* I’ve been over this with subscribers and briefly here on the blog. Tribune last week…
Despite the urging of Illinois educators and strong bipartisan support from lawmakers, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he plans to veto a bill that would grant school employees administrative leave for COVID-19-related sick days for themselves and their children.
In a Tuesday letter to the leaders of the state’s two largest teachers unions, the Illinois Education Association and the Illinois Federation of Teachers, Pritzker said, “I have been very clear in stating that I will veto HB2778.”
“While that continues to be my plan, I have also said that I agree with and support the purpose of the bill: keeping teachers and students safe and in school during this unprecedented global pandemic,” Pritzker said.
The School Employee Benefit and Wage Protection bill, which passed with strong bipartisan support from lawmakers in October, was championed by the state’s teachers unions, who said school employees with young families were being forced to use all of their sick days if they or their children contracted the virus or were required to quarantine.
* From our old friend Emily Miller at the governor’s office…
Hi Rich,
Some recent newspaper articles left several people I know scratching their heads wondering why the Governor would veto HB2778, a bill giving teachers paid leave to deal with Covid-19-related absences. I thought it might be useful to straighten this out by just explaining the Governor’s actual position.
To be clear: the Governor supports giving paid administrative time off to teachers who need it for Covid-19-related reasons and he hopes to sign a bill that achieves that goal. The Governor also supports doing everything we can to keep kids and teachers safe and in the classroom. The language in the bill achieves the first goal, but not the second. The Governor’s team is in the middle of negotiations with the IEA and the IFT to agree on language that achieves both goals.
As written, the bill provides unlimited paid time off to teachers who have chosen not to get vaccinated. It is unsustainable and bad public policy to give people who make the choice not to get vaccinated unlimited paid time off while they continue to willfully expose themselves to a virus that kills people and packs our state’s hospitals, limiting access to healthcare across the state. The science is very clear and there is not room for debate: vaccines are a vital tool in preventing the deadly effects of Covid-19, and those who take the steps to be fully vaccinated against this virus are doing their part to keep everyone safe.
It should be noted that some people don’t get to choose not to take the vaccine—they are medically prevented from taking it. And those people need protection. That’s why federal law prevents discrimination against those who have medical exemptions, and federal law extends to the state of Illinois. The Governor supports paid administrative leave for Covid-19 related absences for those teachers as well.
While there were technical changes the Governor’s team proposed to clarify the bill and make it easier to implement, the only real sticking point is whether, as a matter of public policy, we can grant unlimited paid time off to people who choose not to get vaccinated during an ongoing global pandemic. The Governor does not believe that is a sustainable position.
Most teachers are fully vaccinated. Fully vaccinated teachers are protecting themselves and their communities and are doing everything they can to teach students in person during this stressful, unprecedented time of uncertainty. Our hope is that the bill’s proponents will compromise on this point so the Governor can sign a bill that gives paid Covid-19 time to the vast majority of teachers and prioritizes keeping teachers and children safe and in school.
This administration has worked closely with school districts and teachers throughout this pandemic to keep everyone safe, and we remain committed to that collaborative approach. If we are able to reach agreement, we’ll work with proponents and legislators to get a new bill moving and signed as soon as possible.
I hope that helps clear things up.
Stay healthy,
Emily
I happen to strongly agree that it would be bad policy to give unlimited paid leave to willfully unvaccinated public employees.
The flipside is that I realized over the past few days that I personally know some vaccinated and boosted school district workers who are quickly burning through their paid sick leave as omicron infects one after another of their children, requiring them to be home. And nobody knows when the General Assembly will return.
But, on the other hand, there is a retroactive paid leave clause in the current bill. However, can they pass it?
I blame the sponsors for not working this out in advance. But that’s cold comfort to the people who may be about to have no banked paid sick leave.
And they can’t do an amendatory veto because there are other technical problems which, I’m told, can’t be fixed that way.
So, bottom line for me right now is they need an agreement pronto and the GA needs to get itself back to town to pass it. Toot suite.
Your thoughts on this?
*** UPDATE *** Press release…
The Illinois Council of Community College Presidents appreciates Governor Pritzker’s request for a collaborative and inclusive approach to addressing the concerns that have been raised regarding HB2778. This collaborative spirit is a long-standing tradition of collective bargaining at the local level, between an individual community college district’s elected board and their local bargaining units. This has allowed agreements regarding wages, benefits and working conditions to be addressed within the context of the specific institution and the region it serves. Unfortunately, HB2778 was introduced as a statewide approach to legislating COVID-19 working conditions without input from Illinois community colleges.
This muted the experienced voices of institutions serving more than 600,000 Illinois residents each year through credit and non-credit courses. We hope that community colleges can engage in collaborative discussions surrounding the state’s approach to proposed legislation impacting community college employees.
The Illinois Council of Community College Presidents stands ready to work together with Governor Pritzker, legislators and statewide union leaders to continue encouraging vaccination and ensure those taking appropriate steps to vaccinate and protect themselves, and our students, against COVID-19 are afforded reasonable accommodations to address COVID related incidents.
* Mark Maxwell interviewed House Speaker Chris Welch last week…
Maxwell: The House and the Senate just passed remote voting rules and remote committee rules again for this third year in a row. Let me go back to December of 2020. That was the peak of the deadliest wave of COVID-19 that we had. We didn’t have vaccines at the time. And you were meeting at a committee here in person, that Special Investigative Committee. Since then, schools have returned to work in person. We’ve seen a lot of other types of industries return to work in person. We’ve had the rollout of the vaccine. Lawmakers were among some of the very first groups of people entitled to access to that vaccine, plus the masking requirements, the distancing. We know how to do this. And I just wonder, with all of those things that have changed, how can we still justify meeting remotely today? Why can’t people space out in a committee room with a mask on?
Welch: Well, as you know, Mark, in the legislative space, it’s more than just members when we’re in person. There are staff that we have to be considerate of. There’s journalists like yourself that we have to be considerate of, and those who follow what we do on the legislature. And, you know, we have to be considerate of everyone. And we want to make sure that everyone is as safe as possible. The virtual committees work very well. I think we had probably one of the busiest years last year than we had in quite some time. It showed that the committee work that was done virtually works quite well. And so we do plan to return in person at some point. I like that to be when we believe it’s safest to do so. If you saw a press conference by Governor Pritzker this week, hospitalizations are smashing records, according to Doctor Ezike. We cannot ignore that. And unfortunately, many of our colleagues, particularly those on the other side, like to flaunt our mask rule, they don’t like to have the mask on, we have to constantly remind them to put the mask on. We don’t know if they’re vaccinated or not. And we know that these records of hospitalizations is because of those who are unvaccinated. And so we have to be mindful of our entire surroundings and try to operate as safely as we possibly can. When we were last year a couple of weeks ago, I had to take into mind that most of our staff was out, many of them because of COVID positive tests. They have family members and members have family members. We have to think about the whole and not just ourselves.
1/5 I appreciate the words of encouragement from a leader who understands what it's like to take on the corrupt establishment and put the people first. #twill#firepritzkerpic.twitter.com/SbkUDdv67Q
House Speaker Chris Welch marked his one-year anniversary as his chamber’s top leader with a series of news media interviews last week. One of the questions I asked was what his legislative district’s constituents were talking to him about the most.
“The No. 1 issue in my district, and this is across the state, is crime,” Speaker Welch said.
Welch said he is telling people in his district that he’s working on legislation to address carjacking, organized retail theft and other crime-related issues. He also said he’s talking to mayors and police chiefs in his suburban district about their ideas.
And Welch said he wants to put money into the state budget. “I want to make sure our police are properly funded, properly trained, properly educated.”
When told about Speaker Welch’s response, House Republican Leader Jim Durkin said, in part, “Democrats must just be getting their polling in, showing how disastrous their defund the police and anti-crime victim agenda has been with Illinois voters. Talk is nice, but actions are more important. Just last week the Democrats again passed a law that gives accused criminals more rights than victims. It is no surprise that the No. 1 issue in Speaker Welch’s district is crime, because Democrats have created a consequence-free Illinois that has emboldened criminals.”
I’m hearing from people in both parties that current poll results are extremely ominous for Democrats, particularly in the suburbs. Welch told me he’s “well aware of the political climate as we head into the election season.”
I mentioned that former House Speaker Michael Madigan was often criticized for living in 1994, when Democrats were swept out of office after a massive, racialized anti-crime backlash. But, in a somewhat bizarre twist, it was Madigan’s strong support for the Black Caucus’ criminal justice reform “pillar” as part of his last-minute attempt to hold onto power a year ago that resulted in the controversial bill’s passage. That bill has intensified the Democrats’ political woes.
“We’re going to be fine in 2022, but it’s not going to be given to us. We’ve got to do the work,” Welch said. “And there’s a lot of difference between 2022 and 1994. There’s a lot of ways to communicate to voters that exist now that didn’t exist in 1994.”
Also, the Republicans drew the legislative district map ahead of that 1994 national blowout. Madigan’s Democrats managed to hold on to the majority during the 1992 race, but lost it two years later (and then regained it in 1996).
As far as Leader Durkin is concerned, Welch was completely dismissive. “Leader Durkin has proven that he can’t get past Speaker Madigan,” Welch said, adding that Durkin “is stuck in a partisan fight in his own mind, and so we’ve got to find other ways to work with members on his side of the aisle.”
Welch is disclosing he has $12 million cash on hand in his caucus and personal campaign committee accounts. Madigan’s standard election cycle budget was $30 million, but Welch’s operation also focuses on helping members raise money for themselves, which is not something Madigan ever did. Even so, he has a long way to go.
“There was never a fundraising apparatus within the caucus’ political side,” Welch said. “We’re also helping our members with their political messaging. … From a social media standpoint, we’re providing them with content. That’s never been done before.” He also claimed his members “have had quite a successful year when it comes to fundraising.”
And with petition circulation kicking off last week, I asked Speaker Welch what will happen if any of his House Democratic members attracts a primary opponent. Will he step in to help with money and people?
“I have told our caucus members that it is my plan in every sense of the word to protect incumbent members,” Welch said. “And we will do that.”
By the way, I also asked Senate President Don Harmon what people in his district are telling him.
“What I’m hearing most,” Harmon said, “is a longing for something that resembles ‘getting back to normal.’ It is most often voiced in growing concerns about crime, schools and COVID.”
As we know too well, homicides and shooting incidents in Champaign-Urbana were off the charts in 2021. Champaign reported 16 deaths and 259 reports of shots fired. Urbana had 10 deaths and 115 confirmed shootings. Just 10 years ago such numbers were unthinkable.
And Champaign-Urbana isn’t the only downstate community gushing insane gunfire numbers. Peoria’s 34 homicides last year, a local record, were more than twice as many as Champaign, which is about three-quarters the population of Peoria.
Springfield had “only” a dozen homicides last year — slightly above its five-year average — but it had 68 victims of gunfire and an astonishing 308 reports of “shots fired.” That was after the Gun Violence Task Force, an aggressive effort to recover illegal firearms, swept up 421 guns in Springfield, an increase from the 269 retrieved in 2020.
Rockford had 24 homicides last year, down from a record 36 in 2020. Danville had six gun homicides — but 37 victims of gun violence. Still, that was an improvement from the 55 shootings in 2019. Decatur had eight homicides — but 179 shootings, more than three times the number just five years earlier.
* From an Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools press release…
Five years after its debut, Illinois’ pre-eminent study finds the statewide teacher shortage problem continues to grow – accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic – and school districts overwhelmingly expect it to get even worse in the near future.
