Heidi Henry of Marseilles has a week to collect at least 400 signatures to get on the ballot in the general election in the Illinois House 75th District. No Democrats ran in the primary, so post-primary approval procedures are underway. Democratic Party leaders from four counties approved her candidacy on Friday.
Henry calls herself a progressive, but she says she’s not as far left as some people have described her. She supports labor unions, wants everyone to have a good public education system wherever they live, and wants to make things better for families.
Henry has a lot going on in her life right now, including overcoming a COVID-19 diagnosis, but says she decided to run when Jed Davis won the Republican nomination. She calls him a theocrat who’s too far right. She doesn’t believe he’ll talk to constituents who don’t have the same religious views.
You can hear more about Heidi Henry in this interview:
EDWARDSVILLE – Katie Stuart breezed through the Democratic Primary for the 112th District State House of Representatives spot, and now will focus on the general election race in November against Republican opponent Jennifer Korte. Stuart provided these statements about the Tuesday election today: "First I would like to applaud the County Clerks and all the election judges and volunteers who ran such a great election in both Madison and St. Clair counties. I have had the privilege of working on legislation that supports voter access and election security, and it’s wonderful to see that in action. Congratulations to every one who had a successful primary race, and really to every one who chose to put themselves on the ballot and try to step up to serve the public. "It has been a tremendous honor to be chosen three times by the people of the 112th district to represent their interests in Springfield, and I am looking forward to the opportunity to continue to advocate for the Metro East
Turns out there’s nothing like a parade of controversies to keep the spotlight shining on downtown Aurora.
Following weeks of posturing between the city and organizers of the Pride Parade, the June event stepped off as planned, with triple overtime going to those working security after too few cops had signed up for the event that asked law enforcement not to march in uniform.
You likely remember this dustup well since it was only a couple weeks ago the drama was playing out. And now, with those colorful rainbow floats barely dismantled, we’ve got another parade brouhaha marching onto the front pages of our news.
Many residents are understandably in an uproar when word got out this week, via a memo to volunteers from the city’s community events manager, that the beloved Fourth of July Parade, arguably the biggest and most well-attended, will have a whole different look this year.
So different, it seems this Independence Day event will more closely resemble billboards-on-wheels for the city of Aurora than a grand community party celebrating the founding of our nation.
Aurora officials insist the new format is simply a better way of doing things – that the city-sponsored caravan now replacing a community parade can be enjoyed by more people, especially the elderly who could not make that trip to downtown Aurora.
Nice try but this “patriotism light” approach is not going down well with lots of folks, particularly veterans, who tend to get all fired up when red-white-and-blue events are in danger of fading away.
Which is what nearly happened back in 2011.
Facing tough Recession decisions, Mayor Tom Weisner declared early that year the Fourth of July Parade would be axed from the city budget. That announcement was quickly followed by another from Roosevelt-Aurora American Legion Post 84 Cmdr. Norris “Doc” Erickson and Ald. Stephanie Kifowit, a member of the post and now a state representative, who declared the veterans group was taking over the parade so the community could “continue to show our pride in our country.”
In a matter of months but with a lot of hard work, the post raised $30,000 to keep this tradition going. A couple years later, the city got back in the game, splitting the cost with the Legion 50/50 and taking on more of the operations.
“By 2019, the city was paying two-thirds and we were paying one-third,” noted current Post 84 Cmdr. Mike Eckburg, adding that the cost of the parade was reduced to around $15,000 to $19,000.
The partnership not only helped defray the city’s portion but worked well for the post, he told me, because the parade became its major fundraiser, as local businesses were so eager to contribute to the cause.
It was a longstanding relationship that worked well until COVID-19 hit. From that point on, Legion members say, they were shut out of all parade plans, including this year’s. Eckburg, who had “started working” on the post’s float for this July 4th, learned about the decision to turn a parade into a “vehicular procession” from a third party.
“It has ruffled a lot of feathers,” said the commander, noting that this news coming so shortly after the Pride Parade is not sitting well with veterans.
“This is our nation’s anniversary. Without our independence, there would be no Memorial Day Parade, no Pride Parade,” he said.
Which brings us to another parade debate.
One reason the city cited for its decision to change the format was that the Fourth of July Parade was becoming less popular, even describing the Memorial Day Parade as Aurora’s largest.
But Kifowit calls that excuse “baloney,” and accuses the city of “grossly underestimating” attendees for the July event.
