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House Republicans walk out of chamber as J6/Trump resolutions begin (Updated x5)
Wednesday, Feb 5, 2025 - Posted by Rich Miller * House Resolution 118…
The House Republicans called for a caucus meeting during debate. They came back in and then walked out during the roll call…  The HGOPs are holding a press conference. * The other resolutions teed up for debate…
* HR115: Calls on President Donald Trump to stop the actions of his administration that are making communities less safe, undermining the rule of law, and raising the cost of living. Urges federal lawmakers to instead prioritize comprehensive reforms, including a pathway to citizenship, and focus on the safety of every community, the economic security of every family, and the rights guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution. * HR117: Condemns President Donald Trump’s efforts to undermine equal pay, make workplaces less fair, and limit opportunity. Condemns the false, hateful comments President Trump and his allies have used to impugn and demean working people. Renews commitment to prioritize equal pay for equal work, opportunities for all, and protections in our workplaces in Illinois. * HR119: Calls upon President Donald Trump to abandon his reckless tariff plans that would raise costs on Illinois families and businesses. …Adding… From the HGOP presser…  …Adding… Rep. John Cabello (R-Machesney Park) was asked this question today…
He didn’t answer, and instead tried to pivot to the SAFE-T Act. He was asked again, and he didn’t answer again. * Rep. Chris Miller (R-No Relation) has talked on the floor this session about his strong support for the president’s actions and was asked for his thoughts. Rep. Cabello interrupted to say…
* House Republican Leader Tony McCombie…
…Adding… During the roll call on HR115, Marcus Evans calls out Republicans by name to ask if they want to vote… …Adding… House Speaker Chris Welch…
Please pardon all transcription errors. * From the House Republicans…
In closing, Rep. Kam Buckner called the Republicans “the Houdini caucus, silence and absence, ignoring the harsh realities of what their inaction will lead to for the people that they represent, proving that they’re in a rocky relationship with democracy. Nobody in any of our districts gets paid to leave their job early, and they don’t expect that of us. What they do expect is for us to fight, for them, to push back against ham handed, haphazard, nonsensical government action. And we, those of us who remain, will do exactly that.” …Adding… More from McCombie’s spokesperson…
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Isabel’s afternoon roundup (Updated x2)
Wednesday, Feb 5, 2025 - Posted by Isabel Miller * Crain’s…
* CBS Chicago…
…Adding… This will cause a stir…
* A little session update…
…Adding… After two Democrats spoke in debate, the House Republicans called for a caucus of between an hour and an hour and a half. * Equality Illinois…
* Tribune | Illinois attorney general says state will protect gender-affirming care, despite Trump executive order: After a week of uncertainty for Illinois hospitals and clinics over an executive order seeking to end gender-affirming care for minors, the Illinois attorney general issued a statement Wednesday saying the state will protect such care. The statement, from Attorney General Kwame Raoul and the attorneys general of 14 other states, says that federal dollars remain available to institutions that provide gender-affirming care despite the executive order, and that Illinois and the other states will take legal action if that funding is halted. * Click here for some background…
* The Triibe | Social justice organizations push to automate expungement and record sealing in Illinois: The Clean Slate Illinois Coalition (CSIC), which is leading the effort, aims to streamline expungement and record sealing statewide. Advocates say the economic impact is projected to restore up to $4.7 billion in lost income to the Illinois economy, as people with sealed records could see an estimated 20% wage increase, according to CSIC. For many impacted by the criminal justice system, the stigma of a conviction doesn’t end once their sentence is complete. A criminal record creates barriers to housing, jobs, and more, according to Antonio Lightfoot, who’s among those lobbying for the Clean Slate Act. * Crain’s | 2nd bill in Springfield aims to get rid of single-family zoning: The bill, HB 1814, calls for small municipalities in Illinois to let builders put up multi-unit structures on most lots that are now zoned for single-family residential. It complements a bill introduced a year ago that would do the same in large municipalities, including Chicago. * WAND | Amy Meek to serve as Deputy Director of the Illinois Department of Human Rights: Meek is a civil rights attorney. The announcement comes alongside Alex Bautista’s transition from IDHR after nearly 8 years of service to work on special projects with the Governor’s Office of New Americans. “Alex Bautista has been an essential advisor for the last 6 years. He was thoughtful, deliberate, and collaborative,” said IDHR Director Jim Bennett. “I am confident that Amy Meek will rise to the occasion in her new role as she leads our efforts to secure freedom from unlawful discrimination for all individuals in Illinois.” * Tribune | Following budget strife, Mayor Brandon Johnson says passing a spending plan is ‘City Council’s responsibility’: At an inaugural “Lakeside Chat” community engagement event to tout Johnson’s 2025 budget, the mayor and his budget director Annette