A Logan Square community activist has been arrested for allegedly storming the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.
Lawrence Ligas, 62, was charged with four counts in a criminal complaint released by federal authorities Wednesday. Charges include entering and remaining in a restricted building, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building and parading in a capitol building.
According to an FBI affidavit, someone who used to know Ligas saw him quoted in an NPR article titled “Trump Supporters Storm U.S. Capitol, Clash with Police.” In the article, Ligas says, “We’re not moving on … We are not Republicans. We are the MAGA party. We are patriots.”
Authorities were later able to identify Ligas based on YouTube videos and surveillance footage of him inside the capitol. The FBI also interviewed Ligas in 2017 about a separate matter, and the special agent who conducted the interview confirmed his identity, as well, the affidavit states.
Ligas was also spotted by a couple of people I know at the Illinois State Fair this past summer as a Bailey supporter.
I’ve reached out to Bailey’s campaign and Ligas for comment. I’ll post whatever I get as soon as I hear back.
…Adding… Hmm…
This guy was aggressively stalking me at the Illinois State Fair’s Republican Day event while I was working. He kept interrupting interviews & conversations to make menacing threats about what he perceived as biased media and “dirty tricks.” He was with Darren Bailey’s campaign. https://t.co/vc450UqEsa
Today, Lawrence Ligas of Chicago was arrested and charged in connection with the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. As reported on CapitolFax.com, Ligas has been working with and representing the campaign of Darren Bailey, Republican candidate for governor. Democratic Party of Illinois Executive Director Abby Witt released the following statement:
“The January 6 attack on our democracy was one of the darkest days in our nation’s history. Now, we find out that one of the attackers has since been working with and representing the campaign of Darren Bailey, a Republican candidate for governor. When it comes to the traitors of January 6, there must be no equivocation: Darren Bailey must immediately denounce Mr. Ligas and revoke any and all association with him at once. The governor’s office is no place for associates of traitors to this great nation.”
The University of Illinois Flash Index in November rose slightly to 105.5 from its 105.4 level last month. However, the reading from November does not reflect the economic impact of the new Omicron coronavirus variant.
“This suggests the economy may remain in a twilight world for some time in which concerns about the virus remain unresolved,” said University of Illinois economist J. Fred Giertz, who compiles the monthly index for the Institute of Government and Public Affairs.
But, Giertz said that longer-term prospects for the economy remain positive. “There is strong pent-up consumer demand, although the picture is clouded by supply chain problems, the threat of inflation and, now, the new virus concern,” he said.
All the components of the Flash Index (individual income tax, sales tax, and corporate tax receipts) were up slightly compared to the same month last year after adjusting for inflation. The Illinois unemployment rate fell to a post-recession low of 6.0% compared to the 8.1% rate a year ago. The Illinois rate is still well above the national level of 4.6%.
The Flash Index is a weighted average of Illinois growth rates in corporate earnings, consumer spending and personal income as estimated from receipts for corporate income, individual income, and retail sales taxes. These are adjusted for inflation before growth rates are calculated. The growth rate for each component is then calculated for the 12-month period using data through November 30, 2021.
Even though more than a year has passed since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, ad hoc adjustments will still be needed for some time because of the timing of the tax receipts resulting from state and Federal changes in payment dates both this and last year.
* Meanwhile, I found this piece interesting because it upends so much conventional “wisdom.” From Matthew Boesler, Joe Deaux and Katia Dmitrieva…
Fattest Profits Since 1950 Debunk Wage-Inflation Story of CEOs
In the past two quarters, U.S. corporations outside of the finance industry posted their fattest margins since 1950 — one reason why stock markets keep hitting all-time highs.
On earnings calls, plenty of executives complained about the squeeze from rising costs of labor as well as materials. But overall, profits were up 37% from a year earlier, according to data out last week from the Commerce Department.
Businesses have been paying out more cash to their employees too, with total compensation up 12% in the last quarter from a year earlier. That’s partly because millions of Americans went back to work — but also because many got a raise when they did so. Hourly earnings broadly kept up with the fast-rising cost of living, and in some low-pay industries like leisure and hospitality they comfortably outpaced it. […]
U.S. consumer prices rose 6.2% in the 12 months through October, the most since 1990. The new data on corporate earnings suggest business can comfortably pass on all its higher costs, which means there may be more inflationary pressure to come.
That seeming willingness by businesses to pass along higher costs rather than try to keep prices low and, therefore, eat into their record profits is likely gonna trigger action by the Federal Reserve.
U.S. Rep. Bobby Schilling, R-Colona, said Monday that Illinois is “reprogramming” money that could possibly be used to fund construction of the I-74 bridge over the Mississippi River.
Rep. Schilling, U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack, D-Mount Vernon, state Sen. Darin LaHood, R-Peoria, and state Rep. Rich Morthland, R-Cordova, appeared at a joint news conference to urge the Illinois Department of Transportation to fund the project.
“Give us our money,” Rep. Schilling said.
That’s back when LaHood was concerned about transportation needs.
Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn has instructed the state Department of Transportation to devote $72 million to the Interstate-74 bridge, a surprising development given the agency had only a small amount of funding for the project in the six-year plan it announced last week.
It’s not clear whether the new financial commitment will convince the state of Iowa to maintain construction funding in the state’s long-range transportation plan, which the Iowa DOT’s staff recommended earlier this week be moved out of the plan.
It won’t be voted on for another couple of months, but Iowa’s long-range transportation plan is expected to include construction money for the Interstate-74 bridge, restoring funding that was removed last year in the midst of doubts over the project. […]
That’s a big change from last year at this time, when Illinois was balking at devoting funding for construction of a new span, a development that prompted Iowa to remove the money it had programmed for construction.
Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, after pressure from local officials, reversed the state’s course and ordered that last year’s plan include $72 million for the construction.
Illinois upped the ante last week, when the governor unveiled a six-year plan that included $175 million through 2019 for I-74.
Illinois Governor Pat Quinn unveiled his six-year, $8.6 billion infrastructure plan to improve roads and bridges throughout the state on Wednesday. […]
This includes building a $308.6 million new I-74/US 6 bridge crossing the Mississippi River in Moline.
The Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce is heading to Washington D.C. on Thursday, April 30, 2015 to lobby for more funding for economic development projects in the area.
One of those projects is the I-74 Bridge. In February, Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce CEO Tara Barney said the area still needs $400 million more in Illinois, Iowa, and federal funding for the project. Thursday, City of Moline Planning and Development Director Ray Forsythe said, the Illinois Department of Transportation is still buying up properties where the bridge and interstate will go in Moline. Barney also said Illinois’ fiscal problems will not affect construction of the bridge.
The Interstate 74 bridge and John Deere Road projects look likely to be the latest local casualties of the Illinois budget impasse.
Both projects are among many in the state expected to grind to a halt July 1 unless state lawmakers agree on a new budget.
Moline Mayor Scott Raes said he received assurances in May from Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Randall Blankenhorn that work on the Illinois side of I-74 bridge and John Deere Road would continue this summer.
“So I was a little surprised to see the notice of the shutdown,” the mayor said.
Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner and Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds were in the Quad Cities Monday to celebrate the groundbreaking of the I-74 bridge.
The new bridge is the biggest traffic need in the Quad City area.
It’s expected to take the next three years to build which will be four lanes going in both directions, but Governor Rauner took some heat for making the trip while Illinois struggles without a budget.
“He needs to know that there are people everywhere who are going to resist and who are upset about the budget,” Collin West said. “Currently I live in East Moline and right now the East Moline school district is owed millions of dollars and there’s a chance that they won’t even open for the fall,” West said. “That all goes back to the budget and right now he’s down here in Iowa for a photo op and he’s not passing a budget,” said West.
I-74 Mississippi River Bridge, Bettendorf/Davenport, Iowa, and Moline, Ill.: This $1.2 billion project has now begun, and the project timeline looks to make major progress before the weather turns icy at year’s end. Within the river, all 279 drilled shafts will be completed and the westbound bridge piers and roadway will take shape. In Bettendorf, steel will be set across the piers, forming the WB roadway and exit ramp. Fourteenth Street, along with the existing ramp to WB I-74, will be reconstructed and thus reduced to one lane through summer’s end.
Current and former workers on the new Interstate 74 bridge say the primary contractor intentionally kept bridge construction off schedule over the summer in a clash with the [Iowa state government] over funding.
As of Thursday, the Iowa DOT was acknowledging for the first time that construction is likely to lag about a year behind schedule. The westbound (Iowa-bound) span was to be finished this season. Bad weather and other delays pushed the schedule to the middle of next year. But that target may be missed too. […]
While Lunda has maintained the design for the bridge is “not constructible,” the project manager for the Iowa DOT said the state disagrees.
All of the steel beams for the new bike and pedestrian path are installed, connecting both sides of the river. A scenic overlook with a glass floor will provide an amazing view of the sunset as well as the boats and barges traveling under the bridge. Lighting crews are also finishing installing the colorful new LED lights that will ensure you see the beautiful new arches for miles.
Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Transportation today joined with the Federal Highway Administration, community leaders and residents of the Quad Cities to celebrate the upcoming completion of the new Interstate 74 Mississippi River Bridge, one of the biggest projects in state history and a transformational investment in infrastructure for the region. The new bridge is the latest project delivered under Gov. Pritzker to improve safety and mobility, enhance quality of life, and position an important region of the state for economic opportunity for future generations.
“The I-74 Mississippi River Bridge has long been a critical east-west link in the nation’s transportation network. Alongside our Iowan and federal partners, we’re taking a critical piece of infrastructure that has been mainly untouched since 1960 and turning it into the centerpiece residents deserve,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “This is one of the largest projects in state history – and proof that Illinois is laying the foundation for safer and shorter commutes, while creating and sustaining hundreds of thousands of jobs across the state. It’s a win for the businesses and people of Illinois, a win for the businesses and people of Iowa, and a win for the entire Midwest.”
After more than four years of construction, the I-74 Mississippi River Bridge is anticipated to open to traffic in early December, delivering four lanes in each direction and providing improved safety for all travelers. The bridge includes a 14-foot-wide bike and pedestrian path, with a scenic overlook and connections to existing paths in Bettendorf and Moline.
A Belvidere Republican who thinks schools should leave sex ed to parents and teach students more respect for the founding fathers of the United States wants to represent the 68th District in the Illinois General Assembly.
A former Marine, retired disabled truck driver and former children’s behavioral health counselor, Keith Brodhacker, 51, describes himself as deeply conservative. Although he said he is a newcomer, Brodhacker says his politics are a mix of Abraham Lincoln, Ronald Reagan and Donald Trump.
“They are trying to take our past away from us,” Brodhacker said of progressive politicians and educators. “They are trying to change history. They are trying to change who we are as a nation.”
[…]
Brodhacker said he would like to see taxes and spending on new programs reined in, that he supports police and favors gun rights. Although he has no children or grandchildren, Brodhacker said education reform is one of the big reasons he is running for office.
“The way the schools are leaning left wing and indoctrinating children into left wing ideology has got to stop,” Brodhacker said.
A whole lot to unpack there, but I’ll leave it up to y’all in comments. Expect to hear many of these themes often from now until the election.
Surveys conducted before the election showed that Democrats were vulnerable to attacks over the way public schools treated race. In July, shortly after Youngkin began to raise CRT in speeches, the American Principles Project, a conservative organization, commissioned a poll to test the issue. It found that when CRT was framed in Youngkin’s terms—teaching “white children that they are oppressors” and teaching “minority children that they are victims”—a two-to-one majority of likely Virginia voters, 58 percent to 26 percent, said it shouldn’t be taught in schools. When the poll described Democratic nominee Terry McAuliffe as soft on CRT, he lost support. When the poll informed respondents that Youngkin had promised to ban CRT, he gained support. These shifts—measured by how many respondents said the information made them more or less likely to vote for each candidate—were about 10 percentage points.
