175 Comments - anon - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 6:52 pm: da***d if we do, da***d if we don’t - Publius - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 6:52 pm: This could be a long night - Bill - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 6:57 pm: Rep. Eddy, You haven’t “mismanaged” for 8 years you’ve mismanaged for 30 years. 22 of those years you had a repub governor. - Hurrah! - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 6:58 pm: Nice! No help for the ‘less’ affluent in this deal. Well, that’s okay. The working bloke can’t move…no money for the u-haul! Way to go, House! - crcostel - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 7:04 pm: Is it because the votes were found or because they will never be there? - Excessively Rabid - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 7:10 pm: It was a bad idea anyway, from both policy and administrative points of view. - Mark - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 7:12 pm: Where can we get live coverege of this on radio, tv, web, blog, or what have you. This blog seems to be as real-time as I can find. - John - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 7:13 pm: Mark, You can get the video feed on the Illinois General Assembly website. The video feed isn’t great though. JP - Montrose - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 7:13 pm: It is streaming on ilga.gov - Publius - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 7:13 pm: Go to the GA website, ilga.gov - Wensicia - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 7:19 pm: “The House attached an amendment that eliminates the property tax rebate program.” Well, I got that prediction right. Waiting for the rest. - Anonymous - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 7:24 pm: I have yet to hear a good reason by the Dems why we need such a massive tax increase. They should be ashamed of themselves. The state republicans are mainly a bunch of do nothing idiots, but their actually making some sense tonight. This is not a balanced approach, this is all on the backs of the taxpayers. - Publius - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 7:26 pm: We’ve been waiting for this for years and now here we are. This will squeak by barely in the House - JL - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 7:35 pm: The problem with Franks’ idea for line by line cuts is we don’t have until the end of the FY to do so. Need revenue now. - cassandra - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 7:36 pm: The wealthy (those making over, say, $250,000 a year to use the threshold the feds were using re the Bush tax cut repeal), can afford a personal income tax increase. The middle class cannot, for a variety of reasons, which have been discussed in depth here and in many other venues. Recession. Globalization. Increased job insecurity due to globalization. Steep decline in defined benefit pensions in the private sector. Increased costs for food, gas, and for medical care. Stagnant wages. Steep drops in housing value. Homes that won’t sell so their owners can’t move. The President gets it. Illinois Democrats do not. - Madison County Watcher - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 7:37 pm: You haven’t “mismanaged” for 8 years you’ve mismanaged for 30 years. 22 of those years you had a repub governor. Bill: I’m confused. I remember the General Assembly debating a rainy day fund near the end of Edgar’s last term (probably 1997-1998), with about $1 billion surplus. Therefore, we’ve only had 12 years of bad budgets. All of those budgets were passed by Democrat majorities in the House, and 8 of 12 years were Democrat Governors and Senate majorities. - Katiedid - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 7:37 pm: As a renter, I was wondering if the property tax rebate would work like those commercials where you get a picture of the child you are sponsoring. Would I get a specific family to send my money to for their property tax rebate? Would I get pictures and letters from them telling me how grateful they are for my help? All kidding aside, we do need property tax reform in this state, but it just needs to be more equitable for all involved. - wordslinger - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 7:39 pm: Is “U-Haul” the word for the evening’s drinking game? - Publius - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 7:39 pm: The state was ok in 2000 and 01, but 9/11 happened and the state collapsed - Hurrah! - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 7:41 pm: Words, you seem really tense. Lighten up, son. It’s just money. - Bill - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 7:48 pm: MCW, Its pretty simple. Instaed of raising taxes appropriately and gradually to pay for increased spending Jim Thompson and Jim Edgar, in collusion with Madigan, continually took money which should have gone into pension funds and spent it. The pension holidays continued regularly and in 1995 Little Jim kicked the can way down the road with a ramp scheme that would allow the state to short pensions until Edgar was safely out of office and then explode around 2009. The time bomb has gone off and that, along with the recession, led to the problems we are now having. Taxes should have