Illinois state Rep. Thaddeus Jones, who doubles as the mayor of Calumet City, is under federal criminal investigation for tax issues involving his campaign funds, according to a law enforcement source and records obtained by the Tribune.
The U.S. attorney’s office issued a grand jury subpoena in January to the Illinois State Board of Elections seeking records on three campaign funds controlled by Jones, according to a copy of the subpoena provided to the Tribune via an open records request.
The subpoena, dated Jan. 7, was pursuant to an “official criminal investigation” and sought quarterly campaign reports dating back to 2015 for the funds “Jones for Mayor,” “Jones for State Representative,” and “Citizens for Jones,” which is a political action committee that Jones heads.
The grand jury asked for underlying data supporting the quarterly reports, as well as emails or other communications that election officials had with Jones or the funds, and “any and all complaints” filed against the committees, according to the subpoena. The FBI was the underlying investigative agency on the investigation, according to the document.
* Background is here if you need it. There was no press release, but the governor appointed two members to the Prisoner Review Board today. One is former US Attorney Rodger Heaton, who was also Bruce Rauner’s last chief of staff. The other is attorney Robin Shoffner.
From the Senate Republicans…
State Senator Jason Plummer (R-Edwardsville) released the following statement after Governor Pritzker made two new appointments, Rodger Heaton and Robin Shoffner, to the Illinois Prisoner Review Board:
“The Prisoner Review Board plays a critical function in our state’s public safety, and I’m glad to see the Governor is taking steps toward addressing recent vacancies. For over three years, Governor Pritzker sought to avoid oversight and accountability by allowing his controversial appointees to fulfill his agenda until even Democrats had enough of his gamesmanship. It is my hope that the Governor learned from his mistakes and allows these individuals to undergo the proper Senate confirmation process. Transparency is foundational to a healthy democracy, and this should be about sound public policy, not politics. I look forward to vetting and reviewing these appointees to ensure they are best suited for this very important position.”
Governor JB Pritzker issued the following statement on the full passage of Senate Bill 257, a nation-leading piece of legislation that expands protections for survivors of sexual violence in the military.
“Survivors of military sexual violence deserve robust protection and that should not end when they leave their workplace. With this bill, our state will lead the nation, prioritizing victims’ safety and recovery, and holding perpetrators accountable,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “I want to applaud Leader Tony Munoz and Representative Stephanie Kifowit for their dedication to the protection of those serving in the military from sexual violence.
“Since I took office, my administration has delivered on a commitment to providing survivors of sexual violence with the protections and resources necessary for recovery. I am thankful to the General Assembly for their partnership in building on this work and ensuring survivors of sexual violence receive the support and compassion they deserve.”
* Carpenters…
Workers around the state have new protections to help ensure they are paid what’s owed to them under new legislation that passed the Illinois General Assembly on Friday.
HB5412 makes a primary contractor liable for the failure of a subcontractor to pay wages owed to its workers. The subcontractor would in turn be required to compensate the primary contractor for any wages, damages, interest, penalties or attorneys’ fees as a result of the subcontractor’s failure to pay wages.
Advocacy for the new primary contractor liability law was led by the Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council to hold cheating subcontractors accountable and level the playing field for contractors who play by the rules. The bill’s lead sponsors were House Assistant Majority Leader Marcus C. Evans, Jr. (D-Chicago) and Sen. Cristina Castro (D-Elgin).
“All of us in the Carpenters Union are thrilled to see the Legislature take action on this landmark legislation,” said Gary Perinar, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council. “We have been leading the fight against worker exploitation in every state, and Illinois is showing that hardworking men and women are valued and protected here. When workers are getting ripped off and not paid what they are owed, that should outrage every single person on a job site. I thank Senate President Don Harmon, Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, Leader Evans, and Senator Castro for their unwavering commitment throughout this process to support working families.”
In the construction industry, wage theft and tax fraud most often comes in two forms: paying employees in cash, and purposely misclassifying employees as independent contractors. In addition to the losses suffered by workers, wage theft and tax fraud forces the state to lose out on key revenue because cheating subcontractors are not paying income taxes, employment taxes for Social Security and Medicare, and contributions for workers’ compensation and unemployment insurance. A recent study from the Illinois Economic Policy Institute said 20 percent of construction workers in Illinois are victims of payroll fraud. Factoring in lost wages and benefits, this costs the state $186 million in lost revenue every year. In addition, a new study by the UC Berkeley Labor Center found that 34 percent of the families of construction workers in Illinois are enrolled in at least one safety net program at an annual cost of over half a billion dollars in public funds.
HB 5412 seeks to close the state’s tax fraud and wage theft loopholes and provide protections for exploited workers.
“If a worker gives his or her time on a job then they deserve to be paid no matter what,” said Rep. Evans, the House sponsor. “Bad actors who use workers, benefit from workers, and fail to pay workers will not be tolerated in the State of Illinois.”
Added Sen. Castro, the bill’s Senate sponsor: “Construction jobs are unique in that they often feature various subcontractors under one general contractor whose job it is to make sure all laws, including wage-related ones, are being followed. This measure will ensure that the hardworking individuals who are employed by subcontractors receive fair compensation should that subcontractor fail to pay them.”
* Yesterday…
Governor JB Pritzker issued the following statement after the full passage of House Bill 246, which reforms nursing home rates to incentivize higher staffing levels and quality improvements at facilities.
“For 45,000 vulnerable seniors in nursing homes across the state, the passage of HB 246 will mean improved care and accountability in the places they call home. For the first time, increased funding for nursing homes will be tied to staffing levels at these facilities, ensuring new funds go directly to improving care for our seniors instead of profit for owners and allowing us to hold bad actors accountable.”
“This legislation is the product of more than a year of hard work led by my Department of Healthcare and Family Services along with our partners in the General Assembly, stakeholders, and industry leaders. I applaud their work to protect our seniors and the leadership of Senator Gillespie and Representative Moeller to move this bill forward in the General Assembly.”
A bill adding two years to the state employee pension buyout program is going to the desk of Gov. JB Pritzker.
Pritzker announced Thursday House Bill 4292 has moved through the General Assembly. He released the following statement:
“I want to applaud Representative Bob Morgan and Senator Rob Martwick for leading the effort to add an additional two years to our state employee pension buyout program, which would be extended to June 30, 2026, under this legislation,” Pritzker. “Since the expansion we implemented early in my administration, the program has already led to overall liability reductions of $1.4 billion.
“My administration has always supported every constitutional action to address our pension structures while honoring promises made to retirees. This session alone, we are set to invest $500 million beyond the state’s required pension payment, reducing unfunded liabilities by $1.8 billion for taxpayers. I’m pleased to see the General Assembly send this legislation to my desk and look forward to our continued partnership in responsibly managing the state’s pension obligation.”
* Another…
The Illinois Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) State Lodge issued the following statements concerning the passage of Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 4667, legislation that allows all active duty and retired Illinois correctional officers to carry concealed firearms while off duty, a right that all other Illinois law enforcement officers have had for years under the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004:
“The Illinois FOP has been fighting for nearly two decades to get the same rights for correctional officers as for other police officers in Illinois, and the day of equality has finally arrived,” said Illinois OP Corrections Lodge 263 President Scot Ward. “Now more than ever in this dangerous, anti-public safety atmosphere, it’s vital that all public safety officers have an equal chance to protect themselves and their families from violent threats while they are off duty or after they are retired.”
“More than any other law enforcement professionals, correctional officers and their families face constant threats from dangerous, convicted felons who would not think twice about assaulting the men and women who helped to keep them confined in jails or prisons,” said Illinois FOP State Lodge President Chris Southwood. “This right to equal self-protection is long overdue, and will doubtlessly help to keep many hard-working correctional officers and their families safer in Illinois.”
The Fraternal Order of Police, founded in 1915, is the largest organization of sworn law enforcement officers in the United States. With a proud tradition of officers representing officers, the FOP is the most respected and most recognized police organization in the country. The Illinois FOP, chartered in 1963, is the second largest State Lodge, proudly representing more than 34,000 active duty and retired police officers - more than 10 percent of all FOP members nationwide. Visit www.ilfop.org for more information.
* More…
Gun Violence Prevention PAC President and CEO, Kathleen Sances issued the following statement in response to the passage of new legislation (HB 4383, SA 2) that will make ghost guns illegal in Illinois:
“Gun violence continues to pose a significant threat to people across Illinois, which is why I commend the efforts of the Illinois General Assembly today, as they took action to make ghost guns illegal. This legislation provides law enforcement with another tool to keep these dangerous weapons off our streets and makes our communities and neighborhoods safer.
“Ghost guns help dangerous individuals work around all of the significant gun control policies and regulations that we’ve fought so hard to put in place, which puts lives directly in the hands of violent actors. But now, thanks to all of the champions who stood up against the corporate gun lobby that puts profit over lives, we are one step closer to stopping gun violence in Illinois.
“I want to thank Representative Buckner, Speaker Welch, Senator Collins, and President Harmon for standing up and rejecting violence. Until our communities are safe for everyone — especially those that have been plagued by violence for decades due to severe disinvestment in critical programs and services that are proven to end violence — we will keep fighting to end gun violence, no matter what.”
The legislation now heads to the Governor’s desk. Illinois would become the twelfth state to enact a law to protect residents from ghost guns. The newly passed legislation protects Illinoisans by:
Immediately prohibiting the sale of unserialized gun parts that can be turned into guns.
• Existing unserialized gun parts must be serialized in 6 months.
• Existing unserialized guns must be serialized in 6 months.
Requiring serial numbers on guns manufactured with a 3D printer.
• Existing 3D-printed guns must be serialized in 1 month.
• Going forward, 3D-printed guns must be serialized during the manufacturing process.
Creating standards for serialization for existing unserialized firearms at federally licensed firearms dealers and other federal licensees authorized to imprint serial numbers.
• Unique serial numbers will be applied to firearms.
• Licensees must keep records outlining pertinent details of the serialized firearm.
* Press release…
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 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.”
Supported by a broad coalition, including AIDS Foundation Chicago, pharmacists, medical providers, HIV & LGBTQ advocacy groups, and community advocates, HB4430 will work to offset the persistent barriers that those most vulnerable to HIV, especially in Black and Latinx communities, face in accessing equitable health care and HIV prevention drugs.
The Getting to Zero Illinois (GTZ-IL) dashboard illustrates that all genders, races, racial and ethnic groups and geographic regions in Illinois are affected by HIV; however, they are not affected equally/
“This bill will cut down on waiting times and provide potentially life-saving care to thousands of Illinoisans,” said State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago). “Doing so will especially help reduce new HIV transmissions among Black cisgender women, LGBTQ+ people, Latinos, and those who lack health insurance.”
Chicago Public Schools are not allowed to enforce their COVID-19 vaccine or testing mandate on teachers and other staff who sued the district over the policy, a judge ruled Friday.
Sangamon County Circuit Court Judge Raylene Grischow issued a temporary restraining order in the case brought by six CPS staff. […]
Plaintiffs said their constitutional and statutory rights of due process are being violated by the policy.
“Plaintiffs raise a legitimate issue as to what authority the Board has to implement a policy that mandates vaccination given the IDPH is the entity that has “general supervision of the interest of the health and lives of people of the state,” Grischow wrote. “As this court previously held, vaccines and testing are forms of quarantine which are subject to due process.”
She said CPS has not cited any statutory authority to create such a policy.
“Plaintiffs have due process rights in need of protection which must be afforded to them before they can be excluded from the public school building and prevented from performing their world duties due to their decision not to be vaccinated or submit to testing for COVID-19,” she said. “When a right such as the one being violated here is alleged, irreparable injury is satisfied.”
For the last I don’t know how many months on our visits to the Capitol, we have been protected by the team from SHIELD, testing us every few days to make sure that we are safe to be with our friends in the Capitol.
I will tell you that in more than a decade playing baseball, I have not expectorated in front of anybody on the planet as much as I did in front of these folks. And I also know that I was not the only one. They processed the saliva for hundreds of people a day, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
So as we wrap up the session and hopefully never trouble them again, I thought it was appropriate for us to thank them by inviting them over to the Senate gallery. So with us today are Kevin Mayer, Shawn McGee, Andy Ellis, Yaa Kwakye, Sue Lee, Natasha Roy and Elizabeth Badmus. I want to thank you and I’m sure the entire Senate wants to join me in thanking you for your service. [Applause.]
