* Governing ain’t always as easy as it looks. Holding this up would’ve been a big problem, for instance…
Despite its freeze on most new state spending, the Rauner administration has decided to proceed Jan. 30 with an estimated $500 million in roadway maintenance and repair projects across the state, including reconstruction of the interchange between Lake Shore Drive and Interstate 55.
The fate of the bid opening by the Illinois Department of Transportation was still unknown last week when the Rauner administration thawed out spending for the Illinois Tollway’s $1.5 billion construction program this year.
With another large round of IDOT projects coming up in March, contractors fretted that the two sets of bids would be combined. With just one huge bid letting, firms could have ended up with more work than they could handle if they bid too aggressively or none at all in the upcoming construction season if they bid too high.
* An understandable delay, but a decision - with its attendant costs - will have to be made…
A legal effort to improve the living conditions at a southern Illinois prison is on hold for at least another month to let new Gov. Bruce Rauner review a proposed settlement agreement.
In an order filed last week, U.S. Magistrate Philip Frazier gave attorneys for the state an extra 30 days to file a preliminary agreement outlining the steps that will be taken to correct problems at the Vienna Correctional Center.
“Due to the change in administrations, the defendants require additional time to obtain approval to agree to any unresolved terms,” attorneys for the state noted in their request for an extension.
* And this Lottery limbo is a mess…
Who’s in charge of the huge Illinois Lottery—and under what contract terms are they working?
Anyone who knows the answer to those questions isn’t answering them today in the wake of Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s surprise move Jan. 23 to scuttle a “termination agreement” between the Lottery and the private firm that manages its operations day to day, Northstar Lottery Group.
Madigan said in her opinion that the termination pact, announced in the final days of the Pat Quinn administration, was illegal and would have cost taxpayers millions in extra fees and charges. But the opinion omitted lots of details about who, what and how much. […]
State Rep. Jack Franks, a McHenry County Democrat who’s been a long-time critic of Lottery management, says there’s “no question in my mind” that the management contract has been terminated, even if the termination terms have been junked.
Franks says he reached that conclusion after speaking with Madigan aides. They told him their intent was not to dispute the termination of the management contract, only the terms of what the company would get in exchange.
The company can continue to provide services without a contract, Franks said, but risk not being paid as much as under its old deal. Or it could leave, but that could hurt other business by Northstar’s owners, GTech and Scientific Games.
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* 2012: Gov. Pat Quinn replaces Manny Sanchez at the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority in a bitter fight over the governor’s choice for executive director. 2014: Manny Sanchez endorses Bruce Rauner for Governor. 2015: Manny Sanchez appointed to Illinois Sports Facilities Authority by Gov. Rauner…
Manny Sanchez, ousted from the board of the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority two years ago, has been reinstalled by Gov. Bruce Rauner to the city-state panel that owns U.S. Cellular Field.
The Chicago attorney, who was removed amid controversy in 2012 by Gov. Pat Quinn, has been named chairman of the ISFA’s seven-member board. He replaces former Illinois Senate President Emil Jones Jr.
“I’m ecstatic,” Sanchez said today. “I look forward to growing the revenue sources at U.S. Cellular Field and protecting the interests of the state and the city in terms of (the ball park’s) fiscal viability.”
*** UPDATE *** The AP basically describes this as a Rauner reform move…
Gov. Bruce Rauner has replaced the leader of an Illinois agency that gave ex-Gov. Pat Quinn’s former campaign manager a $160,000-a-year job.
Rauner on Monday appointed supporter Manny Sanchez as chairman of the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority. Sanchez replaces former state Sen. Emil Jones Jr.
Jones was among the four Quinn appointees who voted last month to hire 30-year-old Lou Bertuca to lead the agency that built and operates U.S. Cellular Field. Three board members appointed by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel voted no.
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* Police body cams are on the front burner this session…
Sen. Kwame Raoul, D-Chicago, has already introduced Senate Bill 21, which will be used to provide basic protocol for the cameras — such as when they can be turned off — instead of a mandate requiring them. […]
[Laimutis Nargelenas, manager of governmental relations for the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police] said the chiefs association wants to work with the legislature to make the law effective, both economically and practically.
“The issue with the cameras is certain groups want officers to use them in limited instances,” he said. “If we can’t get body cameras without limited restrictions, why use them? If we’re going to use taxpayer dollars to pay for these, let’s make sure they’re used properly.”
* Meanwhile, Rep. Mike Zalewski has a new crime bill. From a press release…
Zalewski, D-Riverside, is taking a new approach to the previous debate over gun penalties based on sentencing modifications that would increase penalties for illegal gun possession while introducing groundbreaking factors for judicial discretion and appropriate case-by-case review. Judges then can alter the length of the person’s sentence based on an individualized assessment of the offender, and even open up opportunities for corrections programming and counseling while the person serves his or her sentence. Zalewski’s new approach to tougher penalties for illegal gun possession seeks to bring Illinois into a new era of correctional reform and align with best practices for a 21st century criminal justice system.
Zalewski also is proposing a series of bills to address several topics that were considered at length by the reform committee:
· Ensures consistency in drug laws when students are present to reduce inconsistent judicial findings
· Allows domestic violence victims to present evidence at sentencing regarding their abuse in the event they are convicted of defending themselves
· Creates a pilot program to let Cook County authorities use drug analysis field tests to determine whether recovered substances are illegal marijuana, cocaine or heroin, reducing the number of days a defendant waits for a preliminary hearing
· Applies enhanced Class 4 felony penalties for property theft of no more than $300 to those with two or more convictions of certain thefts and burglaries, rather than one previous conviction
· Increases the threshold amount for theft from $500 to $1,000
Zalewski also intends to fight vigorously for other criminal justice reform measures pending before the Legislature, including reform of the state’s juvenile transfer laws, realignment of the state’s cannabis statutes, and continuation of the bi-partisan, bicameral Joint Committee on Criminal Justice Reform to continue the important work of studying how to bring Illinois out of the dark ages of sentencing.
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* AP…
Amazon will start collecting sales tax from Illinois consumers next month to comply with a new state law.
Amazon spokesman Ty Rogers said Friday the online retailer will be required to collect the 6.25 percent tax starting Feb. 1. The Amazon spokesman says the online retailer “offers the best prices with or without sales tax.”
Illinois lawmakers passed the measure last summer after the Illinois Supreme Court threw out an earlier attempt at legislation. The court ruled the earlier law violated federal rules against “discriminatory taxes” on digital transactions.
* Crain’s…
The law went into effect Jan. 1, but the state granted a month-long grace period to online retailers.
“It demonstrates real responsibility on the part of Amazon to collect these taxes before they even lay a brick in Illinois,” said Rob Karr, president of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, which has long been in favor of such legislation. He was referring to the e-commerce giant’s decision, announced last fall, to build at least one distribution facility in Illinois.
It remains to be seen whether the new tax will aid Illinois bricks-and-mortar retailers, Karr said, “What does help now is that the tax code is no longer picking the winners and losers.”
That new facility meant the company would have to start collecting sales taxes anyway because they’d have an Illinois nexus. Wisconsin projected a $30 million boost when the state began collecting sales taxes from Amazon, but money could just shift around online…
Amazon sales are likely to decline about 10 percent in Illinois if its pattern follows those of other states, according to Itzhak Ben-David, an associate professor of finance at Ohio State University who studied the effect of the Amazon tax issue on consumer behavior in five states that implemented online sales tax laws from 2012 to 2014.
