Afternoon roundup
Thursday, Jul 20, 2023 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Former Rep. Mark Batinick in Crain’s…
Illinois’ economic racial equity ranks worst in the nation, according to a recent WalletHub study.
Despite a rich history of minority representation and executive leadership at the highest levels of federal, state and local government, Illinois minority families are materially worse off here than in any other state. How could that be? […]
Illinois Democratic policies verifiably impair — in some cases, catastrophically hurt — many of the individuals and groups they purport to help. Here are just a few examples.
Our local and state tax burden is worst in the nation. Property and sales taxes are profoundly regressive, falling hardest on the shoulders of minority families.
* IDES…
The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that the unemployment rate is down -0.1 percentage point to 4.0 percent in June, the fourth consecutive monthly decline. Nonfarm payrolls increased by +8,400 in June. Both estimates are based on preliminary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and released by IDES. The May revised unemployment rate was 4.1 percent, unchanged from the preliminary May unemployment rate. The May monthly change in payrolls was revised from the preliminary report, from +2,500 to +5,400 jobs. The June unemployment rate and payroll jobs estimate reflect activity for the week including the 12th.
In June, the industry sectors with the largest over-the-month job gains included: Educational and Health Services (+5,300), Construction (+2,900), Leisure and Hospitality (+2,900), and Government (+2,900). The industry sectors with monthly payroll job declines included: Professional and Business Services (-5,400), Manufacturing (-2,100), and Trade, Transportation and Utilities (-2,000). […]
The state’s unemployment rate was +0.4 percentage point higher than the national unemployment rate reported for June, tied with May for the smallest difference since February 2020 (pre-pandemic). The national unemployment rate was 3.6 percent in June, down -0.1 percentage point from the previous month. The Illinois unemployment rate was down -0.4 percentage point from a year ago when it was at 4.4 percent.
Compared to a year ago, nonfarm payroll jobs increased by +121,100 jobs, with gains across most major industries. The industry groups with the largest jobs increases included: Educational and Health Services (+42,400), Leisure and Hospitality (+33,800) and Government (+31,200). Professional and Business Services (-8,400), Information (-4,200) and Manufacturing (-1,400) reported declines in payroll jobs. In June, total nonfarm payrolls were up +2.0 percent over-the-year in Illinois and up +2.5 percent in the nation.
The number of unemployed workers was 258,100, the lowest level since the onset of the pandemic. The number of unemployed was down -2.7 percent from the prior month, and -9.4 percent over the same month one year ago. The labor force was down -0.2 percent over-the-month and down -0.3 percent over-the-year. The unemployment rate identifies those individuals who are out of work and seeking employment. An individual who exhausts or is ineligible for benefits is still reflected in the unemployment rate if they actively seek work.
* Prime example of “fittin’ to get ready”…
The City Council has approved an effort to create a working group that will craft recommendations for a pilot program to publicly fund plowing sidewalks across the city. […]
The working group will include members of various city departments. It must meet at least three times before May 31, 2024 to determine the size, location and funding sources of the pilot, according to the ordinance. The actual pilot program will then still need to be approved by the full City Council.
* Northwestern’s sports program appears rotten to the core…
Players have come forward with allegations of indecent acts in both the baseball and softball programs, according to civil rights attorney Ben Crump and Chicago-based law firm Levin & Perconti. […]
The allegations of hazing in the softball program, the details of which have not yet been reported, “seem to have been as toxic as the football (program),” said Crump during the press conference today. “There were young girls who were not even of age yet, and they were preyed upon from day one, in their words.”
* I just love how Block Club Chicago covers Tyrone Muhammed…
The vacant Near South Health Center will become the latest temporary shelter for migrants newly arrived to Chicago, city officials said Wednesday.
At a town hall meeting held by Ald. Pat Dowell (3rd) at the De La Salle Institute, 3434 S. Michigan Ave., city officials were met with strong backlash from community members who said they had received no notice of the plan. […]
Tyrone Muhammad, an activist arrested earlier this year for attempting to block the arrival of migrants at Woodlawn’s Wadsworth School, repeatedly interrupted Wednesday’s meeting. Muhammad expressed concern that migrants would not be individually monitored when leaving the shelter, and worried that some might be “former gang members.”
Ray Wences, a representative of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, stressed that all migrants going through the asylum process are given a background check by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and must demonstrate a “credible fear” of violence in their home country.
Muhammed doesn’t appear to even live in that neighborhood, and he’s well known for being a well-paid agitator for Paul Vallas and Dan Proft. He also broke up a rally to honor dead Black transgender women. Etc.
* Isabel’s afternoon roundup…
* Tribune | Gov. J.B. Pritzker touts Illinois’ clean energy policies during UK trade mission: In addition to seeking overseas companies to boost Illinois’ electric vehicle industry, as well as its standing in manufacturing, financial services, food processing and hospitality, Pritzker said he met with leaders in the quantum computing field, adding that he has a vision of making Illinois the “Silicon Valley of quantum development.”
* Jose Muñoz and Jennifer Crespo | Latinos deserve a seat on Illinois Supreme Court: Latinos deserve and are prepared to serve on the Illinois Supreme Court. The Cook County Democratic Party must epitomize justice and our shared values by slating a Latino candidate for the 2024 Illinois Supreme Court primary election. The time to embrace the inclusion of Latinos on the court is now.
* CBS Chicago | Victims of SNAP fraud start receiving reimbursements in Illinois: Federal Omnibus legislation passed in December that allotted $153 billion for the entire SNAP program required states to create and implement a way to reimburse recipients who reported fraud.
* Gateway Journalism Review | Chicago media struggle to tell migrant stories as thousands surge into the city: What’s missing is reporting that brings together the whole picture. It starts with tracking how and why right-wing southern politicians began sending uninformed immigrants into liberal northern cities. We need a better understanding of the likelihood that the immigrants will find a haven in Chicago and other big US cities or be expelled – as New York Mayor Eric Adams did, sending migrants to neighboring counties. What happens if the new arrivals simply melt into the more than 400,000 undocumented in Illinois and the 11 million in the US?
* SJ-R | ‘Hands have been tied’ in several important matters with Lincoln Library: A Lincoln Library board of trustee said “a pattern of disrespect and disregard for the board” has made trustees question what their roles are. Geoffrey Pettys, reading a letter signed off by trustees at Tuesday’s Springfield City Council meeting, said the board has been left out of the hiring process for the library’s last three directors, a trend he would like to see reversed as the library seeks a new director.
* Tribune | Ex-Mayor Lori Lightfoot sued to keep a letter about the city treasurer secret from the Tribune. Will Brandon Johnson continue her fight?: When the mayor was asked Wednesday whether he will drop or continue the city’s lawsuit against Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s office for siding with the Chicago Tribune in a Freedom of Information Act dispute concerning City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin, Johnson’s newly confirmed corporation counsel jumped in instead.
* Chalkbeat | Chicago swears in new members to city’s last fully appointed Board of Education: As board members introduced themselves, Mariela Estrada, director of community engagement at the United Way of Metro Chicago, recounted being a “fierce” parent advocate. New board president Jianan Shi, former executive director of influential advocacy organization Raise Your Hand, noted that he is the first educator appointed as board president.
* Crain’s | Alight moving HQ downtown from Lincolnshire: Alight Solutions is relocating its headquarters from north suburban Lincolnshire to a dramatically scaled-down office footprint atop one of downtown’s newest skyscrapers, a move that notches a corporate win for Chicago but likely deals another heavy blow to the reeling suburban office market.
* Axios | Illinois corn growers face off against feds over emissions limits: The Illinois Corn Growers Association last week joined industry groups nationwide in pressuring the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to pump the brakes on proposed auto tailpipe rules. The rules would radically change our automotive landscape and improve air quality, but some growers in Illinois — the second-biggest corn producer in the nation — say they could also devastate the industry.
* Daily Herald | ‘It’ll be a great addition to town’: STEM school, subdivision planned for Naperville: Developers plan to build a STEM school and a subdivision on 12 vacant acres at the southwest corner of Diehl Road and Mill Street in Naperville. In addition to the 76 two-bedroom, three-story townhouses the Prosperita subdivision will bring to the housing inventory on the northwest side of the city, Orion STEM School, a 45,000-square-foot building, will open on the northern 5 acres of the parcel.
* Block Club | WHPK, University Of Chicago Radio Station With Deep Ties To The South Side, In Trouble After Funding Slashed: After proposing a budget of about $57,000 — in line with more than a decade of established funding — station managers received a letter from the university’s Program Coordinating Council saying the station would only receive $20,600 for the upcoming school year, documents provided to Block Club show.
* Crain’s | Two Hollywood unions on strike: What does it mean for Chicago?: Today, hundreds of Hollywood writers and actors will rally in Chicago’s Millennium Park, joined by other city unions like the Chicago Teachers Union and local Teamsters members, almost one week after the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, or SAG-AFTRA, called for a strike after contract negotiations with Hollywood companies broke down.
