This just in… Another pension lawsuit filed
Thursday, Mar 6, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* 4:46 pm - The State Universities Annuitants Association has filed its lawsuit against the pension reform law. Click here to read it.
RNUG’s evening plans will probably have to be changed. But help him out in comments with your own take.
The lawsuit was filed in Champaign County, by the way. The other pension lawsuits have been consolidated in Sangamon County.
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* The House Republicans just sent out a press release documenting Keith Matune’s arrest record. As you know, Matune is challenging Rep. Ron Sandack in the GOP primary.
The HGOP release talked about Matune’s public indecency/resisting arrest charges and the DuPage County bust for allegedly bouncing a check in Virginia, but this other arrest was news to me…
Arrest 3: Charged with criminal trespass: gaining entry to a woman’s dormitory through a window a year after leaving college
Direct from court documents:
On January 17, 1994, Keith Matune knowingly and intentionally entered the Shoemaker Cooperative after having been denied entry as evidenced by his having to enter through a window.
On January 26, 1994, the Court is advised that Matune has been arrested on warrant and posted bond. The Court orders Matune to appear in court in person on February 14, 1994. The Court advises that if Matune fails to appear a re-arrest warrant will be issued.
On February 14, 1994, Matune enters a plea of not guilty and requests trial by jury. The court sets a trial date for June 21, 1994.
On April 18, 1994, Matune signs a plea agreement and the court withholds prosecution, but orders Matune to show written proof of completion of all conditions of probation (2 payments of $50, good and lawful behavior, and not to enter the premises again).
* Kinda creepy. And check this out…
Arrest 2/conviction: Convicted of Public Indecency/Charged with Resisting Arrest – Matune does not disclose conviction on his teaching application in May, 2013 (Which is a crime in itself)
Direct from certified court documents:
On December, 18, 1992, in Tippecanoe County, Indiana, Keith Matune did knowingly or intentionally, in a public place, appear in a state of nudity. Matune also did knowingly or intentionally: forcibly resist, obstruct or interfere with a law enforcement officer. The prosecuting attorney for the State of Indiana filed both charges with affidavit supporting probable cause. Matune appears before the court in Sheriff’s custody.
On April 7, 1993, Matune withdraws his plea of Not Guilty and enters a plea of Guilty to the charge of public indecency. Matune is sentenced to 1 year in jail, the sentence was suspended and Matune was placed on probation for 1 year having to meet the following conditions: pay court costs, maintain good and lawful behavior, and complete any program of counseling recommended for him by his counselors in the State of Virginia. (Matune gave law enforcement and the courts a Virginia address.)
Emphasis was added to point out that less than a year after Matune was put on one-year probation, he was busted again for breaking into that women’s dormitory.
* Now, about that “first” arrest…
Arrest 1: Felony warrant of arrest issued in Montgomery Co., Virginia
On February 3, 1991, Matune wrote a bad check for $500. On March 26, 1991 a felony warrant was issued for the arrest of Keith Matune, a hearing date was set for April 24, 1991 and Matune failed to appear. The warrant was for a felony charge of larceny by check in the amount $500 (not $150 as Matune claims).
Fugitive from justice: felony charge in Illinois
On May 3, 1991, Keith Matune was pulled over in Downers Grove for driving with bright headlights. During this stop, a routine check on the offender revealed an N.C.I.C. warrant for Matune’s arrest out of Montgomery Co., Virginia. Matune was then taken into custody. The Montgomery County Sheriff then notified the Downers Grove police that they “will immediately initiate the extradition process to return him to Montgomery County.” The DuPage County state’s attorney then authorized an additional felony charge of “fugitive from justice.” Matune was booked and taken to DuPage County jail. Court records show bail was set at $20,000.
On May 23, 1991, Matune appeared in DuPage County to face the felony charge of “fugitive from justice.” Court records state that Matune “fled the Commonwealth of Virginia with the intent to avoid prosecution for that [larceny] offense.”
The extradition was only cancelled after Matune was forced to pay restitution.
* OK, so if you look at the original Virginia arrest warrant, you’ll see that the man who swore that Matune wrote a check “with the intent to defraud, knowing that there were insufficient funds in the account to pay said check,” was a guy named Edward Jasie.
Ed Jasie is now deceased, but he was a criminal defense attorney.
So, Matune bounces a check to a noted criminal defense attorney (and a former commonwealth attorney) then heads to Illinois.
Which begs the question, might there be more to the curious case of Keith Matune?
Full document dump is here.
*** UPDATE *** Dan Proft’s new TV ad blasting Sandack and supporting Matune…
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Fun with numbers
Thursday, Mar 6, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From a Daily Herald story originally entitled “Suburbs would pay more under graduated income tax”…
A growing campaign for a graduated income tax in Illinois could push more of the total tax burden onto some areas of the suburbs, where median incomes far outpace state averages, critics say. […]
The suburbs’ higher incomes suggest a graduated tax, whatever it eventually looked like, could be a battleground issue locally. […]
The median annual household income in most suburban counties is higher than the Illinois average of $56,853, census data from 2008 to 2012 shows.
The median household income is $78,538 in DuPage County, $68,674 in Kane County, $83,835 in Kendall County, $79,085 in Lake County, $77,325 in McHenry County and $76,352 in Will County.
In Cook County including Chicago, the median household income is $54,648. However, it’s higher in most suburban Cook County towns, like a median of $71,306 in Streamwood and $81,105 in Hoffman Estates, for example.
* OK, the first thing you really need to understand about a graduated tax is that once you reach a higher tax threshold your increased tax rate does not apply to your full income. It applies only to the income above your new rate level. So, for instance, here are rates that Rep. Naomi Jakobsson has suggested, via the Illinois Policy Institute…
A person making $60K under Jakobsson’s plan would not be paying 6 percent on that entire 60 grand. That person would be paying six percent only on $2,000, and etc. down the line.
