Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

Friday, Jun 1, 2012 - Posted by Rich Miller

* This is kind of a gross distortion of reality…

State lawmakers spent the final day of the spring session failing to act on the crucial issue of pension reform, instead approving a major gambling expansion that wasn’t at the top of the agenda.

Actually, the Senate did pass a major pension reform bill yesterday. It effects both the General Assembly and state employee retirement systems, and will almost undoubtedly either be eventually passed by the House and signed into law or the exact same language will be incorporated into a new reform law. The bill passed with 16 Democratic and 14 Republican votes and it showed that pension reform is legislatively and politically doable.

But you’ve got to read through 16 grafs of that story before you get to this…

While the House pension talks collapsed, the Senate sought to politically insulate itself by passing a plan affecting the pensions of themselves and state workers — even though the legislation was not taken up in the House.

I don’t get that logic. The Senate ought to be applauded for passing a pension bill that should’ve also cleared the House last night, but didn’t because of partisan infighting. And they passed the gaming bill because they could.

* Now, on to gaming. I was sitting in the Senate press box next to a reporter interviewing Sen. Jacqueline Collins about her gaming expansion vote. Collins told the reporter sitting next to me that she didn’t know who hit her switch because she was in the bathroom with a headache…

On the dubious strength of an errantly cast voting switch, the expansion plan passed on a 30-26 roll call, the bare majority needed to approve the bill and six votes shy of the vetoproof majority needed to overcome the objections of Quinn, who has criticized the legislation for its “ethical shortcomings.”

The development made for one of the more intriguing storylines on a hectic final day of the spring legislative session when lawmakers also voted to hike fees on satellite television customers, strip-club patrons.

On the gambling bill, which was backed by Mayor Rahm Emanuel, supporters used a parliamentary maneuver to immediately lock in the 30-26 roll call before state Sen. Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago), a traditional opponent to gambling expansion, stood to say she wanted to have her “yes” vote reflected as a “no” in the official Senate record — even though that gesture carried no real effect and did not undo what had happened.

Collins told the Chicago Sun-Times that Sen. Donne Trotter (D-Chicago), who sits near her, deployed her voting switch when the gambling vote was taken even though she wasn’t at her seat.

“I have a headache, and I was in the back getting an aspirin. I always vote ‘no’ on gaming, but when I came out, I saw I’d been voted ‘yes,’” Collins said.

But, remember, she didn’t see who did it.

I didn’t see who hit her button either because I wasn’t on the floor. Ironically enough, I was up in Trotter’s office taking a little break, listening to the debate and talking to somebody about a piece I was thinking about writing. I spend time in several Statehouse offices during session days, hanging out and digging for stories, and his is one of my favorites.

* So, pardon me if I seem biased, but this is a bit much…

The top Republican in the chamber, Senate Minority Christine Radogno (R-Lemont), who voted against the gambling bill, called for an investigation. “That is absolutely wrong. It changed the outcome of a major issue,” she said.

We went down this phony road before with what the Sun-Times referred to as “Buttongate.” It was silly then, and it’s silly now. People who call the cops for stuff like that are the ones who are wrong. And did it really change the outcome? What most likely happened is a handful of Senators were watching the Big Board to make sure the bill got 30 votes. Once it hit that number, they felt free to vote “No.” Happens every day.

30 Comments

- too obvious - Friday, Jun 1, 12 @ 12:04 pm:
Are you frickin’ kidding Rich? You seemed okay with Blago getting 14 yrs for selling a senate seat he didn’t sell, but there is direct evidence of voting fraud on a massive bill and the direct evidence is coming from the woman who now swears it wasn’t her vote, and it’s now “move on nothing more to see here.”

Come on Rich, we all know you’re much better than this.

- Snail's Pace - Friday, Jun 1, 12 @ 12:31 pm:
Everybody on the floor knew Collins wasn’t going to vote for a gaming bill, whether or not it had the votes. This wasn’t an everyday occurrence.

- Coach - Friday, Jun 1, 12 @ 12:31 pm:
The Trib’s “news” coverage of the pension issue this spring has been more than an appendage of its editorial campaign, and today’s story is the strongest (and clumsiest) evidence of that.

- Fed up Too - Friday, Jun 1, 12 @ 12:34 pm:
Rich - you slip is showing.

- Rich Miller - Friday, Jun 1, 12 @ 12:37 pm:
===direct evidence of voting fraud===

The same bogus over-heated goofy rhetoric was used on that ComEd bill last year. And it’ll probably be the same conclusion this year. Take a breath.

- illini 59 - Friday, Jun 1, 12 @ 12:38 pm:
Now lets see we are taking an important vote and this lady decides she has a headache! Come on now we have all had headaches in the middle of doing something very important and what do we do we finish what we are doing that is what people do!

