Immediate House lockdown ordered
Tuesday, Mar 1, 2022 - Posted by Rich Miller
* House Majority Leader Greg Harris just told the doorkeepers “Please lock down the chamber immediately.”
* A recorded security announcement was broadcast to the chamber: “May I have your attention please. The building is on lockdown. No one is to enter or leave the building. Please secure your location and shelter in place immediately.”
* Leader Harris: “Ladies and gentlemen, I’m told the situation has cleared and we’re free to move about the building again and the doorkeepers can unlock the doors.”
* There may - may - have been a problem with the security system which triggered the alarm.
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* Gov. Pritzker today…
I am not putting it lightly when I say that she has had one of the hardest jobs in the world.
Follow along with the press conference by clicking here.
* Press release…
Today Governor JB Pritzker announced the Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Dr. Ngozi Ezike is leaving the agency after three years of service. To celebrate Dr. Ezike’s outstanding tenure and heroic service, the governor issued a proclamation establishing today, March 1, 2022, as #DrEzikeDay. Amaal Tokars, PhD., who is currently the Assistant Director of IDPH will serve as interim director while a nationwide search is conducted to find a permanent replacement. Dr. Ezike’s last day will be March 14, 2022.
“Dr. Ngozi Ezike has led the Illinois Department of Public Health for over three years, her tenure defined not only by her ability to provide the latest expertise and data, but also her empathy and compassion – becoming a beacon of stability for millions during a time of tremendous uncertainty,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “No number of sleepless nights and endless days could wear down her commitment to think first and foremost of Illinois’ most vulnerable. Her departure is a change I am loathe to accept, but I have utmost faith that Dr. Ezike’s next journey will also bring more good to the world – as has been the hallmark of every step of her career. She will go down in the Illinois history books as a woman who saved lives and changed our state for the better.”
“It has been a great honor serving the people of Illinois as the director of the Illinois Department of Public Health. Being the state’s top doc during a global pandemic has been challenging to say the least, but it’s been an amazing journey to work with so many great public health professionals and leaders from all sectors,” said Dr. Ngozi Ezike. “I want to thank Governor Pritzker for the opportunity he provided me and for his dedication to the people of this great state. The dedicated men and women of IDPH, will continue their mission-driven work to protect the health and safety of all Illinois residents.”
Amaal V.E. Tokars, PhD., has served as IDPH Assistant Director since June 2020 and is a Certified Public Health Administrator with a wide range of expertise. Prior to joining the administration, Tokars worked at the Kendall County Health Department and served as the President of the Northern Illinois Public Health Consortium. Previously, Tokars served at the Association for Individual Development for fourteen years where she managed over 30 health and human services sites and programs. Amaal received her Bachelor of Science from Lewis University, and her Masters in family systems as well as a PhD. in Leadership and Policy from Northern Illinois University. She is also a graduate of the Navy Post Graduate School. Dr. Arti Barnes, MD, MPH, who joined IDPH in 2020 will continue to serve as Chief Medical Officer.
Governor Pritzker’s full remarks congratulating Dr. Ezike, as prepared for delivery, can be found below.
For over three years, Dr. Ngozi Ezike has served as head of the Illinois Department of Public Health. With all her being, she has dedicated each day — and I mean EVERY day — to the agency’s mission to protect the health and wellness of the people in Illinois. For much of the last two years, she’s dedicated each night, too.
Even with this unprecedented internal workload, Dr. Ezike prioritized joining me at more than 160 COVID press conferences, providing not only the latest expertise and data, but also her empathy and compassion – becoming a beacon of stability for millions during a time of tremendous uncertainty. And she has been doing so in both English and Spanish. She has an unshakeable faith in G-d, and she has leaned on her faith to give her the strength to care for the world.
I have watched Dr. Ezike mourn the loss of every one of the 32,000 Illinoisans who have died from COVID-19. This pandemic is a collective trauma that has, for many, numbed their ability to comprehend death on a massive scale. Not Dr. Ezike. No number of sleepless nights and endless days could wear down her commitment to think first and foremost of Illinois’ most vulnerable.
I ran for office. Dr. Ezike did not. But throughout this crisis, she has been beside me every step of the way. I don’t put it lightly when I say she has had one of the hardest jobs in the world. There is something particularly heroic about the service of an extraordinary individual who did not seek greatness but found it anyway.