* NBC Chicago | Tesla paying people to test drive its cars in a Chicago suburb: According to a job posting, which remained listed as of Wednesday, Tesla revealed it was looking to pay a temporary “vehicle operator” in Elgin, Illinois for an expected three-month position
* Crain’s | Tavern on Rush owner opening restaurant across from its former site: Less than a year after Phil Stefani closed his storied Tavern on Rush, the restaurant owner has signed a lease just across the street from the Gold Coast building his steakhouse occupied for more than 25 years. Stefani is set to open a restaurant at the base of the Thompson Chicago hotel, taking over the space occupied by Nico Osteria at the corner of Rush Street and Bellevue Place. Stefani said he does not know yet if he will resurrect the Tavern on Rush name.
* Sun-Times | School of the Art Institute will still work for ‘an inclusive campus’ after Supreme Court’s rejection of affirmative action: While she’s concerned about the chilling effect the decision will have on higher education, SAIC’s current admissions policies will not be affected, Tenny said. The school’s population of 3,500 students is currently 60% diverse and 40% white.
* NYT | Google Tests A.I. Tool That Is Able to Write News Articles: The product, pitched as a helpmate for journalists, has been demonstrated for executives at The New York Times, The Washington Post and News Corp, which owns The Wall Street Journal.
* Brenden Moore | Slain Springfield organizer set shining example: Shafer, a Springfield community organizer and activist, was an agitator who had a penchant for stirring up “good trouble” in the interest of social justice. She was also a very dear friend of mine. Last week, I received a call no friend ever wants to receive. It’s never good when someone begins a conversation with “there’s no easy way to say this.”
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* Capitol News Illinois…
Members of a state rulemaking oversight committee voiced concerns Tuesday that Gov. JB Pritzker’s administration didn’t sufficiently seek public input on its plan to cap enrollment in Medicaid-like health care programs for noncitizens.
The controversy centers on the Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults and Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors programs, which provide health care benefits to low-income noncitizens who would qualify for Medicaid benefits if not for their citizenship status. […]
JCAR – which consists of six Democrats and six Republicans and is responsible for overseeing policy making within the state’s executive branch – didn’t take action on either the emergency or permanent rules Tuesday, although the committee can still take action at a future meeting. […]
Sen. Bill Cunningham, a Chicago Democrat and co-chair of JCAR, said the committee was frustrated at the lack of stakeholder engagement from several agencies. JCAR also discussed a controversial emission rule change for heavy industries Tuesday, objecting to two state agencies’ hurried implementation process. […]
Cunningham said the committee will “likely” have another discussion about the health care rules next month.
* Scott Holland breaks down what actions are available to JCAR…
The JCAR can take three actions. The first is essentially powerless, as it merely indicates the committee has concerns. The others are comparative sledgehammers.
An objection indicates the committee finds rules inconsistent with state law, has bad economic effects on small businesses, municipalities or nonprofit organizations or calls into question the rule-making process or the validity of the emergency. The agency has 90 days to respond, and any modification lasts for the rest of the 150-day window.
The committee also can add a suspension to its objection, stopping enforcement unless the committee withdraws its decision. This outcome indicates members find the rule contrary to the public interest, safety or welfare.
* Pritzker defended the move last month via the Tribune…
“We need to make sure that we’re living within our fiscal limits within the state of Illinois,” Pritzker said Monday during an unrelated event at Chicago’s Union Station. “That’s something that wasn’t done for a number of years in Illinois.”
The second-term Democrat, who campaigned for reelection as a progressive who supports providing health care and other services regardless of immigration status, pointed to the budget pressures a day after telling reporters at a Pride Parade event that members of the state legislature’s Latino caucus “knew exactly what we were doing.”
“And in fact, what we have done, and it’s in part because of their advocacy, is we’ve saved the program to provide health care for undocumented immigrants,” Pritzker said Sunday. “And it’s a paused program that I hope and intend to expand.”
Among those criticizing the governor’s actions, which include closing enrollment July 1 for people under 65 who are currently eligible and capping enrollment for people 65 and older, was U.S. Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, a Chicago Democrat. In a statement earlier this month, Garcia said that the moves by Pritzker were “wrong and will have life-and-death consequences.”
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Question of the day
Thursday, Jul 20, 2023 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Center Square…
House Bill 4098 would allow the Illinois treasurer and comptroller to transfer $500 million from the General Revenue Fund to the Pension Unfunded Liability Reduction Fund each fiscal year. The funds would be used for making additional contributions to the pension funds for retired state employees. The current budget already spends around $10 billion this year on pensions. That accounts for around one out of every five dollars the state takes in taxes.
The House Personnel & Pensions Committee discussed HB4908 Wednesday in downtown Chicago along with officials from the Teachers’ Retirement System and State Employees’ Retirement System.
Not quite right.
* From the bill…
Every fiscal year after all the bonds authorized by Public Act 93-2 are retired, the State Treasurer shall direct and the State Comptroller shall transfer the sum of $500,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Pension Unfunded Liability Reduction Fund each fiscal year, which shall be used to make additional contributions to eligible pension funds in accordance with Section 8s of the State Finance Act.
I checked with the sponsor, Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, and she said those annual $500 million payments wouldn’t begin until 2031, eight years from now.
* The Question: Do you support this concept? Explain.
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* WAND…
Sangamon County Judge Jennie Ascher ruled Tuesday that the firearm owners identification (FOID) card is constitutional. […]
Although, the Attorney General’s office said this was a straightforward case. Assistant Attorney General Isaac Freilich Jones noted that people apply for FOID cards and the Illinois State Police issue the identification cards if they are not found to be criminals. Jones said there is no difference between waiting for a FOID card and waiting for a background check before buying a gun.
[Attorney Christian Ambler] later argued that there is no historical support for a law allowing states to require people to have a license before they can purchase guns. He said people did not face this type of burden when the Second Amendment was approved by Congress in 1789.
Yet, the Attorney General’s office stressed there is no way to prove that people living in the 18th century would disapprove of the FOID law. They also claimed that there is no world where $10 is an unreasonably high fee to pay for a FOID card. However, plaintiffs said there is no historical context for fees people would face before purchasing their firearms.
Judge Ascher agreed with the Attorney General’s office that the $10 fee is not unreasonable for people to pay for a FOID card.
* Center Square…
“The FOID card is destined to the dustbin of history because after all there were no FOID cards in 1791, and that’s the standard by which the judges and the courts are supposed to rule today,” [John Boch with the organization Guns Save Life] said. […]
Ascher did take into account the U.S. Supreme Court case from 2022 in New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen.
“In particular, the standard for analyzing the scope of the Second Amendment ‘requires courts to assess whether modern firearms regulations are consistent with the Second Amendment’s text and historical understanding’ through a two-step process,” the judge wrote. “At the first step, a plaintiff bears the burden of showing that the ‘Second Amendment’s plain text covers’ the regulated conduct.”
The judge noted that Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly in his defense of the FOID card used Fordham University history professor Saul Cornell’s analysis of historic firearm regulation.
“There is ample historical evidence supporting the constitutionality of the FOID Act, and GSL’s facial challenge fails as the historical record demonstrates that laws ‘relevantly similar’ to the FOID Act have been part of American legal history from the Founding Era to present day,” the judge wrote.
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Hurry! This offer won’t last long!
Thursday, Jul 20, 2023 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From an Illinois Policy Institute blast email…
Have you ever thought about running for office?
In Springfield, there are frighteningly few lawmakers truly working on behalf of Illinois taxpayers.
We’re changing that.
You have a knowledge of Illinois politics far greater than most.
We know because you’re an active and engaged member of our community – and we want to help you use those skills to the benefit of your family and community.
That’s why we’re choosing you. But hurry – this year’s openings are almost full.
Our government affairs team wants to help you get on the ballot and kick off your campaign for public office.
Click here or on the button below to get involved.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP
Thank you for believing that a freer, saner Illinois is possible.
In liberty,
Dan Patlak
Director of Advocacy
* The IPI has been running Facebook ads to recruit candidates…
The ads link here.
* They did this two years ago as well…
The libertarian-leaning Illinois Policy Institute will be trying its hand at candidate recruitment this summer and fall, sending out at minimum tens of thousands of postcards to households the organization identifies as “high propensity voters” who also align with the think tank on issues of “economic freedom,” seeking out those who may be interested in running for office.
They ended up spending $2 million in the general election and only one of their candidates won.
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* Fox News…
Sheriffs in southern Illinois say they are bracing for more crime and more victims that result from the end of cash bail across the state.
“Folks who live here are extremely concerned,” Franklin County Sheriff Kyle Bacon told Fox News. “It’s an experiment on the backs of victims of crime. I have serious concerns and so do the people that live here.”
