Isabel’s afternoon roundup
Wednesday, Feb 28, 2024 - Posted by Isabel Miller
* Notice, however, that the mailer does not identify the CTU
as Guzman’s employer…
* Mayor Johnson has said he will not extended the contract again, but ShotSpotter is still fighting…
* Here’s the rest…
* Lake County News-Sun | Lake County to pay $1.68M to McHenry County for first 3 months of housing inmates; ‘Money for the correctional officers would go a long way’: At this time, no further transfers are expected as the Lake County Sheriff’s Office does not intend to raise the number of transfers allowed in the agreement, said Chris Covelli, spokesperson for the county’s sheriff’s office. said it’s inconclusive whether the temporary inmate housing costs to McHenry County will be more or less expensive than the costs associated with housing inmates at the Waukegan facility. There are “fixed and floating” costs associated with operating a jail, and those costs are largely impacted by a fluctuating inmate population, he said.
* Shaw Local | YWCA services for families and immigrants now available in McHenry County: The Welcoming Center can help new residents get adjusted to the country by getting connected with local churches, agencies and food pantries. Case managers can help break language barriers by translating and explaining school systems, health care and court cases, Valdivia said. The program can help with Spanish, Russian and Ukrainian languages, case manager Anyi Pardo said. […] The current Crystal Lake location only has those two programs available, but other services like racial justice and literacy help could be offered in the future, YWCA Northwestern Illinois CEO Kris Machajewski said. “Our goal is to expand out this office,” Machajewski said.
* STLPR | Illinois awarded more than $75 million to clean up and develop its abandoned mine lands: Illinois used to the initial installment last year — north of $75 million — to address mining-related issues across the state, including 6 mine-related projects in St. Clair County. One project sought to close off a mine opening in Mascoutah and another corrected vertical openings along a mine path in Trenton.
* Illinois Public Media | Illinois now requires public schools to teach diverse histories. Are teachers ready?: “Teachers generally feel prepared to meet the calls of the inclusive American history mandates – all of them, no matter how old or new. However, there are a number of teachers that feel unprepared,” said Asif Wilson, an education professor at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign.[…] Wilson noted that the program attracts teachers from all over the state with a small stipend and the opportunity to meet their professional development requirements. He added that teachers, regardless of their location, have received strong support from both administrators and parents for teaching the updated curriculum.
* Crain’s | Ascension names president for Joliet hospital mired in labor strife: Ascension names president for Joliet hospital mired in labor strife. Barbara Martin, a veteran of Chicago’s health care scene, will be stepping into a dispute with union nurses when she takes the reins next month.
* Daily Herald | Rolling Meadows mayor announces pregnancy: Rolling Meadows Mayor Lara Sanoica — the city’s first female mayor and its youngest — announced another milestone: she’s pregnant, which would make her the city’s first sitting mayor to give birth while in office. Sanoica, elected to the top post last April at age 32, said she has no intention to take a leave of absence from public office, but she is taking an extended maternity leave from her private employer, CME Group, this summer.
* SJ-R | Mötley Crüe will headline the 2024 Illinois State Fair. Here’s what to know: Stalwarts Vince Neil on vocals, Nikki Sixx on bass and Tommy Lee on drums are joined by John 5 on guitar. John 5 (John William Lowery) formerly played with Marilyn Manson and Rob Zombie. Former guitarist Mick Mars, who suffers from ankylosing spondylitis, an aggressive and progressive form of arthritis. is out of the band but said recently he would be open to writing new music with the band.
* Daily Express | Four state laws prevent divorce if a woman is pregnant with no domestic violence exception: While the laws in Missouri, Texas, Arizona, and Arkansas allow for couples to file for divorce, the court must wait until after a woman gives birth in order to finalize child custody and child support. Two of these states – Missouri and Texas – are subject to trigger laws where, since the overturning of Roe v Wade in June 2022, abortions are automatically banned in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy.
* Daily Herald | At least 11 tornadoes may have touched down in region Tuesday night, weather service says: Preliminary reports show a tornado likely touched down near Sugar Grove and ran between Batavia and Geneva. Another possibly touched down just south of St. Charles. More potential tornadoes were spotted near Hoffman Estates, Palatine, Lake Zurich and Buffalo Grove.
* Tribune | Cleanup from storm damage begins as temperatures move into low 40s: On Wednesday morning, neighborhoods that suffered storm damage began the arduous chore of cleaning up. In north suburban Mundelein Tuesday night, high winds tore through a two-story apartment building, collapsing part of the roof and damaging 21 units. Officials from the Mundelein Fire Department said a piece of drywall struck one resident who was transported to Advocate Condell Medical Center. The Red Cross is helping find temporary housing for 59 displaced residents.
* Block Club Chicago | Catcade Cat Rescue Has A New Home And A Surprising Fall Out Boy Connection: Born in Lakeview, Gutierrez has local music bona fides. He was in hardcore group Arma Angelus with none other than Pete Wentz, the bassist and lyricist for pop punk/emo band Fall Out Boy. When Arma Angelus dissolved, Gutierrez went to beauty school, while Wentz and others made the move to Fall Out Boy. Gutierrez still toured with the band, and he’s the subject of the 2003 song “Grenade Jumper,” written with lyrics like “Hey, Chris, you were our only friend/And I know this is belated, we love you back.” Although the two eventually had a falling out, they’ve since mended fences, and Wentz has donated memorabilia to fundraising efforts for the Catcade.
* Sun-Times | Black History Month offers lessons, excitement for young Chicago students: The East Garfield Park public school that has around 300 students from pre-K to eighth grade is among many schools that devote extra time in February to study and share lessons about Black history. The students present what they’re learning through art, speeches and skits, and their teachers ensure what they learn has practical value.
* WBEZ | An insider’s guide to Bronzeville: Where to eat, shop and celebrate Black history: Looking for live music every night of the week? A neighborhood that offers a quick bike ride to the lake? Or a quick walk to grab Southern comfort food from a handful of local spots? Bronzeville has you covered.
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* Gov. JB Pritzker’s chief of staff…
* The governor really leaned into it today when asked about the in vitro fertilization topic at an unrelated news conference…
We always knew that when Dobbs was decided, and you read the decision by Clarence Thomas, which seemed to begin to go after other issues, beyond just reproductive rights, like gay marriage, for example, or like, you know, what now is going to be IVF that they’re outlining, that our rights are in danger. Much broader than the original decision of Dobbs. So that’s very disturbing.
IVF is protected here in the state of Illinois, and I welcome the members of the General Assembly who are looking at new ways for us to protect doctors and patients on IVF. But it is protected.
People who live in other states who want to have children using IVF, come to Illinois. We’re protecting your rights in so many ways, but specifically regarding IVF.
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‘Like something from a scary, filthy freak show’
Wednesday, Feb 28, 2024 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Beth Hundsdorfer…
The pictures that are said to depict the condition of the embalming room of the Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home in Centralia are shocking.
Eight photographs and one video taken late last year purported to show the conditions of the funeral home depict piles of dirty sheets, a dead rodent rotting in a stairway and water running from pipes in the embalming room.
The person who took the photographs requested to remain anonymous for their safety but filed a complaint to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation in December. […]
“The embalming room was spraying water from pipes overhead with bottles, trash, fluids, sheets, clothes and things unrecognizable all over the room,” the complaint stated. “This place is horrific, looks like something from a scary, filthy freak show.”
More than 10 weeks after that complaint – and three days after a Capitol News Illinois reporter visited the funeral home and sent questions to IDFPR – funeral home director Hugh Moran said the agency conducted an inspection on Monday. IDFPR would not confirm that they had inspected the embalming room, citing confidentiality. Moran said Tuesday afternoon that he was still operating. […]
This comes weeks after allegations that IDFPR failed to act for months against another Illinois funeral director in Carlinville after receiving a complaint alleging the director cared for remains in an “unacceptable and criminal nature” and had a decomposing body in his prep room.
You gotta wonder how prevalent this problem is.
Go read the rest. But the pics are pretty disgusting.
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* Chicago Tribune earlier this week…
As city and state lawmakers discuss public funding for the Chicago White Sox and Bears to build new stadiums, the Chicago Red Stars are making a move to be part of the conversation.
The National Women’s Soccer League club’s current stadium in suburban Bridgeview is not ideal for the team, and it has been a pressing issue predating the new ownership group. If elected officials use taxpayer dollars for new stadiums for the White Sox or Bears, then Red Stars executives contend they also should be included in whatever funding is allocated.
Red Stars Executive Chairperson Laura Ricketts and team President Karen Leetzow recently met with Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch in Westchester and are scheduled to meet this week with Illinois Senate President Don Harmon at his district office in Oak Park.
Just to be clear, “meetings” do not equal “support.”
* Crain’s last night…
The Chicago Bears and Chicago White Sox are being urged to cobble together one financial request for their stadium proposals that state legislators can consider rather than dueling plans that could box each other out.
Representatives for the teams are hearing the same message from state officials as they jockey for public subsidies to build new stadiums. State Senate President Don Harmon specifically has told both teams there is little appetite in the General Assembly to approve separate stadium legislation.