“The decline was most dramatic for large purchases,” Ben-David said in an interview. For example, he and colleagues measured a sales decline of nearly 25 percent on purchases of $300 or more.
“These results suggest that sales tax is an important factor in the eyes of consumers,” he said.
Those consumers flee Amazon for other retailers, though they tend to stay online. The study found a 2 percent uptick in purchases at local brick-and-mortar retailers and an almost 20 percent increase through the online operations of competing retailers.
More and more people want to - and like to - shop online if they can. That trend can’t be halted. But Amazon has been a huge sales tax avoider over the years, so this is welcome news. Now, the Congress need to even the playing field. Sen. Durbin and Congressman Schock recently penned an op-ed on this topic…
A bipartisan bill, known as the Marketplace Fairness Act, to level the playing field for the small businesses in communities like Springfield has the opportunity to become law.
It’s an effort we are working on together — along with many of our Illinois colleagues — to get over the finish line this Congress.
Main Street businesses have a hard time surviving when their stores become showrooms, where people come in, look around, even try out merchandise, and then leave to buy the product online to avoid paying state taxes.
This online sales tax loophole is giving online retailers a 5- to 10-percent price advantage over their Main Street competitors, and it needlessly is putting people out of business in Illinois and across the country.
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A crack in the honeymoon
Monday, Jan 26, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* I still don’t think this is a major issue, but it’s very easy to understand, so it has made somewhat of a splash. IRN…
Gov. Bruce Rauner’s explanation for one new hire in his administration making a six-figure salary doesn’t add up. The salary in question is the $100,000 that will be paid to Sara Wojcicki Jimenez, the new chief of staff for First Lady Diana Rauner. The governor didn’t directly address that salary when asked whether it was too high for the position.
“We are going to try to offer salaries that are competitive (to) get the talent in,” Rauner said. “This is all about driving a transformation of the government, and many people are coming in at salaries well below what they made in the private sector.”
But Jimenez isn’t coming from the private sector. She spent the last year as the director of intergovernmental affairs in the comptroller’s office. She’s also not settling for a lower salary in her new job, as she was making $91,000 per year, according to data made available on the comptroller office’s website.
* More context from the Tribune…
The issue came up one day after Rauner gave a presentation to business students at the University of Chicago. There, he railed against the state’s unpaid debt and suggested that state worker salaries, which he said averaged around $64,000 in 2012, were part of the problem. [Emphasis added.]
Again, not a huge deal. We haven’t had a First Lady in six years, so this topic just hasn’t come up. But Rauner set himself up for that one bigtime.
* Meanwhile…
Rauner fielded questions about the salaries after he attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a $38 million technical schooling facility at Harper College in Palatine, $20 million of which was funded through a state capital grant. Rauner said he thought it was “wonderful” that the state had granted money for the project.
But Rauner was unclear on whether he would have approved of the grant if it had come across his desk as governor.
“Well, here’s the issue,” he said. “We’ve got to restructure our government so we’re efficient, effective and transparent. We’re going to get that done. And we’ll have the money, if we do that, and if we become a booming economy, so we can support facilities like this and put more money into education.”
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Question of the day
Monday, Jan 26, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Tribune…
A radio ad in which President Barack Obama endorses Mayor Rahm Emanuel for re-election will begin airing Monday in Chicago.
“If you want a mayor who does what’s right, not just what’s popular, who fights night and day for the city we love, then I hope you’ll join me. Vote for Rahm Emanuel on Tuesday, February 24th,” Obama says in the 60-second radio spot. […]
“Before Rahm Emanuel was mayor of Chicago, he was a key part of my team at the White House,” Obama says. “And let’s be honest, at times the guy can be a little hardheaded. But there’s a reason Rahm fights as hard as he does. He loves our city, and he believes every child in every neighborhood should have a fair shot at success.”
“Chicago had the shortest school day of any American city until Rahm insisted that our kids get the same educational opportunity as other kids,” Obama says. He goes on to tout Emanuel’s move to make full-day kindergarten standard, and to gradually raise the minimum wage in Chicago to $13 an hour by 2019.
* The ad is here. And he certainly has the money to air it widely…
It’s not the only time Emanuel has gotten campaign contributions from people who have benefited from actions he or city agencies or pension funds have taken, according to a Chicago Sun-Times examination of the nearly $30 million amassed so far by: the mayor’s campaign committee; a second campaign fund he controls; and a super PAC that supports Emanuel and aldermanic candidates he backs.
About 5 percent of that total — $1.7 million — has come from developers; from employees of companies that do business with City Hall, city pension funds or city agencies; and from Chicago’s two financial exchanges, which Emanuel has supported by speaking out against proposals that would tax stock and futures trades.
* The Question: Sneed…
First lady Michelle Obama’s endorsement didn’t help Gov. Pat Quinn in November, so will her husband’s endorsement help Rahm?
Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.
surveys
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Ernie Banks and politics
Monday, Jan 26, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Here’s something I didn’t know about Ernie Banks…
In 1963, he unsuccessfully ran for 8th Ward alderman as a Republican in Chicago.
In the summer of ‘69, he was appointed to the board of the CTA, which led to speculation in the Tribune he was planning to retire, “especially if the Cubs win the pennant and the World Series.” (Spoiler alert: They did not.)
* Banks explained his loss a couple of years ago…
“I ran for Alderman and Mayor [Richard J.] Daley was running the city,” Banks said. “Someone asked the mayor where that baseball player was going to finish in the race for the 8th Ward. He said somewhere out in left field. That is where I finished.”
He came in third place with just 2,028 votes.
I doubt he walked many, if any, precincts. and the organization was pretty darned powerful back then.
* Banks also wanted to talk Barack Obama out of running for president…
The Hall of Fame shortstop said he tried to talk to then-Senator Barack Obama out of running for this country’s highest office in 2007.
Banks, who was at Wrigley Field to be saluted by the Chicago Cubs for the presidential honor, said that he thought the then-junior Senator from Illinois probably would have a tough time winning.
“I met him at a Jesse Jackson dinner at Navy Pier,” Banks said. “He was there speaking. I wanted to say hi to him. I talked to his assistant and I said I have to talk to Barack.
“I got his card, and the next day he announced he was a candidate. I was going to tell him not to run. I said, ‘Do you really want to do this?’ “
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A day in the life
Monday, Jan 26, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Gov. Bruce Rauner drove his infamous “trash can van” to Springfield Saturday. He and his staff tweeted about the “event” along the route…
Stella and Pumpkin are his dogs. Both are Labs.
* Upon arrival, Rauner held a press conference outside the Executive Mansion…
* Back to the pups, who posed for pics…
* Rauner then hit the town. Metro Networks…
Governor Rauner is hitting up local events in Springfield. He hit the city in his old green van on Saturday and spent part of the weekend sitting in the stands at a high school boys’ basketball tournament. The locals say they’re impressed to see Rauner hanging out and getting to know people but some aren’t so quick to express appreciation. They’re wondering if Rauner is trying to butter people up so they won’t be so disappointed about any potential cuts coming down the pike.
* Later in the day, Rauner took some legislators to a movie…
Discuss.
