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Lil Wayne concert set State Fair attendance record

Thursday, Aug 15, 2024 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Wow…

Lil Wayne brought big numbers to the Illinois State Fair Grandstand Wednesday night.

Illinois State Fair officials announced that 15,427 people attended the show, surpassing previous records set in 2011.

The top ticket seller was previously Jason Aldean who packed 15,329 seats in 2011, followed by Florida Georgia Line in 2014 with 15,204 tickets sold. Reba McEntire sold 14,823 in 2019 and Hootie and the Blowfish round out the top five record holders with 13,956 tickets sold in 1995.

“The Illinois State Fair brings people together,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Yesterday, our naturalization ceremony welcomed nearly 200 new citizens from 49 countries. That night, Lil Wayne smashed concert attendance records. Both events provided opportunities for people of all backgrounds, faiths and musical tastes to come together and celebrate our differences as well as our similarities.”

“Our team worked hard to ensure something for everyone at the Grandstand, and Lil Wayne is a rap legend,” said Jerry Costello II, Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture. “To break the previous attendance records underscores the importance of a diverse lineup at the Illinois State Fair.”

Grandstand shows continue through Sunday with the Jonas Brothers tonight, Smashing Pumpkins Friday night, Miranda Lambert Saturday night and Shaboozey closes out the fair Sunday night. Concert tickets are still available online at ticketmaster.com or at the Grandstand box office.

Jerry’s really hitting his stride over there.

  5 Comments      


Isabel’s afternoon roundup (Updated)

Thursday, Aug 15, 2024 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* Crain’s…

Trade groups representing banks and credit unions are suing the state of Illinois over a new law that would exempt state taxes and tips from the interchange fees charged by credit-card processors.

Bankers were surprised by the law, which emerged at the 11th hour of this year’s budget session in Springfield. Lawmakers decided to reduce the interchange fees, largely paid by merchants, on credit- and debit-card transactions as a way to soften the blow of a new law that would reduce the amount of money that merchants are paid for collecting state sales taxes.

Bankers, credit-card companies and airlines such as United (who rely heavily on the profits they make from credit-card partnerships) opposed the law from the outset.

Now, they’ve gone to federal court to stop the law, which is the first of its kind in the nation. Among the plaintiffs are the American Bankers Association, the Illinois Bankers Association, America’s Credit Unions and the Illinois Credit Union League. They are bringing the case on behalf of some of the largest credit-card processors and issuers, such as JP Morgan Chase, Citibank, Wells Fargo, Mastercard and Visa.

…Adding… The Illinois Retail Merchants Association…

The Illinois Retail Merchants Association (IRMA) released the following statement regarding a lawsuit filed today challenging the Interchange Fee Prohibition Act, which was enacted as part of the FY2025 state budget:

“This lawsuit was expected, and it’s no surprise credit card companies would do all they can to undermine this law and maintain their ability to unilaterally impose exorbitant processing fees on workers’ tips and taxes on consumer purchases,” said Rob Karr, president and CEO, Illinois Retail Merchants Association. “We once again applaud Gov. JB Pritzker and legislators for their support of the Interchange Fee Prohibition Act, which would provide tangible relief to Illinois workers, families, and retailers of all sizes and types by limiting the fees financial institutions can charge on the sales and excise tax and tips portion of transactions.”

* Scenes from Republican Day…

*** DNC ***

* Sun-Times | Watch party for Kamala Harris’ Democratic convention acceptance speech planned at Soldier Field: GoChiLife, a nonprofit that aims to build partnerships to “showcase the best of Chicago,” is planning a watch party at Soldier Field for community members, a spokesperson said. The event will be Aug. 22 starting at 7 p.m., and include a live viewing of Harris’ acceptance speech. Hip-hop artist Tobe Nwigwe will take the stage at 10 p.m. as the night’s headlining entertainment act.

* Tribune | The DNC starts next week in Chicago. Here’s what to know.: Harris, Biden’s vice president, has already been nominated in an online roll-call of delegates to be the Democratic nominee, so there won’t be a formal, official vote to nominate her at the convention. Instead there will be a ceremonial roll call, speeches from party leaders and up-and-comers, and an introduction of Harris’ recently announced running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. It’ll be a televised rally of support to build on Harris’ fundraising and polling momentum from the past month.



* Sun-Times | ‘Midwest nice’ cartoonist for The New Yorker is ready for Chicago and the DNC: Four a.m. is a productive hour for cartoonist Paul Noth. Whether he’s awake and wired or asleep and lost in dreams, some ineffable magic unfolds for him in the blurry hours that straddle late night and early morning. Noth, 51, found himself wrestling with an idea after watching Donald Trump’s speech at the Republican National Convention in July. After tuning in for the better part of an hour, Noth “stopped because that speech was just endless,” says Noth, who lives in South Milwaukee. “Then, I found myself waking up at 4 in the morning, and I was, like, ‘I gotta draw that.’ ”

*** Chicago ***

* Sun-Times | Ex-assistant state’s attorney charged with $100k bogus overtime scheme now works as prosecutor in Idaho: Ex-assistant state’s attorney Ashley Moore appeared on Zoom as the three faced their first court hearing on charges stemming from the alleged two-year scheme. Officer Jason Arroyo, 40, and Detective Edis Skrgic, 35, each face two counts of theft from a government entity and two counts of official misconduct for overtime collected between May 2019 and August 2021.

* Block Club | Rogers Park Tenants Forced Out By Big Rent Hike As Area Faces ‘Heartbreaking’ Housing Crisis: After a classic Rogers Park courtyard building was sold this year, tenants were given rent hikes that even the new landlord admitted were “steep.” It’s a textbook example of how Chicago has landed in a housing affordability crisis, experts say.

* Block Club | South Shore Line Exploring Safety Improvements In Hegewisch After Young Journalist Killed By Train: The station’s pedestrian crossings do not feature signals, sounds, automatic gates or other forms of “active warnings.” That kind of protection would have better protected Grace Bentkowski as she attempted to leave the station, her father said. “I don’t understand why, at these at-grade crossings, there’s no type of warning system,” he said. “People could say it’s government red tape, it’s this and that — whatever. We’re looking for safety at these types of crossings, so no one else has to go through this.”

* Sun-Times | Barnes & Noble delays Wicker Park store opening to October: Barnes & Noble has pushed back the launch of its new Wicker Park bookstore inside the historic Noel State Bank building to Oct. 30. It’s at least the second time the opening has been pushed back. The store was expected to open Sept. 4. “The delays have been caused by unforeseen site conditions and some permitting issues,” Janine Flanagan, Barnes & Noble’s vice president of store planning and design, said in an emailed statement. “We believe we are on track now for a 10/30 opening.”

* Block Club | Riot Fest Announces New Chicago Schedule For Douglass Park: In the updated schedule, the days of the performers were not expected to change, just some of the show times, Riot Fest said on social media yesterday. While headliners haven’t changed, post-hardcore band Drug Church did move from Friday to Saturday. Riot Fest said it had “literally just found out” about the move on X. Fall Out Boy takes the stage 8:15 p.m. Friday, Pavement and Beck are on at 7:40 and 8:45 p.m. respectively on Saturday, and Slayer performs 8:15 p.m. Sunday. Fall Out Boy, Beck and Slayer will all be on the Cabaret Metro stage, and Pavement will be on the AAA stage.

* NBC Chicago | Bug bites in Chicago area might actually be from mites thanks to 2024 cicada invasion: An uptick in reports of itchy bites and rashes in the Chicago area could be related to a surge in mite populations in cicada egg nests laid during the historic 2024 emergence that saw billions of cicadas emerge at one time, experts said.

* Sun-Times | White Sox’ Luis Robert says he was so frustrated he thought, ‘I’m quitting’: Luis Robert Jr. says the trade-deadline chatter didn’t bother him. And grinding back from his strained hip flexor didn’t affect his hitting. For him, the 2024 season is the year of the fall and the flop. With Robert felled by the injury seven games into the season when a weak lineup desperately needed him, the White Sox got off to a 3-22 start. And flopped when he returned. The 2023 All-Star center fielder and Home Run Derby participant wasn’t hitting his weight entering the Sox’ game against the Yankees on Wednesday at Guaranteed Rate Field.

*** Cook County and Suburbs ***

* Naperville Sun | Fentanyl test strip bill proposed by Naperville college student signed into law: A year ago, Lizzie Patterson was developing a bill that would help tackle the opioid crisis. Last week, the product of the Naperville North High School graduate’s work was officially made a law. Gov. J.B. Pritzker Friday signed Senate Bill 3350 into law, which aims to expand access to fentanyl test strips. It goes into effect Jan. 1, 2025. Patterson, speaking by phone Monday as she prepared to start her second year at the University of South Carolina, said seeing the legislation receive a signature from the governor is “surreal.”

