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*** UPDATE *** I just now noticed that Cristina Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago) has resigned from the Senate. Let the appointment games begin.
* Crain’s…
Former Commonwealth Edison CEO Anne Pramaggiore could see ComEd parent Exelon seek recovery of legal costs the company has paid on her behalf, as well as past incentive compensation, if the expected appeal of her conviction on conspiracy and bribery charges fails.
That’s the recommendation of a special committee appointed by Exelon’s board to respond to shareholder lawsuits filed following the bribery scandal that led to jury convictions last month of Pramaggiore and three others. Exelon’s board last month endorsed the committee’s proposed settlement of a handful of such lawsuits, according to a court filing. […]
“If Ms. Pramaggiore and/or Mr. Hooker’s convictions were ultimately affirmed after all appeals are exhausted, the SLC (special litigation committee) believes that the Exelon board would have a strong basis to pursue any available civil claims against Ms. Pramaggiore and/or Mr. Hooker, including for recoupment of previously advanced legal fees, compensation subject to clawback pursuant to the Company’s clawback policies and/or other claims for damages,” according to the May 26 filing by the committee in federal court in Chicago. “Particularly in light of certain changes that have been made to the company’s leadership and board, and consistent with the corporate governance reforms already put in place and to be put in place in accordance with the settlement terms, the SLC believes the board will be well-positioned to determine whether the pursuit of such claims is in the best interest of the company at that time.”
* Crain’s…
Both Chicago and Illinois have been screaming hard in Washington trying to get the feds to come up with more to help care for the influx of refugees arriving here from the Southern border. They’re about to get their wish — but only in part.
A knowledgeable source says the next tranche of refugee aid to be announced early in the week will include $19.3 million for Illinois, with just over half of the aid — $10.5 million — allocated for Chicago.
Both surely wanted more; the Chicago City Council just appropriated more than $50 million to pay for food, shelter and other expenses through June. But it’s a lot better than the $8.5 million they had to split in the last award in May.
…Adding… Chicago’s $10.5 million is on top of the state’s $19.3 million, I’m told. So, almost $30 million. That ain’t too horrible.
* Press release…
Governor JB Pritzker was joined by Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, advocates, and lawmakers today at the Harold Washington Library to sign legislation outlawing book bans in Illinois. This nation-leading legislation comes in the wake of a nationwide rise in extremists targeting literature, libraries, and books in an effort to censor the material students need to thrive in the classroom. Targeted books cover a wide range of categories and predominantly consists of stories by and about People of Color and the LGBTQ+ community. […]
This legislation, HB2789, protects the freedom of libraries to acquire materials without external limitations. Prior to this, Illinois law did not provide such protections and according to Chicago-based American Library Association (ALA), there were 67 attempts to ban books in Illinois in 2022. Just this past year, PEN American reported 1,477 instances of books being banned nationwide during the first half of the 2022-23 school year, affecting 874 individual titles.
HB2789 tasks the Illinois State Librarian and the Illinois State Library with adopting the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights, statewide. This bill of rights indicates that reading materials should not be proscribed, removed, or restricted because of partisan or personal disproval. Illinois libraries would only be eligible for state-funded grants if they adopt the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights.
Alternatively, the State Librarian and State Library can work together to develop their own written statement declaring that every library or library system must provide an adequate collection of books and other materials to satisfy the people of Illinois
DPI responds…
“I applaud the Illinois General Assembly and Governor Pritzker for taking action to defend our schools and libraries from attacks on access to accurate information and diverse stories, and I’m grateful to Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, our State’s Librarian, who led this effort to defend Illinoisans’ freedom. Removing books from our shelves represents a dangerous backslide into a world where a small but loud minority can silence anyone who looks, loves, or believes differently than they do. As extreme right wing groups attempt to place candidates with their regressive values into local offices across Illinois and the nation, it’s as important as ever that we step up to defend our children, their freedoms, and their futures,” said DPI Chair Lisa Hernandez.
