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Afternoon roundup
Friday, Oct 20, 2023 - Posted by Rich Miller
* I’ve been telling subscribers about this. Nursing homes put a property tax break into an omnibus bill, the governor vetoed the provision and they’re now trying to override him during the veto session…
A trade group representing nursing-home operators says, with costs rising fast, the industry deserves the tax break. In an apparent effort to underline its point, the Health Care Council of Illinois PAC has donated to the political war chests of dozens of state lawmakers since mid-summer, with $100,000 going to a fund operated by Illinois Senate President Don Harmon.
Pritzker and allies counter that the tax shift is not warranted, especially since the nursing home industry won an estimated $700 million in higher state Medicaid payments last year. Pritzker’s amendatory veto means lawmakers will have to consider the matter again, with a simple majority of both houses needed to concur and a 60% margin needed to override him. […]
The bill would grant the relief by cutting the tax rate on nursing homes from 25% of their market value (today’s standard for all commercial property in Cook County) to the 10% figure used for single-family residences. The fact sheet asserts the impact on taxing bodies and other taxpayers would be minimal.
But Pritzker in his veto message disagreed, saying he has been hearing from worried municipal officials, especially in the south end of Cook County, where many businesses long have departed and nursing homes comprise a disproportionate share of the property-tax base.
The nursing home owners are telling members that southern Cook County is where they’re being hit the hardest. That area has horribly high property taxes because so many businesses have left. If the nursing homes do receive their tax cut, everyone else’s taxes will have to go up and more businesses could leave. If they don’t receive the cut, some nursing homes may close.
That region needs a Marshall Plan.
* Cook County State’s Attorney…
One month into the implementation of the groundbreaking Pretrial Fairness Act (PFA), the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office (CCSAO) takes a moment to reflect on the progress and challenges of this transformative legislation. As the pioneering state to eliminate cash bail for pretrial release, Illinois is leading the charge in championing a more just and equitable criminal justice system.
Key Updates from the First Month:
• A total of 649 detention hearings were requested, with detention being granted in 60% of the cases.
• Only in two cases was the detention request withdrawn.
• Domestic battery cases emerged prominently, with 216 detention hearings requested. Given that domestic battery is often classified as a misdemeanor, its detention grant rate stood at only 39%.
• Unlawful Use of a Weapon followed, with 105 detention hearings requested and a 64% grant rate.
• Cases involving Murder, Vehicular Hijacking, and Attempted Murder boasted the highest rates of detention requests granted at 93%, 94%, and 89% respectively.
Impact on Jail Populations:
• There has been a notable 12% reduction in the overall jail population, dwindling from 5,531 a year ago to the current 4,846.
• The count of those accused of non-violent crimes has reduced by 21%, shifting from 2,029 to 1,610.
These dwindling jail population figures, especially concerning non-violent crime, underscore the PFA’s targeted positive effects. The act aims to reduce people in jail for non-violent crimes by ensuring financial disparities do not dictate one’s ability to return to their life while awaiting trial.
* NORML…
Law enforcement officials made well over a quarter million arrests for marijuana-related violations in 2022, according to data compiled by the FBI’s Crime Data Explorer.
According to the online database, which was updated on Monday with data for the year 2022, police made at least 227,108 arrests for marijuana violations last year. Of those, 92 percent were for possession only. This total is a slight uptick from 2021, when the FBI reported a total of 219,489 marijuana arrests.
However, these totals are underestimates because a significant percentage of law enforcement agencies still fail to report their data to the FBI. For the year 2022, 83 percent of agencies — representing 75 percent of the total US population — reported their data, up from only 63 percent of agencies in 2021. Therefore, it is unclear whether the year-to-year uptick in reported marijuana possession arrests is due to changes in police tactics or due to more agencies reporting, or both. (Adding to this confusion, in some instances, the raw data provided by the agency in its downloaded zip files is inconsistent with the data published elsewhere on the website.)
The FBI reports that 4,633 cannabis arrests were made in Illinois during 2022. Next door in Indiana, the number was 7,236, even though it’s about half our population. 8,863 cannabis arrests were made in Missouri that year, and Missouri is even smaller than Indiana. In case you’re wondering, the Chicago Police Department reported just 4 cannabis arrests in 2022, according to the FBI. Not sure what to make of that.
* On to mental health funding…
The Will County Board Thursday approved a $10 million tax levy to fund mental health services after voters approved creating a Community Mental Health Board in last November’s election.
County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant, a Democrat, cast the tiebreaking vote after 11 Democrats voted in favor of the levy and 11 Republicans opposed it. […]
Last year, nearly 53% of county voters supported the referendum to create the board that will help coordinate services dealing with mental health issues, intellectual and developmental disabilities and substance abuse problems. […]
In the referendum, voters allowed the maximum levy that could be assessed as 0.05% per equalized assessed value. The rate approved Thursday was less than that at 0.0362%. […]
“Money is not going to solve this,” [board member Julie Berkowicz, a Republican from Naperville] said. “Raising taxes is not going to solve this. By raising taxes, we are creating more people who are struggling.”
Every time there’s a mass shooting, people demand more focus on mental health, which in the real world requires more funding. The people of Will County voted for more funding, but then half the board decided it was too much, even though the rate is lower than what was approved, and at least one opponent claimed more money won’t solve anything. *Hard sigh*
* Nothing posted by Rep. Miller (R-No Relation) since the GOP caucus withdrew Jordan’s nomination after he went down in flames on the floor for the third straight time…
From within the GOP caucus…
Stuff like this certainly didn’t help…
* Good news…
U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth, a member of both the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees, celebrated the release of two Illinois hostages, Natalie and Judith Raanan, who were taken by Hamas terrorists during their coordinated and inhumane attacks in Israel last weekend and who have been held in Gaza since while calling for the release of and access to immediate medical care for those still in captivity:
“The release of two Illinoisans, Judith and Natalie Raanan, who’ve been held hostage by Hamas since last weekend’s awful terrorist attacks in Israel is an undeniable relief—not only for those of us who’ve been working for their release but for their family, friends and all their loved ones who can breathe a little easier today.
“This is—and should be—a day of celebration for them, but I know there are still so many families going through the unimaginable anguish of worrying about the fate of their loved ones still being held hostage and my heart goes out to them today too.
“I, along with our entire government, remain hard at work doing everything I can to ensure the Americans—and anyone—still in Hamas captivity can return home safely. Hamas owes these families the swift release of all hostages, and they must immediately allow life-saving medical care to reach those still in their custody as we work to secure their safe release.”
* Isabel’s roundup…
* SJ-R | Ten days after withdrawing from ICC, Navigator cancels CO2 pipeline: Navigator said at the time that it had planned to refile with a new route, but those plans appear to be thwarted. “As good stewards of capital and responsible managers of people, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the Heartland Greenway project,” Matt Vining, CEO of Navigator CO2 said in a statement. “We are disappointed that we will not be able to provide services to our customers and thank them for their continued support.”
* Bloomberg | BlackRock-backed CO2 pipe plan scrapped: Summit Carbon Solutions, which seeks to build an even bigger carbon dioxide pipeline, was denied a permit by North Dakota in August and is asking officials to reconsider the decision. Summit Carbon, a unit of Summit Agriculture Group, said it aims to gain from Navigator’s departure.
* Tribune | Clocked in 12 hours a day, 7 days a week: How staffing bills for migrant shelters swelled with overtime: Invoices reviewed by the Tribune show that hundreds of Favorite Staffing workers logged 84-hour workweeks — with the overtime, paid at a 50% premium, helping balloon bills that topped at least $56 million. At a Woodlawn shelter in early February, for example, two-thirds of the 50 staffers logged working at least 12 hours a day, seven days a week. At the Streeterville site one week in March, roughly 8 in 10 workers logged the same hours. … “A humanitarian crisis that requires 24/7 staff at multiple sites throughout the city unfortunately will result in staff working overtime,” Pritzker spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh said in a written response to questions.
* Daily Southtown | Calumet City administrators knew stormwater pumps were in ‘poor condition’ a year before massive flood, report shows: The 2022 report from Farnsworth Group, a private architecture and engineering firm working as the city’s engineering consultant since 2021, was sent to Deanne Jaffrey, the Calumet City chief of staff and city administrator. The document states the mayor’s office and Jay Embry from Public Works were copied on the report. Also involved in the analysis of the pumps was Metropolitan Pump manager Keith Girup. Superior Stormwater Basin and Pump Station, and Stateline (Shirley) Stormwater Basin and Pump Station were both in “poor condition,” according to the findings.
* Tribune | County executive awards demolition contract for former Will County Courthouse: The county has been preparing to demolish the four-story, Brutalist-style courthouse, 14 W. Jefferson St., Joliet, since 2019, but there has been a recent push by residents and county board members to preserve the building.
* Crain’s | Fraction of craft cannabis growers operational in Illinois, despite dedicated fund: The Illinois Cannabis Business Development Fund has handed out roughly $21 million to social equity entrepreneurs who were given the craft grow permits, the Illinois Answers Project reported. That’s out of $34 million that was intended to be devoted to the program.
* Pioneer Press | Pro-Palestinian demonstrators occupy U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky’s Skokie office; police cite seven for trespassing: Schakowsky responded with a statement saying she led congressional colleagues in signing a letter to President Biden urging him to ensure that innocent civilians in Gaza are protected from violence and attacks and provided humanitarian assistance and safe passage.
* AP | Judge rules Alex Jones can’t use bankruptcy protection to avoid paying Sandy Hook families: The decision is another significant defeat for Jones in the wake of juries in Texas and Connecticut punishing him over spreading falsehoods about the nation’s deadliest school shooting. U.S. District Judge Christopher Lopez of Houston issued the ruling Thursday.
