Mayoral challenger Jesús “Chuy” Garcia is an unidentified member of Congress referenced in federal court filings detailing an alleged scheme by then-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan to appoint one of Garcia’s political associates to a lucrative position on Commonwealth Edison’s board of directors, the Tribune has learned. […]
Ochoa is expected to testify in the ComEd Four case about a meeting he tried to set up with a U.S. congressman and Madigan in February 2019, more than a year after Madigan allegedly agreed to lean on ComEd to put Ochoa on the board, according to a prosecution filing last week. The purpose of the meeting was to talk about a political action committee that the congressman and Ochoa had recently started, but Madigan apparently thought Ochoa was upset over the board appointment taking so long.
That being said, most of the Chicago news media didn’t really play up Garcia’s years-long ties to Madigan, but that is rapidly coming to an end now that Mayor Lightfoot has made it an issue in the campaign.
“Rep. García has never been asked to provide any information to federal investigators about this matter, and has no knowledge of it other than what he has read in news sources following the announcement of the ComEd plea agreement. He has no information to provide, as he was completely unaware of the misconduct alleged in those cases,” the statement said. “Rep. García is not involved in this or any related investigation in any manner.”
…Adding… I’m told the meeting never actually happened.
The Effingham County courtroom was filled on Wednesday at the hearing regarding the new ban on assault weapons.
On Wednesday, January 18th at 11:00 a.m. an emergency hearing was held at the Effingham county court to discuss the lawsuit filed by Former Republican Attorney General Candidate, Tom Devore.
Judge Joshua Morrison listened to arguments from Devore, who was representing several Gun Shops and hundreds of Plaintiffs.
Joshua Morrison. Hmm. Joshua Morrison. Where have I heard that name before? Oh, right…
Fayette County State’s Attorney Joshua Morrison joined the list of State’s Attorneys who have sued Governor Pritzker over the SAFE-T Act.
“After much consideration, I am filing a lawsuit against the SAFE-T Act. As a prosecutor, I believe that this statute unconstitutional on its face and will have far-reaching unintended consequences,” Morrison said.
So, as state’s attorney, Morrison filed suit (and remains a named plaintiff) on most of the same procedural/constitutional issues that were presented to him this week in DeVore’s lawsuit, which is scheduled to be ruled on today.
Remember when Governor Pritzker kept issuing all those executive orders during COVID?
State’s Attorney Joshua Morrison pushed back, working with law enforcement to follow the law and ensure that Fayette County residents were able to go to work and to the store without fear that they would be thrown in jail.
He also pushed back on Attorney General Raoul, sending a letter asking if his executive order was even enforceable and how repeatedly issuing orders past the 30 day period was NOT official misconduct by the Governor. Morrison also wanted to know if officials trying to enforce it were committing misconduct because the Executive Orders did not agree with the Public Health statutes.
From Morrison’s letter, which was sent in May of 2020…
And now I understand the sort of questions the judge asked during the hearing earlier in the week when DeVore presented his case. Click here for that.
Enforcement of Illinois’ gun ban has been temporarily suspended for the 860-plus individuals who sued the state.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the gun and magazine ban into law last week. Tuesday, attorney Thomas DeVore sued in Effingham County state court, arguing the ban is unconstitutional. During an emergency hearing Wednesday, DeVore argued, among other things, that the law violates equal protections by exempting law enforcement officers from the new ban.
A judge issued the TRO Friday evening. The case advances pending an expected appeal by the governor and legislative leaders. A preliminary injunction hearing is set for 9:30 a.m. on Feb. 1.
Governor JB Pritzker issued the following statement on the decision by Effingham County Judge Morrison on the Protect Illinois Communities Act:
“This decision is not surprising. Although disappointing, it is the initial result we’ve seen in many cases brought by plaintiffs whose goal is to advance ideology over public safety. We are well aware that this is only the first step in defending this important legislation. I remain confident that the courts will uphold the constitutionality of Illinois’ law, which aligns with the eight other states with similar laws and was written in collaboration with lawmakers, advocates, and legal experts.
Illinoisans have a right to feel safe in their front yards, at school, while eating at bars and restaurants or celebrating with their family and friends. The Protect Illinois Communities Act takes weapons of war and mass destruction off the street while allowing law-abiding gun owners to retain their collections. I look forward to the next steps in this case and receiving the decision this case merits.”
*** UPDATE 3 *** Press release…
Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) issued the following statement after an Effingham County judge granted a Temporary Restraining Order against the assault weapons ban that became law earlier this month:
“We passed the Protect Illinois Communities Act to get dangerous weapons off the street and create a safer state. This ruling will be appealed. We look forward to our day in court to zealously advocate for our neighbors who are weary of the gun violence epidemic.”
*** UPDATE 4 *** Press release…
Speaker Welch’s Statement on Decision in Protect Illinois Communities Act Lawsuit
“Far too many lives have been lost because of senseless gun violence, and people have had enough. They’ve told us through marches, at committee hearings, and at the ballot box – and our law to get weapons of war off our streets delivered on their call.
“We’ve also seen that those who put extreme ideology ahead of the common good can attempt to slow change, but they cannot stop it.
“While I’m disappointed in this decision by the plaintiff’s preferred court, this decision will be reviewed and I’m confident we will ultimately prevail.”
…Adding… GPAC…
Today, the Gun Violence Prevention PAC (G-PAC), the state’s leading gun safety organization, released a statement from its CEO Kathleen Sances following a judge’s decision to grant a temporary restraining order against Illinois’ new state-wide assault weapon and large-capacity magazines ban.
“The judge’s ruling today is disappointing and makes light of the gun violence impacting Illinois. The fact remains – this is a pivotal moment for our state. A strong and diverse movement for gun safety is proving that we can wrestle power from the gun lobby, and ensure that our state prioritizes public safety over profits. The ban on assault weapons, large-capacity magazines is proof of this change in our status quo.
“This request for a temporary restraining order and other frivolous lawsuits are on brand for the gun lobby. They’re not kicking up dust to protect anyone’s rights, except their own right to fill up their coffers at the expense of Black and Brown lives and those of innocent children. We see through their greed, and we will not allow it to rule our laws and lives. We are a proud movement of gun safety advocates, survivors, lawmakers and concerned citizens, and we will continue to fight to save lives from this man-made epidemic.”
*** UPDATE 5 *** From AG Raoul’s office…
We disagree with the court’s decision. We have filed a notice of appeal and will ask the Appellate Court to reverse and vacate the TRO.
Everytown for Gun Safety and the Illinois chapter of Moms Demand Action, a part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots network, released the following statement regarding the temporary restraining order issued by a state court judge against the Protect Illinois Communities Act, a critical gun violence prevention legislative package signed into law by Governor J.B. Pritzker earlier this month.
“We strongly disagree with the court’s decision which focused on meritless claims of procedural defects in the passage of the law and included a gross misreading and misapplication of the recent U.S. Supreme Court case interpreting the Second Amendment,” said John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety. “We expect Attorney General Kwame Raoul to be successful in his appeal and in defending this life-saving law against further unfounded legal challenges.”
The omnibus package includes legislation to prohibit assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, rapid-fire devices that dramatically increase the rate of fire of semi-automatic firearms, facilitate better implementation and efficacy of Illinois’s Firearm Restraining Order (FRO) law, and address illegal gun trafficking in the state. The package was introduced following a year that saw at least 26 mass shootings across the country, including one in Highland Park, where seven people were shot and killed and an additional 48 people were wounded at a July Fourth parade by a shooter using a high capacity assault weapon.
…Adding… ISRA…
“The ISRA applauds Judge Joshua Morrison’s ruling this afternoon. This is a clear indication from the court that the General Assembly and Governor Pritzker rammed this law through improperly. The ISRA firmly believes the law is an infringement on all law-abiding residents’ 2nd Amendment rights. We look forward to the proceedings in our federal case, and we will be keeping a close eye on any other cases as well.”
Richard Pearson Executive Director
* Press release…
The Illinois Freedom Caucus today is issuing the following statement on Fourth District Circuit Court Judge Joshua Morrison’s ruling approving a Temporary Restraining Order for the plaintiffs challenging Illinois new weapons ban and gun registry law.
“Today is a significant victory for the rights of free and honest citizens. There are numerous Constitutional issues with not only the law itself but also in the process involving how this legislation became law. The fact that a Temporary Restraining Order was granted to the plaintiffs in this case underscores the Constitutional issues with this new law.
In his ruling, Judge Morrison states, ‘This Court finds that, due to the blatant disregard for Constitutional Law, the Plaintiff is likely to succeed on the merits of this claim.’
We agree with the Judge’s decision and we warned the backers of this legislation of the Constitutional concerns that are apparent to anyone with even a basic understanding of our Constitution. This is a first and significant step in what will be a long court process but in the end, we anticipate this new law will be found to be unconstitutional and a violation of the oath of office on the part of every legislator who voted for it.”
The Illinois Freedom Caucus is comprised of State Representatives Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich); Chris Miller (R-Oakland); Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville); Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City) and Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur). The members of the Illinois Freedom Caucus are members of the Illinois General Assembly who are advocating for limited government, lower taxes and accountability and integrity in government.
Sheriffs in dozens of counties — by some counts, as many as 80 counties — have declared they will not enforce the new assault weapons ban. It doesn’t matter that Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed the measure into law — they don’t agree with the ban and apparently have no compunction about ignoring it. […]
To Sheriffs Booker, Mendrick, Boewe and every other sheriff hopping on the “Don’t Tread on Me” bandwagon: You don’t get to choose which laws to enforce and which to ignore. You and every other sheriff, police chief, officer and prosecutor took an oath to uphold the law. And violating that oath carries consequences.
“I do solemnly swear (affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of the State of Illinois, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of …. to the best of my ability.”
* And while the US Supreme Court has ruled more than once that police have no constitutional obligation to protect people, there is a general obligation in state law for sheriffs…
Each sheriff shall be conservator of the peace in his or her county, and shall prevent crime and maintain the safety and order of the citizens of that county
Sec. 3-6035. Supervisor of Safety. The office of Supervisor of Safety is hereby created for each county to be held by the Sheriff of the county.
