When the 2020-21 ChicagoBlackhawks season started, there were many questions. It was following a surprisingly decent performance in the COVID-19 bubble but we all knew that it was fool’s gold based on the roster. One of the biggest questions to be answered would be the report on Alex DeBrincat. He was brilliant in his […]
Lindsey Vonn hosts the 2020 Sports Illustrated Awards at AG Production Services on December 10, 2020 in North Las Vegas, Nevada. | Getty Images
As another iteration of the Olympic Games near, Vonn is eager to talk about mental health and the unique stressors that athletes face, both before and after competition.
Lindsey Vonn didn’t talk about depression in the early stages of her Olympic skiing career. Part of her viewed it as a sign of weakness. Part of her didn’t understand the impact it was having. And in American society at the time, mental health was not exactly the topic du jour.
“I wish I had been able to — or been strong enough to — talk about it back in the early parts of my career,” Vonn told USA TODAY Sports. ”But I think the older I got and the more support I got from others, the more I realized there’s no shame in it.”
That’s why, as another iteration of the Olympic Games near, Vonn is eager to talk about mental health and the unique stressors that athletes face, both before and after competition. The 36-year-old may be retired, and she obviously earned her three Olympic medals at the Winter Games, rather than the Summer. But for Vonn, that doesn’t make the subject any less important – particularly in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I feel like, honestly, everyone should have a therapist,” she said. ”It should be like having a dentist, or going to a pediatrician. We should all take mental health seriously and do our best every day to make sure we’re taking care of it.”
Vonn won two medals at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and a third in Pyeongchang in 2018. In 2012, she revealed that she had been quietly fighting depression, which runs in her family, for more than a decade and had been taking anti-depressants to manage her symptoms.
Vonn spoke on behalf of Allianz, an Olympic sponsor which said it is providing mental health resources for athletes — including by providing emotional support dogs for a group of skateboarders training in Los Angeles.
The idea hit home for Vonn, who has three dogs and said she has leaned on them in difficult moments. She adopted one of her dogs, Leo, in 2014 while recovering from a knee injury that caused her to miss the Sochi Games. And Vonn famously brought another, Lucy, with her as she traveled for competition in the final years of her career, including to the Pyeongchang Olympics.
“I think dogs give you a level of unconditional love and support that you don’t, unfortunately, get from humans,” Vonn said. ”Lucy doesn’t know that I ski race. She doesn’t care. She’s just happy every time I walk through the door. For me, that always gave me a sense of peace and stability. And it grounded me, because it made me keep everything in perspective.”
Vonn said that, even as a retired Winter Olympian, she’s “definitely jealous” of the athletes who will be competing this summer in Tokyo, where the Games begin July 23. She’s most looking forward to watching skateboarding, tennis, the U.S. women’s soccer team — and, of course, Simone Biles.
As for future Winter Games, Vonn was recently named to the governing board of the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee for the Games, which hopes to bring the Olympics back to Utah in either 2030 or 2034. She hopes the existing — and well-maintained — infrastructure from the 2002 Games will help defray some of the costs that are normally associated with hosting the Olympics.
Vonn was also asked about the upcoming 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, which are slated to begin Feb. 4, and how athletes may be affected by repeated calls to boycott those Games due to China’s detainment of Uyghurs, a predominantly Muslim ethnic group. President Joe Biden’s advisers have called it “genocide.”
“I think the Olympics provide a great platform, for people to speak about things they believe are important, to bring to light things that maybe would not be brought to light,” Vonn said.
U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Ill. | Justin L. Fowler / The State Journal-Register
Experts cite multiple ways to evaluate which coal plants are the “cleanest” beyond total CO2 emissions. Prairie State ranks nowhere near the top based on any of the yardsticks.
As Republican were dropping U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis’s name as the next potential rival to run against Gov. J.B. Pritzker, the congressman was in southern Illinois visiting a coal plant that could get shut down if the governor gets his way.
Davis used the visit to criticize the Democratic governor’s support for a sweeping energy plan that could close every coal-fired power plant in Illinois by 2035, an idea opponents say would kill jobs and hike rates.
Davis called on Pritzker to spare the Prairie State Energy Campus in Marissa, south of East St. Louis. The plant provides power to municipalities in eight states, including a swath of Davis’ 13th Congressional district.