Dr. Ezike’s last day leading our Department of Public Health will be March 14th. It is a change I am loathe to accept, but perhaps she can finally get a good night’s sleep and precious time with her husband and their four kids. It is well deserved.
I have utmost faith that Dr. Ezike’s next journey will also bring more good to the world – as has been the hallmark of every step of her career. She will go down in the Illinois history books as a woman who changed our state for the better. She saved lives, many thousands of lives.
On that note, I have issued a proclamation declaring today, Tuesday, March 1st, to be Dr. Ezike Day in the State of Illinois. I ask all our residents to take a moment today or any day in the future to thank her for her unprecedented public service in the face of the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Ezike has big shoes to fill, and I’m pleased to announce that one of her top deputies –Amaal Tokaars, who has joined us at COVID-19 updates in the past – will be leading IDPH in the interim as we look for a permanent successor. Amaal Tokaars has been an instrumental senior member of Dr. Ezike’s leadership team, and the people of Illinois will be lucky to have her watching out for them.
…Adding… From Dr. Ezike’s remarks…
As all of the speakers have mentioned, we have embarked on a new chapter in our COVID journey and I just want to highlight that, as the mask requirement has been lifted, it does not mean that it’s not recommended.
And as we think about our individual situations, and who may we may be coming around with, who we are living with, it may absolutely be the case that you are an individual, either because of your own risk assessment, or because of those that you live with that you will continue to wear a mask. And so I echo the pleas from Governor Pritzker that we just be respectful of each other’s choices. No one knows, you could be working side by side with someone who is undergoing chemotherapy. Unbeknownst to you, you could be working right behind someone who goes home and takes care of a severely immunocompromised child or parents. We don’t know what people are dealing with it. So let’s respect each other’s choices and equally respect those who have chosen not to wear a mask for whatever their situation is as well.
It has been just an honor to be able to share these updates, share information help create policy. Thinking back, January 2019, I got a call from a blocked number that I answered. And it was at that time that Governor Pritzker offered and I accepted the offer to serve as the director of the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Looking back at notes and journal entries that I had created at that time, I have several quotes that I just jotted down that were from that time. One said, ‘Wow, a dream is coming true for me even before I ever dreamt the dream, but it’s not my reality.’ Another one said ‘I’m so excited to grow and be stretched to new limits.’ I didn’t exactly know the full impact of that [laughs]. Another said, ‘I’m just look forward to doing wonderful things for the residents of Illinois. I’m so ready for this work.’ Again, this is January 2019. I did not know fully what I was getting into. But I had ideals that I believed in that would be my guiding light, my North Star. One is that believing that everyone deserves the opportunity to achieve their best health. A second is that intentionality is required to address long forsaken needs of selected populations. That’s now referred to succinctly as equity. And third that to better care for a diverse population like we are so blessed to have an Illinois you need a team that reflects that diversity to create the most robust and inclusive solutions.
She went on to thank her team at IDPH.
* More…
I acknowledge and mourn with the families of all the lives lost, not just to COVID but to gun violence, to suicide, to drug overdose, to racism to cancer, and all the other diseases and ills that public health officials and all of our partners work tirelessly to curb. Being a half full kind of gal, I am focusing in on all the positive actions of so many private citizens.
* More…
It’s just been my tremendous pleasure to serve the people of Illinois. I am so blessed to have been able to bring some measure of comfort to Illinoisans ,to quiet some of the chaos and infuse some calm. I’m glad that I served as a role model to young girls, girls of color, little black girls, that they can be leaders in any field. And I’m proud to show our young boys as well the future men of our society examples of women in leadership. I’m proud to exemplify that empathy and strength can exist in the same body and in the same breath.
And then she thanked her family.
