THE ILLINOIZE: Where are we?...Illinois mask mandate ends...GOP frustrated with stalled ethics reform...Rep. Mike Halpin's future

May 18, 2021

Good morning from Springfield.

There are 14 days until the General Assembly is scheduled to adjourn, 301 days to the March primary, and 159 days since the Pritzker administration responded to a question from The Illinoize.

The Senate was in for 18 minutes yesterday. Both the House and Senate gavel in at noon today.

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Let’s get to it, shall we?

WHERE DOES EVERYTHING STAND?

Two weeks to go and it appears we’re kind of in “stand by” mode in a lot of things.

1- The congressional remap being “floated” Sunday according to Crain’s wasn’t true. It was a hypothetical map drawn by Dave Wasserman of the Cook Political Report after Cheri Bustos announced she wasn’t seeking re-election. Interestingly enough, Crain’s hasn’t retracted the story.

2- By the way, I’m told the House and Senate Democrats are “closer” on a map agreement, but not there yet. Maybe we’ll see them this week, along with a Congressional map and maybe a new Supreme Court remap. Remember, Democrats can power through anything they want with their supermajorities in the House and Senate.

3- House Majority Leader Greg Harris (D-Chicago) said Friday lawmakers are still trying to figure out how to close a $1.3 billion hole in the budget that Democrats hope to pass by May 31. As far as I’m told, Governor JB Pritzker’s proposed cuts aren’t part of the current draft, but we’ll see what stays in.

4- There’s ethics (more below), energy, police reform edits, how to spend federal bailout money, etc. that are still “up in the air.” We’ll keep you in the loop.

MASKS OFF! MOSTLY…

Governor JB Pritzker has said all along he would follow CDC guidance on masks. Now that the CDC has encouraged rolling back mask mandates, Pritzker is holding to his word.

He issued a new executive order yesterday ending the state’s mask mandate for vaccinated people.

“People who have been vaccinated, really, are being protected, that’s what the studies are showing,” Pritzker said at an unrelated news conference Monday. “We’re protected against the variants so far, and that’s great news. People who aren’t vaccinated, however, are unprotected [and] can give it to each other. Those who are vaccinated don’t seem to carry the virus and shed it to other people. Those who are unvaccinated, unfortunately, can and do.”

That’s why we got vaccinated, to be protected.

I’m interested to see how many businesses continue a stronger masking requirement. The signs are still up all over my hotel in Springfield. I’m tempted to walk in to the Statehouse this morning without a mask just to see how long before I get stopped. (I’m fully vaccinated and tested negative yesterday in accordance with the Senate’s silly requirements). I’ll report back to subscribers tomorrow. (subscribe!)

GOP GRUMBLES ABOUT ETHICS BILL

Senate Republicans complained Monday Democrats are dragging their feet on an ethics proposal and offered their own bill.

The Senate GOP legislation, which is filed after the Senate’s third reading deadline and will likely never get a hearing or vote, amplifies the issues the GOP has been focused on regarding corruption in state politics.

“We are wasting time. This is not a process that has been transparent,” said Sen. John Curran (R-Downers Grove). “And, with two weeks to go, the matter is now critical. We must pass meaningful ethics reform for the people of Illinois to move this government forward.”

Sen. Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights), the sponsor of the Senate bill, has not responded to requests to discuss the delay in the legislation with The Illinoize.

Rep. Kelly Burke (D-Evergreen Park), who is the lead in the House on the issue, told us last month there were disagreements about the length of a revolving door period, and many lawmakers supported tighter reporting of economic interests.

The GOP has criticized Democrats for a 6-month ban on lobbying after leaving office (with possible loopholes, depending on who you ask). The GOP bill has a one-year revolving door period.

“Our belief is one year would be a giant step forward for a state that has no revolving door ban currently,” Curran said.

Read more here.

WHAT’S HALPIN DOING?

Rep. Mike Halpin (D-Rock Island) has taken over as Chairman of the Rock Island County Democratic Party and may be aiming at the seat in Congress being vacated by Congresswoman Cheri Bustos.

Halpin told the Quad City Times he’s “considering” a run for Congress.

"I'm looking at it, but right now I am focused on finishing up the (legislative) session," he said. "We've got a lot of work to do in the last two weeks, so it's not something I'm putting a lot of energy into right now. I'll probably make a decision sometime over the summer.

"It's fair to say I am considering it. I certainly haven't made up my mind yet."

If Democrats add more of Rockford to the district, you could see the DCCC put a focus on Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara or Rep. Maurice West (D-Rockford) for the seat. You can add this to the “map dependent” list.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Happy Birthday today to former State Representative Rich Bradley. My lovely friend Stephanie Stuart, VP of Communications and External Affairs at Parkland College celebrates tomorrow. Former State Rep. Skip Saviano and former Sen. Toi Hutchinson celebrate Thursday. Former Senator Ed Maloney celebrates Saturday.

BEFORE WE GO

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Have a great week.