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Today’s overreaction
Monday, Jan 26, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Illinois Review comments on Gov. Bruce Rauner’s Friday afternoon appointments…
Rauner retained Rocco Claps, an openly gay Democrat operative, to lead the Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR). Claps has overseen the department for the past 12 years and currently manages nearly 150 employees and an annual budget of more than $14 million.
While serving under Democrat governors Blagojevich and Quinn, Claps greatly expanded the Illinois Human Rights Act and human and civil rights laws in Illinois. The expansion included extra-legal protections for citizens categorized as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.
Prior to his work at the IDHR, Claps was a Deputy Assessor in the Cook County Assessor’s Office. He also worked on two Democratic National Conventions, and in the Office of the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under Democrat President Clinton.
* From the Illinois Family Institute…
LGBTyranny? Really?
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* AP…
Newly released documents show former Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn received recommendations on which businesses should receive lucrative medical marijuana licenses but did not act on them before leaving office.
Gov. Bruce Rauner’s administration released the material to The Associated Press and other news organizations in response to Freedom of Information Act requests.
Quinn said he would issue the licenses by the end of last year, but he did not act before Rauner succeeded him, saying agencies in charge of evaluating applications still had more work to do.
The documents appear to show the agencies made recommendations to Quinn around Dec. 25.
Quinn had set an unofficial January 1st deadline, and it appears his agencies beat that deadline.
* Were there political concerns?…
The applications went through a blind scoring process. But the records obtained show it wasn’t that straightforward.
The documents show that companies the Sun-Times has previously written about were either disqualified as dispensary applicants or put on “hold,” but no explanation was given.
Among those was HealthCentral, which had applied to the state for three downstate cultivation center licenses and two dispensary licenses, in Springfield and Collinsville.
A former Quinn chief of staff, Jack Lavin, served as the company’s lobbyist and a company owned by a partner in HealthCentral had been sued in Colorado for allegedly handing out marijuana-laced candy to unsuspecting Denver County fair goers.
And in the list of applicants recommended for dispensary licenses based on a supposedly blind scoring process, HealthCentral is ranked one and two. But their entry is highlighted in red and noted as disqualified, the records show.
So, the applicants went through a blind scoring process, which was apparently completed in December. Did Quinn and his top staff find out who the winners were and then decide not to take action that could cause the governor some embarrassment?
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* Illinois’ hoped-for fracking boom will have to wait…
A recent study by IHS, an industry research firm, concluded four-fifths of the oil estimated to be pumped this year from tight geological formations such as sandstone or shale still can be profitable at $50 to $69 a barrel — a span an IHS executive said would “cast a big chill on the level of activity.”
“Low oil prices are going to test the resilience of tight oil production,” said Jim Burkhard, IHS’ vice president of global oil research.
Some companies have drilled exploratory wells and remain optimistic. Kansas-based driller Wayne Woolsey’s company, with 260,000 acres under lease in southern Illinois, has drilled 10 evaluation wells at a cost of more than $2 million apiece, and “everything we’ve done at this point looks very favorable.”
But the lengthy rules-making process has complicated his prospects. Many of the four-year lease deals he’s struck with land owners will expire in the next year or so.
“I was hoping to evaluate (that land) in the first year, which hasn’t occurred,” he said. “It’s been extremely time-consuming and costly.”
* Wall Street Journal has context…
OPEC Secretary-General Abdalla Salem el-Badri said in an interview with Reuters on Monday that with prices between $45 and $55 a barrel, “I think maybe they reached the bottom and will see some rebound very soon.”
Prices, which had been trading in the red overnight, turned positive on the news.
U.S. oil for March delivery rose as high as $46.11 a barrel, up from $45 a barrel earlier in the day, on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
* Meanwhile, Erickson writes about Illinois coal…
Gov. Bruce Rauner’s pledge to remake state government could include an overhaul of the way Illinois regulates the coal mining industry.
In a situation that has some environmental groups on alert and coal industry supporters applauding, the governor is expected to push for a more streamlined permitting process for companies wanting to extract coal from the ground. […]
Phil Gonet, executive director of the Illinois Coal Association, said he has told Rauner that the key to improving coal regulations is to hire more people to review and process applications.
In one instance, Gonet said an application for a new coal mine in Vermilion County sat idle for 13 months because of a manpower shortage at the Department of Natural Resources. […]
Foresight Energy was among a top contributor to Rauner’s inaugural festivities, giving up to $100,000 to help fund the events two weeks ago.
Since 2009, the company has pumped $1.9 million into the campaign funds of Illinois politicians, including $10,000 to Rauner’s campaign fund and $12,500 to Rauner’s new IDNR chief Wayne Rosenthal.
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Rauner readies the axe
Monday, Jan 26, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* My weekly syndicated newspaper column…
Gov. Bruce Rauner didn’t completely close the door to higher taxes last week during a speech at the University of Chicago, but he made it very clear with what he said and what he did that he wants huge state budget cuts.
“We have every reason to thrive,” Rauner said during the speech. He then laid out his reasoning for why the state is on a “fundamentally unsustainable path,” pointing his finger at the “policies and the politics mostly coming out of Springfield [which are] really at the core of the problem.”
“The politicians want to talk about ‘Well, let’s raise the income tax to fix the debt or the problem,” Rauner said. “Raising taxes will come nowhere near to fixing the problem and in fact will make part of the problem worse and just kick the can down the road… This is the critical lesson that we’re seeing. We’re on an unsustainable path, we need fundamental structural change and raising taxes alone in itself isn’t going to fix the problem and in a lot of ways it’s going to make it worse.”
Rauner said the budget was “out of control,” and that the state has suffered “complete mismanagement.”
“Just raising taxes to try to fix that? No chance. No chance,” Rauner said.
Notice how he said “just raising taxes,” and “raising taxes alone.” Those are usually phrases uttered by politicians who are keeping the door open for higher revenues, however slightly.
But what is crystal clear is that he won’t ask for any more revenues without first making deep and even drastic cuts.
The new governor pointed to flat population growth and flat job growth as the roots of the problem. Without “booming” growth, he said, Illinois can never dig itself out of the hole it’s in. And Rauner has always said that high taxes are a hindrance to growth.
Rauner singled out two items for his chopping block. First up, Medicaid spending.
“When you realize our job growth is flat, how do you pay for it?,” Rauner said of Medicaid. “I want to do that, but that is not sustainable.” Medicaid, which pays for everything from childbirth to nursing home care. consumes a quarter of the state’s operating budget, and despite some real reforms almost two years ago, costs are continuing to rise. And that’s a problem when next fiscal year’s budget deficit is being pegged at a whopping $9 billion.
Rauner also claimed state employees make too much money, saying that they earn more than private sector workers (which AFSCME rejects, pointing to a recent University of Illinois study) and are the third highest paid in the country. The numbers of state workers are declining, Rauner said, but payroll costs are still increasing. Their health insurance is based on “low contributions” from workers, but has a high cost. So, while workers aren’t chipping in much, “you’re chipping in a lot,” he told his audience.
AFSCME’s contract expires later this year, and those negotiations are going to be rougher than we’ve ever seen. Governors going back at least to Dan Walker have done what they could to try to appease the union and win its support, but Rauner repeated his contention that those mutually beneficial relationships were “corrupt.”