“The municipally owned Prairie State power plant is the cleanest coal-fired power plant in the nation,” he said during his June 18 visit. “The company is actively pursuing and adopting additional carbon sequestration and storage and emissions-reducing technologies, and they should receive support from state and federal agencies for their efforts.”
One of Prairie State Energy Campus’ two power units was selected in 2019 as the site of a U.S. Department of Energy-backed carbon-capture research project slated to be completed by the end of the year. But federal data show the plant has been one of the nation’s 10 biggest emitters of heat-trapping carbon dioxide, a fact recently highlighted by the Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Tribune.
While experts say there are multiple ways to evaluate which coal plants are the “cleanest” beyond total CO2 emissions — which tend to single out power plants producing the most electricity — Prairie State ranked nowhere near the top based on any of the yardsticks we found to measure it.
Davis’ office did not respond to requests for comment.
Not ‘cleanest’ by any major metric
Defining how “clean” a coal plant is depends on whom you ask — and when.
“ ‘Clean coal’ has been this sort of amorphous term that has meant whatever people want it to mean, and it’s changed over time,” said Daniel Cohan, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at Rice University.
Before climate change gained significant attention, Cohan and other experts said, coal plants generally were judged on emissions of regulated air pollutants causing smog and acid rain, such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulfur dioxide (SO2).
Amid growing concern over climate change, experts said there’s a case for including CO2 emissions in the conversation about which plants are cleanest.
To compare Prairie State’s emissions against other power plants, Cohan pointed us to data published by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency showing how much of a given gas or pollutant power plants emit per unit of electricity generated.
In 2019, the latest year for which data was available, Prairie State Generating Station ranked 169th of 306 coal plants in the nation for CO2 emission rates. Its ranking for its SO2 emission rate was roughly the same.
Prairie State performed better on NOx emissions — placing 37th — but still nowhere near the top.
“By no means is this a clean power plant,” Cohan said. “It’s still a substantial contributor to air pollution and climate change.”
But calling Prairie State the cleanest coal plant in the country “would be absurd,” he said.
“It’s not the cleanest by any reasonable metric,” said Emily Grubert, an energy systems researcher and professor at Georgia Tech.
Our ruling
Davis said the Prairie State power plant is “the cleanest” coal-fired power plant in the nation.
His office did not respond when asked for evidence to back that up.
Experts cite multiple metrics by which to assess how clean a coal plant is. EPAl data show Prairie State does not come out at or near the top based on any of them.
PANTS ON FIRE: The statement is not accurate and makes a ridiculous claim.
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The Chicago Cubs are in a very interesting spot. They always seem to be either very hot or very cold which has led to them being in the spot they are in now. They trail the Milwaukee Brewers for first place in the NL Central Division by 2.0 games going into their Sunday night baseball […]
Chicago police work the scene where four people were shot in the 7000 block of South Indiana Ave, in the Park Manor neighborhood, Saturday, June 26, 2021. | Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times | Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times, Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
A 25-year-old was found early Saturday in the 2600 block of West Thomas Street with a gunshot wound to the torso.
Two people were killed, and 38 others wounded in citywide gun violence since Friday night.
In the weekend’s reported fatalities, a man was fatally shot early Saturday in Humboldt Park on the Northwest Side.
The 25-year-old was found about 4:35 a.m. in the 2600 block of West Thomas Street with a gunshot wound to the torso, Chicago police said.
He was taken to Stroger Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police said. He hasn’t been identified.
An hour later, another man was killed, and three others were wounded after getting into an argument in West Rogers Park on the North Side.
About 5:30 a.m., the group was in the 6100 block of North McCormick Boulevard, when they got into an argument with a man who pulled out a gun and began firing shots, police said.
A 35-year-old man was struck in the chest and leg, and taken to St. Francis Hospital in where he was pronounced dead, police said. He has not yet been identified.
A 25-year-old man was struck in the stomach and took himself to Evanston Hospital, where his condition was stabilized, police said.
Two men, between the ages of 20 and 25, were both stuck in the right leg, and went to Swedish Covenant Hospital where their conditions were stabilized, police said.
In nonfatal attacks, a woman was shot Friday in Austin on the West Side.
