* We had the governor’s statement yesterday and coverage of the Speaker Madigan press conference, but not the react of the two legislative leaders. Here’s House Republican Leader Jim Durkin’s take on yesterday’s events…
“The House Democrats affirmed today that they don’t want to pass reforms that will fix a broken state government, but only want to raise taxes. Instead of working with Republicans in a bi-partisan manner to fix the deep financial crisis that they caused, Democrats insist on continuing down the path of crafting and passing unbalanced budgets that spend billions more than we can afford.”
* Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno…
“This is a replay of how legislative Democrats have run Illinois for the past decade. Game playing, a complete disregard for balancing the budget and a burden on the taxpayers who pay the bills. We’ve spent weeks trying to negotiate sound public policy that would stop the bleeding, help create jobs and positively impact our budget. They’ve spent that time crafting another phony budget and a plan for more Democrat tax increases.”
Discuss.
*** UPDATE *** From the ILGOP…
Statement by Nick Klitzing, Executive Director, Illinois Republican Party:
“It’s like déjà vu, all over again. Speaker Mike Madigan and the politicians who blindly follow him are playing games in Springfield like they’ve done for decades. Madigan and his cronies refuse to make any tough decisions and honestly confront a crisis of their own making. Madigan did it last year. He’s done it year in and year out since he took control in 1983.
Governor Bruce Rauner has proposed bold reforms to change business-as-usual in Springfield. He’s eagerly searching for a partner who is willing to work with him and compromise to reform the state. Unfortunately, Speaker Mike Madigan has shown yet again that he cares more about his political fiefdom than solving the state’s crisis.”
- Aldyth - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 9:31 am:
They could just videotape this and replay it regularly, just changing the date. Or send out the same news release. It’s going to be reruns all summer long.
- Ducky LaMoore - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 9:32 am:
Dear Minority Republicans,
It is press releases like this that will keep you in the minority forever. If the “Turnaround Agenda” actually will fix state government, perhaps you would like to explain how it would do so, instead of your constant attacks letting everyone know that Speaker Madigan is indeed a democrat and has been in-charge for a long time.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 9:35 am:
And “they” wonder why I call them Owls…
===”…They’ve spent that time crafting another phony budget and a plan for more Democrat tax increases.”===
Let’s see; phony, “Democrat”, tax increases…
===”The House Democrats affirmed today that they don’t want to pass reforms that will fix a broken state government, but only want to raise taxes. …”===
… reforms, broken, raise taxes…
With all respect to the Leaders, to make this a bipartisan discussion, being autonomous would help. Why would Cullerton or MJM take either Caucus seriously, when Rauner is just going to tell you…
What to say… How to vote… How to react.
The Leaders are in actuality Owl herders, and not herding cats.
Cats have their own minds, Owls, they just “hoot”, and ask “who” disagrees with Rauner?
This… this is what it looks like when Caucuses think they are relevant on their own, but they are the only ones thinking that way.
It’s a shame.
- Frenchie Mendoza - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 9:36 am:
So it’s cool for Rauner to propose a budget with a couple billion dollar hole — but when the D’s do it it’s phony?
Besides, according the latest (this morning) note from AFSCME, Rauner is asking for a “voluntary” (but, one assumes forced) switch to the tier 2 pension for all current state employees hired before 2011.
If that’s true — and if employees will, in fact, be forced to sign a contract saying, “I voluntarily switch to Tier 2″ (with the assumption that if you don’t, you risk employment) — then the pension savings in the budget was never there to begin with.
- Roamin' Numeral - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 9:38 am:
I thought the Speaker was pretty clear in his remarks. There are two parts to budget making. The Democrats outlined the first part, a spending plan, that addressed the needs of Illinoisans depending on functioning government services. As a result of these needs, they need to do the second part of budget making, which is find a little more than $3 billion in revenue to pay for them. At this point, the Democrats would like to work with the Governor in finding that revenue.
The Speaker wasn’t “passing an unbalanced budget.” It wasn’t a “phony budget.” And it wasn’t any other tired GOP talking point that these “leaders” plan to wheel out in the not so distant future. The Speaker plainly stated that they need a little more than $3 billion to balance the budget.
Earth to the GOP: We have a revenue problem. Please work with the Democrats in finding a little more than $3 billion so that we can have a balanced budget, and everyone - especially those that depend on government services - can go on with their lives.
- Wordslinger - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 9:44 am:
Is there a Bad Opera School for Illinois legislators? Is there some belief that all the swooning and over-acting is an effective and credible form of communication? These guys don’t talk or act like that away from the microphones.