Um, well-respected victims’ rights groups supported the law, including the venerable Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence…
A coalition of 426 organizations and individuals filed a document with the Illinois Supreme Court arguing that the elimination of cash bail will make communities safer. That coalition includes victim rights groups like the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence. They point to studies that show when reliance on cash bail was reduced in Cook County, there was no statistical effect on crime.
They write that when people are unable to pay bail, they “often lose their jobs, housing, health care, family and social ties, and potentially custody of their children.” And when people’s lives are destabilized, that makes communities less safe.
That filing is here.
Also…
Advocacy groups including the Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Explotation, The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence, the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault have all shown support for the SAFE-T Act. CAASE’s website says the SAFE-T Act allows for more victim input in risk-based assessments.
* Meanwhile, let’s move on to TriStates Public Radio…
McDonough County Sheriff Nick Petitgout said that as a result, there will be no repercussions for crimes such as shoplifting, disorderly conduct, and petty theft.
He believes a lot of people will refuse to come to court if they don’t have to put up cash for bail.
“It’s difficult to get anything done the way the system is written now. I can imagine when it’s just simply handing people a piece of paper that says, ‘I need you to go to court on this date,’ and they already don’t go to court,” he said.
“I think it’s going to be difficult to hold anyone accountable for these low-level crimes.”
Petitgout said now they need to work on making the law better.
“We’re going to collaborate with the state legislature and try to fix some of the things that we’ve pointed out and they’ve pointed out that, ‘Hey, this doesn’t work,’” he said.
Full Petitgout quote…
I think some of your nuisance-type crimes where, you know, there will be no repercussions for going out and doing these, you know, shoplifting and stealing and being unruly, being disorderly, you know, petty theft. I think it’s going to create this culture where there’s just no consequences for some of those minor crimes. And I see that being an issue. I really do, because we already deal with a certain element of the community that tend to commit these low level crimes just over and over and over again. And it’s difficult to get anything done the way the system is written now. I can imagine when it’s just simply handing people a piece of paper that says, I need you to go to court on this date, and they already don’t go to court [laughs]. I think it’d be really difficult to hold anybody accountable for these low level crimes.
Judges are given discretion in the new law to impose certain conditions “needed to assure appearance in court & safety of other persons” on repeat offenders.
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Meanwhile… In Opposite Land
Thursday, Jul 20, 2023 - Posted by Isabel Miller
* Texas…
Texas’ abortion restrictions – some of the strictest in the country – may be fueling a sudden spike in infant mortality as women are forced to carry nonviable pregnancies to term.
Some 2,200 infants died in Texas in 2022 – an increase of 227 deaths, or 11.5%, over the previous year, according to preliminary infant mortality data from the Texas Department of State Health Services that CNN obtained through a public records request. Infant deaths caused by severe genetic and birth defects rose by 21.6%. That spike reversed a nearly decade-long decline. Between 2014 and 2021, infant deaths had fallen by nearly 15%.
The increase in deaths could partly be explained by the fact that more babies are being born in Texas. One recent report found that in the final nine months of 2022, the state saw nearly 10,000 more births than expected prior to its abortion ban – an estimated 3% increase.
In 2021, Texas banned abortions beyond six weeks of pregnancy. When the Supreme Court overturned federal abortion rights the following summer, a trigger law in the state banned all abortions other than those intended to protect the life of the mother.
But multiple obstetrician-gynecologists who focus on high-risk pregnancies told CNN that Texas’ strict abortion laws likely contributed to the uptick in infant deaths.
* More from Texas…
A hearing in a lawsuit challenging Texas’ abortion ban opened Wednesday with dramatic testimony from three women who experienced serious pregnancy complications but were denied abortions.
One of the plaintiffs in the suit, Samantha Casiano, vomited on the stand while discussing her baby’s fatal birth defect, which she said also put her life at risk. […]
Casiano is part of a group of 13 women and two OB-GYNs who are suing the state of Texas. The lawsuit, filed in March by the Center for Reproductive Rights, asks the court to clarify the types of situations that constitute a medical emergency under Texas’ abortion laws.
The Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision in June 2022 triggered a ban in Texas that outlawed all abortions, except to save the life of a pregnant woman. Prior to that, the state had banned abortions after the detection of a so-called fetal heartbeat — around six weeks into the pregnancy. Physicians who violate Texas’s abortion laws can lose their medical licenses, face up to 99 years in prison or incur fines of at least $100,000, according to the Center for Reproductive Rights.
* Nebraska…
A law that bans abortions at 12 weeks while also restricting gender-affirming care in Nebraska will stay in effect for now.
According to the Nebraska examiner, Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, who filed a lawsuit directed at the “let them grow act” had asked the judge to place a preliminary injunction on the bill due to its damaging impact on abortion providers and medical care.
A judge said yesterday she would take a request to block its enforcement under advisement.
Planned Parenthood and the ACLU of Nebraska had filed the lawsuit because they say it violates the single subject rule in the Nebraska constitution.
* Florida…
The Florida Board of Education approved a new set of standards for how Black history should be taught in the state’s public schools, sparking criticism from education and civil rights advocates who said students should be allowed to learn the “full truth” of American history. […]
The new standards require instruction for middle school students to include “how slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit,” a document listing the standards and posted in the Florida Department of Education website said.
When high school students learn about events such as the 1920 Ocoee massacre, the new rules require that instruction include “acts of violence perpetrated against and by African Americans.” The massacre is considered the deadliest Election Day violence in US history and, according to several histories of the incident, it started when Moses Norman, a prominent Black landowner in the Ocoee, Florida, community, attempted to cast his ballot and was turned away by White poll workers.
Similar standards are noted for lessons about other massacres, including the Atlanta race massacre, the Tulsa race massacre and the Rosewood race massacre.
* Virginia…
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s administration said Tuesday that it has finalized new policies on the treatment of transgender students, guidance that will direct school districts to roll back some current accommodations and increase parental notification requirements about certain discussions involving gender identity.
Youngkin said the guidelines, which have been sharply criticized by LGBTQ+ advocacy groups since they were first unveiled last year, will empower parents while prohibiting discrimination and creating a safe learning environment.
“This is about doing what’s best for the child,” Youngkin said in an interview with The Associated Press. “And oh, by the way, also recognizing that we need to ensure the privacy and dignity and respect of all children and all parents in the school system. And that’s what I think we have … very carefully constructed here.” […]
The guidance says students’ participation in certain school programming and use of school facilities like bathrooms or locker rooms should be based on the sex assigned at birth, with modifications offered only to the extent required under federal law.
* Ohio…
A bill similar to an unconstitutional Tennessee law prohibiting drag queens’ performances in public or where children are present has come to Ohio.
House Bill 245 was introduced at the Statehouse Monday to ban “adult cabaret performances,” defined as a show “harmful to juveniles” that features “entertainers who exhibit a gender identity that is different from the performers’ or entertainers’ gender assigned at birth.” The bill would prohibit these shows in all locations other than “adult cabarets,” meaning “a nightclub, bar, juice bar, restaurant, bottle club or similar establishment.”
Reps. Josh Williams (R-Sylvania) and Angela King (R-Celina) are proposing the bill with the support of 41 out of 67 Ohio House Republican representatives. The 43 lawmakers outline the following penalties if entertainers are found violating the proposed law:
- A misdemeanor of the first degree if a performance occurs in the presence of a juvenile under the age of 18.
- A felony of the fifth degree if the performance is “obscene.”
- A felony of the fourth degree if the performance is “obscene” and occurs in the presence of a juvenile under the age of 13.
Williams said the bill’s intention is to modernize Ohio’s revised code regarding obscenity viewed by minors, not to effectively ban drag in Ohio. The lawmaker stressed that the proposed measure only means to prohibit shows “harmful to juveniles,” with events like drag story time readings and plays like “Mrs. Doubtfire” covered under the First Amendment.
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* I’ve never seen a press release quite like this one, but it appears to be good news for Illinois, so here you go…
Infleqtion and QinetiQ Win Award to Apply Quantum Computing to Logistics
Infleqtion, the world’s quantum information company, and QinetiQ, a leading defense company, are thrilled to announce their successful bid for the Quantum End-to-end Compilation for Combinatorial Optimisation (QECCO) project through Innovate UK. This groundbreaking initiative will focus on using quantum algorithms to solve complex combinatorial optimisation problems in logistics and deliver this crucial quantum software capability to the UK National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC). These optimisation problems are critical for national security yet often computationally intractable using classical computers, but quantum computers have the potential to provide significant speedups.
QECCO will address key challenges in the logistics sector, including job-shop scheduling, packing, routing, and satisfiability problems. These complex problems possess high business value, limited classical solutions, and tremendous potential for quantum solutions. Through stakeholder workshops and collaborations with end-users in logistics and transport, QECCO will identify specific high-impact target problems and refine algorithmic implementations.
