Proponents say newly drawn U.S. congressional districts give Rockford the opportunity to have two representatives pulling for the city’s interests.
Critics say it does the opposite. […]
“When you lump in 75 percent of Rockford in with Freeport, part of Peoria and the entire Illinois side of the Quad Cities … optimistically, I would hope that Rockford will still, so to speak, have a seat at the table, but practically speaking we’re lost in that district,” said Jim Thompson of the Winnebago County Republican Central Committee. “If there’s going to be any focus, it’s going to be the Quad Cities from a geographic standpoint and population standpoint.”
Can less equal more when it comes to the number of people speaking for Springfield residents in the U.S. House? Mayor Mike Houston says yes.
“I think, generally speaking, that we are better off having two congressmen representing the area as opposed to three,” Houston said, reacting to a congressional map passed by the Democratic-controlled Illinois General Assembly. […]
Johnson’s current district, the 15th, does not come into Sangamon County. But he lives in the proposed new 13th. If he were to run there and win, he would represent most of Springfield, including downtown.
“I think he could more than adequately represent Springfield,” said Johnson spokesman Phil Bloomer. “He’s familiar with the area.” Johnson spent 24 years in the General Assembly in Springfield.
* The Question: Do you think it’s better to have one congresscritter representing a Downstate or suburban town or more than one? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please. Thanks.
Although the capital program was approved in 2009, a reappropriation bill was used as the vehicle for adding $430 million in operational funds for education, human services and other budget add-ons. The Senate approved HB 2189, but the House rejected it — leaving ongoing construction projects in limbo.
Rep. Jim Watson, R-Jacksonville, blames Quinn and the Senate Democrats for playing games with the budget.
“The way the budget was crafted in the House, was based on the amount of money that we thought we would have,” Watson said.
When the Senate wanted to boost spending, the capital program was used without identifying new revenue.
As subscribers already know, the Senate did, indeed, provide for $270 million in funding for their programs. And they’ve backed away from $150 million of the $430 million in add-ons. So, the “new spending” actually comes in under the House’s spending limit. I’m really not sure why the proponents of this spending have not bothered to explain their plan, and I’m still wondering why the media hasn’t bothered to figure this out yet. It’s really not all that complicated. All you gotta do is pick up the phone and ask. That’s what I did last week.
* However, the other problem here - and it’s a big one - is that the leaders all agreed two years ago not to mess with the capital plan. An attempt by Gov. Pat Quinn at the time to mix the budget negotiations with the capital bill was roundly shouted down by everyone, including the Senate Democrats. Leader agreements are supposed to be inviolate. Senate President John Cullerton has told me this move wasn’t a violation, but I can’t see how it isn’t. He’s opened the door to further games on the capital plan, and that should not be allowed to happen. So, I can’t disagree with this part of a Pantagraph editorial…
These projects aren’t a pie-in-the-sky proposal to put people to work; they are putting people to work.
An estimated 52,000 people would be out of work if these state-funded projects are shut down. Illinois doesn’t needs that now. […]
Topinka said in a statement, “My message to fellow leaders is simple: Do not play games with capital projects and the jobs they bring to Illinois.”
So let’s see some leadership — from all sides. Resolve these questions before June 17 — and don’t hold the construction program hostage in an attempt to get action on unrelated matters.
* Meanwhile, in other news, ComEd made its case before the Sun-Times editorial board yesterday and outlined how its bill had improved…
†ComEd will go before the Illinois Commerce Commission every year, instead of every two to four years, so that the ICC can review how ComEd is spending the money.
†If the average residential rate increase is more than 2.5 percent by 2014, the entire program, including infrastructure investments and smart-meter installations, is terminated. Critics argue that ComEd will never hit the rate cap because energy-generation prices are dropping, and utility profits will continue to increase regardless of the consumer rates.
†ComEd’s profit margin is set at 10.25 percent rather than the initial requested 10.75 percent. ComEd says the 10.25 percent is less than the 10-year national average.
The Sierra Club, Environment Illinois and the National Resources Defense Council say the changes will create up to 5,000 new jobs in renewable energy by allowing urban rooftop owners to install solar and wind power on their roofs and creating new markets for small renewable energy generators.
The Citizens Utility Board says the bill has improved significantly, but still includes worrisome items such as a rate-hike cap that’s taken away after the first two years.
As usual with big utilities, ComEd introduced legislation that was so out of line that it had no chance of passing. By the time it made its changes, the die had been cast in public and legislative opinion. The company thought the changes would net it big, veto-proof majorities in both chambers. Instead, it managed just minimal majorities, all but inviting a gubernatorial veto.
