*** 4:10 pm *** Here we go. From a press release…
Governor calls General Assembly into Special Session to address capital plan and education funding - General Assembly can take action on Governor’s new Illinois Works compromise and address enhanced school funding
CHICAGO – Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today called on the General Assembly to return to work on August 12 and August 13 to address increasing Illinois’ education funding and to pass a slimmed down $25 billion Illinois Works capital plan to invest in revitalizing our state’s roads, bridges, classrooms and communities.
After weeks of working with the legislative leaders to negotiate a capital plan that eliminates expanding gaming as a revenue source, last week the Governor announced the new plan with former US Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert (R-IL).
“Last week former US Speaker Dennis Hastert and I sat with leaders from the four caucuses to present a compromise that addresses many of the concerns that legislators had posed with the previous capital plan. Now that they have had time to review our proposal, I will convene a special session so that they can pass a plan this summer that will repair and rebuild our states infrastructure and put Illinoisans to work,” said Governor Blagojevich.
On August 12, the Governor will convene a special session of the General Assembly to address education funding. The Governor is committed to increasing state funding for education and has invested more money in education than any other administration in history, including millions more in FY09.
Even with this year’s tight budget constraints where he had to make $1.4 billion in reductions, the Governor was able to increase funding for education by $360 million for a total investment of $8.4 billion more since 2003. Since he entered office, he increased per pupil spending by more than 30 percent.
The Governor has said that he would veto any income tax increase and has called on legislators to make their intentions known before the November elections as to whether or not they would support an increase in the income tax.
“When people are paying more at the pump, paying more at the grocery store and paying more in property taxes it would be financially crippling to make them pay more in taxes,” Blagojevich said. “If the House Democrats plan on raising the income tax on working families, they need to make their intentions known now and not wait until after the election.”
On August 13, the Governor will convene a special session of the General Assembly to pass the new $25 billion Illinois Works capital plan which includes the following:
• Investment of more than $14.4 billion in roads projects, $4.1 billion in education facilities, $3.4 billion in public transit and rail, $800 million environment and water, $310 million in state facilities, $100 million in healthcare facilities, $425 million in economic development, and more than $1.4 billion in other critical infrastructure and quality of life needs for the citizens of Illinois.
• Provides a capital improvement plan clearly identifying timelines, priorities and funding sources for projects within each of these investment categories.
• Funds education construction projects and mass transportation investments with $7 billion partial concession of the Illinois Lottery.
• Creates capital and educational trust funds with “lockbox” accountability guarantees for capital investments and continuation of the current level of Lottery proceeds for P-12 education.
• Uses $150 million in excess motor fuel taxes to support $1.6 billion in additional road projects
• Uses $100 million in excess state sales taxes on motor fuels to support $1.3 billion in additional projects
According to a study by Southern Illinois University, a comprehensive capital plan would have tremendous economic benefits for the state. The study found a $25 billion capital plan would create 443,000 new full-time jobs, lead to $32 billion in economic activity and more than $2.3 billion in state and local tax revenues. [Emphasis added]
*** 4:53 pm *** From the SJ-R, which apparently received a slight advanced warning…
Blagojevich does not intend for lawmakers to take up state budget cuts during the session, Guerrero said.
“Unless they find the funding, there’s nothing much more to do with the budget,” Guerrero said.
Guerrero said the governor decided to call the special session on education funding after being urged to do so by some black lawmakers who have complained about inequities in school funding.
Blagojevich wants lawmakers to consider a plan to significantly increase school funding backed by state Sen. James Meeks, which calls for an income tax increase to provide billions of extra dollars for schools and other needs.
But the governor opposes the income tax increase and wants lawmakers to look at other ways to pay for the increased spending, Guerrero said. He has supported selling or leasing the state Lottery and expanding gambling in the past to accomplish that goal. [Emphasis added]
*** 4:59 pm *** To answer some questions in comments, the legislative and statewide pay raise automatically kicks in during the second day of the scheduled special session.
