Path To 100 Act Saves Consumers $1.2 Billion
Wednesday, May 19, 2021 - Posted by Advertising Department
[The following is a paid advertisement.]
Study Finds Expanding Illinois’ Renewable Energy Program Will
Lower Energy Costs for All Illinois Consumers
• A study by former Illinois Power Agency (IPA) director shows that passing Path to 100 (HB 2640 / SB 1601) will lower energy costs for all ratepayers
• Consumers save more than $1.2 Billion over ten years by fully funding Illinois’ renewable energy program to 40% by 2031
• Path to 100 would create 53,000 new construction jobs
Why more renewables = lower costs:
1. Wind and solar generators have zero fuel costs, so they win wholesale energy auctions and displace more expensive power plants. These savings are passed on to all consumers.
2. Rooftop and community solar reduce peak demand, which reduces the amount of capacity that grid operators need to buy. These savings are passed on to all consumers.
3. Rooftop and community solar customers receive direct savings on their bills.
Read the study and take action at www.Pathto100.net
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* The governor was answering a reporter’s question today about the remap when he said that the final, detailed Census numbers wouldn’t be distributed to the states until September but that Illinois has to act by June 30th. That claim prompted this hollering from a Statehouse reporter…
That’s a fallacy! June 30th is a fallacy!
A fallacy? Not if you’re in the super-majority party. From the constitution…
If no redistricting plan becomes effective by June 30 of that year, a Legislative Redistricting Commission shall be constituted not later than July 10. The Commission shall consist of eight members, no more than four of whom shall be members of the same political party.
The Speaker and Minority Leader of the House of Representatives shall each appoint to the Commission one Representative and one person who is not a member of the General Assembly. The President and Minority Leader of the Senate shall each appoint to the Commission one Senator and one person who is not a member of the General Assembly. […]
If the Commission fails to file an approved redistricting plan, the Supreme Court shall submit the names of two persons, not of the same political party, to the Secretary of State not later than September 1.
Not later than September 5, the Secretary of State publicly shall draw by random selection the name of one of the two persons to serve as the ninth member of the Commission.
As we’ve talked about many times before, the Republicans want this lottery because it gives them a 50-50 chance at drawing the map. The super-majority Democrats do not want this lottery because it gives the Republicans a 50-50 chance at drawing the map.
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Question of the day
Wednesday, May 19, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Former Gov. George Ryan was at the Sangamo Club yesterday for a book-signing, so I stopped by. First thing he asked was where my book was. I told him I forgot my copy at home, but said I’d bring it up to Kankakee this summer…
* The Question: Caption?
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* Press release…
The Illinois Latino Legislative Caucus affirms its unconditional support for HB2908, an elected and representative school board for the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), sponsored by Representative Delia Ramirez. Latino families, who make up a majority of CPS’ students, overwhelmingly supported the elected school board referendum in 2015 with 90 percent of voters in favor of increasing democracy. This is why we also firmly support SB1565, sponsored by Senator Villanueva, to give undocumented immigrants the right to vote for their local school board members. Our families consistently demand greater representation and shared accountability. They have waited too long to have a say in who makes decisions over their children’s school district and this basic democratic right is afforded to parents in all other school districts across Illinois.
We are deeply disappointed by recent efforts to pit undocumented and documented Latino immigrant families against each other over the current elected school board proposal. These tactics serve to distract, disrupt, and deny authentic democracy as they seek to preserve the status quo by solidifying centralized Mayoral control, limiting parental and family decision-making, and appointing board members who are not required to be accountable to the people.
Instead of pitting families against each other with disingenuous attacks on an elected school board, we urge everyone concerned about immigrant rights and representation to join the Latino Caucus by supporting SB 1565, to give undocumented immigrants the right to vote for elected school board members, and SB 148, sponsored by Senator Omar Aquino which would make it easier for undocumented parents to serve in Local School Councils.
We stand firmly behind the overwhelming majority of CPS parents and educators who want legislation this session to create a fully elected and representative school board for CPS.
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* NRCC…
Hey there,
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said she will no longer grant interviews to reporters who are not “black or brown journalists.”
Where do Chicago-area Democrats Sean Casten and Lauren Underwood stand on this blatantly racist policy?
Mike Berg
NRCC
Deputy Communications Director
Um, no.
* Fox News…
Reporters out of Chicago are alleging that Democratic Mayor Lori Lightfoot is now granting interviews only to journalists of color.
No.
