* The Senate Executive Committee is deliberating this bill right now. Click here to watch it. This post will be updated…
State Rep. Delia C. Ramirez, D-Chicago, released the following statement on HB 2908 Senate Amendment 1, the Senate Elected School Board Compromise bill.
“My commitment has always been and continues to be to pass a fully elected and representative school board for Chicago Public Schools. This is why we took action on HB2908 in April, to honor the wishes of the overwhelming majority of CPS parents and stakeholders who have been demanding a fully elected board.
Senate Amendment 1 to HB2908 achieves the goal of finally securing a fully elected school board for CPS. This bill does not set a timeline that I would have wanted or that Chicagoans deserve. However, with key protections during the transition period including a moratorium on school closures and city council confirmation of temporarily appointed members, I believe it is time to finally legislate a path to a fully elected board. If the Senate passes HB 2908 SA1, I plan to call it for concurrence once the house reconvenes.”
…Adding… Senate Exec passed the bill with two Democrats voting “Present.”
…Adding… The full Senate is taking up the bill. Click here to watch it and/or click here to monitor it on the live coverage post.
*** UPDATE *** The bill passed 36-15-2. Sens. Lightford and Harris were both “Present,” the same as they were in committee earlier today.
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A few lesser-noticed legislative achievements
Tuesday, Jun 1, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Press release…
Just after midnight, the Illinois House of Representatives concurred with the Senate amendment to House Bill 3404 and overwhelmingly approved the measure. This legislation paves the way for a pilot program for the distribution of grants for the construction of natural gas infrastructure in Pembroke Township, located within the 79th legislative district on the Illinois-Indiana border. Upon passage, State Rep. Jackie Haas (R-Kankakee), the chief sponsor of the bill, issued the following statement:
“I am thrilled to see this reach the finish line. My staff and I have worked really hard to get to this point, as have countless residents, community stakeholders, advocates, and elected officials on both sides of the aisle at local, state and federal levels of government.”
Haas added, “This is personal. Pembroke Township is only a few miles away from where I grew up and not far from where my husband and I live now. Pembroke is a rural community with many disparities—limited access to jobs, services, little to no economic development, and food deserts. Energy accessibility has the potential to change all that. This bill will offer residents safe, affordable and clean energy. It will also encourage economic development, attract new businesses and create jobs.
At the end of the day, this bill is about energy accessibility and equity. I look forward to bearing witness to the many opportunities that can be afforded to my constituents as soon as Gov. Pritzker signs this bill into law.”
That bill was supposed to be a no-brainer, but all sorts of games were played against it.
* Press release…
The TEAACH Act (Teaching Equitable Asian American Community History), HB 376, a bill that would require public elementary and high schools in Illinois to incorporate a unit on Asian American history, passed out of the Illinois State House on concurrence with a vote of 108-10 on May 31, 2021. The bill now goes to the Governor’s desk and advocates expect him to sign it into law.
The historic bill was introduced by State Sen. Ram Villivalam and State Rep. Jennifer Gong Gershowitz, and was championed by Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago and a coalition of over 35 organizations.
* Press release…
To expand access to health care coverage, State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) passed a Medicaid reform package in the Illinois Senate on Monday that adds coverage for a variety of services and provides more care to older Illinoisans.
“Expanding Medicaid coverage will result in better health outcomes for the most vulnerable,” Gillespie said. “This measure adds essential care options to the Medicaid program and will ensure that everyone has access to quality care.”
The legislation would add chiropractic care, post-kidney transplant management, counseling on how to quit smoking and peer support services for veterans to the list of covered services under the Illinois Medicaid program. It also requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) to deliver more social services to older residents.
The measure also increases the Medicaid reimbursement rates for immunizations for children under 21, dental services and for mental health, marriage and family counseling.
Senate Bill 2294 passed the Illinois Senate with unanimous support and awaits the governor’s signature.
Anything else you’ve been tracking?
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Harmon backs off, but no vote today
Tuesday, Jun 1, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Press release…
Senate President Don Harmon issued the following statement regarding positive steps in ongoing energy policy negotiations.
“I’m informed that an agreement has been reached between the governor and Exelon on a proposal that would save jobs, which has been our goal all along. That’s why we support the governor in these talks.
We also stand with the governor on de-carbonization targets that need to be in a final deal.
The Senate remained in session with the hope of voting on an agreement today. We stand ready to return to the Capitol when the governor’s plan is ready for action.”
…Adding… Click here to see a roundup of what’s known about the agreement.
…Adding… Forgot to tell you about this budget development…
Senate President Don Harmon has lifted his hold on the new state budget, clearing the $42 billion measure for Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s signature.
…Adding… More movement, but we’ll see. Lots of rumors about this plan’s viability, so stay tuned…
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Question of the day
Tuesday, Jun 1, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* House Speaker Chris Welch interview with Mike Miletich in January…
The Capitol Bureau asked Welch if he can separate himself from Madigan’s influence to have his own voice and vision. He noted the former Speaker should be applauded for everything he was able to accomplish for the state and Democrats. Welch also stressed he has learned a lot from Madigan’s leadership.
“There are some things that I would like to continue. But, there’s some things that I would do differently,” Welch added. “I’m going to distinguish myself. People may doubt what you say, Mike. But, they believe what you do. You’re going to hear me say that a lot.”
* Tribune article…
Illinois Democrats are turning the spring legislative session into a partisan tour de force, using their majority to push legislation aimed at helping their party maintain control of Springfield, reward their allies and advance social policies.
With supermajorities in the House and Senate under two new Democratic leaders, the moves in the General Assembly bring home to Illinois the hyperpartisan divides of Washington as both parties move further toward catering to their extremes.
For Republicans who looked at the January departure of Michael Madigan — the embattled state Democratic Party chair and the nation’s longest-serving House speaker — as an opportunity for a fresh start, the session has been a rude awakening.
“We have been completely locked out of every important issue of the day that we have in this state,” said House Republican leader Jim Durkin of Western Springs. “They have turned what was a pretty partisan operation that we’ve seen here under Mike Madigan to a new level.”
* Daily Herald editorial…
What do Welch and his cronies believe?
Power. Getting it, keeping it, expanding it. Manipulating whatever needs to be manipulated to ensure it. Ignoring the tenets of democracy if need be. Disrespecting the voters they presumably are trying to serve.
Perhaps we should be grateful that they didn’t send a fighter jet up to hijack a plane over Springfield with a political dissident on board.
Oh my goodness.
* WUIS…
When budget bills were rushed to the House floor shortly before midnight, House GOP Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) again grew frustrated with the majority party, whose budget negotiators earlier in the day acknowledged only Democrats’ pet infrastructure projects were included in appropriations.
“I had hope this year – hope for a new day in Springfield,” Durkin said, repeating a phrase he’s used dozens of times since Welch replaced scandal-embroiled Madigan in January. “I just couldn’t have been more wrong based on what’s happening tonight.”
* But…
“We have accomplished, I would say, quite a bit; it has been a very successful session,” House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch said. “No. 1, we have a balanced budget on time. It helps our state’s most vulnerable, and puts us on a path to our fiscal health and recovery, really believe that this budget is going to help move Illinois in a positive direction”
* And…
Despite the unfinished business, House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, who took over in January from embattled veteran Michael Madigan, said “this has probably been one of the most successful sessions around here in a long time.”
Welch chalked up disagreements between House and Senate Democrats to “diversity” in the two caucuses.
“We’re not going to always agree. Sometimes we disagree,” he said. “I don’t want to discourage disagreement because disagreement actually sometimes makes you stronger.”
* Politico…
WINNERS
House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, who navigated the complexities of being speaker while still operating in a pandemic and having to juggle the once-a-decade redistricting process. He got lawmakers in line without (much) drama and he made quick decisions when drama arose.
* The Question: Yeah, it’s not quite finished yet, but how would you rate Speaker Welch’s first spring session? Make sure to explain your answer. Thanks.
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Pain is relative, I suppose
Tuesday, Jun 1, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* A few reporters have focused lately on Gov. Pritzker’s warning last year about budgetary “pain” if his graduated income tax didn’t pass. He was asked about that yet again today after a very optimistic over-view of the state of the state’s budget situation…
You said that without the income tax amendment, there would be pain. You mentioned a lot of areas in the budget are flat. Is that the pain, and how can you be so optimistic about the budget if there’s that pain?
Pritzker pointed to an economy performing “much better than anybody had thought,” which is true, and said closing corporate loopholes is a “permanent fix to a piece of the structural deficit.”
