The Vallas for Mayor campaign is releasing a new television ad highlighting the mayoral candidate’s record of improving public education while he served as Chief Executive Officer of the Chicago Public Schools, complete with an authoritative source who saw the progress being made and praised it publicly in real time — President Bill Clinton. The ad shows footage from President Clinton’s 1999 State of the Union address, where he singled out CPS for praise as a national model for public education under Vallas’ leadership.
The ad is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiRdfFKxF-k
“At the time I was asked to lead our school district our children were being failed, but with the hard work of our entire dedicated team we turned it around and made Chicago Public Schools into a national model for excellence,” said Vallas. “Now, our schools are struggling again with declining enrollment, falling test scores and in many cases unsafe conditions. As Mayor, I will make schools part of the solution to both higher academic achievement and a safer community, and drive more decisions and resources into the hands of those closest to our kids. Because their safety and success is our safety and success.”
Speculation that Mr. Vallas was on the way out had grown recently, owing largely to Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley’s public criticism of some stagnant and declining test scores.
Watch for Paul Vallas to announce that Willie Wilson is supporting his campaign. Wilson placed fifth in last week’s mayoral election, but his base of 51,200 Black voters has been coveted by both Vallas and Johnson. Along with being aligned on public safety issues, Wilson and Vallas have a personal bond. They have both lost sons.
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle on Tuesday threw her formidable support behind Brandon Johnson in the April 4 mayoral runoff, but an even more potent endorsement awaits Johnson: from SEIU Local 1.
Local 1 President Genie Kastrup has called a news conference for 11:30 a.m. Wednesday to announce the state council’s decision to back Johnson.
The union represents “more than 45,000 working people,” including janitors, security officers, window washers and employees for the contractors who work at O’Hare and Midway Airports.
…Adding… The national SEIU’s PAC has just transferred more than $300K to SEIU Local 73’s political action committee.
* Press release…
The Sierra Club Illinois Chapter PAC announced today its endorsement of Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson for mayor of Chicago.
“Commissioner Brandon Johnson stands out as the candidate with the most equitable vision for the climate and environmental justice crises Chicagoans face today, and Sierra Club is proud to endorse him for mayor,” said Sierra Club Illinois Director Jack Darin. “Brandon has demonstrated a deep dedication to fighting for environmental justice, and he is committed to building a Chicago that leads the way in the transition to 100% clean energy. We look forward to working alongside Brandon Johnson in City Hall to make environmental justice and our clean energy future a reality for all Chicagoans.”
“Chicago can and must lead the way in protecting the communities most harmed by pollution while also mitigating the climate crisis with a just transition to 100% clean energy,” said Brandon Johnson. “As mayor, I look forward to working alongside advocates at Sierra Club and environmental justice and community organizations across the city to reduce and mitigate air and water pollution, ensure every Chicagoan has access to clean, affordable, and reliable energy, and address environmental racism. No park, no neighborhood, no community in Chicago will ever be treated as a sacrifice zone in my administration.”
Sierra Club will host weekly phonebanks and canvassing events to urge our nearly 5,000 members in Chicago to support Brandon Johnson in the April 4 election.
“Sierra Club Chicago members are motivated by Brandon Johnson’s commitment to clean air, clean water, and equitable communities,” said Sierra Club Chicago Political Chair David Teeghman. “Building on the momentum from the February 28 election, we are excited to hit the ground running by knocking doors and making calls over the next month to help elect Brandon Johnson to the mayor’s office.”
Sierra Club’s contacts with Illinois voters on behalf of endorsed candidates are funded by Sierra Club Illinois PAC. Copies of our reports are available from the State Board of Elections in Springfield, Illinois.
Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) today announced a critical transformation initiative that will reshape the way the State approaches care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) across the system.
The comprehensive plan includes:
• Repurposing the Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center (“Choate”) over three years, including investing significantly in building and ground improvements, and
• Implementing new safety enhancements at Choate and across all State-Operated Developmental Centers including appointing a Chief Resident Safety Officer, and
• Expanding support for families and individuals to pursue opportunities for community-based living while continuing to invest in provider capacity.
“Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities deserve respect, dignity, and the highest quality of care to assist them in living healthy, fulfilling lives,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “This transformation initiative, spearheaded by IDHS, will standardize and improve conditions across the system and prioritize community-based solutions to ensure vulnerable Illinoisans receive care in the best possible setting.”
In coordination with their families and guardians, most current I/DD residents at the Choate Center in Anna, Illinois will have the opportunity to transition into community-based settings or other State centers where they will receive comprehensive, personalized care.
