* Gov. Quinn challenges Lisa Madigan to get in the game…
Quinn asked Democratic state officials to also take his side on the budget, in particular Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, who’s been mulling a run for governor.
QUINN: If you want to run for governor or be governor, you gotta get in the arena. You can’t be on the sidelines.
* The SJ-R tells legislative Republicans to get off their duffs and help solve the budget problem…
Cut first, reform the budget process, then “discuss” new revenues. This is the Republican creed on Illinois’ two-year, $12 billion budget deficit. House Republican votes are needed to pass a budget that doesn’t massacre services and state employees by the fiscal year’s July 1 start.
This principle is reasonable if considered in a vacuum. But the impossibility of major budget reforms before the July deadline and the near certainty of layoffs and service cuts if it is blown make this an unreasonable stance. Legislators need to find the revenue now.
* Senate GOP Leader Christine Radogno compared Gov. Quinn to Rod Blagojevich and lit into him…
“He is trying to instill panic. I think that is cynical, I think it is morally unacceptable and it is very Rod Blagojevich-like. It is wrong, wrong, wrong and it doesn’t need to be happening,” Radogno said
But..
Radogno, however, did concede Friday that cutting the state budget alone will not come up with the cash needed to make ends meet. “Cuts are one piece of the puzzle and they may not be enough to entirely solve the problem,” she said
She also said she wants pension and Medicaid reform before considering a tax hike.
* I’ve been warning the governor’s people about this for weeks, but considered it a bit too tinfoil hatty for publication and deleted it from stories at least twice…
There are many theories floating around about how all of this will play out. Here’s one from an experienced Statehouse veteran that is intriguing.
July 1 comes and goes with Quinn and the four leaders agreeing to nothing. Quinn could accept the budget sent to him by lawmakers and try to stretch the spending through an entire year, slashing and hacking programs along the way. Or he could spend wildly to spare job losses and program cuts now and hope that something is resolved before the state runs completely out of money in January or February.
Under this scenario, the Legislature returns sometime after Christmas but before Jan. 15 and raises the income tax. That puts it after the deadline for people to file to run for the General Assembly. It also puts it just before the primary election, an election where we already know Quinn will have opponents, maybe even including the speaker’s daughter.
…Adding… Also, as I’ve told subscribers and column readers, this can’t be done without a lot of other legislation, which is another reason I’ve deleted it from stories that I was writing.
* My syndicated newspaper column takes a look ahead…
It’s tough to find people who truly believe that Gov. Pat Quinn will ultimately approve draconian budget cuts in the coming fiscal year in order to force a tax increase. But his people insist it’s coming, and the administrative planning appears to be moving forward with deliberate speed.
The governor has three choices:
• He could veto the budget approved by the General Assembly and force a showdown overtime session. The budget will fund only half of social service programs for next fiscal year. A veto would create an immediate confrontation, but it also would put him in the same sort of league with Rod Blagojevich, and Quinn doesn’t want or need that comparison. Plus, the overtime session could drag on for weeks as leaders try to put together another budget plan. And until there is a plan, Republicans will face no real pressure to act. Instead, they’ll get daily opportunities to bash Quinn and the Democrats.
• Quinn also is being urged to treat the “50 percent budget” as if it’s really a six-month budget. This plan would put off a vote on taxes until next year. But the governor’s office maintains that this can’t be done legally.
• The third option is to sign the budget into law as is, which will lead to horrific cuts. That’s the direction Quinn is heading. Yes, he has appeared to back off of some big fights. And, yes, he’s a deeply liberal and religious man who abhors the very idea of massive cuts, particularly the billions of dollars slashed from human service grant programs.
“I don’t believe in holding the Sword of Damocles over the heads of innocent people,” Quinn said last week.
But that mythical sword soon will become all too real. At least two state prisons reportedly are on the chopping block. Thousands of state employees could be laid off if the union doesn’t agree to other cutbacks. Quinn said last week that the cuts to private human service agency grants alone would result in 200,000 job losses.
Quinn will have to hope that the threat of doom will be enough to move legislators to action. “I’m disappointed that we aren’t having enough urgency,” Quinn said. Urgency assuredly will hit the fan soon.
