* From Economic Security for Illinois…

Economic Security for Illinois put together district data to demonstrate how a state Child Tax Credit would benefit each district if created this year. The policy would directly funnel needed dollars into every single legislative district and directly support half of all Illinois children.

This afternoon there’s a subject matter hearing in the Senate Revenue Committee on SB1444, a bill to create a $700 per child Child Tax Credit for all taxpayers earning median income or less. (Joint filers earning less than $75,000 and single/head-of-household tax filers earning less than $50,000 would be eligible to receive the credit, with a credit phase out at $25,000 over the income threshold.)

Given recent news about the state’s budget, the 40+ organizations in the Illinois Cost-of-Living Refund Coalition have been working diligently with legislative leadership and the Governor’s office to create a credit that is large and inclusive enough to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Illinois families, while balancing the realities of this year’s budget. Our newly modified proposal reduces the value of the credit to $300 per child credit in order to accomplish both of these goals.

A state Child Tax Credit would have a massive total impact, benefitting 1.5+ million children at a cost to the state of $280M. That’s spending 0.5% of the state’s total budget to support half of all families in every single legislative district. Families would receive a check that they could use to pay for groceries, housing, and the rising cost of living.

Last year, we found members enjoyed comparing how much money would flow into their district with refundable tax credits (last year it was the EITC). For that reason, we wanted to give you the opportunity to publish the full data set for the proposed Child Tax Credit. The data show the impact of a Child Tax Credit with a $300 per child value with an 80% uptake rate.

On average, with our proposed $300 CTC, each House district would receive $ 2,432,727 to support 13,510 kids and each Senate district would receive $ 4,813,596 to support 26,842 kids.

Within districts, the impact can be more substantial. For example, we can estimate that Leader Evans, who is the chief sponsor of the House CTC effort, would see $3.5 + million directed into the households of 18,000+ children. Similarly Senator Koehler, a chief-cosponsor of Sen. Simmons’ bill, would see $5.7 + million directly benefiting 30,000+ children in his district if the state were to create a Child Tax Credit program.

All districts in both chambers can be found here.

I asked Isabel to sort out the top ten and bottom ten Senate districts based on the number of children…

* Rep. Caulkins is, as promised, three and done…

When state Rep. Dan Caulkins, R-Decatur, announced his Illinois House candidacy in 2017, he promised that, if elected, he would decline a pension, not take a state healthcare plan, donate his salary and only serve three, two-year terms.

Having already followed through on the first three, Caulkins is now making good on that last pledge, confirming to Lee Enterprises that he will not seek reelection in 2024.

He’ll be forever remembered as the guy who participated in a Zoomed committee hearing in tan pants, which some people mistook for no pants.

* Media advisory…

Nearly 90% of school districts across the state have reported a teacher shortage problem, with even more believing the crisis will worsen in the years to come.

To tackle the school staffing crunch, members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus have outlined a tangible solution to the ongoing issue through a legislative package. They will expand upon their plan at a press conference Thursday.

WHO: Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford (D-Maywood), Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood), Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea), Dubois Elementary School professional Shalanda Gaines

WHAT: Press conference on measures to address teacher shortage

WHEN: Thursday, April 27 at 9:30 a.m.

* Center Square just can’t help itself…

The former attorney general of neighboring Indiana is speaking out on how Illinois officials deal with the state’s crime problem.

Curtis Hill, Jr., former Indiana attorney general and an ambassador for the black conservative coalition Project 21, said Chicago mayor-elect Brandon Johnson was a poor choice by voters as he “listens to the cries of criminals and hoods instead of the pleas for help from honest citizens wanting to live in peace.”

Tomorrow on Center Square: What does Missouri’s most obscure state legislator think of Chris Welch?

…Adding… I pay zero attention to Indiana politics, but a commenter does and mentioned this…

Indiana State Attorney General Curtis T. Hill Jr., a rising star in the Republican party, had his license to practice law suspended for 30 days by the state Supreme Court for inappropriately touching four women during a 2018 party. […]

In their ruling, the five judges that comprise the state Supreme Court wrote that it found “clear and convincing evidence” that Hill committed acts of misdemeanor battery.

Tomorrow on Center Square: George Santos rates fellow freshman US Rep. Jonathan Jackson.

* Press release…

Illinois EPA Director John J. Kim today announced $4 million in funding to the City of Elgin (Cook and Kane Counties) to replace lead service lines in the community. The funding is provided through the Illinois EPA’s State Revolving Fund (SRF), which provides low-interest loan funding for drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater projects. The City of Elgin (City) will not have to repay any of the funding. This is the second time Illinois EPA has provided $4 million to the City for lead service line replacement as the Agency first issued $4 million in January 2022 to replace approximately 398 lead service lines.

