Prairie State Energy ad criticized
Thursday, Jul 15, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Energy and Policy Institute…
As negotiations continue over a climate and energy bill in Illinois, misleading online advertisements from a group called “Voices for Cooperative Power” have appeared. The ads running in Illinois political media outlets claim that legislators are on the verge of closing the Prairie State Energy Campus, a “state-of-the-art coal plant” that has “$1 billion of emissions controls.” While state lawmakers are working on how to equitably phase out coal and gas power plants in the state, the advertisements imply that the Prairie State Energy Campus should remain open because it is “highly efficient” and “came online during the Obama-Biden Administration.”
In truth, the $5 billion 1,600 MW coal plant located in Marissa, IL – about 50 miles from St. Louis – emits more carbon dioxide, methane, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides than any other power plant in the state. These pollutants are greenhouse gases and contribute to global warming while causing severe health and environmental problems. Prairie State was also the eighth largest carbon polluter among power plants in the United States in 2019, when it emitted 13,859,542 metric tons of carbon dioxide.
Voices for Cooperative Power, which is behind the online advertisements, is a new advocacy effort from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) – the trade association for electric cooperatives. NRECA launched Voices for Cooperative Power earlier this year. The website, which was registered on February 24, 2021 and went live on May 6, 2021, features NRECA policy priorities along with images of electric cooperative members – though some are simply stock images available for purchase. The banner image used on the main page of the Voices for Cooperative Power website is a stock photo available at Shutterstock, titled “Group of Diversity People Teamwork Together.” Another image on the main page of the website is also a stock image, titled “Friendly female colleagues having good relationships, pleasant conversation at workplace during coffee break, smiling young woman listen talkative coworker, discussing new project, talking in office.”
The advocacy effort replaces NRECA’s “Our Energy, Our Future” program, which campaigned against President Obama’s Clean Power Plan as well as other EPA proposed rules. The Voices for Cooperative Power Twitter handle was renamed from the original “Our Energy, Our Future” account, which explains the account start date of 2009, and older posts frequently link to that effort’s now-deleted website and other social media channels. […]
In addition to running misleading ads in Illinois, the website emphasizes electric cooperatives’ efforts to reduce emissions, including a deceptive claim that “nearly two-thirds of [cooperative] power comes from low- or no-emission sources.” NRECA’s figure appears to include fossil gas plants as a “low- or no-emission source.” Gas typically emits half the carbon of coal when burned, but that’s still far from no emissions, and these plants rely on a supply chain of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, prone to leaking.
Electric cooperatives also remain more reliant on coal than the US electricity sector as a whole. Coal accounted for 32% of electric cooperative retail sales in 2019, according to an NRECA fact sheet, with gas increasing to 32% as well that year; fossil fueled power plants account for nearly two-thirds of the industry’s power supply.
I’ve asked for a response from the advertiser.
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* Press release…
As violent crime continues to rise in Chicago, gubernatorial candidate Gary Rabine says people need to look beyond the statistics and see the impact the crime wave is having on real people.
“It is easy to get lost in the numbers because the numbers are astonishing,” Rabine said. “But the real story is the impact violent crime is having on the everyday life of people. The victims of these crimes have friends, family, co-workers and neighbors. These people are the ones bearing the losses in their communities as part of their daily life.”
Rabine has been meeting with people impacted by violent crime in the City of Chicago. Just recently, he sat down with Bella Luna Café owner Danny Alberga, who has made the decision to close his business at 10 pm to keep his employees and customers safe.
“This decision was made because violent crime has increased in areas in close proximity to the Bella Luna Café,” Rabine said. “The violence is hitting close to home for a lot of people, and they are having to make some big decisions as a result. It is not something that is happening somewhere to someone else – it is happening directly to them in their neighborhoods.”
Rabine noted that homicides have increased 33 percent compared to this time in 2019. During the recent Fourth of July holiday in Chicago, there was a record-breaking weekend for violence as more than 104 people were shot with 19 fatalities. At least 13 of the people shot were children.
“Children should not be shot in the streets,” Rabine said. “Murders should be on the decline – not on the rise. Business owners like Danny Alberga should be able to keep their usual business hours to serve their customers. Chicago is a world-class city. It should be safe. Honest people are living in fear. This has to change. I am calling on Gov. Pritzker to take immediate action to get the violence under control. The safety of Illinois residents should be the highest priority for our state’s leaders.”
* Press release…
Today, organizer, activist, and nationally-recognized gun violence prevention advocate Kina Collins’ campaign for Congress announced it more than doubled incumbent Rep. Danny Davis’ fundraising haul, raising $130,154 to Davis’ $52,212. The announcement makes it clear that Rep. Danny Davis faces a hotly-contested primary challenge in IL-7, one far more serious than any he has faced in previous cycles.
While over 90% of Kina Collins’ donations came from contributions under $200, her opponent received the majority of his donations from PACs. The contrast makes it clear that Collins’ grassroots base is fired up — and that Rep. Danny Davis is losing his hold on the voters of a district he’s long taken for granted.
Davis has about $300K in the bank and universal name recognition.
* Press release…
U.S. Representative Darin LaHood (R-Dunlap) announced today that he raised over $473,000 in the second quarter of 2021, raising close to $1 million total in 2021. LaHood’s report shows financial support throughout Illinois and the 18th District with over $3.5 million cash on hand.
*** UPDATE *** I’ve been telling subscribers about this for several days, and there’s a whole lot more to the story than this news item reveals…
State Rep. Tony McCombie, R-Savanna, is considering a bid for state Senate District 37 after remapping of the state House districts would force her to primary a fellow Republican in the 2022 election.
McCombie is serving her third term in the Illinois House. Rather than challenge State Rep. Andrew Chesney, R-Freeport; or State Rep. Tom Demmer, R-Dixon; McCombie said she is exploring the new 37th State Senate District.
If McCombie decides to run in the 37th District, she would likely have to primary freshman State Sen. Win Stoller, R-Germantown Hills, to win election.
“Democrat politicians drew this map behind closed doors and consolidated me with other Republicans, aiming to push me out of office,” McCombie said in a news release. “Rather than challenge a House colleague, many community leaders I represent are encouraging me to run to continue to represent them in the state Senate in District 37.” […]
“The transparency, work ethic and perspective I bring coming from the state line region is a unique viewpoint that a legislator from the central part of the state likely has not experienced.”
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Question of the day
Thursday, Jul 15, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Last month…
Secretary of State Jesse White is warning Illinois residents to be on alert for multiple texting and emailing scams claiming to be from the Secretary of State’s office seeking personal information to defraud Illinoisans. “I have zero tolerance for fraudsters who prey on people in desperate times,” said White. “My office is working with the Illinois Attorney General’s office to protect Illinoisans from falling victim to these fraudulent schemes.”
White is warning the public of scammers who are sending unsolicited text messages or emails claiming to be from the Illinois Secretary of State. In some instances, the scammers copy the Secretary of State website logosand masthead to appear official.
* I got one today. Here’s a MightyText screenshot…
The SoS office tells me they’ve had some success shutting down these fraudster websites. So far, they’ve managed to knock out 271 of them.
Earlier today, I received an obviously fake but oh-so-serious robocall claiming that I’m being sued and that my Social Security number had been compromised.
Been that kind of a day.
* The Question: Have you ever been defrauded? Come close? Explain.
…Adding… From Secretary White’s spokesperson…
Thanks for posting this topic on your blog. Public education is a powerful weapon to combat these scams and fraudsters.
Secretary White reminds residents: DO NOT CLICK on links and DO NOT provide personal information. To provide the Secretary of State’s office with screenshots of scams, please email ScamAlert@ilsos.gov
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* Press release…
The Illinois Supreme Court announced today an amendment to Order M.R. 30370 concerning residential evictions. Timed to coincide with the resumption of eviction filings effective August 1, 2021, the amended Order provides for a one-month period in which the judiciary will focus on referring newly filed cases to State programs providing financial assistance to landlords and tenants.
In March 2020, Governor J.B. Pritzker declared a State of Emergency in response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and the President of the United States declared the COVID-19 outbreak a national emergency. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) (P.L. 116-136) and American Rescue Plan Act (P.L. 117-2) were passed by Congress and signed into law by the President to deploy over $1 billion to Illinois renters and landlords in rental assistance, housing counseling, legal aid, and mediation services in an effort to prevent evictions.
In response, the Governor prohibited the commencement of certain residential evictions and the enforcement of certain residential eviction orders by Executive Order. The Governor announced that the eviction moratorium would permit filing of new eviction cases on August 1, 2021, though enforcement of certain eviction judgments would remain barred through August 31, 2021.
Because of a concern that the expiration of the eviction moratorium could potentially flood Illinois Courts with a large volume of cases seeking to be heard and decided in a short time frame, the Illinois Supreme Court will institute a triage period in which certain newly filed residential eviction cases cannot be acted on until the final expiration of the moratorium. Courts will use this time to guide landlords and tenants to programs designed to help them avoid eviction.
