Champaign County Democratic Party Chair Mike Ingram said his desire to be appointed to a vacant Illinois Senate seat is his “dream.”
But the wife-and-husband political team of Carol and Aaron Ammons contend that he and others are trying to deny a “strong Black woman” what she’s due.
That’s the latest in the increasingly incendiary back-and-forth among the people who are seeking to fill the vacancy for the 52nd District seat created by the recent death of Democratic Sen. Scott Bennett. […]
In a statement issued Monday night, Carol Ammons said denying her the post would be an insult to “African-American women” who “are the base of the Democratic Party and are disrespected and disregarded by the Democratic Party on a regular basis.”
Meanwhile, Aaron Ammons, Champaign County’s clerk and recorder, issued a separate statement Tuesday that contends that the appointment issue is a matter of race. He said the community will “find out soon if we have real allies in our movements” or whether “we have to battle this new generation of whites for the same reasons our parents, grandparents and great-grandparents battled before us.”
Dey also mentioned that Rep. Ammons filed paperwork with the state converting her House campaign committee to a Senate committee, which I told subscribers about earlier today.
Ahead of tonight’s meeting to discuss her late husband’s successor, Stacy Bennett today weighed in on the field of 10.
While making clear she’s not endorsing a single candidate, Bennett mentioned four candidates that her late husband would have liked for the “integrity, and valuable experience and perspectives” they’d bring to the senate “while also listening to and representing the entire district.”
Rep. Carol Ammons was not on the list. Two, however, were Black women, but only one of those was an applicant: Gianina Baker.
For the first time, retail pharmacies, from corner drugstores to major chains like CVS and Walgreens, will be allowed to offer abortion pills in the United States under a regulatory change made Tuesday by the Food and Drug Administration. The action could significantly expand access to abortion through medication.
Until now, mifepristone — the first pill used in the two-drug medication abortion regimen — could be dispensed only by a few mail-order pharmacies or by specially certified doctors or clinics. Under the new F.D.A. rules, patients will still need a prescription from a certified health care provider, but any pharmacy that agrees to accept those prescriptions and abide by certain other criteria can dispense the pills in its stores and by mail order.
The Food and Drug Administration just broadened access to abortion pills, but a patchwork of state laws after Roe v. Wade was overturned could limit its availability to some women.
A limited availability of the medication isn’t an issue in Illinois, however, where abortion remains legal even after Roe v. Wade was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court last summer. Illinois lawmakers – including Gov. J.B. Pritzker have vowed to protect reproductive rights for women intact. In 2019, state lawmakers enacted abortion rights legislation and the Illinois State Supreme Court recognized a woman’s right to have an abortion as a constitutional right under state guidelines. […]
Planned Parenthood of Illinois began offering the abortion pill by mail last May, which means women can now access the care they need. The Planned Parenthood of Illinois website says that the abortion pill is a safe and effective way of ending an early pregnancy up to 10 weeks.
To qualify for the abortion pill-by-mail, patients must be 10 weeks pregnant or less. Patients must also have an Illinois address and be physically in Illinois at the time of their telehealth appointment.
CVS Health and Walgreens are determining how to navigate the FDA’s rule change.
“We’re reviewing the FDA’s updated Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) drug safety program for mifepristone to determine the requirements to dispense in states that do not restrict the dispensing of medications prescribed for elective termination of pregnancy,” a CVS spokesperson said.
Walgreens also emphasized it would align with state and federal laws.
Walmart did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
* Related…
* Illinois News Bureau | Implicit bias prevents women from obtaining prompt treatment for health problems: Those in the study described prolonged struggles to obtain emotional support, diagnosis and treatment for a variety of serious, often-painful health conditions – including cancer, endometriosis, multiple sclerosis and Crohn’s disease, as well as mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety that were exacerbated by others’ negative reactions, said Charee Thompson, the first author of the study and a professor of communication at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
* NPR | Many ERs offer minimal care for miscarriage. One group wants that to change: In many emergency departments, expectant management has long been the only option made available. But now, amid the legal uncertainty unleashed by the fall of Roe, Prager and colleagues say they’ve been inundated with inquiries from emergency departments across the country. Doctors in states that have since criminalized abortion face stiff penalties, including felony charges, prison time, and the loss of their medical license and livelihoods.
* WaPo | Corporate America Thrives Where Abortion Is Protected: “Healthy workers are more productive,” Raimondo said during a Zoom interview after accompanying President Joe Biden to the building site in Phoenix last week for a new computer chip plant for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. “They show up every day, on time, ready to work - so I think states that provide better access to health care enable a more productive workforce.”
* Six months to the day after the Highland Park massacre, the Daily Herald reports at length on some of the shooting victims. Here’s a very small excerpt…
Liz Turnipseed and her husband, Ian, had been hyping the Highland Park parade for weeks to their 3-year-old daughter, Sonia, who’d spent much of her life in lockdown because of the pandemic.
Their excitement, though, quickly turned to horror on the parade route.
In a moment that “felt like a sonic boom,” Liz Turnipseed, 41, was spun around and thrown to the ground as a bullet struck her in the pelvis.
“I wasn’t knocked out, but I was on the ground and trying to get up,” she said. “And then there was unbearable, sharp, burning pain.”
She immediately looked for her daughter but saw only an overturned stroller. It’s an image that still haunts her.
Her panic eased when she saw her husband holding Sonia. Unable to walk, and with gunfire still raging, Turnipseed told her husband to leave her behind and get Sonia to safety.
…Adding… Protect Illinois Communities has a new TV ad on the assault weapons ban…
Script…
We can save lives right now. But to make a real difference, a new gun safety law must include three things. First, ban the sale of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. Second, require assault weapons to be certified to reduce gun violence. And third, reduce the number of high-capacity magazines in circulation to prevent mass shootings. Tell your legislators: it’s time to take a stand. Pass the Protect Illinois Communities Act now.
* Giannoulias release…
CHICAGO,IL - Illinois Secretary of State-Elect Alexi Giannoulias today announced several senior staff members who will assist in leading his administration.
“I’m proud to announce an executive team that brings immense talent, strong experience and diverse perspectives from both the public and private sectors,” Giannoulias said. “These individuals represent an exemplary group of leaders who will assist in implementing an ambitious agenda that Illinoisans elected me to accomplish.”
In December, Giannoulias announced that Hanah Jubeh and Scott Burnham will both hold the title of Deputy Secretary of State when he takes office on January 9.
The latest appointments include:
Kathleen Nelson, Chief of Staff
Kathleen has spent her career in senior level private industry and public sector positions in law, finance, real estate and government. Most recently, she was employed at Cushman & Wakefield representing clients on industrial, office and retail assignments. Prior to joining Cushman, Kathleen served as the Managing Director, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for Ziegler Capital Management. The bulk of Kathleen’s career was spent with the City of Chicago, Department of Planning and Development where she held mayoral appointed positions, including First Deputy Commissioner and Managing Deputy Commissioner. Prior to working with the City, Kathleen worked as a litigation attorney specializing in tort and contract law.
Sheleda Doss, Chief Deputy/Downstate Operations
Sheleda serves as chief of staff for the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) where she develops the agency’s long- and short-term plans and goals and acts as an advisor to the Secretary. Previously, Sheleda was the Chief Operating Officer for the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and acted as the principal agency-wide policy advisor and provided oversight for the operations and strategy integration. She also held the title of Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs under State Treasurer Mike Frerichs from 2015 to 2019. A Springfield native, Sheleda began her public service career as legislative liaison in the office of then State Treasurer Giannoulias in 2008.
Aileen Kim, Chief Deputy/Public Programs
Aileen most recently served as a Special Advisor to the Chief of Staff at the U.S. Department of Education, where she oversaw the execution of priority projects and initiatives that advanced the goals of the Biden-Harris Administration. Prior to her work at the Department, Aileen worked at Tusk Philanthropies/Tusk Strategies and Civitas Public Affairs Group where she developed and managed advocacy and electoral campaigns for Fortune 500 companies, early-stage tech startups, foundations and philanthropists, and non-profit organizations in states across the country. She returns to public service in Illinois after having begun her career as District Director for State Representative John D’Amico.
Aimee Pine, Chief Deputy/Administrative Operations
Aimee is an executive level human resources and operations professional with over 20 years of experience in government, political and non-profit sectors. From 2014 through 2022, Aimee served as the Chief Operating Officer for Illinois Treasurer Mike Frerichs. Prior to that, she worked as the Chief Operating Officer and Chief of Staff for Illinois Lieutenant Governor Sheila Simon. Aimee also worked as the Director of External Affairs, Scheduling and Special Projects when Giannoulias served as Treasurer from 2007 to 2011. She is skilled in strategic planning, and can integrate policy positions involving employee, operational, community, and political issues.
Lashaunna D. Sims-Davis (Shaunna), Chief Deputy/External Affairs
Shaunna previously held the role of Director of Community Development Initiatives for the University of Chicago where she was responsible for community economic development efforts near campus. Shaunna was also the Deputy Procurement Officer at the City of Chicago, developing relationships through targeted outreach and increasing awareness of various incentives and programs. In addition, she served as the Political Director to Mayor Rahm Emanuel, worked in the Mayor’s Office of Legislative Counsel and Government Affairs, serving as a primary contact between the City Council and the administration, assisting in legislative affairs and working with the elected officials.
Vanessa Uribe, Chief Deputy/Driver’s-Vehicles Services
Vanessa most recently served as Chief of Staff for the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the state’s lead economic development agency, playing an integral role in the execution of pandemic- relief small business grants and the inaugural launch of the state’s cannabis social equity loan program. As Deputy Director of the Office of Minority Economic Empowerment, she led efforts to increase access to resources and opportunities for an inclusive and equitable business ecosystem. Prior to DCEO, Vanessa managed strategic initiatives for Cook County’s Bureau of Economic Development, including nationally recognized public-private partnerships and special programs like the 2020 Census, and oversaw the national affiliate network for Unidos US.
A measure that Illinois winemakers are looking to get passed in the lame-duck session of the Illinois General Assembly is designed to reduce the annual wine manufacturers’ fee back to the pre-COVID amount.
Senate Bill 1001 would reduce the wine manufacturers’ fee from $1,250 to its previous amount of $750 annually, which was in place before the COVID-19 pandemic. The measure passed the Illinois Senate last year but has yet to pass the House. Lame duck session begins Wednesday and ends Jan. 10.
State Rep. Michael Zalewski, D-Riverside, told The Center Square that lawmakers are working to provide winemakers some relief.
“The winegrowers got swept up in something they did not mean to get swept up in,” Zalewski said. “This is meant to ease the burden on them a little bit. I think we increased fees for a broad range of alcohol growers, and we did not mean for that to be the case.”
* Press release…
Today, Governor JB Pritzker visited the Carole Robertson Center for Learning in the Little Village neighborhood of Chicago to highlight historic investments in early childhood education under his administration. The Governor was joined by Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas, Senator Celina Villanueva, and Representative Camille Lilly.
“Since day one of my administration, one of my top priorities has been making Illinois the best place to live and raise a family,” said Governor Pritzker. “The expansion of our childhood care and education programs is honoring that pledge and setting up our youngest Illinoisans for a successful lifetime of learning. One of the most fiscally responsible investments that we can make is to focus our dollars on our youngest children. This leads to higher graduation rates, higher college attendance rates, greater lifetime earnings, and greater overall wellbeing.”
During his administration, Governor Pritzker has committed the largest amount in Illinois history to expanding and improving early childhood education across Illinois. Throughout the last year, Illinois has expanded its continued investments in the state’s early childhood care and education system in the following ways:
• Extending and expanding the Strengthen and Grow Child Care (SGCC) grant program through July 2023. These grants provide funding for eligible childcare centers and homes.
• Extending the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) eligibility for job seekers through June 2023.
• Enabling more families to access Child Care Assistance Program Benefits than ever before by lowering income thresholds and expanding benefits.
• Launching the “I Got Love/¡Siento Amor!”—a statewide enrollment campaign for childcare and early education services.
• Increasing access to healthy food options in schools across the state, providing Illinois children with the well-rounded, nutritious meals vital to a healthy learning environment.
• Enacting the Children’s Behavioral Health Transformation Initiative to evaluate and redesign the delivery of behavioral health services for children and adolescents throughout Illinois.
Increasing access to healthy food options in schools across the state, providing Illinois children with the well-rounded, nutritious meals vital to a healthy learning environment.
Enacting the Children’s Behavioral Health Transformation Initiative to evaluate and redesign the delivery of behavioral health services for children and adolescents throughout Illinois.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Wednesday that he is “comfortable and confident” a state law ending cash bail that was set to take effect New Year’s Day is constitutional despite a court ruling to the contrary, but that supporters will “come back at it” if the lower court ruling stands. […]
Pritzker on Wednesday said he anticipates a decision “sometime in the next few months.”
While the governor said he and the lawmakers who voted for the law believe it is constitutional, they will “come back at it” if the high court rules otherwise.
* Crain’s | Chicago, suburbs will combine economic development pitch: In an unusual display of regional unity, top elected officials from the metropolitan area today are scheduled to announce a new, joint effort to spur economic development in the Chicago metro area. Officials including Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and DuPage County Board Chair Deb Conroy are unveiling what’s being billed as an initiative to improve the region’s global competitiveness by presenting a common pitch to the outside world, rather than competing with each other.
* Daily Herald opinion | If only there were more like Jesse White in Illinois government: To refer to Jesse White as Illinois’ longest-running secretary of state feels like a disservice to a man who has lived more lives and done more things than many of us could dream of. His 24 years as secretary of state is but the latest chapter in a remarkable life — but certainly not the last.
* Tribune | Twitter says it will relax ban on political advertising: “We also plan to expand the political advertising we permit in the coming weeks,” the company said from its Twitter Safety account. Twitter banned all political advertising in 2019, reacting to growing concern about misinformation spreading on social media.
* Vox | The ultrarich are getting cozy in America’s tax havens at everyone else’s expense: Illinois’ flat income tax is one example of a regressive state tax system, in which the tax burden decreases the richer someone is. They are designed for the benefit of the wealthy — and sometimes by the wealthy — at the expense of low- and middle-income taxpayers.
* Tribune | Former mayor candidate Ray Lopez throws support behind Willie Wilson for Chicago’s top job: “He will be a mayor that respects and unites ethnic neighborhoods all across Chicago,” Lopez said. Lopez had announced his own bid for mayor but was unable to match some of his rivals in fundraising and ended up filing to run for reelection to the Southwest Side 15th Ward seat he’s held for two terms. Lopez is a loud supporter of Chicago Police and has been criticized for harsh rhetoric on crime.
* Daily Herald | Bears subsidy critic tossed from Arlington Heights ballot: An Arlington Heights village board candidate who is a critic of possible public subsidies for the Chicago Bears was tossed from the ballot Tuesday, making the April 4 trustee race uncontested. Martin Bauer didn’t have the required number of signatures on his nominating petitions to run in the spring election, the village’s electoral board ruled, after three separate but similar objections to Bauer’s candidacy were filed.
* Daily Journal | Daily Journal alters daily service: Beginning the week of Jan. 9, the Journal will publish and provide a printed newspaper for its readers on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, meaning the newspaper will provide an e-edition-only newspaper on Tuesday and Thursday.
