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*** UPDATED x1 *** Yoni Pizer appointed to the Illinois House

Sunday, Feb 9, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller

[Reader comments are now open on this post.]

* Here’s how it went down…

Here's background on what can expect to happen today:https://t.co/3DvBLu4yCQ
This vacancy was indirectly triggered by the retirement of Senate President John Cullerton. Feigenholtz was appointed to fill his senate seat, meaning her rep seat now needs to be filled.

— Alex Nitkin (@AlexNitkin) February 9, 2020

46th Ward committeeperson Sean Tenner is asking for a temporary appointment, just til the primary, so he conveyed his voting power over to @lucymoog. That means the weighted vote breakdown today is:
Tunney: 45.09%
Moog: 45.93%
2nd Ward committeeperson Tim Egan: 7.73%

— Alex Nitkin (@AlexNitkin) February 9, 2020

UPDATE: Tenner has pulled his name from consideration. He says he now no longer believes he's "the right fit" for the position.
Coke and her allies had supported Tenner's "caretaker" proposition, so signs now point to @yonipizer being appointed today.

— Alex Nitkin (@AlexNitkin) February 9, 2020

Croke says she’s pulling her name from consideration for the appointment. “I think everyone knows the appointment has been decided.”
Tunney: “Just because it’s in the media does not mean it’s decided.” pic.twitter.com/BmWoW2t0g6

— Alex Nitkin (@AlexNitkin) February 9, 2020

Burnett votes Pizer.
Egan votes Pizer.
Moog votes (with Tenner's proxy) for Eastwood.
Tunney votes Pizer.
This gives Pizer ~54% of the vote, enough for the appointment.

— Alex Nitkin (@AlexNitkin) February 9, 2020

Pizer is supported by Mayor Lori Lightfoot.

*** UPDATE *** Margaret Croke campaign…

This Sunday, 38 days before voters have the opportunity to vote for the next State Representative for Illinois’ 12th House District, Chicago Democratic Party insiders rubber stamped the appointment of Jonathan Pizer in an attempt to boost his chances in the March primary election. Margaret Croke attended the forum but did not seek the appointment, citing a lack of transparency and accountability to voters in the process.

“This decision deprives voters of a voice in our democratic process and it is exactly what’s wrong with politics in Illinois. At a time when legal, ethical, and moral scandals have shaken the foundation of our state, transparency, and accountability to the people of Illinois is paramount. People have lost faith in our state legislature and this only adds to that cynicism and discontent.

Appointing a candidate who is unelected and running for election in a month is undemocratic. This decision should be left to the voters on March 17th.

I stand with the hundreds of people who have come out to volunteer for these campaigns and the thousands of voters in this district who signed petitions to get six candidates on the ballot.

Simply put, the voters of this district deserve a vote.”

She did, however, apply. Click here to read part of her application.

…Adding… The Croke campaign explanation…

Margaret attended to address the committeemen and committeewomen in the room. She wanted to take the opportunity to speak against the process and when asked directly if she was seeking the appointment she said no. She was then asked to leave. She did not speak on behalf of her candidacy or present her credentials.

From Margaret:

“At the appointment session, I emphatically did not seek the appointment and that is exactly what I said to the committee. I believe that the voters of the district should decide their next representative and object to the appointment of any candidate currently on the ballot for an election only weeks away.”

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18 states side against Illinois on concealed carry reciprocity

Friday, Feb 7, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Press release…

Eighteen state attorneys general have joined in an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court supporting a Second Amendment Foundation petition for writ of certiorari seeking high court review in the case of Culp v. Raoul, which challenges the refusal by Illinois to take applications from non-residents for an Illinois carry license.

Plaintiffs are asking the Court to determine “Whether the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms requires that the State of Illinois allow qualified non-residents to apply for an Illinois concealed carry license.” SAF is joined by the Illinois State Rifle Association, Illinois Carry and several private citizens. They are represented by attorney David G. Sigale of Wheaton.

The amicus brief, submitted by Missouri Attorney General Eric S. Schmitt, is joined by attorneys general from Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and West Virginia.

