THE ILLINOIZE: State Capitol remains on lockdown...Reopening bars and restaurants begins...Some suburban mayors not enforcing ban...What's next for Madigan...Scherer won't seek Senate seat...

January 19, 2021

Good morning.

We have a lot of new subscribers from our marathon of newsletters last week. Thank you for subscribing.

A little about us, in case you’re new here: I’m Patrick Pfingsten, a downstate kid who was annoyed at the poor job downstate media did covering an important congressional primary this fall. I spent six years as a reporter in Champaign and the last decade or so working in politics, including for the Senate Republicans, Congressman Rodney Davis, and many other campaigns.

I admit my bias and disclose my potential conflicts so you can make a decision on what to think about what I write. I don’t consider myself a reporter, as a reporter, to me, doesn’t offer opinions. I do. I’ll analyze, give opinions, as well as write about what’s going on in the state.

We’re constantly posting content at www.theillinoize.com. You can follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, and you can e-mail me anytime at patrick@theillinoize.com. If you don’t like the newsletter, drop me a note and I’ll remove you. No harm, no foul.

As always, we hope you’ll share this newsletter with your colleagues and friends. Let’s get into it.

STATE CAPITOL GREEN ZONE

You’ve surely seen or heard about the large police and military presence surrounding the Illinois State Capitol.

It’s a stunning image, to see National Guard soldiers, rifles and sidearms in tow, wearing combat gear, with large Humvees blocking off the roads around the Capitol.

This is Springfield, not Fallujah.

Obviously, it’s in response to the January 6th attack on the Capitol in Washington by a coordinated group of seditionists in MAGA caps.

We’re told there is “actionable intelligence” from the FBI about State Capitol protests or attacks, but nobody has confirmed if Springfield is or was a target.

If a group of gun-totin’, confederate flag wavin’, Trump loyal protestors had their eyes on the Capitol this weekend, the guardsmen shut that down with their impressive presence.

“Law enforcement efforts have been very effective,” said Henry Haupt of the Secretary of State’s office. The Secretary of State Police are in charge of protection of the Capitol Complex in Springfield (which includes seven buildings in addition to the Capitol, covering some 125 acres).

Is it all probably a little much? Yeah.

“Better safe than sorry,” said Lt. Colonel Brad Leighton of the Illinois National Guard.

Can’t argue with that logic.

SUBURBAN INDIFFERENCE

Governor JB Pritzker’s executive orders, specifically those banning indoor dining and bar service, haven’t only been controversial downstate.

It appears numerous suburban Chicago communities are choosing not to enforce the orders, either.

I was in Rosemont a couple of Saturdays ago when I saw a crowd practically jammed in to a restaurant in that community. The Mayor of Rosemont also happens to be a State Representative. Mayor/Rep. Brad Stephens (R-Rosemont) said its not the job of Rosemont officials to enforce the Governor’s executive orders.

“Rosemont does not have authority to enforce the Governor’s Order but at the same time we have not told anyone to ignore it. Businesses and residents are capable of making their own informed decisions,” Stephens said in a statement last night.

Rosemont isn’t the only community not enforcing the orders. Orland Park’s Mayor has, in fact, been outspoken of his criticism of the Governor’s orders.

Here’s our story.

REOPENING BEGINS

The Illinois Department of Public Health announced yesterday five of the state’s 11 regions in the Governor’s “Restore Illinois” plan would be allowed to reopen for at least some indoor dining and bar service.

But none of the approved regions are in the City of Chicago or suburbs. Cook County and the six “collar” counties make up about two-thirds of the state’s population.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said last week Chicago bars and restaurants need to reopen soon.

Numerous Chicago bar and restaurant owners last week called for Governor JB Pritzker to immediately open indoor service across the state.

“Restaurant owners have done everything within their means to keep their teams together. They have followed all the guidance and protocols issued by our governor,” said celebrity Chef Rick Bayless of Frontera Restaurants, “But to carry on solely with carryout, delivery, meal kits, and mid-winter outdoor dining is simply not enough. Without the capability of some safe indoor dining, our restaurants’ long-term prospects are bleak, and we chip away – bit by bit – at the American dream. Not just the dreams our employees, who are among the most vulnerable in our society, but those of everyone contributing to the food supply chain throughout the country.”

The Illinois Restaurant Association has estimated if indoor dining is not restarted, the state will lose 5,000 or more restaurants, which they estimate will cost 120,000 jobs and in every corner of the state.

Read our story here.

WILL MADIGAN QUIT?

Yeah, I don’t know.

I don’t know that anyone who knows is saying so.

But, WCIA reporter Mark Maxwell (who you should definitely follow on Twitter) saw people cleaning out Madigan’s downtown Springfield apartment after he was dethroned as Speaker.

Madigan’s longtime spokesman Steve Brown told the Sun-Times there wasn’t anything to read into it.

“No. They were downsizing. He doesn’t expect to be there as much. He probably didn’t need something like that, like he’s had over the years,” Brown told the Sun-Times. “He could just stay at a hotel. He’s probably just there for session days.”

Though some House Democrats have told me privately they don’t expect Madigan to return to Springfield as a rank-and-file legislator.

Here’s our story.

SCHERER WON’T SEEK MANAR’S SEAT

State Representative Sue Scherer (D-Decatur) will not seek to replace now former Sen. Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) in the State Senate.

Scherer told me last night she has informed Democratic chairs in the district she will not be a candidate for appointment to the seat, which covers six counties and has trended more conservative in recent years.

The district will be redrawn in two years, so whoever gets the eventual appointment will be up against a considerably different field than stands today. Former Senate President John Cullerton practically drew the district for Manar in 2011. Manar was his Chief of Staff at the time.

Manar resigned this weekend to take a job with the Pritzker administration.

Eyes will certainly now focus on Decatur Mayor Julie Moore-Wolfe for the seat. Moore-Wolfe has been Mayor since 2015, when then-Mayor Mike McElroy died. Interestingly, McElroy was the first opponent for Manar in 2012.

Moore-Wolfe was elected in 2017 then won a full term in 2019. She did not return my message last night, but if I hear from her today, we’ll update the story here.

IN MEMORY OF RALPH CAPPARELLI

Longtime State Representative Ralph Capparelli passed away December 31. He served in the House from 1971-2004 and had a reputation as someone who could get along with Democrats and Republicans while getting things done for his northwest side district. The Sun-Times wrote a nice obituary.

Capparelli’s son, Cary, sought his father’s old seat in the General Assembly last year, but he lost in a primary to Michelle Darbro. Darbro was defeated by Rep. Brad Stephens (R-Rosemont) in the General Election.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Happy Birthday today to Governor JB Pritzker, who turns 56. My guess is last year wasn’t a highlight, so lets hope for improvement for everyone in 2021.

BEFORE WE GO

Thanks to everyone for your feedback last week. Obviously, there were huge issues happening in Springfield, and with the fall of the Madigan era, it was historic for the state. It was pretty wild to see it up close.

If you’re going to the inauguration Wednesday, let me know. I’d love to get your perspective.

I’m always interested in your feedback. So please, respond to these e-mails or drop me a note at patrick@theillinoize.com.

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Have a great week.