Of the more than 170 open cases the Illinois State Board of Education has of educator misconduct from around the state, 40 of them deal with allegations of a sexual nature.

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

Mandates coordination between departments; names new Executive Director of Human Rights Commission

 

SPRINGFIELD  – Gov. Bruce Rauner today issued an executive order mandating that steps be taken to eliminate the backlog of over 1,000 cases at the Illinois Human Rights Commission (IHRC) dealing with anti-discrimination and equal opportunity complaints. Executive Order 18-08 will streamline government services to provide due process for Illinois residents.

In addition to the executive order, Gov. Rauner has appointed Philip Dalmage as the new Executive Director of the Illinois Human Rights Commission to oversee the commission’s coordination efforts.

“Our administration has made government transformation a priority from day one,” Rauner said. “With this executive order, The Human Rights Commission will have 60 days to create an 18 month plan to eliminate the thousands of backlogged cases that prevent taxpayers from receiving due process, and the assistance they need in their cases. I’m confident that under the new leadership of Executive Director Dalmage all of the goals of this executive order will be met in a swift manner.”

In 2016, Rauner directed the creation of a Bureau of Administrative Hearings at Central Management Services (CMS) to study the efficiencies the state could realize though consolidation of administrative hearing caseloads. Recognizing that the IHRC has one of the most egregious hearing backlogs in state government, and knowing these hearings affect the state’s most vulnerable populations, in 2017, the governor proposed Executive Order 17-02, the reorganization of IHRC into the Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) to expedite anti-discrimination cases brought by Illinois citizens. Without explanation, the General Assembly rejected the governor’s reorganization executive order later that year.

“This backlog must be addressed so that the victims of discrimination and harassment can receive the legal assistance they deserve,” said IDHR Director Janice Glenn. “This executive order will ensure that all harassment and discrimination cases receive due process.”

Nearly every year since 2008, the backlog of cases waiting final decision at IHRC has grown. Individuals and businesses, often parties without great financial means or legal assistance, wait longer and longer for a decision on their cases. On average, parties wait more than four years from the time of filing a charge of discrimination until a final decision is reached.

“This executive order will provide the tools necessary to directly resolve the backlog of charges of discrimination pending before IHRC. By sharing expertise and resources with CMS and IDHR, I am confident that we will accomplish this objective. I look forward to working with Phil Dalmage on this effort,” IHRC Chair Rosemary Bombela said.

Executive Order 18-08 mandates coordination between the Bureau of Administrative Hearings, IHRC, and IDHR to eliminate backlog and improve due process. Coordination includes:

• Within 60 days, creating a plan to eliminate IHRC’s backlog within 18 months.
• Drafting or amending legislation, administrative rules, and internal policies to streamline the transfer and administration of cases between IDHR and IHRC.
• Tracking and transparently reporting on backlogs.
• Developing a shared case management system with the Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT).
• Surveying parties appearing before IDHR and IHRC.
• Participating in training, including Rapid Results training.
• An annual report from the Bureau on the success of coordination and other process improvements, to be filed with the governor and the General Assembly.

The newly appointed executive director is a former Chief Administrative Law Judge at the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (IDCFS), and served as the Director of the Business Enterprise Program at the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS). Most recently, Dalmage worked as a practicing attorney dealing with civil and family cases, specifically working with IDCFS abuse and neglect cases. He holds a B.A. from Marquette University and a J.D. from the John Marshall Law School.

“It is an incredible honor to be appointed Executive Director of the Illinois Human Rights Commission,” Dalmage said. “I am aware of the long and storied history of the Illinois Human Rights Act in Illinois and look forward to using this role to adjudicate civil rights violations in as fair, just, and expeditious a manner as possible. I thank Governor Rauner for giving me this great opportunity.”

A group of school district leaders is urging Gov. Bruce Rauner to veto a bill that would require a $40,000 starting salary for teachers by 2022.

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

State secured funding accelerates signature research and economic development initiative

CHICAGO – Flanked by members of the Illinois General Assembly and leaders from the University of Illinois System, Gov. Bruce Rauner today revealed key advancements in the plan to turn Illinois into the “next coast” for technology and enterprise creation. The progress report was occasioned by news earlier this month that the project was appropriated $500 million by the State of Illinois.

The anchor project in the plan is the Discovery Partners Institute (DPI), an innovation center led by the U of I System intended to be located within The 78, Related Midwest’s 62-acre planned development in downtown Chicago. Bordered of the Illinois Innovation Network (IIN), a system of research centers across the state tailored to meet the needs of individual regions and lift their economies.