While Illinois statute says the State Police “shall by rule allow for nonresident license applications from any state or territory of the United States with laws related to firearm ownership, possession, and carrying, that are substantially similar to the requirements to obtain a license” in Illinois.

“However,” the petition for review says, “that right to concealed carry is denied, in a discriminatory and arbitrary manner, to the law-abiding and qualified persons in 45 states, who are prohibited from even applying for an Illinois concealed carry license (“CCL”), regardless of their qualifications. Therefore, Illinois’s prohibition on virtually all non-residents obtaining a concealed carry license for self-defense violates the Petitioners’ rights under the Second Amendment.”

“We’re grateful to the 18 attorneys general for joining the amicus, on behalf of the residents of their respective states,” said SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb. “The right to bear arms does not end at the Illinois state line, and untold numbers of citizens from other states have occasion to travel to or through Illinois and they should not be expected to leave their right of self- defense at the border.”

* In related news…

An Illinois lawmaker is proposing to change the Illinois Constitution to protect Firearm Owners Identification card fee revenue from being swept into the state’s general fund.

The proposal filed Wednesday would require that proceeds from the issuance and renewal of the Firearm Owners Identification card and concealed carry permits go solely toward facilitating the program or other firearm-related activities, akin to the 2016 “lockbox amendment” that altered the state’s guiding charter to protect road funds from being used for other purposes.

“What this does is put all of our money into a lockbox, so to speak, dedicated solely for the purpose of processing our applications or renewing or reviewing someone’s application that got turned down that they filed an appeal on,” state Rep. Dan Caulkins, R-Decatur, said of his proposal.

He plans to gather support from Democrats who have already said the program is underfunded and proposed higher fees for cards over shorter periods of time.

Right now, his co-sponsors are the Eastern Bloc and honorary member Rep. Allen Skillicorn.

…Adding… Speaking of the Eastern Bloc…

No charges will be filed in the shooting that wounded an employee last month at the John Boos Factory Showroom and Outlet, according to authorities.

Effingham Police Chief Jason McFarland said the shooter was a 60-year-old man from Michigan who had a semi-automatic handgun and a valid concealed-carry permit. He was not required to have a FOID card because Michigan state law does not require one, McFarland said. […]

A preliminary investigation into the incident determined that the shooting to be accidental, and police turned the case over to Effingham County State’s Attorney Bryan Kibler for review.

Kibler said Thursday he agreed that it was all just an accident and no criminal charges are warranted. He said it is his understanding that Nick Nichols does not want to pursue charges.

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*** UPDATED x1 - Pritzker promises IDOT review *** Hey governor, tighten up IDOT’s red-light camera rules

Friday, Feb 7, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller

* This one camera has produced $2.5 million in revenues over three years…

The red light camera at a designated right turn lane in Rosemont has raked in millions of dollars. Critics and motorists said it’s a trick to make drivers turn right on red without stopping.

The busy intersection in the heart of Rosemont is near the convention center, popular restaurants, hotels and a casino.

“Are you really giving people tickets on technicalities, or are you trying to put things in place to protect safety?” asked ticketed driver Scott Albrecht.

He and others are fuming over one camera facing a right turn lane, going northbound at the intersection of River and Higgins roads. Critics say it’s confusing and call it a red light camera trap for two reasons.

Go read the rest, including this from IDOT…

The Illinois Department of Transportation explained to the I-Team that it does not physically place cameras; law enforcement does that. IDOT said it only makes sure cameras are positioned in a way that does not interfere with traffic controls or obstruct traffic lanes and sidewalks.

Gov. Pritzker needs to do something about this lackadaisical attitude by IDOT. As I mentioned yesterday, IDOT’s rules need to be tightened up to focus placement on safety and not revenues.

*** UPDATE *** From Emily Bittner at the governor’s office…

The administration believes that it is critical that red light cameras meet communities’ documented safety needs. IDOT will be reviewing its approval process to ensure that the rationale for installing and keeping these devices in place is about residents’ safety