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* ICYMI: Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson released his first city budget. Crain’s…

* Related stories…

∙ Sun-Times: Mayor Brandon Johnson’s first city budget offers down payment on campaign promises
∙ Tribune: Digging into the numbers in Mayor Brandon Johnson’s budget
∙ BGA: 2024 Chicago Budget Overview

* Isabel’s top picks…

* Sun-Times | Businessman James T. Weiss gets 5 1/2 years in prison for bribing 2 state lawmakers, lying to the FBI: “Mr. Weiss, you added another star to Chicago’s walk of shame on the sidewalk of corruption,” U.S. District Judge Steven Seeger said at the end of a nearly five-hour hearing at the Dirksen Federal Courthouse.

* Automotive News | UAW expands strike to Ford’s Kentucky Truck Plant, adding 8,700 to picket lines: The union announced the walkout on social media, effective immediately, saying Ford “refuses to make further movement in bargaining.” The union telegraphed the move about 45 minutes before the official announcement with a post that it quickly deleted.

* Daily Herald | New transit plan clears first hurdle. Next stop, Springfield: Members of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning and the MPO Policy Committee on Wednesday approved a sweeping proposal aimed at improving the transit system and ensuring stable revenues. […] At the behest of the General Assembly, CMAP prepared the Plan of Action for Regional Transit (PART) report that includes a controversial recommendation to integrate Metra, Pace and the CTA into one supersized agency.

* Here are some photos by Rich of Senate President Don Harmon’s special session at FitzGerald’s…

* Here’s the rest of your morning roundup…

* WAND | Pritzker, University of Chicago students discuss major political issues: “State’s attorneys are not used to having to go in and make a case for keeping somebody in jail who is a flight risk or danger to the community,” Pritzker said. “They’re not used to having to make that case. They would just go in and say ‘we want this much bail.’ Right? Now they have to actually make a case about why somebody has to be kept in jail.”

* ABC | Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker tries to turn Biden’s age into an asset: Last week, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker drew national headlines when he wrote a strongly worded letter to President Joe Biden saying his White House needed to step up action on the migrant surge in Chicago. But this week, Pritzker rose to Biden’s defense on one of the most fraught issues of the president’s re-election: age.

* Capitol News Illinois | Controversial carbon dioxide pipeline paused following regulatory setbacks: The move came two weeks after regulators in South Dakota rejected the company’s application to build a portion of the pipeline in that state. Among other reasons, officials at that state’s Public Utilities Commission said the company failed to demonstrate that the project was safe, and that it could negatively impact the region’s development.

* Times-Republic | Wynn Bence seeking nomination for 53rd Illinois Senate seat: According to a news release, Wynn Bence served as Bennett’s Chief of Staff before accepting a position as the downstate/Springfield director and legislative liaison for then Illinois Lieutenant Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti, where she was appointed the principal staffer for the Governor’s Rural Affairs Council and led working groups on policy in the areas of workforce development, economic development, rural health and education.

* Sun-Times | Catholic Charities flights lead to surging number of migrants at O’Hare: Since a phone call with Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration in early September about the strain put on the city by the arrival of more migrants, Fernandez said the charity has been encouraging migrants to pick a destination other than Chicago if they don’t have a sponsor. […] In the week after that phone call, the number of arrivals from San Antonio, the vast majority of whom are sent by Catholic Charities, still grew by 33%, according to city data.

* Tribune | Metra proposes new set of fares in 2024 budget: The proposal includes no planned substantial changes to schedules, as Metra faces continued low ridership and a looming fiscal cliff once federal pandemic aid runs out, but the agency is eyeing service additions or changes as needed.

* Sun-Times | Evanston commission rejects Northwestern plan for Ryan Field concerts: But the school has insisted concert revenue is essential to make the $800 million project viable. During the meeting, Dave Davis, senior executive director of neighborhood and community relations for NU, pressed that point. “This project cannot and will not move forward without this approval,” Davis said.

* Shaw Local | New trustee appointed to embattled Joliet Township board: On Tuesday, Antione Edwards was unanimously appointed as a trustee to the board. His appointment followed three hours of public comment where township officials such as Township Supervisor Angel Contreras were heavily criticized by residents over a grant for asylum-seekers.

