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* Illinois topics only, please. We’ve had quite enough of national stuff this week. Thanks.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 3:47 am

Comments

Can the Bears hang with the Saints?

Comment by Eire17 Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 5:37 am
The 25th should be invoked immediately, before Trump has a chance to pardon any of the traitors who participated in his coup attempt. This will be a better, safer place when he is finally in prison, where he belongs.

Comment by Aidan Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 5:38 am
Watched the WCIA news and thought it funny there is so much profit and grease in our Marijuana industry we can’t disclose or even spend the related taxes. It is illegal to disclose taxes from a dispensery as then you can find out the gross revenue sales which is some no-no. So Springfield has two stores both owned by Ascend and the City can’t report on the 3% sales tax revenue because it would break State secrecy. Can’t allocate or spend it. Pretty sure this Statute has major problems. Limited producers, limited distribution, non-existent disclosure, prices Above Black market ($664 an ounce), more secrecy than the Vatican. Problems, issues, challenges and opportunities.

Comment by Al Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 5:53 am
Please consider reporting today on Senate Amendment 2 to HB 163.

Can the IL General Assembly end a legal principle developed by the US Supreme Court? What might be the financial implications for units of local government who employ peace officers with no qualified immunity? What might be the financial impact to taxpayers who reside in those units of local government?

Would peace officers become second class public employees through the proposed changes to collective bargaining and qualified immunity?

Does the proposal allow for anonymous complaints against peace officers? Would false complaints be expunged?

What are the proposed changes regarding use of force and Official Misconduct?

Any unfunded mandates in the proposal?

Comment by 62468 Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 6:26 am
I see Bailey is already accusing Kinzinger of not being a Republican.

Meanwhile, J.B. Pritzker got a ten point boost yesterday, simply by being a Democrat.

Comment by Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 7:09 am
62468: Yes, there’s an unfunded mandate requiring all departments to provide body cameras for police officers without the funding for it. Typical of rushed legislation.

Comment by Temecula Salt Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 7:17 am
My teacher friends are not happy with the school reopening plans.

Comment by Cheryl44 Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 7:17 am
Cattle market hurts….Whew

Comment by flea Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 7:33 am
I think the Bears are going to surprise many this Sunday afternoon versus New Orleans. The defense will finally wake up. Take the Bears and the points.

Comment by "Old Timer Dem" Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 7:36 am
That police bill is breathtaking. Anyone following along on this blog should imagine themselves as a police officer out there. How could you possibly do your job? Anyone could complain about you anonymously and good luck clearing your name. Towns could be under funded. Officers would be personally and financially liable for any small mistake and they are prohibited from fighting most crime. Those are not hyperbole. That’s what is being proposed. And Democrats are proposing to get rid of virtually all of collective bargaining. Sad indeed.

Comment by Sad Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 7:44 am
Human Service lobbyist walking through HB 5548 have determined the Black Caucus has declared war on Managed Care in Illinois.

Comment by Give Me A Break Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 8:07 am
“Can the Bears hang with the Saints?” I’m going to go with “No.” They didn’t deserve to be there in the first place.

Comment by Skeptic Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 8:08 am
Head of the Chicago FOP reminding me why we should reallocate funds to governmental agencies that actually do some good for people.

Comment by Cheryl44 Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 8:09 am
The Saints have the overall 5th ranked defense.
I don’t think they will have a hard time confusing Trubisky.

Comment by Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 8:12 am
“Those are not hyperbole.”

Yes. Yes they are.

– MrJM

Comment by @misterjayem Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 8:15 am
I guess my breath isn’t as easily taken as others.

Comment by Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 8:24 am
Thanks for the smile this morning, MrJM.

Also, I agree that those are all indeed hyperboles.

Comment by EssentialWorkingMom Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 8:31 am
Why is Linda Chapa-Lavia still employed by the IDVA?

Comment by On The Inside Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 8:37 am
After all that went on yesterday, very disappointed Mike Bost still stuck with Trump.

Comment by pool boy Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 8:40 am
Pool Boy, my question is whether you were surprised.

Comment by Dysfunction Junction Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 8:44 am
62468 -

Where can one access the amendment? Not on GA website.

Comment by Anyone Remember Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 8:44 am
What we saw at the national level is what has been going on at the State level. Using the excuse I didn’t tell them to do that for me but knowing they were doing it for you because that is what was expected of them still leads back to you being complicit and responsible. The Speaker needs to go because he was well aware of what was going on with the lobbyist and ComEd and did nothing to put a stop to it.

