State legislators are taking the “first step” toward building an offshore wind farm on the Southeast Side by proposing the state invest in programs that would enable more workers from underrepresented communities to work on the project.
State Rep. Marcus Evans (D-33rd) introduced a bill Thursday to create a “Rust Belt to Green Belt” fund to support workforce diversity programs. It’s in service of a pilot project that would create at least 150 megawatts of wind power.
The 185-page bill would set rules for future offshore wind projects, such as requiring contractors to submit plans for hiring from underrepresented populations.
It would also require the Illinois Power Agency to begin seeking offshore wind project proposals from contractors within 360 days of the bill’s passage. […]
“Right now, the [Illinois International] Port would be the place where we would ideally want to see [the wind farm] at,” Peters said. “The idea is to have it be perpendicular off the port, if we were able to do it on the lake.”
* Press release…
On Thursday, legislation to authorize additional funding and extend the successful “Batinick Buyout” program for state pensions passed out of the House Personnel & Pensions Committee. House Bill 4292, of which Rep. Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield) is a chief co-sponsor, was passed by the committee with unanimous support.
“I’m happy an idea I had years ago to save the state significant money has been successful and will continue under this legislation,” said Rep. Batinick. “I look forward to seeing this legislation move through the General Assembly and re-execute this successful buyout option.”
HB 4292 would amend the General Obligation Bond Act and authorize an additional $1 billion to State Pension Obligation Acceleration Bonds. These bonds make accelerated pension benefit payments and would be increased from $1 billion to $2 billion in this legislation. Participants can receive this accelerated pension benefit payment instead of any pension benefit or for a reduction in the increases to their annual retirement annuity and survivor’s annuity. This extension would move from June 30th, 2024 to June 30th, 2026.
Rep. Batinick originally introduced this pension reform language in 2018, which closely resembled a plan he introduced in 2016 and 2017. At the time, he was the first person in the United States to propose such a concept in bill form. It offers retirees more flexibility with their pensions and helps the state save taxpayer money.
Rep. Batinick is the House Republican Spokesperson for the Personnel & Pensions Committee.
Aiming to increase diversity in wind and solar jobs, a proposed measure in the Illinois General Assembly would require more transparent reporting on the level of participation of minority-owned businesses in clean energy jobs.
Rep. William Davis, D-Hazel Crest, advanced House Bill 4217 through the House Energy and Environment Committee on Tuesday. The measure aims to increase “diverse participation in projects that could include African-Americans, Latinx, and women-owned firms.”
In the bill, energy suppliers who generate more than 500 kilowatt hours of electricity with at least 100,000 customers and companies that develop, install, or maintain a renewable energy project with annual revenues over $15 million would be required to submit annual reports on procurement goals and spending on contracts with female-owned, minority-owned, veteran-owned companies and small businesses.
Annual reports would need to outline a buying plan for specific goods and services the company plans to procure in the next six to 18 months, include any procurement codes used by the company. It’s an effort to assist entrepreneurs and diverse companies in understanding upcoming opportunities with the company submitting the buying plan, according to the bill.
UPDATE: Wednesday morning’s hearing on HB 4244 was postponed, as the House Human Services Committee did not have the needed quorum. Since Monday, the number of bill opponents more than doubled - from over 5000 to now over 12,000, with more being added hourly.
SPRINGFIELD - Illinois lawmakers will once again be contemplating another political “hot potato” when they return to the State Capitol this week. As of Monday morning, 5526 (Update now: 5579) opponents have signed onto the Illinois General Assembly website to submit witness slips against HB 4244, a bill introduced and sponsored by only one Democrat lawmaker - Lake County resident Bob Morgan.
HB 4244 would require all doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and medical centers to register their patients’ personal immunizations with a state-run database. Currently, the state immunization registry already in place is optional.
* Co-sign except for spending hours in the car together…
This is some BS. I invite any reporter who would casually smear the people of Central & Southern Illinois like this to drive around the rural country roads with me. I’ve lived here five years and have never once seen a Confederate flag in a front yard. Far from “common.” pic.twitter.com/ygm45ikjvL
“I do think that he would make a viable candidate — if he can get past the primary — in the fall,” Edgar said. “The fact that he seems somewhat moderate; he’s well funded; he’s African American, so perhaps he can pull over some African American votes, which are really the key to the Democrats in Illinois.”
“But the Republicans, I think, have to realize that they’ve got to win a lot of independents and moderate Republicans back — and maybe what I call ‘thoughtful Democrats.’ And you can’t go too far to the right to do that,” Edgar continued. “That’s why Irvin would have a good shot because I think he will undoubtedly be perceived more in the middle than he will be to the far right.”
But even if Irvin emerges from the GOP primary, it will be an uphill climb in the general election, Edgar said.
“Well, I think an incumbent governor has the advantage going into an election — should have the advantage — unless they’ve been a terrible governor,” Edgar said. “And I don’t think Pritzker has been a terrible governor. I mean, he’s had some tough things to deal with, particularly the virus.”
That’s the thing about Irvin. He’s not afraid to try, likely well aware that even if he goes down in flames, this high-dollar, high-profile campaign can do nothing but add to his brand, whether that contributes to another run for higher office or, worst case scenario, more name recognition for his law firm.
Think about it. It took Irvin three attempts before finally becoming Aurora’s mayor and even then he beat his opponent by only 170 votes. Five years later, he’s aiming to be the state’s top general.
So even if you’re not a fan, credit Irvin with a healthy ego and/or boatload of confidence. Both are critical when taking on the Democratic governor of Illinois.
Along with a boatload of money, of course.
*** UPDATE *** Press release…
Today, the Lake County Building & Construction Trades Council, the McHenry County Building & Construction Trades Council, and their affiliates announced their endorsements of Judge Elizabeth Rochford in her campaign for the Illinois Supreme Court’s new Second District. The Lake County Building & Construction Trades Council is made up of 18 local affiliate trade unions, and the McHenry County Building & Construction Trades Council is made up of 26 local affiliate trade unions.
“Growing up in a union household, the values of organized labor have forever been a part of my foundation,” said Judge Elizabeth Rochford. “That’s why I am so honored to receive the endorsements of the Lake County Building & Construction Trades Council, the McHenry Council Building & Construction Trades Council, and their affiliates. My first job as an attorney was helping injured people who needed someone to fight for them, and I’ve carried that experience with me throughout my career. As a Supreme Court Justice, I will always work to make our judicial system one where everyone is treated with fairness.”
* I told subscribers about Chaplin’s impending withdrawal several days ago. Here’s the Daily Herald…
Almost a decade ago, Democrats first made significant gains in Republican-dominated DuPage County with the election of two women.
State Rep. Deb Conroy and county board member Liz Chaplin won their seats in 2012.
Conroy is now running for the highest office in DuPage, and Chaplin has dropped out of the race. The state lawmaker from Villa Park has picked up Chaplin’s endorsement in her bid to become the first county board chairwoman in DuPage history. […]
Chaplin’s departure leaves Conroy in a Democratic primary contest against county board member Lynn LaPlante of Glen Ellyn. […]
LaPlante is serving her first term on the board. During a blue wave in the 2018 election, LaPlante came within 7,314 votes of unseating longtime Republican incumbent Dan Cronin from the chairmanship. The violist with the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic had no primary opponent that year.
LaPlante most likely has some significant residual name ID from that super-close race. We’ve seen it before. But she only reported having $5,311.50 in her campaign committee’s bank on December 31, most of it from herself.
* We all know that Dick Uihlein has a long history of throwing millions of dollars at losers here in Illinois and elsewhere. His rigid ideology dictates his checkbook…
For instance, between January and May 2020, Uihlein contributed $1.25 million to the Conservative Partnership Institute, a right-wing think tank founded by former Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) where Trump campaign attorney Cleta Mitchell was serving as senior legal fellow.
Mitchell, a veteran GOP operative, helped construct the campaign’s post-election legal strategy mostly behind the scenes. But she drew national attention in early January 2021 after she featured heavily in a taped phone call between then-President Donald Trump, his Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, and Georgia’s top election officials. Trump pressured the election officials in that now infamous call to “find” enough votes for him to win Georgia. (Meadows joined Mitchell at CPI after he left the White House in January.) […]
Another right-wing outlet, Sons of Liberty—the media outfit, not to be confused with a militia group of the same name—pocketed $300,000 from the supply chain magnate. The radio broadcast, which promoted claims of fraud after the election, is run by anti-LGBTQ activist-pastor Bradlee Dean, who has suggested that “homosexuals” are to blame for most child molestations in the country. Most recently, Sons of Liberty has been on an anti-vax kick, pushing outrageous claims, like that the COVID-19 vaccine is causing AIDS.
Uihlein also threw a $25,000 bone to conservative watchdog Judicial Watch, run by conspiracy theorist Tom Fitton. That organization also challenged the election results.
* I told subscribers about this curious Jesse Sullivan D-2 entry the other day…
His campaign filing also appeared to incorrectly list that he had another $10 million in an investment account for his campaign, but that figure was not backed by reports of the funds that he raised since launching his campaign last September.
Campaign reports show Giannoulias raised more than $658,000 while spending only $82,244 during the last quarter. Giannoulias, attempting a political comeback after losing a 2010 bid for U.S. Senate, has seen his campaign fund boosted by nearly $2.3 million in family loans.
Chicago City Clerk Anna Valencia, also seeking the Democratic secretary of state nomination, reported nearly $900,000 in cash available for her campaign on Jan. 1, raising more than $331,000 while spending more than $156,000.
A third announced candidate in the race, Chicago Ald. David Moore, 17th, listed $81,539 in cash on hand after raising more than $44,500 and spending more than $61,400, reports showed.
* Press release…
Jesse Reising, a sixth-generation son of Decatur, Illinois, former federal prosecutor, and founder of a successful veterans service organization announced his campaign for Congress in Illinois’ 13th Congressional District today.
“I’m running to represent the people of Central and Southern Illinois because political insiders in Illinois and Washington are failing us, and we need new leadership,” said Jesse Reising, Republican candidate for Congress. “The America we know and love as the Land of Opportunity won’t exist just a few years from now if we don’t change course. Americans are seven percent poorer today due to inflation, seeds of division are being sown in our children, and we’re facing skyrocketing crime rates – all while China and other foreign adversaries exploit our current administration’s weakness to gain economic and military advantage over us.”
Reising is a lifelong public servant who knows how to get results against the odds. After a serious neck injury in college football prevented Reising from realizing his dream of serving his country as a Marine, he found new ways to serve and get results, at home and abroad. Reising went to Afghanistan as a contractor and launched a veterans’ service organization called the Warrior-Scholar Project that has empowered thousands of veterans to succeed in college. He went on to prosecute criminals as a federal prosecutor.
He’s already scrubbed his Twitter account to remove the word “Chicago.” Before and after…
Heh.
* Press release…
The Illinois State Board of Elections this week named longtime staff member Bernadette Matthews the agency’s executive director.
Matthews had served as assistant executive director since 2017 and had been acting executive director since April 2021. Matthews’ appointment was approved by a unanimous, 8-0 vote from the board at its Jan. 19 meeting.
A graduate of The Catholic University of America and Seton Hall University School of Law, Matthews joined the Board of Elections as legal counsel in 2009.
* More…
* Column: Gorman takes on Morrison in GOP primary; third Democrat seeks Sims’ county board seat
* The Chicago Tribune editorial board has gone from being deviously smart to… well…
An editorial on the state’s new criminal justice legislation that ran on Page 7 on Jan. 18 misspelled the name of former House Speaker Mike Madigan. The Tribune regrets the error.
New House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, now finishing his first year in the chair occupied by former Speaker Mike Madison
Hilarious.
* Also, this Tribune editorial was changed online without any sort of acknowledgement like the Madigan error was, so now their central claim about Bryan Traubert and his spouse doesn’t have near as much snap, although going after somebody’s spouse seems questionable to begin with here. The Tribunists claimed Traubert was the board chair, but that is no longer true. He sits on the 22-member board. But you do what you do, Tribbies…
But the bigger challenge, we think, will be reporting honestly on the powerful foundations with budgets in the billions that are part of this merger and that deserve the same scrutiny as government entities or corporations.
That’s compounded here both by the presence on the new Sun-Times board of directors of Kristen Mack, the managing director for communications for the MacArthur Foundation, and the identity of the recent chair of the WBEZ board, Bryan Traubert, husband of former U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker, the sister of Gov. J.B. Pritzker. The Pritzker Traubert Foundation is a supporter of this deal.
We’ve no reason to believe any of these high-achieving Chicagoans will impede editorial independence, but wise heads will look for certitude. Penny Pritzker, who has many talents, could run again for office or occupy a key government position in a future J.B. Pritzker administration. What happens then?
An Illinois state lawmaker is calling out a Springfield Lowe’s after an alleged racist encounter this week between two customers.
On Monday, Jan 17, Xuna Hu, a Chinese immigrant and Springfield resident, said she was shopping at the Lowe’s store on Wabash Avenue when a woman told her to go back to her country.
Hu says she was trying to buy two fire pits. She says she was waiting for family to help lift the heavy products when another store customer began to verbally attack her with racist remarks after Hu wouldn’t give her one of the fire pits.
“I was like alright, I’ll just give you one then. She went, ‘This is how it works here.’ So, I was like, ‘Okay ma’am, if I give you one it’s because I’m trying to be nice, it’s not how it works here,’” Hu said. “And then she was like ‘Go back to your country.’ Loud. In the store.”
An online video from Hu reportedly shows what happened right after the alleged incident.
* Rep. Theresa Mah (D-Chicago) has posted a petition online calling on Lowe’s to apologize…
On Martin Luther King Day, January 17, 2022, Xuna Hu, a Springfield resident, was shopping at the Lowe’s at 3101 Wabash Avenue in Springfield, Illinois, when she was racially harassed by a customer whose daughter Jennifer works at the store. She was told, “GO BACK TO YOUR COUNTRY” after the woman hostilely took one of the two firepits from her that she was planning to purchase, and when Xuna followed her to the checkout station with her cellphone camera on to demand an apology, another employee, David, blocked access to Jennifer and her mother, dismissed her request, and repeatedly demanded that she stop recording and erase her video. David kept demanding that Xuna erase the video because he claimed that she “was making [the incident] something bigger than it was.”
However, Lowe’s should know that for an Asian American to be told to “Go back to your country,” is to experience an unfortunately too common example of anti-Asian hate and racism. Asian Americans have been in the US for more than 175 years and those of us who live here have every right to call it home. The United States is our country too, so for someone who sees an Asian face and says “GO BACK TO YOUR COUNTRY,” they are assuming foreignness and expressing their belief that we do not belong in this country as much as a white person does, and that is just plain wrong. That’s blatantly racist and wrong.
“We were appalled to hear about this experience. At Lowe’s, discrimination of any kind is unacceptable. We spoke to Ms. Hu and apologized, letting her know we are taking swift action to address the matter. Our intent is to always ensure customers feel valued, respected and welcome. We are committed to creating a safe and open environment for all customers.”
* CAIR-Chicago…
The Chicago chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago) today condemned an anti-Asian racist incident at a basketball game between Northwestern University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. CAIR-Chicago also supported a state lawmaker’s call for action after another anti-Asian racist incident in Springfield, Ill.
A viral Tik Tok video shows a University of Wisconsin-Madison fan making racist gestures toward a group of Northwestern fans at a basketball game between the two universities on Tuesday. The video shows the fan being escorted out of the stadium by a Northwestern official and a police officer. The Wisconsin Badgers condemned the incident on Twitter, calling it “abhorrent & disgusting.”