I’d like to add my thanks as well. They were always courteous, friendly and helpful. I never heard any of them complain about anything.
* From the synopsis of Senate Floor Amendment 2 to HB1568…
…a State policeman, investigator for the Secretary of State, conservation police officer, investigator for the Department of Revenue or the Illinois Gaming Board, investigator for the Office of the Attorney General, Illinois Commerce Commission police officer, or arson investigator under the Tier 2 provisions is entitled to an annuity calculated under the alternative retirement formula, in lieu of the regular or minimum retirement annuity, only if the person has withdrawn from service with not less than 20 years of eligible creditable service and has attained age 55 (instead of age 60), regardless of whether the attainment of age 55 (instead of age 60) occurs while the person is still in service
Sen. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro): I’m actually supportive of your bill here. But when pension changes were made a few years back, the [correctional] officers that fall under the same SERS issue now have to work until they’re 67 years old. 67 years old in a prison is extreme. Why did you not add those additional individuals to this bill?
Sen. Rob Martwick (D-Chicago): Thank you, Senator Bryant. And I think you make a valid point. I personally would agree with you. They weren’t added in this bill because this bill was designed for recruitment and retention of police officers that are addressing crime in our streets. And so that was the intention of it. I will tell you that I will give you my word, I will be happy to work with you on legislation in the future to bring correctional officers in. I think that they should be entitled to some sort of purchase credit and all that. It is not contained in this bill, but I will be happy to work with you on that in future legislation.
Sen. Bryant: Thank you. I appreciate that help. It’s extremely unfair to have correctional officers working until they’re 67 years old when we know that the life expectancy of a correctional officer is 59 and a half. So we basically set them up to not be able to draw their pension until far beyond their life expectancy. So I’ll take you at your word, I support you on this bill and would appreciate if you’d support me in the future on a bill.
The bill passed 42-2 (Republicans Syverson and Wilcox were the only opponents). It now goes to the House for concurrence.
…Adding… Cost…
Ill senate passes Hb1568 from Sen. Martwick that lowers retirement age to 55 from 60 for state police who participate in state pen system to create parity with chicago/downstate …cost is $5 million a year adding $140M to $200M to unfunded liablities through 2045 payment ramp.
— yvette.shields@arizent.com (@Yvette_BB) April 8, 2022
A measure to help medical professionals get more tests into the hands of individuals who battle opioid addiction cleared the General Assembly thanks to State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago).
“This measure will help save lives,” Peters said. “We still have a long way to go, but removing these penalties is a responsible way to address the opioid crisis and to create real public safety for all instead of continuing the misguided policies of the past.”
House Bill 4556 is designed to expand on a 2019 law, the Overdose Prevention and Harm Reduction Act, which authorized government agencies and non-governmental organizations to create needle and hypodermic syringe exchange programs. This measure would increase the number of persons and professions in the medical community who would not be penalized for possessing a limited residual amount of a controlled substance as part of the drug testing process.
Additionally, the supplies would be required to be stored at a medical office with limited access and would be available to designated workers such as an advanced practice registered nurse or physician assistant.
“We need to ensure that all communities in our state are protected and that they know what is going into their body,” Peters said, “I’m glad that the General Assembly is taking this important step to make sure that people will not be left to the wolves of the fentanyl overdose crisis.”
The measure passed the Senate on Thursday.
* Press release…
The Illinois chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots network, released the following statement after the Illinois Senate passed HB 4729, legislation that would require the Department of Public Health to develop and implement a comprehensive 2-year statewide secure gun storage public awareness campaign. The bill now moves to Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker’s desk to be signed into law. State Representative Maura Hirschauer, a former Moms Demand Action volunteer, sponsored the legislation while it was in the House of Representatives.
“We’re proud that our lawmakers continue to prove their commitment to gun safety by prioritizing legislation, like this bill, and taking meaningful action to address our state’s gun violence crisis,” said Cameron Baltrum, a volunteer with Students Demand Action in Illinois. “Secure storage education is a lifesaving measure that can reduce prevent gun violence by preventing youth access to firearms, which can address school shootings, unintentional shootings, and gun suicide, before it happens. It’s critical that all gun owners are informed about the importance of secure storage – Governor Pritzker should quickly sign this bill into law.”
Nationwide, an estimated 54 percent of gun owners don’t lock all of their guns securely and it’s estimated that 4.6 million children live in a home with at least one unlocked and loaded gun.. Gun owners can make their homes and communities safer by storing their guns securely — unloaded, locked, and separate from ammunition.
According to Everytown’s new gun law rankings report, Illinois has the sixth strongest gun safety laws in the country and is a national leader in enacting gun violence prevention laws. Learn more about gun violence in Illinois here.
* Press release…
Crime survivors will soon have a new voice in public safety policy making thanks to the efforts of State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago).
“I fundamentally believe that public safety must belong to the people,” Peters said. “This measure will center crime survivors and put them at the center of the conversation without fear of repercussion.”
House Bill 4736, which would help invest in community-centered public safety by creating a Crime Reduction Task Force to develop and propose ways to reduce crime across the state. The Crime Reduction Task Force would be made up of a bipartisan group of senators and representatives, alongside law enforcement, advocates, legal and criminal justice professionals and survivors. The measure would also establish a co-responder pilot program.
The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority would also establish a grant program open to organizations and units of local government to assist in the creation of anonymous tip hotlines or other systems to crime victims and witnesses. Additionally, this measure makes improvements to the state’s existing witness protection, which requires the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority to create a program to assist victims and witnesses who are actively aiding in the prosecution of perpetrators of certain crimes.
“Everyone in every zip code should feel comfortable being able to walk down the street,” Peters said. “No matter where you are, or who you are or where you live you should deserve to feel comfortable and safe. This measure does that by expanding witness protection and by incorporating the voices and needs of stakeholders and survivors.”
The measure passed the Senate on Thursday.
…Adding… Press release…
The Illinois Senate adopted a plan by State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) to invest in child care services for workers with non-traditional schedules, such as law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMS personnel and more.
“Finding reliable child care can be difficult for first responders and other third shift emergency workers,” Glowiak Hilton said. “By creating the Off-hours Child Care Program Fund, Illinois is working to increase accessibility for parents in public service who work non-traditional hours.”
Under Glowiak Hilton’s proposal, the Department of Human Services would be required to establish and administer an Off-Hours Child Care Program to assist first responders and other workers with access to off-hours, night, or sleep time child care. The program is subject to appropriation.
“Many state child care facilities don’t offer services outside of normal work hours,” Glowiak Hilton said. “This measure will help fund child care for hardworking individuals serving our communities.”
House Bill 1571 passed both chambers and moves for final consideration by the governor.
* Another release…
ELGIN – A new payment system will drive meaningful reform for safer nursing home care in Illinois under a measure introduced by State Rep. Anna Moeller now headed to the Governor.
Rep. Moeller, D-Elgin, led the effort in the Illinois House with a 113-0 vote Thursday night on House Bill 246, a negotiated reform package after years of concerns about unsafe, unhealthy conditions in Medicaid-funded nursing homes across the state.
Concerns from patient and worker advocates about low wages and staff shortages led to intensive legislative hearings and discussions over the past year, and ultimately this compromise package aimed at holding nursing homes accountable to provide safer living conditions for residents. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the problem, with the Illinois Department of Public Health estimating nearly 8,000 residents and 100 staff members died – accounting for nearly one-quarter of all COVID-19-related deaths to date.
The new package:
• Provides more than $700 million in increased funding, more than $500 million of which comes from federal matching dollars
• Shifts funding to ensure workers receive higher pay, and facilities receive more funding as they hire more staff and improve safety ratings
• Ties for the first-time nursing home funding to health equity, increased staffing levels and accountability
• Requires increased ownership disclosure of nursing home facilities and systems
Rep. Moeller noted in comments to her colleagues that all of the hours of negotiations among nursing home operators, patient and worker advocates, lawmakers and the Pritzker administration were made worth it after hearing a number of horror stories in hearings last year from patients and their families about deplorable, dangerous living conditions.
“This is the culmination of several years of hard work, negotiation and listening to families of residents in nursing homes to understand how the conditions are affecting the quality of life for the most vulnerable in our communities,” Moeller said. “I want to thank Governor Pritzker, Healthcare and Family Services Department Director Theresa Eagleson and her staff, Senator Ann Gillespie, Senate and House Staff, IHCA, Leading Age and AARP for their work in negotiating and advocating for these reforms. Because of resistance in the industry, these reforms took many years to introduce.”
“This is a bill that we can all be very proud to vote for tonight. It’s one step in a long process to ensure that the most vulnerable in our state receive the best quality care and the safest facilities in our nursing homes.”
* Another…
The Southland Reactivation Act, championed by State Representative Anthony DeLuca (D-Chicago Heights) and State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex), passed the Illinois Senate on Friday.
“This will help bring new business to the Southland by incentivizing the revitalization of commonly overlooked properties,” Joyce said. “This legislation is a major victory for our Southland community.”
The act would create a tax abatement incentive to property developers who purchase commercial and industrial property in the Southland. The bill targets commercial and industrial properties that have shown a clear pattern of economic stagnation or decline of real estate taxes as a result of depressed conditions. The property must be located in Bloom, Bremen, Calumet, Rich, Thornton or Worth Townships in Cook County.
“The Southland Reactivation Act is an exciting economic tool we can use to attract investment to our community,” DeLuca said. “By encouraging businesses to move into the area and create jobs, we’ll create an environment that expands the local tax base and drives down property tax costs on homeowners.”
Identified properties that meet qualifying criteria would be assessed at 50% of the last known equalized assessed value. For the first year a property is certified as a southland reactivation property, the aggregate tax bill liability for the property cannot exceed $100,000. Discounts on the liability would decrease gradually, but continue for a total of 12 years.
“South suburban municipalities are thrilled with the passage of the Southland Reactivation Act and look forward to having a new economic development tool in our toolkit to get tax exempt and long vacant commercial and industrial property back on the tax rolls”, said Kristi DeLaurentiis, South Suburban Mayors and Managers Executive Director. “This innovative law will allow communities to address blight and bring in new investment, new jobs, economic recovery and tax base growth benefitting everyone.”
The Southland Reactivation Act is contained in Senate Bill 3189. The legislation passed the Illinois Senate and now heads to the governor for further action.
* Another…
To make housing more accessible to families with nonwage income, State Representative LaShawn Ford and State Senator Ram Villivalam passed legislation to prevent housing providers from discriminating against a prospective applicant’s source of income.
“Source of income fair housing protections will have a major positive impact on ensuring a more just and equitable housing market across our state, as well as addressing systemic racial and economic segregation,” Ford said.
House Bill 2775 adds “source of income” to the Illinois Human Rights Act’s protections against discrimination in real estate transactions, making it a civil rights violation to refuse to consider an individual for housing solely based on their source of income. Over half of Illinois households have been susceptible to source of income discrimination because they earn non-wage income, such as social security, retirement income and public assistance. In addition, about 99,000 households who use Housing Choice Vouchers to pay their rent often experience source of income discrimination.
“No one should be denied housing when they have the means to make the rent,” Villivalam said. “Too often, individuals on government assistance, single mothers receiving child support or seniors on fixed incomes are turned away solely based on where they receive their income each month.”
Sharon Norwood helped advocate for the legislation based on her own past struggles to rent a home using a Housing Choice Voucher.
“Having statewide source of income protections will help people avoid what happened to me. I had to give up my voucher, because I could not find a landlord to rent to me in the community I wanted my family to live in,” Norwood said. “Once I gave up my voucher, I did find a landlord who rented to me, but I was paying a lot more rent than I could afford because of it.”
