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Open thread

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* I have an appointment this morning that I can’t get out of and then I think I may try to get a haircut because, man, it’s getting long. I might also run some much-needed errands after that. I just have no idea when I’ll be back today.

So, keep it Illinois-centric, use this thread to discuss any breaking news and, above all, be kind to each other.

…Adding… Appointment is over, hair is cut, errand was accomplished. I’ll be back after I finish my lunch.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Apr 5, 19 @ 7:48 am

Comments

  1. My Google-fu is weak this morning, does anyone have any idea when we should know the result of the remaining aldermanic races? How long does it usually take to count mail ins?

    Comment by Actual Red Friday, Apr 5, 19 @ 8:11 am

  2. @Actual Red

    Mail in ballots can be counted up to two weeks after election day, assuming they are post-marked properly.

    Comment by Anonymous Friday, Apr 5, 19 @ 8:19 am

  3. I’m seeing the marijuana legalization campaign ramping up. I hope the bill sponsors consider important views and incorporate them enough to get this baby across the finish line: home growing, licenses going to minority communities, non-monopoly by big cannabis, etc.

    Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, Apr 5, 19 @ 8:24 am

  4. Any word on afscme negotiations

    Comment by Nick Friday, Apr 5, 19 @ 8:27 am

  5. Any word on the AFSCME back pay?

    Comment by Anonymous Friday, Apr 5, 19 @ 8:34 am

  6. Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot will throw out the first pitch for the White Sox Home Opener.

    Comment by Steve Friday, Apr 5, 19 @ 8:35 am

  7. ==Any word on afscme negotiations==

    They just started a couple of weeks ago.

    ==Any word on the AFSCME back pay?==

    Don’t look for it any time soon.

    Comment by Demoralized Friday, Apr 5, 19 @ 8:38 am

  8. Cubs are 1-5. Just sayin’.

    Comment by Bogey Golfer Friday, Apr 5, 19 @ 8:45 am

  9. So what statewide election does McSweeney have his eye on? He’s on the GOP rubber-chicken circuit all over the state.

    Comment by wordslinger Friday, Apr 5, 19 @ 8:47 am

  10. So what happened the lawsuit brought on by ten campaign workers, including Maxwell Little, Erica Kimball, Celia Colon, and Kayla Hogan. Is it still ongoing?

    Comment by Anonymous Friday, Apr 5, 19 @ 8:51 am

  11. At this point I’m just tired of FOP complaining about the Smollett thing - give it a rest already, we get it.

    Wish they’d get this worked up about misconduct in their own shop. If we’re going to be suing over wasted resources, maybe the city should sue the FOP to claw back the millions of dollars wasted settling claims because of their misconduct.

    Comment by ChicagoVinny Friday, Apr 5, 19 @ 9:01 am

  12. –Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot will throw out the first pitch for the White Sox Home Opener.–

    If she throws a strike, Theo will sign her on the spot for the Cubs bullpen.

    Comment by wordslinger Friday, Apr 5, 19 @ 9:01 am

  13. Any word on the progress of gambling extension, whether it be sports gaming, more casinos, or slots/table games at the state’s 3 racetracks?

    Comment by Big Joe Friday, Apr 5, 19 @ 9:18 am

  14. For those interested, “Deadspin” recently published a massive piece on the shenanigans involved in the Ricketts’ purchase of the Cubs from Zell.

    The story has a huge amount of documented inside dope that could have only come from someone high up in the organization: due-diligence, financials, emails, the whole schmear. Plus, evidence of a lot of sibling rivalry in that family.

    This is the third time I can recall a negative story on them that emanated from way-inside:

    The first was the old man’s plans to fund an anti-Obama ad campaign at the same time they had their hands out for Chicago taxpayer money to fix up Wrigley; the second was the old man’s anti-Muslim emails.

    That Ricketts’ outfit leaks worse than the Titanic.

    https://deadspin.com/the-inside-story-of-how-the-ricketts-family-schemed-and-1831879476

    Comment by wordslinger Friday, Apr 5, 19 @ 9:21 am

  15. So, has Auditor General Mautino successfully waited out any issues he may have had?

    Comment by Birds on the bat Friday, Apr 5, 19 @ 9:22 am

  16. AFSCME negotioan meetings are scheduled for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday next week in Peoria. This will be the second meeting between the two sides.

    Backpay is still up in the air on when it will happen, AMD probably will remain that way until a budget bill emerges in the House at which time we’ll have a better idea of what the next step will be. Most likely will be either a line item in that or a supplemental appropriation.

    Hope that helps, Nick and Anonymous.

    Comment by Fixer Friday, Apr 5, 19 @ 9:28 am

  17. Interesting to see the different paths Chicago police and firefighter unions are taking with regard to upcoming negotiations. The cops are very public while the firefighters are laying low.