* The folks at A Better Illinois, which is advocating for a graduated Illinois tax and is backed by organized labor, among others, put together actual tax rates for all those suburban counties in the Daily Herald article and compared them to today’s current income tax rate. I’ve adjusted the headings a bit to make it more clear that these are Jakobsson’s proposed rates.
Again, this chart compares the current income tax rate of 5 percent to what the actual rate would be for median income in the suburbs if Rep. Jakobsson’s rates were enacted…
You can check their math by clicking here.
* So, under this particular proposal, people earning around the median income would be paying less than they are now, not more.
Then again, if the income tax is allowed to expire on schedule and the graduated tax was implemented down the road, there would most definitely be a tax hike for median earners, but not as high as they’re paying today.
* It should also be noted that the group doesn’t actually support Rep. Jakobsson’s tax rate plan, calling it “less progressive than what’s most likely to be attached to a Fair Tax.”
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Don’t Let Psychologists Prescribe
Thursday, Mar 6, 2014 - Posted by Advertising Department
[The following is a paid advertisement.]
In any discussion about treatment of mental illness, the interests of the patients and their families must come first. In considering Senate Bill 2187 – sometimes called “RxP” – members of the General Assembly should keep that in mind.
SB 2187 would allow psychologists who have no medical training to prescribe powerful medications to patients. Current Illinois law allows only people who have medical training – doctors, nurse practitioners and physician assistants – to prescribe drugs.
Why does medical training matter? Physical illnesses and mental disorders are often intertwined. Additionally, psychiatric medication, such as drugs for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, can interact negatively with medication for chronic illnesses like diabetes and high blood pressure. Finally, psychiatric drugs are powerful and can create risky side effects. To understand these intricacies, psychiatrists go through four years of medical school and four additional years of residency. They learn to treat the whole patient – not just the brain.
The most recent version of the “RxP” bill would require about 30 semester hours, or 10 college courses, plus 10 weeks of supervision by a psychologist to prescribe medication. The course work could be completed online. Would you allow someone trained online to repair your brakes? Fly a plane? Work as a lifeguard? Treat the family dog?
Psychologists who want to prescribe can follow the route taken by Illinois nurse practitioners, physician assistants and doctors. They can obtain medical training – instead of insisting on a law that would put patients at risk. To become involved, join the Coalition for Patient Safety, http://coalitionforpatientsafety.com.
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Question of the day
Thursday, Mar 6, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Sen. Bill Brady’s lack of campaign cash has meant he’s mainly advertising on the Internet. Here’s a recent Facebook ad…
* And here’s one a buddy of mine saw while listening to Billy Idol…
* The Question: Where else could Bill Brady place ads? And what should they say?
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And the winners are…
Thursday, Mar 6, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Sen. Bill Cunningham’s choice for yesterday’s caption contest winner was this one by Jeff Trigg…
Does freezing Lake Michigan water stimulate the growth of hair? Ask Sen. Cunningham.
* My personal favorite was posted by Sangamon GOP…
As the rest of the Illinois GOP primary moved on, Dan Rutherford was left in an awkward position.
Sen. Cunningham has graciously donated $200 to our Special Olympics Chicago fundraising page, which put us over $5,000. I’ll be making my own contribution a bit later today.
* Meanwhile, from a press release…
State Senator Daniel Biss (D-Evanston) has introduced legislation expanding restrictions enacted last year to prevent police from using aerial drones to infringe on individuals’ privacy rights. His new proposal prohibits law enforcement from requiring private individuals or companies, except in certain emergencies, to hand over information gathered by drones they own. The Senate Criminal Law Committee approved the plan [yesterday], clearing the way for a vote of the full Senate.
“The need to impose restrictions on drone usage is important so that our legal protections keep pace with advances in technology,” said Biss, who also sponsored last year’s Freedom from Drone Surveillance Act. “As it became clear that individuals and corporations would also be using drones, we needed to put in place measures ensuring law enforcement could not bypass the warrant process by simply requisitioning footage collected by other people’s drones.”
* The photo included with the release…
Caption?
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Progress, but still serious problems
Thursday, Mar 6, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* The Illinois Kids Count 2014 report: “Child Health Matters,” was released today. Key findings…
Health Care Coverage: Illinois has made significant progress reducing disparities in children’s health insurance coverage through Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and All Kids. The proportion of Illinois children without health insurance declined from 6 percent in 2008 to 3 percent in 2012. The state has also significantly narrowed racial-ethnic disparities in children’s health insurance coverage.
Family Income: There are wide health-related disparities between children in low-income families and those in families with higher incomes. Children in low-income families are less likely to receive comprehensive, coordinated care within a medical home. Low-income children are more likely to be overweight or obese and less likely to engage in vigorous physical activity. They are more likely to have oral health problems and less likely to receive preventive dental care.
Race-ethnicity: Racial-ethnic minority children in Illinois experience multiple disparities in health status, access to care, and environmental supports. Certain disparities are more pronounced among specific groups. The data show that African-American children are most likely to have poor birth outcomes such as low birthweight and most likely to be affected by asthma. Latino children are least likely to have access to continuous and coordinated care through a medical home. Latino parents are least likely to report excellent or good health for their children and other family members.
Special Health Care Needs: More than 450,000 Illinois children have special health care needs. About 40 percent of these children do not have adequate health insurance. Children with special health care needs are much more likely than other children to have frequent school absences. Less than half of youth with special health care needs receive services necessary to make appropriate transitions to adult health care, work, and independence.
