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* ICYMI:Ambitious plan aims to raise $400 million to halve Chicago shootings, homicides in 5 years. Sun-Times…
* Related stories…
* Isabel’s top picks…
* Sun-Times | In Illinois politics, remaps keep the powerful in power: The Chicago Sun-Times, WBEZ and the University of Chicago are examining the challenges to American democracy as part of the Democracy Solutions Project. The state’s redistricting ritual — largely carried out behind closed doors — most recently led two downstate districts to elect more extreme candidates while protecting and enhancing Democratic powers in other areas of the state. And while the dust settles on the last remap, there are already advocates plotting the 2030 map and pushing for reform.
* WAND | Illinois lawmakers could cap monthly inhaler costs this spring: “We estimate that about 1.4 million people in Illinois have chronic lung disease, so asthma and COPD,” said Kristina Hamilton, Illinois advocacy director for the American Lung Association. The bill could cap the monthly cost of prescription inhalers at $25. People needing multiple inhalers per month would only pay $50. This change will not prevent health plans that already allow people to pay much lower co-pays.
* CNI | Democratic leaders poised to revisit Biometric Information Privacy Act after court rulings: State Sen. Bill Cunningham, D-Chicago, a high-ranking member of the Senate, said the proposal he filed this week strikes a balance between business groups’ concerns over the law and its original intent. “We think that the security restrictions embedded in (the law) are very important and we want to keep them in place, but we do want to address the way liability accrues so that businesses are not unfairly punished for technical violations of the act,” he said.
* Cast your votes…
HAPPY GROUNDHOG DAY: We are LIVE in Woodstock, IL this morning where Groundhog Day was filmed! Will Woodstock Willie see his shadow? The square is packed with people for the yearly celebration! ✨ pic.twitter.com/SXtB6pCGJv
— 13 WREX (@13WREX) February 2, 2024
* Here’s the rest of your morning roundup…
* Sun-Times | Eileen O’Neill Burke would lose $211,000 yearly pension if elected Cook County state’s attorney. Here’s why: The law doesn’t let officeholders collect pensions based even in part on past work for the same government agency. So O’Neill Burke would have to give up her pension for as long as she’d be in that office.
* Sun-Times | Illinois incumbents in Congress have fundraising advantage over rivals heading into March primary: Once again — and this has been the case for years — the champion fundraiser among House members from Illinois is U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., who collected $5,529,137 in 2023 and who has a balance of $15,360,692. He’s one of the top fundraisers in the entire Congress. As I’ve reported previously, Krishnamoorthi is stockpiling cash for a potential Senate run. Krishnamoorthi faces no primary Democratic opponent in his northwest suburban 8th Congressional District.
* Block Club | The Strokes Playing Chicago Show To Benefit Kina Collins Campaign: The Grammy Award-winning rock band is performing March 8 at the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Credit Union 1 Arena with local indie band Beach Bunny and musician NNAMDI, according to a news release. Tickets go on sale 10 a.m. Friday.
* Illinois Times | Doing more for the homeless: The police department “wants to be part of the solution,” said Newman, the department’s homeless outreach team coordinator. “We don’t want to criminalize homelessness.”Newman and Allen said much more needs to be done. For example, Newman said there needs to be two or three more homeless outreach officers and more social workers such as Allen so all shifts can be staffed.
* Lake and McHenry County Scanner | 150 Lake County Jail inmates now housed in McHenry County Jail under new agreement amid staffing shortage: With current employee vacancies, staff on leave for medical and family reasons and other absences, the Lake County Sheriff’s Corrections Division is down nearly 40% of its normal staffing levels.
* Sun-Times | Johnson’s clout on the line with Bring Chicago Home referendum: The stakes are high for Johnson. He campaigned on a promise to create a dedicated funding source to help 68,000 unhoused Chicagoans. It’s something his predecessor promised, but failed to deliver. That broken promise by Lori Lightfoot alienated her progressive political base, contributing to her defeat last year.