In August, the APP poll was backed up by another survey, this time from the left. This survey of likely voters in Virginia, conducted by Change Research for Crooked Media, found that 68 percent of independents and 52 percent of undecided voters said the teaching of CRT in schools posed a threat to the state. A narrow majority of undecided voters, when presented with Youngkin’s anti-CRT message, said it was a convincing reason to support him. The pollster’s report concluded: “Messaging about Youngkin never allowing critical race theory to be taught in Virginia schools was the most effective pro-Youngkin message among all voters and undecided voters.” […]
The exit poll didn’t ask voters about CRT, but it did ask about Confederate monuments on government property. Sixty percent of white voters said the monuments should be left in place, not removed, and 87 percent of those voters went to Youngkin. That was 25 points higher than his overall share of white voters. The election had become demonstrably polarized, not just by race but by attitudes toward the history of racism. All the evidence indicates that Youngkin’s attacks on CRT played a role in this polarization.
So, yes, there was a backlash against “critical race theory” in Virginia. And, yes, it helped Republicans win. Their strategy of hyping, distorting, and attacking CRT worked. But it didn’t work by appealing to parents. It worked by appealing to race.
* Speaking of the next election…
Cindy and I had a wonderful time at the dedication of the Nativity Scene in Springfield.
Springfield Catholic Bishop Thomas John Paprocki Tuesday railed against a number of Illinois governors on issues like same-sex marriage and taxpayer funding of abortion and decried satanic public displays.
Paprocki’s remarks came as the featured speaker at a dedication of a Springfield nativity scene in the Illinois Statehouse rotunda in Springfield. […]
State Sen. Darren Bailey, R-Xenia, thanked the Springfield Nativity Scene Committee for making sure that “Christ is honored in such a beautiful place.” […]
Bailey is running for governor, but nativity scene committee chairwoman Julie Zanoza said Bailey was speaking as “a private citizen.”
Paprocki blessed the manger with holy water and said a prayer that a Springfield priest described as “a supplication against the power of evil.”
Event by Palatine Township Republican Organization
Public · Anyone on or off Facebook
Cook County Republican Organization Presents the “Guardians of the Vote” Election Integrity Seminar From the Illinois Conservative Union
Wednesday, December 1 – 6:30 to 8:30 pm
PTRO headquarters, 765 North Quentin Road, Palatine
Members and friends of Cook County Republican Townships are cordially invited to attend this timely and free seminar as we gear up for the 2022 primary and general election cycles.
A recount of the fall 2020 DuPage County Auditor election still has Democrat Bill White with more votes than former auditor Republican Bob Grogan, according to a county clerk report released Monday, and Grogan maintains the race still isn’t over.
The report showed that White has 232,710 votes and Grogan has 232,652 following the recount — a 58-vote difference, according to unofficial recount returns. The original difference following the 2020 election was 75 votes.
Even if about a dozen disputed, uninitialed ballots all went Grogan’s way, it wouldn’t be enough to overturn the results, the report said. White was sworn in and has been serving as auditor since late 2020.
The governor got a big laugh when he described being at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow and meeting people from other countries who didn’t understand what it meant to be “the governor of Illinois.” He found it was easier to describe himself as “the governor of Chicago
“I think many of you would agree that he would fit that role quite well,” Bailey said. “He doesn’t seem to get throughout and about the state and doesn’t seem to represent the entire state very often. He seems to hibernate in Chicago instead of Springfield where he should be working. Anyway, we’re gonna change that.”
The ad writes itself.
* One more GOP theme…
Rob Cruz, candidate for Congress (R-6th), blasted news from the Cook county Medical Examiner that the county has passed over 1,000 homicides so far this year. As of Tuesday stands at 1,009, more than 75% of which occurred in Chicago, according to the Medical Examiner.
“This is a 40% increase from the pre-Covid numbers, in 2019 and a direct consequence of our elected officials setting the wrong course for our communities “, stated Cruz. “Voters in Cook County must now acknowledge, it is time to elect new representatives, at all levels, particularly our States Attorney, Board President and the Mayor of Chicago”, he continued.
Nationally renowned law enforcement expert and commentator, Sheriff David Clarke will join other community leaders and be the keynote speaker at a fundraising event kicking off the campaign for Rob Cruz, Candidate for Illinois 6th Congressional district on December 3rd at Cork & Kerry, 10614 s. Western av. At 7pm.
Cruz is a successful small businessman from Oak Lawn who is Frustrated with the direction and overreach of current elected officials, Rob seeks office only to find better solutions for public safety, education, and support of small businesses.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot is in DC through Friday, kicking off her visit on Tuesday night with a dinner Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., hosted for the delegation in his Capitol office, and – to my surprise – since usually only Democrats show up at this sort of thing – in walked GOP Rep. Rodney Davis. […]
Before he left, Davis made a bold political prediction […]
Not so fast on that 14-3 outcome Democrats are claiming they will have [with the new congressional district map], Davis told me. […]
Some of those 14 districts have Democratic supermajorities; the Democratic edge in two or three other districts outside of Chicago is much thinner, and I asked Davis – we were out of earshot from the others - about their potential as swing districts.
“I’ll be happy to say very loudly here, we are going to compete in a lot more districts then what the Democrats in Springfield who drew this map thought we would,” he said.
The only people who are publicly saying this is a 14-3 map are some discredited DC “experts” who have said all sorts of weird and flat-out false things since the remap process began.
It’s probably 14-3 in an optimal Democratic cycle, but I don’t know anyone who believes that the Democrats will reverse the overwhelming historical trend and actually gain seats nationally next year.
* Look at the off-year numbers on this chart…
Here is the past electoral performance for the 4th newly proposed congressional district map released by the ILGA. If you'd like to compare them to the current map you can find that here:https://t.co/D8IGJjgQIhpic.twitter.com/GhVjFoRkS4
Remember, 2018 was a great year for Democrats in Illinois because it was an off-year for an unpopular Republican president and the Republican governor up for reelection here was a walking dumpster fire.
I tend to look at the AG results, the closest of the bunch. There are three “Democratic” congressional districts on this chart where Kwame Raoul won by about 3 points. That’s the best place to start: Casten/Newman, Foster and the new 17th (formerly Bustos). And then go from there, perhaps even to the 2016 comptroller’s special election. Factor in a likely Democratic slump, and you can see that anyone who claims this is definitely a 14-3 map might wanna lay off the weed.
