The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) reported that more than 1.1 million Illinoisans have received a dose of the new, bivalent COVID-19 vaccines since they were approved for use in early September, including 207,000 doses in the last week. Since the approval of the updated booster shots, daily vaccination numbers have been trending at the highest level since early February, during the major surge in illnesses caused by the Omicron variant. The new bivalent vaccines are designed to offer added protection from the now-dominant strains of the Omicron variant.
The announcement comes as the CDC released data showing that 26 counties in Illinois are at an elevated level for COVID-19, up from 16 a week ago. This includes three counties at High Community Level for COVID-19. IDPH is reporting 11,955 new confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 in Illinois, including 43 deaths since October 14.
“I am encouraged to see the large and growing numbers of Illinoisans who are taking action to protect themselves and their families with the new bivalent booster,” IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra said. “For those who have not gotten the new bivalent booster or the flu shot, NOW is the best time to get fully immunized and protected, while COVID-19 community levels are still relatively low. As we are currently experiencing a sharp increase in severe pediatric respiratory diseases that is resulting in a shortage of pediatric beds – and at the same time facing the prospect of a fall and winter surge of COVID-19 and other illnesses affecting all of us – I am strongly recommending the latest COVID-19 and flu shots for all those who are eligible. These immunizations are especially important for anyone over 50, immunocompromised, or those with chronic medical conditions.”
IDPH is working with the Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (ICAAP) to encourage physicians and parents to ensure children are fully protected from COVID-19 and the flu. ICAAP is providing resources for doctors and parents HERE.
IDPH reported that over the last week, an average of more than 29,000 doses of the new bivalent vaccines were administered across the state each day. This is more than triple the daily average for all vaccinations for most of the summer.
The CDC authorized two new bivalent booster vaccines on September 1 that include an mRNA component of the original strain to provide an immune response that is broadly protective against COVID-19 and an added mRNA component in common between the omicron variant BA.4 and BA.5 lineages to provide better protection against COVID-19 caused by the omicron variant.
Initially, the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent, was authorized for use as a single booster dose in individuals 18 years of age and older and the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent, was authorized for use as a single booster dose in individuals 12 years of age and older. On October 12, the CDC authorized the updated COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech for children ages 5 through 11 years, and from Moderna for children and adolescents ages 6 through 17 years.
The updated boosters are available at pharmacies, hospitals, and other healthcare providers. The best way to locate a vaccine provider near you is to visit www.vaccines.gov and search for bivalent booster availability.
Currently, IDPH is reporting a total of 3,796,038 cases, including 35,168 deaths, in 102 counties in Illinois since the beginning of the pandemic.
As of last night, 1,060 individuals in Illinois were reported to be in the hospital with COVID-19. Of those, 124 patients were in the ICU and 51 patients with COVID-19 were on ventilators. The preliminary seven-day statewide case rate is 94 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 Illinoisans.
* The Question: Have you received your bivalent booster yet? Explain.
Intro: German Shepherd barking with a mother and son carving pumpkins on the porch.
Mike: “Nothing’s better than a good watch dog to protect the family - keep you safe when you’re not looking.
As State Treasurer, that’s what I’ve done.
When big banks and tech companies tried to rip us off, I made them pay back over 1.5 billion dollars to taxpayers.
And I forced life insurance companies to pay families back over $800 million in unclaimed benefits.
It’s your money and I’m proud to be your watch dog.”
In about a month, 58 states attorney’s sued the state over the SAFE-T Act. Now, they are being consolidated into a single county.
A court document published Thursday shows all parties involved decided to consolidate all the cases into Kankakee County. Kankakee State’s Attorney Jim Rowe was the first state’s attorney to sue the state over the SAFE-T Act. All parties were consulted before the motion was filed.
“Allowing one court to resolve the challenges to the SAFE-T Act will thus not only avoid the risk of conflicting rulings and relief, but also minimize the expenditure of resources by and before multiple courts,” the document reads.
By the way, if you want a copy of Sen. Scott Bennett’s reform legislation, click here.
