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* ICYMI: Pritzker sees the writing on the Walz — calls Minnesota governor chosen for VP slot ‘kind and decent human being.’Sun-Times…
Viewed by many as a dark horse candidate, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has not been selected to serve as Kamala Harris’ running mate.
Harris instead chose Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as the Democratic Party’s vice presidential candidate on Tuesday. Elected to Congress in 2007, he has served as the governor of Minnesota since 2019. Walz, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly were widely viewed as the final contenders. […]
Speaking at a bill-signing in Chicago on Tuesday, Pritzker said he was “torn” about being considered as a vice presidential candidate and called the vetting “a grueling, long process,” despite it being an abbreviated one. […]
Pritzker would not definitively say whether he is considering a third run for governor in 2026 or would consider taking over for Walz as chair of the governors association should the ticket win.
“At the moment, I’m just focused on the job that I’ve got,” he said. He also said that he has not contemplated a Cabinet position should Democrats win.
* Related stories…
Governor Pritzker will sign bills expanding reproductive rights access at 10 am. Then, at 3 pm the governor will unveil the 2024 Illinois State Fair Butter Cow at the State Fairgrounds. Click here to watch.
* Tribune | The nightmare is over: Chicago White Sox snap historic 21-game losing streak with 5-1 win: It was the team’s first victory since the first game of a July 10 doubleheader against the Minnesota Twins at Guaranteed Rate Field. That was nearly a month ago. The skid ends with the Sox tied with the 1988 Baltimore Orioles for the second-longest losing streak in major-league history.
Imagine telling someone on July 10 that before the White Sox win another game, Kamala Harris would've picked her running mate.
— jon greenberg (@jon_greenberg) August 6, 2024
* Sun-Times | Johnson calls off plans for special meeting to confirm Sigcho-Lopez as Zoning chair: Unable to attract a quorum, Mayor Brandon Johnson has abandoned plans to interrupt the Chicago City Council’s summer recess to install Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th) as Zoning Committee chair. “We never meet in August. August has traditionally has been the month off for all of the City Council. I know many of my colleagues are traveling. I’m getting ready to go to a family reunion,” said Finance Committee Chair Pat Dowell (3rd).
* Crain’s | Johnson under pressure as budget gap could reach nearly $1 billion: “All options are on the table” for Mayor Brandon Johnson as his administration prepares for a significantly larger budget gap in 2025 than the $538 million shortfall he closed after taking office last year, according to the city’s budget director. When the city announced the $538 million gap last year in its annual forecast, officials projected a $986 million gap for 2025 under a baseline economic outlook. Budget Director Annette Guzman has met with members of the City Council and department leaders in recent weeks to warn the outlook hasn’t changed much in the last year.
* Sun-Times | Before gunfight with Dexter Reed, Chicago cops made 50 traffic stops in just 3 days: In the wake of the shooting, Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling has pushed to overhaul the department’s controversial traffic stop practices under an ongoing federal consent decree. Advocates and activists argue the pace of court-ordered reform is too slow to address a pressing issue that was brought into sharp focus when Reed was fatally shot. Many have called on the department to immediately disband its tactical units and to stop making traffic stops as an excuse to conduct searches.
* The Triibe | How Chicago’s young peacekeepers build up community to bring down violence: Through its summer Peacekeepers pilot program, GKMC is building on the heart of its mission, using healing, restorative justice practices and a holistic approach to violence prevention. This approach addresses the root causes of violence rather than taking a punitive approach, and the program makes space for “young people to be the peacekeepers and the changemakers,” said Carlil Pittman, executive director of GKMC, and brother of Carleeta Pittman.
* Sun-Times | Greyhound to be booted from West Loop station by mid-September, CEO says — so city must act now: Greyhound and other bus carriers are set to be evicted from their longtime station in the West Loop in mid-September. The city hasn’t offered a viable alternative with indoor accommodations. The bus lines’ mostly low-income riders may soon find themselves waiting outdoors with their belongings and without restrooms or protection from harsh weather.
* WBBM | Once vacant lot in Chicago’s South Side Bronzeville now a sanctuary: The new outdoor space at Martin Luther King Drive in East 47th Street in Bronzeville offers the community a green space to enjoy. The ribbon cutting ceremony for the South Side Sanctuary plaza featured an opening from the King College Prep High School marching band and included local vendors, selling food, drinks and merchandise.