Earlier this year, the Democratic Party of Illinois took action to prevent extreme candidates who supported policies including book banning from taking over school and library boards. DPI successfully prevented 73% of the candidates it communicated against from winning their elections. Throughout this unprecedented program, DPI reached hundreds of thousands of individuals and households in Illinois via digital and mail communications as well as organizing support. This initiative was brought forth as part of the new party building directive under the leadership of Chair Hernandez to provide year round support to Democrats through grassroots organizing and continuous voter engagement. The legislation signed today will act as an additional safeguard against far-right efforts to limit access to diverse ideas and inclusive education.
* Press release…
With attacks on same-sex couples and marriages on the rise across the nation, State Senator Mike Simmons successfully sponsored a law signed Friday to strengthen marriage equality for same-sex couples in Illinois.
“As the first openly gay senator in Illinois, protecting and strengthening same-sex marriage laws in this state is significant to who I am and what I fight for,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “I am proud to support legislation that protects same-sex marriages in Illinois and creates avenues for same-sex couples in other states coming to Illinois seeking those same protections.”
House Bill 1591 protects same sex marriages in Illinois by repealing the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution Act. This bill provides that same-sex couples can receive a marriage license in Illinois without requiring a signature from an official from their previous state. This will make it easier for same-sex couples who resided in other states to marry in Illinois.
“With the overturning of Roe v. Wade, many are suspecting of the Supreme Court’s intentions regarding Obergefell v. Hodges, which protects marriage equality,” said Simmons. “This bill makes marriage equality stronger for Illinoisans and provides security to same-sex couples.”
* From Gov. Pritzker’s Northwestern University commencement address today…
Thank you to President Schill for your kind introduction. To the Class of 2023: congratulations on your graduation from one of the finest universities in the world.
Look, I know there were more than a few of you who may have groaned when you heard that the Governor was going to be your commencement speaker. Believe me, I too would rather be listening to Beyoncé give a speech today.
But rest assured, as a Northwestern Law School alum, I studied up before crafting my remarks, mostly by watching a whole bunch of YouTube videos of other people’s commencement addresses. And I’ve come to the conclusion that the best graduation speeches are a lot like your favorite sitcoms. They are short. They make you laugh. And they feature an oddball but lovable character.
Well, I’m your oddball character, folks.Today, graduates, I want to invoke a seminal piece of twenty-first century culture to help send you forward on the right path in life.
I am, of course, talking about the Emmy award-winning sitcom known as “The Office” – which in its two-hundred episode run gave us all the wisdom you need to make your way in this world.Now look, the younger members of my staff made it clear to me that your generation might consider “The Office” to be sort of “cheugy” – which I learned is a pejorative term meaning “uncool” or “you’re trying too hard.”
That’s fine. I don’t care. I’m a dad. By definition, dads are cheugy. We try too hard every day. Mostly to get our kids to turn off the lights when they leave a room. We don’t care if you don’t think we’re cool – we are determined to plunge ahead anyway.
Turns out, Steve Carell was in the audience, according to Tina Sfondeles…
But the Democratic governor didn’t know he’d be delivering a commencement address in front of Michael Scott himself, according to his office.
Actor Steve Carell, who played Scott on the show, along with his wife, Nancy, who also appeared on the sitcom, were at Ryan Field to celebrate their daughter’s graduation from the university. […]
Pritzker’s office said Carell and the governor met briefly after the address, with Carell telling him he liked his speech. Both Pritzker and his chief of staff, Anne Caprara, wrote the speech before learning Carell would be in the audience — and both are self-avowed die-hard “The Office” fans.
* Durbin endorses the Democratic primary opponent of Rep. Jonathan Carroll…
Hon. Tracy Katz Muhl, Democrat for Illinois State Representative in the 57th District, held her first campaign event on Saturday, June 10. The Northfield Township Committeeperson spoke to a packed room of supporters, including prominent politicians at Northbrook’s Techny Prairie Activity Center.