Gov. Pat Quinn has already publicly brandished his veto stamp, but the Sun-Times wants more changes instead…
If Quinn does reject the bill, which already reflects a good deal of last-minute compromise on ComEd’s part, we urge him to do so with an amendatory veto that resolves the remaining issues in dispute. Protecting ratepayers shouldn’t come at the cost of missing out on a digital-era upgrade that could benefit consumers and businesses by making the entire electrical grid more efficient […]
By the time the Legislature’s fall veto session rolls around, the results of a smart grid pilot project should be in, giving a clearer indication of just how much money such a modernization might save.
By then, perhaps, both sides will have found a way to end the gridlock over the grid.
The Smart Grid is a fantastic idea. I first suggested to company executives seven years ago that they consider updating their technology to provide cable and Internet services. That probably couldn’t pass, either, because the cable and phone companies are way too powerful. That’s really too bad, because they have the biggest pipes of anybody and would bring some much-needed competition to the market. Either way, though, I cannot disagree with their push to upgrade their delivery system, but the top brass should’ve introduced a much better bill to begin with.
* Related and a roundup…
* “Game of chicken” puts local road projects in jeopardy: Though Koehler initially supported linking the capital projects to increased spending for human services and education in the ordinary state budget, he acknowledges that because the House wouldn’t go along it’s now time to drop the gambit. “We played the game of chicken and now we have to blink because we don’t want to see these projects stop or see people thrown out of work,” he said.
* Editorial: ComEd smart grid bill isn’t a wise idea right now: In fact, there’s lots of evidence the ComEd plan is not ready for launch and would benefit from the inspection the ICC would give. A May 30 Crain’s Chicago Business report said ComEd’s test of the new technology in the Chicago area “did not connect very well with consumers.”
* Letter seeks suspension of new hospital approvals: Three Chicago-area hospitals say a state board should wait to approve any new hospitals until Illinois establishes a Center for Comprehensive Health Planning called for in legislation.
* District claims family lives out of town, sues for $30K in tuition: The Carters say it is frustrating because they pay property taxes — money that underwrites the local school system — on the Oak Park condo they continue to call home. They say they showed district officials the tax paperwork and phone bills to prove they live there. But their children were still shown the door. Property records show Terri Shaw Carter is listed as the owner of the Oak Park residence.
* Felon, fired cop land sweet school jobs in Cicero and Berwyn district
* The prosecution finished its cross-examination of Rod Blagojevich yesterday and the defense intends to put a couple witnesses on the stand today. The prosecution may also offer closing arguments today and jury deliberations may begin tomorrow. BlackBerry users click here, everybody else can just kick back and watch the festivities…
* The problem with finding a “middle ground” on hot-button issues is that both well-funded sides of those issues are usually so radicalized that any attempt at compromise is seen as a complete surrender of principles. So, I wouldn’t hold out too much hope for compromise here…
Jody Weis wasn’t the only ex-city official that new police chief Garry McCarthy attempted to distance himself from on Monday. He also signaled a distaste for the gun control policies of former Mayor Richard M. Daley.
“My goal is to bring the gun debate back to the center,” McCarthy told aldermen. “I think that we have abolitionists on one side and I think that we have NRA and those kind of folks on the other side, and frankly it’s too polarizing a debate, and 95 percent of the country is somewhere in between.”
That is not something that would have been uttered by a Chicago public official a month ago. Daley was a relentless advocate of tough gun control laws—one of the “abolitionists” McCarthy referred to—and he tolerated no open dissent in city government. […]
“I think that we can protect the Second Amendment rights of people to bear firearms while at the same time preventing the illegal flow of firearms into our urban centers and killing our children,” he said. “That’s a pretty wide gap, and there’s someplace in between that we can come as a country.”
McCarthy noted that he’s the chairman of a policy committee on gun control for the Major Cities Chiefs Association. “That’s one of the things I’m committed to. And with a platform like Chicago, Illinois, I think we can bring attention to the matter and get something done.”
* And with cutbacks in the 311 program, I’m not sure how successful this will be, either…
Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s choice to run Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications vowed Tuesday to usher in a “cultural change” in 911 dispatching to free police officers to respond to the most serious crimes.
At his City Council confirmation hearing, Gary Schenkel said it’s high time that Chicago alter an outdated dispatch policy that sends police officers to respond to 70 percent of 911 calls, compared to 30 percent in other major cities.
