Struggling to stay put - Eviction moratorium creates worry 12 HOUSING | Bruce Rushton
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
7 NEWS | Cannabis comrades 17 FOOD | Sheet Pan Swiss Roll. 19 MUSIC | Off the Wall
FREE March 18-24, 2021 • Vol. 46, No. 35
Struggling to stay put
Eviction moratorium creates worry 12 HOUSING | Bruce Rushton
2 | www.illinoistimes.com | March 18-24, 2021
OPINION
Democracy
Barks and bites depends on the
Watchdogs prowl Illinois right to vote
UPON FURTHER REVIEW | Bruce Rushton GUESTWORK | Stephen Soltys, M.D.
Has the Republican Party given up on
This being Sunshine Week, when we for corruption and exposing skullduggery democracy?
celebrate the First Amendment and on www.edgarcountywatchdogs.com, Democracy is the foundation of the
remember that democracy demands open which is one letter different than www. Constitution, the fact that the people have
government, we should know that danger edgarcountywatchdog.com, a website run by a say in who represents and leads us. The
lurks. folks who call Kraft and Allen fascists bent majority sets the agenda for governing
"These people are working in a group on destroying democracy but won’t attach while many constitutional provisions
together and therefore we can say it is these names to accusations. The watchdogs say protect the rights of political, religious and
people named above who are running a a crook’s a crook: “We’ve busted as many ethnic minorities.
campaign that is so nasty and dirty we need Republicans as Democrats,” Allen says. Many amendments have expanded
to gargle Scope right now talking about As fascists go, Kraft and Allen keep the access to the vote, thereby furthering
it,” writes an anonymous critic as part of strange company. Kraft says he’s been democracy: Amendment 15 – black
an online crusade to bring down the Edgar guys who, retired from the military and fed granted media credentials to cover the suffrage, Amendment 17 – direct election
County Watchdogs, an outfit Bloomington up, became the Edgar County Watchdogs a legislature. Both men are members of the of senators by the people, Amendment
Mayor Tari Renner has called disgusting and decade ago after meeting at a dinner. John Society of Professional Journalists as well 19 – women’s suffrage, Amendment
sickening. Kraft says he’d been bamboozled by a school as Investigative Reporters and Editors, 23 – suffrage in Washington, D.C.,
“We're not putting up with stuff like board; Kirk Allen was upset with a 911 an organization dedicated to promoting Amendment 24 – abolition of poll taxes
this,” Renner lately declared at a city council board. journalism that matters, but Kraft and Amendment 26 – lowering the voting
meeting north of Springfield. They’ve been accused of doing it for the acknowledges the obvious: “You can look age to 18.
Renner blew his top after a blogger money. After all, the city of Carlinville in at what we write, you can see we’re not If you don’t support democracy, it
brought up a former city cop who quit in 2019 agreed to pay the watchdogs $90,000 professional reporters.” doesn’t matter if you wrap yourself in the
2019, when an internal affairs investigation to settle five lawsuits filed to obtain such Polished prose isn’t the point. When flag, stand for the national anthem or say
showed that he’d arrested an African records as credit card statements, phone bills public records yield a story, the watchdogs the Pledge of Allegiance daily: You don’t
American man who’d made a finger-gun and proof that city officials have undergone post links to documents. “Go click on the support the essence of what makes America
gesture at him inside a store. We know this state-mandated training on the Open link and see if you have the same opinion we great.
because the city of Bloomington, after being Meetings Act and Freedom of Information do – that’s all we ask,” Kraft says. “We hear a If the purpose of Russian meddling
sued by Edgar County Watchdogs, released Act. There ended up being no major scandal, lot of ‘Oh, they always write lies, they don’t in the U.S. elections of 2016 and 2020
internal affairs files. Upon agreeing to release which is often the case but, then again, Kraft know what they’re talking about.’ It’s always was to produce distrust in our democratic
the records and pay legal costs, the city issued and Allen don’t consider FOIA violations to a general statement. They never point to a institutions, they may have succeeded
a statement alleging that disclosure was be small transgressions. More often than not, specific statement that we wrote.” beyond their wildest dreams. It appears that
voluntary, which was technically true, given a public records requested by the watchdogs Small towns and rural counties are distrust in democracy seems to be centered
judge hadn’t yet ruled. end up mundane, Kraft says, which begs the favored hunting grounds. They’ve probed in the Republican Party.
“Nobody’s pushed anything under the rug question: Why not just turn them over? Chatham’s water utility. In September, four Without offering any solid evidence
(about) any of our police officers,” Mayor Allen says that he and Kraft have filed members of the Shelby County Board, or proof (only unsupported allegations),
Renner thundered at the blogger during the at least 50 Freedom of Information Act plus the county treasurer, demanded an former president Donald Trump has
Feb. 22 city council meeting. “You and Edgar lawsuits during the past decade, but they’re investigation after Kraft and Allen uncovered convinced a significant portion of the
County Watchdogs are probably the two least not getting rich. Edgar County Watchdogs documents suggesting that the county 47% of voters who supported him that the
credible media – they’re not media outlets, has less than $50,000 in annual revenue, so highway engineer had been running a private election was stolen and many say their faith
you’re just people talking out of a bodily it doesn’t have to file detailed annual reports business on county time. The attorney in democracy has been shaken.
orifice that’s not your mouth. Who in the with the Internal Revenue Service that are general in December ordered the Danville But even that 50% who voted for
world would listen to your garbage?” required from larger nonprofits. Police Department to give Kraft reports on President Biden have had their faith in
Quite a few people, which is a problem Kraft and Allen say that they each spend the arrest of a man found dead on the street democracy shaken.
for public officials who’ve run afoul of two between 40 and 60 hours a week looking about a half-mile from the county jail shortly The Texas lawsuit that the U.S. Supreme
after his release. The state Law Enforcement Court rejected had 126 Republican
Training and Standards Board in 2017 members of Congress supporting it (24%
claimed that 16 points of law barred release
Editor’s note of a list of former cops banned from law
of all members of Congress). Even after the
Capitol was stormed by a mob that didn’t
enforcement because of misconduct; nope, appear too picky about whom to harm, 145
Bruce Rushton’s cover story on the eviction moratorium provides rare glimpses into
said the attorney general, who ordered the Republican senators and representatives
Springfield’s often misunderstood low-income rental housing scene. Landlords need good database turned over to Allen. (27%) voted to support at least one of the
tenants; nobody evicts anybody with glee. Tenants need good housing, and know they Why do they do it? “I’ll say it’s a calling,” objections.
