* The Senate Executive Committee is deliberating this bill right now. Click here to watch it. This post will be updated…
State Rep. Delia C. Ramirez, D-Chicago, released the following statement on HB 2908 Senate Amendment 1, the Senate Elected School Board Compromise bill.
“My commitment has always been and continues to be to pass a fully elected and representative school board for Chicago Public Schools. This is why we took action on HB2908 in April, to honor the wishes of the overwhelming majority of CPS parents and stakeholders who have been demanding a fully elected board.
Senate Amendment 1 to HB2908 achieves the goal of finally securing a fully elected school board for CPS. This bill does not set a timeline that I would have wanted or that Chicagoans deserve. However, with key protections during the transition period including a moratorium on school closures and city council confirmation of temporarily appointed members, I believe it is time to finally legislate a path to a fully elected board. If the Senate passes HB 2908 SA1, I plan to call it for concurrence once the house reconvenes.”
…Adding… Senate Exec passed the bill with two Democrats voting “Present.”
…Adding… The full Senate is taking up the bill. Click here to watch it and/or click here to monitor it on the live coverage post.
*** UPDATE *** The bill passed 36-15-2. Sens. Lightford and Harris were both “Present,” the same as they were in committee earlier today.
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A few lesser-noticed legislative achievements
Tuesday, Jun 1, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Press release…
Just after midnight, the Illinois House of Representatives concurred with the Senate amendment to House Bill 3404 and overwhelmingly approved the measure. This legislation paves the way for a pilot program for the distribution of grants for the construction of natural gas infrastructure in Pembroke Township, located within the 79th legislative district on the Illinois-Indiana border. Upon passage, State Rep. Jackie Haas (R-Kankakee), the chief sponsor of the bill, issued the following statement:
“I am thrilled to see this reach the finish line. My staff and I have worked really hard to get to this point, as have countless residents, community stakeholders, advocates, and elected officials on both sides of the aisle at local, state and federal levels of government.”
Haas added, “This is personal. Pembroke Township is only a few miles away from where I grew up and not far from where my husband and I live now. Pembroke is a rural community with many disparities—limited access to jobs, services, little to no economic development, and food deserts. Energy accessibility has the potential to change all that. This bill will offer residents safe, affordable and clean energy. It will also encourage economic development, attract new businesses and create jobs.
At the end of the day, this bill is about energy accessibility and equity. I look forward to bearing witness to the many opportunities that can be afforded to my constituents as soon as Gov. Pritzker signs this bill into law.”
That bill was supposed to be a no-brainer, but all sorts of games were played against it.
* Press release…
The TEAACH Act (Teaching Equitable Asian American Community History), HB 376, a bill that would require public elementary and high schools in Illinois to incorporate a unit on Asian American history, passed out of the Illinois State House on concurrence with a vote of 108-10 on May 31, 2021. The bill now goes to the Governor’s desk and advocates expect him to sign it into law.
The historic bill was introduced by State Sen. Ram Villivalam and State Rep. Jennifer Gong Gershowitz, and was championed by Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago and a coalition of over 35 organizations.
* Press release…
To expand access to health care coverage, State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) passed a Medicaid reform package in the Illinois Senate on Monday that adds coverage for a variety of services and provides more care to older Illinoisans.
“Expanding Medicaid coverage will result in better health outcomes for the most vulnerable,” Gillespie said. “This measure adds essential care options to the Medicaid program and will ensure that everyone has access to quality care.”
The legislation would add chiropractic care, post-kidney transplant management, counseling on how to quit smoking and peer support services for veterans to the list of covered services under the Illinois Medicaid program. It also requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) to deliver more social services to older residents.
The measure also increases the Medicaid reimbursement rates for immunizations for children under 21, dental services and for mental health, marriage and family counseling.
Senate Bill 2294 passed the Illinois Senate with unanimous support and awaits the governor’s signature.
Anything else you’ve been tracking?
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Harmon backs off, but no vote today
Tuesday, Jun 1, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Press release…
Senate President Don Harmon issued the following statement regarding positive steps in ongoing energy policy negotiations.
“I’m informed that an agreement has been reached between the governor and Exelon on a proposal that would save jobs, which has been our goal all along. That’s why we support the governor in these talks.
We also stand with the governor on de-carbonization targets that need to be in a final deal.
The Senate remained in session with the hope of voting on an agreement today. We stand ready to return to the Capitol when the governor’s plan is ready for action.”
…Adding… Click here to see a roundup of what’s known about the agreement.