- The Captain - Friday, Jun 1, 12 @ 1:12 pm:
The vote on the gaming bill in the Senate was verified by request of the opponents. That means that after the vote was taken the clerk read out loud the names of all 30 members who voted yes, including Sen. Collins, and the opponents had the opportunity to challenge the vote of any member not present. This is a tactic used by opposition specifically to prevent someone voting someone else’s switch on legislation with close votes.

I wasn’t in the chamber either at the time but the opponents did not challenge the validity of Sen Collins vote so I assume that by the time of verification she was back at her desk and would have heard the clerk read her name out loud. Despite all that it wasn’t until some minutes later that she rose and asked that the record reflect her vote otherwise.

- John A Logan - Friday, Jun 1, 12 @ 1:16 pm:
I am surprised at your seemingly unconcerned perspective on the gaming bill vote. I have a feeling that if it would have been R.T.C. or some other issue the concern might rise to a new level.

- Loyal Opposition - Friday, Jun 1, 12 @ 1:19 pm:
Someone on the opposing side could have called for a verification of the vote. That’s standard procedure for the minority on big issues with close votes. It seems like either the Senate Rs fell down on the job (unlikely - they’re on their game on verifications) or they knew that what Rich said was true, i.e.:

====What most likely happened is a handful of Senators were watching the Big Board to make sure the bill got 30 votes. Once it hit that number, they felt free to vote “No.”===

So, the opposition could’ve called for a verification and had that vote tossed, but then the sponsor would’ve called for a new vote and roped in at least one of those members who were wavering. I doubt this actually changed the final outcome. It sounds weird, but Rich is right to say this stuff happens every day.

- Loyal Opposition - Friday, Jun 1, 12 @ 1:21 pm:
(Sorry, folks–The Captain was faster.)

- wordslinger - Friday, Jun 1, 12 @ 1:25 pm:
Convenient headache.

If there was a verified rollcall, she had plenty of time to change her vote and opponents had the opportunity to challenge it if she wasn’t on the floor.

- Freeman - Friday, Jun 1, 12 @ 1:38 pm:
According to the twitter feed and yesterday’s posters here:

1.) The vote was not verified. Sen. McCarter requested verification, then withdrew it roughly 1 minute later.

2.) During the last 3 days of session and in overtime, “any member may move that the vote on reconsideration be taken immediately” under Senate Rules.

According to a poster last night: “Dale Righter tried to do that but was ignored by who ever was running the floor. I think it was Sullivan at the time but I am not sure. I had the audio feed on at the time. Saying he was not happy is an understatement.”

If accurate, that speaks for itself.

3.) Collins is known to oppose gambling and has a proven track record of doing so. It’s not like she usually supports this and someone did her a favor by voting her intent.

Someone literally stole one vote from the “no” side and moved it to the “yes” side.

On major legislation.

At midnight, just before overtime when it would have required additional votes to pass.

Call me old fashioned, but that’s NOT ok.

Not on this, not on the ComEd bill, and not in general.

- Fed up - Friday, Jun 1, 12 @ 1:42 pm:
Seems like what happens every day in springfield is that someone besides the elected officials are voting. Perhaps a legislator should have to show ID before being allowed to vote.

- TwoFeetThick - Friday, Jun 1, 12 @ 1:49 pm:
@Fed Up

ID is not necessary. Each member’s voting switch has a key. If a member wishes to ensure no one votes on their behalf, all they have to do is turn the switch off and take the key with them.

- Wensicia - Friday, Jun 1, 12 @ 1:54 pm:
I think she doth protest too much.

- The Captain - Friday, Jun 1, 12 @ 1:56 pm:
Freeman you’re incorrect on two points, the vote was verified. The clerk read every one of the 30 names and no votes were challenged. That happened.

The second incorrect point was on the motion to reconsider. One of the members voting in the affirmative moved to reconsider. There was a further motion made to table the motion to reconsider. This is a technique often used by the prevailing side so that the vote can’t be reconsidered. The motion to table the motion to reconsider was affirmed by voice vote rather than recorded vote and one of the Senators in opposition (I do not recall which) said that he had wanted a recorded vote but that request did not take place until after the motion was adopted. The Senator in opposition disputed the timing of his request saying that he had hit his button to seek recognition prior to the motion’s approval but whoever was in the President’s chair at the time ruled otherwise and they moved on to new business.

- Arthur Andersen - Friday, Jun 1, 12 @ 2:18 pm:
Very convenient headache, word. Besides, why would a Senator as diligent as Sen. Collins not send a page or staffer to fetch the Tylenol (or have the anti-Fahner gang had it banned from the floor) instead of abandoning the post at such a critical moment?

- wordslinger - Friday, Jun 1, 12 @ 2:25 pm:
–(or have the anti-Fahner gang had it banned from the floor)–

Very funny, AA.