have to pay to keep it. There are bad actors among both tenants and landlords. But under Allen offers. That so many Republican members
normal circumstances, disputes can be resolved with the help of housing inspectors and Call me a communist, but we need more of Congress were willing to reject the
eviction courts. Pandemic made the eviction moratorium necessary, but it will have to be fascists like this. will of the voters in the absence of solid
lifted with care. Otherwise landlords may lose rental houses to foreclosure and tenants evidence of fraud should scare every voter
may lose their homes to eviction after all. –Fletcher Farrar, editor and CEO Contact Bruce Rushton at regardless of party.
brushton@illinoistimes.com.
continued on page 4
March 18-24, 2021 | Illinois Times | 3
OPINION
Pritzker’s polling drops, enthusiasm wanes
POLITICS | Rich Miller
For the first year or so of his administration had an unfavorable opinion of Pritzker, difficult to accomplish as the months click
leading up to the beginning of the which is not far off the 28% of city voters by for an incumbent.
pandemic, Gov. JB Pritzker’s polling wasn’t who opposed the governor’s Fair Tax last As the virus hopefully fades away, it’ll
exactly horrible, but it was still pretty November. Rauner beat Pat Quinn in 2014 also be easier to use pandemic-related
darned underwhelming. But after some with 21% of the city’s vote and lost to issues against Pritzker, like the ongoing
spectacular crisis-induced polling spikes last Pritzker four years later with just 15% of catastrophe at the Illinois Department
year, the governor has seemingly come back the city’s tally. of Employment Security, massive small
down to earth. “We are where we need to be in the city business closures, the LaSalle Veterans’
The first poll taken by Morning Consult and downstate,” that aforementioned GOP Home deaths, etc. The criminal justice
after Pritzker was sworn into office in consultant claimed yesterday. The key, he reform law is also going to be a very tricky
January of 2019 found his job approval said, is the suburbs. issue to handle, if other states are any
rate at 40%, with his disapproval at 29 and The “suburbs” classification in Englander guide. And he needs to put some wins
31% not saying either way. By the end of crosstabs includes suburban Cook, DuPage on the board to help people forget about
2019, Morning Consult had his approve/ and Lake counties. He’s separated those his disastrous 2020 graduated income tax
disapprove at 43-41 with 16% not weighing counties out for years because, an associate referendum.
in. An early February 2020 poll by Fako explained, that’s where the real battleground In other words, Pritzker will have his
Research & Strategies found that 39% of is. Pritzker took those three counties with own record to contend with instead of
Illinois voters rated him positively, while 57% in 2018. This recent poll has the running against a horribly unpopular
36% rated him negatively and 19% were governor’s favorables in those counties Republican incumbent in an off-year
neutral. at 47%, his unfavorables at 35 and “No election during the term of a fabulously
But then came the COVID-19 opinion” at 18. unpopular Republican president. The
pandemic and Pritzker’s numbers really shot This isn’t pandemic epidemiology here. overall trend will not be so friendly next
up, mainly because of his handling of the Pritzker has to find a way to convince the time, unless Pritzker gets lucky with a fatally
pandemic. Three polls in April and May of large number of people with no stated flawed Republican opponent, or creates
last year showed his pandemic job approval opinion of him to move his direction. He his own luck by quietly helping a far-right
rating at 70% or higher and one had his has plenty of time to do it, but it’s more candidate across the finish line.
overall job approval at 61-35. “He was
bullet-proof,” a top Republican consultant
recalled of those heady days.
What goes up often comes down,
1240 S. 6th, Springfield, IL 62703 • PO Box 5256, Springfield, IL 62705 however, and by October, a quite prescient
Office phone 217.753.2226 • Fax 217.753.2281
www.illinoistimes.com Change Research/Capitol Fax poll had
Letters to the editor letters@illinoistimes.com Pritzker’s fave/unfaves at 48-45, possibly
PUBLISHER Michelle Ownbey due at least in part to the unpopularity of
mownbey@illinoistimes.com, ext.1139 his graduated income tax proposal.
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER James Bengfort A poll released last week that was
jbengfort@illinoistimes.com, ext.1142
conducted February 17-21 by Chip
EDITOR Fletcher Farrar ffarrar@illinoistimes.com, ext.1140 Englander’s firm 1892 Polling had Pritzker
ASSOCIATE EDITOR Rachel Otwell
back to even, with 41% favorable and 41%
rotwell@illinoistimes.com, ext. 1143 unfavorable. The margin of error was +/-
SENIOR WRITER Bruce Rushton 3.5%. Englander was a key figure in Bruce
brushton@illinoistimes.com, ext.1122 Rauner’s 2014 gubernatorial campaign, but
CALENDAR EDITOR Stacie Lewis I’ve always found his polling to be reliable.
slewis@illinoistimes.com, ext.1129 Pritzker’s apparent problem now is the
EDITORIAL INTERN Madison Angell same problem he had in the early days: Lots
mangell@illinoistimes.com of folks say they have no opinion either way
PRODUCTION DESIGNERS about him – 18% in this instance.
Joseph Copley, jcopley@illinoistimes.com, ext.1125 A look at the crosstabs shows this is
Brandon Turley, bturley@illinoistimes.com, ext.1124
especially problematic with his party’s base.
ADVERTISING Black voters have a favorable opinion of
Beth Parkes-Irwin, birwin@illinoistimes.com, ext.1131
Yolanda Bell, ybell@illinoistimes.com, ext.1120 Pritzker (58-14), but 29% said they had no
Ron Young, ryoung@illinoistimes.com, ext.1138 opinion of the governor. 23% of women
BUSINESS and Latinos; 21% of Democrats; 19% of
Brenda Matheis, bmatheis@illinoistimes.com Chicagoans and 17% of liberals all had no
Published weekly on Thursday. Copyright 2021 by Central Illinois opinion of the governor. This more than
Communications LLC. CEO Fletcher Farrar. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in any form without permission is prohibited.
just suggests that Pritzker has a serious
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: enthusiasm issue.
Illinois Times, P.O. Box 5256, Springfield, IL 62705.
