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* ICYMI: Is Trump still on Illinois ballot? What to know after judge rules to remove his name. Sun-Times…
*** UPDATE [By Rich Miller] *** Something being lost here is this line from the Sun-Times story…
Trump delegates on the March 19 ballot have been certified and would still be free to vote for Trump at the Republican National Convention no matter how the court battle here plays out.
The real votes are the ones cast for delegates, who then cast those votes at the convention.
* Related stories…
Click here to read the ruling.
* Isabel’s top picks…
* WBEZ | Convicted aide to former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan will see his six-figure pension suspended: The state retirement board that oversees pension benefits for current and retired state workers also is asking Democratic Attorney General Kwame Raoul to recommend whether former Madigan Chief of Staff Timothy Mapes’s pension should be permanently revoked.
* Tribune | Migrants report reusing soiled diapers on babies amid essential goods shortages in Chicago shelters: Hygiene products, including diapers and toilet paper, are provided by the city’s emergency operations center’s logistics section, which was created to coordinate and allocate resources for migrants. The city receives supplies from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and outside vendors. Mary May, a spokesperson for the city, acknowledged that “supply shortages from IEMA and FEMA can result in temporary shortages of some supplies” for migrants, but said in the statement last Friday that officials had “received a large delivery of supplies” that included diapers to deliver to shelters.
* Daily Southtown | Dolton trustee candidate who lost in 2023 accuses Mayor Tiffany Henyard of libel, defamation: The two mailings targeted Tammie Brown, Steave and Stubbs as well as Williams, portraying them as “failed leadership” and being poor choices for elected office. One mailing, indicating it was paid for by Residents for a Better Dolton, accused Williams of committing theft of services from the village by forging medical documents related to a paid time-off fraud under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act, according to the lawsuit.
* An update on yesterday’s briefing via WMBD…
Peoria Police Chief Eric Echevarria is apologizing for a controversial recruitment ad that referenced a violent video game. […]
“There was no ill intention there. Obviously it was a play on words to really target the younger generation and relate to a younger generation,” said Echevarria.
Echevarria said he takes ownership for the ad. […]
Going forward, Echevarria said they will vet recruitment ads with non-police partners to ensure the messaging is right.
* Here’s the rest of your morning briefing…
* Sun-Times | After Alabama frozen embryo ruling, Pritzker has message for in vitro fertilization seekers: ‘Come to Illinois’: Illinois already mandates insurance coverage for infertility, but state Democrats are working to further expand fertility access and coverage. “We’re protecting your rights in so many ways, but specifically regarding IVF,” Pritzker said, reacting to the Alabama decision.
* Sun-Times | At Democratic convention in Chicago, perks for big Biden campaign donors include coveted credentials, hotels: In June, the Chicago Host Committee perk packages for donors and sponsors — an important incentive tool needed to help the committee fulfill its promise to raise $84.697 million for the convention — included VIP access to credentials, exclusive hotels and suites in the United Center. The $5 million contributors get the most perks. For sponsors, custom packages will be available, with “other potential options signage within United Center, building out activation spaces, sponsoring hospitality spaces, etc.”
* Chicago Reader | Best new legislation that supports freelance workers: Thanks to the new Freelance Worker Protection Act (HB1122), cosponsored by Rep. Will Guzzardi, Illinois freelancers will soon be required to receive a written contract, compensation within 30 days of completing work, and protection from discrimination and retaliation when pursuing payment. It will also allow for double damages if freelancers aren’t paid on time.
* Daily Herald | 49th District GOP rivals debate their electability in November showdown with Hirschauer: Hannah Billingsley of West Chicago and Aris Garcia of Streamwood are business owners who say they don’t feel represented in Springfield by the Democratic party or Hirschauer. […] “I think it would be tough for … a male to beat Maura, and I’m not trying to make this a gender thing,” Billingsley said. “I was like, ‘Hey, it’s not personal, Aris, it’s you and I both want the same thing,’ we both want to flip this seat, and if I were a betting person I’d be be betting on me.”
* NBC Chicago | Emails show Chicago mayor pushed Sox for unified messaging amid stadium funding ask: The emails obtained via Freedom of Information Act request show a spokesman for the Sox reached out to Johnson’s communications staff at 4:38 p.m. on Jan. 16, asking for a call. Six minutes later, the Sox spokesman sent over a draft of a possible White Sox statement, reading “White Sox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf and team representatives met last week with Mayor Johnson and his staff to discuss potential future ballpark opportunities within the city of Chicago. While we look forward to continuing these conversations, we cannot respond to specific reports or speculation at this time.
