* I will likely open the blog late Sunday afternoon before the Senate returns at 5, but I don’t think I’ll open comments until Monday. Background on this remix is here. The tune seems appropriate since the Senate hasn’t yet decided what to do about the two big House bills awaiting action next week…
Goes to show, you don’t ever know
Watch each card you play and play it slow
Wait until that deal come round
Don’t you let that deal go down, oh no
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, for terms beginning on or after January 16, 2023, the directors, secretaries, assistant directors, and assistant secretaries shall receive annual salaries, payable in equal monthly installments, and increases in salary, as designated in the Sections following this Section and preceding Section 5-500.
And then if you scroll through, salaries are laid out for directors, etc.
For terms beginning on or after January 9, 2023:
To the Governor, a salary of $205,700 or as set by the Compensation Review Board, whichever is greater, together with the use and occupancy of the executive mansion. To the Lieutenant Governor, a salary of $160,900 or as set by the Compensation Review Board, whichever is greater. To the Secretary of State, a salary of $183,300 or as set by the Compensation Review Board, whichever is greater. To the Comptroller, a salary of $160,900 or as set by the Compensation Review Board, whichever is greater. To the Treasurer, a salary of $160,900 or as set by the Compensation Review Board, whichever is greater. To the Attorney General, a salary of $183,300 or as set by the Compensation Review Board, whichever is greater.
…Adding… The governor doesn’t take a salary, but here are the current salaries for the other constitutionals…
Beginning with the 103rd General Assembly, each member of the General Assembly shall receive an annual salary of $85,000 or as set by the Compensation Review Board, whichever is greater.
…Adding… Base legislator salary is currently $71,800. So this is an 18.4 percent increase.
For any General Assembly in which the majority party in the House of Representatives has 71 or more elected Representatives, the majority party shall have one additional majority officer who shall have the title of speaker pro tempore and who shall receive an amount equal to the majority leader in the House and one majority officer who shall receive an amount equal to an assistant majority leader in the House of Representatives.
For any General Assembly in which the majority party in the Senate has 36 or more elected Senators, the majority party shall have one additional majority officer who shall receive an amount equal to the majority leader in the House and one majority officer who shall receive an amount equal to an assistant majority leader in the Senate.
And now maybe we know why legislators were willing to wait so long tonight.
…Adding… So, apparently, this all started with a request from the governor’s office for pay increases for top agency officials because Illinois’ compensation isn’t competitive with other large states. That morphed into talks about pay raises for constitutional officers. And then, as you might imagine, legislators didn’t want to be left out while everyone else was getting a raise.
The interesting thing is that this has to all be signed into law before noon on Monday, when the constitutionals are sworn in. The Senate is returning Sunday, so that chamber will be able to pass this on concurrence and get it to the governor.
Much credit for keeping this such a secret.
…Adding… For a comparison of agency director salaries to other large states, click here. To look at Illinois director and assistant director current salaries and proposed increases, click here. The documents were shared by the governor’s office.
* House members have been sitting around doing essentially nothing since the House Democratic caucus meeting ended shortly before 4 o’clock this afternoon.
All I’ve been able to discern so far is that they’re waiting on the final drafting of a BIMP after some “corrections” needed to be made and drafting has taken much longer than expected. Hopefully, they can get this moving soon. Stay tuned.
As Governor Pritzker concludes his first term in office and approaches his second inauguration, the administration announced the following personnel transitions at Illinois state agencies:
Illinois Department of Natural Resources Director Colleen Callahan will step down from her position on January 16th. Since beginning her term in 2019, Director Callahan has guided the department through the formation of a new strategic plan focused on protecting Illinois’s natural resources and reducing the impact of climate change. Callahan also advocated for IDNR’s largest budget in decades to fund repairs and updates at state sites and led the successful re-brand of invasive carp to Copi. Prior to her appointment to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Callahan served as state director of Illinois’ Rural Development for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and worked for over 30 years in agriculture communications for WMBD Radio in Peoria.
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Director Sylvia Garcia will step down from her position on January 16th. Appointed in 2021, Director Garcia has led DCEO through key COVID-19 revitalization and rebuilding efforts, including supporting thousands of businesses and local governments through over $1 billion in economic assistance and the launch of the state’s largest ever tourism campaign, “Illinois: The Middle of Everything.” Garcia previously served as Chief Operating Officer and Chief of Staff at the Chicago Transit Authority and as Chief Financial Officer of the U.S. Department of Transportation during the Obama Administration.