“I’m not planning to referee fights between billion-dollar sports franchises,” Harmon told Crain’s in a statement. “I hope the teams took heed of the governor’s expression of reluctance to use tax dollars to subsidize new stadiums.” […]
In the past week, White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf and Related Midwest President Curt Bailey, the developer of The 78 property where the Sox are looking to build a ballpark, met with Bears Chairman George McCaskey, team President and CEO Kevin Warren and Chief Financial Officer Karen Murphy, according to two sources familiar with the meeting.
Mischaracterizing or even just leaking details of meetings with a legislative leader may get you a sweet headline (“Bears and Sox told to team up on stadium financing pitches”), but it won’t move the Statehouse ball forward, and it may actually do the opposite. Also, read Harmon’s statement carefully.
…Adding… Harmon is out with a slightly revised statement that makes his intent more clear…
“I share the governor’s reluctance to spend taxpayer dollars to subsidize private stadiums. I’m not going to referee fights between billion-dollar sports franchises.”
The teams probably need to stop listening so much to their PR people and start listening more to their lobbyists.
If the object is to pass a bill, then this ain’t the way to do it.
* Gov. Pritzker was asked about the latest Crain’s story today…
I think organizing it together seems to make some sense if they can do that. I mean, these are different businesses. They will be in different locations. I’m not exactly sure how that will work.
I know that they, what do they have in common? They’re looking for taxpayer dollars. So that’s, as far as I can tell, the thing that they have most in common. And I think you’ve heard me say over and over, and I’ll repeat it one more time, which is taxpayer dollars are precious, and we ought to treat them as if we have priorities in this state. And I’m not sure that supporting private sports teams in their desire for a new stadium is more important than, for example, building jobs here and a grant program and across the state, or, as I said the other day you know, building birthing centers, in communities that where we’ve got maternal mortality rates that are three times what they are, let’s say in white communities versus a black family, we ought to be building birthing centers. So there’s so many priorities that I think rise above investing in you know, building a stadium for private enterprise.
In other words, it’s time the teams made a case for why these would be smart investments for government instead of publicly spiking the ball every time they set up a meeting. What would taxpayers get out of their proposals? What even are their proposals? Let’s hear it.
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* In the days leading up to Gov. JB Pritzker’s budget address, the Illinois Municipal League pushed a plan that would cost the state’s budget $800-875 million per year…
The [Local Government Distributive Fund] share is 6.47% of individual income tax collections and 6.845% of corporate income tax collections. Before 2011, 10% of state income tax dollars were dedicated to LGDF and distributed to cities and counties. IML is supporting a bill to reinstate the 10% number.
Tons of mayors, including Chicago’s, hotly opposed the state income tax increase back in 2011.
* In seeming reply, the governor’s budget office noted in its analysis of the proposed spending plan how much the state is spending on local governments since Pritzker took office…
The operations of local governments are a critical part of the state financial infrastructure. When possible, the State has provided additional funding mechanisms to help local governments, including one-time and permanent revenue supports to minimize the need for local property tax increases. Examples of on-going support, totaling over $1.3 billion annually, enacted since Governor Pritzker took office include:
• 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 $680 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 $100 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 PA 102-0016.
• Increased tax rates and positions for video gaming operations expected to generate an additional $80 million a year for local governments Additional local revenues from the opening of new casinos authorized under the Rebuild Illinois plan, including the first revenues from the new Chicago casino licensed in 2023.
• Increased percentage of individual income taxes that state government shares with municipalities and counties from 6.16 to 6.47 percent of total individual income tax collections. This increase is worth $88 million annually.
Illinois distributed to smaller local governments $250 million from its Coronavirus Relief Fund allocation and established the infrastructure necessary to distribute the $740 million Local Fiscal Recovery Fund payment received pursuant to ARPA. These key sources of funding helped small local governments maintain services during uncertain fiscal times.
* So now, instead of focusing on expanding the LGDF, the Municipal League is playing defense against the governor’s proposal to eliminate a state-collected but locally distributed and very regressive tax…
A major element of the governor’s proposal of eliminating the 1% grocery tax will be entirely on the backs of local governments.
“That’s for the rest of time, hundreds of millions of dollars annually impact against local governments,” Cole told The Center Square. “That grocery tax solely goes to municipalities. There is no state money in there at all. So when the governor offered to reduce that, he eliminated local funding. So, take away three- or four-hundred million dollars, [cities] are going to have to come up with it somehow.”
* Some local government officials are unclear on the concept…
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker’s plan to eliminate the grocery sales tax will result in an $800,000 loss in revenue to the village of Montgomery.
At Monday’s Montgomery Village Board meeting, trustee Steve Jungermann voiced opposition to the proposal: “State officials, you need to do your jobs and pass an honest, balanced budget.”
After the meeting, Jungermann was interviewed by WSPY News: “…The state, they need to pass an honest, balanced budget and not depend and fall back onto the municipalities. You’re essentially stealing money from the municipalities. We depend on that money.”
To be clear, Pritzker isn’t proposing that the state spend the $350 million or so per year from the grocery tax. He just wants to get rid of the tax altogether and allow locals to impose their own replacement if they want.
* At an unrelated press conference today, a reporter noted “there’s a lot of pushback on this bill.”
“They say ‘If you take this away and you save taxpayers $1 for every 100 they spend on groceries … they’re gonna have to raise taxes elsewhere.” So, the reporter asked Pritzker, “Are you willing to reconsider this? Because it’s going to hurt communities across the state of Illinois by taking away that source of revenue.”
Pritzker’s response…
No, I’m not willing to reconsider it. Here’s what I’m saying about the grocery tax. It’s the most regressive tax you could have, really We think about all the regressive taxes that exist in the state of Illinois. This one goes after people who are just trying to buy food. And when you say it’s, ‘Oh, it’s a dollar out of every 100.’ Well, that could be hundreds of dollars for a family across a year. So you know that that matters to many people.
And the grocery tax, by the way, we’re in the vast, vast minority of states that still have a grocery tax. Almost every other state has gotten rid of their grocery tax. We still have one, that’s not right.
Now, municipalities I absolutely believe that the state should be supporting municipalities. And indeed, as long as I’ve been governor, we’ve added $1.3 billion to the coffers of local governments across the state. That didn’t happen under my predecessor. It’s because I believe in investing in local government. It’s closest to the people. They deserve to have the kind of funding that they need to support local projects and local government, but the grocery tax doesn’t seem like the best way to do it.
But I want to be clear, I have said that the bill that would be put forward should include the ability for local governments, if they want to impose a grocery tax on their local residents, they should be able to go do that. I don’t think it’s the right thing to do. I wouldn’t do it locally. Having said that, I understand the need for the dollars and if they feel like they need them, they should think about imposing that tax on their own.
I have increased LGDF, that’s the Local Government Distributive Fund, which is one of the ways in which we send money from the state to local governments. I have increased the dollars that local governments get for infrastructure. By passing rebuild Illinois sending dollars directly without any conditions other than as for us for infrastructure to local governments. So I’m you know, I’m a believer in continuing to fund them. But you know, we have a tight budgetary situation this year, so we won’t be able to do as much more as we have done in previous years, but we’ll continue to look at ways to support them. Grocery tax, it seems to me, it’s time for us to end this regressive tax.
I’m thinking the mayors absolutely do not want to have the power to impose the tax on their own, up to and including Chicago’s progressive mayor.
Thoughts?
…Adding… Good point in comments…
I do wish the governor had chosen his words more carefully when talking about the savings that families will see. I doubt many families will even see $100 of savings in a year let alone “hundreds of dollars” a year as he said. I know groceries have gotten more expensive but a family would have to spend $10,000 on groceries a year to see even a $100 savings.
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* Tribune…
Conducted by the nonprofit research agency WestEd, the 14-month study contrasts the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) reading and math scores of scholarship recipients in grades 3-8, with their public school peers. In 2022 and 2023, Invest in Kids recipients fared worse in both subjects. At the high school level, researchers juxtaposed students’ SAT performance, with mixed results. […]
Along with student performance on standardized tests, the WestEd study aims to assess “how private schools are organized to support students’ success,” drawing on a total of around 1,000 survey responses from students, parents and educators and interviews at 10 schools. Faith-based schools comprise the vast majority of schools that received Invest in Kids funds, according to the Dept of Revenue’s most recent annual report on the program. Researchers found that faith is “a critical organizing element in school culture, curricula, and interpersonal relationships,” according to the study. Just over 8 percent of teachers surveyed said they worked at an independent private school without a religious affiliation. […]
In 2022, 30 percent of public school students met or exceeded standards, compared to 21 percent of scholarship recipients, according to the report, which notes that in the following year, 35 percent of public school students met or exceeded reading standards, compared to 23 percent of Invest in Kids scholarship recipients.
“The same was true in Math for both 2022 and 2023,” the study continues. “Illinois public schools had a higher percentage of grades 3–8 students meeting or exceeding expectations than [Invest in Kids] scholarship recipients.”
* From the report…
In both 2022 and 2023, Illinois public schools had a higher percentage of grades 3–8 students meeting or exceeding expectations in [English language arts] compared to IIKA scholarship recipients (in 2022, 30.1 percent to 20.8 percent, and in 2023, 35.4 percent to 22.5 percent respectively). The same was true in Math for both 2022 and 2023. Illinois public schools had a higher percentage of grades 3–8 students meeting or exceeding expectations than IIKA scholarship recipients (in 2022, 25.5 percent to 17.8 percent, and in 2023, 27.1 percent to 16.3 percent, respectively).