* Center Square | Transportation leaders urge Pritzker to not divert road funds to Chicago transit: Kevin Artl, president and CEO of the American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois, said he doesn’t think it’s a shock to anyone that work travel has changed post pandemic. “It’s not right, at this point, to begin diverting funds from the Road Fund, designed for roads and bridges … to fund a system that I think everyone has concerns with and is going to be going through some sort of major reform over the next couple of years,” Artl said, referring to Chicago public transit.
* Tribune | Melissa Conyears-Ervin gets backing from pastors in bid for Congress: Among those backing Conyears-Ervin were several high-profile Black clergy members who are known to help candidates they support get out the vote. They included the Rev. Byron Brazier, head of the Apostolic Church of God where Barack Obama spoke during his successful run for president in 2008, and Bishop Larry Trotter of the Sweet Holy Spirit Church.
* WTTW | Chicago Taxpayers Pay $99K to Ex-CPD Officer Who Said Boss Ordered Her to Protect His Bridgeport Block During 2020 Unrest: Former Chicago Police Sgt. Cassandra Williams, who worked for the Chicago Police Department for 32 years, retired after the harassment and retaliation she said she endured caused her such significant stress that she became ill as she watched as her career “went down the drain” in 2021. “I crossed the blue line,” Williams said, referring to the so-called “code of silence” that keeps Chicago Police officers from complaining about misconduct by other officers, even when it puts members of the public at risk.
* ABC Chicago | Loyola University Chicago students fueling shuttle buses with biodiesel made by used vegetable oil: They use cooking oil flows in from all sorts of places including Loyola cafeterias, other universities, museums and restaurants, Waickman said. […] “If you drop off your used cooking at Loyola, we’re then going to filter out any solids from it, run a chemical reaction to remove the glycerin molecule, clean up the resulting biodiesel with a little bit of water and then the final result is biodiesel fuel ready for a diesel engine,” Waickman explained.
* SJ-R | Reopening of longtime Springfield restaurant appears to be delayed: Fans of Fritz’s Wagon Wheel Restaurant continue to await the promised reopening of the landmark establishment. But that goal seems a little further off with the recent expiration of the business’s liquor license. […] “We relinquished (our liquor license) until such a time as we are either ready to reopen or to do something else entirely with the location,” Bart wrote in an email. Bart said the restaurant’s chef and kitchen manager are still working to assemble a reliable staff.
* Daily Southtown | Leap Day baby celebrates turning 100 at her 25th birthday party: Loretta, who was born Feb. 29, 1924, “used to joke that she was younger than her own children,” said her daughter, Maria Gotfryd. Her family members gathered a few Saturdays ago to celebrate Loretta’s 25 birthdays and century of life, throwing the party early to accommodate travel arrangements for 65 relatives, many from out of town. It was an advent that even garnered a note from the office of Pope Francis in Rome, imparting a “requested Apostolic Blessing” on Gotfryd.
posted by Isabel Miller
Thursday, Feb 29, 24 @ 7:50 am
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Jerry will be your friend and make campaign donations for hundreds of millions of dollars of tax payer subsidies.
Comment by Three Dimensional Checkers Thursday, Feb 29, 24 @ 8:00 am
If Jerry were smart he’d add re-opening Fritz’s to his subsidy push and maybe actually get a vote or two.
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Thursday, Feb 29, 24 @ 8:04 am
Because of this, do you think folks will pull Biden off the ballet in Texas and Florid? This may come back to bite us.
Comment by OMG Thursday, Feb 29, 24 @ 8:05 am
The opinion is creates a launchpad for future due process violations and political gamesmanship/abuse. Electoral boards should not be adjudicating crimes, and they don’t have jurisdiction to do so. If this order stands, the abuse (especially on the local electoral board level) is going to be rampant. Remember a few years back when local electoral boards were adjudicating and creating dubious “debts owed to the municipality” and throwing all their opposition off the ballot to such an extent that the GA had to step in and amend the statute. This order will promote the same behavior.
Not a trump fan, but for the good of the country let him fall bc of his message not through ballot manipulation.
Comment by Publius Thursday, Feb 29, 24 @ 8:29 am
OMG: How does the 14th amendment prevent Biden from being on the ballot?
Really, all this is moot anyway. SCOTUS is going to overturn the Colorado Supreme Court and Trump will be on all ballots.