Threats alone may not work. Legislators have heard doomsday warnings for years and nothing has ever come of it. Late last year, many were predicting a government shutdown by spring because the legislature had adjourned with a $2 billion-plus deficit and revenues were tanking right along with the economy. A shutdown never happened.
Once they’ve been around for a while, legislators realize that almost everybody they deal with is always in crisis mode: If the state doesn’t do “X,” then catastrophe is certain. But those catastrophes never seem to come.
Quinn’s first attempt at threatening doomsday last month was met with yawns. The bottom line was nobody took him seriously. They still don’t.
Quinn appeared to run from a fight with the teachers and public employee unions when he succumbed way too soon on a plan to force workers to pay more into their pension plans.
The lifelong reformer has been excoriated by reform groups for “caving” to the old bulls on campaign finance reform.
If you look weak in this business, you are weak.
His repeated homilies to the poor and outcast make people believe he won’t play a role in their devastation. Therefore, his warnings probably won’t work.
The governor should reread Cicero’s story about that infamous sword. The actual lesson is that the powerful are not as happy as they seem because they are under constant, perilous threat.
“There can be nothing happy for the person over whom some fear always looms,” Cicero explained.
Quinn has been on the outside mocking insiders all his adult life, and now he’s gotten what he always wanted and is on top of the heap, only to look up and see a gigantic sword dangling by a thread over his head. The peasant Damocles had envied the king’s power, but he panicked and fled at the sight of the sword hanging above the throne.
In the coming days, we’re going to find out what Quinn is really made of.
* Related…
* Jail guards double pay with required OT
* Budget crisis not to the breaking point - yet
* Hamos to Illinois Leaders: Don’t Let ‘Ambition’ Block Tax Hike
* Is the sky really falling this time, governor?
* Latest Ill. budget impass raises new questions
* Illinois Legislators Call for Courage
* Social agencies fear ‘budget devastation’
* Sharing the pain
* Dozens protest potential state cuts for DuPage shelter
* Advocates work to keep mentally ill in spotlight
* Human services workers in waiting game
* Childcare May Be Cut As State Faces Budget Hole
* Budget crisis threatens MAP grants for students
* Illinois Budget Crisis Puts Family on Edge
* ‘Frail’ seniors face loss of crucial services
* Illinois lawmakers took their debates to Twitter
- Greg B. - Monday, Jun 15, 09 @ 10:31 am:
For six or more months the Republican creed, cut, reform and then let’s talk taxes has been in place. They were ignored. Leader Cross said a few nice things about the potential to deal for which he was criticized. Now, the SJ-R is saying Republicans should cave now because there isn’t time?
Seriously, they’re saying that?
- Amy - Monday, Jun 15, 09 @ 10:31 am:
Quinn is right, Lisa Madigan should not sit on the sidelines in the budget discussion, nor should other statewide electeds. they have budgets that need funding, so start talking.
- western illinois - Monday, Jun 15, 09 @ 10:41 am:
I agree he sould call them out. He should take the 5o percent and run it to Feb AND Hold the Capitol bill until then as well!
The GOP isnt Jim Edgars GOP or the one I was a low level functionary in. They are the party of Rush -No budget will pass as long as the supermajority requirement is there. He might as well wait
- Cosmic Charlie - Monday, Jun 15, 09 @ 10:41 am:
So basically Quinn is saying, I failed on my own I need help passing this so-called plan that has no elements of reform and basicallyt throws more money at the same system that has failed since the new Consitution was adopted. If I were Lisa (Or Dan, Alexi, Jesse) I would say “thanks but no thanks.” Come up with a real plan with reforms attached and maybe we can talk. Quinn is the Governor, if he needs help he should step aside.
- Concerned Observer - Monday, Jun 15, 09 @ 10:45 am:
I’unno. Frankly, I think the only way he can win the nomination is to cut, cut, cut, cut, cut. Then he can say he’s the only person willing to make tough choices. He’ll instantly have credibility — “I said we’d have to do this, and you didn’t believe me, and guess what? We’re doing this.”
Wishful thinking, probably. But without a massive shake-up, he won’t have any accomplishments to lean on. Even if “accomplishment” isn’t the word you might use for this scenario.