* Locally…
Craig is right. Besides, politicians grant limited access or exclusive interviews all the time. The Tribune surely knows this.
* This decision applies only to interviews about the second anniversary of her swearing-in. It is not some blanket policy. From the mayor’s Twitter account…
I ran to break up the status quo that was failing so many. That isn’t just in City Hall.
It’s a shame that in 2021, the City Hall press corps is overwhelmingly White in a city where more than half of the city identifies as Black, Latino, AAPI or Native American.
Diversity and inclusion is imperative across all institutions including media. In order to progress we must change.
This is exactly why I’m being intentional about prioritizing media requests from POC reporters on the occasion of the two-year anniversary of my inauguration as mayor of this great city.
This is an imbalance that needs to change. Chicago is a world-class city. Our local media should reflect the multiple cultures that comprise it.
We must be intentional about doing better. I believed that when running for office. I stand on this belief now. It’s time for the newsrooms to do better and build teams that reflect the make-up of our city.
Again, politicians routinely grant exclusive interviews, but it’s almost always the white reporters who benefit simply because we’re the majority.
…Adding… Fairly certain the answer to this is ‘No.’ That’s not the point at all…
But, once again, a clumsy, ham-handed rollout of something that could’ve actually gotten the mayor some good press is botched.
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* Press release…
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today reported 1,633 new confirmed and probable cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Illinois, including 28 additional deaths.
- Cook County: 1 male 20s, 1 female 30s, 1 male 60s, 2 females 70s, 1 male 70s, 3 males 80s, 3 females 90s, 1 male 90s
- DeKalb County: 1 male 80s, 1 male 90s
- Franklin County: 1 male 90s
- Lake County: 1 female 80s
- Macon County: 1 male 80s
- McDonough County: 1 female 70s, 1 female 80s
- Peoria County: 1 female 60s, 1 male 70s, 1 female 80s
- Tazewell County: 1 male 80s
- Will County: 1 female 70s, 1 female 90s
- Williamson County: 1 male 60s
- Winnebago County: 1 male 90s
Currently, IDPH is reporting a total of 1,370,342 cases, including 22,494 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 67,166 specimens for a total of 23,972,125. As of last night, 1,518 individuals in Illinois were reported to be in the hospital with COVID-19. Of those, 405 patients were in the ICU and 224 patients with COVID-19 were on ventilators.
The preliminary seven-day statewide positivity for cases as a percent of total test from May 12-18, 2021 is 2.3%. The preliminary seven-day statewide test positivity from May 12-18, 2021 is 2.7%.
A total of 10,551,158 vaccines have been administered in Illinois as of last midnight. The seven-day rolling average of vaccines administered daily is 62,884 doses. Yesterday, 117,381 doses were reported administered in Illinois. The server pharmacies use to report doses was experiencing delays over the past several days and many doses were not entered. Those doses have now been added and are included in today’s number.
*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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* Details are here. Press release…
Gov. Pritzker Announces Six-Year $20.7 Billion Construction Plan Made Possible By Rebuild Illinois
Proposed Highway Improvement Program Will Improve 2,779 Miles of Roads and 7.9 Million Square Feet of Bridge Deck, Creating Thousands of Jobs
Full Amtrak Service to Resume July 19th Following Reduced COVID-19 Schedule
SPRINGFIELD – Governor JB Pritzker joined the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and labor, legislative and local leaders today to announce the release of a $20.7 billion multi-year plan to improve Illinois’ roads and bridges over the next six years. This robust commitment, fueled by the historic, bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital plan, will reinforce Illinois’ leadership as a transportation hub and create thousands of jobs as the state seeks to spur economic growth following the COVID-19 pandemic. The latest multi-year plan builds on significant infrastructure investment over the past two years, with over 2,700 miles of state and local roadways and 290 bridges already improved through Rebuild Illinois.
With more than 4.9 million Illinoisans fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and 64% of residents age 18 and over receiving at least their first dose, the Governor also announced the return of full Amtrak service in Illinois beginning July 19th. In accordance with CDC guidance, face masks are still required on public transit, including trains, to prevent community spread.
“With all that’s been built over the last two years, even through a global pandemic, today we are announcing the new Multi-Year Plan for the next six years that will reconstruct over 2,700 more miles of roads and nearly 8 million square feet of bridges. And of course, the projects in this MYP will continue to create and support hundreds of thousands of jobs for hardworking Illinoisans across our state – bolstering our pandemic recovery in yet one more way,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Rebuild Illinois is about investing for the future – supporting this generation and the next, making sure we have good jobs and the roads to get there, and building a state where opportunity is just around the corner for everyone, no matter where you’re standing.”
HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
Based on current funding levels, the FY2022-27 Proposed Highway Improvement Program aims to improve 2,779 miles of roads and 7.9 million square feet of bridge deck. Of the $20.7 billion over the six years of the program, $3.32 billion has been identified for the upcoming fiscal year.
Included in the program are a multitude of projects that will create economic opportunity, enhance quality of life, and improve safety on both the IDOT and local transportation systems.
Project selection was based on objective criteria, such as pavement conditions, traffic volumes and crash history. Of the major elements in the plan for IDOT roads and bridges, investments include: $5.79 billion for highway reconstruction and preservation, $4.82 billion for bridge improvements, $2.59 billion for strategic expansion, $1.43 billion for system support such as engineering and land acquisition, and $1.21 billion for safety and system modernizations.
“Under the governor’s leadership, we are continuing to build and sustain infrastructure that gives Illinois its competitive edge and strengthens our status as the transportation hub of North America,” said Acting Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “This latest multiyear program means we will keep making historic improvements in our transportation system, just as we have throughout the pandemic. As people start to explore and travel Illinois again, we want passenger rail to be a viable option as well.”
The program will create and support hundreds of thousands of earning opportunities over the next six years for Illinois residents in communities across the state. As the state and national economy continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, these jobs will be a critical source for families working to get back on their feet.
“This plan will put us on a path to providing equitable, data-driven solutions for underserved communities across the state. As Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, I am excited to see these projects implemented and to see much-needed investment in our communities,” said Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago).
“The Rebuild Illinois program is the largest infrastructure investment in Illinois’ history, and continues to have a transformational impact on central Illinois,” said Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield). “This financial commitment is not just about streets and highways or roads and bridges. It is invigorating communities, spurring economic development, and putting people to work.”
“Illinois is the transportation hub of the Midwest, and I am pleased to see that maintaining and improving our roads and bridges remains a priority through this new multi-year plan,” said Senator Donald DeWitte (R-St. Charles), who serves as the Minority Spokesperson of the Senate Transportation Committee. “Especially as we begin to move out of the pandemic, a reliable transportation grid is essential to restoring economic vitality to businesses that have endured immense difficulty over the last 14 months.”
“As Illinois residents begin to travel throughout the state once again regularly for both work and leisure following the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring our infrastructure provides safe, efficient means to do so is a top priority of mine. The Multi-Year Plan does just that,” said Senator Melinda Bush (D – Grayslake). “Furthermore, the projects outlined in the plan will provide thousands of jobs for hardworking Illinoisans who have longed for a return to work. I was proud to support the Rebuild Illinois Program, and look forward to seeing it carried out right here in Lake County and across the state.”
“Illinois needs reliable infrastructure capable of move people and goods safely across the state. Alleviating congestion, resurfacing roads, and rehabilitating bridges are key activities to keep economic activity and prosperity flowing across Illinois. I commend Governor Pritzker for leading the way in keeping Illinois competitive while we create good-paying jobs,” said Senator Omar Aquino (D-Chicago).
Passed in 2019, Gov. Pritzker’s bipartisan Rebuild Illinois plan, the first of its kind in nearly a decade, promotes economic growth by investing a total of $33.2 billion into the state’s aging transportation system. Rebuild Illinois is not only the largest capital program in state history, but also the first one that touches all modes of Illinois transportation: roads and bridges, transit, waterways, freight and passenger rail, aviation, and bicycle and pedestrian accommodations.
RESUMING AMTRAK SERVICE
With the number of positive COVID-19 cases continuing to decrease and the demand for public transportation expanding, Amtrak will resume full passenger rail service, providing another efficient transportation option to connect residents across the state.
A full long-distance interstate schedule will restore four state-sponsored lines. The Chicago-Milwaukee partnership with Wisconsin will resume next week. The three state sponsored routes connecting Chicago and Quincy, Chicago and Carbondale, and Chicago and St. Louis, will run at full capacity by mid-July. Passengers can reserve tickets for travel starting the week of July 19th on Amtrak.com beginning this week.
Amtrak previously announced a return to normal operations for the Hiawatha Service on May 23rd, a partnership of Illinois and Wisconsin departments of transportation that runs between Chicago and Milwaukee with a stop in Glenview.
