Former Rep. Stoneback files defamation suit
Monday, Jun 12, 2023 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Former Rep. Denyse Wang Stoneback (D-Skokie) has filed a lawsuit against G-PAC and Rep. Kevin Olickal. Press release…
Former State Rep. Denyse Wang Stoneback (D-Skokie), announced that she has filed a complaint including claims of defamation and false light, which can be downloaded at mlo.bz/stoneback. Stoneback stated:
“I have worked to reduce gun violence for the past decade. Since the Sandy Hook school shooting, I created a non-profit, a coalition, and a national working group to reduce gun violence. I also have passed gun safety legislation and stopped the largest gun shop and range in the Midwest from locating near schools in my community.
Unfortunately, my reputation as a well-known advocate and voice for gun violence prevention was severely damaged by statements in the 2022 primary election that intentionally described my record falsely, and portrayed me as an enemy to gun violence prevention.
Due to the harm these statements have done to my reputation, the distress the situation has caused me, the damages and harm I suffered, and the need to attempt to right a wrong and prevent it from occurring in the future, I felt compelled to file my lawsuit, pursue remedies available to me, and, at the same time, set the record straight.
The truth matters. The public deserves reliable facts as they make critical decisions about who will represent them. Prohibiting false statements in political campaigns in some manner is law in 27 states, but not in Illinois. In the fall of 2022, I introduced a bill to prohibit false statements, libel, and defamation in political advertising in campaigns and ensure that candidates commit to our state’s Code of Fair Campaign Practices. I encourage state legislators to pass this legislation, and I encourage all candidates for elected office to sign on and commit to observing the Code of Fair Campaign Practices.
Undoubtedly many other candidates have faced situations similar to mine. By shedding light on the facts, I hope others will join me in calling for these changes. Together we can take an important step towards improving the way we conduct political campaigns in Illinois.
I will not allow the unfortunate occurrences of the 2022 election to get in the way of progress and the work that needs to be done. Despite what has happened, I remain committed to reducing gun violence, and hope to continue my work in this area.”
* Stoneback and G-PAC both supported a Fix the FOID bill which included mandatory submission of fingerprints. The bill passed the House, but stalled in the Senate. G-PAC eventually decided to support a compromise bill for voluntary fingerprint submissions. Stoneback refused to go along, conflict ensued, yada-yada-yada, G-PAC backed Kevin Olickal in the primary. It was quite a negative campaign. Stoneback lost, then introduced a “truth in campaigning” bill before leaving office and eventually filed suit. From that lawsuit…
Defendant [ Friends of Kevin Olickal], created and published a mailer flyer that included an excerpt quoting statements from Kathleen Sances, President and Chief Executive Officer of Defendant GPAC (“FOKO First Mailer Flyer”).
Specifically, the FOKO First Mailer Flyer stated that “… [Ms. Stoneback] turned her back on the people that elected her by not supporting life-saving universal background checks, fingerprinting for gun license applications, and mental health and trauma support funding for survivors.”
The FOKO First Mailer Flyer also stated that “Rep. Wang Stoneback failed to keep our children, families, and communities safe from illegal guns that have led to an increase in violence.” […]
These statements are false. […]
In June 2022, Defendant FOKO created and published another mailer flyer that falsely stated “Denyse Wang Stoneback Chose to Stand with the NRA” (“FOKO Second Mailer Flyer”).
In addition, the FOKO Second Mailer Flyer emphasized this false statement by including a photograph of Ms. Stoneback next to a photograph of the National Rifle Association (“NRA”) logo.
Additionally, the FOKO Second Mailer Flyer stated that, “[w]hile Mass Shootings Terrorized Ou[r] Country, Denyse Wang Stoneback Stood With the NRA And Ignored Victims of Gun Violence. […]
These statements are false. […]
The Defendant GPAC created and published a third mailer flyer that contained false statements about Ms. Stoneback (“Third GPAC Mailer Flyer”).
The Third GPAC Mailer Flyer stated: “Why did Denyse Wang Stoneback tell grieving mothers NO to supporting universal background checks on gun purchases? … because for politicians like Denyse Wang Stoneback it’s my way or the highway.” […]
These statements are false. […]
The Defendants knew their Defendants’ False Statements did not accurately reflect Ms. Stoneback’s record on gun safety legislation. […]
Additionally, the Defendants sought to destroy Ms. Stoneback’s reputation as a gun safety advocate. […]
As a result of the Defendants’ False Statements, Ms. Stoneback lost the primary election in June 2022. […]
As a result of the foregoing conduct of Defendants Kevin Olickal and FOKO through the publication of the FOKO Flyer Statements, Ms. Stoneback has suffered and continues to suffer damages including, but not limited to, harmed reputation, harmed standing in the community, and, loss of income.
In addition to the foregoing, Ms. Stoneback has suffered economic harm in the form of lost income as a state representative and the monies expended on her campaign.
It goes on, so go read the rest.
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*** UPDATED x1 *** Afternoon roundup
Monday, Jun 12, 2023 - Posted by Rich Miller
*** UPDATE *** I just now noticed that Cristina Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago) has resigned from the Senate. Let the appointment games begin.
[ *** End Of Update *** ]
* Crain’s…
Former Commonwealth Edison CEO Anne Pramaggiore could see ComEd parent Exelon seek recovery of legal costs the company has paid on her behalf, as well as past incentive compensation, if the expected appeal of her conviction on conspiracy and bribery charges fails.
That’s the recommendation of a special committee appointed by Exelon’s board to respond to shareholder lawsuits filed following the bribery scandal that led to jury convictions last month of Pramaggiore and three others. Exelon’s board last month endorsed the committee’s proposed settlement of a handful of such lawsuits, according to a court filing. […]
“If Ms. Pramaggiore and/or Mr. Hooker’s convictions were ultimately affirmed after all appeals are exhausted, the SLC (special litigation committee) believes that the Exelon board would have a strong basis to pursue any available civil claims against Ms. Pramaggiore and/or Mr. Hooker, including for recoupment of previously advanced legal fees, compensation subject to clawback pursuant to the Company’s clawback policies and/or other claims for damages,” according to the May 26 filing by the committee in federal court in Chicago. “Particularly in light of certain changes that have been made to the company’s leadership and board, and consistent with the corporate governance reforms already put in place and to be put in place in accordance with the settlement terms, the SLC believes the board will be well-positioned to determine whether the pursuit of such claims is in the best interest of the company at that time.”
* Crain’s…
Both Chicago and Illinois have been screaming hard in Washington trying to get the feds to come up with more to help care for the influx of refugees arriving here from the Southern border. They’re about to get their wish — but only in part.
A knowledgeable source says the next tranche of refugee aid to be announced early in the week will include $19.3 million for Illinois, with just over half of the aid — $10.5 million — allocated for Chicago.
Both surely wanted more; the Chicago City Council just appropriated more than $50 million to pay for food, shelter and other expenses through June. But it’s a lot better than the $8.5 million they had to split in the last award in May.
…Adding… Chicago’s $10.5 million is on top of the state’s $19.3 million, I’m told. So, almost $30 million. That ain’t too horrible.
* Press release…
Governor JB Pritzker was joined by Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, advocates, and lawmakers today at the Harold Washington Library to sign legislation outlawing book bans in Illinois. This nation-leading legislation comes in the wake of a nationwide rise in extremists targeting literature, libraries, and books in an effort to censor the material students need to thrive in the classroom. Targeted books cover a wide range of categories and predominantly consists of stories by and about People of Color and the LGBTQ+ community. […]
This legislation, HB2789, protects the freedom of libraries to acquire materials without external limitations. Prior to this, Illinois law did not provide such protections and according to Chicago-based American Library Association (ALA), there were 67 attempts to ban books in Illinois in 2022. Just this past year, PEN American reported 1,477 instances of books being banned nationwide during the first half of the 2022-23 school year, affecting 874 individual titles.
HB2789 tasks the Illinois State Librarian and the Illinois State Library with adopting the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights, statewide. This bill of rights indicates that reading materials should not be proscribed, removed, or restricted because of partisan or personal disproval. Illinois libraries would only be eligible for state-funded grants if they adopt the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights.
Alternatively, the State Librarian and State Library can work together to develop their own written statement declaring that every library or library system must provide an adequate collection of books and other materials to satisfy the people of Illinois
DPI responds…
“I applaud the Illinois General Assembly and Governor Pritzker for taking action to defend our schools and libraries from attacks on access to accurate information and diverse stories, and I’m grateful to Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, our State’s Librarian, who led this effort to defend Illinoisans’ freedom. Removing books from our shelves represents a dangerous backslide into a world where a small but loud minority can silence anyone who looks, loves, or believes differently than they do. As extreme right wing groups attempt to place candidates with their regressive values into local offices across Illinois and the nation, it’s as important as ever that we step up to defend our children, their freedoms, and their futures,” said DPI Chair Lisa Hernandez.
Earlier this year, the Democratic Party of Illinois took action to prevent extreme candidates who supported policies including book banning from taking over school and library boards. DPI successfully prevented 73% of the candidates it communicated against from winning their elections. Throughout this unprecedented program, DPI reached hundreds of thousands of individuals and households in Illinois via digital and mail communications as well as organizing support. This initiative was brought forth as part of the new party building directive under the leadership of Chair Hernandez to provide year round support to Democrats through grassroots organizing and continuous voter engagement. The legislation signed today will act as an additional safeguard against far-right efforts to limit access to diverse ideas and inclusive education.
* Press release…
With attacks on same-sex couples and marriages on the rise across the nation, State Senator Mike Simmons successfully sponsored a law signed Friday to strengthen marriage equality for same-sex couples in Illinois.
“As the first openly gay senator in Illinois, protecting and strengthening same-sex marriage laws in this state is significant to who I am and what I fight for,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “I am proud to support legislation that protects same-sex marriages in Illinois and creates avenues for same-sex couples in other states coming to Illinois seeking those same protections.”
