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Afternoon roundup

Monday, Feb 27, 2023 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Tribune…

When the whistle blows at the Belvidere Assembly Plant on Tuesday, it may signal the end of an era.

For nearly six decades, the massive auto plant has been the economic engine of the small river city near Rockford, churning out everything from the Plymouth Fury and the Chrysler New Yorker to the Dodge Dart.

But after several years of downsizing and dwindling demand for its current product, the Jeep Cherokee, Stellantis is idling the plant “indefinitely,” laying off the last 1,200 workers and perhaps closing it for good.

Statement from the Pritzker administration…

Illinois is focused on supporting workers impacted by the plant’s idling and has been on the ground providing workshops and support services to furloughed workers since receiving notification of the company’s plans in December 2022. In partnership with local leaders, community colleges and workforce partners, the State continues to work diligently to ensure impacted workers have the support they need. At the same time, Illinois continues to work closely with Stellantis as the company works to identify opportunities to repurpose the Belvidere facility to adapt to changes in the automotive market. REV Illinois and the closing fund, combined with our top-ranked infrastructure, abundant workforce and investments in statewide training, make Illinois a turn-key choice for any large company in the clean energy sector.

Not looking good.

* Pew…

Nationwide and in 32 states as of the end of the second quarter of 2022, cumulative tax receipts since the pandemic’s start, adjusted for inflation, were even higher than they would have been if pre-COVID growth trends had continued—despite fallout from the pandemic and a two-month recession. According to Pew estimates, New Mexico led all states, with 17.1% more cumulative tax revenue than it would have collected under its pre-pandemic growth rate. Idaho was second at 16.7% above the trend. Nationally, combined tax revenue at the end of the second quarter of 2022 was 4% above estimates of what might have been collected had the pandemic not occurred.

However, estimates also show that cumulative tax revenue fell short of its pre-COVID growth trend in slightly more than a third of states since the pandemic’s onset. This suggests less extraordinary growth than the recent spate of budget surpluses and the scale and scope of enacted tax cuts might otherwise indicate.

Illinois in orange compared to all 50 states in blue and Ohio in green…

Click here to do your own comparisons.

* Tribune…

The Illinois Supreme Court should reject a “grab-bag of constitutional theories” put forward by prosecutors across the state who are challenging a measure that would eliminate cash bail, the attorney general’s office argued in a final appeal brief filed Monday. […]

The brief said the high court has “no persuasive reason” to side with the prosecutors, and argued that their position would “effectively bar the General Assembly from ever reforming pretrial procedures in the State.” […]

“The clause by its plain language guarantees rights only to crime victims; it cannot reasonably be read to require a system of monetary bail,” the brief said, “and it is easily squared with the pretrial release provisions, which at multiple stages require courts to consider crime victims in making release decisions.”

* Crain’s…

The practice of considering environmental, social and governance, or ESG, risk has gained mainstream traction over the past two decades — in some quarters, it’s almost routine. Is it wise to invest in an oil and gas producer if the market is shifting away from fossil fuels, or in a company that has a record of sexual harassment complaints?

Some Republican officials have decided, however, that they’ve had it with what they call “woke” investing. A dozen states have enacted bills or issued advisories restricting ESG investing for public pension funds and other public money. Other states are considering similar measures.

Florida’s hard-line conservative Gov. Ron DeSantis led a resolution to bar state pension funds from considering ESG factors, and the state pulled about $2 billion in assets managed by investment giant BlackRock, an advocate of socially conscious investing. Texas blacklisted BlackRock and other financial firms it determined divested stocks of fossil fuel companies.

The backlash worries asset owners and managers in Illinois and other blue states. Why would anyone limit the considerations that go into selecting a sound investment strategy, they ask. That could potentially depress the returns of the pension funds or deprive the fund of a superior return because it’s unwilling to consider factors that impact long-term viability.

* Injustice Watch…

Illinois’ state child welfare agency for years has been illegally blocking undocumented survivors of child abuse from seeking a special visa for crime victims that would allow them to remain in the United States, an Injustice Watch investigation has found.