* Top results…
Illinois school districts report the teacher shortage problem has worsened from last year in virtually all major areas:
• 88 percent of schools say they have a teacher shortage problem, and 77 percent report the shortage is getting worse
• 93 percent of districts expect the shortage will worsen over the 2023 and 2024 academic years
• More than 2,000 positions are either not filled or filled by someone not qualified to teach there – more than double the amount reported from the last school year
• 96 percent of schools report a substitute teacher shortage problem
• More than 400 classes were canceled, and nearly that many sent online because schools simply had no one to teach them in person
• While administrator shortages are much less severe, schools report they’re having a harder time finding qualified candidates amid retirements and are more and more concerned those struggles will grow over time
* COVID-19 impact…
As students returned to classrooms, schools have struggled to fill needed gaps in educator availability during the pandemic. More than 70 percent say the pandemic has created budget or logistical challenges increasing hiring needs. Nearly 60 percent of districts report increased hiring of teachers and paraprofessionals during the pandemic.
But the actual effects of COVID-19 on day-to-day school instruction goes much deeper. Administrators report their teachers and staff are burned out, their substitute teacher pools are bare as more educators choose to retire or not return to the classroom, and very public battles over mask and other education mandates are taking a heavy toll.
“Anyone ‘on the fence’ about becoming or staying an educator is likely not going to be around,” reported one elementary school leader in northwest Illinois.
* Where it’s worst…
While shortage problems are evident in all parts of Illinois, rural school districts report the most significant problems and the worst outlook ahead. The most severe shortage problems are found in west central and east central Illinois – each region has more than 90 percent of schools reporting shortages. Shortages are also most extreme in unit districts.
* What’s next…
Policy recommendations included in the 2021 study include:
• Increased funding throughout the teacher pipeline: enticing more young people to go into the field and better supporting those who start but can be tempted to leave
• Streamlining restrictive requirements to get into teaching and substitute teaching
• Expanding programs that recruit and support minorities and those who teach in high-need subject areas
• Helping schools find more candidates to meet short-term educator shortage needs
The survey results paint a different picture than the most recent state report card from the Illinois State Board of Education, which indicated the teacher workforce has been growing, due in large part to the additional funding districts have received from both state and federal sources.
“We are encouraged by a lot of what we can see at the state level in terms of growth overall in the number of full-time teachers,” Jen Kirmes, ISBE’s executive director of teaching and learning, said in an interview. “We’re also encouraged by what we see in terms of educator preparation, programs, enrollment and completion. And so there certainly are reasons to be optimistic.”
“We also know that there are great needs in places still for classroom educators,” she added. “But also, we’re hearing from districts about the need for other really critical support professionals who make school work for students like bus drivers, substitute teachers, paraprofessionals. And of course, especially during a pandemic, school nurses.”
Klaisner said IARSS does not dispute the data from ISBE, but he said 2020-21 findings were skewed by the pandemic and the fact that most districts were operating entirely remotely.
* Capitol News Illinois also has a few regional stories about the study…
* The January high for hospitalizations was 7,380 on January 12th. That number dropped to 6,695 yesterday, a 9.3 percent decrease. Here’s what it looks like…
That puts the 7-day rolling average decrease at 1.04 percent. The 14-day rolling average decrease is 0.15 percent.
Since Dec. 7, 2021, the date when the state’s first omicron case was found in Chicago, the city’s Black residents are dying at rates four times higher than Asians, three times higher than Latinos and nearly two times higher than white residents, according to WBEZ’s analysis. A total of 97 Black Chicagoans died of COVID-19 during the seven-day period ending Jan. 9, 2022 — more than at any point since May 11, 2020.
Black Chicagoans aren’t the only demographic that has been particularly vulnerable since the arrival of omicron. Older suburban Cook County residents have also seen their seven-day COVID-19 death totals reach levels not witnessed in more than a year. According to WBEZ’s analysis, a total of 181 suburban Cook County residents 60 years and older died from COVID-19 during the week ending Jan. 9, 2022. That’s the highest seven-day total for that group since Dec. 24, 2020.
Throughout the pandemic in suburban Cook County, older white residents have died at far higher rates than any other group. White residents who are 60 years and older account for just 6.4% of the total population in suburban Cook County, but they make up 53.7% of all COVID-19 deaths among Cook County residents outside Chicago during the pandemic, according to WBEZ’s analysis.
The fast-moving omicron variant may cause less severe disease on average, but COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. are climbing and modelers forecast 50,000 to 300,000 more Americans could die by the time the wave subsides in mid-March.
The seven-day rolling average for daily new COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. has been trending upward since mid-November, reaching nearly 1,700 on Jan. 17 — still below the peak of 3,300 in January 2021. COVID-19 deaths among nursing home residents started rising slightly two weeks ago, although still at a rate 10 times less than last year before most residents were vaccinated.
*** UPDATE *** Press release…
Governor JB Pritzker announced today the federal government has granted the state’s request for medical staffing assistance for UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial Hospital. Under the agreement, a 26-person National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) team, including physicians, pharmacists, nurses, paramedics, and other specialists have been deployed to support UChicago Medicine Ingalls doctors and nurses as they treat COVID-19 patients and other patients in Harvey. This federal surge team will be available for 14-days to help reduce the strain on the region’s hospitals.
* More…
* Henry County’s COVID cases up 10.4%; Illinois cases plummet 11%: Across Illinois, cases fell in 19 counties, with the best declines in Cook County, with 69,479 cases from 95,907 a week earlier; in Will County, with 9,959 cases from 12,450; and in DuPage County, with 14,715 cases from 17,063.
* Why Omicron Is More Likely to Kill Americans: Just 63 percent of Americans are fully vaccinated, 37 percent are boosted. That leaves 122 million people with, at best, fading natural immunity to COVID. It should come as no surprise that Omicron is tearing through this large, mostly unprotected group.
* Covid pandemic ‘nowhere near over’, new variants likely to emerge: WHO chief: “In some countries, cases seem to have peaked, which gives hope that the worst of this latest wave is done with, but no country is out of the woods yet. I remain particularly concerned about many countries that have low vaccination rates, as people are many times more at risk of severe illness and death if they’re unvaccinated,” said the WHO chief.
Today, the Democratic Party of Illinois announced it raised a total of $701,723.68 in the fourth quarter of 2021, including $251,903.27 in federal fundraising and $449,820.41 in non-federal fundraising. The DPI began 2022 with a total of $3,918,603.77 on hand, resources it will use to support all Democrats as it heads into the critical 2022 midterm election year. The nearly 650 unique donors to the DPI in the fourth quarter set a highwater mark for the party as it continues to expand its outreach under the leadership of Chair Rep. Robin Kelly.
“I want to thank everyone who chipped in and helped us finish the year strong,” said Democratic Party of Illinois Chair Rep. Robin Kelly. “I couldn’t be prouder of the work we’ve done together to strengthen our party as we enter 2022. We have the resources we need to play a much-needed support role for Democratic campaigns up and down the ticket, and we look forward to doing the work necessary to deliver for all Democrats in November and beyond.”
…Adding… I told subscribers several days ago that Cassandra Tanner Miller was being touted as a potential congressional candidate. She has now filed paperwork with the FEC and is running in the 11th CD, which is currently represented by Democrat Bill Foster. The district is a lot more swingy than it was and Republicans have been worried that Catalina Lauf was too hardcore to be a good candidate against Foster. Miller (no relation) was in the news last year for “Colton’s Law”…
Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a package of legislation Friday aimed at combatting domestic violence, sparked in part by the death of 18-month-old Colton Miller, whose father broke into his estranged wife’s Joliet home two years ago and asked “are you ready to die today?”
…Adding… Oops. Forgot to post this…
Cook Dem committeepersons received an urgent message last night to stop circulating the Raoul/Mendoza/Frerichs petitions due to an error. Oops! New sheets won't be distributed until Wednesday. As if things aren't bad enough out there with covid and the weather. pic.twitter.com/Idd1q8PJzw
* I talked about this with subscribers earlier today, but here’s the press release…
Candidate for Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias has won the endorsement of one of the most solidly Democratic-affiliated county organizations in the state.
“Alexi will continue Jesse White’s extraordinary legacy and fight for working families in Springfield,” said Bob Sprague, Chairman of the influential St. Clair County Democratic Organization.
“Alexi stands out as the best candidate to lead this important office that interacts with the public more than any other and plays an important role in registering voters, issuing drivers licenses and serving as the state’s chief librarian,” he added. “He has a plan to modernize and improve every aspect of the office to make services easier to access and more convenient for all Illinoisans.”
St. Clair County has played a pivotal role in Democratic politics in recent years with nearly every endorsed candidate winning their primary election contest. In 2018, Governor JB Pritzker won an overwhelming 76 percent of the primary vote in St. Clair County, the highest vote-getting percentage of any county in the state.
St. Clair County has delivered Democratic votes in general elections as well. It was one of just five Illinois counties where Democrats Hillary Clinton, JB Pritzker, and Joe Biden each received over 50 percent of the General election vote in their respective races.
Pritzker went on to win the general election in 2018 with nearly 100,000 votes cast in St. Clair County, defeating then Gov. Bruce Rauner 52,603 to 40,524.
In 2020, nearly 130,000 votes were cast for U.S. President with Joe Biden winning with 68,325 votes to Donald Trump’s 57,150. Four years earlier, more than 122,000 ballots were cast with Hillary Clinton winning over Trump 60,756 to 53,857.
“I’m honored to have received the endorsement of this legendary organization of Democrats who work hard to ensure they elect candidates who share their values,” Giannoulias said. “The St. Clair Democrats have a long history of endorsing successful candidates, working tirelessly on the campaign trail and getting out the vote for candidates they believe in when it matters most. My campaign is excited to work with them in both the primary and general elections and serve St. Clair County residents as Secretary of State.”
* Global Strategy Group is a good pollster. The push questions, however, can be misleading and Mark Maxwell was right to point that out…
The Democratic primary race for Secretary of State is a “dead heat,” according to a generic poll sponsored by the campaign for Anna Valencia, the current City Clerk of Chicago.
A Global Strategy Group poll of 600 likely primary voters found 58% of people surveyed were still “undecided” with six months to go before the election. Valencia and former Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias tied at 13% each. Chicago Alderman David Moore came in last with 12%.
However, once the pollsters started introducing likely primary voters to the glowing parts of Valencia’s personal backstory, her poll numbers, unsurprisingly, shot up.
Newman, an ad agency exec and business consultant by trade, has emphasized bread-and-butter issues such as expanded health coverage. That’s won her the backing of SEIU and other progressive groups, and the support of fellow members of Congress known for advocating on such issues, including Rashida Tlaib and Ro Khanna. But campaign aides suggest she’ll tack to the middle in the primary, emphasizing her role on the House Small Business Committee and pitching herself as a hard worker who knows how to deliver for constituents.
Team Casten counters that he, too, has a progressive voting record in Washington and underlines that, despite the COVID pandemic, he has been able to hold more than 50 town hall sessions with constituents. Casten also has been particularly outspoken, even by Democratic terms, in talking about the Jan. 6 riots and what’s needed to protect U.S. democracy as Donald Trump plans a potential bid to regain the presidency in 2024.
Casten, who has some personal wealth, is expected to be better funded—particularly if Jewish groups still upset about the fact that Newman was one of only eight House Democrats to vote against funding the Israeli Iron Dome missile defense system. (Newman aides reply that voters in the district didn’t want to spend $1 billion on the project, given other needs.)
Newman, in turn, may end up having more energy out in the precincts from party activists who tend to dominate primary elections. That potential advantage could be diminished if groups such as the 19th Ward Regular Democratic Organization get involved. Ditto Lipinski, who says he hasn’t decided yet whether to endorse but certainly could stir the waters some.
* Meanwhile…
Today, Congressman Sean Casten announced he raised over $700,067 in the fourth quarter of 2021. The campaign’s impressive fundraising haul is its highest off-year fourth quarter ever and brings its total cash on hand to over $1.5 Million. The campaign has raised $1.96 million this cycle and has a lifetime average online donation of $41.38.
* And…
Congresswoman Marie Newman announced that she had received endorsements from The Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen, Sprinkler Fitters Local 281 UA, Riggers, Machinery Movers & Machinery Erectors Local 136, Transport Workers Union Local 512, the National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 4016, and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District Lodge 19, the Railroad District.