A claim seen by many PFA opponents is that county jail populations will see significant reductions once it goes into effect in January 2023. However when asked on Wednesday, [Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell] said it was still undetermined whether those incarcerated prior to Jan. 1 would be let out retroactively.
Still, having to “prepare for the worst,” the sheriff recounted the number of people currently in the Sangamon County Jail and gave an assessment. Looking at county jail statistics from August, he said approximately 100 out of the approximate 330 inmates in the county jail could be let out.
“That’s about a third of the jail, but again that may not happen,” Campbell said, who previously joined with Wright in a lawsuit against the state over the SAFE-T Act.
A question raised from the audience was about the elimination of requiring a sworn affidavit when filing a complaint against a police officer or department, but [Quincy Police Chief Adam Yates] said that won’t affect Quincy.
“We haven’t required that for about 20 years,” he said. “If we get a complaint through any means, we investigate all of those.”
I have never understood the opposition to anonymous complaints because law enforcement has heavily relied on anonymous tips forever.
* Hearings were held on a proposed omnibus bill for months and months. The Illinois Supreme Court even formed a study commission in 2017, which included a wide range of stakeholders, and which released a report in 2020. So, this claim is exaggerated for effect…
The sponsors of the SAFE-T Act have asserted they were addressing flaws in our state’s criminal justice system. If this was true, then input should have come from judges, state prosecutors, public defenders, private criminal defense attorneys, law enforcement officers, probation officers, civil rights advocates, victim’s rights groups and clerks of the circuit courts.
The proper way to address the merits of a bill is to hold hearings, allow proponents and opponents to be heard and allow the members of the General Assembly to discuss both the purpose of the proposed law and the precise statutory language to be adopted.
In other words, create a legislative history.
The 764-page SAFE-T Act was introduced in the Illinois Senate at 4 a.m., and it passed at 5 a.m. It took the Illinois Senate only one hour to radically alter Illinois’ justice system. Hours later, the SAFE-T Act was introduced in the Illinois House for the first time. It passed at 11 a.m. No bona fide hearings or debates occurred. There was no opportunity for input from proponents or opponents. Ramrodding through any bill, let alone one that will profoundly affect the lives and safety of nearly 13 million Illinoisans, is irresponsible, improper and wrong.
* CPD Superintendent…
In response to a question from Ald. Marty Quinn, Brown calls for changes to be made to the criminal justice reform law (known as the SAFE-T act) that would require defendants with a history of violent crimes to be held before they are tried.
Rich – A statement from Ald. Quinn in regard to Cherone’s tweet you posted. Thanks!
“When I spoke in opposition of the SAFE-T Act today, I offered Supt. Brown my help in repealing the portion of the Act that allows electronic monitoring to more individuals. He was open to that, and I’m glad he saw things in a similar way.”
* Illinois SAFE-T Act: McHenry County board OKs resolution to oppose controversial new law: County board members voted 13-8 at a Tuesday night meeting to pass a resolution opposing the SAFE-T Act after listening to the public’s comments and engaging in a “robust debate” on how to protect the interests of McHenry County constituents, a statement said.
* I’m a pastor, policy advocate and mom, and I support the Pretrial Fairness Act: If you have some questions about what’s happening with money bond and incarceration in our state, I totally understand. Illinois has been inundated with lies regarding the Pretrial Fairness Act, the portion of the SAFE-T Act that will end our state’s use of money bond in January. As disinformation and scare tactics spread, the Winnebago County Board passed a resolution calling for the repeal of this legislation. While their resolution has no actual legal effect, I was disheartened by the messaging.
* Taxes, public safety among topics in Kane County Board District 18 election: Williams, 52, of Blackberry Township, said issues for voters include the SAFE –T Act and taxes. In regard to the SAFE –T Act, Williams said there are concerns about “the no-cash bail provision of the law.” Public safety has been a concern as crime seems to be migrating from Chicago to areas west of the city, he said. “There has been an influx of crime in the area from people coming in from the city. We’ve had several instances in my subdivision where stolen cars have entered and people’s belongings and homes have been invaded,” Williams said.
