* Didn’t work for Vallas, so will it work for Davis?…
WHAT: Former Secretary of State Jesse White will endorse Congressman Danny K. Davis for reelection to the 7th Congressional District.
WHO:Congressman Danny K. Davis
Former Secretary of State Jesse White
Supporters
WHEN: Thursday, August 17, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. cst
LOCATION: Blessed Sacrament Youth Center, 3600 W. Cermak, Chicago
* The Democrats threw out a lot of red meat yesterday, and the Republicans did it today. One example…
McCombie says that Welch wants to expand Dems House majority from 78 to 84 seats. Plausible given the gerrymandered map + fundraising challenges for Republicans. Though acknowledging it’ll be a “challenging” cycle, she says “bring it on.” #twillhttps://t.co/kk39om1iF7
* The Director’s Lawn on the Illinois State Fairgrounds has a problem. The area in front of the stage is in direct sunlight, so folks are content to stand or sit in the cool shady breeze. Both Governor’s Day and Republican Day had good-sized crowds, but you’d never know it because people don’t want to sit in the sun. Maybe the two parties need better crowd wranglers, but maybe also the seating could be made more comfortable for the people who schlep themselves to the events. Here’s Governor’s Day…
Republican day…
This was a problem even before they rearranged the Director’s Lawn to move the stage far away from the road (and potential protesters). But it was quite noticeable this year.
* Interesting…
With the departure/move of Sens. Pacione-Zayas and Van Pelt and Reps. Collins, Hurley, and Robinson, here's what the ol' ILGA tenure chart looks like.
Notably, your average Senate Republican has now served longer than the average member of any other caucus. pic.twitter.com/KaqP8m5g7O
Attorney General Kwame Raoul called for immediate action from the federal Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to grant work authorization permits for immigrants who have been allowed to enter and remain in the United States temporarily.
Many new arrivals have been “paroled” into the United States, meaning that they are legally allowed in the country while their request for admission is reviewed. Those who have been granted parole are immediately eligible for work authorization, but processing delays have left many newcomers unable to support themselves and their families. This has also placed an increasing and unsustainable burden on states that offer support services to ensure these new arrivals do not go without food, shelter, education and medical care. Raoul joined a coalition of 19 state attorneys general in sending a letter to DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas calling for immediate action to ensure work authorization for new arrivals.
“People who come to America and are authorized to work should not face long wait times and burdensome bureaucratic hurdles,” Raoul said. “Giving immigrants the chance to work helps relieve overburdened safety net resources and provides them an opportunity to contribute to the country in which they have sought refuge.”
Processing delays have left many new arrivals eager to find employment waiting for ten months or more for work permits. Wait times are particularly long for those who require a fee waiver, as they cannot submit their applications online. Of those immigrants who have managed to secure employment authorization, many have lost their jobs due to the expiration of their work permits while renewal applications are pending.
Specifically, Raoul and the attorneys general are urging DHS to:
Grant work authorization upon issuance of parole, or allow parolees who have applied for work authorization to work while those applications are pending.
Address inconsistent lengths of parole and streamline renewal.
Automatically renew work authorization permits whenever parole or other immigration status is renewed, like the process for Temporary Protected Status.
Make work authorization applications with a fee waiver available online to streamline and expedite processes.
* Sun-Times | Trump? Trump who? GOP focuses on rebuilding at State Fair — not party’s indicted presidential frontrunner: After humbling defeats across the state last year, Illinois Republicans on Thursday spoke of rebuilding and trying to gear up support in the Chicago suburbs ahead of next year’s elections — with most steering clear of delving into the effects of former President Donald Trump’s fourth criminal indictment. While Illinois Republican Party Chairman Don Tracy vowed the GOP must beat President Joe Biden in 2024 and Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker in 2026, he kept his focus on local elections and bashing Chicago as “a great city with lousy governance.”
* Illinois Times | CO2 pipeline stalled in Sangamon County: The Republican-controlled board voted unanimously on Aug. 8 to enact a moratorium through Dec. 31 on issuing any permits for future underground storage of CO2 from the proposed CO2 pipeline through the county.
* WICS | Aim high grant program: A bipartisan effort to retain Illinois’ brightest students becomes permanent law: Signed into law by Governor Pritzker, House Bill 301 will now officially make the aim high grant program permanent. “Really, it’s great because it helps kids, it helps families, parents, you know, and most importantly we want these kids to stay in Illinois, want them to invest in Illinois graduate you know work here spend their money here and it’s just a great program to try to help keep the best and brightest in Illinois,” said Senator Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet).
* SJ-R | Alderman hopes modifications for cannabis-related businesses can spur minority ownership: The resolution would lower the setbacks for such businesses operating in proximity to schools, houses of worship and residential areas. The current setback is 1,500 feet, but the resolution would lower it to 1,000 feet. The setback for businesses that grow cannabis will remain at 1,500 feet.
* Crain‘s | Citadel acquires Yellow debt owned by Apollo, other lenders : An affiliate of Ken Griffin’s Citadel has acquired roughly $485 million in Yellow Corp. debt previously owned by Apollo Global Management Inc. and other senior lenders to the bankrupt trucking firm, according to a person familiar with the matter.
* Tribune | Chicago Air and Water Show 2023: Lineup, schedule, accessibility and where to watch US Air Force Thunderbirds: Just a few generations ago, flying was a marvel to most Chicagoans. They caught “aviationitis” and loved to watch fantastical flying machines soar over the lakefront. That love affair continued to 1959 when water skiers, games and a diving competition filled the lineup for the city’s first air and water show, which was a celebration for kids in the Chicago Park District’s day camp program. It was produced for just $88.
* Block Club | Here’s How West Siders Can Apply For Federal Flood Assistance: For those who suffered damage to their home and have insurance for their home or apartment, FEMA asks that those residents first file a claim with their insurance provider. Residents who did suffer damage and do not have insurance or have under-insured losses can contact FEMA to register for assistance, according to the federal agency.
