Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

*** UPDATED x1 *** Poll had Pritzker’s fave/unfave at 41-41 last month, warning for U of I

Thursday, Mar 11, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller

A new poll shared with Playbook indicates Illinois residents have a mixed opinion about Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who has now spent a third of his term managing the coronavirus pandemic.

The survey, conducted by 1892 Polling, a firm that counted former Gov. Bruce Rauner as a client during his successful 2014 gubernatorial campaign, shows 40.6 percent of Illinois residents view Pritzker favorably, compared to 41.0 percent who don’t and 18 percent who so far have no opinion.

Most of the other questions examine education issues and culture wars. The survey of 800 residents was commissioned by the American Council on Trustees and Alumni, a conservative nonprofit group that advocates for trustees to have a greater role in decision-making on college campuses and pushes against what it sees as liberal ideas related to intolerance. Lynne Cheney, wife of the former Vice President Dick Cheney, previously headed the organization.

Interviews were done Feb. 17 through 21 by cell phones and landlines for the poll that has a ± 3.5 percent margin of error. The poll states 39 percent of respondents identified as Democrats, 25 percent were Republican, and 27 percent Independent and many had mostly favorable views of the Black Lives Matter movement, police officers, teachers unions, and their local school boards.

But multiple questions in the survey address ACTA’s interest in culture wars issues, particularly around academia and race.

One question asks if public universities in Illinois are too liberal or conservative (35 percent of respondents said too liberal, 36 percent said fair, and 6 percent said too conservative).

And while 42 percent of those interviewed think Americans are “too politically correct,” 41 percent think Americans aren’t politically correct enough or are just right.

Other areas of the poll address “culturally responsive” education, which was passed by the Illinois General Assembly last month, and show a slant to the questioning. Republicans have criticized the effort as serving up liberal politics in the classroom and the poll reflects that by asking people whether teachers should “embrace progressive viewpoints” and prioritize “social justice advocacy” (rather than plainly describing what those mean). A statement about whether public universities should combat systemic racism by teaching students about white privilege is set as the sole counterpoint to a more neutral position about whether those schools should teach the nation’s founding principles as “the basis for reasoned debate and civil dialogue.”

Asked whether K-12 schools should institute a new curriculum that teaches that America is “founded on slavery” or demonstrates principles for a “free and democratic country” — nothing in between — 38 percent chose the new curriculum and 48 chose the old.

Another question on racism touched on an episode that recently came up at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It asks if “Obstructing Jewish students from expressing support for the State of Israel is a form of anti-Semitism” (50 percent agree, 25 percent disagree, and 25 percent were unsure).

1892 is a pretty darned good firm, by the way, so the governor and the U of I should take note. Click here for the full topline results. I was hoping to get crosstabs by now, but they haven’t yet arrived and I got tired of waiting.

I think the last poll on Pritzker is from one I had done for subscribers in October which had him at 48-45 fave/unfave with likely voters, so something appears to have happened since then. That same poll, conducted by Change Research, had the graduated income tax proposal at 42-51 fave/unfave and had support for it at 47 “Yes” and 48 “No” with 4 percent undecided. It also had Biden over Trump by 17 points, had the Illinois Republican Party’s fave/unfave at 31-51 and Speaker Madigan’s at 8-70 (not a typo). I’ve been thinking about doing another one on the governor and others in the near future.

*** UPDATE *** Crosstabs are here.

54 Comments

*** UPDATED x1 *** It’s just a bill

Thursday, Mar 11, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Capitol News Illinois…

State lawmakers are considering changes to an internet privacy law that recently led to a $650 million settlement between Facebook and more than 1 million of the website’s users in Illinois.

A state House judiciary committee advanced House Bill 559 on Tuesday, a measure that would revisit the Biometric Information Privacy Act of 2008, known as BIPA, to include provisions which sponsors say will protect small businesses but detractors say will render the privacy law obsolete.

House Minority Leader Jim Durkin, R-Western Springs, introduced the bill, saying thousands of BIPA related lawsuits have been filed against big businesses and small businesses alike, hitting the “small guys” the hardest. […]

“Since that case (Rosenbach v. Six Flags), we’ve seen an explosion,” Kearicher said. “As of last month, we were up to 1,076 cases filed, both open and closed, in a two year period here in Illinois alone.”

* Also from CNI…

A bill that would expand the use of political campaign funds to include child care and elderly home care expenses advanced out a state Senate committee on Wednesday.

Senate Bill 536 would amend the state election code to allow candidates to spend political committee funds on part-time or full-time child care or dependent elder home care expenses, as long as those expenses are “necessary for fulfillment of political, governmental or public policy duties, activities or purposes,” the bill states.

The bill would also apply to candidates running for political office, as well as officeholders, campaign staff or volunteers.

Sen. Melinda Bush, a Democrat from Grayslake who sponsored SB 536, said the measure “helps us level the playing field for people that want to run for office, and maybe don’t have the financial wherewithal to cover those childcare, and eldercare expenses.”

* WICS…

Another proposed bill, HB374, would allow community colleges and local housing authorities to collaborate and build affordable housing for college students.