* Sun-Times | Ald. Greg Mitchell accused of threatening building owner who housed migrants: A finger-pointing Mitchell then “threw papers off his desk and stood up and looked down on me and screamed at the top of his lungs. [He said], `You better watch your f—-ing ass walking around my ward because you are no longer safe.’ Then, he said, `You have a f—ing CHA contract, don’t you? Consider that terminated. After I make one phone call, you can kiss that s–t goodbye.”
* Crain’s | 180 laid off from University of Chicago Medical Center: In a statement to Crain’s, University of Chicago Medicine, the operator of the hospital, confirmed the cuts, which represent about 1% of the organization’s total workforce. The health system declined to disclose specific roles affected but said the majority are not direct patient facing.
* Crain’s | Judge denies abortion-rights group’s protest permit ahead of DNC: Last month, the grassroots organizations filed for a parade permit to march downtown on Michigan Avenue on Aug. 18, the day before the DNC convention kicks off. The city denied that permit request, arguing the proposed route would interfere with traffic, and suggested an alternative route on Columbus Drive between Roosevelt Road and Jackson Drive. Coalition members balked at the city’s proposal, which they believed gave protesters little visibility to the convention’s delegates, and appealed the decision.
* AP | Indiana legislation could hold back thousands of third graders who can’t read: Republicans have balked at those who have labeled the measure a “retention bill,” saying students need the intervention now. “Retention is the absolute last resort if we’ve exhausted all other methods to help struggling readers,” the bill’s author, state Sen. Linda Rogers, told lawmakers.
* SJ-R | ‘Doc’ Temple at 100: Still writing, Lincoln historian is ‘a phenomenon’: Temple, one of the preeminent Lincoln historians, turns 100 on Monday. He will celebrate with a party his fellow Masons and some historians are throwing for him. A sought-after lecturer, Temple has written more than 20 books, mostly on Lincoln covering everything from his military service to his religious beliefs. Pulitzer Prize-winning Lincoln biographer, the late David Herbert Donald, called Temple’s “Abraham Lincoln: From Skeptic to Prophet” the “best book ever written about Lincoln’s religious views.”
* WGN | WGN names Demetrius Ivory as chief meteorologist: “I’m so excited for Demetrius,” commented Tom Skilling, current Chief Meteorologist, WGN-TV. “Through weather stormy, sunny, and everything in between, Demetrius has delivered accurate, compelling forecasts. He has a huge rapport with the audience. I’ve been honored to have him by my side during severe breaking weather coverage over this past decade. I wish him my sincerest congratulations. He will be fantastic!”
* KFVS | World Shooting Complex in Sparta to host Grand American through 2036: “I’m thrilled we were able to extend this contract for another decade,” IDNR Director Natalie Phelps Finnie said in a release. “The ATA Grand is a premier event and an important economic driver for Randolph County and southern Illinois. It’s a privilege to host the Grand at the World Shooting Complex, and we look forward to continuing our strong partnership with the ATA.” The Grand American is the largest and oldest shooting event of its kind. According to a release from the IDNR, it features more than 20 events and brings in more than 5,000 competitors and spectators from around the world.
* AP | Puppy Bowl turns 20: Puppy Bowl, the original and longest running call-to-adoption television event, is turning 20 and this year it will feature 131 puppies, 73 shelters and rescues across 36 states and territories.
posted by Isabel Miller
Friday, Feb 2, 24 @ 7:46 am
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As someone who probably would support most of Alderman Mitchell’s votes on immigration issues before the council, if half of that is true the Alderman should be following Alderman Burke into prison.
Comment by lake county democrat Friday, Feb 2, 24 @ 8:08 am
The weather promises to be pretty good, so come out to Woodstock for a weekend full of Groundhog Day festivities! We’d love to have you.
Comment by State Rep Steve Reick Friday, Feb 2, 24 @ 8:31 am
I’m really annoyed that they don’t have Kitten Bowl anymore.
Comment by JoanP Friday, Feb 2, 24 @ 8:59 am
I would’ve just handed Ald. Mitchell a phone. Go on then, call CHA tough guy.
