As Governor Pritzker begins his second term in office, the administration has announced the following personnel appointments to Illinois State Agencies:
Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS)
Raven DeVaughn will serve as the Director of the Illinois Department of Central Management Services.* Prior to taking on this role, DeVaughn served as Assistant Director at CMS where she oversaw the agency’s procurement through the Bureau of Strategic Sourcing (BOSS), promoted minority and women owned participation in CMS contracts; oversaw the Bureau of Administrative Hearings and the Illinois Office of Communications and Information; and served as liaison to the recently created Commission on Equity and Inclusion and the African Descent-Citizens Reparations Commission. Before joining CMS, Raven served as the Director of Economic Development Initiatives within the Office of Civic Engagement at The University of Chicago, where she designed and advanced policies surrounding the University’s community-based economic inclusion efforts on the south side of Chicago. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Howard University and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO)
Kristin Richards will serve as the Director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.* Most recently, Richards was the Director of the Illinois Department of Employment Security where she oversaw the provision of more than $38 billion in unemployment benefits to hard-hit families during the pandemic. With more than 20 years of public service experience, Richards has served under two governors and as Chief of Staff for two senate presidents. In her time with the Illinois Senate, Richards played a critical role in bipartisan negotiations which resulted in Medicaid and pension reform, and later, ending the more than two-year budget impasse. She began her career in public service as a James H. Dunn Fellow in the Governor’s Office in Springfield. Richards earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Millikin University.
Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES)
Ray Marchiori will serve as Temporary Director of the Illinois Department of Employment Security. Marchiori currently serves as the Chief of Staff for the IDES and has more than 25 years of public service experience. He has served in executive-level roles for state, county, and federal agencies. Marchiori received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Northern Illinois University.
Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT)
Brandon Ragle will serve as Temporary Secretary of the Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology. Ragle has worked at DoIT since 2016, where he served as the Assistant Secretary and the Chief of Enterprise Applications. Prior to that, he was Deputy Chief of Enterprise Applications. Ragle brings 30 years of service in state government, serving in various roles supporting the Illinois Department of Corrections, Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation and Illinois Department of Insurance. Ragle spent the past two decades in information technology. Ragle served in the Illinois National Guard for seven years and was non-commissioned officer of the year in 1995. Ragle received a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Greenville College and Master of Business Administration from Benedictine University.
* Appointments pending confirmation by the Illinois Senate.
* I don’t think they’ve been assigned their new offices yet, but, yes, this will most likely happen when the newbies come back to town in a couple of weeks and see where they’ve been placed…
Somewhere right now in the Stratton Building, a House staffer is explaining to a freshman lawmaker what they think is their office walk-in closet is in fact their office. Welcome to the Stratton.
I rise today in response to the Speaker’s comments yesterday attacking my wife as well as the Freedom Caucus in Washington for holding firm on their commitments to drain the swamp. I want to thank the 20 conservative patriots in the US House of Representatives for their efforts to stop reckless spending and debt that is crushing our country. Those 20 Members of Congress fought against the status quo to get hard spending caps so that Washington can actually cut spending at a time with record inflation and a $31 trillion debt. And this chamber on both sides of the aisle, we can learn a lesson from their courage. A broken Congress is a Congress that passes a 4,000-page 1.7 trillion omnibus bill that nobody read, passing in the middle of the night on Christmas Eve. That is something that cannot happen again, thanks to these 20 patriots. I’m proud that the Illinois Freedom Caucus is fighting fiscal sanity here in Springfield and my constituents appreciate the bold effort of 20 Freedom Caucus members for doing the same thing in Washington, DC. Thank you very much and God bless you.
“I’m proud that the Illinois Freedom Caucus is fighting fiscal sanity here in Springfield” is not a typo.
Anyway, I asked Rep. Miller what Speaker Welch had said about US Rep. Mary Miller. He wouldn’t say. So, I checked and re-checked Welch’s inaugural speech. The only thing I could find that might be about her was this passage…
We must stand up to the extremists who want to pull us backward – because matters of basic human dignity shouldn’t be subject to the ideologies of politicians and judges.
…Adding… A commenter suggested that this might be it…
I also want to thank and congratulate our new Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias. After what we all watched in Washington last week, you sure made this inauguration look like a model of efficiency.
* Sun-Times | Why Illinois’ new assault weapons ban might not hold up in court: “The constitutional interpretation of the Second Amendment, of course, loomed large in the drafting of this legislation,” state Rep. Bob Morgan, D-Deerfield, said at Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s bill-signing ceremony Tuesday night. “Both chambers took that very seriously,” Morgan said. “We have to make sure that we’re passing laws that will withstand scrutiny. So we took those things into account. And, of course, there are a lot of legal threats that came, and we look forward to being able to take our arguments to court.”
* Journal Star | Jehan Gordon-Booth makes history with new title in state legislature: The selection makes her the first African American and first woman to lead budget negotiations in the House in the history of the state. “When we work together, we can do great things for the people of this state,” Gordon-Booth said in a press release. “Our budget is a reflection of our values, it’s important and necessary that we support essential services that residents depend on.”
* Sun-Times | Illinois Gaming Board OKs gaming license for clout-heavy lawyer James J. Banks in an about-face: Nearly two years ago, the Illinois Gaming Board denied a coveted and potentially lucrative video gambling license sought by James J. Banks, a clout-heavy Chicago lawyer and banker who’d served on the Illinois Tollway board under five governors, saying his “associations” threatened to impugn the gaming industry. But now the gaming board has reversed course, voting 3-0 in December to allow Banks’ Gaming Productions, LLC, to secure what’s called a terminal operator license. That means he can now distribute and draw income from video poker machines and similar devices in businesses such as bars and restaurants in Illinois communities where such gambling is legal.
* AP | US Kindergarten Vaccination Rate Dropped Again, Data Shows: Usually, 94% to 95% of kindergarteners are vaccinated against measles, tetanus and certain other diseases. The vaccination rates dropped below 94% in the 2020-2021 school year, during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study released Thursday found rates dropped again in the 2021-2022 school year, to about 93%.
* WMBD | Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias visits Bloomington in first week of office: Giannoulias said he plans on utilizing new technology to help modernize the DMV experience. “We are looking at digital IDs and digital driver’s licenses. Skip the line program. So new technology will help really decrease wait time and make it easier for people to access government services,” said Giannoulias.
* Chicago Reader | Illinois extends curbside pickup for medical patients to January 31: Dina Rollman, senior vice president of government affairs at Green Thumb Industries, was unsure about why the variance needed to end in the first place. “We have taken steps to try to understand what the purported reason was for ending curbside and we have been unable to discern any basis for it whatsoever,” she said.
* Sun-Times | Looking back at Colleen Callahan’s nearly four years as the first woman director of the IDNR: I was leery when Callahan was appointed because she did not have a background in biology. She came more from the media and communications side, but she helped lead the IDNR back toward competency and its place as a destination job. The IDNR she took over was a skeleton after four years of budget issues under former Gov. Bruce Rauner. The IDNR has a long way to go to full recovery, but it is again a functioning agency. To me, that is her greatest legacy.
* Tribune | Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s signature Invest South/West program is 3 years old. But some of its big projects were already planned when she took office: Some of the largest investments were already on the launchpad when Lightfoot took office. Others were for standard repairs to existing buildings. And many of the projects are still in the conceptual phase and have not even begun to be built. Of the more than $750 million that the city counts as part of the public spend for Invest South/West, more than half has been allocated toward those kinds of expenditures rather than new or groundbreaking projects, the Tribune found.
* Fox 2 | Mystery lemur found in Illinois family’s garage: The Illinois Conservation Police worked with Miller Park Zoo staff to safely capture Julian and transport him to Miller Park Zoo, where he is being cared for by their expert staff. “I greatly appreciate that the family asked for help in recovering this animal,” said Jay Pratte, Miller Park Zoo Director. “We will work with the IDNR on the next steps of King Julian’s journey.”
Gov. JB Pritzker signed a measure Friday shielding reproductive and gender-affirming health care patients and providers from legal action originating across state lines.
Illinois lawmakers on Tuesday approved a measure protecting Illinois’ access to abortion from out-of-state meddling, making the state the latest to pursue such protections since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last June.
The bill will shield reproductive and gender-affirming health care patients and providers from legal action originating across state lines in a post-Roe world where some states are moving swiftly to restrict such procedures.
* From the governor’s press release…
• Shields individuals in Illinois from foreign subpoenas, summons, or extraditions related to lawful reproductive or gender affirming care in Illinois. Requires courts in Illinois to apply Illinois law in cases involving reproductive health care.
• Requires the Department of Public Health to partner with organizations to provide grants for abortion training.
• Clarifies that Advanced Practice Registered Nurses and Physicians Assistants can perform abortions consistent with their training and within their scope of practice.
• Requires local units of government including schools, municipalities, and counties that offer health insurance plans to provide coverage for contraceptives, and if they offer pregnancy-related benefits, abortion.
• Requires abortifacients (i.e., medications administered to terminate a pregnancy), gender-affirming health care medications, and PEP/PrEP medication (i.e., HIV treatment) to be covered by insurers at no-cost to the consumer.
• Prevents insurers from charging higher out-of-pocket costs for certain insurance plans when patients are forced to seek out-of-network provider care due to an in-network provider raising moral objections under the Health Care Right of Conscience Act.