Sec. 3-6036. Powers and duties of Supervisor of Safety. The Supervisor of Safety shall enforce all the laws of this State and, within the municipalities in his county, the ordinances of such municipalities relating to the regulation of motor vehicle traffic and the promotion of safety on public highways.
Sec. 3-6001. Commission. Every sheriff shall be commissioned by the Governor; but no commission shall issue except upon the certificate of the county clerk of the proper county, of the due election or appointment of such sheriff, and that he or she has filed his or her bond and taken the oath of office, as hereinafter provided.
* The Question: Do you support any state law changes that would limit county sheriffs’ powers to defy state laws and executive orders? Explain.
The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that the unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.7 percent, while nonfarm payrolls were almost unchanged, down by just -800 in December, based on preliminary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and released by IDES. The November monthly change in payrolls was revised from the preliminary report, from +17,500 to +12,100 jobs. The November unemployment rate was unchanged from the preliminary report, remaining at 4.7 percent. The December payroll jobs estimate and unemployment rate reflect activity for the week including the 12th.
In December, the industry sectors with the largest over-the-month gains in employment included: Educational and Health Services (+5,200), Trade, Transportation and Utilities (+3,300), and Government (+1,800). The industry sectors with the largest monthly payroll declines included: Professional and Business Services (-3,000), Leisure and Hospitality (-2,500), and Other Services (-2,100). […]
The state’s unemployment rate was +1.2 percentage points higher than the national unemployment rate reported for December, which was 3.5 percent, down -0.1 percentage point from the previous month.
* I’m told there was a glitch partly due to human error and payments will be made on Monday. The department is also supposedly trying to revamp the voucher submission process. Press release…
Home Child Care Providers Ring Alarm about Missing Payments
Providers can’t pay their bills, will call for state to invest in a payment system that actually works.
IL - Of the 13,000 home child care providers who are part Illinois Department of Human Services’ (IDHS) Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), thousands are still awaiting payment for work done in December 2022 and many don’t know how they will be able to make ends meet and are struggling to keep their doors open for parents and children. Providers are calling on the State of Illinois DHS to immediately rectify the late payments and invest in a new payment system that actually works.
Greg Kelley, President of SEIU Healthcare Illinois, Indiana, Missouri and Kansas, issued the following statement on Wednesday, January 18: “These same home child care workers that keep Illinois’ economy running have been experiencing payment delays that are unacceptable and that create serious hardship. Low wages force child care providers to live on razor thin margins without room for a missed paycheck. A delay in payment means home child care workers can’t pay for basic needs like rent, utilities and food.”
* IDPH…
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced today that the CDC is reporting 28 counties in the state are at an elevated level for COVID-19, compared to 61 in the previous week. Of those, three Illinois counties are at a High Community Level, compared to five the previous week; and 25 counties are at Medium Level, compared to 56 the previous week. IDPH is reporting 10,967 new confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 in Illinois in the week ending January 15, and 78 deaths.
“I am encouraged to see COVID-19 community levels continuing to decrease across Illinois,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. “Rates of the XBB ‘Kraken’ variant, spreading throughout the East Coast, are slowly increasing in the Midwest, and we continue to monitor this new variant closely. However, we are fortunate at this time to see no increase in hospitalizations. IDPH is continuing to focus our efforts on preserving hospital capacity and protecting those Illinois residents most at risk for severe disease from COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses.”
State Rep. Will Guzzardi, a Democrat from Chicago, also backed the graduated income tax in 2020. Now, though, he’s pitching a so-called “wealth tax.”
Guzzardi described it as similar in concept to property taxes. As the value of a home increases, the property tax burden goes up. His wealth tax would work the same way, but it would apply only to the financial assets of those worth $1 billion or more.
“We’re going to say to billionaires with all their assets — which aren’t so much properties as stocks, financial instruments, investments — we’re going to value their assets, and then when those assets go up in value, we’re going to tax them on the increase in value,” Guzzardi said. “So just like the property tax that we pay, this is a tax on billionaires’ property, which is stocks and financial instruments.”
Guzzardi said the Illinois Department of Revenue already has a decent accounting of these assets and that a qualifying Illinois resident’s assets would be taxed wherever they’re based. […]
Guzzardi said his plan would work like another form of an income tax. […]
Illinois’ income tax rate for individuals of 4.95% would be charged to what he said qualifies as billionaires’ income.
A tax on or measured by income shall be at a non-graduated rate. At any one time there may be no more than one such tax imposed by the State for State purposes on individuals and one such tax so imposed on corporations.
I requested a response from the state’s billionaire governor. I’ll let you know what he says.
* More heat in DuPage…
On Monday, January 23rd at 10am CT at the Danada House in Wheaton, U.S. Representatives Sean Casten (IL-06), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), and Bill Foster (IL-11), and other Members of the Illinois congressional delegation, county board members, and state legislators will host a press conference regarding DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick’s January 13th statement that he will not enforce the Protect Illinois Communities Act (H.B. 5471).
This press conference follows a letter sent by Reps. Sean Casten, Delia Ramirez, Jesús “Chuy” García, Mike Quigley, Raja Krishnamoorthi, and Bill Foster, requesting Sheriff Mendrick rescind his earlier statement and provide information as to what other laws he has chosen not to enforce based on his personal beliefs. You can find a copy of the letter here.
Earlier this month, the Illinois General Assembly passed the Protect Illinois Communities Act, subsequently signed into law by Governor JB Pritzker. The legislation bans the sale and distribution of assault weapons, high-capacity magazines, and switches in Illinois. On January 13th, DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick announced that, due to his personal beliefs about H. B. 5471, he would not enforce the law in DuPage County.
* Heat starts rising in Kane…
2/ Not expecting calls for his resignation like what we are seeing in DuPage County. Emphasizing in Kane that Hain said he will not proactively enforce the law rather than being outright opposed.
Awake Illinois became the center of controversy last year when Chicago mayoral candidate Paul Vallas spoke out against “hateful rhetoric” by one member after the group called Gov. J.B. Pritzker a “groomer” for adopting new sex education standards for the state.
The group also called “perverted” a kid-friendly drag show at Uprising Bakery and Cafe in Lake in the Hills. The cafe’s owner temporarily canceled but then held that event after saying it was the target of threats. A man was charged with smashing the cafe’s window.
Awake Illinois did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Adcock advocates on the group’s website for “academics over activism” in school.
“We must work together to stop an entire generation of children from being molded — via public schools — into illiterate, sexualized activists,” Adcock said.
Their “solution” is to essentially stop little kids from learning how to identify and fend off sexual predators.
Pink Floyd updated their profile picture to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Dark Side of the Moon, and the replies are… something. pic.twitter.com/e4zNZ2KGOS
* Jennifer Welch, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Illinois Action…
“On what would have been the 50th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade, in Illinois, we are proud to be a leader in the fight for bodily autonomy and a haven for those seeking essential reproductive health care. When the Supreme Court stripped away the freedom for all people to have equal access to abortion, every state that borders Illinois has either severely restricted or outright banned access. Many of those states hostile to abortion care are also targeting the LGBTQ+ community. Thankfully, together with pro-choice legislators, Illinois now protects abortion care and gender-affirming patients and providers.
However, our work is not done. Senseless and damaging acts of vandalism have been on the rise across the country, and Illinois has become a target as extreme and divisive rhetoric increases. Several of our health centers have been targeted in the past few years, most recently in Peoria.
The damages in Peoria go beyond structural. The vast majority of Peoria Health Center patients depend on us for essential health care services, including family planning, STI testing and treatment, cancer screening, gender-affirming care, and more. While medication abortion was offered at Peoria, it was not a site for in-clinic procedures. This act of vandalism will have a devastating impact on the community’s ability to access the reproductive health care they need and deserve.
We will keep fighting forward for equitable access to essential reproductive health care like abortion and gender-affirming care because all people should have the freedom to make medical decisions that are best for their bodies, their lives, and their families.”
* Sun-Times | Mayor pledges action following WBEZ investigation into criminal registries in Chicago: The failure leaves people convicted of some gun, sex and violence crimes subject to arrest for failure to register. Advocates for survivors of sexual assault expressed concern that the overburdened office is indicative of a department that isn’t prioritizing their safety concerns. Lightfoot said she had been unaware of the problems due to staffing shortages but said she would be taking it up with Police Superintendent David Brown to ensure “we’re doing what we need to do to make sure that they have the ability to register.”
* Fox Chicago | New poll shows Vallas, Garcia as frontrunners: And, despite spending several million dollars on campaign advertising in recent weeks, incumbent Lori Lightfoot has fallen to fourth place, behind teachers union staffer Brandon Johnson. Pollster Matt Podgorski, of the political consulting firm M3, said, “The big takeaway that we saw is that Chuy Garcia and Paul Vallas basically flip-flopped spots. Now I’ve got Paul Vallas in first place with 26% and Chuy Garcia in second with 19%.”
* WTTW | Wealthy Illinois Residents Would Pay More in Income Tax Under New Proposals: State Sen. Robert Martwick is well aware voters rejected the plan, largely he said, due to a lack of trust in government. But, as was first reported by Crain’s Chicago Business, Martwick wants to try again because he said the what the Fair Tax hoped to accomplish remains the same. “We are on course, a crash course, with our finances,” Martwick said. “Eventually we have massive pension debt that we have to pay down; we have commitments to fund public education. And the reality of it is, is that our revenue trajectories long-term don’t match our debt trajectories. And so if we don’t do something — whether this is the best idea of not — then we’re putting the next generation in the position where they’re going to be forced to make draconian cuts just to get by.”
* AP | ShotSpotter document reveals key human role in gunshot tech: A confidential ShotSpotter document obtained by The Associated Press outlines something the company doesn’t always tout about its “precision policing system” — that human employees can quickly overrule and reverse the algorithm’s determinations, and are given broad discretion to decide if a sound is a gunshot, fireworks, thunder or something else.
