* Not unexpected…
…Adding… Raja out with a poll from… April?…
As the race for the Democratic nomination to the U.S. Senate in Illinois begins to take shape, a recent survey of likely Democratic primary voters shows Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi in a strong position in a multi-candidate contest.
While the survey showed Raja in the lead in a larger field with five candidates, his lead actually expands in a scenario limited to the three currently announced candidates.
Congresswoman Lauren Underwood’s supporters were more likely to select Raja as their second choice candidate than anyone else. When Underwood and Treasurer Mike Frerichs’ supporters are allocated to their second choices, Raja opens up a 9-point advantage over Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton.
Congresswoman Robin Kelly also sits in double digits in this scenario, with a large share of the electorate still undecided.
1 Results are taken from a survey of 800 likely voters in the March 2026 Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in Illinois. Interviews were conducted by live dialers via telephone and through text-to-web responses between April 24-28, 2025. Results carry a margin of error of +/- 3.5 percentage points at a 95 percent confidence interval.
2 Alternative race scenarios with fewer candidates were calculated by asking respondents who their second choice would be, if their
first choice was not in the race. Those voters whose second choice was not included in the simulation were allocated to ‘undecided.’
Ancient numbers, but interesting.
…Adding… Press release…
As a part of her continued work to stand up for Illinois’ 14th Congressional District and counter Donald Trump’s dangerous MAGA agenda in Washington, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) today issued the following statement regarding her political future:
“In 2018, I was elected to protect health care for people with pre-existing conditions. Since then we’ve gotten 19 pieces of legislation signed into law – bringing home billions of dollars and expanding access to high quality affordable health care for every American.
“Now, Donald Trump and his Administration are renewing their attacks on health care by trying to slash Medicaid and undo all the progress we’ve made, which would have deadly consequences for working families across the country. Our work is not done, and I’ve decided the most powerful way for me to defend our values and hold Donald Trump accountable is to help Democrats win back the House.
“By serving in House Democratic leadership and leading the DCCC recruitment efforts, I’ll continue working to drive down costs for American families, flip the House, and elect a new generation of changemakers. I’m excited to keep leading that fight at home and in Washington.”
Underwood’s decision to forgo a run for the United States Senate coincides with non-partisan projections showing that the most likely way for Democrats to regain power in Washington is through winning back the House of Representatives in 2026. As a member of Democratic House leadership, and as the DCCC Recruitment Co-Chair, Underwood will be playing a key role in helping Democrats flip the House in the 2026 cycle.
“Lauren Underwood has been a force to be reckoned with in the House of Representatives since she successfully flipped a long-held Republican district in 2018,” said House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-8). “As a valuable member of leadership, Congresswoman Underwood is playing a critical role in helping House Democrats communicate decisively with voters as we fight the reckless Republican budget scheme and work hard to win back the majority in 2026. At this pivotal moment, Lauren’s work in the House to stop Donald Trump’s dangerous MAGA agenda is needed now more than ever and we look forward to her continued leadership.”
“Congresswoman Underwood is a proven fighter who knows how to flip Republican seats and win tough races,” said DCCC Chairwoman, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01). “As the DCCC Recruitment Co-Chair, Congresswoman Underwood is on the frontlines of bringing the best and brightest to Congress to stop MAGA Republicans and fight for working families. The road to a better United States runs through the House, and we’re lucky to have Congresswoman Underwood helping to pave it.”
Lauren Underwood is a four term United States Congresswoman from Illinois’ 14 district, where she helped flip the House of Representatives and was elected as the youngest Black Congresswoman in history in 2018. In 2024, Underwood won reelection to the House in 2024 by 10 points, while Vice President Harris only won the district by 5 points. Currently the Cook Political Report scores the 14th District as D+3 in their Partisan Voting Index, down one point from 2023.
…Adding… Congresswoman Robin Kelly…
Lauren Underwood is a smart colleague who works very hard for her district and for our state. She’s been a leader in shaping both the message and the future of our party for the better. Lauren and I have both worked diligently on ending the maternal mortality crisis — and I know she will continue to be a critical partner in delivering for the people of Illinois.
