Latest news with #CookCountyBoard
Chicago Tribune
25-06-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Toni Preckwinkle picks new Cook County Forest Preserves boss
After a year and a half without a permanent leader, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle has nominated a new head for the county's Forest Preserves. On Wednesday, she named Adam Bianchi as her pick to become the district's new superintendent. Her choice will face a vote from the Forest Preserves board — which has the same members as the Cook County board — next week. If approved, Bianchi would fill the shoes left by longtime Forest Preserve Superintendent Arnold Randall, who had run the district for 13 years and left to lead the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation. Bianchi comes from Colorado, where he served as District Ranger for the White River National Forest's Dillon Ranger District an hour west of Denver. There, he managed 312,000 acres of trails, wilderness areas, two major reservoirs, 14 campgrounds, and four ski resorts, including Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin, according to a county release. Cook County's Forest Preserves — one of the oldest and biggest in the country — include 70,000 acres of campgrounds, trails, boating centers, picnic groves and golf courses. 'This marks an exciting opportunity in my career dedicated to conserving forests, wildlife habitats and wetlands, while expanding access and welcoming more people to connect with their incredible public lands,' Bianchi said in the release. He has worked for the USDA's forest service for his entire career, according to his LinkedIn. This would be his first time working in the Midwest since 2016, when he was a district silviculturist for the Ottawa National Forest in Kenton, Mich., helping control and manage the growth of the forest. 'Over the last 15 years, the Forest Preserves has transformed as an institution, becoming a leader in ecological restoration in a highly developed landscape, in connecting a diverse population to the wonders of nature, and in operations and transparency,' Preckwinkle said in the same release. 'Adam Bianchi's experience, energy and perspective are an outstanding fit as General Superintendent for the next chapter of the Preserves.' Asked at an unrelated press conference why it took so long to fill Randall's vacancy, Preckwinkle said the county's search priority was replacing Israel Rocha, who exited the county's health and hospitals system around the same time as Randall. After a year, the county chose Dr. Erik Mikaitis — who had already been serving as interim CEO — to fill Rocha's role. If confirmed, Bianchi would inherit a healthier budget than his predecessors, thanks to a voter-authorized property tax hike that's allowed the district to spend more on conservation efforts, buying new land, maintaining the Brookfield Zoo and Chicago Botanic Garden, and paying down pension debts.
Chicago Tribune
24-06-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Air Force veteran's Park Forest home gets thousands in repairs through Cook County program
Mark Kellogg and his wife, Keisha, were looking at taking out a hefty home equity line of credit to pay for thousands of dollars in repairs at their Park Forest home. But the U.S. Air Force veteran didn't have to pay a dime for $30,000 worth of work, completed this spring through a Cook County program that repaired homes of 30 military veterans, including homes in other south suburbs. At a news conference outside Kellogg's home Tuesday, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said the program was meant to make veterans' homes 'more accessible, safer and more secure.' 'Our veterans have given us so much,' she said. Launched in 2023, the Veterans Home Repair Program tapped $1.25 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds. Along with Kellogg's home, the county program repaired the homes of veterans in Chicago, Blue Island, Calumet City, Dolton, Homewood, Lansing, Matteson and Richton Park. Interior and exterior work was done on all of the homes, with costs ranging from $15,000 to $45,000, according to the county. At Kellogg's home, work included new gutters, a new furnace and water heater, repainting six rooms and replacing a concrete patio in the backyard. 'When we bought the house we didn't know rain pooled against the back of it,' he said. The county program replaced the concrete patio and regraded the soil underneath so that storm runoff is directed into drains in the backyard. Kellogg said fixing that problem alone would have cost him $16,000. 'I am extremely greatful I was chosen to participate,' Kellogg said. He said he and his wife have lived in the home since 2010. Kellogg was in the Air Force from spring 1988 to winter 1992. He is commander of the American Legion post in Park Forest and works for the village's Public Works Department. He grew up in Harvey and has six siblings, and his family moved to Park Forest during his senior year of high school. After graduating from the since-closed Rich East High School in 1987, he joined the Air Force. Kellogg said he comes from a military family and that his father and a younger brother both served in the Air Force, and other relatives, including a grandfather, uncle and cousins, were in other branches of the military. He said he applied online last December for the county program and was told in March he'd been selected. All of the work was done by the end of April, he said. The 56-year-old Kellogg and his wife have been married 22 years and have three daughters. The county worked with Rebuilding Together Metro Chicago, which relies on volunteers to repair homes and other buildings in the Chicago area. Since 1991, the organization has repaired 1,900 homes and 285 facilities operated by nonprofits, according to its website. Wanda Ramirez, Rebuilding Together's president and chief executive, said there are a 'growing number of homeowners who cannot afford to make repairs' needed for them to stay in their homes. Without the financial resources needed, Ramirez said the many veterans 'may have to live in substandard housing.'
