* Gov. Pritzker today...
As I have said many times, I will work with whoever the members of the House of Representatives elect as their speaker. Choosing the speaker is the sole responsibility of those representatives, and it is clear that the members are taking their choices.
Please pardon all transcription errors.
* On to questions. He was asked about the last time he spoke with Madigan…
The last time I spoke with the speaker was a couple of days ago about the decoupling bill. So that’s the last conversation that we had, but I’ll work with whoever gets elected speaker and again as I have with the minority leader in the House and the Senate president and the minority.
* Did he ask MJM to resign when they spoke?…
No. I was in a conversation about getting things done. He is still the speaker. Now, we’re trying to get the coupling during this lame duck and, as I’ve said, the members of the House of Representatives are going to be voting on who their speaker is going to be.
* He was also asked about the Senate’s passage of a bill to apply the same collective bargaining standards on the CTU as the rest of the state…
Well, I have favorite passage of that bill since I was a candidate, since, really, before I was a candidate. And so, that bill, I know it’s coming to my desk and I’ll obviously take a serious look at it, but you know where I’ve stood for several years.
* A reporter brought up this topic…
Starting this week and running through at least Inauguration Day, armed protests are being planned at all 50 state capitols and at the U.S. Capitol, according to an internal FBI bulletin obtained by ABC News.
The FBI has also received information in recent days on a group calling for “storming” state, local and federal government courthouses and administrative buildings in the event President Donald Trump is removed from office prior to Inauguration Day. The group is also planning to “storm” government offices in every state the day President-elect Joe Biden will be inaugurated, regardless of whether the states certified electoral votes for Biden or Trump.
“The FBI received information about an identified armed group intending to travel to Washington, DC on 16 January,” the bulletin read. “They have warned that if Congress attempts to remove POTUS via the 25th Amendment, a huge uprising will occur.”
Federal law enforcement officials have advised police agencies to increase their security posture at statehouses around the country following the riot at the U.S. Capitol, law enforcement sources told ABC News.
Pritzker’s response…
I’m not going to talk about the specific security measures but suffice to say that they, the ISP is quite well aware of the challenges that may crop up you know they’ve seen them even reading into the session days here, and they will work you know we have a great security team for the state consisting of all three agency heads. That’s General Neely at our National Guard, Director Kelly at the state police and General Tate-Nadeau at our Emergency Management Agency. And we really work very cohesively and they’ve done a terrific job so far.
This post may be updated.
*** UPDATE *** Press release…
New statement from Leader Durkin on Governor Pritzker’s comments today:
Within the next 48 hours, Mike Madigan is preparing to pass two bills relating to Medicaid and public education with a price tag in the billions of dollars. I strongly urge Governor Pritzker to stop Madigan from further destroying our state’s finances in his final days. The only decoupling the Governor should be engaged in is decoupling Madigan from the legislative process.
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* Press release…
Governor JB Pritzker announced that Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs Director Linda Chapa LaVia is stepping down from her role. Major General Peter Nezamis, Assistant Adjutant General – Air, Illinois National Guard to serve as interim director. The governor will name a permanent director for the department following a nationwide search.
“Our veterans have sacrificed so much for our freedom and this administration will continue to do everything possible to prioritize their care,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “I’m grateful to Linda for her service and wish her well on her next chapter. I’m pleased to welcome Major General Peter Nezamis to his new role and am confident that with his decades of leadership and operations experience, he is the right person to lead this department forward and ensure our veterans receive the quality care they deserve.
“It’s been an honor and a privilege to serve our veterans,” said outgoing IDVA Director Linda Chapa LaVia. “I’m proud of our accomplishments and I look forward to assisting the interim director in any way possible as the department continues its work to serve our heroes.”
“I’ve been privileged to serve our state and county in a number of capacities throughout my career and I pledge to lead the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs forward in a way that is transparent, equitable and fair,” said incoming IDVA Interim Director Major General Peter Nezamis. “IDVA is tasked with caring for our state’s heroic veterans, the most noble of missions, and one I look forward to leading in the weeks to come.”
