* Dave Dahl interviewed Speaker Chris Welch this week and asked about the upcoming campaign season…
I think it’s going well, we put together a pretty solid political operation, we made some tweaks to what we’ve been accustomed to. I think you’re going to see in a couple of days that we’re going to post almost $12 million on hand - over $7 million in my personal campaign account, over $4 million in our caucus campaign account.
I was going to tell that to subscribers tomorrow because Welch told me the same thing, but apparently he told more than one interviewer.
* Dave then asked Speaker Welch if there was room to expand the super-majority…
I think 2022 is going to be a tough year for Democrats in general. But I definitely think that if we do what we have to do, and get out there and talk to voters about the kitchen-table issues, the things that we have done to help make their lives better, there’s a lot of opportunity for Democrats. And we’re gonna get out there and do the work. Winners do the work.
Welch: As you know, before I became Speaker, corporate board diversity was near and dear to me. I think diversity and equity inclusion is something that I’ve always fought for, and I wouldn’t be in this position without it. So I certainly would like to take the opportunity to talk about what I’m in the midst of.
[Monday], I had a meeting with university presidents, tomorrow, I’m meeting with managed care organization CEOs to follow up on our efforts for diversity, equity and inclusion. I held a meeting today where I got to see on full display how the priorities that we care about are changing lives. The diversity that exists right there in the president ranks was just awesome to look at. And when I joined the General Assembly in 2013, it was not that diverse. And so our work is changing lives and making a big difference already. And so I’m going to continue working closely with Chairman Ford, who chairs Higher Ed Approp and Chair Stuart, who chairs Higher Ed. We plan to make this a year where we truly plant the diversity flag in Illinois, especially in higher education.
Dahl: Is that something that can or should be legislated?
Welch: Well, as you know, a couple years ago I passed House Bill 3394, with regard to corporate board diversity that was legislated and it was signed into law by the governor.
With regard to higher education, they come before the legislature seeking billions of dollars every year. And, if you’re going to look for taxpayer dollars, you should make sure that you’re spending your dollars on everyone in the state. Diversity of this country and this state, and that should be reflected in how you spend your dollars.
Welch: I certainly don’t see myself as anyone’s boss. As a former baseball player athlete in high school and college, I like to see myself more analogous to the captain on a team. We don’t get anything together unless we’re working together. And it takes all parts of the team working together to be a championship team. And I certainly think we showed in 2021 that we worked collectively together, that we are a team. And that because we work together in that fashion, we had a championship year. So I’m more analogous to a teammate, captain on the team that just keeps us all focused.
Dahl: I want to ask if you got any kind of a ring for that, or a participation trophy.
Dahl: Not all of us can say that. How do you get the most out of the members of the team? How do you encourage the Democrats under you to do what they’re supposed to do, do their best?
Welch: I think every day you have to find ways to lift up each member. Every member is different. You have to find out what their strengths are and tap into their strengths and shine a light on them. I think that it’s important to not miss an opportunity to lift them up, to inspire them. to keep them engaged and empowered. And when you do that, you find people really passionate about being a part of the process. And I think we saw that in 2021. We’re going to continue to build on that in 2022. I think energy bill was a perfect example of that. I think the budget was a perfect example of that. The redistricting process was a perfect example of that. You get so much done when you’re working together and inspiring each and every one of our members to step up and be a part of the process.
* Hospitalizations jumped from 7,114 reported yesterday to 7,353 reported today, a one-day increase of 3 percent.
However, the 7-day rolling average for daily hospitalization increases is now 1.1 percent, which is considerable lower than the 5.1 percent growth average during the last seven days of December.
* Good friend of mine…
As of yesterday, a reported 86% of U.S. adults had received at least one vaccination. Instead of focusing our efforts on the 14% who remain holdouts, why don't we figure out what we can do to get everybody else fully vaxxed and boosted?
— Elizabeth Austin, Mistress of Public Policy (@elizabethaustin) January 11, 2022
For Illinois, the age 5+ gap between the fully vaccinated and those who have received just one dose is about a million people. For those 65 and older, who are most at risk, the gap is about 176,000. That’s a good place to start.
Some of those folks got the single-dose J&J shot, but they do need a booster right away.
The “incompletes” may have had an adverse reaction to their first or second shot and are reluctant to move forward. That was the case in my own circle. A close family member got sick after her second shot (it could’ve just been something else) and didn’t want to take a booster. But then her spouse got sick with what we thought was covid (it wasn’t) and that convinced her to get boosted. She had zero negative reaction to the booster, by the way.
The governor’s office says they’re not just focusing on the holdouts and outlined some of what they were doing to get people boosted and to take the second shot. They have booster clinics where people can also get a first or second dose. They’re doing paid messaging on boosters, etc.