*** 6:03 pm *** From the Post-Dispatch…
State Rep. Gary Hannig, D-Litchfield, a top House official, questioned the necessity of the session, since there is no agreement on the infrastructure plan and no specific proposal for education funding.
*** 6:19 pm *** From Lee Newspapers…
With the Illinois State Fair underway, some members of the Legislature are concerned there will be few hotel rooms available.
Although a quick check of three on-line hotel booking sites found ample rooms as of Tuesday evening, the fair doesn’t get into full swing until this coming weekend. […]
State Rep. John Bradley, D-Marion, said it is a long shot to think lawmakers will be able to resolve their long-standing differences over a statewide construction plan in just one day.
He said it’s tough to analyze the latest changes to the plan because it remains more a conceptual plan, rather than an actual piece of legislation.
‘’They need to put the proposals on paper,'’ Bradley said.
State Rep. Dan Brady, R-Bloomington, said attempting to address a major issue like school funding reform in one day is foolhardy.
‘’It’s just wishful thinking,'’ Brady said. ‘’Without a plan, we’re not going to get anything accomplished.'’
- same ole song and dance - Tuesday, Aug 5, 08 @ 4:20 pm:
What else can be said??
- Princeville - Tuesday, Aug 5, 08 @ 4:20 pm:
hmmm, he gets out of governor’s day at the fair. Maybe though some might swing by the capt. as that’s the next mediation date for a contract.
- Ding - Tuesday, Aug 5, 08 @ 4:23 pm:
Let’s convene class (session) outside at the state fair! Funnel cakes for everyone!
- Just Asking - Tuesday, Aug 5, 08 @ 4:25 pm:
Does that mean Emil has to make a decision on the raise he “needs”?
- DeepFriedOnAStick - Tuesday, Aug 5, 08 @ 4:31 pm:
So … lawmakers get per diem for the State Fair!
- so many choices - Tuesday, Aug 5, 08 @ 4:35 pm:
Special Session, Governor’s Day, Pontiac Prison Hearing…decision, decision.
- anon - Tuesday, Aug 5, 08 @ 4:39 pm:
It might be nice if they also talked about finishing the reinstatement of social services and educational assistance funding along with the rest of blago’s cuts that were absent-mindedly made. But, I guess it will be nice to have perfect roads to drive by and see all of the shuttered hospitals, treatment centers, schools and unemployed citizens in Illinois.
- 4% - Tuesday, Aug 5, 08 @ 4:40 pm:
Is the same Governor who pledged “not to raise taxes” in the last election and then proposed the single largest tax increase (GRT) in Illinois history.
Is this the same Governor who opposed “any sales tax increase” and the failed to veto the 1/2 cent sales tax increase in Cook and the collar counties, thereby allowing it to become law?
Pot calling the kettle black.
- A Citizen - Tuesday, Aug 5, 08 @ 4:42 pm:
Special Sessions = Dead on Arrival. Hopefully they can serve as a foundation for getting the House in assembly to commence Impeachment Proceedings. That would be a positive move and justify the expense of the special sessions. The Time is Now !
- Anon - Tuesday, Aug 5, 08 @ 4:42 pm:
====So … lawmakers get per diem for the State Fair! ===
Sheesh! Will they even be able to find hotel space? Or will they wind up sleeping in their fancy chairs on the house and senate floors?
- Capitol View - Tuesday, Aug 5, 08 @ 4:44 pm:
a Special Session on education funding — but no Governor’s plan for revenues for it, just prodding the House Speaker to commit to not seeking income tax revenues for education. Will the guv have a bill introduced that looks like what Madigan has said he mihgt support, to try and get 118 votes against it, as the governor has had his proposals ridiculed in the House? No - such a bill would never get out of Rules.