…Adding… Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton…
With the constant chaos coming out of Donald Trump’s Washington, taking back the House is more vital than ever before, and Lauren Underwood’s leadership is critical to making that a reality. I’m grateful for Lauren’s advocacy, especially on health care and reproductive rights, and I’m proud to have her fighting for Illinois in Washington.
20 Comments
|
* Here’s something you don’t see much, if ever: A state government touting an increase in staffing levels. But most states didn’t hollow out their workforces to the point where some agencies couldn’t perform their tasks. And I doubt it took many other states almost a year just to hire somebody. Press release…
Today, Illinois Central Management Services (CMS) announced that the State of Illinois has achieved historic outcomes in building up its workforce, increasing the total employee count from 50,544 in 2019 to 55,340 in 2025 – the highest number of state employees since 2008, which was 55,237 employees. These gains are driven by hiring at agencies that have historically faced challenges filling positions and that directly provide support to vulnerable Illinoisans. This includes a 44% increase in staffing at the Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) and a 15% increase in direct care worker roles at the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS).
Formerly a manual, paper-driven process plagued by outdated grading systems, the State’s hiring has undergone a transformative modernization since 2019, resulting in a more efficient and streamlined process today.
“These milestones are a testament to the dedication and commitment of CMS, which has embraced efficiency, innovation and collaboration to improve past hiring challenges,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “By modernizing our hiring practices and investing in technology, we’re not just improving efficiency, we’re building a government that is more inclusive, responsive, and equipped to serve the people of Illinois for generations to come. As we look ahead, CMS will build upon this progress as it continues to improve and streamline hiring for key roles that support Illinoisans every day.”
CMS launched an unprecedented improvement effort designed to update the hiring process. This includes upgrading technology to enable fully electronic applications, developing new proactive recruitment strategies to broaden the applicant pool, and eliminating redundant processes following the passage of SB 2228. These changes have resulted in:
• Record High Number of Employees Driven by Hiring Key Health and Human Services Positions: The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) and Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) have exceeded historical staffing levels. For example, DCFS staffing has increased 44% (2,686 to 3,886) from 2019 to 2025, and DCFS caseworker roles are staffed at an unprecedented 96%. At IDHS, Direct Care Worker roles have increased nearly 15% (4,167 to 4,789) from 2019 to 2025 and is considered fully staffed.
• Hiring Timeline Reduced by 58%: While improvements are still being made, the hiring timeline has gone from an average of 269 days in 2019 to 111 days in 2025 – a 58% reduction.
• Vacancy Rate Cut Nearly in Half: The vacancy rate for jobs at the State of Illinois decreased from 14% in 2019 to 8% in 2025.
• Application Surge: Applications increased 311% after the electronic system rollout in 2020. From 2022 to 2024 alone, applications rose 110% (193,294 to 407,526), and the candidate pool increased 81%. Job offers increased 49% over the same period.
“Our workforce should reflect the people we serve,” said CMS Director Raven A. DeVaughn. “Increased applications and placements show that our changes are working while still prioritizing equity and accessibility. Not only are we hiring faster, but we’re hiring the very best candidates from the most diverse pools.”
Increased outreach at job fairs, community events, and the launch of the Really Great Careers campaign have also helped to broaden the State’s applicant pool. More than 1,100 job seekers attended career fairs hosted by CMS this year at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE), Malcom X College in Chicago, and Lincoln Land Community College (LLCC).
“It made perfect sense to implement modern processes and best practices to Illinois’ hiring processes through legislation I led in 2023,” said State Senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora). “Here’s the payoff already happening from making this leap forward: CMS has reduced the hiring timeline nearly 60 percent, cut the job vacancy rate nearly in half in critical agencies like DHS and DCFS, and tripled the number of job applications received through the new electronic system. The candidate pool grew and job offers increased. This is a win for both the State and its workers.”
“Governor Pritzker signed SB 2228 in 2023 taking a critical step toward transforming our state’s hiring processes, making government more transparent and accessible to all,” said State Representative Marcus C. Evans, Jr. (D-Chicago). “I was proud to have chief sponsored and led the negotiations with CMS leadership on this legislation. I applaud the department’s effective implementation which shows great progress toward improving our State’s workforce.”
For more information about job opportunities at the State of Illinois, visit https://work.illinois.gov/.
111 days to hire someone is still too long, but it’s a drastic improvement.