Maj. Gen. Nezamis currently serves as the Assistant Adjutant General - Air, Illinois Air National Guard. As the Assistant Adjutant General for Air, he is responsible for the command, control and operations of plans and programs affecting more than 3,000 ILANG personnel located at Scott Air Force Base, Peoria and Springfield, Ill. as well as supervising a full-time force of over 900 state and federal employees. Additionally, General Nezamis serves as an Airborne Emergency Action Officer (AEAO) for Commander USSTRATCOM performing periodic alert duties as part of the Battle Staff onboard the USSTRATCOM Airborne Command Post (ABNCP) Looking Glass. He is trained as a Director of Mobility Operations (DIRMOP), and is the Vice for the Midwest Region Strategic Planning System and member of the national level Steering Committee (SPS-SC).
General Nezamis graduated from Western Michigan University in 1986, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation Technology and Management. In December 1986, he commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Michigan ANG. He completed Undergraduate Pilot Training and was assigned to the 108th Air Refueling Squadron, O’Hare International Airport Air Reserve Station, Illinois, as a KC-135 pilot.
He is a command pilot, instructor and evaluator with more than 5,200 hours, commanded numerous expeditionary operations including the 492nd and the 506th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadrons and flown over 275 combat hours in support of several operations including Operations Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom. Previously he served as 126 ARW Wing Commander, Operations Group Commander, and Squadron Commander. Prior to his current assignment, General Nezamis was the Chief of the Joint Staff, Illinois National Guard, Camp Lincoln, Springfield Ill.
…Adding… Rep. David Welter (R-Morris)…
Director Chapa LaVia’s resignation was a necessary step in bringing accountability to the Pritzker Administration’s lackluster response to the deadly outbreak at the LaSalle Veterans’ Home. I welcome the naming of Major General Peter Nezamis to serve as acting director and encourage him to maintain an active dialogue with members of the Illinois General Assembly as he works to keep our veterans safe.
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* Illinois Democratic Women, Illinois NOW, She Votes Illinois, WE WILL, Indivisible Illinois, Chicago NOW, Democratic Women of McDonough County, Lake County Democratic Women and Indivisible Illinois IL9…
With the news of Speaker Madigan suspending his campaign, our coalition recognizes that more candidates may join the race for Speaker of the House. It is our expectation as strong supporters of women’s rights, and especially women’s reproductive rights, that the next Speaker of the House from the Democratic caucus will have supported the ERA, HB40, and the RHA, and is planning to support the repeal of the Parental Notification Act. We cannot go backwards to protecting the rights of women and girls in Illinois.
HB40 was the abortion bill signed by Gov. Bruce Rauner. RHA is the Reproductive Health Act, which passed in 2019.
Just yesterday, the groups were demanding that a woman be elected Speaker.
…Adding… Click here for the roll call on the RHA. And click here for the HB40 roll call. Click here for the ERA roll call. The parental notification bill hasn’t yet been voted on, but click here for a list of sponsors.
…Adding… More groups added to the list…
Men4Choice PAC
Illinois Handmaids
Indivisible Oak Park
Peoria NOW
North/Northwest NOW
Resistor Sisterhood
*** UPDATE 1 *** A buddy of mine went through all three roll calls of the three aforementioned bills. Click here to see his document. Highlighted names voted for all three bills.
…Adding… Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth was inadvertently left off the list.
*** UPDATE 2 *** Terry Cosgrove, President & CEO of Personal PAC…
Almost daily, a pregnant young woman in Illinois is forced to beg a judge in a room full of strangers to “allow” her to seek an abortion, with her only other choices being a self-induced illegal abortion, telling a violent or abusive parent she is pregnant, or becoming a parent against her will and better judgement. This is what Illinois’ dangerous Parental Notice of Abortion (PNA) law does to countless young women across Illinois and why the next Speaker of the Illinois House must publicly commit to play a leadership role in its repeal prior to May 31, 2021. Putting the health and lives of young women at risk for one more day is unacceptable and lacks excuse. The repeal of PNA simply requires striking a few sentences from the state statute, is revenue neutral (actually saves money), and is supported by every mainstream medical and child advocacy organization in Illinois and across the country. The time for leadership is now.
That group raises and spends a ton of money on legislative races.
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* Press release…
“I have lost confidence that the current leadership is equipped to address the many challenges facing the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Director Chapa LaVia should resign so we can begin the process of rebuilding trust with Illinois’ veterans and their families.”
