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* The House came four votes shy of passing the “essential services” one-month budget today. I didn’t see the Big Board and the roll call isn’t posted online yet, but Madigan’s spokesman said all Democrats in the building voted for the bill, so it may have been an attendance issue. Attendance issues are common, even during May. Getting everybody into Springfield during July is very difficult.
The bill wasn’t placed on “Postponed Consideration” because the Senate passed an identical bill earlier today. Today’s House failure, in that context, didn’t matter because for parliamentary reasons the chamber couldn’t have voted on the Senate’s bill today anyway.
Press release…
Madigan: Rauner Shutdown Looking More Certain with No Budget Agreement
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - House Speaker Michael J. Madigan issued the following statement Wednesday on the House’s plans to pass an essential services budget aimed at preventing or minimizing a service shutdown that would disrupt the lives of many middle-class families.
“The number one issue facing the state of Illinois right now is the budget. In the days ahead, I will work to pass a short-term spending plan to see that the lives of struggling and middle-class families are not disrupted.
“In light of the governor’s unwillingness to work with the Legislature to pass a budget that adequately funds important state services, today the House tried to pass an essential services budget to avoid a shutdown of state government. My goal is to avoid a shutdown of core, critical services. I believe that should be the top priority of the governor and the Legislature at this moment.
“Since January, I have said a budget that protects the middle class and vulnerable residents would require a balanced approach that includes spending cuts and revenue. Rejecting a balanced approach in favor of a budget that focuses on cuts alone will negatively impact middle-class families and severely harm the medical care services of the elderly, the disabled and struggling families, services for victims of child abuse, and nursing home care for thousands of frail elderly residents.
“Despite the governor’s lack of cooperation on the budget, in the spirit of compromise, the House has debated several non-budget issues and given each a fair hearing. The property tax freeze, including the governor’s own proposal, received five chances to pass. Each time, the issue received little support from House Republicans. The House passed a compromise bill to help employers save on workers’ compensation costs and we passed a bill to privatize a portion of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity at the governor’s request.
“My focus remains on passing a budget that takes a balanced approach and includes spending reductions and revenue to preserve the services that the people of Illinois expect the state to deliver.”
* By the way, the House just announced that it will be in session next Wednesday and Thursday. The Senate’s not coming back for two weeks.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 4:11 pm
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Rauner’s Republican seem to have the people of Illinois where they want them — at their feet. Is Billionair Bruce Rauner really going to let the State crash and burn? For God’s sake man implement the old tax that was lowered 6 months ago. Who really gives a hoot? If Rauner doesn’t have the political skills to move Illinois forward then he should be R-worded!
Comment by redhatman Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 4:16 pm
Not only does the cool gray weather make it feel like April, the level of progress makes it seem like it should be April as well. It’ll be a long summer.
Comment by AC Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 4:20 pm
what was the senate bill number
what was the house bill number
Comment by need info Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 4:21 pm
The State needs a heart transplant and they’re wasting time trying to put on band-aids
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 4:21 pm
Playin to the 1% in the third wealthiest state… $425k to get into that club in Illinois.
Comment by Liberty Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 4:22 pm
Crash and burn.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 4:22 pm
Info - the Senate bill number is 2040.
Comment by Team Sleep Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 4:23 pm
My understanding is that our nonpartisan COGFA [ http://cgfa.ilga.gov/CommissionProfile.aspx ]
is NOT a state version of the nonpartisan CBO (Congressional Budget Office) that serves the US Congress with objective budget impact scoring of legislative proposals. [Sidenote: I do understand that the recent GOP dominance of the US House+Senate has meant a switch to phony “dynamic scoring” by CBO.]
If Illinois DID HAVE a state version of CBO, each Rauner requested legislative proposal could be “scored” for its
+ or -
short/long term impact on the state budget.
Rauner would be embarrassed by the scores his non-budget proposals would receive.
