38 Comments - Ahoy - Tuesday, Aug 23, 11 @ 11:46 am: Gave him a 4, didn’t do much big and has a hard time keeping his caucus in line. - K3_Spfld_Chi - Tuesday, Aug 23, 11 @ 11:49 am: As a Republican, I don’t like much of what he had done but I still give him a 6 b/c of his staff. Patterson and Janas are doing a good job on Work Comp and cigarrettes should be taxed more. - Spliff - Tuesday, Aug 23, 11 @ 11:57 am: i gave him a 6. He has come into his own as the leader of the caucus even with some big bumps in the road. His big leadership test will come with the 2012 elections with a few open seats and some retirements. - Fed up - Tuesday, Aug 23, 11 @ 12:03 pm: I would have to say a 6. He is laying low and staying out of the public eye. The state is in sad shape and he is one of the states leaders so his grade reflects that. - siriusly - Tuesday, Aug 23, 11 @ 12:12 pm: I gave him an 8. On one hand he should be able to do anything he wants in his chamber with such a large majority. On the other hand is caucus is notoriously stubborn, independent, power hungry, etc. He does a nice job of moving progressive stuff through and still keeping things productively functioning (vs all out combative) with the House. If he would bring the GOP in to some discussions he might get a 10 even. He’s a bright guy, he seems to have found a good balance. - downstate hack - Tuesday, Aug 23, 11 @ 12:13 pm: I would say a three. All leadership in Illinois has been unrealistic about the budget. Until they recognize the huge problems and fix them no leader of either caucus deserves more than a three - Rich Miller - Tuesday, Aug 23, 11 @ 12:19 pm: I see that the silly hyper-partisans are out in force again today with their “one” votes. Sheesh. - The Southern - Tuesday, Aug 23, 11 @ 12:19 pm: 1 The state is in sad shape in three areas economcically, fiscally, and regulatory. The same faces collectively still have unfettered control. The “leaders” therefore earn a 0 individually and collectively. Since 0 is not an option, 1 is being generous. - in absentia - Tuesday, Aug 23, 11 @ 12:34 pm: 10 - I’m a GOP who’s known Sen. Cullerton since his days as chairman of the HJUD II Committee. Love him. - Cheryl44 - Tuesday, Aug 23, 11 @ 1:06 pm: 10. He’s my senator and I feel well represented by him. - way south of I-80 - Tuesday, Aug 23, 11 @ 1:07 pm: You can get in to see him when you need to and he listens carefully/respectfully. He is a natural problem solver and negotiator. When he supports a bill he actually works it! His interests/priorities are many and include the entire state. When he makes a statement - it is gospel - no back peddling. I would give him a 10. Plus he’s funny! - Mark - Tuesday, Aug 23, 11 @ 1:09 pm: Cullerton needs to curtail State pensions going forward ASAP. Obviously it depends on person and plan, not all are overly generous, many if not most are. These pensions are overly generous. Too many perks. Exchange 2 year unused sick leave so you can retire 2 years earlier. 6% increases last 4 years of career. The income tax hike went to public pensions, I need it for my 401k. The State Contribution “on behalf” which even if the state were to pay on time seems to be at least 10% - too high. That on-behalf contribution is outside (in addition to) the pension funds rate of return, the employee contribution, and the employer contribution). My employer doesn’t contribute 10% to my 401k. Many retiring at 55 with full retirement, I have to wait to 67. State constitution pension protection clause passed in 1970 guarantees these pensions, whereas US constitution does not guarantee social security. I could go on and on. If you think these pensions are so fair why doesn’t someone tell the general public the real story in an easy to read FAQ sheet. Quit touting “averages” which include teachers who have only taught a few years and instead tell about real situations. The “average” suburban teacher after 35 years receives at least a $75,000 pension and retires well before 67 and the largest contributor, as the system is designed, is the taxpayer through the State of IL contribution, not the teacher. And something to the tune of 39% of teachers don’t pay a penny to the pension plan, the district pays it “on-behalf” of the teacher. Incredible. How many taxpayers in those districts know the teacher is not contributing a penny to their pension plan, as class sizes increase. - Small Town Liberal - Tuesday, Aug 23, 11 @ 1:11 pm: Solid 7. He’s not my favorite leader, but I loved the letters he wrote in response to the other states’ leaders dissing Illinois. - Way Way Down Here - Tuesday, Aug 23, 11 @ 1:26 pm: I gave him an eight. I think he leads well and is pretty solid. Smart. Plus I feel bad about all the Wally Shawn cracks. - Ghost - Tuesday, Aug 23, 11 @ 1:29 pm: I gave him a 10. He is herding cats dealing with the senate Dems. He puts a lot of thought into his actions and positions and seems interested in doing what he thinks is best. - wordslinger - Tuesday, Aug 23, 11 @ 1:32 pm: –Solid 7. He’s not my favorite leader, but I loved the letters he wrote in response to the other states’ leaders dissing Illinois.