The transformation at Choate moves Illinois in closer alignment with nationwide, research-informed best practices, with increased respect for human dignity and equity. It also reflects the State’s legal duty to ensure residents with disabilities have a full opportunity to live in the least restrictive environment of their choosing.
During the next three years, portions of the Choate campus will be repurposed to meet patient capacity and other urgent State needs. The 229-acre Choate campus currently also includes a psychiatric hospital, an IDHS local public benefits office, and two case processing centers. Related improvements and upgrades will be made to put the buildings and grounds to the best possible public uses for many years to come. Safe, gradual, carefully planned resident transitions will take place in close coordination with residents themselves, and their families and/or guardians. Resident well-being and dignity will guide every step of the process.
“All people with I/DD deserve opportunities to live, work, and thrive in the least restrictive setting of their choosing. IDHS is grateful to all of our partners, including family and resident advocates, SIU School of Medicine, the Illinois Council for Developmental Disabilities, and the Arc of Illinois, for working with us in good faith to build a system that better supports person-first, community-focused care for all people with disabilities,” said Grace B. Hou, Secretary of the Illinois Department of Human Services.
While this initiative will be carried out over several years, IDHS is taking additional, immediate action to protect resident safety, including hiring ten new staff for the Office of the Inspector General and appointing Ryan Thomas as IDHS’ first-ever Chief Resident Safety Officer. Ryan brings extensive patient safety and regulatory compliance experience to the role, most recently serving as the IDHS Operations Program Manager, where she has led critical operational functions directly related to quality, safety, and healthcare. Prior, she served as the Director of Compliance and Risk Management at Erie Family Health Center.
IDHS is also partnering with the Illinois Council for Developmental Disabilities (ICDD) and the Arc of Illinois to launch a Resident and Family/Guardian Liaison Team to support families, guardians, and residents with questions and concerns about the change to provide peer support, resources, and friendship for those experiencing fear and/or uncertainty. This team will be meeting regularly over the next several years to ensure that all resident transition needs, regardless of setting, are managed holistically.
“The safety and well-being of the residents we care for is the cornerstone of our work. In the months and years ahead, we will do even more to ensure safe, dependable, and equitable care for those residing in IDHS’ 24/7 facilities,” said Ryan Thomas, Chief Resident Safety Officer, Illinois Department of Human Services. The transformation of the system will best position our residents for comprehensive care moving forward. As Chief Resident Safety Officer, I am committed to developing and carrying out a comprehensive approach to high-quality and safe care through continuous improvement in safety policies, assessments, systems, and processes.”
Over the last two decades, Equip for Equality, the State’s Protection and Advocacy Agency, the IDHS Inspector General, and the Illinois State Police have all been instrumental in reviewing abuse and neglect allegations at the Choate Center and making constructive recommendations to the State about the Center’s future.
“The IDHS OIG commends IDHS for recognizing that the status quo at Choate is not acceptable and for taking tangible steps to reduce abuse and neglect at the facility. OIG will continue to be a dedicated watchdog at Choate and throughout the state to ensure that the vulnerable populations OIG serve receive the respectful care they deserve,” said Peter Neumer, Inspector General, IDHS Office of the Inspector General.
While resident transitions will initially focus on Choate, IDHS will work to expand its emphasis on community-based settings across the developmental health system. With the investments included in Governor Pritzker’s FY24 budget proposal, IDHS will have increased funding to the Home and Community-Based System by $800 million. This brings total funding to $1.7 billion, nearly double from when the Governor took office. In the years ahead, IDHS will work to further expand community-based capacity which will result in a lowered resident headcount and improved staffing ratios at State centers.
This transformation is anchored by a partnership with Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. Led by Dr. Kari M. Wolf, CEO of the Behavioral Health Workforce Center, partners from SIU will help shape the transformation, leading on crucial operational components, including whether specialized I/DD forensic, step-down, and dual diagnosis units should remain on the Choate campus or be located elsewhere. Leaders from SIU Carbondale and the Springfield-based School of Medicine will provide ongoing expertise on the broader transformation.
“SIU School of Medicine’s mission is to optimize the health of the people of central and southern Illinois. We are confident that through the leadership of the Behavioral Health Workforce Center, our clinical excellence, and our focus on the most vulnerable, we can serve the patients, families, and staff connected to the Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center. We are committed to a mental health workforce transformation across the state. That work begins by objectively assessing the safety, patient care, and workforce needs of Choate,” said Kari M. Wolf, MD, CEO, Behavioral Health Workforce Center.