    Comment by Original Rambler Friday, Apr 5, 19 @ 9:32 am

  18. I saw where Italy refused to let a refugee vessel dock in its port. Have they let the Rauner’s in?

    Comment by don the legend Friday, Apr 5, 19 @ 9:36 am

  19. For the back pay, the state sent a memo on Wed. “Employees who were eligible but did not receive step advancements from July 1, 2015 through Mar 31, 2019 willsee such advancement of their Apr 1-16 paycheck.”

    Comment by Brudda Friday, Apr 5, 19 @ 9:43 am

  20. ==So what statewide election does McSweeney have his eye on? He’s on the GOP rubber-chicken circuit all over the state.==

    I’m guessing he wants Sen. Durbin’s job. He’s obsessed with Durbin. Senator Durbin will run again in 2020.

    Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Friday, Apr 5, 19 @ 9:44 am

  21. Don the legend- I heard they did after he promised to build a library for the port city :-)

    Comment by Roadypig Friday, Apr 5, 19 @ 9:45 am

  22. Word, as a Cardinal fan that’s music to my ears. Our BP can’t be any better.

    Comment by Jerry Friday, Apr 5, 19 @ 9:51 am

  23. I heard that Hans Zigmind is back at revenue. What’s up with that?

    Comment by State of DenIL Friday, Apr 5, 19 @ 9:51 am

  24. My attention has now moved away from all things Chicago elections. What a fun 8 months.

    So how is the effort to eliminate the Illinois structural deficit through introducing a few new revenue streams going? Are we at the point where legislators have confused talking about raising revenue with actually enacting policies to raise revenue yet? Is the mood in the Capitol anxious and urgent or are people just running the clock on the session?

    I imagine with all the excitement over there will be a lot of people turning eyes towards Springfield wondering the same. And if people are betting that it’s better to wait until after Nov. 2020 to make a tough choice, I would suggest that may not cut it this round. At this point better to be bold than play it safe. That’s what “change” elections demonstrate.

    Comment by Bobby Beagle Friday, Apr 5, 19 @ 9:51 am

  25. The Cubs are TERRIBLE.

    -Cubs fan

    Comment by So_Ill Friday, Apr 5, 19 @ 9:52 am

  26. The memo that went out Wednesday is informing the employee that they will be on their proper step as of April 1. Th he back pay is a separate issue. Also, this did not happen for those who were in the bargaining unit and have since moved to a merit comp position.

    Comment by Just sayin Friday, Apr 5, 19 @ 10:00 am

  27. =The Cubs are TERRIBLE.

    -Cubs fan=

    Spoken like a true Cubs fan. 6 games into the season.

    I hate the cubs but we are 6 games into the season. R.E.L.A.X. I cannot take cubs nation crying so early in the season.

    Best Regards,

    A Sox Fan.

    Comment by JS Mill Friday, Apr 5, 19 @ 10:08 am

  28. Louis Robert = Kyle Schwarber- but good.

    Comment by JS Mill Friday, Apr 5, 19 @ 10:09 am

  29. Good to see a Sox fan back on the 5th Floor of City Hall — the way it should be. And she’s an actual baseball fan who won’t have to fake it like Rahm did with references to “Ron Santos.”

    Comment by Roman Friday, Apr 5, 19 @ 10:17 am

  30. IF the progressive income tax clears all the hurdles necessary for it to become a Constitutional Amendment (and that seems to be a pretty big IF), is there any doubt that the tax rates will go up within a year? And if you don’t think they will (with simple majority votes in both houses), I still have some swamp land near Phoenix you may be interested in…

    Comment by Behind the Scenes Friday, Apr 5, 19 @ 10:21 am

  31. Bullpens. Both Chicago teams. That is all.

    Comment by Responsa Friday, Apr 5, 19 @ 10:24 am

  32. Behind the scenes, given the timing, I’m not sure they would go up within a year (would be kind of close to election season to be raising rates). With that said, if they can’t get it passed, what makes you think they won’t raise the flat rate instead which would be more painful on those who have the least.

    Comment by Seats Friday, Apr 5, 19 @ 10:35 am

  33. Anyone know - if graduated income tax passes and legislature acts quickly, would new tax rates first kick in for calendar year 2020 or 2021?

    Comment by Robert the Bruce Friday, Apr 5, 19 @ 10:39 am

  34. @RTB, the graduated income tax isn’t going to be on the ballot until November of 2020, so the earliest it would start is January 2021.