* Dr. Ezike was asked about her growth as a leader…
I was just speaking at my local high school, at the Model UN conference, and I was talking to about 600 high schoolers on Saturday morning. And I was telling them that leadership is not a destination. It’s a continuous journey. And we are all leaders. You might be a leader in the fact that you’re the firstborn in the family and so you have some kind of responsibility over your siblings. You can be a leader in a classroom where you’re the one that speaks up if you see that someone is being bullied. I have been able to continue to grow leadership skills in all directions. Not perfecting anything yet. I feel like there’s still plenty and plenty of room to grow. My staff can tell you about that struggle. But I think definitely learning the best ways to navigate difficult conversations, understanding how to bring people of different backgrounds with different desires, how to find something that might maybe not satisfy everyone but at least be clear enough in communication to explain why you landed here and have them at least respect the process of your thinking. Being able to make decisions quickly when they need to be versus gathering everybody together and getting all the troops together to get buy-in from many stakeholders, figuring out when and where you use, employ which lever all of those things I am still growing and have been blessed to have the opportunity to really probably grow faster than I would have in another role and another time, but definitely feel that I was called for such a time as this and appreciate all of the growth.
Please pardon all transcription errors.
…Adding… Harmon…
Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) issued the following statement regarding Dr. Ngozi Ezike’s announcement that she will be stepping down as director of the Illinois Department of Public Health after seeing the agency through the pandemic response.
“Throughout this pandemic, Dr. Ezike has been a calming, compassionate voice offering reassurance and information to the people of Illinois in at least two languages. I want to thank her for her commitment to the public health of this great state and wish her the very best in her next endeavors.”
* Walker…
State Rep. Mark Walker, D-Arlington Heights, issued the following statement today after Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike announced her upcoming retirement from the Department:
“Dr. Ezike has been no less than a beacon of hope and light during one of the greatest challenges Illinois has faced in generations. Her spirit is warm, kind, and full of a love for what she does and for keeping Illinoisans healthy and safe. She has saved lives.
There aren’t enough words to thank Dr. Ezike for her tireless efforts, but she deserves them all. I join Governor Pritzker, my colleagues in the General Assembly, and all Illinoisans in thanking and congratulating Dr. Ezike and wish her and her family all the best in the next chapter of her journey.”
* Stratton…
Lt. Governor Stratton’s Statement on the Departure of Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike
Springfield —In times of uncertainty, we look to people who are knowledgeable, trustworthy, and courageous. Dr. Ngozi Ezike was all of that and more as she worked tirelessly to protect the health of Illinois residents during one of the worst public health crises of our lifetime.
She was a calming figure offering information with empathy and compassion that put the safety of our most vulnerable residents first. Our state could not have asked for a better steward during this pandemic.
As the head of the Illinois Council on Women and Girls, I am especially proud of Dr. Ezike because she is a stellar example of what is possible for women and girls who love science and want to serve the public. Thank you, Dr. Ezike, for all that you have meant to this state at a time when we needed you the most.
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Campaign notebook
Tuesday, Mar 1, 2022 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Some folks had been awful sure he’d make this run…
…Adding… Lightfoot…
Statement from Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot
“Arne Duncan has dedicated himself to public service, and over the arc of his career contributed to our city’s well being in important ways. The work he’s doing now to build community-based solutions to violence is important, and I look forward to continuing to collaborate with Chicago CRED and the other street outreach and intervention organizations and initiatives across our city. We all agree that the priority is to make sure every resident, regardless of zip code, experiences safe and peaceful neighborhoods, and I will work with all people of good will focused on that objective. We must all work together to combat gang and gun violence, and to continue our work of investing in historically neglected neighborhoods.”
* Teresi press release…
Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza is calling for an end to penalties for late payments of the state’s bills.
Following media reports questioning the wisdom of the initiative, Comptroller Candidate Shannon Teresi asks Susana Mendoza the following questions on why this act should be repealed:
1. Why should the state be exempt from paying late fees, but every Illinoisan still has to pay interest on their bills?
2. If the state pays its bills on time, this is not an issue. Why are you changing the rules and reducing accountability for timely state payments?
3. Why would Illinois remove its prompt payment legislation when almost every other state in the country has similar laws to hold government accountable to vendors?
4. As the state’s Chief Fiscal Officer, why are you working to avoid accountability for late payments? What message does that send to taxpayers, vendors and credit agencies?
5. Why would small businesses continue to provide goods and services in good faith to the state when the Comptroller is working to avoid accountability for late payments?
* Press release…
Just ahead of an election season, with new maps and adjusted timelines, the Democrats for the Illinois House are continuing to ramp up their team by adding former WVON News Anchor TaQuoya McConnico as their new Chief Communications Officer.