* Daily Herald | ‘It’s very unique’: Lake County forest preserves to buy and protect sensitive rookery property near Antioch: The largest heron and egret rookery in Lake County will become a conservation preserve under forest preserve control. Lake County Forest Preserve District commissioners on Wednesday agreed to buy about 41 acres on the east side of Grass Lake Road near Antioch for $361,000. The site will not be developed because of nesting birds and other sensitive ecological features.

* Naperville Sun | What’s Naperville good for? New rankings cite everything from active retirees to remote working to house buying: Naperville has once again found itself on a handful of 2024 best-of lists lauding destinations across the country for attributes big and small. Namely, Naperville has been named among the best cities for remote workers by online platform LawnStarter; one of the top locations nationwide for active retirees according to online media company MarketBeat; one of the best cities to buy a house in America in 2024 by Niche; and among the nation’s 15 safest suburbs by SmartAsset, a personal finance website.

*** Downstate ***

* WICS | Big events at Illinois State Fair emphasize state’s own products: There are still plenty of big events taking place at the Illinois State Fair, and many of them are looking to highlight Illinois products.

* WCIA | Former assistant principal files suit against Champaign school district: Rebecca Ramey, former Assistant Principal for Booker T. Washington STEM Academy, filed the lawsuit against the Unit 4 School District on Aug. 13 with the U.S. District Court in Urbana, according to documents obtained by WCIA. In the documents, Ramey claimed she was discriminated and retaliated against due to her sexual orientation and marital status. Ramey’s wife — Diana Kistler, a teacher at BTW — was among the teachers vocal about the need for safety after two groups of children exchanged gunfire near the school in September 2023. Kistler publicly criticized how district leadership handled the situation.

  21 Comments      


Comptroller will stop sending “offset” payments to Dolton

Thursday, Aug 15, 2024 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* Comptroller Susana Mendoza…

Illinois State Comptroller Susana A. Mendoza is immediately suspending all “offset” funds to the Village of Dolton. “Offsets” refers to money collected from state payments our office withholds from people who owe traffic tickets or other money to municipalities such as Dolton.

This is because for about two years now, the administration of Mayor Tiffany Henyard has willfully refused to turn over the annual reports all municipalities are required to file with the Illinois Office of Comptroller, including an annual financial report, a financial audit, and three Tax Increment Financing District (TIF) reports.

“When municipalities around Illinois are having legitimate problems filing their annual reports with us, based on staffing or other issues, we earnestly work with them to get them into compliance,” Comptroller Mendoza said. “Dolton is different. The Mayor’s office has refused to communicate with us or address the problem. If Mayor Henyard refuses to follow state law, my office will use the tools at our disposal to safeguard the interests of Dolton’s citizens.”

Our office has been notifying the village of this delinquency over the past two years.

Village Clerk Allison Key emailed our office: “As Village Clerk, I have been unable to reply to FOIAs because the Village Administrator, Keith Freeman, has instructed department heads not to reply to any FOIA request coming from me. Therefore, I am unable to get information requested. My office doesn’t maintain all files for the village. He has illegally removed me as FOIA officer without board of trustees’ knowledge or vote of approval. He has continued to interfere with the FOIA process for the past 2 years.”

Our office advised Clerk Key that she should contact the Attorney General Public Access Counselor who is responsible for FOIA violation investigations. https://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/File-A-Complaint/.

According to published reports, Mayor Henyard cannot be located following a series of controversies, allegations of corruption and multiple investigations by local and federal agencies.

Our office’s preference would be to help the remaining members of Dolton’s government to come back into compliance with state statute about annual filing of reports with our office. We would be happy to resume disbursements of fine collections referred to our office but will not do so until they file the overdue reports.

In 2023, our office sent the Village of Dolton $120,000 offset from state payments to residents such as income tax refunds and lottery winnings. These represented unpaid fines owed to the Village of Dolton from these residents such as traffic and parking fines and other judgments. This year the village is on track to receive about $135,000.

State statute requires our office to initiate forced audits of towns that stop complying with laws to file annual reports with our office. We also have the authority to level fines. If Dolton continues failing to file reports, we will initiate forced audits and fines.

Our office can assess fines of approximately $7,000 per year per unfiled report, totaling $78,600 for Dolton as of today. That would be in addition to the roughly $135,000 the Village of Dolton could lose in offset fines our office sends the village on an annual basis if its administration does not resume filing reports.

The village last filed its 2021 reports in 2022. But the 2022 and 2023 reports are unfiled and delinquent.

Our office notified the village today of the immediate suspension of offset funds and that a forced audit and fines will begin soon if the village does not come into compliance with the law.

  24 Comments      


Stop Credit Card Chaos In Illinois!

Thursday, Aug 15, 2024 - Posted by Advertising Department

[The following is a paid advertisement.]

In less than one year, a new law will create credit card chaos for millions of Illinois consumers, small business owners and workers who rely on tips. The law changes how your credit card is processed and has never been done anywhere in the world. The end result is windfall for corporate mega-stores paid for through costly operational hurdles for small businesses and a loss of convenience and privacy for consumers who could have to pay tax and gratuity with cash. There’s still time to protect Illinois small business owners, consumers and workers by repealing the Interchange Fee Prohibition Act now! For more information, visit guardyourcard.com/Illinois.

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House GOP Leader McCombie talks November, Trump, Harris, suburbs, Pritzker, money, Massey

Thursday, Aug 15, 2024 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Background is here if you need it. From today’s gaggle…

Q: The Speaker pointed out a few of the Biden-won districts that you’re defending in November that he sees as pick-up opportunities for Democrats. You previously said you think you can pick up five. Who’s right, who’s wrong?

House Republican Leader Tony McCombie: I guess we’re going to see in November. I’ll argue that 78 is not great, and I think a lot of folks around the state would agree with me. So we’ll see what happens. I mean, last cycle was certainly interesting. The map didn’t help. So we also have numbers and overlays. This will be an interesting cycle, and I think we will discover that House Republicans will make a bite into that apple, and we’re going to bring some balance to Illinois.

Q: Donald Trump has lost Illinois by 17 percent in the last two elections. Clearly, in the last eight years, it’s had a big impact for Republicans negatively down-ballot. I mean, that’s why there are 78 for example, in the House of Representatives. How do Republicans overcome the Trump factor going into this election, especially down ballot?

McCombie: Well, I would argue Trump is not the reason for 78, I would argue that that is because of Speaker Welch’s mismanagement of the crafting of a map. That is certainly nothing to do with President Trump. But we have a top of the ticket, whether, no matter what state it is, that they say always drags down bottom of the ticket. You know, locals want to get to their polls, we have whether it’s a exciting school board race, a sheriff’s race, a state Reps.’ race, a mayor’s race. I mean, this is a presidential, you’re going to see great turnout, just like you did in 2016 when I flipped a D+16 and you’re going to see that again this cycle.

Q: But the thing is, it’s not just the Illinois House. Democrats control every constitutional office. They control five of the seven seats on the state Supreme Court, and yeah, so it’s not just the legacy…

McCombie: No, absolutely not. And I think that’s when you see when we run, and this is why this election is so important here, because we have to start looking forward already. This is about the Republican turnout. Because for us, it’s about the next governor’s race, and if we can show that we have a great turnout, we are going to get a great Republican candidate. Because you’re right, that map doesn’t matter. We will turn the state around. I promise you that. It might not happen next this year, but it is going to start happening because people are tired of what is going on here.

Q: How does Kamala Harris on the top of the ticket change things as compared to Joe Biden?

McCombie: Well, I think you want to ask Cori Bush how it affected her. Certainly didn’t help her right after the honeymoon stage. We’ve been polling, and I would say Kamala’s faves and unfaves have been pretty equal, and you’re already starting to see that drop a little bit. I think after the DNC, you’ll see her perk up a little a little bit more. But once you actually get her in front of this, actually have the courage to do something like this, she won’t be able to handle it, and everybody else will see who she really is.

Q: What do Republicans need to do to sort of bite into the bump that they’ve gotten right now? This gives you a lot of enthusiasm among Democrats, with Harris leading the ticket. How do you overcome that after the DNC going forward to November?

McCombie: Yeah, I’m actually kind of surprised, because if I was a Democrat, I certainly feel pretty disenfranchised about not being able to have an opportunity to vote for who I voted for in a primary. So that surprises me. But, you know, they are the party of democracy they say, which, obviously that’s not true. I think they are excited because it’s not Biden. They didn’t plan properly, and now they’re cleaning up their mess. So here we are, and it this will be no different campaign than we will run, whether it was Joe Biden or whether it was Kamala or any Democrats top of the ticket, we would run a race to win, and that’s what we’re going to do.

Q: What are the issues you think that are helping Republicans this election cycle?

McCombie: Our issues are your issues, and they are the top of top of mind for everybody, and that’s inflation. Every time you go to the grocery store, every time you pay an energy bill, every time you go to the gas station and there’s already conversations about what they’re going to do to our income tax here in January to try to cover up what we’re going to do for pensions. Tthey’re not talking about pension reform. They’re talking about raising taxes. And that’s another thing that they’re going to do about getting people out of our state. And we’ve got to start looking at true structural reform if we’re going to grow our state, we can’t keep taxing our way, and that’s a real problem.