Comment by Steve Rogers Thursday, Feb 29, 24 @ 8:32 am
===do you think folks will pull Biden off the ballet in Texas and Florid?===
under what theory of 14th Amendment disqualification?
Comment by Suburban Mom Thursday, Feb 29, 24 @ 8:36 am
Judge Tracie Porter is a professor of law at the Abraham Lincoln University Law School. This online distance learning school (headquartered in Los Angeles) sounds like a diploma mill. 0% of its graduates passed the California bar examination on their first attempts. 3% passed on the second try.
While berating the Illinois State Board of Elections as cowards for refusing to remove Trump from the ballot, Porter ignored the fact that electoral boards have limited statutory authority and cannot decide constitutional questions. Electoral boards must rely upon existing statutes and court precedents.
Comment by Gravitas Thursday, Feb 29, 24 @ 8:37 am
=under what theory of 14th Amendment disqualification?=
Couldn’t the same be asked about Trump? He hasn’t been found guilty of anything related to J6. Seems like a slippery slope. Trump has zero chance of winning IL so I think this is simply a pointless waste of time. We have better things to focus on.
Comment by Webster Thursday, Feb 29, 24 @ 8:42 am
FL , TX and all political what-ifs do not matter
Court’s job is to apply the Law to the Fact without fear or favor.
Comment by Red Ketcher Thursday, Feb 29, 24 @ 8:48 am
“Center Square | Transportation leaders urge Pritzker to not divert road funds to Chicago transit”
You got your lockbox, stop whining
Comment by Nick Thursday, Feb 29, 24 @ 8:53 am
“[W]e don’t want to put something out there that offends somebody, and if it did, that’s why we took it down. The last thing we want to do is offend somebody,” he said.
It’s good that the Peoria police pulled that awful recruiting ad, but Chief Echeverria’s comments don’t inspire any real confidence that he understands *why* so many people found the recruiting ad offensive.
Comment by charles in charge Thursday, Feb 29, 24 @ 9:22 am
Just FYI- trump has never been charged, much less convicted, of insurrection under the 14th amendment.
Comment by Central Ill Thursday, Feb 29, 24 @ 9:48 am
Candidates for President are selected by the delegates to their respective party conventions, they are not elected by popular vote. So what if Trump’s name is removed from the ballot. Republican primary voters can still vote for delegates pledged to Trump.
Comment by Nitemayor Thursday, Feb 29, 24 @ 9:57 am
Judge Tracie Porter must not be familiar with the 2013 Illinois Supreme Court opinion of Goodman v. Ward. The Illinois State Board of Elections lacked the authority to weigh in on constitutional questions because of its limited authority. Porter erred in criticizing the ISBE.
Comment by Gravitas Thursday, Feb 29, 24 @ 9:58 am
=== Because of this, do you think folks will pull Biden off the ballet in Texas and Florid? This may come back to bite us. ===
I don’t fine this argument compelling. We should overlook Trump participating in an insurrection and the clear wording of the 14th amendment because a corrupt MAGA GOP might later do something corrupt? They are going to do corrupt things anyway, so doing the right thing is the right call.
Comment by ChicagoVinny Thursday, Feb 29, 24 @ 10:00 am
>>>>This may come back to bite us.
Who’s “us”?
Seriously, I cannot think of a better way to polarize voters. In a bad way.
Comment by We've never had one before Thursday, Feb 29, 24 @ 10:32 am
===Just FYI- trump has never been charged, much less convicted, of insurrection under the 14th amendment. ===
Incorrect standard. The 14th Amendment is not a criminal statute. You don’t get charged or convicted under it. You either insurrected, or you didn’t. To that point, there HAVE been findings of fact in trial courts that Trump did engage of insurrection.
I assume you’re now in favor of the disqualification, since the factual burden has been legally met.
Comment by Suburban Mom Thursday, Feb 29, 24 @ 10:32 am
Not a fan of Mapes and I think people convicted of job related felonies should lose their pension but this might be an overreach
Have they acted on Burke’s pension yet? That is clear cut
Comment by DuPage Saint Thursday, Feb 29, 24 @ 10:37 am
@ Chicago Vinny
I like your reasoning a lot, although I think it inappropriate to disqualify Trump in the absence of a trail and conviction.
Comment by H-W Thursday, Feb 29, 24 @ 10:42 am
Love all the constitutional scholars who come crawling out of the woodwork to insist the 14th Amendment is a criminal statute requiring trial and conviction.
