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* Click here to help LSSI bring Holiday joy to children in foster care.
* ICYMI: Pritzker to take aim at hemp-derived delta-8. Crain’s…
- Pritzker has previously said he favors regulating hemp-based products.
-The Illinois Senate passed a bill earlier this year that would allow only licensed dispensaries to sell delta-8 products. But the bill didn’t receive a vote in the House.
Subscribers were told about this yesterday morning.
* At 2 pm the governor Pritzker will announce a new business development initiative. Click here to watch.
* Injustice Watch | Property records raise new questions about influential Cook County judge : Judge E. Kenneth Wright Jr. acquired a handful of Chicago homes from the estates of deceased clients when he was a solo law practitioner in the 1990s. Now, two families claim he took advantage of his elderly clients.
* WBEZ | What to know about an effort to make college in Illinois more affordable: A group of Illinois legislators and advocates is proposing groundbreaking legislation to try and address the problem. The bill has largely flown under the radar, perhaps because of its very unsexy name: the Adequate and Equitable Funding Formula for Public Universities Act. Or maybe it’s because the formula it prescribes, by necessity and design, is incredibly complex.
* WTVO | Pritzker signs Executive Order to explore cheaper home ownership in Illinois: The order creates an Illinois Director of Housing Solutions, who will oversee the exploration of “how Illinois can accelerate plans to expand the supply and access of housing for working families,” according to the Governor’s Office. Nearly one third of Illinois households spend more than 30% of their income on housing, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
* Crain’s | Illinois pensions face near-record $144B funding hole — but show some signs of progress: A new report from the General Assembly’s research unit indicates that, as of June, the five funds collectively were short $143.7 billion of the funds needed to pay promised benefits to current and future retirees. That combined unfunded liability was up $1.5 billion from last year and just $500 million below the high set in 2021.
* WAND | Lawmakers fight for affordable housing tax credit, Pritzker signs housing executive order: As more companies locate to Illinois, lawmakers and business leaders know the state needs more housing for workers. Illinois could become the twenty-sixth state to create a tax credit for building affordable housing. The Illinois Housing Council has reported the state has lost 20% of its low-income apartments since 2011. Experts believe the demand for new housing will continue to grow each year, and business leaders said housing is essential to the future of the economy.
* NBC Chicago | New Illinois law could impact your job searches in 2025: Under the provisions of HB 3129, which amended the state’s Equal Pay Act, most Illinois-based businesses will be required to include information on pay scale and benefits on job listings beginning on Jan. 1. According to the law, the requirement will apply to all companies with at least 15 employees.
* Sun-Times | Pritzker ‘open’ to meeting with Trump border czar, but vows to protect undocumented from deportation: Gov. JB Pritzker said he’ll continue to protect the state’s documented immigrants, migrants and immigrants lacking legal status against the pending deportation plan. “I believe it’s my obligation to protect them too. Those are residents of the state of Illinois.”
* Capitol News Illinois | Recent incidents prompt heightened Statehouse security: “Unfortunately, the world is not getting safer,” Amy Williams, senior legal advisor in the secretary of state’s office, told a legislative oversight committee Tuesday. One of the more serious threats, Williams said, occurred in March when security officials were notified of an active shooter threat, prompting a lockdown of the complex. The lockdown was lifted after investigators determined there was no credible threat, according to reports at the time.
* WICS | Changes coming to drivers’ licenses in Illinois: The Secretary of State is making adjustments to the way driver’s licenses operate in Illinois. A new law states that by July 2027, the Secretary of State will allow qualified drivers the option to be issued 8 year licenses instead of the common 4 year licenses expiree period. The 8 year license will require a fee of $60.
* NBC Chicago | Big changes coming to Illinois driver’s licenses, but there’s a catch: Another significant change will impact Illinois residents sooner than that, with the Secretary of State’s Office having the ability to issue mobile ID cards and driver’s licenses by the end of 2025. The new policy would allow motorists or residents to download a specialized app that would display their identification cards on a mobile device, with law enforcement and other entities required to accept that type of identification.
* Block Club | Red Line Extension Zoning Changes Approved By City Council: The 5.6-mile Red Line Extension project aims to move the end of the CTA’s South Side Red Line from 95th Street to 130th Street. The agency plans to build new stations at 103rd and 111th streets near Eggleston Avenue, at Michigan Avenue near 116th Street and at 130th Street near Altgeld Gardens. The zoning changes are needed “to secure permits in advance of construction, which is anticipated to start late next year and [be] completed by 2030,” according to Sonali Tandon, senior manager of strategic planning for the CTA.