“We are pleased to welcome TaQuoya to the team,” said Illinois House Speaker Emanuel ‘Chris’ Welch. “We have a long history of doing great work in communities together. I know our party members will appreciate her energy, her expertise, and her passion for creating connections and great results.”
TaQuoya Michelle McConnico (former name Kennedy) is an award-winning communications and marketing professional and a proud United States Air Force Veteran. She has spent the last 15 years connecting brands to consumers and helping organizations achieve their goals through communications and digital marketing. TaQuoya is a former WVON News Director. She also served as a Vice President at Teneo Strategy, a global CEO consulting and advisory firm founded in part by the Clinton Administration’s own Doug Band. They counsel some of the world’s top organizations, including Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, FIFA, and Petsmart. TaQuoya has received numerous awards for her work, including Verizon Wireless HQ Communications Improvement Recognition, President Obama’s Call to Service Award, and The Village of Maywood Helping Hand Award. She was also named one of Chicago’s Top Professionals Under the Age of 40 to watch by the Chicago Defender.
The addition of McConnico is just the latest of supports added to help the party build strong in their fight for a better Illinois as they work through COVID restrictions and later timelines to gather petitions and get support to get on the ballot. Other new supports for the party include a full-time staff of regional political directors to develop cutting-edge campaigns and an in-house fundraising expert to work one-on-one with candidates on financing plans.
McConnico is married to Tyler McConnico, an Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. member. They have three sons, Tyson (5), Taylor (4), and Troy (2). McConnico is a graduate of Columbia College Chicago and a member of The National Association of Black Journalists. #
* Politico…
— Alexi Giannoulias has won the endorsement of Our Revolution in his bid for secretary of state. The national political group aligned with Sen. Bernie Sanders announced its support last night during a national program that also included Jessica Cisneros, who’s hoping to unseat Texas Rep. Henry Cuellar (their primary is today), and Melanie D’Arrigo, who’s running for New York’s 3rd Congressional District as Rep. Tom Suozzi runs for governor. Our Revolution says it has more than 300,000 members in Illinois. Giannoulias also has the support of Illinois progressive Reps. Chuy Garcia and Jan Schakowsky. […]
— North Aurora trustee enters race for Foster’s 11th Congressional District seat: “Mark Carroll’s entry into the contest brings the GOP field to seven candidates,” reports Daily Herald’s Russell Lissau.
— Kirk J. Ortiz, a Cook County sheriff deputy, is jumping into the race for sheriff, challenging his boss, Tom Dart.
* Coming a bit late to this…
Gov. JB Pritzker used his appearance Sunday at the Kane County Democrats’ annual Truman Dinner fundraiser as a way to energize those in attendance ahead of the upcoming primary and general elections.
“Honestly, you all are protecting and securing our Democratic values by making sure that Kane County is a blue county now and forever,” said Pritzker during his remarks at the fundraiser, held at Two Brothers Roundhouse in Aurora. “We’re a diverse and powerful coalition, moving this state in a bold new direction.”
Pritzker, the state’s top Democrat, has already announced he is running for a second term. He ticked off a few of the accomplishments of the Democrats during his administration.
“It was the Democrats that raised the minimum wage to a living wage,” he said. “We lifted hundreds of thousands of working people out of poverty…Democrats expanded child care, we increased funding for education, we raised teachers’ salaries and we made college more affordable. When COVID-19 hit Illinois, Democrats expanded health care coverage. We provided free COVID-19 testing and treatment and vaccinations. And we funded critical access hospitals and safety net hospitals.”
* Ken Griffin sat down for yet another softball interview and wasn’t even asked about dumping a $20 million down payment into the Illinois governor’s race…
What do you do for relaxation and exercise?
One thing that surprises people? I love to play “Call of Duty” and I’ll play it while I’m on the elliptical trainer. Takes a bit of work on balance to do both at the same time; maybe a bit of multitasking. But I’m always trying to find ways to stay in shape and to stay engaged.
Insightful.
* Not Illinois, but Illinois-related…
A $5 billion Rivian Automotive Inc. electric-vehicle plant planned for central Georgia is now a pawn in the state’s bitter Republican gubernatorial primary.