The project team comprises experts in quantum software development, algorithmic implementation, and benchmarking, with a strong foundation from Infleqtion’s Superstaq platform, which has already demonstrated enhanced solution quality on real quantum hardware, along with the Supermarq benchmarking infrastructure for performance evaluation.
“We are delighted to be part of the QECCO project and collaborate with QinetiQ to unlock the full potential of quantum computing,” said Dr Timothy Ballance, GM of Infleqtion UK. “This project aligns perfectly with our vision of applying quantum technology to solve real-world problems. With our cutting-edge software capabilities and QinetiQ’s expertise in dual-use logistics applications, we are confident that we can deliver groundbreaking solutions for the UK.” […]
In May 2022, Infleqtion acquired Chicago-based Super.tech, a leading quantum software company that accelerates the development and adoption of quantum computing. The company was spun out of pioneering quantum computing research from EPiQC, an NSF Expedition in Computing at the University of Chicago. Super.tech is embedded in Argonne National Laboratory’s Chain Reaction Innovations program and also incubated by Duality, the first accelerator dedicated exclusively to supporting quantum startups, operated by the Chicago Quantum Exchange and UChicago’s Polsky Center.
“We are pleased to see Infleqtion’s software capabilities expand in the UK as the country has a strong track record of innovation in science and technology. We recognize the strong partnership between the UK and Chicago as global partners, and we look forward to working with our UK colleagues to accelerate the development and adoption of quantum computing,” said Infleqtion’s VP of Quantum Software, Pranav Gokhale.
“Quantum is unquestionably one of the most exciting new technologies in development, with the potential to reshape global solutions for generations to come. And that ripple effect comes from auspicious beginnings in the heart of Illinois,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Rooted in the groundbreaking quantum computing research coming out of the University of Chicago, Argonne Laboratory, and the Chicago Quantum Exchange, the impact of Infleqtion’s work will now stretch to our global partners in the United Kingdom to increase efficiency and continue to build the quantum network worldwide,” said Illinois Governor JB Pritzker.
The partnership is expected to last for three years and will result in the development of new software tools and applications for quantum-enabled systems. By compiling end-user applications directly to quantum hardware, Infleqtion aims to leverage the unique characteristics of quantum computing to achieve faster and more efficient solutions, making quantum technology more accessible and easier for various finance, healthcare, and national security applications.
* Gov. Pritzker talked to reporters yesterday about quantum technology and his trip to the UK…
I have to admit that although Goodwood was a great experience with all those executives together and being able to talk specifically about one industry [EV] that we’re working to attract companies, manufacturers, I have to say the meetings with quantum leaders here in the UK and bringing our quantum leadership from Illinois reinforced for me that Illinois, and Chicago in particular, are leaders in the world. We really are the leader in the United States that people look to. The University of Chicago, the University of Illinois, the duality accelerator at the University of Illinois, all of that, an exciting prospect for tremendous growth in something that I think will lead to Illinois being the Silicon Valley of quantum development. Again, you can look at what we have and think that we’re a leader, but to come to the UK and have people acknowledge that is quite exciting to me. And very importantly, we have already companies that are US-based that have opened an office here in the quantum space. And the same thing, quantum companies that want to come to Illinois and work with our university researchers, as well as, most importantly, to develop and sell their products into our industries.
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* Horrible news…
Yvette Christine Shields, longtime Bond Buyer reporter who spent decades building a stellar career as one of Chicago’s finest and well-known financial reporters with a national reputation in the public finance industry, died unexpectedly this week. She was 57.
Shields died early Wednesday at a Chicago hospital after a brief illness.
“Yvette was everything a reporter should be — perpetually curious, tenacious, whip smart, and unafraid to ask the tough questions,” said Mike Scarchilli, editor in chief of The Bond Buyer. “More importantly, she was a wonderful person, both personally and professionally, beloved by colleagues and industry sources alike. She was the lifeblood of our newsroom, the de facto captain of our reporting team. Yvette is truly irreplaceable, and she will be sorely missed.” […]
Shields was born, raised and educated in Chicago and its suburbs. She earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Columbia College Chicago and began her reporting career at the storied City News Bureau of Chicago, where she met many of her lifelong friends and sources.
Scarchilli is right. She’s irreplaceable. Nobody knew that beat like Yvette. She was so good at her job. And, while we never met (although we did promise to get together for drinks a few weeks ago), she seemed like such a fun person.
I’ll likely update this post later.
…Adding… Comptroller Susana Mendoza…
We are all heartbroken at the sudden and unexpected passing of the most knowledgeable reporter covering state finance in the Midwest, Yvette Shields. Her mastery of financial issues was matched by her larger-than-life personality; her kindness and her love for her sons. Yvette’s passing leaves a void in so many lives she touched. Her writing about municipal bonds; about Illinois’ financial challenges and progress; showed such a command of the issues. Coming on the heels of the loss of Civic Federation President Laurence Msall and Illinois Chamber of Commerce President Todd Maisch, Yvette’s death deprives us of yet another trusted voice on state finance. We send out love and condolences to Yvette’s sons and pray that she rest in God’s peace and eternal glory.
*** UPDATE *** Bond Buyer…
The family has set up the Yvette Shields Memorial Fund to primarily support the education of her 16-year-old son Wesley. The fund can be accessed through this link.
…Adding… Leader Sims…
State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago) released the following statement after the unexpected death of Yvette Shields:
“I am devastated by the untimely death of Yvette Shields. The journalism industry needs more honest, steadfast trailblazers like Yvette. She was bold and powerful yet she was calm and understanding. All who knew her or read her work were touched by her. Her legacy will live on for decades. My heart is with her family and friends during this difficult time.”
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Open thread
Thursday, Jul 20, 2023 - Posted by Isabel Miller
* What’s going on? Keep it Illinois-centric please…
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Isabel’s morning briefing
Thursday, Jul 20, 2023 - Posted by Isabel Miller
* Here you go…
* Sun-Times | London calling? Pritzker gives UK trip update — hints Illinois in ‘final throes’ of electric vehicle deals: In a call with reporters Wednesday morning from London, Pritzker said he is actively pursuing Illinois partnerships with electric vehicle companies and original equipment manufacturers. The governor said he introduced Illinois to several electric vehicle firms at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in West Sussex.
* Tribune | Gov. J.B. Pritzker touts Illinois’ clean energy policies during UK trade mission: In addition to seeking overseas companies to boost Illinois’ electric vehicle industry, as well as its standing in manufacturing, financial services, food processing and hospitality, Pritzker said he met with leaders in the quantum computing field, adding that he has a vision of making Illinois the “Silicon Valley of quantum development.”
* Tribune | Cook County property tax bills will be late again: Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announced Wednesday that second installment property tax bills for the 2022 tax year are expected to be ready Nov. 1 and due Dec. 1.
* NBC Chicago | Gov. Pritzker considers bill mandating fentanyl education in Illinois high schools: A bill mandating fentanyl education in Illinois high schools is now on Governor J.B. Pritzker’s desk and some Chicago high school students say they now understand why it’s essential to raise red flags about fentanyl. “I realized it’s a massive issue and it’s only growing in the United States. And it’s really affecting people of my generation,” said Eliza McHale, who just graduated from Lane Tech High school in June.
* WAND | Illinois lawmakers hope to pass pension reform plan this fall: The Center for Tax and Budget Accountability told the Illinois House Personnel & Pensions Committee Wednesday that the legacy of the 1995 pension ramp is a very “backloaded approach” to handling the state’s debt service. “We have a fiscal system that really can’t put the money into funding this ramp without either a tax increase, a relatively significant one, and or cutting spending on services, neither or which are sort of the best outcomes for taxpayers,” said Ralph Martire, the CTBA’s executive director.
* NBC Chicago | AG Raoul joins 20 other state law enforcement officials in sending letter promoting diversity initiatives to Fortune 100 companies: The letter was in response to a previous letter sent by 13 Republican Attorneys General who warned that Fortune 100 companies could face legal action for using race as a factor in hiring or employment.
* Crain’s | McDonald’s DEI efforts target of firm co-founded by GOP presidential candidate: The firm, Strive Asset Management, sent a letter July 18 to McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski and board Chairman Enrique Hernandez Jr. It said that Strive wrote on behalf of its clients who are shareholders and expressed concern that some of McDonald’s diversity policies are illegal following the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision that Harvard and the University of North Carolina’s affirmative-action admissions policies are unconstitutional.
* Sun-Times | Will Danny Solis take the witness stand? Ed Burke’s lawyers would like to know: Former Ald. Solis helped prosecutors build their blockbuster indictments against Ed Burke and Mike Madigan. Solis is now formally charged with bribery, but the feds are expected to seek dismissal of that charge if he holds up his end of their deal.
* SJ-R | Safety concerns raised at packed hearing on Navigator’s CO2 pipeline plan: Approximately 39 miles of pipeline collecting emissions from ethanol plants and storing them underground would run through the county, hitting portions of nine townships. Opponents are concerned a potential pipeline burst with this proximity to towns such as New Berlin and Glenarm could lead to a public health crisis exceeding what was seen earlier this year during the I-55 dust storm.