The triage period will begin on August 1, 2021, with the implementation of this amended order, and will conclude on September 1, 2021, when the order is vacated.
“These cases could not be enforced until the Governor’s moratorium completely expires, so this process will not delay the ultimate resolution of cases in the court system,” said Judge Eugene Doherty, Chief Judge of the 17th Judicial Circuit and Vice-Chair of the Illinois Supreme Court’s COVID Task Force. “In planning for the winding down of the moratorium, the Task Force met regularly with representatives of the Governor’s office to ensure that the process would be as smooth as possible for landlords and tenants. This information sharing between the judicial and executive branches of government was essential in planning the implementation of the triage period.”
Amended Order M.R. 30370 is available on the Court website by clicking here.
* Related…
* Advocates Call for More Resources for Homelessness as Eviction Ban Ends
* 70,000 Illinoisans seek emergency rental payments
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[The following is a paid advertisement.]
Climate change is no longer an impending crisis. We’re in a state of emergency right now. Last month, more than 480 people died in the Pacific Northwest when temperatures skyrocketed to 117 degrees. Last week, the Gulf of Mexico was on fire.
But instead of taking action in Illinois, fossil fuel companies and out-of-state interest groups are working overtime to mislead consumers about the health, cost, and climate impacts of toxic coal plants. Recently, Congressman Rodney Davis earned a “Pants on Fire” rating for claiming that the Prairie State coal plant was somehow not a major polluter.
Here’s the truth: Prairie State is one of the largest polluters in the nation, and that one plant is responsible for nearly 30% of all CO2 emissions in the Illinois power sector.
The impact of this toxic coal plant isn’t theoretical: Prairie State causes roughly one premature death every week and costs nearly $2 billion a year in damage to our health and environment.
Legislators have an opportunity to pass an equitable energy bill that not only closes dangerous coal plants like Prairie State, but provides resources for impacted communities while maintaining reliable power for everyone in Illinois.
Learn more at ilcleanjobs.org.
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[The following is a paid advertisement.]
Lawmakers are on the verge of passing legislation that would raise electric rates and turn Illinois into an exporter of jobs and importer of energy from neighboring states with higher carbon intensity. While masquerading as a clean energy bill, the proposal would shut down highly efficient, state-of-the-art power plants in Illinois in favor of energy produced in states that are far behind on meeting carbon reduction goals. Legislators must reject this plan and keep energy affordable, reliable and made in Illinois.
Coming online in 2012 during the Obama-Biden Administration and purpose-built with $1 billion of emissions controls, Prairie State Energy Campus stands apart from older, traditional coal plants. Employing more than 650 full-time workers and another 1,000 union contractors, Prairie State has also partnered with state and federal officials to study ways to further cut emissions. Illinois Electric Cooperatives and municipalities that own Prairie State are committed to keeping energy affordable and reliable while we invest in a cleaner energy future, but we cannot let policy get ahead of technology. Forcing a premature closure of Prairie State will have affordability and reliability impacts for Illinois electric cooperative and municipal consumers. Prairie State is the bridge to Illinois’ energy future.
For more information and to get involved, click Help Illinois Electric Co-ops, Municipalities and Workers Prevent the Premature Closure of Prairie State (voicesforcooperativepower.com)
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* Press release…
Surrounded by sponsoring lawmakers, criminal justice reform advocates and a victim of wrongful conviction, today Governor JB Pritzker signed a package of nation-leading legislation that puts Illinois at the forefront of the work to bring about true reform to the state’s justice system.
“An essential tenet of good governance is recognizing the need to change the laws that have failed the people they serve. My administration has infused that value into everything we do,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “The four bills I’m signing today advance the rights of some of our most vulnerable in our justice system and put Illinois at the forefront of the work to bring about true reform. Together, these initiatives move us closer to a holistic criminal justice system, one that builds confidence and trust in a system that has done harm to too many people for far too long.”
The package of bills signed into law today include:
• Senate Bill 2122, which prohibits the use of deceptive tactics by all law enforcement when interrogating a minor. Sponsored by Senator Peters and Representative Slaughter, the bill takes effect January 1, 2022.
• Senate Bill 64, which encourages the use of restorative justice practices by providing that participation in such practices and anything said or done during the practice is privileged and may not be used in any future proceeding unless the privilege is waived by the informed consent of the party or parties covered by the privilege. Sponsored by Senator Peters and Representative Ammons, the bill takes effect immediately.
• Senate Bill 2129, which allows the State’s Attorney of a county in which a defendant was sentenced to petition for resentencing of the offender if the original sentence no longer advances the interests of justice. Sponsored by Senator Peters and Representative Cassidy, the bill takes effect January 1, 2022.
• House Bill 3587, which creates the Resentencing Task Force Act to study ways to reduce Illinois’ prison population via resentencing motions. Sponsored by Senator Peters and Representative Slaughter, the bill takes effect immediately.
More details about the bills are at the link.
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* Background is here if you need it. Here’s Rachel Hinton…
The newly minted chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois won’t be able to personally raise money for state races or have a hand in picking members of a committee tasked with doing so, if members of the Federal Election Commission uphold language in a draft opinion they’re expected to discuss Thursday. […]
Carol Ronen, a former state legislator and member of the Democratic state central committee who supported Kelly in her bid to lead the party, viewed the draft opinion as a win for the congresswoman and said party members should be “pleased.”
Democrats knew when they selected Kelly there’d be “some parameters about her not being able to raise state money” and they proposed a solution that the election commission looks poised to accept, said Ronen, who represents the North Side and north suburban 9th Congressional District for the party.
But Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough, who supported a rival candidate for chair in her party role representing the city and west suburban 7th Congressional District, said the draft opinion is “what I anticipated.” […]
“I guess we’ve got some decisions to make,” said Yarbrough, who supported Ald. Michelle Harris (8th) over Kelly in the party leadership battle. […]
Kelly supporter Bill Houlihan, who represents the party in the 18th Congressional District in central Illinois, said under Madigan the party’s coffers were largely used to ensure a Democratic majority in the Illinois House. Now, the funds will be used for much more.
Um, Bill. Madigan raised all the money that was used to fund House campaigns. It’s not like DPI is gonna suddenly have all this cash laying around that wouldn’t have been collected by the party without MJM. C’mon. You know this, man.
*** UPDATE 1 *** DPI press release…
In an overwhelming 5 – 1 vote, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) today confirmed Democratic Party of Illinois (DPI) Chairwoman Robin Kelly’s proposed leadership structure for the state party. At a meeting today, the FEC approved Kelly’s intent to establish a special committee to administer its state fundraising account. The FEC’s decision was in response to Kelly proactively requesting for its input to ensure compliance with state and federal campaign finance laws as DPI works to include more leadership and voices in the state party. See the FEC draft advisory opinion adopted here.
In an April letter requesting the FEC opinion, DPI presented the option of a special committee to administer DPI’s state fundraising account as a new governance structure under Kelly’s leadership.
“Today’s FEC advisory opinion affirms my vision for a new Democratic Party of Illinois that encourages more voices to be involved in all aspects of the party,” Kelly said. “As the first woman and first woman of color elected to chair DPI, I believe that a broader coalition of perspectives can only strengthen our party and help us elect more Democrats up and down the ballot.”
Based on the FEC’s decision, DPI will now establish a governance structure, the Building Leadership, Unity, and Equity (BLUE) Illinois Fundraising Committee, to ensure compliance with all state and federal campaign finance laws. The special committee will have complete responsibility for the state account’s operations and activities, including the state account’s fundraising and spending.
“DPI’s new fundraising structure is the way forward as we grow and expand the Democratic Party throughout Illinois,” Tim Drea, president of the Illinois AFL-CIO, said. “I’m looking forward to engaging more people across the state as we continue to prioritize and support our working families.”
“It’s a new day for the Democratic Party of Illinois and this new structure meets the moment,” House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch said. “Our political apparatus needs to be far more inclusive. I’m excited to get to work with a broader coalition of Democrats.”
Kelly is not the first federal office holder to chair a state party. The Democratic Party of Georgia is currently chaired by Congresswoman Nikema Williams and until recently the Republican Party of Colorado was chaired by Congressman Ken Buck. However, the FEC has not previously issued guidance on how a federal office holder can lead a state or local political party and ensure compliance with federal campaign finance laws and regulations.
“I see this new structure greatly benefiting candidates who may not have been the focus of fundraising efforts before,” Senate President Don Harmon said. “I applaud Chairwoman Kelly for establishing a structure that invites more voices, more diversity and ultimately even more successes.”
Consistent with its existing DPI bylaws, the special committee will be included in a reform package shared with the State Central Committee in the coming days for consideration.
*** UPDATE 2 *** Tribune…
Federal Elections Commissioner James “Trey” Trainor, a Republican from Texas, voted in favor of the ruling but also contended federal campaign finance law has a chilling effect on allowing federal officeholders to serve in state partisan roles.