* Daily Herald | Boys & Girls Club Illinois Alliance names new CEO: The Boys & Girls Club Illinois Alliance recently announced that Awisi Bustos has been appointed the new CEO, effective Jan. 17. Bustos is first-generation Ghanaian American who was born in Benin Cotonou and raised in Ghana, Ethiopia, Cuba, Belgium, and the United States. She most recently served as Senior Policy Adviser to Secretary Grace Hou of the Illinois Department of Human Services, and previously worked as the Northwest Illinois coordinator for Sen. Richard J. Durbin of Illinois.
* News-Gazette | Business owner plans to live among homeless for two weeks: Warren Charter recalls a time, about a dozen years ago, when he was kind of afraid of homeless people. He’d see homeless people on the streets of Chicago, and would buy them orange juice and a muffin, set it down by them and slip away. These days, he spends much of his time helping people who live on the streets. And starting at 8 a.m. Sunday, he plans to join them for 14 days to broaden his understanding of what they go through.
* Crain’s | Allstate piles on another auto rate hike, with average premiums up $760: Allstate CEO Tom Wilson wasn’t kidding when he said the company’s relentless series of auto insurance rate hikes would continue into 2023. Less than a month into the year, Allstate is increasing rates on most Illinois drivers it insures by an average of 7.6%, according to a filing with the Illinois Department of Insurance.
* WSIL | New coats to be distributed to children in Southern Illinois: More than $12,000 was raised and 550 coats were ordered for this campaign making it the biggest year yet. Nearly 20% of Southern Illinois children live in poverty and a warm coat is an essential item during our long winters, according to a WIBH release.
* Tribune | Northwestern men’s basketball postpones another game because of COVID-19: The Wildcats were slated to host Wisconsin on Saturday, but they announced Thursday night that the game would not be played as scheduled. Northwestern (12-5, 3-3) said it would work with Wisconsin and the Big Ten Conference to find a new date.
* Crain’s | U.S. air traffic halt caused by ‘unintentionally’ deleted computer files: The latest preliminary findings by the Federal Aviation Administration indicate that “contract personnel,” who weren’t identified, were attempting to correct discrepancies between a live database and its backup when they accidentally deleted files, the agency said in an emailed statement.
This is progress for bike and pedestrian safety in Chicago on state routes. I appreciate IDOT and CDOT for working together to craft this MOU which makes it easier to consider and approve roadway design improvements that will save lives. This is a start and we’ll keep pushing. 🚴🏿♂️ https://t.co/x7vg3KnNtN
The Illinois Department of Transportation and the Chicago Department of Transportation have come to a new agreement that will streamline and accelerate the process of delivering proven and scalable safety measures on local roads and state routes within the City of Chicago. The Memorandum of Understanding, signed by Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman and CDOT Commissioner Gia Biagi, establishes preapproval of certain infrastructure designs related to Chicago’s urban street context to improve safety for people walking, biking and driving. […]
The improved collaboration between CDOT and IDOT ultimately will help to streamline the approval and delivery process for implementing proven safety countermeasures to help address the trend of rising traffic fatalities in Chicago, Illinois and across the country, particularly among bicyclists and pedestrians. The MOU will go into effect immediately and establishes:
• A standardized list of traffic safety infrastructure designs routinely submitted by CDOT that will not be subject to comprehensive IDOT review prior to installation. This will allow the city to design and self-certify curb cuts and other sidewalk improvements to make streets more walkable and accommodating for nonvehicular traffic, establishes 10- foot-wide vehicular lanes as the minimum lane width.
• Clarified “Design Vehicle” standards to emphasize pedestrian safety at intersections. A design vehicle is the largest vehicle that is likely to use the facility with considerable frequency and its selection can significantly impact a road’s design and geometry. By agreeing to a more appropriate design vehicle for urban streets, certain state routes will be able to add safety features, such as curb extensions and bump-outs that shorten crossing distances for pedestrians.
• An IDOT-CDOT working group to help formulate future agreements and enhance existing interagency collaboration.
The Cook County public guardian is suing Illinois child welfare officials for allowing foster children to remain locked up in juvenile detention even after they’ve been ordered released — a problem that has only gotten worse, an Illinois Answers Project investigation found last year.
At issue is the inability of the state’s Department of Children and Family Services’ to find appropriate placements for children with behavioral health and emotional problems that often stem from their histories of serious abuse and neglect.
The federal lawsuit, which is seeking class-action status, alleges that “children incarcerated in juvenile jail are confined to their cells for the majority of the day, have limited opportunities to exercise and are exposed to unnecessary violence and dangers. Moreover, DCFS is unable to provide them the clinically appropriate mental health treatment and educational services that they need — critical resources for children who have suffered trauma and instability.”
“Detaining children and youth in juvenile jails when they don’t need to be there is cruel, unusual and a violation of our Constitution and laws,” Public Guardian Charles Golbert said at a news conference Thursday. “It’s a profound assault upon the children’s civil and human rights . . . While wrongfully incarcerated the children are denied the everyday joys, experiences and opportunities of childhood. Their schooling is disrupted, and they often fall behind in school.
One of the most profoundly damaging scandals in Illinois history is coming to a head with the filing of a federal class action suit this morning alleging that the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) has willfully and wrongly incarcerated hundreds of children in its care.
Despite literally three decades of court orders, news reports and letters from informed officials, the wrongful incarcerations by top DCFS officials have continued under both Democratic and Republican administrations. Most of the children suffered physical, sexual or other traumas before they were taken into DCFS’s care, and Cook County Public Guardian Charles Golbert charges that DCFS imprisonments intensely magnify the harms already suffered. […]
Since the late 1980s, DCFS has been well aware of its recurrent problems of wrongfully imprisoning dozens of children each year, some as young as 11-years-old.
According to the suit, “Children incarcerated in juvenile jail are confined to their cells for the majority of the day, have limited opportunities to exercise, and are exposed to unnecessary violence and dangers. Moreover, DCFS is unable to provide them the clinically appropriate mental health treatment and educational services that they need—critical resources for children who have suffered trauma and instability.”
One of the plaintiffs, Janiah Caine, now 18, was held while still a minor in the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center for more than five months even though a judge at that time had ordered her release.
During that time, Caine was unable to go to her grandmother’s funeral because she couldn’t get hold of her DCFS caseworker, she told reporters.
“My caseworker wasn’t answering the phone and she wasn’t reaching out to me,” said Caine.
She also said she didn’t feel safe at the detention center.
“Their parent or their guardian has to come pick them up or take care of them. DCFS doesn’t do that. And they don’t do that a week later — They don’t do that multiple months later. They leave their kids to rot in detention,” Golbert said.
According to the Office of the Cook County Public Guardian, in 2021 there were 84 instances of children left locked up for prolonged periods of time. Seven are in that very situation today.
“They have empty beds right now,” Golbert said. “They just have to pay the money to hire the staff and fill the beds that they have that are empty, that used to have children sleeping in them and now they have children sleeping in jail instead.”
We reached out to DCFS for a comment on the lawsuit. They issued this statement:
“The Department of Children and Family Services works as quickly as possible to place youth in appropriate and safe settings. Of course, we can only place youth where we have availability that meets their needs, which is why the department is also working to expand the capacity that was hollowed out under previous administrations. Thanks to this work, in recent years we have made progress in reducing the number of youth who remain in the justice system past the date they are allowed to be released and we are deeply committed to continued progress. We cannot comment further due to pending litigation.”
After his second-term inauguration amid a frenzied “lame duck” legislative session last week, Gov. JB Pritzker took the global stage this week at the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland.
The governor and high-ranking members of his staff joined a bipartisan delegation of U.S. politicians and world business leaders with the goal of “promoting Illinois as a major player on the world stage,” Pritzker said in a call Thursday morning with media outlets back home.
In particular, Pritzker touted Illinois’ Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, or CEJA – which aims to make Illinois’ energy grid reliant on 100 percent renewable sources by 2050 – and the $45 billion capital infrastructure plan known as Rebuild Illinois. […]
On Tuesday, Pritzker visited the Wieland manufacturing facility in Vöhringen, Germany, an industry leader in manufacturing and converting copper and copper alloys.
Wieland currently has eight locations in Illinois, including in East Alton where the governor recently visited.
* During his press conference the other day, Pritzker was asked which business leaders he met with to convince them to expand to Illinois…
I mentioned some of the larger tech players that are here. And an example of that is that I met with Microsoft and their leadership here. There are other large foreign entities that are here from Asia, as well as from Europe, battery manufacturers, people who are in the development of hydrogen, we’re, as you know, we’re part of a hydrogen hub, that we are partnered on for the Midwest. And so we want to bring players in hydrogen energy to the Midwest. So I really, I’ve been at, I don’t know how many events and meetings throughout each day, and at each one of those I have spoken with, directly with company leaders, as well as with ministers from various governments.
I sat last night with the Swiss ambassador to the United States, as well as the US Ambassador to Switzerland, for, I don’t know, we were at dinner, sitting next to each other for two hours talking about the opportunity to enhance, we already have Swiss businesses in Illinois, but how do we enhance both those existing businesses create jobs, and more productivity or more, more GDP rather? And then how do we attract more business? For example, Nestle is a business that is resident in Illinois. And so this happens that the former, sorry, the current Swiss ambassador to the United States, is a former Nestle executive, and the CEO of Nestle was at one of the meetings that I was at today. So those are examples of companies. But it’s really quite a lot. I mean, I, as you can imagine, you collect cards and take notes and I don’t think I could recite all of them to you now, but that those are good, big examples.
I cleaned up the transcript a little to make it more readable. He said “you know” a lot more than usual.
My team and I have spent the last few days having very important conversations with world leaders and putting Illinois as a major player on the world stage, talking to businesses that are here, including major tech companies as well as other industrial players. We’ve made it very clear that when looking for nation-leading legislation, and leadership on fighting climate change and clean energy development, that you don’t need to stop at the coastal states. We’re making significant progress and passing bold legislation that impacts our state and our region and the nation, and really the world in real and tangible ways.