“As Amtrak begins our 50th year of service nationally, we look forward to growing our ridership back to normal levels and celebrating this fall when our Illinois DOT partnership celebrates its 50th anniversary on Nov. 4,” said Amtrak Vice President Ray Lang, responsible for Amtrak’s state-supported services.
The increased capacity builds upon the administration’s robust efforts to safely connect communities and help lift local economies. Under Rebuild Illinois, a total of $1.1 billion is allocated for rail improvements alone. The critical investments include $78 million in new funds to upgrade rail crossings and improve safety, which will create and support opportunities for hardworking Illinoisans.
Amtrak has stations in 30 communities in Illinois, serving more than a million riders annually prior to the pandemic. For a full list of stops, schedule, and fare information, visit Amtrak.com/Midwest.
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It’s just a bill
Wednesday, May 19, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* HB234 synopsis…
Beginning with the 2022-2023 school year, requires every public high school to include in its curriculum a unit of instruction on media literacy; sets forth what topics the unit of instruction shall include. Provides that the State Board of Education shall determine how to prepare and make available instructional resources and professional learning opportunities for educators that may be used for the development of the unit of instruction.
Capitol News Illinois…
But Sen. Terri Bryant, R-Murphysboro, questioned how objective schools could be in teaching students how to evaluate news stories by separating factual news from “fake news.”
“What’s fake news and what is not fake news,” she asked.
Villa replied that teachers are trained in how to instruct students in media usage and that the difference between fake news and real news is the same as the difference between fiction and nonfiction.
“So the teachers themselves would be deciding what’s fake news, by their own opinion,” Bryant asked.
She asked hypothetically what would happen if a district decided that CNN anchor Anderson Cooper was a liar. “They could basically say that anything Anderson Cooper says is fake news,” Bryant said.
Villa, however, said the instruction would just be designed to teach students how to verify information in a news story in order to evaluate for themselves what is accurate and what is not.
Sigh.
* Sun-Times editorial…
The Illinois Legislature, in a historic and symbolically powerful gesture, is likely as early as this week to abolish the criminalization of HIV transmission. House Bill 1063 sailed through the House in April, with bipartisan support, and looks certain to be approved by the Senate and signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker.
Illinois then will have joined five other states since 2014 — California, Colorado, Iowa, Michigan and North Carolina — that have put an end to the criminalization of HIV transmission and it will be setting a fine example for 33 other states that still have such laws.
To understand how the laws came to be in the first place — how a public health crisis became a matter for cops and prisons — it helps to recall the fear, even hysteria, that swept the country in the early 1980s as Americans became aware of a mysterious and deadly new disease, AIDS.
People feared they could catch the bug just by touching somebody, and there were no effective medical treatments. Some state laws criminalized biting or spitting by an HIV-positive person, though saliva was not a probable transmission risk.
Adding to the fear was the loathing. Homophobia, more intense then than it is today, made it easier for legislatures to write laws that treated people with HIV — mostly gay men — as criminals rather than victims. No other sexually transmitted or communicable disease, such as tuberculosis, hepatitis or syphilis, could put you in line for jail.
House roll call is here. No surprises.
* Center Square…
As lawmakers continue to hash out budget details for how to spend Illinois taxpayers’ money, one tax credit in the governor’s crosshairs has private school advocates fighting to keep it alive.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker said this week his proposal to limit the Invest In Kids tax credit program is less expensive for the state’s taxpayers.
“I don’t want scholarships to go away at all,” Pritzker said Monday. “What we’re trying to do, two things, one is we introduced a budget that is balanced in a pandemic, and one of the changes that we proposed making is to rely on federal tax benefits and tax deductions rather than state tax credits.”
The governor’s proposal would drop the Invest In Kids tax credit from 70% to 40% with an impact of $14 million. That’s one of nine different tax credit programs the governor is looking to either limit or end for a total impact of $932 million.
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It Is Time to Repeal PNA
Wednesday, May 19, 2021 - Posted by Advertising Department
[The following is a paid advertisement.]
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* Context from CNN…
Democratic lawmakers in both chambers of Congress have a 100% vaccination rate against Covid-19, a CNN survey of Capitol Hill found this week, significantly outpacing Republicans in the House and Senate and illustrating the partisan divide over the pandemic.
For Republicans, at least 44.8% of House members are vaccinated and at least 92% of senators are, CNN found.
