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Thursday, Apr 18, 2024 - Posted by Rich Miller

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Isabel’s afternoon roundup

Thursday, Apr 18, 2024 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* WBEZ…

As many as 1,000 people who are still in custody could be eligible for immediate release if they received proper sentence recalculations, according to Alan Mills, executive director of the civil rights law firm Uptown People’s Law Center. […]

Many of the records used to recalculate people’s sentences only go back to when the corrections department switched to a new digital information system in 2010. But most of the people like Rogers who would benefit from the new law have been incarcerated since the 1990s.

The law, which took effect in January, builds on 2021 criminal justice reforms that increased the amount of credit someone could earn for participating in programs behind bars. […]

As of March 21, 1,750 individuals had received earned time through the new law, according to the state. Of those, 1,341 were still in custody and 409 have been released.

* It’s just a bill, the House committee deadline has long past and the Third Reading passage deadline is tomorrow. WGN…

After protesters blocked a major traffic artery into O’Hare International Airport this week, an Illinois State Representative has proposed legislation that would make similar demonstrations a felony. […]

On Wednesday, Rep. Dan Ugaste, a Republican from Geneva in Chicago’s western suburbs, filed legislation aimed at amending the Illinois Public Demonstrations Law. Ugaste represents Illinois’ 65th House District.

Titled Bill 5819, the legislation would create stiffer penalties for individuals who block “an exceptionally busy public right-of-way” for not less than five minutes, or when these actions prevent the free passage of emergency responders.

Individuals who engage in these actions would be subject to Class 4 felony charges.

* Sierra Club of Illinois…

Yesterday, the Illinois State House passed HB5277, which promotes equitable access to parks, public lands, and waters while also reducing climate pollution by encouraging increased use of public transportation. This monumental legislation, which was championed by State Representative Justin Slaughter, establishes the Transit to Trails Grant Program to allow eligible entities to apply for projects that facilitate travel by public transit to public outdoor recreation sites for activities like hiking, fishing, boating, and wildlife observation.

The Transit to Trails Program focuses on populations that are economically disadvantaged and underserved. In Illinois, 80% of low-income residents and 77% of people of color live in areas without or with limited access to nature. Transit to Trails aims to close this nature equity gap.

“Illinois’ parks and forest preserves have beautiful woods, wetlands, and prairies, and a day in nature does wonders for our mental and physical health,” said Sierra Club Illinois Director Jack Darin. “Everyone can benefit from outdoor recreation, but too many communities cannot safely and easily access time in nature. By helping our transit agencies provide service to these beautiful places, the Transit to Trails program will reduce the “nature equity gap.” We urge the Senate to approve this legislation this Spring and move more Illinoisans closer to accessing public land and recreation across the state.”

“Everyone can benefit from enjoying our beautiful parks and forest preserves, but for many people transportation is a barrier to these healthy activities,” said State Representative Justin Slaughter, chief sponsor of HB5277. “The Transit to Trails program will help provide transit service to beautiful natural areas, helping more Illinoisans access outdoor recreation with safe and reliable transit service. This is an important step to providing more equitable access to nature, and all of its benefits, especially for communities that lack this access today.”

“We’re thrilled to see Illinois join states across the country taking action to close the nature equity gap,” said Gerry Seavo James, Deputy Director of Sierra Club’s Outdoors For All Campaign. “Ensuring access to nature and outdoor recreation will help all Illinoisans thrive, and this bill will help break down some of the barriers that underserved communities face when trying to explore and enjoy the state’s parks, trails, natural areas, and waterways.”

* Michael McDevitt…



* The Telegraph…

A resolution to place a nonbinding advisory referendum regarding separating Chicago and Cook County from the rest of the state of Illinois was passed 15-7 by the Madison County Board on Wednesday.

The vote came after numerous speakers both for and against, and sometimes intense discussion by board members.

Madison County voters in November will now be asked via referendum to answer this question, “Shall the board of Madison County correspond with the boards of other counties of Illinois, outside of Cook County, about the possibility of separating from Cook County to form a new state and to seek admission to the Union as such, subject to the approval of the people?”

* Here’s the rest…

    * The Telegraph | Board avoids explaining support for Illinois, Chicago separation: Most of the people voting in favor of the resolution gave no reason Wednesday night for their support of the resolution. Dickerson, R-Worden, and Eaker, R-Bethalto, both said voters in their districts were “overwhelmingly” in support of the referendum.

    * Illinois Times | Helping the Homeless. My journey and my blessing: “Miss Julie” retires from full-time volunteering on the streets of Springfield. […] I witnessed much in my eight years of being a boots-on-the-ground volunteer for my ministry, “Helping the Homeless in Springfield, Illinois.” I answered a call from God on Jan. 24, 2016, and became known as Miss Julie. Donations trickled in from Springfield and surrounding community residents individually, through churches, organizations and even functions with leftover food to help the homeless population. Back then I worked full-time at a private company and decided three years later to retire from there and be a full-time volunteer.

    * Press Release | Preston’s measure to ban harmful food additives passes Senate: Following the recently passed California Food Safety Act, Preston’s measure would ban specific, dangerous food additives from being used in the manufacture, delivery, distribution or sale of food products. These additives include brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben and red dye No. 3. Additionally, the legislation calls for studies on the potential health risks of BHA and BHT, two chemicals commonly food in gum, snack foods and other common grocery items.

    * WTTW | Who Decides Which Chicago Sidewalks Get Repaired? Patchwork of Programs Creates Geographical Disparities, Rewards Most Complaints: The city uses a patchwork of programs to maintain its sidewalks. The responsibility is split between residents, the Chicago Department of Transportation and local ward offices. To better understand how and where sidewalks across the city get repaired, WTTW News examined data, permits and repair records and spoke with those affected by poor conditions about how sidewalks are kept in shape and what they say should be improved.

    * Crain’s | Hundreds of Walgreens pharmacists start monthlong protest all over Chicago: The workers, represented by National Pharmacists Association-Laborers’ International Union of North America, or NPhA-LIUNA, plan to host multiple demonstrations every day at various Chicago-area Walgreens stores, starting today through May 10, according to a statement from the union. […] “Despite the fact that we are essential workers that helped this country come out of the COVID crisis, Walgreens continues to exploit us,” Joe Pignataro, NPhA-LIUNA president and full-time Walgreens pharmacist, said in a statement. “We should be given a fair wage increase that reflects our contributions to the company. We also want more consistent and reliable scheduling and more staff support with proper training.”

    * Crain’s | Shedd Aquarium workers announce intent to form a union: The workers, who announced their plans to form a union in a public letter signed by 60 Shedd employees, seek to be represented by the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees Council 31, or AFSCME, which has organized union victories at the Field Museum, the Art Institute of Chicago and the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, among others.

    * Sun-Times | Ex-Citi VP in Chicago who bilked elderly clients gets 30 months in prison: Helen Grace Caldwell, 59, who until 2021 was a vice president working in the South Michigan Avenue offices of Citibank downtown, acknowledging only that she “fell short” in her duty to protect her clients. The judge had a much harsher view. “The only difference between Ms. Caldwell and a bank robber is that she didn’t have a mask and a gun.” U.S. District Judge Matthew F. Kennelly said before ordering her to prison for wire fraud. “And actually, in some ways, it was worse because they trusted her — and she knew they trusted her.”

    * Daily Southtown | Flossmoor responds to former police chief’s lawsuit, says performance reason for firing: Concerns over Jones’ performance began shortly after he started with the Flossmoor department in March 2023, the Chicago-based Sotos Law Firm writes in defense of the village, Mayor Michelle Nelson and village administrator Bridgette Watchel. “The 2023 Flossmoor Fest was beset with public safety problems including being forced to shut down early due to a ‘teen takeover,’” the response cites as one example of performance issues.

    * Daily Southtown | Former Harvey strip club operator sentenced to 20 months in prison in tax fraud case: According to a criminal complaint filed in 2019, the club’s owner had been making biweekly payments of $3,000 and later $6,000 to relatives of then-Mayor Eric Kellogg for years to protect a prostitution racket being run out of the business. Last December, Rommell Kellogg, brother of Kellogg, was convicted by a federal jury in a yearslong shakedown scheme in which thousands of dollars were extorted from the club.

    * Effingham Daily News | Illinois Deer Donation Program donates more than 12,000 pounds: Hunters came out in full force to harvest more than 300 deer, totaling 12,187 pounds of venison, for the 2023-2024 Illinois Deer Donation Program. The harvested deer were donated to more than 50 food pantries across a 16-county territory in east-central Illinois, providing 48,748 meals of nutritious protein to individuals and families.

    * Block Club | Oz Park’s Giant Underground Rat Colony Getting Evicted For New Playground: Construction began this month, and it couldn’t have come soon enough, Ald. Timmy Knudsen (43rd) said. “The unsexy truth is that there is one of the largest rat beds in the city of Chicago under the turf of that playground,” Knudsen said. Park District officials were aware of the rat bed before demolition, Knudsen said. Part of the process includes abating the property for rodents. Contractors on site this week are working though that process, Knudsen said.

    * SJ-R | US Rep. urges Biden to make the 1908 Springfield Race Riot site a national monument: U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski, D-Springfield, is calling for the 1908 Springfield Race Riot site to become a national monument. During an April 16 press conference, Budzinski was joined by Monuments for All in front of the U.S Capitol, to urge President Joe Biden to invoke the Antiquities Act and recognize the race riot location as a monument. “Today I’m continuing my call on the Biden administration to invoke the Antiquities Act and give the site of this event the recognition that it rightfully deserves,” said Budzinski. “Both for the Springfield community but also for our nation.”

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Question of the day

Thursday, Apr 18, 2024 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Press release…

Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford is working to keep families together by preventing children from being wrongfully removed from their homes due to an unfounded allegation of abuse or mistreatment.

“While we need to take child abuse and mistreatment seriously, we must also remember that kids will be kids and accidents happen,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “Cases of abuse and mistreatment must be thoroughly, accurately and transparently investigated before making a decision to remove a child from their home.”

Families across the state have faced wrongful allegations of child abuse or neglect due to medical conditions, birth injuries and normal childhood accidents that result in findings that are misinterpreted as signs of abuse.

Lightford’s measure would set forth a number of protections that must be provided to a parent or guardian at the center of an abuse or neglect investigation. Under the measure, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services would be required to notify the parent or guardian of an investigation and give them the opportunity to submit a second medical opinion to be considered in the investigation.

Further, if a medical professional examines a child for the purpose of providing an opinion to DCFS regarding whether the child’s injury or condition is suspicious for child maltreatment, they must identify that intent to the parent or guardian and alert them that they may be required to communicate with law enforcement and provide court testimony.

Of the 142,000 investigations of possible abuse or neglect investigated by DCFS, 98,000 were not substantiated.

“As a parent whose child is in the hospital for medical treatment, you have the right to know when the doctor’s role shifts from caring for your child and providing you with information to the dual capacity role of examining and diagnosing your child and sharing information with a government agency that could potentially take your child away,” said Lightford. “At the forefront, the measure is about transparency and humanity.”

Senate Bill 378 passed the Senate Thursday and heads to the House for further consideration.

Emphasis added. Sen. Lightford’s numbers would mean that 69 percent of all investigations are found to be not substantiated. Then again, sometimes DCFS makes mistakes and those unsubstantiated findings are wrong.

* The Question: Could you support this concept? Explain.

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Migrant shelter population down more than a third since end of January

Thursday, Apr 18, 2024 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Chicago hasn’t updated its migrant dashboard since Tuesday, when it reported 9,137 people in shelters. That’s 34 percent lower than the 13,900 who were in shelters at the end of January.

* The governor debunked what may have been a rumor at his Decatur press conference today…

Q: I wanted to ask you for comments… about a recent situation with some migrants being sent from Taxes now on private planes coming into Chicago. [Garbled]

Pritzker: I don’t think we’ve seen any of those for many, many weeks now. And we worked hard when they we saw that happening. You know, there were a few aircraft that arrived at O’Hare Airport, Midway, Rockford airport. But since, as we worked hard to make sure that that was very difficult for the state of Texas to do.

As a result, I have not heard of any, unless something’s happened the last 24 hours that I’m unaware of. But they don’t seem to be coming by aircraft. You can always buy a ticket on a commercial aircraft but that’s a more expensive endeavor than what the state of Texas was doing before which is chartering a plane, filling it with people, landing it sometimes in the middle of the night.

Q: Is this something you’re watching carefully?

Pritzker: Well, yeah, because the state of Texas is trying to create chaos. Not just in Illinois, they’re trying to do it in a number of states, by shipping people on buses, on aircraft in any way that they can, with no notice.

And remember, the state of Texas is receiving a lot of federal money to care for the people who are coming across the border. The state of Illinois is not. And so they’re shipping people and expecting us to care for these folks. And we will because we’re a state that believes in acting a humanitarian fashion. So we’re gonna do what we need to do.

And as I’ve reminded many people my family arrived here many years ago with nothing. Refugees, threatened with their lives. And in one generation went from not speaking English and having absolutely nothing, in that same generation my great grandfather becoming an attorney, raising a family and our family becoming successful right here in Illinois. It’s good for the economy of the state of Illinois for immigration. But we need to have controlled immigration. We need to make sure we have comprehensive immigration reform. And I favor that.

* More from Isabel…

    * Crain’s | Johnson maintains migrant spending has not hurt relationship with Preckwinkle: In a post-City Council press briefing yesterday, Johnson insisted Preckwinkle’s lobbying effort wasn’t out of the ordinary. “As far as our relationship, our relationship is strong,” Johnson said. He added that he often talks across governments to state representatives, county commissioners and the governor. Johnson also pushed back on the assertion that because the city didn’t contribute its $70 million share months ago he had reneged on a promise to the county and state.

    * Chicago Catholic | Migrant families expected to move into former school in May: The archdiocese is leasing the building, which is on the St. Bartholomew campus of Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, to the city of Chicago, which is, in turn, leasing it to the Zakat Foundation, who will be in charge of operations at the shelter at no cost to the city. Parishioners and other neighbors have, for the most part, been supportive of the shelter, and many have expressed interest in volunteering, Wollan said. “There appears to be an abundance of interest in terms of volunteers from the parish committee and the alderman’s office,” Wollan continued. “We want to be sure that we capture all of that. We don’t want to lose that momentum.”

    * Chalkbeat | Chicago Public Schools estimates between 9,000 and 17,000 migrant students are enrolled, depending on who is counted: Chicago Public Schools says the district is currently serving 8,900 students who arrived since August 2022, including those who passed through the southern border and were bused to Chicago from Texas. The district uses five criteria to identify this cohort: students who speak languages other than English at home, have been identified as students in temporary living situations, are new to the district arriving after August 2022, were born outside of the country, or are listed on the city’s Department of Family and Support Services shelter roster. The Illinois State Board of Education, on the other hand, says any student not born in the U.S. or Puerto Rico who has been attending school in this country for less than three years is eligible for the Immigrant Education Program. Chicago estimates roughly 17,000 students fit this definition. Chicago just started to collect this data in November 2023 and school staff are collecting the birth country and enrollment date of students.

    * Sen. Robert Peters | Chicago is ready for the Democratic National Convention: Like every other major city in America, Chicago faces its challenges — challenges that today’s Democratic Party is uniquely prepared to solve. We shouldn’t shy away from the problems we all know we face such as the migrant crisis and gun violence. The DNC is the exact moment Chicago needs to galvanize Democrats across the country to come together and nominate the only candidate who understands the complexity of these issues and is ready to help. Let us remember that Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is responsible for busing thousands of migrants to our city instead of rolling up his sleeves and finding sustainable ways to welcome migrants who’ve faced perilous journeys to get here. This is a political strategy in an election year that ignores human suffering for the sake of political jockeying on immigration policy, and it’s ugly, callous and un-American.