A former District 28 School Board President, Katz Muhl laid out how her experience, collaborative nature, and tenacity ensure her ability to raise the voices of constituents and make progress on issues most important to residents of the 57th District. A number of state leaders spoke at the event in support of Katz Muhl, including U.S. Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, U.S. Congressman Brad Schneider, IL State Senator Laura Fine, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, and Cook County Board Commissioner Scott Britton.
“I am running for state representative to enact meaningful legislation that will make a genuine impact in people’s lives,” said Katz Muhl. “As your township Democratic Committeeperson, your school board president, a gun violence prevention advocate, and a grassroots organizer, I have listened to, coordinated and amplified the voices of our community to make real change. Now it’s time to scale that up to give the voters of the 57th District a stronger and more representative voice in Springfield. It’s time to get things done.”
While unable to attend the event in person, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, sent his endorsement in a statement that said, “Tracy is an effective leader who knows how to get things done. Her experience as a lawyer, school board president, and community organizer proves she has the skills to make a difference in Springfield. Tracy is a lifelong advocate for gun safety, reproductive freedom, and the LGBTQ+ community. We need her working for us in Springfield.”
* US Rep. Mike Bost announced he’s running again…
U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12) formally announced the launch of his reelection campaign at a meet-and-greet with supporters in White County on Saturday.
“Joe Biden and the crazy liberals in Congress are attempting to fundamentally change our way of life. Their woke, radical agenda is causing chaos with our economy, confusion in our schools, and a crisis at our southern border,” said Bost. “I’m honored to run for reelection because Southern Illinoisans deserve a fighter they know and trust to stand up for constitutional conservative values. We’ve got enough show horses in Washington as it is; that’s why I remain laser focused on serving the people and delivering real results for Southern Illinois, the place I’ve proudly called home my entire life.”
During his time in Congress, Bost has compiled a proven, conservative record, previously receiving endorsements from the NRA’s Political Victory Fund, Illinois Right to Life, and Illinois Farm Bureau. He was also endorsed by President Donald Trump the last three election cycles. Bost served as a state representative, small business owner, professional firefighter, and is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran.
He will probably face former state Sen. Darren Bailey, a noted show horse.
* Up until this morning, the Will County Board’s June 15 agenda included this…
HONORARY RESOLUTIONS/PROCLAMATIONS
1. Recognizing the Juneteenth Holiday
2. Recognizing June as Pride Month
3. Recognizing MOMS for America
Those three oddly paired items have since been removed.
…Adding… The County Board Chair, not the Executive sets the legislative agenda, I’m told.
* Isabel’s roundup…
* Crain’s | Paul Vallas’ new role might reveal something about his true political leanings: But, later In the interview, Vallas spun his hiring [by the Illinois Policy Institute] as a good thing of no ideological significance. “I’m a research wonk. They do research,” he said. “They know my Democratic credentials. That suggests they want a diverse staff.” Vallas declined to discuss whether his new job suggests he misled voters. “I’m not a candidate now,” said Vallas. “I’m not going to go into that. It is what it is… I’ve done research for a number of groups through the years.”
* Daily Herald | Why Illinois consumers will soon pay more for groceries: The yearlong suspension of the state’s 1% tax on groceries ends July 1. […] “It’s usually cheaper to cook it yourself than go out, so people will still shop for groceries and cut back elsewhere,” [Rob Karr, president of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association] said. “It would also be a big difference if it were a 10% tax coming back and not 1%. We don’t expect this will affect grocers much.”
* Tribune | Cook County says employees and pensioners can breathe a little easier with long-awaited fixes: Following years of consternation about whether Cook County’s two main pension funds would fulfill its obligations to its 39,000 employees and retirees, county leaders are saying they are on track to reform. A pair of moves within the past year has freed up access to more pools of cash to help shore up the county’s long-underfunded pensions, though fiscal experts say the county will have to be careful not to overcorrect and tie their hands on spending for other needs.