Rep. Daniel Didech (D - Buffalo Grove)
*** UPDATE *** Rep. David Welter (R-Morris)…
Director Chapa LaVia’s performance at today’s House Judiciary – Civil Committee does not provide me the confidence in her leadership skills to lead the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs any longer. If Director Chapa LaVia fails to do the honorable thing and resign then, Governor Pritzker must demand her resignation.
* Press release…
State Representative Deanne Mazzochi (R-Elmhurst), a member of the House Judiciary-Civil Committee, has released the following statement after this morning’s hearing on the LaSalle Veteran’s Home COVID-19 outbreak:
“I have spent months warning about the dangers COVID can present to vulnerable seniors in long term care facilities, and encouraging the state to devote more resources to protect them.
When we have a veteran’s facility where over 25% of the residents have died subsequent to a COVID outbreak, I had hoped Director Chapa LaVia would have clear, direct answers; would be intimately knowledgeable with the facts from the fateful two weeks in late October to early November when the COVID outbreak at the facility lost containment; and that she personally had initiated discussions with not just the personnel involved, but the Governor, to keep our veterans in not just LaSalle, but everywhere in the state, safe.
However, after spending the morning questioning director Chapa LaVia and her staff, the department and our veterans would be better served by a change in leadership, and I am calling upon her to resign. I am holding her to no less of a standard than the one she applied when she served as a legislator with oversight on issues involving our veterans.
Under her leadership, COVID-19 was able to run rampant in two of the state’s four homes, resulting in the deaths of dozens of veterans in the state’s care. Finding out what went wrong and where, and demanding accountability is not, as she called it, “micromanagement”; and understanding what went wrong is not just the job of people with medical credentials. It means getting all the facts immediately; and taking responsibility for the organization that she heads to resolve a crisis.
I am particularly disturbed that the agency has outsourced any continued investigation or options for improvement onto a separate agency, with no concurrent self-assessment on the practices and policies that led to the outbreaks. As members of our committee from both sides of the aisle agree, what they heard today was stonewalling of our legislative investigation; and a distinct lack of corrective action being taken by the agency. And, that no steps were taken to ensure the investigative cooperation of the administrator in charge of the facility at the time is an independent critical oversight error.
Furthermore, the apparent effort to insist that this outbreak must have arisen as the result of generalized COVID “community spread” in the LaSalle area, while calling “speculative” the heartbreaking possibility that COVID spread and deaths arose because patient bubbles were not preserved; doors to the rooms of COVID-positive patients were kept wide open; re-gloving from patient to patient was not properly done; the wrong kind of hand sanitizer was in dispensers; cross-contamination risks in administrative areas, and much more as detailed in the evidence of infectious disease control reports who visited the site on just one day, is appalling.
We can’t be afraid to say mistakes were made, and use that to find ways to get better. But to suggest, as was done today, that collective bargaining requirements may prevent full and immediate compliance by staff with infection control requirements is fundamentally disturbing. We can’t be afraid to tell union leadership that our veterans deserve our best. If you cannot get what you need because of procedural rules, then go to bat for our veterans with the Governor, and if he won’t act, then to us, so the necessary change occurs. Every Agency director should be expected to do that, and anyone in charge of our state’s veterans must be someone who not only wants to, but will, identify and rectify their facilities’ COVID policies and practices immediately and to ensure our veterans get the best care.”
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* Two high-level House Democrats have confirmed rampant rumors that House Speaker Michael Madigan is suspending his reelection campaign so that he’s not standing in the way of someone else trying to get to 60. More in a bit.
*** UPDATE 1 *** Press release…
House Speaker Michael J. Madigan released the following statement Monday:
“This is not a withdrawal.
“I have suspended my campaign for Speaker.
“As I have said many times in the past, I have always put the best interest of the House Democratic Caucus and our members first.
“The House Democratic Caucus can work to find someone, other than me, to get 60 votes for Speaker.”
…Adding… Tribune…
By stepping aside, albeit temporarily, Madigan may be aiming to show the fractured caucus that no one else can muster the necessary support.
