Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

Thursday, Mar 14, 2024 - Posted by Isabel Miller

Campaign mailers from candidates for the 20th state Senate District are inundating neighbors, trash cans and alleys, with many complaining that state Sen. Natalie Toro has sent more than her opponents and candidates in other races.

Neighbors told Block Club and shared on social media that Toro’s campaign has filled their mailboxes and doors with so many mailers and door-hangers that some are afraid to check their mailboxes. […]

Dave Seman, a political campaign consultant who runs Paladin Political and has worked on local and national campaigns using direct mail and digital media, said that even though neighbors are feeling overwhelmed with Toro mailer ads, frequency is key to boosting her platform.

“The mailer perspective is, we’re definitely persuading them and giving the voter an argument, but we are asking for their vote,” Seman said. “To the people who are offended that we asked them too many times for their vote … they probably weren’t our voters in the first place. This is a race where you have a millionaire, a lobbyist and a teacher — they’re going make that conversation as prevalent as they possibly can.”

Click here, here and here for Reddit posts from those swamped with Toro campaign mail.

* People’s Fabric…

An owner of a video gambling business. President of a political consulting firm. Owner of a private law practice. These are some of the outside jobs held by senior advisors in Cook County Circuit Court Clerk Iris Martinez’s office. […]

A People’s Fabric investigation shows senior advisors failing to report potential conflicts and outside income on required ethics disclosures. In one case, an advisor’s unreported income came from political work for Martinez and her close allies.

Gloria Chevere is a “longtime Martinez confidante” and former Cook County judge.

In her capacity as judge, Chevere faced several controversies, including an investigation that found her sunbathing in her backyard when she was supposed to be at work. She was later removed from the courtroom after several allegations of misconduct, including jailing defendants who wore baggy pants.

Chevere now serves as a Senior Policy Advisor to Martinez, receiving a salary of $175,044.

* More Martinez…

* Chalkbeat…

Next year, Illinois high school juniors could take the ACT instead of the SAT as the federally-mandated state test. The Illinois State Board of Education has started the process of awarding a three-year, $53 million contract to ACT Inc.

The College Board’s contract to administer the SAT for 11th graders and PSAT for ninth and 10 graders is set to expire June 30. The state board is required by federal law to administer accountability assessments to high school students. State law says that exam must be a nationally recognized college entrance exam like the SAT or ACT. All Illinois public high school students must take a college entrance exam in order to receive their high school diploma.

The ACT would be administered in school buildings starting with the school year 2024-25, but students will still be able to take the SAT if they want to pay for it.

Illinois’ plan to switch tests comes at a time when the SAT is going fully digital and will take two hours instead of three. (The ACT is three hours). The new SAT will also be adaptive, with test questions that adjust in difficulty based on how students respond to previous questions.

* Here’s the rest…

WCIA | Illinois unemployment rate slightly increased for Jan. 2024:

* Nieman Lab | A company linked to a large “pink slime” network is being hired by big publishers like Gannett: A Gannett spokesperson confirmed the company has a contract to produce “advertorial content” sourced from Advantage Informatics, a blandly named company founded by Brian Timpone, a conservative businessman and former TV reporter based out of Chicago. (Timpone’s name may be familiar to readers who remember the Journatic scandal of 2012, or to those who have followed the Tow Center for Digital Journalism’s extensive research on “pink slime” sites.)

* ABC Chicago | 3 former employees sue Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard for wrongful firing amid corruption accusations: All of them said they were terminated for refusing to do political campaign work for Henyard. Sandra Tracy is a former Human Resource Manager for Thornton Township. Karen Johnson is a former Dolton Public Works Department administrative assistant. Samysha Williams is the former director of Dolton’s Buildings Permits and License Department.

* WICS | Hundreds of FFA members advocate for Illinois agriculture’s future in State Capitol: These FFA members brought with them baskets full of Illinois agricultural goods so these state officials could see everything that Illinois agriculture has to offer. Items in the baskets included products that were provided by the Illinois Corn Growers and the Illinois Soybean Association, to popcorn, and other goods made within the state.

* Sun-Times | 2 CPS students reported to have measles as new cases climb to 10, officials say: Two Chicago Public Schools students were among a handful of people reported to have measles, bringing the city’s total up to 10 as of Wednesday evening, health and school officials confirmed. Earlier this week, CPS learned of a positive measles case involving a student at Philip D. Armour Elementary School in Bridgeport and the Chicago Department of Public Health confirmed another case at Cooper Dual Language Elementary Academy in Pilsen.

* CNN | All eligible people at Chicago migrant shelter have been vaccinated for measles in ‘unprecedented operation’: The Chicago Department of Public Health said Wednesday that everyone who is eligible for vaccination at the temporary shelter housing migrants at the center of a measles outbreak has now been vaccinated. The city learned that it had its first measles case since 2019 last week. Illinois is one of 17 states that have seen measles cases so far this year, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The first case in Chicago was unrelated to the shelter.

* Tribune | Looking for work, migrants turn to street vending: In recent months, other types of street vending have also become more visible. Men and women walk through CTA trains selling chocolates and candy out of decorated bins. On a recent afternoon, several women from Ecuador sat on street corners around the Loop, selling gum, M&Ms, Reese’s and Skittles.