“Essentially, what we’re doing in this advisory opinion is turning the party chairmanship in Illinois, into a purely honorary role, without the power to direct a very large portion of the activities that the Democratic Party of Illinois engages in,” Trainor said.
He ain’t wrong.
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* Treasurer Mike Frerichs was on his home turf in Champaign yesterday to talk about grants to small not-for-profits. But he got some off-topic questions as well…
Frerichs says more can be done to strengthen state government’s fiscal health, but it will have to be done without a graduated state income tax, which Illinois voters rejected in a state constitutional amendment referendum in the November 2020 election.
“I think the voters had a chance to weigh in,” said Frerichs. “They weighed in. I think it’s now the job of the General Assembly and the governor to make sure they’re passing balanced budgets, that they’re paying down our deficits, and keeping Illinois on a path of financial security.”
Frerichs sidestepped a question about the role of federal stimulus funding in shoring up the state budget. He also said a tax on retirement income is not needed, and downplayed a suggestion he made last year about how it would be politically easier to enact taxes on retirement income, if voters approved a graduated state income tax.
“I think, comments I made were taken out of context,” said Frerichs, who adds that he has not decided yet if he will seek a third term as state treasurer in 2022. “I think the General Assembly needs to focus on passing balanced budgets. I don’t think we need to tax retirement income.”
My headline last June was “Frerichs steps on third rail.” He shoulda known better. And, by the way, I would be shocked if he doesn’t run again.
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* Brenden Moore looks at what could happen in the wake of the state’s recent credit upgrades…
Despite having the worst credit rating of any state, Illinois has not had issues finding investors to buy its “paper,” with many viewing the state’s risk of default as minimal. […]
“Illinois has been able to borrow at cheap rates for years now, partly because interest rates have been low,” [Marty Luby, a University of Texas professor who specializes in public finance] said. “So, on an absolute basis, Illinois’ been borrowing at really low rates. Relative to other states, there’s been a big spread, but they still have had access to capital even when they were one notch away from basically a junk bond.” […]
But, the ratings upgrade opens opportunities for “potentially more investment in capital from the state,” Luby said, as lower interest rates will lead to lower capital costs.
It could be good timing as a massive federal infrastructure bill looks more possible than it has in years.
“The other side of is that the state has tons of debt on its books currently,” Luby said. “So having a credit rating upgrade means that they can borrow more cheaply, which means that they may have opportunities to refinance the existing debt.”
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* I’ll have more on this later. Fox 32…
Governor JB Pritzker is hours away from signing a bill into law that will change how marijuana licenses are doled out.
It comes after a lot of controversy and outrage about the program. There are zero minority owned or even female owned dispensaries in the state.
“If I live in Winnetka and I am very rich and wealthy, all I need to do is make a promise that I will hire someone from one of those areas that’s been disadvantaged by the war on drugs as a social equity applicant. We eliminated that,” said State Representative La Shawn Ford.
Ford, a Democrat from the 8th District, co-sponsored House bill 1443 to make the marijuana license lottery system more equitable. […]
The legislation expands cannabis licenses in Illinois to include 175, which is up from the original 75. Fifty licenses will solely be for “social equity applicants” after the state had a botched scoring system.
*** UPDATE *** Press release…
Governor JB Pritzker today announced three lotteries to distribute 185 licenses to operate adult-use cannabis dispensaries will be held in July and August. Additionally, over 200 people across the state have qualified to receive Craft Grow, Infuser, and Transporter licenses, the first set of licenses to be awarded under the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act (CRTA).
Of those eligible to receive the licenses for craft grow, infuser and transportation, 67 percent identify as non-white and 100 percent are qualified social equity applicants.
The Governor also signed HB 1443, technical legislation that establishes additional avenues to include more eligible social equity applicants in the new cannabis industry. The announcements build on the administration’s efforts to provide Illinois residents from diverse backgrounds with equitable access to the newly established cannabis industry.
“Over the past century, the failed war on drugs has destroyed families, filled prisons with nonviolent offenders, and disproportionately disrupted Black and brown communities. Legalizing adult-use cannabis brought about an important change and this latest piece of legislation helps move us even closer to our goal of establishing a cannabis industry in Illinois that doesn’t shy away from the pain caused by the war on drugs, but instead centers equity and community reinvestment as the key to moving forward,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “I would like to thank Representative Ford and Leader Lightford for their partnership, unwavering commitment to serving the people of Illinois, and hard work on getting this legislation across the finish line.”
“Almost all states that have legalized cannabis have done so in a way that produced a multi-billion-dollar industry dominated by a handful of corporations and individuals that lack diversity. But Illinois is attempting to produce a cannabis industry that actually looks like Illinois,” said Toi Hutchinson, Senior Advisor on Cannabis Control. “What we’re attempting to accomplish is hard to do and takes time to accomplish, but we have an obligation to ensure that it gets as strong a start as possible. These upcoming dispensary license lotteries are a result of the administration’s continued commitment to working hand in hand with the General Assembly, community groups, and other stakeholders, to put equity first as we take these initial steps in building an inclusive industry.”
Lottery Dates
The Illinois State Lottery will conduct a total of three lotteries for adult-use dispensary license applicants this year. The lotteries will be held on:
July 29th: the lottery for qualifying applicants who received who received a score of at least 85% of the 250 application points will be held for the 55 licenses in that category.
August 5th: the lottery for social equity justice-involved applicants who received a score of at least 85% of the 250 application points and are located in a disproportionately impacted area or have an eligible conviction will be held for the 55 available licenses in that category.
August 19th: the final lottery will be held for top scoring, tied applicants for the original 75 licenses outlined in the CRTA.
Lotteries for all cannabis-related licenses, as it is for all other lotteries, will be a completely blind process managed by the Illinois State Lottery. All draws will be automated via a computer program and the Lottery will run multiple quality assurance checks before delivering the final results of each lottery to IDFPR. The results of each lottery will be available by 5 p.m. on the day of the draws.
HB 1443
Under the CRTA, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) is permitted to issue 75 conditional adult-use cannabis dispensary licenses. HB 1443, which was introduced by Representative LaShawn Ford and Leader Lightford and supported by the administration, expands opportunities by creating two new lotteries:
A social equity justice-involved lottery for 55 additional licenses to be awarded to:
those who have received a score of at least 85% on their application, or 213 out of a total of 250 possible points; and
live in a disproportionately impacted area, has an eligible cannabis conviction, or has a family member with an eligible cannabis conviction;
A lottery for an additional 55 licenses for applicants who had a score of at least 85% on their application. In total, 185 dispensary licenses will be determined through the lottery process.
“Today, we continue our march forward in the implementation of the most equitable cannabis program in the country,” said Mario Treto, Jr., Acting Secretary of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. “This announcement reflects the tireless work by the Pritzker Administration, lawmakers, and advocates to ensure the next generation of cannabis dispensary licensees are qualified applicants who reflect the diversity that truly makes this state great. We look forward to this undertaking and are ready to take these next steps.”
HB 1443 is effective immediately.
Craft Grow, Infuser and Transportation
In addition to dispensary licenses, the Illinois Department of Agriculture, which is responsible for the licensing process for craft grow, infuser, and transporter licenses, today issued notifications to applicants who are eligible to receive one of 213 total licenses: 40 craft grow, 32 infuser, and 141 transporter. Craft grow and infuser applicants have 10 business days to respond to the notification confirming their interest in receiving a license and to submit the required fee and documents. Transporter applicants have until February 2022 to confirm their interest in receiving a license.
These applicants will become public upon confirmation of their submission of the required documentation and fees.
“The Department is pleased to notify eligible applicants who will soon be joining the Illinois Adult Use Cannabis market,” said Illinois Department of Agriculture Director, Jerry Costello. “I am proud that this new generation of licensed cannabis industry leaders in education, cultivation, manufacturing, and transportation is one of the most diverse and equity-focused in any adult-use legal state. I look forward to continuing to work with our licensees, our partners in the Legislature and at other state agencies, and the community to improve our process as we move forward together.”
Under state law, applicants for craft grow, infuser, and transporter licenses were not required to report demographic data such as race, gender, or age; however, 80% of applicants opted to self-report. Of the applicants who received a notification from IDOA that they are eligible for one of the 213 available licenses, 67% total reported being non-white. In regard to majority ownership, 98 applicants reported being Black owned, 19 Latinx, and 34 Black woman owned.
Community College Curricula
The Cannabis Community College Vocational Pilot Program grants eligible higher education institutions the ability to develop a curriculum to train a new generation of cannabis industry professionals and leaders. Under the CRTA, IDOA was restricted to issuing licenses for the program to a maximum of eight community colleges statewide. HB 1443 removes those restrictions and grants the department the ability to grant licenses to as many community colleges that are eligible.