SUBSCRIPTIONS: illinoistimes.com./subscribe
There were some other warning signs in
the poll. A quarter of Chicagoans said they
4 | www.illinoistimes.com | March 18-24, 2021
OPINION
Democracy depends
on the right to vote
continued from page 2
One would think that a party that has so
often lost the popular vote in recent national
elections would be inclined to move away
from its increasingly far-right stance in order
to attract moderate voters.
Instead, in Republican-controlled
state legislatures, numerous bills are being
considered that have the potential to restrict
citizens’ access to the vote by curtailing vote-
by-mail, shortening early voting, reducing
the numbers of polling places and other
restrictions targeted at voting groups that tend
LETTERS the kids in my neighborhood suggested to cover a city our to not vote strongly for Republicans.
archival find # 47 We welcome letters. Please include
your full name, address and telephone
who attend Springfield public size. The Maximus study in A bill passed by the U.S. House to counter
schools. These children range 2011, another independent such voter repression laws appears to have a
number. We edit all letters. Send them
because of grampa’s deafness he in age from kindergarten study done by the city, showed slim chance to pass the U.S. Senate unless the
to letters@illinoistimes.com.
and my dad often communicated through sixth grade. Not one that the fire department’s filibuster is abolished.
by writing back and forth – here’s a of them can tell you what management levels were right in The U.S. Constitution was designed to
scrap I just found where they are a noun is, and asking them line with where they should be. guard against the tyranny of the majority.
discussing a capable but hotheaded FAILURE TO TEACH to give examples of verbs or We then added things However, current Republican efforts have the
and opinionated overseer-employee: I do not know if she intended adjectives is like asking them to like hazmat, tech rescue, dive potential to create a tyranny of the minority.
“Let’s write him an excellent this, but Cinda Klickna’s recent speak Mandarin. and more to provide even So where do we go from here?
recommendation,” my grampa column on the importance Springfield has the worst of greater service for our city. Just The first reasonable action would be to
scribbles, “and then find him a job of teaching grammar raised both worlds. We have a public recently, we began to upgrade hold elected officials accountable at the polls
as far away from us as possible!” far more questions than it school system that intentionally our medical services provided. for their anti-democratic actions or votes.
answered (“Phonics needs fails to teach elementary All these have been added to a While he had the common sense not to
2021 Jacqueline Jackson grammar on its team,” March concepts such as grammar and department that hasn’t grown. vote to support any of the objections to the
11). phonics, and at the same time, That’s more calls, more value Electoral College, local representative Darin
Ms. Klickna began her we pay an obscene amount and more efficiency. The people LaHood added his name to the spurious
column by admitting that she in taxes to prop up this failed of Springfield are getting more Texas lawsuit.
didn’t learn the parts of speech system. If District 186 refuses for their dollar than in previous Three of the five Illinois Republican
until she was in the eighth to teach grammar, what else years. members of Congress (including Rodney
grade. Is she serious? What does it refuse to teach? The department workload Davis) had the courage to stand up for
possible purpose could it have Robert Huck has more than doubled while democracy and reject the dubious legal logic
served District 186 to wait Springfield the size has remained the same. and unsubstantiated claims of the Texas
until the eighth grade to teach It’s an expensive insurance lawsuit. We need to remember this when we
something so simple? She then FIGHT CUTS TO FIRE policy. No one is saying we need vote in 2022.
said that the students in her DEPARTMENT a firehouse on every corner. During election campaigns, particular
high school junior advanced Fire department spending per No one is saying that cuts will attention should be paid to what candidates
English class did not know capita doesn’t tell the whole cause the city to burn to the say about the voting process. Many candidates
grammar, or even the parts of story (“Sound the alarm: Fiscal ground. But to say cutting who want to suppress voting camouflage their
speech. If they did not know sanity hits the fire department,” services won’t impact the safety comments as wanting to promote voting
these things, how did they get March 4). What is the budget of firefighters and the public we integrity, even though they can point to no
into high school in the first when it’s compared to other serve is absolutely wrong. Had solid evidence of voting irregularities under
place, much less an advanced cities that are the same size? someone reached out to the fire current standards.
English class? Springfield has continued department at all to actually I also urge readers to write their state
While I admire the clever to grow while the levels of find out about firefighting, your legislators urging them to pass legislation
methods she developed to protection and services have story would have had some requiring rank-choice voting for all primary
teach grammar, the lessons been continually slashed. Look validity. and general elections. In elections where there
should have been unnecessary. at the police and public works Nick Zummo are multiple candidates and no one candidate
These should have been taught departments to see how cuts Via Facebook.com/illinoistimes has a least 50% plus 1 vote, ranked choice
and consistently reinforced in affect your service. voting tends to result in more moderate
elementary school. The last time we had growth CORREX candidates being elected, rather than candidates
My children attend St. in the SFD was around 1990, A story from our March at either extreme of the political spectrum.
Agnes School, and grammar and we were primarily a fire- 11 issue about a forum for We need to be ever vigilant for the actions
is covered beginning in fighting organization. Since Ball-Chatham school board of those who would erode the right of citizens
kindergarten. They can give then, two independent studies candidates incorrectly stated to cast legitimate votes. Democracy is fragile.
examples of a noun, verb or were done which showed that Laura Calderon was
adjective without even thinking Springfield was understaffed running unopposed. Read the Dr. Soltys of Springfield is a retired physician
about it. Unfortunately, I and under-protected. Two to updated story at: who still teaches medical students at SIU on a
cannot say the same thing for four additional firehouses were tinyurl.com/yvuvp452. volunteer basis.