Many quality improvement and safety precautions have already been implemented and are ongoing. This transformation will enable current residents to identify other State-supported residential options, including in the community and at other developmental centers.
“The transformation of Choate Developmental Center is the right next step in the State’s process of improving how services are delivered to individuals with significant needs. As the Chair of the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities I am committed to ensuring an Illinois where all people have access to equal opportunity and freedom. We look forward to partnering with IDHS to meet the needs of Choate’s residents, now, during transitions, and into the future through quality, person-centered services that prioritize community inclusion,” said Stephanie Brown, Chairperson of the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities.
“Big changes are never easy – but I appreciate how Governor Pritzker’s team has approached this transformation effort. Some of our earlier concerns have been addressed and we are grateful that our voices have been heard. I believe Southern Illinois will be stronger for the improvements that are being announced today,” said State Representative Dr. Paul Jacobs, R-Pomona.
“I commend Governor Pritzker for taking strong, thoughtful, decisive action to improve Illinois’ system of care for people with developmental disabilities and serious mental illness. Together with residents, patients, families, guardians, and hardworking State government staff and healthcare providers, I am confident IDHS is beginning a new and positive chapter in the history of the Choate Center,” said State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria).
The Division of Developmental Disabilities at the Illinois Department of Human Services operates 7 State-operated developmental centers across Illinois. These centers provide residential support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and a variety of treatment programs/services, including but not limited to: educational, vocational, physical, and behavioral healthcare needs, and recreational. The Division operates three Home and Community-Based Services Medicaid Waivers serving over 24,000 individuals via adult community integrated living arrangements, child group homes, and child and adult home-based programs in addition to day programming and other ancillary services.
The Division of Mental Health at the Illinois Department of Human Services operates State-Run psychiatric hospital facilities across Illinois, including a smaller facility on the campus of Choate Developmental Center. These hospitals provide civil and forensic psychiatric hospitalization for individuals experiencing severe mental illness.
…Adding… AFSCME says it’s “concerned” about the residents…
In response to the proposed “transformation initiative” for the Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center in Anna, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 31 issued this statement.
“We’re extremely concerned about the fate of Choate Developmental Center residents and the employees who make Choate home for them,” AFSCME Council 31 Executive Director Roberta Lynch said. “We intend to make certain that the well-being of the more than 200 residents of the Choate home is given the foremost consideration, now and in the future. AFSCME will work to protect the jobs of Choate’s dedicated and compassionate employees, and our union will continue our close alliance with the Friends of Choate family group to ensure that no resident is forced out of their home without their consent.”
…Adding… Sen. Morrison…
State Senator Julie Morrison released the following statement after the Illinois Department of Human Services released a comprehensive plan to improve care at Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center in Anna.
“The state must take an aggressive approach to unravel and fix the ongoing issues at Choate. The quality of life of people with developmental disabilities has been ignored. We can no longer sit back and allow cruelty, abuse and poor care to overrun the facility.
“The multi-faceted plan rebalances the population served by moving some residents into less restrictive settings, such as Community Integrative Living Arrangement facilities. Hiring at least 160 new and professionally-trained staff and renovating the site for those residents who cannot live in the community are positive steps I support.”
“The plan outlined by the Department of Human Services is a good start. It is vital immediate action is taken to double down on safety precautions to ensure no other person is mistreated.”
…Adding… ACLU…
In response to the announcement by Governor JB Pritzker regarding changes at Choate Mental Health and Development Center, Heidi Dalenberg, Managing Legal Director at the ACLU of Illinois offered the following reaction:
The Governor’s announcement today regarding changes at Choate is a good first step. We fully support the smooth transitioning of people out of Choate who are living with developmental and intellectual disabilities. These individuals need to reside in the community, in the least restrictive setting possible. While this transition moves forward, we will continue to monitor efforts to ensure the on-going safety of those who remain at the facility. We hope this is just a first step toward ultimate closure of all state operated development centers in Illinois.
…Adding… IARF…
The Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities (IARF), representing community providers of services for children and adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities and serious mental illnesses, today issued the following statement after the Pritzker Administration announced the repurposing of Choate Mental Health Center in Southern Illinois:
“We welcome the leadership decision made by Gov. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Human Services to repurpose Choate in light of the terrible and tragic media reports of abuse and neglect there of those with intellectual/developmental disabilities. We believe everyone has a right to live a life of dignity and to be safe and free from harm. These troubling reports made clear that decisive action was needed and justified.
