May Jobs in Illinois Increase +9,200; Job Growth Still Lagging Behind Other States
Illinois Unemployment Rate Remains at 6 percent
CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that Illinois’ unemployment rate in May held steady at 6.0 percent. The state’s unemployment rate is higher than the national unemployment rate reported for May, which inched up from the prior month to 5.5 percent. Nonfarm payroll employment gained +9,200 jobs, based on preliminary data released by the Department and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
The BLS revised April data which showed a further increase in Illinois’ job gain from a preliminary +4,800 to +5,400. Illinois has gained an average of 5,300 jobs per month since recovery from the 2008-09 recession while a majority of other states have seen a quicker recovery, per BLS data. The number of jobs in Illinois will not reach pre-recession levels until approximately June 2016, according to IDES analysts’ estimations.
“Though 9,200 new jobs are good, this represents a job growth rate of less than 0.2 percent,” said IDES Director Jeff Mays. “Illinois policymakers must continue to focus on improving our underlying business climate.”
In May, the three industry sectors with the largest gains in employment were: Professional and Business Services (+6,900), Leisure and Hospitality (+3,300) and Government (+2,300). The three industry sectors with the largest declines in employment were Manufacturing (-2,500); Trade, Transportation and Utilities (-2,300); and Financial Activities (-1,200).
Over the year, nonfarm payroll employment increased by +62,100 jobs with the largest gains in Professional and Business Services (+27,500); Education and Health Services (+14,800); and Construction (+13,700). Two key sectors posted over-the-year declines in May: Manufacturing (-7,300) and Financial Activities (-5,300).
The unemployment rate identifies those individuals who are out of work and seeking employment. An individual who exhausts or is ineligible for benefits is still reflected in the unemployment rate if they actively seek work. IDES’ IllinoisJoblink.com (IJL) program, which helps jobseekers connect with hiring companies, recently showed that 168,271 help wanted ads were available and 59,192 resumes were posted. Many positions however continue to remain unfilled. The Department continues its efforts to help spur job growth in Illinois.
In May, the unemployment rate stood 1.1 percentage points below the unemployment rate a year ago when it was 7.1 percent. The number of unemployed workers increased 0.3 percent from the prior month to 392,000 and was down -15.6 percent over the same month for the prior year.
“Illinois needs to take decisive action to address persistently low job growth through structural reforms to make Illinois competitive and attractive for business,” said Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Director (DCEO) Jim Schultz. “Governor Rauner’s proposed reforms will create an environment in which Illinois businesses and families can thrive.”
* Tony Leone, a Republican and former assistant House clerk under Speaker Michael Madigan, talked to Bernie about what happened after Gov. Jim Thompson appointed him to the state property tax appeals board…
Leone said Madigan called him to his office.
“He said, ‘Listen. I want you to recuse yourself from any complaint that … my law firm is representing,’” Leone recalled, noting that as speaker, Madigan ran House operations.
“At this point, I had no idea he was even an appeals attorney or his law firm handled appeals,” Leone said. “I walked out of the room having an awful lot of respect.”
“I think people ought to be careful about making insinuations that maybe he uses his influence on those types of appeals,” Leone added.
Leone said he wasn’t pointing the finger at anyone in particular, including the governor.
* And speaking of Madigan’s property tax work, check out Ben Joravsky’s latest in The Reader…
Rauner and his aides blasted Madigan for operating a law practice that takes advantage of the speaker’s clout with Cook County Democrats to win lower taxes for his well-to-do downtown clients. […]
But what the governor and his aides conveniently neglected to mention is that GTCR, Rauner’s old investment firm, is also one of the insiders benefiting from Madigan’s clout. That’s because GTCR is housed in a River North high-rise whose landlord hired Madigan’s law firm to handle its property tax appeal, according to the Cook County assessor’s website. […]
Finally, there’s the case of Kenneth Griffin, the wealthiest man in the state, who runs Citadel, a hedge fund.
Griffin has donated more than $5 million to Rauner’s campaign fund. Plus, he let Rauner use his private jet in the last campaign.