Also last week, Rauner announced he had hired Donna Arduin to be the state’s new Chief Financial Officer. Arduin is infamous for her ideological position that tax cuts and budget cuts are key to turning around state economies. Her consulting business partner is Arthur Laffer, whose economic theories were used by former President Ronald Reagan to justify tax cuts during a recession and a major defense buildup.
Arduin’s consulting firm’s most recent high-profile project was Kansas, where tax cuts have created gaping budget holes and a sputtering economy. Rauner said during a campaign debate that he didn’t want to follow Kansas’ lead, but, for now anyway, he seems to be heading at least partially in that direction.
Arduin is also credited for the job she did in California under Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. But it took Schwarzenegger’s Democratic successor Jerry Brown to cut programs to the bone, which finally convinced Californians to support higher taxes. California now has a budget surplus.
She has had successes, Michigan and Florida being two of them. But those successes came with a whole lot of pain inflicted on the poor.
Illinois voters clearly wanted a change last November. They’re gonna get it.
* And speaking of Arduin, here’s another passage from that profile we discussed about her on Friday…
On Saturday, after watching Duke win the second-round game in the NCAA tournament, Arduin heads for the airport to fly back to Tallahassee. Waiting at a red light, she looks through the window at a homeless man sitting on the curb, holding up a cardboard sign that reads “Anything helps—Smile—God Bless.”
It’s an uncomfortable moment. The homeless man sees her, they make eye contact, he smiles, she looks away. Then, she turns back and, too softly for him to hear—but with conviction—says, “Get a job.”
Discuss.
…Adding… Crain’s…
With a nearly $36 billion budget, including $4.50 billion in federal funds, you’d think belt-tightening could make up the $1.5 billion shortfall Illinois faces between now and July 1, but it won’t come close.
More than half of state spending can’t be touched without changing laws, reneging on bonds or shortchanging pension contributions and digging the state’s $111.18 billion pension hole even deeper. With the fiscal year more than half over, fixing the deficit would take spending cuts of almost 20 percent in nearly $8 billion in discretionary spending remaining through the end of the fiscal year.
Subscribers know more about that 20 percent.
…Adding More… Should the 60,000 homeless kids get jobs as well?…
Perhaps this will be the year that the Illinois General Assembly approves money for a homeless education program.
“The superintendent’s recommending $3 million,” chief financial officer Robert Wolfe told the Illinois State Board of Education. “This is a request that the board’s put in for the last two or three fiscal years, and it hasn’t been funded.” […]
The board’s financial committee chairman, Jim Baumann, said there are perhaps 60,000 school-age children among Illinois’ homeless.
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Good morning!
Monday, Jan 26, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Like many kids around my age who grew up in the Chicago media market, I was glued to the TV when Ernie Banks hit his 500th home run…
I was as ecstatic as Jack Brickhouse. What a moment! I jumped up and down all over my grandparents’ living room.
* I was thinking the day he died that I always thought Ernie Banks was simply a great ballplayer. I grew up on a farm outside Clifton at the time. The closest African-Americans were in Kankakee, a 20-mile drive. It wasn’t until I grew up that I learned more about his early days as the Cubs’ first black player and began to think of him in that context.
The innocence of youth. I wish we all had more of that.
* Secretary of State Jesse White’s statement…
The state of Illinois, the city of Chicago and the world of sports lost an icon today in the passing of Ernie Banks. Ernie Banks was a great man with a great heart. While his play made him a Hall-of-Fame baseball player, it was his personality that made him a legend.
I was honored to learn many things from him while I was in the Cubs organization. And I am proud to have had the opportunity to work with him throughout the years in our joint efforts to help others.
My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and to his friends. I was privileged to have played baseball with him, and to call him my friend. Ernie Banks – Mr. Cub – will be missed.
* Let’s start our day with Pearl Jam at Wrigley Field, with a special guest…
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Rauner announces new appointments
Friday, Jan 23, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* It looks like Rocco Claps’ numerous friends on both sides of the aisle worked out for him. From a press release…
- Governor Bruce Rauner announced today he has made a number of cabinet secretary and agency board appointments. Today’s appointments include the Illinois Department of Labor, the Illinois Department of Human Rights, the Illinois State Police, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation and the Illinois Department of Central Management Services. Governor Rauner also announced he hired the administration’s Public Safety Director.
Name: Hugo Chaviano
Position: Director – Illinois Department of Labor
Governor Bruce Rauner has selected Hugo Chaviano, 62, to be the Director of the Illinois Department of Labor. Chaviano brings more than 35 years of legal experience to the job, including work as a mediator and arbitrator.
Chaviano is currently a senior partner for Sanchez Daniels & Hoffman, LLP, where he works on litigation cases in a number of areas including employment, contracts, transportation and torts. These cases have appeared before state and federal courts, regulatory agencies, and in arbitration and mediation. Chaviano has worked for a number of law firms throughout the Chicago area, including managing his own law firm that was acquired in 1997.
Throughout his professional career, Chaviano has become a leader among Hispanic lawyers within the United States and across Latin America. He has received a number of accolades for his work advocating diversity. Chaviano immigrated to the United States from Cuba when he was just 13 years old. He is bilingual in Spanish.
Chaviano graduated from Rutgers University with a bachelor’s degree in history, and he earned his law degree from Northwestern University.
Experience:
• Sanchez Daniels & Hoffman, LLP, Partner (2003-Present)
• Adorno Yoss Sanchez & Daniels, Partner in Charge (2004-2008)
• Cozen O’Connor, Senior Member & Partner – Latin America Practice Group (2000-2002)
• Blatt, Hammesfahr & Eaton, Capital Partner & Chair – Latin America Practice Group (1996-2000)
• Chaviano & Associates, Ltd, Principal (1990-1996)
• Broderick & Chaviano, House Counsel St. Paul Insurance Companies (1985-1990)
• Pretzel & Stouffer, Associate (1984-1985)
• Shand Morahan & Co. (1979-1984)
o Corporate Counsel (1981-1984)
o Claims Counsel (1979-1981)
Education:
• Northwestern University, J.D. (1978)
• Rutgers University, B.A. History (1975)
Personal Information:
• Age: 62
• Hometown: North Barrington
Name: Rocco Claps
Position: Director – Illinois Department of Human Rights
Governor Bruce Rauner announced today he will reappoint Rocco Claps, 53, as the Director of the Illinois Department of Human Rights. Claps has overseen the IDHR for the past 12 years and is currently the longest-serving director in the agency’s history. Claps is also the first openly-gay agency director in the history of Illinois.
As the Director of the IDHR, Claps worked with the legislature to expand the Illinois Human Rights Act and the scope of human and civil rights laws in Illinois, which includes Illinois’ first statewide law to protect the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. He also created a bilingual services department within the IDHR to more effectively communicate with all communities in Illinois. Claps currently oversees nearly 150 employees with a budget of more than $14 million.
Prior to his work at the IDHR, Claps was a Deputy Assessor in the Cook County Assessor’s Office. He also worked on two Democratic National Conventions, and in the Office of the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Claps earned his bachelor’s degree in mass communications from Illinois State University.
