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* Lee News summed it up pretty well…
Top state leaders left town last week saying they would wrap up this year’s record-setting overtime session within seven to 10 days.
It came as no surprise Tuesday that they are now revising — and extending — their time frame to craft a construction plan financed by an expansion of gambling.
When asked if a deal could be hammered out within the seven- to 10-day window, Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson, R-Greenville, said, “I think we’re talking more time than that.”
Asked whether a deal could be worked out before the end of the year, Watson said, “It’s hard to say.”
Despite the slower-than-predicted pace of talks, the leaders emerged Tuesday from a two-hour, closed-door meeting sounding optimistic that a plan could be pieced together that would bring road, bridge and school construction projects to every corner of the state.
It’s slow progress. Very, very slow.
* SJ-R…
Talks are centering on a land-based casino for Chicago, a new riverboat casino at a location to be determined, allowing existing riverboats to add gaming positions and permitting horse racing tracks to install slot machines. Some lawmakers, though, are pushing for two more riverboat casino licenses in addition to Chicago’s. Others oppose slot machines at horse racing tracks.
“I could vote for slots at the tracks,” Watson said. “I’m not sure I’ve got members who can.”
The negotiators are trying to figure out just how large a gambling-expansion bill can get through the General Assembly. The larger the expansion, the more money generated for public works projects.
Madigan’s call for a completely revamped Illinois Gaming Board is also apparently causing some problems. Madigan has proposed a series of changes to the board that he said will free it from political influences. He is insisting that his changes be part of any gaming expansion.
* Bethany Jaeger: “Tings are OK”
That’s House Speaker Michael Madigan using his best Chicago accent to jokingly gauge the progress of leaders’ meeting with Gov. Rod Blagojevich Tuesday in Springfield to discuss the expansion of gaming for new revenue. Turning on the serious tone, Madigan said, “We had a good meeting, and it appears that we’re making progress. Not everything is resolved. There are differences, which I’m not going to get into.”
* Carol Marin: Capitol mess lies in dome’s shadow
Frankly, even the most talented among them — and there are a number of good legislators — are forced to be just furniture sitting around waiting to be sat on by the leaders they lack the gumption or the ability to fight.
And so the state of Illinois is functionally in the hands of five guys. A governor who hates his own House speaker, Michael Madigan. A House speaker who despises and is despised by his fellow Democrat, Senate President Emil Jones. And two Republicans flailing in the minority, House leader Tom Cross and Senate leader Frank Watson.
Cross’ earnest shuttle diplomacy notwithstanding, what has the paralysis, posturing and outright animosity of this brawling band of brothers already cost us in money thrown down a sinkhole?
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Nov 7, 07 @ 6:43 am
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I guess it can be considered progress…because they didn’t come out of the meeting lobbing grenades at each other…Wow, what diplomacy.
Comment by Progress? Wednesday, Nov 7, 07 @ 7:42 am
“The larger the expansion, the more money generated for public works projects.”
I reject this underlying assumption. I do not doubt they will see an increase in low income people losing non-disposable income to the state, but this idea that as it gets bigger it draws in more money is flawed. if that was the case all the lorttorey would have to do to make more money is add more games. There is a limit to how much money an expansion will bring. We are alreayd looking at problems based on inflated income predicitions, lets not make it worse by inflating the money to be earned from soaking the poor, er I mean gambling.
Comment by Ghost Wednesday, Nov 7, 07 @ 8:09 am
Carol Marin wrote, “And so the state of Illinois is functionally in the hands of five guys. A governor who hates his own House speaker, Michael Madigan.”
That, my friends, is why we need some Decentralization of Power. Democracy itself is probably the biggest issue facing Illinois citizens, even if they don’t realize it.