* Sun-Times | Red Line extension, quantum computing campus get final zoning approval: Ald. Scott Waguespack briefly threatened to block any vote on items sent to the Council by the Zoning Committee because that committee’s report did not include its rejection of a Sterling Bay proposal in Lincoln Park that Waguespack opposes over concerns about traffic, parking and height of the buildings.
* NBC Chicago | Organizers reveal secret hack for avoiding major crowds at Christkindlmarket: Leila Schmidt, a manager with the market, told NBC Chicago’s Matt Rodrigues that guests can book what is called a “Culture and Cheer Tour” in Chicago. The tours allow guests in at 10:15 a.m., before the market opens at 11 a.m. It takes attendees on a tour with a German-speaking Christkindlmarket team member “for a behind-the-scenes journey through Daley Plaza before the market opens to the public.”
* Crain’s | Michael Jordan’s house sold, at last, for $9.5 million: ordan let go of the Point Lane property, a 56,000-square-foot house on about seven acres, for less than one-third of what he was asking for it in 2012. On Feb. 29, 2012, Leap Day, the basketball icon known for his vertical leap put the home on the market at $29 million. By the time the estate went under contract in September, Jordan had cut the asking price by close to half, to $14,855,000.
* Tribune | Candidates for Oak Park and River Forest School Board challenged: Three of the six candidates running for the Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200 School Board have had their nominating papers challenged in an attempt to knock them off the April 1 ballot. Two of the objectors are fellow candidates. Candidate Josh Gertz objected to the nominating papers of Tania Haigh, alleging Haigh did not file the required statement of candidacy. Candidate Nate Mellman has objected to the nominating papers of incumbent Audrey Williams-Lee, the only Black member of the School Board and the only Black candidate in the race, claiming Williams-Lee’s nominating petitions doesn’t state whether she is running for a full term or to fill a vacancy and refers to the 7th District, presumably the 7th Congressional District, instead of OPRF District 200.
* Daily Herald | Old Rosemont village hall to meet wrecking ball — but glass mosaic will be saved: The 1960s-era office building, which housed Rosemont’s government offices and public safety department from the 1980s until this year, is across the street from Rivers Casino in Des Plaines. Such a location could be well-suited for one or more restaurants, an entertainment venue, or new office structure with better floor layouts for businesses looking to relocate, said Mayor Brad Stephens.
* Daily Herald | George Dunham, Schaumburg’s longest-tenured trustee, stepping down after 33 years: “I am beyond honored and beyond privileged to have served with all of you and with a number of other people that have gone before,” Dunham told his fellow trustees Tuesday while running his final village board meeting on behalf of absent Mayor Tom Dailly. “I will miss this responsibility a great deal, but due to some life changes and some other things, it is time for me to move forward,” he added.
* WTVO | Affordable housing, state budget deficit at issue as Northern Illinois lawmakers meet with Rockford-area leaders: Legislators from both Republican and Democratic parties agreed that they would have to make some tough decisions. Rep. John Cabello (R-Machesney Park), said, “The taxpayers just can’t afford to pay any more. So there’s just going to have to be some cuts. And the state has never had a revenue problem. It’s always a problem. So we’re looking forward to trying to help find those cuts that will be as harsh. But there’s got to be some cuts.”
* BND | Most of the world’s horseradish is grown in southwest Illinois. What makes area special?: J.R. Kelly Company says “about 2,000” acres of horseradish are farmed in the metro-east. From those farms comes 70% of the United States’ supply, the other 30% coming from California and Wisconsin. That means roughly 16 million pounds of horseradish comes from the metro-east each year.