* The Illinois Policy Institute believes there’s pain in the budget…
“This budget still includes four of the nine economically harmful tax hikes the governor proposed earlier this year. These business tax increases will mean Illinois’ struggling economy recovers less quickly than it otherwise would from COVID-19. Illinois’ deficits and structural imbalances will continue threatening taxpayers and vulnerable residents if nothing changes.”
* But one group’s pain is another group’s gain…
On Monday, May 31st, both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly voted to approve the 2022 state budget including closing $655 million in corporate tax loopholes used by Illinois’s wealthiest corporations to avoid paying their fair share. This budget provides for significant new investments in childcare, supports for immigrant communities, creation of affordable housing and funding of the state’s evidence-based school funding formula. The following is a statement by the Raise Up IL coalition.
“The closure of four corporate tax loopholes is a step towards full recovery and making Illinois a state where everyone can thrive. Billionaires and corporations saw their wealth and profits soar during the pandemic, while Illinois families struggled to pay rent and keep food on the table. Closing these loopholes will help Illinois invest in public schools, human services and other healthcare, while calling on those who profited from the pandemic to pay their fair share,” said Amisha Patel, Executive Director of Grassroots Collaborative.
“For years we have been talking with our communities about the services they need and how closing tax loopholes is a way to pay for them. Over the last several months members of Raise Up IL have been focused on organizing our communities to let state elected officials know through phone calls, constituent meetings, and emails, that we needed them to stand up to corporate lobbyists and fund the services we need. When we fight, we win!” explained Adele Sims, with ONE Northside.
“We appreciate the state legislators and the governor who listened to the needs of their constituents instead of corporate lobbyists. We are especially thankful to Senator Robert Peters, Senator Ram Villivalam, Rep Delia Ramirez, and Rep Will Guzzardi for their leadership and continued commitment to working families,” stated Marta Popadiak, with The People’s Lobby following the budget vote. “We look forward to continuing to work with legislators and the governor to continue to close the tax loopholes used by the ultra-wealthy and large corporations, so that we can fund and expand the foundational systems communities across the state need to thrive — expanding child care and the home care program fully funding public education, supporting immigrant services, building more affordable housing, and providing tax relief for working-class and low-income families.”
* A coalition of groups backing legislation to expand the Earned Income Tax Credit also believes there’s pain in the budget…
The Illinois General Assembly denied access to up to $1,200 in tax relief to more than a million more low-income Illinoisans when it failed to expand the Earned Income Credit (EIC) early this morning. The bill, HB2792/SB 2184, would have expanded the popular and effective tax credit to a projected 500,000 households in every district across the state.
“It’s disgraceful that the State’s budget continues to leave behind residents who most need our support,” said Harish I. Patel, Director of Economic Security for Illinois. “This past year saw the sharpest rise in poverty in over 50 years. The General Assembly should be proactively seeking ways to curb rising poverty and inequality, yet they willingly neglected to bolster the Earned Income Credit, a proven anti-poverty tool. Our coalition will continue to fight to expand the Earned Income Credit so caregivers, immigrants, and childless workers have access to the relief they deserve.”
* But the ILGOP believes the only pain is for businesses…
Highlights of this year’s budget include:
• $1,100 pay raises for legislators
• A doubling of the legislator district budget allotment
• Hundreds of millions in new discretionary spending
• Increases taxes by over $600 million on job creators across the state
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Today’s quotable
Tuesday, Jun 1, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Tribune…
[Senate Appropriations Chair Elgie Sims] pushed back against the Republicans’ criticisms.
He said the budget “absolutely funds” Democrats’ priorities “because we are fighting for individuals who cannot fight for themselves.”
He said Democrats prioritized education funding, money for programs serving young people and people with autism rather than “big businesses that are more profitable than they ever have been.”
Sims said Republicans had ample chances to share their views at 30 budget hearings but chose not to fully take part in the budgeting process.
“The ability to be inclusive is a two-way street,” he said. “Don’t only come to the table and say ‘no.’ If you want to obstruct, we will govern without you.”
Thoughts?
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More wreckage
Tuesday, Jun 1, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* WBEZ…
Other issues that failed to take flight included the repeal of a parental notification abortion law, a fix to major delays in obtaining state firearm permits, and creation of an elected Chicago school board, which was a priority of the Chicago Teachers Union that Mayor Lori Lightfoot fought to reshape.
“Count the victories,” House Speaker Chris Welch, D-Hillside, said in talking with reporters after they had adjourned. “Don’t look at the things that didn’t get done yet.”
But whether any of those issues truly were dead remained to be seen because the Illinois Senate gaveled out shortly past 3 a.m. Tuesday with plans to reconvene in Springfield later in the morning. The House’s schedule moving forward was unclear early Tuesday.
* Tribune…
Efforts to create an elected school board in Chicago had failed to get the floor of either chamber for a vote. The legislature’s Latino caucus and some city progressives support an all-elected board. But Senate President Don Harmon has focused on trying to find a compromise that would start with a hybrid board of both appointed and elected members before moving to an all-elected panel.
Though she campaigned in support of an elected board, Mayor Lori Lightfoot has backed a hybrid approach that leaves her in control.
The last public iteration of a plan would create a 21-member board, 11 appointed by the mayor including the board president, and 10 elected members starting in 2023. The system would be evaluated in 2025 before a decision was made on whether to move ahead with an all-elected board in 2027. But it appears such a proposal doesn’t satisfy proponents of an all-elected board.
“We’ll have to get with the House and see what we think can pass both chambers,” state Sen. Rob Martwick, the Chicago Democrat who sponsored a bill to create a fully elected 21 member board, said early Tuesday.
The Senate President said that his chamber would either pass a compromise bill or approve the original elected school board bill. Neither happened.
* Hannah Meisel…
Over the weekend, Democrats in the House narrowly approved a measure giving the Illinois State Police resources and abilities to clear the state’s massive backlog of Firearm Owner Identification Card applications, a long-running issue exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic as gun ownership picked up and the ISP scrambled to figure out a socially distanced workflow. In March, the Illinois State Rifle Association filed a federal lawsuit in an effort to clear the queue.
But the proposal pushed by suburban House Democrats on Saturday includes mandatory fingerprinting for all Illinois gun owners — an approach Democrats in the Senate are not keen on. That legislation was held in the House even after its passage, rendering it unable to move to the Senate.
Instead, with just a few hours of regularly scheduled session to go on Sunday night, Democratic senators passed their competing bill that includes many of the same provisions as the House Democrats’ version, but without compulsory fingerprints for all FOID card holders — a major sticking point for the influential Gun Violence Prevention PAC. Gun rights organizations, on the other hand, have made it clear they’ll file yet another suit if Gov. JB Pritzker signs a mandatory fingerprinting proposal into law.
Legislative records indicate the measure was being teed up for debate and passage Monday night but the bill was never called.
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The energy bill fiasco
Tuesday, Jun 1, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* WBEZ…
As Monday dragged on, the most dramatic feature was the fate of the Exelon bailout, which sought to extend a lease on life for the company’s financially struggling nuclear plants at Dresden, Braidwood and Byron as part of a broader green-energy push by the Pritzker administration. Exelon announced last August it would close Dresden and Byron without relief from Springfield.
Pritzker’s office and Exelon appeared to have settled on the broad framework of more than $600 million in ratepayer subsidies over five years, multiple sources confirmed to WBEZ. But a deal hit an 11th hour snag involving the future of a southern Illinois coal-burning plant.
Talks surrounding the nuclear package unfolded under the heavy cloud of an ongoing federal probe into Exelon’s subsidiary, ComEd. Last week, as part of that investigation, federal prosecutors announced perjury and obstruction of justice charges against Madigan’s one-time chief of staff, Tim Mapes.
* From last night…
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* Tribune…
An 11th-hour disagreement over whether to exempt the Prairie State Generating Station in southern Illinois and city-owned power plant in Springfield should be exempted from deadlines for shutting down coal-fired power plants had the potential to derail the deal.
Supporters were pushing the exemption because of outstanding bond debt on the facilities, but the governor’s office said Pritzker would not sign a bill that gives them special treatment.
* Greg Hinz…
But speculation centers on the role of Harmon’s chief of staff, Jake Butcher, who before he went to work for Harmon was a lobbyist for Prairie State Energy, which runs a “clean coal” generation plant and reportedly wants to be exempted from provisions of a deal that otherwise has the backing of both Pritzker and Harmon.
* Politico…
The energy bill appeared to be close. After reaching a compromise about how much to give Exelon to operate nuclear plants, there’s now a disagreement on coal plants. Senate President Don Harmon and his top aide, Jacob Butcher, a former coal lobbyist, want to exempt the Prairie State Energy coal plant from decarbonization rules that are in the bill.
