Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson has released a new 30-second ad ahead of tonight’s debate.
The ad touts Johnson’s experience in violence prevention and health care, and mentions helping to pass “the law to ban housing discrimination,” a reference to the Just Housing Amendment passed by the Cook County Board in 2019.
That mayoral debate will stream tonight at 7 p.m. on ABC 7’s website, as well as its YouTube and Facebook pages.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker downplays a report in @politico that he was overheard "talking in high volume" in Davos talking about his political future, including a White House run. Pritzker says he was conducting a media interview and was asked about his future.
Q: And then also, there is a report today in Politico that quote, overheard Illinois Governor JB Pritzker talking at high volume in the central lounge of the Congress Center about his political future political career, including a possible White House bid. Is that an accurate report that you were overheard making comments in the Congress Center, whatever that is?
A: No. I was interviewed by one of your colleagues in another news organization. And, you know, they asked me all about Illinois. And eventually, they got around to asking the question that you all have asked me about being mentioned as a possible presidential candidate. And I was simply responding as I have to you that I have every intention to serve out the four years that I just won as governor, and that we have a lot of challenges in Illinois that we’re going to continue to work on overcoming, and lots of success already. And so to the, to the extent anybody overheard something, it was literally the answer that I was giving to that question that you all have asked me before.
* I think this conversation is over…
Pritzker is asked by @AmandaVinicky whether he would back another crack at getting a graduated income tax in Illinois: "That's not something that I'm focused on this session."
The race for chair of the Republican National Committee is dividing prominent households — pitting husband against wife.
Dick and Elizabeth Uihlein, billionaire GOP donors, have lined up on different sides of the battle over who is best equipped to lead the Republican National Committee.
Mrs. Uihlein has thrown her political muscle behind Ronna McDaniel‘s quest for a fourth term as RNC chair, while Mr. Uihlein is backing Harmeet Dhillon’s bid.
* Fresh numbers, traditional methodology. Politico…
Sophia King’s campaign says its internal polling has the mayoral candidate moving up 5 percentage points from a month ago. The campaign says it’s because King is getting her message out.
Garcia 21%
Lightfoot 15%
Vallas 10%
King 8%
Johnson 8%
Wilson 5%
Green 5%
Undecided 27%
* End Citizens United sent a letter to US Rep. Mary Miller (R-No Relation)…
End Citizens United today issued an open letter to Republican members of Congress who took money from disgraced Congressman George Santos. The letter calls on the members to donate the money to charity.
Below is the text of the letter:
In recent weeks, the truth about Congressman George Santos has come to light. Americans have learned that he lied and fabricated every detail of his life in order to deceive voters of New York’s 3rd Congressional District.
Santos is facing several investigations, at the local, federal, and international level, and is the subject of multiple legal and ethics complaints, including three from End Citizens United. In particular, Santos is accused of using a shell company to hide the true sources of the $700,000 loan he made to his campaign. He also failed to follow the law by filing his financial disclosures inaccurately and with concerning omissions. It is an unacceptable level of dishonesty, unethical behavior, and corruption.
You are among a handful of Republicans who have taken tainted campaign contributions from George Santos.
Given the long list of lies, likely criminality, and blatant disregard for ethics, transparency, or the truth, we are calling on you to donate George Santos’ tainted money to charity. Keeping the money or returning it to Santos would be an endorsement of his deception and corruption.
Sincerely,
Tiffany Muller
President, End Citizens United
According to the release, Rep. Miller received $5,000 from Kitara Ravache…. er… Rep. Santos.
* Press release…
ActBlue announced today that Regina Wallace-Jones will serve as its next CEO and President. Wallace-Jones, a technology executive, former elected official, and Democratic organizer succeeds Erin Hill, who led the organization for 14 years. Hill announced in July her intention to step down at the end of 2022.
* AG Raoul…
Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced his office obtained a seven-year prison sentence in its prosecution of a Winnebago County man who embezzled more than $100,000 from LTC Support Services, a Galesburg, Illinois-based company that operates Community Integrated Living Arrangement (CILA) homes for individuals with developmental disabilities.
Steven A. Bennett, 53, of Roscoe, Illinois was sentenced Tuesday by Winnebago County Circuit Court Judge Joseph G. McGraw after pleading guilty in September 2022 to one Class 1 felony count of theft.
* The Chief Justice is not happy with CDB and CMS…
Dear Director Underwood and Director Pascente:
As you surely know, the three Illinois Supreme Court Justices from Cook County, the 24 Justices of the Illinois Appellate Court, First District, as well as their personal staff and other state court employees – well over 150 individuals in all – currently office on Floors 14 through 20 of the Michael A. Bilandic Building (MABB). I write to express my extreme dissatisfaction with the Capital Development Board and Central Management Services with respect to your management of the ongoing renovation of the MABB elevators.