WestEd examined year-to-year gains by performance level, using 2022 as the baseline performance level and 2023 to calculate the gain or loss in scale score. Overall, the difference in the mean growth between IIKA Scholarship Recipients in private schools and students enrolled in public schools was not statistically significant, with two exceptions. Comparing students who achieved performance level 1 (“Did not yet meet expectations”) in ELA on the SY 2021/22 tests, scholarship recipients recorded a significantly larger increase in their 2022-23 scale score in ELA than the average public school student. But comparing students who achieved performance level 5 (“Exceeded expectations”) in ELA on the SY 2021/22 scholarship recipients recorded a significantly larger average decrease in their 2022-23 scale score in ELA compared to the average public school student.
* Save My Scholarship…
In a new report conducted for the Illinois State Board of Education that can be found here, analysts failed to compare low-income Tax Credit Scholarship recipients to their low-income counterparts in Illinois public schools. The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) makes testing data readily available to sort by income levels, but researchers instead compared low-income scholarship recipients to all Illinois public school students, rendering the results meaningless because they lack proper context. In fact, low-income Tax Credit Scholarship recipients actually outperform their low-income counterparts enrolled in public schools in nearly every category according to ISBE’s own data.
Dr. Patrick Wolf, College of Education Department Head at the University of Arkansas, is offering his independent analysis of the test score data: “The evaluators made highly inappropriate comparisons between the average test score gains of the income-disadvantaged students in the program and the average gains for all public school students statewide. That comparison is apples-to-zebras and tells us nothing about the effect of the program on student achievement.”
“What belies this flawed study is the overwhelming satisfaction parents and students provided regarding their schools’ safety, climate, teachers, and educational opportunities. These findings demonstrate the immense value Invest in Kids gives to low-income scholarship families across the state of Illinois,” said Bobby Sylvester, executive director of Empower Illinois. “Parents and students showed above 95% agreement that their scholarship schools provide equitable access and opportunity to high-quality general academic programs. This highlights why the Illinois legislature must renew the Invest in Kids Act (IIKA) to help level the playing field for low-income students.”
Here are some highlights of the qualitative polling of IIKA scholarship parents:
* 98% say their school environment is safe.
* 98% say their school climate is positive.
* 98% say their teachers care about their child(ren).
* 98% say their children are getting a quality education.
* 97% say students of all backgrounds have equitable access and opportunity to high- quality general academic programs.
* 97% say their school has high expectations for student behavior.
* 96% say students of all backgrounds have equitable access and opportunity to receive academic support (e.g., remediation, tutoring).
* 95% say students of all backgrounds have equitable access and opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities.
Similarly, scholarship students offered high praise:
* 95% feel safe at school.
* 95% say students of all backgrounds have equal opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities.
* 94% say their teachers care about me.
* 94% can get help from teachers if needed.
* 94% say students of all backgrounds have equal opportunity to receive academic extra help or tutoring.
Rabbi Shlomo Soroka, director of government affairs for Agudath Israel of Illinois, added, “While the parental survey polling data highlights the enthusiastic parent satisfaction we expected, we are disappointed with how the researchers did not compare comparable test scores. Instead, low-income scholarship recipients’ test scores were compared to all average Illinois public school students. Despite this inequity, the low-income scholarship students performed admirably, especially on their SATs in high school. We know if researchers had compared scholarship students to equally low-income public school students, those who received the benefit of a Tax Credit Scholarship would have scored much higher than their lower income-equivalent counterparts.”
“Regarding special education services, school officials shared their concerns with researchers about the state’s current lack of financial resources allocated to educate students in private schools with behavioral issues and those who require more specific special education services,” said Robert Gilligan, executive director of the Catholic Conference of Illinois. “Members of the General Assembly who are champions for kids should note that schools expressed an interest in adding special education opportunities, counseling, and after-school programs if funded.”
The Invest in Kids Act Tax Credit Scholarship Program is an investment in opportunities for kids, poverty reduction, and economic acceleration. The General Assembly’s failure to take action in 2023 to save the program will cause over 14,000 students from low-income families to lose their scholarships and now may have to leave their best-fit schools. Reinstating the program this spring is unmistakably the right thing to do.
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Open thread
Wednesday, Feb 28, 2024 - Posted by Isabel Miller
* What’s going on in your part of Illinois?
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Isabel’s morning briefing
Wednesday, Feb 28, 2024 - Posted by Isabel Miller
* ICYMI: CTA President Dorval Carter grilled by alderman, public over service and safety. Tribune…
- Carter spoke before aldermen as part of a new requirement that CTA officials appear for quarterly City Council committee hearings.
- The agency said it expects to add more buses and trains in April, when it next addresses service as part of a regular union employee scheduling process.
- Carter outlined a plan to add 200 new train operators this year.
* Related stories…
* Isabel’s top picks…
* Crain’s | Illinois’ nursing shortage may soon get worse: The report, which surveyed 385 Illinois nurses, found 34% plan to leave the profession in the next 12 months, primarily because of unsafe staffing levels and unresolved moral distress — the feeling of being unable to help people or operate at the highest quality level because of systemic industry issues. About 87% said they are experiencing moral distress and 32% say they have cared for more than six patients at one time. Only 27% said the nurse-to-patient ratio is adequate and safe and 98% cited unsafe staffing as a reason for why they were considering leaving the profession.
* Sun-Times | Art Institute showed ‘willful blindness’ in buying Nazi-looted art, N.Y. prosecutors say: The 160-page filing by the Manhattan district attorney’s office lays out its case contending the work of art was stolen by the Nazis from cabaret star Fritz Grunbaum and later laundered through art dealers before arriving in New York. It accuses the Art Institute of failing to engage in “reasonable inquiry” as to the origins of the piece when it purchased it in 1966 and again decades later when questions arose about its provenance.
* Chicago Reader | Illinois EPA must revamp its permitting process after Chicago activists file civil rights complaint: While the resolution does not say that the agency violated any anti-discrimination laws, the agreement does compel the Illinois EPA to make sweeping changes to its air permitting process. It’s a rare victory for community groups that cite race-based discrimination when it comes to pollution, especially when working through the federal government.
* The Peoria Police Department’s latest hiring ad. It was deleted on Twitter and Facebook around an hour after being posted…
Governor Pritzker will be at the Fields Studios to announce film industry capital grant awards at 10 am. Click here to watch.
* Here’s the rest of your morning roundup…
* Sun-Times | Longtime Rep. Bill Foster, challenger Qasim Rashid face off in 11th District primary, differ over Gaza war: Rashid has lambasted Foster for no-shows at several debates and forums, but Foster faced his challenger on Jan. 24 — albeit briefly, before leaving to attend another town hall meeting. That exit prompted a Rashid campaign ad featuring Foster’s empty seat.
* SJ-R | Pritzker introduces pension reform plan that could save taxpayers billions. Will it work?: Asked his thoughts on Pritzker’s proposal, [Gov. Jim Edgar] told The State Journal-Register the new plan is not a major difference from the one led during his first term as governor. “How you get out of this pension problem takes time,” he said in a recent interview. “And you got to be disciplined and not increase benefits
* Crain’s: State Senate President Don Harmon specifically has told both [the Chicago Bears and the White Sox] there is little appetite in the General Assembly to approve separate stadium legislation. “I’m not planning to referee fights between billion-dollar sports franchises,” Harmon told Crain’s in a statement. “I hope the teams took heed of the governor’s expression of reluctance to use tax dollars to subsidize new stadiums.”
* WTTW | Are Publicly Funded Stadiums a Good Investment? State Lawmakers Weigh in on Chicago Teams’ Plans: But as all these plans were being pitched, Gov. J.B. Pritzker seemed to call a time out. “I think I’ve been fairly clear about the fact that the taxpayers’ dollars are precious,” Pritzker said in response to a reporter’s question at an unrelated event. “And the idea of taking taxpayer dollars and subsidizing the building of a stadium as opposed to, for example, subsidizing the building of a birthing center, just to give the example, does not seem like the stadium ought to have higher priority.”
* WCIA | Central Illinois superintendent of school, child tax credit advocates react to proposed early childhood budget investments: In 2020, the Rochester Community Unit District #3A had 30 kids in their early childhood education program. Now, they have 250. Dan Cox, the superintendent of schools for the district, credits Smart Start Illinois with helping the program grow. “It continues to support the research and evidence that giving children access to early education, early childhood education, only gives them the foundation for both success academically and socially,” Cox said.
* Windy City Times | Advocates call for increased HIV funding amid state’s ‘disappointing’ pattern of flat funding: “It’s a mixed bag because we are absolutely on board with the investments in early childhood development and the elimination of medical debt for many Illinoisans,” said Timothy Jackson, senior director of policy and advocacy at AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC). “But it’s disappointing to see no new funding on the state level; it really stands in the way of us progressing.”Pritzker’s budget offers no increase to the state’s HIV Lump Sum, which is the largest source of funding for HIV testing, education, treatment and prevention. This marks the third fiscal year in a row that the HIV Lump Sum hasn’t seen an increase in funding, Jackson said.