“I’ve been in all these parades,” she said. “At one point, we had the (Fourth) count around 10,000.”
In other words, this parade is a big deal. People prepare for it long in advance. And “to pull the rug out from under them two weeks before,” Kifowit said, “is disrespectful to veterans and the community who want to take part in a parade.”
Those sentiments are echoed by Army veteran Steve Holt, who insists the parade should remain “in the heart of the city,” where people make an effort to come together to celebrate as a community, rather than wait for “the city to bring the parade to the people.”
While a “trolley of heroes” was mentioned as part of the city’s upcoming procession, as Holt points out, “there will be no bands, no cadets, no school participation.”
“People are stunned,” he continued. “This is not a community event. It’s just the city driving around with banners and passing out candy for the politicians.”
There is, naturally, plenty of speculation about the city’s “variety of factors” that contributed to this surprise decision. But lack of security is not one of them, said Aurora Police Department spokesman Paris Lewbel, noting this caravan going all over the city will require a similar number of officers as would a downtown parade.
Army veteran Scott Maxson told me he was not only “disappointed” and confused by the city’s “ambiguous” announcement, he felt “blindsided” by it.
“This is without doubt the most American holiday, when we should go all out to celebrate our nation’s birth, not make it simpler,” said the Post 84 member. “The military is all about logistics. Had we known about this earlier, we could have helped with all that.”
All of which only increases the resolve of these local vets to get this patriotic gathering back on track yet again.
“Fireworks are great,” said Maxson. “But it is not the same as a parade.”
Nor is a vehicular procession.
“We will do whatever is necessary to keep this important tradition going,” he vowed. “We will not let the Fourth of July Parade disappear.”
Democratic primary voters in southwest Lake County have a choice between two candidates for their party’s nomination to the Illinois House of Representatives who have one thing in common — they say they are willing to work hard to get the job.
Chelsea Laliberte Barnes of Palatine and Nabeela Syed of Inverness have walked throughout the district since they decided to seek a seat in the General Assembly knocking on more than 10,000 doors each. They say they learned a lot and met many potential constituents.
Syed and Barnes are running for the Democratic nomination in the 51st District in Tuesday’s primary for the opportunity to oppose one-term incumbent Chris Bos, R-Lake Zurich, in the Nov. 8 general election. Bos is unopposed for the Republican nomination.
Both candidates learned from potential voters the economy was at the top of the peoples’ minds while campaigning. Though there are other issues — like gun violence and health care — inflation, jobs and taxes were always close to the top of the list.
“It’s not only taxes, but the cost of goods and services,” Barnes said. “We need to increase revenue by bringing in new businesses like technology, wind and solar.”
“People are concerned about the property tax system,” Syed said. “Large commercial sites should pay their fair share of (real estate) taxes.”
Hard work is part of the internal composition for Syed and Barnes, though they say they developed their intensity motivating them to run for the state legislature because they were passionate about different issues.
Barnes, 37, and a social worker who grew up in the southwest part of Lake County, is an advocatefor laws and programs to help those with drug addiction. She founded Live4Lali to help individuals who suffer from drug addiction and their families, after the death of her brother, Alex Laliberte, from an overdose at 20.
State House District 51 Democratic candidate Chelsea Laliberte Barnes.
– Original Credit: News-Sun (Chelsea Laliberte Barnes / HANDOUT)
Working with former U.S. Rep. Robert Dold, R-Kenilworth, to get legislation known as Lali’s Law passed to provide resources for people with drug addiction, and Lake County Judge Mike Nerheim when he was Lake County state’s attorney to establish the Lake County Opioid Initiative, Barnes said she knows how to work across the aisle.
“When you’re a not for profit you look at who is in office,” Barnes said. “Addiction is not a partisan issue. It’s a human issue. You have to try to work with those who can help. It will help me work across party lines.”
Syed, 23 and a University of California at Berkeley graduate, is passionate about voting rights and making access to the polls easier, not harder, for people. She works for a not for profit organization doing digital strategy for that issue as well as gender equity and sexual assault.
State House District 51 Democratic candidate Nabeela Syed.
– Original Credit: News-Sun (Nabeela Syed / HANDOUT)
While Syed said she does not see efforts in Illinois to make voting harder rather than easier, it as a problem which must end elsewhere because it is such an essential part of democracy she wants to protect.
“Issues on the federal level trickle down to the states, like voting rights and senseless gun violence,” Syed said. “We have to keep our community and our democracy safe. Our state needs to be a leader. With my background, I can bring a fresh view to the statehouse.”
