Archived Articles
Illinois Cultural News
(Articles appear from the newest to the oldest. To read the articles in the time line in which they were posted, scroll down to find the oldest in the tread and read upwards from oldest to newest.)
Illinois Supreme Court Upholds Cash Bail Elimination
By Joyce Geiler
On July 18, the Illinois Supreme Court upheld as constitutional the Pretrial Fairness Act, one of the provisions of the SAFE-T Act. The Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today Act, commonly known as the SAFE-T Act, is a state of Illinois statute enacted in 2021 that makes a number of reforms to the criminal justice system affecting policing, pretrial detention and bail, sentencing, and corrections. (1) The Pretrial Fairness Act, part of the SAFE-T Act, eliminates cash bail and replaces it with a new process for pretrial release. (2) It was set to take effect on January 1, 2023, but was delayed as explained later in this article.
Prior to this legislation, judges set an amount of "cash bail" or "money bond" for detained individuals. That amount would vary based on the severity of the crime, and any person who was able to post 10% of that amount would be released pending trial. In the new system, the role of cash payments is eliminated; and at a hearing, judges will determine whether detained individuals pose a risk if released. Pretrial release can be denied by a judge after the hearing, "when it is determined that the defendant poses a specific, real and present threat to a person, or has a high likelihood of willful flight. (3)
What crimes would qualify for detention (denial of release)? The list of so-called “forcible felonies” that could invite judicial discretion on pretrial detention includes first and second-degree murder, predatory criminal sexual assault, robbery, burglary, residential burglary, aggravated arson, arson, kidnapping, aggravated battery resulting in great bodily harm, or any other felony that involves the use or threat of physical force or violence against an individual. Also qualifying for detention are non-probationable felonies, forcible felonies, hate crimes, attempts of crimes that are otherwise detainable, animal torture and DUI causing great bodily harm. Judges may also choose to release such suspects. (4)
How did the law get to the Illinois Supreme Court?
The SAFE-T act, including the Pretrial Fairness Act, narrowly passed in early 2020 after being amended multiple times. (5) The bill passed largely on a party-line vote in both chambers, with Republicans still voicing opposition to the final makeup of the legislation (read more about the law). Prosecutors across the state filed lawsuits challenging the law’s constitutionality and in December, Kankakee County Chief Judge Thomas Cunnington agreed with the groups and ruled the cash bail provision unconstitutional, though his ruling would have only applied to counties that had sued. An appeal by Attorney General Kwame Raoul sent the matter to the state Supreme Court, and the justices ordered that the entire Pretrial Fairness Act wouldn’t go into effect until further notice “in order to maintain consistent pretrial procedures throughout Illinois.” (6) Arguments in front of the Illinois Supreme Court began on March 14. (7)
A key question for justices was what the word “bail” actually means. The Illinois constitution promises the right of bail to everyone, except people charged with certain offenses. The state’s attorneys argued that when the constitution says people “shall be bailable by sufficient sureties”— that includes cash bail. So, they said lawmakers can’t get rid of monetary bail without going through the difficult and cumbersome process of changing the constitution first. But defenders of the SAFE-T Act said that definition of bail is wrong. In court filings they argued the language in the constitution simply means defendants have the right to freedom while they await their trial. They argued “bail” can be non-monetary and include other conditions that would make sure a person returns to court, for example, electronic monitoring. (8)
A coalition of 426 organizations and individuals filed a document with the Illinois Supreme Court arguing that the elimination of cash bail will make communities safer. That coalition included victim rights groups like the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence. They pointed to studies that show when reliance on cash bail was reduced in Cook County, there was no statistical effect on crime. They argued that when people are unable to pay bail, they “often lose their jobs, housing, health care, family and social ties, and potentially custody of their children.” And when people’s lives are destabilized, that makes communities less safe.
Arguing the opposite, the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7, which represents over 11,500 sworn Chicago Police Officers, also filed a document with the court. They said eliminating cash bail would have a “drastic adverse impact on the work and safety of its members, their families, the community they serve, and the work of all law enforcement officers across Illinois.” They said “less detention results in more crime, including violent crime.” (9)
Another key argument in the decision is about the separation of powers. Each branch of government (judicial, executive, and legislative) has a distinct job with its own powers and responsibilities. Critics of the SAFE-T Act say the law blurs those boundaries, because the legislative branch is telling judges what to do. But defenders of the law say that is wrongheaded. They argue lawmakers have authority to regulate how the court operates. For example, lawmakers have set mandatory minimums, which shape how judges can sentence a person. (10)
Did political affiliation play a role in the Supreme Court decision? The lower court judge who ruled against the SAFE-T ACT, Kankakee Judge Thomas Cunningham, is a Republican. The Illinois Supreme Court is majority Democrat. Five of the seven Illinois Supreme Court judges were newly elected as Democrats and don’t have a long record of Supreme Court decisions to analyze. Democrats pushed the SAFE-T act through the legislature and Democratic judges could be more friendly to arguments that protect the new law. But the debate over cash bail doesn’t break entirely along party lines. For example, some of the state’s attorneys who sued over the law are Democrats. (11)
The Illinois Supreme Court upheld the law as constitutional.
The Illinois Supreme Court on July 18 upheld the Pretrial Fairness Act, ruling it doesn’t violate the Illinois Constitution. The 5-2 ruling means Illinois will be the first state to eliminate cash bail. Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he supported the decision. It will take effect Sept. 18, 2023 rather than the January 1, 2023 set before the stay by the Kankakee County Circuit Court, which sided with a lawsuit claiming it was unconstitutional. A 60-day period for implementation is constitutionally required.
The new September 18 implementation date was set by Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Mary Ann Theis, who wrote the court’s opinion. “The Illinois Constitution of 1970 does not mandate that monetary bail is the only means to ensure criminal defendants appear for trials or the only means to protect the public,” the majority opinion stated. The decision was concurred by Justices P. Scott Neville, Joy Cunningham, Elizabeth Rochford and Mary O’Brien.
In a dissenting opinion, Justice David Overstreet said the state’s high court should have struck down the law. “On the contrary, the legislature’s abolishment of monetary bail is in direct violation of the plain language of our constitution’s bill of rights and, more specifically, the vested rights of crime victims set out in article I, section 8.1, of the Illinois Constitution. Ill. Const. 1970, art. I, § 8.1(a)(9),” Overstreet said. “Therefore, this court has an absolute obligation to declare the pretrial release provisions of the Act to be invalid and unenforceable no matter how beneficial the abolishment of monetary bail may be.” Justice Lisa Holder White concurred with the dissent. (12)
End Notes:
By Joyce Geiler
On July 18, the Illinois Supreme Court upheld as constitutional the Pretrial Fairness Act, one of the provisions of the SAFE-T Act. The Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today Act, commonly known as the SAFE-T Act, is a state of Illinois statute enacted in 2021 that makes a number of reforms to the criminal justice system affecting policing, pretrial detention and bail, sentencing, and corrections. (1) The Pretrial Fairness Act, part of the SAFE-T Act, eliminates cash bail and replaces it with a new process for pretrial release. (2) It was set to take effect on January 1, 2023, but was delayed as explained later in this article.
Prior to this legislation, judges set an amount of "cash bail" or "money bond" for detained individuals. That amount would vary based on the severity of the crime, and any person who was able to post 10% of that amount would be released pending trial. In the new system, the role of cash payments is eliminated; and at a hearing, judges will determine whether detained individuals pose a risk if released. Pretrial release can be denied by a judge after the hearing, "when it is determined that the defendant poses a specific, real and present threat to a person, or has a high likelihood of willful flight. (3)
What crimes would qualify for detention (denial of release)? The list of so-called “forcible felonies” that could invite judicial discretion on pretrial detention includes first and second-degree murder, predatory criminal sexual assault, robbery, burglary, residential burglary, aggravated arson, arson, kidnapping, aggravated battery resulting in great bodily harm, or any other felony that involves the use or threat of physical force or violence against an individual. Also qualifying for detention are non-probationable felonies, forcible felonies, hate crimes, attempts of crimes that are otherwise detainable, animal torture and DUI causing great bodily harm. Judges may also choose to release such suspects. (4)
How did the law get to the Illinois Supreme Court?
The SAFE-T act, including the Pretrial Fairness Act, narrowly passed in early 2020 after being amended multiple times. (5) The bill passed largely on a party-line vote in both chambers, with Republicans still voicing opposition to the final makeup of the legislation (read more about the law). Prosecutors across the state filed lawsuits challenging the law’s constitutionality and in December, Kankakee County Chief Judge Thomas Cunnington agreed with the groups and ruled the cash bail provision unconstitutional, though his ruling would have only applied to counties that had sued. An appeal by Attorney General Kwame Raoul sent the matter to the state Supreme Court, and the justices ordered that the entire Pretrial Fairness Act wouldn’t go into effect until further notice “in order to maintain consistent pretrial procedures throughout Illinois.” (6) Arguments in front of the Illinois Supreme Court began on March 14. (7)
A key question for justices was what the word “bail” actually means. The Illinois constitution promises the right of bail to everyone, except people charged with certain offenses. The state’s attorneys argued that when the constitution says people “shall be bailable by sufficient sureties”— that includes cash bail. So, they said lawmakers can’t get rid of monetary bail without going through the difficult and cumbersome process of changing the constitution first. But defenders of the SAFE-T Act said that definition of bail is wrong. In court filings they argued the language in the constitution simply means defendants have the right to freedom while they await their trial. They argued “bail” can be non-monetary and include other conditions that would make sure a person returns to court, for example, electronic monitoring. (8)
A coalition of 426 organizations and individuals filed a document with the Illinois Supreme Court arguing that the elimination of cash bail will make communities safer. That coalition included victim rights groups like the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence. They pointed to studies that show when reliance on cash bail was reduced in Cook County, there was no statistical effect on crime. They argued that when people are unable to pay bail, they “often lose their jobs, housing, health care, family and social ties, and potentially custody of their children.” And when people’s lives are destabilized, that makes communities less safe.
Arguing the opposite, the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7, which represents over 11,500 sworn Chicago Police Officers, also filed a document with the court. They said eliminating cash bail would have a “drastic adverse impact on the work and safety of its members, their families, the community they serve, and the work of all law enforcement officers across Illinois.” They said “less detention results in more crime, including violent crime.” (9)
Another key argument in the decision is about the separation of powers. Each branch of government (judicial, executive, and legislative) has a distinct job with its own powers and responsibilities. Critics of the SAFE-T Act say the law blurs those boundaries, because the legislative branch is telling judges what to do. But defenders of the law say that is wrongheaded. They argue lawmakers have authority to regulate how the court operates. For example, lawmakers have set mandatory minimums, which shape how judges can sentence a person. (10)
Did political affiliation play a role in the Supreme Court decision? The lower court judge who ruled against the SAFE-T ACT, Kankakee Judge Thomas Cunningham, is a Republican. The Illinois Supreme Court is majority Democrat. Five of the seven Illinois Supreme Court judges were newly elected as Democrats and don’t have a long record of Supreme Court decisions to analyze. Democrats pushed the SAFE-T act through the legislature and Democratic judges could be more friendly to arguments that protect the new law. But the debate over cash bail doesn’t break entirely along party lines. For example, some of the state’s attorneys who sued over the law are Democrats. (11)
The Illinois Supreme Court upheld the law as constitutional.
The Illinois Supreme Court on July 18 upheld the Pretrial Fairness Act, ruling it doesn’t violate the Illinois Constitution. The 5-2 ruling means Illinois will be the first state to eliminate cash bail. Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he supported the decision. It will take effect Sept. 18, 2023 rather than the January 1, 2023 set before the stay by the Kankakee County Circuit Court, which sided with a lawsuit claiming it was unconstitutional. A 60-day period for implementation is constitutionally required.
The new September 18 implementation date was set by Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Mary Ann Theis, who wrote the court’s opinion. “The Illinois Constitution of 1970 does not mandate that monetary bail is the only means to ensure criminal defendants appear for trials or the only means to protect the public,” the majority opinion stated. The decision was concurred by Justices P. Scott Neville, Joy Cunningham, Elizabeth Rochford and Mary O’Brien.
In a dissenting opinion, Justice David Overstreet said the state’s high court should have struck down the law. “On the contrary, the legislature’s abolishment of monetary bail is in direct violation of the plain language of our constitution’s bill of rights and, more specifically, the vested rights of crime victims set out in article I, section 8.1, of the Illinois Constitution. Ill. Const. 1970, art. I, § 8.1(a)(9),” Overstreet said. “Therefore, this court has an absolute obligation to declare the pretrial release provisions of the Act to be invalid and unenforceable no matter how beneficial the abolishment of monetary bail may be.” Justice Lisa Holder White concurred with the dissent. (12)
End Notes:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SAFE-T_Act
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SAFE-T_Act
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SAFE-T_Act
- https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/cash-bail-set-to-end-in-illinois-in-2023-heres-what-that-means/3031435/
- https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_0d4b8bbe-2575-11ee-b8fb-f304c79c0b1f.html
- https://www.nprillinois.org/illinois/2023-07-18/illinois-supreme-court-rules-safe-t-act-does-not-violate-state-constitution
- https://www.nprillinois.org/illinois/2023-03-13/five-things-to-know-as-the-safe-t-act-goes-to-the-illinois-supreme-court
- https://www.nprillinois.org/illinois/2023-03-13/five-things-to-know-as-the-safe-t-act-goes-to-the-illinois-supreme-court
- https://www.nprillinois.org/illinois/2023-03-13/five-things-to-know-as-the-safe-t-act-goes-to-the-illinois-supreme-court
- https://www.nprillinois.org/illinois/2023-03-13/five-things-to-know-as-the-safe-t-act-goes-to-the-illinois-supreme-court
- https://www.nprillinois.org/illinois/2023-03-13/five-things-to-know-as-the-safe-t-act-goes-to-the-illinois-supreme-court
- https://www.illinoispolicy.org/vallas-a-real-strategy-for-containing-out-of-control-violence-in-chicago/ https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_0d4b8bbe-2575-11ee-b8fb-f304c79c0b1f.html
Rhetoric Versus Reality
By Joyce Geiler
The Illinois 2024 fiscal year budget is signed by the governor so why talk any more about it? This article will explore several places in which the budget does not seem to reflect reality. We continue to discuss it so that we can pray for our governmental leaders and not continue to re-elect the same people who produced this budget.
Government Pensions Shorted by $4.1B
Despite repeated claims by elected leaders that the budget is balanced, that claim ignores a massive unpaid bill: state pensions. Appropriations to the five statewide pension funds will fall $4.1 billion below what the plans’ own actuaries have determined is required to begin paying off the state’s pension debt. While Gov. Pritzker has touted his administration’s handling of the state’s pension crisis – including making $200 million in additional pension contributions in the 2024 budget – state budgets continue to shortchange pensions by billions of dollars annually. The effects of year after year paying in too little have resulted in massive growth in pension debt, which now stands at $140 billion, according to state estimates. It is likely much worse. Independent estimates put the figure at more than $300 billion, using assumptions that are more realistic than the state’s optimistic projections. (1)
Rainy-Day Fund Should be Increased by 5 Times
The state’s record high $50.6 billion Spending Plan doesn’t adequately provide for the state’s “rainy-day” fund (Budget Stabilization Fund.). The “rainy-day” fund is reserved money set aside to cover state operations for a specified time in an emergency. The current balance in the fund is certainly better than the 2013 balance, which wasn’t enough to fund even one day of Illinois government. According to the latest data from the National Association of State Budget Officers, Illinois ranks 49th in the nation for total reserve balances. That amount includes both rainy-day funds and any general fund balances carried forward from the previous fiscal year.
In fiscal year 2023, Illinois had enough rainy-day funding to operate the state for about 9 days. For comparison, Wyoming ranks number one with its 376.8 day fund, and three states have funding for over 100 days. Going into fiscal year 2024, the May 17, 2023 rainy-day fund level was $1.73 billion on which the state could operate for fewer than 13 days. It took unprecedented revenues and billions in one-time federal aid to get the state rainy day fund even to this level. Illinois should have enough in reserve to run the state for 60 days as recommended by experts with the Government Finance Officers Association. To accomplish that in one year would require allocating $8.3 billion from the 2024 fiscal year budget of $50.6 billion. (2)
State law currently requires a $45 million minimum contribution to the fund; however, the fund’s balance remains insufficient. This is especially troubling given that the 2024 budget leaves virtually no wiggle room between spending and anticipated revenues. While the Pritzker administration has said the $50.6 billion spending plan is balanced, Illinois has no formal procedure for estimating revenue nor have any current revenue projections been made publicly available. Because there is no agreed-upon and standardized procedure for estimating revenues, the estimates announced by the governor’s office can become highly politicized and unreliable. If revenues falter and fail to meet expectations, the 2024 budget would quickly fall out of balance, and perhaps use up all of the rainy-day fund. Even if revenues do come in as projected, the budget only accounted for half of the cost of increased Medicaid provider reimbursement rates. (3)
The budget doesn’t account for the cost of a new American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) contract, which will probably carry increases in costs. The current contract for AFSCME, the largest trade union of public employees, expired June 30 and a new contract will likely cost more.
Illinois Lawmakers Got a Raise
Among states where legislatures are considered less than “full-time,” Illinois’ lawmakers are the highest paid, according to data from the National Conference of State Legislatures. The NCSL (National Conference of State Legislatures) classifies Illinois as “full-time lite,” meaning they serve smaller districts and work shorter sessions than full-time lawmakers, but are highly paid and employ large staffs who perform legislative work for at least 80% of their jobs. Illinois lawmakers are in session for about 70 days a year. (4)
At the start of 2023, Illinois legislators received a 15.9% ($11,655) raise in base pay, to $85,000. Most members will make more since committee chair members receive $12,000 in addition to base pay; and House speaker, Senate president, and the minority leaders of each chamber will receive up to an additional $1600 for their position. (5)
They will receive an additional $4,250 cost of living raise that pushes their annual salary to nearly $90,000. Lawmakers tried to give themselves a 5.5% boost, but the Illinois Constitution limits cost-of-living increases to 5% or the rate of inflation, whichever is lower. Only California, New York, and Pennsylvania pay their legislators more than Illinois. The U.S. average state lawmaker salary is $40,596. While Illinois lawmakers’ salaries outpace inflation, the average Illinois worker salary has not kept up even though gas and grocery taxes in Illinois have continued to increase. (6)
Stratton Building Consideration
Also included in the budget was $50 million dedicated to planning and design of a new legislative building to replace the Stratton Building where lawmakers have their offices. The full costs of replacing the building was projected at more than $250 million roughly 15 years ago. Discussion has been ongoing for several years about what to do with the Stratton building. (7)
To clarify, the construction currently in progress at the capitol is the $225 million project funded by the state's Rebuild Illinois initiative, which is updating facilities on the north wing of the statehouse while also building more parking underneath the Stratton Building. (8) Funds for this project are not part of the annual budget. Instead, they are apportioned from a 2019 bill that increased various gas taxes, vehicle registration fees, title fees, parking tax fees, certain casino fees, and cigarette taxes, and enforced taxes on Illinois goods sold out-of-state. (9)
Given the above information, the shortfall in pension funding, the inadequate allowance for the “rainy-day” funding, the apparent lack of consideration of a probable increase in AFSCME contract expense, and the incomplete provision for the cost of increased Medicaid provider reimbursement rates, one wonders how the budget can be promoted as being balanced. Yet careful attention is given to increasing the salaries for lawmakers and seeking solutions for the Stratton building issue. The fiscal year 2024 budget certainly seems to give pause for concern.
Endnotes:
1. https://www.illinoispolicy.org/pensions-put-illinois-2024-budget-in-red-by-over-4b/
2. https://www.illinoispolicy.org/6-6b-gap-in-illinois-reserve-funds-is-far-from-fiscal-responsibility/
3. https://www.illinoispolicy.org/pensions-put-illinois-2024-budget-in-red-by-over-4b/
4. https://www.illinoispolicy.org/illinois-lawmakers-get-4250-raise-just-months-after-12000-raise/
5. https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/illinois-lawmakers-vote-themselves-a-16-raise-days-before-new-general-assembly-sworn-in/3039388/
6. https://www.illinoispolicy.org/illinois-lawmakers-get-4250-raise-just-months-after-12000-raise/
7. https://www.illinoispolicy.org/pensions-put-illinois-2024-budget-in-red-by-over-4b/
8. https://www.sj-r.com/story/news/state/2023/02/13/illinois-state-capitol-construction-includes-new-garage-and-entrance/69857780007/
9. https://illinoisepi.org/rebuild-illinois/legislation/ file:///C:/Users/Joyce/Downloads/20266-Rebuild_Illinois_Capital_Plan.cleaned.pdf
By Joyce Geiler
The Illinois 2024 fiscal year budget is signed by the governor so why talk any more about it? This article will explore several places in which the budget does not seem to reflect reality. We continue to discuss it so that we can pray for our governmental leaders and not continue to re-elect the same people who produced this budget.
Government Pensions Shorted by $4.1B
Despite repeated claims by elected leaders that the budget is balanced, that claim ignores a massive unpaid bill: state pensions. Appropriations to the five statewide pension funds will fall $4.1 billion below what the plans’ own actuaries have determined is required to begin paying off the state’s pension debt. While Gov. Pritzker has touted his administration’s handling of the state’s pension crisis – including making $200 million in additional pension contributions in the 2024 budget – state budgets continue to shortchange pensions by billions of dollars annually. The effects of year after year paying in too little have resulted in massive growth in pension debt, which now stands at $140 billion, according to state estimates. It is likely much worse. Independent estimates put the figure at more than $300 billion, using assumptions that are more realistic than the state’s optimistic projections. (1)
Rainy-Day Fund Should be Increased by 5 Times
The state’s record high $50.6 billion Spending Plan doesn’t adequately provide for the state’s “rainy-day” fund (Budget Stabilization Fund.). The “rainy-day” fund is reserved money set aside to cover state operations for a specified time in an emergency. The current balance in the fund is certainly better than the 2013 balance, which wasn’t enough to fund even one day of Illinois government. According to the latest data from the National Association of State Budget Officers, Illinois ranks 49th in the nation for total reserve balances. That amount includes both rainy-day funds and any general fund balances carried forward from the previous fiscal year.
In fiscal year 2023, Illinois had enough rainy-day funding to operate the state for about 9 days. For comparison, Wyoming ranks number one with its 376.8 day fund, and three states have funding for over 100 days. Going into fiscal year 2024, the May 17, 2023 rainy-day fund level was $1.73 billion on which the state could operate for fewer than 13 days. It took unprecedented revenues and billions in one-time federal aid to get the state rainy day fund even to this level. Illinois should have enough in reserve to run the state for 60 days as recommended by experts with the Government Finance Officers Association. To accomplish that in one year would require allocating $8.3 billion from the 2024 fiscal year budget of $50.6 billion. (2)
State law currently requires a $45 million minimum contribution to the fund; however, the fund’s balance remains insufficient. This is especially troubling given that the 2024 budget leaves virtually no wiggle room between spending and anticipated revenues. While the Pritzker administration has said the $50.6 billion spending plan is balanced, Illinois has no formal procedure for estimating revenue nor have any current revenue projections been made publicly available. Because there is no agreed-upon and standardized procedure for estimating revenues, the estimates announced by the governor’s office can become highly politicized and unreliable. If revenues falter and fail to meet expectations, the 2024 budget would quickly fall out of balance, and perhaps use up all of the rainy-day fund. Even if revenues do come in as projected, the budget only accounted for half of the cost of increased Medicaid provider reimbursement rates. (3)
The budget doesn’t account for the cost of a new American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) contract, which will probably carry increases in costs. The current contract for AFSCME, the largest trade union of public employees, expired June 30 and a new contract will likely cost more.
Illinois Lawmakers Got a Raise
Among states where legislatures are considered less than “full-time,” Illinois’ lawmakers are the highest paid, according to data from the National Conference of State Legislatures. The NCSL (National Conference of State Legislatures) classifies Illinois as “full-time lite,” meaning they serve smaller districts and work shorter sessions than full-time lawmakers, but are highly paid and employ large staffs who perform legislative work for at least 80% of their jobs. Illinois lawmakers are in session for about 70 days a year. (4)
At the start of 2023, Illinois legislators received a 15.9% ($11,655) raise in base pay, to $85,000. Most members will make more since committee chair members receive $12,000 in addition to base pay; and House speaker, Senate president, and the minority leaders of each chamber will receive up to an additional $1600 for their position. (5)
They will receive an additional $4,250 cost of living raise that pushes their annual salary to nearly $90,000. Lawmakers tried to give themselves a 5.5% boost, but the Illinois Constitution limits cost-of-living increases to 5% or the rate of inflation, whichever is lower. Only California, New York, and Pennsylvania pay their legislators more than Illinois. The U.S. average state lawmaker salary is $40,596. While Illinois lawmakers’ salaries outpace inflation, the average Illinois worker salary has not kept up even though gas and grocery taxes in Illinois have continued to increase. (6)
Stratton Building Consideration
Also included in the budget was $50 million dedicated to planning and design of a new legislative building to replace the Stratton Building where lawmakers have their offices. The full costs of replacing the building was projected at more than $250 million roughly 15 years ago. Discussion has been ongoing for several years about what to do with the Stratton building. (7)
To clarify, the construction currently in progress at the capitol is the $225 million project funded by the state's Rebuild Illinois initiative, which is updating facilities on the north wing of the statehouse while also building more parking underneath the Stratton Building. (8) Funds for this project are not part of the annual budget. Instead, they are apportioned from a 2019 bill that increased various gas taxes, vehicle registration fees, title fees, parking tax fees, certain casino fees, and cigarette taxes, and enforced taxes on Illinois goods sold out-of-state. (9)
Given the above information, the shortfall in pension funding, the inadequate allowance for the “rainy-day” funding, the apparent lack of consideration of a probable increase in AFSCME contract expense, and the incomplete provision for the cost of increased Medicaid provider reimbursement rates, one wonders how the budget can be promoted as being balanced. Yet careful attention is given to increasing the salaries for lawmakers and seeking solutions for the Stratton building issue. The fiscal year 2024 budget certainly seems to give pause for concern.
Endnotes:
1. https://www.illinoispolicy.org/pensions-put-illinois-2024-budget-in-red-by-over-4b/
2. https://www.illinoispolicy.org/6-6b-gap-in-illinois-reserve-funds-is-far-from-fiscal-responsibility/
3. https://www.illinoispolicy.org/pensions-put-illinois-2024-budget-in-red-by-over-4b/
4. https://www.illinoispolicy.org/illinois-lawmakers-get-4250-raise-just-months-after-12000-raise/
5. https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/illinois-lawmakers-vote-themselves-a-16-raise-days-before-new-general-assembly-sworn-in/3039388/
6. https://www.illinoispolicy.org/illinois-lawmakers-get-4250-raise-just-months-after-12000-raise/
7. https://www.illinoispolicy.org/pensions-put-illinois-2024-budget-in-red-by-over-4b/
8. https://www.sj-r.com/story/news/state/2023/02/13/illinois-state-capitol-construction-includes-new-garage-and-entrance/69857780007/
9. https://illinoisepi.org/rebuild-illinois/legislation/ file:///C:/Users/Joyce/Downloads/20266-Rebuild_Illinois_Capital_Plan.cleaned.pdf
End of Spring 2023 Legislative Session
By Joyce Geiler
Illinois lawmakers finally approved a new state budget early Saturday, May 27, sending it to Gov. JB Pritzker for his signature with just over a month to spare before it takes effect with the new state fiscal year beginning July 1. The Illinois House approved the $50.5 billion spending plan after a lengthy debate during which Democrats called the budget “balanced” and “compassionate” while Republicans claimed it masks hidden costs and fails to address the state’s most urgent priorities. The Illinois Constitution requires bills to be read into the record by title on three different days before a vote can be taken. but the requirements were met, and the bill was passed in time for legislators to leave Springfield for the bulk of Memorial Day weekend. The House vote of 73-38 came just about 2:30 a.m. Saturday after it passed the Illinois Senate 34-22 early Friday.
The final spending plan looked substantially like the one Gov. Pritzker outlined in his February budget proposal containing several new initiatives he asked for. The state’s constitution gives legislative leaders 30 days from a bill’s passage to send it to the governor, who then has 60 days to sign or veto it. There are numerous bills of concern waiting for the governor’s signature, many of which will be explored during these next 60 days. The focus of this article is on education: the education funding aspect of the budget as well as other education-related bills.
After the passage of the budget bill, Gov. Pritzker issued a statement saying, "this budget reaffirms our shared commitment to fiscal responsibility while making transformative investments in the children and families of Illinois that will be felt for years to come.” (1)
“Tuition-free” College
According to Gov. Pritzker, “With this new budget, we're making it possible for nearly every student from a low-income, moderate-income. or middle-income family to go to community college tuition free.” The $50.6 billion budget includes a $100 million increase in funding for the state’s needs-based Monetary Award Program, or MAP grants, bringing the total level of funding for that program to $701 million, which is a 75 percent increase since 2019 when Gov. Pritzker came into office. (2)
MAP grants, which do not need to be repaid, are available to eligible Illinois residents who attend approved Illinois colleges and demonstrate financial need that is determined by information provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®). MAP grants are funded by the State of Illinois and can be applied only toward tuition and mandatory fees. (3) The Governor expects federal PELL grants, also based on financial need, to fill in gaps in Illinois’ MAP program.
Higher Education
The higher education budget also includes a $15 million increase in the state’s AIM HIGH merit-based scholarship program. The AIM HIGH Scholarship is funded by the State of Illinois Aspirational Institutional Match Helping Illinois Grow Higher Education (AIM HIGH). This Grant Pilot Program was designed to encourage Illinois students to attend an in-state university and improve college affordability. (4)
The budget also provides for an overall seven percent increase in the base operating budgets of universities and community colleges, which Gov. Pritzker said was especially important to help schools recruit and retain the best faculty and staff. Another bill, which is a non-budgetary bill, requires higher education institutions to provide official transcripts to students when requested, regardless of if the student owes a debt to the university. Another bill expands eligible documents a student in higher education can submit to establish a disability and need for accommodations.
Elementary Education
In addition to increases in higher education funding, the budget also includes the statutorily required annual $350 million increase in the Evidence Based Funding formula for K-12 schools. (5) Beginning in 2017, Illinois decision makers replaced the K-12 public education funding formulas with the Evidence-Based Funding for Student Success Act, or EBF, with the promise of closing Illinois’ drastic funding and achievement gaps between schools in property-rich and property-poor districts. (6)
The budget also includes $250 million to launch a four-year initiative called Smart Start Illinois that seeks to make early childhood day care and preschool available to every family in Illinois that wants it. Gov. Pritzker said Smart Start Illinois "will make our existing programs more equitable, giving moderate-income families greater access to quality programs, and investing in an early childhood workforce made up largely of women and people of color." (7) Illinois elementary and unit public school districts will be required to offer full-day kindergarten by the 2027-2028 school year. After that time, offering half-day kindergarten would be optional. Some districts would be able to apply for a two-year waiver based on their level of state funding. The measure would also create a task force to study the number of districts offering kindergarten, the number of students enrolled, and several other factors. The task force is to be named by October, with an interim report due to lawmakers by June 30, 2024, and a final report by Jan. 31, 2025. (8)
Teacher shortage
State lawmakers approved several bills during the spring session aimed at addressing the teacher shortage. One bill will temporarily suspend one of the tests prospective teachers must pass to be licensed in Illinois and will create a task force to review the current testing. The test is known as the Teacher Performance Assessment, or “edTPA,” and would be suspended through Aug. 31, 2025, under the measure. The edTPA is a performance-based assessment that requires applicants to submit a portfolio including lesson plans and tests they’ve administered while student teaching, along with examples of student work and other material. The portfolios are scored by outside teachers and teacher educators. It has been a requirement in Illinois since 2015 but was temporarily stalled by Pritzker’s executive orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The task force is set to make recommendations to the State Board of Education and the General Assembly by Aug. 1, 2024. (9) (10)
A bill has been signed that extends the expiration period for a teacher to purchase two years of service credits for employment as a teacher or administrator at a private school from 2023 until June 30, 2028. Other teacher-related bills already signed include bills that increase the number of hours retired teachers are allowed to work and bills that allow retiring teacher to forgo an evaluation in their last evaluation cycle before they retire. There is now the stipulation that when hiring for physical education, music, and visual arts educators, school districts will prioritize hiring educators who hold an endorsement in that area. Additional bills require schools to inform parents and guardians of students involved in bullying incidents of said incident within 24 hours or make diligent efforts to do so. (11)
School District Cash Reserves
A bill awaiting the governor’s signature would require school districts to report their annual cash reserves and average three-year operating expenditures to the state. When reserves exceed 2.5 times the average three-year expenditures, the school district would be required to file a plan to the state board detailing how they plan to spend down reserves to 2.5 times their average expenditures or less. Districts would not be required to spend reserves, but only to submit the plan detailing how they intend to do so over three years. (12) A bill already signed lowers the required amount that is to be held in reserve by the school district when they are issuing bonds. The amount required to be held in reserve would be lowered from 25% to 10% of the total bonded amount. (13)
While the attention of many Illinoisans has been on the budget, one can see from this listing of education-related bills, the legislature has invested considerable effort in bills they believe will increase the participation of teachers in Illinois and bills that regulate school district finances, which is regulating from a state level rather than a local level.
Endnotes:
1. https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/illinois/articles/2023-05-27/illinois-lawmakers-approve-50-5-billion-budget-and-await-gov-pritzkers-signature
2. https://www.wglt.org/illinois/2023-05-31/pritzker-touts-new-budgets-higher-education-spending
3. https://www.isac.org/students/during-college/types-of-financial-aid/grants/monetary-award-program/
4. https://financialaid.illinoisstate.edu/scholarships/aim-high/
5. https://www.wglt.org/illinois/2023-05-31/pritzker-touts-new-budgets-higher-education-spending
6. https://ctbaonline.org/reports/impact-underfunding-evidence-based-funding-formula
7. https://www.wglt.org/illinois/2023-05-31/pritzker-touts-new-budgets-higher-education-spending https://www.iecam.illinois.edu/news/gov-pritzker-introduces-smart-start-illinois
8. https://capitolnewsillinois.com/NEWS/pritzker-set-to-consider-signing-more-than-500-bills-in-the-next-three-months
9. https://www.illinoispolicy.org/pandemic-cocktails-to-go-gets-extension-in-illinois/
10. https://capitolnewsillinois.com/NEWS/pritzker-set-to-consider-signing-more-than-500-bills-in-the-next-three-months
11. https://www.northernpublicradio.org/illinois/2023-06-05/sen-bennett-liked-some-things-in-the-new-state-budget-but-said-it-was-not-transparent
12. https://newschannel20.com/news/local/governor-pritzker-signs-90-new-bills-into-laws
13. https://capitolnewsillinois.com/NEWS/pritzker-set-to-consider-signing-more-than-500-bills-in-the-next-three-months
14. https://newschannel20.com/news/local/governor-pritzker-signs-90-new-bills-into-laws
By Joyce Geiler
Illinois lawmakers finally approved a new state budget early Saturday, May 27, sending it to Gov. JB Pritzker for his signature with just over a month to spare before it takes effect with the new state fiscal year beginning July 1. The Illinois House approved the $50.5 billion spending plan after a lengthy debate during which Democrats called the budget “balanced” and “compassionate” while Republicans claimed it masks hidden costs and fails to address the state’s most urgent priorities. The Illinois Constitution requires bills to be read into the record by title on three different days before a vote can be taken. but the requirements were met, and the bill was passed in time for legislators to leave Springfield for the bulk of Memorial Day weekend. The House vote of 73-38 came just about 2:30 a.m. Saturday after it passed the Illinois Senate 34-22 early Friday.
The final spending plan looked substantially like the one Gov. Pritzker outlined in his February budget proposal containing several new initiatives he asked for. The state’s constitution gives legislative leaders 30 days from a bill’s passage to send it to the governor, who then has 60 days to sign or veto it. There are numerous bills of concern waiting for the governor’s signature, many of which will be explored during these next 60 days. The focus of this article is on education: the education funding aspect of the budget as well as other education-related bills.
After the passage of the budget bill, Gov. Pritzker issued a statement saying, "this budget reaffirms our shared commitment to fiscal responsibility while making transformative investments in the children and families of Illinois that will be felt for years to come.” (1)
“Tuition-free” College
According to Gov. Pritzker, “With this new budget, we're making it possible for nearly every student from a low-income, moderate-income. or middle-income family to go to community college tuition free.” The $50.6 billion budget includes a $100 million increase in funding for the state’s needs-based Monetary Award Program, or MAP grants, bringing the total level of funding for that program to $701 million, which is a 75 percent increase since 2019 when Gov. Pritzker came into office. (2)
MAP grants, which do not need to be repaid, are available to eligible Illinois residents who attend approved Illinois colleges and demonstrate financial need that is determined by information provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®). MAP grants are funded by the State of Illinois and can be applied only toward tuition and mandatory fees. (3) The Governor expects federal PELL grants, also based on financial need, to fill in gaps in Illinois’ MAP program.
Higher Education
The higher education budget also includes a $15 million increase in the state’s AIM HIGH merit-based scholarship program. The AIM HIGH Scholarship is funded by the State of Illinois Aspirational Institutional Match Helping Illinois Grow Higher Education (AIM HIGH). This Grant Pilot Program was designed to encourage Illinois students to attend an in-state university and improve college affordability. (4)
The budget also provides for an overall seven percent increase in the base operating budgets of universities and community colleges, which Gov. Pritzker said was especially important to help schools recruit and retain the best faculty and staff. Another bill, which is a non-budgetary bill, requires higher education institutions to provide official transcripts to students when requested, regardless of if the student owes a debt to the university. Another bill expands eligible documents a student in higher education can submit to establish a disability and need for accommodations.
Elementary Education
In addition to increases in higher education funding, the budget also includes the statutorily required annual $350 million increase in the Evidence Based Funding formula for K-12 schools. (5) Beginning in 2017, Illinois decision makers replaced the K-12 public education funding formulas with the Evidence-Based Funding for Student Success Act, or EBF, with the promise of closing Illinois’ drastic funding and achievement gaps between schools in property-rich and property-poor districts. (6)
The budget also includes $250 million to launch a four-year initiative called Smart Start Illinois that seeks to make early childhood day care and preschool available to every family in Illinois that wants it. Gov. Pritzker said Smart Start Illinois "will make our existing programs more equitable, giving moderate-income families greater access to quality programs, and investing in an early childhood workforce made up largely of women and people of color." (7) Illinois elementary and unit public school districts will be required to offer full-day kindergarten by the 2027-2028 school year. After that time, offering half-day kindergarten would be optional. Some districts would be able to apply for a two-year waiver based on their level of state funding. The measure would also create a task force to study the number of districts offering kindergarten, the number of students enrolled, and several other factors. The task force is to be named by October, with an interim report due to lawmakers by June 30, 2024, and a final report by Jan. 31, 2025. (8)
Teacher shortage
State lawmakers approved several bills during the spring session aimed at addressing the teacher shortage. One bill will temporarily suspend one of the tests prospective teachers must pass to be licensed in Illinois and will create a task force to review the current testing. The test is known as the Teacher Performance Assessment, or “edTPA,” and would be suspended through Aug. 31, 2025, under the measure. The edTPA is a performance-based assessment that requires applicants to submit a portfolio including lesson plans and tests they’ve administered while student teaching, along with examples of student work and other material. The portfolios are scored by outside teachers and teacher educators. It has been a requirement in Illinois since 2015 but was temporarily stalled by Pritzker’s executive orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The task force is set to make recommendations to the State Board of Education and the General Assembly by Aug. 1, 2024. (9) (10)
A bill has been signed that extends the expiration period for a teacher to purchase two years of service credits for employment as a teacher or administrator at a private school from 2023 until June 30, 2028. Other teacher-related bills already signed include bills that increase the number of hours retired teachers are allowed to work and bills that allow retiring teacher to forgo an evaluation in their last evaluation cycle before they retire. There is now the stipulation that when hiring for physical education, music, and visual arts educators, school districts will prioritize hiring educators who hold an endorsement in that area. Additional bills require schools to inform parents and guardians of students involved in bullying incidents of said incident within 24 hours or make diligent efforts to do so. (11)
School District Cash Reserves
A bill awaiting the governor’s signature would require school districts to report their annual cash reserves and average three-year operating expenditures to the state. When reserves exceed 2.5 times the average three-year expenditures, the school district would be required to file a plan to the state board detailing how they plan to spend down reserves to 2.5 times their average expenditures or less. Districts would not be required to spend reserves, but only to submit the plan detailing how they intend to do so over three years. (12) A bill already signed lowers the required amount that is to be held in reserve by the school district when they are issuing bonds. The amount required to be held in reserve would be lowered from 25% to 10% of the total bonded amount. (13)
While the attention of many Illinoisans has been on the budget, one can see from this listing of education-related bills, the legislature has invested considerable effort in bills they believe will increase the participation of teachers in Illinois and bills that regulate school district finances, which is regulating from a state level rather than a local level.
Endnotes:
1. https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/illinois/articles/2023-05-27/illinois-lawmakers-approve-50-5-billion-budget-and-await-gov-pritzkers-signature
2. https://www.wglt.org/illinois/2023-05-31/pritzker-touts-new-budgets-higher-education-spending
3. https://www.isac.org/students/during-college/types-of-financial-aid/grants/monetary-award-program/
4. https://financialaid.illinoisstate.edu/scholarships/aim-high/
5. https://www.wglt.org/illinois/2023-05-31/pritzker-touts-new-budgets-higher-education-spending
6. https://ctbaonline.org/reports/impact-underfunding-evidence-based-funding-formula
7. https://www.wglt.org/illinois/2023-05-31/pritzker-touts-new-budgets-higher-education-spending https://www.iecam.illinois.edu/news/gov-pritzker-introduces-smart-start-illinois
8. https://capitolnewsillinois.com/NEWS/pritzker-set-to-consider-signing-more-than-500-bills-in-the-next-three-months
9. https://www.illinoispolicy.org/pandemic-cocktails-to-go-gets-extension-in-illinois/
10. https://capitolnewsillinois.com/NEWS/pritzker-set-to-consider-signing-more-than-500-bills-in-the-next-three-months
11. https://www.northernpublicradio.org/illinois/2023-06-05/sen-bennett-liked-some-things-in-the-new-state-budget-but-said-it-was-not-transparent
12. https://newschannel20.com/news/local/governor-pritzker-signs-90-new-bills-into-laws
13. https://capitolnewsillinois.com/NEWS/pritzker-set-to-consider-signing-more-than-500-bills-in-the-next-three-months
14. https://newschannel20.com/news/local/governor-pritzker-signs-90-new-bills-into-laws
Scheduled Legislative Session Ends Without Budget
By Joyce Geiler
At the start of the 103rd General Assembly in January, Democrats in the House and Senate scheduled adjournment for May 19. Per the Illinois Constitution, legislators have until May 31 to pass a budget for the coming fiscal year, which begins July 1. Also, lawmakers still have until the end of May before a constitutional trigger raises the threshold on the number of votes needed to pass legislation from the current simple majority to a three-fifths majority. (1)
Because a budget was not forthcoming last Friday, May 19 at the end of the scheduled legislative session, both chambers of the General Assembly extended their sessions into this week. The Senate returned for Wednesday and Thursday. The House returned Wednesday and is now scheduled through Friday to finalize the budget. Since little progress seems to have been made up to this point and since the minority party, who are the Republicans, have little opportunity for input, one wonders how hundreds of pages of budget will now be written, read, and approved in a matter of days. The resolution of budget may not happen by the time this article is sent out but the last paragraph contains an update.
House Minority Leader Tony McCombie, R-Savanna, noted that “Illinois Democrats have the largest majority in history and yet cannot abide by their own set schedules.” The House Republicans’ lead budget negotiator Rep. Norine Hammond, R-Macomb, said members of her party have been essentially uninvolved or uninvited to budget negotiations throughout the spring session. “We have attempted numerous meetings with the House Democratic budgeteer, with the speaker and the governor,” Hammond said at a Capitol news conference. “Only one group has met with us on more than one occasion, which is the governor and his team. No negotiations with others have occurred.” Even most Democrats have not seen anything resembling a draft budget either, as the group of top lawmakers negotiating the state’s spending plan is intentionally small. (2)
What is preventing the majority party, the Democrats, from arriving at a budget? One point of contention among Democrat’s impeding negotiations is an anticipated $1.1 billion in spending on health care for non-citizens aged 42 and older, who would otherwise qualify for Medicaid if not for their citizenship status. The governor’s office had only budgeted $220 million for that program. Members of the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus and Progressive Caucus have called for expanding the program to noncitizens between the ages of 19 and 42, at an estimated cost of $380 million next year. Budget requests from other groups include raising Medicaid reimbursement rates for hospitals, increased pay for providers serving individuals with disabilities, increases in funding for local governments and dozens of others.
The most recent revenue estimate from the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget anticipates about $50.4 billion in revenues for the upcoming budget year, even after April revenues plummeted more than $1.8 billion from one year ago. (3)
As the General Assembly extended its session with the budget unfinished, several sweeping last-minute bills surfaced. Cannabis regulation, elections, biometric privacy, ethics measures were all filed last Friday. Below is an overview of these bills:
CANNABIS: A bill that aims to implement a variety of reforms to Illinois’ cannabis industry would change dispensary operations and restrictions on craft growers. The amended Senate Bill 1559, among other things, would increase canopy space for craft growers from 5,000 square feet to 14,000 square feet. It would also allow dispensaries to operate drive-thru windows and offer curbside pick-up services, making sure they prioritize medical patients.
BIOMETRIC PRIVACY: Friday’s amendment would change Illinois’ Biometric Information Privacy Act, a first-of-its-kind law. Biometrics is the measurement of physiological characteristics like fingerprints, iris patterns, or facial features that can be used to identify an individual. The amendment more specifically defines aspects of this law that allows individuals to sue companies over improper collection or storage of their information.
ELECTIONS: An amendment has several elections-related provisions, including one that would allow 16-year-olds who are qualified to vote to pre-register to vote, although their registration would be held in abeyance until they turn 18. It would also allow 17-year-olds who will turn 18 before the next election to circulate petitions nominating a candidate or petitions proposing a ballot question. The amendment would establish a task force to study the feasibility of adopting a ranked-choice voting system in certain elections. Rank-choice voting is a method of voting in which voters can mark their ballot for multiple candidates in order of their preference.
ETHICS: An amendment to House Bill 3903 filed late Friday would prohibit companies that sell automated traffic enforcement devices such as red-light cameras from contributing to campaign funds if they contract with municipalities in Illinois. The measure would also require municipalities to conduct statistical analyses of the safety impact of existing systems. In recent years, executives of red-light camera companies have been named in federal investigations involving lawmaker misconduct. The amendment would also prohibit state lawmakers and municipal officers or employees from “knowingly” accepting employment or compensation from a vendor that provides automated traffic law enforcement system equipment or services to municipalities. It would create a two-year prohibition of any of those lawmakers or employees from receiving such compensation after they leave office or government work.
All the above-listed bills were introduced at the end of the week. Also, last week saw the passage of several measures that had been making their way through the legislative process for months. (4) Several of these are presented below:
House Bill 3425, sponsored by state Rep. Margaret Croke, D-Chicago, passed both houses May 4, 2023. The bill requires school principals to report bullying to parents within 24 hours. Some school associations opposed the bill, saying a 24-hour time limit puts an undue burden on schools especially for incidents that happen on a Friday. (5)
HB 1286 Equitable Restrooms All-Gender bill passed both houses May 19, 2023. This bill, which allows businesses to designate multi-occupancy restrooms as all-gender, now heads to the governor's desk.
The Illinois Legislature passed HB 2396 last week, which would require school districts to establish all-day kindergarten, and it is now headed to the governor’s desk to become law.
These reports reflect but a partial accounting of legislative activity that occurred over the last few weeks during which a budget was not passed. Not all states go through this last-minute budget process. Jim Long of Illinois Policy compares our failed process to the state of Georgia’s. There, the General Assembly must have the governor’s budget report within five days of convening in January. After receiving the report, the legislature reviews the governor’s recommendations and develops an appropriations bill. The bill must begin in the House of Representatives and moves back and forth with the Senate until a budget is approved. No other bills are addressed until the state’s most important bill, the budget, is passed in the legislature. (6)
UPDATE: Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Illinois legislative leaders announced Wednesday afternoon they had a deal on a roughly $50 billion state budget that they planned to quickly bring to the Senate floor, but the chamber adjourned about seven hours later without voting on the measure. Once voted on in the Senate, the bill will be sent to the House with the hopes of passing by Friday.
Included in the budget is $250 million for Smart Start Illinois, which has a goal of making sure every child in Illinois can afford preschool. Also included is more funding to help Illinoisans go to community college. The Invest in Kids Scholarship, which gave low-income families scholarships to go to private schools, and tax credits for Research and Development were not included in the budget. (7)
Endnotes:
1. https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_0e145bb4-f69c-11ed-81ad-5390e0ef6977.html?a?utm_source=thecentersquare.com&utm_campaign=%2Fnewsletters%2Flists%2Ft2%2Fillinois%2F&utm_medium=email&utm_content=headline
2. https://capitolnewsillinois.com/NEWS/as-leaders-extend-session-with-budget-unfinished-several-sweeping-last-minute-bills-surface
3. https://capitolnewsillinois.com/NEWS/as-leaders-extend-session-with-budget-unfinished-several-sweeping-last-minute-bills-surface
4. https://capitolnewsillinois.com/NEWS/as-leaders-extend-session-with-budget-unfinished-several-sweeping-last-minute-bills-surface
5. https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_eb6799ac-f68f-11ed-b9c4-cbd689dd1e40.html?a?utm_source=thecentersquare.com&utm_campaign=%2Fnewsletters%2Flists%2Ft2%2Fillinois%2F&utm_medium=email&utm_content=read%20more
6. https://www.illinoispolicy.org/
7. https://www.wcia.com/news/pritzker-announces-agreed-fy2024-illinois-budget/
By Joyce Geiler
At the start of the 103rd General Assembly in January, Democrats in the House and Senate scheduled adjournment for May 19. Per the Illinois Constitution, legislators have until May 31 to pass a budget for the coming fiscal year, which begins July 1. Also, lawmakers still have until the end of May before a constitutional trigger raises the threshold on the number of votes needed to pass legislation from the current simple majority to a three-fifths majority. (1)
Because a budget was not forthcoming last Friday, May 19 at the end of the scheduled legislative session, both chambers of the General Assembly extended their sessions into this week. The Senate returned for Wednesday and Thursday. The House returned Wednesday and is now scheduled through Friday to finalize the budget. Since little progress seems to have been made up to this point and since the minority party, who are the Republicans, have little opportunity for input, one wonders how hundreds of pages of budget will now be written, read, and approved in a matter of days. The resolution of budget may not happen by the time this article is sent out but the last paragraph contains an update.
