Kudos to CNI
Wednesday, Oct 21, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Capitol News Illinois has been doing a good job of covering some recent legislative hearings that nobody else has been paying much attention to. For instance…
Health care experts appeared before Illinois lawmakers Monday to discuss disparities in access to hospitals and outcomes based on ZIP code.
Witnesses discussed solutions to financial obstacles facing safety-net hospitals, the lack of preventative care for underserved communities, and massive disparities in outcomes based on race and income at a joint hearing of the state Senate Public Health and Human Services committees.
Safety net hospital is a term for a medical center that generally provides health care for individuals regardless of their insurance status, legal status or ability to pay. The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services determines whether or not a hospital qualifies for a safety net designation based on the percentage of inpatients using Medicaid.
Because the safety net model is not an inherently profitable one, safety net hospitals rely on government funding and are consistently financially challenged, leading to cuts in services such as pediatrics or obstetrics and gynecology, or, in some circumstances, closure of the facility.
In many parts of the state, safety net hospitals are the only locally accessible supplier of health care, particularly in low income, majority Black and majority Latino communities based in the south and west sides of Chicago and the Metro East area near St. Louis.
In 2014, there were 40 safety net hospitals in the state. According to IDHFS, 24 hospitals currently meet that designation.
* And…
In Illinois and around the country, an increasing number of universities, investigators and researchers are turning up evidence of systemic racism in the financial sector that has plagued Black Americans for decades
In June, a report from Chicago radio station WBEZ-FM and the nonprofit news organization City Bureau found that for every dollar banks loaned in a white Chicago neighborhood, they only invested 12 cents in Black neighborhoods. A 2019 Duke University study estimates Black Chicagoans lost between $3 to $4 billion in the 1950s and 60s due to predatory housing contracts. A 2013 Pew report shows that nationally, African Americans lost 53 percent of their wealth between 2005 and 2009 due to the collapse of the housing market.
On Thursday, the Illinois Senate Executive and Commerce and Economic Development committees held a joint hearing on racial equity in lending and homeownership. The hearing was the latest in an ongoing series of hearings prompted by the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus agenda to end systemic racism.
“The time is long overdue for Black households to be met with policies that uplift them and provide them with access to better credit and lending opportunities,” state Sen. Mattie Hunter, a Chicago Democrat who chairs the Executive Committee, said. “It’s imperative that we work to close the wealth gap and level the playing field.”
* And…
Lawmakers and renewable energy stakeholders are calling for legislative action on measures meant to bring funding to and diversify the clean energy industry in the state.
Members of a coalition backing the Path to 100 energy legislation made the calls in a virtual news conference Wednesday. Their legislation aims to raise a rate cap on energy bills from about 2 to 4 percent to provide funding for renewable projects, avoiding what Rep. Will Davis called the “solar cliff.”
“This is a time when Illinois desperately needs jobs, but the renewable industry in Illinois has lost an estimated 3,500 jobs in the last year,” Davis, a Hazel Crest Democrat, said in the news conference. “This is mainly because our state’s renewable energy program is running out of funding. Today, we are calling on the General Assembly to pass the Path to 100 Act to solve this crisis, and we are announcing a new diversity and equity plan that will be a key part of our renewable energy sector going forward.”
The diversity initiatives laid out Wednesday include funding workforce development programs for the industry through the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and creating diversity hiring and contracting mandates for companies procuring Renewable Energy Credits through the Illinois Power Agency, among other actions. The coalition said it also aims to expand access to community solar initiatives and the Solar for All Program for low-income Illinoisans.
4 Comments
|
* As we’ve already discussed, the Democratic Party of Illinois has contributed $550,000 to Justice Tom Kilbride’s retention campaign. But this is what Kilbride said earlier this month…
On Oct. 2, Kilbride told WBEZ he would not accept any funding from any Madigan-led political funds.
“We’re not going to accept one penny — and I say this respectfully — [from] Speaker Madigan or any of his entities,” Kilbride said then.
From his campaign…
By law, Justice Kilbride is not allowed to solicit campaign contributions. To further maintain his impartiality, he has no role in fundraising – all such decisions are made by his treasurer – and no knowledge of the donors to his retention committee nor of those to the opposition committee.