Born the same year as 12 students and a teacher were killed by two teenage gunmen at Columbine High School in Colorado, Syed said she does not know a world where active shooter drills were not part of a school routine.
“A policeman would jiggle the lock to see if anyone would open the door,” Syed said. “He was playing the role of a gunman. That should not have to be part of a child’s school day.”
Barnes said she looks at the world through the lens of a mother of a 3-year-old as she fashions her world view. She thinks about the things which trouble her, and does not want them to be issues for her child.
“I worry if he will have a government to work hard for him or the kind of government he may have,” Barnes said. “I worry that he might not have a planet to live on.”
The district includes parts of Barrington, Hawthorn Woods, Lake Zurich, Long Grove, Killdeer, Deer Park and Vernon Hills, as well as most of Palatine, Inverness and some of Hoffman Estates.
A growing number of Illinoisans needing mental and behavioral health help will now have more options, under a new law signed Friday by Gov. JB Pritzker.
Senate Bill 3617 acknowledges a hard truth in many Illinois communities: the need for mental and behavioral healthcare far exceeds the resources to meet it, according to a release from State Rep. Mike Halpin, D-Rock Island. There are only 14 behavioral healthcare professionals for every 10,000 Illinois residents, and many people must wait longer for essential treatment or skip treatment entirely.
State Rep. Mike Halpin, D-Rock Island, announcing his candidacy for Illinois State Senate on Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021. (Jonathan Turner, ourquadcities.com)
Halpin joined colleagues in the Illinois General Assembly to support this new law, which has been signed and will take effect immediately.
The measure expands the mental and behavioral healthcare workforce by making it easier for out-of-state clinicians to obtain licensure in Illinois, and streamlining requirements for social workers, professional counselors, and clinical psychologists who have recently inactive licenses.
It also encourages more diversity in the mental health field, creates tax credits for care providers, and makes other improvements in the law to encourage more accessible, quality mental and behavioral healthcare.
“Too many people suffer in silence, and the COVID-19 pandemic has created so many challenges for people who just need help,” Halpin said in a Friday release. “I am proud to support investing in our mental and behavioral health system to provide high-quality care in all parts of Illinois.”
The bill temporarily allows professional licensees out of practice for less than five years to reactivate their license with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). The bill also seeks to expand behavioral health training, incentivizes the hiring of individuals in recovery from substance use disorder or mental illness, and makes it easier for advanced practice registered nurses to treat patients.
In this Feb. 22, 2021, file photo, Gov. J.B. Pritzker speaks at Chicago State University in Chicago. (Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Chicago Sun-Times via AP, File)
“We need a mental healthcare workforce that is robust enough to get people help when they need it — not after months on a waiting list,” Gov. Pritzker said Friday. “I am proud to sign this mental health omnibus bill — training, expanding, and diversifying our behavioral health workforce—into law. This legislation invests in mental health infrastructure — and that infrastructure is people. Our therapists. Our social workers. Our crisis counselors."
"There is nothing more important than investing in the people who support the health and wellbeing of Illinoisans," he said.
Improving access to services
The state aims to improve access to critical behavioral health services across Illinois, demonstrated by efforts that include expanding telehealth parity from emergency to permanent, as well as the recent appointments of state Behavioral Health Officer David Jones and Children’s Behavioral Health Transformation Initiative Director Dana Weiner.
The new state budget, which takes effect July 1, 2022, includes a significant investment in mental health and substance abuse prevention and treatment services that aim to increase access to the behavioral health system in every region of the state.
The new legislation removes barriers to those wishing to re-enter the mental health workforce, such as continuing education credit completion, passing additional examinations, and fee payments. Former license holders must be in good standing to have their licenses reactivated. Mental health professionals out of practice for less than five years may restore their license with IDFPR only once without providing more information to the Department.
Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton
“Even before the COVID-19 pandemic caused a spike in the need for mental and emotional support across the nation, BIPOC and rural communities faced greater disparities in accessing mental health care," Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton said in the state release.
"Our administration has always been, and will always be, committed to fighting disparities and putting people first. And this legislation does that. Illinois is not only increasing the workforce in the mental and behavioral health field, but expanding pathways for diverse, passionate, and qualified individuals to make a difference in their communities — especially ones that have historically been underserved and under-resourced.”
