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* Politico…
We asked about a State Journal Register story that says there are nearly 1,700 bills being introduced from both chambers that apply to income tax credits for eligible taxpayers, state agencies and departments.
That’s not even close to what the story says…
As of Friday, there were 1,690 bills introduced from both chambers - 156 in the state Senate and 1,534 in the House. A common thread in the bills was income tax credits applying to a wide spectrum of eligible taxpayers, state agencies. and departments.
The SJ-R story looked at only a sampling of all the bills. Of those 1,690 bills, Speaker Welch has introduced 940 shells. Deputy Majority Leader Mary Flowers introduced another 76 bills, as did Rep. La Shawn Ford.
* Campaign press release, but it ain’t a bad idea…
Kam Buckner filed legislation to ensure that the head of CPS is a Superintendent and not a CEO, ensuring that schools prioritize students, are not run like businesses, and that there are strict education, certification, and work experience requirements for this role.
CPS had a superintendent until 1995 when the legislature changed Illinois’ law and appointed Paul Vallas to run Chicago’s school district. The change has allowed people like Paul Vallas to ignore the needs of children, their families, and communities and instead make decisions driven by financial outcomes and self interest.
“Our school district has been traumatized by school closures and poor decision making,” Buckner said. “By having a CEO lead our schools we have allowed people without the proper job qualifications to run our district as a business and see our children as data points and not the future of our great City. Legislation I have proposed will change that by reinstating the Superintendent role in CPS and eliminating the title of CEO.”
There have been ten CEOs of Chicago’s public schools since Paul Vallas first took office in 1995.
“As CEO Paul Vallas was driven to create a balanced budget for CPS and it resulted in neighborhood school closures for our children,” said Buckner. “He didn’t put our kids first then and he certainly won’t as Mayor of Chicago.”
Paul Vallas has been an opportunist collecting titles instead of prioritizing Chicago’s youth and education. Chicago State University’s board of Trustees created a job specifically for Vallas to help them turn things around but Vallas was terminated by the Trustees after they realized they had been a pawn in his attempt to advance his bonafides among black voters during his first Mayoral run.
“I sat on the board of Trustees that fired Vallas,” Buckner said. “It was clear then and it’s even clearer now that he puts himself first and it is that same self interested attitude that is allowing him to accept donations from people who used our schools to increase their personal profits. We simply cannot have people like this running our schools or our City.”
Paul Vallas has accepted campaign contributions from Deborah Quazzo, a former CPS employee who violated ethical school standards by pitching her businesses to school principals in an effort to secure CPS contracts and she benefitted from a kickback scheme under CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett.
As state Representative, Kam Buckner has sponsored 100s of bills to help improve public safety, education, housing, and transportation in Chicago including legislation on needs based school funding, which set a minimum teacher salary and an elected Chicago school board.
The bill is here.
* Meanwhile…
A proposed amendment to the Sports Wagering Act in Illinois filed by Rep. Robert Rita would introduce exchange trade wagering.
House Bill 1405 seeks to extend the current sports betting regulations in the Prairie State to include betting exchanges, defined in the bill as “the buying and selling of betting contracts at any time prior to the conclusion of an event based on a describable zero to 100 scale of probability”.
Under the bill’s terms, two betting exchange licenses would be up for grabs if it were to pass, with licensees liable to a $500,000 licensing fee.
Any licensee would be allowed to offer betting exchange services for a period of four years initially and may renew for a $100,000 fee as long as the operator remains compliant with regulations.
* This is a Republican-sponsored bill, so keep that in mind…
Illinois lawmakers on Monday introduced workers compensation bills that would affect compensability on cumulative trauma and work travel.
H.B. 1543 would determine that an injury arose out of and in the course of employment only if the accident “significantly caused or contributed to both the resulting condition and disability.”
The bill doesn’t define “significantly caused,” so it’s not clear how that would compare to other causation standards such as major contributing cause, proximate cause and predominant cause.
