Governor Rauner has been repudiated by his fellow Republicans and Democrats in both chambers by a total vote of 164-3. It is a fact that in just FY 2017, Governor Bruce V. Rauner has fully embraced deficit spending to the tune of at least $2.8 billion that we now know of. We’ll echo Republican State Rep. David McSweeney’s spot-on analysis: “This is another example of failed Governor Rauner’s alternate reality … The governor lost [in the House] 112-0 on the override … The governor needs to provide full details about when he knew about this unappropriated [$2.8 billion.], what his plan for taking care of it is, and how in the future we’re going to address the overspending in the state of Illinois … We need to continue to put the pressure on him to explain this $2.8 billion.”
Illinois House Republican Leader Jim Durkin is stopping short of calling for embattled Democratic Senator Ira Silverstein to resign, after a victim’s rights advocate accused the Senator of sexually harassing her.
Durkin told “The Big John and Ramblin’ Ray Show” on WLS that even though the allegations against Silverstein are serious, the Senator deserves due process. Durkin also believes that newly appointed Legislative Inspector General Julie Porter will conduct a thorough investigation.
“I can’t speak for Senator Silverstein but I do believe that he has at least some process that has to be played out by the Inspector General. A complaint has been filed, she will investigate the matter. That will be taken up in an expeditious manner. I’m not going to speak for Senator Silverstein though. He’s in a situation where it is very troubling but I still believe that you are awarded process.” […]
Durkin also told WLS that the legislature could eventually take some kind of action against Silverstein, depending on Porter’s findings.
“There could be some type of action taken if there is a complaint that is determined to be well-founded or they believe that an act of misconduct did occur.”
Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan has stopped short of calling for Sen. Ira Silverstein to resign following sexual harassment allegations against him from a female lobbyist. […]
Earlier this week, three top Democrats running for Governor called on Senator Silverstein to resign. Madigan wouldn’t go that far.
“Senator Silverstein should decide what Senator Silverstein wants to do,” he said. “We did this training session. We’ve passed the legislation. Our resolve is to have our task force, chaired by Rep. Currie, to continue to work on this, to take suggestions and ideas, and just continue to work against a culture of abuse.”
Interestingly enough, I don’t think the two Senate leaders have been asked this question.
*** UPDATE *** OK, Cullerton has been asked. Thanks, Monique!…
Asked yesterday if Sen. Silverstein should resign his seat, Senate President Cullerton said it was "up to him." https://t.co/0ZXL7xV0c5
And I’m told that Gov. Rauner told reporters today that it was a matter for the Legislative Inspector General to decide. But the IG can’t actually remove him from the Senate. The Senate can only do that with a vote of two-thirds of the members elected to the chamber.
Senator Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) introduced a measure today aimed at tackling the opioid crisis by providing access to medical alternatives to prescription painkillers.
The Alternatives to Opioids Act would allow people who have been prescribed opioids for a medical condition to apply for a temporary medical cannabis card instead. The application process for these individuals would be expedited to 14 days, and if accepted they would receive a 12-month registry card.
“With the opioid crisis rapidly getting worse, it’s clear that what we’re doing now isn’t working,” Harmon said. “Research has shown that medical cannabis can treat the same conditions for which opioids are prescribed. With thousands of people from every part of our state dying from opioid addiction, it would be irresponsible for us to not consider any safe alternative treatment.”
Concern over the opioid epidemic is growing, as more than 60,000 people in the United States died from a drug overdose in 2016, more than the total number of U.S. soldiers killed in the Vietnam War. In Illinois, the opioid-related death rate increased 120 percent from 2014 to 2015, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
“We know that opioids are dangerously addictive – people can become dependent after only 2 to 3 days of regular use as directed by a doctor,” Harmon said. “We should be actively helping people who are addicted to opioids instead of treating them like criminals.”
Illinois created the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program in 2013 and is one of 29 states to have legalized medical cannabis.
* The Question: Do you support this idea? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.
Oh, man, that’s a long drive for such a small crowd.
* Last night, Biss held a town hall at Springfield’s Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation. I didn’t see any pics online, but here are some tracker shots…
* In other not great news, Sen. Biss was unable to override a Rauner veto this afternoon…
We live in a state where women make eighty cents for every dollar a man makes, and where the gap is even more drastic…
* OK, if you click here you’ll see today’s roll call. The override motion received just 29 votes. Now, click here and compare that to when the bill passed. It received 35 votes back then.
So, what happened? Some Republicans flipped (as they did in the House), but some Democrats took a walk. If you compare the override motion roll call to a vote on another bill taken soon after (click here), you’ll see that five of Biss’ fellow Senate Democrats took a walk: Sens. Harris, Hastings, Holmes, Landek and Stadelman. Hmm.
* Not to be Debbie Downer, but Biss’ campaign also has not yet reported any contributions made in November.
A bipartisan group of female state senators announced the creation of the Women’s Caucus today at a press conference in Springfield.
“We’ve seen throughout history that when women mobilize and claim their seat at the table, they break barriers and find solutions to the most stubborn of problems,” said Senator Heather Steans (D-Chicago). “I expect this caucus will do the same for the women of Illinois.”
The caucus is being formed to promote and advance women’s issues within the legislature and to support female senators from both political parties.
“Women’s issues transcend party lines and extend far beyond the confines of a legislative chamber,” said Senator Karen McConnaughay (R-St. Charles). “I pledge to work with Democrat and Republican women who serve in the Senate to advance legislation that support, empower and protect women of all ages and in all environments.”
Although sexual harassment in the workplace will continue to be an issue of focus for the caucus, the group hopes to become the leading voice on a range of issues facing women in Illinois. It also intends to offer support for women within the workplace, institutions of education and home.
“The Women’s Caucus brings together a diverse group of legislators from across the political spectrum,” State Senator Toi Hutchinson (D-Chicago Heights) said. “We recognize the importance of being bipartisan so that Senate leadership will respect our efforts. We intend to be taken seriously.”
“Women in the Senate have worked well together for years,” said Senator Pamela Althoff (R-McHenry). “This newly formed caucus just takes us a step further to ensure that we are creating a voice for the women of this state and that we are dealing with the issues that impact them.”
* Leader Brady…
“I applaud the creation of the newly formed Illinois State Senate Women’s Caucus and support their goal of promoting and advancing women’s issues within the legislature, as well as supporting all female Senators,” said Brady.
Ahead of Veterans Day, JB Pritzker outlined his plan to fight for Illinois veterans and their families as governor. JB’s four-point plan details how the state can support our veterans with housing, employment, healthcare, education, and additional services they may need. As governor, JB will:
Increase opportunities for education and employment for veterans and their families
Ensure Illinois veterans of all ages have safe, stable, and affordable housing options
Improve healthcare options for veterans across the state
Better manage and coordinate veteran’s services
“As the son and grandson of Navy veterans, I have a very personal commitment to uphold the sacred obligation to those who risk their lives so that we can live in a free and democratic society,” said JB Pritzker. “When we support our veterans, we are building stronger families and communities across our state. Supporting Illinois veterans means increasing opportunities for their families to build better lives and that will be a priority for me as governor.”