* AG News | Governor’s sale of Champions brings in more than $280,000 for Illinois Ag Youth: Governor JB Pritzker and First Lady MK Pritzker had the winning bid on the Grand Champion Steer for the 4th year in a row at $105,000 which tied the record the First Lady set in 2021. The steer will be donated to Feeding Illinois and sent to food banks across the state.
- Today, the state of Illinois reported 6,153,500 non-farm jobs beating our previous record from January 2020 of 6,145,400.
- Illinois reported 5,334,000 private sector jobs, beating the previous record of 5,130,000.
- In the last month the state added 11,200 jobs, a .2% increase—that’s double the rate of increase of the nation as a whole.
“Illinois has experienced consecutive job growth every month this year, and today’s record-breaking total payroll jobs data is clear indication of the marked level of strength in the labor market throughout the state,” said Deputy Governor Andy Manar. “As the state continues to prioritize investments in workforce opportunities, IDES and its partners stand ready to provide the services needed for individuals to take advantage of the new and expanding job possibilities across Illinois.”
The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that the unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.0 percent, remaining at the lowest level since the onset of the pandemic, while nonfarm payrolls increased by +11,200 in July, surpassing the pre-pandemic number of total nonfarm payrolls, based on preliminary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and released by IDES. The June revised unemployment rate was 4.0 percent, unchanged from the preliminary June unemployment rate. The June monthly change in payrolls was revised from the preliminary report, from +8,400 to +9,700 jobs. The July unemployment rate and payroll jobs estimate reflect activity for the week including the 12th.
In July, the industry sectors with the largest over-the-month job gains included: Educational and Health Services (+6,400), Trade, Transportation and Utilities (+4,500), and Government (+1,900). The industry sectors with monthly payroll job declines included: Professional and Business Services (-3,000), Other Services (-900) and Manufacturing (-500).
“Illinois has experienced consecutive job growth every month this year, and today’s record-breaking total payroll jobs data is clear indication of the marked level of strength in the labor market throughout the state,” said Deputy Governor Andy Manar. “As the state continues to prioritize investments in workforce opportunities, IDES and its partners stand ready to provide the services needed for individuals to take advantage of the new and expanding job possibilities across Illinois.”
“It’s clear that Illinois is making significant progress as we achieve this notable milestone for payroll jobs,” said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. “Illinois is experiencing a banner year for economic development and DCEO remains committed to providing resources and support to job seekers and job creators across the state.”
The state’s unemployment rate was +0.5 percentage point higher than the national unemployment rate reported for July. The national unemployment rate was 3.5 percent in July, down -0.1 percentage point from the previous month. The Illinois unemployment rate was down -0.4 percentage point from a year ago when it was at 4.4 percent.
Compared to a year ago, nonfarm payroll jobs increased by +89,700 jobs, with gains across most major industries. The industry groups with the largest jobs increases included: Educational and Health Services (+42,500), Government (+27,200), and Leisure and Hospitality (+26,500). Professional and Business Services (-12,400), Manufacturing (-10,200), and Information (-5,200) reported declines in payroll jobs. In July, total nonfarm payrolls were up +1.5 percent over-the-year in Illinois and up +2.2 percent in the nation.
The number of unemployed workers was 255,100, the lowest level since the onset of the pandemic. The number of unemployed was down -1.2 percent from the prior month, and -11.0 percent over the same month one year ago. The labor force was down -0.2 percent over-the-month and down -0.3 percent over-the-year. The unemployment rate identifies those individuals who are out of work and seeking employment. An individual who exhausts or is ineligible for benefits is still reflected in the unemployment rate if they actively seek work.
In June 2020, Governor Pritzker launched Get Hired Illinois, a one-stop-shop website to help connect job seekers with hiring employers in real time. The site features virtual job fairs, no-cost virtual training, and includes IllinoisJobLink.com (IJL), the state’s largest job search engine, which recently showed 53,334 posted resumes with 107,599 available jobs.
The record comes almost a year after the nation passed its pre-pandemic total last September. But gleeful officials in Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration trumpeted the news, saying it proves Illinois is on the right path.
* The day started at the Illinois Democratic County Chairs’ Association Brunch, Rick Pearson reports…
“They say they want to solve real problems. But then they spend all of their time screaming conspiracy theories about ‘The Purge,’ about Disney, about green M&M’s and space lasers,” Pritzker told several hundred people at the annual Democratic County Chairs’ Brunch.
The festivities, both at the brunch in the downtown Bank of Springfield Center and later on the director’s lawn at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, provided an early look into Democrats’ strategy for the 2024 election, focusing on a platform of protecting democracy and abortion rights a year ahead of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
The vote for president is the only statewide race next year, but the ballot will also include all 17 congressional seats — with Democrats now holding a 14-3 advantage — as well as all 118 state House and at least 20 of the 59 state Senate seats. […]
Pritzker thanked the county chairs for their help in his reelection, saying, “Together, we built a blue wave — a tsunami that swept away the red wall of Uihleins and Griffins and Rauners and Trumps.” […]
“Illinois Democrats have done more in the last five years to push back on the wave of authoritarian, anti-democratic MAGA Republican nonsense than in any other place in the country,” the governor said. “Leave it to us to raise the tallest flag in the fight against modern American fascism.
“Let me make one thing clear: Everyone indicted or accused in America is entitled to a presumption of innocence and every right under the due process clause of our Constitution,” U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois, said at the IDCCA event. “But having said that, the charges against Donald Trump are not just another political wrinkle in the campaign – the charges against Donald Trump are the most serious charges ever made against a public official in America.”
Pritzker said Illinoisans rejected Trump and statewide candidates that associated themselves with him because Illinoisans “have a low tolerance for bull—-,” riling up the crowd at the Bank of Springfield convention center.
“You know the old story about the emperor who had no clothes?” Pritzker said. “Well, he couldn’t get 10 feet in the South Side Irish Parade or in the Bud Billiken parade or at the State Fair without someone here telling him he’s naked.”