…Adding… Forgot to tell you about this budget development…
Senate President Don Harmon has lifted his hold on the new state budget, clearing the $42 billion measure for Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s signature.
…Adding… More movement, but we’ll see. Lots of rumors about this plan’s viability, so stay tuned…
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Question of the day
Tuesday, Jun 1, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* House Speaker Chris Welch interview with Mike Miletich in January…
The Capitol Bureau asked Welch if he can separate himself from Madigan’s influence to have his own voice and vision. He noted the former Speaker should be applauded for everything he was able to accomplish for the state and Democrats. Welch also stressed he has learned a lot from Madigan’s leadership.
“There are some things that I would like to continue. But, there’s some things that I would do differently,” Welch added. “I’m going to distinguish myself. People may doubt what you say, Mike. But, they believe what you do. You’re going to hear me say that a lot.”
* Tribune article…
Illinois Democrats are turning the spring legislative session into a partisan tour de force, using their majority to push legislation aimed at helping their party maintain control of Springfield, reward their allies and advance social policies.
With supermajorities in the House and Senate under two new Democratic leaders, the moves in the General Assembly bring home to Illinois the hyperpartisan divides of Washington as both parties move further toward catering to their extremes.
For Republicans who looked at the January departure of Michael Madigan — the embattled state Democratic Party chair and the nation’s longest-serving House speaker — as an opportunity for a fresh start, the session has been a rude awakening.
“We have been completely locked out of every important issue of the day that we have in this state,” said House Republican leader Jim Durkin of Western Springs. “They have turned what was a pretty partisan operation that we’ve seen here under Mike Madigan to a new level.”
* Daily Herald editorial…
What do Welch and his cronies believe?
Power. Getting it, keeping it, expanding it. Manipulating whatever needs to be manipulated to ensure it. Ignoring the tenets of democracy if need be. Disrespecting the voters they presumably are trying to serve.
Perhaps we should be grateful that they didn’t send a fighter jet up to hijack a plane over Springfield with a political dissident on board.
Oh my goodness.
* WUIS…
When budget bills were rushed to the House floor shortly before midnight, House GOP Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) again grew frustrated with the majority party, whose budget negotiators earlier in the day acknowledged only Democrats’ pet infrastructure projects were included in appropriations.
“I had hope this year – hope for a new day in Springfield,” Durkin said, repeating a phrase he’s used dozens of times since Welch replaced scandal-embroiled Madigan in January. “I just couldn’t have been more wrong based on what’s happening tonight.”
* But…
“We have accomplished, I would say, quite a bit; it has been a very successful session,” House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch said. “No. 1, we have a balanced budget on time. It helps our state’s most vulnerable, and puts us on a path to our fiscal health and recovery, really believe that this budget is going to help move Illinois in a positive direction”
* And…
Despite the unfinished business, House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, who took over in January from embattled veteran Michael Madigan, said “this has probably been one of the most successful sessions around here in a long time.”
Welch chalked up disagreements between House and Senate Democrats to “diversity” in the two caucuses.
“We’re not going to always agree. Sometimes we disagree,” he said. “I don’t want to discourage disagreement because disagreement actually sometimes makes you stronger.”
* Politico…
WINNERS
House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, who navigated the complexities of being speaker while still operating in a pandemic and having to juggle the once-a-decade redistricting process. He got lawmakers in line without (much) drama and he made quick decisions when drama arose.
* The Question: Yeah, it’s not quite finished yet, but how would you rate Speaker Welch’s first spring session? Make sure to explain your answer. Thanks.
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Pain is relative, I suppose
Tuesday, Jun 1, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* A few reporters have focused lately on Gov. Pritzker’s warning last year about budgetary “pain” if his graduated income tax didn’t pass. He was asked about that yet again today after a very optimistic over-view of the state of the state’s budget situation…
You said that without the income tax amendment, there would be pain. You mentioned a lot of areas in the budget are flat. Is that the pain, and how can you be so optimistic about the budget if there’s that pain?
Pritzker pointed to an economy performing “much better than anybody had thought,” which is true, and said closing corporate loopholes is a “permanent fix to a piece of the structural deficit.”
* The Illinois Policy Institute believes there’s pain in the budget…
“This budget still includes four of the nine economically harmful tax hikes the governor proposed earlier this year. These business tax increases will mean Illinois’ struggling economy recovers less quickly than it otherwise would from COVID-19. Illinois’ deficits and structural imbalances will continue threatening taxpayers and vulnerable residents if nothing changes.”