* Patch | At Least 6 Tornadoes Hit Central Illinois Tuesday: The National Weather Service on Tuesday evening issued tornado warnings throughout Central Illinois, where winds reached speeds of more than 40 mph and produced penny-sized hail in some areas. Reports indicated that tornadoes started moving through the Decatur area shortly after 5 p.m. and several nearby communities were expected to be affected in rapid succession.
* Crain’s | This brash real estate investor helped convict Tony Rezko. Now, he’s in bankruptcy.: The filing represents a new low in the roller-coaster life of a fast-talking dealmaker who bragged last year that he had amassed a net worth of $150 million since his 2017 release from federal prison. But some of his real estate investments have soured over the past year or so, including a former hospital in Elgin and an apartment development in St. Paul, Minn.
* Chicago Tribune story earlier this year about a University of Chicago Crime Lab analysis done for the Chicago Police Department…
Patrol officer counts included a table that showed how many patrol officers in each district responded to 15 or more calls in one month that was examined. A response was counted when an officer reported that they were answering a 911 call or other dispatched events, such as a ShotSpotter alert.
For all districts combined, the number of officers responding to 15 or more calls per month was 3,000. There are 11,500 sworn officers in the department, with most assigned to patrol.
So, if that’s accurate, about 74 percent of all CPD officers are responding to 14 or fewer 911 calls per month.
Citywide, the wait for an officer to be dispatched topped an hour for more than 21,000 calls [in 2022], according to the city’s data. That was roughly 1 of every 24 high-priority calls.
So, that means there were 504,000 priority 911 calls in 2022, which works out to roughly 44 for each Chicago police officer, on average. And yet, there were massive wait times for some high-priority 911 calls.
The basic premise of both Tribune stories is that CPD isn’t properly allocating personnel, an argument echoed elsewhere…
The interim commission that oversees the Chicago Police Department released an analysis [in November] that found the department is not using its $1.94 billion budget “effectively or equitably” because it lacks “a long-term, data-driven strategy to reduce violence.”
The 16-page report was the first action of the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability after it finally launched at the end of August, more than eight months behind schedule. […]
“Our spending on public safety is not delivering the results our communities need,” wrote commission President Anthony Driver in a letter to the City Council. “We need to spend better and more strategically. Workforce allocation problems also create untenable and unacceptable work conditions for Chicago police officers. They deserve better.”
Busloads of people were getting ready Tuesday night to head to the Illinois State Capitol this week.
They want to urge lawmakers to take action on a bill that would ban semi-automatic weapons and high-capacity magazines. But those fighting against that bill are already promising legal action.
As CBS 2 Political Investigator Dana Kozlov reported, this is the latest version of a bill that went nowhere for years. Another bill banning so-called assault-style weapons languished in the Rules Committee for a year.
But the Highland Park July 4th parade massacre renewed a push to pass the law. And now, hundreds of doctors from hospitals, including Northwestern Memorial Hospital, are involved in the fight.
“We don’t want to see this anymore,” said Dr. Selwyn Rogers.
Dr. Rogers is the leading trauma surgeon at the University of Chicago Medical Center emergency room. He is one of more than 300 Chicago area doctors who have signed a letter urging state lawmakers to pass the Protect Illinois Communities Act. […]
“I think the fact that physicians are actually willing to sign this letter is a strong testament to the fact that we’ve had enough as physicians,” Rogers said.
— FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Physicians and faith leaders are calling on Illinois legislators to pass the Protect Illinois Communities Act, which would ban assault weapons. “We have witnessed firsthand the trauma that gun violence inflicts on communities and families across our state,” some 350 doctors said in a signed letter to lawmakers who are meeting this week in Springfield for a lame duck session addressing the assault weapons legislation. “We do not have to live like this,” the letter continues.
Sigh.
* Anyway, from a press release…
Today, dozens of multi-denominational faith leaders congregated at the Good Hope Free Will Baptist Church to express their support for a ban on both assault weapons and high capacity magazines and urge legislators to vote yes on the Protect Illinois Communities Act. The Good Hope Free Will Baptist Church, located in East Garfield Park, is just a few blocks from where a mass shooting took place in October 2022, when 14 people were wounded and one died.
“Bright futures and innocent lives are continuously being gunned down,” said Reverend Ira Acree, pastor of Greater St. John Bible Church in Austin. “Rifles, AK-47s and combat weapons should not be in the hands of ordinary citizens.”
At the press conference, Pastor Cornelius Parks of the Good Hope Free Will Baptist Church, Reverend Ira Acree of Greater St. John Bible Church, Reverend Marshall Hatch of New Mount Pilgrim Church, Reverend Janette Wilson of Rainbow PUSH, Rabbi Ike Serotta of Lakeside Congregation of Reform Judaism, Pastor John Edgerton of the First United Church of Oak Park, Bishop Simon Gordon of the Triedstone Church of Chicago, Imam Abdullah Madhyun of Masjid Al Ihsan, and Father Michael Pfleger of St. Sabina Catholic Church all spoke about the urgency of passing the Protect Illinois Communities Act to save lives.
“High capacity magazines have no use but as weapons of war—they make our streets a battleground and have no place in our state,” stated Pastor John Edgerton, the president of the Community of Congregation and Pastor of First United Church of Oak Park.
Additionally today, over 75 faith leaders released a letter calling on legislators to pass the Protect Illinois Communities Act. In the letter, they write, “While we may practice different faiths, we are united in keeping our communities free and safe from weapons of war that have no place in our schools, houses of worship, movie theaters, playgrounds, or streets.” […]
A poll released by Everytown for Gun Safety last month demonstrated that these gun safety measures have widespread support across the state. Overall, 52% of Illinoisans believe gun laws in Illinois should be stronger, including nearly three quarters of Black voters and 56% of Hispanic voters. A ban on assault weapons has the support of 58% of Illinoisans.
Todd Vandermyde, a long time gun-owner rights advocate, said on his YouTube channel opponents of the measure don’t plan to negotiate on what kinds of guns to ban.
“You’re just educating them on how to build a better mousetrap,” Vandermyde said. “The broader it is, the more heinous it is, the more all-encompassing it is, the easier it’s going to be to kill in court.”
In the fight against climate change, national goals are facing local resistance. [Piatt County, Illinois] scheduled 19 nights of meetings to debate one wind farm [in Monticello]. […]
In the fight against global warming, the federal government is pumping a record $370 billion into clean energy, President Biden wants the nation’s electricity to be 100 percent carbon-free by 2035, and many states and utilities plan to ramp up wind and solar power.
But while policymakers may set lofty goals, the future of the American power grid is in fact being determined in town halls, county courthouses and community buildings across the country. […]
In Piatt County, population 16,000, the project at issue is Goose Creek Wind, which has been proposed by Apex Clean Energy, a developer of wind and solar farms based in Virginia. Apex spent years negotiating leases with 151 local landowners and trying to win over the community, donating to the 4-H Club and a mental health center. […]
The website of a group called Save Piatt County!, which opposes the project, is rife with fallacies about renewable energy and inaccuracies about climate science. On Facebook pages, residents opposed to the project shared negative stories about wind power, following a playbook that has been honed in recent years by anti-wind activists, some of whom have ties to the fossil fuel industry. The organizers of the website and Facebook groups did not reply to requests for comment. […]
A few miles down the road is Gallagher Farms, another multigenerational operation. Like Mr. Bragg, Ms. Gallagher, 34, believes in climate change. She has invested in cover crops, which absorb carbon and lock it away in the soil, and other regenerative agriculture practices.
But Ms. Gallagher is opposed to the project. The aerial seeding of cover crops will cost more with wind turbines nearby and make it harder for her to sustainably farm. The use of heavy equipment to install turbines can disrupt drainage patterns in agricultural land, and Ms. Gallagher believes her farm will suffer.
The General Assembly must take swift legislative action to defend CEJA and stop these bad-faith attack campaigns before it’s too late. There is a bill before the legislature during this “lame duck” session, which starts today.
Please help us build support to end these bans by asking your legislators to support legislation that does the following:
• removes overburdensome local bans and siting regulations
• keeps intact and prioritizes protections for endangered species and natural areas
• encourages good conservation practices at utility-scale clean energy sites
At Least 15 Counties have Effectively Banned or Significantly Hindered Renwables
This ordinance adopted by the Moultrie County Board on May 12, 2022 killed at least two wind projects in the planning stages and prevents others from even being contemplated.
A letter from a Moultrie County farm owner in support is here.
* The Question: Regardless of this particular bill, should there be statewide siting standards for wind and solar farms?
“Crime is out of control, and combative leadership is failing us.”
Paul Vallas will put crime and your safety first.
“I’ll work with every community in every part of our city to confront our crime problem. Hold department leadership accountable, put more police on our streets and public transportation, open schools after hours to ensure young Chicagoans have safe alternatives to gangs and violence. And I’ll bring people together to get it done.”
Paul Vallas, crime and your safety is his top priority.
Crime is Chicago’s biggest problem, and Paul Vallas is a lifelong Democrat who puts crime and your safety first. As city budget director he made public safety a priority, helping grow the police department to record levels. Crime came down. Later, Vallas advised President Obama’s Department of Justice on needed criminal justice reforms. And when Mayor Lightfoot and our police were at odds, Vallas led negotiations that got an agreement no one thought possible. Paul Vallas. The difference? He puts crime and you’re safety first.
Brandon Johnson has a plan to make Chicago safer. Grow Chicago businesses and create jobs. Brandon’s plan will improve public schools for all of our kids. For mayor, Brandon Johnson is better for Chicago.
What do we really know about Chuy Garcia? Chuy secretly talked with this crypto crook who stole his customer’s life savings. Then spent a fortune to reelect Garcia. Chuy cut deals to help himself with the since-indicted Mike Madigan. Even while the disgraced speaker faced a federal corruption investigation. And Chuy took money from a red light camera company just hours before he delivered the deciding vote that made the company millions. Crypto crooks, indicted pals and pay to play profiteers. The more you know, the worse it gets.
* Crain’s | Here’s who gets more than $300 million in local congressional earmarks: The biggest chunk of funding was secured by the state’s two senators, Democrats Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, who released a joint list of accomplishments. “This appropriations package makes significant investments in the future of Illinois,” Durbin said in a statement. “Our state and nation are stronger when we invest in our communities and families—and that’s what this bipartisan funding agreement does.”
* WTAX | Raoul v fake reviews: If we’re talking about fake product reviews, the Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul says, “Zero Stars – Would Not Recommend.” Raoul says the Federal Trade Commission and attorneys general around the country are taking some online sellers to court. One would be Roomster, a web site which charges a fee for access to rentals and other housing-related listings. Raoul says people rely on such reviews to make online buying decisions.
* Crain’s | Reilly to run unopposed, again, after challenger withdraws: Reilly’s lone opponent in the race, Chris Cleary, withdrew from the ballot amid a petition challenge in late December, according to the Chicago Board of Ethics. Cleary did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
* WCIA | Life expectancy rate in Illinois ranks in middle among other states : Illinois’s life expectancy rate is 76.8 years in 2020, down from 79 years in 2019 and 78.8 in 2018. The state falls in a similar range to a few other states, including Texas, Florida, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Alaska, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland.
Today, the Pritzker-Stratton Inaugural Committee announced the charitable partner organizations that will receive the proceeds from ticket sales and contributions made to the inaugural committee: the Jesse White Foundation and the Central Illinois Foodbank.
The inaugural committee is proud to partner with the foundation of one of our greatest statesmen—Jesse White, who has built a legacy of service and leadership in Illinois. Donations will support his foundation’s extensive programming, which benefits at-risk youth and provides educational opportunities for low-income students in the state. Additionally, contributions will help reinforce the critical work of the Central Illinois Foodbank, where the governor will also attend a community service volunteer event during Inauguration Weekend, to provide food to central and southern Illinois families experiencing food insecurity.
Governor JB Pritzker and Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton also announced the broad coalition of members of their 2023 inaugural committee, who will organize a weekend of events in Springfield for Illinois families to come together to celebrate their inaugural swearing-in ceremony and more.
“We look forward to joining together with families from every corner of our great state to celebrate Governor Pritzker and Lt. Governor Stratton’s historic reelection and inauguration,” said JB Inauguration Committee 2023 President Mike Ollen. “The governor and lieutenant governor have shown how to be strong leaders during difficult times, and Illinoisans’ lives and livelihoods will be better with another four years under their leadership.
Inaugural events will take place Jan. 7-9 in Springfield, including a community service volunteer event, open house, and interfaith service, followed by the inaugural swearing-in ceremony and inaugural celebration. Event details will continue to be updated on the inaugural committee’s website at ilinauguration23.com.
Still nothing publicly posted about tickets to the ball.
* About the Jesse White Foundation…
The Jesse White Foundation’s mission is to support programs benefiting at-risk youth and to provide educational opportunities for low-income students and families. The Jesse White Foundation supports the Jesse White Tumbling Team, which since its inception 63 years ago has helped more than 18,500 kids stay away from gangs and drugs while staying in school and getting good grades. The Jesse White Tumbling Team has a strong track record of helping guide at-risk youth onto the path to a lifetime of success.
In addition, the Jesse White Foundation operates the Jesse White Scholarship Program and the Jesse White Tutoring Program to help kids obtain the funding and tutoring necessary to enroll and flourish in college. More than $1 million in college scholarships have been awarded to members of the Jesse White Tumbling Team, allowing dozens each year to attend college.
The Jesse White Foundation also serves as a driving force to provide job opportunities to the unemployed and help feed low-income families, including the annual sponsoring of large-scale ham and turkey giveaways during the holiday season.
The Jesse White Foundation has launched these programs in a concerted effort to better position low-income families and at-risk youth to achieve and sustain success at home, in school, and at work.
The spotlight will be on Springfield this week as the Legislature returns for its pre-inaugural lame-duck session with a pair of key business-related measures now reportedly on a fast track.
The first is the proposed package of electric vehicle incentives, including a huge “deal-closing fund,” that Gov. J.B. Pritzker wants. Team Pritzker hopes that will be enough to convince Stellantis and partners to invest in converting the soon-to-be-shuttered Belvidere assembly plant to EV production.
As of Monday, multiple capitol sources said the measure appears to be in good shape, with lawmakers fine-tuning what type of oversight they’d have on the fund, which could hit $1 billion. Sources say the governor and aides have been regularly meeting with Stellantis and that Pritzker recently sat down with the local United Auto Workers union.
Also percolating: a measure that would give workers statewide seven paid days off a year for sick leave, family emergencies, etc. Business groups supported the measure because, as originally drafted, it would have preempted even stronger requirements elsewhere, like in Chicago, which could raise its current five-day mandate. But the latest word is the preemption clause is out at the request of organized labor but over the opposition of business.
Labor unions, progressives and Chicago’s mayor killed that paid sick leave bill last year because of the preemption clause.
* Rep. Carol Ammons (D-Urbana) announced a couple of weeks ago that she wants to be appointed to the seat once held by the late Sen. Scott Bennett…
Three applicants have made their interest in the seat public — state Rep. Carol Ammons, D-Urbana, City of Champaign Township Supervisor Andy Quarnstrom and Cindy Cunningham, who ran unsuccessfully for the Illinois House seat currently held by state Rep. Mike Marron, R-Fithian.
Ammons and her supporters, including Cunningham Township Supervisor Danielle Chynoweth, argue Ammons is the vastly superior choice. But while she has strong supporters in the local Democratic Party, she also has virulent critics.