Pritzker contended that Illinois’ rejection of Trump, along with its actions to bolster unions, protect abortion rights and control guns, all contributed to Illinois being chosen as the site of the 2024 Democratic National Convention.
“We are a beacon for national success,” Pritzker said. “We are Barbie when everyone else is just Ken.”
After the brunch, Democrats held a very short rally on the Director’s Lawn at the Illinois State Fair. Afterward, Pritzker told reporters he’s confident the fight for reproductive rights will continue to bring Democrats to the ballot box — and the momentum will not lose steam ahead of next year’s elections.
“Democrats are motivated, and they are all across the nation, not just in Illinois. But I’ll tell you we can already see — and you see this in Ohio, you saw it in Kansas — that one of the issues that’s animating Democrats is preserving reproductive rights for women, and women’s rights are under attack,” Pritzker said. […]
Of his own political ambitions, Pritzker was asked if he’d challenge President Joe Biden in a primary “in a pinch.”
“I’m for Joe Biden. I’m fighting for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris,” Pritzker said. “They’re gonna win in November of 2024.”
With neither of the state’s U.S. senators or any of its statewide constitutional officers on the ballot next year, the focus this year was decidedly national as Pritzker and Democrats seek to keep Biden in the White House.
However, all state House seats will be up along, with a third of state Senate seats. Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, speaking briefly alongside House Speaker Chris Welch, D-Hillside, touted the gerrymandered legislative maps passed in 2021 that will likely ensure Democrats maintain control of the General Assembly through this decade. […]
Among the attendees of festivities in Springfield Wednesday was Jim Taylor of Decatur, who said it’s an annual pilgrimage for him.
“I always come over here on Democrat Day,” Taylor said. “I’m a die-hard Democrat and I like to be involved as much as I can. Not as much as I used to, but as much as I can.”
* Some stuff from X…
JB and MK Pritzker make a $105,000 donation for the best cow in Illinois. It’s a very nice cow named Bill from Kewanee, but if you’d like to see it again, Ag Director Jerry Costello said it’ll be at food banks around the state pic.twitter.com/lwCtIt80rj
Gov. J. B. Pritzker signs baseballs for Dick Bigger Jr., of Biggsville, during Governors Day at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield on Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023. Bigger has politicians sign baseballs every year he attends the fair and has a ball signed by fmr. President Obama. pic.twitter.com/tHExRwJGZn
First time getting a pork chop on a stick at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield! Thank you to our Illinois Pork Producers!#ILStateFairpic.twitter.com/0M1v66W98V
* WGN | Governor’s Day at State Fair has Dems on display: Chicago alderman Michael Rodriguez made the trip from the city’s Southwest Side to Springfield to celebrate the state’s status as the progressive capitol of the Midwest. “Illinois is an island of blue in a sea of red in the Midwest,” he said. “The fact is we’ve had so many accomplishments in the state of Illinois.”
“You did day in and day out stuff,” McClain told Mapes as he broached the question of whether Mapes would be comfortable going through the list he’d drafted of member assignments to House committees.
Mapes agreed to take a look.
“Are you comfortable with me telling him I talked to you?” McClain asked, referring to Madigan in a phone conversation he did not know was being recorded by federal agents.
Mapes again said he was fine with that, as long as the speaker was too.
“That’s what it comes down to: I don’t want to get in crosshairs with him and some of his staff,” Mapes said. “I hear the view that some of his staff doesn’t like me and they’re on path to shut me out.”
* Today…
Meisner makes a good point about other evidence (there’s plenty), and we still don’t know what exactly Mapes’ defense attorneys wanted redacted.
A downstate judge on Tuesday dismissed a trio of lawsuits brought by a former Republican attorney general candidate challenging Illinois’ sweeping gun ban, citing last week’s state Supreme Court ruling that upheld the law in a separate case.
The outcome was expected after the high court in a 4-3 decision said the ban on an extensive list of high-power semi-automatic weapons and high-capacity magazines does not violate the state constitution’s equal protection clause.
In that case and those brought by attorney Thomas DeVore, the plaintiffs argued the law violated the constitution by creating exemptions for certain trained professionals and for people who owned the now-banned firearms at the time the prohibition took effect, among other issues.
DeVore, who last year ran unsuccessfully for attorney general, said he plans to appeal Tuesday’s lower court ruling. […]
In addition to dismissing the case with prejudice, meaning it can’t be refiled, Jarman vacated temporary restraining orders that had blocked enforcement of the law against more than 150 licensed gun dealers and other entities as well as thousands of individual gun owners who were plaintiffs in the cases.
This matter is taken off advisement. This matter having previously come on for hearing on Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss, having considered the pleadings, the arguments, and applicable authority, now being more fully advised in the premises, I find and Order as follows: Plaintiffs filed the First Amended Complaint For Declaratory Judgment and Injunctive Relief challenging the constitutionality of the Protect Illinois Communities Act, also known as Public Act 102-1116 or House Bill 5471.
In Count I, Plaintiffs allege the act violates the three reading rule contained in the Illinois Constitution. In Count II, they allege that exceptions to the prohibition of possession, and sale of certain weapons, and devices contained in the act, violate the right to equal protection. Count III seeks a permanent injunction against enforcement based on the grounds alleged in Counts I and II.
Since this court heard arguments on Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss, the Illinois Supreme Court issued its Opinion in CAULKINS v. PRITZKER, etal. 2023 IL 129453. In that case the Court held that the exemptions contained in the act did not deny equal protection, and went on to say that the Plaintiffs in that case are not similarly situated to the trained professionals to which the exceptions apply. Based on CAULKINS v. PRITZKER, Count II is dismissed with prejudice.