I would remind everybody on this call, as I remind people here at Davos, that Illinois would be around the 19th largest economy in the world if we were an independent country. And so we would be a member of G20 if we were independent. And we have a major economy even though we are the fifth largest economy in the among the 50 United States. We’ve been a pivotal leader on clean energy, the signing of the Climate and Equitable JOBS Act and the REV Act are just examples of that. We’re continuing to prioritize clean sustainable growth through our infrastructure as a main tenant of the Rebuild Illinois capital plan. Our state committed to 100% clean energy by 2050. That’s an important calling card here. And of course, we’re hoping to put a million electric vehicles on the road by 2030 in Illinois, and we’re actually taking substantive steps to make that and those several goals happen.
We’re also leading the way on responsible gun control. Just last week, I signed the Protect Illinois Communities Act into law, making Illinois the not the first not the second but the ninth state in the nation to institute an assault weapons ban, very much like several of the other states that already have them. And despite the outcry from the gun lobby and those that they fund, this law will make millions of Illinoisans safer, protecting them from constantly living in fear of becoming a statistic in potentially the next mass shooting that splashes across our headlines.
Of course, that’s only part of what’s so great about Illinois. And I always say I am the state’s best chief marketing officer. And I’m making sure that people know about our leadership on safeguarding reproductive rights ,on our focus on fiscal responsibility, our booming manufacturing sector, and the fact that we are full of brilliant talent from our world class universities and our nation leading, third largest in the nation community college system. And so much more than that we’re leading in. We have, we are number six in our K-12 education system in the country, according to US News. And there’s a lot to offer in terms of the talent of the people of Illinois. So I’m really glad to have been invited here to Switzerland to talk about the great state of Illinois, the great people who live in Illinois and make sure that people on the world stage are aware. And I can’t wait to come home and take what we’ve learned here and the connections that we’ve made to make our state even stronger
We’ll be running Chicago from a business perspective. Business perspective. Help bring more business in, keep the ones here, keep families here. We will get a situation that nobody has to be worried about high taxes.
We’ll be tough on crime, we’ll move all the restriction things from our police officer. Somebody run, chase somebody by foot, or car, that police officer should be able to chase them down and hunt them down like a rabbit. K? That’s all I gotta say, that this mayor here will not be in this office coming up the next few months.
Lightfoot fumed: “For a candidate for mayor to say we have to take the handcuffs off the police and let them hunt down human beings like rabbits, is an extraordinary thing,” she told reporters after a debate that saw her take heat from all sides on public safety. The mayor invoked Chicago’s dark history of misconduct at the hands of police commander John Burge, who tortured people in custody. “I fully and utterly condemn it,” she said.
Wilson doubled down. In a statement to Playbook, he said the issue is “personal.” Wilson lost a son to gun violence years ago. “If someone murders another person, police should hunt the perpetrators down at all cost,” he said in a text statement sent by a spokesman.
* Background is here if you need it. If you read this Associated Press story, you’d never know that these unfounded reactions are somewhat common…
Testing to determine the reason two dozen employees at a state prison this week needed medical treatment for dizziness, nausea and vomiting this week has ruled out “narcotics or hazardous materials,” an official said Thursday.
An Illinois State Police hazardous materials team responded Wednesday afternoon to Graham Correctional Center in Hillsboro, 65 miles (105 kilometers) northeast of St. Louis after staff members responding to an inmate “medical incident” were sickened, according to Department of Corrections spokesperson Naomi Puzzello.
And AFSCME also refuses to look beyond its own nose…
In a statement from AFSCME they say:
While we have not yet seen the preliminary State Police report, we are aware of how the Corrections department has characterized it in the media.
Further investigation is needed to explain the very real symptoms that employees experienced.
No one should be lulled into a false sense of security: Potent, dangerous synthetic compounds like fentanyl and others are present in Illinois communities, employees are encountering them in state prisons, and the Department of Corrections must be better prepared to keep safe employees and offenders alike.
IDOC must do more to prevent and prepare for the next such incident that may not be a false alarm. For just one example, steps must be taken to better equip facilities to identify substances in a much shorter timeframe.
* We’ve discussed this before, but let’s take a quick look again. From the New York Times…
For the past five years, I’ve watched a bizarre news cycle play out on repeat. The most recent recurrence began on June 16, when KCTV5, a local news organization in Kansas City, Mo., published police body-camera footage under a dramatic headline: “ ‘I Knew I Was Dying’: How 5 Rounds of Narcan Possibly Saved KCK Police Officer’s Life.” The operative word in that sentence is “possibly.” The footage shows a police officer standing on a snowy lawn in what looks like a suburban neighborhood, wearing sunglasses and disposable gloves, inspecting pills stashed inside a crumpled piece of paper. “Seal it up — that’s fentanyl, dude,” another officer says. “Get that in a bag quick, so we don’t have an exposure.” The time stamp on the video then jumps to five minutes later. The officer who held the pills is now collapsed on the ground, limbs splayed as though making a snow angel. We hear another officer yell, “Narcan, Narcan, Narcan!” The fallen officer gasps rapidly as his fellow officers, with what seems like genuine panic, spray the opioid-overdose antidote up his nose several times.
The officer was taken to a nearby hospital and later released, and, like clockwork, the vivid footage began circulating. But there’s one major problem with all this: It’s nearly impossible for the symptoms depicted to have been caused by “fentanyl exposure.” The scientific literature shows, definitively, that brief contact with fentanyl is not sufficient for it to enter the bloodstream and cross the blood-brain barrier to cause such a rapid overdose. All the way back in 2017, America’s leading toxicological societies noticed the spread of these viral exposure stories and tried to put them to rest; there have since been countless fact-checks and scientific debunkings by major news outlets, including one from The Times’s editorial board. Last month, a 33-year-old clinical toxicologist and emergency-medicine pharmacist named Ryan Feldman co-published a case study about the time he accidentally spilled a mammoth dose of pure liquid fentanyl all over himself at work; he simply washed it off, with no adverse effects.
It’s not that the symptoms seen on video are feigned. Some psychologists suggest a kind of “mass psychogenic illness” is afoot, or a form of conversion disorder — neurological symptoms without a clear physical cause — or, potentially, simple panic attacks. Police officers have been told, by authorities including the Drug Enforcement Administration, that microscopic amounts of fentanyl can be deadly; they are taught to fear this substance. Their bodies may react accordingly, exhibiting symptoms, like rapid breathing, that are indicative of distress and panic. (Fentanyl produces the exact opposite effect; high doses result in slow and shallow breaths.)
In line with decades of sensationalistic drug policy coverage (Dasgupta et al., 2018), most mainstream media content on casual exposure-linked overdose fails to include voices of scientific experts, public health officials, and people with lived experience. […]
This is an urgent ethical and public health imperative, as failure to effectively address the spread of misinformation can cost lives and resources. First responders and other witnesses may refuse or delay providing lifesaving help during overdoses. Professional responders report elevated levels of stress, vicarious trauma, and compassion fatigue; unfounded safety concerns can aggravate these occupational mental health challenges. As opportunistic commercial interests (Harper, 2018) exploit the atmosphere of fear and misinformation, public funds continue to be wasted to address non-existent “biohazard” threats.
Misinformation about overdose risk from accidentally inhaling or touching fentanyl is widespread among police in the United States. This may aggravate already elevated burdens of officer stress and burnout, while chilling lifesaving overdose response. Police education has shown promise in reducing false beliefs about fentanyl. To better understand the potential of training interventions in correcting officer knowledge, we administered a 10-min online training with corrective messaging about occupational overdose risk from fentanyl contact to 204 police officers in Indiana. Overall, 129 officers (63%) completed baseline survey and 69 (34%) completed follow-up instrument. Using a 6-point Likert scale, we documented assent with the statement: “First responders who encounter fentanyl are at great risk of overdose by touching it or inhaling it.” At baseline, 79.8% expressed agreement, while 20.2% disagreed. At follow-up, 39.1% agreed, while 60.9% disagreed (p < .001). Baseline responses varied in that those officers without a college degree and those on patrol were more likely to report false beliefs. A brief online training intervention holds promise for correcting false beliefs about the risk of fentanyl overdose under circumstances commonly encountered by police.
In other words, IDOC and other law enforcement agencies desperately need to start helping these workers get past the fear that’s been instilled in them, whether by their union, or the FOP, or online or whatever. This misinformation/disinformation hurts those workers and it can be dangerous for actual overdose victims who may not receive prompt care. And, for crying out loud, the Associated Press should try using the Google every now and then.
Really some of my most underrated work. 3D modeling, texturing, and animating an Illinois shaped piece of popcorn has been my greatest achievement. https://t.co/Twuby2FbqD
* Daily Herald | Des Plaines Theatre operator cancels conservative groups’ event after outcry: The CEO of the company that operates the Des Plaines Theatre has canceled a Feb. 8 event booked at the city-owned venue by conservative groups after LGBTQ advocates encouraged the city to stop it. Ron Onesti did not explicitly give a reason for the cancellation in a statement Thursday night, but he referred to the controversy and suggested he and the theater received threats.
* Sun-Times | Cook County Commissioner Sean Morrison took $300K from nonprofit linked to Ken Griffin: What’s clear is that the organization received major funding from the similarly named ballot initiative committee, the Coalition To Stop The Proposed Tax Hike Amendment — supported by hedge fund billionaire Ken Griffin with more than $53 million and contributions from other wealthy conservatives. w
* WGLT | Watchdog seeks harsher penalties in wake of abuse at Choate: IDHS Inspector General Peter Neumer’s call to action comes on the heels of extensive reporting by Lee Enterprises, Capitol News Illinois and ProPublica last year that revealed a culture of abuse and cover-ups at Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center in rural southern Illinois. The news organizations detailed how uncooperative staff stymied the state’s ability to hold employees facing serious abuse allegations to account.
* WICA | Danville’s future casino expected to bring in millions of dollars annually: Rickey Williams, Danville’s mayor, knows the income will make a big difference and others feel the same. “There’s going to be people from Indiana, Chicago area, everywhere coming into the casino. Spend money in our community, stay in our hotels, eat our food,” Tim Dudley, Vermilion Advantage’s CEO, said.
* Crain’s | Different visions, different tactics as mayoral hopefuls debate: They agreed that crime has become a huge problem, but disagreed over how huge and what the solution is. They all deplored high taxes and, in general, promised that they would not raise them further. And with one exception, the candidates asserted that incumbent Mayor Lori Lightfoot has done a bad job—that exception being Lightfoot herself, who gave back as good as she got.