Illinois State Representative Teresa Mah (D-Chicago) is calling on Lowes to take action and provide racial sensitivity training to employees after an alleged anti-Asian incident at a Springfield Lowe’s. A Chinese immigrant was reportedly told to “go back to your country” by another customer. When she reported the incident to Lowe’s staff, they told her to stop recording video and threatened to kick her out of the store. In her online petition, Rep. Mah said this was not the first anti-Asian incident she heard of happening at a Lowe’s.
“As racist incidents targeting Asian-Americans and other members of minority communities continue to rise both in Illinois and nationwide, it is important that lawmakers, leaders and community members speak out and take action against hate,” said CAIR-Chicago Executive Director Ahmed Rehab.
He said the American Muslim community and CAIR stand in solidarity with all those challenging anti-Black racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, white supremacy, and all other forms of bigotry.
CAIR-Chicago is the Chicago Chapter of America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Our mission is to defend civil rights, fight bigotry, and promote tolerance.
A Special Board Meeting has been tentatively scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 20, at 7 p.m. This meeting may or may not be held, pending the outcome of a court ruling we are anticipating will be made the afternoon of Jan. 20. […]
The court case in question was filed by attorney Tom DeVore against 145 school districts across the state, including District 181. The suit is seeking to prevent those school districts from requiring students to wear masks and from excluding students from school for COVID-related reasons unless school districts follow certain procedures under the Illinois Department of Public Health Act.
From the onset of the case, it was the opinion of our attorneys that the ruling would not be in favor of DeVore, and masks and COVID-related exclusions would continue to be required in schools under the Governor’s executive order.
Late last week, our attorneys advised us that due to the recent nature of the judge’s comments, she may rule in favor of DeVore and that her ruling would be effective immediately (Friday, Jan. 21).
The purpose of the special meeting is for the Board to consider the following resolution authorizing the administration to take necessary actions in the event that the outcome of the DeVore ligation results in an invalidation of the Governor’s disaster declarations and emergency orders which authorize masking, exclusion and other safety measures. The resolution would allow the administration to continue current COVID-19 risk mitigation measures notwithstanding the Court’s ruling.
Representing the governor in Sangamon County Court Wednesday, Attorney Thomas Verticchio said the issue is really about the testing requirements, not whether there’s a COVID-19 vaccine mandate or law.
“None of that is relevant,” Verticchio said. “There is no vaccine requirement.”
Plaintiff’s attorney Thomas DeVore said even forcing testing requires due process by law, allowing individuals to challenge such requirements in court. […]
The judge took the school staff’s request for a temporary restraining order against the mandate under advisement with a ruling expected soon. The judge will also consider a motion for class certification, allowing others to join the lawsuit .
If the judge rules that covid tests require some sort of due process, the legislature is going to have to step in fast.
* Other districts are voting to join the DeVore lawsuit if a class is certified. For instance…
The Clinton Board of Education Tuesday night approved joining a lawsuit against the Illinois State Board of Education to sue over its mandates on schools.
*** UPDATE *** Not today…
Sangamon County Judge Raylene Grischow took under advisement the case more than 700 parents have against 145 schools over masks and exclusion policies. She said not to expect a ruling before next Friday. pic.twitter.com/udgYuQrWrn
* IDPH reports 6,258 hospitalizations as of midnight last night, down from 6,507 reported yesterday. That now gives us a 7-day rolling average decrease of 2.07 percent. Yesterday’s 7-day rolling average decrease was 1.04 percent.
Illinois appears to be past the peak of its largest COVID-19 surge so far as cases and hospitalizations driven by the omicron variant are starting to decline, but officials urged continued caution as the state’s health care system remains under unprecedented strain.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Wednesday called the latest trend “a welcome change after precipitous increases over the prior seven weeks.” […]
“I want to be clear: I am cautiously optimistic about this decline,” Pritzker said during a news conference at the Thompson Center in the Loop. “But there are an awful lot of people still battling for their lives in hospitals across Illinois.”
* We don’t talk much about case numbers here for good reason. Dr. Ezike addressed this topic yesterday during the press conference when responding to questions about falling case numbers and hospitalizations…
So obviously, we are already seeing some of the things that we’d like to see in terms of downward trends in hospitalizations. Again, I am absolutely moving away from the cases because we know that that’s not even the full story, given all the home test and all the positives that are happening at home that are not recorded in any of our Department of Public Health databases. But the hospitalizations, you can’t hide a hospitalization. And so as we look at those hospitalizations and understand where those numbers are going, that is definitely a clear signal of the direction we’re moving in. And we can be moving downward now, but as you know, people have appropriately asked, ‘But what about the next one?’
With that being said, my brother Devin sent me this fascinating graph created by Eastern Illinois University’s Ryan Burge. It covers case trends in Illinois counties from December 15 to yesterday. While far from a perfect tracker, some counties still look like they are in big trouble. Click the pic for a larger image…
Burge said counties in blue are those where the total number of cases yesterday was at least 20 percent lower than that county’s worst day of the omicron surge. “That’s my attempt at trying to delineate which counties are over the peak now.”
* Advocate Aurora Health employees have posted pleas to get vaccinated on YouTube. Here’s one…
“The number one rule of virus economics,” economist Austan Goolsbee says: “If you want to help the economics, you’ve got to get control of the virus.”
The first half of 2021, when COVID seemed to abate, economic signs were good. But “delta and omicron stalled that progress, and indicators are pointing downwards as the impact of omicron continues. When the data come out for January, it’s going to show a slowdown,” Goolsbee, a professor of economics at the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business and a former economic advisor to President Barack Obama, says on the latest episode of the A.D. Q&A podcast.
“Consumer spending, which had been pretty strong, dropped almost 2% for the month. That’s a pretty dramatic shift on a one-month basis. That’s before omicron kind of reached its peak. I’d think we’re going to get a slowdown from the next data.”
Jacking up interest rates right now would be like using a hammer to paint a house.
State Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) says he and his wife, along with their daughter, tested positive for the virus last week. […]
“Started with a soar throat, led to a cough that developed into a deep, rough cough. I had fever spikes throughout the day for several days and an achy body and headache,” said Barickman.”
Barickman says he and his wife are vaccinated but have not received the booster shot.
* How do you make art during a pandemic? Carefully: Chicago’s theaters, concert halls, and other venues navigate mask-wearing for performers and patrons, testing for COVID and sometimes canceling shows amid the omicron surge.
I just want to add one comment, though, you asked about candidates. One thing I will say to you is, if you want to have the job of being governor, you should have to take questions from members of the media just like I do. And so I would hope that any candidate that is running and announced that they’re going to run is going to take questions, and not wait weeks after announcing to do so.
It’s true that the Republican candidates for all of the statewide offices have not yet or (for those who jumped into the race last year) rarely if ever publicly submit themselves to questions from reporters.
* DPI today…
Statewide GOP Candidates’ Silence on Trump, Biden Speaks Volumes
Today, on the one-year anniversary of President Biden’s inauguration, every Illinois Republican statewide candidate is choosing to remain silent about where they stand on the Big Lie that continues to undermine our democracy. Illinois voters deserve to know if these candidates want to take the Big Lie to Springfield or if they accept the results of free and fair elections.
All of the statewide Republican candidates, including Richard Irvin, Darren Bailey, Jesse Sullivan, Paul Schimpf, Gary Rabine, Avery Bourne, Stephanie Trussell, Carolyn Schofield, Aaron Del Mar, John Milhiser, Dan Brady, Tom Demmer, Shannon Teresi, and Steve Kim, must go on the record and answer basic questions about the 2020 presidential election. It should not be difficult for these candidates to tell voters who they voted for in the 2020 presidential election, if they accept Joe Biden as the legitimate winner, and if they will accept the electoral results in 2022.
Their continued silence speaks volumes about their priorities and willingness to undermine the democratic process. It is clear that with the modern Republican Party, our democracy takes a backseat to their political agenda.
Thoughts?
…Adding… He’s taken questions on most of these topics over the years, and he just held a long press conference yesterday and nobody asked the other questions on this list…
The Illinois Republican Party released the following statement in response to Governor JB Pritzker’s call for Republicans to answer questions:
“Republicans will not be lectured on answering questions by a Madigan-allied governor who refuses to answer basic questions about his own corruption and scandals. When JB Pritzker starts answering about indictments, patronage, tax fraud, dead veterans and state-sponsored child abuse, he’ll have just a tad more credibility.”
Every time JB Pritzker uses the phrase “answer questions,” we’ll send around another set of questions that JB Pritzker refuses to answer. Here are two questions for today:
When did JB Pritzker first learn that his DCFS was abusing children, and why hasn’t he fired the DCFS director?
Elected officials in the crosshairs of federal investigators shouldn’t be able to dip into their campaign funds to pay defense attorneys, a freshman alderman says — but a lawyer for his maligned predecessor’s ward organization says there’d have to be a change in state law to cut off politicians’ legal piggy banks.
Illinois’ highest court is now deliberating that contentious issue — or most of the court, that is. Two jurists have recused themselves from the case, including [Justice Mary Jane Theis and] Chief Justice Anne Burke, whose indicted husband Ald. Ed Burke (14th) has shelled out about $2 million in campaign cash to lawyers involved in his public corruption case.
The five remaining state Supreme Court justices heard arguments Wednesday hinging on whether the high-priced criminal defenses that so many Illinois officials have had to pony up for amount to “personal” expenses prohibited by campaign finance law.
The case was brought to the court by Chicago Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez in an effort to stop elected officials from using campaign funds to pay lawyers for personal matters. He’s seeking to overturn an earlier State Board of Elections decision to reject the Sigcho-Lopez case.
Sigcho-Lopez is represented by Adolfo Mondragon. Mondragon told the justices the case is to stop elected officials from using donor money to pay for their legal problems.
“The purpose of the Campaign Disclosure Act of the Illinois Election Code is to deter and mitigate public corruption,” Mondragon said.
The case comes after Sigcho-Lopez filed a complaint against former 25th Ward Alderman Danny Solis and his decision to use $220,000 of campaign funds to pay his lawyers to defend himself from accusations of wrongdoing.
Mondragon argued that what Solis did is exactly what they are trying to prevent from happening again.
“Let’s be clear here, the $220,000 Danny Solis owed the law firm of Foley and Lardner is what is normally considered a personal debt,” Mondragon said. “It was not a campaign debt because he was not running for office.”
“What a slap in the face” it is to allow politicians accused of political corruption to use funds contributed by supporters of their campaigns to defend themselves from accusations of wrongdoing while in office, Mondragon told the justices. […]
Michael Dorf, the attorney for the 25th Ward Regular Democratic Organization, urged the court to defer to the Illinois State Board of Elections, which voted 8-0 to reject Sigcho-Lopez’s complaint. Allowing politicians to use campaign funds to pay legal fees associated with corruption probes has been “policy for a very long time” and should not be changed.
State law allows campaign funds to be used to pay for expenses incurred by elected officials that are “customary and reasonable” — but not for purely personal expenses, such as clothes, haircuts and club memberships.
Justice Michael Burke asked Dorf how it is not the “antithesis” of laws designed to prevent corruption and encourage good government policy to allow campaign funds to cover legal fees associated with legal probes.
In response, Dorf acknowledged that Solis had been contacted by federal prosecutors, and had cooperated with their probe.
The State Board of Elections said if the General Assembly wanted to enact a specific prohibition on the use of campaign funds for legal fees, they could write that into the law.
Justice Michael Burke referred to a similar case that came before the Supreme Court in New Jersey.
The court in New Jersey “looked at this exact issue,” Burke said. “It said this: ‘We have yet to reach the point where it can be said that defending against federal or state criminal indictment alleging corrupt practices is an ordinary expense of holding public office.’”
Burke asked, “Are we at that point in Illinois where we’re going to say that that’s an ordinary expense of holding public office?”
“The legislature knows how to deal with that,” election attorney Michael Dorf replied. “That’s a legislative solution, and Illinois knows how to do that if they wanted to do it. And the Illinois legislature hasn’t.”
The appellant lives in a world where everybody is guilty. And everybody is not guilty. People are investigated and they are not charged. People are charged and they are not convicted. It’s not just the individual who may be under suspicion who is at risk here. People who are public officials who have no connection with a person may be under investigation, may have had an email from that person. And suddenly they are the subject of a subpoena for thousands of records or perhaps hours of deposition testimony. And the legal fees in those situations are oppressive and unfair for someone who just happened to be the the recipient of an email, email or a phone call. […]
Would this expenditure have occurred irrespective of the person’s status as a candidate or a public office holder? And it is absolutely clear that the FBI would not have come to Ald. Soliz and said, ‘We want you to cooperate and wear a wire on members of the city council and members of state legislatures’ if this person had not been a public official able to be in those those types of dealings. So the irrespective test sets a good standard for that. And the courts have acknowledged this. It’s an interesting logic, but how can you be accused of, or involved in public corruption if you’re not a public official somehow?
* Meanwhile, former House Speaker Michael Madigan’s latest D-2 filing shows he paid the Baltimore law firm of Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP just $18K for legal work during the fourth quarter. He paid the firm, which bills itself as having “World-class regulatory, litigation and transactional solutions for your most complex challenges,” $12K in the third quarter, along with $50K to DC law firm O’Melveny & Myers, which does white collar defense and corporate investigations. His 13th Ward organization had no legal fees in the fourth quarter.
January 19, 2021
State Representative Camille Lilly
cc: Governor J.B. Pritzker, Speaker Chris Welch
Chairperson Lilly,
Since the original letter I sent you more than a week ago requesting an immediate hearing into the ongoing failures at the Department of Children and Family Services, further damning incidents have come to light.
We have learned that DCFS Director Marc Smith has been held in contempt of a court yet again – his third time in less than a week. This time it was because the agency held a 17-year-old boy in a psychiatric facility for four months after he was ready to be placed in a more appropriate setting.
We found out that DCFS may have failed Damari Perry, the 6-year-old North Chicago boy who was murdered, allegedly by his mother. Before his death, DCFS opened two investigations into the family, including looking into threatening messages his mother wrote about harming the boy. Somehow, those investigations were closed and marked as “unfounded.”
It has also become clear that House Democratic Caucus refuses to act on this matter despite the fact that every day these issues at DCFS go unchecked is another day that the Pritzker Administration is failing kids in the care of the state of Illinois. Additionally, there has still been no Appropriations Human Services Committee scheduled to publicly investigate the shortcomings at DCFS.
The children of Illinois need a functioning DCFS to ensure their safety. As committee chair, it is your duty and obligation to schedule a hearing so the General Assembly can get to the bottom of the critical question of what is happening at DCFS. The Republican members are prepared to meet immediately. Please do not follow the path of silence the Governor is taking on this important issue.
Sincerely,
Jim Durkin
House Republican Leader
*** UPDATE *** The House just posted an Appropriations-Human Services Committee hearing for January 28th…
Amid the recently reported shortcomings of the Department of Children and Family Services, Chairwoman Lilly will be calling a public hearing on Friday, Jan. 28, to inquire about the department’s ongoing financial and operational issues.
“The current concerns with the DCFS have made it necessary to call a hearing so we can better understand the needs of the children and form holistic, long-term solutions. These problems have been going on for years and our focus is on the children and workers, so I request everyone in the hearing to conduct themselves in a serious, bipartisan fashion without losing focus,” said Lilly.
* Media advisory…
WHO: House Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs), Assistant House Republican Leader Ryan Spain (R-Peoria), Assistant House Republican Leader Deanne Mazzochi (R-Westmont), and State Representative Patrick Windhorst (R-Metropolis)
WHAT: House Republicans will discuss legislation filed to repeal the SAFE-T Act.
