New GOP Leadership – 11.2022   Last night, both Republican legislative caucus’s elected new leaders: Rep. Tony McCombie in the House and Sen. John Curran in the Senate.  Please see below for bios of each.   Tony McCombie In a 31-8 vote at a caucus meeting last night, House Republicans selected Rep. Tony McCombie to be their new leader. McCombie will be the first female legislative leader in the House in state history. McCombie (R-Savanna) represents a northwestern Illinois district that runs along the Wisconsin and Iowa borders. First elected in 2016 after she defeated a Democratic incumbent, the next session of the ILGA will be her fourth term. McCombie previously considered running for the leadership position last cycle against outgoing leader Jim Durkin but ultimately chose not to. McCombie is an opinionated, conservative legislator who has never shied away from her beliefs in House floor debates. She is passionate about many issues including law enforcement and criminal justice. Born and raised in Savanna, Illinois, McCombie received a BA from Western Illinois University. She is currently a small businesswoman, operating Blue Appraisals and self-employed in the real estate industry as a broker with MelFoster Company. Formerly served as the Mayor of Savanna, IL and as a Savanna Councilwoman.    John Curran John Curran, R-Downers Grove, will be the Senate Minority Leader. First appointed in July 2017, Curran’s 41st Senate District includes western suburban areas like Downers Grove, Homer Glen, and Darien in parts of Cook, DuPage, and Will Counties. Curran is a former Vice-Chairman of the DuPage County Board and longtime prosecutor in the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. Prior to the General Assembly, he served as the Vice-Chairman of the DuPage County Board, and was a board member from 2008 to 2017. Following 19 years working as an Assistant State's Attorney in the Cook County State's Attorney's Office, Curran now works as an attorney at a private law firm in Oak Brook. He received his Juris Doctor Degree from Northern Illinois University College of Law and Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Curran and his wife, Sue, have four daughters and live in Downers Grove.   Media: McCombie: Illinois House Republicans Select Rep. Tony McCombie as New Leader – NBC Chicago, November 2022 After Rep. Jim Durkin announced that he would step down as the leader of the Illinois House Republicans, the party has chosen its new chair, tapping Rep. Tony McCombie for the position. McCombie, who will represent the 89th district in the new General Assembly, was one of the early favorites to ascend to the position, according to Politico, and she was voted into the office during a caucus meeting on Tuesday. “The House Republican Caucus is focused on helping Illinois families by offering common sense solutions to the many problems our state faces,” she said in a statement. “We will be a unified force that will grow our party by sticking to our core values and ending the corruption that has pervaded state government.”   GOP chooses new leadership in General Assembly as Dems retain control – Capitol News Illinois, November 2022 publicans chose new leadership for their caucuses in the Illinois General Assembly on Tuesday night, while the two Democratic leaders have each announced they have the votes to maintain their positions. House Republicans elected Tony McCombie of Savanna and Senate Republicans chose John Curran of Downers Grove. The change in leadership comes after Democrats maintained control of every statewide office and had strong gains in last week’s elections across the rest of state government, aside from in the state Senate.   Illinois Democrats unveil 'pro-law enforcement' package amid Republican criticism – State Journal-Register, April 2022 Republicans on Monday criticized the package, mostly because it failed to address their grievances with the broader criminal reform package passed last year, the Illinois Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today (SAFE-T) Act.  Rep. Tony McCombie, R-Savanna, attacked the package on the House floor Monday, asking questions about whether the package contains any provisions to strengthen electronic monitoring, gives judges guidelines about issuing warrants for certain types of criminals or unwinds the reforms to cash bail that were part of last year's criminal justice reform bill. “Not one of these bills that Representative Vella posed today, not one, addresses any of these issues,” McCombie said on the House floor Monday. McCombie received a round of applause from her Republican colleagues for her comments.   Illinois House of Representatives reopens to the public, masks still required – State Journal-Register, March 2022 Masks were the subject of heated debate in the House earlier this month. Several Republican lawmakers were removed from the House floor on Feb. 17 for refusing to put on a mask. Most of them continued to participate via Zoom. The House voted to remove nine members, though one, Rep. Tony McCombie, R-Savanna, stayed in the chamber for the rest of the day.  On Tuesday, the defiance continued and the House voted to remove three Republican lawmakers: Reps. Blaine Wilhour, R-Beecher City, Adam Niemerg, R-Dieterich, and Dan Caulkins, R-Decatur.    Lawmakers Mull Restoring Death Penalty To Deter Crime, But Critics Call It A ‘Proven Failure’ – Block Club Chicago, February 2022 In the wake of recent deaths of first responders in the line of duty, Illinois Republicans are pushing to reinstate the death penalty as a way to toughen punishment for people who intentionally kill police officers, firefighters or other public workers. Several Republican lawmakers have filed bills that would make the death penalty a possible sentence for people convicted in the first-degree murder of police officers, firefighters or case workers at the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). They argue partially reversing Illinois’ 2011 abolition of the death penalty could be a deterrent to stop people from killing first responders.   Curran: IL Sen. John Curran unanimously selected Senate GOP Leader – WGN, November 15, 2022llinois Senator John Curran (R-41st District) was selected as the new Senate Republican Leader on Tuesday.   The vote was unanimous. “I am humbled and honored to have the full support of my Senate Republican colleagues to serve as their new leader in the 103rd General Assembly,” Curran said. “We stand ready, with our focus directed toward the future, on developing solutions that will address the critical issues facing our state. We are equally dedicated to growing our ranks, which will give all Illinoisans greater representation and balance in their state government.”      State Senator John Curran: The SAFE-T Act does not maintain public safety – State Journal-Register, September 2022   Bipartisan committee rejects emergency mask rule for Illinois schools – WGN, February 2022 The top committee of Illinois state lawmakers rejected an attempt to refile the Department of Public Health’s COVID-19 emergency rules for schools Tuesday afternoon. “To me, it’s an irresponsible action of government to just essentially thumb your nose at another branch of government that has properly ruled,” said Sen. John Curran (R-Downers Grove). Curran said IDPH could’ve presented a rule giving due process rights to staff and parents who object to COVID-19 mitigations in schools.   Op-ed: To keep Chicago safe, law and order must be restored – Chicago Tribune, October 2021 Note: Joint Op-Ed by Durkin and Curran. With the dramatic rise in violent crime across Chicago, it is expected that we will continue to see Illinois Democrats try to paint a new reality of the harm they have done to citizens across our state. The leading criminal justice “reform” Democrats in Springfield are now trying to characterize their attempts to “defund police,” not as the cause of our current problems, but as the solution to the mess they created. Letitia Dewith-Anderson, J.D. Anderson Legislative Consulting, Ltd., President Legislative Consultant