* Block Club | Decorated Senior Olympian Now Working To Mentor West Side Kids: Fresh off his wins in the Illinois Senior Olympics this summer, the East Garfield Park resident is now working to instill his love of physical fitness and friendly competition in West Side kids. […] His wins in the Senior Olympics coincides with his GOlympians Track Team group expanding its efforts to help Black West Siders discover opportunities for sports they may not have been previously given opportunities to play.
* Press Release | Homecoming flyover during national anthem features SIU alum: The Section Leader in command of the mission and Director of Operations for the 964th Airborne Air Control Squadron is a Saluki grad, Lieutenant Colonel Sean “Flash” Gordon. He was also the 2004 SIU Homecoming king.
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It’s just a bill
Friday, Oct 20, 2023 - Posted by Isabel Miller
* Let’s start with a veto session preview from Capitol News Illinois…
When lawmakers return to the Capitol next week for their annual fall veto session, they have a full agenda, including a handful of vetoes from Gov. JB Pritzker to consider overriding, in addition to deciding whether to revive a private school scholarship program.
But additional state spending is unlikely to be on their agenda, according to recent comments from both the governor and House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch. […]
Another issue likely to come up during veto session is a change to the state’s labor laws that would allow certain legislative staffers to unionize. […]
Domestic violence advocates and a group of Democratic lawmakers are reviving a proposal left on the cutting room floor when the spring session ended in May. The bill would clarify existing law that mandates guns be taken away from an alleged abuser after a judge grants a certain type of domestic violence order of protection against them.
The staff union bill has been posted for a hearing in Tuesday morning’s House Executive Committee hearing.
* Rep. Adam Niemerg introduced a bill in response to the 5 killed in Teutopolis after an ammonia truck was hit. From the synopsis of HB4182…
Creates the Construction Zone Safe Detour Act. Establishes that a company that provides GPS travel services in the State is required to ensure that at least one person is available to receive official requests 24 hours per day, 7 days per week from emergency services, Illinois State Police, or the Department of Transportation for the purpose of implementing proper detours in the event of construction or emergency. Requires a GPS service provider to upload the detour and routing information provided by emergency services, Illinois State Police, or the Department of Transportation into its navigation system to properly route users of the GPS service provider’s systems. Provides that a GPS service provider that fails to implement proper detour routing on an ongoing and emergency basis may be liable for treble damages. Allows an affirmative defense for GPS service providers if emergency services, including the Department of Transportation and Illinois State Police, fail to notify the GPS service provider with routing information. Prohibits the Department from conducting construction on a secondary route or parallel primary highway at the same time, except in an emergency. Requires the Department to reimburse local governments for damages caused to roads within the local government’s jurisdiction that arise from any detour around or near a construction zone authorized by the Department. Provides that the Department shall adopt emergency rules for the administration of the Act. Defines terms.
Here’s more on Rep. Niemerg’s bill from WAND…
The legislation was filed by State Senator Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) and State Representative Adam Niemerg (R-Teutopolis).
“The I-70 corridor between Effingham and Terre Haute has been an unmitigated disaster this summer, due to poor planning at the state level, along with navigation services sending people down dangerous routes during closures,” Sen. Rose said. “Our goal is to make sure that major projects like this are planned in a safer manner, and that when roads do have to be closed, drivers are following the best and safest detour route possible.”
The bill establishes that a company that provides GPS travel services in the State is required to ensure that at least one person is available at all times to receive official requests from emergency services, Illinois State Police, or the Department of Transportation for the purpose of implementing proper detours in the event of construction or emergency.
The bill requires a GPS service provider to upload the detour and routing information provided by emergency services, Illinois State Police, or the Department of Transportation into its navigation system to properly route users of the GPS service provider’s systems.
It prohibits the Illinois Department of Transportation from placing a parallel secondary transportation route under construction while a primary route is also under construction, except in cases of emergencies.
* More from Sen. Sue Rezin on her new nuclear power plant legislation….
During the General Assembly’s 2023 spring legislative session, I filed such a bill, Senate Bill 76. After robust negotiations, it received large bipartisan support in both chambers. This legislation was set to usher in the next phase in our state’s new energy generation era and spark economic growth and environmental stewardship opportunities. […]
While I support calling for an override vote and believe that vote would be successful if the Senate and House leaders allowed it, I have also filed a new bill to address the concerns of the Governor.
The reality is Illinois cannot continue to allow the outdated moratorium to remain in place while other states throughout the nation are aggressively embracing advanced nuclear power technology. If Illinois does not adapt to the modern energy era, we will lose any nuclear advantage we currently enjoy.
The embrace of advanced nuclear technology by either overriding the veto of Senate Bill 76 or the passage of Senate Bill 2591 during the upcoming veto session will showcase Illinois’ commitment to the nuclear industry, preservation of the environment, and safeguarding local economies for generations to come.
In cases of road closures, GPS and navigation service providers will have to use detours provided by IDOT and ISP to make sure the safest detour routes are being sent to drivers in real time.
* Rep. Brad Halbrook filed HR449…
Condemns the attacks on the State of Israel and its people and strongly implores the government of Israel to bring the terrorist organization, Hamas, to an end. Reaffirms Illinois’ support and unwavering commitment to the welfare, security, and survival of the State of Israel. Recognizes Israel’s right to act decisively and unilaterally in self-defense to protect its citizens. Expresses Illinois’ support for Israel’s right to pursue without interference or condemnation the elimination of Hamas until Hamas is permanently neutralized and public safety is assured. Conveys Illinois’ most heartfelt condolences to all Israeli victims as well as their families and communities. Calls upon Illinois law enforcement to remain vigilant in protecting Israeli Americans, Jewish Americans, and all supporters of Israel from acts of crime and unlawful discrimination that tend to manifest at such times. Encourages all other American states to likewise condemn Hamas as well as any official body that refuses to recognize Israel’s right to act decisively in self-defense to protect its citizens. Calls upon the United States to provide assistance to support Israel in its defense against Hamas and all other terrorist organizations that threaten its sovereignty.
* Center Square…
As issues continue at state-run mental health facilities across Illinois, legislators are again calling for change. […]
State Rep. Charlie Meier, R-Okawville, filed three measures as part of his “Help Protect Us and Improve Our Home” initiative, which he hopes to discuss during the fall veto session.
“I hope we discuss some of these issues during veto. I just started drafting a bill yesterday on trying to do a pilot program with the workers,” Meier told The Center Square. “I think some Dems maybe will like it.” […]
Other changes suggested in the measures include a mass hiring of qualified staff, an increase in administrative and security inspections, and an improved effort to remind employees if they see something is wrong, report it.
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* Background is here if you need it. Brighton Park Neighborhood Council…
This morning, 12th Ward Alderwoman Julia Ramirez and her staff were verbally and physically assaulted upon arriving at the proposed migrant camp site on 38th and California to address protestors’ concerns. This is inexcusable behavior. Violence is never a solution.
We understand that the encampment development is not ideal for many reasons. The process has been unclear to the residents and families of Brighton Park who have called the neighborhood home for years. As a result, misinformation has spread across the ward, fueling anti-immigrant and racist remarks. We will not tolerate hateful speech and racism against any immigrant in Chicago or Illinois.
Everyone has the right to seek asylum in the United States, and Brighton Park has historically been a welcoming neighborhood for immigrant families. It is our responsibility to welcome these new families into our city, support them as they recover from their journey, connect them to resources and services, and help them resettle.
* But if you head over to the Brighton Park Community Facebook group, you’ll see angry push-back and denials of any violence. You’ll also see this posted several times…
That’s a news aggregator. The headline is from the Daily Mail…
Chicago is giving $9,000 in rental assistance to migrants in need of temporary housing - after it paid a medical firm a staggering $7.2million for staffing shelters for just one week, according to official records.
The original story is from Fox 32…
Currently, the state is funding temporary housing, including rented apartments and homes for migrants. The state is providing up to $9,000 in rental assistance over a 6-month period, which includes assistance with moving in and a starter kit to furnish the apartment.
“That rent lasts for six months and ideally people would have started their legal process, secured legal work authorization and be able to sustain that apartment. And so the cost, or I guess the payment toward the landlord is based on market rate, it’s based on the configuration of the parament – how many rooms, where it’s located – all those things. And so it varies from place to place,” said Ald. Pacione-Zayas.
The number of asylum seekers currently utilizing the rental assistance is unclear.
The money is actually from the federal government. But many locals have convinced themselves that this is city money and they’re being shorted.
Bottom line, though, every dollar that goes to the asylum seekers is money that can’t be used for rental assistance for residents. The feds have got to step up.
* From the Tribune’s coverage of the protest…
At the protest, a group of people, many who live in the houses surrounding the lot, blocked the entrances to the lot, preventing trucks and other city workers from entering.
A protester posted a pic of people blocking the entrance yesterday…
* Many of the most confrontational protesters yesterday were Asian Americans. This statement is from nearby Ald. Nicole Lee, who is the first Chinese American to serve on the city council…
Peaceful protest is the backbone of our democracy, and everyone has the right to make their voice heard. But what my friend and colleague, Ald. Ramirez, and her staff member experienced today in the 12th Ward crossed the line into physical attacks and other actions designed to intimidate. That is unacceptable.
Everyone is entitled to make their concerns heard by City Hall as it determines where and how to place shelters. But the only way we move forward together as a city is through mutual respect and conversations so we can arrive at feasible and sustainable solutions. I am always open to these very conversations and committed to ensuring the concerns of constituents, and the broader Chinese community are heard and addressed.
