[Password protection removed since others have picked up on the story.]
* 4:31 pm - The House is coming back on Monday. No word yet on the Senate. [ADDING: I’m hearing maybe Tuesday for a Senate return.] From a memo sent by House Speaker Michael Madigan…
To: All House Members (District Office & Springfield Office)
Date: December 6, 2011
Re: House Session
The House will convene on Monday, December 12, at 12 noon.
The schedule will be:
Monday, December 12, 2011
10 am House Revenue Committee, Room 114
11 am House Republican Caucus
12 noon House convenes Floor Session
The House plans to convene and adjourn on Monday, December 12.
A spokesman for Senate President John Cullerton said that while he has not yet announced anything, “Tuesday is a good possibility.”
House Revenue Committee Chairman John Bradley, D-Marion, who has been leading negotiations on a big tax-break deal, said nothing yet is complete, but seemed to suggest that just a a few loose ends need to be tied up.
The fact that a session has been called “is not a bad sign,” Mr. Bradley said. “We want to get this done before the holidays and have some certainty.”
llinois lawmakers will return to session Monday to consider a series of tax breaks, hoping to head off departure of Chicago’s largest derivatives exchanges and a major retailer to other states.
Only a week ago, the state House of Representatives overwhelmingly rejected the measure, which would provide tax relief to CME Group Inc. (CME), CBOE Holdings Inc. (CBOE) and Sears Holdings Corp. (SHLD).
It isn’t clear whether legislative leaders and Democratic Governor Pat Quinn have reached agreement on how to present the legislation to the General Assembly. It is possible lawmakers will vote on each of the tax breaks individually, rather than grouped together in a large package.
“It’s a work in progress,” Quinn’s spokeswoman Brooke Anderson said Tuesday night.
* The folks at the Indiana Economic Development Corporation are making some bold claims these days. For instance, the Economist reports…
Katelyn Hancock, a spokesperson for the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, says her state has been in competition with Illinois 43 times this year to win new investment—and won 40 times.
Already this year, 16 companies moved all or a portion of their operations from Illinois to Indiana, which the IEDC estimates brought the state 1,500 new jobs and more than $305.1 million in investment.
* I asked Gov. Pat Quinn’s spokespeople for a response and they didn’t directly dispute Indiana’s numbers…
Governor Quinn is focused on creating jobs and working hard to make Illinois an even more attractive place to do business not only in the Midwest, but globally. The Governor has an aggressive long-term strategy for bringing quality jobs to Illinois, which includes innovation, exports and foreign investment, business-friendly legislation, and addressing infrastructure needs. And we don’t need to exaggerate our success; the proof is in the numbers.
According to the U.S. Labor Department, from October 2010 to October 2011, Indiana lost 12,400 jobs, a 0.4 percent decline in employment. Illinois added 60,500 jobs in that same time period. Illinois added 30,000 jobs in October, more than any other state. Since January 2010, Illinois has added 108,100 jobs ranking Illinois first in the Midwest in job creation. Illinois is home to 10 companies in the Fortune 100, 19 in the top 250 and 31 in the top 500. Indiana, by contrast, has five in the top 500. While Illinois’ corporate tax rate is at 7 percent, Indiana’s corporate rate is 8.5 percent - 20 percent higher than Illinois).
However, our competition isn’t Indiana, it’s India. The Governor is focused on making sure Illinois remains competitive on a global scale. We’re in a National recession, this is a national issue that every state is facing. The reality is that Midwestern states need to work together more, not less, to market the region to global visitors and business. An approach that focuses on picking off a neighboring state’s business is short-sighted and is a losing strategy for our region.
“Right to work” is not a strategy to achieve economic progress and create jobs.
* An Indiana news story from last month suggests the Hoosiers are prone to exaggeration…
In his zeal to sell Hoosiers on a right-to-work bill, House Speaker Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis, appears to be playing fast and loose with the facts about job creation in Indiana.
Several times this week, Bosma has proclaimed Indiana “the envy of the Midwest in our job-creation efforts,” and said if Indiana enacted a right-to-work law it would “remove the last barriers to job creation” and “help the quarter of a million unemployed Hoosiers get back to work.”
But far from being best in the Midwest, data released Tuesday by the U.S. Labor Department shows Indiana is not creating jobs; it’s losing jobs.
