IT IS ORDERED: Emergency motion by Petitioners for expedited consideration of Petition for Leave to Appeal and any subsequent proceedings on appeal. Allowed. The petition for leave to appeal is denied. In the exercise of this Court’s supervisory authority, the February 4, 2022, temporary restraining order is vacated. (See, e.g., Felzak v. Hruby, 226 Ill.2d 382, 394 (2007) (when an appeal is rendered moot through happenstance, the judgments of the courts below are vacated). The matter is remanded to the Circuit Court of Sangamon County.
Michael J. Burke, J., joined by Overstreet, J., dissenting. Written dissent to follow.
No TRO means it’s now as if Judge Grischow’s ruling never happened. Poof, it’s gone. And since there’s no IDPH emergency rule in place, thanks to JCAR, the whole thing will likely have to start all over if IDPH files a new emergency rule. DeVore can try to litigate it again, but the Supreme Court has vacated a TRO already, so he might want to think again.
Accordingly, there is reason to believe that IDPH would issue that rule again if the TRO were vacated […]
Although State defendants hope that additional surges will not materialize, they must have appropriate guidance on these important questions should the need arise to reissue similar emergency rules.
*** UPDATE *** Gov. Pritzker…
Gov. Pritzker’s Statement on the Illinois Supreme Court’s Decision
I’m gratified that the Supreme Court vacated the lower court’s restraining order, meaning that if a school mask mandate needs to go into effect in the future, we continue to have that authority.
I’m also extremely pleased to say that because the CDC has recommended that masks are needed only in areas of high transmission, the State of Illinois will move forward to remove our school mask mandate, effective Monday. We will recommend that all school districts follow CDC guidance and will update our existing guidance in the coming days.
…Adding… There are at least 15 counties in the state (most of them small) with high transmission levels, according to the CDC. Click here and scroll down to the map.
…Adding… From the attorney general’s office…
We are pleased the court acted quickly to vacate the TRO, as the state requested. However, as the case is returned to the circuit court, we will continue to defend the governor’s executive orders to protect all Illinois residents and mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
Friday evening’s Supreme Court order canceled the Sangamon County Circuit Court’s restraining order against the governor’s mandates, but the attorney that brought the case on behalf of parents and school staff said the lower court’s underlying premise is still law.
“Even though the temporary restraining order is not in effect, [Sangamon County Circuit Court Judge Raylene Grischow’s] legal analysis is still the law of the state because neither the appellate court or the supreme court overruled her legal analysis,” attorney Thomas DeVore told The Center Square Friday evening.
The legal analysis was all about backing up her TRO, which is now vacated. But you know what’s are gonna you know what.
#MyStoryInPrint! @ChicagoTribune Sunday paper runs an excerpt of my new book, “The House That Madigan Built: The Record Run of Illinois’ Velvet Hammer.” Thank you for the support, and keep those story tips coming to me at rlong@chicagotribune.com https://t.co/wvQ6v7Qghq
February 24, 1981- Speaker George Ryan called on Rep. Mike Madigan to lead the House in the Pledge of Allegiance. Rep. Madigan appended a brief prayer on the Speaker's behalf. pic.twitter.com/RuWJxfaTcD
* The Question: How do you think things have gone in Illinois government and politics since Michael J. Madigan stepped down as House Speaker and state party chair?
Widows of Chicago firefighters and police are one step closer to receiving additional support after a measure advanced by State Senator Robert Martwick (D-Chicago) passed the Senate Thursday.
“Despite the false narrative of an overgenerous pension system, widows of Chicago first responders have been living with great financial hardship for decades,” Martwick said. “This adjustment is essential if we are going to support the widows of our Chicago firefighters and police officers who put themselves in the line of duty to keep all of us safe. This is a small step that we can take to support the families who sacrifice so much for all of us.”
Senate Bill 4053 would change the Chicago police and Chicago firefighter articles of the Illinois Pension Code to increase the minimum annuity for widows to no less than 150% of the Federal Poverty Level. It is currently set at 125%. In 2022, the Federal Poverty line is set at a mere $13,590 for a single person. This measure would ensure that if a Chicago firefighter or police officer dies in the line of duty, the widow’s annuity could not fall below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level for that family.
Earlier this month, seven Chicago firefighters were injured in a house fire in the Roseland neighborhood caused by a “flashover” when crews were battling the flames. Incidents like these underscore the dangers that first responders encounter on the job and the concern that their loved ones have when they leave the house every day to go to work.
“The loss of a loved one who sacrificed so much to serve their community is unimaginable and their family shouldn’t have to struggle financially as a result,” Martwick said. “This measure aims to tackle the disparity that comes with this tragedy and provide basic dignity to the families who have lost a loved one.”
Senate Bill 4053 passed the Senate on Thursday.
* Media advisory…
2022 LGBTQ Legislative Agenda Press Conference
LGBTQ Illinoisans share issues and legislative initiatives at upcoming press conference
WHAT: At a time when anti-equality governors and legislators in states like Texas and Florida are pursuing harmful and discriminatory initiatives that target their LGBTQ constituents, LGBTQ Illinoisans will roll out their 2022 legislative agenda to raise awareness about critical priorities and initiatives for the LGBTQ community and the diverse communities to which they belong. The Illinois LGBTQ 2022 Legislative Agenda Press Conference will be held virtually on Monday, February 28 at 9:30am.
LGBTQ community organizations hosting the event include: Equality Illinois, Rainbow Café LGBTQ Center (Carbondale), Peoria Proud, Prairie Pride Coalition (Bloomington/Normal), AIDS Foundation Chicago, Taskforce Prevention & Community Services, and Pride Action Tank.
* This is the committee that the House Republican Leader has refused to appoint members to…
In a Thursday press conference, state Rep. Carol Ammons, D-Urbana, touted the accomplishments of the House Small Business, Tech Innovation and Entrepreneurship committee. Several major policy initiatives have passed the committee, all focused on providing relief to small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and removing barriers to entry for professionals in underserved communities.
“I am proud of the work my committee has done to help Illinois’ small businesses,” Ammons said. “The legislation we passed was the result of listening to hours of testimony from expert stakeholders and holding vigorous debate in committee. Small businesses are the foundation of Illinois’ economy, and they deserve our attention and assistance. I look forward to continuing to lend a hand to hard-working Illinois families who have been hit hard by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Ammons passed House Bill 4993 out of committee, legislation which creates a fund to distribute money to chambers of commerce which have financially suffered during the pandemic. The funding will only go to chambers with less than 1,500 members. Ammons crafted this legislation with the help of the Small Business Advisory Council.
House Bill 5575, another Ammons bill, also passed. It creates the Comprehensive Licensing Information to Minimize Barriers (CLIMB) task force to address major barriers underserved communities are facing, specifically unfair and outdated business licensing requirements. High costs of licensure disproportionately affect low-income entrepreneurs and business owners without extra capital to spend. The task force will study solutions on how to remove similar barriers.
“It is disappointing that none of my Republican colleagues were interested in joining us to do this work, despite numerous invitations,” Ammons said. “Regardless, I feel confident that we are providing Illinois’ small businesses with much-needed assistance, and we will continue to do so as long as necessary.”
* Press release…
In an effort to remove a barrier to full inclusion for immigrant communities in Illinois, State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) is leading a measure that removes the use of “alien” in any Illinois statute when referring to people who have mixed statuses and referring to commerce outside of Illinois and the country.
“As the son of an Ethiopian immigrant and asylum seeker, I am beyond proud to support this measure by assisting in removing barriers for communities to access much needed resources,” Simmons said. “I want Illinois to send a clear message that we welcome immigrants and that we are working to eliminate the historic barriers that many of these communities have endured.”
Senate Bill 3865 would remove the use of “alien” in any Illinois statute when referring to people who have mixed statuses and referring to commerce outside of Illinois and the country. Eliminating references to “alien” in Illinois law would remove a regressive and outdated legal term and symbolize the full inclusion of immigrant communities in Illinois. Similar legislation has recently passed in California and Colorado.
Continued use of the term “alien” as a legal term sends a negative message that recent immigrants, including many who have begun the naturalization process, are not welcome and not valued as full members of their communities.
“I believe that these efforts will facilitate a pathway to build trust and understanding between the government and immigrant communities,” Simmons said. “We all succeed when we welcome our new neighbors and make them feel a part of the family.”
Senate Bill 3865 passed the Senate and moves to the House for further consideration.
* Press release…
To encourage employers to hire people in recovery for mental health or substance abuse disorders, State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) introduced a bill offering eligible employers tax credits for hiring and retaining employees with these conditions.
“Far too often, hard-working, experienced employees are turned away because of a mental health or substance use disorder,” Senator Fine said. “This bill will incentivize employers to give qualified candidates in a state of recovery and wellness an opportunity to succeed.”
Stigma around mental health and substance use disorders can be a deterrent for employers to hire candidates who disclose their mental health conditions. This disproportionately impacts people of color and women who suffer mental health disorders. This may prevent people with mental health conditions from holding secure employment, impacting their financial stability and their ability to receive necessary treatment.
This legislation would incentivize employers to hire and retain employees with mental health disorders by providing tax credits of up to $2,000 for each employee hired and retained per year. Senator Fine is hopeful that this initiative will lead to more people in recovery the ability to find stable employment and be able to disclose their disorders to their superiors without judgment.
“People with mental health conditions can lead successful lives,” Senator Fine said. “This bill will ensure that people with substance use or mental health disorders are not excluded from job opportunities because of their health conditions, and are instead supported by their colleagues in the workplace.”
SB 3882 passed the Senate on Thursday. It now goes to the House for further consideration.
* Press release…
Educators throughout the state spend their own money for classroom supplies and materials with no expectation of repayment, but that will change if State Senator Linda Holmes’ (D-Aurora) Senate Bill 1143 becomes law. The measure passed the full Senate Thursday.
“Our school funding falls short of what materials students need in the classroom, and I’m pleased we can offer support in the gap between what district funding affords and how much educators are voluntarily spending out of their own pockets for these items,” Holmes said.
Senate Bill 1143 amends the Illinois Income Tax Act to allow a tax credit in the amount paid by the educator or other school staff for classroom-based instructional materials to an amount equal
to the expenses, but not to exceed $300, beginning in taxable year 2023. In current law, the maximum credit allowed is $250.
“Educators need our support for the extra efforts they make at their own expense,” Holmes said. “Many children would go without necessary supplies they don’t have, but they cannot get the full benefit of education without all the needed tools. It’s time we pay them back.”
At the highest reported amount in record, teachers spent an average of $750 on school supplies out of pocket during the 2020-2021 school year. Thirty percent of teachers spent $1,000 or more on school supplies (Source: AdoptAClassroom.org’s 2021 Teacher Spending Survey). Purchases often include professional development books, office supplies, tissues, art supplies, snacks for students who don’t have food at home, and clothing.
SB 1143 was approved by the Senate Thursday and will now head to the House of Representatives for their consideration.
* I initially hoped to use this last bill in a post of its own, but the facts got in the way. Here’s the synopsis for Rep. Eva Dina Delgado’s HB4434…
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the Secretary of State, in issuing professional sports teams license plates, shall include the option to display the logo of the Chicago Sky or the Chicago Red Stars.
Awesome idea.
But Amendment 1, which passed out of committee on a unanimous vote this week, deletes the St. Louis Rams from the list of eligible teams in existing statute. That makes sense because the team no longer exists in St. Louis. The Rams split for Los Angeles at the end of the 2015 season. The team won the Super Bowl this year. I know Metro East folks who refused to root for their old team, and I know some who were joyful at the win.
But, it turns out, the secretary of state never produced the plates to begin with. And that’s why it’s at the tail end of this Friday afternoon post.
Mental-health experts could be deployed alongside Peoria police officers as soon as late this year as part of a pilot program proposed by state Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth.
The Peoria Democrat’s House Bill 5319 would designate Peoria as the pilot city for a possible statewide program involving calls where behavioral health specialists are deemed more effective at handling a situation than patrol officers.
“We know that we have over 600 calls for service that are categorized as mental health calls but we have officers that are responding to that who are on patrol,” Police Chief Eric Echevarria said. “What we want to see is we want to be able to take those of their plate because we want our officer to be proactively working to make Peoria safer.”
Remote video conferencing, a popular habit formed during the pandemic, could offer courts a safer path to help victims of sexual assault and domestic violence pursue justice against their abusers under a new plan approved by the Illinois Senate.
“For sexual assault survivors, a number of people were in situations where they didn’t feel safe, where they didn’t have as much access to resources as they had prior to the pandemic,” Carrie Ward with the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault said after a press conference at the Illinois Capitol on Tuesday morning.
During the early days of the pandemic, reports of domestic violence dropped off as many people were less likely to come into contact with mandated reporters like teachers, caregivers, or other co-workers who might have offered to help someone go through with filing for an order of protection.
“We don’t believe that this last two years has resulted in less violence,” Ward said. “We believe that it has resulted in less violence that has been reported to law enforcement or even to social service agencies.”
After authorities in a Chicago suburb held a teenager for two days and wrongly charged him in a shooting, the county’s top prosecutor says police officers misled the boy during his interrogation and that a detective assigned to be his advocate helped extract his confession, which turned out to be false.
Authorities released Martell Williams, 15, and dropped aggravated battery charges last week after his family provided evidence he was playing in a high school basketball game the evening of Feb. 4, when a clerk at a dollar store in Waukegan — a city 18 miles away — was shot in the face.
“One of the concerns we have after watching the [interrogation] video is that there is an attempt to reduce the consequences for Martell … and make him feel like everything is going to be OK if he simply accepts the wrong information that the detective is giving him,” Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart said of the Waukegan cops who questioned the boy. “It was, like, ‘We’ve driven kids home before who have been accused of shooting if they just tell the truth.’ ”
In July, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signed the nation’s first state law forbidding police from lying to minors during interrogations. The measure, which took effect Jan. 1, renders evidence from those interrogations inadmissible at trial but does not hold officers liable for the lying. […]
Rinehart said his office will also help write state legislation banning police personnel from serving as “advocates” for children under interrogation by the same department.
The Jelani Day Bill has officially passed the Illinois State Senate.
The bill would require a coroner or medical examiner to notify the FBI when human remains are not identified within 72 hours of discovery.
Day was a graduate student at ISU in Bloomington when he disappeared at the end of August. His body was identified weeks after he was reported missing, having been pulled from the Illinois River near Peru.
The FBI is still investigating his death, and is hoping to get more information from Day’s close contacts to better understand the circumstances surrounding his death. The agency is engaging in a coordinated, nationwide, multi-platform social media campaign to identify new leads, including offering a $10,000 reward.
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) is dinging Mary Miller’s campaign for artificially inflating her already-dismal Q4 2021 fundraising numbers by double-counting campaign contributions and taking prohibited contributions in excess of federal campaign contribution limits.
“This isn’t just shoddy record-keeping. Mary Miller is attempting to hide her dismal fundraising numbers because she’s a carpetbagger who is running for Congress in a district she doesn’t live in. Miller has to fabricate fundraising numbers to give the illusion of support. What else is Mary Miller lying about?” - Aaron DeGroot, Davis campaign spokesperson
Mary Miller reported a dismal $165,000 in campaign contributions and $177,000 in expenditures for Q4 2021, but that doesn’t tell the whole story.
It appears that Miller is double-counting around $30,000 in contributions that she received in Q3 2021 for Q4 2021 as well. She reported roughly $15,000 in contributions from the Freshmen Agriculture Republican Members (FARM) Trust on 9/30/2021 in her Q3 2021 report, but then reported those contributions again three days later on 10/2/2021 in her Q4 2021 report, totaling over $30,000. Some of the FARM Trust contributions are even dated as being received in June 2021, which is in Q2 2021. […]
Additionally, the FEC cited Miller as taking unlawful contributions above contribution limits, totaling $14,000 […]
That would mean that Miller has less than $400,000 cash-on-hand, as of the end of Q4 2021.
This is not the first time the FEC has dinged Miller. She most recently had to file an amendment to her Q3 2021 fundraising report after reporting unlawful campaign contributions in that quarter as well.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker is the “favorite” to win a second term but it won’t be a “walk in the park” —no matter how deep his billionaire pockets.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot is in so much political trouble she may want to consider not even trying to get reelected. […]
“Given the nature of the year and the resources that are massed against him and some of the scars of having to lead a state through the pandemic, he has to be seriously focused. …This is not gonna be a walk in the park for him,” [David Axelrod] said of Pritzker. […]
Polls done for other politicians have recently shown Lightfoot’s approval rate in the 30% range, roughly 10 percentage points lower than Rahm Emanuel’s ratings were when he abandoned plans to seek a third term. […]
“The first question she’s gonna have to ask herself is, does she want the job for another four years. She doesn’t always seem terribly joyful in her work,” Axelrod said.
With the recent advent of the Irvin campaign, they are touting many legislators and many people supporting them. Yesterday, we discovered three people on their list, a state senator and a few others, who weren’t supposed to be on that list. Never gave them any permission. These lies and deception have got to stop, but it only stops when you get involved, when you truly find out what’s going on and you confront these people and tell them to knock it off.
I’ve asked for the list. I’ll let you know if I get it.
* Also from Sen. Bailey earlier this week on Facebook…
If you think Governor Pritzker’s actions, have been despicable over the last three years, which they have, friends, I’m going to contend that they are wholly nothing in comparison to what Democrat Richard Irvin, the candidate for governor on the Republican Party, is doing with the barrage of emails and text messages that I know you’re getting.
A complete twisting of truth. All out lies. I can’t even fathom someone like this in leadership.
You know, it’s interesting. Just look up the city of Aurora and compare it with other cities. You’re going to see the highest debt, you’re going to see the highest the pensions are funded at the one of the lowest levels. It’s ridiculous. You’re going to see a sanctuary city. You’re going to see a … mayor who actually embraced the sanctuary city when Governor Rauner brought this stuff in 2017, 2018. You’re going to see a may who’s embraced and literally held up everything that Mayor Lightfoot has done that JB Pritzker has done.
Friends, here’s the deal. This campaign has hijacked the Republican Party. Yesterday on GOP Database, that is something that we have access to in government to go back and look up voters, constituents to see, you know, where they stand at. Richard Irvin was switched yesterday morning to a hard Republican. Typically a hard Republican or a hard Democrat means that you voted straight through in the last four primaries. That’s what it is supposed to mean. But unfortunately, the Illinois Republican Party has allowed this. And you know, I don’t know if they did this, or there are several employees from the Illinois Republican Party and the Illinois Republican groups that have went to work with his campaign because they’re sitting on $20 million. People love to follow and fall for the money. But it is that mindset and principle that is destroying our society and destroying our state.
So I just simply asked you to educate yourself find the truth. I want to make sure that you understand something. These attacks that are being leveled against me, this is nothing new. I dealt with this when I primaried tax hiker in my district in 2017 and 2018, I dealt with it. It was the exact same group that was working with Governor Rauner. It’s the exact same group using the exact same methods. […]
So I just ask you to do your homework, look up the true facts of the city of Aurora. And look at the fact that Clay County and our school districts are the third lowest taxed in the state. And Governor, and Mayor Irvin’s city and county is the third highest taxed in the state and kind of put that correlation together and figure that out. […]
Money in and of itself is not a bad thing. Money is obviously needed to get the message out. But when you totally distort and try to change who you are, and then you totally, you can’t run on your own merits, but you run on tearing the other person down. Well, that’s a problem because then when you get in power, you destroy a state. We’ve seen it before, friends, and we’re not going to witness it again.