The situation reached a crisis level yesterday morning when the Justices and staff arrived to work and were unable to ride the elevators up to their offices. Every elevator in the high rise bank was out of service, and the only operating elevator – the freight elevator – could not be utilized because it requires an operator with card access and no one from CDB or CMS was available. Neither CDB nor CMS communicated or provided adequate assistance as the day unfolded, thereby putting the safety of our judges and staff at risk should anyone on the court floors need to quickly descend to the lobby in the event of an emergency.
I am appalled at the egregious errors in CDB and CMS management of the elevator renovations. The lack of resolution on the part of your offices prompted the Supreme Court’s entry of an order yesterday suspending operations from the MABB until the safety of our judges and staff can be assured. Most disturbing is the lack of respect for the Judicial Branch of government, as well as the litigants whose access to justice has been compromised.
On behalf of my colleagues on the Illinois Supreme Court, I demand that you rectify the situation immediately. I will expect a response from you at your first opportunity.
Sincerely,
Mary Jane Theis
Chief Justice, Illinois Supreme Court
* Press release…
For the first time in the history of the Illinois House of Representatives, Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch hosted a retreat for the leadership team of the House Democratic Caucus.
“I was thrilled to host my first leadership retreat for this dynamic group of legislators,” said Speaker Welch. “It’s important that I continue to foster a collaborative environment and find ways for our members to focus on what’s most important to their communities. I have the privilege of serving with a talented group of lawmakers and this retreat was a great opportunity for us to learn from one another and discuss emerging priorities for our Democratic Caucus.”
Welch’s retreat, which was held on Wednesday, focused on individual roles in fostering a culture of collaborative leadership, and featured presentations from the National Conference of State Legislatures, a bipartisan organization providing training and development for lawmakers across the country.
“This leadership retreat was an excellent chance to center our focus as Democrats and collaborate on priorities for the upcoming legislative session,” said Majority Leader Robyn Gabel (D-Evanston). “We’ve had a very successful two years – balanced budgets, protected reproductive rights, passed an equity-centered clean energy jobs package, approved the nation’s strongest assault weapons ban, and much more. It’s a great honor to serve alongside this leadership team as we work to build on that success and deliver lasting results for hardworking Illinoisans.”
“I’m grateful for Speaker Welch’s ongoing effort to find ways for our caucus to collaborate and grow as leaders,” said Assistant Majority Leader Barbara Hernandez (D-Aurora). “This leadership retreat was an excellent learning opportunity and facilitated productive conversations about our priorities as Democrats for the next two years. We are united in our goal to uplift all of Illinois and to find effective solutions to the challenges we face.”
* I love this question from Ben during an aldermanic candidate forum…
Joravsky: You're running for the opportunity to be harassed by everyone. Why?
The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) today issued 33 [cannabis] Transporter licenses, successfully closing the 2022 application pool. These licenses are in addition to the 88 Craft Grow licenses and 54 Infuser licenses already issued to date and brings the total of licensed transporters in the state to 222. 85% of all new licenses under the CRTA are equity by ownership.
“My administration remains committed to building the most equitable and economically prosperous cannabis industry in the nation,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Since I signed the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act into law in 2019, we’ve issued hundreds of licenses for craft growers, transporters, and dispensaries—a majority of which are social equity applicants. And today, I couldn’t be happier to announce that the IDOA has issued an additional 33 transporter licenses—creating more good-paying jobs and setting the stage for a flourishing cannabis industry.”
“The Department is pleased to see this industry continue to grow” said Department of Agriculture Director, Jerry Costello. “They join the hundreds of Department licensees from the last two years in building the foundation of the legal cannabis industry in Illinois, and together have generated nearly 5,000 good-paying jobs. Our team remains highly focused on its core mission of developing a well-regulated and equitable industry.”
Transporter licensees transport cannabis and cannabis-infused products on behalf of other Illinois cannabis business establishments, but not directly to consumers. For example, a craft grower would utilize a transport licensee to deliver product to a dispensary.
The current list of licensees is available on the department’s website.
* And, finally, a group of former political movers and shakers got together in Naples, FL this week for the “Illinois Has-Been Reunion.” Click here for photos.
* Isabel’s roundup…
* WTTW | Illinois Utilities Seek to Increase Rates Across the State: What’s behind the increases depends on whom you ask. The companies have their reasons, while consumer advocates like Scarr see profit motives. Scarf said the timing has to do with changing state regulations, including the expiration of laws that largely removed authority from the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). Now, though, the ICC once again has more control over how much utilities can charge.