She was walking about 9:10 p.m. in the 200 block of South Cicero Avenue when someone opened fire, striking her in the leg, police said. The 56-year-old was taken to Stroger Hospital, where her condition was stabilized.
Another woman was wounded in a shooting late Friday in Bridgeport on the South Side.
The 28-year-old was traveling in a vehicle as a passenger about 11:25 p.m. in the 2800 block of South Wallace Avenue when three males who were standing outside fired shots at the vehicle, police said.
A bullet struck her in the elbow, and she was taken to Mercy Hospital in good condition, police said.
Minutes later, four people were hurt, two critically, in a shooting in Park Manor on the South Side.
Two women, both 28, and two men, both 31, were standing outside about 11:50 p.m. when a person drove past in a red moped and fired shots in the 7000 block of South Indiana Avenue, police said.
One woman was shot three times on the body and was taken in critical condition to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, police said. The other was struck in the thigh and was transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where her condition was stable.
One man was also critically hurt with a gunshot wound to the head, police said. He was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, police said. The other man was shot in the thigh and taken to the same hospital, where his condition was stable.
At least 29 others were wounded in shootings across Chicago since 5 p.m. Friday.
He keeps acquiring more and would rather have them in his bed than his new wife.
DEAR ABBY: When my husband and I got married a year ago, he had seven rescue dogs, which was a lot for me, but I accepted it. Two of the small dogs slept in our bed, and I was OK with that, too. My husband promised he would never put the dogs before me, and when those dogs died, he would not replace the big ones. (At that time, he had only two small ones.) Well, he has lost a big one and a small one, which left us with five dogs.
Not only did my husband go to the shelter and adopt two, he is going to buy another one! Everything he promised was a lie. The two from the shelter are allowed to sleep with us, although I’ve explained to him I can’t sleep with all these dogs in our bed. Rather than have them sleep somewhere else in the house, he has pretty much told me to pack my things. When he told his dog-loving mother about our problem, she advised him that it’s OK for me to sleep in another room so he can sleep with his dogs.
I feel like he knew all along what his intentions were. I almost left and I am still thinking about it. I’ve talked to him, but he won’t change his mind. I’m not sure why he even married me. Help me, please. — SLEEPING POORLY IN TENNESSEE
DEAR SLEEPING POORLY: Unfortunately, I can’t help you. You are going to have to help yourself. Your husband has made clear to you that his animals come first. Now that you know what his priorities are — and you appear to be at least sixth on the list — pack your bags and get out of there. He isn’t going to change, and you will both be happier.
DEAR ABBY: I have three children, ages 10, 8 and 5. I live about 45 minutes from my sisters and my parents, so we spend holidays and more together. My younger sister is pregnant and wants to name the baby “Bradley” because she and her husband can’t agree on any other name. When she asked my opinion, I was taken aback because my 5-year-old’s name is “Bradford.” At first I said it would be OK. But after a few days of thought, I asked her to please not use Bradley as a first name because my son (and hers) may want to use “Brad” in school or sports at some point, and it would be confusing. This has caused a family rift, as everyone thinks I’m being unfair.
At this point, it’s not about the name. It’s more about her deciding to ignore my wishes. Are there baby-naming rules of etiquette to follow? I will, of course, love the child regardless, and I love my sister. We are close. However, I’m surprised they can’t come up with any other name, knowing that it bothers me. Help! — NAME GAME IN ILLINOIS
DEAR NAME GAME: For whatever reason, your sister and her husband seem unable to find another name. Accept it and move on. Because of the five-plus year age difference between the boys, there shouldn’t be a problem with “confusion” because by the time her son is ready for kindergarten, your son will be so much further along in grammar school. He will also be out of high school by the time his cousin enters. Rather than fume over something you can’t control, let it go.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
Abby shares more than 100 of her favorite recipes in two booklets: “Abby’s Favorite Recipes” and “More Favorite Recipes by Dear Abby.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $16 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby, Cookbooklet Set, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK – JUNE 23: Assistant coach Jim Hiller of the New York Islanders works the bench during the game against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Six of the NHL Stanley Cup Semifinals during the 2021 NHL Stanley Cup Finals at the Nassau Coliseum on June 23, 2021 in Uniondale, New York. The Islanders defeated the Lightning 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
The Tampa Bay Lightning are headed to the Stanley Cup Final. They defeated the New York Islanders in what ended up being a magnificent seven-game series. They won game seven thanks to heroic performances by their goaltender and then some clutch scoring. They will face the Montreal Canadiens in the final series of the regular season. As for the Islanders, they have another offseason of trying to figure out how to win that big game. It makes you wonder if the Chicago Blackhawks will try and take advantage of them this summer.
