State Rep. Smith to be chairman of the Illinois House Black Caucus

 State Rep. Nick Smith was in Politico's Playbook yesterday. This is news from Springfield recently:

The Illinois House Legislative Black Caucus has formed a political action committee that will be chaired by Reps. Nick Smith and Lakesia Collins.

“It’s something we’ve been talking about for a few years, and it took some time to put it together,” Smith told Playbook of the Illinois House Legislative Black Caucus PAC.

Black legislators have for years relied on the Black Caucus Foundation to help boost civic and philanthropic efforts in members’ communities. “We felt we needed something to support the caucus politically, too,” Smith said.

The goal, said Legislative Black Caucus Chairman Kam Buckner, “is to raise funds, mobilize volunteers, and have an effective apparatus to elect and re-elect members of the Black Caucus.”

Creating the PAC comes as the Democratic Party shifts its operations under new leadership. Party members can no longer rely on former House Speaker Michael Madigan to open the purse strings for campaigns. New party Chair Robin Kelly has created a separate fundraising arm for state and local campaigns, while she focuses on fundraising for federal positions.

“Speaker Welch is doing a great job but he’s focused on his entire caucus. And it’s too early to tell how the party’s local [fundraising] committee will do,” Smith said. “There’s a vacuum with Michael Madigan gone, and we see an opportunity to fundraise to help fill that hole.”

I found this via CapFax who further stated in reference to this story: "Smith is right. Also, If Rep. Buckner really does want to run for mayor, he’ll need some significant fundraising experience."

Bring it Buckner! Can't wait for '23!

Crain's: Dorms in the future for community college students

State Rep Nick Smith

I wonder if this legislation affects the City Colleges of Chicago. Closer to the south side imagine dorms at Olive-Harvey, Kennedy-King, or even Daley Colleges. This is an initiative of 34th District State Representative Nicholas Smith who has a history with two-year colleges.

Now that he’s a member of the Illinois General Assembly, Nick Smith isn’t embarrassed to say he struggled early in college. As he bounced back and forth between classes and his job, he spent little time on campus.

It wasn’t until Smith got a work-study job at Olive-Harvey College, a Far South Side community college, that things changed. “I started to feel immersed in the academic setting. I started to feel focused,” he recalls. After completing the two-year program, Smith went on to get a bachelor’s degree from nearby Chicago State University, and since 2019 he has represented the 34th District in the State Assembly.

With his personal experience in mind, Smith introduced legislation in Springfield this year that allows community colleges to add student housing for the first time. Signed into law July 9 by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, the measure allows for residential projects to begin on or near campuses throughout the state starting in January.

The law is an empty vessel at the moment, expressing the ambition to do something new to address housing insecurity for people aiming to lift themselves out of poverty via a community college education. Nontrivial matters—most crucially, how the idea will be paid for—aren’t addressed in a piece of legislation that is only a few paragraphs long.

Here are some things specific to the city colleges:

At City Colleges, a network of seven campuses in Chicago, more than half of all students said they lacked stable housing in the last 12 months, according to a survey conducted in 2018 by the Hope Center for College, Community & Justice at Temple University. About 15 percent of students said they experienced homelessness in the same period. Black students, students identifying as LGBTQ and those who were independent of their parents or guardians in financial aid packages were more likely to experience needs insecurity, the report found. “Housing insecurity and homelessness have a particularly strong, statistically significant relationship with college completion rates, persistence, and credit attainment,” the report said.

City Colleges Chancellor Juan Salgado issued a statement to Crain’s saying the schools are committed to addressing students’ “comprehensive needs,” including housing and food insecurity, so attendees can focus on their schoolwork. The network looks forward to “exploring partnerships that would create affordable housing for our students, in particular the many City Colleges students experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity,” the statement said.

For students who are homeless and not connected to their parents, there’s a specific way their academic program is harmed, said Niya Kelly, director of state legislation at the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless. Because of “the presumption in this country that your parents help you until you’re 23 or 25 years old,” Kelly said, colleges generally require a parent’s Social Security and other tax information.

Students who don’t have that “get dinged and have to go through an appeal process,” Kelly said, which results in “getting their packets later, which means registering for classes after other people and dealing with that uncertainty of not knowing whether they’re going to get to go back to school or not.”

Removing any of these obstacles, Smith said, “is adding to our students’ chances of succeeding” and using that college degree to improve their circumstances.

You know how could this affect the surrounding area. With Olive-Harvey and Kennedy-King for example could this be a good thing for the surrounding neighborhoods? 

Capitol Fax: Compromise plan for elected school board passes state senate

So we have clear path to an elected school board. It would start off as a hybrid with both appointed and elected members in the near future. This occurred just yesterday near the end of the session. The post starts off discussing a local state legislator who plans to call this compromise for a "concurrence" in the state House of Representatives. There was a bill in the state House for a fully elected school board.

