Survivors of the mass shooting at a suburban Chicago Independence Day parade and family members of those killed filed 11 lawsuits Wednesday against the manufacturer of the rifle used in the attack, accusing gun-maker Smith & Wesson of illegally targeting its ads at young men at risk of committing mass violence.
The sweeping effort by dozens of victims of the Highland Park shooting, anti-gun violence advocates and private attorneys announced Wednesday is the latest bid to hold gun manufacturers accountable for a mass killing despite broad protections for the industry in federal law.
The group’s strategy mirrors the approach used by relatives of victims of the 2012 Sandy Hook school killings, who in February reached a $73 million settlement with the firearm company that produced the rifle used in that attack. That was believed to be the largest payment by a gun-maker related to a mass killing and hinged on the families’ accusation that Remington violated Connecticut consumer protection law by marketing its AR-15-style weapons to young men already at risk of committing violence.
“The shooter did not act on his own,” said Alla Lefkowitz, senior director of affirmative litigation for the gun safety organization Everytown. “What happened in Highland Park on July 4 was the result of deliberate choices made by certain members of the industry.”
A central claim of the legal action is that the gun manufacturer behind the M&P 15 semiautomatic rifle illegally targeted young men at risk of violence with advertisements for firearms. […]
The suit alleges Smith & Wesson ads mimic a first-person shooter perspective depicted in many popular video games, utilize visuals of apparent military or law enforcement personnel and emphasize the gun’s combat features. […]
Families of Sandy Hook victims claimed Remington violated Connecticut consumer protection law by marketing its guns to young men with an existing risk of committing violence. A lawyer at the center of the Sandy Hook settlement issued a letter in June to the maker of the AR-15 used in the Uvalde Elementary School mass shooting in Texas on behalf of the father of one of the victims, seeking answers about marketing their products to teens and children.
In addition to Smith & Wesson, the accused gunman and his father, the victims are also suing Red Dot Arms, the gun store where the accused gunman purchased the weapon and Bud’s Gun Shop, an online gun distributor.
Gun manufacturers have historically been protected from lawsuits like this under the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, a law Congress passed in 2005 that gives gun manufacturers and dealers broad immunity from lawsuits. But attorneys and experts on Wednesday asserted that there is an exception that allows for the lawsuits to proceed.
“That exception is when a member of the gun industry knowingly violates a state or federal law applicable to the sale or marketing of firearms, and here that is exactly what is being alleged,” Alla Lefkowitz, senior director of affirmative litigation for Everytown Law, said at the news conference. “Smith & Wesson, in addition to the two guns shops named as defendants, did violate the law.”
Lefkowitz said the legal coalition believes Smith & Wesson violated Illinois consumer protection laws by using deceptive marketing and advertising to sell the M&P15 as a military weapon. But the lawsuit claims that the sales do not reflect this, and attorneys on Wednesday called the idea that the weapon was used by the military a “fiction” pushed by the company, which went so far as to trademark the name “M&P,” a reference to “military and police” as a way to attract customers. […]
It was people like Crimo, the lawsuit contends, that Smith & Wesson had directly in their crosshairs as they sought to make more money through such marketing, which also promised “more adrenaline” and encourages consumers to “kick brass.”
While police say the assault-style rifle Crimo III allegedly used in the shooting, a Smith and Wesson M&P 15, was legally purchased, the lawsuit says Smith and Wesson “facilitates violence for profit,” and targets vulnerable young men to market their products too.
“The shooter fits the demographic of customers that Smith & Wesson targeted with its negligent and unlawful marketing,” the lawsuit says. “An avid user of the social media platforms used by Smith & Wesson to promote its assault rifles, the shooter displayed his hardcore violent fantasies online, styling himself on one platform as a “Master Gunnery Sergeant,” and on others as a video game assassin. He spewed hatred online and often posted videos of himself playing first-person-shooter games.”
The lawsuit says that after the shooting, Smith and Wesson portrayed itself as the victim and outlines what the plaintiffs say is a pattern and history of marketing towards young men with a propensity for violence.
“Smith & Wessson’s marketing campaigns don’t just blur the line between fantasy and reality, they destroy it,” said attorney Ari Scharg, with Edelson.
The civil lawsuits now pending in Lake County are separate from the criminal charges that shooting suspect Robert Crimo III faces and assert the defendants violated the Illinois Consumer Fraud Act, which prohibits consumer fraud and deceptive practices. […]
The gunmaker, the lawsuits say, “markets its assault rifles to young, impulsive men by appealing to their propensity for risk and excitement” by maintaining an active presence on social media using violent video games — including ones played by Crimo — and social influencers as marketing tools.
“For Smith & Wesson, the younger the shooter, the better,” the lawsuits say.
They say the gunmaker’s marketing campaign continued even though Smith & Wesson “knew or should have known in the last decade, mass shooters have used Smith & Wesson weapons as their weapons of choice.”
* The Question: Your thoughts on this legal action?
Fabrizio, Lee & Associates recently completed a survey of 800 likely voters in the 2022 Illinois gubernatorial general election, and it is clear that the Pritzker vs. Bailey race is tightening significantly.
Some key takeaways:
- Pritzker previously was leading Bailey by 10 points in August, but Bailey has chopped that lead in half to 5 in September.
- Among “definite” voters, Pritzker is only up by 3 points, which is within margin of error.
- If you have an option of both candidates, Prizker’s lead is 3; if you’ve heard of both, Pritzker is up by only 1.
- Bailey is crushing it with independents, leading Pritzker by 12 points.
- Bailey is leading among all men by 2 points, while Pritzker leads with women by 12.
- Pritzker is underwater in both Total Approval (49% Approve vs. 50% Disapprove), and Strongly Disapprove (45%) vs. Strongly Approve (just 18%).
* I think the last time Pritzker was at a Chicago Tribune editorial board meeting was during the 2018 Democratic primary. He’s met with several other newspaper editorial boards, but he hasn’t been back to the Tribune since then…
JB’s once again hiding from his failed record of high taxes and skyrocketing crime. He’s “unable to participate” in the @chicagotribune Editorial Board Meeting. He’s an out-of-touch billionaire who fears accountability. I’ll be here when you’re done hiding, @JBPritzker. #twill
* A new ballot initiative committee has been formed to oppose the Workers’ Rights Amendment. It’s called Say No to the Proposed Amendment 1 Tax Hike, has no money yet, but is chaired by former Republican Comptroller Leslie Munger.