* So, should Kilbride’s campaign refund the DPI contribution? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please…
bike trails
34 Comments
|
* Press release…
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today reported 4,342 new confirmed cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Illinois, including 69 additional deaths.
• Christian County: 1 female 80s
• Clark County: 1 male 90s
• Clay County: 1 male 80s
• Clinton County: 1 male 80s
• Cook County: 2 females 60s, 2 males 60s, 2 males 70s, 3 females 80s, 1 male 80s, 1 female 90s, 2 males 90s
• DuPage County: 1 male 30s, 1 female 40s, 1 female 70s, 1 male 70s
• Fayette County: 1 male 80s
• Ford County: 1 male 50s, 1 female 90s
• Franklin County: 1 male 80s, 1 male 90s
• Fulton County: 1 male 90s
• Hancock County: 1 male 60s
• Jackson County: 1 male 70s
• Kane County: 1 male 50s, 1 female 80s
• Kendall County: 1 male 80s, 1 male 90s
• Knox County: 1 female 50s, 1 female 70s, 1 male 90s
• Lake County: 1 female 70s
• Macon County:1 female 90s
• Madison County: 1 male 80s
• Marion County: 2 males 70s, 1 male 80s
• McDonough County: 1 female 80s
• Peoria County: 1 female 40s, 1 female 70s, 1 female 80s
• Richland County: 1 male 80s
• Saline County: 2 females 80s
• Sangamon County: 1 male 80s
• Shelby County: 1 female 60s, 1 male 70s
• St. Clair County: 1 male 80s, 1 male 90s
• Vermilion County: 1 female 70s
• Whiteside County: 2 male 80s, 1 female 90s
• Will County: 1 female 50s, 1 male 80s
• Williamson County: 1 female 90s
• Winnebago County: 1 male 60s, 1 male 70s, 1 female 80s, 1 female 90s, 1 female 100+
• Woodford County: 2 females 90s, 1 male 90s
Currently, IDPH is reporting a total of 355,217 cases, including 9,345 deaths, in 102 counties in Illinois. The age of cases ranges from younger than one to older than 100 years. The preliminary seven-day statewide positivity for cases as a percent of total test from October 14 – October 20 is 5.7%. Within the past 24 hours, laboratories have reported 66,791 specimens for a total of 6,950,105. As of last night, 2,338 people in Illinois were reported to be in the hospital with COVID-19. Of those, 502 patients were in the ICU and 194 patients with COVID-19 were on ventilators.
*All data are provisional and will change. In order to rapidly report COVID-19 information to the public, data are being reported in real-time. Information is constantly being entered into an electronic system and the number of cases and deaths can change as additional information is gathered. Information for a death previously reported has changed, therefore, today’s numbers have been adjusted. For health questions about COVID-19, call the hotline at 1-800-889-3931 or email dph.sick@illinois.gov.
22 Comments
|
The unfiltered Todd Ricketts
Wednesday, Oct 21, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller
* There was a time when Todd Ricketts, a part-owner of the Chicago Cubs, was considered a top Republican prospect to run for Illinois governor. But his eager and aggressive fundraising and advocacy for President Trump isn’t going to help in a state which Trump lost by 17 points and is poised to lose by as much or more this time around. He’s also very close to former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, which will fire up the unions to no end.
But I wasn’t aware that his internal filter is so loose. From a New Yorker profile by Alex Kotlowitz…
Todd Ricketts can be surprisingly unfiltered. In comments on his Facebook page, Todd referred to covid-19 as the “the kung flu”—weeks before Trump used the demeaning phrase at a rally in Tulsa. In a post of a video in which New York Mayor Bill de Blasio urged residents to call the city if they witnessed large gatherings of people, Ricketts commented, “All snitches will be given priority when applying for jobs as security guards at the concentration camps that will be opening later this year.”
A good oppo firm could likely unearth much more.
Also, it’s probably time for another friendly reminder to get off Facebook.
