* Yesterday will not go down in history as the Illinois Senate’s finest moment…
“I need a pay raise. I need a pay raise,” [Senate President Emil Jones] told reporters who asked him about the [salary increase] proposal.
* You wonder if Senate President Jones knows how he comes across to the public when he makes comments like that on the same day that he helped engineer the defeat of a recall proposal and then refused to call the alternative House version for a vote…
Some Illinois Republicans maintained that the Senate’s version was designed to fail because it made so many more public officials, including judges, eligible for recall.
Rep. Jack Franks (D-Woodstock), who sponsored the House proposal, predicted his version of recall would have passed and was denied a “fair shot.”
Franks’ narrower proposal would have only allowed voters to toss out legislators, the governor and other statewide officials.
* Jones said yesterday that Franks admitted the Senate version was superior to the House version and snapped at reporters who asked why he didn’t call the House proposal for a vote.
But at least two of Jones’ own members admitted publicly that they didn’t support the Senate version because it included local officials…
Sen. John Sullivan, D-Rushville, was among the senators who opposed the recall plan on Thursday.
“My biggest concern was for local officials,” Sullivan said. “I know how difficult it is to get people to run for alderman and for city council and for mayors. This would have created a situation, in my opinion, that would have made that even more difficult.”
Sen. Deanna Demuzio, D-Carlinville, also voted “no” and echoed Sullivan’s comments, saying: “Who would want to take on the responsibilities of running for a local municipality or city in rural Illinois?”
* Other Senate Democrats said they couldn’t support their chamber’s proposal because it included judges. The Tribune’s editorial quotes one of those Senate Dems today…
Even the Senate debate was rushed. But some of it was telling. Sen. John Cullerton voted to deny citizens the right to recall the people they put in office. Cullerton was aghast at the notion of “turning over to an outside entity” the question of whether to recall inept judges.
Yes, you, Illinois voters, are that much-feared “outside entity.”
That’s such a complete lie and/or evidence of gross incompetence that it makes me believe the Trib’s editorial page will do anything it can to smear whoever dares question its authority. Cullerton was referring to the fact that the recall proposal required that the Illinois Judicial Inquiry Board file a complaint against a judge before that judge could be recalled. That’s the “outside entity” he was talking about, not voters. The Tribune needs to retract that utterly false statement.
* The bottom line, though, is that if Franks’ proposal had made it to the floor then a whole lot of Senators would have either voted for it or they would’ve been forced to come up with another excuse. We’ll never know.
* There is a bright side, however. As Dan Johnson-Weinberger wrote over at Illinoize yesterday, the odds of the voters approving a constitutional convention just went up…
The main justification for voting yes on the constitutional convention is now clear: the only practical way to give the electorate an opportunity to improve the Illinois Constitution is through a convention. The General Assembly is not able to improve the Constitution.
* And then there’s this…
“We have a chance to do what we want to do, and that’s impeach the governor of Illinois,” [Sen. Mike Jacobs] said. He called on Blagojevich to “do the right thing” and quit first.
* Related stuff…
* Recall cartoon
* Anticlimactic
* Senate rejects recall proposal
* Recall amendment officially dead, for now
* Recall Amendment Fails In Senate
* Illinois: Voters will not get recall option
* State Senate Kills Recall Amendment
* Recall plan narrowly defeated in Illinois Senate
* Con Con Considerations: Special Election, or Regular?
* A Trip down Memory Lane (con-con version)
LIVE session coverage...
- problem - Friday, May 2, 08 @ 10:13 am:
This will resonate pretty long and will claim many casualties.
Word is that Madigan has no given the big shun to Molaro for appearing on Chicago Tonight last week in opposition to the recall.
That wasn’t smart of him. You don’t dare cross darth Madigan these days.
- Bill - Friday, May 2, 08 @ 10:16 am:
President Jones is right. Our hard working, honest, dedicated legislators and constitutional officers deserve a raise. While they may misbehave at times and have their fun, like with all of this recall nonsense, in the end, most of them do what they believe to be in the best interests of the state and the citizens in their districts. They are overworked and underpaid. We all them owe them a great debt and should support their pay raise.
As far as con con is concerned, exactly what will be accomplished by opening up a constitution which currently serves the state well to all sorts of special interest influence. We will get all of the pro-gun, pro-life, anti-death penalty, pro-choice, cumulative votes, atheist, fundamentalist,immigrant, anti-immigrant, etc.,etc.,etc., all pumped up, leading to endless debate and nothing will get done. In the meantime, the legislature as currently constituted has a free pass to do nothing for at least two years, probably more, to address the pressing fiscal problems of the state. At best, established political forces will be able to control the entire process and the status quo will be maintained.