* Here’s what Rodney Davis told Dave Dahl when asked about that purported 14-3 split…
I certainly hope the Democrats thinks that. I certainly hope that the Illinois Democrats believe that that Republicans are only going to have three members of Congress after this next election. Because I think they’re going to be shocked, just like many in the media might be shocked.
We’re going to win. We’re gonna win more seats than the three that they’ve planned. Esther Joy King will be a member of Congress in the 17th district. We will have candidates in all of the districts that we see that are competitive, be it the new 13th district, we will have Republican candidates there that will be able to compete and win that district. And then the suburban districts. We saw in Virginia, we saw in New Jersey that even safe Democratic districts are no longer safe in a year where the American people are very frustrated with the Democrats lack of willingness to address the violent crime that’s plaguing our major cities in our country right now.
On Monday, Cook Political Report with Amy Walter issued its initial ratings for the 2022 congressional elections for Illinois’ 17 congressional districts.
Based on Cook‘s estimated partisan voting index (PVI) of the new districts, the following ratings were assigned:
IL-17 (open): Tossup, estimated PVI of Democrat +3
IL-13 (open): Leans Democrat, estimated PVI of Democrat +4
IL-14 (Underwood): Leans Democrat, estimated PVI of Democrat +4
IL-06 (Casten & Newman): Leans Democrat, estimated PVI of Democrat +5
IL-11 (Foster): Likely Democrat, estimated PVI of Democrat +5
All 12 other districts are rated “safe” district, based on the Democrat or Republican incumbent representing them currently or who’ve declared their reelection.
Cook’s famous PVI is based on presidential election years, however.
A new house bill (HB4230) would allegedly help solve the bus driver shortage in Illinois.
Currently, the law says anyone applying for a bus driver’s permit must have a driver’s license uninterrupted for three years prior.
Bill sponsor Representative C.D. Davidsmeyer, R-Jacksonville, said this bill changes that and allows for people who lost their licenses for circumstances unrelated to driving can still get their bus drivers permit.
“You know, with the bus driver shortage I think we need to do everything that we can to keep safe and friendly drivers in our school busses,” Rep. Davidsmeyer said.
I reached out to the secretary of state’s office to ask what sort of non-driving offenses could result in the loss of a license. Some of the examples I was given included failure to pay child support and fraud involving a driver’s license (like being caught with a fake ID or applying for a driver’s license in someone else’s name). There are also medical reasons, like suffering seizures, but licenses can be restored by obtaining a physician’s consent.
* No doubt this is needed. But maybe we as a state could help schools get to the recommended ratio of 1 counselor for every 250 students before moving to 1 for 150…
A newly filed House bill hopes to get more counselors into Illinois’ schools.
Right now, state law says that districts may employ enough counselors to meet the recommended ratio of 1 counselor for every 250 students.
The new bill would mandate a counselor for every 150 students, and counselors would be required to meet with their students every month.
In the 2019-2020 school year, the statewide ratio was 1 counselor for every 592 students, according to the Illinois School Counselor Association.
This costs money, and the Illinois School Counselor Association’s executive director made that clear in his response to WICS…
The ASCA national model recommends a 250:1 school counselor to student ratio. In 2019-2020, the school counselor to student ratio in Illinois was 592:1. We hope to engage Rep. Cyril Nichols, sponsor of HB 4208 to advocate for an increase in school counselors with the funding to support such a mandate.
* I have been dazzled by freshman Sen. Cristina Pacione-Zayas’ resume since I first saw it. Here’s part of her history from a profile by Capitol News Illinois…
She completed her doctorate in education policy at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where her aim was to put the theory she was learning in the classroom to practice in the community. […]
While Pacione-Zayas was finishing her degree, she worked in Little Village as the community schools director at Enlace, a nonprofit social service organization based on the South Side of Chicago. She helped to bring computer literacy, adult education, and youth enrichment programs into neighborhood schools.
She’s held several leadership roles, including the education director for the Latino Policy Forum and co-chair of the Puerto Rican Agenda, a nonprofit organization advocating for the Puerto Rican community.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in 2017, she led organizing efforts to secure local- and state-level resources to help those on the island but also for families relocating to Chicago, according to several news reports. She was appointed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker to serve as secretary for the Illinois State Board of Education, leaving that position before she became a state senator.
Most recently Pacione-Zayas was the vice president of policy at Erikson Institute, a graduate school for childhood development, where she led the development of the school’s Early Childhood Leadership Academy and Community Data Lab, according to her biography.
As a lawmaker, Niemerg has introduced more than twice the number of bills and resolutions as any other freshman representative.
The 51 bills and resolutions he has introduced include provisions that would have, among other things, instituted stricter voter identification rules, lowered the minimum age to obtain a Firearm Owners Identification Card and make so-called “partial-birth abortion” a state crime.
Despite the number of bills he introduced, he was the chief sponsor on only one bill that became law. The measure was introduced in the Senate by Bailey, R-Xenia. It expands the eligibility to become a firefighter to include volunteer and part-time firefighters with five years of experience.
When asked why he introduces so many bills, most of which have slim to no chance of passing, Niemerg said he feels like it’s his duty because the people of his district feel left out of politics.
“They feel Chicago takes the majority of the attention and really drives the politics of the state,” he said. “They wanted me to speak up and to discuss what their values are to really represent them on the House floor.”
As of late Monday, Illinois had 2,379 COVID-19 patients in the hospital, the most since February 2. Of those, 457 were in intensive care units, and 217 were on ventilators.
For Monday, the state administered 53,281 shots. Illinois also has administered a total of 227,873 doses to 5-11 year olds, an increase of 11,396 doses from Monday’s update. As a state, 19.11% of Illinois children 5-11 years old have received a first vaccine dose, and 1.54% have received two doses.
The state received the results of 125,128 COVID-19 tests in the 24 hours leading up to Tuesday afternoon. The state’s positivity rate is 4.1%.