been gradually been increased throughout the last 25 years as expenditures increased instead of remaining artificially low. But noooooooooooooo - Living In Oklahoma - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 7:49 pm: IS anyone else having problems with the live audio feed? I am being told “server not available” - oh - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 7:51 pm: Yup same thing. Rich what does the 2/3 vote for 2nd to 3rd reading effect again? - John - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 7:51 pm: Same here. I had to turn on the audio feed and that is working ok for now that is. - Bill - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 7:52 pm: What do you care, Will? You live in OK. What kind of income taxes are you paying down there? - Hurrah! - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 7:52 pm: Bill, and truth be told, this isn’t going to make any real dent in the unfunded pension problem. We’re still screwed. But by golly, at least we’re doing SOMETHING. Bet IL’s bond rating is still pretty stinky after this. - oh - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 7:53 pm: Bill lets not compare OK to Illinois. - Publius - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 7:54 pm: It is something we must do, if we don’t we will be even more screwed and much worse in the future - Hurrah! - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 7:55 pm: I think this is fascinating stuff to many in nearby states. Kinda like the macabre rubbernecking when driving by a really nasty car wreck. I mean, come on, this is high drama. We are THE #1 dysfunctional state in the nation. - OneMan - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 7:55 pm: == The state was ok in 2000 and 01, but 9/11 happened and the state collapsed == If at this point everyone wants to blame external factors for the situation we are in so they can rationalize the cluster that this states finances are thats fine… But overall this states financial issues are not exactly a huge news flash. The years, yes years we put off paying bills so they would be covered in the next FY are not something that someone came up with the last couple of years. When it would have been easier to get in front of this, our government chose not to. Because it would have ticked off voters, so instead we got Rod’s stupid budget tricks “Hey lets realize the 20+ years of savings right now!” Treating future revenue like current revenue is what got Enron in trouble, at this state did it, why? Because it was easy. So blame Rod, Democrats, Republicans, the economy, Jim Edgar and Dan Walker, AFSCME or Red China whatever. But at the end of the day we are quickly reaching the point where we will be paying a fortune in interest on the new and old debt we have taken out to keep the state running and any rational company with the option will not do business with the state since good cash flow management does not involve waiting 8 months for payment. At this point I can really care less who caused the problem, I just want some folks to man up and start to deal with it, without just thinking of their own self interest in keeping their seat in the chamber and their office across the way. - Cheswick - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 7:56 pm: David Miller is fired up! Good man. - too tired to watch anymore - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 7:56 pm: @Cassandra, Why do so many feel that a $250K be defining-point as being wealthy? Why not $10k, or a million? It’s just a bit too subjective on the government’s part in my opinion. Although I make nowhere near that amount, that amount of income is substantial, I agree, but it should not be a bearing point at which the government can mandate to those making that hard-earned $$$ to hand it over any more so than any other working american. - ahoy - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 7:56 pm: who was that last speaker? Was he crazy or just not realize his mike was on? - drew - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 7:57 pm: is Rep. Miller doing a bad Rep. Black impersonation? - Bill - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 7:57 pm: “Everybody wants to go to heaven but nobody wants to die” David Miller - Hurrah! - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 7:57 pm: I don’t think it will make a whit of dif, Pub. Between folks doing what they can to avoid the tax, businesses fleeing or avoiding IL, it’ll probably be a wash. - Emanuel Collective - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 7:58 pm: Too Tired- Those making $250k+ a year are in the 99th percentile of income, which is a pretty good way to tell when someone is wealthy - Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 7:58 pm: Rep. Miller: Everyone wants to get to heaven, but no one wants to die! That’s precious! I’ve never heard that before. - Publius - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 8:00 pm: I wish Bill Black was still in the chamber. I want to hear his opinion on the matter. Somebody call him up and put him on speaker phone - Eagle Eye - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 8:03 pm: Are any of the 57 hard votes Repub? Do we know which Dems are not a “yes” vote yet? - not on the clout list - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 8:07 pm: Shouldn’t Rep Miller hbave credited Peter Tosh for that quote. Equal Rights and Justice. Just saying everybody was up in Nolands grill for pinching a speech. - Pot calling kettle - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 8:08 pm: Passed! - oh - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 8:08 pm: and it passes. - Bill - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 8:08 pm: YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!! - Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 8:09 pm: Passed at its limit. - crcostel - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 8:09 pm: God help the state - John - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 8:10 pm: Were in trouble…. - Green Line - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 8:10 pm: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. - Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 8:12 pm: I’m lucky to have a dentist who treated me even though he didn’t get paid. Now I hope he gets paid. - Pot calling kettle - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 8:12 pm: It will hurt to have that tax taken out of my paycheck, but I think it is responsible for us to pay for the services we have received. I hope that the Republicans will produce the cuts they have been hiding all these years. Then the tax increase can be rescinded early. - Hurrah! - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 8:13 pm: Well, there’s your 2012 election issue. Thanks, Dems! Beautiful work! - ahoy - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 8:13 pm: Dem’s are going to pay dearly. There is no map that will make them safe come election time. - Montrose - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 8:14 pm: That Madigan sure knows how count. Well done. - Anonymous - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 8:14 pm: Yes, thank you Mr. Speaker for allowing us to get into this mess and have the taxpayers bail you out so you can start the same mismanagement over again. Even if you favor this tax increase, I am astonished that behavior like this would elicit a “YEEEESSSS!!!” For shame. - Emanuel Collective - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 8:15 pm: People saying the Dems doomed themselves to defeat for passing this bill assume there would’ve been no problems for the State had no income tax increase passed. - crcostel - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 8:16 pm: Any suburban or downstate Democrat should get their resumes ready. - Hurrah! - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 8:18 pm: Not so, Eman. Really, the only thing that will help this state is collapse and restructure. It’s still going to happen. The Dems now get the blame. MAy not be fair, but there it is. - @all - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 8:20 pm: How does this fix the structural deficit? I don’t think it does. - Ray del Camino - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 8:21 pm: Even my years in Texas did not prepare me for this kind of drama. The freak show in Austin only happens every *other* year. Needed to be done, folks. Hope it will have been enough, and/or that the next lege has the guts to do some of the mopping up behind this crew. Thanks, Rich, for opening the window for us. - wordslinger - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 8:23 pm: Well, you can’t blame the GOP leadership for passage. Over the last few days, they were tireless in their efforts to drum up support for its defeat — on every TV news show, all the radio talk programs, edit boards, hosting rallies all across the state, firing up the base, 24/7, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Oh wait. They did nothing. Cross, Radogno and titular leader Brady were all on the milk carton. Maybe they were working undercover on that forensic audit. They’re as relieved as anyone that it passed. They just didn’t want to have their fingerprints on it. - Hurrah! - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 8:23 pm: Ray, there is no math in the world that makes this ‘enough’. We’re still screwed. They just get a little more of our $$ for the rest of the ride down. - Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 8:25 pm: There’s the problem of corporations/people now wanting to leave the state versus businesses that were on the brink of collapse from not getting paid. Robbing Peter to pay Paul? - Hurrah! - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 8:26 pm: Bingo, Werds. And you know how people are. All they are going to remember is Quinn’s lying and the Dem’s looting. Repubs just had to lay back and watch the show. Same thing that happened to the Dems on a national level, once Obama took office and they had total power. We know how that ended. - cassandra - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 8:27 pm: I assume this means it’s a done deal. It was a fair fight. I think we should pass a law saying you don’t get to complain about the tax increase 1) if you voted for Quinn (he was very clear that he would raise taxes) 2) if you didn’t e-mail, write or call your senator and rep expressing your opposition to the tax and 3) ditto Quinn’s office. If you didn’t do all those things, you