- Niles Township - Monday, Jun 15, 09 @ 10:50 am:
Quinn is more right than wrong on this one. Lisa’s slience is telling.
- Anonymous - Monday, Jun 15, 09 @ 10:56 am:
Lisa hasn’t even announced for governor. I think she should weigh in on the impact of potential cuts on her own office, but I’m not sure it’s fair to say she should do more than that based on the perception that she might be a future candidate. This comment sounds like desperation on Quinn’s part.
As I understand it from media reports, the budget Quinn is promoting fully funds 90% of state government without substantive cuts and directs most of the proposed cuts at the 10 percent that includes grants to nonprofit social service agencies. Other cuts he proposes (such as charging a lot more for retiree health benefits, pension reform) require union concessions that he hasn’t even begun to try and negotiate. Has he even formally requested to sit down with AFSCME and ask for concessions? What happened to the idea of cutting corporate tax loopholes? Too much effort?
And his proposed income tax increase is, to put it mildly, regressive, placing the heaviest burden on lower middle class working folks who are already, according to a recent BLS report, working fewer hours than any time in the period they’ve been collecting this data (mid-60’s).
Quinn wants a no-work (for Quinn) budget. He makes a few sanctimonious speeches, doesn’t cut anything, we give him a ton of money, and maybe later he cuts a few things if he feels like making the effort.Or maybe not. After all, the income tax increase is for our own good.
Not good enough. He needs to do some work.
- western illinois - Monday, Jun 15, 09 @ 10:57 am:
Cut Cut Cit wont work in a dem primary -I saw SEIU protested some house dems -well in mostly unreformed Illinois SEIU has the resources to fund a few primaries win or lose it gets the message across.
If Quinn loses will Mike Madigan allow the budget to be zero all next Spring?
- wordslinger - Monday, Jun 15, 09 @ 10:58 am:
Lisa Madigan to Quinn: “You do your job, I’ll do mine. You have your timeline, I have mine.”
- Secret Square - Monday, Jun 15, 09 @ 11:05 am:
It seems to me as if even staunch Republicans, when pressed, are beginning to concede that cuts alone are not going to (pardon the expression) cut it and that some kind of tax hike will be needed.
Why can’t both ideas — tax hike and spending cuts — be discussed at the same time? Why does one have to be completely worked out before ANY discussion of the other can take place?
Also, are there really ONLY two choices here — Quinn’s full, permanent tax hike to 4.5 percent, or massive cuts with no tax hike whatsoever? What about a smaller tax hike, or a temporary tax hike? What about a moratorium on all member initiative/pork projects? Good and worthy as some of these projects may be, isn’t it easier for municipalities, school districts, etc. to go one more year without a new street or a new construction project than for thousands of state employees to go an entire year without a paycheck, or thousands of disabled people to go an entire year without help?
- Conservative Veteran - Monday, Jun 15, 09 @ 11:10 am:
This week, Attorney General Madigan should announce whether she’ll run for governor or U.S. senator. As soon as she announces, Rep. Kirk will decide to run for the opposite office.
- Princess - Monday, Jun 15, 09 @ 11:14 am:
anonymous @ 10:56 “hasn’t even begun to try and negotiate. Has he even formally requested to sit down with AFSCME and ask for concessions?
Yes.
- Phineas J. Whoopee - Monday, Jun 15, 09 @ 11:15 am:
When Lisa Madigan decides to get in the game it will be Quinn begging her to get out. Why she would want to get in the way of the Governor demonstrating an inability to effectively govern is a rather ridiculous proposition.
- BoxingCross - Monday, Jun 15, 09 @ 11:16 am:
“We think there are many things to look at, in terms of cutting, before (Gov. Patrick Quinn) dips into these social service agencies,” said state Sen. John Millner, a Carol Stream Republican. “I don’t agree with it and I think it’s wrong.” (Daily Herald)
Perhaps John could i.d. one or two of those items to get the ball rolling
- MOON - Monday, Jun 15, 09 @ 11:17 am:
I agree with Wordslingers answer.