By far the highest 7-day average positivity rate is in Region 1, which is Rockford and northwest Illinois: 9.2 percent. That’s up from 7.2 percent on November 17th. Winnebago County is at 9.3 percent.
Economic powerhouses Japan and France reported their first cases of the omicron variant Tuesday, while new findings indicated the mutant coronavirus had already slipped into Europe close to a week before South Africa sounded the alarm.
The Netherlands’ RIVM health institute disclosed that patient samples dating from Nov. 19 and 23 were found to contain the variant. It was last Wednesday, Nov. 24, that South African authorities reported the existence of the highly mutated virus to the World Health Organization.
South Africa detected the variant first because South Africa has a lot of very good scientists. Now, the country is being punished for no good reason. And wherever it started, it’s out there already.
State Representative Mike Murphy (R-Springfield) will step down from his position representing the 99th House District in the Illinois House of Representatives effective 11:59 p.m. today, following his final constituent services event later this evening. Below is a farewell message from Murphy to the citizens of the district:
It is with a heavy heart that I write this farewell message. When I entered the Illinois House of Representatives, I could not have imagined the impact the last few years would have on my life.
I said from the beginning that my goal was to get things done and do what’s right for the people of the 99th District. To me, that’s always meant standing up to bad policy when I had to, but also finding ways to work across the aisle when there was an opportunity to benefit the constituents I was elected to serve. This mentality is why I voted for the 2019 capital bill and 2019 state budget.
Besides the obvious need for infrastructure improvements in the 99th District and statewide, the 2019 capital bill has been a catalyst for the $360 million rail relocation project in Springfield to move the tracks from 3rd Street to 10th Street. More than $100 million was included in the capital bill for this project, and once completed in 2025, it will have a transformational impact on Springfield and Sangamon County. Not only will it improve traffic and congestion issues, but it will finally allow the medical district to expand and grow jobs.
Similarly, the 2019 state budget contained a series of compromise provisions to support our businesses, small and large, and help spur job creation. To this day, I carry around the list of the major priorities we achieved: the Blue Collar Jobs Act, data center incentives, eliminating the franchise tax, reinstating the Manufacturer’s Purchase Credit, preserving Invest in Kids, stopping a cap on the retailer’s discount, putting a hold on the Livestock Management Facilities Act, stopping the trade-in cap, stopping the tripling of the real estate transfer tax, and stopping several other taxes. I’m also proud I was able to work on a change to our sales tax structure for brick and mortar businesses to provide a level playing field for them to compete with online retail giants like Amazon.
Doing what’s right for our communities also means promoting career readiness for the next generation. I’m honored I was able to serve as the lead sponsor of legislation to change Illinois’ high school math requirement to give our students the opportunity to take courses for integrated, applied, interdisciplinary, or career and technical education that prepares them for a career readiness path.
While getting things done in the legislature is often measured by legislation passed, I hope residents will remember my office for the work we did to serve constituents. First and foremost, my duty as a Representative was to serve, and this was made even more pressing when the COVID-19 pandemic first hit. Working alongside the Illinois Treasurer’s Office, we were able to institute a low-interest bridge loan program to help small businesses stay afloat as the shutdown began.
After the unprecedented surge in natural gas prices last winter threatened many central Illinois communities, we worked with the Governor and the Illinois Finance Authority to help. The resulting relief program assisted impacted municipalities by allowing them to spread the payments across a more manageable timeframe without placing an overwhelming burden on residents or businesses.
The true credit for constituent services goes to my dedicated staff – my District Director, Ryan Melchin, and my Legislative Aide, Courtney Ausmus. If you’ve ever called my office, you have likely spoken to one, or both, of them. Whether helping constituents through the IDES process, FOID card renewal, coordinating constituent service events, and many other issues, I cannot thank them enough for all their work. Likewise, I have to thank my Communications Director, Joel Sikes, and the entire House Republican Staff. In all my years, I have never been more impressed by the hard work and dedication of these people. They have all worked tirelessly behind the scenes to help me serve the people of the 99th District.
As with everything in life, thank you to my family – my loving wife Cindy, along with my children and their families. I cannot thank them enough for their unwavering love and support.
Finally, I must thank the citizens of the 99th District for trusting and allowing me to serve as your State Representative. This has been the best experience of my life and I sincerely thank you for this opportunity.
With Sincere Thanks,
Mike Murphy
P.S. Feel free to stop by and help us pack up!
He was mapped into the same district as fellow GOP Rep. Avery Bourne, so this takes care of another remap problem for the HGOPs. Still, I hate to see him go. Good guy.
…Adding… Makes sense…
Keep an eye on who applies for this vacancy as there's overlap btwn Murphy's district and the new #IL48 Senate district held by Sen. Doris Turner, D-Springfield. There's been some talk that a Republican could use the seat as a springboard to challenge Turner next year. We'll see. https://t.co/gdMkq51s5x
…Adding… Lots of inexperienced legislators these days…
Rep. Murphy's fairly short tenure in the House doesn't effect this chart too much. But, if I tracked the number of times members of the General Assembly had biked across Iowa, we'd see a big drop. The Top Legislator Cyclist title is up for grabs, people! https://t.co/1Ce6ZmVtKipic.twitter.com/vZFDM7uTha
A federal judge has explained he recently refused to block the Illinois governor and Chicago mayor from forcing COVID-19 vaccinations upon Chicago city workers, saying the workers’ evidence against the value of vaccines was “slim” and the city’s evidence in favor was “substantial.”
Judge John Z. Lee, of U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, issued the explanation Nov. 24, declaring the workers “do not have a fundamental constitutional right to refuse COVID-19 vaccinations.”
On Oct. 21, a group of employees of Chicago’s fire, water and transportation departments asked Lee to stop Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Mayor Lori Lightfoot from ordering them to be vaccinated and tested for COVID-19 or risk losing their jobs. The workers claim the mandate trespasses on their rights to bodily autonomy.
They also argued they are being denied due process, because they are not given the right to show they do not need the vaccine because of natural immunity. Further, they asserted it is almost impossible to obtain a religious exemption.
