Teaching Black history better - Legislation promises inclusive curriculum - Illinois Times
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14 FOOD | Meals that Matter 15 FILM | Malcolm and Marie 16 MUSIC | Timo Arthur
FREE February 4-10, 2021 • Vol. 46, No. 29
Teaching
Black history
better
Legislation promises
inclusive curriculum
10 EDUCATION | Rachel Otwell
2 | www.illinoistimes.com | February 4-10, 2021
OPINION
People don’t like
Smile, you’re on court cam being trickled on
GUESTWORK | Stephen M. Soltys, M.D.
Justice in the 21st century
We need to acknowledge the role of
UPON FURTHER REVIEW | Bruce Rushton economic inequality in creating an
environment where many citizens doubt if
Years ago, I wanted to see the inside of Tamms, public business with no notice to the public. our democratic institutions are concerned
the downstate supermax prison that closed in Xuosong “Gary” Yang, a former UIS recruiter about their plight.
2013. who raped a student, entered a guilty plea in While America has always had
The Illinois Department of Corrections said 2017 without the hearing being docketed in problems with elites trying to control
no. But Tamms had its own courtroom, where advance, and no one I spoke with afterward, wealth and resources, there have been
inmates accused of attacking guards were including the judge, made any apologies for efforts to counter this.
prosecuted and those who tore up bedsheets this sort of by-invitation-only justice that Unions formed to keep workers
to hang themselves faced punishment for cameras might remedy. from being exploited, while legislators
destruction of property. Open courts are In December, I saw Chase Brown’s face developed antitrust laws to keep
sacrosanct, and so I attended a trial inside the instead of the back of his head as he was monopolies from conspiring to suppress
lockup, and there was nothing prison officials sentenced to three years for fraud. At least one competition and laws to combat racism
could do about it except search my car when victim from out of state was present in the that gave minorities more opportunity to
I arrived and grumble as they pawed through virtual courtroom of U.S. District Court Judge succeed.
McDonald’s wrappers and dirty socks, which Richard Mills. There would seem value in that. Since the economic crisis of 2008,
they put in piles. I thanked them and said I’d If I’d gotten ripped off for thousands of dollars, many Americans feel they live in a system
appreciate it if they’d clean up the backseat, I’d want to see the thief punished without where the opportunity only belongs to
too. having to travel hundreds of miles. the few.
While courts are public institutions, Mills prefers sentencing crooks in person. The Economic Policy Institute notes
Illinois, until last spring, had dawdled in “Whatever good is there, is diluted by the fact that since 2009 average annual wage
making courtrooms as accessible as they should that we’re not eyeball-to-eyeball in a physical growth for nominal wage jobs has been
be. You still have to fill out too many forms for objections, he adds. sense,” the judge says. “There is not the aura less than 4%, and often less than 2%.
permission to turn on a tape recorder. That’s “I’ll call it the proverbial genie in the bottle, of the courtroom. And I think that’s very The annual inflation rate has been about
changed since pandemic hit, and journalists especially when it comes to traffic court,” says important, particularly in criminal cases, to 1.74%. So, adjusted for inflation, wages
aren’t the only beneficiaries. Wallis, who predicts that courts won’t return to be able to see the court and the judge who is have been essentially flat.
Last week, I sipped coffee while watching normal when things return to normal. passing sentence and imposing the penalty. It The same is not true for Wall Street.
McHenry County traffic court, Zoom-ified, Traffic court in Springfield still goes means so much more to the defendant and to Corporate income since 2009 has been
from the comfort of my living room. That down largely in person – three Saturdays in the public, whoever is there, whether it’s family higher than for most of the time from
afternoon, I took in a Cook County rocket March have been reserved for appearances or spectators. I think it is almost crucial.” 1980 to 2008.
docket, listening as bail was set for folks postponed due to pandemic. That seems silly Fair enough. Just because you can get In such an environment of economic
accused of peddling drugs, possessing illegal after watching what’s been done elsewhere. married via Zoom doesn’t mean it’s a good inequality, resentment and anger can
weapons and otherwise breaking the law. Sangamon County Circuit Court Judge John idea. But cameras, welcomed at weddings, and arise. Opportunistic individuals, both
It is jolting to watch someone accused of “Mo” Madonia says that the court here has in-person court hearings need not be mutually politicians and leaders of radical groups,
driving without insurance hold a purported considered livestreaming major trials, but there exclusive. can then try to focus that anger on
proof-of-insurance card up to a laptop, but haven’t been any. Circuit Clerk Paul Palazzolo Cameras bring convenience along with politically convenient groups, often taking
oh well. That’s not much different than tells me that he’s keeping an eye on McHenry transparency. Timothy Eaton, a Chicago lawyer advantage of existing prejudice.
what happens in person, according to James County to see how court via Zoom is working who chairs a state Supreme Court task force They tell us, “Your economic woes
“Dan” Wallis, trial court administrator in out. on court operations during the pandemic, sees are due to. . . ”: immigrants (legal
Woodstock, where the 22nd Judicial Circuit We shouldn’t trust the judiciary or circuit no reason for small-claims litigants to travel to or otherwise), minorities, liberals,
is headquartered and folks with kids and jobs clerks or the media to decide what’s worth courthouses. Jury selection, Eaton says, could intellectuals or fill in the blank with
and car trouble no longer have to journey to a watching. If we treasure transparency, we be done remotely so that would-be jurors whatever other group to scapegoat.
courthouse to take care of tickets. Lawyers who should have cameras in courtrooms as a could answer questions via laptops or phones The incendiary speech sprinkled with
resolve matters no longer must appear before matter of course, particularly in Sangamon instead of spending hours in waiting rooms misinformation over the last four years
a judge to finalize orders to which there are no County, where judges sometimes conduct watching bad TV, and that might reduce the by the White House stirred resentment
number of folks who duck jury duty. In Lake in many.