* KFVS | DCFS to hold hiring fair as it continues push to bring on more staff: During his State of the State and budget address on Feb. 21, Gov. JB Pritzker announced plans for the agency to eventually have 4,000 employees, which would be the largest number in two decades. “These are people who dedicate their lives to others in service,” said Jassen Strokosch, DCFS chief of staff.
* Chalkbeat Chicago | Who’s the boss? Chicago principals report to many different people: Those unknowns — as the principals union takes root and the city moves to an elected school board — may disrupt an already complicated hierarchy. As it stands now, a Chicago principal’s direct supervisor is the head of their network — the geographic area their school is organized under — and they are also accountable to their Local School Council, or LSC, a unique-to-Chicago elected body at most schools made up of parents, teachers, students, and community members, that can hire principals. Both have different hiring and firing powers.
* Crain’s | Before his last broadcast, Tom Skilling looks back on four decades as ‘Chicago’s Very Own’: “I was told early on that ‘you’re too technical, you’re too scientific.’ I do go into greater depth in describing the weather than a lot of folks do. I’m so fascinated by the way nature puts these things together. I just thought other people might find it interesting, too.” That attention to detail is why Skilling is the personification of Chicago’s weather, as one viewer described him during a nightly special celebrating the famed forecaster. Skilling carries with him a level of passion that makes him captivating to viewers. Having been doing weather reports since age 14, it’s a lifelong love of completely unknown origin.
* SJ-R | Springfield’s only Black-owned dentist hopes to be an inspiration to the community: Crawford is approaching the one-year anniversary of when he purchased and began operating his own medical practice, Crawford Family Dental at 1900 E. Sangamon Ave., providing dental care to the North side of Springfield. “When I was a young kid they’d ask, ‘what do you want to be when you grow up?’,” Crawford said. “And I never said dentist, but I never had a dentist who looked like me. I always like to be in public and speak to people as much as possible just so I may inspire someone.”
* ABC Chicago | Watch: Tornado spotted near Sublette, Illinois amid severe weather outbreak: The tornado is part of a system affecting much of northern Illinois on Tuesday, with turbulent conditions following record-high temperatures in the Chicago area on Monday and Tuesday afternoon. The storm system precedes a rapid cooldown which will see wind chill values drop to below 0 degrees in much of the region.
* Block Club | From 76 To 27 Degrees, Chicago To Experience 3 Seasons In 24 Hours: Tuesday could break the record for being the warmest Feb. 27 in Chicago’s recorded history, with a high of 76 degrees expected, according to the National Weather Service. It’ll be mostly sunny, with wind gusts up to 20 mph. Rain will move in overnight, and there’s a chance for thunderstorms 6 p.m.-midnight, according to the weather service. There’s a chance for tornadoes, damaging wind and hail stones up to 2 inches.
* Axios | WBEZ to scale back local programming: Chicago’s NPR station WBEZ is cutting down its locally produced, daily on-air talk programming to one hour. WBEZ, one of the largest public radio stations in the country, has scaled back its on-air local daily news shows from four hours roughly a decade ago.
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Live coverage
Wednesday, Feb 28, 2024 - Posted by Isabel Miller
* You can click here or here to follow breaking news. It’s the best we can do unless or until Twitter gets its act together.
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* Background is here if you need it. From the denial…
It is Hereby Ordered, that the City of Chicago’s Motion to Stay is denied for the following reasons:
On February 26, 2024 this Court denied the City of Chicago’s Petition for Leave to Intervene as a Matter of Right pursuant to 735 ILCS 5/2-408(a)(2). On that same day, the City of Chicago filed a Notice of Appeal to the Illinois Appellate Court stating, “the City of Chicago will ask the appellate court to reverse the circuit court’s judgment and orders and grant such other relief as it may be entitled to on this appeal.” (Notice of Appeal, p. 2, February 26, 2024).
This Court does not have jurisdiction to hear such a motion because “when the notice of appeal is filed, the appellate court’s jurisdiction attaches instanter, and the cause is beyond the jurisdiction of the trial court.” Daley v Laurie, 106 Il. 2d 33, 37-38 (1985) (while taking notice that the defendant’s Notice of Appeal preempted the defendant’s motion for a new trial, causing the trial court to lose jurisdiction).
Pursuant to the Supreme Court Rule 305(d), the City of Chicago is not foreclosed from obtaining the necessary relief of a stay from the Appellate Court. Il. Sup. Ct. Rule 305(d).
The City of Chicago’s Motion to Stay is also denied because the City of Chicago as non-intervenor, and ultimately as a non-party under the facts of this case has no standing to seek a stay on the final merits.
* 735 ILCS 5/2-408(a)(2)…
Intervention. (a) Upon timely application anyone shall be permitted as of right to intervene in an action: … (2) when the representation of the applicant’s interest by existing parties is or may be inadequate and the applicant will or may be bound by an order or judgment in the action
The suit was designed to prevent the Board of Elections from counting the votes. The City of Chicago does not count votes. So, the city wasn’t allowed to intervene.
…Adding… The plaintiffs’ response to the city’s motion to intervene referenced the statute above…
This Section sets three threshold requirements: (1) timely application; (2) inadequate representation of petitioner’s interest by the existing parties; and (3) a finding that the petitioner will or may be bound by an order in the case.
The Petition should be denied because Petitioner does not satisfy any of these three requirements for intervention. First the petition is not timely, and will, necessarily delay the agreed upon schedule for prompt resolution of the case. Second, the interest Petitioners claim to have is adequately represented by the Defendant, Board of Elections, which has filed exactly the same pleadings – a motion to dismiss and a response to the motion for judgment on the pleadings – that Petitioner seeks leave to file. Third, Petitioner will not be “bound” by any judgment of this Court because the relief sought in the Complaint – that the referenda not appear on the ballot and that, if it does, any votes cast on the question not be counted - can only be provided by the Defendant Board. Petitioner plays no role in preparing ballots or counting votes.
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* From Gov. JB Pritzker’s appearance at the Illinois Farm Bureau’s 2022 candidate forum…
Q: With California on the verge of passing a law that would mandate all electric electrical vehicles by 2035 and multiple states are possibly ready to follow, can we have your commitment to ensure that Illinois consumers have the choice in what type of vehicles we drive and we do not follow California’s lead?
Pritzker: I had the opportunity to sign on to that pact and didn’t. So that should give you some indicator. Look, do I think we ought to see electrification? Yes, of course, I’ve encouraged that I think it’s a good thing for us to electrify. But it is going to be gradual, it is going to take time. Illinois is not going to snap its fingers and require you to go buy an electric vehicle tomorrow.
* The governor today…
So we want to work our way obviously toward having zero emission vehicles on the road. That’s why we’ve provided some incentives for people who want to go out on their own, make that decision. I personally think now is not the right time for us to do that. Having said that, that’s ultimately the goal. So the question is, it’s not so much joining another state in their standard. It’s just a question of we ultimately need to replace fossil fuel-emitting vehicles in this country. And so we want to be a part of that in the state of Illinois. And we again, we’ve created incentives rather than, you know, sort of carrots rather than sticks to move people in the right direction
* Related…
* IFB strongly opposes ‘harmful’ emissions bill: Proposed state legislation adopting California emission standards in Illinois could render thousands of farm vehicles “illegal and worthless,” according to Illinois Farm Bureau’s director of state legislation. IFB is strongly opposed to House Bill 1634, sponsored by Democratic state Reps. Edgar Gonzalez Jr. of Chicago, Janet Yang Rohr of Naperville, and Bob Morgan of Highwood.
* NFIB: Rep. Gonzalez Pushes for Illinois to Outsource its Vehicle Emissions Standards to California: The bill, if passed, would require the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) to adopt and maintain rules implementing “the motor vehicle emissions standards of the State of California” in Illinois, effectively outsourcing an important area of Illinois’ transportation and environmental decision-making to California officials.
* Trucking group says it will sue if IL adopts CA emissions standards: The Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association and the California Trucking Association have filed lawsuits against similar legislation. Hart said they expect to sue in Illinois if Gonzalez’s bill becomes law. “You cannot have a state submit itself and its laws and policies to another state agency that is over 2,000 miles away,” Hart said.
* IL Corn Growers Association Urges Put the BRAKES on HB1634: Last week, Illinois state lawmakers tried hitting the gas to incorporate California’s extreme vehicle emissions standards into the Midwest. HB1634 allows California to govern Illinois Vehicle Code and would essentially require: 35% of new light duty vehicles including cars, SUV’s and pick-up trucks sold must be electric by 2026. By 2035, 100% must be electric. Mandates that 75% of all new heavy- duty truck sales and 40% of class 7 and 8 tractor sales must be zero emission by 2035. Requires new trucks sold to be zero emission starting in 2036. Requires used trucks owned by medium and large fleets also be zero emission by 2042.
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Isabel’s afternoon roundup
Tuesday, Feb 27, 2024 - Posted by Isabel Miller
* Subscribers know more. From the Sun-Times…
Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch is leading an effort to direct more than $560,000 to oust Chicago Democratic State Rep. Mary Flowers — the longest-serving African American lawmaker in the Illinois General Assembly, whose leadership was stripped last year over allegations of abusive behavior. […]
Unions, including IBEW Local 399 and LiUNA, have already contributed more than $500,000 to support Flowers’ opponent, Michael Crawford in the 31st District, which stretches from the city’s Auburn Gresham neighborhood to Hickory Hills.