We appreciate the Choate plan considers our recommendations to take the time necessary to work with our provider community going forward and to ensure residents can transition to the most integrated settings appropriate to their needs.
This is a first step, and now our work must focus on ensuring the transition is made smoothly and appropriately. We also hope the public conversation around needs for the I/DD community is continuing, not ending.
Governor Pritzker’s statement appropriately notes investments our state has made to-date in community-based services, but that work is long from finished. We will be advocating for a $4 per hour wage rate increase for the direct service professionals (DSPs) who serve and support persons with disabilities in community settings. We need to fully fund the remainder of the Guidehouse rate study to provide support for long-term, sustainable quality care by community providers. We have to ensure our state regulations and policies governing the I/DD services provided at every level can best meet those people who have high-support needs – in our state institutions, and in the community settings.
We look forward to getting to work with the Legislature and Pritzker Administration to take these issues head on and to put the tragic stories of Choate in our past.”
…Adding… Sen. Fowler…
State Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) has released the following statement in response to the announcement of a partial closure at the Choate Mental Health and Development Center in Anna, IL:
“My priority has always been and will continue to be the residents of Choate and their families. They deserve nothing short of total transparency about this process and their options. While my heart goes out to the families and residents of the Choate Mental Health and Development Center, who will be forced to relocate, I remain committed to working with the Administration to ensure that all future action taken is in their best interest and care. We owe our most vulnerable nothing less.
…Adding… Sen. Gillespie…
State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) released the following statement in response to the Illinois Department of Human Services’ plan to improve care and conditions at Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center in Anna:
“I am pleased to see the state taking action to fix the ongoing issues at Choate. The residents of Choate deserve to live in a dignified and supportive environment.
“The three-year plan outlined by IDHS is a start. Implementing new safety measures, expanding support for individuals and their families to pursue opportunities for community-based living, and hiring additional staff are steps I support.
“I am encouraged by this proposed plan that prioritizes resident well-being and dignity. While this initiative will not be a quick fix, a comprehensive and research-based approach is needed to deliver dependable and equitable care moving forward.”
Governor Pritzker today announced that Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) Director Rob Jeffreys is stepping down from his position, effective April 1, 2023. Jeffreys has led the Illinois correctional system since June of 2019, overseeing 29,000 individuals in 27 facilities across the state and supervising nearly 13,000 employees. IDOC Chief of Staff Latoya J. Hughes will serve as Acting Director in the interim.
“I’m grateful to Director Jeffreys for his years of service, ensuring the dignity and safety of the incarcerated people of Illinois,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “His work in reforming and redesigning services has given individuals in custody opportunities for advancement and improvement while also ensuring the highest level of security and care for the IDOC staff as they carry out their critical responsibilities.”
“Leading the Illinois Department of Corrections and our dedicated employees since 2019, through unprecedented departmental and societal challenges and tremendous successes, including re-introducing the accreditation process of our institutions through the American Correctional Association, has been a distinct honor,” said IDOC Director Rob Jeffreys. “Throughout my tenure, the Department and employees at all levels embraced reform as an opportunity and worked tirelessly to positively change the lives of those incarcerated while maintaining the safety and security of our facilities. It has been a privilege to collaborate with legislators, agencies, community partners, and advocacy groups, who all have the shared goal of the well-being of the Department, employees, and individuals in custody. I am grateful to Governor Pritzker for giving me this opportunity to serve as Director of the Illinois Department of Corrections.”
During his time at IDOC, Jeffreys led the development of the first ever Office of Reentry, dedicated to providing resources to help formerly incarcerated people reintegrate into society. This includes engaging 98% of individuals with Medicaid enrollment assistance and piloting a state ID card program for those leaving incarceration. He also oversaw a comprehensive redesign of vocational and educational services to include training for living-wage level jobs post-release. Jeffreys also aided in re-accrediting Illinois institutions through the American Correctional Association and led the Department through COVID-19, an unprecedented safety challenge for both staff and individuals in incarceration.
Prior to serving at IDOC, Jeffreys spent 24 years with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, including as Chief of Staff and Regional Director. He has consulted and trained for the U.S. Department of Justice, the Crime and Justice Institute, and the Moss Group, where he provided recommendations and specialized training for improving services via data-driven decision making. Jeffreys holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in criminal justice with a concentration in correctional administration from Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia.