Comment by Squideshi Wednesday, Nov 7, 07 @ 8:37 am
squideshi- you are correct my friend. the democratization of the state never ends… it is a continuing process. there has been a democratic regime in bolivia since 1982 and there are now 325 municipalities. there has been democracy in illinois for a long time, and there are (i belive) 1,291 municipalities in the state. even though democracy is much older here than in bolivia, it is still changing and evolving. for example, the recall referendum currently being discussed would be alter (i would argue enhance) democracy in this state. democratization never ends….
Comment by b-dogg Wednesday, Nov 7, 07 @ 9:30 am
This is crazy!
The Democrats are still warring and the Republicans are doing the diplomacy?
Yikes!
Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Nov 7, 07 @ 9:43 am
Carol is right on the money here…I know there is lots of maneuvering behind the scenes with primary candidates put up by the leaders and other incumbent pols as well to further consolidate/chip away at power in the legislature…throw the Greens in, a cranky electorate, a hotly contested Prez primary in IL, and this will certainly be interesting to watch…
Comment by anon38 Wednesday, Nov 7, 07 @ 9:49 am
Marin: ” … the state of Illinois is functionally in the hands of five guys.”
Excellent analysis & commentary from Marin. Our state government is dysfunctional and there’s plenty of blame to go around. A recall mechanism is no panacea, and will only serve to bolster the stranglehold of the 4 horsemen. Springfield’s downhill slide accelerated when the rank & file rolled over and agreed to massive surrenders of power including severe initiative stifles like the maximum of 4 legislative initiatives per member per session.
Comment by Hugh Wednesday, Nov 7, 07 @ 12:42 pm
“We need to put whatever differences we have aside and that’s every legislative leader, not just one,” said Governor Rod Blagojevich. “Today is a step in that direction. And a hope that we can make some progress.”
But a spokesman for the governor’s archenemy, House Speaker Mike Madigan, said legislative leaders are trying to resolve the big issues without Blagojevich.
“This reminds me of the little kids who jump up and down behind the reporters while they’re out at a live shot. So the governor, you know, really has no contribution to make other than to heap insults on people and make accusations. He is trying to get himself in the picture,” said Steve Brown, spokesman for Madigan.
Comment by Cash in Your Chips Wednesday, Nov 7, 07 @ 12:48 pm
Carol sez it like it is…whatever happened to representative democracy?
Comment by Loop Lady Wednesday, Nov 7, 07 @ 1:37 pm
Steve Brown’s a lot funnier this session.
Comment by Napoleon has left the building Wednesday, Nov 7, 07 @ 3:28 pm
Steve,
Can you say “Veto”?
Blago is in the picture whether you want him to be or not. Your millions in “pork” can attest to that.
Comment by Balance Wednesday, Nov 7, 07 @ 4:06 pm
Driving down I-55 this week I noticed a new “Burma Shave” sign from the Guns Save Life people (actually the Champaign County Rifle Association) which I can’t quite understand:
GUN CONTROL IS
RACE CONTROL
NOT CRIME CONTROL
AND IT’S UNAMERICAN
First, it doesn’t even try to rhyme.
Second, exactly which race or races is being controlled??
I know what my first reaction was, but I’d be interested in hearing from others.
(The list of their roadside signs is on their web site: http://www.gunssavelife.com/burma/burmastats.html )
Comment by DuPage Dave Wednesday, Nov 7, 07 @ 5:00 pm
Yes, I wish our representatives would throw off the yoke of their leadership and become independent. Who are they representing, anyway? We don’t pay them to sit back and take direction from the leaders. In that case, why even have them there?
Comment by NoGiftsPlease Wednesday, Nov 7, 07 @ 7:13 pm
Gov says put aside differences ????
What a Joke / He doesn’t CARE a Bit about THEM!!!
Only ram and jamming it DOWN their THROATS
It’s all about GETTING BACK at the Previous
25 years of GOP service
Please readers don’t be Mislead AGAIN !!!!!
Comment by grategul Wednesday, Nov 7, 07 @ 7:21 pm