House Bill 1591 protects same sex marriages in Illinois by repealing the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution Act. This bill provides that same-sex couples can receive a marriage license in Illinois without requiring a signature from an official from their previous state. This will make it easier for same-sex couples who resided in other states to marry in Illinois.
“With the overturning of Roe v. Wade, many are suspecting of the Supreme Court’s intentions regarding Obergefell v. Hodges, which protects marriage equality,” said Simmons. “This bill makes marriage equality stronger for Illinoisans and provides security to same-sex couples.”
* From Gov. Pritzker’s Northwestern University commencement address today…
Thank you to President Schill for your kind introduction. To the Class of 2023: congratulations on your graduation from one of the finest universities in the world.
Look, I know there were more than a few of you who may have groaned when you heard that the Governor was going to be your commencement speaker. Believe me, I too would rather be listening to Beyoncé give a speech today.
But rest assured, as a Northwestern Law School alum, I studied up before crafting my remarks, mostly by watching a whole bunch of YouTube videos of other people’s commencement addresses. And I’ve come to the conclusion that the best graduation speeches are a lot like your favorite sitcoms. They are short. They make you laugh. And they feature an oddball but lovable character.
Well, I’m your oddball character, folks.
Today, graduates, I want to invoke a seminal piece of twenty-first century culture to help send you forward on the right path in life.
I am, of course, talking about the Emmy award-winning sitcom known as “The Office” – which in its two-hundred episode run gave us all the wisdom you need to make your way in this world.
Now look, the younger members of my staff made it clear to me that your generation might consider “The Office” to be sort of “cheugy” – which I learned is a pejorative term meaning “uncool” or “you’re trying too hard.”
That’s fine. I don’t care. I’m a dad. By definition, dads are cheugy. We try too hard every day. Mostly to get our kids to turn off the lights when they leave a room. We don’t care if you don’t think we’re cool – we are determined to plunge ahead anyway.
Turns out, Steve Carell was in the audience, according to Tina Sfondeles…
But the Democratic governor didn’t know he’d be delivering a commencement address in front of Michael Scott himself, according to his office.
Actor Steve Carell, who played Scott on the show, along with his wife, Nancy, who also appeared on the sitcom, were at Ryan Field to celebrate their daughter’s graduation from the university. […]
Pritzker’s office said Carell and the governor met briefly after the address, with Carell telling him he liked his speech. Both Pritzker and his chief of staff, Anne Caprara, wrote the speech before learning Carell would be in the audience — and both are self-avowed die-hard “The Office” fans.
* Durbin endorses the Democratic primary opponent of Rep. Jonathan Carroll…
Hon. Tracy Katz Muhl, Democrat for Illinois State Representative in the 57th District, held her first campaign event on Saturday, June 10. The Northfield Township Committeeperson spoke to a packed room of supporters, including prominent politicians at Northbrook’s Techny Prairie Activity Center.
A former District 28 School Board President, Katz Muhl laid out how her experience, collaborative nature, and tenacity ensure her ability to raise the voices of constituents and make progress on issues most important to residents of the 57th District. A number of state leaders spoke at the event in support of Katz Muhl, including U.S. Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, U.S. Congressman Brad Schneider, IL State Senator Laura Fine, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, and Cook County Board Commissioner Scott Britton.
“I am running for state representative to enact meaningful legislation that will make a genuine impact in people’s lives,” said Katz Muhl. “As your township Democratic Committeeperson, your school board president, a gun violence prevention advocate, and a grassroots organizer, I have listened to, coordinated and amplified the voices of our community to make real change. Now it’s time to scale that up to give the voters of the 57th District a stronger and more representative voice in Springfield. It’s time to get things done.”
While unable to attend the event in person, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, sent his endorsement in a statement that said, “Tracy is an effective leader who knows how to get things done. Her experience as a lawyer, school board president, and community organizer proves she has the skills to make a difference in Springfield. Tracy is a lifelong advocate for gun safety, reproductive freedom, and the LGBTQ+ community. We need her working for us in Springfield.”
* US Rep. Mike Bost announced he’s running again…
U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12) formally announced the launch of his reelection campaign at a meet-and-greet with supporters in White County on Saturday.
“Joe Biden and the crazy liberals in Congress are attempting to fundamentally change our way of life. Their woke, radical agenda is causing chaos with our economy, confusion in our schools, and a crisis at our southern border,” said Bost. “I’m honored to run for reelection because Southern Illinoisans deserve a fighter they know and trust to stand up for constitutional conservative values. We’ve got enough show horses in Washington as it is; that’s why I remain laser focused on serving the people and delivering real results for Southern Illinois, the place I’ve proudly called home my entire life.”
During his time in Congress, Bost has compiled a proven, conservative record, previously receiving endorsements from the NRA’s Political Victory Fund, Illinois Right to Life, and Illinois Farm Bureau. He was also endorsed by President Donald Trump the last three election cycles. Bost served as a state representative, small business owner, professional firefighter, and is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran.
He will probably face former state Sen. Darren Bailey, a noted show horse.
* Up until this morning, the Will County Board’s June 15 agenda included this…
HONORARY RESOLUTIONS/PROCLAMATIONS
1. Recognizing the Juneteenth Holiday
2. Recognizing June as Pride Month
3. Recognizing MOMS for America
Those three oddly paired items have since been removed.
…Adding… The County Board Chair, not the Executive sets the legislative agenda, I’m told.
* Isabel’s roundup…
* Shaw Local | Illinois hospital to close: The St. Margaret’s Health board of directors met recently and finalized the Spring Valley hospital will close 11:59 p.m. Friday, June 16. […] St. Margaret’s had announced in mid-May a June 16 closure was imminent without emergency state funding. A state budget passed without any assistance for the hospital. The closure - combined with January’s closure of the Peru hospital - will leave western La Salle and eastern Bureau counties without an emergency room throughout the summer.
* Crain’s | Paul Vallas’ new role might reveal something about his true political leanings: But, later In the interview, Vallas spun his hiring [by the Illinois Policy Institute] as a good thing of no ideological significance. “I’m a research wonk. They do research,” he said. “They know my Democratic credentials. That suggests they want a diverse staff.” Vallas declined to discuss whether his new job suggests he misled voters. “I’m not a candidate now,” said Vallas. “I’m not going to go into that. It is what it is… I’ve done research for a number of groups through the years.”
* Daily Herald | Why Illinois consumers will soon pay more for groceries: The yearlong suspension of the state’s 1% tax on groceries ends July 1. […] “It’s usually cheaper to cook it yourself than go out, so people will still shop for groceries and cut back elsewhere,” [Rob Karr, president of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association] said. “It would also be a big difference if it were a 10% tax coming back and not 1%. We don’t expect this will affect grocers much.”
* Tribune | Cook County says employees and pensioners can breathe a little easier with long-awaited fixes: Following years of consternation about whether Cook County’s two main pension funds would fulfill its obligations to its 39,000 employees and retirees, county leaders are saying they are on track to reform. A pair of moves within the past year has freed up access to more pools of cash to help shore up the county’s long-underfunded pensions, though fiscal experts say the county will have to be careful not to overcorrect and tie their hands on spending for other needs.
* Tribune | Ex-state Sen. Terry Link back on witness stand in bribery trial of Chicago businessman: Under questioning from Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Franzblau on Wednesday, Link spent about an hour and a half taking the jury through his role spearheading the state’s massive gambling overhaul legislation in 2019, as well as a shouting match he had with Arroyo, a Chicago Democrat, about it on the Senate floor and a secretly recorded meeting at a Highland Park Wendy’s where prosecutors say the proposal to pay off Link was first made four years ago.
* Tribune | What makes a fair election? Recent redistricting the most politically balanced in years: The dissatisfaction once voiced most loudly by Democrats in states gerrymandered by Republicans is now also rising from Republicans in such places as rural Macoupin County, Illinois. A Republican represented the former coal mining county in Congress during the past decade. But a Democrat won the redrawn district in 2022 after it got transformed into a slender snake-like shape — with a head in the twin university cities of Champaign and Urbana and a new tail in the Democratic suburbs of St. Louis.
* SJ-R | Bill regulating cryptocurrency stalls, possibility remains for veto session: HB 3479 would create the Uniform Money Transmission Modernization Act and Digital Assets Regulation Act, where the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation Secretary would issue annual licenses and overall regulate digital asset business activity in the state.
* Tribune | Overcrowding, cold food and uncertain futures a way of life for migrants in Chicago’s shelters: The condition of the city’s 12 shelters cannot be assessed fully because the city has repeatedly denied a request from the Tribune and others for access to them. According to a letter in May from Chicago’s congressional delegation, the city has spent more than $75 million in the past nine months on over 10,000 new arrivals who have come to Chicago since August, and Chicago aldermen recently voted to spend an additional $51 million on migrant care through June.
* NBC | An Illinois hospital is the first health care facility to link its closing to a ransomware attack: Suzanne Stahl, the chair of SMP Health, the hospital’s parent organization, said last month that the hospital was planning to close this year. “Due to a number of factors, such as the Covid-19 pandemic, the cyberattack on the computer system of St. Margaret’s Health, and a shortage of staff, it has become impossible to sustain our ministry,” she said in a Facebook video.
* Crain’s | How Chicago companies are testing the potential — and peril — of ChatGPT and AI: JPMorgan’s approach reflects the mix of wariness and excitement ChatGPT has stirred up among local companies as they consider possible uses of a new technology that burst on the scene in a tsunami of hype. In recent months, Chicago-area businesses from United Airlines to Morningstar have started experimenting cautiously with ChatGPT and its artificial-intelligence siblings.