* Tribune | Ex-state Sen. Terry Link back on witness stand in bribery trial of Chicago businessman: Under questioning from Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Franzblau on Wednesday, Link spent about an hour and a half taking the jury through his role spearheading the state’s massive gambling overhaul legislation in 2019, as well as a shouting match he had with Arroyo, a Chicago Democrat, about it on the Senate floor and a secretly recorded meeting at a Highland Park Wendy’s where prosecutors say the proposal to pay off Link was first made four years ago.
* Tribune | What makes a fair election? Recent redistricting the most politically balanced in years: The dissatisfaction once voiced most loudly by Democrats in states gerrymandered by Republicans is now also rising from Republicans in such places as rural Macoupin County, Illinois. A Republican represented the former coal mining county in Congress during the past decade. But a Democrat won the redrawn district in 2022 after it got transformed into a slender snake-like shape — with a head in the twin university cities of Champaign and Urbana and a new tail in the Democratic suburbs of St. Louis.
* SJ-R | Bill regulating cryptocurrency stalls, possibility remains for veto session: HB 3479 would create the Uniform Money Transmission Modernization Act and Digital Assets Regulation Act, where the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation Secretary would issue annual licenses and overall regulate digital asset business activity in the state.
* Tribune | Overcrowding, cold food and uncertain futures a way of life for migrants in Chicago’s shelters: The condition of the city’s 12 shelters cannot be assessed fully because the city has repeatedly denied a request from the Tribune and others for access to them. According to a letter in May from Chicago’s congressional delegation, the city has spent more than $75 million in the past nine months on over 10,000 new arrivals who have come to Chicago since August, and Chicago aldermen recently voted to spend an additional $51 million on migrant care through June.
* NBC | An Illinois hospital is the first health care facility to link its closing to a ransomware attack: Suzanne Stahl, the chair of SMP Health, the hospital’s parent organization, said last month that the hospital was planning to close this year. “Due to a number of factors, such as the Covid-19 pandemic, the cyberattack on the computer system of St. Margaret’s Health, and a shortage of staff, it has become impossible to sustain our ministry,” she said in a Facebook video.
* Crain’s | How Chicago companies are testing the potential — and peril — of ChatGPT and AI: JPMorgan’s approach reflects the mix of wariness and excitement ChatGPT has stirred up among local companies as they consider possible uses of a new technology that burst on the scene in a tsunami of hype. In recent months, Chicago-area businesses from United Airlines to Morningstar have started experimenting cautiously with ChatGPT and its artificial-intelligence siblings.
* Chicago Tribune Guild | UNEQUAL: A study of pay at the Chicago Tribune: There is an unconscionable pay gap between journalists of color and white journalists at the Chicago Tribune. The median wage for a full-time journalist of color is $10,000 less than a white full-time journalist. Comparing median pay for our full-time workers, for every dollar that a white journalist is paid, Alden values our journalists of color at 86 cents. From the data we can crunch, this gap can’t be attributed to differences in worker’s ages/ experience.
* Crain’s | Grubhub lays off 400 workers: “After much consideration and evaluation of our business, we have made the difficult decision to reduce Grubhub’s workforce by 15%, impacting approximately 400 of our corporate employees,” the company said in a written statement. “These changes will enable Grubhub to invest in the growth of our core business and better position the company for long-term success.”
* SJ-R | Celebrating Juneteenth in Springfield: here are some events to attend: From a parade and street fair to talent shows and an outdoor revival, there’s plenty to do to celebrate Juneteenth in Springfield.
* AP | GM to invest $632 million at Fort Wayne assembly plant: The investment in new conveyors and equipment in the body shop and assembly areas won’t create any new jobs. But GM said on Monday it will keep jobs for about 4,000 people who work at the plant.
* SJ-R | Sangamo Club to close doors Friday after 133 years: The Sangamo Club’s management cited a changing social environment and declining membership for the end of a Springfield institution. In a letter sent Saturday to club members, president James Ackerman said that the club had been losing money for some time, without the kinds of recreational activities that could keep a similar organization afloat.