County, he says, civil bench trials are being Add the impact of COVID-19
Editor’s note conducted remotely. shutdowns where workers and small-
business people (those workers who took
“Everything we can do to keep people from
Ask bureaucrats why they’re so slow getting seniors vaccinated and they’ll tell you we having to go to the courthouse is encouraged,” the chance to be local entrepreneurs) have
Eaton says. Like Wallis, he predicts some seen their wages and savings evaporate,
don’t know how to use computers, or get on the internet, or check multiple websites.
changes will become permanent. and you had a potential powder keg.
They’ll say older folks are more familiar with telephones, bless their hearts, but there All it took to ignite it was the lie that
“It was going to happen eventually, Eaton
are already several people answering phones and adding more would be expensive. The the election was stolen (in the absence of
says. “Now, we’ve seen it happen. We’ve seen it
message, for those of us geezers who manage to figure out a way to get it, is this: “At this work out of necessity.” credible evidence). The result is a portion
time, no appointments are available. Please check back soon.” I can’t decide whether I’d of the public that doesn’t believe our
rather get that news on the screen or on the phone. –Fletcher Farrar, editor and CEO Contact Bruce Rushton at economic system works for them wanting
brushton@illinoistimes.com. continued on page 5
February 4-10, 2021 | Illinois Times | 3
OPINION
Speaker Welch puts together his team
POLITICS | Rich Miller
Just a couple of weeks into a job that most didn’t mention this, but considering the allow for remote committee hearings.
people couldn’t imagine being held by law enforcement uproar over the recently The issue of remote floor votes is being
anyone other than the guy who had it for approved criminal justice reform bill, researched by lawyers, Welch said. But, he
decades, Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch putting a Mount Greenwood resident - who said, he’d like to “put that in the rules so
is putting together a House that looks both has a ton of cops in her district and who that we have that flexibility.”
familiar and different at the same time. voted against the Black Caucus bill - in Last year, Welch publicly pressured the
Welch’s first week included a rollout charge of that special committee should help Illinois Department of Healthcare and
of his new leadership team, with a Black rebuild some bridges. Family Services to disclose data on the use of
woman as Speaker Pro Tempore and fresh “Those new committees should be a Black-owned businesses for Medicaid-related
faces throughout. By the third week, we’ll signal of where we’re headed,” Welch said. professional services, primarily through
see committee membership rosters and vice “Ethics reform is very important to me,” managed care organizations. After finally
chairs. The following week will be the new he said. “We need to rebuild trust in the prying the information loose, Welch then
rules. legislature, we need to rebuild trust in our called on HFS to penalize MCOs for not
House Republican Leader Jim Durkin process.” meeting contract goals, and demanded that
told reporters he was “pleased” that Welch Some of Welch’s members want Gov. Attorney General Kwame Raoul step in. I
was allowing his party some input on the JB Pritzker to move legislators into the 1B asked Welch whether he intended to keep
rules. Durkin told the Chicago Sun-Times’ vaccination phase so they can immediately up the pressure.
Rachel Hinton that Welch suggested the two receive their COVID-19 shots. Pritzker has Anyone who knows me knows that I
get together regularly for coffee or breakfast. said they need to wait their turn. know my voice,” Welch said. “I’m looking
I seriously doubt Durkin ever received such “I understand what the governor’s issues forward to using my new voice to continue
an invite from House Speaker Michael are on that, and I respect his position. I’m to highlight the issues that are important
Madigan. going to take the vaccine when it’s my turn. to me and to the communities that I serve
All of Welch’s new appropriations Other members have their personal thoughts and the core constituencies that our caucus
committee chairs are people of color. I asked on that, and I’ll defer to them.” represents, so I want to continue to find a
Welch if there was any particular reason for Welch said he expects the new House way,” to continue pushing those issues, he
this. rules will be “similar” to the Senate’s, which said.
“First of all, let me say that I think my
list is full of people that are super talented,”
1240 S. 6th, Springfield, IL 62703 Welch said. “I’m really proud of the diversity
PO Box 5256, Springfield, IL 62705
of our caucus. I think that’s the strength of
Office phone 217.753.2226 our caucus, the strength of our state. But
Fax 217.753.2281 also, I think you can’t not recognize the fact
that those people are high in seniority.”
www.illinoistimes.com
Welch said that when you look at the
new chair list, “you’re gonna find that
EDITOR/CEO there’s a lot of consistency,” meaning several
Fletcher Farrar........................... ffarrar@illinoistimes.com, ext.1140
Letters to the editor...................................letters@illinoistimes.com Reps. retained their committee posts. Rep.
Mike Zalewski, for instance, is still chairing
PUBLISHER
Michelle Ownbey..................mownbey@illinoistimes.com, ext.1139 Revenue. “I think people were doing a good
job. And they should be allowed to continue
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER
James Bengfort..................... jbengfort@illinoistimes.com, ext.1142 doing a good job. Again, I tried to recognize
peoples’ requests and many of them wanted
STAFF WRITER
Bruce Rushton....................... brushton@illinoistimes.com, ext.1122 to continue doing the same thing that
Rachel Otwell...........................rotwell@illinoistimes.com, ext. 1143 they were doing. And I think I was able to
CALENDAR EDITOR accommodate that.”
Stacie Lewis.............................. slewis@illinoistimes.com, ext.1129 Up until his ascension, Welch had
chaired the Executive Committee, which
PRODUCTION DESIGNERS
Joseph Copley..........................jcopley@illinoistimes.com, ext.1125 handles much of the bigtime heater
Brandon Turley.......................... bturley@illinoistimes.com, ext.1124 legislation. Rep. Bob Rita will take over that
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important helm. “He’s someone that I know
Beth Parkes-Irwin...................... birwin@illinoistimes.com, ext.1131 and trust with the tough issues that are
Yolanda Bell..................................ybell@illinoistimes.com, ext.1120 going to come through that committee.”