* Press release…
- Today, the Judge Rochford for Supreme Court campaign reported raising more than $262,000 in the fourth quarter of 2021 and ended the year with $215,000 on hand in the race for the Second District of the Illinois Supreme Court. The campaign enters the election year in a position of strength, having outraised their nearest opponent by more than $150,000 in 2021 and ending the year with $110,000 more on hand. The campaign received support from a broad coalition of legal professionals, organized labor, elected officials, and small dollar individual donors from across the district.
* I had a brief bit on this Greg Hinz piece in a long Friday post, but it deserves more attention…
A major new candidate is pondering whether to enter the race to succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush, and his entry could shake up the contest.
In a phone interview, Jonathan Jackson—the son of civil rights leader, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, and the brother of former Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr.—said he not only is seriously considering running, but he’s checking with potential fundraisers, staff and big-name allies about whether to do so. […]
Jackson’s family legacy is not all positive. His brother, Jesse Jackson Jr., left office in disgrace from an adjoining district after being convicted on federal charges of spending $750,000 in campaign funds on personal luxury items.
“I love my brother,” Jackson said when asked about that. “I think he had admitted his mistakes, and repaid his debt to society.”
* She’s been a bit busy with other things, so we’ll see what happens when she starts really cranking up…
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot @LoriLightfoot raised $231k and spent $154k, for a net of $77k for the reporting period. She has $1.2 million cash on hand with the mayoral election one year away. For a comparison, Rahm Emanuel had $6.5 million one year before his reelection #twillpic.twitter.com/fG00zu47th
Illinois Senate Republican Leader Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods) unveiled the Voter Empowerment Project, a legislative package of constitutional amendments designed to allow Illinois voters a more active role in their democratic process.
“For too long in this state, Illinoisans haven’t had a voice in their state government,” said Leader McConchie. “Legislative leaders have consistently marginalized the voices and opinions of the people of Illinois, cutting them out of the legislative process as important decisions continued to be made behind closed doors without public input. That’s why I am renewing Senate Republican calls to give the people back their voice through our Voter Empowerment Project.”
The package includes four Senate Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendments:
SJRCA 13: Requires an independent redistricting commission, where the chief justice of the Illinois Supreme Court and the most senior supreme court justice of the opposite party would jointly select 17 commissioners to serve on the commission.
The commission would be comprised of seven individuals representing the Democratic Party, seven individuals representing the Republican Party, and three independent commissioners. The first redistricting process would occur in 2023 and then after every subsequent federal decennial census.
SJRCA 14: Allows Illinois voters to make more substantive changes to their constitution. The Illinois Constitution currently limits citizen-initiative amendments to specified structural and procedural subjects. This amendment would put voters in the driver’s seat, allowing them to circulate petitions for and vote on many key issues such as taxation, redistricting, and other important constitutional provisions.
SJRCA 15: Permits citizens the ability to initiate up-or-down referendums on newly passed laws. By giving citizens the right to veto unpopular or rushed legislation, the amendment would allow voters a form of popular redress to political overreach and unwanted mandates.
SJRCA 16: Allows voters to recall elected officials including any executive branch officer, the Speaker of the House, the President of the Senate, the Auditor General, Members of the General Assembly, and local government officials. Currently, only the Governor is subject to recall.
“This package provides needed checks and balances to Illinois’ government—protections that have been weakened after decades of corruption and mismanagement,” said Leader McConchie. “It will empower the people of Illinois by providing them with tools to take back their government.”
The Republican Party nationally has changed dramatically in the eight years since Rauner won, as Donald Trump’s presidential campaign and four years in the White House maligned more traditional GOP politicians — especially those aligned with business interests. Instead, a growing number of Republicans have tapped into a growing and self-perpetuating hunger among previously disaffected voters, even if it means touting baseless conspiracy theories and sometimes amplifying outright racism.
Elected state Republican leaders in Illinois — a blue island on a presidential voting map surrounded by an increasingly red Midwest — have been resistant to riding the new GOP tide. This resistance has divided the state party, a body made up of hyper-partisans who have revolted against their party chairs twice in the past decade for being too moderate.
A key faction of longtime GOP operatives, however, are placing a bet that a diverse mix of Republicans running mostly on kitchen-table issues can attract crossover voters, mostly from suburban areas. But it’s a high-stakes bet, especially given the GOP primary electorate has shifted to mostly downstate areas in the past two decades, which have gotten more conservative as former Democratic strongholds buoyed by union organizing have disappeared, along with key industries.
The bet also promises to be expensive. Griffin, the founder and CEO of Chicago-based hedge fund Citadel, this fall reportedly vowed to spend as much as $300 million on Republican candidates in the 2022 cycle. After Irvin’s announcement Monday, Griffin touted the candidate’s credentials.
Top Illinois Republican leaders also resisted embracing Reaganism back in the day. This internal party fight has ancient roots here.
• Will the public’s memory focus on Pritzker’s failed effort to push through a graduated income tax, or on his more recent accomplishments in balancing the state’s budget, raising its credit rating and paying off old bills rung up during Rauner’s tenure?
• Will COVID finally ease for good, boosting the state’s mood and taking the edge off of what augurs to be at least a good year for Republicans nationally?
• Who will turn out to be the bigger bogeyman: Rauner, whom Democrats seek to mention at every turn, or Mike Madigan, the now retired but still remembered Illinois House speaker?
• Will other top GOP fundraisers—Ron Gidwitz, Dick Uihlein and Craig Duchossois, to name three examples—open their wallets wide for the ticket? I’m told that was a condition of getting Griffin involved, but we’ll see.
“I’ve seen it up close. Defund the police is dumb, dangerous and it costs lives. And I believe that all lives matter. Every family should be safe,” he says. “My city is now safe, stronger and full of opportunity. I want that for Illinois.”
Irvin, 51, the first Black mayor of the state’s second largest city, chose Martin Luther King Jr. Day to launch a campaign he and Republicans believe can appeal to Black voters who traditionally vote overwhelmingly Democratic.
At the same time, Republicans see the recent outbreak in violent crime in the city and suburbs as an opportunity to portray Democrats as soft on crime for enacting criminal justice changes such as an end to cash bail, even though many of those changes have yet to go into effect.
Crime will be the central issue for that Republican slate this year.
“He has to convince diehard GOP voters that he is conservative enough to satisfy their concerns, but he also has to be looking for the general election and he has to be able to convince GOP voters that he can win in the fall,” ABC7 political analyst Laura Washington said.
“The best part about the campaign, the primary this year is not in March. It’s June 28,” political analyst Thom Serafin said. “So he’s got a lot of time to do what he needs to do to get done, and he got a good start based on that video I saw today.” […]
“He’s getting into the race late, but it’s not that late,” Washington said.
“We’ve got almost six months ahead of campaigning. If he has a huge amount of money behind him, he can play catch up very quickly.”
One issue likely to come up in the primary is that Irvin pulled Democratic ballots in the 2014, 2016 and 2020 election primaries and in the 2017 and 2021 consolidated election primaries.
He picked a Republican ballot in the 2018 primary that former Gov. Bruce Rauner won.
“I welcome Mayor Irvin to the race and I look forward to reviewing his conservative credentials and comparing and contrasting his vision for Illinois with ours,” said Palatine Township Highway Commissioner Aaron Del Mar, who is running for lieutenant governor on a ticket with governor candidate and businessman Gary Rabine of McHenry.
Del Mar called it “strategic” that Irvin’s campaign announcement came in a video and he was not available for questions. “I think there’s a lot about Mr. Irvin that Republican voters want to know,” Del Mar said.
Leading the Irvin project is Kirk alum Mike Zolnierowicz, a former chief of staff for Rauner who was the “strategic consultant” for the successful 2020 campaign, fueled by Griffin’s millions, to defeat Pritzker’s bid for a graduated income tax.
With Irvin’s name in play since December, Pritzker’s team, the Democratic Party of Illinois and the Democratic Governor’s Association have been steadfastly linking him to Rauner and Griffin.
The Democrats labeled the Irvin-led slate the “Griffin slate,” and hope the name sticks. The Irvin-Bourne nominating petitions call themselves the “Fight for Illinois Team.” The address for their petition drive is Zolnierowicz’s firm, Z Strategies, in Ravenswood.
[Don Tracy, chairman of the Illinois Republican Party], at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Breakfast in Springfield, encouraged all GOP candidates to heed the 11th Commandment.
“Thou shalt not speak ill of thy fellow Republican. It’s going to be tough in a competitive primary, but as state party chair, it’s my job to remind people of that and I will continue to do so,” he said.
Reform For Illinois Executive Director Alisa Kaplan said it’s going to be a big money campaign the state hasn’t seen before.
“This is an insane amount of money by any standard,” Kaplan told The Center Square Monday. “By national standards, by local standards, by global standards.”
Pritzker spent more than $170 million to get the job in 2018.
“Look at the vicious cycle that Illinois has gotten into with two billionaires,” Kaplan said. “It’s very distressing that Pritzker put $90 million into his campaign account. But when you look at Ken Griffin saying he’s going to put $300 million, how is someone going to fight except with a lot of money.”
Kaplan said voters must beware the influence big money has.
“I think people should be very concerned about what this means for their democracy and do whatever they can to get involved and see how we can empower everyday voters instead of just sitting back and accepting this situation,” Kaplan said.
The next year, while he was running for re-election in Aurora in the spring of 2021, Irvin told a local news outlet, “I support Black Lives Matter strongly and passionately.”
This year, now that he’s running for governor in a Republican primary, Irvin repeated critics of the Black Lives Matter movement who often retort, “I believe All Lives Matter.”
Over 60 national, state, and local Republican leaders will serve as campaign co-chairs on Richard Irvin and Avery Bourne’s campaign for Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Illinois. The diverse list includes endorsements from all over the state, ranging from party activists to elected officials who want to see Irvin’s leadership in Springfield.
Former US Congressman and 28 year military veteran John Shimkus noted Irvin’s military background and prior leadership success guiding the city of Aurora.
“Richard has dedicated his life to serving our country and our state,” Shimkus said. “In the Army he fought to protect our freedoms in Desert Shield and Desert Storm. As a prosecutor he brought criminals to justice. As mayor he improved the lives of Aurora families. Richard loves America and he loves Illinois. He knows our state is on the wrong track with high crime, out-of-control taxes and never ending corruption. I can’t think of anyone better to take our state back and get it on the right track than this veteran, prosecutor and mayor.”
House Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) proudly voiced support for Irvin, who has a clear record of reducing violent crime in the second largest city in the state, and for the Assistant Minority Leader of his caucus, Avery Bourne, who has a proven record of leadership in Springfield.
“As murders, carjackings and mayhem surged across Illinois, JB Pritzker’s answer was signing a bill that lets violent criminals walk the streets without consequence while crippling the ability of our police to do their jobs and keep our communities safe,” Durkin said. “Richard Irvin was a prosecutor who knows what it takes to make Illinois safe. As Mayor, Richard hired more cops and stood proudly with law enforcement when Illinois Democrats repeatedly turned their backs. That’s the kind of leadership we need today in Illinois.”
In light of the rapid rates of rising crime, law enforcement officials have voiced their approval for the needed change Richard Irvin and Avery Bourne would bring, including Kendall County Sheriff Dwight Baird.
“Crime is out-of-control throughout Illinois and JB Pritzker made it worse by signing a bill that lets criminals out of jail and doesn’t allow the police to do their jobs,” Baird said. “That’s wrong. As a prosecutor, Richard put gangbangers and thugs behind bars, and worked to make neighborhoods safer. As Mayor of Aurora, Richard hired more cops, defeated the Defund the Police movement and has helped reduce crime. Patterns of violent crime can’t continue to go unchecked–which is why we need a proven leader like Richard as our next Governor of Illinois.”
Leslie Munger, former Illinois Comptroller and fiscal conservative, proudly supports Irvin for the opportunity this election brings to turn around state finances.