The Court did not address the three reading rule, because the Plaintiffs in that case failed to cross-appeal from the denial of relief on those grounds in the trial court. The Illinois Supreme Court has, however previously held that because of the enrolled bill doctrine upon certification by the Speaker and the Senate President, a bill is conclusively presumed to have met all procedural requirements for passage, including the three readings rule. GEJA’S CAFE, v. METROPOLITAN PIER & EXPOSITION AUTHORITY, 153 Ill. 2d 239, 258-260 (1992). Based on the enrolled bill doctrine, Count I is dismissed with prejudice.
Because both Counts I and II are dismissed with prejudice, there is no underlying claim to pursue, Count III is dismissed with prejudice. Based on the foregoing, The pending Motions to Quash Non Party Subpoena and Motion to Quash Discovery Request are moot and not addressed.
The Temporary Restraining Order previously entered is vacated.
From the time Dan Caulkins copied and pasted my client’s complaint and filed it as his own and then hastily ran to the Supreme Court woefully unprepared to make a compelling case for gun owners in this state, I raised the strong likelihood that he would lose his case for the exact reasons the Supreme Court ruled. The lack of effort taken by Caulkins and his legal team is why the Court ruled that he had failed to meet their burden. I called it from the beginning. I commend the AG’s office for their skillful defense and ability to get Caulkins to do what they wanted, and I’m sure they are laughing at the naivety and ignorance exhibited by Caulkins.
Having said that, the IL Supreme Court’s decision that Caulkins failed to meet his burden does not bar my clients from being able to proceed to make their case that they are in fact similarly situated to all or part of the exempt class. The decision for dismissal by the circuit court in Effingham county was premature and in error as my clients have a right to make their case. The circuit court dismissed our client’s case without even so much as a hearing on the matter. As such, we will file a motion to reconsider immediately. In the event the motion to reconsider should fail, we will appeal to the Appellate Court and eventually the Supreme Court. We have evidence to prove the exempt class has nothing to do with training and our clients have a right to present it. Moreover, we will not waive our procedural constitutional violation of the three-readings clause, which Caulkins foolishly did, and we will present this argument to the Supreme Court as well.
Sadly, Caulkin’s ineptitude, and desire to have his five minutes of fame, has presently harmed millions of law-abiding gun owners in this state.
Caulkins’ Facebook comments have been bombarded. Click here for the vitriol. Whew.
…Adding… Heh…
Hey @wics_abc20, great story this morning on how Tom DeVore plans to take state’s gun ban to Effingham County court. But Newschannel 20, you didn’t tell viewers the real news: DeVore’s case was already dismissed. https://t.co/zcZzCK1DNc
Thursday, Aug 17, 2023 - Posted by Advertising Department
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* The Pantagraph | As Illinois Democrats gather in Springfield, a different-looking state party takes shape: It all sounds like a healthy Democratic Party of Illinois. However, many of these gains have actually been made in spite of the state party organization, which for years largely served as a vehicle for former House Speaker Michael Madigan — party chair between 1998 and 2021 — to send out campaign materials for state House Democrats. By law, state parties receive a significant postage discount.
* Daily Herald | Man pleads guilty to hate crime related to vandalism at McHenry County bakery: Joseph I. Collins of Alsip was immediately remanded to the McHenry County jail to serve the required 50% of an 180-day jail sentence. He also is required to serve 24 months of felony probation, perform 200 hours of public service and pay about $3,700 in fines and fees, and pay $2,300 in restitution, McHenry County Judge Tiffany Davis ordered.
* AP | Illinois will provide burial for migrant toddler who died on bus from Texas to Chicago: Rachel Otwell, spokesperson for the Illinois Department of Human Services, confirmed the girl’s name and said the Illinois Welcoming Center, a partially state-funded program, will cover burial costs for Jismary. The child’s great aunt, Gisela Gonzalez, said the family set out for the United States in May from their home in Colombia, where Jismary was born.
* NYT | The Shortage in School Bus Drivers Is Getting Worse: Looking for an alternative, the school district in Louisville, Ky., turned to a software program — leading to chaos. It’s one of many districts struggling to get students to class.
* Business Journal | Mark Mahoney joins ALPLM as chief of staff: “There’s no greater symbol of Illinois than Abraham Lincoln, and this library and museum is a leader in sharing his legacy with the world,” he said. “It also plays a key role in central Illinois tourism and contributes to Springfield’s economic and cultural vitality. I am very excited to be part of a such a great team that works tirelessly to share our history with tens of thousands of visitors every year from all over the world.”
* ScribbleLive is still down. Twitter has stopped allowing people to embed list feeds on websites. So, click here or here to follow breaking news. You can click here to follow the Tim Mapes trial.
State Rep. Lakesia Collins beat out fellow state Rep. Jawaharial “Omar” Williams in a showdown Tuesday afternoon for the open state Senate seat in the 5th district.
The appointment had high interest among Democrats as it pitted progressives against the old-school pols. Collins was backed by Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, a union ally who called Democratic leaders urging them to support her.
Williams had his own cheer-leading section. It was led by his father, Ald. and Vice Mayor Walter Burnett Jr., who sat on the committee making the appointment and had the largest number of weighted votes on the panel.
Collins and her allies worked the phones to lock down support for the vote. It worked. When it came time to vote, it was clear Collins had it nailed, and she ultimately won by acclamation. Key players in her corner: Alds. Jason Ervin (28th), Emma Mitts (37th) and Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th), and Committeewoman Lucy Moog (43rd).
* From the Lift the Ban Coalition…
Today, the Lift The Ban Coalition held a news conference to announce the Let the People Lift the Ban Act (HB4104), new legislation that allows Illinois communities to opt out of the statewide ban on rent control via local referendum. The legislation also extends additional protections to renters across the state.
With pandemic-related rent relief funds drying up and eviction moratoriums sunsetting, Illinois is spiraling back into a housing affordability crisis. Evictions have reached pre-pandemic levels and are rising. Rent increases are skyrocketing across Illinois, with some counties seeing annual aggregate rent increases of more than 17%.