The reality is that the Madigan and Rauner budgets are pretty close - they’re both about $3 billion short on revenue.
It’s been reported that Rauner has already dangled $3.5 billion in new revenue. Showed that card early, for some reason.
If they want to get a deal done, they can. The trick will be to find a “victory” for Rauner. My guess would be the docs taking a haircut on workman’s comp.
Of course, neither might want a deal before June 1. Madigan, to get more Republicans on the final vote, Rauner, to spend some of that media money and raise his national rep. amongst the anti-union crowd.
The only thing for sure is that there will be a lot more Bad Opera before it’s all over.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 9:45 am:
I can not comprehend how union dues,term limits are part of the budget. Months have passed but you have spent weeks on public policy secret negotiations invite the public to witness your actions
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 9:50 am:
Perspective?
GOP GA; You, you will vote as you’re told, or any member that doesn’t, they will have a “$&@#%” problem.
It IS bad theatre and/or bad opera, and these GOP cast members, are the “extras” to move the plot for the leads.
- Skirmisher - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 9:51 am:
The Madigan idea of “Let’s pass an unbalanced budget” and let the Governor decide how to make it work is sort of his perennial approach to resolving his budget problems. I think we need reduced spending and significant tax reforms to increase revenue, and I kind of think both sides are going to have to give a lot to bring things together. That being said, nothing would please me more than to see Rauner stand by his guns and veto everything that comes across his desk until we actually have a real,responsible budget in this state, as well as some badly needed reforms to improve the business climate in this state. I am sick of this annual charade.
- anon. - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 9:54 am:
The Speaker has a spending plan but refused to come up with a revenue plan to pay for it. How about taxing legal fees that rich real estate and business owners pay to have their property taxes reduced.
- anon. - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 9:55 am:
P.S. snark intended.
- Norseman - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 9:56 am:
=== pass reforms that will fix a broken state government, ===
The Merriam-Webster definition of “reform” is:
“1 a : to put or change into an improved form or condition
b : to amend or improve by change of form or removal of faults or abuses
2 : to put an end to (an evil) by enforcing or introducing a better method or course of action
3 : to induce or cause to abandon evil ways
4 a : to subject (hydrocarbons) to cracking
b : to produce (as gasoline or gas) by crackingintransitive verb
: to become changed for the better”
The operative theme in the definition is that reform is an improvement. An action that makes something better.
Can anyone outline how Rauner’s bills will make state government better? The above comment is simply (banned phrase).
- train111 - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 9:56 am:
What does bi-partisan mean? Is it just a meaningless term thrown around by politicians to elicit an emotional response from their supporters–ala calling Obama a socialist?
Seriously-now days they might as well say–”You didn’t agree with me 100%–you’re not bi-partisan.” It means the same thing as what’s uttered at politician’s meaninbgless press conferences anyways.
- Skeptic - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 9:59 am:
“stand by his guns and veto everything that comes across his desk” Or, you know, maybe, HE could come up with a “real, responsible” budget.
- Precinct Captain - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 10:00 am:
Skirmisher, can you explain why Rauner’s proposed budget featured $3 billion in phony pension and health care savings?
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 10:00 am:
- Skirmisher -
===… nothing would please me more than to see Rauner stand by his guns and veto everything that comes across his desk until we actually have a real,responsible budget in this state, as well as some badly needed reforms to improve the business climate in this state. I am sick of this annual charade.===
Um, Rauner’s budget was just as phony, and just as much of s charade as the Dems.
Also, if working together means…
===…nothing would please me more than to see Rauner stand by his guns and veto everything that comes across his desk until… ===
… we’ll be into August with that mentality.
How about we see how close we are and work out a compromise instead of however your “tactic” makes you “feel”?
The goal is to govern.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 10:05 am:
All these actions by both parties continue to embarrass Illinois voters. No true leadership to actually propose something that may begin to get Illinois on a sane fiscal track. We haven’t had any real compromise and progress since Thomson/Rock in the early 80’s.
- Juvenal - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 10:09 am:
=== The Madigan idea of “Let’s pass an unbalanced budget” and let the Governor decide how to make it work is sort of his perennial approach to resolving his budget problems. ===
Actually, this is pretty much how budgets get made everywhere in the country.
The legislature and governor try to reach an agreement, and when they can’t, the legislature passes a bill and the governor vetoes it.
Then the legislature either overrides his vetoes or they stand.
The legislature has a power: pass legislation.