The legislation was advocated for by the Illinois Coalition for Fair Housing, which has more than 130 organizational members, including Access Living, Chicago Area Fair Housing Alliance, Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Housing Action Illinois, HOPE Fair Housing Center, Housing Choice Partners, Illinois Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (RAC-IL), Northside Community Resources, Shriver Center on Poverty Law and Working Family Solidarity. Background information and a list of all coalition members are available at https://www.housingchoicepartners.org/soi-campaign.
“For far too long our neighbors utilizing Housing Choice Vouchers to help pay for their rent had to endure the disrespect caused by source of income discrimination and the resulting exclusion from the communities that were always theirs. Today the State of Illinois said ‘no more’,” said Michael Chavarria, Executive Director of the HOPE Fair Housing Center.
Passage of HB 2775 brings Illinois in line with the 19 other states across the country that have similar laws. In Illinois, Chicago, Cook County, Naperville and Urbana already have source of income fair housing ordinances.
The coalition that advocated for passage of the bill urges Governor Pritzker to sign the bill into law as soon as possible.
* And…
To help ensure construction workers are properly compensated, State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) spearheaded a measure to allow construction workers employed by a subcontractor who fails to pay them to seek remedy from the primary contractor.
“Construction sites can involve a complicated network of multiple subcontractors and dozens of workers,” Castro said. “When subcontractors fail to pay their workers, we have a duty to ensure there is a mechanism in place for workers to receive their hard-earned wages.”
In a typical construction project, commercial property owners or developers will hire a primary, also called a general, contractor to oversee a project. The general contractor will hire and coordinate with subcontractors, such as ones specializing in painting, window installation, electrical and more. Subcontractors employ their own workers to carry out their part of the project.
Under House Bill 5412, if a subcontractor fails to pay an employee, goes bankrupt or cannot pay their employee for any other reason, that employee can file a legal claim with the general contractor for any unpaid wages and benefits. Additionally, it requires the subcontractor to compensate the general contractor if this happens.
“Unfortunately, people experience the very real burdens of wage theft when companies cheat their way out of paying out a paycheck,” Castro said. “This measure will not only ensure hardworking men and women are paid for their labor but also incentivize general contractors to be better business partners with their subcontractors and have a vested interest in their success.”
The legislation includes exemptions for residential rehab and small commercial projects and does not include projects where a homeowner acts as their own general contractor. Additionally, it adds a statute of limitations for when complaints can be filed and creates a task force to consider innovative ways to bring bond reform to the construction industry.
* Cases are up by 28 percent since last Friday. The 7-day rolling daily average for new cases is now 1,541 compared to 1,204 last Friday, which is also a 28 percent increase. The case positivity rate is up 23.5 percent, from 1.7 percent to 2.1 percent. The test positivity rate is up 35 percent, from 1.7 to 2.3. Those are still pretty darned low, though. The lagging indicators are still lagging. Hospitalizations are still plateaued, with 500 reported last Friday and 502 reported today (it was 470 on March 25). ICU usage has dropped by 15 percent after a rise of 14 percent the week before. Ventilator usage is essentially unchanged after a 21 percent drop the week before. Deaths are still trending down (18 percent drop compared to 20 percent the week before). Vaccinations are up 138 percent from last week, likely because the second booster show has been approved for some folks. From IDPH…
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today reported 10,786 new confirmed and probable cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Illinois, including 71 deaths since April 1, 2022.
Currently, IDPH is reporting a total of 3,080,436 cases, including 33,465 deaths, in 102 counties in Illinois since the beginning of the pandemic. The age of cases ranges from younger than one to older than 100 years. Since April 1, 2022, laboratories have reported 505,189 specimens tested for a total of 57,898,053 since the beginning of the pandemic.
As of last night, 502 individuals in Illinois were reported to be in the hospital with COVID-19. Of those, 62 patients were in the ICU and 24 patients with COVID-19 were on ventilators.
A total of 21,509,463 vaccines have been administered in Illinois. The seven-day rolling average of vaccines administered daily is 19,926 doses. Since April 1, 2022, 139,480 doses were reported administered in Illinois. Of Illinois’ total population, more than 76% has received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose, more than 68% of Illinois’ total population is fully vaccinated, and more than 50% is boosted according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Data indicates that the risk of hospitalization and severe outcomes from COVID-19 is much higher for unvaccinated people than for those who are up to date on their vaccinations.
The preliminary seven-day statewide case rate is 85 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 Illinoisans. The preliminary seven-day statewide positivity for cases as a percent of total tests from April 1– 7, 2022 is 2.1%. The preliminary seven-day statewide test positivity from April 1-7, 2022 is 2.3%.
The case rates for COVID-19 are no longer declining and are rising in some areas of the state and have plateaued in other areas over the last 2 weeks. However, hospitalizations and deaths continue to remain low at this point in time. Given that the spread of COVID-19 is not showing signs of further waning, it is critically important that those who continue to be at high risk for serious illness take the following precautions:
• Getting vaccinated and staying up-to-date on recommended booster shots is the best way to protect yourself, your loved ones and friends.
• If you are in an area with rising COVID-19 infections, wear a mask if entering indoors spaces with other people present and consider avoiding large gatherings.
• Stick to well-ventilated areas if you are not wearing a mask indoors around others people.
• If you feel flu-like symptoms, self-isolate and stay home from work; and obtain a test as quickly as possible.
• If you test positive, talk to you provider immediately so you can get COVID-19 treatment within 5 days of starting to feel sick. Also, communicate about the positive result with any persons you have been in close contact within two days of falling sick or testing positive.
• Continue to frequently wash your hands and cover coughs and sneezes.
In addition, on March 29, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued updated guidance that authorized a second booster dose for certain segments of the population at least four months after the first booster dose. This applies to adults over 50 years of age, and to immunocompromised individuals over 12 years old. The CDC also recommended a second booster dose with an mRNA vaccine for all those who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine for both their primary dose and their first booster, four months after their first booster dose. Those who already received an mRNA booster dose after their initial Johnson and Johnson primary vaccine do not need an additional booster unless they are either over the age of 50 years or immunocompromised.
The State of Illinois remains strongly positioned to respond in the event of a new COVID-19 surge. The State stockpile of tests is nearly fully replenished, with more than 1.5 million rapid tests on hand, and a half a million more on the way in the coming weeks. The State has also instructed hospitals, schools, and local health departments to consider their current testing capacity and take all preparations necessary. The State is also in communication with pharmacies and healthcare providers about increasing their inventory of the various FDA-approved treatments in case of another surge. 99.4% of Illinoisans have a pharmacy or clinic providing or dispensing treatment within 20 miles of where they live.
All data are provisional and are subject to change. Additional information and COVID-19 data can be found at https://dph.illinois.gov/covid19.html.
Vaccination is the key to ending this pandemic. To find a COVID-19 vaccination location near you, go to www.vaccines.gov.
The federal government has established a new website that provides an all-purpose toolkit with information on how to obtain masks, treatment, vaccines and testing resources for all areas of the country at: https://www.covid.gov/.
An amendment filed this week would require gas retailers to post a 4×8 inch sign on pumps, sharing that the tax increase is suspended. Non-compliance would be a petty offense and result in a $500 dollar fine each day.
“You can’t force businesses or any person to utter speech that they disagree with, or they don’t want to say,” Sharp said.
Sharp called the measure political.
“I think the reasoning behind it is so that the General Assembly can attempt to leave Springfield and say that they did something about high gas prices, when in fact they really didn’t,” Sharp said.
* As I told subscribers earlier this week, the same thing was done in June of 2000…
SB 1310 provides that a sign shall be placed on each pump by the motor fuel retailer that states; “As of July 1, 2000, the State of Illinois has eliminated the State’s share of sales tax on motor fuel and gasohol through December 31,2000. The price on this pump should reflect the elimination of the tax.” This sign shall be at least 4 inches by 8 inches and any retailer failing to display this sign shall by guilty of a petty offense and be fined $500 for each retail premises violating the sign requirements.
New evidence reveals Amazon’s culpability for the deaths of 6 workers in a warehouse collapse last year in Edwardsville, Illinois. Documents obtained by More Perfect Union show that the support beams in Amazon’s warehouse weren’t anchored to the ground — a grave violation of international building code.
When a tornado struck the Amazon facility on December 10, 2021, the warehouse collapsed killing six people. One of them was a 26-year-old delivery driver named Austin McEwin. The McEwin family has since filed a lawsuit against Amazon, and is represented by Jack Casciato of Clifford Law Offices. The attorneys on this case filed a FOIA with the West County EMS & Fire Protection District, and learned that the support beams in the warehouse were not properly anchored to the ground, violating international building code and leading to the deadly collapse.
“Looking at the base of the columns more closely, I could find no weld or bolted connection at the base of any column,” reads the report. “An examination of several of the empty pockets where columns once stood also did not reveal any indication of positive securement of the columns at or below the finished floor level.”
The investigation also revealed that Amazon began receiving severe weather warnings about an impending tornado near Edwardsville as early as December 9, 2021, a full day before the tornado struck. Instead of sending workers home, Amazon forced workers to stay through the storm, placing profits over people and costing six workers their lives.
A spokesperson for the Clifford Law Offices confirmed today that they are making the allegation.
* The pension-funding angle is the absolute right fiscal take, and I made this very point to subscribers today. But if this was the obviously more politically popular option, the governor, Democratic leadership and the Republicans would’ve already demanded it. Hannah Meisel…
Two Democratic legislators who spoke on the condition of anonymity told NPR Illinois that the planned $50 [tax refund] checks were not terribly popular within either Democratic caucus, and predicted it wouldn’t be all that popular with constituents either.
One of the members said it was a total miss to not use the extra revenues — “a once in a lifetime opportunity” — to make a much bigger lump sum payment into Illinois’ pension systems than the $200 million contained in the budget deal. Along with $300 million in federal stimulus money committed to the state’s pension fund last month, the state will be saving an estimated $1.8 billion over the next few decades. But the member said it could have been much more.
“Every crisis we’ve had in this state financially has been caused by surging pension debt when we have down years,” the Democrat said. “And when we have down years, we’ve either cut spending on pensions, which has only made that problem worse, or we’ve cut back on essential services like education, healthcare and human services.”
The other Democratic member agreed, echoing Republicans’ favorite recent criticism to use against Pritzker.
“I think for people that make a substantial amount, a $50 or $100 check is not going to make much of a difference in their lives,” the member said. “I think those individuals might prefer to see the state putting that money to a different use, [like] investing in critical human service programs. It feels a little gimmicky.”
Of course it’s gimmicky. But one-time money should only be used for one-time things. Making an argument for putting that temporary cash into the permanent spending base will put us right back into trouble.
Bailey, for what it’s worth, said that he pulled a Democratic ballot that year in an effort to thwart the potential nomination of Hillary Clinton. It was part of an effort spearheaded by conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh known as “Operation Chaos.”
The Irvin campaign dismissed this explanation, with spokeswoman Eleni Demertzis saying that “the facts show he never could have been a part of any ‘Operation Chaos’ since that took place a month after the Illinois primary.”
Bailey spokesman Joe DeBose, however, said that Bailey did indeed participate “in Operation Chaos with thousands of Republicans, which Rush Limbaugh started talking about in 2007″ even if it was not an “official” operation until after the Illinois primary.
* Press release…
Dan Brady announces the endorsement of the Associated Firefighters of Illinois for his campaign for the Republican nomination for Illinois Secretary of State.
“As someone who has spent their legislative career supporting our first responders, I am honored to have the endorsement of the Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois” Said Brady. “Their endorsement adds to the growing momentum of our campaign.”
Allegations that gubernatorial candidate Jesse Sullivan’s petitions contain hundreds of fake signatures are untrue and a “political stunt” by McHenry County businessman and Republican rival Gary Rabine, a Sullivan spokesman said Wednesday.
The Rabine campaign filed an objection on March 21 to Sullivan’s petitions with the Illinois Board of Elections contending they show “an utter and contemptuous disregard” for Election Code provisions.