* Tribune | Cook County prosecutors drop charges against man accused in rapper’s slaying amid allegations of prosecutorial misconduct: But in the years since, the case has come under scrutiny, with defense attorneys publicly accusing Rolling Meadows police and Cook County prosecutors of hiding “tubs” of evidence. An Illinois appellate court also reversed the convictions and ordered a new trial in 2016, finding that a judge should have allowed Taylor’s lawyers to present testimony from an expert about the potential pitfalls of eyewitness identification.

* Sun-Times | Duckworth touts Illinois clean energy advancements in trip to Romania, U.K., tries to reassure allies about Ukraine funding: The Illinois senator is in Europe on a multi-leg trade trip promoting the state’s clean energy advancements. But Duckworth is also reassuring foreign allies that aid to Ukraine remains a top priority for Democrats — no matter what drama ensues among House Republicans.

* NYT | As Red States Curb Social Media, Did Montana’s TikTok Ban Go Too Far?: The popular video-sharing app is suing Montana to halt a first-of-its-kind state law that would ban TikTok in the state on Jan. 1. The law was drafted by Montana’s Republican attorney general and signed by its governor in May. TikTok is asking the court to block the ban through a preliminary injunction.

* AP | Grand National to reduce number of horses to 34 and soften fences in bid to make famous race safer: The race will also start earlier in the day, so the course stays as soft as possible, and the horses will set off from a standing start. The Grand National has had a field of 40 horses since 1984, which has often been cited — along with the size of the fences — as a key reason why 16 horses have died in the race since the turn of the century.

* NBC Chicago | Rolling Stones, MLB partner up for limited edition White Sox-Cubs vinyl records for new album: The rare collector’s item will be available exclusively on The Rolling Stones’ website. Fans have the option to choose a vinyl record with a custom design for all 30 MLB teams. You can preorder the vinyl album now, or wait until the album’s release to purchase the item on their website.

posted by Isabel Miller
Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 7:46 am

Comments

Navigator may have “paused” its pipeline plans, but it has not “paused” its well siting plans according to this table from the EPA. Note that DeWitt County is now included in the Class VI permit applications, but was not included in anything submitted to the ICC. Navigator has informed DeWitt County on several occasions that they are targeted…ahem… planned for a “Phase II” pipeline plan.

https://www.epa.gov/uic/current-class-vi-projects-under-review-epa

Comment by Anon221 Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 8:08 am
===“Mr. Weiss, you added another star to Chicago’s walk of shame on the sidewalk of corruption,” U.S. District Judge Steven Seeger said ===

I wonder how long the judge workshopped that metaphor.

I did LOL, so it was time well-spent

Comment by Suburban Mom Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 8:21 am
A few weeks ago, Rich’s Afternoon Round-up linked to a story about Target closing stores “citing violence, theft and organized retail crime”.

Popular Information has a story with stats that show that’s not likely the real reason: https://popular.info/p/target-says-its-closing-9-stores?

Comment by JoanP Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 8:51 am
“the number of arrivals from San Antonio, the vast majority of whom are sent by Catholic Charities, still grew by 33%”

It’s amazing how this is mostly being left out of the public discussion so far.

Catholic Charities is one of the only organizations listed in the Joliet grant who has not made any statements about not knowing about this. They haven’t said anything, in fact. They appear to like all the attention elsewhere.

I find it hard to believe the Catholic Charities chapter in San Antonio is operating without any knowledge or communication with the Catholic Charities chapter in Joliet.

Comment by TheInvisibleMan Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 9:03 am
I see that Harmon has the good sense to keep his beverage in a Swirly Gig, the single most useful piece of stage apparatus since the microphone stand itself.

Comment by Friendly Bob Adams Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 9:10 am
Regarding the retail stores blaming theft. There was an article recently that discussed how Lowe’s was combatting it. They have more employees in their stores.

Comment by Jerry Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 9:32 am
Congratulations to the federal agents and federal attorneys on their success in the Weiss case.
These cases are hard to investigate.
You would think at some point some lobbying folks in Springfield would get together and come to the conclusion that they need to be more proactive in working with federal agents to tidy up the lobbying culture.
It would probably also help if some GA members got together and started working with Federal agents to move things along in these investigations.
We really are fortunate to have the FBI and other Federal Agents in our corner and doing such good work to make our state a better place.

Comment by Back to the Future Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 9:37 am
“State’s attorneys are not used to having to go in and make a case for keeping somebody in jail who is a flight risk or danger to the community,” Pritzker said. “They’re not used to having to make that case. They would just go in and say ‘we want this much bail.’ Right? Now they have to actually make a case about why somebody has to be kept in jail.”

