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Late afternoon, evening precinct reports

Tuesday, Apr 2, 2019 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Things can be different in the Metro East…

Madison County Associate Judge Clarence Harrison declined to order the City of Wood River to remove “vote Yes” signs positioned on city-owned property and inside City Hall that promote a sales tax increase referendum on the ballot in Tuesday’s election.

At a hearing challenging the city on Monday morning, Harrison indicated that if opponents of the signs want a remedy they can vote the public officials responsible out of office, according to a courtroom observer.

The controversy involves what critics say is a violation of the city’s own ordinance regarding political signs on city property, as well as the city’s position not to allow “vote No” signs on city property.

Last week, a spokesperson for the Illinois State Board of Elections said that if the city paid for the signs and/or used workers to place them on city property would be considered election interference.

* I’m not planning to do any coverage tonight so you can also use this post to discuss results.

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“Headline opportunity” or legit poaching attempt?

Tuesday, Apr 2, 2019 - Posted by Rich Miller

* When Indiana passed legislation in 2015 allowing businesses to refuse services to gay people, then-Gov. Bruce Rauner said he wouldn’t use the neighboring state’s law to try to poach businesses. Rauner said it was a mere “headline opportunity” and not a real one.

New governor, different state, different topic, but an approach focused on a particular industry…

Mixing business with politics, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Gov. J.B. Pritzker are moving to poach some TV and film business from Georgia as that state prepares to sign a rigorous anti-abortion bill that has set off a backlash in Hollywood.

In a letter to studio moguls and others in the entertainment industry, the two local officials joined with New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy to suggest that Georgia has fallen prey to “reactionary, extremist forces” and that their business would better fit in “hospitable places” like Chicago, Illinois and Jersey.

“We agree the industry should align your values with where you spend your money and boycott states not aligned with your progressive ideals,” the trio wrote. “Our cities and states are home to some of America’s most creative, hard-working and innovative production professionals. While we stand together in defense of the rights of our residents, we respectfully invite you to consider our locations for your future productions.” […]

The measure specifically would ban any abortion after a fetal heartbeat can be detected, something that generally occurs about six weeks into a pregnancy and which, according to pro-abortion-rights groups, would come close to banning all abortions, since women often don’t know for a few weeks that they’re pregnant.

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Franklin Park cops may have prevented mass shooting

Tuesday, Apr 2, 2019 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Tribune…

A man with several weapons was taken into custody Monday in a block of Franklin Park that includes a school and a church, according to officials.

The incident began about 5 a.m., when the man was making statements on Facebook that prompted a police response, according to Franklin Park Director of Police Michael Witz. […]

“This would have hit national news had he carried out what he was going to do,” Witz said.

* This was just released by the Franklin Park Police Department…

On Monday April 1, 2019, at approximately 5 a.m. Franklin Park Officers were dispatched to St. Gertrude Church, 9613 Schiller, to check for a subject who had been communicating with a family member through texting and social media, making the family member concerned for his well-being.

Upon arriving at the Church officers located a door that was forced open and began searching the church.

Officers came upon a male subject hiding in a closet in the basement of the church, who was visibly scene possessing multiple firearms in his waist band. Officers gave the male subject several commands to not move and show his hands. The male subject then made a movement toward his waist, which resulted in officers deploying their taser, striking the male subject and knocking him to the ground. Officers then removed three handguns from his person.

While this was taking place three females had entered the church to clean and place flowers.

The male subject was transported to the police station for additional interviewing, at which time it was learned that he traveled from South Dakota where he resides, to Hoffman Estates, Illinois where he left his pickup truck and traveled to Franklin Park. Officers located two additional weapons in his pickup truck in Hoffman Estates.

The male white subject has been identified as James Orwick 28 years of age of Newell, South Dakota. It is not clear exactly what Orwick’s plans were on this day, but we believe from his text messages and social media messaging Mr. Orwick may have been a danger to our community and himself.

Because of our officers quick and decisive actions, we believe that a major tragedy was prevented.