Commenting on The News-Gazette’s Facebook page, former Champaign City Council member Clarissa Fourman said of Ammons’ interest, “No. Just NO.”
The decision over who replaces Bennett falls to the Democratic Party Chairs of Champaign and Vermillion County, but Champaign’s Democratic Party will ultimately have way more weight in the decision. […]
If Ammons is chosen, then the Champaign Democratic Party would also need to appoint a replacement to her seat in the House of Representatives, but the 30-day counter would start over.
Rep. Ammons has plastered her Instagram account with testimonials…
I have decided to submit my name for the vacancy in the Illinois 52nd Senate District.
The decision was clearly not an easy one to make. But I’m confident in my vice chair and the advisory committee we’ve convened. I will recuse myself from the process and let my vice chair run the process. She has a wealth of experience and has been an active supporter of other candidates who have submitted their names. I am confident that she will do a wonderful job.
I want to be the senator from the 52nd State Senate District, and I will be doing everything I can to convince both chairs that I would be a good choice: with knowledge of both counties, a desire to honor Scott’s legacy, and a track record of winning elections and delivering on campaign promises. Whoever is chosen will have my support.
…Adding… With a hat tip to a commenter, here’s the list of applicants…
Andrew Quarnstrom
Carol Ammons
Cristina M Manuel
Cynthia Cunningham
David Palmer
Gianina Baker
Kyle Patterson
Matthew Sullard
Mickensy Ellis-White
Mike Ingram
Paul Faraci
* New member…
Rep. Huffman will serve until Jan. 11. The two-year term former Rep. Butler was elected to in November, which begins that day, is expected to be filled by Saputo’s owner Mike Coffey. #twillhttps://t.co/0kl9TltMUF
Illinois is set to receive $354.6 million in federal funding for four state programs to help small businesses, the U.S. Treasury announced.
The money will help Illinois small businesses attract more capital investment and expand or launch business operations, Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration said in a statement.
Todd Maisch, president and CEO of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, welcomes the funding but has reservations about the Pritzker administration’s overall commitment to small business.
“If the governor renews his effort to bring back the graduated income tax or steps up the timetable for increasing the minimum wage, he will completely erase $350 million and probably increase costs to small businesses by at least a billion dollars,” Maisch told The Center Square.
* Sun-Times | Durbin pushing through historic diversity on federal bench: “I’m pretty proud of what we’ve been able to achieve,” said Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, who starts a second term as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee when the new 118th Congress kicks off on Tuesday.
* Sun-Times | Madigan’s downfall sparks new career for former aide: Selling weed in Michigan: Last summer, Noonan began what he hopes will be a mellower, second career as an owner of an organic marijuana farm and certified “ganjier” in this small city in southwest Michigan. Noonan, 54, says he’s done with politics in Illinois and is dedicating himself to fighting for “the craft weed revolution” in his new home on the other side of Lake Michigan.
* Crain’s | Bears interview Big Ten commish Kevin Warren for top job: report: The Chicago Bears have interviewed Big Ten conference Commissioner Kevin Warren, who is considered a finalist for the team’s soon-to-be vacant president and CEO position, the Chicago Sun-Times reports, citing an unnamed source.
* Tribune | Inflation won’t stop 2023 auto sales growth amid chip recovery: Two years of semiconductor shortages and supply problems have kept vehicle production low and inventories lean. With factories picking up pace again, consumers will buy more vehicles this year even if automakers have to help them manage rising interest rates by cutting today’s lofty prices.
* Crain’s | ‘Battery Belt’ will be a new kind of job magnet: In 2022 we saw industrial policy passed by Congress intersect with investment plans from major manufacturers and startups, all emphasizing the future need for batteries for energy storage.
* Sun-Times | Howard Brown Health workers begin three-day strike: Workers on a three-day strike demonstrated outside a Howard Brown Health center Tuesday to denounce the organization’s decision to layoff a group of 61 union workers in the midst of contract negotiations.
* Crain’s | Chicago’s most famous chef was also a lousy businessman: In a new documentary film about Chicago’s Charlie Trotter, the superstar chef declares in archival footage, “Basically, I hate people.” A constantly frustrated perfectionist in the kitchen, he was talking about customers, employees and suppliers.
* Tribune | Lawmakers in New York get pay raise making them nation’s best-paid: Just in time for the New Year, New York lawmakers have become the highest paid state legislators in the nation under a bill signed Saturday. Members of both houses are getting a pay raise of $32,000, for a base salary of $142,000, under a bill Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a day before her inauguration Sunday. That’s a 29% raise over their previous salary of $110,000.
* Crain’s | Exelon to stay based in Chicago: Calvin Butler, who with the new year takes the reins as CEO of the giant utility holding company, is moving back to Chicago, and the company “is and will remain” headquartered here, a spokeswoman said this morning.
* WTTW | ‘Surviving R.Kelly’: Final Installment Examines Trial and More Details: “Surviving R. Kelly Part III: The Final Chapter” is a two-part look at the legal fallout Kelly has faced. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison in June following his 2021 conviction on federal racketeering and sex trafficking charges, stemming from his efforts over decades to use his fame as a top-selling recording artist and songwriter to ensnare victims he sexually abused.
* Crain’s | Developers pitch $1.2 billion of LaSalle Street residential conversions: Some of Chicago’s best-known developers are collectively pitching more than $1.2 billion-worth of projects to turn outdated office buildings on and near LaSalle Street into places to live, a key step toward what could be a historic transformation of the vacancy-ridden Loop thoroughfare.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is asking Illinois state legislators for $54 million to help fund emergency services to asylum-seeking individuals and migrants.
Lightfoot made the request in a letter to state legislators from Chicago, obtained by the Tribune. She noted that Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration sent a letter to the city saying the state is “out of funds and will no longer be able to support city migrant services efforts as of February 1, 2023.”
Now, scroll all the way to the end of the article…
A letter to city officials signed by Alicia Tate-Nadeau, the director of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, and Grace Hou, secretary of the Illinois Department of Human Services, said the state has spent more than $120 million and helped provide shelter and services to 3,700 people. But the state agencies “have exhausted all available fiscal resources for the operation of the asylum seeker mission,” said the letter, obtained by the Tribune.
The $120 million figure is incorrect, but it’s not off by much. From the governor’s office…
• The state has spent or committed to an estimated $116.4M to date on the asylum seeker emergency response.
o $61.6M for contracted staff who provided on site case management and other services at multiple locations including management for both city and state operations.
o $8.0M committed for Interim Housing
o $3.9M for health screenings for asylum seekers
o $29.4M for hotel, transportation and housing costs
o $13.5M for DHS provided assistance (legal, rental, shelters)
It should come as no surprise the state’s well is about to run dry. The state doesn’t have unlimited cash. Nor does the city, which in December alone spent $7 million on migrant services. And as one lawmaker told us, budget priorities have to be set. As he put it, “What about the people living in tents who are already here?”
Yep. The state and the city got dumped on by a Texas governor and the state and city both had robust reactions to the stunt-based influx, but that spending is just not sustainable. Meanwhile, here’s what the state is spending on our own homeless problem…
• In FY23, 16 State agencies participating in the Interagency Commission on Homelessness will manage $564.8M in programs that are homeless dedicated or where homeless households are prioritized for assistance.
o Federal - $256.1M
o State - $211.6M
o Federal Stimulus - $98.1M
The asylum seekers were thrust upon the state and the city, so I have zero problems with their rescues being heavily prioritized. It would, however, be nice to see the same enthusiasm and sense of purpose infused into helping homeless people all over this state.
* Fortunately, the recently passed federal appropriations ominbus has about $800 million in grants available for the asylum seekers in all the states which are being dumped on. And the state is finally changing its approach to the problem because the past spending pattern can’t continue this way…
In a statement, Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office noted the state has already spent $120 million to support asylum-seekers but said state officials are working with the Lightfoot administration to “transition from emergency operations” to building a capacity “to handle these critical operations in a streamlined and efficient manner.” […]
“Our administration is pleased that additional federal funds were included in the latest spending bill signed by President (Joe) Biden and the state will apply for those dollars as soon as possible,” said Jordan Abudayyeh, a Pritzker spokeswoman. […]
Jaclyn Driscoll, a spokeswoman for Democratic House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, said in a text message that “we are reviewing” the mayor’s request, while Illinois Senate President Don Harmon’s spokeswoman, Liz Mitchell, said Harmon “will be discussing it with members of the caucus.”
The city has been renovating the vacant Wadsworth Elementary School to house the asylum seekers starting as early as this week, which should cut down on daily out of pocket costs.
A week after three days-worth of testimonial hearings took place on House Bill 5855 — legislation aiming to put an assault weapons ban in place in Illinois — an anti-gun violence group continues to advocate for the bill’s passing.
‘Protect Illinois Communities’ has bought time on Chicago TV, cable streaming and digital with a mother’s emotional plea to pass the ban on assault-style weapons.
“No parent should ever lose their child to gun violence,” said Mary Dieudonne-Hill. “So the way I honor her is to stand up and speak out. We have to all wake up and protect our children.”
Dieudonne-Hill’s 19-year-old daughter was away at North Carolina A&T working toward earning a degree in computer science when a gunman opened fire at a house party near campus, killing her daughter. Since that day in 2016, Dieudonne-Hill has been on a mission to keep her daughter’s memory alive through advocacy.
But the House bill needs to do a better job of addressing the dangers of high-capacity magazines. For example, it would make all high-capacity magazines illegal the minute the bill is enacted into law. Does Illinois really want to make criminals of people who legally bought the magazines in the past and may not even have heard about a new law? […]
Among other provisions that should be in the final bill are banning the manufacture and sale of assault weapons in Illinois and requiring existing assault weapons in the state to be registered. There are too many such weapons in the wrong hands now. At a hearing on Tuesday, Elena Gottreich, deputy mayor for public safety for Chicago, testified that 1,025 assault weapons were seized in the city last year and as of Tuesday, 1,156 were seized this year.
Lawmakers must be careful how they define assault weapons. It’s a complicated process, full of technical details. And once new rules are in place, gun manufacturers will start working on designing weapons that still act like assault weapons while staying just inside the law.
For years, people unfortunately felt the only answer to the widespread possession of powerful guns by criminals was to keep an eye out for escape exits when they were in public places. Now, the pendulum is swinging the other way, and people are coming to realize the right reforms can make everyone safer.
The Madison County Board has overwhelmingly approved a resolution opposing a proposed “assault weapon” ban being considered by the Illinois General Assembly.
At its most recent meeting the Madison County Board voted 22-4 for a resolution opposing the bill. Those voting against it were Democrats Michael “Doc” Holliday and Bill Stoutenborough, both of Alton, and Victor Valentine and Alison Lamothe, both of Edwardsville.
Prior to the vote Stoutenborough suggested referring the issue to the Public Safety Committee and holding a non-binding referendum in the spring, but others said that would be too late.
Lamothe said she was voting against the resolution in honor of those killed during a mass shooting at a Fourth of July parade in Highland Park this year that left seven people dead and dozens injured.
Madison County Board Member Michael Turner, R-Godfrey, said he wanted unanimous support for the resolution.
“It turns law-abiding citizens into felons,” he said of the bill, adding there is no evidence that such bans “solve any problems.”
* Mayor of Highland Park recalls the July 4 shooting during Q&A with the Daily Herald…
Time has passed — six months on Wednesday — but the pain is very much still there for Rotering and others affected by the senseless violence of that terrible day. [Highland Park Mayor Nancy] Rotering spoke with the Daily Herald about her memories of the shooting, how she’s coped with the tragedy and the action she’s taken to prevent other communities from experiencing similar suffering. […]
“I have spoken with President Biden several times. We are encouraged by his frequent public statements that he stands with us in our effort to federally ban assault weapons and large-capacity magazines. He, too, believes that these weapons of war have no place in our communities.
In the wake of the massacre, President Biden called to share his absolute grief at what had happened to our community and to offer words of support and his deepest condolences. At that time, he invited me to join him, and others impacted by gun violence in Washington. On Monday, July 11th, I traveled to the White House for an event to mark the historic signing of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. The act is a common-sense, bipartisan proposal to protect America’s children, keep our schools safe and reduce the threat of violence across our country.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Highland Park police Cmdr. Chris O’Neill and I had the opportunity to speak one-on-one with President Biden before the event. President Biden agreed with us that the act is a first step to reducing the carnage, diminishing the fear, and alleviating the suffering of the American public — but we need to do more. Around the same time, he unveiled his Safer America Plan that, among other things, includes steps to keep firearms out of dangerous hands as well as a federal assault weapons and large-capacity magazine ban. We are deeply appreciative of his continued support and work toward getting these high-powered weapons out of our communities.”
In principle, there’s a desire by a majority of lawmakers to ban assault weapons, but the details are yet to be worked out. House sponsors of the legislation are confident they have the votes, but they haven’t taken a roll call on the bill. They’re still talking to lawmakers about tweaks and clarifications. And then they have to confer with senators.
Devil in the details: They’re haggling over defining what capacity magazines to ban, what the timeline for enforcement would be and age limits for owning a gun.
* Sun-Times Letters to the Editor | My son was killed by gun violence. Pass Protect Illinois Communities Act to stop more deaths. : I take no issue with responsible gun ownership. I am a member of a family who used guns to hunt when we were children. My friends are responsible gun owners, and I know fellow survivors who are members of the NRA. However, as an advocate who witnesses the daily devastation of gun violence in our communities, and a mother who has experienced it first-hand, I stand unequivocally on the side of common-sense legislation like the Protect Illinois Communities Act under consideration in the Illinois General Assembly.
* The Center Square | Illinois Has a Gun Trafficking Problem : According to 2021 data from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, 53.0% of traced guns in Illinois were sold by an out-of-state retailer - the seventh largest share in the country. Firearms traced by the ATF typically have been used, or are suspected to have been used, to commit a crime.
* ABC Chicago | These are the gun control laws passed in 2022 : President Joe Biden in June signed into law the first major gun safety legislation passed in decades. The measure failed to ban any weapons, but it includes funding for school safety and state crisis intervention programs. Many states — including California, Delaware and New York — have also passed new laws to help curb gun violence, such as regulating untraceable ghost guns and strengthening background check systems.
I told subscribers more than a month ago about the possibility that Darren Bailey could run for Mike Bost’s congressional seat in 2024. Bost has a nothing-burger race, but he’s up on broadcast TV and his campaign told me they’ve also made “hundreds of thousands of grassroots voter contacts to ensure folks understand all Mike Bost is doing to fight for our conservative values in Congress.”
The Main Street Caucus today penned an official letter to their congressional colleagues in support of Kevin McCarthy for Speaker of the House.
“We are confident the gavel will only elevate his ability to effectively champion and communicate our Members’ policies and priorities. With the solid leadership team our Conference has already nominated, we will advance initiatives by finding common ground rooted in our principles– not by simply compromising beliefs,” wrote the Caucus. “Americans on ‘Main Street’ and throughout our nation have experienced a striking decline in their quality of life under divisive, unresponsive Democrat rule in Congress. This upcoming speakership election is our opportunity to gather together and light the right path for America.”
The Main Street Caucus is a group comprised of Members focused on governing and delivering common-sense, conservative solutions on the kitchen-table issues facing Americans. The current Co-Chairs of the Main Street Caucus are Representatives Pete Stauber, Don Bacon, and Mike Bost.