35 Comments
|
* From the Facebook page “We are open ‘up yours JB’”…
If anyone knows a business staying open please list them
And then dozens of southern Illinoisans dutifully posted the names of restaurants and taverns which vow to remain open despite new mitigations imposed by IDPH - making it pretty darned easy for local and state public health officials to track and confront the scofflaws.
Some folks just don’t think ahead too well, I suppose.
Also, I saved a copy of the page just in case.
36 Comments
|
You likely can’t end it, so mend it
Wednesday, Oct 21, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller
* I’ve been pushing reform groups to come up with some viable alternatives to the contribution caps law. The legislature will never go for eliminating it because that makes members vulnerable to big-spending individuals and groups. Reform for Illinois came up with some ideas and here’s a sampling…
Unfortunately, the self-funding provision inadvertently created a loophole that was ripe for abuse. As reported by Reform for Illinois and the Better Government Association, it has now become common practice for legislative leaders in both parties to donate or loan $100,001 to their own campaigns, triggering the self-funding provision and opening the floodgates to uncapped megadonor and special interest contributions. As the above table shows, all four legislative leaders have removed limits in their own races this election cycle.
Legislative leaders don’t need the extra funds for themselves—none of them has faced a credible reelection threat in years. Instead, they use the money to further consolidate their power by transferring millions to grateful candidates either directly or using a state party committee as an intermediary. […]
Option 2: Raise—but do not remove—fundraising limits in a race where a candidate self-funds
Currently, when a candidate in a race donates or loans more than $100,000 to their own campaign, all donation limits for all candidates in the race are removed. As an alternative, Illinois could raise contribution limits without removing them entirely to give non-self-funding candidates the opportunity to raise more without flooding the race with vast amounts of money and elevating the role of megadonors.
This model of increased but not unlimited contributions was implemented at the federal level in the congressional Millionaire’s Amendment. (The Millionaire’s Amendment was only ruled unconstitutional because it applied different limits to wealthy and non-wealthy candidates. Symmetrically applied increased limits should be constitutional.) In Colorado, a proposed constitutional amendment to create a self-funding provision (which voters ultimately rejected) would not have removed contribution limits entirely but instead would have quintupled them, increasing the amount candidates could raise but still subjecting contributions to caps.
For example, Illinois could amend the self-funding provision to triple contribution limits, which would increase individual contributions from $5,800 to $17,400 and independent expenditure contributions from $57,800 to $173,400—substantial amounts, but still significantly less than the $864,200 that Mike Madigan received from the Engineers Political Education Committee in December 2019 shortly after he triggered the self-funding provision for his race.
This year, from the start of January through the end of August, the Friends of Michael J. Madigan campaign committee has received more than $4.6 million from 67 individuals, unions, businesses, and PACs. $4 million of its funds have come from 11 PACs that donated in excess of normal contribution limits. If contribution limits were tripled rather than eliminated, the committee would have raised about $2.2 million during that period.
Option 3: Raise the amount a candidate must self-fund to trigger the removal of contribution limits
Currently, contribution limits are lifted once a candidate gives a certain amount to their campaign: $250,001 for statewide races, and $100,001 for all other races. If these thresholds were higher, the self-funding provision would be more difficult to exploit. Candidates wishing to lift contribution limits on themselves would need to be able to donate or loan a significantly higher amount to their campaigns in order to do so.
The proposed self-funding rule considered in Colorado would have kicked in after a candidate contributed $1 million to their own campaign—a much higher trigger than Illinois’. With a higher trigger amount, Illinois could preserve the original purpose of the self-funding provision while making it more difficult—though certainly not impossible—to exploit.
Conversely, however, it could make the provision less effective at providing a safeguard for non-wealthy candidates to compete with self-funders. A candidate could donate $999,999 to their own campaign without triggering the self-funding provision. To match that, a non-self-funding candidate would need to find 173 individuals, 87 businesses, or 18 PACs willing to contribute their legal maximum amount.
A higher triggering amount would have to be carefully calibrated to deter abuse without hobbling non-wealthy candidates. But there is plenty of wiggle room between Illinois’ current thresholds and $1 million.