So we have a Special Session on education funding with no agenda or proposals to vote on. Only the Springfield Chamber of Commerce and the local Hotel and Restaurant Association members will be smiling that day in Springfield…
- How Ironic - Tuesday, Aug 5, 08 @ 4:53 pm:
So doesn’t this trigger the pay raise issue for Emil “I’ve got the Gov’s Back…”Jones?
- Been There - Tuesday, Aug 5, 08 @ 4:53 pm:
Rich, I thought you were going to be the odds on favorite to win the Press Corp Harness Derby this year simce Rebecca retired and Abby followed suit. We may need to race it around the Capitol campus with the winners circle in front of Boones.
- Distant Observer - Tuesday, Aug 5, 08 @ 4:55 pm:
By calling the special session, the Gov may finally have lost Emil’s support: his battle with MJM is more important than anything else, even Emil. A lot of very cranky GA members are going to be in town, no hotel rooms, and a Gov that has an agenda that no one, even him, really cares about or will push for. Could get very interesting!
- DeepFriedOnAStick - Tuesday, Aug 5, 08 @ 4:57 pm:
How many more session days until the pay raises kick in?
- Arthur Andersen - Tuesday, Aug 5, 08 @ 5:02 pm:
AA has a couple vacant rooms next week. I would be glad to put up Members without hotel rooms for the night. No “State Rate” is available due to the State Fair, though.
- STOP HIM!! - Tuesday, Aug 5, 08 @ 5:06 pm:
Someone has to stop this crazy person. This is just getting ridiculous. Now the taxpayers are on the hook for per diems, travel expenses, etc because the Governor wants press. This is ridiculous.
How does this affect his “Rewrite” campaign? Does this mean veto session will begin on Wednesday?
- Louis G. Atsaves - Tuesday, Aug 5, 08 @ 5:06 pm:
It will be interesting to see who shows up. Attendance as I recall from your past articles at some special sessions was meager at best.
- Princeville - Tuesday, Aug 5, 08 @ 5:16 pm:
anon “Sheesh! Will they even be able to find hotel space? Or will they wind up sleeping in their fancy chairs on the house and senate floors? “—-well when I was a kid and went down for ‘Share the Fun’, we bunked down above the cattle barn.
How would one pay for the education expansion with Lottery if they plan on paying for CP with Lottery? And I thought gaming was ‘dead’ unless it was the Madigan Version. Is the gov going to sign the ethics pay to play before the 13th to show good faith? If the bill isn’t signed prior to the CP vote and it, by a long shot, passes, I would think an awful lot of contract could be lines up before January.
- A Citizen - Tuesday, Aug 5, 08 @ 5:27 pm:
We need a new pony with more than one trick !!
- cover - Tuesday, Aug 5, 08 @ 5:31 pm:
Maybe there will be some vacancies at the Bel-Aire! Any member staying there could not be accused of ignoring society’s problems.
- JohnnyC - Tuesday, Aug 5, 08 @ 5:42 pm:
Which day is Democrat Day?
- Little Egypt - Tuesday, Aug 5, 08 @ 5:53 pm:
Governor’s Day is the 13th. Pretty coincidental, isn’t it?
- A Citizen - Tuesday, Aug 5, 08 @ 5:59 pm:
- Little Egypt -
Only if you think we actually have a functioning guv. I would wager he still won’t go out amongst the “people” - way too risky! Cellini has a whole warehouse packed full of boos and jeers virtually bursting at the seams.
- Lefty - Tuesday, Aug 5, 08 @ 6:18 pm:
He is just trying to shift the blame for not accomplishing anything in Springfield. When the G.A. doesn’t do anything next week because there is really nothing they can do at this point or won’t do, then he will point his finger at them and say it isn’t his fault. Just more political grandstanding for His supposed benefit. In reality, he will continue to look like a total failure in every respect as our Governor.