Schenkel acknowledged it won’t be easy to wean Chicagoans of the habit of dialing 911 at every turn, calling the emergency number even for minor matters. It will require a major public relations campaign to divert lower priority calls to 311 or convince crime victims to file their reports online, Schenkel said. […]
“If we start with the hard-fact data — the actual emergency responses that require a body, a car, an engine, an ambulance — that’s our starting point,” Schenkel said.
“Then, we look at the other end of the spectrum and say, `These are the types of calls we’re getting. Where’s my car? I think it was stolen. No, it was booted. No, it was hooked. I don’t know.’ Then, we start pushing those over gradually. We have to start that public information campaign.”
Former Mayor Richard M. Daley’s administration talked for years about altering dispatch policy but didn’t amid fears of a political backlash.
* Meanwhile, the fear of violence is increasing exponentially in the city…
* Mobs Attack on City Buses: Police - Gang of teens storm bus, attack victims and run off with their belongings, police say
* Editorial: Mag Mile mobs - Chicago police need to target violent flash mobs
* But these buried nuggets in a Sun-Times story suggest that at least some of the problems are not real…
Mary L. McCarthy, a Gold Coast resident who is not related to the new chief, said flash mobs are giving her second thoughts about venturing out at night for the first time in the 13 years she’s lived in a high-rise in the 1400 block of North State Parkway. On Friday night, a crowd of about 20 youths gathered outside her building, she said. She claimed the youths pulled people out of cars and taxicabs, leading the doorman to lock the doors to her building.
“We need a bigger police presence. I don’t know, maybe bringing horses back would help. A show of force would stop this nonsense. This does not portend well for the summer,” she said.
Police Near North District commander Kenneth Angarone, however, said police responded to the scene at North State Parkway but did not find a “bona fide incident.’’
Several officers have also told the Sun-Times they were recently warned by superiors to tell family members not to ride their bikes on the lakefront because of incidents of mobs pushing people off their bikes — and sometimes pushing cyclists into the lake.
But Angarone said police also investigated those claims and could not determine the incidents were bona fide.
* The Capitol Police report forwarded to the Sangamon County State’s Attorney includes a previously undisclosed written statement from Sen. John Sullivan (D-Rushville). Sullivan claims in his statement that he followed Sen. Mike Jacobs over to the Republican side because he knew Jacobs was angry. He said he stood about ten feet away from Sen. Kyle McCarter’s desk and watched. Sullivan said that after some arguing, the two poked fingers at each other, then began “poking each other in the chest.”
“Jacobs then pushed Mccarter in the chest - he did not make a fist,” Sullivan wrote in his statement. Senators Bivins and LaHood then “pushed Jacobs back.” Sullivan “pulled” Jacobs away from the area, he claimed.
* Sen. Jacobs said in his statement that he had attempted to contact Sen. McCarter to apologize, but claimed McCarter “failed to return my call.”
* You can read the full police report by clicking here. As you know by now, the local state’s attorney decided not to press charges against Jacobs. Sen. Sullivan’s statement could go a long way toward explaining why.
*** UPDATE 1 *** From Sen. Jacobs…
Over the course of the past week, I have reflected on the events that took place during the final hours of the 2011 spring legislative session. It was during the debate of Senate Bill 1652 that Senator Kyle McCarter made remarks that I felt were far more direct and personal than is customary for the Illinois Senate.
While I remain disappointed of the direction of the debate, I also recognize that my emotions clouded my judgment as I approached Senator McCarter on the Senate floor following that debate. In hindsight, my actions in engaging Senator McCarter were inappropriate and have resulted in little more than lowering the respectful standards of the Illinois Senate. This event was, admittedly, an embarrassment to the institution in which I serve. For this, I apologize to each of my Senate colleagues and the people of the 36th Legislative District.
On two occasions, I have reached out to Senator McCarter’s office to extend a personal apology for my conduct. To date, I have yet to receive a response from him.
*** UPDATE 2 *** From the Senate President’s office…
Senate President John Cullerton released the following statement after Sangamon County State’s Attorney John Milhiser announced that criminal charges will not be filed from an incident on the floor of the Illinois Senate:
On May 31, Senator Kyle McCarter was admonished by the presiding officer for “invoking personalities” during debate on SB 1652. Following a vote
on the bill, Senator Mike Jacobs confronted Senator McCarter. The Senate Sargeant-At-Arms immediately approached Senator McCarter about formally reporting the incident to the Senate. He declined to pursue the matter with the Senate.