Today, the administration announced the seven inaugural recipients of the license as well as plans to announce additional licenses soon. The community college license recipients are: Kishwaukee College, Oakton College, Olive-Harvey College, Shawnee Community College, Southwestern Illinois College, Triton College, and Wilbur Wright College.
This innovative program offers students a path to achieving a Career in Cannabis Certificate which includes the ability to work with, study, and grow live cannabis plants to prepare for a career in the legal cannabis industry and instruction in the legal compliance of the cannabis business industry, among other topics. The program is a vital part of the growing cannabis industry in Illinois and will provide a path to the thousands of new jobs being created right here in Illinois for community college graduates in communities around the state.
Social Equity Cannabis Loan Program
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) has established the Social Equity Loan (SEL) program to provide financial assistance for social equity licensees, and to help increase access to capital for prospective social equity cannabis entrepreneurs over time.
The SEL program will provide flexible low interest loans to assist with the expenses of starting and operating a cannabis business establishment. Loan terms will be determined on a case-by-case basis, with a general repayment term of over five years. To be eligible for the loan, a cannabis business establishment must receive licensure and meet the qualifications of a social equity applicant. Funding will be prioritized for applicants demonstrating the greatest adverse impact from the failed war on drugs. Licensees offered conditional acceptance into the Loan Program will be referred to lender partners for a full review of the loan application for funding consideration.
“Under Governor Pritzker’s leadership, Illinois is working to help communities disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs compete in the newly regulated cannabis market by providing technical assistance and helping cannabis entrepreneurs access capital,” said DCEO Acting Director Sylvia Garcia. “Through the cannabis social equity loan program, DCEO is working with lending partners to bring both state and private dollars to the table and maximize the impact of our cannabis social equity fund for the communities that need it most.”
To administer the loan program, DCEO is partnering with two lenders, Good Tree Capital and Credit Union 1, who will work alongside the state to provide low-interest loan agreements for qualifying SEA applicants. Loans may be made available up to the following amounts:
Transporter: $100,000
Adult-Use Dispensing Organization: $500,000
Infuser: $500,000
Cultivator: $1,000,000
Through its partnership with lending partners, the State anticipates up to $34 million in loans could be made available in the first year, and the State will work with partners to enhance the loan program to ensure that it is a sustainable source of financial support for the social equity community.
DCEO has launched an application intake portal allowing social equity awardees to submit to the loan program. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. The intake application is the first step in the loan approval process. Approved applicants will be referred to the participating lenders for loan underwriting. The intake form can be found online here.
Additionally, DCEO will provide technical assistance for social equity applicants to navigate the loan program and other statutory requirements associated with cannabis licensure in Illinois. More information on rules and eligibility for the loan program can be found on DCEO’s website.
“Government must be responsive to the voice of the people and HB1443 is a collaborative effort between public and private groups in responsive to the voices of the people, and HB1443 is a collaborative effort between public and private groups in response to concerns about Illinois’ cannabis law. I am grateful to social equity applicants for their willingness to work to help fix the law to help achieve the intent of Illinois’ cannabis law,” said State Representative LaShawn Ford (D-Chicago). “I hope that equity in the cannabis industry is a reality soon in Illinois. We are all anxiously awaiting a new diverse industry that includes people that have been locked up for cannabis-related issues and who have been locked out of a billion-dollar emerging industry. I applaud Governor Pritzker for signing this legislation and for his promise to ensure that the new cannabis industry includes Black and Brown people in Illinois.”
“The signing of HB1443 moves us closer to making the promise of equity in cannabis a reality in a state where the entire existing industry is overwhelmingly white. I was proud to partner with State Representative LaShawn Ford in passing HB1443 which is the result of dozens of meetings with stakeholders and applicants who demanded that their voices be heard,” said State Senator Kimberly Lightford (D-Maywood). “This industry has the potential to change lives, but only if we keep the principles of equity at the center of every decision we make.”
“From the very beginning, we sought to create the most diverse and equitable cannabis industry in the world, knowing that we had no bread crumbs to follow or examples of any state that had figured it out. The announcement of these demographics for the craft grow, infuser, and transportation licenses are proof that what we can accomplish is only limited by how hard we are willing to work,” said Speaker Pro Tempore Jehan Gordon-Booth (D-Peoria). “We all know that the existing industry does not include people who look like me. Today that changes. I couldn’t be more proud. Our next steps are to make sure that not only do we have new entrants, but we continue to create the conditions that will allow them to grow and compete.”
“I’m proud of the work the Latino and Black Caucuses did to ensure social equity within the cannabis industry through the changes in HB1443,” said State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago). “I hope this move brings the needed diversity to the industry so that we can begin to correct the decades of harm done to our communities through the war on drugs.”
In addition to expanding access to dispensary licenses, HB 1443 expands access for medical cannabis users by removing restrictions on where medical card holders can buy medicine. The legislation also adds eight additional community members to the Restore, Reinvest, Renew (R3) Board, and gives early approval adult use dispensaries the ability to relocate within the same medical district 90 days after the legislation is signed, among other provisions.
For more information on craft grow, infuser, and transporter licenses, go to the Illinois Department of Agriculture website. For more information about conditional adult-use cannabis dispensary licenses and the upcoming lotteries, go to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation website.
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Three-judge panel hears remap case
Thursday, Jul 15, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Capitol News Illinois…
Lawyers for plaintiffs and the state told a panel of federal judges Wednesday the issues involved in two lawsuits challenging the state’s legislative redistricting plan are “straightforward” and ought to be resolved in short order.
But the three-judge panel hearing the case appeared uncertain about how much time they actually have, given the deadlines that are spelled out in the Illinois Constitution and the fact that lawmakers this year pushed back the 2022 primary by three months, to June instead of March.
The two lawsuits – one by Republican legislative leaders and another by the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund, or MALDEF – both argue that the new state House and Senate district maps violate the U.S. Constitution because they were drawn using survey data rather than official U.S Census numbers, which have been delayed this year due to the pandemic and other factors. […]
But attorney Michael Kasper, who represents Welch and Harmon, said he doesn’t believe the case should go to trial because the plaintiffs lack standing to sue and because the case is not yet “ripe” for consideration.
He said that under previous U.S. Supreme Court decisions, plaintiffs can sue only if they can demonstrate that they live in a district where their vote has been diluted. He also argued that the question of whether district populations vary too widely can be answered only after the official census numbers are released in August.
There’s more, so go read the whole thing, but there’s a reason why Kasper gets paid the big bucks.
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LIG resignation roundup
Thursday, Jul 15, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Her full statement and react is here if you need it. Sun-Times…
The latest watchdog for the Illinois state Legislature offered her resignation on Wednesday, telling lawmakers their failure to pass meaningful ethics reform shows “true ethics reform is not a priority.”
Complaining her job is “essentially a paper tiger,” Legislative Inspector General Carol Pope sent her letter of resignation to members of the Legislative Ethics Commission, offering to step down immediately, stay on while they find a replacement or remain until her term ends in December. […]
Her frustrated departure is the latest blow for an office that had no permanent occupant for more than four years when Pope was appointed in December of 2018.
Former federal prosecutor Julie Porter, who served as a temporary inspector general for about a year and half during that time, also voiced concerns in a newspaper op-ed after she left, complaining the system is “broken” and “the legislative inspector general is not independent.”
* SJ-R…
Even though most Republican lawmakers voted for the bill, the Illinois Republican Party issued a news release Wednesday saying Pope’s resignation “is another sign that Democrats’ feigned efforts at ethics reform this past session was nothing more than lip service.”
* Hannah Meisel…
Pope told NPR Illinois that her repeated suggestions for how to improve the office have been ignored by the Democratically controlled General Assembly, and by her own assessment, legislation passed by lawmakers this spring aimed at ethics reform have actually weakened her office. The measure was sent to Gov. JB Pritzker but he hasn’t signed it yet.
“The public has had it up to their eyebrows with public corruption, and when I came to this job, I really felt like by appointing somebody with my background, if I had the ability to do the job in the right way, it would…improve the public’s view of the legislature,” Pope said Wednesday. “But I just don’t feel like I’ve been able to do that at all. It’s just time to move along.” […]
“Instead of expanding the role and the power of the legislative inspector general, it’s been restricted,” Pope told NPR Illinois. “And as a result, I just don’t feel like I can be effective in this job anymore, so I felt it necessary to tender my resignation.” […]
“I think that the system could be greatly improved with the suggestions I’ve given to the legislature,” Pope told NPR Illinois. “And I’ve tried my best to get that done and it really doesn’t seem to have gone anywhere. I would say that most people would be disappointed with the way things wound down in the General Assembly this year. It was supposed to be the year of big ethics reform and I don’t think that happened.”
* Tribune…
Through the first half of this year, Pope’s office received 31 complaints alleging wrongdoing by lawmakers or staff and opened six investigations, with three pending, all categorized as ” other, miscellaneous, or uncharacterized claims,” according to the office’s most recent quarterly report.