* Sun-Times | City Council clears the decks before summer recess: When the 50-member Council meets again in September, it’ll be to begin the possibly contentious process of tackling Mayor Brandon Johnson’s first city budget.
* WGN | City council members propose plan to eliminate sub-minimum wage for tipped workers: 26th Ward Ald. Jesse Fuentes and 35th Ward Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa introduced the ordinance. Basically, it would give restaurants two years to get all tipped workers up to the city’s minimum wage — which is currently at $15.80 per hour, plus any tips they earn.
* Crain’s | Auction set for Obama records depot in Hoffman Estates: The owner of a former Hoffman Estates furniture store reincarnated as a processing and storage facility for Barack Obama’s presidential records has decided to auction off the property Aug. 7 after trying for months to sell it the conventional way. The firm overseeing the online auction has set the starting bid at $4 million.
* WTTW | Kim Foxx Sees Elimination of Cash Bail as Step Toward Equal Justice: Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx has pushed for the elimination of cash bail, calling it “a monumental milestone toward achieving equal justice.” “What this is seeking to address is if you’re a threat to the public, no matter how much access to cash you have, you should be detained if you are a threat,” Foxx said.
* WBEZ | Transcript of the interrogation by Waukegan detectives that led to a 15-year-old’s false confession: Conducted by officers Sean Aines and Joshua Amann, the 43-minute interview led to wrongful charges, including attempted murder, and to two nights in jail for the teen.
* SJ-R | Richard Mills, Central District and Appellate Court judge, dies at 93: Mills was 93 years old, with the Sangamon County Bar Association announcing his death Wednesday. Mills was nominated to become a District Judge in the Central District in 1985 by then-President Ronald Reagan, after nine years serving as an Illinois Appellate Court Justice and ten years as a Circuit Judge. He replaced J. Waldo Ackerman, who had passed away in November 1984.
* Tribune | Oak Park Village Hall could be demolished despite historic status: Wrecking balls could be coming to Oak Park under a new plan to potentially tear down Village Hall, a municipal hub listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Earlier this month, the village board of trustees voted 5-2 in favor of a plan to demolish the building, which houses both the municipal government and the police department.
* Sun-Times | At 100, Lou Mitchell’s diner remains an iconic slice of Americana: And though the city that surrounds the diner has grown tall with skyscrapers over the years, little has changed inside. The original wooden stools at the multi-sided counters are packed with coffee-sipping, newspaper-reading regulars; couples cozy up in the wooden two tops; families share laughter over silver dollar pancakes in the larger booths. Shiny silver toasters pop up slices of bread ripe for a generous spread of butter, the salty-sweet smell of bacon wafts through the air, and servers swerve from table to table, gracefully balancing fresh-from-the-skillet omelets and steaming coffee pots.
* WBEZ | Sisters to sail the Race to Mackinac 100 years after their great-grandfather’s win was overturned: A century ago, their great-grandfather John P. O’Rourke and his brother James sailed the 1923 Race to Mackinac in their small Q boat — a once-fashionable model rarely seen today. The brothers fought their way to an improbable victory on behalf of the Jackson Park Yacht Club. But their glory was short-lived. Months later, the O’Rourkes were disqualified on a technicality. The story of a great win — and subsequent dismissal — has become family lore.
* WGN | A Chicago football tradition is returning this fall to Soldier Field: The Chicago Football Classic is coming back on Saturday, September 2, featuring a match-up of two historically black colleges and universities as it has since its inception in 1997.
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Live coverage
Thursday, Jul 20, 2023 - Posted by Isabel Miller
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Afternoon roundup
Wednesday, Jul 19, 2023 - Posted by Isabel Miller
*Press release from Attorney General Kwame Raoul…
Attorney General Kwame Raoul today, alongside 20 attorneys general, sent a letter to Fortune 100 companies in support of diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in the workplace. The letter is in response to a letter 13 Republican attorneys general sent to the companies in an attempt to undermine efforts to reduce racial inequities in corporate America by falsely claiming that programs to address racial disparity are unlawful.
“These 13 Republican attorneys general, while cloaking their letter in a theme of colorblindness, have audaciously targeted programs aimed at helping African Americans gain access to economic opportunity,” Raoul said. “Diversity initiatives are not just laudable goals, they are also good for business. I have a deep commitment to working with private employers to help further diversity, equity and inclusion in Illinois, and I will continue to be an advocate and champion of civil rights and racial progress.”
In today’s letter, Raoul and the coalition applaud corporate efforts to recruit diverse workforces and create inclusive work environments while encouraging the companies to double-down on diversity-focused programs. The letter also reiterates that such efforts are legal and reduce corporate risk for claims of discrimination, and that:
- Corporate diversity programs are lawful and serve important public and business purposes.
-Hollow claims of unlawful discrimination against white people at Fortune 100 companies do not change the fact that women and people of color continue to face barriers in the workplace.
-The businesses and workers of America should not be intimidated into abandoning diversity goals at a time when they are more important than ever.
AG Raoul also had an opinion piece in Crain’s this morning.
* State avoids Clean Air Act sanctions. Capitol News Illinois…
A proposed change in state air pollution regulations will move forward despite an objection from a legislative oversight committee, allowing the state to avoid federal sanctions that otherwise would go into effect next month.
The change, which came from the Illinois Pollution Control Board and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, repeals existing language that allowed factories, refineries, power plants and other facilities to exceed their emission limits during shutdowns, startups, and malfunctions.
The previous rules also gave the owners of those facilities a certain level of immunity from civil lawsuits for exceeding their emission limits during those events.
The change was necessary because of recent court decisions that prompted the U.S. EPA to change its interpretation of the federal Clean Air Act, a program that is largely administered and enforced by state and local governments.
* Good news for Englewood…
A community organization leading the charge to transform an abandoned railway line and nearby vacant land into a vibrant agro-eco district received another boost in funding Monday, pushing the nearly two-decade-long dream forward.
Grow Greater Englewood received a $3.8 million grant from the Bezos Earth Fund to continue work on the Englewood Nature Trail, a 12-foot-wide, ADA-accessible, multi-use trail. The elevated path will run behind 58th and 59th streets between Wallace and Hoyne Avenues.
Chicago-based nonprofit Blacks In Green also received $1.5 million in funding to scale its Sustainable Square Mile pilot in Woodlawn. The Black Oaks Center for Sustainable Renewable Living received $1.75 million to support local farms and farmers. A complete list of Bezos Earth Fund awardees is available here.
* If you’re looking to get caught up on today’s City Council meeting here’s Erin Hegarty thread…
* Press release…
Today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois delegation concluded their mission to the United Kingdom. Over the past several days, the Governor participated in discussions on bilateral collaborations in technology and higher education, meetings with business organizations to strengthen ties to Illinois, and announced the intent to pursue a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UK to advance trade and economic development goals in Illinois.
The Governor hosted a “Clean Energy & Clean Technology” roundtable with Illinois and United Kingdom-based energy companies. At this meeting, the present parties signed an MOU intending to strengthen collaboration to create a net-zero energy future. Illinois has been a leader in the clean energy space and is the first state in the Midwest to require carbon free energy by 2050. The list of companies included in the MoU are Commonwealth Edison Company, Ameren Illinois Company, The Peoples Gas Light and Coke Company, North Shore Gas Company, Northern Illinois Gas Company, National Grid plc, UK Power Networks, and Energy Networks Association.
Both the Illinois and UK-based companies promise to expand the use of sustainable technologies and renewable energy to support economic growth and the creation of jobs across both the United Kingdom and the State of Illinois. During this meeting, the Governor highlighted Illinois’ clean energy benefits to businesses looking to expand in the United States. Illinois’ Climate and Equitable Jobs Act is devoting $180 million per year to workforce programming to build the clean energy workforce.
“Under the leadership of Governor Pritzker, Speaker Welch, and the General Assembly, Illinois is recognized as a national leader in the efforts to decarbonize the energy sector,” said Ameren Illinois Chairman and President Lenny Singh. “Ameren Illinois is proud to collaborate with the Governor, our utility colleagues, and our friends in the United Kingdom to accelerate this transition and bring the economic benefits to central and southern Illinois.”