Make it easier for servicemembers returning home to use prior military experience to earn credits at Illinois’ higher education institutions.
Stabilize funding for higher education scholarships for Veterans and connect them with job opportunities in the trades.
Create jobs by offering additional incentives to businesses that hire Veterans and their spouses.
Improve access to state professional licensing based on skills gained while serving in the armed forces.
Reduce homelessness and increase access to safe, affordable housing in communities for Veterans and their families.
Remediate all unsafe living conditions for our Veterans and improve the quality of life in Illinois Veterans’ Homes by increasing mandatory health inspections and routine maintenance to end outbreaks of preventable diseases like Legionnaires disease.
Increasing the number of qualified nursing staff working in Illinois Veterans’ Homes to ensure quality care.
Work with communities to recruit and retain qualified medical personnel to expand access to healthcare and mental healthcare, particularly in rural areas.
* I asked about cost and was told this…
JB will ensure stable funding of these services, many of which are part of the greater social service infrastructure that has been dismantled by Bruce Rauner.
* Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson, both of our US Senators, US Rep. Mike Bost, all local legislators, four current or former Democratic gubernatorial candidates and former Illinois Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno have all visited Cairo in recent months…
Meanwhile, one prominent Illinois political leader has not visited Cairo since HUD announced in April its decision to relocate about 400 people from two derelict public housing complexes that have been deemed beyond repair: Gov. Bruce Rauner
It’s also been difficult for The Southern to get much detailed information about what Rauner’s administration is doing alongside the federal government to assist public housing residents and the city through this housing crisis, or to address the related health and economic issues facing southernmost Illinois. A shortage of affordable housing in Cairo and access to basic amenities and jobs means most residents are relocating to other communities, generally in excess of an hour away. […]
“The governor’s office has been actively involved in the discussions about Cairo but there very clearly is federal action that has to take place. We need information,” [Patty Schuh] said. “We don’t feel like we’re getting the full story yet.”
Asked about the comments from the governor’s office, HUD spokesman Jereon Brown said HUD stands ready to work with any public officials in Illinois to provide whatever information is needed. He offered to reach out to the governor’s office directly.
In a follow-up interview, Schuh said that wasn’t necessary because during a “task force” meeting on Cairo in July, which a representative of the governor’s office attended, it was decided that the federal delegation would handle the communication with HUD so as not to duplicate efforts or create confusion.
Therefore, Schuh said that the governor’s office has not directly reached out to HUD, and isn’t requesting HUD reach out to Rauner’s office to provide the information they are seeking. Rather, she said, Rauner’s office has been working through Bost’s office to seek the information.
I think what happened here is that there were people in the governor’s office who were actively involved in the situation, and then those people were either fired or quit in the first wave of the Great Summer Staff Purge of 2017. And then all activity basically stopped under the Illinois Policy Institute’s reign of tragicomic error and the governor’s new team is likely still figuring things out.
Anyway, go read the rest, particularly the end. Ouch. Keep in mind when reading it that Springfield is 217 miles from Rauner’s home town of Winnetka and it’s 237 miles from Springfield to Cairo. Maybe he shouldn’t have shut down the state’s fleet of airplanes.
1. A lot of Democrats turned out in those states. The different Democratic factions united. That includes the new post-Trump Indivisibles, which is a growing movement in Illinois to old school labor. If the big Democratic Illinois primary field for governor and attorney general jazzes up Democrats — and if they patch their primary differences after March — that’s a potent political force.
2. A lot of suburban women voted, and in Illinois these swing female voters are always, always crucial. Rauner signing a controversial abortion-related bill may earn him a primary — but that seems a risk he had to take in order to not alienate suburban women.
3. Health care coverage was an issue for voters. Rauner has not stepped up to the challenge of guaranteeing Illinoisans that they will be better off under Trumpcare — if it ever gets through Congress — than with Obamacare, which Trump is trying to undermine because he cannot get it repealed, much less replaced.
4. Rauner and his campaign are placing a big bet that voters in Illinois will focus less on Trump and more on Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan, who doubles as the chair of the Illinois Democratic Party.
It isn’t easy to “localize” a statewide contest when there are such strong national winds.
* From the DGA…
This week’s sweeping victories can be traced to 3 main factors: Democratic enthusiasm, a divided Republican party, and independents moving towards Democrats.
Yesterday’s results also were not very helpful to U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam, R-Wheaton, who represents much of DuPage County and the western suburbs. […]
Roskam already has to explain his vote for the Obamacare repeal bill that died in the Senate. Now he’s one of the principal architects of a pending tax bill that seems to punish upper-middle-class professionals who live in relatively high-tax blue states.
In that vein, it’s of note that one of Roskam’s GOP colleagues, Rep. Darrell Issa, who represents a district just north of San Diego and who faces a tough re-election race, yesterday announced that he opposes the current draft of the bill, declaring, “Tax reform should cut taxes for all taxpayers––regardless of where they live.”
Issa specifically mentioned the state and local tax deduction, which would mostly disappear under the bill.
For Roskam’s sake, I hope he noticed. The congressman keeps arguing that, overall, the bill is good for his district. But after statements like Issa’s and yesterday’s votes, Roskam is going to have a harder time convincing people in his district that he truly has their welfare in mind.
The petitioner, the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Council 31 (AFSCME), appeals a decision of the Illinois Labor Relations Board (ILRB) dismissing its unfair labor charge against the State of Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS). The charge challenged a policy requiring employees to pay the entire cost of their health insurance premiums for any pay period during which they go on strike, even if they are not on strike for the entire pay period. The charge was dismissed without a hearing. AFSCME argues that the ILRB abused its discretion because AFSCME presented sufficient evidence to warrant a hearing on its claims that (1) the policy was a unilateral change to a term of employment instituted at a time when the parties were in negotiations for a new contract and (2) the policy improperly threatened to penalize employees for lawfully exercising their right to strike. […]
In June 2015, while the parties were in negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement, CMS posted a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) on its website. One of the questions concerned the payment of health insurance premiums for employees who go on strike. […]