“There is evidence of roundtabling … when a group of circulators sit around a table falsely signing petitions in the name of voters to submit to election authorities,” the objection states. […]
“Jesse Sullivan and (running mate) Kathleen Murphy will be on the ballot,” Sheinbaum said. “This fishing expedition is nothing but a last-gasp political stunt from a floundering opponent’s campaign.” […]
“In my opinion, Rabine has a long way to go,” said Pat Durante, former top aide to U.S. Rep. Henry Hyde and a veteran DuPage County GOP strategist. But “this is a very powerful challenge.”
DuPage County voters now have the option to get on a permanent vote-by-mail list that will allow them to receive vote-by-mail ballots for every election. Previously, voters had to apply for a new mail-in ballot for each election.
The change, effective for the first time in 2022, comes after the Illinois General Assembly passed a law in 2021 to make permanent vote-by-mail signup an option.
“Permanent vote-by-mail increases voting choices. Nothing else is taken away,” DuPage County Clerk Jean Kaczmarek said in a news release.
Kaczmarek added, “Voters may still vote in person on Election Day or during Early Voting. Also, voters may continue to choose a one-time-only mail ballot.”
Anna Valencia has come out with a series of policy initiatives in her bid for Illinois secretary of state. She wants to create a DMV online payment portal, launch an app, stand up self-service kiosks to renew vehicle registrations, and implement “blockchain solutions to protect data.” The goal, her campaign said in a statement, is to “modernize government.” (It’s not an oxymoron.) Valencia led a similar modernization effort in the Chicago City Council, where she serves as clerk, by instituting electronic voting. Policy initiatives spelled out here
As state Rep. Kam Buckner of Chicago prepared recently to plead guilty to driving under the influence charges leveled against him in Springfield, the 36-year-old called the arrest a learning experience from which he planned to grow.
It was Buckner’s second guilty plea to DUI charges under strikingly similar circumstances, public records show. The first occurred nearly a decade earlier in Urbana. In each case, police said they found Buckner asleep behind the wheel of a running car. […]
Buckner pleaded guilty to driving under the influence in September 2010, and was sentenced to 24 months of court supervision and 200 hours of public service, according to Champaign County court records.
Buckner said he has not hidden the 2010 DUI, and said he has also spoken about it publicly, just like he has the 2019 Springfield case.
“It’s a moment that I wasn’t proud of, right, it’s a moment that I can’t take back,” Buckner told the Tribune this week. “It’s a moment that I can only learn from both personally, spiritually, professionally, which I have done.”
Getting this out of the way now, well ahead of the mayoral race, will do far less damage. I mean, it’s coming out anyway. Control it.
* There are a ton of court cases decreeing that this is not a hard and fast requirement for candidacy statements…
A Republican candidate from North Aurora has dropped out of the race for Illinois’ 14th Congressional District seat, a spokesman said Thursday.
Susan Starrett formally withdrew from the contest late Wednesday afternoon. In a statement sent through a spokesman, Starrett said family medical issues prompted the decision.
“Be assured that I’ll never stop looking for ways to fight for the conservative values I believe so strongly in, but family will always come first, as it has today,” Starrett said. […]
Both [petition objections] alleged the candidacy statement she submitted to the Illinois State Board of Elections with her nominating petition wasn’t notarized as required by law.
* Republican secretary of state candidate John Milhiser…
Last night, WCIA released a story chronicling Democrat candidate for Secretary of State Anna Valencia’s history of pushing city contracts to clients represented by her husband. The story states that “over the course of several years, official and personal correspondence shows clear evidence that Valencia spent a significant portion of her time in office paving the way for projects that directly benefited her husband.”
John Milhiser released the following statement on this latest update:
“If these are the actions of Governor Pritzker’s preferred Secretary of State, then what else is being condoned in Illinois government? These are not the actions of a public servant, but those of a career politician, taking advantage of taxpayer dollars for personal gain. I have spent my career investigating and prosecuting crime and corruption, and as Secretary of State I will end this culture of corruption that has been allowed to continue during the Pritzker Administration.”
Thursday, March 16, 2016 – Orange Barrel Media (OBMSMG LLC) registers in Ohio.
Wednesday, August 30, 2017 – Orange Barrel Media LLC registers as foreign corporation in Illinois.
Thursday, October 12, 2017 – Orange Barrel Media changes name to IKE Smart City LLC.
Thursday, January 11, 2018 – IGNITE Consulting LLC (dba IGNITE Cities) registers in Illinois.
Thursday, May 31, 2018 – Valencia’s office forms an unpaid “partnership” with Spins, LLC and Black Dog Corporation to provide “healthy food options” to teens at an event with the City Clerk’s office. The partnership provided public exposure for two companies that have paid her husband $52,000.
Wednesday, July 11, 2018 – Ignite Cities promotes Valencia’s speech at a City Tech Collaborative Event.
Thursday, July 12, 2018 – Ignite Cities’ George Burciaga shares a stage with Chicago City Clerk Anna Valencia where Burciaga talks about becoming profitable.
Saturday, July 14, 2018 – Ignite Cities posted a photo of Valencia with former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel praising the rollout of the CityKey.
Saturday, July 21, 2018 – Burciaga posts a picture to Twitter with Valencia, mentions Microsoft and MasterCard, companies his firm would later list as partners. After Ignite partnered with Mastercard, Mastercard’s program launched a new card “City Key” that is similar to Chicago’s CityKey, but also allows for electronic fund transfers.
Tuesday, September 25, 2018 – Illinois Medical District puts out RFP for Innovation District Broadband Project.
Monday, October 15, 2018 – Burciaga and McKinney sign a $50k consulting contract between Illinois Medical District and Ignite Cities, where [Valencia’s spouse Reyahd Kazmi] works as Managing Director. The contract vaguely describes “business development services within the Illinois Medical District.” The consulting services included “The alignment of CEO’s initiatives with global partners to reframe smart district offerings that can scale, replicate, and become profitable for the Illinois Medical District.”
[Date Redacted] – Documents reviewed by Target Three investigators show Kazmi Advisors LLC signed a consulting contract with Ignite Cities for a flat monthly fee. Nothing in the document prohibited Kazmi Advisors, LLC from charging lobbying or consulting fees to additional companies involved in the same deal.
Monday, March 4, 2019 – IMD and Ignite Cities announce the launch of the country’s “first ‘smart’ medical district in a press release. The announcement includes a public statement from Kazmi.
Monday, September 30, 2019 – Reyahd Kazmi and Anna Valencia congratulate Dr. Suzet McKinney on the launch of a new Starbucks in the Illinois Medical District. A press release lists AT&T as one of the other companies to open there soon.
Monday, November 11, 2019 – Valencia emails MasterCard about “printing keys for the returning citizens.” She says, “I’m waiting on my royalties from MasterCard for stealing our name.” MasterCard’s City Key initiative is spelled almost identically as the city of Chicago’s CityKey.
Thursday, November 21, 2019 – Illinois Medical District CEO Dr. Suzet McKinney signs a contract with IKE Smart City, LLC to install digital kiosks at prime locations around the city. The contract offers IMD a higher share of revenue if the government agency assists IKE Smart City in getting the “necessary approvals” to install the devices. Public records show Kazmi is a registered lobbyist for IKE Smart City, LLC.
Wednesday, December 18, 2019 – Burciaga presents Ignite Cities’ public-private partnership plan to put 20 IKE digital kiosks up in the Illinois Medical District. IKE proposes spending $2M up front and $600k per year to maintain the kiosks. Burciaga offers IMD 20% of ad revenue from kiosks, and estimates the deal will net IMD $3 million in revenue. Burciaga’s presentation listed corporate logos from “partners” Crown Castle, Cisco, Verizon, MasterCard, AT&T, Quantela, and Microsoft, though the extent of those companies’ involvement or consent remains unknown.
Monday, January 27th, 2020 – Anna emails MasterCard officials to set up a January 28th meeting to discuss how the credit card company can “grow existing efforts from a payment perspective,” and “next steps for technical integrations.”
Thursday, May 14, 2020 – Valencia aide advises her to use personal email to send invitations for a meeting with the head of the Illinois Medical District, and recommends to avoid using the Office of City Clerk government logo. Valencia responds, “I want my logo.”
Monday, June 15, 2020 – Valencia receives email praising a “productive meeting to discuss opportunities to align efforts between the IMD and the OZ Consortium.” An investment strategy document is attached.
Sunday, July 4, 2021 – New Orleans mayor’s office awards contract to investment firm JLC Infrastructure. The mayor’s office copies Burciaga in the email.
Wednesday, July 22, 2020 – Valencia lobbies Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot to review her “strategy and prospectus” for the Illinois Medical District, which had already signed a deal with her husband’s firm.
Thursday, October 1, 2020 – Valencia attends Accelerator for America advisory council Zoom call with Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. Shamina Singh, Founder & President, Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, was also in attendance.
Thursday, October 29, 2020 – Valencia receives an email from Accelerator for America about a Memorandum of Understanding and “investment strategy” with Obsidian Investment Partners for the Illinois Medical District project.
Monday, December 14, 2020 – Valencia rejects a meeting with Chicago Alderman Michael Scott to discuss the Illinois Medical District project because she doesn’t have the MOU yet. Scott’s wife Natashee Scott was previously Valencia’s senior advisor.
Monday, September 20, 2021 – Kazmi Advisors LLC signs lobbying contract offering “political advising” and “relationship management” to Ohio-based OB365 LLC (Orange Barrel Media LLC).
Friday, September 24, 2021 – George Burciaga connects New Orleans city officials with Anna Valencia and suggests that she help promote the city ID program which would provide “access to city services, relief funding and banking services.”
Saturday, September 25, 2021 – Valencia enlists the help of her Chief of Staff and two other government aides to join the conversation.
Monday, September 27, 2021 – Valencia aide schedules a meeting with the mayor of New Orleans’ office for the next month.
Tuesday, December 14, 2021 – City of New Orleans dismisses ‘conflict of interest’ accusations that Ignite Cities was rigging smart city contracts.
Thursday, January 21, 2021 – City of New Orleans asks Burciaga for help explaining the “scope of services” in a smart cities project.
Monday, January 24, 2022 – Kazmi lobbies the City of Chicago Parks Department on behalf of Orange Barrel Media (aka Orange Barrel Media) and offers some sort of revenue sharing deal.
Tuesday, January 25, 2022 – Chicago Park District official describes Kazmi’s pitch as “primarily a marketing opportunity for the OBM company.”
Monday, February 14, 2022 – Kazmi reaches back out to Park District officials and says he is “putting together possible locations with revenue numbers.”
Tuesday, March 15, 2022 – NBC 5 Chicago reports Valencia and Kazmi failed to disclose his income as a lobbyist.
Wednesday, March 16, 2022 – Valencia “admits to honest mistake” in omitting husband’s lobbying income in ethics forms, according to NBC 5 Chicago. Ethics complaint filed against Valencia and Kazmi for failing to disclose lobbying clients.
Friday, March 25th, 2022 – NBC 5 Chicago reports Valencia modified ethics forms to note husband’s lobbying income.
Friday, April 1, 2022 – US Ignite LLC files lawsuit against Ignite Cities alleging trademark and patent infringement.
Monday, April 4, 2022 – Target 3 investigators ask the Valencia campaign why Kazmi’s lobbyist registration documents are missing important information about his role on a state board.
On three separate occasions, Kazmi registered as a lobbyist and did not disclose his position on a state board. As a result, his name did not appear on the Secretary of State’s lists of lobbyists who hold public office. The law states lobbyists could face fines or potentially be barred as a lobbyist in Illinois for each violation.
The Secretary of State’s office does not respond to questions seeking comment about Kazmi’s incomplete registration forms.
Tuesday, April 5, 2022 – The Illinois Medical District tells Target 3 it is “no longer considering” installing the digital kiosks. A spokesman says, “Logistical challenges were encountered that made it difficult to implement the project.” He explains a snazzy promotional video that was updated to include digital kiosks “started as an imagined vision of the long-term goal.” He says it “shouldn’t have been an assumption that we were going to include every single thing in that video.”
Wednesday, April 6, 2022 – Kazmi amends his state lobbyist registration form to note that he serves on a state board on Governor Pritzker’s Youth Budget Commission.
