Working for Illinois Caucus

There will be a contested race for state representative this November in the 111^th District. Republican Amy Elik of Fosterburg is running for election to a second term. On Tuesday, former East Alton Mayor Joe Silkwood announced his candidacy for the Democrat Party’s nomination.

Silkwood said the knowledge and experience he gained while serving the people of East Alton will pay off, as he fights for the local region in Springfield.

Silkwood said having a Democrat back in the House seat would be good thing for the region, as the legislature and governor’s office have Democrats in power.

But, he said he’s not afraid to go against whatever Chicago wants, if it’s not in the best interest of the local region.

Illinois’ primary election day is June 28. The general election will be held November 8.

Here is the full speech given by Joe Silkwood on February 2, 2022.

ELMHURST, IL — State Rep. Deb Conroy, a Democrat from Elmhurst, has become the target of death threats in response to her proposed change to a health law.

On Thursday, Springfield-based political blogger Rich Miller documented the threats on his Capitol Fax website.

Conroy’s amendment would give local health departments the right to access data from the state Department of Public Health. The language would be incorporated into an old law that deals with quarantines.

That law has long stated the state department has the power to "isolate or quarantine persons who are unable or unwilling to receive vaccines, medications or other treatments." This, the law says, is to "prevent the spread of a dangerous or infectious disease." Conroy’s bill introduced none of that language.

But the conservative Illinois Review website contended that she brought forward those old provisions in House Bill 4640.

"If HB 4640 were to become law, persons exposed to an infectious disease could be placed under Public Health Department observation, only possible in a contained atmosphere with Department watch guards, some suggest such as a concentration camp," the website said Monday.

In a private Facebook message to Conroy, which Capitol Fax posted, a man wrote, "You come after my family there’s one thing you better bring and that’s a lot of body bags!!!"

Another person emailed Conroy, saying, "You’re the one who belongs in a camp!! For God Hating, America Hating Scum!!! Our medical information is none of your damn business!!!! Take your bill and shove it up your a–!"

In a letter to Fran Eaton, co-founder of the Illinois Review, Conroy said she and her staff have been the subject of dozens of death threats because of the Illinois Review’s "flagrantly false post."

"It would have taken no more than 5 minutes to verify what the bill did and where it was coming from, but instead you chose to publish false information, I assume with the intention of enraging people in the hopes they would further spread your misinformation," Conroy said.

She said the bill allows local health departments to share data.

"It does not give any local body the authority to violate someone’s privacy rights and certainly does not allow for anyone to be detained," Conroy said.

The Illinois Review posted Conroy’s letter and condemned threats to people’s lives. In its new post, the Illinois Review no longer raised the possibility of a concentration camp.

But it did not walk back the previous story.

"What is the point of such a system if NOT to impose health guidance, which could very well include isolation if the empowered county or state agencies deemed it necessary?" Eaton said.

The first story remains on the Illinois Review website.

Patch has left a message for comment with the Illinois Review.

Peoria social service worker Anthony Kramer says he lost his job last week after posting pictures of the food at the middle school where he worked.

Why it matters: These complaints are pretty common in Illinois, one of only two states that make school districts give catering contracts to the lowest bidder instead of the company with the best food program.

Get market news worthy of your time with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free.

Driving the news: Last month, Peoria-based state Rep. Jehan Gordon Booth reintroduced House Bill 1782 to free school districts from the "lowest bidder" provision.

What they’re saying: Booth tells Axios she originally launched the bill after being shocked by the food in her own daughter’s school meals, "and then knowing why she came home feeling hungry."

The big picture: "It completely defeats the purpose of feeding kids two meals a day if they don’t eat it and they throw it in the garbage," Booth says. "As taxpayers, are we getting a good return on our dollars?"

What’s next: Booth hopes to have the bill assigned to committees in the next session and on the governor’s desk by April 8.

More from Axios: Sign up to get the latest market trends with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) – Illinois state legislators are taking steps to make sure that indigenous people are the source for the Native American history lessons in school.

State Representative Maurice West (D-Rockford), introduced a bill earlier this month requiring Illinois schools to teach Native American curriculum beginning in the 2023 – 2024 school year. The purpose of the new legislation is to teach Native American curriculum while inspiring students to respect the dignity of all races and peoples.

“This legislation will ensure that our students learn about the Native American experience and contributions to the development of our country,” says West.

The bill maintains steps to guarantee that curriculum developed by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) will be informed by federally recognized Indigenous tribes and individuals, especially those with ties to Illinois and the Midwest. The curriculum developed by ISBE will be implemented by school districts and will be monitored by the regional superintendent of schools for compliance.

“This legislation is a first step towards ensuring we are teaching our children how to properly respect the heritage and culture of Native Americans,” West adds.

House Bill 4548 was filed on January 13, 2022 and is currently awaiting assignment to a committee.

Copyright 2022 WIFR. All rights reserved.

Last fall Brooks ran for mayor and lost but still ended up with 48% of the vote.

"What I re-discovered is that as you get understanding and communicate there’s a lot more common ground than uncommon ground and I really enjoy finding that common ground with all peoples."

Brooks has worked as a family advocate for the King Center in Rock Island where he helps people find jobs, housing, and other resources. He also helped convince the city council to create the Rock Island Police Community Relations Commission.

Brooks is named for the famous civil rights lawyer and supreme court justice Thurgood Marshall.

"I do think it inspired me in some ways. To have interest in… I studied history and political science in school and so I do think my name has something to do with my interest in history and what we’re doing here now."

Last year he was named Rock Island Citizen of the Year.

The other two Democrats who are also running for the Illinois House are Jeff Deppe and Gregg Johnson. The primary will be held in June.

(The Center Square) – The Illinois House and Secondary Education Committee this week heard ideas on how to address staffing shortages at Illinois schools.

State Rep. Sue Scherer, D-Decatur, introduced multiple teacher reimbursement bills during the hearing, all of which seek to address the statewide teacher shortage Illinois schools are facing.

Scherer said not enough attention is being given to the problem.

“I just don’t have the feeling that people are completely aware of how very, very serious our teaching shortage is right now” Scherer said.

According to a survey by the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools, 90% of Illinois schools are currently experiencing staffing shortages.

House Bill 4246, introduced last month, would reduce the renewal fee for substitute teachers’ licenses. The fee would be changed to $50 down from $500.

Scherer discussed the need for substitutes during this historic shortage.

“Currently there are over more than 2,000 positions either not filled, or filled by someone who is not qualified to teach there today,” Scherer said.

House Bill 4139 was also heard. The bill would set up a reimbursement grant for public school teachers.

Teachers who attended an Illinois public university could get a percentage of their tuition paid back by taxpayers over time.

State Rep. Avery Bourne, R-Morrisonville, said the bill would be an expensive way of trying to fix a problem the state is already working on.

“We already have programs that are targeting student debt,” Bourne said. “This may be a really expensive way of dealing with a problem that we might be able to get at in a more efficient way.”

Both of the bills were approved by the committee.

###