* WBEZ | How Chicago’s long history of migrant influxes has shaped its population: To put this latest wave of migration into context, WBEZ identified three periods in Chicago’s history when the city experienced a similar — or larger — influx of newcomers: European migration at the turn of the 20th century, the Great Migration of Black Americans from the South and migration from Mexico in the 1990s and 2000s.

* Crain’s | Johnson urged to appoint commissioner to overlooked zoning board: When an application for an Uptown transitional shelter was submitted to the city’s quasi-judicial Zoning Board of Appeals it had several forces behind the project suggesting it would be approved. […] the application was rejected in a 2-2 decision after hours of testimony in a crowded 11th floor board room at City Hall. Opponents of the shelter included businesses that shared the building and nearby residents. Had Johnson bothered to appoint a fifth member to the zoning board during his first 10 months in office the outcome may have been different.

* Streetsblog | Contrary to neighbor’s concerns, Chicago Fire Department says they haven’t heard of any problems with new Dearborn protected bike lane: But not everyone is happy about the changes. We did hear from a neighbor worried that converting Dearborn, a relatively quiet, mostly residential street north of Chicago Avenue, from two northbound mixed-traffic lanes to one will cause problems for first responders. He argued the street redesign make it tough for other drivers to pull over to the right to make way for firefighters, EMTs, and police officers. […] But Barnes found nothing to back up that claim. “WGN News took their concerns to the Chicago Fire Department, whose spokesmen had not heard of any issues for firefighters,” She acknowledged. “Chicago police did not respond to our request for comment.”

* WBEZ | Stealing campaign signs is a Chicago tradition steeped in machine politics: Back in 2007, it was especially rampant in the 50th Ward, where the Wasmer-Brekke family lived. At the time, the family was locked in a heated sign war. Every time they put up signs for Naisy Dolar, they would get swiped. They brainstormed ways to catch the thief, including the one that woke Brekke up in the middle of the night: tying empty cans to a decoy sign, so they’d rattle if it was pulled away.

* Crain’s | How Chicago politicians lost the luck of the Irish: Once the St. Patrick’s Day event of the season where mayors and gubernatorial candidates endured cheers and jeers, there’s a conspicuous absence of political activity at this year’s parade. Mayor Brandon Johnson won’t march, nor will state’s attorney candidate, Judge Eileen O’Neill Burke. Rep. Sean Casten, the incumbent for Illinois’ 6th Congressional District, is scheduled though he already leads his opponents in fundraising.

* Sun-Times | $45 million settlement offered for teen who can’t walk, speak after crash during police chase: The payment, one of the largest in Chicago history, would go to Nathen Jones, who suffered a massive brain injury in a traffic accident. Jones was a passenger in a car being chased by police after a traffic violation. The April 2021 pursuit violated a newly-revised CPD policy intended to rein in vehicular pursuits.

* Patch | How IL House Lawmakers Voted On The TikTok Ban: Supporting the bill were Democrat Reps. Nikki Budzinski, Sean Casten, Bill Foster, Robin Kelly, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Mike Quigley, Bradley Schneider, Eric Sorensen and Lauren Underwood as well as Republican Reps. Mike Bost, Darin LaHood and Mary E. Miller, according to The Washington Post.

* WCIA | Central IL farmers prepare for planting amid warm weather: For farmers in Central Illinois, the mild winter has set the stage for everything to go as planned. Pesotum farmer Chris Hausman said he’ll start around April 1 to protect against any potential frosts.

* UIUC College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences | Milk to the rescue for diabetics? Illinois project creates first insulin-producing cow: Conservatively, Wheeler says if a cow could make 1 gram of insulin per liter and a typical Holstein makes 40 to 50 liters per day, that’s a lot of insulin. Especially since the typical unit of insulin equals 0.0347 milligrams. “That means each gram is equivalent to 28,818 units of insulin,” Wheeler said. “And that’s just one liter; Holsteins can produce 50 liters per day. You can do the math.”

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Madison County judge says state venue shopping law is unconstitutional (Updated)

Thursday, Mar 14, 2024 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Center Square…

A state law that limits where lawsuits challenging state laws can be filed has been ruled unconstitutional as applied to a case from Madison County.

Approved last year and signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, House Bill 3062 was opposed by Republicans who said limiting where people can sue the state to just two of the state’s 102 counties is “tyrannical.” The law limits where people can sue the state alleging constitutional violations from state laws or executive orders to just Cook and Sangamon counties.

In Piasa Armory’s challenge to the state’s firearm industry liability law in November, the state motioned to move the case to Sangamon County. Earlier this month, a Madison County judge found the court venue limit law as applied in the case is unconstitutional.

The law “does violate due process, as applied to persons who reside or were injured outside of Cook or Sangamon County,” Madison County Judge Ronald Forest, Jr. wrote. “The motion to transfer is Denied, as [the law] is unconstitutional, as Defendant seeks to apply it.” […]

In its motion to move the case to Sangamon County, the state said the litigants can remote in with video conferencing. Forest said the state could also video conference into Madison County.

“The Court is aware that Supreme Court Rule … allows broad use of video conference or telephone at an evidentiary hearing or trial ‘for good cause shown and upon appropriate safeguards’ or even as of right,” Forest wrote. “However, the availability of remote proceedings does not bolster the State’s argument. The State could also participate in Madison County using the same remote means.”

