43 Comments - Mason born - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 11:56 am: This is my last election so you tell them i made you do it. - John A Logan - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 12:00 pm: In the land of lincoln there is an old saying about finishing what a person starts. You must finish what you start. I have always said that. The military is a fine example of what I am talking about. That is why I have brought along with me today a member of the Farm Bureau to talk about his experiences in Vietnam. He is going to tell you that when you start an offensive, you can’t just stop in the middle of it. You have to finish what you have started, at least that is what we do here in the land of Lincoln. I would also remind you that despite popular belief, this current issue facing the general assembly is not something that just showed up yesterday. In fact, I have been working day and night, night and day on this issue, and I fully expect that in the land of lincoln we are going to do what is right for people. I wont stand by, I am here today to speak truth to power, and with my new petition that I am proud to announce I am launching today we can all do that together. God Bless American, and God Bless the United State of Illinois. - Bill White - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 12:02 pm: I’d riff off Ben Franklin - if Democrats don’t hang together they will surely hang separately. If you give Dan Proft what he wants now, you can bet your IL House seat that he will be back tomorrow for more. - A guy... - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 12:03 pm: Just tell them “temporary” is defined by us, not them. - Anon - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 12:04 pm: “Let’s make the will of the people the law of the land………except……um……you know……..” - Esteban - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 12:09 pm: You can keep your promise the next time this comes up. - Norseman - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 12:12 pm: - I promise that I’ll stop saying bad things about you. - I will not work any more nights to come up with silly missions in life that messes with you. - There will be more project money for important concerns, wink, wink, wink! - I’ll let you pet my dog. - Responsa - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 12:18 pm: “In our Illinois democracy elected officials are expected to toe the party line no matter what your constituents tell you they want. So, be mighty and strong and unyeilding like the Mississippi River which runs through our Land of Lincoln. It’s easy, too. Just put your fingers in your ears–block out your constituents.” - 47th Ward - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 12:21 pm: Quinn will open the bidding at 2 IDOT jobs per “aye” vote. He’ll be prepared to up the number as needed, and include IDOC, Tollway, etc., until he gets to 60. First come, first served. Jack Franks need not apply. - Jake From Elwood - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 12:21 pm: My friends, remember that your vote is not for a tax increase, it is for a tax freeze. Five percent is a nice round number. - Spliff - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 12:23 pm: 1. Free Ice Cream once it becomes Spring 2. a shout out on twitter by @RichMillersDog 3. I promise to not talk to long and let the point be lost when I am before the press or in debates. I remember that debates I had in 1996 with Dick Durbin back when he was a congressman and I was unelected. Those were lean years for Soy boy, let me tell you. Well when we met to ….. (23 minutes later). 4. was I on point four? - South of 64 - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 12:24 pm: They are only trying to distract you from the will of the people with those silly Temporary? signs. Don’t fall for that. The will of the people is the will of the people. And the will of the people is the Land of Lincoln going back to our ancestors days when the will of the people meant the will of the people. Thank you all and God Bless each and everyone of you for you are doing the people’s work for the will of the people. - Oswego Willy - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 12:25 pm: Pat Quinn: Thanks, Speaker Madigan, for letting me talk with your Caucus. I need a man who has powerful friends. I need to make the tax permenant. I need, Speaker Madigan, all of these Mushrooms that you carry around in your pocket, like so many nickels and dimes. Speaker Mike Madigan: What is the interest for my Caucus, my…”family”? PQ: Keeping the Majority. In the first year your end should be three, four hundred million tax dollars. And then it would go up. MM: And what is the interest for the Downstate Dems? PQ: [smiles at Leader Currie] My compliments. [Currie gives a formal nod] PQ: I’ll take care of the Downststers, out of my vote totals. MM: So, I am to receive cover for Downstate Dems, for legal protection and political influence. Is that what you’re telling me? PQ: That’s right. MM: Why come to me? Why not Cullerton? What have I done to deserve such generosity? PQ: If you consider having Mushrooms voting a 300 million dollars in permanent tax money mere votes… [raises his glass] PQ: Te salut, Speaker. [MM gets up to take a drink and sits closer to PQ] MM: I said that I would let the Caucus see you because I had heard that you were a serious this time, so you should be treated with respect. But I may have to say “maybe” to you and let me give you my reasons. It’s true I have a lot Mushrooms in this Caucus, but they wouldn’t be so friendly if they knew I was having them vote to keep this tax permanent, instead of Chicago gambling solutions, which they consider a harmless way to raise revenue. But permanent income tax, that’s an ugly way to win re-election. PQ: No, Speaker… MM: It makes no difference, it don’t make any difference to me how a governor raises revenues on his own, you understand. But your income tax vote is a little dangerous. PQ: If you’re worried about seats, for these votes, my political operatives will guarantee wins. Rep. Jack Franks: Whoa, now, you’re telling me that the Quinn political crew guarantees our seats without…? MM: Wait a minute. [MM gives JF a cold stare, freezing Franks into silence. The others fidget with embarrassment at this outbreak, but Pat Quinn looks slyly satisfied… ] MM: [dismissive] I have a sentimental weakness for my Mushrooms, and I let them even “speak” from time to time, as you can see. They talk when they should listen. Anyway, Governor Quinn, my concern for this is still real. I want to congratulate you on your upcoming campaign, and I’m sure you’ll do very well and good luck to you. Especially since your interests don’t conflict with mine. Thank you. [PQ leaves] MM: Rep. Franks, come here. MM: What’s the matter with you? I think your brain is going soft with all that comedy you are playing with your no vying for taxes pledge! Never tell anyone outside thisFamily what you are thinking again. Go on. - Rich Miller - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 12:28 pm: Gonna be hard to top OW today. - 47th Ward - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 12:29 pm: Thanks Willy. Well done. Made my day. - Goonhammer - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 12:31 pm: PQ: “With this tax hike we will not only continue to pay down our back bills but also be able to provide Illinois families with property tax relief by issuing a property tax rebate!” - Ghost - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 12:33 pm: If you vote for this tax hike, Rich Miller will come to the central rotunda and do the chicken dance dressed as a giant chicken…. - archimedes - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 12:34 pm: If we don’t extend the tax - those prairie chickens will have to walk to Illinois… - DuPage Dave - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 12:36 pm: A vote for the tax today is a vote for Rauner tomorrow. So either way, I’ll see you around. - Precinct Captain - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 12:38 pm: “Take the cake, it’s for you!” - Oswego Willy - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 12:43 pm: Thanks much Rich! - 47th Ward -, glad to hear it! Have a good Friday. - wordslinger - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 12:50 pm: “Wow, didn’t there used to be more House members? What happened? “You following me? You have choice.” 1. Tax Extension 2. Cutback Amendment II - Anon. - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 12:54 pm: ==- I’ll let you pet my dog.== Almost: I’ll get Rich Miller to post more videos of Oscar. - The Patriot - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 12:55 pm: I have the missing Watergate tapes, and Madigan orchestrated the whole thing! - Waffle Fries - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 1:00 pm: …It is the right thing to do… - Wensicia - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 1:05 pm: “God put YOU on Earth to do this!” - x ace - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 1:08 pm: Lucca Brassi was from Oswego ? - Just Me - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 1:09 pm: Caucuses like this just burn me up. Where is all the “openness” and “transparency” loving legislators who demand local governments abide by all sorts of open government rules, but yet are mysteriously silent when the CEO of the State wants to discuss a major policy issue with a majority of a legislative chamber. - CapitolJoe - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 1:13 pm: “Vote for it, or so help me, I’ll put up a primary opponent against you in the next election that will have more money than God” - Joe M - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 1:18 pm: Quinn: By temporary, we meant that the decision to scale back the tax increase was a temporary decision. General Assembly: Are you saying that the tax increase is permanent? Quinn: The answer to that question is No, temporarily. Ask me again after the elections. - Anon - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 1:18 pm: You either vote with the majority to extend the hike, or you’re voting with the unanimous GOP minority for severe reductions in basic services. I doubt any Democrat was sent here to vote like a Republican, (JF excepted.) - bwana63 - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 1:41 pm: I meant the hike is temporarily eternal. - Grandson of Man - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 1:42 pm: Madigan: “If you don’t vote for the budget, there will be huge cuts that will harm your district.” Democratic House Tax Dissenter: “Dude, forget about it. I don’t care what you threaten. You couldn’t pass a millionaire tax, and you can’t pass the minimum wage increase. “You’re losing your power. Look at the polls. People don’t like you. You’re finished. Why don’t you just go and have a nice retirement, now.” That stony stare of Madigan is not intensity and concentration, it’s the gripping fear of losing power. - Oswego Willy - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 1:59 pm: - x ace -, More like Henry Hill out here in Oswego; “Can’t even get decent food - right after I got here, I ordered some spaghetti with marinara sauce, and I got egg noodles and ketchup. I’m an average nobody…” - Anonymous - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 2:01 pm: we do the deed now it won`t be fresh in the fall,tax the rich feed the poor till there are no rich no more - 'Chauncy" Gardner - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 2:05 pm: PQ “In the garden there are times when one must toil greatly to ensure the seeds we have planted will continue to grow and bring nurishment. Now is that time.” - dupage dan - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 2:17 pm: Quinn, “My floor leader - Speaker Madigan, and I assure you that doing this hard thing is the best thing for all the people in the State”. - Walker - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 2:19 pm: @John A Logan: brilliant Mike Madigan: “Jack Franks, put that camera away, no selfies allowed.” “Hey Dunkin, no recording for your friends in the hall.” “I know, I know Elaine. But we’re not done balancing yet.” “Who’s the guy in the back crouched behind a chair? Yeah that guy with the beard. He’s not helping.” “OK Pat, now tell me something we don’t already know.” Pat Quinn: “It’s all about jobs.” - Sir Reel - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 2:36 pm: And so I ask you, how many of your relatives and friends need jobs? - Norseman - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 2:37 pm: === Quinn, “My floor leader - Speaker Madigan, and I assure you that doing this hard thing is the best thing for all the people in the State”. === Speaker Madigan, “What’s this floor leader doo doo.” You’re on your own bub. - Spike - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 2:48 pm: Please baby please baby please baby please - Responsa - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 3:29 pm: Well done, Chauncey Gardiner! I just re-read Jerzy’s great satire novella last week! Hoo boy did he ever nail some stuff. - Pot calling kettle - Friday, May 16, 14 @ 3:41 pm: Quinn (to House Dems): You all know how much I like jobs, education, roads, and many other projects. But, the Speaker tells me you aren’t sure if you can vote for my revenue plan. To help you make your decision, i’d like you to look under your seat. You will each find an envelope. In the envelope, you will find a certificate to receive one of my favorite things specially selected for your district! (Audience members start screaming! C’mon, everybody open your envelope and see what you get! (balloons & confetti drop from the ceiling) You get a new school! You get a road project! Your park will be repaired! You get a bridge! You get a city pool! (mayhem ensues as House Dems run around the caucus room yelling happily and showing each other what they got) Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.