- Moe Larry Curly - Tuesday, Aug 5, 08 @ 6:27 pm:
Just wondering aloud whether Section 5-40 of the ethics act prohibiting Springfield fundraisers during session after Feb 1 applies. . .Gianoulias, Lisa Madigan, Jesse White, and the Downstate House Dems all have events in Springfield Aug 12th (though they are primarily smaller events. . .)
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Aug 5, 08 @ 6:32 pm:
Moe Larry Curly, I think they’re in the clear, but Giannoulias has reportedly canceled the fundraiser.
- Pot calling kettle - Tuesday, Aug 5, 08 @ 7:10 pm:
The Gov. just wants to show Bill Richardson how to govern properly!
- Ivote - Tuesday, Aug 5, 08 @ 7:15 pm:
When will this guy (the Honorable Governor??) realize that wand (special session power) has NO MAGIC in it! Again (and again, and again, and again) he fails or refuses to comprehend that getting things done in a democracy requires WORK, real honest EFFORT, and COMPROMISE. Goofy platitudes and press releases just doesn’t do it! You’d think after 6 years in office he’d realize that he continues to get NOTHING NOTHING NOTHING done with his current modus operadi. These Speical Sessions are a complete waste of taxpayer money and lots of peoples’ time. I’m with “STOP HIM” and ‘A Citizen” — this has to STOP. Begin the Impeachment proceedings. Maybe now Emil will decide it’s time to quit being the goofy governor’s stooge and have the fortitude (testicular or otherwise) to stand up and do something other than play “pile on Mike Madigan!” It only makes Emil and His Goofiness the Govenor look like petulant children!
This goofus–this complete, total GOOFUS — has madeit absolutely CLEAR that he doesn’t WANT to achieve anything. If he did he’d try something different, like LEAD, WORK, COMPROMISE, take actions designed to bring the parties TOGETHER not rip them further apart.
ROD, what you’ve been doing DOES NOT WORK! You are hurting yourself (and EMIL) worse than you are hurting the Madigan’s. If you have an OUNCE of brains and sanity left, it’s TIME to CHANGE your approach!
Arghhhhhhhhhhh! IMPEACH HIM, please!!
OK, Rich. . . delete as being over the top. Even ban me if you must. But, ENOUGH is ENOUGH. This guy is NUTS and he’s going to drive the rest of us NUTS with this insanity!
- Aakash - Tuesday, Aug 5, 08 @ 7:21 pm:
I really wish I could go over the Capitol, and follow this situation first-hand - It’s really too bad when real life gets in the way of… real life.
- Pot calling kettle - Tuesday, Aug 5, 08 @ 7:49 pm:
===When will this guy (the Honorable Governor??) realize that wand (special session power) has NO MAGIC in it!===
When you have a hammer in your hand everything looks like a nail.
- More seriously - Tuesday, Aug 5, 08 @ 7:57 pm:
Definition of insanity: doing the same thing over and over while expecting a different result.
And what of Emil and the raise? This move puts Emil on the spot with no probable upside. Bad move there.
As a counter to Meeks, it’s weak since there is no bill… or is there? He’s basically calling everybody to come vote “no” on Meeks’ bill? Like he has the influence now to make that vote happen?
Spending Governor Day hiding out from press and AFSME protestors on the second floor?
If I was Judy Topinka, I’d be laughing my butt off every day of the week and twice on the sabbath.
- Little Egypt - Tuesday, Aug 5, 08 @ 8:21 pm:
This will be the perfect excuse for Elvis not to show up for his own “Governor’s Day”. Surprise, surprise. We should have seen this coming. Mental note: watch for this same type of stunt this time next year.
What I simply don’t understand is why he wants to anger Emil, his best and probably only friend in the Senate, by forcing two more days then the payraise kicks in. Did Elvis not think this thing through? Is it that important that he dodge the press and unions on the 13th by having an excuse not to show up at the fair? What kind of idiot scheme could he have possibly cooked up with Emil, who has been so adamantly opposed to this payraise kicking in before the November election? Some help here understanding this maniacal scheme, please.