* Madison County Record…

“Sangamon county is simply inconvenient to plaintiff, inconvenient to plaintiff’s witnesses, and defendant lists no witnesses that Sangamon County would be convenient for,” Foster wrote. “While hardly entitled to any weight, even the location of plaintiff’s counsel is in Madison County. While documents may be relatively easy to move, there is no showing that any relevant documents are anywhere other than Madison County.” […]

In his order, Foster relied upon the Illinois Supreme Court’s ruling in Williams v Illinois State Scholarship Commission, which is the only state court precedent addressing whether a statute fixing venue violated a litigant’s due process rights.

In Williams, Cook County was set as the “exclusive venue” for lawsuits brought against student loan borrowers by the state agency tasked with administering those loans.

The Supreme Court concluded that “the burden of an inconvenient forum, when combined with the indigence of the ‘borrowers’ and other factors, ‘effectively deprived the borrowers of any means of defending themselves in these actions’ and therefore constituted ‘a due process deprivation.’”

Similar to the student loan borrowers in Williams, Piasa Armory demonstrated that both Sangamon and Cook Counties are inconvenient forums.

“As applied to plaintiff in this case, as a practical matter, transferring this action to Sangamon County will deprive it of the ability to put up its best challenge to the constitutionality of [Firearm Industry Responsibility Act],” Foster wrote.

* The Illinois State Scholarship Commission was exclusively filing all collections lawsuits in Cook County against people who defaulted on Guaranteed Student Loans. A lawsuit was filed by a Madison County resident challenging the practice, and then the General Assembly passed a bill to codify it. From the Supreme Court opinion…

In its order granting summary judgment in plaintiffs’ favor, the trial court applied the balancing test set forth in Mathews v. Eldridge (1976), 424 U.S. 319, 334-35, 96 S. Ct. 893, 903, 47 L. Ed. 2d 18, 33, for determining whether a statute or governmental policy violates due process. This test calls for courts to weigh the costs of requiring a particular set of procedures against the benefits derived from the use of those procedures. In particular, the Mathews test consists of three factors: (1) the private interest that will be affected by the official action; (2) the risk of erroneous deprivation of such interest through the procedures used and the probable value, if any, of additional or substitute procedural safeguards; and (3) the government’s interest, including the function involved and the fiscal and administrative burdens that the additional or substitute procedural requirements would entail. […]

Because venue is merely a matter of procedure, courts generally cannot interfere with the legislature’s province in determining where venue is proper, unless constitutional provisions are violated. … This court, in fact, has never declared a venue statute unconstitutional. But we have stated that a law fixing venue could be so arbitrary or unreasonable as to deprive defendants of due process. Therefore, after considering the three Mathews factors in light of both the purpose behind the general venue rules in Illinois and general principles of statutory interpretation, we determine that the special venue provision of section 30-15.12 is such an arbitrary and unreasonable statute. […]

In contrast, the only purpose behind the special venue provision of section 30-15.12 is the convenience of ISSC’s legal department and the Attorney General. As we have already discussed, this is inapposite to the purposes of the general venue statute. Thus, the statute in question in the case at bar is not a logical extension of the legislature’s previous pronouncements regarding venue. Also, as we will discuss in the next section, the government actually has no logical reason, besides ISSC’s convenience, to change its venue rules. […]

When we balance our findings under each of the Mathews factors, we conclude that both section 30-15.12 and defendants’ practice of filing all ISSC collection actions exclusively in Cook County violate due process. We admit that, standing alone, requiring venue to be in a particular county does not necessarily infringe upon plaintiffs’ right of access to the courts. However, the burden of an inconvenient forum, when combined with the indigence of the class members, the combined evidence of ISSC’s lack of good faith in allegedly offering nonlitigious means of settling its claims *483 against student borrowers and defendants’ vigorous pursuit of default judgments against class members, and the statute’s lack of provisions for an alternative forum, leads us to conclude that section 30-15.12 and defendants’ practices effectively deprive plaintiffs of any means of defending themselves in these actions. This raises their personal interest to the level of a due process deprivation.

Not a slam dunk either way? I suppose we’ll find out soon enough.

* The governor was asked about the loss yesterday…

My reaction is it’ll obviously run through the court system. I signed it. I think it’s something that makes sense for just organizing the court system. So there’s a lot of venue shopping going on by people who are just trying to find a friendly judge here and there. The experts that are in the two venues that have been designated, seem like they have handled constitution related cases, more than any others and so it makes sense to me that those cases run through there.

…Adding… Leader Curran…

Illinois Senate Republican Leader John Curran (R-Downers Grove) released the following statement in response to this week’s ruling that Governor JB Pritzker’s law that limits individuals challenging the validity of state law in court unconstitutional:

“This is the second bill that Gov. Pritzker has signed into law over the last year that the courts have already found to be unconstitutional. As we get further along in this legislative session, this ruling should be a caution sign for the Governor and his legislative allies to stop with the power grabs that seek to suppress the constitutional rights of Illinois citizens.”