* WICA | SNAP benefits in Illinois to decrease in March: The Illinois Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program has been giving out additional emergency monthly allotments since April 2020. The program’s funding of the extra pandemic benefits from the federal government is scheduled to end after February, and Illinois officials are warning people ahead of time they will need to adjust.
* WICA | Danville denies permit for third marijuana dispensary: The Lynch Road area of Danville will not be getting a third marijuana dispensary, the Danville City Council decided on Tuesday. One of the items on the council’s agenda was whether to amend a zoning ordinance that allowed for two dispensaries near Lynch Road. One dispensary – Sunnyside – is already open and a second – Seven Point – will break ground in March or April with construction being completed before the end of the year.
* David Greising | Pritzker’s appearance at Davos could mark a turning point: Consider Pritzker’s main stage turn on the topic of “America (Un) Bound” — a panel meant to instruct the world about America’s policy aspirations and its fractious politics, circa 2023. It was typical Davos stuff: bromides and platitudes, mixed with healthy doses of partisan pugilism.
* Politico | How an incumbent mayor became an underdog in Chicago: While there isn’t much public polling, surveys in recent months suggest she’s trailing Democratic Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia in the Feb. 28 election. And in a crowded field of candidates, Lightfoot might even be in danger of not making the April runoff that will take place if no candidate receives a majority of the votes.
* WBEZ | City wants to use cameras to nail motorists who block bus or bike lanes, loading zones: Chicago motorists who block bus lanes, bike lanes, crosswalks or loading zones might soon get nailed by surveillance cameras installed on CTA buses, “city vehicles,” light poles and other property pinpointed by City Hall. Nearly 20 years after a CTA experiment with bus surveillance cameras failed miserably, Mayor Lori Lightfoot wants to try it again and then some in a designated downtown area that has the “highest concentration of serious crashes, traffic congestion, public transit service, pedestrian and commercial activity in Chicago,” according to the proposed ordinance.
* WILL | How did women access abortions in Illinois before Roe v. Wade?: Before Roe v. Wade recognized a constitutional right to abortion across America, women still found ways to end their pregnancies. In Illinois, that meant seeking help from an underground, feminist abortion service operating under the code name “Jane.”
* Chicago Reader | Police district candidate’s social media full of racist and misogynist posts: In tweets and group chat messages obtained by the Reader, Abbasi variously shared a racist trope, asked whether it’s misogynist to “absolutely despise the idea of women in groups and wickedness that comes from them talking to each other,” and wrote that a bar owner he’d helped with liquor licensing had provided him with “Polish girls” who may have been “trafficked.” In an interview with the Reader, Abbasi admitted he wrote them but said they were humorous trolling.
* Tribune | Chicago Bears Q&A: What could a trade down to No. 2 net? Should a 2024 1st-round pick be a must?: There will be no shortage of questions regarding the infinite possibilities Ryan Poles potentially will have with the No. 1 pick in the draft until he uses the selection or auctions it off. If the Bears were to move down one spot with the Houston Texans, who are in need of a quarterback, it would result in the smallest of all potential returns. I’m skeptical the Bears would get two first-round picks in this situation — it simply would be too high of a price for the Texans to pay unless they are positively head over heels for one of the prospects and suspect/fear another team is lurking to trade for the pick.
Several employees of a central Illinois prison were treated at hospitals Wednesday after they became sickened while responding to one or more inmates suffering severe discomfort, according to a prison spokesperson and a prison employees’ union representative.
Officials said 18 staff members at John A. Graham Correctional Center in Hillsboro required treatment at area hospitals.
An undisclosed number of inmates received treatment in the health care unit of the prison about 65 miles (105 kilometers) northeast of St. Louis.
An Illinois State Police hazardous materials team is investigating, state Department of Corrections spokesperson Naomi Puzzello said in a statement.
The staff members became ill after a prison employee responded to a “medical incident involving individuals in custody who appeared to be under the influence of an unknown substance,” Puzzello said.
“All staff members who may have potentially encountered the unknown substance were also sent to a local hospital, as a precaution. All staff are stable currently and many have already been discharged,” Puzzello said.
Prison officers and other staff who responded to the emergency call became ill, some violently, when they came near the affected inmates, said Anders Lindall of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31, an employee union.
“Those who were in proximity to the inmate were immediately overcome with a variety of symptoms: Lightheadedness, dizziness, vomiting or feeling nauseous,” Lindall said.
AFSCME’s state council has expressed growing concern about prison employees coming in contact with dangerous substances.
“The issue of exposure to harmful substances in prisons is increasing,” Lindall said, adding that prisons need better searches. “AFSCME has been sounding the alarm for months to tighten up the protocol for both incoming mail and visitor screening.”
Lindall said a union meeting was underway at the prison when the call went out and members broke up the gathering to transport colleagues to the hospital, alert family members and provide other assistance.