* Tribune | Amtrak is eyeing new rail cars for long-distance trains through Chicago: The purchase, which could be valued in the billions of dollars, would upgrade cars that in some cases have been in use for 40 years, according to the passenger rail service. It could also be one step toward improving on-time performance, though other efforts are also needed, Amtrak board Chair Anthony Coscia said.
* Crain’s | City Council approves fund to redevelop LaSalle Street storefronts: The ordinance, approved unanimously, tweaks the rules of the city’s Small Business Improvement Fund to designate the LaSalle Street corridor, which includes several adjacent streets, as an eligible area to receive the grants, paid for using tax-increment financing funds.
* Crain’s | A worrying sign for U.S. consumers: Discover jolts investors with bleak forecast: Discover Financial Services jolted investors today with a projection that defaults on its consumer loans will roughly double in 2023. Credit card companies like Riverwoods-based Discover experienced extraordinary growth in loan balances from their card customers last year. In Discover’s case, growth topped 20%, and card loans now exceed $90 billion. Investors are jittery about whether consumers are taking on too much debt in the face of inflationary pressures and with the potential for more job losses as the economy slows this year.
* Wall Street Journal | Airlines Are Bumping a Lot More Passengers Lately: More U.S. passengers are being bumped from their flights, reversing steady industrywide improvement and adding to the broader frustrations many have with airlines. The Wall Street Journal’s annual airline scorecard found that airlines have been bumping fliers more often than the previous year, and the comparable prepandemic period. This happens when more people are scheduled to fly than there are available seats.
* Crain’s | Chicago Bears ‘focused’ only on Arlington Heights stadium: Warren also spoke of the need to come up with a “very creative solution to our stadium situation and create an atmosphere that becomes a 365-day environment.” The Bears have yet to close a 326-acre land deal for the Arlington Heights racetrack, which they agreed to buy for $197.2 million in 2021.
* Illinois Times | New 988 hotline has expanded mental health services: Nonprofit MBH, which has answered calls funneled through the national suicide prevention hotline for years, expanded its resources to do so in summer 2022 with federal funding connected to the July 16 launch of the three-digit crisis-care number.
* Crain’s | MacKenzie Scott reveals her Chicago donation spree: Since 2020, billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has donated around $273.7 million to 30 Chicago nonprofits, schools and other organizations, revealing for the first time the extent of her giving spree here.
* The Honest Broker | Did the Music Business Just Kill the Vinyl Revival?: The level of greed is off the charts. Because it’s so hard to make money in music nowadays, the labels have decided to squeeze as much cash as they can from vinyl fans. This is one area where Spotify and Apple don’t call the shots, so why not charge twenty dollars for vinyl? Or maybe thirty dollars is better. Hell, let’s ask for forty, and see who will buy?
* SJ-R | ‘We’re trying our best to stay in business:’ Home of private, fine dining club up for sale: “I’m not good at predicting the future,” club president Jim Ackerman said about listing the two-story building at 227 E. Adams St. with Hurwitz Enterprises Commercial Real Estate. “We’re trying our best to stay in business.” “We aren’t limiting our options. If somebody buys it and says they’d like us to stay, we’ll stay. If it’s bought and they said go, we’d go. Our membership has shrunk over the past decade. We have more building than we need.”
Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson has released a new 30-second ad ahead of tonight’s debate.
The ad touts Johnson’s experience in violence prevention and health care, and mentions helping to pass “the law to ban housing discrimination,” a reference to the Just Housing Amendment passed by the Cook County Board in 2019.
That mayoral debate will stream tonight at 7 p.m. on ABC 7’s website, as well as its YouTube and Facebook pages.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker downplays a report in @politico that he was overheard "talking in high volume" in Davos talking about his political future, including a White House run. Pritzker says he was conducting a media interview and was asked about his future.
Q: And then also, there is a report today in Politico that quote, overheard Illinois Governor JB Pritzker talking at high volume in the central lounge of the Congress Center about his political future political career, including a possible White House bid. Is that an accurate report that you were overheard making comments in the Congress Center, whatever that is?
A: No. I was interviewed by one of your colleagues in another news organization. And, you know, they asked me all about Illinois. And eventually, they got around to asking the question that you all have asked me about being mentioned as a possible presidential candidate. And I was simply responding as I have to you that I have every intention to serve out the four years that I just won as governor, and that we have a lot of challenges in Illinois that we’re going to continue to work on overcoming, and lots of success already. And so to the, to the extent anybody overheard something, it was literally the answer that I was giving to that question that you all have asked me before.
* I think this conversation is over…
Pritzker is asked by @AmandaVinicky whether he would back another crack at getting a graduated income tax in Illinois: "That's not something that I'm focused on this session."
The race for chair of the Republican National Committee is dividing prominent households — pitting husband against wife.
Dick and Elizabeth Uihlein, billionaire GOP donors, have lined up on different sides of the battle over who is best equipped to lead the Republican National Committee.
Mrs. Uihlein has thrown her political muscle behind Ronna McDaniel‘s quest for a fourth term as RNC chair, while Mr. Uihlein is backing Harmeet Dhillon’s bid.
* Fresh numbers, traditional methodology. Politico…
Sophia King’s campaign says its internal polling has the mayoral candidate moving up 5 percentage points from a month ago. The campaign says it’s because King is getting her message out.
Garcia 21%
Lightfoot 15%
Vallas 10%
King 8%
Johnson 8%
Wilson 5%
Green 5%
Undecided 27%
* End Citizens United sent a letter to US Rep. Mary Miller (R-No Relation)…
End Citizens United today issued an open letter to Republican members of Congress who took money from disgraced Congressman George Santos. The letter calls on the members to donate the money to charity.
Below is the text of the letter:
In recent weeks, the truth about Congressman George Santos has come to light. Americans have learned that he lied and fabricated every detail of his life in order to deceive voters of New York’s 3rd Congressional District.
Santos is facing several investigations, at the local, federal, and international level, and is the subject of multiple legal and ethics complaints, including three from End Citizens United. In particular, Santos is accused of using a shell company to hide the true sources of the $700,000 loan he made to his campaign. He also failed to follow the law by filing his financial disclosures inaccurately and with concerning omissions. It is an unacceptable level of dishonesty, unethical behavior, and corruption.
You are among a handful of Republicans who have taken tainted campaign contributions from George Santos.
Given the long list of lies, likely criminality, and blatant disregard for ethics, transparency, or the truth, we are calling on you to donate George Santos’ tainted money to charity. Keeping the money or returning it to Santos would be an endorsement of his deception and corruption.
Sincerely,
Tiffany Muller
President, End Citizens United
According to the release, Rep. Miller received $5,000 from Kitara Ravache…. er… Rep. Santos.
* Press release…
ActBlue announced today that Regina Wallace-Jones will serve as its next CEO and President. Wallace-Jones, a technology executive, former elected official, and Democratic organizer succeeds Erin Hill, who led the organization for 14 years. Hill announced in July her intention to step down at the end of 2022.
* AG Raoul…
Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced his office obtained a seven-year prison sentence in its prosecution of a Winnebago County man who embezzled more than $100,000 from LTC Support Services, a Galesburg, Illinois-based company that operates Community Integrated Living Arrangement (CILA) homes for individuals with developmental disabilities.
Steven A. Bennett, 53, of Roscoe, Illinois was sentenced Tuesday by Winnebago County Circuit Court Judge Joseph G. McGraw after pleading guilty in September 2022 to one Class 1 felony count of theft.
* The Chief Justice is not happy with CDB and CMS…
Dear Director Underwood and Director Pascente:
As you surely know, the three Illinois Supreme Court Justices from Cook County, the 24 Justices of the Illinois Appellate Court, First District, as well as their personal staff and other state court employees – well over 150 individuals in all – currently office on Floors 14 through 20 of the Michael A. Bilandic Building (MABB). I write to express my extreme dissatisfaction with the Capital Development Board and Central Management Services with respect to your management of the ongoing renovation of the MABB elevators.
The situation reached a crisis level yesterday morning when the Justices and staff arrived to work and were unable to ride the elevators up to their offices. Every elevator in the high rise bank was out of service, and the only operating elevator – the freight elevator – could not be utilized because it requires an operator with card access and no one from CDB or CMS was available. Neither CDB nor CMS communicated or provided adequate assistance as the day unfolded, thereby putting the safety of our judges and staff at risk should anyone on the court floors need to quickly descend to the lobby in the event of an emergency.
I am appalled at the egregious errors in CDB and CMS management of the elevator renovations. The lack of resolution on the part of your offices prompted the Supreme Court’s entry of an order yesterday suspending operations from the MABB until the safety of our judges and staff can be assured. Most disturbing is the lack of respect for the Judicial Branch of government, as well as the litigants whose access to justice has been compromised.
On behalf of my colleagues on the Illinois Supreme Court, I demand that you rectify the situation immediately. I will expect a response from you at your first opportunity.
Sincerely,
Mary Jane Theis
Chief Justice, Illinois Supreme Court
* Press release…
For the first time in the history of the Illinois House of Representatives, Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch hosted a retreat for the leadership team of the House Democratic Caucus.
“I was thrilled to host my first leadership retreat for this dynamic group of legislators,” said Speaker Welch. “It’s important that I continue to foster a collaborative environment and find ways for our members to focus on what’s most important to their communities. I have the privilege of serving with a talented group of lawmakers and this retreat was a great opportunity for us to learn from one another and discuss emerging priorities for our Democratic Caucus.”
Welch’s retreat, which was held on Wednesday, focused on individual roles in fostering a culture of collaborative leadership, and featured presentations from the National Conference of State Legislatures, a bipartisan organization providing training and development for lawmakers across the country.
“This leadership retreat was an excellent chance to center our focus as Democrats and collaborate on priorities for the upcoming legislative session,” said Majority Leader Robyn Gabel (D-Evanston). “We’ve had a very successful two years – balanced budgets, protected reproductive rights, passed an equity-centered clean energy jobs package, approved the nation’s strongest assault weapons ban, and much more. It’s a great honor to serve alongside this leadership team as we work to build on that success and deliver lasting results for hardworking Illinoisans.”