    * Rep. Martin McLaughlin | Intentions may be good, but city, state policies aren’t fixing migrant crisis: The desire to care for undocumented illegal immigrants may be well-intentioned, but our response to this crisis is the very essence of a bad idea. It is time to end the Sanctuary State and Sanctuary City policies. It is time for our leaders to demand that the federal government secure our borders. The actions taken to house, clothe and feed undocumented and illegal immigrants fails to address the problems we are facing in a meaningful way. These short-term solutions are simply not sustainable.

    * President of the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago Dorri McWhorter | Chicago faces a three-part humanitarian crisis. We can solve this for everyone.: At the historic Wabash YMCA in Bronzeville, local Y leaders welcomed and worked to empower Chicago migrants from the Jim Crow South through housing and job training for the newly arrived African American individuals and families. And no matter the country of origin, each wave of immigrants to the region since 1858 has been met with connection, resources and support from the Y. We are proud to continue that legacy through our partnership with the city of Chicago, assisting with sheltering our newest migrant arrivals since they began arriving in the summer of 2022. We have provided shelter to more than 1,500 individuals through this partnership, along with resources and referrals for many more. We are committed to doing so until a long-term solution is enacted.

    * Kansas City Star | ‘All are welcome’: Mayor Lucas invites migrants overwhelming other cities to work in KC: “All are welcome in Kansas City,” Lucas said Tuesday in a social media post in which he shared a Bloomberg.com article that quoted him saying the Kansas City area could use more workers for its burgeoning economy. “Proud to work with my fellow mayors like @MikeJohnstonCO and @NYCMayor,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter, referring to Denver’s mayor and New York City Mayor Eric Adams, “as we work to ensure decompression of new arriving communities and collaboration among cities, labor, non-profits, and federal officials.”

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Tier 2 emails, calls inundating legislators

Thursday, Apr 18, 2024 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Public employees are being encourage by social media posts and other ways to fill out an email form at the Illinois AFL-CIO’s website to “fix” the Tier 2 pension system. Here’s the pitch they get on that website…

In 2010, the Illinois General Assembly created a “Tier 2″ of separate, lower pension benefits for public employees hired after 2011, over the fierce opposition of a coalition of unions representing public sector workers. Since then, legislators have refused to act to fix the inequitable system they created, at a huge cost to our members and the communities they support.

During this legislative session, the General Assembly will be holding hearings in Springfield about the future of these “Tier 2” pensions. We must let legislators know how important it is that they fix this unfair system. By taking this action, you and other members of unions representing public sector employees can make your voices heard.

This action is the first step to push legislators in Springfield to ensure that all public sector workers have a fair, secure retirement after their service, and allow us to recruit and retain the essential workers who keep Illinois running.

According to the linked page above, 50,704 email messages have been sent to legislators as of 12:55 this afternoon.

They’re also being urged to call a patch-through number, and I’m told 4,275 calls have been processed so far.

Thoughts?

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Tax talk (Updated)

Thursday, Apr 18, 2024 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Crain’s has a story up entitled “Jim Belushi nudges Pritzker to lower weed taxes”…

Jim Belushi, the actor and comedian whose latest role is gentleman cannabis farmer and entrepreneur, says he gave Gov. J.B. Pritzker a friendly nudge about taxes on weed.

The state tax rate has long been a hot topic in the weed industry, and Belushi addressed it during the Cannabis Innovation Summit yesterday at startup incubator 1871.

“I had a conversation with Gov. Pritzker, who I really think is on our side. He’s a good guy,” Belushi said. “I said, ‘Last year, you guys collected $417 million in cannabis taxes, and you collected $207 million in liquor taxes. There’s a lot more liquor stores and bars than there are dispensaries.’ ”

I asked Pritzker spokesperson Jordan Abudayyeh if the governor supports a cannabis tax cut. Her answer…

No

Here’s how cannabis taxes are distributed…

    • 2% to public education and safety campaigns
    • 8% to the Local Government Distributive Fund, for prevention and training for law enforcement
    • 25% to the Recover, Reinvest, and Renew (3R) Program
    • 20% to mental health services and substance abuse programs
    • 10% to pay unpaid bills
    • 35% to the General Revenue Fund

This is not your usual tax. Lots of vital local programs directly depend on it.

…Adding… Belushi’s argument just doesn’t hold up…

Illinois’ adult-use cannabis sales for March soared to $148.9 million, marking a 9.81% increase from February’s $135.6 million, according to the latest figures released by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). The combined total of adult-use and medical cannabis sales reached $174.8 million.

This growth stands as the second-highest monthly total since the state legalized cannabis in 2020 and is part of a consistent upward trend, with the number of items sold rising by 11.33% to more than 4 million in March from 3.6 million in February. While the IDFPR data signals robust demand from both in-state and out-of-state residents, a closer analysis reveals a decreasing trend in purchases by out-of-state residents.

The upward trend is not merely a monthly spike but signifies broader growth within the Illinois cannabis market. Year-over-year, adult-use cannabis sales surged by 10.45% from March 2023’s $134.8 million, indicating a maturing market and potentially expanding consumer base.

* Meanwhile, CBS 2 has a story on sports betting taxes…

A battle has been brewing over sports betting in Illinois.

On one side, Gov. JB Pritzker is trying to more than double taxes on the revenue from bets won by sports betting operators. On the other, the betting companies are now asking their customers to get involved to stop it.

Companies like DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM have all come together to form the Sports Betting Alliance. The competitors are united against Pritzker’s proposed tax hike – which he estimates would generate an additional $200 million for the state. They have sent emails to users urging them to write to their legislators and oppose the tax hike. […]

Sports betting companies said if approved, higher taxes would mean worse odds, and fewer promotions for users – which they warn could fuel the illegal market. The companies also warn the tax hike may drive all but the top three sportsbooks out of Illinois.

The “adjusted sports wagering revenue” tax is on industry profits. And even though New York has a 50 percent tax (way higher than the proposed 35 percent tax here), it has 9 sports betting companies.

Maybe run fewer TV ads?

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That’s some brilliant strategy you got there, Bubba

Thursday, Apr 18, 2024 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Fran Spielman…

A former technology salesman who lives in Lake View has formed a political action committee to raise money and at least begin the formidable challenge of putting a binding referendum on the Nov. 5 ballot asking Chicago voters whether they want the power to recall their mayor. […]

To get a recall referendum on the November ballot, he needs at least 56,464 valid signatures by Aug. 5. If it gets on the ballot, and the question is approved in November, Chicagoans would be empowered to recall any present or future mayor.

But Johnson still wouldn’t be removed. Boland would have to launch yet another petition drive, collecting at least 122,503 valid signatures . If he clears that hurdle, Chicago voters would be empowered to recall Johnson in the next regularly scheduled election — March 2026.

So, it’s not a recall referendum. It’s a referendum asking Chicagoans whether they want the power to recall mayors.

* Keep that explanation in mind when reading this tweet from Mayor Brandon Johnson’s new “chief strategy officer”…

MAA’s tweet wasn’t fully accurate, but going full-on patronizing bully right out of the gate against a reporter with a large and loyal viewing audience ain’t exactly strategic.

Apparently, things aren’t gonna change on the Fifth Floor.

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Credit Unions: A Smart Financial Choice for Illinois Consumers

Thursday, Apr 18, 2024 - Posted by Advertising Department

[The following is a paid advertisement.]

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It’s just a bill

Thursday, Apr 18, 2024 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* Capitol News Illinois…

Housing advocates are renewing a push to fund a $20 million state affordable housing tax credit in the upcoming state budget.

Supporters of the “Build Illinois Homes Tax Credit Act,” modeled after a federal tax credit program, claimed it would result in over 1,000 affordable housing units being built over its first six years. The push for the measure, contained in House Bill 4909 and Senate Bill 3233, comes one year after a similar to appropriate $35 million in tax credits failed to advance.

Its supporters said the money would replace federal pandemic-era funding that went to the Illinois Housing Development Authority over the last three years but has since run out. […]

This year’s push also has backing from the Illinois Manufacturers Association and the Laborers’ International Union of North America Midwest Region, two influential groups within the Statehouse.

* Tribune…

Lawmakers are moving ahead with a measure that would make mental health professionals who get sent on emergency calls alongside law enforcement eligible for the same benefits as other first responders if they’re also hurt in the line of duty.

Mental health advocates for years have pushed for a more holistic approach to many emergency calls by having police officers team up with social workers, clinicians or similar practitioners to help quell potentially volatile situations.

When that approach is in practice, mental health workers should be entitled to the same benefits as the police officers who are putting their lives on the line, said state Rep. Lilian Jiménez, the main sponsor of the bill in the House. […]

Under the legislation, the mental health professionals are defined as those persons “employed and dispatched by a unit of local government to respond to crisis calls received on public emergency service lines instead of or in conjunction with law enforcement.”

Jiménez’s bill passed through the Democrat-controlled House on a 80-27 vote and now goes to the Senate for consideration.

* Sun-Times…

Illinois lawmakers are advancing a bill that would prevent Chicago Public Schools officials from closing any schools or making major changes to selective-enrollment programs until a fully elected school board takes control in early 2027.

The proposed legislation is the latest and most significant backlash to a declaration in December by Mayor Brandon Johnson’s Board of Education that it would no longer prioritize selective schools and would refocus resources to neighborhood schools that have faced years of cuts and under-funding. […]

Perhaps more consequentially, the bill would prevent CPS from changing the “standards for admission” to any selective school.

For instance, CPS reduced the length of the high school selective-enrollment test to an hour last year to improve accessibility, particularly for students with disabilities who may have had trouble testing for three hours previously. CPS would have to halt those types of decisions.

* Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz…

State Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz, D-Glenview, and members of the House Democratic New Arrivals Working Group are seeking to curb inhumane, politically motivated busing of migrants from border states with new criminal and civil penalties for dropping off passengers at unsafe locations and at unscheduled times.

“This measure is the result of months of work by the New Arrivals Working Group in conjunction with stakeholders from across the political spectrum. This bill begins to address the most egregious abuses we’ve seen from politicians who want to ship people across the country like cargo,” Gong-Gershowitz said. “Unplanned, unannounced and uncoordinated long-distance busing of migrants is a practice that totally neglects their wellbeing, while imposing burdens on the communities receiving them. This issue affects us all.”

Gong-Gershowitz passed House Bill 588 through a House committee Wednesday. Under this bill, commercial bus operators would no longer be able to leave migrants in unsafe areas, or at unscheduled times. Buses would face stricter regulation of where riders could be left, ensuring local officials have control over where and when drop-offs could happen. The bill also lays out stronger safety regulations on these drop-off locations. Bus operators violating these regulations would be subject to misdemeanor charges and fines for a first offense, with escalating fines for subsequent offenses.

Many communities in Cook County and neighboring suburbs have already enacted similar ordinances, causing bus operators and the politicians directing them to seek unregulated areas for these drop-offs. Gong-Gershowitz’s bill expands these regulations statewide in order to more comprehensively crack down on these political games.

* WAND…

State representatives passed a plan Wednesday to improve network adequacy standards for health insurance companies.

The legislation could require insurance companies to notify patients of the anticipated date health care providers will leave their network and publish the information on their directories within 10 days. This plan also calls on insurers to provide contact information for patients to dispute inaccurate charges with a customer service representative.

Consumers would also have the ability to recoup their out-of-pocket payments if they were charged out of network costs for a provider listed in their insurance network. Insurance companies could be required to audit their health care provider directories every 90 days and make necessary corrections as well. […]

Rep. Margaret Croke (D-Chicago) explained her measure would also require the Illinois Department of Insurance to randomly audit at least 10% of the health care provider plans annually.

* WGEM…

Illinois state lawmakers are moving to ban dental insurance companies from denying coverage for procedures they’ve already approved.

The state House of Representatives passed a bill with broad bipartisan support Tuesday banning insurers from denying claims for procedures it already gave prior authorization.

Dentists say they’ll submit a treatment plan to a patient’s insurance company before performing a potentially expensive procedure. When they submit the claim to be reimbursed for their work, an insurance company will then deny that claim. […]

If the bill becomes law, insurance companies would still be able to deny a claim if the treatment is vastly different from the plan originally submitted, if a patient’s benefit limit is reached or if circumstances changed making the treatment no longer necessary.

* Rep. Barbara Hernandez…

A measure requiring the nursing assistant certification exam be offered in both English and Spanish, authored by state Rep. Barbara Hernandez, D-Aurora, recently passed the Illinois House of Representatives.

“This progress is the result of a very real case of a person who was only fluent in Spanish being denied the chance to become a nursing assistant because the exam was only available in English. At a time in which Illinois is facing a shortage of caregivers, we are turning away people who want to do that good work without good cause,” Hernandez said. “This legislation will help address that shortage, while promoting equity in an important field; one which often calls for Spanish as a valuable skill to help give the best care possible.”

Hernandez crafted House Bill 5218 in conjunction with the Health Care Council of Illinois, who came to her with the story of a person who was unable to pursue a career as a nursing assistant because the test was restricted to English. It passed with strong bipartisan support and is now going to the Senate for consideration.

* Center Square…

A measure prohibiting local news organizations from selling to out-of-state buyers without 120 days written notice of the sale to the state and their employees has passed the Illinois Senate.

State Sen. Steve Stadelman, D-Rockford, said in an effort to address what he said is a shrinking local media landscape, Illinois should pass the “Strengthening Community Media Act” found in Senate Bill 3592. One element of the bill requires 120-day written notice to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the company’s employees if a local media outlet is looking to sell. […]

“Private equity firms are coming and buying newspapers, consolidating them until they provide very little local news content with no local journalist and sometimes those newsrooms are shut down as what happened in southern Illinois not that long ago,” Stadelmand said Wednesday. […]

The measure, which also creates a journalism scholarship program through the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, can now be sent to the Illinois House.

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Open thread

Thursday, Apr 18, 2024 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* What’s going on? Keep it Illinois-centric please…

  14 Comments      


Isabel’s morning briefing

Thursday, Apr 18, 2024 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* ICYMI: Illinois considers carbon storage, pipeline regulations. The Pantagraph…

    - New legislation was filed this week that would create a state regulatory framework for carbon capture, pipeline and storage projects.
    - Rep. Ann Williams’ measure has the backing of prominent environmental groups like the Sierra Club and Illinois Environmental Council and emerges just over a month after business organizations and labor unions unveiled their own proposal.
    - Under Williams’ proposal, all three aspects of the process — capture, transport and storage — would be subject to state regulations.

* Related stories…

* Isabel’s top picks…

    * Tribune | Stephen Colbert will bring ‘Late Show’ to Chicago during Democratic National Convention: The Democratic National Convention will have a new political commentator: Stephen Colbert is bringing his “Late Show” to Chicago and will broadcast from the Auditorium Theatre in the Loop from Monday, Aug. 19 to Thursday, Aug. 22, during the same days of the convention across town at the United Center.

    * Capitol News Illinois | Education leaders seek added state funding to help districts accommodate influx of migrants: Kimako Patterson, chief of staff at the Illinois State Board of Education, said that in the last two years, a total of 62,644 “newcomers” have arrived in the state’s schools. Those are people age 3 to 21 who were born outside of the 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico and have been attending school in the U.S. for less than three years. […] In January, ISBE submitted a funding request for the upcoming fiscal year totaling just over $11 billion, or roughly one-fifth of the state’s entire General Revenue Fund budget. That included $35 million in new funding to support migrant students.