Case law says only that workers must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the work incident or duties were a causative factor in an injury. That bill would limit coverage for cumulative trauma, prohibiting coverage for “ordinary, gradual deterioration or progressive degeneration of the body caused by aging or normal activities of living.”
* Same sponsor for this one…
The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission would be required to establish a new medical fee schedule and implement a closed drug formulary, under legislation introduced Monday.
H.B. 1548 would render all current medical fee schedules inoperative after Aug. 31, 2024, and establish new reimbursement rates based on Medicare percentages. The bill would also require annual updates to the fee schedule starting Sept. 1, 2025, that would be equal to exactly half the increase in the Consumer Price Index.
H.B. 1546 would require the commission to adopt an evidence-based drug formulary by Sept. 1. The bill does not direct the commission toward any current formulary.
* Stand Up America…
State Legislatures are Back. Here’s How They Can Protect and Strengthen Democracy.
State legislatures are back and beginning to set priorities for the 2023 session. As lawmakers gather it’s critical that they prioritize protecting and strengthening democracy – especially with a divided Congress in Washington.
Legislators and voters in New York and Michigan are coming off of big wins in 2022 – having passed sweeping democracy legislation and ballot initiatives – that will now need to be implemented. Meanwhile, the Illinois and New Mexico legislatures will take up fights that fell short last year like voting rights restoration and a democracy package to create a permanent absentee voter list, restore voting rights, implement automatic voter registration, and more.
Here are a few ways states are prioritizing protecting democracy in 2023:
• Minnesota: Minnesota lawmakers recently introduced a comprehensive pro-democracy package – the “Democracy for The People Act” – that includes automatic voter registration, restoring the right to vote for Minnesotans on probation or parole, and modernizing the state’s campaign finance system. Legislators also launched a democracy caucus in the Minnesota state house. Recently, lawmakers and voting rights advocates from We Choose Us MN held a press conference to announce a legislative agenda to make the North Star State a national leader in democracy.
• New Mexico: Last session, New Mexico voting rights advocates nearly passed a sweeping legislative package to strengthen democracy and secure citizens’ access to the ballot. Last week, legislators introduced a revamped version in the statehouse. The bill includes a permanent absentee voter list, rights restoration for people on parole/probation, automatic voter registration, an Election Day holiday, and more. New Mexico lawmakers and advocates hosted a press conference on their plans for the session.
• Oregon: For the past few years, Oregon advocates have worked diligently to pass legislation to allow currently incarcerated citizens in the state the opportunity to vote to support their communities and families. Last year, the legislation was held up in the Joint Committee on Ways & Means, but with Sen. Elizabeth Steiner and Rep. Tawna Sanchez at the helm of the committee this year, hopes of passage are much greater. A coalition, led by formerly incarcerated individuals, continues to fight to pass the legislation, SB 579, this session.
• Illinois: Illinois voting rights advocates have been working to pass voting rights restoration for people with felony convictions for years. Last year, SB 828, legislation to restore voting rights for currently incarcerated Illinoisans, came just a few votes shy of passing the House on the final day of session. This session, advocates are bringing back the bill, HB 989, and making sure it is prioritized by lawmakers.
Stand Up America’s members are not new to fighting for legislation to shore up democracy at the state level. In fact, last year, Stand Up America’s members drove more than 1,800 calls and 15,000 emails to legislators and sent over 650,000 texts in support of state-level measures that would strengthen democracy in Arizona, Michigan, New Mexico, Illinois, Oregon, New York, and beyond. This year, they will again work in their state houses to pass legislation to state level protections for their democracy.
* And…
My tweets about newly introduced Illinois bills usually don't get much play on here but I'll bet a pound of catnip this one does…
Rep Barbara Hernandez has introduced HB1533 which would ban the declawing of cats in Illinois. 😹🐈⬛🐱😼https://t.co/zxn1LWoifb
— Chicago Bars (@chicagobars) January 31, 2023
I wonder if the upholstered furniture lobby has a position on that one. /s
…Adding… Press release…
Today, U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) introduced a package of legislation to increase the size of the House and Senate, as well as restore the Supreme Court’s jurisdiction to better align with Article III of the US Constitution.