“Recent U.S. Census Data shows that 47% of Illinois renters are paying more than 30% of their monthly income on housing. This is not sustainable. All across Illinois, our working families are facing significant pressures every month to pay the rent,” said 13th District State Representative and HB4104 Chief Sponsor Hoan Huynh (D-Chicago). “We need to pass HB4104, by allowing local municipalities to be engaged in the democratic process and decide for themselves through a binding referendum whether or not to lift the ban on rent control. The power belongs to the people. Let’s have the people decide, not corporate special interest entities.”
“I know what it feels like to not have sustainable housing to rest my head,” said Springfield renter Quentora Dumas. “Lifting this ban will give Illinois renters the right to fight against rent gouging, limit rents, and help boost the economy.“
Illinois voters should have the right to decide the kinds of policies that can be enacted to address this issue, including rent control. In 1997 a bill was passed in the legislature that precludes the ability for Illinoisans to legislate on this issue. Our bill would put power in the hands of everyday Illinois residents who have been disenfranchised to lift the ban on rent control.
* Press release from Michael Mini, Executive Vice President, Chicagoland Apartment Association, on HB4104…
“We strongly oppose the idea of rent control. When market forces are artificially influenced by rent control policies, investment in the supply of new housing diminishes leaving renters with fewer quality housing options – we’ve this happen from San Francisco to St. Paul to New York. Consensus among housing policy experts remains that rent control policies actually work against affordable housing objectives because they discourage investment in new and existing rental housing, erode property values, and lead to an overall shortage of quality, affordable rental housing.
Our collective efforts need to be focused on developing more housing options, and specifically, more housing that is affordable to local residents in need. There are other policy alternatives to rent control that advocates, developers and affordable housing providers agree will help the housing issues impacting people throughout the state. The SHAPE coalition and our partners are committed to working with policymakers at all levels of government to explore and implement policies and programs to provide affordable housing solutions such as direct rental assistance to residents, tax incentives to keep rents affordable, and policies that streamline, incentivize, and reduce impediments to apartment development.”
* Isabel’s roundup…
* Daily Herald | IDNR to install EV charging, build solar installation as part of new climate plan: The “blueprint” is designed to help combat climate change and reach state greenhouse gas reduction goals, specifically Illinois’ ambition of reaching 100% clean energy by 2050. Organized into five key areas, strategies include utilities and buildings, sustainable site operations, climate-smart natural areas, equity, and learning and engagement.
* Chalkbeat | Chicago is seeing an influx of migrant students. Are schools ready to serve them?: Once a school enrolls 20 or more students with the same language background, state law requires the school to implement a Transitional Bilingual Education program. Full-time TBE programs require educators to teach core subjects in both English and the native language of those students. The school must also provide instruction of English as a second language.
* Crain’s | After a slow liftoff, this crucial O’Hare terminal revamp is years late: The big airport job has virtually vanished from the news. O’Hare traffic has been relatively slow to recover from COVID. There’s been jostling between the city and its airline partners over spiraling costs, and construction on the first of three promised new terminals is not even scheduled to begin until the last half of 2024.
* Daily Herald | ‘Done everything the right way’: Palatine mayor on why video gambling may stay put: But first, the village council decided Monday to cap the number of video gambling liquor licenses in town at 11. If that cap is raised in the future, the council decided, any new applicant would have to obtain at least half its revenues from liquor sales — a move that would block out businesses focused primarily on gambling.
* Crain’s | Illinois cannabis sales rose last year, but taxes fell. How come?: It’s one more example of the growing pains of a young industry that’s being buffeted by both broader economic headwinds as well as the unique forces within the cannabis business — from national politics and local market dynamics.
* SJ-R | Memorial cutbacks end valet service; patients lament the loss: Sherry Walters of Pawnee has been bringing her mother, Barbara, to Springfield Memorial Hospital’s radiology department for treatments five days a week. Walters’ mother uses a walker and Walters has a bad leg that also makes walking difficult. […] “The valet guys were just so great,” Walters said last week. “You couldn’t beat them. They were so nice, and they did whatever they had to do to help you.”
* Sun-Times | State Street revamp ideas aim to revitalize Downtown stretch: Revitalizing State Street should include improving streetscapes, adding more art and light displays, creating new programs tied to major city events and periodically closing the street to vehicle traffic, according to new recommendations from a city-commissioned panel.
* WCIA | Fairgoers react to renovations at Illinois State Fair : “There were many years that went on, under previous administrations, to where either not much or no work was done to a lot of the facilities here on the fairgrounds,” said IDOA Director Jerry Costello. “That has all changed.”
Today, I return House Bill 3445, an energy omnibus bill, with specific recommendations for change. […]
House Bill 3445 contains many useful provisions to advance energy policy in Illinois. However, the right of first refusal language inserted by Senate Amendment 4 will raise costs for rate payers by giving incumbent utility providers in the MISO region a monopoly over new transmission lines. Eliminating competition will cause rates to increase in the MISO region, where there is currently over $3.6 billion in planned transmission construction in the Ameren service territory. Without competition, Ameren ratepayers will pay for these transmission projects at a much higher cost. Competitively bidding transmission construction, instead of giving the utility a monopoly, has been shown to lower costs significantly. My administration is committed to working with stakeholders and our partners in the General Assembly to enact meaningful energy policy, however, I cannot support legislation that puts corporate profits over consumers.
Therefore, pursuant to Article IV, Section 9(e) of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, I hereby return House Bill 3445, entitled, “An Act Concerning State Government,” with the following specific recommendations for change: On Page 217, line 7, delete “and Article XXIII” and delete the entirety of the language added beginning on page 220, line 18 and continuing through page 224, line 17.
With the above changes, House Bill 3445 will have my approval. I respectfully request your concurrence.
Sincerely,
JB Pritzker
Governor, State of Illinois
…Adding… ICJC…
“On behalf consumers and families across the state, the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition thanks Governor Pritzker for his amendatory veto of legislation that had granted Ameren a monopoly and risked them raising costs on their customers. As written, Ameren’s “Right of First Refusal” legislation (House Bill 3445) would have given a big handout to the big utility without providing any protections for workers or customers. We strongly support investment in new transmission capacity to reach our clean energy goals, but HB3445 could limit our ability to build those projects. We applaud the Governor for taking this action toward expanding transmission and bringing us another step closer to our clean energy future.”