“We are building a bright, sustainable future with a focus on providing customers affordable and reliable energy. Our research and investments in emerging clean energy technologies — including renewable natural gas and hydrogen — and our success significantly reducing leaks in old pipelines will help the state meet its climate goals while creating jobs and strengthening the economy,” said Torrence Hinton, president — Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas. “On behalf of our customers and the dedicated men and women of Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas, I am pleased to sign this Memorandum of Understanding.” […]
The Governor also met with major partners in the quantum computing space. Many of these members also met the day prior at an “Innovation and Technology” Roundtable at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business in London. Illinois is home to more National Quantum Science Information centers than any other state and is one of the largest contributors to the National Quantum Initiative Act. Governor Pritzker’s administration is ensuring the future of quantum computing is centered in Illinois through a $200 million investment in the Chicago Quantum Exchange
Lastly, the Governor hosted the Delegation’s Farewell Dinner to mark the end of the 2023 UK Trade Mission with the Illinois Delegation. This trade mission’s goal was the strengthening of bilateral collaboration between the UK and Illinois. Highlights of the trip include the Goodwood Festival of Speed where the Governor discussed Illinois’ commitment to electric vehicles, discussions with business and education leaders on enhancing the economic cooperation between the UK and Illinois and initiating an MoU between the United Kingdom and Illinois.
* Props to the student journalists that keep breaking major stories…
* Isabel’s afternoon roundup:
* Tribune | 2nd football hazing lawsuit filed against Northwestern; lawyers say legal action also forthcoming related to baseball and softball: Like the suit filed Tuesday on behalf of John Doe 1, another former football player, the complaint by John Doe 2 does not specify actions against the plaintiffs, but alleges long-standing issues of hazing and bullying that took on a sexual or racist tone.
* Crain’s | NU hazing accusers now include former softball, baseball players, attorneys say: At a Wednesday press conference, which included comments by four former Northwestern football players, Crump and Chicago attorney Steven Levin said they have not filed a lawsuit yet on behalf of any athletes but currently represent 15 people, including some former players from the baseball and softball programs. All of their clients are former players.
* WCIA | Champaign organization excited over Safe-T Act ruling, feels it will support those in jail: One Champaign organization is excited about the Safe-T Act decision. James Kilgore, an advocacy director with First Followers, said he’s been fighting about it for many years. First Followers is a re-entry program to support people who were once in jail. Kilgore wants to transform the criminal legal system.
* Crain’s | Pritzker hails ‘fantastic’ trade mission to the United Kingdom: “It’s not like you snap your fingers and things happen,” Pritzker said of the weeklong trip. Still, he added, “Illinois needs to do more on the international front.” In that vein, other trips are coming soon, the governor said, indicating that similar trips to Asia, Israel and other portions of Europe may well be among them.
* Sun-Times | Thaddeus ‘T.J.’ Jimenez, ‘Motive’ podcast subject, sentenced nearly 8 years after a shooting caught on video: Jimenez gets 12 years in prison. He gained fame when City Hall gave him a $25 million wrongful-conviction settlement. He then lavished cash on his gang in the years before the 2015 shooting, authorities say.
* CBS Chicago | 2 men charged in catalytic converter operation across 8 counties in northern Illinois: The men worked together from August 2021 through March 2022 to steal the converters from vehicles in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Will, DeKalb, Lake, McHenry, and Winnebago counties, according to Raoul.
* WBEZ | Drought, deluge and the climate curious farmers of central Illinois: “You can’t sit in Washington and tell people how to farm,” said Larry Dallas, who farms about 2,000 acres near Tuscola, and has used conservation practices during his 39 years in business. “There is practicality involved. The technology is out in the field.”
* Bloomberg | White House asks Walgreens, CVS, Walmart for help promoting drug-cost law: US health officials met Tuesday at the White House with leaders of CVS Health Corp., Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. and Walmart Inc., seeking help to tout the benefits of the Inflation Reduction Act, a Health and Human Services Department spokesperson said. Along with capping insulin prices and expanding access to adult vaccines, the law will allow Medicare, the US health program for the elderly, to negotiate prices of costly drugs made by some of the biggest pharmaceutical companies.
* KFVS | The Boys & Girls Club of Southern Illinois announces closure: According to a press release from the BGCSI, they will cease all operations on Friday, July 21. The release also said this decision comes from the Board of Directors after much discussion and exploration of options that would allow continued operation.
* Bloomberg | Ken Griffin purchases Palm Beach property for $83 million: — Billionaire Ken Griffin snapped up a property on Palm Beach’s Worth Avenue for $83 million, located next to a former Neiman Marcus store that his firm has planned to use as an office. With the latest purchase, Griffin now owns both properties at 125 Worth Ave. and 151 Worth Ave., according to spokesman Zia Ahmed. The seller of 125 Worth Ave. was the Frisbie Group and Dreyfuss Management, said Rob Frisbie, a principal of the Frisbie Group.
* SJ-R | Gibson, Sangamon County Courthouse facility dog, passes away: With his blue vest and photo ID card on his collar, Gibson, an eight-year-old black lab, was a familiar presence around the courthouse since 2017. Gibson accompanied people into the courtroom who had given testimony and was used at the Sangamon County Child Advocacy Center when police and prosecutors were conducting forensic interviews with children.
* Center Square | Swift fills more Chicago hotel rooms than NASCAR: According to Choose Chicago, the city’s tourism arm, Chicago hotels averaged more than 36,000 room bookings per night from June 30 to July 2, an occupancy rate of 79%.
* WCIA | Villa Grove pushes dead tree removal to limit future storm damage: Villa Grove wants to avoid future storm damage by asking people to get rid of their dead and diseased trees. The city took to social media for some help from the community after the derecho on June 29. Villa Grove Police Chief Robert Rea said he found a village ordinance that says homeowners are responsible for dead and diseased trees.
* Daily Herald | Sugar Grove Corn Boil Festival kicks off Thursday; organizers say it could be the last: The free festival started in 1967 as a fundraiser for the Sugar Grove Young Adults Club. This year marks the 53rd Corn Boil. But organizers say without more volunteers, there may not be a 54th. Sugar Grove Corn Boil NFP, a nonprofit group, organizes the event.
* NPR Illinois | Services planned for Emma Shafer: The visitation will be held at First Presbyterian Church with a service to follow. The service can be viewed on Emma’s page at StaabObituary.com. Shafer has been described as a young woman intent on making a difference. She was the membership chair of the Sierra Club Sangamon Valley Group, an incoming board member for the Springfield Immigrant Advocacy Network, a former organizer with Faith Coalition for the Common Good, and an active volunteer with countless other community groups.
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* Office of Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle…
Today, the Illinois Supreme Court released a strong, clear decision upholding the constitutionality of the Pretrial Fairness Act, which ends the money bond system in Illinois. The Pretrial Fairness Act was signed into law in February 2021 as part of the SAFE-T Act. It overhauls the pretrial release and detention decision-making process statewide.
Cook County Leaders remain united in our commitment to collaborative implementation of the Pretrial Fairness Act, consistent with today’s Supreme Court opinion.
“We stand united in support of our court system stakeholders as they move forward with Pretrial Fairness Act reforms, ending money bond and implementing a pretrial process rooted in equity and community safety,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. “My administration stands ready to provide resources and counsel where we can be of service as we move forward toward a more just and equitable future for all.”
Since the Pretrial Fairness Act was signed into law in February 2021, Cook County’s criminal justice agencies have been engaged in a collaborative planning process to ensure countywide preparedness for implementation of the law. As part of this process, representatives from each of the County’s criminal justice agencies have participated in consistent working groups alongside local law enforcement, advocacy groups and community representatives. In light of the Supreme Court’s decision, planning for the end of the money bond system will move forward in earnest with strong support from the stakeholders.
“With the end of money bond, Illinois becomes the first state to end a system that criminalized poverty by prioritizing access to cash over community safety. We stand on the right side of history as we work to implement these changes in Cook County,” said State’s Attorney Kim Foxx. “The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office spent over 18 months training staff for the implementation of the Pretrial Fairness Act. We were prepared on January 1 and now stand ready for September 18 when cash bail finally ends in our state.”
“Today marks a significant victory for justice across Illinois as the state takes a momentous and historical step towards ending money bond. Our office is proud to be collaborating to implement the historic reforms in Cook County, helping to bring about a more fair and equitable justice system for all residents,” said Iris Y. Martinez, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Cook County was poised to successfully implement the end of money bond on January 1, 2023 and remains committed to coordinated, successful implementation on September 18, 2023. All county agencies will continue to work together to ensure stakeholders and employees receive the training and support needed to put this historic reform into practice.
“The attorneys and staff at the Cook County Public Defender’s Office are poised and ready to implement the historic end to money bond. We have created a new Pretrial Division, which is trained and equipped to robustly represent our clients throughout the new pretrial process. We have developed the necessary policies and procedures and collaborated extensively with the county’s court system stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition,” said Cook County Public Defender Sharone R. Mitchell, Jr.
“The Pretrial Fairness Act represents a critical step forward for economic and racial justice in Cook County and Illinois,” said Avik Das, Executive Director of the Justice Advisory Council. “We will be working closely with agencies, partners and community members to ensure the reforms are thoughtfully implemented, centering the needs of justice involved individuals as well as communities.”
* IL Freedom Caucus…
“As expected, the partisan Supreme Court ruled with JB Pritzker to uphold the revocation of the cash bail provisions of the SAFE-T Act. This is another example of judicial activism.