Q. Will striking employees still receive health insurance?
A. Yes, but striking employees will be responsible for the full cost of their health insurance, including the amount normally contributed by the State on behalf of the employee. If striking employees miss any day during the pay period due to being on strike, they will be sent a bill for the full cost of their coverage. […]
AFSCME argued that the policy discriminates against employees for going on strike, an activity protected under the Labor Relations Act, because it treats striking employees differently from other employees who go on unpaid leave. […]
CMS noted that an employer is not required to subsidize a strike… CMS argued that the policy concerning health insurance premiums was no different from the policy concerning wages. Finally, CMS argued that the policy expressed in the FAQ was not a new policy and therefore did not change a term or condition of employment during contract negotiations. […]
In this case, there is no dispute that health insurance is a term of employment that is covered under the parties’ collective bargaining agreements. The question is whether the policy described in the FAQ represents a change in policy that occurred during contract negotiations… (T)he documentary evidence available does not conclusively answer the salient question. […]
We next consider AFSCME’s argument that the policy acts as a threat to dissuade employees from striking. AFSCME argues that the ILRB ignored recognized principles of law in concluding that the policy was not coercive and dismissing the claim. We agree. […]
The issue in this case is the denial of a benefit before and after a strike. […]
In short, the ILRB overlooked the distinction between informing employees that a benefit will be lawfully withheld during a strike and threatening to unlawfully withhold a benefit from employees before and after a strike. We find that by ignoring this distinction, the ILRB ignored a recognized principle of law. […]
(W)e reverse the order of the ILRB dismissing the unfair labor charge without a hearing, and we remand for further proceedings
* From AFSCME…
We’ve always said that state workers shouldn’t have to strike in order to achieve a fair contract. But this ruling makes clear that in that eventuality, the Rauner administration can’t violate the law and intimidate employees from freely exercising their rights.
I’ve asked the Rauner administration for a response.
* Out of 39 total vetoes by Gov. Rauner this year, 15 have been overridden, while 22 others stood (and 11 of those died after no action was taken). One more is still pending Senate action as I write this (prohibition of asking for wage history UPDATE: The override motion failed.). Out of 10 amendatory vetoes, 3 were overridden and no action was taken either way on 4.
* Here’s an Entertainment Software Association press release about a veto the General Assembly didn’t try to override…
The Geolocation Privacy Protection Act (HB 3449) would have resulted in burdensome, redundant, and costly disclosure and consent requirements to use Illinois residents’ location data. The bill’s unnecessary red tape risked significant negative impacts on everything from navigation apps to games made by the Illinois video game industry, which provides approximately 6,000 Illinoisans high-paying jobs and adds $354 million in revenue to the state’s economy.
“Governor Rauner got it right when he vetoed this job killing bill, and the legislature was wise to sustain that decision,” said Michael D. Gallagher, president and CEO of the Entertainment Software Association, the trade association that represents the US video game industry. “The Geolocation Privacy Protection Act would have reduced user convenience and stifled innovation and job creation.”
It is critical privacy protection decisions be made in partnership with tech sector experts who understand the benefits and challenges of geolocation. By working together and following Federal Trade Commission guidance, which recommends brief, easily understood disclosures and privacy controls – already provided by top mobile marketplaces and operating systems – policymakers and experts can protect Americans’ privacy and user experience.
* But here’s an override motion that received zero “No” votes in both chambers…
Active substitute teachers will be able to seek a refund of the $50 fee they’re required to pay when they apply for a state license under a new law sponsored by Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill).
“This is an example of what we can do to ease up on the government bureaucracy that’s got a stranglehold on the teaching profession in Illinois,” said Manar, a member of the Senate Education Committee. “We have empty classrooms because of a statewide teacher shortage, a rapidly shrinking pool of substitutes and students who are suffering as a result. Curbing fees and eliminating unnecessary red tape will help address some of these problems.”
The Senate Wednesday voted 53-0 to override the governor’s veto of House Bill 3298. The measure authorizes a refund of the licensure application fee for substitutes as long as they can offer evidence of teaching at least 10 full school days within a year of being licensed.
The House overrode the governor’s veto 110-0 in October. The law goes into effect immediately.
School districts statewide are experiencing difficulty recruiting and retaining qualified full-time and substitute teachers.
During a hearing of the Senate Education Committee in Decatur Monday, lawmakers were told that teachers around the country often skip over Illinois when they’re looking for a job because of low starting salaries, licensure difficulties, lack of mentoring and other issues. The teacher shortage disproportionately affects districts in central Illinois and rural parts of the state.
* This override motion was unanimous in the House, but three Republicans voted “No” in the Senate…
In other action, the Senate voted to override Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner’s veto of legislation backed by Democratic Comptroller Susana Mendoza that would require increased reporting about state finances. The House already rejected Rauner’s veto, so the measure now becomes law.
Cursive handwriting will remain a subject in Illinois public schools thanks to the Senate’s action in overriding a veto of a measure that requires public elementary schools to offer at least one unit of instruction in the subject.
Assistant Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) led the initiative, noting it promotes the practical and fundamental values cursive writing has in education.
“Cursive writing is a skill children will need throughout their lives,” Lightford said. “You cannot write a check, sign legal documents or even read our Constitution without an understanding of cursive writing.”
Districts would determine by local policy at what grade levels this would be implemented as long as students receive the instruction by grade 5.
Under House Bill 2977, schools will be required to offer cursive writing beginning in the 2018-2019 school year.
About 100 moms came to the capitol to push for tighter gun laws. They want the state to license Illinois gun dealers and require most of them to install video surveillance systems. The bill the moms sponsor already passed through the Senate, but the House adjourned for the year before ever calling the bill to a vote.
“It’s very common sense,” Colleen Daley, of the Illinois Coalition Against Handgun Violence, explained. “Measure like background checks on employees, video surveillance on brick and mortar stores, and making sure there’s training for employees on how to identify straw purchasers.”
However, many Republicans say the bill goes too far, arguing it’s too broad and would interfere with the rights of law-abiding citizens to have access to guns.
…Adding… I just noticed that the House has its ethics training program online. Click here to see the study materials and take the test yourself.
* House members received some sexual harassment training yesterday, provided by the Department of Human Rights…
Two sessions were held behind closed doors in a Capitol room normally reserved for House committee hearings, with Democrats gathering in the morning and Republicans meeting in the afternoon. Senators are scheduled to get the same training Thursday.
The curriculum consisted primarily of a roughly hour-long slideshow presentation, which included an introduction to the idea of the “grandma filter” — if you wouldn’t do something or say something in front of your grandma, then you shouldn’t at work, either.
The presentation defined two types of sexual harassment. “Quid pro quo” harassment, the slides said, happens when sexual favors are requested in exchange for support of legislation, campaign contributions or employment opportunities. And a “hostile work environment” is when inappropriate or offensive jokes are the norm or there are instances of verbal or physical conduct that is sexual in nature.
The slides present various scenarios and ask if they qualify as sexual harassment. They also say that violations are “based on the perception of the victim, not the intentions of the accused.” The department also highlighted “third party harassment,” in which anyone affected by unwelcome conduct can also be considered a victim. Lawmakers were told to take immediate and documented steps to resolve incidents of sexual harassment.
