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Hey, why no periods in Vance’s name? (Update)

Wednesday, Jul 24, 2024 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Remember this funny little kerfuffle from 2019?…

Major media organizations have been using those periods on the name of Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker. But that’s not how the governor has been spelling it — at least not lately — though his name has appeared with periods in the past, as when he ran for Congress in 1998.

Long story short, Pritzker told Brian Mackey that he doesn’t use periods in his name.

Back to the story…

Many of us rely on the Associated Press to settle these questions, so I emailed the corporate office in New York. Spokeswoman Lauren Easton wrote back after broadcast: “AP is considering how to handle the styling of the governor’s initials but hasn’t yet resolved it.” But the AP Stylebook says when someone uses initials instead of a first name, periods should be used

* The Associated Press (which doesn’t put periods in AP) continues to this day to refer to the governor as “J.B. Pritzker.” So does the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Sun-Times and NPR, which, like the AP, does not put periods in the abbreviation of its own name.

* Why am I bringing this up? Well, here’s an AP (A.P.?) story about another politician who doesn’t use periods in his name…

Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance used his first solo campaign rallies Monday to throw fresh barbs at Vice President Kamala Harris a day after President Joe Biden threw the presidential election into upheaval by dropping out and endorsing his second-in-command to lead Democrats against Donald Trump.

Sen. Vance’s full name is James David Vance. But no periods for the A.P.

Odd.

* The Tribune and the Sun-Times are also using Vance’s preferred spelling, while continuing to spell Pritzker’s name with periods. Same for N.P.R.

USA Today, which also doesn’t put periods in its own abbreviation, spells their names “J.B. Pritzker” and “JD Vance.”

The Washington Post is being consistent, however. The paper spells both Pritzker’s and Vance’s names with periods.

* And, yes, of course this is a trivial matter. But these news outlets are all about words. The AP Stylebook is 524 pages long, for crying out loud.

On the off chance that Pritzker is chosen as a vice presidential candidate and faces Vance, we’ll probably see a revisiting of this oddly contradictory policy. Until then, inconsistency will likely prevail.

…Adding… The A.P. is the culprit here…

Short, unsatisfying answer for us: We follow AP. https://t.co/lbSSspkXwT

— Dan Petrella (@PetrellaReports) July 24, 2024

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Biz types launch new PAC, 501c4 ‘One Future Illinois’ (Updated)

Wednesday, Jul 24, 2024 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Fran Spielman…

Business and real estate interests spent millions to tank Mayor Brandon Johnson’s plan to raise Chicago’s real estate transfer tax on high-end home sales to create a dedicated revenue source to combat homelessness.

They also bankrolled a $2 million independent expenditure committee to help elect moderate City Council members they hoped would be “part of the solution, not lob bombs from the sideline.”

Now, influential business leaders are forming yet another nonprofit group, with an affiliated political action committee, to advance their “long-term, systemic civic priorities” for the city and state.

They’re calling it “One Future Illinois,” and its leadership roster of business heavyweights includes some who have held prominent positions in city and state government.

Among them: investment banker Steve Koch, who served as deputy mayor under former Mayor Rahm Emanuel; Derek Douglas, president of the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club; and Jesse Ruiz, former deputy governor for education in Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration. Ruiz also served as interim CEO of Chicago Public Schools, chair of the Illinois State Board of Education and board president of the Chicago Park District.

Their PAC’s statement of organization describes its mission as “To advance common sense solutions to meet the most significant challenges and opportunities of the State of Illinois and the City of Chicago.” No contributions have yet been reported.

Mike Ruemmler, who was one of Rahm Emanuel’s top go-to people, will run both the c4 and the PAC, Fran reports. Go read the rest.

…Adding… Crain’s…

In a call with Crain’s, the group’s leaders wouldn’t disclose how much they expect to raise, but the money should start flowing soon and is expected to take in at least seven figures.

The group will “be involved” in the mayor’s race and next City Council election, said Michael Ruemmler, a former advisor to both Emanuel and President Barack Obama. He wouldn’t disclose if they’d take on Johnson.

Asked if the PAC will spend money opposing elected school board candidates supported by the Chicago Teachers Union, Ruemmler would only say “we’ll take a look at all the candidates.”

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