Experience:
• Illinois Department of Human Rights, Director (2003-Present)
• Office of the Cook County Assessor, Deputy Assessor (1999-2003)
• 2000 Democratic National Convention, Director of Planning (1997-1999)
• Office of the Secretary - U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Director of Scheduling & Advance (1997)
• 1996 Democratic National Convention, Chief of Staff (1995-1996)
Awards & Honors:
• The Civic Federation/Motorola Solutions Foundation Award – Excellence in Public Service
• International Association of Official Human Rights Agencies – Individual Achievement Award
• Chicago Gay & Lesbian Hall of Fame Inductee
Education:
• Illinois State University, B.S. Mass Communications (1983)
Personal Information:
• Age: 53
• Hometown: Villa Park
Name: Leo Schmitz
Position: Director – Illinois State Police
Governor Bruce Rauner has selected Deputy Chief Leo Schmitz of the Chicago Police Department to become the Director of the Illinois State Police. Schmitz, 55, has a proven record of building community trust, while reducing crime rates as a leader in the department.
Schmitz has spent his nearly 30-year career with the Chicago Police Department, starting as a patrolman and rising to the rank of Deputy Chief. He currently oversees the Englewood district, where his policies reduced the murder rate by 44 percent, shootings fell by 14 percent and all other crimes dropped as well.
Prior to his work as Deputy Chief, Schmitz was the Commander of the Gang Enforcement Unit. He oversaw the centralization of 400 police officers from 25 different districts into one gang unit, which became the largest gang unit in the United States addressing gang violence.
Schmitz has been recognized at the city, county and state level for his excellence in police work. Notably, he’s received the Illinois Law Enforcement Medal of Honor; the Superintendent’s Award of Valor and Blue Star Award; the Illinois Police Association Medal of Valor; and the Cook County Sheriff’s Medal of Valor.
Experience:
• Chicago Police Department (1986-Present)
o Deputy Chief, 007th District – Englewood (2012-Present)
o Commander, Gang Enforcement Unit (2009-2012)
o Commander, Gang Investigations Section (2008-2009)
o Commander, 008th District – Chicago Lawn (2007-2008)
o Lieutenant (2004-2005)
o Sergeant (1998-2004)
o Detective Division Sergeant (1999-2004)
o Patrolman (1986-1999)
Awards
• Illinois Law Enforcement Medal of Honor
• Superintendent’s Award of Valor
• Superintendent’s Blue Star Award
• The Hundred Club Medal of Valor
• Illinois Police Association Medal of Valor
• Cook County Sheriff’s Medal of Valor
• The William Powers Leadership Award
• Cook County Sheriff’s Medal of Merit
• Illinois State Crime Commission Police Officer of the Year
• Fraternal Order of Police Distinguished Service Award
Education:
• Southern Illinois University, B.S. Administrative Sciences (1982)
Personal Information:
• Age: 55
• Hometown: Chicago
Name: Bryan Schneider
Position: Secretary – Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
Governor Bruce Rauner has selected Bryan Schneider, 47, as the next Secretary for the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. He brings a deep understanding of law and corporate business practices to the position.
For the past 15 years, Schneider has worked as an attorney for Deerfield-based Walgreens. Currently, he is the Divisional Vice President and Assistant General Counsel, where he worked on a number of programs and initiatives. For example, he offered regulatory and transactional support for the nation’s largest flu immunization program.
Schneider is familiar with leadership roles in Illinois; he is currently a member of the State Board of Elections, a position he’s held since 2004. He also served one term as the board’s Chairman, and another as Vice Chairman.
Schneider began his career in the General Assembly, where he worked as General Counsel for Rep. Lee Daniels while he was House Speaker and the Republican Leader in the House.
In addition to his law degree from the University of Wisconsin, Schneider is a certified public accountant. He earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Trine University in Angola, Ind. He also holds an MBA from DePaul University in Chicago.
Experience:
● Walgreen Co.
o Divisional Vice President & Assistant General Counsel (2010-Present)
o Director, Health Care Contracting & Regulatory Law (2009-2010)
o Directory, Health Care Regulatory Law (2008-2009)
o Director, Government Relations, Walgreens Health Services (2005-2008)
o Senior Attorney (2000-2005)
● Harris Kessler & Goldstein (1997-2000)
● Office of the Illinois House Republican Leader (1997-2000)
● Office of the Speaker, Illinois House of Representative (1995-1997)
● Sidley Austin LLP (1993-1997)
● U.S. Court of Appeals, 7th Circuit, Law Clerk - Hon. Richard D. Cudahy (1992-1993)
Leadership positions:
● Illinois Board of Elections (2004-Present)
o Board Chairman (2009-2011)
o Vice Chairman (2007-2009)
● LEARN Charter Schools, Board of Directors (2003-Present)
Education:
● University of Wisconsin Law School, J.D. (1992)
● DePaul University, MBA (2001)
● Trine University, B.S. Accounting (1989)
Personal Information:
● Age: 47
● Hometown: Chicago
Name: Tom Tyrrell
Position: Director – Illinois Department of Central Management Services
Governor Bruce Rauner has selected Tom Tyrrell, 61, to become the Director of the Department of Central Management Services. Tyrrell has nearly 40 years of combined experience in the military, public and private sectors.
Currently, Tyrrell is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Chicago Public Schools (CPS). As the COO, Tyrrell oversees the day-to-day operations of the nation’s third largest school district, which educates 400,000 students; employs 42,000 teachers and support staff; and operates with a budget of more than $5 billion.
Prior to his work with CPS, he was the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Steele Partners, which is a strategic advisory and management firm. It connects innovating businesses with projects to improve the country’s well-being.
Tyrrell also spent three years as the Executive Director and CEO of the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. He oversaw the transformation of the well-respected, but underutilized museum, into a state-of-the art educational facility. Under his management, the museum saw an 80 percent annual revenue increase within three years.
Tyrrell is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, having served our country for 26 years, retiring as a Colonel. As the Commanding Officer for the First Marine Corps District, he oversaw recruitment in 14 states and managed 1,100 service personnel, which operated with an annual budget of $14 million. He also served as the Director of Strategic Planning & Coordination for the United Nations Interim Mission in Kosovo. Prior to that, he was the Special Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Tyrrell is a graduate of Texas A&M University-Kingsville, earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He also earned post-graduate degrees from the National Defense University - Industrial College of the Armed Forces and the Naval Postgraduate School.
Experience:
• Chicago Public Schools, Chief Operating Officer (2012-Present)
• Steele Partners, Chief Executive Officer (2009-2011)
• Cantor Fitzgerald, LLP/BGC, Senior Managing Director (2006-2008)
• Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, Executive Director & CEO (2002-2005)
• U.S. Marine Corps
o First Marine Corps District, Commanding Officer (2001-2002)
o UN Interim Mission in Kosovo, Director of Strategic Planning & Coordination (2000-2001)
o Special Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (1998-2000)
Recognitions & Honors:
• Defense Superior Service Medal
• Legion of Merit Medal
• Veterans Advantage Person of the Year
• Ellis Island Medal of Honor
• National Police Foundation Person of the Year
Education:
• National Defense University – Industrial College of the Armed Forces, M.S. Strategic Resource Management (1998)
• Naval Postgraduate School, M.S. Management - Acquisition & Contracts (1992)
• Texas A&M University – Kingsville, B.A. Business Administration (1976)
Personal Information:
• Age: 61
• Hometown: Chicago
Name: Rodger Heaton
Position: Public Safety Director
Governor Bruce Rauner has hired Rodger Heaton, 55, as his administration’s Public Safety Director. Heaton has 30 years of legal experience, including spending more than four years as the U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Illinois. His experience also spans years in private practice, as well.