* Good insight…
Lawmakers sexual harassment training includes 10 page powerpoint. This slide speaks volumes about the heart of the problem @ABC7Chicagopic.twitter.com/YDQYLvEzUe
* Mary Ann Ahern had these excerpts from the House training in her report…
Rep. Jeanne Ives told Ahern that she’d had similar training before, so she decided to skip yesterday’s training. She was the only House Republican to do so. Rep. Steve Reick (R-Harvard) had said he would boycott the training, but then changed his mind.
Some lawmakers said the increased awareness of the problem of sexual harassment in the capital is having a positive impact already and that the training will help.
“I think that will be very beneficial for everybody, but I’ve noticed a big difference just in the couple of days that we’ve been down here,” said Patty Bellock, R-Westmont.
Sexual harassment has gone from a topic that wasn’t talked about at the Capitol to one that is now the subject of awkward jokes.
Since allegations of rampant sexual harassment have surfaced in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal in Hollywood, compliments at the Capitol are doled out with a caveat, and hugs come with a disclaimer that the hugger isn’t trying to offend.
“I’ve noticed people being more reserved in their interactions, particularly with women colleagues, almost to the point of farce, like making jokes about ‘Should I even hug you?’ ” said state Rep. Will Guzzardi, D-Chicago.
“I am glad it’s on people’s minds, I am glad people are thinking twice before they touch people,” Guzzardi said. “My worry is that when this isn’t under the bright lights, that people will just revert to their old ways of doing things.”
Madigan said the Illinois Legislative Ethics Commission continued to function for nearly three years while the Office of Legislative Inspector General was vacant.
To the extent that the eight-member commission continued to schedule monthly meetings and saw to internal matters, it did “continue to function.” This included its executive director receiving numerous reports of alleged ethics violations.
But without an inspector general, it could not function in its capacity to take substantive action on alleged ethics violations. This is why Denise Rotheimer’s complaint saw no action until she went public with her allegations in a House committee hearing.
There’s an element of truth in Madigan’s statement but there’s a lot more that’s missing. We rate it Mostly False.
* It’s kind of a long press release, but this is a big win for Treasurer Frerichs, so here you go…
Illinois families are the winners [yesterday] after the Senate voted to override Gov. Rauner’s veto of the Life Insurance Reform Act, State Treasurer Michael Frerichs said today. The act will require life insurance companies to pay death benefits in a timely manner. Some benefits had gone decades without payment.
“This override vote means a countless number of our families will keep their home and a child will not be forced to drop out of school to support their family after a loved one dies,” Frerichs said. “Today’s action makes it clear that the people of Illinois will no longer tolerate loopholes that allow greedy life insurance companies to pad their bottom line using death benefits that should have been paid to grieving families.”
“I offer a special thanks to Senate Sponsor Jacqueline Collins, House Sponsor Robert Martwick, the AARP, NAACP, Citizen Action Illinois, and the many beneficiaries who stood with us to share their personal stories,” Frerichs said. “I also thank the Senate and House Republicans who followed common sense and set aside partisanship to override this veto and do the right thing.”
The Illinois Senate vote to override Governor Rauner’s amendatory veto of House Bill 302 passed 38-16. The Senate vote follows the House vote to override, which passed 71-40. The bill becomes state law effective January 1, 2018, despite the Governor’s attempt to veto.
House Bill 302 requires life insurance companies to compare electronic records of policies in force since 2000 with the Social Security Administration’s Death Master File (DMF) to determine if policies should have been paid to grieving families.
With Governor Rauner’s proposed amendments to the legislation, life insurance companies would pocket millions of dollars rather than pay death benefits to grieving families.
Currently, some life insurance companies do not pay death benefits when they know, or should have known, a customer died. Between 2011 and 2015, treasurer’s office audits found more than $550 million in death benefits that were not paid to grieving families in Illinois. Nationally, the figure is more than $7.4 billion, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Opponents argued that life insurance companies would lose money if required to pay death benefits and that they are not required under the terms of the contract to notify beneficiaries. However, not every survivor knows about a policy, such as a spouse suffering from dementia, or has the capacity to determine if a policy exists, such as a child with a disability. There have also been instances of a person leaving money to a church or charity without telling the recipient, so the recipient would not know to pursue a claim.
In August, Governor Rauner issued an amendatory veto that outlawed the type of audits that found the billions that were owed to grieving families in Illinois and across America. Without this enforcement tool, life insurers would be able to act with almost complete impunity.
The use of contingency fee auditors ensures families receive every cent they are owed. Without the audits, insurance companies keep 100 percent of the death benefits.
With this veto override, the treasurer’s office retains its ability to effectively look at the books of large banks, such as Wells Fargo, to confirm it did not inappropriately keep funds from bank customers. It also allows for the treasurer’s office to preserve its ability to look at large retailers, like Sprint and Radio Shack, to confirm they actually paid out rebates.
In Illinois, unpaid life insurance benefits are considered unclaimed property and returning unclaimed property to owners is among the duties of the Illinois State Treasurer. Illinois hold unclaimed property until the items or funds are claimed by the owner or heir.
Treasurer Frerichs’ office never charges money to search for, and return, unclaimed property.
Kennedy also said he thinks legislative Democrats in Illinois at times seek to almost-pass controversial legislation on issues like guns, so they can say: ”‘Oh, elect us, and we’ll pass this thing the next time.’ And I think that’s just emblematic of the inherent, well, corruption in our government here. We’re more interested in keeping people in power and preserving power rather than actually passing legislation that’s helpful.”
STEVE BROWN, spokesman for House Speaker Mike Madigan, responded later that bills put up for a vote are intended to pass.
“And if somehow he thinks that Mike Madigan or any other legislative leader can muscle members for a preconceived outcome, once again, Mr. Kennedy’s not very well informed,” Brown said. “It seems to be a recurring pattern with this guy.”
They do put plenty of bills on the board that they know won’t pass. Rep. Moylan’s recent bump stock bill is one example. That was pure politics.
Former President Barack Obama, free of a job that forced him to move to Washington for eight years, showed up to a downtown Chicago courthouse for jury duty on Wednesday morning.
The 44th president’s motorcade - considerably shorter than the one he had when he lived in the White House - left his home in the Kenwood neighborhood on the city’s South Side and arrived at the Richard J. Daley Center shortly after 10 a.m.
Obama - wearing a dark sport coat, dress shirt, but without a tie - waved to people who gathered outside after hearing reports that he would be reporting for jury duty.
Whether he will be selected to sit on a jury, and presumably be selected jury foreman, was not known. But if he is like other would-be jurors, Obama will have to watch a decades-old video in which a much younger Lester Holt, who was a local news anchor before he became a national news anchor, explains the ins-and-outs of jury duty.