From October 2010 to October 2011, Indiana lost 12,400 jobs, a 0.4 percent decline in employment. The only state to do worse was Georgia, a right-to-work state, which lost 27,900 jobs, or 0.9 percent of employment year-to-year.
Each of Indiana’s neighboring states — Illinois, Michigan, Ohio and Kentucky — all added jobs during that same period, including 60,500 jobs in Illinois and 48,900 jobs in Michigan.
None of those states has a right-to-work law.
* Indiana is so fervent about the idea of wooing CME Group that at least two towns are competing to host the company. Indianapolis is one, suburban Carmel is another…
CME Group appears to be the subject of a Nov. 3 letter from Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard. In it, Brainard offers $150 million in tax incentives, plus free land and expedited permits for an 800,000-square-foot headquarters, and a 425,000-square-foot “data center facility.”
* But despite the fact that the Board of Trade contributed heavily to Gov. Quinn’s campaign last year, Sen. Bill Brady has been an outspoken proponent of its tax cut…
State Sen. Bill Brady, R-Bloomington, says he believes a tax break deal to help CME Group, Sears and some small businesses can still be done by the end of the year.
The Illinois House overwhelmingly rejected the plan last week after the Senate passed the measure.
“I’ve had some discussions with some folks (in the House) that I’ve asked to step up and be leaders in the Chicago area to try to get this done,” Brady said.
You don’t see that too often in Illinois. So, whatever you think of the CME proposal, kudos to Brady.
The La Salle County Board will hold its January meeting at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Ottawa to accommodate those concerned about the plan to build a 315-acre sand mine next to the east entrance of Starved Rock State Park on private property.
If I ever leave here I hope never to return
If I get that van back, Man, the road I’m gonna burn
Right now my future’s in the hands of the boys down at Firestone
Stuck in Indianapolis feeling all alone
* I told subscribers a bit more about one of House Speaker Michael Madigan’s Democratic primary opponents this morning, and Greg Hinz adds to the story…
In a phone interview Monday evening, [Michele Piszczor] insisted she’s not a Republican plant, despite some indications to the contrary, but merely a recent college graduate who became “disgusted” at what she saw when she moved back home a few years ago. […]
That having been said, there’s been lots and lots of buzz about who sent Ms. Piszczor.
Like my report yesterday that Jim Edwards, a consultant who often works for Republicans, is chairing her campaign. (Ms. Pisczczor says Mr. Edwards is a “family friend.”) Or a report in Capitol Fax this morning that megabucks conservative activist Jack Roeser is bankrolling her. (Mr. Roeser was not available for comment.)
* I also talked to Jim Edwards today. He said that Roeser hadn’t yet committed to bankrolling Piszczor. But Jon Zahm, whom I quoted in my piece today, says he stands by his original quotes, which were that Roeser “is supporting” Piszczor.
Edwards chairs Piszczor’s campaign and also runs Roeser’s Illinois Republican Renaissance PAC (Roeser’s Family Taxpayers Network PAC has been dissolved).
That’s no mere coincidence.
* By the way, I concur with Greg’s belief (and laid out why to subscribers this morning) that the other two Democratic primary candidates are likely put-ups by Madigan to dilute Piszczor’s vote. They obviously knew Piszczor was circulating petitions. You can’t sneeze in that district without Madigan finding out about it. This, however, is troubling…
Since she started circulating her nomination petitions, Ms. Piszczor says her car tires have been slashed and its door beat in. “I’ve had city trucks going around my house at 1:30 a.m. and I wake up to find flat tires,” she says.
Then again, one of my tires was slashed while my car was parked in front of Madigan’s house one night many years ago, back when I briefly lived in the 13th Ward.
Hinz also reports that Piszczor hasn’t voted since 2008.
* You have to admit that it’s more than a little ironic that Speaker Madigan was repeatedly whacked in the media last year for allegedly putting up a Republican candidate against himself, and now a bunch of Republicans are backing an alleged Democrat against MJM.
* Let’s get this thing started. Your nominations, please…
* Best political bar in Springfield
* Best political restaurant in Springfield
Make sure to explain your answers. Remember, this is far more about intensity than raw numbers. Also, please nominate in both categories. Thanks much and have fun.
*** UPDATE 1 *** I just talked to a DuPage Republican who was told that the Walsh announcement will take place this Thursday. Stay tuned.