WHEN: 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, January 20th, 2022
WHERE: Zoom and Live on BlueRoomStream
* ILGOP…
Pritzker’s state-sponsored child abuse
Behind the violent crimes ravaging our state are the faces and names of victims. Instead of standing up for those victims – and working to prevent more people from becoming victims – Pritzker has signed legislation putting criminals first and victims last.
It’s no surprise Pritzker doesn’t care about the victims of crime. This is the same governor that let 36 veterans die of COVID at the LaSalle Veterans’ Home in 2020.
Now we learn that Pritzker’s administration has engaged in state-sponsored child abuse at the Department of Children and Family Services. JB Pritzker should be held accountable for what his administration has done.
When did Pritzker find out his agency director was abusing kids and why has he not fired his director?
Mayor Lori Lightfoot said GOP candidates for governor, making crime — especially in Chicago — central campaign themes should think twice about damaging the city’s reputation.
“Vilifying the economic engine of your state just strikes me as a really foolhardy strategy,” she told the Chicago Sun-Times on Wednesday. […]
Irvin said, if governor, he would be “removing liberal prosecutors who look to decriminalize acts of violence.” That seems aimed at Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx.
A governor can’t get rid of an elected official — no matter their politics. What he means is a ripe question for Irvin, who has yet to do interviews with reporters.
Lightfoot said there are “definitely productive ways in which a governor can be helpful. But anybody who thinks that they’re going to solve crime by sitting in Springfield and lobbing bombs obviously doesn’t understand the first thing about public safety.”
Well, I appreciate. I have not heard that. That’s very kind of her. And, and yeah, I mean, I think, you know, the, what I can say is, there’s nobody running, as far as I know, for mayor. And I think, you know, the mayor has worked well with me, especially as we have addressed the pandemic, broadly. And so, you know, we have a good relationship. And, you know, I, I know we’ll keep working together to make sure we’re keeping people safe and healthy.
* 6,507 hospitalizations were reported by IDPH today. That’s down from 6,695 reported yesterday, or 2.8 percent. The 7-day rolling average decrease is now 1.7 percent, down from the 1.04 percent average decrease yesterday. Deaths were up, but that’s likely due to the holiday. Coroners weren’t working. Death stats are not reliable the first day or even two back from a weekend, particularly a long one. Other outlets jumped the gun.
Of those hospitalized, 1,085 are in intensive care, down 4.1% from a week ago, according to Illinois Department of Public Health records.
IDPH officials also reported 160 more COVID-19 deaths, as well as 26,491 new cases of the respiratory disease.
That’s the highest number of deaths recorded in a single day from the virus in more than a year, IDPH records show.
It also brings the state’s death toll from the virus to 29,510, while 2,709,474 infections have been diagnosed since the outset of the pandemic.
Again, some or even many of those new deaths reported are very likely due to coroners and others not working over the holiday weekend.
* Don’t celebrate yet, particularly if you don’t live in Chicago or the area around it…
Chicago has passed its peak in the latest COVID-19 surge, the city’s chief health officer says.
“We have formally passed the omicron peak” in the city of Chicago, Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady said at a news conference today with CPS CEO Pedro Martinez. There’s a way to go, but “I’m really pleased to have seen this turnaround,” she says. See the latest city and state COVID figures in the charts below.
COVID cases in Chicago peaked Jan. 4, with a daily total of 8,553 cases that day. Today, the case average is 2,903.
That’s “still very high, the risk remains high, but (we’re) heading in the right direction,” Arwady said.
The risk remains high. Remember that. Let’s not go backward.
Vaccine providers in Illinois have now administered 20,054,921 doses, according to IDPH records.
IDPH officials also report vaccine providers are averaging 47,010 inoculations a day over the past week.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 8,250,044 Illinois residents are considered fully vaccinated. That accounts for 65.1% of the state’s 12.7 million residents. These figures include residents who were vaccinated in other states.
Of those fully vaccinated, 43.6% have received a booster dose, CDC records show.
Statewide, the CDC reports far northwestern Jo Daviess County has the highest percentage of its population fully vaccinated, at 75.2%. Lake County has the second-highest fully vaccinated rate, at 74.7%. DuPage County is third at 74.1%.
I’m going to get straight to the point. Are you satisfied with the safety and security of your community?
Let me just give you a quick review… in 2021 Chicago surpassed 800 murders.
Yes, you read that correctly - eight hundred murders! This is nothing short of failed leadership from politicians like Pritzker who continue to push lunacy policies like defunding the police. This soft-on-crime approach has simply exacerbated the problem and further divided our great state.
Let me ask you this: Is this how you imagine the future of our state to look? Take a stand with me and contribute to my Back the Blue Fund to help me advance policies that defend the men and women who keep our communities safe.
As a Mayor of a major urban city, I’ve seen first hand what happens when you leave communities vulnerable by not taking action against criminals and looters who damage property and harm local citizens, like we saw during the summer of 2020. We all watched in horror as Chicago allowed criminal activity to overrun a city under Democratic control. As Mayor, I did not hesitate to crack down on crime, support policing and even called in the National Guard when appropriate. We arrested the law-breakers and ensured thugs from out of state could not enter our streets and harm our citizens.
Here’s the bottom line. Crime remains one of the largest issues facing urban communities throughout this country and in major cities across our state.
As your next Governor, I’ll implement proven strategies to decrease crime, while removing liberal prosecutors who look to decriminalize acts of violence. It’s time we kick these soft-on-crime Democrats who support defunding our police out of power so we can keep our streets safe and our citizens secure.
Will you chip in any amount to my Back the Blue Fund to stand with me as a fellow law-and-order supporter?
Chip in $75 to Back the Blue
Chip in $50 to Back the Blue
Chip in $25 to Back the Blue
Chip in $10 to Back the Blue
Any contribution to my Back the Blue Fund will help us fight against the failed policies of liberal politicians, woke prosecutors and soft-on-crime Democrat leaders. Thank you for considering this urgent request to help protect the safety and security of our future.
Fighting for Illinois,
Richard Irvin
* About that National Guard claim. Here’s Mark Maxwell…
On Irvin’s campaign website, he claims he called in the national guard to respond to looting in the aftermath of protests over the murder of George Floyd. However, a spokesman for the Illinois National Guard confirmed mayors do not have that authority, and would have to make any request through the governor’s office.
Governor Pritzker’s office declared states of emergency in several counties during the protests and looting incidents of the summer of 2020, and issued deployments of the national guard to assist local police departments in several cities, including Aurora. Calls to Irvin’s office in Aurora were not returned on Monday.
The next year, while he was running for re-election in Aurora in the spring of 2021, Irvin told a local news outlet, “I support Black Lives Matter strongly and passionately.”
Also, I’m not sure what legal mechanism exists for a governor to remove liberal prosecutors. Bruce Rauner, remember, pledged he would investigate Madigan and Co. and prosecute them if elected. Um, no.
Sure did hit all the talking points on the head, though.
* Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey’s D-2 caught my eye last night. Despite reporting that he raised almost $500K in the quarter, Bailey actually ended the quarter with $200K less than he started it with…
* Let’s back up a bit. Restore Illinois was founded in 2018 to raise money to elect Eastern Bloc legislative candidates. It has reported raising $477,442 since it was founded, with $200K coming from that above-mentioned Bailey contribution and $319,800 since the start of the 4th quarter last year.
What happened last year? The remap. As part of Democratic redistricting, fellow Eastern Bloc Reps. Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich) and Chris Miller (R-Oakland) were mapped into the same district, the 102nd. Eventually, Rep. Miller (no relation) agreed to move and run in the neighboring and vacant 101st House District. His spouse, US Rep. Mary Miller, was mapped in with fellow Republican Mike Bost, but then she decided to run against Rep. Rodney Davis.
There has been some paranoia within the Eastern Bloc about how agents of Rodney Davis are supposedly trying to gin up opponents against some of them. From Rep. Chris Miller earlier this month…
Never-Trumper Rodney Davis is looking for RINO candidates to run against every pro-life, pro-gun Republicans who supported Trump. Conservative Republicans will defeat liberals like Rodney Davis who stabbed President Trump in the back. The America First movement will not back down to the RINO establishment - we will defeat any and all liberal RINOs Rodney Davis recruits.
OK.
* Anyway, Restore Illinois collected $319,800 from three Eastern Bloc Members last quarter: $200K from Sen. Darren Bailey in October, $59,900 from Rep. Blaine Wilhour in November and $59,900 from Rep. Adam Niemerg in December. The PAC refunded $150,100 to Bailey a week after he made his contribution because, by law, it can only accept $59,900 from a candidate committee. Oops.
Almost all of the $179,700 Restore Illinois collected from those three members was then transferred to Rep. Miller shortly after each of the three contributions were received. Click here.
* Here’s where it gets kinda interesting. Neither Rep. Wilhour nor Rep. Niemerg had enough money in their accounts to make those $59,900 contributions to Restore Illinois.
Same with Rep. Niemerg, who started the fourth quarter with just $23,380.40 in the bank. Bailey maxed out to Niemerg with $59,900 that was reported on December 3rd, and Restore Illinois reported its $59.9K contribution from Niemerg on December 22nd.
So, essentially it appears as though Bailey was able to get $169,800 to his ally Rep. Chris Miller via a complicated series of maneuvers through other campaign accounts. It’s a mechanism that might’ve made Mike Madigan proud.
Except, they didn’t have to do it this way. Rep. Miller busted the caps on his race on November 22nd with a $100,001 contribution to himself. Bailey could’ve just written Miller a check for whatever he wanted.
Seems like a lot of work for nothing.
* Now, take out the refund from Restore Illinois and Bailey raised a net $349K. Of that, he contributed a net $230K to Restore Illinois and Eastern Bloc Reps. Wilhour, Niemerg and Dan Caulkins, or 66 percent of what he took in. You gotta wonder what all those folks who believe so strongly in Bailey’s message might think of him spending two-thirds of their money not on his “grass roots movement,” but on his pals’ races.
I’ve asked the Bailey campaign for comment.
* Meanwhile, Bailey spent about $410K on consultants and their services, staff, etc.
All of his spending and transfers gave Bailey a net burn rate of 183 percent by my calculations.
Hope he doesn’t try to run the state like that.
*** UPDATE *** Bailey campaign…
We are in a fight for the heart and soul of our state and the Republican Party. It’s evident the corruption in Springfield isn’t partisan, and we’re all tired of the political elites selling out working families and taxpayers. Darren Bailey was given money from generous donors who have indicated they not only want to take on extreme Democrats, but they want to take on RINOs. The money was then sent to several members of the conservative coalition and the Restore Illinois PAC. On top of defeating the establishment’s Democrat in the Republican Primary for Governor, and taking on Democrats in other races across the state, the Restore Illinois PAC is planning on challenging Republicans who have sold out working families and our conservative principles to vote with Democrats to raise taxes. This is the only way we can truly reform Springfield and restore Illinois.
Our team is grateful for Gov. Pritzker’s service and the progress our state has made under his leadership. The Pritzker Administration is delivering higher wages for workers, strengthening our state’s finances, investing in our infrastructure, protecting the environment, securing reproductive rights, and more.
Sign our card for Governor JB Pritzker to wish him a Happy Birthday and show your support as we continue to deliver real progress for the people of Illinois:
* Pritzker himself…
Thank you for the birthday wishes and kind words!
As I look forward to another year, I’m so grateful to have your friendship, partnership, and support as we fight for our great state of Illinois. https://t.co/DNkwX3u6UJ
Past birthday wishes for the Governor have gone unfulfilled: Progressive income tax, Senate President Kimberly Lightford, and DPI Chairwoman Michelle Harris
It’s usually sad when birthday wishes don’t come true. But when it comes to Governor JB Pritzker’s unfulfilled wishes - the failures are embarrassing. We hate to be a downer on the Governor’s birthday, but let’s take a look at how JB’s hopes have often go awry:
Birthday Wish #1: Implement a massive tax hike on Illinoisans via the Tax Hike Amendment of 2020.
Unfortunately for Pritzker, his hopes of higher taxes met the will of the people who soundly rejected his progressive tax proposal at the ballot box in November 2020. This was a high profile defeat for the Governor and cast massive doubt about his future agenda and the effectiveness of his political team. Even so, we know this remains his #1 birthday wish again this year - he’ll never stop trying to raise taxes - which is why we will work overtime to defeat Pritzker in November.
Birthday Wish #2: Elevate Senator Kimberly Lightford to Senate President.
After the retirement of longtime Senate President John Cullerton, the race was on to see which Democratic senator would take his place. The contest was whittled down to Senators Don Harmon and Kimberly Lightford. Pritzker publicly and privately pushed hard to elect Lightford to the position but was rebuffed by a majority of the Senate Democratic Caucus who nominated Don Harmon instead. The defeat was an embarrassing and unexpected one at the hands of supposed legislative allies.
Birthday Wish #3: Elect Chicago Alderwoman Michelle Harris to be Chairwoman of the Democratic Party of Illinois.
Pritzker tried to impose his wishes again to anoint Chicago Alderman Michelle Harris as Chairwoman of the Democratic Party of Illinois (DPI) after his old ally Mike Madigan had to go away quietly. The new chair was elected by the state central committee of the DPI and again, the Governor found that while his inherited billions will spend, his political capital will not. Instead, Congresswoman Robin Kelly, backed by US Senator Dick Durbin, edged out Harris and was elected DPI Chairwoman. This was another stinging defeat for the Governor that left him wondering if any of the “friends” at his birthday party actually like or respect him.
We wish we could say we hope for the Governor’s dreams to come true in 2022 - but we don’t. The people of Illinois can’t afford Pritzker’s wish list of higher taxes, coddling criminals, and more corruption.
* The Question: Your birthday message to Gov. Pritzker?
Just over a year out from her presumed re-election bid, Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s latest financial totals are out, and it’s fair to call them distinctly mediocre.
Lightfoot pulled in a combined $538,000 for her two political funds, a big chunk of it raised on a recent campaign swing to California. […]
Lightfoot for Chicago has $1.215 million in the bank, more than enough to get a solid campaign up and running, and Light PAC another $351,000. […]
At a press conference today, the mayor disagreed her fundraising this quarter was lackluster: “Given that we were in a pandemic and the amount of challenges we were facing… I feel pretty good about where our fundraising is.”
Factor in campaign expenses, mainly for consultants and staff, and Lightfoot’s two campaign committees netted a combined $61,289.43 for the quarter.
A new candidate has announced he is seeking candidacy for the Republican nomination of State Representative for the new 108th District. This district covers all of Menard County, and portions of Sangamon, Christian, Macoupin, and Montgomery Counties.
Wayne Rosenthal, a Republican from Morrisonville, says that he has thrown in his hat to run for the new 108th District. Rosenthal has received several endorsements including Congressman Rodney Davis, Darin LaHood, and Mike Bost. He has also been supported by State Representatives Avery Bourne, Tim Butler and former State Rep Mike Murphy.
Rosenthal says that he and his family are excited to announce that he is running. He says he knows the area well, and has served the citizens for many years including the Illinois Air National Guard, coaching youth baseball, and serving in the General Assembly. ROsenthal also says that he plans to work hard, share his conservative vision for the state, and earn every vote in this election.
Rosenthal left the House to run IDNR for Gov. Bruce Rauner.
A doctor from Morton says he’s running for an open Illinois House seat that includes much of the district now represented by retiring state Rep. Keith Sommer.
Emergency physician and anesthesiologist Dr. Bill Hauter plans to run in the redrawn 87th House District. Hauter, a Republican, is a member of the Tazewell County Board. The 87th District includes portions of Tazewell, McLean, Logan, Sangamon, Macon, and DeWitt counties.