Option 4: Only remove contribution limits when candidates donate to their campaigns, rather than loan them money
Currently, any contribution to one’s own campaign committee will trigger the removal of contribution limits. That includes a loan. In December of 2019, State Senator Don Harmon loaned his committee $100,001, allowing it to collect as much money from individual donors as they were willing to give. The committee repaid the loan to Senator Harmon in June of this year. Similarly, in October of 2018, Senate Minority Leader Bill Brady loaned his campaign committee $100,001. Three days later, he received $500,000 from Kenneth Griffin. Brady repaid his loan with $1069.45 in interest two months later. (His committee has yet to repay the loan he just made to it this August.)
The barrier to blowing contribution limits is relatively low when candidates only need to loan their campaigns money and are confident that they will be able to repay them once they start raking in large donations. In practice, this means that the self-funding provision rewards wealthy candidates for being able to front a repayable loan of $100,001 to their campaigns. Non-wealthy candidates, meanwhile, would not have the ability to do so. This aspect of the self-funding provision is giving an additional fundraising option to wealthy candidates that they can choose when to trigger, the opposite of the spirit of the law.
Amending the self-funding provision so that it only triggers when candidates donate—rather than loan—money to their campaigns would not fully prevent abuse, but it could reduce its prevalence by increasing the cost of triggering it.* Furthermore, it would promote the spirit of the law, given that a candidate who temporarily loans their campaign money that will be paid back is not actually self-funding. On the other hand, it would give yet another advantage to even wealthier candidates—those who can afford to permanently lose $100,001 rather than just lend it.
Option 5: Limit party contributions to candidate committees
A major problem with Illinois’ self-funding provision is that it allows a candidate to raise unlimited funds and transfer them to a party committee, which can then donate unlimited amounts to its own candidates—even in races where contribution limits are still in place. This is only possible because Illinois does not place limits on the amount a party committee can donate to a candidate committee during the general election. (Contribution limits are in place during the primary but they are very high: $144,800 for Senate candidates and $86,900 for House candidates.) About half of states and the federal government impose some sort of limit on the amount that candidates may accept from political parties. Similarly, Illinois permits candidate committees to transfer unlimited funds to state party committees in general elections, meaning money flows without restriction in both directions.
Imposing limits on transfers between candidates and parties would reduce the incentive for a candidate to take advantage of the self-funding loophole to enrich their parties while leaving the provision available for candidates who need to raise additional funds to match a self-funder. Currently, the self-funding provision is most often used by legislative leaders in each party. Because leaders typically come from safe seats and do not often face competitive elections, they are free to fundraise aggressively and dole out unlimited donations to candidates in other races. Limits on party contributions to candidates—and vice versa—would reduce the effectiveness of this strategy.
Thoughts?
12 Comments
|
Question of the day
Wednesday, Oct 21, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Amanda Vinicky on the graduated income tax proposal…
The nonpartisan Civic Federation on Tuesday came out against the change.
President Laurence Msall said the federation isn’t opposed to a progressive tax structure, but that it doesn’t believe that the rates set forth in the law attached to the change are progressive enough for those on either end of the economic spectrum.
“It really pits different classes of Illinois citizens against each other. It doesn’t protect any group of citizens,” Msall said. “Low income citizens will, under this plan, continue to bear roughly the same tax structure as many of the middle and upper class … The Civic Federation has been urging that the lowest rate should be tied in fairness to the highest rate. So different tax groups of taxpayers couldn’t be targeted.”
* The Question: Do you favor a change that would make it impossible to raise taxes on upper income folks without also raising taxes on the state’s lowest income earners? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please…
survey software
72 Comments
|
Deanna Demuzio
Wednesday, Oct 21, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Sen. Andy Manar…
I met Deanna Demuzio on a hot summer evening in 1995 at the Macoupin County Fair. I was in college—her husband Vince took a liking to me and invited me to the fair with him to watch the queen pageant. I was nervous that night driving to Carlinville from Bunker Hill. This was way out of my comfort zone and I didn’t know the Demuzios and they really didn’t know me. Vince was late getting to the fair so I found myself roaming aimlessly around the entrance to the grandstand—the only person wearing a pair of khakis and a polo shirt in the blazing heat. That must have made me stick out like a sore thumb. Debating in my head how long I should stick around, a woman walked up to me as if she was on a mission. Armed with a smile, she said in the most pleasant of voices “You must be Andy. I’ve heard so much about you.” She handed me my ticket and said “follow me.” As we made our way through he grandstand, Deanna must have sensed my nerves were shot. But I suddenly felt at-ease. Immediately I was struck by her warmth and grace, her smile, her ability to make me feel comfortable. I think that was perhaps her greatest attribute and that’s how I will always remember her. She was such a caring person.