CMS Director Anthony Pascente will step down from his position on January 20th. Pascente, who previously served as CMS Chief of Staff, was appointed by Governor Pritzker in 2022. Pascente was instrumental in the historic sale of the James R. Thompson Center and the purchase of the new state government Chicago offices at 555 W Monroe Street and 115 S. LaSalle, as well as in guiding remote work and return to workplace initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to his time at CMS, Pascente served as the Deputy Chief Operating Officer for the City of Chicago in the Office of Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology Secretary Jennifer Ricker will step down from her position at the end of the term. Ricker was appointed Secretary after previously serving as Chief of Staff and Assistant Secretary at DoIT. During her tenure, Ricker led DoIT’s efforts in expanding remote work capabilities for the state workforce and implementing pandemic-related systems and enhancements to facilitate virtual state services for residents. Prior to working at DoIT, Ricker served as chief of staff for the Illinois Emergency Management Agency.
The administration looks forward to announcing additional appointments in the coming weeks.
Brandon Ragle has just been named Acting Secretary of DoIT.
* Pretty decent growth. Imagine how much better it would be without the massive retail markups…
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation announced today that 2022 set adult use cannabis sales records in all categories it tracks. This includes number of items sold, sales totals to Illinois and out-of-state residents, and sales total by month. For the year, Illinois adult use cannabis dispensaries sold $1,552,324,820.37 worth of product, an increase of more than 12% from 2021 and 131% from 2020, the first year cannabis sales were first legally allowed in Illinois. There are currently 113 adult use cannabis dispensaries in Illinois, including the first three social equity dispensaries that opened their doors in 2022. These figures do not include taxes collected, which are reported by the Illinois Department of Revenue.
“When I signed the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act into law in 2019, we set out on an ambitious goal: to create the most equitable and economically prosperous cannabis industry in the nation. Our data from 2022 shows that we are well on our way towards making that idea a reality,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Not only did we break our previous sales record by more than 12% with a total of more than $1.5 billion, we also saw the first of our social equity adult use cannabis dispensaries open their doors for business—paving the way for an even stronger 2023.”
“This marks the second straight year that Illinois’ adult use cannabis industry has seen record-setting growth, and we are excited for what the future holds for the most equitable cannabis industry in the country,” said Mario Treto, Jr., Secretary of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. “We are optimistic the industry will only continue to flourish in 2023, as we welcome more dispensaries to Illinois.”
Statistics compiled by IDFPR show 2021’s sales totals were all exceeded in November 2022. In total, 36,435,129 items were sold in Illinois adult use cannabis dispensaries in 2022, an increase of 20% from 2021. In addition, Illinois resident sales totaled $1,073,132,436.48 (an increase of almost 14% from 2021), while sales to out-of-state residents totaled $479,192,383.91 (an increase of almost 10% from 2021). IDFPR’s complete adult use cannabis monthly sales tracker may be found online here.
In addition to three social equity adult use cannabis dispensaries that opened their doors in 2022, 189 other conditional licensees are in the process of receiving their full dispensary license from IDFPR. Dispensaries may begin adult use cannabis sales once they receive their full license from IDFPR. The Department also announced in December 2022 that applications for the next round of cannabis dispensary licenses will be accepted starting January 30, 2023. Additional information for prospective applicants (including a mock application, proposed timeline, and social equity criteria applicants will need to meet to receive a license) may be found on IDFPR’s Adult Use Cannabis Program webpage under the “Information for social Equity Criteria Lottery” section.
More dispensaries should force those price margins down.
* Press release…
The Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center is proud to announce the appointment of national nonprofit leader Bernard Cherkasov as the Museum’s Chief Executive Officer.
Cherkasov joins the Museum during an incredible moment in its history. In 2022, the Museum saw record-high attendance and gained international attention for its groundbreaking virtual reality exhibition, leadership combating antisemitism, and speaking out for justice.
“It is always incredible to find a leader who can meet the moment,” said Jordan Lamm, Chair of the Museum’s Board. “Bernard has had a profound impact on the fabric of the local, state, and national community. He committed himself with compassion and tenacity to the advancement of human and civil rights and worked tirelessly for equity and justice. Bernard’s personal connection to our work and his years of leadership make him a perfect fit for the Museum’s mission and legacy.”
When he was 13 years old, Cherkasov and his family fled antisemitism and ethnic violence in his native Azerbaijan and came to the United States as refugees. His worldview was shaped by the courage and conviction of those who took risks to help his family and refugees like them.
