THE ILLINOIZE: Thursday Free for All...Madigan...Frerichs...ADM
October 3, 2024
Good morning, Illinois.
It is 33 days to Election Day. Hold on to your hats.
We had a send issue with yesterday’s subscriber-only newsletter, so we’ll be resending that to subscribers this morning.
No subscriber newsletter tomorrow as we’re moving to a new house, so I’ll be tearing down/packing up my radio studio/podcast setup/office/basement after I get off the radio this morning.
The main reason for the move? We need more space. We announced this week that our little man Will gets promoted to big brother in January!
So, yeah, it’s going to be a zoo around here.
That said, if you aren’t a paid subscriber, we’d appreciate your help feeding another face, or, you know, just your pity.
Governor Pritzker is in Cahokia Heights this morning discussing the most important issue of the election: electric vehicles? *checks notes"* Well, ok then.
He’ll be in Peoria for two stops this afternoon.
Let’s get to it.
YOUR THURSDAY FREE FOR ALL
(note: we’re not responsible for paywalls and restrictions from other news outlets, because good journalism isn’t free)
Madigan judge refuses to toss counts after Supreme Court ruling limited bribery law (Chicago Sun-Times)
Nine months ago, a federal judge delayed the blockbuster trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan for fear that a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on a key bribery law could undermine the prosecution — even if on a technicality.
The high court has since handed down its decision. And Wednesday, U.S. District Judge John Blakey declined to dismiss several criminal counts against Madigan in the wake of that opinion.
The result is the federal racketeering conspiracy case against Madigan remains intact. The trial of the once-powerful Southwest Side Democrat and his longtime confidant, Michael McClain, begins Tuesday.
Madigan is accused of leading a “criminal enterprise” for nearly a decade designed to enhance his political power and generate income for his allies and associates.
The Supreme Court found in June that a bribery law key to Madigan’s prosecution does not also criminalize after-the-fact rewards known as “gratuities.” Madigan’s defense attorneys argued weeks later that prosecutors had failed to allege a “quid pro quo” — or meeting of the minds — that would be required to prove bribery under the high court’s standard.
While that’s been potentially damaging to other corruption cases in Chicago, the effect on Madigan’s case seems to be minimal, so far. Prosecutors saw no need to revise their lengthy indictment against Madigan and McClain.
They’ve said they plan to pursue a so-called “stream of benefits” theory, explained in an appellate court ruling from the prosecution of ex-Gov. George Ryan. In it, the court wrote the corruption there “was more like a meal plan in which you don’t pay for each item on the menu. Rather, there is a cost that you pay, an ongoing cost, and you get your meals.”
Blakey ruled Wednesday the approach theoretically satisfies the requirement prosecutors have to prove a “quid pro quo.”
The judge also denied Wednesday a request from McClain to be tried separately from Madigan. McClain’s lawyers argued that Madigan’s lawyers will act as a second set of prosecutors at trial and effectively throw him under the bus.
Related: Madigan trial on track as defense makes late bid to bar discussion of corrupt pols secretly taped by Ald. Solis (Chicago Tribune)
Illinois treasurer’s home defaced hours after protest over state’s investments in Israel (Chicago Tribune)
Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs’ home on Chicago’s North Side was defaced with paint by a group of people early Tuesday, just hours after pro-Palestinian activists staged a protest outside a fundraiser for him at a downtown bar because of his oversight of the state’s investments in Israel.
Chicago police said the incident at Frerichs’ home in the Lakeview community was “defaced by use of paint” about 4 a.m. Tuesday. No injuries were reported and no one was in custody.
Frerichs office said the vandalism occurred during a protest outside the treasurer’s home.
“Everyone has the right to peacefully protest and petition their government for change. This was not a peaceful protest. These activists meant to cause fear and intimidation through scare tactics,” Frerichs said in a statement. “They threatened my twin 1-year-old boys. They defaced our home and our sons’ toys with red paint, and they wore masks and shone a light at a security camera to shield their faces.
Palestinian supporters have criticized the U.S. relationship with Israel because of its conduct in the war on Hamas. After last October’s attack by Hamas militants on Israel, Frerichs announced an additional $30 million in investments by his office in Israel bonds. Since Frerichs became treasurer in 2015, the state has made more than $120 million in investments with the country, his office has said.
“I stand by the investment decisions I’ve made as treasurer,” Frerichs said in his statement Tuesday, which came as Iran launched a missile attack on Israel. “I continue to believe, as Iran’s missiles rain down on our important ally, that Israel has the right to defend itself. And I continue to hope for a negotiated resolution that can bring lasting peace to the region.”
As I’ve told you before, I’ve known Frerichs since he was Champaign County Auditor back in 2004 and 2005. He told me the protestors were shouting over a bullhorn that they knew his one-year-old twins were inside sleeping.
Not cool. Not ok.
ADM pauses carbon injections after potential fluid seepage discovered in second well (Bloomington Pantagraph)
Archer Daniels Midland Co. has temporarily paused carbon dioxide injections below its North American headquarters in Decatur after tests revealed a seepage of fluids from a second monitoring well.
In a letter sent to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Sept. 27, the agribusiness giant said that preliminary data received earlier that week indicated a potential movement of brine (salt water) between different rock formations around 5,000 feet below the surface.
"We notified the U.S. EPA about this matter, and we’re conducting additional diagnostic tests in consultation with U.S. EPA and external experts," said ADM spokesperson Jackie Anderson. "We will share additional information as we learn more."
The company said the additional testing will take place over the next two weeks with the goal of validating the preliminary data and providing "greater visibility into the well conditions."
POLITICAL POTPOURRI
Pritzker touts Illinois’ economic development at data center groundbreaking (Capitol News Illinois)
Lawsuit alleges state left in dark about company’s deal with political insiders (Chicago Tribune)
State completes project preserving its only undeveloped Lake Michigan shoreline (Capitol News Illinois)
Early voting off to strong start in Chicago suburbs: ‘There’s excitement in the air’ (Chicago Tribune)
47th District rivals for state representative debate effectiveness of current gun laws (Daily Herald)
District 79 candidates say economy a key issue among voters (Chicago Tribune)
District 27 Senate candidates discuss mental health (Daily Herald)
Schakowsky, Cohen differ on gun control, voting rights protections (Daily Herald)
3rd Congressional hopefuls outline do-overs for immigration system (Daily Herald)
Casten, Conforti differ on abortion, but both oppose federal ban (Daily Herald)
In Decatur, former GOP Rep. Adam Kinzinger said he is 'open' to spot in Harris Cabinet (Bloomington Pantagraph)
Gov. JB Pritzker on Chicago Board of Education turmoil: ‘I hope people don’t resign’ (Chicago Tribune)
Editorial: Beach stabilization work in Lake County protects an important ecological site (Daily Herald)
Opinion: Another audit shows how state agencies fail to meet obligations (Shaw Media)
Opinion: Property-tax vote could come back to bite taxpayers (Champaign News-Gazette)
Opinion: Election meant to democratize Chicago's school board has become an insider's game (Crain’s Chicago Business)
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