* But one group’s pain is another group’s gain…
On Monday, May 31st, both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly voted to approve the 2022 state budget including closing $655 million in corporate tax loopholes used by Illinois’s wealthiest corporations to avoid paying their fair share. This budget provides for significant new investments in childcare, supports for immigrant communities, creation of affordable housing and funding of the state’s evidence-based school funding formula. The following is a statement by the Raise Up IL coalition.
“The closure of four corporate tax loopholes is a step towards full recovery and making Illinois a state where everyone can thrive. Billionaires and corporations saw their wealth and profits soar during the pandemic, while Illinois families struggled to pay rent and keep food on the table. Closing these loopholes will help Illinois invest in public schools, human services and other healthcare, while calling on those who profited from the pandemic to pay their fair share,” said Amisha Patel, Executive Director of Grassroots Collaborative.
“For years we have been talking with our communities about the services they need and how closing tax loopholes is a way to pay for them. Over the last several months members of Raise Up IL have been focused on organizing our communities to let state elected officials know through phone calls, constituent meetings, and emails, that we needed them to stand up to corporate lobbyists and fund the services we need. When we fight, we win!” explained Adele Sims, with ONE Northside.
“We appreciate the state legislators and the governor who listened to the needs of their constituents instead of corporate lobbyists. We are especially thankful to Senator Robert Peters, Senator Ram Villivalam, Rep Delia Ramirez, and Rep Will Guzzardi for their leadership and continued commitment to working families,” stated Marta Popadiak, with The People’s Lobby following the budget vote. “We look forward to continuing to work with legislators and the governor to continue to close the tax loopholes used by the ultra-wealthy and large corporations, so that we can fund and expand the foundational systems communities across the state need to thrive — expanding child care and the home care program fully funding public education, supporting immigrant services, building more affordable housing, and providing tax relief for working-class and low-income families.”
* A coalition of groups backing legislation to expand the Earned Income Tax Credit also believes there’s pain in the budget…
The Illinois General Assembly denied access to up to $1,200 in tax relief to more than a million more low-income Illinoisans when it failed to expand the Earned Income Credit (EIC) early this morning. The bill, HB2792/SB 2184, would have expanded the popular and effective tax credit to a projected 500,000 households in every district across the state.
“It’s disgraceful that the State’s budget continues to leave behind residents who most need our support,” said Harish I. Patel, Director of Economic Security for Illinois. “This past year saw the sharpest rise in poverty in over 50 years. The General Assembly should be proactively seeking ways to curb rising poverty and inequality, yet they willingly neglected to bolster the Earned Income Credit, a proven anti-poverty tool. Our coalition will continue to fight to expand the Earned Income Credit so caregivers, immigrants, and childless workers have access to the relief they deserve.”
* But the ILGOP believes the only pain is for businesses…
Highlights of this year’s budget include:
• $1,100 pay raises for legislators
• A doubling of the legislator district budget allotment
• Hundreds of millions in new discretionary spending
• Increases taxes by over $600 million on job creators across the state
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Today’s quotable
Tuesday, Jun 1, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Tribune…
[Senate Appropriations Chair Elgie Sims] pushed back against the Republicans’ criticisms.
He said the budget “absolutely funds” Democrats’ priorities “because we are fighting for individuals who cannot fight for themselves.”
He said Democrats prioritized education funding, money for programs serving young people and people with autism rather than “big businesses that are more profitable than they ever have been.”
Sims said Republicans had ample chances to share their views at 30 budget hearings but chose not to fully take part in the budgeting process.
“The ability to be inclusive is a two-way street,” he said. “Don’t only come to the table and say ‘no.’ If you want to obstruct, we will govern without you.”
Thoughts?
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More wreckage
Tuesday, Jun 1, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* WBEZ…
Other issues that failed to take flight included the repeal of a parental notification abortion law, a fix to major delays in obtaining state firearm permits, and creation of an elected Chicago school board, which was a priority of the Chicago Teachers Union that Mayor Lori Lightfoot fought to reshape.
“Count the victories,” House Speaker Chris Welch, D-Hillside, said in talking with reporters after they had adjourned. “Don’t look at the things that didn’t get done yet.”
But whether any of those issues truly were dead remained to be seen because the Illinois Senate gaveled out shortly past 3 a.m. Tuesday with plans to reconvene in Springfield later in the morning. The House’s schedule moving forward was unclear early Tuesday.