Since 2019, state law has required the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and all law enforcement agencies to make a decision within 90 business days on whether undocumented immigrant applicants who have been victims of certain crimes and are applying for a type of permanent visa called a “U visa” are eligible.

That visa program was set up to help law enforcement gain the trust of undocumented immigrants who might otherwise be reluctant to come forward.

But records show that DCFS so far has taken more than four years to establish a process to review the applications, potentially denying hundreds of families a chance at legal immigration status and keeping others from even trying.

Full statement from DCFS…

The safety, health and welfare of our children are the primary concern of DCFS. The Department has received 7 requests for certification since January 1, 2019 and has signed one certification. The Department has designated a point of contact to review U Visa requests and established a specific email address for individuals to submit a certification form request. The Department is committed to further developing this process to assist individuals who may be eligible for a U Visa. The Department will also reevaluate those requests that were previously submitted to determine whether the requests for a certification can be granted.

* Ralph Martire on the proposed state budget…

However, many of the structural fiscal flaws that created years of deficits remain in place. Which means Illinois decision-makers have the rare opportunity to thoughtfully consider reforming the state’s fiscal system, with an eye toward building the capacity needed to sustain investments in core services over the long haul, rather than just dig out of the crisis du jour. Bottom line: the Pritzker administration should be commended for its responsible stewardship, but there’s still work to do.

…Adding… Illinois Policy Institute sending text messages attacking Brandon Johnson and CTU…


* Isabel’s roundup…

* Chicago stuff from Isabel…

  25 Comments      


That toddlin’ town roundup

Friday, Feb 24, 2023 - Posted by Rich Miller

…Adding… The dark money PAC New Leadership for Chicago has reported spending $135,500 on direct mail for Chuy Garcia. That means the group has spent almost all the $400K it has reported raising. It’s just one of several IE committees that are spending in the mayor’s race.

* Nice timing. Press release…

JOINT STATEMENT FROM MAYOR LORI E. LIGHTFOOT AND AFSCME COUNCIL 31 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ROBERTA LYNCH

“Today, we are pleased to announce that negotiators for the City and the union have reached a tentative agreement that will improve the economic security and working lives of thousands of Chicago’s dedicated frontline employees. These workers are critically important to our city and impact every major department of City government. We have all worked together diligently to ensure that their efforts to help keep our city moving forward are recognized and valued. Terms of the agreement will be released after union members have the opportunity to review and vote on its ratification.”

* Heckuva job, Chicago /s…

About one-third of the city’s election day polling places are fully compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act standards, according to new data.

A WBEZ analysis of new polling place accessibility ratings from the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners shows wide geographic disparities in access to ADA-compliant polling places.

In some wards, more than half of polling places fully meet ADA standards. In other wards, fewer than 20% of polling places are fully compliant. Voters in the 33rd Ward on the Northwest Side have just one fully accessible polling place. […]

In the 37th Ward, which covers parts of Austin and Humboldt Park, just 8% of polling places are fully compliant. Roughly two-thirds of its polling places in that ward are rated “low or no” for accessibility.

By my count, out of 380 precincts rated “low or no” accessibility, 141, or 37 percent, are in Black-majority wards. Black people make up 29 percent of the city’s population.

* Politico…

Mayoral candidate Paul Vallas is taking hits from all sides ahead of Tuesday’s municipal election. He has front-runner status, so it comes with the territory. Vallas is being criticized for his remarks on critical race theory, his social media actions and his latest TV ad.

About CRT: State Sen. Ram Villivalam called Vallas’ comments “the same racist talking points echoed by right-wing demagogues.” And state Rep. Theresa Mah says Vallas is “unfit” to be mayor and owes Chicagoans an apology.

What he said: In 2021, Vallas said, “For white parents, I mean, how are you going to discipline your child when your child comes home and your child has basically been told, you know, that their generation, their race, their parents, their grandparents they have discriminated against others and they have somehow victimized another person’s race.” via Wirepoints. […]

About his new ad: It touts Vallas’ support for the LGBTQ community. But Equality Illinois, LGBTQ Victory Fund and LPAC called the ad offensive, saying it is “a desperate attempt to cover up his anti-equality track record.” They want the ad taken down. Here’s the ad.