Q: What do Republicans have to do to turn around your fortunes in the suburbs… because your performance in the suburbs has declined in lockstep with Donald Trump being on ballot.

McCombie: Well, we’re out and about. We’ve got really great candidates this cycle. We were very measured on our candidate recruitment, and we have candidates that have been working harder than they’ve ever worked before. They’re getting their messages out. And the bottom line is this, whether you’re a Republican, a Democrat or an Independent, people are fed up with the mismanagement of the state from the top to the bottom.

Q: You’ve been doing this a while now. And the Republican Party in Illinois used to be fueled, you know, funding wise, by wealthy donors. Obviously, it’s very hard to compete with a billionaire like Pritzker, but it seems like a lot of those donors have, you know, abandoned or eroded, that that funding has been eroded right now. That’s key to any election when you’re a Democrat or a Republican. So how do Illinois Republicans get that kind of funding to overtake some of the blue areas, overtake blue Illinois?

McCombie: Well, unfortunately this cycle, we’re probably not going to get a million-dollar donor. You know, every day I sell hope for Illinois, and we’re gonna do it five bucks, 20 bucks, a hundred bucks, a thousand bucks at a time, and we’re gonna do it at the door ourselves. We’re gonna knock the doors, and we’re gonna do the work. Unfortunately, we have to do this the hard way. We’re gonna have some wins this cycle, and we’re gonna bring back some of those donors.

Q: Are your odds better or worse with Harris atop the ticket?

McCombie: No different.

Q: We’re a little over a month since the Sonya Massey [garbled]. Have there been some discussions of needed police reform? Is there any [garbled] that Republicans maybe support Democrats in that effort? Or are there any changes [that you could support]?

McCombie: Well, there was quite a bit of what was called police reform in the SAFE-T Act and I think a lot of those things probably haven’t been put into place. You have to talk to the governor and his administration and see what was in that act for reform. I think there’s definitely some bad actors, and that was a terrible situation, but there’s also a lot of things going on right here in Illinois that the governor and his administration also needs to be accountable for. Look at DCFS.

Please pardon any transcription errors.

  29 Comments      


DNC Chicago coverage roundup

Thursday, Aug 15, 2024 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* Tribune…

Chicago’s top migrant official is walking back a prediction from city leaders last month that tens of thousands of migrants would arrive by bus ahead of next week’s Democratic National Convention, saying that there is no “credible intel” that the feared surge will occur.

Mayor Brandon Johnson’s deputy mayor for immigration, Beatriz Ponce de León, told reporters in July the city was preparing for as many as 25,000 migrant arrivals tied to the DNC. But President Joe Biden’s June executive order limiting asylum-seekers’ arrivals at the U.S. border has sharply changed the city’s expectations, she said.

No migrant buses have come to Chicago since June 17, according to Brian Berg, spokesman for the city’s Department of Family and Support Services.

“We at this point do not have any credible intel that there will be a large surge in terms of buses coming from Texas,” Ponce de León told the Tribune Tuesday.

* NBC…

Republican National Convention delegates erupted in applause last month when Texas Gov. Greg Abbott doubled down on his commitment to send buses full of migrants to blue cities. […]

But the buses have not been rolling on a consistent basis for months because of a steep drop in the number of migrants apprehended at the southern border, according to officials and migrant shelter operators in Texas and in a half-dozen big cities across the U.S.

Roughly 117,000 migrants were stopped in May, down from a record 300,000 in December. In June, the number dropped even further — to about 84,000, the lowest monthly total since President Joe Biden took office in 2021.

“They now come much less frequently,” said Josh Goldfein, a staff attorney for the Legal Aid Society of New York, “because they don’t have enough people to cross the border to fill up a bus.”

* Sun-Times…

Gov. JB Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson are among a slew of Illinois Democrats scheduled to speak at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago next week.

Pritzker will speak in a prime time address Tuesday night, the same night former President Barack Obama will address the convention, according to two sources familiar with the plans. Johnson, Sen. Dick Durbin, Sen. Tammy Duckworth and U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood have also been confirmed as speakers.

President Joe Biden will address the convention Monday, along with former Secretary of State and presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. On Wednesday, former President Bill Clinton will address the convention before vice presidential nominee Tim Walz speaks and formally accepts the nomination. Democratic nominee Kamala Harris will close out the convention with a Thursday night address.

Pritzker, Duckworth and former Mayor Lori Lightfoot were instrumental in landing the convention in Chicago. But Johnson has also played an active role since taking office. Pritzker, who was a contender to be Harris’ running mate, told reporters last week that he planned to travel the country to help boost the Harris-Walz ticket ahead of the November election. And Johnson last week headlined an event in Detroit called “Black Men for Harris.”

* Click here for more information…


* WGN…

Members of the Coalition to March on the DNC said they are outraged over the City of Chicago’s approval for two days of marches during next week’s Democratic National Convention. […]

And organizers plan to speak out again Thursday after a letter from the city granted use of two parks for rallies with restrictions in place.

It reads in part quote “no stages, or platforms, portable restrooms or toilets, tents or canopies, or sound equipment may be installed by your organization.” […]

Coalition organizers feel the rules put in place make it impossible to share their messages.

* The Coalition’s emergency motion will be heard in federal court at 1:30 pm…


* More…

    * Tribune | Mayor Johnson ally raising money from Chicago business leaders for DNC events: A top ally of Mayor Brandon Johnson has been hitting up Chicago businesses to contribute to a dark money political organization that is hosting several events next week during the Democratic National Convention, including a luncheon and a showcase Soldier Field event. […] [Charles Smith, Johnson’s liaison to the business community,] wears multiple hats. Along with being Johnson’s point man with business leaders as vice chair of the city’s public-private economic development organization World Business Chicago, he is CEO of CS Insurance Strategies and chair of Business Leadership Council, an advocacy group designed to bolster Black business partnerships.

    * Crain’s | The DNC party invite giving some Chicago C-suites heartburn: Insurance executive Charles Smith, whom Johnson tapped as vice chair of World Business Chicago, has been asking individuals and companies in recent weeks to contribute between $5,000 to $500,000 to GoChiLife, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit, in an effort to host five events during the convention, kicking off with a welcome party at the Adler Planetarium featuring a performance by rapper and actor Common. The mayor’s potential presence was touted on invitations for some of the GoChiLife events. The size of the contributions Smith was seeking, his relationship with Johnson and the nature of the nonprofit’s tax status gave pause to some of those asked for donations. Their concerns: How the money would be spent — and if they were really being asked to support Johnson’s political work instead.

    * Tribune | Kamala Harris’ move to the top of the ticket gave DNC hotel bookings in Chicago a boost, but don’t expect Taylor Swift-level crowds: The Democratic National Committee signed contracts with more than 40 Chicago hotels, including the InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile, Palmer House Hilton and Sheraton Grand Chicago, according to party officials. The hotels agreed to hold thousands of rooms at contracted rates until Aug. 7, but interest in the new nominee attracted a burst of late bookings, and party officials say some hotels have decided to extend that deadline. […] So far, hotel operators say the convention hasn’t been a blockbuster event like Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour, which packed downtown hotels with big-spending concertgoers for three nights last summer.

    * Tribune | Illinois Democrats provide DNC preview with energetic support of Kamala Harris at Illinois State Fair: “Can you feel the electricity across the nation for our next president, Kamala Harris?!” Pritzker shouted to applause from hundreds of people at the annual Democratic County Chairs’ Brunch in the Bank of Springfield Center. “We are just days away from hosting delegates and party leaders from across this nation for the 2024 Democratic National Convention, and we are 83 days away from hearing the two words this country’s waited 248 years to hear: Madame President.” The celebratory gathering of the state’s Democrats, both at the brunch and the state fairgrounds, was an occasion to keep the focus on issues including reproductive and workers’ rights three months ahead of the election, while also warning of the danger they say Republican Donald Trump poses to some of those rights as well as to democracy itself.

    * Tribune | Kamala Harris’ husband Doug Emhoff in Chicago for fundraisers: Vice President Kamala Harris’ husband, Doug Emhoff, headlined three Chicago-area fundraisers Wednesday, including one hosted by the former president of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and his wife. “Just today, she was in the situation room dealing with the security of Israel,” Emhoff said of Harris as he spoke in the West Loop home of former AIPAC President Lee “Rosy” Rosenberg. “So this is something that is personal. It’s something that is meaningful, and it’s something that she will continue to do as president of the United States.”

    * Sun-Times | Second gentleman Doug Emhoff addresses antisemitism at Chicago fundraiser for Kamala Harris campaign: Emhoff spoke about how unfortunate it was for the Biden and Harris administration to inherit the issues they did from Donald Trump’s administration and assured attendees that Harris would continue to combat antisemitism. “When they got to office, post-Trump, there’s so many things that Biden and Harris inherited. … One of those things was hate,” he said.