Hauter works primarily as an anesthesiologist in Peoria. He picks up shifts as an emergency physician as needed; over the past few years, he says, he has been needed to treat COVID-19 patients on a regular basis. Because of this, Hauter said, he can bring a new perspective to the General Assembly as they make decisions about the pandemic.
While he supports vaccination, Hauter is against vaccine mandates. […]
Sommer and Hauter are longtime friends, says Hauter. Sommer previously endorsed Hauter in his run for Tazewell County Board, and the pair have worked together on adoption reform legislation in the past. Hauter has an adopted child from Bulgaria, and his wife Shelley is the director of the Living Alternatives Pregnancy Resource Center.
* Press release…
Today, EMILY’s List, the nation’s largest resource for women in politics, endorsed three women for election in Illinois, including Juliana Stratton for lieutenant governor, Susana Mendoza for comptroller, and Anna Valencia for secretary of state. Laphonza Butler, president of EMILY’s List, released the following statement:
“These groundbreaking women have been lifelong advocates for their communities, championing everything from youth development and empowerment programs, to animal welfare and social services initiatives. EMILY’s List is confident that under their leadership, Illinois will be best positioned to recover from the impact of COVID-19 and become a place where all people can flourish.”
“It’s only day three of his campaign, and Richard Irvin is already being slammed by Illinoisans — including those in his own party,” said DGA Senior Communications Advisor Christina Amestoy. “Irvin has done a complete 180 from praising Gov. JB Pritzker to running a Rauner reboot campaign. Even if Irvin survives the bruising GOP primary, he won’t stand a chance against Gov. Pritzker, who Irvin himself agreed is ‘a great leader.’”
There’s been a lot of hype about the political operatives behind Richard Irvin’s GOP gubernatorial bid having previously led former Gov. Bruce Rauner’s campaign and the effort to defeat the graduated income tax.
But recent campaign donations show that two big donors to those efforts are behind Jesse Sullivan’s GOP bid for governor.
Richard Colburn and Michael Keiser have donated $50,000 and $5,000 respectively to Sullivan’s campaign.
Colburn gave $500,000 to the group that helped defeat the graduated income tax measure backed by Gov. JB Pritzker, and he gave $10,000 to Citizens for Judicial Fairness, which helped defeat former Illinois Supreme Court Justice Thomas Kilbride’s retention effort.
Keiser gave $25,000 to the effort to stop the graduated income tax plan. And both he and Colburn donated to Rauner’s 2018 bid for governor.
Sullivan is reporting $9.1 million in the bank, according to the latest campaign filings, though the bigger news is that he has yet to name a running mate.
He can’t gather signatures until he can list a lieutenant governor on his petitions. Playbook hears that announcement will be soon.
Not sure what that’s supposed to mean. Sullivan got a bit of cash from two people who also hated the graduated income tax and a Democratic Supreme Court justice and that’s supposed to show… what?
Also, she’s right about the running mate thing. Everyone else has a head start on him. Subscribers know more.
* Press release…
Illinois Supreme Court to Hear Chicago Alderman’s Appeal to Stop Elected Officials From Using Campaign Cash to Pay for Criminal Defense Fees
Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th) filed a complaint centered around ex-Ald. Danny Solis in 2019
WHO:
Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez, 25th Ward
Adolfo Mondragon, Esq.
WHAT:
In Byron Sigcho-Lopez v. State of Ill. Bd. of Elections et al., No. 127253, the Illinois Supreme Court will hear arguments from Adolfo Mondragon, Esq. on behalf of Chicago Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th Ward) to reverse a lower court’s decision dismissing Sigcho-Lopez’s complaint that elected officials should not use campaign cash to pay for criminal defense attorneys.
Sigcho-Lopez filed an appeal in May 2021 to the Illinois Supreme Court from a decision out of the 1st District Court of Appeals, challenging whether the Campaign Disclosure Act of the election code allows politicians to use campaign funds for criminal defense fees.
Sigcho-Lopez was elected in 2019 to succeed former Alderman Danny Solis, who has spent more than $220,000 from his 25th Ward campaign fund to pay for his defense team while under federal investigation.
A bill filed by state Rep. Charles Meier aims to combat voter fraud by allowing a county clerk the ability to cancel a voter registration if they do not think the person is a qualified voter.
House Bill 4310 was filed in December by state Rep. Charles Meier, R-Highland. The bill seeks to address issues with the state’s mail-in vote system and would give county clerks the ability to turn down a voter registration if the clerk believes the registration is fake or if the voter has passed away or moved.
“Illinois is notorious for having a lot of dead people vote,” Meier said. “It seems kind of amazing there is always accusations of this … and what simpler way to clean up the process than by using your county clerks.”
Illinois may be notorious for that, but it’s not been shown to actually be a thing that happens in real life beyond a few isolated incidents.
Review of jury summons. If, upon review of the list of returned juror summons under Section 9.3 of the Jury Commission Act, the county clerk is of the opinion that any person registered is not a qualified voter or has ceased to be a qualified voter, he or she shall send a notice through the United States mail to such person, requiring him or her to appear before the county clerk for a hearing within 5 days after the date of mailing the notice and show cause why his or her registration shall not be cancelled. If such person fails to appear within such time as provided, his or her registration shall be cancelled. If such person does appear, he or she shall execute an affidavit similar in every respect to the affidavit required of applicants under Section 6-29.
Not onerous at all. /s
…Adding… Press release…
Today, the Madison County Democrats and the St. Clair County Democrats announced their endorsement of Nikki Budzinski in Illinois’ 13th Congressional District. Madison and St. Clair Counties make up significant portions of the newly drawn 13th Congressional District.
The Madison and St. Clair County Democrats’ endorsement is the latest in a broad coalition of support that Budzinski is building, including U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth, EMILY’s List, State Treasurer Mike Frerichs, Rep. “Chuy” García, Rep. Sean Casten, Rep. Cheri Bustos, Rep. Jan Schakowsky, Rep. Bill Foster, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, State Senator Christopher Belt, Assistant Majority Leader Jay Hoffman, House Democratic Caucus Chair LaToya Greenwood, State Representative Katie Stuart, UFCW Local 881, Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT), The United Brotherhood of Carpenters (UBC), SEIU State Council, United Steelworkers (USW), IBEW Locals 51, 146, 193, 309, 601 and 649, Communications Workers of America (CWA), Sheet Metal Air Rail and Transportation Workers’ Union, Heat and Frost Insulators, Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois (AFFI), Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (BAC) Local 8, Elect Democratic Women, Pastor T. Ray McJunkins, County Chairs Bill Houlihan (Sangamon), Mark Pohlman (Jersey), Paul “Snow” Herkert (Calhoun), Ben Curtin (Christian) and Pam Monetti (Macoupin).
* The word “Griffin” is not mentioned once, of course. How are they gonna fund these candidates? Irvin has just $164,888.35 in his municipal campaign account. Such a mystery…
Illinois Republicans have joined together on an organized statewide slate of candidates behind Richard Irvin for Governor and Avery Bourne for Lieutenant Governor. They will be joined by John Milhiser (Secretary of State), Tom Demmer (Treasurer), Shannon Teresi (Comptroller), and Steve Kim (Attorney General) in an effort to end the culture of corruption that has permeated Illinois government through the Madigan Machine politicians that have filled our state’s top executive offices for decades.
The announcement of the slate of candidates comes on the heels of Irvin’s historic campaign kick-off earlier this week, promising to not only clean up corruption in Springfield, but also fight crime and cut taxes and spending.
“I’m the only candidate for governor to take on Mike Madigan and win, and I know that Madigan will keep running our state until we replace his allies with true public servants,” Irvin said. “That’s what this slate brings to the table: candidates with the experience and qualifications necessary to take our state back.”
Irvin’s running mate, Avery Bourne, believes this slate will restore public trust in government, something that has been waning for decades but especially over the last few years as federal indictments have continued to fall on elected officials.
“Each candidate on our slate has the experience and dedication Illinois needs to root out the corruption that is so ingrained in this state,” said Bourne. “Together, we are committed to fixing our state. We will work together to reduce crime, fight corruption, and return fiscal responsibility for the people of this great state.”
John Milhiser is running for Secretary of State and previously served as the Sangamon County State’s Attorney and the U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Illinois, overseeing federal investigations in 46 counties. He was confirmed with bipartisan support in the U.S. Senate, including Senators Durbin and Duckworth. John has investigated and prosecuted corrupt politicians, murderers, violent criminals, child predators, drug dealers, embezzlers, and human traffickers. As Secretary of State he will make sure we never go back to the history of corruption for which that office has been a crucible.
“Illinois state government has had a pervasive culture of corruption for decades,” Milhiser said. “It’s past time for our state to be led by individuals who will work to rebuild public trust in our leaders. That’s why I support Richard Irvin and Avery Bourne. Richard has a strong record of working for the betterment of his community, has honorably served our nation, and will be a governor the people of Illinois will be proud of.”
Tom Demmer serves as Deputy Republican Leader in the Illinois House, representing the 90th District. As the Republican caucus’ expert in exposing Madigan-Pritzker budget gimmicks, he is a leading voice for meaningful fiscal reform that will put Illinois back on the right path. An innovative, out of the box thinker, Tom’s experience will be crucial in guiding the state’s financial future as our next Treasurer.
“Richard Irvin understands that the tax burden on Illinois families is a primary reason why we are losing more and more people to neighboring states every year,” Demmer said. “Avery Bourne is a tremendous leader, an advocate for Illinoisans, and someone whose love for this state is palpable. Richard and Avery are the people we need in Springfield to fix our broken finances, provide tax relief, and guide us into the future.”
Shannon Teresi is a Certified Public Accountant, a Certified Fraud Examiner, an internal auditor, and currently serves as the McHenry County Auditor. Under her leadership, the county has cut fraud and abuse out of the budget, and consistently earned AAA bond ratings. As the next Comptroller, Shannon will ensure that the financial reporting of our state is appropriately audited, will cut out corruption just as she has done in McHenry County, and will make sure that taxpayers know exactly where their dollars are going.
“The Madigan Machine and their career politicians have had the opportunity to change the trajectory of this state, and instead have stood in the way of progress for their own benefit,” Teresi said. “Richard Irvin and Avery Bourne will bring new, innovative leadership to our state government, reducing our tax burden and meeting the needs of families like yours and mine. Together, we will root out the corruption that has become a way of life for Madigan Machine Politicians and I’m proud to stand with them for the future of Illinois”.
Steve Kim is running for Attorney General because crime in this state is out of control. He has advised leaders at all levels of the Illinois government, including Senator Mark Kirk and Governor Jim Edgar. He has adjudicated hundreds of civil rights cases in his position on the Illinois Human Rights Commission. Steve works with companies all over the globe, and has seen the importance of anti-corruption policies, the rule of law, and public safety. Steve’s wide ranging experience makes him the ideal candidate to bring new ideas to the table on curbing the crime and corruption for which Illinois is globally known.
“Richard Irvin will be a governor who understands that public safety and reducing crime has far reaching benefits to our communities across Illinois, especially immigrant and minority communities which are most impacted,” Kim said. “Crime in this state is out of control. Richard has stood with law enforcement to curtail violence and has a proven track record in Aurora. I know that Richard will fight corruption and rein in crime for the betterment of all Illinoisans, and that’s why I’m honored to stand with him.”
Irvin’s new campaign committee, by the way, has the same treasurer as most of the rest of the slate. Les Williamson of Houston, Texas is a professional fundraiser with The Larrison Group.
Irwin’s 2021 municipal budget proposal ever so slightly reduced the Aurora police department’s spending below 2020 levels, but the funding appeared to increased very slightly by the time it passed.
“I applaud the 102nd General Assembly for taking decisive and life-saving actions that will, among other things, strengthen enforcement and hopefully prevent unnecessary tragedies in the future,” said Aurora Mayor Richard C. Irvine. “As the Governor signs HB0562 today, may we remember the lives and legacies of Russell Beyer, Vicente Juarez, Clayton Parks, Josh Pinkard and Trevor Wehner who devastating lost their lives at Henry Pratt. While we can’t change the past, we can change laws for the future, and I do hope this brings some measure of comfort to their families, knowing that their lives were not lost in vain.”
Chesney Opposes “Anti-Gun” Amendments to House Bill 562
State Representative Andrew Chesney voted NO, and urged his colleagues to do the same, on an anti-gun bill sent the Illinois House for consideration during a special session on June 16th.
“I filed legislation to fix the FOID problems by eliminating the unconstitutional FOID system,” said Chesney from Springfield on Wednesday. “Instead, gun-grabbing politicians are doubling down on bloated bureaucracies that serve no one well; especially the unprecedented number of innocent Chicago residents hunted down by freed felons in gun-free zones.”
*** UPDATE *** DPI…
Today, billionaire Ken Griffin’s slate of Republicans announced their coordinated effort to take Illinois back to the Rauner years. And while the slate isn’t shy about their desire to drag our state backwards, they are being shy about making any actual appearances in public.
As opposed to making themselves available to voters and the media, this silent slate has hidden from the public for weeks. Not a single candidate has done an interview or public event since announcing and have instead chosen to hide behind consultant-crafted videos and meaningless social posts.
It is patently unacceptable that those seeking to lead our state would hide from reporters because they don’t want to answer basic questions like: Did you vote for Donald Trump? Do you want to overturn Roe v Wade? What promises has Ken Griffin made you?
Instead of proposing real policy solutions that help working families, these candidates are more of the same. Empty words, incendiary rhetoric, and no clue how to make Springfield work for working families.
The public deserves to know who is really pulling the strings of the Rauner Reboot. Each day the Griffin Slate continues to avoid scrutiny, we can only assume they have something to hide.
The parent company of public radio station WBEZ 91.5-FM is moving forward on plans to acquire the Chicago Sun-Times — a merger designed to assure survival of the money-losing newspaper while creating one of the nation’s largest nonprofit local news organizations.
The board of Chicago Public Media voted Tuesday to approve the deal, which was first disclosed here in September. The merger is expected to be finalized by January 31.
Financial terms were not disclosed, but major funding is expected from Michael Sacks, lead investor in the Sun-Times, along with the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and the Pritzker Traubert Foundation.
“I’m deeply grateful to the Chicago Public Media board of directors for their work in leading us to this milestone,” board chair Piyush Chaudhari said in a statement. “This new venture will be on its best path forward as we bring together two of Chicago’s most respected news organizations in our city and our region.”
According to the announcement, WBEZ and the Sun-Times “will continue to serve their respective audiences, and the newsrooms will operate separately with their own editors and maintain their editorial independence.”
While WBEZ and the Sun-Times will continue as independent operations, the deal could change one newspaper tradition. Executives said that as a nonprofit, the Sun-Times can no longer endorse political candidates. News coverage and investigations of public officials would be unaffected.
The Sun-Times stopped endorsing candidates in 2012, and then resumed in 2014 so it could endorse Bruce Rauner, a former part-owner.
Former Governor Rauner closed his campaign account yesterday three years after leaving office. True to form, the committee wound things down with a bunch of debt and unaccounted for expenditures. pic.twitter.com/1uVsuchLXZ
* I’ve been over this with subscribers and briefly here on the blog. Tribune last week…
Despite the urging of Illinois educators and strong bipartisan support from lawmakers, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he plans to veto a bill that would grant school employees administrative leave for COVID-19-related sick days for themselves and their children.
In a Tuesday letter to the leaders of the state’s two largest teachers unions, the Illinois Education Association and the Illinois Federation of Teachers, Pritzker said, “I have been very clear in stating that I will veto HB2778.”
“While that continues to be my plan, I have also said that I agree with and support the purpose of the bill: keeping teachers and students safe and in school during this unprecedented global pandemic,” Pritzker said.