Former President Barack Obama has been dismissed from jury duty.
The former president arrived at the Richard J. Daley Center in downtown Chicago for jury duty shortly after 10 a.m. on Wednesday. By noon, Cook County Chief Judge Timothy Evans was telling reporters that Obama won’t be serving.
* The Question: Have you ever been called for jury duty? If so, did you actually end up serving? Either way, tell us about your experience.
Illinois Comptroller Susana A. Mendoza moved quickly today to use proceeds from Illinois’ recent General Obligation bond sale to begin paying down a major portion of the state’s current $16.7 billion backlog and, critically, stop the clock on a mountain of interest payments accruing on Illinois’ late bills, some dating back to 2015.
Comptroller Mendoza said she will initially prioritize those bills eligible for federal matching funds to maximize the revenues available from the $6 billion bond sale. The action will significantly reduce the state’s record bill backlog and, importantly, end the accrual of interest penalties as high as 12% annually on many of the state’s oldest obligations.
The state owes an estimated $900 million in late payment interest penalties on its bill backlog. The bond sale effectively refinances future interest costs on the state’s existing debt, saving taxpayers billions of dollars over the next decade.
“As the state’s chief fiscal and accountability officer, I’m laser focused on maximizing this opportunity for taxpayers,” Comptroller Mendoza said. “These payments will effectively stop the bleeding of late payment interest penalties on this portion of the backlog. There is still a long, hard road ahead of us, but this is a vital first step toward smart planning for FY2019 and beyond.”
In total, the Office of the Comptroller expects to receive about $6.48 billion in bond proceeds, including a $480 million premium from the sale on top of the $6 billion initially offered, an indicator of the strong market demand for the bonds.
About $2.5 billion will be spent immediately on unpaid medical bills. Close to $4 billion will be used to pay down unpaid state health insurance claims owed to medical providers in the coming days. Over the next several weeks, an additional $2 billion in federal matching funds will be applied to state medical bills.
“Through the use of federal matching funds, we expect to turn a $6.48 billion bond offering into a nearly $9 billion investment which initially targets our state’s struggling healthcare system and medical providers, many of whom have had to turn to third parties for loans just to stay afloat,” Comptroller Mendoza said.
After the Senate voted 52-3 to override Bruce Rauner’s veto of the Debt Transparency Act, JB Pritzker released the following statement:
“With our bill backlog reaching another record-high, I’m relieved that the General Assembly overwhelmingly voted to override Bruce Rauner’s veto of the Debt Transparency Act,” said JB Pritzker. “This override is a sign that bipartisan members of the General Assembly are ready to bring transparency to the damage this failed governor has done to our state. I applaud Comptroller Susana Mendoza for standing up for taxpayers and being a true fiscal watchdog as Bruce Rauner drives our state’s finances into the ground. I look forward to standing with Susana as governor to get our fiscal house in order and bring stability back to Illinois.”
WATCH: J.B. Pritzker AGAIN Dodges on Releasing His Tax Returns
208 days since Pritzker first pledged to make his tax returns public
“While his sister was just caught parking assets offshore, J.B. Pritzker continues to hide his tax returns from the public. We already know he schemed with crooked Democrat insiders to slash the property tax bill on his Chicago mansion by over $230,000. It’s time for him to come clean.” - Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Aaron DeGroot
After receiving the endorsement from yet another career politician who’s loyal to Madigan, J.B. Pritzker was again asked when he will be releasing his tax returns.
Watch Pritzker continue to dodge on releasing his tax returns HERE.
Pritzker’s response? “It’s somewhat complex… We’re working on it… We’ll get it done soon.”
That’s the same response Pritzker gave nearly a month ago around when tax returns were due to the federal government.
208 days have passed since J.B. Pritzker first pledged to release his taxes returns.
Other Democrats have already challenged Pritzker on his obfuscation, and Illinois voters are demanding to see what Pritzker is hiding.
We already know that Pritzker has gamed the system to receive a $230,000 tax break on his Chicago mansion thanks to the help of his fellow crooked Democrat insider Joe Berrios.
When asked by ICPR about the role they think an attorney general should play in promoting or obstructing President Trump’s agenda, Democratic campaigns responded with a common trend: they believe they are on the “front lines” in blocking the President’s actions.
Senator Raoul highlighted the need to hold the President accountable in areas of voting rights, healthcare reform, and education policy. Pat Quinn’s campaign said the Illinois Attorney General “must resist” the President’s agenda. Jesse Ruiz commented, “it is absolutely the Attorney General’s responsibility to block” many aspects of Trump’s agenda, and Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering vowed to act as a “watchdog.”
Sharon Fairley and Renato Mariotti both employed battlefield metaphors to describe the relationship between the Attorney General’s office and President Trump. These campaigns described the Attorney General as “on the front lines,” acting as “a first line of defense” against components of the President’s agenda, which they labeled as “radical,” “an unrelenting attack on our rights,” and “unconstitutional and regressive.”
The campaigns specifically cited immigration policy, minority rights, and environmental and consumer protections as primary areas of disagreement with President Trump.
Notably, Scott Drury’s response was more muted, saying, “To the extent any person’s policies or agenda – including the President’s – threatens [Constitutional] rights and liberties, I will fight to ensure [Illinois residents] are protected.”
Campaigns for Erika Harold (R) and Aaron Goldstein (D) did not provide a comment in response to ICPR’s request.
While Democratic candidates are mostly unified in their perceived role on the “battlefield,” the sources they have tapped to fund their campaigns vary widely.
Self-funding has emerged as a trend in this race. Although Jesse Ruiz has raised the most money since announcing his candidacy, without the $100,000 loan he made to his campaign in October, Ruiz would fall to the sixth spot in that ranking. Sharon Fairley has contributed $120,000 tor her campaign, representing a majority of her $180,000 in contributions. The table below shows fundraising by all candidates since announcing their candidacy.
Additionally, Chicago Committeeman Aaron Goldstein has loaned his campaign a total of $75,000, collecting only $7,500 from outside sources. Attorney Renato Mariotti also donated $10,000 to his campaign.
Erika Harold’s campaign has relied heavily on support from the Illinois Republican Party. The state party’s in-kind contributions account for 30% of Harold’s funding, mainly by providing consultants and media production for the campaign. An assortment of businesses, political committees, and individuals contributed the rest of Harold’s campaign funds.
Similarly, Senator Raoul has collected most of his campaign contributions from political committees representing a host of interests including labor groups, trade associations, and specific businesses. Raoul also received his largest contribution ($25,000) from Citizens for Antonio Munoz, the campaign committee of Democratic State Senator Tony Munoz.