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Pritzker won’t tip hand on biz/union-backed bill opposed by some green groups

Thursday, Mar 14, 2024 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Press release…

A coalition of business, labor and agriculture groups have united behind legislation that would provide a regulatory framework to advance carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects in Illinois, helping the state reach its clean energy goals while simultaneously promoting job creation and economic growth. The proposal (SB3311/HB569) is the result of months of negotiations with a diverse array of stakeholders and includes strong landowner protections, support for local first responders, and numerous safety and accountability provisions.

Sponsored by State Sen. Bill Cunningham, D-Chicago, and State Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, the legislation builds upon existing federal incentives and regulations, recognizing the state’s distinctive geology provides a unique opportunity to work toward Illinois’ goal of reducing greenhouse gases while also increasing economic development. As other states compete for investments, Illinois must seize the opportunity to provide clear policies to allow for successful project development.

CCS captures carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions at the source, preventing their release into the atmosphere and storing them permanently deep underground. According to the Clean Air Task Force, CCS is a safe and proven technology that has been commercially applied to operations in the U.S. since the 1970s. International studies addressing the energy transition suggest that CCS is a necessary tool for rapid decarbonization, along with energy efficiency and electrification. […]

According to a study from the University of Illinois, CCS development and expansion has the potential to create 14,400 jobs, generating more than $3 billion more for the State’s economy over 10 years. This includes the creation of new employment opportunities in the construction industry as well as the operation of new CCS facilities.

“The economic impact of enacting this legislation will be seen for generations,” said Representative Hoffman, Assistant House Majority Leader. “Under this proposal, Illinois will remain competitive as industries look to utilize this technology and expand operations, growing jobs and ensuring Illinois meets its carbon reduction goals.”

“This bill presents a critical opportunity to further propel Illinois’ transition to a clean energy economy without leaving workers and families behind, creating thousands of jobs and instituting strong labor standards that ensure fair wages, safe working conditions and training to get the job done right,” said Joe Duffy, Executive Director of Climate Jobs Illinois.

“Illinois has committed to reducing carbon emissions by 26% by 2025 and set the goal of being at 0% carbon emissions by 2050. Establishing carbon capture technology in Illinois is vital to reaching these goals,” said State Rep. Kam Buckner, D-Chicago. “Changes must be made for Illinois to transition to a clean energy future. We don’t have time to delay.”

Climate Jobs Illinois is a union group.

* Some good context from Patrick Keck at the SJ-R…

Sierra Club of Illinois however says the legislation is too limited, focusing solely on sequestration, and is instead backing legislation that would regulate CO2 pipelines and prohibit the use of eminent domain.

Denzler contended pipeline regulation is a federal matter for the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, currently crafting updated rules following a 2020 pipeline burst in Satartia, Mississippi causing over 40 people hospitalizations and more than 200 evacuations.

The bill would clarify that the owner of the surface estate would also own the beneath pore space, but would still allow for easements of the property. Securing easements proved to be difficult for the now cancelled Navigator Heartland Greenway — only receiving 13.4% of easements to construct its pipeline.

Local municipalities would also be eligible for grant funding, calculated by 1 cent for every ton of carbon dioxide injected into a sequestration facility for each fiscal year. The money could be used to cover emergency response plan expenses along with the purchase of new equipment.

* The governor was asked about the proposal yesterday…

I have not read and seen the proposal that was made. I understand, you know, we’re going to be working through how, if we could, we would implement carbon capture in the state of Illinois. Is it going to be safe for people who are living in areas where carbon capture will be taking place? How would we implement it to make sure that in the construction of that then it would be safe? But you know, I started out with a degree of skepticism, you know, as I do on the things that I think, where there’s significant interests on both sides, and wondering how are we going to be able to meet the needs of both sides of this issue.

Discuss.

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Waukegan City Clerk charged in 15-count indictment

Thursday, Mar 14, 2024 - Posted by Rich Miller

* From December…

Investigators seized a work cellphone belonging to the Waukegan city clerk and executed a search warrant at the Waukegan City Hall as part of a criminal investigation.

The Illinois State Police obtained the warrant on December 13 in Lake County Circuit Court. […]

Kilkelly told the aldermen the phone was seized as part of an investigation of former 4th Ward Alderman Roudell Kirkwood.

Turns out, Kilkelly was indeed a target.

* Press release…

The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office brought charges of felony official misconduct and misapplication of funds against Waukegan City Clerk Janet Kilkelly after an extensive investigation by the Illinois State Police.

Kilkelly is accused in a 15-count indictment of illegally providing credits to Waukegan businesses that were applying for liquor and gambling licenses. The City Council and her own office repeatedly established that the credit would only go to businesses that were in “good standing.” Despite the express language of the ordinance and Kilkelly’s own recommendation to the City Council, Kilkelly gave thousands of dollars in credits to businesses that did not qualify for the financial support.

Kilkelly was indicted on March 13, 2024, when an Illinois State Police special agent presented charges to and testified before a Lake County State’s Attorney grand jury.

“The public must be able to trust that those who work in public service will follow the law and use our tax dollars as intended,” said Illinois State Police Director Brendan F. Kelly. “The ISP Special Investigations Unit will continue working to ensure accountability at all levels of government.”