The School Employee Benefit and Wage Protection bill, which passed with strong bipartisan support from lawmakers in October, was championed by the state’s teachers unions, who said school employees with young families were being forced to use all of their sick days if they or their children contracted the virus or were required to quarantine.
* From our old friend Emily Miller at the governor’s office…
Hi Rich,
Some recent newspaper articles left several people I know scratching their heads wondering why the Governor would veto HB2778, a bill giving teachers paid leave to deal with Covid-19-related absences. I thought it might be useful to straighten this out by just explaining the Governor’s actual position.
To be clear: the Governor supports giving paid administrative time off to teachers who need it for Covid-19-related reasons and he hopes to sign a bill that achieves that goal. The Governor also supports doing everything we can to keep kids and teachers safe and in the classroom. The language in the bill achieves the first goal, but not the second. The Governor’s team is in the middle of negotiations with the IEA and the IFT to agree on language that achieves both goals.
As written, the bill provides unlimited paid time off to teachers who have chosen not to get vaccinated. It is unsustainable and bad public policy to give people who make the choice not to get vaccinated unlimited paid time off while they continue to willfully expose themselves to a virus that kills people and packs our state’s hospitals, limiting access to healthcare across the state. The science is very clear and there is not room for debate: vaccines are a vital tool in preventing the deadly effects of Covid-19, and those who take the steps to be fully vaccinated against this virus are doing their part to keep everyone safe.
It should be noted that some people don’t get to choose not to take the vaccine—they are medically prevented from taking it. And those people need protection. That’s why federal law prevents discrimination against those who have medical exemptions, and federal law extends to the state of Illinois. The Governor supports paid administrative leave for Covid-19 related absences for those teachers as well.
While there were technical changes the Governor’s team proposed to clarify the bill and make it easier to implement, the only real sticking point is whether, as a matter of public policy, we can grant unlimited paid time off to people who choose not to get vaccinated during an ongoing global pandemic. The Governor does not believe that is a sustainable position.
Most teachers are fully vaccinated. Fully vaccinated teachers are protecting themselves and their communities and are doing everything they can to teach students in person during this stressful, unprecedented time of uncertainty. Our hope is that the bill’s proponents will compromise on this point so the Governor can sign a bill that gives paid Covid-19 time to the vast majority of teachers and prioritizes keeping teachers and children safe and in school.
This administration has worked closely with school districts and teachers throughout this pandemic to keep everyone safe, and we remain committed to that collaborative approach. If we are able to reach agreement, we’ll work with proponents and legislators to get a new bill moving and signed as soon as possible.
I hope that helps clear things up.
Stay healthy,
Emily
I happen to strongly agree that it would be bad policy to give unlimited paid leave to willfully unvaccinated public employees.
The flipside is that I realized over the past few days that I personally know some vaccinated and boosted school district workers who are quickly burning through their paid sick leave as omicron infects one after another of their children, requiring them to be home. And nobody knows when the General Assembly will return.
But, on the other hand, there is a retroactive paid leave clause in the current bill. However, can they pass it?
I blame the sponsors for not working this out in advance. But that’s cold comfort to the people who may be about to have no banked paid sick leave.
And they can’t do an amendatory veto because there are other technical problems which, I’m told, can’t be fixed that way.
So, bottom line for me right now is they need an agreement pronto and the GA needs to get itself back to town to pass it. Toot suite.
Your thoughts on this?
*** UPDATE *** Press release…
The Illinois Council of Community College Presidents appreciates Governor Pritzker’s request for a collaborative and inclusive approach to addressing the concerns that have been raised regarding HB2778. This collaborative spirit is a long-standing tradition of collective bargaining at the local level, between an individual community college district’s elected board and their local bargaining units. This has allowed agreements regarding wages, benefits and working conditions to be addressed within the context of the specific institution and the region it serves. Unfortunately, HB2778 was introduced as a statewide approach to legislating COVID-19 working conditions without input from Illinois community colleges.
This muted the experienced voices of institutions serving more than 600,000 Illinois residents each year through credit and non-credit courses. We hope that community colleges can engage in collaborative discussions surrounding the state’s approach to proposed legislation impacting community college employees.
The Illinois Council of Community College Presidents stands ready to work together with Governor Pritzker, legislators and statewide union leaders to continue encouraging vaccination and ensure those taking appropriate steps to vaccinate and protect themselves, and our students, against COVID-19 are afforded reasonable accommodations to address COVID related incidents.
* Mark Maxwell interviewed House Speaker Chris Welch last week…
Maxwell: The House and the Senate just passed remote voting rules and remote committee rules again for this third year in a row. Let me go back to December of 2020. That was the peak of the deadliest wave of COVID-19 that we had. We didn’t have vaccines at the time. And you were meeting at a committee here in person, that Special Investigative Committee. Since then, schools have returned to work in person. We’ve seen a lot of other types of industries return to work in person. We’ve had the rollout of the vaccine. Lawmakers were among some of the very first groups of people entitled to access to that vaccine, plus the masking requirements, the distancing. We know how to do this. And I just wonder, with all of those things that have changed, how can we still justify meeting remotely today? Why can’t people space out in a committee room with a mask on?
Welch: Well, as you know, Mark, in the legislative space, it’s more than just members when we’re in person. There are staff that we have to be considerate of. There’s journalists like yourself that we have to be considerate of, and those who follow what we do on the legislature. And, you know, we have to be considerate of everyone. And we want to make sure that everyone is as safe as possible. The virtual committees work very well. I think we had probably one of the busiest years last year than we had in quite some time. It showed that the committee work that was done virtually works quite well. And so we do plan to return in person at some point. I like that to be when we believe it’s safest to do so. If you saw a press conference by Governor Pritzker this week, hospitalizations are smashing records, according to Doctor Ezike. We cannot ignore that. And unfortunately, many of our colleagues, particularly those on the other side, like to flaunt our mask rule, they don’t like to have the mask on, we have to constantly remind them to put the mask on. We don’t know if they’re vaccinated or not. And we know that these records of hospitalizations is because of those who are unvaccinated. And so we have to be mindful of our entire surroundings and try to operate as safely as we possibly can. When we were last year a couple of weeks ago, I had to take into mind that most of our staff was out, many of them because of COVID positive tests. They have family members and members have family members. We have to think about the whole and not just ourselves.
1/5 I appreciate the words of encouragement from a leader who understands what it's like to take on the corrupt establishment and put the people first. #twill#firepritzkerpic.twitter.com/SbkUDdv67Q
House Speaker Chris Welch marked his one-year anniversary as his chamber’s top leader with a series of news media interviews last week. One of the questions I asked was what his legislative district’s constituents were talking to him about the most.
“The No. 1 issue in my district, and this is across the state, is crime,” Speaker Welch said.
Welch said he is telling people in his district that he’s working on legislation to address carjacking, organized retail theft and other crime-related issues. He also said he’s talking to mayors and police chiefs in his suburban district about their ideas.
And Welch said he wants to put money into the state budget. “I want to make sure our police are properly funded, properly trained, properly educated.”
When told about Speaker Welch’s response, House Republican Leader Jim Durkin said, in part, “Democrats must just be getting their polling in, showing how disastrous their defund the police and anti-crime victim agenda has been with Illinois voters. Talk is nice, but actions are more important. Just last week the Democrats again passed a law that gives accused criminals more rights than victims. It is no surprise that the No. 1 issue in Speaker Welch’s district is crime, because Democrats have created a consequence-free Illinois that has emboldened criminals.”
I’m hearing from people in both parties that current poll results are extremely ominous for Democrats, particularly in the suburbs. Welch told me he’s “well aware of the political climate as we head into the election season.”
I mentioned that former House Speaker Michael Madigan was often criticized for living in 1994, when Democrats were swept out of office after a massive, racialized anti-crime backlash. But, in a somewhat bizarre twist, it was Madigan’s strong support for the Black Caucus’ criminal justice reform “pillar” as part of his last-minute attempt to hold onto power a year ago that resulted in the controversial bill’s passage. That bill has intensified the Democrats’ political woes.
“We’re going to be fine in 2022, but it’s not going to be given to us. We’ve got to do the work,” Welch said. “And there’s a lot of difference between 2022 and 1994. There’s a lot of ways to communicate to voters that exist now that didn’t exist in 1994.”
Also, the Republicans drew the legislative district map ahead of that 1994 national blowout. Madigan’s Democrats managed to hold on to the majority during the 1992 race, but lost it two years later (and then regained it in 1996).
As far as Leader Durkin is concerned, Welch was completely dismissive. “Leader Durkin has proven that he can’t get past Speaker Madigan,” Welch said, adding that Durkin “is stuck in a partisan fight in his own mind, and so we’ve got to find other ways to work with members on his side of the aisle.”
Welch is disclosing he has $12 million cash on hand in his caucus and personal campaign committee accounts. Madigan’s standard election cycle budget was $30 million, but Welch’s operation also focuses on helping members raise money for themselves, which is not something Madigan ever did. Even so, he has a long way to go.
“There was never a fundraising apparatus within the caucus’ political side,” Welch said. “We’re also helping our members with their political messaging. … From a social media standpoint, we’re providing them with content. That’s never been done before.” He also claimed his members “have had quite a successful year when it comes to fundraising.”
And with petition circulation kicking off last week, I asked Speaker Welch what will happen if any of his House Democratic members attracts a primary opponent. Will he step in to help with money and people?
“I have told our caucus members that it is my plan in every sense of the word to protect incumbent members,” Welch said. “And we will do that.”
By the way, I also asked Senate President Don Harmon what people in his district are telling him.
“What I’m hearing most,” Harmon said, “is a longing for something that resembles ‘getting back to normal.’ It is most often voiced in growing concerns about crime, schools and COVID.”
As we know too well, homicides and shooting incidents in Champaign-Urbana were off the charts in 2021. Champaign reported 16 deaths and 259 reports of shots fired. Urbana had 10 deaths and 115 confirmed shootings. Just 10 years ago such numbers were unthinkable.
And Champaign-Urbana isn’t the only downstate community gushing insane gunfire numbers. Peoria’s 34 homicides last year, a local record, were more than twice as many as Champaign, which is about three-quarters the population of Peoria.
Springfield had “only” a dozen homicides last year — slightly above its five-year average — but it had 68 victims of gunfire and an astonishing 308 reports of “shots fired.” That was after the Gun Violence Task Force, an aggressive effort to recover illegal firearms, swept up 421 guns in Springfield, an increase from the 269 retrieved in 2020.
Rockford had 24 homicides last year, down from a record 36 in 2020. Danville had six gun homicides — but 37 victims of gun violence. Still, that was an improvement from the 55 shootings in 2019. Decatur had eight homicides — but 179 shootings, more than three times the number just five years earlier.
* From an Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools press release…
Five years after its debut, Illinois’ pre-eminent study finds the statewide teacher shortage problem continues to grow – accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic – and school districts overwhelmingly expect it to get even worse in the near future.
* Top results…
Illinois school districts report the teacher shortage problem has worsened from last year in virtually all major areas:
• 88 percent of schools say they have a teacher shortage problem, and 77 percent report the shortage is getting worse
• 93 percent of districts expect the shortage will worsen over the 2023 and 2024 academic years
• More than 2,000 positions are either not filled or filled by someone not qualified to teach there – more than double the amount reported from the last school year
• 96 percent of schools report a substitute teacher shortage problem
• More than 400 classes were canceled, and nearly that many sent online because schools simply had no one to teach them in person
• While administrator shortages are much less severe, schools report they’re having a harder time finding qualified candidates amid retirements and are more and more concerned those struggles will grow over time
* COVID-19 impact…
As students returned to classrooms, schools have struggled to fill needed gaps in educator availability during the pandemic. More than 70 percent say the pandemic has created budget or logistical challenges increasing hiring needs. Nearly 60 percent of districts report increased hiring of teachers and paraprofessionals during the pandemic.
But the actual effects of COVID-19 on day-to-day school instruction goes much deeper. Administrators report their teachers and staff are burned out, their substitute teacher pools are bare as more educators choose to retire or not return to the classroom, and very public battles over mask and other education mandates are taking a heavy toll.
“Anyone ‘on the fence’ about becoming or staying an educator is likely not going to be around,” reported one elementary school leader in northwest Illinois.
* Where it’s worst…
While shortage problems are evident in all parts of Illinois, rural school districts report the most significant problems and the worst outlook ahead. The most severe shortage problems are found in west central and east central Illinois – each region has more than 90 percent of schools reporting shortages. Shortages are also most extreme in unit districts.
* What’s next…
Policy recommendations included in the 2021 study include:
• Increased funding throughout the teacher pipeline: enticing more young people to go into the field and better supporting those who start but can be tempted to leave
• Streamlining restrictive requirements to get into teaching and substitute teaching
• Expanding programs that recruit and support minorities and those who teach in high-need subject areas
• Helping schools find more candidates to meet short-term educator shortage needs
The survey results paint a different picture than the most recent state report card from the Illinois State Board of Education, which indicated the teacher workforce has been growing, due in large part to the additional funding districts have received from both state and federal sources.
“We are encouraged by a lot of what we can see at the state level in terms of growth overall in the number of full-time teachers,” Jen Kirmes, ISBE’s executive director of teaching and learning, said in an interview. “We’re also encouraged by what we see in terms of educator preparation, programs, enrollment and completion. And so there certainly are reasons to be optimistic.”
“We also know that there are great needs in places still for classroom educators,” she added. “But also, we’re hearing from districts about the need for other really critical support professionals who make school work for students like bus drivers, substitute teachers, paraprofessionals. And of course, especially during a pandemic, school nurses.”
Klaisner said IARSS does not dispute the data from ISBE, but he said 2020-21 findings were skewed by the pandemic and the fact that most districts were operating entirely remotely.
* Capitol News Illinois also has a few regional stories about the study…
* The January high for hospitalizations was 7,380 on January 12th. That number dropped to 6,695 yesterday, a 9.3 percent decrease. Here’s what it looks like…
That puts the 7-day rolling average decrease at 1.04 percent. The 14-day rolling average decrease is 0.15 percent.
Since Dec. 7, 2021, the date when the state’s first omicron case was found in Chicago, the city’s Black residents are dying at rates four times higher than Asians, three times higher than Latinos and nearly two times higher than white residents, according to WBEZ’s analysis. A total of 97 Black Chicagoans died of COVID-19 during the seven-day period ending Jan. 9, 2022 — more than at any point since May 11, 2020.
Black Chicagoans aren’t the only demographic that has been particularly vulnerable since the arrival of omicron. Older suburban Cook County residents have also seen their seven-day COVID-19 death totals reach levels not witnessed in more than a year. According to WBEZ’s analysis, a total of 181 suburban Cook County residents 60 years and older died from COVID-19 during the week ending Jan. 9, 2022. That’s the highest seven-day total for that group since Dec. 24, 2020.
Throughout the pandemic in suburban Cook County, older white residents have died at far higher rates than any other group. White residents who are 60 years and older account for just 6.4% of the total population in suburban Cook County, but they make up 53.7% of all COVID-19 deaths among Cook County residents outside Chicago during the pandemic, according to WBEZ’s analysis.
The fast-moving omicron variant may cause less severe disease on average, but COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. are climbing and modelers forecast 50,000 to 300,000 more Americans could die by the time the wave subsides in mid-March.
The seven-day rolling average for daily new COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. has been trending upward since mid-November, reaching nearly 1,700 on Jan. 17 — still below the peak of 3,300 in January 2021. COVID-19 deaths among nursing home residents started rising slightly two weeks ago, although still at a rate 10 times less than last year before most residents were vaccinated.