“I’m grateful for Speaker Welch’s ongoing effort to find ways for our caucus to collaborate and grow as leaders,” said Assistant Majority Leader Barbara Hernandez (D-Aurora). “This leadership retreat was an excellent learning opportunity and facilitated productive conversations about our priorities as Democrats for the next two years. We are united in our goal to uplift all of Illinois and to find effective solutions to the challenges we face.”
* I love this question from Ben during an aldermanic candidate forum…
Joravsky: You're running for the opportunity to be harassed by everyone. Why?
The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) today issued 33 [cannabis] Transporter licenses, successfully closing the 2022 application pool. These licenses are in addition to the 88 Craft Grow licenses and 54 Infuser licenses already issued to date and brings the total of licensed transporters in the state to 222. 85% of all new licenses under the CRTA are equity by ownership.
“My administration remains committed to building the most equitable and economically prosperous cannabis industry in the nation,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Since I signed the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act into law in 2019, we’ve issued hundreds of licenses for craft growers, transporters, and dispensaries—a majority of which are social equity applicants. And today, I couldn’t be happier to announce that the IDOA has issued an additional 33 transporter licenses—creating more good-paying jobs and setting the stage for a flourishing cannabis industry.”
“The Department is pleased to see this industry continue to grow” said Department of Agriculture Director, Jerry Costello. “They join the hundreds of Department licensees from the last two years in building the foundation of the legal cannabis industry in Illinois, and together have generated nearly 5,000 good-paying jobs. Our team remains highly focused on its core mission of developing a well-regulated and equitable industry.”
Transporter licensees transport cannabis and cannabis-infused products on behalf of other Illinois cannabis business establishments, but not directly to consumers. For example, a craft grower would utilize a transport licensee to deliver product to a dispensary.
The current list of licensees is available on the department’s website.
* And, finally, a group of former political movers and shakers got together in Naples, FL this week for the “Illinois Has-Been Reunion.” Click here for photos.
* Isabel’s roundup…
* WTTW | Illinois Utilities Seek to Increase Rates Across the State: What’s behind the increases depends on whom you ask. The companies have their reasons, while consumer advocates like Scarr see profit motives. Scarf said the timing has to do with changing state regulations, including the expiration of laws that largely removed authority from the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). Now, though, the ICC once again has more control over how much utilities can charge.
* WICA | SNAP benefits in Illinois to decrease in March: The Illinois Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program has been giving out additional emergency monthly allotments since April 2020. The program’s funding of the extra pandemic benefits from the federal government is scheduled to end after February, and Illinois officials are warning people ahead of time they will need to adjust.
* WICA | Danville denies permit for third marijuana dispensary: The Lynch Road area of Danville will not be getting a third marijuana dispensary, the Danville City Council decided on Tuesday. One of the items on the council’s agenda was whether to amend a zoning ordinance that allowed for two dispensaries near Lynch Road. One dispensary – Sunnyside – is already open and a second – Seven Point – will break ground in March or April with construction being completed before the end of the year.
* David Greising | Pritzker’s appearance at Davos could mark a turning point: Consider Pritzker’s main stage turn on the topic of “America (Un) Bound” — a panel meant to instruct the world about America’s policy aspirations and its fractious politics, circa 2023. It was typical Davos stuff: bromides and platitudes, mixed with healthy doses of partisan pugilism.
* Politico | How an incumbent mayor became an underdog in Chicago: While there isn’t much public polling, surveys in recent months suggest she’s trailing Democratic Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia in the Feb. 28 election. And in a crowded field of candidates, Lightfoot might even be in danger of not making the April runoff that will take place if no candidate receives a majority of the votes.
* WBEZ | City wants to use cameras to nail motorists who block bus or bike lanes, loading zones: Chicago motorists who block bus lanes, bike lanes, crosswalks or loading zones might soon get nailed by surveillance cameras installed on CTA buses, “city vehicles,” light poles and other property pinpointed by City Hall. Nearly 20 years after a CTA experiment with bus surveillance cameras failed miserably, Mayor Lori Lightfoot wants to try it again and then some in a designated downtown area that has the “highest concentration of serious crashes, traffic congestion, public transit service, pedestrian and commercial activity in Chicago,” according to the proposed ordinance.
* WILL | How did women access abortions in Illinois before Roe v. Wade?: Before Roe v. Wade recognized a constitutional right to abortion across America, women still found ways to end their pregnancies. In Illinois, that meant seeking help from an underground, feminist abortion service operating under the code name “Jane.”
* Chicago Reader | Police district candidate’s social media full of racist and misogynist posts: In tweets and group chat messages obtained by the Reader, Abbasi variously shared a racist trope, asked whether it’s misogynist to “absolutely despise the idea of women in groups and wickedness that comes from them talking to each other,” and wrote that a bar owner he’d helped with liquor licensing had provided him with “Polish girls” who may have been “trafficked.” In an interview with the Reader, Abbasi admitted he wrote them but said they were humorous trolling.
* Tribune | Chicago Bears Q&A: What could a trade down to No. 2 net? Should a 2024 1st-round pick be a must?: There will be no shortage of questions regarding the infinite possibilities Ryan Poles potentially will have with the No. 1 pick in the draft until he uses the selection or auctions it off. If the Bears were to move down one spot with the Houston Texans, who are in need of a quarterback, it would result in the smallest of all potential returns. I’m skeptical the Bears would get two first-round picks in this situation — it simply would be too high of a price for the Texans to pay unless they are positively head over heels for one of the prospects and suspect/fear another team is lurking to trade for the pick.
Several employees of a central Illinois prison were treated at hospitals Wednesday after they became sickened while responding to one or more inmates suffering severe discomfort, according to a prison spokesperson and a prison employees’ union representative.
Officials said 18 staff members at John A. Graham Correctional Center in Hillsboro required treatment at area hospitals.
An undisclosed number of inmates received treatment in the health care unit of the prison about 65 miles (105 kilometers) northeast of St. Louis.
An Illinois State Police hazardous materials team is investigating, state Department of Corrections spokesperson Naomi Puzzello said in a statement.
The staff members became ill after a prison employee responded to a “medical incident involving individuals in custody who appeared to be under the influence of an unknown substance,” Puzzello said.
“All staff members who may have potentially encountered the unknown substance were also sent to a local hospital, as a precaution. All staff are stable currently and many have already been discharged,” Puzzello said.
Prison officers and other staff who responded to the emergency call became ill, some violently, when they came near the affected inmates, said Anders Lindall of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31, an employee union.
“Those who were in proximity to the inmate were immediately overcome with a variety of symptoms: Lightheadedness, dizziness, vomiting or feeling nauseous,” Lindall said.
AFSCME’s state council has expressed growing concern about prison employees coming in contact with dangerous substances.
“The issue of exposure to harmful substances in prisons is increasing,” Lindall said, adding that prisons need better searches. “AFSCME has been sounding the alarm for months to tighten up the protocol for both incoming mail and visitor screening.”
Lindall said a union meeting was underway at the prison when the call went out and members broke up the gathering to transport colleagues to the hospital, alert family members and provide other assistance.
Graham Correctional Center is a medium-security lockup for adult males, which opened in 1980 with room for 1,596 inmates. The prison currently houses 1,328 inmates.
In all, 18 Graham Correctional Center employees, who are all AFSCME members, were taken to area hospitals.
As of right now, all 18 employees are stable and testing is being done to find out the substance they were exposed to while working.
* From the Illinois Department of Corrections…
In response to an incident at Graham Correctional Center last evening, Illinois State Police conducted preliminary tests on suspicious substances found on site and the tests came back NEGATIVE for narcotics or hazardous materials. ISP is conducting additional testing on clothing items today as well. The substances were identified as nonhazardous and should not have necessitated the use of Narcan or required hospitalization, but IDOC works diligently to ensure the safety of both incarcerated individuals and employees and worked swiftly to ensure everyone had access to the care they requested. Although no one in custody required hospitalization, some staff reported feeling dizzy and in an abundance of caution were transported to the hospital for observation and treatment. Everyone involved in this incident has been discharged from the hospital.
According to ISP the substances returned the following results.
• Nasal Spray was Acetaminophen/Paracetamol
• Powder was baby powder – Aluminum Phosphate, Ethylpyrrole, and Benzene
As we’ve told you before, hysteria is a very strong emotion.
* Even that “friendly” Kankakee County judge said many similar claims about the SAFE-T Act were bogus. From a press release…
Devore argues the [assault weapons ban] law violates the Single Subject clause of the Illinois Constitution by amending a bill that has nothing to do with gun laws and it violates the three readings requirements of the Constitution through the concurrence motions that led to the bill’s passage. He also argued the new law violates the Due Process clause by not giving lawmakers enough time to read what is in the legislation before voting on it. In addition, he argued it violates the Equal Protection clause by allowing some but prohibiting others from purchasing certain types of firearms.
Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s lawyers argued the restraining order should be denied in part because the merits of the coming lawsuit will fail in court. The record will show the legislation was read publicly three times, that it covers a single subject — guns — and that the plaintiffs show no evidence that the exemptions for possessing the restricted weapons are doled out unfairly.
“The act’s exceptions for professionals with specialized firearms training and experience, such as law enforcement and members of the military, easily survive rational basis scrutiny,” the state’s response says.
The suit may be frivolous, but it’s in Effingham County. Attorney General candidate Tom DeVore won that county with more than 80 percent of the vote.
* The state suits are mainly for show and to create a little temporary chaos. The federal lawsuit filed by ISRA will likely have more heft. From the Federalist…
While several federal appellate courts have held that similar bans on so-called assault weapons are constitutional, in June of 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court in Bruen held that in judging whether a challenged statute violates the Second Amendment, the appellate courts have been applying an incorrect legal standard. The Supreme Court then declared that the proper test for assessing whether a law impermissibly infringes on an individual’s Second Amendment right is whether the government can “affirmatively prove that its firearms regulation is part of the historical tradition that delimits the outer bounds of the right to keep and bear arms.”