The current constitution is fine. Let’s work within its framework to solve the problems of Illinois,now.
- Macbeth - Friday, May 2, 08 @ 10:26 am:
Well, Jones’s bizarre “I need a pay raise” coupled with Blagojevich’s bizarre economic interests statement (um, I thought state employees weren’t supposed to except gifts over 500 bucks — at least that’s what my computerized ethics test told me. Blagojevich is a state employee, right?) makes it more likely that the idea of “impeachment” will certainly gain traction.
Whether it comes to fruition is another thing — but I’m not sure how many more (again) bizarre revelations will come out of the Rezko trial. Who knows.
- Greg - Friday, May 2, 08 @ 10:28 am:
I hope that’s not your party’s campaign message in the fall, Bill. Might want to run that by a pollster, and possibly add something about “Change.”
- 618er - Friday, May 2, 08 @ 10:29 am:
“My biggest concern was for local officials,” Sullivan said. “I know how difficult it is to get people to run for alderman and for city council and for mayors. This would have created a situation, in my opinion, that would have made that even more difficult.”
Sen. Deanna Demuzio, D-Carlinville, also voted “no” and echoed Sullivan’s comments, saying: “Who would want to take on the responsibilities of running for a local municipality or city in rural Illinois?”
These just might go down as the dumbest( or greatest) quotes of the session/year…
I live outside an incorperated village/city/town. I know everyone of my local government officials and everyone of them have no problem with a call to their home, if I have an issue with what is going on in our township/county. I wouldn’t be supprised if I got a recording at thier office, and I doubt they even have a phone so that I could actuall tell a real person, Oh I don’t know, how disgusted I am with either one’s performance in office.
It is beyond me that these two think that voters are nieve enough to think that the locals need protection, when a majority of us realize that our legistlators are more interested in keeping their job than doing it.
- Rich Miller - Friday, May 2, 08 @ 10:29 am:
=== Blagojevich is a state employee, right?===
No.
Blagojevich is the governor. He’s not covered under civil service regs, and for good reason. He wasn’t hired, he was elected. Twice.
I don’t understand why state employees continually bring up this topic. Get over yourselves.
- Macbeth - Friday, May 2, 08 @ 10:30 am:
Make that 50 bucks, not 500. 500 is unreal, actually.
And in my own experience, I once got a Christmas gift basket from a client I did business with — and our counsel *immediately* came to my office, had my sign a form stating that I received the gift basket, and then required be basket be either given to charity or put in the commons room.
I was fine with either — but opted for the commons room. 10 minutes later, all the stale chocolate and stale Jordan almonds were gone.
I’m not sure why I got the normal “play-it-by-the-rules” or else treatment — but all these higher-ups seem to be able to do whatever they want. It’s no wonder most state employees are either bitter — or, like myself, former.
BTW — I’m not bitter about giving away the gift basket. My plans were to do exactly that. But to have the GC in my office *minutes* after I received it via UPS was astonishing. I was still reading the card — determining what this odd thing was — when I was signed forms and being told what to do.
Very weird.
- Macbeth - Friday, May 2, 08 @ 10:32 am:
Why do state employees still bring this up? And why can’t I get over myself?
Because the state is messed up, Rich. The higher-ups profit and the low-level employees get blamed.
It’s pretty simple, really. And it’s not something many folks who worked — or work — in state government in Illinois are going to “get over.”
What a strange response.
- 618er - Friday, May 2, 08 @ 10:32 am:
I should say that:
I wouldn’t be supprised if I got a recording at my legistlator’s office, and I doubt they even have a phone at home so that I could actually tell a real person, Oh I don’t know, how disgusted I am with either one’s performance in office.
- Rich Miller - Friday, May 2, 08 @ 10:33 am:
===What a strange response.===
Pointing out that the governor was elected not hired thru civil service regs is not strange. It’s a simple fact.
Your logic is fallacious. Find a different argument, please.
- Rich Miller - Friday, May 2, 08 @ 10:36 am:
618er, lots of legislators have listed home numbers and almost all have district office staff. Try first before making statements like that, please. Thanks. :)
- Macbeth - Friday, May 2, 08 @ 10:37 am:
Nope. :)
The higher-ups profit, the low-level employees get blamed.
Pretty simple. Fallacious or no.