The IL Congressional delegation has an opportunity to set a new direction in Washington. One that puts working families first. Will they vote for reform, or will they vote for the same leadership as before with Kevin McCarthy? Pay attention and hold them accountable. #Twillhttps://t.co/ytuZGJTbvx
Illinois House Deputy Majority Leader Jehan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria, headed up her chamber’s efforts to amend the controversial SAFE-T Act this year. The day before the bill came up for a vote, I asked her what were, in her opinion, the largest misconceptions about the 2021 social justice reform law.
Gordon-Booth pointed to the trespassing issue. “I don’t care if you live in rural, urban, suburban. The trespassing [issue] was one that just made a lot of folks incredibly uncomfortable.”
Gordon-Booth got a taste for that last summer, she said, when she sat down with a young, millennial police officer she described as a “cop’s cop.” She also met with her local Peoria police chief and the chief’s top brass.
Their top concern was the perceived inability for police to make trespassing arrests under the existing provisions of the SAFE-T Act. Some of her fellow legislators also expressed that concern, so, Gordon-Booth decided, “we just needed to be far more clear about what our intent was.” That intent, she said, “was obviously not as it was framed,” by opponents. “We just had to be more clear about how we wanted the language to read so that it was interpreted the same way by everybody, by all parties.”
So, changes were made that now make it explicitly clear that arrests can be made.
I also asked Gordon-Booth to reflect a bit on the opposition to the new law. She said she’d witnessed some major national backlashes throughout her life, so the fact that people would try to gin up another one on this law didn’t surprise her.
She said she had no illusions “that the SAFE-T Act was going to be used as a tool to fear-monger, to try to get Illinoisans to believe that somehow those of us that are elected officials, many of us who live and represent communities that are also plagued by the violence that we all find abhorrent, many of us also being crime victims. I wasn’t surprised that they used the fear tactic and used the SAFE-T Act as the tool to try to drive the fear.” But, she said, “It still punches you in the gut when you see it play out.”
Even so, Gordon-Booth said, “We knew that we put together a strong body of work that we could stand behind, stand on and not run from,” adding, “it’s a great feeling to know that those fear-mongering tactics did not work.”
The tactics may not have worked politically, but Rep. Maurice West, D-Rockford, wrote a powerful op-ed for the Rockford Register Star about how SAFE-T Act misinformation caused harm.
West, the “only Black legislator in the northern Illinois region,” wrote in his op-ed that the misinformation spread about the legislation, “strategically led people down a path to think of dark-skinned people being let out of jail to destroy our community. Once that bell is rung,” he wrote, “you can’t un-ring it.”
And that, he wrote, is why he is having trouble accepting an attempted walk-back from his local Republican State’s Attorney J. Hanley, who was recently quoted as saying he regretted helping spread that misinformation, which West claimed, “led to confusion and anger in our community and threats to me and my family personally.”
“Because of this misinformation,” West, a church pastor, wrote, “my faith was questioned, my life threatened, and the N-word was used so expressively and easily by some. All while my fellow local elected leaders, on both sides of the aisle, threw me under the bus for their political survival.”
I reached out to West to talk to him directly about his experiences. He said much of the harassment involved calls to his legislative office, “with a quick hang-up after using racist remarks.”
The one that really shook up West and his family was, “a guy who called our office looking to see if the ‘N-word’ was there,” West said. “My office assistant tries to calm him down and tell him that I wasn’t there, but she’s willing to talk to him about the legislation. He calls her a lying c**t and said he doesn’t believe her and he’s coming to the office regardless.” West said he shut the office down for the day.
Legislators’ home addresses are easily accessible online, and because the harassment and threats caused his family so much angst and fear, West said he is now “working on legislation to hide the personal address of each candidate, and the only way to see it is to request copies of the petitions and leave your address as well.”
* The Question: Do you agree or disagree with Rep. West’s idea to conceal the personal home addresses of political candidates? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.
The Illinois Supreme Court has issued an order staying the PFA until further order of the Court. This is being done to maintain consistent pretrial procedures in Illinois until the Court can hear the appeal, which will be heard on an expedited basis. https://t.co/kawpAYPb8x
Regardless of who is ultimately bound by the decision of the circuit court and the propriety of the decision on the merits, it is inevitable that on 12:01 a.m., January 1, 2023, there will be disparate methods of pretrial procedures occurring in jurisdictions across the State. Some jurisdictions consider themselves bound by the order of the Kankakee Circuit Court and proceed pursuant to current cash bail provisions; others will not and will proceed pursuant to the provisions of the Pretrial Fairness Act.
Movants are particularly sensitive to this problem as they have under their jurisdiction municipalities that span jurisdictions. For example, Naperville spans DuPage and Will Counties. Will County was a party to the lawsuit in Kankakee County, DuPage County was not. It is reasonable to anticipate that the counties will proceed differently on January 1, 2023. And Aurora spans four counties – DuPage, Kane, Kendall and Will – two of which were parties to the lawsuit and two of which were not. It is not an overstatement to describe the situation as chaotic.
Upon information and belief, at least three temporary restraining orders from counties not parties to the lawsuit have been granted.
These orders maintain the current status quo and do not allow the Pretrial Fairness Act to go into effect in those counties. […]
This Court should exercise its supervisory authority to enter an order sufficient to maintain consistent pretrial procedures because without such an order, defendants in different jurisdictions will be subject to different treatment upon arrest and throughout pretrial proceedings, creating an equal protection problem for citizens across the state.
Kankakee County State’s Attorney James Rowe argued the law was too broad to meet so-called “single subject rule “of the Illinois Constitution. He said it also violated a constitutional provision that says “all persons shall be bailable by sufficient sureties,” insisting that Illinois judges should be allowed to set cash bail.
“The legislature, again, has put their hands on your gavel,” Rowe told Judge Thomas Cunnington.
Supporters of the SAFE-T Act are confident the Illinois Supreme Court will overturn the ruling, and cash bail will eventually be eliminated.
“While I am disappointed in the decision by the plaintiffs’ preferred trial court, I remain confident we will ultimately prevail on appeal,” House Speaker Emmanuel “Chris” Welch (D-Hillside) said in a statement.
The appeal process could take some time, and in the mean time, the ruling is causing confusion for the 37 counties that were not involved in the suit.
Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart, who supports the elimination of cash bail, said he was disappointed in Cunnington’s decision but said he understands why the Supreme Court ruled that uniformity in Illinois must exist. He’s argued that while the bail system can keep poor, nonviolent defendants locked up because they can’t afford to make bail, the system allows dangerous criminals to be released pending trial if they have the financial means.
“Lake County was ready to start arguing (Sunday) that violent offenders shouldn’t be able to use cash to buy their way out,” he said in a text message to the Tribune. “A few days ago, one of our defendants charged with possessing dozens of weapons and resisting law enforcement posted $75,000.
“Illinois will be safer when we join the federal courts in eliminating access to money as a factor in determining who is released,” Rinehart continued. “We were ready and will be ready when the Supreme Court reinstates (these provisions) later this year.”
In Cook County, officials were prepared to move ahead with the reform measures Sunday, even as the legal wrangling persisted.
“It wasn’t surprising,” [Cook County Public Defender Sharone Mitchell Jr.] said. “There is a real value in ensuring the entire state is working off the same playbook.” […]
“It would not make sense with one courtroom over here, they were using cash bond – and another courtroom over there, they weren’t,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell calls the statewide playbook critical. So until the state Supreme Court reviews the law, it is as if the law never existed – and cash bond continues.
After a six-month election-year reprieve, drivers will see taxes go up at the pump twice in 2023.
The first hike, on New Year’s Day, will be an increase of 3.1 cents, to 42.3 cents per gallon.
Under a 2019 measure that doubled the gas tax to help pay for Pritzker’s $45 billion Rebuild Illinois construction program, the tax is supposed to increase each July based on the rate of inflation.
But faced with soaring prices for gas and other necessities during what was expected to be a tough election year, Pritzker and the Democratic-controlled legislature pushed off last July’s gas tax hike until after the November balloting.
Advocated fighting domestic violence applaud a law (SB3667) that gives domestic violence survivors more flexibility in seeking court protections, by allowing for the online filing of petitions for protective orders.
In the nine counties with populations of 250,000 residents or more (Cook, DuPage, Lake, Will, Kane, McHenry, Winnebago and Madison counties) courts must also offer the option of remote proceedings. […]
In 2023, employees can take a maximum of 10 working days of leave due to an unsuccessful IVF procedure, failed adoption, stillbirth or miscarriage (Senate Bill 3120 / Public Act 102-1050). […]
The statewide minimum wage will notch up in 2023 to $13 an hour. State law provides that it will go up by another dollar the next two years, until it reaches $15 in 2025.
If you hold an Illinois driver’s license, several new driving laws in effect for 2023 may impact you.
According to Chicago personal injury attorney Lance D. Northcutt, one of the bigger changes is a shift in language for a number of laws related to traffic collisions. The change replaces the word “accident” with “crash.” […]
As carjackings continue to rise across Illinois, lawmakers approved a bill in the spring that makes it so “a person shall not be liable for violations, fees, fines, or penalties during the period in which the motor vehicle was reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency as stolen or hijacked.” […]
This new law will add community service as a penalty for failing to stop for a school bus that is “receiving or discharging pupils and has displayed visual signals,” or for speeding in excess of 20 miles per hour or more in a school zone or while traveling on a roadway on public school property or where children pass to go to and from school.
Beginning in the 2023-2024 school year, in addition to at least four hours of required leadership training and professional development in education labor law, financial oversight and accountability, and fiducial responsibility of a school board member, this new law states that school board members and superintendents must also complete a State Board of Education course in trauma-informed practices for students and staff.
According to the bill, the training may include, but is not limited to, the recognition of and care for trauma among students and staff, the effects of trauma on student behavior and learning, the prevalence of trauma among students and those at higher risk of experiencing trauma, and more. […]
HB3296 states that school boards must, no later than July 1, 2025, establish a career and technical education pathway program for students in grades 6 through 12.
The bill goes on to say that that the framework must “prepare students enrolled in grades 6 through 12 to make informed plans and decisions about their future education and career goals, including possible participation in a career and technical education pathway, by providing students with opportunities to explore a wide variety of high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand career fields.”
* Many laws address issues in education. Daily Herald…
To address a shortage of substitute teachers throughout the state, House Bill 4798, signed April 27, allows students enrolled in approved teacher training programs who have earned at least 90 credit hours to obtain a substitute teaching license. Before, applicants had to hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution.
House Bill 4716, signed May 27, calls on the Illinois State Board of Education to adopt “rigorous learning standards” for classroom and laboratory phases of driver education programs for teens. Those will include, at a minimum, the Novice Teen Driver Education and Training Administrative Standards developed by the Association of National Stakeholders in Traffic Safety Education in association with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.
In an effort to get more people to pursue careers in human services, Senate Bill 3925, signed June 10, establishes a student loan repayment program. Subject to appropriations, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission will award loan repayment grants to qualified individuals with an associate degree or higher who work for a human services agency that contracts with or is grant-funded by a state agency that provides “direct or indirect services that ensure that individuals have essential elements to build and maintain physical, emotional, and economic well-being at every phase of life.”
Awards can be made for a maximum of four years. Maximum amounts are $3,000 per year for someone with an associate degree, $15,000 per year for a person with a bachelor’s degree and $25,000 per year for a person with a master’s degree or higher, with a $5,000 per-year add-on if the applicant holds certain professional licenses.
Passed in May, the Student Confidential Reporting Act, establishes a program where officials from schools, the state and Illinois State Police can receive reports and other information regarding the potential harm or self-harm of students or school employees.
The Safe2Help helpline will involve a toll-free telephone number and other means of communication allowing messages and information to be given to operators. […]
The Create a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural Hair Act, also known as the CROWN Act, is an amendment to the Illinois Human Rights Act and aims to further combat discrimination in the state. According to the General Assembly, the bill “provides that ‘race,’ as used in the Employment Article, includes traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists.”
Several new criminal laws will go into effect Jan. 1, including three that deal with sex offenses.
One of those prevents people who solicit sex from a minor or a person with a severe or profound intellectual disability from asserting a defense that they simply did not know the person was underage or intellectually disabled.
House Bill 4593, signed into law May 27, puts the burden of proof on the defendant that they did not know the age or disability status of the other person, rather than the other way around.
Another new law changes the definition of when a person is “unable to give knowing consent.” Under current law, a person cannot give knowing consent when the accused person “administers any intoxicating or anesthetic substance or any controlled substance” that causes the victim to lose consciousness of the nature of the act.
House Bill 5441, signed June 16, broadens that definition to include when the victim has taken any intoxicating or controlled substance causing them to lose consciousness of the nature of the act, even if the substances were administered by someone else.
Another bill expands certain employment restrictions that apply to convicted child sex offenders. Currently, they are prohibited from being employed by, or even being present at, child day care centers, schools that provide before- and after-school programs for children or any facility that provides programs or services exclusively for people under age 18.
Senate Bill 3707, signed May 27, requires all employees and people who work for agencies that contract with the Illinois Department on Aging who provide direct services to individuals participating in its Community Care Program to receive at least two hours of training in Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, as well as safety risks, communication and behavior associated with the disease.
Starting Jan. 1, deer hunters in Illinois will have a new option for the type of firearm they use. House Bill 4386, signed May 27, authorizes the use of single-shot centerfire rifles — guns that can fire only a single round of ammunition that contains primer in the center of the cartridge and not in the rim of the cartridge. Before, only shotguns, handguns and muzzleloading rifles were allowed.
Illinois will have two new official state symbols effective Jan. 1. House Bill 4821 establishes the eastern milksnake as the official state snake. That was an initiative of Gentry Heiple, a snake enthusiast and Carterville Junior High School seventh grader. And House Bill 4261 establishes dolostone as the official state rock. That was an initiative of a group of students from Pleasantdale Middle School and Maplebrook Elementary School.
People who own vehicles that were manufactured in Illinois will be able to apply for a slight break on their registration fees starting Jan. 1. Senate Bill 3609 allows those drivers to apply for a one-time $25 rebate “if the vehicle is manufactured in this state and the application for title is made no more than one year after the month in which the vehicle was manufactured.”
Two children were accidentally shot over the New Year’s weekend – 9-year-old Jarvis Watts was killed in what family said was an accidental shooting inside a house in the South Side’s Brainerd neighborhood, while a 10-year-old boy as also shot in the face in Back of the Yards.
As CBS 2 Investigator Megan Hickey reported Monday, this happened as two different laws impacting guns storage just went into effect in Illinois.
One of the laws requires the state to develop a public awareness campaign on how to safely store your gun. Lurie Children’s Hospital and the Illinois Department of Public Health are leading the charge - because they don’t want to see any more children accidentally ending up in the crosshairs. […]
Sen. Villivalam was a sponsor of that second bill. It requires safe gun storage be added to the safety education lessons taught in Illinois schools. […]
Both lawmakers said the events of this weekend underscore the timeliness of both of these news laws. Rep. Willis is hoping we will start seeing commercials and social media campaigns on safe gun storage in the next few months.