Candidate for Congress Chris Dargis has held numerous leadership roles for companies sued for deceptive advertising, marketing unsafe products, and selling consumer’s data without their consent. Thread:
I’m Lovin It! I stand with @McDonalds in their fight to keep our communities safe & their restaurants open. Sadly, @TammyDuckworth sides with Mayor Lightfoot. McDonald’s is my go-to comfort food on the campaign trail. We need to support our great Chicago business. #imlovinitpic.twitter.com/p1h53zcpwh
* Also must-watch, with the background that Rep. Kelly was once the lone “Present” vote on Speaker Welch’s election and with a forewarning that Welch is an absolutely horrible singer…
Harmon clearly has Welch beat when it comes to musical talent.
* There aren’t too many statewide Republican candidates that Jim Edgar can endorse, and Dan Brady is definitely one of them…
Former Illinois Governor and Secretary of State Jim Edgar, plus major labor, business, public safety and advocacy organizations have endorsed Dan Brady, a Bloomington Republican, for Illinois Secretary of State.
“As former Secretary of State, I know Dan Brady possesses the skills, experience, and work ethic to improve the office and provide efficiency to the public,” former Gov. Jim Edgar said. “As former Governor, I know Dan has the experience and talent to work with the General Assembly and the executive branch to provide service for the people.”
“It is truly an honor to receive Gov. Edgar’s endorsement,” Brady said. “He continues to be the standard by which honest and responsible governing is judged, and I will be proud to carry that legacy of public service as your next Secretary of State.”
Brady has also received the endorsements of the Illinois Education Association, Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Illinois Fraternal Order of Police State Lodge, the Sheriffs’ of Illinois PAC, Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois, and ABATE of Illinois.
Kathi Griffin, Illinois Education Association President: “The Illinois Education Association is the largest union in Illinois. On behalf of our board and more than 135,000 members, I’m glad to recommend Dan Brady for Secretary of State. He is recommended because of his commitment to public education. Dan Brady’s vision for continuing drivers’ education, improving library development and helping ease the school bus driver shortage makes him the most qualified candidate for Secretary of State.”
The Republican candidate for Illinois treasurer is speaking out against Democratic lawmakers and warns tax increases are coming after the November election.
Tom Demmer, a state representative from Dixon, hosted a news conference Wednesday and said the Democrats are being secretive with the public about their post-election plans.
“The concerning item I want to talk about today is how Illinois Democrats seem to be hiding many of their pending tax increases until right after the election,” Demmer said.
Demmer, who faces off against incumbent Democratic Illinois Treasurer Mike Frerichs in the November election, said some of the increases are already going into effect.
“On Jan. 1, this temporary gas tax freeze expires, and the gas tax will increase again. That was timed to cover just half a year and push us right past the election,” Demmer said. “Cook County residents have not seen what they will be required to pay this year and will not see until the end of the year. Again conveniently timed until after the election.”
100 of 102 Illinois State’s Attorneys have come out against the [un] SAFE-T act - including multiple Democratic States Attorneys who have filed lawsuits to stop its most dangerous provisions that go into effect on January 1st 2023. Meanwhile, Speaker of the House Chris Welch is doubling down on House Democrats’ support with open arms.
From the Chicago Tribune yesterday:
“Despite continuing criticism about the law that will do away with cash bail next year, Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch doubled down in his support for the SAFE-T Act, addressing critics head on during a City Club speech.”
As reported by NBC5 Chicago:
“The debate over the SAFE-T Act is pitting Democrats against members of their own party. Today Speaker of the house Chris Welch defended the wide-ranging bill but several States Attorneys are suing the Governor and the Attorney General saying the changes are unconstitutional.
In his speech, Welch defended the Act despite its extreme unpopularity with the general public, saying “We know the SAFE-T Act will help people, it will help people.”
Violent crime in Chicago is up 37% over this time last year. Meanwhile, since similarly eliminating cash bail for most nonviolent offenses in 2019, New York City has seen a massive spike in crime citywide. It has also increased recidivism - 20.1% of “felony arraignments” are rearrested, with 16.1% failing to appear at arraignment.
“It’s unclear who the ‘people’ are that Speaker Welch feels that the un-SAFE-T Act will help, because the Act will lead to the release of more dangerous criminals and more crime in our communities,” said Illinois Republican Party Chairman Don Tracy. “The question remains, does Democratic leadership in the General Assembly even care about law-abiding citizens of Illinois including crime victims? With so many Illinois Democrat legislators recently indicted for criminal misconduct, it may be that protecting career criminals is more of a priority for Democrat legislators than public safety.”
Seven members of the Illinois General Assembly and nine Chicago Democrat Aldermen and women have been indicted, convicted or plead guilty since 2019. Also, the [un] SAFE-T Act’s chief sponsor, Senator Elgie Sims, is now under federal criminal investigation, and another Democrat - Senator Michael Hastings - has faced accusations of domestic violence and workplace harassment.
Residents of a Far North Side tent city were given fake eviction notices this week as part of an apparent stunt from a college student linked to a political gadfly challenging the incumbent aldermen.
The one-page notices titled “Maria Hadden’s Five Day Notice To Vacate” were stuffed into belongings and posted on signs in and around Touhy Park, 7348 N. Paulina St., residents said. They were dated Sept. 27 and listed the name of Hadden, the 49th Ward alderperson, in bold blue type over a line reading “landlord/agent.” […]
It also says residents will be relocated for free to the Four Seasons Hotel in Gold Coast. Their stay at the hotel, 120 E. Delaware Place, would be open-ended “for as long as it takes for Maria Hadden to find you appropriate housing,” the notice states.
The worst part is this reasoning from the person who admitted handing out the “eviction notices”…
“I do have a plan for the homeless problem there, and this was a publicity stunt to drive traffic to my site where I am going to discuss it,” [Sarah Lim, a DePaul University freshman who is considering a run for mayor] said.
With the bulk coming from Cook County and Chicago, more than 463,000 vote-by-mail ballots could be in the mix for Illinois’ Nov. 8 election, delaying election outcomes by up to two weeks.
Along with early voting beginning Thursday in Illinois, local elections officials are sending out requested vote-by-mail ballots. Illinois State Board of Elections spokesman Matt Dietrich said those mail-in ballots will take up to two weeks to count after the polls close Nov. 8.
“It really depends on how many vote-by-mail ballots are still out on election night,” Dietrich told The Center Square. “We do want to be clear to people that this is normal.” […]
Dietrich remembers that as recently as the 2014 Illinois Treasurer’s race, projections changed drastically.
The article goes on to warn about “election integrity.”
* More…
* The national wave of unfounded election-fraud accusations does not spare Illinois: Votebeat, a nonpartisan website covering voting and elections, reported earlier this month that many of the letters were sent to practically every state in response to calls from conspiracy theorists, including Mike Lindell, the CEO of My Pillow and Trump supporter who continues to state without proof that the 2020 election was stolen. Lindell and others have called on sympathizers to request these records, providing them with a template that many are using in their own states. The requesters are then directed to provide whatever they get back to a central repository for analysis. Jessica Huseman, Votebeat’s editorial director, said the requesters are seeking something known in elections parlance as “cast vote record.” That cannot be used to show fraud anyway, she said.