    * Hollywood Reporter | Hollywood Hits the Windy City: Roundup of Stars Traveling to Chicago’s DNC for Concerts, Events: The Creative Coalition, led by Robin Bronk, has also confirmed details for a series of events being hosted by the nonprofit, nonpartisan social and public advocacy organization of the arts and entertainment community. Led by president Tim Daly and CEO Bronk, the org confirmed that it had booked a delegation that includes Uma Thurman, Uzo Aduba, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Yvette Nicole Brown, Anthony Anderson, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Busy Philipps, Jon Cryer, David Cross, Yolonda Ross, Iain Armitage, Chris Witaske and Danai Gurira.

  23 Comments      


Open thread

Thursday, Aug 15, 2024 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* What’s going on in your part of Illinois?…

  14 Comments      


Isabel’s morning briefing

Thursday, Aug 15, 2024 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* ICYMI: In largest annual Illinois rally, Democrats reflect on surge of enthusiasm with Harris atop ticket. Capitol News Illinois…

    - Democrats gathered in Springfield Wednesday for their annual rally at the Illinois State Fair amid a surge of enthusiasm and a renewed sense of optimism about their chances of retaining the White House in November.

    - Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch said he has seen the change in enthusiasm as well, and expressed hope that it will reach into down-ballot races, enabling Democrats to expand their already-existing super majority in the General Assembly.

    - Pam Davidson, Democratic State Central Committee member and chair of the local Democratic Party in western Illinois’ Knox County, told the hundreds gathered at Wednesday’s breakfast that Democrats can turn even one of the party’s most vulnerable issues into an opportunity for a more appealing message.

* Related stories…

* The steer will be donated to Feeding Illinois and dispersed to food banks across the state…

*** Isabel’s Top Picks ***

* Block Club | CTA Approves Massive Contract To Build Red Line Extension As Costs Top $5 Billion: CTA board members on Wednesday unanimously approved a $2.9 billion contract to the entity known as Walsh-VINCI Transit Community Partners to design and build four Red Line stops south of 95th Street. […] The mammoth construction contract awarded by the CTA comes after the Federal Transit Authority pledged “accelerated funding” for the Red Line Extension earlier this month. That puts the project’s ballooning budget now at $5.3 billion — up from $4.1 billion — which CTA officials said Wednesday accounts for steep rises nationally in construction and labor costs.

* Sun-Times | ‘One-stop-shop’ DMV opens in Melrose Park with expanded business services: The Melrose Park site will also process and certify foreign use documents, provide assistance to notaries public, and hold employment testing for current and prospective DMV employees. Since April, four other DMVs downstate have been upgraded to one-stop shops for driver and vehicle services. The Melrose Park location is the first near Chicago.

*** Statehouse News ***

* Inside Higher Ed | Illinois Becomes Fourth State to Pass Legacy Ban: It’s the third successful ban passed since the Supreme Court banned affirmative action last year, resuscitating legislative efforts to end the practice, and marks a symbolic win for the anti-legacy movement after a disappointing setback in Connecticut in May. The law will have little practical impact, however; none of Illinois’s public universities currently give admissions preference to relatives of alumni. Proposals to ban legacy preferences are also up for consideration in New York, Massachusetts, California and Minnesota.

* WAND | New Illinois law could curb underage purchase, drinking of alcopop: The law requires retailers to separate soda and juice from liquor that looks like soda. It also prohibits retailers from displaying alcopop drinks next to soft drinks, bottled water or snacks catered to young customers.

*** Statewide ***

* WTVO | Illinois Sheriffs’ Association condemns violence over elections, political motives: The Illinois Sheriffs’ Association shared the letter to Facebook on Tuesday, stressing the importance of sharing and listening to different perspectives while also respecting constitutional process without resorting to violence, even amid “We know that our citizens and communities do not support violence as a way of ‘resolving’ conflict because it does not resolve anything, instead, it is perpetuated and replicated,” reads the last paragraph of the letter. “As Chief Law Enforcement Officers of our counties, we believe that no matter what your personal political leanings and beliefs are, violence is never tolerable and can never be accepted.” disagreements.

*** Chicago ***

* Fox Chicago | Aldermen react to reports of Chicago mayor pushing CPS CEO out: ‘Not a good idea’: When asked about the rumors, CTU President Stacy Davis Gates responded with a text saying, “That’s news to me.” Alderman Matt O’Shea (19th Ward) expressed shock at the news, recalling that he was at a fundraiser with both Johnson and Martinez the night before. “He’s brought stability to the Chicago Public Schools, particularly to neighborhoods that need stability,” O’Shea said. “I think this would be a tremendous setback. I hope it’s just a rumor.”

* Sun-Times | Homeless hotline won’t restart for a few more weeks: A taxpayer-funded nonprofit overseeing a hotline that puts unhoused people on a waiting list for housing said Wednesday it has a signed agreement with the organization 211 Metro Chicago to restart the service, possibly in the next few weeks. The Sun-Times reported recently that the call center was abruptly shut down at the end of June because Catholic Charities was no longer willing to provide the service. That left potentially hundreds of unhoused people unable to take an important first step in finding a place to live.

* Sun-Times | Amtrak to Mayor Brandon Johnson: ‘We have significant concerns’ about Greyhound stop at Union Station: Amtrak President Roger Harris tells Mayor Brandon Johnson that Union Station, which Amtrak owns, does not have the capacity or money to handle any additional bus riders. He suggested the city move the bus stop to Ogilvie or La Salle Street stations.

* Sun-Times | Former Cook County prosecutor, two Chicago police officers charged with overtime theft: Officer Jason Arroyo, 40, and Detective Edis Skrgic, 35, each face two counts of theft of more than $100,000 from a government entity and two counts of official misconduct for overtime collected between May 2019 and August 2021. Former assistant state’s attorney Ashley Moore, who now lives in Idaho, faces counts of theft, official misconduct and obstruction of justice for allegedly providing false information in August 2021 to a Chicago police sergeant regarding notifications for the officers to appear in court in a murder case, according to the indictments.

* WTTW | COVID-19 Cases Are on the Rise. Here’s What Chicago Health Officials Say You Should Know: Chicago has seen an increased number of cases in previous years following a similar pattern emerging around the end of summer and beginning of fall. However, experts claim there is not enough evidence to classify COVID-19 as a seasonal virus.[…] According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cases started to rise the week ending May 18 and have seen a steady incline since. The CDC no longer recommends universal case investigation and contact tracing but suggests health departments turn to alternative methods to keep track of the virus.

* Sun-Times | Riot Fest staying at Douglass Park, scrapping plans to move to Bridgeview’s SeatGeek Stadium: According to Wednesday’s announcement from the Chicago Park District, Ald. Monique Scott (24th) and fest organizers, “strong support from the North Lawndale leadership and community” was among the key reasons for the location about-face. The festival is slated to run Sept. 20-22. The announcement noted Park District Board approval is still needed, but Park District CEO Rosa Escareno didn’t expect any complications.

*** Cook County and Suburbs ***

* Daily Herald | Elk Grove sends $200 gift cards to households, thanks to better-than-expected revenues: The prepaid plastic — going to all 14,000 residential addresses including apartments, condominiums, townhouses and single-family homes — comes from better-than-expected general fund revenues bolstered by new data center construction permit fees. Three months into the new fiscal year, village coffers already have reaped $5 million in permit fees villagewide — most from data centers. That’s the amount officials estimated they would collect for the whole year.

* Crain’s | HR company eyes move to Zurich’s Schaumburg HQ: Human resources services provider ADP is in advanced discussions to sublease around 150,000 square feet from the insurance giant at 1299 Zurich Way in the northwest suburb, according to people familiar with the talks. If the deal is completed, ADP would relocate its suburban Chicago workforce to the property from Elk Grove Village, sources said. The company last year sold its 242,000-square-foot longtime office building at 100 Northwest Point Blvd. to a data center operator that plans to raze it as part of a broader redevelopment project.

* Daily Herald | Demolition begins on mammoth Sears complex in Hoffman Estates: At its peak, the campus was home to about 9,000 employees. But after the last of them were sent home due to the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, none ever returned. One of the 30 largest structures in the world in terms of square footage, the Sears headquarters is significantly ahead of even the John Hancock and Empire State buildings, according to Jeff Olson, project executive for Carol Stream-based American Demolition.

*** Downstate ***

* SJ-R | Attorney: SAFE-T Act ‘failed to stop’ former sheriff’s deputy accused of Massey’s murder: While calling Illinois’ SAFE-T Act “one of the most comprehensive police reform bills” passed, Antonio Romanucci, an attorney who has worked with the Massey family’s attorney, Ben Crump, said the act “needs a little bit of help.”Romanucci said a more comprehensive national database would include infractions such as DUIs, driving excessive speeds during a police chase and incidents of excessive force or unnecessary profane language on a citizen.