* Chicago Tribune Guild | UNEQUAL: A study of pay at the Chicago Tribune: There is an unconscionable pay gap between journalists of color and white journalists at the Chicago Tribune. The median wage for a full-time journalist of color is $10,000 less than a white full-time journalist. Comparing median pay for our full-time workers, for every dollar that a white journalist is paid, Alden values our journalists of color at 86 cents. From the data we can crunch, this gap can’t be attributed to differences in worker’s ages/ experience.
* Crain’s | Grubhub lays off 400 workers: “After much consideration and evaluation of our business, we have made the difficult decision to reduce Grubhub’s workforce by 15%, impacting approximately 400 of our corporate employees,” the company said in a written statement. “These changes will enable Grubhub to invest in the growth of our core business and better position the company for long-term success.”
* SJ-R | Celebrating Juneteenth in Springfield: here are some events to attend: From a parade and street fair to talent shows and an outdoor revival, there’s plenty to do to celebrate Juneteenth in Springfield.
* AP | GM to invest $632 million at Fort Wayne assembly plant: The investment in new conveyors and equipment in the body shop and assembly areas won’t create any new jobs. But GM said on Monday it will keep jobs for about 4,000 people who work at the plant.
* SJ-R | Sangamo Club to close doors Friday after 133 years: The Sangamo Club’s management cited a changing social environment and declining membership for the end of a Springfield institution. In a letter sent Saturday to club members, president James Ackerman said that the club had been losing money for some time, without the kinds of recreational activities that could keep a similar organization afloat.
* Daily Herald | Glen Ellyn’s Sean Hayes wins a Tony: Former Glen Ellyn resident Sean Hayes won the Tony Award for leading actor in a play Sunday night for his tour-de-force performance as pianist/raconteur Oscar Levant in “Good Night, Oscar.”
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* Background is here if you need it. Illinois Public Media is reporting that the site of an as-yet-unopened Danville abortion clinic has been vandalized a second time. You’ll recall that a man was arrested last month after he repeatedly slammed his car into the building that will eventually house the clinic. According to the police affidavit, the man brought several containers filled with gasoline with him.
Recently, “a new vandal tore down the temporary repairs from the last attack,” reports Farrah Anderson.
* Meanwhile, from a press release…
Planned Parenthood of Illinois (PPIL) has experienced a 54% increase in abortion patients, both medication and procedural, since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade on June 24, 2022. PPIL data also show that more patients than ever are coming to one of our health centers at a higher gestational age that requires a procedural abortion. Abortions over 16 weeks gestational age now makes up 13% of all procedural abortions, compared to 8% pre-Dobbs decision. The number of patients needing financial assistance or travel support to get care at PPIL has more than doubled in the year since Dobbs. These trends demonstrate how bans and restrictions force patients to delay and travel farther for care. […]
PPIL data also indicates since the Dobbs decision:
• Over the course of the year, nearly a quarter (25%) of PPIL patients traveled from another state compared to 7% before Dobbs.
• Patients traveled from 34 different states.
• The number of patients needing financial assistance or travel support for care more than doubled, and the average amount increased from $250 to almost $500 because of expanded distances, time delays, and costs of travel.
• PPIL provided over $1.5 million in financial support to abortion patients through a combination of sources over the last year.
PPIL anticipated the surge in patients seeking abortion and gender-affirming care and took many steps to expand access. In July 2022, PPIL announced a partnership with Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin (PPWI) for abortion care providers from PPWI to travel to Illinois several days a week, expanding access to care at our Waukegan Health Center and across the state. In September 2022, PPIL unveiled the expansion of the Champaign Health Center to offer procedural abortion services to meet the demand of patients in central Illinois and Indiana. Since June 2022, PPIL grew its abortion navigation team from one to four with the sole purpose of helping out-of-state patients overcome barriers in traveling to Illinois for care. The team is now expanding services to help out-of-state gender-affirming care patients.
PPIL’s volunteer base also grew by 700 new people. PPIL volunteers provided over 6,200 hours of assistance, compared to 2,000 hours the year prior. PPIL also has 300 volunteer escorts, who put in over 3,500 hours at health centers, more than double the hours from the previous year.
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* My weekly syndicated newspaper column…
Back in February, the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago proposed some sweeping revenue changes designed to significantly boost the state’s credit rating to “AA” over time and help accelerate the state’s pension payments to bring down its huge unfunded liabilities.
The group’s proposals were striking because their members are some of the wealthiest people in the state. In the country, even.
The Civic Committee led the charge several years ago to slash pension benefits for government employees and has long been known to be on the same side of the fence as the loud legions of Illinois government bashers. Heck, they helped build that fence. They also helped lead the fight against a graduated income tax proposal.
The committee surprised almost everyone by proposing a temporary, 10-year personal and corporate income tax “surcharge” to raise $2.9 billion per year, or, as an alternative, a tax on retirement income. The committee also proposed expanding the sales tax to services, which it said could bring in an additional $1.2 billion a year if the state adopted Iowa’s model. Much of the money would be used to pay off state pension debt.
In exchange, the committee proposed repealing the corporate franchise tax and the estate tax.
The franchise tax was lowered during the spring session. And lowering or even repealing the estate tax was also on the Senate’s discussion table this year. Senate Republicans at one point thought they might make some headway, even though the governor has long expressed reservations.
As a billionaire who inherited great family wealth, Gov. J.B. Pritzker wasn’t exactly eager to sign such a bill into law. But Republicans apparently saw some signals that the governor would be open to such a plan this year if the legislature decided to go ahead.
Senate President Don Harmon reminded me last week when we spoke that the Senate had already passed a repeal of the estate tax.
“I am more convinced than ever that the estate tax, more than the income tax, determines people’s residency,” Harmon claimed. He has said for a while that he believes many people move away from Illinois not because they want to lower their current tax rates but to assure their heirs inherit more of their money when they pass away than they would if they were still in Illinois.
Harmon said getting rid of the estate tax is “worth discussing but only in a broader tax reform package. It’s not something we can do as a one-off. It has to fit within a broader tax reform package.”
A top Senate Republican source suggested recently the state budget talks veered away from the estate tax issue because Harmon wanted a broader deal down the road. The source also said it sounded like the Civic Committee’s plan could be a blueprint, or at least a starting point.
Harmon confirmed that he was indeed looking at the recommendations.
“I think that the Civic Committee offers a very interesting blueprint,” Harmon said of the tax hike proposals the group proposed. “And if in fact the Civic Committee can generate broad support from the business community and from Republican lawmakers, it’s absolutely worth a longer conversation.”
That’s a big “if” at this point, but we’ll see.
The Civic Committee also recently announced that it plans to raise tens of millions of dollars for Chicago violence reduction programs, including finding meaningful jobs (with wrap-around services) for people who had gone through violence prevention training, many of whom have extensive criminal records.
Instead of a traditional “get-tough-on-crime” approach, the Civic Committee emphasized “constitutional policing” and other police reforms. The group also announced that it had hired Robert Boik to help spearhead that effort. Boik oversaw Chicago’s 2019 federal consent decree to overhaul policing until he was fired after criticizing his superiors.
Harmon seemed quite encouraged by the group’s proposals and its entire approach these days.
“From our research,” Harmon said, “there’s a dichotomy in the public perception. People want to be safer. But people understand that the root causes of crime are far more complicated.”
He said he believed people were moving away from the “locking up and throw away the key” types of people.
“I confess, it’s not what I expected” Harmon said of the Civic Committee, which has long had a conservative bent.
“I think that the Civic Committee is approaching major problems with a very different perspective,” Harmon said.
More on that topic next week.
* Meanwhile…
Former Chicago mayoral candidate Paul Vallas is joining the Illinois Policy Institute as an adviser. […]
Vallas reiterated themes from his campaign, saying, “The city of Chicago is at a breaking point. Our public agencies are about to fall off a fiscal cliff, the kids in our public schools are falling behind after Covid-19 lockdowns … our economy is lagging and businesses are unable to operate in a high-crime, high-tax and high-regulation environment.”
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It’s a law: Pritzker signed 90 bills Friday
Monday, Jun 12, 2023 - Posted by Isabel Miller
* WJBD…
Governor JB Pritzker signed 90 bills into law on Friday.
The laws range from requiring large music venues to have Narcan on hand in case someone overdoses to eliminating any mention of the death penalty in state statutes. One, from Representative Amy Elik of Alton, makes September 17th Constitution Day at school.
“Constitution Day celebrates the US Constitution and also new US citizens. The US Department of Education states that schools that receive federal funds are required to provide education about the US Constitution each year, but we found it wasn’t in the school code.”
Another new law requires school administrators to let parents know if their child has been bullied within 24 hours of learning about the incident. There’s also a new law prohibiting utilities from shutting off a customer’s electricity or gas because of overdue bills if the temperature is over 90 degrees or there is a heath watch or advisory.
Here’s the full list
* Center Square…
Among the 43 House bills his office announced were signed, one prohibits insurance companies from increasing premiums if someone owns a certain breed of dog. Another makes Constitution Day a commemorative holiday. Music venues over certain sizes must have opioid antagonists starting June 1, 2024 with one measure.
House Bill 1596 “Replaces certain pronouns with the nouns to which the pronouns refer.” House Bill 2389 “Prevents stops and searches by the police if a driver has an object hanging from the rearview mirror.” House Bill 2907 “Prevents striking workers from being sued for unintentional property damage as a result of a strike.” House Bill 3396 “Provides that any person with the intent of obstructing, impeding, or otherwise interfering with a picket line commits a Class A misdemeanor and a minimum fine of $500.”
Of the 47 Senate bills Pritzker enacted Friday, Senate Bill 40 “Establishes requirements for electric vehicle capable parking spaces.” Senate Bill 201 “Provides that the court may seal any foreclosure action filed during the COVID-19 emergency and recovery period.” Senate Bill 1351 “Allows a retiring teacher to forgo an evaluation in their last evaluation cycle before they retire.” SB 1527 “Requires insurance coverage for medically necessary compression sleeves” beginning Jan. 1.
