Peoria’s own Fortune 100 company, Caterpillar Inc., recently announced a $200 million investment to modernize its nearby East Peoria facility. But no new jobs were created. Why? Over the past 18 months, Caterpillar has hired about 11,000 people at facilities across America, yet Illinois hires remain flat. Why?
Caterpillar Inc. says it will spent $640 million to upgrade plants in East Peoria and Decatur, creating 300 new jobs.
A company spokesman tells the (Peoria) Journal Star that Caterpillar will make more tractors in East Peoria and more trucks in Decatur. The announcement comes two months after Caterpillar said it would spend $200 million to modernize part of its East Peoria plant.
* Mayor Ardis also used the op-ed to lay out his “solutions” for Illinois’ woes…
Do I have solutions? Glad you asked.
•Gov. Quinn has to develop a strategy. Don’t just talk about creating jobs, do it. Prepare quarterly assessments for our citizens so we know what’s going on.
•Institute a long-term tax reduction plan without creating an even bigger hole in the budget. Be more business-friendly!
•Create an executive-level task force of private business people. Think President Ronald Reagan’s Grace Commission or President Bill Clinton’s National Performance Review. Illinois has to do what private business does: Maximize efficiency through technology, shared service initiatives, outsourcing and so on. Give this group significant exposure and a platform to show the business community that you’re serious.
•Challenge our state legislators. Use your bully pulpit to squelch the rhetoric and put a real jobs plan in place.
“Gov. Quinn has to develop a strategy.” Well, yeah, but what should be the strategy? This suggestion is even worse than the usual empty campaign rhetoric.
Create a commission? Illinois has plenty of those.
And “Challenge our state legislators” to do what, exactly?
This isn’t a plan. It’s not even a list of viable talking points. I hope he’s not considering a bid for higher office, because if he is he’d better start studying.
Now, that’s not to say that the criticisms of Pat Quinn aren’t legit. They are. The man has no plans. Everything seems to be ad hoc, address today’s emergency, etc. But saying “Get a plan!” is not the same as actually having a plan, or a clue.
*** UPDATE *** Speaking of silly ideas, Congressman Joe Walsh just released a letter claiming that if Illinois got rid of its tax increase, Sears wouldn’t move away.
How absurdly naive.
Sears would have its hat out if Illinois had zero corporate taxation. Actually, the company probably doesn’t pay much in the way of corporate income taxes anyhow because executives have demanded an EDGE tax credit. That means the company gets to keep half the income tax withheld from its employees’ paychecks and all of the tax withheld from new hires. Companies with little to no state income tax burden usually ask for this credit.
Also, you know, there’s the budget ramifications of voiding the income tax, but Walsh doesn’t care about that.
Lawmakers inked a deal that may save Illinois taxpayers $240 million and businesses $1.6 billion in federal taxes and fines over the course of the next decade.
The Legislature last week approved allowing the Illinois Department of Employment Security to sell bonds to pay off about $2.4 billion borrowed from the Federal Unemployment Account to keep unemployed Illinoisans’ benefits flowing during the Great Recession.
“It’s probably one of the biggest bills that passed (during the fall veto session),” said state Rep. Frank Mautino, D-Spring Valley, one of the lead architects of the deal negotiated over the summer and into the fall.
It’s slow, but some progress is being made here.
* Meanwhile, the Tribune editorial board takes on the state’s pension problems from a liberal perspective…
This year, Illinois must spend $5.8 billion — that’s 17.4 percent of the state’s operating budget, or more than $1 of every $6 — to meet its rising pension obligations, according to calculations by the Civic Federation of Chicago. That amount is most of what Gov. Pat Quinn, House Speaker Michael Madigan, Senate President John Cullerton and their fellow Democrats are collecting from the big income tax increase they enacted in January.
Worse, the Civic Federation estimates that the pension burden rises to $6.3 billion next year, to $7.7 billion in five years, to $8.2 billion in 10 years …
So if you’d like to see more state aid funneled to your child’s school, forget it. The public pension system is devouring ever more of that money.