Lisa has yet to decide her future in politics. Should she decide to run for Gov. she will have to address the issue of a tax increase. To address the issue now will only muddy the waters,and confuse the issue.
- Cassandra - Monday, Jun 15, 09 @ 11:21 am:
I’d be concerned that Quinn and Co wouldn’t follow through with any promised cuts. Has he made any concrete moves to cut anything yet–the Doomsday speaking tour doesn’t count.
I could see a scenario in which Quinn gets his regressive tax increase and the billions that will produce and suddenly he finds that the deficit wasn’t as bad as he has been saying. Money is fungible. Why, he doesn’t have to cut anything! The economy starts to recover and tax receipts go up. All of a sudden the Dems have more money than they anticipated to play with. Porkerama. More patronage. Program expansion. Even higher salaries for state bureaucrats and school administrators. No commensurate income tax reduction though. Income taxes are for our own good.
- Deep South - Monday, Jun 15, 09 @ 11:22 am:
A session after the filing period? Why, I laid out that scenario here last week. But I suggested action comes after the filing period and during the veto session I don’t think its tin-foil hatty at all.
- BIG R.PH. - Monday, Jun 15, 09 @ 11:25 am:
Here’s the biggest problem. Even IF they pass the tax increase, it isn’t enough to fix the budget problems.
When you cut off your arm, a Band-Aid just ain’t enough.
FIX THE PROBLEMS ALREADY!! Here is a good idea. Quit trying to provide everyone with health care! Quit trying to go beyond the federal guidelines! There are reasons that these guidelines are in place. The biggest of which is that the Feds know what the States can afford.
You have a $50 Billion+ a year company that is running off of a cliff and has been since the Dems got total control of the checkbook.
You had total control and didn’t want to talk to the Repbulicans for the last 6 months. And the only time that you have included them in the last 8 years is when you were in these “O.T.” sessions. How about the Dems being “all inclusive”?
- fed up - Monday, Jun 15, 09 @ 11:44 am:
Gov QUINN had no problem keeping his mouth shut and cashing his checks through 6 years of corruption and bad goverment by his running mate the man he helped elect and now he feels others should speak up. Maybe Quinn should of spoke up 4-5 years ago and we wouldnt be in this mess. Lisa has no plan she doesnt need one she is the attorney general (who also kept her mouth shut for the past 6 years about corruption) Quinn is Gov he is supposed to lead.
- fed up - Monday, Jun 15, 09 @ 11:47 am:
For gods sake the GA wont even combine a cople of state agencys to cut costs so dont try and pretend that there doing all they can to make cuts. The DEMS just want to tax and spend spend spend no attempts at cuts are really being made. The GOP is a joke but the dems made them important by not getting this done on time.
- Skirmisher - Monday, Jun 15, 09 @ 11:51 am:
I am seeing new state hiring and job postings all around me, in some instances raising staffing levels to unprecedented levels. One logical part of my mind knows very well that Illinois is in financial trouble and has been so for years, but then what I see are Quinn’s agencies acting like someone just opened the vault to Ft. Knox. It really takes a leap of faith to take any of the Governor’s dire warnings at face value, and until two months ago I was a tax hike supporter!!!!
- Waxum - Monday, Jun 15, 09 @ 11:57 am:
YAY QUINN.
Im glad to see that he is finally acknowledging political reality. Madigan is running for Governor. She has a had a pass for too long. The fact that she is going to be Quinn’s opponent seriously calls into question her Fathers motives.
She will delay an announcement as long as possible so that she doesnt have to take a stand on the issues. Soon enough there wont be anything or anyone to hide behind.
Good Luck Gov Quinn. I know you are trying to do the right thing.
- LisleMike - Monday, Jun 15, 09 @ 12:54 pm:
My brother was warden at Danville Correctional facility. Issue of OT pay for guards always arose. Unlike other jobs when a guard calls in sick, the guard on duty HAS to stay at his post because the prison cannot be left unattended. It used to be that there was a pool or sub-list type of program as I understand it. However, Blago’s people (remember the idiots he appointed without any experience or background or understanding of how to do their jobs?) came in and hit that as a source for cost cutting. Costs that would have been at straight time and not spend unless completely needed…..They were smart by a one half.
