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* I really enjoyed this story from yesterday and this bonus thread…
ICYMI, I wrote a deep dive about the infamous Robert Parker Coffin Bridge in Long Grove. You know — the one that's been hit 40+ times in 2 years.
One of the most interesting pieces about the bridge's namesake didn't make my story.
Coffin's hand-built home is in shambles … 🧵 pic.twitter.com/fRXyAyVEGO
— Kori Rumore Finley (@rumormill) November 28, 2022
* Here’s your morning roundup…
* WCIA | SAFE-T Act to render bailout non-profit’s services obsolete: The Champaign County Bailout Coalition was founded around the belief that no one should await their day in court from a jail cell just because they can’t afford to post bond. The non-profit has spent nearly $200,000 in donations to offset the cost of bail for more than 155 people since starting up in 2019.
* WMBD | What does the SAFE-T Act really do?: WMBD’s digital producer Maggie Strahan has a Masters degree in Public Affairs Reporting and has covered the work of the Illinois General Assembly closely in the past. She is here to break down the 764-page bill for concerned citizens.
* Center Square | Amendment 1 could force changes to Illinois’ SAFE-T Act police regulations: Some of the SAFE-T Act’s provisions that could be challenged with the enshrined rights include the requirements for police-worn body cameras, anonymous complaints against police or restrictions on the use of force or deescalation techniques. “Those police unions would have the ability to demand that there are basically contrary provisions in their collective bargaining agreement that would override state law like the SAFE-T Act,” Smith said.
* Celeste Fisher | My husband, Republican Jim Durkin, is an endangered species: State Rep. Jim Durkin is an endangered species — a socially moderate, fiscally conservative gentleman who plays well with others. Now, the reasonable dad of the Illinois Republican Party has had enough, post-election. He picked up his keys, and he is going for a drive. As his wife, I am happy for him and beyond proud. As a constituent, I’m at a loss.
* Sun-Times | City Colleges enrollment uptick outpaces state, national averages but still short of pre-pandemic levels: City Colleges enrollment stands at 34,798 this fall, up 6.9% or 2,233 students from 32,565 a year ago.
* Tribune | Illinois’ Inclusive Athletic Attire Act was first of its kind in the US. But some athletes say there is still confusion on the courts.: The law, which was the first of its kind when passed in September 2021, allows student-athletes in Illinois to modify their uniform to match any cultural, religious or personal preferences they may have without facing any penalties or disqualifications during competitions, like wearing longer sleeves, full-length pants or playing in hijab, said Maaria Mozaffar, director of advocacy and policy at the Illinois Muslim Civic Coalition, which helped draft the legislation.
* WGNTV | Lightfoot files petition for reelection on last day: While the advantage of filing later gives more time to collect signatures and less time for opponents to challenge signatures on petitions, there are still six challengers who filed on the first day.
* Greg Hinz | City Hall is up for grabs: In one development, a business-backed group formed by ex-Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s former campaign manager disclosed it intends to wade into the City Council fight big time, raising “well into seven figures” to help candidates it considers pragmatists rather than ideologues. And in another, longtime political operative Victor Reyes confirmed rumors he’s begun talking with Jesus “Chuy” Garcia about backing the congressman’s mayoral bid and working for his campaign in some capacity. Sources close to Garcia denied Reyes will have any formal role, but even an informal alliance could indicate that Garcia will go after incumbent Mayor Lori Lightfoot from the moderate center and not just the political left.
* Tribune | Facing indictment, Ald. Ed Burke will end his run as the longest-serving City Council member ever, won’t seek reelection: Burke’s reign as alderman since 1969 over his ward not far from Midway Airport has seen its demographics shift from a mix of working class Irish and Eastern Europeans to an overwhelmingly Latino constituency. Those changes and the specter of the high-profile charges alleging he abused his considerable power made it far from certain he would have won had he decided to run again.
* WHBF | What’s next for Congresswoman Cheri Bustos after a decade of service to the QCA?: After serving her community and state since 2007, what’s next for Congresswoman Bustos? Local 4’s Stephanie Johnson sat down with Cheri Bustos as she reflects on her career and talks about the future.