Ron Young................................ ryoung@illinoistimes.com, ext.1138
The new House Speaker also wanted
BUSINESS/CIRCULATION to point out some new special committees
Brenda Matheis.....................bmatheis@illinoistimes.com, ext.1134 he’s created, including Ethics & Elections,
Published weekly on Thursday. Copyright 2020 by Central Illinois which will be chaired by Rep. Kelly Burke.
Communications LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form Immigration & Human Rights will be
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helmed by Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz.
SUBSCRIPTIONS: illinoistimes.com./subscribe The new Police & Fire special committee
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4 | www.illinoistimes.com | February 4-10, 2021
OPINION
People don’t like
being trickled on
continued from page 3
to overturn the election results. The assault
on Congress Jan. 6 was the outcome…so far.
What is the solution? There are no easy
fixes, but one step is legislation that supports
working people and small business directly,
rather than assuming benefits will trickle
down if large corporations and the economy
do well as defined by Wall Street. Many
people are tired of being trickled down
upon.
A few examples of actions that could
help:
In the short run, we need a stronger
COVID-19 economic stimulus package that
SCDPH is running vaccination clinics in its building and in drive-thrus seven days per week. PHOTO BY CAROL WEEMS puts more money directly into the pockets
of low- and middle-income Americans and
LETTERS sports complex to perform the “Inclusive American History small business owners.
Aeneid poem # 1: We welcome letters. Please include injections. She was a nurse Commission” to help the For a major economic power, the U.S.
your full name, address and telephone and taught nursing for 30 board develop the new stimulus packages at 18.3% of this year’s
a quilter’s afterlife number. We edit all letters. Send them
years. She said that the process standards (“Education bill Gross Domestic Product (GDP) are lower
By Elizabeth Crowley to letters@illinoistimes.com.
than in weaker economies like Slovenia
worked well and was efficient. to revamp social studies,”
The advantages of a mass Jan. 28). That 22-member (24.5%), Sweden (20.9%) and Finland
fitted to this space with some added words (20.8%). Japan’s stimulus amounted to
inoculation process are parking, commission will be charged
VACCINE LOTTERIES restrooms and continuous with reviewing educational 42.2% of its 2020 GDP.
Virgil you had it wrong or at least In the long run, we need a minimum
The existing policy for monitoring of vaccines, resources that teachers can
incomplete with your rowdy wrestling wage that is high enough to assure that a
COVID-19 vaccination supplies and cancellations of use that “reflect the racial and
warriors pitching javelins, spears – person working 40 hours a week is making
appointments in Sangamon clients and vaccinators. There ethnic diversity” of Illinois and
eternal olympic games in the fields a salary above the poverty line. Right now
County is confusing at best is also enough room for people the United States, providing
elysian: for in that same sweet individuals in minimum-wage jobs may
(“Vaccination challenges,” Jan. to keep social distancing and guidance for educators on
greensward dwell those who sew need public assistance like food stamps to
28). At worst, it is shortsighted not be exposed to the weather how to ensure that their
quilt weave humming singing as they make ends meet.
and cumbersome. We could conditions, especially in the class content is not biased in
throw needles, shuttles on frames Critics may counter that raising the
do better. I have family winter. favor of certain cultures and
looms blending fabric and thread to minimum wage will raise unemployment,
members in jurisdictions where The existing vaccination providing guidance on how
create forever beauty, warmth, peace as businesses will employ fewer workers.
the approach to vaccinating process in Sangamon County to identify resources for “non-
appears to be more rational, is a lottery in that you must dominant cultural narratives.” The counter to that argument is that
2021 Jacqueline Jackson employment statistics that count people who
if the goal is to vaccinate as call or go to three or more Translation: Teach as
many people as possible in websites daily at different times the Black Caucus tells you are working, but not at a living wage, create
descending order of need and of the day to check on vaccine to or you will be punished; a false impression that the economy is doing
vulnerability. availability. I have spoken to both the individual teacher better than it really is.
I have a colleague who staff at the drug stores and they and the school district will Another solution is to stop the steady
lives in Oak Park, Illinois say availability could change be punished. It’s very Stalin- movement towards right-to-work (for lower
(population 52,233). The during the day, if there are esque. wages) laws and other anti-union legislation.
health department registers cancellations. I suggest everybody read The struggles of unions in the early 20th
the residents and then gives There may be people left this legislation much more century resulted in many working-class
them an appointment date. out of the signup process carefully, as I have. individuals having better incomes with
I imagine that there is a because it is too difficult for Frank Goudy benefits like health insurance and pensions
confirmation process. them – the elderly, people Via illinoistimes.com that contributed to the prosperity of our
The fastest and most without internet or those country in the last century.
efficient way to notify, register unskilled at computer MORE ACTION It is not too late to reverse the tide of
and vaccinate is to set up a technology. Those most In response to Mike Jackson’s resentment. But it will take bold legislative
mass vaccination system using likely to be left out are the Guestwork article about the action in support of the average working
the convention center and high underserved and highly failure of proposed projects in American and small-business owner to
schools. My mother-in-law vulnerable. Springfield (“Springfield, home do so. Otherwise we will continue to live
lives in the Shawnee Mission Edward Haber of wasted opportunities,” Jan. in dangerous times because there will
suburbs bordering Kansas City, Springfield 21), I can only say – in the be politicians who try to exploit citizen
Kansas (population 602,401). motivating words of Larry the discontent to their own advantage.
She received her vaccination TEACH THIS Cable Guy – Mr. Mayor and
through this process; the The new education bill the city council, “Get ‘er done!” Stephen Soltys of Springfield is a retired
Johnson County Health passed by the state legislature Mike Shepherd physician who still teaches medical students at
Department used a large calls for establishing an New Berlin SIU on a voluntary basis.