* WTTW…

The union representing Chicago Police Department officers paid to send a flyer to voters showcasing that Jessica “Jessie” Fuentes, who is running to represent the 26th Ward on the Chicago City Council, was arrested for battery in September 2008 as a 17-year-old.

The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 7’s political action committee made an in-kind contribution of approximately $10,000 to the campaign of Julian “Jumpin’” Perez, who used those funds to pay for the flyers, said Officer Michael Cosentino, field representative and political director for the union. […]

U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez, state Sen. Cristina Pacione-Zayas and state Rep. Lilian Jimenez, whose districts include the 26th Ward, accused Perez of “using tired Chicago-machine tactics of intimidation and threats.” […]

Perez is one of 26 City Council candidates endorsed by the police union as part of a push to defend its supporters on the City Council from challengers supported by progressive groups and to defeat their opponents.

Five candidates — Ald. Anthony Beale (9th Ward); Ald. Raymond Lopez (15th Ward); Ald. Samantha Nugent (39th Ward); Ald. Jim Gardiner (45th Ward) and 19th Ward candidate Michael Cummings, a police officer, jointly reported approximately $42,000 in contributions from the police union’s political action committee, according to records filed with the Illinois State Board of Elections.

* South Side Weekly…

Over the past few weeks, journalists affiliated with the Chicago Reader and The TRiiBE have been the targets of harassment campaigns on social media for their coverage of a Police District Council candidate and the shooting of a Black man by Paul Vallas’s son. In January, Jim Daley, a former Weekly editor and then-news editor at the Chicago Reader, published a story detailing racist, sexist, and homophobic comments made online and in group chats by Pericles “Perry” Abbasi, an election attorney for the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) and FOP-endorsed candidate for the 25th Police District Council. After the article’s publication, dozens of Abbasi’s supporters began harassing Daley on Twitter, with Abbasi retweeting the harassment.

Daley was hired by The TRiiBE in early February and reported a story on mayoral candidate Paul Vallas’s son being one of three cops who shot and killed a fleeing Black man in Texas last year. When the story was published, The TRiiBE was targeted for racist harassment on social media.

These harassment campaigns, which include threats of violence, make clear the importance of the work these journalists are doing as well as the imperative for fellow journalists to show support and solidarity. Reporting on the powerful always comes with risks, but that doesn’t mean we should accept them as inevitable or do nothing. To show your support, head over to The TRiiBE’s website, subscribe and donate.

* Some apparent landlord-tenant tension…

* Disqualifying?…


* Isabel’s roundup…

  13 Comments      


The perennial fight over LGDF continues

Friday, Feb 24, 2023 - Posted by Rich Miller

* A quick history of the Local Government Distributive Fund…

[From 1969] Until January 2011, counties and municipalities received 10% of total state income tax revenues through LGDF. Following a temporary increase in state income tax rates in 2011, the percentage of tax revenue allocated to LGDF for distribution to local counties and municipalities declined to 6%.

In January 2015, the local share of the state income tax increased to 8% when the higher income tax rates declined according to a predetermined schedule established by law.

The state income tax was permanently increased in 2017 and the local government share was reduced to 5.45% for individual income tax collections and 6.16% for corporate income tax collections for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2018.

The LGDF share was slightly increased within the SFY 2021 state budget and is presently 6.06% for individual income tax collections and 6.845% for corporate income tax collections. This is significantly below the 10% share received by counties and municipalities prior to January 2011.

Yes, but there’s another way of looking at it. The actual dollars local governments currently receive via the 6 percent LGDF share of the state’s approximately 6 percent personal income tax rate is 45 percent higher than the 10 percent of the state income tax’s 2.5 percent rate which locals received in 1969, when the deal was made. Simply put, six percent of a six percent tax results in lots more cash than 10 percent of a 2.5 percent tax. Of course, 10 percent of 6 percent is even more, and that’s what the fight is all about.