March 18-24, 2021 | Illinois Times | 5
KEEP IT LOCAL. Support local businesses. 6 | www.illinoistimes.com | March 18-24, 2021
NEWS
Cannabis comrades
As industry booms, Illinois employees want better pay and protection
LABOR | Rachel Otwell
Working with cannabis was a dream come true according to Craddock, initially human
for Leddie Lewis of Springfield. Her father had resources at Ascend told him to return to
been diagnosed with cancer in 2015. Before he work before the 14 days were over, or he’d be
died in 2016, medical cannabis helped improve penalized.
the quality of the days he had left, she said. “It An Ascend policy dated March 8, 2021,
pushed me into this drive to want to help other and reviewed by Illinois Times states that
people.” an employee who’s been in close contact
Lewis started at Ascend’s downtown with someone who has tested positive for
Springfield dispensary in October of last year. COVID-19 should take a rapid response test
It serves medical patients as well those seeking within two to five days of the exposure. The
adult-use, sometimes called recreational, test results are to be shared with the human
cannabis. Lewis was ready to start a career in the resources department. If the test is negative, the
industry, she said. employee “will report to work” – according to
And that industry is booming. Illinois sold the policy.
more than $1 billion in both medical and When asked if a cannabis dispensary would
adult-use cannabis in 2020, after becoming the be able to ask employees to return to work
11th state to legalize recreational marijuana. before a time frame advised by public health
Illinois sold $169.6 million worth of adult-use representatives, Gail O’Neill, director of the
cannabis, not including medical, in the first two Sangamon County Department of Public
months of 2021 – more than double what was Health, told Illinois Times it is the health
made in the first two months of 2020. That’s Briana Rodriguez speaks to reporters and those gathered at a March 3 press conference outside Ascend's department and contact tracers who make the
according to pre-tax figures from the Illinois downtown location. CREDIT: RACHEL OTWELL final decision on when a person can be released
Department of Financial and Professional from quarantine. “Employers asking employees
Regulation. Workers say they deserve wages and to return to work while they are ordered to be
benefits to match the growth of the burgeoning has one other location in Springfield, off of one dispensary that has unionized in the state in isolation or quarantine are asking them to
market. Dirksen Parkway, but that location is not part of so far, workers at a cultivation center in Joliet break the law,” she wrote in an email.
Lewis said she had immediate concerns the unionizing efforts. also approved a union contract late last year, Craddock said he was eventually told by
about safety protocol, such as proper mask The profits of the new industry Rodriguez becoming the first cultivation center in the state Ascend HR he could finish the quarantine
wearing, when she started the job. And then is working in were not lost on her. “I bring in to do so. “The pandemic was the turning point without being penalized. Still, he said in multiple
she got sick. On Nov. 11 a COVID-19 test enough money to pay off my whole college to get cannabis workers to realize that they had cases, the company has downplayed or ignored
confirmed she was positive, she said. She can’t tuition in one shift – in a few hours of it.” to organize,” Zavala said. He said prior to the complaints and inquiries about safe and proper
say for sure that she contracted the virus while During the press conference Moises Zavala pandemic, 881 UFCW was trying to mobilize protocol. “The union would give us a way for our
on the job, but said she thinks it was a strong passed around a paper outlining benefits of cannabis workers in the state. Most of them voices to not be ignored,” said Craddock.
possibility. She said people would work sick, unionizing. Zavala is director of organizing for “weren’t taking our message seriously, because Robert Bruno is professor of labor and
worried that otherwise they’d be penalized for Local 881 of United Food and Commercial they were in the stage where they thought that employment relations at the University of
missing work. “People were scared,” said Lewis. Workers International Union. The list was the company was going to do good by them.” Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He said the
“It was stressful every day.” based on guarantees for workers at Sunnyside cannabis industry is “one where a labor union
Lewis was one of several past and Cannabis Dispensary in Chicago after it became Pioneers is actually well situated to play an important
present employees interviewed who said the first dispensary in the state to ratify a union A March 2 letter addressed to Ascend workers role as a partner in making sure that rules and
communication over COVID cases by contract last month. congratulates them for their efforts to unionize. regulations are followed.” Bruno said cannabis
management was lacking. Lewis raised concerns Changes included more paid vacation time, “Through your hard work and partnership workers who are on the forefront of unionizing
over safety guidelines with higher-ups, but those raises, reduced health care coverage costs and a with the labor movement, working families in the industry in Illinois are “new pioneers.”
concerns largely went ignored, she said. So grievance process involving union investigations your community will improve their standard of Often, movements within labor start small,
this January, she resigned. A spokesperson for into discipline, terminations and claims of living,” the letter read. It urged a yes vote for the Bruno said.
Ascend declined to answer questions or provide unsafe working conditions, according to 881 election that will decide whether or not Ascend’s As was announced at the union press
comment for this story. UFCW. In advance of the press conference, downtown Springfield location becomes a conference on March 3, election ballots
an employee using only the first name of union shop. It was signed by four state senators have been sent to the 40 or so employees at
Gaining ground Jonathan claimed in a March 2 news release – Robert Peters, Omar Aquino, Ram Villivalam, Ascend who are eligible to vote. In order to be
Some of Lewis’s former coworkers have decided that there had been multiple COVID cases Melinda Bush – and state Rep. Kelly Cassidy. represented by 881 UFCW, more than half of
to unionize in hopes of achieving better pay inside Ascend’s downtown dispensary, but the In early March, Eric Craddock, an Ascend the ballots cast must be yes votes. The votes
and benefits and to raise COVID-19 safety store remained open with little reassurance that employee, found out he was in close contact will be counted on April 20 – also known as
standards. “We attempted to make ourselves the environment was safe. The same release with someone at work who had tested positive 4/20 – a day highly celebrated in cannabis
heard for many months,” said Briana Rodriguez, announced the National Labor Relations Board for COVID-19. He subsequently tested culture, as the number 420 denotes marijuana
an Ascend employee. “Fighting for the union had commenced a mail-in union election for negative, and was still told by the Illinois consumption. Just a coincidence, apparently.
will help us gain our rights back,” she told those the Ascend workers. Department of Public Health and Sangamon Perhaps it’s serendipity.
gathered at a press conference on March 3 Zavala told Illinois Times that the complaints County Department of Public Health to
outside the facility at 628 E. Adams St. Ascend in Springfield are not unique. In addition to the quarantine for 14 days as a precaution. But Contact Rachel Otwell at rotwell@illinoistimes.com.
March 18-24, 2021 | Illinois Times | 7
8 | www.illinoistimes.com | March 18-24, 2021
NEWS
Getting out the vax
Media campaigns, mobile units and clinics help spread immunity
HEALTH | Madison Angell
On March 9 the Sangamon County Board
approved a $62,700 plan to partner with SIU
School of Medicine in Springfield for a vaccine
media campaign. The goal is to “increase vaccine
confidence among communities of color,”
Rikeesha Phelon, SIU Medicine’s executive
director of marketing, communication and
engagement, said during the county board
meeting. Phelon told the board the most
important thing regarding this effort was to
“make sure that community stakeholders know
we’re listening to them.”