But now Welch, and the Illinois House Democratic fund he operates, are publicly supporting Crawford with a hefty $560,500 contribution, according to TaQuoya McConnico, executive director for Illinois House Democrats. Welch himself contributed to Crawford $68,500 from his campaign fund. The rest came from fellow House Democratic leaders. […]
“The leader’s decision to support Michael Crawford comes after much consideration of the future of our caucus,” McConnico said in a statement Tuesday. “We are working to build a better Illinois for all. We have to do that with individuals who can come to the table, work collaboratively, and do the work that makes a difference.”
* Sun-Times…
Federal prosecutors say former state Sen. Terry Link should get probation — and no prison time — for dodging $82,000 in taxes after he cooperated for years with the FBI and helped prosecutors convict others for a bribery scheme under the Capitol dome in Springfield.
Sentencing guideline estimates call for as much as a year behind bars for Link, who is set to learn his fate March 6 in the courtroom of U.S. District Judge Mary Rowland. But Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine O’Neill wrote Tuesday that is “greater than necessary,” given Link’s acceptance of responsibility and “substantial assistance to the government.”
“He wore a recording device to meetings with former Illinois State Rep. Luis Arroyo and corrupt businessman James Weiss, leading to a federal indictment against the two,” O’Neill wrote in a memo to Rowland. “[Link] allowed the FBI to record his phone conversations, monitor his emails, and receive would-be bribes to [Link’s] P.O. Box to further the investigation.”
Click here for the full memo from the feds.
* Congratulations!…
…Adding… Turns out, DJ Ramos isn’t the first, but congrats anyway!
* Illinois Supreme Court…
The first Illinois capital city native to serve on the Supreme Court, the Honorable Benjamin K. Miller passed away on Sunday, Feb. 25 at Memorial Hospital in Springfield. He was 87. Justice Miller served on the Supreme Court from 1984-2001 and was Chief Justice from 1991-1993.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, March 23, from 1-2:45 p.m. with a funeral to follow at 3 p.m. Services will be held at Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. Sixth Street in Springfield.
“Justice Miller will forever be known as a giant of the Illinois judicial and legal communities,” Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis said. “He provided steady leadership and moved the courts forward in a profound way. He was always looking to the future and for ways to improve the court system. This is perfectly exemplified by his creation of both the Special Commission on the Administration of Justice and Illinois Family Violence Coordinating Council.”
* Here’s the rest…
* WAND | Pritzker announces $6 million for CEJA Returning Residents Program: The program will deliver clean jobs training, education, and support services in Illinois Department of Corrections facilities to people within 36 months of their release to prepare them to work in clean energy and related sector jobs once released. […] Program curriculum will include training in essential employability skills and clean energy basics. After completing the program, participants will continue to the job-specific training portion of the curriculum to get solar PV training or HVAC training, with an energy efficiency focus.
* ABC Chicago | Gov. JB Pritzker attends downstate ribbon cutting for new EV manufacturing training facility: The facility was funded in part by a $7.5 million capital grant, as part of the state’s larger $15 million manufacturing training academy investment, the release said. […] Heartland’s electric vehicle manufacturing program, which launched at a temporary site in August 2021, provides students with training, certificates and degrees in electric vehicle and energy storage technology, the release said.
* WJBC | Governor Pritzker calls Twin Cities state’s center for electric vehicles: Pritzker said Illinois’ greatest assets are its higher education system – including 48 community colleges, the third largest system in the nation – and its human capital. There are lots of other states that have – like “The Beverly Hillbillies” – they have “up from the ground come a-bubblin’ crude.” They have money coming up from the ground. They offer all kinds of dollars to companies to come to their state. We have some of that, but mostly what we have is great people.”
* Tribune | Unlimited funds can flow in State’s Attorney, Board of Review, Circuit Court Clerk races: O’Neill Burke filed paperwork with the state Tuesday morning notifying the state board of elections that she and her husband, attorney John Burke, had contributed a combined $106,900 to her campaign. If a candidate or immediate family member gives a total of $100,000 or more to a campaign within a 12-month span, that lifts contribution caps, allowing unlimited dollars to flow to all candidates in the race.
* Crain’s | Duckworth, trying to compel suddenly pro-IVF Republicans, pushes protections bill: The Illinois senator and U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., introduced the bill in 2022, and reintroduced it this year after Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., blocked unanimous consent in December. The bill would provide federal protection for IVF, including overriding any state restrictions. Duckworth said she would favor a roll call vote, but Murray said at the press conference that such a vote was unlikely given everything currently on the Senate’s agenda.
* NBC Chicago | Records reveal potential gaps in Johnson’s administration approach to health care for migrants: In the days after the death of 5-year-old Jean Carlos Martinez Rivero, volunteers – including medically-trained volunteers with the Mobile Migrant Health Team, comprised of University of Illinois Chicago medical students – expressed concern that they were being denied access to the shelters but were willing to help.
* Borderless | Investigation: Chicago Ignored Dozens Of Warnings Of Migrant Shelter Conditions Before Child’s Death: [A] Borderless investigation into the Pilsen shelter, released just days before the five-year-old died, along with new documents obtained by Borderless, paint a very different picture. In the weeks leading up to his death, migrants made at least 17 grievance reports to the Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC), decrying spoiled food, the rationing of water and mistreatment from staff.
* Crain’s | Chicago has one of the largest income inequality gaps in the country: A household in Chicago must bring home an annual salary of at least $149,219 to be among the city’s top 20% of earners. On the other hand, any household earning less than $27,255 is in the bottom quintile. That means the city’s top one-fifth of earners make at least 5.47 times as much as the bottom one-fifth of earners.
* Fox 32 | Cook County Sheriff raises awareness for ‘red flag’ laws: “This is very frustrating because there is so much of this we cannot prevent. There is so much we can do though,” Sheriff Tom Dart said. They want to make sure the public knows they can use the law as a tool to prevent gun violence. The sheriff’s office says almost 100 firearms have been taken from gun owners so far.
* People’s Fabric | “No, it’s just fireworks!” Chicago cop opens fire on child with fireworks after ShotSpotter gunshot alert: Because of SoundThinking (formerly ShotSpotter)’s refusal to share internal data with outside researchers, no independent study has ever tested whether ShotSpotter audio devices can reliably distinguish between fireworks and gunfire—both rapid-fire sounds that also measure closely on the decibel (dB) scale used to indicate sound level.
* Daily Herald | From Elgin to historically Black colleges: U-46 seeks to cultivate college dreams: But of the 107 historically Black colleges and universities in the United States, none are in Illinois. That can make them feel out of reach. To address that, U-46 schools began paying for the transportation, hotel and meal costs to send busloads of students to a dozen historically Black colleges and universities three years ago.
* WCIA | Central IL agencies report multiple brush fires, urge fire safety: The U.S. National Weather Service of Central Illinois described Monday’s weather as “unseasonably warm,” which sets the stage for a “rapid spread” of outdoor fires. The Christian County Emergency Management Agency announced on Facebook that area firefighters were responding to multiple brush fires throughout the day, and urged the public not to burn anything outdoors.
* PolitiFact | More gun ownership does not lead to less gun violence: Instagram users shared an image of the map with text that read, “97% of all guns are in the red territory. 97% of all gun violence is blue.” […] The graphic did not cite what statistics were used to create the map. But the map is not related to gun violence statistics. As Lead Stories found, it was created by a Medium blogger to show the results by congressional district of the 2016 presidential election between Hilary Clinton and Donald Trump.
* AP | Why Does the Government Think a Merger Between Owners of Jewel and Mariano’s Would Be Bad for Grocery Shoppers?: “A merger of Kroger and Albertsons would dramatically decrease competition within an already consolidated food retail market, which would result in fewer grocery stores and higher food prices, with predictable adverse consequences for food and nutrition security for consumers across the country,” Peter Lurie, president of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, said in a statement applauding the FTC’s action.
* ABC Chicago | Surge pricing for your Frosty? Wendy’s lunch rush could cost you more: Wendy’s, the country’s second-largest burger chain with 6,000 locations, announced that starting next year menu prices will fluctuate during the busiest times of day. That means you could be paying as much as a dollar more for that Baconater during the lunch rush.
* SJ-R | Former Illinois Supreme Court chief justice from Springfield area dies at 87: Benjamin K. Miller, the only Illinois Supreme Court justice to come from Sangamon County who also served as chief justice, died at Springfield Memorial Hospital on Feb. 25. […] As chief justice, Miller was instrumental in creating the Illinois Family Violence Coordinating Council, which helped improve the cooperation between the courts and other agencies involved in dealing with family violence.
* Sun-Times | Robbie Gould introduced as Rolling Meadows’ new football coach. ‘I fell in love with high school football.’: Former Bears kicker Robbie Gould spent some of last season helping out with Fremd’s football team. He says he was trying to figure out what “life after football looks like.” It turns out that life after the NFL will still contain football, just at a different level. Gould was officially announced as Rolling Meadows’ head football coach at a press conference on Tuesday.