* From Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias’ news media availability today…
Q: What lessons do you think Democrats have learned from the Madigan saga? We’ve got the Mapes trial ongoing, but that still kind of hangs over with Madigan facing trial next year.
Giannoulias: I will tell you that within our office and being in Springfield, we don’t talk about Mike Madigan. It doesn’t really come up. I’m focused on what we’ve been able to do. And as all of you know very well, Mike Madigan was never a fan of mine. He did everything he could to make sure I never got into office. So I’m proud of the leadership we have in place. We have great leaders in the Illinois Senate, in the House, and an amazing governor.
Q: But are there any lessons to be learned that you think the Democrats should pick up?
Giannoulias: Yeah, I think people are sick and tired of scandal, corruption. Anything we can do to increase transparency and let people know exactly what happens at every level is important. We’re doing that on our side with lobbyist registration. We want to know if you can increase transparency from the Secretary of State’s standpoint.
* To be very clear, the photo below is posted here with full permission from both House Majority Leader Robyn Gabel (on the left) and Maddie Norris. At the Illinois State Fair Director’s Lawn during Governor’s day ceremonies…
Members of Johnson’s administration have been involved in the discussions, but [Ald. Mike Rodriguez] is taking the lead on the effort. The measure adds to the growing list of legislation being considered heading into fall that affect relatively lower-wage workers. […]
If approved, the ordinance would increase minimum driver pay to $7 per ride, but allow for higher wages if a per-mile or per-minute rate exceeded $7.
[Lori Simmons of the Chicago Gig Alliance] says her group has no interest in giving up the larger fight and suggested a win at City Hall could tee up a larger fight in Springfield.
Although Illinois officials have not seriously pushed to reclassify workers, the General Assembly did deliver a blow to the rideshare companies this year when it approved, over the fierce opposition of Uber, a “common carrier” bill that opens the companies up to liability for accidents and injuries to passengers.
“Ultimately, I do see (reclassification) coming to the state level. And I think Illinois is uniquely positioned to actually win this fight because the companies do not have the same type of leverage to throw around here as they do elsewhere in the country.”
Rideshare companies Lyft and Uber are threatening to pull service out of Minneapolis if the city passes an ordinance Thursday that gives drivers more protections and higher pay.
Rideshare drivers have been pressing the Minneapolis City Council to pass legislation that would set a minimum compensation for drivers and create a process for them to appeal deactivations. The push at the city level comes just months after Gov. Tim Walz vetoed a similar bill that passed both houses of the state Legislature.
The proposed ordinance would, in part, ensure that any driver who has a ride that originates in Minneapolis would make an equivalent to the city’s minimum wage — $15 per hour.
The ordinance would change some protocols around deactivation, or the firing of Uber drivers, to give drivers more of an explanation. It would also eliminate the use of gift cards not issued by the rideshare companies, so there would be a way to trace riders and hold them accountable if necessary.
Minnesota Gov. Walz vetoed legislation after Uber threatened to cut off service in Minneapolis.
* House Bill 2231 was signed into law Friday. Here’s Sen. Martwick’s press release…
Thanks to a new law championed by State Senator Robert Martwick, rideshare companies will be subject to the same standard of care as all other transportation companies.
“As rideshare companies become an integral part of modern transportation, we must demand the same high standards of care as we do for traditional carriers,” said Martwick (D-Chicago). “Holding companies accountable for the actions of their employees is about safeguarding every passenger who places their trust in these services.”
Under the new law, rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft are subject to the common carrier doctrine, which holds transportation companies to the highest standard of care for their passengers. This allows the state to hold the company liable if an employee causes harm to a passenger through intentional means such as assault, or if a driver is intoxicated and causes an accident.
Previously, transportation network companies like Uber and Lyft were exempt from the common carrier doctrine, leaving victims with few means to hold the companies liable for harm caused by their drivers. Between 2017 and 2020, there were almost 14,000 reports of sexual assault from Uber and Lyft passengers, with 824 reported rapes.
“As we embrace innovation, we shouldn’t forget about safety,” Martwick said. “Today we reinforce the notion that safety is non-negotiable for every individual using rideshare services, which is paramount in preserving the trust and peace of mind of all who seek reliable transportation.”
* Related…
* Tribune | Uber enables audio recording safety feature to ride along in Chicago and resolve disputes: Once enabled, the safety feature will pop up on the app, giving both the driver and rider an option to hit the record button for all or part of the journey. The completed audio file is encrypted and stored on the user’s smartphone for seven days in the event that either party wants to submit an incident report to Uber.
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On Aug. 4, Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed into law House Bill 1120, which requires union neutrality clauses in all charter contract renewals or proposals. These clauses mean charter school operators will be required to support a union’s attempt to organize its staff, making it easier for CTU or other unions in Illinois to unionize charter schools.
*facepalm*
Union neutrality doesn’t force the charter schools to support union organizing. From the new law…
“Union neutrality clause” means a provision whereby a charter school agrees: (1) to be neutral regarding the unionization of any of its employees, such that the charter school will not at any time express a position on the matter of whether its employees will be unionized and such that the charter school will not threaten, intimidate, discriminate against, retaliate against, or take any adverse action against any employees based on their decision to support or oppose union representation; (2) to provide any bona fide labor organization access at reasonable times to areas in which the charter school’s employees work for the purpose of meeting with employees to discuss their right to representation, employment rights under the law, and terms and conditions of employment; and (3) that union recognition shall be through a majority card check verified by a neutral third-party arbitrator mutually selected by the charter school and the bona fide labor organization through alternate striking from a panel of arbitrators provided by the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.