* House Resolution 1046: WHEREAS, Leader Harris maintains a wide variety of interests outside the General Assembly, including an abiding appreciation of bacon, watching little-seen science fiction movies, maintaining a unique collection of socks, raising awareness of days of recognition and celebration on social media, and acting as a human companion to Tip the Cat.
* Press release | Cunningham passes new law to help veterans: House Bill 5542 makes several changes to the Illinois Joining Forces network at their request. The bill removes the executive board, which allows the foundation to add an additional 18 members, nine of which can be appointed by the foundation themselves, to assist with fundraising.
* WBEZ | Is a longstanding Chicago political tradition on its way out?: Just 113 objections were filed against candidates’ nominating petitions for the 2023 municipal elections. That’s the lowest number of objections for a municipal election since 1983, when 105 objections were filed, according to a WBEZ analysis of historical objection cases heard by the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners.
* The Crusader | Blacks blast Lightfoot’s plan to house migrants on South Side: In news reports, Alderman Taylor said she was “blindsided” by the decision. She told radio station WVON’S Perri Small she knew nothing about the renovations or the plan to house migrants at the shuttered school. Lightfoot herself did not attend the community meeting, fueling disappointment and disgust among Woodlawn residents, including homeowners.
* WBEZ | Chicago’s confrontational police union boss is facing a tough reelection challenger: A formidable candidate is trying to unseat John Catanzara as head of the union for Chicago’s 10,000 rank-and-file cops. But officers of color, women and political moderates in CPD may find Det. Robert Bartlett similar to the incumbent. Both are white men in a union long run by white men. Both have spoken highly of Donald Trump and both have opposed efforts to toughen police oversight.
* Daily Southtown | Area teachers join statewide effort to address racism in schools: The act would classify instances of racial harassment as civil rights violations for officials and institutions that don’t work to stop them. Schools would need to adopt and display a policy, as well as train employees and distribute it to everyone involved. The proposed bill is online at www.racismfreeschools.org.
* Tribune | Illinois ranks 2nd behind Alaska for wintering bald eagles, and festival season is underway: The state’s abundance of eagles is on proud display this month, as communities host eagle festivals large and small. One of the closest festivals for Chicagoans, the Will County forest preserves’ Eagle Watch on Jan. 14 in Channahon, will feature a good chance to see a nesting pair that likes to perch just across the Des Plaines River from the Four Rivers Environmental Education Center.
* Pantagraph | Illinois State women finish strong for MVC win over Missouri State: Paige Robinson made a successful return to the Ozarks and Illinois State’s Kristen Gillespie secured her 200th win as a head coach Thursday as the Redbirds rallied for a 67-63 Missouri Valley Conference victory over Missouri State at Great Southern Bank Arena.
* Evanston Review | Some Evanston City Council members hope to attract dispensaries with cannabis lounges: Councilmember Eleanor Revelle has already gone on the record to call the referral, sponsored by Councilmember Devon Reid, a “mistake,” citing concerns brought forth by Evanston Health Advisory Council Chair Donald Ziegler. Ziegler said he opposes cannabis lounges due to secondhand smoke and said it should be banned wherever tobacco consumption is illegal.
* WROK | World’s Largest Guitar Is Coming Home To Illinois : The Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 in Joliet, Illinois is set to receive the largest hand-made guitar sculpture ever created. The artwork, named GIGANTAR, will begin its journey to the museum on January 14th, starting with a launch party at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park, New Jersey. GIGANTAR will then travel across five states on an open flat-bed truck, making stops at prestigious and historical sites along the way. The sculpture will arrive in Joliet on January 16th.
Following is a statement from Rep. Bob Morgan, the chair of the House Safety & Reform Working Group, on the passage of the Protect Illinois Communities in the House of Representatives, including a ban on assault weapons and high capacity magazines:
“This passage by the House is a monumental step, and all the activists, organizers and survivors who have flooded this building with their advocacy should be proud of this achievement. This is your victory. We aren’t done yet–but this legislative action represents serious progress on the road to full passage. I want to thank Speaker Welch for his leadership and guidance as we have worked to negotiate this package and move forward on the path to passing this life-saving, common sense legislation.”
* Speaker Welch…
“Tonight, I want to congratulate the Firearms Safety Working Group and the Reproductive Health Working Group. More importantly, I want to thank the members whose leadership, hard work, compromise, and compassion have allowed us to find purpose and progress in the pain and trauma so many have felt.