Thursday evening Illinois State University hosted the first gubernatorial candidate debate between incumbent Gov J.B. Pritzker and State Sen Darren; the two candidates did, however, previously participate in a forum with the IL Associated Press Media Editors Association and the IL Agricultural Legislative Roundtable.

At the forefront of the debate were the pressing topics of crime and public safety. The candidates also discussed property taxes, inflation, infrastructure, abortion, education, and other issues impacting Illinoisians. 

Pritzker argued that he, in coordination with the Democratic party, made significant strides in addressing public safety concerns, specifically noting the SAFE-T Act provisions that are set to take effect Jan. 1, 2023, as compared those across the aisle. 

Pritzker accused Bailey and Republicans of “standing up for [a criminal justice system that] is one that allows murderers and rapists and domestic abusers to buy their way out of jail.”

Pritzker went on to argue that “[i]f you want to reduce crime, you got to solve crime, you got to do what I've done, which is to increase the number of state police, build state-of-the-art crime labs, make sure that we're funding violence prevention and youth summer jobs programs, and of course, funding mental health and substance abuse treatment,”  

Bailey countered Pritzker’s assertions and argued that the SAFE-T Act has several issues a result of a rushed process that did not include sufficient input from all within the criminal justice community. Bailey specifically highlighted opposition from states attorneys throughout the state and his support from the police. He also indicated that he would have supported bail reform for nonviolent criminals but believes the SAFE-T Act should be repealed in its entirety, because of the “revolving door” system it creates for the accused to avoid pretrial detention. 

