Latest news with #KellyReport
Chicago Tribune
30-07-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Major gun control PAC endorses US Rep. Robin Kelly's Senate bid
As the three leading contenders for U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin's seat look to separate themselves for Democratic voters, one of them, U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly, has secured an endorsement from a group representing an issue that has united the left for years: gun violence prevention. 'What we need are more lawmakers like her who are not only going to vote the right way, but contextualize this issue,' said Kris Brown, president of the gun violence prevention organization Brady, whose political action committee will announce its endorsement of Kelly on Wednesday. The endorsement comes as Kelly looks to position herself as the most experienced candidate for the Senate seat, having served in Congress since 2013 after voters elected her following a campaign that focused on gun violence. Her congressional career has been built in large part on her advocacy for gun control legislation. 'She connects the dots in a very material way because she's a subject matter expert,' Brown said of Kelly, who represents parts of the South Side and south suburbs. 'What we want are leaders who are capable of connecting all these dots and who will lobby their colleagues and bring others along.' The other top Democratic candidates for the Senate seat are U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi of Schaumburg, one of the most prolific fundraisers in Congress, and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, who has Gov. JB Pritzker's backing. The Brady PAC is named after James Brady — who was President Ronald Reagan's press secretary and was permanently disabled after being shot during the 1981 assassination attempt on Reagan — and his wife, Sarah. The PAC considers a candidate's experience with gun violence in making its primary endorsements, Brown said. The group chose Kelly over Stratton, who at a news conference touting new state gun control laws on Monday said she has 'been personally impacted by gun violence.' A spokesperson for the lieutenant governor later said Stratton and her daughters were outside a church one evening about 15 years ago when a shooter killed another member of the congregation nearby. Brown said her group looks at 'true lived experience' but also experience as 'a champion' of fighting gun violence, in the 'Robin Kelly kind of mold.' Kelly won her seat in 2013 after garnering the support of gun control advocates including former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, amid the fallout from the Sandy Hook school shooting in 2012 and a rash of violence in Chicago neighborhoods. A former congresswoman Kelly defeated in that race, Debbie Halverson, had an A-plus rating from the National Rifle Association, the Tribune reported at the time. After her first year in office, Kelly authored the so-called 'Kelly Report,' one of the earliest congressional documents that framed gun violence as a public health issue, according to the Brady organization. Kelly pushed to include support for community violence prevention in bipartisan public safety legislation in 2022, which both Brown and Kelly said was one of the congresswoman's top accomplishments. 'It's been something in my heart for a long time, but in Congress, I'm known as a leader, or the leader on gun violence prevention,' Kelly said in an interview, while also acknowledging the roles of several other legislators on the issue. 'This is what I ran on.' The Brady PAC plans to support Kelly financially as well as with help on voter turnout, Brown said. So far, Krishnamoorthi is far ahead of his opponents in terms of cash on hand ahead of the March primary, according to federal elections reports released this month. While Stratton trailed behind Kelly, according to those reports, the lieutenant governor could eventually receive more from organizations associated with Pritzker, the billionaire governor. Both Krishnamoorthi and Stratton have supported stricter gun control measures in their elected roles. Pritzker, with Stratton as his deputy since 2019, has signed a suite of gun violence prevention measures into law, including safer storage legislation and a sweeping ban on high-powered firearms and ammunition magazines that remains under legal challenge. Krishnamoorthi, a member of Congress since 2017, recently reintroduced legislation to establish a three-day waiting period for handgun purchases. Though gun violence persists in the city, Chicago has seen a double-digit percentage drop so far in 2025 compared with a year earlier. Statewide, monthly firearm injury rates are also down compared with the upswings during the pandemic, and this year have dipped below comparable months in 2018 and 2019, according to data published by the Illinois Department of Public Health. And nationally, homicides and gun assaults in cities also declined this year compared with recent years, according to a report released this month from the Council on Criminal Justice. Kelly said advocates see her at the forefront of gun violence prevention even as her opponents might share some of her views. 'I think my reputation around this precedes me,' she said, 'and I don't think they can say that.'
Irish Independent
26-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Sligo man taking top ISME role will focus on minimum wage reform and town centre regeneration
A native of Sligo town, Finbarr operates the award-winning family-owned Centra store in Castle Street and has served as ISME Vice-Chair since 2023. He has held senior roles across the medical device, pharmaceutical, and construction sectors before moving into retail. Mr Filan has played a leading role in the revitalisation of Sligo town centre and the creation of the Sligo Business Improvement District (BID), which he chairs. He is also a member of the Government Advisory Group for the Town Centre First Policy, the National Retail Forum and steering group member of the Irish Town and City Development Association. He said: 'I'm honoured to take on the role of ISME chair at a time when the SME sector is facing both significant challenges and real opportunities. As someone based in the regions, I am particularly focused on ensuring that the voice of SMEs, the backbone of the Irish economy, continues to be heard.' Neil McDonnell, CEO of ISME, said: 'Finbarr brings exceptional experience and a deep understanding of both SME business realities and the broader policy environment. He is a passionate advocate for town centre regeneration and for ensuring our regional economies thrive. We are delighted to have him lead the Association at this important time.' Mr Filan will be focused on securing formal representation for SMEs on the Labour Employer Economic Forum (LEEF). He argues for reform of how the National Minimum Wage is calculated, ensuring it reflects real cost-of-living solutions rather than driving what he says is unsustainable wage inflation. He also champions town centre regeneration through enhanced supports for repurposing derelict buildings and advocates VAT rule changes to support earlier SME entry into export markets. On legal and insurance reform, Finbarr is calling for a statutory defence against transient retail defamation and implementation of key recommendations from the Kelly Report to help reduce public liability insurance costs and protect SME viability. Finbarr holds a BTech in Manufacturing Technology, ACCA Dip in Accounting and Finance and Post Grad Diplomas in European Studies and Management. He takes over the role from outgoing Chair Marc O'Dwyer.
RTÉ News
26-05-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
ISME elects Sligo's Filan as its new chair
The Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association (ISME) has elected Sligo businessman Finbarr Filan as its new Chair at its AGM in Dublin. Mr Filan will serve in the role for two years and will lead ISME's National Council and Board of Directors. A native of Sligo town, Finbarr operates has served as ISME Vice-Chair since 2023 and has held senior roles across the medical device, pharmaceutical and construction sectors before moving into retail. ISME Council member Elaine Dunne, Secretary of the Federation of Early Childhood Providers, has been elected Vice-Chair. "I'm honoured to take on the role of ISME Chair at a time when the SME sector is facing both significant challenges and real opportunities. As someone based in the regions, I am particularly focused on ensuring that the voice of SMEs, the backbone of the Irish economy, continues to be heard," Finbarr Filan said. Neil McDonnell, the CEO of ISME, said that Mr Filan brings exceptional experience and a deep understanding of both SME business realities and the broader policy environment. "He is a passionate advocate for town centre regeneration and for ensuring our regional economies thrive. We are delighted to have him lead the association at this important time," he added. As ISME Chair, Finbarr Filan is focused on securing formal representation for SMEs on the Labour Employer Economic Forum (LEEF). He wants reform of how the National Minimum Wage is calculated to ensure it reflects real cost-of-living solutions rather than driving unsustainable wage inflation. He also champions town centre regeneration through enhanced supports for repurposing derelict buildings and advocates VAT rule changes to support earlier SME entry into export markets. On legal and insurance reform, the new ISME chair is calling for a statutory defence against transient retail defamation and implementation of key recommendations from the Kelly Report to help reduce public liability insurance costs and protect SME viability.
