* I just got off the phone with my mom, who is having some basement flooding issues after their sump pump burned out. She’s not a happy camper. I had a little bit of water in my basement as well last week and have since resolved to pull up that stupid carpeting installed by the previous owners. Any replacement suggestions would be appreciated.
* The Question: Have you, your friends or your loved ones been impacted at all by the recent flooding? Explain.
Over the weekend, rumors began to circulate that there are serious discussions taking place about U.S. Senator Mark Kirk stepping down due to his health. The questions remain … and we believe deserve to be answered.
* But a simple Google News search would’ve revealed the answer to those “questions.” From a front-page story just last week in the Post-Dispatch…
Despite his health problems, Kirk is unequivocal about remaining in the Senate. Another senator, South Dakota Democrat Tim Johnson, announced recently that he won’t seek re-election in 2014. Johnson, 66, suffered a near-fatal brain hemorrhage in 2006 and still has difficulty speaking.
Kirk shook his head when asked in the interview if, like Johnson, he might choose not to run again while dealing with health issues.
“Already raising money for re-election,” he said.
* Related…
* Al Hunt: Senate Friendship Born of Tragedy Overcomes Partisanship: Kirk’s recovery has been slow but steady. He walks with a cane and is regaining other abilities. He missed all of last year’s congressional session. He’s back full time now, and fully engaged. During a recent all-night Senate “vote-a-rama,” there were 42 roll calls until 5 a.m.; he made them all.
* The group “Good Jobs First” has published a “primer” for journalists covering Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s job-poaching visit to Illinois…
1. Get the Hard Texas Jobs Numbers. They reveal that interstate job piracy is a costly fool’s errand. We issued a national study on this very topic in January, and it has passages devoted to Texas on pages 4-5 and 16-20. We document that Texas under Perry in his first seven years netted a microscopic 0.03 percent (three hundredths of one percent) of its jobs base annually from corporate migrations—at great expense given to a tiny share of footloose companies.
What is Perry doing to help existing Texas firms expand and new firms to start up? (Not to mention operate safely.) Does he know that more than 9,500 business establishments with more than 110,000 jobs moved out of Texas during his first eight years in office? Where did they go and why?
2. Master the Texas Subsidy-Industrial Complex. Learn how private dollars (TexasOne)—some of them from site location consultants who profit from corporate relocations—bankroll Perry’s job-piracy forays. Learn about the Texas Enterprise Fund, where two-thirds of subsidized companies have fallen short on jobs, and where a fourth of recipient companies have given money to Perry’s campaigns or political proxies. The Wall Street Journal [8/13/11] summed it up as “Rick Perry’s Crony Capitalism Problem.” And the New York Times wrote at length about tax consultant (and big Perry backer) G. Brint Ryan.
Which consultants are accompanying Perry to Illinois? How much do they get paid when consulting for footloose companies? How much money have they given to Perry’s campaigns and proxies?
The Chicago area’s wealthiest investors are much more nervous about their state’s economy than counterparts elsewhere in the nation, according to a poll released Monday that reinforces concerns some companies may relocate if Illinois’ financial situation doesn’t improve.
The poll by Morgan Stanley Wealth Management comes on the same day Texas Gov. Rick Perry is scheduled to be in Chicago to try to lure businesses from the state with the promise of lower income taxes and a stronger economy.
Analysts and economic advisers say it’s another wake-up call for lawmakers who repeatedly have failed to solve Illinois’ $100 billion pension crisis and other financial problems.
The AP’s lede is more than a little breathless. There’s nothing in the poll that “reinforces” any concerns, other than the investors are not happy at all with the state’s finances and economy. Is anybody?
Survey Methods: as part of the national survey of 1,000 US investors, age 25 to 75, with $100,000 or more in investable household financial assets, an oversample of 302 Chicago area investors were interviewed. Approximately one-third of those interviewed had $1 million or more in household financial assets. Poll conducted Jan. to March, 2013, by GfK Public Affairs and Corporate Communications.
Most Chicagoland investors are bullish about the global economy (74%) and US economy (70%) but those numbers drastically dip at the state level:
• A majority (58%) sees a worsening of the state economy by the end of this year.