Griffin’s hedge fund is headquartered in the so-called Citadel building at 131 S. Dearborn. To handle its property tax appeal, the landlord of the Citadel building has hired—drum roll, please—Madigan’s law firm!
Gov. Bruce Rauner has said that he wants to reduce Amtrak train service in the state starting July 1, but the Illinois Department of Transportation hasn’t informed the national rail line about any cuts to its state aid, according to an Amtrak spokesman.
Company spokesman Marc Magliari said Tuesday that Amtrak still is accepting bookings for current levels of service. Rauner announced a new round of cuts to state programs Friday as he continues to negotiate with Democratic leaders in the Illinois Legislature, namely Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton, over the state budget. […]
Illinois Department of Transportation spokesman Guy Tridgell said in an emailed statement Wednesday that the agency was waiting for Amtrak to provide “detailed cost and revenue projections for each route in order to make decisions about the frequency and level of service that the state can afford in anticipation of the Madigan-Cullerton budget.”
Amtrak plans to continue operating under its current schedule until it hears otherwise.
Seems odd.
* Meanwhile, from the Capital Development Board…
From: “Golden, Jodi”
Date: June 17, 2015 at 10:40:36 AM CDT
To: CDB.Executive.BoardMembers
Subject: FW: Stop work Letter
Board Members – I hope this note finds you all well. I wanted to inform you that the attached letter was mailed on Monday evening to contract holders with CDB. At this time we have no appropriations to continue with projects, therefore, unless this changes by June 30th, all work must be stopped by June 30th. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact me at any time.
Thanks for your service to CDB!
Best,
Jodi
* The letter, with emphasis added…
To Whom it May Concern:
In accordance with Section 20-60 of the Illinois Procurement Code (30 ILCS 500/20-60) and the Capital Development Board’s (CDB) Standard Documents for Construction, the CDB directs you to stop all work you are performing under the above-referenced contract by June 30, 2015. You are further directed to do nothing after that date that would incur any additional cost to the State. This action is necessary because no appropriation bill was passed by the General Assembly this spring that would allow payments from the CDB to continue.
You should submit a payment request for work performed up to June 30, 2015, to the CDB project manager for the project. The CDB project manager will assist you in addressing any issues with the payment request and will answer any questions you might have regarding this stop work order, including design services of any kind, construction services of any kind, storage of all construction materials and equipment, and securing the job site.
Please note that the funds were available when you entered the contract with the CDB, but the General Assembly has failed to appropriate monies for the upcoming fiscal year starting July 1, 2015. The CDB is working diligently to correct this situation, but it requires legislative action.
If it is determined that the funding problem cannot be fixed in a reasonable time, then the CDB will formally advise you that the contract is suspended. The project manager will advise you about any developments.
The CDB sincerely regrets the need for this action and greatly appreciates your cooperative response.
Sincerely
Jodi Golden
Acting Executive Director
* A top legislative Democrat responds via e-mail…
We sent them the capital re approp bill [yesterday]. If they are saying there are ongoing projects that were not re appropriated, that would be OMB’s failure to notify the legislative budget folks of what projects were completed and what ones needed continued approp authority. I know our staff sought suggestions from OMB on all parts of the budget. And of course the capital bill and all budget House bills with the exception of the k-12 bill were on file for three days in the Senate and we never heard there was any problem with the capital re approp bill.
*** UPDATE *** A Rauner administration official just called to point me to two bills: HBs 2913 and 2914.
They’re about a thousand pages of approps and re-approps for capital projects. The Democratic bill, the Rauner official said, is only about 75 pages - or 925 pages short.
“They knew what they were doing,” the Rauner official said, and added some unprintable stuff.
Thursday, Jun 18, 2015 - Posted by Advertising Department
[The following is a paid advertisement.]
Since 1974, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued more than 850 recalls for toy products, many for hazards like magnets, lead and other dangers hidden in our children’s toys. In the face of such risks, and with so few resources at hand, American parents have come to rely on consumer groups and the civil justice system to serve both as an early warning system and an enforcement mechanism against negligent corporations.