Stakeholder sessions are ongoing and have
happened multiple times over the past few
months. SIU tested multiple social media
campaign ideas and listened to community
concerns. Phelon said representatives from
NAACP Illinois, Springfield Urban League, An example of an ad by SIU School of Medicine to urge the public to get vaccinated.
Black Lives Matter Springfield, faith groups and CREDIT: SIU SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
others have attended the sessions.
The coalition settled on three education
campaign themes – availability and access, Phase two will broadcast messaging about those eligible should call every day as new
clarifying facts and promoting family and COVID-19 vaccines. Sangamon County appointments regularly become available based
community safety. “What we found was not residents can expect billboards, print, radio on cancellation. O’Neill said there were 130
surprising but reassuring,” Phelon told Illinois and TV ads and paid content on social media cancellations between both the Illinois State
Times about the sessions. More people want explaining the facts and pushing back against Fairgrounds site and the clinic at the SCDPH
the vaccine than not. Phelon said residents are vaccine misinformation. Timing of that is building on South Grand Avenue on March 7,
concerned, however, with the lack of vaccine important, Phelon said. “We have really had a Sunday.
access for people of color. She also said some some concerns about making sure that when we O’Neill said a mobile team has partnered
people still have questions about the vaccine’s do go live with a large PR campaign that we can with the Illinois National Guard to come to
efficacy and safety. “Some of that is filtered match that to people’s access and availability of people in need of vaccination. As of March
through historical mistrust that they have, for the vaccine.” 9, the unit had given more than 600 shots.
good reason, about health care,” Phelon said. Matching vaccine supply and expectation Mobile units have given shots to the elderly
“For others, this just feels new to them.” is crucial to building community trust, she and homeless and have also traveled to public
The first phase of the education campaign said. “Over-promoting the vaccine to some school sites and an addiction treatment center.
is focused on giving people facts about the communities and them feeling like they don’t Walgreens was also set to partner with the
different vaccines. SIU Medicine is working to have access could further damage any good county, Salvation Army and Capital Township
build trust with the community and part of that standing that we are trying to build.” for a vaccine clinic over the March 13-14
process is better understanding where people weekend to distribute at least 800 Johnson &
get their information. Phelon said some older Cautious optimism Johnson vaccines, which only require one dose.
adults reported they get their information from Gail O’Neill, director of the Sangamon County According to the Illinois Department
the young people in their family. Others get Department of Public Health (SCDPH), said of Public Health, as of March 14, 17.04%
information from relatives who work in health during the March 9 county board meeting that of Sangamon County residents have been
care. And there were some relying on social there’s cause for cautious optimism. The rate of vaccinated. To find out who is eligible for
media and news outlets. community spread is relatively low compared vaccines and to schedule appointments, head to
The education campaign is launching this to prior months, though, “COVID is still a scdph.org. The hotline number for the Illinois
month and the media team plans to regularly dangerous illness, and that’s one of the reasons State Fairgrounds site is 217-210-8801 and
post videos promoting vaccine confidence and we encourage people to vaccinate,” she said. for the clinic at 2833 South Grand Ave. E.
community safety. But the primary focus of “It looks like we’re on the road to some great the number is 217-321-2606. On Friday, the
phase one of the media campaign is to give recovery.” governor’s administration announced a new,
people the facts and “information they need O’Neill said the department is urging toll-free “Vaccine Appointment Call Center” for
to make their own decisions,” said Phelon. residents to use its hotline numbers, especially residents throughout the state. The number is:
Organizations included in the efforts are ready those who are less tech-savvy and may have 833-621-1284.
to distribute tool kits and printable handouts to issues with scheduling appointments online.
equip businesses and organizations in the county She admitted some have problems getting Contact Madison Angell at
with vaccine education materials and resources. through to someone on the phone, but mangell@illinoistimes.com.
March 18-24, 2021 | Illinois Times | 9
NEWS
Arby's at 3009 S. Dirksen Pkwy. closed its doors through the end of March due to the norovirus outbreak. PHOTO BY CAROL WEEMS
Another type of virus outbreak
Norovirus from a Springfield Arby’s sickens dozens of people
HEALTH | Madison Angell
A recent outbreak of norovirus in Springfield stayed open a little under two weeks. During symptoms pass after 24 to 48 hours. Age and
is confirmed to have sickened nearly 100 this time, roughly 50 more norovirus cases health can affect the longevity and severity of
residents. Arby’s on Dirksen Parkway was were reported. Arby’s closed again on March symptoms, and it is potentially lethal.
identified as the source. 8 through the end of the month. The decision Bill Marler is a lawyer based in Seattle
The building – 3009 S. Dirksen Pkwy. – comes “out of an abundance of caution,” who has worked on foodborne illness cases
closed its doors a second time last week and according to a public statement made by the for nearly 20 years, including the infamous
will remain closed through the end of March, franchise. Chipotle E. coli outbreak back in 2015. He
according to an Arby’s spokesperson. The Health department officials confirmed said getting norovirus is “definitely an issue
Sangamon County Department of Public five additional cases have been identified as of for someone who is immunocompromised,”
Health began receiving complaints from March 15, bringing the county’s total to 97. especially now with the threat of COVID-19.
people in the third week of February. Residents In an email a spokesperson for the franchise The fact that “some of the first symptoms
said they were experiencing flu-like symptoms confirmed the outbreak and wrote: “The of COVID-19 look like norovirus,” said
after eating at the Arby’s location. franchisee is fully engaged with the local health Marler, complicates tracking the outbreak.
A health department inspector visited the department and has conducted a professional And people traveling long distances also have
site the week later, on Feb. 23, after 40 cases deep clean, reinforced food safety training a harder time identifying the source of their
of norovirus had been reported. The public with all employees and will have met all health illness, said Marler.
health inspection of Arby’s reports managers department guidelines before reopening.” The norovirus count in Sangamon County
were negligent by not following up with Norovirus is a highly contagious is typically sized, according to Marler. “The
employees who called off sick. The inspection foodborne illness. More than half of food- problem is that the outbreak is probably three
also shows meat, sauces and eggs were stored related illnesses in the U.S. are caused by to four times the size because most people do
at unsafe temperatures – and a probe used norovirus. According to the U.S. Centers not report symptoms,” said Marler.
for checking food was kept in an area “visibly for Disease Control and Prevention, most He said from a legal standpoint, Arby’s
soiled with dust and debris.” norovirus outbreaks occur in food service is at fault. And those who reported food
On Feb. 24, Arby’s voluntarily closed settings like restaurants. Infected workers are poisoning symptoms as a result of eating
for a deep cleaning after an inspector from often the source. Many people refer to it as food from the location may be entitled to
the county health department found sauces the “24-hour flu.” It is usually spread by fecal- compensation. “It may not be tens of millions
were not being kept in required temperature oral contact. It can also become aerosolized of dollars,” said Marler, but “legally they have
settings. Arby’s was later cleared to reopen and spread in confined spaces where people a claim.”