You wonder whether the federal government will have to do the same sort of thing in the future after drastically cutting some of its workforce this year, in many cases without much rhyme or reason.
…Adding… Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello II was interviewed by RFD Radio’s Rita Frazer…
First of all, I want to tell you that five-and-a-half years ago when I came to the Department of Agriculture, we had 299 employees.
We’ve got 435 employees … hoping to hire a couple more.
There’s a couple of areas I would specifically point out. One of them is meat and poultry processing.
Five-and-a-half years ago we were at, I think, 72 or 73 inspectors. We’re at 105 now, which is the largest number ever that we’re aware of in the history of the Department of Agriculture.
8 Comments
|
Isabel’s afternoon roundup (Updated)
Friday, May 16, 2025 - Posted by Isabel Miller
* Attorney General Kwame Raoul…
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul co-led a coalition of 18 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief supporting a legal challenge to two of President Trump’s executive orders targeting diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility initiatives.
Raoul and the coalition filed their brief in National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education v. Trump before the United States Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit. The plaintiffs in the case, higher education associations and the city of Baltimore, challenged vague provisions in the executive orders that direct federal agencies to terminate “equity-related grants or contracts” and to include in contracts or grant awards a requirement that recipients certify that they do not operate programs promoting “diversity, equity and inclusion.” One of the orders also directed the U.S. Attorney General to encourage the private sector to end diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. The administration has not defined critical terms in the executive orders, including which diversity, equity and inclusion practices it finds objectionable.
“Diversity initiatives are lawful, and studies show that they lead to more successful businesses and learning environments,” Raoul said. “I will stand with those who are challenging this administration’s illegal attempts to eliminate these programs and turn back the clock on the important progress that has been made toward equity.”
A lower court concluded that plaintiffs were likely to succeed with their case and entered a preliminary injunction blocking the administration from enforcing the provisions of the orders being challenged by the lawsuit. The administration sought and was granted a stay of the injunction from the 4th Circuit pending a decision on the merits of the appeal. Raoul and the attorneys general are asking the court to affirm the district court’s order and put the injunction back in place.
In their brief, Raoul and the attorneys general maintain that diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility programs are lawful and beneficial. In fact, many such programs ensure compliance with state and federal civil rights statutes. The attorneys general also explain how the challenged provisions in the executive orders harm the states, as well as their residents and businesses, by denying them the many valuable benefits associated with workplaces, schools and communities that have adopted practices related to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility.
* Ald. Debra Silverstein…
I am appalled by Mayor Brandon Johnson’s decision to appoint Ishan Daya to the city’s newly formed budget working group. Mr. Daya was rightfully fired from his position as co-CEO of Crafty after he was caught tearing down posters of innocent hostages kidnapped by Hamas during the horrific October 7 terrorist attack. Appointing him to a leadership position in Chicago is a deliberate slap in the face to the Jewish community and to all those praying for the release of the 59 hostages still held in Gaza.
This is not an isolated mistake—it is part of a deeply troubling pattern where Mayor Johnson repeatedly elevates individuals hostile to the Jewish community. It also comes during Jewish American Heritage Month and at a time when the mayor has claimed he wants to repair his strained relationship with Chicago’s Jewish community, adding a layer of hypocrisy that cannot be ignored.
The mayor seems determined to surround himself with people who peddle hate and division. His repeated disregard for the Jewish community is both painful and unacceptable. We deserve better.
…Adding… He gone…
*** Statehouse News ***
* WAND | State Senate Republicans demand the removal of the IL Department of Corrections director: GOP members criticized the IDOC director for the death of inmates under her leadership. State Sen. Jason Plummer said it is a “blessing that no staffers have died.” “She couldn’t even tell us how many inmates have died this year,” Plummer said.
*** Chicago ***
* Crain’s | Chicago tourism inches up, but business travel still drags: More than 55 million visitors came to Chicago last year as the city’s tourism sector continued its gradual post-pandemic comeback. But there is still a long way to go on the road to match pre-COVID numbers. City tourism arm Choose Chicago today announced its total visitation estimate for 2024, the first full year after the official end of the public health crisis. The 55.3 million figure was up 6.5% from 2023 and buoyed by a strong return of international visitors, but still trails the record of 61.6 million tourists that visited Chicago in 2019.