* Lee Milner has passed…


* It’s been a busy week at the capitol…


Gov. Pritzker will be in Decatur with Innovafeed to celebrate inaugral North American Insect Innovation Center at 10 am. Click here to watch.

* Here’s the rest…

    * Illinois Review | Tim Ozinga Suffers Humiliating Defeat as Conservative Christina Clausen Dominates Will County GOP Chairman Race: A little over a week after Tim Ozinga’s shock resignation from the Illinois House of Representatives, the landscape of the Illinois Republican Party underwent a dramatic transformation during Wednesday night’s Will County GOP Convention after Christina Clausen secured her position as the new chairwoman of the Will County Republican Central Committee, garnering an impressive 12,220 votes to her opponent’s 6,234 – leaving Ozinga and his allies in shock and disbelief.

    * Crain’s | Illinois is no exception when it comes to racial health disparities: Ultimately, this year’s data confirmed what past reports and other research has long shown: Black Americans and American Indians are more likely to die from preventable and treatable conditions than other racial groups. […] Commonwealth researchers say they hope the report helps policymakers target solutions to state health care systems, such as expanding access to affordable and comprehensive health insurance, improvements to primary care, lowering administrative burdens for patients and providers, and investing in social services that help keep Americans out of severe poverty.

    * Center Square | State lawmaker under federal investigation reacts to Dolton officials being charged and accused: State Rep. Thaddeus Jones, D-Calumet City, who is also the mayor of Calumet City, was asked to react to the Henyard scandal and Freeman’s charges. Calumet City is 10 minutes west of Dolton and Jones’ house district includes the village of Dolton. “I heard Tiffany Henyard is down here in Springfield so ask her that question. I will just say let’s leave this to the authorities to investigate,” Jones told The Center Square.

    * WCIA | U of I sticks with high budget request from the state: President of the University of Illinois System Timothy Killeen called for a 12 percent increase in the funding provided from the state. The Board of Trustees approved this ask back in the Fall, but since then, the Governor proposed his own version of the budget, which only included a 2 percent increase to the higher education funding.

    * Crain’s | Stellantis avoiding plant shutdowns by paying Illinois supplier ‘under hostage threat’: Stellantis NV has avoided plant closures by making a $100,000 payment under protest to an Illinois supplier that threatened to stop shipping parts because of an ongoing cost dispute. It is the automaker’s latest disputed payment made to Mundelein-based MacLean-Fogg Component Solutions to keep pinions and gears flowing to a pair of plants in Kokomo, Ind., that build transmissions for the Ram 1500, Wrangler, Grand Cherokee, Charger, Durango, Pacifica and a dozen other vehicle platforms.

    * Capitol News Illinois | Solar investments take center stage as questions loom on state’s renewable future: But even as solar projects have boomed in Illinois in recent years, the head of the state agency responsible for approving renewable projects said changes to state law may be necessary to phase out fossil fuels by 2050. G&W Electric Co., which installed a “microgrid” at its Bolingbrook facility, captures energy from the sun using eight football fields’ worth of solar panels and stores the electricity generated in a vanadium redox battery built inside 20 shipping containers.

    * Crain’s | Advocates say a state tax credit would get thousands of affordable housing units built: Housing and labor groups say Illinois can spur the development of about 1,100 new units of affordable rentals each year by creating a state tax credit that mimics the long-standing federal tax credit. The federal government’s tax credit for affordable housing development, created in 1986, has funded development of an estimated 3.7 million affordable housing units nationwide. It’s usually a key piece of a developer’s funding stack.

    * Crain’s | Johnson maintains migrant spending has not hurt relationship with Preckwinkle:
    He added that he often talks across governments to state representatives, county commissioners and the governor. Johnson also pushed back on the assertion that because the city didn’t contribute their $70 million share months ago, that he had reneged on a promise to the county and state. “It’s not a strain. No one forced anyone to do anything,” he said. “This is a part of a collective operation and maybe it’s just something that some people are not accustomed to. But this is a part of our practice.”

    * Sun-Times | New Chicago intelligence hub aims to ‘squeeze every last piece of evidence’ out of guns used in crimes: But the most crucial part of the new Crime Gun Intelligence Center might be far more basic: Investigators, prosecutors and analysts from various agencies will be sitting in a conference room together, every day, making connections between crime scenes that might have otherwise been missed.

    * Crain’s | Why using ticket sales tax on new stadiums is a no-go for Johnson: On April 8, the two teams held a meeting with Johnson’s administration where the city’s chief financial officer, Jill Jaworski, rejected an idea that the city should give up a portion of its revenue from the amusement tax to help fund the new stadiums. “We rely on those dollars to make the necessary investments to build a better, stronger, safer Chicago,” Johnson said today at an unrelated press conference. “There are so many needs that we have in Chicago that it’s imperative that we do everything in our power to make sure that the lion’s share of those resources actually make it to the neighborhoods.”

    * WGN | Cook County judge delays ruling in Ryan Field re-zoning lawsuit: A Cook County judge heard arguments for nearly two hours where attorneys for the City of Evanston and Northwestern argued to dismiss three out of four claims laid out in a lawsuit filed by Evanston residents and a non-profit organization called “The Most Livable City Association,’ or MLCA for short. […] In the end, the judge presiding over the case decided to delay a ruling until Friday, and attorneys in court Wednesday said they would not comment on pending litigation.

    * Tribune | Uber rolls out blue checkmark system for rider verification in Chicago, 11 other cities: For accounts that aren’t immediately verified, the user can upload a picture of a government-issued identification card, such as a driver’s license or passport, and verify their account that way. Uploaded documents will be encrypted and not show up on a user’s profile. Heather Childs, chief trust and security officer for Uber, said in an interview Wednesday the new feature is “something drivers have been asking for” to promote safety on the platform.

    * Crain’s | Jim Belushi nudges Pritzker to lower weed taxes: The state tax rate has long been a hot topic in the weed industry, and Belushi addressed it during the Cannabis Innovation Summit yesterday at startup incubator 1871. “I had a conversation with Gov. Pritzker, who I really think is on our side. He’s a good guy,” Belushi said. “I said, ‘Last year, you guys collected $417 million in cannabis taxes, and you collected $207 million in liquor taxes. There’s a lot more liquor stores and bars than there are dispensaries.’ ”

    * Sun-Times | Early spring warming could be having an effect on bird migration: “A lot more, a lot earlier.”: Temperatures in March were six degrees above normal, according to the National Weather Service. “On average, a lot of these species are arriving four or five days earlier than they were 40 years ago,” said Stephanie Beilke, the senior manager of conservation science at Audubon Great Lakes. “It’s a little tricky to necessarily notice.”

    * Block Club | Chicago Sky Games Against Caitlin Clark Should Be Moved To United Center, Fans Say: A new petition calls for the Sky to move its games against the Indiana Fever, led by former college star Caitlin Clark, from their home court at Wintrust Arena to the United Center. The Sky are scheduled to play the Fever June 23 and Aug. 30 at Wintrust Arena.

  13 Comments      


Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Supplement to today’s edition and a campaign update

Thursday, Apr 18, 2024 - Posted by Rich Miller

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

Thursday, Apr 18, 2024 - Posted by Rich Miller

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Live coverage

Thursday, Apr 18, 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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Isabel’s afternoon roundup

Wednesday, Apr 17, 2024 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* Illinois Answers…

Last summer, as historic rain pelted down on Cook County, Buchanan was left standing in the basement of her childhood home with dirty water wading up to her knees. Every day since has presented a new problem: discovering black mold scattered throughout the basement, having to replace the water heater and then getting denied for federal emergency funds.

The July 2023 storm – one of the costliest weather events in Chicago’s history – hit hardest in the city’s West Side and nearby suburbs. The storm upended Chicagoans’ lives and exposed the city’s longstanding vulnerabilities to flooding. In the wake of the storm, FEMA inspected 63,000 homes, and distributed up to $375 million in federal aid to home and business owners.

It also provided a look into a concerning future: The grip of climate change unyielding, winter and spring are expected to be wetter in Illinois while summer becomes even hotter. The downpour of rain will likely continue to be more intense for shorter durations and the locations where these flash flooding storms hit are less predictable, said Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford.

The Illinois Answers Project interviewed a range of experts on flooding, climate and infrastructure to examine how prepared Chicago and the state are to combat the growing environmental threats its residents face, particularly from the problem of severe flooding. In this series over the next several weeks, Illinois Answers will explore how Chicago is trying to improve drainage in neighborhoods, how a promising flood prevention project got mired in bureaucracy, and how a state buyout program is helping residents when they have nowhere else to turn.

* National Confectioners Association Senior Vice President of Public Affairs Christopher Gindlesperger on SB2637…

“It’s time to stop pretending that Illinois state legislators have the scientific expertise to make these very important regulatory decisions. Usurping FDA’s authority does nothing but create a patchwork of inconsistent requirements that increase food costs, create confusion around food safety, and erode consumer confidence.”

Sen. Willie Preston’s held a press conference today on SB2637. The bill is on Third Reading and has a Friday deadline to leave the Senate.

* Lobby days are taking its toll…



* Here’s the rest…

    * Post-Tribune | Organ donors’ families tell their stories at Northwest Health-Porter: For Stephanie Irving, of Palos Heights, Illinois, it was her first visit to the hospital since October, when her son died there. His driver’s license didn’t reflect a choice to become an organ donor but Irving made that decision on his behalf. “I feel my son is now a hero, being an organ donator,” she said. Irving is now raising her 5-year-old granddaughter, who insists on sleeping every night with a teddy bear that has a recording of her late father’s heartbeat.

    * WCIA | IDOT seeks council approval to make Champaign street safer: It’s a $10.6 million initiative to improve Neil Street over a three-mile stretch. It would be from Springfield Avenue to Windsor Road. The city would pay just short of $800,000 with IDOT paying the rest. Their goal is starting construction in August.

    * Crain’s | With baby formula lawsuits looming, Abbott CEO lays out game plan: Following an Illinois jury ordering Reckitt Benckiser Group to pay $60 million in damages over allegations that its infant formula led to the death of a premature baby, Abbott Laboratories CEO Robert Ford defended his company’s products as similar cases loom against the company. The verdict, which came last month from a jury in a St. Clair County court, ruled that Reckitt owed damages to a plaintiff for failing to warn her about the risks of necrotizing enterocolitis, or NEC, in its cow-milk-based Enfamil formula. Reckitt has said it plans to appeal the verdict.

    * WTTW | Top Cop Says CPD Tracks Accusations Against Officers — But Took No Action After 36 Complaints Filed Against Officers Involved in Dexter Reed Shooting: However, Snelling’s promise of accountability is contradicted by the fact that the five officers who stopped Reed had been the subject of at least 36 complaints in 2023 and 2024 that alleged they were improperly stopping Chicagoans driving through the city’s West Side, according to records provided to WTTW News by the Civilian Office of Police Accountability, known as COPA, in response to a Freedom of Information Act request.

    * Tribune | Johnson’s $1.25 billion bond plan advances, then gets delayed by a mayoral ally: The high-dollar investment effort was then set to face a council vote Wednesday afternoon. But it was ultimately delayed by Johnson’s handpicked Finance chair Ald. Pat Dowell, 3rd, a supporter of the plan. Her move prevented opponents of the bond deal from using the parliamentary move to block it themselves. The hold-up will likely be brief: the ordinance is expected to instead face an up-or-down vote at a council meeting Friday.

    * WTTW | Ethics Board Urges Chicago City Council to Tighten Rules That Would Allow Enforcement of a Ban on Lobbyists Giving Campaign Cash to Mayors: The recommendation followed the unanimous decision on Monday by the Chicago Board of Ethics to dismiss an enforcement action against a City Hall lobbyist who donated to Mayor Brandon Johnson’s campaign fund. Five months ago, the board unanimously found that a lobbyist violated a 2011 executive order issued by former Mayor Rahm Emanuel by contributing to Johnson’s campaign.

    * WBEZ | Chicago lobbyists escape serious punishment for improper donations to Mayor Johnson’s campaign: The Board of Ethics says it found probable cause that four lobbyists had violated the order when they contributed to Johnson’s political committee, but asked for a legal opinion about whether it could enforce Emanuel’s order. An outside law firm found the board can’t, saying the enforcement language isn’t codified in statute. Enforcing the order “exceeds the limits of the mayor’s, and the Board’s, authority,” read the opinion by Bethany Biesenthal with the Jones Day law firm.

    * Sun-Times | Petition drive launched to give Chicago voters power to recall mayor: To get a recall referendum on the November ballot, he needs at least 56,464 valid signatures by Aug. 5. If it gets on the ballot, and the question is approved in November, Chicagoans would be empowered to recall any present or future mayor. […] [Daniel Boland] also said he got pivotal help in “how to do this” from former Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, who led the drive to empower Illinois voters to recall their governor, a referendum that passed by a 2-to-1 margin.

    * Daily Egyptian | Southern Illinois University loses beloved professor: Southern Illinois University tenure professor Scott McClurg died Saturday after a long struggle with brain cancer. “Scott was a very good person. Very nice and considerate. Always positive and encouraging. His long fight with his illness was heroic. He will be dearly missed,” said Dong Han, an associate professor in the School of Journalism and Advertising.

    * SJ-R | Owner of popular Springfield restaurant faces up to 3 years in prison: Omar Hernandez-Lopez, 39, the owner of El Tapatio de Jalisco Inc., a company doing business as La Fiesta Grande, 2830 Stevenson Drive, faces up to three years in prison, a $250,000 fine and restitution as ordered by the court. The guilty plea is pending before U.S. District Court Judge Sue Myerscough. Sentencing for Hernandez-Lopez is scheduled for August 29 at the Paul Findley Federal Building & U.S. Courthouse.

    * Sun-Times | Obama Center gets skin in the game with fancy new granite cladding on its tower: The tower — which is about the height of the historic 16-story Monadnock Building at Jackson and Dearborn streets — will be the most prominent building on the 19-acre campus. Even as it rises, the structure is visible from blocks away. And the swirl-patterned granite panels will contribute much to the visual identity of the tower — while perhaps adding color and life to a structure that appeared cold and mausoleum-like in renderings.

    * Chicago Mag | A Drinking Tour of Harbor Country: If a pub crawl grew up, settled down, and invested in a nice little lake retreat, it would look a lot like southwest Michigan. Name the spirit, it’s got it. Name the vibe, it’s there. All nestled among quiet, walkable streets and charming boutiques and vintage lakeside cabins that make you feel a million miles (though actually only about 70) from Chicago’s hustle.

    * Tribune | Times change, but City News Cafe stays the course as the place with thousands of magazines: Unlike some other areas of town, dotted with shuttered businesses and shadowed in uncertainty, this slice of the city has a palpable vitality, ripe with possibility. One constant remains. Though City Newsstand has changed its name to incorporate City News Cafe, it sits at 4018 N. Cicero Ave., where it has been for decades and where, early last Sunday afternoon, a crowd packed the coffee shop at the store’s front, listening to the polished folk singing of guitarist Carey Anne Farrell.

    * Crain’s | Why Deere is hiring a ‘chief tractor officer’ to launch a TikTok account: John Deere has accumulated over 90,000 TikTok followers without posting a single video on its account. But now, the tractor maker is gearing up to make TikTok a foundational part of a new strategy to reach Gen Z and young millennials—and it’s on the hunt for a “chief tractor officer” to help make its agricultural and construction equipment relevant to young consumers.

    * Chicago Mag | The Sox Are a Historically Bad Team: I went to the White Sox game on Sunday. Beforehand, I asked my church congregation to pray for “the worst team in baseball.” But on the train ride to the ballpark, I succumbed to worldly considerations, opening my FanDuel account to bet $10 on the Cincinnati Reds to win by at least 1½ runs. In the first two games of the series, the Reds had outscored the Sox 16-1, so it seemed like a sure thing.

