Stephen Dolder was among dozens from the Illinois Association for Health & Physical Education who were in Springfield today pushing successfully for legislation, SB 3374 sponsored by State Senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora), that would update Illinois' physical development standards.
(Chicago, IL) – Transparency for Everyone – At an Illinois Senate Executive Committee hearing today, State Senator Martin Sandoval’s plan to subject Illinois non-profits who receive state money to the state’s Freedom of Information Act unleashed a storm of opposition from, unsurprisingly, non-profits. Among them at the hearing was the influential Donors Forum of Chicago. Some deep-pocketed do-gooder folks are seriously annoyed.
Their anger has been compounded by Sandoval’s refusal to meet with non-profit groups to discuss the legislation, SB 3773. The Illinois Press Association supports the bill, but its representative at today’s committee hearing was a reluctant warrior, according to sources.
The measure, which is also sponsored by Senators Steve Landek (D-Bridgeview) and Susan Garret (D-Lake Forest), comes on the heals of the $18 million scandal at DCFS in which a non-profit contractor, George Smith, allegedly bilked multiple state agencies for services that were never delivered.
Sandoval got the bill’s approval deadline extended beyond the Senate’s committee current deadline which is now on Thursday, March 8 because the Senate canceled Friday session. This fight could drag out through the spring session.
The powerful ABATE group was lobbying in Springfield today against their long-time foe, mandatory motorcycle helmet for 26 and under legislation, HB 285, which is being sponsored by Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago).
Follow the Money – Chicago Democratic State Senator Annazette Collins’ fight to hold on to her job just got harder. Her opponent ex-Chicago mayoral candidate Patricia Van Pelt-Watkins, reported contributions of $75,000 on Wednesday at 10:01 p.m., of which $73,000 came from her own purse… appointed State Rep. Kent Gaffney (R-Lake Barrington), who’s being outspent by David McSweeney in a three-way primary, which includes Danielle Rowe, reported $4,000 on Wednesday night.
Savoring a Lead – A new poll by House Democratic candidate Silvana Tabares (D-Chicago) has her leading opponent Rudy Lozano (D-Chicago) 37-33. Tabares’ team is feeling ever so confident while it’s savoring the next mail piece that is about to land on Lozano like a brick.
Don’t Quote Me – Rumor and gossip that’s not quite fit to print, but, what the heck, we’re including it anyway because we’re sure you’ll find it as titillating as we do… Truce – Illinois trial lawyers and Illinois nursing homes avoided a big fight over an innocuous piece of legislation, House Bill 5823, sponsored by State Rep. André Thapedi (D-Chicago), involving health care bill liens. The trial lawyers agreed to remove nursing homes from the bill. The measure today passed the House Civil Law Committee 7-3… Nursing Home Rule Delayed or Defeated? The Joint Administrative Rules Committee may have technically delayed on Tuesday the imposition of the rule that requires 20% all nursing home care be provided by registered nurses, but rule advocates may now lack the committee votes to overturn the decision on April 17, sources say… Snake Eyes – Gaming expansion talks are grinding to a halt and the casinos are wearing the jacket. A veto session option is now mixed in the chatter.
Tomorrow’s News – Just What Do You Do? WBEZ’s political reporter Sam Hudzick is working on a story targeting the work habits of commissioners and board members populating the state’s best paid panels… You Want What? The Illinois State Board of Education was hit by a subpoena on November 16, 2011 from the Illinois Northern District U.S. Attorney’s Office for records for three Cicero-based child care organizations, including ABC Cicero Kids, located at the same Cicero address, demanding that the information be turned on November 29. Stay tuned.
What’s a Work Day? – Up, Up and Away – For Governor Pat Quinn, he will be chatting about construction projects at the Rockford International Airport at 2:15 p.m.
Work, Work, Work – For the Illinois General Assembly, lawmakers will be passing, amending, and killing legislation in Springfield as the Friday committee deadline approaches.
Summit in a Box – For Mayor Rahm Emanuel, he will be hosting the 2012 Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development Sustainable Cities conference at the Chicago Cultural Center, starting at 9:00 a.m. Joining Emanuel will be New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and U.S. Department of Housing and Economic Development Secretary Shaun Donovan.
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