Between 1990 and 2007, 196 children died from choking on toy parts, small balls and balloons. Nearly a quarter of a million children are treated at U.S. emergency rooms for toy-related injuries every year. A series of lawsuits in the late-2000s not only helped remove lead-tainted toys from store shelves, but also helped establish quality assurance programs overseen by the courts. A lawsuit filed by the family of a toddler who died after ingesting tiny magnets brought awareness to the hidden dangers of magnetic toys.
Civil actions by parents across the country have consistently forced corporations and regulators to take action. For more information, click here.
Thursday, Jun 18, 2015 - Posted by Advertising Department
[The following is a paid advertisement.]
As not-for-profit financial cooperatives, credit unions hold a strong belief in giving back to their communities at the credit union level and on a geographic basis. Twenty-four chapters unite the state’s 305 credit unions and are integral to fulfilling their mission for nearly three million consumer members. Like the boards at credit unions, chapter boards are also run by volunteers.
The Illinois Quad Cities Chapter alone serves 10 credit unions and their 241,000 members in a three county area. Similarly to other credit union chapters, Illinois Quad Cities is particularly active in community charitable activities and worthwhile causes. This includes helping consumers protect their personal information by sponsoring community shred days to properly dispose of documents. The chapter also hosts “community nights” to provide local organizations a forum for requesting financial support. As a result, more than $17,000 has been provided to a variety of local charities. Motivated by their stories, credit unions separately hold fundraisers to support these groups, as well participate in events for others, including the local children’s hospital.
Members know credit unions will be there for their daily financial needs and support their community – just some of the many virtues that define the credit union difference.
* Speaker Madigan responded to this question on Tuesday…
Does the governor really want a solution, or does he want chaos and upheaval in the state?
“I really don’t know, and I don’t plan to try to answer that question.”
* The Question: Does the governor really want a solution, or does he want chaos and upheaval in the state? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.
The plaintiff, Bill Hadley, filed a defamation lawsuit against the defendant, Subscriber Doe, a/k/a “Fuboy,” based on statements made by Fuboy in the comments section of a newspaper website. After the suit was filed, Hadley requested the circuit court, pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 224 (Ill. S. Ct. R. 224 (eff. May 30, 2008)), to order Fuboy’s internet service provider to disclose Fuboy’s identity. The circuit court granted the request and the appellate court affirmed. 2014 IL App (2d) 130489. For the reasons that follow, we affirm the judgment of the appellate court.
BACKGROUND
On December 28, 2011, the Freeport Journal Standard published an online newspaper article entitled “Hadley returns to county politics. Candidate stresses fiscal responsibility.” The article discussed plaintiff Bill Hadley’s decision to again seek election to the county board of Stephenson County, Illinois. Online readers could post comments in response to the article after completing a basic registration process.
On December 29, an individual using the name “Fuboy” posted the following comment: “Hadley is a Sandusky waiting to be exposed. Check out the view he has of Empire [Elementary School in Freeport, Illinois] from his front door.”
Fuboy also made a second comment, stating: “Anybody know the tale of Hadley’s suicide attempt? It is kinda ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ with Pottersville win[n]ing out. We can just be happy that Stephenson County is fortunate enough to have this guy want to be of ‘service’ again.”
Giving the words used by Fuboy their natural and obvious meaning, and considering the timing of the comment, we find the idea Fuboy intended to convey to the reasonable reader by his statement, “Hadley is a Sandusky waiting to be exposed. Check out the view he has of Empire from his front door,” was that Hadley was a pedophile or had engaged in sexual acts with children.
Fuboy contends, however, that the comment is susceptible to an innocent construction. He maintains the appellate court failed to consider the political context in which the statement was made, as well as the fact that it was made in an effort to seek debate over the candidate. We do not find this argument persuasive.
Me neither.
I have tracked down more than a few nasty commenters over the years. For whatever insane reason, some people think that they can say anything they want in an anonymous context. They can’t. Not here, at least.
And the Illinois Supreme Court thankfully upheld that viewpoint today.
* Years ago, I ran into George Ryan at a Greek restaurant in Chicago. He was still governor back then, although it was late in his term.
Ryan sat down at my table after a while and we chatted about various stuff. I don’t really remember. Pretty soon, though, some folks at the next table came over and asked the governor if he would take a picture with them. They were all smiles and said very nice things to him.