* SJ-R | Springfield-area dive bar named one of best in nation for food: The Curve Inn, 3219 S. Sixth St. Road, is a historic bar and grill established in 1932. Bought in 2002 by husband-wife duo Ray and Ami Merchant, the locale is known for its vibrant atmosphere, the love of all things grunge, pony shoes and national acts on its state-of-the-art beer garden stage.
posted by Isabel Miller
Thursday, Dec 12, 24 @ 7:50 am
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=with the Secretary of State’s Office having the ability to issue mobile ID cards and driver’s licenses by the end of 2025=
End of 2025 ? the typical glacial pace of change at SoS
Comment by Donnie Elgin Thursday, Dec 12, 24 @ 10:22 am
I struggle with the some of the language such as 1. migrants seeking asylum, 2. documented immigrants, 3. undocumented people, 4. immigrants lacking legal status, 5. refugee, 6. temporary protected status, and 7. newcommers, since there can be overlap, changes in a person’s status over time, imprecise use, and political uses. https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/12/11/gov-jb-pritzker-promises-to-protect-immigrants-but-says-those-convicted-of-violent-crimes-need-to-go/
Comment by Two Left Feet Thursday, Dec 12, 24 @ 10:22 am
Okay. I am going to lose my image as an old liberal, but here goes.
We really need to reign in the Delta-8 supermarket for kids and young adults. If gas stations cannot sell beer to anyone under 21, then the same rule must apply to all the “delta derivatives.” End of story. And while we are at it, we need to get rid of Kratom. No good comes from this drug. Kratom actually kills in large amounts, and most Kratom users are actually abusers, not “experimenters.”
Sorry. I needed to say it.
That said, I am not opposed to fruit-flavored vapes, if adults want it. However, packaging those flavors in cartoon-ish colors and candy-related imagery is unethical advertising. It does draw the attention of underage users.
We need to act like adults going forward.
Comment by H-W Thursday, Dec 12, 24 @ 10:53 am
1. Migrants seeking asylum: here legally awaiting a hearing on whether their claim of asylum will be granted or denied.
2. Documented immigrants: people with valid immigrant visas or green card holders. Here legally.
3.Undocumented people: non-US citizens or legal immigrants here without valid visas or green cards. Not here legally.
4. Same as 3, sometimes include students and others with temporary visas that have expired. Not here legally.
5. Refugee: someone who has been granted asylum. Here legally.
6 Temporary protected status: people who came to the US as minors. Granted protected status so they can attend school. Under executive order, they are here legally unless that executive order changes.
7. New comers: Most of these are migrants seeking asylum mentioned in 1 above, or 2. These “new comers” may be awaiting a hearing or they may be undocumented.
Not all migrants are immigrants, and not all of these people are here illegally. Some are, some are not. The majority are here with some legal status. Estimates indicate as many as 11 million non-US citizens in the country are here without legal status.
Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Dec 12, 24 @ 11:09 am
@ Two Left Feet
At least you struggle with, rather than struggle against. (serious)
These categories are important, because they represent legal statuses associated with the original 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act (although I am not familiar with the term “newcomers”).
As I understand the law (I am a sociologist with expertise in ethnicity and inequalities), the problem most lay people have is in understanding the nature of asylum seekers. The federal law has always allowed for people to first arrive in the U.S., and then declare that they are seeking asylum. Historically, such people who were theoretically fleeing oppression and possible death were simply allowed to get here by any means necessary, then the immediately seek assistance.
In the last two administrations, this status has been redefined, such that now we are debating whether or not such people need to process at a legitimate port of entry (not required in the past), and whether or not such people now need to declare their intentions in a mutually non-hostile country. The latter is Trump’s preference I think (who knows that this person wants on any given date).
I personally believe the old way is the best way to serve those in need, and our national interests as a humane society. Prior to 1965, white folks such as myself simply showed up at a port of entry (Ellis Island for example), and sought entry. After a quick check, we were admitted and that was that. My grandfather did not have a “visa” to come here, and was allowed to leave Ellis Island without being tracked further. There was an implicit morality and assumption of innocence for many European immigrants, even those we loathed (Southern Europeans and Eastern Europeans).
Today, what was good for the goose, is no longer good for the gander, because we have been sold a bill of laden that presumes all immigrants are dangerous. In reality, immigrants are less dangerous that Americans as measured by legitimate crime statistics. But we are told it is better to throw out all babies and the bath water, because less than 1% of those immigrants are questionable (and we do not want to have to do the work of background checks). There is also the problem that we do not want to spend the money to hire enough workers and judges to actually do the background checks in a reasonable amount of time. So we are told the system is broken (true), and we do not believe the systems is the problem - we victim-blame all innocents so that we can continue to fear the innocent, under the premise of a few bad apples.
As to labels, refugees first apply to come here seeking protection. They request a special visa status.
Asylees come here first and then seek protection. They receive a temporary protected status, until they receive a yes or no decision.
The idea of only allowing asylees to enter at official points of entry is a relative new idea.