* Gov. Pritzker told the Tribune that his plans for his second term revolve around budget stability. When pressed, however, he said this…
Pritzker said he intends to make improving education, from early childhood through college, and expanding access to child care major priorities of the coming term. That includes proposals to make public colleges tuition-free for students whose families earn at or below the median income and to raise the income cutoff for families to qualify state child care assistance. He also wants to expand the availability of child care statewide and of mental health and substance abuse treatment, particularly downstate. […]
“If we can continue to run surpluses, then surpluses no longer become an extraordinary item,” he said. “Surpluses become a regular part of a budget that allows you either to invest in education or to cut taxes or to invest in maintaining human services in Illinois.”
Pritzker, however, wouldn’t commit to providing during his second term the level of additional money advocates have said is necessary each year to meet the state’s funding target for elementary and secondary schools.
But Pritzker put the onus to deliver relief largely on local governments, which levy property taxes and receive the revenue, by pointing to increases in state funding for schools and local governments during his first term, as well as spending on infrastructure under his Rebuild Illinois capital construction plan.
“Local governments have the ability to do it right now — and should,” Pritzker said.
Thoughts?
*** UPDATE *** From the governor’s office…
Since Governor Pritzker took office, over $1.1 billion annually has been allocated to local governments to assist with costs over and above what they were previously receiving from the state. This is on top of the 49% increase in revenue sharing to local governments over Governor Pritzker’s first term.
Background…
OVERALL LOCAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
Income tax revenue sharing with locals increased 49% over the last 4 years. In FY19 LGDF was $1.342B. In FY22, LGDF was $2.00B – an increase of $658M or 49%.
Support for locals enacted since Governor Pritzker took office includes:
• An additional $200 million a year in sales taxes from the passage of internet sales tax language following the Wayfair decision, including the Leveling the Playing Field for Illinois Retail Act, to help ensure compliance with state tax laws on internet sales.
• Over $600 million annually in additional motor fuel taxes directed to local governments and transit districts to support needed transportation projects through the passage of Rebuild Illinois.
• Granting $1.5 billion in state transportation bond funds directly to local governments for road and highway project expenditures, saving local governments $110 million annually in debt service costs from not issuing local bonds.
• Authorization of adult-use cannabis, generating an estimated $91 million in additional revenues for local governments.
• Increased allocations through the Local Government Distributive Fund process totaling $46 million annually from business loophole closures included in Public Act 102-16.
• Increased tax rates and positions for video gaming operations is expected to generate an additional $70 million a year for local governments.
• Anticipated additional local revenues from the opening of new casinos authorized under the Rebuild Illinois plan.
State Rep. Kam Buckner issued the following statement in regards to the Chicago Bears reported plans to pursue a state subsidy to build a new stadium.
The demands the Bears are making boil down to a $6 billion privately held company that doesn’t want to pay taxes.
As more and more Chicagoans and Illinoisans struggle to pay their bills and make ends meet, the Chicago Bears are hatching a plan to put their profits over the people.
I was a high school student working part-time at Soldier Field in January 2002 when Chicago taxpayers gave the Bears $432 million to upgrade the Stadium, at a time when the team was worth $550 million.
I remember just how quickly the wrecking balls began to swing the moment the game against the Philadelphia Eagles was over. I was literally still in the stadium as the crew began work. Twenty years later, profits have ballooned for the Bears, but Chicago taxpayers still owe over $640 million on that 2002 Soldier Field renovation even as the Bears prepare to ask for more public funding to leave Chicago.
Springfield has done the tough work of moving the State to financial solvency and dealing with the issues that affect the everyday lives of our 12.8 million residents. Giving the Bears another gift-wrapped subsidy should not be on our list of priorities. Are the Bears ready to look taxpayers in the face and say why they deserve funding that could be going toward public safety, education, and essential services? They wouldn’t dare, so they should stop asking for it behind closed doors.
I do not yet see a way that the the Bears can convince Chicago-area Democrats (and pretty much anyone else) to vote for a tax break proposal which helps move the team out of the city and into the suburbs.
* Crain’s | State legislature starts 2023 with a pair of big business bills: The spotlight will be on Springfield this week as the Legislature returns for its pre-inaugural lame-duck session with a pair of key business-related measures now reportedly on a fast track. The first is the proposed package of electric vehicle incentives, including a huge “deal-closing fund,” that Gov. J. B. Pritzker wants. Team Pritzker hopes that will be enough to convince Stellantis and partners to invest in converting the soon-to-be-shuttered Belvidere assembly plant to EV production.
* Daily Herald | How racism, reform and grace shaped Jesse White’s long career: White was a young child when his family moved from downstate Alton to a multicultural neighborhood on Chicago’s North Side. A diligent student, he drummed for his high school band and was a tumbling, baseball and basketball standout.
* Sun-Times | Bail reforms are still the right move: No one wants violent suspects who are likely to harm others released to the street. But no one should want a system that allows them to buy their freedom, leaving others to languish in jail solely for lack of cash.
* WGEM |: Mandated reporters can play a big role in recognizing when kids are hurting and now the list of Illinois mandated reporters is growing. A new law in effect adds occupational therapists and assistants, physical therapists and assistants, and athletic trainers to the list of people required to report suspicions of child abuse.
* MSN | Businesses feel effects of Illinois minimum wage increase: With the minimum wage increasing Jan. 1, some small business owners fear for the future of their companies. The new wage could mean having fewer employees in one shift to raising prices.
* Tribune | Gov. J.B. Pritzker ran a cautious reelection campaign. Will he play it safe in second term?: Pritzker said he intends to make improving education, from early childhood through college, and expanding access to child care major priorities of the coming term. That includes proposals to make public colleges tuition-free for students whose families earn at or below the median income and to raise the income cutoff for families to qualify state child care assistance. He also wants to expand the availability of child care statewide and of mental health and substance abuse treatment, particularly downstate.
* Shaw Local | State’s House delegation officially down to 17 today: Today marks the beginning of the 118th U.S. Congress, and with it a notable shakeup in Illinois. There’s nothing surprising, as shaping a Congressional delegation takes many months, but it’s worth running the numbers at the outset of a new decade with only 17 districts and four new members.
* Sun-Times | Emmett Till and his mother honored with congressional medal: The bill, which passed the Senate in January, is meant to honor Till and his mother — who had insisted on an open casket funeral to demonstrate the brutality of his killing — with the highest civilian honor that Congress awards. The medal will be given to the National Museum of African American History where it will be displayed near the casket Till was buried in.
* Tribune | Illinois marijuana industry leads to higher hopes for the new year: But newcomers trying to break into the industry in Illinois kept running into obstacles — mainly, a lack of funding. As a result, most Black and Latino entrepreneurs were shut out, prices for consumers remained among the highest in the nation, and the black market continued to thrive. Efforts to change the laws fizzled, and more concerns were raised about the connection between cannabis and psychosis.
* Dennis Culloton | 20 years after George Ryan’s clearing of death row, Illinois still has a lot to learn:It’s nearing the 20th anniversary of then-Gov. George Ryan’s mass commuting of Illinois death row inmates’ sentences to life in prison, which earned him praise from global human rights leaders such as Nelson Mandela and condemnation from other politicians and victims’ families. The discordant lessons of that day — and how we got there — should inform today’s government and criminal justice system leaders seeking to stem Chicago’s rising crime.
* Tribune | Kara Casten, wife of US Rep. Sean Casten, joins crowded field in Downers Grove school board race: While some DuPage County school boards are going begging for candidates in next year’s election, the campaign in Downers Grove’s Community High School District 99 promises to be lively, with six candidates — including one with a familiar name — going after three open seats. Kara Casten, an insurance executive who is the wife of Democratic U.S. Rep. Sean Casten, has formed a slate with tax attorney Don Renner, who was on the board from 2015 to 2019, and customer experience professional Ken Dawson.
* WSJ | Big Nonprofit Hospitals Expand in Wealthier Areas, Shun Poorer Ones: Many of the nation’s largest nonprofit hospital systems, which give aid to poorer communities to earn tax breaks, have been leaving those areas and moving into wealthier ones as they have added and shed hospitals in the last two decades. As nonprofits, these regional and national giants reap $8.8 billion from tax breaks annually, by one Johns Hopkins University researcher’s estimate. Among their obligations, they are expected to provide free medical care to those least able to afford it.
* Vanity Fair | Mega-Billionaire Ken Griffin Has Moved His Masterpieces to the Beach: In 2015, the hedge fund titan Kenneth C. Griffin became the first person to spend half a billion dollars on art in a single transaction. David Geffen made a deal with Griffin to sell him Willem de Kooning’s boldly colored abstract masterpiece Interchange for $300 million, and Jackson Pollock’s Number 17A—the splatter painting Life magazine plastered in its pages in 1949, minting Jack the Dripper an American celebrity—for $200 million.
* SJR | The state’s suspended gas tax increase ended Sunday: What you need to know: A six-month pause on a scheduled gas tax increase in Illinois ended New Year’s Day, but multiple pieces of legislation introduced in the General Assembly could counter the hike. The pause stopped a 2.2-cent per gallon increase originally slated for last July 1 when the tax was set to rise to 41.4 cents per gallon. Gov. JB Pritzker’s signature on the state budget, however, paused that tax increase until the new year and also included a yearlong suspension of the 1% grocery tax.
* St. Louis Post Dispatch | Data shows conservative policies on health, guns and more increase mortality: Warning: Republican politics may be hazardous to your health. New data shows pandemic mortality was higher in Republican-controlled states than in Democratic ones. It confirms common sense: Vaccines, masking and other pandemic precautions saved lives. And the bizarre refusal on the political right to embrace those precautions cost them.
* Happy New Year! I hope your holidays were relaxing and none of your flights were cancelled. We’re going into Lame Duck Session tomorrow and I’m excited to get back to Springfield!
A Kankakee County judge has found that a key provision of Illinois’ sweeping criminal justice law violates the state constitution, potentially rolling back a controversial measure that would eliminate cash bail as of New Year’s Day, according to a copy of the judge’s ruling.
The judge’s ruling affects only the pretrial release provisions of the law, leaving all other measures of what is known as the SAFE-T Act intact.
* Most of the plaintiffs’ case was tossed out, including the alleged violations of the “single subject rule” and the three readings requirement, vagueness, etc. The dispute over the meaning of “sufficient sureties” was key and that’s what will be appealed…
The court finds under the Act, that “persons are no longer bailable with sufficient sureties” pursuant to the pretrial release provisions of the Act because ‘sufficient sureties’ does involve monetary bail as one of the conditions of bail which is abolished with the Act. See Article I, Sec. 9 of the Illinois Constitution. The court also finds with regard to the Separation of Powers challenge, that the passage of the Act also violates the separation of powers clause of the Illinois Constitution found at Article II, Sec. 1. Summary judgment is entered in favor of plaintiffs and against defendants as to Counts III and V only as they relate to the pretrial provisions of the Act.
As I’ve told you several times before, the Illinois Supreme Court’s Commission on Pretrial Practices defined bail this way in its final report…
Bail: The process of releasing a defendant from custody with conditions set to reasonably assure public safety and court appearance. […]
“Bail” is often used to refer to the amount of cash that a defendant must post as a condition of release. “Bond” is sometimes treated as a synonym of “bail.” Understood properly, “bail” – which literally means, “release” – is a process of releasing a defendant from custody on conditions designed to assure both public safety and the person’s appearance in court. A “bond” occurs whenever a defendant enters an agreement with the court. The agreement may, but need not necessarily, include a financial condition, but can also or instead include a variety of other conditions such as electronic monitoring, curfews, supervised visits or appointments, etc.
In Count VIII, Plaintiffs are seeking a preliminary injunction against defendants to prevent the enforcement of the bail provisions in Public Act, 101–652 and Public Act 102-1104 until all of the plaintiffs’ claims in this case can be fully litigated. […]
The court finds that a preliminary injunction is not appropriate at this juncture of the case. A preliminary injunction is a provisional remedy granted to preserve the status quo until the case can be decided on the merits.” Hensley Construction, LLC., The Pulte Home Corporation v. Del Webb Communications Of Illinois, Inc.. 399 Ill. App., 3d 184, 190. We are well past the beginning stage of this suit where a preliminary injunction might be warranted. The case is being decided on the merits, by way of cross motions for summary judgment. This will result in a final appealable decision by the trial court. Therefore, the Court grants summary judgment in favor of defendants and against plaintiffs on Count VIII.
The state will appeal the decision to the state Supreme Court, according to a statement late Wednesday from Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul. His office noted that the ruling only applies to jurisdictions that fall under the 64 lawsuits against Raoul, Gov. J.B. Pritzker and other state officials. The ruling does not apply to Cook County.
Peoria County State’s Attorney Jodi Hoos says though her office did not participate in the ruling, they are required to follow it.
In a release, she said that when a statute is unconstitutional, the statute becomes invalid and has no force or effect on anyone.
“As a result, and until the Illinois Supreme Court provides further clarification, we will abide by this ruling and not implement the new bail reform,” she said. “This office remains committed to following the law and is hopeful the Supreme Court will bring finality to this topic in the near future.”
Last night, Kankakee County State’s Attorney Jim Roe said in a release that the pre-trial provisions and bail reform will not go into effect in the 65 counties that were party to the lawsuit.
Clear as mud.
* On to react. AG Raoul…
Attorney General Kwame Raoul today issued the following statement in response to Kankakee County Circuit Court Judge Thomas W. Cunnington’s opinion that the pretrial release portions of the Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today (SAFE-T) Act violate Illinois’ Constitution. The court’s opinion does not disturb other portions of the SAFE-T Act that have been in effect for more than a year.
“Although the court’s decision is binding in the 64 cases that were consolidated in Kankakee County, it is important to note that it is not binding in any other case, including those involving criminal defendants in any of the state’s 102 counties. To definitively resolve this challenge to the pretrial release portions of the SAFE-T Act, Governor Pritzker, the legislative leaders named in the consolidated cases and I intend to appeal the circuit court’s decision directly to the Illinois Supreme Court, where we will ask the court to reverse the circuit court’s decision.
“Most of the SAFE-T Act’s provisions have been in effect for more than a year, and regardless of today’s circuit court decision, all parts of the SAFE-T Act, including the pretrial release portions addressed in the court’s decision, will go into effect Jan 1. For instance, the right of individuals awaiting criminal trials – people who have not been convicted of a crime and are presumed innocent – to seek release from jail without having to pay cash bail will go into effect in a few short days, despite the court’s ruling against those provisions. Illinois residents in all counties should be aware that the circuit court’s decision has no effect on their ability to exercise their rights that are protected by the SAFE-T Act and the Illinois Constitution.”
* Gov. Pritzker…
Following Kankakee County Circuit Court Judge Thomas W. Cunnington’s ruling that the pretrial release provisions of the SAFE-T Act are unconstitutional, Governor JB Pritzker released the following statement.
“Today’s ruling is a setback for the principles we fought to protect through the passage of the SAFE-T Act. The General Assembly and advocates worked to replace an antiquated criminal justice system with a system rooted in equity and fairness. We cannot and should not defend a system that fails to keep people safe by allowing those who are a threat to their community the ability to simply buy their way out of jail. I thank the Attorney General for his work on this case and look forward to the Illinois Supreme Court taking up the appeal as soon as possible.”