February 4-10, 2021 | Illinois Times | 5
NEWS
GANNETT ON A ROLL
CAP Gannett, parent company of the State
Vaccine hesitations and delays
CITY Journal-Register, got good news this
week with refinancing of a loan used to close
a 2019 deal that created the nation’s largest
newspaper company – Gannett, formerly known
At long-term care facilities, staff often say no to the shot as GateHouse Media, owns more than 260
publications, including 23 in Illinois. The $1.8
HEALTH | Madison Angell billion loan from Apollo Global Management, a
private equity firm, came with an eye-popping
11.5 percent interest rate and a 2024 maturity
date. The refinancing announced this week
CVS and Walgreens are situated to provide cuts the interest rate on $1 billion of the debt
up to 7 million vaccines to long-term care to 7.75 percent, extends the maturity date to
facilities combined, according to AARP. 2026 and comes after $500 million of the Apollo
But the federal program pairing pharmacies loan was refinanced in November, lowering that
with long-term care providers has failed to portion of the debt to 6 percent and extending
meet initial benchmarks. Meanwhile, large the maturity date from 2024 to 2027. Gannett
percentages of staff at many nursing homes are figures that the most recent refinancing will
refusing the vaccine. save $90 million a year in interest payments;
“With staff, we have seen a lot lower the November refinancing is supposed to trim
participation because they do have that fear of $28 million in annual interest costs. Refinancing
‘how is this going to affect me’ and wonder if does not appear to mean that the company
there are going to be effects down the road,” will hire hordes of reporters and supply them
said Shana Lister. Lister is the administrator of with free newsroom popcorn. In a Groundhog
Regency Care in Springfield, a nursing home Day eve message to Gannett employees, Mike
with 99 available beds according to online Reed, Gannett chief executive officer, wrote
listings. that paying down debt remains a top priority.
Others are simply “holding off to see how Investors have cheered, with Gannett shares
it plays out,” said Lister. There was some quadrupling in value during the past three
unease among Regency Care nurses and staff months. Take that, GameStop.
who attended the first vaccination clinic,
but those who got the initial shot decided it
was worth it to keep residents safe, said the
administrator.
Lister said the facility spent 10 months
trying to prevent an outbreak and was lucky
to evade the first wave of the virus. However,
cases in nursing homes throughout Illinois
spiked around the end of November and
beginning of December. On Dec. 3, the first
case of COVID-19 was reported at Regency
Care in Springfield. By the end of the month,
20 staff and 37 residents had tested positive for
the virus, said Lister. In the last weeks of 2020
vaccine schedules were drafted for long-term immunization efforts. In adherence with the organization is putting immunization
care facilities and nursing homes. This gave federal CDC recommendations, Walgreens information in the hands of long-term care
residents at Regency Care hope after seven of began vaccinating residents earlier in staff. AARP is sending flyers to smaller
their neighbors had died due to COVID-19 December. But CVS representatives said the facilities, staff and residents because
complications. governor was at fault for the late ‘activation’ information online can be confusing and
Vaccines were made available to the facility date, scheduled Jan. 25. More than 495,000 frustrating, he said. The goal is to help ease
on Jan. 12. In partnership with Green Tree shots have been allocated to long-term care vaccine fears or anxieties by giving people NEW LIFE FOR OLD LIGHTS
Pharmacies, 80% of residents received the providers and residents statewide, but only something tangible to reference and read. CAP During the holiday season BLH
first immunization doses. But only 30% of 31.6% have been administered as of Feb. 2, “It’s an outreach effort on our part in trying CITY Computers installed drop boxes around
Regency Care staff signed up for shots in the according to the Illinois Department of Public to work as closely as we can with federal, state the area for people to deposit their burned out
first clinic. Health. and local government to help get the word out Christmas lights to be recycled. A total of 738
The Pharmacy Partnership is the federal Walgreens and CVS insist the slower and to clear up the confusion and chaos that’s pounds of old Christmas lights were collected:
vaccination program designed to put residents rollout is attributed to low acceptance rates out there during this rollout,” said Gallo. 300 pounds in Springfield, 220 pounds in
and long-term care providers at the forefront among long-term care and nursing staff. Lister While vaccine education and reassurance Chatham, 132 pounds in Leland Grove and
of immunization efforts. Local pharmacies said state officials “never really have done a may cure some fears, staff bear witness to the 86 pounds in Rochester. BLH Computers is
are paired with long-term care and nursing great job of keeping us educated so that people uncoordinated vaccine efforts on local, state donating proceeds from the recyclable materials
facilities to administer inoculations on-site. On can make informed decisions,” but hopes more and federal levels. Alongside listening closely ($132.84) to the Rotary Club of Springfield
average, the state of Illinois receives 120,000 staff members will participate in a second to the concerns of all Illinois residents, Gallo Sunrise. More importantly, 738 pounds of
new vaccines every week and thousands are vaccination clinic scheduled for Feb. 4. said state leaders in Illinois need to “manage old lights didn’t end up in a landfill, thanks
given to pharmacies enrolled in the program. State and local outreach programs have people’s expectations as well.” to local citizens. BLH Computers accepts
Last week, Gov. JB Pritzker criticized been designed and are near completion. Christmas lights for recycling year-round at its
the federal partnership and CVS for lagging AARP Illinois director, Bob Gallo, said Contact Madison Angell at mangell@illinoistimes.com. Springfield store at 1832 Stevenson Drive.
6 | www.illinoistimes.com | February 4-10, 2021
Sangamon County sheriff
seeks armored vehicle
Worried that it might not happen
LAW ENFORCEMENT | Bruce Rushton
Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell
wants an armored vehicle but fears that he
may be out of luck.
In September, the sheriff’s office paid
someone to travel to Nevada to kick tires
on an RG-31, a veritable subcompact in
the world of surplus military vehicles that
the Department of Defense sells to police
departments for practically nothing – pay
transportation costs, the feds have said, and it’s
yours. Campbell figures that he could bring
the vehicle he covets to Springfield for $1,500.