Comment by Arock Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 8:46 am
“Can the Bears hang with the Saints?”
Maybe after the game for a beer

Comment by Bruce( no not him) Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 8:49 am
We are in 1 c wonder how long it will take? Perhaps sooner in counties with lots of anti vaxers.
The census is a mess it’s my guess that a lot of maga didn’t answer and a lot less whites flipped them out.
Looks like no data to Feb. Can we redistricting on old and do it over later?

Comment by Not a Billionaire Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 8:54 am
Anyone Remember

I clicked on the house amendment and then had options to select Senate amendments at top of screen…very large bill/file

Also, PBPA Illinois has posted a statement/update on its Facebook page

Comment by 62468 Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 9:01 am
Bears game isn’t even going to be close. I’m taking the Saints and the points, even as a Bears fan. Trubisky will have a few critical turnovers and the conversation all offseason will be about the quarterback.

Comment by Chambanalyst Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 9:10 am
Thinking back to watching several government bodies where the public participants and gets loud, and threatening, including at public comment time, we need to consider that the issue is more than Trump. And it’s not just from his side of the aisle or issues. There is a shocking lack of decorum in wishes for change. All around. It makes for scary times for those who are in positions of authority in government, electeds and staff. Security measures necessary everywhere. And a wide discussion of civility necessary. Everywhere.

Comment by Amalia Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 9:10 am
If the media is paying Kinzinger union rate for his media appearances he will be a rich man. I’m an Illinois Democrat and I have to say he must leave viewers with an better impression of Illinois politicians than they may have had before seeing him. I tip my hat to him.

Comment by DEE Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 9:14 am
“How could you possibly do your job?” If you’ve done nothing wrong, you have nothing to fear.

Comment by Skeptic Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 9:14 am
@Bruce, nope that would violate Covid rules set by the NFL, but as GB fan, I would like that to happened, specifically invite Brees, Kamara and Hill. LOL

Comment by 10th Ward Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 9:16 am
Now is the time to project unity and strength. The world is watching.

Comment by 2 Cents Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 9:19 am
===- Sad - Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 7:44 am:===

I don’t know what you do for a living, but I hesitate to guess. What I do know is that if I worked in an industry where employees in my field consistently killed people in a fashion that was considered unexpected or unjustified by a majority of the public and where the public was unsatisfied with the consequences faced by those killers that regulation would follow.

Broadly it would seem that the police are incapable of policing themselves.

===Anyone could complain about you anonymously and good luck clearing your name. ===

I would imagine a lot of this could be cleared up with body cam footage and dash cam footage which would incentivize officers to utilize those tools successfully rather than deliberately sabotage them or otherwise hinder their ability to record video and audio.

Police unions, police chiefs, and other major stakeholders have had ample time to unilaterally address these issues — and here we are looking at legislative solutions because of their failure to unilaterally address the root of their problem.

And just as an overall observation about the culture of police forces, there are a lot of jobs that are stressful, but I can’t imagine that customers would be okay with strolling up to the counter at a McDonald’s and having the person taking their order swear at them repeatedly. Yelling, screaming, and swearing are broadly considered to be unprofessional behaviors throughout every industry and in every branch of public service except for police forces. Why is that?

Unprofessional behavior, unchecked lawlessness, and excessive and unnecessary violence towards innocent people merit a response. This bill exists because of the police. It is necessary because of the police. If the police don’t like it, perhaps they should have stopped letting the bad apples spoil the bunch.

Comment by Candy Dogood Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 9:27 am
==Thinking back to watching several government bodies where the public participants and gets loud, and threatening, including at public comment time,==

I agree town hall meetings get loud and rude but the attendees are not then incited to assault the town council and destroy the village hall.

Comment by don the legend Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 9:30 am
@Sad:

== Anyone following along on this blog should imagine themselves as a police officer out there. How could you possibly do your job? ==

That is how literally everyone else already goes about their lives. Doctors and nurses screw up and people die and they get sued. Bartenders accidentally serve minors and they can go to jail. Casino employees who screw up at work can get fined or have licenses revoked, making it impossible to work in their field again.

Cops aren’t special.

Comment by Homebody Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 9:32 am
DEE
I am a Democrat also.
Agree with your assessment of Congressman Kinzinger. It is nice to see an Illinois political person represent the state so well during these hard times.
I hope he continues to speak out.

Comment by Back to the Future Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 9:34 am
Just read the Senate amendment-

As someone who was in uniform for ten years, it appears the union will no longer have their time, and other members dues, wasted representing stooges that shouldn’t have been hired in the first place.

Comment by Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 9:38 am
== It is nice to see an Illinois political person represent the state so well during these hard times. ==

Agreed. It’s also refreshing to me to see a politician having the courage to speak his or her mind and get actual kudos for doing so regardless of the perceived political cost. Beside Kinzinger, Liz Cheney comes to mind. Then again, some people may just have better eyesight when it comes to reading writing on distant walls.