House Minority Leader Tony McCombie, R-Savanna, noted that “Illinois Democrats have the largest majority in history and yet cannot abide by their own set schedules.” The House Republicans’ lead budget negotiator Rep. Norine Hammond, R-Macomb, said members of her party have been essentially uninvolved or uninvited to budget negotiations throughout the spring session. “We have attempted numerous meetings with the House Democratic budgeteer, with the speaker and the governor,” Hammond said at a Capitol news conference. “Only one group has met with us on more than one occasion, which is the governor and his team. No negotiations with others have occurred.” Even most Democrats have not seen anything resembling a draft budget either, as the group of top lawmakers negotiating the state’s spending plan is intentionally small. (2)
What is preventing the majority party, the Democrats, from arriving at a budget? One point of contention among Democrat’s impeding negotiations is an anticipated $1.1 billion in spending on health care for non-citizens aged 42 and older, who would otherwise qualify for Medicaid if not for their citizenship status. The governor’s office had only budgeted $220 million for that program. Members of the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus and Progressive Caucus have called for expanding the program to noncitizens between the ages of 19 and 42, at an estimated cost of $380 million next year. Budget requests from other groups include raising Medicaid reimbursement rates for hospitals, increased pay for providers serving individuals with disabilities, increases in funding for local governments and dozens of others.
The most recent revenue estimate from the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget anticipates about $50.4 billion in revenues for the upcoming budget year, even after April revenues plummeted more than $1.8 billion from one year ago. (3)
As the General Assembly extended its session with the budget unfinished, several sweeping last-minute bills surfaced. Cannabis regulation, elections, biometric privacy, ethics measures were all filed last Friday. Below is an overview of these bills:
CANNABIS: A bill that aims to implement a variety of reforms to Illinois’ cannabis industry would change dispensary operations and restrictions on craft growers. The amended Senate Bill 1559, among other things, would increase canopy space for craft growers from 5,000 square feet to 14,000 square feet. It would also allow dispensaries to operate drive-thru windows and offer curbside pick-up services, making sure they prioritize medical patients.
BIOMETRIC PRIVACY: Friday’s amendment would change Illinois’ Biometric Information Privacy Act, a first-of-its-kind law. Biometrics is the measurement of physiological characteristics like fingerprints, iris patterns, or facial features that can be used to identify an individual. The amendment more specifically defines aspects of this law that allows individuals to sue companies over improper collection or storage of their information.
ELECTIONS: An amendment has several elections-related provisions, including one that would allow 16-year-olds who are qualified to vote to pre-register to vote, although their registration would be held in abeyance until they turn 18. It would also allow 17-year-olds who will turn 18 before the next election to circulate petitions nominating a candidate or petitions proposing a ballot question. The amendment would establish a task force to study the feasibility of adopting a ranked-choice voting system in certain elections. Rank-choice voting is a method of voting in which voters can mark their ballot for multiple candidates in order of their preference.
ETHICS: An amendment to House Bill 3903 filed late Friday would prohibit companies that sell automated traffic enforcement devices such as red-light cameras from contributing to campaign funds if they contract with municipalities in Illinois. The measure would also require municipalities to conduct statistical analyses of the safety impact of existing systems. In recent years, executives of red-light camera companies have been named in federal investigations involving lawmaker misconduct. The amendment would also prohibit state lawmakers and municipal officers or employees from “knowingly” accepting employment or compensation from a vendor that provides automated traffic law enforcement system equipment or services to municipalities. It would create a two-year prohibition of any of those lawmakers or employees from receiving such compensation after they leave office or government work.
All the above-listed bills were introduced at the end of the week. Also, last week saw the passage of several measures that had been making their way through the legislative process for months. (4) Several of these are presented below:
House Bill 3425, sponsored by state Rep. Margaret Croke, D-Chicago, passed both houses May 4, 2023. The bill requires school principals to report bullying to parents within 24 hours. Some school associations opposed the bill, saying a 24-hour time limit puts an undue burden on schools especially for incidents that happen on a Friday. (5)
HB 1286 Equitable Restrooms All-Gender bill passed both houses May 19, 2023. This bill, which allows businesses to designate multi-occupancy restrooms as all-gender, now heads to the governor's desk.
The Illinois Legislature passed HB 2396 last week, which would require school districts to establish all-day kindergarten, and it is now headed to the governor’s desk to become law.
These reports reflect but a partial accounting of legislative activity that occurred over the last few weeks during which a budget was not passed. Not all states go through this last-minute budget process. Jim Long of Illinois Policy compares our failed process to the state of Georgia’s. There, the General Assembly must have the governor’s budget report within five days of convening in January. After receiving the report, the legislature reviews the governor’s recommendations and develops an appropriations bill. The bill must begin in the House of Representatives and moves back and forth with the Senate until a budget is approved. No other bills are addressed until the state’s most important bill, the budget, is passed in the legislature. (6)
UPDATE: Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Illinois legislative leaders announced Wednesday afternoon they had a deal on a roughly $50 billion state budget that they planned to quickly bring to the Senate floor, but the chamber adjourned about seven hours later without voting on the measure. Once voted on in the Senate, the bill will be sent to the House with the hopes of passing by Friday.
Included in the budget is $250 million for Smart Start Illinois, which has a goal of making sure every child in Illinois can afford preschool. Also included is more funding to help Illinoisans go to community college. The Invest in Kids Scholarship, which gave low-income families scholarships to go to private schools, and tax credits for Research and Development were not included in the budget. (7)
Endnotes:
1. https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_0e145bb4-f69c-11ed-81ad-5390e0ef6977.html?a?utm_source=thecentersquare.com&utm_campaign=%2Fnewsletters%2Flists%2Ft2%2Fillinois%2F&utm_medium=email&utm_content=headline
2. https://capitolnewsillinois.com/NEWS/as-leaders-extend-session-with-budget-unfinished-several-sweeping-last-minute-bills-surface
3. https://capitolnewsillinois.com/NEWS/as-leaders-extend-session-with-budget-unfinished-several-sweeping-last-minute-bills-surface
4. https://capitolnewsillinois.com/NEWS/as-leaders-extend-session-with-budget-unfinished-several-sweeping-last-minute-bills-surface
5. https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_eb6799ac-f68f-11ed-b9c4-cbd689dd1e40.html?a?utm_source=thecentersquare.com&utm_campaign=%2Fnewsletters%2Flists%2Ft2%2Fillinois%2F&utm_medium=email&utm_content=read%20more
6. https://www.illinoispolicy.org/
7. https://www.wcia.com/news/pritzker-announces-agreed-fy2024-illinois-budget/
Illinois 2024 Projected Budget Shortfall
By Joyce Geiler
In the fiscal year of 2021, Illinois' state debt stood at about $64.74 billion. $66.71 billion is the debt expected by the end of 2023. By the fiscal year of 2027, this is expected to increase to about $81.61 billion. (1) Only three states have more outstanding debt than Illinois: Texas, New York and California. (2)
A deficit or shortfall results when tax-generated income and the balance in general funds, including carried deficits, are insufficient to pay the debt. Illinois’ budgets have not been balanced since 2001. Governor Pritzker’s budget office projection of a $279 million surplus at the end of 2023 is not supported by the budget documentation, which projects a $153 billion deficit at the end of fiscal year 2023. (3) Different sources quote different figures for debt but all recognize Illinois’ debt is huge.
Pensions consume nearly 30% of the Illinois budget. (4) Illinois’ pension crisis has been rated the worst in the nation, measured by pension debt relative to state gross domestic product. Pension debt increased 19% from $261 billion at the end of fiscal year 2019. (5) Illinois’ pension debt reached an all-time high of $317 billion as of June 30, 2020, according to credit rating agency Moody’s Investors Service, which is more than double the state’s official estimate (6) and is currently reported by state officials to be $140 billion but reported by independent analysts as up to $317 billion. (7)
Before reporting on a suggested remedy for the pension debt, this article will briefly discuss what is pension debt and how the state of Illinois arrived at this precarious place. (Note that covering all the intricacies of Illinois pensions is beyond the length of this article.)
A government-worker pension in Illinois is a defined-benefit, or DB, retirement plan under which employees are supposed to receive annual benefits during retirement. In general, a DB plan works by having an employee and employer contribute a set percentage of the employee’s annual salary to a pension fund over the course of the employee’s career. The pension fund invests this money in the stock market – the same markets in which 401(k)s invest. These investments are expected to grow enough to meet the fund’s future pension obligations. (8)
Before going any further, a red flag should be waving when one considers investments are expected to grow in an atmosphere of stock market volatility such as over the last few years. Employees do not own or control their own retirement funds under a pension system, nor do they have their own accounts. Instead, state officials and politicians control the pool of funds, allowing them to use workers’ retirement dollars as a political slush fund. This article does not discuss specifics of that kind of use but they can be found in an Illinois Policy article. (9)
In exchange for the contributions, the pension fund promises a guaranteed amount of money every year to the employee for life once he or she retires. In addition, the amount a retiree receives increases each year through an annual cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA. In Illinois, COLAs automatically increase a retiree’s yearly benefit, typically by 3 percent each year.
A major weakness of DB plans is that if funds don’t have enough money to pay out future benefits, taxpayers must bail them out. Taxpayers now contribute more than three times what state workers contribute to their own retirements. Stated differently, in order to maintain constitutionally mandated pension funds, Illinois must allocate tax-generated funds to supplement state employee and employer generated funds. Tax-paying citizens are contributing to pension funds for the state-employee sector.
Illinois has 667 government-worker pension funds that are supposed to provide retirement security for more than 1 million government workers and retirees. Pension funds in each of these groups – the state, Chicago and other municipalities – are in crisis. Those funds include:
Five state-run funds that cover downstate and suburban teachers, state employees, state-university employees, judges, and Illinois lawmakers
There are 355 suburban and downstate police pension funds, 296 suburban and downstate firefighter pension funds, and a pension fund for suburban and downstate municipal workers. Chicago has seven pension funds, and three pension funds are in Cook County. Illinois’ massively growing, government-worker pension debt is a direct result of three major factors: overgenerous pension benefits, political manipulation, and inherent flaws of pension plans. (10)
Readers may recall Illinois’ tax hikes over the last two decades were aimed at securing enough money to pay the state’s bills, pay off debt, deal with structural budget deficits, pay for pensions without borrowing and put Illinois on sound fiscal footing to ensure a strong economy. As stated earlier in this article, Illinois still has a budget shortfall; the state is still in debt.
The Commercial Club of Chicago, an organization representing senior leaders of the state’s business, education, cultural and philanthropic sectors, just released a report detailing their ideas to pay for that debt. One of the suggestions made by the club’s Civic Committee is for the state to implement a “temporary” one-half of a percentage point increase in the personal income tax, from 4.95% to 5.54%, combined with a “temporary” increase of 0.7 of a percentage point hike in the corporate income tax rate, from 9.5% to 10.2%. The increases would last 10 years and be expected to generate $2.9 billion.
The other proposal, in lieu of the personal and corporate income tax hikes, would be to start collecting a state income tax on retirement income. The report estimates if the state taxed all retirement income on returns reporting annual gross income of $100,000 or more, a retirement tax would raise $1.8 billion annually. The organization would support adopting these measures under certain conditions. (11)
The tax hike options outlined by the Civic Committee would still be short of the actuarially determined contribution necessary to pay for the state’s pensions in fiscal year 2024. The projected $2.9 billion from increasing the personal and corporate income tax rates is $1.5 billion short of the $4.4 billion needed to pay for pensions in 2024. The $1.8 billion projected from a retirement tax would leave the state over $2.6 billion short for pensions in 2024.
It would take imposing both the retirement tax and higher state income taxes to generate what the state needs to stop adding to its pension debt. That would come with even greater risks and damage, especially in a state already losing a record 104,000 residents, many over high taxes. (12)
The deficit problem in Illinois is real. Proposed solutions have not worked. The Illinois Policy Institute proposed a plan in 2020 to balance the Illinois budget. Lawmakers have not considered that plan. (13)
Endnotes:
1. https://www.statista.com/statistics/305333/illinoisstate-debt/
2. https://www.statista.com/statistics/312660/us-state-and-local-government-debt-outstanding-by-state/
3. https://www.illinoispolicy.org/pritzker-claims-1-7b-surplus-while-his-budget-shows-1-5b-deficit/
4. https://www.illinoispolicy.org/pensions-set-to-consume-29-of-illinois-budget-amid-7-billion-debt-increase/
5. https://www.illinoispolicy.org/moodys-report-illinois-pension-debt-reaches-record-high-317-billion/
6. https://www.illinoispolicy.org/moodys-report-illinois-pension-debt-reaches-record-high-317-billion/
7. https://www.illinoispolicy.org/why-temporary-income-tax-hike-retirement-tax-wont-fix-illinois-pensions/
8. https://www.illinoispolicy.org/reports/pensions-101-understanding-illinois-massive-government-worker-pension-crisis/
9. https://www.illinoispolicy.org/reports/cps-pensions-from-retirement-security-to-political-slush-fund/
10. https://www.illinoispolicy.org/reports/pensions-101-understanding-illinois-massive-government-worker-pension-crisis/
11. https://www.illinoispolicy.org/why-temporary-income-tax-hike-retirement-tax-wont-fix-illinois-pensions/
12. https://www.illinoispolicy.org/why-temporary-income-tax-hike-retirement-tax-wont-fix-illinois-pensions/
13. https://www.illinoispolicy.org/reports/budget-solutions-2020-a-5-year-plan-to-balance-illinois-budget-pay-off-debt-and-cut-taxes/
By Joyce Geiler
In the fiscal year of 2021, Illinois' state debt stood at about $64.74 billion. $66.71 billion is the debt expected by the end of 2023. By the fiscal year of 2027, this is expected to increase to about $81.61 billion. (1) Only three states have more outstanding debt than Illinois: Texas, New York and California. (2)
A deficit or shortfall results when tax-generated income and the balance in general funds, including carried deficits, are insufficient to pay the debt. Illinois’ budgets have not been balanced since 2001. Governor Pritzker’s budget office projection of a $279 million surplus at the end of 2023 is not supported by the budget documentation, which projects a $153 billion deficit at the end of fiscal year 2023. (3) Different sources quote different figures for debt but all recognize Illinois’ debt is huge.
Pensions consume nearly 30% of the Illinois budget. (4) Illinois’ pension crisis has been rated the worst in the nation, measured by pension debt relative to state gross domestic product. Pension debt increased 19% from $261 billion at the end of fiscal year 2019. (5) Illinois’ pension debt reached an all-time high of $317 billion as of June 30, 2020, according to credit rating agency Moody’s Investors Service, which is more than double the state’s official estimate (6) and is currently reported by state officials to be $140 billion but reported by independent analysts as up to $317 billion. (7)
Before reporting on a suggested remedy for the pension debt, this article will briefly discuss what is pension debt and how the state of Illinois arrived at this precarious place. (Note that covering all the intricacies of Illinois pensions is beyond the length of this article.)
A government-worker pension in Illinois is a defined-benefit, or DB, retirement plan under which employees are supposed to receive annual benefits during retirement. In general, a DB plan works by having an employee and employer contribute a set percentage of the employee’s annual salary to a pension fund over the course of the employee’s career. The pension fund invests this money in the stock market – the same markets in which 401(k)s invest. These investments are expected to grow enough to meet the fund’s future pension obligations. (8)
Before going any further, a red flag should be waving when one considers investments are expected to grow in an atmosphere of stock market volatility such as over the last few years. Employees do not own or control their own retirement funds under a pension system, nor do they have their own accounts. Instead, state officials and politicians control the pool of funds, allowing them to use workers’ retirement dollars as a political slush fund. This article does not discuss specifics of that kind of use but they can be found in an Illinois Policy article. (9)
In exchange for the contributions, the pension fund promises a guaranteed amount of money every year to the employee for life once he or she retires. In addition, the amount a retiree receives increases each year through an annual cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA. In Illinois, COLAs automatically increase a retiree’s yearly benefit, typically by 3 percent each year.
A major weakness of DB plans is that if funds don’t have enough money to pay out future benefits, taxpayers must bail them out. Taxpayers now contribute more than three times what state workers contribute to their own retirements. Stated differently, in order to maintain constitutionally mandated pension funds, Illinois must allocate tax-generated funds to supplement state employee and employer generated funds. Tax-paying citizens are contributing to pension funds for the state-employee sector.
Illinois has 667 government-worker pension funds that are supposed to provide retirement security for more than 1 million government workers and retirees. Pension funds in each of these groups – the state, Chicago and other municipalities – are in crisis. Those funds include:
Five state-run funds that cover downstate and suburban teachers, state employees, state-university employees, judges, and Illinois lawmakers
There are 355 suburban and downstate police pension funds, 296 suburban and downstate firefighter pension funds, and a pension fund for suburban and downstate municipal workers. Chicago has seven pension funds, and three pension funds are in Cook County. Illinois’ massively growing, government-worker pension debt is a direct result of three major factors: overgenerous pension benefits, political manipulation, and inherent flaws of pension plans. (10)
Readers may recall Illinois’ tax hikes over the last two decades were aimed at securing enough money to pay the state’s bills, pay off debt, deal with structural budget deficits, pay for pensions without borrowing and put Illinois on sound fiscal footing to ensure a strong economy. As stated earlier in this article, Illinois still has a budget shortfall; the state is still in debt.
The Commercial Club of Chicago, an organization representing senior leaders of the state’s business, education, cultural and philanthropic sectors, just released a report detailing their ideas to pay for that debt. One of the suggestions made by the club’s Civic Committee is for the state to implement a “temporary” one-half of a percentage point increase in the personal income tax, from 4.95% to 5.54%, combined with a “temporary” increase of 0.7 of a percentage point hike in the corporate income tax rate, from 9.5% to 10.2%. The increases would last 10 years and be expected to generate $2.9 billion.
The other proposal, in lieu of the personal and corporate income tax hikes, would be to start collecting a state income tax on retirement income. The report estimates if the state taxed all retirement income on returns reporting annual gross income of $100,000 or more, a retirement tax would raise $1.8 billion annually. The organization would support adopting these measures under certain conditions. (11)
The tax hike options outlined by the Civic Committee would still be short of the actuarially determined contribution necessary to pay for the state’s pensions in fiscal year 2024. The projected $2.9 billion from increasing the personal and corporate income tax rates is $1.5 billion short of the $4.4 billion needed to pay for pensions in 2024. The $1.8 billion projected from a retirement tax would leave the state over $2.6 billion short for pensions in 2024.
It would take imposing both the retirement tax and higher state income taxes to generate what the state needs to stop adding to its pension debt. That would come with even greater risks and damage, especially in a state already losing a record 104,000 residents, many over high taxes. (12)
The deficit problem in Illinois is real. Proposed solutions have not worked. The Illinois Policy Institute proposed a plan in 2020 to balance the Illinois budget. Lawmakers have not considered that plan. (13)
Endnotes:
1. https://www.statista.com/statistics/305333/illinoisstate-debt/
2. https://www.statista.com/statistics/312660/us-state-and-local-government-debt-outstanding-by-state/
3. https://www.illinoispolicy.org/pritzker-claims-1-7b-surplus-while-his-budget-shows-1-5b-deficit/
4. https://www.illinoispolicy.org/pensions-set-to-consume-29-of-illinois-budget-amid-7-billion-debt-increase/
5. https://www.illinoispolicy.org/moodys-report-illinois-pension-debt-reaches-record-high-317-billion/
6. https://www.illinoispolicy.org/moodys-report-illinois-pension-debt-reaches-record-high-317-billion/
7. https://www.illinoispolicy.org/why-temporary-income-tax-hike-retirement-tax-wont-fix-illinois-pensions/
8. https://www.illinoispolicy.org/reports/pensions-101-understanding-illinois-massive-government-worker-pension-crisis/
9. https://www.illinoispolicy.org/reports/cps-pensions-from-retirement-security-to-political-slush-fund/
10. https://www.illinoispolicy.org/reports/pensions-101-understanding-illinois-massive-government-worker-pension-crisis/
11. https://www.illinoispolicy.org/why-temporary-income-tax-hike-retirement-tax-wont-fix-illinois-pensions/
12. https://www.illinoispolicy.org/why-temporary-income-tax-hike-retirement-tax-wont-fix-illinois-pensions/
13. https://www.illinoispolicy.org/reports/budget-solutions-2020-a-5-year-plan-to-balance-illinois-budget-pay-off-debt-and-cut-taxes/
April Legislative Report: Focus on Business Laws
By Joyce Geiler
Illinois state lawmakers returned to Springfield this week for the final weeks of the spring legislative session. They’re scheduled to be in session until mid-May, and are expected to pass hundreds of bills, including a budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1. There are many bills currently in various stages of the legislative process.
To review the process of the creation of a law: a bill is introduced, its name and number are read to the legislative body, it is assigned to the Assignments Committee, which considers the specific committee to refer it to. That specific committee makes decisions that may cause the bill to come to the floor for a vote, but more likely it will go through a number of stages and be referred back to the Assignments Committee for further referral. Along the way, the bill’s sponsor will be looking to add co-sponsors to strengthen the likelihood that bill will advance.
The Assignments Committee is a standing committee of the Illinois State Senate. In this 103rd General Assembly, it consists of four Democrats and two Republicans. (1) Most bills in the General Assembly were required to pass out of committee by March 31, the last day of the General Assembly session before a two-week break. One way to move them out of committee was to re-refer them to the Assignments committee. All the bills in the following discussion are currently in the Assignments committee.
In a previous issue of this mailing, several bills were discussed and action by the voters was encouraged against the bills because they oppose conservative Christian values. In this issue, several bills will be discussed that have introduced by Republican lawmakers in an effort to improve the business climate in Illinois. A recent report ranking the U.S. state’s economic outlook looked unfavorably on Illinois. The American Legislative Exchange Council’s “Rich States, Poor States” report ranked Illinois 46th in the country. The state ranked 44th in the corporate income tax rate category. (2) From reducing LLC (Limited Liability Corporation) fees for businesses to eliminating the franchise tax for corporations, the lawmakers are hoping to get a chance to present the bills and move them out of committee to the Senate floor. As of this writing, none of these bills is in a committee where voters can submit witness slips although citizens can always contact their representatives and senators.
Following is the package of bills introduced in the Senate to speak to economics in Illinois:
Senate Bill 1810, REVENUE-VARIOUS, amends the Illinois Income Tax Act, specifically the Business Corporation Act of 1983. It would remove the $100,000 cap on the Net Operating Loss deductions on Dec. 31. It makes changes concerning the federal depreciation deduction and net operating losses to restore provisions that were in effect in earlier years. It provides that no franchise tax shall be imposed on foreign or domestic corporations on or after January 1, 2024, and repeals those provisions on January 1, 2025 (thereby being effective for one year). It is aimed at helping businesses invest and grow their organizations without revenue loss to the state. The bill was filed 2/9/23 by Senator John F. Curran (R) 41st District, was assigned to the Revenue Committee and re-referred to the Assignments Committee. Several co-sponsors have been added along the way. (4) Certainly, being able to claim larger deductions and being freed from specific franchise taxes would benefit new businesses, which may operate at a loss in start-up years, but it's not clear how the bill would not “cause revenue loss to the state.”
Senate Bill 140, ESTATE TAX-REPEAL, amends the Illinois Estate and Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Act. It provides that no tax shall be imposed under the Act for persons dying on or after the effective date or for transfers made on or after the effective date, effective immediately. The bill was filed 1/24/23 by Senator Jil Tracy (R) 50th District on 3/10/23. It was assigned to the Revenue Committee and on 3/10/23 was re-referred to the Assignments Committee. It, too, has added several co-sponsors. (5) The Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Act effectively closed the loophole that allowed wealthy individuals to legally gift money and bequeath property to their grandchildren without paying estate taxes. (6)
Senate Bill 2075, DCEO-TAX CREDIT REPORT, also amends Illinois Income Tax Act. It creates a legacy tax credit for businesses that are headquartered in the State, meaning it would provide tax credits if a business stays in Illinois. It creates an employee tax credit and a collective bargaining employee tax credit, all effective immediately. The bill was filed 2//9/223 by Senator Seth Lewis (R) from Bartlett, IL and re-referred to assignments after going through the Revenue Committee. This bill has also picked up several co-sponsors. (7) “What about businesses that choose Illinois and are making the conscious decision to stay here,” Senator Lewis said. “I believe these businesses deserve a thank you.” (8)
Senate Bill 1406, FRANCHISE TAX-REPEAL, amends the Business Corporation Act of 1983. It provides that, in the case of a domestic or foreign corporation, no payment is required for a franchise tax that would have been due and payable on or after January 1, 2024. The bill was filed by Senator. Win Stoller, (R) from Peoria, IL on 2/6/23. It has not passed out of the Assignments Committee but has gained several co-sponsors. (9) A franchise is a type of license that grants a franchisee access to a franchisor's proprietary business knowledge, processes, and trademarks, thus allowing the franchisee to sell a product or service under the franchisor's business name. The franchisee usually pays the franchisor an initial start-up fee and annual licensing fees. (10) This bill (SB1406) deals with the franchise tax that must be paid to the government, not the licensing fee paid to the franchiser. The Franchise Tax is imposed upon domestic corporations and foreign corporations for the authority to transact business in Illinois. A franchise is differentiated from a Limited Liability Corporation (LLC) which has its own taxes and which are dealt with in SB2104. The franchise tax is considerably more than the LLC tax. (11)
Senate Bill 2140, LLC-REDUCE FILING FEES, amends the Limited Liability Company Act reducing by 50% various filing fees payable to the Secretary of State, effective immediately. The bill was filed 2/10/23 by Senator Andrew S. Chesney (R) 45th District. As of 4/17/23, it remains in the Assignments Committee and has gained only one co-sponsor. (12) As of 2023, the average LLC annual fee in the US is $91. Currently, the Illinois filing fee is $150 and the annual renewal fee is $75. (13)
Senate Bills 163 and 2084, both filed 1/31/23 by Senator Donald P. DeWitte (R) 33rd District, would give a research and development tax credit and create the Illinois Innovation Tax Credit. Both bills have been re-referred to the Assignments Committee after having been in the Revenue Committee and both have gained a few co-sponsors. Both bills amend the Illinois Income Tax Act. SB 163 INC TX-R AND D CREDIT amends the Illinois Income Tax Act would increase the research and development credit by providing that the increase in research and development activities shall be based on an increase over 50% (instead of the current 100%) of the average of the qualifying expenditures for each year. The credit would apply on a permanent basis. (14) SB 2084, INC TX-INNOVATION CREDIT provides that a taxpayer shall be allowed an income tax credit in an amount equal to 1.3% of the qualified research expenses made by the taxpayer in Illinois without having to have first obtained a research and development credit with respect to his or her federal income taxes. (15)
In summary, these seven bills, promoted as helping to improve the business climate in Illinois, have a long journey ahead. All deal with taxes affecting the business sector and the state coffers, which might prompt a question regarding what is the biblical perspective about what portion of business income is allowed to be the reward of good business and what portion is to be taken by the state?
Endnotes:
https://www.ilga.gov/senate/committees/members.asp?committeeID=2917
https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_66d7cc0a-da26-11ed-8b71-4fa49ecaa22d.html
https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_829335fa-dd4c-11ed-b10d-43d16114f2df.html?a?utm_source=thecentersquare.com&utm_campaign=%2Fnewsletters%2Flists%2Ft2%2Fillinois%2F&utm_medium=email&utm_content=read%20more
https://ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=1810&GAID=17&GA=103&DocTypeID=SB&LegID=146632&SessionID=112
https://ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=140&GAID=17&GA=103&DocTypeID=SB&LegID=143568&SessionID=112
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/g/generation-skipping-transfer-tax.asp
https://ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=2075&GAID=17&GA=103&DocTypeID=SB&LegID=146948&SessionID=112
https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_829335fa-dd4c-11ed-b10d-43d16114f2df.html?a?utm_source=thecentersquare.com&utm_campaign=%2Fnewsletters%2Flists%2Ft2%2Fillinois%2F&utm_medium=email&utm_content=read%20more
https://ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=1406&GAID=17&GA=103&DocTypeID=SB&LegID=145742&SessionID=112
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/f/franchise.asp
https://www.hmblaw.com/blog/state-and-local-tax/the-illinois-franchise-tax/
https://ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=2140&GAID=17&GA=103&DocTypeID=SB&LegID=147018&SessionID=112
https://www.llcuniversity.com/llc-annual-fees-by-state/
https://ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=163&GAID=17&GA=103&DocTypeID=SB&LegID=143625&SessionID=112
https://ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=2084&GAID=17&GA=103&DocTypeID=SB&LegID=146957&SessionID=112
By Joyce Geiler
Illinois state lawmakers returned to Springfield this week for the final weeks of the spring legislative session. They’re scheduled to be in session until mid-May, and are expected to pass hundreds of bills, including a budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1. There are many bills currently in various stages of the legislative process.
To review the process of the creation of a law: a bill is introduced, its name and number are read to the legislative body, it is assigned to the Assignments Committee, which considers the specific committee to refer it to. That specific committee makes decisions that may cause the bill to come to the floor for a vote, but more likely it will go through a number of stages and be referred back to the Assignments Committee for further referral. Along the way, the bill’s sponsor will be looking to add co-sponsors to strengthen the likelihood that bill will advance.
The Assignments Committee is a standing committee of the Illinois State Senate. In this 103rd General Assembly, it consists of four Democrats and two Republicans. (1) Most bills in the General Assembly were required to pass out of committee by March 31, the last day of the General Assembly session before a two-week break. One way to move them out of committee was to re-refer them to the Assignments committee. All the bills in the following discussion are currently in the Assignments committee.
In a previous issue of this mailing, several bills were discussed and action by the voters was encouraged against the bills because they oppose conservative Christian values. In this issue, several bills will be discussed that have introduced by Republican lawmakers in an effort to improve the business climate in Illinois. A recent report ranking the U.S. state’s economic outlook looked unfavorably on Illinois. The American Legislative Exchange Council’s “Rich States, Poor States” report ranked Illinois 46th in the country. The state ranked 44th in the corporate income tax rate category. (2) From reducing LLC (Limited Liability Corporation) fees for businesses to eliminating the franchise tax for corporations, the lawmakers are hoping to get a chance to present the bills and move them out of committee to the Senate floor. As of this writing, none of these bills is in a committee where voters can submit witness slips although citizens can always contact their representatives and senators.
Following is the package of bills introduced in the Senate to speak to economics in Illinois:
Senate Bill 1810, REVENUE-VARIOUS, amends the Illinois Income Tax Act, specifically the Business Corporation Act of 1983. It would remove the $100,000 cap on the Net Operating Loss deductions on Dec. 31. It makes changes concerning the federal depreciation deduction and net operating losses to restore provisions that were in effect in earlier years. It provides that no franchise tax shall be imposed on foreign or domestic corporations on or after January 1, 2024, and repeals those provisions on January 1, 2025 (thereby being effective for one year). It is aimed at helping businesses invest and grow their organizations without revenue loss to the state. The bill was filed 2/9/23 by Senator John F. Curran (R) 41st District, was assigned to the Revenue Committee and re-referred to the Assignments Committee. Several co-sponsors have been added along the way. (4) Certainly, being able to claim larger deductions and being freed from specific franchise taxes would benefit new businesses, which may operate at a loss in start-up years, but it's not clear how the bill would not “cause revenue loss to the state.”
Senate Bill 140, ESTATE TAX-REPEAL, amends the Illinois Estate and Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Act. It provides that no tax shall be imposed under the Act for persons dying on or after the effective date or for transfers made on or after the effective date, effective immediately. The bill was filed 1/24/23 by Senator Jil Tracy (R) 50th District on 3/10/23. It was assigned to the Revenue Committee and on 3/10/23 was re-referred to the Assignments Committee. It, too, has added several co-sponsors. (5) The Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Act effectively closed the loophole that allowed wealthy individuals to legally gift money and bequeath property to their grandchildren without paying estate taxes. (6)
Senate Bill 2075, DCEO-TAX CREDIT REPORT, also amends Illinois Income Tax Act. It creates a legacy tax credit for businesses that are headquartered in the State, meaning it would provide tax credits if a business stays in Illinois. It creates an employee tax credit and a collective bargaining employee tax credit, all effective immediately. The bill was filed 2//9/223 by Senator Seth Lewis (R) from Bartlett, IL and re-referred to assignments after going through the Revenue Committee. This bill has also picked up several co-sponsors. (7) “What about businesses that choose Illinois and are making the conscious decision to stay here,” Senator Lewis said. “I believe these businesses deserve a thank you.” (8)
Senate Bill 1406, FRANCHISE TAX-REPEAL, amends the Business Corporation Act of 1983. It provides that, in the case of a domestic or foreign corporation, no payment is required for a franchise tax that would have been due and payable on or after January 1, 2024. The bill was filed by Senator. Win Stoller, (R) from Peoria, IL on 2/6/23. It has not passed out of the Assignments Committee but has gained several co-sponsors. (9) A franchise is a type of license that grants a franchisee access to a franchisor's proprietary business knowledge, processes, and trademarks, thus allowing the franchisee to sell a product or service under the franchisor's business name. The franchisee usually pays the franchisor an initial start-up fee and annual licensing fees. (10) This bill (SB1406) deals with the franchise tax that must be paid to the government, not the licensing fee paid to the franchiser. The Franchise Tax is imposed upon domestic corporations and foreign corporations for the authority to transact business in Illinois. A franchise is differentiated from a Limited Liability Corporation (LLC) which has its own taxes and which are dealt with in SB2104. The franchise tax is considerably more than the LLC tax. (11)
Senate Bill 2140, LLC-REDUCE FILING FEES, amends the Limited Liability Company Act reducing by 50% various filing fees payable to the Secretary of State, effective immediately. The bill was filed 2/10/23 by Senator Andrew S. Chesney (R) 45th District. As of 4/17/23, it remains in the Assignments Committee and has gained only one co-sponsor. (12) As of 2023, the average LLC annual fee in the US is $91. Currently, the Illinois filing fee is $150 and the annual renewal fee is $75. (13)
Senate Bills 163 and 2084, both filed 1/31/23 by Senator Donald P. DeWitte (R) 33rd District, would give a research and development tax credit and create the Illinois Innovation Tax Credit. Both bills have been re-referred to the Assignments Committee after having been in the Revenue Committee and both have gained a few co-sponsors. Both bills amend the Illinois Income Tax Act. SB 163 INC TX-R AND D CREDIT amends the Illinois Income Tax Act would increase the research and development credit by providing that the increase in research and development activities shall be based on an increase over 50% (instead of the current 100%) of the average of the qualifying expenditures for each year. The credit would apply on a permanent basis. (14) SB 2084, INC TX-INNOVATION CREDIT provides that a taxpayer shall be allowed an income tax credit in an amount equal to 1.3% of the qualified research expenses made by the taxpayer in Illinois without having to have first obtained a research and development credit with respect to his or her federal income taxes. (15)
In summary, these seven bills, promoted as helping to improve the business climate in Illinois, have a long journey ahead. All deal with taxes affecting the business sector and the state coffers, which might prompt a question regarding what is the biblical perspective about what portion of business income is allowed to be the reward of good business and what portion is to be taken by the state?
Endnotes:
https://www.ilga.gov/senate/committees/members.asp?committeeID=2917
https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_66d7cc0a-da26-11ed-8b71-4fa49ecaa22d.html
https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_829335fa-dd4c-11ed-b10d-43d16114f2df.html?a?utm_source=thecentersquare.com&utm_campaign=%2Fnewsletters%2Flists%2Ft2%2Fillinois%2F&utm_medium=email&utm_content=read%20more
https://ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=1810&GAID=17&GA=103&DocTypeID=SB&LegID=146632&SessionID=112
https://ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=140&GAID=17&GA=103&DocTypeID=SB&LegID=143568&SessionID=112
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/g/generation-skipping-transfer-tax.asp
https://ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=2075&GAID=17&GA=103&DocTypeID=SB&LegID=146948&SessionID=112
https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_829335fa-dd4c-11ed-b10d-43d16114f2df.html?a?utm_source=thecentersquare.com&utm_campaign=%2Fnewsletters%2Flists%2Ft2%2Fillinois%2F&utm_medium=email&utm_content=read%20more
https://ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=1406&GAID=17&GA=103&DocTypeID=SB&LegID=145742&SessionID=112
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/f/franchise.asp
https://www.hmblaw.com/blog/state-and-local-tax/the-illinois-franchise-tax/
https://ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=2140&GAID=17&GA=103&DocTypeID=SB&LegID=147018&SessionID=112
https://www.llcuniversity.com/llc-annual-fees-by-state/
https://ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=163&GAID=17&GA=103&DocTypeID=SB&LegID=143625&SessionID=112
https://ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=2084&GAID=17&GA=103&DocTypeID=SB&LegID=146957&SessionID=112
Illinois Mayoral Races
By Joyce Geiler
In Illinois, local elections, which are held on odd numbered years, will occur this coming Tuesday, April 4. Local elections often don’t garner the attention of state-wide or national elections; but this year’s Chicago mayoral election has seen national coverage. Mayoral elections aren’t covered so widely but are still vitally important to their respective cities. The 21st Show, a University of Illinois public radio talk show, has done an Illinois Mayoral Election Series interviewing mayoral candidates from a number of Illinois races from Chicago to Champaign to Carbondale and more. (1) The interviews were less than a half hour in length in which the interviewer asked the candidates questions he felt were pertinent.
This article will focus on mayoral races in four Illinois cities, utilizing information from the 21st Show as well as online sources. Since local mayoral elections are considered nonpartisan and party affiliation is not listed on ballots, voters are without that point of reference in casting their votes. It becomes important to investigate the candidates’ positions on local issues.
In CARBONDALE, a local business owner and a current city council member are both vying for the mayor’s seat. Carbondale entrepreneur and apartment complex owner Harold Visser and Councilwoman and Mayor Pro Tempore Carolin Harvey are the candidates. In the 21st Show interview both candidates basically agreed on strategies related to several of the topics introduced by the interviewer. However, when the topic of the two new reproductive (abortion) clinics in Carbondale was broached, responses were quite different. Mayor Pro Tempore Harvey stated that she was pleased and that the services were needed. Visser, on the other hand, stated that he felt citizens are not informed about the dangers of abortion, women shouldn’t be harassed, and demonstrators shouldn’t be falsely accused. (2) Former Carbondale Mayor Mike Henry (who resigned due to the death of his wife) previously said: “I believe in women’s rights to health care and the right to abortion.” (3)
In the SPRINGFIELD mayoral race taking place, City Treasurer Misty Bischer is looking to deny incumbent Mayor Jim Langfelder a third, four-year term. Buscher has been Treasurer since 2015 and Langfelder has been mayor since 2015. The 21st Show interview focused on local issues, infrastructure needs, struggles in the economy and race relations. (4) An article from the independent newspaper the Illinois Times focused on Bischer’s concern regarding the need for greater transparency when the city forgives debts or waives fines. She contends that her opponent, incumbent Mayor Jim Langfelder, is unilaterally writing off debts without informing the council or the public. The mayor responded that is not the case. Buscher is calling for passing an ordinance that requires greater disclosure of forgiven debts and would require Springfield City Council approval before larger amounts are written off.
Buscher noted that $243,068 in utility charges owed the city by the owner of the Wyndham Springfield City Centre were written off and Mayor Langfelder replies that the City Council was involved in the decision making. But Buscher said there are other examples where substantial amounts of money owed the city have been waived without the knowledge or consent of council members. She cited two cases in the last year where property owners with poorly maintained buildings had $42,000 and $45,265 in fines waived. Mayor Langfelder has explanations for these decisions. (5)
CHAMPAIGN voters have three candidates for mayor from which to choose: Azark David Cobbs, Deborah Frank Feinen and Don Gerard. Cobbs’ professional background is in management and computer programming. He previously ran for mayor in 2019. Feinen is an attorney and the current mayor, seeking her third term. Gerard was a facilities manager at the University of Illinois, until his recent retirement. He served as mayor from 2011 until 2015.
The interview from the 21st Show was interesting in that the former mayor and the current mayor seemed to be on the same page about most topics. At the close of the interview when the interviewer asked what each would want as their legacy, Mayor Feinen promoted her skill at changing neighborhoods through listening to people and said she would like to be known for finding common ground and problem solving. Former Mayor Gerard said he would take the things Mayor Feinen has put in place and continue them; but if he were not elected, he would like to be remembered for supporting Mayor Feinen. Azark David Cobbs was critical of current policies, the board and the mayor. His legacy desire was to reduce crime and provide affordable housing. (6)
People who follow national news know that in CHICAGO Vallas and Johnson emerged as the top two vote-getters, respectively, in February's nine-person mayoral primary as incumbent Lori Lightfoot lost her bid for re-election, becoming the first Chicago mayor to do so in 40 years. One news source declared: “In the closing days of the April 4 runoff contest, it’s the issue of race that’s defining the election. It’s playing out in one of the most segregated cities in the country, where a Black progressive (Johnson) is competing against a white moderate (Vallas) and where the course of the city’s next four years, including the safety of its residents, may very well turn on the coveted Black vote — a vote neither Johnson nor Vallas won in the first round. And the fact that the election is on the 55th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. imbues the day with extra meaning, as many Chicagoans have pointed out.” (7)
Johnson, 46, a Cook County commissioner supported by the powerful Chicago Teachers Union, has won the endorsement of the Rev. Jesse Jackson, the Chicago civil rights icon, and progressive Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. Johnson’s faith outreach coordinator said the campaign has already reserved 80 buses for a massive “souls to the polls” early voting effort that typically targets people of color. And Johnson is lining up the endorsements of prominent pastors in the Black community, not to mention benefiting from a get-out-the-vote rally by the Rev. Al Sharpton, the MSNBC host, on Sunday. That’s all on top of the deep organizational strength that comes from the Teachers Union, which has spent millions of dollars on Johnson’s candidacy. Although Johnson previously talked about defunding the police, he now says he will not. Johnson has talked about a wealth tax to help boost social services across Chicago, including investing in affordable housing, mental health services and economic development in poor communities.
Vallas, meanwhile, is drawing his biggest support from the city’s white ethnic neighborhoods and its northwest side; but he is working to gain a foothold with the same Black electorate that makes up nearly a third of the city’s population by battling for endorsements among Black community leaders, pastors, and politicians. Vallas, backed by the Fraternal Order of Police and the business community and best known for his tough-on-crime agenda, is having some success. On a recent day, Vallas stood in a South Side church as Black ministers fanned out on either side of him. They placed their hands above his head and bowed in prayer.
Vallas, 69, a Democrat, who made failed bids for governor and lieutenant governor and who ran for mayor four years ago but landing in ninth place, vaulted to lead the pack in the first round of the mayoral election. Vallas carries a singularly focused message on crime, which propelled him at a moment when the city is struggling with rampant gun violence and public safety overall. Although a Democrat, Vallas has sat with conservative hosts for radio shows on which he has even taken shots at Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker, which resulted in Pritzker recently hitting back. He’s a proponent of school choice, namely charter schools, which he expanded in school systems in Philadelphia and New Orleans. He’s backed by Republicans, including the Fraternal Order of Police chair, who is a Donald Trump enthusiast, and billionaire GOP megadonor Ken Griffin. (8)
Endnotes:
https://will.illinois.edu/21stshow
https://will.illinois.edu/21stshow/story/illinois-mayoral-election-series-carbondale
https://news.stlpublicradio.org/health-science-environment/2022-08-05/carbondale-faces-complicated-abortion-history-and-prepares-for-post-roe
https://will.illinois.edu/21stshow/story/illinois-mayoral-election-series-springfield
https://www.illinoistimes.com/springfield/debt-disagreement/Content?oid=16402099
https://illinoisnewsroom.org/champaigns-three-mayoral-candidates-meet-in-a-will-radio-forum/
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/elections/race-chicago-mayoral-election-brandon-johnson-paul-vallas-rcna75085
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/elections/race-chicago-mayoral-election-brandon-johnson-paul-vallas-rcna75085
By Joyce Geiler
In Illinois, local elections, which are held on odd numbered years, will occur this coming Tuesday, April 4. Local elections often don’t garner the attention of state-wide or national elections; but this year’s Chicago mayoral election has seen national coverage. Mayoral elections aren’t covered so widely but are still vitally important to their respective cities. The 21st Show, a University of Illinois public radio talk show, has done an Illinois Mayoral Election Series interviewing mayoral candidates from a number of Illinois races from Chicago to Champaign to Carbondale and more. (1) The interviews were less than a half hour in length in which the interviewer asked the candidates questions he felt were pertinent.
This article will focus on mayoral races in four Illinois cities, utilizing information from the 21st Show as well as online sources. Since local mayoral elections are considered nonpartisan and party affiliation is not listed on ballots, voters are without that point of reference in casting their votes. It becomes important to investigate the candidates’ positions on local issues.
In CARBONDALE, a local business owner and a current city council member are both vying for the mayor’s seat. Carbondale entrepreneur and apartment complex owner Harold Visser and Councilwoman and Mayor Pro Tempore Carolin Harvey are the candidates. In the 21st Show interview both candidates basically agreed on strategies related to several of the topics introduced by the interviewer. However, when the topic of the two new reproductive (abortion) clinics in Carbondale was broached, responses were quite different. Mayor Pro Tempore Harvey stated that she was pleased and that the services were needed. Visser, on the other hand, stated that he felt citizens are not informed about the dangers of abortion, women shouldn’t be harassed, and demonstrators shouldn’t be falsely accused. (2) Former Carbondale Mayor Mike Henry (who resigned due to the death of his wife) previously said: “I believe in women’s rights to health care and the right to abortion.” (3)
In the SPRINGFIELD mayoral race taking place, City Treasurer Misty Bischer is looking to deny incumbent Mayor Jim Langfelder a third, four-year term. Buscher has been Treasurer since 2015 and Langfelder has been mayor since 2015. The 21st Show interview focused on local issues, infrastructure needs, struggles in the economy and race relations. (4) An article from the independent newspaper the Illinois Times focused on Bischer’s concern regarding the need for greater transparency when the city forgives debts or waives fines. She contends that her opponent, incumbent Mayor Jim Langfelder, is unilaterally writing off debts without informing the council or the public. The mayor responded that is not the case. Buscher is calling for passing an ordinance that requires greater disclosure of forgiven debts and would require Springfield City Council approval before larger amounts are written off.
Buscher noted that $243,068 in utility charges owed the city by the owner of the Wyndham Springfield City Centre were written off and Mayor Langfelder replies that the City Council was involved in the decision making. But Buscher said there are other examples where substantial amounts of money owed the city have been waived without the knowledge or consent of council members. She cited two cases in the last year where property owners with poorly maintained buildings had $42,000 and $45,265 in fines waived. Mayor Langfelder has explanations for these decisions. (5)
CHAMPAIGN voters have three candidates for mayor from which to choose: Azark David Cobbs, Deborah Frank Feinen and Don Gerard. Cobbs’ professional background is in management and computer programming. He previously ran for mayor in 2019. Feinen is an attorney and the current mayor, seeking her third term. Gerard was a facilities manager at the University of Illinois, until his recent retirement. He served as mayor from 2011 until 2015.
The interview from the 21st Show was interesting in that the former mayor and the current mayor seemed to be on the same page about most topics. At the close of the interview when the interviewer asked what each would want as their legacy, Mayor Feinen promoted her skill at changing neighborhoods through listening to people and said she would like to be known for finding common ground and problem solving. Former Mayor Gerard said he would take the things Mayor Feinen has put in place and continue them; but if he were not elected, he would like to be remembered for supporting Mayor Feinen. Azark David Cobbs was critical of current policies, the board and the mayor. His legacy desire was to reduce crime and provide affordable housing. (6)
People who follow national news know that in CHICAGO Vallas and Johnson emerged as the top two vote-getters, respectively, in February's nine-person mayoral primary as incumbent Lori Lightfoot lost her bid for re-election, becoming the first Chicago mayor to do so in 40 years. One news source declared: “In the closing days of the April 4 runoff contest, it’s the issue of race that’s defining the election. It’s playing out in one of the most segregated cities in the country, where a Black progressive (Johnson) is competing against a white moderate (Vallas) and where the course of the city’s next four years, including the safety of its residents, may very well turn on the coveted Black vote — a vote neither Johnson nor Vallas won in the first round. And the fact that the election is on the 55th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. imbues the day with extra meaning, as many Chicagoans have pointed out.” (7)
Johnson, 46, a Cook County commissioner supported by the powerful Chicago Teachers Union, has won the endorsement of the Rev. Jesse Jackson, the Chicago civil rights icon, and progressive Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. Johnson’s faith outreach coordinator said the campaign has already reserved 80 buses for a massive “souls to the polls” early voting effort that typically targets people of color. And Johnson is lining up the endorsements of prominent pastors in the Black community, not to mention benefiting from a get-out-the-vote rally by the Rev. Al Sharpton, the MSNBC host, on Sunday. That’s all on top of the deep organizational strength that comes from the Teachers Union, which has spent millions of dollars on Johnson’s candidacy. Although Johnson previously talked about defunding the police, he now says he will not. Johnson has talked about a wealth tax to help boost social services across Chicago, including investing in affordable housing, mental health services and economic development in poor communities.