* Daily Herald | Glen Ellyn’s Sean Hayes wins a Tony: Former Glen Ellyn resident Sean Hayes won the Tony Award for leading actor in a play Sunday night for his tour-de-force performance as pianist/raconteur Oscar Levant in “Good Night, Oscar.”
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jun 12, 23 @ 2:05 pm
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==Ackerman pointed out that of the club’s 250 current members, nearly half – 144, to be exact – spent no money on food or alcohol at the club in the last month==
I’m not a math whiz but that sounds like more than half.
Comment by Big Dipper Monday, Jun 12, 23 @ 2:11 pm
==The closure - combined with January’s closure of the Peru hospital - will leave western La Salle and eastern Bureau counties without an emergency room throughout the summer.==
This will be no comfort at all to the immediate LaSalle-Peru area but thankfully there are still hospitals in Mendota, Ottawa and Princeton that aren’t far away–but at the same time those hospitals will get innundated with patients who would have went to LP or SV for hospital care prior to their closures. Hoping OSF or Carle or another medical group comes and reopens at least one hospital in the LP area.
Comment by Stuck in Celliniland Monday, Jun 12, 23 @ 2:15 pm
–Up until this morning, the Will County Board’s June 15 agenda included this–
Wouldn’t removing things from an agenda without a quorum containing meeting, be an open meeting act violation? The county board has a specific meeting to set the full board agenda. There’s no corresponding meeting of that committee that could have changed the agenda after its publication.
Meaning, somebody changed the agenda within 48 hrs of the meeting without following the county rules for doing so. Is the board chair now editing meeting agendas on their own?
Interestingly tucked in the original agenda, this item still remains;
“Suspending Will County Board Rules Re: Section 3.08 Setting the County Board Agenda”
The county board is currently so unable to follow their own rules to such an extent, they are suspending them ahead of time.
This would be the time a competent board would be demanding the resignation of the board chair.
Comment by TheInvisibleMan Monday, Jun 12, 23 @ 2:23 pm
Wasn’t Jonathan Carroll cleared by the LIG?
Comment by Torco Sign Monday, Jun 12, 23 @ 2:38 pm
It must be nice to have resources to form a special committee to interpret a simple contract term.
Comment by Three Dimensional Checkers Monday, Jun 12, 23 @ 2:40 pm
Re: Durbin.
Only in the Democratic Party could be cleared by an investigation make you more guilty. Hopefully Katz Muhl joins other successful Durbin endorsees such as Secretary of State Anna Valencia and Chicago Mayor Paul Vallas.
Comment by Nuke The Whales Monday, Jun 12, 23 @ 2:46 pm
Bost vs Bailey aka Who can use the word “woke” the most in a statement.
How fun!
Comment by Squirrel Monday, Jun 12, 23 @ 2:57 pm
==are attempting to fundamentally change our way of life==
And you’re from a party who wants to ban books and take away all of the legal rights of people you don’t happen to like. And, you also support a guy with full blown dictatorial tendencies in Donald Trump and his minions who attempted to overthrow an election.
Comment by Demoralized Monday, Jun 12, 23 @ 2:59 pm
=IL Gov signs law banning book bans=
Check and mate, clowns.
Comment by Politix Monday, Jun 12, 23 @ 3:02 pm
Re: Gov. Pritzker’s commencement speech
I had the unfortunate opportunity to sit through commencement speech of the CEO of Warner Bros Discovery a few weeks ago.
Worst. Commencement. Speech. Ever.
The heckling and boos at least made it interesting. Kudos to the Governor. Nailed it.
Comment by Lefty Lefty Monday, Jun 12, 23 @ 3:05 pm
Next up in the Pritzker-DeSantis feud: Florida to ban book ban bans.
Comment by Proud Papa Bear Monday, Jun 12, 23 @ 3:07 pm
If Bailey campaigns for the seat currently held by Bost, hopefully there will be no media/commercials in the Chicago market.
