THE ILLINOIZE: Monday Free for All...The Chinese company coming to Kankakee County...The hypocrisy of CTU's leader...Bears reopen stadium discussion
September 11, 2023
Good morning, Illinois.
Today marks the 22nd anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. We’ve written about this over the years, including our 2021 retelling with the great Carol Marin on her incredible story of survival in New York that day. We also shared stories of notable Illinoisans, like former Commerce Secretary Bill Daley and former Congressman John Shimkus.
Last year, I spoke to former Congressman Ray LaHood about his experience in Washington that day.
Personally, I always share the story of Welles Crowther, The Man in the Red Bandana. It’s moving and I hope you’ll take a few minutes to watch.
We also reported this weekend that longtime downstate Rep. Bill Black has passed away. He was 81 and was just the best guy.
Thanks for all of your support of The Illinoize. Remember, we’re fully supported by your subscriptions. It’s the easiest way to show your support for the independent, non-partisan content we’re putting out. Just click below to join us.
Let’s get to it.
YOUR MONDAY FREE FOR ALL
(note: we’re not responsible for paywalls and restrictions from other news outlets, because good journalism isn’t free)
Lured by $500 million in state incentives, Chinese firm plans $2 billion electric vehicle battery plant in Manteno (Chicago Tribune)
Lured by more than a half a billion dollars in state incentives, a Chinese electric vehicle battery maker plans to operate a manufacturing plant in Kankakee County that Illinois officials say will create 2,600 full-time jobs and further propel the state toward its goal of being a hub for the nation’s burgeoning EV industry.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker applauded Gotion’s plans as he stood with some of its top executives in Manteno, where the $2 billion plant is slated to begin its operations next year, producing lithium ion battery packs and battery cells to power electric buses, cars and trucks, and its products worldwide.
“Today, we take another giant leap forward,” Pritzker said. “This is the largest electric vehicle battery production investment in Illinois to date.”
The $536 million in incentives Pritzker pledged to Gotion were made possible by various legislation passed through the Democrat-led Illinois General Assembly within the last couple of years. The incentives include $125 million from the Invest in Illinois Fund, which created a $400 million “closing fund” for EV manufacturers and other companies to do business in the state in exchange for favorable financing.
In addition, Gotion will be eligible to receive $213 million in tax breaks over 30 years, according to the governor’s office.
Pritzker’s praise of a Chinese company such as Gotion comes at a time when some Republicans have argued against encouraging businesses with ties to China because of the country’s adversarial relationship with the U.S.
A Pritzker spokesman dismissed such criticism as “nothing more than political grandstanding.”
The Governor’s office will absolutely have to deal with legislative and political pushback over giving $500 million to a company seen by many as owned by the Chinese government.
Related: Manteno lands manufacturing plant (Kankakee Daily Journal)
Illinois lands Chinese EV battery plant as Pritzker, Duckworth seek more deals with Asian companies (Chicago Sun-Times)
Gotion unveils ambitious plan for Manteno battery plant (Crain’s Chicago Business)
Chicago Teachers Union president defends sending her son to private school (WBEZ)
The head of the Chicago Teachers Union is facing backlash for sending her eldest child to a private high school, a decision she says represents a stark statement about disinvestment in public schools and drives home why the fight to fully fund neighborhood schools is so important.
An online news site run by a former CTU employee revealed on Saturday that CTU President Stacy Davis Gates is sending her freshman son to a Catholic school on the South Side.
In an interview with WBEZ, Davis Gates said she is critical of school choice initiatives that siphon money from public schools, saying they are partly to blame for the lack of resources available to neighborhood schools.
“It was a very difficult decision for us because there is not a lot to offer Black youth who are entering high school” in Chicago, Davis Gates said. “In many of our schools on the South Side and the West Side, the course offerings are very marginal and limited. Then the other thing, and it was a very strong priority, was his ability to participate in co-curricular and extracurricular activities, which quite frankly, don’t exist in many of the schools, high schools in particular.”
It’s worth noting the “Invest in Kids” program that has yet to be renewed by legislators is not funded by the government. And, yes, Gates is absolutely fair game for her hypocrisy about private schools.
Related: Editorial: The CTU chief's actions speak louder than her words (Crain’s Chicago Business)
Vallas: CTU leader Stacy Davis Gates’ latest comments are clearly aimed at supporters of school choice (Chicago Tribune)
Bears revive Chicago stadium hopes as season kicks off (Crain’s Chicago Business)
In a letter to season ticket holders, Bears president Kevin Warren said the team has reengaged with the city of Chicago, reviving an idea once believed to be dead — a new, indoor stadium complex in downtown Chicago.
In his letter, Warren acknowledged that Arlington Heights and other municipalities were still under consideration — but the focus was pointedly on the idea of building a new stadium in the city itself.
With a capacity of 61,500, Soldier Field is among the smallest stadiums in the NFL. Last season, the Bears were next-to-last in average game attendance (59,823).
Related: Chicago Bears’ search for new stadium continues as a new season begins — with roadblocks in all directions (Chicago Tribune)
LAST WEEK FROM THE ILLINOIZE.COM
POLITICAL POTPOURRI
All bets are on: Bally’s temporary Chicago casino opens for business at Medinah Temple (Chicago Sun-Times)
Illinois House Speaker Emanuel ‘Chris’ Welch’s staffers say he’s rebuffed their efforts to unionize (Chicago Tribune)
Complaint alleges ComEd violated state law by raising fees on customer bills (Capitol News Illinois)
Illinois governor’s mansion haunted by history, hijinks, heirlooms and art — but no ghosts (Chicago Sun-Times)
Why Sen. Duckworth slammed cartoon mocking Senators as disabled and aged (Chicago Sun-Times)
Three big questions, asked and answered, about Chicago’s move to an elected school board (WBEZ)
Michael Madigan relinquishing his remaining elected post as Democratic committeeman (Chicago Tribune)
Kankakee superintendent Walters running for 79th seat (Kankakee Daily Journal)
Johnson woos business community as a partner in government (Crain’s Chicago Business)
Editorial: Brandon Johnson uses race to try to preempt legitimate criticism. That won’t work well for Chicago. (Chicago Tribune)
Editorial: No, Mayor Johnson, tent cities won’t solve migrant crisis (Chicago Sun-Times)
Stoller: Business shouldn't be on the hook for $5 billion in unemployment fraud (Crain’s Chicago Business)
Opinion: Governor has position for everyone on nuclear power (Champaign News-Gazette)
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