Politico
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Politico
Preckwinkle's got Pritzker and a poll
Good Tuesday morning, Illinois. The news doesn't stop. TOP TALKER FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle's campaign team says she's been endorsed by Gov. JB Pritzker in her re-election bid — and she has polling that shows she could trounce any competitor. 'Toni Preckwinkle is a fierce champion for Cook County, a true partner in governance, and a good friend. I'm proud to endorse her re-election,' Pritzker said in a statement. Bringing home his point: The governor said while President Donald Trump is 'dismantling constitutional rights, defunding public safety and slashing healthcare, Toni is a tested, successful leader we need standing up for working families.' The bold support follows Playbook's report about Preckwinkle facing potential challenges from former state Sen. Rickey Hendon and Chicago Ald. Brendan Reilly. Both have sophisticated campaign organizations that could put up a fight. She's got a poll: Preckwinkle's team says she'd crush any challenger, and they point to a recent poll from Tulchin Research as proof. The survey says Preckwinkle holds a 61 percent job approval rating. She 'is also favored for re-election by a 2-to-1 margin, with 58 percent of likely Democratic primary voters supporting her compared to just 29 percent who prefer someone else,' according to the campaign. Worth noting: The survey was done in February — before we knew who competitors might be in the race — though the campaign notes that the numbers are based on 'any' Democratic opponent. The full polling memo is here. RELATED GEARING UP: Gov. JB Pritzker has sent out invitations for a Thursday morning event. The invite is short on details, so recipients are guessing it's a campaign kick-off to run for a third term. The governor's campaign didn't immediately return a request for comment. There's no limit to the number of terms an Illinois governor can serve. Gov. Richard Oglesby served during three non-consecutive terms, and Gov. Jim Thompson was elected to four. THE BUZZ THREE YEARS AGO TODAY, Roe v. Wade was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court, ending the federal right to abortion and allowing states to restrict or outright ban the procedure. States like Illinois, which is a haven for reproductive care, have picked up the mantle, explain Gov. JB Pritzker and New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham in an opinion piece in Time magazine this morning. Read it here 'The Dobbs decision didn't end abortion in America. Instead, it's been rerouted to a few states now bearing the weight of a national need,' the governors write. 'States like ours — Illinois and New Mexico — have become what many call 'surge states,' where Americans facing extreme abortion restrictions in neighboring states turn for abortion care in record numbers.' Numbers prove their point: Illinois now has the highest number of abortions provided to out-of-state residents, according to the Guttmacher Institute, which credits a strong infrastructure that connects reproductive health-care to traveling patients. 'The more restrictive' other states are about abortion 'means the more people come here for care,' said Sarah Garza Resnick, the CEO of Personal PAC. Check out Friday's Women Rule newsletter for the full interview. RELATED: Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL-02) has introduced the Access to Birth Control Act, which would guarantee patients' access to over-the-counter birth control at pharmacies. 'Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade three years ago, refusals in pharmacies to fulfill a birth control prescription or purchase have increased,' Kelley explains in a statement. The full text of the bill is here. If you are JB Pritzker, Playbook would like to hear from you! Email: skapos@ WHERE'S JB No official public events WHERE's BRANDON No official public events Where's Toni In Park Forest at 11 a.m. for a ribbon cutting to mark the completion of the Veterans Home Repair Program — Online at 1 p.m. for a media briefing on the Cook County Criminal Justice Dashboard Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or a (gasp!) complaint? Email skapos@ BUSINESS OF POLITICS — State Rep. Adam Niemerg, a Republican from Dieterich, has announced he's running for re-election to a fourth term. 