As the U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Illinois, Heaton was the chief federal law enforcement official for 46 counties from 2005-2009. Under his tenure, productivity in his division rose to record levels, which resulted in the filing of federal charges in approximately 1,300 cases. Heaton was appointed to the position by President George W. Bush.
Heaton understands the other side of the legal system as well, because of his work as a defense attorney. Most recently, he was a partner at Hinshaw & Culbertson. He also spent two years as a partner at Kirkland & Ellis.
Until joining the administration, Heaton was an Administrative Law Judge with the U.S. Office of Disability Adjudication and Review. He presided over federal administrative hearings of disability claims under the Social Security Act.
Heaton earned his law degree from Indiana University and holds a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Experience
• U.S. Office of Disability Adjudication & Review, Administrative Law Judge (2014-Present)
• Hinshaw & Culbertson, Partner (2009-2014)
• United States Attorney - Central District of Illinois (2005-2009)
• Supervisory Assistant United States Attorney - Central District of Illinois (2003-2005)
• Kirkland & Ellis, Partner (2001-2003)
• Supervisory Assistant United States Attorney - Central District of Illinois (1990-2000)
o Appellate Section Chief (1990-2000)
o Springfield Branch Chief (2000)
o Computer Crime Specialist (1995-2000)
• Assistant U.S. Attorney - Southern District of Indiana (1989-1990)
• Sullivan & Cromwell, Associate (1987-1989)
• U.S. District Court, Southern District, Law Clerk – Hon. Sarah Evans Barker (1987-1987)
Education
• Indiana University, J.D. (1985)
• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, B.S. Agricultural Economics (1981)
Personal Life
• Age: 55
• Hometown: Rochester
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Reader comments closed for the weekend
Friday, Jan 23, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Reina del Cid will play us out…
Well, I’ve never been so sure
And I’ve never led no one astray.
‘Cept in the fall of ‘94.
But Hallelujah, the 21st of May.
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* After years of putting the best possible spin on the state’s unemployment rate, there’s a new governor and a new IDES director, so the spin has been abandoned for now. From IDES…
– The Illinois unemployment rate decreased 0.2 percentage points to 6.2 percent in December. Nonfarm payroll employment gained +17,100 jobs, according to preliminary data released today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security.
December job growth was led by Construction (+6,000); Educational and Health Services (+4,700); and Leisure and Hospitality (+4,500); gains were partly offset by declines in Government Services (-1,200) and Financial Activities (-900).
“The 0.9 percent gain in December over the year was significantly less than the national increase of 2.1 percent,” said IDES Director Jeff Mays, “indicating that Illinois employment growth remains lower than the national average.”
Over the year, nonfarm payroll employment increased by +51,600 jobs with the largest gains in Professional and Business Services (+25,700); Construction (+20,200); and Educational and Health Services (+12,700). Four sectors posted declines in December over the prior year: Trade, Transportation and Utilities (-8,700); Information Services (-2,400), Financial Activities (-1,400) and Government (-1,200).
Give it six months to a year and the old spin will likely return.
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“The Governor’s Axe”
Friday, Jan 23, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From a mostly glowing profile of Donna Arduin, Gov. Rauner’s new CFO, we can discern some of the budget cuts that are coming…
Arduin received plenty of criticism from both sides of the aisle over cuts she made to Florida’s budget, but after making a splash in the Sunshine State, she faced a ready corps of critics in California. More visibility brought more acute criticism of her controversial policies, scrutiny was unrelenting, and Arduin was routinely blasted. Her $900 million cuts in Medi-Cal, the state’s Medicaid program, and $800 million in programs intended to bring welfare recipients into the workforce stirred up a veritable infantry of opponents, to whom she responds succinctly: “The state was spending $15 billion more than it was taking in.”
Physicians spoke out about cuts to California health programs that Arduin oversaw, including a limit on the number of children allowed into the Healthy Families Program, and slashes in the state’s contribution to Medi-Cal. “It’s unconscionable to take the economic savings that we know the state has got to do and put that burden literally on the life of a young child,” Alan Lewis, a physician at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, told the Los Angeles Times. “This is looking a child in the eye and saying, ‘No, you’re going to have to wait to be treated.’ “
But Arduin says she merely “proposed eliminating the entitlement nature of a lot of those programs. When Arnold went into the budget, it was all about spending programs on autopilot.” Spending levels on many of those programs had been statutorily mandated, she says, but funding hadn’t, so “if you just sat back and let the programs run, there would never be enough revenue. The legislature was almost not even needed in California.” […]
“When I cut $400 million in pay raises for California correctional officers, we considered getting me a bodyguard,” she recalls. And although she doesn’t seem concerned with how many friends she has, even senators who’ve lost their pet projects to Arduin’s unwavering fiscal conservatism eventually come to respect her. Arduin says she’s known ever since she took the meat cleaver to her first state budget that, in this job, you have to dig in for the long haul. Back in 1991, after Arduin and Patti Woodworth carved $5 billion in programs out of the Michigan state budget, Governor John Engler’s approval rating fell to 13 percent. Arduin didn’t blink. They cut taxes, businesses crept back into Michigan, and, come election time, Engler breezed right into his second term.
Discuss.
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*** UPDATE *** A former aide to Gov. Quinn just called to say that while Quinn didn’t finish his end of term report, they’re still working on it and it’ll be forthcoming.
[ *** End Of Update *** ]
* From the Illinois Constitution…
The Governor, at the beginning of each annual session of the General Assembly and at the close of his term of office, shall report to the General Assembly on the condition of the State and recommend such measures as he deems desirable. [Emphasis added.]
* The AP reports that Pat Quinn didn’t file his report…
Former Gov. Pat Quinn worked right up until his successor was sworn into office last week.
Despite the flurry of activity, the Democrat failed to fulfill a constitutional requirement: a final state-of-the-state message to the Illinois General Assembly.
That makes Quinn the third governor in a row not to do so, although Rod Blagojevich was somewhat preoccupied.
More…
Quinn did not respond to requests for comment this week. But he told The Associated Press before leaving office that he would produce one.
Considering that Quinn’s hires, contracts and executive orders are all either canceled or under review, he might’ve had more long-term impact by submitting that final message.
* And speaking of canceled contracts, there’s an issue at IDOT…
The Rauner administration hasn’t decided whether to proceed with a Jan. 30 deadline for companies to submit bids for the first phase of this year’s road construction season.
“That is under review at this time,” Trover said, “and a decision will be made in the near future.”
Next week’s IDOT bid letting is expected to be fairly big, estimated to be worth more than $200 million for Chicago-area projects alone, according to Michael Sturino, president and CEO of the Illinois Road and Transportation Builders Association, an industry group.
The freeze definitely puts planning of major new interstate projects, such as the Illiana Expressway, on hold while the administration decides whether to proceed with it. But other maintenance and improvements are more routine and financed largely by the federal government through taxes on motor fuel.
“It’s good the tollway is back on track,” Sturino said. “We hope to get a quick resolution on the IDOT situation, which remains in limbo. If there’s a long delay, it will have an incredibly serious impact on the motoring public, jobs and ability of construction firms to sustain themselves, especially smaller, minority-owned firms.”
