*** UPDATE *** Remember the story about how a small group of Lisle residents had made life so difficult for Navistar that it dropped its plans to move its corporate headquarters (and thousands of jobs) there? Well, today Gov. Pat Quinn just signed a bill into law to give Navistar a big tax credit. Maybe that’ll change their minds.

[ *** End of Update *** ]

* A story I wrote for subscribers this week has caused a bit of a blow-up in DuPage County…

A DuPage County mayors group is accusing State Sen. Dan Cronin of promising to favor Gov. Pat Quinn’s pension borrowing bill in exchange for Quinn’s support of turning over operational control of the DuPage Water Commission to the county.

DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference president and Bloomingdale Village President Robert Iden sent a letter to Quinn earlier this week urging him “to clearly and unequivocally reject this kind of horse-trading.”

Cronin, who is the GOP’s county board chairman nominee, said he has had no discussions with Quinn or anyone from the governor’s office regarding the county taking over the water commission since the bill he sponsored was being debated by the legislature. A compromise kept the commission’s split county and municipal governance structure intact, but called for an end to a quarter-cent sales tax and resignations of all current board members by the end of the year. That deal was approved by both chambers last month and has been awaiting Quinn’s signature.

“These are two entirely separate matters,” Cronin said. “It’s no secret I’m interested in reforming the water commission, but separately we have the pension borrowing issue.”

That’s not what Sen. Cronin told me, but subscribers already know that.

* Remember the stupidity of the Democrat-controlled Rock Island County Board handing a Republican House candidate a perfect campaign issue by raising elected officials’ pay during the Great Recession? The board finally rescinded the pay raises yesterday…

In a special meeting Thursday that lasted less than 15 minutes, the Rock Island County Board overturned its previous decision on the pay for incoming elected officials.

The special meeting was held to reconsider the matter, during which the board voted 22 to 2 to freeze the salaries of the three elected officials on the Nov. 2 ballot at their current levels until 2014. The county clerk, treasurer and sheriff are up for election this fall. […]

Rich Morthland (District 1), the county board’s only Republican, led the charge to overturn the pay raises and for the special meeting to do so. Eight other board members signed the request for the special meeting.

Also the GOP candidate for District 71 state representative, Mr. Morthland started an online petition and fundraiser to repeal the resolution. His website and the ensuing media coverage ignited a public outcry against the raises.

Lost in all the hooplah was this, however…

Morthland initially voted for the pay raises that would have taken effect Dec. 1, 2012, and Dec. 1, 2013.
He said he voted for the raises because he fell into the trap of the inevitability of the Rock Island County Board, where proposals tend to pass by large margins. He didn’t think voting against the raises would do any good.

Expect that to show up in a mailer.

…Adding… The Morthland campaign insists their candidate voted “No” the first time around and is asking the paper above for a correction.

* We’ve often complained here about local ordinances that needlessly limit campaign yard signs. Well, now there’s a law. From a press release…

Governor Pat Quinn [yesterday] signed a bill into law that prevents municipalities throughout Illinois from restricting the display of political campaign signs on residential property at any time.

“Government has no place restricting free speech,” said Governor Quinn. “This bill will protect the First Amendment rights of residents across Illinois and strengthens participatory democracy for us all.”

House Bill 3785 prohibits Illinois’ municipalities from restricting the display of outdoor political campaign signs on residential property during any period of time. Under current Illinois law, municipalities may pass and enforce local ordinances establishing time periods during which residents or landowners may display political campaign signs on their property. Under the new law, municipalities may still place reasonable restrictions on the size of such signs.

* The Worst Bill Ever is now on the governor’s desk…

Legislation allowing Marion to issue STAR bonds giving a sales tax break to a commercial developer hit the governor’s desk Thursday, one week after its passage by the General Assembly.

But a spokeswoman for Gov. Pat Quinn wouldn’t give a timetable for the governor to consider the measure or say if the governor asked for the measure to be moved to the head of the line.

“We’ll be reviewing it,” said Annie Thompson.

* Related and a roundup…

* Report: Illinois state fairs continue to lose money

* County cuts programs after state fails to pay bills

* Illinois remains $5 billion behind in pay vendors and nonprofits

* Carpenters union sues to block McPier cost-saving reforms

* Illinois’ legislative scholarship program remains

* Bill with special tax breaks for developer goes to Ill. governor

* Tom Cross: Political, ethics reform a must — now

* SGOP: Republicans offered budget alternatives

* Everywhere a sign … but Peoria

* New Court Fees Would Help State Police – at Expense of Local Departments

* $66k barbers, $73k truckers — Ill. group charts public/private pay gap

* Fighting The Scourge Of State-Paid Barbers!