* Press release…

As a former mayor, State Senator Don DeWitte (R-St. Charles) is keenly aware of the importance of the Local Government Distributive Fund (LGDF), money that is raised locally through income taxes, sent to the state, with 10% returned to the community of origin. As a Senator, he has now made it a priority to ensure local communities receive the full share of LGDF money they were originally promised.

“Municipalities rely on these funds to help balance their budgets,” said DeWitte. “Several years back an agreement was made that local governments would have 10% of the collected LGDF money returned to them, but in recent years the State of Illinois has been shortchanging communities and sending them lesser amounts. When the Governor sweeps those funds, he places an additional financial strain on local communities, and the ultimate burden falls on property taxpayers.”

Through DeWitte’s Senate Bill 2206, the Illinois Income Tax Act would be amended to ensure that an amount equal to 10% of the net revenue realized from the State income tax each month would be transferred from the State General Fund to the Local Government Distributive Fund. With money transferred monthly, DeWitte feels communities will be better protected from fund sweeps.

“The people I represent in Kane, McHenry, and DuPage Counties already pay some of the highest property taxes in the nation,” added DeWitte. “We need to protect them by enshrining the 10% LGDF promise in our statutes once and for all. By doing so, budgeteers in every Illinois community can have confidence and reliable revenue figures when they work through their local budget processes.”

SB 2206 currently sits in the Senate Assignments Committee.

The legislation would take effect immediately.

* I asked Sen. DeWitte what budget items he would cut to pay for it…

I think the better question may be what state budget issue can be so short funded that it requires the on-going sweep of locally marketed, promoted, and generated sales and income tax revenues being paid by residents of Illinois municipalities and communities into GRF?

The Administration hangs their collective hats on the various new revenues that local governments purportedly now enjoy based on new revenue sources the administration claims to have generated (cannabis, MFT, etc.) but conveniently ignores the fact that the recipient of the highest percentage of those “new” revenue streams is actually the State of Illinois.

These LGDF revenues are one of the few tools that allow local governments to minimize, and potentially reduce, the local property tax burdens that continue to weigh on our residents and businesses. They belong to the local governments that generate them.

The Governor has proposed adding nearly $3 billion in new spending in his 2024 budget proposal. Why doesn’t he fund current obligations before adding new programs?

I don’t think LGDF is a “current obligation” because the 10 percent share negotiated in 1969 is not currently in state statute.

* I pointed out to Sen. DeWitte that 6 percent of a 6 percent rate results in far more money than 10 percent of a 2.5 percent rate. His reply…

The tax rate has increased nearly 60% during that same period, yet the state has continually received the largest piece of that expanding revenue stream, while taking more of the LGDF fund from locals. And don’t forget, the state charges locals an additional 1.5% service fee for the privilege of having their share of sales taxes collected and redistributed back to them.

It’s disingenuous for the Gov to pat himself on the back for “financial stability” while continuing these fundamentally unfair practices of sweeping these funds from local governments.

Cut hell…let the Gov use his “sound financial foundation” to find another rev source to give the locals their own generated revenues. And to repeat, honor existing obligations before spending an available $3 billion on new programs.

Again, it’s not an existing obligation if it’s not in the books. In a perfect world, local municipal governments would receive a full 10 percent cut. But the biggest driver of local property taxes isn’t city and county governments, it’s schools. And schools don’t get a cut of that dough. Also, “another rev source” for local governments? What might that be?

Also too, the decision was made to cut the locals’ share when the tax rates were raised 2 points in 2011 partly because so many mayors (including Daley) publicly slammed the proposal. It was a bit of a snit, for sure. But when you fight hard against raising more revenues during a period of extreme state fiscal peril, it’s kinda hypocritical to then demand your full share of that significantly bigger pie.