* Illinois Network for Pretrial Justice…
The following is a statement from the Illinois Network for Pretrial Justice on the SAFE-T Act lawsuit ruling:
“Today, a Kankakee County judge sided with the 58 State’s Attorneys and sheriffs suing Illinois over the SAFE-T Act. This disappointing ruling is as political as the frivolous lawsuits that spurred it. The decision from Judge Thomas W. Cunnington could delay justice in counties across the state but will not deny it. The court did not issue an injunction and the Pretrial Fairness Act will still be the law in Illinois on January 1st. We anticipate that this poorly reasoned decision will be swiftly corrected by the Illinois Supreme Court.
“In the nearly two years since the Pretrial Fairness Act was passed into law as part of the SAFE-T Act, some members of law enforcement have been trying to undermine it. Their efforts have not been about justice or public safety; they are simply about preserving the power to jail people because they’re poor.
“Delaying the implementation of the Pretrial Fairness Act harms marginalized communities and survivors of violence. The current money bond system prioritizes access to wealth over public safety. Every year, thousands of people lose their jobs, housing, and custody of their children—not because a judge believes they’re dangerous, but only because they don’t have the money to buy their freedom. By protecting the status quo, the State’s Attorneys and sheriffs behind this lawsuit are making our communities less safe.
“Not all members of law enforcement have participated in these efforts to deny justice and undermine historic racial justice reforms. Some members of law enforcement have worked diligently to prepare for successful implementation on January 1st either in their own counties or as part of working groups led by the Administrative Office of Illinois Courts. Others participated in negotiations throughout the summer and fall to develop clarifying amendments to the law, which were passed earlier this month. Notably, the State’s Attorneys representing two of Illinois’ largest counties and a combined 47% of the population of the state, Cook and Lake, have championed the reforms included in the Pretrial Fairness Act long before they even became law. State’s Attorneys representing the second and fifth largest counties, DuPage and Kane respectively, were active participants in legislative negotiations and the Champaign County State’s Attorney testified in favor of the amendments made just weeks ago.
“While many counties have diligently worked to prepare for the end of money bond, the State’s Attorneys behind these lawsuits have been working to preserve one of the greatest racial and economic injustices in our legal system.
“The Illinois Network for Pretrial Justice stands by the Pretrial Fairness Act and is ready to work with the stakeholders in all counties to ensure that the law is successfully implemented after the Supreme Court responds to today’s ruling.”
The Champaign SA was neutral on the bill.
* Leader Durkin…
After today’s court ruling declaring the SAFE-T Act’s provision ending cash bail as unconstitutional, Illinois House Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) issued the following statement.
“Today’s ruling is a victory for the often neglected victims of crime and the men and women of law enforcement who wear the badge every day. Legislation of this magnitude must not only be judged on substance, but also on process. In that regard, the Illinois Democrats failed Illinoisans.
“In order to fix this one-sided, anti-law enforcement, and anti-victim act, it is imperative to have a transparent and substantive negotiation with all interested parties, not just a few stakeholders and political insiders. The people of the State of Illinois deserve nothing less.”
Not sure what that process argument is about.
* Leader-elect McCombie…
State Representative and House Republican Leader-elect Tony McCombie issued the following statement tonight following a Kankakee County Circuit Court ruling declaring the cashless bail provisions unconstitutional:
“Today’s ruling by Circuit Judge Thomas Cunnington was the correct one,” said House Republican Leader-Elect Tony McCombie. “Republicans have loudly and consistently voiced the many concerns with the SAFE-T Act since its passage during the lame-duck session nearly two years ago. Many provisions within the act put victims, law enforcement and communities throughout Illinois at-risk for disastrous outcomes. I am grateful the courts have ruled on the side of common-sense and am hopeful that any appeal will be upheld to protect Illinois families and the most vulnerable throughout the state.”
* ILGOP…
This morning, Illinois Republican Party Chairman Don Tracy issued the following statement celebrating the court decision striking down the cashless bail provision in the [Un] SAFE-T Act:
“Cashless bail was slated to go into effect across Illinois this Sunday. This law would have severely limited the ability of judges and prosecutors to keep dangerous criminals off of the streets thereby exporting the epidemic of lawlessness we’ve seen in certain parts of Chicago throughout the rest of our state. The Circuit Court ruling which rightly declared it unconstitutional is a win for public safety, and the businesses and residents of Illinois, if upheld by the Illinois Supreme Court. For now, it should serve as a message to Governor Pritzker and Democrat legislators that they can’t subvert our constitutional process by ramming their unpopular and dangerous soft-on-crime policies through the legislature in the dark of night.”
* Leader McConchie…
Following the December 28 ruling by a Kankakee County Circuit Judge, who declared the pretrial release portion of the SAFE-T Act unconstitutional, Senate Republican Leader Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods) released the below statement:
“The creation of the SAFE-T Act has been a colossal failure from the beginning. The sloppy, rushed, poorly drafted law not only disregarded the opinions of citizens, law enforcement, prosecutors, and judges, but more dangerously has threated public safety here in Illinois. And on top of this, the central component has now been ruled unconstitutional. This ruling is just another example of the failure of this law.
“While the ‘no cash bail’ provision will continue to work its way through the court system, I will continue to advocate for a system that is fair, puts victims ahead of criminals, and gives judges the discretion they need to ensure violent offenders are not let back out on the streets.”
* Speaker Welch…
Speaker Welch’s Statement on SAFE-T Act Lawsuit
“While I am disappointed in the decision by the plaintiffs’ preferred trial court, I remain confident we will ultimately prevail on appeal.”
* Senate President Harmon…
Senate President Don Harmon issued the following statement in response to a Kankakee County circuit court judge’s ruling on the pretrial release portions of the SAFE-T Act:
“We knew this legal fight was inevitable and look forward to the Illinois Supreme Court’s review and more statewide perspective.”
*** UPDATE 1 *** Click here for the notice of appeal. I’m told that the AG’s office plans to request an expedited appeal schedule early next week.
Also…
Reitz said she is hoping that @illinoiscourts offers clarity in the coming days: "The Supreme Court could stay the order pending their review or they could stay the implementation of the (Pretrial Fairness Act). Hopefully, they will do one or the other of those things." #twill
– Attorney General Kwame Raoul today issued the following statement in response to improperly entered temporary restraining orders sought today by some state’s attorneys who, after more than a year of inaction, are now seeking to prevent enforcement of the SAFE-T Act.
“Beginning this morning, the Attorney General’s office received new complaints and motions for temporary restraining orders (TROs) from state’s attorneys and sheriffs throughout Illinois who are seeking to prevent the SAFE-T Act from going into effect. To be clear, these motions were filed on the last business day before Jan. 1, when the SAFE-T Act will go into effect.
“In some of these TRO motions, plaintiffs are asking that the Attorney General’s office be enjoined from enforcing any provision of the SAFE-T Act, not just the pretrial release provisions. Many of these provisions have been in effect for more than a year; however, my office received less than one hour’s notice of hearings in some counties and no notice at all in others. Throughout the day, we continued to learn of plaintiffs having obtained TROs without giving our office notice or providing copies of the complaints or TRO motions. To say that this is an abuse of the judicial process is an understatement. The SAFE-T Act has been the law in Illinois since January 2021, giving these plaintiffs nearly two years to raise challenges. In fact, the plaintiffs have had since October to join the lawsuits consolidated in Kankakee County. It is outrageous that the plaintiffs instead chose to sit on their hands until the last business day before the SAFE-T Act is to go into effect, and then seek to enjoin it from going into effect.
“It goes without saying that there is an appropriate way to challenge a new law. In fact, as their colleagues were engaging in 11th hour theatrics, the state’s attorneys of DuPage and Kane counties filed an emergency motion with the Illinois Supreme Court in which they ask the court to provide some clarity regarding the SAFE-T Act, so that there will be consistent pretrial proceedings throughout Illinois beginning Jan. 1. And because my office has already appealed Judge Cunnington’s order, the appropriate process for seeking a ruling that will apply to all 102 counties is now underway.”
*** UPDATE 3 *** This will stop the chaos for now…
The Illinois Supreme Court has issued an order staying the PFA until further order of the Court. This is being done to maintain consistent pretrial procedures in Illinois until the Court can hear the appeal, which will be heard on an expedited basis. https://t.co/kawpAYPb8x
On Saturday, December 31, 2022, hours before Lake County was to begin following the SAFE-T Act, eliminating cash bail, the Illinois Supreme Court issued a stay statewide in a Motion for Supervisory Order Kankakee County Circuit Court 22CH16.
As a result, the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Court will act in accordance with the Illinois Supreme Court and any amendments or orders entered by or associated with the Pretrial Fairness Act that would become effective on January 1, 2023, are hereby stayed until further order of the Illinois Supreme Court.
* Illinois Network for Pretrial Justice…
“Today, the Illinois Supreme Court issued an order directing counties across our state to delay implementation of the Pretrial Fairness Act until the court has had a chance to review the Kankakee County decision finding the law unconstitutional. While we are disappointed that the Pretrial Fairness Act will not be taking effect as scheduled on January 1, 2023, we are thankful that the Supreme Court has stepped in to provide guidance to courts and communities across the state. We remain confident that the Court will swiftly correct the poorly reasoned decision made by Judge Cunnington.
“The frivolous lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the Pretrial Fairness Act is just the latest of many attempts by conservatives to prevent progress and preserve wealth-based jailing in Illinois. They know their actions were taken on weak legal grounds, at the last minute despite the law passing 23 months ago, and were simply intended to delay the inevitable implementation of the Pretrial Fairness Act. With every passing day that money bond remains in place, Illinois will continue to punish people for being poor. It is essential that the Supreme Court moves quickly to ensure the law’s full implementation and prevent any more Illinoisans from being forced to pay a ransom to free their loved ones from jail while they await trial.
“It is a common refrain that the darkest hour comes before dawn. If you look closely towards the horizon, you’ll see a new day is quickly approaching in Illinois. While those looking to preserve the racist system of wealth-based jailing may delay progress, they will not prevent it.”
* Cook County Public Defender…
The Illinois Supreme Court today issued an order suspending implementation of the Pretrial Fairness Act while it reviews a lower court opinion that found the law unconstitutional.
The Cook County Public Defender’s Office is disappointed that this historic and transformative law will not take effect as planned tomorrow, Jan. 1.
We are confident that the Supreme Court will swiftly reverse the lower court finding and confirm the constitutionality of the Pretrial Fairness Act. In the meantime, we are grateful that the court is providing uniform guidance to courts across the state.
Money bond is a deplorable practice, and it is high time that Illinois abolish a system that punishes people – most of them Black and Brown – for being poor. We decry the frivolous lawsuit that was brought against the Pretrial Fairness Act almost two years after it was signed into law.
We continue to look forward to a day in the near future when Illinois will move forward as a beacon for our nation, reforming our inequitable pretrial legal system.
Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart, who supports the elimination of cash bail, said he was disappointed in Cunnington’s decision but said he understands why the Supreme Court ruled that uniformity in Illinois must exist. He’s argued that while the bail system can keep poor, nonviolent defendants locked up because they can’t afford to make bail, the system allows dangerous criminals to be released pending trial if they have the financial means.
“Lake County was ready to start arguing (Sunday) that violent offenders shouldn’t be able to use cash to buy their way out,” he said in a text message to the Tribune. “A few days ago, one of our defendants charged with possessing dozens of weapons and resisting law enforcement posted $75,000.
*** UPDATE 4 *** AG Raoul with what could very well be the last Illinois government press release of 2022…
Attorney General Kwame Raoul today issued the following statement in response to an Illinois Supreme Court stay of the SAFE-T Act’s Jan. 1, 2023 effective date.
“As we have stated previously, my office filed an appeal with the Illinois Supreme Court because in this matter, only the Supreme Court’s final decision on the merits will be binding on all Illinois courts. It is important to note that the order issued today by the court is not a decision on the merits of the constitutionality of the SAFE-T Act, and I appreciate the court’s interest in expediting the appeal. We look forward to mounting a robust defense of the constitutionality of the law and ensuring that it goes into effect across the state.”
* The 2022 Golden Horseshoe Award for Best Use of Social Media goes to Tina Sfondeles…
I get both interesting political/government scoops and needed doses of humor from Tina Sfondeles’ Twitter account, at least while it lasts.
@ChicagoBars gets honorable mention, and his nomination of Tina is also worth noting…
Good to have her back in Chicago reporting. This nomination is contingent on Miss Sfondeles getting the Sun Times web site to quit asking me to log in every 2 days on my phone.
Yes, please.
* The Wordslinger Golden Horseshoe Award for Best CapitolFax.com Commenter goes to walker…
He frequently notes insightful and often overlooked points to the critical issues facing Illinois. And his brevity in doing so is worthy of emulation by all, especially me.
Today, Governor JB Pritzker and Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton’s Inaugural Committee announced the schedule of events for Inauguration Day on Monday, January 9, 2023, in Springfield.
The inaugural ceremony to swear in Governor Pritzker, Lt. Governor Stratton, and other constitutional officers will take place at 11:30 a.m. at the Bank of Springfield Center. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. Interested parties may request up to two complimentary tickets on the inauguration website starting on Friday, December 16, 2022, at ilinauguration23.com.
The governor and lieutenant governor’s inauguration celebration will begin at 7:00 p.m. at the Exposition Building on the Illinois State Fairgrounds. Pre-sale tickets will be available by invitation only with general-sale tickets to be announced pending availability. Ticket sales will benefit charitable endeavors in Illinois and will be announced at a later date.
Additional details for media coverage will be forthcoming.
ABOUT THE JB INAUGURATION COMMITTEE 2023
The JB Inauguration Committee 2023 is collecting and voluntarily reporting the name, address, employer, and occupation of donors that contribute more than $1,000. We will not accept anonymous contributions or contributions in cash. JB Inauguration Committee 2023 is a 501(c)(4) not-for-profit organization.
Any guesses who the musical headliner will be this time?
The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability provided an update on the 2023 forecast to the Illinois State Board of Education Wednesday and said it is increasing its fiscal year 2023 revenue outlook to just over $51 billion. That is only $259 million above fiscal 2022 final levels.
Through the first five months of the fiscal year, overall general funds receipts are up an amazing $1.945 billion. […]
Even when excluding the $620 million growth in one-time revenues from Federal ARPA reimbursements, the general funds base growth of $1.325 billion is just as impressive - especially considering that these FY 2023 receipts are being compared to the record-breaking levels of FY 2022.
Personal income tax receipts through November are $1.019 billion above last year’s pace on a gross basis, or $860 million on a net basis. Corporate income tax receipts have risen $380 million in total or $311 million net. While the performance of sales tax receipts have been boosted by inflated prices, it still has resulted in year-to-date tax revenue growth of $407 million or $235 million net.
CGFA is usually reticent to use glowing phrases like “amazing” and “impressive,” but there you go.
* Here’s what happened. CGFA revised this fiscal year’s revenue outlook upward by $4.9 billion in November. The “strong overall performance” of financial numbers released since that decision, CGFA reported, “further solidify the Commission’s confidence in raising the FY 2023 general funds revenue estimate.”
The commission’s revised forecast was about $1.2 billion higher than the governor’s budget office revision. The governor used that GOMB forecast to justify paying off the state’s unemployment insurance trust fund debt, among other things.