Former U.S. Senator David Perdue, who is challenging incumbent Governor Brian Kemp with the backing of Donald Trump, is holding a Tuesday rally in Rutledge to protest the plant and investor George Soros, who is one of its backers. The attack puts Kemp’s biggest economic development coup squarely in the middle of the U.S. culture wars. […]
“Brian Kemp is selling us out to George Soros,” Perdue said in a release announcing the event. “He’s pledged our tax dollars to lure a California company funded by George Soros to Georgia and is calling it ‘economic development,” Perdue’s statement said. “Kemp thought he could get away with this under the guise of ‘economic development,’ but all he is doing here is selling us out and lining George Soros’s pockets.”
Hilarious. But it kinda makes me wonder if the GOP candidates here have a position on helping Rivian. I’m almost afraid to check.
…Adding… DGA…
The Chicago Sun-Times editorial board slammed billionaire Ken Griffin yesterday for pouring millions into Richard Irvin’s “tough on crime” campaign for governor while his company invests millions in gun manufacturers.
Griffin has branded himself and Irvin as advocates for public safety. But weapons manufactured by companies within Citadel’s portfolio account for nearly one of every four guns recovered by police and used in Chicago homicides since 2017.
“Given this concern, you’d think Griffin would be outraged to learn Citadel and Citadel Securities have $86 million in investments and holdings in gun and ammunition makers,” the editorial board reported.
“You absolutely cannot be a voice about crime and murder or shootings on our streets when your company is a major investor in gun manufacturers,” said the Rev. Michael Pfleger, pastor of Faith Community of St. Sabina Church.
This isn’t the first time Griffin and Irvin have been called out for their bogus public safety platform. Last week, the Chicago Tribune exposed Irvin for helping clients accused of the same violent crimes he slams in campaign ads.
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* Gov. JB Pritzker asked the pension systems last night to explore divestment of Russian assets…
February 28, 2022
Dear Colleagues:
With the continued invasion by Russia of the sovereign nation of Ukraine, the State of Illinois stands with the people of Ukraine and nations around the world supporting peace in the country. As such, I am writing to request that your respective boards take all steps within your existing authority to explore the potential of divesting state pension assets from Russian-based companies and Russian assets and the feasibility of doing so.
Across our five statewide pension systems, the state holds nearly $100 billion in pension fund assets. My administration will continue to work closely with you to ensure minimal disruption to the strong progress we have made in recent years in shoring up the financial stability of the funds. I look forward to being briefed on what you determine at the soonest possible date, and I look forward to sharing those findings with the General Assembly.
Thank you for your continued service and please contact Deputy Governor Andy Manar should you have questions regarding my request.
Thoughts?
…Adding… Press release…
STATEMENT FROM MAYOR LORI E. LIGHTFOOT
“In light of recent events and upon reflection over these last few days, I believe that Chicago needs to go further in its definitive actions against Russia. That is why yesterday, I directed World Business Chicago to suspend Chicago’s sister city relationship with Moscow. While this is not a decision I enter into lightly, we must send an unambiguous message: we strongly condemn all actions by the Putin regime. This suspension will be upheld until the end of hostilities against Ukraine and the Putin regime is held accountable for its crimes. We must continue to support freedom-loving people everywhere and ordinary Russians in their desire to be free.”
...Adding… More…
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Question of the day
Monday, Feb 28, 2022 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Background is here if you need it. Gov. Pritzker faced reporters today and was asked whether, in the wake of the BGA’s new report about his blind trust, it was time to come up with another way to avoid further conflicts of interest…
Well, there are no conflicts of interest because, number one, we have a blind trust in place; number two, there are a variety of safeguards even beyond that that makes sure that I have no conflicts of interest. So that if it turned out that there was any profit that might be made from some company that was conflicted, and again, I don’t, I am not involved in making any investment decisions. But if we found out that I was, then, obviously, as I’ve said, we would donate those dollars to charity. But as far as that, during my term as governor, again, I have avoided all conflicts of interest because I have no involvement in any businesses.
* But now that he knows about the Centene investment by his blind trust, what does he do about it?…
I have no ability to direct anybody to make an investment or to disinvest. What I can tell you is that we have safeguards in place so there are no conflicts of interest.
* But he did sign off on a statement of economic interest, and Centene is clearly listed…
By law, I have to sign a statement of economic interest. I think that’s a terrific thing. The state should keep that in place. I sign that every year. There are no values associated with any of the items on that. I get it, I go to the signature page and I sign it every single year.