…Adding… From the governor’s office…

A critical part of the state financial infrastructure is the operations of local governments. When possible, the State has provided additional funding mechanisms to help local governments, including one-time and permanent revenue supports to minimize the need for local property tax increases. Examples of on-going support, totaling over $1.15 billion annually, enacted since Governor Pritzker took office include:

    • An additional $200 million a year in sales taxes from the passage of internet sales tax language following the Wayfair decision, including the Leveling the Playing Field for Illinois Retail Act, to help ensure compliance with state tax laws on internet sales.
    • Over $600 million annually in additional motor fuel taxes directed to local governments and transit districts to support needed transportation projects through the passage of Rebuild Illinois.
    • Granting $1.5 billion in state transportation bond funds directly to local governments for road and highway project expenditures, saving local governments $110 million annually in debt service costs from not issuing local bonds.
    • Authorization of adult-use cannabis, generating an estimated $100 million in additional revenues for local governments.
    • Increased allocations through the Local Government Distributive Fund process totaling $46 million annually from business loophole closures included in PA 102-0016.
    • Increased tax rates and positions for video gaming operations is expected to generate an additional $77 million a year for local governments.
    • Anticipated additional local revenues from the opening of new casinos authorized under the Rebuild Illinois plan.
    • Provided $400 million to support local governments during the 12-month suspension of the grocery tax authorized under the Illinois Family Relief Plan.
    • Increased the percentage of individual income taxes that state government shares with municipalities and counties from 6.06 to 6.16 percent of total individual income tax collections. This 0.1 percent increase is worth $27 million annually.

Illinois distributed to smaller local governments $250 million from its Coronavirus Relief Fund allocation and established the infrastructure necessary to distribute the $740 million Local Fiscal Recovery Fund payment received pursuant to ARPA. These key sources of funding helped small local governments maintain services during uncertain fiscal times.

As noted above, PA 101-0610 consolidated the assets of local police and fire pension funds into two statewide funds to increase investment returns and lower management costs. Helping lower the pressure on local property taxes, the consolidation is projected to produce additional returns worth billions of dollars over the next 20 years. The higher investment returns from consolidation is expected to translate into fiscal relief for local taxpayers supporting these pension costs.

Finally, in the last few years, local governments have seen an increase in the percentage of income and sales taxes that state government shares with towns, counties and transit districts due to removal of the distribution proration that was put into place during the budget impasse. In fiscal year 2018, these allocations totaled $1.7 billion, but are expected to total $2.7 billion in the fiscal year 2024 budget proposal – a $1 billion, or 59 percent, increase – in annual state support in the last six years.

  22 Comments      


S&P Global upgrades state credit rating

Thursday, Feb 23, 2023 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Some pointy heads are gonna explode… again…

Governor JB Pritzker today celebrated S&P Global Ratings’ upgrade of Illinois bonds. This latest action means that Illinois has received a total of seven upgrades in less than two years under Governor Pritzker. This fiscal progress was achieved due to strong fiscal leadership by Gov. Pritzker and Democrats in the General Assembly.

S&P Global Ratings announced a ratings upgrade to A- for Illinois’ General Obligation bonds, its third upgrade of Illinois’ bonds since July 2021. The last time Illinois had an A- rating from S&P was before May of 2016. Fitch Ratings upgraded Illinois’ bonds by two notches last spring, the first Fitch upgrade for Illinois’ General Obligation bonds since June 2000. Illinois received two upgrades from Moody’s Investor Service in two separate actions in April 2022 and June 2021.

“I am thrilled to see our hard work at righting the past fiscal wrongs of our state reflected in today’s action by S&P with another credit rating upgrade—the third such upgrade in just two years,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Our continued fiscal responsibility and smart budgeting will save Illinois taxpayers millions from adjusted interest rates, and my partners in the General Assembly and I look forward to building on that success.”

The upgrade follows unveiling of the Governor Pritzker’s proposed fiscal year 2024 budget which builds on four years of historic progress with balanced budgets, a Budget Stabilization Fund on track to hit $2.3 billion, elimination of the state’s bill backlog and reaching $1 trillion GDP. The proposed spending plan maintains the Governor’s commitment to fiscal responsibility while growing Illinois into an economic powerhouse and makes transformative, generational investments in early childhood education and efforts to fight poverty.

