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* Patch | Pritzker Signs Bill Giving Mental Health Center Land To Park District: After months of tension between the Village of Tinley Park and the Tinley Park-Park District as both entities vied for the right to purchase the long-vacant Tinley Park Mental Health Center land, Gov. Pritzker on Friday signed a law that will turn the property over to the park district for $1.
* Tribune | Over free speech objections from ACLU, Gov. J.B. Pritzker signs measure that targets doxxing: “Like a lot of things involving technology, the law is slow to catch up,” state Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz, a Glenview Democrat, said in an interview. “Here, the focus isn’t on how you get that information, or even necessarily the information itself, but what that person does with that information.”
* Tribune | In a glimpse behind the curtain, federal prosecutors tell jurors at perjury trial of Tim Mapes how he allegedly shielded his boss, Madigan ‘the wizard’: Formal investigations all but called Mapes’ conduct dictatorial. But you’d never guess that by looking at Mapes last week, sitting meekly and respectfully between his two lawyers in the solemn setting of a federal courtroom.
* The Messenger | Ex Illinois Governor Who Spared Every Death Row Inmate Weighs in on Louisiana Governor’s Attempt to Do the Same: With the lives of 56 of 57 death row inmates in Louisiana hanging in the balance, Ryan says his decision in 2003 — just two days before leaving office — was necessary even if controversial.
* HF Chronicle | Three south suburban legislators say progress is being made on policing:U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly, who represents Homewood and Flossmoor in Congress, Illinois Rep. Deborah Meyers-Martin, who represents sections of Homewood and Flossmoor in the Illinois House, and Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller, who represents Homewood on the county board, recently sat down for a discussion with the Homewood-Flossmoor Chronicle to offer updates on topics they discussed after George Floyd’s death in 2020.
* Tribune Editorial | If Illinois redesigns its state flag, what best captures the ‘state’ of Illinois?: Here are some helpful suggestions from political cartoonist and amateur vexillologist Scott Stantis, inspired by things that put the “ill” in Illinois:
* Week in Review | State Gun Ban Decision; Top Madigan Aide on Trial: The Illinois Supreme Court upholds the state’s sweeping gun ban by a 4-3 decision. Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris tells a Chicago audience of activists that their generation can end gun violence. More testimony in the perjury and obstruction trial of former House Speaker Mike Madigan’s confidant, Tim Mapes, who ran the Illinois Democratic Party. Mapes faces up to 25 years if found guilty.
* Scott Holland | Task forces can be the early work of significant legislation: Consider Monday’s signing of Senate Bill 1818, which creates the Illinois Flag Commission, or last week’s approval of Senate Bill 2123, which establishes a task force to study ranked choice voting. Strip away the fanfare or pushback to realize neither law actually does anything more than formalize the possibility of change.
* Sun-Times | Illinois Supreme Court upheld assault weapons ban, but there’s more work to do: More states, and Congress too, must stand up to the NRA and others who put the right to own battlefield-style weapons over the rights of everyday people to safely attend a Fourth of July parade, go to the grocery store or a block party or anyplace else in public.
* Sun-Times | Larry Snelling named mayor’s pick for Chicago’s new top cop: Snelling’s appointment by Mayor Brandon Johnson must be confirmed by the City Council. Before that crucial vote, he is expected to be introduced to Chicago residents — and face questions — during at least one public hearing.
* Crain’s | Chicago’s top public health official Allison Arwady is fired by Mayor Brandon Johnson: Dr. Allison Arwady, the commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health, was removed from her position on Friday, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter. Arwady, who became commissioner in 2019 under Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s administration, had previously said she intended to remain in her post at CDPH under Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration. However, leading up to his election, Johnson criticized Arwady’s public health approach and said he would replace her.
* Daily Herald | Building changes, extra staffing: How suburban schools are spending final COVID grant funds: Like many suburban school districts, Elk Grove Township Elementary District 59 officials used a hefty chunk of the final round of federal COVID-relief grant funds to upgrade ventilation systems in schools.
* Windy City Times | Equality Illinois officer files for state Senate seat: Public health, LGBTQ+-rights advocate and Wicker Park resident Jose “Che-Che” Wilson is joining the list of candidates seeking to fill the vacancy in the Illinois Senate for the 5th District.