It would replace a mine-resistant ambush-
protected vehicle (MRAP in military
nomenclature) that the sheriff’s office acquired Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell in 2014
in 2014, then got rid of under former sheriff with an armored vehicle that now belongs to the
LaSalle County sheriff's office.
Wes Barr, who deemed a 27-ton, 11-foot-tall PHOTO BY BRUCE RUSHTON
vehicle designed for combat zones unnecessary
for a central Illinois police agency. The LaSalle
County Sheriff’s Department, about 140
miles north of Springfield, is happy to have sheriff says.
the MRAP jettisoned by Barr. The vehicle The bill awaiting Pritzker’s signature
designed for Middle Eastern conflicts is, prohibits police departments from acquiring
LaSalle County sheriff’s officials say, adept tracked armored vehicles – an RG-31 and the
at keeping cops and civilians safe, and it has MRAP owned by LaSalle County have tires
required practically no maintenance – just gas and so would appear allowable under the bill
and go. passed by the General Assembly during the
“We didn’t pay anything to get it,” recent lame-duck session. The bill also bars
says Jason Martin, chief deputy with the police departments from acquiring bayonets
LaSalle County Sheriff’s Office. “It’s an or grenade launchers. “We don’t need any
amazing tool for us to have. … It’s gone out bayonets – we checked our supply,” Campbell
on floods, it’s gone out in winter storms. quips. The sheriff adds that he isn’t interested
Obviously, the snow doesn’t stop it. We’ve in grenade launchers, either, and he criticized
had a shots-fired call.” legislators for banning stuff that cops don’t
LaSalle County’s MRAP, once owned want or need.
by the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office, “It seems like they’ve tried to resolve a
is considerably larger than the vehicle that situation that didn’t exist,” says the sheriff.
Campbell has picked out from a Nevada Campbell says he worries that the bill will
storage lot. An RG-31 weighs a bit more than prevent local police agencies from acquiring
seven tons and has four wheels; the MRAP surplus military gear he hasn’t yet imagined.
given up by Sangamon County and now used “We don’t know what the future’s going
by LaSalle County has six wheels and weighs to hold,” Campbell says. “We don’t know
nearly four times as much, more than some what the army’s going to come up with. I’m
Sangamon County bridges, local authorities concerned about future restrictions and the
once worried, are rated to hold. current restrictions. It’s not been a problem in
While the department has picked one the past.”
out, Campbell says that he’s not sure that Meanwhile, the LaSalle County sheriff’s
it ever will arrive. The acquisition process, department says that it will continue using its
he says, has bogged down. Between the MRAP as need arises, which isn’t an everyday
federal government under Joe Biden and a thing. So far, it hasn’t required more diesel fuel
criminal justice reform bill now on Gov. JB than maintenance, Martin says.
Pritzker’s desk that limits the type of surplus “We try to keep it in the garage,” he
military gear police departments can acquire, says. “We’ll take it for a ride just to keep it
Campbell says that his department might going.”
have to live without a mine-proof vehicle.
“We’re told that this is kind of on hold,” the Contact Bruce Rushton at brushton@illinoistimes.com.
February 4-10, 2021 | Illinois Times | 7
NEWS
Criminal justice bill would overhaul officer certification
STATEHOUSE | Raymon Troncoso, Capitol News Illinois
A criminal justice package that passed both violate the new standards of conduct. integrity of the process. simple majority vote needed either way. The
chambers of the General Assembly last month If the board determines an officer committed “We have to realize there have been incidents recommendation is nonbinding. Then, and only
contains provisions that would grant the state a felony or “decertifiable misdemeanor” throughout the country that make the public then, can ILETSB choose to decertify an officer
increased power over police discipline and that would normally result in automatic at large feel that they can’t have the greatest through another majority vote.
standards of conduct starting in 2022. decertification, but the officer has not been level of trust in law enforcement and we have Outside of this process, an officer’s
The omnibus package, which was backed charged or convicted, it can decertify that officer to restore that public trust,” Raoul said in an certification can only be revoked if they’re
by Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, has through the discretionary process. interview with Capitol News Illinois last week. convicted under the current decertification
not yet arrived at the desk of Gov. JB Pritzker, Other misconduct that can result in “Just like other professions where there may be standards or rendered inactive if the officer fails
although he has said he looks forward to discretionary decertification includes excessive whistleblowers that their identity is protected to submit a valid verification form to ILETSB
reviewing the bill which needs only his signature force; failing to intervene in another officer’s such that there’s no retaliation against them, during their required reporting period.
to become law. use of excessive force or failing to render aid; but that doesn’t mean you don’t investigate the
Pritzker campaigned on several issues in the tampering with dashboard and body cameras allegation thoroughly.” Transparency database
bill and indicated his support, but has not yet or their footage; committing perjury or making When ILETSB receives a complaint about The legislation also requires ILETSB to enhance
said directly that he will sign it. false statements in an investigation of a crime; an officer, it will conduct a preliminary review transparency, both within law enforcement and
One of the more controversial provisions in and engaging in any unprofessional, unethical to determine if there’s enough information to for the broader public.
the bill would expand the scope of the Illinois or deceptive conduct harmful to the public investigate. If the review finds there’s sufficient The Professional Misconduct Database,
Law Enforcement Training and Standards whether or not it caused actual injury. cause, the board will conduct a full investigation. a private portal for chiefs and sheriffs, will
Board, or ILETSB, which currently oversees be expanded and streamlined for all relevant
training and grant programs for law enforcement governmental agencies, law enforcement entities
and correctional officers throughout the state. and state’s attorneys. The portal will contain an
Police certification standards would be made officer’s certification history, reported instances
more robust under the legislation, with law of misconduct, suspensions and terminations.
enforcement officers placed into three categories: Any agency looking to hire an individual in
active, inactive and decertified. Only those with a law enforcement capacity would be mandated
an active certification from ILETSB can be by law to view the individual’s entry in the
legally employed at an Illinois agency in a law database before offering employment.