After the indictments were filed in a Lake County court, State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart stated, “Public officials must be held to the highest standards. I want to thank the Illinois State Police for their diligent, thorough, and fair investigation into this matter. Taxpayers lost a significant amount of revenue. The City Clerk violated the public trust when she ignored her own recommendation and the final decision of the Waukegan City Council.”

The case will be prosecuted by Chief Kevin Berrill and ASA Russell Caskey of the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office Financial Crimes & Public Integrity Unit. The Unit worked with the Illinois State Police on the case throughout 2023 and 2024.

In 2022, felony charges were brought against Waukegan Alderman Roudell Kirkwood related to his application for liquor and gambling licenses. Those charges were investigated and filed by the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office because State’s Attorney Rinehart had previously represented a family member of Alderman Kirkwood. The Illinois State Police, Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office, and the Lake County State’s Attorney Office concluded that no conflict existed with Lake County charging Kilkelly.

Kilkelly’s first court date is April 2, 2024, in T-510, at 9:00AM.

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Thursday, Mar 14, 2024 - Posted by Advertising Department

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It’s just a bill

Thursday, Mar 14, 2024 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* Center Square…

Two measures, Senate Bill 3311 and House Bill 569, would create the Climate and Landowner Protection Act. During a news conference Wednesday in Springfield, the group claimed that this will help Illinois reach its clean energy goals. However, scientist Sallie Greenberg confirmed that the separation of other chemicals from the emitted carbon actually uses energy.

“Depending on where you are separating your carbon from dictates whether or not you need additional energy resources to do that,” said Greenburg, who conducted a study for the General Assembly.

Mark Denzler, the president and CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, is in support of the legislation. He acknowledged that carbon emissions may be emitted during the carbon “separation process,” but ultimately there’s going to be a significant reduction in carbon. […]

House Bill 4835, currently in the House Energy and Environment Committee, seeks a temporary statewide moratorium on construction of carbon dioxide pipelines until the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration has adopted revised federal safety standards and the state has finalized a study regarding the safety setbacks required in the event of pipeline rupture or leak.

* Sen. Cunningham…

State Senator Bill Cunningham advanced a measure that would add medical devices to the list of items that can be recovered from a towed vehicle and seeks to address over-the-top towing fees on stolen vehicles.

“I was shocked to find out that car owners are currently not allowed to recover medical devices, like hearing aids, from their vehicles – even if their vehicle is stolen and later towed,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. “This is a commonsense fix. I think we can all agree that private towing companies shouldn’t be able to hold medical devices hostage in a towed vehicle.”

The legislation was brought to Cunningham from a constituent of the 18th District. The constituent’s vehicle was stolen from outside their residence in Chicago and was eventually located by law enforcement and towed in Alsip. The constituent did not find out where their vehicle was located until a week after it was recovered, receiving a letter in the mail from a suburban towing company that was holding the vehicle. When the constituent went to recover the vehicle, they were told they would have to pay a fee of $1,500, and were not allowed to recover a hearing aid from the vehicle until the fee was paid.

Cunningham’s measure would not only add medical devices to the list of personal property items that can be recovered from a towed vehicle, it also seeks to address exorbitant fees levied by towing companies for individuals who have their vehicle stolen. The legislation would waive the car owner’s liability for any storage fee imposed on their vehicle that resulted from the vehicle being stolen or hijacked.

Under current law, the full list of items that can be recovered from a towed vehicle includes child restraint systems, eyeglasses, food, medicine, perishable property, licenses, cash, credit cards, checks or checkbooks, wallets, purses or other identifying documents.

“If a private towing company can hold a medical device hostage, then there is a serious problem with the way towing laws are written in Illinois,” said Cunningham. “It’s time to clean this up for good.”

Senate Bill 2654 passed the Senate Transportation Committee on Tuesday

* David Lloyd, Chief Policy Officer of Inseparable, on HB5395…

“More than two million Illinoisans have a diagnosed mental health condition, and it’s incumbent on our leaders to do everything in their power to ensure residents can get the care they need. That’s why Inseparable is grateful to Governor JB Pritzker for his leadership on Amendment 1 of HB 5395, which is a critical step to removing barriers to mental health and substance use disorder care in Illinois. This legislation includes important measures to make care more accessible and affordable, including banning Short-Term Limited Duration Junk Plans and step therapy and requiring coverage for an ongoing course of treatment. Inseparable is proud to have the opportunity to testify in support of HB 5395 and its swift passage in the General Assembly.”

* Sen. Michael Hastings…

A new law may soon be on the books to help ensure insurance coverage for certain infertility treatments, thanks to State Senator Michael E. Hastings.

“My daughter was born via in vitro fertilization, so this is near and dear to my heart,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “It is truly unfortunate that individuals or families that are already facing heartbreak due to infertility complications are being forced to fight their insurance companies in order to start or expand their family. Not only that, but it is problematic when a doctor recommends a course of treatment that’s beneficial to the family, that an insurance company has the ability to trump that doctor.”

Hastings filed Senate Bill 2639 in response to a constituent in his district whose physician had recommended that they seek in vitro fertilization treatment. However, when the constituent tried to access IVF care, they were told by their insurance provider that they had to complete other procedures before it would be covered by their insurance company, even with the recommendation of their licensed physician.