Guzman sought to appeal directly to constituents after a bruising road to securing enough City Council votes for the $17.1 billion 2025 spending plan two weeks before the Dec. 31 deadline. But the event at Harold Washington Library, originally billed for 300 guests, saw only a few dozen attendees. * Crain’s | City asks judge to reconsider ruling on how TIF dollars are awarded: Cook County Circuit Judge Cecilia Horan ruled last month that an internal city committee that reviews funding requests for the city’s tax-increment financing districts met the definition of a public body and violated the Open Meetings Act by not holding public meetings or making committee agendas available, nor taking notes or audio recordings of the nearly monthly meetings. In a motion filed yesterday asking Horan to reconsider the ruling, the city argues the decision would have the “unintended consequence of chilling communications of high level officials that are necessary to do the business of the residents of the city of Chicago.” * FYI…
* More City Council drama…
* WTTW | Lawsuit Filed by Man Who Spent More Than 29 Years in Prison After Being Tortured, Wrongfully Convicted Set for Trial: The police detectives who tortured James Gibson were directly supervised by Jon Burge, a disgraced former Chicago police commander. Dozens of lawsuits and complaints alleging physical abuse have been filed against detectives trained by Burge, who city officials admit tortured and beat more than 100 Black men during his career. Although no physical evidence or eyewitness ever linked Gibson to the murders of 61-year-old Lloyd Benjamin and 56-year-old Hunter Wash in an Englewood garage in December 1989, the then 23-year-old was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison after telling police he was in the garage when the two men were killed. * Block Club | Chicago Fire’s Near West Side $80 Million Training Center Opening Next Month: The new “world-class” center includes two and a half hybrid grass/turf pitches, three synthetic turf pitches, a 10,000-square-foot inflatable dome and a 56,000-square-foot performance center containing the soccer club’s athletic and medical facilities. Construction is nearly done and the soccer club expects its professional team to start training at the Near West Side center before the Major League Soccer season begins in late February. Plans call for the center to officially open in March. * Crain’s | Citadel nears deal to shrink, move Chicago office: More than two and a half years after Citadel uprooted its headquarters from Chicago, the hedge fund is poised to slash its office footprint in the city and move out of its namesake Loop tower. Citadel is in advanced talks to lease about 55,000 square feet on two floors in the office building at 353 N. Clark St., according to sources familiar with the negotiations. The new office space in the 45-story River North tower would be a fraction of the 315,000 square feet it leases today at 131 S. Dearborn St., known as Citadel Center. * NBC Chicago | Here’s the timing of when icy roads could impact Chicago-area travel: A winter weather advisory will take effect Wednesday afternoon across all of northern Illinois and parts of northwest Indiana, as up to one-tenth of an inch of ice could coat untreated roadways and sidewalks, along with power lines and tree branches. The advisory will first take effect across areas south of Interstate 80, including LaSalle, Grundy and Kankakee counties in Illinois, along with Newton and Jasper counties in Indiana. The advisory will take effect at 6 p.m. in the rest of northern Illinois and northwest Indiana, and remain in effect until Thursday morning. * Daily Herald | Mental health advocates decry planned service cuts, layoffs at Arlington Heights hospital: Northwest suburban mental health advocates are speaking out against the planned cuts to inpatient psychiatric services and layoffs of more than 100 workers at Arlington Heights-based Northwest Community Healthcare. Arlen Gould, a board member of the North-Northwest Suburban Task Force on Supportive Housing for Individuals with Mental Illness, called the proposed cuts by corporate owner Endeavor Health “troubling” at a time when the demand for mental health treatment continues. * Tribune | North suburban schools prepare for potential immigration raids: Kalman Resnick, a Chicago-area immigration attorney, told Pioneer Press that it’s unlikely that immigration agents will attempt to detain students in school. “I don’t think it’s a priority (for the Trump administration) right now. They’re prioritizing people who are already in the process of deportation, either because they either have an outstanding order of deportation, or they have a criminal conviction,” he said. * SJ-R | Springfield-based health system names new president and CEO: The health system announced Mandy Eaton will be the new president and CEO beginning April 1. Eaton will take over for Ed Curtis who is retiring at the end of March. Before coming to Memorial, Eaton served as executive vice president and chief operating officer of Cone Health, a non-profit healthcare organization that includes five hospitals and numerous outpatient locations serving a five-county area in North Carolina. * WCIA | ‘I was absolutely shocked’; Effingham teacher surprised by classroom guest: “Hello, is this Becky Wilson?” said Governor JB Pritzker. “This is Governor JB Pritzker calling, how are you?” “Illinois is among the best states in the nation on these [test] scores for eighth graders for reading and math, and it can’t happen without great teachers like you,” he went on to say. * WAND | Peoria County now has one confirmed case of tuberculosis: The Peoria County Health Department has confirmed one tuberculosis (TB) case in the county, and the patient is now in active treatment. […] Claushayla Nunn, an epidemiologist at the health department, said when someone’s infected, they’re isolated. “The team of disease specialists will track and do Directly Observe Therapy [where they watch the patient take medication if there is an active patient,]” said Nunn. * AP | President Donald Trump’s birthright citizenship order is put on hold by a second federal judge: A federal judge on Wednesday ordered a second nationwide pause on President Donald Trump’s executive order seeking to end birthright citizenship for anyone born in the U.S. to someone in the country illegally, calling citizenship a “most precious right.” U.S. District Judge Deborah Boardman said no court in the country has endorsed the Trump administration’s interpretation of the 14th Amendment. “This court will not be the first,” she said. * AP | NWSL creates $5M fund for players as part of a settlement from abuse scandal in 2021: The funds will go to players who experienced abuse. The settlement also requires the league to maintain safeguards put into place following a pair of investigations released in late 2022 that found widespread misconduct that impacted multiple teams, coaches and players. It also gives the attorneys general, Kwame Raoul of Illinois, Brian L. Schwalb of Washington, D.C., and Letitia James of New York, the ability to oversee changes that the NWSL made after the scandal broke, and the ability to fine the league if it fails to uphold those changes. * AP | Pro-Trump Arab American group changes its name after the president’s Gaza ‘Riviera’ comments: Bishara Bahbah, chairman of the group formerly known as Arab Americans for Trump, said during a phone interview with The Associated Press on Wednesday that the group would now be called Arab Americans for Peace. The name change came after Trump held a Tuesday press conference alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House and proposed the U.S. take “ownership” in redeveloping the area into “the Riviera of the Middle East.”
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An odd way to push a bill in Illinois, of all places (Updated)
Tuesday, Feb 4, 2025 - Posted by Rich Miller * No, you actually don’t gotta hand it to the anti-vax crank, Mr. Secretary…
Needless to say, when you’re trying to pass a bill that’s way out of your zone of influence, you have to read the room. …Adding… IMA…
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Isabel’s afternoon roundup (Updated)
Monday, Feb 3, 2025 - Posted by Isabel Miller * A tiny update on the Madigan jury…
* Rep. Steve Reick joined the Groundhog Day celebration in Woodstock, where the movie Groundhog Day starring Bill Murray was filmed…  * FYI…
* Center Square | McCombie urges cohesion amid party in fighting: The head of Illinois House Republicans is responding to calls for her to step down from her leadership role. The Illinois Freedom Caucus, made up of six state representatives and one senator, is accusing House Minority Leader Tony McCombie of playing “silly games” after she denied several services at the Capitol for not voting for her as leader. McCombie said the suspension of certain caucus-specific services does not affect any legislator’s ability to serve constituents, and the focus should be on “fighting Democrat policies that are failing Illinois families, not each other.” * WCIA | ISP Troopers now can get college credit from Illinois universities for training: The state started these partnerships with multiple universities, including Eastern Illinois University, Governor’s State University, Western Illinois University and Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville. Troopers and officers who have completed the ISP training academy can now take what they’ve learned to these universities and get credit hours towards certain degrees. * NBC Chicago | Why is the US requiring Real IDs, and where will you need one?: That’s because, beginning May 7, 2025, the federal government will require who all those who fly domestically to use either a valid U.S. passport or a Real ID in order to board a plane. The program is part of the Real ID Act, was passed by Congress in 2005 after the publication of the 9/11 Commission Report in an effort to increase security of identification documents, making them more difficult to duplicate. * WGLT | DCFS launches new app for caseworkers and families: DCFS hopes that will lower stress levels for workers and families. “This app not only empowers children and families, but also reduces the administrative burdens on caseworkers, allowing them more time to concentrate on the children and families they serve,” said DCFS director Heidi E. Mueller. * WAND | Illinois corn growers respond to tariffs on largest trading partners: [IL Corn Growers Association President and Waterloo, IL farmer Garrett Hawkins] issued the following statement: “The farm economy is in a really tough spot right now with low commodity prices and high input costs. Export demand for corn products has been about the only positive in the market recently. Mexico, Canada and China are major buyers of our ag products, and any retaliation from these countries on our exports will likely target farmers. I know that President Trump supports farmers and the rural economies they’re a part of, so we’ll look for a quick resolution that protects our relationships and benefits both farmers and our end customers.” * Tribune | High-ranking Chicago Housing