The package, named “A Common Sense Vision for American Democracy” would:
Establish 12 at-large senators to be elected through a nationwide system of ranked choice voting
Add approximately 138 additional Members of the House (if it had been implemented after the 2020 census)
Change the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and create a 13-judge multi-circuit panel to hear cases where the United States or a federal agency is a partyThis is the first attempt by a sitting Member of Congress to enact this type of reform. There have been no attempts in Congress to expand the Senate or reinstate the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court. The last time the House was expanded was in 1911. After an inability to settle disputes over reapportionment after the 1920 Census, the size of the House was arbitrarily locked in place at 435 in 1929.
An overview of A Common Sense Vision for American Democracy can found below, including bill text and section-by-sections of the legislation.
“The fundamental promise of our democracy is to fulfill the will of the people,” said Rep. Sean Casten. “In recent years, we have failed to meet that promise. There is a growing list of issues – from climate action to gun control to healthcare to voting rights – where the federal government has consistently ignored the priorities of the majority of Americans. This failure not only breeds cynicism but ultimately risks the very survival of our government. We must act against the counter-majoritarian institutions of our political system and seek to reestablish the government as a stalwart for the people.
“The Equal Voices Act will increase the size of the House to be in line with the growing population of the United States. Not only will this bill create smaller districts to allow Members to be more responsive to the needs of their constituents, it will also rebalance inflated representation between districts, and allow for greater diversity that is more representative of our great nation. On top of that, it will grow and equalize the Electoral College, better aligning outcomes with the national popular vote.
“The Senate was purposefully constructed to not reflect the will of the majority. However, a government that doesn’t represent the people cannot sustain the support of the people. This amendment establishes 12 at-large senators to be elected through a nationwide system of ranked choice voting. By creating this bloc of senators, comprising roughly 10% of the body, who are directly responsible to public will, the Senate will be forced to move their agenda towards the will of the majority.
“There are currently incentives to control the composition of the Supreme Court to affect the resolution of disputes in a way that furthers specific policy objectives and politics. These incentives have distorted the actual and perceived fairness and independence of the Court, and this must be remedied. The Constitution gives Congress the power to address the structural concerns of the Supreme Court, and we must do so. It’s time for Congress to restore the Court’s jurisdiction to align with Article III of the Constitution and eliminate the current elements that allow the Court to be gamed for political advantages”
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jan 31, 23 @ 11:59 am
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Previous Post: Tony Sanders named new state superintendent of education
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Show of hands, Did anyone besides Shia think all the bills were tax credits? The headline tugged that way, but a quick read sorted out waz up.
Comment by Annonin' Tuesday, Jan 31, 23 @ 12:04 pm
Chicago Bars with another uninformed tweet.
Declawing your cats is the surgical equivalent of cutting all of the top thirds of your fingers off. It’s cruel, barbaric, and often leads to lifelong pain for the cats. If you don’t want a cat with claws, don’t get a cat.
Comment by Commissar Gritty Tuesday, Jan 31, 23 @ 12:07 pm
Years ago I had two cats declawed and I will never forgive myself for it. It was over 20 years ago, but I still regret doing it. I have two cats now and I just deal with the scratches and blood. They need their claws and it’s a cruel thing to do to them.
Comment by Baloneymous Tuesday, Jan 31, 23 @ 12:13 pm
It seems to me that Casten’s plan to create “at large” senators would require a constitutional amendment.
Comment by G'Kar Tuesday, Jan 31, 23 @ 12:25 pm
@Baloneymous, nice confession. It is not only cruel to their bodies to declaw but if a cat gets outside, they would not be able to defend themselves. Buy the tallest sisal fabric scratching post you can find and they will use that. (not sisal rope, sisal fabric). Pass HB1533
Comment by Amalia Tuesday, Jan 31, 23 @ 12:36 pm
“Paul Vallas has been an opportunist collecting titles instead of prioritizing Chicago’s youth and education. Chicago State University’s board of Trustees created a job specifically for Vallas to help them turn things around but Vallas was terminated by the Trustees after they realized they had been a pawn in his attempt to advance his bonafides among black voters during his first Mayoral run.”