We’re facing huge public safety challenges, and as we head into winter, we must stop using police stations as de facto migrant shelters. That necessarily means neighborhoods across the city must welcome these individuals into alternative options that are safe, clean, adequately staffed, and warm - for the good of our residents, our police officers, and the migrants themselves.
Now, more than ever, we must work together to navigate this humanitarian crisis in the best interest of our city, and its future.
The neighborhood is represented in the House by Rep. Theresa Mah, the first Asian American elected to the Illinois General Assembly. Rep. Mah echoed Ald. Lee’s remarks online, writing “I could not have said it better.”
* I asked Isabel to take a quick look at how other places are faring…
* WaPo | Biden wants help on migrants, but Mexico faces its own surge: President Biden is also leaning on Mexico to step up its enforcement. But this country is struggling with a migration crisis of its own, as historic numbers of asylum seekers cross its southern border. As many as 6,000 migrants a day have lined up outside government offices in southern Mexico — some seeking refuge in this country, but many others headed for the United States. That’s up to 10 times as many as in the spring.
* Reuters | US to open migrant processing center in Ecuador: The U.S. Department of State said the so-called “Safe Mobility Offices” are already operating in Colombia, Costa Rica, and Guatemala to expedite refugee processing and other humanitarian and employment permits. The Ecuador office will initially focus on Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, Venezuelan and Colombian asylum seekers in Ecuador, the State Department announced on its website.
* The Guardian | More than 14,000 asylum seekers were sent to San Diego. Local support systems were overwhelmed: “The community is here showing up, the government should also,” said Reyes-Perrariz. “We want to continue welcoming asylum seekers but we want to do it in a safe manner that’s sustainable.”
* ABC NY | Rockland County says landlords are packing migrant families into homes for profits: Officials in the town say profiteers are increasingly illegally converting single-family homes in neighborhoods and packing in renters. The conditions in some after often dangerous for the families, as well as first responders.
* ABC NY | Approximately 25 people found to be living in single-family home amid migrant crisis in New York: In March, five people died in a fire at a home in Spring Valley that had been illegally subdivided. In response, Rockland County conducted numerous inspections. “How does a first responder get in to rescue those people? And how do they get out? How does a landlord allow that to happen?”
* The Hill | Healey says Massachusetts cannot guarantee shelter for migrants, homeless after end of month: “We are not ending the right-to-shelter law,” Healey said in a press conference Monday. “We are being very clear, though, that we are not going to be able to guarantee placement for folks who are sent here after the end of this month.”
* CBS Boston | Arlington neighbors concerned after neo-Nazi group NSC-131 protests outside Gov. Healey’s home: Members of the group stood outside Healey’s home and chanted “New England is ours, the rest must go,” an apparent reference to the ongoing arrival of migrants in Massachusetts. Their presence drew a large police response and left the neighborhood unsettled.
* Axios | Denver will start vetting process for migrant service providers: Contracts will likely be presented to the council for consideration by the end of the year. The city has spent $28 million to provide services to more than 24,400 migrants who started arriving last December.
* NYT | What to Know About the Migrant Crisis in New York City: As of mid-October, more than 130,600 migrants had arrived in New York City since the spring of 2022. Officials have struggled to respond as people from all over the world have arrived, sometimes by the thousands each week. Many have sought shelter with the city, which has a legal obligation to give beds to anyone who asks. Last fall, the city’s homeless shelter population hit a record. It has only grown since then.
* WMTW | Portland prepares to open a new shelter just for asylum seekers: Maine’s Total Coverage received an exclusive tour of the old beverage warehouse being converted to a temporary emergency shelter able to house 180 people in two open dormitories – 110 for men and 70 for women.
* WMTW | Maine’s refugee, asylum-seeker population is growing rapidly, expected to double: In fiscal year 2022, which ended Sept. 30, 2022, 18 asylees and 113 refugees arrived in Maine. In fiscal year 2023, which ended Sept. 30, 2023, that jumped to 62 asylees and 419 refugees. The vast majority of them went to Portland, Lewiston, Scarborough and Auburn.
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* From HB1187…
The Illinois Emergency Management Agency is authorized to make grants to not-for-profit organizations which are exempt from federal income taxation under section 501(c)(3) of the Federal Internal Revenue Code for eligible security improvements that assist the organization in preventing, preparing for, or responding to threats, attacks, or acts of terrorism.
To be eligible for a grant under the program, the Agency must determine that the organization is at a high risk of being subject to threats, attacks, or acts of terrorism based on the organization’s profile, ideology, mission, or beliefs. Eligible security improvements shall include all eligible preparedness activities under the federal Nonprofit Security Grant Program, including, but not limited to, physical security upgrades, security training exercises, preparedness training exercises, contracting with security personnel, and any other security upgrades deemed eligible by the Director.
* Sen. Villivalam and Rep. Olickal sent this letter to IEMA…
Secretary Alicia Tate-Nadeau,
First, we would like to extend our appreciation to you, the members of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security, for your leadership and dedication in keeping Illinois families safe every day, but especially in emergency situations.
Today, we are writing specifically with regard to the Nonprofit Security Grant Program.
We are honored to have voted for a $20 million appropriation for this IEMA-OHS grant program in the Fiscal Year ‘24 budget.
Additionally, with the collaboration of IEMA-OHS and a coalition of community organizations, we voted for, and Governor Pritzker signed, House Bill 1187. The legislation expands the eligibility of this IEMA-OHS grant program to include organizations that are at a high risk of being subject to prior or current threats, attacks, or acts of terrorism based on the organization’s profile, ideology, mission, or beliefs.
As the state senator and state representative for the districts that likely have the highest concentrations of Jewish and Muslim populations in the state, we have heard the pain, anxiety, frustration and concern for safety in the voices and writings of our constituents.
Many of the organizations that are eligible for this IEMA-OHS grant program, including houses of worship, are places of safe refuge for our constituents.
We have two requests that we feel will provide some of our constituents assistance, given the volatile situation in the Middle East and recent hate crime activity:
1. It is our understanding that organizations were awarded these grants from the FY23 budget. We request the funding release of these awarded grants as soon as possible.
2. It is our understanding that the grant process for this program under the FY24 appropriation has not commenced. Given the safety concerns outlined above, we request the timeline for this process be expedited.
Again, we are incredibly grateful for all of the work you do and for our partnership.
Sincerely,
State Senator Ram Villivalam
State Representative Kevin Olickal
…Adding… Alex Gough with the governor’s office…
Hi Rich,
Wanted to let you know that earlier this week applicants for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program were sent a communication about next steps. Director Tate-Nadeau also responded to Sen. Villivalam and Rep. Olickal yesterday thanking them and indicating this.
* Meanwhile, background is here if you need it. From the Tribune…
An employee of the Illinois comptroller’s office was fired Thursday after the office learned she had made antisemitic comments during an exchange on social media. […]
Postings on social media identify the employee as Sarah Chowdhury, who worked as a legal counsel for the comptroller’s office.
Reached by telephone, Chowdhury told the Tribune she was “extremely” sorry for the “inappropriate and reprehensible” comments, apologizing to the person with whom she had the heated exchange and anyone who read her comments.
She said she was distraught over the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas and grew frustrated by the way the conflict was being covered by the media and discussed through social media platforms.
Too late.
* Isabel did a related roundup…
* The Hill | Illinois man accused of hate crime after allegedly threatening to shoot two Muslim men: During the incident, York reportedly “approached” a vehicle in which one of the victims was waiting for his friend at an apartment complex before he “asked the victim what he was doing there and then began swearing at the man and telling him he did not belong in this country and to leave.”
* AP | Illinois boy killed in alleged hate crime remembered as kind, playful as suspect appears in court: A 6-year-old Palestinian American boy who authorities allege was stabbed 26 times by his landlord in response to escalating right-wing rhetoric on the Israel-Hamas war was being remembered as a kind child, while multiple authorities investigate the attack that has become a symbol of larger struggles with hate crime in the U.S.
* Patch | IL Holocaust Museum Addresses Hate Crime Stabbing Of Wadea Al-Fayoume: “Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center mourns the death of Wadea Al-Fayoume, a 6-year-old Palestinian American boy who was murdered last weekend in Chicagoland,” museum officials said. “Wadea and his mother were targeted by their landlord just because of who they are. Their attacker was reportedly spurred on by the vicious language used across media to dehumanize Palestinians,” their statement continued.
* WIFR | Local mosque speaks out against hate crimes in Illinois: Imam of the Muslim Association of Greater Rockford, Dr. Mohamed Elgobashy explains he was terrified and sad to learn about the Plainfield tragedy, devastated that a child had to pay the price for something the child had nothing to do with. He says people cannot protect themselves from hate crimes alone, they need the help of political leaders.
* Journal and Topics | Illinois State Police Urge Vigilance, Awareness Against Violence, Hate Crimes: “Everyone in Illinois — both law enforcement and community members alike — must remain on guard against both terrorism and hate crimes during this period of volatility,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “If you see something, say something, before it’s too late.”
* NBC Chicago | Hate on the rise in Illinois, new report finds: Anti-Semitic incidents have risen dramatically in recent years. In 2022, the number of incidents increased by 128% from the previous year, rising from 53 to 121. There has been a 430% increase since 2016.
* NPR | 4 key takeaways from the FBI’s annual crime report: Last year, there were more than 11,000 reported hate crimes, which are motivated by certain aspects of a victim’s identity, including race, religion, sexual orientation and gender identity. Black people, Jewish people and gay men were the most likely to be targeted.
* The Hill | FBI crime statistics show anti-LGBTQ hate crimes on the rise: Hate crimes targeting LGBTQ people were up significantly compared to 2021, with 622 reported single-bias anti-LGBTQ hate crimes. Hate crimes motivated by an anti-transgender bias rose more than 35 percent year-over-year, reaching 338 incidents.