“Illinois EPA is pleased to continue working with the City of Elgin and providing vital funding for lead service line replacements,” said Director Kim. “As communities work to identify and replace lead service lines, funding will be one of the greatest challenges. Illinois EPA remains committed to working with our communities to secure available funding and provide technical assistance.”

The City plans to replace approximately 350 lead services lines within the community with this funding. Their most recent material inventory identified over 11,000 known lead service lines within the community. Service lines are small pipes that carry drinking water from water mains into homes. Many older homes built prior to 1990 may have lead service lines or lead containing plumbing fixtures or faucets. Lead is a toxic metal that can accumulate in the body over time. Lead can enter drinking water when corrosion of pipes and/or fixtures occurs. Eliminating lead service lines in homes will help to reduce lead exposure for residents. For resources on lead in your home, visit: https://epa.illinois.gov/general-information/in-your-home/resources-on-lead.html.

Since State Fiscal Year 2017, the Illinois EPA has provided Lead Service Line Replacement (LSLR) Principal Forgiveness for projects directly related to activities that reduce or eliminate lead from potable water. To date, Illinois EPA has provided over $93 million in funding for lead service line replacement. LSLR principal forgiveness is available up to a maximum amount of $4 million per loan recipient until the allotted funds are expended. Illinois EPA anticipates distributing the $25 million remaining under this program allotment by June 30, 2023.

* Brandon Johnson media advisory…

Mayor-Elect Brandon Johnson to Tour Mid-America Carpenters Union’s Chicago Training Center

Tour will include meeting with one of Union’s First-Ever All-Female Pre-Apprentice Classes

* From Jason Baumann…

Rich,

I thought you would find this interesting. People say, “write-ins” don’t win. Ask Cam Davis about write-in candidates and their success. Statistics will say that less than 1% of write-in candidates win. Well, Cam did and now Greg Hribal won the Village President Election in Westchester with a commanding lead. See the results below.

* Springfield’s outgoing mayor has some coping issues…

Tuesday’s Committee of the Whole meeting was one of Jim Langfelder’s last meetings as mayor after eight years.

After the meeting, Langfelder expressed that many people he has talked to are still shocked about the election results. […]

“If you’d had the firehouses take place before the election or the Wyndham that was stalled before the election or the sports complex before the election instead of a month after, I think this would not be my last meeting or one of the last meetings but that’s how it goes,” he said.

* I dunno. If it was about the contribution, you’d think it woulda been larger. Then again…

-A billionaire sports team owner asked the mayor for help finding land
-The city offered land reserved for housing low-income families
-The billionaire gave the mayor's campaign $25k
-No-bid lease deal made behind closed doors
-Groundbreaking held weeks before mayor leaves office https://t.co/5BCjK6XZdf

— Mick Dumke (@mickeyd1971) April 26, 2023

* Isabel’s roundup…

* WRSP | EIU union faculty, staff ratify new contract: Members of the Eastern Illinois University (EIU) University Professionals of Illinois (UPI, IFT Local 4100) voted on Tuesday to accept the tentative agreement that was settled on Thursday, April 13, after a six-day strike; 92% voted in favor of the contract.

* ProPublica | As Rail Profits Soar, Blocked Crossings Force Kids to Crawl Under Trains to Get to School: “It is never safe for members of the public to try to cross the cars,” spokesperson Connor Spielmaker said. “We understand that a stopped train is frustrating, but trains can move at any time and with little warning — especially if you are far from the locomotive where the warning bell is sounded when a train starts.” He said trains routinely sit in Hammond for a number of reasons: That section of track is between two busy train intersections that must remain open; Norfolk Southern can’t easily move a train backward or forward, because that would cut off the paths for other trains, which could belong to other companies. And Hammond is a suburb of Chicago, which is the busiest train hub in the nation, creating congestion up and down the network.

* WGLT | After SNAP reduction, food demand spikes at central Illinois pantries: According to the United Nations, over 350 million people worldwide are “marching towards starvation.” In the U.S., food inflation continues to run rampant with the average price of food rising by 9.5% in the past year. The U.S. Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that as recently as last August, food inflation peaked at 11.4%, the highest since May 1979. Those living in central Illinois are not immune from food insecurity. Tara Ingham, executive director of the Midwest Food Bank (MFB), which distributes food to dozens of area food pantries, said demand for food from their partner agencies has increased by 30% in 2023.