* WCIA | Monticello police officer accused of child pornography offenses resigns: Rob Bross, the Chief of the Monticello Police Department, said William Griswold submitted a letter to the department in which he resigned from his position. The resignation is effective immediately. Bross elaborated that after learning of his arrest by the Illinois State Police on Tuesday, the Monticello Police Department launched an administrative investigation into Griswold’s actions and scheduled a disciplinary hearing with the Monticello Fire and Police Commission. With Griswold’s resignation, that hearing has been cancelled.

* Illinois Times | Battling blight: Two of the major solutions pushed for years by the Springfield Independent Coalition for Our Neighborhoods (ICON) were a comprehensive landlord registration and inspection program for rental properties and reforms to the city’s garbage collection system so all residents are billed for garbage service through their City Water, Light and Power bills instead of by individual waste haulers. The lack of movement in the direction of these options in the city under former mayor Jim Langfelder and now current Mayor Misty Buscher, who took office in May 2023, is disappointing, according to the leader of ICON, a nonprofit that advocates for all neighborhoods and especially older sections of Springfield.

* SJ-R | Pritzker calls Trump a ‘loser’ as Dems champion Harris, Walz during Governor’s Day: At both the Illinois Democratic County Chairs’ Association brunch and Governor’s Day events, elected officials and party leaders drummed up support for Vice President Kamala Harris and running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and levied attacks against Republicans up and down the ballot. In Harris, Democrats accounted for the historical significance in having the first woman in the Oval Office. Still, they say it’s the platform, advocating for nationwide abortion protections and promoting gun control, that she would strive for as president in addition to her identity that make her the best candidate.

*** National ***

* AP | Ruling: Fetus can be referred to as ‘unborn human being’ in Arizona abortion measure voter pamphlet: The Arizona Supreme Court justices sided with Republican lawmakers, who drafted the language sent to all voters in the state, over proponents of the ballot measure on abortion rights. The ruling comes as abortion foes have long worked to give embryos and fetuses the same legal and constitutional protections on par with those of the women carrying them. The issue was highlighted recently when the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos are legally protected children, forcing lawmakers to scramble to enact protections for in vitro fertilization.

* MIT Technology | DHS plans to collect biometric data from migrant children “down to the infant”: The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) plans to collect and analyze photos of the faces of migrant children at the border in a bid to improve facial recognition technology, MIT Technology Review can reveal. This includes children “down to the infant,” according to John Boyd, assistant director of the department’s Office of Biometric Identity Management (OBIM), where a key part of his role is to research and develop future biometric identity services for the government. […] Facial recognition technology (FRT) has traditionally not been applied to children, largely because training data sets of real children’s faces are few and far between, and consist of either low-quality images drawn from the internet or small sample sizes with little diversity. Such limitations reflect the significant sensitivities regarding privacy and consent when it comes to minors.

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Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today’s edition of Capitol Fax (use all CAPS in password)

Thursday, Aug 15, 2024 - Posted by Rich Miller

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Live coverage

Thursday, Aug 15, 2024 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* You can click here or here to follow breaking news. It’s the best we can do unless or until Twitter gets its act together.

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Selected press releases (Live updates)

Thursday, Aug 15, 2024 - Posted by Isabel Miller

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Isabel’s afternoon roundup

Wednesday, Aug 14, 2024 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* Scenes from Governors Day…

* Invisible Institute…

Today the Invisible Institute, a journalism non-profit based on the South Side of Chicago, launched the third major update to their online data project of misconduct complaint records, CPDP.co. The database, the first and largest of its kind in the country, holds more than a quarter million allegations of misconduct by Chicago Police from 1988-2023. Of the 259,865 allegations made against Chicago Police, only 8% were disciplined.

Now included on the site are more than 1,500 settlements and successful lawsuits filed against the Chicago Police, dating from 2011 through 2019. Shared through a partnership with The Chicago Reporter, which originally published settlement data on their “Settling for Misconduct” project, reporters at The Chicago Reporter and the Invisible Institute cleaned the updated data together. Altogether, these cases total nearly $500 million in police settlements.

“Access to this kind of information about police in Chicago matters,” said Andrew Fan, executive director at the Invisible Institute. “Thousands of people use CPDP every year, including organizers, lawyers, and journalists, and everyday Chicagoans who have encounters with the police. We’re excited to be able to expand access to essential public records for everyone in the city.”

Designed to serve as a national model of transparency and accountability in law enforcement, the Civic Police Data Project is the product of a decades-long collaboration with the University of Chicago Law School’s Mandel Legal Aid Clinic. The Invisible Institute released the first iteration of the site in 2015, as a result of successful litigation in Kalven v. City of Chicago (2014), which established that police misconduct records are public in Illinois. The last major data update to the site was in 2018, and its revamped desktop and mobile officer lookup tool proved especially useful during protests in the summer of 2020, as activists on the ground searched officers’ names.

Initial findings, based on data added from 2018 - 2023, include:

    - More than 12,000 new allegations have been published to the site.Additionally, complete underlying documents containing complaint narratives have been added to the site for complaints made between 2011 - 2015.

    - Since 2018, only 5% of CPD officers have six or more complaints. These officers are responsible for more than 30% of all CPD complaints. This includes Officer Enrique Delgado Fernandez who, at 43 complaints filed since 2018, leads in misconduct allegations. In 2023, footage was published by activist Will Calloway of Delgado Fernandez beating a detainee inside a police station.

    - Chicago Police filed more than 28,000 use of force reports between 2017 and mid-2023. CPD’s own data shows that while reports fell sharply between 2020 and 2022, in 2023 they rose to close to 5,000 – nearly level with the number of use of force reports officers were filing before the consent decree.

    - Officers with seven or more use of force reports make up just 5% of CPD officers but account for more than 36% of all Tactical Response Reports (TRRs) since 2018. Use of force is self-reported by Chicago Police and there are indications that officers do not file reports with the same consistency. For example, our data contains more than 300 officers who, since 2018, have at least one more complaint for excessive use of force than they have reported using force.

* Chris Ridgeway covered CTA Board of Directors meeting for Chicago Documenters…



*** Statewide ***

* SJ-R | Could problem gambling be a growing problem in Illinois? Calls to helpline skyrocket: Halfway through 2024, Illinois residents contacted the helpline 15,998 times and were on pace to contact the helpline 23% more times than last year. Illinois Council on Problem Gambling Executive Director David Wohl said it makes sense that we are seeing an uptick in problem gambling as the sports betting industry explodes , slot machines have become ubiquitous across the state and new casinos open.

* WAND | New law calls for independent study of Illinois property tax system: State and local leaders have previously created commissions and task forces to study property taxes, but those groups failed to appropriately study the issue. […] The law will allow the Illinois Department of Revenue and Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to evaluate the fairness of property taxes across the levy, assessment, appeal and collection process.

* WMBD | Illinois cracks top 5 states for most Olympic medals: The Sports Geek compiled a list of medals by state, and Illinois ranked #4 in the country for most medals won with 17. […] Delving deeper, Illinois took home six medals in volleyball, three in swimming, two in football and basketball and one each in artistic gymnastics, rugby 7’s, rowing and wrestling.

*** DNC ***

* NYT | As Democrats Gather in Chicago, These Audiobooks Offer Context: Never one to tread lightly, Norman Mailer once declared Chicago “the great American city.” It did not strive, he argued, to New York’s global status, yet it managed to outshine “the dull diamonds in the smog of Eastern Megalopolis,” as Mailer derided Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C. The Brooklyn-bred literary pugilist made this pronouncement in 1968 as he blew into town for that summer’s Democratic National Convention. Mailer had just been in Miami, where the Republicans trotted out a baby elephant and nominated Richard M. Nixon without much drama.

* Crain’s | The DNC party invite is giving some Chicago C-suites heartburn: A close ally of Mayor Brandon Johnson has caused confusion among corporate donors by soliciting significant contributions to a political nonprofit that was planning to throw a week’s worth of celebrations during the Democratic National Convention. Insurance executive Charles Smith, whom Johnson tapped as co-chair of World Business Chicago, has been asking individuals and companies in recent weeks to contribute between $5,000 to $500,000 to GoChiLife, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit, in an effort to host five events during the convention, kicking off with a welcome party at the Adler Planetarium featuring a performance by Common. The mayor’s potential presence was touted on invitations for some of the GoChiLife events.

* Crain’s | Ahead of DNC, Chicago’s trauma centers contend with dwindling blood supply: An emergency blood shortage is creating tense times at area hospitals, and with the Democratic National Convention looming, one transfusion department specialist hopes logistics don’t also get in the way.

*** Chicago ***

* Sun-Times | Johnson working to oust CPS chief executive, sources say: Martinez’s departure, which has not yet been finalized, would come after he clashed with the mayor’s office and Chicago Teachers Union leaders over how to address a massive budget deficit and historical underfunding of the school system. Those disagreements have led to increasingly tense contract negotiations with the teachers union, which has directed its ire squarely at Martinez in recent weeks.

