* This is confirmed…
…Adding… Presents, I’m told, were Didech, Deluca, Cassidy, Willis, Yingling, Williams and Scherer. Madigan actually passed, I’m told now.
…Adding… Well, this is an interesting pic. Rep. Chris Welch meets with a large number of House Democratic women at the BOS Center…
…Adding… Rep. Ann Williams…
Today I withdrew my candidacy for the Speaker of the Illinois House when it became clear I would be unable to garner the requisite 60 votes. I couldn’t be more grateful for all those who encouraged and supported me along the way. I am proud of what we accomplished and the steps we took to begin a new chapter in the Illinois House. We made history. The House Democratic Caucus continues to debate the best path forward and I am confident that we will reach a decision together and get to work for the people of Illinois. I will continue to push for strong and independent women to lead - not just in the Illinois House, but at all levels of government.
*** UPDATE 1 *** I’m being told that it’s all but done. There’s just no path to win for Rep. Hoffman and it’s now a matter of getting to the final deal. Rep. Welch has told a person close to him that he believes there will be another vote tonight and he’ll get to at least 60.
*** UPDATE 2 *** And here it is…
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* Sun-Times…
The Latinx Caucus will endorse Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch as the next speaker of the Illinois House on Tuesday, a day after the Black Caucus chose the Hillside Democrat as its candidate, sources told the Chicago Sun-Times.
Three sources — one of them within the House Latinx Caucus — confirmed the decision.
With the Black Caucus’ backing potentially providing 22 votes, and all nine Latinx Caucus members endorsing Welch, he could have 31 of the 60 votes needed to become speaker.
* Press release…
Today, Rep. Stephanie Kifowit withdrew her name from consideration for Illinois Speaker of the House, and issued the following statement:
“On October 1, I stood up and announced my intention to run for Speaker of the House in Illinois’s 102nd General Assembly, at a time when it was assumed that Speaker Madigan would easily retain his speakership. I believed then, as I do now, that our caucus deserved a choice for new leadership in the State of Illinois.
“With additional individuals entering this race yesterday, it is clear that I do not have a path to 60 votes — but I am encouraged and energized by the fact that the caucus has a real choice in candidates for Speaker for the first time in 38 years. I am excited for the state of Illinois, and I look forward to serving in the 102nd General Assembly under new leadership”.
She deserves a lot of credit for sticking her neck out there when nobody else would.
This post will be updated. I think they’re getting close to a vote. But the results will likely be on its own separate post.
* Profiles in courage…
*** UPDATE *** Rep. Ann Williams has just dropped out of the race, I’m told. Also being told she will vote “Present” during the roll call.
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Kinzinger will vote to impeach President Trump
Tuesday, Jan 12, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Tribune…
Illinois U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger said Tuesday he will vote to impeach President Donald Trump, saying he “encouraged an angry mob to storm the United States Capitol.”
“There is no doubt in my mind that the president of the United States broke his oath of office and incited this insurrection. He used his position in the executive (branch) to attack the legislative (branch). So, in assessing the articles of impeachment brought before the House, I must consider: if these actions … are not worthy of impeachment, then what is an impeachable offense?” Kinzinger said in a statement. “I will vote in favor of impeachment.”
Kinzinger is the third Republican in the U.S. House to say he will vote to impeach the president. Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyoming, the third-ranking Republican in the chamber, and Rep. John Katko, R-New York, also have said they will vote to remove the president during his final days in office.
…Adding… What a country…
…Adding… Tribune…
The Illinois National Guard will deploy roughly 200 service members to Washington, D.C., ahead of President-elect Joseph Biden’s inauguration, state officials confirmed Tuesday.
The Illinois contingent will consist primarily of military police and security forces, a reflection of a recent FBI warning about the possibility of armed protests surrounding the swearing-in ceremony on Jan. 20. The state also will be sending soldiers and airmen to help with logistics and communications, as well as an Air National Guard chaplain.