…Adding… Prairie State…
“Coming online in 2012 during the Obama-Biden Administration, Prairie State is uniquely positioned to act as a bridge to support Illinois’ transition to a greater reliance on renewable energy. Our power plant was purpose-built with more than $1 billion in best available control technologies and we operate under very stringent environmental standards. Prairie State is vital to maintaining grid reliability, energy affordability, and economic prosperity as Illinois works to close the gap between today’s technologies and long-term carbon reduction goals. Prairie State is committed to partnering with policy leaders to further mitigate CO2 emissions in the future, including a partnership with the University of Illinois and U.S. Department of Energy to conduct a carbon capture study with the objective of identifying CO2 emission mitigation opportunities at a commercial scale,” said Alyssa Harre, Director of External Affairs and Organizational Strategy for Prairie State. “Prematurely shuttering Prairie State in 2035 would place new financial burdens on communities who own the plant by essentially forcing them to pay for two sources of power: the energy already owned through their partnerships with Prairie State Energy Campus, and replacement power to cover that loss. That is an additional cost our not-for-profit member communities and their ratepayers cannot afford.”
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Honor An Illinois Statesperson
Tuesday, Jun 1, 2021 - Posted by Advertising Department
[The following is a paid advertisement.]
Nominations are open now for the inaugural Paul Simon-Jim Edgar Statesmanship Award. Inspired by the service of former U.S. Senator Paul Simon, a Democrat, and former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar, a Republican, the award will affirm and celebrate the best traditions of Illinois politics and government.
The Simon-Edgar Award will be presented each year to an elected Illinois official at the state or local level who has demonstrated a pattern of public service characterized by vision, courage, compassion, effectiveness, civility, and bipartisanship.
We seek guidance from fellow Illinoisans and urge citizens from the Prairie State to nominate someone from local or state government who has displayed exceptional leadership. We are not seeking the perfect public servant, but a leader who has consistently endeavored to serve the public good and prepare their constituents for future challenges and opportunities.
Visit our website to submit your nomination by June 15.
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* Press release…
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today reported 401 new confirmed and probable cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Illinois, including 8 additional deaths. In addition, more than 67% of Illinois adults have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose and nearly 51% of Illinois adults are fully vaccinated, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Cook County: 2 females 40s, 1 female 50s, 1 male 50s, 1 male 60s, 1 female 70s, 1 male 70s, 1 male 90s.
Currently, IDPH is reporting a total of 1,382,587 cases, including 22,835 deaths, in 102 counties in Illinois. The age of cases ranges from younger than one to older than 100 years. Within the past 24 hours, laboratories have reported 24,273 specimens for a total of 24,640,360. As of last night, 1,031 individuals in Illinois were reported to be in the hospital with COVID-19. Of those, 284 patients were in the ICU and 162 patients with COVID-19 were on ventilators.
The preliminary seven-day statewide positivity for cases as a percent of total test from May 25-31, 2021 is 1.6%. The preliminary seven-day statewide test positivity from May 25-31, 2021 is 1.9%.
A total of 11,308,983 vaccines have been administered in Illinois as of last midnight. The seven-day rolling average of vaccines administered daily is 45,545 doses. Yesterday, 17,077 doses were reported administered in Illinois.
*All data are provisional and will change. In order to rapidly report COVID-19 information to the public, data are being reported in-time. Information is constantly being entered into an electronic system and the number of cases and deaths can change as additional information is gathered. For health questions about COVID-19, call the hotline at 1-800-889-3931 or email dph.sick@illinois.gov.
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*** UPDATED x1 *** Always check for motions
Tuesday, Jun 1, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Tribune…
Illinois lawmakers went into overtime Tuesday, missing a midnight deadline to adjourn the spring session but approving a $42 billion state budget, a plan shifting next year’s primary to June and an ethics package requiring more financial disclosure of officeholders.
Strains between the Democratic-controlled House and Senate, under two new leaders, were evident when the House indicated its work for the spring session was largely finished and members headed home. The Senate, under President Don Harmon of Oak Park, planned to return to work later Tuesday and assess an unfinished legislative landscape.
Left unresolved were plans for future energy policy for the state, efforts to strengthen gun laws, an elected school board for Chicago and law-enforcement backed changes to a sweeping police reform law approved just months ago.
Despite the unfinished business, House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, who took over in January from embattled veteran Michael Madigan, said “this has probably been one of the most successful sessions around here in a long time.”
* But…
*** UPDATE *** John Patterson…
It’s a procedural move to protect our accomplishments from any political shenanigans.
We are tremendously proud of what this budget accomplishes and look forward to delivering it to the governor to sign.
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Open thread
Tuesday, Jun 1, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Got home from session at 4 this morning, finished writing the subscriber edition after 6 and I’m now going to bed. Use the live coverage post and yesterday’s blogging to catch yourself up if you need it and talk amongst yourselves. The House has adjourned to the call of the chair and the Senate convenes at 11 this morning.
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* They weren’t the only ones to complain that the ethics bill doesn’t do enough. Most probably believe that. They were, however, the only ones to vote “No.” So, I suppose they get points for consistency, but it might not be so easy to explain back home why they voted against some of the bill’s individual provisions…
Among other things, they voted against a statewide ban on fundraisers during session and the day before and the day after scheduled session dates.
* The funniest part, though, is that right after the ethics bill vote, Rep. Jonathan Carroll (D-Northbrook) rose on the floor to publicly thank the lobbyist who had bought pizzas for the chamber. Yes, you read that right.
Timing is everything, I suppose.
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* House Majority Leader Greg Harris laid out the case for this budget proposal at a House Executive Committee hearing today. The governor, he rightly noted, wanted to cut money going into the Local Government Distributive Fund, but that was “left alone” in this budget, as well as transit funding. The state’s bill backlog, he noted, is now just $3.2 billion.
Harris also said…
We have tried to use that FY 21 money in some very strategic ways to enhance our FY 22 budget. Things like making a prepaid deposit to make one large Medicaid payment a month in advance, which would allow us to capture an additional share of the federal enhanced Medicaid model before it expires.
Harris said the budget pays down $2 billion of debt, “and we repay our interfund borrowing.”
* As far as the federal ARPA money goes, Harris said the state is “spending some of that money in early summer,” on things like violence prevention, after-school programming, youth programming, mental health, substance abuse, “things sorely needed in our communities.”
He said legislators will work through the summer to develop a “very targeted and strategic approach” for the balance of the federal money.
Capitol News Illinois…
It also calls for spending about $7.5 billion in state general revenues on Medicaid, plus another $7.4 billion for other human services; $1.9 billion for higher education; another $1.9 billion for public safety; and $1.4 billion for general services.
In addition to those regular items, Harris said, the plan calls for spending about $2.5 billion of the ARPA money Illinois expects to receive. Of that, $1.5 billion would go for things like economic recovery programs to help businesses hardest hit by the pandemic, public health, affordable housing and violence prevention programs like after-school activities, and summer youth employment.
Another $1 billion of the ARPA funds would be directed into the ongoing Rebuild Illinois capital improvements program to accelerate some of the projects slated for construction.
There’s more, but you get the idea.
* Harris also said this…
There are no tax increases in this budget
* The Illinois Chamber thinks otherwise…
Despite impressive out performance of tax revenue growth and $8.1B of federal assistance, the Democrats’ budget still punishes Illinois employers with higher taxes in order to “balance” a bloated state spending plan. We see no meaningful restraint in states spending, only more proposals that force employers to pay higher taxes or decide whether or not to continue their investment in Illinois.
The so-called “loophole” closures are nothing more than tax increases on employers that target, in particular, the manufacturing sector which has lost 50,000 jobs in the last two years. These changes make the Illinois tax code go further outside of the mainstream of state tax policy. Job creators will undoubtedly react negatively.
These tax increases, when combined with extraordinarily punitive changes to our civil liability system, increased regulation, and a potential labor drafted rewrite to the Illinois Constitution, makes the 102nd General Assembly the worst for job creation in a generation.
* Dot points from the governor’s office about what loopholes were closed…
• Cap Corporate NOL Deductions at $100,000 Per Year For the Next 3 Years (~$314M)
When a company suffers a net operating loss (NOL) in a given year, it can carry forward the NOL to future years and deduct it from otherwise taxable income. Capping the amount of NOL deductions to $100,000 will impact the wealthiest businesses, and will add $314 million in corporate income tax revenues, as well as $21 million in local taxes.
• Align Domestic & Foreign-Source Dividend Deduction (~$107M)
Under the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act (TCJA), corporations are allowed to deduct foreign-source dividends at 100% and global intangible low-taxed income (GILTI) at 50%. Aligning the tax treatment of dividends from foreign sources and GILTI to the treatment of domestic dividends will primarily impact large, multi-national corporations with foreign subsidiaries or substantial ownership interests in foreign corporations. This alignment will produce $107 million in corporate income tax revenues for the state and $7 million for local governments.