Vallas, meanwhile, is drawing his biggest support from the city’s white ethnic neighborhoods and its northwest side; but he is working to gain a foothold with the same Black electorate that makes up nearly a third of the city’s population by battling for endorsements among Black community leaders, pastors, and politicians. Vallas, backed by the Fraternal Order of Police and the business community and best known for his tough-on-crime agenda, is having some success. On a recent day, Vallas stood in a South Side church as Black ministers fanned out on either side of him. They placed their hands above his head and bowed in prayer.
Vallas, 69, a Democrat, who made failed bids for governor and lieutenant governor and who ran for mayor four years ago but landing in ninth place, vaulted to lead the pack in the first round of the mayoral election. Vallas carries a singularly focused message on crime, which propelled him at a moment when the city is struggling with rampant gun violence and public safety overall. Although a Democrat, Vallas has sat with conservative hosts for radio shows on which he has even taken shots at Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker, which resulted in Pritzker recently hitting back. He’s a proponent of school choice, namely charter schools, which he expanded in school systems in Philadelphia and New Orleans. He’s backed by Republicans, including the Fraternal Order of Police chair, who is a Donald Trump enthusiast, and billionaire GOP megadonor Ken Griffin. (8)
Endnotes:
https://will.illinois.edu/21stshow
https://will.illinois.edu/21stshow/story/illinois-mayoral-election-series-carbondale
https://news.stlpublicradio.org/health-science-environment/2022-08-05/carbondale-faces-complicated-abortion-history-and-prepares-for-post-roe
https://will.illinois.edu/21stshow/story/illinois-mayoral-election-series-springfield
https://www.illinoistimes.com/springfield/debt-disagreement/Content?oid=16402099
https://illinoisnewsroom.org/champaigns-three-mayoral-candidates-meet-in-a-will-radio-forum/
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/elections/race-chicago-mayoral-election-brandon-johnson-paul-vallas-rcna75085
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/elections/race-chicago-mayoral-election-brandon-johnson-paul-vallas-rcna75085
Assault on Families
By Joyce Geiler
Both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly returned to Springfield this week with deadlines to move bills out of committee. In the House and Senate, there are 6,545 bills filed for consideration. (1)
Last week, Illinois Family Institute alerted their readership about some of these bills. “The assault on families in the Land of Lincoln has been put on fast track as these all-out legislative attacks on kids, parents, families, and Christian values get committee hearings this week (week of February 27). Once passed out of committee, the bill(s) will go to the Illinois House Floor and, if passed, will then go through the same process in the Illinois Senate.” (2)
“Boldly bringing Biblical perspectives to public policy” is the mission statement of the Illinois Family Institute. “Since 1992, the Illinois Family Institute (IFI), an independent 501c(3) non-profit ministry, has been dedicated to upholding and re-affirming marriage, family, life and liberty in Illinois. IFI works within the state of Illinois to promote and defend Biblical truths to foster an environment where families can thrive and reach their full God-given potential to serve and glorify Him–making the most of the opportunities afforded to each of us by His gift of life and liberty.” (3)
IFI urged Illinois citizens to file witness slips opposing a number of Illinois bills. Witness slips are part of the legislative process in Illinois. They come into play as bills are debated and voted upon in committees. Knowledge of when a bill is coming up for a hearing is a necessary component in the filing process as the witness slip option will not appear until a bill is scheduled for a committee hearing, usually about one week before. Anyone with access to the internet can go onto the dashboard of Illinois General Assembly website (4) and fill out slips for or against any bill that is scheduled for a committee hearing. Witness slips are more helpful for some pieces of legislation than others.
Signing up on email lists or following the social media of trusted organizations are both good resources for being notified when the timing for witness slips becomes open. Currently witness slips do not follow a bill from one committee to another nor follow a bill if the committee meeting date is changed, thus sometimes necessitating filling out a slip more than once as a piece of legislation moves through the legislative process. (5) Witness slips must be read at the committee meeting and are utilized by both proponents and opponents of bills. Change Illinois is one of several groups with detailed information on filling out witness slips. (6)
This article will review six bills with proposed changes in the handling of currently illegal drugs, one bill regarding child protection, and one bill regarding a drastic education proposal. All the discussed bills are assaulting families. A synopsis and current status of each of the bills presented can be found on the Illinois General Assembly website. (7) At the left of the web page, one can search for the status by bill number or keyword. The search will bring up a page that lists every step the bill has taken including who presented the bill and its cosponsors.
HB1 – Legalizes psychedelic mushrooms, LSD, and other hallucinogens. The premise is that the war on drugs has actually harmed communities and obscured the “natural healing” power of these drugs for those with mental health issues and others in the marketplace. The bill proposes that these drugs need to be legalized for all the good they can do, as has been done in other (liberal) states such as Oregon, Washington, Colorado, etc.) (8) Marijuana has been accepted and legalized in Illinois as “medicine” therefore it's not surprising a bill would be introduced to continue down that road with other illegal substances.
The bill synopsis states the bill “Creates the Compassionate Use and Research of Entheogens Act. It establishes the Illinois Psilocybin Advisory Board within the Department of Public Health for the purpose of advising and making recommendations to the Department regarding the provision of psilocybin and psilocybin services.” Psilocybin is a hallucinogenic compound obtained from a mushroom that produces effects similar to LSD. (9) The bill sets forth mechanisms for manufacturing licensure and involves the Departments of Agriculture, Liquor Control Commission and Department of Revenue. It preempts home rule powers, meaning home rule towns could not opt out. It provides for expungement of specified records concerning the possession of psilocybin and psilocin. It amends the Illinois Controlled Substances Act removing psilocybin and psilocin from the list of Schedule I controlled substances. It is scheduled for an Executive Committee Hearing on March 8 at 10:00 AM.
HB 2118 – Provides that hypodermic syringes and needles can now be sold in any quantity, anywhere, anytime (instead of exclusively by a pharmacist) to a person who is at least 18 years of age. This bill has been assigned to the Health Care Availability and Accessibility Committee.
HB 25 – Increases the number of marijuana craft grower licenses and also allows advertising. This bill has been assigned to the House Executive Committee.
HB 31 – Allows marijuana craft growers to have more than one license and requires 60 more craft licenses be granted by March 15, 2024. This bill has also been assigned to the House Executive committee.
HB 1205 - Allows for the weight of legally allowed cannabis to be deducted from the larger amount confiscated to determine an offense of possession. It prohibits search of cannabis in a vehicle. This bill is assigned to the House Executive Committee.
HB 1090 – From January 1, 1970 and thereafter, all criminal records of possession of cannabis will be expunged. (Note: It is common for criminals to plea bargain down from a more serious offense to possession.) The proposed bill provides that a person imprisoned solely as a result of one or more convictions for possession or delivery, but not manufacture or production, of cannabis shall be released from incarceration on the effective date of the amendatory Act. This Bill is assigned to the House Executive Committee.
HB 1087 – Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 by providing that a minor shall not be considered abused, neglected, or dependent solely because the parent or parents of the minor or other person or persons responsible for the minor's welfare repeatedly used a controlled substance. This bill has been assigned to the Adoption & Child Welfare Committee.
HB 1485, which is the final bill included in this article, is not related to drugs but represents an assault on the family through education.
HB 1485 – Creates the Inclusive American History Act. It suspends teaching of all American history curriculum in public schools for the 2023-24 school year. It creates a commission to “reframe” history curriculum to include all diverse viewpoints. Teaching of this revamped American history resumes in the 2024-25 school year. Note the clearly explicit language of the bill: “Develop alternative curricula to replace traditional course material and instruction to ensure that students obtain a multi-perspective, inclusive, and comprehensive understanding about history.” “Course materials that reframe the study of history by presenting to students an examination of history through the inclusion of diverse perspectives, contrary interpretations, and the viewpoints of various groups of people whose voices have traditionally been excluded from the conventional teaching of history.” This bill has been assigned to the Elementary & Secondary Education Committee.
Christian citizens of Illinois can affect legislation in the state. Electing legislators who reflect biblical values is a start. Aligning with organizations such as the Illinois family Institute can help keep concerned citizens apprised of proposed bills while they are still in the legislative process, providing opportunity for continued citizen input. Citizens can work to affect the process rather than trying to reverse undesirable or harmful outcomes.
Endnotes:
1. https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_d8546414-bc68-11ed-93aa-2bc235a7b902.html
2. https://illinoisfamily.org
3. https://illinoisfamily.org/about/
4. https://my.ilga.gov/
5. https://restorejusticeillinois.org/what-are-witness-slips-do-they-matter/
6. https://www.changeil.org/2019/03/how-to-file-a-witness-slip/
7. https://www.ilga.gov/
8. https://illinoisfamily.org/politics/more-bills-need-witness-slips-thank-you-for-filing/
9. https://www.wordnik.com/words/psilocybin
By Joyce Geiler
Both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly returned to Springfield this week with deadlines to move bills out of committee. In the House and Senate, there are 6,545 bills filed for consideration. (1)
Last week, Illinois Family Institute alerted their readership about some of these bills. “The assault on families in the Land of Lincoln has been put on fast track as these all-out legislative attacks on kids, parents, families, and Christian values get committee hearings this week (week of February 27). Once passed out of committee, the bill(s) will go to the Illinois House Floor and, if passed, will then go through the same process in the Illinois Senate.” (2)
“Boldly bringing Biblical perspectives to public policy” is the mission statement of the Illinois Family Institute. “Since 1992, the Illinois Family Institute (IFI), an independent 501c(3) non-profit ministry, has been dedicated to upholding and re-affirming marriage, family, life and liberty in Illinois. IFI works within the state of Illinois to promote and defend Biblical truths to foster an environment where families can thrive and reach their full God-given potential to serve and glorify Him–making the most of the opportunities afforded to each of us by His gift of life and liberty.” (3)
IFI urged Illinois citizens to file witness slips opposing a number of Illinois bills. Witness slips are part of the legislative process in Illinois. They come into play as bills are debated and voted upon in committees. Knowledge of when a bill is coming up for a hearing is a necessary component in the filing process as the witness slip option will not appear until a bill is scheduled for a committee hearing, usually about one week before. Anyone with access to the internet can go onto the dashboard of Illinois General Assembly website (4) and fill out slips for or against any bill that is scheduled for a committee hearing. Witness slips are more helpful for some pieces of legislation than others.
Signing up on email lists or following the social media of trusted organizations are both good resources for being notified when the timing for witness slips becomes open. Currently witness slips do not follow a bill from one committee to another nor follow a bill if the committee meeting date is changed, thus sometimes necessitating filling out a slip more than once as a piece of legislation moves through the legislative process. (5) Witness slips must be read at the committee meeting and are utilized by both proponents and opponents of bills. Change Illinois is one of several groups with detailed information on filling out witness slips. (6)
This article will review six bills with proposed changes in the handling of currently illegal drugs, one bill regarding child protection, and one bill regarding a drastic education proposal. All the discussed bills are assaulting families. A synopsis and current status of each of the bills presented can be found on the Illinois General Assembly website. (7) At the left of the web page, one can search for the status by bill number or keyword. The search will bring up a page that lists every step the bill has taken including who presented the bill and its cosponsors.
HB1 – Legalizes psychedelic mushrooms, LSD, and other hallucinogens. The premise is that the war on drugs has actually harmed communities and obscured the “natural healing” power of these drugs for those with mental health issues and others in the marketplace. The bill proposes that these drugs need to be legalized for all the good they can do, as has been done in other (liberal) states such as Oregon, Washington, Colorado, etc.) (8) Marijuana has been accepted and legalized in Illinois as “medicine” therefore it's not surprising a bill would be introduced to continue down that road with other illegal substances.
The bill synopsis states the bill “Creates the Compassionate Use and Research of Entheogens Act. It establishes the Illinois Psilocybin Advisory Board within the Department of Public Health for the purpose of advising and making recommendations to the Department regarding the provision of psilocybin and psilocybin services.” Psilocybin is a hallucinogenic compound obtained from a mushroom that produces effects similar to LSD. (9) The bill sets forth mechanisms for manufacturing licensure and involves the Departments of Agriculture, Liquor Control Commission and Department of Revenue. It preempts home rule powers, meaning home rule towns could not opt out. It provides for expungement of specified records concerning the possession of psilocybin and psilocin. It amends the Illinois Controlled Substances Act removing psilocybin and psilocin from the list of Schedule I controlled substances. It is scheduled for an Executive Committee Hearing on March 8 at 10:00 AM.
HB 2118 – Provides that hypodermic syringes and needles can now be sold in any quantity, anywhere, anytime (instead of exclusively by a pharmacist) to a person who is at least 18 years of age. This bill has been assigned to the Health Care Availability and Accessibility Committee.
HB 25 – Increases the number of marijuana craft grower licenses and also allows advertising. This bill has been assigned to the House Executive Committee.
HB 31 – Allows marijuana craft growers to have more than one license and requires 60 more craft licenses be granted by March 15, 2024. This bill has also been assigned to the House Executive committee.
HB 1205 - Allows for the weight of legally allowed cannabis to be deducted from the larger amount confiscated to determine an offense of possession. It prohibits search of cannabis in a vehicle. This bill is assigned to the House Executive Committee.
HB 1090 – From January 1, 1970 and thereafter, all criminal records of possession of cannabis will be expunged. (Note: It is common for criminals to plea bargain down from a more serious offense to possession.) The proposed bill provides that a person imprisoned solely as a result of one or more convictions for possession or delivery, but not manufacture or production, of cannabis shall be released from incarceration on the effective date of the amendatory Act. This Bill is assigned to the House Executive Committee.
HB 1087 – Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 by providing that a minor shall not be considered abused, neglected, or dependent solely because the parent or parents of the minor or other person or persons responsible for the minor's welfare repeatedly used a controlled substance. This bill has been assigned to the Adoption & Child Welfare Committee.
HB 1485, which is the final bill included in this article, is not related to drugs but represents an assault on the family through education.
HB 1485 – Creates the Inclusive American History Act. It suspends teaching of all American history curriculum in public schools for the 2023-24 school year. It creates a commission to “reframe” history curriculum to include all diverse viewpoints. Teaching of this revamped American history resumes in the 2024-25 school year. Note the clearly explicit language of the bill: “Develop alternative curricula to replace traditional course material and instruction to ensure that students obtain a multi-perspective, inclusive, and comprehensive understanding about history.” “Course materials that reframe the study of history by presenting to students an examination of history through the inclusion of diverse perspectives, contrary interpretations, and the viewpoints of various groups of people whose voices have traditionally been excluded from the conventional teaching of history.” This bill has been assigned to the Elementary & Secondary Education Committee.
Christian citizens of Illinois can affect legislation in the state. Electing legislators who reflect biblical values is a start. Aligning with organizations such as the Illinois family Institute can help keep concerned citizens apprised of proposed bills while they are still in the legislative process, providing opportunity for continued citizen input. Citizens can work to affect the process rather than trying to reverse undesirable or harmful outcomes.
Endnotes:
1. https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_d8546414-bc68-11ed-93aa-2bc235a7b902.html
2. https://illinoisfamily.org
3. https://illinoisfamily.org/about/
4. https://my.ilga.gov/
5. https://restorejusticeillinois.org/what-are-witness-slips-do-they-matter/
6. https://www.changeil.org/2019/03/how-to-file-a-witness-slip/
7. https://www.ilga.gov/
8. https://illinoisfamily.org/politics/more-bills-need-witness-slips-thank-you-for-filing/
9. https://www.wordnik.com/words/psilocybin
Significance of Ports in Illinois
By Joyce Geiler
When you think of a port, do you visualize a great ocean harbor where enormous ships load and unload their wares? For example, you may recall the great number of cargo ships stalled in California harbors in the Fall of 2021. You might not think of ports related to the landlocked state of Illinois, but Illinois has many harbors and ports along its larger rivers and on Lake Michigan.
A port is a place where ships load or unload or even take refuge from storms. A port of entry is any place where persons and merchandise are allowed to pass, by water or land, into and out of a country and where customs officers are stationed to inspect or appraise imported goods. (1) Illinois has water ports along rivers and Lake Michigan and land ports at certain airports.
One might understand that an international city such as Chicago would have places where U.S. Customs and Border Protection function, but it is not the only place. The Illinois Port Index lists fifteen Customs attended water ports as well as nine airports, all places where international trade can occur in Illinois.
The fifteen water ports in Illinois are the Kaskaskia Regional Port, Port of Granite City, Port of Quincy, Port of Davenport and Port of Rock Island, Port of Beardstown, Port of Peoria, Port of Channahon, Port of Joliet and the B.L. Duke River Terminal in Joliet, Port of Lemont, Calumet Harbor, DuSable Harbor, Port of Waukegan, and Port of Chicago. (2) The area covered by each of these ports is not just a single harbor, but most of them cover a several mile stretch of shoreline with numerous terminals for loading and unloading cargo. Some readers may be familiar with the proposed port at Cairo, Illinois; but as of February 2023, that proposed port development, which would greatly benefit that impoverished Southern Illinois area, has stalled. (3)
Illustrating the impact of Illinois’ ports is America's Central Port located adjacent to Locks #27, which is the last lock on the Mississippi River heading south in the Alton-Granite City area. The 1,200-acre site is the third largest inland port in the United States. It is one of eight Foreign Trade Zones (FTZ) in Illinois with an annual economic impact of $282 million for the area. Foreign Trade Zones are federally designated areas within the United States that are considered “outside the U.S. territory.” These designated sites allow domestic activity, involving foreign items, to take place prior to formal Customs entry. Product may be imported from other countries and placed, or “admitted,” directly in the foreign trade zone where it may be stored, manipulated, combined with domestic product or other foreign product, assembled, packaged or destroyed. (4) So, FTZs are areas operating within Illinois that are under federal jurisdiction. These are areas with great economic impact on our state.
There are eight Foreign Trade Zones in Illinois with three of them being at the Davenport-Rock Island ports. (5) Since the first gathering of the Coalition of Apostolic Alliances for 2023 is in Davenport, Iowa and Moline, Illinois. A little history of this region of the Mississippi River may be helpful.
The Quad Cities is a made up of U.S. cities in Iowa and Illinois: Davenport and Bettendorf in southeastern Iowa and Rock Island, Moline and East Moline in northwestern Illinois. The Quad Cities is located at the confluence of the Rock and Mississippi rivers, approximately 140 miles west of Chicago, and forms the largest metropolitan area along the Mississippi River between Minneapolis–Saint Paul and the St. Louis metropolitan area. (6)
Although the Quad Cities area has many terminals for handling water cargo, it is only since late 2020 that the area has consolidated to form a Port Statistical Area (PSA) creating a way to measure commerce in the area. The Quad Cities PSA is one of three Corn Belt Ports. The other two are in the greater Peoria/Ottawa area and greater Quincy/Hannibal. The Corn Pelt Port in the Quad Cites area is expected to deliver millions in federal funding, encourage investment and produce infrastructure improvements in the Quad Cities. Each of the three Corn Belt Port areas will individually rank among the top 100 U.S. ports (a category including coastal ports) by annual freight tonnage. First proposed in February 2020, the port-creation request was backed by a bipartisan congressional delegation, the state legislatures in Iowa, Illinois and Missouri, state government officials, numerous riverfront cities and towns, over 30 riverfront counties and others. This collaborative effort resulted in the creation of the 222-mile-long port. (7) Consider the effort and cooperation involved in so many agencies and geographical areas coming together in agreement on a project that was proposed to benefit the entire area.
In contrast to the unified efforts to create the Corn Belt Port stands the attempt of the railroad to connect Iowa and Illinois by crossing the Mississippi. In 1856, the Rock Island Railroad built the first railroad bridge across the Mississippi River. It connected Davenport, Iowa to Rock Island, Illinois. Steamboat companies saw nationwide railroads as a threat to their business. Just weeks after the bridge was completed, a steamboat captain deliberately crashed into the bridge, destroying the steamboat as well as part of the bridge. Years of litigation followed with the steamboat owner wanting the bridge declared a danger to river travel and the bridge removed. The case was finally decided by the United States Supreme Court in 1862 upholding the right of that bridge and others like it to bridge navigable streams. Additional bridges were eventually built; and Interstate 80, which connects the East and West Coast of the United States, crosses the Mississippi River in the Quad Cities. (10)
Throughout 2023, the Coalition of Apostolic Alliances will be gathering at areas and ports throughout the state with the focus upon convergence points or places where rivers and streams converge. In the earthly realm, the points where waterways merge are the places where commercial trade advances and, thus, reaches new customers and potentially benefits whole territories affected by the new goods and services. In the spiritual realm, ministries and ministry gifts converge to expand the kingdom and strengthen both the body of Christ and the territory touched by the increase in “spiritual waters”.
Endnotes:
https://www.dictionary.com/browse/port
http://www.worldportsource.com/ports/index/USA_IL.php
https://www.waterwaysjournal.net/2023/02/03/delayed-and-out-of-money-cairo-port-development-has-stalled/
http://tricityport.com/ftz-31/
https://governamerica.com/documents/ftz.html#illinois
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quad_Cities
https://qctimes.com/news/local/quad-cities-among-three-cities-to-get-port-designation/article_62eec85b-a95a-5c54-8ea4-64716bd0ec17.html
https://www.iowapbs.org/iowapathways/mypath/2714/first-bridge-over-mississippi-and-effie-afton
By Joyce Geiler
When you think of a port, do you visualize a great ocean harbor where enormous ships load and unload their wares? For example, you may recall the great number of cargo ships stalled in California harbors in the Fall of 2021. You might not think of ports related to the landlocked state of Illinois, but Illinois has many harbors and ports along its larger rivers and on Lake Michigan.
A port is a place where ships load or unload or even take refuge from storms. A port of entry is any place where persons and merchandise are allowed to pass, by water or land, into and out of a country and where customs officers are stationed to inspect or appraise imported goods. (1) Illinois has water ports along rivers and Lake Michigan and land ports at certain airports.
One might understand that an international city such as Chicago would have places where U.S. Customs and Border Protection function, but it is not the only place. The Illinois Port Index lists fifteen Customs attended water ports as well as nine airports, all places where international trade can occur in Illinois.
The fifteen water ports in Illinois are the Kaskaskia Regional Port, Port of Granite City, Port of Quincy, Port of Davenport and Port of Rock Island, Port of Beardstown, Port of Peoria, Port of Channahon, Port of Joliet and the B.L. Duke River Terminal in Joliet, Port of Lemont, Calumet Harbor, DuSable Harbor, Port of Waukegan, and Port of Chicago. (2) The area covered by each of these ports is not just a single harbor, but most of them cover a several mile stretch of shoreline with numerous terminals for loading and unloading cargo. Some readers may be familiar with the proposed port at Cairo, Illinois; but as of February 2023, that proposed port development, which would greatly benefit that impoverished Southern Illinois area, has stalled. (3)
Illustrating the impact of Illinois’ ports is America's Central Port located adjacent to Locks #27, which is the last lock on the Mississippi River heading south in the Alton-Granite City area. The 1,200-acre site is the third largest inland port in the United States. It is one of eight Foreign Trade Zones (FTZ) in Illinois with an annual economic impact of $282 million for the area. Foreign Trade Zones are federally designated areas within the United States that are considered “outside the U.S. territory.” These designated sites allow domestic activity, involving foreign items, to take place prior to formal Customs entry. Product may be imported from other countries and placed, or “admitted,” directly in the foreign trade zone where it may be stored, manipulated, combined with domestic product or other foreign product, assembled, packaged or destroyed. (4) So, FTZs are areas operating within Illinois that are under federal jurisdiction. These are areas with great economic impact on our state.
There are eight Foreign Trade Zones in Illinois with three of them being at the Davenport-Rock Island ports. (5) Since the first gathering of the Coalition of Apostolic Alliances for 2023 is in Davenport, Iowa and Moline, Illinois. A little history of this region of the Mississippi River may be helpful.
The Quad Cities is a made up of U.S. cities in Iowa and Illinois: Davenport and Bettendorf in southeastern Iowa and Rock Island, Moline and East Moline in northwestern Illinois. The Quad Cities is located at the confluence of the Rock and Mississippi rivers, approximately 140 miles west of Chicago, and forms the largest metropolitan area along the Mississippi River between Minneapolis–Saint Paul and the St. Louis metropolitan area. (6)
Although the Quad Cities area has many terminals for handling water cargo, it is only since late 2020 that the area has consolidated to form a Port Statistical Area (PSA) creating a way to measure commerce in the area. The Quad Cities PSA is one of three Corn Belt Ports. The other two are in the greater Peoria/Ottawa area and greater Quincy/Hannibal. The Corn Pelt Port in the Quad Cites area is expected to deliver millions in federal funding, encourage investment and produce infrastructure improvements in the Quad Cities. Each of the three Corn Belt Port areas will individually rank among the top 100 U.S. ports (a category including coastal ports) by annual freight tonnage. First proposed in February 2020, the port-creation request was backed by a bipartisan congressional delegation, the state legislatures in Iowa, Illinois and Missouri, state government officials, numerous riverfront cities and towns, over 30 riverfront counties and others. This collaborative effort resulted in the creation of the 222-mile-long port. (7) Consider the effort and cooperation involved in so many agencies and geographical areas coming together in agreement on a project that was proposed to benefit the entire area.
In contrast to the unified efforts to create the Corn Belt Port stands the attempt of the railroad to connect Iowa and Illinois by crossing the Mississippi. In 1856, the Rock Island Railroad built the first railroad bridge across the Mississippi River. It connected Davenport, Iowa to Rock Island, Illinois. Steamboat companies saw nationwide railroads as a threat to their business. Just weeks after the bridge was completed, a steamboat captain deliberately crashed into the bridge, destroying the steamboat as well as part of the bridge. Years of litigation followed with the steamboat owner wanting the bridge declared a danger to river travel and the bridge removed. The case was finally decided by the United States Supreme Court in 1862 upholding the right of that bridge and others like it to bridge navigable streams. Additional bridges were eventually built; and Interstate 80, which connects the East and West Coast of the United States, crosses the Mississippi River in the Quad Cities. (10)
Throughout 2023, the Coalition of Apostolic Alliances will be gathering at areas and ports throughout the state with the focus upon convergence points or places where rivers and streams converge. In the earthly realm, the points where waterways merge are the places where commercial trade advances and, thus, reaches new customers and potentially benefits whole territories affected by the new goods and services. In the spiritual realm, ministries and ministry gifts converge to expand the kingdom and strengthen both the body of Christ and the territory touched by the increase in “spiritual waters”.
Endnotes:
https://www.dictionary.com/browse/port
http://www.worldportsource.com/ports/index/USA_IL.php
https://www.waterwaysjournal.net/2023/02/03/delayed-and-out-of-money-cairo-port-development-has-stalled/
http://tricityport.com/ftz-31/
https://governamerica.com/documents/ftz.html#illinois
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quad_Cities
https://qctimes.com/news/local/quad-cities-among-three-cities-to-get-port-designation/article_62eec85b-a95a-5c54-8ea4-64716bd0ec17.html
https://www.iowapbs.org/iowapathways/mypath/2714/first-bridge-over-mississippi-and-effie-afton
Impact of ESG on Illinois
By Joyce Geiler
A recent visit to an Illinois fast food restaurant revealed a sizeable plaque in a conspicuous place on the wall explaining to customers the chain’s commitment to purchase a certain environmentally responsible product. In the interest of continuing the discussion about ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) begun in the last issue, we will use this company, McDonalds, as an example of the workings of ESG. This is not intended to be a criticism of McDonalds but a tool to understanding the impact of ESG. Throughout this article, some words and phrases will be bold print to draw attention to the focus of the article.
Interestingly, McDonalds’ website states, “Our inaugural Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Report is packed with details that make us feel proud.” This July 2022 was the first time the company felt the imperative to publish information about its DEI. The report goes on to illustrate with statistics how they are diversifying the leadership team and closing the gender pay gap. (1) Most, if not all, corporations now have at least one sustainability officer, thanks to ESG. McDonalds chief sustainability officer is “thrilled to detail the extraordinary efforts of the McDonald’s System over the past year both globally and locally, including progress in our global sustainability goals and crucial community empowerment programs. It ensures our stakeholders can see how we’re making good on our promise to deliver progress.” (2)
However, the Impact Investor, an organization that rates businesses for investment consideration, states that McDonalds “still has a long way to go to reduce its carbon footprint and has too much of a global impact. It is more investor focused than sustainability focused.” (3) Sustainalytics, a company that rates the sustainability of listed companies based on their environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) performance, rates McDonalds at 24.8, medium risk. Investors will consider carefully whether to invest money in McDonalds. Note high risk begins at 30. (4) MSCI, which is a different rating system, rates McDonalds at BBB, meaning that the company is high average but not a leader. ESG ratings are a “comprehensive measure of a company’s long-term commitment to socially responsible investments (SRI) and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investment standards.” (5) In particular, the MSCI ESG ratings focus on a company’s exposure to financially relevant ESG risks. In all of the ESG rating systems, there is no mention of whether the company is making a profit or whether it is satisfying its customers. Societal values determined by elites are put above profits for the business.
ESG ratings have invaded the business world, impacting the placement of a company’s energy and finances, oftentimes to a greater extent than impacting customer satisfaction. This article delves more deeply into the impact of ESG on businesses in Illinois. The Heartland Institute, based in Arlington Heights, IL “promotes the free market and the vibrant economy it produces”. The Heartland Institute explains the free market as an “economic system where the prices for goods and services are determined by interactions within the open market by consumers and the forces of supply and demand free of external control or manipulation. A free and open economy is essential to a free society. The opposite of a free-market economy is one dominated by government control, subsidies and regulations. Government regulations and subsidies promote inefficiency in production and efficiency in coercion and subservience, while penalizing efficiency in production and inefficiency in predation”. The Heartland Institute favors public policies that reduce the size and power of government and expand choice and freedom for citizens. They oppose government programs, regulations and tax regimes that favor some at the expense of others. (6)
The Heartland Institute explains that although there have been many ESG frameworks developed over the past decade, in the past three years alone, three major documents and compacts have been signed by a coalition of corporate governors, political elites, central bank directors, international organization representatives, and other powerful individuals. Together, they have had a substantial impact on the global economy and the shift to ESG.
In August 2019, The Business Roundtable (TBR), which is comprised of 181 of the most powerful corporate executives in the United States, officially revised its conception of a corporation’s purpose to “promote an economy that serves all Americans.” The companies these CEOs represent come from nearly all sectors of the U.S. economy, including major financial institutions, media conglomerates, technology firms, defense contractors, pharmaceutical companies, and myriad others.
The international community quickly followed suit. The December, 2019 summit of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos formally announced that the new purpose of a corporation would be to “engage all of its stakeholders in shared and sustained value creation. . . . The best way to understand and harmonize the divergent interests of all stakeholders is through a shared commitment to policies and decisions.”
The United Nations Global Compact--officially incorporates ESG scores into all firm-level investment and decision-making processes. As of January 25, 2022, the Principles of Responsible Investment (PRI), a group supported and promoted by the United Nations, reported 4,721 signatories from more than 135 countries had signed PRI. Collectively, these businesses, investors, and investment management firms control more than $100 trillion in assets. The PRI pact emphasizes the importance of ESG disclosures and sponsors pressuring companies into ESG implementation. (7)
Illinois’ Heartland Institute explains in more detail. Klaus Schwab and a growing list of powerful global economic and political elites, including BlackRock CEO Larry Fink and President Joe Biden, have recently committed to a global “reset” of the prevailing school of economic thought. They seek to supplant the entrenched “shareholder doctrine” of capitalism, which holds that the only purpose of a corporate executive is to maximize profits on behalf of company shareholders.
To replace shareholder capitalism, Schwab, Fink, Biden, and a legion of their peers have promulgated a nouveau “stakeholder doctrine,” commonly referred to as “stakeholder capitalism.” This approach, which aims to harness the growing clamor for more socially conscious corporate decision-making, authorizes, incentivizes, and even coerces corporate executives and directors to work on behalf of social objectives deemed by elites to be desirable for all corporate stakeholders, including communities, workers, executives, and suppliers.
Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) scores, which is a social credit framework for sustainability reporting, are being used as the primary mechanism to achieve the shift to a stakeholder model. They measure both financial and non-financial impacts of investments and companies and serve to formally institutionalize corporate social responsibility in global economic infrastructure. Environment, social, and governance scores are theoretically supposed to incentivize “responsible investing” by “screening out” companies that do not possess high ESG scores while favorably rating those companies and funds that make positive contributions to ESG’s three overarching categories. A company’s ESG score has become a primary component of its risk profile. (8)
How does ESG become problematic? For one, money managers use other peoples’ money to advance their preferred social goals. Pension funds offer the best illustration As early as 2018, Chicago's Treasurer, Kurt Simmons, who manages the city's various pension funds, was "seeking permission from the city council to use environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors to inform investment decisions." (9) Public Act 101-0473, the Illinois Sustainable Investing Act (ISIA), took effect on January 1, 2020, and requires: Every "public agency" and "governmental unit” to develop, publish and implement sustainable investment policies applicable to the management of all "public funds" under its control; and Every public agency to prudently integrate "sustainability factors" into its investment decision-making, investment analysis, portfolio construction, due diligence and investment ownership in order to maximize financial returns, minimize projected risks and more effectively execute its fiduciary duty. (10)
The tension here involves fiduciary responsibility, meaning a duty to act in investors’ best interests. The Principles for Responsible Investing’s commitment to ESG is supposed to be consistent with fiduciary duties. But fiduciary duties are hazy because returns are realized in the future and are, by nature, speculative. Managers could also claim halting global warming is in their investors’ best interests. Another problem is imposing ESG by regulation. Federal regulators may soon require corporations to maintain minimum ESG scores or prohibit banks from lending to companies with low ESG scores. Regulators could put disfavored companies – from gun manufacturers to oil and coal companies – out of business. Pushback against ESG has begun. The Heritage Foundation is launching an initiative against ESG. West Virginia has forbidden its state pension plan from ESG investing. In Florida, Governor DeSantis and legislative leaders have unveiled several reforms for the 2023 session. (11) However, as noted above, Illinois has embraced ESG. To summarize, in order to avoid being blacklisted by the ESG elites and potentially have their businesses destroyed, businesses kowtow to the demands of the ESG political police. The free enterprise basis of American economy is being eroded and a few elites are profiting enormously. Globalism is advanced and nations and businesses are reduced in their sovereignty. The consumer’s input is reduced regarding products they desire or don’t desire. Illinois is actively participating in ESG. Responsible social and environmental and governance concerns actually do fit within the framework of biblical principles when the motivation is stewardship of that which God has provided, when individual businesses freely choose to operate in that stewardship and when consumers are able to choose whose products they will purchase; however, elites outside of a business coercing compliance to further their own agenda is not biblical.
Endnotes:
1. https://corporate.mcdonalds.com/corpmcd/en-us/our-stories/article/Planet.inaugural-dei-report.html
2. https://corporate.mcdonalds.com/corpmcd/en-us/our-stories/article/ourstories.esg-progress-report.html
3. https://theimpactinvestor.com/stocks/mcd/
4. https://www.sustainalytics.com/esg-rating/mcdonald-s-corp/1008017734
5. https://www.investopedia.com/msci-esg-ratings-5111990
6. https://www.heartland.org/topics/economy/index.html
7. https://www.heartland.org/ESG/esg
8. https://www.heartland.org/ESG/esg
9. https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidblackmon/2018/03/02/illinois-is-going-broke-but-the-esg-movement-is-here-to-help/?sh=1d0fb34754b1 10. https://www.mondaq.com/unitedstates/corporate-governance/887086/the-illinois-sustainable-investing-act-a-model-for-public-esg-investing
11. www.heartland.org/news-opinion/news/esg-and-markets
Corporate Social Responsibility and ESG
By Joyce Geiler
As of August, 2022, seven states have enacted anti-ESG (Environmental Social Governance) legislation while 20 more have planned or proposed anti-ESG legislation. Pro-ESG is enacted in Maine and proposed in 4 states. Pro-ESG has been defeated in 3 states. Even the United States Congress has seen a surge in proposed federal legislation to oppose ESG. (1) What is ESG and how is Illinois affected?
The goal of ESG — which is ostensibly to combat climate change and address social justice issues — is rather to centralize power and control amongst a cabal of economic and political elites from the World Economic Forum’s Klaus Schwab, to BlackRock’s Larry Fink, to Bank of America’s Brian Moynihan, and even to President Joe Biden and other actors within the U.S. government and the global political establishment. (2)
Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) concepts are not new, but the impact on business is rapidly escalating. Corporate social responsibility is a business model by which companies make a concerted effort to operate in ways that enhance rather than degrade society and the environment and, in the process, promote a positive brand image. (3) ESG is an acronym for Environmental, Social, and Governance, the current form of corporate social responsibility. ESG takes the view that sustainability extends beyond just environmental issues. ESG is a framework that helps stakeholders understand how an organization manages risks and opportunities around sustainability issues. It has evolved from other historical movements that focused on health and safety issues, pollution reduction, and corporate philanthropy. It has changed how many investment and capital allocation decisions are made. (4) That last statement has become increasingly important.
A company’s ESG score has become increasingly important to investors, those who determine what businesses are the recipient of their funds. Companies therefore increasingly invest in programs and practices that increase their ESG score to please certain lobbying groups they perceive as important, which may position them at odds with the values of this readership. The input of consumers is less and less heeded in favor of the stakeholders. ESG scoring often occurs because businesses are receiving outside force, if not coercion, from lobbying and political groups to adopt ESG philosophies whether or not the ideals are directly related to or in the best interest of those businesses.
Illinois Family Action provides examples of ESG. In the area of the environment, activists and elite money managers tend not to focus on pollution; because environmental regulations with which American businesses must comply are already in place. Instead, their scoring system penalizes both businesses and state governments for the “sin” of using or developing fossil fuels. The ESG also gives scores to states. For example, West Virginia, which is a coal producing state, has received lower scores of creditworthiness, even though their finances are in order and their bond-ratings high. Companies that produce fossil fuels, or even those companies that deal with fossil-fuel companies, are given low scores designed to discourage anyone from lending capital to them. In other words, activists try to asphyxiate such companies by denying access to the financial oxygen of capital. Due to the anti-fossil fuel policies of the Biden administration and the low social scores given by ESG allies, American citizens are struggling under soaring gasoline prices and rising heating and cooling costs.
As for governance (G) part of the ESG, pressures from ESG graders may cause corporate leaders to misgovern their companies to the detriment of shareholders, employees, and customers. Two prominent examples of the danger posed by ESG to sound corporate governance are the All-Star Game and the Disney corporation. Last year, Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred made the decision to move the All-Star Game out of Atlanta, thereby taking a partisan position on a Georgia election law and alienating many fans. This year, the Disney CEO declared that his company opposed a new Florida law that prohibits the teaching of sexual identity to children before the fourth grade. (5)
Crain’s Chicago Business reports a Harris Poll that finds that 40% of Chicago investors actively consider ESG factor and 37% research a company's ESG profile before investing. Eighty-one percent of millennials and 65% of baby boomers say they are more likely to invest in companies whose policies promote positive social change. But what is a company's primary responsibility? A decade ago, it was "maximizing profits." Today's answer is more complex, and seemingly more altruistic. Beyond profits, today's investors prefer companies that support the ‘greater social good.’ A recent study conducted by the Harris Poll shows that Chicago investors want their dollars to have a positive impact beyond boosting personal wealth. (6)
The greater social good sounds wonderful. The stickler, though, is who is determining the greater social good? What is their world view? The examples given by Illinois Family Institute in an earlier paragraph suggest the greater social good doesn’t always align with biblical principles. The following are some examples of the influence of ESG in Illinois:
• The Chicago Business Wire published reports from various companies and corporations from banks to decking manufacturers to parking garages touting their ESG commitments.
• Illinois Schools, including University of Illinois, are offering ESG courses.
• Linked in lists 353 Environmental Social Governance Jobs in various corporations in Chicago. (7)
Ameren Illinois whose headquarters are in Collinsville, IL services three quarters of Illinois with electricity and natural gas. (8) Ameren states it is “committed to operating in a sustainable manner and is doing this by carefully balancing our key responsibilities to our customers and the communities they serve, our co-workers, our shareholders, and the environment. Our ability to achieve our mission is directly linked to four key sustainability pillars: environmental stewardship, social impact, governance and sustainable growth. The reports and presentations (in their mission statement) discuss the actions we are taking to benefit the climate, invest in renewable energy and drive changes that support our commitment to social responsibility, including efforts relating to diversity, equity and inclusion, human capital management, and health and safety programs.” (9)
The language used by Ameren is typical of the language used by businesses and corporations to enhance their ESG rating. Note the “diversity, equity and inclusion” phrase. That phrase means they are attempting to please whatever social interest group is currently most powerful.
What are the concerns regarding ESG? The Heartland Institute speaks to the issue. The Heartland Institute is one of the world’s leading free-market think tanks. It is a national nonprofit research and education organization based in Arlington Heights, Illinois. It is nonpartisan and most of their work is strictly educational. (10) According to Heartland Institute, businesses under a free-market economic model respond to the demands and preferences of customers, who effectively vote with their dollars for the products and services they want businesses to provide. On the other hand, a stakeholder capitalism model, which relies on ESG, is designed to ignore consumers and put corporations, banks, and investors in the driver’s seat. In fact, this is the primary purpose of ESG. According to advocates of stakeholder capitalism, their proposed shift is needed to tackle the biggest problems of today and tomorrow, including climate change and economic inequality.
In reality, ESG models do very little to address these above-stated issues. They do, however, make some investors and corporations exceptionally wealthy, often at the expense of others., For example, a consumer who wants to purchase a gasoline-powered car will might eventually be forced to purchase an electric vehicle instead. (Just last week California announced it would ban the sale of new gasoline-powered vehicles starting in 2035.) (11) Likewise, future ESG frameworks could include mandates for restaurants to provide or restrict certain kinds of foods or even encourage vaccine requirements for employees and customers. Because ESG models already bow to diversity and inclusion, businesses could be forced to bend to racial and gender identity equity in hiring and governing boards.
Because ESG systems can be adjusted at virtually any time and without any say by the public, there are no limits to the impacts ESG could have on society, which raises serious ethical questions about the power ESG models give to a relatively small number of corporate, banking, and investment leaders.
ESG funds have been tremendously lucrative to the financial institutions and their corporate stakeholders at the heart of this radical shift in corporate governance. ESG’s novelty has justified higher management fees, and the system “gives a pass to a large number of harmful actors, driving large funds flows to them and lowering their cost of capital, while CEO’s and Wall Street executives celebrate a lucrative movement that they hope will improve their public image.”
BlackRock, the world’s largest private asset manager, has stood to gain the most. BlackRock, with its $7.4 trillion in assets under management, holds a stake in almost every public company; and it has leveraged its size and diversification to fully reap the benefits of ESG investment. BlackRock’s iShares in Global Clean Energy ETF is one of the largest ESG funds in the world. BlackRock, which has become a top-five shareholder in the vast majority of important global companies, is perfectly situated to influence ESG decisions via its considerable voting blocs; thus giving this one financial firm a massive amount of power to shape society. (12)
Unless a consumer is involved in the corporate leadership structure, that man or woman may not be cognizant of the role ESG is playing in business. The consumer may be aware of higher fuel prices and limited products but may not realize the business is setting policies with the goal of supporting social agenda practices, some of which might be unbiblical. Increasingly, business decisions are made to leverage ESG scores with less and less consideration of the consumer. The ‘vote’ cast by what the consumer chooses to purchase or not purchase is being negated by the coercion of a select cabal of investors.
End Notes
1. https://www.heartland.org/ESG/esg
2. https://www.westernjournal.com/op-ed-fight-esg-gaining-momentum/
3. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/corp-social-responsibility.asp
4. https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/knowledge/other/esg-environmental-social-governance/
5. https://illinoisfamilyaction.org/2022/08/corporate-social-responsibility-and-its-newest-version-esg/
6. https://www.chicagobusiness.com/crains-forum-esg-investing/esg-becomes-more-focus-investors-chicago
7. https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/environmental-social-governance-jobs-chicago-il?position=1&pageNum=0
8. https://www.ameren.com/illinois/company/about-ameren/service-territory
9. https://www.amereninvestors.com/corporate-governance/Sustainability-ESG-Reporting/default.aspx
10. https://www.heartland.org/about-us/index.html
11. https://www.cnn.com/2022/08/25/us/california-ban-new-gas-cars-vote/index.html
12. https://www.heartland.org/publications-resources/publications/understanding-environmental-social-and-governance-esg-metrics-a-basic-primer
By Joyce Geiler
As of August, 2022, seven states have enacted anti-ESG (Environmental Social Governance) legislation while 20 more have planned or proposed anti-ESG legislation. Pro-ESG is enacted in Maine and proposed in 4 states. Pro-ESG has been defeated in 3 states. Even the United States Congress has seen a surge in proposed federal legislation to oppose ESG. (1) What is ESG and how is Illinois affected?
The goal of ESG — which is ostensibly to combat climate change and address social justice issues — is rather to centralize power and control amongst a cabal of economic and political elites from the World Economic Forum’s Klaus Schwab, to BlackRock’s Larry Fink, to Bank of America’s Brian Moynihan, and even to President Joe Biden and other actors within the U.S. government and the global political establishment. (2)
Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) concepts are not new, but the impact on business is rapidly escalating. Corporate social responsibility is a business model by which companies make a concerted effort to operate in ways that enhance rather than degrade society and the environment and, in the process, promote a positive brand image. (3) ESG is an acronym for Environmental, Social, and Governance, the current form of corporate social responsibility. ESG takes the view that sustainability extends beyond just environmental issues. ESG is a framework that helps stakeholders understand how an organization manages risks and opportunities around sustainability issues. It has evolved from other historical movements that focused on health and safety issues, pollution reduction, and corporate philanthropy. It has changed how many investment and capital allocation decisions are made. (4) That last statement has become increasingly important.
A company’s ESG score has become increasingly important to investors, those who determine what businesses are the recipient of their funds. Companies therefore increasingly invest in programs and practices that increase their ESG score to please certain lobbying groups they perceive as important, which may position them at odds with the values of this readership. The input of consumers is less and less heeded in favor of the stakeholders. ESG scoring often occurs because businesses are receiving outside force, if not coercion, from lobbying and political groups to adopt ESG philosophies whether or not the ideals are directly related to or in the best interest of those businesses.
Illinois Family Action provides examples of ESG. In the area of the environment, activists and elite money managers tend not to focus on pollution; because environmental regulations with which American businesses must comply are already in place. Instead, their scoring system penalizes both businesses and state governments for the “sin” of using or developing fossil fuels. The ESG also gives scores to states. For example, West Virginia, which is a coal producing state, has received lower scores of creditworthiness, even though their finances are in order and their bond-ratings high. Companies that produce fossil fuels, or even those companies that deal with fossil-fuel companies, are given low scores designed to discourage anyone from lending capital to them. In other words, activists try to asphyxiate such companies by denying access to the financial oxygen of capital. Due to the anti-fossil fuel policies of the Biden administration and the low social scores given by ESG allies, American citizens are struggling under soaring gasoline prices and rising heating and cooling costs.
As for governance (G) part of the ESG, pressures from ESG graders may cause corporate leaders to misgovern their companies to the detriment of shareholders, employees, and customers. Two prominent examples of the danger posed by ESG to sound corporate governance are the All-Star Game and the Disney corporation. Last year, Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred made the decision to move the All-Star Game out of Atlanta, thereby taking a partisan position on a Georgia election law and alienating many fans. This year, the Disney CEO declared that his company opposed a new Florida law that prohibits the teaching of sexual identity to children before the fourth grade. (5)
Crain’s Chicago Business reports a Harris Poll that finds that 40% of Chicago investors actively consider ESG factor and 37% research a company's ESG profile before investing. Eighty-one percent of millennials and 65% of baby boomers say they are more likely to invest in companies whose policies promote positive social change. But what is a company's primary responsibility? A decade ago, it was "maximizing profits." Today's answer is more complex, and seemingly more altruistic. Beyond profits, today's investors prefer companies that support the ‘greater social good.’ A recent study conducted by the Harris Poll shows that Chicago investors want their dollars to have a positive impact beyond boosting personal wealth. (6)
The greater social good sounds wonderful. The stickler, though, is who is determining the greater social good? What is their world view? The examples given by Illinois Family Institute in an earlier paragraph suggest the greater social good doesn’t always align with biblical principles. The following are some examples of the influence of ESG in Illinois:
• The Chicago Business Wire published reports from various companies and corporations from banks to decking manufacturers to parking garages touting their ESG commitments.
• Illinois Schools, including University of Illinois, are offering ESG courses.
• Linked in lists 353 Environmental Social Governance Jobs in various corporations in Chicago. (7)
Ameren Illinois whose headquarters are in Collinsville, IL services three quarters of Illinois with electricity and natural gas. (8) Ameren states it is “committed to operating in a sustainable manner and is doing this by carefully balancing our key responsibilities to our customers and the communities they serve, our co-workers, our shareholders, and the environment. Our ability to achieve our mission is directly linked to four key sustainability pillars: environmental stewardship, social impact, governance and sustainable growth. The reports and presentations (in their mission statement) discuss the actions we are taking to benefit the climate, invest in renewable energy and drive changes that support our commitment to social responsibility, including efforts relating to diversity, equity and inclusion, human capital management, and health and safety programs.” (9)
The language used by Ameren is typical of the language used by businesses and corporations to enhance their ESG rating. Note the “diversity, equity and inclusion” phrase. That phrase means they are attempting to please whatever social interest group is currently most powerful.
What are the concerns regarding ESG? The Heartland Institute speaks to the issue. The Heartland Institute is one of the world’s leading free-market think tanks. It is a national nonprofit research and education organization based in Arlington Heights, Illinois. It is nonpartisan and most of their work is strictly educational. (10) According to Heartland Institute, businesses under a free-market economic model respond to the demands and preferences of customers, who effectively vote with their dollars for the products and services they want businesses to provide. On the other hand, a stakeholder capitalism model, which relies on ESG, is designed to ignore consumers and put corporations, banks, and investors in the driver’s seat. In fact, this is the primary purpose of ESG. According to advocates of stakeholder capitalism, their proposed shift is needed to tackle the biggest problems of today and tomorrow, including climate change and economic inequality.