It is thanks to their months of hard work that the Illinois House passed common-sense gun reform and necessary protections for reproductive health care. We know that the work is not done; we will continue looking for opportunities to engage stakeholders and continuing to do the work to move Illinois forward.”
* Gov. Pritzker…
Following the Illinois House of Representatives taking action on several bills today, Governor JB Pritzker issued the following statement.
For months lawmakers and advocates have been hard at work negotiating two very critical pieces of legislation to keep Illinoisans safe. Tonight, with the leadership and support of Speaker Welch, the Illinois House passed critical reproductive health protections and an assault weapons ban. The people of Illinois send us to Springfield to tackle tough issues and these bills are historic steps in the right direction. I look forward to working with our colleagues in the Illinois Senate to get bills addressing these issues to my desk so I can sign them as soon as possible.
I’d like to thank Rep. Cassidy for her tireless work to protect reproductive healthcare and Rep. Morgan for his work to get weapons of war off our streets.
* Rep. Niemerg…
The Illinois House has approved another extreme abortion rights bill and has once again taken aim at the rights of parents, according to State Representative Adam Niemerg (R-Dietrich).
The House approved SB 1534, which was amended to include more radical pro-abortion language. The bill paves the way for mobile abortion clinics and allows physician’s assistants to administer certain types of abortions.
“When is enough, enough? We pass abortion bill after abortion after abortion bill after abortion bill,” Niemerg said. “The other side is talking about the physician and the patient but what about the parents? I’m a father. There are many mothers and fathers who want to be involved in their kids’ lives. But the radical Democrat majority repealed parental notification. Now we are making it so that physician assistants can perform abortions and we are putting a mobile abortion clinic in southern Illinois. They have removed all liability for abortion clinics. So now a 14-year-old girl can be driven to an abortion clinic by her boyfriend, and she can have that abortion and that child could die on the table with no liability for abortion clinic and the parents wouldn’t know anything about it until it was all over. It is time we started talking about the parents. When is enough, enough? It is obvious there are no restrictions on abortion the proponents of this bill will support.”
Senate Bill 1534 now moves to the Illinois Senate for further consideration.
* ISRA…
The Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA) harshly condemns the actions of the Illinois General Assembly as it prepares to vote in the Senate on a comprehensive ban of hundreds of types of firearms across Illinois.
“The Illinois General Assembly is working to pass a bill that the law-abiding gun owners across the state will fear, but criminals will ignore, as they already do to the dozens of laws already on the books,” said Richard Pearson, Executive Director of the Illinois State Rifle Association. “What is most alarming is the impact this will happen on police departments as they try to determine how to implement this law on their law-abiding constituents,” Pearson added.
Pearson echoed the concerns and the alarm felt by ISRA members and the thousands of other FOID card-carrying individuals across the state who rely on their firearms for safety.
Our members, concerned citizens, and members of the law enforcement community are being urged to call their senators in their Springfield offices to have their voices heard on SB 2226 HA2.
The link to the bill can be found here:
https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/fulltext.asp?DocName=10200SB2226ham002&GA=102&SessionId=110&DocTypeId=SB&LegID=134879&DocNum=2226&GAID=16&SpecSess=&Session=
Should the bill pass the Senate and be signed into law, the ISRA will work with other groups and concerned citizens across the state who put their personal safety first and will advocate for repeal in the next session of the Illinois General Assembly as well as consider litigation on what many believe is a constitutionally flawed bill.
“A comprehensive bill targeting the weapon but not the individual who is committing a crime with them is doomed to failure,” said Terry Kreimeier, retired Will County Sheriff Deputy. “Illinoisans want bills that disarm those who should not have firearms, not those who have trained, have complied with all laws, and are state approved to have them.”
* Illinois Freedom Caucus…
The Illinois Freedom Caucus today is issuing the following statement on the passage of Amendment 3 to SB 2226 (the latest version of House Bill 5855) which represents the most expansive gun control measure in the history of the state.
“Once again, we come to the end of the legislative session and the majority party pushes through a massive bill giving rank and file members only a few minutes to read it before voting on it. This legislation is not simple. It is a complex measure that should be seen in the light of day instead of pushed through in the dead of night.
The corrupt leaders in our state care nothing for the rights of members to cast informed votes nor do they care about the honest citizens whose rights are being trampled with this unconstitutional legislation. Illinois is one of the most restrictive states in the country for gun ownership and yet it is also one of the most violent states in the nation.