• Roll Back Trumps’ Tax Cut & Jobs Act 100% Accelerated Depreciation Deduction (~$214M)
The TCJA allows businesses to take a 100% depreciation deduction in the year of purchase for various qualifying assets. By applying the standard depreciation schedule, the state will generate $214 million in business income tax revenues and $14 million for local governments.
• Freeze Phase Out of Corporate Franchise Tax (~$20M)
Public Act 101-0009 was enacted in 2019 and began the gradual phase out of the Corporate Franchise Tax (scheduled to be fully repealed in 2024). The budget freezes the phase out of the repeal by eliminating the first $1,000 in Corporate Franchise Tax currently in place. This change will eliminate the tax burden for the smallest businesses while allowing our state to retain approximately $20 million in revenue.
That’s significantly less than the $900+ million Pritzker proposed. Biodiesel, retailers’ discount, tax credit for private schools and the Blue Collar Jobs Act were all preserved. Adding: The Manufacturers Purchase Credit was also saved
…Adding… Illinois Municipal League…
“The Local Government Distributive Fund (LGDF) serves as a financial foundation for cities, villages and towns across the state and is crucial to keeping local tax burdens as low as possible. When these dollars are reduced, local leaders are forced to make difficult decisions, which include cuts to critical services or increasing taxes and fees to ensure municipal budgets stay balanced.
“We commend Governor JB Pritzker, legislative leaders and state lawmakers for not enacting further cuts to LGDF and increasing state and local revenues by adopting various changes to the state’s tax code.
“Communities need this funding as we recover from the pandemic and economic collapse, due to public demand for even more community programs and services, said Brad Cole, IML Executive Director.
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* House committee hearing on the new budget…
Transcript…
House Deputy Republican Leader Tom Demmer: We talked about the $1 billion capital [program], the ARPA dollars going to capital projects. How are those capital projects chosen?
House Majority Leader Greg Harris: Through the normal process by which all capital projects are chosen.
Demmer: What is that process?
Harris: The members make requests and departments make requests and they are fulfilled within an order depending on the category. For instance, IDOT has a five-year plan. Members might have a request, but they have a first, second and third priority and as funds are available they would be funded.
Demmer: Do you know if any requests came from Republicans for those projects?
Harris: Not off the top of my head, no.
Demmer: So, we have a billion dollars of new capital projects that have been available, but it appears that it was only known that those projects were available or eligible for requests from Senate Democratic and House Democratic caucuses?
Harris: Certainly would be happy to come talk.
* Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police press release excerpt…
The trailer bill to the SAFE-T Act, filed and released today on the last day of the spring legislative session, addresses many of our most egregious concerns in the law.
Therefore, the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police supports the trailer bill, HB 3443 SA 5, while acknowledging a concern that the unresolved issues be addressed in a timely manner in the months to come. As a reminder to our members, in January 2021 we strongly opposed the original law, HB 3653 and urged Governor Pritzker to veto it. But he signed it on February 22, 2021, and ever since, we have been in negotiations with the sponsors, Senator Elgie Sims and Representative Justin Slaughter, on a trailer bill. Those negotiations intensified in the last three weeks. We asked the sponsors for an ability to fix language that was either ambiguous or impractical to implement, and we communicated with ILACP members regularly about our desired changes. The trailer bill language addresses most of those concerns and makes training and implementation much easier moving forward.
What the group claims are improvements…
• Body cameras
o Removes the provision that said an officer cannot view his or own video before writing a report.
o Removes the provision that makes it a felony to violate department policy on body cameras.
o Improves the language (in our favor) about what would be a felony for violation of state law regard to use of body cameras. Must be intentional, willing, and a clear attempt to obstruct justice. Eliminates a felony offense for inadvertent mistakes or problems with cameras.
o Clarifies that law enforcement agencies that are in universities, park districts, conversation districts, forest preserves, railroads, etc. (any agencies that are not municipal or county) have a mandatory date of January 1, 2025, for implementation of body cameras.
• Use of force
o Removes the ambiguous language about letting someone flee if they can be apprehended at a later date. The “apprehended later” idea was reinserted in a different place in the trailer bill, but in a different way that initially seems more palatable. We are continuing to review and discuss this.
o Addresses the concern that it was unclear what an “imminent threat” might be when it comes to using deadly force, and removes the undefined idea that a serious crime must have “just” been committed. The word “just” has been removed from the law.
• Chokeholds and tasers: Addresses the definition of chokeholds and removes the provision that says you cannot target the back with a taser.
• Most new training requirements: Now effective January 1, 2022, instead of July 1, 2021
• Obstructing and resisting officers: Clarifies that you can arrest someone for obstructing without an underlying offense. Separates resisting from obstructing.
I may update this post.
*** UPDATE *** From the BIMP…
To provide for the expeditious and timely implementation of the Coronavirus Vaccine Incentive Public Health Promotion authorized by this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly in Section 21.14 of the Illinois Lottery Law and Section 2310-628 of the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law, emergency rules implementing the public health promotion may be adopted by the Department of the Lottery and the Department of Public Health in accordance with Section 5-45.
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Unclear on the concept
Monday, May 31, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Their argument only works if you believe Exelon got a reasonable, fact-based deal in 2016…
Using those 2016 numbers is also like a car salesperson making a pitch about the monthly payment amount instead of the auto’s actual price.
You may recall these folks from the Mel-O-Cream stand they set up outside the Statehouse.
They also claim they’re faxing the governor’s chief negotiator, who is in Springfield this week. But I’m told the governor’s office doesn’t have a Springfield fax machine.
Meanwhile, some progress is being made on the energy bill. It’s not soup yet, though.
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Today’s remap quotable
Monday, May 31, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Press release…
When the State Legislative Redistricting map was released late Thursday, one thing was unfortunately and immediately clear, the highly concentrated Arab- American and Muslim community in Southwest Suburban Cook County was divided into 4 districts, creating a map that does not even remotely represent one of the largest Arab-American and Muslim communities in the nation.
Retired Judge William Haddad, who Chairs the MENA Independent Government Advisory Council Says,“Our elected officials say they have a keen awareness for diversity, inclusion, and equal representation but what we see with this map is status quo gerrymandering. The Arab-American and Muslim Community in Southwest Suburban Cook County deserve a district but have once again been left behind.”
They make a good point.
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* Sponsor’s dot-points about the proposed gaming bill…
SPORTS BETTING
• Allows Wintrust Arena, home of the WNBA’s Chicago Sky basketball team, to qualify as a sports betting venue
o Initial license fee of 5 percent of AGR, not to exceed $10 million
o Valid for four years – could be renewed for four years with a $1 million renewal fee to the Gaming Board
o Current law allows seven master sports betting licenses, and no facilities have been awarded licenses to date by the Gaming Board
• Allows bets on Illinois college teams (not individual performances). Bets can only be placed in person, and this has a two-year sunset provision
HORSE RACING
• Allows stallions owned by non-Illinois breeders to bring their stallions to Illinois to breed with Illinois mares, and allows those foals to qualify for the Illinois Conceived and Foaled racing program.
• Removes the requirements that the stallion owners under the Illinois Standardbred Breeders Fund (the fund used to pay purses for the Illinois Conceived and Foaled program) must be Illinois residents.
• Adds a provision providing that while a non-Illinois based stallion involved in the program shall stand for service at and within Illinois at the time of a foal’s conception, semen from such a stallion may be transported outside of Illinois.
o Permanently removes provisions requiring that a mare must be inseminated in Illinois in order for the offspring to be eligible for the program and that semen from an Illinois stallion may be transported outside of Illinois. Current law provides that these provisions are temporarily suspended from 2018 until 2022.
• Provides that the Racing Board can grant a racino license in southern Cook County at any of its meetings and can reject applications that don’t conform to established procedures.
o The Board can consider amended applications – applicants would have current and future rights of existing Illinois racetracks when the license is granted
GAMING BOARD
• Creates a single renewal date for all casino, video and sports wagering licenses, and allows multi-year licenses across all gaming disciplines
o Changes the duration of the sports wagering supplier license from an annual term to a 4 year term to align the sports wagering supplier license with the casino supplier licensure term of 4 years;
o Allows entities holding several licenses across casino, video and sports wagering with different renewal dates to merge these dates into a single renewal date for all of the respective licenses. This would reduce considerable, duplicative work done by the Gaming Board’s (IGB) Licensing, Legal, Finance, Audit and Investigation units and eliminate similar redundancies for IGB licensees submitting multiple renewal applications; and
o Allows multi-year licenses across all gambling disciplines. This would eliminate the current requirement under the Video Gaming Act for annual license renewals. Initially, all video licenses would be issued for one year, and renewals would be for four years. This change would make the license periods for video gaming terminal operators, manufacturers, distributors and suppliers mirror the periods for casino licenses issued under the Illinois Gambling Act.