Ryan came back and said he just couldn’t believe all those negative polls about him because this sort of thing happened to him all the time.
I didn’t want to spoil his moment, but I knew then and still know now that people are pretty much always that way around “celebrities.” If you’re on the teevee, folks are generally nice to you.
Heck, they’re even nice to me. I don’t think a stranger has ever once picked a fight with me over something I’ve written. Notice, I said “stranger.”
Asked whether Madigan felt his own message was getting out to the public, the speaker responded: ”Our encounters with people would say yes,” Madigan said.
What types of encounters?
“People that I rode with in the elevator this morning, who said they didn’t quite understand why a TV commercial would be run in the middle of a legislative session, when we’re several months after an election and many, many more months before the next election.”
It’s no surprise to me that folks who found themselves on the same elevator with a very powerful politician would try to take his side on something.
Anyway, it was just kind of a weird thing to say and, again, I hope he doesn’t really believe that.
A health care union is launching its own ad push in an attempt to counter Gov. Bruce Rauner’s statewide TV ad launch.
The ad, called “Wrong Priorities,” features first-person testimonials from family of the elderly and disabled, who say their quality of life — and actual lifespan — improves if they’re able to stay at home.
“Governor Rauner’s dangerous budget cuts target Illinois’ most vulnerable,” a narrator says on the ad.
The ad, on social media and online media, is part of a larger paid effort that could include a cable and TV ad buy, according to the union.
* Keeping in mind that this is only an online purchase, rate the ad…
* The Chicago Tribune editorial board on Speaker Madigan’s response to Gov. Rauner’s new TV ad…
How amusing that the patron of scorched-earth politics and endless campaigning tries to paint the other guy as extreme.
Madigan campaigns year-round. Always has, through structured roll calls that allow vulnerable incumbents to take safe votes. By bottling up Republican bills in committee to limit Republicans’ success. By swapping out his members during committee hearings so they don’t have to take controversial votes. By passing legislation that makes it more difficult for challengers or independents to get on the ballot. By blocking term limits. By raising money year-round. All of those maneuvers are designed to protect his majority for the next election. In other words, campaigning.
[Madigan’s] operatives sent campaign mailers last fall that claimed Leslie Munger, a Republican running for the House, supported child abusers in schools. Ads and automated phone calls claimed she opposed background checks on school workers, which was untrue, and would expose children to pedophiles.
Now that’s extreme. […]
Madigan’s operatives suggested in a separate mailer that Republican Rep. Sheri Jesiel sided with rapists over rape victims.
They make a valid point here. When compared to Madigan’s standard direct mail program, these Rauner ads are pretty darned tame.
CMS Memorandum
To: Agency Directors, Personnel Managers, Labor Relations Administrators and Payroll Managers
From: Tom Tyrrell, CMS Director
Subject: Collective Bargaining
The Illinois Department of Central Management Services is currently in the process of negotiating successor agreements with the labor unions that represent State employees. The current collective bargaining agreements with the unions expire on June 30, 2015. CMS remains hopeful that it can reach agreement on the terms of successor contracts with all of the labor unions before June 30th. Whether it can succeed with every union, however, is doubtful. For those contracts on which agreements cannot be reached by July 1, it is likely that the parties will agree to continue to negotiate and that members of those unions will agree to work without a contract. If so, then (with the exceptions described below and until further notice) the State will operate as if the terms and conditions of employment set forth in the current collective bargaining agreements (e.g., procedures for filling vacancies, temporary assignments and layoffs) still apply.
Until new terms are negotiated, employees will continue to be paid their current wages and will remain at their current steps and/or in-hire rate. Therefore, no wage, in-hire, or step/lane increases, or semi-automatic advancements should be awarded under an expired agreement.
Once a contract has expired the State is only required to process certain grievances. Whether a grievance must be processed, in the absence of an agreement, is determined by the facts of the grievance. For example, a grievance over facts that arose before July 1st or a grievance that involves a right that accrued under the expired agreement, such as a denial of a vacation previously approved pursuant to the expired agreement, must be processed. For grievances by employees who are members of unions with which the State has no agreement after June 30th, agencies should consult with CMS Labor Relations before deciding whether to process a specific grievance. If, after consultation, a decision is made not to process a grievance, the Agency should notify the Union in writing that it is not processing the grievance because the collective bargaining agreement has expired.
