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Duckworth says state party, state House should “consider new leadership”

Thursday, Nov 5, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller

Illinois Democrats and the Illinois House should consider replacing House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Illinois, said Wednesday.

“The ongoing investigation surrounding Speaker Madigan is an unnecessary distraction and makes it harder to carry out the work of helping the people of Illinois,” Duckworth, of Hoffman Estates, said in a statement exclusively to The State Journal-Register.

“As our nation hopefully embarks on a brighter path with a new president, the Illinois Democratic Party and the Illinois House of Representatives should consider new leadership to continue the progress we’ve made at the state level and build on it.”

Notice that Duckworth went further than either Durbin or Pritzker. Both of them focused solely on Madigan’s Democratic Party of Illinois chairmanship. Duckworth mentioned the Illinois House as well.

…Adding… The Cook County Assessor isn’t exactly on the same level as a US Senator, but Madigan’s firm does a lot of work in that field, so here you go…

“Adding @fritz4assessor to dump Madigan chorus:

“It’s time for Speaker Madigan to step down as chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois. Now more than ever, we need new, reform-oriented leadership that can drive an agenda for working families.”

— Mary Ann Ahern (@MaryAnnAhernNBC) November 6, 2020

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*** UPDATED x2 *** Pritzker says he agrees with Durbin on need for new party leadership

Thursday, Nov 5, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Background is here if you need it. Gov. Pritzker was asked today: “To be clear, you agree with Sen. Durbin that we need new leadership at the party?”

“Yes,” the governor said.

I’ll update this in a bit.

*** UPDATE 1 *** Pritzker was asked to clarify something he said earlier when he was asked about Durbin’s comments regarding Speaker Madigan’s party chairmanship…

Look, I agree with Senator Durbin that opponents were able to tap into voters’ concerns about corruption and their lack of trust in government. There are real challenges there, and you know that I have proposed significant ethics reforms that I know that the legislature needs to take up. The Republicans and the billionaires that sided with them were effectively able to use the speaker as their foil. And that hurt our ability, our state’s ability to get things done.

And the truth is that Democrats are standing up for the middle class and getting important things done to support them. But it is clear that Senator Durbin is expressing something that I think is accurate.

…Adding… Press release…

Last night in a television interview, Senator Dick Durbin said about Speaker Michael Madigan: “All across our state – and the advertising told the story – we paid a heavy price for the Speaker’s chairmanship of the Democratic Party…I hope he takes that to heart and understands that his presence as chairman of our party has not helped.”

Today, during his daily COVID-19 briefing, Governor Pritzker was asked if he believed Madigan should step down as Chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois. He responded with a “yes.”

Illinois Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider released the following statement in response:

“Let me be clear: a superficial and political demotion as Chairman of the DPI does nothing to end Madigan’s reign of corruption as Speaker of the House. His position at the heights of our state government is where he derives his power and where he still diligently gives Governor Pritzker his marching orders. Suggesting the Speaker step down as party chair is a cop out.”

*** UPDATE 2 *** Press release…

Please see the following statement from Chairman Madigan:

“I am proud of my record electing Democrats who support workers and families and represent the diversity of our state. Together, we have successfully advanced progressive policies that have made Illinois a strong Democratic state with supermajorities in the legislature. Illinois is the anchor in the ‘blue wall’ that has been reconstructed in the Midwest, and I look forward to continuing our fight for working families as chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois.”

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COVID-19 roundup

Thursday, Nov 5, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Text message from Rep. Deb Conroy…

I believe we have an epidemic of asymptomatic super spreaders of this virus. Two of my fours sons are positive and have no symptoms. That God for contact tracing. They are fine and are in quarantine. Now another of my sons and I are scrambling to get tested. He got a cancellation and is in a line that will be hours long. I’m still trying to get an appointment. We will also be in quarantine.

These long testing lines are starting to make me very nervous.

* And while we’re talking about asymptomatic spreaders…

Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike suggested Wednesday that poll workers, voters and others who participated in the election throughout the state be tested for the coronavirus. […]

She asked that even people who test negative for COVID-19 following a week of exposure to “be careful” as many develop symptoms up to two weeks after encountering the virus.

* WUIS…

Individuals not wearing a face covering around their nose and mouth in grocery stores, gas stations and other retail businesses in Springfield can now be fined $50, and businesses can get hit with a $250 fine for not requiring customers to comply with the mask mandate.

A subsequent violation for a business would lead to a $500 fine. Face coverings are proven to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

The Springfield City Council approved the ordinance at an emergency meeting Wednesday night.

I’m told the Illinois Retail Merchants Association supported this ordinance and believes the state should follow suit.

…Adding… From IRMA…

IRMA is pleased the city of Springfield will begin fining individuals for not wearing face coverings in retail locations. This is exactly the approach the state should have been taking from the beginning instead of asking businesses to serve as law enforcement officials. Businesses should be held accountable for what they can control (e.g. one or more of the following: sign on door, using public address system to remind consumers, social distancing markers on the floor by point-of-sale, someone at the entrance to remind consumers). Individuals should be held responsible for wearing face coverings. The most common excuse is a consumer claiming they have a medical reason they cannot wear a face covering. At this point, retailers are prohibited by law from inquiring further or taking an additional action. Another common action is the consumer removes it the moment they are in the store or out sight of an employee. Likewise, retailers cannot physically restrain anyone. The most common refrain is “simply don’t sell to them”. That is neither simple nor realistic. Consumers are regularly claiming medical exemptions and retailers risk legal claims on denial of service. Finally, such confrontations put retailers in harm’s way and we’ve recently seen these tragedies become reality in Illinois.