Pope’s most notable investigations dealt with harassment allegations lodged against two longtime aides to former House Speaker Michael Madigan. In October 2019, she released reports recommending that Tim Mapes, the former House clerk and Madigan chief of staff, and Kevin Quinn, the brother of 13th Ward Ald. Marty Quinn, be barred from future state employment. Both had long since been ousted from Madigan’s operation.
* React from potential Pritzker opponent…
He kinda got roasted for it…
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* Gov. Pritzker met privately with President Biden in the Oval Office yesterday. Here’s Lynn Sweet…
The two main items on Pritzker’s agenda in his talk with Biden:
• Dealing with $4.2 billion the federal government advanced to Illinois to keep its Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund afloat after it was drained of cash because of the enormous surge of claims triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. What kind of repayment breaks Biden can provide is not yet clear.
• Flagging how when it comes to the Biden administration helping fight gun violence, in Illinois, it’s more than about Chicago. Chicago, with unrelenting gun violence, is expecting in the coming days extra help - a strike force - from the Biden Justice Department. Pritzker said the Illinois State Police are already working with the ATF, DEA and the U.S. Attorney’s office to stop the flow of guns into Illinois.
“I wanted to double down on his understanding that we have a problem, it’s not just a Chicago problem. It’s a problem in Rockford, it’s a problem in other cities in Illinois. People just focus on Chicago, but it’s really a problem in a number of urban areas,” Pritzker said.
Biden also showed Pritzker around part of the White House grounds and West Wing.
Like I’ve been saying, the state’s unemployment insurance trust fund deficit is the biggest fiscal issue facing the state right now.
Also, kinda cool to get a personal POTUS tour, if you’re into that sort of thing.
* Greg Hinz…
In a phone call after the sessions, Pritzker did not indicate that he’d received any definitive promises from Biden other than to fully consider any Illinois requests. But he said the session went “very well” and described Biden as “gracious.” […]
Pritzker said he specifically asked for money for “logistics buildout,” an apparent reference to highway and railroad improvements designed to secure metropolitan Chicago’s place as a national distribution center. But he also asked for help in filling a huge hole in the state’s unemployment trust fund that is now in hock to the feds for hundreds of millions of dollars of expenses run up during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pritzker clearly would like the feds to erase some of the debt. But there are other possibilities, he added, including stretching out the period in which the state—more specifically, state employers—will have to pay off the debt.
* Pritzker also participated in a press conference with other White House attendees. Here’s Mike Flannery…
Asked about opposition to Biden’s big spending plans among some Illinois Republicans, Pritzker suggested their districts would benefit more than those of Democrats. “There are many, many more miles of roads that need to be repaired in those areas, not to mention we’ve got to replace our lead line pipes across the state of Illinois.”
Potential challenger Rodney Davis has been speaking against the infrastructure bill.
* Tribune…
Later Wednesday, Pritzker called it “an excellent bipartisan meeting and real discussion about things that we share in common across all of the leaders that were in the room.”
“There is a massive infrastructure deficit across the nation,” Pritzker said. “Each one had a different angle on what they need in this infrastructure bill. For Illinois, I talked not only about the roads and bridges and water ports and how important those are for our industry, as the crossroads of America run through Illinois, but also about building out our early childhood education centers as well as our child care centers. We need real investment in those.”
* Video..
* Raw White House video 1
* Raw White House video 2
* Raw White House video 3
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*** LIVE COVERAGE ***
Thursday, Jul 15, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Today’s post is sponsored by the Association Of Illinois Electric Cooperatives. Follow along with ScribbleLive…
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* Press release…
Democrat Alexi Giannoulias has won the support of progressive grassroots political network that grew out of the presidential campaign of U.S. Sen Bernie Sanders.
Our Illinois Revolution, which has over 40,000 voting progressive members throughout the State, endorsed Giannoulias for Secretary of State in 2022. Our Illinois Revolution has successfully leveraged its reform-minded influence in recent local elections including, assisting U.S. Representative Jesús “Chuy” García, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss and Fritz Kaegi who defeated longtime Cook County Assessor Joe Berrios.
Our Illinois Revolution Chair Emeritus Clem Balanoff, who served as an anti-machine Illinois State Representative and Cook County Elections Director for Cook County, the third largest voting jurisdiction in the nation, praised Giannoulias, his progressive policy initiatives and the ethics agenda he would implement as Secretary of State. As they have for other candidates, Our Illinois Revolution will mobilize voters on Giannoulias’ behalf in advance of the June 2022 primary election.
“Alexi is the true progressive in this race and has been a proven leader in the progressive movement for a long time,” said Balanoff, noting that Giannoulias served as Illinois State Treasurer from 2007 to 2011. “We’ve seen so many Secretaries of State across the country seeking to disenfranchise voters with restrictive voting suppression laws making it more difficult to register and vote. Illinoisians can rest assured that Alexi will protect voter rights and work to improve ballot access and enhance registration opportunities.”
In the last few months, Giannoulias has received the support of a number of labor organizations and the progressive 22nd Ward Independent Political Organization (IPO). Our Illinois Revolution is the first statewide grassroots organization to make an endorsement.
“We’re proud to endorse Alexi who will fight for accountable, transparent government and for progressive priorities of working Illinois families,” said Richard Rodriguez, National Treasurer of Our Revolution. “Alexi will put people first and will serve as a fearless fighter willing to stand up to powerful interests and while working to solve the biggest challenges that confront our state.”
“Alexi is an innovative problem solver who is building a broad-based coalition and is committed to the progressive principles that serve as our core values,” said Suzanna Ibarra, co-chair of Our Illinois Revolution. He will make an excellent Secretary of State and represents a new generation of progressive leaders who stand shoulder-to-shoulder with us as an ally to promote justice, equity and economic opportunity for those that need it most.”
“Having always supported progressive ideals, I’m so proud to have earned the endorsement of Our Illinois Revolution, which is a huge boost to our campaign,” Giannoulias said. “Our Illinois Revolution is leading the fight to ensure working families benefit and thrive in our growing economy. They can count on my commitment to always protect civil rights and fight for racial and social justice as a constitutional officer.”
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* Greg Bishop with the scoop…
The Illinois state legislature will have to start looking for another watchdog to police them after Legislative Inspector General Carol Pope said the position is “essentially a paper tiger,” and announced she’s going to leave the post in December.
In a letter to members of the bipartisan Illinois Legislative Ethics Commission Wednesday, Pope said she hoped to make a difference from the inside and improve the public’s view of the legislature by bringing true ethics reforms.
“Unfortunately, I have not been able to do so,” Pope said. “This last legislative session demonstrated true ethics reform is not a priority. The LIG has no real power to effect change or shine a light on ethics violations, the position is essentially a paper tiger.”
* The letter…
Dear LEC Members:
When I took this job as the Legislative Inspector General, I thought I might be able to make a difference working from the inside. I thought I could be useful in improving the public’s view of the legislature and help bring about true ethics reform. Unfortunately, I have not been able to do so. This last legislative session demonstrated true ethics reform is not a priority. The LIG has no real power to effect change or shine a light on ethics violations, the position is essentially a paper tiger.
I testified in front of the Joint Commission on Ethics reform on February 6, 2020. All of the items I talked about are still unimproved today, except for being able to initiate an investigation without prior approval by the LEC. I testified again this spring in front of the House and Senate Ethics committees about important issues that directly affect my office and the LEC. Those issues include having the ability to issue subpoenas without having to seek prior approval from the LEC, mandated publication of founded summary reports concerning legislators, the ability to publish reports that vindicate legislators, the incongruent jurisdiction between the LIG and the LEC and providing for the appointment of a nonpartisan citizen to serve as the ninth member of the LEC to avoid strictly partisan 4-4 votes. None of these reforms were adopted.
The General Assembly actually restricted the LIG’s jurisdiction during this last session by requiring the filing of a complaint before the LIG can undertake an investigation. If public allegations about a legislator are made, but no complaint is filed with the LIG’s office, the LIG cannot open an investigation. This actually is a throwback to legislation that existed prior to 2009. In 2009, the GA enacted legislation that removed the requirement of acting only on a complaint. See SB 54 of the 96th General Assembly. For the last 12 years, the LIG has been able to open an investigation based on public allegations in the media. But no longer.
ln addition, the GA restricted the LIG’s jurisdiction to matters arising out of government service or employment. As I have explained repeatedly. including before the Joint Commission on Ethics Refonn back in 2020, as a result of this, the LIG will not be able to investigate conduct unbecoming a legislator that results from things such as posting revenge porn on social media, failure to pay income taxes on non-legisJative income, and other conduct that I and the public think the LIG should be able to investigate.
While it is certainly within the prerogative of the Legislature to craft these statutes as it sees fit, I am unable to remain in a position where I cannot be as effective as I hoped to be. I appreciate the opportunity to have served the People of Illinois in this position and have enjoyed working with the LEC. I am willing to continue my service while you search for my replacement, or until December 15, 2021, whichever comes first. If you prefer I vacate the office while you search for my replacement, that is fine too. I am willing to assist my successor with the transition.