In other words, no lockout is yet in sight. Time will tell, however.
* Senate President John Cullerton is making the rounds this week. Here he is with Greg Hinz…
On workers’ comp, Cullerton said Rauner “needs to understand what we’ve already done.” Changes ordered a few years ago are just now showing up in reduced rates, he said.
“We’re always willing to work on fraud and savings,” he added. “But you don’t blow up the system. . . .If you say, ‘Employers don’t want to pay any premiums, we’ll abolish workers’ comp,’ I guarantee you, they’ll scream.” Why? Because, he reasoned, without workers’ comp, all sides will have to wage expensive court fights on tens of thousands of workplace injuries a year.
What Democrats won’t agree to is “a race to the bottom,” Cullerton said. “Workers’ comp is not an economic development tool.”
[Rauner] got a boost, in part, from the president of Tennant Truck Lines, the Colona firm he visited.
Aaron Tennant, the chief executive of the company, introduced Rauner while noting his company would save $450,000 in workers’ compensation costs if it moved to Iowa.
“I can go nine miles across the river and save a heck of a lot of money,” he said.
Things got heated during Tuesday’s debate [of the House Committee of the Whole on DCEO restructuring] when the issue of public jobs versus private jobs was addressed. In a line of questioning between Democratic Representative Will Davis and DCEO’s Director, Davis expressed concerns about a loss of jobs for DCEO if there were to be the creation of a private-public partnership to spur on economic development. Schultz responded with what he believes is his role.
“So those individuals will not be working for DCEO,” Davis said. “Which means the workforce of DCEO will decline.”
“I didn’t come here to create jobs for DCEO,” Schultz fired back. “I didn’t come here to create jobs just for the State of Illinois. I came to create jobs for every citizen in the state of Illinois, all 12.9 million citizens. In the end I care about net jobs, not about a particular agency.”
The two sides are from different worlds and are speaking different languages.
* I’ve known Mike Madigan (no, not the Speaker, the other one) since his days on GOP staff. After a stint with George Ryan, Mike decided he wanted to get into the private sector. He opened a franchised restaurant in Springfield, Hickory River, and has since prospered, opening several more in central Illinois.
The district he’s eyeing won’t be an easy race, to say the least, but he’s a good guy and I wish him nothing but the best…
Wouldn’t this be fun? A Republican named Mike Madigan running for the state Senate?
It could happen.
Madigan, an Urbana City Council member who grew up in Champaign County and owns a chain of four barbecue restaurants, said he’s considering running for the 52nd Senate District seat held by Democrat Scott Bennett of Champaign. Bennett, a former Champaign County assistant state’s attorney, was appointed to the seat earlier this year after Mike Frerichs’ election as state treasurer. […]
Madigan, 52, who owns Hickory River Smokehouse restaurants in Urbana, Decatur, Springfield and Peoria, said Illinois needs change, but he isn’t parroting Rauner’s “turnaround agenda.”
“We need change but I’m not saying that I’m going to throw down and be all-in on all of those positions,” he said. “I think you have to look at the district as well and be representative of the district. I don’t consider myself a hard-core idealogue. I think you need to consider the district and what it’s comprised of. We have a world-class university here and on some of these issues you have to take a harder look and not be terribly ideological.
State Sen. Gary Forby, D-Benton, says he was turned down in multiple requests to visit the Hardin County prison work camp, which Rauner said will close if a deal to balance the state budget isn’t forthcoming. […]
“This is the first time I’ve ever been turned down,” Forby said. “I’ve been in every prison in my district. Once or twice a year I try to get around to talk to people at those facilities. I guess the governor doesn’t want me to talk to those people.”
Sen. Forby made his thoughts known the day after the governor’s visit to Marion by putting a T-shirt on his chair on the Senate floor that read “Not for sale” on the front and “Can’t be bought” on the back.