  4 Comments      


Showcasing the Retailers Who Make Illinois Work

Wednesday, Apr 17, 2024 - Posted by Advertising Department

[The following is a paid advertisement.]

Retail provides one out of every five Illinois jobs, generates the second largest amount of tax revenue for the state, and is the largest source of revenue for local governments. But retail is also so much more, with retailers serving as the trusted contributors to life’s moments, big and small.

We Are Retail and IRMA are dedicated to sharing the stories of retailers like Gordon, who serve their communities with dedication and pride. For more info, click here - Whimsy Tea - We Are RetaIL (irma.org)

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Caption contest!

Wednesday, Apr 17, 2024 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Embattled Dolton Mayor and Thornton Township Supervisor Tiffany Henyard getting into the back seat of a Chevy Tahoe near the Illinois Statehouse today…

Mayors from all over the state are in town this week for a lobby day.

  35 Comments      


Rep. Croke changes selective enrollment closure moratorium bill to ban all Chicago public school closures until elected board is seated

Wednesday, Apr 17, 2024 - Posted by Rich Miller

* I told subscribers earlier today about this development. Chalkbeat…

Illinois lawmakers want to extend a moratorium on school closures in Chicago and prevent changes at selective enrollment and magnet schools until 2027, when a fully elected school board is sworn in.

The proposal moving through the legislature first emerged in response to a resolution passed by the Chicago school board in December to develop a new strategic plan that would move away from school choice and invest more in neighborhood schools. That sparked concerns Chicago Public Schools could close or change admissions at dozens of sought-after selective and magnet schools, though board members continue to reiterate they do not intend to close those schools.

The initial bill sought to prevent the district from closing or changing admissions policies at any selective or magnet schools. Now, lawmakers are now also proposing to extend an existing moratorium on any school closures to Feb. 1, 2027. Currently, state law prevents Chicago from closing schools until January 15, 2025, when a partially elected school board is set to be sworn in.

State Rep. Margaret Croke, a Democrat serving neighborhoods on the city’s northern lakefront and sponsor of the bill, said in a committee hearing Tuesday the legislation is meant to delay any big changes until an elected school board is in place.

“These huge decisions, I believe, should be made by an elected school board because we, as a general assembly, voted for an elected school board,” Croke said.

Rep. Croke’s new bill is HB303. Amendment 3 was filed just today.

  4 Comments      


State tax credit for affordable housing development receives big push from labor, business, advocates

Wednesday, Apr 17, 2024 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Press release…

Illinois’ affordable housing shortages have reached crisis levels in Chicago and other communities, fueling needed public policy discussions about short-term and long-term solutions. State legislators and housing advocates say one important piece of the puzzle is the Build Illinois Homes Tax Credit, and they have a new, influential ally in organized labor.

The Illinois Housing Council has led the push in Springfield for the proposed state tax credit to drive new investment in affordable housing development, an issue that has new energy amid the migrant challenges facing Chicago and homelessness and under-housing growth elsewhere. The facts are staggering:

    • Illinois now has one of the nation’s highest housing deficits – with 64 percent growth in just the last decade
    • 20 percent of our low-rent apartments have vanished since 2011
    • Nearly 300,000 more affordable rental homes must be built to help those most in need across the state
    • Illinois has invested $225 million in federal funds since the pandemic into the development of affordable housing, but those federal funds have come to an end

Enter the Build Illinois Homes Tax Credit, as proposed in Senate Bill 3233 by Sen. Robert Peters and House Bill 4909 by Rep. Dagmara “Dee” Avelar. The legislation was introduced Wednesday at a Statehouse news conference by IHC leadership, the two legislators sponsoring the effort, and new support from the Laborers’ International Union – Midwest Region which runs the Laborers’ Home Development Corporation to build affordable housing in underserved communities.

“The Build Illinois Homes Tax Credit fits well with our mission to create more quality, reasonably priced housing for working families and seniors, and we call on our leaders in Springfield to make its passage a priority as we make a strong investment in affordable housing,” said Sean Stott, Director of Governmental Affairs for LiUNA-Midwest Region.

The tax credit mirrors the highly successful federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, which quickly runs out of money under high demand each year. The state credit would allow more affordable housing developments by giving developers credits to exchange with private investors to reduce mortgage debt and make the apartments more affordable for renters.

The best part? The proposed tax credit program limits the state’s annual out-of-pocket cost for credits and is structured as a “pay-for-success” model: investors only receive credits after construction is complete and qualified tenants move in. Under the current grant programs the state runs, the state’s costs are high up front, and developments can be put in jeopardy because of the uncertain nature of the year-to-year funding approach.

As proposed, the $20 million annual program over six years would generate up to 1,150 affordable homes and apartments, more than $650 million in economic benefits over a decade, and more than 7,000 jobs.

* Crain’s Chicago Business reports that the IMA is also supporting the bill..

Illinois is about 289,000 units short of the affordable rentals needed statewide, according to Housing Action Illinois. That is, for every 100 households making 30% or less of the average income, there are 36 affordable rental homes. […]

The shortage creates a barrier to employment, Mark Danzler, president and CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, said in a statement emailed to Crain’s. “To ensure the continued strength of Illinois’ manufacturing sector,” Danzler wrote, “we must invest in our workforce. As housing costs continue to climb, it is essential that the state look for innovative ways to increase affordable housing.” […]

The groups are pushing for the Build Illinois Homes Act now in order to get the tax credit included in next year’s state budget. While the credit would not require any new state expenditure, it entails a loss of revenue, in the form of taxes not collected because of the credits taken by developers. Typically, developers sell the tax credits to investors in exchange for funds that build the project.

Thoughts?

  3 Comments      


Listen To Servers – Vote No On House Bill 5345

Wednesday, Apr 17, 2024 - Posted by Advertising Department

[The following is a paid advertisement.]

Dominique Juarez, a server at Alexander’s Steakhouse in Peoria, said at the news conference she opposes the elimination of tip credit and that the bill “corners us into a no-win situation.”

She said that eliminating tip credit could lead to higher menu prices, which in turn would impact her relationship with regular customers, something she described as “the heart of what dining is all about.”

Dominique with some of her regular customers at Alexander’s Steakhouse in Peoria, IL


Tell your state legislators to VOTE NO on House Bill 5345 and Protect Illinois Hospitality

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Today’s must-read CTA stories, especially if you’re Gov. Pritzker (Updated)

Wednesday, Apr 17, 2024 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Block Club Chicago has a very good story about the death of a Chicago Transit Authority bus driver and the fact that it took the CTA an hour to figure out that she’d gone missing…

Antia Lyons, a 14-year driver for the United States’ third-largest transit agency, had suffered a medical emergency while she sat behind the wheel at the start of her bus route. The 63-year-old was later pronounced dead from complications with her heart.

A Block Club Chicago investigation into the circumstances around Lyons’ death raises questions about the safety of CTA drivers as the agency is touting improved working conditions in an attempt to bolster its staff.

Block Club’s reporting found Lyons sat in her bus unconscious for nearly an hour before someone eventually sought help. CTA supervisors neglected to check on her even though the bus never moved and subsequently failed to arrive at more than 50 scheduled stops.

The CTA failed to report the incident to the Illinois Occupational Safety and Health Administration despite a state law requiring it. The CTA wouldn’t explain why or answer Block Club’s questions about this incident, saying it was limited by privacy concerns. […]

The CTA also left information of the incident out of public records. For example, the agency provided Block Club with data showing CTA employees who were injured or died on duty over the past six years — but Lyons’ death was not included.

Kilgannon said the data didn’t include Lyons’ death because it didn’t meet the federal definition of “Major Incidents.”

The agency didn’t answer questions about whether it collected data on employee fatalities or injuries that happened due to medical emergencies on the job.

Lyons was also left out of records the CTA provided showing employees with a pension plan who have died in the past five years.

Go read the rest.

* Meanwhile, here’s another CTA story from Block Club Chicago…

The CTA’s new rail schedule aims to combat service issues reported by riders across the city — but it doesn’t add trains.

The new “dynamic” rail schedule for the spring and summer went into effect last week with a promise of “gradually increasing” service through the seasons as the agency looks to bring on more rail operators, according to a news release.

The CTA began adding some pre-pandemic bus runs back to its schedule last month, but its new train schedule shows no significant additions, transit advocates and a train operator said. […]

Yonah Freemark, a research director studying transit systems at D.C.-based think tank Urban Institute, said the CTA’s pandemic recovery still trails behind its counterparts in other major U.S. cities, which have increased staff and in some cases expanded rail service. […]

Data shows the CTA’s hiring efforts are being offset by rail operators who choose to quit or transfer to other departments within the agency. One rail operator told Block Club they’re interested in a less demanding role as a supervisor or as a switch or control tower worker.

* And here’s something you may not know…

If Mayor Johnson won’t act, then Gov. Pritzker needs to step up.

…Adding… It’s not quite half. He appoints three of seven members. Still.

  19 Comments      


Illinois residents can now easily access electronic notary services

Wednesday, Apr 17, 2024 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* Subscribers were told earlier today about this change. Press release…

Illinois residents will no longer need to have documents notarized in person under a new Electronic Notary system administered by Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias’ office.

Electronic Notarization, or “E-Notary,” will radically change the way people use notary services, Giannoulias predicted. Without leaving the home or office, an individual or business can have their documents notarized and signed electronically within minutes.

“In keeping with our ongoing effort to modernize the Secretary of State’s office, E-Notary serves as a game-changer for Illinoisans by now providing a convenient way to notarize documents without leaving their home or office,” Giannoulias said. “Enabling certified notaries to work virtually makes the process faster and more secure for individuals and
businesses alike.”

E-Notary allows both the customer and notary to sign with an electronic signature and to electronically attach both the notarial certificate and notary seal to a document. In 2021, the Illinois General Assembly passed legislation to allow the Secretary of State to implement electronic notarization.

Upon taking office last year, Giannoulias made it a priority to gain state approval of administrative rules, create a new application reflecting the E-Notary requirements, review and approve E-Notary technology platform providers, and train staff to process the new E-Notary applications.

Illinois now joins 47 other states that allow electronic notaries to operate. Although, Illinois had allowed remote online notarization, it required all parties (the notaries, signers and witnesses) to be located in Illinois. With Electronic Notarization, only the notary is required to be present in Illinois. The other parties may be located outside the state.

Additionally, while someone could sign the document remotely by audio-video communication with remote online notarization, the notary had to sign the notarized paper document and apply the notary seal in ink. With E-Notary, the document, signing and seal are all electronically applied, dramatically reducing the time it takes to notarize a document.

To find a notary who offers electronic notarization, customers can visit ilsos.gov/notarysearch. Customers will need a computer, phone or other device that supports audio-video communication and a valid form of identification to complete the notarization electronically.

When getting a document notarized, the Notary Public or Electronic Notary will:

    • Require the customer to personally appear before them via an audio-video
    communication platform during the notarization.
    • Check over the document to ensure it is complete and verify the name on the
    document matches the customer’s ID.
    • Confirm the identity of the customer by examining their ID.
    • Once steps 1 through 3 are done, the customer will be permitted to sign the
    document electronically.
    • The Notary Public will then complete the notarial certificate and affix their seal.

The office has already received over 200 applications from existing Notaries Public applying to be E-Notaries.

Fees for services vary by provider but are capped by state law at $5 for any notarial act and $25 for any electronic notarial act. All Notaries Public are required to provide receipts and keep records of the fees they charged for services provided.

Thoughts?

  17 Comments      


It’s just a bill

Wednesday, Apr 17, 2024 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* WGEM…

The state House of Representatives passed a bill Tuesday adding reproductive health decisions to the state’s anti-discrimination law.

It would ban people from discriminating against someone when it comes to employment, housing, public accommodations and financial credit.

Reproductive health decisions include prenatal and postnatal care, fertility treatments, including IVF, the use of contraception and whether someone gets an abortion.

“This bill enhances civil rights protections for Illinoisans at a time when we must affirmatively stand up to protect and ensure those rights,” said state Rep. Anna Moeller, D-Elgin, the bill’s sponsor.

* WAND…

Illinois lawmakers passed a plan last year to require fentanyl education in every high school. Now, representatives hope to pass a bill to require this instruction in junior high.

Sponsors believe students in 6th through 8th grade should learn the differences between synthetic and non-synthetic opioids and illicit drugs as well as the variations of fentanyl.

Rep. Janet Yang Rohr (D-Naperville) said Tuesday that young students should also know the side effects and risk factors of using fentanyl. […]

The legislation passed out of the House Elementary & Secondary Education: School Curriculum & Policy Committee unanimously. House Bill 4219 now heads to the House floor for further consideration.

* Daily Herald…

House Bill 4431, which would eliminate senior behind-the-wheel exams, was introduced by state Rep. Jeff Keicher and has 34 co-sponsors so far.

“I think it’s more appropriate, instead of being ageist and deciding at a certain birthday that you’re no longer able — that we put a dynamic in place that allows for triggers,” the Sycamore Republican said.

Those could include physical or mental health conditions as well as tickets or accidents. They would be introduced later in separate legislation, Keicher noted. […]

AARP Executive Council member Candace Trees of Springfield said that as a widow, she safely drives herself everywhere she needs to go, whether it’s the grocery store, a medical appointment or to visit friends and family. […]

St. Charles Republican state Sen. Don DeWitte indicated he’d support the bill if it moves out of the House.

* AARP…

The right to drive should be based on ability and not age, state lawmakers, AARP Illinois and older adults said at a press conference Tuesday.

Senator Donald DeWitte (R-33), Representative Jeff Keicher (R-76), AARP Illinois Senior Director of Advocacy and Outreach Ryan Gruenenfelder and older adults urged support for a bill that would end a mandatory extra road test for drivers over 75 years of age. Illinois is the only state in the nation that has this requirement.

“AARP Illinois has heard for years from our members about how this law disproportionately affects older drivers and perpetuates false narratives about their driving abilities,” said AARP Illinois Senior Director of Advocacy and Outreach Ryan Gruenenfelder. “The research clearly shows that older drivers are the safest drivers on our roadways, and we believe that singling them out to take an extra test is a type of age discrimination and has to end.”

An Illinois Department of Transportation report released in 2022 showed virtually no change in crash rates for drivers 75 and older, with a crash rate of 24.39 per 1,000 drivers, which is lower than every age range of drivers between 16 and 69 years old.

HB 4431 calls for an amendment to the Illinois Vehicle Code that would remove the extra road test requirement that applies only to drivers over 75. […]

HB 4431 heads to a vote on the House floor this week.

HB4431 is on Second Reading in the House.

* WGIL…

Illinois legislators are pushing for measures to help social workers deal with overdoses and to attract more people to the field.

Now in the Illinois House, Senate Bill 3779 would allow a clinical social worker or social worker to possess and administer naloxone, an opioid antagonists.

In the past decade, state Sen. Karina Villa, D-West Chicago, said opioid deaths have increased by 3,341% in Illinois. One reason why there could be an increase in overdoses is the pandemic lockdowns. […]

Villa’s bill adds the administering power for naloxone is not within the scope of a social worker’s practice. Kyle Hillman, National Association of Social Workers Illinois legislative chair, said crisis response teams are currently saying the liability risk with social workers administering naloxone is too high.