* Melanie Zanona…
A group of House Republicans revolted over their chamber’s mask rules on Tuesday, the latest sign of tensions boiling over as Congress wrestles with how and when to return to pre-pandemic routines.
Around a dozen Republicans refused to wear masks during the evening vote series and strategically stood at the well of the chamber, which appears on the C-SPAN cameras, and seemed to encourage other members to join in.
Lawmakers face hefty fines if they don’t wear masks on the House floor: $500 for the first offense and $2,500 for the second offense. The money is deducted from their salaries.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) snapped a selfie with a few other maskless members and posted it to social media. Taking pictures on the House floor is against longstanding rules due to security concerns.
At one point, Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Ill.) came over and confronted the rebellious crew and asked them to be more respectful of other members and staff.
One of those other members was freshman US Rep. Mary Miller…
Apparently, all our national problems are solved.
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* New NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll…
The percentage of American adults saying they will get a COVID-19 vaccine (14%) or have already gotten one (59%) held steady at 73% this month.
There is a question, though, of whether the country has hit a plateau, as daily vaccinations continue to decline, and as a quarter of Americans continue to say they will not get vaccinated — a number that has held steady since March.
The least likely to say they will get vaccinated continue to be Trump supporters (43%) and Republicans (41%), particularly Republican men (44%). But a third of Americans under 45 also say they will not get the shot.
There is no real statistical difference in hesitancy between white and Black Americans — 73% of whites say they’ve either gotten the vaccine or will get it; 75% of Black Americans said the same (69% of Latinos also said so).
Americans are overwhelmingly supportive of providing doses of vaccines to other countries that need it — 84% said it’s a good idea.
* If those results are right, you wouldn’t know it by looking at this Chicago map from WBEZ . Maybe people are willing to get vaxed and are unable for some reason? Whatever it is, this needs further debate…
*** UPDATE *** WBEZ…
In a recent interview with WBEZ, Arwady said her department is now shifting its focus to the 13 ZIP codes with the lowest vaccination rates. In recent weeks, as the pop-up clinics have come to an end, the Department of Public Health is driving a vaccination bus around town, stopping at schools and parks in these neighborhoods on the weekends when it’s easy to get people to come out.
The vaccination bus schedule posted online will target four majority Black neighborhoods — South Shore, Englewood, Roseland and Austin — through May. These neighborhoods have some of the city’s lowest vaccination rates. Anyone 12 and older is eligible, and appointments are not required.
The health department has also issued two $10 million requests for proposals to continue some of the work Protect Chicago Plus started. The first, released in March, was seeking “Regional Vaccinators” for five equity zones on the South and West Sides to operate mobile vaccination sites and administer shots in specific settings, like factories.
“We’re not thinking in terms of if a site can [vaccinate] thousands a day. We’re like, ‘Can a site do hundreds a day? And where can we put additional sites?’ ” Arwady said.
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[The following is a paid advertisement.]
Last month, the Illinois House unanimously passed House Bill 3498 to ensure access to innovative telehealth services beyond the pandemic, which will reduce access barriers and improve patient outcomes. Backed by the Coalition to Protect Telehealth, the bill preserves access to telehealth flexibilities that benefit patients.
During the pandemic, healthcare professionals throughout Illinois have made sure patients could continue needed healthcare services using telehealth. Hospitals and health systems have maintained continuity in care through investments in new technology and adjustments to clinical workflows. Here are a few examples:
• University of Chicago Medicine: Clinicians can monitor patients’ health by remotely measuring blood sugar levels, heart rhythm and oxygen levels in the blood, and quickly make adjustments in treatment that improve outcomes.
• Hospital Sisters Health System: The Springfield-based system acquired technology so patients could more easily utilize virtual care services, and bolstered telehealth use for both inpatient and outpatient services.
• Sinai Health System: Increased telehealth flexibilities and reimbursement have allowed Sinai Chicago to maintain access to care and continue critical outreach and community programs, such as its elder abuse program through Sinai Community Institute.
The Coalition to Protect Telehealth urges the Illinois Senate to vote “YES” on HB3498. Read more examples of telehealth and visit https://protectillinoistelehealth.org/.
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* Background to this infuriating story is here and here if you need it. ACLU of Illinois…
“We are pleased to announce the successful resolution of Butler v. Staes, et al., a matter first filed in January 2020. We filed this case after our client Jaylan – an innocent college student returning from a swim meet on his team’s bus – was taken to the ground and had a gun held to his head by police officers. After reaching a settlement with two of the officers who directly interacted with Jaylan on that fateful evening, Jaylan has filed a stipulation to dismiss the remaining claims.