Nice.
Comment by NIU Grad Tuesday, Jan 31, 23 @ 12:38 pm
I’ll be keeping an eye out for Rep. Huynh’s proposed legislation to suspend the gas tax, which he promised to voters during the primary campaign…
Let’s see how long that promise holds up now that he’s there.
Comment by NIU Grad Tuesday, Jan 31, 23 @ 12:41 pm
what is the rationale for allowing incarcerated felons to vote? I’ll never understand….
Comment by Deputy Sheriff Tuesday, Jan 31, 23 @ 12:49 pm
The workers comp bills are two in a collection of eight posted by Rep. Ugaste whose ilga bio includes this: “25-year employee and shareholder at Nyhan, Bambrick, Kinzie and Lowry, Chicago, specializes in workers compensation defense and other related litigation” I get that he’s legislating in his professional expertise, but some of those bills also seem pretty self-serving. Was he elected to represent his firm and clients or his district?
Comment by Pot calling kettle Tuesday, Jan 31, 23 @ 12:53 pm
Get your cats some decent scratching posts, and put them where the cats want them, and your furniture will be mostly fine. There is no good reason to declaw cats. Though it is a good idea to trim them. Mine flexes her paws when she’s happy. Can be painful when she’s on a lap. A little regular trimming goes a long way.
Comment by DHS Drone Tuesday, Jan 31, 23 @ 12:56 pm
==what is the rationale for allowing incarcerated felons to vote? I’ll never understand…==
Blue voters for red counties (banned punctuation) /s maybe?
Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Tuesday, Jan 31, 23 @ 1:37 pm
===Blue voters for red counties===
During the next Census, prisoners will be counted as being in their home addresses.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jan 31, 23 @ 1:38 pm
===what is the rationale for allowing incarcerated felons to vote? I’ll never understand….===
The Google key is your friend.
If you can’t understand then it’s either a comprehension issue for you or a partisan issue where you understand but don’t like it.
Let’s not confuse comprehension for partisan
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jan 31, 23 @ 1:39 pm
===I’ll be keeping an eye out for Rep. Huynh’s proposed legislation to suspend the gas tax===
Same.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jan 31, 23 @ 1:46 pm
==It seems to me that Casten’s plan to create “at large” senators would require a constitutional amendment.==
Which would require ratification by 3/4 of the States. Which means a number of States would need to vote in favor of weakening their representation and power in Washington. An old saying comes to mind, and it has to do with a snowball and Hades.
Comment by fs Tuesday, Jan 31, 23 @ 2:44 pm
=== Any licensee would be allowed to offer betting exchange services for a period of four years initially and may renew for a $100,000 fee as long as the operator remains compliant with regulations. ===
I guess this means the same thing as a renter subletting…I think, right?
Comment by PublicServant Tuesday, Jan 31, 23 @ 3:10 pm
The 12 senators may require a constitutional amendment, but the rest of it is well within Congressional power to do with a straight majority vote and presidential signature.
Comment by ChicagoVinny Tuesday, Jan 31, 23 @ 4:24 pm
Rep. Casten’s proposal to expand the size of the House is a good idea. In the 1920s, when the size of the House was capped at 435, according to Census data, the average district was 241,000 people. Now it is over 760,000. That’s too big for real representation. Adding 138 members would decrease the size to about half a million. The rest of the bill is probably unconstitutional and looks like a mechanism for the Democrats to win the game by changing the rules.
Comment by The Ford Lawyer Tuesday, Jan 31, 23 @ 5:55 pm
===what is the rationale for allowing incarcerated felons to vote? I’ll never understand….===
Aside from them being US citizens? Why is our country so determined to prevent so many of its citizens from voting? In other countries it’s actually encouraged.
Comment by PF Flyer Tuesday, Jan 31, 23 @ 6:40 pm