• Expands access to reproductive health care by permitting birth centers in Illinois to provide full spectrum reproductive health care and sexual health care, instead of only childbirth-related needs of pregnant persons and their newborns.
• Allows patients to receive hormonal birth control over the counter from a pharmacist pursuant to a standing order from the Illinois Department of Public Health.
• Establishes a counterclaim for individuals who have a judgement entered against them in another state for reproductive health care that is legal in Illinois.
• Clarifies that no person is subject to civil liability for receiving an abortion under the Wrongful Death Act, clarifies that no hospital personnel shall report an abortion to law enforcement agencies, and clarifies that the statute of limitations under the Reproductive Health Act is 2 years.
• Amends the Parentage Act:
o Allows intended parents or parents to dispose of any cryopreserved fertilized ovum to be governed by the intended parent’s or parent’s most recent informed consent or under a marital settlement agreement.
o Allows for the establishment of a parent-child relationship in the event of gestational surrogacy wherein the intended parent dies; and
o Allows an out-of-state physician to certify the genetic make-up of embryos.
• Adds “assisted reproduction” to the definition of reproductive health care in the Reproductive Health Act. “Assisted Reproduction” means a method of achieving a pregnancy through the handling of human oocytes, sperm, zygotes, or embryos for the purpose of establishing a pregnancy.
• Prevents the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) from taking disciplinary action against any health care professional licensed under the Division of Professional Regulation Acts governed by IDFPR based solely upon the license of the professional being disciplined by any state for providing or participating in any health care that is legal in Illinois, regardless of whether it is legal in the other state.
• Allows IDFPR to establish expedited, temporary licenses for out-of-state healthcare professionals seeking to provide healthcare in Illinois. Allows these licensees to offer telehealth.
• Amends the Wrongful Death Act to prohibit someone from asserting a claim as a result of a lawful abortion.
• Adds additional protections for healthcare providers and facilities from being punished for providing abortions and related services.
* From sponsoring Rep. Kelly Cassidy’s speech today…
When the Supreme Court overturned Roe, I learned an important lesson. Doesn’t matter how long you’ve anticipated a punch in the gut, it still hurts. We all came together on that day too, many of us were together. And as we hugged and cried and consoled each other, I thought about the people who dedicate their time and energy to attacking those least able to defend themselves. Whether that’s an acting bans on reproductive care, attacking the trans community by taking away health care or simply trying to legislate them out of existence, and I resolved to punch those bullies back even harder. I referred to them as bullies in debate on the House floor. They didn’t like it. But that’s exactly what they are. They’re punching down. Well, they got a problem. Folks, this is the first of those punches but certainly not the last. […]
Our mission is clear. If you want to come after people seeking care or their providers, if your mission is to torment trans kids and their families, you’re gonna have to get through all of us first.
* Press release from Rep. Adam Niemerg (R-Dietrich)…
“As I have previously stated, there does not seem to be any restrictions on abortion that the majority party would ever support,” Niemerg said. “This legislation goes far beyond merely allowing abortion to be legal in Illinois. The leaders in the House and the Senate are actively promoting abortion and even taking the extreme position to provide legal immunity to abortion providers. The message we are sending abortion providers is it does not matter what kind of sanctions other states have placed on you and if a woman in your care dies, you can’t be sued. This is not pro-woman. Allowing unqualified medical personnel to perform abortions and protecting abortion doctors from lawsuits does nothing to protect women. Anyone who cares about women’s health should be opposed to this monstrous legislation.”
Q: There’s word that you might be going to Davos for the conference there. If so, what do you plan to do to help the people of Illinois?
Pritzker: Well, I want to promote the state of Illinois. I was very pleased and honored to be invited to go to the World Economic Forum, just as I did last year, as you know, to COP 26 to promote our Climate and Equitable Jobs Act. While I’m in Davos I’ll be talking to, meeting with national leaders here from the the United States but also international leaders and promoting commerce for the state of Illinois, as well as the ideas that have really come forth from the state of Illinois that I think others may want to follow.
Q: Davos is made up of world leaders. Do you one day want to be on that stage as, perhaps, President? [laughter]
Pritzker: We’re the fifth largest state in the United States. We’re already on the world stage. [applause]
Chicago— Governor Pritzker will travel to Davos, Switzerland next week to speak at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting and promote Illinois’ achievements on the world stage. The meeting brings together world leaders across industries to discuss political and social priorities, this year focusing on the theme “Cooperation in a Fragmented World.” The Governor will also visit Germany for business development purposes.
“I’m looking forward to meeting with leaders from across various industries, nonprofits, and business over the course of next week to learn from the cutting edge work they’re doing and to share our own advancements here in Illinois,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Our work on clean energy, our investments in infrastructure, and our dedication to technological innovation and growth are all world-class, and I’m excited to perform my role as Chief Marketing Officer for Illinois on the world stage.”
Governor Pritzker will participate in several forum events over the course of the week, including invitations to speak on panels and join roundtable discussions:
• Tuesday, January 17th
o American (Un)Bound Panel on the American Legislative Landscape
• Wednesday, January 18th
o Gathering of World Leaders: Roundtable on Navigating the New Energy Reality
• Thursday, January 19th
o Joint Governor’s Policy Meeting: Industry Infrastructure
o Gathering of World Leaders: Roundtable on Chartering the Course to COP28
Governor Pritzker will be accompanied by First Lady MK Pritzker, Chief of Staff Anne Caprara, Deputy Governor Andy Manar, and Deputy Governor Christian Mitchell. Governor Pritzker will highlight the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, the Reimagining Electric Vehicles Act and Illinois’ many commitments to clean energy and sustainable power. The Governor will also highlight the Rebuild Illinois Capital plan, one of the largest in the U.S., and our state’s nation leading work on reproductive health and gun violence prevention.
* Well over a thousand bills have already been introduced in the House. Here is a tiny sampling of synopses, starting with Rep. Rita Mayfield’s HR0010…
Declares November 18, 2023 as “A Christmas Story Family Day”.
Amends the Illinois Police Training Act. Provides that the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board, police training schools approved by the Board, law enforcement agencies, and units of local government may not initiate, administer, or conduct training programs that include warrior-style training, either directly or through a third party. Provides that the Board may not reimburse a law enforcement agency or unit of local government for any portion of training programs that include warrior-style training. Provides that law enforcement agencies and units of local government may not indemnify or otherwise provide liability protection for a peace officer for liability arising from the use of tactics derived from warrior-style training. Defines “warrior-style” training. Preempts home rule. Amends the Illinois State Police Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois to make conforming changes.
Amends the General Assembly Operations Act. Provides that if a witness slip is filed in either chamber on a bill or amendment, and all of the text of that bill or amendment is subsequently incorporated into another bill or amendment, then that witness slip shall, with the consent of the person filing it, be associated in the database of witness slips maintained by the Legislative Information System with the bill or amendment into which the text is incorporated. Provides that the Legislative Information System shall establish and maintain a database for tracking witness slips.
They shouldn’t even think about doing that until the GA tightens up the requirements for witness slips. Right now, you can put any name on your electronic slip. It’s ridiculous. Some bills are absolutely flooded with highly questionable slips. Back when they only used paper slips, you had to attest, under penalty of perjury, that you were signing your actual name, organization, etc. The slips, as they currently stand, are worthless and many are just a mockery.
* Reps. La Shawn K. Ford and Jehan Gordon-Booth’s HB1…
Creates the Compassionate Use and Research of Entheogens Act. Establishes the Illinois Psilocybin Advisory Board within the Department of Public Health for the purpose of advising and making recommendations to the Department regarding the provision of psilocybin and psilocybin services. Provides that the Department shall begin receiving applications for the licensing of persons to manufacture or test psilocybin products, operate service centers, or facilitate psilocybin services. Contains licensure requirements and prohibitions. Provides that a licensee or licensee representative may manufacture, deliver, or possess a psilocybin product. Provides that the Department may obtain, relinquish, or dispose of psilocybin products to ensure compliance with and enforce the Act and rules adopted under the Act. Creates the Psilocybin Control and Regulation Fund and the Illinois Psilocybin Fund and makes conforming changes in the State Finance Act. Requires the Department of Agriculture, the Illinois Liquor Control Commission, and the Department of Revenue to perform specified duties. Contains provisions concerning rulemaking; taxes; fees; zoning; labeling; and penalties. Preempts home rule powers. Contains other provisions. Amends the Criminal Identification Act. Provides that specified records shall be expunged prior to (i) January 1, 2024 (rather than January 1, 2023) and (ii) January 1, 2026 (rather than January 1, 2025). Provides for expungement of specified records concerning the possession of psilocybin and psilocin. Amends the Illinois Controlled Substances Act. Removes psilocybin and psilocin from the list of Schedule I controlled substances. Amends the Illinois Independent Tax Tribunal Act of 2012. Provides that the Tax Tribunal shall have original jurisdiction over all determinations of the Department of Revenue reflected on specified notices issued under the Compassionate Use and Research of Entheogens Act. Effective immediately.
Amends the Public Community College Act. Provides that the Illinois Community College Board shall develop and maintain a program to provide free tuition at one community college in each R3 Area (designated as such under the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act) using money appropriated from the Cannabis Regulation Fund. Authorizes the Board to adopt any rules necessary. Amends the State Finance Act to make related changes.
Friday, Jan 13, 2023 - Posted by Advertising Department
[The following is a paid advertisement.]