*** UPDATE *** Press release…
Governor JB Pritzker announced today the federal government has granted the state’s request for medical staffing assistance for UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial Hospital. Under the agreement, a 26-person National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) team, including physicians, pharmacists, nurses, paramedics, and other specialists have been deployed to support UChicago Medicine Ingalls doctors and nurses as they treat COVID-19 patients and other patients in Harvey. This federal surge team will be available for 14-days to help reduce the strain on the region’s hospitals.
* More…
* Henry County’s COVID cases up 10.4%; Illinois cases plummet 11%: Across Illinois, cases fell in 19 counties, with the best declines in Cook County, with 69,479 cases from 95,907 a week earlier; in Will County, with 9,959 cases from 12,450; and in DuPage County, with 14,715 cases from 17,063.
* Why Omicron Is More Likely to Kill Americans: Just 63 percent of Americans are fully vaccinated, 37 percent are boosted. That leaves 122 million people with, at best, fading natural immunity to COVID. It should come as no surprise that Omicron is tearing through this large, mostly unprotected group.
* Covid pandemic ‘nowhere near over’, new variants likely to emerge: WHO chief: “In some countries, cases seem to have peaked, which gives hope that the worst of this latest wave is done with, but no country is out of the woods yet. I remain particularly concerned about many countries that have low vaccination rates, as people are many times more at risk of severe illness and death if they’re unvaccinated,” said the WHO chief.
Today, the Democratic Party of Illinois announced it raised a total of $701,723.68 in the fourth quarter of 2021, including $251,903.27 in federal fundraising and $449,820.41 in non-federal fundraising. The DPI began 2022 with a total of $3,918,603.77 on hand, resources it will use to support all Democrats as it heads into the critical 2022 midterm election year. The nearly 650 unique donors to the DPI in the fourth quarter set a highwater mark for the party as it continues to expand its outreach under the leadership of Chair Rep. Robin Kelly.
“I want to thank everyone who chipped in and helped us finish the year strong,” said Democratic Party of Illinois Chair Rep. Robin Kelly. “I couldn’t be prouder of the work we’ve done together to strengthen our party as we enter 2022. We have the resources we need to play a much-needed support role for Democratic campaigns up and down the ticket, and we look forward to doing the work necessary to deliver for all Democrats in November and beyond.”
…Adding… I told subscribers several days ago that Cassandra Tanner Miller was being touted as a potential congressional candidate. She has now filed paperwork with the FEC and is running in the 11th CD, which is currently represented by Democrat Bill Foster. The district is a lot more swingy than it was and Republicans have been worried that Catalina Lauf was too hardcore to be a good candidate against Foster. Miller (no relation) was in the news last year for “Colton’s Law”…
Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a package of legislation Friday aimed at combatting domestic violence, sparked in part by the death of 18-month-old Colton Miller, whose father broke into his estranged wife’s Joliet home two years ago and asked “are you ready to die today?”
…Adding… Oops. Forgot to post this…
Cook Dem committeepersons received an urgent message last night to stop circulating the Raoul/Mendoza/Frerichs petitions due to an error. Oops! New sheets won't be distributed until Wednesday. As if things aren't bad enough out there with covid and the weather. pic.twitter.com/Idd1q8PJzw
* I talked about this with subscribers earlier today, but here’s the press release…
Candidate for Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias has won the endorsement of one of the most solidly Democratic-affiliated county organizations in the state.
“Alexi will continue Jesse White’s extraordinary legacy and fight for working families in Springfield,” said Bob Sprague, Chairman of the influential St. Clair County Democratic Organization.
“Alexi stands out as the best candidate to lead this important office that interacts with the public more than any other and plays an important role in registering voters, issuing drivers licenses and serving as the state’s chief librarian,” he added. “He has a plan to modernize and improve every aspect of the office to make services easier to access and more convenient for all Illinoisans.”
St. Clair County has played a pivotal role in Democratic politics in recent years with nearly every endorsed candidate winning their primary election contest. In 2018, Governor JB Pritzker won an overwhelming 76 percent of the primary vote in St. Clair County, the highest vote-getting percentage of any county in the state.
St. Clair County has delivered Democratic votes in general elections as well. It was one of just five Illinois counties where Democrats Hillary Clinton, JB Pritzker, and Joe Biden each received over 50 percent of the General election vote in their respective races.
Pritzker went on to win the general election in 2018 with nearly 100,000 votes cast in St. Clair County, defeating then Gov. Bruce Rauner 52,603 to 40,524.
In 2020, nearly 130,000 votes were cast for U.S. President with Joe Biden winning with 68,325 votes to Donald Trump’s 57,150. Four years earlier, more than 122,000 ballots were cast with Hillary Clinton winning over Trump 60,756 to 53,857.
“I’m honored to have received the endorsement of this legendary organization of Democrats who work hard to ensure they elect candidates who share their values,” Giannoulias said. “The St. Clair Democrats have a long history of endorsing successful candidates, working tirelessly on the campaign trail and getting out the vote for candidates they believe in when it matters most. My campaign is excited to work with them in both the primary and general elections and serve St. Clair County residents as Secretary of State.”
* Global Strategy Group is a good pollster. The push questions, however, can be misleading and Mark Maxwell was right to point that out…
The Democratic primary race for Secretary of State is a “dead heat,” according to a generic poll sponsored by the campaign for Anna Valencia, the current City Clerk of Chicago.
A Global Strategy Group poll of 600 likely primary voters found 58% of people surveyed were still “undecided” with six months to go before the election. Valencia and former Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias tied at 13% each. Chicago Alderman David Moore came in last with 12%.
However, once the pollsters started introducing likely primary voters to the glowing parts of Valencia’s personal backstory, her poll numbers, unsurprisingly, shot up.
Newman, an ad agency exec and business consultant by trade, has emphasized bread-and-butter issues such as expanded health coverage. That’s won her the backing of SEIU and other progressive groups, and the support of fellow members of Congress known for advocating on such issues, including Rashida Tlaib and Ro Khanna. But campaign aides suggest she’ll tack to the middle in the primary, emphasizing her role on the House Small Business Committee and pitching herself as a hard worker who knows how to deliver for constituents.
Team Casten counters that he, too, has a progressive voting record in Washington and underlines that, despite the COVID pandemic, he has been able to hold more than 50 town hall sessions with constituents. Casten also has been particularly outspoken, even by Democratic terms, in talking about the Jan. 6 riots and what’s needed to protect U.S. democracy as Donald Trump plans a potential bid to regain the presidency in 2024.
Casten, who has some personal wealth, is expected to be better funded—particularly if Jewish groups still upset about the fact that Newman was one of only eight House Democrats to vote against funding the Israeli Iron Dome missile defense system. (Newman aides reply that voters in the district didn’t want to spend $1 billion on the project, given other needs.)
Newman, in turn, may end up having more energy out in the precincts from party activists who tend to dominate primary elections. That potential advantage could be diminished if groups such as the 19th Ward Regular Democratic Organization get involved. Ditto Lipinski, who says he hasn’t decided yet whether to endorse but certainly could stir the waters some.
* Meanwhile…
Today, Congressman Sean Casten announced he raised over $700,067 in the fourth quarter of 2021. The campaign’s impressive fundraising haul is its highest off-year fourth quarter ever and brings its total cash on hand to over $1.5 Million. The campaign has raised $1.96 million this cycle and has a lifetime average online donation of $41.38.
* And…
Congresswoman Marie Newman announced that she had received endorsements from The Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen, Sprinkler Fitters Local 281 UA, Riggers, Machinery Movers & Machinery Erectors Local 136, Transport Workers Union Local 512, the National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 4016, and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District Lodge 19, the Railroad District.
* Press release…
- Today, the Judge Rochford for Supreme Court campaign reported raising more than $262,000 in the fourth quarter of 2021 and ended the year with $215,000 on hand in the race for the Second District of the Illinois Supreme Court. The campaign enters the election year in a position of strength, having outraised their nearest opponent by more than $150,000 in 2021 and ending the year with $110,000 more on hand. The campaign received support from a broad coalition of legal professionals, organized labor, elected officials, and small dollar individual donors from across the district.
* I had a brief bit on this Greg Hinz piece in a long Friday post, but it deserves more attention…
A major new candidate is pondering whether to enter the race to succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush, and his entry could shake up the contest.
In a phone interview, Jonathan Jackson—the son of civil rights leader, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, and the brother of former Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr.—said he not only is seriously considering running, but he’s checking with potential fundraisers, staff and big-name allies about whether to do so. […]
Jackson’s family legacy is not all positive. His brother, Jesse Jackson Jr., left office in disgrace from an adjoining district after being convicted on federal charges of spending $750,000 in campaign funds on personal luxury items.
“I love my brother,” Jackson said when asked about that. “I think he had admitted his mistakes, and repaid his debt to society.”
* She’s been a bit busy with other things, so we’ll see what happens when she starts really cranking up…
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot @LoriLightfoot raised $231k and spent $154k, for a net of $77k for the reporting period. She has $1.2 million cash on hand with the mayoral election one year away. For a comparison, Rahm Emanuel had $6.5 million one year before his reelection #twillpic.twitter.com/fG00zu47th
Illinois Senate Republican Leader Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods) unveiled the Voter Empowerment Project, a legislative package of constitutional amendments designed to allow Illinois voters a more active role in their democratic process.
“For too long in this state, Illinoisans haven’t had a voice in their state government,” said Leader McConchie. “Legislative leaders have consistently marginalized the voices and opinions of the people of Illinois, cutting them out of the legislative process as important decisions continued to be made behind closed doors without public input. That’s why I am renewing Senate Republican calls to give the people back their voice through our Voter Empowerment Project.”
The package includes four Senate Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendments:
SJRCA 13: Requires an independent redistricting commission, where the chief justice of the Illinois Supreme Court and the most senior supreme court justice of the opposite party would jointly select 17 commissioners to serve on the commission.
The commission would be comprised of seven individuals representing the Democratic Party, seven individuals representing the Republican Party, and three independent commissioners. The first redistricting process would occur in 2023 and then after every subsequent federal decennial census.
SJRCA 14: Allows Illinois voters to make more substantive changes to their constitution. The Illinois Constitution currently limits citizen-initiative amendments to specified structural and procedural subjects. This amendment would put voters in the driver’s seat, allowing them to circulate petitions for and vote on many key issues such as taxation, redistricting, and other important constitutional provisions.
SJRCA 15: Permits citizens the ability to initiate up-or-down referendums on newly passed laws. By giving citizens the right to veto unpopular or rushed legislation, the amendment would allow voters a form of popular redress to political overreach and unwanted mandates.
SJRCA 16: Allows voters to recall elected officials including any executive branch officer, the Speaker of the House, the President of the Senate, the Auditor General, Members of the General Assembly, and local government officials. Currently, only the Governor is subject to recall.
“This package provides needed checks and balances to Illinois’ government—protections that have been weakened after decades of corruption and mismanagement,” said Leader McConchie. “It will empower the people of Illinois by providing them with tools to take back their government.”
The Republican Party nationally has changed dramatically in the eight years since Rauner won, as Donald Trump’s presidential campaign and four years in the White House maligned more traditional GOP politicians — especially those aligned with business interests. Instead, a growing number of Republicans have tapped into a growing and self-perpetuating hunger among previously disaffected voters, even if it means touting baseless conspiracy theories and sometimes amplifying outright racism.
Elected state Republican leaders in Illinois — a blue island on a presidential voting map surrounded by an increasingly red Midwest — have been resistant to riding the new GOP tide. This resistance has divided the state party, a body made up of hyper-partisans who have revolted against their party chairs twice in the past decade for being too moderate.
A key faction of longtime GOP operatives, however, are placing a bet that a diverse mix of Republicans running mostly on kitchen-table issues can attract crossover voters, mostly from suburban areas. But it’s a high-stakes bet, especially given the GOP primary electorate has shifted to mostly downstate areas in the past two decades, which have gotten more conservative as former Democratic strongholds buoyed by union organizing have disappeared, along with key industries.
The bet also promises to be expensive. Griffin, the founder and CEO of Chicago-based hedge fund Citadel, this fall reportedly vowed to spend as much as $300 million on Republican candidates in the 2022 cycle. After Irvin’s announcement Monday, Griffin touted the candidate’s credentials.
Top Illinois Republican leaders also resisted embracing Reaganism back in the day. This internal party fight has ancient roots here.
• Will the public’s memory focus on Pritzker’s failed effort to push through a graduated income tax, or on his more recent accomplishments in balancing the state’s budget, raising its credit rating and paying off old bills rung up during Rauner’s tenure?
• Will COVID finally ease for good, boosting the state’s mood and taking the edge off of what augurs to be at least a good year for Republicans nationally?
• Who will turn out to be the bigger bogeyman: Rauner, whom Democrats seek to mention at every turn, or Mike Madigan, the now retired but still remembered Illinois House speaker?
• Will other top GOP fundraisers—Ron Gidwitz, Dick Uihlein and Craig Duchossois, to name three examples—open their wallets wide for the ticket? I’m told that was a condition of getting Griffin involved, but we’ll see.
“I’ve seen it up close. Defund the police is dumb, dangerous and it costs lives. And I believe that all lives matter. Every family should be safe,” he says. “My city is now safe, stronger and full of opportunity. I want that for Illinois.”
Irvin, 51, the first Black mayor of the state’s second largest city, chose Martin Luther King Jr. Day to launch a campaign he and Republicans believe can appeal to Black voters who traditionally vote overwhelmingly Democratic.
At the same time, Republicans see the recent outbreak in violent crime in the city and suburbs as an opportunity to portray Democrats as soft on crime for enacting criminal justice changes such as an end to cash bail, even though many of those changes have yet to go into effect.
Crime will be the central issue for that Republican slate this year.
“He has to convince diehard GOP voters that he is conservative enough to satisfy their concerns, but he also has to be looking for the general election and he has to be able to convince GOP voters that he can win in the fall,” ABC7 political analyst Laura Washington said.
“The best part about the campaign, the primary this year is not in March. It’s June 28,” political analyst Thom Serafin said. “So he’s got a lot of time to do what he needs to do to get done, and he got a good start based on that video I saw today.” […]
“He’s getting into the race late, but it’s not that late,” Washington said.
“We’ve got almost six months ahead of campaigning. If he has a huge amount of money behind him, he can play catch up very quickly.”
One issue likely to come up in the primary is that Irvin pulled Democratic ballots in the 2014, 2016 and 2020 election primaries and in the 2017 and 2021 consolidated election primaries.
He picked a Republican ballot in the 2018 primary that former Gov. Bruce Rauner won.
“I welcome Mayor Irvin to the race and I look forward to reviewing his conservative credentials and comparing and contrasting his vision for Illinois with ours,” said Palatine Township Highway Commissioner Aaron Del Mar, who is running for lieutenant governor on a ticket with governor candidate and businessman Gary Rabine of McHenry.
Del Mar called it “strategic” that Irvin’s campaign announcement came in a video and he was not available for questions. “I think there’s a lot about Mr. Irvin that Republican voters want to know,” Del Mar said.
Leading the Irvin project is Kirk alum Mike Zolnierowicz, a former chief of staff for Rauner who was the “strategic consultant” for the successful 2020 campaign, fueled by Griffin’s millions, to defeat Pritzker’s bid for a graduated income tax.
With Irvin’s name in play since December, Pritzker’s team, the Democratic Party of Illinois and the Democratic Governor’s Association have been steadfastly linking him to Rauner and Griffin.
The Democrats labeled the Irvin-led slate the “Griffin slate,” and hope the name sticks. The Irvin-Bourne nominating petitions call themselves the “Fight for Illinois Team.” The address for their petition drive is Zolnierowicz’s firm, Z Strategies, in Ravenswood.