Illinois legislators approved 566 bills during spring session. Hundreds more have yet to be sent to the governor’s desk for his action.
* WAND…
Gov. JB Pritzker signed a bill into law Friday to ensure utility companies can’t shut off your power on the hottest days of the year.
This plan could help protect the state’s most vulnerable from losing their gas or electric if they can’t pay their utility bills.
The law will only apply when the temperature is 90 degrees or hotter and situations where the National Weather Service issues an excessive heat watch, advisory, or warning. […]
The Illinois Attorney General’s office led the effort for this change. However, some House Republicans argued that this plan would push the costs of power onto other customers.
* Jurist…
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed two bills on Friday safeguarding LGBTQ+ rights in the state.
HB 1591 amends the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. The Act previously prohibited out of state couples from obtaining and Illinois marriage license. The language before amendment stated, “no marriage shall be contracted in this State by a party residing and intending to continue to reside in another state or jurisdiction.” The amendment will now allow couples from outside the state to receive a marriage license.
The amendment in HB 1591 works in conjunction with the federal Respect for Marriage Act passed in 2022. Under federal law, states are now required to recognize legal marriages performed in another state, including same-sex marriages. Congress passed the Respect for Marriage Act due to concerns the Supreme Court could overturn Obergefell v. Hodges, which held that state bans on same-sex marriage are unconstitutional. A more conservative Supreme Court indicated in their decision eliminating a federal right to abortion that other rights extended under marriage and privacy, including Obergefell, may be reviewed.
Pritzker also signed HB 1596. The bill amends the Children and Family Services Act by removing gender specific pronouns. The removal of male and female pronouns is intended to make the statute more inclusive and representative.
* 25 News Now…
A measure sponsored by Sen. Dave Koehler and Reps. Travis Weaver and Bill Hauter to create a task force highlighting the history of the Underground Railroad in Illinois has been signed by Governor JB Pritzker.
The task force will develop a statewide plan to connect existing local and new projects to create a cohesive statewide history of the Underground Railroad in Illinois, according to a release from Sen. Koehler.
The task force will identify the location of historical sites, connections they may have to one another and will paint a picture to recognize the Underground Railroad’s history. […]
Tazewell County Clerk John Ackerman initiated the bipartisan bill, in the hopes of bringing awareness to this part of Illinois’ history.
“Currently, there are many regional landmarks of the Underground Railroad throughout the state, but there is really no way of connecting them together,” said Ackerman. “This task force give us the ability to tie all of these regional pockets together to tell the story of just how long the path the Underground Rail Road was in Illinois, and the lengths that abolitionists and slaves took in search of freedom.”
* WJOL…
Illinois has a new law on the books to put a stop to misleading fake “final notices” sent in the mail, thanks to State Senator Rachel Ventura. […]
When someone buys a car or home in Illinois, “final notice” letters regarding warranties, protection plans and insurance are often mailed out by third parties to scam recipients into providing information or buying products under the guise of maintaining their home or vehicle.
Ventura’s legislation amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act to require that senders clearly state that their mailing is not a bill but rather a solicitation of services. […]
Senate Bill 1440 was signed into law June 9th and goes into effect Jan. 1, 2024.
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Open thread
Monday, Jun 12, 2023 - Posted by Isabel Miller
* Howdy! Hope you all had a relaxing weekend. What’s going on?…
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Isabel’s morning briefing
Monday, Jun 12, 2023 - Posted by Isabel Miller
* Here you go…
* Center for Illinois Politics | What is the status of the ever-complicated Illinois Assault Weapons Ban?: There are now four state court cases. Two were filed in Effingham County, one was filed in White County, and one was filed in Macon County. The Effingham and White County cases were filed by downstate attorney Tom DeVore, renowned for his pandemic work against mask mandates in Illinois schools. These three cases were later consolidated by the Illinois Supreme Court and are still pending in Effingham County.
* Tribune | Illinois government among victims of attack by global ransomware group, state IT agency says: The FBI and the federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency have attributed the attack, which hit Illinois state government May 31, to a ransomware gang called CL0P, which exploited the popular MOVEit Transfer file-sharing software.
* Bond Buyer | Actuarial report puts $5.6B price tag on an Illinois pension fix: Pension experts have long warned the Tier 2 benefits for at least some of the workforce are likely violate rules that require publicly sponsored benefits for participants who don’t also receive Social Security to at least match Social Security in benefits.
* WMAY | Former Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner is finally back in Illinois: Rauner and his wife Diana moved to Florida shortly after he lost his bid for a second term to Democrat JB Pritzker. Rauner will visit the State Capitol Monday for the unveiling of his official portrait.
* Tribune | School choice or a drain on public education? Backers aim to save controversial private school tax credit left out of new Illinois budget: The program has become a linchpin issue for Republicans who have railed against the Democratic-led legislature and its recently enacted state budget. That budget did not include an extension of Invest in Kids beyond the next school year. But Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker has repeatedly left the door open to renewing the program, an indication that there’s a variety of interests at play. He’s said he would consider keeping it, in modified form, if lawmakers approve it in the fall legislative session.
* Sun-Times | Ban the ban, not the book? Giannoulias caps return with string of legislative wins, including anti-censorship law: Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias told the Sun-Times he was “blown away” after reading about book bans across the country. “To me, this is a slippery slope, and it goes against what education is about,” he said.
* Sun-Times | Arlington Heights still odds-on favorite to land Bears as team huddles ‘to squeeze out the best deal they possibly can’: It’s too early to tell whether the team was bluffing when it said Arlington Heights has competition and introduced Naperville to the stadium game. Were the Bears angling for an Arlington Heights tax break?
* Sun-Times | Parking meter deal keeps on giving — for private investors, not Chicago taxpayers: Results of the latest parking meter audit by accounting giant KPMG shows meter revenues reached a record $140.4 million last year, up from $136.2 million in 2021 and $91.6 million during the stay-at-home shutdown of 2020.
* Sun-Times | City again delays moving migrants from shuttered YMCA to Daley College: Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration had planned the transfer for last week, then announced Friday it would occur on Sunday. But it put off the transfer for a second time after many of the people affected said they prefer not to be moved across town.
* Tribune | Chicago’s Walking Man wandered alone for decades. Loved ones say: ‘He observed everything. That was his adventure.’: Then came the attacks, the first in 2016 when a man beat him with a bat. Amid the resulting media attention, Kromelis’ given name was revealed, along with a few details about his life: He was a former street peddler who had lost his rented room to redevelopment a few years earlier. Strangers donated thousands to help the Walking Man get back on his feet. And then, one year ago, something even more serious happened.
* Tribune | Lion Electric’s new school bus factory in Joliet aims to rewrite the rules for manufacturing in Illinois: Pritzker convinced the Canadian company that in suburban Will County, electricity is not just cheap, reliable and abundant. It’s also — thanks to a statewide commitment Pritzker was then shepherding through the legislature — on its way to being carbon-free by 2050.
* Media Matters | 200+ Things that Fox News has labeled “woke”: Fox News host Jesse Watters said, “Silicon Valley Bank is a woke Biden bank. They were holding seminars on Lesbian Visibility Day and national Pride Month.” He added, “This was Biden’s Green New Deal bank. So if this bank fails, so does Biden’s green agenda. Biden can’t let a woke green bank blow up on his watch. He’s got an election to win.”
* Knowable | Dealing with rats, and their health, in America’s ‘rattiest’ city: We study how rats interact with people, wildlife and the environment to better understand public health risks from rats and improve their management. We do this using a holistic approach known as One Health, which looks at all aspects of health and the interconnections between the health of people, animals and the environment. Academic and public interest in One Health has increased dramatically since the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly because it can help to find win-win outcomes that protect both the environment and human well-being at the same time.
* SJ-R | It’s official: Anchors Away to return as Norb Andy’s: Now building owner Dave Ridenour has confirmed the tabarin, and its familiar menu line up, will be returning. “We’re reopening it as Norb Andy’s,” said Ridenour, who purchased the Hickox Building in 2010 and has been the face of Norb Andy’s on multiple occasions since then when other operators couldn’t be found.
* Tribune | How Chicago football players’ mental health journeys led them to focus on wellness for Black communities: Giving up football was traumatizing, White said. “It was tough for a while because I truly did feel lost … especially for a young Black man with golden aspirations of playing at the next level, which would have been professionally eventually,” he said. “I didn’t know exactly who I was or who I could be at that point.”
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Afternoon roundup
Friday, Jun 9, 2023 - Posted by Rich Miller
* I told subscribers about this a couple of days ago…
The Illinois House Speaker’s Office says it’s been informed that the complaints against state Rep. Jonathan Carroll “have been resolved and closed” by the “ Legislative Inspector General’s office and determined “unsubstantiated.” Capitol Fax’s Rich Miller scooped the story.
Carroll was accused by former staffer Elly Fawcett-Neal of wrongly firing her because she was pregnant. Carroll had denied the accusations. (See The Buzz.) He did not immediately return a request for comment Thursday.
Carroll has already been appointed chair of the House Police and Fire Committee after being sidelined from a leadership position while the IG investigation was going on.
Still outstanding: Fawcett-Neal told Playbook her complaint is still being investigated by the EEOC and the Illinois Human Rights Commission. “I stand by everything I reported. I think his appointment is premature,” she told Playbook.
* Gov. JB Pritzker signed 90 bills into law today. Click here for the list. RIP my inbox.
* Muddy River News…
QUINCY — A Texas man who is the founder of Sanctuary Cities for the Unborn will speak Friday night in Father McGivney Hall at the Knights of Columbus, 700 S. 36th, about the process for achieving a city ordinance that would call for prohibiting abortions in Quincy, a move that would be in direct conflict with state law.