* Ford County Chronicle | Iroquois County Board’s vice chairman interested in running for Tom Bennett’s state Senate seat: The Iroquois County Board’s vice chairman announced that he is interested in seeking election to the 53rd District Illinois Senate seat being vacated in January 2025 by the retirement of Gibson City’s Tom Bennett. Paul Ducat of Chebanse — one of four District I representatives on the 16-member Iroquois County Board.
* Daily Herald | As more suburban bag taxes come online, local chain flips plastic bag fee into reusable bag credit: After Batavia City Council voted in November to implement a 10-cent bag fee at many of its stores, health food chain Fruitful Yield decided to get ahead of the new policy and encourage its shoppers to bring their own bags by doing just the opposite.
* Herald-Review | Illinois reports 6% drop in uninsured vehicles since rollout of electronic verification: Last month, Sherman resident Joe Tavine was driving through his hometown when a local police officer pulled him over for going slightly over the speed limit. After supplying his license and insurance, Tavine was told that the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office had suspended his registration after being unable to verify his insurance policy back in October. As a result, his vehicle was towed.
* Daily Herald | Purple haze: How defective LED light fixtures are casting spooky glow over some suburban roads: Schaumburg is among the places where the purple lights have appeared. The village plans to replace 117 such fixtures along Meacham and Irving Park roads over the next few weeks.
* CBS Chicago | Chicago police officer reveals what new moms face on the force: For three years, Chicago Police officer Erin Kreho has documented filthy conditions inside rooms she was told to use when she needed to pump breast milk. She faced unsanitary conditions and a lack of privacy after having her children. Kreho also has filed formal complaints about the state and federal violations. Despite that, she says the Chicago Police Department has failed to fix the problems.
* Crain’s | WBEZ names new executive editor: In the new position, Bailon will “oversee editorial decisions regarding enterprise journalism, investigations, daily news and special projects,” according to a news release. Bailon’s duties will also see him partner on collaborative projects with the Chicago Sun-Times, which WBEZ parent Chicago Public Media acquired in 2022.
* News-Gazette | Inside Brooks & Dunn’s rider: 10 dozen bath towels, 17 types of beverage and a box of Cap’n Crunch: Technically, it’s the Vocal Duo of the Year Award — first presented at the 1970 CMA Awards to Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner, before Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn’s four-year run. But in country music circles, it’s now informally known as the BROOKS & DUNN Award, named after the dynamic duo that turned 23 nominations into 14 wins, nine more than the next-closest act in that category (Sugarland and last month’s Champaign County Fair headliner, the Brothers Osborne).
* AP | A central Kansas police force sparked a firestorm by raiding a newspaper and the publisher’s home: A small central Kansas police department is facing a torrent of criticism for raiding a local newspaper’s office and the home of its owner and publisher, seizing computers and cellphones, and, in the publisher’s view, stressing his 98-year-old mother enough to cause her weekend death.
* News-Gazette | 4-H opened door to new worlds for newest Illinois Alumni Award Winner: 4-H isn’t just for farm kids, and it isn’t all about raising cattle, says Craig Pessman, who today will be honored as the organization’s 2023 Illinois Alumni Award Winner. The Champaign resident credits 4-H for giving him all kinds of skills he still uses today, plus a drive to dedicate himself to various philanthropic efforts.
* Tribune | As plan for invasive carp barrier hits another snag, scientists and citizens employ creative strategies to protect Lake Michigan: “They’re never going to get rid of them,” said Onedia Wolverton, of Missouri, who has been joining her son and his family at the Original Redneck Fishing Tournament for more than a decade. Her grandson, who is about to start college, has been coming since he was a little kid.
posted by Isabel Miller
Monday, Aug 14, 23 @ 7:39 am
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“gun marketing liability law”
JB and the Dem legislature doing their best to limit free speech. Pregnancy resource centers and now firearms.
Comment by Donnie Elgin Monday, Aug 14, 23 @ 8:27 am
===Pregnancy resource centers and now firearms.===
Dunno if you think these are good political takes…
“Republicans are dangerous to women’s health and see no restrictions on assault weapons as good for America.”
If Republicans thought these were winning platforms, they’d openly and loudly run on your thoughts.
Even Bailey… Darren Bailey… downplayed both your concerns.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Aug 14, 23 @ 8:56 am
Re: Tribune article on Free Speech v. Doxxing
This is actually a very good thing. I already know of a couple people who were literally “trolled” to the point of harm. Doxxing is a very real phenomenon that can cause very real economic and personal harm.
In children, we know it can lead to suicides because caused by peer groups attacking children. Among adults, it is a technique that can lead to job loss and financial problems including backruptcy, not to mention mental health crises, divorce, etc.