In contrast, Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering leads the field in fundraising from individual donors - every contribution since she announced her run for Attorney General was from an individual. The profile of Rotering’s donors is wide-ranging, including individuals from various professions, although most of them live in Highland Park.
Jesse Ruiz and Sharon Fairley have also been successful in soliciting individual donations, albeit not on the same scale as Rotering. Besides the loan he made to his campaign, Ruiz’s remaining $85,000 came largely from attorneys, executives, and investment bankers, along with a $1,000 donation from State Supreme Court Justice Charles Freeman. However, Fairley’s contributors are mainly listed as self-employed or retired in her filings.
Democratic State Representative Scott Drury and former Governor Pat Quinn sit at the bottom of the fundraising list. Despite his lackluster fundraising since announcing his candidacy, Drury remains comfortably in second place for total funds raised this year. This is due to his more aggressive fundraising during his run for governor earlier in the year, which he ended to join the attorney general’s race. Since he garnered contributions earlier in the year, he could not collect more money from the same donors due to contribution limits.
Quinn, who joined the race on October 27, retains $289,000 in his campaign committee from his unsuccessful 2014 re-election campaign. Quinn has not reported any donations since announcing his run for Illinois Attorney General.
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[Ron Larson] started the company after several years struggling to make ends meet as a mobile DJ and karoake host. He says his bar bingo company operates within the confines of the law because it’s actually a sweepstakes game, not a traditional bingo game.
Illinois state law prohibits bingo players from paying any amount of money to enter a bingo game to win prizes. Instead, Larson’s company collects a flat rate of roughly $200 from the participating bar in exchange for organizing, promoting and hosting the bingo game. Larson’s company markets the event on social media, draws people to weekly bingo games, and sets aside a portion of the revenue into a prize fund.
With each new bar that signs up, the prize fund - and the prizes - get bigger. The company has paid out at least one jackpot of $10,000 and is now promoting a monthly giveaway of a Harley Davidson motorcyle. Bars can benefit from the increased foot traffic and all the extra food and drink sales accrued during a two-hour bingo game.
[Sen. Terry Link] and his Republican counterparts on the Senate Gaming Committee want the Attorney General and the Illinois Gaming Board to investigate small businesses who host bar bingo games.
“Somebody said we can’t do anything to these bars,” Link said. “Oh yes we can, we can take their liquor license away from them and put them out of business if they want to do this kind of stuff that’s illegal.”
“It’s something that has to be looked into both by the Attorney General’s office and the Gaming Board,” said Senator Dave Syverson, a Rockford Republican. “If it’s considered bingo, right now bingo is limited to not-for-profits in Illinois.”
* The Pritzker campaign’s announcement of this endorsement was the usual stuff. But Sen. Andy Manar sent this out to his e-mail list today, and I thought you might like to see it…
Illinois needs a new direction, the people of the 48th Senate district need a new direction, Downstate Illinois needs a new direction.
And right now more than ever, Illinois needs a steady hand at the wheel, someone that can reform state government and build the trust and leadership that are required to make state government work for working people. And I believe JB Pritzker is the right man for this job and I wholeheartedly endorse his candidacy for Governor.
JB Pritzker is committed to building the downstate economy in places that have been forgotten by Bruce Rauner. Bruce Rauner pays nothing but lip service to middle-class families living in Downstate Illinois while his economic policies are punishing their pocketbooks. Bruce Rauner takes Downstate voters for granted as evidenced by his attire. I know that JB Pritzker is committed to creating jobs in small towns and rural counties. In Gillespie, I watched JB listen to a constituent that has struggled to find employment. JB will remember him when decisions have to be made. I’ve heard him listen to workers in Decatur and commit to protecting their right to collectively bargain. He is committed to building the Downstate economy and he has laid out very specific plans to do so.
Speaking of building, JB Pritzker is committed to building the democratic party in Downstate Illinois. Why is that important? Because his strategy for governing I believe will be reflective of the statewide strategy that he has set into motion in his campaign from day one. He will be a Governor for all of the State and won’t be a governor that uses the office to divide the state to advance a political agenda. That is something that I welcome and that’s a very big reason why I’m standing here today. He is committed to all 102 counties in the State of Illinois.
JB Pritzker is a listener. And for me that would be a welcome change in the Governor’s office—someone that actually listens, someone that seeks to understand, someone that wakes up every day to work with others to set into motion positive change, someone that builds consensus, someone that can bring Illinois together—that’s what we need today in our State.
And finally, perhaps the issue that he and I have discussed the most is the importance of continuing our public investment in public education, FIRST in the least funded schools in Illinois. I’ve pushed JB, I’ve pushed him hard in our conversations not because I’m pushy but because I didn’t spend five years of my life fighting for reform only to watch it be pushed aside or dismantled a year or two from now. JB views the issue of equity in public education the same way that I do. And I’ve come to appreciate that it is a deeply held opinion that he has. We share many common interests, but there is no greater common interest than our shared desire to give every child in Illinois an equal shot at life and that starts by attacking poverty in the public-school classroom. Yes, it took five years to successfully indict the system that stacked the deck against children living in poverty. Yes, that system today has now been erased. Yes, a whole lot of folks are taking credit for things that they opposed for years. But what I’m most interested in is this: Governor JB Pritzker will be a partner to me to make sure we stay true to our promise of educational equity for all kids in the smallest of towns, in the toughest of neighborhoods, JB Prtizker will be fighting that fight with me when he’s in the Governor’s office.
We’ve got so many challenges in the State of Illinois. JB and I are ready to unite Illinois and finally move our state forward.
JB Pritzker is going to fix Illinois. And I’m going help him win this election and get the job done.
* Meanwhile, I neglected to post this endorsement the other day, so here it is…
Today, Daniel Biss announced the endorsement of State Senator Don Harmon.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that Daniel is ready on day one to be governor and to lead our state in the years ahead,” said Don Harmon. “We need a governor who is committed to reforming our government at its core—someone who will change the way we raise revenue and run elections to ensure our state supports middle-class families like his own. We need a transformational leader, and that’s Daniel.
“As we’ve worked together in the Senate, from introducing a constitutional amendment to allow for a fair income tax to creating a small donor matching plan to get big money out of politics, I’ve always admired Daniel’s commitment to organizing. He’s not introducing bills for the headline, or to wrap up a quick accomplishment for the next election cycle—he’s in this for the long haul and understands how to mobilize the support necessary to win meaningful reforms for working families. It’s been a pleasure to work with Daniel in the Senate, and I know our state will benefit immensely from his passion, expertise, and long-term vision when he’s governor.”