Graham Correctional Center is a medium-security lockup for adult males, which opened in 1980 with room for 1,596 inmates. The prison currently houses 1,328 inmates.
In all, 18 Graham Correctional Center employees, who are all AFSCME members, were taken to area hospitals.
As of right now, all 18 employees are stable and testing is being done to find out the substance they were exposed to while working.
* From the Illinois Department of Corrections…
In response to an incident at Graham Correctional Center last evening, Illinois State Police conducted preliminary tests on suspicious substances found on site and the tests came back NEGATIVE for narcotics or hazardous materials. ISP is conducting additional testing on clothing items today as well. The substances were identified as nonhazardous and should not have necessitated the use of Narcan or required hospitalization, but IDOC works diligently to ensure the safety of both incarcerated individuals and employees and worked swiftly to ensure everyone had access to the care they requested. Although no one in custody required hospitalization, some staff reported feeling dizzy and in an abundance of caution were transported to the hospital for observation and treatment. Everyone involved in this incident has been discharged from the hospital.
According to ISP the substances returned the following results.
• Nasal Spray was Acetaminophen/Paracetamol
• Powder was baby powder – Aluminum Phosphate, Ethylpyrrole, and Benzene
As we’ve told you before, hysteria is a very strong emotion.
* Even that “friendly” Kankakee County judge said many similar claims about the SAFE-T Act were bogus. From a press release…
Devore argues the [assault weapons ban] law violates the Single Subject clause of the Illinois Constitution by amending a bill that has nothing to do with gun laws and it violates the three readings requirements of the Constitution through the concurrence motions that led to the bill’s passage. He also argued the new law violates the Due Process clause by not giving lawmakers enough time to read what is in the legislation before voting on it. In addition, he argued it violates the Equal Protection clause by allowing some but prohibiting others from purchasing certain types of firearms.
Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s lawyers argued the restraining order should be denied in part because the merits of the coming lawsuit will fail in court. The record will show the legislation was read publicly three times, that it covers a single subject — guns — and that the plaintiffs show no evidence that the exemptions for possessing the restricted weapons are doled out unfairly.
“The act’s exceptions for professionals with specialized firearms training and experience, such as law enforcement and members of the military, easily survive rational basis scrutiny,” the state’s response says.
The suit may be frivolous, but it’s in Effingham County. Attorney General candidate Tom DeVore won that county with more than 80 percent of the vote.
* The state suits are mainly for show and to create a little temporary chaos. The federal lawsuit filed by ISRA will likely have more heft. From the Federalist…
While several federal appellate courts have held that similar bans on so-called assault weapons are constitutional, in June of 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court in Bruen held that in judging whether a challenged statute violates the Second Amendment, the appellate courts have been applying an incorrect legal standard. The Supreme Court then declared that the proper test for assessing whether a law impermissibly infringes on an individual’s Second Amendment right is whether the government can “affirmatively prove that its firearms regulation is part of the historical tradition that delimits the outer bounds of the right to keep and bear arms.”
Then, noting that modern firearm technology differs from that available at the founding, the Supreme Court in Bruen directed the lower courts, when faced with cases “implicating unprecedented societal concerns or dramatic technological changes” to follow “a more nuanced approach” and “conduct … reasoning by analogy” to determine whether a modern firearm regulation would be “unimaginable at the founding.” The Supreme Court added that “whether modern and historical regulations impose a comparable burden on the right of armed self-defense and whether that burden is comparably justified are ‘central’ considerations when engaging in an analogical inquiry.”
It is kinda weird that judges are supposed to mind-read people who’ve been dead for more than 200 years. But, whatever, they made the rules. We have to live with them. I think several valid arguments can be made under those rules that the law is constitutional, but this game is deliberately designed to be more like Calvin Ball than true deliberation.
* Speaking of ISRA, Richard Pearson was interviewed by WBEZ’s Sasha-Ann Simons today. An excerpt…
Simons: There’s a Gallup poll out from November of 2022, saying that 57% of Americans are in support of stricter gun laws. I imagine that is due to the fact that tens of thousands of folks are dying every year, Richard, in this country from gunshot wounds. It’s a fact. Mass shootings, they’re on the rise. Are you ignoring that, like the state representative suggested?
Pearson: No, I’m not ignoring that, but you’re ignoring the numbers. You know, about 80…
Simons: What numbers am I ignoring?
Pearson: I’m gonna tell you if you shut up for a minute.
Simons: Excuse me?
Whew.
A few seconds after that exchange, Simons understandably shut down the interview.