The ChicagoBlackhawks might try to snag some Islanders before they move.
No team returns exactly the way that it left the following year. The Islanders are taking that to a whole new level as they aren’t even returning to the same arena. The Nassau Coliseum has been their home for decades and now they are going to be moving into a brand new building. “The Coli”, as it’s known around the Long Island area, died with the series.
The Islanders are going to be very active this offseason. They are a very good team that has a lot of potential over the next few years. They might let a few of their pending free agents walk so that they can spend a little money this offseason but you never know what happens.
The Chicago Blackhawks, unfortunately, believe that they are contenders for whatever reason. They might look towards the Islanders for free agent help this offseason as they have a couple of good ones. These are the three free agents that the Blackhawks would most likely pursue this year:
It’s usually a quiet week as we head into a July 4 weekend. Some places will have Independence Day events, others might close for the holiday. But we will also be adding events as they come in, including more fundraisers for Skeleton Key.
Monday, June 28
No events for today. But please check back, we update continuously.
Tuesday, June 29
7:00 pm • Side Lot Bingo! Side Lot Brewery, 110 Slocum Lake Rd., Wauconda, IL 847-714-2584 Map We’re playing Bingo again! Get ready to shake your balls every Tuesday night at Side Lot Brewery. Limited seating is available both inside and outside. Reservations are HIGHLY recommended. MASKS ARE REQUIRED TO ENTER THE PROPERTY & ANYTIME YOU’RE NOT SEATED. If this is a problem, stay home.
Wednesday, June 30
5:00 – 8:00 pm • Bell’s Cheers To Independence The Open Bottle, 7101 W. 183rd St., Tinley Park, IL 708-263-0449 Map If you know anything about Bell’s, you know they’re fiercely independent. Formed in 1985, Bell’s Brewery has been family-owned and operated ever since. To celebrate Bell’s and summer, we’re holding a Cheers to Independence night & tapping two of our favorites: Oberon & Two Hearted. You’ll get to keep the pint glass with any purchase of Oberon, and we’ll kick be raffling off an EPIC Oberon Summer Prize Pack that includes a hammock, pool float, beach towel and a (drumroll please) USA Custom Bell’s BARBEQUE! Any purchase of Oberon or Two Hearted on draft gets a raffle ticket & the raffle will run until both beers tap out. We can’t wait to celebrate independence & one of the stalwarts of American craft brewing with you! Oberon is how we kick off summer. This light drinking American Pale Wheat has a spicy hop character with a mild fruit finish. It’s the beer that lets us know summer is finally here. Two Hearted is an American IPA brewed with 100% Centennial hops. It’s a little sip of heaven & perfect with everything. Notes of pine and grapefruit sing out as if your taste buds were an angelic choir letting you know you chose the right beer. This beer is perfectly balanced & an all-time legend.
6:00 pm • Sidelot Hops Imperial Oak Brookfield, 9526 W. Ogden Ave., Brookfield, IL (708) 387-0050 Map Join us for a weekly workout and a beer in Brookfield. “Sidelot Hops” is a 50-minute, full-body workout that incorporates strength, cardio, core, mobility, and stretching components. Sweat it out every Wednesday at 6pm, then reward yourself with a nice cold pint in the pub! Bring a yoga mat, light to medium dumbbells if you like, a sweat towel, and a bottle of water. Just $20 covers your 50-minute session and your cool down pint of choice!
7:00 pm • Its Always Sunny In Philadelphia Trivia The Brass Tap, 14225 95th Ave. Ste. 400, Orland Park, IL 708-226-1827 Map According to Dennis, what does the “D” in The D.E.N.N.I.S. System stand for? Which Sunny character does Dennis hit with his car? Who does Charlie first tell that he has cancer? Which one of the gang quotes the Bible? What movie did Dennis rent that upsets Mac because he wasn’t consulted in the decision? If you can answer any of these questions then join us for It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia Trivia and win some prizes. It’s free to play. Call the bar during business hours to reserve your table . Hosted by Finer Points Trivia.