* Chicago Teachers Union endorses Brandon Johnson for mayor, but he’s not in the race yet: In 2015 and 2019, CTU and SEIU threw their support to Cook County commissioner Jesus “Chuy” Garcia and Board President Toni Preckwinkle, respectively, in their unsuccessful campaigns. Garcia, now a congressman, is considering a run for mayor in 2023 but those efforts are potentially complicated by the teachers union supporting another candidate.
In one matchup, ex-Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran, a Republican, faces Democratic Lake County Judge Elizabeth “Liz” Rochford. The 2nd Supreme Court District covers Kane, Lake and McHenry counties as well as DeKalb and Kendall counties. […]
Asked who won the 2020 presidency, [Mark] Curran told WBEZ, “It’s kind of irrelevant, but Joe Biden won the election.” But in a Jan. 3, 2021, Facebook post, Curran circulated now-debunked claims about vote fraud in the presidential elections.
Despite the fact 18 more states signed on to Texas’ petition, the Supreme Court dismissed the case, citing lack of standing. Only Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito dissented.
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, a student of history, compared the long list of anomalies to another election nearly 200 years in the past.
“The more data comes out on vote anomalies that clearly are not legitimate the more it looks like 2020 may be the biggest presidential theft since Adams and Clay robbed Andrew Jackson in 1824.” Gingrich tweeted. “State legislatures should demand recounts.”
* But, wait, there’s more where that came from…
* Note the date below the video on his “Who knows what 2021 will bring” Dec 30, 2020 post…
Chicago’s Board of Education on Wednesday narrowly approved key steps toward the construction of a Near South Side high school despite significant opposition from even the strongest advocates for a new neighborhood school.
The school board in a 4-3 vote opted to move forward with leasing former public housing land from the Chicago Housing Authority to build a high school and to acquire another nearby parcel for the CHA in exchange. The district will also ask the city’s Public Building Commission to begin designing the school.
The rare split vote came after heavy debate about the need, viability and fiscal responsibility of the project. Several board members questioned the speed with which the city is attempting to push forward the proposal, with one calling the decision to proceed a “misuse of public money.” […]
State Rep. Theresa Mah, a Chicago Democrat, made waves this week when she said she would block $50 million in state funding for the project that she had pushed through the General Assembly two years ago. Long a supporter of an open-enrollment high school for Near South residents, Mah said the city has not taken genuine community concerns into consideration. She accused Lightfoot and CPS of “manufacturing” support for the school.
I asked the governor’s people this morning what Gov. Pritzker will do with the disputed state funds. But, as it turns out, there’s no public money to “misuse.”
* From Jordan Abudayyeh at the governor’s office…
Capital projects are generally funded through the issuance of state bonds. To ensure that Illinois continues its improving fiscal trajectory, this administration also requires that capital bonds are backed by a specific revenue source, so that they can be paid back in a predictable and stable manner.
The authority to issue bonds is granted by the General Assembly, and requires a vote of 3/5 of the members.
In the case of this project, the General Assembly included the appropriation for the project but not the bonding authority in legislation. Until the administration has the needed bond authority or other source of revenue, this project is not funded.
So, while there is an official state appropriation, there’s no actual state money for CPS to spend because no bonding was authorized. It’s kinda like writing a check to pay off a bill and never mailing it because the bank account doesn’t exist.
Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine on Wednesday sent a letter to Gov. J.B. Pritzker, saying he is willing to work with the governor to correct problems with the SAFE-T Act before it takes effect Jan. 1.
Haine’s letter, in response to Pritzker’s Sept. 23 message, said the SAFE-T Act, which abolishes the cash bail system in Illinois, will limit the ability of his office – as well as local judges – to detain dangerous defendants prior to trial.
“(T)he percentage of aggravated domestic violence prosecutions that prosecutors dropped increased from 56% before [Cook County’s 2017 bail reform] to 70% after. A reasonable inference is that the increase in dropped cases resulted from batterers more frequently obtaining pretrial release and intimidating their victims into not pursuing charges at trial.”
But Cook County’s bail reform isn’t the same as the SAFE-T Act.
* Something that’s gotten lost in the uproar is that respected groups which advocate for domestic violence victims are strongly in favor of the state law because they contend the SAFE-T Act is a major improvement to the current system. From Mike Miletich’s latest story…
“It isn’t about letting people out of jail,” said Vickie Smith, President and CEO of the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence. “It’s about doing your job to determine whether or not the individual being charged is a danger to the community or individuals.”
ICADV said the law will prioritize the safety of survivors by having a comprehensive, fact-based hearing process for individual decisions about pretrial release. Smith said no one can force crime victims to participate in the hearing process. Attorneys or local crisis advocates can go to court hearings on their behalf. However, Smith stressed that it is important to allow them to have the opportunity to participate if they choose to. […]
Advocates noted that lawmakers needed to address the current timeline for pretrial hearings as people are frequently arrested and appear in bond court within a few hours, leaving victims confused and worried about their future. […]
[Mallory Littlejohn, the Legal Director with the Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation] explained that pretrial release may be denied if the defendant is charged with stalking or aggravated stalking and it is alleged that release poses a real and present threat to the safety of a victim. A judge can also deny release if the survivor of abuse was a family or household member with an order of protection against the defendants. The law calls for denial of pretrial release for any defendants charged with domestic battery if the suspect poses a threat to the safety of a victim or other people as well.
“We were able to include issues regarding civil no contact orders and stalking no contact orders when the bill originally only referenced orders of protection. That’s an expansion,” said Carrie Ward, President and CEO of the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault. […]
“We believe firmly that whether or not you can write a check is not how we should determine whether or not someone is safe enough to let out of jail,” Smith explained. “In the best interest of victims of domestic violence and the community, we need these procedures in place so we actually look at an individual, look at the circumstances and then decide whether or not they can be released or if they should be detained.”
That piece was published today - a day after WGN released its poll…
But despite Bailey’s efforts, and an onslaught of political ads paid for by Dan Proft’s “People Who Play By the Rules” PAC, Illinois likely voters say the economy is still the No. 1 issue (35%) driving their vote in November, followed by threats to democracy (17%) and abortion access (14%).
Crime is fourth on that list, with only 10% of voters picking the issue as their top concern. Of that group, the advantage does go to Bailey. About 58% of those who say crime is their top issue support his campaign.