    Comment by Smalls Friday, Apr 5, 19 @ 10:43 am

  35. ” first pitch”

    A very sharp curve ball to the left I imagine. 😄😄😄

    Comment by Fav human Friday, Apr 5, 19 @ 10:48 am

  36. There’s deer in Graceland Cemetery. Old cemetery in a densely populated part of the North side of Chicago. Marshall Field is buried therr, under a statue designed by Daniel Chester French. It’s recently been designated an arborerum, I wonder if wildlife refuge is next.

    Comment by Cheryl44 Friday, Apr 5, 19 @ 10:53 am

  37. –Our BP can’t be any better.–

    If running the bases, fielding and throwing weren’t part of the game, the Cards would be a complete team (Yaddy ain’t getting any younger; lot of miles).

    Back in the day, the Cards were always among the most fundamentally sound teams in the game. In recent years, they seem to have adopted the old Cubs model — sacrifice defense and speed for big boppers.

    Comment by wordslinger Friday, Apr 5, 19 @ 10:56 am

  38. Little et al v. JB Pritzker for Governor

    Trial Dates. Plaintiffs believe this case will be ready for trial by January 1, 2021, and anticipate that it will take a full week, including jury selection. Defendants believe this case will be ready for trial on March 9, 2020, and that ten trial days may be necessary if the case proceeds as a consolidated trial on all Plaintiffs’ claims. Depending on the Court’s disposition of Defendants’ pending motions to dismiss and any other dispositive motions the parties might file, Defendants may move for separate trials under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 42(b). If that happens, Defendants believe that the separate trials should be significantly shorter.

    Status hearing set for 4/8/2019 at 9:00 AM

    Comment by Bigtwich Friday, Apr 5, 19 @ 10:58 am

  39. Brudda

    That email has nothing to do with backpay. It has to do with proper step placement. Those are two very different things.

    Comment by the dude Friday, Apr 5, 19 @ 11:04 am

  40. While it’s true that mail ballots will be counted for up to two weeks, overwhelmingly they come in the 2-3 days after the election. There would only be a trickle now. Depending on how and when the Chicago Board of Elections batches them to tally, updated results should be very close to final, and a margin of more than 5 or 6 likely insurmountable except through a challenge process.

    Comment by statehoss Friday, Apr 5, 19 @ 11:06 am

  41. I have seen deer in the vicinity of Graceland in the past. I saw one about 3 years ago at Paulina and Irving.

    Comment by Groucho Friday, Apr 5, 19 @ 11:09 am

  42. Hating crowds and opening day don’t really mix very well. Perhaps best just to watch it on TV?

    Comment by Fav human Friday, Apr 5, 19 @ 11:17 am

  43. Anyone else think that Prtizker is making a terrible mistake by being under the impression that Rauner appointees and hold overs from other administrations should be retained because of “institutional knowledge?”

    That sort of assumes a lot about a lot of those people and that they’ll actually respond to the new administration positively. Someone doesn’t get how bureaucracies work.

    Comment by Anon Friday, Apr 5, 19 @ 11:18 am

  44. Anon:

    What level of “holdovers” are you talking about? High level? Just curious.

    Comment by Demoralized Friday, Apr 5, 19 @ 11:29 am

  45. ==Anyone else think that Prtizker is making a terrible mistake by being under the impression that Rauner appointees and hold overs from other administrations should be retained because of “institutional knowledge?”==

    There were some Quinn holdovers in the Rauner agencies for similar reasons, and every administration. It’s not a new concept, just more leftovers currently.

    Comment by Anonymous Friday, Apr 5, 19 @ 11:29 am

  46. Let’s go Sox! Lightfoot tossing out the first pitch. would have been Toni if she had won. Both are Sox fans! Moncada….on fire!

    Comment by Amalia Friday, Apr 5, 19 @ 11:31 am

  47. –Hating crowds and opening day don’t really mix very well. Perhaps best just to watch it on TV?–

    He’s not going anywhere, he’s just trolling, desperate for attention. That dude never leaves his TV.

    Comment by wordslinger Friday, Apr 5, 19 @ 11:32 am

  48. Patiently awaiting the feds to unleash the fury re- the rest of their investigations of city hall.

    Curious as to whether it will be before or after City Hall/LL are sworn in.

    Also curious as to how people seem to have forgotten this is a thing that is still ongoing.

    Comment by Bobby Beagle Friday, Apr 5, 19 @ 11:36 am

  49. =I still have some swamp land near Phoenix you may be interested in…=

    Sounds like you are really good at investing and understanding the market.