- GoBearsss - Friday, May 2, 08 @ 10:41 am:
Cool it, you guys. Let’s keep it civil.
Before I ban you.
- BannedForLife - Friday, May 2, 08 @ 10:41 am:
“I know how difficult it is to get people to run for alderman and for city council and for mayors.”
who’s he crappin?
- Rob_N - Friday, May 2, 08 @ 10:42 am:
Rich opines, “Yesterday will not go down in history as the Illinois Senate’s finest moment…”
Watson was just on Steve Dahl’s morning show saying much the same. Two things stood out — he quoted Jones’ “I need a raise” several times (half dozen or so) and he mentioned the point that leges should be citizen-legislators again, not full-timers…
Couldn’t quite hear it all — wasn’t paying too much attention either — but that was what I took away from it.
Look for “I need a raise” to appear on several mailers, ads and commercials this fall.
- Rich Miller - Friday, May 2, 08 @ 10:42 am:
GoBearsss, thanks. lol
- Princeville - Friday, May 2, 08 @ 10:44 am:
Rich-which topic are you refering to? The ethics test state employees keep whining about? If so, you got to gie us a little break here. It really naws to get a letter in the mail along with your paycheck stub rattling on about the ethics test ‘to ensure that State Government operates with honesty, integrity and fairness. You can , I’m sure, understand that if one of the state workers were having their name dropped daily in a well watched public trial, that we would not still be working even if we had not yet been indicted. We’d be put on leave and investigated within an inch of our lives. But yes, we’ll get ‘over ourselves’ and take our test and try to whine a bit quieter.
- VanillaMan - Friday, May 2, 08 @ 10:46 am:
Thank you Bill for bringing another perspective to this dicussion.
I missed these kinds of postings of yours when they supported Blagojevich.
- GoBearsss - Friday, May 2, 08 @ 10:47 am:
You’re welcome.
Now can we get back to important issues - like the lingering effect of the recall conflict on legislative tensions.
Like the Molaro issue “problem” talked about - how Mad can Mad-Again get when a Mad-again does get Mad?
- lifer - Friday, May 2, 08 @ 10:55 am:
Not against anyone getting a pay raise. Lord knows the cost of gas and groceries has gone up alot. I think between 7 and 12 percent raises pretty much will cover the cost of living. I find the timing weird when the union contract is up soon. Kinda tipping the hand aren’t they. I am in that gray area between union and elected where we didn’t get a raise for a long time. Last year was the first for this administration.
The inefficiencies and excessive costs and legal bills this administration constantly adds to the growing deficit should be reason to impeach. The lack of governing should be the reason to impeach.
It seems that the only thing this government can agree on is pay raises for themselves and other items of no consequence while the elephant of the budget/capital spending and other important items are not addressed.
- 618er - Friday, May 2, 08 @ 11:09 am:
Rich
I guess my point was that the cloak of protecting the little guys is preposterous. While I realize that I could contact a member of my legislators’ staff at some point throughout the day or evening, they are in no way as accessible as my local officials and therefore as accountable to us as constituents. The only time I see my state rep or senator is when they are walking in a parade trying to get reelected… Although to be fair I don’t really go looking for them either…
- Michelle Flaherty - Friday, May 2, 08 @ 11:11 am:
While we’re at it, let’s recall the last 100 World Series winners, the 2007 Indy Colts Super Bowl champs and any other winner we don’t like.
It’s easy to say Rod’s bad, because he is.
But who’d do a better job? And more importantly, who’d do a better job that actually wants the job?
They had a chance to apply less than two years ago. And more people picked this guy over over everyone else.
Does that stink? Yes.
But if there was a better candidate out there, someone who really wanted the job, why didn’t they run then? Meek, timid leaders aren’t what we need.
Gee, I didn’t want to take on the big, bad Blagojevich machine. Oh, but now that there’s recall, I’ve grown a spine and think I’m the real leader this state needs.
- fedup dem - Friday, May 2, 08 @ 11:12 am:
I suspect Senator Jones knows how he comes across when he rants, “I need a pay raise.” However, I do not believes he cares. And why should he? The voters in his district are follish and gullible enough to send him back to Springfield without uttering a word of discontent, and his fellow sheep/Senate Democrats seem more than willing to keep him as Senate President, even though it makes them look like rejects from clown college.
While I am in favor of paying Emil Jones what he is worth, there is that little problem of the minimum wage law in our way!
- Macbeth - Friday, May 2, 08 @ 11:19 am:
++++
It seems that the only thing this government can agree on is pay raises for themselves and other items of no consequence while the elephant of the budget/capital spending and other important items are not addressed.