This measure will ensure that insurance companies will provide coverage for infertility treatments that are recommended by a physician without requiring them to complete treatments that were deemed ineffective by their doctor.

Senate Bill 2639 would also allow a licensed physician to immediately approve any of these procedures based on the covered patient’s medical, sexual, and reproductive history, age, physical findings, or diagnostic testing.

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, approximately 10% of couples receive medical help to become pregnant.

“Medical decisions should be made between a medical professional and patient – not by insurance companies,” said Hastings. “This legislation moves us one step closer toward ensuring insurance companies do not have the ability to deny infertility treatments prescribed by medical professionals.”

Senate Bill 2639 passed the Senate’s Insurance Committee on Tuesday and moves to the full Senate for consideration.

* KFVS…

A major initiative of Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is one step closer to becoming a reality. The state Senate Executive Committee unanimously passed legislation creating a new Department of Early Childhood Wednesday.

It would streamline the administration of early childhood education and bring services currently spread across several state agencies under one roof. Right now, many of those services administered by either the state Department of Human Services, Department of Children and Family Services or the Illinois State Board of Education. […]

“The whole point of us being here today is to create an early childhood care department that would make it more simple, fairer and better for all families involved,” said state Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford, D-Maywood.

“This is policy that both parties can get behind. It’s incredibly important and statistics and data show that it’s incredibly important to be investing in early childhood,” said state Sen. Sue Rezin, R-Morris.

* Capitol News Illinois…

Legislators including Sen. Laura Ellman, D-Naperville, are working to increase research and monitoring of Illinois’ water resources, including the lake. […]

Ellman sponsored Senate Bill 2743, which would require the State Water Plan Task Force to meet every three months and publish a new State Water Plan including critical issues and recommendations every 10 years. Senate Bill 3716, filed by Sen. Adriane Johnson, D-Buffalo Grove, would require the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to regularly monitor the water quality of Lake Michigan and to publish an executive summary every two years. Both measures await a vote from the full Senate.

Sen. Mike Simmons, D-Chicago, and Laura Fine, D-Glenview, focus on contaminants in drinking water. Simmons’ Senate Bill 3450 would establish maximum levels of certain contaminants in drinking water, creating a state standard like the levels set by the U.S. EPA.

Senate Bill 2705, filed by Fine, would ban the sale and distribution of certain products that contain intentionally added PFAS, otherwise known as “forever chemicals,” starting in 2025. All other products containing PFAS would be banned by 2032 unless the product cannot be made without the chemicals. Senate Bills 3450 and 2705 both await a committee assignment.

* Press release…

In case you missed it, House Minority Leader Tony McCombie held a press conference yesterday to discuss the ongoing issues at the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. McCombie stood alongside State Representatives Dave Severin and Bill Hauter to talk about the frustration IDFPR has caused residents, and discuss their legislative package to provide solutions.

The package includes McCombie’s License Convenience Act (House Bill 4855), which would require the department to accept electronic payments for licenses and fees.

“IDFPR is too often the barrier to people working,” said McCombie. “Significant delays, breakdowns in communications, lost applications, and just overall dysfunction has too often resulted in bipartisan frustration with this agency. We have written letters, reached out to the Director, and many of us have seen first-hand the pain this agency causes our constituents who want to work throughout the state. It is imperative this agency comes to terms with its own mismanagement and implements solutions. Not years from now, but now…. Where is the sense of urgency?”

Here is the video of the press conference: House Republicans Discuss Legislative Package to Address Failures at IDFPR (youtube.com).

* Sen. Robert Peters…

In an effort to safeguard the rights and well-being of the state’s youngest citizens, State Senator Robert Peters passed legislation out of the Senate Labor Committee on Wednesday. […]

Senate Bill 3646 provides more protection for children in the workforce by addressing various aspects of child labor, including working conditions, age requirements and sectors prone to exploitation.

Peters’ bill extends protections to minors who are not enrolled in traditional public or private schools with standard school hours to define when a student is permitted to work. Further, regulations add to the list of prohibited jobs for minors and jobs requiring adult supervision, and imposes increased penalties for violations.

Senate Bill 3646 heads to the full Senate for further consideration.

* Illinois PIRG 2024 legislative agenda…

Consumer Protection

We work to get dangerous products off store shelves, end exploitative practices and ensure a level playing field in the marketplace.

- Stop unfair and excessive car insurance rates, HB4767, SB3214 (Guzzardi, Cervantes): Illinois is one of only two states whose regulators have no power to reject or modify excessive car insurance rate hikes. Insurers regularly use credit scores and other non-driving factors to set rates. It is time to establish rate review for car insurance and end the unfair use of non-driving factors to set rates.

- Ban junk fees HB4629, SB3331 (Morgan, Aquino): The Federal Trade Commission estimates junk fees cost consumers tens of billions of dollars each year. Transparency and upfront pricing help not only consumers, but also honest businesses.

- Don’t Sell My Data HB3385 (Rashid): Almost every company we interact with collects data on us – like what we buy and when. Some even collect data on what we do online, like our browsing habits and search history. Companies often sell this data to other parties, increasing the risk that our personal information will be a part of a data breach, fall into the hands of scammers, or used for invasive targeted advertising. It’s time to stop companies from collecting and using our data for purposes other than delivering the service we’re expecting to get.

