THE ILLINOIZE: Energy bill vote next week?...Valencia in for Secretary of State...Who will challenge Duckworth?...About full reopening this week
June 8, 2021
Good morning.
Our break from Springfield may not last long as there were published reports last night of a potential return to the State Capitol next week.
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Let’s get to it.
ENERGY BILL VOTE POSSIBLE NEXT WEEK
It appears the General Assembly could return to Springfield next week for a vote on an expansive energy bill that would likely include subsidies to keep nuclear plants in the state open, force the eventual closure of coal-fired power plants in the state, and likely include incentives for green energy projects.
Senate President Don Harmon apparently told Crain’s Chicago Business of his plans for the legislation yesterday.
Harmon, D-Oak Park, said he didn’t expect there to be changes to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s insistence that all coal-fired plants in Illinois shut down by 2035, despite the entreaties of municipally-owned utilities that are on the hook past that date to pay for the Prairie State plant built a little over a decade ago. Those utilities, and unions representing workers at the plant in Marissa, Ill., about 40 miles southeast of St. Louis, continue to lobby lawmakers to permit the plant to stay open longer.
When asked for details or confirmation about the story last night, Harmon’s spokesman referred us to a statement last week saying Harmon “supports” Governor JB Pritzker on energy talks.
There’s little detail floating around at this point about how much taxpayers or ratepayers could be on the hook, especially for Exelon, the parent company of Commonwealth Edison, which pleaded guilty in a federal bribery scheme attempting to win favor with former House Speaker Michael Madigan.
Some downstate lawmakers have been balking at conditions in the bill to close coal-fired powerplants, like three downstate, by 2035.
Last week, Rep. Tim Butler (R-Springfield) said energy sources like wind can’t replace coal, especially in the short term.
“We don’t question the increased role renewables will play in our state’s energy future, but we have to create responsible transitional policy that includes diversity of baseload resources to ensure our electric grid remains strong as further technologies are developed,” he said.
The Sun-Times had a good piece on those downstate coal plants.
Subscribers will get more details this week as they become available.
VALENCIA IN FOR SECRETARY OF STATE
Chicago City Clerk Anna Valencia officially jumped in the race for Secretary of State yesterday, though she had basically been campaigning for months.
“Running an office that serves all people — Chicago, downstate, in the suburbs, everyday working class people of all races, just like my family — requires the highest standards of integrity and an honor,” the Granite City native said. “That has been the hallmark of my career, and it will be the hallmark of my service as secretary of state.”
Valencia made her announcement at the headquarters of the Painters District Council 14, which also is backing her bid along with Unite Here Local 1. The unions will provide the boots on the ground, and financial support, needed for the statewide race, which is becoming increasingly hotly contested.
Roushaunda Williams, a leader with Unite Here Local 1 and vice president of the Illinois chapter of the AFL-CIO, said Valencia has “truly earned her place in the heart of our union members,” pointing to her “meetings with fire union workers, walking picket lines with striking hotel workers, advocating for policies that help working people.”
Valencia, 36, has roots downstate as she was raised in Granite City in the Metro East.
She’s joining a crowded primary filled with Chicago Alderman David Moore, Alderwoman Pat Dowell, Sen. Michael Hastings (D-Tinley Park), and former State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias. Giannoulais picked up the endorsement of progressive Congressman Chuy Garcia (D-Chicago) over the weekend.
Subscribers will get a more detailed breakdown of the race in our newsletter on either Wednesday or Friday.
WHO WILL CHALLENGE DUCKWORTH?
With Congressman Adam Kinzinger holding firm to his position that he intends to seek re-election to Congress next year and not run for U.S. Senate, some Republicans are concerned if the state GOP will be able to field a credible candidate in the race against incumbent Senator Tammy Duckworth.
Prior to Kinzinger’s denouncements of former President Donald Trump following the January insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, many Republicans had considered him a GOP candidate best suited to knock off Duckworth in what many expect to be a friendly year for Republicans around the country.
One potential candidate is former State Representative David McSweeney, a hardline fiscal conservative from suburban Barrington Hills. He has long been rumored to be interested in a run for U.S. Senate. His spokesman told The Illinoize yesterday McSweeney is “not ruling out” a run for Senate, though wouldn’t be more specific.
Four prospective Republican candidates have filed paperwork with the Federal Elections Commission to run for Senate in 2022. Of them, only 2020 GOP primary runner up Peggy Hubbard has any money on hand as of April 1st, but only around $5,000 compared to Duckworth’s $3.7 million.
Many Republican operatives and experts say, even with perceived flaws among pro-Trump Republicans, Kinzinger is likely the only candidate Republicans in Washington will likely get behind with money and organization.
WHAT WILL FULL REOPENING LOOK LIKE?
As you have likely heard, the state and city of Chicago will move into Phase 5 of re-opening Friday. That is, essentially, a full re-opening in most corners of the state.
If you’re unclear on anything, the state put out new guidance the other day.
A couple of notes:
Even if fully vaccinated, we’re required to wear masks on public transportation, in congregate facilities, in health care settings, and in other places where masks are required.
It appears businesses can also require patrons to wear a mask, so don’t be a jerk.
The new masking rules don’t apply to schools as they’re guided by the State Board of Education.
Bottom line (TL;DR, as the kids say) is this: vaccines work. If you’re vaccinated, you’re good to go about your life as if it were still January of 2020. If you’re not vaccinated, well, you should get vaccinated.
HAPPY BIRTHDAYS
I think with the end of session, we missed these, so apologies to those missed.
Happy Birthdays this week:
Today: State Representative Tom Bennett
Tomorrow: Brian Moline from WILL in Urbana
Thursday: Former Senator Jim Oberweis
Friday: Former State Representative Cal Skinner of McHenry County Blog, former State Rep. Sandy Pihos, GOP politico and my pal Nick Klitzing, and Jim Tarmann from the Illinois Corn Growers Association
Saturday: State Representative John D’Amico, the great Deb Detmers, former State Rep. Jill Zwick
Sunday: Champaign City Councilwoman Vanna Pianfetti
BEFORE WE GO…
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