'I will continue to fight for Southern Illinois values in Springfield,' Niemerg said in a statement. 'I'm proud to stand with President Trump and the America First movement as we push back against the radical left and put our communities first.' THE STATEWIDES — Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul criticizes Trump administration as U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi defends record: The U.S. attorney general 'shouldn't be loyal to the president, but she should be loyal to the rule of law,' Raoul said during a hearing in Washington on Monday with AGs from Massachusetts, Minnesota and New Jersey, by the Center Square's Greg Bishop. — Supreme Court won't hear appeal over Illinois' Covid vaccine mandate, by Crain's Jon Asplund — Q&A with state Sen. Ram Villivalam on the transit fiscal cliff, via Governing's Jared Brey — Pritzker OKs changes to Prisoner Review Board following years of controversy, by Capitol News' Ben Szalinski — Taxes on vapes, Zyn and most tobacco products go up July 1, by the Tribune's Jeremy Gorner ILLINOIS' POPE — Before Robert F. Prevost was the pope, he thanked Gov. Pat Quinn for ending the death penalty: 'Catholic organizations had lobbied Quinn to end the death penalty. The former governor was not previously aware of Prevost's message to him,' by WBEZ's Mawa Iqbal. CHICAGO — Mayor Brandon Johnson firm on ending tipped subminimum wage as restaurant group calls for reversal: 'Johnson pledged to continue the planned gradual raises for tipped worker minimum pay, including an hourly raise from $11.02 to $12.62 going into effect next week. Meanwhile, restaurant groups argue the so-called 'One Fair Wage ordinance has forced businesses to shutter and led to a decrease in hospitality jobs,' by the Tribune's Jake Sheridan. — Mayor credits tipped minimum wage law with fueling growth in Chicago, by the Sun-Times' Amy Yee — CPS needs to borrow to avoid cuts, CTU chief Stacy Davis Gates argues: 'With Chicago Public Schools facing a $529 million budget deficit, the teachers union president says Chicago needs to stand up to President Donald Trump's attacks on public education by supporting its schools,' by WBEZ's Sarah Karp. — Northwest Side Council members want out of anti-gentrification zone, saying it's 'punishing' longtime homeowners: 'Alds. Felix Cardona Jr. and Gilbert Villegas say there's too much red tape in the program that gives renters the right of first refusal to buy their building,' by the Block Club's Ariel Parrella-Aureli and Quinn Myers. — Lincoln Yards site is poised for new chapter, but debate over what went wrong with the stalled project continues: CEO Andy Gloor says the Lightfoot administration was slow to issue needed approvals, setting the project back by several years. But former Mayor Lori Lightfoot recently told Axios otherwise, saying, 'You've got a high-rise building over here that was supposed to be a new life sciences building that doesn't have one tenant… They're liars. They never had the money,' via the Tribune's y Brian J. Rogal and Gregory Royal Pratt. — Lake Michigan has fallen nearly 4 feet since 2020, changing the shape of Chicago's lakefront, by the Block Club's Madison Savedra TAKING NAMES — Comptroller Susana Mendoza, a self-described 'finance nerd,' is out with a new podcast: 'The Mendoza Podcast — Financial Talk that Makes Cents.' Listen here — Greg Harris, the former Illinois House majority leader, will be honored by Chicago Parks Foundation at the AIDS Garden Chicago on Thursday as part of Pride Month. Details here — Former Illinois Sen. Carol Moseley Braun releases memoir 'Trailblazer: Perseverance in Life and Politics,' via CBS 2 Reader Digest We asked about non-political people who are powerful in politics. Suzie Bassi: 'Businesswoman Penny Pritzker.' Michael Burton: 'Our White Sox lovin', social justice-espousing pontiff, Pope Leo XIV!' Josef Michael Carr Jr.: 