If you’d like to see the state spend more to care for developmentally disabled citizens in your family or your community, forget it. The public pensions get the money.
If you’d like deadbeat Illinois to pay its billions of dollars in overdue bills, including money that might keep social service agencies and suppliers and universities from having to fire workers, forget it. The public pensions get the money.
If you’d like more health care for the most disadvantaged families in our midst, forget it. The public pensions get the money.
Nevermind that the Tribune has argued for deep budget cuts in many of these very same programs and completely opposes the only sane plan to pay off those overdue bills.
But they do have a point. Pension payments are eating up the rest of the state budget. No question about it.
* Related and a roundup…
* Unions, politics, the law - Those elements pose roadblock to pension reform
Tuesday, Nov 15, 2011 - Posted by Advertising Department
[The following is a paid advertisement.]
The Energy Infrastructure Modernization Act will transform the way power is delivered to Illinois customers. We will judge success based on the value we deliver to our customers — greater reliability, enhanced service, and more tools for customers to manage their electricity use.
• Modernization will mean…a smart meter for every customer that opens up a universe of opportunity to save money with new pricing plans and tools to better manage energy use.
• Modernization will mean…improved overall system reliability, with fewer and shorter outages.
• Modernization will mean…a peak time rebate program that allows customers to save money when they reduce electric use during critical peak periods, such as summer afternoons when electricity prices are highest.
• Modernization will mean…improved customer service with call center representatives able to view actual usage data and answer questions about power status and billing in real time.
• Modernization will mean…virtual elimination of estimated bills.
The Energy Infrastructure Modernization Act is a 10-year, $2.6 billion investment in a smarter electric grid. More important is what it will do for customers.
Greater reliability. Enhanced service. New energy management tools.
* Yet another mixup at Rick Perry headquarters? Maybe…
When I asked the Perry campaign last week who the Illinois chairman was, I got this reply from Catherine Frazier, the deputy press secretary.
“Illinois House Republican Leader Tom Cross is our State Chairman, let me know if you need anything else, thanks!”
When I called Cross on Friday, I got a different story.
Are you the Perry Illinois chairman?
“No,” Cross said. “I don’t know where you got that.”
The campaign, I replied.
“I’m not in any official capacity or role in his campaign,” Cross said.
Cross did attend a fund-raiser last month for Perry in the Chicago suburbs hosted by Jack Roeser.
Don’t read that much into that, Cross said. “I’m not pledged to anybody.” […]
“I completely misspoke,'’ [Catherine Frazier] told me. She said it was a “mistake” to tell me Cross was the Illinois Perry chairman.
But Doug Ibendahl published an Oct. 10th e-mail from Leader Cross’ political guy to a Perry supporter…
We are definitely looking for Perry delegates. If you or others are interested, let me know asap. I am in and out of meetings tomorrow, so I will try to call, if not let’s connect on Wednesday.
Explanation? Perry tanked, Cross departed. There’s no sense in allying oneself with a campaign that has zero traction in Illinois.
Presidential candidate Mitt Romney is getting a lot of love from Republicans in Illinois’ congressional delegation. Three of them are now backing the former Massachusetts governor.
The latest endorsement comes from U.S. Rep. Bob Dold, a freshman lawmaker from Chicago’s North Shore suburbs. Romney is a relatively safe pick for Dold, who tries to project a moderate, bipartisan image.
In an interview Monday, Dold acknowledged the endorsement comes with risks: including offending his own supporters who back a competing presidential candidate. But he’s decided to pull the trigger.
* Meanwhile, Greg Hinz has the results of a study by the Center for Responsive Politics on congressional net worth…
The wealthiest, according to the report, is west suburban Rep. Judy Biggert, R-Hinsdale, who is worth $2.15 million to $9.13 million, ranking her 88th of the 531 members of Congress rated.