In reality, ESG models do very little to address these above-stated issues. They do, however, make some investors and corporations exceptionally wealthy, often at the expense of others., For example, a consumer who wants to purchase a gasoline-powered car will might eventually be forced to purchase an electric vehicle instead. (Just last week California announced it would ban the sale of new gasoline-powered vehicles starting in 2035.) (11) Likewise, future ESG frameworks could include mandates for restaurants to provide or restrict certain kinds of foods or even encourage vaccine requirements for employees and customers. Because ESG models already bow to diversity and inclusion, businesses could be forced to bend to racial and gender identity equity in hiring and governing boards.
Because ESG systems can be adjusted at virtually any time and without any say by the public, there are no limits to the impacts ESG could have on society, which raises serious ethical questions about the power ESG models give to a relatively small number of corporate, banking, and investment leaders.
ESG funds have been tremendously lucrative to the financial institutions and their corporate stakeholders at the heart of this radical shift in corporate governance. ESG’s novelty has justified higher management fees, and the system “gives a pass to a large number of harmful actors, driving large funds flows to them and lowering their cost of capital, while CEO’s and Wall Street executives celebrate a lucrative movement that they hope will improve their public image.”
BlackRock, the world’s largest private asset manager, has stood to gain the most. BlackRock, with its $7.4 trillion in assets under management, holds a stake in almost every public company; and it has leveraged its size and diversification to fully reap the benefits of ESG investment. BlackRock’s iShares in Global Clean Energy ETF is one of the largest ESG funds in the world. BlackRock, which has become a top-five shareholder in the vast majority of important global companies, is perfectly situated to influence ESG decisions via its considerable voting blocs; thus giving this one financial firm a massive amount of power to shape society. (12)
Unless a consumer is involved in the corporate leadership structure, that man or woman may not be cognizant of the role ESG is playing in business. The consumer may be aware of higher fuel prices and limited products but may not realize the business is setting policies with the goal of supporting social agenda practices, some of which might be unbiblical. Increasingly, business decisions are made to leverage ESG scores with less and less consideration of the consumer. The ‘vote’ cast by what the consumer chooses to purchase or not purchase is being negated by the coercion of a select cabal of investors.
End Notes
1. https://www.heartland.org/ESG/esg
2. https://www.westernjournal.com/op-ed-fight-esg-gaining-momentum/
3. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/corp-social-responsibility.asp
4. https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/knowledge/other/esg-environmental-social-governance/
5. https://illinoisfamilyaction.org/2022/08/corporate-social-responsibility-and-its-newest-version-esg/
6. https://www.chicagobusiness.com/crains-forum-esg-investing/esg-becomes-more-focus-investors-chicago
7. https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/environmental-social-governance-jobs-chicago-il?position=1&pageNum=0
8. https://www.ameren.com/illinois/company/about-ameren/service-territory
9. https://www.amereninvestors.com/corporate-governance/Sustainability-ESG-Reporting/default.aspx
10. https://www.heartland.org/about-us/index.html
11. https://www.cnn.com/2022/08/25/us/california-ban-new-gas-cars-vote/index.html
12. https://www.heartland.org/publications-resources/publications/understanding-environmental-social-and-governance-esg-metrics-a-basic-primer
Illinois Public School Teachers: Caught in the Conflict
By Joyce Geiler
In 2018 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Janus v. AFSCME freed teachers from the requirement of union membership. That decision has resulted in tens of thousands of U.S. teachers parting ways with the National Education Association (NEA) in recent years. In Illinois alone, over 23,000 public school employees have exercised their freedom to reject union membership (1).
Janus v. AFSCME (2) made this exodus from teachers’ unions possible, and consequently, has prompted numerous articles attempting to reveal the motivations behind it. While the reasons behind ending union membership are varied, several seem to go hand in hand. Some educators stated that they believe teachers unions don’t represent the best interests of students or teachers (3). For others, the shift in union priorities towards political agendas has spurred them to leave. Another reported reason for parting ways with unions is a discontinuity between the values and goals of the union and that of the individual teacher.
Teachers who are Christians often say they feel caught in the middle. They love to teach and want what is best for their students. They love to see their students mature in education skills that enable them to be productive members of society. For them, the conflict comes because of the need to navigate the waters of teachers’ unions, pensions and “woke” agendas in order to do their jobs.
Unfortunately, just because they can leave the union, doesn’t mean it’s an easy choice. Many teachers have been guilted, coerced, even bullied into staying in the union (4), even when it is not in their best interest, or that of their students or school. Such treatment only increases the contention between teachers and unions, non-members and members.
Conflicts between teachers, school boards, and parents have escalated as the disparity between the vision of the individual teachers and parents have increasingly diverged from that of school boards, unions, and non-traditional political policy. As Christians, we look for a biblical solution to this conflict. While Christian education and other non-public-school options are closer to a biblical answer to the education of our children, the nation is far from being able to abandon public education immediately. Thus, an awareness of the current issues arising from public education and the associated anti-biblical influences is necessary.
In public schools teachers don’t choose the curriculum. School boards do. School boards often adopt national standards for curriculum and can be heavily influenced by teacher unions. Teachers have mandates put on them regarding what they teach. Due to these outside influences, those mandates increasingly prioritize social agendas over “reading, writing and arithmetic.”
How did we end up in this predicament? How did teachers get thrust into such conflict? To find the answer to those questions, let’s examine teachers unions and how they came to wield power over education and have such great influence on curriculum.
Unions were gradually empowered to the point of being able to enforce membership through a series of laws that were passed. The first being the National Labor Relations Act of 1935 which authorized unions in the private sector. In 1962, President John F. Kennedy issued an executive order allowing federal workers to unionize, and some states and cities followed suit.
The Illinois Education Association (IEA) was founded in 1853 to serve the interest of public education in Illinois. The National Education Association (NEA) was founded in 1857 (5). That same year, the IES became an affiliate of the NEA.
Before the 1960s, only a small portion of public-school teachers were unionized as membership consisted mostly of administrators. After 1970, administrators gradually left the membership ranks and classroom teachers assumed control of the IEA. In 1983, the Collective Bargaining Bill gave public school employees, and thus unions, a stronger voice in the political arena. (6) It wasn’t long before all Illinois public-school teachers were expected to join the IEA.
Today the NEA (National Education Association) is the largest labor union and the largest white-collar representative in the United States. It represents public school teachers and other support personnel, faculty and staffers at colleges and universities, retired educators, and college students preparing to become teachers. The NEA has just under 3 million members.
With millions of members it’s no wonder the NEA carries such clout. An organization that holds sway over so many members can easily influence elections by impacting those wanting to be elected, such as school board members. This was especially true in states without right to work laws, where teachers had no choice but to join the union, regardless of their ideological differences.
The ideology of the NEA had clearly been established by the 1970’s when it emerged as a factor in modern American liberalism. While the NEA has a stated position of "non-partisan", it almost exclusively supports the Democratic Party. The NEA lobbies the United States Congress and federal agencies to push its agenda. The NEA is also active in the nominating process for Democratic candidates. From 1989 through the 2014 election cycle, the NEA spent over $92 million on political campaign contributions, 97% of which went to Democrats. (7)
The Wall Street Journal editorial board listed 2021 NEA Convention business items about topics such as critical race theory and anti-racism. The NEA’s own 2021 “Legislative Program” notes the organization’s support for “reproductive freedom without governmental intervention,” and the NEA has donated money directly to Planned Parenthood. (8)
Since Illinois remains affiliated with the NEA (IEA-NEA) it supports these agendas.
The NEA also supports the National Sexuality Education Standards: Core Content and Skills, K–12 (NSES) which were first published in 2012 and signed into law in Illinois in August 2021. The curriculum is endorsed by LGBT advocacy groups GLSEN and the Human Rights Campaign as well as abortion organizations like Planned Parenthood. It is mandated in Illinois schools, although, only if they teach any form of sex ed. (9)
The above values are what the NEA and its affiliates push on school boards, schools and teachers. While teachers in Illinois, and throughout the U. S. can now make the decision to stop supporting a union with which they disagree, they are still impacted by this liberal agenda. Every day in Illinois, union member or not, the public school teacher must follow a curriculum designed to indoctrinate students in the union’s liberal agenda.
The good news is many districts and schools across the nation are opting out of the currently recommended “woke” agenda. Out of 860 school districts in Illinois, 531 have opted out of the NSES. The spreadsheet shows that 57 of Illinois 102 counties have at least 75% of their schools opting out. Cook County, with its large number of schools, has a low percentage of opt outs. Several small counties with only 1 to 3 schools have not responded yet to the choice. Check the spreadsheet to find where your district stands.
Some states are currently making decisions about other curriculum issues, such as “critical race theory,” the 1619 Project**, and similar teachings. As of March 2022, legislation prohibiting these teachings has been signed into law in sixteen states and proposed in 20 other states. Chicago Public Schools officials, however, announced that the school system would utilize the 1619 project in their classrooms.
As Christians, we believe, pray and work towards godly change in our state. In the meantime, we must remember that teachers are individuals who have to face significant challenges when making hard decisions regarding their profession. Their challenges are compounded by the powerful forces of national and state unions that have successfully corralled teachers for decades. Their decisions are complicated by school boards that have chosen to adopt national standards rather than accept local direction from parents and consider the teacher’s individual conscience of what is acceptable.
Unfortunately, Illinois has not experienced the exodus of state teachers’ unions from national affiliation. Nor has our state yet experienced the public uprising of parents as seen in Virginia. Thus, the education system in Illinois remains in great need of reformation, and many teachers remain caught in the conflict.
* NSES were first published in 2012 and signed into law in Illinois in August 2021. The curriculum is endorsed by LGBT advocacy groups GLSEN and the Human Rights Campaign as well as abortion organizations like Planned Parenthood.
**The 1619 Project argues the introduction of slavery marks the true beginning of our nation. Critical race theory is loosely defined as the examination of the intersection of race, law, and society at large. Both of these are part of the “woke” agenda to discredit and demoralize the nation
Endnotes:
By Joyce Geiler
In 2018 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Janus v. AFSCME freed teachers from the requirement of union membership. That decision has resulted in tens of thousands of U.S. teachers parting ways with the National Education Association (NEA) in recent years. In Illinois alone, over 23,000 public school employees have exercised their freedom to reject union membership (1).
Janus v. AFSCME (2) made this exodus from teachers’ unions possible, and consequently, has prompted numerous articles attempting to reveal the motivations behind it. While the reasons behind ending union membership are varied, several seem to go hand in hand. Some educators stated that they believe teachers unions don’t represent the best interests of students or teachers (3). For others, the shift in union priorities towards political agendas has spurred them to leave. Another reported reason for parting ways with unions is a discontinuity between the values and goals of the union and that of the individual teacher.
Teachers who are Christians often say they feel caught in the middle. They love to teach and want what is best for their students. They love to see their students mature in education skills that enable them to be productive members of society. For them, the conflict comes because of the need to navigate the waters of teachers’ unions, pensions and “woke” agendas in order to do their jobs.
Unfortunately, just because they can leave the union, doesn’t mean it’s an easy choice. Many teachers have been guilted, coerced, even bullied into staying in the union (4), even when it is not in their best interest, or that of their students or school. Such treatment only increases the contention between teachers and unions, non-members and members.
Conflicts between teachers, school boards, and parents have escalated as the disparity between the vision of the individual teachers and parents have increasingly diverged from that of school boards, unions, and non-traditional political policy. As Christians, we look for a biblical solution to this conflict. While Christian education and other non-public-school options are closer to a biblical answer to the education of our children, the nation is far from being able to abandon public education immediately. Thus, an awareness of the current issues arising from public education and the associated anti-biblical influences is necessary.
In public schools teachers don’t choose the curriculum. School boards do. School boards often adopt national standards for curriculum and can be heavily influenced by teacher unions. Teachers have mandates put on them regarding what they teach. Due to these outside influences, those mandates increasingly prioritize social agendas over “reading, writing and arithmetic.”
How did we end up in this predicament? How did teachers get thrust into such conflict? To find the answer to those questions, let’s examine teachers unions and how they came to wield power over education and have such great influence on curriculum.
Unions were gradually empowered to the point of being able to enforce membership through a series of laws that were passed. The first being the National Labor Relations Act of 1935 which authorized unions in the private sector. In 1962, President John F. Kennedy issued an executive order allowing federal workers to unionize, and some states and cities followed suit.
The Illinois Education Association (IEA) was founded in 1853 to serve the interest of public education in Illinois. The National Education Association (NEA) was founded in 1857 (5). That same year, the IES became an affiliate of the NEA.
Before the 1960s, only a small portion of public-school teachers were unionized as membership consisted mostly of administrators. After 1970, administrators gradually left the membership ranks and classroom teachers assumed control of the IEA. In 1983, the Collective Bargaining Bill gave public school employees, and thus unions, a stronger voice in the political arena. (6) It wasn’t long before all Illinois public-school teachers were expected to join the IEA.
Today the NEA (National Education Association) is the largest labor union and the largest white-collar representative in the United States. It represents public school teachers and other support personnel, faculty and staffers at colleges and universities, retired educators, and college students preparing to become teachers. The NEA has just under 3 million members.
With millions of members it’s no wonder the NEA carries such clout. An organization that holds sway over so many members can easily influence elections by impacting those wanting to be elected, such as school board members. This was especially true in states without right to work laws, where teachers had no choice but to join the union, regardless of their ideological differences.
The ideology of the NEA had clearly been established by the 1970’s when it emerged as a factor in modern American liberalism. While the NEA has a stated position of "non-partisan", it almost exclusively supports the Democratic Party. The NEA lobbies the United States Congress and federal agencies to push its agenda. The NEA is also active in the nominating process for Democratic candidates. From 1989 through the 2014 election cycle, the NEA spent over $92 million on political campaign contributions, 97% of which went to Democrats. (7)
The Wall Street Journal editorial board listed 2021 NEA Convention business items about topics such as critical race theory and anti-racism. The NEA’s own 2021 “Legislative Program” notes the organization’s support for “reproductive freedom without governmental intervention,” and the NEA has donated money directly to Planned Parenthood. (8)
Since Illinois remains affiliated with the NEA (IEA-NEA) it supports these agendas.
The NEA also supports the National Sexuality Education Standards: Core Content and Skills, K–12 (NSES) which were first published in 2012 and signed into law in Illinois in August 2021. The curriculum is endorsed by LGBT advocacy groups GLSEN and the Human Rights Campaign as well as abortion organizations like Planned Parenthood. It is mandated in Illinois schools, although, only if they teach any form of sex ed. (9)
The above values are what the NEA and its affiliates push on school boards, schools and teachers. While teachers in Illinois, and throughout the U. S. can now make the decision to stop supporting a union with which they disagree, they are still impacted by this liberal agenda. Every day in Illinois, union member or not, the public school teacher must follow a curriculum designed to indoctrinate students in the union’s liberal agenda.
The good news is many districts and schools across the nation are opting out of the currently recommended “woke” agenda. Out of 860 school districts in Illinois, 531 have opted out of the NSES. The spreadsheet shows that 57 of Illinois 102 counties have at least 75% of their schools opting out. Cook County, with its large number of schools, has a low percentage of opt outs. Several small counties with only 1 to 3 schools have not responded yet to the choice. Check the spreadsheet to find where your district stands.
Some states are currently making decisions about other curriculum issues, such as “critical race theory,” the 1619 Project**, and similar teachings. As of March 2022, legislation prohibiting these teachings has been signed into law in sixteen states and proposed in 20 other states. Chicago Public Schools officials, however, announced that the school system would utilize the 1619 project in their classrooms.
As Christians, we believe, pray and work towards godly change in our state. In the meantime, we must remember that teachers are individuals who have to face significant challenges when making hard decisions regarding their profession. Their challenges are compounded by the powerful forces of national and state unions that have successfully corralled teachers for decades. Their decisions are complicated by school boards that have chosen to adopt national standards rather than accept local direction from parents and consider the teacher’s individual conscience of what is acceptable.
Unfortunately, Illinois has not experienced the exodus of state teachers’ unions from national affiliation. Nor has our state yet experienced the public uprising of parents as seen in Virginia. Thus, the education system in Illinois remains in great need of reformation, and many teachers remain caught in the conflict.
* NSES were first published in 2012 and signed into law in Illinois in August 2021. The curriculum is endorsed by LGBT advocacy groups GLSEN and the Human Rights Campaign as well as abortion organizations like Planned Parenthood.
**The 1619 Project argues the introduction of slavery marks the true beginning of our nation. Critical race theory is loosely defined as the examination of the intersection of race, law, and society at large. Both of these are part of the “woke” agenda to discredit and demoralize the nation
Endnotes:
- https://www.illinoispolicy.org/over-23000-illinois-public-school-employees-leave-unions/
- https://teacherfreedom.org/opt-out-of-illinois-education-association/
- https://www.illinoispolicy.org/over-23000-illinois-public-school-employees-leave-unions/
- https://teacherfreedom.org/opt-out-of-illinois-education-association/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Education_Association
- https://ieanea.org/about/history/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Education_Association
- https://wng.org/roundups/more-teachers-exit-the-nea-1639599635
- https://www.christianpost.com/news/critics-slam-illinois-new-sexually-charged-sex-ed-guidelines.html
- https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1sU4MdybeSthyh6sr6TmTBIXG8j1JuGRluyaWkwJ31S0/edit#gid=937306628
A Report on the Marion CAA and the Imagery of The Trees of Illinois
By Joyce Geiler
On more than one occasion, Illinois has been compared to a tree. Possibly the earliest occasion was the writing of the state song of Illinois. The second verse refers to the commercial tree that is Illinois.
From a wilderness of prairies, Illinois, Illinois,
Straight thy way and never varies, Illinois, Illinois,
Till upon the inland sea,
Stands thy great commercial tree,
Turning all the world to thee, Illinois, Illinois,
Turning all the world to thee, Illinois.
More than one prophet has referred to Illinois as a tree. James Nesbit and Patti Amsden led the 2018 Plumbline Journey to 24 Illinois’ cities in 12 days. Throughout the whole tour from Cairo to Zion, Illinois was again compared to a tree. James Nesbit released an image of that Plumbline Tree (1) that has been the focus of many prayers. Recently, at the gathering of the Coalition of Apostolic Alliances in Marion on July 11, the tree imagery was expanded.
Before sharing that most recent tree image, allow a brief recap of the occasion for gathering in Marion. Marion is one of the seven cities in Illinois that were identified by prophet Chuck Pierce in 2010 as “thrones of iniquity” intended by God to become “freedom outposts.” It is the sixth of those cities visited within the last two years by the CAA for the purpose of supporting the church in those cities as they labor to release and reform their jurisdictions into God’s original design. The last issue of this newsletter outlined the iniquitous history of Marion involving destruction and murder, including “brother against brother” murder. (2)
At the July 11 Marion CAA gathering, the picture of two trees began to emerge, a tree of life and a tree of death, and became the focus of the meeting. That is not surprising since that imagery of two trees is found in the very first chapter of Genesis with the “Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil” and the “Tree of Life.”
Prior to the gathering in Marion, God had revealed that the spirit of Abaddon the Destroyer has its roots in Southern Illinois. Murder and inhumane treatment are symptoms of such a spirit. There are two trees answering the question posed by Cain when God confronted him with Abel’s murder, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” A tree of death and a tree of life. These two trees were explored at the gathering.
A basic tree structure was drawn on a white board within an outline of the state of Illinois. On this tree image, the roots in Southern Illinois were identified with Marion Federal Prison that brought Alcatraz to the heart of Illinois and the nation. The KKK, Knights of the Golden Circle, Bald Knob, and the Mafia were identified in the roots. The occult covens at Giant City State Park were identified in the roots. Poisonous roots fed the poison of mobs, abortion clinics and corrupt politics up through the trunk of the tree in the central states. The fruit of such poison is seen in
the branches and crown of the tree in northern Illinois. Death, murder, gangs, abortion and occult activity, manifesting in a corrupt apostolic state tree.
A second tree was drawn within the state of Illinois. This was a tree whose roots are the Blood-bought, redeemed, righteous church. Prayer, worship, and revival are found in these roots. The trunk of this tree is strong with the Ekklesia arising. The fruit in the branches of this tree of righteousness are revival, awakening, and restoration. This is the tree of the true apostolic state. In the prayer time that followed, a heart of compassion for those broken and oppressed because of the tree of death was loosed. From the gulf between what is and what is supposed to be, those in attendance cried out giving voice to the very soil of the state that cannot speak on its own. Curses were turned backward and given no more permission to go forward. The blessings of the Lord were released as participants joined the brotherhood of those who have spread the gospel and who have served Illinois.
The prophetic word of the Lord came forth declaring that God has been pouring His grace and revelation into His people and has expedited the growth of the Tree of Righteousness. The Tree of Unrighteousness has had the ax laid to its root. The word called the church to reject fear as the corrupt tree was being dismantled and cut down but rather to worship and expect to see righteous
fruit begin to break forth.
The day following the CAA gathering, the city council in nearby Carbondale met again
regarding the process of building a Planned Parenthood facility in Carbondale. As in previous meetings, the time allotted for citizens to speak was contentious with many abortion supporters and only a few professing Christians present. Anger and animosity were expressed toward the Christians. The last citizen allowed to speak was a Christian leader from Carbondale, who incidentally had not been at the CAA gathering. When she began to speak, she asked forgiveness for expressing her anger and judgment at the previous meeting. The noisy crowd became quiet as she continued by saying the Council members have worked diligently to make Carbondale a good place to live. She recognized that they want only good for Carbondale, just as she does. There were participants whose eyes had tears as she continued. Her last statement was simply
along the lines of hope that Carbondale would choose life, not death. When she sat down, people applauded. Humility disarmed the enemy’s strife. The heart of God’s presence made a way.
Like a natural tree, Illinois parallels a living organism that responds to natural as well as
supernatural forces. The people of Illinois, particularly the Ekklesia of Illinois, have the privilege of releasing the healing work of the One whose Blood purchased reconciliation and new life for the Tree of Righteousness.
Endnote:
https://jnesbit.com/products-2/illinois-plumbline-revelation-in-the-apostolic-state?rq=Illinois
A Report on the Marion CAA and the Imagery of The Trees of Illinois
By Joyce Geiler
On more than one occasion, Illinois has been compared to a tree. Possibly the earliest occasion was the writing of the state song of Illinois. The second verse refers to the commercial tree that is Illinois.
From a wilderness of prairies, Illinois, Illinois,
Straight thy way and never varies, Illinois, Illinois,
Till upon the inland sea,
Stands thy great commercial tree,
Turning all the world to thee, Illinois, Illinois,
Turning all the world to thee, Illinois.
More than one prophet has referred to Illinois as a tree. James Nesbit and Patti Amsden led the 2018 Plumbline Journey to 24 Illinois’ cities in 12 days. Throughout the whole tour from Cairo to Zion, Illinois was again compared to a tree. James Nesbit released an image of that Plumbline Tree (1) that has been the focus of many prayers. Recently, at the gathering of the Coalition of Apostolic Alliances in Marion on July 11, the tree imagery was expanded.
Before sharing that most recent tree image, allow a brief recap of the occasion for gathering in Marion. Marion is one of the seven cities in Illinois that were identified by prophet Chuck Pierce in 2010 as “thrones of iniquity” intended by God to become “freedom outposts.” It is the sixth of those cities visited within the last two years by the CAA for the purpose of supporting the church in those cities as they labor to release and reform their jurisdictions into God’s original design. The last issue of this newsletter outlined the iniquitous history of Marion involving destruction and murder, including “brother against brother” murder. (2)
At the July 11 Marion CAA gathering, the picture of two trees began to emerge, a tree of life and a tree of death, and became the focus of the meeting. That is not surprising since that imagery of two trees is found in the very first chapter of Genesis with the “Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil” and the “Tree of Life.”
Prior to the gathering in Marion, God had revealed that the spirit of Abaddon the Destroyer has its roots in Southern Illinois. Murder and inhumane treatment are symptoms of such a spirit. There are two trees answering the question posed by Cain when God confronted him with Abel’s murder, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” A tree of death and a tree of life. These two trees were explored at the gathering.
A basic tree structure was drawn on a white board within an outline of the state of Illinois. On this tree image, the roots in Southern Illinois were identified with Marion Federal Prison that brought Alcatraz to the heart of Illinois and the nation. The KKK, Knights of the Golden Circle, Bald Knob, and the Mafia were identified in the roots. The occult covens at Giant City State Park were identified in the roots. Poisonous roots fed the poison of mobs, abortion clinics and corrupt politics up through the trunk of the tree in the central states. The fruit of such poison is seen in
the branches and crown of the tree in northern Illinois. Death, murder, gangs, abortion and occult activity, manifesting in a corrupt apostolic state tree.
A second tree was drawn within the state of Illinois. This was a tree whose roots are the Blood-bought, redeemed, righteous church. Prayer, worship, and revival are found in these roots. The trunk of this tree is strong with the Ekklesia arising. The fruit in the branches of this tree of righteousness are revival, awakening, and restoration. This is the tree of the true apostolic state. In the prayer time that followed, a heart of compassion for those broken and oppressed because of the tree of death was loosed. From the gulf between what is and what is supposed to be, those in attendance cried out giving voice to the very soil of the state that cannot speak on its own. Curses were turned backward and given no more permission to go forward. The blessings of the Lord were released as participants joined the brotherhood of those who have spread the gospel and who have served Illinois.
The prophetic word of the Lord came forth declaring that God has been pouring His grace and revelation into His people and has expedited the growth of the Tree of Righteousness. The Tree of Unrighteousness has had the ax laid to its root. The word called the church to reject fear as the corrupt tree was being dismantled and cut down but rather to worship and expect to see righteous
fruit begin to break forth.
The day following the CAA gathering, the city council in nearby Carbondale met again
regarding the process of building a Planned Parenthood facility in Carbondale. As in previous meetings, the time allotted for citizens to speak was contentious with many abortion supporters and only a few professing Christians present. Anger and animosity were expressed toward the Christians. The last citizen allowed to speak was a Christian leader from Carbondale, who incidentally had not been at the CAA gathering. When she began to speak, she asked forgiveness for expressing her anger and judgment at the previous meeting. The noisy crowd became quiet as she continued by saying the Council members have worked diligently to make Carbondale a good place to live. She recognized that they want only good for Carbondale, just as she does. There were participants whose eyes had tears as she continued. Her last statement was simply
along the lines of hope that Carbondale would choose life, not death. When she sat down, people applauded. Humility disarmed the enemy’s strife. The heart of God’s presence made a way.
Like a natural tree, Illinois parallels a living organism that responds to natural as well as
supernatural forces. The people of Illinois, particularly the Ekklesia of Illinois, have the privilege of releasing the healing work of the One whose Blood purchased reconciliation and new life for the Tree of Righteousness.
Endnote:
https://jnesbit.com/products-2/illinois-plumbline-revelation-in-the-apostolic-state?rq=Illinois
Marion Prison
By Joyce Geiler
Two of the United States Federal Penitentiaries are located in Illinois. Marion Prison is in Southern Illinois while Thompson Prison is in Northern Illinois. Because the July 11 gathering of the Coalition of Apostolic Alliances (CAA) will be held in Marion, this article will focus on the Prison in Marion. Throughout 2022, the CAA has been gathering to worship and pray in cities throughout the state that prophet Chuck Pierce identified to be “Thrones of Iniquity” but were destined to be “Freedom Outposts”. Marion is one of those cities. The presence of the Federal Prison has undoubtedly affected the atmosphere of the area, so a discussion of the prison should be helpful.
The United States has the largest prison population in the world and the highest per-capita incarceration rate. One out of every 5 people imprisoned across the world is incarcerated in the United States. (1) The Federal Bureau of Prisons classifies prisons into seven categories. U.S. Penitentiaries, including the Marion facility, are the highest in security. (2)
Marion Prison (USP Marion) was built and opened in 1963 to replace the maximum-security federal prison on Alcatraz Island in San Francisco, which closed the same year. Alcatraz closed because it was 3 times more expensive than other federal prisons to operate since everything, including water, had to be barged in. (3) USP Marion was originally constructed as a maximum-security prison to hold 500 of the most dangerous federal inmates, mostly transfers from Alcatraz.
The first escape from USP Marion was on July 21, 1971. A second escape was attempted on October 10, 1975, when five inmates used a homemade electronic device to open the front gates of the prison. One of them had been an electrician and was assigned to work on the lock mechanisms of all the doors in the main corridors. He converted a radio into a remote control, with which he opened all the doors. The five escapees were all eventually captured and returned to prison. In 1978 two escape attempts involving outside help were blocked. The last escape from the maximum-security prison area was in 1979 and the escapee was captured. (4)
In 1973, after that first escape, the first blocks of "control-unit" cells were created. Inmates assigned to the control-unit would spend 23 to 24 hours a day in one-man cells that were specifically designed to severely limit or eliminate the inmate's contact with other people inside the prison and the outside world. In 1979, USP Marion was designated the only U.S. “supermax” Level 6 institution (In the US prison system, level 5 is categorized as maximum security; levels 4, 3, and 2 are classified as medium security, and level 1 is regarded as minimum security). In 1983, Marion erupted in violence when two officers and one prisoner were killed and two officers were seriously injured during a 6-day period. Since that time, the entire prison has been in permanent lockdown. Prisoners are confined in control-unit cell blocks (one-man cells) for at least 23 hours a day
The cells consist of concrete beds, floors, and walls, and have combination toilets and sinks, and heavy metal doors. They have no television. The prisoners have very few personal possessions. Most never leave their high-security cells, except for occasional no-contact family or lawyer visits or medical attention. Prisoners tend to be older and better educated than inmates in other Illinois state prisons. They are also more accomplished in criminal pursuits than those incarcerated in medium- or minimum-security facilities. A large number were or still are connected to organized criminal enterprises. Marion has few programs or services for rehabilitation, and prisoners released from Marion go straight to the street because they are too hard-core to live in halfway houses. (5)
Although the facility no longer operates as a "supermax" facility, USP Marion is now home to one of two "Communication Management Units" in the federal prison system. The other is at the Federal Correctional Complex, Terre Haute, Indiana. The Federal Bureau of Prisons created the Communication Management Unit (CMU) in response to criticism that it had not been adequately monitoring the communications of prisoners. It was proposed that the CMU would greatly enhance the agency's capabilities for language translation, content analysis and intelligence sharing. (6)
Notable prisoners in Marion Prison include five Al-Qaeda operatives and two other terrorists. Mobsters, drug lords, a soviet spy as well as those convicted of tax evasion have been or are incarcerated there. (7)
“Prison Legal News” describes Marion Prison as a “trendsetter” and that is not a compliment. The digital news source states that some 35 states have built Marion-type control units. The “News” had several articles describing the horrible conditions of control units in Florida, New Jersey and Marion, Illinois. What these types of prisons all have in common is that their purpose is to break and crush prisoners mentally, emotionally, and spiritually through a combination of isolation, sensory deprivation, scarcity of the most basic necessities, and an agenda of humiliation and domination and, in the case of Marion, contaminated water as well. (8) (Note: This article was written in 1991.)
An article in “The Nation” describes how corporations profit from the prison system in general. Prisoner telephone calls cost more than $1 per minute via specially contracted phone companies. The phone companies send a kickback to the prison as a reward for choosing that company. Contracted health care providers provide woefully inadequate care in some cases resulting in preventable deaths of inmates. Private prison companies “guarantee” to keep the prisons full so those companies and the prisons can benefit financially. (9) I’m not certain how much of this applies to Marion prison but the selection of Marion for the site of the prison came with the promise of bringing benefits to the area.
How was it that Marion was chosen as the site of a federal prison to replace Alcatraz? Kenneth Gray from West Frankfort, Illinois was a U.S. Representative at the time when decisions were being made regarding the selection of a site for a replacement for Alcatraz. Gray was well known as an advocate of federal spending for his district and used his post as a senior member of the Public Works Committee to obtain approval of projects including interstate highways, dams, housing, and the Marion Penitentiary. He was dubbed the "Prince of Pork" for his securing of over $7 billion for projects in his area. (10)
Amidst the negative information about Marion, a 2017 article reported on a ministry operating in the Marion prison called Healing Broken Circles, which is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to providing "space for healing and learning for those touched by the justice system”. The director states, "A lot of the men in Marion are lifers and are long-term offenders," she said. "We're not preparing them to get out as much as we're preparing them to have a fruitful and useful and purposeful life while they're in there. Creating a good environment there, having good relationships, helping people who are getting out get themselves together." The programs offered for the inmates by Healing Broken Circles include yoga and dance to digital arts and leadership development. (11)
A Federal Penitentiary seems to be a mixed bag for a city. On the positive side, 342 workers are employed at the Marion prison, which is less that several other major employers in Marion but does, none-the-less, provide work and income for area citizens. (12) But, as noted in many articles about the prison, there seems to be many vicious, inhumane, and criminal atrocities that perpetuate the violence, which can be added to the violent history of Marion.
Marion is the county seat of Williamson County, often referred to as "Bloody Williamson," due to several outbreaks of violence that have few parallels in American history. These include the Bloody Vendetta (1876), armed confrontation between families and associates during the waning days of Reconstruction; the Carterville Massacre (1899), a Coal Strike (1906), the Herrin Massacre (1922), the Klan War (1924–1926), and the Birger/Shelton Gang War (1926). (13) Such is the history of the region into which a supermax federal prison was brought.
Williamson county was struck by two tornadoes on May 29, 1982, when one of the larger tornadoes in Illinois history, rated F4, killed 10 people and injured 200 in the Marion, Illinois tornado outbreak. On May 8, 2009, the cities of Carterville, Herrin, and Marion were severely damaged by the May 2009 Southern Midwest derecho. (14) (15) (Derecho: a large fast-moving complex of thunderstorms with powerful straight-line winds that cause widespread destruction. (16) It’s as if both man and nature have conspired to bring death and destruction to the area.
As the CAA gathers on July 11, declarations and decrees will be added to the many prayers released over the years for this region so that this “Throne of Iniquity” may become a “Freedom Outpost” in the Kingdom of God.
Endnotes:
1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incarceration_in_the_United_States
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_federal_prisons
3. https://www.bop.gov/about/history/alcatraz.jsp
4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Penitentiary,_Marion
5. https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/usp-marion-first-federal-supermax
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Penitentiary,_Marion
6. https://cs.siu.edu/csday/2009_1/marion_prison.htm
7. https://www.prisonlegalnews.org/news/1991/mar/15/the-new-and-improved-marion/
8. https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/prison-profiteers/
9. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenneth_J._Gray
10. https://www.marionstar.com/story/news/local/2017/01/06/100k-grant-benefits-prison-program-help-inmates-heal/96169344/
11. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marion,_Illinois
12. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Williamson_County%2C_Illinois
13. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Williamson_County%2C_Illinois
14. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marion,_Illinois
15. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/derecho
By Joyce Geiler
Two of the United States Federal Penitentiaries are located in Illinois. Marion Prison is in Southern Illinois while Thompson Prison is in Northern Illinois. Because the July 11 gathering of the Coalition of Apostolic Alliances (CAA) will be held in Marion, this article will focus on the Prison in Marion. Throughout 2022, the CAA has been gathering to worship and pray in cities throughout the state that prophet Chuck Pierce identified to be “Thrones of Iniquity” but were destined to be “Freedom Outposts”. Marion is one of those cities. The presence of the Federal Prison has undoubtedly affected the atmosphere of the area, so a discussion of the prison should be helpful.
The United States has the largest prison population in the world and the highest per-capita incarceration rate. One out of every 5 people imprisoned across the world is incarcerated in the United States. (1) The Federal Bureau of Prisons classifies prisons into seven categories. U.S. Penitentiaries, including the Marion facility, are the highest in security. (2)
Marion Prison (USP Marion) was built and opened in 1963 to replace the maximum-security federal prison on Alcatraz Island in San Francisco, which closed the same year. Alcatraz closed because it was 3 times more expensive than other federal prisons to operate since everything, including water, had to be barged in. (3) USP Marion was originally constructed as a maximum-security prison to hold 500 of the most dangerous federal inmates, mostly transfers from Alcatraz.
The first escape from USP Marion was on July 21, 1971. A second escape was attempted on October 10, 1975, when five inmates used a homemade electronic device to open the front gates of the prison. One of them had been an electrician and was assigned to work on the lock mechanisms of all the doors in the main corridors. He converted a radio into a remote control, with which he opened all the doors. The five escapees were all eventually captured and returned to prison. In 1978 two escape attempts involving outside help were blocked. The last escape from the maximum-security prison area was in 1979 and the escapee was captured. (4)
In 1973, after that first escape, the first blocks of "control-unit" cells were created. Inmates assigned to the control-unit would spend 23 to 24 hours a day in one-man cells that were specifically designed to severely limit or eliminate the inmate's contact with other people inside the prison and the outside world. In 1979, USP Marion was designated the only U.S. “supermax” Level 6 institution (In the US prison system, level 5 is categorized as maximum security; levels 4, 3, and 2 are classified as medium security, and level 1 is regarded as minimum security). In 1983, Marion erupted in violence when two officers and one prisoner were killed and two officers were seriously injured during a 6-day period. Since that time, the entire prison has been in permanent lockdown. Prisoners are confined in control-unit cell blocks (one-man cells) for at least 23 hours a day
The cells consist of concrete beds, floors, and walls, and have combination toilets and sinks, and heavy metal doors. They have no television. The prisoners have very few personal possessions. Most never leave their high-security cells, except for occasional no-contact family or lawyer visits or medical attention. Prisoners tend to be older and better educated than inmates in other Illinois state prisons. They are also more accomplished in criminal pursuits than those incarcerated in medium- or minimum-security facilities. A large number were or still are connected to organized criminal enterprises. Marion has few programs or services for rehabilitation, and prisoners released from Marion go straight to the street because they are too hard-core to live in halfway houses. (5)
Although the facility no longer operates as a "supermax" facility, USP Marion is now home to one of two "Communication Management Units" in the federal prison system. The other is at the Federal Correctional Complex, Terre Haute, Indiana. The Federal Bureau of Prisons created the Communication Management Unit (CMU) in response to criticism that it had not been adequately monitoring the communications of prisoners. It was proposed that the CMU would greatly enhance the agency's capabilities for language translation, content analysis and intelligence sharing. (6)
Notable prisoners in Marion Prison include five Al-Qaeda operatives and two other terrorists. Mobsters, drug lords, a soviet spy as well as those convicted of tax evasion have been or are incarcerated there. (7)
“Prison Legal News” describes Marion Prison as a “trendsetter” and that is not a compliment. The digital news source states that some 35 states have built Marion-type control units. The “News” had several articles describing the horrible conditions of control units in Florida, New Jersey and Marion, Illinois. What these types of prisons all have in common is that their purpose is to break and crush prisoners mentally, emotionally, and spiritually through a combination of isolation, sensory deprivation, scarcity of the most basic necessities, and an agenda of humiliation and domination and, in the case of Marion, contaminated water as well. (8) (Note: This article was written in 1991.)
An article in “The Nation” describes how corporations profit from the prison system in general. Prisoner telephone calls cost more than $1 per minute via specially contracted phone companies. The phone companies send a kickback to the prison as a reward for choosing that company. Contracted health care providers provide woefully inadequate care in some cases resulting in preventable deaths of inmates. Private prison companies “guarantee” to keep the prisons full so those companies and the prisons can benefit financially. (9) I’m not certain how much of this applies to Marion prison but the selection of Marion for the site of the prison came with the promise of bringing benefits to the area.
How was it that Marion was chosen as the site of a federal prison to replace Alcatraz? Kenneth Gray from West Frankfort, Illinois was a U.S. Representative at the time when decisions were being made regarding the selection of a site for a replacement for Alcatraz. Gray was well known as an advocate of federal spending for his district and used his post as a senior member of the Public Works Committee to obtain approval of projects including interstate highways, dams, housing, and the Marion Penitentiary. He was dubbed the "Prince of Pork" for his securing of over $7 billion for projects in his area. (10)
Amidst the negative information about Marion, a 2017 article reported on a ministry operating in the Marion prison called Healing Broken Circles, which is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to providing "space for healing and learning for those touched by the justice system”. The director states, "A lot of the men in Marion are lifers and are long-term offenders," she said. "We're not preparing them to get out as much as we're preparing them to have a fruitful and useful and purposeful life while they're in there. Creating a good environment there, having good relationships, helping people who are getting out get themselves together." The programs offered for the inmates by Healing Broken Circles include yoga and dance to digital arts and leadership development. (11)
A Federal Penitentiary seems to be a mixed bag for a city. On the positive side, 342 workers are employed at the Marion prison, which is less that several other major employers in Marion but does, none-the-less, provide work and income for area citizens. (12) But, as noted in many articles about the prison, there seems to be many vicious, inhumane, and criminal atrocities that perpetuate the violence, which can be added to the violent history of Marion.
Marion is the county seat of Williamson County, often referred to as "Bloody Williamson," due to several outbreaks of violence that have few parallels in American history. These include the Bloody Vendetta (1876), armed confrontation between families and associates during the waning days of Reconstruction; the Carterville Massacre (1899), a Coal Strike (1906), the Herrin Massacre (1922), the Klan War (1924–1926), and the Birger/Shelton Gang War (1926). (13) Such is the history of the region into which a supermax federal prison was brought.
Williamson county was struck by two tornadoes on May 29, 1982, when one of the larger tornadoes in Illinois history, rated F4, killed 10 people and injured 200 in the Marion, Illinois tornado outbreak. On May 8, 2009, the cities of Carterville, Herrin, and Marion were severely damaged by the May 2009 Southern Midwest derecho. (14) (15) (Derecho: a large fast-moving complex of thunderstorms with powerful straight-line winds that cause widespread destruction. (16) It’s as if both man and nature have conspired to bring death and destruction to the area.
As the CAA gathers on July 11, declarations and decrees will be added to the many prayers released over the years for this region so that this “Throne of Iniquity” may become a “Freedom Outpost” in the Kingdom of God.
Endnotes:
1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incarceration_in_the_United_States
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_federal_prisons
3. https://www.bop.gov/about/history/alcatraz.jsp
4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Penitentiary,_Marion
5. https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/usp-marion-first-federal-supermax
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Penitentiary,_Marion
6. https://cs.siu.edu/csday/2009_1/marion_prison.htm
7. https://www.prisonlegalnews.org/news/1991/mar/15/the-new-and-improved-marion/
8. https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/prison-profiteers/
9. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenneth_J._Gray
10. https://www.marionstar.com/story/news/local/2017/01/06/100k-grant-benefits-prison-program-help-inmates-heal/96169344/
11. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marion,_Illinois
12. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Williamson_County%2C_Illinois
13. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Williamson_County%2C_Illinois
14. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marion,_Illinois
15. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/derecho
Governor Pritzker’s Perpetual Usage of Emergency Powers
By Joyce Geiler
This week the attention of many Illinoisans is rightly turned to the primary election. Forgotten, or at least relegated to the back burner, are the months of Covid-related restrictions and hardships. One topic, however, ties the two together. The man who has exerted emergency powers over the state regarding the Covid pandemic for more than two years, 65% of his term, is running for re-election. The Democratic primary has only one challenger to Pritzker’s governorship. The Republican field has six candidates from which the challenger will be chosen in the primary election. During the run-up to the primary election, Pritzker has touted his administration’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. This article will review that handling.
Every 30 days since March 9, 2020, the Governor has issued an emergency proclamation giving himself emergency powers. The emergency? The Covid-19 pandemic. Each emergency proclamation must be filed with the Secretary of State and then becomes immediately effective. The most recent extension of the emergency proclamation for the next 30 days was filed with Secretary of State, Jesse White, on May 27, 2022. That makes 26 months of Governor Pritzker operating with emergency power authority.
The Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act, Sec. 7. Emergency Powers of the Governor states: “In the event of a disaster, as defined in Section 4, the Governor may, by proclamation declare that a disaster exists. Upon such proclamation, the Governor shall have and may exercise for a period not to exceed 30 days the following emergency powers.” (1) Within the wording of this act, a long list of emergency powers is delineated but nothing is written about limiting the time period or about extending the emergency powers.
In the most recent extension of emergency proclamations filed with the Secretary of State May 27, 2022 the Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation begins:
“WHEREAS, since early March 2020, Illinois has faced a pandemic that has caused extraordinary sickness and loss of life, infecting over 3,280,000, and taking the lives of more than 33,700 residents; and, “WHEREAS, protecting the health and safety of Illinoisans is among the most important functions of State government; and, “WHEREAS, as Illinois continues to respond to the public health disaster caused by Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), a novel severe acute respiratory illness that spreads rapidly through respiratory transmissions, the burden on residents, healthcare providers, first responders, and governments throughout the State continues to be unprecedented.”
After 6 pages of ‘whereas’ and over a page of ‘therefore’, the conclusion states:
“Section 1. Pursuant to the provisions of Section 7 of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act, 20 ILCS 3305/7, I find that a disaster exists within the State of Illinois and specifically declare all counties in the State of Illinois as a disaster area. The proclamation authorizes the exercise of all of the emergency powers provided in Section 7 of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act, 20 ILCS 3305/7, including but not limited to those specific emergency powers set forth below.” (2) The powers set forth in the law are then listed.
Everyone in the state has experienced some aspect of the Governor’s emergency mandates. A comparison of the number of pre-pandemic executive orders signed by Governor Pritzker with the number of orders since Covid began helps highlight their use. There were thirteen executive orders in 2019, 75 in 2020, 32 in 2021, and thirteen so far in 2022, an increase of five times at the height of the pandemic. (3)
Emergency powers are granted to governors in times of dire need, such as when the country is grappling with a deadly disease. They allow governors to act quickly, rather than awaiting a legislature that is designed to be slow and deliberative. Currently, the only limit on the governor’s authority comes from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act, which limits Pritzker’s disaster proclamations to 30 days. But Pritzker has renewed his emergency powers 26 times after prior proclamations expired – seeking neither approval nor input from the General Assembly. (4)
As of June 10, 2022, fourteen states still have some type of emergency mandate regarding Covid-19 and at least 34 states have some sort of legislative check in place for the duration of emergency executive powers. Twenty-two states empower state lawmakers to end a state of emergency by resolution at any time, while 12 states require state legislatures to approve any extension of emergency declarations. (5) Even if the Illinois state legislature wanted to limit the governor’s extension of emergency powers, it would need either cooperation from the governor or a veto-proof majority for the legislation to pass.
Several lawsuits challenging Pritzker’s authority to extend the 30-day limit on a disaster declaration have been initiated. In April of 2020, Clay County judge granted State Rep. Darren Bailey a temporary restraining order based on the argument that a governor cannot extend his emergency powers past the 30-day limit set by statute. Bailey afterward asked the judge to vacate that order so he could file an amended lawsuit, which he did. Another state representative and 80 business owners also filed lawsuits, challenging Pritzker’s ability to limit their liberties beyond 30 days after the initial disaster declaration.
During that time period, the Illinois General Assembly held a short session to pass a spending plan for fiscal year 2021; however, lawmakers did not amend the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act to explicitly allow the governor to extend the 30-day limit on his emergency powers. A requirement in the Illinois Constitution states any amendment to a section of code be made explicitly and the lawmakers did not do so. (6)
On July 2, 2020, Clay County Circuit Court Judge Michael McHaney granted two of three counts of the motion for summary judgment made by State Rep. Bailey’s lawsuit against Pritzker’s exercise of emergency powers. However, in a statement to the Chicago Tribune, Pritzker spokesperson Emily Bittner responded that other courts have sided with the governor on the exercise of his emergency powers. “Every other court – both state and federal – that has considered these exact issues has agreed with the administration that executive orders protecting Illinoisans’ health and safety are well within the governor’s constitutional authority,” Bittner said. (7)
Subsequently, the Illinois Supreme Court removed the action from Clay County to Sangamon County (where Springfield is located). Then Pritzker filed a motion in Sangamon County for reconsideration of the July judgment against him. And in December 2020, a Sangamon County judge granted Pritzker’s motion and held that Pritzker did have the authority to issue COVID-19-related executive orders for more than just one 30-day period of time. The court held that the Illinois Emergency Management Authority authorizes the Governor to issue successive disaster proclamations stemming from one ongoing disaster. (8) It seems that other suits are lost somewhere in the never-never-land of the court system.
The governor’s authority to issue emergency orders would be restricted under legislation. Introduced in January 2021 by State Rep. Joe Sosnowski, R-Rockford. HB0210 IEMA-DISASTER PROCLAMATION would amend the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act but the bill now sits in the Rules Committee where it has been for over a year. (9)
Emergency executive powers can be a necessary aspect of governing in times of crisis. But powers meant to deal with a disaster cannot be allowed to go on forever. Illinois has three branches of government, just as the nation does. Allowing power to remain solely in the executive branch prevents the checks and balances intended for our state government.
ENDNOTES:
1. https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=368
2. https://www.illinois.gov/government/executive-orders.html
3. https://www.illinois.gov/government/executive-orders.html
4. https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/op-ed-illinois-should-join-neighbor-states-limit-pritzker-s-emergency-powers/article_033ca010-b440-11ec-bd82-9bdc4c983ee8.html
5. https://www.nashp.org/governors-prioritize-health-for-all/
6. https://madisonrecord.com/stories/539388185-despite-business-lawmaker-suits-pritzker-grants-himself-emergency-powers-for-4th-time
7. https://www.illinoispolicy.org/judge-strikes-down-pritzkers-covid-19-orders-extended-emergency-powers/
8. https://hlerk.com/pritzkers-executive-orders-were-legal-court-says/
9. https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocTypeID=HB&DocNum=210&GAID=16&SessionID=110&LegID=128074
By Joyce Geiler
This week the attention of many Illinoisans is rightly turned to the primary election. Forgotten, or at least relegated to the back burner, are the months of Covid-related restrictions and hardships. One topic, however, ties the two together. The man who has exerted emergency powers over the state regarding the Covid pandemic for more than two years, 65% of his term, is running for re-election. The Democratic primary has only one challenger to Pritzker’s governorship. The Republican field has six candidates from which the challenger will be chosen in the primary election. During the run-up to the primary election, Pritzker has touted his administration’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. This article will review that handling.