– I’ll second that. I’d add that way too many Illinois “leaders” think they can make a living by running the state down, when they should be building it up. If a guy with the immense “talents” of Pat Brady can make a good living in this state, it truly is the land of opportunity. Yet he never has anything good to say about it. He should try carrying a lunch bucket to work some day. - Loop Lady - Tuesday, Aug 23, 11 @ 1:35 pm: I gave him a six…it’s a lousy , difficult time to be in leadership, and I think he has one a good job of keeping his caucus on task. Sorry about the Wally Shawn comparison, but in that particular photo, he did look just like him…IMHO he is a good looking Irishman for his age and all the stress he’s under… - CircularFiringSquad - Tuesday, Aug 23, 11 @ 1:37 pm: 10 President Cullerton could get that score because he scraped the other guy’s name off the door. In reality he gets it because he has crafted some good ideas that are helping to pull the state out of the Blagoof-designed sink hole. He has maintained his personal views about gun safety, smoking and related causes while helping some of his less facile members get their impossible dreams across the goal line. - L.S. - Tuesday, Aug 23, 11 @ 1:38 pm: I gave him a 4. He had some accomplishments but the way he handled the spending showdown showed his weaknesses as a leader. - Bill - Tuesday, Aug 23, 11 @ 1:41 pm: I gave him a 10 because I’m a silly hyper- partisian and John still acts like a democrat most of the time. - Bill - Tuesday, Aug 23, 11 @ 1:44 pm: Mark, It is hard to tell sometimes if you are a liar or just incredibly ignorant of the issue. - Curious - Tuesday, Aug 23, 11 @ 1:45 pm: Way south, he was funny when I worked for the House in the early 80’s. The Ellis Levin impersonation was awesome. Great entertainment on the late, late nights. - Rich Miller - Tuesday, Aug 23, 11 @ 1:48 pm: Bill, you’re really one to talk. lol Just sayin… - 47th Ward - Tuesday, Aug 23, 11 @ 2:20 pm: I gave him a 7. It would have been higher if his budget plan prevailed, but Madigan and Cross stuck to their guns. I definitely preferred the Senate bill, but understand how the House process carried the day. I am willing to revise it upward depending on whether a supplemental moves forward before May. Stayed tuned. I agree with the others who noted how hard it is to hold that caucus together and yes, what a great sense of humor he has. If 7.5 was an option, I’d give him that score. - Guilty as Charged - Tuesday, Aug 23, 11 @ 2:52 pm: You can’t deny that he is probably the hardest working legislative leader Illinois has had in a long, long time. He came in when all hell was breaking loose and he’s maneuvered the critics of his caucus who thinks he’s too close to Madigan. Lets not forget, he was the leader who drove the capital bill process, proving that the GOP, Dems and both chambers can work together if they’re willing to. He also deserves great credit to ensuring that the Senate has not been the place for most issue meltdowns even though he’s managing a difficult caucus and an absolutely hyper-partisan tea party-controlled bunch of idiots who’ve taken control of the Senate GOP. So, 9. - CircularFiringSquad - Tuesday, Aug 23, 11 @ 3:00 pm: Wow only 25 swings Workforce better get going….less than 75 minutes until mandatory “wash up” time. - Bman - Tuesday, Aug 23, 11 @ 3:29 pm: I gave him a three. if he’s not part of the solution, he’s part of the problem! - Mark - Tuesday, Aug 23, 11 @ 3:37 pm: Bill, it would be helpful if you could provide specifics including if you are one of the people in line for such a pension. - Lulabell - Tuesday, Aug 23, 11 @ 3:40 pm: I gave him an 8. I think he does a good solid job given all that he has to contend with…..and he is still reachable when people want to meat with him….maybe not as much as before he was President but much more than the Speaker - walkinfool - Tuesday, Aug 23, 11 @ 3:46 pm: I gave him a 4. Good man, good ideas, but didn’t sieze a rare opportunity to implement a new budgeting process as fully as the House,(even though it started with Sen. Kotowski.) Needs to grow in the tough leadership skills sometimes needed to herd those cats. He will get better over time. - Mark - Tuesday, Aug 23, 11 @ 3:49 pm: Also I was primarily referring to Teachers Retirement System (TRS) in the collar counties. If you want to quote the facts of other pensions feel free. The unions, school boards, district administration, TRS, and politicians have not articulated this story to the taxpayers who are footing the bill. - Michelle Flaherty - Tuesday, Aug 23, 11 @ 4:22 pm: Mark, you may have missed the media coverage of Cullerton saying TRS should cease as a state responsibility and should instead be funded locally so the school boards — rather than the state — get to budget for the school board decisions. http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Cullerton+teacher+pensions - chicagoj - Tuesday, Aug 23, 11 @ 5:34 pm: 8, based on what’s already been said re: accessibility, caucus-management, and demeanour. - acl - Tuesday, Aug 23, 11 @ 6:06 pm: Zero. Cullterton, Quinn, and all the Dems deserve zeros. They are totally corrupt and self-serving. The state is bankrupt, and they are doing nothing to fix the glaring problems except raising taxes and protecting the interests of their campaign contributors. Why Oh Why won’t they truly reform the Pension and Workers Compensation systems? Illinois is a national laughing-stock, and people and businesses are voting with their feet. - Tough Guy - Tuesday, Aug 23, 11 @ 6:23 pm: Gave him a 9. Seems like a very personable guy and is truly interested about public safety issues ranging from driving to health. Seems to actually care about the little guy whereas Quinn and Madigan have their personal agendas. - mokenavince - Tuesday, Aug 23, 11 @ 9:53 pm: I gave him a 5,luke warm personality. Never be a true leader, we need true reform on workers comp. we got mush. - 41st Ward - Wednesday, Aug 24, 11 @ 2:01 am: John Cullerton is the brightest legislator in Sprinfield. Cullerton understands how to handle his majority. Cullerton is a true leader, that many factions dislike, because he understands the complexities of the legislature so well. Speaker Madigan is a close second. - Not in the know - Wednesday, Aug 24, 11 @ 6:11 am: Mark…I think the Tribune (along with the Civic Federation)has done a good job lately putting the pension issue to the frontline. I know of one State Senator who publishes every article on the subject on his Facebook account for his constituents, constantly calling for reform. “To the Bill”, I gave Cullerton a 4, IMO he played too many partisan games during budget process and did not have the best interest in the state as whole. Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.