The Illinois Credit Union League is the primary trade association for Illinois credit unions. On behalf of our member credit unions, we offer congratulations to the newly sworn in members of the 103rd General Assembly!
Credit unions are not-for-profit cooperatives that focus on their members and the communities they serve. Credit unions function like other financial institutions in many ways: they offer checking accounts, savings accounts, and credit cards, as well as personal, home, and auto loans, free ATMs, and more. However, credit unions exist as member-owned cooperative institutions. Credit union across Illinois are actively engaged in the communities where they are located. We look forward to working together to provide consumer friendly financial products and services to benefit the communities and constituents you serve!
* From Molly Parker at the Southern Illinoisan a while back…
Illinois’ sex offender registry, which now includes more than 32,000 people — most of them men, though some women, as well — has rapidly expanded since its first iteration in 1986.
Then, it included four qualifying crimes. Today, there are more than 30 crimes that trigger mandatory registration, including some repeat misdemeanor offenses.
In recent years, policy makers and advocates, both for offenders as well as victims, have been raising questions as to whether the registry, and the ever-increasing rules around it, really makes the public safer, or causes more societal harm than it does good.
In 2018, a bipartisan task force recommended Illinois take a far more nuanced approach to its registry, providing for risk assessments that allow law enforcement to focus limited resources on monitoring and more robust treatment options for people who are at high risk of re-offending.
The task force also recommended that those who pose less risk automatically fall off the registry after a set period of time. In fact, one of the key findings of the group is that the registry has not lived up to its mission.
• Illinois law requires people on a public conviction registry who are homeless to report weekly in person to police—compared to annual or quarterly registration for people with housing. […]
• CPD detectives conduct 23,000 re-registrations per year of 450 homeless people alone, collecting and uploading the same forms each week. It is rote paperwork
Whether you agree with registration or not, the City of Chicago’s police department is making a real mess of things.
Victims and their families also say poorly functioning registries are not in their interests. Jennifer Bishop-Jenkins, a victim advocate and director of Marsy’s Law for Illinois, said victims can be retraumatized if the system fails to work as promised “This is a matter of public safety and law. And it is not something that should be a, ‘Oh, only if we feel like it today.’ ” […]
Data from public records show CPD routinely registered more than 1,000 people per month in 2018. By the end of 2022, that number had been cut nearly in half.
The team that registers people is “a unit that for some reason the Chicago Police Department, especially the bureau detectives, who oversee this unit, do not care if it succeeds. And right now it is failing,” said Patty Casey, a former Chicago Police Commander who oversaw the registries until she retired in June 2021.
Casey called the situation inhumane — and said people who are trying to comply with the law should be able to do that.
If they can’t register, they risk arrest for no reason.
CPD refused to answer any and all questions when pressed by WBEZ.
* Mayor Lori Lightfoot was asked about the WBEZ story yesterday. She didn’t have much of a response…
Well, I’m not, I’m not, I was not aware of that. But obviously we need to make sure that we’re abiding by the law. And particularly when it comes to these folks that have to register on a on a regular basis, something I will take up with the superintendent and deal with thatto make sure that they’re able to comply with the law, and that we’re doing what we need to do to make sure that they have the ability to register accordingly.
Last night Governor JB Pritzker signed into law HB5471, the Protect Illinois Communities Act. This act placed restrictions on the ability to possess military-style weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines. The Act goes into effect immediately.
Knox County Sheriff Harlan has issued a statement stating that: 1) He is the chief law enforcement officer of Knox County; 2) That he has decided that the Act is unconstitutional; and 3) he will not enforce the Act or make arrests based on violations of the Act. I disagree with all three of these positions and encourage him to reconsider.
First, while this is largely semantic, Illinois Courts have repeated declared the state’s attorney to be the chief law enforcement officer of the county because he or she decides whether charges are filed. Second, the Protect Illinois Communities Act is presumed constitutional and enforceable until Illinois courts state otherwise. Third, until a court issues such a ruling, a law enforcement officer has an obligation to investigate crimes and enforce the law.
There is a process to address the constitutionality of a newly-enacted law. For example, I joined over 60 state’s attorneys in a law suit seeking that the Pre-Trial Fairness Act be found unconstitutional. A trial court sided with the State’s Attornevs and the issue is now before the Illinois Supreme Court. Until the trial court issued its decision in the last week in December, my office was prepared to enforce the Act starting on its effective date of January 1st. I urge the Sheriff to follow this example.
The sheriffs unilateral approach creates a problematic patchwork of enforcement. Apparently, no arrests or investigations regarding violations of the Act will occur in the county, but can still occur within municipalities like Galesburg, Abingdon, or Knoxville. Further, the Sheriff has pledged not to take into the jail those who are arrested in Galesburg or other cities for violation of this Act. Will those people be then housed in different counties at Knox County’s expense or will they just be released in the community? Furthermore, agree with the statute or not, it does give law enforcement another tool to keep firearms out of the hands of individuals whom we all agree ought not have them. It makes little sense to say that tool will not be used in any circumstance.
As law enforcement officers, our personal convictions regarding a particular act or statute are largely irrelevant. The legislature decides what the law is. The courts decide whether they are constitutional. Its up to the Sheriff and I to enforce the laws.
The Sheriffs conviction regarding the Act should not be allowed to have the effect of law in Knox County. Personally, I agree that the statue has constitutional issues. These need to be decided in a courtroom and not, in the back office of the Sheriffs Department.
The potential for uneven enforcement within counties is a good point. Anyway, discuss.
* Related…
* Sheriffs say they want no role in enforcing state’s assault weapon registry: Dozens of county sheriffs in Illinois — approximately “80-ish,” per Illinois Sheriffs’ Association head Jim Kaitschuck — say they’ll refuse to enforce a provision of a new assault weapons ban that would require owners of such guns to register them with the state. … [Chicago-Kent College of Law professor Harold Krent] contrasted the sheriffs’ move with state’s attorneys’ actions surrounding the cashless bail provision of Illinois’ SAFE-T Act, which was supposed to do away with cash bond in Illinois on Jan. 1. Despite grumbling from dozens of state’s attorneys in Illinois, even the staunchest opponents to the law were at least somewhat prepared to comply with it in the new year, at least until the Illinois Supreme Court stayed the law on Dec. 31, pending a full appeal.
* ADDED: Does Your Sheriff Think He’s More Powerful Than the President?: The Marshall Project collaborated with political scientists Emily Farris and Mirya Holman on a survey of America’s 3,000-plus sheriffs last year. More than 500 responded, and more than a dozen agreed to be interviewed after taking the survey. (Read about our methodology at the end of the accompanying story.) Though only a handful claimed membership in Mack’s group, more than 200 (nearly half of the respondents) agreed with him that their own authority, within their counties, supersedes that of the state or federal government. (Another 132 clicked “neutral.”) More than 300 — which account for one-tenth of America’s roughly 3,000 sheriffs — said they are willing to place themselves between a higher government authority and their constituents, an action they call “interposition.”
*** UPDATE 1 *** Attorney General Kwame Raoul was asked today “what can be done to protect the assault weapons ban and how you continue to address those sheriffs?” His response…
First of all, as Attorney General, I get to weigh in to my legislators as to what our opinion is on pending legislation. Sheriffs have a Sheriffs’ Association. They have an opportunity to do the same.
But once the legislature passes legislation and the governor attaches a signature to it, it’s the law of the land that they have the duty that they’ve sworn an oath to enforce.
I will say also that as law enforcement agencies, there’s overlapping jurisdiction as well. So if they don’t do their jobs, there are other people available to do the job.
*** UPDATE 2 *** Mark Maxwell asked House Republican Leader Tony McCombie a very good question…
Maxwell: During the pandemic and the use of the Governor’s executive pandemic powers, we saw a lot of law enforcement officials say ‘We choose not to recognize this assertion of power because it didn’t go through the legislature.’ They they saw it as executive overreach. Just this week, the legislature wrote new laws banning assault weapons, and the governor signed it into law, going through that proper process. And yet again, we have some law enforcement officials saying they won’t enforce the assault weapons ban. Do you fear that undermines the legitimacy of the legislature?
Leader McCombie: No, I don’t think so. I think that’s the question of the Constitution. In the bill, there’s nothing in there saying how they’re supposed to find these guns, how they’re going to go into people’s homes. Also, I believe the majority of the people believe in the Second Amendment and support the Second Amendment and that’s why they’re not going to do that. This bill will go to the courts for sure. And if it comes out the courts the favor of Second Amendment folks, they will come back and they will try to write another bill. This will be a never ending process. But this still, and we need to be honest, this is not going to do anything, this bill is not going to do anything about the root causes. It’s not going to stop gun crimes in Chicago or anywhere else across the state. And if we don’t get together and start addressing those issues, then this will never stop.
COVID times: We will not enforce this executive order because it didn’t go through the legislature!
* Daily Herald | Bill guaranteeing workers five days of paid leave will head to governor: “Paid leave for all is about the dignity of work,” said Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, a Peoria Democrat and a lead sponsor on the bill. “It’s about humanizing and honoring the realities that we know that adult workers have in our daily lives and providing a space for folks to just do what it is that we all have the luxury and are so blessed to do.”
* Crain’s | Emanuel’s role in ComEd board pick comes to light: A source close to the matter says Emanuel agreed in 2017 to use his influence to help Latino community leader Juan Ochoa get a seat on the Chicago utility’s board. The push—which also involved former U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Chicago, a close Emanuel ally—was successful. The source recalls Emanuel said at the time he’d been able to get Ochoa the ComEd board slot.