Every 30 days since March 9, 2020, the Governor has issued an emergency proclamation giving himself emergency powers. The emergency? The Covid-19 pandemic. Each emergency proclamation must be filed with the Secretary of State and then becomes immediately effective. The most recent extension of the emergency proclamation for the next 30 days was filed with Secretary of State, Jesse White, on May 27, 2022. That makes 26 months of Governor Pritzker operating with emergency power authority.
The Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act, Sec. 7. Emergency Powers of the Governor states: “In the event of a disaster, as defined in Section 4, the Governor may, by proclamation declare that a disaster exists. Upon such proclamation, the Governor shall have and may exercise for a period not to exceed 30 days the following emergency powers.” (1) Within the wording of this act, a long list of emergency powers is delineated but nothing is written about limiting the time period or about extending the emergency powers.
In the most recent extension of emergency proclamations filed with the Secretary of State May 27, 2022 the Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation begins:
“WHEREAS, since early March 2020, Illinois has faced a pandemic that has caused extraordinary sickness and loss of life, infecting over 3,280,000, and taking the lives of more than 33,700 residents; and, “WHEREAS, protecting the health and safety of Illinoisans is among the most important functions of State government; and, “WHEREAS, as Illinois continues to respond to the public health disaster caused by Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), a novel severe acute respiratory illness that spreads rapidly through respiratory transmissions, the burden on residents, healthcare providers, first responders, and governments throughout the State continues to be unprecedented.”
After 6 pages of ‘whereas’ and over a page of ‘therefore’, the conclusion states:
“Section 1. Pursuant to the provisions of Section 7 of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act, 20 ILCS 3305/7, I find that a disaster exists within the State of Illinois and specifically declare all counties in the State of Illinois as a disaster area. The proclamation authorizes the exercise of all of the emergency powers provided in Section 7 of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act, 20 ILCS 3305/7, including but not limited to those specific emergency powers set forth below.” (2) The powers set forth in the law are then listed.
Everyone in the state has experienced some aspect of the Governor’s emergency mandates. A comparison of the number of pre-pandemic executive orders signed by Governor Pritzker with the number of orders since Covid began helps highlight their use. There were thirteen executive orders in 2019, 75 in 2020, 32 in 2021, and thirteen so far in 2022, an increase of five times at the height of the pandemic. (3)
Emergency powers are granted to governors in times of dire need, such as when the country is grappling with a deadly disease. They allow governors to act quickly, rather than awaiting a legislature that is designed to be slow and deliberative. Currently, the only limit on the governor’s authority comes from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act, which limits Pritzker’s disaster proclamations to 30 days. But Pritzker has renewed his emergency powers 26 times after prior proclamations expired – seeking neither approval nor input from the General Assembly. (4)
As of June 10, 2022, fourteen states still have some type of emergency mandate regarding Covid-19 and at least 34 states have some sort of legislative check in place for the duration of emergency executive powers. Twenty-two states empower state lawmakers to end a state of emergency by resolution at any time, while 12 states require state legislatures to approve any extension of emergency declarations. (5) Even if the Illinois state legislature wanted to limit the governor’s extension of emergency powers, it would need either cooperation from the governor or a veto-proof majority for the legislation to pass.
Several lawsuits challenging Pritzker’s authority to extend the 30-day limit on a disaster declaration have been initiated. In April of 2020, Clay County judge granted State Rep. Darren Bailey a temporary restraining order based on the argument that a governor cannot extend his emergency powers past the 30-day limit set by statute. Bailey afterward asked the judge to vacate that order so he could file an amended lawsuit, which he did. Another state representative and 80 business owners also filed lawsuits, challenging Pritzker’s ability to limit their liberties beyond 30 days after the initial disaster declaration.
During that time period, the Illinois General Assembly held a short session to pass a spending plan for fiscal year 2021; however, lawmakers did not amend the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act to explicitly allow the governor to extend the 30-day limit on his emergency powers. A requirement in the Illinois Constitution states any amendment to a section of code be made explicitly and the lawmakers did not do so. (6)
On July 2, 2020, Clay County Circuit Court Judge Michael McHaney granted two of three counts of the motion for summary judgment made by State Rep. Bailey’s lawsuit against Pritzker’s exercise of emergency powers. However, in a statement to the Chicago Tribune, Pritzker spokesperson Emily Bittner responded that other courts have sided with the governor on the exercise of his emergency powers. “Every other court – both state and federal – that has considered these exact issues has agreed with the administration that executive orders protecting Illinoisans’ health and safety are well within the governor’s constitutional authority,” Bittner said. (7)
Subsequently, the Illinois Supreme Court removed the action from Clay County to Sangamon County (where Springfield is located). Then Pritzker filed a motion in Sangamon County for reconsideration of the July judgment against him. And in December 2020, a Sangamon County judge granted Pritzker’s motion and held that Pritzker did have the authority to issue COVID-19-related executive orders for more than just one 30-day period of time. The court held that the Illinois Emergency Management Authority authorizes the Governor to issue successive disaster proclamations stemming from one ongoing disaster. (8) It seems that other suits are lost somewhere in the never-never-land of the court system.
The governor’s authority to issue emergency orders would be restricted under legislation. Introduced in January 2021 by State Rep. Joe Sosnowski, R-Rockford. HB0210 IEMA-DISASTER PROCLAMATION would amend the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act but the bill now sits in the Rules Committee where it has been for over a year. (9)
Emergency executive powers can be a necessary aspect of governing in times of crisis. But powers meant to deal with a disaster cannot be allowed to go on forever. Illinois has three branches of government, just as the nation does. Allowing power to remain solely in the executive branch prevents the checks and balances intended for our state government.
ENDNOTES:
1. https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=368
2. https://www.illinois.gov/government/executive-orders.html
3. https://www.illinois.gov/government/executive-orders.html
4. https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/op-ed-illinois-should-join-neighbor-states-limit-pritzker-s-emergency-powers/article_033ca010-b440-11ec-bd82-9bdc4c983ee8.html
5. https://www.nashp.org/governors-prioritize-health-for-all/
6. https://madisonrecord.com/stories/539388185-despite-business-lawmaker-suits-pritzker-grants-himself-emergency-powers-for-4th-time
7. https://www.illinoispolicy.org/judge-strikes-down-pritzkers-covid-19-orders-extended-emergency-powers/
8. https://hlerk.com/pritzkers-executive-orders-were-legal-court-says/
9. https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocTypeID=HB&DocNum=210&GAID=16&SessionID=110&LegID=128074
Illinois Primary Election
By Joyce Geiler
With the barrage of campaign mail filling mailboxes, probably everyone is aware that Illinois’ Primary Elections are this month. Primary Election Day is June 28, but polls are already open in some locations for early voting. It would be unfortunate and irresponsible to make voting decisions based on the campaign mail/propaganda flooding our eyes and ears. Rather than state their own platforms, many candidates in high-profile contests disseminate false information about their opponents. The definition of propaganda is “usually disapproving ideas or statements that are often false or exaggerated and that are spread in order to help a cause, a political leader, a government, etc.” (1)
In addition to the confusing information received about candidates, the recent rearrangement of voting districts in Illinois (redistricting) has left many wondering what district they are actually voting in this year. Others feel that since there has been so much election fraud, why bother to vote. It’s enough to make the fainthearted retreat into their homes and not appear again until after election day is over. Because elections do have consequences that must be lived with for several years, and because we live in a nation where we still have the right and responsibility to vote, this article will give some resources for discovering your new voting district and the associated candidates. Empowered with information, voters can make the best choice possible. Remember, in the Primary Election, one must choose a party and vote only for candidates in that party. Since the Primary Election is a single party ballot, other areas upon which the populace votes such as general mandates, proposals, or amendments are included only in the General Election in November.
A good portion of the emphasis of this article will be to provide resources for learning about voting for judges. Often judges don’t campaign as much as candidates in the legislative or executive branches of state and local government, and voters go to the polls unprepared to vote whether to retain judges or to vote for those where voting is required. Circuit, Appellate, and Illinois Supreme Court judicial positions are very important, and those positions are held for longer than the other two branches of State government.
Let’s begin with listing resources to find your current district and candidates. Several of the referenced resources list candidate websites so you can do further investigation before casting your vote. One of the most helpful guides is prepared by the Illinois Family Institute. However, since it is not interactive allowing you to find your new district, it is listed second. Ballotpedia (2) is interactive. By entering the address where you are registered to vote, you can view a sample ballot, which includes information specific to your district. The site lists affiliated party, has links for more detailed information about candidates, and includes judges.
The Illinois Family Institute (IFI) 2022 Primary Election Voter Guide (3), a downloadable PDF, is available on their site. In this guide, you will find the positions of candidates running for U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, Statewide offices, and both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly regarding issues of importance. Incumbent voting records, completed candidate questionnaires, research, and various organization endorsements went into compiling this voting resource. You will need to know your district. The guide does not include judges.
Other resources include information gathered by the League of Women Voters, which includes a link to find your voting district (4) and the I Vote Guide (5) produced by the American Family Association Action. This guide rates candidates’ degree of conservative or liberal. It does not list judges.
The last referenced site is prepared by the Illinois State Board of Elections. Their website (6) has a link for “find my elected officials”. Navigating there will provide links to view current district officials, including judges. This site will not be helpful for new candidates at any level but has been included because of the information about judges. Continuing to follow the links will take you to the websites of current judges, which can be helpful in determining whether to vote to retain them.
Several references have been made in this article to the importance of voting regarding judges. Although judges comprise only a small portion of the people for whom we vote, their terms last longer. The term for Illinois supreme court and appellate court judges is ten years and the term for circuit court judges is six years. Judicial elections in Illinois occur during even-numbered years. Supreme, appellate, and circuit court judges in Illinois participate in partisan elections. At the end of their term, judges have the option to run in a retention election. Illinois is one of eight states that uses partisan elections to initially select judges and then uses retention elections to determine whether judges should remain on the bench. (7)
The Illinois Supreme Court, the highest court in Illinois, includes seven justices who are elected to 10-year terms in partisan elections; and after the completion of their 10-year term, they must compete in uncontested, nonpartisan retention elections to continue serving. Unlike most states, supreme court justices in Illinois are elected to represent specific districts. The seven justices are divided among five districts (three allocated to Cook County and the others divided evenly among the other four districts) and are voted into office by the residents of their respective regions. In the event of a midterm vacancy, the Illinois Supreme Court is responsible for appointing an interim justice. The interim justice serves until the next general election occurring at least 60 days after his or her appointment, at which point the justice must run in a partisan election to continue serving.
The Illinois Supreme Court is currently comprised of three Republicans and four Democrats. The terms of four of the justices will expire in 2022, of which two seats are for partisan election in the June primary election and two seats are for retention in the November 8 election. Democratic candidates running in the primary for Illinois Supreme Court 2nd District include René Cruz, Elizabeth M. Rochford, and Nancy Rotering. Republican candidates running in the primary for the 2nd District include Mark Curran, Susan Hutchinson, John A. Noverini, and Daniel Shanes. Candidates running for the Illinois Supreme Court 3rd District include Mary O’Brian on the Democratic ticket and Michael J. Burke on the Republican ticket. (8)
The terms of 15 Illinois Appellate Court judges will expire on December 4, 2022, and one appointment that filled a vacancy seat is up for special election. All 16 seats from all five Appellate Courts will be voted upon in either the partisan, primary election in June or the retention election on November 8. See Ballotpedia for the listing by district. (9)
Ballotpedia does not list information about Circuit Court judge elections. County Clerks should be able to give you that information. Elections are administered locally by the state’s 108 election authorities. These are the county clerks in 101 counties plus one county election commission and 6 municipal election commissions. These local authorities are a very important part of Illinois’ election process. As part of their many responsibilities, they handle local voter registration programs, train election judges, select polling places, get ballots printed, oversee Election Day activities, and supervise the vote count at the local level. To find the contact information for your county’s election authority, go to the Illinois State Board of Elections' Election Authorities page (10) and select your county.
As citizens of a nation in which we have the privilege of voting for candidates in all three branches of government, it behooves us to do the research in order to vote responsibly. Of course, we pray for our nation and our state, and we implore the intervention of our God in the affairs of our land, but we must also function in the natural realm. Educate yourself and vote.
Endnotes:
(1) https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/propaganda
(2) https://ballotpedia.org/Sample_Ballot_Lookup?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=2079ea3e-ef4d-476a-ad06-e49045ca2921
(3) https://illinoisfamily.org/ifi_news/ifi-voter-guide-resources-for-primary-election-2022/
(4) https://www.lwvil.org/candidateforum?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=2079ea3e-ef4d-476a-ad06-e49045ca2921
(5) https://ivoterguide.com/
(6) https://www.elections.il.gov/Default.aspx
(7) https://ballotpedia.org/Illinois_judicial_elections
(8) https://ballotpedia.org/Illinois_Supreme_Court_elections,_2022
(9) https://ballotpedia.org/Illinois_intermediate_appellate_court_elections,_2022
(10) https://www.elections.il.gov/ElectionOperations/ElectionAuthorities.aspx?T=637901409801588409
By Joyce Geiler
With the barrage of campaign mail filling mailboxes, probably everyone is aware that Illinois’ Primary Elections are this month. Primary Election Day is June 28, but polls are already open in some locations for early voting. It would be unfortunate and irresponsible to make voting decisions based on the campaign mail/propaganda flooding our eyes and ears. Rather than state their own platforms, many candidates in high-profile contests disseminate false information about their opponents. The definition of propaganda is “usually disapproving ideas or statements that are often false or exaggerated and that are spread in order to help a cause, a political leader, a government, etc.” (1)
In addition to the confusing information received about candidates, the recent rearrangement of voting districts in Illinois (redistricting) has left many wondering what district they are actually voting in this year. Others feel that since there has been so much election fraud, why bother to vote. It’s enough to make the fainthearted retreat into their homes and not appear again until after election day is over. Because elections do have consequences that must be lived with for several years, and because we live in a nation where we still have the right and responsibility to vote, this article will give some resources for discovering your new voting district and the associated candidates. Empowered with information, voters can make the best choice possible. Remember, in the Primary Election, one must choose a party and vote only for candidates in that party. Since the Primary Election is a single party ballot, other areas upon which the populace votes such as general mandates, proposals, or amendments are included only in the General Election in November.
A good portion of the emphasis of this article will be to provide resources for learning about voting for judges. Often judges don’t campaign as much as candidates in the legislative or executive branches of state and local government, and voters go to the polls unprepared to vote whether to retain judges or to vote for those where voting is required. Circuit, Appellate, and Illinois Supreme Court judicial positions are very important, and those positions are held for longer than the other two branches of State government.
Let’s begin with listing resources to find your current district and candidates. Several of the referenced resources list candidate websites so you can do further investigation before casting your vote. One of the most helpful guides is prepared by the Illinois Family Institute. However, since it is not interactive allowing you to find your new district, it is listed second. Ballotpedia (2) is interactive. By entering the address where you are registered to vote, you can view a sample ballot, which includes information specific to your district. The site lists affiliated party, has links for more detailed information about candidates, and includes judges.
The Illinois Family Institute (IFI) 2022 Primary Election Voter Guide (3), a downloadable PDF, is available on their site. In this guide, you will find the positions of candidates running for U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, Statewide offices, and both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly regarding issues of importance. Incumbent voting records, completed candidate questionnaires, research, and various organization endorsements went into compiling this voting resource. You will need to know your district. The guide does not include judges.
Other resources include information gathered by the League of Women Voters, which includes a link to find your voting district (4) and the I Vote Guide (5) produced by the American Family Association Action. This guide rates candidates’ degree of conservative or liberal. It does not list judges.
The last referenced site is prepared by the Illinois State Board of Elections. Their website (6) has a link for “find my elected officials”. Navigating there will provide links to view current district officials, including judges. This site will not be helpful for new candidates at any level but has been included because of the information about judges. Continuing to follow the links will take you to the websites of current judges, which can be helpful in determining whether to vote to retain them.
Several references have been made in this article to the importance of voting regarding judges. Although judges comprise only a small portion of the people for whom we vote, their terms last longer. The term for Illinois supreme court and appellate court judges is ten years and the term for circuit court judges is six years. Judicial elections in Illinois occur during even-numbered years. Supreme, appellate, and circuit court judges in Illinois participate in partisan elections. At the end of their term, judges have the option to run in a retention election. Illinois is one of eight states that uses partisan elections to initially select judges and then uses retention elections to determine whether judges should remain on the bench. (7)
The Illinois Supreme Court, the highest court in Illinois, includes seven justices who are elected to 10-year terms in partisan elections; and after the completion of their 10-year term, they must compete in uncontested, nonpartisan retention elections to continue serving. Unlike most states, supreme court justices in Illinois are elected to represent specific districts. The seven justices are divided among five districts (three allocated to Cook County and the others divided evenly among the other four districts) and are voted into office by the residents of their respective regions. In the event of a midterm vacancy, the Illinois Supreme Court is responsible for appointing an interim justice. The interim justice serves until the next general election occurring at least 60 days after his or her appointment, at which point the justice must run in a partisan election to continue serving.
The Illinois Supreme Court is currently comprised of three Republicans and four Democrats. The terms of four of the justices will expire in 2022, of which two seats are for partisan election in the June primary election and two seats are for retention in the November 8 election. Democratic candidates running in the primary for Illinois Supreme Court 2nd District include René Cruz, Elizabeth M. Rochford, and Nancy Rotering. Republican candidates running in the primary for the 2nd District include Mark Curran, Susan Hutchinson, John A. Noverini, and Daniel Shanes. Candidates running for the Illinois Supreme Court 3rd District include Mary O’Brian on the Democratic ticket and Michael J. Burke on the Republican ticket. (8)
The terms of 15 Illinois Appellate Court judges will expire on December 4, 2022, and one appointment that filled a vacancy seat is up for special election. All 16 seats from all five Appellate Courts will be voted upon in either the partisan, primary election in June or the retention election on November 8. See Ballotpedia for the listing by district. (9)
Ballotpedia does not list information about Circuit Court judge elections. County Clerks should be able to give you that information. Elections are administered locally by the state’s 108 election authorities. These are the county clerks in 101 counties plus one county election commission and 6 municipal election commissions. These local authorities are a very important part of Illinois’ election process. As part of their many responsibilities, they handle local voter registration programs, train election judges, select polling places, get ballots printed, oversee Election Day activities, and supervise the vote count at the local level. To find the contact information for your county’s election authority, go to the Illinois State Board of Elections' Election Authorities page (10) and select your county.
As citizens of a nation in which we have the privilege of voting for candidates in all three branches of government, it behooves us to do the research in order to vote responsibly. Of course, we pray for our nation and our state, and we implore the intervention of our God in the affairs of our land, but we must also function in the natural realm. Educate yourself and vote.
Endnotes:
(1) https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/propaganda
(2) https://ballotpedia.org/Sample_Ballot_Lookup?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=2079ea3e-ef4d-476a-ad06-e49045ca2921
(3) https://illinoisfamily.org/ifi_news/ifi-voter-guide-resources-for-primary-election-2022/
(4) https://www.lwvil.org/candidateforum?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=2079ea3e-ef4d-476a-ad06-e49045ca2921
(5) https://ivoterguide.com/
(6) https://www.elections.il.gov/Default.aspx
(7) https://ballotpedia.org/Illinois_judicial_elections
(8) https://ballotpedia.org/Illinois_Supreme_Court_elections,_2022
(9) https://ballotpedia.org/Illinois_intermediate_appellate_court_elections,_2022
(10) https://www.elections.il.gov/ElectionOperations/ElectionAuthorities.aspx?T=637901409801588409
Amendment 1 Challenged
By Joyce Geiler
Last issue laid out information concerning Amendment 1, which will appear on the November ballot in Illinois. The “Illinois Right to Collective Bargaining Amendment” (Amendment 1) would create a state constitutional right for employees to organize and bargain collectively through representatives of their choosing to negotiate "wages, hours, and working conditions and to protect their economic welfare and safety at work." The ballot measure would also prohibit laws that interfere with, negate, or diminish collective bargaining agreements, including agreements that require union membership as a condition of employment, effectively prohibiting a right-to-work law in Illinois. (1)
Illinois Policy Institute states, “Amendment 1 would hand Illinois’ government union leaders the most extreme powers in the nation. It does so by voiding over 350 state provisions and adding several unprecedented labor provisions to the state constitution, including a guarantee that taxes and debt will go up. Because there is no limit on what government union leaders can demand, no limit on what state and local governments can give away, and no requirement to pay for new costs, Amendment 1 will lock in sky-high property tax rates in Illinois and make Illinois home to a more corrupt government at a higher cost. Government union bosses will be held accountable by no one - not even the state legislature. Amendment 1 will give untold power to unions in the state constitution.” (2)
Two parents in the Chicago Public School district along with two teachers filed a petition April 21, 2022, in the Seventh Judicial Circuit Court in Sangamon County asking that the Illinois State Board of Elections remove the question from the ballot because it oversteps national labor relations law and is therefore unconstitutional. They are represented by the Liberty Justice Center, a national nonprofit law firm, and the Illinois Policy Institute, a nonpartisan research organization. (3)
On May 14, 2022, Illinois Policy Institute, along with Liberty Justice Center, announced they had filed an official lawsuit against Amendment 1. The lawsuit alleges that the amendment language is so broad that it will preempt federal laws, which would make it unconstitutional. Because of that, the litigants are seeking to remove the amendment from the November 8th general election ballot. (4)
Mailee Smith, director of labor policy and staff attorney for the Illinois Policy Institute, said, “The language as written in Amendment 1 is too broad. If Illinois was seeking solely to make right-to-work unconstitutional in Illinois, the phrasing would have reflected that, as it did in a previous version of this amendment filed in 2019. Instead, the current phrasing creates a litany of problems, could lead to unparalleled power by a special interest group and most importantly, is unconstitutional. Amendment 1 claims to give any employee – from either private businesses or government – a “fundamental right” to engage in collective bargaining for various reasons. But the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) governs private-sector collective bargaining nationwide – and preempts state laws that would attempt to do so. The plaintiffs argue the proposal is unconstitutional and are seeking a court order directing state leaders to keep it off the ballot.
“Of particular concern to the plaintiffs is that the NLRA limits the subjects of mandatory collective bargaining to wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment. In the past 10 years, Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) has walked out five times over affordable housing, mental health and other bargaining terms that were not wages and hours.” (5) The Chicago Teachers Union is pushing for this amendment.
“Amendment 1 violates the U.S. Constitution and must be taken off the ballot. Federal law protects and regulates collective bargaining in the private sector,” said Jacob Huebert, president of the Liberty Justice Center. “This attempt to create a state-law right to private-sector collective bargaining on top of that violates federal law and the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution. The Illinois Supreme Court has repeatedly ruled that unconstitutional proposals cannot go before the voters, so the courts should order state officials to remove Amendment 1 from the ballot.” (6)
Government unions are experiencing decreasing power with a 9% decrease in membership that has occurred since the U.S. Supreme Court restored the right of government workers to choose to not join a union in the 2018 Janus v. AFSCME decision. (7) Chicago Teachers Union is pushing an amendment to the Illinois Constitution to expand their ability to bargain and strike over a much wider range of topics, including its social agenda on housing, immigration, “restorative justice,” wealth redistribution and defunding the police. (8)
The enactment of the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act in 1984 allowed teachers unions to strike and district students to lose instructional days as school boards and union leaders negotiated over union demands. The Chicago Teachers’ Union history illustrates how this law plays out in practice. The CTU has gone on strike 11 times. Current and former CTU teachers have accused union leadership of viewing “work stoppages and strikes as the first step, and not the last one.” This quick-trigger treatment of strikes has led to concern that CTU overuses its right to strike. All of Illinois’ neighboring states explicitly prohibit teacher strikes. If Amendment 1 passes, any prohibitions against teachers’ union strikes proposed by elected lawmakers would be invalid. That’s because such prohibitions would “interfere with” or “diminish” the right of teachers to “bargain collectively.’ This language is broad, making it difficult to predict all the ramifications of the provisions that could fall under the amendment if it is passes. (9)
Also, more recently, the CTU has used walkouts to force Chicago Public Schools to meet their COVID-19 protocol demands in which they demanded distance education and then masks when classroom learning resumed. CTU has already pushed its social agenda on housing, immigration, “restorative justice,” wealth redistribution and defunding the police. Key demands listed on their website include: justice for students and families, affordable housing, sanctuary schools, sustainable community schools and restorative justice. (10) The September 22, 2020 CTU posting states, “In order to open schools safely and give our communities the resources we need to weather the COVID-19 pandemic, we need to invest a lot more funds in our under-resourced public services. We can only pay for that if we make the ultra-wealthy pay their fair share in taxes– and if we stop wasting money on things that do more harm than good. Specifically, this means defunding the police and canceling our payments to Wall Street. The CTU and allies led a series of bank actions in August 2020 to demand interest-free financing for social needs in this moment of crisis. We need the federal government to make grants to our state and local governments to give us the resources our communities need to thrive.” (11)
In summary, not only is Amendment 1 unconstitutional because of the National Labor Relations Act, it is unconscionable for such unlimited power to be placed in the hands of unelected people.
Endnotes:
1. https://ballotpedia.org/Illinois_Right_to_Collective_Bargaining_Amendment_(2022)
2. https://www.illinoispolicy.org/
3. https://www.illinoispolicy.org/illinois-parents-teachers-sue-to-get-unconstitutional-union-boost-off-ballot/
4. https://www.illinoispolicy.org/
5. https://www.illinoispolicy.org/illinois-parents-teachers-sue-to-get-unconstitutional-union-boost-off-ballot/
6. https://www.illinoispolicy.org/illinois-parents-teachers-sue-to-get-unconstitutional-union-boost-off-ballot/
7. https://www.illinoispolicy.org/
8. https://www.illinoispolicy.org/illinois-parents-teachers-sue-to-get-unconstitutional-union-boost-off-ballot/
9. https://www.illinoispolicy.org/pritzker-fact-check-college-applications-up-because-high-schools-now-require-them/
10. https://www.ctulocal1.org/movement/contract-campaigns/about/
11. https://www.ctulocal1.org/chicago-union-teacher/2020/09/defund-police-and-banks-support-schools-and-a-more-just-social-order/
By Joyce Geiler
Last issue laid out information concerning Amendment 1, which will appear on the November ballot in Illinois. The “Illinois Right to Collective Bargaining Amendment” (Amendment 1) would create a state constitutional right for employees to organize and bargain collectively through representatives of their choosing to negotiate "wages, hours, and working conditions and to protect their economic welfare and safety at work." The ballot measure would also prohibit laws that interfere with, negate, or diminish collective bargaining agreements, including agreements that require union membership as a condition of employment, effectively prohibiting a right-to-work law in Illinois. (1)
Illinois Policy Institute states, “Amendment 1 would hand Illinois’ government union leaders the most extreme powers in the nation. It does so by voiding over 350 state provisions and adding several unprecedented labor provisions to the state constitution, including a guarantee that taxes and debt will go up. Because there is no limit on what government union leaders can demand, no limit on what state and local governments can give away, and no requirement to pay for new costs, Amendment 1 will lock in sky-high property tax rates in Illinois and make Illinois home to a more corrupt government at a higher cost. Government union bosses will be held accountable by no one - not even the state legislature. Amendment 1 will give untold power to unions in the state constitution.” (2)
Two parents in the Chicago Public School district along with two teachers filed a petition April 21, 2022, in the Seventh Judicial Circuit Court in Sangamon County asking that the Illinois State Board of Elections remove the question from the ballot because it oversteps national labor relations law and is therefore unconstitutional. They are represented by the Liberty Justice Center, a national nonprofit law firm, and the Illinois Policy Institute, a nonpartisan research organization. (3)
On May 14, 2022, Illinois Policy Institute, along with Liberty Justice Center, announced they had filed an official lawsuit against Amendment 1. The lawsuit alleges that the amendment language is so broad that it will preempt federal laws, which would make it unconstitutional. Because of that, the litigants are seeking to remove the amendment from the November 8th general election ballot. (4)
Mailee Smith, director of labor policy and staff attorney for the Illinois Policy Institute, said, “The language as written in Amendment 1 is too broad. If Illinois was seeking solely to make right-to-work unconstitutional in Illinois, the phrasing would have reflected that, as it did in a previous version of this amendment filed in 2019. Instead, the current phrasing creates a litany of problems, could lead to unparalleled power by a special interest group and most importantly, is unconstitutional. Amendment 1 claims to give any employee – from either private businesses or government – a “fundamental right” to engage in collective bargaining for various reasons. But the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) governs private-sector collective bargaining nationwide – and preempts state laws that would attempt to do so. The plaintiffs argue the proposal is unconstitutional and are seeking a court order directing state leaders to keep it off the ballot.
“Of particular concern to the plaintiffs is that the NLRA limits the subjects of mandatory collective bargaining to wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment. In the past 10 years, Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) has walked out five times over affordable housing, mental health and other bargaining terms that were not wages and hours.” (5) The Chicago Teachers Union is pushing for this amendment.
“Amendment 1 violates the U.S. Constitution and must be taken off the ballot. Federal law protects and regulates collective bargaining in the private sector,” said Jacob Huebert, president of the Liberty Justice Center. “This attempt to create a state-law right to private-sector collective bargaining on top of that violates federal law and the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution. The Illinois Supreme Court has repeatedly ruled that unconstitutional proposals cannot go before the voters, so the courts should order state officials to remove Amendment 1 from the ballot.” (6)
Government unions are experiencing decreasing power with a 9% decrease in membership that has occurred since the U.S. Supreme Court restored the right of government workers to choose to not join a union in the 2018 Janus v. AFSCME decision. (7) Chicago Teachers Union is pushing an amendment to the Illinois Constitution to expand their ability to bargain and strike over a much wider range of topics, including its social agenda on housing, immigration, “restorative justice,” wealth redistribution and defunding the police. (8)
The enactment of the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act in 1984 allowed teachers unions to strike and district students to lose instructional days as school boards and union leaders negotiated over union demands. The Chicago Teachers’ Union history illustrates how this law plays out in practice. The CTU has gone on strike 11 times. Current and former CTU teachers have accused union leadership of viewing “work stoppages and strikes as the first step, and not the last one.” This quick-trigger treatment of strikes has led to concern that CTU overuses its right to strike. All of Illinois’ neighboring states explicitly prohibit teacher strikes. If Amendment 1 passes, any prohibitions against teachers’ union strikes proposed by elected lawmakers would be invalid. That’s because such prohibitions would “interfere with” or “diminish” the right of teachers to “bargain collectively.’ This language is broad, making it difficult to predict all the ramifications of the provisions that could fall under the amendment if it is passes. (9)
Also, more recently, the CTU has used walkouts to force Chicago Public Schools to meet their COVID-19 protocol demands in which they demanded distance education and then masks when classroom learning resumed. CTU has already pushed its social agenda on housing, immigration, “restorative justice,” wealth redistribution and defunding the police. Key demands listed on their website include: justice for students and families, affordable housing, sanctuary schools, sustainable community schools and restorative justice. (10) The September 22, 2020 CTU posting states, “In order to open schools safely and give our communities the resources we need to weather the COVID-19 pandemic, we need to invest a lot more funds in our under-resourced public services. We can only pay for that if we make the ultra-wealthy pay their fair share in taxes– and if we stop wasting money on things that do more harm than good. Specifically, this means defunding the police and canceling our payments to Wall Street. The CTU and allies led a series of bank actions in August 2020 to demand interest-free financing for social needs in this moment of crisis. We need the federal government to make grants to our state and local governments to give us the resources our communities need to thrive.” (11)
In summary, not only is Amendment 1 unconstitutional because of the National Labor Relations Act, it is unconscionable for such unlimited power to be placed in the hands of unelected people.
Endnotes:
1. https://ballotpedia.org/Illinois_Right_to_Collective_Bargaining_Amendment_(2022)
2. https://www.illinoispolicy.org/
3. https://www.illinoispolicy.org/illinois-parents-teachers-sue-to-get-unconstitutional-union-boost-off-ballot/
4. https://www.illinoispolicy.org/
5. https://www.illinoispolicy.org/illinois-parents-teachers-sue-to-get-unconstitutional-union-boost-off-ballot/
6. https://www.illinoispolicy.org/illinois-parents-teachers-sue-to-get-unconstitutional-union-boost-off-ballot/
7. https://www.illinoispolicy.org/
8. https://www.illinoispolicy.org/illinois-parents-teachers-sue-to-get-unconstitutional-union-boost-off-ballot/
9. https://www.illinoispolicy.org/pritzker-fact-check-college-applications-up-because-high-schools-now-require-them/
10. https://www.ctulocal1.org/movement/contract-campaigns/about/
11. https://www.ctulocal1.org/chicago-union-teacher/2020/09/defund-police-and-banks-support-schools-and-a-more-just-social-order/
Impact of Amendment 1 on November Ballot
By Joyce Geiler
Amendment 1 is an Illinois constitutional amendment that will be on the ballot next November. With the myriad of concerns currently facing Illinoisans, it may seem premature to consider something that is six months away, but it would be best to not let this potential change to our state constitution be lost in current events. One current event in particular, the indictment on racketeering charges of former House Speaker, Mike Madigan, is actually related to Amendment 1.
Let’s look at exactly what Amendment 1 entails. Then we will recount how Madigan took Illinois to the place where Amendment 1 is positioned to make legal the effects of the corruption he used. In a follow-up article we will detail the probable effect of this amendment on schools and property taxes. This is not an inconsequential amendment!
What would this ballot measure add to the Illinois Constitution?
The “Illinois Right to Collective Bargaining Amendment” (Amendment 1) would create a state constitutional right for employees to organize and bargain collectively through representatives of their choosing to negotiate "wages, hours, and working conditions and to protect their economic welfare and safety at work." The ballot measure would also prohibit laws that interfere with, negate, or diminish collective bargaining agreements, including agreements that require union membership as a condition of employment, effectively prohibiting a right-to-work law in Illinois. (2)
As of 2021, at least three state constitutions—Hawaii, Missouri, and New York—provided a right to collective bargaining. The Illinois Right to Collective Bargaining Amendment, however, would provide a right to collective bargaining AND also preempt right-to-work laws that prohibit collective bargaining agreements that require union membership as a condition of employment. Language preempting right-to-work laws was not included in the state constitutions of Hawaii, Missouri, or New York. (3)
A careful look at the supporters and opponents of this proposed amendment reveals that supporters are Democrats and unions, and opponents are Republicans and businesses. Supporters of Amendment 1 are Illinois Sen. Ram Villivalam (D) and Illinois Representatives Marcus Evans (D) and Lance Yednock (D). Unions supporting the Amendment are: Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois, Chicago Laborers' District Council, Chicago Teachers Union, Illinois AFL-CIO, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Illinois Pipe Trades Association and SEIU Healthcare Illinois & Indiana. Opponents of the amendment are Illinois Rep. Blaine Wilhour (R) and Illinois Association of School Boards, Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Illinois Manufacturers' Association, National Federation of Independent Business. (4)
As stated above, the Illinois Right to Collective Bargaining Amendment would prohibit laws that “interfere with, negate, or diminish agreements that require union membership as a condition of employment.” Such laws are known as right-to-work laws. As of 2021, 27 states had right-to-work laws and 23 states, including Illinois, did not have right-to-work laws, but neither did they have laws prohibiting right-to-work. (5)
Now, let’s examine how this amendment would solidify what now-indicted Michael Madigan accomplished over his decades as House Speaker. During those decades Madigan built up public employee union power as those unions built up Madigan’s campaign funds. Over 26 years, Madigan-controlled campaign funds saw $10 million in donations from Illinois government unions. They, in turn, received decades of pro-union legislation and a public pension system so generous that the unfunded debt grew 753% under Madigan’s leadership, to $140 billion in 2020.
How did it all start?
The Illinois Policy Institute outlines the process. In 1983, Madigan’s first year as Speaker, the Illinois General Assembly passed the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act and the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act. Under Madigan’s leadership, unions pushed lawmakers to pass both pieces of legislation, which mandated collective bargaining for public employees and gave them the power to strike – a power few states allow and something labor and political leaders advised against. (Note, this discussion of unions concerns public employee unions.)
George Meany, the first president of the AFL-CIO, said public unions should be excluded from collective bargaining. Meany said, “it is impossible to collectively bargain with the government.” Before Meany, President Franklin D. Roosevelt said public employees were unique in that they were employed by taxpayers. “All Government employees should realize that the process of collective bargaining, as usually understood, cannot be transplanted into the public service,” Roosevelt wrote. All of Illinois’ neighbor states, plus Michigan, prohibit all or most government employees from going on strike.
Under Madigan’s leadership, labor legislation in Illinois only passed if it expanded union powers. The unions rewarded him with that $10 million he used to keep other lawmakers and even governors under his control. For example, Senate Bill 1784, which passed into law in 2019, gave unions unprecedented access to personal information such as cell phone numbers and email addresses of all government employees, even ones who weren’t union members. (6)
The proposed amendment would cement four new provisions into the constitution that no other state has. It would give unions a permanent right to collective bargaining over not just benefits, but any topic they choose – a power the Chicago Teachers Union has tried to wield to pursue its social agenda on housing, immigration, restorative justice, wealth redistribution and defunding the police. Union contracts would carry the weight of the constitution, overriding state laws.
What’s most dangerous about Amendment 1 is that, if passed, it can never be limited or altered, even if every lawmaker and voter in the state agreed it needed changing. Unions could replace Madigan’s corrupt path to power with a legal one by getting Amendment 1 put into the Illinois Constitution. (7) (Note: Although Illinois Policy states above that the amendment can never be changed, it can be changed or repealed by another constitutional amendment, which is a rare happening.)
Examining the progression of increasing control wielded by government unions helps clarify the danger of passing Amendment 1 in November. Next issue we will examine the effects of passing such a measure on Illinois schools and property taxes.
End Notes: 1. https://www.illinoispolicy.org/amendment-1-would-permanently-enshrine-madigan-union-deals-in-illinois-constitution/
2. https://ballotpedia.org/Illinois_Right_to_Collective_Bargaining_Amendment_(2022)
3. Ibid Ballotpedia
4. Ibid Ballotpedia
5. Ibid Ballotpedia 6. https://www.illinoispolicy.org/amendment-1-would-permanently-enshrine-madigan-union-deals-in-illinois-constitution/
7. Ibid Illinoispolicy.org
By Joyce Geiler
Amendment 1 is an Illinois constitutional amendment that will be on the ballot next November. With the myriad of concerns currently facing Illinoisans, it may seem premature to consider something that is six months away, but it would be best to not let this potential change to our state constitution be lost in current events. One current event in particular, the indictment on racketeering charges of former House Speaker, Mike Madigan, is actually related to Amendment 1.
Let’s look at exactly what Amendment 1 entails. Then we will recount how Madigan took Illinois to the place where Amendment 1 is positioned to make legal the effects of the corruption he used. In a follow-up article we will detail the probable effect of this amendment on schools and property taxes. This is not an inconsequential amendment!
What would this ballot measure add to the Illinois Constitution?
The “Illinois Right to Collective Bargaining Amendment” (Amendment 1) would create a state constitutional right for employees to organize and bargain collectively through representatives of their choosing to negotiate "wages, hours, and working conditions and to protect their economic welfare and safety at work." The ballot measure would also prohibit laws that interfere with, negate, or diminish collective bargaining agreements, including agreements that require union membership as a condition of employment, effectively prohibiting a right-to-work law in Illinois. (2)
As of 2021, at least three state constitutions—Hawaii, Missouri, and New York—provided a right to collective bargaining. The Illinois Right to Collective Bargaining Amendment, however, would provide a right to collective bargaining AND also preempt right-to-work laws that prohibit collective bargaining agreements that require union membership as a condition of employment. Language preempting right-to-work laws was not included in the state constitutions of Hawaii, Missouri, or New York. (3)
A careful look at the supporters and opponents of this proposed amendment reveals that supporters are Democrats and unions, and opponents are Republicans and businesses. Supporters of Amendment 1 are Illinois Sen. Ram Villivalam (D) and Illinois Representatives Marcus Evans (D) and Lance Yednock (D). Unions supporting the Amendment are: Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois, Chicago Laborers' District Council, Chicago Teachers Union, Illinois AFL-CIO, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Illinois Pipe Trades Association and SEIU Healthcare Illinois & Indiana. Opponents of the amendment are Illinois Rep. Blaine Wilhour (R) and Illinois Association of School Boards, Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Illinois Manufacturers' Association, National Federation of Independent Business. (4)
As stated above, the Illinois Right to Collective Bargaining Amendment would prohibit laws that “interfere with, negate, or diminish agreements that require union membership as a condition of employment.” Such laws are known as right-to-work laws. As of 2021, 27 states had right-to-work laws and 23 states, including Illinois, did not have right-to-work laws, but neither did they have laws prohibiting right-to-work. (5)
Now, let’s examine how this amendment would solidify what now-indicted Michael Madigan accomplished over his decades as House Speaker. During those decades Madigan built up public employee union power as those unions built up Madigan’s campaign funds. Over 26 years, Madigan-controlled campaign funds saw $10 million in donations from Illinois government unions. They, in turn, received decades of pro-union legislation and a public pension system so generous that the unfunded debt grew 753% under Madigan’s leadership, to $140 billion in 2020.
How did it all start?
The Illinois Policy Institute outlines the process. In 1983, Madigan’s first year as Speaker, the Illinois General Assembly passed the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act and the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act. Under Madigan’s leadership, unions pushed lawmakers to pass both pieces of legislation, which mandated collective bargaining for public employees and gave them the power to strike – a power few states allow and something labor and political leaders advised against. (Note, this discussion of unions concerns public employee unions.)
George Meany, the first president of the AFL-CIO, said public unions should be excluded from collective bargaining. Meany said, “it is impossible to collectively bargain with the government.” Before Meany, President Franklin D. Roosevelt said public employees were unique in that they were employed by taxpayers. “All Government employees should realize that the process of collective bargaining, as usually understood, cannot be transplanted into the public service,” Roosevelt wrote. All of Illinois’ neighbor states, plus Michigan, prohibit all or most government employees from going on strike.
Under Madigan’s leadership, labor legislation in Illinois only passed if it expanded union powers. The unions rewarded him with that $10 million he used to keep other lawmakers and even governors under his control. For example, Senate Bill 1784, which passed into law in 2019, gave unions unprecedented access to personal information such as cell phone numbers and email addresses of all government employees, even ones who weren’t union members. (6)
The proposed amendment would cement four new provisions into the constitution that no other state has. It would give unions a permanent right to collective bargaining over not just benefits, but any topic they choose – a power the Chicago Teachers Union has tried to wield to pursue its social agenda on housing, immigration, restorative justice, wealth redistribution and defunding the police. Union contracts would carry the weight of the constitution, overriding state laws.
What’s most dangerous about Amendment 1 is that, if passed, it can never be limited or altered, even if every lawmaker and voter in the state agreed it needed changing. Unions could replace Madigan’s corrupt path to power with a legal one by getting Amendment 1 put into the Illinois Constitution. (7) (Note: Although Illinois Policy states above that the amendment can never be changed, it can be changed or repealed by another constitutional amendment, which is a rare happening.)
Examining the progression of increasing control wielded by government unions helps clarify the danger of passing Amendment 1 in November. Next issue we will examine the effects of passing such a measure on Illinois schools and property taxes.
End Notes: 1. https://www.illinoispolicy.org/amendment-1-would-permanently-enshrine-madigan-union-deals-in-illinois-constitution/
2. https://ballotpedia.org/Illinois_Right_to_Collective_Bargaining_Amendment_(2022)
3. Ibid Ballotpedia
4. Ibid Ballotpedia
5. Ibid Ballotpedia 6. https://www.illinoispolicy.org/amendment-1-would-permanently-enshrine-madigan-union-deals-in-illinois-constitution/
7. Ibid Illinoispolicy.org
CRT In Schools
By Joyce Geiler
Are classes being taught through the lens of Critical Race Theory (CRT) or are teachers being informed by CRT? It is the viewpoint of the black civil rights leader Bob Woodson that CRT is “explicitly and implicitly a racist approach to education,” and that approach is increasingly infiltrating our schools. One could say technically CRT is not being taught in the classroom because it is not distributed in the form of a textbook; but nonetheless, volumes have been written on critical race theory and its influence and its tenants are in our schools. (1)
Parents for America has an excellent article on how to understand CRT’s influence and tenants in schools. (2) A Cornell Law School professor has launched a new website about critical race theory curriculum in the US that features a state-by-state list of more than 200 colleges and universities promoting critical race theory. (3) On that website, one can click on any state and find schools and information about critical race theory in that state. (4)
(The reader may remember that article earlier this year reported on the approval of the Illinois State Board of Education Standards to infuse the assumptions of Critical Race Theory/ identity politics/BLM into: 1. all teacher-training programs; 2. all Professional Education Licensing (PEL); and 3. indirectly into all public-school classrooms. More information on this topic can also be found at this IFI link (5) https://illinoisfamily.org/education/despite-nationwide-condemnation-illinois-passes-controversial-leftist-teacher-training-mandate/)
As of this writing, it is known that the following two major Illinois school settings ARE overtly teaching Critical Race Theory precepts:
1. The Center for Mathematics, Science, & Technology at Illinois State University has issued a statement standing in solidarity with those protesting racism and injustice now and at all times. The Center states it is committed to providing equitable, anti-racist STEM education that allows all students to fulfill their potential in STEM disciplines. (6)
2. An Illinois high school, the Illinois Science and Mathematics Academy, a top rated, public, magnet school in Aurora that proposes to develop creative, ethical leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, is offering a course titled “Introduction to Critical Race Theory in Education Research.” Laurie Higgins, writer for Illinois Family Institute, published an article about it on December 6. “The three-day session will cover an introduction to Critical Race Theory concepts, the utilization of CRT in the field of education, and research applications of CRT in K12 classrooms and districts. The final session will be students working in groups to design research questions and choose research methods using CRT as a theoretical framework.” (7) We’re talking about high school students here, not teachers.
There is also a financial side of this issue in Illinois schools. Collectively, Illinois school districts are $7.37 billion short of adequate funding. The legislature and governor verbally committed to increasing K-12 education funding by $350 million each year over 10 years. (8) Decisions are forthcoming to spend part of the proposed $350 million allotted for K-12 education on Critical Race material. Four years ago, Illinois overhauled the way it funds K-12 education. The state used to have the most unfair education funding in the nation, according to a 2015 study from The Education Trust, a nonprofit organization that advocates for students. It found low-income schools received significantly less aid than they would in other states. Additionally, after the state decided the amount of funds various districts needed, only a percentage of that was actually sent to the districts because the state has been money strapped.
In 2017, Illinois adopted a new Evidence-Based Funding (EBF) formula for providing new state funding for schools. The new EBF formula estimates what it actually costs to provide a quality education to students in each of Illinois’ 853 school districts (called the adequacy target) as well as the local tax resources available to the district to meet that funding level (their local capacity). State funds are then distributed with more money being directed to the school districts with the largest gap between their local capacity and their adequacy target.
The Evidence-Based Funding formula looks at dozens of factors like the number of English language learners and special education teachers to come up with an “adequacy target” of how much the state believes a school should spend. Many districts don’t have enough tax revenue coming in for schools. Those schools and schools furthest from their target are prioritized to receive the most state funding. Improvements have been made; thus providing low-income, Black, and English-learning students still see the largest funding gaps. (9)
As part of the new funding law, a Professional Review Panel was created to oversee implementation. The Evidence-Based Funding Professional Review Panel is a group of practitioners, experts, legislative leaders, and advocates tasked with reviewing the funding reform implementation, as mandated by the 2017 law. At their next meeting on December 13, 2021, members will consider proposals for spending that $350 million. Member information is included here to gain understanding of the decision-making dynamics. The twenty-one current Panel members (10) include Dr. Carmen Ayala, State Superintendent of Education; Rep. Avery Bourne; Rep. Willian Davis; Sen. Kimberly Lightford; Ralph Martire, Center for Tax and Budget Accountability; Cameron Mock, Office of the Governor; Jane Russell, Illinois Federation of Teachers; Robin Steans, Advance Illinois, a charitable organization dedicated to “confronting the severe inequities in our entire education continuum;” (11) Jessica Handy, Stand for Children Illinois, a nonprofit education advocacy group particularly for children of color; (12) and twelve board members who are superintendents and representatives from various school districts; (only one from Southern Illinois). Information was not found regarding voting and non-voting members but apparently Representatives Davis and Bourne are non-voting members of the review panel.
This panel will meet December 13 with suggestions on how to spend $350 million of new funding for K-12 schools in the coming fiscal year. Some have expressed concern that proposals could alter the bipartisan funding formula. In fact, a scheduled December 3 meeting was rescheduled for December 13 to allow more time for the group to solidify findings. Funding proposals for implicit bias and antiracism training in schools are coming into focus with the Illinois State Board of Education. The Panel recommendations include things like teaching a foreign language, but there are also suggestions for interventions to have a focus on racial dynamics, equity and increased bias awareness for teachers. (Read that “Critical Race Theory.”)
State Rep. Will Davis, D-Hazel Crest, defended the proposals. “It’s about looking at equity, looking at inclusion, looking at how we’re serving kids of color, providing additional opportunities particularly for kids in those under-resourced schools.” The draft proposals “recognize that students of color do not inherently need additional supports by nature of their race/ethnicity, but that these students do face inequities because of historical and existing structures, and there is a cost attendant with working to dismantle those inequities through training on antiracism and eliminating implicit bias within schools and districts.” To address that, the proposal adds “a specific Professional Development cost … related to implicit bias and antiracism at a fixed per-pupil cost based on overall enrollment, with additional per-pupil dollar amount for all students where a district serves over 50% non-white students.” (13)
State Rep. Avery Bourne, R-Morrisonville, warned such changes could divert money to Chicago-area schools, going against the evidence-based funding model approved several years ago. “The school funding formula was a bipartisan win and further politicizing that is, I think, a disservice to kids,” Bourne said in an interview. “We need to look at what helps schools statewide, every school’s individual needs, and I’m not interested in individual carve-outs or special deals that are done under the guise of being politically correct.” Bourne also said the focus should be more on educating children. (14)
In conclusion, critical race theory in indeed beginning to be overtly taught in Illinois schools as well as being covertly taught through teacher indoctrination and school funding.
