Capital Facts

Unemployment delays causing political backlash

Published by admin on Fri, 07/03/2020 - 9:22am

Months after the nation's economy crashed and millions were (and continue to be) put out of work, a large group of Illinois House Democrats is still quite upset at the way Gov. JB Pritzker's administration is handling unemployment insurance claims.
But the Pritzker administration is refusing to bend on their most important demands, saying the governor will not move selected constituents to the "front of the line" ahead of others, which created a backlash within his own party.

Ads attacking Gov. Pritzker are a bit of a stretch

Published by admin on Sun, 06/28/2020 - 3:32pm

Illinois Rising Action, a dark money super PAC, is running a TV ad against Gov. JB Pritzker. The group is reportedly putting $1 million behind the spot on both cable and broadcast over two weeks.
Called "Failed," the ad heaps criticism on the governor for the toilet scandal, increased gas taxes, increased taxes on cars and allegedly giving a "huge" pay raise "to his politician buddies." It also goes after his administration's response to massive unemployment.
The ad is appearing on broadcast and cable TV in Chicago, Champaign/Springfield and in Paducah, Kentucky.

Campaigning now may not be worth COVID risk

Published by admin on Sun, 06/21/2020 - 10:07am

As Illinois slowly begins the reopening process, some state legislators have decided to start hosting in-person fundraisers.
For the past few months, most legislative incumbents and challengers have abandoned fundraising. The global pandemic accompanied by an international economic crash made the idea of raising campaign money seem crass, inappropriate and even dangerous.

First we must listen, then take action on racism

Published by admin on Mon, 06/08/2020 - 9:23am

Organizers of a Black Lives Matter protest in Anna, IL figured 10 people might show up for their event on June 4th. The organizers endured threats of violence for days leading up to the rally.
Hey, this is Anna we're talking about here. Excuse my bluntness, but they don't call Anna "Ain't No N------ Allowed" for nothing. Anyone who knows even a tiny bit about southern Illinois and race history knows that Anna is Illinois' most infamous "sundown town." To this day, some residents still wear that moniker as a badge of honor.

Gov. Pritzker backtracks on contact tracing

Published by admin on Sun, 05/31/2020 - 10:52am

According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, in the period just prior to and just after Gov. JB Pritzker issued his first stay-at-home order in March, houses of worship in Illinois experienced 13 COVID-19 outbreaks, resulting in 88 cases.
Since then, Illinois has seen no such outbreaks until one was revealed last week. IDPH told me of a very recent church-related outbreak of 39 cases, including the pastor.

Lawmaking without the public is not good

Published by admin on Mon, 05/25/2020 - 3:51pm

Last winter, a buddy of mine asked me if I thought I could cover state legislative sessions from a remote, perhaps warmer, location.
I've been writing about Illinois politics and government for 30 years. Like many of my more experienced colleagues, I've developed an extensive list of sources and contacts that I can reach out to. I can also watch General Assembly floor debates and many committee hearings on the Internet.
So, after pondering the question for a bit, I said I might be able to do it for three years.

Pritzker’s reopening plan too complicated to like

Published by admin on Sun, 05/17/2020 - 3:40pm

For many weeks after the ˙beginning of this COVID-19 crisis, Gov. JB Pritzker proved adept at telegraphing his every move.

If it’s not the virus, it’s lawsuits

Published by admin on Tue, 05/12/2020 - 12:24pm

Gov. JB Pritzker has repeatedly said he's delegating enforcement of his stay at home order to local governments.
That stance has frustrated some folks who want him to get tougher with violators (although he'd undoubtedly risk making martyrs out of them if he did crack down hard). And the governor's position seems to have emboldened some local officials to defy the governor's order and open up their economies on their own.
But when local governments refuse to enforce his executive order, it appears that trial lawyers may step in and insurance companies might take a walk.

Strong approval for governor’s handling of pandemic

Published by admin on Mon, 05/04/2020 - 8:52am

A recent poll shows Illinoisans strongly approve of Gov. JB Pritzker's handling of the COVID-19 outbreak in Illinois and an even higher number supports his stay-at-home order.
The We Ask America/Capitol Fax poll of 800 registered voters taken April 23-24 found that 71 percent approve of Pritzker's handling of the state's response to the outbreak, while just 23 percent disapprove.

COVID-19 bringing out the good and bad of reporters

Published by admin on Mon, 04/27/2020 - 8:44am

The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prevents government intrusion on journalists' rights to tell their stories and your rights to read or watch or listen to them.
But that means things can get messy. Some reporters can make everyone else look bad.
"There are no bad questions," is something I learned growing up. But after doing this job for a number of years, I'm here to tell you that, yes, there are bad questions.