* WBEZ | Student mental health emerges as key issue as UIC faculty strike date looms: Faculty union members who are threatening to strike on Tuesday are asking for increased pay in part to compensate for larger workloads they say have resulted from their students’ heightened mental health needs. They are also asking the university to provide free psychological and neuropsychological testing for struggling students.
* Sophia Van Pelt | Better Government Association: How Illinois courts are hidden from FOIA: Statistical information from the courts is subject to open access laws in 27 states, and 15 more have court rules and policies that make the data available. But a quirk in the wording of Illinois’ FOIA – it does not explicitly name the judicial branch – has allowed the courts to interpret the law to mean they are exempt from FOIA. In other words, the judiciary has decided it does not need to be held accountable to the public in the same way other parts of the government are. This is a disservice to the people of Illinois and seems contrary to the original intention of FOIA.
* WTTW | Reflecting on the Road to Death Penalty Abolition in Illinois, 20 Years After Sweeping Clemency: Renaldo Hudson, director of education at the Illinois Prison Project, was one of the 167 people who had his sentence commuted. “It meant I had the opportunity for my humanity to be seen, and not just the act that I committed,” said Hudson, who was given a death sentence for a murder he committed when he was 19 years old.
* KHQA | Pritzker celebrates milestone at Quincy Veterans’ Home: The “Topping Out” ceremony marks a significant milestone in the nearly $300 million renovation and rehabilitation project that will provide a 260,000 square foot residential long-term care facility and 80,000 square foot independent living facility to Illinois veterans.
* Filling Greg Harris’ shoes will not be easy, but Gabel is a very talented legislator and JG-B has clearly shown that she has the legislative chops to handle her tough assignment. Rep. Lisa Hernandez being moved up to deputy is also noteworthy since she is also state party chair. Leader Gabel, by the way, was a member of the “19” who refused to reelect Speaker Madigan. It’s a new day…
Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch announced the members of his House Democratic leadership team Thursday, which includes Majority Leader Robyn Gabel, Speaker Pro Tempore and Chief Budgeteer Jehan Gordon-Booth, Deputy Majority Leader Lisa Hernandez, Assistant Majority Leader Jay Hoffman, and Assistant Majority Leader Kam Buckner.
“As I reflect on my first two years as Speaker of the House, I’m awestruck by what we were able to accomplish for the state we are all proud to call home,” said Speaker Welch. “It didn’t come easy or without challenges, and I wouldn’t have been able to achieve that success without the support of a strong leadership team that values our core Democratic principles and has a deep desire to put Illinois back on the side of working families. This new team I have assembled to help lead the largest Democratic majority in modern times is diverse, courageous, fiercely passionate, and driven by a strong moral compass that will continue to provide clear direction for our caucus and our House. We have much work to do for the people of this state and I am proud to stand alongside these dynamic leaders, as well as the rest of this duly elected chamber, to continue down the path of progress and purpose for all of Illinois.”
The following can be attributed to Majority Leader Robyn Gabel, D-Evanston.
“I’m honored to receive the great responsibility of being chosen as majority leader and I look forward to helping our entire Democratic Caucus succeed,” said Gabel. “In this new role I will continue to prioritize values that are most important to me – collaboration, inclusivity, and assisting my colleagues deliver results for their communities. I want to thank Speaker Welch for entrusting me to be our caucus’ leader, as well as Leader Harris for his dedication to our state. I look forward to the great things we’ll accomplish together in this upcoming legislative session.”
The following can be attributed to Speaker Pro Tempore and Chief Budgeteer Jehan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria.
“Over the past two years, we have proven what we can accomplish with a leadership group that values and understands collaboration,” said Gordon-Booth. “As we look ahead, I am more optimistic than ever that we can work together on effective solutions to address the challenges facing working families across our state. In replacing Leader Greg Harris as the new chief budget negotiator, I’ll continue to prioritize our fiscal health and responsibly utilize our resources for the betterment of Illinois. I’m thankful for the trust of my colleagues and Speaker Welch, and I look forward to serving alongside this remarkable group of leaders.”
The following can be attributed to Deputy Majority Leader Elizabeth Hernandez, D-Chicago.
“Speaker Welch remains committed to unifying not just the Democratic Caucus, but all of Illinois. This leadership team reflects his commitment to diversity and inclusivity, and his desire for continued collaboration among our growing caucus. As we look ahead to these next two years, we are all united in our shared responsibility to do what’s right for Illinoisans, and to make our state a more welcoming place to call home.”
The following can be attributed to Assistant Majority Leader Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea.
“We have important work ahead of us in this next General Assembly. We must continue to prioritize our fiscal health and respond to the needs of families working through inflationary pressures. We must find opportunities to make government more effective and efficient. And we must stand united as Democrats, alongside Speaker Welch, to build a better, stronger Illinois for all.”
The following can be attributed to Assistant Majority Leader Kam Buckner, D-Chicago.
“I want to thank Speaker Welch and the rest of my colleagues in the Democratic Caucus for entrusting me with the privilege of serving on this leadership team. Two years ago, Speaker Welch’s election as the first Black Speaker of the House in our state’s history ushered in a new era for Illinois. Since that time, we’ve seen unprecedented fiscal stability, the passage of landmark criminal justice reform, and an equity-centered clean energy jobs package. As a member of this leadership team and on behalf of the people of Illinois, I will work diligently to build upon that legislative progress.”
Speaker Welch’s full leadership team will consist of:
· State Rep. Robyn Gabel – Majority Leader
· State Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth – Speaker Pro Tempore / Chief Budgeteer
· State Rep. Mary E. Flowers – Deputy Majority Leader / Dean of the Caucus
· State Rep. Elizabeth Hernandez – Deputy Majority Leader
· State Rep. Jay Hoffman – Assistant Majority Leader
· State Rep. Natalie Manley – Assistant Majority Leader
· State Rep. Kam Buckner – Assistant Majority Leader
· State Rep. Aaron Ortiz – Assistant Majority Leader
· State Rep. Barbara Hernandez – Assistant Majority Leader
· State Rep. Marcus Evans – Assistant Majority Leader
· State Rep. Robert “Bob” Rita – Assistant Majority Leader
· State Rep. Kelly Burke – Assistant Majority Leader
· State Rep. Theresa Mah – Majority Conference Chair
· State Rep. Nick Smith – Majority Officer / Sergeant at Arms
In addition to these leadership posts, Speaker Welch has called on members within the House Democrats to serve as caucus whips, which has been utilized as an emerging leaders program. These members will be charged with rallying various caucuses and members around legislation and priorities for the entire Democratic Caucus. This team will include:
· State Rep. Lakesia Collins – Black Caucus Whip
· State Rep. Edgar Gonzalez – Latinx Caucus Whip
· State Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz – Asian American Caucus Whip
· State Rep. Frances Ann Hurley – Mod Caucus Whip
· State Rep. Lawrence Walsh Jr. – Downstate Caucus Whip
· State Rep. Will Guzzardi – Progressive Caucus Whip
· State Rep. Anne Stava-Murray – Women’s Caucus Whip
· State Rep. Nabeela Syed – Freshman Caucus Whip
· State Rep. Maurice West – Assistant Floor Whip
· State Rep. Ann Williams – Assistant Floor Whip
· State Rep. Katie Stuart – Assistant Floor Whip
· State Rep. Bob Morgan – Assistant Floor Whip
Speaker Welch is incredibly proud of the team he’s assembled – one of the most diverse in our state’s history. It includes experienced members, whose institutional knowledge will be instrumental, while also harnessing the passion and enthusiasm of the Gen-Z generation. For the first time in the history of the Illinois House of Representatives, Speaker Welch will convene the leadership team for a leadership retreat in January to discuss emerging priorities for the House Democratic Caucus.
*** UPDATE *** House Republican Leader Tony McCombie has released her own leadership list…
Deputy Minority Leader: Norine Hammond
Deputy Minority Leader: Ryan Spain
Conference Chair: Jeff Keicher
Assistant Minority Leaders:
John Cabello
CD Davidsmeyer
Charlie Meier
Brad Stephens
Mike Marron
Jackie Haas
Floor Leader: Patrick Windhorst
That’s a pretty darned good list. Also, I gotta say, Rep. Windhorst is really growing on me.
…Adding… From Leader Stephens…
State Representative Brad Stephens (R-20) has been appointed Assistant House Minority Leader by newly elected House Republican Leader Tony McCombie as the 103rd General Assembly was sworn in on Wednesday. Stephens was elected to his second full term this past November after being appointed to the seat in 2019 succeeding former State Representative Mike McAuliffe.
• When McCombie chose Stephens, she cited his strong background and experience on economic development issues as a key component of the House Republicans’ legislative agenda moving forward
• Stephens’ knowledge of the issues facing law enforcement and first responders because his district represents both City of Chicago and suburban Cook County which continues to face a litany of crime issues.
• In fact, Stephens is the only member of the House Republican Caucus who represents the City of Chicago and one of two members in the caucus representing Cook County (the only other seat is the Durkin seat)
“I’m thrilled to be joining this momentous leadership team of Leader Tony McCombie and help achieve the goals of the caucus through pragmatic, bipartisan, and effective legislation,” said Rep. Stephens. “As the only Republican House member representing parts of Chicago, I’m looking forward to bringing the perspectives of my constituents from Chicago and suburban Cook County to these important conversations. I also look forward to building bridges between the urban areas of Illinois with our fantastic rural communities so we can pass legislation to make our state better for everyone.”