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Today’s must-read
Friday, Oct 20, 2023 - Posted by Rich Miller
* This is a really well-written piece…
* Key graf…
Chicago’s status as a sanctuary city does not require it to encourage immigrants to move to Chicago nor does the Welcoming City ordinance obligate officials to use taxpayer funds to care for immigrants in Chicago.
Go read the whole thing before commenting.
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* Tribune…
Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Thursday that if lawmakers send him a bill, he’ll agree to extend a program that provides tax incentives for scholarships to children from low-to-moderate income families who want to attend private school.
But Pritzker stressed that it’s up to legislators, who head back to Springfield next week to begin their final session for the year, to come to an agreement on any extension of the “Invest in Kids” scholarship program.
“I will support it if it comes to my desk to extend the program in whatever form,” Pritzker said during a ribbon-cutting event for the Chabad Center for Jewish Life and Living at the University of Illinois campus. “I mean, I can’t imagine it would show up in some form that I would be unwilling to. But again, the reality is that the legislature needs to go through this process.”
* Illinois Federation of Teachers’ director of communications…
…Adding… From Monica Trevino…
Hi Rich,
I have attached the 2020 party platform with the following language on page 67:
And Democrats oppose private school vouchers and other policies that divert taxpayer-funded resources away from the public school system, including the program at issue in the recent Espinoza decision.
The governor’s stance is a direct contradiction to the Democratic party.
Best,
Monica
Platform is here.
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The CCS Opportunity In Illinois
Friday, Oct 20, 2023 - Posted by Advertising Department
[The following is a paid advertisement.]
Carbon capture and storage, or “CCS,” is a technology that captures carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions at their source and stores them deep underground. CCS is a proven and safe process and the Illinois State Geologic Survey has confirmed that our state’s geology is perfectly suited for this technology. The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) enforces federal requirements to regulate the safety of the pipelines that will support CCS.
In addition to delivering a cleaner environment, CCS will generate $3.3 billion in value for the region and could spur 14,440 jobs. Now is the time to bring carbon capture technology and its environmental and economic benefits to Illinois. Policymakers must pass legislation to advance CCS and bring this opportunity to Illinois.
Learn more about the CCS opportunity in Illinois.
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Open thread
Friday, Oct 20, 2023 - Posted by Isabel Miller
* It’s Friday! What’s goin’ on with y’all?…
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Isabel’s morning briefing
Friday, Oct 20, 2023 - Posted by Isabel Miller
* ICYMI: Ald. Julia Ramirez issued a statement after being swarmed during the Brighton Park protest. NBC Chicago…
-“After having a few conversations, it became clear that most of the protesters did not want to engage in peaceful dialogue with me. It was truly a disappointing experience,” Ramirez said of the incident.
- In her statement she called for more transparency from the mayor’s office.
- Her aide was hospitalized after the incident, Ramirez declined medical attention.
* Related stories…
* Isabel’s top picks…
* Here’s the rest of your morning roundup…
* Tribune | Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he’ll agree to extend a tax credit program for private school scholarships if legislators send him a proposal: “I will support it if it comes to my desk to extend the program in whatever form,” Pritzker said during a ribbon-cutting event for the Chabad Center for Jewish Life and Living at the University of Illinois campus. “I mean, I can’t imagine it would show up in some form that I would be unwilling to. But again, the reality is that the legislature needs to go through this process.”
* WMBD | One month in, No Cash Bail seems to be not as bad as some thought, officials say: “The past month has pretty much gone as expected,” said Peoria County State’s Attorney Jodi Hoos, who, along with her colleagues around the state, helped to craft the rules regarding the elimination of cash bail. The veteran prosecutor also noted that for the most part, judges are seeing the “same types of cases that they did before. We just removed cash from the equation.”
* WAND | IL lawmakers could pass plan taking guns from domestic abusers facing orders of protection: “Right now, the order of protection process is failing too many survivors and their families,” Rep. Maura Hirschauer (D-Batavia) told WAND News. “It is critically important that we get this bill passed so that judges and law enforcement have clarity to go in there and get guns out of the home in these types of situations.”
* Tribune | Illinois comptroller’s office employee fired over antisemitic comments in online exchange: In some of the posts during the exchange, the employee called the other Instagram user a “ZIONIST PIG” and said “all Zionists will pay.” The employee also wrote that “Hitler should have eradicated all of you.”
* Shaw Local | Former Dixon Mayor Arellano running for state Senate: Li Arellano, who served eight years as Dixon’s mayor, has announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination in the race for the 37th Illinois Senate District.
State Sen. Win Stoller, R-Germantown Hills, currently holds the seat.
* Crain’s | Johnson, city’s largest police union nearing contract deal with significant pay raises: The deal, the first major union agreement that would be completed in Johnson’s first term, ensures labor peace with the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7, which represents all Chicago Police Department officers below the rank of sergeant. It could serve as a commitment that the new mayor, a former union organizer, plans to settle the city’s outstanding contracts without major labor strife.
* Sun-Times | Man who wounded toddler in road rage shooting gets 4 years in plea deal: Deandre Binion, 27, initially faced nearly 20 felony charges — including attempted murder — in connection with the April 2021 shooting that wounded 22-month-old Kayden Swann in the head. But under an agreement reached with the state’s attorney’s office, all charges, except one count of aggravated discharge of a weapon, were dropped Oct. 13.
* Tribune | President Biden speaks to father of slain Will County 6-year-old following Oval Office address where he described the boy as a ‘proud American’: Biden invoked the child’s death and the serious wounding of his mother during the speech, in which he sought to explain the strategic need to combat terrorism in both Israel by Hamas and in Ukraine orchestrated by Russia.
* ABC Chicago | Bridgeview Islamic school moves to e-learning after ‘threatening hate letter’: It is closing Friday “out of extra caution” after being on soft lockdown earlier this week. In a message to parents, the principal wrote in part, “Rest assured that we have been doing everything in our power to maintain the safety and well-being of all of our students…and we will continue in those efforts.”
* SJ-R | ‘Something in me died following the abuse:’ Two alleging clergy abuse speak out publicly: Stack, speaking at a Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests press conference in front of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, railed against the Springfield Diocese and Bishop Thomas John Paprocki, saying they have to come to grips with the problem more “compassionately and pastorally” and with “a sense of basic human decency.”
* Sun-Times | Collision between deer and animal rescue van jeopardizes dozens of pets’ chance at rescue: The van is now unusable, with officials in the organization fearing it will need to be replaced. But the group had already arranged to make the several-hundred mile trip to Mississippi and Louisiana next week to rescue about 90 cats and dogs.
* Tribune | Metropolitan Brewing, one of Chicago’s oldest craft breweries, files for bankruptcy and may close this winter: Citing tepid retail sales, unsustainable debt and a yearslong rent dispute at its custom-designed taproom and brewery overlooking the Chicago River, Metropolitan Brewing has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Without reworking its debt, including more than $1 million owed in back rent and fees, the pioneering 15-year-old craft brewer said it will not survive the long Chicago winter ahead.
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Live coverage
Friday, Oct 20, 2023 - Posted by Isabel Miller
* Click here or here to follow breaking news.
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* From Comptroller Susana Mendoza’s office…
The Instagram exchange appears to have happened mid-day today (Thursday).
It was posted on X(Twitter) and brought to the office’s attention around 12:30 p.m.
The office reached the employee about 2 p.m. and she admitted to at least some of the posts.
Comptroller Mendoza has zero tolerance for anti-semitism or hate speech.
The employee was immediately fired.
Please see the attached unequivocal statement of support for Israel’s right to defend herself that Comptroller Mendoza issued in the wake of the Hamas attacks on Israel: https://illinoiscomptroller.gov/about/news/press-releases/illinois-comptroller-susana-a-mendozas-statement-on-the-war-on-israel
* The Instagram posts in question from Sarah Chowdhury, who until this afternoon was a legal counsel for the comptroller…
Obviously, she was dealing with a sexist moron, but still. Zero excuses for that.
Take a couple of deep breaths before commenting, please.
*** UPDATE *** Chowdhury had been president of the South Asian Bar Association of Chicago. She’s been dismissed…
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Afternoon roundup
Thursday, Oct 19, 2023 - Posted by Rich Miller
* IDES…
The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that the unemployment rate increased +0.3 percentage point to 4.4 percent, while nonfarm payrolls increased +9,500 in September to a record high and surpassing the pre-pandemic number of total nonfarm payrolls, based on preliminary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and released by IDES. The August revised unemployment rate was 4.1 percent, unchanged from the preliminary August unemployment rate. The August monthly change in payrolls was revised from the preliminary report, from -100 to +3,800 jobs. The September unemployment rate and payroll jobs estimate reflect activity for the week including the 12th.
In September, the industry sectors with the largest over-the-month job gains included: Trade, Transportation and Utilities (+3,400), Manufacturing (+2,500), and Leisure and Hospitality (+2,100). The industry sectors with monthly payroll job declines included: Professional and Business Services (-2,200), Construction (-300), and Mining (-100). […]
The state’s unemployment rate was +0.6 percentage point higher than the national unemployment rate reported for September. The national unemployment rate was 3.8 percent in September, unchanged from the previous month. The Illinois unemployment rate was down -0.2 percentage point from a year ago when it was at 4.6 percent.
Compared to a year ago, nonfarm payroll jobs increased by +79,400 jobs, with gains across most major industries. The industry groups with the largest jobs increases included: Educational and Health Services (+36,900), Government (+29,900), and Leisure and Hospitality (+27,300). Professional and Business Services (-20,300), Manufacturing (-7,200), and Information (-4,900) reported the largest declines in payroll jobs. In September, total nonfarm payrolls were up +1.3 percent over-the-year in Illinois and up +2.1 percent in the nation.