* Tribune…
Efforts to create an elected school board in Chicago had failed to get the floor of either chamber for a vote. The legislature’s Latino caucus and some city progressives support an all-elected board. But Senate President Don Harmon has focused on trying to find a compromise that would start with a hybrid board of both appointed and elected members before moving to an all-elected panel.
Though she campaigned in support of an elected board, Mayor Lori Lightfoot has backed a hybrid approach that leaves her in control.
The last public iteration of a plan would create a 21-member board, 11 appointed by the mayor including the board president, and 10 elected members starting in 2023. The system would be evaluated in 2025 before a decision was made on whether to move ahead with an all-elected board in 2027. But it appears such a proposal doesn’t satisfy proponents of an all-elected board.
“We’ll have to get with the House and see what we think can pass both chambers,” state Sen. Rob Martwick, the Chicago Democrat who sponsored a bill to create a fully elected 21 member board, said early Tuesday.
The Senate President said that his chamber would either pass a compromise bill or approve the original elected school board bill. Neither happened.
* Hannah Meisel…
Over the weekend, Democrats in the House narrowly approved a measure giving the Illinois State Police resources and abilities to clear the state’s massive backlog of Firearm Owner Identification Card applications, a long-running issue exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic as gun ownership picked up and the ISP scrambled to figure out a socially distanced workflow. In March, the Illinois State Rifle Association filed a federal lawsuit in an effort to clear the queue.
But the proposal pushed by suburban House Democrats on Saturday includes mandatory fingerprinting for all Illinois gun owners — an approach Democrats in the Senate are not keen on. That legislation was held in the House even after its passage, rendering it unable to move to the Senate.
Instead, with just a few hours of regularly scheduled session to go on Sunday night, Democratic senators passed their competing bill that includes many of the same provisions as the House Democrats’ version, but without compulsory fingerprints for all FOID card holders — a major sticking point for the influential Gun Violence Prevention PAC. Gun rights organizations, on the other hand, have made it clear they’ll file yet another suit if Gov. JB Pritzker signs a mandatory fingerprinting proposal into law.
Legislative records indicate the measure was being teed up for debate and passage Monday night but the bill was never called.
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The energy bill fiasco
Tuesday, Jun 1, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* WBEZ…
As Monday dragged on, the most dramatic feature was the fate of the Exelon bailout, which sought to extend a lease on life for the company’s financially struggling nuclear plants at Dresden, Braidwood and Byron as part of a broader green-energy push by the Pritzker administration. Exelon announced last August it would close Dresden and Byron without relief from Springfield.
Pritzker’s office and Exelon appeared to have settled on the broad framework of more than $600 million in ratepayer subsidies over five years, multiple sources confirmed to WBEZ. But a deal hit an 11th hour snag involving the future of a southern Illinois coal-burning plant.
Talks surrounding the nuclear package unfolded under the heavy cloud of an ongoing federal probe into Exelon’s subsidiary, ComEd. Last week, as part of that investigation, federal prosecutors announced perjury and obstruction of justice charges against Madigan’s one-time chief of staff, Tim Mapes.
* From last night…
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* Tribune…
An 11th-hour disagreement over whether to exempt the Prairie State Generating Station in southern Illinois and city-owned power plant in Springfield should be exempted from deadlines for shutting down coal-fired power plants had the potential to derail the deal.
Supporters were pushing the exemption because of outstanding bond debt on the facilities, but the governor’s office said Pritzker would not sign a bill that gives them special treatment.
* Greg Hinz…
But speculation centers on the role of Harmon’s chief of staff, Jake Butcher, who before he went to work for Harmon was a lobbyist for Prairie State Energy, which runs a “clean coal” generation plant and reportedly wants to be exempted from provisions of a deal that otherwise has the backing of both Pritzker and Harmon.
* Politico…
The energy bill appeared to be close. After reaching a compromise about how much to give Exelon to operate nuclear plants, there’s now a disagreement on coal plants. Senate President Don Harmon and his top aide, Jacob Butcher, a former coal lobbyist, want to exempt the Prairie State Energy coal plant from decarbonization rules that are in the bill.