* And here’s where the Center Square misinformation is important. The current FY23 state budget as originally drafted relied on total revenue projections of $46.43 billion, which was back then about $4.6 billion below FY22’s record-breaking $51.07 billion in revenues. So, if CGFA is right, then the recently revised forecast would result in total revenues almost $300 million higher than last year’s, or almost $4.9 billion higher than originally expected.
Not to mention the CGFA report advised that another upward revenue revision is possible next March, “if any semblance of the current pace of revenue growth continues.” Personal income tax receipts are currently running “well ahead” of last fiscal year’s pace, CGFA notes, but CGFA’s newly revised estimates still predict the revenue stream will decline by nearly $700 million this fiscal year.
As the new year starts, a number of new laws take effect. Nearly 200 laws will officially be on the books Jan. 1 – from one that bans latex gloves during food preparation, to another that reduces vehicle registration fees for seniors.
The Senate Democratic Caucus outlined 10 of the most interesting laws that will affect Illinoisans in all corners of the state. Those include:
· SB 3120: Allows women who have a miscarriage, other diagnosis or event that impacts pregnancy or fertility, or death of a family member to take 10 days of unpaid leave.
· SB 3459: Requires next of kin to any Illinois resident who dies while on State Active Duty or Federal Active Duty, to be presented the Illinois state flag.
· SB 3609: Reduces the vehicle registration fees for cars and small trucks if it was manufactured in Illinois.
· SB 3616: Changes the Illinois Human Rights Act to include traits historically associated with race, including hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists, to combat hair discrimination in the workplace.
· SB 3667: Provides that a petition for a protective order may be filed at any time, in-person, by email, or online, and that a county with a population above 250,000 must offer the option of a remote hearing.
· SB 3932: Requires a coroner or medical examiner with custody of human remains that are not identified within 72 hours of discovery to notify the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
· HB 209: Bans latex gloves for the use of handling and preparing food, as well as for EMA personnel.
· HB 3772: Provides people whose cars were stolen not be liable for violations, fees, fines or penalties when caught on red light cameras or speed cameras.
· HB 4271: Requires medically necessary breast reduction surgery to be covered by state-regulated private insurance.
· HB 5304: Reduces the vehicle registration fee for senior citizens from $24 to $10.
For more information on the laws above, click here.
CHICAGO – Ahead of being sworn in to serve the state of Illinois for a second term, Governor JB Pritzker announced the following staff transitions.
Emily Miller will now oversee both of Governor Pritzker’s Policy and Legislative teams as Senior Advisor to the Governor for Policy and Legislative Affairs. Miller is an attorney who has previously served as Governor Pritzker’s deputy chief of staff for policy, and as a policy advisor to Governor Pritzker’s 2018 campaign. Prior to that, Miller directed policy and advocacy work at Illinois-based non-profit organizations where she specialized in issues related to economic mobility, early childhood education, fiscal policy, consumer protection, human services, and government accountability. Miller began her career in Illinois policy and politics after she graduated from the DePaul university college of law in 2006.
Chris Shallow returns to the Governor’s Office to serve as Legislative Director after serving as Political Director on the Governor’s 2022 reelection campaign. He previously served as Director of Public Engagement in the Office of Governor Pritzker. Before entering state government Shallow served as District Director for Congresswoman Cheri Bustos, and over the last decade has held management roles within numerous political and campaign organizations. He is a graduate of Northwestern University, a native Illinoisan, and a passionate White Sox fan.
Jordan Abudayyeh will begin a new role as Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications and Strategic Media, overseeing the Governor’s Communications team. Abudayyeh previously served as Governor Pritzker’s Press Secretary for his first term. Abudayyeh also served the same role on Pritzker’s 2018 gubernatorial campaign. Before entering politics, Abudayyeh was an award-winning political reporter for Springfield’s ABC affiliate WICS-TV, an anchor and producer for Naperville’s NCTV17, and an associate producer for Milwaukee’s WISN-TV. She received a degree in broadcast journalism and sociology from Marquette University.
Jason Rubin will begin a new role as Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications and Agency Strategy, overseeing the Governor’s Communications team. Rubin previously served as Governor Pritzker’s Deputy Communications Director, a role he has held since the governor’s inauguration. Prior to that, Rubin served as Deputy Communications Director on the governor’s 2018 campaign and held communications roles with New York City’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development and Rep. Patrick Murphy’s 2016 U.S. Senate campaign in Florida. Rubin began his career in politics as the Director of Scheduling for U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. He is a graduate of Vassar College with a degree in political science.
Emily Bittner will begin serving as Senior Advisor to the Governor, overseeing a new portfolio including the Department of Innovation and Technology, the Illinois Tollway, the Illinois Racing Board, the Illinois Gaming Board, along with the Illinois Lottery. Previously, Bittner served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications. She also served as Chief of Strategy for Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, a role she began in 2017 after serving for three years at Chicago Public Schools, where she led the district’s communications and strategic efforts during the push for historic education funding reform. Bittner served as an adviser for Mayor Emanuel’s 2015 re-election campaign. Bittner previously led communications strategy serving as the chief spokesperson for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin, and the Democratic Governors Association. She began her career as a reporter at The Arizona Republic covering public safety. Bittner is a graduate of Northwestern University, where she earned degrees in journalism and political science.
* Far-right Republicans regularly demand a single flavor of Republicanism. But while a large chunk of the party’s members side with those folks, majorities and pluralities appear to support a big tent philosophy on most individual hot-button issues, according to a Monmouth University poll of party members…
A majority (55%) of Republican voters continue to say that Biden’s 2020 victory was due only to voter fraud. Just 28% say the current president won fair and square.
*Heavy sigh*
I don’t know how anyone can be taken seriously if they believe that nonsense.
The Illinois Supreme Court Pretrial Implementation Task Force (Task Force) has updated its resource documents, including draft flowcharts, considerations documents and sample orders, to reflect the latest Pretrial Fairness Act (PFA) amendments as of December 15, 2022.
The updated resources and other Task Force information can be found here.
* “Voters overwhelmingly rejected my candidate, so they are all doomed to ignominious death”…
Amnesty International USA’s Campaign Manager for Ending Gun Violence, Ernest Coverson, issued the following statement in support of the Protect Illinois Communities Act (HB5855).
“It’s imperative that the Illinois legislature pass the Protect Illinois Communities Act ahead of the January session. This bill, which would ban assault weapons, among other provisions, is a step toward keeping the communities of Illinois safer and free of gun violence. Gun violence continues to tear apart our communities nationwide and has a disproportionate impact on people of color; for example, nationally, Black people are 10 times more likely to be victims of firearm-related homicides and 18 times more likely to suffer firearm-related injuries than white people. Illinois was ravaged by gun violence this year with more than 50 mass shooting incidents, some of which could have been prevented with stricter gun control measures such as what is contained in HB 5855.”
“Legislation like the Protect Illinois Communities Act puts necessary safeguards in place such as banning large capacity magazines, rapid-fire mechanisms, increasing the Firearm Owners Identification eligibility age to 21 with limited, specific exceptions, and dedicating law enforcement to counter the trafficking of illegal firearms from out of state. All of these measures will help address the plague of gun violence in both urban and rural communities across the state. Amnesty International urges state leaders and local communities to come together to support the Protect Illinois Communities Act and move one step closer to a safer Illinois.”
Federal prosecutors say recent FBI surveillance of Ald. Carrie Austin (34th) undermined her claim that she is medically unfit to stand trial on public corruption charges.
In asking last month for U.S. District Judge John Kness to find her unfit, Austin’s lawyers said her deteriorating health issues have brought her to a point where she could not pass a six-minute walking test in September, and that she struggles even with the help of a portable oxygen concentrator.
But while being surveilled on Nov. 19, the feds say Austin was seen walking in and out of a salon unassisted. After spending three hours at the salon, she was allegedly seen visiting a beauty store — “again, unassisted.”
“FBI agents did not observe her using oxygen at any time during the surveillance,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Vikas Didwania wrote.
* Press release…
Memorial services for State Senator Scott Bennett will be held on Monday, Dec. 19 at 10 a.m. at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts in Urbana.
Senator Bennett passed away on Friday, Dec. 9 surrounded by his wife, family and loved ones from complications of a large brain tumor.
He had served in the Senate since 2015 and has served as chair of the Senate’s Higher Education and Agriculture committees.
Senator Bennett, a fifth-generation Central Illinoisan, was a tireless advocate and champion for measures to protect and improve the quality of life for the most vulnerable in our state: children, families, older adults, and individuals with developmental disabilities and mental health issues.
During his tenure, he fought to secure MAP grant funding and make college more affordable for Illinois families, instituted protections to keep the drinking water in the Mahomet Aquifer safe, promoted compassionate courtrooms by authorizing the use of “comfort dogs,” and teamed up with Treasurer Michael Frerichs to create the Illinois Achieving a Better Life Expectancy Act, better known as the ABLE Act.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations in Senator Bennett’s memory to CU Able or Champaign-Urbana Autism Network, as his priority for the upcoming legislative session was going to center around assistance for people with disabilities.
The Bennett family has asked that their privacy is respected as they navigate this difficult time.
WHO: Governor JB Pritzker, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Chancellor Robert J. Jones, State Treasurer Michael W. Frerichs, U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe, Senate President Don Harmon, Former State Senator Pat McGuire, State Representative Tom Bennett, Champaign County States Attorney Julia Rietz and Champaign Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen
WHEN: Doors open at 9 a.m. and the Memorial will start 10 a.m., Monday, Dec. 19, 2022
WHERE: Krannert Center for the Performing Arts (500 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana, IL) and live on BlueRoomStream.com
* From Navy Pier…
CHICAGO— Reyes Coca-Cola is bringing in the classic Coca-Cola Caravan Saturday, December 17 from 4 pm – 9 pm. This Coca-Cola semi-truck is decked out in holiday lights! Guests are invited to take a free photo with the iconic Coca-Cola Polar Bear and enjoy a free sample of Coca-Cola products. Reyes Coca-Cola is the new beverage partner across the Pier.
On Friday, December 16, Ozinga’s Merry Mixer is coming to Navy Pier. Ozinga’s signature red-and-white striped mixer is decked out with more than 32,000 programmed lights. This dazzling display features animated light sequences and toe-tapping renditions of favorite holiday tunes. Guests can experience this free display from 4 pm – 10 pm.
The Holidays are coming alive all-around Navy Pier! Visit our Winter Artisan Market to find a one-of-a-kind, locally-made gift. Guests can join one of our free workshops led by Chicago artists and learn how to make a gift for your special someone. Stay into the evening to celebrate the season at our night markets while enjoying some tunes from local musicians or sipping on a holiday cocktail from one of our restaurants.
On Saturday, December 17 from 1 pm – 3 pm, there will be cookie decorating. Guests will choose different holiday-themed cookies and learn from a master cookie decorator how to paint and decorate edible holiday scenes. Then, from 4 pm – 6 pm, local Chicago artist, Cookie Kwan, will guide guests in the creation of traditional Filipino ‘Parol Lanterns’ which are displayed throughout the holiday season.
From 7 pm – 9 pm, guests will begin the Gift of Music workshop by selecting a song that reminds them of someone. The first part of this workshop is creating a detailed card in the shape of a record with a note attached to it as well as an envelope to insert the card into. The second part of the workshop will include printing out a QR code to the song selected that will then be attached to the card. When the QR code is scanned, the song will play on the person’s phone.
There will be live art with Natalia Virafuentes from 2 pm – 5 pm. Virafuentes is a Mexican-American multimedia artist born and raised in the city of Chicago. Her works go from 2D to 3D but primarily consist of drawing and painting. She has been working hard as a muralist since 2019. Guests can also enjoy live holiday music by JoLin & the Cousins from 6 pm – 8 pm.
LSSI would like to give a big shoutout to Rich Miller @capitolfax for his annual LSSI Christmas fundraiser to support children in our programs, including children in foster care. Thanks to all Rich's supporters who donated. You all have made Christmas bright for many kids! pic.twitter.com/vpMi6pcxzB
— Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (@MeetLSSI) December 16, 2022
* Isabel’s roundup…
* FOX 32 | New poll shows Lightfoot trailing Garcia, Vallas: A new voter opinion survey suggests Mayor Lori Lightfoot would come in third if the Feb. 28 election were held today. That would eliminate the first-term incumbent from competing in any April runoff election.
* Lake County News-Sun | Lake County’s first Latino and openly gay countywide official begins term; ‘Government works better when it reflects the community’: The 30-year-old is believed to be the both the first Latino and first openly gay person to hold an elected, countywide office in Lake County. “A few cycles ago, Avon Township in Lake County made history by electing Krystal Larson the first openly transgender township clerk,” Vega said. “It’s 2022, the county is a quarter Latino, we have thousands of folks that are proudly LGBTQ and I’ve always said government works better when it reflects the community they represent.
* FOX 32 | Staffing woes hamper CPD reform efforts, new report warns: The Chicago Police Department’s deep staffing and personnel issues continue to hinder its court-ordered reform efforts, according to a progress report released Thursday. By the end of the most recent reporting period, covering the first half of the year, the police department had earned some form of compliance with 78% of the reviewable sections in the sweeping federal consent decree, which the city entered into after the police killing of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald in 2014.
* Crain’s | Inflation is eroding the power of basic income checks in America: A group of low-income residents of Cook County, Illinois is getting their first $500 checks this week from the $42 million two-year program, which organizers say is the largest-ever such initiative in the US. The idea is to give families a government-funded guaranteed payment every month to help pay for the basics like food, shelter and other living expenses. Lightfoot’s budget doesn’t include funding to extend Chicago’s basic income program beyond one year. But with soaring prices for everything from food to fuel, more than 3,000 recipients will find that money won’t stretch nearly as far as when the grants were announced in May.
* Crain’s | Unionized Starbucks workers kick off three-day strike: Employees of unionized Starbucks locations are participating in a nationwide demonstration starting today. Workers are demanding an end to store closures in a three-day unfair labor practice strike through the weekend. Six locations across Illinois, four of them in Chicago, are taking part in the action, which begins at 7 a.m. today. The demonstration includes 100 locations across the country.
* WTTW | 14-Year-Old Charged With Bringing Firearm Into Chicago Elementary School: Chicago police announced the student has been charged with felony counts of unlawful use of a weapon and threat to a school building. He was also cited for possessing a high-capacity magazine and metal piercing bullets. According to police, the student — whose name was not released because he is a minor — was arrested Wednesday at Mary E. Courtenay Language Arts Center, 4420 N. Beacon St., after he was reported to staff in the building.
* Semafor | Democratic lawmakers are looking for the exits in case Twitter implodes: A number of Democrats have publicly criticized Musk’s recent decisions to suspend journalists, his conspiratorial tweets, and his abandonment of the prior management’s approach to hate speech and harassment. While no members are quitting just yet, several offices say they’re checking out new options and may change up their social media diet.
* Daily Herald | Botched police raids lead to change in state’s attorney’s warrants policy: “The intrusion that search warrants legally authorize justifies greater disclosure and transparency to ensure that a search warrant is carried out on the correct individual and location,” State’s Attorney Kim Foxx said in announcing changes. “Going forward to receive our signoff, the Cook County state’s attorney’s office will require law enforcement to submit to increased checks of the information provided to request search warrants and then disclose the outcome of the warrant.