• Creates a sales agent and broker license in video gaming, with various requirements
CASINOS
• Provides that licensed casino and racino employees also can work in sports betting positions at the same facility
• Requires casino licenses to have fully executed labor peace agreements
• Changes state taxation of the Casino Queen in the Metro East to its modified AGR, with stipulations
VIDEO GAMING
• Limits home rule communities to a fee of no more than $250 per video gaming machine
• Prohibits communities from imposing a “push tax” on video gaming
• Allows qualified fraternal and veterans organizations deriving charters from national organizations to apply for video gaming licenses in communities or counties where video gaming is banned (excluding Cook County and Chicago)
Remember, it’s just a bill. Things can change, things can die.
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*** UPDATED x2 *** Ethics reform bill filed
Monday, May 31, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* If you’re watching our “cheat sheet” post, you know that House Amendment 2 to SB539 was just filed. That’s the new ethics language. Click here to read it and I’ll go through it with you in a bit.
…Adding… OK, let’s start with this…
No legislator or executive branch constitutional officer shall engage in compensated lobbying of the governing body of a municipality, county, or township, or an official thereof, on behalf of any lobbyist or lobbying entity that is registered to lobby the General Assembly or the executive branch of the State of Illinois.
Same applies to county, municipality and township electeds and appointeds.
From the provided dot points…
Prohibits State officials, including legislators, and officials of counties, municipalities, and townships from lobbying for compensation on behalf of a lobbyist or lobbying entity registered to lobby their unit of government. Violation of the prohibition is Class A misdemeanor. It excludes communications: (a) within the scope of the officials public duties; (2) by an attorney in connection with the practice of law or in the course of representing a client in any judicial, quasi-judicial, or administrative proceeding; and (3) by legislators in the ordinary course of employment where primary purpose of employment is not to influence government action.
* More…
No person who is appointed to an affected office shall: (i) serve as an officer of a candidate political committee; or (ii) be a candidate who is designated as the candidate to be supported by a candidate political committee.
There’s a provision for a new limited activity campaign committee that was previously floated by the Senate Dems. From the dot points…
Requires that any individual whose appointment to any executive agency, board, or commission is subject to Senate confirmation and controls a political committee must institute a freeze on funds going into or out of the committee immediately upon being named as an appointee. Creates a new kind of committee, “limited activity committee,” for those individuals. A limited activity committee may not accept contributions, except for personal funds in order to pay for maintenance expenses.
* Economic interest statements…
The interest (if constructively controlled by the person making the statement) of a spouse or any other party, shall be considered to be the same as the interest of the person making the statement.
It goes on to mandate reporting of certain things, including “the name of each unit of government of which the
filer or his or her spouse was an employee, contractor, or office holder during the preceding calendar year” along with…
each person known to the filer to be registered as a lobbyist with any unit of government in the State of Illinois: (i) with whom the filer maintains an economic 14 relationship, or (ii) who is a member of the filer’s family.
To be clear, I’m skipping through this and not including some things, so if you have any questions, search the bill before asking why you didn’t see such-and-such in this quickie take.
* No legislative or executive branch campaign fundraisers are allowed anywhere on session days (previously only banned in Sangamon County) and the day before the legislature is in session.
* The state has no revolving door law for the executive branch or legislators. The proposal would impose a 6-month waiting period. Republicans had demanded 12 months. [Adding from a pal: It’s 6 months or until the end of their term, whichever is shorter unless they finish their term in which case they can lobby the next day.]
* Executive inspectors general can now initiate investigations without prior approval of the Executive Ethics Commission based on complaints, but only within one year of the alleged violation.
* The Legislative Ethics Commission is prohibited from proposing or enforcing rules mandating that the Legislative Inspector General must receive prior approval from the Commission before initiating an investigation.
* Legislators who resign or retire during their terms will not be paid a salary for the full month. Instead it’ll be pro-rated. Right now, a member can resign on the first of the month and get a pensionable check for the entire month. This starts with the next General Assembly, of course. It’s not legal to reduce or increase legislative compensation during their terms.
* Provided dot points on lobbying reforms…
Local Lobbyist Registration: Requires persons who undertake to lobby officials of counties, municipalities, and townships to register with the Secretary of State and submit expenditure disclosures like lobbyists at the State level.
Lobbying Definition: Expands the definition of “lobbying” to include soliciting other to make communications.
Consultant Disclosure: Requires lobbyists and lobbying entities to disclose persons or entities they hire to provide advisory services such as strategy development or guidance on lobbying or influencing. Excludes (i) employees of the lobbyist or lobbying entity and (ii) attorneys providing legal services, such as drafting and rendering legal opinions on the effect of government action.
Lobbyist Training: Requires ethics and sexual harassment training to be completed by lobbyists prior to their registration being considered complete, rather than within 30 days of registration.
Lobbying Preemption: Allows Chicago to continue to enforce its ordinances related to restrictions on lobbying.
That consultant disclosure is a good first step. They’re becoming all too common.
*** UPDATE 1 *** The bill has been amended to include a provision allowing campaign expenditures for child and elder care that the Senate has already passed.
*** UPDATE 2 *** The Senate Republicans and Democrats held a joint press conference to talk up the ethics bill this afternoon. That’s not a common occurrence in these parts.
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* There’s been some head-scratching about the Senate Executive Appointments Committee’s refusal to take up the nominations of Omer Osman to run IDOT, Mark Smith to head DCFS and Rob Jeffreys to direct IDOC. Their nominations have languished forever, but the Senate didn’t seem too concerned about it, even though these are the top three Black men nominated by the governor to run important agencies.
Finally, all three were favorably reported to the Senate floor during a committee hearing this morning.
* Despite Senate Republican pressure, however, the committee did not take up Pritzker’s nominations for the Prisoner Review Board. From the Senate GOP…
“The Senate Executive Appointments Committee’s continued lack of transparency on the Prisoner Review Board appointments is unacceptable. Our caucus is frustrated and disappointed that the Chair chose not to call Gov. Pritzker’s ten pending PRB appointees, that, just days ago, the Senate voted unanimously to waive their posting notice requirements so they could be heard in today’s committee. Ten unconfirmed people, four of whom have had their appointments pulled and then reappointed the next day, are making decisions on whether to release violent felons back into the community.
“Nearly three-fourths of the current acting PRB members are making serious, life-altering, and potentially dangerous decisions without even the basic transparency of a hearing. Gov. Pritzker may be comfortable ruling the state by executive order, but the Illinois Senate Republicans will not accept his attempts at directing them to abdicate their constitutional legislative responsibility.
“The Caucus will continue to fight for the public’s right to hear these appointees and they will not be silenced by political threats or ploys.”
Background is here and here if you need it.
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Pass The Omnibus Energy Bill And Let’s Make History!
Monday, May 31, 2021 - Posted by Advertising Department
[The following is a paid advertisement.]
Passing the omnibus energy legislation creates thousands of jobs and puts Illinois on a path to 100% clean energy. Specifically, this history making legislation:
• Expands and fully funds the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) to 40% by 2030
• Creates thousands of jobs
• Locks in $1.2 billion in savings for Illinois ratepayers
• Establishes the most progressive labor and equity standards for renewable energy in the nation
• Ensures RPS goals are met with combination of utility scale, rooftop and community solar
• Helps businesses, nonprofits and schools to help offset their electricity bills with expanded rooftop and community solar
• Establishes a policy framework for energy storage expansion
• Builds out electric vehicle infrastructure and helps to create an EV ecosystem
• Ends formula rates
• Creates job training and workforce development programs to ensure clean energy workforce reflects the diversity of our State
• Establishes a Climate Bank through the IFA to provide low interest loans and creates seed capital program through DCEO to help establish minority-owned businesses
The time for talk is over. Now it’s time to vote. Pass the Omnibus Energy Bill and create a prosperous clean and renewable energy future for all of Illinois. For more information, visit www.pathto100.net.