House sponsor of Chicago elected school board bill endorses compromise legislation as Senate takes it up https://t.co/IDSP67oswd

— Rich Miller (@capitolfax) June 1, 2021

Capitol Fax: New hybrid Chicago school board plan floated

I found this update at the CapFax yesterday on where a new hybrid school board proposal for Chicago is in Springfield.

New hybrid Chicago school board plan floated https://t.co/bN4ZcYY5Gu

— Rich Miller (@capitolfax) May 26, 2021

State Rep. Nick Smith: "I don't have the key, either"

 

[VIDEO] To be fair I'm not always on the lookout for news about 34th district state Rep. Nick Smith, however, it's very cool to see him in a news story. In this case he was in a story that aired on a downstate station with regards to the General Assembly map room which seems like such a highly secure area.

You can see more about this story over at Capitol Fax, however, the story is regarding the process to redraw the state legislative maps. So Rich Miller even notes Rep. Smith's quote, "I don't make the rules. And I don't have the key either". Nice....

BTW, I'm pretty sure in the background holding the door open is state Rep. Marcus Evans which is interesting. I could be wrong on that but that looks just like him. It seems as if whoever was holding the door was telling Smith to come on.

Capitol Fax: Harmon recommends hybrid transition to eventual fully elected Chicago school board

We made it to May and share this quick update about an elected school board via CapFax. A new potential possibility is forwarded by Senate President Don Harmon if this finally gets passed if a hybrid board ultimately transitions to a fully-elected school board. It seems whether or not we're ready a change is coming as far as how this city governs a school board.

Harmon recommends hybrid transition to eventual fully elected Chicago school board https://t.co/WHnhtWFwPW

— Rich Miller (@capitolfax) April 30, 2021

 The state senate is pushing a hybrid school board consisting of both appointed and elected members. While the state house passed a bill calling for a fully-elected school board. What's going on here is both chambers have to hash out a proposal that will ultimately be signed by Gov. Pritzker and take effect in the near future.

Any educators out there have any thoughts?

Update to the alleged gunman who chased Sen. Sims in Springfield

 You can read the update at CapFax. The man a Sprinfield business owner named Michael L. Hoyle pleaded not guilty and his trial is schedule for July. He was able to post a $15,000 bail the day after the incident.

Springfield-area man who allegedly chased Sen. Sims in his car and pointed gun enters not guilty plea https://t.co/1mHmKu8M9b

— Rich Miller (@capitolfax) April 23, 2021

CapitolFax: Lightfoot’s proposal would elect just three school board members

 We see more about Mayor Lightfoot's hybrid proposal for the CPS school board which by 2028 will elect three to an 11 member board with ultimately 8 appointed by the mayor. However, the voters will elected two members to a 7 member board the remainder appointed by the mayor by 2026.

The comments in this CapFax is showing how this could go over and it's not very well. The legislation is sponsored by state senate majority leader Kimberly Lightford who unfortunately has tested positive for the coronavirus. I do wish her well at this time.

Lightfoot’s proposal would elect just three school board members https://t.co/vsZkraDxCU

— Rich Miller (@capitolfax) April 15, 2021

Beyond that your thoughts. You like the idea of a hybrid school board? Do you like the mayor's proposal? Do you think there needs to be an elected school board in Chicago?

CapFax on a bill regardaring the Chicago school board

The issue of an elected school board has been debated for many years. On this blog years ago I was supportive of possibly a hybrid board of education partially appointed by the mayor and elected by the people. There's a bill in Springfield that calls for a hybrid board while there is also a proposal for a fully-elected Chicago Board of Education.

Rich Miller has more on his blog.

CapFax: Sen. Sims chased by alleged gunman

Elgie Sims

So sorry to hear this happened to State Sen. Elgie Sims as he performed his duties in Springfield. This seems like an odd road rage incident. If this guy had a revoked F.O.I.D card and certainly would show his anger in such a way he shouldn't have been released after posting bail. 

Sen. Sims chased by alleged gunman https://t.co/TzwKSXaSjt

— Rich Miller (@capitolfax) March 19, 2021

Also noted from the State Journal-Register article that Rich Miller linked to:

State Rep. Andre Thapedi resigns

Saw this at CapFax yesterday. He already announced his intention to resign his seat in January, and in the letter you will see below noted from yesterday it's effective immediately. The 32nd District state house seat is now open.

Rep. Thapedi resigns https://t.co/Tlsixq3dkO

— Rich Miller (@capitolfax) March 17, 2021

Capitol Fax: Rep. Thapedi to step down

Rich Miller has more about the resignation of state Rep. Andre Thapedi (D-32) on his blog yesterday. As you know this was reported on Sunday evening.

Rep. Thapedi to step down https://t.co/9Huw4GVFMD

— Rich Miller (@capitolfax) February 1, 2021

Not to go too negative on this, but the comments to that post well a few of them discuss how they hate that an incumbent gets elected to their legislative seat then turn around and resign. Some call for special elections to state legislative seats. Especially for house seats.

There should be some discussion on this at the very least. Perhaps even special elections for Alderman upon a resignation, removal or death. 