Mark Lee Dickson is a director with Right to Life of East Texas and calls himself a pro-life activist. He claims to have helped 67 cities and two counties in the United States pass ordinances outlawing abortion. The first was in Waskom, Texas, which lies on the border with Louisiana. Waskom has no abortion clinic, but the City Council decided in June 2019 that prohibiting abortion was necessary as a preventive measure.
“What a Sanctuary Cities for the Unborn ordinance does is goes as far as (one) possibly can go in an effort to keep abortion out of a community,” Dickson said in a phone interview. “(Friday night’s) interest meeting will establish the background of what these ordinances do and what the process would look like if they’re in Quincy. Any abortion provider that wants to set up shop in Quincy would not be allowed to under these ordinances.”
Danville is the only sanctuary city in Illinois. City Council members were split 7-7 at a May 2 meeting on an ordinance that would impose fines on anyone shipping or receiving abortion pills or supplies in the mail. Mayor Rickey Williams Jr. made the tie-breaking “yes” vote. […]
“I think it is time for Illinois to let Gov. Pritzker know just how pro-life Illinois really is,” Dickson said.
Somebody is gonna learn something, but I’m not sure it’s that.
* Media advisory…
Harvey city employees to protest Mayor Clark’s refusal to bargain new union contract
Fighting for a new union contract seven years since the last agreement expired—and more than eight years since their last across-the-board pay increase, in January 2015—city of Harvey employees plan to leaflet outside and speak at Monday night’s City Council meeting. […]
Background
About 30 Harvey city workers—primarily public works employees as well as clerical employees in various departments—are represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 2404.
The local’s last contract with Harvey expired in 2016. Three years later, Christopher Clark took office as mayor; his promises of reform after his predecessor’s tenure included finally settling a new agreement. But now, in his second term in office, Mayor Clark refuses to even meet for contract negotiations. The parties last met in November; the city cancelled bargaining dates in December and March, and has refused to schedule any since.
Citing this pattern, the Illinois Labor Relations Board last week issued a complaint against the city of Harvey for failing and refusing to bargain in good faith, a violation of state labor law.
* This week…
The Cook County state’s attorney’s office announced Tuesday it will no longer object to waiving court fees for low-income defendants, a move it said was aimed at reducing racial disparities in the criminal justice system.
“One of the tragedies of the criminal justice system is that a disproportionate amount of its financing is shouldered by people of color and those living in poverty,” State’s Attorney Kim Foxx said in a statement. “Rather than end the cycles of racial disparities and criminalization, fees and fines perpetuate them.”
Fines and fees are used to cover court expenses.
That’s odd because more than five years ago, the Illinois Criminal and Traffic Assessment Act set up a procedure for people to request a full or partial waiver of criminal fees and fines based on their inability to pay. Foxx the progressive is only now getting on board?
* I totally understand despising someone for what they’ve done to others. I will never understand hating someone simply because of how they’re born…
* Isabel’s roundup…
* The 19th | Lawmakers in blue states are linking protections for abortion and gender-affirming care: Blue states are crafting a new kind of legislation to respond to a dramatic wave of restrictions on abortion access and gender-affirming care across the country. Democrats are invoking the fall of Roe v. Wade as a reason to protect both areas of health care simultaneously — while aiming to create safe havens for those fleeing surrounding Republican-controlled states. Lawmakers in five states — Illinois, New Mexico, Colorado, Washington state and Vermont, which has a Republican governor although Democrats control the state legislature — plus the District of Columbia have enacted such “shield” laws so far this year.
* Sun-Times | Ex-Cook County judge, accused of stealing decorated Tuskegee Airman’s life savings, is ordered to pay $1.2 million: Wilkerson sued Martin last September, saying she took advantage of him as he sought to get back his money, plus damages. Martin had “placed the vast majority of it into cryptocurrency before transferring it away into as-yet unknown locations,” according to his lawyers’ motion for a default judgment.
* Daily Herald | After meeting with Chicago and Naperville mayors, Bears president coming to Arlington Heights: Warren’s visit follows meetings in recent days with the mayors of Chicago and Naperville, and the NFL franchise’s declaration that its proposed $5 billion Arlington Park redevelopment is “at risk” and no longer its “singular focus.” The statement came amid tense negotiations over property tax assessments and payments for the 326-acre site the Bears purchased in February.
* Block Club | Trans Bus Operator Sues CTA And Union, Saying Agency Fired Him After His Gender-Affirming Surgery: In court documents, lawyers for the CTA said Brown provided “false statements” about an unrelated medical leave, which led to his termination. But Brown said he was fired after the agency “ran me in circles” on requirements to validate his leave, alleging the process was retaliation for his advocacy to receive gender-affirming care.
* WBEZ | How the Waukegan cops behind a teen’s false confession to a shooting avoided discipline: “The Police Department can’t and shouldn’t be trusted by the public if the department itself does not undertake an inquiry into whether its officers, and possibly even its command chain, broke the law,” said Joseph Ferguson, who oversaw high-profile police misconduct investigations during a 12-year tenure as Chicago inspector general.
* Sun-Times | Benedictines’ world leader calls on Chicago-area monks tied to Benet, Marmion high schools to fully report clergy sex abuse: “I think that they should be” posting such lists of abusive members “because it’s been actually asked of us by the larger church,” Polan said in an interview from Rome, where he is based. “I think we need to do what the larger church is asking of us.”
* WTTW | Aurora Mayor’s Girlfriend Didn’t Disclose Previous State COVID Relief Funding When Asking for Local Taxpayer Cash: Before the Aurora City Council voted to approve a slew of taxpayer-funded grants to local businesses last month, Mayor Richard Irvin said he’d heard repeatedly how “professional and precise” the staffers overseeing the program were. […] After Irvin recused himself from the vote and left the room, the council swiftly approved the grants to aid businesses suffering lingering effects from the COVID-19 pandemic — including $10,000 for the furniture store owned by Irvin’s girlfriend, Laura Ayala-Clarke.
* WTTW | Chicago Public Schools’ Special Education Chief Steps Down Amid Calls For Her Ouster: CPS confirmed Friday that Stephanie Jones, the district’s chief of the Office of Diverse Learner Supports and Services (ODLSS), is stepping down from that role after four years effective immediately. “We sincerely thank Dr. Jones for her commitment to serving students in Chicago with diverse learning needs, and we wish her well in her future endeavors,” a CPS spokesperson said in a statement Friday.
* CBS Chicago | Naperville woman sues Bank of America for discrimination over mishandling $24,000 check: Warren said she brought the check to a Naperville bank branch on April 17. She went back the next day with her daughter to check on the availability of the money and got odd responses. “I went over to the teller,” Charlotte said. “She said ‘No, you don’t have an account.’”
* Crain’s | Indicted crypto CEO selling Trump Tower condo: The three-bedroom condo on the tower’s 68th floor came on the market Thursday, priced at $2.5 million. Public records show it was purchased in June 2022 for a little more than $2.17 million by a legal entity controlled by Sonny Meraban.
* Daily Journal | Bradley eyes homeless shelter zoning: A recent inquiry from a Realtor into where a homeless shelter could be sited in Bradley turned up an issue within the municipality. The village did not have an ordinance anywhere within its codes regarding something like a homeless shelter, thereby making it impossible to even consider such a request.
* Tribune | In the wake of rooftop standoff on West Side, more questions than answers remain: “He walked around the community and could have been arrested,” she said. “This is just an incident that highlights the unchecked and untreated mental health issues that are ongoing, not just in our community, but in the greater Chicago area.”
* Crain’s | The Big Ticket: Old Town and Wells Street art fairs, plus music, dance and more: The Old Town Art Fair is the older of the two long-running events. It first took place in 1950, making it just a few years younger than the 57th Street Art Fair, which bills itself as the Midwest’s oldest juried art fair. Old Town’s event occupies residential streets north of North Avenue and books music from the eclectic mix of genres typical of the Old Town School of Folk Music, a neighbor in its early days.
* Daily Herald | How can the suburbs get tourists racing back for a visit? New tech, big attractions: Before the pandemic, the region was overcoming the non-pedestrian-friendly stereotype of the suburbs in attracting meetings and trade shows to venues including the Schaumburg Convention Center. But the ramping up of plans for entertainment, restaurants and stores in Schaumburg’s 90 North area — including Andretti Indoor Karting & Games, expected to break ground next to the Renaissance Hotel this year — should make those efforts more successful, Larson said.
* Tribune | Post-pandemic work, travel patterns leave questions for longtime summer commuter service: the Chicago Water Taxi: Behind the taxi’s schedule dilemma is the post-pandemic reality for downtown Chicago: Tourists have returned in force, but office workers haven’t, Sargis said. The taxi company has also faced lingering labor challenges after losing and furloughing employees during the pandemic. While many crew members are in training, it can take years to get the certifications needed to drive a boat, he said.
* Sun-Times | Digging into the mysteries of fireflies: Considering the Chicago area seems headed for a drought, I wondered if weather impacts the communications of fireflies. She replied that especially moisture and temperature did. “Most firefly species rely on having a moist environment. Some even concentrate on/near water bodies [1],” she emailed. “Ambient temperature can alter the flash pattern of some firefly species, making them flash slower (low temperatures), or faster (high temperatures) [2,3]. This is crucial because each species of flashing firefly has a unique flash pattern (used for mating recognition). As temperature changes, some patterns might start overlapping.”
* SJ-R | It’s county fair season around central Illinois. Here are the details: The county fair season kicked off with the Greene County Agricultural Fair, now in its late May slot. The Pike County Fair closes on Saturday while the Macoupin County Fair in Carlinville wraps up on Sunday. The Sangamon County Fair in New Berlin opens its five-day run Wednesday featuring headliner Blackberry Smoke with Stoney LaRue on Thursday.
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* The bill is here. It was an initiative of Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, but the governor has been a strong supporter. Memo to reporters from the governor’s press office…
We’re writing today because you have expressed interest in when the Governor will sign HB2789. The day has come, Gov. Pritzker will sign the bill Monday afternoon in Chicago.
