Cook County State Attorney Kim Fox wins democratic primary

ILLINOIS-Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx survived a well-financed challenge from newcomer Bill Conway in the Democratic primary Tuesday.

Foxx was surrounded by her husband and four daughters as she took the stage to the sounds of their cheers in a downtown hotel conference room. The space was kept largely empty as a precaution due to concerns over the coronavirus pandemic.

“I want to help make Cook County a more inclusive and thriving community, where everyone is welcome,” she said. “I pledge to keep pushing for that change, that is fair, that is just, that is equitable, that will keep our communities safe,” she said.

With about 85% of precincts reporting at 10:30 p.m., Foxx had 48% of the vote and Conway had 33%. Two other challengers were polling a distant third and fourth.

Foxx is set to face the winner of a Republican primary between former prosecutors Christopher Pfannkuche and Pat O’Brien. O’Brien had a substantial lead as of late Tuesday, winning 73% of the vote with 85% of precincts reporting.

[SOURCE: CHICAGO TRIBUNE]

Cory Booker wants to give Americans money to get through Covid-19 pandemic

U.S. Sen. Cory Booker and other federal lawmakers want to send out cold, hard cash to help you cope with the coronavirus crisis.

Booker joined several of his Democratic colleagues Tuesday in urging Senate leaders to pass legislation providing most Americans with an immediate $2,000 cash payment, and it could grow to $4,500 by the end of the year if the crisis doesn’t abate.

“In mere days, we’ve gone from life as normal to implementing dramatic changes in how we work, socialize, and live,” said Booker, D-N.J. “The ramifications to our economy — and to the millions of American workers and businesses who underpin it — are massive and require a large-scale, aggressive federal response.”

The money would be paid to U.S. adults and their dependents, as well as every Social Security, Veterans Affairs, or Supplemental Security Income recipient.

The funds automatically would go to those who file tax returns for 2019. Those who do not file a return could submit a separate Form 1040. The payment would phased out for those with higher incomes.

[SOURCE: NJ.COM]

Rep. Pressley Fights for Community Health Centers During COVID-19 Pandemic

Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), a member of the Congressional Community Health Centers Caucus, sent a letter to Vice President Mike Pence, in his capacity as head of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, urging the Task Force to consider the needs of the nation’s 1,400 community health centers (CHCs). In the letter, Congresswoman Pressley urges the administration to take four concrete steps to protect CHCs and the frontline healthcare workers they employ.

Across the United States, CHCs serve as a crucial source of healthcare for almost 29 million low-income individuals, many of whom are uninsured or underinsured.

“It is deeply concerning that in the midst of this pandemic, Administration officials have tasked CHCs with caring for our nation’s most complex and vulnerable patients without providing them with the adequate support and resources to do it,” writes Congresswoman Pressley. “Historically, CHCs have played a vital role in responding to our most pressing public health challenges. From the HIV/AIDS epidemic to the ongoing opioid crisis, CHCs have offered critical health services to vulnerable communities, all the while remaining chronically underfunded and under-resourced. Given the severity of COVID-19, we simply must not allow this to continue. With almost 28 million uninsured Americans, nationwide testing shortages, and a rapidly spreading virus, it is both unfair and unsustainable for CHCs to shoulder this burden without proper resources.”

Congresswoman Pressley is a long-time advocate for community-based health care programs. Last year, she helped secure $1.6 billion in funding for the Community Health Centers program and fought for funding to support school-based health centers. She also led more than 85 of her colleagues in urging House and Senate leadership to pass a strong, long-term extension of the Community Health Center Fund, which ultimately led to the inclusion of $10 billion in program and capital improvement funds for CHCs as part of H.R. 3, the Elijah Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act.

Statement from Andrew Gillum on entering rehab

Former Tallahassee mayor and current CNN commentator Andrew Gillum released the following statement about entering rehab to treat his alcoholism after being found drunk and incoherent in a hotel room.

“After conversation with my family and deep reflection, I have made the decision to seek help, guidance and enter a rehabilitation facility at this time,”

“This has been a wake-up call for me. Since my race for governor ended, I fell into a depression that has led to alcohol abuse. I witnessed my father suffer from alcoholism and I know the damaging effects it can have when untreated. I also know that alcoholism is often a symptom of deeper struggles. I am committed to doing the personal work to heal fully and show up in the world as a more complete person. I now need to firmly focus on myself and my family. I will be stepping down from all public facing roles for the foreseeable future. I want to apologize to my family, friends and the people of Florida who have supported me and put their faith in me over the years.”

Erica Gilmore will be Nashville’s first African American trustee

In a landslide win, former Councilwoman Erica Gilmore has been elected Nashville’s newest trustee, defeating incumbent Parker Toler, who was appointed in June 2019 to replace the late Charlie Cardwell.

The Office of the Trustee is a Constitutional office that was established as a tax collection agency for each county in the state of Tennessee. The Trustee in Davidson County collects Real Property, Personalty and Public Utility Taxes. This office also administers the State of Tennessee Tax Relief Program,Tax Deferral Program, Tax Freeze Program, collects and processes Delinquent Taxes, Central Business Improvement District Taxes, Gulch Central Business Improvement District Taxes and Vegetation Liens.

“Thank you for your vote Metro Nashville for electing the first African American Trustee! We appreciate everyone, staff and volunteers because this would not be possible without you. I look forward to serving Metro Nashville,” said Gilmore.

The former Councilwoman received over 78% of the vote in the Democratic Primary, and with no Republicans running, she is assured the win in November.

[SOURCE: PRIDE PUBLISHING GROUP]