Comment by H-W Thursday, Dec 12, 24 @ 11:30 am
Thanks 47th Ward. I made the query through a couple of AIs: Grok and Perplexity. You are spot on.
Comment by Two Left Feet Thursday, Dec 12, 24 @ 12:15 pm
@47th Ward
Well Stated!
Comment by Mason County Thursday, Dec 12, 24 @ 12:20 pm
=Adequate and Equitable Funding Formula for Public Universities Act=
May have a chance. If the state budget were better it would pass.
Comment by Mason County Thursday, Dec 12, 24 @ 12:22 pm
How are we not talking more about the the world’s horseradish being grown in southwest Illinois, cool.
Comment by JR Thursday, Dec 12, 24 @ 12:49 pm
Re: WBEZ article on the cost of higher education
=== Legislators want to shift the financial responsibility for educating and training Illinois residents from students back to the state. ===
If only they would do so. Many of us here on the blog were able to afford college and enjoy a “robust” college life with the establishment of the Stafford Loan. If we had a part-time job, we had beer money and burgers. Those who were poor were given access through Pell Grants. Both of these federal funding programs provided enough money outright to afford housing, dining, books, tuition, and even a little extra, because state appropriations paid for the rest and made college affordable for the working-class and poor during the 1970s to 1990s, nationwide. As a result, the number of young citizens attending college went from 10% of high school graduates to 25% immediately, and reached more that 50% by 1990. We had more college educated and college trained workers as a result. Today, we are moving backwards. We see fewer students pursuing and completing 4-year degrees, and this trend is most pronounced among white Anglo men. For the first time in 1980, as many women as men were enrolled in college. Today, women make up 60% of college students while more high school graduate men go to work instead of college. Prices are a big part of this trend (irrespective of MAGA distaste for intelligence).
Comment by H-W Thursday, Dec 12, 24 @ 1:07 pm
@ H-W
I volunteer on a school board and that’s where I was introduced to the term “newcomers”: https://www.isbe.net/Pages/newcomer-resources.aspx.
Comment by Two Left Feet Thursday, Dec 12, 24 @ 1:35 pm
Thanks, I enjoyed the article about horseradish. I’d love to see a big field of it sometime. It’s a hardy perennial that flowers in spring. The leaves are edible, much milder tasting than the root, and if you’re a fan of arugula you probably would like eating horseradish greens.
Comment by yinn Thursday, Dec 12, 24 @ 1:53 pm
While I agree that college should be more affordable college isn’t the end all, be all of everything. My step-kids both went into the trades and make $70 or $80 grand a year in their mid and late 20’s now. Stop pushing college on kids.
Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Dec 12, 24 @ 2:19 pm
@Demoralized
I for one am not pushing college on everyone. As a professor, I have six children. Two have completed a four year degree, 2 attended CC only, and two started but did not complete four-year programs. The latter two have good jobs without earning BA degrees (which is why the left), and the middle two have big jobs with CC - technical degrees.
I do not push college on anyone except those who begin college in my classrooms, since the data indicate college non-completers earn less on average than HS graduates (without college), in the long-run. Since they start college, I feel obligated to place high expectations upon my students, and encourage their aspirations.
Merry Christmas to you, by the way.
Comment by H-W Thursday, Dec 12, 24 @ 2:40 pm
@Two Left Feet
Thanks for the hyperlink. The period at the end of the link misdirects, but if you delete the period, it is a useful link with good information. Thanks again.
Comment by H-W Thursday, Dec 12, 24 @ 2:44 pm
=WBEZ article on the cost of higher education=
Sent two kids to college - one more off next fall. All amazing students - no colleges in IL were options due to high costs. Illinois needs to look at states like Iowa where kids with good grades get an automatically huge scholarship; add in need, merit, and special major scholarships and most kids come out with a tiny amount of loans
https://educate.iowa.gov/higher-ed/financial-aid/scholarships-grants/iowa-tuition-grant
Comment by Donnie Elgin Thursday, Dec 12, 24 @ 4:07 pm
=== The order creates an Illinois Director of Housing Solutions, who will oversee the exploration of “how Illinois can accelerate plans to expand the supply and access of housing for working families,” according to the Governor’s Office. ===
I don’t disagree with the cause, but I have a hard time creating another political appointee position will do anything to fix the problem.
Comment by Southern Dude Thursday, Dec 12, 24 @ 4:37 pm