The number of unemployed workers was 282,500, up +6.1 percent from the prior month, and down -4.7 percent over the same month one year ago. The labor force was almost unchanged (0.0 percent) over-the-month and down -0.1 percent over-the-year. The unemployment rate identifies those individuals who are out of work and seeking employment. An individual who exhausts or is ineligible for benefits is still reflected in the unemployment rate if they actively seek work.
* Press release…
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias signed an Executive Order today to expand the office’s parental leave policy – from four weeks to twelve weeks – which takes place immediately.
Since taking office in January, Giannoulias has worked closely with staff and various unions representing Secretary of State employees to strengthen the office’s paid parental leave.
Under the new policy, employees will also have more flexibility with the ability to use their time off intermittently in five-day increments for one year after the child becomes part of their family. It applies to those employees growing their family by birth or adoption.
“No working parent should have to choose between paying their bills and the time necessary to bond with their new child and family,” said Giannoulias, the father of three young daughters. “Allowing just four weeks of time off following the birth of a child is not only woefully insufficient, but criminal.”
“By signing this order, we’re making a positive impact for working Illinoisans across our state that will result in healthier and more financially stable families,” he added. “It will also create a more effective workplace and position the office to become more competitive when attracting and retaining a talented workforce.”
Overhauling the office’s antiquated parental leave policy aligns with Giannoulias’ goals of reducing disparities in maternal and infant health-related issues and addressing gender and racial inequity in accessing quality, good-paying jobs.
Under the new policy, as well as through recently enacted union agreements, all of the approximately 4,100 Secretary of State employees will receive up to twelve weeks of paid parental leave regardless of whether they are the birthing or non-birthing parent, who under the previous policy were only given two weeks of paid time off.
* Press release…
The State Treasurer’s Office made nearly $118 million in investment earnings from the state investment portfolio in September, Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs announced today.
Another $86.7 million in gross investment earnings was earned for cities, villages, school districts, counties and other units of government that take part in the highly rated Illinois Funds local government investment pool operated by the State Treasurer’s Office.
“Every dollar we make through smart, safe investing is a dollar that does not need to be raised in taxes,” Treasurer Frerichs said. “The Treasurer’s Office is part of the solution in Illinois.”
Treasurer Frerichs is the state’s Chief Investment and Banking Officer. He is responsible for the state investment portfolio and an investment pool for units of local government called Illinois Funds.
Key monthly metrics and more are available in The Vault, the transparency website that allows Illinois residents to see how the State Treasurer’s Office is working for them. The site is at iltreasurervault.com.
* Bloomberg forced to report some positive news…
Chicago earned an upgrade from Fitch Ratings Thursday thanks to the city’s improving economy and declining long-term debt burden.
Fitch boosted the rating of the third-largest U.S. city one notch to BBB+ from BBB, with a stable outlook. The upgrade comes less than a year after the city shed its lone junk rating from Moody’s Investors Service last November.
And no mention of the dead transaction tax.
* Banning 1984 is pretty darned Orwellian…
* Sigh…
* Isabel’s roundup…
* Herald-Review | What to expect when lawmakers return to Springfield next week: This year is shaping up to be less active. Legislative leaders have already ruled out new legislation that would have provided additional state funds to Chicago to deal with the influx of asylum-seeking migrants from Venezuela. And the leaders of the Chicago Bears, who have been seeking state help with their expected stadium project in Arlington Heights, have said they will not be pursuing legislation this fall.
* Crain’s | An under-the-radar tussle over nursing home taxes could boost your property tax burden: If enacted into law, the measure would shift tens of millions of dollars “and maybe more” in annual property taxes from nursing facilities to homeowners and other businesses, according to Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi’s office. Some south suburban communities would be particularly affected.
* Daily Herald | Lombard man facing hate crime charges against Muslim victims denied pretrial release: When the victims were at a bench outside the apartment building, York yelled profanities at them and said, “I’ll shoot you. Get out of here,” and “Go, go (expletive) … This is America … get the (expletive) out of here,” according to Rabulinski.
* WGLT | Tipsword faces primary challenge in 105th Illinois House District: Don Rients of Benson is running for the seat for a second time. “I haven’t liked some of the votes done by the current representative, and I feel like we need new blood down there,” Rients said.
* Chalkbeat | Chicago teachers urge State Board of Education to help with ongoing migrant crisis : Teachers told board members on Wednesday during the state board’s monthly meeting that Chicago schools are struggling to meet the needs of newly arrived school-age migrants. Some teachers said classrooms have become overcrowded, schools don’t have enough bilingual educators, and many students need access to bilingual social workers or school counselors for social-emotional support.
* CBS Chicago | Protesters rally against construction of migrant tent camp on Chicago’s Southwest Side: Protesters claimed construction on the basecamp would be completed before a community meeting scheduled for Tuesday night to discuss details of the plans. City officials have not discussed a timeline for construction or opening of the tent camp. Construction at the Brighton Park site has continued for several days, but as of Thursday, no tents have been built on the site.
* ABC Chicago | Alderwoman swarmed, harassed during protest amid Chicago migrant crisis: “My administration supports the right to peaceful protest and free speech, but this type of action against a public servant is unconscionable,” the release said. “Any violent act against an elected official in our city is unacceptable and must be condemned in the strongest terms. My office and the Chicago Police Department are currently investigating this incident, and we will provide updates as they become available.”
* ABC Chicago | Chicago delegation warns migrants at Texas border of city’s lack of shelter space, oncoming cold: Three Chicago aldermen and the city’s deputy mayor managing the new arrivals in Chicago are visiting multiple cities across Texas, including El Paso, San Antonio, McAllen and Brownsville. […] “We’ve done everything we could, and now it’s time for the federal government to declare Chicago a federal disaster zone, with that comes millions of dollars that will be used to house, used to provide wrap-around services and not for profits can step in and work beside the city,” 6th Ward Alderman Will Hall said.
* KOMO | Chicago delegation visits El Paso, urges Texas to limit busing of migrants: The group of Chicago aldermen and aides to Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson made a stop at the county of El Paso’s Migrant Support Services Center and the Annunciation House. “Just being able to listen to each other and understand what each other’s issues are. So we can all advocate with one voice too because this is not just a border problem this is not just a Chicago problem, this is an issue that affects many many communities,” Stout said.
* NBC Chicago | Multiple City Council members part of Chicago delegation visiting Texas border amid migrant crisis: Sigcho-Lopez said he believes the trip will be a launching point for more coordination at the border, especially after meeting with nonprofits and local leaders in El Paso. “That coordination will prevent tragedies when people arrive in Chicago without knowing what the weather is even,” he said.
* Crain’s | City reups contract with Jones Lang LaSalle to scout sites for migrant housing: In August 2018, the city inked a contract worth $2.3 million with JLL for site reviews, appraisals and brokerage services. That contract expired this year on Aug. 5, but was extended to 2025, spokesman Michael Grimm said in an email to Crain’s. The city’s contracting website does not list an extension and Grimm did not share further information on the cost of the contract.
* Block Club | City Workers Struggle With Language Barrier At Bus ‘Landing Zone’ For Migrants: Seven of the 14 OEMC staffers assigned to the landing zone speak Spanish, according to a city official — but as few as two Spanish-speaking staffers may end up on one shift, tasked with being the first point of contact for dozens of asylum seekers, workers said.
* NYT | Amid Migrant Influx, Massachusetts Will No Longer Guarantee Shelter: The emergency shelter system in Massachusetts has been stretched to its breaking point, Gov. Maura Healey said on Monday, and the state will no longer guarantee shelter placements for new arrivals beginning next month, despite a law that says eligible families must be offered temporary housing.
* CNN | New York City to limit migrant family shelter stays to 60 days, mayor announces: “As the city still seeks further and timely support from federal and state partners, it will begin providing 60 days’ notice to families with children seeking asylum to find alternative housing along with intensified casework services to help them explore other housing options and take the next steps in their journeys,” the administration said in a statement.
* Tribune | New regulations would barely dent the massive amounts of toxic pollution NW Indiana steel mills have been spewing for years: New regulations proposed by President Joe Biden’s administration — required by a federal court order — would barely make a dent in reducing as much as 600 tons of metals and chemicals the EPA says has been emitted annually by the eight mills. As a result, predominantly Black, low-income neighbors of the northwest Indiana mills would continue to be disproportionately at risk from pollution that can irreparably damage the brains of young children, cause cancer and trigger other diseases — a departure from Biden’s pledge to make environmental justice a cornerstone of his administration.
* Milwaukee Business Journal | Wisconsin packaging company to outsource jobs, close a plant and lay off hundreds in Illinois: A Wisconsin-based manufacturer of packaging, display merchandising and signage is laying off 271 people across several of its Illinois facilities, including one in Metro East.
* Pantagraph | Inside one of the 300 Rivian-made Amazon vans on Seattle streets: Amazon now has more than 10,000 Rivian Automotive electric delivery vans delivering packages to customers, including 300 in the online retail giant’s home city of Seattle.
* Crain’s | Ferrara Candy is buying Jelly Belly: Ferrara Candy — the Chicago-based maker of Nerds, Lemonheads and Sweetarts — is adding jelly beans to its lineup with the acquisition of Jelly Belly.
* SJ-R | As two new restaurants enter the Springfield market, another ends short-lived run: Yummy Bowl began serving its customizable Mongolian grill concept Tuesday at 3434 Freedom Drive in Parkway Pointe Shopping Center. And earlier this month Jaalsa kicked off the celebration for the new Indian restaurant at 3114 S. Sixth St. … Matto: Pies & Pours closed Monday, nine months after opening on Springfield’s south side.