Pro-tip: It isn’t.
Comment by Suburban Mom Thursday, Feb 29, 24 @ 10:43 am
==. Seems like a slippery slope.
No, as there is a good understanding of what an insurrection is in law and it was implemented without any such requirement for adjudication after the Civil War.
Comment by ArchPundit Thursday, Feb 29, 24 @ 11:01 am
===I like your reasoning a lot, although I think it inappropriate to disqualify Trump in the absence of a trail and conviction.
Here’s the thing about this argument–the Constitution’s plain reading doesn’t mention a trial and conviction so why would a trial and conviction be needed? Appealing to due process in a document that creates due process, but is silent in this case makes no sense.
That said, the USSC will almost assuredly require Trump on the ballots.
Comment by ArchPundit Thursday, Feb 29, 24 @ 11:05 am
Beat DT at the ballot box. Don’t give him another issue to play the victim about. Nothing is gained by giving him more energy. He loves the attention.
Comment by low level Thursday, Feb 29, 24 @ 11:13 am
@ Arch Pundit
I understand your point about the Constitutional language. However, Trump in fact is currently charged, and a trial is currently scheduled. So there is no need as I see it to jump the gun at this point, particularly given the current divisions among the voters writ large.
Pitting one group of voters (Democrats like myself) against another group (MAGA Republicans) only serves to create more bravado among both groups, and tends to alienate young people and independent voters from participating in the electoral process. Given the existing cases, I do not see the need to alienate independent voters.
Comment by H-W Thursday, Feb 29, 24 @ 11:18 am
=However, Trump in fact is currently charged, and a trial is currently scheduled.=
Presumably you’re referring to the January 6th trial. It’s increasingly unlikely that the trial will occur before the general election. And even if it does the charges relate to conspiracy and obstruction not necessarily insurrection.
While I might not agree with the political aspects of bringing forth the 14th amendment case, the plaintiffs are well within their legal rights. And you won’t get a better test case than the matter at hand. Arguably democracy requires us to determine the bounds of Presidential authority regardless of the political consequences.
Comment by Pundent Thursday, Feb 29, 24 @ 11:39 am
===Pitting one group of voters (Democrats like myself) against another group (MAGA Republicans) only serves to create more bravado among both groups, and tends to alienate young people and independent voters from participating in the electoral process. Given the existing cases, I do not see the need to alienate independent voters.
From a policy point of view I would generally agree–it’s not a fight I would pick. The problem is the plain reading of the language disagrees with me. But again, I don’t think it will matter much so…
Comment by ArchPundit Thursday, Feb 29, 24 @ 11:42 am
So come to Illinois, we’ll help you make your girls and boys…
Comment by cermak_rd Thursday, Feb 29, 24 @ 12:16 pm
@ Pundent and Arch Pundit
Agreed.
Comment by H-W Thursday, Feb 29, 24 @ 12:21 pm
=Pro-tip: It isn’t.=
With respect, you are missing the point. Without a trial and conviction it is basically one’s opinion on the matter. I’m not supporting Trump here but to leave him off the ballot without proven guilt is not something I think the State should be doing. We can agree to disagree but this is a path I’d want to avoid.
Comment by Webster Thursday, Feb 29, 24 @ 12:41 pm
so not a fan of Mapes, but my trouble with the no pension thing is when a pension is a substitute for social security. there are many government employees who do not have social security credits to get them that coverage. the pension substitutes for that. maybe they should get a pension downgrade, don’t know how that could be figured out. but if they don’t have social security, I’m not for taking all of the pension away.
Comment by Amalia Thursday, Feb 29, 24 @ 1:36 pm
Good point, Amalia. In addition, people who are fired from jobs repeatedly and others who go to jail, still acquire Social Security credits. Your point is well taken. I am not sure how one might fix this, other than to create new laws regarding pension penalties.
Comment by H-W Thursday, Feb 29, 24 @ 2:19 pm
=Without a trial and conviction it is basically one’s opinion on the matter.=
Your beef is with the language of the amendment.
Comment by Pundent Thursday, Feb 29, 24 @ 2:55 pm
Trump has been charged under the 2002 Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) law. SOX was passed to deal with securities. Its use to prosecute Trump is “novel,” never having been used before in anything resembling its application like this. When the incumbent administration is making a “novel” use of the law to disqualify his opponent it harms the public’s faith in the system.
Comment by Trying to be Rational Thursday, Feb 29, 24 @ 4:14 pm