* Should possession of a little fentanyl, cocaine and heroin be a misdemeanor, not a felony?: McHenry County officials don’t think so, judging by what State’s Attorney Patrick Kenneally and Coroner Dr. Michael Rein told a county board committee recently. “As with the SAFE-T Act, the supermajorities in the House and Senate are attempting to quietly remake the criminal justice system in extreme ways that jeopardize public safety,” Kenneally said in a release after the meeting. “Decriminalizing marijuana was the first step toward legalization, and that appears to be the track Springfield is now on with fentanyl, cocaine, heroin, PCP, LSD, methamphetamines and Ecstasy. … “Consequences are an incredibly important part of treating drug addiction,” he said. If charges for personal-use amounts of heroin, fentanyl and cocaine are reduced to misdemeanors, he said, defendants will not be eligible to participate in drug-court programs.
According to [AdImpact, a Chicago media analytics firm], combined spending on TV and radio since July 1 has hit the $65 million mark. A few more ads likely will be purchased, but the $65 million includes payments for ads that will run over the next two and a half weeks before the Nov. 8 election.
Either way, it appears to be a record figure. In 2020, a reported $47 million was spent on political media ads here. That was a drop from 2018 when the total was $62 million. But that election featured the battle of the billionaires for governor with J.B. Pritzker taking on the well-off then-incumbent Bruce Rauner and his super-rich friend, Ken Griffin.
However, particularly notable is spending, even on broadcast TV, for seats in the state House and Senate. Any single House district represents only a tiny fraction of the Chicago area, less than 2%. So 98% of the money spent on those ads by a particular candidate is, in a sense, wasted. But those ads are still coming and, anecdotally, more state rep candidates are on Chicago TV than ever before.
In 2020, the House Democrats ran Chicago broadcast ads for 11 candidates, about what they’re doing this year so far. But they went up pretty early this year in some races.
Subscribers have been getting a full rundown of these ads in both chambers, including another one today. And, sure, those ads reach far more people who don’t live in the district than those who do. But the spending is about reaching as many people who vote in the district as possible, and broadcast is still a valuable tool which has been shown to work time and time again.
* Foster, Casten and Schneider are targeted by a Dick Uihlein-funded PAC…
As Governor, my administration will oppose mandating COVID vaccines for grade school, college and employment. We all know the mandate candidate, J.B. Pritzker, will force it on your kids because he thinks the government knows better than parents. #twill
The radio interview grew intense when Thomas accused Pritzker of taking Blacks for granted during his first term in office.
Thomas said, “The reason I’m doing what I’m doing right now is not because they’re paying me $50,000. Keep in mind I got expenses too. I got to pay people that work with me. But why I’m doing this is because of this, ‘if you ain’t a Democrat, you ain’t Black.’ This [President] Joe Biden BS. I’m tired of that. I’m not going to do that anymore. And I’m not going to have JB Pritzker come up here and talk about he’s going to give us equity in the weed business, and we got nothing. Zero. He took us for granted. He played us.”
When asked where Bailey stands on the cannabis issue, Thomas replied, “Darren Bailey voted against cannabis being legalized. But I did ask him very pointedly, I said, ‘what would you have done if you had been governor and the legislature Democratic supermajority overruled you and legalized cannabis despite your veto? He said, well I would have to make sure everybody got their fair share. And I said does that mean Black folks would have got 15 to 20 percent of the stores that are already there. He said, ‘well I guess so if that is what equity is.’
“I guess so.” Well, that changes everything. /s
* ILGOP…
“From Pritzker’s tax increases to Bidenflation, Nikki Budzinski has made a career out of making life more expensive for Illinois residents,” said Illinois Republican Party Chairman Don Tracy. It’s troubling that as Illinois residents struggle with Pritzker’s taxes and Biden’s inflation - that she helped cause as Budget Director - that Budzinski has been able to do so well for herself.”