* Even so, the administration sent out this press release today…
With the current surge of COVID-19 cases due to the highly contagious Omicron variant, the State of Illinois launched a new vaccine awareness campaign to explain the power of the life-saving vaccine. The ‘On the Fence’ campaign features 18 meaningful stories from Illinoisans who were initially hesitant but are now fully vaccinated.
As health experts continue to advise unvaccinated individuals to get their life-saving shot, the campaign is directed to residents who are reluctant to get vaccinated. The campaign will roll out over the coming months, including stories from people who reflect the racial and socioeconomic diversity of the state. […]
The initial rollout of the campaign will feature the following videos:
Shannon is a nurse in Quincy, a hotbed of vocal and organized anti-vaxers.
I think Elizabeth makes a great point that the state should focus more attention on those who have only taken one dose. Get those second shots moving and close the gap. I mean, if the unvaxed won’t listen to stuff like this, then what’s it gonna take?…
There are only two ICU beds currently available in Rockford which has forced hospitals to alter routine procedures.
“So if you think you’ve been boosted or you don’t need the vaccine, let’s just hope that you’re not in an accident. Let’s just hope a loved one doesn’t have a heart procedure that’s needed immediately,” Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara said.
[Winnebago County Public Health Administrator Sandra Martell] said about 90% of hospitalizations can be attributed to the unvaccinated.
Regardless of your theories on Covid one thing is clear: The hospitals are at/near capacity and health care workers are overworked. Everyone seems to be getting Omicron. If we hadn't blown it last time, this would be the time to actually "Take two weeks to flatten the curve."
Tom Demmer launched his campaign for State Treasurer today pledging to be a fiscal watchdog for Illinois taxpayers by opposing tax increases and bringing greater transparency to state spending. Demmer, a State Representative, helped lead the State House investigation into former House Speaker Mike Madigan and has spearheaded initiatives to strengthen ethics laws and bring transparency to the state budget.
“Unfortunately, in Springfield right now, the politicians’ answer to every problem is higher taxes and more spending. We know Springfield politicians won’t change overnight, but we can take an important first step by electing a proven fiscal watchdog as state treasurer,” said Demmer. “As Treasurer, I’ll be on the side of Illinois families working to protect their hard-earned dollars and shining a light on how our tax-dollars are spent.”
Demmer has served as State Representative since 2013, rising through the ranks to serve as Deputy Minority Leader and serving as the Republican point-person for state fiscal issues where he took on Democrat maneuvers that hid billions in pork-barrel spending. Demmer has won awards from groups across Illinois for his efforts to innovate and transform Illinois, including the Technet Champion of Innovation Award, the Metropolitan Planning Council “Transform Illinois” Award Winner and the Illinois Chamber of Commerce Champion of Free Enterprise.
“Growing up, and now raising my family in Illinois, I’ve seen too many friends and neighbors leave for better opportunities and lower taxes in other states. And when Illinois families leave, it’s our communities that pay the price, as corruption and bloated government drain taxpayer dollars away from schools, public safety, and community services,” said Demmer. “Now more than ever, we need a Treasurer who will be a fiscal watchdog for Illinois taxpayers and willing to take on the corrupt Springfield machine.”
Demmer’s Democrat opponent, Treasurer Mike Frerichs, has continually supported income tax increases on Illinois families during his 15-years as a Springfield politician and most recently advocated for Governor Pritzker’s tax hike amendment that Frerichs said could ultimately tax retirement income.
“The vast majority of Illinoisans have not heard of Mike Frerichs but he stands tall among the tax and spend Springfield crowd. Throughout his 15 years as a Springfield politician, Mike Frerichs continually voted to raise taxes. And now, he even wants to tax retirement,” said Demmer. “I’m running for State Treasurer because Illinois families deserve someone on their side.”
Tom was the Director of Innovation & Strategy at KSB Hospital, a not-for-profit community hospital with locations in Lee and Ogle Counties. He graduated from the University of Dayton, and was a White House Intern in the Office of the Vice President of the United States. Prior to the General Assembly, Tom served on the Lee County Board. Tom resides in Dixon with his wife Becca, daughter Katie and son John.
Bringing up that Frerichs gaffe about taxing retirement income. Some gifts never stop giving. Also, the video clearly shows that they believe Madigan is still a viable issue.
…Adding… Frerichs…
Michael Frerichs today welcomed Rep. Tom Demmer to the race for Illinois State Treasurer – while cautioning that he would unravel years of progress in Illinois and prioritize the interests of Wall Street.
“Tom Demmer opposed every reform I have championed as Treasurer, even when other Republicans were on our side,” said Frerichs, who has held the office since 2015. “He does not have the conviction to fight for Illinois families, and he does not have the backbone to stand up to special interests.”