Across the nation, extremists are targeting literature, libraries, and books in a despicable effort to censor the material students need to thrive in the classroom. Governor Pritzker’s goal is to preserve Illinois libraries as bastions of knowledge, creativity, and truth. In Illinois, we embrace facts, and we trust librarians to continue maintaining a standard for what books students have access to at school. During his State of the State speech in February, Governor Pritzker outlined his vision for fighting back against these extremists and since then has taken a number of actions to protect the availability of books in schools.
HB2789 tasks the Illinois State Librarian and the Illinois State Library to work to adopt the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights, statewide. This Bill of rights indicates that reading materials should not be proscribed, removed, or restricted because of partisan or personal disproval. Alternatively, the state librarian and State Library can work together to develop their own written statement declaring that every library or library system must provide an adequate collection of books and other materials to satisfy the people in Illinois.
Illinois libraries would only be eligible for state funded grants if they adopt the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights indicating reading materials should not be proscribed, removed, or restricted because of partisan or personal disapproval.
In addition to signing this legislation, Governor Pritzker has taken action over the past several months to continue fighting censorship in the classroom. In January, the Governor sent a letter to the CEO of the College Board, demanding they reverse the decision to remove crucial parts of curriculum from the Advanced Placement course in African American Studies after being criticized by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
This past week, Governor Pritzker joined a number of other governors to urge textbook publishers the Association of American Publishers, Cengage Learning, Goodheart-Willcox, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, McGraw Hill Education, Pearson, Routledge Taylor and Francis Group, Savvas Learning Co., Scholastic, and Teachers Curriculum Institute urging them to not censor educational materials in the face of additional pressure from Republicans.
Governor Pritzker also included $1.6 million in the FY 24 state budget to launch Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library statewide.
The new law will take effect January 1, 2024.
Attached you will find:
• A letter to textbook publishers (Association of American Publishers, Cengage Learning, Goodheart-Willcox, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, McGraw Hill Education, Pearson, Routledge Taylor and Francis Group, Savvas Learning Co., Scholastic, Teachers Curriculum Institute) urging them to not censor educational materials in the face of additional pressure from Republicans.
• A letter to Dr. David Coleman, CEO of The College Board in response to their decision to remove crucial parts of curriculum from the Advanced Placement course in African American Studies following pressure from Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Background:
• The Governor highlighted protecting education during his State of the State speech: “This afternoon I’ve laid out a budget agenda that does everything possible to invest in the education of our children. Yet, it’s all meaningless if we become a nation that bans books from school libraries about racism suffered by Roberto Clemente and Hank Aaron, and tells kids they can’t talk about being gay, and signals to Black and Brown people and Asian Americans and Jews and Muslims that our authentic stories can’t be told. I’m the father of two children. I care a great deal about their education. Like every good parent, I want to be involved in what they learn. I’m also a proud American. Our nation has a great history, and much to be proud of. I want my children to learn that history. But I don’t want them to be lied to. I want them to learn our true history, warts and all. Illinois’ young people shouldn’t be kept from learning about the realities of our world. I want them to become critical thinkers, exposed to ideas that they disagree with, proud of what our nation has overcome, and thoughtful about what comes next. Here in Illinois, we don’t hide from the truth, we embrace it. That’s what makes us strong.”
• Gov. Pritzker included $1.6 million in the FY 24 state budget to launch Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library statewide. Additional details will be announced Tuesday, 6/13/23.
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* Background is here if you need it. From the Illinois Department of Human Services…
Secretary Hou requested a review of resident safety reporting practices in September 2022 to provide additional context and recommendations related to abuse and neglect cases at Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center (Choate) over the past decade. The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) is grateful to the IDHS Office of the Inspector General for their diligence in putting together this report. IDHS leadership continues to be deeply concerned by the events investigated and reported on by the OIG. The report underscores the importance of actions that IDHS has taken since the beginning of the administration, including substantially expanding training, hiring new staff, and installing security cameras. IDHS has also received guidance from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to be able to install additional cameras in indoor, common area locations and will be installing those expeditiously.
Most importantly, the report affirms IDHS’ plan for a system-wide transformation aimed at providing better care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Illinois. This transformation is already underway with a focus on moving residents from Choate to community-based settings and other State centers and repurposing the existing campus. System-wide the department has hired a chief resident safety officer, implemented additional safety enhancements, and continued to invest in the community-based system, with funding nearly doubled under this administration. As we move forward, our top priority at IDHS is ensuring the safety of all our residents as they live and receive support in the setting of their choice that best meets their needs.
* As mentioned above, the OIG’s report recommends installing cameras to catch and perhaps prevent wrongdoing. But it also includes this recommendation…
OIG recommends that CMHDC conduct a top to bottom analysis of all processes related to the reporting of abuse and neglect, including training, because at the present time there appear to be fundamental problems with all aspects of that system, including: (1) repeated instances of CMHDC staff deliberately covering up misconduct—sometimes in coordination with other staff—that they either engaged in or witnessed; (2) repeated instances of CMHDC staff failing to report misconduct, or seeking to report that misconduct anonymously, in fear of possible retaliation from their fellow employees; (3) individuals experiencing retaliation after making reports or being threatened with potential harm for making reports; and (4) a lack of accuracy and thoroughness regarding the allegations that are reported to OIG or documented through CMHDC’s incident reporting system
* Enforcing the code of silence and resisting change…
CMHDC employees noted multiple obstacles to individuals [defined as people receiving services] reporting allegations, including that individuals must ask staff to use the phone and tell staff who they are calling and that OIG hotline posters—which include the number to call to report an allegation—are sometimes removed. […]
Another individual similarly stated that they had reported things and nothing was done. After reporting, staff come back to work and are even worse. The individual asked why individuals would put themselves out there and risk getting staff madder at them. […]
Retaliation was also identified as a concern for reporters of abuse and neglect. According to ISP- DII, people at CMHDC believe they are going to be punished for speaking the truth. Even security officers do not want to speak up. […]
A CMHDC employee related that an RN was reported for neglect because the RN had turned in the lower ranking staff for neglect. According to this CMHDC employee, lower ranking staff retaliate against individuals and higher-ranking staff. […]
A different CMHDC employee stated that as a trainee, you did not speak up for fear of losing your job. … The employee said that they regularly went home and cried over the way individuals were treated.
According to a CMHDC employee, by the time some allegations get to OIG, the paperwork or story has already changed. […]
Although changing a facility’s culture is by no means a simple task, the first step in that process is recognizing that there is indeed a problem. Stated plainly, the status quo at CMHDC is not acceptable. Every CMHDC employee has to understand that the reporting of misconduct is one of their fundamental responsibilities and that not reporting misconduct is what could lead to their discharge. That message is clearly not getting through right now. CMHDC must take steps to identify how it is that certain CMHDC staff are so effectively able to indoctrinate and intimidate new staff and counteract the training that is being provided regarding reporting.
* One of the report’s last lines…
Preventing and eliminating abuse and neglect should be considered the floor, not the ceiling, regarding individual care.
…Adding… AFSCME Council 31…
“AFSCME-represented Choate employees are dedicated, compassionate and deeply committed to the individuals they serve. The well-being of Choate residents is employees’ top priority, which is why the AFSCME local union at Choate has called repeatedly for more staff, better training and the installation of security cameras throughout the facility—the same recommendations now found in this report.”
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Lacking context
Friday, Jun 9, 2023 - Posted by Rich Miller
* The latest Illinois Policy Institute story about the Chicago Teachers Union is entitled “CTU told lawmakers what to do over 1,360 times in just 6 legislative sessions”…
An entity’s witness slip for or against a bill doesn’t indicate a reason for the stance. It’s more of an up or down vote. But examined together, an entity’s slips over time provide a solid idea of its priorities and agenda.
CTU has used the process to slip at least 1,361 times on 480 bills in the past six legislative sessions, according to data obtained by Illinois Policy Institute from the Illinois General Assembly.
So, it filed witness slips at the astounding average rate of… 40 bills a year?
* Back to the IPI story…
CTU slipped against a bill requiring a school district to notify parents a school employee has been charged with a sex offense within seven days of receiving that information.
Also slipping against the bill were such far-left groups like the Illinois Principals Association, ED-RED, Illinois State Board of Education, the Illinois Association of School Boards and the Illinois Association of School Administrators.
* Next…
It also slipped in favor of at least three bills that could allow a school district to hide from a student’s parents that he or she has been a victim of sexual violence. Parents could inspect the student’s records only if the student consented. If the student had any “health or safety concerns” that were not “satisfied to the student’s satisfaction,” then the student’s status as a victim of sexual violence “shall not be disclosed.”
All three of those bills were supported by Diana Rauner’s Ounce of Prevention Fund, among other groups.
* Another one…
As for curriculum, CTU slipped against a bill requiring school districts with 300 or more students to post a list of learning materials and activities that were used for student instruction in the previous school year. That would include, for example, the title and author of textbooks or any guest lectures.
That Republican-sponsored bill was also opposed by the Illinois Alliance of Administrators of Special Education, Chicago Public Schools and the Illinois State Board of Education.
* Another…
CTU slipped against a bill allowing a school board or other district leaders to suspend (up to 10 days) or expel (up to two years) students convicted of violent felonies. “Violent felony” included first-degree murder, criminal sexual assault and aggravated arson. Set a fatal fire at school and CTU sees no reason to oust that student?
Also slipping in opposition were the Illinois State Board of Education, Equip for Equality, IL Statewide School Management Alliance, Illinois Collaboration on Youth, Beverly Area Parents for Special Education, Wellington Avenue United Church of Christ, Illinois Accountability Initiative, Chicago Public Schools, etc. The bill cleared the House and died in the Senate.