* Tribune | ‘The same battle from the very beginning’: After almost 30 years of redevelopment, some Henry Horner Homes residents say they face inadequate housing: With construction underway on the final set of replacement units, CHA submitted a motion in October 2023 to officially end the consent decree after almost three decades of redevelopment. Yet lawyers for the Horner plaintiffs argue that CHA has not fulfilled a key obligation under the decree, due to their alleged neglect of the newly built or renovated units. Many in the Horner community claim to have spent years warding off severe maintenance issues such as flooding, mold, sewage leaks, rotting floors, malfunctioning heating and infestations.

* Sun-Times | 13-year-old boy killed in Edgewater remembered as a ‘great kid’ who ’smiled all day’: Shawn Childs, Ashawn’s uncle and founder of the anti-violence groups House of Hope Foundation and No Kids Die in the Chi, said his nephew was put in tough situations growing up around gangs and violence. “He was a regular kid. He was what you would call the average kid trying to find his way,” Childs said, adding that Ashawn had never been in trouble.

* Sun-Times | Family pushes for rail safety after death of young journalist at Far South Side station: Bentkowski, 22, was only months into her career as a creative producer at NewsNation downtown and was days away from signing a lease for an apartment in Chicago when she was struck and killed by a train July 25 on her commute home to Dyer, Indiana. She had just stepped off a train at the Hegewisch South Shore station and was headed toward the parking lot when she was struck by another train leaving the platform. […] O’Neill said he and Bentkowski’s father were shown video of the incident and were shocked to find the train that struck her hadn’t sounded its whistle until after it had started moving.

* Tribune | 5 questions for the Chicago Sky after the Olympic break, who will fill Marina Mabrey’s shoes: The Chicago Sky return to action Thursday, hosting the Phoenix Mercury after nearly a month between games amid the WNBA’s Olympic break. Thursday’s game will feature a homecoming for Kahleah Copper, who won a gold medal with the United States on Sunday. It will also be the debut of a new-look roster for the Sky after a rare midseason trade during the break, which sent former shooting guard Marina Mabrey to the Connecticut Sun in exchange for Rachel Banham and Moriah Jefferson.

*** Cook County and Suburbs ***

* Daily Herald | Back to school: Why several suburban districts are getting an increase in state funding: As the new school year begins, the state is spreading $8.6 billion in education funding across districts statewide — a nearly $2 billion increase from the $6.8 billion it doled out when the law first was enacted for the 2018-19 school year. According to the Illinois State Board of Education, which announced funding allotments earlier this month, every school district in the state will see an increase in evidence-based funding this school year. The amounts vary district by district with under-resourced districts, or those in Tier 1, getting a larger slice of the funding pie than fully-funded Tier 3 and Tier 4 districts.

* Daily Herald | ‘This is horse abuse’: Palatine park board votes to rehouse Palatine Stables’ horses: Park commissioners voted 4-1 at Monday’s meeting to declare as surplus property and relocate the park district’s 12 horses and 15 ponies. The ordinance calls for the relocation to occur by donation or “the most humane course of action based on veterinarian recommendation.”

*** Downstate ***

* Press release | U of I-led project to assess whether financial help prevents repeated child maltreatment: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign social work professor Will Schneider is leading a team of national experts in exploring the efficacy of temporary economic support at preventing the recurrence of child maltreatment in Illinois families. The Empower Parenting with Resources project includes 800 families who were referred by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services to receive services for allegations of child maltreatment. All of those in the study are participants in the Brightpoint social services agency’s Intact Family Services program, which strives to keep families together whenever safe to do so while connecting them with needed resources such as behavioral and mental health care and parenting classes.

* WCIA | Union Pacific ‘Big Boy’ coming to Central Illinois: Union Pacific is sending its “Big Boy” engine — the world’s largest operational steam locomotive — on a tour across 10 states, including Illinois. The best chance to see the Big Boy up close will be in the Northern Illinois town of Rochelle on Sept. 8, but there will be “whistle stops” and other viewing opportunities in East-Central Illinois.

* SJ-R | New business will bring food from Illinois State Fair to your home: In a modern age where Netflix doesn’t need a DVD box, kitchens can operate under different names as ghost restaurants and COVID has irreparably changed the course of the decade – a group of business-savvy entrepreneurs are bringing the fair directly to your doorstep – DoorDash style. Meet Fair Dash, the online delivery and pickup service sending fair food to doors so you can skip the lines and the $20 admission and parking.

*** National ***

* AP | US inflation slowed again in July, clearing the way for the Fed to begin cutting rates: Wednesday’s report from the Labor Department showed that consumer prices rose just 0.2% from June to July after dropping slightly the previous month for the first time in four years. Measured from a year earlier, prices rose 2.9%, down from 3% in June. It is the mildest year-over-year inflation figure since March 2021.

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Pritzker responds to Trump calling him a ‘loser’

Wednesday, Aug 14, 2024 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Center Square…

Former President Donald Trump used part of his conversation with Tesla founder Elon Musk on Monday night to criticize Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker as a “real loser.” […]

During a conversation with Musk on X, Trump was discussing his plan to close the U.S. Department of Education if he’s elected, and said some states will do well managing their own education, but not Illinois.

“I have so many friends that are in those states, even if they’re Democrats, I hate to mention certain states, but Illinois is badly run with Pritzker,” Trump said. “He’s a real loser.” […]

Musk, who has recently moved businesses out of California, said states with poor management at the top are seeing people flee for other states at an increased rate.

“Some of these governors are doing so badly, I mean they’ve got so many people moving out of their state they should get U-Haul salesman of the year award,” Musk said.

Trump piled on, and pointed to Illinois, but said it’s not the residents’ fault. .

“You can’t penalize people that loan money to the state when you have incompetent people like a Pritzker, look the family didn’t want him in the family business and then he ends up being governor of Illinois,” Trump said. “What, is he going to be a great governor?”

* Gov. Pritzker was asked about Trump’s comments at the Illinois State Fair today…

Well, let’s see. Donald Trump was a loser in 2020, he was a loser in 2022 when he tried to endorse a whole bunch of people for office, he’s going to lose again in 2024. As I recall, I won by 16 points in my first election, by 12 and a half points in my second election. We’re gonna have Kamala Harris winning this race all over the country. We know who the winners are, and Donald Trump is the loser.

* In other comments…

Reporter: There’s been a lot of talk about morals today. Can you talk about morals and Republicans? Because they’ll try to say the same thing when they’re here tomorrow.

Pritzker: Well, they have a 34-time convicted fraudster at the head of their ticket. So really, they have no business talking about morals. They want to tear down law enforcement by, frankly, ripping apart the FBI, the Secret Service and so on. They’re the ones who are against public safety. We’re the ones who are standing up for American values, for American’s economic situation, making sure that we’re lifting up workers by giving them a raise and lowering costs for health care and everything else that people have to worry about at the kitchen table.

Thoughts?

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President Biden to designate 1908 Springfield Race Riot site as a national monument

Wednesday, Aug 14, 2024 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* Washington Post…

In 1908, a White mob incited a race riot in Springfield, Ill., leaving several people dead, hundreds injured and dozens of Black-owned businesses and homes burned and destroyed.

On Friday, President Joe Biden will designate a national monument to commemorate the violent event, the White House confirmed to The Washington Post on Wednesday. […]

Four lawmakers from Illinois — Sens. Tammy Duckworth (D) and Dick Durbin (D) and Reps. Nikki Budzinski (D) and Darin LaHood (R) — introduced legislation to create the national monument under the National Park Service. But the measure has stalled amid the gridlock on Capitol Hill in an election year.

Biden will bypass the gridlock by using his executive authority under the Antiquities Act, a 1906 law that authorizes the president to protect lands and waters for the benefit of all Americans. He has designated five new national monuments and expanded four others, part of his ambitious plan to conserve 30 percent of the nation’s lands and waters by 2030.

* US Rep. Nikki Budzinski…

More than a century ago, Springfield’s Black community was attacked in an act of hateful and senseless violence,” Budzinski said. “While the 1908 Springfield Race Riot demonstrates our nation’s deep history of racial violence, it also sparked the creation of the NAACP – reflecting the strength and resilience of Black Americans in the tireless fight for civil rights. Since coming to Congress, I’ve been pushing for the Race Riot site to be designated as a national monument and I’m so excited to see it finally receive this long overdue recognition. Today’s announcement is a critical step forward to honor those who were killed in the 1908 attack and acknowledge the impact this tragedy had on the Springfield community and our nation as a whole. I couldn’t be more grateful to our local leaders and community members for their partnership in advocacy and I look forward to seeing this history preserved for generations to come.

* WCIA in June…

In 1908, two black men accused of crimes were being held in a jail in Springfield. A white mob demanded their release.

Instead, they were moved to a jail in Bloomington. When the mob learned of that, they became violent. Seventeen people died and black owned homes and businesses were destroyed – many burned to the ground. […]

The NAACP supports getting a monument built in Springfield. The 1908 Race Riot led to the formation of the organization.

“This site is actually going to send a message that we are actually moving to a place of inclusion and that this site could potentially be used for green space to ensure that black folks have a place where they can feel comfortable,” Abre’ Conner, the director for the Center for Environmental and Climate Justice for the national NAACP, said.

