* Nexstar Illinois Capitol Bureau Chief…
…Adding… The grievance was filed by the FOP Labor Council, not, as posted in that tweet, the ILFOP.
* They’re calling for Grayson’s full reinstatement and back pay…
The grievance was terminated without just cause. Further, the employer publicly disseminated details of the investigation and termination on Facebook, in violation of the CBA and prior to giving the grievance or his representatives notice of the decision to terminate.
Remedy Sought: Reinstatement and reimbursement of all lost wages, restoration of all lost benefits, and any other appropriate relief.
That Facebook post is here.
* Sonya Massey’s autopsy was released today. A.P.…
Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon had previously disclosed initial findings on Massey’s July 6 death in Springfield and the full autopsy report released Friday confirmed those conclusions, including that her death was a homicide.
The report states that in addition to the bullet striking her just beneath her left eye, Massey had “minor blunt force injuries” to her right leg and she weighed 112 pounds.
The autopsy findings were released shortly before civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who is representing Massey’s family, was scheduled to hold a news conference in Springfield.
* WAND reporter…
* Invisible Institute and Investigative Reporting Workshop…
Invisible Institute, Illinois Public Media and the Investigative Reporting Workshop obtained new records from the Logan County Sheriff’s Office, where Grayson worked for 11 months prior to Sangamon County, that show department officials concluded Grayson ignored internal policies during a high-speed chase, fielded at least two formal complaints about his behavior and told him directly that they had considered firing him.
These records also include audio recordings from a November 2022 interview between Grayson and Logan County’s chief deputy which suggest the department — as well as other police departments that had employed him — were previously aware of issues with his performance and integrity as an officer.
Grayson’s relatively short law enforcement career, during which he moved between six Central Illinois police departments in just four years, has come under scrutiny in the weeks since he shot and killed Sonya Massey on July 6, 2024. […]
By the time he applied to be a deputy at the Logan County Sheriff’s Office in March 2022, Grayson had four different policing jobs across Central Illinois — three part-time gigs and one full time post. “My communication, people-centric nature, and compassion have afforded me excellent critical thinking skills,” Grayson wrote in his application.
But when Logan County officials called his current employer, the Auburn Police Department, they received mixed reviews. Auburn Police Chief Dave Campbell said that, while Grayson was an eager officer who showed up for his shifts early and had never been disciplined, he struggled with report writing and had raised concerns that he was “too aggressive.”
* Sangamon County’s response…
* SJ-R…
An official fundraiser has been set up for the family of Sonya Massey after she was fatally shot by a now former Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputy on July 6.
Massey’s father, James Wilburn, set up a GoFundMe page for the family. The family is asking for $100,000 to cover mental health counseling, supporting for the family, travel costs and household support as the family works to pursue justice for Sonya, according to the page.
“Sonya is remembered as caring and loving mother to her two children, a 17-year-old son and a 15-year-old daughter,” the family wrote on the donation page. “Sonya loved cooking, doing hair, nurturing her children, and spending time with her family. She was also a devoted church member.”
As of Thursday afternoon, the fundraiser had reached about $4,000.
…Adding… WCIA…
WCIA reached out to the police union for comment about the grievance.
“As a labor organization, we have an obligation to protect our members procedural, and due process rights contained in the collective bargaining agreement,” The Illinois FOP said in a statement. “Those rights come with very strict timelines.”
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* Earlier today…
People who live around Logan Correctional Center are trying keep it from being shut down by the state.
* Response from the Illinois Department of Corrections…
The Department has been made aware of a social media posting on Facebook made earlier today. The Department is conducting an internal investigation. CO Angeli has been advised of his administrative leave, effective immediately.
The Illinois Department of Corrections is a multicultural agency deeply committed to ensuring diversity, equity, and inclusion. We want to be clear: the comments made by this individual do not reflect the principles and standards of the Department. We apologize to anyone affected by these remarks and reaffirm our commitment to upholding policies and practices conducive to eliminating all forms of exclusion, including, but not limited to, racism, ageism, ableism, sexism, discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender and gender identity, and religious oppression.
We will continue to educate and engage our team on the importance of environments where all feel valued, respected, and included.
* Angeli has had problems before, so the department’s “education” program apparently didn’t work for him. From 2019…
At least 25 Illinois Department of Corrections employees have taken part in online conversations that mocked, demeaned, or disclosed personal and medical information about transgender inmates — including calling transgender women “it” and “he” — in two private Facebook groups, an Injustice Watch review has found.
The posts were written by low-level officers, sergeants, lieutenants, and other correctional staffers — including a counselor and a parole officer — from across the state. The posts included comments degrading transgender women and outing other LGBTQ prisoners. They openly discussed private information about inmates, including alleged sexual acts and medical treatments they received. […]
The Illinois Department of Corrections has specific rules that prohibit employees from disclosing information related to offender’s records.