Del Mar said crime rates in Chicago and throughout Illinois are concerning.
His plan for education involves improving school resources throughout the state.
“We want to give everyone an even playing field. That means all-day kindergarten, affordable day care for mothers who want to work and giving access to the best techniques and practices available,” Del Mar said. “Education should be accessible to everyone in Illinois, regardless of background.”
Del Mar noted how in his children’s school district in Palatine, students have access to Chromebooks, a resource that is not available throughout the state.
He said increasing educational access would include making those same improved resources available everywhere.
Gilbert Villegas has picked up endorsements from Amalgamated Transit Union Local 241 and City Council colleague Sue Sadlowski Garza in his bid for the newly drawn 3rd Congressional District. Sadlowski Garza, the alderman who chairs the council’s Workforce and Development Committee and a former Chicago Teachers Union area VP, said Villegas “has integrity, is committed to getting the job done right, and is tenacious.” […]
Joliet firefighter seeks state Senate seat: Eric Mattson Mattson, who also is president of the union that represents Joliet firefighter supervisors, is a Democrat circulating petitions in 43rd District, reports Shaw Local’s Bob Okon.
Michael Rabbitt, Democratic candidate for state representative of the 15th House district has been endorsed by the 40th Ward Dems and Committeeperson Maggie O’Keefe, The People’s Lobby, Northside Democracy for America, and 39th Ward Neighbors United.
The story doesn’t elaborate because there’s zero interest in the beat over there, but this Mattson announcement sets up what could be an interesting primary…
Joliet Fire Department Capt. Eric Mattson is running for the state senate seat in the 43rd District.
Mattson, who also is president of the union that represents Joliet firefighter supervisors, is circulating petitions for the Democratic primary to be held June 28.
“I can make a difference,” Mattson said Wednesday of his candidacy for the seat now held by state Sen. John Connor, D-Lockport. Connor is not seeking reelection and plans to run for a vacant judicial seat in the Will County Circuit Court.
Also seeking the Democratic nomination for the 43rd District state senate seat is Will County Board Member Rachel Ventura, who announced her candidacy in June.
Also, Michael Rabbitt tried and failed to be appointed to the 15th District House seat when Rep. John D’Amico (D-Chicago) resigned last year. The district’s committeepersons replaced D’Amico with Michael Kelly, a Chicago firefighter. Rabbitt, who announced for the seat last fall against D’Amico, is also was backed by SEIU Healthcare during the appointment process, but the union hasn’t taken an official stand in the primary as of yet. More here.
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today reported 13,028 new confirmed and probable cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Illinois, including an increase of 355 deaths since February 18, 2022.
Currently, IDPH is reporting a total of 3,026,737 cases, including 32,654 deaths, in 102 counties in Illinois. The age of cases ranges from younger than one to older than 100 years. Since February 18, 2022, laboratories have reported 716,997 specimens for a total of 54,338,979. As of last night, 1,143 individuals in Illinois were reported to be in the hospital with COVID-19. Of those, 211 patients were in the ICU and 103 patients with COVID-19 were on ventilators.
The preliminary seven-day statewide positivity for cases as a percent of total test from February 18-24, 2022 is 1.8%. The preliminary seven-day statewide test positivity from February 18- 24, 2022 is 2.4%.
A total of 21,070,546 vaccines have been administered in Illinois as of last midnight. The seven-day rolling average of vaccines administered daily is 16,309 doses. Since February 18, 2022, 114,160 doses were reported administered in Illinois. Of Illinois’ total population, 76% has received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose, more than 67% of Illinois’ total population is fully vaccinated, and almost 49% boosted according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
All data are provisional and will change. Additional information and COVID-19 data can be found at https://dph.illinois.gov/covid19.html.
Vaccination is the key to ending this pandemic. To find a COVID-19 vaccination location near you, go to www.vaccines.gov.
* From the governor’s office…
Due to the continued decrease in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, and increase in available ICU beds, the Illinois indoor mask requirement will end Monday, February 28, 2022, at 12:01 a.m. Since the Governor announced his plan to lift the indoor mask requirement, the number of people in the hospital with COVID-19 has been cut in half and the number of ICU beds available increased by 24%. Illinois’ weekly COVID-19 case rate has also decreased by 70%,
More than 8 million people in Illinois are fully vaccinated with an average of approximately 16,000 COVID-19 vaccines administered each day, including more than 4,600 first doses daily.
“Throughout this pandemic, we’ve taken action to save lives and keep our economy open – and I’m proud that Illinoisans have done the hard work that has our made our state a leader in the Midwest,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Today, our hospitals are much better positioned to handle emergencies and more than half of all eligible adults have been boosted; this is the progress we needed to make to remove our state indoor masking requirements. As individuals, I encourage everyone to make the best choices going forward to protect your health, along with that of your family and community – and most importantly to treat each other with kindness and compassion.”
“We are now entering the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic and while our focus continues to be on preventing severe illness and ensuring our health care systems aren’t overwhelmed, we are also looking forward to how we will coexist with COVID-19,” said Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. “We each have a role to play in staying healthy and we have many tools that can help protect us from severe illness due to COVID-19. Our tools include readily available safe and effective vaccines, monoclonal antibody and oral antiviral treatments, at-home testing, as well as the personal health actions people can take such as avoiding crowds, hand washing, and continued mask wearing as may be recommended.”
Masks will still be required where federally mandated (including on public transit), health care facilities, congregate settings, long term care facilities, and daycare settings. Additionally, private businesses and municipalities may choose to implement their own masking requirements. Schools are urged to continue following state and federal guidance to help keep students and staff safe in the classroom. The Governor will review the results of lifting the indoor mask mandate before making any announcement regarding the school mask mandate.
In the last four months of 2021 following the reinstatement of Illinois’ mask mandate on August 30, 2021, Illinois had fewer COVID-19 hospitalizations per capita and fewer COVID-19 deaths per capita than the entire Great Lakes region. In the same period, Illinois out-tested the entire Midwest on a per capita basis, providing residents with significantly better access to testing than any of its neighbors. Even with a much greater testing capacity, Illinois saw fewer reported COVID-19 cases per capita during this time than neighbors such as Iowa and Missouri.
Illinois remains a standout in the Midwest for its vaccination rates. Illinois is home to the highest percentage of residents who have received a COVID-19 vaccine as well as the highest percentage of vaccinated and fully vaccinated 5–17-year-olds.
Vaccines continue to be readily available at pharmacies across the state, many local health departments, doctor offices, federally qualified health centers, and other locations. To find a COVID-19 vaccination location near you, go to www.vaccines.gov.
The pandemic briefly widened our aperture for reckoning with the pain and vulnerability of others, many of whom were suffering long before COVID-19 struck. Epidemiologists, meanwhile, encouraged us to take some responsibility for protecting them. But this created a problem. Such thinking chafes with American moral common sense. To maintain sanity in a country as bafflingly unequal as ours, you must convince yourself that your own comfort is causally (and morally) unrelated to the suffering of less fortunate strangers. The alternative is an acknowledgment of our interdependence that is, frankly, incompatible with our social order. In this sense, people who continue to insist on safeguarding the medically vulnerable are irrational, beset by a kind of madness.
Scientists learned soon after the Omicron variant was first detected in November that it came in three genetically distinct varieties. They focused on BA.1, because it was about 1,000 times as prevalent as BA.2 in the early going; the third subvariant was rarer still. It was BA.1 that first broke out and raced around the world, while BA.2 took longer to become significant, but both have been on scientists’ radar from the outset.
It seems to be easier to catch.
All kinds of Omicron are highly contagious, which is why Omicron swiftly crowded out earlier variants like Delta and caused an immense global surge. But preliminary studies suggest that BA.2 is even more transmissible than BA.1. It has already become the dominant form of Omicron in a few countries and is gaining ground in others. Its potentially greater transmissibility has raised some concerns that BA.2 could cause a fresh spike or could lengthen the current one, but the jury is still out on whether that is likely to happen.
BA.2 has now been found from coast to coast and accounts for an estimated 3.9% all new infections nationally, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It appears to be doubling fast.
“If it doubles again to 8%, that means we’re into the exponential growth phase and we may be staring at another wave of COVID-19 coming in the U.S.,” says Samuel Scarpino, the manager director of pathogen surveillance at the Rockefeller Foundation.
“And that’s of course the one we’re really worried about. We’re all on the edge of our seats,” he says.
Some experts think it’s unlikely BA.2 will trigger a massive new surge because so many people have immunity from prior infections and vaccination at this point.
* Rep. Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur) was asked yesterday if his anti-mask protests on the House floor “takes away from doing the people’s business, that it’s a distraction and it doesn’t allow for real work to be done”…
Well, I don’t think it’s interfered, what we’ve done is interfered with the real work being done at all. We haven’t seen any bills called for Third Reading. We’re going through a whole list of bills today. Just checking off the box. There’s nothing being voted on today on the House floor. There wasn’t anything of substance that’s being proposed. You know, Illinois is going down the tubes. We’ve got people that are leaving, what 100-plus thousand people every year abandon this state. And you know, we’re not doing the work of the people so that that argument doesn’t hold anymore.
Today, Rep. Lauren Underwood (IL-14) released the following statement:
“Today, upon returning from an official trip overseas, I tested positive for COVID-19. I was tested throughout my trip and tested negative. I will be following guidelines from the CDC and House Attending Physician to isolate and keep others safe.”
“Thankfully, my symptoms are mild so far and I am grateful to have the protection of a safe vaccine and booster. I encourage everyone who hasn’t yet to get a vaccine and booster shot to help protect yourself and others from severe illness.”
*** UPDATE 2 *** Dave Druker with the Secretary of State’s office just called to say that, as of Monday, the public will not be required to wear masks when entering the Statehouse. That will not apply to offices and spaces controlled by the General Assembly and executive officers. But, the area around the rail on the 3rd Floor, for example, will be mask optional. Organized large group gatherings, however, are still not allowed. The same rules will apply to the Stratton Building.
The blind trust set up to manage Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s vast wealth bought stock in one of the state’s biggest Medicaid contractors in 2020, the same year his administration made several decisions that benefited the company’s bottom line.
The purchase of stock in health insurance giant Centene Corp. was made on behalf of the billionaire governor by trustees at Northern Trust, appointed by Pritzker to independently manage his portfolio to separate those investment decisions from his role as the state’s most powerful elected official.
The investment in Centene — which collected more than $2.6 billion from state Medicaid contracts in the first half of 2021 alone — demonstrates the pitfalls of a blind-trust arrangement that still leaves the nation’s richest governor open to potential conflicts of interest.
The acquisition by Pritzker’s trust came despite his campaign pledge to purge his personal portfolio of companies holding state contracts. He also promised, as governor-elect, to make charitable contributions matching gains in his trust’s holdings from entities that hold state contracts.
The issue of stock purchases by elected officials is now being debated in Congress, which is considering an array of strengthened stock disclosure laws aimed at stopping lawmakers from profiting from their access to insider information. The stock holdings of judges and federal banking officials also have come under scrutiny.
Experts interviewed by the Better Government Association say the governor could have avoided the potential conflict by instructing his trust managers to refrain from investing in state contractors. Pritzker’s spokespeople declined to say whether he ever considered doing so.
“I don’t see why a trustee couldn’t operate within those bounds — especially given that he seems to have acknowledged the potential of a conflict with his pledge” to divest of companies that hold state contracts, said Eleanor Eagan of the Center for Economic and Policy Research, based in Washington, D.C. […]
Experts interviewed by the BGA said there is a conflict of interest if the state has contracts with a company in which the governor’s trust holds stock.
“Absolutely,” said Eagan. “I don’t really see how one can argue otherwise.” […]
A BGA review of public records shows the purchase of Centene stock could have been made any time between Jan. 1, 2020, and Dec. 31, 2020. While the blind trust is designed to guard Pritzker from knowing when the investment in Centene was made, actions taken by his administration nevertheless benefitted the big health care company.
Starting in 2019 and continuing into 2020, Centene faced antitrust concerns during its $17 billion acquisition of Medicaid insurer Wellcare. The Pritzker administration helped Centene overcome federal antitrust scrutiny by reassigning thousands of Centene patients into other plans.
The state of Illinois also oversaw Centene’s June 2020 acquisition of state Medicaid contractor NextLevelHealth Partners. The transfer gave Centene a toehold in the lucrative Cook County Medicaid market.
* Full statement from Pritzker attorney Marc Elias to the BGA…
As the documents we’ve provided outline, Governor Pritzker did not personally make any investments, nor was he involved in any discussions at any time regarding any investments. His blind trust is just that: blind. He receives no information regarding potential investments and does not receive monthly or quarterly reporting that would outline what investments he has or their worth. The only information he receives is a ready-to-file Statement of Economic Interest which contains no values. He has no knowledge of the trust’s current assets. To suggest otherwise is not only inaccurate, but potentially libelous.
Oof.
* Full statement from the Pritzker campaign to the BGA…
This story completely mischaracterizes Governor Pritzker’s blind trust and his alleged role in any investment. As we have said numerous times and is made clear in the documents prepared by the attorneys, Governor Pritzker’s trust is blind. This means he is not a part of any decisions nor does he have any information regarding any investments. He receives no regular reporting on what the trustees and investment advisors decide to purchase and plays no role in any investment decisions. Period. Any reporting that would suggest otherwise ignores critical facts and would be grossly inaccurate.
* Anyway, the ILGOP seemed ready with some pointed questions for the governor…
Questions That Need Answering
· Why didn’t the Governor avoid this conflict of interest by simply telling his trust managers to refrain from investing in state contractors?
· When was the stock in Centene originally purchased and how much has Pritzker profited from the investment?
· Will the Governor release all correspondence and documents relating to Centene since he became governor?
* Response to the ILGOP at my request from Natalie Edelstein at the Pritzker campaign…
The Governor does not communicate with the trust managers and only receives his Statement of Economic Interest, which lists the assets, to sign annually in order to fulfill his obligation under Illinois law.
Emphasis in original.
I have asked both the Pritzker campaign and the governor’s office if Pritzker has followed through on his pledge to contribute matching amounts to charity whatever his trust gains from entities that hold state contracts. I’ll let you know if I hear back, but gains occur when stocks are sold, so I dunno if an answer is yet possible.
* Richard Irvin hasn’t yet put out a statement about an hour after the BGA unveiled its story (it was in my spam folder)…
It’s pretty clear the Governor’s blind trust can see perfectly well, and the people of Illinois deserve to know the extent of Pritzker’s personal financial benefit off one of the largest state contracts. This story continues to raise serious concerns not only of the governor’s judgment but also his continued enabling of the same kind of Madigan corruption that’s been plaguing this state for decades.
* Two others on the Griffin slate also put out a statement. AG candidate Steve Kim…
“Now we see why JB Pritzker and Kwame Raoul have kept up this needless crusade on masks in schools: to call attention away from Pritzker’s own potential conflict of interest,” Attorney General Candidate Steve Kim said in a statement. “I want to fight for Illinois and do everything that we can so that everyone in this state knows their leaders are working for them, not for themselves. As Attorney General, I will work to root out this Madigan-style corruption that has permeated this state for decades.”
That’s a stretch.
* Former US Attorney John Milhiser…
“These are the kinds of corrupt practices that have made Illinois families so distrustful of the current state of our government,” Secretary of State candidate John Milhiser said in response to this news. “We need to put leaders with a record of fighting corruption in state government so that we can root out practices like these and take action to end the exodus of people from our state who are disgusted with the way the career Pritzker-Madigan politicians do business.”
* Also from Natalie Edelstein at the Pritzker campaign…
Today’s story by the BGA ignores and misstates critical details and completely mischaracterizes Governor Pritzker’s blind trust. Despite multiple attempts at clarifying that the Governor has no role in any investment decisions and only receives the information required by Illinois law to file his Statement of Economic Interest—which the BGA’s own article acknowledges––the BGA nonetheless knowingly misrepresented the facts.
Governor Pritzker did divest his personal portfolio of companies holding state contracts and then removed himself from all investment decisions. To suggest he broke “his campaign pledge” is false. The trustees provide Governor Pritzker only with an annual report of his assets, which contains no values, in order to sign his Statement of Economic Interests pursuant to the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act. The BGA is suggesting that because the governor is following the law, he is doing something wrong. Most assuredly if the governor did not file a Statement of Economic Interests, the BGA would be writing about how he was violating the law.
The story also misleadingly attempts to connect the Governor to a current debate in Congress over barring federal elected officials from making stock purchases. What the story fails to note is that this effort is being undertaken because members of Congress are personally engaged in trading stock, which Governor Pritzker is not. Governor Pritzker does not personally make any investments, nor has he been involved in any discussions at any time regarding any investments since taking office.
While we are gratified that the BGA has admitted that Governor Pritzker has no involvement in investment decisions, it is unfortunate that despite several good faith discussions with the BGA, they pursued a story that is not based in fact, but rather speculation. We’ve come to accept this type of reporting as the norm from this outlet-–an organization that has accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars from Ken Griffin, most recently accepting $100,000 from him in their latest tax filing, and did not disclose this relationship when the organization’s President and CEO wrote a story revealing Mr. Griffin’s endorsement in the Republican primary for Governor.
* Jordan Abudayyeh sent along this email back and forth with a BGA reporter…
Q: After Gov. became aware in April 2021 that his trust owned Centene stock, did he take any steps to recuse himself from decisions and actions pertaining to Centene or to Medicaid?
A: Centene was initially chosen as a provider during the prior administration in 2018. Since then, any contract renewals have been handled exclusively at the agency level. The Governor is not involved in the contracting process relating to Centene or in any contract management. Since the Governor is not involved, there is nothing he would have to recuse himself from.
We are reporting that JB ran for office in 2018 by criticizing former Gov. Bruce Rauner for being slow to recoup millions of dollars in profits taken by Centene and other Illinois Medicaid contractors: “While costs skyrocket for his secret Medicaid overhaul, Bruce Rauner is negligent in recouping tens of millions of dollars in overpayments to insurers,” Pritzker said in a March 2018 press release. “Incredible sums of taxpayer dollars are falling through the cracks, and there’s no one in charge to stand up for hardworking Illinoisans.”
We have previously spoken with you for our article showing Gov. Pritzker in 2020 worked to quash a proposed bill by Democrat State Senator Dave Koehler that aimed to “claw back” COVID-era profits from Medicaid contractors including Centene.
Would you consider that a fair and accurate summary?