    Comment by JS Mill Friday, Apr 5, 19 @ 11:38 am

  50. I note the passing this week of former State Senator Donald Totten, at age 86. Don was also the Chairman of the Cook County Republican Central Committee, Republican Committeeman for Schaumburg Township, Chairman of the Illinois Reagan Bush campaign in 1980, Midwest Director of the Reagan Bush campaign in 1984, member of the Transition Office of President Ronald Reagan in 1980-81, member of the US-Canadian Border Commission, co-founder of the Illinois Conservative Union, and founder and first chairman of the American Legislative Exchange Council.

    Comment by Anon Friday, Apr 5, 19 @ 11:43 am

  51. Plummer seems to be shopping his “spending problem, not a deficit problem” article all over the state. I’m guessing he’s already getting too big for his britches in the State Senate.

    Comment by Highland IL Friday, Apr 5, 19 @ 11:49 am

  52. Of course what I really wonder about is the city council. are they going to fall into line or will they look like they’re going to but then have their own agendas that break into squabbling.

    Comment by Fav human Friday, Apr 5, 19 @ 11:58 am

  53. All the comments (50+!), TL/DR, but in case no one mentioned it, maybe you want to let your hair grow out a bit for when all those bands from our youth play the State Fair… #waybackmachine

    Comment by LoyalVirus Friday, Apr 5, 19 @ 12:09 pm

  54. Grandson of Man - I have not heard much regarding cannabis legalization for Illinois lately. What have you heard? Hopefully this gets done asap and it includes home grow.

    Comment by Illinois Resident Friday, Apr 5, 19 @ 12:11 pm

  55. ===I’m guessing he’s already getting too big for his britches in the State Senate.===

    Plummer is doing some good things in the Senate so far, not too many silly things, and getting Cullerton on board for a bill are positive things.

    All electeds shop things, you can’t begrudge him too much.

    Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Apr 5, 19 @ 12:17 pm

  56. –I note the passing this week of former State Senator Donald Totten, at age 86. –

    No obit in any of the papers, that I can find. Totten was big heat back in the day when the GOP still made an effort in Cook County.

    Comment by wordslinger Friday, Apr 5, 19 @ 12:45 pm

  57. =Any word on afscme negotiations=

    or the CSO negotiations?

    Comment by JoanP Friday, Apr 5, 19 @ 12:53 pm

  58. Don Totten died on April 2. In North Carolina. Services will be in Illinois. Yes, he was a big heat. Ironic it was Election Day.

    Comment by Wonderful World Friday, Apr 5, 19 @ 12:57 pm

  59. “Grandson of Man - I have not heard much regarding cannabis legalization for Illinois lately”

    It was in the TV news yesterday, a press conference held by proponents. Also, SB 7, a shell bill, passed out of committee yesterday. May it be filled with policies that gather enough support to pass it, like minority business guarantees, craft cultivation businesses, expanded licenses, home growing.

    Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, Apr 5, 19 @ 1:13 pm

  60. Grandson of Man - Thanks for the update. I agree, hopefully it is passed with the specifics you talked about. Hopefully this gets done and is not stalled like in New Jersey and New York. We could actually be the first state (outside of Vermont) to legalize via the legislature.

    Comment by Illinois Resident Friday, Apr 5, 19 @ 1:33 pm

  61. RIP - Don Totten

    Comment by anon2 Friday, Apr 5, 19 @ 1:42 pm

  62. “Hopefully this gets done and is not stalled like in New Jersey and New York.”

    Agreed. But some I imagine are grateful for being able to get the MMJ card for chronic pain and not worry as much about whether it will legalized. It’s ridiculous that we can walk into a pharmacy and get deadly opioids but not marijuana, which is non-lethal.

    Get the card, some “pain management assistants” (friends/family) to partake with and listen to some healing music, say, like Grand Funk’s “Closer to Home” album.

    Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, Apr 5, 19 @ 2:40 pm

  63. Don Totten was a big deal in Schaumburg politics and he was an early backer of Ronald Reagan when the Thompson establishment backed John Connolly. As Cook County Chair, Totten was on hand when the Republicans won the Sheriff’s office for the first time in twenty years. Shortly afterwards, the new Sheriff helped oust him. His exit from Schaumburg was even uglier.

    One of Totten’s unrealized ideas was to divide Cook County into several smaller counties.

    Comment by Practical Politics Friday, Apr 5, 19 @ 2:43 pm

  64. Home grow is a check against so many things that can… and do… go wrong…including but not limited to… delays in implementation, slow rollouts, limited access to retail stores, limited product availability or inadequate quality… and… it’s the only check against artificially high prices.

    If the public right to home grow is not recognized by law…the law will be wrong…and prohibition rolls on…continuing to persecute the citizens of Illinois.

    This is not Legalization.

    This is not the end of Prohibition.

    This…is a Corporate money grab.

    Who owns marijuana?

    Comment by Dotnonymous Sunday, Apr 7, 19 @ 2:16 pm

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