Does a union neutrality requirement make it easier for the unions? Heck yes, it does. It prevents employers from actively undermining their organizing efforts. Do employers dislike these requirements? Heck, yes, they do, and they likely have good reasons. But it does not require the employers to support the activity. They just have to stay out of the decision. Also, keep in mind that these are taxpayer-financed public schools.
* Not sure that low tolerance claim is accurate, but here’s more context…
They say they want to solve real problems. But then they spend all of their time screaming conspiracy theories about the purge, about Disney, about green M&Ms and space lasers.
Because here’s their game ,everyone. Republicans think that if they lie about something often enough, if they deny the truth long enough, maybe we will start to believe their lies. The problem is this. Here in Illinois, we have a low tolerance for bulls–t. [Cheers]
You know the old story about the emperor who had no clothes? Well, he couldn’t get 10 feet in the South Side Irish parade or the Bud Billiken parade or at the State Fair without someone here telling him he’s naked.
Illinois Democrats have done more in the last five years to push back on the wave of authoritarian, anti-democratic MAGA Republican nonsense than in any other place in the country.
Leave it to the Land of Lincoln, Barack Obama’s home state, the home of Olympic gold medal champion Jackie Joyner Kersee.
Leave it to the state that enshrined workers rights into our Constitution. The state where we defeated Donald Trump resoundingly twice already. Leave it to us to raise the tallest flag in the fight against modern American fascism.
There’s a reason that we were chosen to host the Democratic National Convention next year. And it’s because we are a bright light of freedom in the center of the nation. We are a beacon lighting the path for national success. We are Barbie when everyone else is just Ken.
So as we head into 2024, it’s time to rally our troops for the political fight ahead. So I ask you Illinois Democrats. Are you ready for the fight? [Cheers] Are you ready for the fight? [Cheers] Let’s go get ‘em everybody!
Mapes even played down Madigan’s longtime admiration of Mayor Richard J. Daley, someone Madigan often spoke about with reverence.
“I think he had a respect for him,” Mapes said. “I don’t know about esteem.”
Mapes said he remembered Madigan saying Richard J. Daley “was a good politician” but testified that Madigan didn’t say why he thought that.
For crying out loud, Madigan had photos of the old man in his office as well as the prayer card from Daley’s funeral mass. When Madigan was named grand marshal of the St. Patrick’s Day parade, he had an exact replica of a hat Richard J. wore when he was grand marshal. Daley practically made Madigan part of the family after Madigan’s dad passed away. Mapes isn’t accused of perjuring himself on that answer, but sheeeeeeeesh.
“(McClain) was one of my fr– sorry strike that,” Mapes said, apparently stopping short of calling McClain a friend. “He was a member of the legislature before I started. … And then he was also a member of the leadership before he lost his election.”
I think now we’re seeing why the feds were so irked with Mapes’ grand jury testimony.
Facing one of the most serious threats to the power held by then-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan in 2018, his longtime friend and confidant decided it was time to “play hardball and quit doing this nicey/nicey stuff.”
One week earlier, political consultant Alaina Hampton had held a news conference to outline sexual harassment complaints against Kevin Quinn, a top political aide to Madigan. Her claims shook Madigan’s grip on power at the Capitol and created serious concern within his inner-circle, a federal jury heard Tuesday.
So Michael McClain sent a fiery email Feb. 21, 2018. In it, he suggested Madigan’s team go nuclear against their opponents and pitch scandalous stories about an open marriage and other Springfield dirt to “over worked, under payed” news reporters.
“We cannot lose him,” McClain wrote of Madigan. “We cannot give Illinois to these guys. So, we have to play sort of by their rules.”
Madigan’s longtime chief of staff, Tim Mapes, was among the recipients of McClain’s email. A former Madigan aide also testified Tuesday that Mapes was among those trying to insulate the speaker.
But despite apparently being looped in on McClain’s bid to save Madigan in 2018, Mapes later told a grand jury he didn’t remember McClain doing any tasks or assignments for Madigan at that time.
*Hard sigh*
* Hannah Meisel has more on the effort to save Madigan. As you may recall, Madigan created the Anti-Harassment, Equality and Access Panel through the Democratic Party of Illinois and appointed three members: US Rep. Cheri Bustos, Comptroller Susana Mendoza and state Rep. Carol Ammons. They immediately declared independence and refused to take any money from Madigan’s party apparatus. And when Bustos backed out, the others appointed Sen. Melinda Bush, who was a noted Madigan critic…
“I had wanted to talk this afternoon about well, what do we do with this panel?” Madigan said on a conference call with five close advisors, including Mapes and McClain. “What do we do with it? Do we do anything with it? Do we just let it go and go and go?”
Later in the call, longtime Madigan spokesman Steve Brown warned the media would pick up on any clues that the speaker was interfering with the panel’s work, and the sexual harassment allegations against Madigan’s organization would be rehashed.
“I’m trying to get my head around the idea that some other entity crops up and it’s not portrayed as an effort to supplant, derail whatever Mendoza’s supposed to be doing,” Brown said.
Good on Brown.
…Adding… Oof…
Was it because I asked that the bathroom in the House chamber be stocked with women’s menstrual products? I thought I asked really nicely… pic.twitter.com/L9GSypBp5b
As party leaders gathered Tuesday and conducted a question-and-answer session before deciding which candidate to back, [state’s attorney hopeful Eileen O’Neill Burke] snapped at committee members who questioned her over fraternizing with Republicans across the state. Much of what played out between O’Neill Burke and the committeemen felt like a repeat of the mayoral campaign for Paul Vallas, a relative conservative whose Democratic loyalty was challenged after comments he made likening himself to a Republican. […]
“We are a party organization, we want to know where people stand,” Martwick said. “The reason is . . . every Democratic primary opponent I have ever faced, every single one, has been a Republican running as a Democrat.”
Before Martwick could finish, O’Neill Burke shot back.
“Are you accusing me of being a Republican, Rob?” she said.