*** UPDATE 2 *** Good move…
I apologize to @WBEZ host @WBEZreset@SashaAnnSimons and her listening audience. I was rude during my live interview on Jan. 19, and I’m sorry for my behavior. -Richard Pearson #ISRA
A Facebook post by Lake County Sheriff John Idleburg Thursday night expressing his support for the state’s ban on high-powered weapons prompted more than 2,000 comments, both from detractors and supporters, within 24 hours. […]
Several critics of Idleburg’s stance brought up his race. One commenter questioned how Idleburg ever became a police officer, to which another user replied, “color.”
“I would really hope in the year 2023, people would not use race or other protected status to disrespect others, but unfortunately, I have seen some of the comments where people have been very insulting over my race,” Idleburg said. “I won’t let the racist comments disparage the unbelievably hardworking and dedicated staff we have at the sheriff’s office.”
We are the ten (10) Illinois State Senators and Representatives that represent the overwhelming majority of you and your families in Lake County. Last week Illinois enacted the Protect Illinois Communities Act which joins eight (8) other states in banning the sale of assault weapons, and adopts other essential public safety measures like banning the sale of high capacity magazines, fighting illegal gun trafficking, and expanding our red flag laws.
We are grateful to our Lake County leaders like State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart, Sheriff John Idleburg, and Lake County Board members who have stood in support of these life-saving new laws. Our communities continue to heal not just from the Highland Park Fourth of July mass shooting, but from individual gun violence, suicide by firearm, school lockdowns for our children, and other trauma resulting from gun violence.
Sadly, some elected officials in other parts of the state have pledged to ignore their oath of office with the intention of not enforcing the law. Even worse, cowardly anonymous social media accounts have turned to threats and racism against our elected officials.
Please know that your senators and representatives will continue to do everything in our power to keep your community safe, and will stand in strong support of our local leaders who are doing the same.
Sen. Mary Edly Allen, 31st District
Sen. Adrianne Johnson, 30th District
Sen. Julie Morrison, 29th District
Rep. Jonathan Carroll, 57th District
Rep. Daniel Didech, 59th District
Rep. Laura Faver Dias, 62nd District
Rep. Joyce Mason, 61st District
Rep. Rita Mayfield, 60th District
Rep. Bob Morgan, 58th District
Rep. Nabeela Syed, 51st District
* Meanwhile…
"Just because somebody goes on Fox News or stands up and gives a speech on the floor or elsewhere and says that they've talked to lawyers and they believe it's unconstitutional, that isn't definitive of whether anything is constitutional or not," Pritzker says.
*** UPDATE 1 *** More heat on the DuPage County Sheriff from the area’s congressional delegation…
Today, U. S. Representatives Sean Casten (IL-06), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), and Bill Foster (IL-11) sent a letter to DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick expressing concern over his January 11th statement that he will not enforce the Protect Illinois Communities Act (H.B. 5471). The legislation bans the sale and distribution of assault-style weapons, high-capacity magazines, and switches in Illinois.
“As Sheriff, you do not have the authority to set enforcement priorities based on your personal views of a law’s constitutionality” the lawmakers wrote. “Moreover, by choosing not to enforce the law, you will put the safety of DuPage residents and law enforcement officers at risk. To that end, we request that you immediately rescind your January 11, 2023, statement and clarify that you will uphold your office’s mission statement, including your duty to ‘enforce the laws of the State of Illinois and the county of DuPage in a fair and impartial manner.’ It is clear that your statement was misguided and erroneous due to the widespread condemnation from DuPage County residents, several county board members, and state legislators.”
Earlier this month, the Illinois General Assembly passed the Protect Illinois Communities Act, subsequently signed into law by Governor JB Pritzker. On January 13th, DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick announced that, due to his personal beliefs about H. B. 5471, he would not enforce the law in DuPage County.
In October 2022, the DuPage County Board voted to approve a resolution in support of legislation banning the sale of assault-style weapons.
* Catholic bishops applaud Illinois weapons ban: “The Catholic Conference of Illinois would like to commend the Illinois General Assembly and Governor J B Pritzker on banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines with the passage of House Bill 5471,” read a statement posted on the website of the state Catholic conference. “Too many times our state has witnessed the horror of mass shootings, and we hope this legislation will help to provide some peace in our communities going forward,” the bishops continued.
A year after the Christopher Columbus statue in Arrigo Park was yanked down amid mounting protests, hundreds rallied at the same spot in the heart of Little Italy last month to demand the city restore that monument to the explorer and two others.
Billed as Italian Unity Day, the July 25 event included many with deep ties to the neighborhood. But it was also filled with members of a controversial western chauvinist group with a long track record of sowing division: the Proud Boys. […]
The Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans planned the event in Arrigo Park last month on the one-year anniversary of the statues’ removal.
