*** UPDATED x1 *** Oops!
Monday, Jan 14, 2019 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From Gov. Pritzker’s inaugural address…
[Illinois] is where, on the Sunday morning after the Great Chicago Fire, Reverend Robert Collyer, pastor of the First Unitarian Church, an immigrant, an ardent anti-slavery abolitionist, and a women’s suffrage advocate, stood amidst the broken ruins of his once grand church and brought hope and vision to his devastated congregation. His parishioners gathered around him, the sun peeking through gutted walls and splintered beams, an overturned column serving as his pulpit.
His words that morning have survived the 147 years since he delivered them…a testament to their power and truth:
“What is lost?” he asked. “First, our homes. Second, our businesses. But these are temporary. … We have not lost our geography. Nature called the lakes, the forests, the prairies together in convention long before we were born, and they decided that on this spot a great city would be built. … We have not lost our hope. … The fire makes no difference to me. If you’ll stay here, I will. And we’ll work together, and help each other out of our troubles.”
Since Reverend Collyer’s time, Americans have often had to gather in broken cathedrals – some of stone and glass – some of aspirations and promises – to reaffirm our faith in one another.
We find ourselves at such a moment now.
* Wrong Unitarian church…
*** UPDATE *** From Gov. Pritzker’s office…
On the church, that’s our bad. We should have been more clear that the fire destroyed the Second Unitarian church and not the First.
Interesting historical fact: there were two Robert Collyers – Robert Collyer, who preached at the First Unitarian Church and then was drafted to preach at the Second Unitarian Church – so he preached at both. There was also another Robert Laird Collier who became pastor of the First Unitarian Church (see the same section of the Our Roots page, under 1857-1871).
In the spirit of Rev. Collyer, we ask your forgiveness.
Nicely done.
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* Illinois Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider…
It’s clear that Governor Pritzker’s agenda will be the same agenda that has dragged our state down for decades - borrow, tax, spend, repeat. Over the course of the election and again today, Pritzker promised billions of dollars in new spending, programs, and regulations, all of which our state cannot afford.
And just a few short months ago, Pritzker broke with his party boss, Mike Madigan, when he promised to support legislative leadership term limits and an independent redistricting commission - two initiatives supported by the Illinois Republican Party - but we didn’t hear anything about them today. Why? Because they were only a ploy to win votes. Pritzker never intended to end the status quo in Springfield. Rather, he’s reinforcing it.
Over the coming weeks and months, we will hold Pritzker, Madigan, Cullerton, and all Democrats accountable for their false promises because we know that they are the main culprits behind Illinois’ fiscal demise. We won’t be afraid to speak out against the latest policy disasters Illinois Democrats are embracing.
The numbers prove it - Illinois taxpayers are fleeing our state in droves. We must change course before it’s too late or else there won’t be any taxpayers left. As the next debates begin in Springfield, Illinois taxpayers will know that the Illinois Republican Party is on their side.
*** UPDATE *** Message to Republicans from Chairman Schneider…
And so begins the reign of the tax-hiking, tax-avoiding billionaire, Madigan’s hand-picked hand-maiden for the government unions and the special interests feeding on our tax dollars.
The Democratic Party is in ascendency in Illinois: Democrats control every lever of government, unchecked by anything but their own shame and the strength of our voices calling out their abuse and extremism.
We had a glimpse yesterday of what’s to come: more money for the folks who work for the government, increased debt and higher taxes for the rest of us. What a deal!
Governor Pritzker announces that the highest paid government workers in the Midwest don’t make enough — and doubled the government salaries of the top folks around him with pay from his own pocket. Not only does this trample ethical limitations on private payments to public servants, but it sends a clear message to all other government workers too — more is coming to you.
Will Pritzker supplement the pay for all these folks too? Don’t bet on it: recall this is the billionaire who dodged hundreds of thousands of dollars in property taxes on his Chicago mansion and hides his wealth in the Bahamas to avoid Illinois’ already high taxes — paying literally NO state income tax in 2014.
This higher pay is coming from you. And, with Illinois’ appalling pension system, higher pay today means higher pay forever. So, generations of Illinoisans who don’t work for government and have no right to maintain their salary when they stop working for their current employer will pay for Pritzker’s “largesse.”
Remember: it’s your money, not his, that he’s offering to spend. He won’t move his wealth from the zero-tax Bahamas to pay either the current taxes or the higher taxes he proposes and, being born a billionaire, he has no real idea what each dollar means to the rest of us.
While it may be that marijuana eases suffering for some who are sick, but legalizing its sale here will not cure what ails Illinois. While taxing pot will generate some tax dollars, this new revenue is a minuscule fraction of Pritzker’s new spending — and it simply isn’t worth the terrible social tax that promoting pot imposes. Legal pot will lead to more DUI’s, more fatalities, more opioid use and more bad options for our children.