* Tribune | Chicago police officer tied to disgraced unit fired 18 years after scandal: The Police Board decided to dismiss Officer Thomas Sherry in a 5 to 1 decision for his alleged actions in the disgraced Special Operations Section, a specialized unit that was disbanded when some of its officers committed home invasions and robberies in the 2000s.
* Crain’s | Kinzinger delivers a scathing farewell speech that singes the GOP—and Dems, too: The Channahon Republican, who along with now-ousted Wyoming Republican Liz Cheney was one of only two GOP members to serve on the House’s Jan. 6 investigative committee, criticized his party for embracing “lies and deceit” while buying in to conspiracy theories and slavishly supporting former President Donald Trump.
* The Hill | Trump’s digital cards sell out within a day: As of Friday morning, the site selling the non-fungible tokens (NFTs) says they are sold out, and links to purchase the digital cards are no longer available. OpenSea Data, which tracks the sales and markets for NFTs, indicated there were 45,000 of the Trump cards initially made available for purchase for $99 each. The Trump digital cards were the top trending item on the site as of Friday morning.
* Crain’s | NASCAR’s image overhaul starts in Chicago: NASCAR has to change something to rebuild its audience. Its average national TV viewership has shrunk to just over 3 million people per race, barely half of its size 10 years ago, though that drop may be partly a product of fewer people subscribing to pay-TV or streaming services. Stock car racing has been gradually reverting to its roots as a regional Southern sport, a far cry from its glory days two decades ago, when its popularity exploded nationally. Ratings for the Daytona 500 topped the World Series for four years in the mid-2000s.
* WTTW | Chuck Swirsky, Radio Voice of Chicago Bulls, Reflects on 50 Years in Broadcasting: His broadcasting career spans 50 years and many sports, but basketball was always his first love and this is now his 25th season in his dream role as an NBA broadcaster. A pioneer of Chicago sports talk radio, Swirsky has also covered many iconic moments in sports history – including L.A. Laker Kobe Bryant’s 81-point game against the Toronto Raptors in 2006.
* The Southern | A Murphysboro woman has been battling against a sinkhole in her driveway for over 2 years : For about two and a half years, Wilson has been dealing with the sinkhole. Her son, Johnnie Sims, said nearly 40 tons of gravel has been put into the hole. Each time it is repaired with gravel, the sinkhole opens back up again. In mid-November, nine tons of gravel was placed in the hole in an attempt to stop it from reopening. By the first of December, it was open again.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker is swinging for the fences when it comes to Stellantis.
As he works with the Legislature for additional tools to lure and retain automotive jobs, including a new “deal closing” fund and tax credits, Pritzker hinted he’s trying to land an auto-assembly plant and a battery factory in Belvidere. […]
Stellantis is the largest property tax payer in Boone County, near Rockford, where its plant is located. It paid $1.9 million in property taxes this year and owns about 249 acres under and around its factory. EV plants with battery factories nearby can be 10 times that size. Hyundai’s new vehicle and battery plants in Georgia are on a 2,900-acre site. Rivian’s planned vehicle and battery plants are on nearly 2,000 acres However, the Stellantis facility sits across Interstate 90 from a vast swath of farmland.
The Rivian and Hyundai projects are valued at about $5.5 billion each and promise to create about 7,500 manufacturing jobs apiece. But they’ve also garnered huge incentives, totaling about $1.5 billion for each project.
* And this map posted by the White House Director of the National Economic Council clearly shows why the governor feels the need to kick it into gear…
A legislative committee on Thursday heard more witnesses call for a ban on high-power, semi-automatic rifles and large-capacity magazines, but some experts said that alone won’t solve the problem of violent crime in Illinois.
During its second hearing on a proposed assault weapon ban, an Illinois House committee, meeting in Chicago, heard from several officials who said public investment in marginalized communities and community-based programs that aim to stop cycles of violence also are needed. […]
Adams spoke during a House Judiciary-Criminal Committee hearing on House Bill 5855, sponsored by Rep. Bob Morgan, D-Deerfield. It would ban the sale and possession of “assault weapons,” .50 caliber rifles, .50 caliber cartridges and high-capacity magazines. The bill provides a long list of firearms, both rifles and pistols, that would fall under the definition of “assault weapons.”
And starting 300 days after the bill takes effect, it would make it illegal to possess such a weapon or ammunition unless it is registered with the Illinois State Police.
“The goal is to make sure we’re keeping dangerous weapons from those who shouldn’t have them,” said the measure’s sponsor, Rep. Bob Morgan, a Democrat from the Chicago suburb of Deerfield who attended the Highland Park parade. […]
People under age 21 currently can obtain a Firearm Owners Identification card with the consent of a parent or guardian, but the measure would prohibit those under 21 who are not in the military from getting the card. They could hunt under the supervision of a guardian who has a gun owner ID.
A court-ordered Firearm Restraining Order could be issued for a year, instead of six months. The bill would also bolster the power of the Illinois State Police to target trafficking of illegal guns from outside state lines, working with federal authorities.
Rep. Tony McCombie, a Republican from the western Illinois city of Savannah, said rather than protect communities, the plan would jeopardize safety.
“This will leave communities, women unprotected,” said McCombie, who will be the House Minority Leader when a new Legislature is seated next month. “They’ll be unprotected and ultimately victimized. This is ineffective and unconstitutional.”
While supporting the measure, Joseph Saunders with Brave Youth Group said at the crux of the issue is the hearts of bad actors.
“They gonna go with bats, they’re gonna go with knives, anything that they can pick up, screwdrivers, like they do in the penitentiary,” Saunders said. “I’m talking about a heart and a mind change.” […]
Alongside other opponents speaking as individuals, Andrew Guadarrama laid out recent U.S. Supreme Court precedent that he said would block any kind of widespread gun and magazine ban.
“Most handguns are 10-plus [bullets in a magazine],” Guadarrama told the committee. “This severely restricts access to firearms, which has already been ruled unconstitutional.”
Despite the name, the Protect Illinois Communities Act, some critics said it doesn’t provide much protection. […]
But a majority of those who testified, including advocacy groups, researchers, grassroots organizations, community outreach workers, parents and gun violence survivors, all embraced this proposal for possible change.
Maria Pike, a member of Moms Demand Action, lost her son to gun violence and said the contents of House Bill 5855 could have made a difference in recent mass shootings. […]
Supporters also said this bill is a step in the right direction, but it’s not an overall solution to the problem.
They said more resources and funding for community outreach groups and violence prevention are needed throughout the state.
Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly is expected to testify during next Tuesday’s hearing.
* More…
* Patch | Duckworth Holds Video Call With Highland Park High School Students: The Illinois Democrat and combat veteran has long been a supporter of a ban on assault-style weapons like the AR-15 and similar semiautomatic rifles. “From their portability, accuracy, rate of fire ability to penetrate certain body armor and ease of reloading, both the military-issued M4 Carbine and the civilian AR-15, and its variants, are functionally similar and they are designed for combat. The lack of a three-round burst or full-auto mechanism does not meaningfully reduce the AR-15’s lethality compared to the M4,” Duckworth testified at a Senate hearing following the Highland Park massacre.
* St Louis Dispatch | To combat gun violence, East St. Louis artist turns ammunition into art: Each year since he was 17, Ash has lost at least one friend or relative to gun violence. That includes his cousin Dashaun “Bookie” Gage, 28, who died in 2018 in a shooting in front of a gas station across the Mississippi River in St. Louis. Ash and Gage were close. Losing Gage left Ash so traumatized that he stopped going to that gas station. He turned to his art after the shooting, creating a portrait of Gage the same year. “My art saved my life,” Ash said. “There’s so much other stuff that I could have gotten off into.”
* KFVS | Marion Jr. High students learn importance of mental health with help from ‘Pawfficer Gary’: A southern Illinois police department is using man’s best friend to help teach 7th graders the importance of understanding mental health and knowing that many of us sometimes have the blues. Marion Police Officer Jason Plichta and his four legged partner, Gary, are regular visitors at Marion Jr. High.
* The 2022 Golden Horseshoe Award for Best Association/Union Leader goes to Personal PAC’s Terry Cosgrove…
He’s one of those organizers who makes difficult wins seem inevitable in retrospect. Even as recently as a few years ago, a sizable number of Democratic legislators were wary of any expansions of abortion rights, including the House Speaker. Now the anti-abortion wing of the Democratic party has dwindled without sacrificing any of their majority, and Illinois is a beacon of abortion rights in the Midwest. He helped build a movement and a state that’s ready for the post-Roe world.
Runner-up is Local 150’s Jim Sweeney with a special shoutout to the IMA’s Mark Denzler, who was elected Speaker of the Third House this week and received a strong nomination yesterday.
For lifetime achievement, who else could it be but Jesse White? There will be people more qualified than I to talk about his record as Secretary of State, so I’ll instead dwell on his political accomplishments. He was an old-school city politician, some might even say a ward heeler. But through hard work, competent governing, and boundless charm, he appealed across party lines like maybe no other politician in the country. I can’t tell you how many doors I’ve knocked on where a voter said “I will never vote for Democrats,” and then remembered, “Oh except for Jesse White of course.” His popularity is worthy not just of praise, but academic study. Political scientists should be flocking to red Illinois counties to see how he did it. I’ve often wondered if anyone, up to and including Barack Obama, could beat Jesse White in an Illinois election. It’s laughably insufficient to say “they don’t make em like Jesse White anymore,” but they really don’t make em like Jesse White anymore.
I think only one other person received a nomination in this category (Cosgrove).
Congratulations!
* On to our final categories…
Best Use of Social Media
The Wordslinger Golden Horseshoe Award for Best CapitolFax.com Commenter.
As always, do your best to nominate in both categories and make sure to explain your answers. Also, keep in mind that these awards are for actions this year, not previous years. Thanks!
* One more thing: I want to thank you again for your generosity this year. LSSI sent me a box of tasty cookies today, and I wish I could share them with everyone who helped buy presents for foster kids. As Oprah might say, “You get a cookie! You get a cookie! You get a cookie!”
U.S. Rep. Sean Casten said he won’t hold back from criticizing Awake Illinois, which espouses anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and rallied its supporters against a drag-themed library event in Downers Grove, after the group last week threatened to take legal action against him.
The Downers Grove Public Library on Monday said it was canceling the Drag Queen Bingo event for teens scheduled for Oct. 11 “due to threats that are under active investigation by law enforcement.”
Casten, a two-term Democrat from Downers Grove, has been an outspoken supporter of the event, while his Republican opponent in the Nov. 8 general election, Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau, joined Awake Illinois in calling for its cancellation. […]
“Let’s be clear. This event was canceled because, after my Republican opponent and his far-right allies at Awake Illinois publicly issued a call-to-action to their supporters, the library received severe threats that endangered our community,” the congressman said.
Shannon Adcock, founder and president of parents rights group Awake Illinois, is disappointed the Hilton Oak Brook capitulated to phoned in threats of a planned protest against of an event sponsored by the organization.
Adcock, who is also chairwoman of the DuPage chapter of Mothers for Liberty, said the Hilton manager returned the group’s deposit and canceled the contract after facing threats of protests.
“(The manager) basically said that although he agrees with our free speech and advocacy, unfortunately, cancel culture is a real thing in they are looking out for their assets and property in case somebody should show up and try and protest us,” Adcock told DuPage Policy Journal.
“I posed the question, ‘what message does that send to the anti free speech free marketplace mob?’ And he didn’t have an answer.”
* STAT | These 8 states are doing the worst job of treating hepatitis C in prisons: Illinois agreed in 2019 to revamp its entire prison medical program, as part of a civil rights settlement. But it’s still falling woefully short — and the Department of Corrections’ own documents indicate that people are still unnecessarily dying of hepatitis C. An independent review of one such death found that a 56-year-old man had been referred for hepatitis C treatment in 2017 but was never formally considered for the treatment until a few months before his death in November 2021.
* NYT | How a Sprawling Hospital Chain Ignited Its Own Staffing Crisis: At a hospital in a Chicago suburb last winter, there were so few nurses that psychiatric patients with Covid were left waiting a full day for beds, and a single aide was on hand to assist with 32 infected patients. Nurses were so distraught about the inadequate staffing that they banded together to file formal complaints every day for more than a month.
* Crain’s | Working parents are overwhelmed as kids get sick again and again: Parents are facing a triple avalanche of influenza, Covid-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), valiantly meeting work deadlines while struggling to fulfill return-to-office requirements. All three viruses are expected to keep doctor’s offices hopping for the coming months, alongside the spread of old standbys like strep throat and common colds.
* Sun-Times | Pritzker, unions herald adoption of Workers’ Rights Amendment: The celebration with union leaders included several references, veiled or explicit, to former Gov. Bruce Rauner, who tried to roll back union power by encouraging right-to-work laws. Right-to-work refers to allowing people to skip paying union dues as a condition of employment.
* WGLT | Bloomington’s new state Rep. Dan Caulkins talks about gun control, SAFE-T Act, and post-election resignations: Caulkins is part of the conservative Illinois Freedom Caucus, which touts itself as advocates for limited government, lower taxes and accountability and integrity in government. And after the election, Caulkins is now part of an even smaller Republican super-minority in Democrat-controlled Springfield. In this interview with WGLT, Caulkins talks about a range of policy issues, including recent tweaks to the SAFE-T Act, a proposed assault-style weapons ban, and ethics reform.
* STL Today | Former Metro East power broker Tom Lakin dies at 82: Tom Lakin, a once-prominent Metro East trial lawyer and Democratic Party power broker later sentenced to prison on federal drug charges, died Monday at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. He was 82. Lakin, who headed the influential Lakin Law Firm in Wood River, established himself by the 1990s as one of the top attorneys in the metro area, winning millions of dollars in class action and personal injury claims. … In 2011, he pleaded no contest to a state charge of aggravated criminal sexual abuse related to the earlier case but was given no additional prison time beyond his six-year federal sentence.
* Vox | The most successful strategy for ending homelessness is under attack: Advocates and researchers have never had stronger evidence about the best way to most effectively house people who need it: a model known as “housing first.” As the name suggests, its focus is getting people into permanent housing and offering them support services, rather than requiring them to address mental health conditions, substance abuse, or job training first.
* Fortune | Sen. Tammy Duckworth introduces a bill to protect IVF in the aftermath of Roe v. Wade’s reversal: Sen. Tammy Duckworth’s journey to parenthood took a decade. After she returned wounded from her service in Iraq, she spoke to her OB/GYN at her Veterans Affairs hospital about trying to have a child. She was referred to a fertility specialist, who came to the waiting room rather than meet with then-39-year-old Duckworth for an appointment. “She told me, ‘You’re too old. There’s no way you could ever get pregnant through reproductive medicine. You just need to go home and enjoy your husband,’” Duckworth remembers.
* Crain’s | Farmers say Deere’s repair restrictions violate Clean Air Act: Nonprofit organizations in the “right to repair” movement, including Illinois PIRG (Public Interest Research Group), Repair.org and iFixit, want the EPA to sanction Moline-based Deere for limiting repairs of its machines to authorized Deere dealerships. Farmers want access to software so they can diagnose and handle their own repairs or use an independent mechanic, thereby avoiding high costs and service delays at dealers.
In 24 hours, Elon Musk banned accounts he said he never would, made up new rules to justify it, threatened legal action against a 20-year-old, pontificated on how doxing is banned on the platform, and then immediately doxed a man.https://t.co/8PVSe25z3Y
