chance that we have to defeat Pritzker in November and reverse his dangerous pro-crime policies.”
Wilson ran for Mayor of Chicago in 2015, being one of several challengers to incumbent mayor Rahm Emanuel. […]
Wilson placed third in a five-candidate race with 50,960 votes, equal 10.66% of the votes cast. Wilson’s endorsement in the runoff was actively sought by both candidates Rahm Emanuel and Jesús “Chuy” García. Wilson endorsed García [who lost]
2016 U.S. presidential campaign
After setting up an exploratory committee on May 11, 2015, Wilson officially announced on June 1, 2015, that he would be running as a candidate for President of the United States in the 2016 election. He ran as a Democrat. […]
Wilson received 1,314 votes, or 0.35% of the total, in South Carolina […]
In the general election, Wilson voted for Republican nominee Donald Trump.
2019 Chicago mayoral campaign
In March 2018, Wilson formally announced that he would run a second time for Mayor of Chicago in the 2019 mayoral election.
During his campaign, Wilson generated controversy for handing out money to churchgoers. This practice of his was challenged before the Illinois State Board of Elections, which found that it did not violate any campaign finance laws since the money came from his non-profit foundation. […]
Wilson was endorsed by the Cook County Republican Party. Wilson failed to make it to the runoff, placing fourth with 59,072 votes, equal 10.61% of vote cast […]
2020 U.S. Senate campaign
In August 2019, Wilson expressed his intention to challenge incumbent United States Senator from Illinois Dick Durbin in 2020, running in the general election as an independent challenger to Durbin. Rather than run as an independent, he ultimately opted to run under the ballot line of his newly created “Willie Wilson Party”. […]
Wilson received 4% of the vote statewide, finishing in a distant third place. His highest support came from the majority-black wards of Chicago where he had done well in both his mayoral campaigns. Totaling up all 18 of Chicago’s majority-black wards, Wilson garnered 18.5% of the vote, well ahead of Republican Mark Curran, who received only 4%, but still far behind Durbin who received 75.9%
What Wilson has demonstrated so far is that he has a ceiling of about 11 percent in Chicago. His relationship with Rauner and Trump won’t help this time, either. Yes, Wilson could take votes away from Lightfoot in the first round. But I’m not sure those voters would be with her anyway.