- Freeman - Friday, Jun 1, 12 @ 2:31 pm:
Captain, the vote verification is based on tweets from blueroomstream. Still in yesterday’s scribble live feature. They may have been mistaken. Also no mention anywhere of the tabling of the motion to reconsider.

You may have been an eyewitness for all we know (posting on capfax from the floor last night as well? you’re hooked!), so we’ll assume that’s correct. Thanks for sharing that information.

As for people “stealing” votes, well…

- OpenlineBlog - Friday, Jun 1, 12 @ 2:34 pm:
Perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised the Illinois Senate uses bass ackward buttons or switches that allow for this type of confusion, but it seems like a simple fix…

…legislators should “log-in” with a pin or password (see Facebook, Twitter and 3 million other sites for examples) so they are “present” for a vote and then “log-out” if they leave. Do people leave their checking account or email inbox open on the desk? We would hope not…especially not with that crowd.

If a verification must be taken, let the legislator hit “confirm” on some simple screen.

This confusion is not necessary with today’s technology.

- Plutocrat03 - Friday, Jun 1, 12 @ 2:47 pm:
Still a stupid gambling bill. If you want revenue for the state, make a smaller bill, skip the race track slots and give Chicago and one other location a casino. When the magic happens, you can go for more….

- too obvious - Friday, Jun 1, 12 @ 2:47 pm:
Sorry Rich this is one of the few times I disagree with you. You’re wrong to dismiss the facts.

- Katiedid - Friday, Jun 1, 12 @ 3:11 pm:
McCarter did request a verification of the vote and they read all 30 names. After the names were read and McCarter scanned the room for the people whose names were read as having voted yes (and, presumably, he saw they were all there), he withdrew his motion. The vote was really verified, though, even though, technically, the motion was “withdrawn”.

- reformer - Friday, Jun 1, 12 @ 3:24 pm:
The culprit ought to be held accountable. Stealing a vote should not be considered SOP.

- ps - Friday, Jun 1, 12 @ 3:25 pm:
Government is good and Politicians are BAD. How long are we the citizens going to tolerate this, sit on our butts and let these corporate owned politicians build a get rich career! We need to demand term limits of one term and return politics to real public service.

- Rich Miller - Friday, Jun 1, 12 @ 3:52 pm:
===You’re wrong to dismiss the facts. ===

I’m not dismissing facts, just hyperbolic weirdness.

- AFSCME Steward - Friday, Jun 1, 12 @ 4:31 pm:
Although I think these kind of games need to stop, I am suspicious of this whole affair. A legislator in the bathroom with a headache while an important issue that she opposes is up for vote, and mysteriously a vote is cast in favor of the measure on her behalf. Sounds to me like she agreed to not be present when the vote was cast. The leadership could get the votes that were needed and she could deny any intent to vote.

Unfortunately, this is probably not that uncommon and is another example of why Illinois is one of the most corrupt states in America. Just for the record, I support the gambling bill, but also respect the rights of those have differing views.

- too obvious - Friday, Jun 1, 12 @ 4:47 pm:
Rich I don’t understand why you’re being so obtuse on this.

A huge bill that represents a huge change in state policy and has gobs of money associated, passes by one vote and that one vote came from a woman who loudly decries her vote was not cast by her.

You can call names like “hyperbolic weirdness” all you want but it’s crazy to just declare there is no issue. In fact it stinks to high heaven.

And if the gambling vote failed by one phony vote, the bill sponsors would be screaming bloody murder.

- Rich Miller - Friday, Jun 1, 12 @ 4:55 pm:
===In fact it stinks to high heaven.===

That’s pretty much exactly what the “buttongate” screamers said. And it’s why I kinda doubt there’s anything there and why I think you ought to have way more restraint in what you say here.

- Taking a Real Look - Friday, Jun 1, 12 @ 4:55 pm:
I was in the chamber. It appeared to me, Senator Jacqueline Collins never left the floor but came in from the back phone booth area.

Is it a crime to have a headache after a 15 hour work day dealing with lobbyist, constituents, staff, opponents, proponents… Would it have been more “convenient” if she would have fallen out on the Senate floor like a former unnamed State House Rep.?

Any one who has ever witnessed live session from the gallery knows that staff and other legislators push buttons other than their own. Wrong or right, it’s a practice that has been going on since the beginning of time.

Senator Jacqueline Collins has always garnered the respect of her colleagues even if they differ on issues. She is passionate about her beliefs and everyone on the Senate floor is aware of those beliefs and everyone knows she has been adamantly against the expansion of gaming.

At least she’s honest enough to admit that she was not at her seat and someone else pressed her button. Their’s no villains here, a simple mistake was made when someone pushed her as a “yes” instead of a “no.” This would have gone unsung had they pressed a “no.” I may not always agree with you, Rich, but in this particular case you are spot on. Let’s move on! It seems like we have bigger issues to address…can we say pensions, senior and children’s services, foreclosures, just to name a few!

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