should, well, suck it up. I did all those things, so I will keep complaining. Question #1-Will anticipation of all these new billions result in blowout taxpayer-funded Democratic parties this weekend. Where can I contribute to Rutherford for Guv. - just sayin' - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 8:28 pm: Too bad there is no GOP leadership in this state. This would be a good issue to exploit. But Dems know they have nothing to worry about. Rs never had a plan of their own. Sad. - Anonymous - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 8:31 pm: Cassandra, How will be able to afford a political contribution now that the state income tax has been raised!?!? - 47th Ward - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 8:32 pm: D’Amico and Mell voted no. Their families have been amassing wealth in no small part due to public revenue. At holidays, they exchange gifts with family members who get paid with tax money. They benefit from the machine “political volunteer spirit” of those whose salaries derive from tax money. And they couldn’t be bothered to vote for more tax money? That’s just rude. Politically smart, definitely cowardly, but still rude nonetheless. D’Amico and Mell are now fiscal conservatives, eh? Wow, nice way to treat your colleagues. Good luck getting any future bills passed. Oh wait, I forgot. That doesn’t matter to you two. - steve schnorf - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 8:36 pm: At the end of the day, who’s the Man? - Hurrah! - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 8:37 pm: Just, out of these sorts of times/events, leadership is often born. Time’ll tell, son. Time’ll tell. - Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 8:39 pm: 47th Ward, I have perhaps an amusing story for you. In late 2009, Rep. Mell came to my state worksite to see severe understaffing. She said that she voted against the income tax increase because that’s what her constituents wanted, or it would hurt her constituents. Her staffer or Rep. Mell told us a story of an elderly man who was against the income tax increase but was irate that his food stamp application was not processed in a timely manner. - Rod - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 8:39 pm: My understanding is that even with this bill passing there will have to be at least $800 million in cuts in FY 2012. For those who want cuts believe me they are a coming. - 60611 - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 8:39 pm: Stephens was the other one that switched from yes to no. Correcting a mistake? - Waco Kid - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 8:40 pm: More money for the same Democratic Party that got us into this mess. It’s a sad day for Illinois. - MJ - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 8:41 pm: Stephens changed at the last minute also - OneMan - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 8:41 pm: So has the governor said he would sign this in it’s current form? - jake - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 8:43 pm: Did any legislature ever do as much to tackle tough issues in such a short time as this one this month? I happen to feel that almost all of it was good, and that it took a very rare combination of skill and courage. I am actually proud to be from Illinois at this moment. - wordslinger - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 8:44 pm: –So has the governor said he would sign this in it’s current form?– LOL, I’m not a betting man, but…. - Boone Logan Square - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 8:45 pm: Taken out of context, a small step that will leave considerable fiscal challenges ahead. In the context of what we have seen out of Springfield for years, it’s an amazing act of courage. Combined it with the abolition of the death penalty, and today is the most sane day in the capitol this century. - Bill - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 8:45 pm: It has to pass the Senate first. Stermer said Quinn supports it. If they don’t pass the bonding authority it will still take years to dig out of the hole. - crcostel - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 8:45 pm: Jake- I’m ashamed for so many reasons. - Jo - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 8:46 pm: 47th Ward, Mell voted no because of Rod. - OneMan - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 8:47 pm: == I happen to feel that almost all of it was good, and that it took a very rare combination of skill and courage. I am actually proud to be from Illinois at this moment. == courage would have been to do this a year ago, or even before November. This wasn’t courage. - Bill - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 8:48 pm: C’mon Republicans grow a backbone and do the right thing for a change. - DuPage Dave - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 8:48 pm: This should have happened two years ago in the wake of Blago’s impeachment, but Madigan would not call a vote without Republican support. I say thanks to all with the courage to vote yes and let’s hope things improve for everyone in our state. All you jokers talking about moving- see you later. - Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 8:50 pm: I don’t remember which Republican brought up the family