* The Tribune ran a profile today of some public school teachers worried about whether they will lose their jobs in the face of 20,000 layoff notices…
In a normal year, the majority of teachers let go in March are rehired in the summer after lawmakers approve a budget. For example, about 4,700 teachers were laid off during the 2007-08 school year, but nearly 60 percent were recalled.
The following year, as the recession deepened, more teachers were laid off — 6,139 — and fewer, about 50 percent, were recalled, according to an Illinois State Board of Education survey released Wednesday.
This year, as many as 20,000 school positions could be lost, according to some estimates.
“It’s completely different than any year I’ve been part of in my three decades in public education,” said Ken Swanson, president of the Illinois Education Association.
That 20,000 layoffs figure bandied about all over the media is based on a proposed $1.3 billion cut to education funding by Pat Quinn. Union contracts require that layoff notices must be issued, and the governor’s original cut was all the local school districts had to go by.
However, it now appears that there will be no significant cut - or any cuts at all - to education funding, unless something really goes off the rails with the budget.
…Adding… The Illinois Federation of Teachers took questions from the media today about new revenues…
* While hyperbolic, it would be nice if we could have seen stories like this when the McCormick Place reform plan was being negotiated. Only a couple of us ever really wrote about it, even though the facility is such an important economic engine…
It was supposed to change everything. Lure new trade shows. Keep the ones we have. Even bring back the ones we’ve lost. But CBS 2 Chief Correspondent Jay Levine says Gov. Pat Quinn is thinking twice before signing the new McCormick Place bill — because of a sneaky maneuver.
Mostly because of the trustee lawmakers want to put in charge. A longtime political insider: Jim Reilly. And how it all went down.
James Reilly, a former McPier CEO, was paid big money to recommend changes. Among them, a new trustee to oversee all operations.
He writes the set of recommendations calling for a trustee and the recommendations just happen to fit him to a tee. Doesn’t that sound suspicious?
Actually, it’s not suspicious at all. It was done that way at Speaker Michael Madigan’s behest. In return, the Republicans demanded and received a one-year revolving door prohibition to prevent Reilly from immediately cashing in on his 18-month tenure as McPier’s czar. And I really doubt that Quinn will touch that bill. Hinz explains why…
In the end, my guess is that Mr. Quinn signs rather than risk horrid headlines in Chicago newspapers when a couple of big shows walk. If he really has problems with the bill, he ought to sign it anyhow, and then push for passage of a “trailer bill” that would meet his concerns.
This one is awfully important. Mr. Quinn ought to sign, even if the bill is less than perfect.
The only way he’d touch that bill is if there was an agreement up front to hold an immediate vote to accept the changes. Otherwise, he’d probably get overridden.
So why wouldn’t Quinn sign it? Because one of the planks he used to build his political career was the Citizens Utility Board, which is real skeptical about this bill. Quinn is probably also more attuned than the average Chicagoan to the needs of rural Illinoisans, who might be given the shaft by AT&T under the bill.
The legislation also doesn’t require the telecom giant to actually create any jobs, despite its promises, something that might offend the governor’s sense of fairness.
Then again, Attorney General Lisa Madigan, who’s also painted herself as a defender of consumers, was neutral on the bill. Her stamp of approval (or lack of disapproval) would probably be enough for any other governor.
Given that it’s an election year and Quinn is going to want to pump up his populist bona fides, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him issue some sort of amendatory veto – the power Illinois governors have to add and subtract things from legislation passed by the General Assembly.
Given that this is an election year and AT&T did a remarkable job of lining up newspaper editorial support (including Wetterich’s) and unanimous legislative support, plus the fact that the company and its allies (including newspaper editorial boards) are hailing the legislation as a major “jobs bill,” I doubt he’ll change it. He wants jobs and he wants to cut ribbons, and the word is there was a side deal for a big ribbon-cutting opportunity. More later.
* Related…
* Illinois school officials warn of more layoffs & cuts from state budget impasse
Mark Kirk flew all the way to Washington Wednesday to escape from the America-lovin’, huntin’, fishin’ and shootin’ road show that Sarah Palin brought to a $500-a-plate Republican Party fundraiser.
Kirk is afraid that any association with the Annie Oakley of American politics will taint him as a right-wing tea drinker.
Kirk was in DC yesterday voting on bills - which is where he said he would be and which was the reason he gave for not being able to make the Palin speech. I checked the House Clerk’s website and found a two percent absentee rate on the bill which received the most votes yesterday. Kirk’s reason was legit, aside from the amateur pseudo-psychological mumbo-jumbo quoted above.
You’d think Palin was Queen or something the way this visit has been treated by some in the press. Who will go? Who will snub? Please. I doubt even her most ardent supporters will remember on election day who was and who wasn’t at that speech.