Senator McCarter elected to file a complaint with a Capitol Police who issued a report to the Sangamon County State’s Attorney. The State’s Attorney has recommended that this issue return to the Senate.
Personal attacks during debate and disorderly behavior should not be tolerated or condoned on the Senate floor. The conduct of both Senators Jacobs and McCarter is inconsistent with the Senate’s Rules governing decorum.
I am encouraging both Senators to reach an amicable solution among themselves. This will allow the Senate to move beyond this incident and focus on what matters to the People of Illinois.
Lawyers for Catholic Charities in the dioceses of Springfield, Peoria and Joliet are seeking an emergency injunction that would protect religious agencies who turn away unmarried couples who want to become foster parents — including couples in civil unions.
In a petition filed today in Sangamon County Circuit Court, the three Catholic Charities agencies sued the Illinois Attorney General and Department of Children and Family Services for threatening to enforce new policies that accommodate civil unions, which went into effect last week. The Attorney General’s office declined to comment until it could review the complaint.
In March, the attorney general’s office issued a letter stating that the office “received notice that Catholic Charities … discriminates against Illinois citizens based on race, marital status and sexual orientation” in the provision of foster care and adoption services and demanded that Catholic Charities turn over a wide range of documents in response.
The charities ask the court to declare that they are legally justified to preserve their current policy of exclusively granting licenses to married couples and single, non-cohabiting individuals and referring civil union couples to other child welfare agencies.
The charities ask the court to declare that they are legally justified to continue their current practices of working only with married couples and single, non-cohabiting individuals. Civil union couples are free to choose among dozens of other organizations for these services.
“Child welfare advocates know it is in the best interest of Illinois children for Catholic Charities to stay in this business,” said Steven Roach, Executive Director for Catholic Charities in the Springfield Diocese. “It’s tragic that there are people who believe unnecessarily disrupting the lives of thousands of vulnerable children is an acceptable outcome in this situation.”
All documents concerning complaints of discrimination against the Organization that were filed with the Illinois Department of Human Rights or in any state or federal court, including but not limited to complaints alleging discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, marital status or sexual orientation.
Everybody knew that Catholic Charities already “discriminated” based on marital status and sexual orientation. That’s been a longstanding practice. But race?
* Anyway, the Thomas More Society, which is handling the case, recently claimed that state law already protects Catholic Charities. Flashback…
“Catholic adoption agencies have no need to stop serving foster and adoption families,” said attorney Peter Breen of Chicago-based Thomas More Society. “In our view, Illinois law does not require sectarian agencies to abide by the same non-discrimination standard as non-sectarian agencies. We’re encouraging Catholic Charities adoption agencies to continue their work just as they have before.” […]
Thomas More Society attorneys argue the Illinois Human Rights Act currently does not force Illinois non-discrimination public accommodation laws on sectarian organizations, only non-sectarian groups. The Illinois Human Rights Act defines specifically where the non-discrimination laws apply, and sectarian adoption agencies are not listed. […]
Because “non-sectarian adoption agencies” are listed and sectarian are not, Breen argues that Catholic Charities may continue to operate without referring for fostering or adoption same sex or opposite sex couples whose partnerships are not considered marriage by the church’s definition.
If all goes according to plan, 22 gaming facilities would be within 90 minutes of downtown Chicago. That includes all existing casinos, new riverboats, the Chicago casino, the slot machines at racetracks and airports, as well as casinos in Milwaukee, Northwest Indiana and New Buffalo.
As noted in the piece, the station included Indiana, Wisconsin and Michigan casinos in its total. The resulting map…
Gov. Quinn has repeatedly stated that he’s open to the idea of a Chicago casino yet feels the state legislature’s move to expand gambling in Illinois is too “top-heavy.” Quinn has been quoted as saying he doesn’t want to see Illinois become the “Las Vegas of the Midwest.” […]
Looks like Quinn wasn’t merely saying “the sky is falling” just to say it, eh?
* I did a Google Maps search of Las Vegas for “casinos.” This is what came back…
I’m thinking the governor’s rhetoric is just a bit hyperbolic.
…Adding… Steve Schnorf makes a good point in comments…
I’m glad I wasn’t riding with the WBEZ crew the day they made it to Danville in 90 minutes.
No criminal charges will be filed in connection with a scuffle between two state lawmakers on the Senate floor last week, Sangamon County State’s Attorney John Milhiser said this morning.