The service members are expected to arrive in Washington as early as Wednesday. Their presence has been requested by the District of Columbia, according to state officials.
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* This is happening while the House Democrats are right now talking about their next Speaker…
* As I told subscribers this morning, lots of members are talking about this. I asked for a statement from Welch a while ago and I’ve since heard that another outlet is about to run their own story, so you can click here to read the background report. Whew. Here’s Rep. Welch’s full statement…
This verbal argument occurred nearly two decades ago. I will be honest that I have reconciled with the individual since that night. In fact, after our dispute we sought out the authorities ourselves. Their family lives in my district and are proud supporters of my public service and work. However, I must convey my dismay over the lack of decency displayed by the GOP politicians and their urge to use this report against me. At no other occasion have these events been brought up and I firmly believe my Republican colleagues are threatened by the potential growth of my profile.
I understand that the circumstances around this incident are troubling and I will, to the best of my ability, answer questions while respecting the other individual’s privacy.
I’ll update if need be.
*** UPDATE 1 *** This 2010 lawsuit just came in over the transom…
It appears Ms. Johnson voluntarily dismissed the case shortly thereafter.
I’ve asked Rep. Welch’s spokesperson for a comment.
*** UPDATE 2 *** The Tribune story is up. The paper did not talk to either woman and here’s one tidbit I didn’t have…
Johnson went on to run against Welch in the 2012 Democratic primary for state representative. She finished third in a contest Welch won by 36 votes. Welch, an attorney at Ancel Glink, went on to win the fall general election and has served in the Illinois House ever since.
*** UPDATE 3 *** Another one…
The full document is here.
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* Greg Hinz at Crain’s…
With two major new candidates entering the fray, Illinois House Democrats later today are set to renew efforts to select a new speaker—while incumbent Mike Madigan hangs in the wings in case they come up short.
The new contenders include Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch of Hillside, who threw his hat into the ring late yesterday after picking up an endorsement from the Legislature’s Black Caucus, and downstate Democratic leader Rep. Jay Hoffman of Swansea. Hoffman hasn’t formally announced his campaign, but insiders say he is lining up support and has some backing from organized labor and trial lawyers, two important Democratic funding groups.
Welch and Hoffman would join North Side independent Ann Williams, who in an initial caucus vote yesterday got far more support than anyone except Madigan. Madigan has “suspended” but not ended his campaign for a new term as speaker.
At the moment, key insiders tell me, Welch appears to have the strongest base of support, with the 22 members of the Black Caucus and potentially the Latino caucus and other Madigan backers.
* WTTW…
Welch led a special investigative panel formed to probe whether Madigan’s role as the subject of a bribery scheme by Commonwealth Edison made Madigan unfit to hold public office. Under Welch’s leadership, Democrats on the panel protected Madigan from having to testify.
Critics say it’s an indication that Welch would be a Madigan puppet.
“Madigan 2.0,” tweeted Alaina Hampton, a political strategist who used to work for Madigan’s political army but later sued Madigan’s political committees, alleging retaliation after she came forward with sexual harassment allegations against a Madigan aide.
One moderate Democratic legislator from the suburbs said he’s backing Welch with the belief that Welch will be able to unite the caucus and that he can assemble a campaign apparatus worthy of the strong one Madigan built; the lawmaker said he doubts Williams could do so given that her progressive, reliably Democratic district.
* Rep. Kam Buckner is the incoming chair of the House Black Caucus…
In 2021, do we really think it is appropriate to call a Black man and the Black Caucus ‘puppets’? Or are we ready to acknowledge that we can think for ourselves?
…Adding… I asked Welch about this the other day and he said he wasn’t aware of anyone approaching Durkin on his behalf…
*** UPDATE *** Sun-Times…
The Latinx Caucus will endorse Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch as the next speaker of the Illinois House on Tuesday, a day after the Black Caucus chose the Hillside Democrat as its candidate, sources told the Chicago Sun-Times.