…Adding… AFSCME Council 31…
Numerous problems in the state Department of Corrections need urgent attention. We hope the next director will work cooperatively with our union to hire adequate staff, reduce overtime, expand rehabilitative programming, and improve workplace safety for the department’s 10,000 dedicated employees
…Adding… Sen. Plummer…
State Senator Jason Plummer (Edwardsville) released the following statement regarding the announcement that Illinois Department of Corrections Director Rob Jeffreys is stepping down:
“This is an opportunity for the Pritzker administration to start fresh and chart a new course for our corrections system where transparency and accountability are priorities. The hard-working corrections officers and prison staffs deserve an administration that treats them with respect. The people of Illinois need an IDOC that focuses on public safety and the rehabilitation of offenders, instead of catering to the whims of out-of-touch special interest groups.
“I encourage the governor to take this opportunity to nominate a director who will operate with integrity and transparency for the people of Illinois, the employees of IDOC, and the members of the Illinois General Assembly. It’s time we prioritize public safety and work for our communities, not activists and special interests.”
…Adding… I asked Sen. Plummer which special interests he was referring to…
Anyone that has spent significant time with rank-and-file IDOC personnel, as I have, know that the demands and wishes of activists within the Governor’s office, and activists close to the Governor’s office, have been prioritized over the types of common-sense solutions that would better protect and serve IDOC personnel and the inmates in the facilities, as well as keep all Illinois communities safer. I think the fact the director is leaving is a real shame because I had high hopes for him. It became apparent to many people that his ability to reform the department was very much constricted by those above him.
So, again, this is an opportunity for the Pritzker administration to plot a new course where they work with subject-matter experts and their own staff on the ground instead of only listening to their own internal activists and the special interests who live in ivory towers.
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle is set to place her self toward the front of the conga line of politicians now endorsing one of two mayoral candidates vying for the lead in the April 4 runoff election.
Preckwinkle, the county’s top elected official, on Tuesday morning will officially endorse Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson over rival Paul Vallas, according to a press release from Preckwinkle’s office.
Esmeralda Hernández is a lifelong resident of Little Village, but she chose to work at the polls in the Pilsen neighborhood on Election Day.
She campaigned for incumbent Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez, 25th, and opted not to vote in her own ward’s aldermanic election.
Little Village residents say they feel invisible, and that translated to the polls where the 22nd Ward recorded a 23% voter turnout as of March 1, one of the lowest in the city.
Turnout was indeed down in the ward from four years ago. It dropped by 243 votes, or about 5 percent (with some mail-ins left to count), while citywide turnout is up ever so slightly to date. Historical 22nd Ward context, with total first round citywide votes cast in parentheses…
* The bad news for Johnson in this poll might not be just that the survey shows him behind. It may also be that the number of 18-29 year-olds polled was almost exactly the same number of 65+ polled. Older voters greatly outnumbered younger voters in the first round. Then again, the poll also skews more toward White people, which make up 49 percent of the sample. So, take from this what you will…
Paul Vallas leads Brandon Johnson 43.5 percent to 32.5 percent in the first independent mayoral poll heading into the runoff. More than 24 percent of voters polled were undecided. The 1983 Labs survey has a sample size of 583 registered, likely voters in Chicago. It was conducted digitally from March 2 to 6. Details here.
Also, no methodology is posted online.
* Ms. Jones ran against Sen. Rob Martwick (D-Chicago) in the primary last year and was clobbered 67-33…
FOP dropped $80k for her to lose a state senate race by 30 points, now finishes 44th in a “pick 17” race within FOP. https://t.co/szvUDWbv4k
— The People’s Fabric (@peoplesfabric) March 4, 2023
…Adding… Vallas campaign…
The longtime former Principal of Whitney Young Magnet High School and one of Chicago’s most respected public education leaders, Dr. Joyce Kenner, endorsed Paul Vallas for Mayor today. Dr. Kenner worked closely with Vallas during his time as CEO of Chicago Public Schools, which coincided with her first years leading the prestigious magnet school. Now, she is supporting Vallas for Mayor because she believes that his education platform will enhance student achievement and empower local school leaders.
“Paul Vallas is the right choice to be Mayor at the right time,” said Dr. Kenner. “His record of putting our kids first and improving the quality of our schools is exactly the kind of leadership we need to get our schools in order and our city back on track. Chicago’s kids deserve experienced leadership at the helm.”