End Notes:
(1) https://illinoisfamily.org/education/some-crucial-questions-for-proponents-and-opponents-of-crt/
(2) https://parentsforamerica.com/2021/10/yes-illinois-state-board-of-educations-culturally-responsive-teaching-and-leading-standards-include-principles-of-critical-race-theory/
(3) https://nypost.com/2021/02/05/website-tracks-where-critical-race-theory-taught-at-us-schools/
(4) https://criticalrace.org/
(5) https://illinoisfamily.org/education/despite-nationwide-condemnation-illinois-passes-controversial-leftist-teacher-training-mandate/
(6) https://cemast.illinoisstate.edu/
(7) IFI News takeaction@illinoisfamily.org via votervoice.net December 6, 2021
(8) https://onevoiceillinois.com/2018/10/25/5-things-to-know-about-illinoiss-new-school-funding-formula/
(9) https://illinoisnewsroom.org/has-evidence-based-funding-made-education-in-illinois-more-equitable/
(10) https://www.isbe.net/prp
(11) https://www.advanceillinois.org/about-us/supporters/
(12) https://www.advanceillinois.org/about-us/supporters/
(13) https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/lawmakers-discuss-proposals-for-spending-additional-350-million-for-k-12/article_b40062be-5479-11ec-9381-9ff466fd024d.html
(14) https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/lawmakers-discuss-proposals-for-spending-additional-350-million-for-k-12/article_b40062be-5479-11ec-9381-9ff466fd024d.html
By Joyce Geiler
Are classes being taught through the lens of Critical Race Theory (CRT) or are teachers being informed by CRT? It is the viewpoint of the black civil rights leader Bob Woodson that CRT is “explicitly and implicitly a racist approach to education,” and that approach is increasingly infiltrating our schools. One could say technically CRT is not being taught in the classroom because it is not distributed in the form of a textbook; but nonetheless, volumes have been written on critical race theory and its influence and its tenants are in our schools. (1)
Parents for America has an excellent article on how to understand CRT’s influence and tenants in schools. (2) A Cornell Law School professor has launched a new website about critical race theory curriculum in the US that features a state-by-state list of more than 200 colleges and universities promoting critical race theory. (3) On that website, one can click on any state and find schools and information about critical race theory in that state. (4)
(The reader may remember that article earlier this year reported on the approval of the Illinois State Board of Education Standards to infuse the assumptions of Critical Race Theory/ identity politics/BLM into: 1. all teacher-training programs; 2. all Professional Education Licensing (PEL); and 3. indirectly into all public-school classrooms. More information on this topic can also be found at this IFI link (5) https://illinoisfamily.org/education/despite-nationwide-condemnation-illinois-passes-controversial-leftist-teacher-training-mandate/)
As of this writing, it is known that the following two major Illinois school settings ARE overtly teaching Critical Race Theory precepts:
1. The Center for Mathematics, Science, & Technology at Illinois State University has issued a statement standing in solidarity with those protesting racism and injustice now and at all times. The Center states it is committed to providing equitable, anti-racist STEM education that allows all students to fulfill their potential in STEM disciplines. (6)
2. An Illinois high school, the Illinois Science and Mathematics Academy, a top rated, public, magnet school in Aurora that proposes to develop creative, ethical leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, is offering a course titled “Introduction to Critical Race Theory in Education Research.” Laurie Higgins, writer for Illinois Family Institute, published an article about it on December 6. “The three-day session will cover an introduction to Critical Race Theory concepts, the utilization of CRT in the field of education, and research applications of CRT in K12 classrooms and districts. The final session will be students working in groups to design research questions and choose research methods using CRT as a theoretical framework.” (7) We’re talking about high school students here, not teachers.
There is also a financial side of this issue in Illinois schools. Collectively, Illinois school districts are $7.37 billion short of adequate funding. The legislature and governor verbally committed to increasing K-12 education funding by $350 million each year over 10 years. (8) Decisions are forthcoming to spend part of the proposed $350 million allotted for K-12 education on Critical Race material. Four years ago, Illinois overhauled the way it funds K-12 education. The state used to have the most unfair education funding in the nation, according to a 2015 study from The Education Trust, a nonprofit organization that advocates for students. It found low-income schools received significantly less aid than they would in other states. Additionally, after the state decided the amount of funds various districts needed, only a percentage of that was actually sent to the districts because the state has been money strapped.
In 2017, Illinois adopted a new Evidence-Based Funding (EBF) formula for providing new state funding for schools. The new EBF formula estimates what it actually costs to provide a quality education to students in each of Illinois’ 853 school districts (called the adequacy target) as well as the local tax resources available to the district to meet that funding level (their local capacity). State funds are then distributed with more money being directed to the school districts with the largest gap between their local capacity and their adequacy target.
The Evidence-Based Funding formula looks at dozens of factors like the number of English language learners and special education teachers to come up with an “adequacy target” of how much the state believes a school should spend. Many districts don’t have enough tax revenue coming in for schools. Those schools and schools furthest from their target are prioritized to receive the most state funding. Improvements have been made; thus providing low-income, Black, and English-learning students still see the largest funding gaps. (9)
As part of the new funding law, a Professional Review Panel was created to oversee implementation. The Evidence-Based Funding Professional Review Panel is a group of practitioners, experts, legislative leaders, and advocates tasked with reviewing the funding reform implementation, as mandated by the 2017 law. At their next meeting on December 13, 2021, members will consider proposals for spending that $350 million. Member information is included here to gain understanding of the decision-making dynamics. The twenty-one current Panel members (10) include Dr. Carmen Ayala, State Superintendent of Education; Rep. Avery Bourne; Rep. Willian Davis; Sen. Kimberly Lightford; Ralph Martire, Center for Tax and Budget Accountability; Cameron Mock, Office of the Governor; Jane Russell, Illinois Federation of Teachers; Robin Steans, Advance Illinois, a charitable organization dedicated to “confronting the severe inequities in our entire education continuum;” (11) Jessica Handy, Stand for Children Illinois, a nonprofit education advocacy group particularly for children of color; (12) and twelve board members who are superintendents and representatives from various school districts; (only one from Southern Illinois). Information was not found regarding voting and non-voting members but apparently Representatives Davis and Bourne are non-voting members of the review panel.
This panel will meet December 13 with suggestions on how to spend $350 million of new funding for K-12 schools in the coming fiscal year. Some have expressed concern that proposals could alter the bipartisan funding formula. In fact, a scheduled December 3 meeting was rescheduled for December 13 to allow more time for the group to solidify findings. Funding proposals for implicit bias and antiracism training in schools are coming into focus with the Illinois State Board of Education. The Panel recommendations include things like teaching a foreign language, but there are also suggestions for interventions to have a focus on racial dynamics, equity and increased bias awareness for teachers. (Read that “Critical Race Theory.”)
State Rep. Will Davis, D-Hazel Crest, defended the proposals. “It’s about looking at equity, looking at inclusion, looking at how we’re serving kids of color, providing additional opportunities particularly for kids in those under-resourced schools.” The draft proposals “recognize that students of color do not inherently need additional supports by nature of their race/ethnicity, but that these students do face inequities because of historical and existing structures, and there is a cost attendant with working to dismantle those inequities through training on antiracism and eliminating implicit bias within schools and districts.” To address that, the proposal adds “a specific Professional Development cost … related to implicit bias and antiracism at a fixed per-pupil cost based on overall enrollment, with additional per-pupil dollar amount for all students where a district serves over 50% non-white students.” (13)
State Rep. Avery Bourne, R-Morrisonville, warned such changes could divert money to Chicago-area schools, going against the evidence-based funding model approved several years ago. “The school funding formula was a bipartisan win and further politicizing that is, I think, a disservice to kids,” Bourne said in an interview. “We need to look at what helps schools statewide, every school’s individual needs, and I’m not interested in individual carve-outs or special deals that are done under the guise of being politically correct.” Bourne also said the focus should be more on educating children. (14)
In conclusion, critical race theory in indeed beginning to be overtly taught in Illinois schools as well as being covertly taught through teacher indoctrination and school funding.
End Notes:
(1) https://illinoisfamily.org/education/some-crucial-questions-for-proponents-and-opponents-of-crt/
(2) https://parentsforamerica.com/2021/10/yes-illinois-state-board-of-educations-culturally-responsive-teaching-and-leading-standards-include-principles-of-critical-race-theory/
(3) https://nypost.com/2021/02/05/website-tracks-where-critical-race-theory-taught-at-us-schools/
(4) https://criticalrace.org/
(5) https://illinoisfamily.org/education/despite-nationwide-condemnation-illinois-passes-controversial-leftist-teacher-training-mandate/
(6) https://cemast.illinoisstate.edu/
(7) IFI News takeaction@illinoisfamily.org via votervoice.net December 6, 2021
(8) https://onevoiceillinois.com/2018/10/25/5-things-to-know-about-illinoiss-new-school-funding-formula/
(9) https://illinoisnewsroom.org/has-evidence-based-funding-made-education-in-illinois-more-equitable/
(10) https://www.isbe.net/prp
(11) https://www.advanceillinois.org/about-us/supporters/
(12) https://www.advanceillinois.org/about-us/supporters/
(13) https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/lawmakers-discuss-proposals-for-spending-additional-350-million-for-k-12/article_b40062be-5479-11ec-9381-9ff466fd024d.html
(14) https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/lawmakers-discuss-proposals-for-spending-additional-350-million-for-k-12/article_b40062be-5479-11ec-9381-9ff466fd024d.html
Parents VS Government and Big Pharma
By Joyce Geiler
Governor Pritzker continues to make decisions about the welfare of Illinois’ children. Decisions that kept children home from school for nearly an entire school year, decisions that now mandate masks for school children, and decisions that could come regarding covid shots for children. Many of these decisions have not considered the right of the parents and guardians to make choices regarding their children. Many of the decisions have negatively impacted the children. The impact of those decisions is now becoming more visible.
According to State Superintendent Carmen Ayala, COVID-19 restrictions on in-person learning had a “significant impact” on attendance and consequential reliance on remote learning. While Illinois, like other states, experienced a small shift to homeschooling, 20% of public-school remote learning students were absent from class so often they were considered chronically truant. (1) The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) report card notes that as a result, nearly 20% fewer students met math and English proficiency standards. (2) The ISBE annually releases an Illinois Report Card that shows how the state, and each school and district, are progressing on a wide range of educational goals. (3)
Gov. Pritzker issued a statement that Illinois’ 2021 report card illustrates “the tremendous challenges the pandemic has created for school-aged children the world over.” Acknowledging said challenge doesn’t seem to affect his continued mask mandate. Pritzker’s statewide school mask mandate remains in effect, with no end date established. He initially said he would let local school districts decide whether masking was right for their students, but weeks later he imposed the mandate, saying too few districts were meeting his definition of the correct choice.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends universal masking for all students, staff and visitors in U.S. schools. Masks impact language and social-emotional learning for some students, so some schools have resisted forcing students to wear them and faced swift punishment from Pritzker’s administration in the form of threats of accreditation removal and no sports participation. (4) Illinois schools have received more than $7 billion in federal funding to address the impact of the pandemic on student outcomes. One wonders how the effects have been addressed with those funds.
Currently, a discussion is held about giving the covid shot to 5-year-olds? The Illinois' health department released its plans for coronavirus “vaccinations” for kids as young as 5 just one day after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended the shots. The Illinois Department of Public Health said on November 3 that it plans to align with the CDC's recent guidance for youngsters age 5 to 11 to get kid-size doses of the vaccine made by Pfizer and its partner BioNTech.
Former Surgeon General and neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson thinks giving covid shots to children is absurd, saying in an interview with Maria Bartiromo “absolutely not” due to the kids’ extremely low mortality rate and because it is “a giant experiment.” (5) According to a 2012 double-blind, randomized, controlled trial conducted in healthy children 6 to 15 years of age, getting a flu shot was found to increase the risk of other respiratory viral infections over four-fold. (6) Similar trials with covid shots have not been conducted. The FDA has admitted it does not know the long-term effects on kids. (7) Note that the FDA board is stacked with people that were formerly working for Pfizer in some capacity, got grants from Pfizer, etc. Pfizer uses 83 lobbyists to bend legislation their way with our politicians.
Although CDC data shows covid poses virtually no danger to children, (8) Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) data, which includes many thousands of reports of death following administration of the shots, suggests there are enormous risks from the injection. (9) Most importantly, however, no long-term safety data exists for children and the experimental jab.
The Food and Drug Administration authorization of a vaccine makes 28 million unvaccinated young children in the country, including 1.1 million in Illinois, now eligible for the covid shot. A new study by Nick VinZant at QuoteWizard reveals multiple reasons why some parents are saying no to the shot for their children. “The main reasons that we found nationwide and in Illinois are people are concerned about the side effects, they’re waiting to see if the vaccine is safe, they don’t believe that their child needs to get vaccinated, they don’t trust the government, or they simply don’t vaccinate their children period,” VinZant said.
The study reported that a large percentage of Illinois parents were worried about side effects from the vaccine, but the mood is changing. “Initially, 82% of people who said they weren’t going to vaccinate their children said they were concerned about the side effects and that was the reason why,” VinZant said. “That number has now dropped to 56%.” (10)
Gov. Pritzker's office said more than 2,200 providers statewide are already enrolled to provide the vaccine to children, and the state expects to receive 306,000 doses, with 100,000 doses to pharmacies. The outreach effort will also go directly to schools, Pritzker said. “We will be reaching out to approximately 750 public school districts that teach elementary-aged students to offer them the opportunity to host parent-approved clinics right on school grounds,” he said.
Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said the department has begun planning vaccination events. There is a push to get children to roll up their sleeves. The Chicago Public School officials have canceled all classes on November 12 for “Vaccine Awareness Day,” an effort to boost vaccinations among younger students. Chicago kids ages 5 to 11 are also being offered an incentive to get their vaccinations. When they get their shots at Chicago Public Health events or clinics, the kids are eligible for $100 in gift cards. (11)
Big Pharma has bypassed parental wisdom and has created propaganda for kids, using kids. At this link, (12) you can view this disturbing ad by Pfizer telling kids they'll get superpowers from the covid jab. Parents must protect their God-ordained sphere of authority for their families. Government and Big Pharma are quite willing to overstep their jurisdictional authority and relieve parents of their right and responsibility for making decisions concerning the welfare of their children.
End Notes:
1) https://www.illinoispolicy.org/1-in-5-illinois-students-chronically-truant-thanks-to-covid-19-mandates/
2) https://www.isbe.net/ilreportcarddata
3) https://www.isbe.net/Pages/IL-Report-Card.aspx
4) https://www.illinoispolicy.org/1-in-5-illinois-students-chronically-truant-thanks-to-covid-19-mandates/
5) https://nationalfile.com/ben-carson-cdc-should-absolutely-not-approve-vaxxing-kids-covid-19-vaccine-is-a-giant-experiment/
6) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3404712/
7) https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/fda-advisory-panel-oks-pfizer-vaccine-kids-5-11-rcna3726
8) https://www.theburningplatform.com/2021/10/31/theres-no-case-for-vaccinating-children-the-fda-meeting-proves-it/
9) https://openvaers.com/covid-data
10) https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/study-shows-parents-shifting-viewpoints-on-vaccinating-young-children/article_f860d76c-3e63-11ec-aea8-e373161fe1fc.html
11) https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/study-shows-parents-shifting-viewpoints-on-vaccinating-young-children/article_f860d76c-3e63-11ec-aea8-e373161fe1fc.html
12) https://maganews2020.org/2021/11/07/pure-evil-disturbing-pfizer-ad-tells-kids-theyll-get-superpowers-from-cvd-jab/
By Joyce Geiler
Governor Pritzker continues to make decisions about the welfare of Illinois’ children. Decisions that kept children home from school for nearly an entire school year, decisions that now mandate masks for school children, and decisions that could come regarding covid shots for children. Many of these decisions have not considered the right of the parents and guardians to make choices regarding their children. Many of the decisions have negatively impacted the children. The impact of those decisions is now becoming more visible.
According to State Superintendent Carmen Ayala, COVID-19 restrictions on in-person learning had a “significant impact” on attendance and consequential reliance on remote learning. While Illinois, like other states, experienced a small shift to homeschooling, 20% of public-school remote learning students were absent from class so often they were considered chronically truant. (1) The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) report card notes that as a result, nearly 20% fewer students met math and English proficiency standards. (2) The ISBE annually releases an Illinois Report Card that shows how the state, and each school and district, are progressing on a wide range of educational goals. (3)
Gov. Pritzker issued a statement that Illinois’ 2021 report card illustrates “the tremendous challenges the pandemic has created for school-aged children the world over.” Acknowledging said challenge doesn’t seem to affect his continued mask mandate. Pritzker’s statewide school mask mandate remains in effect, with no end date established. He initially said he would let local school districts decide whether masking was right for their students, but weeks later he imposed the mandate, saying too few districts were meeting his definition of the correct choice.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends universal masking for all students, staff and visitors in U.S. schools. Masks impact language and social-emotional learning for some students, so some schools have resisted forcing students to wear them and faced swift punishment from Pritzker’s administration in the form of threats of accreditation removal and no sports participation. (4) Illinois schools have received more than $7 billion in federal funding to address the impact of the pandemic on student outcomes. One wonders how the effects have been addressed with those funds.
Currently, a discussion is held about giving the covid shot to 5-year-olds? The Illinois' health department released its plans for coronavirus “vaccinations” for kids as young as 5 just one day after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended the shots. The Illinois Department of Public Health said on November 3 that it plans to align with the CDC's recent guidance for youngsters age 5 to 11 to get kid-size doses of the vaccine made by Pfizer and its partner BioNTech.
Former Surgeon General and neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson thinks giving covid shots to children is absurd, saying in an interview with Maria Bartiromo “absolutely not” due to the kids’ extremely low mortality rate and because it is “a giant experiment.” (5) According to a 2012 double-blind, randomized, controlled trial conducted in healthy children 6 to 15 years of age, getting a flu shot was found to increase the risk of other respiratory viral infections over four-fold. (6) Similar trials with covid shots have not been conducted. The FDA has admitted it does not know the long-term effects on kids. (7) Note that the FDA board is stacked with people that were formerly working for Pfizer in some capacity, got grants from Pfizer, etc. Pfizer uses 83 lobbyists to bend legislation their way with our politicians.
Although CDC data shows covid poses virtually no danger to children, (8) Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) data, which includes many thousands of reports of death following administration of the shots, suggests there are enormous risks from the injection. (9) Most importantly, however, no long-term safety data exists for children and the experimental jab.
The Food and Drug Administration authorization of a vaccine makes 28 million unvaccinated young children in the country, including 1.1 million in Illinois, now eligible for the covid shot. A new study by Nick VinZant at QuoteWizard reveals multiple reasons why some parents are saying no to the shot for their children. “The main reasons that we found nationwide and in Illinois are people are concerned about the side effects, they’re waiting to see if the vaccine is safe, they don’t believe that their child needs to get vaccinated, they don’t trust the government, or they simply don’t vaccinate their children period,” VinZant said.
The study reported that a large percentage of Illinois parents were worried about side effects from the vaccine, but the mood is changing. “Initially, 82% of people who said they weren’t going to vaccinate their children said they were concerned about the side effects and that was the reason why,” VinZant said. “That number has now dropped to 56%.” (10)
Gov. Pritzker's office said more than 2,200 providers statewide are already enrolled to provide the vaccine to children, and the state expects to receive 306,000 doses, with 100,000 doses to pharmacies. The outreach effort will also go directly to schools, Pritzker said. “We will be reaching out to approximately 750 public school districts that teach elementary-aged students to offer them the opportunity to host parent-approved clinics right on school grounds,” he said.
Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said the department has begun planning vaccination events. There is a push to get children to roll up their sleeves. The Chicago Public School officials have canceled all classes on November 12 for “Vaccine Awareness Day,” an effort to boost vaccinations among younger students. Chicago kids ages 5 to 11 are also being offered an incentive to get their vaccinations. When they get their shots at Chicago Public Health events or clinics, the kids are eligible for $100 in gift cards. (11)
Big Pharma has bypassed parental wisdom and has created propaganda for kids, using kids. At this link, (12) you can view this disturbing ad by Pfizer telling kids they'll get superpowers from the covid jab. Parents must protect their God-ordained sphere of authority for their families. Government and Big Pharma are quite willing to overstep their jurisdictional authority and relieve parents of their right and responsibility for making decisions concerning the welfare of their children.
End Notes:
1) https://www.illinoispolicy.org/1-in-5-illinois-students-chronically-truant-thanks-to-covid-19-mandates/
2) https://www.isbe.net/ilreportcarddata
3) https://www.isbe.net/Pages/IL-Report-Card.aspx
4) https://www.illinoispolicy.org/1-in-5-illinois-students-chronically-truant-thanks-to-covid-19-mandates/
5) https://nationalfile.com/ben-carson-cdc-should-absolutely-not-approve-vaxxing-kids-covid-19-vaccine-is-a-giant-experiment/
6) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3404712/
7) https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/fda-advisory-panel-oks-pfizer-vaccine-kids-5-11-rcna3726
8) https://www.theburningplatform.com/2021/10/31/theres-no-case-for-vaccinating-children-the-fda-meeting-proves-it/
9) https://openvaers.com/covid-data
10) https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/study-shows-parents-shifting-viewpoints-on-vaccinating-young-children/article_f860d76c-3e63-11ec-aea8-e373161fe1fc.html
11) https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/study-shows-parents-shifting-viewpoints-on-vaccinating-young-children/article_f860d76c-3e63-11ec-aea8-e373161fe1fc.html
12) https://maganews2020.org/2021/11/07/pure-evil-disturbing-pfizer-ad-tells-kids-theyll-get-superpowers-from-cvd-jab/
Back Door Tactics Used by Illinois Legislators
By Joyce Geiler
Many readers are aware that during the current veto session of the Illinois General Assembly, pending legislation included HB 1797, the REPEAL of PARENTAL NOTIFICATION of ABORTION ACT. On October 27, Parental Notification of Abortion was essentially repealed by both chambers of the General Assembly and sent to the governor for his signature that will make it law. HB 1797 that was named as the Repeal of Parental Notification was not the bill that accomplished the repeal. As it (HB 1797) stalled in the process, legislators attempted backdoor tactics through two other bills, HB 3173 and HB 370, ultimately succeeding in the repeal with the third bill, HB 370.
What does all this mean? What is the normal legislative process and how can there be a backdoor that allows legislation to be sneaked in, so to speak? This article will attempt to explain the overall legislative process and then discuss how legislative back door tactics were used to repeal the Parental Notification Act. This article is longer than usual but it very important for understanding what is happening in Illinois.
Legislative Process Overview
The following is the overall process to get legislation passed: 1) introduction of a bill, 2) pass out of committee, 3) pass both chambers of the General Assembly and 4) get the signature of the governor. In actuality, many other steps are involved to accomplish those four steps.
Bills may be introduced into either the Senate or House and are designated by SB for senate introduced and HB for House introduced. Bills must be scheduled and read three times to the chamber in which they were introduced. On the first reading the bill and its number are officially read aloud. Then the bill is assigned to committee. House bills are initially assigned to the Rules Committee and Senate bills are given to the Assignments Committee. These groups look at each bill that is introduced and decide if it will be assigned to another committee and if so, to which committee. There are 29 standing committees in the Senate and 49 in the House.
In committee, the sponsor of the bill explains it and members can ask questions and amendments can be added. Amendments can be simple technical corrections or extensive changes. A simple majority is required for the bill to pass out of committee. If the vote doesn’t pass the bill on, it usually dies although it can still be voted on at a later date.
Bills that are passed out of committee go to the full chamber for the second reading at which time the title and bill number are read and legislators are informed if any amendments have been filed. Bills can still be amended at this stage, and the bill must still pass a vote after a third reading. If it is approved, the bill and amendments, called an “engrossed” bill, are sent to the other chamber where the entire process is repeated.
If the second chamber passes the same version of the bill as the engrossed bill (meaning, no amendments were adopted in the second chamber), then the bill has passed the General Assembly and is sent to the Governor for his signature to sign the bill into law.
If, however, the second chamber added any amendments to the bill, it must return to the house of origin because the bill must pass both houses in the exact same form to be sent to the governor. If the second chamber has added any amendments, the first chamber can vote to add the amendments; and the bill is sent on to the governor. If the added amendments are not agreed upon by the first chamber, it goes back to the second where more committees are involved until it is all sorted out.
When a bill reaches the governor, he has three choices. He can take no action for 60 days and the bill automatically becomes law. He can sign the bill into law as it is. Thirdly, he can veto the bill in whole or in part, in which case it goes back to the General Assembly. If the General Assembly does not act, the bill is dead. If three-fifths of each chamber overrides the veto, it becomes law. If the governor sent back only an amendatory veto, it takes only a majority vote (not three-fifths) of each chamber on the amended portion to make the entire bill law.
That entire process can be long, so legislators have devised short cuts using two methods. They can tack on an amendment to an existing bill that can contain substantive language that pushes their policy idea forward while skipping much of the typical process. (Substantive provisions grant or impose on a class of persons rights, duties, powers, and privileges and may govern conduct by establishing either a mandate or a prohibition.) (1) Or they attach an idea to a shell bill that has already gone through three readings in the assembly. A shell bill is a legislative bill, which typically has no substantive provisions and which is introduced for purposes of later being amended to include the actual legislative proposals advanced by the introducer. (2) An amendment can be added at any stage and is not required to go through the three times of reading. The Illinois Policy Institute has an excellent podcast on the legislative process. (3) Also, an explanation in simplified table form can be found at this website. (4)
Explaining the process used with the Repeal of the Parental Notice of Abortion Act
Let’s look at how the three bills, HB 1797, HB 3137 and HB 370 traveled through the legislative process until HB 370 finally accomplished what legislators set out to do. HB 1797, the Repeal of Parental Notification had begun its journey in January and progressed slowly through the House and but was sitting in the Rules Committee, apparently making no further progress. In essence, since it appeared HB 1797 was in danger of not being passed, proponents used a back door to try to accomplish their objective. Another bill, HB 3173, a bill dealing with, among other things, the addition of a gun safety course to high school curriculum, was co-opted. Remember amendments to bills do not have to be even remotely related to the original intent of the bill. Anything can be added as an amendment.
HB 3173, which was the bill dealing with gun safety classes, had begun its journey in the House with its first reading on February 19, 2021, its second reading on April 8, 2021 and its third reading on April 22. Subsequently, it was sent to the Senate where it processed through committees there and passed its third reading on October 20, 2021. An October 20 report by Sen. Darren Bailey revealed that amendments had been added to the bill by the Senate. One of those amendments essentially said that if a pregnant student goes to a school employee for help, that employee may NOT tell the parents. October 20 was during the current veto session. This was an obvious maneuver before the end of the veto session to hijack a bill almost ready to be approved. Since the amendment regarding pregnant students, along with 2 other amendments, was added to the House bill while it was in the Senate, the bill had to be returned to the House for approval of those amendments. The inclusion of unrelated amendments designed to repeal or nullify Parental Notification, effectively avoided months of scrutiny by legislators and the public. The routes of HB 3173 and HB 1797 can be viewed at the Illinois General Assembly website. (5) and (6)
On October 26 with the veto session nearly over and, apparently, to ensure that legislation repealing parental notification was approved during the veto session, another bill was hijacked. Notice that the number 370 comes before either 3173 or 1797 meaning HB 370 was a bill introduced earlier than either of the latter two, functioning as a shell bill held in reserve for such a time as this. It began in the House on January 29, 2021 as the PROBATE-GUARDIAN APPOINTMENT. By April 19, it arrived in the Senate and remained inactive for a long time. After the second reading was completed, Senate Floor Amendment 1 was entered on October 26.
Amendment 1, the “YOUTH HEALTH & SAFETY ACT,” contained language to completely repeal Parental Notice of Abortion. The bill was adopted by the Executive Committee and passed the third reading on the same day of October 26. It passed the Senate the next day and was sent back to the House. Look at the history of this bill. (7)
HB 370, the Youth Health and Safety Act, provided for the repeal of the Parental Notification Act. On October 27, the House concurred (8) with the Senate. HB 370 has passed both houses and, therefore, moves to the governor who is eager to sign it into law. In just two days, a determined group of legislators co-opted a bill that was seemingly waiting in reserve and nearly ready to go to the governor. They used that shell bill to get their agenda passed quickly and without citizen awareness.
To review, a bill to repeal Parental Notice of Abortion was introduced but was taking longer to pass than proponents wanted, so they attached an amendment to a different and unrelated bill that was closer to becoming law. When their first back door attempt did not yield rapid enough progress, legislators introduced an amendment to repeal the Parental Notice of Abortion Act to yet a different law to guarantee the passage of the repeal. Without transparency but using backdoor approaches, the legislature succeeded in passing legislation of which the general public of Illinois does not approve. By the way, this same type of back door dealing happens regularly in our federal legislative process, too.
End Notes:
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/masterybusinesslaw/chapter/how-to-read-a-bill/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shell_bill
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/radio/ep-8-what-to-watch-this-week-in-springfield-with-jordan-ryan/
https://guides.library.illinois.edu/c.php?g=347254&p=2342631
https://ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=3173&GAID=16&GA=102&DocTypeID=HB&LegID=132098&SessionID=110
https://ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=1797&GAID=16&GA=102&DocTypeID=HB&LegID=130507&SessionID=110
https://ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=370&GAID=16&GA=102&DocTypeID=HB&LegID=128318&SessionID=110
Davis, Christopher M., Commonly Used Motions and Requests in the House of Representatives, Analyst on Congress and the Legislative Process, September 16, 2015 sgp.fas.org/crs/misc/RL32207.pdf
By Joyce Geiler
Many readers are aware that during the current veto session of the Illinois General Assembly, pending legislation included HB 1797, the REPEAL of PARENTAL NOTIFICATION of ABORTION ACT. On October 27, Parental Notification of Abortion was essentially repealed by both chambers of the General Assembly and sent to the governor for his signature that will make it law. HB 1797 that was named as the Repeal of Parental Notification was not the bill that accomplished the repeal. As it (HB 1797) stalled in the process, legislators attempted backdoor tactics through two other bills, HB 3173 and HB 370, ultimately succeeding in the repeal with the third bill, HB 370.
What does all this mean? What is the normal legislative process and how can there be a backdoor that allows legislation to be sneaked in, so to speak? This article will attempt to explain the overall legislative process and then discuss how legislative back door tactics were used to repeal the Parental Notification Act. This article is longer than usual but it very important for understanding what is happening in Illinois.
Legislative Process Overview
The following is the overall process to get legislation passed: 1) introduction of a bill, 2) pass out of committee, 3) pass both chambers of the General Assembly and 4) get the signature of the governor. In actuality, many other steps are involved to accomplish those four steps.
Bills may be introduced into either the Senate or House and are designated by SB for senate introduced and HB for House introduced. Bills must be scheduled and read three times to the chamber in which they were introduced. On the first reading the bill and its number are officially read aloud. Then the bill is assigned to committee. House bills are initially assigned to the Rules Committee and Senate bills are given to the Assignments Committee. These groups look at each bill that is introduced and decide if it will be assigned to another committee and if so, to which committee. There are 29 standing committees in the Senate and 49 in the House.
In committee, the sponsor of the bill explains it and members can ask questions and amendments can be added. Amendments can be simple technical corrections or extensive changes. A simple majority is required for the bill to pass out of committee. If the vote doesn’t pass the bill on, it usually dies although it can still be voted on at a later date.
Bills that are passed out of committee go to the full chamber for the second reading at which time the title and bill number are read and legislators are informed if any amendments have been filed. Bills can still be amended at this stage, and the bill must still pass a vote after a third reading. If it is approved, the bill and amendments, called an “engrossed” bill, are sent to the other chamber where the entire process is repeated.
If the second chamber passes the same version of the bill as the engrossed bill (meaning, no amendments were adopted in the second chamber), then the bill has passed the General Assembly and is sent to the Governor for his signature to sign the bill into law.
If, however, the second chamber added any amendments to the bill, it must return to the house of origin because the bill must pass both houses in the exact same form to be sent to the governor. If the second chamber has added any amendments, the first chamber can vote to add the amendments; and the bill is sent on to the governor. If the added amendments are not agreed upon by the first chamber, it goes back to the second where more committees are involved until it is all sorted out.
When a bill reaches the governor, he has three choices. He can take no action for 60 days and the bill automatically becomes law. He can sign the bill into law as it is. Thirdly, he can veto the bill in whole or in part, in which case it goes back to the General Assembly. If the General Assembly does not act, the bill is dead. If three-fifths of each chamber overrides the veto, it becomes law. If the governor sent back only an amendatory veto, it takes only a majority vote (not three-fifths) of each chamber on the amended portion to make the entire bill law.
That entire process can be long, so legislators have devised short cuts using two methods. They can tack on an amendment to an existing bill that can contain substantive language that pushes their policy idea forward while skipping much of the typical process. (Substantive provisions grant or impose on a class of persons rights, duties, powers, and privileges and may govern conduct by establishing either a mandate or a prohibition.) (1) Or they attach an idea to a shell bill that has already gone through three readings in the assembly. A shell bill is a legislative bill, which typically has no substantive provisions and which is introduced for purposes of later being amended to include the actual legislative proposals advanced by the introducer. (2) An amendment can be added at any stage and is not required to go through the three times of reading. The Illinois Policy Institute has an excellent podcast on the legislative process. (3) Also, an explanation in simplified table form can be found at this website. (4)
Explaining the process used with the Repeal of the Parental Notice of Abortion Act
Let’s look at how the three bills, HB 1797, HB 3137 and HB 370 traveled through the legislative process until HB 370 finally accomplished what legislators set out to do. HB 1797, the Repeal of Parental Notification had begun its journey in January and progressed slowly through the House and but was sitting in the Rules Committee, apparently making no further progress. In essence, since it appeared HB 1797 was in danger of not being passed, proponents used a back door to try to accomplish their objective. Another bill, HB 3173, a bill dealing with, among other things, the addition of a gun safety course to high school curriculum, was co-opted. Remember amendments to bills do not have to be even remotely related to the original intent of the bill. Anything can be added as an amendment.
HB 3173, which was the bill dealing with gun safety classes, had begun its journey in the House with its first reading on February 19, 2021, its second reading on April 8, 2021 and its third reading on April 22. Subsequently, it was sent to the Senate where it processed through committees there and passed its third reading on October 20, 2021. An October 20 report by Sen. Darren Bailey revealed that amendments had been added to the bill by the Senate. One of those amendments essentially said that if a pregnant student goes to a school employee for help, that employee may NOT tell the parents. October 20 was during the current veto session. This was an obvious maneuver before the end of the veto session to hijack a bill almost ready to be approved. Since the amendment regarding pregnant students, along with 2 other amendments, was added to the House bill while it was in the Senate, the bill had to be returned to the House for approval of those amendments. The inclusion of unrelated amendments designed to repeal or nullify Parental Notification, effectively avoided months of scrutiny by legislators and the public. The routes of HB 3173 and HB 1797 can be viewed at the Illinois General Assembly website. (5) and (6)
On October 26 with the veto session nearly over and, apparently, to ensure that legislation repealing parental notification was approved during the veto session, another bill was hijacked. Notice that the number 370 comes before either 3173 or 1797 meaning HB 370 was a bill introduced earlier than either of the latter two, functioning as a shell bill held in reserve for such a time as this. It began in the House on January 29, 2021 as the PROBATE-GUARDIAN APPOINTMENT. By April 19, it arrived in the Senate and remained inactive for a long time. After the second reading was completed, Senate Floor Amendment 1 was entered on October 26.
Amendment 1, the “YOUTH HEALTH & SAFETY ACT,” contained language to completely repeal Parental Notice of Abortion. The bill was adopted by the Executive Committee and passed the third reading on the same day of October 26. It passed the Senate the next day and was sent back to the House. Look at the history of this bill. (7)
HB 370, the Youth Health and Safety Act, provided for the repeal of the Parental Notification Act. On October 27, the House concurred (8) with the Senate. HB 370 has passed both houses and, therefore, moves to the governor who is eager to sign it into law. In just two days, a determined group of legislators co-opted a bill that was seemingly waiting in reserve and nearly ready to go to the governor. They used that shell bill to get their agenda passed quickly and without citizen awareness.
To review, a bill to repeal Parental Notice of Abortion was introduced but was taking longer to pass than proponents wanted, so they attached an amendment to a different and unrelated bill that was closer to becoming law. When their first back door attempt did not yield rapid enough progress, legislators introduced an amendment to repeal the Parental Notice of Abortion Act to yet a different law to guarantee the passage of the repeal. Without transparency but using backdoor approaches, the legislature succeeded in passing legislation of which the general public of Illinois does not approve. By the way, this same type of back door dealing happens regularly in our federal legislative process, too.
End Notes:
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/masterybusinesslaw/chapter/how-to-read-a-bill/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shell_bill
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/radio/ep-8-what-to-watch-this-week-in-springfield-with-jordan-ryan/
https://guides.library.illinois.edu/c.php?g=347254&p=2342631
https://ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=3173&GAID=16&GA=102&DocTypeID=HB&LegID=132098&SessionID=110
https://ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=1797&GAID=16&GA=102&DocTypeID=HB&LegID=130507&SessionID=110
https://ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=370&GAID=16&GA=102&DocTypeID=HB&LegID=128318&SessionID=110
Davis, Christopher M., Commonly Used Motions and Requests in the House of Representatives, Analyst on Congress and the Legislative Process, September 16, 2015 sgp.fas.org/crs/misc/RL32207.pdf
Respect Life VS Repeal Parental Notification
By Joyce Geiler
Since 1972 various “Respect Life” efforts have been undertaken in the Catholic Church in the United States. October has traditionally been observed as Respect Life Month, and the first Sunday of October is designated as Respect Life Sunday. (1) To support these annual observances, the church provides materials to help Catholics understand and value the gift of human life and help build a culture that cherishes and protects it. Materials include webinars, prayer cards and action guides. (2)
On an opposing front, Illinois is faced with the assembling of congress in its annual veto session this month, during which the Illinois Family Institute notes “abortion cheerleaders continue to push their sinister agenda to make Illinois the most pro-abortion state in the nation.” While the Illinois Family Institute is encouraging Illinoisans to contact their lawmakers to protect the Parental Notice of Abortion (3), Human Rights Watch and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Illinois are encouraging their followers to contact their lawmakers to repeal the law. (4)
Under the Parental Notice of Abortion Act, a doctor providing care to a young person under age 18 seeking an abortion in Illinois must notify a designated adult family member – a parent, grandparent, step-parent living in the home, or legal guardian – at least 48 hours in advance of the procedure. If there is a reason that the young person is not able to have one of these family members notified, the young person can go to court and ask a judge for permission to have the procedure without this family involvement in a process known as “judicial bypass.”
Human Rights Watch declares “this law may force young people to continue pregnancies against their will or to endure abuse, humiliation, and punishment by unsupportive parents. And their alternative as they try to make decisions about their own bodies and lives may be to face a difficult and even traumatizing court experience.” (5)
The ACLU of Illinois operates a Judicial Bypass Coordination Project to provide free legal assistance to youth impacted by the law. More than 500 young people in the past seven years have been represented through this venue since the law went into effect in judicial bypass proceedings around the state. Of this number, only one young person’s request for a bypass was ultimately denied. The ACLU states, “After years of representing young people before judges in bypass cases around the state of Illinois, it is clear that this law is unnecessary and harmful.” They underscore their position by arguing that working with a lawyer and surreptitiously arranging for a court appearance adds a week on average (and sometimes much more) to a young person’s timeline of obtaining abortion care. Those days can be critical – a young person may pass the point of eligibility for a noninvasive medication abortion or may need a procedure requiring multiple appointments over consecutive days. Earlier this year, Illinois State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. and State Representative Anna Moeller introduced measures in both Illinois General Assembly chambers aimed at repealing this law – SB 2190 and HB 1797, respectively. (6) The bills were not passed but these two organizations vow to continue to work on this legislation.
The State Journal Register reports that, "Hundreds attended a rally at the Old State Capitol Saturday (October 2) organized by Planned Parenthood of Illinois, and calling for the repeal of abortion-related laws in Texas and Illinois. The Texas law, which allows citizens to sue anyone aiding in an abortion, is being challenged by the U.S. Department of Justice and considered by the rally's organizers as setting a precedent that is an affront to access to abortions everywhere. Illinois is one of 38 states to require parental notice without a court order.” The article goes on to report: “There were more than 600 rallies nationwide calling for less restrictions and free access to abortions in the country in the aftermath of the Texas law, which went into effect Sept. 1. Arguments were made in the U.S. District Court of the Western District of Texas on Friday to block the law. Rally organizers, workers and speakers included ACLU Springfield, Action Illinois, Black Lives Matter SPI, Coalition of Rainbow Alliances (CORAL) Springfield, Planned Parenthood Illinois Action, Resistor Sisterhood, The Sangamon Valley Group of the Sierra Club and Springfield Call 2 ACTion, League of Women Voters of Illinois, Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Church, and the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence.” (7) The Pantagraph, which is a Bloomington newpaper, reporting on the rallies said, “Thousands in Illinois rally for abortion rights, oppose Texas curbs.” (8)
On September 2, Illinois Gov. Pritzker said that he’s “very concerned” about the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision not to block the new Texas law banning most abortions in the state, and vowed Illinois would continue to welcome women from elsewhere who need reproductive health care making “Illinois a beacon of hope for women who need reproductive health.” (9)
In recent years, Illinois has expanded abortion rights in anticipation of Supreme Court challenges. In 2019, Pritzker signed sweeping legislation that established women’s access to the procedure as a “fundamental right” and required insurance coverage for abortion, contraception and related medical care. The law voided decades-old abortion regulations that were on the books but hadn’t taken effect because of court orders, including restrictions on late-term abortions and criminal penalties for doctors who performed them. Activists and Democratic leaders called the protection of the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision a critical matter because of the conservative shift on the Supreme Court and because prohibitions in other states could lead to overturning of that decision which legalized abortion nationwide.
The number of out-of-state residents who have sought abortions in Illinois has increased each year since 2014, which then amounted to 2,970 out of a total 38,472 abortions in the state, according to the Illinois Department of public Health. In 2019, the latest data available, there were roughly 7,500 women crossing state lines, making up about 16% of the roughly 46,500 abortions in Illinois that year. (10)
Illinois Right to Life Action notes that minor girls cannot get their ears pierced or go on a field trip without their parents’ consent. Basic common sense might seem to suggest that parents should be notified before their child undergoes something as life-changing and life-ending as an abortion. Most Illinoisans agree with that opinion. A Tarrance Poll taken last March found that a 72% of Illinois voters support keeping Parental Notification of Abortion in place. This includes 55% of voters who identified as “pro-choice”. (11)
On October 2, pro-abortion followers demonstrated for a repeal of the Parental Notification Law. The following day, October 3, the Catholic Church celebrated Respect Life Month. Abortion is possibly the most divisive topic in America today. The repeal of the Parental Notification Act could likely be brought to a vote during the Illinois General Assembly Fall Veto Session, which is October 19-21 and 26-28.
As people who believe in the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death, let us make our voices heard – to God through prayer and fasting and to our government leaders by contacting them. The following links for the Illinois Family Institute
https://www.votervoice.net/ILFI/campaigns/70222/respond
and Illinois Right to Life Action https://illinoisrighttolifeaction.org/2021/03/12/action-alert-anti-life-bills-threaten-parental-rights/
provide a means to do that.
End Notes:
1 https://www.catholicaction.org/respect_life_month#:~:text=April%2017%2C%202019%20Since%201972%20various%20%E2%80%9CRespect%20Life%E2%80%9D,has%20traditionally%20been%20observed%20as%20Respect%20Life%20Month
2 https://www.respectlife.org/respect-life-month
3 IFI E-Alert takeaction@illinoisfamily.org via votervoice.net
4 https://www.aclu-il.org/en/news/illinois-repeal-forced-parental-notice-abortion
5 https://www.aclu-il.org/en/news/illinois-repeal-forced-parental-notice-abortion
6 https://www.aclu-il.org/en/news/illinois-repeal-forced-parental-notice-abortion
7 https://www.sj-r.com/story/news/2021/10/02/planned-parenthood-abortion-law-protest-springfield/5948510001/
9 https://apnews.com/article/abortion-health-us-supreme-court-illinois-f1a03ad9c1ba5dbce1293796aa72dcf8
10 https://apnews.com/article/abortion-health-us-supreme-court-illinois-f1a03ad9c1ba5dbce1293796aa72dcf8
11 https://illinoisrighttolifeaction.org/2021/03/12/action-alert-anti-life-bills-threaten-parental-rights/
By Joyce Geiler
Since 1972 various “Respect Life” efforts have been undertaken in the Catholic Church in the United States. October has traditionally been observed as Respect Life Month, and the first Sunday of October is designated as Respect Life Sunday. (1) To support these annual observances, the church provides materials to help Catholics understand and value the gift of human life and help build a culture that cherishes and protects it. Materials include webinars, prayer cards and action guides. (2)
On an opposing front, Illinois is faced with the assembling of congress in its annual veto session this month, during which the Illinois Family Institute notes “abortion cheerleaders continue to push their sinister agenda to make Illinois the most pro-abortion state in the nation.” While the Illinois Family Institute is encouraging Illinoisans to contact their lawmakers to protect the Parental Notice of Abortion (3), Human Rights Watch and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Illinois are encouraging their followers to contact their lawmakers to repeal the law. (4)
Under the Parental Notice of Abortion Act, a doctor providing care to a young person under age 18 seeking an abortion in Illinois must notify a designated adult family member – a parent, grandparent, step-parent living in the home, or legal guardian – at least 48 hours in advance of the procedure. If there is a reason that the young person is not able to have one of these family members notified, the young person can go to court and ask a judge for permission to have the procedure without this family involvement in a process known as “judicial bypass.”
Human Rights Watch declares “this law may force young people to continue pregnancies against their will or to endure abuse, humiliation, and punishment by unsupportive parents. And their alternative as they try to make decisions about their own bodies and lives may be to face a difficult and even traumatizing court experience.” (5)
The ACLU of Illinois operates a Judicial Bypass Coordination Project to provide free legal assistance to youth impacted by the law. More than 500 young people in the past seven years have been represented through this venue since the law went into effect in judicial bypass proceedings around the state. Of this number, only one young person’s request for a bypass was ultimately denied. The ACLU states, “After years of representing young people before judges in bypass cases around the state of Illinois, it is clear that this law is unnecessary and harmful.” They underscore their position by arguing that working with a lawyer and surreptitiously arranging for a court appearance adds a week on average (and sometimes much more) to a young person’s timeline of obtaining abortion care. Those days can be critical – a young person may pass the point of eligibility for a noninvasive medication abortion or may need a procedure requiring multiple appointments over consecutive days. Earlier this year, Illinois State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. and State Representative Anna Moeller introduced measures in both Illinois General Assembly chambers aimed at repealing this law – SB 2190 and HB 1797, respectively. (6) The bills were not passed but these two organizations vow to continue to work on this legislation.
The State Journal Register reports that, "Hundreds attended a rally at the Old State Capitol Saturday (October 2) organized by Planned Parenthood of Illinois, and calling for the repeal of abortion-related laws in Texas and Illinois. The Texas law, which allows citizens to sue anyone aiding in an abortion, is being challenged by the U.S. Department of Justice and considered by the rally's organizers as setting a precedent that is an affront to access to abortions everywhere. Illinois is one of 38 states to require parental notice without a court order.” The article goes on to report: “There were more than 600 rallies nationwide calling for less restrictions and free access to abortions in the country in the aftermath of the Texas law, which went into effect Sept. 1. Arguments were made in the U.S. District Court of the Western District of Texas on Friday to block the law. Rally organizers, workers and speakers included ACLU Springfield, Action Illinois, Black Lives Matter SPI, Coalition of Rainbow Alliances (CORAL) Springfield, Planned Parenthood Illinois Action, Resistor Sisterhood, The Sangamon Valley Group of the Sierra Club and Springfield Call 2 ACTion, League of Women Voters of Illinois, Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Church, and the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence.” (7) The Pantagraph, which is a Bloomington newpaper, reporting on the rallies said, “Thousands in Illinois rally for abortion rights, oppose Texas curbs.” (8)
On September 2, Illinois Gov. Pritzker said that he’s “very concerned” about the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision not to block the new Texas law banning most abortions in the state, and vowed Illinois would continue to welcome women from elsewhere who need reproductive health care making “Illinois a beacon of hope for women who need reproductive health.” (9)
In recent years, Illinois has expanded abortion rights in anticipation of Supreme Court challenges. In 2019, Pritzker signed sweeping legislation that established women’s access to the procedure as a “fundamental right” and required insurance coverage for abortion, contraception and related medical care. The law voided decades-old abortion regulations that were on the books but hadn’t taken effect because of court orders, including restrictions on late-term abortions and criminal penalties for doctors who performed them. Activists and Democratic leaders called the protection of the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision a critical matter because of the conservative shift on the Supreme Court and because prohibitions in other states could lead to overturning of that decision which legalized abortion nationwide.
The number of out-of-state residents who have sought abortions in Illinois has increased each year since 2014, which then amounted to 2,970 out of a total 38,472 abortions in the state, according to the Illinois Department of public Health. In 2019, the latest data available, there were roughly 7,500 women crossing state lines, making up about 16% of the roughly 46,500 abortions in Illinois that year. (10)
Illinois Right to Life Action notes that minor girls cannot get their ears pierced or go on a field trip without their parents’ consent. Basic common sense might seem to suggest that parents should be notified before their child undergoes something as life-changing and life-ending as an abortion. Most Illinoisans agree with that opinion. A Tarrance Poll taken last March found that a 72% of Illinois voters support keeping Parental Notification of Abortion in place. This includes 55% of voters who identified as “pro-choice”. (11)
On October 2, pro-abortion followers demonstrated for a repeal of the Parental Notification Law. The following day, October 3, the Catholic Church celebrated Respect Life Month. Abortion is possibly the most divisive topic in America today. The repeal of the Parental Notification Act could likely be brought to a vote during the Illinois General Assembly Fall Veto Session, which is October 19-21 and 26-28.