* Speaking of that poll…
Bailey campaign spokesman reacts to WGN-TV/The Hill/Emerson College Poll showing his candidate down by 15 points. pic.twitter.com/vpaZJZ9IiJ
That 2022 primary poll was taken in May, before Bailey started surging. Polls can’t predict the future, they can only give you a snapshot of the time they were taken.
I don’t know what other independent polls are out there, but that internal poll that Fox 32 ridiculously hyped was a push poll and Bailey was still trailing.
* One more…
WGN poll on the IL Gov race is crap and so is the reporting on it. For example, on the slides from the pollster they have Pritzker fav/unfav at 54-40. In the actual story, they report his fav/unfav as 45-41. Which is it? Another media poll used to try and drive a desired outcome.
The simple explanation is that the story has an error. It doesn’t match up with the actual poll results. And, excuse me, but how does it hurt Bailey that WGN screwed up a story that more people saw than will see its accurate tweet?
Gov. JB Pritzker is in the process of donating more than $11 million from his campaign fund to Illinois Democrats up and down the ballot, according to the State Board of Elections and his campaign office. […]
The governor is still talking with Illinois Senate Democrats before a likely donation of $1 million. Pritzker wants to ensure that those resources aren’t used to support senators the governor has urged to resign.
Statewide candidates Kwame Raoul, the incumbent attorney general, and Alexi Giannoulias, the secretary of state candidate, each received $1 million. Raoul faces Republican Tom DeVore, an attorney notorious for filing lawsuits against Pritzker’s Covid-19 mandates. And Giannoulias, a former state treasurer, faces Republican state Rep. Dan Brady.
Supreme donations: The Democrats running in the two highly contested Illinois Supreme Court races — Elizabeth Rochford and Mary Kay O’Brien — each received $500,000.
Courting counties: Pritzker donated $1 million to Cook County Democrats, the bluest county in the state and anywhere from $10,000 to $100,000 to other Democratic county organizations across Illinois.
Also, the Senate Democrats have already said they won’t be backing Sen. Michael Hastings’ reelection and Sen. Emil Jones III has no Republican opponent.
* Meanwhile, soon after Tom Devore fled his own press conference because of a single protestor, the Republican attorney general nominee attended the City Club luncheon for House Speaker Chris Welch’s speech. DeVore even submitted a question, but a problem arose when the moderator couldn’t read his handwriting. I kid you not…
* Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker topped this Minnesota campaign contribution list at $2.25 million…
In Minnesota politics, state-level candidates and political action committees have received $95.9 million in total donations between Jan. 1, 2021, and July 18, 2022. The 10 largest donors gave more than $9.4 million, or 10 percent of all contributions.
Some Black Chicagoans Hit by Crime Consider Skipping Midterm Elections
Republicans see disillusioned voters as path to upset in Illinois governor’s race, though many Democrats remain reluctant to switch parties
That’s what this is all about. Drive down turnout. However, the Wall St. Journal isn’t relying on polling data and instead just did what East Coast news outlets excel at doing: They sent a couple of DC-based reporters out on a very brief foray into Black neighborhoods to “get the pulse,” along with reporting on some Republican aspirations. Sloppy. But it is true that the Democrats have to make sure their base turns out.
* Press release…
With polls opening tomorrow for early voting, the Vote No on Amendment 1 ballot committee has launched two digital ads to warn voters about the dangers of Amendment 1, the first item at the top of the ballot.
The new ads link to an Illinois Policy Institute property tax calculator that allows homeowners to see how much more Amendment 1 could cost them on their property tax bills. The ads are paid for by Vote No on Amendment 1.
The first ad, entitled “Amendment 1 threatens my American Dream,” features first-generation American Argie Karafotias, whose business Golden Brunch survived the pandemic but is still getting crushed by high taxes. He says his local business can’t afford another property tax hike.
The second, entitled “Amendment 1 = Higher Illinois property taxes,” showcases Katy Stryker, a mom and small business owner who is worried about future challenges, including higher property taxes from Amendment 1.
Statement from Matt Paprocki, treasurer of Vote No on Amendment 1:
“The last thing Illinois needs is another property tax hike. Our campaign is proud to highlight local Illinois business owners and residents who see the true cost unchecked government union power will have on Illinoisans. Amendment 1 will harm local businesses, foster Illinois’ culture of corruption and raise property taxes statewide. Voters can’t afford it.”
To view the property tax calculator, visit illin.is/taxcalc.
To view the ads against Amendment 1, visit illin.is/ads.
…Adding… Forgot about this one…
State Treasurer Mike Frerichs is untruthful again and cannot keep his retirement tax story straight. In an interview that aired on WGN, Frerichs was asked about his June 17, 2020 comments in support of a retirement tax.
“My opponent in that debate supported taxing people’s pension income. He wanted to tax specifically people with higher incomes….That’s something I thought he would like and that was the argument I made.”
He is referring to Todd Maisch, President and CEO of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, who led a coalition against the progressive income tax and has been and continues to be an ardent opponent of new tax increases. Todd Maisch directly responded to Frerichs’ false claims:
“I do not, nor does the Chamber, support a progressive income or retirement tax and have spent my entire career fighting to reduce, not increase taxes in Illinois,” said Maisch, who has been with the Illinois Chamber of Commerce for nearly 30 years.
“I was surprised that Treasurer Frerichs brought up taxing retirement as an argument for the progressive tax because it is such an unpopular idea in Illinois.
“It’s par for the course with Treasurer Frerichs who ducks, dodges, and deflects to hide his own failures,” said Illinois Republican Party Chairman Don Tracy. “Multiple sources have now confirmed what we all know - Frerichs is untruthful in his comments claiming he never supported a retirement tax.”
In 2020, he ran away from reporters and voters at a press conference he called to address his comments. Last month, his campaign said anyone saying he supports a retirement tax is “lying.” State Treasurer Mike Frerichs is now blaming a fellow forum participant for his comments on why Illinois should consider taxing retirement income.
“While there is no winner in Treasurer Frerichs’ never-ending blame game, there is one clear loser, Illinois voters,” said Chairman Tracy. “Illinois voters must hold Frerichs accountable and elect a true fiscal watchdog in Tom Demmer.”
Frerichs has spent his time as a state legislator championing tax increases. Introducing not one, but five pieces of legislation to create a progressive income tax with SJRCA69, SJRCA92 , SJRCA89 , SJRCA101 and SJRCA17 .
…Adding… Another one…
Today, Illinois NOW (National Organization for Women) PAC announced its endorsement of Judge Elizabeth Rochford in her campaign for the Illinois Supreme Court’s Second District. A non-partisan organization, NOW’s mission is to take action to bring women into full participation in the mainstream of American society now - sharing equal rights, responsibilities, and opportunities with men, while living free from discrimination. Illinois NOW is an organization of chapters from every area in Illinois.
