AP: Black caucus members focus on Chicago gun violence

Will the Congressional Black Caucus provide leadership on this issue? What do you think?

Provoked by continued gun deaths and shootings in Chicago, several members of the Congressional Black Caucus said Thursday they would gather in the city for an "emergency" summit on urban violence.

Illinois Democrat Bobby Rush said in a news conference at the Capitol that the intent is to bring together national and local minds to address the causes of shootings that have become a focus of the national gun debate.

But Rush said participants also will look beyond Chicago to other urban centers besieged by gun violence. The announcement comes after a Fourth of July weekend in which 11 people were shot to death in Chicago and several dozen more were wounded.

The members say they will hold the summit on the Chicago State University campus on July 25 and 26 and the event is open to the public.

"We must not stand silent in the wake of all this this violence that occurs not only in Chicago, but in every major urban area in this nation," Rush said.

Sarah Hamilton, spokeswoman for Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, did not know if an invitation had been extended yet to Emanuel to participate.

Burris headlines

Time to Hold Roland Burris Accountable - Arlene Jones

Democrats reject quick action on bill aimed at Burris - AP

Legislation that could force Sen. Roland Burris out of office is stirring up controversy at the Illinois Capitol.

The measure would change the law under which Burris was appointed to the Senate. It would end his temporary term and require a special election to fill the seat.
...
Critics say a move to cut short Burris' term might be unconstitutional. But Attorney General Lisa Madigan has issued an opinion saying the change would be legal.

A Modest Proposal to Solve the Burris Problem - The New Republic

How to get rid of Roland Burris in the U.S. Senate - WGN-TV

Quinn: 'time is fast approaching' for Burris to step down - Clout St.

Burris gets support from Chicago's black caucus - AP

Sixth Ward Alderman Freddrenna (fred-REHN'-uh) Lyle says calls for Burris' resignation are unfair because white politicians have not been similarly targeted after accusations of wrongdoing.

Council's black caucus on Burris: Back off - Sun-Times

Ald. Freddrenna Lyle (6th), city chairman of the Cook County Democratic Party, said the “anti-Blagojevich hatred” has unfairly been transferred onto Burris.
“I would just suggest to those people who seek to run in the wards of the city of Chicago where there are people of color living that they should tone it down because some of us are taking notes. They will run at their peril,” Lyle said.
She added, “I can't go to the residents of my ward and ask them to vote for someone who, they feel, has disrespected them. And they won't. Remember, we just don't vote for people. It is in our history in modern times when we voted against people. In fact, it's usually easier to get people to do that.”

Check out this line from Ald. Leslie Hairston:

Blagojevich's administration hired Roland W. Burris II as a senior counsel for the state's housing authority Sept. 10 — about six weeks after the Internal Revenue Service slapped a $34,163 tax lien on Burris II and three weeks after a mortgage company filed a foreclosure suit on his South Side house.
For the aldermen, the story was over the top.
“You all are attacking people's children. That is crossing the line,” said Ald. Leslie Hairston (5th).

Gov. Quinn looks into Roland Burris II's employment - Sun-Times

“I don’t think I’m going to pre-judge things, but I think the matter deserves serious review and it [should] be done very quickly,” Quinn said.
Quinn said his chief of staff, Jerry Stermer, and his general counsel, Ted Chung, will look into Burris II’s situation, but no timeline has been set. Quinn said they would make a recommendation to the IHDA board and executive director.
“I want to make sure everything is right and proper,” Quinn said.

Rush: Burris Should Stay - RealClearPolitics

Today, members of the Congressional Black Caucus met with President Obama at the White House. Members spoke to the press after, and were asked about the absence of Sen. Roland Burris (D-Ill.). The members indicated that the CBC was invited as a group, not individually, and that as a member of the CBC Burris was entitled to attend. They did not respond to questions about whether his status in the Senate came up in discussions with the White House.
Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.), one of Burris' most vocal supporters, said after that Burris should have been present as any others were. Asked by RCP about a new push for a special election that would result in Burris being removed, Rush insisted that it would be too expensive for the state, and was not necessary.
"I think Sen. Burris should not resign," Rush said. "He did not do anything inappropriate, he did not do anything arrestable, he did not do anything indictable."

Parties Ponder Burris’ Future - CQ Politics

Roland Burris Sons State Job - RightPundits.com

More trouble for Roland Burris? - First Read

CBC to Obama: Don't forget us

Politico:

When the first African-American president holds his first meeting with 42 veteran black lawmakers Thursday, it will be a mountaintop moment for all involved.

But members of the Congressional Black Caucus will also be sending the president a subtle message.

“Don’t take us for granted,” said one House Democratic aide.

The meeting between President Barack Obama and the CBC, scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, has been in the works for several weeks, but the timing is, in part, “the result of member concerns about certain things,” said an aide to a senior member of the caucus.

Caucus members are pleased, by and large, with the size and composition of the $787 billion stimulus package passed earlier this month.

But in the lead-up to the final stimulus vote, many grumbled that party leaders, including the president, buckled by allowing the GOP to strip out nearly $60 billion in aid to states to make way for an alternative minimum tax extension that will largely benefit the middle class.

Moreover, many members, including CBC Chairwoman Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), are still bothered by Obama’s selection of New Hampshire Republican Sen. Judd Gregg as commerce secretary — an appointment that ended with Gregg’s voluntary withdrawal over ideological differences with the White House.