The executive has a power: sign legislation or veto it.
As much as he might like to, the governor does not get to pass legislation. And although he has tried mightily in the past, the Speaker does not get to negotiate union contracts.
Folks seem shocked, utterly shocked, that the system is doing exactly what it was designed to do.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 10:24 am:
To the Update,
===Governor Bruce Rauner has proposed bold reforms to change business-as-usual in Springfield.===
How. About. A. Passable. Budget?
Connecting the reforms to the budget is a non-starter.
Doubling down, that ain’t helping.
- G'Kar - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 10:27 am:
“Our phony budget trumps your phony budget.”
- Wordslinger - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 10:29 am:
“It’s like déjà vu all over again….”
Seriously, someone got paid to write that? It was trite and weak 30 years ago.
- walker - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 10:30 am:
These press statements could have been written by Lance Trover at any time in the last three months. Radogno and Durkin are just reading an old script.
No reaction to Madigan’s spending cuts vs. Rauner’s spending cuts. No reaction to the proposal to avoid holding back distributive tax funds. No acknowledgeable that Rauner’s proposed budget would require almost as much new tax revenue as Madigan’s.
They are potentially not that far apart on the numbers. They are way apart on the demand that the “turnaround agenda” items, which do not financially impact the budget, must be part of the budget deal. And of course no one will be first out of the gate, without the other, on required new tax revenues.
This drama will continue, until Madigan or Cullerton produces an out for Rauner, which will allow him to claim progress on his non-budget agenda items.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 10:31 am:
===He’s done it year in and year out since he took control in 1983.===
Here comes the bus;
Thompson, Edgar, Geo. Ryan…
They all signed budgets since 1983.
You’re welcome.
BTW, throwing GOP Governors under the bus just reinforces that Raunerites now own the ILGOP too.
Another signal; the ILGOP is no more.
- Juice - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 10:45 am:
To add to Willy’s point, let’s not forget that the most unbalanced budgets in the last decade were FY 09, FY 10, FY 12 (with Medicaid underfunding) and FY 15. The GOP supported all of those except FY 15.
- Weenie Caucus - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 10:55 am:
We GOP members will stomp our feet, hold our breath and complain — until Bruce tells us what to do. Just like we did last year at this time.
- Lucky Pierre - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 11:04 am:
The Democrats seem to be following their leaders too. Other than the two or three guys who voted against the Millionaire tax. I don’t think they are all owls and the end is near for the party here in Illinois. It is odd that there don’t seem to be any pro business Democrats in this state. They can’t talk about business without throwing terms like millionaire and billionaire around. With leaders like that it is no wonder our unemployment is so high
- Huh? - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 11:09 am:
As far as I know, nobody got paid to write the “deja vu all over again” quote. It is attributed to Yogi Berra.
- PublicServant - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 11:11 am:
Hey GOP, maybe if you specify what all your “reforms” are and how much they’ll save and when, then we could all evaluate what yawl were talking about in those super-secret Vegas meetings that you insisted upon. Please note that if you can’t specify the savings for the 2015-16 fiscal year right now, then we’ve got this thing called a budget that we’re working on that we need to get done first. You can get this elusive savings from cuts or “reforms”, I suppose, but I’m not seeing a lot of light, in most cases, been just a plain old cut and a “reform”. Once you add those savings things up, then the only thing left is revenue reform (I like that term, so I’ll use it on the revenue side too…thanks GOP!).
As usual, if you want to cut, be specific, and identify the cuts in the plain old light of day instead of “Vegas”-type super secret meetings where snakes usually perform their activities.
Kthxbye.
- Wordslinger - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 11:30 am:
Huh, try to follow. Someone got paid to write Klitzing’s statement, with the trite phrase.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 11:31 am:
===The Democrats seem to be following their leaders too.===
The Owls are listening to Rauner, bypassing the Leaders, because, well, Rauner has taken over.
The autonomy is lost.
- Juvenal - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 11:38 am:
We started the session with a $6.2 billion budget hole.
Depending on who you believe, the Democrats have whittled it down to $3-$4 billion.
Seems to me this is progress, and cause for celebration, not finger-pointing.
- papa2008 - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 12:22 pm:
OW - with all due respect I disagree with “the goal is to govern”. This governor was elected by people who wish him to govern differently than has been done the past 30 years. He is doing that, rightly or wrongly. He promised to shake things up. He is doing that. To what effect we will have to wait and see.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 12:26 pm:
- papa2008 -,
If the goal is not to govern, but to shake things up, someone needs to do the people’s busuness.