• Only 16% believe the state economy will be better by the end of 2013 compared to 40% believing the global economy will be better and 45% feeling the same way about the national economy.
• Economic issues top the list of Chicagoland investors’ concerns. 93% are worried about the financial well-being of the state with 80% describing themselves as “very” concerned.
• Investors are most concerned with the pension crisis (52%), Illinois state deficit (20%), state taxes (13%) and budget cuts (8%).
Investors want financial advice—specifically, communication and analysis. Nearly eight in ten Chicagoland investors (77%) use one or more financial advisors, and for millionaires the percent increases to 88%.
• 87% want guidance and resources on changes in the fed tax policy & exemptions
• 86% want guidance on their portfolio asset allocation
• 83% want clear communication on how assets can contribute to a retirement income stream
• 81% want new investment ideas; analysis of the economy and potential portfolio impacts; and downside portfolio protection
• 66% want guidance on estate planning to minimize tax effects on assets passed to heirs
Investors with household assets of $1 million or more, who make up a third of poll respondents, are more likely to see improvement in their portfolios from 2012 (77% vs. 53% in lower asset group) and, predictably, are less concerned than HNW investors overall about:
• Funds to cover the unexpected (44% vs. 68%)
• The ability to retire when desired (28% vs. 58%)
• Living beyond one’s assets (36% vs. 55%)
• Funding a child’s education (23% vs. 48%)
• Paying off the student loan debt of their spouse, children or grandchildren (12% vs. 27%)
In the opposite direction, millionaires are somewhat more concerned about the trade deficit (93% vs. 80%, overall), phase-out of personal exemptions and deductions (93% vs. 86%, overall), volatility in the stock market (87% vs.78%), and terrorism (82% vs. 74%).
From an investing perspective, millionaires are also more bullish than HNW investors overall on real estate for purchasing a second home (50% vs. 39%) and on investing in REITs (51% vs. 39%).
“Here in Illinois, we have all the factors needed to create a great business climate. We have a tremendously skilled workforce, an excellent transportation system, a wide variety of natural, cultural and recreational resources, great agricultural success and strong educational institutions to name a few assets. Though the state has many strong points, it is no secret that Illinois’ financial flaws are a downfall for business owners and residents. We have the worst credit rating in the country, a broken pension system and taxes have increased in recent years on businesses and individuals.”
“Texas Governor Rick Perry’s attempt to get Illinois businesses to move to Texas should sound an alarm to state leaders. We need to improve our business climate so we can better retain and attract businesses. We have some issues now, as highlighted by Gov. Perry, and we should make every effort to create a better environment where businesses can thrive right here in Illinois.”
* Perry in Illinois to lure business: On Tuesday, he’ll speak at the 2013 BIO International Convention in Chicago. The event draws business people from around the world and Perry will talk at an afternoon session about state legislative practices that support bioscience economic development.
* Erickson: Quinn awash in advice for big-talking Texans: “His state, frankly, is water-challenged, and any company thinking of going to Texas better check on their water,” Quinn said. And then came the rains. And the flooding. And by Friday, Quinn was forced to issue a disaster declaration covering 38 water-soaked counties.
* Editorial: Hey, Gov. Perry: Don’t mess with Illinois
* Illinois House approves bill to loosen workplace online privacy restrictions: The Illinois House on Friday voted to give employers more authority over employees’ online activity by allowing employers to request access to personal Internet accounts. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs), passed by a 68-36 margin, with two voting present, and now moves to the Senate.
* Editorial: Put Illinois to work - The stall on fracking is a job-killer
* Crowds gathered in front of Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia’s (D-Aurora) district office over the weekend to rally in favor and in opposition to gay marriage…
“We want to send a message to the representatives of Illinois, including Chapa LaVia,” said Edwin Ruiz, a Spanish-speaking pastor who is part of the International Federation of Chaplains and Human Rights, a group that has chapters across the United States. “I am here because I believe firmly in traditional marriage between a man and a woman. The Bible is very specific about that.”
Both sides of the demonstration were quick to say they had assembled a diverse group of supporters that included faith leaders and Hispanics.