“Illinois NOW PAC works tirelessly to protect women and their right to reproductive care and justice, to advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, and to eliminate racial inequality. As these fights intensify, we need proven and experienced leaders at every level of government, including the Illinois Supreme Court,” says Laura Welch, President of IL NOW. “That’s why we support Judge Elizabeth Rochford in the Second District, whose experience and qualifications are unmatched by her opponent, who not only never served as a judge, but is rated not recommended by the Illinois State Bar Association.”
Rochford has been rated “highly recommended” by the Illinois State Bar Association and “highly qualified” by the Lake County Bar Association, the only candidate in the race for the Second District rated qualified. Rochford has been endorsed by the Lake County Democratic Women, Personal PAC, Planned Parenthood of Illinois, Equality Illinois, pro-choice legislative leaders, and other groups who know there is no stronger champion for women in this race. She has also earned the endorsement of a number of organizations, including the Illinois AFL-CIO, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois, GPAC, and Giffords PAC.
“I am grateful for the support of Illinois NOW, an organization dedicated to establishing access to resources and opportunities for women and other vulnerable members of our communities,” said Judge Elizabeth Rochford. “The best way to realize our vision of equal justice for all, is to have the best qualified, and experienced members of the judiciary serving on our state’s highest court. I am humbled to have earned the Illinois NOW endorsement for the Supreme Court seat in the Second District.”
But despite Bailey’s efforts, and an onslaught of political ads paid for by Dan Proft’s “People Who Play By the Rules” PAC, Illinois likely voters say the economy is still the No. 1 issue (35%) driving their vote in November, followed by threats to democracy (17%) and abortion access (14%).
Crime is fourth on that list, with only 10% of voters picking the issue as their top concern. Of that group, the advantage does go to Bailey. About 58% of those who say crime is their top issue support his campaign. […]
Since the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v Wade, Pritzker and Democratic allies have leaned into their support for abortion rights, promising to expand access for women. The strategy appears to be paying off, with 90% of those who say abortion access is their top concern planning to vote for his re-election. Pritzker also has broad support among female likely voters with 55% of women polled planning to vote for him, and 46% going for Bailey. Male voters were nearly split, with 46% supporting Pritzker and 44% supporting Bailey.
If memory serves, Pritzker also outpolled Bruce Rauner among men four years ago.
Madigan Machine Judge Mary K. O’Brien is misrepresenting Illinois Supreme Court Justice Michael Burke in a negative TV ad regarding the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision that overturned the Roe v. Wade abortion decision. O’Brien offered no proof or citation for her misleading claims.
Unlike Mary K. O’Brien apparently, Justice Burke supports judicial independence and has not expressed any opinion on that issue or any issue that may come before the Illinois Supreme Court, which is ethically required of judges and candidates for judicial office. That may be partly why the Illinois State Bar Association, which is comprised of attorneys from across the legal field and political spectrum, has rated Justice Burke as “Highly Recommended,” a rating higher than that of O’Brien.
The Illinois Republican Party is calling on Mary K. O’Brien to take down her misleading ad and apologize for running a smear campaign against a respected and qualified judge, Justice Michael Burke.
“It’s unsurprising that Madigan Machine Judge Mary K. O’Brien is resorting to misleading attacks against Justice Michael Burke so close to Election Day. As someone who cut her teeth as a Madigan loyalist in the General Assembly, O’Brien seems to be following the Madigan playbook. We call on O’Brien to take down her misleading TV ad and apologize for running a smear campaign against Justice Burke,” said Illinois Republican Party Executive Director Shaun McCabe.
Judge Mary Kay O’Brien’s deep ties to the Madigan Machine are well known. O’Brien was appointed as an Appellate Court Justice during her final year in the Illinois General Assembly after voting with Madigan 93.6% of the time. O’Brien also “Helped Madigan Regain The Speakership,” and received over $200,000 in political contributions from political groups led by Madigan over the course of her career.
19:30: Q: “How is the situation in Illinois any different if at all now that Roe v. Wade has been overturned by the Dobbs decision?”
Burke: “It’s not.”
20:02: Burke: “What Dobbs did was very specifically sent the issue of abortion back to the state legislatures, and Illinois has spoken on that.”
25:08: Burke: “If the General Assembly passes a law, it’s clear and unambiguous, it should be applied as written. Whether I would have voted for it, or whether I would have signed it as a governor doesn’t matter. It should be applied as written, and I say that to people when I’m out talking to groups. I say if you don’t like the laws that are passed by the legislature, your obligation is to get new legislators, not to go to the courts.”
Q: “So you don’t legislate? That’s what you’re saying?”
Burke: That’s what I’m saying.”
Q: “If you don’t legislate, what do you do?”
Burke: “We apply the law as it’s written to the facts. We’re called upon to interpret the law and interpret constitutional provisions from time to time.”
26:26: Q: “If you had a case before you dealing with abortion issues, would you start with the U.S. Constitution, would you start with the Illinois Constitution, where would you start as you began to think about that?
Burke: “Well, you would probably start with the statute…”
* OK, now let’s go to the MKO campaign’s response…
The stakes in this Illinois Supreme Court race could not be higher. Now that the US Supreme Court has overturned Roe versus Wade, only Illinois law protects a woman’s right to choose in our state. Extremists are hard at work trying to challenge Illinois law.
This Illinois Supreme Court race will decide who controls our courts. Justice Mary Kay O’Brien has been endorsed by the leading pro-choice advocates in Illinois. Mike Burke has made clear that he agrees with the decision to overturn Roe, and he is supported by the same anti-choice groups that are trying to overturn Illinois law protecting that right.
Justice Burke is trying to backtrack, but his position is clear. He has told us where he stands.
In an interview with Jeff Berkowitz posted July 28, 2022, Mike Burke was asked if the majority that overturned Roe were originalists. He said yes, and was then asked if he was an originalist to which he replied, “…I am…That’s the way I view the constitution.”
Burke also said when it comes to the right to choose, there is no enumerated right to privacy in the US or State Constitution.
The only statement we have from Mike Burke is that he supports Dobbs. If he opposes Dobbs, he should say so.
Justice Burke is supported by pro-life groups, including Illinois Right to Life Action, a group who is strongly anti-choice. On April 29, 2022 of this year Burke was photographed at the Right to Life 53rd Annual Leaders for Life Banquet.
Justice Michael Burke is endorsed and found qualified by the Illinois Right to Life Action. Voter Guides - Illinois Right to Life Action
Justice Burke has also been a member of the St. Thomas More Society, a group for DuPage County attorneys. Illinois Right to Life filed an amicus brief in Dobbs, drafted by St. Thomas More Society’s attorneys, advocating overturning Roe.
