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Morning Shorts
Friday, Aug 15, 2008 - Posted by Kevin Fanning * New laws to further restrict convicted sex offenders * AG, treasurer start budget-cutting moves
* Treasurer’s staff cut; pay frozen * Chicago students soon to get easier ride on CTA * LaSalle County to vote on carrying guns * South, West Side group eyes share of Olympic pie * Daley: Olympic Games here won’t—and shouldn’t—cost as much as Beijing Games * City Hall details budget gap but mum on layoff number * Mayor Daley Says ‘We’re In A Recession’
* Chicago Alderman Says Lay-Offs Likely * Group: Blame policy, not guards, for jail woes * Friday Beer Blogging: Beer Goggles Are Real Edition
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- Heartless Libertarian - Friday, Aug 15, 08 @ 8:40 am:
Yay, conceal in carry is on the way!
- Ghost - Friday, Aug 15, 08 @ 8:48 am:
looks like a lo of AG’s and their families, and all of those induced employees who have jobs because of those folks spending, are about to be cast on the fire of Blago’s insane wrath.
The Gov offers millions to employee clout connected teenagers in chicago, payes out 1 million to suspect school being pursued b the feds and led by a criminal (who blago pardoned so he could give them the money), passes another mil to a church, then offers 360k to impress the subs players, all while costing good people their jobs just because he does not like their boss or her father. And folks want to give this guy 25 Billion and resist impeaching. We need more then a con-con, we need to get rid of this guy before he costs more people their livelihood.
- Snidely Whiplash - Friday, Aug 15, 08 @ 8:55 am:
Concealed carry will never happen while the D’s control the state legislature. They’ll enact whatever countermeasures they feel they have to and let the courts sort out the legalities over several years.
- The Doc - Friday, Aug 15, 08 @ 9:02 am:
“We’re in a recession,” Mayor Daley said. “No one wants to admit it, but we are in a recession.”
Huh? Understanding that this statement is Daley’s way of justifying his tax and spend policies, who’s denying that we’re in a recession? Ironically, the budget projections only makes his financial team appear less competent.
- John Bambenek - Friday, Aug 15, 08 @ 9:11 am:
I think the facts are arguing against there being a recession… Namely, we are in a GROWING economy still. That doesn’t mean things are peachy, but years of hyperbole about the economy do far more harm than oil prices. Just look at IndyMac that was brought down by Schumer’s flippant remarks
- Wumpus - Friday, Aug 15, 08 @ 9:34 am:
Mayor, let’s tax our way out of this recession. That will help. perhaps you and Stroger can increase taxes another 2-5%.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Aug 15, 08 @ 9:35 am:
IndyMac was brought down by an astounding number of bad loans.
Are we not supposed to point out the economy’s weaknesses? That’s a bit like the commies did, isn’t it?
- The Doc - Friday, Aug 15, 08 @ 9:40 am:
John, what I meant was that Daley is using the term “recession” as a means of justifying the gaping hole in the budget, and will use it as leverage to extract concessions from city workers and increasing fees and fines. While we can debate the technical definition of recession, slowdown, etc., this is more about Daley’s need to pass the buck.
- PhilCollins - Friday, Aug 15, 08 @ 10:42 am:
According to the Chicago city government budget estimates, on the city government website, the city has many city sales taxes. Some of them can be avoided, by conducting business in other towns. These taxes are the automatic amusement device tax, cigarette tax, employers’ expense tax, home rule municipal retailers’ occupation tax, hotel accommodation tax, liquor tax, motor fuel tax, motor vehicle lessor tax, municipal automobile renting occupation tax, municipal automobile renting use tax, municipal hotel operators’ occupation tax, off-track betting tax and admission fee, parking tax, personal property lease transaction tax, restaurant and other places for eating tax, soft drink tax, and vehicle fuel tax. If the city increases any of these tax rates, I hope that more people will conduct more business in suburbs, to ensure that the Chicago government will receive less of their money.
- Phineas J. Whoopee - Friday, Aug 15, 08 @ 1:53 pm:
Since Daley began his term he has layered the payroll with so many middle management positions it is no wonder they go broke when the economy goes south.
In 1989 a Director reported to the 1st Deputy who reported to the Commissioner. Today, the Director reports to the General Manager who reports to the Assitant Commissioner who reports to Deputy Commissioner who reports to the Managing Deputy who reports to the 1st Deputy who reports to the Commissioner. That is not even an exageration.
Gee, I wonder why their broke?
- some former legislative intern - Friday, Aug 15, 08 @ 6:18 pm:
Phineas is 100% correct and knows what he is talking about. There is so much middle management around City Hall that you wouldn’t believe it, and not only in the traditional patronage havens like Transportation and Streets and San but other Departments with more “white color” bureaucrats.
In my own section, I have a Director, then a Supervisor, all for three staffers including myself. This occured for at least four years. The Director knew jack so he relied on the Supervisor. They gave the Director one more section with a Supervisor and three more staff.
The Director makes about $100K and the Supervisors both make $75-90K (the one isn’t favored as heavily as the other). Of course, above the Director there is an Assistant Commissioner (not the real title because this would give me away, but is at that level in other departments), then a Deputy. The Deputy reports to the Managing Deputy Commissioner, who then reports the the Commissioner himself.
So, in all, there are 5 layers of management between my collegues and the boss. And this all in one Department. There is no reason whatsoever some of this cannot be consolidated.