Comment by zonz Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 4:25 pm
They can’t get everyone to attend when the state is going in the dump and salaries and services are going to be cut if a budget isn’t passed? Oh wait, their salaries aren’t at jeopardy. As a state worker can I get in line at LINK now that I’m a $0 earner? They certainly got paid July 1.
Comment by Really? Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 4:25 pm
During today’s interaction between Sandack and Lang, I could only think to paraphrase Sulu’s line in the Corbomite Maneuver.
– Try and cross brains with Lou, he’ll cut you to pieces every time. –
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 4:26 pm
The Senate not reconvening for two weeks is interesting.
If that holds, two weeks of a shutdown would be real.
Now the “crisis” has an initial “shelf life” unless Cullerton calls them back.
If Rauner calls for a special session, you’d have…
No legislators’ pay
Useless special session
A “Quinn-Blago” hybrid of governing… thru leverage.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 4:30 pm
“My focus remains on passing a budget that takes a balanced approach and includes spending reductions and revenue to preserve the services that the people of Illinois expect the state to deliver.” ~MJM
So, where is the bill to increase revenue so it would be the balanced approach he indicates?
Comment by Right Field Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 4:35 pm
Hey: The state has already ‘crashed and burned” under Madigan and company. More tax revenue and the same spending just perpetuates the failed status quo. I say let the Dems shut down the state and let Afscme strike- a lot of money would be saved and most voters will not notice.
Comment by Let'sMovetoTexas Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 4:36 pm
I’ll be curious to see the roll call to see who was absent. How can a legislator justify not being in the chamber for these discussions?
Comment by dr. reason a. goodwin Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 4:38 pm
- LMTT -
Rauner owns it. Governors own shutdowns. Anything else is spin…
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 4:40 pm
On messaging I wish the Democrats would focus more on the republicans’ failure to help get bills passed. And we need to focus more on CONSEQUENCES before the Press. “If the Governore won’t work toward a compromise on revenue, children will be without services.” “Because of Gov’s unwillingness to compromise, children will be harmed.” “The Governor got his wish in letting the tax increase expire. As a result we are scrambling to fund essential services for children, the sick and the elderly.” Continue messaging that this goes against core values of both Dems and republicans.
Dems have blown their chance of exploiting Rauner’s budget holes. His budget was no better. And yet somehow only the Dems budget gets blamed.
I’m starting to realize maybe Brown has been so comfortable on top for so long that he’s lost his edge. Not used to playing defense. Putting Mike in front of a mic once/week ISNT really a strategy, Steve. It’s extremely frustrating.
Follow Rikesha’s lead a little bit, Steve. She’s been hitting back for weeks.
Comment by Politix Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 4:42 pm
The funniest part of the MIA’s were two GOPies who made public announcement supporting short term budgets — Brown and Morrison. Guessin’ they get another chance next week. Roll call on ILGA website
Comment by Anonin' Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 4:43 pm
The Gov and legislature fiddle while the state burns……….
Comment by Dog Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 4:53 pm
Ok so the state cannot issue paychecks for the work being done now. There is no funding for any services this year. No funds for disaster relief. No funds to care for veterans. The A.G. and the gov. are publicly fighting about the authority to pay employees. The first thing the Senate decides to do is take a 2 week vacation.
Between this and the G.A. getting it’s full pay on time it’s pretty obvious no one wears a white hat in this mess.
Comment by Mason born Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 4:55 pm
It was not an entirely unreasonable compromise Rauner offered last week. Would obviously be the holy grail for lawmakers to have to stand up and show their opposition to term limits/fair maps in a public forum but does not seem worth shutting the government down over.
Comment by Very Fed Up Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 4:55 pm
===the Gov and legislature fiddle while the state burns…=
The only one fiddling repeatedly is the dems, lest we forget the $1.6 billion whole on the 2015 FY budget that required invading reserve funds to bridge the gap.
Rauner is trying to restore a once great state back to it moorings!