Ron Onesti, the group’s president, said the fight to bring back the Little Italy monument had become a multi-ethnic effort over the past year, and that every culture was welcomed to attend the event. […]
“I am unfamiliar with the [Proud Boys] group. I do not support violence, destruction, racism, bigotry or disrespect of any kind,” he said.
Would he have asked the groups to leave the rally if he knew they had ties to the Capitol insurrection?
“It’s not my place to ask anyone to leave,” he said.
The CEO of the company that operates the Des Plaines Theatre defended leasing the city-owned venue to a group that’s been criticized for making queerphobic social media posts and other controversial statements.
Describing himself as a proponent of the First Amendment, Ron Onesti of Onesti Entertainment Corp. on Wednesday said Naperville-based Awake Illinois has the right to hold meetings and discuss the issues it pleases. Despite the controversy, Onesti said he won’t cancel the event.
“It’s not for me to be judge and jury,” Onesti said. […]
Onesti Entertainment has a five-year deal with Des Plaines to operate the theater, which the city purchased in 2018 and spent millions to renovate.
* Background is here if you need it. Molly Parker, Lee Enterprises Midwest, and Beth Hundsdorfer, Capitol News Illinois, and ProPublica…
The watchdog for the Illinois Department of Human Services is seeking harsher penalties against health care workers who obstruct abuse and neglect investigations.
IDHS Inspector General Peter Neumer’s call to action comes on the heels of extensive reporting by Lee Enterprises, Capitol News Illinois and ProPublica last year that revealed a culture of abuse and cover-ups at Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center in rural southern Illinois. The news organizations detailed how uncooperative staff stymied the state’s ability to hold employees facing serious abuse allegations to account.
Specifically, Neumer is asking legislators for a change in law that would allow his office to report workers engaged in similar misconduct to an existing statewide registry. The move could bar those employees from working in the health care field in Illinois.
The Health Care Worker Registry monitors direct care aides, nursing assistants and other non-licensed health care officials; its database of professionals includes those who are barred from working with vulnerable populations. They may have been barred because of criminal records or if they have been found in an administrative proceeding to have engaged in financial exploitation, what is known as “egregious neglect” or physical and sexual abuse.
Under the current system, state workers who help their colleagues by lying to or misleading investigators can face termination if they’re caught, but findings against them can’t be reported to the registry. So short of criminal charges, which are rare, nothing would prevent them from going to work in another health care setting.
The Office of the Inspector General “regularly sees instances where facility or agency staff seek to protect each other from the consequences of their misconduct by remaining silent about what they witnessed or lying to protect their fellow employees,” Neumer wrote in a recently released annual report on his office’s work.
In a follow-up interview, Neumer said expanding his office’s authority would help deter employees from “engaging in cover-up behavior or code-of-silence activity if they were aware that by doing so they risked losing their employment and possibly their ability to work in the health care industry in Illinois.” […]
A spokesperson for House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch said he was “incredibly troubled” by the reports on Choate and is “closely reviewing” the inspector general’s recommendations.
Anger over the political appointment process has been simmering among Champaign County Democrats since the Dec. 9 death of state Sen. Scott Bennett.
This week, it boiled over into a bitter public display after Champaign County Clerk and Recorder Aaron Ammons re-stated his accusation that party officials were motivated by racism and sexism when they appointed Paul Faraci to fill Sen. Bennett’s seat rather than his wife, state Rep. Carol Ammons, D-Urbana.
Aaron Ammons’ statement, made on the Champaign County Democrats’ Facebook page, drew immediate condemnation from others, including Sen. Bennett’s widow, Stacy. The lengthy exchange was pointed and personal.
I too have been biting my tongue for more than a month because quite frankly the truth is just too painful, but this has gone way too far and the truth needs to come to light. I very much appreciated you and Representative Ammons coming to the house and bringing flowers until I learned that she had been making numerous calls about getting Scott’s seat less than hour after he died. I then learned Representative Ammons told the media that she was with the family at the hospital, which was simply not true. Being in the lobby and being in the icu with the family are VERY different things. This was particularly hurtful to members of the extended family who wondered why they weren’t with us at the hospital. As if this wasn’t enough, I later learned that you approached Scott’s senate colleagues about endorsing Representative Ammons AT his memorial service! My friends did a wonderful job of trying to shield me from all of this, but none of these actions were done secretly, so it didn’t take long for me to find out. I felt like I was being repeatedly kicked while I was already down. Honestly, I am still shocked by all of this and imagining Representative Ammons making calls about Scott’s senate seat while I was telling my 9 year old children that their daddy was never coming home is almost too much to bear.