“Senator Forby has not made a request to visit through the legislative liaisons at the department or the governor’s office, which is standard operating practice for all legislative requests to ensure visits go smoothly and without interruption,” [Illinois Department of Corrections spokeswoman Nicole Wilson] said. […]
And, it comes three years after former Gov. Pat Quinn’s administration barred a Republican senator access to a youth prison in Murphysboro that Quinn was trying to close.
In the Murphysboro incident, state Sen. Dave Luechtefeld, R-Okawville, said barring him entry took him by surprise because there was a longstanding tradition that local lawmakers could visit state facilities without a formal agreement from the governor’s office.
* The Senate Democrats plan to start sending the governor their appropriations bills next week, and they’re getting in some advance spin..
“The budget has been a public document since we passed it, so the administration has had time to review and analyze it,” said Rikeesha Phelon, spokeswoman to Illinois Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago. “It’s our intention to start sending him the actual bills for action next week….He has options. If he doesn’t want to sign it, if he would rather force a shutdown, then that is a problem that he would own.” […]
“He has options that include reducing spending lines to a level he feels appropriate and manageable for the administration,” Phelon said. “The other options include having conversations with the legislative leaders about how to generate income to bridge the gap by the revenue hole…We hope he will consider taking a balanced approach to budgeting just like a family would do … look at both sides of the ledger.”
Phelon said if Rauner outright vetoes the bills then a shutdown is “all but a certainty.”
“There are options, leaders like Cullerton are willing to find a way to work it out,” she said. “And there’s still time to do that.”
No comment yet from the Rauner administration. I’ll let you know.
*** UPDATE *** From the governor’s office…
Hi, Rich –
The governor has made clear for weeks that the budget passed by Speaker Madigan and the legislators he controls is unbalanced and unacceptable. The governor remains committed to working with legislators to enact reforms that protect the middle class, free up resources for the most vulnerable, grow jobs throughout the state and help produce a responsible, balanced budget. While the governor has compromised repeatedly, it’s disturbing that majority party legislators continue to reject reasonable reforms and a balanced budget. If they have any interest in real reform and a responsible budget, there is no reason a deal can’t be reached before July 1.
Mooney, the political scientist, said he found the style of Rauner’s ad “baffling” at this point.
“It’s a classic (election) campaign ad but there’s no (election) campaign going on. What does he want people to do? Does he think this just puts pressure on Mike Madigan and the politicians?” Mooney asked.
The ad puts Madigan “in black and white, and the speaker can’t find that to be very nice,” he said. “Given his past history, he doesn’t respond well to direct criticism of that nature.”
At the same time, Mooney suggested the ad may be part of a sustained effort to try to portray Madigan as the cause behind any state government shutdown.
“A lawmaker rises and falls based on his local connections. People may say they hate Mike Madigan but that they like Frank [Mautino],” Yepsen said. “Smart, influential local people realize that Mike Madigan is not the most popular guy but it’s good that our local guy is good with him. Most legislators have a state facility, park or agency in their districts that they have to take care of.”
Yepsen said he hasn’t heard Democratic lawmakers badmouth Madigan either publicly or privately.
“He is a powerful lawmaker,” Yepsen said. “If legislators have half a brain, they aren’t going to publicly alienate someone who may do something for their districts.”
I would never try to tell you Madigan is one of the good guys. As I’ve said previously, I wish he’d hang it up.
But for right now, I’m really glad he’s down there in Springfield to stand up to the bully king, even if he’s doing it for the wrong reasons.
Madigan, a bully in his own right, does not currently see it as being in his best political interest to sell out the little people who rely on Democrats to protect their viewpoint in Springfield. That could change, for which I’m equally grateful for the Democratic majority in the Senate. […]
In Rauner’s commercial, the narrator says: “Mike Madigan and the politicians he controls refuse to change.”
I would translate that to mean Rauner doesn’t control enough politicians yet, but just like Madigan, he’s working on it.
Winning an office by using the power of advertising is one thing. We’re used to it by now.