* I missed this one from the other day…
Indicted former Speaker of the Illinois House Mike Madigan’s latest corruption charges involving AT&T amplify just how complicit current Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch and Democratic Party of Illinois Chair and State Representative Lisa Hernandez - both major recipients of Madigan Money - were in allowing corruption to run without restrictions in the Democratic party.
“Speaker Welch and Chairwoman Hernandez abdicated their responsibility to the people of Illinois to cover for Mike Madigan and were rewarded for their loyalty by obtaining major leadership positions in the Democratic Party,” said Illinois House Republican Leader Jim Durkin. “What do they have to say now about the corruption charges against their leader and political godfather? The people of Illinois deserve to know.”
Two years ago, after ComEd admitted to a nearly ten-year scheme to bribe former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan, Illinois House Republican Leader Jim Durkin demanded the creation of a special committee to investigate Madigan’s corrupt activity and determine grounds for discipline. Instead of running a real investigation, Welch, who was chosen to ‘lead’ the committee by Madigan, called it a “show trial” and shut down the committee without issuing any conclusions or findings after only three sham meetings, one witness and no subpoenas.
“Welch and Hernandez presided over a sham ‘Special Investigation’ into then-Speaker Madigan’s role in the ComEd scandal. They used it to provide him political cover, and were rewarded for their ‘hard work’,” said Illinois Republican Party Chairman Don Tracy. “The Democrats talk about the defining choice in this election, and they are correct - we are very different. Democrats cover for corruption to protect their power and Republicans want to take it away and give it back to the people of Illinois.”
Welch called the investigation a “political show that was concocted” by Republicans as a “power grab” for the minority party – but federal investigations prove otherwise as corruption charges against Madigan and his accomplices continue to grow.
After successfully shutting down the House investigation into Madigan, Welch was promoted to Speaker of the House and Hernandez was elected as the new chairwoman of the Democratic Party of Illinois. All three Democrats on the investigative panel were funded by campaign committees controlled by Speaker Madigan who had given about $585,000 to Manley, nearly $133,000 to Hernandez and more than $100,000 to Welch, according to state election board records as reported by WBEZ.
“Speaker Welch and Chairwoman Hernandez had the opportunity to live up to their oaths of office and end the pervasive corruption that has plagued our state,” said House Deputy Republican Leader Tom Demmer who served on the committee. “Instead, they chose to protect the power of politicians and political insiders. They failed the committee, they failed the people of Illinois and they continue to remain silent and actionless as the culture of corruption continues to operate.”
* Press release…
A press conference in support of HB 5785/SB 4229 will be held Friday, Oct. 21, in Rockford. Together with State Rep. Dave Vella of Rockford and State Sen. Christopher Belt of Swansea, Illinois Comptroller Susana A. Mendoza is championing a measure to ensure timely compensation for the next of kin of fallen first responders and members of the armed forces.
The state’s Line of Duty Compensation Act provides benefits for the families of law enforcement officers, members of the armed forces, firemen, paramedics and other first responders killed in the line of duty. However, the appropriations for these benefits can sometimes run out before the end of a fiscal year, requiring the state legislature to approve supplemental appropriations. That needlessly costs families time when they need support the most urgently. This measure aims to ensure a continuing line of appropriation so that there is no delay to the families.
* Laying the groundwork for a “stolen election” claim? Maybe…
New Poll Shows Darren Bailey Within Striking Distance of J.B. Pritzker in Illinois https://t.co/lMdEh5u8hE
That poll claimed 44 percent of the electorate say they’re Republicans, compared to 47 percent who said they were Democrats. I don’t know of any other Illinois statewide polls in the last 20 years which show a spread that even.
The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) was able to help thousands of homeowners with their mortgage payments last spring. Now, the Pritzker administration is reopening the mortgage assistance program to help more people who struggled to make payments throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
IHDA is making $115 million available to eligible homeowners starting Nov. 1. People can receive up to $30,000 from the Homeowner Assistance Fund, which is paid directly to a mortgage service or lender.