Burke on calling himself, the Dobbs majority Originalists
23:34 BERKOWITZ: So the majority on the court, and this was a, was a split decision on some things, it was 5-4, some 6-3. Something like that?
BURKE: Right.
BERKOWITZ: Is there a concurring opinions but certainly the majority whether it’s 5-4 or 6-3 those folks, those justices, who basically decided as you’ve just stated, they’re what people often call Originalists - Textualists - would that be correct?
BURKE: That’s correct. It actually would have been - the - it would have been 5-4 on the way I described it, because Justice Roberts wrote a separate opinion. It didn’t really go along with that analysis.
BERKOWITZ: He would have decided without overturning Roe, but basically saying the state the Mississippi statute before them was constitutional.
BURKE: Right.
BERKOWITZ: But he would have gone further
BURKE: Under Casey, yeah.
BERKOWITZ: Okay. - but there was 5-4- really faced- really, it seems, did what you said. They were originalists. They went through that history. They went through what the wording said, this is what these prior decisions had decided. This is our precedent. Not Roe. And you’re an Originalist, right?
BURKE: Well, I am. I mean, that’s the way I view the constitution. That’s the way I view statutes.
Burke stating abortion is not an enumerated right
27:05 BURKE: You know, if you look at the issue of abortion - again because it’s not an enumerated right in any constitution, whether the US, or the state constitution. It’s not an enumerated right.
* Since both sides only gave snippets of Burke’s “enumerated right” comment, let’s look at the whole thing…
Q: If you had a case before you dealing with abortion issues, would you start with the U.S. Constitution, would you start with the Illinois Constitution, where would you start as you began to think about that?
Burke: Well, you would probably start with the statute and then look at the statute and then again, a lot of it is is determined by the path that you’re led down by the lawyers to some degree. You have to listen to their arguments and read their briefs and the cases that they’re citing. You know, if you look at the issue of abortion - again because it’s not an enumerated right in any constitution, whether the US, or the state constitution. It’s not an enumerated right.
I don’t know where you would go other than to say that, again, Dodds says now send it back to the legislatures and then we have to look at the legislature’s enactment to determine whether it’s otherwise valid, but remember that the US Supreme Court didn’t say abortion was illegal. It’s sent back for regulation by the states. So, that’s kind of a tricky question as to where do you start, what Constitution? Because, really, Dodds is the ultimate arbiter of what the 14th Amendment says. And they said, ‘This is a state issue. Let the state legislatures decide it.’
Q: So you start certainly with, well, you certainly take a look at the Illinois statute, if that’s being litigated then…
Burke: Right
Q: …which talks about, you refer to it, I guess, as being signed in what 2020? The Illinois statute that made abortion a fundamental right…
Burke: 2019
Q: 2019, Okay. You certainly are going to look at that because that’s the law in Illinois.
Burke: Sure.
Q: You might want to look at the US Constitution…
Burke: Right.
Q: …and remind yourself with the 14th Amendment says.
Burke: Right.
Q: You might want to look at the Dobbs decision, because that’s, that’s your guide, right?
Burke: Right.
Q: They said a few things other than just sending it back. They gave you the history that you talked about right?
Right.
Q: So those are the things you’d be, anything else that I’ve…
Burke: No. But again, it’s put it back in the legislature’s lap, not necessarily the court’s. And will we be called upon to review legislation at some point in time? Possibly.
* The MKO campaign also sent this, which I believe I’ve posted before…
Thoughts?
[I briefly took this post down because I’d made a mistake in the transcript.]
An Illinois state grant program is touted as a means to help businesses decimated by looting – with the money meant for immediate repairs so businesses can survive.
But two years after the launch of the program, CBS 2 Political Investigator Dana Kozlov found out only a small fraction of those millions have been given out. And some of that money has been used to pay the salaries of those overseeing the program.
Kozlov met Najee Landon as she looked with despair around her Englewood company’s office space.
“The rioting and everything that happened at the summer, it really hit us hard,” Landon said. “It’s like a knife to the heart.” […]
According to the state’s own website, the whole point of the $25 million program is to “support economically distressed Illinois businesses” that were damaged “due to civil unrest.” […]
Landon qualified in the fall of 2020, ultimately being awarded $133,307,57. […]
Two years later, and Landon has only gotten a third of the grant money promised to her. She didn’t even get that until a few months ago.
Landon has used that money for approved repairs. But she calls the delay devastating, and her offices have further deteriorated.
* DCEO statement…
DCEO has made available an unprecedented amount of funding not only through COVID-19 relief funding, but also for community revitalization and support for businesses following damage due to civil unrest. DCEO takes seriously its responsibility to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars and this first-of-its kind program – which uses local qualified contractors to conduct repairs and capital improvements on behalf of recipients – requires grantees to follow state contracting protocols. CNI – the organization which has been tasked with receiving applications, vetting eligibility of applicants, and managing projects where needed – is providing the funds once the qualifications are met and projects are approved. DCEO remains committed to supporting grantees and will continue to work with CNI on remaining projects.
Our state contracting protocols are a byzantine mess, and have been for years. No wonder the money isn’t getting out.
* Background from DCEO…
• Rebuild Distressed Communities distributes funds though two program administrators (CNI and LISC), which were selected through a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity process.
• The overarching program has three capital grant components:
1. Funding corridor improvements – grants to localities
2. Reimbursing businesses for repairs already completed – grants to businesses
3. Funding for new repairs for businesses – subject to state capital grant protocol; must select from list of qualified contractors
- The third category is particularly complex because by statute, it must follow state capital grant contracting processes.
• The program requirements have remained the same since its inception.
That state statute probably needs to be changed. And soon. There are several more of these capital grant programs with money just waiting to be spent. Most small independent businesses don’t have any idea how to jump through these hoops.
People Who Play By The Rules PAC has launched a new ad, “Oh My God.” It is available on YouTube, the PBR PAC Facebook Page and will run on statewide media.
It’s footage of some poor guy getting hit on the head with a bottle as the words “A non-detainable offense under Pritzker’s purge law” are flashed on the screen.
State Rep. Theresa Mah, who has long backed the construction of a Near South Side high school, says she will block $50 million in state funding from the project until Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Chicago Public Schools officials take community concerns more seriously.
City officials nonetheless say they are moving forward with key votes Wednesday to advance the proposal and are still counting on state funding coming through.
Mah, a Chicago Democrat, said she wants to see authentic community engagement and a stronger, “good faith” effort to find an alternative site before she considers backing the district’s plan again. The school is slated to be built on former public housing land at 24th and State streets.