“There was far more diversity on our side,” said Peter LaBarbera, the founder and president of Naperville-based Americans for Truth, which does not support same-sex marriage. “I know (Chapa LaVia) has got a big decision here. Many Latinos are on the pro-traditional marriage side. And Aurora has a heavily Hispanic population.”
The Rev. Suzanne Anderson-Hurdle, a pastor at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Romeoville, came as part of the counter-demonstration to support the legislation.
She testified in Springfield in 2009 in support of legislation to legalize civil unions for same-sex couples and did so again this year in favor of legalized same-sex marriage.
“This is a civil rights issue, not a religious issue,” she said, carrying a sign that read: “I am a pastor, I am a Christian, I support marriage equality.” “God willing, I won’t need it much longer,” she said as she put her sign down.
* A couple from the opponents. First up, Latino chants…
* Co-Founder of Gay Liberation Network, Andy Thayer, and Executive Director of Illinois Family Institute, David E. Smith are both interviewed by Illinois Review…
* Rep. Jim Sacia (R-Pecatonica) made this same point during floor debate last week over the medical marijuana bill…
“I’m 69. I’ve got a few maladies … I bet I could convince my doctor I’m in worse shape than I really am” to get some marijuana.
* OK, first, here’s the actual list of illnesses that medical marijuana can be prescribed for…
cancer, glaucoma, positive status for human immunodeficiency virus, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, hepatitis C, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Crohn’s disease, agitation of Alzheimer’s disease, cachexia/wasting syndrome, muscular dystrophy, severe fibromyalgia, spinal cord disease, including but not limited to arachnoiditis, Tarlov cysts, hydromyelia, syringomyelia, Rheumatoid arthritis, fibrous dysplasia, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury and post-concussion syndrome, Multiple Sclerosis, Arnold-Chiari malformation and Syringomyelia, Spinocerebellar Ataxia (SCA), Parkinson’s, Tourette’s, Myoclonus, Dystonia, Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, RSD (Complex Regional Pain Syndromes Type I), Causalgia, CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndromes Type II), Neurofibromatosis, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy, Sjogren’s syndrome, Lupus, Interstitial Cystitis, Myasthenia Gravis, Hydrocephalus, nail-patella syndrome, residual limb pain
If he didn’t have any of those problems and lied to his physician, he’d pay a penalty of up to $1,000, and the physican could lose his or her license. Both the patient and the caregiver must undergo background checks.
Also, the Department of Public Health can only issue permission after doing several things, including this…
confirm that the physician and patient have a bona fide physician-patient relationship, that the qualifying patient is in the physician’s care for his or her debilitating medical condition, and to substantiate the patient’s diagnosis
Look, pretty much every law can be circumvented or outright violated. But to dismiss the restrictions in this proposal as woefully inadequate as an excuse to vote against it is not intellectually honest.
“I want the FDA to sanction it and regulate it. Then Jimmy will be on board. That’s what they do, they regulate drugs, so they should be regulating this one.”
I’d like the FDA to step in as well, but Congress has to get off its dead rear first. And that just ain’t gonna happen in the foreseeable future.
During the Illinois House’s floor debate last week over the concealed-carry bill backed by the National Rifle Association, I was told by an intimate of House Speaker Michael Madigan that Madigan wanted to make sure the bill received no more than 64 votes.
Because the bill pre-empts local government home-rule powers, the bill required a three-fifths majority of 71 votes to pass.
The anti-gun forces were demoralized the day before when their highly restrictive concealed-carry proposal got just 31 votes, so Madigan (D-Chicago) wanted to do the same to the NRA’s version, I was told.
The idea, the source said, was to show both sides that they couldn’t pass their bills on their own and needed to get themselves to the bargaining table and work something out.
As you know, a federal appeals court has ruled that Illinois’ prohibition on concealed carry is unconstitutional, but the court left open the door to quite a few restrictions. The appeals court gave Illinois a June 9 deadline to enact a concealed-carry law, so the pressure is on to find a solution.
Without legislation, Illinois’ existing ban won’t be enforceable, which likely means anyone with a state firearm owner’s ID card could walk the streets carrying loaded weapons without a permit.