Multiple studies have shown that restricting the Constitutional rights of responsible citizens does not deter crime. The only thing this legislation accomplishes is to make a direct attack on our Second Amendment rights. The respect for individual liberty found in the Bill of Rights is what has made our country a ‘city upon a hill.’ As lawmakers, it is our duty to protect and preserve the Constitution. We believe every member of the House who voted for this legislation violated their oath of office by supporting a bill they know is on its face unconstitutional. Today is a sad day for liberty and freedom. Tyranny reigns supreme in the Illinois Legislature. We will continue to stand firm in our opposition to unconstitutional laws and any and all threats to our rights and freedoms as American citizens.”
The Illinois Freedom Caucus is comprised of State Representatives Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich); Chris Miller (R-Oakland); Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville); Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City) and Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur). The members of the Illinois Freedom Caucus are members of the Illinois General Assembly who are advocating for limited government, lower taxes and accountability and integrity in government.
* Rep. Harper…
Following the passage early Friday morning of the Protect Illinois Communities Act (PICA), state Rep. Sonya M. Harper, D-Chicago, issued the following statement.
“Last night, we made progress in promoting public safety in our state. The bill my colleagues and I voted on and passed promises to improve public safety in our state in many ways. It is important, however, that we not forget that assault weapons and mass shootings are only part of the problem we face. I hope I will not be misunderstood: the Protect Illinois Communities Act represents a significant—and necessary—step in protecting our communities. It is an accomplishment of which we should be proud. However, the fact is that assault weapons only account for about 3% of gun crimes nationwide, and mass shootings are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the totality of the gun violence that people in our state have been experiencing on a daily basis for decades—especially in majority-minority and other historically disinvested communities. Again, last night’s historic achievement should in no way be diminished. But more remains to be done. I look forward to working with Governor Pritzker and legislative leadership throughout the coming session to develop and pass common sense solutions that address the most common and incessant forms of gun violence which remain a serious problem throughout our state. We have done a good thing, but we cannot rest with the job unfinished.”
*** UPDATE *** We may be seeing more of this as groups try to pressure the Senate into taking action. NASW IL..
Last night the Illinois House passed the Patient And Provider Protection Act (PAPPA) which was a culmination of months of negotiations by stakeholders. This bill not only protects patients and social workers who work in abortion-related services but also protects our clients and social workers who work in gender-affirming care from aggressive attacks from states wishing to strip rights and protections from these individuals.
Unfortunately, the Illinois Senate’s competing bill that was posted this week stripped out protections for social workers who provide gender-affirming care and protections for our clients seeking out those services. The lessons learned from the last election should not be to stand with groups like Awake Illinois, whose aggressive approach threatens and attacks our client’s very existence.
Children and adolescents who identify as LGBTQIA+ face numerous challenges that can negatively affect their mental health in Illinois. In addition to discrimination, harassment, and violence, LGBTQIA+ people face family rejection, inadequate support, and a lack of inclusive education and healthcare, including enough mental health professionals. Young LGBTQIA+ people may also be more likely to develop mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and suicidality due to these stressors.
We already have a shortage of quality-affirming practitioners in Illinois. As clinicians licensed in multiple states fear challenges to their licenses and livelihoods, the added stressors from outside states that propose legislation that would impose their regressive policies on abortion and gender-affirming health care will only further worsen our shortage situation. Providing gender-affirming care is fraught with risks due to unclear laws, and one of the most frequently asked questions social workers are now asking is related to these risks.
In Illinois, LGBTQIA+ youth have found a welcoming beacon, but this light can shine only as long as Illinois affirms its commitment to its protections. During a time when extremist groups like Awake Illinois attack and bully our children, we look to our legislative leadership to reaffirm that hate has no place here in Illinois. The legislative leadership must reaffirm that social workers’ critical work is protected as they strive to heal the horrible wounds thrust on our children.
It is essential that Illinois protect healthcare providers and our clients seeking out abortion and gender-affirming healthcare. Social workers in Illinois are watching, and we expect the Illinois Senate to follow the lead of the Illinois House on this issue. The LGBTQIA+ children are watching, and they want the Illinois Senate to join the Illinois House in reassuring them that they are seen, wanted, and protected.
The Illinois Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers urges the Illinois Senate to support the Patient And Provider Protection Act as written and passed by the Illinois House.
And…
Today, the Gun Violence Prevention PAC (G-PAC) released the following statement from its CEO Kathleen Sances following reports that proposed statewide bans on assault weapons and large-capacity magazines passed the House. The bill will now be deliberated by the Senate.