State Rep. Andre Thapedi resigning from the state house

Found this on twitter just now and best wishes to Rep. Thapedi

Capitol Fax: “The legislature is back in business”

 Not exactly breaking news, but earlier this year the IL House of Representatives elected a new speaker. Michael Madigan is out and replaced by Emanuel Welch who is the first Black speaker of the IL state house. He represents the western suburbs of the 7th state house district.

Rich Miller's syndicated column discusses how under Speaker Welch, the legislature is now open for business. Give it a read.

Speaker Welch: “The legislature is back in business” https://t.co/IKuzRxjVA7

— Rich Miller (@capitolfax) January 25, 2021

CapFax: Unity facade cracks as Lightford lashes out

To be honest I hate to see stories about this. Sometimes I wish politics can just run like a machine, unfortunately we're dealing with people. People have their own agendas.

So the story via Capitol Fax about state Sen. Kimberly Lightford's attempts to become the presiding officer of the Illinois State Senate being derailed by the efforts of former Senate president Emil Jones. It's about her failure just about a decade ago to support another Black state senate to become Senate president.

Unity facade cracks as Lightford lashes out https://t.co/LVZmY9MmSX

— Rich Miller (@capitolfax) January 20, 2020

I think for now enough about what's going on at the state capitol in Springfield.

We have a new IL Senate President

IL State Senate Chambers - Randy von Liski

There is an update to who will become the next Senate President. I learned last week that it's between state Sen. Kimberly Lightford & Sen. Don Harmon. Sen. Elgie Sims was another person who threw his name in the hat for the presiding officer and essentially Democrat leader (Dems are in the majority) of the state senate, however, he withdrew and backed Lightford (who's also the Senate Dems Majority Leader).

Sunday it was reported that Don Harmon who represents Oak Park amongst other cities in his 39th District will succeed the outgoing John Cullerton as Senate President.

I've linked to CapFax often over the years and among other sources it's a great resource to follow state politics. Rich Miller provided a post for live coverage and then showed a post about reaction to Harmon's ascension.

Capitol Fax: Senate President preview

IL State Senate Chamber - Raymond Cunningham

Sharing this on the blog since earlier this week it was in the news that state Sen. Elgie Sims (D-17) had been running for Senate President only to withdraw and endorse his colleague state Sen. Kimberly Lightford for that role. Lightfoot is vying for the spot to be vacated by current President Sen. John Cullterton with state Sen. Don Harmon.

The vote is expected to take place on Sunday according to the preview from CapFax. What you see here seems like high stakes. Typical politics I suppose....

Senate President preview https://t.co/qPH6dOzBml

— Rich Miller (@capitolfax) January 17, 2020

Sen. Elgie Sims withdraws from race for state Senate President

State Capitol Springfield, IL via kurtsj00

Last year, Senate President John Cullerton stated his intention to retire before the end of his term from his seat and leadership position. The means the Illinois Senate has to elect a new Senate President. I'm sure there was speculation once Cullerton made his announcement last year, but I never had any idea that 17th District state Senator Elgie Sims threw his hat in the ring.

On Monday via CapFax, he will withdraw from contention and intends to endorse state Senator Kimberly Lightford. The only other person who's seeking the Senate President seat is state Sen. Don Harmon.

Sims drops out, backs Lightford https://t.co/ZYsuX5dNci

— Rich Miller (@capitolfax) January 13, 2020

Just bear in mind over a decade ago that his predecessor Emil Jones had also retired before the end of his term and not long before the elevation of former state Senator Barack Obama who later became President of the United States. Cullerton was elected Senate President just in time to preside over the impeachment of Governor Rod Blagojevich.

Capitol Fax: The Statehouse doors don’t open by themselves

This was posted to the CapFax yesterday. It refer's to Mayor Lightfoot's efforts in the state General Assembly. According to Miller, the Mayor simply "hasn’t yet settled on what she wants".

The Statehouse doors don’t open by themselves https://t.co/O74BH8amAR

— Rich Miller (@capitolfax) September 30, 2019

There are state legislators who wants to know what the mayor of Chicago needs from the General Assembly.

CapFax: Lightfoot v. Preckwinkle could have far reaching consequences

Yesterday on the CapFax we see a post about the continuing "feud" between Toni Preckwinkle at Cook County and Mayor Lightfoot. It's related to last week's news about a potential pilot on the Metra Electric line.

This Lightfoot vs. Preckwinkle fight could have far-reaching consequences https://t.co/dkdmVM9JAF

— Rich Miller (@capitolfax) September 23, 2019

Also as an added bonus here's Rich Miller's syndicated column with regards to a city casino and her zoning plans with regards to marijuana. Miller suggests it's not a good idea for Lightfoot to leave money on the table with some of her proposals and risk downstate lawmakers voting against some of her initiatives that she needs from the state government.

Get the money, mayor https://t.co/Zr0OOARzlH

— Rich Miller (@capitolfax) September 23, 2019

What I am with Lightfoot on with her proposals is making sure the neighborhoods benefit from a casino and any recreational marijuana. At the same time everyone does go downtown especially tourists.