“It’s an honor to receive Don’s endorsement,” said Daniel Biss. “For years, Don has been a trusted friend and mentor as well as a crucial partner in building campaign finance, criminal justice, and tax systems that support middle-class and working families. Don’s leadership and dedication is especially evident in his long-standing advocacy for a progressive income tax. Don has shown me the importance of pushing the envelope on what is politically possible and has modeled the persistence necessary to build a system that works for the rest of us. It’s been an honor to work with Don in the legislature, and I look forward to his leadership, friendship, and guidance on the campaign trail and when I’m governor.”
A Springfield musician was killed in a one-vehicle crash on Interstate 55 in Bloomington Monday night, authorities said.
John M. Brillhart, 44, was the lone occupant of the sport-utility vehicle involved in the wreck, McLean County Coroner Kathy Davis said Tuesday afternoon. […]
Mike Naylor, an owner’s of Abe’s Old Hat Antiques and Country Store, 111 N. Sixth St., said Brillhart played at several of his open mike nights. Brillhart hosted last week’s event at Abe’s, and his name was still on a sign Tuesday that advertised the event.
“I haven’t erased it. I’m so glad I didn’t. I’m looking at it right now. It says, ’Open pick tonight. Host John Brillhart,” Naylor said.
Naylor said Brillhart was a great guy who was well-liked.
“He was a good performer, a good songwriter and a good friend to everyone,” Naylor said. “I never heard him ever say a harsh word about anyone. He was always jovial.”
John was a good friend to everyone, and he was more than just a talented local musician and songwriter. He was one of the most active supporters of the Springfield music scene in this town. He was pretty much everywhere you could find decent music. The last time I saw him was Friday night during Larry Stevens’ gig at George Rank’s. John left early to go see another show downtown, mainly to make sure that people were in the audience to support the musicians. He was that kind of guy. Sweet, humble, accessible to all and not an enemy in the world.
John’s friends, and he had so many, threw a heck of a party for him last night at Rank’s. He did an open mic there every Tuesday and last night the place was jam packed with people. We cried and laughed and danced and hugged each other. He would’ve loved it.
The family will meet friends for a memorial gathering from 3:00pm-7:00pm on Friday, November 10, 2017, at Bisch Funeral Home West, 2931 Koke Mill Road. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to www.grammy.com/musicares. Please visit John’s online “Life Remembered Story” at www.bischfuneralhomewest.com.
* There are a few language issues with this video, so be forewarned. But here’s John…
As sometimes happens with these waves, the prevailing party did better than the polls predicted. RCP’s polling average from 10/29-11/5 had the Democrat up by 3.3 percent.
Virginia Democrats are poised to claim at least a share of control of the House of Delegates after erasing a 32-seat Republican advantage in a “tsunami election,” with control of the chamber likely to be ultimately decided by vote recounts.
Northern Virginia journalist Danica Roem made history by becoming the first openly transgender candidate elected to the Virginia legislature, while her party appeared to make a epochal gain in power in a legislative chamber that has been under an iron Republican grip.
Democrats picked up three open seats — including one in Henrico County — and knocked off at least 13 Republican incumbents on Tuesday to draw even in power in the House, pending recounts that could still swing in either direction.
For whatever reason, when some folks look at off-year elections, they insist on talking only about 2010 and 2014. They forget about 2006.
Illinois is definitely not Virginia (nobody else has the “Mike Madigan issue,” for instance) and there’s a very long way to go before November, 2018. But the current trend is not the Republican Party’s friend.
* Mike Murphy formally announced his House candidacy yesterday…
Murphy is the Sangamon County GOP’s choice to replace state Rep. Sara Wojcicki Jimenez, R-Leland Grove, who is not seeking another term. Precinct Committeeman Steven Westerfield also is running for the nomination in the March primary. Two Democrats – Jenica Myers-Hopkins of Pleasant Plains and Marc Bell of Chatham are seeking their party’s nomination.
Murphy, 64, said he has no “personal political agenda” to seek higher office. He said that gives him independence to tell the governor or his caucus leader when he disagrees with them.
“And lastly, I will be willing to go on the floor of the Illinois House and stand up and shout and say, ‘Speaker, what you’re doing is bad for Illinois,’” he added. “I can’t wait to do that.” […]
He said he isn’t backing anyone yet in the primary for governor – where state Rep. Jeanne Ives of Naperville recently announced her candidacy.
“I have my hands full,” he said, with his own race for the House.
Murphy used to own Charlie Parker’s restaurant, and the governor raved about the place for years.
* Leader Durkin doesn’t get the credit he deserves in this piece. He held his caucus together despite a very strong push by the other side…
Gov. Bruce Rauner on Tuesday narrowly fended off a major loss for the second time in as many weeks when the Illinois House failed to override his veto of union-backed legislation to prevent local governments from establishing right-to-work zones.
The override attempt again fell short by just one vote, despite efforts by Democrats to try to take advantage of a split between Rauner and Republican lawmakers following months of infighting that’s led one conservative House member to pursue a primary challenge against the governor. […]
The right-to-work legislation was put forward by Democrats in response to an attempt by north suburban Lincolnshire to establish a right-to-work ordinance in 2015. A federal court struck down the village’s ordinance, ruling that only states have the power to enact such laws.
“In a victory for the people, the House of Representatives today kept the door open to stronger job growth in Illinois,” Rauner said in a statement Tuesday.
“Courageous House lawmakers joined together to make Illinois more competitive so local communities can continue to decide how to make their economies stronger, help their businesses grow and give individual workers the freedom to support a union as they choose.
“Thanks to their action, Illinois is better positioned to be a national and global competitor.
“Now we need to buckle down and continue the work of creating economic opportunity for all of the people of Illinois.”
State Representative Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, says even though some Republicans reportedly promised unions they’d be with them, “I got a sneaking suspicion we may only end up with 70 votes.”
He was right. The legislation failed on a vote of 70-39 — just one short of the number needed to override a gubernatorial veto.
Rep. Jerry Lee Long, R-Streator, says Illinois is in no danger of becoming a right-to-work state.
“We don’t have enough votes in this House to vote for right-to-work,” he says. “There’s no way that we could make the state of Illinois right to work. All this is is political theater.”
Long says he’s a third-generation union member, but for unions to survive, Illinois has become more business-friendly.
Long gave an impassioned speech about unions on the House floor Tuesday. He told his colleagues he was third-generation union and that he had worked hard for the Teamsters. […]
His speech came a day after the Teamsters ran a full-page advertisement in The Times urging him to vote to override Rauner’s veto. That same day, a Teamster semi-truck appeared outside his Streator legislative office carrying the same message.
Steve Conrad, president of the Illinois Valley Building and Construction Trades Council, said Wednesday he continued to be confused about Long’s position on Moylan’s bill.
“Whoever he speaks to, he tells a different story. That’s the confusing part. Tell us what you really want. Quit trying to kowtow to everyone,” Conrad said. “When you keep moving the finish line, you’ll never get to the finish line.”