* And…
Attorney General Lisa Madigan today blocked a deal struck in the final weeks of the Quinn administration to revamp management of the Illinois Lottery, saying the arrangement is illegal and would needlessly cost taxpayers.
In a stunning letter to Lottery Director Michael Jones, Madigan said she has decided to “formally disapprove” a Dec. 9 termination agreement between the Lottery and the controversial private firm that’s managed it, Northstar Lottery Group.
The Quinn administration said the agreement would resolve longstanding disputes over Northstar’s performance, saving the state $10 million a year. But it was immediately ripped by aides to incoming Gov. Bruce Rauner, who termed it “a bad deal” that leave taxpayers worse off than they were before.
In the letter—I obtained a copy from a source close to the matter and confirmed its authenticity—Madigan, a Democrat, clearly sides with Rauner, a Republican.
The deal “purports to extend indemnification to Northstar in excess of the (Lottery’s) statutory authority and in violation of the Illinois Constitution,” Madigan wrote. It violates provisions of the state public-records act, she adds, and instead of favorably resolving a continuing financial dispute “may result in obligating the state to pay more fees and expenses than the state has paid in prior fiscal years.”
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Umm… Huh?
Friday, Jan 23, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From a press release…
Legislation introduced Friday by state Rep. Jack D. Franks, D-Marengo, would place a referendum regarding limiting the terms of Illinois’ legislative leaders on the ballot of the next general election.
“The results of the recent elections demonstrate clearly that Illinois residents and taxpayers are fed up with the immovable status-quo in this state,” Franks said. “Placing term limits on legislative leaders is an idea that I hear regularly from constituents and they deserve the opportunity to make their voices heard directly and specifically on this issue.”
House Bill 257 creates the Legislative Leader Term Limit Referendum Act, which would ask a non-binding, advisory question of Illinoisans voting in the November 1, 2016 general election. Voters would have the opportunity to weigh in on whether the Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives, the President of the Illinois Senate and both the House and Senate Minority Leaders should be term limited as leaders of the Illinois General Assembly’s two chambers.
“While our state grapples with numerous policy questions which will have implications that ripple long into the future, I believe this debate should be included,” Franks added. “The structures of government upon which we rely are clearly due for an overhaul and the wisdom of our constituents should be a valuable addition to the discussions.”
Rep. Franks, of course, voted for Speaker Madigan’s reelection last week.
* And remember Will Guzzardi? He thumped Rep. Toni Berrios last year in the Democratic primary with an anti-Springfield message. Here’s something I wrote about him last year…
There’s no question that Democrat Will Guzzardi ran a highly effective outsider campaign against state Rep. Toni Berrios (D-Chicago) earlier this year. Guzzardi soundly defeated Rep. Berrios, the daughter of Cook County Democratic Party Chairman Joe Berrios, and along the way told the Chicago Tribune “The monolithic structures of power in Springfield aren’t doing any good for anyone.”
It’s not difficult to discern who he was talking about. The longest serving House Speaker in Illinois history is the very embodiment of a “monolithic structure of power.”
So, there have been some expectations that Guzzardi might not cast his vote for Michael Madigan’s reelection as Speaker next January, he said last week that he hasn’t yet made up his mind.
“That’s something I intend to figure out when the vote comes up,” Guzzardi said.
Well, he figured it out. Guzzardi also voted for Madigan, despite the fact that Madigan’s didn’t do any good for anyone.
Every House Democrat voted for Madigan except Rep. D’Amico, whose mom died last week, which kept him from attending the session.
32 Comments
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Unclear on the concept
Friday, Jan 23, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Umm…
Mayoral challenger Willie Wilson demanded Thursday that the FBI and the Illinois attorney general’s office investigate Rahm Emanuel’s campaign and its mass mailing in the hunt for absentee voters.
Wilson initially accused Emanuel’s re-election campaign of mailing actual absentee ballots that instruct voters to return them to Chicago for Rahm Emanuel, P.O. Box 1346, Chicago.
But Election Board spokesman Jim Allen said the mass mailing, like those used extensively by Gov. Bruce Rauner and former Gov. Pat Quinn, actually include absentee ballot applications — not the ballots themselves. […]
“If somebody fills out an absentee ballot, it should be going to the Board of Elections — not to his place and his people. Not to someplace where he can control it. Who would trust him? Voting is supposed to be a sacred thing,” said Wilson, who recently donated $1 million to his own campaign.
I can see why some folks might want to change the law about ballot applications, but there’s nothing illegal with having people mail their applications to the candidates.
* Meanwhile…
A couple fights over red-light tickets until they agree to “dump Rahm and stay together,” in a radio ad promoting the mayoral candidacy of Willie Wilson.
In the comical radio spot airing on city stations, a man admits, “I just got a red-light ticket.”
“What!?” says a woman, until she admits, “I got one yesterday. I just didn’t want to tell you.”
“I want a divorce,” says the man.
“I want a new mayor,” responds the woman, and they go back and forth until she suggests, “Let’s just dump Rahm and stay together,” to which the man agrees.
The spot is classic Rickey Hendon…
* This one wasn’t as fun…
Even by the standards of a local political scene that’s often as filthy as a port-a-potty at Taste of Chicago, the metaphor used in a new city election campaign ad is pretty crappy.
“It’s time for an enema in the black community!” flamboyant former state Sen. Rickey “Hollywood” Hendon shouts in the spot that’s been airing on black radio over the past few days.
Hendon calls on Chicago’s African-American voters to unseat Mayor Rahm Emanuel as well as many black City Council members in next month’s election.
The ad…
* Related…
* ADDED: New CTU Poll Shows Garcia Losing Ground to Emanuel
* State Rep. McSweeney Moves to Eliminate Red Light Cameras in Illinois
* Victory Auto Wreckers to replace its classic car-door-falling-off commercial
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Rauner roundup
Friday, Jan 23, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* INN quoting Gov. Bruce Rauner yesterday..
“Everybody wants to talk about, the politicians want to talk about, well let’s raise the income tax to fix the debt or the problem. Raising taxes, that issue alone, won’t come nowhere near fixing the problem and in fact will make parts of the problem worse and just kick the can down the road. This is the critical lesson that we’re seeing. We’re on an unsustainable path, we need fundamental structural change and raising taxes alone in itself isn’t going to fix the problem and in a lot of ways its gonna make the problem worse make it worse.”
* Sun-Times…
In his remarks to the students, Rauner provided a digital presentation — which he called a preview of his Feb. 4 state of the state address — criticizing everything from the state’s Medicaid spending, state employee salaries, workers’ compensation costs and job creation, while comparing Illinois to neighboring states.
Although not providing specific solutions to the issues, he did indicate cuts to employee salaries and Medicaid.
* AP…
He said higher-than-average costs of workers’ compensation and unemployment insurance are driving businesses out of the state, property taxes are “brutally high,” and “shenanigans” in the public employee pension system have made Illinois’ multibillion-dollar pension debt “a time bomb for taxpayers.”
* Crain’s…
Specifically, citing data from the Pew Center on the States, he said the average Illinois state employee made a salary of $63,660 in 2012—higher than any state except New Jersey and California—and a good 10 percent or more above levels in other big states such as Michigan, New York and Pennsylvania. That means that, while the number of people in the state payroll has steadily dropped for more than a decade, total payroll cost is up hundreds of millions of dollars a year.
