THE ILLINOIZE: What changes will Republicans ask for in legislative maps?...Pritzker in Scotland says climate change a "crisis"....We answer your questions!
November 9, 2021
Good morning. Happy Tuesday.
Governor JB Pritzker, House Speaker Chris Welch, and Senate President Don Harmon caused a little stir this weekend posting a photo from a London pub where they were raising a bit of a toast.
You can imagine some of the complaints, even from talk show hosts who pretend to be reporters. If you want to complain about the tweet and photo being “tone deaf,” that’s fine, you can make that argument. But, I don’t think any of these three guys are that specifically concerned about the people who are mad about masks. They think (and we’ll see if polling confirms) that it’s a loud, yet minimal, number of people who are really bent out of shape about this stuff.
But for those complaining that the three men are having a drink in a bar without a mask on is just silly. You can have a drink in a bar in Illinois without wearing a mask right now. Yes, the indoor mask mandate is still in effect. Yes, it’s annoying. Yes, it has probably gone on too long, but to think this is some “rub it in your faces” moment from these three politicians is just silly.
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That said, as always, I want to hear from you. Drop me a note anytime at patrick@theillinoize.com. Tell me how we’re doing, what I’m screwing up, or if you want to heap lavish praise on me.
My ego could use it.
No, no, it really couldn’t.
Let’s get to it.
WHAT WILL THE GOP ASK THE COURTS TO CHANGE?
Judging by what lawyers for House Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) and Senate Republican Leader Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods) said last week, we don’t expect the GOP to lay out an entirely new legislative map when it is due to the federal court tomorrow.
But, what will we see?
The GOP will likely (and I’m reading between the lines here because they won’t confirm anything at this point and some on the inside won’t even take my call anymore) ask for specific districts to be changed.
Here are some examples from the GOP arguments: (here’s the map if you want to follow along)
They allege House District 23 is “packed” and gerrymandered to capture an excessive supermajority of Latino voters. They say it is 71% Latino
The GOP has also said Latinos have been “cracked” and separated among four additional House Districts in Southwest Chicago: 21 (areas of Berwyn, Cicero, North Riverside, Summit, Hodgkins, and McCook), 24 (parts of Chicago in the McKinley Park, Mount Pleasant, Lower West Side, and Bridgeport neighborhoods), and 6 and 32 (parts of the Back of the Yards, Ashburn, and Clarksdale neighborhoods).
The GOP says the September map does not create any majority-Latino House Districts on Chicago’s northwest side. Instead, they allege, Latino voters are “cracked” and separated into five separate House Districts, including House Districts 3, 4, 19, 39, and 40.
In Aurora and West Chicago, the GOP alleges the Democrats separated a large Latino community among four separate House Districts, including House Districts 49, 50, 83, and 84. Only one of those is currently represented by a Latino/a, Rep. Barbara Hernandez (D-Aurora).
Similar to the NAACP of East St. Louis suit, the GOP says the map “cracks” and separates Black voters from East St. Louis into two districts: House Districts 113 and 114. 114 is represented by an African American, 113 is represented by a white male.
Interestingly, if the court redraws all 16 disputed districts, they’re still likely going to be won by Democrats. There will be some changes to neighboring districts as a result, but I don’t know that there will be enough to make the maps greatly different.
From a political point of view, what’s a win for the GOP at this point? Even if the court redraws part of the map, downstate districts continue to be sprawling, some from the city to rural areas, some combining multiple communities of interest, and some splitting counties and cities that don’t need to be split.
Maybe they’re hoping the chain reaction of changing the disputed districts lead to a need to change more districts. We’ll see. Like I said, they aren’t talking at this point, so we’ll have to see what the filing says tomorrow.
PRITZKER IN GLASGOW: CLIMATE CHANGE A “CRISIS”
Calling climate change a “crisis that requires action now,” Governor JB Pritzker used an opportunity to speak on the world stage Monday to build up the states budding green economy.