I think that’s a big part of this, but I don’t see more than a tiny handful of the members who voted against him yesterday crawling back and asking him to save them. The harsh reality is, he can’t get to 60. This isn’t like a campaign where the person with the most votes wins. For Madigan, this is like passing a bill. And 60 is the magic number.
* Back to the article…
As Madigan waits to see if an alternative can gather 60 votes from a very diverse caucus, it also opens up the door to new candidates, including from the House Black and Latinx caucuses whose members overwhelmingly endorsed the speaker’s reelection.
And women. Don’t forget women.
The list of groups demanding the House elect a woman Speaker now includes: Illinois Democratic Women, We Will, Vote Mama, She Votes, Illinois NOW, Lake County Democratic Women, Northwest/North NOW, McHenry NOW, Resistor SisterHood, Democratic Women of McDonough County, Illinois Handmaids, Peoria NOW, Indivisible Oak Park, Friends Who March, Indivisible Illinois, Chicago NOW and Women’s March Chicago.
…Adding… Press release…
Illinois House Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) released the following statement on the latest updates of the Speaker’s election:
“With 36 hours left before the swearing-in of a new General Assembly, Michael Madigan continues to create uncertainty and misdirection. His latest statement about suspending his bid for Speaker, but not withdrawing, is typical of his style and appears to be another ploy or a head fake. For the sake of the institution, his caucus must demand that he be direct and honest about his intentions – in or out.”
Good point.
*** UPDATE 2 *** Press release…
Following is a statement from State Rep. Kelly Cassidy in reaction to the news that Speaker Madigan is suspending his campaign for speaker.
“This is truly a historic moment for our caucus and our state. Speaker Madigan’s decision to suspend his campaign is an opportunity for us to come together as Democrats and carve a new path forward. Our caucus’ growing diversity is our strength, and we need to respect that as we decide what our leadership team looks like going forward. I anticipate that this debate will be robust and impassioned, but in the end, we are all Democrats, and we will come together to turn the page and fight for new solutions for the people of Illinois.
“This news came as a shock to a lot of the caucus, so I expect the race will change dramatically as a result. This is a time to hear what all of our colleagues have to say about their visions for a new leadership team. I have nothing to announce right now, but will keep everyone apprised if that should change.”
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* Background is here if you somehow need it. Rep. Ann Williams (D-Chicago)…
Today’s vote makes clear the House Democratic Caucus is ready for a change in leadership. I want to thank Representative Kathy Willis and Representative Stephanie Kifowit in joining me on this journey to elect Illinois’ first woman Speaker. I am grateful for the support of so many of my colleagues and will continue to work to earn the support of the rest and unify the caucus.
*** UPDATE *** Some folks I’ve talked to tonight misread that press release and wrongly assumed that Kifowit was supporting Williams. Here’s Rep. Kifowit…
I am still in the race.
…Adding… Rep. Williams…
I’m sorry if my statement was misinterpreted…Rep. Kifowit remains a strong contender as we both continue to make the case for new leadership in the Illinois House.
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* 6:56 pm: According to three sources, Rep. Kathy Willis has dropped out of the race for Speaker.
This post will be updated.
* 7:12 pm: Hearing Rep. Willis has endorsed Rep. Ann Williams for Speaker.
* 7:18 pm: Not only do they bar reporters from the floor, have Illinois State Police troopers escort credentialed journalists to and from the restroom, but they are repeatedly yelling at grown adults tonight for telling reporters what’s going on in a caucus meeting about the future of this state. The HDem leadership attitude on display this week is really a bit much.
* 7:33 pm: Haven’t confirmed this yet, but nice job by Maxwell…
Hearing 1 Present.
I’ve been trying to tell folks that Madigan is more than 6 votes short.
* I’m hearing the same…
* Confirmed…
They’re done for the night, by the way.
* 8:17 pm: Of those who hadn’t pledged one way or the other, Suzanne Ness, Denyse Wang Stoneback and Michelle Mussman all voted for someone other than MJM. Ness and Stoneback were with Rep. Ann Williams, Mussman was with Rep. Stephanie Kifowit. More tomorrow.
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* Rep. Stava-Murray told me yesterday that she had prepared a line of questioning for Speaker Madigan today that would be tough…
“Everyone’s yelling at her,” I was told. “She just said ‘very angry questions were being asked of the other three yesterday and nobody yelled at them.’” Decent point. Even so, she apparently didn’t exactly rally the caucus to her side.