…Adding… Prairie State…
“Coming online in 2012 during the Obama-Biden Administration, Prairie State is uniquely positioned to act as a bridge to support Illinois’ transition to a greater reliance on renewable energy. Our power plant was purpose-built with more than $1 billion in best available control technologies and we operate under very stringent environmental standards. Prairie State is vital to maintaining grid reliability, energy affordability, and economic prosperity as Illinois works to close the gap between today’s technologies and long-term carbon reduction goals. Prairie State is committed to partnering with policy leaders to further mitigate CO2 emissions in the future, including a partnership with the University of Illinois and U.S. Department of Energy to conduct a carbon capture study with the objective of identifying CO2 emission mitigation opportunities at a commercial scale,” said Alyssa Harre, Director of External Affairs and Organizational Strategy for Prairie State. “Prematurely shuttering Prairie State in 2035 would place new financial burdens on communities who own the plant by essentially forcing them to pay for two sources of power: the energy already owned through their partnerships with Prairie State Energy Campus, and replacement power to cover that loss. That is an additional cost our not-for-profit member communities and their ratepayers cannot afford.”
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Honor An Illinois Statesperson
Tuesday, Jun 1, 2021 - Posted by Advertising Department
[The following is a paid advertisement.]
Nominations are open now for the inaugural Paul Simon-Jim Edgar Statesmanship Award. Inspired by the service of former U.S. Senator Paul Simon, a Democrat, and former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar, a Republican, the award will affirm and celebrate the best traditions of Illinois politics and government.
The Simon-Edgar Award will be presented each year to an elected Illinois official at the state or local level who has demonstrated a pattern of public service characterized by vision, courage, compassion, effectiveness, civility, and bipartisanship.
We seek guidance from fellow Illinoisans and urge citizens from the Prairie State to nominate someone from local or state government who has displayed exceptional leadership. We are not seeking the perfect public servant, but a leader who has consistently endeavored to serve the public good and prepare their constituents for future challenges and opportunities.
Visit our website to submit your nomination by June 15.
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* Press release…
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today reported 401 new confirmed and probable cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Illinois, including 8 additional deaths. In addition, more than 67% of Illinois adults have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose and nearly 51% of Illinois adults are fully vaccinated, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Cook County: 2 females 40s, 1 female 50s, 1 male 50s, 1 male 60s, 1 female 70s, 1 male 70s, 1 male 90s.
Currently, IDPH is reporting a total of 1,382,587 cases, including 22,835 deaths, in 102 counties in Illinois. The age of cases ranges from younger than one to older than 100 years. Within the past 24 hours, laboratories have reported 24,273 specimens for a total of 24,640,360. As of last night, 1,031 individuals in Illinois were reported to be in the hospital with COVID-19. Of those, 284 patients were in the ICU and 162 patients with COVID-19 were on ventilators.
The preliminary seven-day statewide positivity for cases as a percent of total test from May 25-31, 2021 is 1.6%. The preliminary seven-day statewide test positivity from May 25-31, 2021 is 1.9%.
A total of 11,308,983 vaccines have been administered in Illinois as of last midnight. The seven-day rolling average of vaccines administered daily is 45,545 doses. Yesterday, 17,077 doses were reported administered in Illinois.
*All data are provisional and will change. In order to rapidly report COVID-19 information to the public, data are being reported in-time. Information is constantly being entered into an electronic system and the number of cases and deaths can change as additional information is gathered. For health questions about COVID-19, call the hotline at 1-800-889-3931 or email dph.sick@illinois.gov.
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*** UPDATED x1 *** Always check for motions
Tuesday, Jun 1, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Tribune…
Illinois lawmakers went into overtime Tuesday, missing a midnight deadline to adjourn the spring session but approving a $42 billion state budget, a plan shifting next year’s primary to June and an ethics package requiring more financial disclosure of officeholders.
Strains between the Democratic-controlled House and Senate, under two new leaders, were evident when the House indicated its work for the spring session was largely finished and members headed home. The Senate, under President Don Harmon of Oak Park, planned to return to work later Tuesday and assess an unfinished legislative landscape.
Left unresolved were plans for future energy policy for the state, efforts to strengthen gun laws, an elected school board for Chicago and law-enforcement backed changes to a sweeping police reform law approved just months ago.
Despite the unfinished business, House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, who took over in January from embattled veteran Michael Madigan, said “this has probably been one of the most successful sessions around here in a long time.”
* But…
*** UPDATE *** John Patterson…
It’s a procedural move to protect our accomplishments from any political shenanigans.
We are tremendously proud of what this budget accomplishes and look forward to delivering it to the governor to sign.
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Open thread
Tuesday, Jun 1, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Got home from session at 4 this morning, finished writing the subscriber edition after 6 and I’m now going to bed. Use the live coverage post and yesterday’s blogging to catch yourself up if you need it and talk amongst yourselves. The House has adjourned to the call of the chair and the Senate convenes at 11 this morning.
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