- Stop Credit Repair Scams, HB4507 (Meyers-Martin): Consumers trying to improve their credit score, often turn to credit repair organizations, but too often, these businesses drain resources from consumers without actually improving their credit. This legislation would require sustained, documented improvements in credit scores before charging customers for credit repair services. […]

Healthy Living

All families and communities should have access to clean air, safe drinking water, and healthy and sustainably produced food.

- Stop the Overuse of Antibiotics, SB1891 (Koehler) HB3567 (N Hernandez): Livestock producers routinely give antibiotics to animals to make them grow faster or help them survive crowded, stressful and unsanitary conditions. Overusing these drugs—in humans or animals—breeds bacteria resistant to antibiotics, threatening the future effectiveness of these medicines, and putting our health at risk.

- Ban harmful food ingredients, SB2367 (Preston): We should be able to trust that the food we buy is safe, but unfortunately, some food additives contain harmful chemicals linked to health harms, including a higher risk of cancer, behavioral problems, harm to the nervous system, and even DNA damage.

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Open thread

Thursday, Mar 14, 2024 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* What’s going on in your part of Illinois?…

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Isabel’s morning briefing

Thursday, Mar 14, 2024 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* ICYMI: House panel opens hearings on Pritzker’s health insurance reforms. Capitol News Illinois…

* Related stories…

∙ KVFS: Gov. Pritzker touts proposed health insurance reforms in Illinois
∙ Tribune | Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration says insurance bill is an effort to balance needs of companies, consumers
∙ Fox Chicago: New Illinois health insurance proposal would ban ‘junk insurance’ and ’step therapy’

* Isabel’s top picks…

* Center for Illinois Politics | Should We Change the Primary Process in Illinois?: Anyone familiar with the legendary ferocity of Illinois’ no holds barred politics should feel somewhat slighted that California claimed the title “Law of the Jungle” primary in its 2010 election reforms. Under that revamp, which voters approved by referendum, all candidates regardless of party labels competed on the same ballot in the March 5 nonpartisan primary. The top two vote getters, Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff and Republican former baseball star Steve Garvey, will face off in November to fill the state’s open U. S. Senate seat.

* SJ-R | Supplemental spending: How Illinois could spend some of its $1.6B budget surplus: Broken down, the proposed spending calls for just shy of $1.2 billion from the General Fund, $350 million in transfers to meet one-time funding commitments and a $60 million change to lapsed appropriations. It also calls for an additional $205 million to the state’s rainy-day fund, a major initiative of Comptroller Susana Mendoza.

* WGN | Investigation into 30 explicit AI generated photos of suburban high school students underway: “I don’t know where it falls in the law. In my discussion with Richmond police last night they were still working with the McHenry County State’s Attorneys Office to figure out exactly how to lay out the charges for this,” Essex said. “In my opinion I think this is basically should be considered child pornography it’s unacceptable.”

* Here’s the rest…

WGN | 4 candidates face off for the Illinois Senate seat for Chicago’s 20th District:

* WGN | Illinois Supreme Court candidate Jesse Reyes: ‘I bring a voice to the court that is needed’: Justice Reyes talks about his history on the bench in Illinois, what made him decide to run for a seat on the Supreme Court, why he considers himself a progressive judge, what he would say to people that say the justice system is failing law-abiding citizens, how he feels the No Cash Bail provision of the SAFE-T Act is working, why all courts need to be more transparent, his take on ‘right to life’ legislation, and his thoughts on the assault weapons ban.

* Center Square | Madison County judge finds Illinois’ lawsuit venue limit law unconstitutional: The law “does violate due process, as applied to persons who reside or were injured outside of Cook or Sangamon County,” Madison County Judge Ronald Forest, Jr. wrote. “The motion to transfer is Denied, as [the law] is unconstitutional, as Defendant seeks to apply it.”

* ABC Chicago | Rhysida ransomware gang claims it sold data from Lurie Children’s Hospital hack: The hospital confirmed it knows about the claims, saying, “We are aware that individuals claiming to be Rhysida, a known threat actor, claim to have sold data they allege was taken from Lurie Children’s. We continue to work closely with internal and external experts as well as law enforcement, and are actively investigating the claims. The investigation is ongoing, and we will share updates as appropriate.”

* Crain’s | State evaluation of One Central development still hasn’t begun: Last year, the state’s Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity, or DCEO, issued a request for proposals to conduct a feasibility study on the $20 billion project that would be built over Metra tracks just west of Soldier Field. The study was meant to provide hard data for state legislators as they consider whether there is demand for the giant office and residential center, if there is a need for the project to include a new transit hub and, most importantly, if it’s worth it for the state to agree to eventually purchase that transit hub for $6.5 billion from developer Bob Dunn’s Landmark Development.

* WTTW | Johnson Says He’s ‘Frustrated’ With City’s ‘Out of Control’ Overtime Spending: “Yes, I’m frustrated, yes,” Johnson said in response to a WTTW News story that was the first to report that the Chicago Police Department spent $293 million on overtime last year, 40% more than in 2022 and nearly three times the $100 million earmarked for police overtime set by the Chicago City Council as part of the city’s 2023 budget.