Pritzker held a news conference at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Scotland with Democratic governors from Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington state to discuss climate change and state-led policies to address climate and energy issues.
“Our new climate plan is the most significant step Illinois has taken in a generation toward a reliable, renewable, affordable clean energy future,” Pritzker said. “Everything that can be done must be done. We’re not through just because we made a climate plan that we’re very proud of and are attracting electric vehicle manufacturers and changing our economy to become more of a green economy. We know there is more to do and we will be hard at work at that.”
Pritzker said an energy bill passed this summer and an electric vehicle battery production incentive passed last month make Illinois a leader in promoting green energy.
Here’s our write up on the website this morning.
ANSWERING YOUR QUESTIONS!
Will Republicans have a viable candidate for Governor?
What impact do the elections in Virginia and New Jersey have on the strategy of both parties in Illinois in 2022?
What’s next for Adam Kinzinger?
We opened up our inbox yesterday to answer some questions from you, dear reader. Here are a couple:
Do you foresee additional Republican candidates for governor? What would they be waiting for?
I’m starting to feel like the answer is “no.” From some of the intel I’ve been able to gather, Congressman Rodney Davis (R-Taylorville) likes the idea of a safe Republican district to help propel him into GOP leadership. That said, I don’t think he’s afraid of the fight with Pritzker, but it doesn’t sound like billionaire donor Ken Griffin is all that excited to get in the mix.
Once those who want to be vaccinated, including most kids, can be soon, when do you think Governor Pritzker removes the mask mandate in schools?
Don’t hold your breath. Obviously, the indoor mask mandate is still in effect now and the Governor has indicated it will probably stick around until after the holidays. And when asked about it last week, he made it clear to differentiate that the indoor mask mandate and the school mask mandate were on different time frames. My gut feeling? I don’t think it gets lifted before the end of this school year.
Click here to read the whole thing.
MEA CULPA
I goofed on the basics of a story last week, and unlike some other newsletter types out there, I don’t like to let a mistake go without correction.
When discussing Rep. Angelica Guerrero-Cuellar’s (D-Chicago) petition to intervene in the lawsuit over legislative redistricting maps. Because of her anger over the congressional maps (which she voted against) and efforts to “protect” her district, I assumed she was attempting to intervene on behalf of the plaintiffs in the case. I was wrong.
She wants to be a defendant for the maps, though it doesn’t necessarily make a lot of sense why, those are the facts. Republicans oppose her entrance in the case. Interested in seeing what the judges say.
I apologize for the error. Clearly, I was confused.
CONGRATULATIONS
First, congratulations to Sen. Omar Aquino (D-Chicago) and his wife Liz on the birth of their twins, Isabel Sofía & Omar Sebastían Aquino. The twins were born last Thursday, a little early, but we’re told all is well. Congratulations to the Aquinos!
Also, congratulations to House GOP spokesperson Eleni Demertzis and husband Brian Towne on the birth of Zachary James, born October 30.
As usual, Eleni’s announcement on Twitter brought a pithy comment: “In lieu of gifts, send @Wallys_USA beef jerky to mom's office at the Thomspon Center.”
Wally’s is the new giant truck stop in Pontiac that has developed a bit of a cult following among Statehouse types since it opened last year. Though, those of us that know their way around Pontiac know Pfaff’s Bakery is where it’s at.
HAPPY BIRTHDAYS
Today: Former Congressman Michael Flanagan
Tomorrow: Former Rep. Rich Morthland
Thursday: Former Rep. Bill Black (80!), Former WICS Statehouse Reporter Melissa Hahn, now with the Illinois board of Higher Education
Friday: Former Lt. Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti, Sen. Patricia Van Pelt, retired lobbyist turned author Zack Stamp
Monday: Former Sen., now Deputy Governor Andy Manar, Senate GOP Spokesperson Whitney Barnes
BEFORE WE GO