“This matter is best resolved internally by the Illinois Senate and not in the criminal courts,” Milhiser said in a news release.
* The Question: Do you agree or disagree with Sangamon County State’s Attorney John Milhiser not to prosecute Sen. Jacobs? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments.
*** UPDATE *** I asked the Senate President’s office about the state’s attorney’s decision. Now that Milhiser has decided that this Jacobs thing should be “resolved internally,” I wrote in an e-mail, what are the Senate’s plans to resolve it internally? The e-mailed response…
We still haven’t received a copy of the report. And since Sen. McCarter declined to pursue a report with the Sergeant At Arms, we don’t have our own. Once we review the report, we will proceed with the appropriate course of action.
* From an Illinois State Rifle Association member alert…
The ISRA is warning its members to think twice about selecting Chicago as a vacation destination this summer. This warning was issued in response to a recent dramatic upswing in violent crime in the windy city. Most notably is a spate of so-called “flash mob” attacks where as many as two dozen young men ambush and savagely beat their victims before robbing them of their valuables. One recent flash mob victim was a 68 year-old man.
The bulk of the flash mob attacks have taken place on Chicago’s near north side and Gold Coast areas to include North Avenue Beach and the Magnificent Mile. The attack locations are within the general vicinity of tourist attractions including Navy Pier, Lincoln Park Zoo, and Millennium Park.
Thus far, the Chicago Police Department has had little luck controlling these flash mobs with only 4 participants having been apprehended. This ability to confound the police stems from the very nature of flash mobbing. Participants either get a text message on their smart phone or receive a “tweet” on a social networking site telling them where to show up and how to behave – with the specified behavior usually involving larceny or assault. Flash mob participants arrive at the site at a particular time and, after committing the specified crimes, scatter before police can arrive. The sheer number of flash mob participants overpowers the victims – rendering them helpless against the mob.
As most of our readers know, the most effective defense a victim could muster against a flash mob would be for the victim to draw a concealed firearm. As most of our readers also know, Illinois is one of only two states in the nation that deny citizens the right to carry defensive firearms.
Suddenly surrounded by more than a dozen teens who snatched their possessions, the victims said they had no time to react.
“It was boom, like a swarm of insects,” said Krzysztof Wilkowski, a 34-year-old insurance agent from the northwest suburbs who was attacked by about 20 young men as he sat on his scooter in the 300 block of East Chicago.
“It just happened too quick. I didn’t even have time to be scared.”
Also, despite ISRA’s claims, this wasn’t a “flash mob” in the traditional sense. The coppers say this was a gang of roving teens, not coordinated via social media, etc.
* Also, the thugs did not have guns, so shooting them might not be allowed even with concealed carry…
And he “definitely” considers himself lucky in one respect — none of his attackers was armed with anything deadlier than a baseball.
◆Derodte Wright, 18, of the 3500 block of South State Street, a student at Perspectives Charter School, accused of attacking nursing student Ryan Dacumos and robbing him on the Lake Michigan bikepath near Chicago Ave. around 8.30 p.m. Described in court by his attorney as a good student with prospects of a college baseball scholarship, Wright was ordered held on bail of $200,000 by Cook County Judge Maria Kuriakos Ciesil.
◆Trovulus Pickett, 17, a Youth Connections Leadership Academy student who lives in the 8400 block of South Dorchester. Also charged with the robbery of Dacumos, Pickett allegedly teamed up with other youths to attack a 68-year-old Seattle physician Jack Singer in the 300 block of East Chicago Avenue minutes earlier, stealing his iPad and phone, and is also accused of robbing a Japanese doctor of his iPod in the 700 block of North Lake Shore Drive a few minutes later. Pickett’s bail was set at $300,000.
◆Dvonte Sykes, 17, of the 7500 block of South Normal, a student at Carver Vocational Career Academy, accused of robbing a Thai man who was taking photographs in the 700 block of North Lake Shore Drive and with taking part in a “mob action” in which northwest suburban insurance agent Krzysztof Wilkowski fought off robbers who tried to take his scooter in the 300 block of East Chicago. Sykes’ bail was set at $250,000.
* As you already know, Senate President John Cullerton filed a motion to reconsider on the gaming expansion bill. The motion keeps the legislation out of Gov. Pat Quinn’s hands until people can calm Quinn down a bit. Then, there’s the fight over the capital/road approp bill. But Cullerton also filed a motion to reconsider the ComEd/Ameren bill…
Senate President John Cullerton is employing a legislative tactic to keep the recently passed measure from reaching Gov. Pat Quinn’s desk. The governor has pledged to veto the bill, which would increase electricity rates over the next five years in return for $2.6 billion in power-grid upgrades, including installation of “smart meters” in homes and businesses.