*** UPDATE *** WCIA’s Mark Maxwell had this react from Rep. Mary Flowers…
“That was so out of place for her to put that on the Speaker,” Rep. Mary Flowers (D-Chicago) told reporters Sunday night. “And I’m not making any excuses for him. But he didn’t bring racism into Springfield, where the worst race riot has been years ago.”
“Before the speaker was born, we had systemic racism,” Flowers said. “We had 400 years of slavery, so we won’t go there. And I think everybody [has] a little bias in them. But everyone is trying to evolve to do the right thing.”
If Stava-Murray’s attack was designed to weaken Madigan’s alliance with the Black Caucus, Flowers’ comments show it may have only strengthened it. The legislature is in the middle of a thorny debate about police reform measures, and several members, including Flowers, value Madigan’s experience as a negotiator who can muster the votes to pass difficult legislation.
“He’s a hard working man,” Flowers said. “Negotiating with various entities across this state is heavy lifting, and I would not want to be driving with an inexperienced driver that may run this state further off the track.”
* Hannah Meisel caught up to another Black Caucus member…
Stava-Murray’s heated exchange with the Speaker didn’t sit well with Black Caucus members in the room.
“The Black Caucus is fully capable of advocating for itself and Black issues,” State Rep. André Thapedi (D-Chicago) told NPR Illiinois. “We don’t need anyone to do that for us.”
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* Rep. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) appears to have had some sort of medical emergency. Live video from BlueRoomStream.com showed Bailey lying on his back on the floor for several minutes. He eventually stood up and was placed in a gurnee by paramedics and wheeled out of the House chambers at the BOS Center.
…Adding… Photo…
…Adding… House GOP Leader Jim Durkin said Bailey has been experiencing some “gastrointestinal issues over the past few days” and likely passed out because he hadn’t yet eaten today.
Leader Durkin said Bailey “hit his head,” but said he believes Bailey will “be fine.” He asked for prayers for a quick recovery so Bailey can rejoin the chamber.
I’m told by a witness that Bailey hit his head “hard,” but was coherent within seconds of going down.
*** UPDATE *** From Rep. Bailey…
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*** UPDATED x6 - Lake County Democratic Women, Northwest/North NOW, McHenry NOW, Resistor SisterHood, Democratic Women of McDonough County, Illinois Handmaids, Peoria NOW, Indivisible Oak Park, Friends Who March, Indivisible Illinois, Chicago NOW, Women’s March Chicago, Illinois NOW join call *** Women’s groups urge vote for woman as new House Speaker - All 19 MJM opponents say they are still together
Sunday, Jan 10, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Illinois Democratic Women, We Will, Vote Mama and She Votes…
Open Letter to the House Democratic Caucus
We are writing today to strongly encourage the House Democratic Caucus to choose a woman as their new leader when they convene to vote for the Speaker of the House of the 102nd General Assembly. As statewide women’s organizations, we’ve watched with pride and gratification as the declared candidates to the current Speaker, Michael Madigan, have all come from the House Democratic Women’s Caucus, which in the past several years has taken the lead on legislation important to us such as the Clean Energy Jobs Act, Equal Rights Amendment Ratification, and Reproductive Health Act, as well as initiatives on minimum wage, education, and mental health.
While we appreciate the leadership the current Speaker has provided, we believe it is time for a change, and choosing a strong female leader is the change that is needed. We’ve also watched with some concern arguments that are being made that Speaker Madigan is the only one running who can hold the caucus together, pass important legislation, and help re-elect his members. This suggests that the female candidates that have announced do not share these same qualities. We do not believe that to be true. Further, we find that sexist school of thought to be one that has permeated the legislature in Springfield for decades. Changing that culture is another reason why it is important that a woman should be chosen to lead.
All the female candidates that have declared their intention to run for Speaker of the House have done so in an environment that has been hostile to a change in leadership; this alone gives credence to their courage and fortitude. Illinois is on the precipice of a great transition as we work to come out of a global pandemic and restore jobs to working families and revive an economy that has been ravaged by Covid-19. We recognize strong leadership is needed to meet these challenges and many pressing issues, especially the much-needed criminal justice reform being championed by the House Black Caucus. We believe that all the women who have announced their candidacy are up to this challenge and strongly urge the House Democratic caucus to elect one of them as their new Speaker.