The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office approved charges against James Orwick with three counts of Aggravated Unlawful Use of Weapon which is a class 4 felony years, two counts of Felony Resisting a Peace Officer which is a class 4 Felony and one count Felony Criminal Damage to Property a class 4 felony.

All charges are punishable by 1 to 3 years per count.

Orwick will be transported to the Cook County Maybrook Court House where he will go before a judge for his bond to be set.

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Question of the day

Tuesday, Apr 2, 2019 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Zorn…

It’s time to end the tradition of conducting made-for-TV debates in front of human props — people instructed to sit mute between opening and closing rounds of polite applause. Their only purpose is to provide a visual background that recalls the prebroadcast era when auditorium settings were the only places to take the measure of candidates.

Such audiences create security concerns, and when they’re well-behaved they add nothing to the event except when they’re called on to ask questions (another tradition that should end; more about that in a moment).

So kudos to WFLD-Ch. 32 for being the only station to use a closed studio setting, as it did for its March 26 Lightfoot-Preckwinkle debate. The energy in the room — a factor sometimes cited as a reason to bring in scores of citizen witnesses — was evidently just fine. […]

Moderating is hard. Ponce, Flannery and, earlier in the cycle, WTTW and WMAQ-Ch. 5’s Carol Marin were among those broadcasters who proved equal to the task of doing enough homework to not allow their debates to turn into adjacent news conferences.

But formatting ought to be easy. Next time, every station should throw out the old rules as well as the audience.

* The Question: Agree or disagree? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please…

web polls

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Reick: “I was offensive to everybody, including myself, and I’m sorry”

Tuesday, Apr 2, 2019 - Posted by Rich Miller

* As you may recall, Rep. Steve Reick (R-Woodstock) said this last week during debate on a bill sponsored by Rep. Chris Welch (D-Hillside)…

I don’t care whether you are offended or not by the fact that we are against this bill. The fact remains that you’re not gonna get anything in this country in the way of being treated equally if you’re gonna take offense at every damned thing that comes up.

* Rep. Reick rose today to offer this apology…

Ladies and gentleman, last Friday, to not put too fine a point on it, I made a total ass out of myself on this floor.

I’m rising today to make several apologies. The first one is to Rep. Welch because the bill that we were arguing should have been the focus of what our conversation was. I allowed it to become secondary to the kind of nonsense that I was a participant in. And to him, who deserved a better conversation on this bill, which frankly I did not support, he didn’t get it. And it was my fault. And I apologize for that. To the members of the rest of the House here and anyone who heard it, I also offer an apology.

As I said earlier on our first day of session this past year, we’re a diverse state. We’re a huge state. We all want to end up in the same place, but we have many ways of getting there. And the challenge we have is making sure that we don’t let the differences that separate us… keep us from doing that.

We’re gonna be in for a hard next two months, folks. And I, for one, regret that I allowed this body to become rancorous and saying the things that I said. They were not meant personally. My wife calls this ‘the invocation of my inner Reynolds.’ And if any of you know know what that means, you know it’s a dark place.

I hope that in the next two months I can keep that inner Reynolds at bay while appealing to the higher angels of my nature and ask that we all do the same.

Therefore, I stand and offer my sincere apology. I’m not going to say I’m apologizing to those who were offended because if you weren’t offended, you’ve got a problem. I was offensive to everybody, including myself, and I’m sorry. Thank you.

I have no idea what an “inner Reynolds” is, but, otherwise, that was one outstanding apology.

33 Comments

Illinois Is Facing A Clean Energy Cliff

Tuesday, Apr 2, 2019 - Posted by Advertising Department

[The following is a paid advertisement.]

Thousands of Illinoisans working in wind and solar energy are facing a critical deadline that needs a legislative fix.

Statewide demand for renewable energy is surging, with more than 1,300 new wind and solar jobs added last year in Illinois. But the state’s renewable energy program will not be able to support new wind and solar projects after 2020. SB 1781 / HB 2966 will fix the cliff.