of four making $40,000 per year, but at this income level–and I don’t have the income standards with me–this family would qualify for the Share or Premium medical program via DHS. That would help this family tremendously if no member had private health insurance. Now if this family is forced to take public health insurance because its employer can not afford to help out in this age of private-sector cuts, this is an economic benefit to the family, possibly the employer and the medical providers, but perhaps not to the taxpayers. I sincerely hope that you have private health insurance and don’t have to resort to getting help, but if you don’t have insurance, have a family and someone gets unaffordably sick, would you not seek help in any way you can? - Bill - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 8:50 pm: Bonds failed with 68 votes. Figures. - Dave - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 8:53 pm: Anybody have storage boxes… Gonna need them for the U-haul… - jake - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 8:54 pm: I expect that Mell, Sente, and a couple of others in tough districts voted no because the Speaker told them he had the votes without them. He is always thinking of both the long term and the immediate problem simultaneously. The immediate problem was getting this through so the state would not go bankrupt. The long term is to preserve his majority indefinitely, so he is not going to press caucus members in districts where they are getting a lot of blowback if he does not need the votes. - wordslinger - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 8:55 pm: –Gonna need them for the U-haul…– There’s the magic word — take a drink! - Demoralized - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 8:57 pm: They better find those 3 votes for the bonds or this whole thing still sucks. - James - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 8:58 pm: Could the bonding be passed with a majority vote by the new legislature, or would it still take 3/5s? - 47th Ward - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 8:58 pm: Since when has Deb Mell been in a tough district? - Bill - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 8:59 pm: It always needs 3/5. - Hurrah! - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 9:01 pm: Words, I am worried about you. Lay off the booze! - wordslinger - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 9:01 pm: Mell won 2 to 1 in the primary and was unopposed in the general. I don’t think “tough district” explains the vote. - park - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 9:01 pm: Congrat’s to the Blago faction. One more victory! - Bill - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 9:02 pm: uhaul, uhaul, uhaul - Bill - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 9:03 pm: wifi on cta- postponed consideration - wordslinger - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 9:03 pm: Thattaboy Bill — keep ‘em coming! - Emily Booth - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 9:07 pm: LOL I’ll get a bigger tax refund from the state. - Publius - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 9:07 pm: The House is adjourned for the 96th General Assembly. Now onto the Senate and then the 97th General Assembly - Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 9:08 pm: I just heard on the news that this revenue will also go toward paying former Gov. Edgar’s $1.1 million dollar pension. - Honest Abe - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 9:10 pm: Representative Jay Franks (D) delivered a terrific speech. Raising taxes to continue spending and maintaining the status quo. Irresponsible boards and commissions with lavishly paid part-timers will continue to function. More business as usual. Illinois did not salvage itself today, it merely delayed its inevitable execution. Since capital punishment may soon be abolished, perhaps suicide is the better term. - Hurrah! - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 9:11 pm: Heh..silly. Do it the right way! No uhaul. Get the gov’t to underwrite your move. Use a real moving company. Lose a job, they might pay, under certain circs. I have to say, IA looks good. Wholesome. Just gotta unload the hovel. Or do jinglemail, I guess. Yeah…this progressive mindset is very relaxing. Easy. Let others care for you. - NeveroddoreveN - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 9:14 pm: Now would be a good time to emphasize HB2514 - DuPage Moderate - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 9:15 pm: Wordslinger - your post on the Republican’s lack of effort on this thing is right on. Despite the vote tallies, the Republican’s grubby paws are all over this. Vote all of these failures out. The State has been mismanaged for so long that every single one of these “representatives” need to go. - jim - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 9:17 pm: Nice vote by D’Amico when he is double-dipping as a rep and on a municipal payroll. All of his and his cousin the alderman’s relatives on a payroll should get laid off. - Publius - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 9:17 pm: Rich, When is the Senate expected to take the income tax up? - JP - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 9:18 