I just can’t sit back and let you continue to disparage those people who worked so hard to honor Scott’s legacy. The only person entitled to this seat was Scott who was elected by the people of the 52nd district. I believe of the last 31 senators who have been appointed, only 7 were state reps, so that is actually not the standard. Plus, Scott was an amazing senator without being a state rep. Mike, Cari, and Sandy set up a fair process that was similar to what Scott went through when he was appointed. Everyone had the right to put their name in for consideration.
This process has already been painful and destructive enough. I just ask that the lies and negativity stop, so we can all move on and so I can finally work towards finding closure.
* Ms. Bennett’s post was preceded by this one from Champaign County Democratic Party Vice Chair Cari West-Henkelman…
I have bit my tongue about the [expletive deleted] that y’all pulled during the appointment process for several reasons.
1. Out of respect to Scott’s family.
2. To avoid jeopardizing you or Carol’s future elections.
3. Mainly because I’m not in the business of tearing down other people…especially fellow Dems.
As I said during this whole thing, there were many different things that had to be considered when making such an important decision. At the end of the day we did what we felt was best for the 52nd district, Champaign and Vermilion counties, and to honor MY friend Scott and his family.
I also said that I would hope all the candidates would respect the decision and support the appointment. Everyone seems to have done that except you.
With all that being said, I politely ask you to knock it off.
State Representative Carol Ammons (D- 103rd District) said she was with Bennett’s family shortly after he was admitted to the hospital on Thursday.
“We sat until the evening, so that we could see that he was stabilizing,” Rep. Ammons said. “We really wanted to know if he was stable and if the doctors could figure out what was wrong.”
The station didn’t actually quote Ammons saying she was with Bennett’s family, and Rep. Ammons told me she was with several other people in the hospital lobby, which I was able to confirm myself.
* Rep. Ammons’ spouse, County Clerk Aaron Ammons, explained it this way on the FB thread…
I want to clarify that Representative Ammons has NEVER said she was in the ICU with the family. […]
As many of us know when dealing with the press that anything outside of your direct quote is an interpretation of what they heard during the interview and they OFTEN misquote the people they are interviewing. Stacy Meredith Bennett Again, we meant NO Disrespect, and offer our apologies if what the reporter wrote was misleading or caused any confusion for you or the family, that was certainly NOT our intent.
* It never ceases to blow my mind how reporters refuse to do the simplest of Google searches or fall for the dumbest things. Here’s John Clark at WTVO in Rockford…
A medical watchdog group is criticizing Illinois’ new law that requires health-care workers to take racial bias training over “being a good doctor.”
According to the Illinois Administrative Code, racial bias occurs automatically and unintentionally, affecting behaviors, judgments, and decisions.
The medical watchdog group Do No Harm counters that “There is no credible evidence that physicians are biased, or healthcare is systemically racist.”
Also, Google “Do No Harm” and you’ll find the “medical watchdog” group’s website is filled with warnings about how the same people behind “Critical Race Theory” and “Defund the police” are now coming after physicians. It has posts supporting Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ war on “wokeness,” warns about trans rights, etc.
Kristina is a grassroots and advocacy expert. She previously served as the president of a major state think tank, chief of staff to a governor, and as an advocate for federal government reform.
A simple Google search would show that the “think tank” has an Illinois angle. Rasmussen worked for the Illinois Policy Institute. The governor mentioned was Bruce Rauner. Rasmussen’s comms team was ousted after issuing a press release in the governor’s name saying he wouldn’t take a stand on an IPI cartoon deemed racist by many because he was “a white male.” And then Rauner parted ways with Rasmussen.
* But, hey, forget the Google machine for a moment. Forget about trying to balance the story by reaching out to a professional medical group or a civil rights association to counter the propaganda they published without question. The city of Rockford has a Black state Representative named Maurice West who WTVO could’ve also consulted. I reached out to Rep. West last night about the WTVO story and here’s what he had to say…
My wife had complications after the birth of our daughter in 2020 where a headache was one of the symptoms. The ER doctor was confident that her “hair was braided too tight”.
My wife’s hair is not in braids, and her birth related sickness that could have gotten worse went unchecked for two more days because of the doctor’s racial/cultural ignorance.
It’s not calling doctors racist. If you are not exposed to cultural differences on a regular basis then it’s best to learn and understand the differences to be a more effective doctor.
— Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton (@LtGovStratton) January 19, 2023
* Here’s your daily morning roundup…
* Illinois Times | General Assembly passes bill requiring employers to offer paid leave: Sherry Morris, a part-time employee of Help at Home, would gain paid time off, beginning in January 2024, if a bill recently passed by the Illinois General Assembly is signed into law. The Riverton resident also cares for her 30-year-old son, Kyle, who has mental disabilities and lives with her. Sherry Morris says a bill that will soon head to the governor’s desk for his signature would boost her quality of life “tremendously” as she works in low-income clients’ homes to help them maintain independence. “It’s mind-blowing,” Morris, 66, of Riverton said in response to the General Assembly’s recent passage of a bill that would, for the first time, require all Illinois employers to offer up to five days of paid leave for any reason each year.