This summary is not accurate. Here is why:
• First, existing law provides the authority for the state to claw back excessive profits. Through HFS’ Medical Loss Ratio guarantee, MCOs are contractually prohibited from making excessive profits. Under the MLR, at least 85% of MCO funding is required to go back to medical expenses. Furthermore, the department increased that to 88% as a result of the pandemic to prevent the “windfalls” the legislation you reference was attempting to target. Anything over that is “clawed back.” The 12% “profit” also covers operational and administrative expenses so you’re looking at a theoretical 2-3% profit margin for MCOs on average.
o As a result of the Medical Loss Ratio, HFS is currently estimating the department will recoup approximately $220 million from the MCOs in 2020. This will take place after the 18-month bill cycle for 2020 concludes later this year.
o The Medical Loss Ratio guarantee existed during the Rauner administration as well, but they failed to exercise this authority – as documented by the Auditor General. To quote an article from the time, “In one finding, Healthcare and Family Services left $65 million on the table from 2013 to 2015 by not collecting so-called medical-loss ratio refunds, or money owed the state because the MCO didn’t meet the percentage of direct-care costs it promised.”
• The legislation you are referencing would have violated federal requirements and put tens of millions of dollars of federal funding at risk – raising costs for Illinois taxpayers. It would have failed to provide a true accounting of MCO profits, which are calculated based on a full claims process that takes place over an 18-month period. An interim snapshot provides an inaccurate picture.
• To further illustrate the degree to which this approach runs counter to responsible accounting, while most MCOs appeared to be profiting at higher rates in earlier phases of the pandemic, since that time those profits have significantly decreased
*** UPDATE *** A bit of tit for tat oppo, perhaps? WBEZ…
With Chicago-area homicides, carjackings and expressway shootings all up in 2021, billionaire investment tycoon Kenneth Griffin minced no words last fall when he singled out one man, Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker, for not confronting the crime scourge terrorizing the region.
But while Griffin was deriding Pritzker’s response as a “disgrace,” Griffin’s $46 billion hedge fund — Citadel — and its corporate cousin had investments and holdings in gun and ammunition manufacturing companies, federal securities records show.
In fact, Chicago police data analyzed by WBEZ show that nearly one out of every four guns recovered from city homicides in the past five years came off the assembly lines of companies in which Citadel held shares — weapons that have played a role in the same, worsening crime wave that Griffin blames on the governor.
Griffin’s activism and bank account are shaping the Illinois Republican Party in this year’s election cycle as the GOP looks for big gains in Springfield. Griffin and his favored gubernatorial candidate, Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin, are focusing on crime as a defining issue to deprive the Democratic governor of a second term. […]
“These investments make up less than .01% of our portfolio,” Citadel spokesperson Zia Ahmed said, calling any links between the companies’ positions and violent crime in Chicago “quite a stretch.”
2022 fall election preview: The Irvin campaign will slam Pritzker for things like a shaky claim of conflict of interest while the Pritzker people will try to claim on the slimmest of evidence that Irvin is bankrolled by a guy whose investments are flooding the streets with guns.
A House revenue committee on Thursday heard projections of an Illinois economy that is steadily moving back toward a level of pre-pandemic normalcy, which means revenue spikes realized due to temporary changes in consumer spending habits and federal stimulus packages are expected to subside. […]
Specifically, revenues for the fiscal year ending on June 30 are expected to be about $4.6 billion greater than were projected when the governor signed the budget into law last year, according to a presentation by the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability.
COGFA expects state coffers will have taken in $48.5 billion by the end of the fiscal year, up from a $44.4 billion projection in the budget that lawmakers approved in May. The base state revenue sources actually grew by $4.6 billion, however, because the governor’s office amended its planned use of federal funds to offset General Revenue Fund spending downward by $500 million due to the surplus.
The updated FY 22 estimates include a $1.6 billion increase in personal income tax from initial expected levels, a $1.2 billion increase in corporate income tax, and a $926 million increase in sales tax revenue.
*** UPDATE 1 *** Jordan Abudayyeh…
This adjustment reflects CoGFA’s updated revenue forecast, but it is ‘only’ $695M higher than what was in the GOMB’s revised revenue forecast at the beginning of February, so this shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone who reviewed the November 2021 Economic & Fiscal Policy report or the Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Book. This additional revenue is what the Governor is proposing be directed to paying off delayed bills accruing unnecessary interest costs, investing in pensions, building up the Budget Stabilization Fund and covering one-time tax relief.
House Majority Leader Greg Harris (D-Chicago) explained Thursday that appropriations committees are talking with each state agency to discuss requests in the budget. Both chambers are also closely watching sudden shifts in the state’s revenue projections, for the good and the bad.
Gov. JB Pritzker’s proposed tax relief plan included in the budget relief on the unprecedented revenue. However, Harris said members must be careful with using that money.
“We’re gonna still continue to look at the more conservative side of the numbers because we know that things can go south pretty fast if there’s another variant or something else comes up,” Harris said. “And we want to be sure we plan for those contingencies.” […]
Another area in the budget is funding for mental health services. Members of both parties have acknowledged the toll this pandemic has taken on mental health, from those living in isolation to children struggling to keep up in school. Harris noted that suicides are up 200% since the start of the pandemic and cases of people dying from overdose have gone up 33% during that same time. Although, the waitlist for mental health care continues to grow.
“There’s 4,000 vacant positions in community health centers and substance abuse treatment centers across the state,” Harris said. “One of the things people are really supportive of in the governor’s introduced budget is this new major investment of $130 million into the workforce and into mental health treatment and substance abuse treatment. It can eliminate the waitlist, fully staff community-based service agencies, and begin to provide rapid trauma-informed care to people when they are in crisis.”
* Majority Leader Harris was also asked about the huge deficit in the state’s unemployment insurance trust fund and what’s happening now…
There is a bipartisan, multi-industry working group that’s made up of Democrats and Republicans from both chambers, the governor’s office IDES, but also the representatives of business and labor who are meeting regularly, they have been for a couple of weeks. Looking at defining the scope of the problem, what are the available potential solutions and coming back with a recommendation. So they’re continuing to meet. And obviously, the potential use of ARPA, like many other states have done, is certainly on their plate.
* The Motor Fuel Tax break was also a topic yesterday…
One concern Kevin Artl with the American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois raised deals with the governor’s proposed freeze of the annual gas tax increase set for July 1. Artl said that could lead to funding gaps of half a billion dollars over five years.
“Our first preference is to keep that in place and make sure that we can keep the commitment of Rebuild Illinois [the state’s multi-year infrastructure plan passed in 2019] on to repair and modernize infrastructure, but we’re also realists and willing to work with all parties to find something that could work,” Artl said.
One idea Artl said is to adjust the sales tax that’s on top of the gas tax to provide relief for taxpayers.
The Illinois Sports Facilities Authority projects a nearly $30 million shortfall in hotel tax revenues needed to repay a state advance for debt service on Soldier Field bonds, and Chicago will have to cover the gap absent other mitigation actions.
The authority has grappled with shortfalls over the last two years as hotel taxes — the primary source of bond repayment — plummeted amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Over the last two years, the authority dipped into its own reserves and pushed off debt service through a $19 million scoop-and-toss restructuring in order to spare Chicago from having to cover the gap.
The authority’s willingness and ability to do it again is in question. The use of reserves contributed to a downgrade and some board members last year worried about the added burden of restructuring, so it remains unclear whether ISFA will find a way to cover the latest gap that again spares the city.
* Every 2-4 months I wake up with an eye stye. Usually, I just power through it and don’t even mention my situation. But I woke up a few hours ago and decided this would not be one of those power-through days and treated it and went back to bed.
You’re gonna be on your own for probably a couple of more hours while I do what I generally do to make this thing go away enough so I can work at least half comfortably.
Keep the conversation Illinois-centric, please. No international stuff, no national stuff, not even indirectly. Also, keep it civil. If even the Illinois House could manage to do so this week, I have faith that y’all can as well.
State Senator Tom Cullerton resigned from his seat in the Illinois Senate Wednesday.
According to his attorneys, the suburban Democrat, currently under federal indictment for extortion and embezzlement, plans to plead guilty in the case. […]
In 2019, Cullerton was charged with 39 counts of embezzlement from a labor union, one count of conspiracy and one count of making false statements.
The indictment stated Cullerton was hired as a union organizer, a full-time salaried position with benefits. The charges allege that Cullerton did little to no work for the next three years but was paid roughly $275,000 in salary and benefits.
The federal anti-featherbedding laws were basically designed to stop the Teamsters from doing just this. Every time he signed a time card, Cullerton was committing a felony. I like Tom and always have. But I don’t know what else to say except that he really screwed up.
Another member of one of Chicago’s storied political families, former Ald. Patrick Daley Thompson, was convicted in federal court just last week on charges he cheated on his taxes and lied to regulators. He is a grandson and nephew of Chicago’s two longest-serving mayors.
* A little bit of politics from the Richard Irvin campaign before we get to the meat of the post…
The culture of Mike Madigan corruption clouding Illinois government is alive and well under JB Pritzker as another lawmaker resigned this week after pleading guilty to corruption charges. This marks the fourth lawmaker to resign under a cloud of corruption since Pritzker took office.
Last week, a federal judge refused to drop charges against friends of former House Speaker Mike Madigan in an ongoing federal corruption investigation. Pritzker, of course, said Illinois should be grateful for Madigan and gave a massive bailout to the company implicated in the federal probe.
Yesterday, State Senator Tom Cullerton abruptly resigned and announced an intended guilty plea on 39 federal embezzlement charges. But despite a two-year investigation into Cullerton, Pritzker remained silent on this cloud of corruption - refusing to call on Cullerton to resign his seat and never taking action to clean up Springfield. Cullerton’s resignation follows other Democratic lawmakers resigning in disgrace during Pritzker’s tenure, including former State Rep. Luis Arroyo, State Sen. Terry Link, and the late former State Sen. Martin Sandoval.
Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin has vowed to fight corruption and clean up Springfield. Irvin believes change needs to start at the top with a new governor who isn’t part of Mike Madigan’s corruption web.
* Natalie Edelstein at the Pritzker campaign responded when I asked…
The governor believes that those who violate the public trust must be held accountable. Full stop. That’s why he passed meaningful ethics reform legislation which restricts government officials from lobbying activities, tightens regulations on registered lobbyists and consultants, and expands economic interest disclosures. There is more work to be done to fully restore Illinoisans’ faith in their government––but that work certainly wouldn’t happen under Richard Irvin. Irvin’s aggressive 180s on everything from COVID-19 mitigations to his support for Black Lives Matter underscores how little conviction he really has.
* OK, we have (finally) arrived at the policy point in this discussion. Rep. Curtis Tarver (D-Chicago) called today to tell me about a bill of his that is currently going nowhere even though he believes it’s particularly timely in the wake of the past week’s conviction and resignation/guilty plea, among other things.
* Here’s what state law says about legislative and statewide officeholders…
A person convicted of a felony shall be ineligible to hold an office created by the Constitution of this State until the completion of his sentence.
So, when Tom Cullerton and Patrick Daley Thompson complete their sentences, they can run for the General Assembly or a statewide executive office.
* And here’s what state law says about people running for municipal office…
A person is not eligible to take the oath of office for a municipal office if that person … has been convicted in any court located in the United States of any infamous crime, bribery, perjury, or other felony, unless such person is again restored to his or her rights of citizenship that may have been forfeited under Illinois law as a result of a conviction, which includes eligibility to hold elected municipal office, by the terms of a pardon for the offense, has received a restoration of rights by the Governor, or otherwise according to law. Any time after a judgment of conviction is rendered, a person convicted of an infamous crime, bribery, perjury, or other felony may petition the Governor for a restoration of rights.
So, Daley Thompson couldn’t run for city council ever again unless his rights were restored. And Cullerton couldn’t run for mayor of Villa Park unless he also convinced a governor to help him out.
Obviously, that’s quite a large gap.
* “No other state in the nation has such disparity between municipal and state law,” Rep. Tarver claimed. “Also, no other state differentiates solely based on the type of office as opposed to the type of crime.” For instance, Tarver said, if you’re convicted of bribery in California while in office you can’t ever hold public office again.
So, Tarver introduced HB5046, which would do two things.
1) After the “completion of his sentence” language for offices created by the Constitution, Tarver proposed this language…
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person convicted of a felony for an offense committed on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly and while he or she was serving as a public official in this State is ineligible to hold any local public office in this State or any office created by the Constitution of this State at any time after his or her conviction, unless that person is again restored to his or her rights of citizenship that may have been forfeited under Illinois law as a result of a conviction, which includes eligibility to hold office, by the terms of a pardon for the offense, has received a restoration of rights by the Governor, or otherwise according to law.
That language would make the prohibition uniform between state and local office and confine the banishment to convictions committed while the person was holding public office.
2) But - and this may be the reason the bill went nowhere - the legislation would delete all of the prior felony conviction language from the municipal code that I quoted above. I could see where people might get skittish, particularly in a year like this.
* Even so, it sure seems to me that the state has a strong interest in preventing somebody like former Rep. Luis Arroyo, who pleaded guilty to federal bribery charges, from ever running for any state or local office ever again. (And, before anyone mentions it, the state can’t control who runs for federal office, except for things like petition requirements, districts, etc.)
* The Question: Your thoughts on Rep. Tarver’s proposal?
Why did the Giannioulias bandwagon suddenly have a flat?
Part of the reason is Giannoulias himself. Already considered by some party pros as someone who’s a little too eager to move in and up, efforts by Team Giannoulias to spread the word that he was a sure victor you’d better get behind while you still can sparked more than a little blowback.
Only White knows for sure if that blowback affected his decision. After all, Valencia is a member of his 27th Ward Regular Democratic Organization. But nobody likes to be pushed.
Whatever the impact, there almost certainly is a bigger reason: Insider after insider tells me that other people on this year’s Democratic ticket, most definitely including Pritzker, are petrified at the thought that Republicans will seize on the collapse of the Giannoulias family’s Broadway Bank and use hedge fund mogul Ken Griffin’s wallet to tarnish the entire statewide Democratic slate with tales of tawdry taxpayer bailouts and the like.
* Relevant excerpt from a Senate Republican press release…
Noting the importance of a strong education system for the future of the state, the members of the Illinois Senate Republican Caucus are working to advance legislation that promotes greater transparency and accountability, and offers hope for struggling students.
The Senators’ legislative package aims to empower parents with new bills designed to allow them greater access to school curriculums and a voice in statewide educational decisions.
The first bill, Senate Bill 4180, adds five new positions to the Illinois State Board of Education. Currently, all members of the state board are appointed by the Governor, meaning the individual members aren’t held directly accountable to voters. Those members make far-reaching decisions on school curriculums, health and safety requirements, and how mandates affect schools.
The new legislation creates one board member per judicial district, elected by voters and thus directly accountable to families in local districts.
“The Illinois State Board of Education, whose members are hand-chosen by Governor Pritzker, sets rules and standards for all public schools. Unfortunately, this system minimizes the voices of families, doesn’t provide any sort of accountability to the public, and creates a situation where members are more beholden to the Governor than Illinois families. That’s not right,” said State Sen. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro). “Parents of our state deserve to have a voice in the education of their children. One of the ways we can begin to give them back their voice is to allow for the public to choose the individuals that are making crucial educational decisions on behalf of our children.”
This from the same caucus that voted lockstep against an elected Chicago school board.
An additional 111,000 voter registration applications have been processed at Illinois Secretary of State facilities annually thanks to a 2018 state automatic voter registration law, according to an analysis by Illinois PIRG.
“We believe that democracy works best when everyone is involved in it,” said the report’s author, PIRG Democracy and Civic Engagement Associate Keegan Hollyer. “Of course, given our system, that requires that people be registered to vote. Obviously, the report shows that automatic voter registration has boosted the number of people registered to vote.”
* Alexi Giannoulias campaign…
I’m excited to share my new campaign video for Secretary of State that addresses the frustration that many of us have experienced waiting in long lines at driver’s license facilities.
My new Skip the Line program will reduce wait times, increase efficiencies, curb redundancies and adhere to protocols and precautions to ensure the health and safety of customers who need to make in-person visits to renew their driver’s licenses or obtain other services. Check out our new campaign video below outlining Skip the Line!
Attorney Richard Boykin, who previously served on the Cook County Board of Commissioners (2014 - 2018), and served on Capitol Hill for 11 years, including time as Chief of Staff to Congressman Danny Davis, will be joined by several prominent supporters when he officially announces his run for President of the Cook County Board. Specifically joining Attorney Boykin will be his Campaign Chair, the legendary Coach Dorothy Gaters, the winningest high school basketball coach in Illinois history, and retired Cook County Sheriff Kenneth Jones who lost his 29-year-old son to gun violence.
* Pritzker campaign…
Today, U.S. Representative Jesús “Chuy” García joined Alderman Mike Rodriguez and supporters in Little Village to endorse Governor JB Pritzker and Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton for reelection.
“I proudly endorse Governor JB Pritzker in his bid to continue leading Illinois,” said Congressman García. “Under Governor JB Pritzker, Illinois emerged as a national leader in the fight against COVID-19 and also became the most welcoming state in the nation. He has been a champion for protecting and defending Latino and immigrant communities. Through his compassionate and effective leadership, he has forged partnerships across parties, regions, caucuses, and community stakeholders to secure resources for millions of families. We must continue on our path to serve the diverse people of Illinois while uplifting our state as a national model — and that is only possible with Governor JB Pritzker.”
Not quite sure why that was needed since Pritzker has no realistic primary opposition. Anyway, an online video ad is here.
Thursday, Feb 24, 2022 - Posted by Advertising Department
[The following is a paid advertisement.]
AARP IL is fighting to ensure nursing home residents receive safe and high-quality care by emphasizing the urgent need for reform.
Nursing home residents and staff have experienced devastating conditions during the Covid-19 pandemic, and an unacceptable number have lost their lives to the disease.
This session, Illinois lawmakers have the opportunity to improve care and conditions for nursing home residents.
Join AARP Illinois as we urge lawmakers to make sure legislation under negotiation:
• Prioritizes accountability, quality of care for residents, and workforce development in nursing homes.
• Addresses racial inequities that contribute to health disparities among nursing home residents enrolled in Medicaid.
• Ends the practice of overcrowding rooms with three and more residents.
• Requires greater transparency of nursing home ownership and revenue.
• Ties funding/rates/incentives to direct resident care and demonstrable and sustained nursing home quality outcomes and performance.
• Ensures incentives result in improved outcomes for resident care and sustainable workforce development.
SENIORS DESERVE BETTER. Now more than ever, it’s time to hold Illinois nursing homes accountable for providing high-quality care and safe environments for our loved ones. Urge state lawmakers to vote YES on the HFS Compromise Nursing Home Rate Reform.
* Gov. Pritzker’s great grandfather came to America from Ukraine in the 1920s, so he gets top billing…
Tonight we stand together in prayer for the people of Ukraine and united in our resolve against the tyranny of a Russian autocrat determined to undermine democracy and threaten peace on the European continent.
U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement on Vladimir Putin’s decision to invade Ukraine:
“Let me be clear: Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine’s sovereign land is a dire threat to the established international order and must be resolutely deterred. Ukraine and our NATO allies facing ongoing Russian belligerence have strong bipartisan, bicameral support in the U.S. Congress. As someone who has strong ties to the region, my prayers are with the Ukrainian people and all of Eastern Europe.”