* When did he learn about his blind trust’s investment in Centene?…
I only learned of that literally because a reporter called last week from the BGA.
* Pritzker was then asked about his administration’s pushback against a bill sponsored by Sen. Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) that would’ve mandated set state clawback amounts from companies like Centene. The audio gets a bit crackly at that point, but here’s the response…
That’s kind of a ridiculous connection. First of all, Centene had a contract with the state of Illinois before I became governor. It was the prior governor that signed that contract, that contract went into place before I got into office. And so there’s no, there’s just no relationship in any way. I don’t know quite how to respond to it because again, I’ve divorced myself entirely from making investments, knowing anything about the investments, the amounts of investments, etc. All conflicts of interest are taken care of by virtue of the blind trust and the safeguards that we put in place.
The governor’s office was more pointed with its response last week…
First, existing law provides the authority for the state to claw back excessive profits. … As a result of the Medical Loss Ratio, HFS is currently estimating the department will recoup approximately $220 million from the MCOs in 2020. This will take place after the 18-month bill cycle for 2020 concludes later this year. … The legislation you are referencing would have violated federal requirements and put tens of millions of dollars of federal funding at risk – raising costs for Illinois taxpayers.
* Back to the presser. Did the blind trust fund make a mistake by investing in a state contractor?…
[Crosstalk] When you say a mistake, I think it would be a mistake if there was some conflict of interest, or if I was engaged in it in any way. I was not and there is not.
Please pardon all transcription errors.
* The news media absolutely relishes opportunities to poke holes in a candidate’s self-imposed reforms which go above and beyond state law. The Tribune in particular skewered gubernatorial candidate Glenn Poshard for allegedly breaching his own self-imposed campaign fundraising rules in 1998. Poshard was made to look like the corrupt guy when it was George Ryan who ended up in prison. Click here and here for a little history if that was before your time.
On the other hand, we live in the real world, and, like it or not, candidates have no choice but to deal with the reality of the news business as it stands. And, as the saying goes, if you’re explaining you’re losing in politics, and there was a whole lot of explaining today.
* The Question: How would you rate the governor’s response today? Make sure to explain your answer.
…Adding… Irvin campaign…
Just days after an investigation found that Governor J.B. Pritzker has been personally profiting off an investment in a company that holds one of the largest state contracts, Pritzker doubled down to reporters today refusing to admit the blatant conflict of interest and claimed he knew nothing about the investment despite making a sworn statement that he had examined the document and it was correct.
“It is baffling that Governor Pritzker wants voters to believe he knew nothing about the Centene investment despite signing the very document listing the company, and attesting - under penalty of perjury - that he had examined the document and that it was correct,” Irvin for Illinois campaign spokesperson Eleni Demertzis said. “The governor may think he’s ended this issue at today’s press conference, but there are more questions to be answered like how much money he has personally profited off of this investment and why he’s now claiming he knew nothing about a document he personally signed.”
Pritzker also refused to acknowledge publicly known facts that his own administration blocked legislation in 2021 that would ‘claw back’ the skyrocketing profits of MCOs due to the covid-19 pandemic. Pritzker said today those claims were “totally ridiculous” even though his own administration worked with the MCOs reaping record profits to push back on the legislation.
Pritzker also attempted to deflect blame by claiming his predecessor signed the contract with Centene. But it was the Pritzker administration that ignored concerns from bipartisan legislators, foster parents and public service agencies and forced DCFS youth in care to transition to managed care. The company that held the DCFS managed care contract? Centene.
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Campaign notebook
Monday, Feb 28, 2022 - Posted by Rich Miller
* DGA…
As he bankrolls Richard Irvin’s bogus “law and order” campaign and parades as a public safety advocate, billionaire Ken Griffin has firms with millions of dollars invested in gun and ammunition manufacturing companies.
New reporting from WBEZ details how Griffin’s “$46 billion hedge fund — Citadel — and its corporate cousin had investments and holdings in gun and ammunition manufacturing companies, federal securities records show.”
WBEZ continues that in Chicago: “one out of every four guns recovered from city homicides in the past five years came off the assembly lines of companies in which Citadel held shares — weapons that have played a role in the same, worsening crime wave that Griffin blames on the governor.”