* HuffPost | Paul McCartney Now Thinks ‘Yesterday’ May Have A Totally Different Meaning: Paul McCartney has revealed he may have subconsciously drawn inspiration to write the Beatles’ 1965 hit “Yesterday” from the death of his mother from cancer almost a decade earlier. “Someone did suggest to me that this was a ‘losing my mother’ song, which I always sort of said, ‘No, I don’t think so,’” McCartney told Irish Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Paul Muldoon in a new episode of their iHeartPodcast “McCartney: A Life In Lyrics.”
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[The following is a paid advertisement.]
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When Governor Pritzker’s appointees on the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) shut down the natural gas line Safety Modernization Program in Chicago, it not only wiped out 1,000 jobs, but also subjected residents and business owners to the unnecessary danger of aged gas infrastructure that is no longer allowed to be replaced.
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* Gallup today…
Significantly more Americans name immigration as the most important problem facing the U.S. (28%) than did a month ago (20%). Immigration has now passed the government as the most often cited problem, after the two issues tied for the top position the past two months. The government ranked first each month from January through November 2023.
In the latest poll, 20% of Americans name the government as the most important problem, followed by the economy (12%) and inflation (11%). Immigration is the only issue that has shown meaningful change in the past month.
* Congressional Budget Office…
In our projections, the deficit is also smaller than it was last year because economic output is greater, partly as a result of more people working. The labor force in 2033 is larger by 5.2 million people, mostly because of higher net immigration. As a result of those changes in the labor force, we estimate that, from 2023 to 2034, GDP will be greater by about $7 trillion and revenues will be greater by about $1 trillion than they would have been otherwise. We are continuing to assess the implications of immigration for revenues and spending.
* Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco…
Immigration policies enacted after January 2017 contributed to the decline in immigration prior to the sharp drop due to the COVID-19 border closures. Lower net international migration led to a slowdown in the foreign-born population and labor force growth. This contributed to the tightening in the U.S. labor market. Reopening of borders in 2022 and easing of immigration policies brought a sizable immigration rebound, which in turn helped alleviate the shortage of workers relative to job vacancies. The foreign-born labor force grew rapidly in 2022, closing the labor force gap created by the pandemic. This analysis suggests that, if the pickup in immigration flows continues, it could further ease overall labor market tightness, albeit by a modest amount.
* The Washington Post rounds it all up…
Immigration has propelled the U.S. job market further than just about anyone expected, helping cement the country’s economic rebound from the pandemic as the most robust in the world.
That momentum picked up aggressively over the past year. About 50 percent of the labor market’s extraordinary recent growth came from foreign-born workers between January 2023 and January 2024, according to an Economic Policy Institute analysis of federal data. And even before that, by the middle of 2022, the foreign-born labor force had grown so fast that it closed the labor force gap created by the pandemic, according to research from the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco.
Immigrant workers also recovered much faster than native-born workers from the pandemic’s disruptions, and many saw some of the largest wage gains in industries eager to hire. Economists and labor experts say the surge in employment was ultimately key to solving unprecedented gaps in the economy that threatened the country’s ability to recover from prolonged shutdowns.
“Immigration has not slowed. It has just been absolutely astronomical,” said Pia Orrenius, vice president and senior economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. “And that’s been instrumental. You can’t grow like this with just the native workforce. It’s not possible.” […]
In normal economic times, some analysts note, new immigrants can drag down wages, especially if employers decide to hire them over native-born workers. Undocumented workers, who don’t have as much leverage to push for higher pay, could lower average wages even more.
But the past few years were extremely abnormal because companies were desperate to hire. Plus, it would be exceedingly difficult for immigration to affect the wages of enormous swaths of the labor force, said Alex Nowrasteh, vice president for economic and social policy studies at the libertarian Cato Institute.
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* Max Bever, Director of Public Information, Chicago Board of Elections…
The Chicago Board of Election Commissioners will appeal the decision of the Circuit Court of Cook County to deny its Motion to Dismiss the lawsuit concerning the citywide referendum question. The Board maintains that it is not a proper defendant in this case, and that the City of Chicago is a necessary party. The Board will request an expedited review by the Illinois Appellate Court.
I’m not sure that the appellate court will agree, but it is important to note that the board did not engage at all with the substance of the opposition. Instead, its argument, as stated above, was very narrowly about who was the proper defendant. From the city’s filing yesterday…
The Board defendants could not and did not adequately represent the City’s interests. The Board failed to raise any substantive arguments in response to the Plaintiffs’ arguments that the referendum violated the Illinois Municipal Code and the Illinois Constitution. This is because the Board Defendants were not authorized to raise such arguments. See Kozenczak v. Du Page Cnty. Officers Electoral Bd., 299 Ill. App. 3d 205, 207 (2nd Dist. 1998)(holding local election officials acted “in an adjudicatory or quasi-judicial capacity” and thus Illinois election law did not authorize their advocacy on behalf of prospective candidate in opposition to a voter challenge to his qualifications.) One of the Board Defendants even averred that it was improper for the Board to weigh in on the referendum’s constitutionality.
Because the City was not allowed to intervene, these arguments were not raised. If the City had been allowed to intervene, the Court would have considered these arguments, which were raised in the City’s proposed Motion to Dismiss. Instead, the Court granted the Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings with no opposition to the substantive arguments.
* Also, this is from A.D. Quig’s Tribune story…
[Mayor Brandon Johnson] did not answer when asked if his administration had erred in the drafting of the question or whether he would try to get the referendum question on November ballots if appeals failed. […]
Speed was key in this case, [plaintiffs] argued, so that voters would know what votes would be counted by primary day on March 19.
“While the amount of time that Petitioner waited to seek intervention — 35 days — may not be excessive in other types (of) cases, it is an eternity in an election case,” attorneys Mike Kasper and Michael Del Galdo wrote in opposition to the city intervening, inferring the city did so deliberately “to delay the proceedings so that a final resolution comes much closer to, or even after, the primary election.”
* And this is from Heather Cherone’s WTTW story…
State law does not give the City Council the power to change the transfer tax on its own authority. Without legislation passed by the General Assembly and signed by the governor, the measure needs the support of Chicago voters through a referendum before the City Council can levy the tax and collect the funds.
* More…
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* Illinois State Fair…
* WAND…
The Illinois State Fair Grandstand concert series is getting its first dose of rock and metal.
Mötley Crüe will perform on Saturday, Aug. 10.
Tickets will go on sale Saturday, March 2 at 10 a.m. via Ticketmaster.
Tier 3 - $88 / Tier 2 - $98 / Tier 1 - $110 / SRO Track - $110 / Blue Ribbon Zone - $165
*A $30 Pre-Show Party ticket is offered as an additional upgrade for all paid concerts.
Motley Crue is a heavy metal band formed in 1981 by bassist Nikki Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee. Vince Neil is on vocals and Mick Mars is on guitars.
* NBC Chicago…
Mötley Crüe joins previously announced Illinois State Fair Grandstand 2024 acts Jason Isbell and country music star Jordan Davis. Additional Grandstand headliners will be announced at a later date, the state fair said. […]
The 2024 Illinois State Fair takes place Aug. 8 through 18 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield. A full schedule of special days held at the fair can be found here.
Tickets to the fair start at $10 for adults, and $5 for parking. Tickets to Grandstand shows are not included in the general admission price.
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It’s just a bill
Tuesday, Feb 27, 2024 - Posted by Isabel Miller
* WSPY…
97th District Democratic State Rep. Harry Benton is working on a number of bills including some for tax relief and to extend remote schooling options for military families.
One bill would list all of the exemptions that people qualify for on their tax bill.
“That way you’re not trying search around and figure out what you’re eligible for, you can look at it,” Rep Benton said. “Only about 8% of people take the exemptions that they’re qualified for. This is going to impact veterans, seniors, people who are disabled. Expanding out some possible homestead exemptions. So I want to make sure we do some property tax relief through this bill.”
Benton also says he’s working on a joint resolution naming a building for former Secretary of State Jesse White.
* Center Square…
During an Illinois House Insurance Committee hearing in Chicago Monday, Giannoulias said an individual’s driving record should serve as the primary factor that is analyzed when setting rates.
“I am sure you will hear from the other side today, who will predict that this legislation [House Bill 4611] will lead to rate hikes and job losses, but I implore all of you to look at the numbers and facts,” Giannoulias said. “I do feel it is important for us to step up and fight for those who don’t always have a voice fighting for them. We aren’t asking insurance companies to give Illinoisans special treatment, only fair treatment.”
State Rep. Jeff Keicher, R-Sycamore, pressed Giannoulias and asked him if he knew that there are already laws that prevent companies from discriminating against consumers.
“Is that effective? Is it working? Because based on the data we have seen there are still differing rates depending on zip code,” Giannoulias said.