* Last one for me…
Similarly, it slipped against a bill, which still passed, requiring a district superintendent’s notification to the state superintendent related to a teacher’s dismissal or resignation because of an intentional act of abuse or neglect to include the teacher’s education identification number and a brief description of the alleged conduct.
The CTU did slip against the original bill, along with the IEA and IFT. The existing statute revoked pension benefits for certain felony convictions “relating to or arising out of or in connection with his or her service as a teacher.” The proposed legislation would’ve revoked teacher pensions for any Class X felonies, regardless of where those felonies took place. An amendment took out the pension language and the CTU and the others didn’t slip in opposition and the bill passed both chambers unanimously.
* OK, one more…
(T)he union also opposed the use of metal detectors in schools, slipping against a bill requiring public schools to install walk-through metal detectors at public entrances and directing the Illinois State Board of Education to make grants available, subject to appropriation. The bill also would have required medical detectors at institutions of higher education, hospitals and courthouses.
Joining the CTU in opposition were the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, the Illinois Health & Hospital Association, the Illinois State Association of Counties, the IL Statewide School Management Alliance, as well as several universities and regional offices of education.
* Point being, you may totally disagree with the CTU on any number of bills. But I clicked on a few other bills besides those mentioned above, and I didn’t see any that positioned the CTU as a clear outlier on anything. I may have missed some, so click here if you’d like, go through the bills and see if the union stood alone on anything. I’ll update the post if anyone finds one. Thanks.
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A bit of good news
Friday, Jun 9, 2023 - Posted by Isabel Miller
* Chicago Tribune…
More than a half century’s worth of toxic coal ash will be excavated from the flood plain of Illinois’ only national scenic river as part of a deal announced Thursday that could establish a precedent for other hazardous waste dumps throughout the state.
Under a legal settlement brokered by environmental lawyers and Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s office, Texas-based Vistra will drain pits of water-soaked coal ash along the Middle Fork of the Vermilion River, about 120 miles south of Chicago. The company also will dig a trench to collect contaminated groundwater and monitor the fast-eroding riverbank after major storms.
Within the next three years, Vistra is required to apply for a permit to build a landfill nearby to safely dispose of enough coal ash from the former Vermilion Power Station to fill the Empire State Building nearly two and a half times.
Vistra previously had sought permission to cap the coal ash and leave it behind a wall of rocks nearly six football fields long. The company backed down after a Chicago Tribune reporter and photographer paddled the Middle Fork in 2018 with a trio of river advocates who documented how previous efforts to wall off the waste had failed. […]
Concerns about the Middle Fork also helped persuade state leaders to adopt new regulations requiring Vistra and other energy companies to clean up coal ash dumps near two dozen other power plants, most of which will be closed by the end of the decade.
* Kind of unrelated, but here’s another river story for ya…
Organizers of Floatzilla are kicking off their campaign for this year’s paddle, trying to create the largest raft of canoes and kayaks in the nation.
Last year, 1,648 people registered for the paddling event. Floatzilla will need 1,500 more people to beat the world record of 3,151.
“We are hoping to make this the largest paddling event in the nation,” Michael Corsiglia, River Action events manager, said. “River Action will be investing in the event more than ever before, both in terms of the variety of our approach and the total resources allocated.”
Participants must paddle their way to Lake Potter in Rock Island for the world-record attempt.
* The Tribune…
Three years after near-record high lake levels decimated parts of Chicago’s shoreline, some beaches are making a comeback.
Robin Mattheus, a coastal geologist with the Illinois State Geological Survey, said that after the Chicago Park District closed a few beaches due to severe erosion, establishing dune fields to stabilize the sand and encouraging plant growth allowed beaches like Rainbow and 63rd Street to stabilize.
“Those were the areas that took the brunt of the impact of lake level rise,” Mattheus said. “We’re actually seeing in our measurements, our sonar, our drone data, that the beaches are rebounding; they’re reforming. They seem to be doing so quickly in the areas that saw the most destruction.”
However, the outlook for some beaches isn’t clear. For the stretch between Fullerton and North avenues, where large sand trap bags line the shore to mitigate wave action, city officials have not said when the barriers will be removed.
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Because… Madigan!
Friday, Jun 9, 2023 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Crain’s…
In surprisingly strong terms, Illinois House GOP Leader Tony McCombie is castigating her Democratic counterpart, Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, for his performance this spring in producing the state’s new $50.4 billion fiscal 2024 budget.
During an interview in which McCombie expanded on comments she made during the House budget debate, she not only called the budget unbalanced and preparatory to an eventual tax hike but went so far as to suggest former Speaker Mike Madigan was more candid in his dealings with the minority party than his successor has been.
“I think Madigan would have point blank said, ‘We don’t need you, want you. We’re going to pass our budget,’ ” McCombie said. “Whereas Welch kind of led us on.” […]
“It’s not a fiscally responsible budget,” the Savanna Republican charged. “I think it’s setting us up to revisit the graduated income tax,” which was rejected by voters in a 2020 referendum, she said.
* The article also quoted Speaker Welch’s spokesperson Jaclyn Driscoll. I asked her for her full statement. This sentence didn’t make it into the Crain’s story…
It’s almost remarkable that in just two years Republicans went from vilifying the former speaker at every opportunity to now wishing Speaker Welch was more like him.
Oof.
* The rest of Driscoll’s statement…
The fact is Speaker Welch met with Leader McCombie every time she requested and House Democrats held bipartisan budget meetings for weeks. It was made clear, early on in the process, that Republicans were not going to vote in favor of the budget. Unfortunately, when one group comes to the table only to say no, that disrupts the process for all of Illinois.
Democrats have passed five balanced budgets in a row and restored fiscal sanity to this state. Democrats have earned eight credit upgrades and returned Illinois back to an A-rating. Democrats have made sure that we are both financially responsible and compassionate. It’s up to the Republicans to decide whether they want to continue to try to obstruct this progress or work together. We hope they choose the latter.
As far as the Leader’s comments regarding this year’s budget, we’re going to take the word of economists who are already praising it.
* Back to Leader McCombie’s graduated income tax claim. Other House Republicans are making the same argument…
“We built into the agencies’ budget. We have, as you know, we have quite a number of agencies. We built in what we thought might be the appropriate amount of money for what we expect from that AFSCME negotiation,” Pritzker said.
The AFSCME contract is still being negotiated and there is yet to be a final number for the expense.
State Rep. Charlie Meier, R-Okawville, told The Center Square that there is no way to prepare for the final cost and that if the contract is not fully funded in the 2024 budget, Democrats could offer a new tax on residents.
“I’m still afraid this budget will have holes when it gets later into the year, and then you will hear the talk right after the first of the year that we are going to have to put the progressive income tax back on the ballot,” Meier said.
This is not a particularly new post-budget-signing warning. From a year ago…
“Democrats in Illinois, like they have in the last several years, will have no choice but to come back to taxpayers and say ‘we need yet another income tax increase,’” [Rep. Tom Demmer, R-Dixon] said.
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* Last August…
An objection has been filed against the nominating papers of Donny Anderson, who is running as a Republican in the 18th District for the Sangamon County Board. […]
The three [petition objectors] allege that Anderson filed papers that included signatures of persons not registered to vote or not registered at the proper address; that some people did not personally sign their own names and that some signers’ addresses were incomplete.
Gray said Anderson would have had to submit nine valid signatures to get on the ballot.
Nine valid signatures. Nine. Keep that in mind.
* The next day…
A Republican-appointed candidate for the Sangamon County Board seat in District 18 has withdrawn his nominating papers.
Donny Anderson, whose nominating papers had been challenged on several fronts, withdrew his nominating papers late Wednesday afternoon.
* Today…
Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced a former candidate for Sangamon County Board was arraigned on charges he knowingly delivered forged candidacy petition signatures, resulting in those petitions being filed with the Sangamon County Clerk.
Attorney General Raoul charged Donald Anderson, 44, of Springfield, Illinois, with four counts of perjury, Class 3 felonies punishable by up to five years in prison, and four counts of forgery, Class 3 felonies punishable by up to five years in prison. Anderson was indicted by a Sangamon County grand jury on May 24 and pleaded not guilty on Thursday in Sangamon County Circuit Court. His next court date is scheduled for July 31.
“Any candidate for public office in Illinois must follow election law, which starts with obtaining genuine signatures from members of your community,” Raoul said. “Individuals who aspire to serve the public in elected office cannot violate the public’s trust from the outset, and I appreciate the work of the Springfield Police Department in investigating this case.”
According to Raoul, Anderson was a candidate for Sangamon County Board in the July 2022 election and is accused of delivering both pages of his candidate petitions with signatures that were not genuine. According to Raoul, Anderson falsely swore in his circulator’s affidavit that he observed the voters sign the petition in his presence, and that the signatures were genuine. Anderson withdrew his petition for the Sangamon County Board before the election took place.
The Springfield Police Department assisted in investigating this case.
“The election process is one of the most integral components of identifying leaders in our communities,” Springfield Police Chief Ken Scarlette said. “Those who seek election must demonstrate moral turpitude, both during elections and once in office. Mr. Anderson violated this sacred tradition in an attempt to defraud the constituents. As demonstrated in this investigation, the Springfield Police Department remains committed to thorough investigations which result in justice being fairly administered.”
The public is reminded that the defendant is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Assistant Attorney General Mara Somlo is prosecuting the case for Raoul’s Public Integrity Bureau.
Dude allegedly couldn’t be bothered to find nine qualified people to sign his petitions. And now he’s looking at 8 felony counts. Unreal.
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* Illinois’ Fifth District Appellate Court…
Held: The circuit court’s order dismissing plaintiffs’ complaint for declaratory judgment
is affirmed where the circuit court lacked subject matter jurisdiction.
Plaintiffs, consisting of 45 individuals employed by the Illinois Department of Corrections, appeal the trial court’s dismissal of their complaint for declaratory judgment based on the court’s lack of subject matter jurisdiction. For the following reasons, we affirm.