This news comes after the Chicago Tribune slammed Irvin for his record of profiting off of helping clients accused of kidnapping, domestic violence, and other crimes he calls out in campaign ads escape accountability.
Meanwhile, Gov. JB Pritzker has more than doubled funding to reduce gun violence since he took office. Gov. Pritzker recently announced he’s directing $150 million to organizations working to prevent violence through his Reimagine Public Safety Act, which aims to address the root causes of firearm violence in Illinois through targeted, integrated behavioral health services, access to economic opportunities, and violence interruption and prevention programs.
…Adding… DPI…
Over the weekend, WBEZ reported Ken Griffin’s hedge fund, Citadel, and its related companies hold at least $86 million in investments in several gun manufacturers. In fact, WBEZ’s analysis shows that nearly one out of every four guns recovered from Chicago homicides in the past five years were made by companies in which Citadel held shares.
Griffin has already poured $20 million into Richard Irvin’s campaign, the head of the Rauner Reboot slate of statewide candidates, as well as more than $100,000 into the Illinois Republican Party. While Griffin’s companies hold tens of millions in gun investments, Irvin and other Republicans are shamelessly trying to politicize crime as a campaign issue for the fall. This comes after Irvin was already caught hiding his history as a criminal defense attorney who helped those accused of domestic violence, kidnapping, assaulting police officers, and other heinous crimes.
So does “tough on crime” Richard Irvin have a problem taking money from Ken Griffin’s gun investments? Nope – a campaign official told WBEZ, “Irvin does not take issue with Citadel’s investments and holdings.”
Those doing anti-violence work disagree. Here’s what Rev. Michael Pfleger, pastor of Faith Community of St. Sabina, told WBEZ:
“You absolutely cannot be a voice about crime and murder or shootings on our streets when your company is a major investor in gun manufacturers. It’s absolutely hypocritical…How do you talk about what the governor is doing about crime when you are a major investor to the very industry and the gun manufacturers that are the major contributors to the crime and the violence in our cities. How hypocritical is that?”
* Irvin campaign…
J.B. Pritzker’s statement of economic interest proves he knew his supposed “blind trust” invested in Centene, a vendor with whom he granted one of the largest state contracts in Illinois. Despite desperate spin from the governor’s spokespeople, the fact is Pritzker personally signed his statement of Economic Interest form on April 29, 2021, that listed Centene as a company in which he invested.
“The people of Illinois are all too familiar with governors trying to profit off state contracts - see Rod Blagojevich - but a billionaire doing it takes this scandal to an entirely new level,” said Irvin for Illinois Campaign spokesperson Eleni Demertzis. “These are very serious allegations, and the governor must explain how much money he made off the Centene investment and why he didn’t instruct advisors to not invest in companies with state contracts.”
In the same year that Pritzker invested in Centene, his Administration oversaw several state actions and events that significantly benefited the company’s finances. Since the news broke, the administration will not say if the Governor ever instructed managers of his trust to refrain from investing in any companies with state contracts. It is also unknown how much money the Governor made from this investment.
* I seriously doubt whomever is chosen will be running in the primary because Cullerton was mapped into the 23rd with fellow Senate Democrat Suzy Glowiak Hilton…
Democratic leaders in the state’s 23rd Senate district are working to find a replacement for Sen. Thomas Cullerton with just 20 days remaining until candidates must submit petitions to appear on the June primary ballot.
Cullerton resigned Wednesday as his lawyers indicated he intends to change his plea involving corruption charges against him.
* The local news media headlines have so far been few and modest, the mailers and TV ads have yet to hit, so take this with a gigantic grain of salt, particularly since no negatives were pushed…
Rep. Marie Newman’s campaign is heartened by some internal polling that shows she’s running neck and neck with Rep. Sean Casten in the 6th Congressional District Democratic primary.
According to the polling memo obtained by Playbook, the two Democrats each received 37 percent support with 26 percent undecided when first asked about who voters would support. Then, “after hearing positive descriptions of Newman and Casten and no criticisms of either,” Newman edged Casten 48 percent to 39 percent, according to the polling memo.
