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Isabel’s morning briefing

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Illinois

* Here you go!…

WBEZ | Illinois’ government has spent billions in federal pandemic aid. What do some programs do when the money runs out?:

* Sun-Times | Illinois’ assault weapons ban back in effect for now after ruling by federal appeals judge in Chicago: Judge Frank Easterbrook of the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals agreed on an emergency basis Thursday to stay last week’s ruling by U.S. District Judge Stephen McGlynn, who’s based in southern Illinois, that blocked enforcement of the assault weapons ban.

* Tribune | Illinois GOP quick to pounce on ‘ComEd Four’ verdicts, but even party insiders say outcome might not move the needle much in deeply blue state: ”After decades of Democratic insiders putting their personal interests ahead of Illinois residents, it’s now clear that the Madigan Democrat machine corrupted Illinois state government,” state GOP chair Don Tracy said in a statement. “Former Speaker Madigan may be gone, but we can’t forget that Illinois Democrats across the state — from Gov. J.B. Pritzker on down — supported, enabled and kissed the ring of Speaker Madigan.”

* Sun-Times | Michael McClain’s Illinois pension is suspended after ComEd bribery conviction: Since drawing the taxpayer-funded retirement benefit in 2002, McClain has received more than $313,000 in pension payments, state records show.

* NBC Chicago | Illinois Residents Debate On Tax Credit Scholarship Program For Private Schools: Families that participate in the Invest In Kids program say it’s an invaluable resource, though critics say the initiative hurts public schools. Tracy Smith of Hyde Park told NBC 5 that her 15-year-old twins are blazing a path to success, and it all began at St. Sabina Academy.

* Tribune | Migrants moved to Park District field houses, as South Shore residents criticize city for shelter plans: There were 207 families residing inside Chicago police stations Thursday morning, said Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez, 25th, citing an unofficial count shared with him by community groups. Dozens of migrants were shown sleeping shoulder to shoulder on the lobby floor of Rogers Park’s 24th District police station in a photo shared on social media and confirmed with police sources by the Tribune.

* Sun-Times | Migrants at Navy Pier or McCormick Place? Central facility better than neighborhoods for asylum-seekers, alderperson says: Stop “playing whack-a-mole” and disrupting neighborhoods, Ald. Maria Hadden told the Sun-Times. “We need central locations. We need large spaces,” such as McCormick Place, Navy Pier or shuttered big-box stores.

* Center Square | Illinois lawmakers warn of the rising costs to care for undocumented immigrants: Gov. J.B. Pritzker said since August, the state has provided $240 million for arriving migrants being transported from places like Texas. “To make sure that we were providing the services necessary,” Pritzker said. “We’re talking about shelter, we’re talking about food, we’re talking about health care.”

* Capitol News Illinois | Expected cost for Illinois’ noncitizen health care program grows to $1.1 billion: As of the end of March, the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services estimated it would cost $990 million to fund the program that provides state-funded health care to individuals age 42 and older who would otherwise qualify for Medicaid if not for their citizenship status.

* Hyde Park Herald | District committee searching for successor to state Rep. Lamont Robinson: The winner of April’s aldermanic runoff election, Robinson is resigning from the Illinois General Assembly to be the next 4th Ward alderman. The Cook County Democratic Party is in charge of appointing his successor and applications for the role are due on May 10.

* Tribune | The Chicago White Sox can’t ruin your summer, no matter how hard they try: So why would anyone come out and watch a Sox team that fell on its face the first month of the season and has little chance of competing in 2023? Maybe because it’s one of the few things from their childhood that remains relatively the same as it was back in the day. They’ve been waiting for months for the weather to turn, and what else is there in Chicago that defines summer like going to a baseball game?

posted by Isabel Miller
Friday, May 5, 23 @ 7:36 am

Comments

== The Chicago White Sox can’t ruin your summer, no matter how hard they try: So why would anyone come out and watch a Sox team that fell on its face the first month of the season==

So have the Cardinals. After being overwhelming favorites to win the NL Central before the season started. Hopefully both Cards and Sox turn things around quickly while Cubs continue swooning from this point forward.

Comment by Stuck in Celliniland Friday, May 5, 23 @ 7:57 am
Stuck, As a suffering Sox fan, I feel your pain. The Cardinals don’t seem to have the pitching but would seem to have hitting. I don’t watch them much but I cheer for any team in the Cubs division. The Sox starting pitching is adequate but aren’t hitting. Maybe we can merge.

Comment by James the Intolerant Friday, May 5, 23 @ 8:37 am
== Hopefully both Cards and Sox turn things around ==

Both teams benefit from playing in mediocre divisions, which gives them an outside chance. Would not be surprised if the Cards claw their way back into contention — because it’s a well run organization from top to bottom and history suggests they always find a way to matter. History suggests the exact opposite about the Sox. They are be broken in a systemic way.

Comment by BC Friday, May 5, 23 @ 8:52 am
==I don’t watch them much but I cheer for any team in the Cubs division.==

Sounds like a sad form of fandom.

Comment by supplied_demand Friday, May 5, 23 @ 9:56 am
Currently, my Cardinals are the worst team in the National League. Oh how the mighty have fallen over the past few years. When I came to Illinois 28 years ago, I got to see them win pennants, seemingly regularly. The past couple years, not so much.

But as Wynonna Judd said, when you hit rock bottom, you’ve got two ways to go - straight up, or sideways.

I will still wear my jersey, and hope for straight up.

Comment by H-W Friday, May 5, 23 @ 11:12 am
Did the Sox management pick up an old Bears playbook on how to lose games and seasons? “Ouch, Baby. Very Ouch.” (Austin Powers).

Comment by thisjustinagain Friday, May 5, 23 @ 1:13 pm