Government should support moms and dads who are trying to teach values to their children; undermining Moms to pay for ever sweetened deals for government workers is not good government.
It’s often said that voters get the government they deserve. I reject that: it’s often hard to see the truth about what’s happening in this age of fake news and biased media.
People deserve a government that serves them, not a government that takes more than it serves. People deserve a government that produces real opportunities, not a government that undermines property values and family values.
It breaks my heart to think of the damage Democrats will do to this state; you don’t deserve it. But, there won’t be any confusion or obfuscation about who has done what: everything that happens here now is done by Democrats.
And, when you see what they do, come join us. Republicans are the party of people government. Democrats have all the power of government today, but there is no greater power than that of informed and concerned people.
So don’t just worry, come help Republicans take your community and the state back for the good of all.
For Illinois,
Tim Schneider
Chairman, Illinois Republican Party
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Rauner is Rauner to the end
Friday, Jan 11, 2019 - Posted by Rich Miller
* HB 4637 was reportedly sent to Gov. Rauner by mistake. It was supposed to be held until JB Pritzker took over. Oops…
Today, I return House Bill 4637 of the 100th General Assembly with specific recommendations for change.
This legislation amends the process by which townships in McHenry County may be dissolved in an effort to consolidate and reduce Illinois’ excessive layers of local government.
While I applaud the effort to create a clear process that aligns with the Illinois Constitution’s vision that townships may be dissolved if approved by referendum, this is a process that should be available with equal clarity across the state.
This legislation also mandates the abolition of certain road districts in Lake and McHenry County. This question of consolidating services should also go to the voters through a referendum, a process that Lake and McHenry County—and all other counties—can already pursue under state law.
Therefore, pursuant to Section 9(e) of Article IV of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, I hereby return House Bill 4637, entitled “AN ACT concerning local government,” with the following specific recommendations for change:
He goes out the way he came in: Refusing to accept incremental change.
* From the bill’s sponsor, Rep. David McSweeney (R-Barrington Hills)…
Failed Governor and hypocrite Bruce Rauner showed his true colors again by vetoing my bill that would consolidate unnecessary levels of government and cut property taxes. The people of Illinois rejected phony, incompetent Raunerism in a landslide. Bruce Rauner leaves office with zero accomplishments and is widely regarded as the worst Governor in the history of Illinois. Good riddance to Rauner and his endless stream of lies! I look forward to passing my bill again during this General Assembly.
* This bill passed both chambers without a single “No” vote…
Today, I veto House Bill 982 from the 100th General Assembly, which would amend the process for filling a vacancy in the office of the President of the Cook County Board.
The legislation creates and amends a special set of conditions if the office of Cook County Board President is vacated, specifically during or after the period for filing nomination papers for the primary election. This process differs from that in place for any other elective county offices in the rest of the state. This is another example of special rules being legislated for certain parts of the state without compelling justification, while not applying those same rules to the rest of the state. We should seek more consistency in how state law regulates local governments, and less special legislation that addresses local concerns on an ad hoc, case-by-case basis.
Therefore, pursuant to Section 9(b) of Article IV of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, I hereby return House Bill 982, entitled “AN ACT concerning government,” with the foregoing objections, vetoed in its entirety.
He also vetoed HB200, HB5769 and SB938, which all passed both chambers on unanimous rollcalls. SB426 passed the Senate unanimously and just four House members voted against it, but he vetoed it.
All these vetoed bills are now dead because the 101st GA can’t override vetoes of bills passed by the 100th GA.
…Adding… In an apparent last-minute resume sweetener, the governor just appointed DCEO’s Chief Operating Office Travis March to be Acting Director of the agency.
…Adding… He also just appointed Jessica Baer, Director of the Division of Professional Regulation, to Acting Secretary of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Her appointment is official come Monday, just before Pritzker is sworn in. She replaces Secretary Bryan Schneider.
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* I watched the first two episodes of this series and it was a nauseating, shocking experience. Sun-Times editorial…
If there’s a radio station in Chicago still playing R. Kelly’s music, shame on them.
If there’s a concert venue still willing to book him, shame on them, too.
They are turning a blind eye to the abundant evidence of Kelly’s sexual pursuit and abuse of underage girls.
“Surviving R. Kelly,” the 3-part documentary seen last week by an estimated 1.9 million viewers, laid it all out in explicit, harrowing details recounted by some of the survivors of Kelly’s abuse, including his ex-wife.
* Today…
Chicago’s 95.1 FM Clubsteppin station will no longer play any music by R.Kelly because of the controversy that resurfaced after Lifetime’s “Surviving R. Kelly” documentary series.
* Other stories if you’re not up to speed…
* Eye-opening R. Kelly documentary on Lifetime an ‘uneasy’ must-watch: “I want my story to be heard so people can take the situation seriously,” says Lisa Van Allen, one of Kelly’s former love interests, who first hooked up with him when she was 17. The series does just that, presenting credible, firsthand accounts of years of alleged abuse against young girls and women by Kelly, a Chicago native. According to several subjects, the singer and his entourage purposefully scoped out Kenwood Academy High School girls at a Hyde Park McDonald’s.