[Yesterday], U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) called on Marie Newman and Iymen Chehade to publicly release the details of the settlement at the heart of the US House of Representatives investigation into Rep. Marie Newman for promising federal employment to Mr. Chehade in exchange for his political support.
“I first ran for Congress in 2018, in part in response to the ethical lapses of Donald Trump,” said Rep. Casten. “Public service is a trust, and our entire democracy is jeopardized when voters have reason to believe that any elected officials are placing our personal self-interest above the public good. Ethics matters.”
“Until now, I have declined to comment on the investigation into Marie Newman to give her the opportunity to clear the record herself. It has been over five months since the nonpartisan Office of Congressional Ethics unanimously voted to further the investigation into Marie Newman. Five months of silence is unacceptable. It is time for her to level with the public.
“Here are the facts:
• The nonpartisan Office of Congressional Ethics found “substantial reason to believe” Marie Newman bribed a political opponent. (Page 1)
• Congresswoman Newman signed a contract with Iymen Chehade, promising him a taxpayer-funded job paying at least $135,000 (Page 11).
• In email exchanges shortly before the contract was signed, OCE’s investigation revealed that Mr. Chehade proposed he would not ‘announce or submit his candidacy’ for the 3rd Congressional District in exchange for the position Congresswoman Newman later promised him (Page 10).
• Iymen Chehade is now on Marie Newman’s campaign payroll and was paid over $54,000 between July 1 and December 15th last year. (Source)
“On multiple occasions, Congresswoman Newman has dismissed these credible charges against her as partisan – taking zero accountability even as a left-leaning ethics organization has repeatedly expressed alarm at her actions.
“In eight days, the next quarterly FEC report is due. Congresswoman Newman still faces questions voters deserve to know the answer to. How much of the money entrusted to her by her campaign donors has she promised to pay Iymen Chehade? Has she made any promises to pay him with taxpayer-provided funds? Does the settlement provide Mr. Chehade with any input on her policy positions or impact on her votes, as suggested may be the case based on her email exchanges with Mr. Chehade? What did Mr. Chehade commit to provide Congresswoman Newman in exchange for the cash payments?
“Rep. Newman can answer these questions, and owes it to the voters to do so. They have given us their trust. They deserve the truth. That starts with releasing the details of her settlement with Iymen Chehade and releasing Chehade from his non-disclosure agreement so he may fully cooperate with the investigation.”
Newman’s campaign has not answered repeated requests to explain if there was a connection between the lawsuit settlement and Chehade’s new job. On Thursday, Newman campaign spokesman Ben Hardin said in response to Casten’s disclosure call, “Our campaign cannot legally comment on the settlement that Rep. Casten is referring to.” […]
Chehade said in a statement, “It’s disappointing” that Casten “is using a labor agreement as a cheap tool for political gain at a time when so many working people in Illinois are facing hardships.” […]
The OCE report included an e-mail exchange between Chehade and Newman. At 1:57 a.m on Oct. 27, 2018, Chehade sent his employment proposal to Newman, where he states he agreed not to run for Congress and “in exchange,” Newman will hire Chehade, as her chief foreign policy adviser to focus on Palestinian-Israeli issues.
He made the highly unusual demands for him to never have to meet with any representative from the Israeli government and to have the final word on her policy positions.
Chehade’s statement equating his sweet little “labor agreement” to struggling workers is just absurd.
* Related…
* Press release: Casten Lambasts GOP Hypocrisy on Today’s Gasoline Prices & Energy Efficiency: Imagine a world where the Republican party praised the President for raising the price of oil by 24 percent. That sounds crazy, right? And yet it’s exactly what happened two years ago this month when Trump threatened to remove U.S. troops from Saudi Arabia unless they cut oil production. Oil prices are not set by the President; they are a function of global supply and demand. But when the President pressures another country to slash supply, the price at the pump – and oil industry profits – surge accordingly. That’s exactly what happened in April of 2020. The GOP praised Trump’s approach. What’s more, nearly 50 of my Republican House colleagues wrote a letter directly to the Saudi Crown Price demanding that he cut crude output. They wanted higher oil company profits, so they forced a reduction in supply to make it happen. Fast forward today: the same Republicans who pressured Saudi to cut oil supply and increase prices just two years ago are now berating President Biden for using the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to BOOST supply AND opposing every effort to boost our energy efficiency and cut fossil fuel demand. So why, you might ask, would a party that fought to raise oil prices two years ago also be fighting to raise the price of oil today? Because given a choice between your wallet and the fossil fuel industry, the GOP will always take from you to subsidize them.
*** UPDATE *** The gloves are definitely coming off…
Congresswoman Marie Newman’s campaign spokesperson Nick Uniejewski released the following statement in response to Congressman Sean Casten’s call for her to disclose a settlement agreement:
“As Rep. Casten is aware, this settlement can not legally be discussed. Voters should, however, be aware of several recent lawsuits encompassing Rep. Casten, after being accused of an effort to enrich himself at others’ expense as well as the current federal investigation in which Rep. Casten is accused of a federal felony for illegally coordinating his campaign and his father’s Super PAC against former female primary opponent Kelly Mazeski.”
“Casten’s fossil fuel company, Recycled Energy Development (RED) was sued in 2015 and 2016 for gross mismanagement and using investors’ money to line his family’s own pockets. After allegedly transferring money to his own family, misreporting on financial reports, and shafting individual investors, the lawsuits were settled.”
“If anyone has a pattern of questionable ethics in this race, it’s Rep. Casten. The unanswered questions about Rep. Casten’s ethics, transparency, and accountability need to be answered:
• Rep. Casten never answered questions about his current and active FEC complaint and investigation into the allegation of a federal felony where he, his campaign, and his father’s Super PAC illegally coordinated to oust a progressive female primary opponent, all under one roof.
• Sean Casten has never had to answer for his numerous lawsuits where he is accused of fleecing investors, in some cases draining them of their entire retirement savings.
…Adding… From the Casten campaign…
Hey Rich,
I saw Newman’s response to our release and wanted to clarify something. There is no “federal investigation” into Rep. Casten. A Newman donor did file an FEC complaint against our campaign, but to say that Rep. Casten is being “investigated” for anything isn’t just misleading, it’s factually wrong.
The day before the General Assembly is set to adjourn, Democratic leaders on Thursday announced they had reached an agreement on the state budget, touting more than $1.8 billion in tax relief for inflation-strapped residents.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker joined state Senate President Don Harmon and House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch at a statehouse news conference to share details of the plan, repeatedly using phrases such as “fiscally responsible” and “collaborative leadership” to describe what Pritzker dubbed “a responsible, compassionate budget.”
But Illinois Republicans had other words, blasting the budget’s underlying framework as “untenable,” and accusing Pritzker of painting “a rosy picture” and relying on “an avalanche of federal bailout cash.”
In their 16-minute news conference outside of the governor’s office, Pritzker and the Democratic leaders never mentioned the amount of overall spending called for in the budget proposal, which had not yet been filed.
“Over the last few weeks, especially over the last 48 hours, we have engaged in a true give-and-take, which led to genuine compromise,” Pritzker said. “It honestly felt that we all came into this process committed to a fiscally responsible spending plan that improves our state’s finances and helps people in an hour of genuine need.”
Democrats are looking to defend their control of state government in November and are eager to present a unified front during an election year when the state’s financial picture is brighter than it has been in decades.
But the party faces potential headwinds from rising inflation and crime, issues Republicans have been hammering all year as they seek to cut into the Democrats’ legislative supermajorities and recapture a statewide office. […]
Welch disputed the notion that Republican lawmakers weren’t included in budget talks, saying House Republicans participated in budget hearings Wednesday and Thursday and voted in favor of the Democrats’ revenue proposal.
“They haven’t been left out of the process,” Welch said. “When they choose to participate is totally up to them.”
Welch said people should recognize that lawmakers are getting a budget out much earlier than normal. The spring session usually ends on May 31, but Democrats scheduled a shortened session to allow people time to campaign before the primary election on June 28.
The Speaker said Democrats were intentional in allowing Republicans and the press a full day to review the initial budget proposal. Welch noted that Republicans participated in a budget hearing Wednesday and were invited to a meeting Thursday where GOP members had no questions for Democrats.
Business tax incentives are also in the Democrats’ proposal.
State Rep. Mike Zalewski, D-Riverside, said the consumer tax cuts are temporary, but the business incentives are permanent.
“That’s a fair way to assess it, I would say,” Zalewski said during a committee hearing this week. “The business tax credits are already in statute and we’re extending them, I would say.”
* This is Majority Leader Greg Harris’ last state budget…
Governor JB Pritzker issued the following statement on the budget agreement with Democratic leadership.
“For the past three and a half years, my partners in the General Assembly and I have worked to right this state’s fiscal ship and ensure state resources are responsibly directed to government’s fundamental purpose: uplifting working families,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Today, leaders in both chambers have come to an agreement on yet another responsible, balanced budget that does just that. Our plan delivers more than $1.8 billion in tax relief to Illinois residents, adds $1 billion to our state’s long-depleted Rainy-Day Fund, and doubles down on our efforts to make unprecedented investments in public safety.
“I thank Speaker Welch, Senate President Harmon and their teams for a productive negotiation process that always placed the best interests of Illinoisans at the forefront. Once again, Democrats are demonstrating that ours is the party of fiscal responsibility — and there’s nothing more responsible than putting working families first. I look forward to passing our third consecutive balanced budget through the legislature, signing it into law, and delivering real relief to working families across Illinois.”
###
DEMOCRATS’ FISCAL YEAR 2023 BALANCED BUDGET
A strong economic recovery paired with responsible fiscal decisions has resulted in the state’s largest surplus in more than two decades. Democrats have worked to ensure Fiscal Year 2023’s budget puts money back into the pockets of hardworking families, invests in critical public safety measures, supports human services, and saves for a rainy day.
After a strong economic performance in the first quarter of this calendar year, revenue projections have been revised upward from the Governor’s proposed budget by approximately $2 billion over FY22 and FY23.
$1.83 BILLION IN TAX RELIEF FOR WORKING FAMILIES
• Suspend the tax on groceries for one year – saving consumers $400 million
• Freeze the motor fuel tax for six months – saving consumers $70 million
• Double the property tax rebate – up to $300 per household
• Permanently expand the earned income tax credit – putting $100 million per year back into the pockets of working families who need it most
• Provide direct checks to working families
o $50 per individual
o $100 per child, up to three children per family
Income limits: $200,000 for individuals and $400,000 for joint filers
• Back to school tax relief for families and teachers – saving $50 million
Total relief for working families: $1.83 billion
$1.2 BILLION FOR LONG-TERM FISCAL STABILITY
Builds on $4.1 Billion in Debt Paydown in SB2803
• $1 billion for Budget Stabilization Fund
• An additional $200 million pension payment, bringing the total pension payment over what is required to $500 million dollars and saving taxpayers more than $1.8 billion.
o These measures are in addition to the debt payment outlined in SB2803, which included $230 million for College Illinois and $898 million for Group Health Insurance bill backlog.
PUBLIC SAFETY INVESTMENTS
Invests more than $200 million on top of the Governor’s proposed budget to support public safety measures, invest in the tools law enforcement needs to prevent and solve crimes and strengthen investments in violence prevent programs that keep communities safe.
…Adding… SGOPs…
In response to the recent budget announcement from the Governor and Democrat Leaders, Senate Republican Leader Dan McConchie issued the following statement:
“What is most unfortunate about the Democrats’ budget plan is we have an opportunity right now to provide permanent tax relief for the people of Illinois, yet instead, the Democrats are choosing to provide one-time checks and other temporary relief just before the election which expires right after the election. Additionally, we are significantly increasing government spending. Evidently, they think they know how to better spend your money better than you do.”
* The HGOPs take the opposite tack…
Deputy Republican Leader Tom Demmer (R-Dixon) and Republican Floor Leader Mark Batinick offered the following comments on Governor Pritzker’s federally-funded budget that ignores the financial pressures in Illinois’ immediate future.
Deputy Republican Leader Tom Demmer:
“A year and a half ago, Gov. Pritzker was threatening Illinois voters with draconian cuts or across-the-board tax increases unless they approved his $3.4 billion tax increase amendment. But voters said no.