- I have years of experience as both an ASA and criminal defense attorney and feel compelled to point out that this statement is a complete misrepresentation of how the criminal justice system worked prior to the PFA. It is disappointing that the Governor would make such a misinformed statement. The law, and the constitution, always required courts to consider multiple factors for setting bond, beyond just the crime that was alleged. ASA always had to provide justifications for their arguments during bond hearings, this type of rhetoric is unfair to and essentially villainizes the hundreds of hard working public servants who forgo more lucrative careers and instead take on the thankless, difficult and emotionally draining work of an ASA.

Comment by Adam Laroach's Son Drake Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 9:38 am
===Pritzker rose to Biden’s defense on one of the most fraught issues of the president’s re-election: age. ===

I don’t know how much the folks in the messaging office really thought about Pritzker’s statement, but I suspect there was a manner in which to describe the benefit of a lifetime of experience and decades of demonstrated integrity that didn’t involve a dig at “younger” people. The Democratic Party needs those younger people to vote for them.

The median age in this country is just over 38. In the United States House of Representatives it is about 58 and in the Senate it was around 65, however that’s probably decreased a little bit since the figure was published due to the age of California’s new Senator.

I don’t think it’s inappropriate for “younger” voters to feel like they’re not well represented within those demographics and I don’t think it is a good idea to defend Joe Biden’s age by making an attack at the idea of it being a criticism and the idea that the criticism is coming from “younger” voters.

I have personally heard these concerns expressed by voters in every age group and coming from voters that will absolutely be voting for Joe Biden in November. If you’re trying to make voters feel better about the age of the President of the United States why go out of your way to attempt to attack them for having concerns?

Just bad messaging and unless someone chatted with someone else, I am guessing it is also messaging that didn’t get a stamp of approval.

Comment by Candy Dogood Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 9:53 am
I find this sentence inane, “We need to stop dismissing concerns about the physical age of a candidate, especially when that concern comes from a young person.” I am concerned about the age and dwindling mental abilities of those wanting to do the job. Move aside please.

And no, I am not young. Well, unless you compare me to Biden and Trump.

Comment by Lurker Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 10:11 am
@Adam Laroach’s Son Drake:
If prosecutors were already doing what the Safe-T Act requires, as you claim, why was there so much pushback from prosecutors prior to the law going into effect?

Comment by Former Downstater Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 10:17 am
unfortunately, those who are ASAs under Foxx now bear the ire of many.

Comment by Amalia Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 10:31 am
@ Adam Laroach’s Son Drake -

I don’t know where you practiced law, but in my 35 years as a public defender, appearing regularly in bond court in two different counties, I can tell you that Pritzker’s description of what actually happened in bond court was dead on.

Comment by JoanP Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 10:31 am
== and essentially villainizes==

I think some SA’s have done a pretty good job of vilifying themselves with their own rhetoric.

Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 11:45 am
I’m fine with the new system, I just I disagree with how the Governor described the bond hearing process while also implying that an entire class of public employees are lazy and unethical drones. And if for 35 years your bond hearings consisted of the state just asking for a bond amount without presenting any further evidence or ‘making a case’ for their request, then I imagine you had quite a successful career in bond court. As support for the claim that the law already required non-custodial alternatives, the bail reform act of 2019 made it a requirement for courts to consider and admit into evidence pretrial services reports, which set forth recommendations for non-custodial alternatives, at all bond hearings. That act also established a category of offenses for which pretrial release was to be presumed.

Comment by Adam Laroach's Son Drake Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 12:55 pm
“We really are fortunate to have the FBI and other Federal Agents in our corner and doing such good work to make our state a better place.” I used to think the feds were infallible also, when I was twelve, watching black and white re-runs of “The Untouchables” with Robert Stack on Tee-Vee.

Illinois has a weak Attorney General act by design, which means that we wait around for one hundred years for a county State’s Attorney to indict a cop for murder, like Jason Van Dyke. The other alternative is sit around and hope for the feds to swoop in and save the day every twenty or thirty years, like with George Ryan, Jon Burge or Blago. How about if our AG Kwame Raoul drafts a statewide grand jury act for corrupt cops and politicians? Not holding my breath.

Comment by Payback Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 1:02 pm
===while also implying that an entire class of public employees are lazy and unethical drones.===

Maybe he’s met more of the upper and middle management at his agencies than I’ve thought.

Comment by Candy Dogood Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 5:08 pm