7:00 pm • Trivia Wednesdays at Black Lung Black Lung Brewing Co., 2217 IL-83, Round Lake Beach, IL (847) 340-3320 Map Fantastic fun through trivia and yummy craft beer drinking!!! With Dancing In The Rain DJ!! Food always available from Ron’s Italian Ovens! Just go to their website, enter as a “pick up”, then under food instructions type “black lung”, and they deliver for free.
8:00 – 9:00 pm • Band and Beera Caboose Park, 37908 N Fairfield Rd, Lake Villa, IL Map The Lindenhurst Park District’s Wednesday show goes to WEEK #5: we head over to Lake Villa Township Caboose Park as we feature an old fav- Modern Day Romeos from 7-8:30pm. Black Lung Brewing Company will be pouring some foamy, hazy favorites for you to quench your thirst!
Thursday, July 1
3:00 pm • New Zealand Lager Tapping Goldfinger Brewing Co., 513 Rogers St., Downers Grove, IL (630) 541-9728 Map We’re excited to announce that we will be tapping our New Zealand lager on Thursday just in time for 4th of July weekend! This beer is an exploration of the relationship between the mother German noble hop variety Hallertau Mittelfrüh (the hop we use in our Original lager) and its offspring Wai-iti; bred and grown in New Zealand. This was the first experimental lager we brewed last year, and it exposed tons of potential as the two hops enhanced each other in interesting ways. This established a foundation from which we built an updated recipe that strikes a perfect balance of aroma, flavor, bitterness, and dryness. This year’s version features a beautiful bouquet of peach, tangerine, and slight dankness in the aroma as a result of dry hopping. It is followed by an initial malty sweetness that delivers candied fruit flavors with honey and biscuit undertones. The beer finishes dry, crisp, and refreshing staying true to its lager qualities. As an added bonus this year, we will be canning a portion of this batch that will only be available for purchase in our taproom (no distro). New Zealand Lager | Hoppy Lager | Step Mash | 7.2% abv | 40 IBU
4:00 – 9:30 pm • Thursday Night Tacos! Side Lot Brewery, 110 Slocum Lake Rd., Wauconda, IL 847-714-2584 Map You’ve been asking when Tacos are coming back to Side Lot. Taco Thursdays kick off on June 3rd and will continue every Thursday night. Make your reservations!
4:00 – 6:00 pm • Fruited Belt & Suspenders Tapping Orange & Brew, 1027 Burlington Ave., Downers Grove, IL (630) 541-3880 Map Start your holiday weekend off right as we do a BuckleDown Brewing tap takeover! The highlight will be all four fruited Belt & Suspenders IPA’s… Blood Orange and Grapefruit, plus this year’s newest versions, Pineapple and Mango! Plus, meet some of our friends from BuckleDown and have a chance at some swag!
6:00 pm • Arrowhead Beer & Food Pairing Arrowhead Ales Brewing Co., 2101 Calistoga Dr., New Lenox, IL 815-717-6068 Map We will be hosting our first ever beer and food pairing event on July 1st at on our covered outdoor patio and we would love for you to join us! This event is limited to 30 tickets. To make a reservation, call us during normal business hours at 815-717-6068 $70 – per person includes tax and gratuity.
6:00 – 8:30 pm • Chicago Brew Cruise Chicago Firebot ToursMap Chicago Fireboat Tours and Phase Three Brewing Co. are partnering up to offer one of the most unique experiences in Chicago, every Thursday evening all summer-long!! Phase Three Brewing Company will be bringing just days-old fresh, new releases directly from their Chicagoland brewery every week to serve aboard Chicago Fireboat Tours’ 1933 retired Chicago Fireboat, the Fred A. Busse. Boarding begins at 6:00p.m and the boat departs at 6:30pm for a 2-hour sunset cruise. The Brew Cruise will start on the lake, float through the locks and right into the heart of downtown Chicago via the Chicago River, enjoying world-class views, an amazing sunset, and great music; all paired with fresh, innovative craft beers and hard seltzers. Tickets are $45 per person at www.fireboattours.com, and include your 1st Phase Three brew once onboard.