Governing by using the power of advertising is another. And we’ve never seen anything quite like it. […]
It makes sense. Public pressure can play a big part in legislative negotiations. When government services start shutting down, as they are likely to begin doing next month, voters grow increasingly agitated, and rank-and-file lawmakers seek to protect their political futures.
Rauner is trying to win the inevitable blame game the same way he won the governorship: with a well-financed campaign of chesty if vague commercials that paint Democratic leaders as obstacles to progress and economic health. […]
But I concede it just might work, particularly in the context of a sustained, well-funded effort to win hearts and minds. Rauner’s PR campaign may not ever lead to flipping the 13 seats in the House and 10 in the Senate needed for Republican majorities in the General Assembly, but it just might give him a significant upper hand as the summer of our discontent grinds on.
* Auditor General Bill Holland just sent a letter to the four legislative leaders announcing that he will retire at the end of this year. The letter is here…
It has always been my intent to leave my position while I still enjoy my work. After nearly twenty three years, I think that time has come.
Holland has been an excellent auditor general. I just cannot say enough good things about his tenure. Bill is honest, trustworthy and clean and he professionalized the operation when he took over.
Good luck, Bill.
…Adding… The full letter…
Dear Leaders:
I have been honored to be Illinois’ Auditor General since August 1, 1992. My work here has been challenging and rewarding, both professionally and personally. Your confidence in me and respect for the Office has allowed us to fulfill a constitutional duty and provide an essential public service that, I am confident, has been valuable to the General Assembly and the citizens of Illinois.
It has always been my intent to leave my position while I still enjoy the work. After nearly twenty-three years, I think that time has come. I will be retiring from my position as Auditor General effective December 31, 2015.
I hope this timeframe is sufficient to provide an effective transition to a new Auditor General. Please be assured that I and my staff will be available to assist in that regards. Until that time, I will continue to perform my duties in the manner you have come to expect.
I cannot thank each of you enough for the support you have provided the Office of the Auditor General over the years. Your support has been the foundation for all the successes the Office has enjoyed and, undoubtedly, will enjoy many years into the future.
Yours truly,
WILLIAM G. HOLLAND
Auditor General
* And from the press room…
Auditor General Holland will hold a press conference today (6-17) at 1:00 p.m. in briefing room 010. He will be here to announce his retirement.
…Adding Still More… The press conference will be here. From Leader Radogno…
“Despite coming from a partisan background, Bill Holland’s tenure as Auditor General has proven his loyalties lie with the people of Illinois. He’s a class act and true gentleman. The taxpayers of Illinois have been well served. “
* Gov. Rauner…
“Auditor General William Holland is a true statesman having served the people of Illinois as Auditor General for more than 20 years with the utmost integrity, honor and respect. His appointment to a third term was unprecedented and well-deserved, and it underscores his professionalism and ability to do the job fairly and exceptionally well. The State of Illinois is better because of his service, and I thank him for all the work he has done on behalf of the citizens of Illinois.”
* House GOP Leader Durkin…
“Bill Holland has done a fantastic job as Auditor General. I personally will miss him when he retires at the end of the year. He is highly respected by members of both parties for being professional and fair. The citizens of Illinois are better off because of Bill Holland’s ability to root out waste and mismanagement in government.”
* Senate President Cullerton…
“Bill Holland has dedicated his life’s work to improving public policy outcomes and government services for the people of the state of Illinois. His knowledge, expertise and eye for excellence have been invaluable to all of those who have had the pleasure of working and serving with him. His contributions will not be forgotten. I wish Bill the best of luck in future endeavors.”
* Speaker Madigan…
“Bill Holland has made many important contributions to work of state government during his tenure as Auditor General. He has handled every challenge with skill and professionalism. He maintained the highest standards during several very dark periods in this state’s history. Illinois is a better place because of him.”
Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan, D-Chicago, on Tuesday called Gov. Bruce Rauner’s new TV ad blitz “extreme” and said a budget deal would come only “if everybody’s reasonable.”
Still, Madigan said he believed the Legislature was making “progress” toward breaking a budget impasse, despite entering the third week after adjournment without a balanced plan.
“That TV ad takes us to the extreme. It takes away from moderation. It’s just like the other non-budget issues,” Madigan told reporters in a Capitol news conference.