Her move came hours after the Chicago Sun-Times and WBEZ reported that senior CPS officials warned leaders last year that a new Near South high school could undermine nearby Black schools and ultimately harm Black students — a vastly different story than Lightfoot and district officials have told publicly.
Primary among my concerns was the proximity to existing schools, whose decline in enrollment would be accelerated —a concern that was also cited in a confidential internal memo by CPS officials but ignored by Mayor Lori Lightfoot and CPS leadership as they press forward with this plan.
I also expressed my objection to the dynamic that would be set up, in which it would appear as though the Chinatown community were in favor of taking away land previously promised as a site for affordable housing for former CHA residents. This could not be further from the truth. If the mayor and CPS truly listened to community members, they would understand that it is possible for advocates to be for a new high school but not support their currently proposed site.
Community members have long sought a high school to serve the Chinatown, Bridgeport and South Loop communities. This area has seen tremendous population growth, a significant portion of that due to new immigration from China. The need for a new school is not simply about having one in close proximity, although that is an important consideration given studies that have shown a disproportionate number of students commuting long distances to attend high school. […]
The more urgent need, however, is to have a school that provides the bilingual staffing and language supports for English learners, who make up a significant portion of this area’s population. A new school that truly serves this community has to have robust bilingual or dual language programming and cultural competency, to communicate with these immigrant families to help them thrive.
Despite a strong and growing elementary school population in the area, students across the Near South Side lack an open enrollment high school option and are forced to travel well outside of their neighborhoods to attend school. This has a significant impact on the well-being of families in these communities — which include Armour Square, Bridgeport, Chinatown, Douglas and South Loop — as they travel sometimes more than an hour to attend parent-teacher conferences, sporting events, and performances at their kids’ schools.
This distance also creates barriers for students who must choose between getting home at a decent hour or participating in after-school activities. Imagine what students could do with their time if they were to get several hours a week back that otherwise would be spent on transportation to and from schools outside their communities.
This geographical chasm can also inhibit parents and families from being involved in their children’s educational experience. It becomes a lot more difficult to volunteer or attend activities at school when you have to travel significant distances to do so. Family and community involvement in school is linked to more positive outcomes for students, and the families on the Near South Side deserve the opportunity to participate in full. […]
While the need is clear, we know that discussion around this historic opportunity also elicited a set of questions among community members. For some, the proposed location at 24th and State raised questions about the Chicago Housing Authority’s commitments to public and affordable housing in connection with the site. These remain intact. And, as alderpersons serving these communities, we are prepared to hold CHA accountable to ensure they come through on those commitments in full.
City and schools officials have publicly promised their plan to build a new $120 million public high school on Chicago’s Near South Side won’t cause significant harm to nearby historically Black schools that fear they’ll lose students and funding.
But that rosy outlook repeatedly touted by Mayor Lori Lightfoot, schools chief Pedro Martinez and other city leaders is vastly different than what a foreboding district analysis showed last year.
The Sun-Times and WBEZ have learned a team of senior officials at Chicago Public Schools privately warned leaders that the project could undermine those schools and ultimately hurt Black students.
They wrote in a confidential memo that their preliminary analysis showed a new school would “accelerate the enrollment declines in several nearby schools, causing the schools to be constrained financially and academically in providing an equitable learning experience to all students.”
Mayoral hopeful Kambium “Kam” Buckner is promising to transform Chicago Public Schools by funding schools based on need, not enrollment; staffing every school with a nurse, librarian, and social worker; and expanding universal preschool to all 3-year-olds. […]
“As mayor, I will continue to work with Springfield to hold CPS accountable for directing state funds to schools based on need, and not on any other criteria,” Buckner said, adding that funding should not be strictly based on enrollment.
Currently, schools get a set amount of money per student, plus a few centrally-funded positions, such as principal and school clerk. This system – implemented in the wake of the 2013 closings – has been criticized by the Chicago Teachers Union because it penalizes schools with fewer students and sets them on a downward spiral of declining enrollment and disinvestment. Others – including former CPS CEO Janice Jackson – have said the method is more equitable because money follows students. […]
The plan outlined on Thursday also calls for an external audit of CPS special education practices to improve services, a leadership academy for principals to address morale, and targeted recruitment for teachers from Chicago communities.
* Background is here if you need it. Deputy House Majority Leader Jehan Gordon-Booth responds to Sen. Scott Bennett’s proposed SAFE-T Act changes…
State Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, leader of the House Public Safety Working Group, released the following statement Wednesday:
“Since the SAFE-T Act was passed in January 2021, legislators have worked with stakeholders from across the state to address sincere concerns and facilitate the law’s successful implementation. These conversations have been invaluable, and as a result the House has passed three trailer bills refining and improving the law. That work continues. The Public Safety Working Group is meeting regularly, both internally and with state’s attorneys, law enforcement, survivors, advocates, and others to discuss further refinements and improvements.
“We will review Senate Bill 4228 through the same process of thoughtful consideration within our working group to ensure all voices are being considered. This is the same process that delivered $200 million to address public safety across Illinois, and developed bipartisan measures to give police high-tech tools they need to solve carjackings, home burglaries, and violent crimes against people, and crack down on ’smash and grab’ retail crime rings. We believe in the transformative and holistic changes to our criminal justice system included in the SAFE-T Act, and we also recognize we can continue to improve upon that progress through thoughtful, honest, and collaborative dialogue.”
Jersey County State’s Attorney Ben Goetten is urging calm in the midst of a storm of controversy over the Jan 1, 2023, effective date for the SAFE-T Act, a criminal justice reform bill approved by the Illinois General Assembly in 2021.
“There is no reason to panic,” Goetten said Tuesday, adding he and state legislators are working to fine tune the legislation before it goes into effect.
Goetten’s statement come a week after he announced his office had filed suit challenging the constitutionality of the SAFE-T Act, short for Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today. […]
Goetten said critics of the SAFE-T Act should remember the key legal principle: that defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. People in custody awaiting trial are presumed innocent, he said.
* Democratic Illinois senator proposes changes to SAFE-T Act: Bennett believes that he has the votes to get this language, or at least something close to it, through the Senate during veto sessions this November. He does not know if it would pass the House.
* State Senator Proposes Changes to Illinois’ SAFE-T Act Amid ‘Purge’ Rumors: But Sen. Elgie R. Sims, Jr., who sponsored the bill, said “the entirety of the SAFE-T Act says if you are a threat to public safety or you are a flight risk, you are going to be held.” He noted the law replaces the current cash bail policies with a system that “focuses on safety, not how much money a person has in their bank account.”
* Joyce backs measure to update SAFE-T Act, support law enforcement: “With all the confusion surrounding the SAFE-T Act, it’s important that we make things as clear as possible,” said Joyce. “It is my hope that by clarifying items brought to me by my local State’s Attorneys and police, we will give law enforcement and the courts the tools they feel they need to keep people safe.”