Bailey also maintained that “we have everything we need within our laws and our agencies.” Referencing that he does not believe additional lawmaking is necessary; and would instead reprioritize allocations in the budget. He blamed Pritzker’s budgetary decisions for the state’s loss of large employers like Caterpillar and Tyson Foods.

Pritzker pointed to four consecutive balanced budgets, improved credit rating and financial standing for the state, and emphasized the important tax relief that came for families, property owners and consumers across the state. He went on to point out that while some companies have left the state, others, like Amazon, are making Illinois home. Pritzker also pointed to the growing number of small businesses.  

When discussing abortion legislation, Bailey indicated that “nothing is going to change” when he is governor and that his focus will be on crime, taxes and education.

Pritzker, however, would continue to protect the state’s current laws that allow women access to safe abortions and reproductive health care. He also highlighted signing the Reproductive Health Act into law in 2019 and warned that should Bailey take office this law could be in danger.

 On the topic of education, Pritzker referenced the “statewide brain drain” and his successful efforts to keep Illinois students in state for higher education, using the increase in MAP grants as one example. 

Bailey denounced the quality of education students in Illinois receive. 

“[As governor,] I’ll fire up the entire state board of education and Dr. Carmen Ayala. I'll make sure that we have local control. I'll make sure that my parents’ voices are heard. I'll fully fund schools on time every year and that will include instruction on trades and vocational skills. I will get rid of [critical race theory]. I'll get rid of the egregious gender curriculum that J.B. Pritzker has put in our schools. Unlike Governor Pritzker, I'll keep the schools open and I'll make sure that parents have choice,” he said.

Bailey closed the debate by calling Pritzker “dangerous.”  

“Friends, we're being crushed by property taxes, crime. We're being crushed by failed education. It's all because J.B. Pritzker is hell-bent on becoming the most radical leftist governor in America. I know that I may seem a little different than some of you. I’ve got to downstate twang and sometimes I get a little too passionate about what's going on in this state. But this man is dangerous,” he said. 

In his closing remarks, Pritzker defended his first term. 

 “I'm proud of what we've achieved over the last four years. We balanced the budget. We paid off all our state's overdue bills. We got six credit upgrades and provided $1.8 billion in gas grocery and property tax relief. We raised the minimum wage, protected a woman's right to choose, legalized cannabis, and got the biggest infrastructure bill passed in the history of the state of Illinois. I look forward to getting even more big things done for the people of our state,” Pritzker said. 

The second and final broadcast debate will be at 7 p.m. on Oct. 18 at WGN-TV’s studios in Chicago.

Allison Anderson Richard

Legislative Consultant

The following is the recent Adopted JCAR Rule on Police Cameras:

POLICE CAMERAS

The LAW ENFORCEMENT

TRAINING STANDARDS BOARD repealed the Part titled Surcharge Fund Financial Assistance (20 IAC 1700; 46 Ill Reg 6196) and adopted a new Part titled Law Enforcement Camera Grant Act (20 IAC 1705; 46 Ill Reg 6202), both effective 6/23/22, revising its rules for grants to law enforcement agencies to purchase in-car and body cameras and train officers in

their use. The new Part includes criteria for eligibility, a description of the application process,

procedures that LETSB will follow in awarding grants, and conditions for complying with the grant program. Agencies applying for grants must be registered in the State’s Grantee Portal, be qualified under the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act, comply with statutory reporting requirements for in-car and body cameras, and have all officers in the agency compliant with LETSB training requirements. Grant funding may be sought for anticipated camera purchases or to cover the cost of purchases already completed. Factors that

LETSB will consider in awarding grants include the size of the police department and the number of cameras already available; the crime rate and household income

of the community; the number of traffic accidents, including the number of alcohol and drug related accidents, in the community; and whether or not an applying municipality received

revenue from red-light or speed enforcement cameras in the previous 3 years. Model policies

for utilizing the awarded cameras are also included in the new Part. Municipal, county and university law enforcement agencies seeking camera grants are affected by these rulemakings.

