38 Comments - Cincinnatus - Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 10:48 am: I have heard rumors that Rich will be live-blogging his weekend backyard barbecue. Any truth, Rich? ;-{)> - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 10:51 am: I will be sleeping most of the weekend. lol - Cindy Lou - Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 11:03 am: While I’m here waiting for Quinn, just want to say ‘thanks’ to Rich for all he does to bring us the most up to date informed information out there. So, thanks, Mr. Miller for all you do, it’s been just like I was actually down there! Nobody does it like Rich does and it’s so very much appreciated. - walkinfool - Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 11:05 am: @Rich Gotta say you’ve done outstanding work this Spring. I thought you’d still be in bed this morning, after the last few days. Thanks. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 11:09 am: ===I thought you’d still be in bed this morning, after the last few days=== I have an appointment with my mattress as soon as this thing is over. - Cincinnatus - Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 11:11 am: Rich, If you want to live-blog your sleep, I can write you a quick macro: “Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz” - Jaded - Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 11:33 am: Is he really not smart enought to realize that Wall Mart is a really big special interests? - Ahoy - Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 11:40 am: 3 things the Gov can do to be Relevant. Just doing one of the top two would make him very relevant. 1. Veto the map 2. Veto the budget until there is a plan to pay off the back-log of unpaid bills 3. Line-item veto of gaming bill (I’d take out Rockford and Danville) - Because I say so - Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 11:42 am: Is the governor in a bad mood or does he always seem like this? - anon - Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 11:49 am: WHAT about Health Alliance? - this is sad - Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 11:55 am: The Governor gives a news conf the day after session, and only 10 comments? And six of them are about Rich Miller’s plans for catching up on his sleep? The Governor is disappearing before our very eyes… - He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint - Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 11:56 am: If his #1 priority is economic development and jobs, why did he go against the Tenaska Bill which provided 2500 construction jobs and is a 2.5 billion dollar project downstate? - wordslinger - Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 11:57 am: –New law requires stricter guidelines for nursing homes Deaths of developmentally disabled patients will need to be reported to state– That wasn’t a law already? Hard to believe. - OneMan - Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 11:58 am: Perhaps there is only so much that can be said about – Jobs – Education – Looking out for the common man – Top Heavy - Both Sides Now - Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 11:58 am: @Ahoy - on #3: Danville is not a bad choice even if Quinn told the Mayor “not to hold his breath”. Depressed area jobs-wise and no other casino in Illinois between the Chicago area and deep Southern Illinois. Would draw from Champaign as well as surrounding counties in Illinois and Indiana. Since there is already casinos in Aurora, Elgin and DesPlaines, it makes more sense to eliminate the south suburbs and/or Rockford. Spread the wealth folks - the State is more than Chicago! - Cindy Lou - Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 11:59 am: I’m realy disappointed AFSCME waited so long to go 3rd step grieve on the healthcare issue. Being the process and the complex decision making this should have been addressed a while ago. - Both Sides Now - Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 12:07 pm: Rich - thanks for being the “go to” guy in all of this. Quick question - Furlough Days - yes or no this (FT2012) year for non-union employees and if so, how many? Haven’t heard much on this subject. - Both Sides Now - Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 12:08 pm: Sorry, meant FY2012 not FT - Demoralized - Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 12:09 pm: First of all, the Governor makes me want to throw up. He sounded just like RB. As for the AFSCME lawsuit, I hope they do not win. While I don’t like the changes in providers I don’t believe AFSCME has any right to dictate who the providers are. AFSCME has become far too powerful in this state. Last time I checked management has a right to “manage.” AFSCME seems to believe that any decision the state makes must first be cleared with them. I have seen it in my own agency and it makes me want to scream. AFSCME needs to be put in its place. - Retired Non-Union Guy - Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 12:21 pm: Demoralized, Regardless of your like / dislike of AFSCME, they have a legit point. Here’s why: While more expensive than the Blue Cross HMO plan (that really isn’t an