Working for Illinois Caucus

Although I wasn’t there in person, I wish I could have been.

There’s something about a lone and riderless bicycle, painted all in white, that is both haunting and memorable.

Which is what those who put together Aurora’s first Ghost Bike Memorial event, held May 19 at Hochsheit Park, were hoping to achieve.

The goal was to recognize the fatal bike/vehicle accident that claimed the life of a Waubonsie Valley High School student last November, and to remind all of us – cyclists, walkers, motorists – of traffic hazards that can ravage so many lives so quickly.

According to organizers Tom Craighead of Naperville and Jillian Plowcamp of Aurora, there are dozens of these somber memorials all over Chicago, with thousands throughout the country and world and more spreading into the suburbs. As of today, Craighead told me, there is one in Naperville from a fatal bike accident a decade ago and three in Batavia.

It’s no surprise Aurora’s first ghost bike popped up where it did.

The areas along Eola and Montgomery roads, as well as Ogden Avenue, have been a hotbed of controversy as residents in far East Side neighborhoods continue to demand traffic safety improvements from local and state officials.

Over the past 18 months I’ve listened to many of those concerned voices grow louder as a series of tragedies hit Indian Prairie School District particularly hard.

In early 2023, a young Waubonsie Valley High School graduate’s car plunged into an icy retention pond at South Eola Road and Autumn Grove Circle; a few months later a beloved fourth-grade teacher from the district lost her life after a three-car crash on a different part of Eola near Village Green Drive. And in November, 16-year-old junior Micah Ginsberg, whose Eagle Scout project had just raised the funding for a second community refrigerator for Aurora, was killed when his bike and a pickup truck collided at the intersection of Ogden Avenue and Montgomery Road.

Micah’s family and friends attended the Ghost Bike Memorial event, as did members of the Naperville Bicycle Club who, dressed in white, rode in silence from the Naperville Police Department, where Micah was a well-loved and respected cadet, to the Aurora park. Also attending the memorial were representatives from Naperville and Aurora police, along with Aurora Alds. Patty Smith, 8th Ward, and John Laesch, at large.

Dave Simmons, executive director of Ride Illinois, spoke about bike safety, while community members shared stories and memories of Micah. Included in the latter was Plowcamp, a PTA leader whose son and his friends were greatly impacted by the teen’s death, and who is helping to lead the charge for road safety.

Among their concerns – the intersection of Ogden and Montgomery has very little signage and traffic signal controls to protect crosswalks.

“It is insane,” said Plowcamp, who describes herself as a mom on a mission. “Our children have to cross streets where adults can’t even cross safely.”

Later, with Aurora police to assist in traffic control, the ghost bike was walked by four Waubonsie Valley students to its resting site. Due to IDOT regulations, it could not be placed where the incident occurred, but instead is further down Montgomery Road near its crossing with the Waubonsee Creek Trail.

Not only is the bike a memorial to Micah, who organizers described as a “great kid,” it’s also a stark reminder of the need to improve engineering of intersections, enforcement of traffic laws and to change behaviors and attitudes of those who drive, walk or pedal a bike.

“Every year has gotten less safe for cyclists and walkers,” says Craighead, a member of Naperville Environmental Taskforce, who has volunteered for decades planning and managing cycling and walking safety.

While most of his work takes place in Naperville, he expressed gratitude for Aurora’s response, including from police and Mike Nelson, director of community events, who got permission for the ghost bike’s placement.

All these efforts, they hope, will make a difference.

The city of Aurora conducted a traffic study last year of these critical roadways. And thanks in large part to Plowcamp’s partnership with state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, the Illinois Department of Transportation gathered traffic data in the area, and the report should be completed later this month or in early July, according to Kifowit, who describes the issue as “a very serious situation.”

Echoing the feelings of so many others, she insisted, “safety must be a top priority.”

dcrosby@tribpub.com

Local state lawmakers in the Democratic supermajority believe the 2024 Illinois legislative session was largely a success, while Republicans may say otherwise.

The session concluded early Wednesday morning after the House stayed up overnight to pass a $53.1 billion budget. The spending legislation passed 65-45, with seven Democrats joining their GOP counterparts in opposition.

“This budget aims to make state government more efficient, while responsibly focusing our resources on matters families care about — including local schools and public safety,” said Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, in a statement. “From early childhood through college, this is a smart plan that is going to help our kids unlock their potential.”

The Senate had passed the budget on Sunday.

Brian Munoz

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St. Louis Public Radio

With approval from both chambers, Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he will sign the budget, which will spend about $400 million more than he requested during his February budget address.

In this budget, the second-term governor got some key legislative priorities — like repealing Illinois’ 1% grocery tax in 2026. Both chambers also approved a health insurance bill designed to curb insurance tactics used to control the amount and cost of care patients receive.