“Our state is headed in the wrong direction,” Munger said. “High taxes and violent crime are out of control, and the corruption from Springfield never ends as JB Pritzker continues to prioritize the special interests and political insiders over Illinois families. Illinois is in desperate need of change. We need new leaders who will put the hardworking taxpayers of Illinois first, and that’s why I am proudly supporting Richard Irvin for Governor. As Mayor of Aurora, Richard has reduced crime, stood with law enforcement, brought economic growth to Aurora to reduce the local tax burden, balanced budgets, and has taken on corruption. I know he will do the same for Illinois.”
Terry Richmond, Montgomery County GOP Chairman, echoed the need for better budgeting in Illinois as state finances continue to crumble.
“Under JB Pritzker spending continues to surge and his only answer is to try and institute the largest tax hike in Illinois history on families, farmers and small business owners,” Richmond said. “As Mayor of Aurora, Richard has balanced budgets and returned money to taxpayers. As state representative, Avery has been a consistent conservative fighting back against the Pritzker-Madigan Machine. We need change in Illinois that doesn’t come at an expense to taxpayers, which is why Irvin and Bourne are undoubtedly the best team to lead the State of Illinois back to prosperity.”
With Illinois residents continuing to bear the brunt of the rising cost of living in the state, local leaders including Dan Cronin, Dupage County Chairman, have voiced support for new leadership that wouldn’t resort to ‘tax and spend’ habits.
“JB Pritzker already tried to pass the largest tax hike in Illinois history, and if re-elected he will try again,” said Cronin. “As people flee the state in droves, the last thing Illinois needs is higher taxes. As mayor, Richard balanced budgets and returned money to its citizens. I’ve known Richard for years - he’s a former prosecutor, veteran and true leader. With his common sense approach to government, he can take our state back and get it on the right track.”
Aurora Alderwoman Patty Smith (8th Ward) has witnessed Richard Irvin’s success in bringing significant change at the local level–and endorsed the opportunity to do that on a larger scale throughout Illinois.
“I am endorsing Richard Irvin for Governor because he has a proven record of leadership in Aurora that he can bring to all of Illinois,” Smith said. “He fought Mike Madigan’s hand-picked candidate in the mayor’s race and won. He balanced our city’s budget and stood proudly with law enforcement to keep Aurora safe. We need Richard’s leadership in Springfield, to restore Illinois back to the great state it once was.”
Mike Bigger, Stark County Republican Chairman & Former Secretary of the Illinois Republican Party, highlighted Irvin’s pro-growth mindset, a stark contrast to the anti-business policies under the Pritzker Administration.
“Under JB Pritzker, businesses large and small are fleeing for lower taxed states because of his constant push for higher taxes,” said Bigger. “Where he’s failed, Richard has succeeded by working with businesses and creating a welcoming environment in Aurora that has seen an explosion in growth the last several years. It’s that track record of success in helping bring businesses and growth that we so desperately need in Springfield.”
The list of support for Irvin and Bourne includes the following leaders throughout Illinois:
• Nick Africano, Kankakee County Treasurer & Kankakee County GOP Chair (Kankakee County)
• Mark Aguilera, Former National Committeeman, Republican National Hispanic Assembly of Illinois (Cook County)
• Janice Anderson, Former DuPage County Board Member (DuPage County)
• Shweta Baid, Aurora Alderman (Ward 10) (DuPage County)
• Dwight Baird, Kendall County Sheriff (Kendall County)
• Sue Barfield, Former Chair of the Massac County GOP Women (Massac County)
• Dick Barr, Lake County Board Member & Lake Villa Township GOP Vice Chair (Lake County)
• Mark Batinick, Illinois State Representative (HD97) (Will County)
• Bob Berlin, DuPage County State’s Attorney (DuPage County)
• Mike Bigger, Stark County Republican Chairman, Former Secretary of the Illinois Republican Party
• Adam Brown, Former Illinois State Representative (HD102) (Macon County)
• Tim Butler, Illinois State Representative (HD87) (Sangamon County)
• Eugene Carpino, Former Executive Director of the Illinois House Republican Organization (DuPage County)
• Sandi Cianci, Kankakee County Circuit Clerk (Kankakee County)
• Dan Cronin, DuPage County Board Chairman (DuPage County)
• Tom Cronin, River Forest Township GOP Chair (Cook County)
• Tom Cross, Former House Republican Leader (Will County)
• Judy Diekelman, Illinois Republican Party Treasurer & State Central Committee (CD2) (Cook County)
• Jim Durkin, Illinois State Representative (HD82) and House Republican Leader (Cook County)
• Marianne Eterno, National Chairwoman of the Private Enterprise Advisory Council of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) (Cook County)
• Larry Falbe, Lake County Republican Federation President (Lake County)
• Ron Gidwitz (Honorary), Trump Co-Chair & Former U.S. Ambassador
• Andy Goleman, Sangamon County Auditor (Sangamon County)
• Scott Gryder, Kendall County Board Chairman (Kendall County)
• Patty Gustin, Naperville City Councilmember (DuPage County)
• Tom Haine, Madison County State’s Attorney (Madison County)
• Aren Hansen, Grundy County GOP Chairman & Illinois Republican Party State Central Committee (CD16) (Grundy County)
• Kathy Hilton, Illinois Republican Party State Central Committee - Deputy (CD1) and New Lenox Township Trustee (Will County)
• Nathan Hoffman, Former Vice Chairman of the Illinois College Republican Federation and Chairman of University of Illinois-Springfield College Republicans (Sangamon County)
• Nimish Jani, Illinois Republican Party State Central Committee (CD8) (Cook County)
• Diante Johnson, Black Conservative Foundation President & Former Blacks for Trump Advisor (Vermilion County)
• Brian Kasal, 43rd Ward Republican Committeeman, Northside Chicago GOP Organization President & Illinois Republican Party Finance Committee Member (Cook County)
• Ammie Kessem, 41st Ward Republican Committeeperson (Cook County)
• Jake Lee, Kankakee County Auditor (Kankakee County)
• Gus Leventis, Addison Township Trustee & Addison Township GOP Member (DuPage County)
• Alejandro “Alex” Lopez, Elgin Township Trustee, Elgin Township GOP Member & Invest Aurora Board Member (Kane County)
• Joan McCarthy LaSonde, Executive Director of the North Cook Republican Organization (Cook County)
• Joe McMahon, Former Kane County State’s Attorney (Kane County)
• Raquel Mitchell, Will County Board Member & Wheatland Township GOP Chair (Will County)
• Sean Morrison (Honorary), Cook County Commissioner, Cook County GOP Chairman & Illinois Republican Party State Central Committee (CD3) (Cook County)
• John Munger, Vernon Township GOP Chairman (Lake County)
• Leslie Munger, Former Illinois Comptroller (Lake County)
• Gray Noll, Morgan County State’s Attorney (Morgan County)
• Lynn O’Brien, Illinois Republican Party State Central Committee - Deputy (CD6) & Illinois Republican Party Finance Committee Member (Lake County)
• Jim Oberweis, Former Illinois State Senator (SD25) & Former Illinois Republican Party State Central Committee (CD14) (Kane County)
• Steve Orlando, Former Chairman of the Republican National Hispanic Assembly of Illinois (Will County)
• Tim Ozinga, Illinois State Representative (HD37) (Will County)
• Rocky Pintozzi, Past Chairman of the Aurora Convention & Visitors Bureau (DuPage County)
• Matt Podgorski, Northwest Side GOP Club Chairman (Cook County)
• Randy Pollard, Former President of the Illinois County Chairmen’s Association & Former Chairman of the Fayette County GOP (Fayette County)
• Richard Porter (Honorary), Republican National Committeeman (Cook County)
• Matt Prochaska, Kendall County Circuit Clerk & Young Republicans Statewide Executive Board (Kendall County)
• Dennis Reboletti, Former Illinois State Representative & Addison Township Supervisor (DuPage County)
• Jay Reyes, Illinois Republican Party State Central Committee (CD4) (Cook County)
• Terry Richmond, Montgomery County GOP Chair (Montgomery County)
• Bob Schillerstrom, Former DuPage County Board Chairman (DuPage County)
• Tim Schneider, Former Illinois Republican Party Chairman (Cook County)
• Mike Shackel, Lemont Township Supervisor & Lemont Township GOP Chair (Cook County)
• John Shimkus (Honorary), Former U.S. Congressman (Madison County)
• Patrick Simon, Calhoun County GOP Chairman (Calhoun County)
• Grace Simpson, Mercer County State’s Attorney (Mercer County)
• Patty Smith, Aurora Alderman (Ward (DuPage County)
• Dan Ugaste, Illinois State Representative (HD65) (Kane County)
• Richard Veenstra, Mayor of Addison (DuPage County)
• Grant Wehrli, Former State Representative & Naperville City Council Member (DuPage County)
• Neil Williamson, Former Sangamon County Sheriff (Sangamon County)
• Ron Woerman, Aurora Alderman (At-Large) (Kane County)
• Jim Zay, DuPage County GOP Chairman & DuPage County Board Member (DuPage County)
* Press release is on Twitter, but not in my inbox Press release…
Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin today announced his candidacy to be the next Governor of Illinois. A decorated war veteran, former prosecutor and mayor of the second largest city in the state, Irvin brings a strong record of proven leadership that has been missing from Illinois under JB Pritzker. State Representative Avery Bourne of Morrisonville will be Irvin’s partner as Lt. Governor. Together, they are committed to being tough on crime, fighting to cut taxes and cleaning up the corruption that has plagued state government from the Madigan-Pritzker machine.
As the great grandson of a slave who was freed because of Abraham Lincoln, Richard’s life is the embodiment of the American dream. Born to a single mother and having grown up in the projects of Aurora, Richard was the first in his family to graduate high school. He has dedicated his life to service – a decorated war veteran, a prosecutor who was tough on criminals, and mayor of the second largest city in Illinois. During his tenure as Aurora’s mayor, he cut wasteful spending, sparked economic growth and brought property tax relief to residents. Irvin would be the first African-American nominee of either party to win the gubernatorial nomination.
“Where JB Pritzker has failed in Illinois, I have succeeded in Aurora,” Irvin said. “If we can do it in Aurora, we can do it for all of Illinois. Let’s take Illinois back and restore it to the Land of Lincoln. As the next Governor of Illinois, I will be tough on criminals, put our state on a sound fiscal path that doesn’t rely on tax hikes and fight the corrupt politicians who have run our state for decades.”
Avery’s roots run deep in Illinois. Growing up in a farming family, she learned the value of hard work and the importance of leaving a place better than she found it. Avery was the youngest person to serve in the Illinois legislature when she took the oath of office in 2015. Since then, she has worked every day for a better state where families can live, businesses thrive, and people take control of their government.
“As Richard’s partner, I look forward to righting JB Pritzker’s wrongs in ruling our state with unilateral authority,” Bourne said. “We will fight to restore parents’ rights and encourage local control because we believe all residents and communities of Illinois should have a seat at the table.”
Learn more about Richard and Avery’s fight to #takeitback at IrvinBourne.com.
Richard Baxter Irvin was born a slave, but he dreamed of being free. Eventually, he lived that dream, following it to the land of the man who made it possible.
He found opportunity here as a mason, helping build his community, brick by brick. Some are still here. He built a legacy I stand on today. I don’t just share the name Richard Irvin. I share his dream of what Illinois could be, where a growing economy provides ladders of opportunity for anyone willing to work. Where families are safe. Where kids are educated, not indoctrinated. Where government guarantees our right to pursue the best life we can, free of oppressive taxes and regulations.
That’s not Illinois we have today. Crime is out of control. So is corruption. Negligence and incompetence have destroyed our finances so taxes go up. So taxes go up. People move on, because there’s nothing you can do about it.
But that’s not true. I know it’s not.
I grew up in Section Eight public housing in Aurora, where I now serve as mayor. Mom had me at 16. A single mother working two jobs. Didn’t have much of a father. But my granddad, son of Richard Baxter Irvin, taught me to believe in myself to do the best I could in whatever I did, like he did as a skilled craftsman in the factories after World War Two. I enlisted in the Army, like him. Served in Desert Storm, developed the discipline it takes to complete a mission.