* Advance Illinois | Statement on the Illinois State Board of Education FY24 Budget Recommendation: Today the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) approved and sent to Governor Pritzker recommendations for the FY24 Budget. While Advance Illinois commends ISBE for taking steps to ensure Illinois students, from early childhood through high school, have the care and education they need to thrive and succeed, today’s proposed budget didn’t go far enough.
* SJ-R | Tucked inside state spending bill, Illinois commits to new statute honoring King: The bill’s passing happened about four months after 24-year-old Fernando Garcia Martinez was arrested for toppling the current MLK statue. The statue, located at the intersection of Capitol Avenue and Second Street, has since been removed from the base and taken to a state warehouse in Springfield. It is unclear when or if it will be returned to the intersection also called “Freedom Corner.”
* Tribune | New records show Gov. J.B. Pritzker has spent $350 million to win his two terms in office: In his two winning campaigns to become Illinois’ chief executive, billionaire Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker, the nation’s wealthiest politician, has spent $350 million, including more than $167 million to defeat Republican Darren Bailey by nearly 13 percentage points in November, according to newly released state and federal campaign records.
* Pantagraph | $180 million more sought for Illinois higher education: The budget request goes to the General Assembly and governor for their consideration in passing the state budget later this year. It includes a 7.5% increase in the total direct funding for the state’s public universities and community colleges. Last year’s budget included a 5% increase.
* WTVO | Rockford’s Hard Rock Casino made $55M in 2022: Numbers from the Illinois Gaming Board show over 463,000 people visited the temporary Rockford Casino: A Hard Rock Opening Act in 2022, bringing in $54.7 million. Of that, $8 million went to the state and $3 million went to Rockford region, with the city taking a majority share in a split with Winnebago County, Loves Park, and Machesney Park.
* Tribune | Former Portage Mayor James Snyder’s attorney argues that appeals court should grant him third trial: In October 2021, Snyder was sentenced to 21 months in prison and one year supervised release for soliciting bribes and obstruction, but the judge ruled that Snyder did not have to report to prison while his appeal was ongoing. Snyder was first indicted in 2016, on the same day former Lake County Sheriff John Buncich was indicted for receiving bribes as part of a towing scheme. While Buncich was sent to federal prison in 2018, Snyder has been convicted twice, shaken up his legal team and spent most of the past six years proclaiming his innocence.
* Fox Chicago | Chicago mayoral candidate Ja’Mal Green lays out tax relief proposal: The plan includes two-year interest-free loans for people at risk of losing their homes, a city “Loyalty Tax Credit” for homeowners who stay in their homes for more than three years and eliminating the property tax escalator put in place by Mayor Lori Lightfoot.
* Sun-Times | Biden to nominate Jeffrey Cummings, LaShonda Hunt for Chicago-based U.S. District Court spots: Both judges, who are Black, will further the goal of Biden and Senate Judiciary Chairman Dick Durbin, D-Ill., to diversify the federal bench. Last year, attorney Nancy Maldonado became the first Hispanic woman to sit on the Northern District of Illinois. Since the Northern District was created some 200 years ago, it has been dominated by white male judges.
* Chicago Reader | Daring to win: Helen Shiller’s new autobiography details decades of political struggles in Uptown.: Helen Shiller insists that the story of Uptown is not unique. After more than 50 years living in the neighborhood, it’s hard to disagree with her. In many ways, the most pressing concerns that Shiller first identified when she moved to the neighborhood in 1972 still haunt the wider city, and America as a whole: conflicts with police, a lack of adequate housing, and a deep-seated disconnect between the desires of working-class people and the politicians who represent them. In many cases, they’ve worsened.
* WLS-AM | 23-year-old 73rd District State Rep Brad Fritts is ready to serve: One of the youngest state representatives to ever serve in the 74th District, Brad Fritts, joins the Steve Cochran Show to talk about why he decided to run for State Rep at 22, being eager to learn from his colleagues & serve his district. He also offers advice to young people who wish to enter politics.
* NBC Chicago | Unlawfully Towed? Refunds Are Hard to Come By, Even at State Regulators’ Request: For Chicagoans who know the rules and laws of parking in the city, the hope is that if mistakes are made or their cars are taken unlawfully by private tow companies, Illinois state regulators will have their back. Drivers still have to pay a $218 fee to get their vehicle back from the tow yard, but if the tow is ruled as illegal, regulators with the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) can force the tow company behind the tow to refund the driver the money they paid.