* Center Square…

The Illinois Senate could consider a bill to address squatters. […]

[State Sen. Dave Syverson] said his Senate Bill 3658 would give police more authority to remove squatters. […]

Opponents of the bill included Sam Tuttle representing Legal Action Chicago. Tuttle said everyone needs housing and there is already an eviction law that can be used if necessary. […]

State Sen. Elgie Sims, D-Chicago, said the measure isn’t ready. Sims said there’s already criminal trespass statutes and Syverson’s bill may be too broad. […]

Despite those concerns, the measure advanced out of the Illinois Judiciary Committee unanimously Tuesday and awaits further action.

* Rep. Mary Gill…

State Rep. Mary Gill, D-Chicago, passed a plan out of the House Tuesday that would require health insurance plans for police and firefighters to include coverage for marriage and couple’s counseling.

“This idea was brought to me by a constituent who owns a private therapy practice and works with first responders and their partners,” Gill said. “It’s clear to me that there is a real need to expand access because it’s incredibly beneficial for our officers, firefighters and families. They experience incredible stresses in their line of work, and it’s important we provide the support network they deserve.”

Currently, insurance plans are not required to cover marriage or couple’s counseling as they are not considered a diagnosable mental health condition. While some insurance plans may offer coverage as an additional benefit, Gill’s House Bill 4460 would uniformly require the benefit. The measure would impact every level of police, including Illinois State Police, sheriff’s departments and municipal departments, as well as paramedics employed by a fire department. The proposal is not limited to married couples, it would also include partners who reside with the first responder.

House Bill 4460 passed the House with bipartisan support.

* WAND…

The Illinois House passed a plan Tuesday to ensure school vendors and learning partners follow the state’s new comprehensive literacy plan. […]

The Illinois State Board of Education introduced framework for the literacy plan in January. However, House Bill 4902 could ensure schools would not be limited by their vendors. […]

Some House Republicans argue vendors will already follow the new literacy standards and a new law isn’t necessary.

The proposal passed out of the House on a 91-19 vote with one representative voting present. House Bill 4902 now moves to the Senate for further consideration.

* Scott Holland…

Consider Senate Bill 2751, which the Senate passed 59-0 Thursday and forbids counties, townships and municipalities from charging building permit fees to any veteran with a disability who needs to modify their home as an accommodation.

Proponents frame this as legislative thankfulness for those injured while serving our country. That’s a popular position, as indicated by a unanimous vote on legislation introduced by a Republican (state Sen. Dan McConchie, R-Hawthorn Woods,) and bipartisan sponsorship.

But opponents could argue this plan represents another attempt by state government to chip away at local control, obligating small governments to continue delivering services while barring them from collecting payment, which forces either budget cuts or an increase of fees elsewhere in municipal planning departments. […]

But the political fact no one will say these things makes them no less true. This plan does represent the state dictating to local governments. It’s the same way lawmakers nearly unanimously imposed rules on nonprofit animal shelters last year through House Bill 2500, forcing them to waive pet adoption fees for veterans once every two years. The General Assembly didn’t offer to make up those fees, nor does there seem to be compensation for the loss of building permit revenue.

* WAND…

Lawmakers are working on a plan in Springfield to improve the state’s Name Image and Likeness (NIL) law for college athletes.

Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) told the House Higher Education Committee Tuesday that the law has put Illinois universities at a significant disadvantage in terms of recruiting and retention of players. […]

Buckner explained his plan could allow athletes to earn NIL compensation directly from their universities as permitted by the NCAA. The proposal would also block press or the public from requesting how much athletes make from their private NIL deals. […]

Buckner’s legislation could also allow universities to create athletic department incentives for fans to support student athlete NIL activities. For example, fans could potentially get better parking or seats at an arena if they donate to NIL funds. […]

House Bill 307 now moves to the House floor for further consideration.

* WSIU…

A constituent of State Representative Dave Severin, who has been teaching barber and cosmetology classes for 30+ years, was looking to get a cross-classification into a different specialty teaching.

But, she was told that in order to get that new specialty she would have to take the classes that she was teaching.

According to the Benton republican, 30 years of teaching a class was apparently not good enough to claim that she would pass her own class.

So the instructor reached out to Severin to see if there could be an end-around for teachers of courses to be exempted from having to take the courses they teach due to experience in the field.

HB4570, which helps make that change was given final approval in the Illinois House of Representatives Tuesday and now moves on to the Senate for consideration.

* Rep. Elizabeth Hernandez…

State Rep. Elizabeth ‘Lisa’ Hernandez, D-Cicero, championed the right to accurate, professional court transcripts, passing critical legislation to protect the use of qualified shorthand reporters in the courtroom.

“Judges, prosecutors and especially system-involved individuals depend on quality court transcripts to make decisions that will impact people’s lives, so when technology breaks down and entire swaths of a proceeding are missing, that is a serious problem for our justice system,” Hernandez said. “There is no replacement for the in-person human element, and this legislation makes sure qualified stenographers stay in the courtroom. Serious challenges to our judicial system remain, but my legislation will keep records fair, transparent and accurate.”

As technology and other circumstances lead more courts to consider electronic transcripts as an alternative to trained transcriptionists, Hernandez’s House Bill 4426 ensures that the practice of maintaining in-person shorthand reporters in the courtroom continues.

Shorthand reporters complete strict training and education requirements in order to serve as a stenographer, providing a level of certainty in their work which can be critical to the parties in court cases. Following pandemic-era restrictions and social distancing guidelines instituted in Illinois courtrooms, many courtrooms opted to use digital recording equipment in lieu of in-person stenographers. However, technology error, machine malfunctions and a lack of technical training means this digital recording practice was unreliably communicating court information. In many cases, faulty equipment or incorrectly transcribed transcripts threatened the validity of court records used to determine criminal and civil outcomes.

Hernandez’s bill ensures in-person transcription continues while state officials establish concrete language on guidelines, rules and procedures for the future of the shorthand reporter industry.

House Bill 4426 passed the House on Monday, April 15.

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Open thread

Wednesday, Apr 17, 2024 - Posted by Isabel Miller

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

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Isabel’s morning briefing

Wednesday, Apr 17, 2024 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* ICYMI: In Chicago, Ukrainian prime minister seeks urgent military aid from Congress, Illinois investment. Sun-Times…

    -Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal joined Gov. Pritzker and White House Ukrainian envoy Penny Pritzker on Tuesday to help encourage American investment in Ukraine.
    -Later, the prime minister met with the governor and Penny Pritzker for a 30-minute meeting about what Illinois can do to help Ukraine’s economic recovery and how to help pressure Congress to send more aid.
    - Illinois has already helped provided aid to Ukraine. The state’s National Guard deployed to Poland to help Ukrainians seeking refuge, while the state and private businesses have sent a combination of body armor, face shields, helmets, ambulances and fire trucks.

* Related stories…

* Isabel’s top picks…

* Illinois Democratic County Chairs’ Association…

The Madison County Board will meet tomorrow to debate whether to put forth a referendum this fall for voters to decide if Madison County should secede from the state of Illinois. Madison County Democratic Party Chair Randy Harris and Illinois Democratic County Chairs’ Association Mark Guethle released the following statement opposing this plan:

“Madison County Republicans do not care about finding solutions to problems, they only seem to care about sowing divisions in our community and our state,” said Randy Harris, Chair of the Democratic Party of Madison County. “Illinois and Madison County are stronger together. This proposal for Madison County to secede from Illinois will send a signal to leaders in our state and in the business community that we as a county don’t want to be here and we’re not serious about helping people. It’s silly, reckless, and just plain dumb. The board should not even call this resolution for a vote.”

“Illinois is the greatest state in the nation. said Mark Guethle, President of the IDCCA. Voting to secede is unpatriotic, and damn near Un-American. This non-binding referendum won’t accomplish anything, and instead of working to better the lives of their residents, Republicans in Madison County are telling voters they want to ‘take their ball and go home.’ Board members should reject this proposal.”

Earlier this month the Madison County Board Government Relations Committee approved a resolution to submit an advisory referendum to the voters of Madison County regarding separating from Illinois to form a new state. The full board is supposed to meet on April 17 to debate and approve this resolution.

* Here’s the rest…

    * Sen. Dan McConchie | Illinois Senate should reject Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s ICC appointments: As pending ICC appointees near the deadline for confirmation, members of the Illinois Senate must consider the potential impact of this commission’s actions to date — including decisions that pose real public safety risks. Fortunately, senators have a record of recent decisions by these board members to help inform their deliberations. The members of the Senate, as well as the general public, deserve to know why Pritzker’s hand-picked ICC is making questionable decisions that increase public risk rather than prioritizing safety and reliability. We can’t expect our state to grow when we have outdated and potentially dangerous utility infrastructure.

    * WTAX | Thousands attending Illinois March for Life Wednesday: Bishop Thomas John Paprocki, of the Catholic Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, will celebrate Mass with other bishops and priests from Illinois and hundreds of Catholics, the vast majority being students. […] The Mass will be celebrated Wednesday, April 17 at 10 a.m.: Mass at the Sangamon Auditorium. 1,700 people are registered, which is the max the Auditorium allowed, followed by a noon Rally and a 1 p.m. march at the Lincoln statue area outside Illinois statehouse.

    * Rockford Register Star | ‘See orange, slow down’: Illinois sees nearly 150 work zone fatalities in four years: Of the 148 work zone fatalities between 2019 to 2023, six were worker fatalities. The rest were motorists. […] In recognition of Work Zone Awareness week, IDOT along with the Illinois Tollway, the Illinois State Police and Laborer’s Local 32 held a joint news conference Tuesday to officially announce the beginning of another year of road construction and to emphasize work zone safety awareness.

    * Cook County Record | Unopposed Cook County judge candidates appointed by IL Supreme Court to Cook bench early: All of the new appointees will take the bench, for now, under temporary terms that will end Dec. 2. Ten of the appointments will be effective April 29. Two of the appointments will begin June 11.[…] According to a statement from the Illinois Supreme Court, the appointments were made to address a shortage of judges needed to handle ever growing caseloads in Cook County’s courts.

    * Cook County Record | Judge: Title IX plaintiffs can use IL law to retroactively demand ‘emotional distress’ damages: In the ruling, [U.S. District Judge Marvin E. Aspen] specifically declared that the new Illinois law, known as the Civil Rights Remedies Restoration Act (CRRRA), should allow Pogorzelska and other similar plaintiffs to demand schools and other institutions which receive federal funding under Title IX pay damages for emotional distress. And the judge said those demands can be applied retroactively, to lawsuits filed before the law took effect, even though the law doesn’t specifically say they should.

    * Lake County News-Sun | Highland Park plans scaled-down Fourth of July celebration 2 years after shooting; ‘We are coming together on this special day’: This year’s schedule — which includes a remembrance ceremony, parade and community festival — is intended to, “balance the diverse needs of the community by providing space for remembrance and also familiar community traditions,” City Manager Ghida Neukirch said. City staffers sought feedback from the City Council, public, community and government partners, in planning the July 4, 2024 events.

    * NBC Chicago | Target hit with class-action lawsuit claiming it violated Illinois’ biometric privacy law: The lawsuit, filed March 11 in a Cook County Court, alleges Target’s surveillance systems “surreptitiously” collects biometric data on customers without them knowing. “Target does not notify customers of this fact prior to store entry, nor does it obtain consent prior to collecting its customers’ Biometric Data,” the lawsuit says, adding at the retailer is outfitted with “top of the line” facial recognition throughout its stores as part of anti-theft efforts.

    * Tribune | Referendum draft proposes bringing Forest Preserve District back under DuPage County Board control: The Village of Oak Brook has been a hotbed of conflict with the Forest Preserve District over the last couple of years; in 2020 the district approved the removal of the Graue Mill Dam near the Graue Mill and Museum, a National Historic Landmark of the Forest Preserve restored to operating conditions in 1934. According to Forest Preserve officials, the decision to remove the dam was made to improve water quality and biodiversity along the Salt Creek stream; the decision was met with ire from the Graue Mill Museum staff and board members, and of the Fullersburg Historic Foundation, who believe removing the dam would stop the water flow used to help turn the large outdoor mill wheel.

    * Crain’s | How Oberweis Dairy wound up in bankruptcy court: Joe Oberweis, son of former CEO and perennial GOP candidate Jim Oberweis, was named CEO in 2007 and oversaw the rollout of burger and pizza restaurants as companion brands to the Oberweis Dairy chain of stores, as well as the expansion of home delivery to Virginia and North Carolina. In 2019, the company also added a production line of organic milk. During his tenure, the company “made a series of business decisions that, viewed in hindsight, may have sown the seeds for its present financial distress,” the filing states, going on to describe insufficient investment in modernization of its manufacturing plant, reliance on managers who lacked industry experience, and “maintaining the books and records of the debtors in a suboptimal manner.”

    * Rockford Register Star | General Mills opens 1.3 million square-foot distribution center in Belvidere: General Mills held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday to officially dedicate the facility at 1210 Irene Road, which is expected to employ 55 to 75 people. Phill West, senior director of planning, logistics and customer fulfillment for General Mills, said the distribution center is a key site for the company.

    * NBC Chicago | Legal troubles mount in Dolton as senior administrator charged in federal court: The indictment alleges that Freeman made several materially false statements and omissions in the document, including knowingly under-reporting income he derived from his employment as both the village administrator for Dolton and municipality manager for Thornton Township, as well as fees he received from his private consulting business.

    * Tribune | New leader of Jesse Jackson’s Rainbow PUSH steps down less than 3 months on the job: The Rev. Frederick Haynes III told The Associated Press that he submitted a letter with his resignation as head of the Chicago-based Rainbow PUSH Coalition, effective immediately. […] Haynes, 63, said he felt it was “necessary” to move on in light of “challenges that continue to exist,” but declined to elaborate further. His resignation letter, written on Rainbow PUSH letterhead, also did not go into details about his decision.

    * Crain’s | As Vocalo preps to go off the air, some staffers lament what could have been: “I’m not surprised because they told me a year ago that they were looking into stopping the broadcast,” said Ayana Contreras, former content director, host and founding member of Vocalo, who acknowledges that the audience hasn’t been large — but she believes that is, in part, because management never made the fledgling, experimental station a high priority.

    * The Atlantic | The Myth of the Mobile Millionaire: The idea of millionaire flight is one of America’s most persistent beliefs. Expert consensus holds that “redistributive policies should be undertaken by the most central level of government rather than state or local governments,” as one academic summary puts it. In other words, rich people can’t avoid high federal taxes, short of leaving the country, whereas if a state tries to impose a progressive tax code, its millionaires will decamp for lower-tax jurisdictions. And, indeed, state tax codes, which bring in about one-third of U.S. tax revenue, largely reflect this received wisdom. Unlike the federal system, which is fairly progressive, state and local tax systems on average shift money from poorer households to richer ones. According to a recent report by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, “forty-four states’ tax systems exacerbate income inequality,” with the poorest 20 percent of households paying the highest effective tax rates.

    * CBS Chicago | Rev. Walter “Slim” Coleman, Chicago activist and community organizer, dies at 80: The Rev. Walter “Slim” Coleman, a Chicago activist whose advocacy for Civil Rights and social justice causes dated back more than half a century, died Tuesday morning. Coleman was 80. His passing was announced Tuesday by Healthy Hood Chicago, the nonprofit community organization operated by daughter Tanya Lozano.

    * Tribune | Chicago Sky ticket sales soar after WNBA draft: ‘These women are worth the money’: With the No. 3 and No. 7 picks, the Sky added South Carolina center Kamilla Cardoso and LSU forward Angel Reese to its roster. In the second round, the Sky selected Gonzaga guard Brynna Maxwell with the 13th pick. “If you’re not going to a Sky game this year, I don’t know what you’re doing,” said Karli Bell, the Chicago Sky reporter for Marquee Sports Network. “This is going to be that new generation that’s going to bring in those fans.”