“By passing the assault weapons and large-capacity magazines in the House, our lawmakers are prioritizing public safety over the gun lobby’s agenda. We are grateful to Representative Bob Morgan, Speaker Emanuel Welch and the House working committee for their leadership on this issue. Its passage through the House represents a critical first step in removing assault weapons and large-capacity magazines off our streets.
“Since July, G-PAC has stood firmly with gun violence prevention advocates and survivors to demand our lawmakers work to halt the assault on our families and communities. We are grateful to the network of activists who have helped us keep the pressure on Springfield and ensure gun safety remains top of mind for the General Assembly. We look forward to working with the Senate to pass these same life-saving measures for Illinois children and families. Gun safety advocates can count on G-PAC’s full support to help see this measure across the finish line.”
The Chicago Index, a collaboration between The Daily Line and Crain’s Chicago Business, conducted its second administration of the 2023 Race for Mayor survey from November 29 through December 14, 2022. A total of 1,757 Chicago residents were surveyed from a variety of sources, including subscribers to The Chicago Index’s panel, members of The Daily Line Chicago, subscribers to Crain’s Chicago Business, and via digital engagement on social media platforms
Results were weighted on age, region, housing tenure, race, ethnicity, and gender, so the sample was consistent with the demographics of Chicago. The margin of error was +/- 3%.
I mean, that’s basically just one step above the little online “polls” I run here. The difference is, I don’t claim that my little polls are scientific and they rightfully don’t generate news headlines or create talk show fodder. They’re for fun, not info. If a reporter tried to do a story on one of those silly polls, I’d laugh in their face.
If you want to see the results, by all means click those links, but they’re worthless and the media outlets need to stop publishing this silly nonsense.
[Chicago mayoral candidate Willie Wilson] is criticizing the survey and Crain’s decision to publish it, and says that as a result he will not participate in Crain’s mayoral forum scheduled for Feb. 1.
“Crain’s published a poll that seeks to mislead the voters of Chicago,” Wilson said. “The poll Crain’s published has me at 3%. This is an insult to my supporters and Crain’s has zero journalistic integrity. I will not be a pawn in their charade; thus, I will not participate in their upcoming mayoral candidate forum.”
He added, “The news media has an obligation to demonstrate integrity and thoughtfulness when deciding which polls to publish. If they know it is misleading or inaccurate it should not be published.”
Lightfoot spokeswoman Christina Freundlich also is ripping the survey: “This is about as scientific and reliable as an Elon Musk poll,” she said. “No amount of weighting can save a survey of Chicagoans where 74% of the respondents are white. Any media organization that gives this poll any air time needs to examine their standard for poll credibility.”
One quibble: The survey sample was 53 percent white. But that’s still way, way out of line with reality.
* What Bowen said…
If you are a journalism outfit and you are covering this poll, you are engaging in misinformation.
Everyone throws this word around willy-nilly, but I am being very direct here. You are spreading a blatant untruth, and you can ask anyone with professional experience about this.
* But don’t take our word for it. Jason McGrath with GBAO Strategies and Brian Stryker at ALG Research both took strong exception to this goofy survey way back in April of 2021…
Good public opinion research should be as representative as possible. A representative sample attempts to provide every potential respondent with the same chance of entering the sample. A representative poll of Chicago-area residents must give people in every community the same opportunity to take the survey.
But the data collection method in the Crain’s/TDL/ABC survey fails to meet that standard. The survey’s sponsors reached out to their personal networks—especially political operatives and insiders—and those reading their stories directly. That gave some well-connected people (like us) a higher likelihood of entering the sample than millions of others. This meant their disproportionately white and male network of political insiders and business executives were more likely to take the poll.
There are certainly deficiencies in modern polling. The areas where pollsters are working to address problems, including achieving full coverage of the electorate, declining response rates, omitted variables and the incorporation of multiple modes of data collection, have been discussed in detail elsewhere. But the Crain’s/TDL/ABC survey fails to correct for any of the problems present in public opinion research today—if anything, it makes them worse and creates new ones.
The massive design flaws in the survey are only part of the problem. The widespread media coverage of the index treated this instrument with the same seriousness as it would one from Pew, Gallup or another academic institution with a long record of measuring public opinion.
* The proposal allows students to opt out: “No student shall be required to take or participate in any class or course in comprehensive personal health and safety and comprehensive sexual health education”…
There had been little to no warning that this bill would be coming, but it was assigned to the Senate Executive Committee shortly after it was officially made public. It appears that they didn’t like the fact that nearly 70 percent of school districts opted out.
