THE ILLINOIZE: Thursday Free for All
September 9, 2021
Good morning.
The House is scheduled to return at 1pm today. As of last night, it doesn’t sound like unions are on board with the latest House version of the energy bill. We’ll see if they come to an agreement on something today.
House Democrats are also expected to accept Governor JB Pritzker’s minor Amendatory Veto of the ethics bill passed in May. More on that below.
And, Republican venture capitalist Jesse Sullivan announces for Governor this afternoon.
Just a quiet day in Illinois.
We’re going to have another subscriber-only issue for you tomorrow morning. We’ll have the fallout from the legislative session today and a look at some 9/11 memories as we approach the 20th anniversary of the attacks.
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Let’s get to it.
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How much is this energy bill really going to cost you? (Crain’s Chicago Business)
AARP Illinois estimates the energy bill state lawmakers are inching toward finally passing will cost the average household $15 more a month on their electric bill. Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration says it’s between $4 and $5. Who’s right?
A Crain’s analysis shows the reality is between the two, although people can have legitimate differences over what increases are due to the bill and what might have happened without it.
But there’s little doubt this ambitious initiative will be the costliest to consumers of the many energy laws Springfield has enacted over the last 25 years if it reaches the finish line later this week. Unlike some past efforts, which made utilities and their holding companies wealthier but managed at the same time to keep electric bill increases in the low single digits, this one will result in noticeably higher utility costs for average consumers.
By 2024, after expiration of Commonwealth Edison’s formula-rate system, the average household in northern Illinois will pay about $7.75 more per month for electricity just from the bill’s effects—a 9% increase over today, according to Crain’s analysis.
The typical single-family household (average residential usage in ComEd’s territory is skewed lower than other places, due to the large number of apartments) would pay an extra $10.40 per month by 2024. (AARP’s analysis examined the effect on single-family households and looked ahead 10 years. Many of the new annual charges will last 10 years.)
Related: Editorial: Watch your pocketbook as General Assembly pushes energy bill (Chicago Tribune)
GOP Wants Ethics Bill Redo, Dems to Proceed with Original Legislation (The Illinoize)
House Republicans say they want Democrats to throw out an ethics bill passed by the legislature in May and start over again. But the bill sponsor says that’s not going to happen.
The House surprisingly voted down Governor JB Pritzker’s minor Amendatory Veto of the ethics bill last week, effectively killing the bill unless it is brought back for another vote this week.
Bill sponsor Rep. Kelly Burke (D-Evergreen Park) says she is planning to call the bill for another vote Thursday to approve the Governor’s change and finalize the legislation.
But House Republicans held a news conference Wednesday calling on Democrats to throw the current legislation out and start over again and negotiate ethics reform that isn’t “watered down” or “toothless.”
Many Republicans, most of whom voted for the bill in May, point to the resignation of Legislative Inspector General Carol Pope as reason to start over on the bill. Pope criticized the bill, calling it a “paper tiger” that would take power away from her office and wouldn’t actually clean up corruption in the state.
“If we are ever going to get true and meaningful anti-corruption reforms in Illinois and true accountability for politicians, we need an independent Legislative Inspector General,” said Rep. Avery Bourne (R-Morrisonville.) “ The bill they passed actually takes away some of the jurisdiction of the Legislative Inspector General and limits the scope of the investigations that she can [conduct].”
But Burke, the bill sponsor, says more ethics changes can be made, but the legislature should make progress where it can be found.
“We have an excellent bill that has many needed reforms,” Burke said. “It was overwhelmingly supported by Republicans in the House and the Senate. We have a standing committee on ethics that will continue to hear and vet bills in the new session. So, let’s get this bill into law and then continue our work.”
I mentioned this for subscribers yesterday, but GOP members in competitive races next year are taking a big risk voting against an ethics bill, even if it is watered down. Democrats will absolutely hammer Republicans over this vote in mail and TV ads next year. Guaranteed.
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul announces civil investigation of Joliet Police Department (Herald-News)
The Illinois Attorney General’s Office will investigate possible patterns or practices of unconstitutional or unlawful policing at the Joliet Police Department.
On Wednesday, Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced the civil investigation following a request by Joliet Mayor Robert O’Dekirk and the Joliet City Council last year.
O’Dekirk sought an investigation from the attorney general’s office in June 2020 in response to concerns over the death of Eric Lurry in police custody after his arrest in January of that year.
But it was the letter from O’Dekirk and some council members along with findings since his office looked into the Lurry case that led to the broader investigation of Joliet police practices, Raoul said. He compared the Joliet investigation with U.S. Justice Department investigations of the Chicago and Ferguson, Missouri, police departments that were initiated after police shootings and resulted in consent decrees mandating reforms.