Questions/requests for copies of the 2 LETSB rulemakings: 

John R. Keigher, Illinois Law

Enforcement Training Standards

Board, 4500 S. 6th Street Road,

Springfield, IL 62704, 217/782-

4540.

Letitia Dewith-Anderson, J.D.

Anderson Legislative Consulting, Ltd., President

50 ILCS 705 - Illinois Police Training Act.

HB5496

WORD CHANGE: ACCIDENT TO CRASH (Weber, T) Amends various Acts by replacing the term "accident", in relation to automobiles, motor vehicles, and traffic accidents, with the term "crash". Provides that a State agency may exhaust any forms or documents using "accident" prior to printing copies of a new version using "crash". Effective immediately. Bill Version: Public Act ILCS Section(s) Affected: 50 ILCS 705/7; To see the Public Act go up to the Bill Version: Public Act and tap Public Act.

Letitia Dewith-Anderson, J.D.

Anderson Legislative Consulting, Ltd., President

Legislative Consultant

Today (Thursday), Gov. Pritzker signed legislation extending the pension buyout program. The legislation is intended to create additional options for state retirees as well as reduce the state’s liabilities.

By signing HB4292 (Morgan), the pension buyout program is extended through June 30, 2026 with $1 billion available for buyouts. Proponents of the bill have indicated that it will allow retirees to receive payments at a faster rate while simul reducing their annual cost of living adjustments, thereby allowing retirees to access their pension funds sooner than expected. Prior to Hb4292, the program was scheduled to conclude in 2024.

 

Notably, Senate sponsor of the bill Sen. Robert Martwick (D-Chicago) publicly thanked Rep. Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield) for his cooperation and bipartisan approach to working on the bill with him. Rep. Batinick has announced he will be retiring at the end of the 102nd General Assembly. 

Please see below Press Release issued by Gov Pritzker.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, May 5, 2022

CONTACT
GovernorsOffice@illinois.gov

Governor Pritzker Lowers Pension Liabilities Through Extended Buyout Opportunities, Additional Payments

The extended buyout option will result in further liability reduction and interest savings for taxpayers

Springfield—Governor JB Pritzker today signed House Bill 4292 into law, extending the pension buyout option for state employees to 2026. The bill authorizes $1 billion in additional general obligation bond funding to extend the buyout program. This action was another important step in the Governor’s mission to ensure fiscal responsibility and reduce overall liability costs placed on taxpayers and follows the inclusion of an additional $500 million contribution to the retirement systems above certified amounts across FY2022 and FY2023. 

“Responsible fiscal management means taking every action possible to address our pension obligations while honoring promises made to current and retired workers – promises made by governors and legislators on both sides of the aisle,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “The expansion of this bipartisan pension buyout program builds on Democrats’ work this session to save taxpayers nearly $2 billion in pension liabilities by paying down our pension debt in advance.” 

"The COLA buyout program is a win-win for the state's finances and our retirees," said State Representative Bob Morgan (D-Highwood). "I'm proud of this bipartisan effort that frees up nearly $100 million in our Budget annually to address much-needed investments in education and human services."

“I’m happy to see this bipartisan solution to address our state’s pension liability is being extended,” said Representative Mark Batinick (R-Oswego). “I have been working on this plan for years and am pleased to see it has been effective for our state. This is one of the ideas I am most proud of and it’s great that it will continue to help Illinoisans further into the future.”

“When legislators of both parties can come together on a plan to save taxpayers money by reducing the state’s pension shortfall, this is an occasion to celebrate,” said Illinois State Comptroller Susana A. Mendoza. “This is yet another example – along with a billion dollars for the Rainy Day Fund and half-a-billion in additional pension payments – that show Illinois is saving, not spending, and earning credit upgrades.”

