Pritzker Appoints Former Commissioner McCabe to ICC
Gov. J.B. Pritzker Wednesday invited Ann McCabe, a former member of the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC), to rejoin the regulatory body, appointing her to another five-year term.
McCabe previously served from March 2012 to January 2017. Since leaving ICC, McCabe worked as a U.S. Program Manager and Principal at the Regulatory Assistance Project, a non-profit that assists energy and environmental regulators.
“The ICC has an important role in the implementation of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), which puts Illinois on the path to decarbonization by 2050. The next few years will be the most consequential and impactful in the agency’s 100-year history. Ann brings to the table a tremendous amount of regulatory experience. Her knowledge and expertise about energy and the environment will be invaluable as we make important decisions in the weeks and months ahead,” ICC Chairman Carrie Zalewski said in a statement.
McCabe has over 25 years of experience in the energy and environmental policy sectors.
“I’m grateful to Governor Pritzker for the opportunity to return to the ICC as a Commissioner and to serve the people of Illinois. I’ve devoted much of my life’s work to energy and environmental regulation, and I look forward to using my experience to help guide Illinois’ energy transformation,” McCabe said in a statement.
Demmer Introduces Bill Consolidating Comptroller into Treasurer’s Office
The Illinois Office of the State Comptroller would be eliminated and have its responsibilities transferred to the Office of the State Treasurer under new legislation introduced by Rep. Tom Demmer (R-Dixon).
Demmer said that HC36 would help make government more efficient and save taxpayer dollars.
“Illinois taxpayers would be better served by having one office perform the duties of Comptroller and Treasurer,” Demmer said in a statement. “Reducing state government’s footprint and consolidating functions would achieve savings for taxpayers and streamline the fiscal operations of Illinois in a meaningful way. The late Judy Baar Topinka, who served separate terms in both offices, advocated for combining Comptroller and Treasurer into one position. We can honor her memory and reform an inefficient Madigan-era relic by acting now to let the people of Illinois have the final say on approving this reform later this year.”
Because the positions are outlined in the 1970 Illinois State Constitution, such a change would require supermajority support in the General Assembly and the approval of the voters in the next general election. Demmer sponsored similar legislation in past general assemblies.
Earlier this month, Demmer announced he would be running for state treasurer against incumbent Democrat Mike Frerichs.
Dordek Announces Candidacy for Outgoing Harris’ House Seat
Eileen Dordek, a licensed social worker with a background in advocating for women’s issues, will run in the 13th House District to replace outgoing House Majority Leader Greg Harris (D-Chicago), she announced Wednesday.
Dordek is a licensed social worker and therapist who works in the Ravenswood neighborhood of Chicago. She recently chaired the pro-choice political organization Personal PAC-Illinois, and continues to serve on the board of Equality Illinois, an organization supporting the rights of the LGBTQ+ community.
In November 2021, Harris announced he would retire from his position at the end of his term.
“We were so fortunate to have Leader Greg Harris as our Representative for the past 15 years and as a leader in our state,” Dordek said in a statement. “I have spent my life serving others and advocating for the rights of women, families, and the LGBTQIA+ community. In Springfield, I will be a champion for our community, expanding mental healthcare services, lowering the cost of child care, and expanding paid leave.”
Dordek has raised $65,000 in campaign funds and has secured the endorsements of multiple sitting Democrats, including Sens. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) and Laura Fine (D-Glenview), and Reps. Ann Williams (D-Chicago) and Anna Moeller (D-Elgin).
In 2019, Dordek ran to represent Ward 47 on Chicago City Council, placing third in the race.
Bailey Calls for Death Penalty for Murder of Law Enforcement Officers
Illinoisans found guilty of murdering a police officer would be eligible for the death penalty under new legislation recently introduced by Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Louisville).
SB3899 (Bailey) would reinstate the death penalty for those found guilty of first-degree murder of law enforcement officer.
Bailey, who is running for the Republican nomination for governor, explained the bill while flanked by law enforcement at the Effingham Police Department Wednesday.
“We need leaders in Springfield willing to stand up and fight for them against a radical agenda that seems to prioritize criminals over cops and puts law enforcement, law enforcement communities, and our families at risk. The men and women who put that uniform on are heroes and their service to our communities must be recognized, and they must be respected in the state of Illinois,” Bailey said.
During the press conference, Bailey said he also supports the repeal of other Democrat-sponsored criminal justice bills that he said give criminals more rights than law enforcement or average citizens.
Allison F. Richard
Legislative Consultant