- VanillaMan - Monday, Jun 15, 09 @ 12:56 pm:
Quinn needs to govern as though he has the job for life. Ignor Madigan - she has a job. If the Governor continues to allow politics into his decision making, the decisions that will follow will not be soley based on good governing.
- Cook County Commoner - Monday, Jun 15, 09 @ 1:18 pm:
The process is beginning to mirror the Obama administrations handling of the Chrysler and GM meltdowns. The core financial problem with GM/Chrysler is employee wages, work rules and employee pensions and other retirement benefits, including health insurance. The likely core problem with Illinois and its local government units is the same set of problems, which are ravaging state and local government budgets across the nation.
The odd thing in Illinois is that the issue is quiet, muted, almost only whispered. Can anyone on this blog put hard and verifiable figures on these costs across the state budget and the budgets of the multitude of government units in Illinois? There are over 600 government employee pension plans in Illinois for a national record holding almost 7000 state government units.
With an aging population and workforce, the government employee retirement benefits not only at the state level, but also at the local government level, are going to break the bank.
Increasing state income taxes in this economy will be suicidal. Don’t just linger on the state income tax as if it functions in a vacuum. Look at the local sales and property taxes. And do you really think the approachong property re-assessments will offer any relief?
This is starting to look like the Obama administration subordinating bond holders (taxpayers in this discussion) to UAW salaries and benefits. Some are calling it a payback for UAW contributions. This works in the Illinois analogy with the extra spin that our legislators are fighting to retain the same benefits. And don’t forget the enshrinement of government employee pensions in the state constitution in 1970.
Private employers across the country are cutting salaries and pensions, assuming any of these unsustainable dinasaurs still exist outside of Detroit. Illinois and all its government units must do the same before talking about service cuts or tax increases.
- Legaleagle - Monday, Jun 15, 09 @ 1:29 pm:
I’m surprised at the number of people I encounter who are fed up with paying for state social programs for people who, they say. “live irresponsibly”. People argue: Why should I work so hard and then have to pay taxes for people who have more kids than they can afford, or who take dope? There is a lot of this sentiment out there - these people want social services and taxes to be cut.
- Macbeth - Monday, Jun 15, 09 @ 1:35 pm:
===
I am seeing new state hiring and job postings all around me, in some instances raising staffing levels to unprecedented levels.
===
Agencies are receiving stimulus funds. Many state workers are paid out of fed dollars. The stimulus funds will cause a bump in state hiring.
- rukidding - Monday, Jun 15, 09 @ 1:37 pm:
Quinn should have gotten into the game alot sooner when his old boss, Rod, was selling the farm. Poor Quinn alway wants his cake and to eat.
- Macbeth - Monday, Jun 15, 09 @ 1:38 pm:
===
Even higher salaries for state bureaucrats and school administrators.
===
Quinn froze merit comp folks last week. So your tin foil theories about mysterious “state bureaucrats” earning mysterious massive amounts of money will not come to pass, Cassandra.
At least not this year. But there’s always next year to strike it rich as a PSA in Illinois state government, right?
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Monday, Jun 15, 09 @ 1:56 pm:
Telling Lisa Madigan to weigh in is worse than pointless. It feeds into the GOP argument that this problem was created by Democratic dysfunction.
If Quinn wants to pass a tax hike, he needs to do three things:
- Spend less time in Democratic districts and more time in Republican districts talking about the impact of cuts on communities and families;
- Remind voters that its up to Democrats and Republicans to meet each other half way if we’re going to close the budget gap, and while he and his administration proposed over $4 billion in spending cuts to close the budget gap, Republicans haven’t proposed 4 cents in new revenue.
3. Call on Republicans to outline how much they’d like to see cut from the budget, and if so where, and what they’d like to keep: and commit to supporting the temporary tax increase needed to fund what it is they’d like to keep.