“The upgrade on the GO debt reflects our view that Illinois’ commitment and execution to strengthen its budgetary flexibility and stability, supported by accelerating repayment of its liabilities, rebuilding its Budget Stabilization Fund to decade highs; and a slowing of statutory pension funding growth, will likely continue during the outlook period,” S&P Global stated.

S&P last upgraded the state’s bonds in May 2022 and today’s analysis credited the state’s recent actions in paying longstanding debts, rapid and early repayment debts taken on during the pandemic-induced recession and transparent reporting both from the Comptroller and the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget.

S&P Global upgraded Illinois’ rating on its General Obligation bonds to A- (stable outlook) from BBB+ (stable outlook), and also upgraded Build Illinois sales tax bonds to A (stable outlook) from A- (stable outlook).

The rating of a state’s bonds is a measure of their credit quality. A higher bond rating generally means the state can borrow at a lower interest rate, saving taxpayers millions of dollars.

Between 2015 and 2017, the State of Illinois suffered eight credit rating downgrades and sat at the top of many analysts’ lists of the worst managed states in the nation. At its worst, Illinois’ bill backlog hit nearly $17 billion.

…Adding… The S&P report is here…

The GO rating on Illinois reflects our view of the state’s:

    - Deep and diverse economic base;
    - Adequate liquidity with access to currently untapped interfund borrowing options, and a growing budget stabilization fund (BSF);
    - Expectation that open collective bargaining units will be settled in a timely manner; and
    - Transparent reporting both from the comptroller and the governor’s office of management and budget that we expect will be sustained or improve.

Offsetting factors, in our opinion, include:

    - High pension and other postemployment benefit (OPEB) liabilities and a pension funding practice where the statutory pension funding is designed to attain a 90% funded status in 2045, which is just part of one of the least conservative funding methodologies in the nation among peers;
    - Trend of annual financial audits being released later than in most other states; and
    - Population declines that are forecast to continue, and if this accelerates could potentially challenge economic growth.

The stable outlook reflects our view that Illinois’ near-term credit profile has stabilized, given improved liquidity, an economy rebounding from the COVID-19 pandemic-driven recession, and historic levels of direct federal support.

We could lower the rating if a structural deficit were to increase, derived from economic uncertainties; or if increases in pension, OPEB, or other fixed-cost obligations exceed expectations.

If the state continues to improve pension, OPEB, and BSF funding levels, while shrinking the structural deficit that we believe was created by not funding to an actuarially determined contribution level without experiencing meaningful deterioration in other credit factors, we could raise the rating. Although not required for us to consider an upgrade, a return to a more abbreviated audit-release period would be in line with that of higher-rated peers.

…Adding… The governor announced the upgrade during a speech today. Click here for the video.

…Adding… Speaker Welch…

“Less than two years ago we celebrated Illinois’ first credit rating increase in decades. Today, we celebrate our seventh, and a return to A-level credit. This is further affirmation that Democrats are making fiscally responsible decisions that move our state forward. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together, and I look forward to continued progress and success for the people of Illinois.”

…Adding… History time with Hannah…


…Adding… Sen. Elgie Sims, the chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Majority Caucus Appropriations Leader…

“Today’s news is yet another sign the years of fiscal responsibility from the General Assembly is paying off. In recent years, we have been able put money back in the pockets of the state’s hardworking families and provide funding for the people who need the most help – all while paying down our bill backlog. Illinois is a standout state when it comes to putting the needs of our residents first, and we do so in a responsible and equitable way.

“S&P Global Ratings’ upgrade of Illinois bonds shows our fiscally responsible budgeting approach is working and is independent proof that our state is headed in the right direction. Our future looks bright and I look forward to continued collaborative efforts during this year’s budget negotiation process to keep the state on this upward economic trajectory.”

  24 Comments      


Question of the day

Thursday, Feb 23, 2023 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Background is here if you need it. A group of Republican legislators held a press conference today demanding legislative hearings on the long-troubled Choate Developmental Center. Here’s Assistant House Republican Leader Charlie Meier…

We’re here today because we have a plan and we want to protect these residents. Our first is installing temporary cameras in common areas. … Implement ongoing staff training to include residents’ rights, abuse and neglect definitions, reporting for Office of Investigator General mandatory reporting and documenting as well. Educate staff on past abuse issues experienced at Choate and train them to be aware of the issues to report incidents and how to take appropriate action.