According to Plaintiffs, requiring them to be vaccinated and submit to regular testing as a condition of employment infringes their fundamental right to bodily autonomy. More specifically, Plaintiffs argue that the vaccination and testing requirements violate the fundamental right to refuse unwanted medical treatment as articulated in Cruzan v. Director, Missouri Department of Health, 497 U.S. 261 (1990) and Washington v. Harper, 495 U.S. 210 (1990). From this, they assert that, because they have identified a fundamental right at stake, the Supreme Court’s decisions in Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113 (1973) and Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey, 505 U.S. 833 (1992), require the Court to apply strict scrutiny to the vaccination orders. […]
As an initial matter, Plaintiffs’ argument that the Defendants’ vaccine orders infringe their fundamental right to bodily autonomy runs squarely in the face of the Seventh Circuit’s recent decision in Klaassen v. Trustees of Indiana University, 7 F.4th 592 (7th Cir. 2021). There, the Seventh Circuit upheld Indiana University’s recent vaccination, masking, and testing requirements against a challenge from a group of students, who asserted nearly identical substantive due process claims. … The students, like Plaintiffs here, argued that the vaccine requirement comprised an invasion of bodily privacy that merited strict scrutiny.
The Seventh Circuit in Klaassen soundly rejected that argument. It instructed that the Supreme Court’s decision in Jacobson v. Massachusetts, 197 U.S. 11 (1905), “shows that plaintiffs lack” a substantive due process right not to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Klaassen, 7 F.4th at 593. The court further noted that the University’s testing requirements “cannot be constitutionally problematic” considering the sweeping vaccine mandates that Jacobson authorized. […]
Plaintiffs alternatively argue that Jacobson, which figured heavily in Klaassen’s analysis, should not guide the Court’s due process analysis because “it is part of a bygone era in American jurisprudence” akin to the Supreme Court’s discredited decisions in Buck v. Bell, 274 U.S 200 (1927), and Korematsu v. United States, 323 U.S. 214 (1944). But the Supreme Court has given no indication that Jacobson is void, and this Court cannot ignore binding precedent simply because Plaintiffs find it to be antiquated. Indeed, just this past year, Chief Justice Roberts cited favorably to Jacobson. […]
Plaintiffs’ reliance upon the Supreme Court’s right-to-privacy cases does not support their claim that Defendants’ policies infringe a fundamental right. As Defendants point out, the issues at stake in Roe, Casey, Cruzan, and Harper were “rights to individual bodily autonomy [that] do not impact the public health.” […]
The core flaw with Plaintiffs’ claim that refusing vaccination is a fundamental right, then, is not that there is no privacy interest implicated when someone is required or coerced to take a vaccine that they do not want. There certainly is. Rather, the problem is that, when a person’s decision to refuse a vaccine creates negative consequences (even life-threatening at times) for other people, that interest is not absolute. […]
On the present record, Defendants have demonstrated that their vaccination policies have a rational justification. Defendants have submitted a substantial amount of evidence supporting the public health necessity of vaccination and testing in abating the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. […]
For example, Dr. Arwady notes that City employees are “approximately twice as likely” to be infected with COVID-19 than residents of Chicago as a whole. […]
In response, Plaintiffs argue that Defendants’ vaccination policies have no rational basis, because there is evidence that “natural immunity” against COVID-19 is more effective than vaccine-created immunity in preventing transmission. And to support this contention, Plaintiffs rely upon two academic sources. The first is a study that, while showing that prior infection from COVID-19 results in some degree of immunity, does not compare natural immunity with vaccine-created immunity. The second is an unpublished, non-peer reviewed study conducted in Israel in January and February 2021, to which Defendants have raised serious questions regarding its methodological rigor and reliability. This is the sum total of Plaintiff’s evidence. […]
For a government regulation to have a rational basis, the state need not prove the premises upon which it based the action to a degree of scientific certainty. Rather, the government need only show that its rationale is supported by a “reasonably conceivable state of facts.” Minerva Dairy, Inc. v. 16 Harsdorf. This is a low bar. And, in relying on federal and state public health recommendations, credible academic sources, and the expertise of its own health officials, Defendants have met this burden, even if there might be some scientific disagreement on the issue. […]
Second, many of Plaintiffs’ employment contracts are governed by collective bargaining agreements between the City and public employee unions. Thus, any alleged procedural deficiency in the alteration of Plaintiffs’ employment contracts is properly aggrieved under Illinois labor law. […]
Plaintiffs are correct that they have “the right to hold specific private employment and to follow a chosen profession free from unreasonable governmental interference,” Greene v. McElroy, but the vaccine policies in question are not unreasonable, because they satisfy the rational basis test. […]
But no Plaintiffs have been denied a religious exemption on grounds other than failing to adequately articulate their individual circumstances, as the City Vaccination Policy requires. […]
Plaintiffs’ [Illinois Healthcare Right of Conscience Act] claims against the Governor must be dismissed at the outset, because Governor Pritzker has properly invoked sovereign immunity. […]
(B)ecause Plaintiffs lack a fundamental constitutional right to decline vaccinations during times of pandemic, see Klaassen, 7 F.4th at 593, they cannot rely upon the abridgment of that right to establish irreparable harm. […]
The Seventh Circuit has indicated that there are circumstances where termination of employment may lead to irreparable harm, but only when the particular injuries alleged “really depart from the harms common to most discharged employees.” Bedrossian v. Northwestern Memorial Hosp.. Plaintiffs here have not alleged any such extraordinary injuries. [Emphasis added.]
Unions for city workers have made headway, in separate court actions, to block the vaccine mandate on grounds it goes against collective bargaining agreements. The unions have argued the mandate didn’t let them arbitrate grievances concerning the mandate. Those cases remain pending. However, the city has told a Cook County judge it expects to have arbitration on the unions’ vaccine related grievances completed before the Dec. 31 COVID vaccine mandate deadline.
Also, interesting that they cite the landmark Roe v. Wade, the Japanese-American internment case and the inmate sterilization case. So dramatic. We’re talking about a vaccine, for crying out loud.