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Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Supplement to today’s edition

Wednesday, Apr 17, 2024 - Posted by Rich Miller

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

Wednesday, Apr 17, 2024 - Posted by Rich Miller

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Live coverage

Wednesday, Apr 17, 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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Isabel’s afternoon roundup

Tuesday, Apr 16, 2024 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* Second District Appellate Court ruling via the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin…


* Belleville News Democrat…

Michelle L. Laux was 31 when she was found beaten to death along a rural Clinton County road in 1993. One of the men convicted in her death, Robert Nail, was given an 80-year prison sentence that he began serving in May 1994.

But as part of a new state law that requires the Illinois Department of Corrections to recalculate the credit inmates have earned to reduce their time in prison, Nail, now 50, was released in February, nearly 50 years before the end of his full sentence. […]

In wake of [Clinton County Sheriff Dan Travous’] criticism of the law, the Belleville News-Democrat asked the Illinois Department of Corrections for information about how many persons have been released like Nail. As of March 21, 409 inmates received their early release, according to the latest available statistics.

The Department of Corrections told the BND that about 1,750 convicted individuals had their sentencing credits recalculated under the new law. This means 1,341 other inmates still in custody also received additional credits against their sentences which may eventually lead to an earlier release. […]

The release of 409 prisoners would represent 1.37% of the statewide prison population of 29,828 that was listed as of Dec. 31.

The enabling legislation passed the House without opposition and passed the Senate with just one “No” vote.

* WBEZ…

Suburbs are not taking advantage of $20 million Cook County is offering to provide services for migrants being dropped off or making their way to their towns.

As of now, only Oak Park and Ford Heights applied for the fund Cook County created last fall. The lack of effort is frustrating some non-profit leaders who see the need in their communities.

“Whether or not municipalities have the appetite, the agencies on the ground have the appetite,” said Carl Wolf, executive director of Respond Now, a nonprofit in the south suburbs that runs a food pantry, offers rental assistance and works with the homeless population. “This is very important. We want to see this money in the community so that the families that we serve will not end up on the streets.” […]

Wolf said Respond Now would use the money to help migrants in the area pay rent. Some are soon going to run out of the few months of rental assistance they got from the state.

* A swing and a miss…



* Press release…

Harmful additives take up a vast amount of space in modern food – leading State Senator Willie Preston to tackle the issue head on.

At a press conference Wednesday, he will discuss his proposal to ban dangerous food additives.

WHO: State Senator Willie Preston (D-Chicago), State Representative Anne Stava-Murray (D-Downers Grove) and a number of their colleagues

WHAT: Press conference on measure to address consumer food safety

WHEN: Wednesday, April 17 at 9:30 a.m.

WHERE: Blue Room, Illinois State Capitol and live on BlueRoomStream.com

Sen. Preston’s bill is on Third Reading it has Friday deadline to leave the Senate.

* NECANN…

Actor/Comedian and cannabis farmer Jim Belushi will be among the 50+ cannabis industry expert speakers at NECANN’s 2024 Illinois Convention May 31-June 1st at the Schaumburg Convention Center. Illinois native Belushi will be sharing experiences and insights from his journey on becoming a commercial cannabis grower and multi-state brand.

Since its first event with 70 exhibitors and 1,200 attendees in 2021, The Illinois Cannabis Convention has grown into the largest cannabis industry B2B event in the state, with over 150 exhibitors and an expected 3,000 total attendees over two days.

“This event continues to grow alongside the local cannabis industry,” said NECANN Founder and President, Marc Shepard. “We’re incredibly grateful to the local cannabis community for all of the support they’ve given us over past four years”

NECANN’s 2024 Illinois Convention will take place on May 31-June 1st at the Schaumburg Convention Center. The show will be open from 10am to 3pm on Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $45 for a 2-day full access pass including all speaker sessions. 21+ to attend, no THC cannabis on site. For more information about the convention, visit necann.com.

* Here’s the rest…

    * WTTW | Official Who Greenlighted Botched Little Village Smokestack Implosion Set to Lead Buildings Department: During the more than hourlong confirmation hearing, Hopkins was not asked about what she did as the top official from the city’s Buildings Department charged with overseeing the implosion of the smokestack at the former Crawford Power Plant in Little Village.

    * Tribune | Unionized staff at Columbia College urge president to halt scheduled layoffs: Union representatives say the layoffs will most affect the roughly 6,000 students at Columbia in the South Loop, potentially creating longer wait times to meet with academic advisors, difficulty meeting with campus therapist and reduced support in the Department of Equity and Inclusion.

    * Tribune | Oberweis Dairy to lay off 127 workers in wake of bankruptcy filing: In its bankruptcy filing, Oberweis Dairy said it had 1,149 employees, of which 933 work part-time, mostly in the dairy stores. Its ranks often swell to more than 1,500 employees during the summer months during peak demand for ice cream at its stores, Kraber said in a declaration filed Monday. Oberweis filed a motion Monday requesting to pay $340,000 in outstanding wages owed to employees. Payroll averaged about $891,000 every two weeks from January through March this year, according to the filing.

    * Tribune | After son’s suicide, Lincoln Park couple push measure for greater scrutiny of social media use: The Bronsteins are suing the Latin School and current and former board members and staff for wrongful death, alleging Nate notified the school that he felt the messages about him constituted bullying. According to the lawsuit, students sent messages saying “kill yourself” and spread a “death threat involving smoking Nate’s ashes.” A Latin School representative has said the school acted responsibly and that the allegations in the lawsuit are “incomplete and misleading.”

    * Sun-Times | Chicago Pride Parade denies all previous year’s school participants: When making decisions on which organizations to accept, the parade’s committee is prioritizing “LGBTQ+ groups and organizations, LGBTQ+-owned businesses and those businesses with LGBTQ+ ERGs (Employee Resource Groups),” PRIDEChicago, which produces the event, said last week in a statement.

    * WTTW | Chicago Teachers Union Leaders Hopeful for ‘New Chapter’ in Contract Negotiations as Bargaining Set to Begin: “Every contract that we have been a part of since 2012 has been hard fought and hard won,” CTU President Stacy Davis Gates said at a press conference Tuesday morning. “We are OK with the struggle, we are OK with making it work. And this time, though, we want to make it work with everyone at the same time.”

    * Daily Southtown | Lockport High School officials look to bonding authority after failed $85 million referendum: The board met Monday for the first time since 53.43% of voters March 19 opposed funding Central Campus improvements. “Whether you voted yes or you voted no, there is still work to do,” Superintendent Robert McBride said. McBride said the board has researched improvements to its Central Campus, built in 1909, well before the ceiling collapsed in Room 310 last fall and closed the school, causing the district’s freshmen to be bused to the former Lincoln-Way North High School.

    * SJ-R | Buildings ready to be demolished as reconstruction of 3 Springfield High Schools rolls on: Meanwhile, the $93 million reconstruction of Lanphier High School will move into its final phase with the demolition of the Edison Wing in the coming weeks that will allow for the construction of the school’s first-ever auditorium. Funding for both projects comes from the 1% sales tax increase that Sangamon County voters approved in November 2018, netting District 186 an average of $13 million per year.

    * Daily Herald | Arlington Heights using budget surplus to replace lead pipes: Village officials predict it could cost $40 million to replace all of the town’s old lead pipes, which represent nearly a quarter of all service lines on public and private property. And because it is an established community, Arlington Heights is among the suburbs with the most lead pipes, in a state that has the most lead pipes per capita in the country, according to a 2023 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency report.

    * Daily Herald | Barrington considering TIF district for downtown redevelopment: Officials said several steps are needed to start the legal machinery leading to the creation of a TIF district. The first is an Interested Parties Registry, through which any resident or village-based organization can apply to receive information should officials move forward with establishing the district.

    * PJ Star | ‘Lies and deceit’: Hotel Pere Marquette developers sentenced to prison for fraud scheme: A federal judge said Monday that Monte Brannan and Gary Matthews engaged in “lies and deceit” when they defrauded investors in a scheme to line their own pockets with money that was supposed to go toward a redevelopment of the Hotel Pere Marquette. Brannan, 71, of Peoria and Matthews, 81, of East Peoria were sentenced to prison on Monday and ordered to pay millions of dollars in restitution for defrauding investors, including the city of Peoria, during their time as the developers of the downtown Peoria hotel.

    * Crain’s | Pullback in warehouse-building spree keeps vacancy in check: Despite fears of a possible vacancy problem from a record year for industrial real estate development, the share of available warehouse space in the Chicago area only inched up during the first quarter to 5.29% from 5.25% at the end of 2023, according to data from real estate services firm Colliers. The industrial vacancy rate is up from a record-low 4.5% in late 2022 after five straight quarters of increases, though, it continues to hover at one of the lowest levels it has been over the past 25 years.

    * Sun-Times | GI Bill case sees Supreme Court rule against VA, giving decorated Army vet James Rudisill full benefits: The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 7-2 Tuesday in favor of decorated Army veteran James Rudisill in a case that questioned whether the federal government could limit college money for veterans who’d earned benefits under more than one version of the GI Bill. The case could unlock greater educational benefits for veterans nationwide who, like Rudisill, had earned college benefits under both the Montgomery GI Bill, which covers tuition, and the newer, more generous Post-9/11 GI Bill, which pays for tuition, fees, housing and books. Federal law allows veterans to tap both plans up to a maximum of 48 months.

    * CNN | Antisemitic incidents in US hit all-time high, Anti-Defamation League report shows: The majority of the incidents documented by the ADL - 6,535 - were cases of harassment, which the group describes as instances when either one or more Jewish people, or people perceived as Jewish, are harassed with antisemitic slurs, stereotypes or conspiracy theories. This category includes online and in-person incidents. The group also tracked 2,177 cases of vandalism and 161 assault incidents.

    * NBC | Verified pro-Nazi X accounts flourish under Elon Musk: The pro-Nazi content is not confined to the fringes of the platform. During one seven-day period in March, seven of the most widely shared pro-Nazi posts on X accrued 4.5 million views in total. One post with 1.9 million views promoted a false and long-debunked conspiracy theory that 6 million Jews did not die in the Holocaust. More than 5,300 verified and unverified accounts reshared that post, and other popular posts were reshared hundreds of times apiece.

    * PJ Star | Illinois basketball loses another player to NCAA transfer portal: Illinois basketball is once again dealing with the NCAA college basketball transfer portal. Redshirt sophomore Sencire Harris has entered his name into the portal, he announced Monday on social media. This comes a day after Arizona transfer Kylan Boswell announced his commitment to the Fighting Illini.

    * Crain’s | Hewn Bread, named one of America’s best bakeries, to open new North Shore location: The Hewn name is a regular on “best bakery” lists. Food & Wine magazine declared the Evanston shop one of the 100 best bakeries in America in 2020. Two years later, the magazine reiterated its praise, listing the bakery’s bread as the best in Illinois. Similarly, Thrillist recognized Hewn as one of the “absolute best bakeries in Chicago” in 2021.

  5 Comments      


Here we go again…

Tuesday, Apr 16, 2024 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Center Square doing its usual thing…

Bill expanding emergency powers for Illinois state agency advances

A measure now in the Illinois House says the Illinois Emergency Management Agency would be able to do “all things necessary, incidental, or appropriate for the implementation” of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act.

Opponents of Senate Bill 3434 said Illinois’ emergency authority continues under the Pritzker administration and giving more power lacks proper oversight. State Sen. Win Stoller, R-Germantown Hills, said the bill grants extraordinary power to the department’s rulemaking authority and bypasses the legislature.

“The language of the bill says the agency shall do ‘all things necessary, incidental or appropriate for the implementation’ of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act, including the adoption of rules in accordance with the Illinois Administrative Procedures Act. That’s a lot of power that the department is looking for and it begs the question, ‘Why is all that necessary?’” Stoller said. “It was mentioned in committee that sometimes you need to trust the department to do the right thing. If there’s one thing that makes me nervous it’s when the government says ‘trust us.’” […]

Stoller said sometimes there are emergencies that require quick responses, but there’s already a mechanism in place where the governor can declare 30-day emergency declarations and disasters.

“He [Pritzker] has done that. In fact he’s done that quite a lot. We currently have an asylum declaration for asylum seekers and that’s been going on for over two years,” said Stoller on the Senate floor. “In fact, under Pritzker we have been under continuous declarations and it is my opinion that the governor has been abusing this authority, bypassing the legislative process.”

* I reached out to the governor’s office for comment. I was told this is “an absurdly wrong understanding of the bill”…

Currently IEMA has, on an individual grant by grant basis, rulemaking authority for some of their grant programs. There isn’t uniformity with their rule making authority across their many grants, and for at least two grant programs, they have no rulemaking authority in statute.

The solution that IEMA sought was to codify IEMA’s rulemaking authority for ALL of their grant programs. That is what this bill does. As you know, this means more things going through JCAR, not less.

Examples of grants where IEMA does not currently have rulemaking authority in statute:

    • 9/11 Maintenance Grants
    • Preparedness and Response Grant Program

  7 Comments      


Sen. Peters on Jewish leaders who boycotted mayoral sitdown: ‘I found it insulting’

Tuesday, Apr 16, 2024 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Leigh Giangreco at Crain’s reports on Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s attempt to reach out to Jewish community leaders. As you already know, some leaders, including Sen. Sara Feigenholtz and Rep. Bob Morgan, refused the invitation. But not everyone did…

On April 15, Johnson held a roundtable conversation with Jewish leaders meant to help his administration address antisemitism in Chicago and to strengthen its relationship with the Jewish community. Several rabbis attended, as well as progressive Jewish groups like the Jewish Council On Urban Affairs. During the session, the group discussed issues of antisemitism within Chicago Public Schools and antisemitic flyers placed in bags containing a substance that resembled rat poison and distributed on the North Side in recent months, according to state Sen. Robert Peters, D-13th, who also attended.

“It was a pretty diverse room of people who were across the ideological spectrum,” Peters said. “I know I’m personally disappointed by people who decided to boycott this. I found it insulting.”

Peters was speaking of a group of Jewish politicians and organizations who refused the mayor’s invitation last week. In a letter to the mayor, Ald. Deb Silverstein, 50th, state Sen. Sara Feigenholtz, D-6th, and state Rep. Bob Morgan, D-58th, declined to join, citing Johnson’s tie-breaking vote on the cease-fire resolution in January and what they described as a “silence” from the administration amid a rash of antisemitic attacks across the city.

The Jewish United Fund and the Midwest chapter of the Anti-Defamation League also declined the mayor’s invitation.

“There were a number of groups, who represent a marginal element of our community,” said Jay Tcath, executive vice president at the Jewish United Fund. Tcath argued that if his organization had attended the session, it would have created a “false equivalency” between the majority and minority voices in the Jewish community.

* Violet Miller at the Sun-Times…

As for those who skipped the meeting, including Ald. Debra Silverstein, [Marty Levine, a coordinating committee member of Jewish Voice for Peace Chicago and retired CEO of Jewish Community Centers of Chicago] said they were making the fight against antisemitism more difficult. He pointed to the recent examples of antisemitism, which he said should unite the community despite disagreements over the war in Gaza.

“That difference doesn’t have to keep us from combating antisemitism as it rears its head,” Levine said. “If there is someone who intends on doing harm to Jews, they’re not differentiating between my political strategies and Ald. Silverstein’s.” […]

“To me, it just feels like this was a hollow offer to try to save face with the Jewish community,” Silverstein told the Sun-Times. “There are a lot of people who should have been invited to the meeting who were not. … We don’t want to sit at a roundtable with those people who are anti-Israel.” […]

At the roundtable, Peters and Levine said educating people, especially young residents, was at the forefront of efforts to combat hate. Peters also said restorative justice would play a large role due to its ability to “build relationships” between people who are committing hateful acts and those affected by them.