Thank you Pritzker and legislators for pursuing this.
Comment by H-W Monday, Aug 14, 23 @ 8:59 am
“Dunno if you think these are good political takes…”
It is not really about politics, rather it is about power, the use and abuse of it. I don’t look to Springfield to stifle the voices of those I may disagree with.
Comment by Donnie Elgin Monday, Aug 14, 23 @ 9:22 am
==Pregnancy resource centers and now firearms.==
If guns are free speech why do we need the 2nd amendment?
Not to mention that you have ignored actual free speech legislation (anti-book bans) to focus on laws aimed at eliminating “misinformation, deceptive practices, or misrepresentation” by supposed pregnancy centers. Those seem like things we should try to eliminate.
Do you believe laws against fraud and identify theft are a violation of free speech?
Comment by supplied_demand Monday, Aug 14, 23 @ 9:26 am
The raid on a newspaper in Kansas is troubling. Printing the truth about local officials? Try that in a small town…
Comment by Friendly Bob Adams Monday, Aug 14, 23 @ 9:43 am
==JB and the Dem legislature doing their best to limit free speech==
You can’t market cigarettes to them. What’s the difference here?
Comment by Demoralized Monday, Aug 14, 23 @ 9:46 am
==rather it is about power==
It’s about common sense.
Comment by Demoralized Monday, Aug 14, 23 @ 9:47 am
===What’s the difference here? ===
The argument is that cigarettes aren’t in the US Constitution.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Aug 14, 23 @ 9:47 am
===It is not really about politics===
Winners make policy. Winners.
It’s like the assault weapons ban that expired, by passively letting it.
That was politics too.
===rather it is about power, the use and abuse of it.===
The idea that deaths attributed to guns you find “regrettable”, the power to limit those things from happening, like a national ban that was in place before… that wasn’t abuse, but it was the politics to let it expire.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Aug 14, 23 @ 9:48 am
==The argument is that cigarettes aren’t in the US Constitution.==
Their argument is that the 2nd Amendment is some sort of super amendment that, unlike other amendments, can’t possibly have any restrictions related to it. All of the other Amendments would disagree.
Comment by Demoralized Monday, Aug 14, 23 @ 9:50 am
Glad to see the gun manufacturers liability law passed and signed. This is a HUGE step towards holding alcoholic beverage manufacturers and distributors liable for drunk driving deaths. And maybe auto manufacturers. I’m sure attorneys are celebrating, but still, thank you Governor Pritzker for opening this door.
Comment by Motambe Monday, Aug 14, 23 @ 9:51 am
@ Motambe
That door was already open. It is simply being modified.
Corporations have been regulated for decades with regard to public harms their activities and/or commodities produce. What is different here, is that the a few privileged corporations are having their privileges removed, so that dangerous commodities and activities are being held to the same standards as others have been held for decades.
Comment by H-W Monday, Aug 14, 23 @ 10:15 am
Donnie Elgin still thinks smokes should be advertised on the TV. Got it.
Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Monday, Aug 14, 23 @ 11:01 am
The First Amendment lets you swear but it also lets the government prohibit you from dropping the F word 15 times on Sesame Street.
Comment by Stephanie Kollmann Monday, Aug 14, 23 @ 11:27 am
Re mandatory auto insurance. Glad to see we’re getting closer to “mandatory” auto insurance. In 1987, SoS Edgar was asked (saw this on WGN) about using technology to get close to what we have now. He said (paraphrasing): “Allstate and State Farm don’t want that!” Apparently Edgar legislation takes a long time to actually get implemented. /s
Comment by Anyone Remember Monday, Aug 14, 23 @ 1:54 pm
About the firearm liability law, according to the article: “In determining whether firearm advertising campaigns are geared toward minors, the law says that could mean promotions that use caricatures that “reasonably appear to be minors or cartoon characters,” offer brand name merchandise for minors such as clothing, toys, or stuffed animals, or products in “sizes, colors, or designs that are specifically designed to be used by, or appeal to, minors.”
So now it is illegal to print “Ruger” or “Smith and Wesson” or “Remington” on a kid’s shirt? What if hunting and teaching to hunt is part of that family’s tradition. Similarly, if the add for the JR-15 that everyone is talking about instead showed a .22LR lever-action Henry or a .22 target pistol, would there have been such an uproar?
Comment by CJA Monday, Aug 14, 23 @ 5:24 pm