Comment by DuPage Don Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 5:03 pm
===No funds for disaster relief.===
I’d hate to be an HGOP present vote if, God forbid, one of those very saturated levees gets topped.
Anybody else notice how high some of the downstate rivers are getting? Has there been any violent weather in Illinois recently?
This is a very dangerous game.
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 5:07 pm
The issue of attendance was mentioned during an NPR story this morning on WUIS. So no surprise there.
Comment by Huh? Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 5:10 pm
Rauner is trying to tear this state apart.
Comment by PolPal56 Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 5:11 pm
DuPageDon — But the governors issues have nothing to do with govt spending or taxes. If he focused on that I would agree with you.
Comment by Bud Keyes Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 5:15 pm
Du page Don, lest we forget that the budget gap you reference was that approps were too low, and the Governor had to seek over a billion dollars of revenue so he could get a massive supplemental.
Or lest we forget that $650 million of that hole was because he was not going to participate in the “fundamentally wrong” practice of inter-fund borrowing. Until he was.
Comment by Juice Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 5:16 pm
The “present” votes are no votes or spineless votes….
Comment by Bud Keyes Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 5:16 pm
Are the legislators that voted “present” really going to try and say that they didn’t vote against the emergency budget???
Comment by Bud Keyes Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 5:17 pm
What dems were missing from the House and where the heck are they???
Comment by Bud Keyes Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 5:18 pm
===Rauner is trying to restore a once great state back to it moorings!===
…by cutting Autism funding on Autism Day… then restored it anyway… “You’re not helping” - DuPage Don -.
Are the Raunerbots just so ignorant they forget even the Rauner choices Rauner rescinded?
Weren’t the FY2015 Rauner choices Rauner made, and then signed and owned… and you tout… tell me, what does Rauner ever own? lol
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 5:18 pm
Not only does the GA get their full pay on time and two wks vacation, don’t forget the raise. Some not even in attendance.
Comment by Clodhopper Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 5:21 pm
At the end of the day, it really didn’t matter if it passed or not, the Governor indicated a veto would be forth coming anyway.
I don’t expect anything serious to happen prior to the 15th.
Comment by Stones Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 5:21 pm
So if a member of the purchased GOP Caucus wants to show defiance, he/she just doesn’t vote. Poe has evidently gone over to the darkside. He voted with the chattel.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 5:22 pm
===the Governor indicated a veto would be forth coming anyway.===
71 votes is needed to pass it, and coincidentally, also enough to over-ride a veto.
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 5:26 pm
Rauner reminds all;
There’s no ILGOP. It’s over.
The GOP GA will do as they’re told, even if it backfires.
I still think the GOP GA will see the light.
“Fool me once…”
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 5:27 pm
So the state Senate won’t be in for 2 weeks? As a state employee, this makes me angry. I’m looking at potentially no paycheck on July 31… Would qualify for WIC at that point, but that office will probably be closed if things continue on the current trajectory. Ugh!
Comment by Anon Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 5:40 pm
The governor’s actions all along have demonstrated he wants a tax increase, but that he also wants passage of anti-union bills as political cover.
With the powerful array of veto options available to him, the governor could have recast the twenty or so approp bills sent to him with line item excises and reductions to his heart’s content.
He could have used those bills to draw up an FY16 plan any way he wanted. It was a golden opportunity — if he was willing to live within current revenues.
Tnere’s the problem — the veto powers are useless to increase revenues or spending. They’re only good for cuts or reductions.
As it was, the governor signed a huge chunk of the budget with the K-12 approp. bill — but complained he had wanted to spend more.
Time and again, through actions and rhetoric, the governor has demonstrated the budget end game for him is a tax increase. That’s why he can’t bluff his way to the anti-union stuff.
No poker face with that guy.
Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 5:58 pm
After hearing all of the ramifications of not having a budget, hard to believe that that any elected representative voted no or absent. Good luck in your next election trying to explain why “creating crisis” was more important than proving safety and well-being services, you know, the ones paid for by the tax payers in your district.