* WCIA | Pritzker appoints new cannabis officer for Illinois: The new appointee is Erin Johnson, who currently works at the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice and previously worked for former governor Bruce Rauner.
* Tribune | ‘An intellect, a bully, and a great judge’: Courthouse leader Vincent Gaughan set to retire after handling Chicago’s biggest cases: Gaughan is retiring after 31 years on the Cook County bench much like that: caustic but fatherly, autocratic but skilled, temperamental with everyone in his courtroom except — usually — the defendants themselves.
* Sun-Times | River North restaurants cut hours more than any area in U.S. during COVID: River North restaurants have cut 20.2 hours per week, on average, since COVID hit. Restaurant owners cite reasons including inflation, lack of workers and changing consumer habits. But the biggest issue may be the sluggish return to workers downtown.
* SJ-R | On final day of filings, the field in three races for Springfield alderman gets crowded: Monday at 5 p.m. was the deadline for filing for the April 4 election, which will also feature races for District 186 board of education, the Springfield Metropolitan Exposition and Auditorium Authority (SMEAA) board, the Springfield Park District trustees and the Lincoln Land Community College trustees, among others.
* Aurora Beacon-News | Gold coins found in Salvation Army red kettles in Batavia, Geneva: One anonymous donor dropped a 1-ounce American Buffalo coin into a kettle outside a Jewel-Osco store in Batavia Saturday, officials said. A 1-ounce fine gold Standing Liberty coin showed up in a kettle at a Starbucks in Geneva the same day, according to a news release.
* ABC7 | Astros sign slugger Jose Abreu to 3-year deal : Following a dreadful first five weeks, Abreu was one of the best hitters in baseball over the final three-quarters of the season, batting .335/.405/.479, though his 15 home runs over the entire year were a career low. He joins an Astros lineup with fellow Cuban Yordan Álvarez, Jose Altuve, Kyle Tucker, Alex Bregman and World Series MVP Jeremy Peña. Abreu will replace Yuli Gurriel, a longtime rival in the Cuban National Series. Abreu and Gurriel, along with Yoenis Cespedes, were widely regarded as the best players of their generation from Cuba, both high-contact hitters — though Abreu’s power was the separator.
More to come!
posted by Isabel Miller
Tuesday, Nov 29, 22 @ 7:50 am
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I understand it, but I don’t like it. Jose Abreu was an absolute class act, no excuses, throwback player that I loved to watch. One of the great guys to play for the Sox ever.
Comment by JS Mill Tuesday, Nov 29, 22 @ 8:17 am
Isabel - You continue to do a great job with the morning roundup.
Comment by City Guy Tuesday, Nov 29, 22 @ 8:45 am
Thanks Isabel for these updates.
The three related to the SAFE-T Act are an interesting collection. The first is about do-gooders feeling happy their services will not be needed. Thank you for your service CCBC.
The second addresses myths and falsehoods perpetuated by politicians, sheriffs, and state’s attorneys. Having actually read the SAFE-T Act, I attest it is an accurate report. “There are no non-detainable offenses in Illinois” is the key statement. Suggesting otherwise is actually false.
Then there is the third. Suggesting that Amendment 1 will allow police unions to violate state law is such a ludicrous argument, it is laughable.
Another “gem” from Center Square.
Comment by H-W Tuesday, Nov 29, 22 @ 8:48 am
Collective bargaining agreements trump state law? Really?
The Unions at SoS tried that when the smoking ban went into effect, claiming as their collective bargaining agreements set up smoking rooms, smoking couldn’t be banned by statute. Yeah, right.
Henry Bayer tried the same thing 10ish years earlier, saying AFSCME had a collective bargaining agreement that permitted correctional officers to fail up to 3 drug tests before there were “job issues” the General Assembly couldn’t legislate differently. Pate “educated” Henry.
Comment by Anyone Remember Tuesday, Nov 29, 22 @ 8:51 am
Filed Away
The former powerful finance committee chairman Ed Burke did not file petitions this election to run for a seat he, and his family, held for decades.
His wife, Supreme Court Justice Anne Burke, who is ageless and priceless, stated she had no idea what was her husband’s intent. Sneedless to say, living separate lives as Anne said means no more hush-hush lunches with Jay Doherty.
Natch.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Nov 29, 22 @ 11:03 am