Child Abuse and Neglect: Children who have experienced abuse or neglect have significant and complex health care needs. Medical, dental, and behavioral health conditions are very prevalent among children entering foster care. Since FY 2006, substantiated cases of child abuse and neglect in Illinois have increased by 13 percent. Counties with substantially larger increases include DuPage, Kane, Macon, Vermilion, and Will.
Read the full report by clicking here.
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Ditka cuts radio ad for Erika Harold
Thursday, Mar 6, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Illinois Review…
Former Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka is cheering for Erika Harold in the 13th CD GOP primary. He’s recorded a radio ad supporting Harold that will start playing on radio stations in the district, saying the former Miss America is a natural leader, a conservative and “tough.”
* Rate it…
Sounds like he literally phoned that one in. They couldn’t get him to a studio or at least have him use a landline?
* Meanwhile…
Erika Harold of Urbana, one of three Republican candidates in the 13th District, will speak Saturday at CPAC 2014, the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, D.C., as one of the top 10 conservatives under 40.
“We are pleased to announce that Erika Harold has been selected as one of our top 10 conservatives under 40,” said American Conservative Union Chairman Al Cardenas. “Our focus at CPAC has always been to showcase rising stars in the conservative movement. The depth and diversity of young leaders like Erika provides hope for America’s future as we face tough challenges ahead.”
Considering how badly she’s polling and how little money she’s raised, she’s probably on the list because she’s become a national media darling.
* But she did provide a thoughtful, if needlessly wordy, answer to a question about campaign finance reform…
The current framework of federal campaign finance laws favors special interest political action committees and political parties at the expense of citizens, as the amount of money citizens can contribute to their preferred candidates is capped at a lower level than the amount of money political action committees and political parties are permitted to contribute.
Moreover, this disparity in contribution limits serves to protect incumbents and disadvantage challengers, as political action committees simply are far more likely to contribute to incumbents in order to gain an audience with these individuals.
Accordingly, I would support legislation that eliminates these contribution limit differentials.
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Scott Walker redux versus a “RINO”?
Thursday, Mar 6, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Give Bruce Rauner chutzpah points for this comment in last night’s debate…
“Why are you running in the Republican primary? I think you should be running in the Democratic primary,” Rauner needled [Dillard], noting that Dillard has taken hundreds of thousands of dollars in public-sector union money. Rauner has long maintained that if a governor takes public union money it is not only a conflict of interest but amounts to a “bribe.”
* Dillard’s response…
“Mr. Rauner doesn’t quite get it and this is one of many things that make him unelectable, that a third of these people that he likes to demonize are Republican Primary voters,”
* More from Dillard’s response…
“Well first of all I’m a lifelong Republican,” Dillard said. He also mentioned that he was the former chairman of the DuPage County Republican Party. He said he’s not going to agree with all policies but did defend his vote for school reform.
Bruce Rauner, the man who’s given hundreds of thousands of dollars to Democrats, called somebody else a RINO?
Sheesh.
* And here’s a bit more from that exchange…
Rauner attacked Dillard’s links to the public employee unions.
“Those are the exact same groups that have supported Pat Quinn, supported the Democratic Governors Association. and helped get us into the financial mess we’re in. Yet, you’re with them aligned. The teachers union has said you’re aligned with them on the policies. They are in favor of a tax hike,” said Rauner.
“I’m not gonna’ agree with the teachers on everything. I’m not for a progressive income tax. I didn’t vote for the 67% income tax,” responded Dillard.
* A little background…
“The union interest here is to continue the gravy train of high taxpayer burdens to fund public employee compensations,” [John Tillman, CEO of the Illinois Policy Institute] said.
“This is all part-and-parcel of the public sector unions’ strategy,” Tillman said. “They want to have tremendous influence over whoever wins the governor’s race in the fall.”
David Yepsen, a long time journalist who is now director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University, said what the unions really want is to not be Wisconsin.
“I think the labor movement in Illinois is genuinely afraid Bruce Rauner will try to do what Scott Walker tried in Wisconsin and they are worried,” Yepsen told Illinois Watchdog.
* More on the Scott Walker fears…
Despite the concerns espoused in the unions’ anti-Rauner literature, though, one point has also become clear: Despite his lavish personal finances and vitriolic anti-organizing rhetoric, Rauner has not outlined any specific plan to hurt organized labor on his campaign website, in his limited press interviews or during debates.
Rauner has not, for example, proposed curbing collective bargaining rights like Walker did, or initiating a right-to-work law, like Daniels and Snyder. Though he has backed creation of “right-to-work” zones, where local governments could opt to adopt right-to-work laws, the candidate has stopped short of endorsing a statewide law outright. (Messages left with Rauner’s campaign for this story were not returned.)
And when it comes to pension cuts, the number one issue facing Illinois public employees of late, Rauner’s opinion likely won’t determine the outcome either way. Many of the same public employee unions financing Illinois Freedom PAC sued Quinn for signing into law last December a landmark bill that cuts Illinois’ public worker pensions. For his part, Rauner has said that law does not go far enough in cutting pensions and shoring up the state’s finances. It’s unclear, however, what he could do on pensions now that the Illinois Supreme Court will likely decide the matter.
Nonetheless, Bowen of IFT argues Rauner has staked out a clear “anti-middle class and anti-union position.” That will translate into anti-union policy, she says, no matter that Rauner currently seems to lack a cohesive strategy for doing so.
And statehouse observers feel that while Rauner may not have the impact of, for example, Scott Walker, who enjoys a Republican-majority legislature, he can still hurt unions.