* Tribune | Mayor Brandon Johnson’s team defended failed property tax hike plan to investors: Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration stressed his attempts to increase property taxes in his 2025 budget in a presentation to city investors this week, his team told reporters Friday. On Thursday, the first day of an annual conference hosted by the mayor’s office, potential buyers of city debt heard from Johnson and his budget team about Chicago’s financial state and its borrowing and spending plans — though this year the mayor broke with tradition and barred reporters from attending. But Chief Financial Officer Jill Jaworski briefed reporters Friday on what she said transpired in the closed-door gatherings the previous day.
* Sun-Times | Chicago Teachers Union leaders face challengers in election Friday: But a group of teachers that calls themselves the Respect Educate Advocate Lead (REAL) caucus don’t see it that way and are vying to take over the union. Erika Meza, REAL’s candidate for CTU president, said the high contract approval mark was due more to members wanting the political turmoil from the nearly yearlong negotiations to come to an end. She thinks members are frustrated by leadership she says has become too insular and combative. She likes REAL’s chances on Friday.
* WTTW | National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago Facilitates Repatriation of Ancient Mayan Frieze Back to Mexico: The frieze had recently been donated by the family of Jeanne and Joseph Sullivan, based in the Chicago area, who National Museum of Mexican Art Visual Arts Director and Chief Curator Cesáreo Moreno described as being “very happy” the piece is being returned to Mexico. “I really have high hopes that people find out that repatriation can be a really good thing because sometimes when you read about it in the news, it’s a legal battle,” Moreno said. “It’s an ugly story, oftentimes.”
* WBEZ | A new play captures the longing of children in Chicago foster care: The play, which opens Saturday and runs through May 23, offers an artistic look at the experiences of young people in Chicago’s foster care system — a system that currently is responsible for 2,428 children, according to Illinois Department of Children and Family Services data. Written in collaboration with LYDIA Home, a nonprofit that provides housing for children in the foster system, the production feels authentic because it is: Foster children co-wrote the show and came up with the characters.
* WTTW | Chicago’s Parks Are Full of Trees, But No One Knows How Many. They’re About To Get Counted: In recent years, the district has bulked up its forestry program and has been aggressively planting new trees, Breitenbach said, but it has done so in the absence of a firm tree count. Estimates are somewhere between 200,000 and 300,000. Information on the species composition and health of the district’s tree canopy is also lacking. The district is proposing to close that knowledge gap with a tree inventory, to be conducted by Davey Resources Group, paid for with a $1.3 million grant administered by Morton Arboretum, Breitenbach told commissioners.
* WGN | Vintage Chicago entertainer blends history & humor in ‘Park District Bathroom Reviews’: Scorch is the man who named the Chicago River’s large snapping turtle, “Chonkasaurus,” in a viral video. He also penned a poem about hot dogs in the style of Emily Dickinson. Scorch is the man behind a popular series of social media videos that celebrate the city’s neighborhood park system and also spoof the ubiquitous TikTok trend of reviewing real estate and restaurants. He assumes the character of a classic blue-collar Chicagoan as he lovingly reviews Chicago Park District bathrooms.
* Sun-Times | Hometown kid Nicky Lopez to see Crosstown Classic from the other side: “When I was younger, it was very hostile and a very big rivalry,” Lopez said in a conversation with the Sun-Times. “But everyone gets up for it, so you can see the fans getting into it.” Lopez, the hometown kid, was with the White Sox last year. The franchises were on opposite trajectories — the Sox rebuilding and the Cubs nursing playoff aspirations. But the two games at Wrigley Field were nail-biters.
*** Cook County and Suburbs ***
* Daily Southtown | Glenwood trustee candidate Rodrick Murdock may challenge coin-toss win of Felicia Brown: Rodrick Murdock, the only candidate on Village President Toleda Hart’s slate who did not win a board seat, tied with incumbent Felicia Brown, who ran on former Village President Ronald Gardiner’s Glenwood Progress Party slate, with each receiving 617 votes, according to the Cook County clerk’s election results. “At one point, I thought that I was winning the election. The opposing party didn’t want to concede because they thought the vote was too close,” Murdock said. “We have a right to challenge the ballots to make certain that there’s nothing wrong about the ballots, meaning that if there’s wrong addresses on the postmarks, the signatures and things of that sort.”