* Meanwhile…
Today, 19 Illinois House Democrats in opposition to Michael Madigan’s re-election as Speaker of the House released the following statement:
“After meeting the past two days in Springfield, and having had the opportunity to participate in multiple candidate forums in the Speaker’s election, our position has not changed. We will not be supporting Michael J. Madigan for Speaker of the Illinois House at any stage of the voting process. It is time for new Democratic leadership in the Illinois House.”
*** UPDATE 1 *** Illinois NOW has joined the call to elect a woman Speaker. Click here for the revised press release.
*** UPDATE 2 *** Women’s March Chicago has now signed the letter. Click here.
*** UPDATE 3 *** Indivisible Illinois and Chicago NOW have also joined the letter.
*** UPDATE 4 *** More signatories…
Illinois Handmaids
Peoria NOW
Indivisible Oak Park
Friends Who March
*** UPDATE 5 *** The Democratic Women of McDonough County has added its name to the list and released this statement…
The Democratic Women of McDonough County, a 501(c)4 non-profit, firmly supports the call for Illinois to have our First Woman Speaker named. It’s time for Democrats to show allyship to women and send a strong message of solidarity with womens rights and interests, which are the interests of all our communities. Representation matters.
*** UPDATE 6 *** More…
Lake County Democratic Women
Northwest/North NOW
McHenry NOW
Resistor SisterHood
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*** UPDATED x1 *** You gotta be kidding me
Saturday, Jan 9, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Hannah Meisel…
The Coronavirus outbreak at the state-run LaSalle Veterans’ Home claimed a 36th life earlier this week, though the spread within the home has been in control for weeks after infecting 90% of residents and killing more than a quarter of the facility’s population.
But during the deadliest days of the outbreak in November, some residents were not able to get basic toiletries like soap due to an antiquated policy that’s been changed in recent weeks. The old policy meant that residents at the facility would have to wait up to a week for new supplies once their shampoo, toothpaste or other personal care items ran out.
Just before the New Year last week, the home changed its policy after pressure from the local Veterans’ Assistance Commission, which had organized a toiletry drive in November during the height of the outbreak. But the group later found out that the personal care items that had been donated were not being distributed. The old policy predated Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs Director Linda Chapa LaVia, but local VAC Superintendent Steven Kreitzer says she should have stepped in to change it sooner — especially as the outbreak raged.
“God forbid a veteran soiled themselves and had to take him in to take showers,” Kreitzer said. “Those nurses couldn’t get into that supply closet because there’s no one there to open it. And if the veteran is out of shampoo or just had a little bit left, they had to utilize somebody else’s shampoo to make sure somebody is being taken care of.”
Kreitzer said that he and the VAC were told by nursing staff that they were personally buying toiletry items for veterans in order to get around the process. The old policy mandated that when a veteran ran out of a personal care item like toothpaste or shampoo, nursing staff would have to fill out a request form and send it to the facility’s social services division. That staff would then have to contact the veteran’s family to ask if they were willing to buy the resident what was needed. Only if the family was unable to do so would a resident be able to receive one of the donated toiletry items.
*** UPDATE *** Correction and clarification issued…
This story has been corrected and clarified. Veterans were unable to get immediate access to donated name-brand toiletries due to a process that has since been changed, but the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs says residents never went without basic personal care supplies if they ran out. […]
“At no point during the pandemic or any other time has a veteran in one of our homes not had access to soap, toothpaste, or any other basic hygiene product,” Dooley said. “Those items are provided to all veterans in our homes, free of charge, on a regular basis, 24 hours a day. The donation process is used for specialty items that veterans request beyond the standard products they are provided.”
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* County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx…
States Attorney Foxx Speaks Out in Support of Critical Criminal Justice Reform Legislation, Illinois House Bill 163
“I believe that the spirit of Illinois House Bill 163 is meant to build trust in police departments across Illinois while addressing long-needed problems to alter unfair criminal justice policies rooted in systemic racism that result in our jails and prisons being disproportionately occupied by Black and Brown individuals. And although not perfect, with thoughtful deliberation and collaboration House Bill 163 can be worked to address concerns, which is why I support this critical piece of criminal justice reform legislation.”