In response to a post from April, correctional officer Thomas Angeli, who goes by Tommy Angeli on Facebook, commented about transgender woman Janiah Monroe, who had recently been transferred to a women’s facility. “Saw her in healthcare when she first came in…dude looks nothing like a girl..a tall n skinny guy,” Angeli wrote. Later the officer expressed expectations that the inmate would have “something feminine” by way of sexual organs, but did not.
Maybe he figured his union would save him again.
..Adding… The US 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled just this week that IDOC employees can be fired for this behavior…
The Illinois Department of Corrections suspended corrections sergeant Gary Hicks for 10 days after an internal investigation into his Facebook posts—posts a news article described as “Islamophobic” and “offensive.” The internal investigation concluded that Hicks violated Department policies banning “conduct that is unbecoming of a State employee or that may reflect unfavorably on or impair operations of the Department.” Hicks sued the Department and various officials connected to the disciplinary process under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, alleging a First Amendment retaliation claim and an as-applied Fourteenth Amendment challenge to the Department’s policies. The district court granted summary judgment in favor of the defendants on both claims, and Hicks appeals.
We conclude that Hicks cannot sustain a First Amendment retaliation claim because the Department’s interest in manag- ing its affairs outweighs the interest Hicks had in posting the content. Nor can Hicks sustain an as-applied Fourteenth Amendment challenge because someone in his supervisory position would not have to guess that their actions may be “unbecoming of,” “reflect unfavorably on,” “or impair operations of the Department.” We therefore affirm.
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* ILGOP…
As Democrats from across the country scramble to get into Vice President Kamala Harris’s good graces, JB Prtizker has joined the fray hitting the liberal national media circuit as the latest Governor to kiss the ring in a desperate attempt to leave his state for Washington. Pritzker has made no secret that he has ambitions beyond *just* governing our state.
Illinois Republican Party Chair Kathy Salvi released the following statement:
“No one is surprised that JB Pritzker is chomping at the bit to leave Illinois. He’s shown more interest in campaigning around the country this year than he has in reducing the tax burden that has made Illinois the least “tax friendly” state in the country and 2nd in the country for residents leaving. We welcome Vice President Harris considering Governor Pritzker, because his poor track record would all but guarantee our neighbors, Wisconsin and MIchigan, swing Republican, as they’ve benefitted from the mismanagement of our state by an out of touch billionaire. He’s all yours, madam Vice President.”
Thoughts?
…Adding… DPI…
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* Sun-Times…
PsiQuantum, a Palo Alto, California-based company, is planning a multibillion-dollar investment in Chicago to build the nation’s first commercially useful quantum computer, according to Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office.
The company plans to be the anchor tenant of the state’s future quantum campus at the former U.S. Steel South Works site, breathing life into the long-vacant property. […]
Quantum computing creates infinite combinations of the “binary bits” used by computers to calculate larger and more complex problems. It could lead to the manufacturing of new medical drugs and make sensitive data almost impermeable to hacking, among other possibilities touted by experts.
* Crain’s…
PsiQuantum’s facility will be about 300,000 square feet and employ up to 150 people within five years. The centerpiece of the project is a unique super-cold computing facility where blast furnaces once stood.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker predicts the campus will make Illinois “the undisputed leader of quantum computing,” ultimately attracting more than $20 billion in private and public investment and thousands of jobs. […]
Related Midwest is leading the development of the USX site, which includes another 312 acres beyond the quantum campus. Clayco will oversee construction, and its architecture subsidiary, Lamar Johnson Collaborative, will handle design. The project is a potential lifeline at a time when the pipeline of large construction projects is drying up.
The state will provide $200 million to PsiQuantum in grants, workforce development assistance, a low-interest loan and other incentives in exchange for a minimum investment of $1 billion by the company. Psi is a startup that has raised more than $700 million.
* Business Wire…
To bolster the Quantum Park and help build an even stronger quantum ecosystem, PsiQuantum will partner with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Chicago, University of Illinois Chicago and Northwestern University to collaborate on research projects and explore opportunities to develop educational programs in quantum applications. PsiQuantum’s operations in Chicago will create at least 150 jobs in the next five years and will be critical in developing a strong workforce that includes not only PhDs in quantum physics, but careers in mechanical, optical, and electrical engineering; software development; and technical lab work.
“We’re excited to be partnering with PsiQuantum and the Governor’s office to make the IQMP the leading quantum computing hub in the world,” said University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Chancellor Robert Jones. “The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign along with our other university partners will be working closely with PsiQuantum in the build-out of the cryogenic plant that will support the first US-based utility-scale quantum computer. This collaboration with the PsiQuantum team will bolster Illinois’ quantum workforce and scale this technology into a new quantum reality.”
…Adding… Press release…
Governor JB Pritzker was joined by federal, state, and local leaders and partners to reveal the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park’s (IQMP) location at USX on the South Side of Chicago and announce the quantum campus’ first anchor tenant – PsiQuantum. As the leading quantum computing company focused on building the first useful, error-corrected quantum computer, PsiQuantum will drive innovation, competitive research, and economic growth in Illinois.