“mid-morning the following day,” on Feb. are in close contact. It causes vomiting,
25, wrote a spokesperson for Sangamon stomach pains, low-grade fevers and diarrhea. Contact Madison Angell at
County health department. The location Most people with norovirus fully recover and mangell@illinoistimes.com.
10 | www.illinoistimes.com | March 18-24, 2021Stopping the steal?
Judge overruled in election case
POLITICS | Bruce Rushton
An appellate court has overruled Sangamon nominating procedures haven’t been addressed
County Circuit Court Judge Gail Noll, ruling in court.
that she goofed when dismissing a case filed Early voting and vote by mail already has
by a candidate for Rochester Township road commenced, says Sangamon County Clerk
commissioner. Don Gray, and it’s too late to reprint ballots.
Darin Whitten went to court after losing the “We’re past those deadlines – we proceed
Republican nomination by between one and forward as planned,” Gray says. What might
three votes; one person at a December GOP happen is up to the courts.
caucus meeting wrote in his name while circling “If they order something, we’ll certainly
the name of incumbent Darrell Maxheimer, abide by it,” Gray said.
whose name is on the April 6 ballot. Cahnman says that there is time to make
At the December caucus, paper ballots were things right. Assuming that his client prevails
ready before Whitten was nominated; 115 in litigation ordered by the appellate court,
votes were cast. Voting began 45 minutes earlier township Republicans could have a second
than it should have, according to Whitten’s caucus before the election, Cahnman said. If
lawsuit, with township residents in the parking Whitten wins, ballots could either be reprinted
lot, concerned about pandemic, told that they or a sticker with Whitten’s name placed over
could write in names without going inside. Maxheimer’s name, which is the only one on
Maxheimer was the only candidate for road the general election ballot for a township that
commissioner whose name was on the caucus leans red. “You win the Republican nomination,
ballots. you basically win the election,” Cahnman said.
In ruling against Whitten, Judge Noll in Grady isn’t sure that the matter will be
January sided with lawyers for Maxheimer and decided by election day. An appeal of Monday’s
township clerk Lynn Chard, who argued that ruling hasn’t been ruled out, he said.
the case didn’t belong in court: Instead of asking “There are a host of potential options,”
a judge for relief, Whitten should have gone to Judge Gail Noll Grady said. “A lot depends on what the court
an electoral board. wants to do. The timeline is tight to resolve the
Wrong, the Fourth Circuit Appellate case before the election, I will say that.”
Court ruled in a decision issued March 15. Records obtained via a Freedom of
Civil rights are at stake, the court wrote, and The appellate court’s ruling comes after U.S. to a rigged election, might have merit. Information Act request filed by Whitten’s wife
so courts, not an administrative body such as District Court Judge Richard Mills in February “If the plaintiff’s allegations are true, it show that the township has paid nearly $10,300
an electoral board, should have jurisdiction. dismissed a federal lawsuit filed by Whitten. appears there were major issues with the Dec. 1, to Brown, Hay and Stephens, a Springfield law
The court remanded the matter back to Noll. It was, Mills decided, a matter of jurisdiction, 2020, Rochester Township Republican caucus,” firm where Grady works that has been hired to
Sam Cahnman, Whitten’s lawyer, says that not merits of the case. He noted that Whitten Mills wrote. fight the unsuccessful candidate’s lawsuits. The
an electoral board would be controlled by already had sued in state court. “Federal courts Dylan Grady, who represents township clerk amount, Cahnman notes, doesn’t include bills
establishment Republicans who, even if they do not exist to provide disappointed state court Lynn Chard and is being paid by the township, incurred since Feb. 1.
kicked Maxheimer off the ballot, would have litigants with ‘a second bite at the apple,’” said that merits haven’t been considered. While “Taxpayers are paying the fees,” Cahnman
left the same Republicans who held a flawed Mills wrote in his February ruling. In that ballots were preprinted, he said that matters said. “It’s a pretty expensive law firm.”
caucus to appoint a candidate, which likely same ruling, Mills suggested that allegations by such as when they were distributed to voters
would have been Maxheimer. Whitten, who’s said that the caucus amounted and how that coincided with the timing of Contact Bruce Rushton at brushton@illinoistimes.com.
March 18-24, 2021 | Illinois Times | 11FEATURE
Struggling to stay put
Eviction moratorium creates worry
HOUSING | Bruce Rushton
A year ago, Rick and Carla Phelan were on in homeless shelters. A federal eviction “Eviction is the worst-case scenario” have fallen from 362 to 79.