* AP | NCAA is investigating allegations of sign-stealing by Michigan football: The NCAA does not have rules specifically against stealing signs but does prohibit in-person advanced scouting of opponents and also does have bylaws prohibiting unsportsmanlike activities.
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* From Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson…
“I learned today that an alderwoman and an aide, while attempting to meet with constituents, were victims of a physical attack by area residents. My administration supports the right to peaceful protest and free speech, but this type of action against a public servant is unconscionable.
Any violent act against an elected official in our city is unacceptable and must be condemned in the strongest terms. My office and the Chicago Police Department are currently investigating this incident, and we will provide updates as they become available.”
* Block Club Chicago…
Police had to whisk an alderperson to safety Thursday during a heated protest about the city’s plan to build a tent encampment for migrants at a Southwest Side lot. […]
Nearly 100 protesters gathered Thursday morning to voice opposition to the city’s plans for the site near 38th Street and California Avenue, saying officials haven’t notified them properly about the proposed camp or taken their input into consideration.
Ald. Julia Ramirez (12th), whose ward includes the site, was swarmed by protesters when she arrived. People threw signs in her face and screamed, and police officers worked to break up the crowd.
Eventually, officers escorted the alderwoman away, helping her get into a car so she could leave. […]
One protester’s sign read, “We don’t want your migrants in Brighton park nor McKinley Park.”
Neighbor Jacquelyn Zuniga said she and others feel “stabbed in the back” by the city’s lack of notice about the tent plan.
* Pics and video…
If you watch the video, you’ll see the CPD did a good job of evacuating Ald. Ramirez.
That neighborhood is about 80 percent Latino.
* More context from WTTW…
A community meeting on the proposal is set to take place at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 24, at Kelly High School, 4136 S. California Ave. In a letter sent to 12th Ward residents Monday, Ramirez warned that it may already be a done deal – whether or not she objects.
The Brighton Park lot at 38th Street and California Avenue is owned by the Harvey-based Sanchez Group, said Ramirez, who also said the firm responded to a request for proposals issued by Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office seeking locations to set up temporary shelters for the more than 18,500 migrants sent to Chicago from the southern border.
“I also want you to be open minded and not buy into the fearmongering and false information spread by right-wing, anti-immigrant voices who wish to divide our city,” Ramirez wrote on Monday. “We are a nation of immigrants and people that are fleeing economic and political turmoil deserve an opportunity for a better life in this country.”
More than 3,769 migrants are living in police stations across the city and at O’Hare International Airport with another 11,334 migrants living in city shelters as of Thursday morning, according to city data. Johnson has said the crisis was caused by “right-wing extremists bent on sowing chaos and division in our city.”
…Adding… Chuy García…
Today, Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04) released the following statement following threats of violence towards 12th Ward Alderwoman Julia Ramirez at a Brighton Park protest:
“Earlier today, Alderwoman Julia Ramirez and an aide were physically attacked while trying to meet with constituents. All people have a right to peacefully protest and make their concerns known, but we can never tolerate violence towards elected officials and their staff.”
…Adding… Ald. Ramirez…
“Today my staff and I went to meet with 12th Ward residents protesting Mayor Johnson’s plan to construct a temporary shelter for migrants at 38th and California. Residents contacted my office this week and asked that I attend to hear their concerns. I wanted to engage directly with my community to address misinformation being spread about my involvement in the plan, and how we should move forward as a community.
“After having a few conversations, it became clear that most of the protesters did not want to engage in peaceful dialogue with me. It was truly a disappointing experience.
“As I was leaving the protest, a group of protesters surrounded me and my staffer and began assaulting us. Fortunately I’m okay, however my staffer was taken to the hospital and is in good condition.
“I understand residents are fearful and have concerns about the city’s plan. I have the same concerns. I’m a born and raised resident of Brighton Park. I ran for Alderwoman so that I could be in a position to address the years of disinvestment in my community. I hear my residents and want them to know I will always advocate for their safety and ensure our communities have the resources they deserve. I also respect everyone’s right to peacefully protest, however violence and hate is not the answer.
“I hope to continue to build bridges across the different communities in the 12th Ward as we address this crisis in a humane and compassionate way. Brighton Park should be a welcoming community to both existing residents and new arrivals.
“I call on the mayor’s office for more transparency, accountability and more local involvement in the decision-making process, to explore more options for establishing the permanent shelters, and reevaluate if tents are an appropriate solution at this site.”
*** UPDATE 1 *** Sen. Villanueva…
State Senator Celina Villanueva (D – Chicago) released the following statement after learning of the assault of Alderwomen Julia Ramirez and her aide during a protest in the 12th Senate District as they were discussing the new construction of a migrant tent city with local residents:
“I am appalled to learn of the physical attack against Alderwoman Ramirez and an aide as they met with local residents to hear concerns regarding the construction of a shelter for asylum seekers. While I support peaceful protest and freedom of speech, violence is unacceptable.”
*** UPDATE 2 *** Gov. Pritzker…
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It’s just a bill
Thursday, Oct 19, 2023 - Posted by Isabel Miller
* Sen. Sue Rezin filed a new nuclear power plant bill, SB2591…
Amends the Public Utilities Act. Deletes language that provides that no construction shall commence on any new nuclear power plant to be located within the State, and no certificate of public convenience and necessity or other authorization shall be issued therefor by the Illinois Commerce Commission, until the Director of the Environmental Protection Agency finds that the United States Government has identified and approved a demonstrable technology or means for the disposal of high level nuclear waste, or until such construction has been specifically approved by a statute enacted by the General Assembly. Provides that the Commission shall only issue a certificate of public convenience and necessity to a public utility operating or located within the State or to a company with a fossil fuel-based power generator. Provides that the Commission shall adopt rules concerning the granting of certificates of public convenience and necessity for the construction, purchase, or lease of small modular nuclear reactors. Provides requirements for the Commission to follow when adopting rules for the granting of certificates of public convenience and necessity for small modular nuclear reactors. Provides that the Commission may adopt emergency rules for the granting of certificates of public convenience and necessity for small modular nuclear reactors.
* SJ-R…
One vetoed bill would have ended the state’s 35-year moratorium on nuclear reactor construction, a decision Pritzker said he made because it lacked “regulatory protections for the health and safety of Illinois residents.” Bill sponsor Sen. Sue Rezin, R-Morris, has already filed paperwork to override the veto. Her bill received bipartisan support during the spring session. […]
In a move placing “corporate profits over consumers,” the governor issued an amendatory veto on House Bill 3445. The energy omnibus consisted of several portions, many of which Pritzker wants to keep as is, but is against a provision allowing existing utilities in the Midcontinent Independent System Operator region a transmission line construction monopoly.
Rep. Larry Walsh, D-Elwood, the bill sponsor, will also push the legislation in the upcoming session. He has said the bill is in the best interest of downstate workers, while environmental groups supported the governor’s veto.
* HR446 introduced by House Republican Leader Tony McCombie…
Expresses unlimited, unwavering support for the civilians, soldiers, defenders, and government of the Republic of Israel. Rejects any attempt to compromise, undermine, or “both sides” this fundamental moral issue of human good and evil. Extends sincere condolences to the families who have lost loved ones in this brutal assault, including the families of the 27 American citizens who lost their lives.
* Sen. Natalie Toro…
State Senator Natalie Toro is working on new legislation to ensure protections for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence by expediting the process to receive protective orders against perpetrators and increasing workplace safeguards.
“For too long, people have fallen victim to violence or assault after concerns for their safety were not taken seriously,” said Toro (D-Chicago). “It is time we turn our commitment to believing survivors into policy and strengthen protections for survivors to prevent further harm.”
Protective orders are vital for the safety of survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence and stalking by separating an alleged offender from the alleged victim. Nearly 56,000 protective orders were filed in Illinois during 2021 alone. However, these orders are only effective if they are served or if a short order notification is issued.
Short form notifications are triggered during routine interactions with law enforcement, allowing officers to inform offenders of the protective order. Under current law, law enforcement officers are not required to service short form notifications. Senate Bill 2604 would require law enforcement to serve short form notifications if they encounter someone with an unserved protective order.
Further, Senate Bill 2605 increases protections in the workplace for people with protective orders by requiring managers to immediately call law enforcement if the offender appears on the premises during the survivor’s work hours.
Together, these measures will strengthen protections for survivors and offer better peace of mind.
“Navigating the world as a woman — especially as a woman of color — requires us to be vigilant for our safety because those entrusted to protect us have not always listened to our very real concerns about threats of harm,” said Toro. “With these laws, I hope survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault are afforded more protections and can instead focus on healing from these traumas.”
Toro looks forward to working with advocates and community stakeholders on advancing Senate Bill 2604 and Senate Bill 2605 during the legislative session.
* Sen. Sally Turner introduced SB2597 that would amend a Sen. Feigenholtz bill passed last session…
Amends the Electric Vehicle Charging Act. Exempts new single-family residences and tiny homes specifically constructed for veterans from the Act’s electric vehicle charging system requirements. Limits the concurrent exercise of home rule powers. Effective immediately.
* Press release…
Sen. Rose and Rep. Niemerg Press Conference to Unveil Legislation to Improve Safety During Road Construction and Emergency Closures.
WHEN: Friday, October 20th at 10:00am
WHERE: BP Gas Station
306 N. Spring Creek Rd.
Montrose, IL
Senator Rose and Representative Niemerg will be hosting a press conference to introduce new legislation designed to make construction zones safer. The legislation is being filed to address the types of issues that occurred along I-70 and Route 40 this summer.