“Rep. Stephens works tirelessly for his communities and brings extensive knowledge to this position from his work at the state and local level,” said Leader McCombie. “He prioritizes the needs of his constituents and is a confident advocate for legislation that helps Illinoisans. He will also bring an invaluable perspective from the 20th District, including from the City of Chicago, first responders, and people who live in close proximity to transportation hubs around our state.”
Solid choice.
…Adding… Rep. JG-G…
State Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz, D-Glenview, issued this statement following her appointment as whip of the House Asian American Caucus:
“I’m grateful for the privilege of leading the House Asian American Caucus. With each General Assembly, Asian Americans are breaking barriers in Illinois and seeing their representation in the State Legislature grow. Asian American voices are getting louder through recent victories, such as the passage of the TEAACH Act, my measure to ensure an accurate curriculum of Asian American history in Illinois schools. I hope to lead our growing caucus to continued legislative achievements.”
A simple eyeballing of this chart really tells the story of inflation in 2022. It was a first half of the year story, not a back half of the year story. pic.twitter.com/5aoFOdUb2s
Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) Education Career Pathway Grants are preparing 10,805 future teachers in high schools across the state. The grants expose students of all backgrounds to the experience of teaching and also aim to increase the diversity of the state’s teacher workforce: 45% of students in the pathway program identify as Black or Hispanic, compared to just 14% of current teachers.
Thanks to initiatives like the Education Career Pathways Grants, Illinois has increased student enrollment in education preparation programs by 41% - from 8,534 in 2017 to 12,069 in 2021. However, Illinois schools still reported 2,139 unfilled teaching positions in October 2021, and those unfilled positions are concentrated in under-resourced communities and in bilingual and special education. […]
ISBE has released $18 million in total Education Career Pathways Grants through three rounds of grant funding. A total of 171 high schools now offer Education Career Pathways.
* This is a bit silly. Mailed ballot application signatures are matched with voter registration signatures. The Democrats say the law already allowed election judges to compare signatures on the subsequently mailed ballots to the already pre-checked ballot application signatures, but a county judge disagreed, so they made the statute more explicit. ILGOP…
After rewarding themselves with massive pay raises, Illinois Democrats are once again drunk on power, and have moved to weaken signature requirements on absentee ballots.
During the 2022 election, the DuPage County Clerk chose to flout the letter of the law by not requiring that signatures on returned vote-by-mail ballots be matched to the official signatures on file for those voters. A DuPage County judge rebuked the Clerk for this practice. “Use of the Vote by Mail ballot application to qualify signatures on the Vote by Mail ballot itself would be an obvious way to commit ballot fraud.” Now, instead of abiding by the law – or strengthening it with common sense measures like voter ID – Democrats have decided to do away with the requirement altogether.
“When the rules don’t go the Democrats’ way in Illinois, they use their massive supermajorities to change them in their favor. First they voted to give themselves massive pay raises, next they voted to weaken signature verification requirements on absentee ballots.”
Sixteen hours after Gov. JB Pritzker signed the measure into law, the Rev. Jerry Doss of Springfield’s Abundant Faith Christian Center recognized it before his invocation over the House swearing-in ceremony.
“I want to also personally thank you – the leaders and the decision-makers – for passing the bill last night on banning assault weapons,” Doss said. “We appreciate you. Thank you.”
Doss’ comment was met with rousing cheers from Democratic supporters – and silence from Republicans.
Today, Governor JB Pritzker joined local, state, and community leaders to celebrate the final structural beam being placed at the Quincy Veterans’ Home. The “Topping Out” ceremony marks a significant milestone in the nearly $300 million renovation and rehabilitation project that will provide a 260,000 square foot residential long-term care facility and 80,000 square foot independent living facility to Illinois veterans.
“With these renovations, our veterans and their families will be able to enjoy state-of-the-art facilities that support them in living their fullest life – exercising their right to excellent care in quality surroundings,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “We owe our veteran heroes nothing less – and it’s exactly what I sought to do when I dedicated nearly $300 million in state funding to this renovation in our Rebuild Illinois infrastructure plan.”
The scope of work for the Quincy Veterans’ Home includes a campus rehabilitation to buildings, infrastructure, utilities, and landscaping to support the new facilities. The project provides for the demolition of six existing buildings, and renovation of the Neilson Dining Facility to include a multi-purpose space, administrative offices, and stores.
The long-term care facility is projected to house 210 skilled-care beds with full amenities for its residents. The independent living building, referred to as a domiciliary, will host 80 independent living units, with accommodations large enough for resident spouses and children.
“Illinois continues to ensure veterans and their families thrive in our state. By building this new Veterans’ Home on the hallowed grounds of Quincy, our treasured heroes will live in a brand-new, state-of-the-art facility on a truly historic campus,” said IDVA Director Terry Prince. “The continued investment in the five Veterans’ Homes across Illinois represents the State’s commitment to Veterans and their families. We are grateful for the Governor’s support, the work of the Capital Development Board and finally, our incredible partners on the construction team for addressing the unique needs of Veterans and the Home.”
Quincy Veterans’ Home is currently 45% complete, with an anticipated substantial completion for the domiciliary set for September 2023 and the long-term care facility scheduled for February 2024. The Illinois Capital Development Board (CDB) is overseeing the project’s design and construction in accordance with the protocol for state-appropriated projects.
During the event, the last structural beam was raised to the top of the long-term care facility and attendees had the opportunity to sign the beam before it was placed on the third floor of the structure.
“The Capital Development Board is proud to work collectively with Quincy Veterans’ Home staff and the dedicated construction teams to bring this project to life,” said Capital Development Board Executive Director, Jim Underwood. “More than 150 construction workers have remained committed to advancing this project and because of their hard work, the project has remained on track, despite ongoing challenges in the construction industry.”
Mild winter temperatures have allowed the project to progress without delay. In the domiciliary, air and vapor barrier installation and brick masonry work is nearing completion. The long-term care facility has completed all grade beams, with structural steel in place for all resident wings anticipated this week.
Governor Pritzker’s bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital plan provides essential funding to support the revitalization and improvement of Illinois roadways, state facilities, universities, bridges, and railways over a six-year period. The plan addresses critical infrastructure and economic opportunities.
Today, after being elected by his peers to serve as the Illinois Senate Republican Leader, Sen. John Curran (R-Downers Grove) announced his leadership team for the 103rd General Assembly as follows:
Senator Sue Rezin, Deputy Leader
Senator Neil Anderson, Caucus Chair
Senator Terri Bryant, Assistant Republican Leader
Senator Dale Fowler, Assistant Republican Leader
Senator Steve McClure, Assistant Republican Leader
Senator Jason Plummer, Assistant Republican Leader
Senator Sally Turner, Republican Caucus Whip
Senator Jil Tracy, Republican Caucus Whip
“This team from throughout Illinois will bring diverse perspectives, experiences, expertise and policy solutions to our caucus leadership,” Curran said. “I trust each of these members to be champions for their districts and their ideals as we work together to create a bold but doable agenda for the Senate Republicans.”
Chicago Public Schools Inspector General Will Fletcher is opening an investigation after Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s reelection campaign sent an email to Chicago Public Schools teachers asking them to encourage their students to volunteer for her campaign in exchange for class credit.
“CPS OIG has opened an investigation into this matter and we are currently gathering information to determine which, if any, policies have been violated,” Fletcher’s office said in a statement.
Chicago Inspector General Deborah Witzburg’s office confirmed they’re “gathering information” as well.
“The Office of Inspector General is aware of the public reporting on this matter. We are gathering information and we’re in contact with the Inspector General for Chicago Public Schools,” spokeswoman Deanna Shoss said in an email.
The Chicago Board of Ethics also plans to discuss the matter at its next meeting on Jan. 23, according to executive director Steve Berlin.
“This should not have happened,” Lightfoot said Thursday afternoon at a news conference. She called the emails a mistake by a staff member and said she didn’t know about the emails until Wednesday, at which point she “put an immediate stop to it.”
* The Illinois Senate said goodbye to retired Sen. Tony Muñoz today. Sen. Napoleon Harris’ speech captured Muñoz’s personality well…
* Isabel’s roundup…
* Sun-Times | Gun sellers, after sales spike ahead of state assault weapons ban, say law won’t survive: Handgun sales doubled, and rifle sales were 10 times what they were over the last year, according to owner Dan Eldridge. “There’s been quite a rush of people trying to get in under the wire,” Eldridge said. “Obviously, the law-abiding gun owners are concerned. And they’re voting with their wallets.”
* WCIA | Weather Service says radar data impacted by wind farm during Maroa tornado: “The Taylorville event, there was a bit more of a obscuration, a bit more contamination of the half degree slice,” said Shimon. That’s the lowest angle that the radar beam samples, providing information about a storm in a section that is closest to the ground. “But, even in that case, the slices above that were at least able to give us some picture of what was happening.”
* Tribune | Illinois fines health insurance company $500,000 for violations: Quartz sells health insurance plans on the Affordable Care Act exchange at healthcare.gov, and off the exchange, in parts of northwestern Illinois. The Illinois Department of Insurance announced Wednesday that it had fined the insurance company for violations of federal and state laws that require insurers to offer the same level of coverage for mental health and substance use disorder care as they do for traditional medical and surgical care.