* More…

    * UIS | Lincoln Library events mark the Springfield Race Riot anniversary: The public is invited to a special film screening about the 1908 Springfield Race Riot Wednesday night at Lincoln Library. Through the use of historical photographs and dramatic readings and re-enactments based on original newspaper accounts, the 30-minute film Springfield Had No Shame includes comments from historians and eyewitnesses. It starts at 6 p.m. in the Carnegie Room North.

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Today’s quotable

Wednesday, Aug 14, 2024 - Posted by Rich Miller

* House Speaker Chris Welch to Politico…

“I do believe 78 is great, but that we can pick up more” in November, he said, referring to the 78 Democrats in the House. “We’re seeing districts in play that were not in play before. We’re seeing anywhere from four to six districts that are currently held by Republicans” that could pivot to Democrats in November, he said.

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DNC Chicago coverage roundup

Wednesday, Aug 14, 2024 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* Sun-Times…

The legal battle over the protest path during Chicago’s Democratic National Convention could continue into the final days before the big event after leaders of high-profile demonstrations promised to appeal a federal judge’s ruling in favor of City Hall.

U.S. District Judge Andrea Wood late Monday said she would not force the city to alter the path it offered to groups aiming to protest the Israel-Hamas war, finding that the city had satisfied the First Amendment while addressing significant security and safety concerns. […]

Coalition to March on the DNC spokesperson Hatem Abudayyeh promised Tuesday that an appeal would be forthcoming, though it had not appeared on the court docket that afternoon.

Abudayyeh could not say whether the protest groups would abide by Wood’s decision should it stand at the end of such an appeal. Rather, he said the protest groups would use their “considerable political power” over the next five and a half days to secure a more accommodating route.

“If we don’t, there will be a decision by the Coalition by then,” he said.

* ABC Chicago…

The next wave of parking restrictions for the Democratic National Convention began Wednesday morning.

Signs posted around the United Center say parking restrictions began at 8 a.m. through August 25. […]

An eight-foot-tall barricade fence was placed around the United Center and McCormick Place for a couple of blocks in each direction. […]

Authorities said they will start enforcing the security restrictions and the street closures on Friday night around McCormick Place and on Saturday night around the United Center.

* Tribune…

Residents are advised to download the OEMC Chicago app for the latest updates about disruptions around the United Center and McCormick Place.

Ivan Capifali, acting commissioner of Chicago’s Office of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection, said nearly 1,400 businesses had been contacted in initial canvassing. Establishments closer to the venues had been canvassed again in the past few weeks, he said.

Along with logistics for the convention itself, Johnson has said the city is prepared for the possibility that thousands of migrants could arrive from the southern border, sent by Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and others.

Police Superintendent Larry Snelling has stressed that the department has undergone rigorous training on both crowd control and First Amendment issues.

* WBEZ…

As thousands of journalists come to Chicago next week to cover the Democratic National Convention, many of their newsrooms will be forking over a large chunk of money to gain a certain level of access, internet speed, and even seating inside the United Center.

For an assigned chair at a table with access to an electrical outlet at the DNC, that will cost a newsroom $751. Missed the advance rate? That will now be $911. […]

In comparison, a similar setup at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee cost $100.

The cost of a potential work station at the DNC is a choose-your-own-adventure situation. It can range from hundreds for the most basic desk across the street (which, in full disclosure, is what WBEZ opted for) to tens of thousands of dollars for the television networks and newsrooms that have the resources. The fastest speed internet from AT&T will run you $9,368 for the week. The DNC is providing “numerous workspaces” that will be free, though on a first-come-first-serve basis for the 15,000 journalists expected to cover the event. It doesn’t cost anything to receive a credential and work without a dedicated space.

* Tribune…

Public transit riders will see a stepped-up police presence as Chicago prepares for the upcoming Democratic National Convention — but not some of the more stringent security measures that have characterized past political events in the city.

Along with extra officers on the CTA and at downtown Metra stations, there could be service disruptions on the Metra Electric line that runs near McCormick Place, one of the convention sites. But the CTA has no plans to boost the number of private, unarmed security guards it uses to patrol the system. And Metra expects to forgo the passenger screenings and prohibitions on bringing certain items aboard that the agency adopted in 2012, when a NATO summit brought global dignitaries and diplomats to the convention center. […]

At the CTA, where multiple train lines run blocks from the two convention sites and buses will have to be rerouted to bypass the security perimeters, police plan to increase their presence on buses, trains, platforms and around stations, Chicago police spokesman Tom Ahern said. They plan to focus on the central business district and trains running to and from the city’s two airports, which are expected to be used by arriving and departing visitors. […]

Metra, too, is eyeing an increased law enforcement presence at downtown stations. On the Electric line, which runs under McCormick Place, service could be disrupted for planned movements of people protected by the Secret Service, the agency said. Such disruptions can happen any time dignitaries under Secret Service protection cross routes with the railroad, the agency said.

* More…

    * Crain’s | Chicago smashed its fundraising goal for the DNC. Here’s how: When Chicago beat out Atlanta, Houston and New York to host the Democratic National Convention, it meant having to raise more money than any city had ever come up with before for political convention. The host committee promised the Democratic National Committee it would come up with at least $84.7 million. Chicago topped that amount, raising about $95 million for the convention that begins Monday.

    * CBS Chicago | Local agencies hold final meeting on plan to ensure Chicago DNC goes smoothly and safely: One final meeting of dozens of local agencies was held Tuesday, working to make it a smooth DNC, from the Chicago Transit Authority to the Department of Streets and Sanitation and the FBI. The agencies have been putting the final touches on plans to ensure business centers, waterways, and transportation assets remain safe in Chicago. They held a tabletop exercise on the subject Tuesday.

    * Tribune | The DNC will flood downtown Chicago with visitors. But will employees go to their offices?: As companies make plans, farm machinery manufacturer Deere has advised employees in its Fulton Market office to work remotely “to avoid the traffic and congestion we anticipate during the convention,” the company confirmed. SVN plans to close its West Loop office. Health care marketing firm AbelsonTaylor, located in the Old Post Office building downtown, plans to keep its office open but is allowing employees the option to stay home on a day they are typically mandated to come in.

    * Tribune | Some business owners and residents near United Center, home to upcoming DNC, want nearby migrant shelter moved: A group of business owners and residents near the United Center say that they’re being negatively impacted by the hundreds of migrants who are living at a nearby shelter and are demanding that the mayor move them. Roger Romanelli, executive director of the Fulton Market Association, told reporters at a news conference Tuesday that he believed everyone should be treated with respect and dignity under the law, but claimed that it’s “chaos and anarchy” at the shelter at 1640 W. Walnut St. He cited increased emergency calls to the shelter, fights in the street, garbage, drug usage and other concerns. […] To determine whether Chicago’s migrants are the dangerous threat some accuse them of being, a Tribune analysis looked at crime data at that shelter and others. The analysis showed migrant arrests are, in fact, up, but they’re rarely accused of violent felonies. Those who end up committing crimes typically steal out of desperation.

    * WTTW | More Than 40 Student Journalists in Illinois Chosen to Cover Democratic National Convention: The Chicago 2024 Host Committee and the Illinois Journalism Education Association worked to identify student journalists across the state to join the Illinois Youth Press Corps, providing them with opportunities to cover the convention. Selected student journalists will be fully credentialed to attend the convention and report inside the United Center and McCormick Place.

    * Hyde Park Herald | New athletic field in Woodlawn opens this week: Before the meeting concluded, [Christian Mitchell, the university’s vice president for civic engagement] told the audience to expect significant police activity near the Woodlawn dormitory, 1156 E. 61st St., during the Democratic National Convention next week. “The reason why is that CPD is using one of our facilities for outside law enforcement,” he said. “They’re going to be parking and then taking buses to the United Center on a daily basis.” Noting that the U. of C. does not have additional information to share, Mitchell added, “I just wanted to make sure that people knew this was happening.”

    * Block Club | CTA Trains Getting ‘Moving Murals’ Designed By Local Artists: At least eight different murals will be wrapped onto Blue, Green and Orange line trains starting in mid-August, officials announced Monday. The murals celebrate themes of democracy, diversity, and Chicago’s rich cultural heritage. Chicago-based graphic designer and artist Bob Faust oversaw the project, called “Track(ed) Changes: Democracy runs through our neighborhoods.” Artists involved in the work include Brandon Breaux, Kristoffer McAfee, Noel Mercado, Carlos Rolón, Esperanza Rosas and youth artists from Urban Gateways.

    * Sun-Times | Vice President Kamala Harris and her many Chicago ties: When Kamala Harris ran for president in 2019, her Illinois supporters were the best organized in the state. The ‘Illinois OG’s for Kamala’ will throw a champagne brunch Monday to help organize support for the Harris-Walz ticket.