option south of I-80), the Health Alliance HMO bid at $6,166 is *cheaper* than the average OPA cost of $6,210. (The same was not true of the Humana HMO bid at $6,553.) The figures are from the Mercer handout to COGFA (HA on page 8, OPA on page 17). Some will say this is comparing apples and oranges but for us downstate who have HA today, the only choice to keep our doctors is one of the OPA plans … so it is a legit comparison. It’s going to cost the State more money than keeping Health Alliance. - Cindy Lou - Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 12:21 pm: It’s not about ‘who’ the provider is, rather that the same care and cost is available from whoever the provider is. Had the plan been to accommadate such switches been preready and in place for a smooth and similar switch to what was being provided and cost roughly the same there would not be much room to squeal. - Mary-Lynn - Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 12:23 pm: I’m with Anon…what about health insurance? I’ve got a LOT of folks in my neck of the woods with Health Alliance who’ve been holding on wondering what to do. A bill is on his desk. Will Gov. Quinn be kind enough to let people know for sure what to do? - Anonymous - Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 12:27 pm: “…The Governor is disappearing before our very eyes… ” I believe the word you are looking for is “irrelvant.” Just ask Cullerton. - Demoralized - Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 12:29 pm: @Retired Non-Union Guy: I don’t necessarily hate AFSCME. I think they overreach. I don’t blame them for trying to protect their members but nobody has pointed to language in the contract that gives them the right to do what they are doing. I’ve read it and I don’t see it. While they may have a legit point that does not translate into a violation of their contract. - Yellow Dog Democrat - Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 12:31 pm: @Both Sides Now - In order to be profitable, a casino needs a large base of gamblers who live within 60 miles and lose an average of $100 a week. That’s why there are various versions of “player’s clubs” that enable a casino to know where you live and track your losses. Those who live relatively close by and lose a steady stream of money get lots of free steak dinners. Until someone shows me a feasability study to the contrary, I’m going to assume that Vermillion County and the surrounding area just doesn’t have enough people. Anyone? - Cindy Lou - Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 12:45 pm: Demoralized, you can check on the Council 31 site to read the article that AFSCME believes it has a case to persue…whether you and/or I agree with their stand is pointless for ‘us’ to agrue/debate. If the language is questionable, than let them duke it out. As I stated above, this should have been settled before now. As far as BCBS, for myself it does have a presence in my area…makes little difference to me if I have BCBS , Humana, or HA. Makes not much difference to me if I would pick OAP because there are drs/services in my area that are lined up for my area….but I can’t base what is happening for me and apply it across the board to what other members are facing/looking at and how the overall changes affect them. I am disappointed currently as I have made my decision, my choice has been sent in. It was not an easy decision and I had little time to sit and wait (individual medical needs) , but I’m really not going to be happy if say next week the state changes it’s mind or there is an injuction because my choice I did make would not have had to be made in the first place. No dr switches, no hospital change, no records sent to new dr, no race for appointment so meds aren’t missed blah blah. - ArchPundit - Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 1:03 pm: —Until someone shows me a feasability study to the contrary, I’m going to assume that Vermillion County and the surrounding area just doesn’t have enough people. That could produce an interesting local government initiative: We Need More Suckers! - 47th Ward - Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 1:07 pm: Steve Rhodes had an interesting point today on the casinos: the government is betting that we lose our money. Think about that for a minute. The only way this works out for the state is if we are all big losers at the casinos. We need more suckers is right. - Mary-Lynn - Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 1:14 pm: OK, just talked with State Rep. Chapin Rose. He says Gov. Quinn flat out told him last night he will NOT sign the that passed the House & Senate with resounding numbers to block the changes in health care. What a shame for the people with Health Alliance & Humana. - Small Town Liberal - Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 1:17 pm: - no other casino in Illinois between the Chicago area and deep Southern Illinois. - Ever heard of Peoria? - Secret Square - Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 1:30 pm: “We Need More Suckers!” Which is only fitting as Illinois is the Sucker State. Yes, that IS an actual though archaic nickname for our state — look