The budget also included an increase to the tax rate paid by sportsbooks, where gamblers can wager on games. The current rate of 15% will rise to 20% to 40% based on the profits of the sportsbook.

Lawmakers also extended a cap on the amount of operational losses corporations can write off on their income taxes. In total, the two tax changes total $1.1 billion in state revenue.

Republicans argue that raising taxes in current economic conditions is not the right move.

“The people of Illinois deserve better,” said Sen. Jason Plummer, R-Edwardsville, in a statement. “Unfortunately, they won’t get it this year, thanks to the governor and his allies who just can’t stop treating the people of Illinois like their personal piggy bank.”

The GOP in Springfield has regularly lambasted Democrats for spending state funds on noncitizens over the past couple of years.

Brian Munoz

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St. Louis Public Radio

Illinois will spend $182 million in this year’s budget to provide shelter, health care and other services for migrants who have been bused from Texas to Chicago. Another $440 million provides funding for Medicaid-like benefits to noncitizens.

“Most of my constituents feel that that’s taking away from programs that are helping them and their families,” said Rep. Amy Elik, R-Godfrey.

Both chambers did not stop its members’ salaries increasing with inflation annually, which is written into state law. In the next fiscal year, their salaries will grow by 5% to more than $93,000.

Many Republicans criticized the Democratic-controlled chambers for allowing the raises.

Rep. Kevin Schmidt, R-Millstadt, urged lawmakers to donate the extra cash to a charity in their district.

“We don’t need pay raises,” he said. “The people back home need that money.”

Brian Munoz

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St. Louis Public Radio

Since 2019, Pritzker and the Democrats in both chambers have not passed a budget with a Republican vote — thanks to their supermajorities.

“I am still hopeful that one year I’ll be able to vote yes on a budget,” Elik said. “I am an optimist. I want to be part of the process.”

This session and the budget was not all a loss, though, Elik said. Seven pieces of legislation she sponsored await the governor’s signature.

For example, one bill will allow retired teachers to go back to work in a school district that’s short on a certain subject. If retired teachers return, it wouldn’t change their state pension.

“This is something to help with a teacher shortage,” Elik said. “I’m really proud that got through.”

Hoffman, also the assistant majority leader, said a bill aimed at catalytic converter and vehicle theft and another that lays out a regulatory framework for capturing carbon emissions serve as good examples of effective legislation passed this session.

“When we’re good stewards with the budget, we can more effectively address the challenges facing communities in the Metro East,” Hoffman said.

Now with state lawmakers out on summer break, Pritzker will sign or veto remaining legislation. Legislators will return at some point this fall for a veto session.

Capitol News Illinois’ Jerry Nowicki contributed to this report.

SPRINGFIELD (WGEM) – The Illinois state House of Representatives passed a bill Wednesday creating and extending tax incentives lawmakers hope will attract businesses and create jobs.

The bill would extend the state’s research and development tax credit until Jan. 1, 2032. It was set to expire Jan. 1, 2027.

It would also create a tax credit for quantum computing campuses with the goal of attracting more quantum jobs to the state.

It also extends the Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE) tax credit from 10 to 15 years. It incentivizes large projects with more than $50 million and 100 employees.

“This bill puts us in the best possible position to bring Illinois into a leadership role to attract new economy jobs and new investment,” said state Rep. Dave Vella, D-Rockford, the bill’s sponsor.

Though the bill passed with broad bipartisan support with a 98-14 vote, several House Republicans did oppose the bill. State Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer, R-Jacksonville, said he thinks the incentives are unfair to most taxpayers.

“The reality is all of these things only go to big business, large corporations, and the small businesses and the individuals in the State of Illinois are left to foot the bill,” he said.

The bill also adds green steel manufacturers and hybrid and fully electric aircraft manufacturers to the Reimagining Energy and Vehicles (REV) tax credit program.

It also extends the film industry tax credit.

The bill now heads to the state Senate.

Copyright 2024 WGEM. All rights reserved.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WMBD) — A new bill that is heading to Gov. JB Pritzker’s desk would help disabled veterans who need to modify their homes.

Illinois Senate Bill 2751, will amend the codes in Illinois counties, townships and municipalities so that disabled veterans or their caretakers will not be charged any building permit fee.

The waived fee will be for any project at the residence of a disabled veteran that will make accommodations for the veteran’s disability.

The Illinois Senate passed the bill in April, and the Illinois House passed the bill on Wednesday. State Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth (D-Peoria) voted for the bill and said it was the least we could do for our veterans.

“Many of these individuals were willing to put their body on the line for us, and we should be looking at ways to support them here at home,” Gordon-Booth said. “We’re grateful for the service our veterans provided for our country, and are thankful for everything they continue to do for our community.”

While the fee is waived, the paperwork to obtain a building permit must still be submitted. Veterans or their caregivers will need to provide proof of their veteran status and the improvement needed when they apply for the permit.