The memo doesn’t explain what questions were asked but does indicate that the poll was conducted after headlines about the House Ethics Committee looking into whether Newman promised a job to someone in exchange for them not running against her in 2020. The poll also was conducted before news came out about a complaint alleging Casten’s 2018 campaign illegally worked with a super PAC funded by his father to air attack ads against his primary opponent at the time.
According to the polling memo, “Forty-seven percent (47%) of 2020 Democratic Primary voters live in Newman’s old C.D. 3, compared to only 21% who reside in the old (Casten) boundaries of C.D. 6.” In other words, Newman is polling right about where she should be at the start and Casten is polling well above where he should be.
* Pastor Corey Brooks has often featured Republican candidates and incumbents at his church or during his events. He hosted Rod Blagojevich the other day and revealed his partisan inclinations…
“People are going to ask me, ‘Okay, pastor, why do you have a former Democratic governor on the rooftop talking to you?’ And my answer to that is when you were the governor, I was on the opposite side. I’m a conservative Republican. So a lot of the policies that you had in place, I didn’t agree with,” the pastor said. “(But) you always allowed me to talk with you…and I appreciated that.”
* Press release…
Today, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford, Senate Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz, Senator Melinda Bush, Senator Sara Feigenholtz, Senator Elgie Sims, Assistant House Majority Leader Marcus Evans, former Illinois Senate President John Cullerton, former State Senator and State Representative Susan Garrett, and former State Senator Heather Steans announced their endorsement of Judge Elizabeth Rochford in her campaign for the Illinois Supreme Court’s 2nd district.
The current and former elected officials released the following statement in support of Judge Rochford:
“As state legislators who have been on the front lines of some of the biggest policy achievements Illinois has seen, we know that we can never take for granted who is sitting on the bench of the highest court in our state. At a time when there is so much at stake for our state and our democracy as a whole, it’s never been more important to have Supreme Court Justices who have judicial experience and knowledge of the law. That’s why we’re proud to support Judge Elizabeth Rochford, whose expertise is unparalleled in this race. Over the coming years, the Supreme Court will weigh in on a litany of issues that have an impact on the lives and livelihoods of all Illinoisans, and we are confident Judge Rochford will bring the steady, experienced judicial hand we deserve.”
Judge Rochford was recently endorsed by Secretary of State Jesse White, who called her a “brilliant judge” with “superb judicial experience.” Rochford has also been endorsed by the Illinois State AFL-CIO, IUOE Local 399, UFCW Local 881, Plumbers Local Union 130 UA, the Lake County Building & Construction Trades Council and its 18 local affiliate trade unions, and the McHenry County Building & Construction Trades Councils and its 26 local affiliate trade unions.
* Sullivan…
Following news reports of Illinois gas stations charging drivers more than $4 a gallon to fill up, Republican gubernatorial candidate Jesse Sullivan today pledged to support legislation permanently repealing the 2019 gas tax hike signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker.
“The governor’s energy agenda not only made Illinoisans more dependent on foreign tyrants like Vladimir Putin to heat their homes and drive their cars, he also forced working families to pay billions of dollars more in gas taxes for the privilege,” Sullivan said.
“With oil prices surging after Putin’s invasion of Ukraine and inflation hitting record highs, our leaders must do everything in their power to ensure Illinois families don’t face even more pain at the pump. On day one in Springfield, our administration will support legislation to fully and permanently repeal Pritzker’s gas tax hike.”
…Adding… Would somebody please tell Mr. Sullivan that the Keystone Pipeline originates in a foreign country?…
…Adding… Missed this one…
One of Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s top City Council allies said she will “absolutely not” support her campaign for re-election and criticized the mayor for being divisive, comments that reflect broader discontent with Lightfoot’s leadership style as she prepares to seek a second term.
Ald. Susan Sadlowski Garza, who Lightfoot tapped to lead the City Council Workforce Development Committee that often handles union contract issues, made the comments in an interview on the Ben Joravsky Show podcast after being asked if she would support the a second term for the mayor.
“I’m tired of being ignored. I’m tired of not getting phone calls returned. I’m tired of letting the inmates run the asylum. Yeah, no. Absolutely not,” Garza said in the podcast, published over the weekend. “I have never met anybody who has managed to p*ss off every single person they come in contact with — police, fire, teachers, aldermen, businesses, manufacturing, and that’s it. I said it. That’s it. I don’t care.”
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