Sincerely.
Carol Pope
Legislative Inspector General
I ran the letter through an online PDF translator, so pardon any typos.
* React…
“Inspector General Pope has done an exceptional job in her role,” said state Rep. Avery Borne, R-Morrisonville, a member of the Legislative Ethics Commission. “Getting to lead her appointment process was one of the accomplishments I am most proud of throughout my time in the legislature.”
“I would like to thank her for her service to the people of Illinois and I am sad to see her resignation and her term cut short,” Bourne said. “I’m grateful she has in part used this role to highlight the important changes that must be made to further empower her office and truly reform the ethics act in Illinois. Let LIG Pope’s departure serve as a strong message to the Governor, Senate President, and House Speaker: your inaction on these basic proposed reforms is protecting politicians who violate the public’s trust.”
Another member of the commission, state Rep. Maurice West, D-Rockford also reacted to Pope’s letter when asked for comment.
“I thank Inspector Pope for the work that she’s done and I’m concerned that we did not meet the moment for true ethics reform that will improve trust in State Government,” West said. “Upon reading her resignation letter, my response is that I am committed to working on the issues that she mentioned, even if they are not popular - because they are the right policies to put in place.”
…Adding… John Patterson…
“President Harmon wants to thank Inspector General Pope for her dedication and service to the people of Illinois. A search for a new inspector general should start soon to make sure there is no vacancy in this vital position.”
…Adding… Senate GOP Leader McConchie…
Inspector Pope has proven to be a dedicated public servant representing the people of Illinois and their desire for a more ethical state government. Her job was difficult in a state that has a history of legislator misconduct. I wish her well and look forward to helping find a successor to carry this important mission forward.
…Adding… Reps. Kelly Burke and Maurice West…
We thank Carol Pope for her service to the state of Illinois in this vital position and we are committed to filling this vacancy quickly and thoughtfully.
The ethics reform package, which passed nearly unanimously this Spring, is an excellent first step and we have always been committed to further conversations that will continue to rebuild trust back in our state government. We do thank Ms. Pope for detailing some of her concerns in her resignation letter, but we feel confident that many are addressed in the new ethics package — or through law enforcement, which is the proper and just avenue for criminal activity outside the purview of official duties.
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Question of the day
Wednesday, Jul 14, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Last night…
* From the end of the editorial…
So Chicago has a lakefront eyesore and the Bears have an inadequate stadium. Chicagoans? They have the financial risk Daley promised they wouldn’t have.
Mayor Lightfoot and Chicago aldermen, don’t repeat your predecessors’ cave. If team owners want to be the Arlington Heights Bears, they have that right. You might, though, ask that they dismantle and take with them the seating bowl they insisted be built to appease them.
Chicago’s beleaguered taxpayers then would have what they previously had: a stadium that is comfortably sized for soccer and many other events — and that honors American soldiers.
I doubt the city and state could legally make that happen, but whatevs.
* The Question: How do you feel about the future of that editorial board post-purge?
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Unclear on the concepts
Wednesday, Jul 14, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Rep. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro)…
In this budget, we now allow for Medicaid for undocumented individuals who are 55 and older. So last year, it seemed like it stayed very quiet, I don’t know why more people were not talking about it, it was 65 and older. This year they slipped in 55 and older. So you may be 55 years old in this state, and a citizen and not eligible for Medicaid. But if you are an undocumented immigrant and 55 or older you’re eligible for Medicaid. So there are a lot of questions.
It really goes to the violence that we’re seeing in Chicago right now.
Um, Medicaid is not an age-based program. It’s an income-based program.
Last year during the height of the pandemic, the state expanded healthcare benefits similar to Medicaid to undocumented residents 65 and older who met Medicaid’s income requirements. Click here for those. That benefit was expanded this year to those 55 and older.
Point being, they’re not getting something that citizens with the same income status are not.
* Sen. Bryant then rambled on and on about how this canard was someone connected to the Chicago violence. Here’s the mayor’s office response via Politico…
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s office pushed back, saying the senator’s comments show “a blatant ignorance” on immigration policy and public safety.
“Data shows that welcoming city policies, like Chicago’s, create safer communities because residents feel more comfortable engaging with police and other city government officials when they do not fear their immigration status will become a factor. These policies also protect everyone’s due process,” the mayor’s office said in a statement to Playbook.
Lightfoot’s office criticized the use of “xenophobic tropes” and said, “Bryant should focus on working with us and her Senate colleagues to learn about and tackle the actual root causes of violence in our state.”
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* Press release…
As the state’s gradual phaseout of the pandemic eviction moratorium continues, Governor JB today encouraged renters and landlords to apply for $500 million in existing aid and announced that an additional round of assistance will open this fall.
For Illinois renters still struggling to pay their rent, the Illinois Rental Payment Program (ILRPP) is currently open and accepting applications for the current round of assistance until 11:59 p.m. this Sunday, July 18. Applications can be completed at: ILRPP.IHDA.org.
“Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Illinois implemented one of the largest emergency housing assistance programs in the nation – and as a result, tens of thousands of Illinois families have been able to access housing assistance so far,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “These resources have made a life-changing difference for these families, as the eviction moratorium comes to a close, we want to make sure that every eligible Illinoisan applies for this help. This year, Illinois quadrupled the relief that was available last year and were there for our residents when it mattered most. I’m pleased that we’ll be offering additional rounds of this critical funding to keep people in their homes.”
Governor Pritzker announced earlier this summer that the eviction moratorium would be lifted in August, with a gradual phaseout throughout the summer.
On July 23, the Governor will issue an Executive Order that allows eviction filings against covered persons to begin on August 1. The current prohibition on enforcement of eviction orders entered against covered persons will remain in place until August 31. Enforcement of eviction orders entered against covered persons will be allowed after August 31.
The Governor’s Office has been in close communication with members of the Illinois Supreme Court’s COVID-19 Task Force to ensure an orderly phase out of the eviction moratorium. Through a coordinated approach, we hope to relieve the potential pressure on the court system while also ensuring that tenants and landlords have every opportunity to benefit from the State’s rental assistance programs.
…Adding… Neighborhood Building Owners Alliance…
Today Governor J.B. Pritzker announced plans to bring stability to the State’s housing industry, which has been providing a crucial public service to fight the pandemic, often without public support.
The Neighborhood Building Owners Alliance (NBOA), which advocates for policies to support neighborhood housing providers, recommends that tenants who believe they are facing a possible eviction to communicate with their housing provider as soon as possible.
“Housing providers all over the State of Illinois are doing an amazing job throughout this pandemic of keeping people housed, often at great sacrifice to themselves and their families” said Michael Glasser, President of the NBOA. “Renters who are behind in their rent should work with their housing providers, and apply for help through the State’s emergency rental assistance program.”
NBOA research has shown that neighborhood housing providers have lost over $1 billion in unpaid rent since the beginning of the pandemic. It also shows that many neighborhood housing providers have tenants who refuse to communicate with them regarding their situation.
NBOA research has revealed that because of the pandemic many smaller housing providers now lack the funds for basic building necessities. Glasser said, “We haven’t asked grocery stores to give away free food, or pharmacies to give away free medication, and we can’t keep asking housing providers to give away free housing without destabilizing the housing system, which was already fragile before the pandemic.”
Moreover, according to the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA), approximately 30 percent of the funds requested by housing providers for rental assistance were automatically voided simply because the renter refused to participate in the program. Applying for rental assistance typically only takes a few minutes. Multiple community organizations have been retained by the State to assist renters with the process, and almost all housing providers are more than happy to assist tenants with the application process. Renters who want to participate in the next round of rental assistance can visit https://chicookilrenthelp.org for more information.
The filing of an eviction does not necessary mean that a housing provider wants to remove the tenant. Housing providers do not enjoy evictions, but frequently use them as a tool to jump start negotiations. The improving economy and jobs situation, as well as with the State’s rental assistance programs, should go far in mitigating the so-called “wave of evictions.”
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* I explained some of the back story on this to subscribers earlier this week…
Longtime State Sen. Dave Syverson, R-Cherry Valley, will have a primary challenge in 2022.
Winnebago County Republican Party Chairman Eli Nicolosi said he plans to formally announce his campaign to run against Syverson on July 19.
The Rockford resident filed paperwork to register Friends of Eli Nicolosi with the Illinois Board of Elections on Tuesday. The stated purpose of the committee is to elect Nicolosi to the 35th district of the Illinois Senate, the seat occupied by Syverson since 1993. […]
Syverson, 64, said he will run on his record, which he said includes passage of hundreds of bills, including property tax caps and ethics reform legislation.A gaming bill, which included a Rockford casino license and was approved by the General Assembly, was sponsored by Syverson.
* Politico’s national bureau…
Exile in the House GOP is proving extremely lucrative for Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger.