…Adding… New ad…
I'm fighting to stop Biden and Pelosi's radical agenda and protect our Southern Illinois values. Check out my newest TV commercial that is airing district-wide! pic.twitter.com/irLfu2PtUo
The @illinoissbe has updated early vote totals (10/21/22): Total VBM requested: 780,487 Total VBM returned: 235,002 Total VBM outstanding: 545,485 Return Rate: 30% Total Early Vote: 60,021 Total Grace Period: 828 Total Already Voted: 295,851https://t.co/44ga6AxRbY
* Foster, Lauf on opposite sides of abortion debate: But after winning the 11th District GOP primary in June, Lauf removed a section about her stance on abortion from the site. The missing text can be found on the nonpartisan Ballotpedia website.
* Illinois gubernatorial candidates asked about gender affirming care for minors: “Just look at the Parental Notification Act, Governor Pritzker allows children to make their own decisions without their parents involved, and it is wrong,” Bailey said. “I believe parents have the best interest in mind for their children and that parents should be making that decision, not teachers or doctors or governors.”
* Schakowsky’s fundraising towers over GOP challenger Rice’s: Schakowsky, of Evanston, collected $166,898 during the year’s third quarter, records show — far from the million-dollar hauls that U.S. Reps. Sean Casten of Downers Grove or Lauren Underwood of Naperville reported for their respective races in the 6th and 14th Districts.
* Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza touts a financial rebound while her GOP opponent questions her ties to Madigan: Teresi entered October with a little more than $26,000 in her campaign fund after raising more than $38,000 from July through September, including $21,000 from the campaign fund of Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin, who headed Griffin’s slate of Republican candidates but finished third in the GOP primary for governor. Mendoza had more than $1.4 million on hand at the start of the month, having raised more than $623,000 and spent a little more than $184,000 in the previous quarter.
* 18th State House District candidates Gabel and Hutchinson talk key Illinois issues ahead of the election: Hutchinson said the [SAFE-T] act has made Illinois’ neighborhoods unsafe. He said he supports providing police with more resources to address crime in communities instead. Gabel, who supports the act, said because it has not gone into effect yet, it has not affected neighborhood safety. She said she supports the act because it seeks to reform systemic racism in the criminal justice system by addressing use of force, body camera usage and pretrial detention, among other issues. The two candidates did, however, agree that banning automatic assault weapons would better protect communities from gun violence.
* Incumbent Joe Aiello faces newcomer Daniel Pittman in race for Sangamon County treasurer: This is Pittman’s first time running for elected office. He has received endorsements from Vote Vets, New Politics and Run For Something. Aiello works closely with organizations such as Veterans Administration, American Legion, St. John’s Breadline and others. As for endorsements, “The most important endorsement is from the voter on Election Day,” Aiello said.
* Recruiters at breweries, schools to fix poll worker shortage: As Adams noted, part of the challenge in recruiting more poll workers is reaching younger people. That’s something Cook County, Illinois (where Chicago is located) has been working hard at. Sally Daly, the deputy clerk of communications at Cook County Clerk’s Office, explained that they’ve been doing outreach with high school students. Even before the students are old enough to vote, they can sign up to work the polls. “We go into [high schools] and make a pitch to students .. .and let them know if they’re 16 years or older they can serve as an election judge. And we pay, they can make some money for a day and also serve their democracy,” she said.
* Posted in the order they were received. Pritzker campaign…
Today, the JB for Governor campaign released a new ad featuring two-term Democratic President and South Side resident Barack Obama sharing his endorsement of Governor JB Pritzker and Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton for reelection.
President Barack Obama: Illinois will always hold a special place in my heart. You believed in me before anyone else did. And you believed in JB Pritzker, too.
He’s made Illinois a national leader on so many issues we care about: raising the minimum wage, protecting voting rights, cracking down on the sale of illegal guns.
JB also signed a landmark law protecting a woman’s right to choose.
That’s why I’m proud to cast my ballot to reelect JB Pritzker.