* Rep. Nabeela Syed continues to focus on healthcare related bills with HB4180…
Amends the Counties Code, the Illinois Municipal Code, the Illinois Insurance Code, the Health Maintenance Organization Act, and the Illinois Public Aid Code. In provisions concerning coverage for mammograms, provides that coverage for certain types of mammography shall be made available to patients of a specified age (rather than only women of a specified age). Makes changes to require coverage for molecular breast imaging and, in those cases where it’s not already covered, magnetic resonance imaging of breast tissue. Provides that the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall convene an expert panel, including representatives of hospitals, free-standing breast cancer treatment centers, breast cancer quality organizations, and doctors, including radiologists that are trained in all forms of FDA approved breast imaging technologies, breast surgeons, reconstructive breast, surgeons, oncologists, and primary care providers to establish quality standards for breast cancer treatment. Makes technical changes. Effective immediately.
* Sen. Harriss’s SB2590…
Creates the Adult Content Age Verification Act. Defines terms. Provides that a commercial entity that knowingly and intentionally publishes or distributes material harmful to minors on the Internet from a website that contains a substantial portion of material harmful to minors shall be subject to civil penalties if the entity fails to perform reasonable age verification methods to verify the age of individuals attempting to access the material. Provides that the Attorney General may investigate alleged violations and initiate a civil action for an injunction and to assess civil penalties. Provides that the civil penalties shall be deposited into the Cyber Exploitation of Children Fund, which shall be expended for the investigation of cybercrimes involving the exploitation of children and for no other purpose. Amends the State Finance Act to make a conforming change.
* Sen. Willie Preston‘s SB2612…
Creates the Compassionate Use and Research of Entheogens Act. Establishes the Illinois Psilocybin Advisory Board within the Department of Public Health for the purpose of advising and making recommendations to the Department regarding the provision of psilocybin and psilocybin services. Provides that the Department shall begin receiving applications for the licensing of persons to manufacture or test psilocybin products, operate service centers, or facilitate psilocybin services. Contains licensure requirements and prohibitions. Provides that a licensee or licensee representative may manufacture, deliver, or possess a psilocybin product. Provides that the Department may obtain, relinquish, or dispose of psilocybin products to ensure compliance with and enforce the Act and rules adopted under the Act. Creates the Psilocybin Control and Regulation Fund and the Illinois Psilocybin Fund and makes conforming changes in the State Finance Act. Requires the Department of Agriculture, the Illinois Liquor Control Commission, and the Department of Revenue to perform specified duties. Contains provisions concerning rulemaking; taxes; fees; zoning; labeling; and penalties. Preempts home rule powers. Contains other provisions. Amends the Criminal Identification Act. Provides that specified records shall be expunged prior to (i) January 1, 2025 (rather than January 1, 2023) and (ii) January 1, 2027 (rather than January 1, 2025). Provides for expungement of specified records concerning the possession of psilocybin and psilocin. Amends the Illinois Controlled Substances Act. Removes psilocybin and psilocin from the list of Schedule I controlled substances. Amends the Illinois Independent Tax Tribunal Act of 2012. Provides that the Tax Tribunal shall have original jurisdiction over all determinations of the Department of Revenue reflected on specified notices issued under the Compassionate Use and Research of Entheogens Act. Effective immediately.
* Sen. Doris Turner introduced SB2559 yesterday. Release…
With the ever-growing support for pickleball, State Senator Doris Turner has introduced legislation that would increase the number of pickleball courts in Springfield.
“We have seen a tremendous growth in the interest of pickleball over the past few years. To meet the needs of the sport, I’ve worked closely with the Springfield Pickleball Club to find the best way to accommodate players,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “Adding additional courts to Centennial and Iles parks would bring an economic boost to Springfield. This would be instrumental for Springfield, pickleball players, businesses and our community.”
Pickleball has become the country’s fastest-growing sport. The Springfield Pickleball Club has 435 members and has averaged about 24% more new members each of the last three years. Currently, there are 15 pickleball courts in Springfield. Turner’s measure would increase the number of courts in Springfield to meet the growing demand.
Senate Bill 2599 would provide funding to add 14 new pickleball courts at Centennial Park in an undeveloped space and would include a new concrete slab with a six-foot walkway separating the courts. The measure would also fund the replacement of a 60-year-old concrete slab at Iles Park, which currently has eight courts, and add four courts to allow for more participation in an annual summer tournament.
“The Springfield area has experienced, perhaps, the largest percentage increase in the number of pickleball players. It now has an estimated 1,200 players,” said Jack Handy, president of the Springfield Pickleball Club. “With only 15 pickleball courts available for play, it has been increasingly difficult to avoid long waits for a court. The addition of 18 courts, as outlined in this bill, will meet the current demand for play space.”
Senate Bill 2599 awaits committee assignment in the Illinois State Senate.
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Getting tense!
Thursday, Oct 19, 2023 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Yikes…
Kinda reminds me of this…
via GIPHY
* Bailey’s retort…
“Lock the door.” Yeah, that’ll work.
…Adding… All’s well that ends well, I suppose…
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Question of the day
Thursday, Oct 19, 2023 - Posted by Rich Miller
* WTVO…
Even Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker got in on the fun Thursday after a social media image circulated online, purporting to show Rockford but actually showing a town perched on the seaside of a mountain.
The image, posted by the X account Midwest vs. Everybody, showing the town of Amalfi in Italy — a village built upon the slope of a mountain along the ocean’s edge — but bearing the caption “Rockford, IL.”
Social media users were quick to ridicule the posting, including Pritzker, who replied saying, “The Rock River is gorgeous this time of year. Illinois really is in the #MiddleofEverything,” using the state’s tourism slogan.
Rockford, for those not in the know, is not perched on the side of a mountain.
* The governor’s tweet…
* Some of the confused replies to Pritzker were unintentionally hilarious…
Some were just hateful. Not posting.
* The region’s tourism agency even jumped in…
* As did a major beer company…
* The Question: What’s your favorite Illinois municipality? Make sure to explain. Snark is heavily encouraged.
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* HFS told the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules this week that it wasn’t yet fully prepared to impose co-pays and other cost-sharing aspects of the health insurance program for undocumented immigrants. Today, HFS announced a pause…
The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) announced today that as the Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors program nears 16,500 individuals, a temporary pause on new enrollees will take effect Nov. 6.
HFS previously announced that new HBIS enrollment would be temporarily paused at 16,500 individuals, an enrollment benchmark the program is expected to reach in the coming weeks. Anyone who is already enrolled in the HBIS program and remains eligible for coverage will stay covered. The Department will not be removing any current enrollees who remain eligible for HBIS coverage.
The HBIS program provides Medicaid-like health care coverage to individuals aged 65 and older who would be eligible for Medicaid but for their immigration status, which launched in late 2020. The Department also operates the Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults program (HBIA), which provides similar coverage for individuals aged 42 to 64. Through the end of September, nearly 69,000 individuals are covered across the HBIA and HBIS programs.
HFS announced in June that new HBIS enrollment would be capped at 16,500 individuals, when the Department filed emergency and regular rules outlining a range of HBIA and HBIS program changes the state has implemented to bring program costs within the amount the General Assembly budgeted for State Fiscal Year 2024, which began July 1.
Compared with the traditional Medicaid population, month-over-month enrollment has grown at a higher rate, and per-enrollee costs have tracked higher among the HBIA and HBIS-enrolled populations due to more prevalent, untreated chronic conditions and higher hospital costs, pushing the limit of the funds made available for these programs for the current fiscal year.
HFS understands that this program is a vital resource for individuals who would otherwise be eligible for Medicaid but for their immigration status. The Department will continue to monitor the costs associated with the program and is committed to preserving this nation-leading program for the future.
*** UPDATE *** Healthy Illinois Campaign responds…
“While expected, today’s announcement is still a disappointing step backwards from the collective progress our state has made around health care access. The HBIS program provides vital, lifesaving health care services to thousands of vulnerable older adults across Illinois. After a series of other significant program changes in the past year, pausing enrollment in the HBIS program with short notice will not only limit access to critical health care services, but it will also significantly diminish the state’s ability to care for its elderly residents. We strongly encourage seniors who may qualify for the HBIS program to enroll immediately before the Nov. 6 cutoff date.”
“We urge HFS and the Pritzker administration to continue to work with advocates and community organizations to find fiscally responsible solutions to protect, preserve and expand the Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults (HBIA) and HBIS programs. Our state leaders have repeatedly said that health care is a human right that should be accessible for all Illinois residents, and we will continue to fight to make that a reality.”
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The CCS Opportunity In Illinois
Thursday, Oct 19, 2023 - Posted by Advertising Department
[The following is a paid advertisement.]
Carbon capture and storage, or “CCS,” is a technology that captures carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions at their source and stores them deep underground. CCS is a proven and safe process and the Illinois State Geologic Survey has confirmed that our state’s geology is perfectly suited for this technology. The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) enforces federal requirements to regulate the safety of the pipelines that will support CCS.
In addition to delivering a cleaner environment, CCS will generate $3.3 billion in value for the region and could spur 14,440 jobs. Now is the time to bring carbon capture technology and its environmental and economic benefits to Illinois. Policymakers must pass legislation to advance CCS and bring this opportunity to Illinois.
Learn more about the CCS opportunity in Illinois.
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Unclear on the concept
Thursday, Oct 19, 2023 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Center Square…
The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services took a verbal lashing Tuesday from the bipartisan Joint Committee on Administrative Rules Tuesday for how the agency has proposed rules regulating day care operations.