* Sun-Times | Cook County judges, court employees ordered to phase out remote work: The order requires employees to be at their “regularly assigned workspace” for 70% of their pay period beginning May 14, three days after the national public health emergency is set to end.

* Crain’s | String of losses sets Illinois GOP insiders against each other in fiery media blitz: One of Tracy’s predecessors as Illinois GOP chair, Pat Brady, said that, up to a point, Illinois Review and its new owners “have a point. Proft has had horrible results,” spending at least $130 million in the past couple of years on races for governor, Illinois Supreme Court judgeships and other losers, he said. But overall, the story behind the story may be no more complicated that a new publication trying to attract an audience and make money by attacking the party establishment, Brady continued, noting that Donald Trump and others have gained by such moves.

* Crain’s | CTU organized teachers at Hope Learning Academy Chicago — and now management is shutting it down: Instead of negotiating increased wages and benefits, the new union said it will now work on a severance package that it hopes will last the employees through the summer. “I gave this company 11 years, and the minute you ask for an opinion and a voice and a seat at the table they say, ‘Forget it, close it down,’ ” said Amie Coleman, an educator at Hope. “This vote was our final stand.”

* Chalkbeat | Chicago schools officials promise more money for students with disabilities, English learners in preliminary budgets: School budgets the district is unveiling to principals this week will grow by almost $1,000 per student — to about $12,740 on average districtwide. But enrollment losses and program changes will mean flat or smaller overall budgets on 18% of the district’s campuses, officials said in a briefing with reporters. On a per student basis, 9% of the city’s 500-plus district-run schools will see stagnant or reduced funding.

* WICS | City discusses proposed co-responder program with Springfield Police: The ordinance would provide over $3 million in grant money toward a co-responder program with Springfield Police. This would allow additional personnel to accompany police on calls. Deputy Chief Josh Stuenkel said there are already grants in place for mental health and social worker programs; however, this grant money would be used to address crime victims, homelessness, and those suffering from substance use.

* WICS | OSHA opens inquiry surrounding death of HVAC worker at Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OHSA) is looking into the incident that killed Gregory Fields, 55, of Springfield. Fields died on Monday, April 10, from injuries he sustained at the Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport while working with an HVAC system.

* Tribune | Cook County moving to ban sale of flavored e-cigarettes as alarm over teen vape use grows: Commissioner Donna Miller plans to introduce the ban at Thursday’s Cook County Board meeting. It bars retailers — limited to those in unincorporated areas of the county — from selling “any flavored nicotine product,” including menthol, fruit, candy, dessert or alcohol flavors but “not the taste or aroma of tobacco,” according to the draft ordinance.

* Sun-Times | Rosati’s Pizza ordered to pay $250,000 in back pay and damages to employees at 5 franchises: Under a judge’s order, the company must make the payments to employees who worked at the franchises in Bloomingdale, Matteson, Plainfield, Richmond and Dyer, Ind. from May 2019 to June 2021, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. The company classified delivery drivers as independent contractors even though it had full control of their hours and tasks, the department said. They also allegedly failed to pay employees overtime wages for hours over 40 in a work week.

* Block Club Chicago | More Than 500 Belmont Cragin Residents Petition To Block Music Festival At Riis Park: ‘We Just Don’t Feel Heard’: AEG Presents plans to host the Chicago leg of The Re:SET concert series June 23-25 at Riis Park, 6100 W. Fullerton Ave. Steve Lacy, Boygenius and LCD Soundsystem are slated to headline what promoters have billed as a single-stage, “artist- and fan-friendly alternative” to major music festivals. Promoters are selling tickets for $129.50 and $650 despite parks officials telling Block Club they haven’t approved any permits for the event.

* Lake County News-Sun | Autistic Highland Park artist creates peace poles to express feelings about parade shooting; ‘It was his way of reaching out to other people’: He witnessed the July 4, 2022 Highland Park parade shooting at Port Clinton Square, and has made a set of eight peace poles to express what he experienced that morning. “I just see this project as the most therapeutic thing that Josh has been able to do since the shooting,” his mother, Pam, of Deerfield said. “More typical ways of talking about and dealing with it don’t necessarily work as well for him.

* Bloomberg | Women’s Basketball Is Raking in More Cash Than Ever, But the Players Aren’t: The WNBA is projected to bring in between $180 million and $200 million in combined league and team revenue this year, up from about $102 million in 2019, according to people familiar with the matter. But players won’t see any of that extra bounty. Base salaries as a share of total revenue actually shrank to around 9.3% in fiscal 2022, which ended on Sept. 30, from 11.1% in fiscal 2019, according to an analysis by Bloomberg News.