Mr. Cullerton filed a motion to reconsider the bill, which could keep it out of the governor’s hands for up to 60 days. The bill didn’t garner sufficient enough majorities in the House or Senate to override a veto. But a delay would give ComEd and other supporters time to line up additional votes or negotiate changes that would win over Mr. Quinn.
“The motion to reconsider gives the governor and lawmakers more time to consider the legislation and possible future action,” a spokeswoman for Mr. Cullerton wrote in an email.
* Speaking of the ComEd/Ameren bill, Sen. Kyle McCarter continues to post links on his Facebook page about the scuffle with Sen. Mike Jacobs, including the caption to this photo…
with Little Miss Mowequa Pow Wow Days at parade this morning. Heard all kinds of comments about “the punch”. Keep fighting for us, thanks for standing up to that bully, etc.
Sen. Jacobs did more than vote on the matter. His vote may well have been immaterial. But he sponsored the bill and took the floor to urge his colleagues to support a bill that his dad has been paid to lobby through the Legislature.
I have always liked Denny Jacobs. And I don’t deny his right to act as a paid lobbyist. But if Denny Jacobs is going to lobby for passage of a bill, Sen. Mike Jacobs should abstain entirely on the matter. Otherwise there is an appearance that if you hire Denny you might also be getting the senator as well. If Mike Jacobs wants to be seen as having integrity, he must avoid the appearances of impropriety. He can’t do something which, in the words of The Dispatch/Argus editorial, is “a conflict by nearly everyone’s standards.” And if this is “a conflict by nearly everyone’s standards,” is it not time for the Illinois Legislature to pass a Code of Legislative Conduct comparable to the to the Code of Judicial Conduct, with comparable sanctions?
* Sen. McCarter, by the way, owns and operates a company called Custom Coating Innovations, which makes products for - wait for it - electric utility companies. McCarter voted against the ComEd/Ameren bill, of course. But there was a potential conflict of interest there as well.
An additional irony of this whole mess is that Sen. Jacobs was the only Democrat in the chamber to vote for McCarter’s workers’ compensation reform bill.
* A congressional bid and the likely loss of project funding in his district has provoked a major rethink by at least one state Senator about what happened at the end of session. As you’ll recall, the Senate Democrats tacked $430 million in additional spending onto the capital/road bill. That amendment was rejected by the House, but the Senate President has said he still wants that cash (well, much of it - you’ll apparently have to subscribe to get the full story). Sen. Koehler might not be the only one to back away. From what I’m hearing, you can expect some other Downstate Dems to follow suit…
Sen. Dave Koehler, D-Peoria, said Senate Democrats were trying to send a message that they thought the state’s basic operations budget, which was prepared in the house, is inadequate.
“I think it was important politically for the Senate Democrats because we were forced to vote on a budget none of us agreed with,” Koehler said.
Now, though, he’s prepared to separate the operations money from the capital projects.
“I think we have to deal with it as two separate issues,” Koehler said. “The capital bill is essential for us to continue projects this summer. I don’t want to tie them together.”
* Gov. Quinn wants that extra budget money as well, and he’s using the possibility of holding up project funding to get it. But he’s hitting a brick wall on both sides of the aisle in the House…
A bill must get a three-fifths majority if it is to pass after May 31, which means at least some Republicans, seven in the House and one in the Senate, must sign on. And it sounds as if Quinn cannot even count on support from members of his own party.
House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie (D-Chicago) says “it makes sense to call us back if there is a plan. I haven’t seen a plan come from the governor that is likely to win sufficient support in the legislature in both chambers to make a difference.”
House Minority Leader Tom Cross (R-Oswego) says, “Spending more is something we can’t afford to do right now, and I’m kind of amazed that not everyone gets that.”
Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig said the state won’t have the authority to spend money for any work done beginning July 1, when the state’s new fiscal year starts.