“Now, as Gov. Pritzker is running for re-election, he’s used the avalanche of federal bailout cash to paint a rosy picture of the state budget.
“But the facts show a different story. This year’s budget increases spending by 8% on state operations, while revenues are projected to decline by 1% over the same period—which makes this budget framework untenable. The problem is that Gov. Pritzker’s budget spends as if voters approved his tax hike—but they didn’t. When the federal bailout runs out, Gov. Pritzker will revert to pushing his tax hikes, and voters will be threatened again.”
Republican Floor Leader Mark Batinick:
“This isn’t a triumph of good management; the state is simply experiencing an inflation-induced sugar high. When the state crashes we will still have the same problems, but without the federal funds to bail us out. No structural changes have been made. No permanent property tax relief has been extended, and no regulatory relief has been implemented. Eventually, the pressures of inflation will catch up to the expense side of the ledger. There are storm clouds on the horizon.”
…Adding… Comptroller Mendoza…
Comptroller Mendoza’s statement on the budget agreement:
I am very encouraged by the budget agreement announced by Gov. Pritzker, Speaker Welch and Senate President Harmon:
• A full billion dollars that the state will NOT spend and will instead divert into the Rainy Day Fund to protect us from economic downturns. That’s responsible budgeting.
• $500 million extra to pay down the state pension shortfall – saving taxpayers $1.8 billion. That’s responsible budgeting.
• Property tax rebates up to $300 and other relief for working families including a break on grocery sales tax.
I commend them on reaching this agreement. I strongly urge the legislature to swiftly adopt this fiscally responsible budget, keeping us on the path to further credit upgrades.
SGOP BUDGET PROPOSAL SB 4195: SALES TAX CAP ON GASOLINE (permanent)
Cap the state sales tax on gas at 18 cents per gallon. This proposal will not affect the state’s budget as the state was never anticipating this windfall of money, nor will it impact infrastructure projects. This could save consumers up to 16 cents per gallon, depending on the price of gas. Illinois is one of just seven states that charge a sales tax on top of the gas tax. While both the state and federal gas taxes are a flat tax, which means the tax does not change with price of fuel, Illinois also charges a sales tax (6.25 percent) on top of the motor fuel tax, which increases as gas prices increase. This proposal would be permanent, meaning, that if Illinois were ever to see another crisis, this provision would already be in place and would ensure that consumers are never paying more than 18 cents per gallon in sales tax on gas.
*Compared to the Democrats’ plan to freeze the Motor Fuel Tax, which will only prevent consumers from paying 2-3 cents more per gallon when the scheduled increase will take effect in July. The Democrats’ plan will also sweep money from the Underground Storage Tank Fund, which has approximately 5,000 projects pending. Their plan also sets up two gas tax increases in 2023 (after the election). Essentially, the plan just delays the increase.
SB 4164: CUT SALES TAX ON FOOD AND PRESCRIPTION DRUGS (permanent)
Eliminate the 1% sales tax on food (i.e. groceries) and prescription drugs/medical devices. Estimated taxpayer savings: around $434 million per year.
*Compared to the Democrats’ plan to suspend the tax just on food temporarily.
SB 4161: SENIOR INCOME TAX EXEMPTION (permanent)
Increase the additional exemption seniors receive on their Illinois income tax from $1,000 to $2,000.
Estimated taxpayer savings: $40 million per year.
*Compared to the Democrats’ plan to only provide a tax credit for a small amount of seniors.
SB 4163: PROPERTY TAX INCOME TAX CREDIT (permanent)
Increase the property tax income tax credit from 5% to 10%. Estimated taxpayer savings: $500 million per year.
*Compared to the Democrats’ plan to provide one-time rebate checks right before the election.
SB 4186: CHILDCARE TAX CREDIT (permanent)
Creates a childcare credit in an amount equal to 25% of the federal tax credit for each qualifying child.
Estimated Cost: $37.5 million
EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT INCREASE FROM 18% TO 20% (permanent)
*Similar to Democrats’ plan.
TEACHER TAX CREDIT INCREASE FOR SUPPLIES (same as Democrats’ plan)
FULLY FUND 8% TRANSERS TO LGDF
*Compared to the Democrats’ plan, which would give a one-time $100 million transfer to LGDF
BREAST PUMP SALES TAX EXEMPTION (same as Democrats’ plan)
VARIOUS OTHER TAX EXTENSIONS FOUND IN DEMOCRATS’ PLAN
TOTAL PERMENANT TAX RELIEF: $2.2 BILLION
This plan provides for a BALANCED BUDGET with a $14 million surplus, all while providing Illinoisians with PERMANENT tax relief.
So, they want to subtract $2.2 billion from the annual revenue base (assuming they make local governments whole after permanently eliminating that food and medicine tax) and leave the state with just a $14 million cushion?
The Illinois House of Representatives rejected a measure Wednesday night designed to provide protection to consumers in the case of a contract dispute between an insurance company and a health care provider.
“The main gist of it is to provide network adequacy, to get rid of ghost networks, and transparency,” said Rep. Sue Scherer, D-Decatur, on the House floor Scherer is the chief sponsor of the bill.
The bill, HB 1463, was rejected by the House on a vote of 40-21-7, with 50 of the House’s 118 members not voting on the measure. It needed 60 votes to pass. […]
“Tomorrow, if I want to answer who’s owned by the insurance companies, guess what? I’m handing them a roll call and you try to explain it,” said Scherer.
“If you just don’t care, why are you even here?” she added.
Legislation to include motorcycles in the discussion of electric transportation—specifically to incentivize the purchase and use of electric motorcycles—was advanced by both chambers of the General Assembly Wednesday evening.
“ABATE of Illinois is pleased the General Assembly overwhelmingly passed SB2940. When signed into law, this will ensure all motorcycles, including electric motorcycles, are included in the future of Illinois transportation,” said Ryan Hubbard, State Coordinator for ABATE of Illinois. “Motorcycles are a primary mode of transportation for thousands of riders in Illinois, and their inclusion in transportation planning is an important part of ensuring everyone can return home safe after every ride.”
When the Clean Energy Jobs Act passed in 2021 with electric vehicle language that specifically excluded motorcycles, ABATE of Illinois made it a priority to remedy the issue. The changes in Senate Bill 2940 ensures electric motorcycles are considered when planning infrastructure and provides an incentive of $1,500 towards the purchase of an electric motorcycle.
“The transition to electric vehicles will affect all forms of transportation. As a longtime supporter of motorcyclists in Illinois, I wanted to make sure they were treated equally when it came to this transition,” said State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria), chief sponsor of the bill in the Senate. “I’m proud of the work we’ve done to bring together stakeholders to secure motorcycles as part of the future of transportation in Illinois.”
Senate Bill 2940 passed both chambers of the General Assembly with no opposition. The bill had over 30 Senate sponsors and 60 House sponsors, including the Speaker of the House and House Minority Leader.
“The unanimous bipartisan support of SB2940 by the General Assembly sends a clear message that motorcycles will continue to be accounted for when planning the future of transportation,” said Josh Witkowski, State Legislative Coordinator. “ABATE of Illinois looks forward to having the Governor sign this bill and join with the General Assembly in their support of Illinois motorcyclists.”
* Press release…
To offer financial relief to struggling wine makers, the Illinois Senate adopted a measure championed by State Senator Rachelle Aud Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) to lower licensing fees for first-class manufacturers.
“Wineries are unique small businesses providing service to residents and visitors throughout the entire state,” Crowe said. “By re-implementing the previous licensing fees, we can offer financial support to wine operators as they work to recover following pandemic-related burdens.”
In partnership with the Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association, Crowe’s measure lowers the licensing fees for first-class wine manufacturers to $750 if renewed online and $900 for initial or non-online certification. Under a law passed in 2021, the fees were raised to $1,200 if renewed online and $1,500 for initial licenses and non-online.
“Wineries in Illinois offer diverse experiences, but the industry endured similar hits during the pandemic due to a business model built almost exclusively on social visits, tastings and in-person sales,” Crowe said. “Wineries play a critical role in developing local economies and tourism, and I will continue to explore initiatives to help producers grow their operations.”
Senate Bill 1001 moves to the House for further consideration.
* Press release…
This week, the Illinois Senate unanimously passed legislation filed by State Representative Chris Bos (R-Lake Zurich), House Bill 4593, to hold those who sexually abuse children accountable. The legislation, which previously passed the Illinois House in February, is now ready for the Governor to sign into law.
“The unanimous passage of House Bill 4593 in both the House and Senate says to victims in a unified voice that we see you, we hear you and we will not let your abusers off the hook for their depraved actions,” said Bos.
Under the legislation, those who pay for sex would no longer be able to claim they did not know the person they solicited for sex was underage or was a person with an intellectual disability and use it as an affirmative defense. This change in the law would place the burden on the exploiter who solicited the sex to prove they did not know their victim was underage or disabled, rather than placing the burden on the victim.
Bos, an advocate for victims of sexual exploitation, noted during the debate on the House floor in February that the majority of the underage who are exploited are victims of human trafficking who have been forced or manipulated into their sexual abuse.
“Making it harder for these predators to escape justice is vital to ensuring fewer children and vulnerable people become victims,” said Bos.
State Senator Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods) carried the legislation in the State Senate. Speaking of his support, Bos said, “I’m proud to have a partner like Sen. McConchie working alongside me, and other advocates, in the fight against sexual exploitation.”
* Press release…
To better recognize the historic injustices that Black farmers face in the agriculture industry, State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) is leading a measure to create the Agriculture Equity Commission.
“For far too long, our Black famers have been systemically pushed out of the agriculture sector of Illinois,” Simmons said. “My goal is to see this commission address the root issues and find actionable solutions to give Black farmers justice in the largest job producing sector in Illinois.”
The commission would reflect representation of socially disadvantaged communities, businesses, and farmers, and include academics, policy experts, and legislators who are experienced in agriculture and related matters.
In 1920, Illinois had 892 Black farmers, and Black Americans owned 14% of the nation’s farmland. As of the 2017 Agricultural Census, there are 188 individually Black-owned farms which make up a combined 40,412 acres. Out of the 116,417 agricultural producers in Illinois, 267 are Black and 115,896 are Caucasian. Farming is Illinois’ top job producing industry.
“I want to thank the stakeholders who worked with Rep. Sonja Harper and me on this timely legislation,” Simmons said. “I appreciate the bipartisan nature of the passage and look forward to righting the wrongs of previous generations.”
House Bill 5201 passed the Senate and awaits further consideration.
* Press release…
State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) championed a measure that passed the Senate Wednesday that would give people another option to become an organ donor.
“In January 2010, I received a kidney transplant,” Belt said. “After living on dialysis for a year, I understand how important organ donors are.”
House Bill 4696 would allow the Department of Natural Resources to offer online hunting license holders the opportunity to be redirected to the First Person Consent Organ and Tissue Donor Registry. On average, 300 people die each year waiting for an organ donation. More than 4,700 Illinois residents are waiting for an organ or tissue donation. In 2020, there were 7 million Illinoisans registered as organ donors.
The first-person consent law provides an opportunity to save more lives and ensures that your wish to be an organ/tissue donor is honored. Prior to the first-person consent registry, many Illinoisans who signed the back of their driver’s license as a donor were unaware that family consent was still required in order for donation to occur.
“Organ donors save hundreds of life,” Belt said. “This measure would make it easier for individuals who hold hunting license to join the organ registry.”
House Bill 4696 passed the Senate with bipartisan support and heads to the governor’s desk.
* Coming late to this…
Echoing action taken around the world in response to Russia’s unwarranted invasion of Ukraine, state Rep. Lindsey LaPointe, D-Chicago, passed a comprehensive effort Tuesday to welcome Ukrainian refugees to Illinois and end state investment in Russian financial interests.
“It is absolutely tragic to see the senseless pain and suffering that has been forced on the Ukrainian people,” LaPointe said. “We have a moral obligation to stand up against Russian aggression, it’s important for Illinois to send a strong message and impose new rules that target the financial support for Putin’s war machine.”