Three sources — one of them within the House Latinx Caucus — confirmed the decision.
With the Black Caucus’ backing potentially providing 22 votes, and all nine Latinx Caucus members endorsing Welch, he could have 31 of the 60 votes needed to become speaker.
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* Press release…
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today reported 6,642 new confirmed and probable cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Illinois, including 117 additional deaths.
- Adams County: 1 male 80s
- Champaign County: 1 female 70s, 1 female 90s
- Clark County: 1 female 80s
- Coles County: 1 male 60s
- Cook County: 1 male 40s, 1 female 50s, 1 female 60s, 5 males 60s, 3 females 70s, 3 males 70s, 2 females 80s, 4 males 80s, 1 female 90s
- Cumberland County: 1 female 70s
- DeKalb County: 1 male 70s, 1 female 90s
- DuPage County: 1 female 30s, 1 female 60s, 1 female 70s, 1 male 70s, 2 females 90
- Fayette County: 1 female 80s
- Ford County: 1 female 80s
- Franklin County: 1 female 90s
- Hamilton County: 1 female 90s
- Henderson County: 1 male 80s
- Henry County: 1 female 100+
- Jefferson County: 1 male 70s
- Jersey County: 1 female 60s, 1 male 70s, 1 female 80s, 1 male 80s
- Kane County: 1 female 60s, 1 male 70s, 2 females 80s, 1 male 80s, 1 male 90s
- Kankakee County: 1 female 70s, 1 male 80s
- Knox County: 1 female 80s
- Lake County: 1 male 30s, 1 male 50s, 1 female 60s, 1 female 70s, 1 female 90s
- Lee County: 1 female 50s
- Macoupin County; 1 female 60s
- Madison County: 1 female 50s, 1 female 60s, 2 males 60s, 2 males 70s, 2 females 80s, 1 female 90s, 1 female 100+
- Marion County: 1 female 90s
- Mason County: 1 female 80s
- Massac County: 1 female 80s
- McDonough County: 1 male 40s
- McHenry County: 1 male 80s
- Mercer County: 1 female 80s
- Monroe County: 1 male 90s
- Montgomery County: 1 female 70s, 1 female 80s
- Morgan County: 1 female 80s
- Moultrie County: 1 female 80s
- Peoria County: 1 female 80s, 1 male 80s
- Pope County: 1 male 80s
- Randolph County: 1 female 80s
- Rock Island County: 3 females 70s
- Saline County: 1 male 80s
- Sangamon County: 1 female 90s, 1 male 90s
- St. Clair County: 1 male 60s, 1 male 70s, 1 female 80s, 1 male 80s, 2 females 90s
- Stephenson County: 1 female 60s
- Vermilion County: 1 female 70s, 2 males 80s
- Wayne County: 1 male 80s
- Whiteside County: 1 male 60s
- Will County: 1 male 20s, 1 male 50s, 1 female 60s, 1 female 80s, 1 male 80s, 2 females 90s, 1 male 90s
- Williamson County: 1 male 40s
- Winnebago County: 1 male 40s, 1 male 70s, 1 male 80s
Currently, IDPH is reporting a total of 1,040,168 cases, including 17,743 deaths, in 102 counties in Illinois. The age of cases ranges from younger than one to older than 100 years. Within the past 24 hours, laboratories have reported 93,491 specimens for a total 14,263,477. As of last night, 3,553 in Illinois were reported to be in the hospital with COVID-19. Of those, 757 patients were in the ICU and 409 patients with COVID-19 were on ventilators.
The preliminary seven-day statewide positivity for cases as a percent of total test from January 5–11, 2021 is 7.5%. The preliminary seven-day statewide test positivity from January 5–11, 2021 is 8.6%.