“I sound like a high school boy,” says state Sen. Ira Silverstein, D-Chicago, in a moment of blinding clarity on the 437th page of what I’m calling “The Silverstein-Rotheimer Papers,” a printout of 17 months’ worth of Facebook messages between Silverstein and victim rights advocate Denise Rotheimer.
Rotheimer released this tome to certain members of the media last week as evidence, she said, of the “torment” she suffered due to Silverstein’s “unconscionable” sexual harassment of her while he was sponsoring a bill that she was backing in Springfield.
Rotheimer’s accusations were magnified by the current focus in the news on predatory behavior, from inappropriate to illegal, which was touched off by widespread allegations of sexual misconduct against Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein. And they resulted in Silverstein losing a seat in party leadership that paid him $20,649 a year.
Fair enough, I suppose. “The Silverstein-Rotheimer Papers” show that the veteran North Side lawmaker engaged in an inappropriately personal relationship with a woman who personal and political propriety demanded he keep at arm’s length. It was an ethical failure.
Notably, though, there’s little to no evidence in the 444-page record of Silverstein, 57 and married, threatening, harassing, intimidating or propositioning Rotheimer, 45 and single. Rather, as Silverstein says, he sounds in this to me like a high school boy — goofy, smitten and awkward as he flirts with a woman who, it seems to me, coyly leads him along.
Rotheimer tried to put this into context yesterday, so click here if you missed it. She adamantly denies that the relationship was mutual.
I don’t know anyone who believes that Sen. Silverstein is the perfect poster child for sexual harassment. He’s not on anybody’s top ten list. But I also believe that, at minimum, he behaved unprofessionally with Rotheimer. Also keep in mind that there are no perfect victims in this world.
Of course there are plenty of men here, doubtless in positions of authority, who read this as flirting. That’s gross, guys. She isn’t flirting, and all the women in subordinate positions to you who respond similarly aren’t flirting with you — they’re trying to get you to stop without you screaming at them or hitting them. The 20-year-old waitress does not find your 50-year-old flirting charming, she finds it creepy. The secretary you’re engaging in “flirtatious banter” with is not amused, she’s trying not to get fired and hating you like fire.
Reached on Tuesday, Rotheimer urged the new legislative inspector general to move quickly to resolve her complaint, which she filed nearly a year ago.
As for Silverstein, she said he has no one to blame but himself.
“I’m not going to apologize for how things are coming out on him,” Rotheimer said. “That’s on him. That’s on the people in Springfield who decided to sweep my complaint under the rug. That’s on them, not me.”
* And Senate President Cullerton has a suggestion…
But Illinois Senate President John Cullerton’s office noted the Legislative Ethics Commission should be responsible for notifying victims since the panel has the responsibility to take in complaints and follow through with victims.
“One of the problems we’ve identified is the lack of follow through in notifying victims that their complaints were received, who they can contact and where they can send additional information if they have any,” Cullerton spokesman John Patterson said in a statement. “There needs to be a clear line of notification and communication. It’s an issue that would be best handled by the ethics commission and its executive director.”
Sen. Toi Hutchinson, D-Olympia Fields, said there is a “disconnect” in Springfield in which people call for an end to the culture of sexual harassment but “there are enough folks walking around who still don’t know what it is they are not supposed to be doing.”
Hutchinson told a story of when she started lobbying and was trying to land her first contract. She was at a luncheon, and the “head person on this bill told me that the only reason I was there was so that we could put my beautiful black breasts on sale,” she said.
“Now, I was just starting out. I hadn’t gone to law school yet. I had absolutely no power to speak out. I had just one client in my pocket I was trying to work. That is an example of a conversation that crosses three things: it was generational, it was racist and it was sexist.
“I didn’t know there was any place that I could have gone to say anything about it at the time,” Hutchinson said.
…Adding… I’ve been telling subscribers about these two folks since Monday morning…
Ram Villivalam, SEIU Healthcare’s legislative coordinator and former political director to U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider’s campaign, tells us he’s challenging embattled state Sen. Ira Silverstein in the Democratic primary. Silverstein last week resigned from his leadership post amid sexual harassment allegations leveled by a victims’ rights activist, which he has denied.
Villivalam told POLITICO on Monday he expects to formally file campaign papers today and he set a goal of raising $25,000 in the first week. “I think we need a new and young generation with more diversity in our government. The 8th district has the highest concentration of Asian Americans in the state of Illinois. As an Asian American, it’s time we elect the first Asian American state senator,” said Villivalam, whose parents immigrated to the United States from India. “I want to be a part of the new generation of leaders that we elect who want to listen to everyday people, who want to change the culture in Springfield.”
Villivalam worked as a legislative coordinator for SEIU Healthcare for three years, including combating right to work efforts by Gov. Bruce Rauner, advancing wage issues for home health care workers and child care assistance programs for working parents. “It’s the organization that’s been on the frontline of fighting Bruce Rauner’s disastrous policies,” Villivalam said.
Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner’s administration had arranged to pay a new deputy governor out of an employee health care account that is more than $4 billion behind on its bills due to the state’s budget crisis, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press.
After the AP reported Thursday that half of Leslie Munger’s $138,000 salary was scheduled to come from a pool of insurance premiums, a spokeswoman for the governor said an agency “mistakenly” designated the wrong fund and that Munger’s pay would come from elsewhere.
Munger, Rauner’s hand-picked choice to fill a vacancy in the comptroller’s office in 2015, landed the position with her political ally after losing a special election.
A state legislator is taking issue with Gov. BRUCE RAUNER hiring a “digital director” for $125,000 a year, with the salary, according to state records, coming from the mental health budget.
But PATTY SCHUH, spokeswoman for the governor, said this week that while governor’s employees’ works benefits all agencies, it was not intended that JAMES VETRANO be coded under a mental health line in the Department of Human Services, and he would be moved to a more appropriate designation, possibly outside that agency budget. […]
State Rep. GREG HARRIS, D-Chicago, chairs the appropriations committee that oversees human services spending, and noted that the Rauner administration recently announced cuts to human services.
“And now, they found hundreds of thousands of dollars to pay a guy to post pictures on his social media?” Harris said. “How many pictures to we need to see of him riding around on his motorcycle? … We should be investing more into community services and less on Facebook and Twitter and Instagram.”
The governor’s previous director of digital communications, BRIDGET SHANAHAN DAVIDSON, who is now director of media relations for the Illinois Education Association, was paid $80,000 annually and worked for the state from October 2016 to July. Her Linked In profile says she “produced social media campaigns and created content to engage followers and grow reach while successfully generating several earned media stories.” She produced Facebook Live events, managed a graphic designer, video editor and production crew, a still photographer and web redesign team – as well as managing Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat, “expanding engagement on all platforms.”