* But as a commenter noted yesterday, the administration might be able to cut contracts that pay in advance…
(30 ILCS 105/9.05) (from Ch. 127, par. 145f)
Sec. 9.05. In the event that a voucher is submitted for advance payment of goods or services, the certification prescribed by Section 9.04 shall be made. In addition, the voucher shall state on its face that the goods or services are being procured pursuant to a formal, written contract the terms of which require advance payment. If it is not possible to execute a written contract, the voucher shall so state. The voucher shall also state that the contract requires the goods or services to be delivered or received prior to the expiration of the lapse period of the fiscal year to which the expenditures are charged, provided however, that such a statement shall not be required on vouchers submitted for periodical subscriptions or organizational memberships.
(Source: P.A. 82‑790.)
* The Senate Dems may want to start explaining how paying for all of their desired spending is already built into the budget. Subscribers already know why, but nobody else is covering it, perhaps because they aren’t being properly spoon-fed…
Syverson said that calling lawmakers back to the Capitol during the summer for “political games” is dangerous.
“If (Democrats) want to hold out for additional spending that the state doesn’t have, and they want to kill the capital and road program for this year, then they have to go home and explain to their constituents and the taxpayers why they did that,” said Syverson.
* Kadner: Construction halt threatened, but state has road funds: I don’t know who is right about whether Quinn can actually spend the $16 billion, but I know what this looks like to the rest of the country. Illinois is a mess. Its government can’t even be counted on to finish road projects once they are started.
* Tribune: Senate Democrats try a maneuver that’s too cute by half: As for you, motorist, transit user and taxpayer: Bear in mind that House Democrats, House Republicans and Senate Republicans are willing to live within the spending limits that the $33.2 billion budget bill already sets in place. So if spending on construction projects comes to a halt this summer, you can thank Cullerton’s Senate Democrats and Gov. Quinn.
* Construction projects could halt if spending bill remains stalled
There’s pretty much no doubt that Illinois will be the focal point of national efforts by Democrats to regain control of the U.S. House of Representatives. The new map of Illinois congressional districts puts five traditionally Republican-held congressional districts into play for the first time in a decade.
But if Democrats are going to make those gains, they will need help from the Illinois Democratic Party –and that is where things get sticky. In the 1980s, Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan, the state party’s chairman, began focusing that apparatus on raising cash to elect members of the Illinois House; not members of Congress. Today, that’s the party’s sole mission.
Political insiders have begun raising questions about the state party now that the remap is a done deal. Why? Because a better focused party may have made the difference in two recent unsuccessful, but close, races for Congress: Tammy Duckworth in the 6th Congressional District in 2006 and Lauren Beth Gash in the 10th Congressional District in 2000.
The answer to their original question is “Probably not.” Madigan does what he does and leaves the rest up to others.
* Meanwhile, Real Clear Politics’ Senior Elections Analyst doesn’t quite get an important aspect of how the new congressional districts were drawn. Democratic mapmakers factored in John Kerry’s 2004 presidential race as well as the 2006 gubernatorial contest when drawing up their maps. Looking at just the two landslide years of 2008 (Democratic) and 2010 (Republican) doesn’t give us enough data to make a solid judgement on their mapmaking abilities. And from what the Democrats are saying, some suburban districts are gradually shifting more Democratic over the years, mainly because of Latino migration. That is evidenced, they say, by comparing Bush ‘04 with Brady ‘10. Also, nowhere mentioned in the analysis is the statewide third party performance last year, which contributed to some of the lower Democratic numbers….
8th District (POTUS: 62 percent Dem) (Gov: 48 percent Dem) (Sen: 46 percent Dem) (Treas: 42 percent Dem). Joe Walsh, a political unknown who narrowly defeated Democrat Melissa Bean in 2010, no longer resides in this district, and about two-thirds of his old district has been moved to the 6th. Obama’s vote share increased from 56 percent to 62 percent, a substantial improvement. Overall, this is a pretty Democratic district, but remember that Republicans were able to hold the neighboring 10th in 2010, which gave Obama 61 percent of the vote. In addition, the Democratic ticket had some problems here in 2010. In a good enough Republican year, or if the suburbs swing back toward Republicans, a Republican would be competitive.
10th District (POTUS: 64 percent Dem) (Gov: 50.4 percent Dem) (Sen: 44 percent Dem) (Treas: 44 percent Dem). Bob Dold is probably going to see his congressional career cut short. The partisan makeup of this Northern Chicago district didn’t change that much, but the Democrats in his district now tend to be more reliable Democratic voters. Still, Alex Giannoulias ran poorly for the Senate here (in part because Mark Kirk represented much of this area), while Pat Quinn barely won. It would take a good GOP year and probably a general movement of the suburbs back toward Republicans, but a Republican candidate could win here.