[Don Tracy, chairman of the Illinois Republican Party], at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Breakfast in Springfield, encouraged all GOP candidates to heed the 11th Commandment.
“Thou shalt not speak ill of thy fellow Republican. It’s going to be tough in a competitive primary, but as state party chair, it’s my job to remind people of that and I will continue to do so,” he said.
Reform For Illinois Executive Director Alisa Kaplan said it’s going to be a big money campaign the state hasn’t seen before.
“This is an insane amount of money by any standard,” Kaplan told The Center Square Monday. “By national standards, by local standards, by global standards.”
Pritzker spent more than $170 million to get the job in 2018.
“Look at the vicious cycle that Illinois has gotten into with two billionaires,” Kaplan said. “It’s very distressing that Pritzker put $90 million into his campaign account. But when you look at Ken Griffin saying he’s going to put $300 million, how is someone going to fight except with a lot of money.”
Kaplan said voters must beware the influence big money has.
“I think people should be very concerned about what this means for their democracy and do whatever they can to get involved and see how we can empower everyday voters instead of just sitting back and accepting this situation,” Kaplan said.
The next year, while he was running for re-election in Aurora in the spring of 2021, Irvin told a local news outlet, “I support Black Lives Matter strongly and passionately.”
This year, now that he’s running for governor in a Republican primary, Irvin repeated critics of the Black Lives Matter movement who often retort, “I believe All Lives Matter.”
Over 60 national, state, and local Republican leaders will serve as campaign co-chairs on Richard Irvin and Avery Bourne’s campaign for Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Illinois. The diverse list includes endorsements from all over the state, ranging from party activists to elected officials who want to see Irvin’s leadership in Springfield.
Former US Congressman and 28 year military veteran John Shimkus noted Irvin’s military background and prior leadership success guiding the city of Aurora.
“Richard has dedicated his life to serving our country and our state,” Shimkus said. “In the Army he fought to protect our freedoms in Desert Shield and Desert Storm. As a prosecutor he brought criminals to justice. As mayor he improved the lives of Aurora families. Richard loves America and he loves Illinois. He knows our state is on the wrong track with high crime, out-of-control taxes and never ending corruption. I can’t think of anyone better to take our state back and get it on the right track than this veteran, prosecutor and mayor.”
House Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) proudly voiced support for Irvin, who has a clear record of reducing violent crime in the second largest city in the state, and for the Assistant Minority Leader of his caucus, Avery Bourne, who has a proven record of leadership in Springfield.
“As murders, carjackings and mayhem surged across Illinois, JB Pritzker’s answer was signing a bill that lets violent criminals walk the streets without consequence while crippling the ability of our police to do their jobs and keep our communities safe,” Durkin said. “Richard Irvin was a prosecutor who knows what it takes to make Illinois safe. As Mayor, Richard hired more cops and stood proudly with law enforcement when Illinois Democrats repeatedly turned their backs. That’s the kind of leadership we need today in Illinois.”
In light of the rapid rates of rising crime, law enforcement officials have voiced their approval for the needed change Richard Irvin and Avery Bourne would bring, including Kendall County Sheriff Dwight Baird.
“Crime is out-of-control throughout Illinois and JB Pritzker made it worse by signing a bill that lets criminals out of jail and doesn’t allow the police to do their jobs,” Baird said. “That’s wrong. As a prosecutor, Richard put gangbangers and thugs behind bars, and worked to make neighborhoods safer. As Mayor of Aurora, Richard hired more cops, defeated the Defund the Police movement and has helped reduce crime. Patterns of violent crime can’t continue to go unchecked–which is why we need a proven leader like Richard as our next Governor of Illinois.”
Leslie Munger, former Illinois Comptroller and fiscal conservative, proudly supports Irvin for the opportunity this election brings to turn around state finances.
“Our state is headed in the wrong direction,” Munger said. “High taxes and violent crime are out of control, and the corruption from Springfield never ends as JB Pritzker continues to prioritize the special interests and political insiders over Illinois families. Illinois is in desperate need of change. We need new leaders who will put the hardworking taxpayers of Illinois first, and that’s why I am proudly supporting Richard Irvin for Governor. As Mayor of Aurora, Richard has reduced crime, stood with law enforcement, brought economic growth to Aurora to reduce the local tax burden, balanced budgets, and has taken on corruption. I know he will do the same for Illinois.”
Terry Richmond, Montgomery County GOP Chairman, echoed the need for better budgeting in Illinois as state finances continue to crumble.
“Under JB Pritzker spending continues to surge and his only answer is to try and institute the largest tax hike in Illinois history on families, farmers and small business owners,” Richmond said. “As Mayor of Aurora, Richard has balanced budgets and returned money to taxpayers. As state representative, Avery has been a consistent conservative fighting back against the Pritzker-Madigan Machine. We need change in Illinois that doesn’t come at an expense to taxpayers, which is why Irvin and Bourne are undoubtedly the best team to lead the State of Illinois back to prosperity.”
With Illinois residents continuing to bear the brunt of the rising cost of living in the state, local leaders including Dan Cronin, Dupage County Chairman, have voiced support for new leadership that wouldn’t resort to ‘tax and spend’ habits.
“JB Pritzker already tried to pass the largest tax hike in Illinois history, and if re-elected he will try again,” said Cronin. “As people flee the state in droves, the last thing Illinois needs is higher taxes. As mayor, Richard balanced budgets and returned money to its citizens. I’ve known Richard for years - he’s a former prosecutor, veteran and true leader. With his common sense approach to government, he can take our state back and get it on the right track.”
Aurora Alderwoman Patty Smith (8th Ward) has witnessed Richard Irvin’s success in bringing significant change at the local level–and endorsed the opportunity to do that on a larger scale throughout Illinois.
“I am endorsing Richard Irvin for Governor because he has a proven record of leadership in Aurora that he can bring to all of Illinois,” Smith said. “He fought Mike Madigan’s hand-picked candidate in the mayor’s race and won. He balanced our city’s budget and stood proudly with law enforcement to keep Aurora safe. We need Richard’s leadership in Springfield, to restore Illinois back to the great state it once was.”
Mike Bigger, Stark County Republican Chairman & Former Secretary of the Illinois Republican Party, highlighted Irvin’s pro-growth mindset, a stark contrast to the anti-business policies under the Pritzker Administration.
“Under JB Pritzker, businesses large and small are fleeing for lower taxed states because of his constant push for higher taxes,” said Bigger. “Where he’s failed, Richard has succeeded by working with businesses and creating a welcoming environment in Aurora that has seen an explosion in growth the last several years. It’s that track record of success in helping bring businesses and growth that we so desperately need in Springfield.”
The list of support for Irvin and Bourne includes the following leaders throughout Illinois:
• Nick Africano, Kankakee County Treasurer & Kankakee County GOP Chair (Kankakee County)
• Mark Aguilera, Former National Committeeman, Republican National Hispanic Assembly of Illinois (Cook County)
• Janice Anderson, Former DuPage County Board Member (DuPage County)
• Shweta Baid, Aurora Alderman (Ward 10) (DuPage County)
• Dwight Baird, Kendall County Sheriff (Kendall County)
• Sue Barfield, Former Chair of the Massac County GOP Women (Massac County)
• Dick Barr, Lake County Board Member & Lake Villa Township GOP Vice Chair (Lake County)
• Mark Batinick, Illinois State Representative (HD97) (Will County)
• Bob Berlin, DuPage County State’s Attorney (DuPage County)
• Mike Bigger, Stark County Republican Chairman, Former Secretary of the Illinois Republican Party
• Adam Brown, Former Illinois State Representative (HD102) (Macon County)
• Tim Butler, Illinois State Representative (HD87) (Sangamon County)
• Eugene Carpino, Former Executive Director of the Illinois House Republican Organization (DuPage County)
• Sandi Cianci, Kankakee County Circuit Clerk (Kankakee County)
• Dan Cronin, DuPage County Board Chairman (DuPage County)
• Tom Cronin, River Forest Township GOP Chair (Cook County)
• Tom Cross, Former House Republican Leader (Will County)
• Judy Diekelman, Illinois Republican Party Treasurer & State Central Committee (CD2) (Cook County)
• Jim Durkin, Illinois State Representative (HD82) and House Republican Leader (Cook County)
• Marianne Eterno, National Chairwoman of the Private Enterprise Advisory Council of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) (Cook County)
• Larry Falbe, Lake County Republican Federation President (Lake County)
• Ron Gidwitz (Honorary), Trump Co-Chair & Former U.S. Ambassador
• Andy Goleman, Sangamon County Auditor (Sangamon County)
• Scott Gryder, Kendall County Board Chairman (Kendall County)
• Patty Gustin, Naperville City Councilmember (DuPage County)
• Tom Haine, Madison County State’s Attorney (Madison County)
• Aren Hansen, Grundy County GOP Chairman & Illinois Republican Party State Central Committee (CD16) (Grundy County)
• Kathy Hilton, Illinois Republican Party State Central Committee - Deputy (CD1) and New Lenox Township Trustee (Will County)
• Nathan Hoffman, Former Vice Chairman of the Illinois College Republican Federation and Chairman of University of Illinois-Springfield College Republicans (Sangamon County)
• Nimish Jani, Illinois Republican Party State Central Committee (CD8) (Cook County)
• Diante Johnson, Black Conservative Foundation President & Former Blacks for Trump Advisor (Vermilion County)
• Brian Kasal, 43rd Ward Republican Committeeman, Northside Chicago GOP Organization President & Illinois Republican Party Finance Committee Member (Cook County)
• Ammie Kessem, 41st Ward Republican Committeeperson (Cook County)
• Jake Lee, Kankakee County Auditor (Kankakee County)
• Gus Leventis, Addison Township Trustee & Addison Township GOP Member (DuPage County)
• Alejandro “Alex” Lopez, Elgin Township Trustee, Elgin Township GOP Member & Invest Aurora Board Member (Kane County)
• Joan McCarthy LaSonde, Executive Director of the North Cook Republican Organization (Cook County)
• Joe McMahon, Former Kane County State’s Attorney (Kane County)
• Raquel Mitchell, Will County Board Member & Wheatland Township GOP Chair (Will County)
• Sean Morrison (Honorary), Cook County Commissioner, Cook County GOP Chairman & Illinois Republican Party State Central Committee (CD3) (Cook County)
• John Munger, Vernon Township GOP Chairman (Lake County)
• Leslie Munger, Former Illinois Comptroller (Lake County)
• Gray Noll, Morgan County State’s Attorney (Morgan County)
• Lynn O’Brien, Illinois Republican Party State Central Committee - Deputy (CD6) & Illinois Republican Party Finance Committee Member (Lake County)
• Jim Oberweis, Former Illinois State Senator (SD25) & Former Illinois Republican Party State Central Committee (CD14) (Kane County)
• Steve Orlando, Former Chairman of the Republican National Hispanic Assembly of Illinois (Will County)
• Tim Ozinga, Illinois State Representative (HD37) (Will County)
• Rocky Pintozzi, Past Chairman of the Aurora Convention & Visitors Bureau (DuPage County)
• Matt Podgorski, Northwest Side GOP Club Chairman (Cook County)
• Randy Pollard, Former President of the Illinois County Chairmen’s Association & Former Chairman of the Fayette County GOP (Fayette County)
• Richard Porter (Honorary), Republican National Committeeman (Cook County)
• Matt Prochaska, Kendall County Circuit Clerk & Young Republicans Statewide Executive Board (Kendall County)
• Dennis Reboletti, Former Illinois State Representative & Addison Township Supervisor (DuPage County)
• Jay Reyes, Illinois Republican Party State Central Committee (CD4) (Cook County)
• Terry Richmond, Montgomery County GOP Chair (Montgomery County)
• Bob Schillerstrom, Former DuPage County Board Chairman (DuPage County)
• Tim Schneider, Former Illinois Republican Party Chairman (Cook County)
• Mike Shackel, Lemont Township Supervisor & Lemont Township GOP Chair (Cook County)
• John Shimkus (Honorary), Former U.S. Congressman (Madison County)
• Patrick Simon, Calhoun County GOP Chairman (Calhoun County)
• Grace Simpson, Mercer County State’s Attorney (Mercer County)
• Patty Smith, Aurora Alderman (Ward (DuPage County)
• Dan Ugaste, Illinois State Representative (HD65) (Kane County)
• Richard Veenstra, Mayor of Addison (DuPage County)
• Grant Wehrli, Former State Representative & Naperville City Council Member (DuPage County)
• Neil Williamson, Former Sangamon County Sheriff (Sangamon County)
• Ron Woerman, Aurora Alderman (At-Large) (Kane County)
• Jim Zay, DuPage County GOP Chairman & DuPage County Board Member (DuPage County)
* Press release is on Twitter, but not in my inbox Press release…
Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin today announced his candidacy to be the next Governor of Illinois. A decorated war veteran, former prosecutor and mayor of the second largest city in the state, Irvin brings a strong record of proven leadership that has been missing from Illinois under JB Pritzker. State Representative Avery Bourne of Morrisonville will be Irvin’s partner as Lt. Governor. Together, they are committed to being tough on crime, fighting to cut taxes and cleaning up the corruption that has plagued state government from the Madigan-Pritzker machine.
As the great grandson of a slave who was freed because of Abraham Lincoln, Richard’s life is the embodiment of the American dream. Born to a single mother and having grown up in the projects of Aurora, Richard was the first in his family to graduate high school. He has dedicated his life to service – a decorated war veteran, a prosecutor who was tough on criminals, and mayor of the second largest city in Illinois. During his tenure as Aurora’s mayor, he cut wasteful spending, sparked economic growth and brought property tax relief to residents. Irvin would be the first African-American nominee of either party to win the gubernatorial nomination.
“Where JB Pritzker has failed in Illinois, I have succeeded in Aurora,” Irvin said. “If we can do it in Aurora, we can do it for all of Illinois. Let’s take Illinois back and restore it to the Land of Lincoln. As the next Governor of Illinois, I will be tough on criminals, put our state on a sound fiscal path that doesn’t rely on tax hikes and fight the corrupt politicians who have run our state for decades.”
Avery’s roots run deep in Illinois. Growing up in a farming family, she learned the value of hard work and the importance of leaving a place better than she found it. Avery was the youngest person to serve in the Illinois legislature when she took the oath of office in 2015. Since then, she has worked every day for a better state where families can live, businesses thrive, and people take control of their government.
“As Richard’s partner, I look forward to righting JB Pritzker’s wrongs in ruling our state with unilateral authority,” Bourne said. “We will fight to restore parents’ rights and encourage local control because we believe all residents and communities of Illinois should have a seat at the table.”
Learn more about Richard and Avery’s fight to #takeitback at IrvinBourne.com.
Richard Baxter Irvin was born a slave, but he dreamed of being free. Eventually, he lived that dream, following it to the land of the man who made it possible.
He found opportunity here as a mason, helping build his community, brick by brick. Some are still here. He built a legacy I stand on today. I don’t just share the name Richard Irvin. I share his dream of what Illinois could be, where a growing economy provides ladders of opportunity for anyone willing to work. Where families are safe. Where kids are educated, not indoctrinated. Where government guarantees our right to pursue the best life we can, free of oppressive taxes and regulations.
That’s not Illinois we have today. Crime is out of control. So is corruption. Negligence and incompetence have destroyed our finances so taxes go up. So taxes go up. People move on, because there’s nothing you can do about it.
But that’s not true. I know it’s not.