* Meanwhile…



From the ADL…

Driven in part by a massive spike in antisemitic incidents after the Oct. 7 massacre in Israel and the ongoing war in Gaza, the Jewish community in Illinois and the United States experienced an unprecedented increase in antisemitic incidents. ADL (the Anti-Defamation League) released the 2023 Audit of Antisemitic Incidents today. The data is staggering.

ADL recorded 211 incidents of antisemitic assault, vandalism, and harassment in Illinois in 2023, a shocking 74% above the previous record of 121 set in 2022. Illinois posted the 12th highest total of antisemitic incidents among the 50 states and a 379% increase since 2019 when ADL recorded just 44 total antisemitic incidents in Illinois.

Broken down, ADL recorded 155 incidents of antisemitic harassment, 54 incidents of antisemitic vandalism, and 2 antisemitic assaults in Illinois in 2023. This compares to 75 incidents of antisemitic harassment, 46 incidents of antisemitic vandalism, and 1 antisemitic assault in 2022.

“It’s alarming to see the exponential growth of antisemitic incidents in our state and nationwide. Every segment of the Jewish community has been affected,” said David Goldenberg, Regional Director of ADL Midwest. “Concern in the Jewish community is significant and heightened, especially considering most antisemitic incidents tracked in 2023 occurred after October 7, the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust – and it isn’t letting up.”

68% (143) of the total number of antisemitic incidents recorded in Illinois occurred after Hamas’ attack against Israel on October 7. The number is 20% more antisemitic incidents between October 7 and December 31 than ADL tracked in all of 2022.

“These incidents were fueled in large part by anti-Zionist and anti-Israel groups – such as the U.S. Palestinian Community Network, Jewish Voice for Peace, Students for Justice in Palestine, and American Muslims for Palestine – whose activities have fanned the flames of antisemitism in Chicago, the suburbs, and on college campuses throughout Illinois,” added Goldenberg. “It is going to take a whole of society approach to reverse this dangerous trend and reject this hate, bigotry, and antisemitism.”

* The ADL’s Goldenberg led a Statehouse press conference today. He was asked about the refusal to attend the meeting with Mayor Johnson…

There have been opportunities to speak out against antisemitism in real-time from the administration in Chicago. From our perspective, those have been missed opportunities. … And so what we would like to see is some real concrete action and some real significant steps that are taken to reject this type of antisemitism to make clear that it has no place in Chicago.

Deep breaths before commenting, please.

  47 Comments      


Big federal shoe drops in Dolton, Thornton Township as top aide to Tiffany Henyard indicted

Tuesday, Apr 16, 2024 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Click here to read the indictment. From WGN…

The top administrator in both Thornton township and village of Dolton has been indicted for bankruptcy fraud.

Keith Freeman is accused of underreporting his income from the village and township during his own personal bankruptcy proceedings.

Freeman works for Dolton mayor and Thornton township supervisor Tiffany Henyard whose own spending, transparency and leadership style have come into question in a series of WGN Investigates reports.

Freeman was also the registered agent for the Tiffany Henyard Cares Foundation, which WGN Investigates has reported gathering much of its early funding from the township and has failed to document its spending.

* US Attorney press release…

A senior administrator for both the Village of Dolton, Ill. and Thornton Township, Ill. has been charged in federal court with engaging in a bankruptcy fraud scheme involving the making of false statements in his bankruptcy petition to conceal from creditors his assets and sources of income and a significant claim against him.

An indictment returned Monday in U.S. District Court in Chicago charges KEITH DOUGLAS FREEMAN, 45, of Orland Park, Ill., with one count of bankruptcy fraud. The charge is punishable by a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison. Arraignment has not yet been scheduled.

The indictment was announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, Robert W. “Wes” Wheeler, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI, Justin Campbell, Special Agent-in-Charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation Chicago Field Office, and Ruth M. Mendonça, Inspector-in-Charge of the Chicago Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Trustee Program. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason A. Julien and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian P. Netols.

The officials noted that Freeman was indicted as part of an ongoing federal investigation.

According to the indictment, Freeman on Jan. 3, 2024, filed a Chapter 7 bankruptcy petition in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Chicago. The petition included a Schedules and Statement of Financial Affairs – a document in which the debtor is required to identify, among other things, all of his assets and sources of income, as well as any claims against him. The indictment alleges that Freeman made several materially false statements and omissions in the document, including knowingly underreporting income he derived from his employment as both the Village Administrator for Dolton and the Municipality Manager for Thornton Township, as well as fees he received from his private consulting business. Freeman also allegedly concealed that the Village of Robbins, Ill. had filed a claim against him related to approximately $90,396 that Freeman received in excess of his authorized salary while he was the Village Administrator for Robbins, a position he held from 2017 to 2021.

Freeman also furnished the Chapter 7 Trustee with a purported copy of his 2022 individual income tax return, which represented that Freeman’s total income from employment was $45,186. The indictment states that Freeman knew he had not filed an income tax return for that year, and that his actual income, which included a $100,000 salary for the Dolton position alone, substantially exceeded that amount.

It was further part of the scheme that on Jan. 30, 2024, while testifying under oath at a meeting of creditors, Freeman falsely represented that he was not an employee of Dolton and that he did not receive payment from Dolton, the indictment states. The following month, Freeman allegedly caused his pay from Dolton to be directly deposited into a recently opened bank account that he had not disclosed to the creditors or the Chapter 7 Trustee.

The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.

The feds usually bust somebody for things like this and then use that as leverage to move up the food chain. In this case, it looks like Mayor/Supervisor Tiffany Henyard may very well be the ultimate target.

  15 Comments      


Class action lawsuit filed over Illinois counties selling houses for unpaid taxes and not reimbursing owners for their equity

Tuesday, Apr 16, 2024 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Dennis Rodkin at Crain’s…

A new lawsuit aims to abolish the long-standing practice of Illinois counties selling properties over their unpaid taxes in the wake of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling last year that declared the practice unconstitutional.

“County governments across Illinois have been illegally seizing property value from taxpayers across Illinois for decades,” said Daniel Suhr, an attorney with the Chicago-based law firm Hughes & Suhr, which filed the suit. “The US Supreme Court made that eminently clear in its decision, and our lawsuit is an effort to make victims of this unconstitutional policy whole.”

At stake is potentially hundreds of millions of dollars in home equity that property owners lost when Illinois counties sold their homes or commercial property for back taxes. A study by the Pacific Legal Foundation estimated that in the years 2014 to 2021, property owners in 11 Illinois counties sacrificed about $300 million in equity when their properties were sold for tax debt.

“It’s equity theft,” Suhr said.

Again, this is about selling houses for owed back taxes when the equity in those houses exceeded the money owed. The contention is the homeowners were unconstitutionally robbed of that excess equity.

* From the class action lawsuit…

The Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, incorporated against the States through the Fourteenth Amendment, prohibits the government from taking private property without paying just compensation to the property’s owner.

For decades, the counties of Illinois have violated this prohibition.

The violation proceeds as follows. First, people or businesses fall behind on paying their property taxes—often, only a few thousand dollars in back taxes. In response, the county treasurer executes a tax deed taking the property, either into the hands of the county directly or to a tax-lien buyer who has purchased the back taxes on the property. Either way, that taking is for the entire value of the property, not only the value of the taxes owed. That surplus value—the difference between the taxes owed and the value of the property—is never returned to the former owner.

The U.S. Supreme Court recently held, unanimously, that this practice of seizing the surplus value in connection with property taken to satisfy a tax lien violates the Fifth Amendment’s Takings Clause. Tyler v. Hennepin County , 598 U.S. 631 (2023)

The victims of that policy are spread across Illinois’s 102 counties, though they are most often poor, elderly, and vulnerable. Stealing the surplus value from these individuals is not just unconstitutional, it is unconscionable.

This lawsuit seeks redress for these unconstitutional, uncompensated takings. More precisely, this suit seeks relief on behalf of a class of all victims of the counties’ property value theft. And it seeks this relief against a class consisting of every Illinois County.

Thoughts?

  21 Comments      


About those studies…

Tuesday, Apr 16, 2024 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Center Square…

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker wants $40 million in taxpayer funds over four years to pick up the tab for hundreds of thousands of individuals’ medical debt. […]

However, a study released this month by the National Bureau of Economic Research concluded while there is a statistical significant reduction in payment of existing medical debt, there is “no impact of debt relief on credit access, utilization, and financial distress on average” and “no effect of medical debt relief on mental health on average.”

State Rep. Dan Caulkins, R-Decatur, said it may sound like a good idea, but the legislature must balance priorities especially as he said state agencies are requesting increased budgets across the board. He also warned, taxpayer subsidies to a nonprofit to liquidate select medical debt may not provide the benefits supporters are looking for.

“It does not solve your credit problems nor does it really address the mental health issues that we have,” Caulkins told The Center Square. “If the research is factual, the governor is trying to pander. I know he’s still interested in a political career outside of Illinois.”

Um, if the governor’s debt relief numbers are correct, it will eventually provide on average about $4,000 in debt relief per person. That ain’t nothing.

However, Cook County’s program hasn’t performed to that level. The county has helped more than 200,000 residents by eliminating nearly $350 million in medical debt. That’s about $1,750 per person. Even so, that ain’t nothing, either.

It won’t solve all their problems, but no program can do that. I’ve seen too many friends living in too much fear of medical debt during my lifetime. Yes, it’s not as bad as it was back when hospitals and other providers were regularly taking people to court over their debts and then having them thrown in jail if they didn’t show up for hearings. But it’s still upsetting.

* Meanwhile, in other news…

As Gov. JB Pritzker has proposed to eliminate the state’s sales tax on groceries, a new University of Illinois study suggests the idea hurts cities more than it helps families.

“I think there is a perception that the grocery tax is very regressive,” said Elizabeth Powers, an associate professor of economics at the U of I and interim associate director of its Institute of Government and Public Affairs. “That it causes very low-income people to pay more than their fair share of taxes.”

Those families, Powers says, pay roughly $3600 a year in groceries and thus would save $36 per year.

As for cities. Powers says, “It’s estimated that municipalities lost about $360 million; municipalities are perceiving this as a significant hit to their budget.”

Deputy Gov. Andy Manar was not amused…




Andy makes some very valid points. I just don’t see it passing. But the proposal has so far put the Illinois Municipal League back on their heels and prevented the IML from making a strong, coordinated push for more state money.

  9 Comments      


Support House Bill 4781

Tuesday, Apr 16, 2024 - Posted by Advertising Department

[The following is a paid advertisement.]

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After major push from Preckwinkle, city leaders begin recognizing reality

Tuesday, Apr 16, 2024 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Last week, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle told reporters that she’d been working to help pass a $70 million migrant funding proposal through the Chicago city council. Mayor Brandon Johnson had initially refused to even admit that he’d cut a deal with Preckwinkle and the governor to ask for the funds. Then said he wouldn’t do it. Then finally capitulated. But it apparently took Preckwinkle’s experienced hands to move this thing forward. Here’s Fran Spielman…

A divided City Council committee agreed Monday to slap another $70 million Band-Aid on Chicago’s migrant crisis after behind-the-scenes lobbying by County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and others.

Preckwinkle was among those calling recalcitrant City Council members in recent days, urging them to support the $70 million in migrant funding Mayor Brandon Johnson promised months ago. Johnson then backed out of an agreement to match $70 million in Cook County funding to go with a $175 million commitment from Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

Before the lobbying squeeze, key members of the Black Caucus, in closed-door briefings, had strenuously opposed new migrant funding, sources said.

After the frenzied phone calls, it wasn’t even close. The Budget Committee approved $70 million in surplus spending, 20-8, setting the stage for full Council approval on Wednesday.

* Fox News gave a megaphone to the handful of remaining opponents…

“We are not taking care of our own,” Ald. Chris Taliaferro of the 29th Ward said during the meeting. “We have all but forgotten the residents on the West Side and South Side.” […]

“Here we are begging for more money when we don’t have money for the people here,” said 9th Ward Ald. Anthony Beale, a Democrat who opposed the proposal. “We don’t have money for after school programs. We don’t have money to help our kids get off the street. Yet, we would just blow money left and right. That’s a fundamental problem.”

* But proponents pointed out the harsh reality: Pay now or pay later…

Ald. Walter Burnett (27th Ward) said the city had no choice but to set aside more money to care for the migrants.

“I know this is hard, but we have to do this,” Burnett said. “If we don’t, something’s gonna bust.”

The funds are set to come from the city’s 2022 budget surplus, Budget Director Annette Guzman told the Budget Committee.

If the City Council fails to act, Chicago’s unhoused population will swell, and more people will have no choice but to camp on city streets and parks, Guzman said.

“The unintended and indirect costs will soar,” Guzman said. […]

Fewer than 9,200 people were living in 18 city facilities as of Monday, a 22% drop since March 15, according to city data.

By the way, I’ve been doing this a long time now and I don’t ever recall a Cook County Board President so dramatically rescuing a Chicago mayor from him/herself.

  14 Comments      


Protect Illinois Hospitality - Vote No On House Bill 5345

Tuesday, Apr 16, 2024 - Posted by Advertising Department

[The following is a paid advertisement.]

EDITORIAL: Take a wait-and-see approach before eliminating subminimum wage for tipped workers in Illinois

“Menu prices are sure to increase, making restaurant visits less appetizing. We’re also wondering: Will customers continue to eat out as often and tip generously — or at all — when prices increase and service charges and other fees are added to bills? And what about those servers who already make more than minimum wage because of tips, especially in bustling, high-end establishments? Nationally, according to a 2022 survey by the National Restaurant Association, tipped workers make an average of $27 an hour.”


Read the full editorial here and tell state legislators to VOTE NO on House Bill 5345 and Protect Illinois Hospitality.

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WNBA draft open thread

Tuesday, Apr 16, 2024 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Have at it.

  17 Comments      


It’s just a bill

Tuesday, Apr 16, 2024 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* Ben Szalinski…


Slightly more from Politico…

Legislation banning corporal punishment in Illinois’ private schools passed out of the Illinois House. The bill, which now heads to the Illinois Senate, would amend the School Code to implement the same restrictions on corporal punishment in private schools that all Illinois public schools are already subject to. State Rep. Margaret Croke is carrying the legislation.

* Center Square…

A measure now in the Illinois House says the Illinois Emergency Management Agency would be able to do “all things necessary, incidental, or appropriate for the implementation” of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act.

Opponents of Senate Bill 3434 said Illinois’ emergency authority continues under the Pritzker administration and giving more power lacks proper oversight. State Sen. Win Stoller, R-Germantown Hills, said the bill grants extraordinary power to the department’s rulemaking authority and bypasses the legislature. […]

“IEMA handles emergency management and I think what we are trying to get addressed in this bill is as those incidences come up and as things happen we want to be able to have the authority to be able to move with flexibility and move swiftly,” said [Sen. Celina Villanueva].

The measure passed the Illinois Senate last week and can now be taken up in the Illinois House.

* Legal Sports Report…

FanDuel Sportsbook is urging customers to reach out to state lawmakers in an effort to stop the proposed tax hike on Illinois sports betting.

As part of his recent budget proposal, Gov. JB Pritzker suggested increasing the tax rate on Illinois sports betting to 35% from 15%.

The FanDuel app alert went out to Illinois customers over the weekend. […]

FanDuel CEO Amy Howe explained to LSR the operator’s general stance on sports betting tax rate increases.

“Our government affairs teams do a really good job of trying to educate the regulators on how to get that balance right, because at the end of the day, the revenue to the state is really important,” Howe told LSR.

