* Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Collins writes that Illinois’ early primaries are bad…
1. Given the cold and probable inclement weather, we all but guarantee a lower turnout
2. We unfairly ask for candidates to compete with the holiday season for the public’s attention
3. We hold elections before the commencement of the legislative session and thereby deny voters the right to evaluate the candidates based on the success (or failure) of that legislative session
4. We dramatically lengthen the general election campaign, which typically is more costly and thus requires greater fundraising. The longer campaign cycle also diverts government officials’ focus away from their important job of governing.
Says Ted McClelland…
This helps answer the eternal question of why Illinois is shadier than other states.
* Let’s take these arguments point by point, shall we?
2) Most every candidate waits until after the holidays to begin their mail/TV/radio programs. Only a tiny number start spending cash before the holiday season. Some candidates do walk door to door in those early months, but how is that so bad?
3) If you really want to see a bunch of politicians scared of their own shadows and afraid to vote for anything major in a spring session, hold a primary in June, just after the session ends, and see nothing get done. I’m pretty sure session would end on time every other year, though, so there’s that.
4) Except for perhaps the gubernatorial candidates, the big spending on the general election campaign doesn’t start until after Labor Day, no matter when the primary is held. Move the primary to June and they’ll spend just as much money on the general.
* People have been arguing for years that cold primary weather helps the Machine. But some of Speaker Madigan’s House Democrats got in real trouble in the February 2010 primary because they didn’t campaign enough in the cold weather, so Madigan moved the date back to March. People are on vacation in the summer months, spend more time outside and are therefore less connected to news, so I’m not sure how a summer primary makes things harder on the Machine.
Everybody believes they have a magic bullet to ending Machine politics, and a later primary is one that’s always touted. I seriously doubt it’ll work. Louisiana’s primary is a month before the general election. Yet, that state isn’t exactly a model of political cleanliness.
* Editorial boards are not pleased with Congressman Tim Johnson’s retirement announcement. SJ-R…
JEERS to U.S. Rep. Tim Johnson, R-Urbana, for waiting until after his overwhelming victory in the March 20 GOP primary to decide he’s not going to seek a seventh term in Congress. We can’t begrudge anyone’s decision to step away from public life to spend more time with his grandchildren, as Johnson said he wants to do at a news conference on Thursday. And with 41 years in public life — Johnson started his political career on the Urbana City Council in 1971 — Johnson certainly has earned some uninterrupted family time. But the time for this decision should have been last year, when the new congressional district map was issued, not after earning a decisive victory in the Republican primary for the new 13th District. Deciding to retire before the primary would have given Republicans in the district, which includes most of Springfield and Decatur and stretches southwest to the Mississippi River, the chance to choose their candidate for the general election. Now a political scramble is almost sure to follow as GOP county chairmen in the district select a candidate.
However, his legacy of service will be diminished by the fact he denied voters in the 13th District a chance to choose a candidate against the backdrop of a spirited primary race.
The situation likely has Democrats rubbing their hands with glee. Now, instead of facing an entrenched incumbent with a formidable war chest, Gill, who has lost to Johnson in 15th District races on three occasions, will be pitted against someone who has to build a campaign organization and raise money on short notice. Unless the new GOP nominee already has held a fairly high-profile office, name recognition among voters also will be a problem.
* Some other developments…
* Replacing Rep. Johnson could take weeks: Although a formal timeline for the appointment process is still in the works, the Urbana Republican cannot formally withdraw his name from the ballot until April 17, which is when state election regulators certify the results of the March 20 primary election. The delay will give potential candidates time to begin campaigning for the ballot spot, which is coming open because Johnson is not seeking a seventh term in Congress. Under state law, the GOP chairmen in the 14 counties that comprise the newly configured 13th Congressional District will choose a new candidate based on a weighted vote. There’s also a wrinkle with the county chairman situation. They are not formally elected by a vote of the GOP precinct committeemen until April 18. In some counties, it remains unclear who will be the county chairman when it comes time to select Johnson’s replacement.