So, I went to college on the GI Bill, then law school to become a hands on prosecutor. Going on police raids, taking back one quarter or apartment complex at a time. Putting gang-bangers, drug dealers and wife-beaters in prison.
I’ve seen it up close. Defund the police is dumb, dangerous and it costs lives. And I believe that all lives matter. Every family should be safe. Running our second largest city, crime’s come down because the police budget has gone up. I hired more cops each year. We’ve recruited new companies, turned old properties into economic engines. And we’ve controlled spending, balanced budgets, so residents got property tax relief. My city is now safer, stronger and full of opportunity. I want that for Illinois.
Madigan and his ilk, Governor Pritzker, they’ve done so much damage. But I promise you we can overcome the challenges. That’s what I’m good at. But we must dare to dream of an Illinois that is free, prosperous and proud enough to truly be the Land of Lincoln again.
I’m Richard Irvin. I’m running for Governor of Illinois. And with your help, we will take our state back.
Please pardon all transcription errors. But, wow, that’s the best launch video of the cycle in either party. Strap in, campers.
Meet The Republican Who Scares JB Pritzker The Most
Summary: Illinois Democrats have been campaigning to stop Republican Richard Irvin’s political rise for more than 15 years. J.B. Pritzker is so worried about Irvin, his allies – the Democratic Governors Association, the Democratic Party of Illinois, and the Kane County Democrats – are already attacking him.
Irvin has an extensive record as a Republican volunteer and elected official. Irvin’s been publicly identified as a Republican with limitless potential since his first campaign for public office in 2005. In that race, Irvin was supported by Republican leaders like then-State House Republican Leader Tom Cross, and opposed by prominent Democrats like Barack Obama and Dick Durbin. In 2006, Irvin was appointed as a Republican precinct committeeman in DuPage County. He was elected as a Republican precinct committeeman in DuPage County and then became an alderman in Aurora. In his successful 2017 campaign for mayor of Aurora, Irvin defeated House Speaker Mike Madigan’s handpicked candidate, Democrat state representative Linda Chapa LaVia. Durbin and Tammy Duckworth campaigned against him. Irvin’s governed as a conservative: cutting spending, delivering tax relief, and defeating the local Defund the Police movement.
Fact: Irvin is the only Republican running for governor to take on the Madigan machine and win.
Fact: No Republican scares JB Pritzker more than Irvin; that’s why Pritzker’s allies are on the attack.
…Adding… DGA executive director Noam Lee…
“Richard Irvin’s entrance into an already chaotic field crams one more candidate into the clown car that is the Illinois GOP gubernatorial primary. But if Irvin, and his anointer, billionaire Ken Griffin, expect Irvin to easily be the last clown standing, they’re in for a rude awakening.
“Expect to see a mad scramble as Irvin tries to walk back his years of praise for Gov. JB Pritzker’s leadership — something we thank the mayor for — as well as a double down on his anti-choice views as he tries to prove his far-right bonafides. And we’re sure Griffin will waste no time filling in the other gaping holes in Irvin’s platform as Griffin tries to make the Irvin campaign a vehicle to drag Illinois back to the disastrous days of the Rauner administration.
“As Irvin has said himself, Gov. JB Pritzker has been a proven leader for the state of Illinois. Pritzker has increased the minimum wage, launched the largest infrastructure project in state history, made college more affordable, and expanded early childhood education, all while leading the state through an unprecedented global pandemic.”
…Adding… DPI…
Democratic Party of Illinois Executive Director Abby Witt released the following statement regarding the news that Richard Irvin has entered the Republican primary for governor:
“Today, we finally received official confirmation of what has been reported for weeks: Richard Irvin will lead Ken Griffin’s Rauner Reboot slate as the candidate for governor. Irvin jumps into the race with the blessing of Bruce Rauner himself and leads a handpicked slate ready to pull Illinois back to the Rauner days of chaos and dysfunction.
“Illinoisans will not be fooled by the Rauner Reboot slate and they will not stand idly by while Ken Griffin and Bruce Rauner try to drag our state backwards with their anti-working family agenda. Simply put, Illinois voters will not tolerate a slate of candidates whose only goal is to return us to the Rauner years of budget impasses, credit downgrades, draconian service cuts, and governmental crisis.”
…Adding… Personal PAC…
Today, following the news that anti-choice extremists Richard Irvin and Avery Bourne would run as Republicans for governor and Lieutenant Governor of Illinois, Personal PAC President and CEO Terry Cosgrove released the following statement.
“Richard Irvin and Avery Bourne present a clear threat to the progress we’ve made in Illinois to enshrine reproductive rights into law and protect the fundamental right to choose. Their extreme positions on reproductive decision making would take Illinois back decades––to a time of dirty and deadly back-alley abortions. We will not allow Republican extremists to make Illinois a more dangerous state for women.”
Richard Irvin is a threat to women’s reproductive rights. He said that “Planned Parenthood was bad for Aurora,” and compared the lifesaving and necessary work of the clinic to a “strip club or asbestos company.”
His running mate, Avery Bourne, is a far-right extremist who wants to ban abortion, even in cases of rape and incest, and called enshrining the protections given to women by Roe v Wade into state law “extreme.”
One thing is clear: Irvin and Bourne would spell disaster for women seeking to make decisions about their own reproductive health care free from political interference.
…Adding… SEIU Healthcare Illinois President Greg Kelley…
“For working people across the state of Illinois, today is a day to reflect on the progress we’ve made and recommit ourselves to advancing protections for all workers–including fair wages and working conditions, access to quality health care, continued educational opportunities, and dignity in retirement. Any candidate who seeks to co-opt this day to push an agenda that does the opposite is not worthy of our state’s highest office.”
…Adding… Ken Griffin…
Unlike the current Governor who was born into wealth and has demonstrated little urgency or progress in improving our State, Richard Irvin’s life embodies the American Dream and a real commitment to making communities stronger. From humble beginnings, he put himself through college with the help of the GI bill and chose to enter public service to make a difference in the lives of others. As Mayor of Aurora, he has successfully delivered on the issues Illinoisans care most about – strengthening the education system, improving public safety, creating economic opportunities and governing with integrity. I am excited that he has decided to join the race, and look forward to the opportunity to meet him and learn more about his ideas in the weeks ahead.
Yeah, because this isn’t a setup at all. Right. Puhleeze.
…Adding… Natalie Edelstein with the Pritzker campaign…
The GOP primary field continues to grow but one thing stays the same: the people of Illinois do not want a repeat of the Bruce Rauner years of disastrous mismanagement and policies that set our state back. The governor is focused on continuing to lead Illinois through these challenging times, building on his record of paying our bills on time and improving the state’s credit rating, investing in our roads, bridges and transportation infrastructure, and setting a national standard for action on climate that will bring down energy costs and create jobs.”
…Adding… Good point about geographical split in the party…
In 2002 about 35% of the vote in a statewide Republican primary came from the 5 traditional collar counties, while about 45% of the vote came from the downstate 96 counties. In 2018 only about 29% came from the collars while about 52% came from downstate.https://t.co/pECXHTjT5tpic.twitter.com/d3vG8mobU9
* In that same vein, “Today is about MLK” says politician who launched a statewide campaign on MLK Day…
Irvin launched his bid for governor with handshakes and hugs with supporters who attended Aurora’s official celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. But the newest Republican to enter the race declined to discuss his candidacy as he left the event.
“Today is about MLK,” Irvin said, ignoring questions about his campaign. “There will be a lot information coming out later.”
* We should have more in an hour or so. While we wait, the ILGOP chair is fully on board with labeling Irvin as a Republican…
Illinois Republican Party Chairman Don Tracy confirms Richard Irvin will announce his candidacy for Governor today on Martin Luther King Day. Tracy says Irvin is “definitely a Republican,” but may have pulled Democratic ballots because “that’s where the action is” near Chicago.
Yeah, um, there was plenty of “action” in the 2016 Republican primary, even in Aurora.
No matter. That statement is hugely important for Irvin. His party bonafides will be in constant question, so validation from the state’s top Republican is crucial, particularly with political reporters and with fellow Republican candidates. When anyone tries to call him out, Irvin can point to Chairman Tracy. That may not work with the party faithful, but is Donald Trump actually going to get involved in this primary? I have my doubts.
* Bailey is predictably displeased with his state party chair. And he’s right about the money, which talks, unlike that thing which walks…
Not surprised to see the establishment already cuddling up with a career Democrat like Irvin. Some people are willing to throw away principles for a few bucks. While I welcome everyone to our party, we need a nominee who is actually a Republican and supports our platform. #twillhttps://t.co/MLiB1u9VW1
…Adding… Bailey and his spouse both took a Democratic ballot in 2008. If my recollection is right, he excused that by saying Rush Limbaugh told his listeners to take a Dem ballot to vote against Hillary Clinton.
…Adding…Click here to read: “RINO? Takes One To Know One - Jesse Sullivan Endorsed Obama In 2008, And Darren Bailey Pulled A Democrat Primary Ballot The Same Year”
…Adding… Rabine…
Gary Rabine, candidate for Illinois Governor is issuing the following statement on Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin’s entrance in the gubernatorial race.
“I would like to welcome Aurora Mayor, Richard Irvin, to the governor’s race and to the Illinois Republican Party. After years of pulling Democratic primary ballots in years when Pat Quinn, Hillary and Joe Biden were top of the ticket, I am interested to hear what changed your mind on party affiliation. Equally compelling will be your explanation on supporting sanctuary cities and your effusive praise for Governor Pritzker. But I guess that’s what campaigns are all about.
I am a life-long, conservative Republican. I am pro-life, pro-gun and a fiscal hawk. I founded my now nationwide business in Illinois shortly after I graduated from high school. I have supported the Republican Party, conservative candidates, and the promotion of fundamental freedoms for decades. Just last week, I was one of the lead plaintiffs in the lawsuit that successfully stopped the Biden Administration’s vaccine mandate in the United States Supreme Court. I was one of the largest donors in Illinois to the Trump campaign and I have never voted in a Democratic Primary.”
Rabine, 58, is a business builder and Chairman of The Rabine Group of companies, father of four and grandfather of three. He and his wife grew up and raised their family in Lake and McHenry County, Illinois. Rabine started in the paving business shortly after graduating high school; this became the Rabine Group of companies, which today does business in all fifty states and is headquartered out of Cook County in Schaumburg. To learn more about Gary Rabine, visit https://rabineforgovernor.com/.
…Adding… Um, Gary? This you?…
Point being, don’t claim to be a completely pure Republican if you’ve been an Ed Burke supporter.
* Let’s move on to the Democratic pre-response. Here’s Bloomberg…
Two months after Chicago billionaire Ken Griffin promised to go “all in” to support an opponent to beat Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, the Democratic governor made a large contribution to his own reelection campaign.
The $90 million contribution by Pritzker, a billionaire himself, was disclosed through filings on the Illinois State Board of Elections website on Friday.
The scion has contributed tens of millions to his gubernatorial campaign as well as for the failed ballot measure in November 2020 to shift his state’s flat tax rate to a graduated levy. As recently as this past spring, he contributed $35 million for his re-election, disclosure records show.
The latest amount comes as several local media outlets reported that Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin was planning to announce his candidacy to oppose him. Citadel Securities’ Griffin has a net worth of around $27 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
* Natalie Edelstein with the Pritzker campaign…
The governor knows that the fight for reproductive freedoms, a strong fiscal future, public health, and an economy that works for everyone is on the ballot in 2022. He is proud to support Democrats up and down the ticket, as well as Democratic causes across the state, and will continue to do everything in his power to ensure we can keep delivering for working families in Illinois. We cannot afford to let Republicans drag us backwards to a time where the middle class suffered and commonsense policies like raising the minimum wage and protecting a woman’s right to choose were ignored
* DGA…
Today, ahead of Richard Irvin’s campaign launch, the DGA launched a new video highlighting Irvin’s long record of praising Gov. JB Pritzker.