6:00 pm • Solemn Oath/Rhinegeist Collab Sovereign Restaurant, 24205 W. Lockport St., Plainfield, IL 815-556-8577 Map Join us as we welcome our pals from Solemn Oath and Rhinegeist for a specialty tapping event. Nick Scoffield of SOB and Matt Turczak from Rhinegeist will be in attendance to talk beer, hang out, and be generally great dudes. Beers being tapped: Solemn Oath/Rhinegeist R4 Hazy Pale Ale w/ Citra, Azacca & Jarrylo Solemn Oath Lu Kolsch Rhinegeist Bubbles Rosé Beer Rhinegeist Truth American IPA
8:00 – 10:30 pm • Bike-In Movie Night! feat. Pee Wee’s Big Adventure! Rabid Brewing, 17759 Bretz Dr., Homewood, IL 708-960-3193 Map A Bike-In Movie showing of a film about a boy and his bike (postponed from last weekend due to rain. Sponsored by GoodSpeed Cycles – Homewood to support South Suburban Family Shelter. Donations encouraged through Paypal.
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Meet The Blogger
Mark McDermott
Writer, trivia maven, fan of many things. I thought to learn all there is to know about beer as a way to stay interested in learning. It is my pleasure to bring Chicago’s craft beer scene to you.
IL pols fail to pass Gov Pritzker’s proposed (A) phase out of coal and natural gas production & (B) subsidies for nukes and they do little to help minorities escape failing schools; Watch Berkowitz & Martin discuss the Titanic style ending to IL’s Springfield spring session- on Cable & Web
–In 25 Chicago Metro North and Northwest suburbs, Tuesday at 8:30 pm on either Ch 19 or Ch35 (See below for more airing details)
— in Aurora, this Monday, Wed and Saturday at 6 pm, Cable Ch 10
— in Highland Park, this Monday and Wed, 8:30 pm, Cable Ch 19
— in Rockford, this Thursday, 8:30 pm, Cable Ch. 17
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Jeff Berkowitz (Public Affairs’ Host and Illinois Channel Chicago Bureau Chief) and Terry Martin (Illinois Channel’s Executive Director) discuss why the Illinois legislature was unable to pass Governor Pritzker’s desired energy legislation and why that might be a good thing for all concerned!
In a cameo, the Governor articulates his primary IL energy goal—to promote clean energy to deal with Climate Change, apparently by example, since IL can’t influence U. S. “Climate change policy,” let alone world-wide causes of carbonization, led by China, India and Russia, who couldn’t care less about such stuff.
It’s possible the Governor has his eye on a Presidential run in 2024, and he wants to virtue signal his support for clean energy by becoming the first Midwest coal state to terminate coal production (by 2035) and natural gas production (by 2045).
Former GOP Primary Gov candidate and State Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) punctures the Governor’s climate change obsession with facts and calls Dems who support his energy policies “Morons and crazy.”
Berkowitz discusses why Competitive Power Ventures (“CPV”), a Silver Spring, Md.-based power generator, threatened to pull the plug on a massive, gas-fired 1.3 billion dollar facility it’s building in Morris if the energy bill as drafted was passed.
Senate President Don Harmon was quoted in Crain’s Chicago last week, explaining why his Senate Democratic Caucus’ pulled the plug on the energy bill: “There are significant investments and significant jobs associated with those (gas) plants. People could be out of a job (next Monday) if we passed that [energy] bill today (June 16).”
CPV’s CEO said it could live with IL terminating natural gas production in 2045. But, it couldn’t live with legislation giving state authorities the power to act in an arbitrary and capricious way to raise the requirements for plant de-carbonization over the next two decades. Business just can’t make billion dollar investments with that kind of uncertainty.
In short, Berkowitz and Martin discuss how the Democratic Party run IL legislature needs to mend its ways, especially when it comes to such important matters as the State’s energy and budget policy- and conduct orderly, detailed and thoughtful hearings and distribute and place on the State’s website the relevant analyses and proposed legislation months, not minutes, before the legislative vote.