Comment by Dysfunction Junction Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 9:42 am
===I have to say he must leave viewers with an better impression of Illinois politicians than they may have had before seeing him.===

Rep Kinzinger has yet to deliver anything tangible.

While it’s nice that he’s saying these things, where was Adam last year?

Comment by Candy Dogood Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 9:43 am
Well when are the Blackhawks going to start playing?

Comment by Levois J Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 9:51 am
“Yet to deliver anything tangible”.
With all due respect, he has a very impressive service record.
To me that is “tangible”.

Comment by Back to the Future Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 10:07 am
Just when I thought Tom DeVore couldn’t stoop any lower than he already has last night he proved me wrong with his comments about Governor Pritzker. The Governor spoke out about President Trump and DeVore took the time to show his hate for the Governor instead of showing his love for America and it’s people.

Comment by Club J Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 10:19 am
“Rep Kinzinger has yet to deliver anything tangible.”

He’s the first GOP lawmaker in the House to call for the 25th amendment. So, that is tangible.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 10:22 am
“There is a shocking lack of decorum in wishes for change. All around.”

What the far-right perpetrated yesterday wasn’t a “lack of decorum.”

– MrJM

Comment by @misterjayem Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 10:25 am
@Candy Dogood- boy are you on a roll today, and I mean that in a good way.

Two things that you wrote that really sum it up for me:

=Broadly it would seem that the police are incapable of policing themselves.

This bill exists because of the police.=

WHat makes police misconduct really startling for people is the role that they serve. We are, generally speaking, at our most vulnerable when we need the police. To find ourselves in greater jeopardy at their hands undermines our basic sense of safety.

If you are in a community that is rife with crime AND many of your interactions with police are negative, how do you ever have confidence in them.

I couple those thoughts with some experiences I have had with police over the past five plus years. As a school administrator in smaller communities I often get to know the police well. Their are a lot of good people in law enforcement. There are also an increasing number who consistently express thoughts that cause me great concern. This is particularly true for county sheriffs and deputies. Many of whom I know and have taken a move to the far far right.

I know it is a tough job and you see people at their worst and that can jade you. But you are their to uphold the law and you have to be more accountable due to the incredible power you have.

Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 10:26 am
Sadly, Ducky, the 25th amendment needs to be initiated in the executive branch, not the legislative. So it’s not tangible, but aspirational at best. Still, one wants to be on record these days.

Comment by Dysfunction Junction Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 10:26 am
After the way this season went, with the six losses in a row, just glad the Bears made it in the playoffs. Who knows, they might win a game. Expectations are low therefore would not be too upset if they lose quickly.

Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 10:30 am
===Anonymous - Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 10:33 am===

Unintentionally posted as anonymous.

Comment by n-t-c Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 10:33 am
===[Kinzinger is] the first GOP lawmaker in the House to call for the 25th amendment. So, that is tangible.===

Where was he for the last four years? Dissembling and enabling. Jumping off the sinking ship with the other rats is hardly a demonstration of courage or leadership. Nor is it tangible. Maybe a vote would be tangible.

Comment by n-t-c Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 10:36 am
I applaud Rep. Kinzinger.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 10:40 am
Re: the police reform bill.

We saw yesterday the police do, in fact, know how to use restraint. It’s not about training.

It’s about the leadership and the membership.

Some jobs can’t have bad apples.

Comment by Scott Cross for President Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 10:43 am
No criticism meant to Candy. Don’t mean to sound preachy or judgmental.
Sometimes I think we all may not recognize service in the branches of the military as doing something “tangible”.
A note from Adam Kinzinger’s government biography refers to an incident in 2007 where he received a US Air Force Medal for saving the life of a young woman by stepping up to take a knife from a man that was violently attacking her. He served in Iraq and seems to have an overall very commendable record of service to the country.

Comment by Back to the Future Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 10:52 am
===he has a very impressive service record.===

I am talking about U.S. Representative Adam Kinzinger. As with all jobs, how you perform that specific job matters more than your prior jobs. What U.S. Representative Adam Kinzinger does as a member of congress is what is relevant to me because he is a member of congress.

I do not believe he deserves a pass for his behavior over the last 4 years because of what he’s done in the last month as he positions himself in a politically expedient fashion for a post Trump GOP. He’s picked a faction and behaving in a fashion that is appropriate to elevate himself and his profile within that faction and nationally.