* SJ-R | Unity marches in Springfield, Jacksonville highlight MLK Day: Martin Luther King Jr. Day events in the Springfield area feature the annual Springfield Frontiers International Memorial Breakfast and unity marches in the capital city and Jacksonville. Westminster Presbyterian Church hosts an MLK community gathering Saturday. Blackburn College’s annual MLK Convocation returns to the Carlinville campus Tuesday.
* Tribune | A pioneering Chicago architect is retiring after working on more than 100 green buildings: ‘She’s a 1st on many levels’: In the late 1990s, she led the team that designed the technical and environmental aspects of the Bachelor Enlisted Quarters at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center in North Chicago, the fourth building in the world to achieve the U.S. Green Building Council’s coveted LEED certification for sustainable design and construction. Vitt Sale also led the team overseeing the sustainable aspects of the first verified net-zero energy building in Illinois certified by the International Living Future Institute, the Adlai E. Stevenson High School East Building addition in Lincolnshire.
* Popular Info | How Walgreens manufactured a media frenzy about shoplifting: For several years, Walgreens and other major retailers have been sounding the alarm about an alleged spike in shoplifting, describing it as an existential threat to their business. These dramatic claims generated a nationwide media frenzy. Now, Walgreens is quietly backtracking.
* Sun-Times | Chicago leads nation in 2022 traffic congestion, report says: Drivers in Chicago lost an average of 155 hours to traffic, more than motorists in Boston at 134, New York at 117 and Los Angeles at 94, the report said. When compared with the rest of the world, Chicago was the second most congested globally, coming up just an hour behind London.
* Axios | Chicago’s best music venue tournament: The championship: These versatile clubs host top touring bands, up-and-coming local acts, comedians and more. Metro (and its building) have hosted local gatherings since 1927. With about a 1,100-person capacity, it has served as a home club for great local bands like The Smashing Pumpkins and Alkaline Trio. The 1892 Pilsen building that houses Thalia Hall is a designated Chicago landmark. The club can seat close to 1,000 and has hosted huge shows, including Dave Chapelle and Superchunk.
* Illinois Times | Emergency workers face murder charges: Family members of a 35-year-old Springfield man who died in December say they were glad two emergency medical service workers were charged with his murder after the pair allegedly put the man face-down on a stretcher and applied straps so tightly that he suffocated.
* WGN | Bears hire Kevin Warren as new team president, CEO: The team officially hired Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren as their new team president and CEO on Thursday morning. He will replace Ted Phillips, who announced he would step down from the position at the end of the 2022 season.
* Illinois Newsroom | Amid a national egg shortage, local farmers continue to deliver: But not all egg producers have suffered the same losses due to the avian flu. Penny Gioja operates Joy of Illinois Farm in Champaign. She said her birds have so far been spared, and that’s thanks in part to the farm’s location. “We’re out on this small farm west of Champaign and there are no (other) chickens that I know of within several miles of us. So the chances of our chickens getting sick is pretty low,” Gioja said.
* The Southern | Carbondale restauranteur ‘Tippy’ Cook dies : “He was as iconic as Carbondale,” said Carbondale Chamber of Commerce Executive Director William Lo, also a restaurateur in the community. “He was an institution in his restaurant and several others, always dropping sage words of wisdom.”
The filing also reveals [former ComEd board member Juan Ochoa] is expected to testify as to how he enlisted the help of a member of Congress in 2017 to help fix his political relationship with Madigan and win that board seat at ComEd. The Chicago Tribune reports, citing unnamed sources, that the congressman is believed to be then-U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill.
In 2017, [Ochoa] asked the same member of Congress to set up meetings with Madigan and another public official to request that they both recommend Individual BM-1 for an open position on ComEd’s board.
Ochoa also asked Gutierrez to set up a meeting with “another public official” to discuss the ComEd board appointment at about the same time, according to the filing. Prosecutors do not name that official, either, but sources told the Tribune he is then-Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
Mayoral calendars obtained by the Tribune via an open records request show that Emanuel and two of his aides met with Ochoa and Gutierrez at City Hall on Nov. 17, 2017, though the topic of the meeting was not included.
Interesting.
* So, why did Ochoa ask Gutierrez for help? Back to the proffer…
[Ochoa] asked the member of Congress to make the request because the member of Congress had endorsed Madigan in the prior election cycle, and Individual [Ochoa] felt Madigan owed the member of Congress a political favor.
* What’s Rahm Emanuel’s connection to Ochoa? This Crain’s story is from February of 2017, several months before the Madigan sitdown…
The former head of the agency that runs McCormick Place who left in 2010 amid an apparent political feud with Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan has returned as a board member.
Juan Ochoa, who ran the agency known as McPier from 2007 to 2010, replaced Olga Camargo on the agency’s board this month after being appointed by Mayor Rahm Emanuel. […]
It’s a return to McCormick Place for Ochoa nearly seven years after he resigned. While he said at the time that he was leaving McPier to focus on immigration reform, a 2011 Crain’s investigation found that he was politically handcuffed by the longtime speaker as retribution for Ochoa firing a Madigan ally at the convention center. […]
Ochoa, who had been appointed CEO of McPier by then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich, insisted that there is “no tension” between he and Madigan.
///BREAKING/// John Lausch, Chicago's top federal prosecutor since 2017, will be stepping down in "early 2023" Attorney General Merrick Garland announced. A Trump nominee, Lausch stayed on the job after Biden's election because of an unusual push from Illinois' two senators.
* Sun-Times | Chicago U.S. Attorney John Lausch to leave office by early March: Lausch has been Chicago’s U.S. Attorney since late 2017 and has overseen major public corruption investigations. They culminated with the indictment of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan — and ultimately re-shaped Chicago politics.
* CBS Chicago | U.S. Attorney John Lausch stepping down as Chicago’s top federal prosecutor early this year: Lausch, who recently was tapped to review documents marked classified that were found at President Biden’s former office at a Washington think tank, told Garland he could conduct an initial review, but could not commit to a longer-term assignment, because he is planning to step down for a job in the private sector in early 2023.
* Illinois House Republican Leader Tony McCombie’s inaugural address…
I’ll start with saying Speaker, yes we can.
You know one day we debated on the floor. Now I’m off script sorry to my staff, and my husband. I said, to you Speaker, Representative? Is this a real bill? I think we’ll be doing that quite often.
Good afternoon, everybody. Thank you all for coming today. I appreciate that.
Thank you to my seat mate, Norine Hammond from Macomb for your nomination. I wouldn’t be standing here today if not for Norine. I have to tell you she has saved me from some very embarrassing floor speeches. Or more recently, when I called her to ask her opinion if I should run for this position, and if I would have her support, she said, “I got you baby.” Thank you.
And thank you to my friend and neighbor in Lee County, Brad Fritts, the youngest member ever elected to the Illinois House of Representatives. Congratulations to you and your family. I mean, what an accomplishment, elected at 22. I’m guessing most of you were not politically engaged at such a young age. Personally at 22, I was at Western Illinois University. I was on the six year plan. Trying to rebuild my GPA so I could actually graduate. Those are days and stories for another time.
It is really surreal to stand here before all of you today. I’m from Savanna, as you’ve heard, a small river town in Northwest Illinois. I was far from politically active, unless you consider all the scheming as girls do to deal with brothers growing up politics.
As a matter of fact, my friends and family, especially those here today are probably still wondering how and what in the world am I doing here? My family didn’t talk much about politics. But I knew my dad was a Reagan Republican and my mom was a JFK Democrat.
Our parents like many didn’t always have it easy but they raised us to be hard working individuals, demanding we respect ourselves but more importantly, we respect others. Many are not as fortunate as we are on this stage.
Today with me, I have my husband. We should all thank our husbands and wives. This is truly a team sport that were in. My big brother Kelly and some of my family are here and many of my dear, dear friends, my support system. I am so blessed and want to say thank you. Thank you for guiding me carrying me when I need it and helping me to be the very best to just about everything I’ve ever done.
You are rock stars and I love you.
To the members, especially the new members, of the 103 General Assembly here’s some advice, you haven’t asked but I’m a woman so I’m gonna give it, is that you be honest and genuine, with your colleagues, with your constituents and with yourself.
Have interesting conversations and learn from them. If you don’t know the answers, which you won’t it’s ok, let yourself be vulnerable and say so. Make the effort to change rather than silently accept what is wrong. Our position in politics is often regarded negatively. So let’s change that.
If you understand a policy and it will be a detriment to the people of Illinois and you still support it. That is a problem. Know this position is not about you. It’s about them. Represent your districts. Be present. Be engaged and never forget why you are here you are here to be their voice their representative.
Good luck on this adventure and congratulations to you all.
As we approach the new General Assembly, we see historic changes in leadership surrounding the redistricting process. We now see a wholesale change and who is leading all four caucuses in Springfield for the first time in more than 50 years. With that comes great responsibility and opportunity.
In 1876 the first African-American was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives John W. E. Thomas, a Republican if I may add. 46 years later, the first woman was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives, Laddie Holman O’Neill, also Republican.
God bless her. She was elect to 19 General Assemblies serving 40 years the longest serving female elected in the United States at the time until Barbara Flynn Currie. Not a Republican.