Without an expansion of the Renewable Portfolio Standard, wind and solar businesses will be forced to lay off employees and move on to states with more stable markets. SB 1781 / HB 2966, the Path to 100 Act sponsored by Rep. Will Davis and Sen. Bill Cunningham, will allow wind and solar jobs to continue growing in Illinois.

Vote Yes on SB 1781 (Cunningham) and HB 2966 (Davis)

Learn more at www.pathto100.net

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It’s just a bill

Tuesday, Apr 2, 2019 - Posted by Rich Miller

* SB86…

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. In the Section prohibiting the use of video devices, provides that “video device” includes cellular telephones, tablets, laptops, two-way messaging devices, and electronic games, but does not include two-way radios, citizens’ band radios, or amateur radio equipment. Provides that “using an electronic communication device” includes: (1) holding a personal electronic device in either hand or both hands; (2) using a hand or finger to compose, send, read, view, access, browse, transmit, save or retrieve email, text messages, instant messages, photographs, or other electronic data; and (3) watching video on a personal electronic device. Provides that “using an electronic communication device” does not include the minimal use of a finger to activate, deactivate, or initiate a function of the device.

Provides that the definition of “electronic communication device” does not include a global positioning system or navigation system or a device that is physically or electronically integrated into the motor vehicle.

* Illinois Public Radio…

Current law forbids “using an electronic communications device,” which it defines as a mobile phone, personal digital assistant, or computer. But it‘s silent on what “using” consists of. […]

A separate law already prohibits driving if a television or video screen is operating where the driver can see it. Stadelman’s legislation would expand that list to include “video devices” such as cell phones, laptops and electonic games. It makes exceptions for GPS systems, radios, and devices that are physically or electronically integrated into vehicles.

“It’s a dangerous situation, so whatever we can do as far as the state of Illinois to discourage that and explicitly state that watching videos is not allowed, that’s what this legislation’s all about,” Stadelman says.

* This bill was sent to subcommittee over two weeks ago, where it died after missing the deadline. It’s now stuck in Rules…

Lawmakers in the Illinois House are weighing a bill that would tax streaming and satellite service users “for the privilege to witness, view, or otherwise enjoy the entertainment.”

Illinoisans who stream movies on Netflix, watch satellite TV or listen to music on smart speakers may need to pay a state tax to enjoy them.

House Bill 3359 would create the “Video Service Tax Modernization Act” and “Entertainment Tax Fairness Act,” which would impose new taxes on satellite and video streaming service providers and subscribers. Users of those services would pay a 1 percent tax “for the privilege to witness, view, or otherwise enjoy the entertainment,” while companies would pay a 5 percent tax on their gross revenues.

* Other bills…

* Gov. J.B. Pritzker signs law creating parole review for young offenders with lengthy sentences: The law, effective June 1, will allow people who commit a crime before turning 21 to petition the Illinois Prisoner Review Board for parole, which will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Victims, witnesses and others will have the opportunity to present testimony to the board. People convicted of first-degree murder or aggravated criminal sexual assault will be eligible for review after 20 years, and those convicted of predatory criminal assault of a child or given a life sentence will not be eligible. The measure marks the first time the state will be allowed to grant discretionary parole since the practice was abolished in 1978.

* Illinois Home Care Aides Pushing For Higher Wages: Workers say home care agencies under the state’s Community Care Program (CCP) should receive a higher pay rate from the state. Lawmakers in Springfield are considering a proposal that would increase the home care rate to support a $13 minimum wage by this summer. … The CCP home care rate is $18.29 while caregivers earn a minimum of $10.67. If the General Assembly approves the proposal, that CCP rate would increase to $21.64 by July 1, 2019, which would be used to cover a raise for home aides.