“At first he can stop things from happening that public employee unions want to see happen,” says Kent Redfield, a professor emeritus of political science at the University of Illinois-Springfield. “And then he can get involved in legislative races and work with the state legislature.” In future elections, Redfield explains, Rauner could create political momentum and raise finances to elect anti-union legislators—who would, in turn, introduce bills that would be harmful to the labor movement.
…Adding… The IFT has a clever little gif page over on Buzzfeed about Rauner.
* Meanwhile, Dillard also got in some punches last night, too…
“If Mr. Rauner is our nominee . . . we are nominating someone who buys influence in all parts of his life. Putting Bruce in charge of Springfield is sort of like putting a rat in charge of the cheese,” Dillard said.
* But Bill Brady piled on Dillard…
“To walk away from $175 to $180 billion [in potential savings], I frankly would say for your own political interest, Kirk Dillard. Last night I said Bruce Rauner was starting to act like Rod Blagojevich; Kirk Dillard is starting to act like Pat Quinn,” Brady said. “Pat Quinn sold out to the unions in the last election. We need a governor who’s willing to stand up for what’s right and not use votes like that or issues like that for political gain.”
* Both of these guys are still vying for second place…
Brady and Dillard got into a dust up when Brady questioned Dillard’s math over savings Dillard said occurred by voting for a Blagojevich-backed bill to refinance the state’s pension obligations.
“Bill, that’s why your business is bankrupt,” Dillard said.
“Wait a second, you want to get into a lawsuit?” Brady shot back. “My business isn’t bankrupt. It’s been through some tough times but it’s not in bankruptcy.”
* Brady did, however, get in some digs at Rauner along the way…
Brady also insisted that he was the only “reliable Republican” in the race, and criticized Rauner — who has spent millions on television ads in his first bid for public office — of trying to buy the race.
“The real question here is: Why should the voters of Illinois trust their vote with Bruce Rauner? Someone that they didn’t even know four months ago,” Brady said. “The three of us have a pretty open book. We’ve got a track record.”
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Quinn has real base problems
Thursday, Mar 6, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* We Ask America tested Gov. Pat Quinn’s job approval rating among likely Democratic primary voters…
Approve 57%
Disapprove 31%
Neutral 12%
* But then they asked this: “I will probably vote to re-elect Pat Quinn as governor no matter who is running against him in the fall.” The response…
Agree 50%
Disagree 34%
Undecided 16%
* From the pollster…
Whoa…a third of likely Democratic voters disagreed with a fairly mildly written re-elect question, and another 16% aren’t so sure.
* Look at the Downstate results for the reason why…
Agree 38%
Disagree 48%
Undecided 15%
* Back to the pollster…
Now, political families fight, but when push comes to shove they tend to stick together. Still, having a third of likely Democratic voters say they’re not sure they’ll vote for an incumbent governor is a swift kick in the patootie.
Will those miffed voters come back home in the fall? Probably. But depending on how deep voters’ walking dread goes, some may not vote at all and a handful may vote against Gov. Quinn because they’ve had it with his schtick. Still, it’s likely Quinn will face Bruce Rauner whose attacks on union bosses will make Quinn the lesser of two evils for some.
But Mr. Quinn may want to tend to a bit of family housekeeping sooner than later.
* Methodology…
Date: 3/4-5/2014 - Participants: 1,262 Likely Dem. Voters - Margin of Error: ± 2.90%
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Oh. My. Goodness.
Thursday, Mar 6, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* After claiming weeks ago that gay marriage had faded as an issue, the AP now has a story about how the issue is impacting some legislative races…
But on the GOP side, two of the toughest primary challenges involve state Reps. Ron Sandack of Downers Grove and Ed Sullivan of Mundelein, two of three House Republicans who broke ranks to vote in favor. The third, former House Republican leader Tom Cross, gave up his seat to run for treasurer.
Sandack is being challenged by Downers Grove High School teacher Keith Mathune and Sullivan by Mundelein bus driver Bob Bednar. Both are being helped by conservative family groups hoping the four-way GOP governor primary lures social conservatives to the polls.
Illinois Families First, a political action committee started by conservative activist Paul Caprio, is working with local religious groups to campaign against Sandack and Sullivan — including raising money and organizing robo-calls.
Another conservative activist, Dan Proft, has directed $13,500 from his political action committee, Liberty Principles, to pay for direct mailk criticizing Sandack’s gay marriage vote.
Matune has criticized Sandack for his vote and for accepting campaign contributions of both opponents and proponents of same-sex marriage.
“I am a pro-traditional marriage person,” Matune said. “I … believe that the residents of our district would not vote (as Sandack has).”
* The Daily Herald looked a bit closer at the Sandack-Matune race…
Campaign advertisements in the 81st state House race continue to question the honesty of candidate Keith Matune, who is challenging incumbent state Rep. Ron Sandack in a bitter race for the Republican party’s nomination in the March 18 primary.
The campaign has been contentious from the start as Sandack and Matune, both of Downers Grove, compete for votes from residents of the 81st District, which includes parts of Downers Grove, Naperville, Lisle, Darien, Westmont and Woodridge.
The race has turned into one of the top handful of GOP primaries in the state. And with incumbent state representatives Jeanne Ives of Wheaton and Sandra Pihos of Glen Ellyn facing tough primaries, too, DuPage County has become a Republican battleground in Illinois.
One recent campaign mailer sent in the 81st District questions Matune’s honesty concerning his reply to a Daily Herald questionnaire that asks all candidates if they have ever “been arrested for or convicted of a crime.”
Matune said he has never been arrested. But the mailer cites documents showing he was arrested in 1992 in Indiana and charged with public indecency, to which he pleaded guilty in 1993.
* And the Tribune focused on social media…
In one recent exchange, Matune tweeted his contention that Sandack is more sympathetic to the Democratic party than to Republicans.