Where’s Charles Thomas?
Comment by Rudy’s teeth Monday, Jun 12, 23 @ 3:28 pm
===Only in the Democratic Party could be cleared by an investigation make you more guilty.===
Durbin didn’t say anything about Carroll, much less about the accusations he’s been “cleared” of. Given the amount of support behind TKM, there seems to be a wider range of problems between the incumbent and his district.
Comment by vern Monday, Jun 12, 23 @ 3:32 pm
===Where’s Charles Thomas? ===
Learning to farm. /s
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jun 12, 23 @ 3:34 pm
=== Hopefully Katz Muhl joins other successful Durbin endorsees such as Secretary of State Anna Valencia and Chicago Mayor Paul Vallas. ===
The fact of the matter is that nobody likes Jonathan Carroll. His opponent is the Democratic committeeperson for Northfield township and will proceed to wipe the floor with Carroll at the ballot box. He’s toast.
Comment by Hannibal Lecter Monday, Jun 12, 23 @ 3:44 pm
Gov JB gave an excellent speech, which runs about 25 minutes. Another inspiring speech was given by an undergraduate who was diagnosed w Stage 3 ovarian cancer during her NU studies, and received treatment while maintaining her studies and activities, and is (thankfully) cancer-free at graduation today. Her speech comes about 15 minutes after Gov. Pritzker’s speeach.
Comment by Ares Monday, Jun 12, 23 @ 4:01 pm
= That suggests they want a diverse staff. =
IPI’s idea of diverse is “conservative” and “even more conservative”.
Comment by JoanP Monday, Jun 12, 23 @ 4:02 pm
==Durbin didn’t say anything about Carroll==
Please provide an alternate justification for endorsing against a Democrat with a solidly Democratic voting record? This is not some situation where he voted against the party platform in such a way to upset a key voting block as we have seen in other primaries where people weigh in.
Comment by Nuke The Whales Monday, Jun 12, 23 @ 4:02 pm
“…they want a diverse staff.”
I think I may have stretched a stomach muscle from laughing at that.
Comment by btowntruth from forgottonia Monday, Jun 12, 23 @ 4:06 pm
There’s nothing conservative about the IPI, who openly supported Rauner’s budget sabotage and wanted to wreck the state. Who supported the former governor and president, under whom debt exploded, and think they’re conservative? These folks need to cover up, they have no clothes. No legitimacy whatsoever on fiscal responsibility.
“They know my Democratic credentials.”
At this point Vallas is only deluding himself. Sad, lol.
Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Jun 12, 23 @ 4:18 pm
I’ve worked for Durbin so it hurts me to say this but his endorsement is a sure sign the other person will win. He can’t pick a winner and he has never been a king or queen maker.
Comment by The real Captain Monday, Jun 12, 23 @ 4:21 pm
–The County Board Chair, not the Executive sets the legislative agenda, I’m told.–
Yep. That’s good ol’ Judy Ogalla.
She has made appearances in the ‘meanwhile in opposite land’ posts here before.
Comment by TheInvisibleMan Monday, Jun 12, 23 @ 4:28 pm
“Please provide an alternate justification for endorsing against a Democrat with a solidly Democratic voting record”
He’s never had to run a real campaign. He was appointed to the seat. He ran unopposed twice. He’s never really been responsive to the district.
And he’s just a weird guy.
Muhl has been active in the community for a long time. Nominating someone who is active and known makes for a far better representative for a district than just “Generic D/R Person.”
Comment by Save Ferris Monday, Jun 12, 23 @ 4:33 pm
Paul Vallas said…and no one cared to listen.
Comment by Dotnonymous x Monday, Jun 12, 23 @ 4:57 pm
No surprise Illinois has the most gerrymandered congressional districts in the nation despite the Governor’s pledge to veto political maps.