* Schoenburg: Quite a few could throw hat in 13th ring
* Ex-chief of staff Clarke may have early lead to replace Johnson
* The Question: Should Illinois law be changed to mandate another primary when a nominee drops out of a campaign? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.
* We’ll see how Oberhelman feels after the spring session ends, but maybe the legions of Illinois haters will finally take note…
Caterpillar Inc. chairman and CEO Doug Oberhelman, who has raised concerns about state finances with the governor in the past, welcomed the crowd of 500 people on a positive note.
“I absolutely believe that the clouds are clearing in Illinois. The state’s legislative leadership has stopped digging a hole and there’s sunshine ahead,” said Oberhelman, before presenting Illinois Senate President John Cullerton with a sustainability award.
“I am more optimistic today than I have been in quite some time. I will compliment Gov. Quinn when I see him.”
* The state government owes the Teachers Retirement System $43 billion in unfunded liabilities, about half of the state’s unfunded pension liability total. The State Journal Register got ahold of a memo sent by Dick Ingram, who runs TRS…
“This painful collision between what is fair and what is real is the outcome of the fact that the unfunded liability has grown to such a level that no one has been able to determine a reasonable plan or expectation to pay down this amount,” Ingram wrote. “If that is the case, the only other option available that would significantly change the amount owed is to reduce past service costs for active members and retirees.”
Changing pension benefits for already retired employees has not been embraced even by House Republicans, whose leader, Rep. Tom Cross of Oswego, has pushed strongly to reduce benefits for people who are on the job now but not yet retired.
But in an interview Friday, Ingram said the state might have to target cost-of-living pension increases for retirees. Retirees now receive automatic COLA increases of 3 percent annually, which is compounded.
“What we’re saying is that the number is so bad is that you have to start having those conversations,” Ingram said. “The reality is that if you look at the pension math, the single biggest cost is the COLA.
“I’m really stuck. I have to say that the math is not trueing up with what is constitutional or fair or earned or whatever else.”
[Gov. Pat Quinn and Mayor Rahm Emanuel] were abundantly aware of the startling news that the state’s biggest pension fund, the Illinois Teachers’ Retirement System, now warns that it may need to cut payouts promised to teachers, starting with those already retired.
In February, I informed the system’s board of trustees that TRS can no longer be confident that the General Assembly will appropriate all of the money to TRS that is required by law. The state of Illinois’ growing budget deficit and the system’s $43 billion unfunded liability is together causing this “new reality” at TRS.
If the General Assembly does not continue to provide all of the funding called for in state law, calculations done by TRS actuaries show that the system could become insolvent as soon as 2030.
Last year, TRS reported that the system’s financial status was good. For the last several years, the state has been able to make its legally required annual contribution to TRS. As long as the state makes that payment, TRS can “tread water” indefinitely and be viable well into the future. The system has carried an unfunded liability since 1953 and has never missed a check.
I told the board that preventing insolvency may include significant changes for TRS. New revenues must be generated, and if they are not, benefits may have to be reduced. Any of these significant changes can only be made by the General Assembly.
* It’s doubtful that the General Assembly would allow the TRS to become insolvent. These were pure numbers games. They’re helpful to policy-makers, but the state’s constitutional requirements on pensions would undoubtedly force the government to write monthly checks to retirees, regardless of the condition of TRS.
For instance, here’s the scenario for the TRS 2030 insolvency…
The FY 2012 contribution is cut to 60% of the original level and stays frozen at $1.4 billion for 37 years
Nobody anywhere is talking about that.
If the state’s TRS contribution is frozen right where it is now, TRS isn’t insolvent until 2038. But nobody’s talking about that, either.