the cusp of homelessness. moratorium mirrors moratoriums enacted by As deaths and infections decrease while Most tenants are current on rent, according
They’d been there before, but pandemic Illihois and other states vaccinations crescendo, light, or something darker, to Stella Dean, who sits on the board of the
was different. After two nights spent sleeping For the Phelans, Pritzker’s eviction beckons at the end of a long tunnel. For tenants Springfield Area Landlord Association and acts
in their 2004 Buick LeSabre with their dog – moratorium proved a short-term bridge. who haven’t been paying rent and landlords with as the organization’s spokeswoman. Based on a
their son stayed with relatives – the Phelans After Sangamon County Associate little recourse, a reckoning seems nigh. membership survey, 25 percent of tenants are
were among the first in Sangamon County to Judge Dwayne Gab ruled that the eviction Landlords can evict tenants for dealing drugs behind, Dean says, with landlords reporting
drive home that a moratorium on evictions, moratorium applied to the couple, the or allowing trash to pile up or otherwise causing that nearly half of folks who’ve fallen delinquent
meant to curb COVID, is real. Phelans returned to the motel. They were out a nuisance, but failure to pay rent hasn’t been a have lost jobs, gotten sick or have otherwise
Cops showed up when summoned by in less than two months, says Carla Phelan, ticket to eviction for a year, and that’s reflected suffered pandemic-related hardship that accounts
management the day that the Phelans left who now works in a nursing home kitchen. in the court docket. Since the state enacted an for arrearages. It equates to between 10 and 12
the Midtown Inn on Dirksen Parkway. The Today, she and her husband live in a single- eviction moratorium, the number of eviction percent of renters unaffected by pandemic stiffing
couple owed rent. Carla Phelan says that she wide mobile home that they purchased cases has plummeted, according to the Sangamon landlords who could throw them out but for
was working at a Subway sandwich shop; her with federal stimulus money. Lot rent at County circuit clerk’s office, which reports that the eviction moratorium. Measuring sticks to
husband is on disability. The state had just the Peoria Road trailer court is $447, Carla eviction filings dropped from 1,494 in the year determine who’s a deadbeat, Dean says, include
locked down. Stay home unless absolutely Phelan says. ending March 1, 2020, to 577 in the subsequent the number of tenants who’ve been rejected for
necessary, Gov. JB Pritzker pleaded, and he “It needs a little work done to it,” she year – landlords can still evict tenants who pose government rental assistance and tenants who
backed up pleas with executive orders that allows. If Midtown wants its rent, the motel’s health or safety threats or damage property – haven’t applied, suggesting that they know that
shut down bars and restaurants and churches owner will have to sue the Phelans in small- when pandemic and Pritzker’s moratorium took they don’t meet income eligibility or otherwise
while barring evictions for fear that people, claims court. hold. During the same time period, foreclosure qualify for help. Dean declined to give precise
left homeless, would spread the virus as “We got out as quick as we could,” Carla cases, blocked in part by government-ordered numbers but said that considerably more than
they couch-surfed or crammed together Phelan says. “We’re happier out here.” forbearances involving federally backed mortgages, 100 landlords who collectively own more
12 | www.illinoistimes.com | March 18-24, 2021than 1,000 properties belong to the landlord who commutes to Maryland, where he works
association. for the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission,
Eviction, Dean says, is a last resort: Landlords Criscione owns 18 rental houses plus a duplex in
will work with folks caught in pandemic-induced the capital city. Five tenants, he says, are in arrears.
binds. All but one, he says, have paid part of what they
“It’s always in the landlord’s best interest, owe, even the guy recently released from prison.
as well as the community’s interest, to keep a The outlier is Emily White, a clerical worker
tenant placed,” Dean says. “These are community for the state Department of Natural Resources
members. These are students going to school. who is paid $38,000 a year and hasn’t missed
Eviction is the worst-case scenario for a landlord – a paycheck since pandemic hit. Her husband,
they only want to evict someone if they’re causing Rickie, says that he earns $13 an hour working
damages or devastating the property or they can’t as a janitor. Rent is $550 a month. The Whites,
pay their rent. I think landlords are being placed who’ve lived in Criscione’s house for six years, last
in a position that, when a negative circumstance paid in December 2019. Criscione says they’d
occurs, the legal remedies are not available. The been late before but always caught up, so he wasn’t
courts need to get back to their normal operations immediately alarmed. He figured on getting paid
so that landlords have legal recourse to remedy when tax refund season came.
their situations.” The Whites say they’d rather live elsewhere,
Some landlords are skipping the court system. and it isn’t hard to see why. Paint on the porch
Melinda Hubele, managing attorney for the of their Lowell Avenue home is blistered, as is
northern regional office of Land of Lincoln Legal the kitchen ceiling, portending leaks that have
Aid, says that her organization in 2020 tallied become obvious in an adjoining room, where
116 instances of landlords changing locks or A year ago, Rick and Carla Phelan were in the plaster is stained and looks ready to fall. When it
shutting off utilities to execute so-called self-help courthouse with their lawyer Dowin Coffy, rains, the Whites say, buckets are a must.
evictions that don’t involve courts; in 2019, she fighting to keep a roof over their heads. Why haven’t they paid rent? “The price of
Today, the couple lives in a mobile home
says, the nonprofit that helps tenants in eight food went sky high, and it hasn’t come down,”
purchased with the help of stimulus checks.
central Illinois counties counted 50 such cases. PHOTOS BY BRUCE RUSHTON
Emily White says. Her husband says that he
It is illegal, she says, for landlords to take matters and his wife had planned on moving nearly a
into their own hands and force eviction without year ago, but couldn’t find a place. The eviction
court approval. moratorium, Emily White says, has saved them.
“I would speculate that there are landlords out Hubele sees both sides: Renting property is “I don’t know that I have a good answer,” “We’d be homeless if it wasn’t in place,” she says.
there who are either unaware that they cannot a business, she says, and landlords holding leases Hubele says. “It’s definitely something we’ve all Her husband allows that others might be skating.
take the self-help method into their own hands count on rental income. “I can understand the been thinking about. … Without some form of “People need help,” Rickie White says. “There are,
– they have to go through the courts – or they’re frustration of landlords, when many of them are relief to them or to landlords directly, there are maybe, some people out there abusing it.”
frustrated,” Hubele says. “Thousands of people everyday individuals – this is their livelihood,” she going to be many people who owe back rent who Criscione went to court last July. Emily White,
have lost employment. The moratorium was says. will be unable to pay.” leaseholder of record, didn’t appear. She says
put in place so that thousands, if not hundreds The eviction moratorium, like the pandemic, that she was in quarantine and couldn’t travel
of thousands, of individuals were not made won’t last forever, and delinquent rent isn’t “People need help” to the courthouse. Her landlord won a $5,167
homeless. Also, it helped prevent spread of the forgiven by government edicts: At some point, Lawrence Criscione is counting on rental property judgment, plus an eviction order that’s been
virus. The increase in this number of self-help what’s owed must be paid. What will happen to fund golden years. postponed due to pandemic and the state eviction
evictions just shows that there are people without when tenants who haven’t paid rent in months, It’s a common plan in Springfield, where a moratorium. Judgment in hand, Criscione got a
income to pay their rent, and so landlords have or a year, get hit with past-due bills via courts house can be bought for $50,000 or less, rented court order garnishing White’s wages. He’s getting
just taken it on themselves.” empowered to evict? out, then sold when it’s time to retire. An engineer $350 a month. White has filled out a declaration
March 18-24, 2021 | Illinois Times | 13FEATURE
Fred and Korie Brandt make a deal with Michael
Durr, lawyer for a landlord seeking eviction.