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* Remember that this is a holiday weekend, so numbers for cases and deaths have historically been on the low side because people aren’t being tested or aren’t in their offices to do the reporting…
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today reported 521 new confirmed and probable cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Illinois, including 33 additional deaths. In addition, more than 67% of Illinois adults have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose and more than 50% of Illinois adults are fully vaccinated, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Cook County: 1 male 30s, 1 female 50s, 3 males 50s, 2 females 60s, 7 males 60s, 2 females 70s, 2 males 70s, 2 females 80s, 5 males 80s, 1 female 90s, 1 male 90s
DuPage County: 1 male 50s, 1 female 80s, 1 male 80s
Kane County: 1 male 70s
Lake County: 1 female 50s, 1 female 70s
Currently, IDPH is reporting a total of 1,382,186 cases, including 22,827 deaths, in 102 counties in Illinois. The age of cases ranges from younger than one to older than 100 years. Within the past 24 hours, laboratories have reported 25,692 specimens for a total of 24,616,087. As of last night, 1,093 individuals in Illinois were reported to be in the hospital with COVID-19. Of those, 294 patients were in the ICU and 167 patients with COVID-19 were on ventilators.
The preliminary seven-day statewide positivity for cases as a percent of total test from May 24-30, 2021 is 1.6%. The preliminary seven-day statewide test positivity from May 24-30, 2021 is 2.0%.
A total of 11,291,906 vaccines have been administered in Illinois as of last midnight. The seven-day rolling average of vaccines administered daily is 50,162 doses. Yesterday, 22,255 doses were reported administered in Illinois.
*All data are provisional and will change. In order to rapidly report COVID-19 information to the public, data are being reported in-time. Information is constantly being entered into an electronic system and the number of cases and deaths can change as additional information is gathered. For health questions about COVID-19, call the hotline at 1-800-889-3931 or email dph.sick@illinois.gov.
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May 31, 2021 cheat sheet
Monday, May 31, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* These have been popular posts in the past, so let’s do it again. If you catch any additions, updates or see any errors, please let me know in comments or text me if you have my number. I will update this when I can. Lots going on, so be patient with me, please.
Let’s start with packages and bills that do not yet have a firmly identified vehicle…
* Energy package
* Parental notification repeal
* No previously identified vehicle bills are awaiting amendments.
* Amendments filed to vehicles and awaiting action…
* HB 900 - Capital reappropriation (SA1 filed) *** SA2 FILED ***
* Bills awaiting action in the Senate…
* SB 521 - Gaming items *** (HAs 1, 3, and 4 adopted) ***
* Bills awaiting action in the House…
* HB 562 - FOID (SA1 adopted)
* HB 2567 – University procurement (SA2 adopted)
* HB 2643 - Unemployment Insurance
* SA2 to HB 550 - Legislative COLA suspension
* “Passed Both Houses”…
* HB 2908 - Elected school board compromise
* SB 166 – Social Equity pillar trailer (HA2 adopted)
* HB 3743 - Telecom sunset extension
* HB 806 - Licensing Omnibus (SA2 adopted)
* HB 2621 - Affordable Housing package (SAs 1, 3, 4 adopted)
* SB 2294 – Medicaid Working Group package (HAs 1, 2, 3 adopted)
* SB 508 – Property tax package (HAs 2, 5 adopted)
* SB 825 – Elections omnibus (HA1 and HA2 adopted)
* HB 3443 – Criminal justice pillar trailer (SA5 adopted) *** REP. HARPER MOVES TO RECONSIDER ***
* HB 3308 – Telehealth
* HB 2620 – Liquor omnibus (SAs 1, 2, 4, 5 adopted.)
* SB 539 – Ethics omnibus (HA2 adopted)
* SB 2800 – Budget (HA1 FILED) *** HA2 and HA3 ADOPTED***
* HB3743 - Telecom sunset extension (SAs 1, 2 adopted)
* BIMP
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* I told subscribers about this on Saturday. The Politico story is a bit convoluted, but it’s so far the only other outlet to have covered this exceedingly rare if not unprecedented move, so here you go…
A big shift in Democratic leadership was announced Saturday. Rep. LaToya Greenwood of East St. Louis takes over for Rep. Carol Ammons of Urbana as House majority conference chair.
The move, which drew praise from Democratic moderates, came after an apparent power grab on the House floor.
Rep. Delia Ramirez was taking her turn presiding as speaker when Rep. Terra Costa Howard’s bill on handling “unfounded” DCFS reports came up. Ramirez said she needed a break and stepped aside, allowing Ammons to take the gavel — a position that requires neutrality toward lawmakers and legislation.
Ammons opposed the DCFS bill and tapped Rep. Mary Flowers, a fellow Democrat critical of the measure, to question Costa-Howard. Onlookers said Flowers was abusive and that Ammons allowed her to go on too long.
Lawmakers said Ammons misused the podium and that the whole episode looked choreographed, though Flowers says it wasn’t.
Rep. Rita Mayfield also made a move to reconsider the vote before that was withdrawn. The bill passed.
In announcing Ammons’ exit, House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch said, “I am grateful for the work she has done” and that he’s “happy” to have Greenwood on board.
As subscribers know, there’s more to it than that, but a member of leadership getting the boot with just a few days left in session is pretty big news.
* This morning…
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Open thread
Monday, May 31, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Clifford is a fine young man…
Anything on your mind right now?
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* House Floor Amendment 1 to SB2800. Click here.
…Adding… A few more…
* Sen. David Koehler’s FOID bill: SAM1 to HB562
* Rep. Sonya Harper’s trailer bill for the new equity law: HAM2 to SB166
* Rep. Robert Rita’s gaming bill: HAM1 to SB521
I’ll have more for subscribers in the morning, including a summary of the new elections bill.
*** UPDATE *** This is from that Rita bill…
…Adding… Press release…
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities, representing community providers of services and programs for thousands of Illinoisans with intellectual and developmental disabilities, today issued the following statement as lawmakers prepare to vote on a Fiscal Year 2022 state budget and adjourn the spring legislative session:
“Our mantra this spring has been clear: we must do better on funding I/DD services in Illinois. The proposed state budget legislators have put together does not meet that standard.
A federal decree requires Illinois to do better, by providing better funding for services, staff wages, and reducing wait lists for services. The Guidehouse rate study commissioned by the Department of Human Services and released late last year made clear it will take a significant investment starting this coming fiscal year to make real progress.
The Governor’s proposed funding increase of $122 million – the amount that is included in the budget being considered today – is simply not nearly enough to meet the tremendous needs of the people we serve. This budget does not:
• Fully fund the rate study, nor an agreement among our service providers and the labor unions representing their workers to increase state support
• Support 28,000 individuals currently receiving services and more than 17,000 on the state waiting list for services
• Fully fund a single priority in the rate study, including wage increases for staff. In Chicago, frontline staff will barely make above the city’s increased minimum wage
• Spend a dime of the state’s $8 billion in federal relief funds on I/DD services and supports
Other critical, core government services and programs are receiving large budget increases and amounts, including K-12 education, hospitals and nursing homes. But this budget ignores the stark reality that Illinois ranks 47th in spending on disability services.
Our ask today is simple: amend the proposed state budget to provide a full $193 million to fully fund the rate study starting Jan. 1, 2022. We must do better, before it’s too late.”
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[The following is a paid advertisement.]
With just one full day left in session, Gov. Pritzker indicated that decarbonizing our power sector is central to a comprehensive clean energy bill and he would not allow ratepayers to underwrite Exelon’s profits. He wrote:
“As we try to find an agreed solution, there is another part of the legislation that will not only make agreement with Exelon easier to reach but will provide essential overall benefits. Nearly 50 legislators highlighted in a recent letter the critical importance of decarbonizing our power sector, including an end to fossil fuels in the next two decades. I agree with them. A key step to reducing the effects of carbon and transitioning to a clean energy economy is to require polluting power plants to help pay for clean energy … This step will help Exelon’s zero emission fleet be more competitive in the market and help pay for clean energy jobs programs.”
Learn more about equity-centered climate legislation at ilcleanjobs.org.
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* Jennifer Smith Richards at the Chicago Tribune and Jodi S. Cohen at ProPublica…
Illinois lawmakers took sweeping action Sunday to limit the use of seclusion and restraint in schools, following through on promises made after a 2019 ProPublica-Chicago Tribune investigation revealed that school workers had regularly misused the practices to punish students.
The House voted unanimously to pass legislation barring school workers from locking children alone in seclusion spaces and limiting the use of any type of isolated timeout or physical restraint to when there’s “imminent danger of physical harm.” The legislation requires schools that receive state funding to make a plan to reduce — and eventually eliminate — the practices over the next three years. Schools that develop plans more quickly can receive priority for new grant funding for staff training.
A main feature of the legislation — and the element that proved most contentious among lawmakers over the past 18 months — is an immediate ban on schools’ use of prone, or face-down, restraint for most students. Restraining a student that way would be permitted only for children whose special-education plans specifically allow it as an emergency measure and only until the end of the 2021-22 school year, granting schools more time to phase out the practice than some legislators and advocates sought.