* As someone who often gives speeches for a fee (and it’s a pretty hefty fee for Illinois), I would be embarrassed to go in front of an audience with such a weak presentation. Hey, I don’t begrudge the half-term ex-guv the cash. I wish I could charge $100K a speech. But you’d think she’d have some basic mechanics down by now, including refraining from speaking over applause lines and content that is at least slightly above pablum levels…
* It goes almost without saying that politicians are often portrayed as one-dimensional cartoon characters by their opponents, the media, even themselves. But Bernie’s piece today ought to remind us that candidates can have more than one facet…
Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Brady says that, if elected, he wouldn’t alter policies that allow same-sex domestic partners of state workers to receive state health insurance and similar benefits. […]
“These provisions in past AFSCME contracts were negotiated in good faith. Extending them was a question of basic fairness at the time. As governor, Bill Brady’s initial focus will be on helping to pull Illinois from the recession, ending the record deficits built up by the insiders in Springfield and fumigating state government. He has no intention to alter or eliminate these existing provisions.”
And even though the statement talks of Brady’s “initial focus,” that doesn’t mean the policy might change later, [Brady spokesperson Jaime Elich] said.
“No, we are not suggesting in any way that, as governor, Senator Brady will change the policy later,” Elich said.
Now, you could make the cynical argument that Brady doesn’t want to create yet another wedge issue when he’s trying to focus on the economy and governmental mismanagement. You might even be right. But even if that’s so, this is a pretty big step for somebody who once sponsored a constitutional amendment that would’ve permanently outlawed any state-sanctioned relationship between gay people that could result in these very benefits.
* Gov. Pat Quinn talked to reporters after this morning’s prayer breakfast. He was asked what he’d done since the House and Senate adjourned on Friday, but dodged the question.
Quinn said he didn’t foresee giving up any of the emergency powers granted to him in a bill passed by the Senate, but which is still sitting idle in the House. He also hinted at special sessions: “When the legislature wants to drift off and not focus on doing important things for the people, the governor has to call them back and make sure they do their duty… That’s what I plan to do every day this month until we get a good budget.”
Gov. Quinn also spoke about his veto of the legislative scholarship program: “The government is not about politicians, it’s about the people.”
Borrowing: “Every state in the union does this… [Sen. Brady] doesn’t have a plan at all… Sen. Brady runs around and tries to foment as much discord as he can. That’s going back to the past. That’s going back to George Ryan and Rod Blagojevich… We’re not going to have a lot of fakery before the election, where people run around and say they have a secret plan to cut the budget [and] they never give you any details.”
Quinn must’ve said “We’re not going back to the days of Ryan and Blagojevich” or a version of that a half dozen times, ironically echoing his opponent Bill Brady.
The state’s budget meltdown did not prevent the wives of two Democratic lawmakers from landing six-figure state paychecks thanks to Gov. Quinn and the Illinois Senate.
The spouse of Rep. Michael Zalewski (D-Chicago) nearly doubled her state salary when Quinn named her to a $117,043-a-year spot on the Illinois Pollution Control Board.
The governor also appointed the wife of state Sen. Jeff Schoenberg (D-Evanston) to another term as chairwoman of the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board, a position that will pay her $104,358 annually.
“Carrie Zalewski and Lynne Sered are qualified individuals whose experience and professionalism made them the best candidates available,” Quinn spokeswoman Annie Thompson said.
This actually first surfaced in February, when Sen. Dan Duffy (R-Lake Barrington) first rose to criticize their appointments. We even had a Question of the Day on the issue back then.
Duffy used the issue to raise money in a March 26th fundraising letter (complete with the State Seal) and he was called on it the other day, so the Sun-Times used it as an excuse to dredge this issue up all over again.
* Related and a roundup…
* Is Illinois’ Medicaid System Really “One Of The Worst”?
* Frankfort couple learn hard, cold ways of Springfield
* Brady pays ‘courtesy call’ to Daley about budget issues
Prosecutors argued and Zagel agreed that Blagojevich’s defense attorneys should not be allowed to mention the “honest services” charges against their client in their opening remarks to the jury.
Why not?
Well, just in case the U.S. Supreme Court decides it’s unconstitutional.
Huh? […]
Charge Blago but don’t tell the jury what all the charges are? Just in case?
Also on trial with our former governor is his brother, Robert Blagojevich. His attorney, Michael Ettinger, reasonably asks why there can’t be a small delay until the Supreme Court rules.
“What’s 30 days?” Ettinger says. “What’s the difference.”
If the government doesn’t want the delay, the cost of going forward should be to drop the honest services fraud charges. And go with the rest of its newly redrafted case.
Congress has eroded federal defendants’ rights to almost nothing over the years. This move is just plain unfair, even if I believe Blagojevich’s punishment should be tar and feathers and then 50 years in a super-max.
As of June 30, 2009, there were 71,665 children enrolled, 75 percent of which - 54,073 - were classified as undocumented immigrants, auditors found, though they cautioned mistakes in state All Kids data suggest the number is inflated. Of the nearly $79.1 million in claims paid under the program, nearly $55 million were for undocumented immigrants. The program took in just $8.9 million in premiums.
The numbers counter past claims by the state’s main health care agency. In 2008, a spokeswoman for the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services declined repeatedly to provide the Daily Herald with information regarding undocumented enrollees. Asked why, she said the issue was a “political football” and, “At the end of the day it’s a minuscule number of participants that’s undocumented.”