“Sandack is against term limits for (House Speaker Michael) Madigan,” the tweet reads. “The contradiction suggests that he seeks higher office and doesn’t want to be limited by term limits!”
After a local attorney tweeted his support for Matune’s position, Sandack fired back the next day.
“You’re wrong,” the tweet reads. “I want term limits 4 all legislators. I’ve had a TL bill for 2 years now. Look it up. #factsmatter.”
* But that’s not even the half of it. I told subscribers about this mailer earlier today. It’s just too wild not to share with everybody. The mailer, sent by Dan Proft’s Liberty Principles PAC, attacks Rep. Ron Sandack. It includes one of the most over the top images I’ve ever seen. Click for a larger pic…
* Let’s zoom in…
Oy.
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Rate the new Dillard TV ad
Thursday, Mar 6, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Steve Shearer’s union-backed Fund for Progress and Jobs (he filed a D-! to drop the word “Republican” from the name this week) is running a new TV ad on behalf of Kirk Dillard. The 100 percent positive spot is airing in Chicago…
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Mo’ money for Shearer PAC
Wednesday, Mar 5, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Steve Shearer’s anti-Bruce Rauner Republican Fund for Progress and Jobs PAC took in $485K today from labor unions. Expect more to come. I told subscribers about this earlier today.
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Question of the day
Wednesday, Mar 5, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From an article posted on LegalUSPokerSites.com…
John Cullerton, the president of the Illinois State Senate, announced his support for legalized online gambling in his state. The senator said he expects “stiff opposition” to his proposal, but the state could expect a 9-figure windfall in additional revenues if pro-gambling legislation was passed.
The Poker Players Alliance has estimated Illinois would make nearly $200 million a year if it licensed, regulated, and taxed online poker sites. Over the past two years, three other U.S. states have legalized online casinos and card rooms, and these states are already receiving additional revenue from the gaming activity.
Cullerton says the need to protect Illinois’s land-based casinos is going to be a complicating factor in any legalization process. Several factors are leading to Illinois lawmakers trying to find new ways to collect funds. With the state’s tax base increasingly impatient with new taxes, Cullerton believes the state’s leaders need to discuss all possibilities–including tapping the online gambling market. […]
When asked to address moral complaints on the ethics of approving online gaming with state laws, Cullerton added, “The point is people are already gambling, and we’re not making any of the money. There are other states that are just getting started that are bringing in some money. So that may play a role in it when we try to pass a budget.” […]
Still, Cullerton believes the greatest opposition will not come from the problem gambling groups and others against gambling on moral grounds. He believes the state’s already-entrenched gambling interests could line up against the plan. If so, they might pour significant amounts of money into swaying public opinion, lobbying state lawmakers, and defeating any bill put before the legislature. Such efforts have met with success in other states, and can be certain to tap a certain segment of the population which is anti-gambling.
One factor in the favor of Cullerton and his allies is the framework state-backed online gambling has taken in Nevada, New Jersey, and Delaware, the other states which have approved online poker. In those states, not everyone can collect a license and start accepting licensed and regulated players. The pre-existing gambling establishments are given the right to secure a license for online gambling websites, so the established gaming operations stand to gain from the venture.
* The Question: Should Illinois legalize onlne gambling? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.
surveys & polls
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Bills, bills and more bills
Wednesday, Mar 5, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* I doubt this’ll pass any time soon, but we’ll see…
Despite warnings that more than $2.3 billion must be cut from next year’s state budget, the largest state employee union is renewing its call for money to be set aside to pay back wages owed to union workers.
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees is again calling on lawmakers to approve one of the bills pending that would allocate $112 million to pay the wages owed to workers from as far back as 2011.
AFSCME has begun calculating how much is owed to workers in various parts of the state based on the number of workers in legislative districts. In the Springfield area, AFSCME says more than $17 million is owed to about 4,600 unionized state workers who did not get raises owed to them under previous union contracts.
“They do their jobs every day,” AFSCME Council 31 executive director Henry Bayer said in a statement. “It’s illegal and wrong to withhold wages for work performed.”
* Meanwhile, Exelon’s recent Statehouse maneuvering is more than a bit sketchy. They are worried that municipal aggregation, low natural gas prices and late night wind turbines (which are driving down rates to almost zero) are badly hurting their nuclear power plants’ ability to compete. But they won’t just come out and say what, exactly, they want to do about it…
State lawmakers say shutting the Byron station down would be a major loss.
“It would be a significant negative impact both in jobs and funding for community services, for school districts, many of the services that Byron area residents have come to rely on.” -says 90th District State Representative Tom Demmer.
Exelon representatives say they are in constant contact with state lawmakers, but the company is only making legislators aware of hardships.
“We haven’t asked any officials from Illinois to do anything regarding current market conditions. Right now we’ll just continue to operate safely here at Byron and see what the next few years brings for us.” -Dempsey says.
* They have floated some ideas, however…
Crain’s reported that Exelon lobbyists have floated the idea of a clean energy standard or credit that would provide extra payments for the plants. A company statement, though, denied it has asked for legislation that would change market conditions and did not provide further details on potential plant closures.
But do they also want to give wind turbines a bigger break? Doubtful.
* Seems like a dose of overdue common sense…
The Illinois Senate has advanced legislation making it a crime for 911 dispatchers to tip off criminals when law enforcement is nearby. […]
State Sen. Dave Koehler is the bill’s sponsor. He says the legislation is necessary because in 2010 the Illinois Supreme Court ruled nothing in Illinois law made it illegal for a dispatcher to alert a drug dealer that police were in the area. […]
In 1998 a dispatcher in the Chicago suburbs was convicted of official misconduct after she tipped off a local drug dealer that police were near his house. The dispatcher appealed.