enforcement capacity. ILETSB will also create and maintain two
A decertified officer has 30 days to file a new searchable public databases in an accessible
motion with the board for reconsideration, portal on their website. One will contain
and all decertifications are subject to judicial officers’ agencies, their certification status and
review. Once an officer is formally decertified, confirmed instances of misconduct that led
the officer is prohibited from ever regaining to decertification. The other will contain all
certification. completed investigations against law enforcement
Each officer will be responsible for keeping and correctional officers with any identifying
their certification active by submitting information of the officers involved redacted.
verification forms to ILETSB every three years
to confirm they’ve completed all mandatory Potential ‘clean-up language’
training and have no disciplinary actions taken Republicans and law enforcement groups have
against them that would result in decertification. voiced fierce opposition to the criminal omnibus
Under current Illinois law, officers can Kwame Raoul, Illinois attorney general legislation as a whole, urging Pritzker in a news
only lose their certification under very narrow conference last week to veto the bill once it
circumstances. They must either be convicted arrives on his desk.
of a felony or a limited list of “decertifiable While governmental agencies are required If the board’s investigation determines On police certification, Republican
misdemeanors” such as offering a bribe, theft to submit violations to ILETSB within seven the officer may have conducted decertifiable lawmakers take issue with the unfunded
and prostitution. From 2009 to 2014, Illinois days of their occurrence, the provision would conduct, it will submit a formal complaint to mandates involved in the new system and
decertified 64 officers. Over the same period also allow for members of the public to submit the Illinois Law Enforcement Certification mandatory trainings for officers. The bill goes
of time, Florida decertified 2,125 officers and a complaint about an officer, and they may keep Review Panel, a new entity created by the too far without providing more funding for
Georgia decertified 2,800. their own identity confidential as well. legislation with 11 members appointed by the police departments, they said, especially as
Raoul, in his testimony in House committee governor and attorney general. the state is already hurting for revenue due to
in support of the provision during January’s Decertification process The complaint will result in a formal hearing the COVID-19 pandemic and the continued
lame duck session, told lawmakers that while Opponents of the bill have claimed the ability before an administrative law judge who will hear structural budgetary pressures.
he does believe Illinois has the best trained to file complaints anonymously will result in the allegations in the complaint and testimony The bill’s sponsors in the General Assembly,
and most upstanding law enforcement in the officers being targeted by disgruntled citizens from the officer, their legal representation and Chicago Democrats Sen. Elgie Sims and Rep.
country, the massive discrepancy in the numbers and criminals who will flood the system to get relevant witnesses to the case. The judge will Justin Slaughter, have indicated budgetary issues
has more to do with how hard it is to fire and them fired. then deliver a conclusion and a recommendation and clean-up language can be addressed in
decertify officers for blatant misconduct, even if Raoul contends the provisions of the bill to the panel. follow-up legislation in the new session, which
the officers were known to be repeat offenders. prevent unwarranted termination by filtering The panel then votes on whether to is why the bill’s effective dates are pushed back
The new law would grant ILETSB broader complaints through several layers, and that recommend ILETSB remove the officer’s by a year or more instead of being effective
discretionary authority to decertify officers who confidentiality is important to preserve the certification or dismiss the complaint, with a immediately.
8 | www.illinoistimes.com | February 4-10, 2021
February 4-10, 2021 | Illinois Times | 9
FEATURE
Teaching
Black history
better
Legislation promises
inclusive curriculum
10 EDUCATION | Rachel Otwell
“Social studies has always been my least in Gambia, his subsequent enslavement and take classes in the department each semester. It civil rights movement. It was just one piece of
favorite subject,” state Sen. Kimberly the plight of his descendants. The violence was in college that her pride for her identity as the hefty agenda created by Black legislators
Lightford told Illinois Times last October. That represented the suffering so many endured. a Black woman truly developed, she said. and their allies. The legislative Black Caucus
was back when hearings about the “Black “And I just remember me being in a ball “I know that we have to do better in put forth four pillars aimed at building a more
Agenda” were ongoing. Lightford, a Democrat and crying, completely traumatized,” said elementary-level, leading up to middle school equitable state – in the wake of a summer
from the Chicago suburb Maywood, was Lightford. and high school. No children should have to of unrest due to the police killing of George
the primary Senate sponsor of the education Later on, in social studies classes, she’d feel wait until they’re 18, 19 years old to begin Floyd and regular demonstrations in cities
package that passed the General Assembly there was something missing. “I really didn’t to learn the true history of who they are and such as Chicago, calling for widespread justice.
earlier this month. learn of all the positive contributions and what where they come from,” said Lightford. In addition to education, the four pillars
Lightford said she was introduced to the it meant to be Black in America until I arrived Part of the new legislation, which awaits included criminal justice reform, economic
terrors of enslavement from a young age. in college.” As a student at Western Illinois a signature from the governor, would call on access and health care.
She remembered being eight years old when University, she said she felt she was finally schools to teach pre-enslavement Black history. Like the criminal justice bill, the education
the miniseries Roots came out in 1977. Her taught a fuller picture. Lightford said she Black history units would also have to include omnibus was full of measures that would take
family gathered together to watch the story ended up with a minor in African American information about why African Americans time and investment to implement. Some
of a young man kidnapped from his home studies by default – her curiosity led her to were enslaved, as well as information about the of the efforts were years in the making, and
10 | www.illinoistimes.com | February 4-10, 2021sponsors said it was time to capitalize on the Hill subsequently announced it would teach history,” he said.
moment and the public’s growing awareness change the language and recategorize The combined efforts could lead to a
about the myriad ways systemic racism causes the migration accurately as being forced, standard for education in the state that
injustice. Among other things, changes according to The Atlantic. contains more perspectives and less bias.