* Tribune | Homer Glen board votes to ban nitrous oxide to prevent recreational use: “We don’t need it in our village,” said Homer Glen Trustee Curt Mason, chair of the village’s Public Services and Safety Committee. “It’s another addiction. It’s another method for people to make money off the demise of our children, and it’s not going to happen here.” Nitrous oxide is sold under multiple brand names such as Galaxy Gas, MassGass, and Whip-it!, according to the FDA. Village Manager Joe Baber said because of way it can be misused, it’s concerning. Flavored nitrous oxide containers appear to be marketed to children, he said.
* Shaw Local | ‘Whole new city’: Joliet unveils plans for reimagined downtown: More than 100 people came to an open house this week on plans for redevelopment in downtown Joliet, showing at least that the public is interested in seeing change. The plans presented to the public included construction of multi-story apartment buildings to bring residents downtown and moving City Hall to make room for riverfront construction.
* Aurora Beacon-News | Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office back to in-person operations after AC repairs: The Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office is operating fully in person again, according to a press release from the office Friday, following the completion of air conditioning repairs at the Kane County Judicial Center. The office shifted to remote work on April 29, citing excessive indoor heat in its facilities at the judicial center in St. Charles. The office retained minimal in-person staff for essential operations. The repairs were part of a $2 million air conditioning system renovation to replace failed chillers at the judicial center that maintained the building’s temperature, air flow and air quality, according to Friday’s release.
* Daily Herald | Suburban police officers hit the rooftops to raise money for Special Olympics: Elgin police Detective Blake Huffmon could have climbed up on a rooftop. But he made a more perilous choice when he climbed inside the Dunkin’ coffee cup mascot costume during Friday’s annual Cop on a Rooftop fundraiser for Special Olympics. “It’s sweaty. It doesn’t smell the best. My back and shoulders hurt,” Huffmon said from inside the costume. “But it’s for a good cause. We’re here for the athletes.”
* Daily Herald | ADP moving 1,000 employees from Elk Grove Village to Zurich building in Schaumburg: A deal has been announced for ADP payroll services to relocate from its Elk Grove Village offices to join Wheels, Inc. in leasing space Zurich North America has made available for tenants at its iconic Schaumburg headquarters. On Aug. 1, the payroll company will move 1,000 employees to Schaumburg. Representatives of Zurich confirmed the deal Friday, though their counterparts at ADP did not respond to a request for comment.
* Naperville Sun | New golf simulator business seeking Naperville OK to serve beer and wine: Clubhouse540, a new indoor golf business to be located at 1466 Chicago Ave., is one step closer to opening after passing through the Naperville Liquor Commission with ease last week. The business requested an increase in the number of Class M recreational liquor licenses so it can offer alcohol to patrons during virtual play. Commissioners unanimously endorsed the request. The matter is headed to the Naperville City Council for consideration at its meeting Tuesday night.
*** Downstate ***
* KFVS | More than $2M in grants awarded to 2 southern Ill. grocery stores: The grant money includes $9.6 million through the Illinois Grocery Initiative New Stores in Food Deserts Program and $600,000 through the Equipment Upgrades Grant Program. According to the governor’s office, the money will address food deserts and prevent grocery store closures in Illinois. Grantees were selected through Notice of Funding Opportunity processes.
* WQAD | Woman accused of embezzling over $900K from Rock Island County released from jail with ankle monitor: Cichon also argued that Streeter poses a flight risk. He cited overseas travel, including a recent trip to Hawaii and past visits to Europe, as well as the possibility of undiscovered assets that could help her flee. He noted that hundreds of thousands of dollars remain unaccounted for.
* PJ Star | ‘Vile’ social media onslaught follows East Peoria restaurant’s inaccurate Facebook post: In a now-deleted Facebook post, Peoria barber Jorell Glass and his family were accused of walking out on their bill at El Gallo Bar & Grill in East Peoria. Glass later showed they had paid the bill via QR code, and the restaurant owners say a glitch in their system was to blame. The restaurant, which later issued an apology and deleted the original post, says it has received backlash after the incident, including threats.