Comment by Three Dimensional Checkers Friday, Feb 2, 24 @ 8:59 am
“The Grand American is the largest and oldest shooting event of its kind…more than 20 events and brings in more than 5,000 competitors and spectators from around the world”
Having been to Sparta - this will be a much-needed boost to a wonderful but currently underutilized facility - Also great news for shooting sports and Southern Illinois tourism.
Comment by Donnie Elgin Friday, Feb 2, 24 @ 9:15 am
It’s an idea long overdue, but good thing the business and charity communities are kicking in more cash to substantially reduce violence in Chicago. Violence reduction should be a top national priority.
Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, Feb 2, 24 @ 9:35 am
Demetrius Ivory has been a fantastic #2 behind Tom Skilling for many years now. He also has Tom’s innate ability to nerd-out on weather concepts but still explain them in an understandable way.
Comment by The Truth Friday, Feb 2, 24 @ 9:35 am
=“I’m thrilled we were able to extend this contract for another decade,” =
Once again demonstrating that the “Illinois is anti-gun” and the gun grabber garbage is exactly that. Garbage. The Grand American is one of the largest events of its kind in the world. It used to be held in Dayton Ohio, but then Illinois lured them to Sparta because a lot of awesome things happen in Illinois everyday.
Comment by JS Mill Friday, Feb 2, 24 @ 9:45 am
My alderman in 45 is happy im sure someone else is on front page for inappropriate behavior besides him. Mitchell must have gone to the bill beavers school of politics
Comment by Regular democrat Friday, Feb 2, 24 @ 9:51 am
with Joan P. re Kitten Bowl. not only because cats but because it was actually more well done than Puppy Bowl.
Comment by Amalia Friday, Feb 2, 24 @ 10:21 am
Ald. Greg Mitchell lashes out at a property owner in his ward for housing migrants. What’s up with that?
Is Ald. Mitchell suffering from the “empty suit syndrome” or the “where’s mine mentality”?
Comment by Rudy’s teeth Friday, Feb 2, 24 @ 10:45 am
Another vote for the Kitten Bowl in part b/c it was more interesting and in part b/c our four kittens are holding us hostage pending this comment.
Comment by Flapdoodle Friday, Feb 2, 24 @ 11:22 am
The complex in Sparta is quite impressive, even to a non-gun person like me. It’ was a smart investment to build it. People with money to burn are spending a week down there and that has to be good for the locals. Same idea as DuQuoin State Fair.
Comment by Give Us Barabbas Friday, Feb 2, 24 @ 11:56 am
== Ambitious plan aims to raise $400 million to halve Chicago shootings, homicides … ==
Do we have any proof the previous spending has done any good?
Comment by RNUG Friday, Feb 2, 24 @ 12:25 pm
== The stakes are high for Johnson … ==
Sky high. He needs a win. If he doesn’t pull this off, he’ll pretty much be a lame duck for the rest of his term.
Comment by RNUG Friday, Feb 2, 24 @ 12:41 pm
Springfield homeless …
The recently opened shelter helps in that it expands year round capacity. But the way I read it, it only matches the winter capacity when the former Salvation Army site it included. So it’s a positive step, but just a small one. Really need to get the other planned facilities up and running.
Comment by RNUG Friday, Feb 2, 24 @ 12:47 pm
=Indiana…could hold back thousands of third graders who do not pass the state’s reading exam.=
A small remedial class has less stigma than “flunking.”
I’ve worked with these classes. Phonics is essential. Interest is equally essential. Once you determine the child’s interests and “hook” them on a book, they’ll beg to read it even if it’s above their reading level. Read-Alouds are great for motivation. They keep a vocabulary notebook, etc., etc.
Comment by TinyDancer(FKASue) Friday, Feb 2, 24 @ 12:59 pm
If students in grades 1-3 use traditional worksheets for phonics, paper, pencil and manuscript printing rather than computers and iPads, this might enhance classroom instruction.
Also, the Dolch Basic Sight Words, the Fry List, and phonics instruction should be a part of this process. A daily story from the Caldecott books—award winning children’s fiction—builds vocabulary for students.
For some younger students, a second year in kindergarten or first grade benefits students rather than retention in the upper grades.
Comment by Rudy’s teeth Friday, Feb 2, 24 @ 2:47 pm