Authority director fired amid ongoing staff exodus: The Chicago Housing Authority has seen major turnover in recent months, with four top officials resigning and a high-ranking aide being fired over an inspector general investigation that found alleged financial and ethical misconduct. Records obtained by the Tribune show that two high-ranking employees left with separation agreements that will pay them through their last day, with a third being paid over 4 ½ months beyond his last day and a fourth being paid three months beyond her last day. * WBEZ | Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson wants to tax hemp and pass the ‘Anjanette Young ordinance’ in his 2025 to-dos: As for the Illinois statehouse, Johnson’s agenda would take baby steps toward increased revenue for Chicago by reversing changes to the state’s telecommunications tax and a corporate revenue tax. Johnson’s team will also look to secure a greater share of funding from the Regional Transit Authority to address local transit woes, though details on that strategy are so far scarce. * Crain’s | Seniors face eviction under plan to sell retirement home to Chicago PE firm: The deal has sparked outrage among residents and their families, especially because a sale to another company — that would have left the residents of the 100-unit health center in place — fell through. Pandemic restrictions, labor shortages, soaring wages and supply costs helped push Harborside to the brink. It’s a common thread among continuing care retirement communities, or CCRCs, many of which rely on a steady stream of entrance fees to pay operating costs, debt service and resident refunds. Harborside was unable to pay its bills as occupancy slumped. The site is among at least 16 CCRCs that filed for bankruptcy since 2020. * Sun-Times | Police oversight agency probing fatal North Lawndale shooting: The Civilian Office of Police Accountability responded to an “officer-involved shooting” Sunday morning in North Lawndale. Officers responded to robbery call in the 1800 block of South Ridgeway Avenue at 10:47 a.m., where they saw a man they chased on foot, they said. The man exchanged gunfire with police at multiple locations and was wounded, police said. * WBEZ | Chicago Cultural Center launches major mosaics renovation project in Preston Bradley Hall: While the dome may be the center of attention in Preston Bradley Hall, there are other treasures deserving of lingering gazes. About 10,000 square feet of Tiffany glass and mother of pearl mosaics adorn the marble walls in the form of scrolls, rosettes and flowers. They also border inscriptions in multiple languages. The passages promote the virtues of learning, a fitting message for a building that once housed the first Chicago Public Library. * Crain’s | Investigative reporter Chuck Goudie makes switch to NBC 5 Chicago: Goudie will join the “NBC 5 Investigates” team, which includes Bennett Haeberle, who recently earned five Chicago/Midwest Emmy Awards, along with producers Katy Smyser and Lisa Capitanini. The veteran journalist began his career at ABC 7 Chicago in 1980 and eventually became head investigative reporter. Last month, he exited the station and the reason for his departure was not immediately clear. * Daily Herald | Mount Prospect in line for federal funding for new fire station: Krishnamoorthi, a Democrat from Schaumburg, toured the facility Friday with Mount Prospect and other officials. He said a Community Project Funding request for the project passed the House Appropriations Committee in December, but still needs approval from the full House and the Senate. That could happen as soon as March. He said he is committed to making sure the funding is delivered in full despite recent uncertainty over a proposed freeze on federal assistance. * From the boss…
* Daily Herald | ‘Delayed far too long’: Volo Bog State Natural Area among state sites targeted for improvements: After decades on the wish list, long-sought improvements at Volo Bog State Natural Area in Ingleside have been funded and are expected to proceed. Replacing the existing boardwalk and floating trail has been designated by the Illinois Capital Development Board as part of a $60 million effort to address key deferred maintenance projects at five Illinois Department of Natural Resources facilities and parks. * Tribune | Baxter announces CEO’s immediate retirement, days after $3.7 billion sale of kidney care business: Deerfield-based Baxter International announced Monday that its CEO and board chair José Almeida is retiring, effective immediately – an announcement that came just days after the company sold its kidney care business for $3.7 billion. Baxter did not say in a news release why Almeida is retiring now, effective immediately, but Almeida said in the release, “With the key elements of our broad strategic transformation complete, this is the right time for a new CEO to lead the company into its next chapter.” * IPM News | Champaign County Public Defender’s Office is facing a funding crisis after tax referendum fails: Public Defender Elisabeth Pollock said her office has been underfunded for years — making it hard to recruit and retain staff. And she expects the situation will get worse going forward, since a Champaign County referendum that would have likely increased funding for the office and other public safety initiatives failed to pass last fall. “We’re going to just continue to drown, and I’m going to continue to lose people, people who are going to leave the office because of better-paying opportunities,” she said. * Press Release | SIU Carbondale’s spring 2025 enrollment