“Who?”
Shaking and doing things different need to evolve to actual governing, because there’s a job to do, and stalling isn’t going to make it go away…
- zonz - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 12:57 pm:
Skirmisher - I’d like to learn from someone such as yourself who has studied the budget…please tell us the ways you want the GA to reduce spending by $1 billion. Then please move along to the next $1 billion, etc.
—————————
- Skirmisher - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 9:51 am:
The Madigan idea of “Let’s pass an unbalanced budget” and let the Governor decide how to make it work is sort of his perennial approach to resolving his budget problems. I think we need reduced spending and significant tax reforms to increase revenue…
- Juvenal - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 12:58 pm:
=== He promised to shake things up. ===
“Shaking up” and “breaking up” are two very different things.
- papa2008 - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 1:12 pm:
Shaking and breaking are the same to this governor. Shake up the powers that be, break the stranglehold they have on the state. He said these things while campaigning. Why are we all so aghast that he is doing exactly what he said he would do? We (the voters) elected him to do just that. Now we get to watch. And comment.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 1:16 pm:
- papa2008 -,
So, governing, actually doing the job as Executive of the government of Illinois is a bi-product?
What do you and Rauber hope gets accomplished with divided government and no room for compromise?
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 1:28 pm:
Rauner has been in office almost six months. He has accomplished nothing except shoot himself in both feet over an embarrassing RTW memorandum, make Good Friday cuts that would have embarrassed Scrooge - then rescind them after it was revealed that we did have the money, and burn every compromise bridge between the Michigan Avenue Bridge and the Ohio River bridge in Cairo.
This is the worse start to any administration - ever.
- papa2008 - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 1:51 pm:
I believe he feels he is governing. In the manner he promised for which he was elected. My hope is the disgruntlement in our state government, expressed by so many in Illinois, is replaced with a hope we are now on the right track. Kind of like Reagan’s (to which I have no illusions of comparison to Gov Rauner) optimism versus Carter’s malaise. Whether he can do this, or the people of the state really want this, after they have to watch what is going to happen this summer, will be an interesting and entertaining ride.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 2:07 pm:
- papa2008 -,
Ronald Reagan worked with Democrats, found common ground, was willing to take a half a loaf, and never demonized his rivals to a point that Reagan could call Tip O’Neill a friend, and no one believed it.
Reagan understood Unions, endorsed by unions…actually “ran” a union.
Rauner wants no part of compromise for the sake of compromise. Rauner is dividing and conquering, not uniting and succeeding.
The reason Reagan was optimistic was that Reagan was optimistic.
Rauner wants governmental shut down, to break unions, to run roughshod over co-equal branches.
These aren’t my opinions, Rauner himself is governing this way, and saying so to anyone listening.
Don’t even remotely confuse Rauner, his governance, his style, persona, or “breath of fresh air” as Reaganesque.
Even going down this road as your “hope”, you are not paying attention.
- papa2008 - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 2:18 pm:
OW - was not even remotely trying to equate Rauner with Reagan. Was only using the optimism/malaise analogy. And it isn’t necessarily my hope. Only commenting on the seeming surprise as to why Rauner is doing what he is doing. He is doing exactly what he said he would do. It shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone who has been paying attention.
- Lucky Pierre - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 2:28 pm:
Sorry I must have missed the compromises from the Democrats. What were they? Rauner said he would add 3 billion in revenue with reforms. I did not catch what the Democrats did when they met him half way
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 2:31 pm:
- papa2008 -,
===Was only using the optimism/malaise analogy. And it isn’t necessarily my hope. Only commenting on the seeming surprise as to why Rauner is doing what he is doing.===
No one is surprised. The only surprise is the RTW, “fair share”, and the PowerPoint traveling circus that’s tone deaf.
Rauner being a “true believer” and Raunerites believing in the Rauner Agenda isn’t based on optimism; it’s based on “payback”, and teaching lessons that counties/cities/towns are rejecting at alarming rates.
I do think the kind thing that is obvious is Rauner is willing, as a “true believer” to go down, and take things down with him, with ideology.
I can read, I saw how you prefaced your Reagan thought, but even “true believers” of the Raunerite Agenda see little Reagan “hopefulness” I’m how Rauner is approaching the shirking of his governing duties.
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 2:34 pm:
I believe he feels he is governing.
No disagreements with you on that. He is peddling furiously, but he forgot to put wheels on the bike. He might feel like he is governing, but he isn’t, is he?
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 2:47 pm:
It shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone who has been paying attention.