* Rep. Barbara Hernandez introduced HB5669 last week…
Provides that the amendatory Act may be referred to as the Reuniting Family Initiative Act. Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Creates the Family Advocacy Initiating Recovery (F.A.I.R.) Pilot Program within the Department of Children and Family Services. Provides that the F.A.I.R. pilot shall operate for a 2-year period and that the Department shall partner with peer-led organizations to assess the Department’s performance and management of child placement and parental termination cases that involve a parent with a substance use disorder. Provides that the purpose of the F.A.I.R. pilot is to: (i) create a system of continuing safe care for mothers and families involved in the Department’s parental termination and child placement case process in order to resolve decades-old family reunification failures by the Department; and (ii) ensure transparency between the Department and those peer-led organizations advocating on behalf of mothers and families. Contains provisions concerning the development of guidelines and best practices on how to create a sustainable pathway to family reunification in child placement cases; family needs assessments; reporting requirements; and other matters. Amends the Adoption Act. Provides that a petition to adopt a child may include an adoption contact agreement under which a petitioner may request an agreement for contact between a child and the child’s birth parent or parents. Provides that the adoption contact agreement may include provisions for contact, visitation, or the exchange of information, and the grounds, if any, on which the adoptive parent or parents may decline to permit visits or cease providing contact or information. Provides that if the child is 12 years old or older, the court may not order an adoption contact agreement unless the child consents to all terms of the agreement. Provides that in DCFS cases a consent to adopt or surrender a child is not valid unless the legal mother has received pre-consent counseling or refused to participate in pre-consent counseling.
* Sen. Mike Porfirio…
Military service members on active duty status who represent part of a public body – such as a village board, school district or township –may soon be allowed to attend meetings remotely, thanks to a new measure passed by State Senator Mike Porfirio.
“It is our duty to create a more inclusive and adaptable environment for all members of our community, especially those who selflessly serve in the military,” said Porfirio (D-Lyons Township), a member of the Navy Reserve. “This legislation reflects our commitment to ensuring service members on active duty status can participate in discussions and decisions that impact our communities and the people they have dedicated their lives to protecting.”
Currently, a majority of the members of any public body choose to allow another member to attend remotely in cases of illness, disability, employment related to the business of the public body, a family emergency or unforeseen child care obligations.
The proposed measure aims to include military service members on active duty status among the exceptions eligible for remote attendance at meetings if the cause of their absence is their performance of military duty. This addition recognizes the unique challenges faced by those serving in the military and seeks to provide a flexible framework that accommodates their service commitments without obstructing their ability to participate in civic responsibilities. […]
Senate Bill 2665 passed the Executive Committee on Wednesday and moves to the full Senate for further consideration.
* WATT Poultry…
A bill has been proposed in Illinois that would make caged egg production illegal in the state by January 1, 2026.
Illinois State Sen. Linda Holmes, D-Aurora, on February 9 proposed SB3655, the Confinement of Egg-Laying Hens Act, which would make it unlawful for a farm owner or operator to confine a laying hen in an enclosure that is not a cage-free housing system, or has less than the amount of usable floor space per hen required by the 2017 edition of the United Egg Producers’ Animal Husbandry Guidelines for U.S. Egg-Laying Flocks: Guidelines for Cage-Free Housing.
The bill also requires that business owners in the state cannot knowingly sell eggs that are not consistent with the above-mentioned production standards. The legislation, however, does have a stipulation that a business owner or operator of a farm “shall not be liable under the Act if the business owner or operator relied upon, in good faith, a written certification by the supplier that the shell eggs or egg products were not derived from an egg-laying hen that was confined in a manner that conflicts with the act.” […]
The bill also calls for civil penalty of $2,000 per violation per day.
A member of the Illinois State Senate since 2006, Holmes is chairperson of the Senate’s Agriculture, Commerce and Economic Development Committee, and is the Majority Caucus Whip.
* The United Egg Producer Guidelines…
Depending on the system type, a minimum range between 1.0 - 1.5 sq. ft. of usable floor space per hen shall be provided to allow for normal behavior.
* Eater…
Cage-free, a term regulated by the USDA, means that the eggs come from hens that, put simply, aren’t caged: They can “freely roam a building, room, or enclosed area with unlimited access to food and fresh water during their production cycle, but [do] not have access to the outdoors.” Considering the conventional cage is 8 ½ by 11 inches, or the size of a piece of paper, this seems like a better lifestyle — but there are downsides, too. According to All About Eggs by Rachel Khong, cage-free facilities have more hen-on-hen violence and lower air quality than facilities that use cages.
* Here’s the synopsis of SB3655…
Creates the Confinement of Egg-Laying Hens Act. Provides that, beginning on January 1, 2026, a farm owner or operator shall not knowingly confine an egg-laying hen in an enclosure that: (i) is not a cage-free housing system; or (ii) has less than the amount of usable floor space per hen required by the 2017 edition of the United Egg Producers’ Animal Husbandry Guidelines for U.S. Egg-Laying Flocks: Guidelines for Cage-Free Housing. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2026, a business owner or operator shall not knowingly sell any shell egg or egg products that the business owner or operator knows or should know was produced by an egg-laying hen that was confined in a manner that conflicts with the requirements in the Act. Provides for exemptions from the requirements of the Act. Provides that a business owner or operator of a farm shall not be liable under the Act if the business owner or operator relied upon, in good faith, a written certification by the supplier that the shell eggs or egg products were not derived from an egg-laying hen that was confined in a manner that conflicts with the Act. Authorizes the Department of Agriculture to administer and enforce the Act. Authorizes the Director of Agriculture to adopt rules necessary to administer the Act. Sets forth requirements to certify shell eggs and egg products as compliant with the Act. Provides for a civil penalty of $2,000 per violation per day.
* Rep. Diane Blair-Sherlock…
Families would be able to more easily rollover money from a 529 College Savings account to a Roth IRA under a proposal introduced by state Rep. Diane Blair-Sherlock, D-Villa Park.
“This option would give parents and their children greater flexibility to decide how to save their money, particularly if they have funds no longer intended for education,” Blair-Sherlock said. “For those looking to help their child get a head start on retirement savings, this would be a helpful change.”
Blair-Sherlocks’ House Bill 5005, which she introduced in partnership with the Illinois Treasurer’s office, would allow rollovers from a 529 College Savings account into the beneficiary’s Roth IRA account without triggering income taxes or penalties. Rollovers would only go to the beneficiary’s Roth IRA, not the parent or guardian. College accounts must be opened at least 15 years before rollover, and up to $35,000 of leftover 529 College Savings funds can be rolled into the Roth IRA.
This update would reflect changes to federal law and expand existing practice in Illinois, which allows rollover from a 529 College Savings account into a qualified tuition program via an Illinois ABLE account.
* Citizens Utility Board…
CUB’s priorities for the 2024 Illinois General Assembly session include the following. […]
Utility Affordability Act
Bill Number: Senate Bill 2885/House Bill 5061
Sponsor: Sen. Suzy Glowiak Hilton and Rep. Theresa Mah
What it does: Current Illinois law allows utilities to recover certain expenses from their customers that consumer advocates have long argued should be paid for by shareholders. Under the Utility Affordability Act, investor-owned electric, gas and water utilities in Illinois would be prohibited from charging customers for the following expenses:
- Utility dues for memberships in trade associations that push the companies’ agenda.
- Work devoted to political issues campaigns, such as referendums.
Goodwill advertising that enhances the utility image and benefits shareholders.
Charitable donations made by utilities on behalf of ratepayers.
- Insurance protection for shareholders.
- Lawyer and expert witness costs when utilities push for rate hikes before the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). Typically, such legal expenses take up the largest chunk of these recoverable costs.
CUB estimates the Illinois legislation could, for the average year, save ratepayers across Illinois more than $50 million, based on documents the utilities filed with their most recent rate cases.
[…]
The joint news release by CUB and AARP Illinois.
Water Affordability & Accountability
Bill Number: House Bill 5157
Sponsor: Rep. Nabeela Syed
What it does: This bill would lower water utility bills by:
- requiring water utility shareholders to pay the majority of costs when the utility buys a water or wastewater system,
- creating a referendum prior to privatization of water or sewer systems,
- removing the QIP surcharge that speeds rate increases for utility customers. […]
Telecom & Broadband Affordability
Bill Number: House Bill 5214
Sponsor: Rep. Lilian Jiménez
What it does: This bill would update Illinois’ supplemental broadband assistance fund by sunsetting the landline collection of donations and instead provide for donation collections on broadband bills (including wireless, VOIP and cable internet bills).
With Congress unable to agree on an extension of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), this legislation would be vital for helping people stay connected to the internet.
This bill would also revive low-priced local calling plans, saving money for AT&T customers in Illinois who depend on landlines.
Electric Utility Transparency
Bill Number: House Bill 4747
Sponsor: Rep. Joyce Mason
What it does: This bill would require any electric utility that is a member of a Regional Transmission Organization (RTO) to disclose to the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) any recorded vote they make within that organization, regardless if such disclosure is required by the RTO itself.
These votes at RTOs—organizations that manage regional power grids—can impact issues that matter to our reliability and our electric bills in Illinois.
More on this bill:Illinois is one of five states where similar legislation has been announced, along with Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. “When utilities vote at regional transmission organizations, they have impacts on our clean energy transition and the cost of electricity,” Rep. Mason said in a news release put out by the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators. “My bill introduces better transparency for how utilities vote in our electric markets, which is part of a healthy democracy. As a legislator, my votes are public – it should be the same for utilities whose votes impact the affordability and cleanliness of our electricity.” This bill is one of the reforms CUB’s Clara Summers is working as part of CUB’s Consumers for a Better Grid project.