But our systems of checks and balances is at risk. With increasingly one party control of Illinois State Government, long-held respect by those who value democracy, our system of checks and balances between our co-equal branches of government is unbalanced and unhealthy for us all, Republicans, Democrats and Independents.
We have an opportunity with leadership changes to reimagine what we expect from our state government. We must prioritize the co-equal nature of our government and prioritize fulfilling the constitutional duty, one which supersedes party loyalty or providing those checks and balances.
My Republican colleagues in the House have put their faith in me to restore and to rebuild and to bring balance to Illinois. It will be difficult, but we will claw back in the wake of the worst gerrymandered maps in the country. Looking out at the audience, it’s like sitting in the House. We’re a little out of out of balance here, too, ladies and gents.
We must take the lessons we have learned from the past to politically and structurally reform Illinois, providing a brighter future for our families. Illinois families are leaving, and I would say due to the growing size of our government and the byproduct of bad policy. Illinois could be flourishing. Let’s put politics aside and come together, work together to decrease the high cost of government and crushing mandates and regulations on our schools, on our business and our communities.
I promise we can do that while improving outcomes, keeping families safe and serving our most vulnerable Believe it or not, we have 40 of 118 seats. The Republicans here represent a part of all 102 counties.
It’s amazing to think about that. We might not be your representative, but we represent a part of each and every county in the state. It’s time for courageous leadership. Leadership must be unafraid to be forthright. So I ask you, Speaker Welch don’t be afraid, bring us to the table.
We are problem solvers. So use our knowledge, benefit from our talents. And here our hearts. Let us show you that any preconceived notions about Republicans is false. We want to govern, so I asked you please don’t disregard our value.
Together, Speaker Welch and the members of the 103 General Assembly. Let’s look to the future. Let’s put aside political agendas and do what’s right. Let’s make Illinois better place to work and raise our families. And the only way to do that successfully, Speaker Welch, is to join me to be accessible, transparent and honest to bring our caucuses together to frame real solutions.
Please take note, and please follow my lead by example and how short my speech just was. Thank you all so much for coming today. I appreciate it and we need you more than you ever know. So thank you very much for coming and God bless Illinois.
Isabel did the transcription, so please pardon any errors.
* Illinois Senate Republican Leader John Curran…
Thank you, Gov. Pritzker and thank you to everyone for joining us here today in this celebration of our democracy.
Six years ago, I was a lawyer enthusiastic about public policy when I was appointed to fill the seat of my friend and the first female leader of an Illinois caucus Christine Radogno. I never imagined that my journey would lead me here to this historic place, at this revered podium, where so many memorable speeches were given. I assure you, this speech will not be one of them.
It is moving and a bit surreal to be honored with the confidence of my colleagues to lead us on our new path. Thank you.
This is one of the countless experiences that would never be possible without the support of my partner in life and love, my wife Sue. She, and so many other spouses in this great room today, do the real hard work behind the scenes so we can serve our districts here in Springfield. I am so proud of her and our four daughters whose talents and potential far outpace my own. I ran for office because young Illinoisans like them deserve a future with great opportunity for all.
I am also thinking of my parents, Tom and Margaret who were born in Ireland and met here in the Great State of Illinois. It is their hard work, perseverance and hope that paved my own road to the American dream.
Like many children around the world and right here in Illinois, my father was forced to drop out of school too young, to support his family.
At thirteen, he was sent from their small country farm to live in Galway City to work at a store during the week, and on a local farm on the weekends. Instead of going to school he was working to send money back home to help pay for his sister’s tuberculosis treatment.
At the age of eighteen he pioneered to America alone, with no family, too little money, and the hope of a better life.
He worked as a carpenter and married my mother who had been weaving her own story of immigration from Ireland. While my father worked on becoming a homebuilder, my mother was building our own home raising seven children. They didn’t just support our family here in Illinois, but went on to sponsor three of my father’s brothers for U.S. immigration and help get them all established here in the Great State of Illinois.
I wish that my parents and sister Marie were watching from these special seats, instead of heaven’s, but I feel their Irish spirit of love and light here today.
I’d like to thank the people of the 41st District who honor me with the opportunity to represent them in the Illinois Senate. They remind me of the nobility of public service and their votes for and against me continue to make me a better advocate for our community and our democracy.
Finally, thank you to Senate President Don Harmon for your dedication to the state of Illinois. I look forward to working with you in the year ahead.
Our democracy was designed to allow us to make a difference - even through our differences. In this spirit, Illinois is better served when our public policies are crafted from two, not one, participating parties. As legislators, I believe we can best respect our principles by sharing them with the other side and taking the time to listen and learn why they are important to the constituencies we represent.
Regardless of the letter next to our name, we are all here to do one thing - create a better Illinois.
That means that all legislators, not just the majority, are here to represent our constituents through creating strong, practical public policy. There are millions of Illinoisans who support the Republican principles of freedom and economic opportunity for all. It is my job as Leader to ensure that their votes and their voices are represented, and our caucus takes our role in that process very seriously.
There is a lot of talk about division in our politics and our state. While it may seem new, Illinois has overcome many challenges of division before. What matters right now are solutions.
Illinois families and businesses are facing great challenges. Inflation, unemployment, over-taxation and childcare challenges are affecting our job creators and our job seekers. Communities continue to suffer from the great emotional and economic toll of the pandemic-related crises.
If you are an Illinoisan, whether you’re from a farm or a flat, you have the right to be represented fairly and freely in our state government. That means as legislators, we must come together and lead by example to create a government that is just as effective for our Southern Illinois working mothers as it is for our Northern Illinois laborers.
Our agenda is focused on helping Illinois families and job creators rebuild and renew opportunity in Illinois. We need real, substantive and sound economic policies that are going to help improve the lives of the people in our state.
We will be thoughtful and genuine in our attempts to find opportunities to collaborate on behalf of the families and employers of Illinois. And we will continue to be steadfast in our voiceful opposition to misplaced policies that will hold our citizens and job creators back.
It is important for legislators to listen to and respect each other’s principles to better understand the needs of the districts outside of our own. I know through experience that with collaboration we can make real, true improvements to help reestablish Illinois as one of the greatest places to live, work and raise a family.
Unfortunately, progress is not always easy or quick. A true bipartisanship government will not be created overnight.
As the Irish say, “the longest road out is the shortest road home.”
It has been a long and difficult road for our party, our state and our world.
But the only way to move forward is to move on.
Today, January 11, 2023, the Illinois Senate Republicans are proudly facing the future.
Our caucus of innovative and dedicated public servants is moving forward for all Illinoisans - together. One idea, one meeting, one policy at a time.
Like my fellow legislators, I am also inspired by one of the world’s wisest Republicans, President Abraham Lincoln. And so, I will leave you with his words that are far better than my own:
“With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in.”
Thank you. God bless you. God bless the Great State of Illinois.
The Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association (CSPOA) is a political organization of local police officials in the United States who contend that federal and state government authorities are subordinate to the local authority of county sheriffs. Self-described constitutional sheriffs assert that they are the supreme legal authority with the power and duty to defy or disregard laws they regard as unconstitutional.
As your Sheriff, I wanted to give citizens of Kankakee County an update on the recent passage of HB 5471, also known as the Protect Illinois Communities Act.
As your duly elected Sheriff my job and my office are sworn, in fact, to protect the citizens of Kankakee County. This is a job and responsibility that I take with the utmost seriousness.
Part of my duties that I accepted upon being sworn into office was to protect the rights provided to all of us, in the Constitution. One of those enumerated rights is the right of the people to keep and bear arms provided under the 2nd amendment.
The right to keep and bear arms for defense of life, liberty and property is regarded as an inalienable right by the people.
I, among many others, believe that HB 5471 is a clear violation of the 2nd Amendment to the US Constitution.
Therefore, as the custodian of the jail and chief law enforcement official for Kankakee County, that neither myself nor my office will be checking to ensure that lawful gun owners register their weapons with the State, nor will we be arresting or housing law abiding individuals that have been charged solely with non-compliance of this Act.
-Sheriff Mike Downey
That looks like they’re gonna allow illegal gun sales to happen unabated.
Sheriffs from Jo Daviess County, Logan County, Wabash County, Edwards County and Ogle County have all posted nearly identical statements so far.
* Mark Maxwell makes a valid point…
The sheriff’s press release needs an edit. He incorrectly uses the term “law abiding individuals” to describe defiant scofflaws. Critics may ultimately convince a court that registering guns with the state is unconstitutional, but until that day comes, the requirement is law. https://t.co/uez32×6ad7
* Politico got a response from the governor’s office on a similar statement from the Greene County Sheriff…
Sheriffs have a constitutional duty to uphold the laws of the state, not pick and choose which laws they support and when. We’re confident that this law will hold up to any future legal challenges, but again, it is the current law of our state. Anyone who advocates for law, order, and public safety and then refuses to follow the law is in violation of their oath of office.
The State shall furnish 66 2/3% of the total annual salary to be paid to a sheriff. Said amounts furnished by the State shall be payable monthly by the Department of Revenue out of the Personal Property Tax Replacement Fund or the General Revenue Fund to the county in which the sheriff is elected or appointed. The county shall furnish 33 1/3% of the total annual salary.
(a) The General Assembly shall provide by law for the formation, consolidation, merger, division, and dissolution of counties, and for the transfer of territory between counties.
Just sayin.
*** UPDATE *** From comments…
(A) ban on assault weapons is clearly constitutional under the Second Amendment. The federal Courts have made a ruling on this literal controversy, and in Illinois. They have done it more than once; see Friedman v. City of Highland Park (2015) and Wilson v. Cook County (2019).