“The city of Joliet and the Joliet Police Department were completely cooperative, and we began a preliminary review to determine if there was a larger pattern and practice that might raise questions,” Raoul said.
The Joliet investigation will focus on departmental policies, training, practices, discipline and supervision as they relate to traffic and pedestrian stops, searches, arrests and use of force, Raoul said.
Related: Raoul meets with residents in Joliet (Herald-News)
Timeline to Attorney General investigation (Herald-News)
Rep. Mike Halpin announces campaign for Illinois State Senate (WHBF-TV)
Currently in his third two-year term in the Illinois General Assembly, State Rep. Mike Halpin (D-Rock Island) stood with local leaders, supporters and family at IBEW Local 145 Wednesday to announce his candidacy for the Illinois State Senate.
Halpin started his career in public service working in constituent services for the late Congressman Lane Evans and he was first elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in 2016, winning re-election in 2018 and 2020. He’s now the Chairman of the Rock Island County Democratic Party.
“It’s what I carry with me when I’m in Springfield helping to protect Illinois workers, the health of our families, and the well-being of our kids. And I will continue to prioritize this work in the Senate,” Halpin said.
“I serve by promoting worker-friendly policies, supporting the working poor and to strengthen the middle class,” he said. “I want to hear from you, so I can be the best elected representative I can be.”
Halpin, 41, lives in Rock Island with his wife, MaryAnn, a health care worker, and their two children (Natalie, 9, and Will, 7), who attend Rock Island public schools. He earned his law degree from the University of Illinois and his bachelor’s degree from Roger Williams University.
Halpin has a Senate opportunity for the 36th District since Republican Neil Anderson, an Andalusia resident, was drawn out of that district in the initial redistricting maps — and that didn’t change in last week’s redraw.
Glen Evans, a Republican, declared his intent to run in August. Halpin has been Rock Island County Democratic Party chair since May, and as chairman, he can’t officially endorse any other candidates for office, such as Congress or his current seat.
Rock Island Mayor Mike Thoms, a Republican, is also considering running for the seat.
Related: Democrat Gregg Johnson announces candidacy to replace Halpin in House (Quad City Times)
Downstate Venture Capitalist Jesse Sullivan Announcing Run for Governor Thursday (The Illinoize)
Central Illinois venture capitalist Jesse Sullivan confirmed to The Illinoize Wednesday he will launch a campaign for Governor Thursday.
An announcement is expected Thursday afternoon at the Lincoln’s New Salem Historic Site near Petersburg, Sullivan’s hometown.
His venture capital firm, Alter, which was founded in 2015 while he was pursuing an MBA at Stanford, specializes in technology startups. The firm’s website says it connects “Silicon Valley talent, networks, and capital they most need to scale.”
Sullivan and his wife, Monique, have four children with a fifth on the way. They have also served as foster parents.
It isn’t clear what kind of positions Sullivan would take in a campaign. He has never sought elected office. Campaign records show he has never contributed money to a state candidate and a single $10,000 contribution to the Illinois GOP federal fund earlier this year.
Many Republicans we spoke to say they’re unaware of what Sullivan would bring to the table or what kind of team he would put together. Some have dismissed him, though others say a large influx of personal cash could be enough to build a statewide network and win in a GOP primary filled with cash-strapped Republican candidates.
Sullivan, by the way, reported $11 million in contributions last night. That’s a pretty big splash into the race. Because the contribution caps are already blown, he can raise an unlimited amount.
House task force weighs adding Reagan statue to Illinois Capitol grounds (Chicago Sun-Times)
As statues of controversial figures are being torn down across the nation, an Illinois House panel on Wednesday discussed putting a new one up in Springfield of Ronald Reagan, the Illinois native who went on to become the nation’s 40th president.
House members on the Statue and Monument Review Task Force debated the pros and cons of “The Gipper’s” legacy, and the propriety of memorializing him on the Capitol grounds, but didn’t come to a decision.
The South Side Democrat who chairs the panel said in weighing the former president’s flaws with his legacy there has to be a recognition that “whether we agree with his policies or not ... he had a profound impact on the direction of this country.”
The South Side Democrat referenced Reagan’s iconic “It’s Morning Again in America” campaign ad, saying that “idealistic vision of the country has become firmly entrenched in the American psyche.”
But Flowers, who grew up watching Reagan on TV, also noted the former president is often credited for giving the nation the offensive concept of the “welfare queen,” a “key talking point” at his campaign rallies.
The committee didn’t make a final determination about a statue of Reagan before adjourning. Flowers said the panel is not at the decision-making stage yet and is focused on listening to “what everyone has to say.”
There’s also pretty much a guarantee that there will be an Obama statue approved for the Capitol grounds. The Ulysses Grant statue is up in the Capitol Dome. I would argue all four Illinois presidents should be located on the first floor.
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