* Tribune | Student at Cooper Dual Language Elementary Academy reported to have measles, CPS confirms: Chicago Public Schools said the Chicago Public Health Department confirmed Monday that a student at Cooper Dual Language Elementary Academy had developed measles. The confirmation follows several cases that emerged over the last week. In a statement, CPS said it is working closely with the Chicago Department of Public Health to respond to any unvaccinated students and two recently reported positive measles cases involving CPS students.

* Sun-Times | Mayor Brandon Johnson’s $1.25 billion borrowing plan back on track for City Council approval: Johnson’s decision to borrow so much money for affordable housing and economic development signals a fundamental shift in how such projects will be financed — weaning the city from its long-standing dependence on tax increment financing.

* CBS Chicago | Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson unveils plan to invest in neighborhood groups: The focus will be on the 10 specific block groups in four separate neighborhoods: Englewood, West Garfield Park, Austin, and Little Village. The goal is to get philanthropists, faith leaders, community organizations, and businesses to help revitalize neglected areas by building stores and services.

* Sun-Times | CTA Red Line extension to get $350 million in Biden’s proposed budget: But the funding is a long way from being approved — at least for now — as it still needs Congress’ approval before getting the president’s signature. The potential funding is a critical part of the Red Line extension project, which the CTA expects to cost $3.6 billion. Last September, the agency said it was in line to receive a total of $1.9 billion in federal funding. The proposed $350 million is part of that funding, the CTA said Wednesday.

* Crain’s | Chicago-area population loss slows: The population in the metro area fell to 9.26 million people in 2023 from 9.28 million in 2022, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates. However, the decline of 16,602 people was smaller than drops of nearly 80,000 in each of the previous two years.

* Tribune | Christine Geovanis, CTU communications director and social activist, dies at 64: “She loved people and justice, and she was inspired by how accessible that fight was to everyone, and she took full advantage of that opportunity,” said CTU President Stacy Davis Gates. Geovanis died of complications from brain cancer on Feb. 12 in her Little Village home, said her sister, Janet.

* SJ-R | Have a few million dollars lying around? You could own Springfield’s tallest building: The beleaguered Wyndham Hotel, Springfield’s tallest structure which turns 50 years old in 2024, will go up for auction beginning April 15. The opening bid at TenX is listed at $3 million.

* SJ-R | Springfield fine dining restaurant reopens weeks after closing: Loukinens’ on 4th reopened its doors on March 2 after a brief stint of closing down to the public in February. The reopening comes after a series of missteps for the casual fine-dining restaurant, which closed suddenly on Feb. 13 until further notice.

* KTVI | Olivia Rodrigo offers morning-after pills at show in Missouri, where abortion is banned: Volunteers with the Missouri Abortion Fund handed out the pills, condoms and stickers at Tuesday’s concert. The nonprofit aims to provide assistance to Missouri residents who cannot afford the cost of abortion care. Rodrigo, a vocal advocate for women’s reproductive rights, also promoted an initiative called “Fund 4 Good” around her St. Louis show. A portion of proceeds from the St. Louis ticket sales will go toward the Missouri Abortion Fund and Text Right By You, an organization that educates young people about reproductive health.

* RFT | Where to Live in the Metro East if You’re a St. Louisan Fleeing Missouri: If you like Kirkwood…. You should look at Edwardsville. OK, so it’s a little “bougie hoosie,” and your kids better brace themselves for Drive Your Tractor to School Day (yes, it’s a thing). But Edwardsville is the closest thing the Metro East has to St. Louis’ affluent Missouri suburbs.

* Sun-Times | Simone Biles shows love for Chicago (and hot dogs) after Bears sign her husband, Jonathan Owens: Beyond her excitement over Chicago’s stellar junk food, the four-time Olympic gold medalist seemed thrilled to move to a big city that will let her avoid connecting flights when seeing her husband play. Biles also declared her love for her husband’s new home, adding a new chapter to the age-old rivalry between Chicago and Green Bay.

* Tribune | Chicago White Sox trade Dylan Cease to the San Diego Padres, ending the ace’s 5-year run on the South Side: “It’s exciting to people,” Cease said Wednesday morning at Camelback Ranch. “It’s good for the game in the sense of, it’s exciting to fan bases. People like seeing it, so I get it. It’s fun and exciting but it’s just not a main focus.” Cease learned his fate Wednesday evening as the Chicago White Sox traded the right-handed pitcher to the San Diego Padres, a source confirmed to the Tribune. The trade became official late Wednesday, with the Sox receiving right-handed pitchers Drew Thorpe, Jairo Iriarte and Steven Wilson and outfielder Samuel Zavala.

* Block Club | Monarch Butterflies Are In Trouble. You Can Help By Planting Milkweed: But Chicago is an important summer breeding area for migrating monarchs — which means neighbors can help get their numbers back up. “It’s kind of our job here in the Midwest to build that population back as large as possible over the summer,” Derby Lewis said.

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Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today’s edition of Capitol Fax (use all CAPS in password)

Thursday, Mar 14, 2024 - Posted by Rich Miller

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Live coverage

Thursday, Mar 14, 2024 - Posted by Rich Miller

* You can click here or here to follow breaking news. It’s the best we can do unless or until Twitter gets its act together.

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