Deanna Demuzio was a central figure throughout my life, always there to help, inspire, and mentor. And I by no means was alone in that regard. Deanna was admired by so many. She was a trailblazer and her name is synonymous with Carlinville and Macoupin County. Deanna was a fierce advocate for the things she believed in and represents the best that we all strive to be as public servants. Words cannot fully encapsulate all that she has given to causes greater than herself over the course of her lifetime.
The picture posted here was taken last year on the Floor of the Illinois Senate. Mayor and Senator Deanna Demuzio spent the day with me talking with many of her former colleagues and members of the staff that held her in such high regard. I really enjoyed that day and I think she did as well.
My deepest sympathies go out to Stephanie and the entire Demuzio family.
Rest in peace my friend. I will miss you. We all will miss you.
* Senate President Don Harmon…
“Deanna Demuzio dedicated her life to community and public service. Along the way, she made great friends and taught us all so much about how to be better. She fought hard to improve our education system after years spent working at Lewis and Clark Community College and to fight for better health care given how it affected her family. She took up all of this after tragically losing another great friend of Illinois, her husband, Senator Vince Demuzio.
“I was honored to know and work alongside her in the Illinois Senate. She will forever be remembered for her dedication and commitment to the people of Illinois. Anyone who knew Deanna and Vince automatically thinks of them whenever driving through Carlinville. My condolences to her family and friends.”
* Macoupin County Democratic Party Chairman Pam Monetti…
Former state Sen. and Mayor Deanna Demuzio was a part of the most dynamic Illinois political team in decades to come from Macoupin County. She learned from the best, especially when it came to working tirelessly for her constituents. Everywhere you look in Macoupin County you will find evidence of the Demuzio legacy. Deanna was a remarkable woman who didn’t know a stranger and if you told her you needed help, she would do everything she could to help. She was a true public servant to the end and the Macoupin County Democrat Party will miss her terribly. Our heartfelt condolences to her daughter, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
…Adding… Michael Madigan in his role as DPI Chairman…
Shirley and I are extremely saddened to hear of Deanna Demuzio’s passing. Deanna was a true leader - in Carlinville and across the state. Deanna cared deeply for her community, worked passionately to improve life for everyone around her and exemplified what it means to be a dedicated public servant. Deanna’s family, friends and everyone she touched in her incredible life are in our thoughts and prayers.
…Adding… Secretary of State Jesse White…
We have lost a wonderful and caring person with the passing of former State Senator and Carlinville Mayor Deanna Demuzio, and I have lost a dear friend,” said Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White. “I have been privileged and blessed to have known Deanna for many years and always found her to be kind, generous and thoughtful. As a public servant, she was committed to helping those in need and fighting for causes she believed in. I would be remiss not to mention that her son, Brad, who passed away in 2014, served with distinction as the director of the Illinois Secretary of State Police. The Demuzio family will always have a special place in my heart. My condolences to her family and to her many friends.
9 Comments
|
*** UPDATED x1 *** Release the hounds
Wednesday, Oct 21, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller
* A.D. Quig…
Patrick G. Ryan, the billionaire founder of Aon, has chipped in $1 million to the Coalition To Stop The Proposed Tax Hike Amendment, according to Illinois State Board of Elections records.
Ryan is now chairman and CEO of Ryan Specialty Group, an international holding company he founded “specializing in wholesale brokerage, insurance underwriting managers and other specialty services to brokers, agents and insurers,” according to its website. Forbes estimates his net worth at $3.2 billion. Ryan has also donated to Gery Chico’s 2011 mayoral bid, the Illinois Republican Party in 2005, 2006, and 2009 and Richard M. Daley’s campaign committee in 2006, according to state board records.