Since the initiatives were announced last fall, the U of I System has been working on implementation plans that will be ready later this year, including a construction timetable and other details. The U of I System has also continued to build its network of collaborative partnerships, adding its first corporate partner and the first academic partner from overseas.

“With state secured funding, all systems are ‘go’ for DPI,” said Rauner. “It can now get to work on world-changing ideas that investors will put money behind to create Illinois-based businesses and jobs. The state’s initial investment will be matched several times over by private sources of capital that form around our innovations. The end result will be an economic engine for Illinois and the Midwest that surpasses Silicon Valley.”

“Chicago is on the cutting edge of innovative research and development, and the Discovery Partners Institute will take our city to the next level,” said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “For researchers, students and businesses looking over the horizon to what’s next in discovery and innovation, Chicago is the future.”

“At the helm of innovation and development, The 78 is the perfect home for the Discovery Partners Institute,” said Curt Bailey, President of Related Midwest. “The 78 is a blank canvas in the heart of the city that will allow the University of Illinois System to create a global technology-based research institute downtown to attract and meet the demands of next-generation leaders. We look forward to working with DPI to create a transformative neighborhood with unique office space that will be home to industry leading companies, unapparelled transportation options, an accessible riverwalk, and resident and retail options that will drive economic growth for the entire city.”

During the news conference, U of I System President Tim Killeen announced that the system has opened an office on Wacker Drive in downtown Chicago and plans to expand current DPI operating space to more than 20,000 square feet. The system is providing $6 million over the next four years to support start-up efforts.

Killeen also said the system has agreements with the first corporate partner for DPI and its first international academic partner. The corporate agreement with Peoria-based OSF HealthCare will build on its existing relationship with the Innovation Center at the University of Illinois at Chicago. OSF is sponsoring an interdisciplinary course for DPI that will work toward creating connected, precision-guided healthcare delivery for the State of Illinois.

The partnership with Tel Aviv University is set to begin next month with a series of workshops in Chicago intended to connect Israeli and American entrepreneurs to accelerate research and, ultimately, enterprise creation. The academic agreement is DPI’s third, adding to inaugural partnerships with the University of Chicago and Northwestern University that were announced last fall.

“Israel is a global leader in innovation, technology, research and education as Gov. Rauner and President Killeen saw on their professional visit to our country last year,” said Aviv Ezra, Consulate General of Israel to the Midwest. “Israel, thus, is a natural partner for the DPI. We are proud that Tel Aviv University is collaborating, and we are honored to be a part of such a groundbreaking project.”

The U of I System is currently developing similar academic partnerships with the largest university in Latin America, the National Autonomous University of Mexico, and Mexico’s leading private university, Tech de Monterrey.

“This is just the start,” Killeen said. “In the years ahead, we will connect academic research centers at other universities and share intellectual power with business partners who can turn ideas into job-creating enterprises that will lift communities across the state.”

According to Killeen, DPI will be home to hundreds of world-class researchers and top faculty from across the U of I System. They will work with thousands of students every year, with countless businesses large and small, and with entrepreneurs and investors to spur enterprise creation in Illinois.

“Illinois has long served as the nation’s leading transportation hub, moving goods and people across the country and around the world,” said Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago). “The Discovery Partners Institute seizes on that brand of leadership and will similarly push Illinois to the global forefront in moving ideas and innovation.”

“This investment will benefit every region of our great state,” said Senate Republican Leader Bill Brady (R-Bloomington). “I want to commend the Governor for his leadership on this important issue, and I look forward to working with all parties to ensure this project’s success.”

The state’s treasurer says whether Illinois’ budget for the coming fiscal year is balanced depends on how the money is spent by the governor.

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

A graduate of Glenwood High School in Chatham designed Illinois’ bicentennial coin, which is available for preorder for $45 on the state treasurer’s website.

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

The weekend began with seven people shot in just an hour on the South Side. It ended with 10 people shot in two attacks on the West Side.

Here’s a link to the story at the Chicago Tribune.

CARBONDALE — The Southern Illinois University Board of Trustees will hold a special meeting on Thursday in Edwardsville to consider placing President Randy Dunn on administrative leave and appointing an acting president.

Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.

A former aide to House Speaker Michael Madigan shot back at the woman who accused him of sexual harassment earlier this year while downplaying her allegations.

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

A victims’ rights activist who was the first to publicly name a state legislator for alleged abuse of power has now filed a complaint against a slew of other state lawmakers who are also lawyers, claiming misconduct, malfeasance and other violations of professional standards.

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.