“The savings generated by the pension buyout program is big point of pride for me,” said Illinois Senator Robert Martwick (D-Chicago). “When this idea was formed by myself and Rep. Batinick, we put aside our different ideas on partisan issues, and worked together to find a bi-partisan solution for the state’s most persistent and crippling financial problem. When Democrats and Republicans work together on these core financial issues, every Illinoisan benefits.”

“This bill is part of a commonsense solution to help us meet our pension obligations and reduce our unfunded liability, and I'm glad to see it signed into law today. I hope Illinoisans see this as another sign that we are putting our state back on the path of fiscal responsibility and making real progress for our residents." -State Representative Margaret Croke (D-Chicago).

“By providing an additional $1 billion of State Pension Obligation Acceleration Bonds, we’re reducing long-term pension liabilities and furthering our state’s commitment to fiscal responsibility,” said State Representative Sue Scherer (D-Decatur). “This is an important piece of legislation that not only benefits the state, but also benefits state employees who have more of an opportunity to receive accelerated pension benefits.”

State employees will now have the opportunity to opt for a pension buyout for an additional two years, through June 30, 2026. $1 billion in bond authorization was approved to fund these buyouts. Previously the buyouts were offered only through June of 2024.

 Governor Pritzker’s FY2023 budget authorized an extra $500 million payment to the state pension fund beyond the required annual contribution to reduce overall pension liabilities. The additional payment will save taxpayers an estimated $1.8 billion.

During Governor Pritzker’s time in office, the state of Illinois has received three credit rating upgrades after two decades of stagnation and decline. Credit agencies have credited the upgrades to Governor Pritzker’s administration’s efforts towards reducing debt, managing pension contributions, and monitoring long-term liability burden. 

The bipartisan expansion of the buyout option honors the commitments made to state employees while giving them the flexibility to spend pension dollars when needed. State employees, downstate teachers, and university employees who meet certain eligibility requirements at retirement may opt for an accelerated pension benefit payment in exchange for forfeiting a portion of future cost-of-living increases on retirement benefits. Over 4,500 state and university employees and teachers have already opted for the buyout. 

Allison Richard

Legislative Consultant

Today, Illinois Democratic leaders have reached a deal on the FY23 budget, which will include $1.83 billion in largely temporary tax relief, $1 billion for the state’s rainy-day fund, and an additional $200 million in payments for pension obligations. Click HERE for the proposed agreed FY23 budget outline. The press release is silent on the matter of the Local Government Distributive Fund.

A joint press conference was held this afternoon. Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park), and House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Westchester) detailed their agreement, which includes many of the provisions proposed by both the House and Senate earlier this week.

“Over the last few weeks, and especially over the last 48 hours, we engaged in a true give-and-take, which led to genuine compromise. It honestly helped that we all came into this process, committed to a fiscally responsible spending plan that improved our state's finances and help our people in an hour of genuine need. I'm not sure how far back in Illinois contentious budget making history you would have to go to find a process and a product quite as good as this one,” Pritzker said.

The final budget bill will include the following:

 - A one year suspension of the sales tax on groceries.

 - A six-month freeze on the motor fuel tax.

 - A $300 property tax rebate for homeowners.

 - A permanent expansion of the earned income tax credit.

 - Income tax rebates amounting to $50 per individual and $100 per dependents (up to $300).

 - A back-to-school sales tax holiday amounting to $50 million in taxpayer savings.

 

“This is a great budget that reflects the needs and priorities of the people of this great state. We've gone through some unique times and together the last couple of years. It's perhaps fitting that we have a unique budget. That is the result of working together like never before,” said Harmon.

Welch said that he hopes for Republican support of the bill.

“It's totally up to them. But they have certainly been a part of a very accessible and transparent process that has taken place and we're proud of where we are and where we're going to continue to go,” Welch said.

A bill number has not yet been assigned but Harmon said he expects the bill to be passed Friday.  We are expecting it to be HB 900 but will report it as soon as it is announced.