*All data are provisional and will change. In order to rapidly report COVID-19 information to the public, data are being reported in real-time. Information is constantly being entered into an electronic system and the number of cases and deaths can change as additional information is gathered. Information for a death previously reported has changed, therefore, today’s numbers have been adjusted. For health questions about COVID-19, call the hotline at 1-800-889-3931 or email dph.sick@illinois.gov.
* Related…
* Pritzker to Announce This Week When Illinois Will Move to Phase 1B for Vaccinations
* Some Illinois communities begin second phase of COVID-19 vaccinations. Pritzker plans to unveil statewide timeline this week.
*** UPDATE *** Press release…
Beginning today, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is now reporting coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccination data on its website, with data to be updated daily and additional data to be provided as available. It is important to note that vaccine distribution figures are reported in real time, while vaccine administration figures are reported with as much as a 72-hour lag.
As of last night, 638,150 doses of vaccine were delivered to providers in Illinois, including Chicago. In addition, approximately 231,475 doses have been allocated to the federal government’s Pharmacy Partnership Program for long-term care facilities. This brings the total Illinois doses to 869,625. IDPH is currently reporting a total of 353,791 vaccines administered, including 41,075 for long-term care facilities. The 7-day rolling average of vaccines administered daily is 24,200 doses.
“Throughout the pandemic we have used data to guide our decisions and actions and we will continue to do so for vaccine administration,” said IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. “Illinois is a very diverse state, geographically and in the make-up of its population. It is important to track where we are seeing both high and low vaccination rates. These data will help us understand what actions we can take to end this pandemic as quickly as possible.”
Data on the IDPH website include the number of doses administered, the vaccination rate per population, and what percent of the population is fully vaccinated. These data are broken down by county. Additionally, the website includes information on the COVID-19 Community Vulnerability Index (CCVI), also broken down by county. The CCVI looks at indicators such as socioeconomic status, household composition, type of housing and transportation, epidemiological facts, as well as access to health care. Additional data and means to track vaccination rates will be added as available.
Vaccination data can be found on the IDPH website at www.dph.illinois.gov/covid19/vaccinedata.
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* Sun-Times…
Lawmakers sent a bill designed to address racial inequities in education and the resulting divisions to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s desk on Monday, while a second crucial pillar of the state’s Legislative Black Caucus agenda — criminal justice reform — was discussed in a House committee.
On the fourth day of the lame duck legislative session, state Sen. Kimberly Lightford, D-Maywood, spoke on behalf of the education component of the Black Caucus’ omnibus bill.
The education measures passed, 40 to 18.
On Monday evening, the House gave final approval, voting in favor, 69 to 41, with eight members not voting.
* SJ-R…
The 21-page bill focuses on improving the education of minority students, including creating new programs to support early childhood education, creating a task force to support equitable environments in Illinois schools, revising the state’s standards for high school students, establishing a six-week summer program to help students in poverty, and enhancing programs to keep Black students from leaving the state to go to college. […]
Before the vote, Lightford debated with Sen. Chapin Rose, R-Champaign, about a provision in the bill that would allow schools with at least 49% of students receiving Pell Grants to match 20% of financial aid funds given to students. Schools that had less than 49% could match 60% of the funds.
Rose said the bill would derail the goals of the AIM HIGH legislation that he supported in 2019. That act allowed for schools to help low-income students discount tuition to attend public universities in Illinois. […]
“The amount of money that kids receive doesn’t change,” Lightford said. “We support AIM HIGH. We’re trying to make sure that university presidents are able to give as many scholarships as they are able to give.”
* Chalkbeat…
The omnibus legislation would create major changes to high school graduation requirements, starting in 2024-2025. Such shifts would ensure that more students meet admission standards for the University of Illinois, proponents said. The new diploma requirements include two years of laboratory sciences, two years of a foreign language, and one year of computer literacy.
The education bill also requires that schools automatically enroll qualifying students into advanced courses, such as Advanced Placement and dual credit. That move is intended to broaden access for students of color and eliminate bias in who is selected to participate in the courses.