++++++
It does seem absurd for Jones to declare his need of a raise when many mid-level folks in government never received a single *single* pay raise for five years.
I don’t get it. But, hey, if Jones has the power to get a raise — why not?
Gas is expensive. Food expensive. More power to him.
- PhilCollins - Friday, May 2, 08 @ 11:29 am:
Many people would be better governors than Blago. In Jan.-Mar. 2006, I walked seven precincts for St. Sen. Brady, and I still think that he was the best candidate for that office, that year. However, I hope that he won’t run in 2010. He would probably lose again.
- Louis G. Atsaves - Friday, May 2, 08 @ 11:31 am:
Woo! Just left a gathering in Lake County that was non-political. And they are ANGRY at Senator Terry Link for blocking the recall proposal and tosses roses at Senator Susan Garrett for voting for the recall proposal.
The general mentality was throw ALL those bums out in Springfield. They have destroyed our State.
This one isn’t going away any time soon. And it will do more than just “linger” from the reactions I saw today.
- Loop Lady - Friday, May 2, 08 @ 11:59 am:
Rod will get recalled when he is convicted of the crimes named in the forthcoming indictment…one of the many reasons I am against recall is the way it could be used by showboaters like Rickey Hendon… this guy won’t even shake another pols hand who has a different opinion than his…sure let’s have recall so he can have several witch hunts going on simultaneously with folks who disagree with him and further undermine the peoples business with his shenanigans…if we had sensible, responsible elected officials we wouldn’t need recall. Because we don’t, we’d be crazy to add this to the dysfunctional political
system in this state…sorry for the circuitous argument, but it makes sense to me…
- wordslinger - Friday, May 2, 08 @ 12:35 pm:
Jones looks like he’s willing to take the heat for the pay raise all on himself. No matter how much they protest publicly, senators on both sides of the aisle are thankful for that.
And Franks did give him some cover by saying the Senate bill was superior. Odd that Halvorson got dragged into the adjournment, though. That couldn’t have been part of the game plan.
- Michelle Flaherty - Friday, May 2, 08 @ 12:39 pm:
PhilCollins,
My point exactly. You think Brady would be better. He coudn’t win his own party’s primary. It’s easy to say get rid of the bum in office, a lot harder to get someone to do the job better.
And what’s this magical new governor going to do? Raise taxes to solve everything?
Why do I think that’d immediately result in a recall petition.
Let’s just turn all of government into a TV show: call it “Illinois Governor.” Let them have a day to explain their policies, and the audience can vote them up or down.
Seems like that’s the way we’re headed.
- 1970 - Friday, May 2, 08 @ 12:44 pm:
Rich,
In the 1970 Con Con there were very few sitting (or former) legislators as delegates. I believe Reps ans Sens were eligible to run, but most did not serve on Con Con. Many young future elected leaders did (Madigan, Daley, Netsch, etc.) and many others who went on in many roles in public service, law, etc. (Elmer Gertz, Dave Kenney, etc.). IF voters approve Con Con, then doesn’t the Gen Assemmbly have to set the rules/guidelines for how it works, provide funding, etc. and is it likely or not that current legislators would run to be delegates this time? If that happens isn’t it likely sitting legs would win as delegates? Would Con Con be any more productive than what’s happened in recent years in the GA? I raise these questions with some confidence about being right about who can be elected, but perhaps others with more knowledge on the specifics can help. A key issue for me on determing whether or not to support Con Con is to determine if it would be different than current GA session deadlock.
- Rich Miller - Friday, May 2, 08 @ 12:47 pm:
Plenty of legislators are decent people who have a good idea of how the Constitution ought to be changed. No dif to me if they can run.
Also, people often forget that voters have to prove any of the cnages made by the con-con. Those changes can be in the form of a few amendments or an entirely new document. But voters get the last say.
- Bill - Friday, May 2, 08 @ 3:33 pm:
VM,
Thanks for reading. Its good to be back.
- Arthur Andersen - Friday, May 2, 08 @ 7:27 pm:
Bill, you were about to go up on milk cartons. keep up the good work.
- Captain America - Monday, May 5, 08 @ 12:47 pm:
Take away the Chicago metropolitan area and there isn’t much differnce between Indiana and Illinois. Not intending this as an insult to either Indiana or llinois. Indianapolis is more cosmoplitan than Springfield which isn’t saying much. Springfield has Abe Lincoln to brag about.