* ACLU of Illinois…
The passage of House Bill 219 is a huge win for students across the State of Illinois. The measure was advanced after media reports indicated that schools regularly used restraint and seclusion practices. More alarming, these harmful practices were used most often against youth of color and youth with disabilities.
It is worth noting the cruelty of some of these practices. Many of the prone restraints authorized by schools were tantamount to the use of deadly force. And we know the devastating psychological impact on students from being secluded. These practices simply cannot be permitted in our schools, and this bill makes that clear. Thanks to passage of this measure, Illinois joins the majority of states across the country in banning these cruel, unnecessary measures.
We thank Senator Gillespie and Representative Carroll for their leadership and commitment to seeing this wrong righted.
We look forward to seeing this measure signed into law by the Governor, and to the future benefit that will flow to students all across our state.
* Sen. Ann Gillespie…
“This legislation protects all students, particularly the most vulnerable, from these harmful practices,” Gillespie said. “I am grateful to all our partners that put in years-long work to keep students safe.”
Current law allows school staff to isolate a student if they pose a danger to themselves or others. However, a Chicago Tribune and ProPublica Illinois investigation revealed that isolation rooms are often used as a punishment for refusing to do classwork, swearing and other behavior that does not pose a threat to safety.
Senator Gillespie’s measure would prohibit a school employee or contractor from secluding children as disciplinary action and limits the use of restraint only to instances allowed by the Illinois State Board of Education. The legislation also establishes priority access to grant funding for schools that reduce or eliminate the use of prone restraint and isolated time out in less than three years.
* Rep. Carroll…
After reading the media stories and reliving the horrors of these practices from when I was a child, we’re now the Governor’s signature away from ending these horrible practices. This took 18 months, but everyone who was a part of this process should be very proud.
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Caption contest!
Sunday, May 30, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From what I can tell from the live coverage post metrics, readership is still pretty strong, but comments are obviously slow today. It’s Sunday, so that’s understandable. Lots of people read this blog without ever commenting and a number of commenters are either busy at the Statehouse or are off doing holiday weekend things.
So, we’ll see how this post goes. The pic was taken yesterday during the Republican press conference outside the governor’s office demanding that Pritzker veto the remap bill…
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* Just keep in mind that it’s a holiday weekend, so death reporting could be low and testing could be light. But those hospital numbers are extremely encouraging. Vax up!…
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today reported 602 new confirmed and probable cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Illinois, including 18 additional deaths. In addition, 67% of Illinois adults have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose and more than 50% of Illinois adults are fully vaccinated, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Cook County: 1 male 40s, 2 males 60s, 2 females 80s, 3 males 80s
DuPage County: 1 female 90s
Kane County: 1 male 50s, 2 males 70s
McLean County: 1 male 70s
Tazewell County: 1 male 40s
Vermilion County: 1 male 70s
Will County: 1 female 60s, 1 male 60s
Winnebago County: 1 female 70s
Currently, IDPH is reporting a total of 1,381,665 cases, including 22,794 deaths, in 102 counties in Illinois. The age of cases ranges from younger than one to older than 100 years. Within the past 24 hours, laboratories have reported 38,607 specimens for a total of 24,590,395. As of last night, 1,078 individuals in Illinois were reported to be in the hospital with COVID-19. Of those, 298 patients were in the ICU and 163 patients with COVID-19 were on ventilators.
The preliminary seven-day statewide positivity for cases as a percent of total test from May 23-29, 2021 is 1.7%. The preliminary seven-day statewide test positivity from May 23-29, 2021 is 2.1%.
A total of 11,269,651 vaccines have been administered in Illinois as of last midnight. The seven-day rolling average of vaccines administered daily is 52,177 doses. Yesterday, 39,222 doses were reported administered in Illinois.
*All data are provisional and will change. In order to rapidly report COVID-19 information to the public, data are being reported in-time. Information is constantly being entered into an electronic system and the number of cases and deaths can change as additional information is gathered. For health questions about COVID-19, call the hotline at 1-800-889-3931 or email dph.sick@illinois.gov.
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* Senate GOP press release on May 26th…
The latest convicted felon released by the Prisoner Review Board is now a fugitive, leaving parole officers searching for the man that murdered a teenager, among other serious crimes. This news comes amid the growing concerns brought forth by Republican members of the Senate Executive Appointments Committee this week regarding a maneuver Governor Pritzker is using to allow his Prisoner Review Board appointees to serve on the board without ever being vetted by the Illinois Senate.
According to the Chicago Sun Times, Ray Larsen (Larson), who was released from prison earlier this month—a decision made by the Prisoner Review Board, showed up on state prison records as missing since Monday.
In a joint statement, State Senators Jason Plummer (R-Edwardsville), Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro), and Steve McClure (R-Springfield) released the following statement:
“Recent developments on Ray Larsen are exactly the reason why we can’t continue to allow individuals on the Prisoner Review Board to make these serious decisions without being properly vetted. We now have a potentially dangerous individual on the loose at the hands of unconfirmed Gov. Pritzker appointees. As members of the Senate Executive Appointments Committee, we again demand that these individuals come before the committee to testify so that they can undergo the proper and constitutionally-required process to ensure it is appropriate for them to continue serving on the Prisoner Review Board.”
* “Recaptured”…
* Um…
Early Friday, authorities found him at a Chicago-area hospital. Chicago police officers, state parole officers and deputy U.S. marshals had been on the lookout for him.
It’s unclear why Larsen was at a hospital or what he’d been doing the past week. A source said he might have been wandering around the city, riding the CTA.
Jason Sweat, an attorney for the prisoner review board, said Larsen was in Chicago police custody Friday night. He said the state will file papers saying he violated his parole, and the board will hold a hearing to decide whether to revoke his parole.
Emphasis added.
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“The problem is Exelon”
Sunday, May 30, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* I told subscribers about this earlier today, but Hannah Meisel at WUIS takes a long and thorough look at the impasse…
With two more days until the scheduled adjournment of the General Assembly’s spring legislative session, negotiations on a high-stakes deal to steer Illinois away from carbon-causing energy sources — as well as a host of other goals from ending controversial formula ratemaking and forcing ethics reforms as a utility-involved corruption investigation looms large — have reached impasse, according to multiple sources engaged in bargaining.
As of Saturday night, parties remain far apart on the linchpin of the deal: how much the state should provide in subsidies for nuclear giant Exelon to prevent the company from the threatened closures of at least two, if not three, of Exelon’s six nuclear power generating stations that are not profitable. Those six locations serve the northern half of Illinois, which contains the majority of the state’s 12.8 million people.
Exelon’s ask from the state has varied, but those close to negotiations say the company has asked for a 10-year plan for subsidies with a credit in the first year that nearly amounts to what Pritzker’s office is offering in total. Exelon on Sunday declined to comment on the parameters of its subsidy ask.
Gov. JB Pritzker’s lead energy negotiator, Deputy Gov. Christian Mitchell, told Exelon the state’s final offer is $540M in subsidies for three plants over five years. Lawmakers have been briefed on that offer. There are currently no other negotiations scheduled, though that could change.
* Check this out…
But a coalition of labor unions, some of whom represent the more than 2,400 unionized workers at the plants is throwing down a final gauntlet in the waning days before lawmakers’ May 31st adjournment. On Saturday evening, that coalition organized under the Climate Jobs Illinois moniker sent Pritzker a letter after parties were informed negotiations over the nuclear subsidy were at impasse.
But a coalition of labor unions, some of whom represent the more than 2,400 unionized workers at the plants is throwing down a final gauntlet in the waning days before lawmakers’ May 31st adjournment. On Saturday evening, that coalition organized under the Climate Jobs Illinois moniker sent Pritzker a letter after parties were informed negotiations over the nuclear subsidy were at impasse. […]
“The governor’s not the problem,” [Rep. Marcus Evans (D-Chicago)] said. “The problem is Exelon. Exelon is used to getting everything they want. And we want them to get what they need.”
Evans is an Assistant House Majority Leader and began the talks on organized labor’s side, so that’s quite significant.
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What else happened Saturday?
Sunday, May 30, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Sun-Times…
Legislation prohibiting law enforcement from conducting background checks on those attending public meetings unless they pose a security risk passed the Senate.
“For years, folks were showing up to Chicago Police Board meetings for their civic duty and every citizen who showed up experienced a background check,” said the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Robert Peters, D-Chicago. “That’s a violation of so many people’s rights.”
Peters referenced a 2019 Chicago Tribune report that found law enforcement officials have conducted background checks on those who attended Police Board meetings since at least 2013.
Republican Sen. Terri Bryant, R-Murphysboro, said law enforcement who’ve tried to keep people safe now “have to try and prove what their motivation was or what their intent was.”