rises, following a remarkable fall: Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s spring 2025 enrollment is up 3.3%, or 344 students, compared to last year. The increase – the second year in a row of over 3% – follows a fall that saw the highest overall boost in the number of students in 33 years. * SJ-R | Springfield attorney, cannabis compliance regulator mayor’s pick for Ward 1 alderman: Jeffrey G. Cox, acknowledged as a critical component to the success of the Illinois Medical Cannabis Program and the launch of the state’s recreational use five years ago, will be put up before the Springfield City Council as the Ward 1 alderman candidate. The appointment by Mayor Misty Buscher will be on first reading Tuesday. It could go to a vote by Feb. 18. Cox would replace current City Clerk Chuck Redpath Sr., who served for nearly three decades on the city council but cannot run again in 2027 because of term limits. * Rockford Register Star | Election 2025: Get to know the candidates who want to represent northwest Rockford: Ald. Bill Rose, D-9, says he sought help for alcoholism and has remained sober for more than three years since a July 2021 DUI arrest. He said he hopes to serve as an example for people trying to turn their lives around. Rose said he prioritized neighborhoods during his eight years on City Council and wants a third term to continue that work. Early voting began Jan. 16. * SJ-R | New community center for children opening on Springfield’s east side this spring: The Better Life Better Living For Kidz Community Center is set to open at 1507 E. Cook St. on March 1 taking the location used previously by the New Hope Missionary Baptist Church. The after-school program will provide a computer lab, audio and video studio and coding classes. The center will also offer financial literary classes and a chess team. * WaPo | D.C. federal judge likely to extend ban on Trump OMB funding freeze: U.S. District Judge Loren L. AliKhan said after a 90-minute hearing that she would weigh further written arguments Monday afternoon, but was inclined to extend her earlier order preventing new restrictions from taking effect in the Trump White House’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The prior order expires at 5 p.m. Monday. AliKhan said she believed that the advocates, nonprofits and businesses who filed the lawsuit — represented by the left-leaning group Democracy Forward — had established that “irreparable harm” would result to funding recipients without a temporary restraining order. The parties are set to make arguments later this month over whether to block the funding freeze from taking effect throughout the litigation. * NBC | Some migrants arrested in Trump’s immigration crackdown have been released back into the U.S.: Those released are being kept on a monitoring program known as Alternatives to Detention, the five sources familiar with the releases said, which has for more than a decade been used to keep track of where migrants are as they make their way through the immigration system. ICE can track them by ankle monitors or wrist bands or through telephonic check-ins. * Interesting point…
…Adding… Update… 
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Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Supplement to today’s edition (Updated)
Monday, Feb 3, 2025 - Posted by Rich Miller
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Federal judge issues sweeping TRO to block Trump administration budget cuts (Updated x3)
Friday, Jan 31, 2025 - Posted by Rich Miller
Subscribers had access to the proposed TRO from the various state attorney general plaintiffs as well as the response from the federal government. * Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. of the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island today…
* More…
* Reasoning…
“Quoting Kavanaugh was genius,” said a pal today. * Conclusion…
*** UPDATE 1 *** Speaker Chris Welch…
*** UPDATE 2 *** Gov. JB Pritzker…
*** UPDATE 3 *** Comptroller Mendoza…
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More Illinois-related executive directives, orders and lawsuits
Friday, Jan 31, 2025 - Posted by Rich Miller * Lots going on right now…  Illinois is a bit below the national birth rate average (51.8 births per 1,000 women here vs. 54.5 nationally). So, not good for us, unless and until someone successfully sues. But here’s something to think about: Nationally, live birth rates for ages 15-19 fell by 67 percent between 2005 and 2023, from 39.7 births per 1,000 women, to 13.2 That has been one of the top drivers of lowering the overall birthrate. Illinois does pretty well on that measurement. In 2023, for example, just 3.5 percent of all live births were delivered by those under 20 years old. Here are the same results for the surrounding states which would qualify for those additional USDOT funds… Minnesota, man. I really wish we could be more like that state. * OK, let’s move along. Chalkbeat…
So, maybe expect another lawsuit. * More from the article…
Coming to a school near you. * Also, I’m still waiting to hear back from the Illinois State Board of Education on the potential loss of funds if this executive order stands…
The state board didn’t even give me the courtesy of acknowledging receipt of my question. …Adding… The state board of education finally got back to me…
* Let’s move on to a locally filed lawsuit. Click here to see the amended complaint. From the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights…
* And here’s another one, this time from AFSCME…
The lawsuit is here.
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