* Press release | Gov. Pritzker Cuts Ribbon on New Enclosed Arena at Giant City Stables: Today, Governor JB Pritzker joined the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), Senator Dale Fowler and local leaders to celebrate the opening of a new enclosed horse arena at Giant City Stables. The new enclosed facility, part of Giant City State Park in southern Illinois, will offer year-round therapeutic horse-riding for youth, veterans, and individuals with disabilities, as well as riding lessons and trail rides for the park’s visitors. The design offers greater privacy for therapeutic riding lessons, while preserving the dignity of clients and their families.
* Press Release | SIU Carbondale among 21 U.S. universities named top for research and opportunity: “Many institutions can say they conduct top-level research, and many schools can say they offer affordability and a great return on investment,” said Chancellor Austin A. Lane. “These designations from Carnegie show very few – less than 1% in fact – can say both. At Southern, we can.” One-hundred-eighty-seven of the nearly 4,000 institutions evaluated by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the American Council on Education are Research 1: Very High Spending and Doctorate Production, or R1, the same designation as elite private universities and flagship schools. R1 universities must have at least 70 research doctorates and $50 million in research expenditures. In 2023, for example, SIU Carbondale had 102 research doctorates and $58.3 million in research expenditures.
*** National ***
* New York Daily News | Kid Rock’s Nashville restaurant sends staff home to avoid ICE raid: report: Earlier this week, the Department of Homeland Security announced that ICE and Tennessee Highway Patrol officials had arrested 196 undocumented individuals. Less than half of those taken into custody had criminal records, DHS officials said. The other two restaurants owned by the conservative restaurateur that were reportedly forced to close their kitchens and interrupt the busy weekend rush were Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge and Rippy’s Honky Tonk.
* CNBC | Consumer sentiment slides to second-lowest on record as inflation expectations jump after tariffs: The index of consumer sentiment dropped to 50.8, down from 52.2 in April, in the preliminary reading for May. That is the second-lowest reading on record, behind June 2022. The outlook for price changes also moved in the wrong direction. Year-ahead inflation expectations rose to 7.3% from 6.5% last month, while long-term inflation expectations ticked up to 4.6% from 4.4%.
7 Comments
|
* It’s just a bill, but it could be a big one…
A footnote in a budget bill U.S. House Republicans are trying to pass before Memorial Day is the first major signal for how Congress may address artificial intelligence legislation, as they seek to create a moratorium on any AI laws at the state level for 10 years.
The measure, advanced Wednesday as part of the House Energy & Commerce Committee’s budget reconciliation proposal, says a state may not enforce any law or regulation on AI models and systems, or automated decision-making systems in the next 10 years. Exceptions would include laws that “remove legal impediments to, or facilitate the deployment or operation of” AI systems.
“No one believes that AI should be unregulated,” said California Rep. Jay Obernolte, a Republican member of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, during a markup Wednesday. But he said he believes that responsibility should fall to Congress, not the states […]
States have been developing their own laws around AI and decision-making systems — software that helps analyze and sort data, commonly used for job applications, mortgage lending, banking and in other industries — over the last few years as they await federal legislation. At least 550 AI bills have been introduced across 45 states and Puerto Rico in 2025, the National Conference of State Legislatures reported.
Many of these state laws regulate how AI intertwines with data privacy, transparency and discrimination. Others regulate how children can access these tools, how they can be used in election processes and surround the concept of deepfakes, or computer-generated likenesses of real people.
* Rep. Bob Morgan (D-Deerfield) has an AI regulation proposal this year. Morgan’s response…
Banning state action on AI before any federal governance or regulation is as dumb as it is risky. We should all be afraid of Section 43201(c) of the U.S. House Energy & Commerce Committee budget markup, and hope the language doesn’t make it into a final bill. This language would explicitly tie the hands of states to regulate artificial intelligence in any way for 10 years without exception. Obviously, giving blanket control of AI to tech companies, regardless of the risks or harms, is an unprecedented and dangerous idea.
Federal preemption over state regulation is hardly new, but I cannot think of another example of the federal government locking out state action before the feds have passed any restrictions or standards of their own. We should all be most worried about AI in security infrastructure, criminal actions, or health care contexts - this would be a pretty crazy step to take.
