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* Center Square making an assertion not evident in reality…
Opposition is building against a proposed Chinese battery plant for Manteno in Kankakee County.
In reality, it was just a press conference held by a tiny minority of a super-minority, which Center Square’s parent company offered free of charge on its newly purchased video platform.
* The release…
The IL Freedom Caucus today held a press conference to demand answers to some of the concerns Manteno residents have with a Chinese company building a battery plant in their community.
The Chinese company Gotion High-Tech Co. is in line for $ 7.5 billion in federal tax credits over five years, while the State of Illinois is kicking in an additional $536 million in subsidies to build the plant. The cost to build the plant is $2 billion and the subsidies add up to an astounding $3 million per job.
“Manteno may not be in our districts, but the people of this community deserve to have their voices heard,” said State Representative Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur). “This deal was negotiated in secret without the input of Manteno residents. The Governor needs to answer their questions and address their concerns.”
State Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) said it defies common-sense to make a deal with a company with ties to the Chinese Communist Party without requiring any kind of disclosures. He said China’s human rights abuses make them a bad-faith partner in business deals.
“China continues to engage in coercive population control through forced abortion, forced sterilization, and involuntary implantation of birth control and the CCP forced labor and detention of more than one million Uyghurs and other minority groups is well-documented,” Halbrook said. “China has forced Apple to remove features that allow people to contact each other without the knowledge of the Chinese government to prevent dissidents from organizing. On Nov. 25th, 2022, video surfaced of an apartment fire in Xinjiang. People were trapped inside because the Chinese government locked them in as part of their cruel response to COVID-19. Imagine being forcibly locked in your apartment building simply because someone in the building had COVID-19. Then imagine not being able to escape a fire because your building is locked from the outside. This is who the Chinese Communist Party is.”
To go into business with a company with CCP ties is one thing but to not even do any proper vetting is another matter entirely.
“What vetting was done to protect Illinois and US interests in this deal?” said State Rep. Adam Niemerg (R-Diederich). “What agreements were made to protect propriety information of US companies that may be involved in the project? Why wasn’t a Form 800, which is a standard federal form that the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) uses to determine if any threats to national security exists in business deals, required? If any foreign companies need to be subject to a Form 800 – it would be a company with ties to the Chinese Communist Party. So again, I ask – Why weren’t any forms or disclosures required? This is what happens when ideology trumps common sense.”
The legislators called for answers to these questions and also called for the Legislature to take action to protect the interests of Illinois residents. Specifically, they called for legislation to ban the use of public funds in investments or institutions tied to the Chinese Communist Party or the People’s Republic of China; to ban government officials and employees from having Tik Tok accounts; and to prohibit China from buying farmland in the United States.
We need to put our money where our mouth is on human rights, and we need to lead by example when it comes to China,” said State Representative Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City). “JB Pritzker signed a law divesting Illinois from Russia because of the war in Ukraine. If we are condemning Russia – how can we not have the same policies in regard to the CCP? We say we are for human rights but not only are we blindly doing business with a company whose corporate papers pledge loyalty to the CCP, but we are handing over millions in subsidies. And instead of a substantive thoughtful response from JB Pritzker – all we get is insults and hyperbole. Illinois deserves better. Manteno deserves better. We need to put the brakes on this project and return sanity to our state.”
The Illinois Freedom Caucus is comprised of State Representatives Chris Miller (R-Hindsboro), chairman; Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City), vice-chairman; Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich); Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville); Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur); Jed Davis (R-Newark) and David Friess (R-Red Bud). The members of the Illinois Freedom Caucus are members of the Illinois General Assembly who are advocating for limited government, lower taxes and accountability and integrity in government.
Oh, they want to ban ban government officials from having TikTok accounts, eh? Well, perhaps Rep. Niemerg can explain why he has an official legislative TikTok account?
I asked for an explanation from a Freedom Caucus spokesperson about that and about whether any Freedom Caucus member owned an Apple product, since that company was mentioned in the release as well. The only response was a personal insult.
Stay classy.