It was funny though, watching all those no’s and present’s trying to force the chair into a vote so they could decline their own pay. Oh, yeah,and watching Rep Dimmer trying to volley with rep Currie that was funny too.
Comment by Tucker Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 6:05 pm
===Time and again, through actions and rhetoric, the governor has demonstrated the budget end game for him is a tax increase. That’s why he can’t bluff his way to the anti-union stuff.===
Agreed. I’d add that his whole strategy is fatally flawed too because he believes Madigan and the Democrats will hike taxes for him at the first opportunity. It’s not a given that he’ll get a majority of HDEMs on any tax hike vote. In fact, he ought to be trying to find out what the Democrats want in exchange for votes on new revenue.
So even if Rauner drops the turnback agenda nonsense tomorrow, he is going to have to give up something else to get the revenue he needs for his budget. And it’s as if Team Rauner has no clue that this is their future.
Tick-tock guys, it’s July 1. Time’s almost up. Lead, follow or get out of the way.
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 6:08 pm
The Speaker’s press release uses caps for House and Legislature but a lowercase g for governor. I’m sure it’s just an honest mistake.
Comment by Calhoun Native Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 6:26 pm
===…he is going to have to give up something else to get the revenue he needs for his budget. And it’s as if Team Rauner has no clue that this is their future.===
There are 2 things I can’t stand played poorly, be not by accident or faulty design;
Baseball and Politics (including the politics of governing)
So tough to watch
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 6:30 pm
Anon-
Didn’t the Gov say the wait would be worth it?
What’s the problem?
Comment by Austin Blvd Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 6:58 pm
The four Dems absent, Mautino, Soto, D’Amico and Monique Davis are presumed yes votes. So this will likely pass when the Speaker decides it will.
Comment by Michael Westen Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 7:07 pm
==Governors own shutdowns==
With greatest respect, as always, wasn’t the 1995 government shutdown historically ==owned== by Speaker Gingrich and his House majority rather than President Clinton as the executive?
Do you see any chance this would be similar?
Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 7:11 pm
Wordslinger:
Excellent analysis, although I have to disagree on one point, as I explained last July:
“Rauner doesn’t just disagree with the unions on thei issues. He disputes their right to exist.”
Rauner isn’t seeking these anti-union measures as political cover. Nobody was demanding RTW, rolling back prevailing wage, or ending fair share until he brought it up. If it were a matter of policy or politics, that would be understandable, but he has already made it clear that he can put every single Republican on a bill to raise the Confederate Flag at Lincoln’s tomb if he wants to. Who is gonna come after him, for Pete’s sake, the Tribune editorial board or the Illinois Policy Institute?
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 7:19 pm
=== The Speaker’s press release uses caps for House and Legislature but a lowercase g for governor. I’m sure it’s just an honest mistake. ===
Isn’t that Associated Press style?
Comment by olddog Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 7:25 pm
It must be nice to be a State Senator and bag rays for 2 weeks while your state burns.
Plus get paid no matter what happens. Our state needs some real leadership. We are a state of lawyers who are our leaders and they never get ruffled. They NEVER miss a pay day.
Comment by mokenavince Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 7:53 pm
===The governor’s actions all along have demonstrated he wants a tax increase, but that he also wants passage of anti-union bills as political cover.===
I don’t think Rauner wants a tax hike but knows it’s inevitable and would be willing to sign off on one if the Dems were willing to compromise some “turnaround” issues. The question is which ones and to what degree. Still miles apart.
Comment by Soccertease Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 8:00 pm
ST, a tax hike isnt inevitable if tne governor wants to propose a balanced budget. But he did not do that. His proposed spending needs $3 billion plus in new revenues.
Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 8:23 pm
- FKA -
Lost in both instances, who was considered the Hostage Taker, under what premise, “hurting” people?