Then, noting that modern firearm technology differs from that available at the founding, the Supreme Court in Bruen directed the lower courts, when faced with cases “implicating unprecedented societal concerns or dramatic technological changes” to follow “a more nuanced approach” and “conduct … reasoning by analogy” to determine whether a modern firearm regulation would be “unimaginable at the founding.” The Supreme Court added that “whether modern and historical regulations impose a comparable burden on the right of armed self-defense and whether that burden is comparably justified are ‘central’ considerations when engaging in an analogical inquiry.”
It is kinda weird that judges are supposed to mind-read people who’ve been dead for more than 200 years. But, whatever, they made the rules. We have to live with them. I think several valid arguments can be made under those rules that the law is constitutional, but this game is deliberately designed to be more like Calvin Ball than true deliberation.
* Speaking of ISRA, Richard Pearson was interviewed by WBEZ’s Sasha-Ann Simons today. An excerpt…
Simons: There’s a Gallup poll out from November of 2022, saying that 57% of Americans are in support of stricter gun laws. I imagine that is due to the fact that tens of thousands of folks are dying every year, Richard, in this country from gunshot wounds. It’s a fact. Mass shootings, they’re on the rise. Are you ignoring that, like the state representative suggested?
Pearson: No, I’m not ignoring that, but you’re ignoring the numbers. You know, about 80…
Simons: What numbers am I ignoring?
Pearson: I’m gonna tell you if you shut up for a minute.
Simons: Excuse me?
Whew.
A few seconds after that exchange, Simons understandably shut down the interview.
*** UPDATE 2 *** Good move…
I apologize to @WBEZ host @WBEZreset@SashaAnnSimons and her listening audience. I was rude during my live interview on Jan. 19, and I’m sorry for my behavior. -Richard Pearson #ISRA
A Facebook post by Lake County Sheriff John Idleburg Thursday night expressing his support for the state’s ban on high-powered weapons prompted more than 2,000 comments, both from detractors and supporters, within 24 hours. […]
Several critics of Idleburg’s stance brought up his race. One commenter questioned how Idleburg ever became a police officer, to which another user replied, “color.”
“I would really hope in the year 2023, people would not use race or other protected status to disrespect others, but unfortunately, I have seen some of the comments where people have been very insulting over my race,” Idleburg said. “I won’t let the racist comments disparage the unbelievably hardworking and dedicated staff we have at the sheriff’s office.”
We are the ten (10) Illinois State Senators and Representatives that represent the overwhelming majority of you and your families in Lake County. Last week Illinois enacted the Protect Illinois Communities Act which joins eight (8) other states in banning the sale of assault weapons, and adopts other essential public safety measures like banning the sale of high capacity magazines, fighting illegal gun trafficking, and expanding our red flag laws.
We are grateful to our Lake County leaders like State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart, Sheriff John Idleburg, and Lake County Board members who have stood in support of these life-saving new laws. Our communities continue to heal not just from the Highland Park Fourth of July mass shooting, but from individual gun violence, suicide by firearm, school lockdowns for our children, and other trauma resulting from gun violence.
Sadly, some elected officials in other parts of the state have pledged to ignore their oath of office with the intention of not enforcing the law. Even worse, cowardly anonymous social media accounts have turned to threats and racism against our elected officials.
Please know that your senators and representatives will continue to do everything in our power to keep your community safe, and will stand in strong support of our local leaders who are doing the same.
Sen. Mary Edly Allen, 31st District
Sen. Adrianne Johnson, 30th District
Sen. Julie Morrison, 29th District
Rep. Jonathan Carroll, 57th District
Rep. Daniel Didech, 59th District
Rep. Laura Faver Dias, 62nd District
Rep. Joyce Mason, 61st District
Rep. Rita Mayfield, 60th District
Rep. Bob Morgan, 58th District
Rep. Nabeela Syed, 51st District
* Meanwhile…
"Just because somebody goes on Fox News or stands up and gives a speech on the floor or elsewhere and says that they've talked to lawyers and they believe it's unconstitutional, that isn't definitive of whether anything is constitutional or not," Pritzker says.
*** UPDATE 1 *** More heat on the DuPage County Sheriff from the area’s congressional delegation…
Today, U. S. Representatives Sean Casten (IL-06), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), and Bill Foster (IL-11) sent a letter to DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick expressing concern over his January 11th statement that he will not enforce the Protect Illinois Communities Act (H.B. 5471). The legislation bans the sale and distribution of assault-style weapons, high-capacity magazines, and switches in Illinois.
“As Sheriff, you do not have the authority to set enforcement priorities based on your personal views of a law’s constitutionality” the lawmakers wrote. “Moreover, by choosing not to enforce the law, you will put the safety of DuPage residents and law enforcement officers at risk. To that end, we request that you immediately rescind your January 11, 2023, statement and clarify that you will uphold your office’s mission statement, including your duty to ‘enforce the laws of the State of Illinois and the county of DuPage in a fair and impartial manner.’ It is clear that your statement was misguided and erroneous due to the widespread condemnation from DuPage County residents, several county board members, and state legislators.”
Earlier this month, the Illinois General Assembly passed the Protect Illinois Communities Act, subsequently signed into law by Governor JB Pritzker. On January 13th, DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick announced that, due to his personal beliefs about H. B. 5471, he would not enforce the law in DuPage County.
In October 2022, the DuPage County Board voted to approve a resolution in support of legislation banning the sale of assault-style weapons.
* Catholic bishops applaud Illinois weapons ban: “The Catholic Conference of Illinois would like to commend the Illinois General Assembly and Governor J B Pritzker on banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines with the passage of House Bill 5471,” read a statement posted on the website of the state Catholic conference. “Too many times our state has witnessed the horror of mass shootings, and we hope this legislation will help to provide some peace in our communities going forward,” the bishops continued.
A year after the Christopher Columbus statue in Arrigo Park was yanked down amid mounting protests, hundreds rallied at the same spot in the heart of Little Italy last month to demand the city restore that monument to the explorer and two others.
Billed as Italian Unity Day, the July 25 event included many with deep ties to the neighborhood. But it was also filled with members of a controversial western chauvinist group with a long track record of sowing division: the Proud Boys. […]
The Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans planned the event in Arrigo Park last month on the one-year anniversary of the statues’ removal.
Ron Onesti, the group’s president, said the fight to bring back the Little Italy monument had become a multi-ethnic effort over the past year, and that every culture was welcomed to attend the event. […]
“I am unfamiliar with the [Proud Boys] group. I do not support violence, destruction, racism, bigotry or disrespect of any kind,” he said.
Would he have asked the groups to leave the rally if he knew they had ties to the Capitol insurrection?
“It’s not my place to ask anyone to leave,” he said.
The CEO of the company that operates the Des Plaines Theatre defended leasing the city-owned venue to a group that’s been criticized for making queerphobic social media posts and other controversial statements.
Describing himself as a proponent of the First Amendment, Ron Onesti of Onesti Entertainment Corp. on Wednesday said Naperville-based Awake Illinois has the right to hold meetings and discuss the issues it pleases. Despite the controversy, Onesti said he won’t cancel the event.
“It’s not for me to be judge and jury,” Onesti said. […]
Onesti Entertainment has a five-year deal with Des Plaines to operate the theater, which the city purchased in 2018 and spent millions to renovate.
* Background is here if you need it. Molly Parker, Lee Enterprises Midwest, and Beth Hundsdorfer, Capitol News Illinois, and ProPublica…
The watchdog for the Illinois Department of Human Services is seeking harsher penalties against health care workers who obstruct abuse and neglect investigations.
IDHS Inspector General Peter Neumer’s call to action comes on the heels of extensive reporting by Lee Enterprises, Capitol News Illinois and ProPublica last year that revealed a culture of abuse and cover-ups at Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center in rural southern Illinois. The news organizations detailed how uncooperative staff stymied the state’s ability to hold employees facing serious abuse allegations to account.
Specifically, Neumer is asking legislators for a change in law that would allow his office to report workers engaged in similar misconduct to an existing statewide registry. The move could bar those employees from working in the health care field in Illinois.
The Health Care Worker Registry monitors direct care aides, nursing assistants and other non-licensed health care officials; its database of professionals includes those who are barred from working with vulnerable populations. They may have been barred because of criminal records or if they have been found in an administrative proceeding to have engaged in financial exploitation, what is known as “egregious neglect” or physical and sexual abuse.
Under the current system, state workers who help their colleagues by lying to or misleading investigators can face termination if they’re caught, but findings against them can’t be reported to the registry. So short of criminal charges, which are rare, nothing would prevent them from going to work in another health care setting.
The Office of the Inspector General “regularly sees instances where facility or agency staff seek to protect each other from the consequences of their misconduct by remaining silent about what they witnessed or lying to protect their fellow employees,” Neumer wrote in a recently released annual report on his office’s work.
In a follow-up interview, Neumer said expanding his office’s authority would help deter employees from “engaging in cover-up behavior or code-of-silence activity if they were aware that by doing so they risked losing their employment and possibly their ability to work in the health care industry in Illinois.” […]
A spokesperson for House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch said he was “incredibly troubled” by the reports on Choate and is “closely reviewing” the inspector general’s recommendations.
Anger over the political appointment process has been simmering among Champaign County Democrats since the Dec. 9 death of state Sen. Scott Bennett.
This week, it boiled over into a bitter public display after Champaign County Clerk and Recorder Aaron Ammons re-stated his accusation that party officials were motivated by racism and sexism when they appointed Paul Faraci to fill Sen. Bennett’s seat rather than his wife, state Rep. Carol Ammons, D-Urbana.
Aaron Ammons’ statement, made on the Champaign County Democrats’ Facebook page, drew immediate condemnation from others, including Sen. Bennett’s widow, Stacy. The lengthy exchange was pointed and personal.