As Aurora Mayor, Irvin lauded Gov. Pritzker as “a great friend, a great leader, who has guided our state with professionalism and compassion throughout this entire pandemic.”
Irvin celebrated Gov. Pritzker’s achievements and acknowledged the great progress Illinois has made under his leadership. He praised the Democratic governor’s “proven experience in technology and innovation” and thanked him “for making Black and brown communities a priority for health care equity.”
Now, Irvin is attempting a complete 180, entering the Illinois GOP primary with the backing of billionaire Ken Griffin in an attempt to reboot the catastrophic governorship of Bruce Rauner. Griffin, who supported Rauner as he ruined Illinois’ economy, is pushing the Illinois Republican Party to back Irvin, “opening the door to further divisions within the state GOP,” according to the Chicago Tribune.
“Richard Irvin was Gov. JB Pritzker’s biggest fan until he was against him,” said DGA Senior Communications Advisor Christina Amestoy. “Now, it looks like he’s Ken Griffin’s biggest fan. Ahead of his campaign launch, Irvin can reflect on his own words as a reminder of how Gov. Pritzker has delivered for Illinois.”
Pretty funny how they’re so concerned about unity within the ILGOP.
* Press release…
Aurora Leaders Stand with JB Pritzker
Aurora, IL –– Following the news that Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin plans to run as a Republican for governor with the backing of billionaire Ken Griffin and Bruce Rauner’s campaign team, local Aurora leaders are expressing their disappointment in the mayor and standing firmly behind Governor JB Prtizker.
“As a lifelong resident of Aurora, I’ve experienced some of the highest highs and lowest lows right here in our city,” said Casey Cuevas, a 40-year-resident of Aurora who was appointed by Irvin to serve on the City of Aurora Hispanic Heritage Advisory Board. “I appreciate Governor Pritzker’s support and commitment to our people. I remember what Aurora was like when Bruce Rauner was governor. I cannot support Mayor Irvin’s bid for our state’s highest office, particularly if he is financed by the very folks that brought us some of the worst days in Illinois history.”
“Bruce Rauner disinvested in, and overlooked Aurora,” said Brooke Shanley, a K-5 Dual Language Special Education Teacher and Union Leader.“Social services were cut and our most vulnerable neighbors were left with nowhere to turn. To align yourself with the people that brought our communities that much hurt is contrary to everything I believe in. I am disappointed in Mayor Irvin’s decision and will support Governor Prtizker next fall.”
“I’m disappointed to see Mayor Irvin compromising his values for a blank check from Ken Griffin,” said Gautam Bhatia, who was appointed by Irvin to serve on the Indian American Outreach Advisory Board and served on the Aurora Planning and Zoning Commission during Irvin’s tenure. “I vividly remember the pain of the Rauner years, and a real leader would denounce anyone who supported his time in office, not cozy up to them.”
“My community remembers the destruction and devastation Bruce Rauner’s administration left us in,” said Eddie Bedford, Naperville Township Supervisor. “We cannot afford to go backwards like that again, and I cannot support any candidate who aligns themself with budget stalemates and painful cuts to critical services.”
“JB’s leadership has been invaluable for Aurora,” said Loretta Burke, retired teacher and Naperville Township Trustee. “I am proud to support the governor in his bid for reelection and reject any candidate, like Richard Irvin, who would seek to drag Illinois backwards. Republicans have shown us their true priorities for Illinois and we cannot allow them to enact their anti-choice, anti-worker, anti-science agenda.”
The Aurora community has made clear they do not want to see Bruce Rauner and Ken Griffin’s leadership return to Springfield.
* Running out of time, so I’m lumping a ton of stuff together…
* As schools battle Omicron, billions of federal relief dollars remain unspent: Some schools are struggling to remain open for in-person learning due to the latest coronavirus surge — but a lack of money isn’t the problem.Much of the $190 billion that Congress authorized for schools earlier in the pandemic has yet to be used. In a majority of states, less than 20% of the federal money had been spent by the end of November, according to the latest US Department of Education data.
* Editorial: Only bold action will keep the momentum going to reform DCFS: State Rep. Maurice West (D-Rockford) plans to introduce legislation to streamline hiring so that DCFS can eventually have two people go out on calls — a good safety measure, in our view. State Rep. Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago) has plans for legislation to give DCFS workers benefits in line with emergency responders, such as better pensions.
* Lawmakers call for DCFS review after deaths of 6-year-old boy, caseworker: WGN News reached out to the Governors’ press office for comment regarding criticism directed at Pritzker. In a statement, the Governors’ press office wrote, “Since taking office, the Governor increased DCFS’ budget by over $340 million with DCFS launching aggressive hiring efforts to bring on 860 additional staff. These investments passed without the support of the Republicans in General Assembly.”
* Jonathan Jackson eyes Rep. Bobby Rush’s seat: The scion of a noted Chicago political family is pondering whether to enter the race to succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush. If he does, Jonathan Jackson would shake up the contest.
* Mark Brown: With end of Shakman in sight, court monitor burrows in on new Illinois political hiring probe: In a subsequent court filing, the Shakman plaintiffs said they support Pritzker’s efforts to free the state from the consent decree, though not his timetable. They argue that Pritzker could wrap up all of this by April by taking six more steps to reform state employment practices, including completing a switchover to an electronic hiring system.
* Ald. Burke was secretly videotaped inside his City Hall offices as part of federal corruption probe: The document also quotes Burke as allegedly saying, “I am a believer that if you’re making money, that you should share the wealth. So you and I’ll never have . . . we’ll just figure out a way that’s gonna be above board, legal, etc. Because you and I are not gonna . . . get in trouble over this . . . at this stage in the game.”
* To give parents options, Illinois lawmakers should preserve tax credit scholarship program
* Editorial: Apparently, it’s up to the legislature to clarify roles in township government
* This officer is trying to fix the relationship between Chicago police and families of murder victims: But Page’s mission to ease their suffering is a nearly impossible task. Of the city’s 800 homicides in 2021 the department had solved only 179 cases by the end of the year, leaving more than 600 families still hurting for justice. The department’s failure to close murder cases leaves families scared for their safety as killers remain free, undermines public trust that murderers will face justice and convinces some citizens to seek retribution outside of the law, further inflaming violence in the city. These are the dynamics Page and about 20 other police officers are trying to fight against in a new unit tasked with building relationships, and trust, with the families of murder victims.
* Bill would pay $100 for home surveillance video: Representative Mike Zalewski (D-Riverside) filed a House bill that rewards residents $100 if they submit a home surveillance video that helps police prosecute a crime.
* State senators want car insurers to give pandemic refunds: A letter signed by 16 Democratic senators urges the Insurance Department to collect and share data on the excess profits car insurers reaped in 2020 and early 2021 when driving levels plummeted.
* Student Loan Company Reaches $1.85B Settlement With Illinois, Other States: Tens of thousands of borrowers in Illinois and across the country will see their student loan debt canceled following a $1.85 billion settlement between several states and one of the nation’s largest collecting companies.
* Cases are up about 3 percent in the past week, but deaths are up 66 percent. The seven-day rolling average of daily hospitalizations is now +0.32 percent, down slightly from yesterday’s +0.57 percent. We’ve been on a prolonged hospitalization plateau. No sign yet of abatement. IDPH…
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today reported 207,203 new confirmed and probable cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Illinois, including an increase of 738 deaths since January 7, 2022.
Currently, IDPH is reporting a total of 2,589,640 cases, including 29,099 deaths, in 102 counties in Illinois. The age of cases ranges from younger than one to older than 100 years. Since January 7, 2022, laboratories have reported 1,956,972 specimens for a total of 47,949,094. As of last night, 7,320 individuals in Illinois were reported to be in the hospital with COVID-19. Of those, 1,148 patients were in the ICU and 657 patients with COVID-19 were on ventilators. Updated data analysis shows almost 90% of COVID-19 hospitalizations in Illinois are unvaccinated.
The preliminary seven-day statewide positivity for cases as a percent of total test from January 7 – 13, 2022 is 10.6%. The preliminary seven-day statewide test positivity from January 7 – 13, 2022 is 15.6%.
A total of 19,893,424 vaccines have been administered in Illinois as of last midnight. The seven-day rolling average of vaccines administered daily is 51,070 doses. Since January 7, 2022, 357,487 doses were reported administered in Illinois. Of Illinois’ total population, almost 74% has received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose, 65% of Illinois’ total population is fully vaccinated, and more than 42% boosted according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
All data are provisional and will change. Additional information and COVID-19 data can be found at https://dph.illinois.gov/covid19.html.
Vaccination is the key to ending this pandemic. To find a COVID-19 vaccination location near you, go to www.vaccines.gov.
What we can say is that the higher a wave crests, the longer and more confusing the path to the bottom will be. We need to prepare for the possibility that this wave could have an uncomfortably long tail—or at least a crooked one. “I do think the decline is unlikely to be as steep as the rise,” Saad Omer, an epidemiologist at Yale, told me. […]
What lies beyond the peak isn’t out of our control either. The decline can be sped up by the same mitigation behaviors that temper the rise, Majumder said. Curves can get flatter. They can also get shorter. And minimizing cases on the wave’s far side will still blunt the impact on the health-care system, and lessen the variant’s social toll. The key here, then, is to avoid seeing “past the peak” as a cue to relapse into riskier behavior. “The start of a decline is not sufficient to think we’re out of the woods,” Georgetown’s Bansal said. Every step we take now will determine how long we stay high up on this curve and, eventually, where we land—as well as what condition we’ll be in when we arrive at the bottom.
Before the new variant reared its head, people were already leaving the service sector in droves. Now the Omicron surge is laying bare how few protections workers have retained from the scant services given to them earlier in the pandemic, and just how little safety and stability this kind of work provides to the people who do it. Omicron is making many of America’s bad jobs even worse.
The Center for COVID Control, a locally based chain of testing sites, is under national scrutiny and has been cited at the highest level by a federal agency as reports come in from across the country of chaos at testing sites and confusion over results.
Amid the heightened scrutiny, the center announced Thursday it will close for a week starting Friday. […]
Again and again, people going to Center for COVID Control sites have reported getting negatives there — only to get a positive elsewhere. Others have never gotten results, or gotten them so late the test was effectively useless. Some people who didn’t even test at the sites were still sent results.
* A Florida TV station was all over the story earlier this week. It’s just crazy…
Finding a COVID-19 test in a short time can be challenging. WINK News met a mom and dad who, while on the hunt for a test, came upon a test site at a Bonita Springs strip mall. They stopped, got in line, and registered for a test, but they got an email saying they were negative before they took it.
WINK News looked into the test site and found out the company that runs this site is racking up complaints, not just in Southwest Florida but nearly everywhere. […]
While they were in line waiting for a test, they got a notification that their results were ready. Results for a test they were still in line to take.
Erin Kates said, “We got an email for each of us all, all five of us, both of us and our and our three kids saying that our rapid test came back negative.”
…Adding… Press release…
Governor JB Pritzker announced today the federal government has granted the state’s request for medical staffing assistance for Javon Bae Hospital-Riverside in Rockford. Under the agreement, a 22-person team including clinical staff from a Healthcare Medical Task Force will be deployed to support Javon Bae doctors and nurses as they treat COVID-19 patients and other patients. This surge staffing will be available for 14-days to help reduce the strain on the hospital’s Emergency Department and help other hospitals in the region who may transfer patients to Javon Bae Hospital-Riverside.
* Kankakee schools to extend remote, hybrid learning options: Kankakee School District 111 will extend its remote and hybrid learning options through Jan. 28 instead of returning to fully in-person learning next week as previously planned, Superintendent Genevra Walters said Thursday.
Petition-gathering at the doors went pretty well today—I filled two 20-line sheets. Only thing was I suffered a mishap. Tripped up a step (who does that?) and landed all sprawled on the ground. I’m ok except for a possibly sprained wrist and took quite a jolt to my bag of bones.