…and knew, or had no problems that he was lying out his backside throughout the campaign…
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 2:48 pm:
How about we all take a breath for a moment and go to this post and listen to a little music? https://capitolfax.com/2015/05/26/the-fergus-daly-band/
- chicon - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 2:52 pm:
Papa - many posters here seem to be insiders in a political class that is largely responsible for the economic mess in which Illinois finds itself. This system, like all systems, is not fond of change. There is much anger and shock that the governor is actually using the leverage available to him in order to do the things he said he would do. They appear disingenuous by lashing out at the finished product before it is near complete.
To me, the fact there is anger here is a positive sign. I have no idea whether Rauner will succeed. Neither do almost all of the posters here. But they seem afraid he will succeed.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 2:58 pm:
===To me, the fact there is anger here is a positive sign.===
Reagan… “optimism”?
- chicon - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 3:04 pm:
OW - as I was saying….
- Formerpol - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 3:04 pm:
Remember, the GOP was dead in Illinois. Rauner is singlehandedly bringing it back and giving it a chance to grow. His money finally offsets somewhat Madigan’s money and total control over the careers of state workers.
- JS Mill - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 3:08 pm:
=But they seem afraid he will succeed=
In the sense that Rauner succeeding would equate to most of us being worse off (particularly the middle class, but in reality anyone but 1%) then yes, I am concerned. Afraid? Sure.
I think his actions are clearly antagonistic to most all of the rest of us. And, if you are employed by the state or a governmental body, you really have serious reason for concern.
- JS Mill - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 3:11 pm:
To add to my past post-
Madigan’s political gaming and scheming has also had a negative impact on Illinois. That is impossible to deny.
However, he is neither in word or action as threatening to the basic well being as our current governor.
If Rauner brings the Illinois Democratic Party down, they will have earned it.
Balance would be to everyone’s benefit but right now we are not even close.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 3:12 pm:
- Formerpol -,
Rauner took over the ILGOP. Big difference.
There isn’t a rebirth, it’s under new management. Don’t cause “$&@#%” problens either, lol
- chicon - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 3:14 pm:
JS. The guy was elected and seems to be attempting to do what he said he would do. Shouldn’t be a great shock, and is what a politician should do. I understand that you don’t like it.
- Demoralized - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 3:17 pm:
==Rauner is singlehandedly bringing it back ==
Don’t kid yourself. This has absolutely nothing to do with bringing the Republican Party “back” and everything to do with Bruce Rauner. He doesn’t give a flying leap about the Republican Party.
- A guy - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 3:40 pm:
Demo, he does. Even if it’s for the most practical of reasons.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 3:47 pm:
===Even if it’s for the most practical of reasons.===
Co-opting a ripe party isn’t caring about it for its own sake. Rauner bought the Caucuses and Party for himself, not for growing it.
Otherwise, no need for the Dem PAC or Agenda PAC or the Blago style of political consolidation.
Rauner’s only use for the ILGOP is its “Shell Corporation” base to maneuver politically.
- A guy - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 4:14 pm:
OW, too cynical a view my friend. But I know beyond the shadow of a doubt it’s what you believe. GOP has been a punching bag since Gov. Ryan went to prison. He’s out now. We should be too. On the other side, their Governor went to jail and the other party didn’t even do a day of probation. Crazy thing: our guy was more popular with them than their guy.
GOP is bigger than one guy; any guy. Heck, the tent’s big enough for you and me. Go figure! lol.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 4:21 pm:
===GOP is bigger than one guy; any guy.===
“Vote as I say or you will have a ‘$&@#%’ problem” - Bruce Rauner.
It IS about ONE guy, Bruce Rauner says it so.
The ILGOP and specifically, the GOP GA no longer exists.
They belong to Rauner now. Ask Bruce, he says so.
- Norseman - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 4:33 pm:
=== bold reforms ===
LOL
- RNUG - Tuesday, May 26, 15 @ 6:24 pm:
== Was only using the optimism/malaise analogy. ==
So Rauner running down the State and continuing to trash what little credit rating the State still has is optimistic?
If so, I’d hate to see him in a bad mood …
- CharlieKratos - Wednesday, May 27, 15 @ 7:49 am:
My concern is that Rauner has a battle on (at least) 2 fronts. One with the budget where his opponent is MM, the other with state worker contracts where his opponent is… well, AFSCME. I have a feeling that his battle with MM is going to go poorly for him and he’ll take his frustrations out on AFSCME. The losers are going to be the state workers.