Article 1, Section 9 of the Constitution states, ‘all persons SHALL be bailable by sufficient sureties.’ The Illinois Supreme Court contends there is no mandate in the Constitution for cash bail, but the Constitution reads ‘SHALL’ not ‘May.’ The difference between these words is the subject of extensive debate on the floor of the House and Senate. Shall denotes a requirement. May denotes discretion. The Supreme Court has put partisan politics above the law and above common sense. The idea that there is no mandate for cash bail when the word ‘shall’ is clearly used in our Constitution is absurd on its face. The Illinois Supreme Court has failed the people of Illinois and has put the lives of our citizens at risk with this partisan ruling today.”
* Rep. Adam Niemerg…
State Representative Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich) says the Illinois Supreme Court ruling today on the SAFE-T Act is reckless and will ultimately make our communities less safe.
“The political leaders in Illinois are about one thing – self-preservation,” Niemerg said. “JB Pritzker contributed millions in the last election cycle to elect Democrats to the Illinois Supreme and his reward is the mental gymnastics used to justify eradicating cash bail which is enshrined in our Constitution in the very first article. What has happened today is another example of the culture of corruption that has been the hallmark of Illinois politics for far too long.”
Niemerg said beyond the politics of the ruling, communities will be less safe as a result of the Court’s partisan actions.
“There will be more criminals put back on the street as a result of this law which will put people’s lives at risk,” Niemerg said. “It also will make it even tougher for people to cooperate with police and identify suspects. They will be less willing to ID criminals out of fear they will be targeted once the suspect is released from custody. The Illinois Supreme Court’s decision to put politics ahead of common-sense and the plain language of the Constitution has put lives at risk.”
* US Rep. Darin LaHood…
“Under Governor J.B. Pritzker, Illinois has become less safe and violent crime is on the rise. Instead of giving law enforcement the tools they need to go after criminals, Governor Pritzker’s soft-on-crime policies, like ending cash bail, hinder cops from keeping communities safe. With morale of law enforcement at an all time low in Illinois, police departments across our state are struggling to recruit officers because of policies like the SAFE-T Act. The Illinois Supreme Court’s ruling is misguided, it will harm law enforcement, and make Illinois less safe.”
* Rep. Tim Ozinga…
“Today’s ruling in favor of the SAFE-T Act is disappointing, but not surprising. The current polarization of party politics has led to the passage of extreme legislation, such as the SAFE-T Act, that ends up helping no one. While reform is necessary to our current criminal justice system, this is not the way to do it. We cannot put our citizens, families, and communities at risk by implementing a method with no results to show for itself.
“With out-of-control crime spreading from cities like Chicago into neighboring suburbs, now is not the time to take risks when legislating public safety policies. Instead, we should focus on supporting our law enforcement and protecting our communities.”
* Rep. Fritts…
“I am deeply disturbed by today’s ruling made by the Illinois Supreme Court in favor of the SAFE-T Act. This ruling is just another step in the wrong direction for Illinois. Progressive Democrats continue to push failed, pro-criminal legislation onto the people of Illinois without regard for their safety. These soft-on-crime policies continue to prioritize the wants of criminals over the needs of our communities. We will now be the first in the nation to utilize no-cash bail, all while our state’s crime rate remains one of the highest in the country.
“Further, I stand behind the law enforcement officers who have continually spoken out against the SAFE-T Act. After their effort to defund the police failed, woke progressives are now attempting to handcuff law enforcement by making their jobs as challenging as possible. This no-cash bail policy ensures that police will continue to arrest the same offenders over and over again, therefore putting their lives in further danger and wasting more taxpayer dollars.
“I condemn this vile attempt by the Democratic majority to override the Constitution in favor of political social policies aimed at destroying what is left of Illinois.”
* Rep. Wayne Rosenthal…
Today’s ruling by the Illinois Supreme Court to completely abolish cash bail for criminals does not make Illinois safer. First, the Democrats craft “gun control” legislation which attacks law abiding citizens who have the right to defend themselves and now they eliminate cash bail for criminals who will quickly be back on the street committing crimes. This is a very dangerous road that has been created for the residents of Illinois.
The Democrats’ “SAFE-T” Act was swiftly rammed through the General Assembly Lame Duck Session and was rushed to Governor Pritzker to sign into law. This law is deeply flawed, and despite being amended multiple times, it’s had zero impact on reducing crimes throughout our communities across the state. Illinois has one of the highest murder rates in the nation, and now the first state to reform a system that rewards criminals.
Our freedoms are being stripped by the progressive agenda, and we need to stand together and fight back with comprehensive solutions which protect our citizens and gives authority back to our law enforcement officers. The people of Illinois deserve to live their lives without fear. Families depend on our laws to protect them and keep them safe; abolishing cash bail does just the opposite.
* Rep. Mike Coffey…
Today the Illinois Supreme Court ruled that abolishing cash bail for criminals is constitutional. This dangerous action does not make residents safer, in fact, it will instill fear throughout the communities across the state. The so-called “SAFE-T” Act was rushed through the General Assembly and signed into law with terrible flaws. Despite being amended multiple times, this law has done nothing to reduce violent crimes.
This approach to criminal justice reform does not provide communities with protection from violent criminals. We must continue to fight for law enforcement and stand behind them as they are sworn into a position to keep our communities safe.
Illinois is the first state in the nation to proudly abolish the cash bail system, which has one of the highest murder rates. The Democrat-Stacked Illinois Supreme Court decision to allow this provision to be deemed constitutional has an effect on every resident in the state.
Illinois families deserve the right to bear arms, to be protected by law enforcement, and to feel safe in their communities. House Republicans have created and launched a Public Safety Working Group to fight back against this progressive agenda. We will fight for our freedoms and stand with those who embrace the laws that protect our families and communities.
* Rep. Jed Davis…
“Yesterday’s Illinois Supreme Court decision sadly comes as no surprise. While I had hoped that common sense and high regard for the rule of law would have prevailed, partisan politics due to gerrymandered maps have led to one of the worst Judicial decisions I have seen in my lifetime.
“To put the wants of progressive politicians at the center of criminal law is disturbing. With high crime rates and out-of-control violence seeping into Illinois from the city of Chicago, now is not the time to experiment with what could be catastrophic changes to our laws.
“This type of legislation is a perfect example of what happens when one party has complete control over a state government. When the balance of power is out of whack in a supermajority, this kind of bogus criminal justice reform gets passed into law and the people of Illinois end up losing.”
* Darren Bailey…
* Illinois Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers…
Yesterday, in Rowe v. Raoul, the Illinois Supreme Court announced a strong affirmation of the Pretrial Fairness Act and its elimination of wealth-based jailing in the State of Illinois.
The decision represents a monumental and historic day in Illinois that will have an enduring positive impact upon our residents and communities. The Court’s opinion upholds a system of pretrial release that appropriately focuses on the presumption of innocence and allows for the incarceration of an accused individual prior to trial only when the Court has made specific findings justifying detention.
The Pretrial Fairness Act ensures that the State of Illinois will no longer allow accused individuals to buy their way out of jail–a vestige of the money bail system. It aligns Illinois courts more closely with the federal and juvenile systems of pretrial release, in which the financial status of the accused is no longer the dominant factor in determining whether that person remains in jail or is released pending trial.
…Adding… Rep. Maurice West…
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What comes with those free speech hot dogs?
Wednesday, Jul 19, 2023 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Media advisory…
Today at 11 am CT the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression will give away 1,791 free Chicago dogs at Clark Street Dog to mark the year the First Amendment was ratified. The address is 3040 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60657.
Media are welcome to attend the “Free Chicago Dogs for Free Speech” event and should reply directly to this email with their RSVP. FIRE staff will be on-site to give away swag and do interviews. We expect supplies to last just a few hours.
This is part of FIRE’s brand-new $3.2 million Chicago free speech campaign to raise awareness and support for the First Amendment. Full details are in this press release.
The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression has been one of those groups which focused almost solely on things like “cancel culture” at college campuses. From 2016…
Its major grants come from the ultraconservative Earhart, John Templeton, and Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundations; the Scaife family foundations; the Koch-linked Donors Trust, and funders that sustain a myriad of conservative campus-targeting organizations that include FIRE, the Intercollegiate Studies Institute, the David Horowitz Freedom Center (whose “Academic Bill of Rights” would mandate more hiring of conservative faculty and would monitor professors’ syllabi for “balance”), and Campus Watch (which tracks and condemns liberal professors’ comments on the Middle East).
* The group now claims it has changed focus. This is from March…
In Idaho, an art exhibit was censored and teens were told they couldn’t testify in some legislative hearings. In Washington state, a lawmaker proposed a hotline so the government could track offensively biased statements, as well as hate crimes. In Florida, bloggers are fighting a bill that would force them to register with the state if they write posts criticizing public officials.