On April 14, 2022, plaintiffs filed their amended verified complaint requesting a declaratory judgment based on section 2 of the Department of Public Health Act (20 ILCS 2305/2 (West 2020)), against defendants, the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) and the Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS). The complaint alleged that CMS managed the employment relationship with state employees on behalf of IDOC and Governor Pritzker demanded state employees be vaccinated or tested to limit the spread of COVID, “subject to bargaining.” The complaint alleged that plaintiffs’ union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), engaged in interest arbitration with the State, which resulted in a final opinion and award as to how Governor Pritzker’s directive would be handled. The complaint further alleged that, pursuant to the final opinion, if state employees refused to submit to vaccination or testing, their livelihood was threatened as they could be placed on “no-pay administrative leave” into perpetuity or until the employee complied. […]
While plaintiffs claim the issue is one of statutory rights, the first count of their complaint requested a declaratory judgment stating that defendants had no lawful authority to compel plaintiffs to vaccinate or participate in testing. However, this issue, i.e., “the lawful authority of the employer,” was the basis of the December 29, 2021, interim interest arbitration award. In re Arbitration Between State of Illinois & AFSCME Council 31, No. S-MA- 22-121 (Dec. 29, 2021). The interim decision found it was “long and well established that governmental entities can mandate vaccinations.” […]
While plaintiffs claim the State violated their statutory rights under section 2 of the Health Act and their claims thereunder were not precluded by the arbitration award, we disagree. Plaintiffs’ argument ignores well-established law holding that waiver of a statutory right is a permissive subject of bargaining. […]
The default for any negotiation is that required by the statute; however, thereafter, “the Union may waive its rights on its own accord.” Accordingly, we find that plaintiffs’ claimed rights herein were waived pursuant to AFSCME’s request, and the State’s agreement, to submit the issue of mandatory vaccination to interest arbitration. Further, any dispute contesting the union’s waiver of the employee’s rights would be considered an “unfair labor practice” claim which lies within the province of the Illinois Labor Relations Board.
Tom DeVore and his firm filed this suit in Christian County last year.
…Adding… Here’s something I didn’t know. Darren Bailey walked away from his lawsuit against Gov. Pritzker last year…
12/13/2022
Entry Regarding Administrative Review
Case comes on for administrative review. Mr. DeVore was allowed to withdraw as attorney of record on 5/23/22 and Mr. Bailey was given 21 days to obtain new counsel. No attorney has entered their appearance nor has this case been prosecuted since April of 2022. The case is dismissed for want of prosecution. Case closed cause stricken.
Judge: GRISCHOW Reporter: N Clerk: N
Cause Stricken
Status: Cause Stricken Report: Terminated Dec 13, 2022
Civil Division Case Closed
Status: Cause Stricken Report: Terminated Dec 13, 2022
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* Stephanie Zimmermann has a fascinating story in today’s Sun-Times entitled “Chicago’s catalytic converter theft epidemic: How thieves operate, what you can do.” I learned a lot. For instance…
Catalytic converter thieves have struck more than 17,000 times in Chicago since 2019. And they almost never get caught.
Only 34 of those reported thefts — 0.2% — ended with an arrest, a Chicago Sun-Times analysis has found.
And…
An Illinois law enacted last year targeting scrap metal sales has barely put a dent in the illegal trade. In the months after it took effect, the number of thefts rose even higher.
And…
Some of the worst neighborhoods in Chicago for catalytic converter thefts, adjusted for population, were: West Town, Avalon Park, Irving Park, Logan Square, North Center, the Lower West Side, Lincoln Square, the Near West Side, Jefferson Park and Avondale.
* The feds need to be more involved since the thefts likely feed into interstate networks…
In its multistate case announced last November, the FBI and authorities in nine states stretching from California to New Jersey charged 21 people with operating a network of thieves, dealers and processors that pocketed $545 million from stolen converters between 2019 and 2022.
* Something to look at, perhaps…
[Lt. Adam Broshous of the Illinois secretary of state police, who heads the Illinois Statewide Auto Theft Taskforce] says some states have prohibited cash sales of catalytic converters entirely.
* In the meantime…
[Ambrosio “Red” Montaño, who manages Value Plus Mufflers at 4321 N. Western Ave. in North Center] says a better way to protect the converter is to install a large metal shield over the entire area. These are sold online for $100 and up, customized for different vehicles and installed at auto shops.
“It’s a lot more work for them to cut around,” he says. “So they’ll just go to the next car that doesn’t have a shield.”
Go read the whole thing.
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Isabel’s morning briefing
Friday, Jun 9, 2023 - Posted by Isabel Miller
* Here you go…
* Injustice Watch | ‘I call it pretend freedom’: Older adults coming out of Illinois prisons face steep roadblocks in their reentry journey: At least 17,000 adults age 50 and older have been released from Illinois prisons since 2014, and thousands more are in line to come out soon. Older adults are less likely to reoffend than their younger counterparts but face more hurdles to successful reentry.
* Crain’s | Illinois House GOP leader rips Speaker Welch over new state budget: During an interview in which McCombie expanded on comments she made during the House budget debate, she not only called the budget unbalanced and preparatory to an eventual tax hike but went so far as to suggest former Speaker Mike Madigan was more candid in his dealings with the minority party than his successor has been. … Welch spokeswoman Jaclyn Driscoll denies that. In fact, she says, “Speaker Welch met with Leader McCombie every time she requested and House Democrats held bipartisan budget meetings for weeks.” Another source familiar with what occurred says a series of meetings did get canceled late in the budget process. But that source blames the situation on bad staff work by Welch’s office, not on the speaker himself, and suggests that McCombie has internal reasons in a right-leaning caucus to battle Welch.
* Lake County News-Sun | Lake Forest councilman resigns amid police investigation; cites ‘personal reasons’: However, city police confirmed they are investigating a recent situation involving Mieling at the downtown Starbucks in the 600 block of Western Avenue. “We interviewed the alleged victim, and at least one witness,” Deputy Chief Rob Copeland said. Copeland said he could not confirm, nor deny the investigation involves photos allegedly taken by Mieling. He added that no charges had been filed in the case.
* Tribune | Legal settlement ensures toxic coal ash will be removed from flood plain of Illinois’ only national scenic river: Under a legal settlement brokered by environmental lawyers and Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s office, Texas-based Vistra will drain pits of water-soaked coal ash along the Middle Fork of the Vermilion River, about 120 miles south of Chicago. The company also will dig a trench to collect contaminated groundwater and monitor the fast-eroding riverbank after major storms.
* Patch | Elmhurst Church Leaves Conference: An Elmhurst Methodist church is leaving its national conference, part of an exodus of churches opposed to a greater role for the LGBTQ community. Faith Evangelical United Methodist Church is among eight in northern Illinois that have ended their longtime affiliation with the United Methodists, the Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church announced Tuesday.
* Injustice Watch | Cook County Judge Vazquez loses retention vote: The vote comes after months of Injustice Watch reporting about Vazquez’s actions inside and outside the courtroom. In December 2021, Injustice Watch found Vazquez was the Cook County judge who most frequently sentenced defendants to wear electronic alcohol monitors as a condition of probation, despite scant scientific evidence that the monitors help address substance abuse. Vazquez sometimes assigned the monitors even in cases in which the underlying charges were unrelated to alcohol, and in at least one case used the threat of jail time to compel a defendant to wear the device, according to the woman and her attorney.
* Tribune | Feds ‘stepping into shoes’ of former Crestwood mayor in grab for his state pension contributions: A recent filing in the case looks to take $13,570 in contributions made by Presta to the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund as part of restitution, that includes a bit more than $72,000 to the Internal Revenue Service, according to sentencing documents.
* Sun-Times | Justice Department officials take interest in Chicago anti-violence programs: The visit to UCAN, which was followed by a meeting in Little Village with a panel of parents who had lost children to gun violence, was not the first time Gupta has been to Chicago. As head of the department’s Office of Civil Rights during the federal investigation of the Chicago Police Department, Gupta announced the DOJ report that led to federal oversight of the department by a court-appointed monitor.
* Tribune | Third airport would create jobs needed to grow Southland economy and tax base, panelists say: All the Southland’s problems are interconnected. High rates of violent crime are directly related to a lack of economic opportunities. Abandoned buildings, declines in municipal services and struggles to maintain quality education and health care can all be link Leaders in government and the business community identified this dynamic years ago and have worked to solve problems. Some measures, such as granting tax incentives to private employers and investing public funds in infrastructure, have paid modest dividends.
* Sun-Times | Inside Chicago’s catalytic converter theft epidemic: Catalytic converter thieves have struck more than 17,000 times in Chicago since 2019. And they almost never get caught. Only 34 of those reported thefts — 0.2% — ended with an arrest, a Chicago Sun-Times analysis has found. “They just zip, zip, and Sawzall it out and leave,” says Shannon Cason of Edgewater, who had a catalytic converter stolen in December. “Nobody knew.”
* Chicago Reader | How the FBI used ‘Cop City’ protests to snoop on activists in Chicago: It took less than two weeks for the FBI to flag the account, which was the focal point of a sprawling federal inquiry that collected information on several Chicago-based activist and community groups. Those groups appear to have done little more than promote or attend events affiliated with the Atlanta-area activists. According to 28 pages of FBI records obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request, the Chicago case file is part of a larger federal law enforcement assessment related to “Anarchist extremism” and domestic terrorism.
* Tribune | Some Chicago beaches making a comeback after Lake Michigan’s high water levels ate into the shoreline: “Those were the areas that took the brunt of the impact of lake level rise,” Mattheus said. “We’re actually seeing in our measurements, our sonar, our drone data, that the beaches are rebounding; they’re reforming. They seem to be doing so quickly in the areas that saw the most destruction.”
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Live coverage
Friday, Jun 9, 2023 - Posted by Isabel Miller
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