* Duckworth…
Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) who served 23 years in the Reserve Forces, issued the following statement after Russia escalated its invasion of Ukraine:
“The human suffering caused—and any blood spilled—as a result of this unjustified and unjustifiable attack on Ukraine’s sovereign territory are solely on Vladimir Putin’s hands. Our nation, our NATO allies and all countries who value human rights, sovereignty and the rule of law must hold him and his cronies fully, painfully and immediately accountable. Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked and inexcusable escalation of this violent invasion will succeed in only one thing: uniting the free world against Russia’s autocratic regime in support of Ukraine’s territorial sovereignty, its people and its right to self-governance.”
* LaHood…
Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-18), a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, released the following statement on Ukraine:
“I condemn Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked and unjustified attacks against Ukraine in the strongest possible terms. The world is witness again to the true evil of Putin, who alone has chosen a path of bloodshed in Ukraine. America and the free world must stand with Ukraine by enacting the strongest possible economic sanctions, crippling Russia’s ability to make war, and punishing Putin’s regime and his oligarchs on the international stage. My prayers will remain with the Ukrainian people.”
* Foster…
Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) issued the following statement after Russian military forces launched an invasion of Ukraine:
“The Russian military’s unjustified invasion of Ukraine is a destabilizing threat to Europe and the entire international order. The United States, our NATO allies, and our international partners must hold Putin accountable for this unprovoked attack on a sovereign nation and the senseless death and destruction it will cause.
“Although we have no treaty-level obligation to defend Ukraine, we have a special moral duty to assist Ukraine because of its decision to give up its nuclear weapons at the end of the Cold War, in return for international assurances of its territorial integrity.
“The people of Illinois stand on the side of democracy and with the people of Ukraine.”
* Krishnamoorthi…
Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence issued the following statement after President Vladimir Putin launched an invasion of Ukraine:
“I join countless millions across the world in keeping the people of Ukraine in my prayers as Vladimir Putin has chosen to begin his unjustified, unprovoked, and premeditated invasion of Ukraine. Despite the efforts of Ukraine, the United States, and our European allies to prevent bloodshed through diplomacy, millions of lives now lie in the balance because of Russian military aggression.
In the face of Russia’s senseless and avoidable war, the United States must continue to stand with the people of Ukraine as they defend their homeland, their freedom, and their right of self-government from Vladimir Putin’s iron yoke. We must join with democracies across the world to dramatically expand sanctions on Russia to hold its leaders accountable for the needless destruction and suffering they will cause, while also coordinating with our NATO allies to stand firm in the face of any attack on our alliance.
While none of us can say for certain what will come next, Russia will gain no security from this needless war as democracies across the world once again stand shoulder to shoulder in the face of despotic militarism.”
“Tonight, Russia’s unprovoked attack on Ukraine begins a war of choice entirely of President Putin’s making, despite months of intense diplomacy. The price that Ukrainians will pay for that choice is unfathomable.
“While the Kremlin’s disinformation apparatus is in full swing, I want to be clear that no one is responsible for this bloodshed other than Putin. As I have for months, I will continue to call for appropriate repercussions for Russia’s invasion, and if necessary, I will press the administration and our allies to take broader, harsher action.
“As these events unfold, my message to the Ukrainian people is simple: we stand with you.”
Republican Rep. Mike Bost called on President Joe Biden to “impose crippling sanctions” on the Russian economy.
“Putin’s invasion of Ukraine must be met with decisive action from the U.S. and our global partners,” Bost said. “This isn’t the time for subtle nuance and split hairs.”
* Davis…
Putin, his oligarch friends, and his corrupt government should feel great financial pain for their evil actions.
That’s why I support the Putin Accountability Act, the toughest sanctions ever proposed by Congress on Putin and Russia: https://t.co/tnD6iQEhbO
The fentanyl coming from our southern border is the leading cause of death for American adults. Common sense would dictate we secure our own border before we worry about the borders of other countries. But common sense and the Biden admin are polar opposites.
Congresswoman Mary Miller (R-IL) released the following statement on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“Americans miss the “Peace Through Strength” and energy independence that were achieved during the Trump Administration. President Biden’s disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan and dismantling of US energy production have severely weakened our national security. Biden and the Democrats’ open border policies allowed more than 2,000 Russian nationals to cross our southern border, and our border is still open while Putin issues threats to our homeland. Gas prices are about to skyrocket even higher, and the American people will suffer because of the Green New Deal policies pushed by radical leftists in Congress. None of this would be happening if President Trump was still in the White House. I will continue to pray that God watches over the people of Ukraine.”
Trump wanted the US out of NATO. Withdrawal would’ve likely satisfied Russia, but caused all sorts of other problems.
* Durkin…
While Russian troops move into Ukraine, an act of war the likes of which has not been seen in Europe since 1939, House Republican Leader Jim Durkin will introduce legislation to send a message to the Ukrainian people that Illinois supports them and will not do business with these vicious warmongers.
“This morning, we woke up to shocking images crossing our TV screens. People in cities throughout Ukraine huddled in subways and shelters while explosions shake their cities as Russian soldiers begin an invasion of their homeland,” said Durkin. “Today, we must send a strong signal to these people that we stand with them and support their sovereignty – that the State of Illinois is prepared to do what we can to help.”
Durkin’s legislation would require Illinois to divest of any pension funds in Russian companies and prohibit the state’s treasury from holding any Russian assets.
“Too often partisanship dominates our efforts in the General Assembly, but this is an opportunity for us to stand up as a bipartisan body and do what is right to support the Ukrainian people in the face of unimaginable hardship. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get this done.”
* Demmer…
As Russia launches a large-scale military invasion of Ukraine, an act of war not seen on the European Continent in a generation, House Republican Deputy Leader Tom Demmer (R-Dixon) has introduced legislation to send a strong-message to the people of Ukraine that the State of Illinois supports them.
“In this dark and dangerous moment, it is crucial that we stand strongly and unequivocally with the people of Ukraine and offer every tool at our disposal to provide aid to refugees who flee from the invasion of their sovereign nation,” Demmer said. “As a nation founded by refugees, there is no American value more enduring or essential than welcoming refugees from war-torn places all across the world and helping them and their families resettle safely.”
Demmer’s legislation would include an additional $20 million in the Department of Human Services (DHS) budget for FY22 and FY23 to aid in the resettlement of Ukrainian refugees. Illinois’ refugee resettlement program, run by DHS, has resettled more than 123,644 refugees from more than 60 countries since 1975.
The Refugee Program provides community-based services, including counseling, orientation, and English classes in addition to vocational training, job readiness, and job placement assistance. Additionally, multi-lingual mental health services are available for refugees who have experienced severe trauma.
“I call on my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to come together quickly on a bipartisan basis to pass my legislation into law so that the State of Illinois is prepared to provide the necessary aid to Ukrainian refugees and their families during this tragic and anxious period in their lives,” Demmer added.
…Adding… Rush…
Today, U.S. Representative Bobby L. Rush (D-Ill.), a member of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus, released the following statement on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine:
“Today is a dark, dark day. Under preposterous and false pretenses, Vladimir Putin has chosen to invade a sovereign democratic nation, a critical and strategic ally of the United States. My heart goes out to the people of Ukraine; I am praying for their safety. I am praying for Chicago’s Ukrainian community and for their loved ones in Europe who may be impacted by this war. Ukraine must know that the American people and the American government stand unequivocally with them during this time of crisis.
“I support the sanctions that President Biden, in close coordination with our allies, has already imposed. Should Russia continue to move down this dangerous path, I am confident that the U.S. and our allies will swiftly impose increasingly severe consequences that will cripple Russia’s economy and strategic interests. I stand ready to work with my colleagues in Congress to do what is necessary to make clear that Ukraine is not alone in its fight to retain its sovereignty and that our nation and its leaders stand firmly and unmistakably on the side of democracy.”
…Adding… Irvin…
I stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and support efforts by the United States and allies to deter further Russian aggression.
The unprovoked aggression we are witnessing by Putin and Russia threatens peace and democracy, and will have far-reaching consequences. Please join us in praying for Ukraine, and Ukrainian people everywhere, including right here in Illinois. 🇺🇦
Today, Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released the following statement:
“America and the world stand with the People of Ukraine.
“Vladimir Putin’s war against Ukraine is not just an unprovoked, illegal invasion of a sovereign country, but a blatant attack on the world order—an affront to every nation that respects international law and national self-determination. Putin is counting on the unity of the international community to fracture and wane in short order. We must ensure that his confidence is misplaced and that his intentions are thwarted.
“It is imperative for the US to resolutely lead with our allies in preserving the united response to Putin’s war. We must stand together to support the people of Ukraine and also work in unison to mitigate the impact Putin’s illegal aggression will have on the global economy. We will continue to assist Ukraine and the Ukrainian people with the resources necessary to defend their country and humanitarian assistance to feed and provide for their citizens.
“We see Vladimir Putin for what he is: a warmongering, dictatorial tyrant who seeks a permanent conflict with the West and restoration of Russian rule over the former Soviet empire. Additional sanctions must directly target Vladimir Putin, Russian elites, the Russian military and the country’s financial institutions. Our grievance is not with the Russian people, and it is unfortunate that they will be the ones to bear the greatest burden of the international response. Putin bears responsibility for their suffering every bit as much as he is responsible for the tragedy unfolding in Ukraine.
“Putin’s ambitions know no bounds. America, NATO, and our allies must be resolute in defense of democracy.”
* Speaker Welch…
I am grateful to see @POTUS strengthen sanctions on Russia to hold them accountable for the senseless suffering this aggression has, and will continue to cause. My prayers remain with the Ukrainian people and the rest of the free world as we unite against this autocratic regime.
United States Marine Corps Veteran and Chair of the IL House Veterans Affairs Committee, State Representative Stephanie Kifowit – Oswego (D) gave the following remarks at the beginning of session on the IL House Floor today after Ukraine is under Russian attack.
“I wish I could say it was a good morning, but it was not. I rise not only as the Chair of the IL House Veterans Affairs Committee, but also as a US Marine Corps Veteran who has served on active duty, and a mother of a currently serving US Navy sailor.
There is no question, there is no political divide, when evil rears its head and the world see the death and destruction that is yielded by an individual without a conscience or respect for human life. President Putin of Russia has acted in the most despicable manner, without merit, and without provocation, engaged in a military assault of an ally, a sovereign nation, the country of Ukraine.
Ukraine is the second largest country in Europe by area and has a population of over 43 million people. President Putin has destabilized peace in Europe, attacked a friendly country.
Missiles and bombs are raining down on an innocent population and this premeditated attack is underway by land, air and sea.
We must unite with our allies to demand an end to this aggression and to hold Putin accountable. I am truly in fear for our future due to the unpredictable and reckless nature of Putin and his regime.
Families today are still affected by the wars of our past, as many are sharing their histories on social media. We cannot let this situation continue as it affects all of us and will have a tremendous impact on the future of our entire country.
We need to hold all our men and women serving in our thoughts and prayers. We also need to reach out to our Veterans, who know all too well the realities of war, and especially our WWII Veterans who are still with us today.
* Comptroller Susana Mendoza…
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will have more impact on Illinois than just higher gas prices and lower 401Ks. Even those of us without friends and relatives in Ukraine will feel the chill on our collective Democratic freedoms as Russia’s dictator tries to push the world toward autocracy. Let us stand with Ukraine and with the protestors in Russia.
* Beth Hunsdorfer scored and then conducted and then wrote up one heck of an interview with the new LIG…
Michael McCuskey assumed his role of legislative inspector general this week, bringing 32 years of judicial experience to the position charged with investigating lawmaker misconduct.
“I want them to be a little scared of me,” McCuskey, in an interview, said of the lawmakers who appointed him on Feb. 17. […]
He’s known for handing down tough sentences for criminal defendants, earning him the nickname “Maximum Mike.” […]
He once appeared on a radio show and called the University of Illinois president and other administrators “gutless” for their handling of a student protest of an appearance of then-Gov. Bruce Rauner. […]
McCuskey drew national attention when he presided over the case of six students suspended for a brawl at a football game in Decatur. A civil rights lawsuit was filed by an organization headed by Rev. Jesse Jackson. McCuskey, who worked as a high school teacher and coach before he went to law school, upheld the students’ suspension.
You really gotta wonder what the Democratic caucuses are thinking about their votes right about now. /s
Illinois senators have approved a plan to help survivors of Department of Children and Family Services caseworkers who die in the line of duty.
It would allow them to receive a State Employee Group Insurance death benefit, no matter how long the person worked for the agency. That’s similar to when a law enforcement officer is killed. Current law requires eight years of service for employees.
The proposal follows the death of Deidre Silas of Springfield, a caseworker killed while on a home visit in Thayer last month. The legislation would be retroactive to ensure Silas’ family receives health coverage.
Silas is survived by her husband, a five year old son and a two year old daughter.
* Press release…
On Wednesday, legislation co-sponsored by State Representative Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield) to combat human trafficking in Illinois passed the House of Representatives. House Bill 4593 was introduced by Rep. Chris Bos (R-Lake Zurich) to prevent sexual predators from claiming they did not know the person they solicited for sex was underage or had an intellectual disability.
“I spoke with Rep. Bos about human trafficking in our state on my radio show, Policy Nuance, back in October,” said Rep. Batinick. “This is a serious issue affecting vulnerable populations and I am proud to co-sponsor this legislation to place responsibility on perpetrators, not victims, of sexual abuse.”
House Bill 4593 passed the House with bipartisan support and no opposition. According to Homeland Security, human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. According to the 2018 Illinois Human Trafficking Task Force Report, 970 children were trafficked since 2011 with the average trafficked child’s age being 13.89.
Rep. Batinick is a co-sponsor of additional human trafficking-related bills introduced by Rep. Bos. These include House Bill 4402 to create the Human Trafficking Order of Protection Act, House Bill 4407 to include sexual servitude of a minor in the definition of “sex offense”, and House Bill 4592 to increase the penalties for human traffickers and abusers who target children in particularly vulnerable settings.
If you or someone you know is being forced to engage in any activity and cannot leave, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or Text “HELP,” or “INFO” to 233733.
* Media advisory…
Illinois Engineering Leaders to Introduce Legislative Agenda to Prioritize the State’s Infrastructure
WHO: Kevin Artl, President and CEO of the American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois (ACEC Illinois)
Steve Donahue, President of Horner & Shifrin, Inc and Chair of the ACEC Illinois Board of Directors
Tanya Adams, Vice President of WSP USA and Secretary of the ACEC Illinois Board of Directors
P.J. Fitzpatrick, Principal of HR Green and Chair Elect of the ACEC Illinois Board of Directors
Linda Moen, President of EFK Moen and Treasurer of the ACEC Illinois Board of Directors
WHAT: As the country celebrates National Engineering Week, Illinois’ engineering industry leaders will unveil their 2022 ‘Prioritize Our Infrastructure’ legislative agenda aimed at ensuring Illinois’ physical infrastructure projects continue to be well-funded by the state and completed by the most qualified professionals in the industry.
WHEN: Thursday, February 24, 2022
10:00 a.m.
WHERE: Illinois State Capitol Blue Room (basement, room 010)
401 S. 2nd Street
Springfield, Illinois
* Press release…
A measure to make the capitol complex more accessible for visitors with disabilities clears an important hurdle thanks to State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago).
“The Capitol grounds belong to all of the people, ‘’ said Peters. “All people, regardless of their physical ability, should be able to freely move about the capitol and be able to navigate their way through our public spaces.”
Senate Bill 0180 requires the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate to each appoint an accessibility coordinator to work in consultation with the Architect of the Capitol to address accessibility needs for each chamber.
The measure also creates the General Assembly Accessibility Task Force, which will include members appointed by each legislative leader and a chair jointly appointed by the Speaker and the President. The appointees would include individuals who have a disability or advocates for people with disabilities. The task force shall examine issues concerning accessibility of the General Assembly to persons with a disability. The task force’s recommendations would be due by Dec. 31, 2023 and allow the task force to continue to stand until Jan. 1, 2025.
“I am pleased that we are one step closer to addressing a critical lack of inclusion in the very center of democracy in this state,” Peters said. “I hope that after the task force completes its recommendations, that we are able to make our capitol grounds more accessible to all.”
The measure passed the Senate on Wednesday.
* Media advisory…
Media Advisory: Senate Republicans to unveil legislative package to empower parents and grow opportunities for students
WHO: State Senator Neil Anderson
State Senator Jason Barickman
State Senator Terri Bryant
State Senator Jil Tracy
WHAT: Press Conference
WHEN: Thursday, February 24th, 10:30 a.m.
WHERE: Blue Room, Illinois State Capitol
* Press release…
In response to the current mental health professional workforce’s struggles to keep up with increasing demand, State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) is leading a measure aimed at growing the workforce in Illinois.
“For people who are bravely taking the first steps to seek mental health care, overbooked providers are major deterrents to receiving the care they need,” Senator Fine said. “I am committed to making mental and behavioral health care more accessible for those who need it, which includes addressing the shortage of mental health providers needed for the demand we are seeing in our communities.”
In Illinois, there are only 14 behavioral health care professionals for every 10,000 Illinois residents. Many people are forced to wait longer for essential treatment or forego health care entirely because of this gap. This can be detrimental to their mental and physical well-being.
To address these issues, Senate Bill 3617 focuses on expanding the current workforce. It will accelerate the process for out-of-state clinicians applying for licensure in Illinois, as well as streamlining requirements for social workers, professional counselors, and clinical psychologists with licenses that have been inactive for five years. Additionally, it includes initiatives to support diversity in the mental health field, establishes tax credits, and many more provisions, all of which will encourage more quality, accessible care to those seeking assistance.
“Mental health is just as important as physical health,” Senator Fine said. “This measure will address the gap between available providers and potential patients so that all who are seeking mental and behavioral health care face fewer barriers in receiving treatment.”
Senate Bill 3617 passed the Senate on Wednesday. It now goes to the House for further consideration.
…Adding… Senate Dems…
MEDIA ADVISORY: Senate Democrats to outline plan to address teacher shortage
SPRINGFIELD – Nearly 90% of school districts across the state have reported a teacher shortage problem, with even more believing the crisis will worsen in the years to come.
To tackle the school staffing crunch, members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus have outlined a tangible solution to the ongoing issue through a legislative package. They will expand upon their plan at a press conference Thursday.
What: Press conference on measures to address teacher shortage
When: Thursday, Feb. 24 at 12:30 p.m.
Where: Illinois State Capitol, Blue Room or virtually at BlueRoomStream.com
Who: Senators Christopher Belt, Cristina Pacione-Zayas, Meg Loughran Cappel, Patrick Joyce, Rob Martwick, Napoleon Harris, and Doris Turner. The Senators will also be joined by a local educator from Washington Middle School.
* House Dems…
House Democrats To Highlight Week’s Legislative Activity
What: Members of the House Democratic Caucus will highlight some of this week’s activity and give a brief look ahead
When: February 24, 11:30 a.m.
Who: Majority Leader Harris and other members of the Democratic Caucus
Where: Blue Room (Room 010)
Format: Remarks; brief moderated Q&A
If a new bill becomes law, Illinois workers who get tips will receive the state’s minimum wage in addition to their tip money.
State Rep. Camille Lilly, D-Chicago, has introduced House Bill 5139, which would allow servers and bartenders to receive the state’s minimum wage starting in 2025 in addition to their tips.