* Champaign state senator proposes clarifications to SAFE-T Act: “We have to look at this bill like we would any other major bill, bring stakeholders to the table and make it better,” Bennett said. “I recognize this is a bill that’s going to need to be negotiated, it’s going to need to be discussed with our colleagues.”
* Safe-T Act To Be Discussed At Chamber630 Event In Naperville: The Oct. 4 panel discussion, facilitated by Stefanie Hood, will feature, among others: DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin; Supreme Court Justice Michael J. Burke; DuPage County Chairman Greg Hart; DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick
* Danville Chief Yates Says Police Department & State’s Attorney’s Office are United on Victims’ Rights: Chief Yates explained during the meeting the difficulties of law enforcement needing to plead their case each and every time they want to keep a dangerous person off the streets, and how it could cause petty criminals to simply not be arrested due to the backlog of cases, Chief Yates says there are challenges to this, and at this point, no one has any definite answers.
* Gov. JB Pritzker earns endorsements from anti-gun violence PACs, faces more pushback on SAFE-T Act: “I take seriously all of [Sen. Bennett’s] proposals, but we’ll have to go through one by one to figure out what works,” Pritzker said. Bailey said the Safe-T Act should be repealed, and lawmakers should start over from scratch. On Tuesday, he fired back at Pritzker. “He’s in trouble with his campaign right now and he knows it, so he’s backing up saying ‘hey, maybe we need to relook at this now,’” said State Sen. Darren Bailey, the Republican nominee for governor. The Illinois Network for Pretrial Justice, a coalition of 42 organizations that helped shaped the original Pretrial Fairness Act, which is a part of the Safe-T Act, is already lining up to oppose changes.
* Pritzker in Aurora advocates for gun reform as Bailey warns about Safe-T Act: Under Pritzker, [Bailey said] “mental health is a disaster, our schools are a disaster, he has nothing to show for it. That’s what the press should be talking about, but they’re not. They’re continuing on the craziness of Republicans running for office.”
* AARP has filed a few lawsuits over assisted living nursing home facilities, but this is the first time they’ve gone after a nursing home company. And it’s the first time the group has asked for injunctive relief. From a media advisory…
AARP Foundation, Chicago Law Firms and Equip for Equality Announce Class Action Lawsuit Against Alden Nursing Facilities Accusing the Nursing Care Chain of Putting Profits Over Resident Care and Lying About it to State Regulators
Class Action suit seeks a court order to protect residents from Alden’s neglect and harm due to chronic, intentional and dangerous understaffing that violates the Illinois Nursing Home Care Act and the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act.
WHAT: Attorneys from AARP Foundation, Equip for Equality, Levin & Perconti, and Hughes Socol Piers Resnick & Dym, Ltd. will host a press conference today to announce residents of six area nursing facilities filed a class action lawsuit against the Alden Group, one of the largest health care providers for older adults in Illinois. The complaint alleges Alden attracts thousands of residents to its facilities, and then systematically understaffs those facilities, leading to neglect, preventable injuries and illnesses, and dangerous and often grossly unsanitary living conditions for the residents. According to the complaint, Alden saves millions of dollars each year by refusing to hire sufficient staff to comply with legal staffing requirements and then intentionally hides it from state regulators. This class action will also send a strong message to other nursing homes and assisted living facilities that they too will be held accountable for intentional understaffing,
They will also announce how people can contact them if they suspect abuse and short staffing is going on at Alden Nursing facilities and others as well.
WHEN: Wednesday, September 28, 2022, 10 a.m. CDT
WHERE: AARP Illinois, 222 N. LaSalle St., Chicago, IL, 60601
WHO:
• Kelly Bagby, Vice President, AARP Foundation Litigation
• Steven Levin,Founder and Sr. Partner, Levin & Perconti
• Charlie Wysong,Partner, Hughes Socol Piers Resnick & Dym
• Barry C. Taylor,Vice President for Civil Rights and Systemic Litigation, Equip for Equality
• Philippe Largent, State Director, AARP Illinois
ALDEN FACILITIES NAMED IN THE COMPLAINT( MORE THAN 1400 RESIDENTS AT THE SIX FACILITIES)
• Alden Heather Health Care Center, 15600 S. Honore, Harvey
• Alden Town Manor Rehabilitation and Health Care Center, 120 W. Ogden, Cicero
• Alden Terrace of McHenry County Rehabilitation Center, 803 Royal Drive, McHenry,
• Alden Village North, 7464 N. Sheridan Road, Chicago
• Alden Lakeland Rehabilitation and Health Care Center, 820 W. Lawrence Avenue, Chicago
• Alden Princeton Rehabilitation and Health Care Center, 255 W. 69th Street, Chicago
A fundraiser Tuesday night for the Illinois Environmental Council felt more like a reunion of authors of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act. The law passed last year to overhaul Illinois’ energy policy and put the state on a path to 100 percent clean energy by 2045.
Gov. JB Pritzker, who signed the 900-plus-page legislation into law, headlined the event, and his deputy governor, Christian Mitchell, was among those honored. Mitchell was a key negotiator in the bill’s passage. […]
There was drama: Jen Walling, executive director of the Environmental Council, drew a standing ovation for her work on the legislation. She also addressed recent headlines in which she said she felt bullied by state Sen. Michael Hastings, who also had been involved in writing the environmental legislation. Without saying Hasting’s name, Walling said he “threatened, screamed and abused his power” while the legislation was being written. And she thanked those in the room who she said “had my back.”
Bully-pulpit: A Hastings spokesman had responded to Walling’s claims, calling her “the bully.” The exchange prompted a number of guests at last night’s fundraiser to wear buttons with a picture of Walling and the word “Bully.”
I was also at the event and gave subscribers my take (along with a stupid typo that I fixed in the online version). I snagged one of the buttons…
Tom Devore fled his own press conference on the Safe-T act today, after one of his speakers ripped signs from a protester and grabbed at his arms. Protester’s sign called for pre-trial fairness, a reference to Devore’s pro cash bail stance pic.twitter.com/aWF7PYOjud
The man introducing DeVore, Paul McKinley of "Voice of the Ex-Offender," had claimed Democrat & incumbent AG Kwame Raoul hasn't spoken about the SAFE-T Act.
Raoul signaled he was open to discussing changes to some parts of SAFE-T last week. Our story: https://t.co/i4srX7dkDt
DeVore just had a FB livestream. He suggested without evidence that Gov. Pritzker and AG Raoul sent the disruptive protestor. Then he talked about recent violent crimes in Chicago & SAFE-T. He accused lawmakers trying to tweak the incoming law of using "backdoor processes."