“This is really troubling,” Rauner said, shaking his head.
Rauner cited other data that he said show that the average public sector worker in the state makes almost 22 percent more than those in the private sector, a difference of $11,300 per year.
* Erickson…
In a report by University of Illinois labor experts, state and local government workers in Illinois were found to earn 13.5 percent less on average than workers in the private sector with comparable educations. The gap more than doubles for state workers with college degrees.
In other words, said one of the study’s authors, Rauner’s premise doesn’t account for a key factor in what drives labor costs: education.
“It’s a myth,” Robert Bruno said of Rauner’s overpaid-worker assertion.
* Tribune…
Rauner said his administration has closely examined agency budgets and contracts and concluded that “government is being run more for the benefit of the people in the government rather than the benefit of the service recipients and the taxpayers.”
“That’s pretty clear,” Rauner said.
What’s less clear is how Rauner plans to change that, as he again offered no specific policy ideas or initiatives. Rather, Rauner said he plans to propose “a number of reforms” in his State of the State speech, which will be followed by his first budget proposal on Feb. 18.
“There’s going to be a lot of give and take after this, (there’ll) be months and months of working, negotiating, structuring, coming up with legislation to get things turned around,” Rauner said.
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Another possible Kirk foe emerges
Friday, Jan 23, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Lynn Sweet…
Rep. Robin Kelly D-Ill. is mulling a U.S. Senate run, making her the fourth member of the Illinois Democratic House delegation looking at a 2016 challenge to Sen. Mark Kirk R-Ill.
“She is doing her due diligence to see if there is a path for her to run,” spokesman Kayce Ataiyero told the Sun-Times Friday morning.
“She believes that given her strong experience in all levels of government, she would be a strong candidate to represent Illinois in the Senate,” Ataiyero said.
The other Illinois House Democrats weighing a run are Rep. Tammy Duckworth, Rep. Bill Foster and Rep. Cheri Bustos.
Discuss.
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*** UPDATED x2 - ACLU responds *** Calm down
Friday, Jan 23, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* A report by the St. Louis Fox TV affiliate has created some controversy…
A new Illinois law aimed at stopping cyber-bullying, gives schools access to kids social media accounts. Some say the law goes too far.
Previously Illinois schools could take action against students if online bullying occurred, such as something posted on Twitter or Facebook during the school day.
However, with the new law that Illinois legislators approved, school districts and universities in Illinois can demand a student’s social media password. The new law states if a school has a reasonable cause to believe that a student’s account on a social network contains evidence that a student has violated a schools disciplinary rule of policy. Even if it’s posted after school hours.
This week some school districts sent home letters to notify parents and students about the new rules. ” To get into a social networking site and it could be at a school or at home. That we would be able to get that password and get onto their account,” said Leigh Lewis Triad Community Unity School District Superintendent.
* That piece prompted a story in the Christian Science Monitor entitled: “Big Brother: Can your school require your Facebook password?”…
The conversations around data privacy and internet safety just got hotter.
A new Illinois state law can now compel students to hand over their social media login credentials to their school if school and state officials believe it can help prevent hostile online behavior – raising privacy concerns among parents and students alike. […]
On the other hand, as Illinois mom Sara Bozarth told local Fox affiliate KTVI: “It’s one thing for me to take my child’s social media account and open it up, or for the teacher to look or even a child to pull up their social media account, but to have to hand over your password and personal information is not acceptable to me.”
* Some in the right-wing blogosphere have picked it up…
Students in Illinois are required to give teachers their social media passwords or face criminal charges under a new state law that is intended to tackle cyberbullying. However, some say this rule violates personal privacy.
* OK, to the bill. Cyber-bullying is defined…
“Cyber-bullying” means bullying through the use of technology or any electronic communication, including without limitation any transfer of signs, signals, writing, images, sounds, data, or intelligence of any nature transmitted in whole or in part by a wire, radio, electromagnetic system, photoelectronic system, or photooptical system, including without limitation electronic mail, Internet communications, instant messages, or facsimile communications. “Cyber-bullying” includes the creation of a webpage or weblog in which the creator assumes the identity of another person or the knowing impersonation of another person as the author of posted content or messages if the creation or impersonation creates any of the effects enumerated in the definition of bullying in this Section. “Cyber-bullying” also includes the distribution by electronic means of a communication to more than one person or the posting of material on an electronic medium that may be accessed by one or more persons if the distribution or posting creates any of the effects enumerated in the definition of bullying in this Section.
* The legislation expands the scope of the state’s existing anti-bullying statute to include cyber-bullying…
No student shall be subjected to bullying… through the transmission of information from a computer that is accessed at a nonschool-related location, activity, function, or program or from the use of technology or an electronic device that is not owned, eased, or used by a school district or school if the bullying causes a substantial disruption to the educational process or orderly operation of a school.
This item applies only in cases in which a school administrator or teacher receives a report that bullying through this means has occurred and does not require a district or school to staff or monitor any nonschool-related activity, function, or program. [Emphasis added]
* The existing statute required that “Each school district and non-public, non-sectarian elementary or secondary school shall create and maintain a policy on bullying, which policy must be filed with the State Board of Education.” The new law adds this…
The policy or implementing procedure shall include a process to investigate whether a reported act of bullying is within the permissible scope of the district’s or school’s jurisdiction and shall require that the district or school provide the victim with information regarding services that are available within the district and community, such as counseling, support services, and other programs.
So, it’s left up to the schools to determine the policy. Triad wants passwords. No other district is identified in any story as asking for passwords. But even if they do copy that policy, it doesn’t mean they can legally get those passwords.
And it most certainly doesn’t mean that state law “requires” parents and students to fork over those passwords.
*** UPDATE 1 *** As a commenter notes below, the above stories cited the wrong state statute. A law which took effect over a year ago allows the password order…
An elementary or secondary school must provide notification to the student and his or her parent or guardian that the elementary or secondary school may request or require a student to provide a password or other related account information in order to gain access to the student’s account or profile on a social networking website if the elementary or secondary school has reasonable cause to believe that the student’s account on a social networking website contains evidence that the student has violated a school disciplinary rule or policy.
There are no state penalties listed for parents, however.
*** UPDATE 2 *** From Ed Yohnka at the ACLU of Illinois…
Thank you so much for shining a bright light on the hysteria around the cyber-bullying legislation passed last year. As you note, a report about a single school district demanding the usernames and passwords of students’ social media accounts created a firestorm across the blogosphere, raising fears that the new law permitted a dragnet collection of such data. Obviously this is not true. Indeed, during the course of the discussion on the measure, no one ever suggested that such a mass collection of data from students was permissible. This view has been reaffirmed by the primary sponsor of the measure.
The ACLU of Illinois opposed this measure out of concern that it created an expectation that school administrators now would become investigators not of activity that takes place within the school walls and during school hours, but also investigation of activities that take place outside of school hours, activities that have no connection to school.
We note your update, referencing the previous law that appears to require that a school notify parents and students that school may seek password information in some circumstances. We would note that the law suggests that the passwords would be sought only where there is some evidence (”reasonable cause”) of a disciplinary violation — and does not carry a penalty if the parent refuses.
But the headline here is that, despite some reporting, no law in Illinois permits the broad collection of students’ private passwords.
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