Also discussed was the passage of legislation creating an unmanageable, bizarre twenty-one member, elected CPS school board that would take power in 2027.
Further, Martin and Berkowitz discuss the passage of legislation commerorating the public notification in Galveston, TX on June 19, 1865 of the end of U. S. slavery. The legislation will make Juneteenth a state public holiday, starting with June 19, 2023.
Berkowitz and Martin argue what would be much more important and helpful to low income minorities would be the IL legislature and cities across the state, (especially the inner cities) instituting strong school voucher- school choice programs. These programs should allow blacks and other minorities (only 30 percent of whom read at grade level in 3rd grade at CPS) to escape their failing schools by using the taxpayer money currently going to public schools to attend any school (public or private) of their choice.
Berkowitz also argues that the IL legislature and the cities and counties across the state (but especially in the inner cities of IL) need to do much more to protect black and other minorities from homicides, shootings and other violence in their communities.
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This Tuesday’s Chicago Metro suburban episode of Public Affairs (featuring discussion by Jeff Berkowitz and Terry Martin of the close of Springfield’s spring legislative session last week) airs at 8:30 pm in 25 North and Northwest suburbs on:
–Comcast Cable Ch. 19 inBuffalo Grove, Elk Grove Village, Hoffman Estates, parts of Inverness, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Niles, Northfield, Palatine, Rolling Meadows and Wilmette and on
Comcast Cable Ch. 35 in Arlington Heights, Bartlett, Glenview, Golf, Des Plaines, Hanover Park, Mt. Prospect, Northbrook, Park Ridge, Prospect Heights, Schaumburg, Skokie, Streamwood and Wheeling.
Both items appeared to me through the reach of social media.
A female colleague that I adored, so did most men joined by many women left me and many today. Nicky’s body was at war. Her spirit despite the conflagration soared. I had the honor and privilege to talk with her often during the year of the Pandemic. And yes, I was aware of her battle that she had no intent on giving into. Instead of focusing only on health, we talked shop. We discussed at length a revolutionary concept for a video program that might impact the world. I realized that Nicky’s idea could be a game-changer kind of revolution in the world of sharing information with every person on earth – a connection through the power of video and world interconnectivity via broadband that would truly be historic. Nicky wanted me to meet potential investors as well as offer my insight regarding the media-arts-production she envisioned. For me, that was a wonderful compliment from a professional in my field who is revered by many. And today I read the news – oh boy – that Nicky had transitioned to another astral plane that is not available to earthlings until they ascend to what many of us pray is a much higher power.
That news that I read – oh boy – got worse as the day moved on. I found out that my favorite baker from my village had also moved on. The man fought so hard. He loved life. He loved people. That might explain why he got up day-in-and-day-out before the crack of dawn to make those wonderful cookies, sweet rolls, pies, cakes, and other ambrosia that made the mouths of thousands water with delight. You’ve got to hand it to anyone who can make with their hands the wonderful delicacies that brought smiles to the faces of those lucky enough to be one of his customers. God bless that man for the gift of lightening our burden at times…my God, we all know we needed it. The public support for A GO-FUND ME page confirmed that the BAKER was a PRINCE among men.
For the families of both souls, know that your beloved was truly loved by others. At this moment in time, that might be the very best news you could read – oh-boy-triumphantly – because love conquers all – even death.
William Natale is an Emmy-award-winning TV producer/director and author of “1968 – A Story As Relevant Today As It Was Then,” (a tale that takes place in Chicago based in part on a true story). Natale served as the director and associate producer for “Water Pressures,” featuring HBO ENTOURAGE star Adrian Grenier, shot on location in India and various cities in the U.S. “Water Pressures,” was broadcast on over 224 PBS stations. Natale was the Chairman of the Broadcast Promotional Marketing Executives (BPME now known as Promax). Natale served as the Marketing & Promotion Director for NBC5 Chicago and the VP/Director of Corporate Communications for WTTW. He also has experience in the education field as the Executive Director for both the downtown and Lombard campuses of the IL Media Schools (vocational colleges that teach broadcast media arts). He also served as the Executive Producer for the Internet Streaming Corporation and WATCH312.com – working with talented individuals such as Candace Jordan (aka Candid Candace). Natale is a native Chicagoan and proud father of three adult children, two daughters and a son.
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