Trailing are Representatives Robert Dold of Winnetka ($696,000 to $3.94 million); Dan Lipinski of Chicago ($1.04 million to $3.05 million); Luis Gutierrez of Chicago ($1.05 million to $2.50 million); and Tim Johnson of Sidney ($942,000 to $2.33 million). Messrs. Dold and Johnson are Republicans, the other two Democrats.
Next is Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin, worth $1 million to $1.2 million; Rep. Peter Roskam, R-Wheaton ($491,00 to $1.59 million); Rep. Bobby Schilling , R-Moline ($487,000 to $1,49 million); Rep. Don Manzullo, R-Rockford ($466,000 to $1.19 million); and Rep. John Shimkus, R-Collinsville ($40,000 to $1.13 million). […[
Working up from the other direction, Rep. Bobby Rush, D-Chicago, reported a zero net worth; Rep. Joe Walsh, R-North Barrington, a value of $3,000 to $46,000; and Rep. Randy Hultgren, R-Wheaton is worth a reported $15,000 to $50,000.
Other Illinoisans are in between those two groups, with Republican Sen. Mark Kirk, for instance, reporting a net worth of $33,00 to $145,000.
* And a gentleman’s agreement between Congressman Don Manzullo and his primary rival Congressman Adam Kinzinger appears to be in some danger of falling apart…
“We fully believe we will win the [redistricting] lawsuit,” [Manzullo campaign manager Richard Carter] said. “It’s a very delicate situation with the lawsuit, so there’s an agreement we will not campaign in each other’s districts, pending results of the lawsuit.”
Kinzinger spokesman Eric Rayman said there is no such agreement.
“The Congressman hasn’t been in Winnebago and other counties outside (the current 11th District), but there wasn’t an agreement they wouldn’t campaign in each other’s territory. The Congressman has been pretty much staying in this area.” […]
[Kinzinger] admitted today he and Manzullo had “kind of a handshake agreement” to not circulate petitions in each other’s district, pending outcome of the lawsuit.
“So for the most part, we’re sticking to the current district,” he said. “We’re hoping the lawsuit wins. Ultimately, I’m running for re-election. But the agreement (pertained) more to petitions, and we’re honoring that.”
* SW Illinois’ Post-Costello Plan: Plummer has money (and will probably get Republican National Committee cash), but his bio is arguably a little thin for a U.S. Congressman. It includes mentions of internships, like one for the Heritage Foundation, and notes that as an undergrad at the University of Illinois at Champaign, Plummer headed student opposition to a speech by Bill Ayers… Both St. Clair and Madison County Republicans are poised to support Plummer. “I feel very strongly that Plummer will get the nomination,” says Deb Detmers, chairman of the Madison County Republican Party. “He’s very energetic and intelligent and ran very strongly in the district in the primary and general election [for lieutenant governor].”
* Congressional Candidates Rush to Claim Front Runner Status - As Tree enters race, Schneider and Sheyman both say they are favorite for Democratic nomination to challenge Dold.
* 17th Congressional District Democratic Forum Held in Rockford
* Press Release: Gun Owners of America ‘Proud’ To Endorse Congressman Walsh
* Condoleezza Rice double booked: Rep. Schock and U of Chicago
* Latino Caucus wants 4 more wards from City Council remap - Numbers back them, but black and white counterparts would lose representation accordingly
* Massachusetts is debating whether to reinstate happy hours after a 27-year ban. The argument in favor of the proposal is that it will create much-needed jobs in the hospitality industry…
The Senate last month included the amendment in its version of a bill allowing casinos in Massachusetts. Specifically, it gave bars and restaurants the same rights that casinos would have under a new “gaming beverage license,” citing as theoretical examples “the right to give free alcoholic beverages to customers as part of promotions” and “drink specials that vary by night.”
State Senator Robert L. Hedlund, a restaurant owner who sponsored the amendment, said the idea was to put bars and restaurants on equal footing with the casinos that will be allowed to open in Massachusetts under legislation that is being completed in a conference committee. “We have the most restrictive laws in the country on drink promotion except for Utah, a Mormon state,” Mr. Hedlund said.