…Adding… Media advisory…
Many farm equipment manufacturers prevent Illinois farmers from accessing the software tools they need to fix their modern tractors. That forces farmers to turn to corporate-authorized dealers for many problems, which can lead to high repair bills and delays that can put their crops—and their livelihoods—at risk. While farmers have always relied on local dealerships for help, more and more those dealerships have been bought up by large chain networks, further reducing competition and exacerbating the problems farmers already face due to repair restrictions.
WHAT: The release of a new report, “Deere in the Headlights II,” which demonstrates how consolidated dealerships have become and how these large chains can reduce choice for Illinois farmers. We will reveal which tractor-maker’s dealerships are most consolidated and talk about how this trend impacts farmers’ livelihoods and how the Right to Repair could dramatically increase farmers’ repair choices.
WHO: Representative Michelle Mussman, author of the Digital Fair Repair Act (HB3061)
Willie Cade, Midwest Regional Director at Repair.org
David J Lee, Associate at Illinois PIRG
WHEN: TODAY @ 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM CT
WHERE: Register for the Zoom webinar by clicking the link below or by copy and pasting it into your browser:
…Adding… Ana Soskic, Protect Our Pets Illinois…
“This morning an Illinois Senate Committee passed yet another anti-business, anti-family bill, SB 705, targeting dog dealers who are Illinois small business owners. This time it was based on a blatant mischaracterization by Sen. Linda Holmes (D-Aurora).
After I testified about how a recently enacted, HB 1711, supported by extreme animal rights groups, will crush my small woman-owned business, Furry Babies, and many other small businesses including veterinarians and vendors, Sen. Linda Holmes dismissed my concerns and told the committee SB 705 was merely clarifying language. That is not true.
SB 705 changes the definition of dog dealers, a valuable and lawful service, to prohibit their ability to sell dogs to the public. That’s not clarification, that’s putting people out of business.
SB 705 will continue the extreme agenda and ensure the shutdown of other businesses who sell dogs from breeders while failing to improve animal welfare standards and close puppy mills. The Illinois government is already shutting down reputable pet stores this week with HB1711 taking effect.
We’re disappointed, but not surprised, that Sen. Holmes’ mistruth carried the day. Illinois voters need to understand the extreme agenda being promoted on a daily basis in Springfield.
No one has worked harder to protect our pets than our coalition. We believe in cracking down on irresponsible breeders while ensuring Illinois families have the choice of adding animals to their families where I assure you they receive the loving care they deserve.
We are continuing our fight to pass improved legislation to make Illinois the safest state possible for our customers and their family pets.”
The ongoing ethics investigation has prompted a variety of groups, from organized labor to issue-based PACs, that were early endorsers of Newman to rethink their support, said two sources knowledgeable about her political operation who were not authorized to speak publicly about her campaign’s inner workings.
“Some people have talked to her and I know others are considering when and how to talk with her. I think it’s incumbent on the campaign at this point in time to show us their path to victory,” said one of the sources. “It’s not always saying, ‘Oh, we’re going to pull an endorsement.’ It just the level of support of what you’ll do from here.”
Both sources said the biggest effect of the probe is on “independent expenditure” contributions to Newman from outside groups, which cannot be coordinated with her campaign. […]
Newman received millions of dollars from [independent expenditure] efforts in her 2020 primary race, and that money was seen as a key element in her election to Congress.
In a statement, the FEC confirmed that it has received a complaint against the campaign of Downers Grove Rep. Sean Casten, who’s battling to retain his job in the Democratic primary against Rep. Marie Newman of La Grange. The complaint alleges that Casten’s campaign committee in 2018 illegally colluded with a super PAC funded by his wealthy father in airing $130,000 worth of ads attacking a Casten primary rival then, Kelly Mazeski. […]
The complaint was filed by a former district resident, Kerri Barber. … Asked if the Newman campaign prompted the complaint, Barber replied, “not directly.”
"Employees at Driver Services facilities will be wearing masks Monday," said an Illinois Secretary of State spokesman. "Our customers will not be required to do so, but it is suggested that they do." As for the capitol complex? "Have not made that decision yet."
* Chicago’s proof of vaccine requirement will also end…
Both the city of Chicago and the state of Illinois will end their indoor masking mandates on Feb. 28. The city of Chicago will also end its requirement for patrons to show proof-of-vaccination against COVID on that date, according to officials.
The city announced its plans on Tuesday, while the state of Illinois announced its decision to roll back mandates earlier this month.
I took a photo of my driver’s license next to my vax card, so that city mandate has been no big deal for me. The whiners made it a problem for staff, however.
Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike reminded residents that masks remain necessary in certain places and situations, including for public transportation, inside federal buildings and in parts of long-term care facilities.
The full list of locations includes:
[…] The one vaccine-related rule that will not be removed, at least according to Mayor Lori Lightfoot, is the mandate that city workers get vaccinated against COVID-19.
Each circuit court may adopt rules requiring the wearing of masks in courthouses pursuant to appropriate public health guidance. Absent such local rules, the wearing of masks within courthouses is permitted, but not required. Persons choosing to wear a mask may be directed by a judge to remove it if deemed necessary for court purposes, such as when addressing the court or testifying.
* The Senate won’t be in session next week, so they’re still “taking input” on a decision. And the House is still planning no changes for the rest of the session to its mask, etc. rules. By the way, there was some confusion in the House over the rules yesterday…
“If we are going to follow the rules we have to follow all the rules not just the ones you guys pick and choose to follow. So if we need to wear our masks when we debate, if we are going to look like idiots, we are going to debate like idiots with our masks on thank you Mr. Speaker,” said Rep. Andrew Chesney.
Nothing in the rules allows members to remove their masks to speak during debate. So, Rep. Chesney, was correct, if impolite.
* Also, this happened today…
GOP Reps. Miller (no relation) and Halbrook voted "No" remotely on a motion to grant fellow GOP Reps. Demmer and Bourne the right to vote remotely https://t.co/OTTSYbLnB7
Based on our extremely low infection rates and guidance from our medical advisors, we are making masks optional in our Catholic schools in Chicago, Evanston, and Oak Park, beginning Monday, February 28. With this decision, all Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Chicago will be mask optional, effective Monday.
Illinois on Thursday became the first state in the U.S. to ban police from lying or using deceptive tactics while interrogating minors.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed Senate Bill 2122 into law, prohibiting law enforcement from using deceptive tactics against those they are interrogating who are under 18 years of age. […]
The measure’s original sponsors, state Sen. Robert Peters and state Rep. Justin Slaughter, garnered bipartisan support for the bill that culminated in a near-unanimous vote to pass it in both houses during the spring legislative session. […]
Though few Americans realize it, police regularly deceive suspects during questioning to try to secure confessions, from saying DNA placed them at the scene of a crime to claiming eyewitnesses identified them as being the perpetrator. Detectives also can lie about the consequences of confessing, saying, for instance, that admitting responsibility is a quick ticket home.
A 15-year-old freshman described how he ended up spending two nights in a juvenile facility for a Waukegan shooting that took place while he was playing basketball at Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire.
Martell Williams, a Waukegan High School student, was released from custody Friday after a dizzying two days in custody, during which he was charged with attempted murder and then cleared when family and friends presented proof that he could not be the person who shot a store clerk in the face on Feb. 4. […]
Williams said police told him that multiple people had identified him as the person in a security video who shot the dollar store clerk in the 2600 block of Grand Avenue. Last week, police had released the images and asked for the public’s help. Williams was taken into custody Wednesday.
Once in custody, Williams’ attorney alleges detectives immediately began working to get a confession.
“Try to bribe him with McDonald’s saying, ‘look. Just tell us you were there,” his attorney said. “They don’t even tell him about a shooting. ‘Just tell us you were there and we’ll have you home in ten minutes.’”
The terrified 15-year-old was charged with attempted murder and aggravated battery. He spent two nights in the Lake County Juvenile Detention Center before the case fell apart. Williams’ family proved that he was playing basketball for Waukegan at the exact time of the shooting.
“They didn’t even tell him a shooting was involved,” said Kevin O’Connor, Williams’ attorney. “They just said, ‘Hey, it wasn’t your fault. Just tell us you were defending yourself. Just go ahead and tell us you were there and we will let you go home.’”
An oral, written, or sign language confession of a minor, who at the time of the commission of the offense was under 18 years of age, made as a result of a custodial interrogation conducted at a police station or other place of detention on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly shall be presumed to be inadmissible as evidence against the minor making the confession in a criminal proceeding or a juvenile court proceeding … if, during the custodial interrogation, a law enforcement officer or juvenile officer knowingly engages in deception.
The law only applies to admissibility in court. There are no penalties for violation.
When there is an injustice playing out like the situation with the 15-year-old Martell Williams, we must use it as a teachable moment to take positive action to change our ways. If you are not Black, you may never know what is like to be Black in society. If you’re not a male, you may never know what it’s like to be a Black man in society. But as a member of society, we can be sympathetic and listen with open hearts to one another’s struggles. Stories like this play out differently and lives and families have been destroyed and they have experienced financial hardships because of the color of a person’s skin. Martell is proof that doing the right thing and playing by the rules will not always guarantee justice. But he is also a great example that being in school, and doing the right thing is a great defender. So today I want to salute Martell for doing the right thing. So I hope that students all over see Martell Williams as a great example and a model citizen.
Martell’s situation is another eye opener and a teachable moment for all of us. It is not the first story we have heard or read. Thank you God, Martell didn’t have to spend years in jail fighting to prove his innocence, or killed for us to recognize that Black people have problems just being Black. I hope that we can support Martel and his family by giving them the love and mental health support they need to deal with the trauma that they are going through. Dropping the charges is just one thing, but it’s also just to make sure that the rest is cleaned from Martell’s background because he will have to live with them forever.
And just an example why we do what we do and why I come here as a state Rep., I want to thank this body for passing House Bill 434. It was championed by myself, Carol Ammons, Camille Lilly, Latoya Greenwood and Lisa Hernandez. It allowed for us in this state to immediately expunge arrest records when a person’s charge has been acquitted or dismissed. This is an example of why we have to change the way we do business in Springfield. And so that bill that we passed, we have a real life experience that we can play out right here. And I hope that the prosecutors and the state do everything they can to drop the charges, not only drop those charges, but clear the background of Martell Williams.
I want to thank you all for listening and I hope that we took it to heart and just know that a person’s struggle is not a complaint. A person’s struggle is a person saying ‘I want help.’ Thank you for listening.
Bailey’s Campaign Admitted That He Had Voted For Barack Obama In The 2008 Democrat Primary
* Chicago Tribune, January 15 2022
While Obama was campaigning against real Republicans like Richard Irvin, Bailey was hoping you never learned his Obama-sized secret
See for yourself! Darren even posed with his Obama cookies!
* From Bailey’s spokesperson Joe DeBose…
It’s clear that lying liberals like Irvin and his establishment campaign are desperate and willing to say anything to stop our conservative movement. Unlike Irvin and others in this GOP Primary, Darren Bailey is a lifelong conservative Republican and a proud supporter of President Trump. They are trying to lie and fool voters because their candidate doesn’t have an honest, conservative record to stand on. Bailey has voted against Clinton, Obama, and Biden and has always supported the GOP nominee. The cookies were handed to Darren by a child at an event, but I’m not surprised they’re grasping for straws.
Irvin’s campaign also questioned the partisan purity of two rivals, noting Sullivan founded “OneWorld” magazine while attending Saint Louis University that supported then-U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, and his proposed global poverty act. They also said that in 2008 Bailey pulled a Democratic primary ballot.
In a statement, a Bailey spokesman said, “Darren was one of thousands of Americans who were pushed by conservative groups to vote in the Dem Primary to stop Hillary Clinton.”
* Back to DeBose…
Irvin has taken PPP and the only time he has pulled a GOP ballot was to support taxpayer-funded abortion after Rauner signed it into law. Nobody doubts Bailey’s conservative and Republican credentials. Just like nobody doubts Irvin’s liberal credentials. Both are well documented and no amount of money will distort the truth in this primary.
There were still several presidential candidates on the ballot in the 2008 Democratic primary here, so I guess it’s not a total lock that he voted for Obama. Still, if he won’t specifically answer the question, then he leaves himself open to attack, particularly since he constantly attacks Irvin for being a Democrat. But the same also goes for Irvin, who won’t say who he voted for when he took Democratic ballots.
There’s a Republican platform and the Republican rules in the state of Illinois say you must have voted in the last two primaries as a Republican before you can run for office. Well, it’s interesting that the Republican Party is seemingly trying to change those rules right now. They’re making the attempt with the Chicago GOP and it is believed that that’s going to spill down below. The problem is when we water down our rules and we ignore them and, more so than rules, a platform, literally what we stand for, we become, you know, we can’t decipher right from wrong, and this nonsense of who’s running for office and why they’re running for office.
* So, I reached out to Steve Boulton, the chair of the Chicago Republican Party, wondering if it was their rules Bailey was talking about…
Mr. Miller,
The provision you refer to is in the Cook County Republican Party Bylaws, not the Chicago Republican Party Bylaws, and has nothing to do with candidates for public office or the 2020 Republican Primary.
The provision currently imposes a qualification that Republican Ward or Township Committeepersons in Cook County must have voted in the past two Republican primaries before election or appointment. The original version with a similar but different test was passed in 2016 when a number of Democrats ran for Republican Ward Committeeperson in Chicago after the Illinois Election Code was amended to shift the power to submit lists of preferred election judges to the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners from the County Chair of each party to the Ward Committeepersons of each party in the respective Chicago wards.
The recent proposal was to eliminate the existing provision. It was made by me, and I am neutral in the Governor’s race with no relationship, publicly stated or hidden, with the Irvin Campaign or any other campaign. No campaign had any knowledge of or participation in my action. A stronger Republican Party structure is emerging in Chicago as a protection in future elections, and the provision is unduly limiting the pool of possible appointments of Committeepersons and in turn Republican Party expansion in Chicago. For example, one excellent prospective appointee is a lifelong Republican voter who took a Democratic ballot for the first time in 2020 solely in hope of preventing Marie Newman from being elected to Congress.
While formal notice of a vote on the Cook GOP Bylaws change was sent prior to the last Cook County Central Committee meeting, I withdrew the measure in favor of discussion of the need for a change. Alternatives short of complete elimination of the provision are under discussion, but none have been either proposed or acted upon in the Cook County Central Committee.
As Cook County Chair, Sean Morrison was aware that I was proposing the change, and he is affiliated with the Irvin Campaign. He had no substantive role in it, however, as this came entirely from me in connection with my job of rebuilding the Republican Party structure in Chicago.
…Adding… Since this post is about DeVore, here’s a news story about his new lawsuit against Speaker Welch…
At a hearing [Tuesday] morning in Greenville, Welch’s counsel Joshua Ratz asked for the case to be moved to Cook County, but presiding judge Ronald Foster declined and instead sent the matter to Sangamon County.
Wilhour’s counsel, Thomas DeVore, said by phone this morning that he thought the matter could’ve been heard in Bond County, but the judge disagreed. DeVore lives in Bond County. As to the decision to move the case to Sangamon County, DeVore said, “I’m fine with that.”
DeVore has filed a request for a Temporary Restraining Order in the matter. He said it’s his contention that the Illinois House leadership can create rules of decorum, but can’t cloak a health rule under rules of decorum. He said that’s what led to the removal of the House members last week.
As to when the matter will be heard in Sangamon County, DeVore said it’s his goal to have it scheduled this week. The case will have to be assigned to a Sangamon County judge before things can proceed.
* From Gov. Pritzker’s Q&A with reporters this morning…
Q: Your reaction to the Attorney General filing the appeal at the Illinois Supreme Court? What do you say to those school districts who have gone mask optional, mask recommended? Can you put the toothpaste back in the tube?
A: Well, remember I’ve said for several weeks now that we would be removing the requirement for masks in schools, and that on February 28th we will be removing the mask mandate in indoor settings. So, when you say ‘toothpaste back in the tube,’ I would just say that that was that is our aim and has been our aim all along.
However, the decisions that were made at the circuit court and appellate court level, well, let’s talk about the circuit court. That was just a poor decision, a badly designed reading of the law.
The appellate court, because of the desire of the legislature to, you know, punt, frankly, decided they would punt too. And that’s what they did.
So now this is going to go to the Supreme Court. And this really is about what do we do in the next emergency. As much as anything, what happens when there is another omicron wave, or, God forbid, at some future date, another pandemic or some other major emergency that affects everybody in the state. We want to be able to do the right thing for the people across the state. And so we hope that the Supreme Court will see that and rule on that despite the decision by the appellate court.
Q: Do you want to see legislation to clarify what your powers are?
A: We actually don’t think that there’s any lack of clarity. The judge decided differently, but I also think there were some politics involved in that.
Q: Obviously, there is a conflict here because the courts…
A: The conflict is political. It is not what is in the written law.
* The state’s motions at the Illinois Supreme Court…
Rep. Marie Newman (D-IL) is facing an onslaught of criticism for a contract she signed with a political rival, in which—according to congressional investigators—she likely agreed to hand Professor Iymen Chehade a six-figure salary in exchange for him not running against her in a Democratic primary. But documents appear to show that a cozy job and big title weren’t the only things Newman negotiated.
In an Oct. 2018 email to Newman, Chehade memorialized that he and Newman had met earlier in the week and discussed a proposal where Newman would not only pledge to hiring Chehade, but would also “commit” to a number of anti-Israel policy positions.
Among the positions Chehade laid out were “opposing any legislation that entails ADDITIONAL military sales or aid to Israel,” supporting legislation that achieves “justice and self-determination” for Palestinians, and organizing “fact-finding” delegations to Palestine and other Middle East countries. Chehade even said he wanted “complete discretion” over the itinerary for such a trip.
“At no point will Newman accept partial or complete funding for congressional delegations from the [Jewish National Fund], any organization affiliated with the Israeli government, or any organization that embraces Israeli’s Zionist or colonial project,” Chehade said.
* More…
This is from the email Iymen Chehade sent Marie Newman about what he wanted in a contract.
Marie Newman’s response was not outrage, or shock, or disgust. It was this:
A Palestinian professor said that he was denied a job because of his views on Israel and has filed a breach of contract lawsuit against Illinois Congresswoman Marie Newman. Iymen Chehade is Professor of Middle Eastern History at Columbia College Chicago.
Chehade claims that he had a signed agreement with the progressive Democrat Congresswomen for him to take a senior position in her team in return for dropping out of the 2020 US election in order to give the 57 year old a better chance to oust a pro-Israel candidate. He was denied the job, he claims, because of his strong sympathy with the Palestinian cause. […]
The two began to fall out over a statement from Newman on Palestine. Chehade says he worked with the Congresswomen to draft “a powerful statement in support of Palestinian rights.” Disagreements arose over the content, though, including the position Newman should take on the global Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement. In the final draft, Newman says she supported people’s right to boycott, though she did not back the BDS movement herself.
Ultimately, Chehade was disappointed. The Palestine Statement on Newman’s website deleted any reference to the possibility of a single state solution, which Chehade says they agreed on; deleted reference to UN General Assembly Resolution 194 on the right of return and replaced it with a vague reference to the return of refugees; and recognised Israel as a “democratic and Jewish” state.
