THE ILLINOIZE: The inside story on vaccine distribution...Hearing scheduled on vaccine delays...Who is Gary Rabine?...Super Bowl bets...Two new African American senators and their political future...
February 9, 2021
If you’re a fan of Chicago Public League High School basketball, yesterday’s comments from Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot were less than ideal:
“I’m not aware that they’re playing basketball and other contact sports. And we’re starting to get that geared up here in Chicago. But I thought the question was really specific to things like high school basketball. I’m not aware of that happening. I’ve been watching it pretty closely. But if there is a pathway as allowed by the state, then we will start looking into that ourselves.”
Many downstate schools started playing as early as January 30. Most suburban schools were playing by this past weekend.
Obviously, Lightfoot has a lot on her plate related just to schools, not to mention governing a city of 3 million during a pandemic, but looking aloof or out of touch on the issue doesn’t help her. I’ve always told political clients that “I don’t know” is an ok answer. I’d rather a politician say “we’ll get back to you on that” instead of inserting the proverbial foot into the proverbial mouth.
But I’m not doing the Mayor’s PR, obviously.
Let’s get into it.
THE VACCINE HEADACHE
The stories are everywhere. Seniors 65 and older, some with serious medical conditions, unable to find an appointment for the COVID-19 vaccine.
We spent much of the day yesterday speaking with nearly a dozen local public health officials from across the state about why the vaccine rollout has been slow, the reason so little supply exists to meet the demand, and why it is so hard to get an appointment.
The first issue appears to be supply, obviously. In Lake County, the public health director tells us to reach herd immunity in the county, they would have to distribute 43,000 vaccines per week for six months. So far, they’ve received fewer than 50,000 doses.
So, yeah.
It’s also difficult for counties to schedule out appointments for the vaccine, as they’re only getting a few days notice from the state about how many doses that county will receive. That makes it impossible to schedule an appointment a week, two, or three weeks out.
I kind of wrote a book, but it’s an interesting view, in my opinion, on the ground.
Whether these are federal or state issues or a combination of both, Governor Pritzker, President Biden, the pharmaceutical companies, and every level of government needs to accept responsibility for the situation on the ground and get to fixing it.
SENATE HEARING THURSDAY
A leading Senate Democrat has called a hearing for Thursday on the state’s slow rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Sen. Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest), who chairs the Senate Health Committee announced yesterday the committee will take testimony Thursday on the problems distributing the vaccine.
“The COVID-19 vaccine is the greatest line of defense we have against the pandemic,” Morrison said. “Unfortunately, many people across the state who are eligible for the vaccine haven’t been able to get their dose, and that’s disheartening. I hope this hearing will lead us toward a path of greater efficiency.”
Interestingly, it appears Morrison is the first Senate Democrat to publicly question the administration’s rollout of the vaccine (if I missed it anywhere, please let me know.)
IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike and numerous local public health departments are scheduled to testify Thursday.
RABINE FOR GOVERNOR?
The headline is a little confusing, as the Daily Herald says suburban businessman Gary Rabine is “pondering” a run for Governor, but then says in the story he is running for Governor.
So, clear signal there.
We reported last month that Rabine has told party leaders he was “seriously interested” in running for Governor. A GOP operative told us at the time that Rabine is a “Trump guy” and would “immediately remind people of Bruce Rauner,” things that probably don’t help to win over crucial suburban voters in a general election.
I’m told by Republicans who know him that Rabine is a “super nice guy,” though has an opposition research book full of controversial statements. I’m also told that he has hired former Ted Cruz campaign manager Jeff Roe’s firm to run a potential campaign.
I called Rabine yesterday and he did not call me back.
Here’s part of a public access TV interview Rabine gave recently.
BRADY’S BUCS MAKE BUCKS FOR BETTORS
Illinois bettors wagered more than $45 million dollars on Sunday’s Super Bowl, according to figures released yesterday by the Illinois Gaming Board.
95% of the money was wagered online, as its obviously easier to bet on an app on your phone than walking into a casino during a pandemic, but it clearly shows the appetite for sports gaming in the state.
This may be a little inside baseball, but the adjusted gross receipts, which is the amount wagered minus the amount paid out to winners was around $7.6 million. So, Touchdown Tommy made quite a few bucks for gamblers in Illinois Sunday. (Like an idiot, I bet on Kansas City.)
The state tax take? $1.1 million.
The gaming bill was signed into law in June 2019, but sports gaming wasn’t up and running for the Super Bowl last year. The next interesting test will be the NCAA Tournament. Sports gaming debuted March 9 last year, about a week before the NCAA Tournament was cancelled.
Unfortunately, though, you can’t rush to get your bets in for the #6 ranked Fighting Illini to win it all as you can’t bet on any Illinois college teams.
THE NEW SENATORS
Both open Democratic senate seats were filled by African Americans this weekend, adding additional influence for the Senate Black caucus in the chamber.
Springfield Alderwoman and Sangamon County Democratic Party Chair Doris Turner was selected to replace former Sen. Andy Manar, who resigned last month to take a job in the Pritzker administration. Turner represents a district that was drawn specifically for Manar in 2011 and includes numerous working class white areas that strongly supported Donald Trump in 2016 and 2020.
Her district will look much different in 2022, assuredly, and she may find herself in a dogfight depending on how strong of a Democratic district mapmakers can draw her. Depending on how the district looks in 2022, don’t be surprised if you see her matched up against Sen. Steve McClure (R-Springfield).
On the north side of Chicago, most had assumed that Rep. Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago) was all but a shoo-in for the seat of former Sen. Heather Steans, who resigned January 31. Apparently, though, Chicago Alderman Harry Osterman, who controlled a large chunk of the weighted vote for the appointment, swung away from Cassidy for some reason (and there’s plenty of speculation), and he ended up pushing the appointment to Mike Simmons, the former Policy Director for Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and now works with the Obama Foundation.
Simmons may be in the exact opposite spot as Sen. Turner. His seat will likely be safely Democratic, but will probably have to shift borders, at least somewhat, to account for population loss in the city of Chicago. That could lead to a progressive suburban challenger, depending on the map, Simmons’ fundraising, and, obviously, how he votes.
Interestingly enough, Democrats were quick to lob grenades at Tracy’s appointment. Typically, the state Democrats don’t pay much mind into the workings of the state GOP, but with potentially shaky footing heading into the 2022 election, party leaders may be getting ready to turn up the rhetoric.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Former State Senator Susan Garrett, the co-founder and chair of the bipartisan Center for Illinois Politics, celebrates on Thursday.
BEFORE WE GO…
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