* Illinois Nurses, Hospital CEOs At Odds Over Patient Limits: [A.J. Wilhelmi, with the Illinois Hospital Association] said not every hospital has the same resources, and the legislation does not include funding to hire more nurses. “About 42 percent of our hospitals are currently operating at a negative or very thin margin of less than two percent,” he said. Wilhelmi said the plan would drive up healthcare costs by more than $2 billion a year — which would be especially burdensome for safety-net and critical-access hospitals, like Touchette Regional Hospital in Centreville, where Sulbrena Day is the CEO.

* More Grad Students Could Get Right To Strike: Graduate students who work as teachers assistants are classified as university employees, and already have the right to join a union. No college or university has registered any opposition to the bill. A similar measure was approved by the General Assembly last year, but vetoed by then-Gov. Bruce Rauner. The bill now heads to the Senate.

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Late morning, early afternoon precinct reports

Tuesday, Apr 2, 2019 - Posted by Rich Miller

* First up, some shenanigans. From Hannah Alani…

Aldermanic candidate Jessica Gutierrez filed a police report on Monday after a supporter of her opponent — incumbent Ald. Ariel Reboyras (3oth) — filmed the inside of her apartment and posted the video, and her address, on Facebook.

Gutierrez said she has lived in her home for nearly two years and was “completely distressed” by the incident.

“I’m really shaken up,” she said.

In an effort to question whether or not Gutierrez actually lives in the 30th Ward, a man named Esteban Burgoa filmed a 19-minute Facebook Live video in which he filmed himself walking up to the window of the 31-year-old’s garden apartment, saying he “happened to find” himself in the area. […]

To add insult to injury, she said, Reboyras condoned Burgoa’s behavior by sharing the video.

About four hours after Burgoa started broadcasting the Facebook Live, the official Citizens for Ariel E. Reboyras Facebook page shared the video in a post, referring to Burgoa as “one of our supporters.”

* Nice-looking truck, though…

Source notes “This is how our tax dollars are spent on election day. Only Lightfoot and Lalonde signs in truck. And for the record there are Cappleman and Preckwinkle signs on public property.” #Chicago pic.twitter.com/gUNqV2dzsr

— Mary Ann Ahern (@MaryAnnAhernNBC) April 2, 2019

* What are you seeing out there?

* Related…

* Ald. Mell Staffer Caught Using Fake Account to Pose as Undecided Voter, Mislead and Attack Constituents: Deb Mell’s Streets and Sanitation Superintendent has been using a fake alternative Facebook account to influence debates in local neighborhood groups and attack Mell’s critics.

32 Comments

Repeated punting can have serious consequences

Tuesday, Apr 2, 2019 - Posted by Rich Miller

* This issue has been ignored at the Statehouse for years. I have no idea how to craft a politically palatable solution, and neither does anybody else, which is why it’s probably gonna be up to the federal judiciary to figure it out…

A federal judge in Chicago has found the Illinois Department of Corrections is violating the constitutional rights of prisoners convicted of certain sex crimes by making the restrictions on where they can live so stringent that inmates are often locked up long beyond their sentences.

In a ruling issued Sunday, Judge Virginia Kendall wrote that hundreds of offenders in the state’s prison system successfully complete their entire court-ordered sentences yet remain behind bars indefinitely. Kendall found the corrections department is depriving them of fundamental rights, and if they had money and support, they’d be able to leave and begin serving out what’s called “mandatory supervised release.”

Mark Weinberg, an attorney for the plaintiffs, said the decision could mean relief for hundreds of people who have been in prison even though they’ve served their time. […]

In 2017, WBEZ visited and spoke with J.D. Lindenmeier, one of the plaintiffs in the case. At that time, Lindenmeier had been behind bars six years past his court-ordered release date. But he’s still in prison today, a total of eight years beyond his sentence because he can’t find a place to live that complies with the state’s requirements. […]

In the 2017 interview, Lindenmeier said he couldn’t afford his own apartment, so he turned to his family for help. But their living situations disqualified them under state law. He said his father lived too close to a park, his mother had a computer and smartphone with internet access, his sister had small children, and his dad’s girlfriend’s home was too close to a day care center — all violations of the state’s housing rules for offenders like Lindenmeier.