“I was in discussions a few years ago with our local community college board here, Danville Area Community College, about maybe trying some affordable housing projects for the college,” Rep. Michael Marron, R-Danville, said. “I think we came to realize it wasn’t legally possible at that time.”

Marron says he believes the Danville community is interested in pursuing more affordable housing for local community college students.

* Press release…

An Illinois law that requires a young person seeking an abortion to involve an adult family member is dangerous for youth in the state, violates their human rights, and threatens their health and safety, Human Rights Watch and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Illinois said in a report released today. The Illinois General Assembly should repeal the law, the Illinois Parental Notice of Abortion Act, as a matter of urgency according to the report.

Under the Parental Notice of Abortion Act, a doctor providing care to a young person under age 18 seeking an abortion in Illinois must notify a designated adult family member – a parent, grandparent, step-parent living in the home, or legal guardian – at least 48 hours beforehand. If there is a reason that the young person is not able to have one of these family members notified, the young person can go to court and ask a judge for permission to have the procedure without this forced family involvement, in a process known as “judicial bypass.”

The 73-page report, “‘The Only People It Really Affects Are the People It Hurts’: The Human Rights Impacts of Parental Notice of Abortion in Illinois,” is the product of a collaboration between Human Rights Watch and the ACLU of Illinois. The groups found that young people often seek judicial bypass because they fear physical or emotional abuse, being kicked out of the home, alienation from their families or other deterioration of family relationships, or being forced to continue a pregnancy against their will. The groups also documented the hardships faced by young people forced to involve unsupportive family members in their abortion decision or navigate an unfamiliar court system to obtain a judicial bypass, and the additional stress and delays in seeking care this caused.

The report is here.

* Almost three weeks after it’s filed and suddenly it’s an issue? Also, no co-sponsors and it’s still in Rules Committee…

“I’m flabbergasted;” New bill proposal would require bachelor’s degree for officers

A bill proposed by Rep. Jaime Andrade (D – 40th District) would require police and corrections officers to have bachelor’s degrees with majors or minors in social work in order to move from probationary to permanent officers.

He filed it February 22, the same day Governor J.B. Pritzker signed a sweeping criminal justice reform bill into law.

Some law enforcement officials are worried this legislation doesn’t reflect the realities of the job.

*** UPDATE *** A zinger from Kyle Hillman, the Director of Legislative Affairs for the National Association of Social Workers, Illinois Chapter…

While we appreciate the sponsor’s acknowledgement of the importance of social workers for their knowledge of human development and behavior, of social, economic, and cultural institutions, and their understanding of how all these factors interact—we also recognize that today’s modern law enforcement would never agree to abide a social worker’s code of ethics. And likewise, today’s social worker would never agree to have their profession co-opted by today’s law enforcement.

While we can’t imagine a scenario where this bill passes in the Illinois General Assembly, and while we are focused on how to replace armed interventions with therapeutic ones, if this bill was ever to move, it would be a hard no from us.

Ouch.

* Arguing that a bill doesn’t solve all problems…

Opponents to the legislation, including Rep. Tom Demmer, R-Dixon, said the bill would not relieve other pressures that lead to pharmacies closing, including financial pressures.

“A pharmacy could still have other business pressures that jeopardize their success, individuals could just choose not to go to a certain pharmacy and that could lead to their closure,” Demmer said. “There are a number of factors at play there.”

* Read to the bottom line…

An Illinois lawmaker wants to get rid of a required test for teachers before they can step into the classroom.
ADVERTISEMENT

The test is called edTPA. It’s a performance-based and subject-specific exam. […]

State Sen. Darren Bailey, R-Louisville, said the test is expensive, and requiring it is making the teacher shortage worse. […]

[Illinois Regional Superintendent Kyle Thompson] believes instead of requiring the edTPA exam, local schools should be allowed to evaluate the candidate and determine if they are qualified to teach in their classrooms.

* Related…

* Bill to make exceptions to Illinois eviction ban fails to pass committee

* Illinois Senator wants to tax your carpet [ADDING: Sen. Melinda Bush points out that the only carpet manufacturers which will pay this new fee are located in Georgia]

33 Comments

0.4 percent of Business Interruption Grants cash went to officially “dissolved” companies

Thursday, Mar 11, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller

* WCIA…

A review of state records shows the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity sent at least $1.1 million in Business Interruption Grants to 72 companies the state considers “dissolved.”

In order to qualify for the Coronavirus relief funding, state application forms show the businesses had to attest that they were open on March 1st, 2020, they would try to stay open all year, and would use the money “exclusively for costs and losses incurred due to the business interruption” caused by Covid-19.

Business registration records kept at the Secretary of State’s office showed at least 72 of the companies that won grant funding were considered dissolved or terminated long before the pandemic began. […]

The Illinois Department of Revenue found as many as 17 of those 72 still have active accounts open with the state, another sign the entities are collecting sales taxes or withholding income taxes.

However, the tax agency confirmed it had no records of 19 of the companies who won grants, and 33 others had closed their doors. […]

Lauren Huffman, a spokeswoman with DCEO, said any company that won grant money that is later found to be in “violation of their agreement will put their grant status in jeopardy and could result in the state pursuing a return of funds.”