* Leader Durkin…
Illinois House Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) issued the following statement on Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx announcing her support of House Bill 163:
“Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx has formally shown her true intentions today by walking away from victims of crime, neighborhoods desperate for safety and men and women of law enforcement. As a former Assistant State’s Attorney in Cook County, I believe her support of House Bill 163 may be the most disappointing and irreconcilable breach of trust between State’s Attorney Foxx and the citizens of Cook County. Every elected State’s Attorney throughout Illinois strongly opposes House Bill 163 except State’s Attorney Foxx. These anti victim and anti law enforcement proposals have no place in our society. Ms. Foxx should change the name on her door to Office of the Public Defender.”
* Related…
* Kim Foxx sees links between mob action at U.S. Capitol and Jussie Smollett demonstrations outside her office: In 2019, members of the Proud Boys, the American Guard and the American Identity Movement joined a protest outside of her office that was organized by the city’s Fraternal Order of Police after Foxx’s office dropped charges against Smollett, a former actor in “Empire.” Experts said at the time that was part of a plan by the groups to recruit new members. Current FOP President John Catanzara, a frequent foe of Foxx’s, also attended that 2019 rally and has been a vocal supporter of President Donald Trump.
*** UPDATE *** SA Rinehart is a Democrat…
A direct statement from Lake County State’s Attorney Eric F. Rinehart:
House Bill 163 represents important changes to our criminal justice system. I fully support these efforts to make our communities safer and our courthouse fairer. This bill includes reforms that I have been advocating for and discussing for years. But more work needs to be done to ensure these critical reforms also take into account our police officers and survivors of crimes.
Yesterday, the Illinois State’s Attorney’s Association sent a blanket letter opposing the first version of the omnibus bill. The letter the Association sent does not fully reflect my views and should have been formatted to include individual signatories as opposed to purporting to represent the views of all its members.
The following reforms are vital to our State. This bill:
• requires body-worn cameras in every law enforcement agency throughout the State
• creates a duty to aid on the part of law enforcement officers
• connects substance abuse treatment programs with First Responder duties
• creates accountability for officers who knowingly lie in police reports
• prevents destruction of law enforcement misconduct records
• strengthens whistle-blower protection for those who report government misconduct
• increases and improves de-escalation and mental health training for law enforcement
• expands access to the law enforcement misconduct database
• maintains felony-murder rule but narrows its application to individuals with violent intent
• requires police to develop a plan to protect children during search warrant raids
• empowers the Attorney General to investigate deaths occurring in police custody
• bans use of chokeholds and other extreme measures
• establishes statewide use of force standards by 2022
For these reasons, I cannot express blanket opposition or support to HB163. Rather, I will keep working throughout the weekend with legislators and policy advocates to improve the bill and to ensure that it adequately protects victims from their abusers and attackers. It is my sincere hope that we can accomplish these reforms in this legislative session.
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*** UPDATED x1 *** Because… Madigan!
Saturday, Jan 9, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Herald & Review editorial…
The state’s lame-duck legislative session in the Bank of Springfield Center opened Friday with unacceptable restrictions on media members. […]
The restrictions have nothing to do with security. They are in theory pandemic-related. But just as other professionals have been forced to adapt their work efforts to protect the safety of themselves and others, reporters have figured out social distancing, wearing masks while conducting interviews and regular sanitization of equipment used.
Limited access hampered the coverage of sessions in May 2020 as well, to the benefit of no one. In addition, the May sessions allowed for outdoor interviews. Those interviews will be less available in January’s cold.
The main floor of the Bank Of Springfield Center is 40,000 square feet, more than enough room for both legislators and credentialed media. Socially safe seating is essentially already used in the House. The media members’ letter also details ways in which communication and reporters could be allowed to do their jobs without danger or disruption.
When asked, the governor’s office could only provide IDPH guidance that was issued for legislative committee hearings last year. The House has yet to reveal its session guidance source. Another pic of the cavernous space…
Also, the security argument is just totally ridiculous and absolutely insulting to credentialed members of the news media. And to add insult to injury, reporters who need to use the restroom must be escorted from and back to the mezzanine by Illinois State Police troopers.