Friedman is here and Wilson is here. The Supreme Court refused to hear both.
…Adding… The governor was asked about this sheriffs topic today…
Well, the first thing I’d say is they took an oath of office to uphold the law. As law enforcement, that’s their job. And I expect them to do that job. You know, you can have all the resolutions and declarations that you want. The reality is that the laws that are on the books, you don’t get to choose which ones people are going to follow. You know, if you don’t like it, go petition for a change in the legislation or in Springfield. But as it is you don’t get to decide I’m going to drive 150 miles an hour on the highway and there should be no consequences. And the same thing is true about carrying out the assault weapons ban and a ban on high capacity magazines and also switches that are changing regular guns into essentially machine guns or automatic weapons. So I think we did the right thing. It was a consensus. There even was a Republican vote for it. And an overwhelming support across the state of Illinois, including in Downstate Illinois for this kind of a ban. Remember, nobody’s guns are getting taken away from them. There are plenty of other weapons that aren’t covered at all by this ban. And this ban is really focused on the same kinds of weapons that were banned by the federal government for 10 years and we saw a significant downdraft in the number of people who were shot and killed as a result of the passage of that assault weapons ban. We expect the same thing to happen here in Illinois.
* Transcription of Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza’s inaugural address…
Well hello, hello. Muy buenas tardes. Good afternoon, Illinois!
I want to start by thanking God as so many have done before me for the many, many blessings in my life including this special moment with all of you.
Thank you to the Honorable Rossana Patricia Fernandez for swearing me in to my 3rd term as your Illinois State Comptroller. Thank you to the Reverend Dr. Lesa Branham for her prayers over me this morning. Those are so appreciated. Thank you, Reverend. Congratulations to Governor Pritzker, Lt. Governor Stratton, Attorney General Raoul, Treasurer Frerichs, and Secretary of State Giannoulias.
I look forward to working with this wonderful team, with Speaker Welch, President Harmon, Leader McCombie and Leader Curran and the 103rd General Assembly as we continue moving our state forward, because improving our state should be a bipartisan affair.
I want to thank my amazing family. Let’s start with my mother Susana – the original firecracker. My Godmother Maria, and my in-laws, Ed and Helene Szostak. Thank you for being here. My greatest blessing, our 10-year-old son David, who is obviously excited to be missing school today. But, let’s be honest. What a great civic lesson to see his mom being sworn in for another term, right? I’m so proud of my son David and I’m so happy and blessed to be his Mami.
My most important thank you goes to the unsung hero in my success as your Comptroller, the yin to my yang, my husband David. He is my anchor. He truly is. He’s my number one advisor, my best friend. He’s my rock and he inspires me every day. And let’s be honest – he is very easy on the eyes. I love you so much, Honey.
And thank you so much to the incredible team I’m blessed to lead at the Comptroller’s Office, for your hard work and dedication to the people of Illinois.
To the men and women in Organized Labor, thank you for always having my back. I got yours too. And to my beloved voters of Illinois. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart, for choosing me to serve another term as your Illinois State Comptroller. I am deeply humbled and grateful for your overwhelming support.
***
A few years ago at the Illinois State Fair, the one and only, Secretary of State Jesse White, pulled me aside and said, “Hey Susana, come here. You wanna know how to become the #1 vote getter in the state of Illinois?”
Of course I wanted to know the secret from the only statewide official to ever win all 102 counties in the State of Illinois. He looked me in the eye and said, “The secret is to SHOW UP.” When someone tells you that it’s not worth your time to drive six hours for an event where only 10 people make it, don’t listen to them. You SHOW UP anyway. Those 10 people matter, and they’ll know you care about them. And I know you care.
I do care and I promise you, Secretary, that I’m going to keep showing up. Let me tell you - it’s the best part of the job. Meeting voters and finding out what I can do to make their lives better. Being their voice and restoring their faith in our state.
In November, I asked for your trust through your vote. And thanks to you showing up for me, I stand before you as the new highest vote getter in the State of Illinois. Thank you so much. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
And thank you Secretary for not being on the ballot because I would not have come in first place if you had still been on – let’s be honest. But thank you also Secretary, for your years of selfless dedication to our state, for your friendship and for your advice.
And I promise, as I’ve already said, to always show up for Illinoisans the way you have done so beautifully for your entire career. Thank you.
***
People told me I was crazy when I first decided to run for Illinois Comptroller in 2016 during the budget impasse—the worst fiscal crisis in our state’s history. Our bill backlog peaked at $16.7 billion dollars of unpaid bills.
Our Rainy Day Fund was non-existent with less than $60,000 in it. We had suffered 20 years of consecutive credit downgrades.
The average vendor doing business with the state had to wait 210 business days to get paid. Back then, I promised you that—if you sent me to Springfield—I’d deliver a complete and transparent financial turnaround for the State of Illinois. And I delivered on my promise.
No more bill backlog. It’s gone. And I paid it down before receiving a penny of federal ARPA stimulus funds. 6 full credit upgrades on my watch. You heard that right. 6 full credit upgrades.
A RECORD HIGH Rainy Day Fund of over $1 billion dollars and growing.
This is great news. In fact, just last night the General Assembly approved an additional $850 million more for the Rainy Day Fund. We’re on a roll!!
My oldest bill today is only 10 days old. When people say you should run government like a business – I say how about we run it better than a business? That’s what I’m proving we can do here in the State of Illinois.
All my hard work to help people and fix our state’s finances has been to get Illinois ready for its growth spurt. And we are ready. We’re ready because Illinois is the beating heart of this nation.
From the bustling streets of Chicago to the expansive farmland of rural Illinois… to Southern Illinois towns like Cairo where we’re fighting to get that new riverport built. And we get things done when we all pull together.
We want to be the state people look at when they consider how to grow their business, their wealth and families.
I love Illinois with all of my heart. For those who voted for me, thank you for trusting me with another term as your Comptroller. For those who didn’t vote for me, know that I will work for you as passionately as I will for my own family.
Afterall, Illinois is my heart, and each and every one of you, regardless of your party preference, is in my heart. I will work hard to earn and keep your trust.
Lastly, I want to make a promise to my son David and to all of Illinois’ children. I will live to make you proud! I will approach my new term with an eye on the endless possibilities for our beautiful state, through the excited and hopeful eyes of my child and with the children of Illinois front and center in my thoughts and in my heart.
Illinois’ future is bright, and so is yours. I see you right there, Lucas. I’m talking to you, buddy, and all the other kids. I will do my part to leave you a state you can be proud of, with endless possibilities for your future.
It is my honor to serve you all. THANK YOU and may God bless you and keep you. Que Dios me los bendiga y me los cuide para siempre.
* AP | Legislature’s swearing in heavy on symbolism, selflessness: Speaking from the Old State Capitol rostrum where Abraham Lincoln delivered his June 1858 “House Divided” speech, newly reelected Senate President Don Harmon noted that Lincoln’s call for slavery’s demise cost him a U.S. Senate seat. Even though Lincoln had no idea the same idea would make him president two years later, he knew that people needed to hear the words even advisers said were too radical, Harmon said.
* WMBD | Illinois House Bill 9 needs one more signature to be made law: Passed in the Illinois House and Senate, there’s one more stop for House Bill 9. It’s a bill that would amend the Vital Records Act, requiring the state registrar to issue a new birth certificate to someone who would like to change their gender identity.
* Chalkbeat | Illinois lame-duck legislative session: Education bills you might have missed: Among the education bills passed was one that focused on the state’s bus driver shortage. When students returned to the classrooms during the 2021-22 school year, many districts struggled to hire bus drivers to transport students to and from school. In Chicago, students with disabilities were hit the hardest. Throughout Illinois, students in rural communities or areas that do not have a public transportation system struggled to get to school.
* Patch | Elmhurst’s Mazzochi No Longer In House: Douglass’ election was certified in late November. But Mazzochi has not publicly acknowledged her loss. Even an Elmhurst GOP official who recently reported on the outcomes of local races excluded Mazzochi’s result.
* WBBM | The next drug frontier in Illinois could be magic mushrooms – for medical use, only: An Illinois House member has introduced a measure that could pave the way for the regulated use of psychedelics in treating a variety of mental and physical illnesses. House Bill 1 from Rep. LaShawn Ford, D-Chicago, would create a psychedelic therapy program for people 18 and older that employs “natural medicines produced and tested at licensed service centers,” according to a news release.
* WCIA | General Assembly issues resolutions to honor Scott Bennett: “Stacy, I know you did not ask for this role,” Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) said. “Everyone in this room wishes that you did not have to fill it. But I am confident that you will also always be your children’s hero. And you will always be part of the senate family.”
* WBEZ | People with sex and gun convictions are required to register with police. CPD can’t keep up.: Thousands of people in Chicago are on a criminal conviction registry, including registries for gun crimes, sex offenses and murder and violence against youth. People on the registry have to show up yearly, quarterly or weekly or risk getting locked-up. But WBEZ has found men are repeatedly being turned away because of staffing shortages in the Chicago Police Department’s registry office.
* Illinois Times | An exit interview with Rodney Davis: Rodney Davis, the Taylorville resident who failed on Nov. 8 to win a sixth two-year term in the U.S. House, pointed to many successes during his career in Congress in an interview before he left office Jan. 3.