Other parts of the legislation include initiatives to address the teacher shortage, increase educator diversity, improve access to early childhood education, and push the Illinois state board to revamp the American History curriculum to do a better job incorporating Black history.
An effort to extend the school calendar to make up for the coronavirus interruption did not make it into the final version. In its current form, the bill requires that a panel of education leaders consider short-term and long-term goals to address the digital divide and impact of school closures on students.
* Related…
* Bill to end Medicaid managed care advances in House
* Governor weighs in on criminal justice reform bill
* Economic equity bill draws scrutiny
* ADDING: Black Caucus bills include important police reforms
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* Sun-Times…
With the spotlight focused elsewhere, such as the Mike Madigan saga and the Black Caucus push for criminal justice reform, the Illinois Senate voted Monday to raise retirement benefits for 2,200 Chicago firefighters in a way that would saddle beleaguered city taxpayers with $850 million in added costs by 2055.
The bill already had passed the Illinois House and now awaits Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s signature or veto.
It was introduced by Sen. Robert Martwick, D-Chicago, when Martwick was a state representative. Martwick, a political nemesis of Mayor Lori Lightfoot, has since been appointed to the Illinois Senate to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of state Sen. John Mulroe.
Martwick’s bill removes the “birth date restriction” that prohibits roughly 2,200 active and retired firefighters born after Jan. 1, 1966 from receiving a simple, 3% annual cost of living increase. Instead, they get half that amount, 1.5% — and it is not compounded.
“Mayor Lightfoot believes strongly that we must work toward a comprehensive pension solution which keeps the promises made to retirees and which sets pension funds across the state on a path to solvency,” the mayor’s office said in a statement issued after the vote.
Passing this bill, “effectively under the cover of darkness in a rushed lame duck session, accomplishes neither of these important objectives, but does pass on a massive, unfunded mandate to the taxpayers of Chicago at a time when there are no extra funds to cover this new obligation,” the statement continued. It called the bill “irresponsible” and said it would leave taxpayers “on the hook” for $18 million to $30 million per year, or over $850 million by 2055.
* Martwick’s explanation…
State Senator Rob Martwick (D-Chicago) passed a measure Monday that creates transparency regarding the true conditions of the firefighter pensions system and provides an accurate path for stability.
Under current law, the cost of living for firefighters in every community other than Chicago is set at 3% compounding. Chicago firefighters receive a far lower cost of living adjustment of either 3% simple or 1.5% simple with a 30% total cap, which is the lowest cost of living adjustment in the state. However, while the law suggests that that firefighters who are born after a certain date will receive the lower 1.5% cola amount, in practice that date has been moved forward nearly every 5 years for the last 40 years.
The effect is that every Tier 1 Chicago firefighter ultimately receives a 3% simple cola, but the City’s pension contribution are calculated on the lower amount that is written into law. This knowingly and intentionally underfunds a pension system that is currently only 18% funded, and teetering on the brink of collapse. Continuing to knowingly short the payment for short term relief could force the fund into insolvency, and will make the problem exponentially worse and causing massive tax increases in the near future.
House Bill 2451 removes this outdated language and sets the cost of living adjustment for all Tier 1 Chicago Firefighters at 3% SIMPLE. This remains substantially less than the compounding COLA that their counterparts receive, but is reflective of the actual benefit they will receive in retirement.
“This legislation shines a light on the true financial condition of the fund and prevents the City from knowingly and intentionally kicking the pension can down the road, forcing bigger tax increases in the future,” Martwick said. The only way to truly fix our finances is to first acknowledge the true depth and nature of the problem. Only then can we adequately address it for the good of both our first responders and our taxpayers.”
…Adding… From comments…
Lightfoot could not convince a single Chicago legislator to vote No.
The elected school board bill was moved from 2nd to 3rd today.