pm: “Right on” It’s the Republicans fault that the Democrats tax and spend like crazy. - MJ60035 - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 9:20 pm: This bill was one of the most painful votes since TARP. TARP saved the world’s banking system and, btw, has virtually been repaid. I’m proud of the house dems and for all you repubs, play a part in this and tell us where YOU think you can make a billion or so in cuts instead of your favorite term “NO”. If your plan is to cut cops, teachers, healthcare for low income seniors then say so. Other troubled states will be watching this very closely. Good luck to all our Illinois citizens. This tax increase was not an option. - DuPage Moderate - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 9:28 pm: Yes, it’s the Republicans fault that they have shown no leadership and have allowed and abetted in this spending orgy. - wordslinger - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 9:34 pm: 47th, I’ve never used them, but I recommend Reebie movers because they have that funky, bug-eyed King Tut logo and an interesting building on Clark near Belden. Still, I have a soft spot for U-Haul (drink) ever since they started painting state scenes and Fun Facts on the sides of their trucks. The gas station on my way to the El has a lot full of them and I learn something new every day. - Soccertease - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 9:36 pm: Are we a screwed up state or what? Dysfunctional, backward, knee-jerk, corrupt, arrogant are just a few words that come to mind. I don’t have a dog in the hunt since I’m retired (pension not taxable in IL) so this is an outsider observation. - steve schnorf - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 9:37 pm: This, or something like it, needed to be done. My Rs have probably done a smart thing politically, but I’m having a hard time feeling good about it. There’s really no need to forecast good or bad outcomes. All we have to do is wait and watch. As usual, there’s an election coming up in less than 24 months. Good luck to Cullerton and the Senate on this. He’s gotten the job done before, and I suspect he will this time too. - DRB - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 9:38 pm: New state motto Illinois - the state of disaster - Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 9:39 pm: I don’t recall hearing about any Republicans who are eating from the public trough volunteer to self-audit and pay back anything above what they contributed. - Skirmisher - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 9:42 pm: The Dems did what had to be done, at long, long last. The Republicans look even more hypocritical than usual, and that is going some. Secretly, they will be very relieved to see the new revenue. - FDR! - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 9:45 pm: Finally! Responsible government. Good on Governor Quinn and the Democratic leaders. We are going to be a real state again! Three cheers for the Union! Three cheers for Abe Lincoln! Three cheers for the great state of Illinois! I now return you to your usual grumpings… - just sayin' - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 9:49 pm: I blame the Republicans more. This is what happens they keep incompetent leadership. - schnorf fan - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 9:49 pm: Bill, FYI, we wouldn’t be in this terrible position with a massive tax hike (w/billions in unpaid bills and after hitting local govt’s with new fees/taxes) in the worst economy since the great depression, if your former boss listened to Gov Ryan and accepted that advice and assistance in the transition. - Going nuclear - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 9:54 pm: It’s good to finally see leadership and action from some of our state elected officials. I expect there will be more cuts in government programs and services, but at least we’re beginning to address our state budgetary problems in a more comprehensive manner. - UISer - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 9:54 pm: When is the Senate taking it up Rich? - steve schnorf - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 9:54 pm: And Bill, I’ll take my two guys over your guy any day, and twice on Sundays. They both cared about governing the State. Quinn seems to care also. I still can’t understand Rod twice. - wordslinger - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 9:59 pm: Without the bonding, there’s still a big hole to fill. Maybe we’ll see that contents of Cross’ four-page action plan he was waving at NYT yet. - Anon 1 - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 10:00 pm: why was the tax vote not verified. - wordslinger - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 10:04 pm: –why was the tax vote not verified.