- LS - Tuesday, Aug 5, 08 @ 8:38 pm:
So he wants the GA to consider the Meeks plan, but he doens’t support the tax increase. So he wants them to find another funding source, like the Lottery, which he is pushing to fund the captial plan. This is a complete and utter joke.
- A Citizen - Tuesday, Aug 5, 08 @ 8:53 pm:
Wow ! This is just astounding. Having a ringside seat to a hugely public display of insanity playing itself out in front of everyone. I am sitting back in wonder watching to see just how long this is going to be allowed to continue. Either they impeach him or simply wait for the inevitable train wreck. I repeat, Wow ! Displays of insanity are not pretty - that is why they are committed for their own, and others, protection.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Aug 5, 08 @ 8:58 pm:
OK, let’s lay off the insanity stuff.
- A Citizen - Tuesday, Aug 5, 08 @ 8:59 pm:
Rich, okay.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Aug 5, 08 @ 9:04 pm:
Thanks. Obviously, it wasn’t aimed particularly at you. I shoulda jumped in much sooner.
- A Citizen - Tuesday, Aug 5, 08 @ 9:10 pm:
I guess I just bring out the best of your editorial talents. After all, you spiked me once today - Close call, I’ve never had a two spike day, whew!
- 4% - Tuesday, Aug 5, 08 @ 9:38 pm:
simple solution for Madigan. It is Sen. Meeks’ bill so let it start in the Senate. Madigan could hold a vote or hearing when it passes out of the Senate. We wouldn’t want the House to usurp the “upper chamber.”
- Gregor - Tuesday, Aug 5, 08 @ 9:39 pm:
Can tomorrow’s QOTD be what WE would do, specifically, if the gov were to suddenly take an extended leave of absence and somehow we were put in charge?
I think most would say, go ahead with a 1 percent tax hike, a smaller but still significant number would say add a tax swap at the same time and get education funding off of property tax as a basis. Others would propose other revenue enhancements and cuts. I think whatever consensus your readers would cobble together HAS to be a better idea than anything Rod has presented so far.
- Gregor - Tuesday, Aug 5, 08 @ 10:08 pm:
4percent: LOL, that’s just the kind of judo Madigan can do, too. And it adds even MORE fun to Emil’s plate. Seems self-destructive or just plain… well, let’s pick another word since that one’s been overused tonight: Illogical?
- Arthur Andersen - Tuesday, Aug 5, 08 @ 10:45 pm:
Rich, AA likes Gregor’s QOTD idea if you’re so inclined. You could even have a snark-and non-snark version if you wish.
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Aug 5, 08 @ 10:47 pm:
4% and Gregor raise an interesting point: this is either part of a brilliant strategy that no one predicted, or the collapse of the governor’s alliance with the SDem Caucus.
Meeks would have to introduce in the Senate. The very fact that the governor is even discussing this tells me that President Jones is, if not outright pushing it, at least OK with this idea. It is clear that they’ve at least talked about it seriously as part of some kind of strategy.
Given the pay raise, the governor’s opposition to an income tax hike (and his allegations about Madigan’s tax hike plans), the well known desire shared by Jones and Meeks for education funding reform, Mayor Daley’s opinion of the governor, all of it on its face screams (insert synonym of aforementioned term).
Are cracks forming in the alliance? Is Jones losing his grip on the caucus?
- Ghost - Tuesday, Aug 5, 08 @ 10:54 pm:
It would be fun if they came back and began working on impeachment.
2 problems with the current capital plan.
1) The gov still has not signed the ethics bill, so it would be nuts to give him 25 billion to hand out in exchange for campaign cash.
2) giving the Gov 24 Bil in capital funds just gives him the ability to buy the general assembly by holding and releasing fund in exchange for the votes he wants. Blago has been openly playing politics with funding, state job, office and prison closures since 2003. giving himn 24 billion for a capital plan will simply result in legislature being given the choice to vote for his health care plan (and/or against impeachment) or see the funds for projects in their districts “held”.