are aimed at making college and advanced The blunder is an example of how Ultimately, the framing of history in schools
programming more accessible, increasing the history written through a Eurocentric lens can dictate whether or not kids learn to
number of diverse teachers and addressing can leave many students wondering what internalize messages of “white superiority,”
learning loss – due to the pandemic. is missing from their education. While said Ford. More inclusion of marginalized
Proponents say the legislation is a historic it’s unlikely the task force will result in a identities such as women, Native Americans
achievement in clearing the path to success specific suggestion for where curriculum and Black people is important, he said. Last
for students who have been on the losing end should come from, it does plan to answer year, an Illinois law went into effect that
of the achievement gap. what ISBE’s position is on teaching African requires the inclusion of LGBTQ history in
Tiffani Saunders, a sociologist and American history. public schools.
professor in the African American studies
department at University of Illinois Regarding representation
Springfield, said her experience as a teacher Roy Gully teaches for Springfield Public
echoes Lightford’s sentiment about young Schools, where administrators and teachers
people being eager to learn more about have been discussing related changes to
the truth of our nation’s history. “Students curriculum. Gully is a social studies teacher
are asking for this. When I get them in and varsity football coach at Springfield High
college and I’m exposing them to things School. He’s on a committee where members
in history, so often they’re asking why are considering changes to make lessons more
they weren’t taught this before they got to inclusive throughout District 186.
college.” Saunders said the contributions The new legislation is “a long time coming
of marginalized people can be woven in to have it mandated,” Gully said. “But
through a variety of subjects throughout the I’m certainly glad that it has been adopted
school year – not just in a separate unit for and hopefully it’ll make an impact and a
February because it’s Black History Month. difference.” Gully said he has made it a point
The measure is a step in the right to highlight diverse figures in each unit he
direction, Saunders said. “One component teaches. “For a lot of history teachers, it won’t
that’s going to be really important though is make that big of a difference,” said Gully,
how we’re training teachers.” Saunders said because they are already making the effort
teachers currently can supplement textbooks to teach inclusive history lessons. Making
with primary sources – autobiographies and sure District 186 has textbooks that better
resources from the Library of Congress, for represent diversity would be a step forward,
example. But time spent making history he said.
lessons more inclusive can be extra work District 186 Supt. Jennifer Gill said the
for teachers. Educators don’t always go into legislation could provide support for ongoing
classrooms knowing how to address racism. efforts. “We need to look at what our
African American curriculum is in District
Crafting curriculum change 186 – see if there is a place where we could
A recent meeting of the Black History provide a very specific textbook that covers
Curriculum Task Force offered a look at all of the standards that we want to address
what the state’s official stance on teaching Kimberly Lightford is Senate Majority Leader and in the future,” she said. Analyzing current
the subject might be. The task force, chair of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus. curriculum could also result in finding online
PHOTO BY LEE MILNER, 2019
overseen by the Illinois State Board of resources and other supplements, Gill said.
Education, was a result of 2018 legislation According to ISBE, more than half of
sponsored by state Rep. La Shawn Ford. It A draft summary states that Black students in District 186 were nonwhite in
charged the state with auditing each school history is integral to an accurate telling 2020 – with 40.7% of them Black, 12.8% of
district to see what current curriculum looks and understanding of our nation, and two or more races, 3.6% Hispanic and 2.4%
like. The report isn’t due out until later this that students who participate in “ethnic Asian.
year, but drafts reviewed during the meeting studies” see better outcomes in terms of test But those numbers aren’t reflected by
on Jan. 29 showed many districts that self- scores, GPAs, attendance, earned credits who is teaching in the district. For the past
reported still rely on McGraw Hill and and civic engagement. “Effective Black 10 reported years, the percentage of Black
Pearson textbooks to teach the subject in history education connects to events today teachers has been between 7-9%, with the
elementary through high school. and progresses beyond learning about lowest percentage, 7.1%, just last year. If
In 2015, McGraw Hill was widely Black Americans to learning from Black you glance at the teacher page on Springfield
criticized when an excerpt from one of its Americans,” the draft reads. High’s website, Gully’s photo stands out as
texts went viral. It stated: “The Atlantic Part of the education measure legislators being the only apparent African American.
Slave Trade between the 1500s and 1800s passed earlier this year would create the Gully said, last he checked, he was the
brought millions of workers from Africa “Inclusive American History Commission.” only full-time African American teacher at
to the southern United States to work on Ford said the report from the Black Springfield High School. Of the numerous
agricultural plantations.” History Curriculum Task Force would lay committees he is on, one is focused on
Many criticized the framing of groundwork for the new commission. “We’re the recruitment and retention of diverse
enslavement as a matter of immigration, going to go further, because now we’re going candidates.
and enslaved people as “workers.” McGraw to know what school districts are using to Gully is originally from St. Louis. While
February 4-10, 2021 | Illinois Times | 11FEATURE
in high school, his family moved to a small
town in Iowa where he said he was the only
Black student. For 15 years he taught in
Galesburg, where he said he was the only
African American teacher at the middle
school. “I recognize the importance of being
able to identify with African Americans who
have grown up in similar circumstances that
I have. And the ability to see someone who
looks like you go to college and get a degree
and give back, coach, teach and educate is
important,” said Gully. “Because if you don’t
have those people to look to for that guidance
and direction, it’s easy to lose hope.”
In 2020 only 20.5% of District 186
teachers were male. Part of the new legislation
passed by the Illinois General Assembly
would set aside funds in the Minority
Teachers of Illinois Scholarship Program
to prioritize male minority candidates.