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Poll: Pritzker Already Underwater In Democratic House Districts

Tuesday, Apr 2, 2019 - Posted by Advertising Department

[The following is a paid advertisement.]

New polling conducted by Fabrizio, Lee & Associates shows some Democratic House members could regret a vote to put Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s progressive income tax on their ballot.

Just three months into his term, Pritzker is already disliked in districts he won in November.

You can find the topline results for each district here: 48, 49, 51, 57, 96, 111, 112. Check back tomorrow for full crosstabs and in-district polling on Pritzker’s progressive income tax proposal.

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What is a “jobs tax” anyway?

Tuesday, Apr 2, 2019 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Remember this Ideas Illinois ad?…

Pritzker and Madigan want to change the constitution to allow a permanent jobs tax on middle class families… They’re putting a constitutional amendment on your 2020 ballot, paving the way for their jobs tax on the middle class.

* BGA’s Politifact…

While there’s no official definition for a “jobs tax,” it is clear Pritzker’s plan doesn’t contain one.

Experts we spoke with noted the term gets used colloquially to describe so-called head taxes like one Chicago once levied on larger employers. But that in no way resembles what Pritzker is proposing.

Richard Auxier, a research associate with the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center, said it is “completely incorrect” to use the term “jobs tax” to refer to a graduated income tax proposal.

“The income tax is not on people, it is on your income,” he said.

The income tax… is not on… people? The tax is officially known in Illinois as the “Individual Income Tax.” That’s just as weird as making up some phrase like “jobs tax.” I mean, who pays income taxes? Income?

I used the Google and the only definition of a “jobs tax” I could find is by a Seattle columnist in reference to a proposed local head tax. So, yeah, it can be used “colloquially” by one guy in the state of Washington, but other than that, it doesn’t appear to be a thing. So, I guess they’re right that it’s not in there because it’s not a thing. But maybe that’s a matter of opinion because Baise’s group could’ve just made up a new definition for an advertisement, which does happen. Ideas Illinois wouldn’t respond to Politifact, so I sent the group the Think Big Illinois press release about the Politifact piece and asked what the heck a jobs tax is anyway.

* This is all I could get…

It is quite fitting that this ‘fact check’ along with the Pritzker Team’s reaction comes on April Fool’s Day. The proposal being put forward by Governor Pritzker is clearly a middle class jobs tax and until Speaker Madigan and the Governor lock the actual rates into the constitutional amendment, no one can ensure middle class families otherwise. Illinois has been hemorrhaging good, middle-class jobs for years and this proposal would only make that worse.

So, Baise wants to lock rates into the constitution? Careful what you wish for.

* Meanwhile…

Ideas Illinois today released a second round of bi-partisan advertising thanking Republican Representative Terri Bryant and Democratic Representative Jerry Costello for standing with middle class families while calling for opposition to the Pritzker/Madigan Jobs Tax.

“The Pritzker/Madigan Jobs Tax is a blank check handed to Springfield insiders,” Ideas Illinois Chairman Greg Baise said. “We want to ensure middle class families know when their elected officials are standing up for them and opposing this massive tax which will drive more jobs out of our state.”

The Costello ad is here, the Bryant ad is here.

…Adding… Press release…

Think Big Illinois Executive Director Quentin Fulks released the following statement in response to Ideas Illinois’ latest ads:

“Just a day after their misleading attacks were called out as ‘false,’ Ideas Illinois is at it again in their latest attempt to use ‘classic fear-mongering techniques’ to ensure the wealthiest Illinoisans avoid paying their fair share. The fact is, under Governor Pritzker’s fair tax plan, 97% of Illinoisans will not see an income tax increase, with only those making more than $250,000 a year paying more.

“As PolitiFact recently explained, ‘While there’s no official definition for a “jobs tax,” it is clear Pritzker’s plan doesn’t contain one.’ That clearly won’t stop Ideas Illinois from continuing with their dishonest claims, but Think Big Illinois will continue to stand up for working families in the fight to implement a fair tax.”

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