We filed this case to seek accountability for Jaylan and to raise awareness of the degree to which traumatic police interactions harm individuals, even when the person harmed is able to walk away. We believe, and Jaylan concurs, that our actions to date have satisfied those goals. Now, Jaylan can put this matter behind him and continue his private life as a student, athlete, and young man.
We are so pleased to have worked on this case, and to represent Jaylan as he pursued accountability for the actions taken against him by police officers. Jaylan was determined to ensure that his experience would not simply fly under the radar the way abusive police interactions with young Black men often do. Despite all of the challenges of the last year, Jaylan has remained committed to this quest for accountability – both for himself and for the wider community – and continues to seek to ensure that police officers treat young Black men like himself with dignity and respect.
We thank our co-counsel at Sidley Austin and all of those who have been part of the legal team supporting Jaylan. We also thank Jaylan‘s family for their support and partnership at every step in this process. We wish Jaylan the best of luck in the future and are pleased that this matter has been resolved in a positive fashion.”
Statement of Jaylan Butler:
“The memories of that night being pressed to the ground, with officers swearing at me and a gun pointed at my head, will remain with me forever. But I know that unlike other Black men who have been stopped and manhandled by police, I got to go home. For me, this lawsuit has always been about holding the officers accountable for their actions that night. I believe I have accomplished that goal. As a result, I am happy to dismiss the suit and move forward.
I want to thank all of the people from across the country who were supportive of me during this time. I value your well wishes and words of appreciation more than I can say.
The end of this lawsuit is not the end of the fight for police accountability. We must ensure that officers are held to account when they violate someone’s constitutional rights. This is an effort that I will continue to support for the rest of my life.”
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Corinne Wood
Wednesday, May 19, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* CBS 2…
Corinne Wood, the former Illinois Lieutenant Governor under Gov. George Ryan, has died after a 15-year battle with breast cancer, her husband, Paul, confirmed on Tuesday evening.
Wood served as the state’s first female lieutenant governor from 1999 to 2003. She would have turned 67 years old on May 28. Wood, an attorney, served as a Republican state house member, representing the 59th District, before becoming lieutenant governor.
In 2002, she sought the Republican nomination for governor to succeed the retiring Ryan. She finished third in the primary losing to Attorney General Jim Ryan. That year, Gov. Rod Blagojevich became the first Democrat to win that office since 1977.
She made her presence known more than most LGs before and since. Wood was no shrinking violet. And she had such a strong spirit and optimism as she dealt with cancer. She just would not give up. All respect.
* Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton…
It was with great sorrow that I learned of the passing of Corinne Wood who died after waging a courageous battle against breast cancer. As the first woman to serve as lieutenant governor of Illinois, she was a trailblazer bringing her authentic self to the office and elevating the issue of women’s health. She paved the way for women like me to serve in this role. My husband Bryan and I send our prayers and heartfelt condolences to the family.
* Change Illinois…
The Board of Directors and staff of CHANGE Illinois mourn the death of groundbreaking former Republican Lt. Gov. Corinne G. Wood, a long-time board director and champion of CHANGE Illinois and the effort to achieve independent mapping in Illinois.
Surrounded by her immediate family, Corinne died peacefully from complications related to her 15-year struggle with metastatic breast cancer.
“We have lost a friend, guiding light, and staunch ally. Corrine’s grace and brilliance will be dearly missed,” said CHANGE Illinois Board Co-Chair Deborah Harrington.
Corinne was a mother and wife, an attorney, a former member of the Illinois General Assembly, and the first female Lieutenant Governor of the State of Illinois.
She remained active in many political, civic and social endeavors after leaving office.
“Corinne Wood was committed to improving Illinois long after her tenure in elected office ended,” said CHANGE Illinois Executive Director Madeleine Doubek. “As a reporter, I covered Wood during her time in office. When I joined CHANGE Illinois, Corinne turned the tables and frequently asked tough, incisive questions about our fight for independent mapping and improved ethics in Illinois. We were better for it and for her contributions. We need more committed public servants like Corinne fighting for Illinois.”
She is survived by her husband, Paul, and three adult children, Ashley, Brandon and Courtney. Funeral and memorial service arrangements are pending.
I’ll update as needed.
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Open thread
Wednesday, May 19, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* So very cool…
Got anything you want to get off your chest?
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