Newman didn’t hire Chehade as her congressional adviser, a job that is paid for with government funds, and he sued her last year. They settled for undisclosed terms, and he subsequently signed onto her campaign as a foreign affairs adviser. Campaign advisers are paid out of donations to candidates.
Newman has denied any improprieties. Chehade will not comment, citing the non-disclosure component of his settlement with Newman. He is currently running for Congress in Illinois’ redrawn third district.
Newman notably has embraced some of the policies Chehade outlined in his 2018 email: She was one of just nine members of the US House of Representatives who voted last year against $1 billion in additional funds for Israel’s Iron Dome antimissile system. She is also backing a bill by Rep. Betty McCollum, D-Minn., that would withhold funds from Israel based on the number of Palestinian minors in detention.
In a closely watched Chicago-area primary between two incumbent House Democrats, liberal pro-Israel group J Street is throwing its weight behind Rep. Sean Casten (D-IL), J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami told Jewish Insider on Tuesday. Casten is participating in a J Street delegation of House members visiting Israel this week.
J Street had previously endorsed both Casten and his opponent, Rep. Marie Newman (D-IL), prior to a redistricting process that changed the borders of the legislators’ districts. The organization stood by Newman in September when she was one of just eight Democrats to vote against a $1 billion supplemental funding package for Israel’s Iron Dome missile-defense system — legislation that J Street supported. The group held a fundraiser for Newman days after the vote.
J Street spokesperson Logan Bayroff issued a statement of support for Newman in early October, saying J Street PAC was “proud to endorse Rep. Newman, who throughout her time in Congress has been a vocal and principled advocate for diplomacy-first American leadership and Israeli-Palestinian peace.” At the time, Illinois’ new maps had not yet been approved.
“After redistricting placed them both in a race for Illinois’ 6th District,” Bayroff told JI on Tuesday, “we reviewed the race based on a number of factors and ultimately have made the decision this month to endorse Rep. Casten alone in this new head-to-head matchup.”
Bayroff said that the ethics investigation factored into the decision. “We endorsed both of them in 2020 in different districts, but once it became clear it was head to head we have to make a choice,” Bayroff said in an interview. “We have to look at everything going on in the race, and investigation into one candidate is one of the factors one looks into in a race.”
Newman is under investigation by the Office of Congressional Ethics for allegedly promising Iymen Chehade, a Palestinian-American academic, a job on her congressional staff if he agreed not to run against her in a primary. One of his alleged conditions was that Newman adopt pro-Palestinian stances.
Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza is calling for repealing a law that imposes a 12 percent interest whenever the state is late paying its bills, along with a program that allows private investors to purchase the debt owed to vendors and collect that interest penalty.
Speaking to a Senate budget committee Tuesday, Mendoza said the state is nearly caught up on its bill backlog and that those two programs are no longer needed.
“This program has allowed private lenders to loan money to state vendors, then rake in the 12 percent interest that state taxpayers were on the hook for with these late bills,” Mendoza said. “Now happily the days of connected private lenders profiting off the state’s financial problems can and should be over.”
Mendoza was referring to a 1993 law known as the Prompt Payment Act, which says that whenever the state fails to pay a bill within 60 days, the state must pay an interest penalty of 1 percent per month, or 12 percent per year.
Just a nitpick here, but the word “backlog” really needs to be retired until we actually have one again. The state is paying its bills within a couple/three weeks, so we have no actual backlog today.
* From Mendoza’s testimony…
(W)ith the Governor’s $900 million for the Group Insurance backlog and the fact we are paying our general fund vouchers on time, it’s time to phase out the state’s Vendor Payment Program.
This program has allowed private lenders to loan money to state vendors, then rake in the 12 percent interest that state taxpayers were on the hook for — with these late bills.
Happily, the days of connected private lenders profiting off the state’s financial problems can and should be over.
This is also an opportune time to revisit the State Prompt Payment Act that affords this generous 12 % interest for late payments beyond 90 days.
Now, I understand that the intent of the Act is supposed have a deterrent effect on budget-makers that forces them to keep a budget living within its’ means….. But, I would argue that this interest expense is not penalizing state government, but rather penalizes taxpayers.
It still bothers me that Illinois spent over $1 billion in late payment interest penalties during the budget impasse that is forever gone. Poof.
Was that $1 billion dollar penalty enough to force a correction on Illinois’ budget?
No.
The days of taxpayers being on the hook for billions of dollars in late payment interest penalties should be over.
At a time when we finally have our heads above water, it is now when we need to take a hard look at what happened and to reform our policies so that taxpayers are not having to pay for these exorbitant costs.
While I fully agree that those interest payments had no real impact on budget-makers and that the private investor stuff made some people big bucks, the law helped convince some vendors to do business with the state at a time of crisis and also helped some smaller vendors keep their heads above water. I am not all that confident in Illinois’ ability to continue down this current path of fiscal sanity.
The proposal from Comptroller Mendoza on Tuesday to end penalties on late payments is nothing more than a cheap way to save a buck that will cost taxpayers more in the long run. If the state were paying it’s bills on time, why would Comptroller Mendoza be so afraid of penalties on late payments?
This is the latest example of the Pritzker administration’s rules for thee but not for me. While every Illinois family has to pay interest on our mortgage, rent, and household bills, the state government is trying to create a loophole for themselves. What Comptroller Mendoza isn’t telling you is that under JB Pritzker and her financial “stewardship,” the state has taken on more debt, worsened its financial position, and tries to pass this off as responsible leadership.
In reality, Comptroller Mendoza and Governor Pritzker are trying to use sleight of hand on the people of Illinois.
*** UPDATE 1 *** Greg Hinz has Mendoza’s campaign response to Teresi’s comments…
“The facts are that Comptroller Mendoza has cut the state’s bill backlog by over 80% without using federal stimulus funds, delivered the fastest vendor payment cycle in decades—down from 210 working days to 17 days today—and helped earn the state its first credit upgrades in over 20 years, a clear indicator of the state’s improved fiscal condition,” she responded.
For what it’s worth, the watchdog Civic Federation is siding with Mendoza on this one.
The 12% fee “is an unnecessary guardrail,” said federation President Laurence Msall in a phone call. “It was supposed to be a deterrent, not a way for people to profit from the states overdue bills.”
Following endorsements from Secretary of State Jesse White and Governor JB Pritzker, Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton today announced she has also endorsed Valencia:
“Jesse White is a giant and a pioneer. As the first Black Secretary of State, he opened doors for so many leaders in Illinois––myself included. I would not be here today if not for Jesse White, and I am so grateful for his guidance and service to our state for the last 20+ years,” said Lieutenant Governor Stratton. “Jesse knows better than anyone what credentials and character are required to be successful as Secretary of State, which is why I am thrilled to join him in endorsing Anna Valencia. I’ve known Anna for many years and can attest to her commitment to working families. As City Clerk, Anna has been a voice for all Chicagoans and has made great strides in ensuring government works for everyone it is supposed to serve. I am proud to join Governor Pritzker and leaders across the state in supporting my friend and her ceiling-shattering candidacy. I look forward to doing all I can to ensure that next November Anna is the first woman and first Latina to ever serve as Illinois Secretary of State.”
“Lieutenant Governor Stratton is a trailblazer and someone I have admired for many years,” said Anna Valencia. “I am honored to earn her endorsement and am grateful for how she has broken the glass ceiling for women like me. Having people who look like us serving in Illinois’ highest offices shows young girls and girls of color around our state that they too can achieve their dreams. I look forward to partnering with Lieutenant Governor Stratton to improve the lives of everyone in our state.”
Since entering the race in June 2021, Valencia has built a strong statewide coalition of support from a robust slate of highly-respected elected officials, business leaders, political groups and labor unions—including the Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois (AFFI) and Illinois Nurses Association-The Nurses Union (INA). Both of Illinois’ US senators, Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, current Secretary of State Jesse White, and Governor JB Pritzker have endorsed Valencia. She has also secured support from the national Latino Victory Fund, EMILY’s List and other influential organizations and leaders from across the state and nation.
Valencia, a proven leader who understands the challenges many Illinois families face, was raised by working class parents in a union household in Granite City, IL. She has delivered bold and innovative ideas as Chicago City Clerk, and as Secretary of State, she would bring new energy to the office while emphasizing transparency and modernizing state government. She would be the first woman and first Latina Secretary of State in state history. For more information about the campaign, visit www.voteannavalencia.com.
Wednesday, Feb 23, 2022 - Posted by Advertising Department
[The following is a paid advertisement.]
AARP IL is fighting to ensure nursing home residents receive safe and high-quality care by emphasizing the urgent need for reform.
Nursing home residents and staff have experienced devastating conditions during the Covid-19 pandemic, and an unacceptable number have lost their lives to the disease.
This session, Illinois lawmakers have the opportunity to improve care and conditions for nursing home residents.
Join AARP Illinois as we urge lawmakers to make sure legislation under negotiation:
• Prioritizes accountability, quality of care for residents, and workforce development in nursing homes.
• Addresses racial inequities that contribute to health disparities among nursing home residents enrolled in Medicaid.
• Ends the practice of overcrowding rooms with three and more residents.
• Requires greater transparency of nursing home ownership and revenue.
• Ties funding/rates/incentives to direct resident care and demonstrable and sustained nursing home quality outcomes and performance.
• Ensures incentives result in improved outcomes for resident care and sustainable workforce development.
SENIORS DESERVE BETTER. Now more than ever, it’s time to hold Illinois nursing homes accountable for providing high-quality care and safe environments for our loved ones. Urge state lawmakers to vote YES on the HFS Compromise Nursing Home Rate Reform.
I wanted you to hear from me that I just sent this email. It has been a pleasure to serve my constituents and the residents of this State.
Tom
* The letter…
*** UPDATE 1 *** The explanation…
Cullerton has a status hearing in 20 minutes in his criminal case, where they are expected to announce he plans to plead guilty. Trial was quietly delayed while this played out. https://t.co/fT2Q3HxsnI
Illinois Senate President Don Harmon issued the following statement regarding the vacancy in the Illinois Senate created by the Wednesday resignation of Sen. Tom Cullerton.
“Tom Cullerton served his constituents in the 23rd Senate District for nearly a decade. I look forward to welcoming and working with a new senator from the district. We’ve got a lot of work to do for the people of Illinois.”
* Text this morning from a legislator describing last night’s evacuation along with a photo of fire trucks blocking the street outside his downtown hotel…
2am today staying at the Wyndham…. 20 floors of stairs… lots of tired people in the lobby […] I’m gonna be tired as [redacted] all day. After about a half hour we got the all clear to go back to our rooms
*** UPDATE *** Springfield Fire Department report…
Units dispatched to a report of fire in the basement. A small fire in a storage room was found by E1 and T1. The fire was held in check by a sprinkler head. E1 and T1 extinguished the remaining fire. The sprinkler was shut down in the basement. E3, E4, E5, E7, E8, B2, T2 and the MVU assisted on scene with water management and smoke removal. No occupants were displaced. Fire inspectors reported to determine a cause. Property Damage was estimated to be in the $40,000 range.
* After several minutes of speeches urging calm and decorum, just two Republican House members, Reps. Blaine Wilhour and Adam Niemerg, refused to wear a mask to comply with House rules. They were escorted off the floor and there was no mass GOP walkout like last week.
This post will be updated in a bit with excerpts from the aforementioned speeches.
*** UPDATE 1 *** They’re redoing the roll call because the Democrats neglected to allow Republicans to vote remotely. Rep. Caulkins has joined the anti-maskers and will also be removed.
*** UPDATE 2 *** As promised, here are excerpts from Rep. Lakesia Collins’ floor speech today…
For those who don’t know me, or know my story, I lost my mother at five. And the people who were supposed to love me and protect me did not do that. I experienced physical, verbal and sexual abuse until I became a teenager and found my voice to say ‘No more.’ I lived in several different communities stretching from the city of Chicago all the way out to the suburbs. I lived on couch the couch. I experienced trauma at the trauma was switching from house to house. So in that moment when I was being confronted by my colleague and when my colleagues said to me, in that moment I was triggered. I was scared. I felt unprotected. And I was shocked that this even transpired. […]
My colleague did try to offer me an apology that day, 10 minutes after the altercation. But in that moment, it wasn’t the right time. Especially when I stated I felt unsafe. What I took from this is that we can all agree to disagree, but we have to move forward and do the work we were elected to do. As a black woman, we are told to be strong, but at the same time to be quiet, to tone down, don’t be too aggressive. And our concerns oftentimes go unheard. I’m thankful for my colleagues who stood to the ready to separate us and to the leadership over here who acted so quickly. I hope that we can all put this behind us and keep the people we represent at the forefront. We’re all imperfect people. We may not always see eye to eye but we can always be civil and respectful of one another. […]
I really hope that we can do what we have come here to do, what we were elected to do. And that’s to get the work done and to deliver to the people who rely on us to be their voice in this chamber.
Please pardon all transcription errors for all speakers.
* Excerpts from what Rep. Steve Reick had to say next…
I was taught that you don’t take an insult, you don’t take something that is wrong lightly. And when I heard my name being mentioned as one who was violating the mask mandate, I took umbrage at that. Because I’m also a rules guy. … I disagree with the mask rule completely. But that’s the rules and hopefully the day is soon approaching when we will not have to do that on this floor. The fact remains is that my name being called out as being in violation of a rule that I am bound to follow and respect in spite of my disagreement gave me a little bit, or more than a little bit, a lot of concern because I’m not that kind of guy. I’m just not. I’m big, I’m wild, sometimes I’m profane, but I’m not that kind of guy. So when I went over to the representative and had words with her it came from an anger of the fact that I was being somehow made into something I was not. I regret those words. I regret those actions … I want to say that regardless of how the actions were perceived, or the words were perceived, there was no intent at all to cause harm. I hope you understand that. I think you know me well enough to know that I’m blunt, but I don’t try to cause him harm.
Ten minutes after this happened, I went back and offered an apology, offered to give the representative an apology and she acknowledges that. But I was told by the speaker that it was not the time, it was not the time to apologize. One of the other things I was brought up with was the fact that if you screw up, you make it right up right away. You don’t wait until it’s convenient for you to do it, you make sure that you make an effort immediately when you’ve made a mistake, and that’s what I tried to do, but I was not allowed to do that.
And so what happened was over the weekend, letters started to come back and forth, demanding things. Threatening unstated sanctions, possibly unless I gave a public apology. I will say again, I’m sorry for what I said. And I said that to the representative in Speaker Welch’s office this morning and offered to do it immediately thereafter, and this all could have been diffused, but now it’s in the public realm. There are letters that are out there and there are those who will perceive this as having been done as a result of demands, and threats of unspecified sanctions. I’m offering up an apology but it’s no different than the apology I would have offered up had she been willing to listen to me ten minutes after this happened that this never would have had to occur. That’s how you do these things. You’re honest, you take care of business you clean up your own mess and you move on. It’s what I intend to do with this. These are my last words on the thing.
* Excerpts from Leader Jim Durkin’s speech…
Last week I made a statement on the floor about how we need to take the temperature down. And as I process what happened with Representative Reick and Collins … I stand by what I said. Sometimes we forget that we represent 13 million Illinoisans. They look up to us, they want us to solve problems that they have, the family has, businesses ask us, help us with this issue. When I think about that, I think about, overall, that we have much more in common than you really think. We all have different backgrounds, we were raised differently in different parts of the state. We have different vocations. But at the end of the day, I know full well one thing that is the most important thing that I could say is that we all love the state of Illinois. That’s why we’re here. That’s why we take up this very noble position. And I do believe it’s a noble position of serving in the Illinois House of Representatives. I love my job. I have passion for my job. And what I just heard right now, from both Representative Reick and Collins, they are team members that have great passion for what they do. Great passion for their constituency. But more importantly, we’ve been able to lower the temperature, which we need to do on a regular basis. […]
But also remember to think about this, we have people watching us right now and there will be a point at which we will have people in the gallery, adults, children. Think about that. Let’s respect what’s going on on the floor. Let’s listen to somebody’s questions. Let’s listen to somebody explaining their bill. […]
We do that by exercising civility. But that doesn’t mean that we can’t have a robust debate about language in the bill or whether or not any one particular proposal is right for the state. We will continue to have that type of dialogue and I’m no stranger to that. But let’s move forward and make a commitment towards civility, respect everyone’s positions, their life story or constituents and we will be a better place for that.
So at the end of the day, just remember, we need to be the adults in the state. And I’m glad that both my colleagues spoke frankly about a very unfortunate situation. And I hope that we will never get there again. But let’s say that if there are problems in the future, what we did today, myself and the Speaker, we talked about it. We did what adults do. And if that happens again, we’ll do it again.
* Excerpts from Speaker Chris Welch’s speech…
Leader Durkin, I join you on the floor today to make a public request to bring civility back to our great chamber. Today, I did have a chance to sit down with the leader to discuss how our caucuses can productively work together as the duly elected representatives from our communities all across this great state.
After a couple incidents that took place in this chamber last week, I had some serious concerns about our ability to work together as Democrats and Republicans.
13 months ago, I meant what I said. It’s important that we work together as Democrats and Republicans, as the House of Representatives.
I think it is fair to say that many of us, many of us were concerned about the public discourse that was on display last week. And I will say that today I left the meeting with Leader Durkin, Rep. Collins, Rep. Reick, our Chiefs of Staff feeling very optimistic about where we’re headed. Our meeting was cordial, productive. And I’m grateful for that. That’s the way we conduct business around here. That’s the way we should work together as Democrats and Republicans. As I’ve said since I was elected Speaker, we must work to lower the divisive rhetoric. I know it can be hard sometimes. We are all passionate about the communities that elected us, but we can be respectful while we’re being passionate at the same time. Let’s lower the divisive rhetoric. That’s what we’re talking about. Don’t lose your passion. Come ready to debate the issues. But let’s lower the divisive rhetoric. We must always conduct ourselves with mutual respect for one another. And we must make an effort at all times find ways to work together. Not only is this how the democratic process should work, it’s what the people of our state expect and deserve.
With the statements that you’ve already heard from Leader Durkin, Rep. Collins and Rep. Reick, I think it’s clear we want to put all of this behind us and get serious about the work ahead of us these next seven weeks.
I think it’s also important to note that as leader Durkin mentioned last week, it was very clear when he said this. The rules are the rules. Those rules are in place for a reason. You may not agree with them in your life outside of this chamber. But these rules were approved by a majority of this chamber. They’re the house rules adopted by us, consistent of our powers granted in the state constitution. We should follow the rules and lead by example.
We have a few weeks left here. We can’t afford a COVID 19 outbreak amongst ourselves and our staff. More importantly, we have colleagues in this body who have children or family members who are immunocompromised. Let’s do our part to make sure we can all go home see to see our loved ones.
Yes, we disagree. There’s people sitting here right now not following the rules of this chamber. I’m not a dictator. I believe in democracy. We all voted on those rules. And there are people here right now not following our rules. We know there will be times we passionately disagree in the coming weeks. I encourage that passionate discussion. That’s okay. The diversity of this state is what makes us strong. Diversity of this state is what makes us the great state of Illinois. But when we disagree we need to do so civilly and respectfully. Making our colleagues feel unsafe at anytime in this body will not be tolerated. It won’t. Civility is important. We have constituents watching. Remember that they’re watching everything we’re doing. We have kids at home, watching what we’re doing.[…]
Let’s work together to find solutions and a common purpose in this chamber. You’ve got my commitment on that. Let’s work together even though we’re going to have disagreements on how we get there. Let’s work together, Leader Durkin, and make this an even better state than it is already. Thank you all. Mr. Speaker, let’s go to work. Thank you all so much.