Usually governors/presidents are requiring action for hostages being released, was it the Legislative GOP holding hostages.
Gingrich took the role, and wore the jacket as such, and was the hostage taker.
For starters…
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 8:57 pm
@ mokenavince
It’s made like that so you don’t hold the legislature hostage. Rauner is one of the reasons why Marbury v. Madison. I don’t know what person would cut all services like the national guard when were in the middle of levies breaking downstate. I say just petition the courts just like they did in Minnesota during a shutdown they had a few years ago and let them decide what should run. That way Goldberg (Rauner’s lapdog) can serve his punishment Madigan gave him already.
Comment by Scot 707 Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 9:12 pm
Can’t get everyone to show up in June or July may be difficult -but when everyone knows this is the last day for a budget, that is unacceptable. No excuse. This is not a serious Governor or Legislature
Comment by Dr X Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 9:25 pm
===The four Dems absent, Mautino, Soto, D’Amico and Monique Davis are presumed yes votes. So this will likely pass when the Speaker decides it will.===
Monique has been sick for awhile. Mautino is recouping from his cancer treatments. Don’t know about D’Amico and Soto but it doesn’t matter since you need them all. Unless you get Poe or other GOP to cross over.
Comment by Been There Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 9:48 pm
===So the state Senate won’t be in for 2 weeks? As a state employee, this makes me angry. I’m looking at potentially no paycheck on July 31… Would qualify for WIC at that point, but that office will probably be closed if things continue on the current trajectory. Ugh!====
You only need the house. The senate passed the bill already. The house version was only a test vote. It was a house bill that would have needed 3 days in the senate. They can do the bill the senate passed in a day
Comment by Been There Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 9:54 pm
Love the Rauner hatred on here. It’s great news for us non-political class hangers-on. It means he’s actually on his way to reforming this disaster of a state.
Springfield may be upset with Rauner, but the average guy going to work a non-public supported job thinks this is great.
Carry on…
Comment by Dupage moderate Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 10:07 pm
=== It’s great news for us non-political class hangers-on. ===
Are you saying your one of those incompetent state employees that hang around while the rest of us competent state employees have to work twice as hard to serve the people of the state. Yea, I know you.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 10:10 pm
Dupage moderate,
You really want to hang this on the working class state employee? You think we took pension holidays? Did I borrow from the pension to build a house? Get a clue. How many days would you go to work without pay? I’m going to clock in tomorrow and possibly not have a check come July 22. You, sir, are misinformed. The state worker is not the problem. It is, and always has been the elected officials. We have families and mortgages that hinge on these paychecks that may or may not come.
Comment by Anon Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 10:29 pm
==Rauner owns it. Governors own shutdowns. Anything else is spin…==
Now that is just your spin of YOUR own party a/k/a the Democratic Party. With much respect Willy.
Comment by ABC Lawyer Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 10:33 pm
-”but the average guy going to work a non-public supported job thinks this is great.”
The smart ones don’t…And the dumb ones will wise up when they can’t renew a driver’s or vehicle license or find that there is no state trooper to investigate an accident or the state park is closed or…
Comment by downstate commissioner Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 10:38 pm
there is no state trooper to investigate an accident
No no no. There will be a state trooper there on scene to answer your call. We will be working with the possibility of missing a check. Us and DOC.
Comment by Trooper Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 10:58 pm
Rauner has gotten what he wants. middle class private sector complaining about middle class public sector. anyone in the middle that thinks hes looking out for your best interests is truly delusional. he wants an us versus them mentality
Comment by givemeabreak Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 11:27 pm
- ABC Lawyer -,
Rauner is a Raunerite, not a Republican. Happy 4th of July.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 11:43 pm
@beenthere
Apologies if I’m mistaken, but the senate bill was just a one month extension which the governor already stated he wouldn’t sign. So we are essentially in the same place even if the house comes back next week and passes it - i.e. Without a budget.
Comment by Ferris Wheel Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 9:40 am