THE ILLINOIZE: Thursday Free for All...Pritzker talks crime in Davos...More on assault weapon suits...Car dealers and EV makers continue to spar
January 19, 2023
Good morning, Illinois.
If Governor Pritzker looked cold yesterday doing an outdoor interview on CNBC in Davos, Switzerland, that’s because it was really cold. The high at the World Economic Forum meeting yesterday was just 17. Chicago weather.
We had a good Livestream and podcast yesterday with Comptroller Susana Mendoza and former Congressman Rodney Davis, if you missed it you can watch it here.
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YOUR THURSDAY FREE FOR ALL
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Pritzker talks Citadel, Chicago crime at Davos (Crain’s Chicago Business)
Gov. J.B. Pritzker is currently rubbing elbows with the global elite at this year's World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, but took time out to chat with CNBC's "Squawk Box" about his presence at the conference and about—what else?—the departure of Ken Griffin and Citadel.
Defending Chicago against recent business departures, Pritzker came out swinging at Griffin, saying, "We had one business that left— Citadel—because, frankly, (Griffin) lost a political election, trying to unseat me, and, you know, wanting to get out and made his excuse that we have high crime."
After not-so-subtle jabs at failed attempts to defeat him by Griffin and Richard Uihlein, Pritzker actually expressed a bit of regret over Griffin's departure, adding, "I’ve talked to Ken Griffin. I’ve known him for a number of years. We still have a major Citadel headquarters in Chicago and quite a number of people still working there. They haven’t moved jobs and we’re glad to have them in Illinois. But I’m sorry he left."
Related: Pritzker appearance on CNBC in Davos (CNBC)
Pritzker Takes Aim at Kyrsten Sinema While on Stage With Her (Newsweek)
Gun lobby, stores file federal challenge to assault weapons ban, arguing the firearms ‘cannot be unusual or dangerous’ (Chicago Sun-Times)
The Illinois State Rifle Association has filed a federal lawsuit challenging the state’s newly enacted assault weapons ban, saying the week-old law violates the Second Amendment “right of the people to keep and bear arms.”
Plaintiffs also include: St. Clair County resident Dane Harrel; C4 Gun Store, LLC; Marengo Guns, Inc.; Firearms Policy Coalition, Inc.; and the Second Amendment Foundation.
The lawsuit appears to be the first in federal court to challenge Illinois’ new weapons ban, but it is part of a burgeoning legal effort aimed at undoing the new law. Other lawsuits have been filed in state court. More are expected in federal court. It’s not clear which will gain the most traction.
A hearing took place Wednesday morning in response to a lawsuit filed in Effingham County Circuit Court that also sought a temporary restraining order, records show. A judge is expected to rule on that request by Friday afternoon.
The federal lawsuit, filed Tuesday in the Southern District of Illinois, alleges that Illinois’ assault weapons ban denies citizens “their fundamental, individual right to keep and bear common arms.”
It argues that the guns and magazines Illinois banned are actually in common use and “cannot be unusual or dangerous” — a distinction that would remove them from Second Amendment protection.
“They cannot be banned, and the Illinois laws challenged herein must be declared unconstitutional,” the lawsuit says.
Related: Illinois State Rifle Association files federal lawsuit over state’s gun ban (Chicago Tribune)
Marengo Guns among plaintiffs challenging Illinois’ gun ban in federal court (Shaw Media)
Devore presents argument against Illinois assault weapon ban, ruling expected Friday (WGEM)
Editorial: Illinois sheriffs should be enforcing gun laws -- not defying them (Daily Herald)
Opinion: Illinois’ assault weapons ban is a huge win — but it won’t fix Chicago’s violence (Chicago Tribune)
Illinois car dealers appeal direct-to-consumer EV sales ruling (Crain’s Chicago Business)
The Illinois Automobile Dealers Association filed an appeal in Chicago challenging a December court ruling that allows Rivian Automotive and Lucid Group to continue direct EV sales in the state.
The appeal, filed Friday, had been expected.
In the Dec. 19, 2022, ruling, Associate Judge David Atkins decided the Illinois secretary of state was correct in issuing dealer licenses to the EV startups, as it previously had for Tesla Inc. The ruling opens the door for manufacturers to follow Tesla's direct-sales model. Joe McMahon, the association's executive director, previously told Automotive News the decision gives special treatment to EV makers.
Direct sales from manufacturers result in a monopoly with no price benefit, McMahon said in a Jan. 5 statement.
Related: Report predicts billions in motor fuel tax revenue losses if state meets EV goals (Capitol News Illinois)
Rivian and Lucid's Q4 struggles signal an even tougher 2023 for EV startups (Insider)
POLITICAL POTPOURRI
ComEd seeks four-year rate hike totaling $1.5 billion (Crain’s Chicago Business)
How much ComEd is looking to raise monthly bills to boost the power grid for EVs, climate change (Daily Herald)
From state regulations to finding financing, Illinois cannabis craft growers face multiple obstacles (WBEZ)
A graduated income tax revival is in the works (Crain’s Chicago Business)
Pritzker could tap $400M deal-closing fund to save Belvidere plant (Rockford Register Star)
New state representative urges governor to send promised money for Cahokia Heights sewer repairs (Belleville News Democrat)
A Guide to the Most Intriguing Chicago City Council Races (Chicago Magazine)
Despite setback, Rep. Ammons made a couple moves up (Champaign News-Gazette)
Opinion: Lawmakers covet counties’ power to regulate solar, wind farm construction (Shaw Media)
SOME TOP LINKS FROM THE WEEK SO FAR
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