THE ILLINOIZE: Pritzker says state not looking at funding new Bears stadium...Who will run for Supreme Court next year?...85 COVID cases at downstate summer camp
June 29, 2021
Good morning.
Governor JB Pritzker held a media event yesterday afternoon at a manufacturing facility in the North Lawndale neighborhood of Chicago and I noticed something interesting…the Governor was wearing a mask.
He said it was precaution for the rise in the number of Delta variant cases in Illinois and around the country.
“It is just out of an abundance of caution,” Pritzker said when asked why he was wearing the face covering even after he was fully vaccinated. “I wanted to wear a mask today. You know, we have a number of people here and I thought it was appropriate to do so.”
Of course, the crazy brigade jumped in. But, of course, that crowd doesn’t care that there is concern that the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which the Governor received, is less effective against the Delta variant than the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.
I keep a mask with me and really only wear it where required (the post office or train, for instance), but I think the science shows I’m safe, even in a crowd.
That said, are you still wearing a mask?
Speaking of the Governor, he's scheduled to sign the college athlete name, image, and likeness bill today in Champaign.
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Also, a programming note, we’re planning to be on vacation next week for the first time since the end of the pandemic, so we aren’t planning to publish any newsletters next week (Tuesday, July 6-Friday, July 9). If something blows up, though, we’ll jump in.
As always, drop me a note at patrick@theillinoize.com if you have any comments, questions, thoughts, or concerns. I love to hear what’s on your mind.
Let’s get to it.
PRITZKER: FUNDING FOR BEARS “NOT SOMETHING WE’RE LOOKING AT”
The Governor was asked yesterday whether there were conversations about state funding for a new Chicago Bears stadium in suburban Arlington Heights.
The Bears, as you know, are bidding on the site of the current Arlington International Racecourse, which is expected to close at the end of the season.
“That’s not something we’re looking at right now,” said Pritzker. “Obviously, there are private business decisions being made.”
While the Governor didn’t really want to engage on the entire situation, it does impact the state. The state allowed the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority (which is a government branch) to sell bonds totaling nearly $400 million to renovate Soldier Field in 2002.
The state still owes hundreds of millions of dollars on the bonds, and it probably wouldn’t help paying them off (through hotel taxes and the like) if people are renting rooms for Bears games and eating in restaurants 20 miles outside of the Loop.
There’s still a long way to go here, but I’ve said before, it’s hard to believe there’s the money to do this thing.
THE 2022 SUPREME COURT SHAKEUP
New Supreme Court districts enacted by the General Assembly in May will surely have an impact on the makeup of the Supreme Court beyond the 2022 election, but it isn’t clear yet how competitive the new districts will be and who may be coming or going from the current court.
Under the new map, Cook County will continue to have three of the seven seats on the court, and all three will likely continue to remain in Democratic hands for the foreseeable future.
Supreme Court Justice Rita Garman, who lives in Danville in the current 4th District, had her home moved into the 5th District, which is represented by Justice David Overstreet, who won his seat in 2020. Garman is up for retention in 2020 and, obviously, can’t serve in the same district Overstreet serves.
Garman, who is 77, could still seek retention in the 4th District, according to John Pastuovic of the Illinois Civil Justice League, a group referred to by some as “right-leaning,” which advocates for legal reform.
“My interpretation of the constitution is that she can seek retention in the 4th,” Pastuovic said.
He says it would likely mean if Garman wins retention in the new district (which runs from Springfield to Rockford and includes Bloomington-Normal, Peoria, and the Quad Cities) she has until the term starts to move into the district.
Appointed Justice Michael Burke, a Republican, who currently represents the 2nd District, had his home in DuPage County moved into the new 3rd District. He would have to seek a full term in the new 3rd, which includes DuPage, Will, Kankakee, and LaSalle Counties. Current Third District Justice Robert Carter, a Democrat, was appointed this year to replace former Justice Tom Kilbride, who lost a retention race last year. Carter lives in Ottawa.
Bruce Rauner beat Pat Quinn 60.7% to 39.3% in those counties in 2014. Rauner then proceeded to lose the same district 50.5% to 49.5% to JB Pritzker in 2018. Of course, 2014 was a Democratic President’s midterm election and 2018 was the midterm for a Republican President.
That potentially leaves only the new 2nd District without an incumbent. The new district will include Lake, McHenry, DeKalb, Kane, and Kendall counties. It is considered to be a potential toss-up district. Pritzker beat Rauner 50.4% to 49.6% in those counties in 2018, but Rauner defeated incumbent Democrat Pat Quinn 62%-38% in the same counties in 2014.
We’ll share some more detailed numbers with paid subscribers tomorrow.
CAMP COVID
The state announced yesterday 85 teens and an adult staff member at a downstate summer camp have tested positive for COVID-19.
One unvaccinated, young adult was hospitalized. Although all campers and staff were eligible for vaccination, IDPH is aware of only a handful of campers and staff receiving the vaccine. The camp was not checking vaccination status and masking was not required while indoors. IDPH is reminding people about the importance of vaccination, including youth, as the Delta variant and other variants continue to spread.
“The majority of the 85 COVID-19 cases associated with the youth camp are among teens,” said IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. “The perceived risk to children may seem small, but even a mild case of COVID-19 can cause long-term health issues. Additionally, infected youth who may not experience severe illness can still spread the virus to others, including those who are too young to be vaccinated or those who don’t build the strong expected immune response to the vaccine.”
A couple individuals who were at the camp also attended a nearby conference, which resulted in 11 additional cases. At least 70% of those cases were unvaccinated. The vaccines currently authorized in the U.S. have been shown to be effective among individuals who are fully vaccinated, even against the more transmissible and serious variants. Schuyler and Adams counties, where the outbreaks occurred, are seeing approximately 40% of their population fully vaccinated.
The state didn’t reveal the name of the camp, but the Peoria Journal-Star reported it was campers at the Crossing Camp in Rushville, a church camp in Schuyler County.
Vaccines work, kids.
HAPPY BIRTHDAYS
Today- Sen. Dave Syverson
Tomorrow- former Rep. Dave Winters
Friday- Rep. Will Davis and former Rep. Mike Unes
Saturday- the great Rick Pearson of the Chicago Tribune and former Rep. Eileen Lyons
Sunday- Rep. Dan Brady (60!) and Rep. Sam Yingling
Monday- Congressman Darin LaHood and former Rep. Jim Brosnahan
BEFORE WE GO
What would you like to see to make this newsletter better? I’d like your input! Drop me a note at patrick@theillinoize.com.
We’ll have more for paid subscribers tomorrow and Friday. So, obviously, you want to become a paid subscriber! For everyone else, we’ll plan to see you here July 13th.
Talk to you then.