…Adding… A commenter boiled this opinion down to one succinct sentence: “It’s not all about you.”
Illinois state senator, Darren Bailey, joined the Tenth annual Tent-A-thon hosted by Pastor Corey Brooks. The Tent-A-Thon is a part of Pastor Brooks H.O.O.D foundation (Helping Others Obtain Destiny). The program consists of fifteen projects focused on violence prevention, entrepreneurship, and job training.
Pastor Brooks invites community leaders, politicians and parents to camp out on his roof Tent-A-Thon to bring awareness to violence.
Senator Bailey camped out and held a press conference the next morning about his experience.
“We were camping out in a tent at the end of this platform last night. At two o’clock in the morning we heard gunshots. These gunshots less than a hundred yards over. I’m laying there thinking, okay that surely was something else. About fifteen minutes later I heard a female voice screaming he’s been shot,” said Bailey.
He apparently didn’t call the police, which is odd. I think if I heard a nearby woman screaming that somebody had been shot, I’d call 911.
* But let’s get to the point, which is that Bailey is apparently unaware that the state is already doing something that he wants it to do, and is actually increasing the funding.
Government has got to start working with 501(c)(3)s, with non for profit organizations. This is how we change Illinois. This is how we change our society. Government is not the answer.
Except, that’s exactly what government does. The state doesn’t directly employ violence interrupters. It awards grants to groups like Communities Partnering 4 Peace, a project of Metropolitan Family Services. Those groups vet neighborhood organizations’ programs and award them money.
With newly gained funding and partnership with CP4P, Project H.O.O.D. has launched a new violence reduction initiative that targets the Woodlawn community.
* According to the governor’s office, the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority has awarded $6,094,300 to Metropolitan Family Services for its violence reduction projects starting in 2019. Of that, $5.87 million has gone to CP4P. If you look at the CP4P website, you’ll see that Project H.O.O.D. is one of 28 neighborhood groups that have received grant money for anti-violence programs.
Nothing wrong with any of that. More power to the man if he’s raising money for a good cause. They can afford it for sure. But he allowed Bailey to take some campaign shots yesterday, so just keep all that in mind.
* From the governor’s office…
• In his first year in office, Gov. Pritzker increased investments in programs to interrupt and prevent violence by $50 million. In addition, this year’s budget invests $128 million in violence prevention and summer youth employment programs.
• The General Assembly passed and the Governor signed legislation to create an Office of Violence Prevention.
• Under Governor Pritzker’s leadership, the State Police started a gun violence task force. Governor Pritzker is also adding hundreds of new troopers to the depleted ranks of the State Police, building a new state-of-the-art forensics facility to investigate crimes and tackled the rape kit backlog left behind by his predecessor.
• The Governor continues to offer and make available Illinois State Police and has invested in increased state police patrols of the highways, cameras, forensics labs and in reducing evidence backlogs that assist substantially in solving crimes.
• On top of rebuilding our social safety net, the budgets signed by Gov. Pritzker have provided hundreds of millions of additional dollars to local governments and community-based organizations to support vulnerable communities.
* This is not even a little bit of a surprise since the Democrats gave him such a favorable district…
Rodney Davis, a Republican from Taylorville, announced today he is running for re-election to Congress in the newly-drawn 15th Congressional district, which includes his home in Taylorville and much of the district he currently represents. He is the only incumbent member of Congress who resides in this district following the Congressional redistricting process.
“My family and I are excited to announce that I am running for re-election to Congress,” said Rodney Davis. “I’ve been proud to fight hard for and work on behalf of central Illinois families in this district for many years, both as a member of Congress and as a staffer to my good friend and mentor, former Congressman John Shimkus.”
“Democrats in Washington have put our nation in crisis with their big government, socialist schemes and dreams,” Rodney continued. “Republicans are primed to retake the House next year, and I’m ready to work with a new Republican majority to finally fire Nancy Pelosi and hold the Biden Administration accountable for their massive failures. I look forward to campaigning hard and earning every vote in this district over the next year.”
“Karen and I wholeheartedly endorse Rodney Davis for re-election to Illinois’ new 15th District. While the boundaries are new, Rodney knows this area well. He is a trusted and respected leader on rebuilding our roads and bridges, on farming and the needs of small businesses, and advocating for working families. Rodney knows us, and we know him.” - former Congressman John Shimkus, IL-15
“Rodney Davis is a great friend, and I’m proud to support his re-election to Congress. We’ve worked together frequently to help the people we serve, including working with President Trump to pass the Republican tax cuts. Rodney is a strong conservative who is committed to making Washington work for Illinois families, and I know he will represent central and west central Illinois well.” - Congressman Darin LaHood, IL-18
“2022 will be the year we finally retire Nancy Pelosi, and we need strong conservatives like Rodney Davis to get the job done. That’s why I’m proud to support Rodney for Congress. I look forward to serving with Rodney in the majority in the next session of Congress so we can put a stop to the Democrats’ march to socialism.” - Congressman Mike Bost, IL-12
“As Republican leaders in downstate Illinois, we are excited to endorse Rodney Davis for Congress in the 15th District. We know that Rodney shares our values, fights for our communities, and is standing up to the Democrats’ tax-and-spend, far left, socialist agenda. He is a leading Republican voice in Congress and has a proven track record of getting things done for Illinois families. We urge Republicans in the 35 counties that comprise the 15th District to get out and vote in next year’s primary and support Rodney.” - IL-15 Republican County Chairmen
IL-15 Republican County Chairmen Endorsing Rodney:
Randy Pollard, former President of the Illinois Republican County Chairmen’s Association and former Fayette County Republican Central Committee Chairman
Dave Bockhold, Adams County Republican Central Committee Chairman
Patrick Simon, Calhoun County Republican Central Committee Chairman
Terry Blakeman, Cass County Republican Central Committee Chairman
Dee Shonkwiler, Champaign County Republican Central Committee Chairman