* This is a polite way of saying the bill is deader than a rock on a stump…
Illinois lawmakers have mixed thoughts on a proposal that would allow communities around the state to install speed cameras, which are only allowed in Chicago.
The Springfield bureau of Lee Enterprises newspapers reports the measure by Collinsville Democrat Rep. Jay Hoffman is generating discussion among legislators.
Murphysboro Republican Rep. Mike Bost calls the devices a “cop-in-a-box,” and says his constituents think they harass drivers.
* Passing a committee does not mean it’ll become law. Just sayin…
A bill that would make smoking in a car with a minor present a petty offense is one step closer to becoming law.
The Senate Public Health Committee Tuesday voted 5-2 to send SB2659 to the full Senate. If passed, motorists found in violation of the law would have to pay fines of $100.
“There are very serious health effects associated with exposure to second-hand smoke, especially for minors. This plan is aimed at reducing that exposure,” Chicago Democratic Sen. Ira Silverstein, the bill’s sponsor, said in a statement Tuesday.
According to a provision in the bill, police officers who notice someone smoking in a vehicle with a minor in it cannot stop that vehicle solely for that reason, drawing criticism from some committee members during a hearing last month.
Occupants of motorcycles and convertibles with their tops down would be exempt. Illinois would become the sixth state to have such a law. Arkansas, Louisiana, Maine, Oregon and Utah have enacted similar legislation, and another 14 states are considering measures.
* Not a bad idea…
Those who wait to renew their registration through CyberService or the mail until the last days leading up to the expiration of their current registration will now be provided a way to avoid being issued a ticket for driving that vehicle if the sticker doesn’t arrive in time.
“There should be no more worrying about the possibility of being forced to drive illegally without an up-to-date sticker,” said Van Pelt. “Now all you need is a receipt from the Secretary of State while you wait.”
The legislation provides that this new printed receipt proof of registration is only valid for 30 days from the expiration of the previous registration sticker’s date, giving Illinoisans plenty of time to receive and attach the registration stickers. Senator Van Pelt hopes to avoid future instances of responsible drivers being punished because of the length of time it takes to acquire a current sticker.
* From a press release…
State Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) is holding a press conference to discuss Senate Bill 3138, a measure that would allow Illinois to opt into the Do Not Adopt Registry administered by Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF). The registry aims to protect animals from being adopted by convicted animal abusers by providing shelters, stores and organizations with access to a nationwide searchable database.
Sen. Rezin will be joined by Chris Green, Director of Legislative Affairs with ALDF; Jason Helland, Grundy County State’s Attorney; and other guests.
I didn’t know such a registry existed. Interesting.
* Other stuff…
* Kadner: The south suburban casino lottery: Local mayors can’t get together on a single site for a gambling casino in the south suburbs, and there also seems to be wide disagreement on a revenue-sharing plan if a casino eventually is built.
* Committee to hold hearings on raising Illinois minimum wage to $10.65: The first hearing is 2 p.m. Wednesday in Room 413 of the Stratton Office Building in Springfield. Hoffman said it will be the first of several public hearings on the issue. “These hearings are opportunities for folks on all sides of the debate to engage the legislature, and help impact our decisions if a minimum wage bill is called for a vote,” Hoffman said.
* Proposed Legislation Asks State To Study Interest-Free College Loans
* Bill to support levee fix advancing
* Illinois House panel passes Poison Center bill
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Oh, it’s on
Wednesday, Mar 5, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* I caught more than a little good-natured grief while I was out on the town last night regarding my admittedly non-plungy Polar Plunge.
And today, Sen. Bill Cunningham rubs it in…
Whatever, dude.
* Our page was in the top fifteen of all 2,466 Special Olympics Chicago fundraisers. I searched for “Cunningham” and didn’t find any results.
So, top that, Senator.
…Adding… How about we do a caption contest on that second Cunningham photo? I’ll donate $100 to Special Olympics Chicago in the name of the funniest commenter. And I’ll shame Sen. Cunningham into at least matching it.
Heh.
…Adding More… Always a good sport, Sen. Cunningham says he’ll donate $200 in the name of today’s winner. Thanks!
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They’re gonna need all the help they can get
Wednesday, Mar 5, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Newspaper endorsements aren’t truly effective until a candidate uses them in a mailer or TV ad. And since Rep. Ron Sandack is fighting for his political life against a hardcore, well-funded conservative, and Rep. Ed Sullivan is having more trouble than expected with his conservative primary opponent, this Tribune nod is probably not something they’ll be touting to GOP primary voters in its entirety…
Only three Republicans in the Illinois House supported same-sex marriage when it was approved last year. Two of those Republicans face primary challenges, largely because of that vote. They are Rep. Ron Sandack of Downers Grove and Rep. Ed Sullivan of Mundelein.
Their votes caught many same-sex marriage opponents by surprise. Sandack and Sullivan voted in 2010 against legislation that allowed civil unions, a far less-sweeping change in law.
Um, OK.
* But there are some things the two incumbents can use. For instance…
Sullivan and Sandack protect your pocketbook. They are fiscally prudent. They have the record to prove it.
* Meanwhile, this is how the Trib described freshman Rep. Kathleen Willis’ Democratic primary opponent Tony Favela…
Favela is running an aggressive campaign
Who spun them on that?
Favela has raised almost no money and he’s just barely on the HDem radar screen.
Heckuva job, Brownie.
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* Oof…
Sen. Bill Brady twice compared Republican opponent for governor Bruce Rauner to jailed former Gov. Rod Blagojevich during Tuesday night’s GOP candidate forum.