===He’s the first GOP lawmaker in the House to call for the 25th amendment. ===

I am not an expert on Constitutional Law, but a member of the United States House of Representatives has at their disposal a process for removing the President of the United States from office for crimes.

Adam Kinzinger can unilaterally introduce Articles of Impeachment. Adam can act. Calling for the 25th Amendment is literally U.S. Representative Adam Kinzinger telling someone else to do something.

U.S. Representative Adam Kinzinger has the ability to do something all by himself, right now, and hasn’t. Why is he waiting for someone else to do the work?

It also might be appropriate to recognize that the 25th Amendment only removes the President from power, it does not remove the President from office.

“the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as [b]Acting President.[/b]”

And later On:

“within twenty-one days after Congress is required to assemble, determines by two-thirds vote of both Houses that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall continue to discharge the same [b]as Acting President[/b]; otherwise, the President shall resume the powers and duties of his office.”

Under the 25th Amendment, Donald Trump remains President of the United States of America. To me that is unacceptable. Donald Trump must be removed from office. He must be impeached. All members of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate must be on the record for their vote.

Till he introduces Articles of Impeachment, Adam is just good at going on television and telling other people to do something.

Comment by Candy Dogood Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 10:53 am
Is anyone actually going to watch the Bears-Saints game on Nickelodeon’s coverage just to see what it’s like? Embarassing. Papa Bear is rolling over yet again in his grave over that one.

If you want to see real entertaining coverage of a playoff game on an entertainment cable channel, put it on Syfy and get the Mystery Science 3000 team together again for “commentary.” That would be fun to watch, especially if the Bears are losing.

Comment by Essential State Employee Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 10:58 am
===recognize service in the branches of the military as doing something “tangible”===

Even if that service is “recognized” as an entree into elected office, once the office-holder has been in office several full terms, only his service in *office* is what matters. Eisenhower arguably won the war, but by 1956, the proper question was not what he did during the war, but what he had done as president for the last 4 years and what would he do in the next 4. (I disclaim any comparison between Kinzinger and Eisenhower other than the military-to-elected-office career path).

Comment by n-t-c Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 11:00 am
The calls for using the 25th amendment are just feel good. Even if Pence and cabinet went for it Trump would be out of office by then. What should be done is impeachment for the call to Georgia and for yesterday. Of course he would be out of office but could still be impeached and barred from holding federal office. That is what is needed.

Comment by DuPage Saint Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 11:13 am
==Would peace officers become second class public employees through the proposed changes to collective bargaining and qualified immunity?==

I wonder if all bargaining unit employees everywhere (not just police officers) need to monitor HB 163, SA 2 in the next week.

With the proposed collective bargaining changes, if the bill becomes law can (heaven forbid) anyone else see a future Rauner-esque politician (or someone from the Eastern Bloc) try to evoke that law to strip all collective bargaining for all State Employees and teachers?

Comment by Essential State Employee Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 11:23 am
Displaying a vestigial backbone, doesn’t mean one has a backbone. Just sayin.

Comment by PublicServant Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 11:57 am
Kinzinger gives Pence a little political cover. Probably not enough.
25th Amendment can be put into effect more quickly than an impeachment. Don’t really expect either.

Comment by Last Bull Moose Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 12:00 pm
-n-t-c Word. Kinzinger ignored Charlottesville and Trump’s role. ridiculous.

Comment by Amalia Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 12:03 pm
Why are we still paying Chapa LaVia for her incompetence? What is wrong with this Governor?

Comment by JusticeforLaSalle Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 12:04 pm
Unlike those of us commenting on this blog, Adam Kinzinger could do more than talk about removing Trump, he has the power to ACT meaningfully to remove him.

He could choose to act. He has chosen not to.

Until he acts to remove Trump, his talk is cheap.

– MrJM

Comment by @misterjayem Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 12:30 pm
Maybe easing the mitigations on the 15th isn’t a good idea after all? All but one region (5) either had their positivity rate slightly increase or stay flat in Monday’s numbers (since last Sunday’s was reported yesterday).

Also Region 3 (Quincy and Springfield, etc.) is back to one day with ICU bed capacity below 20%:

http://www.dph.illinois.gov/regionmetrics?regionID=3

Comment by Essential State Employee Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 1:08 pm
“That is how literally everyone else already goes about their lives…..”
Cops pull someone over for speeding and get shot. Nothing special here….

Comment by Say What? Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 1:39 pm
So I know no national stuff, but I’m wondering how excited Pritzker and co are because of how the Georgia senate races went.

It’s very possible now that Democrats will be able to use reconciliation to pass another stimulus bill. This one with larger checks, but more importantly, some state and local aid.

Comment by Nick Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 2:06 pm

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