The total was never mentioned in the online text version of the story (it was mentioned in the actual on-air story) to provide some context, but the BIG program handed out over $275 million in funding before closing in January. So, $1.1 million would be 0.4 percent. And some of those businesses appear to have just not renewed their state paperwork.

* ILGOP…

Pritzker’s schtick in running for this office was to be responsible and get back to the basics of governing. Whether it’s been the disaster at IDES, the tragic death of over 30 veterans at a state-run facility, or this colossal waste of taxpayer money - the Pritzker administration has been a complete failure at running state government.

18 Comments

*** UPDATED x1 *** Locals behaving badly

Thursday, Mar 11, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Edgar County Watchdogs…

It has come to our attention that the Village of Poplar Grove has been using its official Facebook page for electioneering purposes - in favor of the current Village President, Owen Costanza.

Use of official government communications, like email and social media, for electioneering purposes, is wrong and we urge residents of Poplar Grove to file an official complaint to either the Village’s Ethics Commission (if there is one) or the Illinois State Board of Elections.

This gives an unfair disadvantage to other candidates and gives the impression that the Village is taking sides in the upcoming election. No amount of couching it as an informative listening session or “coffee talk” while advertising it as a “Re-elect Costanza” event could bring it into compliance.

These advertisements also pulled Illinois State Representative Joe Sosnowski into the electioneering issue, since his name is listed as a speaker at this event. He should have known better.

*** UPDATE *** Press release…

State Representative Joe Sosnowski, R-Rockford, issued the following statement today in response to the coffee he hosted in Boone County earlier this week at which Poplar Grove Village President Owen Costanza was a guest:

“The Coffee Talk held at the Boone County Family Restaurant on March 8 was my event, organized by my legislative office as an opportunity for me to update constituents on state issues and listen to feedback from members of the community. As a benefit to constituents, I invited Poplar Grove Village President Owen Costanza to be a guest at the coffee. I have spoken with Village President Costanza, and he has acknowledged that he accidentally shared an invitation on the Village’s Facebook page with his political logo attached to it, making it appear that the event was sponsored by his campaign. Upon being made aware, he immediately removed the image.

“I will take additional precautions when scheduling these events in the future to ensure that all are aware that these are official events not to be associated in any way with an individual campaign or political purpose.”

* Not good…

* Meanwhile, from the BGA…

Nearly a year-and-a-half after federal agents raided Lyons Village Hall as part of a sweeping corruption investigation, clean government has become a top issue in the west suburb’s upcoming election as controversial Mayor Chris Getty seeks a fourth term.

Getty, the son of a former mayor who went to federal prison for stealing from the village, is fending off a challenge from residents vowing reform. At the same time, the current mayor has spent nearly $100,000 in campaign funds on legal fees as part of the wide-ranging probe that has hit suburban mayors, state lawmakers, contractors and utility giant Commonwealth Edison.

At stake for Getty is not only maintaining his political power and access to campaign cash, but a significant payday. Should Getty win, he stands to make at least $70,000 in salary for each of the next four years as mayor and liquor commissioner. That’s compared to $10,000 he made in both jobs when he was first elected in 2009. The salaries have been growing steadily since Getty himself pushed the pay hikes through a compliant Lyons Village Board. With insurance and retirement, his total compensation at the end of 2021 will exceed $109,000.

Richard Gatz Jr., a longtime resident of the working-class suburb who was a village board member nearly 20 years ago, is running for mayor along with a slate of board member and clerk candidates on the Village Integrity Party ticket.

18 Comments

Chicago Auto Show to return in July, other conventions to follow

Thursday, Mar 11, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller

[Bumped up from late last night for better visibility.]

* Greg Hinz at Crain’s…

In an interview, Deputy Gov. Dan Hynes says that, with COVID infection and hospitalization numbers now nearing record low levels and vaccinations speeding up, the administration wants to send a clear message that “conventions will return. There’s a way to bring them back safely. Signaling that is important.”

Added Hynes: “It’s our intention to allow and plan for conventions at McCormick Place and other locales during the summer, and certainly by July, which is when the Chicago Auto Show will occur.” […]

“We have faith we can host the auto show on July 15, barring some dramatic change in the trajectory of the pandemic,” Hynes said. […]

Industry sources said the event could run five to seven days starting on or around July 15, with events both inside McCormick Place’s West Building and outside. Hynes said that, for economic reasons, “several thousand people at any one time” would have to be on hand, but state believes that’s doable within safety guidelines.

…Adding… Sen. Sara Feigenholtz…

“Establishing a Tourism and Hospitality Committee in the Senate was the brainchild of Senate President Don Harmon. Putting me in the chair — also his decision.”

“The Senate Committee proved to be a catalyst once it convened and provided a public forum for labor, conventions, hotels and restaurants to discuss the impact of the devastating job loss to their respective industries”

“The Governor’s announcement came at the perfect time. It tells the public that Illinois government is quite capable of following the science and simultaneously making a plan to safely bring back an industry for events that are six months away.”