* Block Club | Bea Lumpkin, Chicago Labor Legend, Marks 106th Birthday As She Keeps Up The Fight For Workers’ Rights: The labor organizer, who has been active since the ’30s, celebrated her birthday with retired steelworkers this week — but only after speaking on the presidential race, union contracts, intergenerational unity and other causes that have defined her life.
* Block Club | Christkindlmarket Will Not Return To Wrigleyville In 2024: Organizers of the popular Christkindlmarket announced the German-style outdoor market will not return to Wrigley Field’s Gallagher Way in 2024. “Due to the NHL Winter classic and additional programming, the Christkindlmarket will not take place in Wrigleyville at Gallagher Way this year,” the market’s organizers wrote in a statement. “(We) regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate the community’s understanding and we look forward to returning to Lakeview in future years.”
* Daily Herald | How Palatine plans to jump start development near Dundee Road and Route 53: While taxing bodies collect property taxes from the frozen value, dollars from new growth go into a fund that can be used to cover infrastructure costs in the project area. The new TIF district includes 17 parcels and 24 buildings on 44 acres.
* WCIA | Massey family holds vigil one month after her death: The vigil packed the small street. Her family, who is still processing it all, said the support has helped them a long these thirty days, but their path towards healing will go much longer. “The community has been awesome and great for us, with us being together, and not just the Massey family having to do this by ourselves,” [Shadia Massey, Sonya’s cousin] said.
* WGLT | An effort would let voters weigh in on the Sangamon County Sheriff’s job: Campbell’s term as sheriff won’t end until 2026. The ballot initiative would be non-binding, so Campbell, 60, would not be forced to leave no matter the outcome.
* WGEM | ‘That is fiscal insanity’: Western Illinois University board approves staff reduction: In a special board of trustees meeting early Tuesday morning, Western Illinois University administration unanimously received approval to proceed with more layoffs. This comes as Western is trying to balance a $20 million budget deficit. However, the question as to how many employees will be laid off still remains. Administrators would not release a number.
* SJ-R | Illinois State Fair, art showcase and more: 5 things to do around Springfield: The first week of the Illinois State Fair means fun for the whole family and enough sugary food to keep kids bouncing the entire day. But the fair isn’t the only thing going on this weekend. Here’s a look at five things to do in the Springfield area this weekend.
* Shaw Local | It’s (almost) showtime at the Illinois State Fair: The Illinois State Fair will kick off this week in Springfield with music, a parade and plenty of food. Illinois 4-H will serve as the grand marshals of this year’s Twilight Parade, celebrating youth involved in the state’s No. 1 industry.
* WCIA | Meet the traveling plumber representing Central Illinois in a national competition: Now, Hall is taking those traits to the next level. He won the Illinois Pipe Trades Plumbing Championship for Apprentices in the spring. […] Hall’s next stop is the national competition in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He’ll be competing against six others in the plumbing category.
* Reuters | US judge describes how Google built and defended illegal search monopoly: U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta on Monday ruled that Google had violated antitrust law by spending billions of dollars to secure exclusive agreements with developers, carriers and equipment makers to be the default search engine. […] “Sure, users can access Google’s rivals by switching the default search access point or by downloading a rival search app or browser. But the market reality is that users rarely do so.”
posted by Isabel Miller
Wednesday, Aug 7, 24 @ 7:42 am
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WIU
“Western Illinois University administration unanimously received approval to proceed with more layoffs”
This article fails to mention WIU’s 20-year decline in enrollment from 14K in 2005 to 7K in 2023. There have been numerous initiatives to reverse the declines and nothing has helped - layoffs seem inevitable.
https://www.tspr.org/tspr-local/2017-02-20/wiu-student-enrollment-dips-below-10k
Comment by Donnie Elgin Wednesday, Aug 7, 24 @ 9:07 am
WIU is in the same place as a lot of the other state schools, NIU, SIU, EIU. However look at Illinois and other Big 10 schools. They keep getting bigger and bigger all the time. Need to figure out how to better spread out students as well as keep more in state.
Comment by GoneFishing Wednesday, Aug 7, 24 @ 9:16 am
Pritzker supporters get the double benefit of him remaining as governor, while getting Pritzker-like policies in VP candidate Walz.
Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, Aug 7, 24 @ 9:22 am
Even when google is not the default search engine in a browser, like say Firefox (used to default to duck-duck-go not sure if it still does), users frequently switch on their own. I’m actually surprised google went to the effort of sewing up all those contracts given the reality that left to their own devices, users seem to choose google.
Comment by cermak_rd Wednesday, Aug 7, 24 @ 9:24 am
How much of last year and then this years projected deficit in Chicago are due to losing the ARPA money?
Comment by Chicago Blue Wednesday, Aug 7, 24 @ 9:28 am
I’m no fan of JB. But he makes more sense as a VP pick than Walz.
Comment by Downstate Wednesday, Aug 7, 24 @ 9:48 am
The City has a projected $1 billion budget deficit next year. There are very few specifics coming from MBJ’s administration on how they are going to close the deficit. Asking the State for more money or authority to tax financial transaction do not count as actual solutions. Not a good outlook for Chicago.
Comment by Three Dimensional Checkers Wednesday, Aug 7, 24 @ 9:55 am
GoneFishing,
Maybe brand them as U of I Western, U of I Eastern, etc. Seems to be working out for UIC.
Failing that maybe attractive financial aid/reduced in state tuition for the directionals.
In the last 40 years I’ve watched as UIC went from a relatively small, not well regarded institution to a world class university. A lot of the directional schools used to get students from Chicago area because there was no good state uni near Chicago.
Comment by cermak_rd Wednesday, Aug 7, 24 @ 9:58 am
The situation at the Greyhound station is very troubling. I relied on it in my younger days and I know the bus is the only viable transit option for many working class people.
You cant have people sitting on the sidewalk waiting for a bus in winter in Chicago. Something needs to be done.
Comment by low level Wednesday, Aug 7, 24 @ 10:06 am
“ But he makes more sense as a VP pick than Walz.”
After doing the research yesterday about Governor Walz, I’m actually pretty impressed. I think he was a great choice. Not only does he lack the baggage the other contenders have, he’s probably the most normal, fun middle aged white guy out there. Kids were IVF. And that is going to be a very big deal.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Wednesday, Aug 7, 24 @ 10:30 am
=== he’s probably the most normal ===
That is probably the strongest argument for him. The electorate is desperate for someone that can relate to them.
Comment by Barrister's Lectern Wednesday, Aug 7, 24 @ 10:44 am
Gov. Pritzker would have been a good choice as he is a very smart public servant. But Gov. Walz….oops, Coach Walz….ticks so many boxes that he almost seems created. He’s just fantastic. Watch the many videos of him out there. Car advice, distracted driving advice, his daughter Hope featured….whoa the IVF discussion is actually live. also fantastic, the long White Sox nightmare is over. probably another one beginning.
Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Aug 7, 24 @ 11:02 am
But he makes more sense as a VP pick than Walz.”
Walz makes far more sense than JB. I love JB and will vote for him whenever and wherever he runs but Walz is more articulate. Harris had a deep bench to pick from. He is a genuinely fine man and represents the values and priorities of the Democratic Party. Moderates are breaking for Harris/Walz as well as young people. Vote Blue. Save democracy and personal freedom.
Comment by froganon Wednesday, Aug 7, 24 @ 11:33 am
I’m happy with the choice of Tim Walz for VP Harris’s running mate and very happy that we get to keep Governor Pritzker in IL.
Comment by Manchester Wednesday, Aug 7, 24 @ 11:35 am
Tim Walz is a good on policy, personable, witty and is complementary in many ways to Harris. Anyone who makes Command Sergeant Major in the Army is a person to be trusted and admired.
Just two quibbles: Minnesota is not seen by most Americans as representative of the Midwest. It’s its own mysterious place that folks from Fargo talk about.
And haven’t we tried and failed to get substantial numbers of Republican voters to vote Dem by moving toward “Moderate” images before?
Comment by walker Wednesday, Aug 7, 24 @ 3:29 pm
==And haven’t we tried and failed to get substantial numbers of Republican voters to vote Dem by moving toward “Moderate” images before?==
Are you suggesting we move further left?
Comment by low level Wednesday, Aug 7, 24 @ 5:53 pm