I grew up in Section Eight public housing in Aurora, where I now serve as mayor. Mom had me at 16. A single mother working two jobs. Didn’t have much of a father. But my granddad, son of Richard Baxter Irvin, taught me to believe in myself to do the best I could in whatever I did, like he did as a skilled craftsman in the factories after World War Two. I enlisted in the Army, like him. Served in Desert Storm, developed the discipline it takes to complete a mission.
So, I went to college on the GI Bill, then law school to become a hands on prosecutor. Going on police raids, taking back one quarter or apartment complex at a time. Putting gang-bangers, drug dealers and wife-beaters in prison.
I’ve seen it up close. Defund the police is dumb, dangerous and it costs lives. And I believe that all lives matter. Every family should be safe. Running our second largest city, crime’s come down because the police budget has gone up. I hired more cops each year. We’ve recruited new companies, turned old properties into economic engines. And we’ve controlled spending, balanced budgets, so residents got property tax relief. My city is now safer, stronger and full of opportunity. I want that for Illinois.
Madigan and his ilk, Governor Pritzker, they’ve done so much damage. But I promise you we can overcome the challenges. That’s what I’m good at. But we must dare to dream of an Illinois that is free, prosperous and proud enough to truly be the Land of Lincoln again.
I’m Richard Irvin. I’m running for Governor of Illinois. And with your help, we will take our state back.
Please pardon all transcription errors. But, wow, that’s the best launch video of the cycle in either party. Strap in, campers.
Meet The Republican Who Scares JB Pritzker The Most
Summary: Illinois Democrats have been campaigning to stop Republican Richard Irvin’s political rise for more than 15 years. J.B. Pritzker is so worried about Irvin, his allies – the Democratic Governors Association, the Democratic Party of Illinois, and the Kane County Democrats – are already attacking him.
Irvin has an extensive record as a Republican volunteer and elected official. Irvin’s been publicly identified as a Republican with limitless potential since his first campaign for public office in 2005. In that race, Irvin was supported by Republican leaders like then-State House Republican Leader Tom Cross, and opposed by prominent Democrats like Barack Obama and Dick Durbin. In 2006, Irvin was appointed as a Republican precinct committeeman in DuPage County. He was elected as a Republican precinct committeeman in DuPage County and then became an alderman in Aurora. In his successful 2017 campaign for mayor of Aurora, Irvin defeated House Speaker Mike Madigan’s handpicked candidate, Democrat state representative Linda Chapa LaVia. Durbin and Tammy Duckworth campaigned against him. Irvin’s governed as a conservative: cutting spending, delivering tax relief, and defeating the local Defund the Police movement.
Fact: Irvin is the only Republican running for governor to take on the Madigan machine and win.
Fact: No Republican scares JB Pritzker more than Irvin; that’s why Pritzker’s allies are on the attack.
…Adding… DGA executive director Noam Lee…
“Richard Irvin’s entrance into an already chaotic field crams one more candidate into the clown car that is the Illinois GOP gubernatorial primary. But if Irvin, and his anointer, billionaire Ken Griffin, expect Irvin to easily be the last clown standing, they’re in for a rude awakening.
“Expect to see a mad scramble as Irvin tries to walk back his years of praise for Gov. JB Pritzker’s leadership — something we thank the mayor for — as well as a double down on his anti-choice views as he tries to prove his far-right bonafides. And we’re sure Griffin will waste no time filling in the other gaping holes in Irvin’s platform as Griffin tries to make the Irvin campaign a vehicle to drag Illinois back to the disastrous days of the Rauner administration.
“As Irvin has said himself, Gov. JB Pritzker has been a proven leader for the state of Illinois. Pritzker has increased the minimum wage, launched the largest infrastructure project in state history, made college more affordable, and expanded early childhood education, all while leading the state through an unprecedented global pandemic.”
…Adding… DPI…
Democratic Party of Illinois Executive Director Abby Witt released the following statement regarding the news that Richard Irvin has entered the Republican primary for governor:
“Today, we finally received official confirmation of what has been reported for weeks: Richard Irvin will lead Ken Griffin’s Rauner Reboot slate as the candidate for governor. Irvin jumps into the race with the blessing of Bruce Rauner himself and leads a handpicked slate ready to pull Illinois back to the Rauner days of chaos and dysfunction.
“Illinoisans will not be fooled by the Rauner Reboot slate and they will not stand idly by while Ken Griffin and Bruce Rauner try to drag our state backwards with their anti-working family agenda. Simply put, Illinois voters will not tolerate a slate of candidates whose only goal is to return us to the Rauner years of budget impasses, credit downgrades, draconian service cuts, and governmental crisis.”
…Adding… Personal PAC…
Today, following the news that anti-choice extremists Richard Irvin and Avery Bourne would run as Republicans for governor and Lieutenant Governor of Illinois, Personal PAC President and CEO Terry Cosgrove released the following statement.
“Richard Irvin and Avery Bourne present a clear threat to the progress we’ve made in Illinois to enshrine reproductive rights into law and protect the fundamental right to choose. Their extreme positions on reproductive decision making would take Illinois back decades––to a time of dirty and deadly back-alley abortions. We will not allow Republican extremists to make Illinois a more dangerous state for women.”
Richard Irvin is a threat to women’s reproductive rights. He said that “Planned Parenthood was bad for Aurora,” and compared the lifesaving and necessary work of the clinic to a “strip club or asbestos company.”
His running mate, Avery Bourne, is a far-right extremist who wants to ban abortion, even in cases of rape and incest, and called enshrining the protections given to women by Roe v Wade into state law “extreme.”
One thing is clear: Irvin and Bourne would spell disaster for women seeking to make decisions about their own reproductive health care free from political interference.
…Adding… SEIU Healthcare Illinois President Greg Kelley…
“For working people across the state of Illinois, today is a day to reflect on the progress we’ve made and recommit ourselves to advancing protections for all workers–including fair wages and working conditions, access to quality health care, continued educational opportunities, and dignity in retirement. Any candidate who seeks to co-opt this day to push an agenda that does the opposite is not worthy of our state’s highest office.”
…Adding… Ken Griffin…
Unlike the current Governor who was born into wealth and has demonstrated little urgency or progress in improving our State, Richard Irvin’s life embodies the American Dream and a real commitment to making communities stronger. From humble beginnings, he put himself through college with the help of the GI bill and chose to enter public service to make a difference in the lives of others. As Mayor of Aurora, he has successfully delivered on the issues Illinoisans care most about – strengthening the education system, improving public safety, creating economic opportunities and governing with integrity. I am excited that he has decided to join the race, and look forward to the opportunity to meet him and learn more about his ideas in the weeks ahead.
Yeah, because this isn’t a setup at all. Right. Puhleeze.
…Adding… Natalie Edelstein with the Pritzker campaign…
The GOP primary field continues to grow but one thing stays the same: the people of Illinois do not want a repeat of the Bruce Rauner years of disastrous mismanagement and policies that set our state back. The governor is focused on continuing to lead Illinois through these challenging times, building on his record of paying our bills on time and improving the state’s credit rating, investing in our roads, bridges and transportation infrastructure, and setting a national standard for action on climate that will bring down energy costs and create jobs.”
…Adding… Good point about geographical split in the party…
In 2002 about 35% of the vote in a statewide Republican primary came from the 5 traditional collar counties, while about 45% of the vote came from the downstate 96 counties. In 2018 only about 29% came from the collars while about 52% came from downstate.https://t.co/pECXHTjT5tpic.twitter.com/d3vG8mobU9
* In that same vein, “Today is about MLK” says politician who launched a statewide campaign on MLK Day…
Irvin launched his bid for governor with handshakes and hugs with supporters who attended Aurora’s official celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. But the newest Republican to enter the race declined to discuss his candidacy as he left the event.
“Today is about MLK,” Irvin said, ignoring questions about his campaign. “There will be a lot information coming out later.”
* We should have more in an hour or so. While we wait, the ILGOP chair is fully on board with labeling Irvin as a Republican…
Illinois Republican Party Chairman Don Tracy confirms Richard Irvin will announce his candidacy for Governor today on Martin Luther King Day. Tracy says Irvin is “definitely a Republican,” but may have pulled Democratic ballots because “that’s where the action is” near Chicago.
Yeah, um, there was plenty of “action” in the 2016 Republican primary, even in Aurora.
No matter. That statement is hugely important for Irvin. His party bonafides will be in constant question, so validation from the state’s top Republican is crucial, particularly with political reporters and with fellow Republican candidates. When anyone tries to call him out, Irvin can point to Chairman Tracy. That may not work with the party faithful, but is Donald Trump actually going to get involved in this primary? I have my doubts.
* Bailey is predictably displeased with his state party chair. And he’s right about the money, which talks, unlike that thing which walks…
Not surprised to see the establishment already cuddling up with a career Democrat like Irvin. Some people are willing to throw away principles for a few bucks. While I welcome everyone to our party, we need a nominee who is actually a Republican and supports our platform. #twillhttps://t.co/MLiB1u9VW1
…Adding… Bailey and his spouse both took a Democratic ballot in 2008. If my recollection is right, he excused that by saying Rush Limbaugh told his listeners to take a Dem ballot to vote against Hillary Clinton.
…Adding…Click here to read: “RINO? Takes One To Know One - Jesse Sullivan Endorsed Obama In 2008, And Darren Bailey Pulled A Democrat Primary Ballot The Same Year”
…Adding… Rabine…
Gary Rabine, candidate for Illinois Governor is issuing the following statement on Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin’s entrance in the gubernatorial race.
“I would like to welcome Aurora Mayor, Richard Irvin, to the governor’s race and to the Illinois Republican Party. After years of pulling Democratic primary ballots in years when Pat Quinn, Hillary and Joe Biden were top of the ticket, I am interested to hear what changed your mind on party affiliation. Equally compelling will be your explanation on supporting sanctuary cities and your effusive praise for Governor Pritzker. But I guess that’s what campaigns are all about.
I am a life-long, conservative Republican. I am pro-life, pro-gun and a fiscal hawk. I founded my now nationwide business in Illinois shortly after I graduated from high school. I have supported the Republican Party, conservative candidates, and the promotion of fundamental freedoms for decades. Just last week, I was one of the lead plaintiffs in the lawsuit that successfully stopped the Biden Administration’s vaccine mandate in the United States Supreme Court. I was one of the largest donors in Illinois to the Trump campaign and I have never voted in a Democratic Primary.”
Rabine, 58, is a business builder and Chairman of The Rabine Group of companies, father of four and grandfather of three. He and his wife grew up and raised their family in Lake and McHenry County, Illinois. Rabine started in the paving business shortly after graduating high school; this became the Rabine Group of companies, which today does business in all fifty states and is headquartered out of Cook County in Schaumburg. To learn more about Gary Rabine, visit https://rabineforgovernor.com/.
…Adding… Um, Gary? This you?…
Point being, don’t claim to be a completely pure Republican if you’ve been an Ed Burke supporter.
* Let’s move on to the Democratic pre-response. Here’s Bloomberg…
Two months after Chicago billionaire Ken Griffin promised to go “all in” to support an opponent to beat Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, the Democratic governor made a large contribution to his own reelection campaign.
The $90 million contribution by Pritzker, a billionaire himself, was disclosed through filings on the Illinois State Board of Elections website on Friday.
The scion has contributed tens of millions to his gubernatorial campaign as well as for the failed ballot measure in November 2020 to shift his state’s flat tax rate to a graduated levy. As recently as this past spring, he contributed $35 million for his re-election, disclosure records show.
The latest amount comes as several local media outlets reported that Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin was planning to announce his candidacy to oppose him. Citadel Securities’ Griffin has a net worth of around $27 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
* Natalie Edelstein with the Pritzker campaign…
The governor knows that the fight for reproductive freedoms, a strong fiscal future, public health, and an economy that works for everyone is on the ballot in 2022. He is proud to support Democrats up and down the ticket, as well as Democratic causes across the state, and will continue to do everything in his power to ensure we can keep delivering for working families in Illinois. We cannot afford to let Republicans drag us backwards to a time where the middle class suffered and commonsense policies like raising the minimum wage and protecting a woman’s right to choose were ignored
* DGA…
Today, ahead of Richard Irvin’s campaign launch, the DGA launched a new video highlighting Irvin’s long record of praising Gov. JB Pritzker.
As Aurora Mayor, Irvin lauded Gov. Pritzker as “a great friend, a great leader, who has guided our state with professionalism and compassion throughout this entire pandemic.”
Irvin celebrated Gov. Pritzker’s achievements and acknowledged the great progress Illinois has made under his leadership. He praised the Democratic governor’s “proven experience in technology and innovation” and thanked him “for making Black and brown communities a priority for health care equity.”
Now, Irvin is attempting a complete 180, entering the Illinois GOP primary with the backing of billionaire Ken Griffin in an attempt to reboot the catastrophic governorship of Bruce Rauner. Griffin, who supported Rauner as he ruined Illinois’ economy, is pushing the Illinois Republican Party to back Irvin, “opening the door to further divisions within the state GOP,” according to the Chicago Tribune.
“Richard Irvin was Gov. JB Pritzker’s biggest fan until he was against him,” said DGA Senior Communications Advisor Christina Amestoy. “Now, it looks like he’s Ken Griffin’s biggest fan. Ahead of his campaign launch, Irvin can reflect on his own words as a reminder of how Gov. Pritzker has delivered for Illinois.”
Pretty funny how they’re so concerned about unity within the ILGOP.
* Press release…
Aurora Leaders Stand with JB Pritzker
Aurora, IL –– Following the news that Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin plans to run as a Republican for governor with the backing of billionaire Ken Griffin and Bruce Rauner’s campaign team, local Aurora leaders are expressing their disappointment in the mayor and standing firmly behind Governor JB Prtizker.
“As a lifelong resident of Aurora, I’ve experienced some of the highest highs and lowest lows right here in our city,” said Casey Cuevas, a 40-year-resident of Aurora who was appointed by Irvin to serve on the City of Aurora Hispanic Heritage Advisory Board. “I appreciate Governor Pritzker’s support and commitment to our people. I remember what Aurora was like when Bruce Rauner was governor. I cannot support Mayor Irvin’s bid for our state’s highest office, particularly if he is financed by the very folks that brought us some of the worst days in Illinois history.”
“Bruce Rauner disinvested in, and overlooked Aurora,” said Brooke Shanley, a K-5 Dual Language Special Education Teacher and Union Leader.“Social services were cut and our most vulnerable neighbors were left with nowhere to turn. To align yourself with the people that brought our communities that much hurt is contrary to everything I believe in. I am disappointed in Mayor Irvin’s decision and will support Governor Prtizker next fall.”
“I’m disappointed to see Mayor Irvin compromising his values for a blank check from Ken Griffin,” said Gautam Bhatia, who was appointed by Irvin to serve on the Indian American Outreach Advisory Board and served on the Aurora Planning and Zoning Commission during Irvin’s tenure. “I vividly remember the pain of the Rauner years, and a real leader would denounce anyone who supported his time in office, not cozy up to them.”
“My community remembers the destruction and devastation Bruce Rauner’s administration left us in,” said Eddie Bedford, Naperville Township Supervisor. “We cannot afford to go backwards like that again, and I cannot support any candidate who aligns themself with budget stalemates and painful cuts to critical services.”
“JB’s leadership has been invaluable for Aurora,” said Loretta Burke, retired teacher and Naperville Township Trustee. “I am proud to support the governor in his bid for reelection and reject any candidate, like Richard Irvin, who would seek to drag Illinois backwards. Republicans have shown us their true priorities for Illinois and we cannot allow them to enact their anti-choice, anti-worker, anti-science agenda.”
The Aurora community has made clear they do not want to see Bruce Rauner and Ken Griffin’s leadership return to Springfield.
(DuPage County)