In 1984, Mr. Dukakis signed the happy hour ban as part of a broader effort to crack down on drunken driving. In a recent interview, Mr. Dukakis described the amendment as “outrageous.”
“Unquestionably, people will lose their lives if this happens,” he said. […]
But Mr. Hedlund said that tough drunken-driving laws save lives, not happy hour bans. And Jan Withers, the national president of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, said that while her group worried about anything that “encourages excessive amounts of alcohol,” it would not lobby against the amendment.
Illinois banned happy hours long ago.
* The Question: Should Illinois repeal its happy hour ban? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please. Thanks.
* It’s not quite safe for work, so don’t watch if your office has strict rules, but here’s the now infamous video of Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis going off on Arne Duncan, Harvard, the Tribune editorial cartoonist and other stuff…
Lewis apologized for her rant in a call to Secretary Duncan. The edited video was distributed by an organization called the Education Action Group. From its website…
Breaking the power of Big Labor in America’s schools would allow parents, administrators and teachers to be free to make decisions in the best interest of students. Onerous labor contracts and work rules, designed to defend adults’ rights, hinder innovation and improvement.
*** UPDATE *** Lewis complained about a Chicago Tribune editorial cartoon in her rant, claiming that the cartoonist darkened her face and made her look obese. Here’s the cartoon in question…
Frankly, I don’t think that’s out of line. Your thoughts?
[ *** End Of Update *** ]
* Occupy Springfield held a demonstration at the Statehouse the other day without a permit and posted a video…
From the video’s caption…
Occupy Springfield, IL. visits the Illinois State Capitol Building. We had a “press conference” in the rotunda, without a permit because a permit had been given to Comcast for ALL THREE DAYS OF THE VETO SESSION! Not only was this action successful in and of itself, but it cought the attention of Illinois Lawmakers who have now asked Occupy Springfield, IL. to speak before a Senate Committee on the 15th of November regarding SB[397]. It is not a total victory unless that bill does not get passed into law, but an 8 minute action leading to a face to face meeting is inspiring, to say the least!
* And Gov. Pat Quinn was on MSNBC’s Morning Joe today to talk about the Illinois economy. He also shared some Rick Perry stories…
* Last Thursday, Catholic Social Services of Illinois split with its diocese over the state’s requirement that it include couples joined in civil unions in its foster care and adoption services…
The Catholic Diocese of Belleville and Catholic Social Services of Southern Illinois said Thursday that they would part ways in the wake of a new state law that granted same-sex couples the right to seek civil unions and disrupted the work of Catholic agencies working in foster care and adoption. […]
A statement from the Belleville Diocese said Catholic Social Services of Illinois “chose to disassociate from the Diocese,” because it was “unable to remain faithful to the moral teaching of the Catholic Church” while adhering to the new law. The statement said the agency, which directs foster parents over more than 600 children, would “no longer be connected to or sponsored by the Diocese.”
The agency, which incorporated in 1947 as Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Belleville and will now be called Christian Social Services of Illinois, said in its statement that it was separating from the Belleville Diocese so it could adhere to the new law. The agency has offices in Belleville, Carbondale, Mount Carmel, Mount Vernon and Olney. Its 630 foster care cases account for much of its $13 million budget.
In a statement, the agency’s executive director Gary Huelsmann said that the separation “is best for the children by providing for their continuity of care and allowing for the retention of the caring, dedicated and professional staff employed by the agency.”
That’s pretty big news, but it was mostly overlooked outside the Metro East. It’s even more important when you realize how conservative the area is…
Christian Social Services of Illinois has offices in five communities in Southern Illinois: Belleville, Carbondale, Mt. Carmel, Mt. Vernon and Olney, and there currently are 187 employees serving approximately 2,000 clients each year.
“As Christian Social Services begins, its leadership requests prayers and support from the entire Southern Illinois community in responding to the many needs of the individuals and families located in some of the most economically depressed regions of the State of Illinois. Christian Social Services hopes that people of all backgrounds and faiths will assist it in providing services to the most vulnerable in our society” said Huelsmann.