*** UPDATE 2 *** As if on cue, the brand new press release…
Congressman Joe Walsh will make an important re-election announcement this Thursday at the Chicago Tea Party meeting. After spending the last week discussing his options with family, supporters, and party officials, Congressman Walsh believes the choice is clear.
Walsh stated “During my first year in office I upheld my campaign promise to do everything I could to rein in the mistakes that were made by the Obama Administration. From voting to repeal Obamacare, cutting spending, cutting taxes, and cutting the size of government, I have made it my mission to stop and roll back the damage that President Obama and Nancy Pelosi created. At the same time, I have also challenged my own party leadership when I think they did not go far enough. It is for that reason that I was one of only 22 Republicans who opposed the compromise that created the failed Super Committee.
I did not run for Congress to become part of Washington, I went to Washington to change the way Washington worked. It is why I have pledged to only serve three terms, it is why I turned down my health care and pension, it is why I sleep on my couch, and it is why I come home every single week and have hosted close to one hundred town halls.
During those numerous town halls I have heard from Republicans, Democrats, and Independents who feel as if both parties have failed them, and that Washington is out of control. Like me they feel as though their country is being taken away from them, and that it is time to be bold. Whether you call them tea party members or just frustrated, patriotic Americans, this group of individuals is growing. They are fed up and want change now. I can think of no better place to announce important news concerning my re-election than in front of these folks at the Chicago Tea Party meeting.
Tea Party Rep. Joe Walsh (R-Ill.)– who boycotted President Obama’s jobs speech, said Obama should “quit lying” and that the president “got no shame,” waited in line with his wife Monday at the White House for a photo with Obama and First Lady Michelle.
The Obamas are hosting a series of holiday parties and Monday was the night where members of Congress were invited to welcome the holiday season. Someone who was at the party tipped me that Walsh was there and was in the photo line.
Update 1 regarding the photo line.Justin Roth, Walsh’s chief of staff told me Walsh was at the White House holiday party but “most definitely” did “not take a picture with the president…did not meet him.”
Rep. Joe Walsh (8th), not one to steer clear of attention, remained curiously absent this week.
The freshman Republican said over the weekend he’d announce Monday which district he picked to run in for re-election. Monday came and went with no answer.
In September Walsh announced he would run against 14th District Rep. Randy Hultgren in the March primary. But rumor had it last week he may return to the 8th district, where he’d face Democrats Tammy Duckworth or Raja Krishnamoorthi.
“Part of me just doesn’t want to give the district to the Democrats,” the freshman Tea Party Republican said during a town hall meeting Saturday in St. Charles.
It’s not known when Walsh will come to a decision, and calls to his office Monday went unanswered.
* The DCCC sent out a press release late yesterday afternoon mocking Walsh…
Joke: How to Silence Congressman Joe Walsh?
Punch-line: Ask him where he’s running for re-election.
Although Congressman Joe Walsh (IL-08) claimed he would announce his future political plans today, he’s remained silent-a rarity for the cable-hungry Congressman who actually screamed at his own constituent. Last week, Congressman Walsh reportedly was mulling over running in the new 8th and 14th Congressional districts.
“Who knew that asking Congressman Joe Walsh about his favorite subject, himself and his political career, would elicit silence?” asked Haley Morris of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “Perhaps Congressman Walsh is starting to realize that redistricting lines aren’t the problem, it’s his track record in Washington as a deadbeat on jobs. No matter where Congressman Joe Walsh chooses to run, he will have to defend pushing an extreme, out of touch Republican Congressional agenda that ends Medicare and gives out more tax breaks to millionaires and Big Oil.”
I’ve tried reaching Walsh several times. No response yet.
* The hearing begins at 10 o’clock this morning. Blagojevich is not expected to be sentenced until tomorrow, but he could testify today. We’ll see. I’ll be posting stories and Tweets throughout the day. Apparently, there’s a crowd of reporters outside Blagojevich’s house as of early this morning, and we could have live video soon. A handy list of the counts against Blagojevich is here.
Blackberry users click here, iPad and iPhone users remember to use the “two-finger” scrolling method…
* I’ll post a Blagojevich-only live blog later this morning. Meanwhile, BlackBerry users click here, iPad and iPhone users remember to use the “two-finger” scrolling method…