– You can probably answer that yourself. - Pot calling kettle - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 10:05 pm: Everybody was in their seats! - DuPage Moderate - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 10:06 pm: Cross is a failure. What a sham. Leadership……ha! So when are we going to tackle the pension/spending reform now that we’ve looted the taxpayers with a lame duck legislature? - Pot calling kettle - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 10:09 pm: I’ll be so excited when the Republican’s share their plan. The detailed cuts of waste fraud and abuse (that seem to make up a quarter of state general revenue spending) will surely be enough to allow the tax increase to be rescinded. I’ll bet Cross is holding back so he can make Madigan look foolish for passing the unneeded tax increase. Maybe Radongo will share the plan with the Senate tonight! Stay tuned! - Publius - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 10:12 pm: So when is the Senate going to meet tonight? - Bill F. - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 10:17 pm: You guys bashing Cross…didn’t you see he had a plan? You know, sell state cars…end out-of-state travel. That’s worth, what, $12 billion, right? - schnorf fan - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 10:52 pm: So sad, Illinois could be grabbing jobs and advancing the recovery (recall Mitch Daniels also raised taxes/fees early on in his first term) if we planned ahead like Gov Ryan did (as much as you might want to hate him). Now we pay more, will not attract new business, and (w/Chicago’s problems) all but ensure Illinois is close to the LAST place you want to do business and try to create new opportunities and jobs. Thanks Bill, thanks Gov B. - benniefly2 - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 11:00 pm: Not to commit a foul by dropping some facts into this discussion, but I would suggest that folks take a look at State income tax rates across the nation before crying foul in Illinois… http://www.taxfoundation.org/files/state_individualincome_rates-20100327.pdf I am particularly amused by Wisconsin’s Governor chirping about this vote. The Governor of Indiana may have a point, however, I am really doubting that firms are itching to move to Fort Wayne in order to avoid this increase. To those looking to move South Dakota has no state income tax. South Dakota does need people. There are no jobs there, but hey, the rates can’t get any lower. - Old Milwaukee - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 11:04 pm: The Dems spent us to the brink of bankruptcy, pointed the finger at Republicans and then raised taxes on all the people of Illinois without cutting a nickel of spending and they are worshipped on this site as some sort of noble statesmen. I’m scratching my head and I need a drink. UHAUL. - Nate - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 11:07 pm: looks like something’s getting started on the senate video feed. - Publius - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 11:07 pm: So the House finally acts and then the Senate decides they don’t like it so now they won’t act? Great, this state is messed up - Publius - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 11:17 pm: The Senate is back - Anonymous - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 11:22 pm: I am not sure what all the excitement is about here–after all, Quinn will veto the increase. I mean, he said so during the campaign and would certainly never lie about something so important. That would be wrong. - BackinTown - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 11:29 pm: Have there been any significant spending reduction plans implemented during the veto session? Heard about pension reform, but nothing on spending cuts. Been traveling & out of the loop past few weeks. Thanks! - A Naughty Moose - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 11:37 pm: If I’d taken a drink for every bogus talking point about “raising taxes on hardworking people in this state,” I would be in need of medical attention by now. Idiotic McCarter now talking about how retirees are going to have to move away from their grandchildren. Hello Kyle, retirement income is not taxed in IL under this bill or any other. Sheesh. - tired of press - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 11:39 pm: The negative comments about Mell and D’Amico are truly deserved. They did not earn their jobs, they got them out of political patronage, they are not bright legislators, and now they don’t even have the guts to be courageous legislators and take one for the team to do their small part to get our state out of this mess. It is a culture of entitlement. Dishonorable. Disgusting. **D’Amico and Mell voted no. Their families have been amassing wealth in no small part due to public revenue. At holidays, they exchange gifts with family members who get paid with tax money. They benefit from the machine “political volunteer spirit” of those whose salaries derive from tax money. And they couldn’t be bothered to vote for more tax money? That’s just rude. Politically smart, definitely cowardly, but still rude nonetheless. D’Amico and Mell are now fiscal conservatives, eh? Wow, nice way to treat your colleagues. Good luck getting any future bills passed. Oh wait, I forgot. That doesn’t matter to you two.