- 815Sox - Monday, Jun 15, 09 @ 2:07 pm:
I work at a foster care agency in Illinois. There is a massive panic going around now. We have been informed to expect major layoffs.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Monday, Jun 15, 09 @ 2:13 pm:
=== Under this scenario, the Legislature returns sometime after Christmas but before Jan. 15 and raises the income tax. That puts it after the deadline for people to file to run for the General Assembly. It also puts it just before the primary election, an election where we already know Quinn will have opponents, maybe even including the speaker’s daughter. ===
Here’s the problem with that theory:
1) All of the community-based service providers will have terminated their employees and closed the facilities that these state programs are operated through, and once they do it’ll take years, not days, weeks, or months, to restore them. So a Democratic or even bipartisan tax increase in January is pointless.
2) By January, Lisa Madigan would theoretically already be a declared candidate, and she couldn’t possibly avoid weighing in on a tax increase. It would be difficult, although theoretically not impossible, for her to win a Democratic primary by parroting the “cut first” mantra of the GOP by refusing to say what she’d cut. Its much, much better for Madigan if the budget resolves itself before she announces, allowing her to arm chair quarterback.
3) If the budget impasse isn’t resolved or Democrats pass a Doomsday budget, you can bet that the Green Party will make a serious push for statewide offices and Illinois House seats. General Assembly seats would be a tough order, but a Whitney-like candidacy on even a shoestring budget could garner 15% of the vote or more in this environment. Most of those votes would come from disaffected Democrats, but many of them MIGHT have gone to the GOP nominee if not for The Greens, so BOTH parties have a vested interest in resolving the budget crisis in a way that keeps The Greens out.
- Demi Less - Monday, Jun 15, 09 @ 2:21 pm:
YDD—sorry pal Dems run state. You broke it you fix it. You lined up behind a psychopath in 2006 and expect us not to notice. If you can’t govern we’ll find someone who can.
- Princess - Monday, Jun 15, 09 @ 2:38 pm:
Legal eagle “There is a lot of this sentiment out there - these people want social services and taxes to be cut.”–
And you likely know as well as I do that if these people you are hearing this from would likely be the ones crying the loudest for assistance if it for suddenly and unexpectly their job out the window and nowhere to turn to.
Or their new grandchild born with special needs of assistance. Or, or, or. And suddenly these services and programs don’t become something to just cut and eliminate.
Ya know, I’m really happy and glad for citizens who seem to be living a secure and halfway pleasant, if not rich and exciting, life but one wonders when the reality of living in a society will up and knock them out of their bubble.
Like you I’m hearing and seeing it too. The thinking of some that someone else should suffer, but not them. Or that because they are suffering everyone should suffer too, heck, should be suffering even moreso than they are.
But the bottom line remains the same. After all the chest thumping, fear, resentment ect. taxes are going to have to be raised. You know it, I know it, and the GA (both parties) know it. Yet, we continue to agrue, dig in and toss rocks at each other.
- Cassandra - Monday, Jun 15, 09 @ 2:46 pm:
Macbeth-
Of course he froze them last week. He could unfreeze them next week, or, more likely, after he gets his regressive tax increase.
Not that I blame him. This is a negotiation.
- Princess - Monday, Jun 15, 09 @ 2:55 pm:
Cassandra, Quinn does not have to negotiate with MCs to freeze their wages.
- Cassandra - Monday, Jun 15, 09 @ 3:08 pm:
Well, precisely. I’m saying that this whole process is a negotiation. Quinn negotiating with the union. Quinn negotiating with the Legislature. Social service grantee agencies negotiating with Quinn and with legislators. Republicans negotiating with Democrats. Corporate interests negotiating with Quinn and with individual legislators. It’s not supposed to be easy, although I fear Quinn really thought all he’d have to do is make a few speeches and presto–a tsunami of new tax receipts. He sure acts that way.
- Secret Square - Monday, Jun 15, 09 @ 3:13 pm:
Actually, Princess and Cassandra, the story I keep hearing is that Quinn may do more than just freeze MC wages. My office is totally non-union. If the rumor I’ve heard turns out to be true, by this time next month, I could be bringing home about $100 LESS each payday than I did when I first STARTED working here.