That’ll be on broadcast TV, as well as other platforms.
…Adding… Looks like Obama taped other candidate endorsement ads in the same room. Click here.
* Proft’s PAC…
People Who Play By The Rules PAC has launched a new ad, “POLITICIAN VS. PROSECUTOR.” It is available on YouTube, the PBR PAC Facebook Page and will run on statewide media this week.
Both are Democrats, but only one is telling the truth.
Pritzker: “There’s no such thing under the SAFE-T Act as ‘non-detainable offenses.’ No one is getting out of jail, if prosecutors do that that’s on them.”
VERSUS
Glasgow: “Well obviously, that is not the truth. We have about 640 people in jail. Half of them would walk out on Day 1, and that’s not on the prosecutor, that’s on the statute.”
* Illinois is the second-largest sports betting market in the US. WGN…
The latest data release by the Illinois Gaming Board shows $565 million in gross gaming revenues for the state in August alone, $8 million more than New Jersey.
According to PlayIllinois.com, an online blog based in Las Vegas devoted to news about legal and regulated gambling in Illinois, those revenues were up 9% from July and a whopping 41% from August 2021.
PlayIllinois attributes the growth to a March 2022 change in legislation which allowed Illinois residents to register for sportsbooks through the internet rather than at one of the state’s land-based casinos.
The August data also shows the state has passed the $1 billion mark in gross gaming revenue from online activity since it began 29 months prior. That amount accounts for 94% of all sports bets made, meaning only 6% of sports bets are made in physical books across Illinois.
A proposal to relocate and expand Aurora’s Hollywood Casino is cleared for a final vote at the Aurora City Council meeting Oct. 25.
If the deal passes — the 12 City Council members had no objections to the proposal at Tuesday’s Committee of the Whole meeting — the new resort will be located on Farnsworth Avenue, across from the Chicago Premium Outlets on the city’s east side.
The new Hollywood Casino campus would move from its current location on the Fox River to the I-88 corridor where it would occupy a space that would include a 200-room hotel and a 10,000-square-foot event space, officials said. The city-owned site most recently housed two hotels and a car dealership. […]
The funding includes a $50 million bond issuance from the city, which officials said would be repaid from increased property taxes received from the new site, not from general funds from taxpayers.
“As an added assurance, if property taxes aren’t enough to cover payment in any given year, Penn has agreed to make up the difference,” Clayton wrote in an email.
CBS 2’s Shardaa Gray spent Wednesday speaking with business owners near the existing casino, some who want it to stay, while others say good riddance.
One business said they’d like to see the casino stay because it brings in customers. Another business said they’ll do fine if they stay or leave, but one restaurant said the casino is hurting their business. […]
Despite council members wanting to move forward, some residents are against the move.
“I want you to think about this check and next week when I come back, if you vote yes, I’m going to ask you to sign this check,” said Aurora resident David Cannon during a city council meeting.
While other suburban casinos are moving to new locations, Elgin’s Grand Victoria Casino is not only staying put but unveiling a new $4 million renovation that adds a Caesars Sportsbook and a World Series of Poker Room to its downtown operation. […]
Staying competitive in an Illinois gaming market that is “evolving just about every time you turn your head” is the goal, he said, and they’re always looking for ways to add new gaming experiences.
While competitor Hollywood Casino plans to move its Aurora and Joliet casinos to new locations — the former is leaving its downtown spot for a higher traffic area near Interstate 88 and Farnsworth Avenue — Grand Victoria won’t be going anywhere, Guerrero said.
“We are committed to the city of Elgin, to our region,” he said. “We are happy with the support and the assistance we’ve gotten through the community, and we hope to continue those relationships going forward.”
* More…
* Bally’s Chicago Comes to Project Labor Agreement: Bally’s Corporation (NYSE: BALY) today announced that it has signed a Multi-Project Labor Agreement (PLA) with the Chicago & Cook County Building & Construction Trades Council (CCBT) and the AFL-CIO Building and Construction Trades Department as it relates to construction of its flagship Bally’s Chicago casino.