* I reached out to sponsoring Sen. Ram Villavallum…
It’s requiring age and developmentally appropriate, medically accurate personal health and safety education for K-5 and age and developmentally appropriate, medically accurate sex health education for 6-12.
When 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 13 boys experience child sexual abuse at some point in their childhood, what she calls controversial, I call necessary for all of our youth’s safety and health.
The bill was approved by the Senate Executive Committee on a partisan roll call last night, but Democratic Sen. Linda Holmes expressed concerns during the hearing about another state mandate.
– Statement regarding the status of reproductive rights and firearms proposals. Please attribute to John Patterson, spokesman for Illinois Senate President Don Harmon.
“These are critically important issues, and the Senate Democratic Caucus is committed to enacting the most effective legislation possible.
Senators are giving these proposals an extensive review and careful evaluation.
Following today’s session, the Senate will be returning to session on Sunday.”
As we’ve discussed, Senate President Harmon’s mom recently passed away and her wake is later today, so they’re going home early today and tomorrow’s session was canceled.
The House has canceled tomorrow’s session and will be back on Tuesday. But the House has already passed an abortion bill and a gun bill.
The new General Assembly convenes Wednesday at noon.
…Adding… The Senate reconvenes Sunday at 5 pm. I doubt we’ll see much action.
State Senator Robert Peters is leading a measure that would allow principals and assistant principals in the city of Chicago to collectively bargain.
“For far too long, Chicago principals have not had a say in the work environment and procedures that affect them, as well as their students,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “Chicago principals have a voice when it comes to their working conditions, and their voice deserves to be heard and valued.”
By clarifying which educators are considered qualifies “managerial employees”, House Bill 5107 ensures principals and assistant principals in Chicago will have the right to unionize.
“CPS is not only the largest school district in the state, but one of the largest in the nation,” Peters said. “With its size and staffing shortages come unique challenges that need to be addressed. I believe we should trust its principals to help create solutions to build a better work environment.”
If signed, principals and assistant principals could negotiate a work contract to focus time on developing teachers and school culture instead of dealing with problems that fall under the district’s responsibility.
School administrators in New York, California, New Hampshire, Alaska, Connecticut and several other states have collective bargaining rights.
House Bill 5107 passed the Senate Friday and awaits the governor’s approval.
The bill passed the House last March 63-35, but received significant bipartisan support in the Senate today when it passed 45-7.
Amends the Chicago School District Article of the School Code. Repeals provisions concerning exemption from bargaining unit membership. Amends the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act. With respect to an educational employer of the Chicago school district, provides that (i) a supervisor shall be considered an “educational employee” unless the supervisor is also a managerial employee and (ii) a “managerial employee” means an individual who has a significant role in the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements or who formulates and determines employer-wide management policies and practices, including a general superintendent of schools (rather than an individual who is engaged predominantly in executive and management functions and is charged with the responsibility of directing the effectuation of such management policies and practices). In provisions concerning strikes, prohibits educational supervisors employed in the Chicago school district whose position requires an administrative license from engaging in a strike. Effective January 1, 2023.
Mayor Lightfoot has been able to keep this proposal bottled up for quite a while, but not today.
…Adding… The mayor changed positions…
STATEMENT FROM MAYOR’S OFFICE SPOKESPERSON
“The City of Chicago commends the passage of House Bill 5107 and encourages its statewide expansion to benefit schools all across Illinois. This bill supports principals who have been on the frontlines, especially in recent years, and under CEO Martinez, CPS will continue to work hand in hand with principals to achieve academic excellence—a goal that should be implemented statewide.”
Yesterday was the six -month anniversary of the Fourth of July shooting and I had a really hard time in the morning as we got to 10:14. And I remember where I was standing, about to start the parade, and my wife and my two children were right behind me. And my staffer was standing in front of me and yelled, ‘Gunshots! Gunshots!’
And I reached back to make sure my children were safe.
When I got to the scene, I saw those who’ve been shot, carried away a two-year-old who was covered in blood because both of her parents had been shot.
And this is not a unique situation. And I left that day thinking I will do whatever I can, whatever is in my power to make sure none of us none of you, none of your communities go through what we went through.
And yet I failed. Because within three days of the Fourth of July shooting, there were more gun deaths throughout the state of Illinois than that day on the Fourth of July in Highland Park. So I failed. And I literally have been carrying that on my shoulders to this moment as we stand here right now.