Demmer’s record on issues surrounding the State Treasurer’s office “proves he will side with Wall Street and big business and against working families,” Frerichs said.
“When I fought life insurance companies that chose not to pay death benefits, Tom Demmer stood with the life insurance special interests and – literally – against widows and orphans,” he said.
Demmer voted four times against Frerichs’ legislation that required life insurance companies to pay death benefits. (HB 4633 in 2016 and HB 302 in 2017.) State Board of Elections records show that Demmer has taken tens of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from insurance industry PACs.
“When I fought McKesson Corp. and other drug companies and demanded they take responsibility for peddling their deadly opioids in our communities, Tom Demmer was taking tens of thousands of dollars from Big Pharma,” Frerichs added.
Demmer, a hospital executive who serves as a Republican in the Illinois House, announced today that he will challenge Frerichs to be State Treasurer. Demmer has been a State Representative since 2013 and previously served on the Lee County Board.
As State Treasurer, Frerichs has:
• Created one of the best college savings plans in the country, according to independent analyst Morningstar. Doing so has helped increase college savings from $7 billion to $17 billion and saved families more than $100 million in fees.
• Created a retirement savings program that travels with the worker. The result: more than 99,000 workers who previously did not have a retirement plan now have saved $84 million with Secure Choice.
• Returned a record $1.3 billion in unclaimed property and tripled the number of claims paid per year. Changes in technology, efficiency, and state law streamlined the process to the point that some residents do not even have to file a claim in order to be paid.
“As the product of a small town in Downstate Illinois, I know we can have safe streets, good schools, and local control when we respect each other,” Frerichs said. “Demmer’s record shows he does not respect working families and will not work to bring us together.”
*** UPDATE 1 *** DPI…
Democratic Party of Illinois Deputy Director Jake Lewis released the following statement regarding the news that State Rep. Tom Demmer is running for Illinois State Treasurer:
“Today, another Republican pawn joined billionaire Ken Griffin’s ongoing fantasy to bring back the Bruce Rauner days: Tom Demmer. Demmer’s radical views make him unfit to serve in statewide office. He has voted against increasing the minimum wage, against increasing education funding, against ending the Rauner budget impasse, against the Equal Rights Amendment, and against holding life insurance companies accountable.
“But Demmer’s extremist record doesn’t seem to bother Ken Griffin, apparently the only Republican whose opinion matters in 2022. Griffin has set out to rig the entire Republican primary for his Rauner Reboot slate and he appears to have found willing puppets in Demmer, Secretary of State candidate John Milhiser, and rumored gubernatorial candidate Richard Irvin. Unfortunately for Griffin and his pawns, Illinois voters remember that the original Rauner experiment ended in disaster, and they have no interest in the sequel.”
After State Treasurer Mike Frerichs emerged from hiding today to tout his “accomplishments,” ILGOP Spokesman Joe Hackler released the following statement:
“Throughout his 15 years in Springfield, Mike Frerichs has been amazingly consistent in one thing: raising taxes on Illinois families. Frerichs voted to raise taxes on middle class families, seniors, businesses, supported JB Pritzker’s effort to institute the largest tax hike in Illinois history and even wanted to create a new tax on retirement income. After 15 years, Illinois taxpayers simply cannot afford Frerichs anymore.”
*** UPDATE 3 *** Treasurer Frerichs himself just called. I’m expecting a written statement soon explaining the issue in more detail, but Frerichs pointed out that while Demmer did vote for the bill once, he voted against the legislation and with the insurance industry four other times. And that’s correct.
*** UPDATE 4 *** From Treasurer Frerichs…
Tom Demmer voted four times against Treasurer Frerichs’ legislation that required life insurance companies to check their records and pay death benefits to widows and orphans. He voted “NO” on: • HB4633 on Apr 13, 2016 • HB302 on Apr 25, 2017 • HB302 concurrence on May 31, 2017 • HB302 veto override on Oct 25, 2017
The only time Tom Demmer voted “YES” was to concur in an amendment to HB4633 that weakened the legislation enough that the life insurance industry removed its opposition (Illinois Life Insurance Council and Illinois Chamber of Commerce removed opposition to HB4633 after the amendment). On all five votes concerning unclaimed life insurance benefits Tom Demmer voted exactly the way the life insurance industry wanted him to vote.
Frerichs did, however, praise the bill when it was finally passed and signed into law. Click here.
…Adding… From comments…
Demmer and the insurance industry won round one. The insurance industry got tough regulations removed from House Bill 4633, and Demmer voted in favor of the amendment that removed them.
The following year however, Frerichs took another stab at it, and Demmer voted three times with the insurance industry … but the bill did pass.
I’d say Frerichs won in the end and that’s what counts, but you do have to give credit where credit is due to Demmer and the insurance industry for forcing widows and orphans to wait another year before getting their money.