Days after Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White backed Anna Valencia to succeed him, Governor JB Pritzker today announced he has also endorsed Valencia:
“As a veteran, community leader, and elected official, Jesse White has been a model of public service in Illinois for over half a century. The first African American ever elected as Illinois Secretary of State, and one of the most popular Democratic candidates in state history, Jesse will leave behind an unmatched legacy. For decades he has been a powerful voice for those who have been historically underrepresented––something Anna Valencia has dedicated herself to both personally and professionally.
“I am proud to join Jesse White and Senators Durbin and Duckworth and many others in endorsing Anna Valencia for Secretary of State. Anna is a capable leader with a proven record of success, and she represents the bright future of the Democratic party. In this Democratic primary for Secretary of State we are lucky to have three capable candidates. However, I believe Anna is the best choice. I am thrilled to support her history-making candidacy to be the first woman and first Latina to serve as Illinois Secretary of State,” said Governor Pritzker.
“I am grateful for Governor Pritzker’s endorsement, which adds to the growing momentum around our campaign,” said Anna Valencia. “Governor Pritzker has fought for working families like the one I grew up in, advocated for our women and girls, helped me reform our fines and fees system and notched big wins in Springfield that are making a difference in the lives of Illinoisans. I look forward to joining the Governor on the ballot this fall, rallying our diverse coalition of voters and partnering with him as Secretary of State to fight for all Illinoisans.”
Since entering the race in June 2021, Valencia has built a strong statewide coalition of support from a robust slate of highly-respected elected officials, business leaders, political groups and labor unions—including the Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois (AFFI) and Illinois Nurses Association-The Nurses Union (INA). Both of Illinois’ US senators, Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, have endorsed Valencia. She has also secured support from the national Latino Victory Fund, EMILY’s List and other influential organizations and leaders from across the state and nation.
I guess the next question is whether the governor will help her catch up to Giannoulias’ fundraising.
…Adding… David Moore…
Again, I’m not surprised by Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s endorsement of my opponent. We know that he has a very close relationship with Secretary of State Jesse White. Although, I am an elected official, I am not viewed as part of the establishment. The party establishment didn’t support my candidacy the first two times I ran for alderman. I didn’t ask permission then and I’m not asking permission now. The voters will decide who they want to be the Democratic nominee for Illinois secretary of state.
Rep. Marie Newman (D-IL) is already under investigation for allegedly inking an improper contract with a rival to keep him from running against her. But it turns out that rival isn’t the only one who scored a sweet deal with the freshman Democrat; one of his top political allies got one, too.
In her deposition to the Office of Congressional Ethics late last year, Newman attested that not only did she sign documents as a 2020 candidate guaranteeing a six-figure job to would-be primary competitor Professor Iymen Chehade, but she also made a similar pact with her current chief of district affairs, Shadin Maali. What’s more, sources told The Daily Beast, Maali conducted outreach and introductions on behalf of Chehade’s never-official bid for what is now Newman’s Chicagoland seat. […]
“I can’t think of another time I’ve seen this kind of thing happening,” Jordan Libowitz, communications director for Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, told The Daily Beast. “It kind of makes you ask what the congresswoman was getting out of it. Why sign a contract guaranteeing jobs to these people?” […]
The office also asserted that no contract between Maali and Newman was ever “executed,” despite Maali’s employment in House and on the campaign. Her team would not speak to the congresswoman’s testimony to the Office of Congressional Ethics that she had signed such an agreement.
I dunno. We’ll see, I suppose. While the story mentions Newman’s deposition and makes a claim about what she said, no actual quote about a Maali contract was provided and neither was a link to the deposition.
A little-known provision in Illinois’ sweeping criminal justice reform legislation is sowing chaos in the race for Cook County sheriff, with at least two would-be challengers to incumbent Tom Dart furious over the prospect that they could be deemed ineligible to run.
Tucked into the end of the 700-page bill signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker in February 2021, the new law that went into effect this year requires all candidates for sheriff to be certified law enforcement officers, starting this year. Sitting sheriffs are exempt.
But at least two of Dart’s potential challengers — fellow Democrat Carmen Navarro Gercone and Chris McCluster, who says he hasn’t decided if he’ll seek to run with a party affiliation — are worried. They fear that even if they secure the required number of signatures in candidate petitions, the law could unfairly knock them off the ballot because they are trained correctional officers, who are considered distinct from certified law-enforcement officers. […]
“Sheriff Dart was not aware this new law was being considered or that it was introduced,” the [Dart campaign] statement says. “He only became aware of it when reviewing the lengthy legislation after it was passed and signed into law. It was a surprise to him and he has always welcomed competition and believes deeply in the democratic process.”
“Chaos” seems a bit much. The union folks who want Dart out apparently didn’t do their homework.
* NRCC…
Hi there –
Socialist Pramila Jayapal fundraised on Saturday for vulnerable Democrat Lauren Underwood, which Jayapal admits was to build “alliances across the party to pass parts of the progressive agenda.”
In other words, Underwood is going to have to pay the piper.
NRCC Comment: “Lauren Underwood will support her party’s socialist agenda to try and keep her seat, regardless of how Democrats’ policies are crushing Illinois voters.” – NRCC Spokeswoman Courtney Parella
House Democratic moderates facing some of the toughest races next year in swing districts are getting help from the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, whose members have occasionally butted heads with their more centrist colleagues.
Rep. Pramila Jayapal(D-Wash.) has donated tens of thousands of dollars to almost all members in competitive districts identified as frontliners. She also started hitting the campaign trail with these vulnerable incumbents, appearing at a fundraiser earlier this month.
Jayapal said her donations to these members serves a dual purpose: helping Democrats keep control of the House and building alliances across the party to pass parts of the progressive agenda.
“Part of our success as the Progressive Caucus over the last year has been that ability to build relationships across the Democratic caucus,” she said in an interview.
…Adding…Chainman: one who searches tax and assessment records in order to compile lists of mortgages, deeds, contracts, and other instruments pertaining to real-estate titles…
* My old pal Amanda Vinicky asked if I’d highlight the upcoming FOIA Fest, and I cannot say no to reasonable requests from folks like AV…
FOIA Fest is back and bigger than ever. The Chicago Headline Club will host its 10th annual conference devoted to public records-driven journalism, taking place virtually Feb. 24-26.
Tickets are on sale now through Feb. [24].
From cub reporters to seasoned vets, community organizers to everyday residents, FOIA Fest helps equip attendees with the tools needed to better understand and use public records for impactful investigations and everyday life.
FOIA Fest will kick off with a keynote address by Pulitzer Center Executive Editor Marina Walker Guevara on the evening of Thursday, Feb. 24. This will be followed by two full days of programming on Friday, Feb. 25 and Saturday, Feb. 26.
FOIA Fest is the Chicago Headline Club’s signature training event. The conference is designed to help reporters, community organizers and everyday people learn about freedom of information requests — from the basics to finishing long-term investigative projects. The conference helps equip attendees with the tools needed to better understand and use public records for impactful investigations and everyday life.
Click here to buy your tickets. If you can’t swing the fee, there are some alternatives. Either check with Amanda or go to a watch party.
* I mentioned this twice earlier today, but it was buried both times, so let’s give it its own post…
Tom DeVore, the downstate lawyer behind many of the legal challenges to Gov. JB Pritzker’s use of emergency powers in the name of fighting COVID-19, and the main architect behind the successful bid, to date, to undo Pritzker’s school mask mandates, appears poised to seek statewide office, potentially as Illinois Attorney General.
* The Question: Your own suggestions for Tom DeVore for Attorney General campaign slogans?
…Adding… From comments…
I’m still laughing at field 5a on his newly filed D-1.
What could possibly go wrong with the top law enforcement office in the state being unable to read directions on a one page form?
The question on the form is what counties or districts the campaign will be operating in and then instructs candidates: “if operating statewide or supporting/opposing statewide candidates or ballot Initiatives, leave blank.)”
Democratic Party of Illinois Executive Director Abby Witt released the following statement regarding Tom DeVore’s announcement he would see the Republican nomination for Illinois Attorney General:
“For nearly two years, Tom DeVore has used the pandemic as his personal publicity tour, filing countless absurd and frivolous lawsuits in an attempt to grab headlines, enrich himself, and undermine our state’s public health apparatus. Now, DeVore wants to take his circus act statewide, running for Attorney General in a pathetic gambit to extend his 15 minutes of fame and further gin up his followers against the local leaders who are working to protect the public. Sadly, the Illinois Republican Party has seemingly abandoned any shred of decency, inviting extremists like DeVore to the forefront. Illinois voters want sensible, honest, reasonable leadership from their elected officials, and there is no better example than Kwame Raoul.”
Saying private dollars shouldn’t be used to pay public employees, an Illinois lawmaker has introduced legislation that would prevent Gov. J.B. Pritzker from paying state employees out of his pocket on top of the salaries taxpayers already pay for.
Pritzker doles out $1.5 million a year to subsidize the salaries of 15 employees in his administration in addition to the $1.6 million taxpayers pay.
Senate Bill 2213 introduced by state Sen. Jason Plummer, R-Edwardsville, provides that no state employee may receive compensation from any private party for their work within the scope of his or her employment by a state agency.
“Pretty audacious that it is even happening, but on top of that, the complete lack of transparency on the issue is what really caught my attention as well,” Plummer said.
The Senator’s bill would amend the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act. But there’s also the Campaign Disclosure Act which allows Sen. Plummer and others to use their campaign funds to give their own staffs a pay boost…
Officeholders, candidates and committees are allowed to spend campaign funds to offset the “customary and reasonable” expenses of an officeholder carrying out their governmental duties or performing public service functions. For example, a member of the General Assembly may use campaign funds to operate a district office. For more information about expenditures and for a more detailed explanation of the prohibitions, read section 9-8.10 of the Campaign Disclosure Act.
Hawthorne Race Course Thursday picked up one more of Arlington Park’s shuttered off-track betting parlors — this one in Rockford — giving the Cicero racetrack its maximum 16 allowed under state statute.
But there’s legislation proceeding in Springfield this week that would remove that cap.
* Media advisory…
Many farm equipment manufacturers prevent Illinois farmers from accessing the software tools they need to fix their modern tractors. That forces farmers to turn to corporate-authorized dealers for many problems, which can lead to high repair bills and delays that can put their crops—and their livelihoods—at risk. While farmers have always relied on local dealerships for help, more and more those dealerships have been bought up by large chain networks, further reducing competition and exacerbating the problems farmers already face due to repair restrictions.
WHAT: The release of a new report, “Deere in the Headlights II,” which demonstrates how consolidated dealerships have become and how these large chains can reduce choice for Illinois farmers. We will reveal which tractor-maker’s dealerships are most consolidated and talk about how this trend impacts farmers’ livelihoods and how the Right to Repair could dramatically increase farmers’ repair choices.
WHO: Representative Michelle Mussman, author of the Digital Fair Repair Act (HB3061)
Robert Davies, Incoming President at Illinois Farmers Union
Willie Cade, Midwest Regional Director at Repair.org
David J Lee, Associate at Illinois PIRG
WHEN: Thursday, February 24, 2022 @ 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM CT
* From Friday…
More than 500 Illinoisans mobilized today for an environmental justice-focused lobby day and rally. Participants urged their legislators to pass bills that address environmental injustices impacting historically marginalized communities across Illinois. The environmental justice movement strives to ensure communities disproportionately affected by industrial pollution, environmental racism and institutional neglect are protected from environmental and health hazards. Today, Illinoisans raised their voices to make it clear: environmental injustice has no home in Illinois.
In meetings with their members of the Illinois General Assembly, concerned advocates lobbied for the Environmental Justice Act (EJ Act HB4093/SB2906), which would reform the industrial permitting process and give environmental justice communities a greater say in development projects. They also advocated for bills protecting communities that are home to aging power plants (HB4358/SB3073), as well as a technical fix to the historic Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (HB4390/SB3866) and voting rights legislation (SB828).
“Black, Brown and Indigenous communities across Illinois have disproportionately experienced generations of concentrated, toxic industrial pollution resulting in costly, chronic health impacts,” said JD Dixon, rally emcee and environmental justice organizer with the United Congregations of Metro East. “The only way to equitably reform zoning policies that have fueled environmental racism is to give residents more say in the process for rewriting and implementing those policies.”
The EJ Act, an effort led by the Chicago Environmental Justice Network, aims to reform the state’s air permitting processes, give environmental justice communities a greater say in the development projects sited within their communities and require a review of the cumulative impact of proposed air pollution sources.
* Press release…
Illinois will soon fund and maintain a 24-hour suicide prevention hotline available to people in crisis, thanks to legislation sponsored by State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview).
“Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in our country,” Senator Fine said. “It saddens me that many of these deaths could have been prevented if mental health resources were more accessible. Providing access to behavioral and mental health resources with this hotline will be essential to saving lives.”
Senator Fine’s measure would create the Statewide 9-8-8 Trust Fund, which would be used by the Department of Human Services to establish and maintain a statewide 9-8-8 suicide prevention and mental health crisis system.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s 9-8-8 number will be live across the nation by July 2022, pursuant to the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020. However, people in crisis should continue to call the Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) until then.
“Mental health is as important as physical health. There should be accessible and quality resources available in the event of an emergency,” Senator Fine said. “This initiative will make treatment in times of crisis accessible for anyone who dials 9-8-8.”
SB 2945 passed the Senate floor Wednesday. It now goes to the House for further consideration.
* Press release…
The Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Alliance today urged Illinois Senators to support Senate Bill 2976 to help provide relief for Illinois wineries that have experienced a drop in tourism and increase in licensing fees during the COVID-19 pandemic and provide an equitable pathway for growth for the industry.
SB 2976, sponsored by Sen. Rachelle Crowe, would reduce a significant licensing fee increase imposed on Illinois wineries during the height of the pandemic when many wineries struggled to stay afloat. The bill would also provide balance for wine production and self-distribution limits compared to counterparts in the beer and spirits industries.
While Illinois is one of the top wine-drinking states in the country, and the Illinois wine industry has grown in esteem, the state’s wineries are prohibited from producing and selling their wine at levels that compare with their peers in the beer and spirits industries.
As a growing attraction in many Illinois communities, from Chicago to Carbondale, the changes under SB 2976 would allow the state’s wine industry to grow, recover from the pandemic, and continue providing good jobs and contributing to local economies.
“With ongoing challenges created by the pandemic, the wine industry in Illinois is still working to bounce back and prove its resilience,” Sen. Crowe said. “By increasing the production cap and allowing makers to sell more wine directly to retailers, Illinois can offer support to one of its vital but struggling industries.”
Specifically, SB 2976 will:
• Reduce a 60% increase in licensing fees for Illinois wineries implemented last year;
• Increase limits on wine production and self-distribution on par with the beer and spirits industries; and
• Eliminate negative impacts of a loss of premise license for wineries that decide to expand manufacturing operations to include beer or spirits.
“For more than a decade now, we have been deprived of the right to self-distribute our own wines directly to our small volume customers, liquor stores, restaurants and other venues that wish to offer our products,” said Andres Basso, general manager at Lynfred Winery in Roselle. “We have worked arduously to attract and maintain distributors interested in our brand to keep our business operating. It would seem fair that we would be able to sell cases of wines directly to those customers without having to involve a middleman or other large distributors just like brewers and distillers do in our state.”
“If we had the ability to increase the volume of wine that we’re distributing, we could expand our coverage area and better serve retailers with more product variety at a lower price – all of which would benefit our consumers,” said Jim Ewers, general manager of Blue Sky Vineyard in Makanda. “Allowing us to produce and directly distribute more would also lead to more work, more jobs, and greater benefits to our local economy as well. It really makes no sense to keep these caps in place that have only limited our growth.”
“With our winery sitting directly across the river from Missouri, we see firsthand the differences in the way the state of Missouri treats their wineries compared to Illinois,” said Mike Nikonovich, owner of the Grafton Winery in Grafton, Ill. “Missouri’s license fee is capped at $300 annually, with very minimal rules related to production and self-distribution. Additionally, Illinois wineries pay over $2 more per case in state gallonage taxes than Missouri wineries. While that may not seem like much, it does add up over the course of the year, especially when you also factor in the higher Illinois property taxes.”
According to a 2019 economic impact report commissioned by the Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Alliance before the pandemic, the Illinois wine industry had a $5.7 billion total economic impact. The report also found the Illinois wine industry:
• Paid $878 million in federal, state and local taxes;
• Employed over 52,000 full-time jobs;
• Paid $2.15 billion in wages; and
• Entertained more than 278,000 tourists.
The study defines the Illinois wine industry as wine grape growers, wine producers, wine wholesalers, wine retailers (on and off premise), wine tourism, wine research and education, and wine grape growing associations in the state.
Democratic Rep. Kam Buckner is unhappy with how Republican Rep. Steven Reick spoke to Democratic Rep. Lakesia Collins [after she moved to have him ejected from the House floor] and wants an apology.
During floor debate, Collins had called out the Republicans who didn’t wear masks, and she included Reick. The Woodstock Republican, however, had been wearing his mask, and so his name was taken off the list of those kicked out. Still, Reick approached Collins after floor debate to complain. Reick “was upset his actions were mischaracterized,” a GOP spokesperson told Playbook.
The Chicago Democrat said Reick put his finger in her face and said “Keep my f***g name out of your mouth.” Collins was startled by his tone and felt “threatened,” she told Playbook.
Two other lawmakers stepped between Collins and Reick to diffuse the situation, but Collins said she was shaken nonetheless.
Buckner sent a letter to Reick, with copies to Welch and House Minority Leader Jim Durkin, calling for Reick to make a public apology since the confrontation was on the House floor for all to see.
“This type of behavior is not only against our rules, it is beneath this body,” according to the letter obtained by Playbook.
The House Republicans say there are two sides to this story, but are hoping to calm things down. House Republican Leader Jim Durkin and House Speaker Chris Welch are meeting this morning to try to get the chamber back on track.
* Before that meeting was scheduled, however, Welch sent this letter to Leader Durkin…
February 22, 2022
Leader Durkin,
Last week you stood up on the House floor and declared “the rules are the rules.” You said your members would “accept the consequences” of not following those House rules that have been in place for two years, of which many members of the Republican Caucus voted to put in place in order to keep our colleagues, our staff and our families safe.
Last week, we saw members of the Republican Caucus attempt to stop the work of the people at every opportunity. We witnessed a Republican member not accept the consequences and remain in the chamber while in violation of the rules that were approved by a majority of duly elected representatives.
We witnessed a member of the Republican Caucus ask the judicial branch to restrict the ability of the legislative body from operating as laid out in the Illinois State Constitution. The frivolous lawsuit, both a waste of state resources and tax dollars, is an incredibly dangerous precedent to set regarding the separation of powers. I suspect an officer of the court such as yourself can also agree the importance of keeping our institutions of the state clearly divided to safeguard liberties.