It’s apparently ok to disenfranchise Republican voters from the legislative and judicial branches in Illinois
Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Jun 12, 23 @ 5:10 pm
===It’s apparently ok to disenfranchise Republican voters from the legislative and judicial branches in Illinois===
No. Keep up, please.
The map of Alabama, as an example, did not pass muster for the VRA.
Are you saying the Illinois maps aren’t meeting VRA parameters?
I think a judge might disagree with you on the legality of the map, but if you wanna talk about breaking a promise, Pritzker was re-elected, handily, after signing all the maps.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 12, 23 @ 5:23 pm
==Hoping OSF or Carle or another medical group comes and reopens at least one hospital in the LP area.==
In theory OSF will be reopening Illinois Valley Hospital, which St. Margaret’s closed in January, later this year or early next. In practice, I’ll believe it when I see it.
Comment by G'Kar Monday, Jun 12, 23 @ 5:27 pm
Just quoting the AP’s analysis detailed in the Tribune article above that the redrawn maps had the largest partisan slant nationally, allowing the Democrats to pick up 3 more seats than expected based on their percentage of votes cast in the last election.
Again the voting rights act says you can’t disenfranchise minorities but it is legal to disenfranchise Republicans, even if you pledge not to while running for office.
Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Jun 12, 23 @ 5:45 pm
= In the release, Vallas termed IPI “the strongest taxpayer advocate in the state.” =
Their campaign to kill Amendment 1 failed, their nemesis CTU took over City Hall and their darling school-choice program was stripped from the state budget…all within the last seven months.
The near-defunct Illinois Republicans are stronger at this point.
Comment by VoiceOfThePeople Monday, Jun 12, 23 @ 5:48 pm
===Again the voting rights act says you can’t disenfranchise minorities but it is legal to disenfranchise Republicans, even if you pledge not to while running for office.===
Then Bailey should’ve beaten Pritzker on that issue, but Bailey was too busy touting that women should be forced to carry pregnancies to term, a cult-like love for Trump, who endorsed Bailey, and “keep you hands off my guns” primary… that 56% of Republicans supported.
SCOTUS doesn’t mind gerrymandering, just don’t make the maps in a way that they violate the VRA.
Winners make policy… and maps.
They are legal maps, an actual judge “agrees”, Rich had whole posts on the processes lol
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 12, 23 @ 5:59 pm
Katz Muhl is good people, and she knows everybody in the district.
I like Carroll a lot too and worked with him on an issue that impacts my family, and I was really pleased with him. But Katz Muhl is really popular and well-known around the district.
I actually feel spoiled for riches if the both of them run. I’m not used to having two good choices.
Comment by Suburban Mom Monday, Jun 12, 23 @ 6:20 pm
====IPI’s idea of diverse is “conservative” and “even more conservative”.====
I am not one that usually defends IPI but their contract lobbyist is anything but a far right conservative. Just saying. (Great guy by the way).
Comment by Been There Monday, Jun 12, 23 @ 6:40 pm
===Again the voting rights act says you can’t disenfranchise minorities but it is legal to disenfranchise Republicans, even if you pledge not to while running for office.===
When did being Republican become an inborn characteristic that a person can’t change?
Comment by Suburban Mom Monday, Jun 12, 23 @ 6:51 pm
===No surprise Illinois has the most gerrymandered congressional districts in the nation. ===
Oh please. You should be embarrassed to have even suggested this. This first assumption discredits all that follows.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jun 12, 23 @ 8:05 pm
Anon at 8:05 was me.
Comment by H-W Monday, Jun 12, 23 @ 8:06 pm
Great speech from the Gov for the Northwestern graduation. it was meaningful and yet light hearted. paper airplanes in the atrium, wonderful. and Steve Carell in the aud. classic. so now both Colbert and Carell’s kids have graduated from there.
Comment by Amalia Monday, Jun 12, 23 @ 8:37 pm
== US Rep. Mike Bost announced he’s running again… ==
If the matchup is Bailey, my money is on Bost.
Comment by RNUG Monday, Jun 12, 23 @ 11:49 pm