it up. - Secret Square - Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 1:33 pm: “he will NOT sign the (bill) that passed the House and Senate… to block the changes in health care.” Could that be because Quinn signed an executive order back in April that takes AWAY from HFS and transfers back to CMS, responsibility for state worker health care procurement, effective July 1? The GA didn’t reject the order before they adjourned so it should take effect on schedule. It’s Executive Order 2011-3 and it reverses what Blago did in 2005 when he handed over all healthcare procurement to HFS. - Ahoy - Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 1:43 pm: A Casino is not going to save Danville, they should probably look at putting it in Champaign/Urbana or somewhere with more draw, especially with the travel that people make for U of I games. A hotel/casino could go over well. Simply choosing a location because the economy is bad is not a good reason to put a casino there. - Both Sides Now - Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 2:03 pm: @Small Town Liberal - yes, I’ve heard of Peoria - it’s 120 miles west of Danville, while Chicago is 120 miles to Danville’s north. I don’t think they have much of the same market. No, Danville does not have the population base that Chicago or the south suburbs do but it does have some notables to draw from - like Champaign, Effingham and Terre Haute, IN. It sits on the interstate and is easily accessible. And probably most important - it’s more economically depressed than many other areas in Illinois and therefore would really appreciate and welcome the jobs. Gee, a casino might even spark related industries in the area and the town might grow in population! As always, no issue is simply black and white. There are lots of shades of gray. - Cincinnatus - Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 2:09 pm: YDD, While mowing the grass, I thought about something in a similar vein to your comment. When a McDonalds (or just about any store) is sited, there is a rigorous methodology that is used to determine where the store is located. The decision is based, among other things, on the number of residents within a radius, their income, their propensity to visit the store and a number of other factors. These data allow several other decisions to be made. Not only the location of the store, but the size of the store (based on anticipated revenues) and hours and staffing. Here’s the question I came here to post: What similar study was performed to site the proposed new casinos? Why did the government restrict the new sites to just a few that were chosen? What would happen if an entity wished to relocate new casino from point A to point B because it was determined that it would be better suited up the road a piece? What if it was determined that two “mini-casinos” would provide additional revenues over a single bigger one? Once we made the jump that we were allowing casinos, perhaps we should then have allowed the marketplace, and the local communities, to determine where they should be located instead of imposing a set of top-down requirements. - Secret Square - Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 3:18 pm: “Yes, I’ve heard of Peoria” I think you missed STL’s point, which was that Peoria has HAD a gambling boat/casino for almost 20 years, so you can’t say that the proposed Danville casino would be the “only one” between Chicago and the Ohio/Mississippi rivers. - Both Sides Now - Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 3:38 pm: OK I should have been more specific. If you draw a line from the city of Chicago straight down to Southern Illinois you won’t find a casino. There isn’t currently a casino on the east side of the state. They are all near Chicago, far west, or far south. Danville is about smack dab in the middle of the state north to south and on the eastern border, so it would serve an area that is not currently being served. As far as basing location on population, it’s hard to say Danville misses the mark at 34,000 when there is currently a casino in Metropolis with a population of less than 6,500. What population base does it draw from? Originally, all casinos in Illinois had to be located on a body of water, which Danville could do. Most locations currently being discussed for Chicago are not on the water, so they would not meet that test, but you can bet it will be built anyway. And NO, I’m not from Danville - I’m just someone who has traveled all over this state and has seen the challenges and possibilities in every area - and I’m tired of all the decisions being based on what’s good for Chicago! - Anonymous - Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 4:56 pm: “- 47th Ward - Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 1:07 pm: Steve Rhodes had an interesting point today on the casinos: the government is betting that we lose our money. Think about that for a minute. The only way this works out for the state is if we are all big losers at the casinos. We need more suckers is right.” That sounds consistent with Illinois’s current tax policy. Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.