Here’s the popup from FanDuel…



* Center Square…

Arguing people are “pleading guilty to offenses that they otherwise would not be pleading to,” Northwestern University Child and Family Justice Center attorney Stephanie Kollman is backing legislation designed to bring equity to the criminal justice system. […]

Filed by Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, and coming in the wake of a 2021 study commissioned by the Illinois Supreme Court that found issues ranging from a deficit in overall funding to a lack of independence from political influence within the system, the so-called Office of Public Defense Trial Support bill also seeks to create a statewide office that offers public defenders greater support and resources as they strive to defend the often indigent criminal defendants they represent.

While Harmon is pushing to see the bill become law by the end of the ongoing spring session, between now and then Kollman is hoping to see even more tweaks made to it in the name of fairness and equity.

“What’s being proposed is sort of a broad start,” she added. “What would be a more robust approach would be to ensure that defenders are structurally independent of the judicial branch.”

* Rep. Mary Beth Canty…

A measure streamlining and strengthening laws preventing sexual exploitation of minors, spearheaded by state Rep. Mary Beth Canty, D-Arlington Heights, recently passed the House with strong bipartisan support.

“Our current laws protecting children and other vulnerable people from exploitation need to be stronger,” said Canty. “This measure will shore up loopholes for disgusting crimes like grooming, which puts too many of our kids at risk. We are taking an essential step to making Illinois a safer place to live and raise a family.”

House Bill 2458 requires a number of technical changes to various Illinois laws against sexual exploitation and grooming. It also upgrades grooming from a class 4 to a class 3 felony, offenses that are more likely to be prosecuted. The bill has the support of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, the Illinois Sheriffs’ Association and the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault, and it passed with strong bipartisan support and will soon be heard in the Senate.

* WICS…

Mental health advocates said the shortage of social workers in the state is still ongoing and is affecting access to services. This comes as lawmakers are trying to pass three bills aimed to help recruit and maintain social workers.

The National Association of Social Workers said the shortage of licensed professionals has been going on for years. They’re hoping that new legislation going through the General Assembly could help recruit and retain social workers across the state. […]

SB3779 would allow a licensed clinical social worker or licensed social worker to have and administer opioid antagonists. SB2222 could award grants to school districts to provide stipends to social work interns. The third bill, SB3714, would create a program to provide loan repayment assistances to eligible professionals practicing in a hospice program.

The National Association of Social Workers thinks these three pieces of legislation could significantly impact the number of social workers who stay in the field since the demand continues to grow.

* Center Square…

A state legislator says a constituent was passionate about making a change for meat processing facilities and now a measure will likely pass as a result.

State Rep. Adam Niemerg, R-Dieterich, said existing meat processing plants have to put labels on processed meat that says “not for sale” and “not inspected.”

“You have to have ‘not for sale’ and ‘not inspected’ on meat that won’t be for sale or inspected, but this bill cleans this up a bit and removes the [required label] ‘not inspected’ and just has the ‘not for sale’ [label]. It cuts down on some government redundancy and saves local meat packer money,” told The Center Square.

So if deer hunters go to get their meat processed they’ll see just one label instead of two, if the measure is enacted.

* Rep. Wayne Rosenthal…

Legislation pending in the House of Representatives (HB 4270), would amend the Line of Duty Compensation Act. State Representative Wayne Rosenthal (R-Morrisonville) filed legislation to include emergency medical services personnel.

“Our first responders put their lives on the line to save others and we must honor their families after tragic events that occur,” said Rep. Rosenthal. “House Bill 4270 would financially assist families of first responders in times of need and also acknowledge their dedication to keeping our communities safe.”

The Line of Duty Compensation Act offers financial benefits to families of those who lost their lives while serving our nation in the armed forces or serving in a public safety role with a state or local government. Compensation under this act helps families and dependents manage difficult times after a tragic event. HB 4270 would allow families of emergency medical services personnel to file for financial benefits under the Line of Duty Compensation Act. […]

If HB 4270 becomes law, benefits under the Line of Duty Compensation Act, will be available to families of emergency medical services personnel. Beneficiaries can obtain a claim form from the Attorney General’s Office, the Secretary of State’s website, or the Court of Claims.

  13 Comments      


Open thread

Tuesday, Apr 16, 2024 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* What’s going on? Keep it Illinois-centric please…

  6 Comments      


Isabel’s morning briefing

Tuesday, Apr 16, 2024 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* ICYMI: Supreme Court hears argument on federal statute that could dent Madigan case. Tribune…

    - The case involves James Snyder, the former mayor of Portage, Indiana, who was convicted of taking a $13,000 “consulting” fee from a garbage truck contractor that had recently won two lucrative contracts with the town.
    - The justices kept coming back to concerns over the word “corruptly” and how people are supposed to know where the line is.
    -A decision is expected before the court session ends in late June or early July.
    - How SCOTUS rules on the issue could impact political corruption prosecutions in Illinois — including the case against former House Speaker Michael Madigan, which is set for trial in October.

* Related stories…

* Isabel’s top picks…

    * Sun-Times | Rancid, unsafe water at Illinois prisons threatens health, violates human rights, groups allege: The allegedly rancid water at Illinois prisons violates the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, and the U.S. EPA should step in, the groups led by the Coalition to Decarcerate Illinois said. The issues have been going on for decades at some prisons, the groups said, adding that there were examples of problems reported even in recent weeks and months.

    * Daily Herald | Regulators weigh future of gas industry in Illinois, while clamping down on Chicago utility: While Chicago considers passing an ordinance to ban natural gas in some new building construction — following the lead of places like New York City and Seattle — state officials are moving more slowly in an attempt to ensure Illinois meets its goal of having 100% renewable energy by 2050. The ICC launched a process dubbed the “Future of Gas” last week that will inform the governor, legislature and other policymakers on potential policy changes. The process was initiated by the ICC after they tamped down requests for rate increases from all of the state’s major gas utilities.

    * Tribune | Gov. J.B. Pritzker creates executive position at state parole board amid controversy over release of man accused of killing 11-year-old boy: The appointment of James G. Montgomery Jr. to the newly created post comes after Pritzker and the board came under intense criticism last month when a man the review board had allowed to be released from state custody allegedly attacked a pregnant woman he once dated and killed her young son. Montgomery, whose appointment requires confirmation from the state Senate, was elected mayor of downstate Taylorville in 1997 and remained in that post until 2005. Most recently, he was the director of administrative services with the Suffolk County (Massachusetts) sheriff’s department, supervising a chief financial officer, as well as directors of human resources and information technology.

    * WTTW | Chicago City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin Fined $60K for Violating Ethics Ordinance: The board levied the maximum fine of $5,000 for each individual violation of the ordinance, which occurred between September 2019 and September 2022, in accordance with the terms of the Governmental Ethics Ordinance in effect at that time, officials said. The unanimous vote from the Board of Ethics ratifies Inspector General Deborah Witzburg’s determination that Conyears-Ervin violated the city’s Governmental Ethics Ordinance. It is the first time an official elected citywide has been found in violation of the city’s main ethics law by both the Ethics Board and inspector general.

Governor Pritzker will give remarks on the Illinois-Ukraine partnership at 12:20 pm. There will be no additional availability. Click here to watch.

* Here’s the rest…

    * Daily Southtown | Former police officer Patrick Sheehan appointed to Illinois House following Timothy Ozinga’s resignation: “I cannot wait to hit the ground running for suburban families by fighting tax hikes, keeping our communities safe, growing our economy and making a more ethical state government,” Sheehan said in a news release. Sheehan lost to incumbent Democrat Michael Hastings by fewer than 1,000 votes in the 2022 race for Illinois Senate. In his concession letter, Sheehan thanked Ozinga for his assistance in his election and John Catanzara, the president of the Fraternal Order of Police Chicago Lodge 7.

    * WGN | The Workers’ Mic talks tax fraud with Attorney General Kwame Raoul: This week on The Worker’s Mic, Powered by the MCL, Ken Edwards, Ed Maher and Phil Davidson are joined by Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and John Jarger, Director of Operations at the Mid-America Carpenter’s Regional Council, to discuss tax fraud and what the Office of the Illinois Attorney General is doing for workers in the state.

    * Sun-Times | Chinatown gets a DMV office as Giannoulias jettisons use of driver services facilities name: Illinois famously doesn’t have a DMV, or Department of Motor Vehicles. Residents for decades have applied for and renewed licenses and car registrations at driver services facilities run by the Secretary of State’s office. But at a ribbon-cutting Monday for Chinatown’s first drivers and motor vehicles facility, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias made it clear he wants to call it a DMV.

    * Fox Chicago | ComEd grants largest clean energy rebate to Illinois company for record solar installation: The rebate, totaling $2.6 million, was awarded to Bolingbrook-based G&W Electric. The project encompasses nearly eight football fields’ worth of solar panels and houses the largest battery of its kind. The battery, contained within 20 forty-foot shipping containers, represents a significant advancement in renewable energy technology.

    * WGN | Mayor, money and mistrust in Dolton: The self-proclaimed “supermayor” of a small suburb south of Chicago has earned enough headlines to fill a month’s worth of newspapers. She’s also earned the attention of federal investigators who have picked-up the trail our reporting uncovered. This is the story of Dolton, Illinois mayor Tiffany Henyard who is equal parts politician and influencer. The two governments Henyard controls have spent tens of thousands of dollars on first class travel, fine dining, an armed security detail and a social media team worthy of a B-List celebrity.

    * Rep. Kimberly du Buclet | When will sports betting companies recognize the value of Chicago women’s pro sports teams?: The assumption is these companies don’t value women’s professional sports. While that may not be true, they don’t have the record to prove they do care about women’s teams, including the Chicago Sky, in my district. If we’re going to continue to be a world-class sports town, we need these companies to support the Sky and other women’s teams to match the undeniable momentum these teams are generating right now.

    * Investigate Midwest | Farmers have clamored for the Right to Repair for years. It’s getting little traction in John Deere’s home state: When the technician from John Deere arrived at his farm in central Illinois, it took about 30 minutes total to plug in a diagnostic tool, see which sensor was bad, unscrew it, replace it and close everything up in the combine. “If I knew what sensor was bad in that combine, I could have had it fixed in five minutes,” Lieb said. “But if you don’t have the software, it’s impossible to know what’s wrong.”

    * EDN | National and State Soybean Organizations announce board elections: Interested applicants should complete the online application by 4 p.m. central time on Friday, July 9. Additionally, the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) seeks qualified candidates to fill board seats representing six districts that are up for election in 2024.

    * Tribune | Johnson plan to add $70M for migrant response moves forward: Mayor Brandon Johnson’s request for another $70 million to maintain the city’s migrant response advanced in the City Council Monday. The plan passed the Budget and Government Operations Committee in a 20-to-8 vote following contentious debate over the continued costly effort to care for the city’s recent migrants arrivals, including thousands of asylum-seekers who fled crisis in Venezuela. The outcome puts the proposal up for a full City Council vote set for Wednesday.

    * Fox Chicago | All migrants officially moved out of Chicago Park District facilities, city officials confirm: All migrants have officially moved out of Chicago Park District facilities that were serving as temporary shelters for new arrivals, city officials confirmed Monday. All residents have been relocated to nearby shelters and the city will now reinstate community programming and operations at those facilities.

    * Sun-Times | City Council committee OKs $750K settlement stemming from George Floyd protest: Deputy Corporation Counsel Caroline Fronczak said there is some video from body-worn and other police cameras of the arrest and detention of Mejia, who claims he was also the target of a racial slur from a police officer. But “due to the chaotic nature of those protests,” many officers were deployed without body cameras. “Finding body cam of a police officer in that scenario under those circumstances is basically looking for a needle in a haystack,” Fronczak said.

    * Block Club | Top Cop Unveils Plan To Combat Robbery Surge: Supt. Larry Snelling said the police department is deploying “focus missions” that target stolen vehicles, often used as getaway cars, as part of its strategy. Robberies are up almost 30 percent citywide since 2021.

    * Harvest Public Media | Newspapers in rural areas are folding, leaving vast news deserts. But there are bright spots: In February, in a unique move, the University of Iowa’s student newspaper bought The Sun from the papers’ owner, Woodward Communications, along with another local weekly. The Daily Iowan, with a reporting staff of about 90 students, is owned by a non-profit and independent of the university. Some of its reporters, along with students from the university’s School of Journalism, will now contribute articles to The Sun and the Solon Economist. Countryman said it’s a relief to know now he’ll have help from student journalists.

    * CNN | No link found between COVID vaccinations and cardiac deaths in young people, CDC says: The results come from an analysis of death certificates from Oregon residents who died from any heart condition or unknown reasons between June 2021 and December 2022. Nearly 1,300 death certificates from people between the ages of 16 and 30 were reviewed. Out of 101 death certificates where a cardiac event wasn’t ruled out as a cause of death, 40 people received a COVID vaccine. Only three of those people died within 100 days of vaccination.

    * NPR | Sinkhole forces a highway closure south of Hillsboro: The location is between Hillsboro and Coffeen, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation. The sinkhole has increased slightly in diameter making the area unsafe for travel, IDOT said. A geotechnical consultant will evaluate the situation. Until then, motorists are advised to seek alternate routes.

    * WBEZ | Dog trainers stress importance of ‘recognizing yellow lights’ to prevent aggressive behavior: Last year, Illinois ranked eighth in the country in dog bite claims. Insurance companies paid more than $61.8 million for 837 dog-related injury claims, with an average payout of $73,797.

    * WSJ | Justice Department to File Antitrust Suit Against Live Nation: The Justice Department is preparing to sue as soon as next month, an antitrust challenge that could spur major changes at the biggest name in concert promotion and ticketing. The agency is preparing to file an antitrust lawsuit against the Ticketmaster parent in the coming weeks that would allege the nation’s biggest concert promoter has leveraged its dominance in a way that undermined competition for ticketing live events, according to people familiar with the matter.

    * Block Club | ‘We Are The Culture’ Explores The History And Magic Of Black Chicago: Arionne Nettles has the soul of the city inscribed in her DNA. She spent her summers riding her bike and scraping her knees on her Englewood block. She learned how to sew and chop wood in a Chicago Park District field house, and completed book reports and Black History Month projects at the Woodson Regional Public Library in Washington Heights.

    * Sun-Times | Chris Crane, former Exelon CEO and nuclear energy proponent, dies at 65: Chris Crane, the former chief executive and president of Exelon, the nation’s largest utility company that also owns ComEd, died Saturday after a “short illness and complications with pneumonia,” according to a statement from Exelon. He was 65. In a news release, the company said he will be remembered for his “transformational milestones” on safety and equity, specifically related to his work in the nuclear energy field, as well as expanding the company through mergers with Washington, D.C.-based Pepco; New Jersey-based Atlantic City Electric; and Delaware-based Delmarva Power utilities.

    * WaPo | Rural Americans are way more likely to die young. Why?: The USDA researchers analyzed mortality data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from two three-year periods — 1999 through 2001, and 2017 through 2019. In 1999, the natural-cause mortality rate for rural working-age adults was only 6 percent higher than that of their city-dwelling peers. By 2019, the gap had widened to 43 percent. The disparity was significantly worse for women — and for Native American women, in particular. The gap highlights how persistent difficulties accessing health care, and a dispassionate response from national leaders, can eat away at the fabric of rural communities.

    * WSJ | Suit Challenging Iowa’s Book Ban Is Backed by Every Major Publisher: The lawsuit was filed by Penguin Random House in November and targets parts of an Iowa law that bans books depicting or describing sex acts from school libraries or classrooms, with the exemption of religious texts. The law also focuses on books that address gender identity or sexual orientation for students in kindergarten through sixth grade.

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