…Adding… Patiently awaiting a press conference denouncing the Illinois Soybean Association. From August…
In a bid to continue fostering international agricultural partnerships and enhance global trade relations, the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) recently hosted three Asian trade teams on the farms of Illinois soybean farmers. The farm visits aimed to provide representatives from South Korea, Taiwan, China and Japan with firsthand insight into the soybean farming practices, innovations, and quality standards maintained by Illinois farmers.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 10:42 am
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It’s not just Manteno. From today’s NYT: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/03/business/gotion-chinese-subsidiary-michigan-protests.html
Comment by JoanP Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 10:50 am
My agency already bans access to TikTok on state computers.
And does the Freedom Caucus shop at Walmart or Dollar General? Nearly everything sold there is made in China.
Comment by Stuck in Celliniland Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 10:50 am
So I guess Jackie Haas’ view on this project doesn’t matter if Caulkins, Holbrook, et al decide it shouldn’t happen. That’s a strange take on “Freedom.” I wonder how her constituents feel about that?
Comment by Pundent Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 10:53 am
I’m guessing Rep Haas is saying- How come the crazy uncles always come to my house when I host Thanksgiving?
Comment by Frida's boss Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 10:58 am
“Manteno may not be in our districts, but the people of this community deserve to have their voices heard”
Manteno residents surely know they can contact their own elected representatives to complain. And we thought Republicans hate nanny state government.
“I asked for an explanation from a Freedom Caucus spokesperson”
Would ask them if they’ll vote for DJT, which they almost certainly will. They are in no position to criticize anyone on national security.
Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 11:00 am
=== “JB Pritzker signed a law divesting Illinois from Russia because of the war in Ukraine. If we are condemning Russia – how can we not have the same policies in regard to the CCP? ===
So they want to divest China from Illinois. Preventing Illinoisans from getting jobs. Why? The real reason is because “Chiinna” is on the MAGA GOP bogeymen list.
Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 11:06 am
Perhaps Rep. Halbrook needs to clean his own house. The WalMart of Shelbyville has ties to the CCP, using Halbrook’s model of connecting anything related to China as a CCP tie.
Comment by H-W Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 11:07 am
“The only response was a personal insult” Party of morality and family values.
Comment by Give Me A Break Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 11:07 am
==China’s human rights abuses make them a bad-faith partner in business deals.==
Um. China is a country…Illinois is a state. Shouldn’t they be airing their grievances to the feds and Duckworth/Durbin?
Comment by Jocko Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 11:08 am
And if the plant was not agreed too these fringe right politicos would howl in protest about a lack of economic investment. Sheesh. They are angry just to be angry hoping it will attract right wing magas . Just revolting and sad.
Comment by Tired teacher Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 11:10 am
For these people, nothing says “you are right” more than a personal insult. I wear them as a badge of honor and give a hearty Thank You
Comment by Lurker Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 11:12 am
What is with this hysteria that nobody is vetting this? The Department of the Treasury vets these things for national security issues. I absolutely hate it when people lie about things. Facts mean nothing to these people. These people and their ilk should be called to the carpet every single time they speak. They are dishonest and they lie.
Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 11:15 am
Where’s the Freedom Caucus’ condemnation of Chinese infiltration of Illinois farms? /s
https://www.ilsoy.org/asian-trade-teams-visit-illinois-soybean-farms/
Comment by Zim Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 11:17 am
==They are angry just to be angry==
That’s the M.O. of these people. They have an interest in getting their name in the paper and not much else. They aren’t serious people. They aren’t interested in governing.
Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 11:22 am
@joanP
Read the NY Times this morning.
Good read.
Comment by Back to the Future Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 11:31 am
“I asked for an explanation from a Freedom Caucus spokesperson…The only response was a personal insult.”
Are all the “Freedom Caucus” members assigned a HGOP Comms person, or are they still assigned someone regionally? I’m curious if they’re operating completely on their own or are still dependent on caucus staff.
Comment by NIU Grad Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 11:32 am
==Perhaps Rep. Halbrook needs to clean his own house. The WalMart of Shelbyville has ties to the CCP, using Halbrook’s model of connecting anything related to China as a CCP tie.==
That’s just the low hanging fruit. Looks a little closer and you’ll find more than just WalMart. Some big companies in Halbrooks district who do big business with China, with a few even having their headquarters there. Both retail and Ag. There must be a shortage of mirrors in that area of the State, because nobody seems to have one to look at.