* One sentence at core of pension reform debate - State constitution offers guarantee, but Democrats and Republicans disagree on how far it extends
* Quinn on pensions: But future Illinois road projects could be jeopardized unless budget action is taken now, added the governor. “This is our hour, our rendezvous with reality,” said Quinn, citing Medicaid restructuring and pension reform as “the two big budget items we need to focus on in the next 60 days.” The governor used the pension commitment for state transportation workers to make his point. “We need to reduce the $800 million paid in pensions for workers so we have more money for roads.” Workers deserve “a decent retirement but not an extravagant one,” said Quinn.
* Gov. Pat Quinn has all but nixed the idea of any state tax money going to help the Cubs…
Quinn told “The Don and Roma Show” on WLS that Illinois cannot afford to help the Cubs, “Well I’m not excited about that at all. Our State has severe fiscal challenges so the very idea of the State of Illinois spending millions and millions of dollars on Wrigley Field, I don’t think that’s in the cards at all. They bought the team and they should make the lion’s share of the investment to fix up the park.”
Considering the state’s tough times, that seems reasonable. But Mayor Emanuel is still working on a deal…
Mayor Rahm Emanuel is reportedly in the final stages of talks to use city amusement tax revenue to help the Cubs renovate what is the second oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball. State approval would be needed to issue millions of dollars in bonds.
Last [week] in an appearance with Quinn at a Chicago Tribune forum, Emanuel talked about the economic benefits Wrigley Field brings to the city, and the state. Mayor Emanuel said, “It’s an important institution. Fourth most visited tourist site for the City of Chicago for the State. That said, it’s a private company, they bought it. They bought it in 2009 with eyes open, well aware.”
* Many, many thanks to everyone who participated in my charity fundraisers last month. We raised something like $60,000 net for Lutheran Social Services of Illinois and another $4K for the Harrisburg tornado victims. Plus, we had a heckuva lot of fun.
* Saturday’s roast went off without a hitch. Here are a few quotes via David Ormsby…
* Skip Saviano: “There is no middle ground with Rich, either you hate him or you detest him.”
* Doug Miller: “What’s more diseased and non-functional than Illinois government? Rich’s liver.”
“I’m very proud that I have a sibling who is an award-winning journalist. Unfortunately, that sibling could not be here tonight.”
* Paul Green: “If it be a sin to covet wealth, honor and fame, then Rich Miller is the most offending individual alive.
“When Rich’s brother returns to Texas, the IQ of both states will go up.”
* Judy Baar Topinka: “Only Rich Miller could get all these politicians together in one room without a subpoena.”
“I’m amazed Rich’s parents had children after him.”
“‘Caption contest’ means I’m taking a nap.”
* John Cullerton: “We are here to honor the Tribune writer, Rick Pearson.”
Victor Henderson, the lawyer for accused Illinois State Representative Derrick Smith tells “The Don and Roma Show” on WLS, that the reason federal authorities charged Smith with bribery, was because they wanted him to give up information about possible wrongdoing by Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White, Smith’s long-time political mentor.
“What I’m telling you is that we have had people coming into our office and tell us that the federal government was leaning on Derrick Smith to give up names, and Jesse White was one of those names.”
When asked specifically if the Feds leaned on Smith for information, Henderson said, “I’m telling you that they leaned on him and the story will come out for other names. And that he stood tall and would not do it.”
WLS contacted Dave Druker, the media spokesman for Jesse White, who told us, “Jesse White has a 36 year unblemished public record. This is an unfounded desperate charge. We have no further comment.”
White also said he will likely find an independent candidate to run against Smith this November if he doesn’t resign from the ballot.
The Illinois House panel investigating a Chicago lawmaker accused of bribery is holding off on hearings next week because of the potential for more activity in federal court.
The latest developments in the case of Rep. Derrick Smith, D-Chicago, emerged in a letter released Saturday by the ranking lawmakers of both parties on the House Special Investigating Committee.