In response to the budget announcement Senate Republican Leader Dan McConchie released the following statement:

“What is most unfortunate about the Democrats’ budget plan is we have an opportunity right now to provide permanent tax relief for the people of Illinois, yet instead, the Democrats are choosing to provide one-time checks and other temporary relief just before the election which expires right after the election. Additionally, we are significantly increasing government spending. Evidently, they think they know how to better spend your money better than you do.”

Taylor Anderson

At a press conference Monday, Democrats spoke about how law enforcement officers are too often incentivized to retire rather than stay on the force and train new recruits. 

They’re proposing legislation that would keep older, more experienced officers on the team, both building relationships with the communities they serve and helping new officers start their careers. 

HB1568 (Vella) is legislation that came out of the General Assembly’s public safety working group that would both incentivize police training at Illinois community colleges, but also help retain talent that can pass their experience onto younger officers, helping alleviate the “brain drain” that many departments are facing.

“We don't want people to leave, we want them to stay with all the new people who'll be coming in, through our community colleges. We don't want a brain drain. We want officers to stay and train these young officers,” said Rep. Dave Vella (D-Loves Park).

HB4228 (Hoffman) would require that sheriff salaries be at least equal to 80 percent of county state’s attorney salaries. Sponsors said that there are too often vast discrepancies between law enforcement and professional pay in parts of the state. 

“Every minute of every day, policemen and women work to protect us. They catch criminals, they break down their networks, and ensure justice is served against those who violate the law. And they continue to keep order in our communities. It's the job they signed up for,” said Sen. Rachelle Crowe (D-Maryville).

HB3893 (Lilly) would “extend a sunset date to allow investigators to continue recording conversations for qualified sex or drug offenses from January 1 to 2023 until January 1 2027,” according to Sen. Scott Bennett (D-Champaign). HB4608 (Delgado) “would allow for video retention for evidentiary value and allow grant funds to be used for data storage costs.” HB4364 (Tarver) would allow the Illinois Department of Human Services to provide grant funding to county jail programs to help address substance abuse among the incarcerated. 

“There are very few jobs that take such a heavy toll on one's mental health than being a first responder. Add to it a really significant stigma overall that we are dealing with in this country related to mental health, and I would say that that stigma is even more intense when it comes to first responders and law enforcement,” said Rep. Lindsey LaPointe (D-Chicago).

HB1321 (LaPointe) would create a grant program to help support behavioral health services to first responders like police and EMS workers. 

“Mental health has to continue to be a priority for everyone in Illinois, but particularly for first responders who have faced barriers over the years. It has to continue to be a priority. We've overlooked this for too long. At this critical moment, if we give it the attention it deserves, I know that we can help officers, firefighters, and law enforcement officers all around the state achieve a much higher quality of life,” LaPointe said. 

Jim Kaitschuk, executive director of the Illinois Sheriffs’ Association, said he supported the democrats’ proposals. 

“Our statewide average for vacancies right now is approximately 20%. This includes dispatchers, correctional officers, deputies, officers and sheriffs. This past year alone we've lost 18 sheriffs. Demands and expectations on law enforcement continued to increase. Unfortunately, the funding to support these new demands has not always coincided with those new responsibilities. These proposals will certainly assist us in recognizing the importance of the roles and provide them with some much needed support,” he said.

Allison Richard

Legislative Consultant

Three Republicans Walk-Out as Leaders Urge Civility in House Mask Controversy

Just three Republican members were escorted out of the Illinois House of Representatives chambers Tuesday afternoon after refusing to follow House rules requiring masks be worn for COVID-19 safety. 

Reps. Blaine Wilhour (R-Effingham), Adam Niemerg (R-Teutopolis), and Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur) continued a protest against the rule that began last week, when 9 members protested masking while in the chamber and were asked to leave and/or participate remotely. 

At the beginning of Tuesday’s session, Reps. Lakesia Collins (D-Springfield) and Steve Reick (R-Woodstock) both apologized for their on-floor arguments on Thursday Feb. 17 that spilled into a tense interaction between two following session.