The NRA bill ended up getting 64 votes, exactly Madigan’s reported target number. By the way, that’s three votes less than the roll call on an even less restrictive concealed-carry bill a few months ago, so this was a huge loss for the NRA.
And keep in mind, the NRA was missing one of its supporters during that last roll call. So it actually lost four votes from the last time around and perhaps as many as nine from earlier in the day.
Madigan’s staff worked the bill hard, pulling off votes for their boss. Gov. Pat Quinn, Attorney General Lisa Madigan, Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s people also worked against the NRA bill.
Pro-gun forces began the day believing that they had more than enough votes to pass it, and they were furious when the tide began to turn against them. But there was nothing they could do as they watched one promised vote after another flip on them.
Afterward, some were defiant, saying they would now walk away from the table, kill anything they don’t like and wait for the federal appeals court’s deadline to arrive — when Illinois’ law on unlawful use of a weapon relating to concealed carry would not be able to be enforced. Others were more cautious, leaving open the possibility of a deal.
On the other side of the Statehouse, Sens. Kwame Raoul (D-Chicago) and Tim Bivins (R-Dixon) said they were close to wrapping up negotiations over a concealed-carry law. Raoul said the tentative proposal would be unveiled within days. It contains what will undoubtedly be a controversial “endorsement” clause.
If approved, anyone who is awarded a concealed-carry permit by Illinois State Police could carry anywhere in Illinois except Cook County and Chicago. If they want to carry in those areas, they would have to apply for an “endorsement” from local law enforcement. An appeals process was being added to the bill for those who are denied an endorsement, Raoul said,
The NRA’s top lobbyist responded that he would attempt to kill such a bill, but Bivins, who was Lee County’s sheriff for 20 years, didn’t seem very concerned that the final proposal might not be viewed favorably by the NRA.
Back in the House, Rep. Mike Zalewski (D-Riverside) held out hope that a deal could still be struck in his chamber. Zalewski, who voted “present” on the NRA’s concealed-carry bill, has been one of the go-betweens in the negotiations with the NRA and anti-gun groups.
Zalewski said he opposed some lower penalties in the NRA bill and wanted other items, including more restrictions in government buildings. He also said people with concealed-carry permits in other states should meet the same training requirements as those imposed in Illinois.
But the pro-gun forces complain that they’ve been negotiating with themselves. They’ve repeatedly compromised, only to see the goalposts moved farther away.
A key Illinois senator says legislation allowing public gun possession will carve out an exception for Chicago.
Republican Sen. Tim Bivins says the measure he and Democratic Sen. Kwame Raoul negotiated would allow Cook County authorities to deny a concealed carry permit even if an applicant passes the required background checks.
The former county sheriff from Dixon says the rest of the state would be governed by a so-called “shall issue” law — anyone meeting requirements would get a carry permit.
Bivins says the bill is being written. He says it’s not ideal but gun-rights advocates have to compromise.
Thoughts?
* This is also true, and the point was driven home hard by House Dem staff…
The other thing that happened is, due to a snafu with all the gazillion different drafts of 997, there were errors in the draft that came up for a vote. A few votes fell off because of that.
* Meanwhile, Bill Daley is upset that he gave money to a conservative Democrat from a pro-gun “red” state who then sided with the NRA…
I want my money back.
Last October, I gave $2,500 to support Heidi Heitkamp’s campaign to become North Dakota’s junior senator. A few weeks later, she won a surprise victory.
I have had a long career in government and politics, but I don’t donate heavily to political campaigns. When I contribute, it’s because I know the candidate well or am really impressed with the person. Heidi Heitkamp was one of the latter: She struck me as strong-willed, principled and an independent thinker.
But this week, Heitkamp betrayed those hopes.
She voted to block legislation to make gun background checks more comprehensive. Her vote — along with those of 41 Republicans and three other Democrats — was a key reason the measure fell short of the 60 votes needed for passage.
* Gov. Pat Quinn was on a tour of Illinois flooding over the weekend when his helicopter landed on some very wet ground in North Aurora. The chopper sank into the mud and got stuck. A friend snapped a pic…
