IVCA Provides Updates for State Legislative Issues – 09/25/2024
Illinois Venture Capital Association Illinois Legislative Report
David Stricklin / Stricklin & Associates
Wednesday, September 25, 2024
RESPECTED PUBLIC POLICY VETERAN TAKES OVER AT INTERSECT ILLINOIS
Christy George is the rare person who is universally respected for being extremely good at her job and is universally liked by everyone who works with her. A veteran of the governor’s office and the DNC convention, George is now taking the helm at Intersect Illinois:
Intersect Illinois, the only statewide economic development organization focused on bringing new businesses, jobs, and investment to Illinois, announced Christy George as its new President and Chief Executive Officer.
INTERSECT ILLINOIS LOOKS TO FUTURE WITH GEORGE
CITY HALL DRAMA IMPACTS SPRINGFIELD $
Mayor Johnson has asked the CEO of CPS to step down. CPS CEO Pedro Martinez says he’s not leaving. The City of Chicago is seeking somewhere in the range of a billion dollars from the state to shore up its finances.
Martinez’ statement:
In late April, CPS and the Chicago Teachers Union began negotiating a new contract for our teachers — professionals we deeply value. Last month, we proposed 4% to 5% annual raises, and we are close to responding to more than 700 CTU requests, reflecting our commitment to good faith negotiations. We are making progress toward a fair agreement.
Amid these academic accomplishments and labor negotiations, my role has come under fire. Whispers of my pending removal returned last week, along with false rumors, such as the notion that I plan to close schools. To be clear: There is no plan to close or consolidate schools.
Furthermore, as a matter of policy, a CEO cannot unilaterally close schools, nor should or would anyone in a district still reeling from the 2013 school closures. To put that disinformation to rest, board President Jianan Shi and I are asking the board to adopt a resolution Thursday to not close any schools through July 1, 2026, when my contract with the board expires.
I’m not naive — this is Chicago, after all, and I know there is always politics. But it’s deeply disappointing to navigate a fusillade of outright lies, part of a concerted campaign to discredit me and my leadership team. Our focus should be on delivering for our kids.
SPEAKER POURS COLD WATER ON BIG DEALS
Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch appeared at a City Club luncheon recently and there and in subsequent interviews has squelched speculation that the Bears/White Sox mega-project would move during the November Veto Session. Veto Session was once a major event as lawmakers would return to Springfield to see if they needed to uphold or overturn veto measures from the governor. Since the Pritzker administration and the Democratic leaders in the legislature work out their differences before bills do or don’t pass, Veto Session is so anti-climactic some argue it should be canceled. Still, when session dates appear on the calendar it is necessary there be conjecture about what “might” or “could” happen, and big deals such as new stadiums fit the bill perfectly. Looks as though it’s no go, for now, as detailed in this interview with Shia Kapos at POLITICO:
PLAYBOOK Q&A: Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch sat down with your Playbook host during a sold-out City Club luncheon Tuesday and talked about the upcoming legislative session and his strategy for running campaigns.
Welch said it’s still too early to commit to what bills the Illinois General Assembly will take up during the so-called “veto” session in November. We’ve mentioned a few issues that legislators are talking about.
Not on the table for November’s session: The proposal to consolidate transportation agencies. “We have to let the process play out,” Welch said, of wanting to hear from the legislative working group that’s studying the idea. “We have to listen to the folks that are going to be impacted by this. It’s a big deal.”
“So probably not in veto,” he said. “But maybe in the spring.”
Also not on the table: Funding for stadiums for the Bears, White Sox or Red Stars. Welch acknowledged, though, that talks are ongoing and that he took part in a pop up baseball game on The 78, the area where the Sox want to build their field.
Enjoying the view: “I was there. It was a beautiful baseball field and a great view. But again, that doesn’t change the position. It’s certainly something I think would be a great economic development project for the City of Chicago,” he said. “But again, I think when it comes to a baseball stadium, that might be something private investors might want to look at” as opposed to taxpayer funding.
Welch said he’s also feeling positive about the upcoming elections and down-ballot races, even though those contests won’t get a lot of help from the top of the ticket: Neither Kamala Harris nor Donald Trump are running big ad campaigns in Illinois.
Seat flipper: Asked why Illinois Democrats are still wanting to spend money on flipping districts given they have a supermajority after picking up seats in the redistricting process, Welch said it’s simple.
Why he does it: “As a Democratic leader in the state, I think my job is to support Democrats,” Welch said, giving a hat tip to fellow Democratic Party leader Toni Preckwinkle, who sat at the head table with Welch during lunch.
“I want to work with people who share our values, people who share our beliefs,” Welch said.
Like herding cats: Your host asked if it’s a challenge to manage a caucus that continues to grow. “We may differ from time to time, but that’s a reflection of the diversity in the Democratic Party, and we have to embrace that,” Welch said. “I think part of the fun and joy of being a Democrat is enjoying sometimes having those discussions and those disagreements.”
GOVERNOR ADVANCES QUANTUM
Governor Pritzker today makes a subsequent announcement regarding his efforts to put Illinois in a leading role in Quantum Computing.