As people who believe in the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death, let us make our voices heard – to God through prayer and fasting and to our government leaders by contacting them. The following links for the Illinois Family Institute
https://www.votervoice.net/ILFI/campaigns/70222/respond
and Illinois Right to Life Action https://illinoisrighttolifeaction.org/2021/03/12/action-alert-anti-life-bills-threaten-parental-rights/
provide a means to do that.
End Notes:
1 https://www.catholicaction.org/respect_life_month#:~:text=April%2017%2C%202019%20Since%201972%20various%20%E2%80%9CRespect%20Life%E2%80%9D,has%20traditionally%20been%20observed%20as%20Respect%20Life%20Month
2 https://www.respectlife.org/respect-life-month
3 IFI E-Alert takeaction@illinoisfamily.org via votervoice.net
4 https://www.aclu-il.org/en/news/illinois-repeal-forced-parental-notice-abortion
5 https://www.aclu-il.org/en/news/illinois-repeal-forced-parental-notice-abortion
6 https://www.aclu-il.org/en/news/illinois-repeal-forced-parental-notice-abortion
7 https://www.sj-r.com/story/news/2021/10/02/planned-parenthood-abortion-law-protest-springfield/5948510001/
9 https://apnews.com/article/abortion-health-us-supreme-court-illinois-f1a03ad9c1ba5dbce1293796aa72dcf8
10 https://apnews.com/article/abortion-health-us-supreme-court-illinois-f1a03ad9c1ba5dbce1293796aa72dcf8
11 https://illinoisrighttolifeaction.org/2021/03/12/action-alert-anti-life-bills-threaten-parental-rights/
Alternatives to Government Schools
By Joyce Geiler
In July of this year, the Illinois Review published an article titled “ILLINOIS SCHOOL CURRICULUM GETS AN "F" IN CIVICS, HISTORY STANDARDS (1), which states that Illinois' civics and history curriculum standards are inadequate according to the Fordham Institute report. The report can be accessed at link (2) in the endnotes. The report says Illinois is one of twenty states that failed to pass an acceptable level. The report states, “Illinois’ civics standards are a faint shadow of what state civics standards could and should be. Illinois’ U.S. History standards are almost nonexistent, providing insufficient guidance for educators who have the responsibility to teach American history.” The section of the report specific to Illinois begins on page 122 and is eye-opening concerning today’s general lack of knowledge of our history.
While this week’s article could focus on a connection between that which is noted in the Fordham Institute report and Illinois current woke culture, cancel culture, humanism and liberalism, the article will instead focus on another comment from the Illinois Review article. “On the other hand, homeschooling parents need not worry about keeping up with the public schools in these two areas. Teaching anything about civics and U.S. History surpasses the state's standards.” (3)
Homeschooling is an alternative to sending Illinois’ children to government schools, but it is not practical for all families. Are there other alternatives? Yes. First, though, parents must be convinced that government schools are detrimental enough to their children’s wellbeing so that they will seriously seek workable alternatives.
Laurie Higgins of Illinois Family Institute published an April, 2021 article, “A Plea to Exit Public Schools ASAP.” (3) It was also released as a podcast for those who prefer that format. (4) Illinois Family Institute has a generous collection of resources to assist parents to do just that – exit public schools. (5) Also, Public School Exit (6) is a national resource. Their booklet “Public School Exit, Rescuing Our Children,” is a how-to manual that can be read online. (7) The following paragraphs summarize some options outlined in the booklet. Note that all models involve a partnership of parents and church.
Homeschool Church-Parent Co-op
Parents homeschool their children and the church opens its location once or twice a week for some of the classes. The classroom environment may be helpful for some subjects. Children can socialize and learn communication skills. The classes can be led by volunteers or paid educators.
One-Room School Method
A teacher working with multiple grade levels in one classroom enables students to review concepts and also learn concepts above their own grade level. It encourages peer tutoring and a family atmosphere. The teacher would be paid by the parents and the church location would be utilized three to five days a week. This is a way for a small group to begin and to grow.
Umbrella School
Church Membership Association Co-op
The church does the administrative portion, including SAT testing, keeping records and such while parents choose their curriculum and do the daily education.
University Model
Operating out of a local church venue, The Independent Learning Academy, which has been in operation since 2012, (8) pays the church for the use of their venue in a business relationship. The University Model from University-Model Schools International (UMSI) (9) is used for grades K-12. The model began in 1993 pursuing a philosophy and system of education in which the homeschooling family can customize their educational needs and experiences. Classes are scheduled at the church where the students meet with the teacher.
Concerned and creative parents throughout Illinois are finding ways to responsibly steward their children’s education. Linda Johnson reports on one such way found in Freeport. When SB818, the Comprehensive Sex Education bill, became law in Illinois, a group of Freeport citizens became urgently awakened to the necessity of a Christian high school. Freeport has some Christian elementary schools and a Catholic high school so people are looking for alternatives to the current high schools that are located in Freeport. The concerned citizens began by considering what resources already existed and what they would need to start a Christian high school.
The Freeport consortium determined that it made sense to utilize the Halstrom Home School Workshops model. The Halstrom co-op serves Rockford and greater northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin area, including Janesville, Rochelle, Freeport, Harvard and areas between. (10) Students attend class at a church or other venue once a week and complete required work at home under parental supervision before returning to class the following week. Traditional classes as well as specialized activities are included. This group of Freeport citizen approached the church where the elementary Tri-County Christian School meet in the past and found the church was willing to provide a venue for a high school. Then, they began the search for teachers, which has been successful. With some details yet to be worked out, the new Christian high school hopes to be ready to welcome students for this school year’s second semester. First some parents recognized a legitimate and urgent need, then they researched resources and finally began securing additionally needed resources. This is just one example of a community finding a way to exit the public school system and make Christian-based education happen.
Homeschooling may be more possible than some parents think. People can perish for lack of knowledge but knowledge is available. Details regarding Illinois homeschool requirements can be found at Time4Learning. (11) Homeschool groups provide support as well as activities throughout Illinois. Homeschool World lists 63 such organizations in Illinois. (12)
In this series of articles, it has been established that parents have a God-ordained responsibility and right to direct their children’s education and that relinquishing that control to Illinois’ public/government education system is detrimental to our children, to our society and certainly to the kingdom of God. Pointing out a problem without offering solutions is not helpful, so today’s article gives information about solutions. This school year begins very soon. We bless parents with grace and wisdom in their parental role.
Endnotes:
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2021/07/illinois-schools-get-f-.html
https://fordhaminstitute.org/sites/default/files/publication/pdfs/20210623-state-state-standards-civics-and-us-history-20210.pdf#page=122
https://illinoisfamily.org/education/a-plea-to-exit-public-schools-asap/
https://illinoisfamily.org/podcast/podcast-a-plea-to-exit-public-schools-asap/
https://illinoisfamily.org/
https://www.publicschoolexit.com/
https://www.publicschoolexit.com/parent-church-brochure
https://www.independentlearningacademy.org/program-works/
https://umsi.org/about-umsi/
https://iche.org/groups/hallstrom-home-school-workshops
https://www.time4learning.com/homeschooling/illinois/laws-requirements.html?msclkid=055c523dfb411d8d93e2332c358b0ac6&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=TI%20-%20DSA%20May%202020&utm_term=homeschool%20&utm_content=Home%20School%20Category
https://www.home-school.com/groups/IL.php#:~:text=Arlington%20HOUSE%20%28a%20chapter%20of%20Illinois%20HOUSE%29%2C%20is,members%20to%20help%20coordinate%20field%20trips%20and%20activities
By Joyce Geiler
In July of this year, the Illinois Review published an article titled “ILLINOIS SCHOOL CURRICULUM GETS AN "F" IN CIVICS, HISTORY STANDARDS (1), which states that Illinois' civics and history curriculum standards are inadequate according to the Fordham Institute report. The report can be accessed at link (2) in the endnotes. The report says Illinois is one of twenty states that failed to pass an acceptable level. The report states, “Illinois’ civics standards are a faint shadow of what state civics standards could and should be. Illinois’ U.S. History standards are almost nonexistent, providing insufficient guidance for educators who have the responsibility to teach American history.” The section of the report specific to Illinois begins on page 122 and is eye-opening concerning today’s general lack of knowledge of our history.
While this week’s article could focus on a connection between that which is noted in the Fordham Institute report and Illinois current woke culture, cancel culture, humanism and liberalism, the article will instead focus on another comment from the Illinois Review article. “On the other hand, homeschooling parents need not worry about keeping up with the public schools in these two areas. Teaching anything about civics and U.S. History surpasses the state's standards.” (3)
Homeschooling is an alternative to sending Illinois’ children to government schools, but it is not practical for all families. Are there other alternatives? Yes. First, though, parents must be convinced that government schools are detrimental enough to their children’s wellbeing so that they will seriously seek workable alternatives.
Laurie Higgins of Illinois Family Institute published an April, 2021 article, “A Plea to Exit Public Schools ASAP.” (3) It was also released as a podcast for those who prefer that format. (4) Illinois Family Institute has a generous collection of resources to assist parents to do just that – exit public schools. (5) Also, Public School Exit (6) is a national resource. Their booklet “Public School Exit, Rescuing Our Children,” is a how-to manual that can be read online. (7) The following paragraphs summarize some options outlined in the booklet. Note that all models involve a partnership of parents and church.
Homeschool Church-Parent Co-op
Parents homeschool their children and the church opens its location once or twice a week for some of the classes. The classroom environment may be helpful for some subjects. Children can socialize and learn communication skills. The classes can be led by volunteers or paid educators.
One-Room School Method
A teacher working with multiple grade levels in one classroom enables students to review concepts and also learn concepts above their own grade level. It encourages peer tutoring and a family atmosphere. The teacher would be paid by the parents and the church location would be utilized three to five days a week. This is a way for a small group to begin and to grow.
Umbrella School
Church Membership Association Co-op
The church does the administrative portion, including SAT testing, keeping records and such while parents choose their curriculum and do the daily education.
University Model
Operating out of a local church venue, The Independent Learning Academy, which has been in operation since 2012, (8) pays the church for the use of their venue in a business relationship. The University Model from University-Model Schools International (UMSI) (9) is used for grades K-12. The model began in 1993 pursuing a philosophy and system of education in which the homeschooling family can customize their educational needs and experiences. Classes are scheduled at the church where the students meet with the teacher.
Concerned and creative parents throughout Illinois are finding ways to responsibly steward their children’s education. Linda Johnson reports on one such way found in Freeport. When SB818, the Comprehensive Sex Education bill, became law in Illinois, a group of Freeport citizens became urgently awakened to the necessity of a Christian high school. Freeport has some Christian elementary schools and a Catholic high school so people are looking for alternatives to the current high schools that are located in Freeport. The concerned citizens began by considering what resources already existed and what they would need to start a Christian high school.
The Freeport consortium determined that it made sense to utilize the Halstrom Home School Workshops model. The Halstrom co-op serves Rockford and greater northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin area, including Janesville, Rochelle, Freeport, Harvard and areas between. (10) Students attend class at a church or other venue once a week and complete required work at home under parental supervision before returning to class the following week. Traditional classes as well as specialized activities are included. This group of Freeport citizen approached the church where the elementary Tri-County Christian School meet in the past and found the church was willing to provide a venue for a high school. Then, they began the search for teachers, which has been successful. With some details yet to be worked out, the new Christian high school hopes to be ready to welcome students for this school year’s second semester. First some parents recognized a legitimate and urgent need, then they researched resources and finally began securing additionally needed resources. This is just one example of a community finding a way to exit the public school system and make Christian-based education happen.
Homeschooling may be more possible than some parents think. People can perish for lack of knowledge but knowledge is available. Details regarding Illinois homeschool requirements can be found at Time4Learning. (11) Homeschool groups provide support as well as activities throughout Illinois. Homeschool World lists 63 such organizations in Illinois. (12)
In this series of articles, it has been established that parents have a God-ordained responsibility and right to direct their children’s education and that relinquishing that control to Illinois’ public/government education system is detrimental to our children, to our society and certainly to the kingdom of God. Pointing out a problem without offering solutions is not helpful, so today’s article gives information about solutions. This school year begins very soon. We bless parents with grace and wisdom in their parental role.
Endnotes:
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2021/07/illinois-schools-get-f-.html
https://fordhaminstitute.org/sites/default/files/publication/pdfs/20210623-state-state-standards-civics-and-us-history-20210.pdf#page=122
https://illinoisfamily.org/education/a-plea-to-exit-public-schools-asap/
https://illinoisfamily.org/podcast/podcast-a-plea-to-exit-public-schools-asap/
https://illinoisfamily.org/
https://www.publicschoolexit.com/
https://www.publicschoolexit.com/parent-church-brochure
https://www.independentlearningacademy.org/program-works/
https://umsi.org/about-umsi/
https://iche.org/groups/hallstrom-home-school-workshops
https://www.time4learning.com/homeschooling/illinois/laws-requirements.html?msclkid=055c523dfb411d8d93e2332c358b0ac6&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=TI%20-%20DSA%20May%202020&utm_term=homeschool%20&utm_content=Home%20School%20Category
https://www.home-school.com/groups/IL.php#:~:text=Arlington%20HOUSE%20%28a%20chapter%20of%20Illinois%20HOUSE%29%2C%20is,members%20to%20help%20coordinate%20field%20trips%20and%20activities
Education: How Did We Get Here?
By Joyce Geiler
Critical Race Theory. Comprehensive Sex Education. Project 1619. Contraceptives and abortions without parental knowledge. Shared bathrooms and showers. Mediocre educational performance. How did America go from being the best-educated society in all of human history – a moral and intellectual superpower – to being a dumbed down, ignorant and increasingly immoral nation on the brink of destruction?
It certainly didn’t happen overnight or even within the last 50 years. When one grasps the enormity of the ever-increasing snowball of government control of public education, it can be overwhelming and hopeless. Keep in mind while reading this article, that it will end with the declaration, “but God.” While I could write much more than this article has space to contain, I will, with permission from the magazine, utilize research provided in the 2020 edition of The New American magazine article entitled “From Education Excellence to Mediocrity” by Alex Newman. In recent meetings, Illinois Family Institute distributed copies of this special edition of The New American magazine. (Material from other sources will be duly noted.)
Public schools as they exist today did not exist in America from the time of the first settlers to the mid-1800s. Rather than hand children to the government to be educated, almost all education was handled by families, religious institutions, tutors, private schools and the free market. In Philadelphia, for example, Quaker schools often allowed poor Quaker and non-Quaker children to attend without paying fees. The Scottish Presbyterians, the Moravians, the Lutherans and Anglicans all had their own schools plus private schoolmasters established hundreds of schools. Over 125 private schoolmasters advertised their services in Philadelphia newspapers between 1740 and 1776 offering instruction in Latin, Greek, mathematics, surveying, navigation, accounting, bookkeeping, science, English and contemporary foreign languages. At home, children were taught by parents and older siblings. Literacy was widespread. The “Federalist Papers” published in the late 1870s explaining the newly drafted U.S. Constitution were aimed at the common American farmer, merchant and laborer who could read and comprehend.
The first giant step away from traditional, classical, Christian education toward socialistic and humanistic education began in 1837 in Massachusetts under Horace Man who was appointed the first Education Secretary of Massachusetts where he served in the legislature. Mann, a unitarian who rejected the Bible as God’s Word, introduced the Prussian system of education, the first systemic effort by Western government to seize total control over education. Teachers were trained by the state, and statism and unquestioning obedience to government was instilled in children by teachers who were trained by the state. The goal was to equalize the conditions of men under the premise that everyone would be more equal if everyone received the same education. By the mid-1800s compulsory attendance laws and government schools were becoming common in the northern United States and by 1900, dozens of states had imposed the Prussian-style system. This writer notes that in reading a history of Horce Mann one can easily be convinced that his approach was a wonderful improvement as he was adept at countering concerns expressed by those who objected to his secular approach.
After Mann came John Dewey, who was the next major reformer and who, along with Mann, is regarded as the founding father of the American public education system. Dewey was transparent in his zeal for reforming mankind to fit his atheistic, collectivist vision. Mann went to Prussia for his educational inspiration and Dewey visited Lenin’s Soviet Russia returning ideas. He wrote in 1935, “organized social planning is the sole method of social action by which liberalism can realize its professional aims.” Dewey quoted Edward Bellamy who envisioned a communist America without private property by the year 2000. Dewey signed and played a key role in developing the Humanist Manifesto, which is essentially a complete rejection of freedom and the Creator and, therefore, a rejection of the inalienable rights of individuals from their Creator as expressed in the Declaration of Independence.
Dewey viewed education as the key to bringing about societal changes. Dewey recognized however, that to force it too quickly would compromise its final success by inciting a violent reaction. One avenue he used to hijack the educational system was to take over the most important teaching colleges, especially the University of Chicago and Teachers College at Columbia University so that future educators could be trained as he desired.
The Rockefeller Foundation funded Dewey’s and other’s similar endeavors. Another aspect of Dewey’s “reformation” was to institute the “whole word” method of reading, a method used for teaching deaf children to read since they could not hear to sound out words phonetically. “Sight words” are still mandated as part of Common Core standards and although there was a great cry against Common Core, 35 states including Illinois plus Washington D.C., still use Common Core standards as of 2021.
(More information on Common Core available here.)
Two-thirds of high-school seniors are not proficient in reading according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress. Common Core standards align with Dewey’s premises.
In 1962, the Supreme Court banned school-sponsored prayer in public schools, although students could be allowed to meet and pray on school grounds as long as they do so privately and don't try to force others to do the same. In 1963, the Supreme Court ruled that prayers and religious practices in government schools were unconstitutional. Note that the First Amendment clearly states that Congress, not the Court, shall make no law regarding the establishment of religion. In 1965, Congress passed the Elementary and Secondary Education Act which provides federal funding to primary and secondary education. Over the years, increasing regulations have been passed on how schools may use the funds, thus enabling federal control over schools. In order to receive the funds, schools must comply with federal mandates. The establishment of the U. S. Department of Education in 1979 enabled the federal government to have more control over government schools. (End of material from The New American)
American government as well as state governments, including Illinois, have cooperated with and promoted a globalization of education by signing on to the United Nations Agenda 21. American government as well as Illinois state government have bowed to please every voice shouting loudly for its supremacy to overthrow personal responsibility and morality as expressed in Christianity. The foundation for the success of these efforts was laid nearly 200 years ago by people who understood long term thinking. God also understands long term planning as evidenced by His promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob to make of their descendants a great nation. Our Founding Fathers understood that the fledgling United States of America would succeed only by cooperating with God’s long-term strategies. The conflict of thrones has become very evident in our time. Who will control/ rule the generations and the future of America: those who sit on the thrones of the world or those who are seated with Christ Jesus in heavenly places, not only legislating from that heavenly position and perspective but also actively reclaiming the responsibility of educating their children in righteousness?
By Joyce Geiler
Critical Race Theory. Comprehensive Sex Education. Project 1619. Contraceptives and abortions without parental knowledge. Shared bathrooms and showers. Mediocre educational performance. How did America go from being the best-educated society in all of human history – a moral and intellectual superpower – to being a dumbed down, ignorant and increasingly immoral nation on the brink of destruction?
It certainly didn’t happen overnight or even within the last 50 years. When one grasps the enormity of the ever-increasing snowball of government control of public education, it can be overwhelming and hopeless. Keep in mind while reading this article, that it will end with the declaration, “but God.” While I could write much more than this article has space to contain, I will, with permission from the magazine, utilize research provided in the 2020 edition of The New American magazine article entitled “From Education Excellence to Mediocrity” by Alex Newman. In recent meetings, Illinois Family Institute distributed copies of this special edition of The New American magazine. (Material from other sources will be duly noted.)
Public schools as they exist today did not exist in America from the time of the first settlers to the mid-1800s. Rather than hand children to the government to be educated, almost all education was handled by families, religious institutions, tutors, private schools and the free market. In Philadelphia, for example, Quaker schools often allowed poor Quaker and non-Quaker children to attend without paying fees. The Scottish Presbyterians, the Moravians, the Lutherans and Anglicans all had their own schools plus private schoolmasters established hundreds of schools. Over 125 private schoolmasters advertised their services in Philadelphia newspapers between 1740 and 1776 offering instruction in Latin, Greek, mathematics, surveying, navigation, accounting, bookkeeping, science, English and contemporary foreign languages. At home, children were taught by parents and older siblings. Literacy was widespread. The “Federalist Papers” published in the late 1870s explaining the newly drafted U.S. Constitution were aimed at the common American farmer, merchant and laborer who could read and comprehend.
The first giant step away from traditional, classical, Christian education toward socialistic and humanistic education began in 1837 in Massachusetts under Horace Man who was appointed the first Education Secretary of Massachusetts where he served in the legislature. Mann, a unitarian who rejected the Bible as God’s Word, introduced the Prussian system of education, the first systemic effort by Western government to seize total control over education. Teachers were trained by the state, and statism and unquestioning obedience to government was instilled in children by teachers who were trained by the state. The goal was to equalize the conditions of men under the premise that everyone would be more equal if everyone received the same education. By the mid-1800s compulsory attendance laws and government schools were becoming common in the northern United States and by 1900, dozens of states had imposed the Prussian-style system. This writer notes that in reading a history of Horce Mann one can easily be convinced that his approach was a wonderful improvement as he was adept at countering concerns expressed by those who objected to his secular approach.
After Mann came John Dewey, who was the next major reformer and who, along with Mann, is regarded as the founding father of the American public education system. Dewey was transparent in his zeal for reforming mankind to fit his atheistic, collectivist vision. Mann went to Prussia for his educational inspiration and Dewey visited Lenin’s Soviet Russia returning ideas. He wrote in 1935, “organized social planning is the sole method of social action by which liberalism can realize its professional aims.” Dewey quoted Edward Bellamy who envisioned a communist America without private property by the year 2000. Dewey signed and played a key role in developing the Humanist Manifesto, which is essentially a complete rejection of freedom and the Creator and, therefore, a rejection of the inalienable rights of individuals from their Creator as expressed in the Declaration of Independence.
Dewey viewed education as the key to bringing about societal changes. Dewey recognized however, that to force it too quickly would compromise its final success by inciting a violent reaction. One avenue he used to hijack the educational system was to take over the most important teaching colleges, especially the University of Chicago and Teachers College at Columbia University so that future educators could be trained as he desired.
The Rockefeller Foundation funded Dewey’s and other’s similar endeavors. Another aspect of Dewey’s “reformation” was to institute the “whole word” method of reading, a method used for teaching deaf children to read since they could not hear to sound out words phonetically. “Sight words” are still mandated as part of Common Core standards and although there was a great cry against Common Core, 35 states including Illinois plus Washington D.C., still use Common Core standards as of 2021.
(More information on Common Core available here.)
Two-thirds of high-school seniors are not proficient in reading according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress. Common Core standards align with Dewey’s premises.
In 1962, the Supreme Court banned school-sponsored prayer in public schools, although students could be allowed to meet and pray on school grounds as long as they do so privately and don't try to force others to do the same. In 1963, the Supreme Court ruled that prayers and religious practices in government schools were unconstitutional. Note that the First Amendment clearly states that Congress, not the Court, shall make no law regarding the establishment of religion. In 1965, Congress passed the Elementary and Secondary Education Act which provides federal funding to primary and secondary education. Over the years, increasing regulations have been passed on how schools may use the funds, thus enabling federal control over schools. In order to receive the funds, schools must comply with federal mandates. The establishment of the U. S. Department of Education in 1979 enabled the federal government to have more control over government schools. (End of material from The New American)
American government as well as state governments, including Illinois, have cooperated with and promoted a globalization of education by signing on to the United Nations Agenda 21. American government as well as Illinois state government have bowed to please every voice shouting loudly for its supremacy to overthrow personal responsibility and morality as expressed in Christianity. The foundation for the success of these efforts was laid nearly 200 years ago by people who understood long term thinking. God also understands long term planning as evidenced by His promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob to make of their descendants a great nation. Our Founding Fathers understood that the fledgling United States of America would succeed only by cooperating with God’s long-term strategies. The conflict of thrones has become very evident in our time. Who will control/ rule the generations and the future of America: those who sit on the thrones of the world or those who are seated with Christ Jesus in heavenly places, not only legislating from that heavenly position and perspective but also actively reclaiming the responsibility of educating their children in righteousness?
What Do the Scriptures Say About Our Children’s Education?
By Joyce Geiler
Stan and Delbra Pratt, Pastors of Way of Life Church in Taylorville, hosted the bimonthly gathering of the Coalition of Apostolic Alliances on July 12. Over 50 participants sought scriptural understanding regarding the role and responsibilities of the education of Illinois youth so they could agree as an Ekklesia on biblically affirmed declarations regarding the education of the children of Illinois. Those who gathered agreed that the children of Illinois must be rescued from the grievous legislation that has been passed by Illinois legislators, including Critical Race Theory and the destructive SB 818 (Comprehensive Sex Education) that is poised for Governor Pritzker’s signature.
At the CAA gathering, Illinois Family Institute provided information regarding alternatives to public education. Paul Hurst from Illinois Family Action and Illinois Senator Darren Bailey both encouraged parental involvement in Illinois’ educational system. The main information shared, however, was researched from the Scriptures. What does God say about the education of children? While there are many instructive scriptures, perhaps the most definitive passage is Deuteronomy 6 in which the responsibility for a child’s education is clearly defined.
“Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one [the only God]! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and mind and with all your soul and with all your strength [your entire being]. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be [written] on your heart and mind. You shall teach them diligently to your children [impressing God’s precepts on their minds and penetrating their hearts with His truths] and shall speak of them when you sit in your house and when you walk on the road and when you lie down and when you get up. And you shall bind them as a sign on your hand (forearm), and they shall be used as bands (frontals, frontlets) on your forehead. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” (Deuteronomy 6:4-9 AMP)
Without question parents have the biblical right and responsibility for ensuring their child is educated not only in God’s word but also the application of that word to all aspects of life.
Participants reviewed the concept of jurisdictions or spheres of responsibility established by God. Self-government, the authority of the family, the jurisdiction of the church and civil jurisdictions are the four scriptural spheres of responsibility or jurisdictions. Each jurisdiction has responsibilities or duties and each has limitations. One jurisdiction is not to invade the boundary of another. Self-government is taught by the family. The family is to teach and model through nurturing love and support, through coaching and apprenticeship, and by applying age-appropriate precepts that lead to maturity. When parents apply these methods, the child matures and can be released into their identity, purpose, and destiny; and the grown child can exercise self-governance and in the dual citizenship: citizens of earth and citizens of heaven. During this maturation process, the family protects the spirit, soul and body of the child and provides for them spiritually, emotionally, mentally and physically. The family can choose to delegate some of these responsibilities but cannot abdicate them nor allow them to be taken from their sphere of authority.
The God-appointed role of the church is to restore man to that which God originally entrusted to Adam and again made accessible to man by the redemptive work of Christ through preaching, teaching and discipleship. (Dr. Patti Amsden; East Gate Reformation Training Institute; Kingdom Pillars of Cultural Reformation; Course #6 The Cultural Pillar of Education.) In that role, the church rightly teaches parents their biblical responsibility regarding their children. The church can also offer private or church-sponsored educational opportunities to which parents may choose to avail their families. Churches can also practice charity by offering aid or funding to children and families who are not able to participate in parent-paid or family-supported acceptable educational opportunities.
The civil jurisdiction protects and defends its citizens. (Romans 13:4,5) “It is to establish laws that reflect God’s eternal principles for administering societal justice. It is to keep the peace by intervening with punitive power to restore jurisdictional sovereignty when one realm breaches the legally-defined boundaries of another. The civil realm has no biblical mandate to build, maintain, fund or operate state schools nor to attempt to force equality in educational opportunity through legislative action, judicial sanctions or fiscal inducement.” (Ibid. Dr. Patti Amsden) In other words, the government has no role in education at all except to educate those who are to function in the civil realm services.
Participants realized that families have allowed the government to take over the education of our children to such an extent that many feel there is no alternative, even when the civil is now mandating comprehensive sex education and the teaching of Critical Race Theory. Some participants believe the answer is to revamp and improve the public/government school system. Searching the scriptures, however, reveals that government has no right or role in the education of our children and that the primary responsibility for all aspects of the care of children falls into the jurisdiction of the family. Exactly how to change the approach to education and what it will look like can only be accomplished incrementally. Resources were given for those who can more immediately take charge of their children’s education. Participants agreed that, in general, the necessary direction is toward restoration of the role of the family in education and the prayers and declarations made at the gathering reflected that conviction. Many powerful decrees were made regarding bringing heaven’s order into the earth of Illinois. A good example of those declarations can be found in the Prayer Points.
By Joyce Geiler
Stan and Delbra Pratt, Pastors of Way of Life Church in Taylorville, hosted the bimonthly gathering of the Coalition of Apostolic Alliances on July 12. Over 50 participants sought scriptural understanding regarding the role and responsibilities of the education of Illinois youth so they could agree as an Ekklesia on biblically affirmed declarations regarding the education of the children of Illinois. Those who gathered agreed that the children of Illinois must be rescued from the grievous legislation that has been passed by Illinois legislators, including Critical Race Theory and the destructive SB 818 (Comprehensive Sex Education) that is poised for Governor Pritzker’s signature.
At the CAA gathering, Illinois Family Institute provided information regarding alternatives to public education. Paul Hurst from Illinois Family Action and Illinois Senator Darren Bailey both encouraged parental involvement in Illinois’ educational system. The main information shared, however, was researched from the Scriptures. What does God say about the education of children? While there are many instructive scriptures, perhaps the most definitive passage is Deuteronomy 6 in which the responsibility for a child’s education is clearly defined.
“Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one [the only God]! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and mind and with all your soul and with all your strength [your entire being]. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be [written] on your heart and mind. You shall teach them diligently to your children [impressing God’s precepts on their minds and penetrating their hearts with His truths] and shall speak of them when you sit in your house and when you walk on the road and when you lie down and when you get up. And you shall bind them as a sign on your hand (forearm), and they shall be used as bands (frontals, frontlets) on your forehead. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” (Deuteronomy 6:4-9 AMP)
Without question parents have the biblical right and responsibility for ensuring their child is educated not only in God’s word but also the application of that word to all aspects of life.
Participants reviewed the concept of jurisdictions or spheres of responsibility established by God. Self-government, the authority of the family, the jurisdiction of the church and civil jurisdictions are the four scriptural spheres of responsibility or jurisdictions. Each jurisdiction has responsibilities or duties and each has limitations. One jurisdiction is not to invade the boundary of another. Self-government is taught by the family. The family is to teach and model through nurturing love and support, through coaching and apprenticeship, and by applying age-appropriate precepts that lead to maturity. When parents apply these methods, the child matures and can be released into their identity, purpose, and destiny; and the grown child can exercise self-governance and in the dual citizenship: citizens of earth and citizens of heaven. During this maturation process, the family protects the spirit, soul and body of the child and provides for them spiritually, emotionally, mentally and physically. The family can choose to delegate some of these responsibilities but cannot abdicate them nor allow them to be taken from their sphere of authority.
The God-appointed role of the church is to restore man to that which God originally entrusted to Adam and again made accessible to man by the redemptive work of Christ through preaching, teaching and discipleship. (Dr. Patti Amsden; East Gate Reformation Training Institute; Kingdom Pillars of Cultural Reformation; Course #6 The Cultural Pillar of Education.) In that role, the church rightly teaches parents their biblical responsibility regarding their children. The church can also offer private or church-sponsored educational opportunities to which parents may choose to avail their families. Churches can also practice charity by offering aid or funding to children and families who are not able to participate in parent-paid or family-supported acceptable educational opportunities.
The civil jurisdiction protects and defends its citizens. (Romans 13:4,5) “It is to establish laws that reflect God’s eternal principles for administering societal justice. It is to keep the peace by intervening with punitive power to restore jurisdictional sovereignty when one realm breaches the legally-defined boundaries of another. The civil realm has no biblical mandate to build, maintain, fund or operate state schools nor to attempt to force equality in educational opportunity through legislative action, judicial sanctions or fiscal inducement.” (Ibid. Dr. Patti Amsden) In other words, the government has no role in education at all except to educate those who are to function in the civil realm services.
Participants realized that families have allowed the government to take over the education of our children to such an extent that many feel there is no alternative, even when the civil is now mandating comprehensive sex education and the teaching of Critical Race Theory. Some participants believe the answer is to revamp and improve the public/government school system. Searching the scriptures, however, reveals that government has no right or role in the education of our children and that the primary responsibility for all aspects of the care of children falls into the jurisdiction of the family. Exactly how to change the approach to education and what it will look like can only be accomplished incrementally. Resources were given for those who can more immediately take charge of their children’s education. Participants agreed that, in general, the necessary direction is toward restoration of the role of the family in education and the prayers and declarations made at the gathering reflected that conviction. Many powerful decrees were made regarding bringing heaven’s order into the earth of Illinois. A good example of those declarations can be found in the Prayer Points.
Sex Education in Illinois’ Public (Government) Schools
By Joyce Geiler
Many Christians are familiar with Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Without taking this verse out of the context in which the Apostle Paul is encouraging believers to persevere knowing that God is working a higher purpose in their lives, consider applying this scripture to the Covid pandemic. Is God really able to work that for our good? There is most certainly one area in which He already is - the sphere of education of our children. As frustrating as schooling has been for parents and students during the shutdown of schools, the biggest take-away for many parents has been the exposure to the education their children are or are not getting in Illinois’ government-run public schools. Eyes have been opened and parents are searching for alternatives. This article will begin to explore weaknesses and contra-biblical aspects of Illinois’ public school system. This is not intended to be an attack on teachers, but a discussion of the system that has overtaken the parental role in education in a most detrimental way.
Although this article begins by presenting data regarding the inadequate job Illinois’ public schools are doing in the area of education, the second part of the article will address the larger issue, the more egregious issue, of what is happening regarding sex-education in our schools.
IllinoisReportCard.com is the state’s official source for information about public schools across Illinois. (1) Illinoisreportcard.com reports that only 32% of students met or exceeded grade level proficiency standards in math for the 2019 school year after completing the Scholarship Aptitude Test (SAT). Only 38% of students met or exceeded grade level proficiency in English Language Arts. The Illinois Science Assessment test shows 49% of students are at grade proficiency in science. Illinois Report Card states: “These skills are necessary in order for students to be successful in the real world.”
From 2006 to 2016 the overall average SAT scores fell a total of 34 points, falling in each of the three sections tested. There was a sharp increase in scores in 2017 partly due to the massive redesign of the testing, not an increased proficiency. (2) Overall, Illinois is neither the highest nor the lowest among the states in SAT scores.
Illinois Family Institute notes that rather than focus time and resources on helping students master the basics, “social justice warriors in Springfield, the Illinois State Board of Education, and in government schools are spending increasing amounts of time and resources indoctrinating students with leftist dogma on race, homosexuality, and ‘trans’-cultism.” (3) Our children are truly at risk.
The Illinois Family Institute explains that a small committee approved of the revision of teaching standards, which will require all teachers to become well versed in Critical Race Theory, LGBTQ ideology, and BLM Marxist brainwashing. (4) On May 20, the Illinois Senate passed SB 818, the highly controversial “comprehensive sex education” bill. On May 28, the House likewise passed the bill, which as of this writing awaits the signature of Governor Pritzker to become law. Since he has expressed a plan to "trans" all public schools, he is expected to sign the bill into law. The Illinois Legislature and Governor Pritzker have crossed the boundary lines of parental authority and are claiming authority to direct the education process with sweeping mandates.
SB 818 is named the “Keeping Youth Safe and Healthy Act.” According to the Illinois ACLU, the bill:
“Creates personal health and safety standards for grades K-5 and updates and expands comprehensive sexual health education standards in grades 6-12 to give young people the information and tools they need to be safe and support responsible and informed decision making about their health and well-being throughout their lives. These topics include but are not limited to: anatomy and physiology; healthy relationships; identity; personal safety; pregnancy and reproduction; puberty, growth and adolescent development; and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.”
“It also expands the current requirement that instruction be medically accurate, developmentally and age appropriate to include instruction that is also culturally appropriate, inclusive, and trauma informed. The bill also ensures that comprehensive personal health and safety and sexual health education in Illinois is affirming of identities including those who historically have been stigmatized or excluded including LGBTQIA and pregnant or parenting youth.” (5)
What is it about this legislation that is so offensive and distressing to parents and Bible believing people? In their booklet “Comprehensive Sexuality Education,” the Illinois Family Institute writes that if a school teaches any form of “personal health and safety,” it MUST teach Comprehensive Sex Education (CSE). (6) Note that in 2013, the Illinois General Assembly passed a law mandating that any public school that teaches sex ed must teach comprehensive sex ed (CSE), so that part is not new. SB 818 expands the curriculum already in place in Illinois to ensure Illinois schools align with national standards. (7) Note specifically in one of the above paragraphs, SB 818 “creates personal health and safety standards for grades K-5 and updates and expands comprehensive sexual health education standards in grades 6-12.”
CSE proponents claimed that CSE curricula are “age-appropriate” and “evidence-based.” Opponents argue the criteria for determining age-appropriateness and the source for the criteria are not identified, and no conclusive evidence has been provided proving that CSE curricula are more effective than abstinence-based curricula at solving the problems of STDs and unplanned pregnancies.
Opponents further argue that CSE is designed to change the sexual and gender norms of society. CSE promotes high-risk sexual behaviors and encourages even the youngest of children to experiment sexually. CSE is promoted globally through the United Nations and Planned Parenthood. Smaller countries have been threatened with federal aid cuts if they don’t comply.
Proponents define “culturally appropriate” as “affirming culturally diverse individuals, families, and communities in an inclusive, respectful, and effective manner, including materials and instruction that are inclusive of race, ethnicity, language, cultural background, immigration status, religion, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, and sexual behavior.” (8)
The legislation does make provision that “No student shall be required to take or participate in any class or course in comprehensive personal health and safety and comprehensive sexual health education. A student’s parent or guardian may opt the student out of comprehensive personal health and safety and comprehensive sexual health education by submitting the request in writing. Refusal to take or participate in such a course or program may not be a reason for disciplinary action, academic penalty, suspension, or expulsion or any other sanction of a student.” (9)
While that sounds like an opt out, what student will want to be singled out and embarrassed in front of their peers. And consider that their peers will most certainly share the information with which they are being indoctrinated. This article has not touched on the disregard, even rebellion, against biblical standards of parental rights and responsibilities regarding education and sexuality and the boundary violation of civil government incursion into the family sphere. The Illinois Family Institute has scheduled eight events around the state in which they will lay out a plan that includes several options for individuals, families and churches. That information will be reported on in follow-up articles along with pertinent history on how education arrived this lamentable place. (10)
Endnotes:
https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/
https://blog.prepscholar.com/average-sat-scores-over-time
IFI-PSE-Reasons-to-Exit-Illinois-Government-Schools-web.pdf
https://illinoisfamily.org/education/alliance-seeks-to-rescue-illinois-children-from-indoctrination/
https://www.aclu-il.org/en/legislation/sex-ed
IFI_PSE_Comp-Sex-Ed-booklet-web.pdf
https://wgem.com/2021/05/28/illinois-lawmakers-pass-sex-education-bill-for-k-12-students/
https://illinoisfamily.org/homosexuality/cultural-collision-comprehensive-sex-ed-passed-in-illinois-senate/
https://illinoisfamily.org/education/sex-education-opt-out-for-students/
https://illinoisfamily.org/education/christian-education-is-vital-we-have-a-plan/
By Joyce Geiler
Many Christians are familiar with Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Without taking this verse out of the context in which the Apostle Paul is encouraging believers to persevere knowing that God is working a higher purpose in their lives, consider applying this scripture to the Covid pandemic. Is God really able to work that for our good? There is most certainly one area in which He already is - the sphere of education of our children. As frustrating as schooling has been for parents and students during the shutdown of schools, the biggest take-away for many parents has been the exposure to the education their children are or are not getting in Illinois’ government-run public schools. Eyes have been opened and parents are searching for alternatives. This article will begin to explore weaknesses and contra-biblical aspects of Illinois’ public school system. This is not intended to be an attack on teachers, but a discussion of the system that has overtaken the parental role in education in a most detrimental way.
Although this article begins by presenting data regarding the inadequate job Illinois’ public schools are doing in the area of education, the second part of the article will address the larger issue, the more egregious issue, of what is happening regarding sex-education in our schools.
IllinoisReportCard.com is the state’s official source for information about public schools across Illinois. (1) Illinoisreportcard.com reports that only 32% of students met or exceeded grade level proficiency standards in math for the 2019 school year after completing the Scholarship Aptitude Test (SAT). Only 38% of students met or exceeded grade level proficiency in English Language Arts. The Illinois Science Assessment test shows 49% of students are at grade proficiency in science. Illinois Report Card states: “These skills are necessary in order for students to be successful in the real world.”
From 2006 to 2016 the overall average SAT scores fell a total of 34 points, falling in each of the three sections tested. There was a sharp increase in scores in 2017 partly due to the massive redesign of the testing, not an increased proficiency. (2) Overall, Illinois is neither the highest nor the lowest among the states in SAT scores.
Illinois Family Institute notes that rather than focus time and resources on helping students master the basics, “social justice warriors in Springfield, the Illinois State Board of Education, and in government schools are spending increasing amounts of time and resources indoctrinating students with leftist dogma on race, homosexuality, and ‘trans’-cultism.” (3) Our children are truly at risk.
The Illinois Family Institute explains that a small committee approved of the revision of teaching standards, which will require all teachers to become well versed in Critical Race Theory, LGBTQ ideology, and BLM Marxist brainwashing. (4) On May 20, the Illinois Senate passed SB 818, the highly controversial “comprehensive sex education” bill. On May 28, the House likewise passed the bill, which as of this writing awaits the signature of Governor Pritzker to become law. Since he has expressed a plan to "trans" all public schools, he is expected to sign the bill into law. The Illinois Legislature and Governor Pritzker have crossed the boundary lines of parental authority and are claiming authority to direct the education process with sweeping mandates.
SB 818 is named the “Keeping Youth Safe and Healthy Act.” According to the Illinois ACLU, the bill:
“Creates personal health and safety standards for grades K-5 and updates and expands comprehensive sexual health education standards in grades 6-12 to give young people the information and tools they need to be safe and support responsible and informed decision making about their health and well-being throughout their lives. These topics include but are not limited to: anatomy and physiology; healthy relationships; identity; personal safety; pregnancy and reproduction; puberty, growth and adolescent development; and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.”
“It also expands the current requirement that instruction be medically accurate, developmentally and age appropriate to include instruction that is also culturally appropriate, inclusive, and trauma informed. The bill also ensures that comprehensive personal health and safety and sexual health education in Illinois is affirming of identities including those who historically have been stigmatized or excluded including LGBTQIA and pregnant or parenting youth.” (5)
What is it about this legislation that is so offensive and distressing to parents and Bible believing people? In their booklet “Comprehensive Sexuality Education,” the Illinois Family Institute writes that if a school teaches any form of “personal health and safety,” it MUST teach Comprehensive Sex Education (CSE). (6) Note that in 2013, the Illinois General Assembly passed a law mandating that any public school that teaches sex ed must teach comprehensive sex ed (CSE), so that part is not new. SB 818 expands the curriculum already in place in Illinois to ensure Illinois schools align with national standards. (7) Note specifically in one of the above paragraphs, SB 818 “creates personal health and safety standards for grades K-5 and updates and expands comprehensive sexual health education standards in grades 6-12.”
CSE proponents claimed that CSE curricula are “age-appropriate” and “evidence-based.” Opponents argue the criteria for determining age-appropriateness and the source for the criteria are not identified, and no conclusive evidence has been provided proving that CSE curricula are more effective than abstinence-based curricula at solving the problems of STDs and unplanned pregnancies.
Opponents further argue that CSE is designed to change the sexual and gender norms of society. CSE promotes high-risk sexual behaviors and encourages even the youngest of children to experiment sexually. CSE is promoted globally through the United Nations and Planned Parenthood. Smaller countries have been threatened with federal aid cuts if they don’t comply.
Proponents define “culturally appropriate” as “affirming culturally diverse individuals, families, and communities in an inclusive, respectful, and effective manner, including materials and instruction that are inclusive of race, ethnicity, language, cultural background, immigration status, religion, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, and sexual behavior.” (8)
The legislation does make provision that “No student shall be required to take or participate in any class or course in comprehensive personal health and safety and comprehensive sexual health education. A student’s parent or guardian may opt the student out of comprehensive personal health and safety and comprehensive sexual health education by submitting the request in writing. Refusal to take or participate in such a course or program may not be a reason for disciplinary action, academic penalty, suspension, or expulsion or any other sanction of a student.” (9)
While that sounds like an opt out, what student will want to be singled out and embarrassed in front of their peers. And consider that their peers will most certainly share the information with which they are being indoctrinated. This article has not touched on the disregard, even rebellion, against biblical standards of parental rights and responsibilities regarding education and sexuality and the boundary violation of civil government incursion into the family sphere. The Illinois Family Institute has scheduled eight events around the state in which they will lay out a plan that includes several options for individuals, families and churches. That information will be reported on in follow-up articles along with pertinent history on how education arrived this lamentable place. (10)
Endnotes:
https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/
https://blog.prepscholar.com/average-sat-scores-over-time
IFI-PSE-Reasons-to-Exit-Illinois-Government-Schools-web.pdf
https://illinoisfamily.org/education/alliance-seeks-to-rescue-illinois-children-from-indoctrination/
https://www.aclu-il.org/en/legislation/sex-ed
IFI_PSE_Comp-Sex-Ed-booklet-web.pdf
https://wgem.com/2021/05/28/illinois-lawmakers-pass-sex-education-bill-for-k-12-students/
https://illinoisfamily.org/homosexuality/cultural-collision-comprehensive-sex-ed-passed-in-illinois-senate/
https://illinoisfamily.org/education/sex-education-opt-out-for-students/
https://illinoisfamily.org/education/christian-education-is-vital-we-have-a-plan/
Tap Root of Iniquity By Joyce Geiler
The Coalition of Apostolic Alliances (CAA) gathered March 8 in Collinsville for their bimonthly meeting. This group meets as an ekklesia to spiritually deal with issues concerning Illinois. This gathering focused on the taproot of iniquity in Illinois. Just what does that mean?
The story begins in 2010 when nationally known prophet, Chuck Pierce, visited Southern Illinois and identified seven Freedom Outpost cities in Illinois. Freedom Outposts should be regions where the righteousness of the Kingdom of God is seen in all spheres of culture. They were identified as East. St. Louis/Granite city, Champaign, Springfield, Peoria, Rockford, Marion and Chicago.
In 2017, when this prophet returned to Illinois, he noted that these same cities were ruled spiritually by Thrones of Iniquity that were strong enough that the Freedom Outposts were not rising up to their God-ordained potential to bring Kingdom liberty to their respective regions. According to Pierce, thrones of iniquity are places where Satan has gained legal access and established his legal right to control an area, blocking heavens’ will on earth. Satan gains access into an area the same way he gains access into an individual’s life or into a family line—through sin. Individual or family sin can be escalated and exploited by Satan into corporate sin or influence over an entire area or territory directly opposing God’s plan for that territory.
Revelation 2:13 refers to this when the Lord says “I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan's throne is.” Remember, Satan wanted to exalt himself to become like God so that he would be worshiped. In exalting himself, Satan is attempting to draw all people to his counterfeit “light.” Thrones of iniquity occur with corporate acceptance and worship of sin. They are Satan’s counterfeit kingdom where Satan attempts to take God’s glory for himself.
Although the Ekklesia in Illinois has been aware of and prayed concerning the Freedom Outposts and Thrones of Iniquity since those prophecies were known, not enough progress has been made to topple Satan’s thrones. Illinois is still in distress. Those participating in the CAA felt directed of the Lord has brought His ekklesia into a kairos or opportune time, in which the Ekklesia is not only gaining revelation regarding the thrones but also strategies to defeat Satan’s throne and magnify God’s ever-increasing Kingdom in Illinois.
A few months ago, during a time of prayer for Illinois, an intercessor from Collinsville envisioned Illinois being lifted by God’s hand like a potted plant being lifted out of its pot. The dirt and roots were exposed. As God lifted up Illinois, the roots became visible and, in particular, a thick tap root that reached down into the ground (the other roots were like hairs in comparison). The intercessor knew that it was the major root to the evil in the state but had no idea what it was or what it was called. Then she saw the tap root being cut.
At the January meeting of the CAA in Sycamore, the Ekklesia prayed about the vision of the taproot but did not get further clarification. The CAA gathered again for their bimonthly meeting on March 8, this time in Collinsville. At this meeting, it became clear that the taproot was in the area at the Cahokia Mounds.
As stated earlier in this article, a throne of iniquity is built on a culture of sin. Cahokia was the largest and earliest civilization in North America with its influence permeating much of the central area of what is now the United States. It was a culture of territorial control, enslavement, human sacrifice, and corrupted commerce, in short, a culture of sin. There have been many prayer initiatives and events at Monk’s Mound, the center of worship for Cahokia. Little by little the layers of prayers have worked their work, exposing more and more revelation. The CAA felt that now, in this God-appointed time, the taproot has been exposed.
Through worship, prayer and decree, the ekklesia dealt spiritually with that taproot of iniquity. Before the Ekklesia made their decrees, Pastor Stan Pratt of Taylorville, explained the nature of the roots of the aspen tree.
Aspens have many unique characteristics that enable them to flourish, but one characteristic in particular relates to the roots. Aspens are aided by the rhizomatic nature of their root systems. Most aspens grow in large clonal colonies, derived from a single seedling, and spread by means of root suckers; new stems in the colony may appear at up to 100–130 ft from the parent tree. Each individual tree can live for 40–150 years above ground, but the root system of the colony is long-lived. In some cases, this is for thousands of years, sending up new trunks as the older trunks die off above ground. For this reason, it is considered to be an indicator of ancient woodlands. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspen
It became apparent that not only must the tap root be severed but also the spreading roots that feed other regions of Illinois.