* The timeline of the R. Kelly child pornography case
* At least 2 women contact Cook County prosecutors with new R. Kelly allegations: One woman, who’s originally from Georgia, said that Kelly engaged in inappropriate conduct with her at his rented warehouse/studio space in 2002. She said she ran away from home in Georgia, met Kelly in Florida and eventually came back to Chicago with him.
* R. Kelly ordered to allow inspectors inside rented warehouse
* After ‘Surviving R Kelly,’ the #MuteRKelly movement gains momentum
* Lady Gaga apologizes for ‘poor judgment’ over R. Kelly song; stands with victims
* Chance the Rapper apologizes for ‘taking this long to speak out’ about R. Kelly
* Georgia prosecutor seeking info about R. Kelly, lawyer says
* Instagram post linked to R. Kelly’s daughter blasts performer: In the IG post, Buku Abi says she is “devastated” over “everything that is going on right now” and offered support to alleged victims. “I pray for all the families … that have been affected by my father’s actions.”
* ‘Surviving R. Kelly’ leads to spike in sales, streams for the singer
* And now this from WICS TV…
An organizer is selling tickets for Springfield Spring Break Jam, hosted by R. Kelly at the expo center on April 6, 2019.
But after allegations have come up against the R&B singer R. Kelly, it is unclear if the concert will go on as planned.
The Department of Agriculture confirmed organizers submitted an application for the Springfield Spring Break Jam, but said the application is still under review.
Officials said there are 13 factors they consider when reviewing an application for a concert.
That is the same State Fair Exposition Center where JB Pritzker’s inaugural ball will be held.
The Illinois Department of Agriculture needs to find a way to cancel this show. Period.
*** UPDATE 1 *** The person who runs Kity Promotions, which is putting on the show just told me via Facebook messenger that R Kelly “will not be performing,” at the concert.
*** UPDATE 2 *** From the Department of Ag…
Hey Rich! Just want to make a couple clarifications on the R. Kelly story – the event organizers submitted an application to lease space on the Illinois State Fairgrounds to host a concert featuring R. Kelly. However, that application was under review until yesterday, at which point IDOA staff contacted the organizer to let them know their application would not be approved. IDOA’s Administrative Code outlines 13 criteria that applicants must meet to lease space (ftp://www.ilga.gov/JCAR/AdminCode/008/008002700J04950R.html) and in this case, the event did not meet criteria C, E, and G.
Unfortunately, we cannot control when organizers start promoting an event – in this case, there was never a signed agreement to host the event at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, only an application.
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* I told subscribers about this earlier today. Tribune…
Billionaire Democratic Gov.-elect J.B. Pritzker, who pumped more than $171 million of his own wealth into his campaign to defeat Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner in November, now will use his own money to bolster his top government aides’ salaries, his transition team reported Friday.
Pritzker’s incoming Chief of Staff Anne Caprara will be paid a salary of $298,000 — $148,000 in state money and $150,000 more from East Jackson Street LLC, an organization Pritzker set up to “enable the governor-elect to personally compensate some staff in addition to their government salary,” a spokeswoman said in a statement.
Rauner’s chief, by comparison, made $180,000 in 2018, according to state records. […]
Pritzker’s transition pointed to former New York City mayor and fellow billionaire Michael Bloomberg supplementing his staff’s pay with his own money. The transition says Pritzker’s move means some aides will have lower taxpayer-funded salaries than Rauner’s, and they’ll have to report the supplemental income on ethics forms.
* Sun-Times…
The double salary will be apply to Pritzker’s chief of staff Anne Caprara, his three deputy governors Dan Hynes, Christian Mitchell and Jesse Ruiz and their special assistants, deputy chiefs of staff and other high-level employees. It will apply to 20 positions, including some that have not been filled. […]
The deputy governors will make $278,000: $139,000 each from the state and the LLC. Senior adviser Nikki Budzinski will make the same.
His deputy chiefs of staff, including Emily Bittner, who will run his communications staff, will make $174,000 and Abudayyeh, his press secretary, will have her state salary of $75,000 doubled to $150,000. […]
Staff who receive the additional pay will be required to publicly report it in line with other public disclosures.
* Press release…
The Governor-Elect is committed to recruiting top talent to state government to best address the challenges Illinois faces. As a result, an LLC has been created that will enable the Governor-Elect to personally compensate some staff in addition to their government salary, reducing the cost to taxpayers. This process will take place in a transparent manner with requirements that information be reported publicly.
Subscribers know more, but the Pritzker transition claims he will not take any tax deductions on the supplemental payments.
* Two former Raunerites told me the same thing earlier today…
*** UPDATE *** AFSCME…
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