* Isabel’s Chicago roundup…
* WaPo | Chicago mayoral candidates have starkly different strategies on crime: Paul Vallas, a former schools administrator who finished first in last week’s general election, campaigned on a tough law-and-order message, calling for more police officers and cracking down on misdemeanors like retail theft and public nuisance offenses. … “We’re putting police officers in a space where they are not qualified to address,” Johnson said in a recent appearance on public television station WTTW’s flagship program, “Chicago Tonight.” “We’re forcing police officers to behave as social workers. That’s irresponsible.” Johnson was the only candidate in the general election who did not explicitly pledge to boost the number of patrol police. He’s also made his pitch on crime prevention personal, often referencing challenges and concerns he and his wife face raising their children in the Austin neighborhood on the city’s West Side. In 2020, the area had 64 homicides, the fourth-highest by police district.
* Block Club | Who Are Chicago’s Alderpeople Endorsing For Mayor?: Some alderpeople had already thrown their hats behind Vallas or Johnson, while others are jumping on the bandwagon after backing one of the other seven candidates in round one of the election.
* Block Club | In The 43rd Ward, Knudsen And Comer Enter Runoff With New Endorsements, Sign Drama: Comer’s campaign has raised concerns over an incident that happened in the days before the Feb. 28 election involving a Knudsen campaign worker. Comer was driving down Armitage Avenue about 8:30 p.m. Feb. 26 when he saw someone carrying his green campaign signs under their arm. As Comer passed, he recognized the person as Alex Hanns from Knudsen’s campaign team, he said.
* Crain’s Editorial | These issues haven’t gotten their due in the mayor’s race — yet: Chicagoans can’t hope to solve the problems that ignited such sharp debate in the pre-runoff period if the city doesn’t maintain and even shore up its economic base. So it’s been disappointing to see spending priorities and jobs take a back seat — only lightly touched on during debates, if at all — but now there’s an opportunity to put economic policy front and center in the runoff.
* Block Club | Lincoln Square Ald. Andre Vasquez Now Supports Brandon Johnson In Mayoral Race: “In the runoff, it is a very clear choice as to what’s better for the city, right? You can decide to actually move backwards in ways that have failed us when it comes to public safety, when it comes to investing in education,” Vasquez said. “Or we can move forward and try things and find solutions to problems that have not been solved in Chicago’s history.
* Sun-Times | Don’t gloss over significance of Brandon Johnson’s trip to Selma: Brandon Johnson’s attendance commemorating the “Bloody Sunday” march in Selma, Alabama, as he bids to become Chicago’s next mayor, was more significant and symbolic than the Sun-Times coverage reflects. The newspaper mentioned the trip but did not do so in context of who Johnson actually is. The son of a pastor, Johnson grew up with the dual traditions of service and standing up for justice. He is a respected labor organizer, but he also serves as a Cook County commissioner, an educator and a consummate coalition-builder.
* WTTW | Advocates Hopes Chicago’s Next Mayor Puts Focus on Environmental Justice Issues: “I’d love to see not only Chicago’s Department of Environment return, but I want to see an Office of Environmental Justice. Chicago needs an environmental justice ordinance,” says Cheryl Johnson, executive director of People for Community Recovery, an environmental advocacy group based in the Altgeld Gardens Homes on the city’s far South Side. “
* Crain’s | Chicago lands $80 million to address opioid crisis: The funds, which will be managed by the Chicago Department of Public Health, come from the previously announced pool of $760 million being granted to the entire state over the next two decades. Like other states, Illinois was awarded a portion of the $26 billion opioid settlement agreement made early last year with drug manufacturers and distributors, including Johnson & Johnson, McKesson, AmerisourceBergen and Cardinal Health.
— BUSINESS OF POLITICS: State Rep. [sic] Celina Villanueva, Cook County Commissioner Alma Anaya and Chicago Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez have registered domain names for congressional runs.
I was able to reach Sen. Villanueva, Commissioner Anaya and Ms. Garcia today. All of them flatly denied having registered their names and all said they didn’t know who did.
At least one pointed a finger at Ald. Sigcho-Lopez, but he hasn’t responded to my inquiry as of yet. Maybe he will now. Or not.
As I told someone earlier on Twitter, it’s kinda silly to think that, absent any credible Chuy Garcia retirement rumors, all these people are simultaneously and anonymously rushing to reserve website domains. More likely, somebody is playing a little game and then convinced someone else to fall for it.
“Chuy’s my congressman until Chuy doesn’t want to be in Congress,” said Sen. Villanueva, who claimed that the person doing the registering “was absolutely not me.”
…Adding… Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez just reached out to say he didn’t register any of those domain names “and I do not know who did it.”