11th District (POTUS: 62 percent Dem) (Gov: 49 percent Dem) (Sen: 48 percent Dem) (Treas: 45 percent Dem). Current 11th District Congressman Adam Kinzinger now resides in Jesse Jackson Jr.’s district. This Southwestern Chicago district is actually more of a new district, drawing about half of its voters from the old 13th District (the district that was technically eliminated), and a quarter each from old 11th and 14th. Once again, this will tend to elect a Democrat in most years, but the 2010 Democratic ticket’s performance was underwhelming. In a good GOP year, the Republicans should be competitive and, once again, if the suburbs shift a bit toward the Republicans in the next decade, the Democrats would find this a 50-50 district.
12th District (POTUS: 56 percent Dem) (Gov: 47 percent Dem) (Sen: 48 percent Dem) (Treas: 48 percent Dem). Jerry Costello will probably keep this Southwest Illinois district for as long as he wants it (although an obscure opponent held him below 60 percent in 2010). But at age 61, it is far from certain that his career will span this entire decade. Should the seat open up, it would be a competitive district.
13th District (POTUS: 56 percent Dem) (Gov: 40 percent Dem) (Sen: 41 percent Dem) (Treas: 40 percent Dem). Since the old 13th was technically eliminated, this is really John Shimkus’ renumbered 19th. But Shimkus will see a lot of new voters; only about 30 percent of his old constituents live in this district. Still, aside from Barack Obama, the Democratic ticket fared poorly here in 2010, and in all but the best Democratic years, the seat should still elect a Republican.
17th District (POTUS: 61 percent Dem) (Gov: 42 percent Dem) (Sen: 42 percent Dem) (Treas: 45 percent Dem). This is probably the biggest head-scratcher of the bunch, and it may be that some incomplete data are making the 2010 Democratic performance look weaker than it really was. Freshman GOP Rep Bobby Schilling’s district has been made much more compact. It’s also been made more Democratic; Obama’s vote share here was improved by about four points. But Obama ran unusually well in the northwest portion of the state, which is traditionally a GOP stronghold. As you see, the rest of the Democratic ticket apparently had a terrible showing here in 2010. To be sure, a Democrat can win this district, and Schilling, who came to Congress with little experience, could have a rough time in 2012 with Obama atop the ticket. But a GOP candidate could win here as well; the district is probably more of a tossup in a “normal” year.
* There’s no question that the Democrats did horribly Downstate last year. There’s also little doubt that Obama won’t do as well in the Metro East as he did in 2008. So, the Republicans may be simply attempting to gin up a little negative chatter with a low-cost Web video…
Costelllo is hit on Medicare–in a web ad that basically says he did not support a GOP Medicare overhaul plan. It’s a bit of table turning; Democrats are going after Republicans–(re the Democratic recent win in a New York House race) over the Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.) Medicare proposal.
A GOP source told me they National Republican Congressional Committee did the spot because they think Costello left himself weaker in the new district he drew for himself to run from in 2012. Illinois Republicans asked Gov. Pat Quinn not to sign the map and signaled they will fight the Democratic plan in federal court.
* ’Burbs flex muscle in new congressional map: The new 8th Congressional District, drawn without any incumbent, creates an open seat that’s already attracted interest from two Democrats, both of Hoffman Estates — former state comptroller candidate Raja Krishnamoorthi and Iraq War veteran Tammy Duckworth, who lost to Roskam in 2006. The circular shaped district, which Roskam’s new Pac-Man shaped district is seemingly eating, contains some of the most independent voting portions of Northwest Cook and DuPage County — Addison, Hanover and Elk Grove townships, and parts of Wheeling Township.
* Representing the 17th District - Today a long time Quad Cities politician Mike Boland came to Rockford to express his interest in representing the 17th district.
* HERITAGE: ACTION — Heritage Action says it ’s spending $300,000 in 11 congressional districts thanking them for “an unflinching commitment to conservative principles on issues both large and small; including an adult-like and essential reform of Medicare.” They’re calling the lawmakers the Magnificent 11: Republican Reps. Justin Amash (Mich.), Bill Huizenga (Mich.), Dan Benishek (Mich.), Tim Walberg (Mich.), Steve Chabot (Ohio), Steve King (Iowa), Mick Mulvaney (S.C.), Steve Pearce (N.M.), Steve Southerland (Fla.), Joe Walsh (Ill.) and Alan West (Fla.). Just King was part of the 111th Congress. Pearce, Walberg and Chabot served in previous congresses.