Citadel founder Ken Griffin has by far been the coalition’s biggest benefactor, chipping in just under $47 million total so far. But others on Illinois’ wealthiest list, including Craig Duchossois, Dick Uihlein, Muneer Satter, Jay Bergman and Sam Zell have donated as well.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s cousin, Col. Jennifer Pritzker, chipped in an additional $250,000 to the coalition’s cause, bringing her total donations to the group to $750,000.
* Ray Long…
The Democratic Party of Illinois led by Speaker Michael Madigan has started to pour money into an effort to keep Illinois Supreme Court Justice Tom Kilbride on the bench with two weeks until Election Day.
Election records filed Tuesday night showed the Democrats put $550,000 into the Nov. 3 Kilbride retention campaign. That pushes the total political spending by both sides in the contest to nearly $7 million.
The contest is critical for Democrats because a Kilbride loss could jeopardize the party’s 4-3 majority on the state’s high court. With money from billionaire donors, Republicans are waging an anti-Kilbride campaign in hopes of knocking him off the court and getting a chance to capture the open seat in the 2022 election. […]
Madigan’s decision to pump in big money now may give anti-Kilbride forces even more reason to push the Madigan-Kilbride connection, Redfield said.
For Madigan, “the upside of being able to increase party spending outweighs the downside of the anti-Kilbride people being able to link him more directly to Madigan,” Redfield said.
…Adding… Jim Nowlan, Chairman of Citizens for Judicial Fairness…
Like he did in 2000 and in 2010, Mike Madigan is coming to the rescue of his favorite judge Tom Kilbride. The $550,000 Kilbride received from the Democratic Party of Illinois is just the latest in millions of contributions from Madigan and his allies. This is exactly why Kilbride must not be retained. We need to bring independence back to the judiciary, not another 10 years of Madigan control.
And from Ryan McLaughlin, spokesperson for the Kilbride for Supreme Court Judge Committee…
Wealthy individuals and special interests who want to own the Supreme Court are spending millions, including out-of-state dark money from unknown sources, to smear Justice Kilbride and mislead voters about his record. By law, Justice Kilbride is not allowed to solicit campaign contributions. To further maintain his impartiality, he has no role in fundraising – all such decisions are made by his treasurer – and no knowledge of the donors to his retention committee nor of those to the opposition committee. Justice Kilbride is proud to have support from Republicans, Democrats and Independents, and to have been endorsed by a bipartisan group of law enforcement leaders and police officers from across the district.
* Dan Petrella…
The intensifying controversy surrounding Madigan, which includes calls for his resignation from a handful of House Democrats, hasn’t turned off the tap of campaign contributions. The four funds together raised nearly $4.3 million in the key preelection quarter, campaign finance records show. More than half of that, $2.4 million, was raised by Friends of Michael J. Madigan, which took in $1.7 million from labor unions and other political action committees.
The four funds ended the third quarter on Sept. 30 with nearly $20 million in the bank. […]
For comparison, the main campaign fund of House Republican leader Jim Durkin of Western Springs and two others supporting House GOP candidates raised nearly $1.2 million in the third quarter and spent more than $3 million, ending the period with less than $1 million in the bank. More than half of the money spent by Durkin’s campaign fund — $1.6 million — was transferred to the state GOP.
*** UPDATE *** Billionaire Ken Griffin just contributed $100K to Republican Pat O’Brien, who’s running for Cook County State’s Attorney. O’Brien disclosed a $196,800 haul this morning.
…Adding… State’s Attorney Kim Foxx reported $102K in contributions today. She’s reported about $350K in the past few days.
65 Comments
|
Comments Off
|
Comments Off
|
|
Support CapitolFax.com Visit our advertisers...
...............
...............
...............
...............
...............
|
|
Hosted by MCS
SUBSCRIBE to Capitol Fax
Advertise Here
Mobile Version
Contact Rich Miller
|