Wouldn’t letting them on the floor allow for less oversight?
* Also, seeing pics like this of Eastern Bloc Reps. Chris Miller and Brad Halbrook on the convention center floor makes me wonder why the House Speaker is so worried about us…
Reporters ain’t the problem here. (You can caption that pic in comments if you want.)
…Adding… Rep. Miller (no relation) was just called out on the floor for not wearing his mask.
* On to Mark Brown’s latest column…
It’s been two months now since it became apparent Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan would face the strongest challenge ever posed to his leadership, yet no obvious front-runner to replace him has emerged.
If Madigan indeed is to be replaced, that should start to change as House members return to Springfield this weekend to wrap up the business of the outgoing Legislature and get organized for the new one.
Democrats were scheduled to meet privately Saturday for their first (mask-covered) face-to-face discussion about who should lead them.
It’s hard to imagine them making headway quickly.
Until Madigan is ready to step aside — there’s not even a hint of that at this stage — most of the leading potential alternatives are staying on the sidelines.
That last line is right. Nothing can really happen unless and until Speaker Madigan decides to step aside.
* I filled in subscribers today about yesterday’s caucus, but Mark Maxwell has some more…
Undeterred by his opposition, Madigan methodically maneuvered through the process and continued to persistently persuade his colleagues to support him. In a Friday night candidates’ forum organized by downstate and moderate Democrats, Madigan offered to relax his grip on political power if members let him stay in his role.
According to members who listened to Madigan’s pitch Friday night, he also offered them more input and control in interviewing and hiring their own staffers, and pledged a more collaborative style of leadership.
His challengers, Reps. Kifowit, Ann Williams (D-Chicago), and Kathleen Willis (D-Addison), offered a variety of changes in the House rules and in the way members could move their bills through committees, and laid out their strategies to raise campaign funds in ways that benefit more members.
Willis, the chair of the House Democratic Caucus, highlighted her experience on Madigan’s leadership team, though the Speaker noted it pales in comparison with his own.
He’s been promising a lot of things.
*** UPDATE *** I told subscribers about this earlier today…
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* Sen. Schimpf (R-Waterloo) has confirmed to reporters that he plans to run for governor. And he chose to begin the campaign by opposing a mask mandate…
* Center Square with the background…
Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration has refiled an emergency COVID-19 rule similar to one that expired Monday to continue statewide mask and social distancing requirements in Illinois for another 150 days. […]
Karr said the statewide rule filed Monday by the Pritzker administration was an improvement over the expired rule.
“This puts in place that you can hand them something in writing,” Karr said. “So, you could give them a notice that IRMA had produced that said, ‘You know you should be wearing a face mask, we may ask you to leave,’ and that helps the retailer avoid, try to avoid, some of those confrontations.” […]
The updated emergency rule also prohibits gatherings of more than 50 people. […]
Enforcement of the rule will be up to “all local boards of health, health authorities and officers, police officers, sheriffs and all other officers and employees of the state and any locality,” it says.
If a business refuses to comply with a written warning and a subsequent written order to disperse, “that business, service, facility or organization open to the public shall be subject to the penalties set forth in Section 8.1 of the act.” That could lead to a Class A misdemeanor with penalties up to $2,500 fine or up to a year in jail.
…Adding… From comments…
From another story line: “I can think of little that is more important than saving lives and getting to the bottom of this tragedy,” Schimpf said. “We are still waiting to hear from an IDPH official who was actually making decisions when this tragedy began, so we can find out why it took so long to get a team on site to manage this crisis.”
I have news for Sen. Schimpf. Community spread leads to spread in nursing homes. If he really cares about the lives of the folks in our care, why is he so opposed to the most basic of all protections?
*** UPDATE *** Washington Times…
At least 50% of new coronavirus infections are spread from people without symptoms, according to a study published this week.
People who are asymptomatic or never experience symptoms made up about 24% of all transmissions, while presymptomatic individuals accounted for 35% for a total of 59%, researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found.
Jay Butler, CDC deputy director for infectious diseases and a lead author of the study, told Business Insider that the findings back up public health guidelines about social distancing and mask wearing.
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