'Larry Ivory, the president and CEO of the Illinois State Black Chamber of Commerce.' Mathias Delort: 'Consultant Kevin Conlon.' Mike Gascoigne: 'Barack Obama is retired from politics but still influential.' Lucas Hawley: 'The great and powerful Joseph James Rogan.' Bill Henkel: 'Jesse White, who's retired from politics.' Jim Lyons: 'Warren Buffet. When he speaks about the economy, people still listen.' Michael Mannion: 'Kirk Dillard. He's a former state senator who now chairs the board of the RTA. His contacts, political acumen and balanced approach to problem-solving have made him a respected bipartisan individual Illinois' political arena.' Dan Mattoon: 'Jim Edgar, who's retired from politics.' Will Newton: 'Cardinal Blase Cupich.' John Straus: 'Mark Cuban.' Timothy Thomas: 'David Axelrod. Never held an office but was instrumental in the successful elections of Mayor Harold Washington and President Barack Obama and started up/directed the University of Chicago Institute of Politics.' NEXT QUESTION: Who are you hoping the Bulls draft on Wednesday? KEEPING UP WITH THE DELEGATION — Sen. Tammy Duckworth says she's voting 'no' on the nominee to head the FAA, via post THE NATIONAL TAKE — Trump says both Iran and Israel violated the ceasefire, by The Associated Press — Mamdani's victory would signal seismic shift in national politics and test for socialist movement, by POLITICO's Jason Beeferman — Supreme Court eases rapid deportations to countries where immigrants have no ties, by POLITICO's Josh Gerstein and Kyle Cheney — Senate Republicans work to salvage SNAP cost-share savings, by POLITICO's Grace Yarrow and Meredith Lee Hill — House Democrats needle the GOP over Jan. 6 with replica plaques, by POLITICO's Mia McCarthy TRANSITIONS — Michal Sered-Schoenberg is now chief of staff to Illinois House Majority Leader Robyn Gabel. She was the district director for Cook County Commissioner Josina Morita. — Longtime Arlington Heights Village Clerk Becky Hume set to retire: 'Her successor will be Maggie Mattio, who is now an administrative assistant in the finance department,' by the Daily Herald's Christopher Placek. — Greg Oguss is now a partner with Mayer Brown in Chicago, working in the firm's corporate and securities practice and global insurance Industry group. Oguss was global chief counsel for corporate development at Athene Holding Ltd., a subsidiary of Apollo Global Management Inc. — Tom Posey is now a shareholder attorney at the Buchalter law firm, which has offices in Chicago and Los Angeles. Posey also is the national chair of the firm's labor management relations group. He was a partner at Seyfarth Shaw. TRIVIA MONDAY's ANSWER: Congrats to Michael Kreloff for correctly answering that Alice Palmer was kicked off the ballot after newcomer Barack Obama challenged her signatures, which were circulated by kids named 'Pookie and Squirt.' TODAY's QUESTION: Who were the sitting Illinois state senators who married each other? Email skapos@ HAPPY BIRTHDAY State Sen. Omar Aquino, former state Rep. Joe Lyons, Stomping Ground Strategies Media Relations Director Jaclyn Driscoll, Chicago Department of Buildings Managing Deputy Commissioner Grant Ullrich, Illinois Department of Early Childhood Chief of Staff K.C. Stralka, Doejo founder and CEO Phil Tadros, comms strategist Michael Tirrell and The New York Times' Adrienne Hurst, a POLITICO alum -30-
Politico
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Politico
‘Hollywood' may challenge Preckwinkle
Happy Monday, Illinois. We're back at it, wretched heat be damned. TOP TALKER EXCLUSIVE: Rickey Hendon, the former Illinois state senator and Chicago alderman, has started an exploratory committee for a possible run against Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle in the 2026 Democratic primary. 'It may be time for a change, so yeah, I'm looking at it seriously. I've talked to some people and they're trying to get me to get back in,' Hendon told your Playbook host. 