Today an Illinois state legislator Michael McAuliffe [R] is proposing a bill that would sanction companies that employ Jussie Smollett citing embarrassment to Chicago. What a crazy situation No offense to Chicago [always had pleasant experiences when visiting though most of that was in O'Hare]. Crises occur in all major American cities. But it seems Chicago gets more negative attention than other major metropolis. Why? Invite feedback from Chicagoans
Largely it is due to the city of Chicago being host to more institutionalized corruption than most other cities by comparison.
I didn't think he should be punished too harshly, since the reaction incited in other people was the fault of their social viewpoint, should not be blamed on him, but even with that being said he got off with much less than he deserved, the wasted police resources being used to investigate that alleged attack (even if we presume less resources being used if it had not been viewed as somehow "worse" because it was a "hate crime"). Getting back to the point of the thread, I'm unsure if trying to hurt individuals employment prospects is the appropriate way to punish them for a crime (particularly when that is coming from government). That's in general, there may be different standards for rich and famous people.
I think Smollett is toxic separate from the prosecutors action. What TV/ media company would be willing to take on such trouble that could include boycotts?
I don't think the government punishment should be any different if he had said that it was Black guys who attacked him, instead of White. That was all I was saying. Chicago should get rid of its stupid "hate crime" law. If he incited an outraged reaction in other people, there are a lot of parties to blame for that. It would be like if someone made a video insulting Islam and it caused a muslim crowd to get angry and riot, as an analogy. Then you try to lay all the blame on the video.
The entire notion of hate crimes, at both the state and federal levels, should be done away with entirely.
Ha! Democrats controlled Chicago for a while now. Them and unions formed quite a relationship. Pension double-dipping (a union official who works one day on the job entitled for taxpayer funded pension), inability to balance the budget, reckless spending and disregard for the future - that’s what Democrats are. In Chicago you can’t even open a restaurant without giving your alderman a political donation. As a result, sales tax in downtown Chicago is 11.25%. I’ve been checking houses when I was home shopping, and an average 1,500 square foot house in Cook county is going to cost you $10,000 per year in property taxes. All residents who own cars must buy city stickers every year for $100, yet roads suck so bad I quietly apologize to my car when I need to enter the city from the suburbs. and the worst thing is - no one seems to be able to fix this mess and I really think the city is going to end up declaring bankruptcy due to ever increasing pension liabilities and loss of residents and revenue due to over taxation.
The entire city is a rort designed to exploit what was its once good reputation and milk every last cent out of anyone who continues to reside or travel there. Bureaucracy on steroids. Democrat made crime. Terrible weather. High taxes. At least Antarctica will leave you the f alone if you go there. Chicago has such an entrenched bureaucrat class that everything is for and by them for their benefit. You are a cow being milked for profit.
AFAIK, a law that only affects one person or one entity is unconstitutional. It won't fly. You must not be familiar with Chicago's history of political corruption. Remember, this is the home of Al Capone. Also: Daley is rather famous for doing his part. Read up on the 20th century part, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_history_of_Chicago
Chicago has been run by Democrats for about 88 YEARS, so of course, it's rife with corruption because that's what they do. There's a running joke that in Chicago, Democrats can be assured of victory because dead Democrats will make sure they get the votes. Chicago is a mess...
I remember TV coverage of the anti-war demonstrations/ 1968 Democratic national convention/ "Chicago 7 ". The Daley family were like an Irish version of the mafia; even Democrats hated them, at least outside Chicago.
We have nutty people with nutty ideas in legislatures all across the country. These cazy schemes rarely become law except in California.
Chicago is trying to find a way to deal with the incredible incompetence of prosecutor Kim Foxx in dropping 16 felony counts against Smollett without even requiring an admission of guilt first. Smollett's hoax could easily have led to riots and bloodshed and should have been taken much more seriously than it was. If you recall, after the beating of Rodney King, there were six days of rioting resulting in 63 deaths and 3,000 injuries. King was an unknown, while Smollett is a celebrity, which could have meant even worse violence. Fortunately, the police exposed the Smollett incident as a hoax before any violence occurred. Since Smollett is officially 'innocent' because of the charges have been dropped, it is likely he will get his job on EMPIRE back. Smollett staged the hoax because he wanted more than the $100,000 per episode he was getting. He may well even get his raise! This is why Chicago is proposing the sanction of those who hire Smollett. I doubt they will succeed, and I'm not even sure if such a sanction would be legal. The only hope of justice coming in the Smollett case is if the FBI can prove he wrote the threatening letters he supposedly recieved. Smollett can then be charged with mail fraud. I'm not sure the FBI can be relied on in this case because they dislike Trump, and he has spoken against Smollett.
If Chicago fires this prosecutor they can charge again - dropped charges is not acquittal and could result in charges filed later.
Not Texas cities. Sales tax is 8.25%. No income tax. Property taxes on a 1500 s.f. house in Dallas would typically run about $3500/year. Of course the cities are Democrat ran crap holes, just like everywhere else.
More outrageous news from Chicago. Kim Foxx, who earlier said she would welcome an outside investigation of her conduct, is now trying to stop said investigation. She said there was no need to appear at a hearing this week called by a former judge's request to investigate her handling of the Jussie Smollett case. Shelia O'Brien had requested a special prosecutor to look into the case O'Brien had subpoenaed both Foxx and Smollett to appear, but both have refused. Fox has filed three motions - one to oppose the appoiintment of a special prosecutor, one to quash the subpoenas, and a third to gain access to sealed files in the Smollett (files which Foxx herself had earlier sealed). It has since been learned that the judge who is to rule on the motions has a son who works for Foxx. Judge Leroy Martin said he would decide whether to recuse himself from the case by May 10th.