Earlier Tuesday, House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Westchester) and Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R-Burr Ridge) met privately to discuss the conflict. Both encouraged civility and restraint in remarks on the floor Tuesday. 

“Last week I made a statement on the floor about how we need to take the temperature down. And as I process what happened with Representative Reick and Collins, I stand by what I said. Sometimes we forget that we represent 13 million Illinoisans. They look up to us. They want us to solve problems that they have, their family has, … When I think about that, I think that we have much more in common than you really think. We all have different backgrounds, we were raised differently in different parts of the state. We have different vocations, but at the end of the day, I know full well one thing that is the most important thing is that we all love the state of Illinois. That’s why we’re here,” Durkin said.

“With the statements that you’ve already heard from Leader Durkin, Rep. Collins and Rep. Reick, I think it’s clear we want to put all of this behind us and get serious about the work ahead of us these next seven weeks. I think it’s also important to note that as leader Durkin mentioned last week, it was very clear when he said this. The rules are the rules. Those rules are in place for a reason. You may not agree with them in your life outside of this chamber. But these rules were approved by a majority of this chamber. They’re the house rules adopted by us, consistent of our powers granted in the state constitution. We should follow the rules and lead by example,” Welch said.

“We have a few weeks left here. We can’t afford a COVID 19 outbreak amongst ourselves and our staff. More importantly, we have colleagues in this body who have children or family members who are immunocompromised. Let’s do our part to make sure we can all go home see to see our loved ones.”

Pritzker Endorses Anna Valencia for Secretary of State

Gov. J.B. Pritzker Tuesday threw his support behind Secretary of State candidate Anna Valencia.

Valencia, the current City Clerk of Chicago, has also been endorsed by outgoing Secretary of State Jesse White, as well as U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth.  

“I am proud to join Jesse White and Senators Durbin and Duckworth and many others in endorsing Anna Valencia for Secretary of State. Anna is a capable leader with a proven record of success, and she represents the bright future of the Democratic party. In this Democratic primary for Secretary of State we are lucky to have three capable candidates. However, I believe Anna is the best choice. I am thrilled to support her history-making candidacy to be the first woman and first Latina to serve as Illinois Secretary of State,” Pritzker said in a statement.

“I am grateful for Governor Pritzker’s endorsement, which adds to the growing momentum around our campaign,” Valencia said in a statement. “Governor Pritzker has fought for working families like the one I grew up in, advocated for our women and girls, helped me reform our fines and fees system and notched big wins in Springfield that are making a difference in the lives of Illinoisans. I look forward to joining the Governor on the ballot this fall, rallying our diverse coalition of voters and partnering with him as Secretary of State to fight for all Illinoisans.”

Valencia will face former Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias in the June primary for the Democratic nomination. Giannoulias still holds a significant fundraising lead over Valencia. 

DeVore Announces Run for Attorney General

The downstate Illinois attorney spearheading many of the legal challenges to the state’s COVID-19 safety measures announced a run for Attorney General Tuesday. 

Tom DeVore, who most recently won the decision overturning Gov. J.B. Pritzker requirement that masks be worn in schools, has represented several Republican legislators in their efforts to overturn COVID-19 safety mitigations including Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Louisville) and Rep. Blaine Wilhour (R-Effingham).  

DeVore announced his intent to run in a video livestream on his Facebook page, saying he was reluctant to run.

“I’m one of the most non-political people that most of my friends have ever met. I don’t care for politics for much. I don’t like politicians. …. I have no desire to be a politician,” DeVore said. “I have always just wanted to help people.”

“For nearly two years, Tom DeVore has used the pandemic as his personal publicity tour, filing countless absurd and frivolous lawsuits in an attempt to grab headlines, enrich himself, and undermine our state’s public health apparatus. Now, DeVore wants to take his circus act statewide, running for Attorney General in a pathetic gambit to extend his 15 minutes of fame and further gin up his followers against the local leaders who are working to protect the public. Sadly, the Illinois Republican Party has seemingly abandoned any shred of decency, inviting extremists like DeVore to the forefront. Illinois voters want sensible, honest, reasonable leadership from their elected officials, and there is no better example than Kwame Raoul,” Democratic Party of Illinois Executive Director Abby Witt responded in a statement.