'I have the apparatus to get signatures overnight, and I feel pretty good about my chances if I decide to pull the trigger.' They call him 'Hollywood': Hendon, who's known for his outgoing style, served as a Chicago alderman and in the state Senate — he once famously got in a shoving match with then-Sen. Barack Obama on the Senate floor. Most recently, Hendon has been battling behind the scenes as a campaign consultant. He's also a businessman involved in the cannabis industry. At the plate: Hendon, who led the state legislative softball team in his day, still plays the game five days a week. It's proof, says the 71-year-old, that he's ready to play ball on the Cook County Board. Hendon says he'll make his decision on running before the July 17-18 slating by Cook County Democrats. That's when candidates introduce themselves to get the endorsement of the powerful party organization (which, by the way, is led by Preckwinkle). Preckwinkle, who is 78, is running for her fifth term and so far has no challengers, though Ald. Brendan Reilly also confirmed he's still 'very seriously considering' jumping into the race. The political take: A three-way race could make the contest difficult for Preckwinkle. THE BUZZ BEYOND THE BLAST: President Donald Trump's decision to bomb nuclear sites in Iran over the weekend has divided Illinois elected officials along party lines. Republican U.S. Reps. Mike Bost, Darin LaHood and Mary Miller all praised the airstrikes, with Miller echoing Trump's words: 'peace through strength.' Democrats in the Illinois congressional delegation were critical, with Sen. Tammy Duckworth, an Iraq War veteran, calling the bombings 'illegal' and Sen. Dick Durbin blaming Trump for Iran developing dangerous weapons when he 'killed the Iran nuclear deal, which required mandatory inspections.' Congresswoman Robin Kelly, who's running for Senate, said Trump's decision to strike Iran 'will not lead to peace but rather cause more violence, destruction and conflict in the Middle East.' And Congressman Mike Quigley, a member of the House Intelligence Committee, said 'diplomacy' not attacks 'is critical to global security.' Watch for Congress to take up the issue of Trump authorizing the bombings without having constitutional approval. The debate comes as lawmakers are still trying to nail down a budget reconciliation bill. The ripple effect: In Illinois, Gov. JB Pritzker said in a post that he has requested the Illinois State Police and federal and local law enforcement officials to update him 'on any potential physical and cyber threats to the homeland that could affect Illinois' as a result of the attacks. RELATED Trump floats regime change in Iran, muddying the administration's message, by POLITICO's Felicia Schwartz and Amy Mackinnon Oil prices jump as market awaits Iran response to attacks, by POLITICO's Ben Lefebvre If you are Mike Bost, Playbook would like to hear from you! Email: skapos@ WHERE'S JB No official public events WHERE's BRANDON At 5405 West Madison Avenue at 9:45 a.m. to attend the One Fair Wage celebration — At 317 North Clark at 5:55 p.m. for the Black Business Roundtable Lakeside Chat Where's Toni No official public events Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or a (gasp!) complaint? Email skapos@ BUSINESS OF POLITICS — Rahm Emanuel confronts 'awkward' prospect of facing a home-state rival in the 2028 presidential race: 'Look, JB and I are friends,' Emanuel said. The two recently had dinner, he noted. They text. 'We're going to continue to be friends, but if we're running for the same position, it will be awkward,' he told NBC News' Natasha Korecki. — In IL-09: Howard Rosenblum, a civil rights attorney, announced this morning that he's running as a Democrat for Congress for the seat now held by retiring U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky. 'I know how important equality under the law and full opportunity through civil rights is. My legal experience fighting back is exactly what we need in Washington right now,' said Rosenblum, who served on the U.S. Access Board during the Obama administration and was appointed to the Illinois Human Rights Commission by Gov. JB Pritzker. — REMATCH: Maria Peterson, a Democrat, is launching her campaign for state representative in the 52nd District, which is represented by Republican state Rep. Martin McLaughlin. In 2024, McLaughlin defeated Peterson by 47 votes. 