We witnessed Representative Steven Reick’s unbecoming behavior on the House floor toward one of our colleagues. Let me be clear: this behavior will not be tolerated. The representative should make a formal apology to Representative Lakesia Collins and the entire House chamber. I hope that as the leader of the Republican Caucus, you will facilitate that apology.
Your stated desire for civility and working together is welcomed. I appreciate your words and look forward to seeing you follow through. I hope to see you ensure members of your caucus follow the House rules in order to get the people’s work done while keeping everyone as safe as possible.
As you stated last week, civility is important and we do have people watching us. Let’s make sure we can be proud of our behavior, the message we’re sending to the entire state, and the work we’re accomplishing on behalf of citizens.
Sincerely,
Emanuel “Chris” Welch
Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives
7th District
*** UPDATE 1 *** “Let’s get to work,” Durkin said he advised his members…
We caught up with House Republican Leader Jim Durkin as he left Speaker Welch’s office. He’s calling on GOP to “get to work.”
Hat tip to Rich Miller @capitolfax for his scoop that they were meeting privately about cooling down the tensions on the floor. pic.twitter.com/rgzzEKUqAa
Lawmakers question Pritzker’s staff about the ‘grown-up table’ […]
“During this budget cycle especially, seats at the grown-up table will be off-limits to those who aren’t working in the public’s best interests,” Pritzker said.
State Rep. Tom Demmer, R-Dixon, said the lawmakers and the governor should be working together on what’s best for the people.
“This comment that individuals that are welcome at something called a grown-ups table when they are concerned about the public’s best interest, we agree that being concerned about the impact of taxes on Illinois families is in the best interest of the public,” Demmer said.
Fed up with mask requirements at the Illinois State Capitol, Republican Representative Blaine Wilhour is suing House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch.
“We’re trying to move the ball forward and we’re trying to ultimately restore some sanity in Springfield,” Wilhour told WGN News. “Why should we have to wear a mask in there when the science is now pretty clear that — especially cloth masks — don’t work at all?”
That’s not exactly accurate. The CDC has said that cloth masks do not offer as much protection as surgical masks or respirators.
The lawsuit comes after a group of Republican representatives who refused to wear face coverings last week were barred from the House floor. […]
“The whole thing is just ridiculous,” Wilhour said. “We made a decision that we were going to not participate any longer in things that don’t make sense.”
Oh, the possibilities for non-participation are just endless, Rep. Wilhour. Heck, folks might even wonder why they’re still in the House if they would stop and think about them, I’d wager.
“For the last year at least, I contend two years, the observed science, scores of studies, real world observations have told us there is absolutely no observed or clinical data that indicates any benefit whatsoever to masking K-12 students in schools,” Wilhour said. […]
Wilhour said there is absolutely no observed or clinical data that indicates any benefit whatsoever to masking K-12 students in schools.
Clinical studies cannot be conducted on this issue because of the risk they would pose to unprotected children, but observational data shows masks are beneficial in reducing transmissions in schools.
NOW COMES the Plaintiffs, by and through their attorneys Thomas G. DeVore, and the Silver Lake Group, Ltd., and pursuant to 735 ILCS 5/11-101, and moves this Court for entry of a Temporary Restraining Order without notice against the Defendant, and hereby plead:
1. Wilhour has a right to insist he not be compelled to undergo quarantine, which includes masking, which is purported to limit the spread of an infectious disease, unless Wilhour is first afforded his procedural and substantive due process rights as provided under Illinois law.
2. DeVore has a right to insist his duly elected representative not be excluded from the house floor except as may be authorized by law.
3. There can be no doubt Welch is attempting to compel quarantine upon Wilhour in an attempt to allegedly prevent the spread of an infectious disease.
4. When Wilhour did not comply, his was forcefully removed from the House Floor by law enforcement on February 17, 2022 and is permanently excluded unless he submits himself to quarantine.
5. Wilhour has been removed by force from the house floor and as a result DeVore, and all other citizens of the 107th District, are currently left without representation.
6. Such matters are so harmful and egregious to Wilhour and DeVore, as well as all citizens of the 107th District, that Plaintiffs will be too irreparably prejudiced by waiting until such time as the Court can set the TRO for hearing.
7. The Illinois legislature has delegated to IDPH authority on these matters, and IDPH in turn delegated the authority to certified local health departments.
8. The House of Representatives has adopted this unlawful rule to allegedly prevent the spread of an infectious disease.
9. Welch does not have any lawful authority to demand or require any type of quarantine, upon Wilhour to allegedly prevent the spread of an infectious disease, and certainly not without having first provided the clear due process provided by Illinois law.
10. Welch is not the certified local health department acting pursuant to its lawful authority under 20 ILCS 2305 et seq.
11. Even if the certified local health department desires to seek such compliance from Wilhour, the same can only be accomplished by providing procedural and substantive due process as provided by law.
12. At no time, has any relevant certified local health department taken any action against Wilhour in regard to quarantine by seeking consent or a lawful order of court.
13. Quite simply, Welch is infringing upon the lawful right of Wilhour to be free to choose for himself whether to undergo quarantine for the purpose of limiting the spread of an infectious disease, absent a court order.
14. As a result, DeVore, and all other citizens of the 107th District, are being irreparable harmed by having their representative unlawfully removed from the legislative process.
Forcefully removed by law enforcement?
…Adding… From comments…
Weird, I was watching session last week and didn’t see anyone get forcibly removed. McCombie refused to comply and was allowed to remain in her seat. Also, the journal from that day shows Wilhour casting votes on every matter before the House.
Tom DeVore, the downstate lawyer behind many of the legal challenges to Gov. JB Pritzker’s use of emergency powers in the name of fighting COVID-19, and the main architect behind the successful bid, to date, to undo Pritzker’s school mask mandates, appears poised to seek statewide office, potentially as Illinois Attorney General.
DeVore has begun distributing petitions to supporters to place his name on the ballot in June for the Republican primary election for Attorney General.
That followed an appearance a few days earlier, in which DeVore hinted strongly to his intent to seek the GOP nod to oppose Democratic incumbent Kwame Raoul in November.
On Wednesday, Feb. 16, speaking at a conservative rally in St. Charles, headlined by Turning Points USA founder, activist Charlie Kirk, DeVore drew a standing ovation from the crowd when he began speaking about the need for a Republican candidate willing to challenge incumbent Attorney General Kwame Raoul, a Democrat and ally of Pritzker.
During his remarks, DeVore assailed Raoul for acting as “the governor’s personal attorney,” rather than “the people’s legal counsel.”
…Adding… Rep. David Welter (R-Morris) went back into the chamber…
Welter, who was removed for not wearing a mask, returned to the House floor following the break, this time with a face covering.
“I put the mask back on to comply and came back to do the people’s business,” Welter said. “I was not going to let this statement and demonstration negatively impact the constituents I represent.”
Welter said the statement was to push back against the mask mandate following an ongoing court case that placed a temporary restraining order on dozens of schools and the rejection of COVID-19 mitigation protocols in schools by a bipartisan legislative committee earlier this week.
“Hopefully this sends a little bit of a message that people are done with it,” he said.
Pritzker’s biggest political vulnerability is: “There will be people mad about the way he handled the pandemic. I think he did a pretty good job.
“… There’s no doubt he’s, he’s more liberal, probably on some issues, than I think probably the state is … and his party is more liberal, too.”
While Republicans have a “long -term” problem with the Trump wing, “I think the Democrats have a real problem with the far left” with Democrats “even farther left to Bernie Sanders. So Gov. Pritzker has to deal with that, and I think that that can be an issue. I think he’s the favorite going into this race.
“An incumbent governor, unless they really mess up, and I don’t think he’s messed up really bad — there are some things I disagree with — they have an advantage.”
And “he’s not going to lack money. We know that. And he’ll spend it.”
* Meanwhile, the state GOP claims the wheels are falling off…
The wheels really are coming off for Pritzker
Another day, another bad story for JB Pritzker.
In case you missed it, Pritzker’s disastrous Tollway reorganization took another wrong turn last week as the governor’s Madigan-approved tollway board chairman resigned following what the Chicago Sun-Times called a “tumultuous tenure.” It’s another case of promises made, promises broken from JB Pritzker.
In 2019, Pritzker asked the Illinois General Assembly To pass legislation that would allow him to fire the entire Illinois Tollway board and replace them with people of his choosing. The legislature obliged and Pritzker appointed a new board in February 2019, claiming “our new leadership will uphold the highest ethical standards.
Pritzker selected former Peoples Gas President Will Evans to serve as the chairman of the Tollway and the new board selected former Chicago Housing Authority Chief Operating Officer Jose Alverez to be its new executive director. Both picks were “strongly endorsed” by former ComEd executive John Hooker, who was charged in 2020 “with orchestrating an elaborate bribery scheme with utility giant Commonwealth Edison that allegedly funneled money and do-nothing jobs to Madigan loyalists.”
Evans would soon come under fire from the General Assembly for firing the Tollway’s chief procurement officer and its chief administrative officer, and for putting himself in direct oversight of procurement and other operations.
Pritzker has never accepted responsibility for the mess at the Tollway today – even though the reorganization was his idea and Evans was his Madigan-approved chairman.
News of Evans resigning was the latest embarrassment in a series of problems plaguing Pritzker.
Last week, the governor melted down when asked about his culpability in rising crime in Illinois. Pritzker refused to answer questions about a politically-connected arsonist he pardoned. The governor started to sweat a bit more as a federal court denied a motion to dismiss in the ongoing Madigan corruption trial (speaking of Hooker and Comed!). And a state appellate court sided against Pritzker’s school mask mandate after the legislature voted to reject the governor’s emergency rule.
Of the more than 20 Republicans running for Congress in the North, Northwest and Western suburbs, just four said they agree with the Republican National Committee’s description of last year’s deadly riot at the U.S. Capitol as “ordinary citizens engaged in legitimate political discourse.”
Only one candidate outright rejected the RNC’s characterization.
Five candidates denounced the rioters but wouldn’t say if they agreed or disagreed with the RNC’s statement. Others refused to answer questions about the historic event or couldn’t be reached.
* Let’s plot some of this out. First up, the one candidate who rejected the RNC’s characterization was Gary Grasso, the mayor of Burr Ridge who has been endorsed by House Republican Leader Jim Durkin and DuPage County Board Chair Dan Cronin. He’s running in the 6th District…
“The storming of the Capitol by force was not legitimate political discourse,” Grasso said. “It was a riot causing significant injuries and death, with deliberate destruction of sacred national ground.”
Lauf is hoping to face Democratic US Rep. Bill Foster in the fall. And aside from saying a clarification was needed from the RNC, fellow Republican candidate Cassandra Tanner Miller would only say “These are not simple yes-or-no questions.”
On Republican candidates who dodge answering questions about whether President Biden is the elected president and the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol was an effort to overturn the presidential election: “I think it’s a legitimate question. It’s a major issue, particularly if you’re talking law and order this campaign.”
This past weekend, the Chicago Tribune published an in-depth report on Richard Irvin’s 15-year career as a criminal defense attorney, a chapter in his history that Irvin conveniently leaves out of his official made-for-TV narrative. Irvin worked three times longer as a defense attorney than a prosecutor, making money off clients accused of heinous crimes like kidnapping, domestic violence, and sexual assault.
As the Tribune reported, Irvin’s clients included a man accused of kicking a police officer in the face and a gang member who pled guilty to a crime involving the abduction of eight people. A key piece of Irvin’s business was defending those accused of domestic abuse, and his firm’s website gave potential clients tips about how to beat abuse charges. But you won’t see anything about the constitutional right to counsel in Irvin’s slick TV ads, nor will Irvin or his campaign answer questions about his career as a defense attorney.
Ken Griffin and the Rauner Reboot team think they can use big money TV ads to hide the truth about Irvin’s past. They want to remake Irvin as tough-on-crime prosecutor even though he spent far longer defending criminals than locking them up. This comes after Irvin already reversed himself on several previous positions like his stance COVID mitigations, his belief that Black Lives Matter, he effusive praise of Gov. JB Pritzker, and his long history of voting in Democratic primaries.
Clearly, Richard Irvin is happy to say whatever his campaign handlers want as he tries to get elected. But the truth about Richard Irvin is just beginning to come out. So, the questions remain: who is Richard Irvin and what does he actually believe?
This is the story I posted about during the Lincoln birthday holiday break.
As a Republican candidate for governor, Richard Irvin has promoted himself as a no-nonsense, law-and-order candidate who as a onetime prosecutor put “gangsters, drug dealers and wife beaters” in jail.
Irvin was a prosecutor in Cook and Kane counties from 1998, shortly after getting his law license, until 2003. But he then worked for almost 15 years as a criminal defense attorney, specializing in defending people accused of the same types of crime he rails against in his campaign ads. […]
In a widely aired campaign TV spot, Irvin portrays himself as being on the front lines in the fight against crime. “When I was a prosecutor, I’d go around with these guys. We raided crack houses and busted up gangs,” he says, implying he’s with a police officer. “This apartment complex over here? It was bad. But we took it back.” […]
To be sure, working as a criminal defense attorney is not at odds with support of law enforcement. But voters who only know of Irvin from his TV ads and campaign rhetoric will have only a partial picture of the varied roles he has played in the criminal justice system.
…Adding… As you can see by these redacted (by me) court records, Henry Pratt shooter Gary Martin was twice represented by Reginald Campbell, and the documents have the name of Irvin’s firm on them…
Irvin and Campbell both say Irvin had no involvement in the case.
This entire controversy over Sangamon County Judge Raylene Grischow’s odd ruling earlier this month that statewide mask/vaccine/testing mandates at schools are a “type of quarantine” and therefore fall under the state’s quarantine laws (which include individual due process protections) could’ve all been prevented with a simple bill last year.
Most who’ve watched this closely knew that Judge Grischow’s temporary restraining order against enforcing the state emergency rules containing the school mandate language was a possibility, however remote. Southern Illinois attorney Tom DeVore has been making this “mask mandates are quarantines” argument for a very long time, but he has, shall we say, a less than impressive win-loss record in his pandemic portfolio.
DeVore recently described himself as a “hayseed,” and he comes off as not credible to many. The governor has even referred to him as a “grifter,” for which DeVore is suing him (and the lawyer will probably lose because of executive immunity). DeVore is also using his recent infamy to possibly launch a statewide Republican bid for attorney general at the end of February.
But despite DeVore’s win-loss record and his many idiosyncrasies, all it takes is one judge who is fed up with following pandemic rules and an appeals court that clearly doesn’t want to touch a political hot potato and policy disaster can strike.
And, boy did it strike last week when an Illinois appellate court punted and ruled that Gov. JB Pritzker’s appeal of Grischow’s TRO was moot because the legislature’s Joint Committee on Administrative Rules had voted to suspend the emergency rule in question days earlier – even though both the governor’s office and DeVore had told the justices further action was needed.
The General Assembly hasn’t done much to hold up its end during the pandemic. Until this month, the courts have mostly sided with the governor’s executive orders, so there was no real perceived need to change that many laws. And the less they did, the better for everyone, was the prevailing mood. The governor didn’t have additional legislative distractions, and legislators could sit back and point fingers as needed.
Legislators did step in last year when some school staff started using the state’s Right of Conscience Act, which was designed to protect anti-abortion medical care providers, to claim they couldn’t be forced to take vaccines or be regularly tested for the coronavirus. As a result, that never became a thing.
If legislators at the time had also approved similar legislation to further clarify state law that the legislature never intended that mask mandates, etc. are a type of quarantine, then there’d be no case to discuss today. Such an argument would’ve had the added benefit of being absolutely true. As with the Right of Conscience Act, no such result could’ve possibly been envisioned at the time of passage. School mask mandates are quarantines? Are you nuts?
But the governor’s people say that legislative leaders wouldn’t consider the quarantine language change proposal. Members were already being inundated with angry, even threatening contacts from constituents and outsiders who’d been ginned up by disinformation outlets to what we thought at the time was the max over the Right of Conscience Act fix. Tossing more fuel on the fire wasn’t something that enough Democratic legislators wanted to do, even though doing both at once could’ve saved a whole lot of grief down the road.
What’s done is done. Or, in this case, what wasn’t done is now done.
The appellate court’s punt to Judge Grischow means her TRO stands, but Attorney General Kwame Raoul claims that the governor’s executive orders on school mask mandates is still in effect for school districts that are not part of the cases in front of Grischow.
Pritzker is appealing to the Illinois Supreme Court, which has been more reluctant than even the legislature to step into this pandemic topic. The state sometimes seems to be just chock full of finger-pointers and responsibility shirkers.
The unanswered question, of course, is what happens during the next covid variant wave (if any) or the next pandemic if a mask requirement is ultimately deemed a legally defined quarantine. The future will likely not look back with kindness and the governor should not allow such a result to be part of his legacy.
At a time of intense division in the nation, First Lady MK Pritzker announced that she is donating an iconic bust of President Lincoln to his presidential library in Springfield to inspire unity among Illinoisans and Americans.
Acclaimed sculptor Leonard Volk created the commanding depiction for the 1860 presidential campaign. It proved incredibly popular and helped establish Lincoln’s image among voters eager to know more about the presidential candidate.
The bust being donated to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum once belonged to Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln and was displayed in their Springfield home.
“President Lincoln’s vision for national unity amid poisonous and violent division rings true today more than any other time in my lifetime,” said First Lady MK Pritzker. “This iconic bust of President Lincoln is valuable for more than just the history it represents; it is valuable for the future that it inspires. I hope that the people of Illinois visit his presidential library to take in this breathtaking sculpture, and have the opportunity to reflect on the need for unity in our own time.”
Gary Johnson, chairman of the ALPLM’s Board of Trustees thanked First Lady Pritzker for the generous donation.
“This treasure helps tell the story of Abraham Lincoln’s journey from politician to president to national icon. It humanizes Lincoln while still managing to capture the strength and determination the nation would soon need,” Johnson said.
“We were overjoyed to learn that this amazing piece of President Lincoln’s legacy is coming to the ALPLM. It’s both a powerful piece of art and an important piece of history that deserves to be seen by Lincoln fans everywhere,” said Christina Shutt, the Library and Museum’s Executive Director. “We plan to display the bust as soon as possible so Lincoln admirers everywhere can visit us and appreciate its impact.”
First Lady Pritzker purchased the bust at auction last week for $400,000. The bust is being shipped directly to the ALPLM.
Volk’s sculpture helped blunt attacks Lincoln faced when he ran for president, explained Dr. Ian Hunt, the presidential library’s head of acquisitions.
“The image captured by Volk dispelled criticism of the future president as awkward, homely or weak. Volk’s work instead conveyed a sense of strength, integrity and character which certainly helped propel Lincoln into the White House,” Hunt said.
This copy of the bust was given to the Lincolns by the sculptor on May 18, 1860, the day after Lincoln won the Republican nomination for president. They kept it until moving to Washington, D.C., in February 1861. Instead of taking it with them, they gave it to neighbor and family friend Noyes Miner, and it remained in his family until purchased by the first lady.
Miner’s descendants were also owners of a rare Lincoln Bible that they donated to the Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in 2019.
* Click the pic for more photos of the sculpture and more info…