Martwick noted that O’Neill Burke’s campaign treasurer, Thomas Glasgow, had “only voted in Republican primaries every year since 2002,” which O’Neill Burke confirmed. “What do you have to say —,” Martwick began, before O’Neill Burke jumped in.
Glasgow “is a criminal defense attorney. I have been friends with him for three decades. He’s good with money. I asked him to be my treasurer. He’s not controlling my campaign; he’s merely my treasurer. But good job, Rob. Really thorough vetting on that one,” she said, as committee members murmured. Martwick muttered, “Wow.”
“What else do you want me to say, Rob? I am not a Republican, I have voted in every Democratic primary since I was 18,” she said.
“Justice, I think you’ve said it all,” Martwick replied.
* She was also asked about a small contribution to a Republican candidate for the appellate court. Here’s Craig Wall at ABC 7…
Alderman Michael Rodriguez, another Preckwinkle ally, quizzed Burke about her support for a Republican judge. Burke said the Democrat was rated not qualified.
“I have been a lifetime Democrat. I have supported Democrats but I also think it’s important to look at someone’s qualifications and not just do a litmus test,” she said.
When it came time for a vote, Harris won a unanimous endorsement.
She’ll run as the outsider, they’ll call her a Republican.
* Some background on Clayton Harris from Mitchell Armentrout at the Sun-Times…
Harris, a Washington Park resident, was a prosecutor under former Cook County State’s Attorney Dick Devine; an intergovernmental affairs assistant to former Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley; and lead counsel for the Chicago Department of Transportation.
Harris went on to the Illinois Transportation Department and eventually became the final chief of staff to Blagojevich late in the tenure of the governor who was later convicted on corruption charges.
In a 2012 letter to a federal judge, Harris — who was never accused of wrongdoing — described “chaos” in Blagojevich’s office, including “an episode where I was directed to fire the entire legal department because they lacked the professionalism that the governor believed should have been exhibited.” He also said Blagojevich ordered him to hire an unemployed lawyer “he met in line at Starbucks to be chief legal counsel of the state of Illinois!”
Harris didn’t follow up on either request, but he “did allow [Blagojevich] to believe” that he would do so because that was the best way to refocus the governor’s attention on more important matters, Harris wrote. […]
More recently, Harris served as executive director of the Illinois International Port District from 2016-2020 and then as public policy director for the ride-hailing giant Lyft through 2022, according to a LinkedIn profile. His teaching at the University of Chicago’s Harris School of Public Policy has focused on “the possible solutions available to change how race is policed.”
WGN News asked Harris if he would want Foxx’s endorsement.
“I would absolutely appreciate Kim Foxx’s endorsement,” Harris said.
Harris already has the backing of Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, almost guaranteeing him an influx of campaign cash and volunteers. He told WGN News that he has no problem being labeled the ‘establishment candidate.’ In fact, Harris believes a Preckwinkle endorsement ‘absolutely helps’ his campaign.
“She’s the president of the county. Her support, her backing is very influential, and she’s teed me up so that we can move forward,” Harris said. “I’m looking at garnering a large tree myself so that there are multiple branches on there from all walks of life.”
* Meanwhile, the party also voted yesterday to back Illinois Supreme Court Justice Joy Cunningham over Appellate Justice Jesse Reyes. Here’s Dan Hinkel and Alejandra Cancino at Injustice Watch…
Cunningham’s challenger, Reyes, sought the party stamp again after losing against the party-endorsed candidate in a 2020 bid to become the first Hispanic judge on the highest court. Reyes urged committee members to make history by giving Hispanic residents a “seat at the table of justice.”
“I’m merely a reflection of the Latino community’s dreams and aspirations of having a place on the bench of our state’s highest court,” said Reyes, who was endorsed by U.S. Reps. Jesus “Chuy” García and Delia Ramirez, both Chicago Democrats.
Cunningham, a former state appellate court justice and onetime president of the Chicago Bar Association, rejected that narrative in an interview, calling it divisive and saying she is a justice for all Illinoisans. On Monday, Cunningham introduced herself to the party as the daughter of immigrants from Panama and the Cayman Islands. Her father held two jobs, and she worked as a critical care nurse during law school, she said.
* WCIA | State shuts loophole allowing tax buyers to profit off blighted properties: Decatur Deputy City Manager Jon Kindseth has a backlog of abandoned homes in his city. […] “This is probably the largest tax reform bill in Illinois in the last two decades,” Kindseth said. “It’s that significant. It not only lowered interest rates for homeowners that are delinquent on their taxes. But it ultimately reduces a lot of loopholes that tax buyers have been exploiting for the last two or three decades.”
* SJ-R | Ready, set, go! Politicians gearing up for 2024 races descend on Illinois State Fair: Outside of the fair, the parties will hold meetings in downtown Springfield including the Illinois Democratic County Chairs’ Association brunch at the Bank of Springfield Center. There, Illinois Democrats will be joined by guest speaker U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nevada, starting at 9 a.m. before heading to the fairgrounds.
* WGN | Politics taking main stage at Illinois State Fair: Illinois Democrats will also emphasize the state’s importance as a labor stronghold and progressive capital of the Midwest. They say the state will play a key role in President Joe Biden’s re-election campaign with the Democratic National Convention coming to Chicago a year from now.
* Crain’s | Chicago Teachers Pension Fund exec on ‘do not hire’ list at prior employer: The executive director of Chicago Public School Teachers’ Pension & Retirement Fund was placed on a “do not hire” list by his former employer, Illinois Teachers’ Retirement System, after he had sent himself more than 300 emails containing retirement plan beneficiaries’ Social Security numbers and internal committee meeting information. The Office of Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor found that after Carlton W. Lenoir Sr. departed from Illinois Teachers, he was placed on the pension fund’s “do not hire” list, according to the office’s report dated June 27, 2022.
* ScribbleLive is still down. Twitter has stopped allowing people to embed list feeds on websites. So, click here or here to follow breaking news. You can click here to follow the Tim Mapes trial.