'Since the last election, I have committed countless hours to electing Democrats locally. ... I am ready to take this and years of fighting for our community to Springfield,' Peterson said in a statement. Among her endorsers: former Gov. Pat Quinn. The full list is here. — State Rep. Charlie Meier, a conservative Republican from southern Illinois, has announced his re-election bid. The 109th District lawmaker who's served since 2013 says he wants to address 'higher taxes, threats to our freedoms [and] radical policies coming out of Chicago are making life harder and more expensive for the rest of us.' — County contest: Ted Mason says he's been endorsed by the National Democratic County Officials in his campaign for Cook County commissioner, 15th District. The NDCO is the campaign arm of the Democratic Party. ILLINOIS' POPE — Pope Leo XIV warns of the dangers of AI on youth, by POLITICO's Nicole Markus THE STATEWIDES — Medicaid helps keep this toddler alive and at home. Federal cuts could put it all at risk: Little Marely 'requires 24/7 care after receiving a heart transplant covered by Medicaid. The U.S. Senate is considering slashing the program,' by WBEZ's Kristen Schorsch. — ICE took her mother. Now, a 6-year-old is left without a guardian or legal path back to reunite in Honduras, by the Tribune's Laura Rodríguez Presa and Nell Salzman — No surprise: Despite moves by Indiana lawmakers, Illinois' borders unlikely to change, by the Tribune's Dan Petrella — Alexi Giannoulias, the Illinois secretary of state, headlined on the national MeidasTouch podcast. The subject: The Trump administration sweeps by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Los Angeles and Chicago. Watch here — The richest men in Illinois and the billion-dollar sports betting grudge: 'Neil Bluhm's grudge against FanDuel and DraftKings has lasted for at least a decade, driven millions of dollars in political donations, and found validation from another of Illinois' wealthiest men: the governor,' by Legal Sports Report's Eric Ramsey. Why Illinois Republicans are suing Democrats over 'gut-and-replace maneuver' in the General Assembly: Republicans want to prevent Senate Bill 328 (which Republicans say is anti-business) from being signed into law because it passed after midnight on the last day of session with a maneuver 'that allowed the majority party to avoid proper due process such as committee hearings and public input,' via the State Journal-Register's Tom Ackerman. — DAY IN COURT: State Sen. Emil Jones III to face retrial on bribery charges in 2026 — when he'll also be up for reelection, by the Tribune's Jason Meisner — A vehicle miles traveled tax may be what's needed to fix roads in Illinois — and across the country, by Andrew Leahey for Forbes — SOUNDS FAMILIAR: In 1894 Pullman strike, Illinois' governor fought president's decision to send in troops, by Robert Loerzel for the Tribune CHICAGO — Mayor Brandon Johnson's transportation chief departing City Hall: 'Tom Carney's departure follows several other high-profile exits in the Johnson administration this year,' by the Tribune's Alice Yin. — Embattled Kenwood shelter housing migrants and homeless Chicagoans to close in coming months, by the Tribune's Nell Salzman and Caroline Kubzansky — New Chicago clinic provides 'all-trimester' abortions up to roughly 34 weeks in pregnancy, by the Tribune's Angie Leventis Lourgos — City won't say why Beat Kitchen was booted from the Riverwalk, by the Block Club's Melody Mercado — An endangered Washington Park building inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright is in need of rescue, by the Sun-Times' Lee Bey COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS — Skokie budget restores 1 percent grocery tax, hikes water rates but freezes property tax: 'Water rate is still among lowest in area, spokesperson said,' by the Pioneer Press' Richard Requena. — Supreme Court rejects suburban toy company's push for a quick decision on Trump's tariffs, by The Associated Press — From the murders to manhunt: New book examines 