Allison Richard

Legislative Consultant

Illinois Republicans are again calling for the repeal of recent changes to the state’s felony murder law following two incidents this week in which Cook County prosecutors chose not to push charges, citing changes to the statute. 

On Wednesday, Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney James Murphy said that the law prevented him from charging 22-year-old Tayvon Powe with first-degree murder. On Tuesday, a Cook County grand jury similarly opted to not indict a man who shot and killed a bystander in an altercation. 

The sweeping criminal justice reform package, the 2021 Illinois Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today (SAFE-T) Act, 101-HB3653 (Slaughter) was crafted by the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus and signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker in Feb. 2021. In addition to moving the state away from a cash bail system and requiring all law enforcement to use body cameras, the law narrowed the definition of who can be charged with felony murder, which in Illinois comes with a minimum sentence of 20 years. 

According to Restore Justice Illinois “before the SAFE-T Act, Illinois had one of the broadest felony murder laws in the country. People were charged with first-degree murder when a police officer, store owner, or other third party killed someone. Some states don’t have felony murder laws, and in the majority of those that do, people can only be held accountable for deaths they or their co-defendants cause. The SAFE-T Act moved Illinois into that category.

Under the current law, a person can be charged with murder when they or their co-defendant directly cause the death but not when a third party kills someone.”

In a Tuesday press conference calling for a repeal of the change, House Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R-Burr Ridge) reiterated that the law needs to be repealed and claimed it was allowing criminals to run free without fear of repercussions.  

“Changes to the felony murder law, pushed by delusional demagogues of the defund the police movement, have created a consequence-free environment for criminals in Illinois. … Most everyone in the state besides the Democrats who passed this law knew there were going to be horrific real-world consequences created by these poorly thought-out changes. People will be hurt, and now we are seeing it firsthand,” Durkin said Tuesday. 

Following the second incident Wednesday, Illinois Republican Party Chairman Don Tracy released a statement. 

“As violent crime surges across Chicago and bleeds into surrounding communities, we are now seeing the direct consequences of a Governor who prioritizes criminals over the safety of law-abiding Illinoisans. With each turn of the page, the SAFE-T Act reveals another way laws have been changed to give the advantage to criminals and make the job of protecting the public that much harder for law enforcement. We need to repeal the pro-criminal, anti-police SAFE-T Act immediately and elect a Governor who will make our communities safe again,” Tracy said in a statement. 

Allison F. Richard

Legislative Consultant

HB3389

POLICE TRAIN-UNFUNDED MANDATES (Weber, T) Amends the State Police Act. Provides that notwithstanding any other provision of law, on and after the effective date of the amendatory Act, any State mandate regarding the matter of the training of Illinois State Police Officers that necessitates additional expenditures from the Illinois State Police or any State agency shall be void and unenforceable unless the General Assembly makes necessary appropriations to implement that training mandate. Provides that the failure of the General Assembly to make necessary appropriations shall relieve the Illinois State Police or State agency from the obligation to implement any State mandate. Amends the Illinois Police Training Act. Provides that notwithstanding any other provision of law, on and after the effective date of the amendatory Act, any State mandate regarding the matter of the training of law enforcement officers that necessitates additional expenditures from the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board, the Illinois State Police, or any State or local law enforcement agency or unit of local government shall be void and unenforceable unless the General Assembly makes necessary appropriations to implement that training mandate. Provides that the failure of the General Assembly to make necessary appropriations shall relieve the law enforcement agency, State agency, or unit of local government of the obligation to implement any State mandate.

2/1/2022 - House Judiciary - Criminal

Letitia Dewith-Anderson, J.D.

Anderson Legislative Consulting, Ltd., President

Legislative Consultant