A mass, and I say a mass hiring of qualified staff. We’ve done hirings before because of COVID bringing in a mass hiring so that we have a group of new workers there that won’t feel threatened maybe from a few bad apples of the past workers that threaten to try to cover up abuse. Let’s train them. Let’s get them in there. Let’s not hire two or four or 10 at a time. Let’s bring in a group of 50 workers or more immediately to help take care of the shortage of workers and to bring some new life blood in there and get things turned around.

Track staff incidents by location and trends. By using the data collected to implement changes, monitor staff identified in the tracking and incorporate supervisory management staff to increase overall observances. Number five, increased administrative and security inspections. The center director and assistant center director along with other professional staff must make unannounced visits on all three shifts, morning, noon, Saturdays, Sundays, four in the morning, two in the morning. This is their job, this is what they’re being paid for. They need to be out there walking the halls seeing their residents and should be after sharp while on a first name basis with them. Security staff must report all incidents of improper behavior. Any staff who bullies or intimidates or threatens residents or other staff should be immediately removed from their job station. There must be zero tolerance of staff intimidating other staff or residents.

Six, improve overall accountability of staff performance to include job duties, Investigator General reporting, active treatment and adherence of policies and procedures. This would require accountability from the administration and the professional staff. Seven, remind employees if they see something is wrong, report it. Employees are mandated reporters. Their position is protected under the Whistleblower Act. They don’t have to be revealed who released this but they need to report it. Too much is going on unreported. Increase the amount of active treatment and activities for the residents. Why? Because individuals who are busy and active have much fewer behavioral issues, which should lead to less negative interaction with staff and individuals. And if additional activity staff is needed, then hire them.

Nine, encourage and welcome parents, guardians and visiting their loved ones by telling them ‘be in there.’ They shouldn’t have to call and set up a time when they’re coming. These are their loved ones. They should be able to visit their family members in their family members home whenever they want. Encourage more groups like the grandparents groups, where individuals come and adopt the resident there and act as a grandparent to them. So we have more oversight going in there. More people around to be seen. Staff should continue to be reminded that Choate is home for these individuals and they should be retreated with respect and dignity. Encourage the decorating of the hallways and room. This is a small thing, but the more the homes are clean, well decorated and welcoming the more staff and residents will take pride in their home. Designate a specific phone line for guardians and families to contact that is available all hours and does not go unanswered for days when they’re trying to get a hold of their loved one or tell them that there’s been a medical change that their doctor wants. …

Assign an interim director, assistant director to Choate Development Center. This director should be someone who has previously supervised employees at another center and is well trained on state rules, regulations and expectations. This interim director can monitor and help retrain the president, director and assistant director reevaluate the Office of Inspector General reporting system as it currently operates. Staff who are mandated reporters are not protected or kept anonymous during the investigation process. This turns into cases has a tendency in reporting. The OIG involvement in allegations needs more protection for the employees and the investigators and they need to happen within a month. We have investigations that don’t start till nine or 13 months later. These employees are placed on paid leave. The state of Illinois paying for them, they’re not working. And we’re not finding out what happened to these residents. Put a person in there permanently from the office and let them start and get these investigations done within a month. If they’re found guilty, they need to be fired immediately.

Please pardon all transcription errors.

Leader Meier said bills have been filed and more will be. He pointed to legislation he’s worked on for several years.

From the reporting, it looks like the biggest problem is a tight-knit cover-up culture of really horrible acts. Everybody knows everybody in that little town. Too many people appear to protect each other no matter what. Employees should be required to report misdeeds and should be severely punished if they don’t, or if they perjure themselves. That’s essentially what the IG wants. And it ought to be in more places than Choate.

Also, where are they gonna get the qualified people the Republicans want to hire? It’s easy to snap your fingers and say “Let’s bring in a group of 50 workers or more immediately.” Actually doing that is quite another thing in the current labor market, and particularly in an area where not enough qualified people live.