* More from Springfield’s city council via the SJ-R…

At the same time, the council passed on an opportunity to endorse a “phased” mitigation plan rolled out by Mayor Jim Langfelder and Sangamon County leaders Tuesday afternoon that directly defies Gov. JB Pritzker’s mitigation order by allowing indoor bar and dining service to continue at 25% capacity for at least two weeks. […]

A resolution affirming the approach to mitigations along with other measures — including the discouragement of private house parties and giving bars and restaurants a six-month credit on their annual liquor license renewal fees — was tabled after an hour of debate.

Some council members, such as Ward 3 Ald. Doris Turner and Ward 8. Ald. Erin Conley, said they were unwilling to buck Pritzker and sign off on lax mitigations. Others, like Ward 1 Ald. Chuck Redpath and Ward 10 Ald. Ralph Hanauer, worried the 25% capacity might be too low for many bars and restaurants to stay afloat. […]

Langfelder acknowledged after the meeting that he does have the authority under his emergency powers to implement the contents of the resolution on his own. He said he plans to sign an emergency order in the coming days reflecting that.

“I thought it was better to have a discussion with everybody, and then move in that direction,” Langfelder said. “So we’ll probably be forthcoming with that resolution. But the most important part was the mask ordinance. And I appreciate the council passing that unanimously.”

Maybe just forget about that resolution, mayor.

* Center Square…

The American Academy of Pediatrics has released a new report showing 61-thousand children nationwide tested positive for the virus last week. As of October 29, there have been over 850-thousand cases reported in children. Children have represented more than 11% of all cases of the virus in the country.

During the daily COVID-19 briefing on Wednesday, Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said in the latest statewide report that children were the third-largest group in terms of the number of cases.

“They are involved in activities and group things as well,” Ezike said. “There are sports, there’s dance, there’s school, there’s trick-or-treating, there are birthday parties, so there is ample opportunity for our younger residents to get the infection as well.”

According to a CDC report in October, adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 were twice as likely to test positive for COVID-19 than kids between 5 and 11 years old.

While cases of severe illness appear to be rare among children, most times it is in infants younger than 1.

I personally know of two infants with the illness. Not a good thing.

* From the Tribune’s live blog…

Taste of Chicago, Air Show funding not in city 2021 budget

Mayor Lori Lightfoot announces $10 million grant program for bars and restaurants struggling with COVID-19 shutdown

Chicago Bears send players and coaches home after Cody Whitehair reportedly tests positive for COVID-19

Sangamon County judge dismisses lawsuits challenging Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s coronavirus orders and restrictions

Pilsen mural features residents, including essential workers: ‘It mirrors the community’s resilience’

Red Cross appeals for blood donations, plasma to fight coronavirus

State driver facilities in West Chicago, Aurora to reopen Thursday after closing because of coronavirus case

* Sun-Times live blog…

Pies and PPE: Local pizza shop uses ovens to make face shields

91% of classrooms have adequate ventilation, CPS says as debate continues on return during the pandemic

How COVID has shaped this election

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*** UPDATED x1 *** McConchie will be next Senate Republican Leader, Rezin to be Deputy Leader

Thursday, Nov 5, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller

* This was not unanimous and subscribers know why. From a press release…

Senator Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods) issued the following statement after he was chosen as Leader-Elect of the Illinois State Senate Republican Caucus by its members this afternoon:

“I want to thank my colleagues for choosing me for this important role.

“There are exciting days ahead. Illinois voters sent a powerful message this week by overwhelmingly rejecting the constitutional tax hike amendment and sending the message that they do not trust state government with broader taxing powers.

“We Senate Republicans hear you loud and clear and are ready to act.

“During my tenure in the legislature, I have made meaningful reform my top priority. Our caucus will embrace a fundamentally new direction for Illinois. We need balanced budgets, smaller and smarter government, lower taxes, economic reforms, and a world-class education system that prepares our next generation to stay and succeed here, not flee to another state.

“We will work every day to rebuild voters’ trust, weed out corruption, grow our caucus, reform our spending and revive what makes Illinois such a great state.

“I look forward to partnering with my House Republican colleagues to give voice to the message voters sent us on Tuesday signaling their distrust of state government and to fight for the reforms they so clearly want.

“We have no time to waste. Let’s get to work.”

In his first act as Leader-Elect, Senator McConchie chose Senator Sue Rezin (R-Morris) as his Deputy Leader.

“There is no denying that we are at a crossroads as a party and a state,” said Illinois State Senator Sue Rezin (R-Morris). “I believe Dan is the person best equipped to guide us down a new and different path. He will put in the thoughtful action needed to recruit fresh, more diverse candidates and engage groups who have not previously seen a place for themselves in the GOP. It is a new day here in Illinois, and I am looking forward to working with Dan as his Deputy Leader to help rebuild our organization and our state.”

“I am proud to have supported Dan as the new leader of our caucus because he has the intelligence, work ethic and curiosity needed to build our Senate Republican Caucus,” said Illinois State Senator Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington). “His passion for policy is unmatched, and we need that focus on real solutions to bring the people of Illinois the reforms they deserve. I am looking forward to working alongside him and our colleagues as we build a stronger, more effective Senate Republican Caucus.”

*** UPDATE *** Press release…

Democratic Illinois Senate President Don Harmon issued the following statement congratulating Sen. Dan McConchie on being elected the next Republican leader.

“I look forward to working with Senator McConchie as the Senate continues to lead by example and with a commitment to pragmatism and bipartisanship that was the hallmark of Leader Brady’s tenure in the post. Congratulations Senator McConchie.”