* Bishop Edward Braxton of the Diocese of Belleville talked about the separation…
Once the state required all foster care and adoption agencies to allow same-sex couples and those in civil unions to adopt and serve as foster parents, Bishop Braxton stressed that “every diocese in Illinois that provided these services looked for solutions and sought to challenge this law.”
“But while the Dioceses of Joliet and Springfield did not depend so heavily on state funds, Belleville is poor,” he explained. “We have a large geographic area with a relatively small population. There are a high number of prisons in the diocese as well and many foster children.”
Bishop Braxton expressed anguish as he described the search for options. He noted that the agency staff is primarily Catholic and did not want to separate from the diocese, but they feared that the state would be unable to manage the sudden increase in foster-care cases: “The state programs are not as strong as our program.” He acknowledged that the staff was also concerned about holding on to their jobs.
When the agency staff determined that the only way to maintain the services was to spin off the program, they sought his approval. “But I told them that while I understood their problem, I could not approve or have anything to do with this new entity. They wanted to call it ‘Christian,’ but I told them that they would have no long-term control over what that agency might become, once it was cut off from the diocese.” (See diocese’s statement on the diocese’s website.)
Bishop Braxton has concluded that it’s time for U.S. Church leaders to reassess their dependence on government funds: “While many Catholics still advocate for government-funded vouchers to cover tuition at parochial schools, I am wondering if this even remains an option, when government funds comes with strings attached.”
* And yesterday, the rest of the state’s bishops decided to throw in the towel as well and stop dealing with those “government strings”…
Thomas More Society announces that it will file a motion to dismiss the lawsuit brought by Illinois’ Catholic Charities against the State of Illinois, as the actions of the State have prevented the Charities from being able to obtain relief from the Illinois court system. Because the State of Illinois has put an expedited process in place to transition to other agencies the foster children under the Charities’ care, any relief ordered by the Appellate Court would come too late to save the Charities’ foster care ministry. Both the Circuit and Appellate Courts denied the Charities’ emergency motions to prevent the transition.
* Bishop Thomas John Paprocki of Springfield tried to look at the bright side…
“The silver lining of this decision is that our Catholic charities going forward will be able to focus on being more Catholic and more charitable, while less dependent on government financing and less encumbered by intrusive state policies.”
* Dennis Byrne, however, chose to look at the down side…
This is a bow to the worst kind of political correctness, the kind that required a highly regarded child service agency to close its doors. A big thank you goes to the administration of Gov. Pat Quinn, a Catholic who has shown more loyalty to a special-interest group than to the state’s neediest children.
Illinois taxpayers spent more than $1.1 million for the defense and prosecution of Christopher Coleman, the former bodyguard who was sentenced to three life terms for strangling his wife and two young sons in 2009.
The money will be some of the last spent from the state’s controversial Capital Litigation Fund. The fund, established in 1999, will be terminated at the end of the year because Illinois has abolished the death penalty.
The fund was created with the intent of ensuring fair trials for capital murder defendants. But it also has helped many counties, particularly those with small budgets, afford expensive capital cases by shifting the financial burden to state government. […]
[State Rep. Bill Mitchell, R-Forsyth] has said he proposed the [new] first-degree murder fund because Logan County, a small county of 30,305 about 35 minutes north of Springfield, is struggling to pay for a murder trial. In that case, two brothers are accused of killing a husband and wife and three of their children in September 2009.
* The idea of the fund was to make sure defendants facing the death penalty got a fair trial, but there were some abuses…
The 2004 retrial in Mount Vernon, Ill., of Cecil Sutherland, twice convicted in the murder of a child, cost state taxpayers about $2 million in what is considered the state’s most expensive case.
The 2008 St. Clair County trial of Jason Smith cost more than $1 million. Billing records showed that private investigators and expert witnesses charged steep fees to drive, make copies and send emails. One private investigator was allowed to bill 49 hours for one day, while a ballistics expert was allowed to charge $300 an hour to drive to Belleville from Indiana.