    * Tribune | How and when to watch the DNC, including all the streaming options: Primetime programs will be 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Aug. 19, then 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Aug. 20-22. Look for coverage on the major TV news networks, plus there will be an official livestream at DemConvention.com, available with English and Spanish language audio as well as ASL interpretation.

  17 Comments      


Open thread

Wednesday, Aug 14, 2024 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* What’s going on?…

  4 Comments      


Isabel’s morning briefing

Wednesday, Aug 14, 2024 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* ICYMI: For the next two days, Democrats and Republicans will take to the state fairgrounds for their annual political days. Capitol News Illinois…

Governor’s Day begins today, with Democrats rallying at the Bank of Springfield Center in downtown Springfield prior to the afternoon fair festivities. The annual Democratic County Chairs Association brunch is one of the state’s largest gatherings of Democratic officials each year.

Republican Day will be Thursday, preceded by a breakfast meeting of the Republican State Central Committee at the Inn at 835 in Springfield. It’ll be one of the first gatherings overseen by the party’s new chair, Kathy Salvi.

Sign up for the CNI newsletter here.

* He’s back!…


At 11 am the governor will attend a naturalization ceremony at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. At 5 pm, the governor will be at the Coliseum for the Sale of Champions. Click here to watch.

*** Isabel’s Top Picks ***

* WTTW | Prosecutors Ask Court to Reject Effort to Sever Upcoming Racketeering Trials of Michael Madigan, Michael McClain: Federal prosecutors argued ex-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and his longtime confidant and current co-defendant Michael McClain should not be tried separately later this year, as it would give each man the ability to “blame a missing person.”

* Crain’s | Illinois doubles down on tech industries in 5-year plan for business growth: The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity this week published a five-year plan outlining how it hopes to attract and retain businesses in the state. At the plan’s center is a strategy to invest in six industries that will receive “prioritized support,” capital investment and job training. They are life science, quantum computing, clean energy production, advanced manufacturing, next generation agriculture and transportation.

* Crain’s | FanDuel won’t match DraftKings’ Illinois surcharge: Flutter Entertainment Plc, operator of the FanDuel online sportsbook, reported second-quarter sales and profit that beat analysts’ expectations, and its CEO doesn’t expect to match one of its archrivals in adding fees in high-tax states like Illinois. The company, which recently moved its stock listing to the New York Stock Exchange from London, generated revenue of $3.61 billion in the quarter, exceeding estimates of $3.37 billion. Adjusted earnings rose to $2.61 a share, exceeding expectations.

*** Statehouse News ***

* WAND | Pritzker signs bill requiring climate change education in Illinois public schools: The law calls for instruction on identifying environmental and ecological impacts of climate change on people and communities. It also requires education on solutions to address and mitigate the impacts of climate change. […] The Illinois State Board of Education could prepare multi-disciplinary instructional resources and professional learning opportunities for teachers that may be used to meet the requirements. Although, that provision of the law is subject to appropriations.

* WPSD | Local schools prepare for new Illinois drug education requirements: It’s now the law in Illinois that all schools must teach students about the dangers of fentanyl. Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed House Bill 4219 on Friday. Along with teaching about fentanyl, it also requires that students in grades nine through 12 be assessed on their drug education.

* WAND | Law allows liquor inside Treasurer’s downtown Springfield office for receptions: A new state law has allowed Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs to have liquor delivered, sold, and dispensed at his office in the former Marine Bank Building across from the Old State Capitol. Lawmakers told WAND News that the building is an optimal space for hosting receptions due to the large first floor atrium and historic significance as Abraham Lincoln’s bank.

* Capitol News Illinois | Pritzker signs executive order for strategic plan on aging Illinoisans: With the U.S. Census Bureau estimating that approximately one quarter of Illinois’ population expected to be 60 or older by 2030, the chief planning officer will oversee the creation of a 10-year strategic plan “with the goal of strengthening Illinois as an aging-friendly state,” according to the executive order. Pritzker’s office did not indicate who might fill that role, but after the position is filled, the clock will start ticking toward a December 2025 deadline to deliver a comprehensive plan to the governor and the General Assembly that could eventually be turned into policy.

*** Chicago ***

* Tribune | Chicago attorney gets 25-year sentence in Bridgeport bank embezzlement: Robert Kowalski, 62, was convicted by a jury last year on all counts of embezzlement, bankruptcy fraud and income tax fraud after a 3 ½-week trial before U.S. District Chief Judge Virginia Kendall, where Kowalski took the unusual and typically ill-advised step of representing himself. The long-running case featured years of bizarre pretrial hearings that saw Kowalski locked up for violating his bond and filing dozens of motions alleging investigators were hiding evidence and colluding with the judge to railroad him.

* Block Club | What Was Dennis Rodman Doing On The Northwest Side?: The Bulls legend was spotted on the Northwest Side a few times this summer, hosting a sneaker convention in Rosemont, volunteering with the local alderman and hitting up a local restaurant and a cigar shop.

*** Cook County and Suburbs ***

* Daily Southtown | Attorney for indicted Dolton police official questions move to put him on leave without pay: An attorney for indicted Dolton police official Lewis Lacey said Tuesday that village trustees lacked the authority to place Lacey on leave and that his client should be paid. “They’re operating in a way that in my opinion is not legal,” Gal Pissetzky said. “The mayor is the one who signs the checks.” Pissetzky said Lacey continued to work last week despite a vote by trustees Aug. 5 to put him on leave. He said he did not know if Lacey was still reporting for work.

* Tribune | Cartoon in Lake County township GOP group’s newsletter depicting domestic abuse denounced by Democrats: “This is both creepy and, yes …. weird,” Sheila Sebor, chair of the Vernon Township Democrats, wrote of the cartoon in a statement. “Weird and disturbing,” Lauren Beth Gash, chair of the Lake County Democrats, said. State Rep. Daniel Didech of Buffalo Grove called the cartoon “offensive, outrageous, and downright weird.”

*** Downstate ***

* WCIA | Residents call for Sheriff’s Department reforms at Sangamon County Board meeting: Despite the sheriff’s retirement, many speakers demand for more reforms to the department. Some suggestions for actions from speakers to include cutting the sheriff’s department budget to fund mental health services and allowing an independent agency to investigate the sheriff’s hiring practices, and bringing more citizen oversight to their elected officials.

* WGEM | Illinois Comptroller promotes pet adoption at the Illinois State Fair: People who stopped by Illinois State Comptroller Susana Mendoza’s booth Tuesday at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield got to see some special visitors. Wild Canine Rescue brought several of its dogs available for adoption to the fair. People visiting the Comptroller’s tent could play with the dogs and start the adoption process. It’s part of the Comptroller’s Critters program that promotes pet adoption throughout the state.

* Illinois Eagle | New program aims to protect, support LGBTQ+ seniors: A new program, OUTSafe, aims to support the elder LGBTQ community with a training program for public health professionals. The goal of OUTSafe is to educate those who work with seniors who are LGBTQ so they understand the issues and concerns facing them.

* WCIA | ‘I believe it was divine interviention:’ Springfield man rescues neighbor from burning home after possible gas explosion: Sisti jumped into action when he noticed John was in a wheelchair pulling him out through the window and rolling him into a ditch. “There were several other neighbors that came to assist,” Sisti said. “I’m very proud of my neighborhood for everyone the way they came to help this gentleman out.”

* WMBD | Woman sentenced for buying gun that killed Illinois cop: An Indianapolis woman was sentenced on Tuesday for her part in illegally purchasing a gun that was later used to kill a Champaign police officer. According to a Justice Department news release, 30-year-old Ashantae Corruthers was sentenced to four years in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to illegally purchase and transfer a firearm and conspiracy to engage in misleading conduct. Corruthers admitted that she had purchased a gun with the intent to transfer it to Darion Lafayette, now deceased, who was unable to legally purchase a gun due to his status as a convicted felon.

*** National ***

* LA Times | Hackers may have stolen the Social Security numbers of every American. How to protect yourself: About four months after a notorious hacking group claimed to have stolen an extraordinary amount of sensitive personal information from a major data broker, a member of the group has reportedly released most of it for free on an online marketplace for stolen personal data. The breach, which includes Social Security numbers and other sensitive data, could power a raft of identity theft, fraud and other crimes, said Teresa Murray, consumer watchdog director for the U.S. Public Information Research Group.

* NBC | Former Kansas police chief formally charged over Marion newspaper raid: Gideon Cody, who resigned from the Marion Police Department less than two months after the raid, is accused of inducing a witness to withhold information in a felony case, according to a complaint filed Monday. The charge comes a year after the offices of the Marion County Record were searched in a raid that also targeted the homes of its publisher and a co-owner, Eric Meyer and City Council member Ruth Herbel.

  13 Comments      


Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today’s edition of Capitol Fax (use all CAPS in password)

Wednesday, Aug 14, 2024 - Posted by Rich Miller

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Wednesday, Aug 14, 2024 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* You can click here or here to follow breaking news. It’s the best we can do unless or until Twitter gets its act together.

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Wednesday, Aug 14, 2024 - Posted by Isabel Miller

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