Expect more fireworks.
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Question of the day
Tuesday, Jan 12, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Today could very well be the last full day that Michael J. Madigan is Illinois House Speaker. After 50 years in the House and 36 years as the chamber’s top leader, how about you reflect on his time in office?
…Adding… Justin Fowler of the State Journal-Register is the pool photographer. Wow, what a pic…
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* IDCCA…
In light of the FBI note that warns of potential armed protests being planned at all 50 state capitols and the US Capitol, President Kristina Zahorik of the Illinois Democratic County Chairs Association (IDCCA) released the following statement and called on all Illinois Republicans to publicly acknowledge Joe Biden was officially elected President:
“Yesterday’s news that the FBI is warning of armed protests at state capitols is alarming, but not surprising. These dangerous threats should be labeled exactly what they are, domestic terrorism. The voters have spoken, the courts have spoken, and the Congress has spoken. Joe Biden was elected the next President.”
“Republicans throughout Illinois, including County Clerks and other Election authorities, should publicly denounce these violent calls to action and clearly state that Joe Biden was elected President in a free and fair election. Anything less will be considered approval of these attacks against democracy.”
Your own thoughts on this?
…Adding… The ILGOP notes that the party “denounced any and all violence the day the attack happened” and “neither the ILGOP nor the Chairman has ever said the election was stolen.”
…Adding… More…
…Adding… The ILGOP and others might also want to speak out on this…
…Adding… Uihlein’s campaign contributions, both state and federal, are here. [Fixed link]
…Adding… Here’s one…
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* The ILBC includes members in both chambers…
We want to thank Speaker Madigan for his dedication to public service and leadership. We believe that in order to unite our state and party, we need to nominate a leader who will bridge the divide and seek solutions for our urgent issues. Rep. Chris Welch has worked his entire life to advocate for his district and for communities across the state. We are confident he will succeed in leading our party and prioritizing our communities.
…Adding… From Rep. Welch…
I am honored to be called upon my colleagues from the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus to put my name in for consideration. This historic moment in Illinois and across the country calls for new representation and unity of democratic beliefs. I want to thank Speaker Madigan for his leadership - it has been a challenging year for us all but I am grateful for his commitment to serving the public.
…Adding… Press release…
The Faith in Place Action Fund stands in solidarity with the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus in their unanimous support of Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch (D-Hillside) for Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives.
The Faith in Place Action Fund has worked closely with Rep. Welch to advance their mission: people of faith and conscience promoting political action for environmental justice in Illinois.
This included Rep. Welch being the chief sponsor of HR234 in 2017 (100th General Assembly), a resolution declaring “that we work together to create an environmental justice agenda that creates clean energy jobs that are accessible to all, addresses gender inequities and income disparities as we move toward a green economy, reduces recidivism rates while curbing climate change, and shapes policy that addresses the adverse and disproportionate impacts of climate change upon communities of color and economically-disadvantaged communities.”
Faith in Place Action Fund has worked closely with Rep. Welch to advance this agenda. His outspoken and tireless advocacy towards passing crucial legislation such as the Clean Energy Jobs Act is evidence of his commitment to people and justice. As a result, he receives their full endorsement, as they know he is the right leader at this moment to work for justice and equity on behalf of all Illinoisans.
“Our injustices are rooted in systematic racism and this moment calls for Black leadership at the Statehouse in Springfield to advance policies that connect the dots between mass incarceration, environmentalism, and a just economy. Rep. Welch is the candidate qualified to provide us this inspired leadership.” - Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III, Board Chair, Faith in Place Action Fund
The Faith in Place Action Fund is ready to work with Rep. Welch as Speaker of the Illinois House to continue to champion justice and equity focused legislation. They look forward to ongoing collaboration with the lead sponsor of the Clean Energy Jobs Act, Rep. Ann Williams (D-Chicago), who is also running for Speaker as a dedicated environmental champion.
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* 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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