“I truly do not understand how law enforcement could be prohibited from protecting us by doing simple background checks when someone comes into a meeting,” Bryant said.
Whew.
* Center Square…
Lawmakers are in the process of changing a recent tax credit program for the development of data centers, but some worry the proposed change hijacks the successful program to favor union interests and could drive jobs out of state.
The Data Center Tax Credit Act was enacted with bipartisan support two years ago. The credit has been touted by the governor, Democrats and Republicans alike for attracting billions of dollars of private investment in the state and thousands of construction jobs and hundreds of permanent jobs. […]
The House amendment that passed 65-42 with one voting present clarifies what is considered a data center, including opening it to facilities that operate within five miles from each other, and requires green building certificates for the entities seeking the credit, among other changes.
But another provision was recognized as controversial by amendment sponsor state Rep. Mark Walker, D-Arlington Heights. He said the proposed change requires entities seeking a credit or seeking renewal of a credit to have a “labor peace agreement” he said would have the employer agreeing to not hinder any attempts for workers to unionize.
“It is not a unionization mandate, but it could lead to that through a fair and open, normal election process,” Walker said. “Employees might well vote to be part of a union …”
But Republicans criticized Walker’s amendment to the Senate bill as changing rules on data centers looking to develop in Illinois mid-stream.
* Another bill…
The Illinois House unanimously passed a bipartisan juvenile justice reform Saturday that outlaws the use of deceptive interrogation techniques on minors.
The measure, contained in amendments to Senate Bill 2122, makes confessions by minors in custody inadmissible if they were obtained by “a law enforcement officer or juvenile officer (that) knowingly engages in deception.”
The bill was introduced in the House by Chicago Democratic Rep. Justin Slaughter and was also sponsored by two Republican former prosecutors, Minority Leader Jim Durkin, of Western Springs, and Rep. Patrick Windhorst, of Metropolis.
“There have been a hundred wrongful convictions in Illinois predicated on false confessions, minors make up 31 of these cases. Research, experience and common sense tell us that minors are between two and three times more likely to falsely confess the crimes they didn’t commit,” Slaughter said.
* Center Square…
A bill providing legal protections for a person who reports a drug overdose is headed to the governor’s desk.
The Illinois Senate Saturday passed “Alex’s Law” by a 40 to 16 vote. The bill’s sponsor, state Sen. Laura Ellman, D-Naperville, said the legislation is about saving lives by ensuring that people who seek emergency assistance for an individual experiencing symptoms of an opioid overdose will not be arrested for any crime related to the use of drugs at the scene.
“If somebody seeks medical attention for someone who is overdosing, it won’t affect their pretrial release or furlough so long as evidence of a violation was acquired as a result,” Ellman said.
The bill was inspired by 25-year-old Alex Green of Naperville who died of a fentanyl overdose in 2018. Green was with others at the time of his overdose, but they dropped him off at a gas station and fled fearing persecution. Officers who arrived on the scene were not able to identify what had happened until it was too late.
* This was a fun debate…
Student athletes at colleges in Illinois could get sponsorship money under a bill advancing at the statehouse in the final days of session.
State Rep. Kam Buckner, D-Chicago, passed an amendment, 95-18, Saturday to Senate Bill 2338. It must now head to the Senate for concurrence before the end of session May 31.
“It creates the Illinois Student Athletes Endorsement Act,” Buckner said. “Generally, it allows student athletes in Illinois to earn market value competition for the use of their name, image or likeness, or voice, while enrolled in a post secondary education institution.”
The measure also allows them to hire counsel and an agent if they find it necessary.
* Capitol News Illinois…
Elementary school children in all public schools in Illinois would be entitled to at least 30 minutes of unstructured playtime each day under a bill that passed the state House on Saturday.
That’s only half the amount of playtime that the original bill would have required as it passed out of the Senate. The original bill also would have applied to students from kindergarten through eighth grade, but the bill was narrowed as a concession to opponents that included groups representing teachers, principals and administrators.
Even with those changes, Senate Bill 654, which some have dubbed the “right-to-play” bill, cleared the House by the smallest allowable vote total, 60-52.
The bill was sponsored by Sen. Robert Peters and Rep. Aaron Ortiz, both Chicago Democrats who recalled their own time in school without being allowed recess time.
* And yet another press conference…
House and Senate Republicans stood outside the governor’s office Saturday demanding Gov. JB Pritzker veto the maps Democrats passed Friday.
GOP members say Democrats drew their own districts and used flawed data instead of waiting for the 2020 Census data. Of course, Pritzker campaigned on a goal for independent redistricting and told voters he would veto any map made by lawmakers, lobbyists, or staff.
Many groups feel the map doesn’t reflect the diversity of Illinois. Still, the governor is expected to sign the maps anyway.
“It is a rejection really of those people, whether it’s minority groups, good government groups, any of those,” said Senate Republican Leader Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods). “It is a rejection of that in favor of one thing and one thing only. And that is partisan advantage for his own party.”
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* Greg Bishop at the Center Square…
The Illinois House was unanimous on a resolution urging Gov. J.B. Pritzker to reopen the offices of the Illinois Department of Employment Security. Those offices around the state have been closed to the public for more than a year.
House Resolution 226 from state Rep. Joe Sosnowski, R-Rockford, calls on IDES to make an immediate public commitment to reopen their public-access public employment offices to provide face-to-face help to Illinois residents. […]
While he supported the measure, state Rep. La Shawn Ford, D-Chicago, urged Republicans to support the budget which could increase funding for IDES.
“Some representatives … think this state runs just on air, but it actually takes money, it actually takes revenue and I think that when we negotiate the budget and we have an opportunity to vote to make sure that our state agencies run, I urge you to support the budget and the revenue enhancements to make sure that we’re able to do that, or even closing some loopholes to make sure that it is possible to do exactly what this resolution calls for.”
The measure passed 108-0 with one voting present.
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Rep. Will Davis voted “Present.”
Gov. Pritzker has said IDES is putting together a timeline for reopening the offices.
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Always check for motions
Sunday, May 30, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Rachel Hinton at the Sun-Times was the only reporter who wrote about this bill who noticed that a crucial motion had been filed…
In the House, lawmakers held a heated debate on House Bill 1091, one of two bills in the Legislature that’s aimed at making the state’s FOID card system more effective.
Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, sponsored the bill and introduced it in the House. Hirschauer said it would create an option for an electronic FOID card; allow for automatic renewal of the card when one’s concealed carry license is renewed and requires an applicant seeking to get, or renew, a Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) card to include a full set of their fingerprints to the Illinois State Police, unless the applicant has already done so.
Hirschauer said the bill will help to “keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people,” like the man who fatally shot five of his co-workers in 2019 at the Henry Pratt Company in Aurora. […]
That bill passed 60 to 50, largely along party lines. But, by Saturday night, Rep. Frances Hurley, D-Chicago, had filed a motion to reconsider. As a result, the bill would stay in the House unless, or until, the motion is taken up by members.
Yep.
This is a House bill, so it needs three days of readings in the Senate. That can’t happen before midnight Monday even if the brick is lifted by Rep. Hurley today.
I’ve made this mistake before. It’s maddening and embarrassing. Thank goodness for reporters like Hinton.
…Adding… Literally seconds after this post went live, a story by NPR Illinois’ Hannah Meisel went online…
State Rep. Curtis Tarver (D-Chicago) recounted his Nov. 2019 arrest after a traffic stop, when Chicago Police detained the Democrat for seven hours for carrying a gun with an out-of-date FOID card.
In reality, Tarver renewed his FOID card two days prior but Chicago Police’s database had not yet ingested the renewal information. Tarver said electronic notifications for FOID card renewal deadlines may have prevented his arrest.
“I get a letter to my home address from 10 years ago, and it becomes an issue,” Tarver said. “I take care of it with the State Police, I still get pulled over because the system’s [are] not caught up with each other, and I’m screwed.”
Tarver asked Hirschauer to commit to getting that passed. […]
However, it’s unclear whether the legislation will make it to the Senate, as after the bill’s narrow approval, State Rep. Fran Hurley (D-Chicago), who voted for the bill and managed members of her own Moderate Caucus within the House, filed a motion to reconsider.
Another fine Statehouse reporter heard from.
* Oops…
* Illinois House sends controversial FOID card bill to Senate
* Mandatory fingerprints for legal gun owners passes to Illinois Senate
* Illinois Lawmakers Advance Bill Requiring Fingerprints For Gun Card Applications
* House passes bill requiring fingerprints for FOID cards, but Senate may make changes
* Illinois House passes proposal requiring fingerprints from gun owners: It now heads to the Senate for consideration.
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