Cheney and Kinzinger are the most prominent anti-Trump voices among congressional Republicans, casting two of the 10 House GOP votes to impeach the former president and — unlike the other eight — sparing no opportunity in the months since to rebuke a party that has tethered itself to his image. That’s left them in a precarious position as they seek reelection back home and alienated them from the rest of their party in D.C.
It’s also given them a new route onto the national stage. The Wyoming and Illinois Republican allies may end up losing their seats next fall to primary challengers who are hugging the Trump machine. But the campaign war chests they’ve amassed could help launch the duo’s political careers outside of the House, or even Congress. […]
Kinzinger, who represents a deep-red district in exurban Chicago, never raised more than $350,000 in a single quarter during the 2020 cycle. But during the first three months of 2021 — after his support for the second Trump impeachment — he skyrocketed to $1.1 million.
* Tribune…
Conservative activist Charlie Kirk will headline the annual Northwest suburban Republican Party’s Lincoln Day Dinner on Aug. 16 at the White Eagle Banquet & Convention Center in Niles. Founder of the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA and loyalist to former President Donald Trump, Kirk relishes a political battle.
Last week he was a guest on Tucker Carlson’s Fox News show, where he likened colleges that require students to have COVID-19 vaccinations to “almost this apartheid-style open-air hostage situation, like: ‘Oh, you can have your freedom back if you get the jab.’”
Such dramatics.
More…
The event is organized by the Schaumburg, Palatine, Wheeling, Elk Grove, Maine, Niles, Northfield, Hanover, Barrington township Republican organizations along with the Northwest Side GOP Club. Tickets are available through the organizing GOP organizations.
[Palatine Township Republican Committeeman Aaron Del Mar] said Kirk is an important figure in Republican circles. Turning Point USA is active on many college campuses along with some high schools. Del Mar said the organization serves as a “backstop to liberals in college, who are mostly left-leaning.”
* I’m not sure this is going to make much of a difference. The cable bookers likely won’t care much…
Illinois GOP Chairman Don Tracy sent a letter to Republican leaders Monday expressing frustration that MSNBC, CNN and local media turn to Republican consultants who “trash” other Republicans. “When they are listed as current or former party officials, it falsely gives the impression that these people are speaking for all Republicans in Illinois or the Chicago area,” according to Tracy’s email, obtained by Playbook.
He doesn’t name names but it’s not hard to figure out that former state GOP Chairman Pat Brady doesn’t mince words about far-right Republicans when he’s interviewed by reporters.
Tracy is the first downstate chairman of the Illinois GOP in more than 30 years. He lives in Springfield, three hours from Chicago, making it difficult to accommodate live broadcasts. So he’s now assigning two surrogate Republicans in northern Illinois, Kathleen Murphy and Ammie Kessem, to represent the party during TV interviews when he can’t make it.
The issue is the surrogates tapped align better with Republicans south of I-80 than those in the Chicago area. Murphy is the former spokeswoman for former GOP gubernatorial candidate Jeanne Ives and a defender of Ives’ controversial TV ad attacking Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner’s record by featuring actors playing out sensitive cultural issues. It was uniformly criticized, including by the state GOP, for being racist, sexist and homophobic.
Kessem, the 41st Ward GOP committeewoman, is a Chicago Police sergeant and avowed Donald Trump supporter.
* Not actually a campaign event, but might as well be…
MEDIA ADVISORY: Illinois House Republicans Call for State Action on Heightened Gun Violence
WHO: Illinois House Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs), State Representatives Deanne Mazzochi (R-Elmhurst) and Amy Elik (R-Fosterburg).
WHAT: House Republicans will discuss the need for action on violence and criminal activity plaguing Illinois.
WHEN: 11:00am on Thursday, July 15th, 2021
The General Assembly is not reconvening until October.
* The Hill…
I asked about a dozen senators and representatives what’s on their summer reading lists. Here are some highlights:
We must start with someone who knows a good book when she reads- or writes - one. Sen. Tammy Duckworth’s (D-Ill.) “Every Day Is a Gift” is one of the best memoirs I’ve ever read. When I asked for her summer reading list, she sent a screen shot of her Audible selections, including one that seems entirely appropriate for our current political climate: “Calm The F*ck Down,” by Sarah Knight. For a more, well, elevated perspective of nature and the universe, Duckworth is working on Steven Hawking’s “A Brief History of Time.”
*** UPDATE *** Facebook…
Join ILGOP Chairman Don Tracy with Finance Committee members Vince Kolber, Brian Kasal, and Richard Porter in hosting an evening reception featuring Texas Congressman and American Hero Dan Crenshaw.
* Related…
* Rock Island Mayor Mike Thoms considering run for state Senate
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DH Brown
Wednesday, Jul 14, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Obituary…
On Thursday, July 8, 2021, David Harold Brown III, of Springfield, IL passed away at the age of 72.
David was born on April 23, 1949 in Springfield, IL to David Brown Jr. and Louise (Hill) Brown. He married Mary Ellen Ference on July 19, 1980 at St. Agnes Catholic Church.
David was a graduate of Divernon High School and of the University of Illinois in 1971, earning a Bachelor of Science in Finance. He had owned and operated D.H. Brown Saloon since 1977.
Dave enjoyed playing the first 14 holes of golf at Illini Country Club, or until he lost all the balls in his bag—whichever came sooner. He also loved to root for the Fighting Illini, the St. Louis Cardinals, and the Chicago Bears, but he converted to a Hoosier fan later in his life. Most of all, Dave loved meeting new and interesting people and sharing his quick wit with others at D.H. Brown’s, a place that was the source of fun nights and long-lasting relationships. Dave had a passion for history and spent many hours reading about Ancient Rome, World War II, the Wild West, etc. This passion flavored his taste in movies: he always had an old movie on at home. One of Dave’s favorite activities was attending wrestling matches with two good friends. Furthermore, he volunteered at St. Martin de Porres, SPARC, and the Springfield Art Association.
He was preceded in death by his father and his brother, Charles Frederick Brown.
He is survived by his wife of nearly forty-one years, Mary Ellen Brown of Springfield, IL; mother, Louise H. Brown of Siesta Key, FL; one son, David H. (Sabina) Brown IV of Houston, TX; one daughter, Eileen L. Brown of Springfield, IL; siblings, Thomas G. (Kathy) Brown of O’Fallon, IL, Luann (Henry) Kurth of Sarasota, FL, and Nancy J. Brown of Siesta Key, FL; an aunt and uncle; several nieces, nephews, and cousins; and his dog, Rico.
David will be laid to rest in a private ceremony on Saturday, July 17, 2021. That same day, the family will host a Celebration of Life from 3:00 until 6:00 p.m. at D.H. Brown Saloon, 231 East Monroe Street, Springfield, IL.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Martin de Porres, P.O. Box 2571, Springfield, IL 62708; SPARC, 232 Bruns Lane, Springfield, IL 62702; or Springfield Art Association, 700 North 4th Street, Springfield, IL 62702.
The family wishes to express many thanks to the nurses and staff at Regency Care, 2120 West Washington Street, Springfield, IL.
The family is being served by Butler Funeral Home—Springfield, 900 South 6th Street, Springfield, IL.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of David Harold Brown III please visit our Tribute Store.
A legend and a true friend to a whole lot of Statehouse types.
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* Axios…
The Democrats’ “only chance of keeping the House” next year is if they redraw congressional lines to their advantage in New York and Illinois, Cook Political Report’s David Wasserman tells Axios’ Stef Kight.
Why it matters: The GOP is already poised to take advantage of its control of map-drawing in more states than Democrats. But Democrats have a chance to eliminate as many as seven Republican House seats in just New York and Illinois through redistricting in states they control.
• New York and Illinois are both set to lose a House seat because of slower population growth.
• On top of ensuring Republican districts are the ones lost to reapportionment this year, Democrats could rework the maps to help them pick up an additional four districts in New York and one in Illinois, said Wasserman, who focuses on redistricting as Cook’s House editor.
The big picture: Republicans will get to draw congressional district lines in big battleground states like Texas, Georgia, North Carolina and Florida. They were able to draw maps to maximize their partisan advantage after the 2010 census too.
• “The two states that Democrats control that are big, or where there’s margin left, are New York and Illinois,” Ben Williams, a nonpartisan redistricting specialist for the National Conference of State Legislatures, told Axios.
• Few other states offer options to create new, blue congressional districts, he and Wasserman said.
Maybe.
I think the media and the GOP are vastly underestimating the very real and growing anger out there among people who did the right thing and got vaccinated. Hyper-politicizing public health because your whole strategy is designed to appeal to a vocal and know-nothing segment of your base could very well backfire on the GOP… again.
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Dave Loveday
Wednesday, Jul 14, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Rick Pearson at the Tribune…
David Loveday’s career as a political strategist and communications executive took him not only to the halls of the White House and the Illinois Statehouse but also to countries around the world, where his calm and joking demeanor belied his specialty of dealing with crises.