So, I really want to say thank you. I know this is a complicated issue that affects a lot of communities in a lot of ways. A lot of you have directly been impacted by gun violence, mass shootings, death by suicide, individual gun violence. And you have created this legislation by sharing your stories with me, with us in this chamber. So I want to thank you all and I urge and aye vote.
Kimberly Saunders was grabbing a gyro at a restaurant just blocks from the upscale Magnificent Mile commercial district near downtown Chicago in May when she heard rapid-fire gunshots around 10:30 p.m.
“I feel like I heard 20 shots,” she recalled. “I used to watch these war movies as a kid, so it sounded like one of those machine guns.”
The shots came from outside a nearby McDonald’s restaurant, prompting Saunders to go down the street to find out what happened. What she discovered horrified her: Sprawled on the sidewalk in a pool of blood was her 17-year-old son, Parnelius. He had been shot multiple times in his arm, shoulder and back as he walked home from the beach.
“Oh, my God, I just walked up there on my son bleeding out,” Saunders said. “So I took my shirt off, and I begin to put my shirt over his wounds.”
Parnelius Saunders survived. Police and prosecutors said Jaylun Sanders, 22, shot him and eight others. Two of the victims died. The shooting was related to a fight 20 minutes earlier, police said.
The firearm used was a Glock 19 handgun that had been converted to an illegal high-capacity machine gun with a device known as an auto sear, a square device about the size of a thumbnail. It’s known on the street as a “switch” that turns the gun from a semi-automatic to an automatic weapon.
The Glock came with an extended magazine, making the weapon even deadlier. The magazine held 34 rounds, according to court records. Sanders told authorities he bought the gun in Indiana and the switch for less than $25. […]
The number of auto sear-equipped handguns seized by Chicago police skyrocketed from zero in 2018 to 355 last year, leading federal authorities to declare that Chicago has one of the worst switch problems in the country.
Sec. 24-1. Unlawful use of weapons. (a) A person commits the offense of unlawful use of weapons when he knowingly: … Manufactures, possesses, sells, or offers to sell, purchase, manufacture, import, transfer, or use any device, part, kit, tool, accessory, or combination of parts that is designed to and functions to increase the rate of fire of a semiautomatic firearm above the standard rate of fire for semiautomatic firearms that is not equipped with that device, part, or combination of parts.
Discuss.
* Related…
* In Chicago, handguns easily turned into high-capacity machine guns fuel growing violence: The number of switch-equipped handguns and extended magazines seized by the Chicago police has surged over the last several years, an investigation by the Chicago Sun-Times, WBEZ and NPR has found. And so has the number of prosecutions by the Cook County state’s attorney’s office involving guns that have been turned into machine guns. The proliferation of illegal switch-equipped guns has made Chicago a hot spot for what federal authorities say has become a national problem. That’s happened as mass shootings — in which at least four people are killed or wounded — have become more commonplace in Chicago. Federal authorities say they believe the proliferation of these makeshift machine guns is one of the main reasons.
* Sun-Times | Illinois House approves assault weapons ban: After a lengthy debate that stretched into Friday, the House voted 64-43 to pass the measure that would also ban “rapid-fire devices” that turn firearms into fully automatic weapons. It must still clear the Illinois Senate.
* Crain’s | Out-of-state providers could perform abortions in Illinois under proposed bill amendment: Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, is proposing to expand abortion access in Illinois through an amendment to a House bill that includes granting temporary licenses to out-of-state health care providers and protecting advanced nurses’ ability to perform abortions under certain circumstances.
* News-Gazette | In Springfield, the new Sen. Bennett reflects: “Those are the four he mentioned. It’s just that those are the four he talked about,” Stacy Bennett said. “And that’s all I feel comfortable saying. Those are the four who repeatedly came up when we talked.”
* Politico | Democrats’ big presidential primary changes are still stuck in limbo: Major changes, like dropping Iowa from its influential first-in-the-nation slot and elevating South Carolina, are on track. But others, like pushing Georgia up into the early window or forcing New Hampshire to relinquish its longtime status as the first state with a primary, look far more difficult to achieve despite the fanfare surrounding preliminary approval of the plan last year.
* The Atlantic | How Worried Should We Be About XBB.1.5?: After months and months of SARS-CoV-2 subvariant soup, one ingredient has emerged in the United States with a flavor pungent enough to overwhelm the rest: XBB.1.5, an Omicron offshoot that now accounts for an estimated 75 percent of cases in the Northeast. A crafty dodger of antibodies that is able to grip extra tightly onto the surface of our cells, XBB.1.5 is now officially the country’s fastest-spreading coronavirus subvariant.