In addition, the measure enables advanced practice registered nurses to conduct any required psychiatric visits to patients in Special Mental Health Rehabilitation Facilities, in addition to physicians.
New tax incentives
The Recovery and Mental Health Tax Credit is also created under SB 3617, which creates a program to provide tax incentives to qualified employers who employ eligible individuals who are in recovery from a substance use disorder or mental illness. IDHS will work with the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) to verify tax credit certificates issued to employers.
The 2021 QC health assessment found that over 42 percent of adults have experienced chronic depression (Credit: Getty Images).
Additionally, the bill allows the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Division of Mental Health to award grants or contracts to enhance training and supervision of behavioral health providers-in-training seeking licensure in specified fields.
IDHS will oversee the application process; grants are subject to appropriations. Additionally, a 15-member Advisory Council will be established to advise DHS, examining mental illness and substance use disorder impacts on employment opportunities within minority communities.
“The past couple of years have strained our health professions and underscored the incredible need for a strong mental health workforce to meet increased demand,” said Rep. Deb Conroy (D-Elmhurst) and lead bill sponsor. “We want residents of all ages and of all backgrounds to receive the care and help they deserve, and we can only do that if we have enough qualified professionals able to assist. This measure removes bureaucratic hurdles and will help bring trained professionals back to the field right when we need them the most.”
Seeking help takes strength
“It takes bravery and strength to reach out for help. Being told you have to wait weeks – or months – for care is extremely discouraging,” said Sen. Laura Fine (D-Glenview) and lead bill sponsor. “We need to support people struggling with mental and behavioral health issues, as well as address difficulties our mental health providers are facing trying to see as many patients as possible. This law will work to fix both issues and ensure that Illinoisans will have more access to quality mental health care.”
"Mental health is health. Full stop. What we have lived and learned in these past past two years is that we must build a mental health system that works for the people of our state,” said State Sen. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago). “This legislation and the investment Governor Pritzker made in the FY2023 budget for providers and services help us make enormous strides in addressing this amplified crisis."
Gov. JB Pritzker signed House Bill 4386 on Friday, allowing DNR to add rifle hunting to the state’s deer season.
Under the new law, hunters will be limited to the use of single-shot centerfire rifles. More details on the types of guns and ammunition allowed will be reported in the June 14 edition of Illinois Outdoor News. We will also get feedback from DNR and learn about how rifle hunting will fit into the season.
State Rep. Mike Halpin, D-Rock Island, recently sponsored the MICRO Act, which stands for the Manufacturing Illinois Chips for Real Opportunity Act. MICRO sets up new tax incentives for manufacturers of eligible semiconductors and microchips, which have been in very short supply during the COVID-19 pandemic. Officials are working at all levels of government to find ways to address shortages in chip production, which mostly takes place in China and Taiwan. The measure was included and signed into law as part of next year’s state budget package.
Halpin worked closely with the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association on the program, and its members are praising the project. Tek Pak President and CEO Tony Beyer said his business, which provides specialized packaging for microchips, could see great opportunities for growth if those manufacturers build in Illinois.
“We now look forward to seeing the state of Illinois grow as an economic powerhouse and a global center for microchip production and tech innovation,” Beyer wrote in a recent letter in a suburban Chicago newspaper.
Halpin been concerned about companies shipping jobs overseas for years. As a staffer for former congressman Lane Evans, “I’ve seen what happened when Maytag left Galesburg. This pandemic has exposed the vulnerability of our supply chains, and it’s past time to bring these jobs back to the U.S.”
“Chip shortages have affected all of us, from the cars we cannot buy to the electronics we cannot use. We know now we cannot be so dependent on this technology coming from another part of the world,” Halpin said. “The MICRO Act should incentivize manufacturers to seriously consider locating and expanding in Illinois, and I know the Quad Cities, Galesburg, Macomb and other communities here in west-central and northwest Illinois would welcome them.”
About four million dollars in state grants will help infrastructure improvement projects in LaSalle, Bureau, and Grundy Counties. LaSalle County is receiving about 1.9 million to build a Soldier Pile Wall to help stop slope failure and future flooding in the Peru Township.
Ottawa St. Rep Lance Yednock says flooding is a common problem in the area and improving infrastructure in LaSalle County can prevent the negative effects of flooding which benefits the district.
The city of Spring Valley is also receiving about $343,000 for sewer improvements. In Grundy County, the city of Morris is receiving exactly two million for industrial park roadway construction.
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Working for Illinois Caucus 