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Isabel’s morning briefing
Tuesday, Feb 27, 2024 - Posted by Isabel Miller
* ICYMI: Gov. J.B. Pritzker pushes maternal health funding at planned South Side birthing center. Tribune…
- Pritzker’s $52.7 billion budget calls for $23 million to advance “birth equity”.
-In Illinois, Black women are three times as likely to die from pregnancy-related medical conditions as white women.
- That funding includes $12 million for a child tax credit for low- and moderate-income families with children under age 3, plus greater investments in community health care providers, the state’s home visitation program and a pilot program for free diapers.
* Related…
* Isabel’s top picks…
* SJ-R | Pritzker says Republicans are limiting women’s choice of freedom after ruling in Alabama: Former President Donald Trump and some Republicans in Washington, however, have called for IVF to be protected. Despite these claims, U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., said any real support for federal protections from GOP is legislators lacking.
* WTAX | Senator, IVF mom: Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) is not only a U.S. senator. She is a mother of two, both children conceived through in vitro fertilization (IVF). A decision by the Alabama Supreme Court complicates the process by declaring a fertilized egg – including a frozen embryo – has the same rights as a live human being. “For example, in my case, when we have five fertilized eggs, and three were non-viable,” Duckworth told ABC This Week Sunday morning, “when my doctor discarded those with my consent, that could be considered potentially manslaughter or murder.
* Windy City Times | State Rep. Kelly Cassidy attacked on social media, allegedly by backers of Burke: As for the responses to her post—specifically, one that stated the state rep needed to grow a thicker skin—Cassidy said, “To the folks who say that, this isn’t about my feelings, frankly. I didn’t tweet that because they hurt my feelings. I put that out there because people need to know the kinds of people who are supporting this woman. And I have incredibly thick skin; I’ve been called worse things by better people.”
* United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America…
Gary Perinar, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council, has been appointed Second Vice President of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters of America (UBC), effective March 1. As Second General Vice President, Perinar will help set the agenda for the UBC, the umbrella organization that represents 500,000 skilled union workers throughout North America.
Perinar is a third-generation business representative of the union and a 46-year member of Carpenters Local 174 in Joliet. In addition to his leadership role in the UBC, Perinar is an active civic leader and holds positions on several state and local governing authorities.
“It is an incredible honor to be asked to join the UBC’s leadership team led by our visionary General President Douglas McCarron,” said Perinar. “The UBC is consistently at the forefront of transformational policies that redefine what it means to represent union members in the 21st Century. We’re incredibly proud of the unparalleled wages, benefits, training, and workplace protections we provide for our members, and I look forward to helping shape policies to continue to grow our market share across North America.”
Replacing Perinar at the Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council is Kevin McLaughlin, a 39-year member of the UBC who currently serves as a member of the Council’s executive board and is the President of Carpenters Local 10. As Executive Secretary-Treasurer, McLaughlin will oversee operations of a union that represents 53,000 carpenters in 324 counties across Illinois, Missouri, Kansas and Eastern Iowa.
“I’m excited to begin this new chapter with the Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council and appreciate everything Vice President Perinar has done to set up our union for continued success,” said McLaughlin. “Our union prides itself on our unparalleled training, safety and productivity so union contractors can remain competitive with the industry’s highest skilled workforces. We will never lose sight of that mission.”
Governor Pritzker will be at Heartland Community college at 10 am to celebrate the opening of its EV manufacturing training academy. Click here to watch.
* Here’s the rest of your morning roundup…
* WLS | Reyes facing off against Justice Joy Cunningham, selected by former Chief Justice Ann Burke to replace her: Releasing her first TV ad last week, Cunningham has raised almost twice as much money as Reyes, but he said his campaign is gaining steam. Besides the need for Latino representation, Reyes said he has more judicial experience than his opponent, including 26 years on the bench, 11 of which have been on the Appellate Court.
* Center Square | Behavioral health advocates ’shocked and dismayed’ drug program being cut: Aside from concerns raised by employer groups and municipalities, another proposal affects funding for opioid overdose initiatives. Jud DeLoss from the Illinois Association for Behavioral Health said there are proposed cuts to the Substance Use Prevention and Recovery program. “We were shocked and dismayed to see that Gov. Pritzker has proposed a cut to SUPR of over $45 million,” DeLoss said Friday during a joint House and Senate committee hearing on the workforce limitations for behavioral health. “At a time when we’re seeing opioid deaths and suicides [rise], a cut of that dramatic amount is simply devastating and it is going to cause even further damage to the field.”
* Sun-Times | Another legal cloud hangs over ShotSpotter contract: Because of the way the contract was secured, the city isn’t allowed to extend it at less favorable terms. Instead, the 2018 contract that got the ball rolling on the first of $57.5 million in payments to the company was a “reference” contract, piggybacked onto a similar agreement in Louisville, Kentucky.
* ABC Chicago | Battle over Chicago real estate transfer tax referendum heads to higher court: A judge’s written ruling issued Monday sided with BOMA, and also ordered the Board of Elections not to count the votes or publish any vote totals. The city quickly moved to intervene and appealed the case. It also filed a motion to stay the judge’s ruling Friday.
* Sun-Times | Mayor Johnson’s team asks judge to pause ruling invalidating Bring Chicago Home referendum: The city argues the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners “could not and did not adequately represent the city’s interests,” and in fact, “failed to raise any substantive arguments in response” to the legal arguments made by the real estate industry that the referendum violated state law.
* WTTW | Final Tally: Chicago Taxpayers Spent At Least $74M to Resolve Police Misconduct Lawsuits in 2023, Analysis Finds: That number is significantly less than the totals in 2022 and 2021, when taxpayers spent an average of $95 million in each year to resolve more than 120 lawsuits alleging police misconduct, but on par with what the city has spent to resolve police misconduct lawsuits on average during the past four years, according to WTTW News’ analysis of reports released by the Chicago Department of Law.
* Crain’s | It’s getting harder for towns to ignore their lack of affordable housing: At the top, the town with the smallest supply of affordable housing is Kildeer, a village in southwest Lake County where, according to IHDA, 0.4% of the 1,317 residential units are affordable. In the past year, 115 homes have sold in Kildeer, averaging $683,740, according to Redfin, an online real estate marketplace.
* Block Club | Puerto Rico Town, Other Chicago Cultural Districts Can Get Millions For Preservation Efforts: The money is intended for economic development, tourism and local entrepreneurship; the preservation of historic buildings, traditions and languages; and the promotion of culturally informed education, officials said. Each can now apply for a portion of $3 million in state funding, which will be made available later this year.
* Evanston Now | City to ‘explore legal options’ against hate speech: The state attorney general’s office, in a case involving Evanston Township High School, has upheld a time limit on public comment, like the one used Thursday to cut off comments after 45 minutes. But in a case from Urbana, the same office said that without evidence of disruption, a public body cannot prohibit expression of opinions or criticism of public officials during public comment.
* WLS | Site of former Tinley Park mental health center to be redesigned into a massive sports complex: “Time to tear it down. It’s time to redevelop the property and make it into something our community can be proud of,” said 19th District State Sen. Michael Hastings. Hastings led the effort to sell the land to the park district. Local officials fought over its future use for years.
* SJ-R | Here’s why construction of the new Illinois Youth Center has been postponed: However, the construction has been postponed since it has been announced that the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice is receiving $151.4 million dollars; the project could receive $5.9 million to complete its construction as part of Gov. JB Pritzker’s budget proposal.
* Rockford Register Star | Long-awaited COVID relief arrives for Rockford-area restaurants: The Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau and State Rep. Maurice West, D-Rockford, announced at a press conference Monday that they’ve finalized plans to distribute a $1.5 million grant to help local restaurants that followed COVID protocols and are now underwater with the Illinois Department of Employment Security.
* Crain’s | Cubs want $30 million to boost security outside Wrigley Field, and maybe secure an All-Star Game: Team officials and MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred have expressed a need from the city to help with security around the stadium, but the costs had not previously been disclosed. While discussing the possibility of the Cubs being awarded an All-Star Game before he steps down as commissioner in 2029, Manfred recently said “the city being willing to step up on (security) issues is the other big variable,” according to the Chicago Tribune. The next available All-Star Game to be awarded would be in 2027.
* WGEM | Organization files federal civil rights complaint against WIU, alleging discriminatory scholarships: After reviewing the complaint, WIU Professor of Sociology Robert Hironimus-Wendt told WGEM News that most of these scholarships are endowed by individuals, not the university.
* Tribune | Skokie Village Board reveals closed discussion topic to public after Attorney General ruling: According to the letter, Skokie Trustee James Johnson, a political independent, submitted a Request for Review to the Attorney General’s Public Access Bureau alleging that the Skokie Board of Trustees violated the Open Meetings Act when it discussed the prospect of $4.5 million loan from the village to the Hilton Hotel development at 4930 Oakton Street and whether the village’s Economic Development Fund could be used to authorize the loan.
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Live coverage
Tuesday, Feb 27, 2024 - Posted by Isabel Miller
* You can click here or here to follow breaking news. It’s the best we can do unless or until Twitter gets its act together.
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