Following are some of the spiritual decrees made by the Ekklesia gathered on March 8:
• We announce the root of the Kingdom and this land belong to Christ. The earth is the Lord’s. •
• We denounce false root structures, false worship.
• We denounce 1400 years or longer of false worship (since the time of the Cahokia settlement). • This day it is uprooted. From the womb area of Illinois, we call forth new life. We do not market or traffic.
• The root of the Kingdom stands planted.
• Roots of this territory go into the Kingdom.
• Job 14 says a dead stump will sprout at the scent of water. We say this taproot will receive no scent of water and will not receive water. We guard our hearts and lips and give no space for growth for these roots. We speak words of life, not compromise. Together we will see the victory. This is an apostolic state. The life of Christ taking root
Pastor Stan Pratt added this prayer and the local Collinsville ekklesia affirmed agreement.
“Lord, as we have spoken death to this tap-root, we now ask for persons to rise up and bring business to the Metro East area that will fill the void of the loss of certain tourist income, to bring something that will replace the loss of revenue from Planned Parenthood, to transform the area into a prospering area by replacing gambling places and casinos with fruitful tax-paying businesses, to make up the void of lost revenue among the citizens that comes from alcoholism, drugs, human trafficking, and more. Deliver those in “slave style camps" - illegal aliens supported by our tax dollars through Social Justice / unrighteous programs of the Catholic Church. Lord, we cannot leave the citizens of the Metro-East area with no means of financial support to replace the income that was derived from sin and unrighteousness. Bring entrepreneurs into the Metro-East area to finance and build up the community. Our intent Lord was (and we did) pull that old root producing unrighteous fruit of every kind, but not to leave the citizens high and dry with no proper means of supporting themselves or their area. We receive Christ as Your Wisdom and will act on what we discern by your Spirit. May we and others be laborers in that field which is becoming white unto harvest.”
Over the next few years, the CAA will plan to hold meetings in the other Freedom Outposts being hindered by Thrones of Iniquity and seek wisdom to effectively pray “on earth as it is in heaven.”
The Coalition of Apostolic Alliances (CAA) gathered March 8 in Collinsville for their bimonthly meeting. This group meets as an ekklesia to spiritually deal with issues concerning Illinois. This gathering focused on the taproot of iniquity in Illinois. Just what does that mean?
The story begins in 2010 when nationally known prophet, Chuck Pierce, visited Southern Illinois and identified seven Freedom Outpost cities in Illinois. Freedom Outposts should be regions where the righteousness of the Kingdom of God is seen in all spheres of culture. They were identified as East. St. Louis/Granite city, Champaign, Springfield, Peoria, Rockford, Marion and Chicago.
In 2017, when this prophet returned to Illinois, he noted that these same cities were ruled spiritually by Thrones of Iniquity that were strong enough that the Freedom Outposts were not rising up to their God-ordained potential to bring Kingdom liberty to their respective regions. According to Pierce, thrones of iniquity are places where Satan has gained legal access and established his legal right to control an area, blocking heavens’ will on earth. Satan gains access into an area the same way he gains access into an individual’s life or into a family line—through sin. Individual or family sin can be escalated and exploited by Satan into corporate sin or influence over an entire area or territory directly opposing God’s plan for that territory.
Revelation 2:13 refers to this when the Lord says “I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan's throne is.” Remember, Satan wanted to exalt himself to become like God so that he would be worshiped. In exalting himself, Satan is attempting to draw all people to his counterfeit “light.” Thrones of iniquity occur with corporate acceptance and worship of sin. They are Satan’s counterfeit kingdom where Satan attempts to take God’s glory for himself.
Although the Ekklesia in Illinois has been aware of and prayed concerning the Freedom Outposts and Thrones of Iniquity since those prophecies were known, not enough progress has been made to topple Satan’s thrones. Illinois is still in distress. Those participating in the CAA felt directed of the Lord has brought His ekklesia into a kairos or opportune time, in which the Ekklesia is not only gaining revelation regarding the thrones but also strategies to defeat Satan’s throne and magnify God’s ever-increasing Kingdom in Illinois.
A few months ago, during a time of prayer for Illinois, an intercessor from Collinsville envisioned Illinois being lifted by God’s hand like a potted plant being lifted out of its pot. The dirt and roots were exposed. As God lifted up Illinois, the roots became visible and, in particular, a thick tap root that reached down into the ground (the other roots were like hairs in comparison). The intercessor knew that it was the major root to the evil in the state but had no idea what it was or what it was called. Then she saw the tap root being cut.
At the January meeting of the CAA in Sycamore, the Ekklesia prayed about the vision of the taproot but did not get further clarification. The CAA gathered again for their bimonthly meeting on March 8, this time in Collinsville. At this meeting, it became clear that the taproot was in the area at the Cahokia Mounds.
As stated earlier in this article, a throne of iniquity is built on a culture of sin. Cahokia was the largest and earliest civilization in North America with its influence permeating much of the central area of what is now the United States. It was a culture of territorial control, enslavement, human sacrifice, and corrupted commerce, in short, a culture of sin. There have been many prayer initiatives and events at Monk’s Mound, the center of worship for Cahokia. Little by little the layers of prayers have worked their work, exposing more and more revelation. The CAA felt that now, in this God-appointed time, the taproot has been exposed.
Through worship, prayer and decree, the ekklesia dealt spiritually with that taproot of iniquity. Before the Ekklesia made their decrees, Pastor Stan Pratt of Taylorville, explained the nature of the roots of the aspen tree.
Aspens have many unique characteristics that enable them to flourish, but one characteristic in particular relates to the roots. Aspens are aided by the rhizomatic nature of their root systems. Most aspens grow in large clonal colonies, derived from a single seedling, and spread by means of root suckers; new stems in the colony may appear at up to 100–130 ft from the parent tree. Each individual tree can live for 40–150 years above ground, but the root system of the colony is long-lived. In some cases, this is for thousands of years, sending up new trunks as the older trunks die off above ground. For this reason, it is considered to be an indicator of ancient woodlands. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspen
It became apparent that not only must the tap root be severed but also the spreading roots that feed other regions of Illinois.
Following are some of the spiritual decrees made by the Ekklesia gathered on March 8:
• We announce the root of the Kingdom and this land belong to Christ. The earth is the Lord’s. •
• We denounce false root structures, false worship.
• We denounce 1400 years or longer of false worship (since the time of the Cahokia settlement). • This day it is uprooted. From the womb area of Illinois, we call forth new life. We do not market or traffic.
• The root of the Kingdom stands planted.
• Roots of this territory go into the Kingdom.
• Job 14 says a dead stump will sprout at the scent of water. We say this taproot will receive no scent of water and will not receive water. We guard our hearts and lips and give no space for growth for these roots. We speak words of life, not compromise. Together we will see the victory. This is an apostolic state. The life of Christ taking root
Pastor Stan Pratt added this prayer and the local Collinsville ekklesia affirmed agreement.
“Lord, as we have spoken death to this tap-root, we now ask for persons to rise up and bring business to the Metro East area that will fill the void of the loss of certain tourist income, to bring something that will replace the loss of revenue from Planned Parenthood, to transform the area into a prospering area by replacing gambling places and casinos with fruitful tax-paying businesses, to make up the void of lost revenue among the citizens that comes from alcoholism, drugs, human trafficking, and more. Deliver those in “slave style camps" - illegal aliens supported by our tax dollars through Social Justice / unrighteous programs of the Catholic Church. Lord, we cannot leave the citizens of the Metro-East area with no means of financial support to replace the income that was derived from sin and unrighteousness. Bring entrepreneurs into the Metro-East area to finance and build up the community. Our intent Lord was (and we did) pull that old root producing unrighteous fruit of every kind, but not to leave the citizens high and dry with no proper means of supporting themselves or their area. We receive Christ as Your Wisdom and will act on what we discern by your Spirit. May we and others be laborers in that field which is becoming white unto harvest.”
Over the next few years, the CAA will plan to hold meetings in the other Freedom Outposts being hindered by Thrones of Iniquity and seek wisdom to effectively pray “on earth as it is in heaven.”
Illinois Police Reform that Undermines Law Enforcement
By Joyce Geiler
On February 22, 2021, Governor Pritzker signed into law HB 3553 Police Reform. News headlines run the gamut from accusations of anti-law enforcement to praise by reform advocates. Most news headlines focus on one or two parts of the new law. It may be a challenge to determine the details contained in the 764 pages of the new law, some of which do not go into effect until 2023. This article reports some of the more commonly headlined aspects of the law and then lists more specific details.
State Senator Kimberly Lightford pointed to the death of George Floyd last summer as a key reason the American culture "awakened" to inequalities in the state's justice system. However, retired Judge Pat O'Brien warns about dangers within the bill and calls the new law “a measure that will expose citizens to criminal behavior and defend the rights of the accused over the rights of victims.” Some of his specific concerns are inserted later in this article. The Illinois Review labels the law “the nations most anti-law enforcement policy.” (1)
The Fraternal Order of Police writes that the law “eliminates all protections from law enforcement officers. It eliminates officer’s ability to pursue their job without civil liability, it eliminates the ability of officers to pursue collective bargaining agreements, it invalidates the constitutionally protected due process of officers and it substantially increases the costs for employers of law enforcement officers.” (2) Executive Director for the Illinois Sheriff's Association Jim Kaitschuk believes the law will have a significant impact on law enforcement and will create a threat to the community. (3)
The website reason.com, a libertarian news site, has a very extensive coverage of the bill. It is worth reviewing the detail to see more of what is actually in the bill. (4) The lengthy bill touches many areas of policing some of which are listed below and contains explanatory comments from other sources will be included in parentheses:
The police reform bill:
1) Creates a process for the state's attorney general to take a law enforcement officer to civil court if that officer has violated a person's civil rights and to seek financial damages, with a cap of $50,000. An earlier version of the bill would have stripped police officers of qualified immunity when they had been found to violate a person's rights, thus allowing individuals to sue officers in civil court; but that was removed from the final version of the bill.
2) Mandates body cameras for all police officers in the state, with compliance deadlines staggered across the next four years. (Note that no funding is provided.)
3) Establishes that after January 2023, monetary bail will be abolished within the state. Instead, people arrested for crimes will be evaluated with a goal of releasing them with only enough pretrial conditions to ensure they make it to subsequent court appearances and don't commit crimes while on release. Full detention will be ordered only "when it is determined that the defendant poses a specific, real and present threat to a person and has a high likelihood of willful flight." The court may use a risk assessment tool to evaluate the defendant, but the score cannot be the only reason why a defendant is denied pretrial release—and the defendant must be provided the information, so that he or she may challenge it. There are many exceptions to the orders for pretrial release, including defendants accused of stalking and domestic violence, many firearm-related crimes, human trafficking crimes, or any forcible felony that comes with a mandatory minimum prison sentence. Even in these cases, however, a court must determine that the defendant is too dangerous to be released. (This is the same as the law in New Jersey which establishes a presumption of release and forces the court to document why somebody is too risky to be released. America has about half a million people stuck in pretrial detention, many of whom are not dangerous to the public but simply cannot afford the cost of bail. People who are unable to earn pretrial freedom typically end up accepting worse plea deals and get harsher sentences than somebody able to address the charges outside of jail.) (5)
4) Establishes a new class 3 felony of law enforcement misconduct, with a possible sentence of two to five years in jail. This will cover officers who misrepresent facts during an investigation, withhold knowledge of misrepresentation by other officers, or fail to comply with state laws or department policies on body-worn cameras.
5) Allows cities with populations greater than 100,000 to require that police live within city limits. Current law only permits this for cities with population greater than 1 million.
6) Allows other first responders besides police to direct people they encounter with substance abuse problems toward treatment programs, without requiring an arrest.
7) Allows funds for police and first responders to carry naloxone and similar supplies that can reverse opioid overdoses.
8) Prohibits law enforcement agencies from requesting or receiving excess military equipment, such as armored vehicles, large-caliber guns, or grenade launchers. (Retired Judge Pat O’Brien feels this prevents departments from taking advantage of cost saving federal surplus programs.)
9) Prohibits retaliation against whistleblowers, a problem that has come up repeatedly when people try to expose misconduct in the Chicago Police Department.
10) Demands that all records connected to complaints against police officers and investigations of police officers be retained permanently. (Retired Judge O’Brien Mandates speaks against those unsubstantiated and unverified complaints being kept, to be used against officers, forever, with no destruction and no limits on how they can be utilized to inflict harm on officers.)
11) Adds crisis intervention and de-escalation training to the curriculum for new police officers and to mandatory training every three years. (Retired Judge O’Brien notes this substantially increases both initial and ongoing education requirements with no money to pay for the increased costs and no assurances that the courses will even be offered.)
12) Requires the state police to participate in and provide data to the FBI's National Use of Force database.
13) Amends the police disciplinary process system so that officers under investigation are not provided the names of those filing the complaint, and so that it is no longer a requirement for people to provide their names in order to file a complaint about police misconduct. The Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board is authorized to perform the preliminary review to see if there is evidence that supports the anonymous complaint. (Retired Judge O’Brien says this allows officers to be punished or fired based on anonymous and unsubstantiated or unverifiable complaints and it allows for unrestricted and ungoverned disciplinary policies of law enforcement officers.)
14) Halts the practice of suspending driver's licenses for failure to pay traffic citations or abandoned vehicle fees.
15) Amends the definition of resisting or obstructing a police officer. People cannot be charged simply with resisting arrest; there must first be an underlying offense for which the person was already subject to arrest.
16) Forbids the use of deadly force against people who are a danger only to themselves, and it forbids the use of deadly force against those suspected of committing only property offenses (except in cases of terrorism). The new rules require that deadly force be used only "when reasonably necessary in defense of human life." It also explains that "merely a fear of future harm" is not enough to reach this threshold. That's an important distinction, because many defenses of police shootings of unarmed suspects revolve around the officers claiming that they feared the suspect was armed.
16) Forbids chokeholds and neck restraints and forbids the use of force as punishment or retaliation. It forbids the use of non-lethal weapons in a manner that targets the head, pelvis, or back, and it forbids firing non-lethal weapons indiscriminately into crowds. It also forbids using irritants like tear gas against crowds unless police have both ordered the crowd to disperse and given it enough time to do so.
17) Establishes a duty to render aid to anybody police encounter who is injured (or anybody they injure) and an affirmative duty to intervene when they witness another police officer using unauthorized force. Retaliation against an officer who intervenes in this fashion is forbidden.
18) Calls for the citation and release rather than the arrest of anybody accused of traffic offenses, petty offenses, or low-level misdemeanors, unless they pose an obvious threat to others or themselves.
19) Establishes that all police officers must be certified to perform as law enforcement by the state's Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board. It gives the board the authority to suspend an officer's certification immediately if the officer has been arrested or indicted on felony charges. A panel will hear the officer's case and can decide whether to maintain or reverse the officer's suspension of certification.
20) Orders the creation of a searchable database of law enforcement officers, available to the public, showing each officer's certification status and any sustained complaints of misconduct.
As the nation has seen, especially since last summer, emotions and opinions are strong regarding these issues creating opportunities for misinformation and disinformation and for fear and mistrust. It remains to be seen how Illinois’ new police reforms are implemented and what the results will be. Although reforms are most certainly needed, it is disconcerting to see restrictions that could hamper law enforcement in an era of lawlessness and lack of self-governance.
End Notes:
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2021/02/pritzker-signs-into-law-nations-most-anti-law-enforcement-policy.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+typepad%2FbYHz+%28Illinois+Review%29
http://www.chicagofop.org/news/urgent-and-important-police-reform-update-hb-163
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/police-reform-bill-introduced-to-illinois-general-assembly/ar-BB1cz6fK
https://reason.com/2021/01/14/massive-illinois-police-reform-bill-ends-cash-bail-limits-deadly-force-mandates-body-cameras-and-makes-it-easier-to-dump-crooked-cops/
https://reason.com/2021/01/14/massive-illinois-police-reform-bill-ends-cash-bail-limits-deadly-force-mandates-body-cameras-and-makes-it-easier-to-dump-crooked-cops/
By Joyce Geiler
On February 22, 2021, Governor Pritzker signed into law HB 3553 Police Reform. News headlines run the gamut from accusations of anti-law enforcement to praise by reform advocates. Most news headlines focus on one or two parts of the new law. It may be a challenge to determine the details contained in the 764 pages of the new law, some of which do not go into effect until 2023. This article reports some of the more commonly headlined aspects of the law and then lists more specific details.
State Senator Kimberly Lightford pointed to the death of George Floyd last summer as a key reason the American culture "awakened" to inequalities in the state's justice system. However, retired Judge Pat O'Brien warns about dangers within the bill and calls the new law “a measure that will expose citizens to criminal behavior and defend the rights of the accused over the rights of victims.” Some of his specific concerns are inserted later in this article. The Illinois Review labels the law “the nations most anti-law enforcement policy.” (1)
The Fraternal Order of Police writes that the law “eliminates all protections from law enforcement officers. It eliminates officer’s ability to pursue their job without civil liability, it eliminates the ability of officers to pursue collective bargaining agreements, it invalidates the constitutionally protected due process of officers and it substantially increases the costs for employers of law enforcement officers.” (2) Executive Director for the Illinois Sheriff's Association Jim Kaitschuk believes the law will have a significant impact on law enforcement and will create a threat to the community. (3)
The website reason.com, a libertarian news site, has a very extensive coverage of the bill. It is worth reviewing the detail to see more of what is actually in the bill. (4) The lengthy bill touches many areas of policing some of which are listed below and contains explanatory comments from other sources will be included in parentheses:
The police reform bill:
1) Creates a process for the state's attorney general to take a law enforcement officer to civil court if that officer has violated a person's civil rights and to seek financial damages, with a cap of $50,000. An earlier version of the bill would have stripped police officers of qualified immunity when they had been found to violate a person's rights, thus allowing individuals to sue officers in civil court; but that was removed from the final version of the bill.
2) Mandates body cameras for all police officers in the state, with compliance deadlines staggered across the next four years. (Note that no funding is provided.)
3) Establishes that after January 2023, monetary bail will be abolished within the state. Instead, people arrested for crimes will be evaluated with a goal of releasing them with only enough pretrial conditions to ensure they make it to subsequent court appearances and don't commit crimes while on release. Full detention will be ordered only "when it is determined that the defendant poses a specific, real and present threat to a person and has a high likelihood of willful flight." The court may use a risk assessment tool to evaluate the defendant, but the score cannot be the only reason why a defendant is denied pretrial release—and the defendant must be provided the information, so that he or she may challenge it. There are many exceptions to the orders for pretrial release, including defendants accused of stalking and domestic violence, many firearm-related crimes, human trafficking crimes, or any forcible felony that comes with a mandatory minimum prison sentence. Even in these cases, however, a court must determine that the defendant is too dangerous to be released. (This is the same as the law in New Jersey which establishes a presumption of release and forces the court to document why somebody is too risky to be released. America has about half a million people stuck in pretrial detention, many of whom are not dangerous to the public but simply cannot afford the cost of bail. People who are unable to earn pretrial freedom typically end up accepting worse plea deals and get harsher sentences than somebody able to address the charges outside of jail.) (5)
4) Establishes a new class 3 felony of law enforcement misconduct, with a possible sentence of two to five years in jail. This will cover officers who misrepresent facts during an investigation, withhold knowledge of misrepresentation by other officers, or fail to comply with state laws or department policies on body-worn cameras.
5) Allows cities with populations greater than 100,000 to require that police live within city limits. Current law only permits this for cities with population greater than 1 million.
6) Allows other first responders besides police to direct people they encounter with substance abuse problems toward treatment programs, without requiring an arrest.
7) Allows funds for police and first responders to carry naloxone and similar supplies that can reverse opioid overdoses.
8) Prohibits law enforcement agencies from requesting or receiving excess military equipment, such as armored vehicles, large-caliber guns, or grenade launchers. (Retired Judge Pat O’Brien feels this prevents departments from taking advantage of cost saving federal surplus programs.)
9) Prohibits retaliation against whistleblowers, a problem that has come up repeatedly when people try to expose misconduct in the Chicago Police Department.
10) Demands that all records connected to complaints against police officers and investigations of police officers be retained permanently. (Retired Judge O’Brien Mandates speaks against those unsubstantiated and unverified complaints being kept, to be used against officers, forever, with no destruction and no limits on how they can be utilized to inflict harm on officers.)
11) Adds crisis intervention and de-escalation training to the curriculum for new police officers and to mandatory training every three years. (Retired Judge O’Brien notes this substantially increases both initial and ongoing education requirements with no money to pay for the increased costs and no assurances that the courses will even be offered.)
12) Requires the state police to participate in and provide data to the FBI's National Use of Force database.
13) Amends the police disciplinary process system so that officers under investigation are not provided the names of those filing the complaint, and so that it is no longer a requirement for people to provide their names in order to file a complaint about police misconduct. The Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board is authorized to perform the preliminary review to see if there is evidence that supports the anonymous complaint. (Retired Judge O’Brien says this allows officers to be punished or fired based on anonymous and unsubstantiated or unverifiable complaints and it allows for unrestricted and ungoverned disciplinary policies of law enforcement officers.)
14) Halts the practice of suspending driver's licenses for failure to pay traffic citations or abandoned vehicle fees.
15) Amends the definition of resisting or obstructing a police officer. People cannot be charged simply with resisting arrest; there must first be an underlying offense for which the person was already subject to arrest.
16) Forbids the use of deadly force against people who are a danger only to themselves, and it forbids the use of deadly force against those suspected of committing only property offenses (except in cases of terrorism). The new rules require that deadly force be used only "when reasonably necessary in defense of human life." It also explains that "merely a fear of future harm" is not enough to reach this threshold. That's an important distinction, because many defenses of police shootings of unarmed suspects revolve around the officers claiming that they feared the suspect was armed.
16) Forbids chokeholds and neck restraints and forbids the use of force as punishment or retaliation. It forbids the use of non-lethal weapons in a manner that targets the head, pelvis, or back, and it forbids firing non-lethal weapons indiscriminately into crowds. It also forbids using irritants like tear gas against crowds unless police have both ordered the crowd to disperse and given it enough time to do so.
17) Establishes a duty to render aid to anybody police encounter who is injured (or anybody they injure) and an affirmative duty to intervene when they witness another police officer using unauthorized force. Retaliation against an officer who intervenes in this fashion is forbidden.
18) Calls for the citation and release rather than the arrest of anybody accused of traffic offenses, petty offenses, or low-level misdemeanors, unless they pose an obvious threat to others or themselves.
19) Establishes that all police officers must be certified to perform as law enforcement by the state's Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board. It gives the board the authority to suspend an officer's certification immediately if the officer has been arrested or indicted on felony charges. A panel will hear the officer's case and can decide whether to maintain or reverse the officer's suspension of certification.
20) Orders the creation of a searchable database of law enforcement officers, available to the public, showing each officer's certification status and any sustained complaints of misconduct.
As the nation has seen, especially since last summer, emotions and opinions are strong regarding these issues creating opportunities for misinformation and disinformation and for fear and mistrust. It remains to be seen how Illinois’ new police reforms are implemented and what the results will be. Although reforms are most certainly needed, it is disconcerting to see restrictions that could hamper law enforcement in an era of lawlessness and lack of self-governance.
End Notes:
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2021/02/pritzker-signs-into-law-nations-most-anti-law-enforcement-policy.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+typepad%2FbYHz+%28Illinois+Review%29
http://www.chicagofop.org/news/urgent-and-important-police-reform-update-hb-163
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/police-reform-bill-introduced-to-illinois-general-assembly/ar-BB1cz6fK
https://reason.com/2021/01/14/massive-illinois-police-reform-bill-ends-cash-bail-limits-deadly-force-mandates-body-cameras-and-makes-it-easier-to-dump-crooked-cops/
https://reason.com/2021/01/14/massive-illinois-police-reform-bill-ends-cash-bail-limits-deadly-force-mandates-body-cameras-and-makes-it-easier-to-dump-crooked-cops/
The Power of Illinois JCAR
By Joyce Geiler
JCAR will be making a big decision February 16 regarding education in Illinois. The committee has previously made big decisions regarding Covid restrictions in Illinois. JCAR, the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, is possibly the most powerful committee in Illinois government and until recently very few Illinois citizens actually knew anything about it. This article will explain what JACAR is and how its members are appointed and the impact that has.
A Joint Committee is a committee constituted of members of both houses of government that has jurisdiction over matters of common interest. Most joint committees are standing committees. Joint committees usually are established with limited jurisdictions and these committees do not have legislative powers. (1) The joint committee in Illinois known as JCAR is an obscure but powerful committee that has great input into Illinois government. The bipartisan 12-person committee, formed in 1977, consists of lawmakers appointed by the Governor from both the House and Senate. This Committee basically makes the rules for carrying out the Governor’s executive orders and makes the rules for carrying out decisions made by other government agencies. (2) (3)
Currently, there are a total of 77 committees in Illinois state government: three joint standing committees, 27 standing committees in the Illinois Senate and 47 standing committees in the Illinois House. (4) JCAR, also referred to as the Administrative Rules Committee, is one of the three joint committees. It was created in 1977 pursuant to the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act during the governorship of Republican Governor James R Thompson (Republican) and the presidency of George HW Bush. Other states also have Administrative Rules Committees. Illinois government agencies must adopt their entire rules in accordance with the rule-making procedures under this Act. (5) The Administrative Procedure Act can be found at link (6).
JCAR is an “oversight committee of the Illinois State Legislature authorized to conduct systematic reviews of administrative rules promulgated by State agencies. JCAR conducts several integrated review programs, including a review program for proposed, emergency and peremptory rulemaking, a review of new Public Acts and a complaint review program.” (7)
Illinois agencies must adopt their entire rules in accordance with the rule-making procedures under Administrative Procedure Act; JCAR then oversees compliance. “The joint committee undertakes studies and investigations concerning rule-making. It will conduct a systematic and continuing study of the rules and rulemaking process of all state agencies and will review the statutory authority on which an administrative rule is based. It will also evaluate the rules of every agency at least once in every five years.” (8)
Stated more simply, when any state agency makes a policy, the rules for implementing that policy must be in accordance with and approved by JCAR. Also, every executive order of the governor has to be quickly implemented by agencies. The executive order establishes the basic policy, but then an agency has to implement that policy through rules. JCAR drafts the rules.
Recent JCAR Activity
An example of JCAR’s role relates to the flurry of executive orders signed by Governor Pritzker since the COVID-19 pandemic began. For example, JCAR helped the Department of Public Health write rules to implement the governor’s executive order requiring individuals to wear face coverings indoors at any “business, service, facility or organization.” The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) re-filed a new COVID-19 Emergency Rule 690.50 on Tuesday, January 5th, extending its statewide restrictions and rules for another 150 days. At its meeting on January 12, JCAR had the authority to accept or reject/suspend the emergency rule. We are living with those accepted rules. Twelve members comprising JCAR rather than 174 members of Illinois legislative body ruled on the continuation of Covid restrictions.
A February 16th decision is to be made by JCAR that involves the “Culturally Responsive Teaching and Leading Standards.” In December, the Illinois State Board of Education, or ISBE, passed a new rule that would require “culturally responsive teaching and leading standards” to be incorporated in all Illinois teacher preparation programs. Critics of the proposed “Culturally Responsive Teaching and Leading Standards” have said they require educators to embrace left-leaning ideology and prioritize political and social activism in classrooms at a time when Illinois students are underperforming on basic skills tests. You can read the 52-page standards at link (9) These standards are even more egregious than those of California and Minnesota!
Unless JCAR votes to suspend the rule at its meeting February 16, these standards will apply to all Illinois professional educator licenses endorsed in teaching, school support personnel and administrative fields. The agency, the Illinois State Board of Education, formulated the rules; JCAR decides whether to approve or suspend the rules. As of this writing, it is believed only three of the twelve JCAR members have indicated they oppose the ISBE approved standards.
How Are Committee Members Chosen?
A review of how members of JCAR and members of the ISBE are appointed will illustrate the importance of understanding how the committee (JCAR) and agency (ISBE) function. Members of JCAR are chosen by the Governor. Current JCAR members are all from Cook County and surrounding counties except for LaSalle County, which, although it is not adjacent to Cook county, is included in the Chicago statistical area. JCAR is the only one of the three joint committees whose members are appointed by the governor. Members of the other two joint committees are chosen by the leadership of the House and Senate.
The 47 committees of the Illinois House of Representatives are assigned by the Speaker of the House and Minority Leader. The Speaker appoints the Chair, Vice-chair and remaining majority members while the Minority Leader appoints the minority members. Committees are assigned at the start of each term. (10) (Virtually no other state grants the types of powers to its legislative heads that Illinois grants to its Speaker. But that is for another article.)
The 27 committees of the Illinois State Senate are assigned by the President of the Senate and the Minority Leader. The President appoints the Chair, Vice-chair and remaining majority members, while the Minority Leader appoints the minority members. Committees are assigned at the start of each term. (11)
Illinois voters elect legislators who are to represent and to speak for their constituents. They are placed on committees where they consider the business of their assigned committee for the entire state. Either way, they are to be the voice of the citizens.
On the other hand, the Illinois State Board of Education consists of nine members who are appointed by the Governor with the consent of the Senate. Board members serve four-year terms, with membership limited to two consecutive terms. The Board appoints the State Superintendent of Education, who may be recommended by the Governor. The official site of the Board delineates their goals. (12)
Sifting through all this information reveals that the “Culturally Responsive Teaching and Leading Standards” formulated and approved by the Illinois State Board of Education and awaiting the approval of the rules for these standards by JCAR, are both in the hands of Governor Pritzker appointed agencies and committees. The Illinois legislature and the citizens of Illinois had little to no say in the matter at all. Now that it’s down to the wire, parents and citizens are making a concerted effort to convince JCAR to oppose the rules. Surely there is a better way to decide the educational standards for the children of Illinois than the process that has led to this immanent decision.
End Notes:
https://definitions.uslegal.com/j/Joint-Committee-Constitution/#:~:text=In%20the%20United%20States%2C%20a%20joint%20committee%20is,which%20are%20created%20to%20deal%20with%20specific%20issues
https://www.ilga.gov/commission/jcar/
news.wttw.com/sites/default/files/article/file (pdf download)
https://ballotpedia.org/List_of_committees_in_Illinois_state_government
https://administrativelaw.uslegal.com/administrative-procedure-acts/illinois/
https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs5.asp?ActID=83
https://ballotpedia.org/Administrative_Rules_Committee,_Illinois_General_Assembly
https://administrativelaw.uslegal.com/administrative-procedure-acts/illinois/
https://thenewamerican.com/illinois-teachers-told-to-adopt-progressive-ideology-or-be-fired/
https://ballotpedia.org/Mental_Health_Committee,_Illinois_House_of_Representatives
https://ballotpedia.org/Agriculture_Committee,_Illinois_State_Senate
www.isbe.net/Documents/ISBE-Strategic -Plan.pdf
By Joyce Geiler
JCAR will be making a big decision February 16 regarding education in Illinois. The committee has previously made big decisions regarding Covid restrictions in Illinois. JCAR, the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, is possibly the most powerful committee in Illinois government and until recently very few Illinois citizens actually knew anything about it. This article will explain what JACAR is and how its members are appointed and the impact that has.
A Joint Committee is a committee constituted of members of both houses of government that has jurisdiction over matters of common interest. Most joint committees are standing committees. Joint committees usually are established with limited jurisdictions and these committees do not have legislative powers. (1) The joint committee in Illinois known as JCAR is an obscure but powerful committee that has great input into Illinois government. The bipartisan 12-person committee, formed in 1977, consists of lawmakers appointed by the Governor from both the House and Senate. This Committee basically makes the rules for carrying out the Governor’s executive orders and makes the rules for carrying out decisions made by other government agencies. (2) (3)
Currently, there are a total of 77 committees in Illinois state government: three joint standing committees, 27 standing committees in the Illinois Senate and 47 standing committees in the Illinois House. (4) JCAR, also referred to as the Administrative Rules Committee, is one of the three joint committees. It was created in 1977 pursuant to the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act during the governorship of Republican Governor James R Thompson (Republican) and the presidency of George HW Bush. Other states also have Administrative Rules Committees. Illinois government agencies must adopt their entire rules in accordance with the rule-making procedures under this Act. (5) The Administrative Procedure Act can be found at link (6).
JCAR is an “oversight committee of the Illinois State Legislature authorized to conduct systematic reviews of administrative rules promulgated by State agencies. JCAR conducts several integrated review programs, including a review program for proposed, emergency and peremptory rulemaking, a review of new Public Acts and a complaint review program.” (7)
Illinois agencies must adopt their entire rules in accordance with the rule-making procedures under Administrative Procedure Act; JCAR then oversees compliance. “The joint committee undertakes studies and investigations concerning rule-making. It will conduct a systematic and continuing study of the rules and rulemaking process of all state agencies and will review the statutory authority on which an administrative rule is based. It will also evaluate the rules of every agency at least once in every five years.” (8)
Stated more simply, when any state agency makes a policy, the rules for implementing that policy must be in accordance with and approved by JCAR. Also, every executive order of the governor has to be quickly implemented by agencies. The executive order establishes the basic policy, but then an agency has to implement that policy through rules. JCAR drafts the rules.
Recent JCAR Activity
An example of JCAR’s role relates to the flurry of executive orders signed by Governor Pritzker since the COVID-19 pandemic began. For example, JCAR helped the Department of Public Health write rules to implement the governor’s executive order requiring individuals to wear face coverings indoors at any “business, service, facility or organization.” The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) re-filed a new COVID-19 Emergency Rule 690.50 on Tuesday, January 5th, extending its statewide restrictions and rules for another 150 days. At its meeting on January 12, JCAR had the authority to accept or reject/suspend the emergency rule. We are living with those accepted rules. Twelve members comprising JCAR rather than 174 members of Illinois legislative body ruled on the continuation of Covid restrictions.
A February 16th decision is to be made by JCAR that involves the “Culturally Responsive Teaching and Leading Standards.” In December, the Illinois State Board of Education, or ISBE, passed a new rule that would require “culturally responsive teaching and leading standards” to be incorporated in all Illinois teacher preparation programs. Critics of the proposed “Culturally Responsive Teaching and Leading Standards” have said they require educators to embrace left-leaning ideology and prioritize political and social activism in classrooms at a time when Illinois students are underperforming on basic skills tests. You can read the 52-page standards at link (9) These standards are even more egregious than those of California and Minnesota!
Unless JCAR votes to suspend the rule at its meeting February 16, these standards will apply to all Illinois professional educator licenses endorsed in teaching, school support personnel and administrative fields. The agency, the Illinois State Board of Education, formulated the rules; JCAR decides whether to approve or suspend the rules. As of this writing, it is believed only three of the twelve JCAR members have indicated they oppose the ISBE approved standards.
How Are Committee Members Chosen?
A review of how members of JCAR and members of the ISBE are appointed will illustrate the importance of understanding how the committee (JCAR) and agency (ISBE) function. Members of JCAR are chosen by the Governor. Current JCAR members are all from Cook County and surrounding counties except for LaSalle County, which, although it is not adjacent to Cook county, is included in the Chicago statistical area. JCAR is the only one of the three joint committees whose members are appointed by the governor. Members of the other two joint committees are chosen by the leadership of the House and Senate.
The 47 committees of the Illinois House of Representatives are assigned by the Speaker of the House and Minority Leader. The Speaker appoints the Chair, Vice-chair and remaining majority members while the Minority Leader appoints the minority members. Committees are assigned at the start of each term. (10) (Virtually no other state grants the types of powers to its legislative heads that Illinois grants to its Speaker. But that is for another article.)
The 27 committees of the Illinois State Senate are assigned by the President of the Senate and the Minority Leader. The President appoints the Chair, Vice-chair and remaining majority members, while the Minority Leader appoints the minority members. Committees are assigned at the start of each term. (11)
Illinois voters elect legislators who are to represent and to speak for their constituents. They are placed on committees where they consider the business of their assigned committee for the entire state. Either way, they are to be the voice of the citizens.
On the other hand, the Illinois State Board of Education consists of nine members who are appointed by the Governor with the consent of the Senate. Board members serve four-year terms, with membership limited to two consecutive terms. The Board appoints the State Superintendent of Education, who may be recommended by the Governor. The official site of the Board delineates their goals. (12)
Sifting through all this information reveals that the “Culturally Responsive Teaching and Leading Standards” formulated and approved by the Illinois State Board of Education and awaiting the approval of the rules for these standards by JCAR, are both in the hands of Governor Pritzker appointed agencies and committees. The Illinois legislature and the citizens of Illinois had little to no say in the matter at all. Now that it’s down to the wire, parents and citizens are making a concerted effort to convince JCAR to oppose the rules. Surely there is a better way to decide the educational standards for the children of Illinois than the process that has led to this immanent decision.
End Notes:
https://definitions.uslegal.com/j/Joint-Committee-Constitution/#:~:text=In%20the%20United%20States%2C%20a%20joint%20committee%20is,which%20are%20created%20to%20deal%20with%20specific%20issues
https://www.ilga.gov/commission/jcar/
news.wttw.com/sites/default/files/article/file (pdf download)
https://ballotpedia.org/List_of_committees_in_Illinois_state_government
https://administrativelaw.uslegal.com/administrative-procedure-acts/illinois/
https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs5.asp?ActID=83
https://ballotpedia.org/Administrative_Rules_Committee,_Illinois_General_Assembly
https://administrativelaw.uslegal.com/administrative-procedure-acts/illinois/
https://thenewamerican.com/illinois-teachers-told-to-adopt-progressive-ideology-or-be-fired/
https://ballotpedia.org/Mental_Health_Committee,_Illinois_House_of_Representatives
https://ballotpedia.org/Agriculture_Committee,_Illinois_State_Senate
www.isbe.net/Documents/ISBE-Strategic -Plan.pdf
District Map-Making in Illinois
by Joyce Geiler
The district map making in Illinois keeps changing to ensure current people stay in power. Every ten years, after the Federal census, Illinois district maps are redrawn to reflect the changing population. The process used by Illinois, however, has promoted the status quo and made it nearly impossible to change the political climate in Illinois even when the voters try.
Michael Madigan has been in the General Assembly for 44 years and has been Speaker of the House for all but two of those years since 1983. Some people propose term limits as a way to stop what almost seems like tyranny. A downstate Senator, Kyle McCarter, even limited his senatorial service to two terms in accordance with his promise. A Paul Simon Public Policy Institute survey showed respondents overwhelmingly favor term limits for members of the Illinois General Assembly. Nearly 80 percent favor some form of term limits for senators and representatives with 82 percent in favor of limiting the time lawmakers can serve in leadership positions.
However, a term limits effort backed by Bruce Rauner when he was campaigning for governor, contains a lot more than just limiting senators and representatives to eight years in office. It also would reduce the Illinois Senate from 59 to 43 members and increase House membership from 118 to 123. Also, the proposed amendment sought to raise the threshold for overriding a governor’s veto from the current three-fifths vote to two-thirds. Perhaps giving voters legislative districts that are not manipulated to the maximum benefit of the party that draws the map is a much more effective way to encourage better government.
Most people have no idea how the legislative district in which they live was created; who drew the boundaries for the Illinois House and Senate districts in which they reside? Legislative districts for the 177 members of the Illinois General Assembly are redrawn every 10 years after the U.S. census. Democrats controlled the map-drawing process in 1981, 2001, and 2011. Republicans drew the map in 1991. The only 2 years since 1983 that Rep. Michael Madigan was not Speaker of the House were January 1995 to January 1997, during the decade of the Republican-drawn map.
The creative redrawing of district maps has been called "gerrymandering". It's not a new concept. The term came into use in 1812, named after E. Gerry (Governor of Massachusetts whose party redistricted the state in 1812) + (sala)mander, from the fancied resemblance of Essex County, Massachusetts to this animal, after the redistricting.
Personality, individual ambition, and policy issues have often affected reapportionment (redistricting) debates. The final redistricting outcome in Illinois has usually been the result of three conflicting historic themes: territory vs. population, geography vs. party, and incumbent vs. challenger.
Territory vs. Population
The dramatic surge in Chicago and Cook County's population, which tripled its growth from 1870 to 1910, resulted in downstaters blocking any redistricting from 1901 to 1955 in spite of the fact that the 1870 constitution provided for it. Downstate legislators had successfully been in control even with their rural population. During that time an attempt to use population to determine House districts and territory to determine Senate districts was declared unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court. These days Chicago faces a similar conundrum as its population moves to the suburbs. In 1955, all sides worked toward successful reapportionment, successful in that it brought about no profound political changes in the state.
Geography vs. Party
From 1870 to 1980, cumulative voting was used to elect members of the state House of Representatives. In 1980, political activist, later Governor, Pat Quinn, advocated a campaign to reduce the number of representatives in the state house through the "Cutback Amendment" which reduced the size of the house by one-third and proposed the single member district system - previously districts could have more than one Representative. One result of the cutback in House members from 177 to 118 members was that it allowed political party leaders to consolidate power and influence who may run for the state assembly. The complicated, detailed history of the redistricting issue in Illinois can be found in the pdf Legislative Redistricting in Illinois: A Historical Analysis.
http://www.ilga.gov/commission/lru/Green.pdf
Incumbent vs. Challenger
Self-preservation is a strong human characteristic, especially among Illinois legislators. Creative cartography has no doubt preserved many an incumbent. The incumbent can chop up the opposing party’s geographic strongholds and stick them onto districts where voter affiliation favors his party. Even better, one can use his map-drawing power to exact vengeance on a troublesome lawmaker, whose home can be conveniently placed outside the district he or she represents.
How is Map-making Currently Determined?
Section 3 of the Illinois Constitutional Amendment adopted at general election Nov. 4, 1980, provides that Legislative Districts shall be compact, contiguous, and substantially equal in population. In the year following the Federal census, the General Assembly by law shall redistrict the Legislative Districts and the Representative Districts. If no redistricting plan becomes effective by June 30 of that year, a Legislative Redistricting Commission shall be constituted consisting of eight members, no more than four of whom can be of the same political party. Specifics are given for how the members are chosen. (No longer is the governor the one to choose members.) If the Commission fails to file a redistricting plan by August 10, the Supreme Court shall submit two names, not of the same party and by September 5, the Secretary of State shall publicly conduct a random draw from those two names for the name of the ninth person on the Commission, who effectively becomes the tie-breaker so that a redistricting plan can be submitted.
Of the five legislative maps drawn since the 1970 constitution went into effect, only two have not ended in a random name being drawn from a hat. The draw has been used in every opportunity except 1971- the first year the new state constitution was in effect - and in 2011, the only post-census year since 1970 that Democrats controlled the governorship, the Illinois House, and the Illinois Senate. In 1981, Republicans controlled the governor's office, the Illinois House, and were just one vote shy of controlling the Illinois Senate, they lost the map-drawing privilege by the luck of the draw. In 1991, the draw went to the Republicans.
The 1971 map was a true compromise between a Republican governor, a Republican House and a Democratic Senate. The 2011 map was drawn and approved by Democrats, who controlled both chambers and the governor’s office. In the three remaps in between, the parties went all-or-nothing, choosing luck of the draw over compromise. Lost in the process is the interest of the voters who live in the districts that result from this game.
"Yes for Independent Maps" has a proposal: an Illinois constitutional amendment that will change the way redistricting is done. The movement says it will make the process transparent, independent and nonpartisan. It will be a citizen-led commission, with no politicians, no bureaucrats and no people that get state contracts.
A few years ago, when California voted on a similar independent redistricting amendment, some voiced concerns that the commission would not reflect the diversity of the state. Those worries turned out to be unfounded. Eleven of the fourteen members of the California commission belonged to minority groups (four Asian Americans, three Latinos, two African Americans, one Pacific Islander, one American Indian). Yes for Independent Maps has included diversity provisions. To find out more about the Independent Map Amendment or to download a petition, go to
http://www.mapamendment.org/index.html Notarized petitions must be mailed by April 21, 2016.
Unless otherwise noted all material in this article can be located at rebootillinois.com
by Joyce Geiler
The district map making in Illinois keeps changing to ensure current people stay in power. Every ten years, after the Federal census, Illinois district maps are redrawn to reflect the changing population. The process used by Illinois, however, has promoted the status quo and made it nearly impossible to change the political climate in Illinois even when the voters try.
Michael Madigan has been in the General Assembly for 44 years and has been Speaker of the House for all but two of those years since 1983. Some people propose term limits as a way to stop what almost seems like tyranny. A downstate Senator, Kyle McCarter, even limited his senatorial service to two terms in accordance with his promise. A Paul Simon Public Policy Institute survey showed respondents overwhelmingly favor term limits for members of the Illinois General Assembly. Nearly 80 percent favor some form of term limits for senators and representatives with 82 percent in favor of limiting the time lawmakers can serve in leadership positions.
However, a term limits effort backed by Bruce Rauner when he was campaigning for governor, contains a lot more than just limiting senators and representatives to eight years in office. It also would reduce the Illinois Senate from 59 to 43 members and increase House membership from 118 to 123. Also, the proposed amendment sought to raise the threshold for overriding a governor’s veto from the current three-fifths vote to two-thirds. Perhaps giving voters legislative districts that are not manipulated to the maximum benefit of the party that draws the map is a much more effective way to encourage better government.
Most people have no idea how the legislative district in which they live was created; who drew the boundaries for the Illinois House and Senate districts in which they reside? Legislative districts for the 177 members of the Illinois General Assembly are redrawn every 10 years after the U.S. census. Democrats controlled the map-drawing process in 1981, 2001, and 2011. Republicans drew the map in 1991. The only 2 years since 1983 that Rep. Michael Madigan was not Speaker of the House were January 1995 to January 1997, during the decade of the Republican-drawn map.
The creative redrawing of district maps has been called "gerrymandering". It's not a new concept. The term came into use in 1812, named after E. Gerry (Governor of Massachusetts whose party redistricted the state in 1812) + (sala)mander, from the fancied resemblance of Essex County, Massachusetts to this animal, after the redistricting.
Personality, individual ambition, and policy issues have often affected reapportionment (redistricting) debates. The final redistricting outcome in Illinois has usually been the result of three conflicting historic themes: territory vs. population, geography vs. party, and incumbent vs. challenger.
Territory vs. Population
The dramatic surge in Chicago and Cook County's population, which tripled its growth from 1870 to 1910, resulted in downstaters blocking any redistricting from 1901 to 1955 in spite of the fact that the 1870 constitution provided for it. Downstate legislators had successfully been in control even with their rural population. During that time an attempt to use population to determine House districts and territory to determine Senate districts was declared unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court. These days Chicago faces a similar conundrum as its population moves to the suburbs. In 1955, all sides worked toward successful reapportionment, successful in that it brought about no profound political changes in the state.
Geography vs. Party
From 1870 to 1980, cumulative voting was used to elect members of the state House of Representatives. In 1980, political activist, later Governor, Pat Quinn, advocated a campaign to reduce the number of representatives in the state house through the "Cutback Amendment" which reduced the size of the house by one-third and proposed the single member district system - previously districts could have more than one Representative. One result of the cutback in House members from 177 to 118 members was that it allowed political party leaders to consolidate power and influence who may run for the state assembly. The complicated, detailed history of the redistricting issue in Illinois can be found in the pdf Legislative Redistricting in Illinois: A Historical Analysis.
http://www.ilga.gov/commission/lru/Green.pdf
Incumbent vs. Challenger
Self-preservation is a strong human characteristic, especially among Illinois legislators. Creative cartography has no doubt preserved many an incumbent. The incumbent can chop up the opposing party’s geographic strongholds and stick them onto districts where voter affiliation favors his party. Even better, one can use his map-drawing power to exact vengeance on a troublesome lawmaker, whose home can be conveniently placed outside the district he or she represents.
How is Map-making Currently Determined?
Section 3 of the Illinois Constitutional Amendment adopted at general election Nov. 4, 1980, provides that Legislative Districts shall be compact, contiguous, and substantially equal in population. In the year following the Federal census, the General Assembly by law shall redistrict the Legislative Districts and the Representative Districts. If no redistricting plan becomes effective by June 30 of that year, a Legislative Redistricting Commission shall be constituted consisting of eight members, no more than four of whom can be of the same political party. Specifics are given for how the members are chosen. (No longer is the governor the one to choose members.) If the Commission fails to file a redistricting plan by August 10, the Supreme Court shall submit two names, not of the same party and by September 5, the Secretary of State shall publicly conduct a random draw from those two names for the name of the ninth person on the Commission, who effectively becomes the tie-breaker so that a redistricting plan can be submitted.
Of the five legislative maps drawn since the 1970 constitution went into effect, only two have not ended in a random name being drawn from a hat. The draw has been used in every opportunity except 1971- the first year the new state constitution was in effect - and in 2011, the only post-census year since 1970 that Democrats controlled the governorship, the Illinois House, and the Illinois Senate. In 1981, Republicans controlled the governor's office, the Illinois House, and were just one vote shy of controlling the Illinois Senate, they lost the map-drawing privilege by the luck of the draw. In 1991, the draw went to the Republicans.
The 1971 map was a true compromise between a Republican governor, a Republican House and a Democratic Senate. The 2011 map was drawn and approved by Democrats, who controlled both chambers and the governor’s office. In the three remaps in between, the parties went all-or-nothing, choosing luck of the draw over compromise. Lost in the process is the interest of the voters who live in the districts that result from this game.
"Yes for Independent Maps" has a proposal: an Illinois constitutional amendment that will change the way redistricting is done. The movement says it will make the process transparent, independent and nonpartisan. It will be a citizen-led commission, with no politicians, no bureaucrats and no people that get state contracts.
A few years ago, when California voted on a similar independent redistricting amendment, some voiced concerns that the commission would not reflect the diversity of the state. Those worries turned out to be unfounded. Eleven of the fourteen members of the California commission belonged to minority groups (four Asian Americans, three Latinos, two African Americans, one Pacific Islander, one American Indian). Yes for Independent Maps has included diversity provisions. To find out more about the Independent Map Amendment or to download a petition, go to
http://www.mapamendment.org/index.html Notarized petitions must be mailed by April 21, 2016.
Unless otherwise noted all material in this article can be located at rebootillinois.com