The new head of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services agreed problems exist and would be fixed. […]
At times the audit encapsulated some of the broader, big picture criticism of state government and its lack of spending accountability. For instance, auditors requested 100 case files and in reviewing 98 of them could find no routine process used to verify All Kids enrollees lived in Illinois. Auditors said the other two case files were unavailable because the health care departments couldn’t find one and the other was “inaccessible due to mold.”
* More Oversight on All Kids Could Save State Money: Illinois could save money by increasing oversight in a statewide children’s health insurance program.
* As I’ve pointed out before, if Mark Kirk really does have votes planned in the US House tonight, then that’s a pretty good excuse to skip out on the Sarah Palin event…
Palin is in suburban Chicago Wednesday for a conservative radio talk show event at the Rosemont Theatre and a $500-a-plate fundraiser at the Westin O’Hare for the Illinois Republican Party. The fundraiser isn’t open press, but that still didn’t entice the state’s top GOP contenders to attend.
Kirk, who’s running for Senate, “says he will have to be in Washington, D.C., tonight to make some planned House votes,” according to the Arlington Heights Daily Herald. And House candidates Randy Hultgren and Robert Dold “have other plans tonight.”
That left just gubernatorial candidate Bill Brady to attend, and he “originally” didn’t plan on it.
The House did have some votes on minor legislation last night and Kirk was a no-show, one of anywhere from 35 to 42 who didn’t make it for four votes. Now that kinda undermines his excuse. Again, though, those were pretty minor bills.
Even so, Alexi Giannoulias’ campaign is trying to make some hay out of Palin’s visit with a new Internet ad…
We admit to being a little unsure about how to characterize your appearance. The GOP fundraiser portion is self-explanatory, but when it comes to the Rosemont Theatre event, is that a personal lecture? A political rally? Promotional materials for the show have called it just “An Evening with Sarah Palin,” so we’ll take it at that and see what develops over time.
Nevertheless, inasmuch as you are often hailed as a potential presidential candidate, we think it worthwhile to reflect on some topics we hope you’ll address that can help us in the suburbs better get to know you.
For one, we’re naturally interested in your thoughts about media’s relationship to political and public figures. Your Rosemont Theatre address is promised to be free of “media or liberal filters.” Yet, you are sponsored by a radio station that bills itself as “Chicago’s conservative talk radio station.” Is that not a media filter? And, if reports of your speech are run through politically moderate or conservative filters, is that OK?
* Bill Brady will be there tonight after originally saying he wouldn’t and he talked out of both sides of his mouth to Chicago Public Radio…
BRADY: Sarah Palin certainly appeals to some people, and doesn’t appeal to some others… I just appreciate the fact she’s willing to come in and help raise money for Republican candidates.
* Kind of a small peg to hang this hit on, but whatever. From a press release…
Democratic nominee for Illinois Treasurer Robin Kelly is calling on opponent Dan Rutherford to explain his comments regarding conservative Sarah Palin who will host a fundraiser for the state Republican Party today in Rosemont.
“Sarah Palin does not represent the beliefs of mainstream Illinois families,” said Kay Page, Kelly’s campaign manager. “The people of Illinois have a right to know if Dan Rutherford stands with Palin, or if he stands with the people of Illinois.”
On April 17th, Rutherford attended the Palin event outside of Peoria and met with her after the program. In addition, he is soliciting campaign contributions on his website in exchange for Palin buttons.
When asked about Palin, Rutherford cautiously says that she “does invigorate a certain constituency.”
“Rutherford needs to answer whether he considers himself part of the constituency that Palin energizes, and if he will seek or accept her endorsement,” said Page, noting that Palin is a frequent critic of President Obama’s policies.
Scott Lee Cohen, who is mounting an independent run for governor, has chosen a running mate: Baxter Swilley, who was Cohen’s downstate coordinator when Cohen sought the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor.
Swilley, a Chicago resident, operated out of an office in downtown Springfield.
“As a community organizer, Baxter spent his life bringing positive change to Illinois by working for organizations including the Chicago Metropolitan YMCA and the Chicago Urban League,” John Davis, a Cohen campaign spokesman, said.
“Scott is a friend of mine and I strongly and genuinely believe in him,” Swilley said before the primary.
Apparently, there wasn’t a mad rush to join the ticket.
Swilley is a young African-American. Here he is on video talking about the failed bid to bring the Olympics to Chicago…
Sneed hears gubernatorial hopeful Scott Lee Cohen, who announces his bid today, had no success in picking a female running mate. “He was looking for a suburban mom type, but it didn’t work out,” a source said. Word is the Rev. James Meeks turned him down.
A suburban mom type. Yeah, that’s it. “The females will forgive me” Cohen was looking for a little insta-redemption. No chance.
Swilley, a native Chicagoan, was Cohen’s first choice all along, campaign spokesman John Davis said. “He was the first person Scott asked, but Baxter wanted to take a couple of weeks to think about it and when he did, he decided to come along,” Davis said.