* Bullets, Ballots And Bribery Define Early Illinois Gambling History: In Illinois’ early days, Americans generally accepted gambling as entertainment. But, when gambling commercialization took over, criminality followed, and the pastime became associated with laziness and vice —particularly among the upper classes. By 1830, Chicago’s protestant clergy denounced the activity, and city officials followed suit, jailing the owners of at least two local betting parlors.
* Rivers Tops Illinois Casinos Again In September: Last month, all 11 brick-and-mortar casinos in Illinois combined to hold over $113.8 million of gamblers’ wagers on slots and table games. Rivers accounted for about 41.3% of that total with $47 million in gross receipts. The next strongest performer in September 2022 was the Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin. Gross revenue from slots and table games there for the month came to about $12.1 million. The only other Illinois casino to post gross revenue of at least $10 million in September 2022 was Harrah’s Casino & Hotel in Joliet.
* 2,200 housing units near casino site get plan commission’s OK: The proposal envisions four high-rises, the tallest being 620 feet, or roughly 60 stories. Developer Jeffrey Shapack said he would start the multiphase project by converting a Salvation Army building at 509 N. Union Ave. into a hotel with 141 rooms.
* Darren Bailey makes stops in Southern Illinois Thursday on his state wide bus tour: “Gas, groceries, heating our homes. It has become too much. It’s too much. And it’s unfortunate that the little things, the sweetest things in life. We’re having to cut those out and it shouldn’t be that way. We can fix that. We can fix that. And we will. And it will start on November nine, Friends.” Bailey and Trussell also made a stop in Mt. Vernon, Anna, and Harrisburg. They were joined by Senator Terri Bryant and Representatives Paul Jacobs and Patrick Windhorst.
* Formerly incarcerated people in Illinois would get help finding jobs if a proposed bill passes: With the national unemployment rate for formerly incarcerated residents standing at about 27%, compared to 5% in the general population, according to the Prison Policy Initiative, a nonpartisan think tank. Now, Illinois lawmakers and advocates hope the proposed SAFER Communities Act will further help returning citizens — while at the same time helping small businesses and communities, too.
* As candidates fill the airwaves, spending on campaign ads hits a record pace: According to the firm, combined spending on TV and radio since July 1 has hit the $65 million mark. A few more ads likely will be purchased, but the $65 million includes payments for ads that will run over the next two and a half weeks before the Nov. 8 election.
* Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza touts a financial rebound while her GOP opponent questions her ties to Madigan: Teresi, 38, has since run a low-profile campaign in her bid to unseat Mendoza, attempting to tie her opponent to Democratic corruption while arguing that her financial credentials make her better suited for the relatively obscure state office, which oversees the state’s checkbook. Mendoza, 50, who made a failed bid for Chicago mayor in 2019 and is often seen to still have higher political ambitions, isn’t shy about taking credit for a modest rebound in the state’s finances during her six years in office — she was elected to a full term two years after winning a special election in 2016.
* Senate District 36: Candidate Halpin answers questions on pandemic, jobs and public safety: “Like throughout Western Illinois what Galesburg needs is jobs, jobs, jobs. We’ve seen over the years companies continue to shift jobs overseas and down to Mexico. I mean it’s been happening for 20 years or more. Maytag leaving in 2004, Gates Rubber shutting down divisions, any number of businesses throughout western Illinois. And so we need to start bringing things back,” Halpin said.
* Our public servants are getting old. Are toxic politics scaring away young people?: “We need a new generation,” U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., said on NBC’s “Meet the Press” Oct. 9. “We need new blood, in the House, the Senate and White House. I think that the country has been saying that.” I’ll add that we need new blood on city councils, village boards, township boards, park boards, library boards and other local units of government.
* Beyond the Race for Governor, This Illinois Election Will Feature Some Big Decisions: The balance of the state’s Supreme Court, which brings with it questions over major issues like abortion; races that could determine control over the U.S. House of Representatives; whether or not Illinois’ constitution will change and more could all be decided