“PsiQuantum brings years of foundational research and scientific groundwork, a clear and comprehensive business and tech development strategy, and a global reputation as a pioneer in quantum computing applications—I am thrilled to welcome them to Chicago and have them as a partner in the work ahead of us,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Our vision of Illinois as a global quantum capital comes further into focus at Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park, providing limitless opportunities for economic investment and innovation right here on the South Side.” […]
“Governor Pritzker and his administration have made extraordinary progress in establishing the state as a global leader in quantum computing, and PsiQuantum is thrilled to partner with them and anchor the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park,” said Prof. Jeremy O’Brien, PsiQuantum CEO and co-founder. “The IQMP will serve as a hub for the state’s thriving quantum ecosystem, and we can think of no better place to build the first utility-scale quantum computer in the United States.”
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Hey, why no periods in Vance’s name? (Update)
Wednesday, Jul 24, 2024 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Remember this funny little kerfuffle from 2019?…
Major media organizations have been using those periods on the name of Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker. But that’s not how the governor has been spelling it — at least not lately — though his name has appeared with periods in the past, as when he ran for Congress in 1998.
Long story short, Pritzker told Brian Mackey that he doesn’t use periods in his name.
Back to the story…
Many of us rely on the Associated Press to settle these questions, so I emailed the corporate office in New York. Spokeswoman Lauren Easton wrote back after broadcast: “AP is considering how to handle the styling of the governor’s initials but hasn’t yet resolved it.” But the AP Stylebook says when someone uses initials instead of a first name, periods should be used
* The Associated Press (which doesn’t put periods in AP) continues to this day to refer to the governor as “J.B. Pritzker.” So does the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Sun-Times and NPR, which, like the AP, does not put periods in the abbreviation of its own name.
* Why am I bringing this up? Well, here’s an AP (A.P.?) story about another politician who doesn’t use periods in his name…
Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance used his first solo campaign rallies Monday to throw fresh barbs at Vice President Kamala Harris a day after President Joe Biden threw the presidential election into upheaval by dropping out and endorsing his second-in-command to lead Democrats against Donald Trump.
Sen. Vance’s full name is James David Vance. But no periods for the A.P.
Odd.
* The Tribune and the Sun-Times are also using Vance’s preferred spelling, while continuing to spell Pritzker’s name with periods. Same for N.P.R.
USA Today, which also doesn’t put periods in its own abbreviation, spells their names “J.B. Pritzker” and “JD Vance.”
The Washington Post is being consistent, however. The paper spells both Pritzker’s and Vance’s names with periods.
* And, yes, of course this is a trivial matter. But these news outlets are all about words. The AP Stylebook is 524 pages long, for crying out loud.
On the off chance that Pritzker is chosen as a vice presidential candidate and faces Vance, we’ll probably see a revisiting of this oddly contradictory policy. Until then, inconsistency will likely prevail.
…Adding… The A.P. is the culprit here…
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* Fran Spielman…
Business and real estate interests spent millions to tank Mayor Brandon Johnson’s plan to raise Chicago’s real estate transfer tax on high-end home sales to create a dedicated revenue source to combat homelessness.
They also bankrolled a $2 million independent expenditure committee to help elect moderate City Council members they hoped would be “part of the solution, not lob bombs from the sideline.”
Now, influential business leaders are forming yet another nonprofit group, with an affiliated political action committee, to advance their “long-term, systemic civic priorities” for the city and state.
They’re calling it “One Future Illinois,” and its leadership roster of business heavyweights includes some who have held prominent positions in city and state government.
Among them: investment banker Steve Koch, who served as deputy mayor under former Mayor Rahm Emanuel; Derek Douglas, president of the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club; and Jesse Ruiz, former deputy governor for education in Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration. Ruiz also served as interim CEO of Chicago Public Schools, chair of the Illinois State Board of Education and board president of the Chicago Park District.
Their PAC’s statement of organization describes its mission as “To advance common sense solutions to meet the most significant challenges and opportunities of the State of Illinois and the City of Chicago.” No contributions have yet been reported.
Mike Ruemmler, who was one of Rahm Emanuel’s top go-to people, will run both the c4 and the PAC, Fran reports. Go read the rest.
…Adding… Crain’s…
In a call with Crain’s, the group’s leaders wouldn’t disclose how much they expect to raise, but the money should start flowing soon and is expected to take in at least seven figures.
The group will “be involved” in the mayor’s race and next City Council election, said Michael Ruemmler, a former advisor to both Emanuel and President Barack Obama. He wouldn’t disclose if they’d take on Johnson.
Asked if the PAC will spend money opposing elected school board candidates supported by the Chicago Teachers Union, Ruemmler would only say “we’ll take a look at all the candidates.”
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