“The more I hear Bruce Rauner speak the more he sounds like Rod Blagojevich,” Brady said. “That’s the way he came to Springfield.” […]
Later in the forum, Brady brought up Rauner’s reported ties to Blago-linked Stuart Levine.
“He’s tied to more felons who are in jail than I think Rod Blagojevich,” Brady said
Too bad Brady doesn’t have any money to burn that message in.
* Kerpow…
After the debate, Dillard lit into Rauner for his past donations to Democrats, including former Democratic National Committee chair Ed Rendell.
“Bruce Rauner is the worst kind of insider,” Dillard said. “Bruce Rauner is the king of all pay-to-play politics in the history of Illinois.”
Dillard questioned Rauner’s contention that he did not know Levine.
“A man like Bruce Rauner who goes and asks for $50 million from the board that Levine controls, you don’t think knows who’s on that board?” Dillard said. “Bruce is a lot of things, but stupid is not one of them.”
Maybe more of that during the debate?
* Oy…
Rutherford’s campaign has been weakened by a federal lawsuit from a former treasurer’s office worker alleging sexual harassment and being forced to do political work on state time. Asked if he should publicly release a taxpayer-funded report looking into the allegations that he commissioned, Rutherford said “no” and cited the lawsuit.
“The report is not going to be released,” he said.
What happened to his rhetoric about how he really, truly, sincerely wants the report to be released, but he just can’t because his lawyer won’t let him?
* Related…
* Zorn: Rauner’s attack on Quinn is a crime against truth
* VIDEO: Bill Brady Compares Bruce Rauner to Blagojevich
* VIDEO: Dillard: “I Will be Able to Tell Mayor Rahm Emanuel No”
* VIDEO: Republican Candidates Talk Job Creation
* VIDEO: Republican Candidates Discuss Equal Pay for Women
* Dillard unveils economic plan with tax credits to create jobs
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Kid… Have you rehabilitated yourself?
Wednesday, Mar 5, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* The effort by House Speaker Michael Madigan to rehabilitate his public image after years of negative media coverage appears to be continuing. From a press release…
Hoping to secure a second presidential library for Illinois, House Speaker Michael J. Madigan and State Rep. Monique D. Davis on Monday introduced legislation to devote $100 million in state capital funding toward the presidential library and museum of President Barack Obama.
“Illinois has a long and proud tradition as the birthplace or home of some of our country’s most influential commanders-in-chief, from Lincoln and Grant to Reagan and Obama,” Madigan said. “We hope President Obama selects his adopted home state of Illinois to be the location of his presidential library, which will be a lasting testament to his contributions and leadership as an Illinois state senator, U.S. senator and president of the United States. It’s important that we make a strong financial commitment to honor the legacy of one of Illinois’ favorite sons and the first African-American president of the United States.”
According to the National Archives, the president selects the location of his presidential library with advice from the Archivist of the United States. A number of proposals may be submitted by various interested locations.
According to Politico, among the interested locations are the University of Chicago, which is close to Obama’s Hyde Park home and where he taught constitutional law; the University of Illinois at Chicago; Chicago State University; Columbia University in New York City, where Obama received his undergraduate degree in 1983; and the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where Obama’s parents met. While three Illinois sites are seeking to land the presidential library and museum, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Obama’s former chief-of-staff, said in January that he wants the city to make a single proposal for one location.
“Chicago is a world-class city and the ideal location to build a lasting tribute to President Obama’s achievements,” Madigan said. “Chicago is where the president got his start in public service as a community organizer and as a state senator. Housing his library and museum in the city and state where his impressive career took root is the right thing to do.”
The reported target date for selecting the site of President Obama’s library and museum is early 2015.
If you’ll recall, Madigan derisively referred to Obama as “The Messiah” several years ago.
* Leader Durkin isn’t ready to sign on…
House Republican Leader Jim Durkin says if Illinois could get back to rosier budget days, he’d give the idea consideration.
Durkin says it’s a question of priorities. He also says the proposal is premature, given that other states — like Hawaii, where Obama was born — are still in the running.
Madigan’s plan gives no indication of where Illinois would get the money.
* So, what about the money?…
Steve Brown, a spokesman for the speaker, said a time frame on how the money would be appropriated has not been set, noting the state “will need a new capital plan to accommodate programs like this one.”
The last capital construction program, passed by the Legislature in 2009, funded $31 billion in projects around the state, through approving video gambling and taxing liquor, soft drinks and candy, and increasing driver’s license fees.
Headline is explained here.
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New poll: Rauner still way ahead
Wednesday, Mar 5, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From a We Ask America tracking poll of 1,262 likely GOP primary voters, with the firm’s Feb. 25th tracker numbers in parentheses…
Bill Brady 12% (13)
Kirk Dillard 14.5% (17)
Bruce Rauner 40% (36)
Dan Rutherford 8% (7.5)
Undecided 26% (27)
* From the pollster…
As the results show, Bruce Rauner continues to dominate the others by a wide margin. With only two weeks to go, it will be extraordinarily difficult for any contender to close the gap. Absent a Richter-scale scandal or some kind of proof of certain unions’ claim that they can talk their members into pulling GOP ballots for Dillard (more on that tomorrow), Mr. Rauner’s lead should hold.
We believe that the Fat Lady is clearing her voice.
* Trendlines since last May…
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AFSCME backs Dillard
Wednesday, Mar 5, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* I told subscribers this morning that this would likely happen soon. Well, it happened today. From a statement by Henry Bayer, executive director for AFSCME Council 31…
“We believe that Kirk Dillard would be the best choice in the Republican primary because he has a long record of public service and a demonstrated understanding of state government. He rejects the demonization of public employees – correctional officers, caretakers for those with disabilities, and thousands of others who provide the vital public services that Illinois citizens demand.