Be careful out there.
* The Question: What’s your best story about going door-to-door?
Smith: Because of all those challenges, I’m asking people ‘Just do your block.’ It’s a thousand signatures. If I get 50 people to do a sheet, there you go. Because people are more hesitant, even before the pandemic and not in the bitter cold. We’ve been doing this a long time. We’ve been knocking doors for decades now. And it’s not the same as it was 20 years ago. People do not answer their doors. ‘Ring’ doorbells, you know, cameras, … I don’t answer my door, typically, if I’m not expecting anybody. Now, I was thinking, maybe I should ride around in a FedEx truck. And people will answer their doors because they think they have a package coming. And that’s the only reason people are answering their doors right now. They’re looking for a package.
Zalewski: It’s the ultimate organization election cycle and there’s no more organizations. That’s the thing I keep saying to myself. Twenty years ago, I had the 23rd Ward, the 13th Ward, the 10th, the 8th Ward Organization and we don’t have that.
Smith: It’s a very small number of ward organizations that still exist. And then you know, you have suburbs, I have suburbs. Township organizations are nothing like it used to be. I mean, Thornton Township was one of the strongest in the state, top vote getter in the state in terms of townships. And now with the leader [Frank Zuccarelli] gone, I don’t know what to expect. So, I have to take things in my own hands and talk to the folks that we have relationships with individually, and hope that they can help us out. But it’s an interesting time, Mike, and I just, you know, I just want to get it over with. [Laughs]
Last July, Republican candidate for governor Darren Bailey took to Facebook to denounce both the extension of federally-enhanced state jobless benefits and Democratic President Joe Biden’s visit to Crystal Lake to promote his coronavirus relief agenda.
“Here’s the dangerous slope that we are on in America,” the state senator and farmer from downstate Xenia said, while discussing Biden’s visit. “That’s exactly what we heard: Free stuff. Handouts. Don’t worry about it, the government’s going to take care of you.”
“Friends,” he said, “that’s socialism.”
But only months before, on Feb. 26, Bailey received the latest of a series of payments from the federal government’s coronavirus business relief Paycheck Protection Program under the Small Business Administration — $231,475 to support 11 jobs at the family farm he owns with his sons.
Less than a month later, on March 22, Bailey reported a personal loan of $150,000 to his campaign for governor, listing “Self-Employed (Bailey Family Farms)” as his employer on the required state campaign finance disclosure form. […]
All told, records compiled in a database produced by investigative news agency ProPublica show Bailey’s family farm and two other entities he owns, Bailey Family Freight and the Virtue House Ministries Christian school run by his wife, received $569,045 in so-called PPP loans from April 2020 to February 2021.
Bailey’s campaign says they abided by all the rules.
* Jeremy Gorner at the Chicago Tribune on the new Statehouse remodeling project…
It will be the second major construction project on the building in a decade and will force some legislative sessions to find new locations for the next few years, while also being a temporary inconvenience for school groups and other tourists who won’t get to see the historic structure’s full grandeur.
The project also presents a hefty price tag for Illinois taxpayers: $224.3 million.
The renovation is focused on the building’s north wing and will include an underground parking garage and an underground conference center, and a two-level welcome center for visitors.
In addition, there will be updates of everything from heating and cooling systems to plumbing and ventilation.
I looked around a bit for renderings and couldn’t find anything. If you have some, please send them to me. Thanks. Kinda curious about that conference center and the welcome center.
But [Capitol architect Andrea Aggertt] said the public needs to keep in mind that the north wing renovations, which will employ hundreds of construction workers over the 2 1/2 year life of the project, will include historical details costing much more than a typical home or building renovation.
“We don’t have a retail building or a hospital,” she said. “We have a statehouse that we need to be proud of, and therefore the quality of the materials that we put into our one and only statehouse need to reflect the quality and the craftsmanship that happened in the late 1880s, when the building was built.”
A State Journal-Register columnist’s story in 2013 about $670,000 spent on copper-clad wooden doors at three west entrance doorways resulted in a wave of attention from the news media and the public. In response, then-Gov. Pat Quinn called the work “excessive” and compared it to the Palace of Versailles in France.
State Rep. Tim Butler, R-Springfield, wasn’t in the General Assembly at that time but said the west wing project is necessary and will contribute to the tourism industry in Springfield and central Illinois.
Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) today announced $9.6 million in grant funding to support construction pre-apprenticeship programs, which will help create a qualified talent pipeline of diverse candidates as part of the groundbreaking Illinois Works initiative. This grant is being awarded to 23 organizations that will provide pre-apprenticeship training and wraparound supportive services to more than 1,000 participants, the vast majority of whom are underrepresented in the construction industry.
Comprehensive pre-apprenticeship programs can help participants gain admission to apprenticeship programs, which provide a greater opportunity to obtain employment in the construction trades. According to a 2020 report from the Illinois Department of Labor, only four percent of Illinois apprentices are women and only 29 percent are people of color. By supporting pre-apprenticeship training programs that primarily serve these groups - while also providing the needed wraparound supports for participants to succeed - these grants will help participants break barriers to enter into apprenticeships while simultaneously creating a sustainable pipeline of qualified, diverse candidates for the future economy.
Bethel Family Resource Center, Chicago Heights $400,000
Chicago Women in Trades, Chicago $500,437
Children First Fund, Chicago $250,000
Community Assistance Programs, Chicago $493,794
Community Development Institute, Chicago $500,000
EDDR Foundation Chicago, Chicago $500,000
EDDR Foundation Rockford, Rockford $400,000
Evanston Rebuilding Warehouse, Evanston $535,514
HIRE 360, Chicago $550,000
Hispanic American Construction Industry Association, Chicago $500,000
IL Foundation of SkillsUSA-VICA, Pekin $500,000
Lumity, Chicago $170,673
Macon County, Decatur $499,832
Metropolitan Family Services, Chicago $500,000
Quad County Urban League, Aurora $397,978
Revolution Workshop, Chicago $400,777
Safer Foundation, Chicago $500,000
Sista Girls & Friends, Inc, Decatur $500,000
South Suburban Community Services, South Holland $436,000
Southwestern Illinois College, Belleville $240,000
St. Paul Church of God in Christ Community Ministries, Chicago $250,000
Tools Up Foundation, Chicago $326,587
YBLC, Inc, North Chicago $250,000
*** UPDATE *** I should’ve included this Cook County Record story since we’re talking about infrastructure…
With potentially billions of tax dollars every year on the line, the Illinois Supreme Court will soon decide whether Illinois’ so-called transportation lockbox constitutional amendment can be used to force Cook County and other local governments in Illinois to spend money from local transportation-related taxes on actual transportation projects, or if the money can still be used to fund county operations.
On Wednesday, Jan. 12, attorneys for a coalition of road and transportation contractors squared off against attorneys for Cook County, presenting oral arguments over how best to interpret and apply the language of the Illinois constitution’s Safe Roads Amendment to money raised under certain taxes imposed by Cook County and other local governments.
On one hand, a coalition of road construction contractors assert the amendment, formally known as the Safe Roads Amendment, states plainly that transportation-related tax money raised by Illinois governments must be actually used to pay for roads, bridges, mass transit, passenger railroads, airports and other transportation infrastructure. […]
On the other side, Cook County says the amendment’s language is not as clear as the road builders let on, and should be read to apply to Illinois state government alone, and not units of local home rule government, like Cook County.
Two churches sued the Governor of Illinois after he issued an executive order limiting to ten the number of persons who could attend any particular religious service during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The district court denied the churches’ motion for a preliminary injunction. By the time the appeal was argued in June 2020, the Governor had rescinded his order and there was no longer any limit on the number of persons who could participate in religious ceremonies. We held that the possibility of restoring the original order, should the pandemic become more serious, meant that the case is not moot, but that the order did not violate the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment.
Plaintiffs asked the district court to issue a permanent injunction notwithstanding our decision. They observed that the Supreme Court recently has made the law more favorable to them by concluding that states must treat religious bodies at least as well as any secular comparator, not just as well as the most similar secular organization. The district court did not reach the merits, ruling instead that the litigation is moot. The judge expressed confidence that limits on attendance will not be reinstated. The churches have filed a second appeal.
The district court’s decision is questionable because it is inconsistent with our opinion, plus the further reason that the Governor continues to say that orders may be amended as the pandemic continues. With the Omicron variant spreading, more people have COVID-19 now than ever before. Trying to predict what executive orders may be adopted in response to which potential changes in the course of the disease is a mug’s game and not a firm ground for resolving this case.
Still, it does not follow that plaintiffs are entitled to an injunction. More than 19 months have passed since they were last subject to an attendance limit, and the Governor has not suggested that another is likely. A legal conclusion that a rescinded order violated the Constitution would not entitle anyone to an injunction. So we held in Cassell v. Snyders, 990 F.3d 539 (7th Cir. 2021), about the very subject now before us - whether churches are entitled to an injunction forbidding the Governor of Illinois to reinstate the sort of capacity limit that was in force for about ten weeks ending in spring 2020. In addition to stressing that an injunction is a discretionary remedy, which new developments may make unnecessary (if not imprudent), we observed that the Governor likely will take account of legal developments when issuing any new orders. A federal court ought to give state officials the respect of predicting that they will accept and follow the Supreme Court’s analysis. Just as in Cassell, we hold that the district court did not abuse its discretion in turning down plaintiffs’ request for injunctive relief.
The complaint requests damages, but that prospect does not keep this case alive. The only defendant is the Governor, in his official capacity. Will v. Michigan Department of State Police holds that 42 U.S.C. §1983, on which this suit is based, does not allow awards of damages against states-and that official-capacity suits against state agents are suits against the states themselves. It follows that damages are unavailable.
And if we were to ignore the “official capacity” language that the complaints used to describe Governor Pritzker’s status, the churches still could not obtain damages, because the Governor would be entitled to qualified immunity. Recall that the Governor won on the merits on the first appeal, which makes it impossible to describe as “clearly established” in the spring of 2020 a rule that a capacity limit on religious services during a pandemic violates the Constitution. Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn was not decided until November 25, 2020, six months after the Governor rescinded the order imposing capacity limits on in-person religious events, and Tandon, decided on April 9, 2021, shows that there were (and are) still debatable issues about how public officials may regulate religious gatherings during a pandemic.
If Illinois imposes an objectionable order in response to new developments in the pandemic, the churches may file a new suit. But this suit is over.
* Here we go again. Capitol News Illinois last month…
New estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau suggest Illinois is continuing to lose population.
The latest estimates, released Tuesday, pegged the state’s population at 12,671,469 as of July 1, 2021, down by 113,776, or 0.9 percent, from the official 2020 census. […]
The Census Bureau routinely estimates national, state and county populations each year following a decennial census using a variety of data sources. But those estimates have been off in the past.
In 2019, for example, the Census Bureau estimated that Illinois had lost more than 51,000 people since the 2010 census while the official 2020 census showed the state had lost about only 18,000.
This was from the American Community Survey, which has been wrong about Illinois’ population for a decade. The General Assembly used ACS numbers in its first legislative remap, but that was tossed out by the courts for being woefully unconstitutional. The GA had, by that time, already passed a new map using decennial Census data, and that map was upheld.
In light of the statistical gaps between the 2019 American Community Survey (ACS) and 2020 Census results, I’m writing to ask that you expand the Census Bureau’s review of the 2020 ACS methodology beyond the impact of the coronavirus pandemic to a broader review of modernizing, updating, and improving the ACS to provide data more reflective of reality on the ground and more closely aligned with the decennial census.
As you know, the ACS is crucial for collecting yearly information on the American public to help local governments make policy decisions to best improve communities across the country and to help businesses adequately serve their customers while planning for the future. I know the U.S. Census Bureau is committed to the integrity and accuracy of both the ACS and the decennial Census and had that belief reaffirmed through the agency’s difficult decision last year to delay the release of 2020 ACS data before releasing it in an “experimental form” and announcing plans for a methodological review to ensure that “the resulting data meet our quality standards.”