Over the summer, the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules suspended a DCFS rule limiting how long day care assistants can monitor rooms of children under 2 years old. The rule restricted assistants from monitoring rooms for no more than 90 minutes upon opening and [then 90 minutes upon] closing. That was modified from three hours upon opening and closing the agency allowed during the pandemic.
The bipartisan JCAR called for more information after being told there were hundreds of founded complaints filed against child care centers over this issue.
DCFS Deputy Director of Licensing Shontée Blankenship told JCAR in July the department has received more than 300 complaints about the issue since 2019. More than 290 were substantiated, she said.
“These numbers clearly show that leaving an assistant alone without a qualified teacher is a safety concern that cannot be ignored,” Blankenship said.
A public records request filed by The Center Square found of a total of 305 complaints filed between Jan. 1, 2019, and July 11, 2023, and there were only 52 substantiated complaints.
State Sen. Sue Rezin, R-Morris, said the committee was misled.
“These are two completely different pictures and information that was provided to this committee to justify why you are trying to enforce this rule,” Rezin said Tuesday.
State Rep. Curtis Tarver, D-Chicago, said DCFS is a “national embarrassment.”
“We don’t come to you. I’ll never come to you for anything. You will need me before I need you. You will need this committee before we need you and this is a bipartisan disdain for your department,” Tarver said.
* I don’t know how DCFS allowed this to get so out of hand, but JCAR members appear to be operating under a false assumption. Here’s the above-mentioned FOIA reply…
What Center Square didn’t count were “corrected” complaints. Corrected complaints are defined as substantiated claims which were then corrected, the Pritzker administration explained to me when I bothered to ask.
I mean, it just made sense when I first looked at it. How could a complaint about a suspected violation be corrected if it wasn’t first substantiated? Seems simple enough.
So, the reality is that 292 complaints about unlicensed teaching assistants were substantiated, and then after DCFS found problems, 240 of those were corrected. Substantiated, in this context, means that childcare providers got called out and didn’t do anything about it.
* Some legislators are upset because they don’t believe that all childcare groups were adequately consulted and some are opposed to essentially returning to pre-pandemic regulations because childcare centers are having a difficult time recruiting licensed professionals and parents can’t find care. Some are also angry that DCFS headed off recent legislation to deal with the topic of unlicensed assistants. And some legislators are threatening to kick DCFS out of the childcare industry, which, I have to admit, probably isn’t a horrible idea since the agency has other, more pressing responsibilities that it obviously isn’t great at dealing with.
All of those complaints have validity. But the bottom line is, if a child somehow comes to harm because an unlicensed, 18-year-old childcare assistant messes up while no licensed adult is around, I guarantee you’re gonna hear an earful about DCFS from other legislators.
Work it out.
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Open thread
Thursday, Oct 19, 2023 - Posted by Isabel Miller
* What’s goin’ on in your part of Illinois?…
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Isabel’s morning briefing
Thursday, Oct 19, 2023 - Posted by Isabel Miller
* ICYMI: St. Louis nonprofit looking at resetting asylum seekers in Chicago to bolster St. Louis’s workforce. Sun-Times…
- The program would be funded by private donors.
- It would provide three months of housing, cellphones, and help finding apprenticeship programs and job placements.
* Related stories…
* Isabel’s top picks…
- SJ-R | Lawmakers return to Springfield for six-day veto session: Lawmakers will return over the course of three weeks − divided by Halloween − meeting first between Oct. 24 and 26 and then from Nov. 7 to Nov. 9. Their tasks will be to address bills vetoed by Gov. JB Pritzker along with some outstanding and newly introduced legislation.
- Chicago Reader | For decades, Scabby the rat has stood for workers’ rights: Back in the Illinois suburbs, IUOE Local 150, IUBAC Local 56, and their communities all consider Scabby the Rat an old friend. In Plainfield, operating engineers blow up rats at their family picnic each summer, and you’ll catch families posing with Scabby for holiday cards. At IUBAC Local 56’s community Labor Day parade, the union brings out all the inflatables—Scabby the Rat among several others—and all the kids love it. Maher says his favorite story about Scabby involves Jim and Marilyn Sweeney. The couple was sitting in their living room at home watching The Sopranos when an episode came on featuring an inflatable rat in a labor action. Sweeney just looked over to his wife and smiled. “Looks like your drawing has gone a long way.”
- Crain’s | Chicago might soon require 15 days off for all workers: In July, Ald. Mike Rodriguez, 22nd, introduced an ordinance that would mandate employers in the city provide their full-time employees with 15 days off without differentiating between sick days and vacation time. The ordinance also allowed unlimited days to be carried over each year and did not require workers to provide documentation for medical issues to be excused from work.
* Here’s the rest of your morning roundup…
* Tribune | How big is Gov. J.B. Pritzker thinking with Think Big America group?: Christopher Mooney, a professor emeritus of political science at the University of Illinois at Chicago, said that forming Think Big America represents a “strategic move on (Pritzker’s) part for his own interests as well as creating a situation where he can say, ‘I’m a progressive. I see the other side’s got well funded advocates and so we need some on our side. And oh, if I’ve helped myself a little bit nationally, that’s just a side benefit.’”
* SJ-R | Think Big America is set up as ‘dark money’ group, though governor is its sole donor: Nonprofits like the 501(c)4-classified Think Big America are often referred to as “dark money” groups, as they’re not required to disclose their donors. But a spokesperson for the group said as there are currently no donors to the nonprofit aside from Pritzker, there’s no secret about where the money’s coming from.
* Vandalia Radio | Illinois election officials say security is capable of thwarting another international breach: Illinois election officials say a repeat of an international hack of the state’s voter database is unlikely. Russian hackers accessed the database for the Illinois State Board of Elections in 2016, which included voters’ names, addresses and driver’s license numbers. An investigation revealed up to 500-thousand personal voter records may have been accessed during that breach. During a House Ethics and Elections Committee hearing, the board’s spokesman Matt Dietrich said protecting against hacking threats is a constant battle.
* Center Square | Illinois non-citizen health care co-pays not ready yet as program near capacity: Omar Shaker, chief of administrative rules for the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, told the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules Tuesday they’re not ready yet to implement the co-pays. “We do concede that at this time, we are not prepared to move forward with the co-pay and cost-sharing elements,” Shaker said. “The earliest would probably be Jan. 1, but I’m not 100% certain that will be the date.”
* WBEZ | Jurors in corruption trial of Ed Burke will not hear any mention of Donald Trump when they listen to secret recordings: When the motion came up during a pre-trial hearing Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Virginia Kendall said it was her understanding that the prosecution was willing to “anonymize references to Trump.” “How do you anonymize a reference to Trump?” the judge asked. “What are you going to say?”
* Sun-Times | Johnson’s plan to declare record $434M TIF surplus threatens plans to transform LaSalle Street office buildings into residential use, City Council members say: To honor commitments made in the waning days of former Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s administration, TIF subsidies would need to cover a combined $307 million in costs for the five teams that promised to make 30% of all of the residential units they create affordable.
* WGN | New Chicago police boss wants cops to be more aggressive: When asked what a more aggressive approach by officers looks like, Snelling replied, “That means doing what it takes.” “There are onlookers who believe you can talk these people into leaving. They’re not going to leave,” Snelling added. “So it takes a little more aggressive behavior from our police officers to stop it.”
* Tribune | CTA unveils $2 billion budget that aims to draw back riders, address employee shortages: Agency officials said they plan to add back service in the coming year — after cuts from pre-pandemic levels — but the budget contained few details about when or how they plan to do so. CTA spokesman Brian Steele said the specifics of how service will be added will depend on hiring.
* Tribune | Brother of Evanston teen held hostage by Hamas speaks on hope for a safe return: ‘We are a peaceful family’: “We’ve received information from both Israeli intelligence and American intelligence, and the belief is that they are still alive and somewhere in Gaza,” he said.
* Sun-Times | Mistakenly shot by Des Plaines cop, young guitarist will get $1.9 million payout: It comes about four years after a Des Plaines police officer, in pursuit of a bank robber, came into Upbeat Music & Arts on the Northwest Side — where Wilder was an intern — and opened fire with a semi-automatic rifle, accidentally shooting the Chicago teenager.
* Tribune | ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ review: Scorsese delivers an epic of oil, greed, racism and sorrow, set in 1920s Oklahoma: Scorsese has rendered a tragic, forlorn piece of American history, indebted equally to classical Hollywood craftsmanship and the director’s own obsessions with honor, guilt, family, criminal codes and America’s centuries of greedy bloodshed. It’s Scorsese’s first Western, shot on location after a crucial rewrite by Scorsese and screenwriter Eric Roth essentially saved the movie from itself. “Killers of the Flower Moon” isn’t dealing with revisionist history. It’s history, period, fictionalized (of course; it’s not a documentary) but hewing pretty close to the historical record.
* Block Club | Elvis Presley’s Jungle Room Invades West Town This Week: The pop-up of the iconic space is part of a marketing push from Memphis Tourism, giving folks a chance to see what they may be missing in the Tennessee city. The “Love Me (Bar)Tender” pop-up series has already visited New York City and Boston, and is wrapping up in Chicago this week.
* AP | Netflix’s password-sharing crackdown reels in subscribers as it raises prices for its premium plan: In an effort to bring in even more revenue, Netflix also announced it’s raising the price for its most expensive streaming service by $2 to $23 per month in the U.S. — a 10% increase — and its lowest-priced, ad-free streaming plan to $12 — another $2 bump. The $15.50 per month price for Netflix’s most popular streaming option in the U.S. will remain unchanged, as will a $7 monthly plan that includes intermittent commercials.
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Live coverage
Thursday, Oct 19, 2023 - Posted by Isabel Miller
* Click here or here to follow breaking news.
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