'human elements' of Brown's Chicken killings, by the Daily Herald's Charles Keeshan and Susan Sarkauskas TAKING NAMES — Jerry Reinsdorf, chair of the White Sox, to give deposition in Rate Field shooting lawsuit: 'Two women were wounded in a shooting in the left-field bleachers on Aug. 25, 2023. Circumstances of the shooting remain mostly unknown,' by the Sun-Times' Kade Heather. — Lisa (Garza-Weichman) Harries has been named board chair of Planned Parenthood of Illinois. Harries has served on the board since 2022. She takes over for Arielle Rodriguez Maffei, who was just appointed to the Planned Parenthood Federation of America board. Reader Digest We asked what skills make a good lieutenant governor. Claude Walker, who served as spokesperson to then-Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn: 'Versatility, curiosity, patience.' Alexander Domanskis: 'Being deferential to the governor, while being a true second-in-charge. Jim Lyons: 'Being able to tell the governor when he or she is wrong.' Mark Michaels: 'A Democrat who can step in when Pritzker goes to Washington.' Kathy Posner: 'Being able to build consensus, manage initiatives (rural affairs, military economic development and justice/equity/opportunity) and represent the governor across the state.' Timothy Thomas: 'Trustworthiness and reliability, experience in government and policy, and public speaking skills.' NEXT QUESTION: Who's a non-political person who's still powerful in politics? THE NATIONAL TAKE — The New York mayor's race will resonate far beyond the Big Apple, writes POLITICO's Jonathan Martin — Andrew Cuomo's anger is legendary. And it's powering his comeback, by POLITICO's Calder McHugh and Nick Reisman — Senate GOP slashes megabill's tax costs with new accounting method, by POLITICO's Benjamin Guggenheim IN MEMORIAM — Chicago is mourning the death of Sister Rosemary Connelly, who was a political force advocating for the Misericordia community for people with developmental disabilities. Once in front of a crowd, Connelly criticized then-Mayor Rahm Emanuel about a plan to charge a water fee to schools, churches and other institutions. After her comments, a blushing Emanuel took the stage to say, 'Ladies and gentleman, my five-minute rebuttal. I thought Jewish mothers had the corner on the market for guilt.' From the Sun-Times: 'She saw our kids as people, not as disabilities,' by Neil Steinberg From the Block Club: Misericordia is a national leader in caring for people with disabilities, by Noah Asimow — Elk Grove Village Clerk Lorrie Murphy dies at 63, by the Daily Herald's Christopher Placek — Alexander Polikoff, public-interest lawyer behind landmark CHA segregation case, dies, by Bob Goldsborough for the Tribune EVENTS — Tonight: The Illinois Democratic County Chairs' Association is holding its annual Summer Brews Reception. It's always a scene. Details here — Tonight: Peggy Flanagan, the Minnesota lieutenant governor and U.S. Senate candidate, visits Chicago for a meet-and-greet and fundraiser. Flanagan was a co-chair of the 2024 Democratic National Convention and was a close friend of slain Minnesota Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman. Details here — Tonight: LGBTQ+ rights advocate and political strategist Richard Streetman discusses Pride month and issues facing the trans community on Patti Vasquez's WCPT show at 6:30 p.m. — Wednesday: State Sen. Ram Villivalam and state Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado headline a virtual discussion titled 'Chicagoland Transit in Crisis: What is the Fix?' DePaul University's Joe Schwieterman will moderate. Details here TRIVIA FRIDAY's ANSWER: The town of Alhambra was inspired by the writings of Washington Irving? TODAY's QUESTION: Why was Alice Palmer kicked off the ballot in her last bid for the state Senate? Email skapos@ HAPPY BIRTHDAY State Rep. Mike Kelly, Ald. Scott Waguespack, former Secretary of State Jesse White, former Congressman Bob Dold, JMD Public Strategies' Joe Duffy, Indiana, Illinois and Iowa Foundation for Fair Contracting Executive Director Marc Poulos, Climate Jobs Illinois Equity Director Chynna Hampton, retired Baxter exec Valery Gallagher, D1 Capital Partners' Jeremy Katz and journalist Dawn Reiss And belated greetings to political donor and GCM Grosvenor Chair and CEO Michael Sacks, who celebrated Sunday. -30-