“On the other hand, his primary opponent Bruce Rauner is a billionaire CEO with no experience and little understanding of state government. He calls himself a ‘political outsider’ but has a long record of political cronyism and questionable business deals.
“Rauner asserts that state and other public employees have no legitimate voice in state government while claiming he would run the state ‘like a business’. Illinois citizens would be ill-served by turning over its veterans’ homes and mental health facilities to someone who sought to squeeze profits out of hundreds of nursing homes that were subsequently plagued by millions of dollars in verdicts from wrongful death and patient-neglect lawsuits.
“We believe Kirk Dillard, with his long experience in the Jim Thompson and Jim Edgar administrations, as well as the state senate, is the responsible choice in the Republican race for governor.”
The IEA and IFT have already endorsed Dillard.
Discuss.
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* I was out of the office chasing other stories when Attorney General Lisa Madigan released a letter to the Macon County Clerk, who was asking for direction on whether to issue same sex marriage licenses. The clerk’s state’s attorney had advised against it, so he turned to Madigan several days ago. From her response…
For the reasons explained in more detail in the legal papers filed in the Lee case, my office’s position is that current Illinois restrictions against same-sex marriage violate the equal protection rights that belong to all citizens under the United States Constitution. Since the United States Supreme Court’s landmark decision in United States v. Windsor, 133 S. Ct. 2675 (2013), there has been a consistent stream of lower federal court decisions declaring restrictions against same-sex marriage unconstitutional. […]
In its February 21, 2014 decision, the court in Lee likewise ruled that “marriage is a fundamental right to be equally enjoyed by all individuals of consenting age regardless of their race, religion, or sexual orientation, and the public policy of this State has been duly amended to reflect that position.” Because the case was filed only against Cook County Clerk David Orr, the court stated that its ruling applied only to Cook County: “Although this Court finds that the marriage ban for same-sex couples violates the Fourteenth Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause on its face, this finding can only apply to Cook County based upon the posture of the lawsuit.”
As a general matter, a court decision is not binding on persons who were not parties to the case. In limited circumstances, a person who was not a party may be considered to be in privity with one of the parties and therefore bound by the court’s rulings. That exception does not apply here. […]
Even though the ruling in Lee is not binding on you, the protections guaranteed by the Constitution must exist without regard to county lines, and the Lee decision, along with the federal court decisions noted above, should be persuasive as you evaluate whether to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Additionally, while the ruling in Lee does not control other courts as binding precedent, we expect Lee to be persuasive to other state or federal trial courts addressing the same questions. If there is another suit challenging a county clerk’s refusal to issue a marriage license to a same-sex couple in Illinois, our office would likely move to intervene, as we did in Lee, and urge the court to follow the holding in Lee.
Thus, in deciding whether to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples before June 1, each county clerk should consult with his or her State’s Attorney and give full consideration to the rulings in Lee and the many other cases cited above, as well as to the cost and potential outcome of litigation in the event of a lawsuit challenging any denial. In the meantime, same-sex couples who wish to marry in Illinois before June 1 may ask their local clerks to issue the marriage licenses. If such requests are denied, couples may opt to obtain their marriage licenses in Cook County to be married there, or they may file a lawsuit, as the plaintiffs did in Lee, in which we would argue that it is unconstitutional to deny marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
* Gov. Pat Quinn issued a statement…
Governor Pat Quinn today released the following statement on the state’s immediate recognition of marriage equality for all:
“Nobody should have to wait for equal rights when it comes to love. I encourage every county clerk in Illinois to quickly follow the Attorney General’s guidance.
“Following this guidance, the Illinois Department of Public Health will now accept all marriage licenses issued by any county clerk in Illinois.”
Under current law, the public health department helps ensure that new marriages comply with state laws.
* From Equality Illinois…
Equality Illinois said Monday that a letter released tonight by Atty. Gen. Lisa Madigan gives all Illinois counties the green light to immediately begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
The letter released by the Illinois attorney general regarding marriage equality says “the protections guaranteed by the Constitution must exist without regard to county lines.”
The letter was sent in response to a question from Macon County Clerk Stephen Bean in Decatur about whether the federal court decision ordering Cook County Clerk David Orr to begin issuing licenses to same-sex couples applies to counties in the rest of the state. It was shared with all 102 counties in the state.
“We agree with the Attorney General that the recent federal decision knocking down restrictions on marriage equality as unconstitutional should be the determining factor in clerks’ decisions to issue the licenses before the June 1 effective date of the Illinois Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act,” said Bernard Cherkasov, CEO of Equality Illinois, the state’s oldest and largest advocacy organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Illinoisans.
“Already some 260 couples have obtained licenses in Cook County, according to David Orr’s office, and there are many thousands more around the state awaiting the time that they can have their love legally recognized,” Cherkasov said.
* Tribune…
Lake County officials said Tuesday that they had no plans to start issuing same-sex marriage licenses before June 1, according to State’s Attorney Mike Nerheim.
Lawyers in the prosecutor’s office, which gives legal counsel to Lake County Clerk Willard Helander’s office, view the ruling that Madigan cited as applying only to Cook County, Nerheim said.
Issuing questionably valid licenses could make a mess of future divorce and probate cases, Nerheim said.
“We just want to make sure that those licenses are valid,” he said.
Officials from other counties in the Chicago area did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
*** UPDATE *** Another one…
St. Clair County Clerk Thomas Holbrook on Wednesday said his county was ready to immediately start issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. The announcement came a day after Attorney General Lisa Madigan told all Illinois county clerks they had the right to give them out.
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