Seth McMillan, Christian County Republican Central Committee Chairman
Dustin Peterson, DeWitt County Republican Central Committee Chairman
Scott Harris, Douglas County Republican Central Committee Chairman
Doug Cochran, Edgar County Republican Central Committee Chairman
Matt Hall, Fayette County Republican Central Committee Chairman
John Spangler, Fulton County Republican Central Committee Chairman
Dan Armold, Greene County Republican Central Committee Chairman
Kathy Sparrow, Hancock County Republican Central Committee Chairman
John Reilly, Henderson County Republican Central Committee Chairman
Kevin Ayers, Jersey County Republican Central Committee Chairman
Jim Drew, Logan County Republican Central Committee Chairman
Bruce Pillsbury, Macon County Republican Central Committee Chairman
Ray Wesley, Madison County Republican Central Committee Chairman
Shawn Sievers, Mason County Republican Central Committee Chairman
Mary Brookhart, McDonough County Republican Central Committee Chairwoman
Jason Huffman, Menard County Republican Central Committee Chairman
Jeremy Conaway, Mercer County Republican Central Committee Chairman
Terry Richmond, Montgomery County Republican Central Committee Chairman
Steve Hardin, Morgan County Republican Central Committee Chairman
Dave Kinert, Moultrie County Republican Central Committee Chairman
Jim Ayers, Piatt County Republican Central Committee Chairman
John Birch, Pike County Republican Central Committee Chairman
Dianne Barghouti Hardwick, Sangamon County Republican Central Committee Chairwoman
Jeff Ervin, Schuyler County Republican Central Committee Chairman
Brad Jefferson, Scott County Republican Central Committee Chairman
Mary Suprenant, Vermillion County Republican Central Committee Chairwoman
Cory Burgland, Warren County Republican Central Committee Chairman
IL-15 Republican State Lawmakers Endorsing Rodney:
Jil Tracy, District 47 State Senator and ILGOP State Central Committeewoman for IL-18
Sally Turner, District 44 State Senator
Jason Plummer, District 54 State Senator
Steve McClure, District 50 State Senator
Avery Bourne, District 95 State Representative and ILGOP State Central Committeewoman for IL-13
Tim Butler, District 87 State Representative and Deputy ILGOP State Central Committeeman for IL-13
C.D. Davidsmeyer, District 100 State Representative
Amy Elik, District 111 State Representative
Randy Frese, District 94 State Representative
Norine Hammond, District 93 State Representative
Mark Luft, District 91 State Representative
Mike Marron, District 104 State Representative
Charlie Meier, District 108 State Representative
Mike Murphy, District 99 State Representative
(W)ithout having to worry about a serious electoral threat in the new 15th district, Davis could focus a long-term goal — if the GOP takes back control of the House.
“Hoping to [stay in Congress] and be, eventually, the chair of our Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to work in a bipartisan way to bring resources back to Illinois,” Davis told reporters in August.
Presented with the chance to vote for a massive infrastructure package earlier this month, however, Davis and all but 13 Republicans voted against President Joe Biden’s $1.2 trillion-dollar infrastructure package. Davis panned Democrats for tying the infrastructure package to the passage of an even larger social spending plan dubbed “Build Back Better,” though its parameters are still being negotiated. Even so, Davis dubbed it “reckless.”
With no substantial Democratic challenger, however, Davis could still face a contest from his own party. Freshman U.S. Rep. Mary Miller (R-Oakland) is the only Republican in Illinois’ congressional delegation who hasn’t announced her plans for 2022, and could challenge U.S. Rep. Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro) in the much-expanded 12th District or mount a contest against Davis in the 15th district.
I’m told that US Rep. Miller has recently polled both the Davis and Bost districts.
* Miller’s spouse, state Rep. Chris Miller (no relation), has already signaled that the couple is moving out of their current house. Their house is close to the congressional district borders, so they could move into either district pretty easily. From Capitol News Illinois’ recent profile of GOP state Rep. Adam Niemerg…
Niemerg’s new district is almost entirely different. It now covers an area stretching from Lawrence County all the way to Champaign County.
To add onto that, the new area Niemerg is running in, District 102, is also home to Rep. Chris Miller, R-Oakland.
“The boundary line for the 101 can’t be 200, 300 yards from my property line,” Miller said, referring to an adjacent district with no incumbent lawmakers in it. “The reasonable thing for them to do would be for them to move that line 400 yards east.”
Illinois law allows for incumbent lawmakers to run either in the district they live in or in a district which contains part of their previous district.
“Adam, (state Sen.) Chapin Rose and I have talked about this a good bit,” said Miller, adding that the three have come to an agreement where Niemerg will run in District 102 and Miller will run in District 101. Rose, R-Mahomet, will run in the Senate district that covers the same area.
And maybe now we know why Chapin Rose isn’t on the Rodney Davis endorsement list.
— Congressman Darin LaHood has secured endorsements of all 21 GOP county chairs in the new IL-16. The 21 county party chairs “represent a key coalition of grassroots Republican support as LaHood launches his re-election campaign,” according to a statement from his team.
— Since announcing his run for IL-03 three weeks ago, Gil Villegas has raised $105,000, according to a source familiar with the campaign’s fundraising efforts. The word “overwhelming” was dropped. Villegas is a Chicago alderman who has advocated for greater Latino representation in Illinois since the latest census figures show an increase in the Latino population. […]
— Secretary of state candidate Alexi Giannoulias has secured a new labor endorsement and a high-profile donation Tuesday. United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers Local 11 has endorsed Giannoulias, the former state treasurer. The 2,700-member union, which covers most of northern Illinois, represents all segments of the roofing and waterproofing industry. Giannoulias also reported $100,000 in donations Monday, including $6,000 from Bulls owner Michael Reinsdorf. He’s raised about $300,000 this quarter.
— Secretary of state candidate Pat Dowell has expanded her campaign team. Thaddeus Walls will serve as campaign administrator and oversee the day to day operations. Nick Daggers and J.R. Patton of the 1833 Group will handle fundraising activities. And Nora Brathol of Arka Pana Consulting will direct social media. Walls has worked for the campaigns of John Ossoff, Stacey Abrams, Fritz Kaegi, Lamont Robinson, and Lori Lightfoot. Daggers and Patton have raised funds for candidates and progressive causes across the country.
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