“We have learned that there is a possibility of further court action in the criminal proceeding involving Representative Smith toward the end of the week of April 9,” wrote Democratic Rep. Elaine Nekritz, the committee chair from Northbrook, and Republican Rep. Dennis Reboletti, the minority spokesman from Elmhurst.
The House committee had anticipated meeting next week. But the lawmakers said a hearing will be postponed the House returns to Springfield in mid-April. The letter, written to other lawmakers on the panel, said that will allow time to “review and respond to any information that might come out during the additional court proceedings.”
The full letter is here. It’s likely that Smith will be formally indicted this week.
* Meanwhile, Secretary White talked about Rep. Smith on Fox Chicago Sunday…
* And my syndicated newspaper column that was published last week during my vacation was about an interview with White…
I’ve been pretty rough on Secretary of State Jesse White lately. I have no regrets about it, and I believe I had good reason to put the onus on him to correct his mistake of appointing Derrick Smith to the Illinois House last year. Smith, of course, was arrested earlier this month on federal bribery charges.
Secretary White requested a sit-down last week and I was more than happy to meet with him. I’ve always respected the guy, but I told him in no uncertain terms that I stood by everything I wrote and will continue to hold him responsible for resolving this mess.
White initially blamed his alderman and protege Walter Burnett for Smith’s appointment. Burnett, White said, didn’t fully inform him about Smith’s background problems (Smith was fired from his city job and the Chicago Sun-Times reported a few years ago that he’d been accused of malfeasance). That’s no excuse, however. White is the top dog and the blame rests with him. He agreed.
The Secretary said he had put some thought into how he wants the replacement process to work if Smith resigns or is expelled from the House. White said he wanted to make sure that whoever replaces Smith is “blue chip,” and showed me a list of his priorities for vetting the wannabes, including a complete background check.
White also said he wants the potential replacements to fill out an “extensive questionnaire” about their backgrounds and their plans for the future. He wants them to write an essay, including a statement on why they want to be a legislator and what proposals they’d like to initiate in Springfield.
Interestingly, White said he also wants to know how much the potential replacements earn every year. He pointed out that Smith took a significant pay cut from the secretary of state’s office when he was appointed to the House, and he speculated that the alleged bribery might have at least partially been due to that reduced income, combined with an alleged criminal bent, White quickly added. The secretary wants to make the appointment process “open and transparent” to not only everyone interested in the appointment, but to the general public as well.
If Smith resigns or is ultimately expelled from the House, White won’t make the replacement appointment alone. The 10th House District encompasses nine Chicago wards, so other Democratic ward committeemen will be involved. White stressed that his list is not the final word. He said he also wants the district’s other committeemen to come up with ideas for vetting the candidates to make sure they get the right person.
White said he intends to put as much energy and effort into the replacement as he did helping Patricia Van Pelt Watkins defeat Sen. Annazette Collins (D-Chicago) in the Democratic primary. The secretary said he’s been in regular contact with Ald. Jason Ervin, a young and seemingly bright go-getter who will have a major say in the appointment as well (I chatted with the alderman a few weeks ago in Collins’ West Side campaign office and was fairly impressed). Ervin backed Collins against Watkins, but White said he’s confident the two can work together and claims that they’re already putting the past behind them.
Despite some initial defensiveness (probably because I’ve been so harsh on him), White manned up last week and admitted he’d made a terrible mistake with Smith, calling the legislator one of the worst he’d ever seen in all his years. He appears to understand the damage this scandal has done to his once sterling reputation, and he also seems determined to do the right thing when it comes time to replace Smith.
The proof, of course, will be in the pudding. Getting all this done won’t be easy. The West Side is also the Wild West. Self interest and petty turf wars far too often trump public service in that part of the world. Watkins’ victory signaled a fresh start, however. Voters in nine of the district’s 12 wards went with Watkins over Collins, despite a fortune spent on Collins’ behalf. White may yet succeed. We’ll know soon enough.