Loveday, 65, died of cancer on Saturday, July 3. A Villa Park resident, he was global government affairs director of the Water Quality Association, an international trade group, for the past 14 years.
Loveday played key roles in several Republican campaigns, serving as spokesman for the late Judy Baar Topinka’s unsuccessful 2006 run for governor, Jim Ryan’s winning 1994 bid for attorney general and Rich Williamson’s failed 1992 campaign for U.S. Senate.
He also was a former executive director of external affairs for the Illinois Toll Highway Authority and the Regional Transportation Authority and put in stints as press secretary for the Illinois House Republican caucus.
“Dave Loveday was a colleague and friend who enjoyed many successful positions during his professional career,” said Lee Daniels, the former state House GOP leader who served two years as speaker in the mid-1990s. “His calm demeanor and professionalism was relied upon as we addressed the governmental issues of the day.”
Dave was always a gentleman. Easy-going, quiet and kind, never crass, completely unflappable. And he knew his stuff. They just don’t make ‘em like him anymore.
* From his obit…
“He had the most priceless and special brand of optimism around,” said John Hoffman, a close friend and colleague of almost thirty years. “Dave immediately saw challenges and obstacles, then with his unflagging cheer motivated those around him into working together to move ahead and build for the greater good. He taught me life-long lessons about how to think imaginatively and act with decency more than any school could ever offer.” […]
Confronting his greatest challenge, Loveday was given an advanced cancer diagnosis within days of his first grandson Lincoln being born to Cate and her husband Patrick. Yet he kept up his positive mindset throughout, spending time with “Link” and his family and friends as much as possible and working even up to a week before he passed on.
When the time came to accept hospice, Loveday demonstrated the depth of his courage and character. He reached out to a friend to draft this notice. Though he had lost his speech, he then wrote simply: “I am ready.”
“He is my idol,” said Mary Jo Mikottis, a nurse practitioner who has known Loveday for many years and cared for him in the past weeks. “Throughout my career, I’ve hardly ever experienced such strength and spirit in one person.”
Please go out of your way to be nice to someone today in Dave’s honor. Thanks.
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* The state has filed an appeal in its case to get out from under the oversight of the Shakman Decree. From the Cook County Record…
In the new filing, Pritzker’s lawyers argue the federal courts have overstepped their bounds in refusing to lift a court decree subjecting the state’s hiring practices to court scrutiny.
Pritzker’s lawyers said a federal judge erred in refusing to accept Pritzker’s assertions that the state governor has “demonstrated commitment to compliance with federal law,” which forbids political patronage hiring practices, like those for which cities, counties and state agencies in Illinois have gained notoriety through the years.
Pritzker claimed the federal court’s continued “decades-long supervision … of the day-to-day operations of state and local governments” in Illinois “exemplify” concerns that Seventh Circuit judges have expressed over federalism, a principle of U.S. government which limits the reach of the federal government into state affairs.
And the governor asserted court-appointed hiring overseers – known by the title “special masters” – have yet to identify any “ongoing violations” of federal law in Illinois government hiring practices.
“Ongoing federal oversight of a State’s operations can be justified only by evidence of ongoing violations of federal law—but neither the plaintiffs, the special master, nor the district court have identified any ongoing violations …, much less the kind of systemwide violations necessary to warrant continued statewide oversight,” Pritzker’s lawyers wrote in their brief. […]
Pritzker’s lawyers asserted the decrees should be tossed, in part, because Shakman and Lurie lack standing under the law as plaintiffs in these matters.
The judges, Pritzker argued, have improperly simply replaced Shakman and his co-plaintiffs with “the proper plaintiffs – state employees,” whose First Amendment rights would be violated by allowing state agencies to hire, fire or refuse to promote workers based on their political beliefs and allegiances.
The appellate brief is here.
What do you think?
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* This is yet another case of “Don’t let the facts get in the way of a hot clickbait story.” Last night on WGN TV…
The debate on whether students should wear masks in schools has intensified in many suburban school districts.
The state says it’s in line with the CDC, which recommended masks for anyone not fully vaccinated. Yet, some district parents say they disagree.
For Peter Demos, the discourse over masks in schools strikes a chord. As a parent, he believes districts should control the conversation.
“It’s kind of heartbreaking because you want to do what’s best for your child,” the Lake Zurich District parent said. […]
“To all of a sudden require masks or certain restrictions of putting them on our kids to be allowed to go into the building is just asinine,” Graf said.
For its part, the state board of education says it will follow CDC guidance, which means requiring masks for those not fully vaccinated — and recommending at least three feet distance between students in classrooms— unless it’s a barrier to learning.
As we’ve already discussed (twice), there is no new school mask mandate. This reporter should’ve known that by the time his story aired.
* Meanwhile, in Highland…
Highland students will have the option to attend in-person classes without masks in the fall, after recommendations were released from the state.
Superintendent Mike Sutton released an open letter Monday, July 11, announcing the new policy in response to new recommendations recently announced by the Illinois State Board of Education and Illinois Department of Public Health. Those recommendations stated masks should be worn by unvaccinated individuals, but the decision on requiring them was left to the individual districts.
“Highland CUSD No. 5 plans to make it clear that masks are recommended but optional for students and staff — vaccinated or not,” Sutton wrote. “The decision to wear a mask or not should lie with the individual, and that is our current plan.” […]
Sutton said he is not in favor of collecting proof of vaccination from students unless it impacts quarantine procedures, or COVID testing in the schools as testing is available through the Madison County Health Department.
Sutton’s letter to parents is here.
As I’ve told you before, this policy could leave the district open to civil lawsuits if there’s an outbreak. But they’re on their own as far as the mandate goes for classes and other activities on their properties.
*** UPDATE *** OK, make that the fourth time…
This is becoming a misinformation campaign.
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* BGA…
The Better Government Association has filed a lawsuit in Springfield against the state’s healthcare agency after officials denied records of routine performance presentations from a top Medicaid provider.
State officials denied the request after executives of the contractor — a subsidiary of national healthcare giant Centene Corp. — said disclosure of the quarterly performance presentations they make to state officials would put the company at a competitive disadvantage.
The Centene subsidiary, Meridian Health Plan of Illinois, Inc., collected $210 million under the YouthCare contract over the last 12 months, a spokesperson for the Department of Healthcare and Family Services said on Monday.
Agency Director Theresa Eagleson did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A spokesperson said agency officials could not discuss pending litigation.
The YouthCare program provides payments for the medical and psychiatric treatment of roughly 20,200 youths who are wards of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, as well as 15,700 former DCFS wards.
The contract has rolled out in phases as some foster parents complained they could not fill prescriptions or even schedule regular check-ups for children with serious medical conditions.
Last year, Meridian began producing for state officials quarterly slideshows with basic data about its performance in delivering care. The slides are meant to outline whether Meridian is meeting timeliness and quality standards, and what it’s doing to overcome problems.
But when the BGA asked last month to see those slideshows, state officials turned them over almost completely redacted — with entire slides blacked out.
The contractor’s performance data constituted “trade secrets,” HFS explained in its denial letter to the BGA.
Thoughts?
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* Bill Ruthhart at the Tribune…
Gov. J.B. Pritzker is one of three governors and five mayors who will join President Joe Biden at the White House on Wednesday for a bipartisan meeting on infrastructure.
The gathering comes as Biden continues to rally support for a $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure package, even as questions remain about how to pay for the massive spending bill.
Pritzker is scheduled to attend the 2 p.m. meeting in the Roosevelt Room at the White House along with four fellow Democrats — New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and Mayors Nan Whaley of Dayton, Ohio; Kate Gallego of Phoenix; and Michael Hancock of Denver. They will be joined by three Republicans — Vermont Gov. Phil Scott, Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt and Mobile, Alabama, Mayor Sandy Stimpson.
Biden will emphasize common ground found in $1.2 trillion deal agreed upon by a bipartisan group of senators. Proponents say the plan would stimulate the economy by pumping hundreds of billions of dollars into the construction of roads, bridges and highways, while also expanding transit and providing high-speed internet access in rural areas. […]
Pritzker has said the state’s program, which was funded largely by an increase in the state gas tax, means Illinois will immediately have the money available to match federal funds made available through Biden’s infrastructure plan.
* Lynn Sweet…
Pritzker press secretary Jordan Abudayyeh said Biden invited Pritzker to the White House “to discuss the critical need for nationwide infrastructure investments, along with the success of Illinois’ own historic bipartisan capital plan.
“The governor also anticipates discussing other major issues such as the need for a national approach to addressing the pandemic’s impact on unemployment funds and combatting gun violence. The governor will also meet with White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator Jeff Zients to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Pritzker is a strong supporter of Biden’s infrastructure proposals — things like airports, broadband, roads and bridges — and the second bill, with items dealing with the climate, education and child care.
Biden and Pritzker met when the president was in Crystal Lake on July 7 where he talked about his “Build Back Better” agenda and infrastructure plans at McHenry County College.
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