Leader Meier blamed this on “bad apples.” I’m sure there are some very good employees at Choate, but the bad apples appear to have long ago spoiled the barrel…

That collusion led the inspector general to find Choate itself negligent. The facility, the OIG said, must be held responsible for “failing to prevent the establishment of a culture in which so many employees chose to protect their fellow employees instead of protecting an abused individual and apparently felt comfortable doing so.”

The OIG report concluded: “That so many employees participated in the cover-up of the abuse of [the patient] suggests that this type of conduct may be endemic at Choate.” Previous reporting by the news organizations revealed credible abuse allegations in which the state’s attorney declined to bring charges because he said that employees would not cooperate in determining what happened.

* The Republicans said today that they want to prevent a Choate closure. Here’s Rep. Paul Jacobs…

We cannot and will not accept a blanket policy that throws our hands up in the air in disgust and close down the facility that means so much to residents in my area and in that area. We have not begun the process of trying to fix the problems, let alone exhaust every single solitary legislative and administrative option that we have. We cannot and will not accept the attitude that nothing can be done. So, Governor, we’re asking you to work with us work with us. Work with your Democrat and Republican partners in the legislature.

* I asked the governor’s office this morning to send me a list of things the administration has done at Choate so far…

Increased security and surveillance

    • Cameras installed in approved indoor and outdoor areas that do not have a reasonable expectation of privacy (ongoing).
    • Increased security staff by 5 positions including one security officer chief.
    • Increased internal security staff by 2 positions.
    • Increased management presence in living areas and professional staff presence after hours.

Independent, Third-Party review

    • Equip for Equality investigation staff conducting chart reviews, staff interviews, and monitoring of unit conditions.
    Training and consultation
    • New and re-training sessions for all staff
    • Illinois Crisis Prevention Network has provided ongoing consultation to develop individualized behavior plans for residents in need of enhanced support.

Visible, physical improvements to Choate living areas and homes.

    • Completed a pilot environmental improvement project in 2 homes – Redbud and Dogwood – which are rolling out Center-wide.

Senior Onsite Visitor/Leadership Reporting Liaison:

    • Brought retired CMS Assistant Director Steve McCurdy to report to DD Director to perform an on-site, on-the-ground, common-sense, immediate-term review of the Center.
    • Met extensively with residents, families/guardians and staff, focusing on the health and safety of these individuals.

Illinois State Police (ISP) Collaboration

    • ISP’s Division of Internal Investigation came on-site to conduct an assessment of the Center including a review of security, physical structure needs, etc.
    • Supported updates to staff training with a focus on team building and collective accountability.

NASDDDS Technical Assistance:

    • Used ICDD funding to receive technical assistance from the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services (NASDDDS) on building additional I/DD community capacity.
    • Technical assistance grew from FY22 capacity report – An Evaluation of Community Capacity Barriers and Opportunities for Expansion in Illinois for Adult DD Waiver Services – focusing on support for residents and capacity for SODC system improvements.

…Adding… AFSCME Council 31…

“As the union of Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center employees, we welcome the support and partnership of anyone of good will who wants to work to improve it. Long before the current attention paid to the facility, AFSCME has urged legislators and the Department of Human Services to increase staffing (allowing for more programs and activities), expand staff training and invest in repairing and maintaining the buildings and grounds.

“For some 270 people with multiple challenges that require intensive supports, Choate is home. Its services have no analog elsewhere. That’s why residents’ families value Choate so highly, and it’s a tribute to the dedicated employees who provide compassionate, attentive, round-the-clock care.

“It’s regrettable that it took disturbing media reports of past misconduct to underscore the need for improvements at Choate, but the wrongful actions of a few cannot overshadow the deep commitment of the overwhelming majority of employees to Choate’s residents and to making the facility the best it can be. That must begin with reversing its staff shortage and investing in its physical infrastructure.”

The Question: Do you think Choate Developmental Center is redeemable? Please explain your answer. Thanks.

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