- 2ConfusedCrew - Monday, Jun 15, 09 @ 3:19 pm:
Here is a good one:
From: Brown Hodge, Carolyn
Sent: Monday, June 15, 2009 8:58 AM
Subject: State Budget Briefing - Tuesday, June 16th, Bilandic Building, 160 N LaSalle, Chicago, in the 5th Floor Auditorium at 10:30
There will be a briefing of the budget situation by the Governor’s staff in Chicago on Tuesday at the Bilandic building in the 5th floor auditorium at 10:30 am. Please let others who would want to be invited know about this. Thanks for your help.
Carolyn Brown Hodge
Office of Governor Pat Quinn
Deputy Chief of Staff
204 StatehouseSpringfield, Illinois 62706
phone:deleted
cell:deleted
carolyn.brownhodge@illinois.gov
The bilandic auditorium holds about 10 people. The day care center in the bilandic building is larger. Perhaps the auditorium was JRTC was “booked”
- Princess - Monday, Jun 15, 09 @ 3:29 pm:
Not that it’s any of my business, Secret Square, but how long have you been with the state? Oh, and don’t expect any sympathy from Cassandra, she’s hopeful to negotiate all of us if not into the unemployment line at least taking everything away until we bleed :-O
- Secret Square - Monday, Jun 15, 09 @ 3:40 pm:
Less than three years. I realized when I took this job that I might go years at a time without getting a raise and I accepted that. The wage freeze is nothing new. What IS new is the level of actual cuts apparently being discussed.
- anon - Monday, Jun 15, 09 @ 4:02 pm:
I’d gladly take $100 less each paycheck at this point, my wife and I are both looking at unemployment in 15 days and we can’t seem to figure out how we’ll be able to work in social services in this state and where the house payment will come from
- Secret Square - Monday, Jun 15, 09 @ 4:11 pm:
Anon, I am very sorry to hear that. I know a lot of people have it worse than I do and I don’t mean to complain. I just want people to know that what’s being discussed for at least some MC workers is more than just a wage freeze that could be “unfrozen next week.”
- Skirmisher - Monday, Jun 15, 09 @ 4:33 pm:
MacBeth- I can give you examples of new hiring where I know the funding is federal and I can give you examples where I am sure the funding is GR. Makes no difference. If the Gov is trying to convey the message that the state is broke, then he had better get very serious about giving the appearance that the state is broke, regardless of how much borrowed money the feds are trying to throw at us. Public perceptions are everything. Anyway, the federal economic stimulus money won’t be around in the future to pay for pension benefits, etc. for these new hires. If Quinn is staffing up state agencies based on short-term flood of federal pork then he is doubly foolish. He would make his message much clearer if he let the federal funds get bottlenecked for lack of staff resources.
- anon - Monday, Jun 15, 09 @ 5:00 pm:
SS - you should complain - no offense taken to your post, and people have it far worse than myself as well (the clients especially), just expressing how these indecisions are affecting me, it’s scary and the damage is mounting daily
- Frank Booth - Monday, Jun 15, 09 @ 6:03 pm:
Cook County Commoner,
The core problem with Chrysler and GM is they have too many duplicated products that no one wants to buy anymore.
- southern illinoisan - Monday, Jun 15, 09 @ 6:57 pm:
Rich, another good article. The Democrats including Quinn seem to be better suited as the minority party in Illinois state government. It is much different to have all the power and no good solutions. The Republicans are still trying to figure out the minority role.
People need to realize that the state is in very poor shape. It will take a combination of things to come up with a viable solution. The one thing that is certain is that it will be painful. How painful remains to be seen.
The other constant issue is that game of politics continues to be played in Illinois. Democrats have complete power. Yet, they want us to beleive that they need Republican votes to pass a tax increase. Come on. Do they really expect any half way intelligent person to buy that? They WANT Republican votes so that they won’t get saddled as the party that raised taxes in a recession and continue to waste money on pork projects. Here is a tip for the Democratic leadership. If you want to try this ploy at least invite the Republicans to partcipate in the charade from the beginning. At least then there is an appearance of legitimacy.
Republicans would be wise to sit this one out and let the governmnet come to a grinding halt. Voters have a short term memory and they usually blame those in power = Gov Quinn, General Assembly and certainly Rocket Rod.
It is a shame that the state of Illinois has sunk so low. But the voters should take note and be careful what you vote for. Just like Quinn should have been careful what he had wished for…….