In the interests of reaffirming that longstanding commitment to data quality, I am writing to request that you extend your agency’s methodological review of the ACS beyond the COVID-19 pandemic-impacted results to the general practices employed in generating the ACS. As you know, your work is vitally important to our country and while perfect data is impossible, even small errors and margins of error can carry enormous consequences, demanding an aggressive, continuous pursuit of improvement.
The impact of ACS data on public understanding and policymaking is significant, and in recent years, the challenges of inconsistencies between those projections and the Census have sown doubt, confusion, and overreaction. For example, over the course of the last decade, my home state of Illinois’ population decline has been a major story, driving a range of policy debates and disagreements based on ACS projections. However, 2020 Census results suggested that those reports of population decline may have been notably overstated.
Last month, your agency again reported that Illinois’ population was in a state of decline, but the experience of the previous ten years of reports followed by the census has led this result to be met with a degree of skepticism and some diminishment of trust in ACS data. While statistical projections carry the inevitable margins of error and those populations also vary substantially month to month and year to year across the country, your agency’s data is essential to the function of our democracy and economy and so is public trust in that data.
A new methodological review that can address potential shortcomings in general ACS function, analysis, and collection would not only strengthen the quality of ACS data but also highlight areas of need or investment by which Congress can help the Census Bureau meet the data needs of this century. In this interest, I request that the U.S. Census Bureau conduct such a review beyond the scope of the challenges of this pandemic while highlighting avenues through which the agency can improve, and Congress can help it improve, to ensure Americans have access to the highest quality data about our nation.
The Republican gubernatorial primary field is about to get a new entrant who could potentially have hundreds of millions of dollars in campaign cash to spend.
Multiple sources tell WTTW News that Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin is currently planning to announce his candidacy for governor on Jan. 17, Martin Luther King Jr. Day. According to previous media reports, Irvin could have the financial backing of the state’s wealthiest resident, Citadel founder and CEO Ken Griffin.
Griffin, who has not publically confirmed his chosen candidate, previously said he would “go all in” on financing someone who could defeat the incumbent Democratic governor, adding that he believes Pritzker “doesn’t deserve to be governor of our state.” Griffin has been particularly critical of Pritzker’s handling of rising crime numbers in Chicago and throughout Illinois.
Although a spokesperson for Irvin did not respond to multiple requests for comment, sources say the current plan has the Aurora mayor announcing his candidacy alongside state Rep. Avery Bourne (R-Morrisonville) for lieutenant governor. Bourne did not return a request for comment.
Former Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady said a slate venture is a “very risky strategy.”
“It’s very odd for a group to try and present a slate. Republicans don’t do slates, and Republican activists don’t like being told what to do or who to vote for,” Brady said.
Brady is an informal adviser to another Republican candidate for governor, businessman Gary Rabine.
So, Rabine is being advised by a never-Trumper? Interesting.
* It seems doubtful that the legislature will ultimately be in session that day, but, yeah, this was a mistake…
Frerichs campaign: “This is an annual fundraiser that we have been doing for years, and since the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act was updated, we are canceling the event.”
Retiring Rep. Bobby Rush has endorsed Karin Norington-Reaves in the Dem primary for his House seat: “Rush and Norington-Reaves first met in 2014, after a local teacher, Betty Howard, was killed by ‘random gunfire’ in Chatham, her campaign said. Norington-Reaves worked with Rush in establishing the Chatham Education and Workforce Center,” by Sun-Times’ Lynn Sweet. […]
State Sen. Jacqueline Collins has officially joined the race. “I have a record of activism and legislative accomplishments that most mirror the 1st Congressional District’s progressive profile of civic engagement,” she told Playbook in a text.
But, but, but… Along with gathering signatures for the IL-01 seat, Collins will also pass out petitions for the state Senate seat she holds. She told Playbook she’d have “a formal announcement in the near future” about which contest she’ll ultimately pursue in the primary.
State Sen. Robert Peters, who considered running for Rush’s seat, is running for reelection instead. “I really didn’t want to risk it to go to D.C. right now, where there’s a risk of being in the minority party,” he said,” he told Hyde Park Herald’s Aaron Gettinger
*** UPDATE *** From the Kane County Democrats…
Following the news that Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin plans to run as a Republican for governor with the backing of billionaire Ken Griffin and Bruce Rauner’s campaign team, local Aurora leaders are expressing their disappointment in the mayor and standing firmly behind Governor JB Prtizker.
“As a lifelong resident of Aurora, I’ve experienced some of the highest highs and lowest lows right here in our city,” said Casey Cuevas, a 40-year-resident of Aurora who was appointed by Irvin to serve on the City of Aurora Hispanic Heritage Advisory Board. “I appreciate Governor Pritzker’s support and commitment to our people. I remember what Aurora was like when Bruce Rauner was governor. I cannot support Mayor Irvin’s bid for our state’s highest office, particularly if he is financed by the very folks that brought us some of the worst days in Illinois history.”
“Bruce Rauner disinvested in, and overlooked Aurora,” said Brooke Shanley, a local Spanish teacher and vice chair of her teacher’s union.“Social services were cut and our most vulnerable neighbors were left with nowhere to turn. To align yourself with the people that brought our communities that much hurt is contrary to everything I believe in. I am disappointed in Mayor Irvin’s decision and will support Governor Prtizker next fall.”
“JB’s leadership has been invaluable for Aurora,” said Regina Brent, lifelong activist and founder and president of Unity Partnership. “I am proud to support the governor in his bid for reelection and reject any candidate, like Richard Irvin, who would seek to drag Illinois backwards. Republicans have shown us their true priorities for Illinois and we cannot allow them to enact their anti-choice, anti-worker, anti-science agenda.”
“I’m disappointed to see Mayor Irvin compromising his values for a blank check from Ken Griffin,” said Gautam Bhatia, who was appointed by Irvin to serve on the Indian American Outreach Advisory Board and served on the Aurora Planning and Zoning Commission during Irvin’s tenure. “I vividly remember the pain of the Rauner years, and a real leader would denounce anyone who supported his time in office, not cozy up to them.”
“My community remembers the destruction and devastation Bruce Rauner’s administration left us in,” said Eddie Bedford, Naperville Township Supervisor. “We cannot afford to go backwards like that again, and I cannot support any candidate who aligns themself with budget stalemates and painful cuts to critical services.”
The Aurora community has made clear they do not want to see Bruce Rauner and Ken Griffin’s leadership return to Springfield.
* More…
* Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin to announce run for governor Monday, sources say: According to multiple sources, Griffin picked Irvin, a moderate in his second term as mayor of the state’s second largest city. Griffin also wants downstate conservative Republican state representative Avery Bourne to be Irvin’s running mate, the sources said. She did not return calls seeking comment. Griffin spent more than $50 million of his own money to defeat Pritzker’s progressive income tax referendum, and pledged earlier this year to do whatever it takes to defeat the governor in the next election.
* Pritzker, Stratton kick off ballot petitioning with Chicago supporters: Illinois Governor JB Pritzker visited a CTA Red Line stop on Chicago’s South Side Thursday morning to collect signatures. His running mate, Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, and supporters were also at his side at the 95th/Dan Ryan stop collecting petition signatures to get Democrats on the ballot.
* Republican Steve Kim launches bid for Illinois attorney general, vowing to battle crime, corruption, Pritzker and Madigan: Launching his campaign on the first day candidates can start gathering signatures for nominating petitions, Kim became the third Republican in as many days to announce a run for statewide office in the June primary. Like the other two, he made former House speaker Mike Madigan a chief campaign target. … Democrats too have raised a name repeatedly, and it’s that of billionaire hedge fund founder Ken Griffin, who is widely believed to be building a slate of Republican candidates that Democrats say includes Demmer, Teresi and former U.S. Attorney John Milhiser, who is running for Illinois secretary of state.
* GOP candidate for Illinois AG hits law and order as his big theme: With Kim announcing for AG—following state Rep. Tom Demmer for treasurer, McHenry County Auditor Shannon Teresi for comptroller and ex-prosecutor John Milhiser for secretary of state—Republicans are awaiting only the official word that Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin is running for governor to complete a slate that is expected to get huge financial backing from Chicago hedge-fund mogul Ken Griffin.
* Press release: Former Illinois Lieutenant Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti has officially launched her campaign for DuPage County Clerk. Evelyn’s professional background as an attorney, Human Rights Activist, Assistant Attorney General, Wheaton City Councilwoman and Illinois Lieutenant Governor gives her the experience needed to effectively run the Clerk’s Office. Evelyn’s bipartisan track record makes her the ideal candidate to lead the Clerk’s Office and safeguard DuPage County’s elections.
* Jim Dey: Can indicted officials tap campaign funds to pay lawyers?: “Allegations of misconduct in the discharge of an officeholder’s official duties would not exist independent of the individual’s status as an elected official,” wrote appellate Justice Thomas Hoffman.
* ‘Mancow’ Muller Running For Illinois Governor, Vows More Freedoms: Muller said he is yet to officially file paperwork to get his name on the ballot and understands the process of making himself a viable candidate. Muller said Thursday night he has not spent “one penny” on his efforts to run and declined to specify how he will fund his campaign until the necessary paperwork is filed.
* St. Louis had the highest per capital murder rate in the country in 2019. So, this is good news…
St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones is crediting an intervention program known as Cure Violence for helping to reduce the city’s homicides by more than 25% in 2021.
“We all want to feel safe in our neighborhoods,” Jones said Thursday at a press conference trumpeting the program. “The Missouri Legislature prevents our city from making common-sense gun laws. So we have to look at other tools at our disposal to prevent violent crime.”
Despite the big drop, at least 195 people were still killed in the city, a number that Jones acknowledged is unacceptable.
“Cure Violence isn’t a silver bullet. It was never built to be a silver bullet,” she said. “But it is one piece of a larger holistic strategy.”
The Chicago-based program trains people who live in areas with high crime rates to intervene in conflicts. The goal is to prevent disagreements from escalating to violent crime, and to provide social services such as job training to neighborhood residents. […]
Overall, homicides were down 26% in the city from 2020 to 2021. In four of the five Cure Violence locations, homicides dropped at a rate higher than the overall decrease: 42% in Hamilton Heights, 70 percent in Wells-Goodfellow, 50% in Walnut Park East and 80% in Walnut Park West.
At the end of a year that saw at least 800 homicides in Chicago, Mayor Lori Lightfoot last month wrote to the Cook County chief judge with a request: Judges should immediately stop ordering certain defendants to await trial at home with an electronic-monitoring ankle bracelet.
It would be a sweeping policy change intended to keep violent offenders securely behind bars, albeit with implications for thousands of people who would likely be kept in custody as their cases took months if not years to proceed.
But many of the claims and statistics related in her letter and repeated at a press conference earlier this month are misleading — and some are simply inaccurate, the Tribune has found after examining the cases highlighted by the mayor.
Her letter cites data showing that 15 people were arrested and charged with murder last year while they were on electronic monitoring, commonly known as EM. But in at least five of those cases, the homicides actually occurred before the defendant was on an ankle bracelet, according to the Tribune’s review. And in at least one of the 15 cases, the defendant was not actually charged with murder at all.
* Civic Federation: What the Data Tell us about Bail Reform and Crime in Cook County: Electronic monitoring should not be used as a replacement for high money bond amounts. In current practice, judges across the United States use high dollar amounts as a barrier to a criminal defendant’s pretrial release. In the new cashless system that takes effect in Illinois next year, there may be a potential for overreliance on imposing home electronic monitoring in cases where judges feel reluctant to release a defendant. However, based on the mixed research and lack of evidence of the effectiveness or appropriateness of electronic monitoring programs, electronic monitoring orders should be limited to only those cases that warrant close monitoring. Instead, judges should use other options available, such as pretrial supervision (periodic check-ins with a pretrial officer), which have been linked to more positive outcomes on defendants’ court appearances and not committing new crimes while on release.
(DuPage County)