Meanwhile, there’s an overall shortage of
teachers. Finding more diverse candidates is Lawmakers met in January for the lame-duck session, much of which included four pillars addressing systemic
going to “require us to think outside the box racism, put forth by the legislative Black Caucus. PHOTO BY LEE MILNER
and do some traveling,” said Gully. “We’re
very dedicated to growing our educator
pipeline,” said Gill. “Our joint committee Julie Hoffman, co-chairs of the Springfield changes. Hoffman is on the education
with the union is something brand new ... Education Association’s equity committee, committee for the local NAACP chapter. Both
where we’re saying we need help, we can’t just which aims to dismantle racism within the are teachers.
recruit individuals alone.” context of education. The SEA is the union “Right now our committee is working
representing District 186 staff and teachers. on educating ourselves,” Jordan said of the
Community collaboration Jordan is also part of a team based at the Faith teacher union’s effort. One top goal is to figure
Partnerships are indeed key to needed Coalition for the Common Good also focused out how to support teachers and help them
change, according to Laura Jordan and on supporting the district with curriculum implement an anti-racist perspective into their
lessons, she said.
“This is 400 years plus of systems in
place that are woven into the fabric of our
history,” said Hoffman. Providing resources
to the district is a shared goal of many
community activists who want to work with
the administration and educators, Jordan and
Hoffman said.
Springfield has a plethora of local history to
draw from – such as a walking tour of markers
updated in 2018, an effort by the city and
the NAACP, which describe the events of the
1908 Race Riot, a massacre by white people
against Black residents which helped inspire
the founding of the NAACP. And there’s much
to learn about the contributions of Black
Springfield residents. Places like the Route
History museum and Springfield and Central
Illinois African American History Museum
offer valuable lessons about local history.
Regardless of state law, change is needed,
the two say. It’s time for a more accurate telling
of the Black experience. “Our whole district,
as far as curriculum, needs an overhaul,” said
Jordan. Students should see books that depict
a variety of different races, religions and
nationalities. Curriculum should not relegate
Black history to a single unit or chapter in
a book, Jordan said. Black history “needs
to be fully embedded into the whole entire
Roy Gully coaches varsity football at Springfield High School. He's part of a "Grow Your Own" curriculum,” echoed Hoffman.
committee that's looking at ways to hire more diverse teachers in the district.
PHOTO BY BRANDY FLETCHER, COURTESY OF ROY GULLY
Contact Rachel Otwell at rotwell@illinoistimes.com.
12 | www.illinoistimes.com | February 4-10, 2021BOOK
Growing from the inside
Sexuality is secondary in Springfield author’s LGBT fiction
BOOK REVIEW | Shawna Mayer
Springfield native Martha Miller, a retired
composition instructor who taught at Lincoln
Land, is a versatile writer. She has written several
novels, as well as reviews, articles and a column
about her life. Her book of short stories, Tales
from the Levee, explores the gay and lesbian
community in Springfield from the mid-1960s
into the 1970s, and while officially labeled
fiction, it was inspired by the interviews she
conducted and the people she knew in the city.
Miller’s last book was a memoir centered on an
abusive relationship. Now she has branched out
into young adult LGBT fiction in order to add
a story to the genre where the main character’s
sexuality is not the cause of any angst, but
instead, remains secondary to other much more
dramatic events that unfold.
Miller’s latest novel, Me Inside, begins when
Jeannie Baker’s father gets out of prison for bank
robbery. She believes her family will finally
return to normal. However, the very next day,
while Jeannie and her father are gone, her mother
packs up and leaves. The woman pilfers every
bit of cash in the house, including the money
Jeannie made collecting cans, and is even petty
enough to take the leftover cake from her father’s
welcome home party.
Her ex-felon father turns out to be an
improvement over her vindictive mother, and
they settle into a routine. For the next five years
he works and raises Jeannie. Then one night she
hears him talking heatedly with a stranger, he
leaves, and is found murdered. Me Inside, by Martha Miller, 288 pages, September 2020. Available in paperback and Kindle editions at Amazon.com.
Jeannie navigates her grief and the seismic
shifts in her life. Now 15, she is taken in by her
paternal grandmother, a pragmatic and resilient returns for the funeral and tries to explain herself than his funeral home. She also takes her coffee
woman whose name she shares. Grandma, who and it gives Jeannie a chance to vent her anger in black, a habit she picked up from her father, and
once was married and had two children, is a a satisfying scene. grudgingly decides to quit smoking in order to
lesbian who came out and made a life for herself We see two types of adults in this story: those be a better athlete.
during a less accepting era. who stay and take responsibility when tough stuff The Me Inside is both Jeannie’s growing
Jeannie decides she’s going to investigate happens and those who run from it. We also get awareness of her sexual identity, and her
her father’s murder with the help of Ruthie, her a realistic depiction of the aftermath of trauma developing maturity that helps her to let down
friend since kindergarten. As they dig deeper into borne by those who get left behind. Nobody’s her guard and trust the people around her after
his past, the story grows more ominous when perfect, and everyone in this novel has made so many losses and betrayals.
we learn the money from the bank robbery was mistakes and suffers the consequences. Miller has written a contemporary coming-
never recovered, and it appears that someone The story presents readers with modern of-age novel that has tension, humor and heart.
dangerous believes Jeannie may be the key to themes and doesn’t pull any punches. A recurring This book is identified as the first in a planned
recovering the fortune. This novel, like the rest element in the book is that when birth mothers series to feature Jeannie Baker, and the reader will
of Miller’s work, is a well-structured and fast- fail their children, others step in as surrogates to certainly look forward to meeting her again to see
paced read. provide support and love. how she overcomes her struggles and thrives.
Miller’s novel works on two levels. While Despite some of the heavy subject matter, the
it is meant for young adult readers, it will also book is full of dark humor as Jeannie isn’t shy Shawna Mayer is a graduate of Quincy University
resonate with adults who have experienced the about expressing herself. She describes the funeral and UIS. Her poetry, short fiction and articles have
complicated grief of losing loved ones who made director as “a shark-jawed, everyday jackass” and been published in many journals over the years. She
bad choices and have hurt them. Jeannie’s mother claims “the morgue had a better atmosphere” is active in the Springfield writing community.
February 4-10, 2021 | Illinois Times | 13You can also read