Illinois is hurting bad enough, we can not stand the damage the Gov can do with access to 24 Billion in funds.
- Pot calling kettle - Tuesday, Aug 5, 08 @ 11:03 pm:
Gov’s plan may be for them to pass the tax hike, he vetoes it, they override (if a couple of house Dems go along), then everyone gets to spend!
Hopefully, someone insists that the new revenue is used to start patching old budget holes (ie. hire more COs for the prisons, fix the roads and parks, more funding for higher ed, pay down the pension debt,…) But who am I kidding?
Of course, none of this happens until after the election. So, why he calls the special session is beyond me. Just to annoy someone, presumably Madigan, but who knows? Maybe its to increase revenue at the fair. (Everybody brings family and friends to enjoy the fair.) If it works, there will be a special, special session in southern Illinois around Labor Day to boost attendance at DuQuoin.
I just noticed that there are no acts on the main stage on the 12th. Maybe they can have a live leaders meeting! What would tickets go for?
- Pot calling kettle - Tuesday, Aug 5, 08 @ 11:05 pm:
OOPS ==(if a couple of House Repubs go along)==
I should not be posting this late!
- A Citizen - Tuesday, Aug 5, 08 @ 11:08 pm:
- Ghost -
“…so it would be nuts …” Careful, Ghost, that kinda language got me in trouble a couple of hours ago. lol
- Fly on the wall - Tuesday, Aug 5, 08 @ 11:11 pm:
Blago: Hey John I got an idea lets make them vote on the tax increase before the election.
Harris: Yeah that will really get there goat, you know they really dont want to do that because ot the election. Good one Mr. Governor.
Blago: That will show Madigan, Ive got him now! hahaha
- Little Egypt - Tuesday, Aug 5, 08 @ 11:12 pm:
OK, I get it. Elvis definitely wants the cap plan so he can doll out projects in districts of favorable legislators. Wow, light bulb moment. So he gets a HUGE checkbook with which to play Santa to his supporters and Scrooge to those who don’t play fair with him.
But what about the general population of the state who happen to live in districts that won’t see any influx of jobs or money? How is that being a governor? Someone really needs to stop this guy and his games. I’ve been around for a good many years and have never in my life seen a circus like is going on in Illinois.
Mike Madigan, don’t let this guy have our money and play with it that way. What MMadigan can do is begin impeachment proceedings on August 12.
- IDOT Guy - Tuesday, Aug 5, 08 @ 11:49 pm:
Our budget proposal for next year is about the same as last years, but higher fuel prices mean we will run out of gas sometime in February, nice way for us to maintain roads and bridges…..
- A Citizen - Tuesday, Aug 5, 08 @ 11:50 pm:
- Little Egypt -
Guv wants the 25 Billion Cap Money without the limitations of the Ethics Bill being law so he can get those nice $25,000 checks from the contractors. Pay To Play on steroids and then some. MJM will block this attempt too. And Emil and guv will wear the jacket for the huge pay increases for all but the frontline and other regular employees. And the Dems will pay heavily at the ballot box. Guv is an, uh, idiot.
- A Citizen - Tuesday, Aug 5, 08 @ 11:57 pm:
- IDOT Guy -
Wow, how time flies - I forgot, but it is now the time in the budget cycle when the agencies and the budget bureau are beginning to build the FY2010 budget request. How can they figure the base to start from in all of the chaos guv has created? You are concerned about shortfalls in the FY2009 budget however that is the base for the FY2010 budget. This is what now passes for Exec Branch Leadership?
- Prison employee - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 8:26 am:
How ironic…Another way of the Gov. messing with employee’s of Pontiac. Are the Senators and Reps. that are on the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability going to be excused to attend the hearing in Pontiac?