Comment by fs Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 11:40 am
=The IL Freedom Caucus today held a press conference to demand answers to some of the concerns…=
Que the sound of someone in a deep, deep sleep.
=The real reason is because “Chiinna” is on the MAGA GOP bogeymen list.=
Which is completely baffling since the maga leader and his progeny get all of their kitsch made in China. Some people tell me that is hypocritical. Some people…
Comment by JS Mill Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 11:47 am
Does the Freedom Caucus also still shop at Target? The fine French store that sells China-made products too. Or are they still living in 2003 and boycotting France for refusing to support W’s Iraq invasion?
Comment by Stuck in Celliniland Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 12:00 pm
=The Department of the Treasury vets these things for national security issues.=
And at some point when the project inevitably goes through, the Freedom Caucus will incredulously claim that they facilitated this vetting. And Jackie Hass will likely be reduced into going along with the charade.
Comment by Pundent Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 12:03 pm
Old, angry, white marks of Center Square beefing about China without recognizing that Treasury has a role, or worse, “the deep
state is…”…
I find it an interesting sociological thing that these folks are only happy when others are hurt, but are angry because their own hurt is about “our country” as the see it… old, angry white… and putting that anger where the grifters can make the most cash.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 12:21 pm
=Or are they still living in 2003 and boycotting France for refusing to support W’s Iraq invasion?=
Yep, they’ll start calling Chinese food Freedom food. Hey, let’s get Freedom food take out tonight. /s
Comment by Steve Rogers Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 12:28 pm
They are just counter-programming reality for Center Square. Alternate facts make alternate news. This way they keep their audience tuned in and ignorant as to what the rest of the world is seeing. That’s how it’s done these days. That’s why so many people believe crazy (deleted).
The bizzarro echo chamber needs content. The Eastern Bloc is providing it.
Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 12:42 pm
I’m waiting for them to denounce Rural King
Comment by 100 miles west Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 12:44 pm
= Or are they still living in 2003 and boycotting France for refusing to support W’s Iraq invasion?=
I am still boycotting France due to their overflight refusal for a 1986 Libya visit by F-111’s. But I digress. This noise is just that and it is ridiculous.
Comment by JS Mill Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 12:57 pm
==I’m waiting for them to denounce Rural King==
A lot of business with China, and based right in the heart of the Eastern Bloc. Extra points if Darren Bailey also joins the denouncement from the same helicopter he used during his campaign. Owner by, well, not hard to figure out.
Comment by fs Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 1:04 pm
==I’m waiting for them to denounce…(whatever)==
It’s important to note that they are opposed to a factory that will not be in any of their districts nor employ any of their voters. As the headline indicates, these guys are not as oblivious as they sometimes appear to be.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 1:20 pm
==I’m waiting for them to denounce Rural King==
It’s not Rural King, it’s Farm King dang it. (Farm King is the Western Illinois and Burlington, IA equivalent to Rural King. Thankfully RK hasn’t swallowed up FK at least not yet).
Comment by Stuck in Celliniland Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 1:22 pm
Right now the Illinois Freedom Caucus’ national brethren are waging war on their leader in DC, for simply passing legislation with Democrats to make the government function on a basic level—paying its debt and funding it. No wonder no Illinois GOP moderates are challenging them. Moderates are despised as much if not more than Democrats by the MAGA base.
Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 1:40 pm
I listened to 90% of it.
During banned books week I couldn’t help but think as Chris Miller (no-relation) railed on the past and current history of China he wouldn’t stand for an American recounting the same forced relocation, internment camps, racial segregation and human rights abuses because teaching all of those things has no place in “our schools”.
Comment by Cool Papa Bell Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 1:59 pm
This fringe group is so far to the right that they’re in danger of falling off their flat world.
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 2:26 pm
“They came for Manteno” …soon to be released.
Comment by Dotnonymous x Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 5:30 pm