Always bet on nothing
Wednesday, Dec 3, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* That sound you hear is a big House thud…
House Speaker Michael Madigan told fellow Democrats on Tuesday that the 98th General Assembly will adjourn with the end of business, state Rep. Jack Franks, D-Marengo, said. Lawmakers will next reconvene Jan. 14 with the seating of the 99th General Assembly.
This also means that there will be no January lame-duck session in which legislation can get rammed through by outgoing lawmakers, including any extension of the 2011 income tax increase set to substantially expire Jan. 1.
Madigan spokesman Steve Brown confirmed the news, and said that while Madigan firmly believes in raising the minimum wage, the number of different versions and conflicting interests are preventing him from marshaling the needed votes.
Franks said the move also may be a gesture of good faith on Madigan’s part.
“I think maybe he wants to work with the new governor. Who knows?” Franks said. “This might be an olive branch.”
* Greg Hinz…
The “complications” that Brown referenced was a decision by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel to move ahead on his own with a city wage hike that is even higher than one that had been contemplated by state lawmakers.
A state bill, raising the current $8.25 figure to $9 to $11 an hour, “is totally dead,” said state Rep. Jack Franks, a McHenry County Democrat, “because of what happened in Chicago.”
Earlier in the day, the City Council voted 44-5, at Emanuel’s request, to raise the minimum wage to $10 in July and $13 by mid-2019. Emanuel said he acted in part because one version of proposed state legislation would have pre-empted action by Chicago, holding the city to a rate no higher than that of the rest of the state.
Mr. Rauner, who takes office in January, has said he’ll sign a wage hike only if it is linked to pro-business moves such as enacting tort reform and changes in the workers’ compensation system.
- State employee - Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 9:19 am:
Halleluiah
- Wordslinger - Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 9:28 am:
The governor-elect asked the GA to hold off on anything big and they did.
Rauner is now free to set his agenda, whatever it might be.
- Loop Lady - Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 9:35 am:
Word: You mean Mike and Bruce will be getting together to set their agenda over hot cocoa and apples…
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 9:40 am:
@Loop Lady:
In the spirit of bipartisanship, I recommend hot apple cider.
- Third Reading - Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 9:40 am:
With apologies to T.S. Eliot:
This is the way the session ends
This is the way the session ends
This is the way the session ends
Not with a bang but a whimper.
I’m outta here.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 9:42 am:
The Speaker is “accommodating” up to the point that his trust, patience, or both are at its end.
It’s a very hopeful sign, now Rauner will have to live up to his end when the time comes.
Is it an “olive branch”?
It’s an “olive branch”, manufactured by the Chicago City Council, hijacked as an “olive branch”, and hopeful accepted with good faith by all(?)
- Gooner - Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 9:48 am:
Democrats have super majorities in both houses and for the next few weeks, have the Gov’s office.
Democratic voters overwhelmingly favor an increase in the minimum wage.
Could somebody remind me why Democratic voters should support these elected Democrats?
One more note on this — certain people are bashing Rahm claiming that his support of the wage hike was purely political.
Would Democrats rather have Rahm, motivated by politics, doing the right thing, or House Dems, motivated by only the most pure intentions, doing this?
- John Parnell - Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 9:48 am:
Illinois unicameral legislature has spoken.
- pundent - Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 10:19 am:
This has always been about politics and its sole purpose for appearing on the ballot was to assist in the GOTV effort. The decision to delay action on this is also politically motivated and an opportunity to test Rauner’s evolving positions on the issue. Madigan’s certainly not going to waste the opportunity. Besides, the election is over there’s very little political upside in doing something now.
- VanillaMan - Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 11:34 am:
It’s a good sign.
It means that Madigan and Cullerton aren’t afraid of the new guy.
Rauner wants to deal. Let’s see how well he does.
- walker - Wednesday, Dec 3, 14 @ 8:33 pm:
You won, Mr. Rauner. The ball is in your court.
Propose your own minimum wage increase plus reforms package, that you promised during the campaign. Feel free to propose your own solutions to all the fiscal problems we face. Your budget proposal is due in February.
And if someone on Dem side or staff is offering to help your new team with numbers, rules, or processes, for God’s sake consider taking the help. Don’t make the “Pat Collins” mistake of doubting every gift horse. Some are willing to help pull the load if the state wins.