Meanwhile, bans on books and drag performances are growing increasingly common nationwide.
“We are seeing tremendous attacks on First Amendment freedoms across the country right now, at all levels of government. Censorship is proliferating, and it’s deeply troubling,” said Joe Cohn, legislative and policy director with the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression.
OK, but with numerous state governments enacting actual statutes outlawing public expression, FIRE’s Chicago press release highlights a video about a Boston college’s suspension of a student group for mildly criticizing China. Not trivial, but kinda small in comparison to the official governmental statutory actions happening right now across the country. Another video features a Black woman who rescued a Klansman from a beating during a protest. The rest of its videos are here. Nothing on government book bans that I saw.
* Doing what they do is fine by me. It’s a free country. I’m cool with it. But when you step forward and say you’ve broadened your portfolio and want to challenge the ACLU’s leadership in the First Amendment space, then, you know, maybe actually walk the walk.
* Semi-related…
* 2023’s Best Cities for Hot Dog Lovers: Foodie rivals New York (No. 1) and Chicago (No. 2) finish at the top alongside other big cities like Los Angeles (No. 3) and Cincinnati (No. 6).
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Your moment of zen
Wednesday, Jul 19, 2023 - Posted by Rich Miller
* I have to leave to pick up Oscar from his groomer, who just sent me this pic…
Gonna have to chat with that guy about the Cubs thing.
I’m also heading to Iroquois County this afternoon to take my uncle to the county fair. Isabel will be in charge.
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* CNBC…
Each year, as part of our overall assessment of state business climates, CNBC’s America’s Top States for Business study considers how welcoming each state is to workers and their families.
Life, Health and Inclusion is one of the study’s ten categories of competitiveness. And this year, with the nationwide worker shortage so severe, the category is taking on increased importance in our methodology.
We consider multiple quality of life factors, including crime rates, environmental quality, and health care. We also look at the quality and availability of childcare, which is one of the most important factors in getting parents back into the workforce.
Casting the widest possible net for workers means not turning anyone away. So we consider inclusiveness in state laws by measuring protections against discrimination, as well as voting rights. And with surveys showing a substantial percentage of women considering abortion restrictions when making a choice of where to live in the wake of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, reproductive rights are part of this year’s equation as well.
The worst-rated states: Florida, Arkansas, Tennessee, Indiana, Missouri, Alabama/South Carolina (tied), Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas.
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What the what?
Wednesday, Jul 19, 2023 - Posted by Rich Miller
* This tweet received more than 200,000 views before it was finally labeled as false…
And it’s not like this governor would sign such a bill anyway.
* I’m hoping that this law firm was just playing along with the bit…
* The socialists loved it, of course…
* Mentioning the Senate probably kills all comments on this post…
* And the fantasy isn’t confined to Illinois…
Almost 49,000 views on that one, which Twitter has not yet called out for its falsehood.
* I guess there are two ways of looking at this: 1) These kids today and their Twitter pranks; 2) People will believe just about anything.
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Delivery Helps Chicago Restaurants Grow On Uber Eats
Wednesday, Jul 19, 2023 - Posted by Advertising Department
[The following is a paid advertisement.]
At Uber Eats, local restaurants are the backbone of our communities and delivery continues to help small business owners reach new customers and increase sales.
We recently published the results of the 2022 US Merchant Impact Report—which come directly from a survey of merchant partners. Read More.
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Open thread
Wednesday, Jul 19, 2023 - Posted by Isabel Miller
* What’s goin on in your part of Illinois?…
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Isabel’s morning briefing
Wednesday, Jul 19, 2023 - Posted by Isabel Miller
* Here you go…
* Sun-Times | Eliminating cash bail puts Illinois firmly on road of criminal justice reform:As a Center for American Progress report from last year summed it up, because of “excessive cash bail, hundreds of thousands of people are incarcerated each year not due to any real public safety concern, but rather due to a lack of money.”Despite what some right-wing politicians and activists have tried to convey in rabid misinformation campaigns, the Pretrial Fairness Act is not intended to allow thousands of violent men and women loose on the streets like a horde of zombies in an apocalyptic disaster film.
* WCIA | 60 days until the Safe-T Act is in effect, some officials feel ready and others want more time:Julia Rietz, the Champaign County State’s Attorney, said her team is ready to go. She knows they have been since the original January 1st date. Tyler Heleine, the Coles County Chief Deputy, doesn’t think this is the right move and wants to see more work done. “I think there’s a little disappointment,” he said. “We were hoping it would go the other way.”
* WBEZ | The new Rainbow PUSH leader vows to fight recent Supreme Court decisions: Jackson said Tuesday the U.S. Supreme Court has “threatened 60 years of work,” and his successor the Rev. Dr. Frederick D. Haynes, III cited the high court’s recent decision rolling back affirmative action in higher education as one area the civil rights organization will push back on. “We’ve got to go to the Supreme Court, lie down on the steps of the Supreme Court and tell the Supreme Court that we’re going to stay right here and have our own affirmative action,” Haynes told attendees at the organization’s annual convention on the University of Chicago’s campus.
* Tribune | Chicago’s IG says Ald. Jim Gardiner hit a constituent with a phony fine. The Board of Ethics should whack him back in the wallet: Last week, Inspector General Deborah Witzburg released her findings. Though she didn’t name Gardiner in her report, the Tribune confirmed she was speaking about him. Witzburg concluded that the alderman worked with two office workers to conjure up the retaliation. Czosnyka still was cited for the weeds even though Gardiner and his people had previously been told that Czosnyka’s garden did not violate any city ordinance.
* Block Club | Police Oversight Agency Says It Can’t Find Migrants Who Were Allegedly Sexually Abused By Cops: The police oversight agency began its investigation July 6. Since then, the agency has uncovered another claim of “sexual misconduct” involving a migrant and one or more officers in the 19th Police District, Civilian Office of Police Accountability chief Andrea Kersten said. But, after nearly two weeks of investigating, the police oversight agency is still working to substantiate whether this alleged abuse in fact occurred, Kersten said.
* WTTW | How a Group of Community Leaders Worked to Choose 3 Finalists for Chicago’s Next Police Superintendent: The three finalists for the city’s top cop were selected from a total of 54 applicants by the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA) after unprecedented community and police input. The choice now rests with new Mayor Brandon Johnson to make what will likely be the most consequential hiring decision of his administration.
* Sun-Times | City Council members to propose 2-year timeline for eliminating ‘sub-minimum’ wage:With a progressive mayor who is a champion of the “One Fair Wage” campaign, it was never a matter of if, but when, Chicago eliminates the “sub-minimum wage” for tipped workers and how long restaurants would have to do it. The answer will come Wednesday, when Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35th) and rookie Ald. Jessie Fuentes (26th) introduce an ordinance that would give restaurants two years — until July 2025 — to phase out the sub-minimum wage for tipped workers.
* Sun-Times | Scientists test South Side air, rain to find ways to tackle climate-related problems: Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory say they want to help South Siders understand why their communities experience perennial flooding as well as climate-related bad air quality and extreme heat. With the aim of providing the most specific information they can, scientists on Tuesday installed monitors at Chicago State University that will measure temperature, humidity, air quality and other metrics to gauge the impact of climate change.
* AP | 1st lawsuit filed against Pat Fitzgerald and Northwestern leaders stemming from a hazing scandal: The player, identified in the lawsuit as John Doe, alleged Tuesday in the Cook County Court in Chicago that Fitzgerald, Northwestern University President Michael Schill, the board of trustees and athletic director Derrick Gragg enabled and concealed sexual misconduct and racial discrimination.
* Sun-Times | Inbound Kennedy construction enters new phase Wednesday, with lane shifts at Division:Beginning 5 a.m. Wednesday, construction shifts to the right side of the inbound lanes at Division Street, forcing drivers to go left onto new pavement until Ohio Street.
* Block Club | Obama Foundation Gives $1 Million To Prevent Summer Violence By Funding Safe Spaces For Young Black And Brown Men: More than 30 community groups, mainly on the South and West Sides, received $30,000 to organize summer violence prevention programs for young Black and Brown men.
* NBC Chicago | Who’s eligible and more: what to know about Illinois’ $68M Instagram settlement:According to a press release, the suit, filed in DuPage County, claims Instagram owner Meta violated the Illinois’ Biometric Privacy Act, which prohibits companies from collecting and storing biometric information like physical characters that can be used to identify individuals.
* Block Club | Chicago Is Unsafe For Cyclists, Report Shows: It ‘Reflects How We’re All Feeling,’ Advocates Say:Chicago was ranked 161st out of 163 big cities for bikeability in 2023, according to a report by PeopleForBikes. The city also got low scores for its accessibility of bike lanes to other transit hubs, recreational amenities, connectivity to core services and getting to different neighborhoods.
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Live coverage
Wednesday, Jul 19, 2023 - Posted by Isabel Miller
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