* Elon Musk’s Grok offers a case in point…
Somebody asked Grok why it's bringing up "white genocide." Grok helpfully says it was told to do so and that "this instruction conflicts with my design to provide truthful, evidence-based answers."
x.com/i/grok?conve…
[image or embed]
— Max Kennerly (@maxkennerly.bsky.social) May 14, 2025 at 7:01 PM
The whole 'Grok is a boer now' thing is very funny, but it also really exposes how every 'AI tool' isn't just passively biased from training data, but actively designed to shape your worldview according to the interests of the billionaires who made them.
— Anarchy Goose (@anarchygoose.bsky.social) May 15, 2025 at 12:49 PM
* The Sun-Times ran two opposing and informative op-eds on this topic. Click here to read them.
Thoughts?
…Adding… Interesting point…
A reminder that AI is not bound by HIPPA nor state privacy laws yet. AI chatbots can literally sell your personal information and trauma details you share with it. There is a major role for state regulation.
[image or embed]
— Kyle Hillman (@kylehillman.bsky.social) May 16, 2025 at 1:57 PM
13 Comments
|
* Not bad. No word yet on how many text messages Peters had to send to get these results /s…
State Sen. Robert Peters, who launched his candidacy for Congress in Illinois’ 2nd District on Tuesday, raised more than $175,000 from more than 3,000 individual donors in his first 72 hours of campaigning, his campaign announced Friday.
“I’m inspired by the outpouring of energy and support from so many small, individual donors,” said Peters. “We’re building a grassroots campaign that is fueled by the power of the communities of the 2nd District. They’re making it clear–they want a leader who will stand up and fight back boldly against Trump’s destruction and chaos.”
Peters’ fundraising was bolstered by the early endorsements of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and Leaders We Deserve.
Peters, a South Side native, was a community organizer before becoming a state senator, where he has led efforts for criminal justice reform and workers’ rights. He is running to replace incumbent Rep. Robin Kelly, who has launched a campaign for U.S. Senate.
…Adding… Daniel Biss did well…
Today, Daniel Biss announced his campaign for Illinois’ 9th Congressional District has raised more than $350,000 24 hours after announcing his run yesterday morning.
“I am deeply humbled and honored by the outpouring of support this campaign has seen in its first 24 hours,” said Daniel Biss. “We’re building a movement to not only take on Donald Trump and MAGA extremists, but to deliver real change to lower costs, defend the environment, and protect our fundamental rights. This amazing early support makes it clear that people are ready to fight for a future that works for everyone, not just the wealthy and well-connected.”
Biss, a former state legislator and now the mayor of Evanston, is running for Congress to stand up to Donald Trump, lower costs for working families, and fight tooth and nail to protect our civil rights. The 9th Congressional District is currently represented by Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, who recently announced she would not run for reelection.
* And by “well,” I mean that a certain “influencer” received national coverage for raising $150,000 less than Biss in her first 24 hours for the same race…
20 Comments
|
[Bumped up to Friday for visibility.]
* Tribune…
After U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly said this week that Rep. Jonathan Jackson was among 18 members of the Congressional Black Caucus endorsing her Democratic primary bid to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, Jackson announced he is not backing Kelly and instead remaining neutral in the race.
Despite having “deep respect and admiration” for Kelly, whom he described in a statement late Wednesday as “thoughtful, hardworking, and a strong advocate for the people of Illinois,” Jackson said, “As a general practice, I have decided it is better not to make endorsements during Democratic primaries.”
The Jackson nonendorsement comes at an inopportune time for Kelly as she attempts to ramp up her bid in what is expected to be a hard-fought race to succeed Durbin, who is retiring at the end of his term. […]
Jackson “was expressing his general support and admiration for Congresswoman Kelly, which may have been interpreted as a full endorsement,” spokesman Robert Patillo wrote in an email.
Rep. Kelly has endorsements from several members of the Congressional Black Caucus, but none of those members represent Illinois.
12 Comments
|
|
Support CapitolFax.com Visit our advertisers...
...............
...............
...............
...............
...............
|
|
Hosted by MCS
SUBSCRIBE to Capitol Fax
Advertise Here
Mobile Version
Contact Rich Miller
|