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bill to boost legal services to indigent on governor's desk
Jun. 12—Illinois legislators have created a new statewide public defender's office, but it's going to take a while to sort out the details. They put the finishing touches on the "Funded Advocacy & Independent Representation (FAIR) Act" on May 31, the last day the legislature met in its spring session. The bill now goes to Gov. J.B. Pritzker for his expected signature. The legislation won't take effect until Jan. 1, 2027, because there are major details to iron out. Champaign County Circuit Judge Randy Rosenbaum, the county's chief judge and former longtime public defender, said he is, generally speaking, "very much in favor" of the idea behind the legislation but distressed by a couple of issues. The legislation "doesn't talk about any money," he said, referring to what he expects will be the massive costs of the bill. Plus, Rosenbaum said, it limits the role of the local presiding judge in selecting a county's chief public defender. For example, Champaign County Public Defender Elisabeth Pollock, a former federal public defender, was named by Rosenbaum to fill the job. But Rosenbaum said the legislation takes local "judges out of the selection process" when they are best situated to determine who is most qualified to be appointed to such an important position. He said it is his understanding the new appointment process was established to insulate the appointed county public defenders from the judiciary. The legislation is motivated by a desire to boost the quality of legal representation for individuals charged with crimes who cannot afford a to hire a lawyer. Many of Illinois' 102 counties have a public defender's office. Those that do not appoint private lawyers to handle cases for the indigent. However, there is concern that public defenders have too many cases to handle in an efficient manner. The legislation is designed to ensure they have greater resources. Pollock said she is "grateful" the legislation is before the governor and will be "excited to watch it be implemented." "It is no secret that public defenders have struggled for decades with a need for increased staffing and greater resources in the face of ever-expanding workloads," she said. She called the bill a "a necessary and meaningful step forward." However principled the motivation, the legislation shows signs of the usual politicization in this hyper-political state. For example, Rosenbaum said Cook County lobbied for the legislation but is exempt from some provisions. For example, it leaves public defender appointment power with the president of the Cook County Board instead of transferring it to a committee. The legislation establishes regional offices of the state public defenders that are designed to provide additional resources to county public defender offices. The legislation calls for the Illinois Supreme Court initially to appoint a state public defender. The Coalition to End Money Bond praised the bill, contending it "build(s) on" the SAFE-T Act social-justice law that, among many other things, abolished the cash bond system. It said the new public defender law "brings Illinois closer to ensuring that public defenders have adequate resources" to provide high-quality representation to indigent defendants. Part of the law is devoted to establishing case management resources that ensure access to a "digital discovery storage management system" and "case management software." The new office also is directed to take a survey to determine "the number of employees and contractors providing" legal services and the variety of legal services they provide. It has an odd organizational status, one dubbed as an "independent agency" within the judicial branch. The legislation directs that the state public defender's office "shall" be under the supervision of the state public defender, not the Supreme Court.