** - Publius - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 11:43 pm: “People will not forget this bill.” Sorry Senator by next week people will be focused on something else like Health Care or why is it snowing(like they’ve never seen snow before)? - Just the Facts - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 11:47 pm: Cullerton is doing well so far. Countering the blather by McCarter and dismissing Duffy’s fulminations about how every small business will flee the state. - Jo - Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 11:58 pm: They passed a huge “Medicaid Reform” bill that cuts about $800 million or so out of medical programs… - Jo - Wednesday, Jan 12, 11 @ 12:01 am: Also - the GRF budget is down about 3 billion since 2009. I don’t know how you say they haven’t cut a nickel…. - Publius - Wednesday, Jan 12, 11 @ 12:04 am: Sen. Murphy, how do you explain the $3billion less in the GRF? - piling on - Wednesday, Jan 12, 11 @ 12:11 am: When is jason plummer going stop talking - Shemp - Wednesday, Jan 12, 11 @ 12:11 am: So when do the reform bills start rolling in? Collective bargaining is out of control (especially the binding arbitrators), work comp is a train wreck, prevailing wage rules are development killers, ILRB is stacked, education funding method is antiquated and every agency from IDOT to DCEO to Prisons are infiltrated with political hacks instead of professionals. Not something I’m interested in paying an extra 66% for. Clean up the mess and more people might be somewhat more receptive to paying - Publius - Wednesday, Jan 12, 11 @ 12:15 am: So if the Republican argument is correct Rich is going to shut down Cap Fax and move it to Missouri, Iowa or Indiana. I can’t wait to hear about how the Iowa GA passed a law detailing how high your corn must be or what color the barns must be - piling on - Wednesday, Jan 12, 11 @ 12:16 am: Burzynski is quoting musicals Did he vote for civil unions? - piling on - Wednesday, Jan 12, 11 @ 12:31 am: Did dale just say jim edgars tax hike was bad public policy? He said all tax increases. - Jo - Wednesday, Jan 12, 11 @ 12:35 am: Did Sen. Sullivan just say that you can use some of the gaming revenue to lower this tax increase? So it would be 4.75% instead of 5%. Would you vote for it then? No, you wouldn’t. I call BS. - piling on - Wednesday, Jan 12, 11 @ 12:35 am: Rich, where’d everybody go? Bed time or is et a mad dash for Missouri and 6 percent tax rates - jake - Wednesday, Jan 12, 11 @ 12:39 am: Cullerton has an unfair advantage in this discussion. He has reality on his side. Fantasy is great for — well, fantasizing—but you need reality to pay the bills. - Publius - Wednesday, Jan 12, 11 @ 12:42 am: I have 2 proposals to solve the problem. 1)Find a way to claim insurance on the state 2)Keep on not paying and let them turn off the lights - BigMac - Wednesday, Jan 12, 11 @ 12:52 am: Anyone know what caused Senator Radogno to stop mid sentence? - Publius - Wednesday, Jan 12, 11 @ 12:53 am: What’s going on, is someone hurt or what? - Jo - Wednesday, Jan 12, 11 @ 12:54 am: I don’t know what is going on - but whomever is President pt said to a hot mic “Who is it?” And then Radogno said to a hot mic - “That’s going to cost me.” - BigMac - Wednesday, Jan 12, 11 @ 12:55 am: Last thing the presiding officer said was, “who is it.” - Publius - Wednesday, Jan 12, 11 @ 12:56 am: Where is Rich at? - Nate - Wednesday, Jan 12, 11 @ 12:56 am: via @dianeswlee on Twitter: On Senate floor was watching income tax hike debate. A senator just fell to the ground with a loud boom that startled everyone. #Illinois - BigMac - Wednesday, Jan 12, 11 @ 12:56 am: In case this night couldn’t be more dramatic. - Norseman - Wednesday, Jan 12, 11 @ 12:58 am: Didn’t hear the Radogno comment, but it definitely sounds and appears like a medical emergency - Jo - Wednesday, Jan 12, 11 @ 12:59 am: oh no… I would echo the question - who is it? I hope whomever it was is OK. - jake - Wednesday, Jan 12, 11 @ 12:59 am: Has it occurred to anybody else that if these folks were cartoon characters, Madigan would be the Road Runner and succession of Republican leaders he has dealt with would ge Wil E Coyote? The mention of Edgar and the last tax increase brought that to mind, because at that time Madigan was the minority leader, and he was still able to team up with a Republican Governor to do something that most of the Republicans in the legislature did not want. The man just almost always wins, and does so in ways that make the opposition look silly. This is just the latest. - Publius - Wednesday, Jan 12, 11 @ 12:59 am: Reports are that Rep David Miller collapsed on the floor, and medical assistance has been summoned. - BigMac - Wednesday, Jan 12, 11 @ 12:59 am: Agreed, Jo. Hoping for the best. - jtz - Wednesday, Jan 12, 11 @ 1:00 am: While they work this out any guess on the final vote count? - jake - Wednesday, Jan 12, 11 @ 1:00 am: Oh no! I wrote my last before I read of somebody collapsing. No time for jokes. - Jo - Wednesday, Jan 12, 11 @ 1:01 am: oh no, David. - Publius - Wednesday, Jan 12, 11 @ 1:13 am: I hope David is ok, I’ve always liked him and he liked me and wanted me to continue my interest in politics. I can’t make up anything witty now since a friend is sick. - Quinn T. Sential - Wednesday, Jan 12, 11 @ 1:18 am: I hope Rep, Miller is going to be okay as well. I can also understand however; whatit is may have caused him to collapse. - Quinn T. Sential - Wednesday, Jan 12, 11 @ 1:21 am: Verification roll call. - Jo - Wednesday, Jan 12, 11 @ 1:22 am: Senate passed it 30-29. And an immediate motion to reconsider. that motion is tabled. - Quinn T. Sential - Wednesday, Jan 12, 11 @ 1:29 am: Procedural. Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.