I too have been biting my tongue for more than a month because quite frankly the truth is just too painful, but this has gone way too far and the truth needs to come to light. I very much appreciated you and Representative Ammons coming to the house and bringing flowers until I learned that she had been making numerous calls about getting Scott’s seat less than hour after he died. I then learned Representative Ammons told the media that she was with the family at the hospital, which was simply not true. Being in the lobby and being in the icu with the family are VERY different things. This was particularly hurtful to members of the extended family who wondered why they weren’t with us at the hospital. As if this wasn’t enough, I later learned that you approached Scott’s senate colleagues about endorsing Representative Ammons AT his memorial service! My friends did a wonderful job of trying to shield me from all of this, but none of these actions were done secretly, so it didn’t take long for me to find out. I felt like I was being repeatedly kicked while I was already down. Honestly, I am still shocked by all of this and imagining Representative Ammons making calls about Scott’s senate seat while I was telling my 9 year old children that their daddy was never coming home is almost too much to bear.
I just can’t sit back and let you continue to disparage those people who worked so hard to honor Scott’s legacy. The only person entitled to this seat was Scott who was elected by the people of the 52nd district. I believe of the last 31 senators who have been appointed, only 7 were state reps, so that is actually not the standard. Plus, Scott was an amazing senator without being a state rep. Mike, Cari, and Sandy set up a fair process that was similar to what Scott went through when he was appointed. Everyone had the right to put their name in for consideration.
This process has already been painful and destructive enough. I just ask that the lies and negativity stop, so we can all move on and so I can finally work towards finding closure.
* Ms. Bennett’s post was preceded by this one from Champaign County Democratic Party Vice Chair Cari West-Henkelman…
I have bit my tongue about the [expletive deleted] that y’all pulled during the appointment process for several reasons.
1. Out of respect to Scott’s family.
2. To avoid jeopardizing you or Carol’s future elections.
3. Mainly because I’m not in the business of tearing down other people…especially fellow Dems.
As I said during this whole thing, there were many different things that had to be considered when making such an important decision. At the end of the day we did what we felt was best for the 52nd district, Champaign and Vermilion counties, and to honor MY friend Scott and his family.
I also said that I would hope all the candidates would respect the decision and support the appointment. Everyone seems to have done that except you.
With all that being said, I politely ask you to knock it off.
State Representative Carol Ammons (D- 103rd District) said she was with Bennett’s family shortly after he was admitted to the hospital on Thursday.
“We sat until the evening, so that we could see that he was stabilizing,” Rep. Ammons said. “We really wanted to know if he was stable and if the doctors could figure out what was wrong.”
The station didn’t actually quote Ammons saying she was with Bennett’s family, and Rep. Ammons told me she was with several other people in the hospital lobby, which I was able to confirm myself.
* Rep. Ammons’ spouse, County Clerk Aaron Ammons, explained it this way on the FB thread…
I want to clarify that Representative Ammons has NEVER said she was in the ICU with the family. […]
As many of us know when dealing with the press that anything outside of your direct quote is an interpretation of what they heard during the interview and they OFTEN misquote the people they are interviewing. Stacy Meredith Bennett Again, we meant NO Disrespect, and offer our apologies if what the reporter wrote was misleading or caused any confusion for you or the family, that was certainly NOT our intent.
* It never ceases to blow my mind how reporters refuse to do the simplest of Google searches or fall for the dumbest things. Here’s John Clark at WTVO in Rockford…
A medical watchdog group is criticizing Illinois’ new law that requires health-care workers to take racial bias training over “being a good doctor.”
According to the Illinois Administrative Code, racial bias occurs automatically and unintentionally, affecting behaviors, judgments, and decisions.
The medical watchdog group Do No Harm counters that “There is no credible evidence that physicians are biased, or healthcare is systemically racist.”
Also, Google “Do No Harm” and you’ll find the “medical watchdog” group’s website is filled with warnings about how the same people behind “Critical Race Theory” and “Defund the police” are now coming after physicians. It has posts supporting Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ war on “wokeness,” warns about trans rights, etc.
Kristina is a grassroots and advocacy expert. She previously served as the president of a major state think tank, chief of staff to a governor, and as an advocate for federal government reform.
A simple Google search would show that the “think tank” has an Illinois angle. Rasmussen worked for the Illinois Policy Institute. The governor mentioned was Bruce Rauner. Rasmussen’s comms team was ousted after issuing a press release in the governor’s name saying he wouldn’t take a stand on an IPI cartoon deemed racist by many because he was “a white male.” And then Rauner parted ways with Rasmussen.
* But, hey, forget the Google machine for a moment. Forget about trying to balance the story by reaching out to a professional medical group or a civil rights association to counter the propaganda they published without question. The city of Rockford has a Black state Representative named Maurice West who WTVO could’ve also consulted. I reached out to Rep. West last night about the WTVO story and here’s what he had to say…
My wife had complications after the birth of our daughter in 2020 where a headache was one of the symptoms. The ER doctor was confident that her “hair was braided too tight”.
My wife’s hair is not in braids, and her birth related sickness that could have gotten worse went unchecked for two more days because of the doctor’s racial/cultural ignorance.
It’s not calling doctors racist. If you are not exposed to cultural differences on a regular basis then it’s best to learn and understand the differences to be a more effective doctor.
— Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton (@LtGovStratton) January 19, 2023
* Here’s your daily morning roundup…
* Illinois Times | General Assembly passes bill requiring employers to offer paid leave: Sherry Morris, a part-time employee of Help at Home, would gain paid time off, beginning in January 2024, if a bill recently passed by the Illinois General Assembly is signed into law. The Riverton resident also cares for her 30-year-old son, Kyle, who has mental disabilities and lives with her. Sherry Morris says a bill that will soon head to the governor’s desk for his signature would boost her quality of life “tremendously” as she works in low-income clients’ homes to help them maintain independence. “It’s mind-blowing,” Morris, 66, of Riverton said in response to the General Assembly’s recent passage of a bill that would, for the first time, require all Illinois employers to offer up to five days of paid leave for any reason each year.
* Advance Illinois | Statement on the Illinois State Board of Education FY24 Budget Recommendation: Today the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) approved and sent to Governor Pritzker recommendations for the FY24 Budget. While Advance Illinois commends ISBE for taking steps to ensure Illinois students, from early childhood through high school, have the care and education they need to thrive and succeed, today’s proposed budget didn’t go far enough.
* SJ-R | Tucked inside state spending bill, Illinois commits to new statute honoring King: The bill’s passing happened about four months after 24-year-old Fernando Garcia Martinez was arrested for toppling the current MLK statue. The statue, located at the intersection of Capitol Avenue and Second Street, has since been removed from the base and taken to a state warehouse in Springfield. It is unclear when or if it will be returned to the intersection also called “Freedom Corner.”
* Tribune | New records show Gov. J.B. Pritzker has spent $350 million to win his two terms in office: In his two winning campaigns to become Illinois’ chief executive, billionaire Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker, the nation’s wealthiest politician, has spent $350 million, including more than $167 million to defeat Republican Darren Bailey by nearly 13 percentage points in November, according to newly released state and federal campaign records.
* Pantagraph | $180 million more sought for Illinois higher education: The budget request goes to the General Assembly and governor for their consideration in passing the state budget later this year. It includes a 7.5% increase in the total direct funding for the state’s public universities and community colleges. Last year’s budget included a 5% increase.
* WTVO | Rockford’s Hard Rock Casino made $55M in 2022: Numbers from the Illinois Gaming Board show over 463,000 people visited the temporary Rockford Casino: A Hard Rock Opening Act in 2022, bringing in $54.7 million. Of that, $8 million went to the state and $3 million went to Rockford region, with the city taking a majority share in a split with Winnebago County, Loves Park, and Machesney Park.
* Tribune | Former Portage Mayor James Snyder’s attorney argues that appeals court should grant him third trial: In October 2021, Snyder was sentenced to 21 months in prison and one year supervised release for soliciting bribes and obstruction, but the judge ruled that Snyder did not have to report to prison while his appeal was ongoing. Snyder was first indicted in 2016, on the same day former Lake County Sheriff John Buncich was indicted for receiving bribes as part of a towing scheme. While Buncich was sent to federal prison in 2018, Snyder has been convicted twice, shaken up his legal team and spent most of the past six years proclaiming his innocence.
* Fox Chicago | Chicago mayoral candidate Ja’Mal Green lays out tax relief proposal: The plan includes two-year interest-free loans for people at risk of losing their homes, a city “Loyalty Tax Credit” for homeowners who stay in their homes for more than three years and eliminating the property tax escalator put in place by Mayor Lori Lightfoot.
* Sun-Times | Biden to nominate Jeffrey Cummings, LaShonda Hunt for Chicago-based U.S. District Court spots: Both judges, who are Black, will further the goal of Biden and Senate Judiciary Chairman Dick Durbin, D-Ill., to diversify the federal bench. Last year, attorney Nancy Maldonado became the first Hispanic woman to sit on the Northern District of Illinois. Since the Northern District was created some 200 years ago, it has been dominated by white male judges.
* Chicago Reader | Daring to win: Helen Shiller’s new autobiography details decades of political struggles in Uptown.: Helen Shiller insists that the story of Uptown is not unique. After more than 50 years living in the neighborhood, it’s hard to disagree with her. In many ways, the most pressing concerns that Shiller first identified when she moved to the neighborhood in 1972 still haunt the wider city, and America as a whole: conflicts with police, a lack of adequate housing, and a deep-seated disconnect between the desires of working-class people and the politicians who represent them. In many cases, they’ve worsened.
* WLS-AM | 23-year-old 73rd District State Rep Brad Fritts is ready to serve: One of the youngest state representatives to ever serve in the 74th District, Brad Fritts, joins the Steve Cochran Show to talk about why he decided to run for State Rep at 22, being eager to learn from his colleagues & serve his district. He also offers advice to young people who wish to enter politics.
* NBC Chicago | Unlawfully Towed? Refunds Are Hard to Come By, Even at State Regulators’ Request: For Chicagoans who know the rules and laws of parking in the city, the hope is that if mistakes are made or their cars are taken unlawfully by private tow companies, Illinois state regulators will have their back. Drivers still have to pay a $218 fee to get their vehicle back from the tow yard, but if the tow is ruled as illegal, regulators with the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) can force the tow company behind the tow to refund the driver the money they paid.