“We’ve all witnessed the horrors taking place in Ukraine at the hands of Vladimir Putin, and his actions continue to threaten democracy around the world,” said House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch. “What the Illinois House passed today won’t stop Putin’s war, but it ensures Illinois is collectively pulling every lever possible to support the Ukrainian people. I want to congratulate Representative LaPointe for her hard work on this consequential piece of legislation.”
LaPointe introduced House Bill 1293, which puts Illinois on a path to divest from Russian stocks and sovereign debt, including money found in the Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS), State Universities Retirement System (SURS) and funds directly overseen by the Illinois State Board of Investment (ISBI). Systems not controlled by the state, including the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) are strongly encouraged to follow the state’s lead in divestment. Russia’s war ally Belarus is also targeted for disinvestment.
Additionally, the proposal would provide the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) emergency rulemaking powers to begin a Refugee Resettlement Program that could provide health care, mental health services and English language assistance to Ukrainians and others who are granted temporary protected status or refugee status.
House Bill 1293 also includes a plan to develop a Money Laundering in Real Estate Task Force that would assess the exposure of residential, industrial and commercial real estate sectors in Illinois to illicit Russian investments.
“I know there’s been a strong local response in support of the Ukrainian people, and I’m grateful for those who have taken time to donate to those in need,” LaPointe said. “There’s no place for this kind of violence in the world, let’s do our part as a state to make an impact.”
LaPointe’s measure passed the House Tuesday without opposition, and heads to the Senate for consideration.
…Adding… The Democrats held caucus meetings on these bills and every member but one of the Black Caucus and Latino Caucus voted for this particular bill. This is one person complaining. Not saying he doesn’t have a point about the bill itself. Politico…
SLEIGHT OF HAND: Moderate Democrats in Springfield pulled a familiar move Wednesday to ram a series of public safety bills through the House. They brought up the bills the same day as the vote, giving little time for progressives to study the language and no time for the public to comment.
It’s the kind of move Democrats make on Republicans when they want to get legislation passed quickly.
“My concern is that I can’t sell this to people in my district because it doesn’t make them feel safer,” Democratic Rep. Curtis Tarver II told Playbook.
He points to House Bill 1103, a new measure that would prevent law enforcement from using cameras on expressways to profile people. Problem is, if someone is concerned about a video and wants to see it, the Illinois State Police wouldn’t have to answer a FOIA because it doesn’t have the staffing to do so (even though the governor and both chambers are pushing to beef up cadet classes so there would be more employees to process FOIAs). The legislation also requires that the video be deleted after 180 days.
“It doesn’t set a good precedent to allow an agency without any proof of a unique hardship to exempt itself from FOIA, then simultaneously require that agency to destroy the very evidence that could prove profiling,” said Tarver, who didn’t vote on the bill.
HB 1103, along with other public safety measures pushed by moderate Democrats, passed the House with Republican support and are headed to the Senate, where they could be taken up as early as today.
…Adding… Press release…
Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz (D-Chicago) spearheaded a measure through the Senate that would require people to keep record of the sale of catalytic converters.
“Catalytic converter thefts have skyrocketed,” Munoz said. “Too often innocent people come to find parts missing from their car, leaving them without transportation. We have to find a way to end these senseless crimes.”
House Bill 107 would add catalytic converters to the definition of recyclable metal, requiring record keeping on the purchase of catalytic converters. The license plate number of the vehicle, photographs or video of the seller, a verified name and address of the seller, and a signed declaration by the seller stating that the catalytic converter was not stolen would be required.
In addition, the measure would prohibit a recyclable metal dealer from purchasing a catalytic converter with a value over $100 with cash.
According to a recent ABC report, Illinois ranks third in the nation for catalytic converter thefts with over a 300% increase since 2019.
“This measure tightens the law that many find a way around,” Munoz said.
House Bill 107 passed the Senate and now heads to the governor’s desk.
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) today announced that Illinois’ Class of 2021 ranked third in the nation and topped all Midwestern states for the
largest 10-year increase in the percentage of public high school graduates scoring a 3 or higher on an Advanced Placement (AP) Exam during high school.
While 26.9% of the Class of 2021 scored a 3 or higher on an AP Exam during high school — giving them college credit at any public college or university in Illinois — not all students in the state have access to AP opportunities. Two-thirds of school districts in Illinois did not enroll any students in AP courses last year.
The AP Course Implementation Grant aims to change that by giving school districts extra resources to expand access to AP courses. Research by The College Board shows that students who take AP courses and exams are much more likely to save money on college tuition costs and complete a degree on time.
Arguably more pertinent are more recent investments by Pritzker personally. As reported in state disclosure documents, they include a membership interest of undisclosed size in funds run by Bridgewater Associates and Two Sigma Investments.
Bridgewater’s investments included money in the Chinese sovereign wealth fund, which effectively is the investment vehicle for the Chinese government. Two Sigma, in turn, was one of the largest investors in three large Chinese firms delisted by the New York Stock Exchange as per U.S. rules for being too close to the Chinese military.
Is that a problem? Though Griffin had an explanation for the security investment—he thought the firm could grow with Olympics contracts—it didn’t look good at first glance. Similarly, Pritzker doesn’t look very good if his money is in companies that can’t trade in the U.S. because they’re tight with the Chinese military.
According to the oppo report I saw, those two investments predate his blind trust. They showed up on his 2017 financial disclosure. The trust was formed in January of 2019.
* From the Pritzker campaign…
“Governor Pritzker is not invested in Hyatt or Marmon and hasn’t been for years. The governor has never had management authority in either company and is not involved in any investment decisions. Richard Irvin is once again grasping at straws to deflect the focus from his megadonor Ken Griffin’s shocking, intentional investments in gun manufacturers and ammunition companies, right-wing media and Russian propaganda, and the Chinese Communist Party’s anti-democratic surveillance efforts.
“Upon taking office, the governor voluntarily moved his remaining personally held assets into a blind trust, the terms of which prevent him from even communicating with the trustee let alone make any decisions over the trust’s assets. Likewise, Governor Pritzker voluntarily distanced himself from other pre-existing trusts of which he is a beneficiary, even though those trust arrangements did not give him any authority over individual asset investment decisions to begin with. It is ludicrous to compare a mutual fund that the governor has no control over to a direct investment in surveillance technology used by the Chinese Communist Party.”
When I pointed out that those two assets predated the blind trust’s formation, I was told this…
(T)hose trust arrangements did not give him any authority over individual assets investment decisions to begin with. You’re comparing an intentional decision [by Ken Griffin] to invest in a Chinese surveillance company with a hedge fund that [Pritzker] had no investment authority over.
Let’s put some other names to this story and see what folks think. Lori Lightfoot’s wife (or ex-wife, what’s it matter), Amy, takes an executive position with a developer who received $15 million in 2019 from the City towards the $100 million redevelopment of the former Michael Reese site. This firm is run by Lightfoot’s former campaign treasurer and the company is still doing business with the city and still drawing down from these City incentives.
Anyone think this might not be a front page story in Chicago?
You might also throw in the fact that the former campaign treasurer used to donate office space to Irvin’s campaign in his company building and donated money to his former law partner who is running for judge.
* Jenna Severson at Economic Security for Illinois…
Hi Rich,
I’m providing you with the first look at the full data file the Coalition to Make EIC Work has used to present our case to expand Illinois’ Earned Income Credit. We created district-specific palm cards and found that members were quite interested in sharing them with each other to compare. We thought you might want to publish the whole list.
Here is a breakdown of how the Earned Income Credit currently benefits each district.
The data come from the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) based on IRS filings from the most recent full tax returns (2019). The figures for 2019 EIC amounts are compiled by the Institute for Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP).
Since its inception in 2000, Illinois’ Earned Income Credit has funneled more than $3 billion dollars directly back into communities. The Earned Income Credit benefits Illinoisans in every zip code and every district in the state. In 2019 alone, the Earned Income Credit brought nearly half a billion dollars ($418,602,960) to 946,220 tax filers in the state.
It should be noted how dramatically EIC benefits suburban and rural communities.
Senator Omar Aquino is the lead sponsor of the EIC expansion legislation. While EIC provides a significant benefit to Senator Aquino’s constituents, many low wage workers in poverty are living in the suburbs, and for that reason a number of suburban Senate districts actually receive far more benefit from the EIC than Senator’s Aquino’s. For example: two of the Senate districts with the highest amounts of EIC benefits received are suburban (Holmes & Glowiak-Hilton). See the chart below or full spreadsheet.
If we expanded the Earned Income Credit to immigrants who file taxes with an ITIN number and childless adults aged 18-24 and over 65, nearly one million (955,471) Illinoisans would become newly eligible for the credit. The impact would be thousands of newly eligible households in each Senate and House district, and along with it, millions more invested across the state.
The spreadsheet has both Senate and House districts. Click here.
* Related…
* House Dems release $45.6 billion budget as negotiations continue: While the House Democrats’ plan includes direct payments to Illinoisans, it would apply to only those currently eligible for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit. Those qualifying for that credit would receive $100 from the state for single filers and $200 for joint filers, plus $50 per dependent. It’s a major cutback from a plan proposed by Senate Democrats which would have sent checks to about 97 percent of taxpayers, making up most of the $500 million difference between the House and Senate tax relief plans. The cost for that would be $165 million, according to estimates from the House Democrats, while another expansion to the Earned Income Tax Credit, or EITC, would cost $103.5 million. That measure would increase the state Earned Income Tax Credit by two percentage points, raising it to 20 percent of the federal tax credit. The EITC is a credit available to low- and moderate-income households. It is a refundable credit, meaning those who qualify can receive a refund, even if the amount of the credit exceeds what they would otherwise owe in taxes. It would also expand the state EITC to include people aged 18-24 and those 65 years and older.
* Background is here if you need it. This hit mailboxes earlier in the week…
* If he chopped this down to 30 seconds and had the money to put it on TV, it would probably work because the emotion comes through well…
* Transcript provided by the campaign…
Friends, let me be clear, Richard Irvin is a lying liberal who has voted Democrat in every major election. He is backed by the failed establishment and is afraid to say where he stands on protecting life, defending the second amendment, and every other important issue he’s not trying to mislead you about on TV.
No one in this world doubts I’m a true conservative. Every time there has been a tough fight, I’ve taken it on. While Irvin was hugging JB Pritzker and locking down his city and the others in this race were doing nothing, I was standing up and fighting JB Pritzker over his lockdowns to defend YOUR FREEDOMS.
I have prioritized working families and taxpayers over special interests, demanded election integrity, fought for life and the second amendment, and supported President Trump in EVERY election. I’ve always fought for our conservative principles.
In 2008, Conservative Rush Limbaugh, myself, and thousands of other Republicans helped bring chaos to the Democratic Primary to help Republicans in November.
They are now lying and trying to fool you because they are afraid of the movement we are building to win. I’m a lifelong Republican who has never supported a Democrat.
I’m always ready for the fight, and I’m not backing down. With your help, I will beat two Democrats in this Republican Primary and then fire JB Pritzker in November. It’s time to send the failed establishment packing and take back our party and state.
Join our movement, and together, we will reform Springfield and restore Illinois.
Still not fully buying that Operation Chaos explanation.
The number of carjackings in and around the city has reached a “crisis point,” Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart said Wednesday, as he stood with state legislators who announced a plan to push carmakers to be a part of the remedy. […]
In 2021, there were about 2,100 carjackings in Cook County, mostly in the city, but there were fewer than 1,000 in New York and Los Angeles combined, he said. […]
State Rep. Martin Moylan, D-Des Plaines, and state Sen. Michael Hastings, D-Tinley Park, announced legislation Wednesday that would require automobile manufacturers to set up a 24-hour hotline that law enforcement can use to find stolen vehicles. Most vehicles built after 2015 have some kind of location device that can be accessed by the manufacturer, Dart said.
Standing alongside state legislators in Springfield, Dart joined in the announcement of new legislation that would require auto manufacturers to share electronic tracking information with law enforcement agencies in real-time, by setting up a 24/7 hot line to facilitate the process.