PHOTOS BY BRUCE RUSHTON
required of tenants who haven’t paid rent and federal money dispensed by local authorities
face eviction, stating under penalty of perjury such as the Sangamon County Department of
that she has paid as much as she can. Community Resources, which distributed more
Criscione says that he’s gotten some than $413,000 last year to help 426 tenants.
government money from rental assistance There are limits. Tenants must make no more
programs who’ve helped his other tenants, than twice what is considered the poverty rate,
but not the Whites. He says that he wants to and no more than one month’s rent can be paid
fix the ceiling in the Whites’ house, and he over a 24-month period.
acknowledges that he isn’t a perfect landlord: If “We want to help landlords,” says Dave
he can’t fix something right away, he’ll reduce the MacDonna, department director. “We know
rent. “If we can’t agree, they can move,” he says. they’re taking it on the chin. It’s a concern of the
While the law allows evictions if tenants county board members. Many of them have told
pose health threats or damage property, the law, me, ‘What can we do to help the landlords?’”
Criscione says, isn’t working.
“We’ve actually implemented programs to “I’m homeless”
discourage paying rent,” Criscione writes in an One by one, Sangamon County Associate
email. “The outliers have increased in numbers Judge Chris Perrin goes through cases, calling
slightly but have increased in hazardous liability up defendants whose landlords, despite the
immensely. They are no longer a thorn in your moratorium, are seeking eviction.
side for a few months. They have become an “Can I get your address?” the judge asks
indefinite issue.” Sherrese Walker, who’s already moved and is
Rental assistance remains available, with splitting time between Springfield, where she
works at a supermarket, and Chicago, where
relatives live. “I don’t have an address – I’m
homeless,” Walker replies during a court session
where hers and a handful of other cases are
considered.
Outside the courtroom, Walker says that
the last year has been rough. She says that she
contracted COVID last fall and that she’s lost
shifts at work. Trash outside her rented home
on Edwards Street is the work of fly dumpers,
not her, she says, and she can’t understand why
her landlord is seeking more than $8,000 – she
says that she was two months in arrears when
she moved. “You don’t even give me a chance to
catch up on the rent,” she says.
Fred and Korie Brandt have a happier
outcome.
The couple, married 20 years, say that
RME Properties, their landlord, didn’t fix the
broken furnace at their cottage on North Fifth
Street – they came to court with an inspection
Rickie and Emily White say pandemic has report from the city showing that repairs were
precluded them from paying rent for a leaky ordered on Dec. 7. The city also found electrical
house on Lowell Avenue. problems that posed a hazard. The Brandts say
PHOTOS BY BRUCE RUSHTON that fuses easily blow, and they don’t have access
14 | www.illinoistimes.com | March 18-24, 2021to the fuse box. This, also, was documented by courtroom corridor, he says, is where magic
a city inspector who gave the landlord 30 days happens, as tenants faced with eviction make
to make repairs that the Brandts say still haven’t deals that stick and keep them housed. He calls
been accomplished. They say that they used their the eviction moratorium a political solution
stove for heat to get through the winter. They that sounds good but creates real harm. “What
stopped paying $550 monthly rent late last year. we need to do is start implementing things that
“Folks, talk to me: What’s going on?” work,” Durr says. “All we do now is battle.”
Michael Durr, the landlord’s attorney, asks Inside the courtroom, matters proceed.
in a hallway outside the courtroom. A deal is “She says it’s a service dog,” says a landlord
soon struck. If the Brandts move and leave the who’s trying to evict a tenant for keeping an
premises in good condition, the landlord will unruly pet and playing music. Judge Perrin
forgive past-due rent and dismiss the eviction doesn’t bite. “I don’t think you’re going to be able
case. “It worked out good,” Fred Brandt says to evict them based on loud music and a dog,”
after shaking hands with Durr. “We’re going to the judge says. He continues a case for a couple
go back to a motel, if we can find a place.” after the landlord says that she doesn’t want to sit
It’s the sort of arrangement Durr says was down with her tenants and resolve differences.
once common. Typically, landlords, with threat “Eventually, this is coming,” the judge tells
of an eviction order as a lever, would agree to the tenants as he sets a hearing date for April.
payment schedules: Tenants could remain if they “Ultimately, you and your husband are going to
stayed current on rent and paid $100 or so extra have to go through this process.”
each month to catch up on past-due amounts. If One tenant agrees with her landlord:
tenants upheld bargains, the eviction case would Plumbing and other things are broken. “He’s
be dismissed. “If you give people a way to resolve telling the truth about a whole lot of things,”
disputes, by and large, most people will do it,” she tells the judge. “You can’t even take a bath in
says Durr, who’s been representing landlords for there. I have a big family. I have kids in there. He
25 years. Before that, he was a legal aid lawyer, doesn’t care.” The landlord says that she won’t let
helping tenants who faced eviction. “I was a him in the house to make repairs. “Right now,
landlord killer – that’s what I did,” he says. it’s unlivable conditions,” he tells the judge.
Durr says that the eviction moratorium isn’t “If it’s as bad as you say, why do you want to
working for anyone. Tenants who owe thousands live there?” Perrin asks. “It’s hard to get places,”
of dollars in back rent won’t be able to catch up the woman replies. Another hearing is set for
when the moratorium is lifted, he says, while April 30.
landlords who depend on rental income to
make mortgage payments will lose houses. The Contact Bruce Rushton at brushton@illinoistimes.com.
Eviction and foreclosure filings
Foreclosures and evictions have fallen in Sangamon County since an
eviction moratorium and limits on foreclosures took effect a year ago.
1,494 EVICTIONS
filed between March 1, 2019, and March 1, 2020
477 EVICTIONS
filed between March 1, 2020, and March 1, 2021
362 FORECLOSURES
filed between March 1, 2019, and March 1, 2020
79 FORECLOSURES
filed between March 1, 2020, and March 1, 2021
SOURCE IS SANGAMON COUNTY CIRCUIT CLERK
March 18-24, 2021 | Illinois Times | 15You can also read