“It’s important that we have technology so that law enforcement officials can track the carjackers that steal cars and go from point A from point B,” said State Sen. Mike Hastings, D-Frankfort, who introduced the bill. “And we want to make sure that law enforcement officials have all the tools necessary to attack this problem.”
Officials said that while some companies already cooperate with law enforcement when a vehicle is stolen or carjacked, others, despite months of talks, are still holding out.
Another aspect of the package included in House Bill 1103 expands the state’s expressway camera program to 21 counties and allows footage to be kept for six months and shared between police departments.
State Rep. Deanne Mazzochi, R-Elmhurst, highlighted what she said was the hypocrisy from Democrats on public safety, and said similar legislative efforts by her have been stymied by both House Democrats and the governor. Mazzochi said the fact that giving new authority to prosecute expressway shootings to the attorney general is an admission that Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx is not doing an adequate job at it.
After Democrats passed the legislation, state Rep. Andrew Chesney, R-Freeport, accused Democrats of “political amnesia” in the wake of talk last year of defunding the police.
State Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria, said major police reform is a task for local governments rather than state and federal leaders.
“I’ve never subscribed to defund the police,” Gordon-Booth told The Center Square. “I certainly believe in communities demanding accountability specific to the issue of policing.”
* Press release…
With just days remaining in the spring legislative session, State Senator John Curran (R-Downers Grove) and State’s Attorneys Bob Berlin (R-DuPage County) and James Glasgow (D-Will County) are urging the Legislature to address major deficiencies within the SAFE-T Act that are set to take effect across Illinois on Jan. 1, 2023.
The SAFE-T Act was passed by the Illinois General Assembly during a lame duck session of the Legislature in 2021 despite opposition from nearly every law enforcement organization in the state, and despite ongoing warnings from prosecutors and law enforcement that the provisions will make communities less safe.
Sen. Curran joined a group of Senators and several state’s attorneys for a Capitol news conference on Wednesday, and said legislators cannot adjourn without fixing problematic provisions within the SAFE-T Act that will take effect before the next legislative session begins.
“As of January 1, we will see sweeping changes to our pre-trial detention system in Illinois,” said Sen. Curran. “These changes will have a significant negative impact on our communities and place public safety at risk. Concerns have been raised by the highest court in this state, by many state’s attorneys, by police chiefs and sheriffs throughout the state, and by many victims’ advocacy groups. There are very serious and real implications this dangerous law is going to have if we don’t address concerns regarding pre-trial detention and victims’ rights.”
While unable to attend the press conference, State’s Attorney Bob Berlin issued the following statement:
“On January 1, 2023, public safety will be severely compromised when the Pre-Trial Fairness Act, a weak, new law championed as progress and signed by the Governor on February 22, 2021, goes into effect. This new, self-contradicting law however, will make our communities more dangerous. It is inconsistent in its detention requirements and imposes additional burdens on judges throughout the State, making it extremely difficult for judges to order pre-trial detention on virtually any defendant. Additionally, failure to appear in court, even when a defendant is released for a violent crime, has now been reduced to a misdemeanor offense. I urge the General Assembly to fully consider the true consequences of the Pre-Trial Fairness Act and take the necessary steps to remedy these and other deficiencies in the Act thus ensuring safety, fairness and justice for not only those accused, but for all people throughout Illinois.”
Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow also could not attend, but submitted the following statement:
“79 dangerous individuals charged with murder, along with more than 100 people charged with class X offenses, and currently housed in DuPage and Will Counties jails. All of these individuals could be released into our communities when this Act takes effect. Because the Act is so poorly written, it is impossible to predict whether the new pre-trial release provision will apply to these individuals and whether they will be back out on the streets after the Act is in effect. This includes the individual who was indicted for a carjacking that occurred in Chicago and fled to Will County where he is in custody on a $1 million dollar bond. If this Act is not significantly amended or repealed, our communities will be in grave danger.”
The Senate and House are scheduled to adjourn on Friday, April 8.
* Open letter…
To the Illinois General Assembly,
As leading anti-gender based violence advocates that worked extensively on the Pretrial Fairness Act, we are writing to refute the false claims made today in Springfield on behalf of victims about the statute that will take effect in 2023. When opponents of reform use misguided and incorrect information to challenge provisions in the Pretrial Fairness Act that safeguard survivors, they undermine the lived experience of survivors and advocates engaging with legal systems.
Below are the facts of the Act that will have the greatest impact on survivor safety:
The Pretrial Fairness Act does not compel survivors to come to court in order to prove that someone poses a threat to them.
We never support legislation that forces survivors to testify in the immediate aftermath of harm in order to ensure their safety. There is nothing in the Pretrial Fairness Act that requires survivors to appear in court to make the case for pretrial detention. An investigating officer’s report or testimony is sufficient evidence for a judge to make a determination about whether someone should be released or detained while awaiting trial. The Pretrial Fairness Act actually increases protections for survivors in comparison to current law, requiring that defense attorneys get the court’s permission before requiring a witness to testify at a detention hearing1. No such protection exists now.
The Pretrial Fairness Act creates a process for deciding who remains in jail that leaves more room for prosecutors to work with survivors to make sure they are safe.
Right now, pretrial detention decisions are made so quickly in bond hearings that they leave no room to consider survivors’ needs. In many cases, money bonds are set that allow someone who poses a danger to the person they have harmed to purchase their freedom. We have seen what happens when someone who is accused of domestic violence is able to bond out suddenly without any notification to the survivor. Under the Pretrial Fairness Act, safety alone will determine whether someone is released, not their access to money.
The Pretrial Fairness Act requires a minimum time in custody.
Without notice of their abuser’s release, survivors are left on edge after a violent episode – unsure whether or not they will be contacted or their abuser will suddenly return. Thanks to the Pretrial Fairness Act, people accused of domestic violence can now be held for a minimum of 24 hours after their arrest for misdemeanor violations and 48 hours for felony offenses.
The Pretrial Fairness Act requires notification of court proceedings and release for survivors.
With this new timeframe, prosecutors have time to contact victims and work with them to determine what safety measures need to be put in place to protect the victim. Victim notification procedures will also be implemented ensuring survivors are given notice if and when the person who hurt them will be released. Survivors will also have the ability to request orders of protection at every court date.
We drafted these provisions based on the needs we witnessed from people directly impacted by domestic and sexual violence. Money bond does not keep survivors of gender-based violence safe. The Pretrial Fairness Act will go a long way towards fixing the problems with our pretrial system and making sure that the safety of survivors is prioritized in our criminal justice system. The calls to roll it back are not based in truth, and doing so would perpetuate the immense harm experienced by survivors under the current system. We urge legislators to stand by these reforms so that Illinois can become a national model of a survivor-centered pretrial system.
Sincerely,
Amanda Pyron
Executive Director
The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence
Madeleine Behr
Policy Manager
Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation (CAASE)
* Press release…
In response to the dangers faced by frontline Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) employees, including two high profile deaths in recent years, the Illinois General Assembly has passed new legislation to help those employees protect themselves in dangerous situations. The legislation was advanced by State Senator Steve McClure (R-Springfield), State Representative Sandy Hamilton (R-Springfield), and State Representative Tony McCombie (R-Savanna).
“Frontline DCFS workers serve the people of this state by protecting vulnerable children,” said Senator McClure. “In Illinois, it is legal for adults to carry pepper spray for personal protection, but DCFS workers have not had that ability while on the job. This will allow them to carry pepper spray for self-defense purposes and ensure that they know how to properly use it.”
Senate Bill 1486, originally filed by Senator McClure, would allow DCFS frontline workers to carry pepper spray for defensive purposes while investigating child abuse and neglect. The employees would be required to complete a training program from the Illinois State Police (ISP) on the proper use of pepper spray.
State Rep. Sandy Hamilton (R-Springfield) says the measure is meant as a first line of protection for case workers that find themselves in dangerous situations while on home visits.
“Allowing DCFS case workers to carry pepper spray is a commonsense step we can take as a legislature to show that we understand that these vital public service and child welfare employees are valued. We mourn the loss of Pam Knight and Diedre Silas, and we never want another DCFS case worker to die on the job while they are working to protect our most vulnerable children. I’m proud to have co-sponsored this critical public safety measure and to see it head to the governor’s desk.”
The legislation also requires DCFS to work with the ISP to identify a list of approved protection sprays. It also lays out guidelines for tracking the usage of such sprays by employees.
“I appreciate Sen. McClure’s leadership on this vital piece of legislation,” said Rep. McCombie. “Our front-line workers are put into compromising and unsafe situations almost every day. This tool and training will give them the resources they need to de-escalate intense situations, providing them the opportunity to escape imminent danger.”
The legislation was inspired by the murders of two DCFS investigators. Deidre Silas was stabbed to death in January at a home in Thayer during the course of a child welfare investigation. In February of 2018, Pamela Knight died in the hospital from injuries sustained during a brutal attack that occurred while she was trying to take a child into protective custody.
The legislation passed both the House and Senate with overwhelming support and is now headed to the Governor for his signature.
* Richard Irvin campaign…
Crime continues to spiral out of control under JB Pritzker as three different violent CTA assaults and robberies have been reported in the last three days. Despite daily reports of surging crime, Pritzker and his Democratic majority in Springfield have shown no signs of correcting their dangerous pro-crime anti-police policies that have helped contribute to high crime throughout the state.
Last month, the City of Chicago claimed it would boost the security presence on public transit as crime has continued to spike, but public safety concerns aren’t limited to public transit these days: Chicago police show a 43 percent increase in motor vehicle theft complaints this year compared to the same period in 2021.
“The rise in violent crime is a top concern for nearly every Illinois resident – except JB Pritzker who hasn’t made a serious effort to curb crime or increase public safety,” said Irvin for Illinois Spokesperson Eleni Demertzis. “Each day brings a new report of violent crime occurring under Pritzker’s leadership and Illinois families rightly fear crime will only get worse unless Pritzker’s pro-criminal, anti-police policies are repealed.”
* The annual Illinois Gun Owners Lobby Day was yesterday. Here’s the SJ-R…
Several politicians spoke to ISRA members Wednesday, bringing passionate rhetoric to the issue of gun owners’ advocacy.
“Jesus Christ died so we can be free from our sins,” said Rep. Chris Miller, R-Oakland. “And the Second Amendment will keep us free from a tyrannical government.”
Others used the opportunity to signal support for a certain kind of politics.
“We need a mean tweet, do we not need a mean tweet?” said Rep. Andrew Chesney, R-Freeport. “When we had Donald Trump, things were great.”
Striking broadcast technicians at WTTW-Channel 11 reached a tentative contract agreement with management Wednesday, likely ending the three-week work stoppage at the public television station.
Local Union 1220 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, representing more than two dozen technicians, graphic artists and floor crew members, is expected to announce results of a ratification vote Thursday. […]
Union members have been on strike since March 16 when they walked out over proposed changes in work jurisdiction and job protection. Contract negotiations had been underway since May 2021.
“It’s not great, but it is fair,” John Rizzo, business manager of Local 1220, said of the settlement. “In the end we’ve achieved a much better contract than where we began. We’re recommending that this is the best deal [our members] are going to get from the company.”
Hopefully, the station learned a valuable lesson here.
In an election year where Gov. J.B. Pritzker is routinely trying to fend off claims he hasn’t done enough to address crime or support law enforcement, the Democratic governor now is waging that battle on a pair of often-overlooked state boards.
Two boards that deal with the politically charged issues of crime and law enforcement — the Prisoner Review Board and the Illinois State Police Merit Board — are facing vacancy problems. […]
Now more questions have arisen as the seven-member merit board — which handles Illinois State Police hiring, firing, promotions and discipline — was recently left with three vacancies, meaning the board has the bare-minimum four members needed to act. And of those four, according to the board’s attorney and state records, only one has received Senate confirmation.
The merit board situation hasn’t reached the level of conflict seen between Pritzker and some Senate Democrats over the Prisoner Review Board. But the development comes as the merit board is still reeling from the agency’s former financial officer, a Pritzker 2018 campaign volunteer, being indicted on charges she padded her state paychecks with thousands of dollars in extra overtime.
This administration has had more issues with appointments than necessary. It’s kinda weird. Go read the rest.