“I think we’re making progress,” Madigan added. “I’m working seven days a week on this.” […]
“In the House, we’re attempting to be responsive to the governor’s interests. That’s why number one, we passed a worker’s compensation bill. We provided four opportunities for Republicans to pass legislation that would freeze property taxes.”
According to our count, during the 20 minute press conference, the Speaker used the term “moderation” 11 times, the term “reasonable” 10 times, “extreme” to describe the governor 16 times, and “non-budget issues” 13 times.
In referring to the House’s legislative session which has not yet adjourned and will meet every Tuesday until the budget is agreed upon, Madigan used the term “continuous session” 11 times.
He is being reasonable and moderate, the Governor is being extreme.
When a reporter asked why Rauner’s television ads would be considered extreme while Madigan-funded mailers attacking Republicans in their home districts were not problematic, the Speaker said the mailers the Democrats sent out “were not extreme, they were factual.”
Madigan said mailers critical of Republicans sent into Republican legislative districts by the Illinois Democratic Party he controls are different from the ads.
“We wouldn’t consider the mailers extreme,” Madigan said. “They are factual. They weren’t inflammatory. We’re not going to do any TV ads, I can tell you that.” […]
Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago, who is not mentioned in the ads, “is encouraging the governor to pull back from campaigning and lean into governing,” said spokeswoman Rikeesha Phelon.
Sen. Andy Manar, D-Bunker Hill, said discussion of the ads among Democrats was “almost non-existent.”
“I don’t wake up every day and worry about what the governor is going to do when it comes to political rhetoric,” Manar said. “It’s clear to me that we have priorities that we need to fund in the state budget, and we need to find solutions to break the budget impasse. Unfortunately, I don’t think this commercial that the governor is airing is going to get us closer to breaking that impasse.”
“We’re not campaigning,” Cullerton said. “The election’s next year. This is the year we should be governing and reaching compromise. So that’s what I would urge the governor to do. To come back to the table and stop the ads, and let’s just see if we can get together.”
Cullerton, who wasn’t named in the governor’s ad but has taken his own lumps in Rauner’s remarks to media, also continued to pitch the “let’s talk” angle.
“It’s not the best way to start a conversation when you’re trying to reach an agreement,” Cullerton said about Rauner’s ad. “I think he (Rauner) is still in campaign mode, and we’d like him to get out of the campaign mode and start governing.”
“Let’s work together,” the Senate president said. “That’s what we’re willing to do.”
“We need to be focusing on actually getting a budget put in place,” said Sen. Heather Steans, a Chicago Democrat. “We need to provide fiscal stability and security.”
But there were few hints of progress on the budget Tuesday as lawmakers gathered for the lackluster session. Attendance was visibly down from regular session, with several lawmakers wearing Blackhawks jerseys to celebrate the team’s Stanley Cup win the evening before. And Madigan, who called a solo news conference while his session was still meeting, said he couldn’t recall the last time he spoke to Rauner about the budget.
(S)tate Rep. Frank Mautino, D-Spring Valley, isn’t shying away from Madigan, the longtime House speaker and chairman of the state Democratic party.
“I support him as the head of my party. He believes in the same things I believe in,” Mautino, the House’s deputy majority leader, said in a phone interview Tuesday. […]
“I believe the Turnaround Agenda is wrong for Illinois,” said Mautino, who represents the majority of La Salle County, including Ottawa and Streator. “Even the Republicans will not vote for the governor’s right-to-work initiatives.” […]
“The governor needs to stop pointing his finger at bogeymen and quit running for election,” Mautino said. “What I would hope is that he would come to the table and negotiate. The governor’s budget was short $3.5 billion. The Democrats were $4 billion short. The cuts the governor has proposed are hurtful and designed to make a point rather than save money.”
“I suppose it could have been worse, but worse doesn’t mean that this was a good idea,” said Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie, a Chicago Democrat and Madigan’s top deputy. “I do think that personal attacks are not helpful if we’re trying to set a table, a table around which we hope to negotiate. So I think this was not the best strategy, if one really wants to solve the budget problem.” […]
“Why are we here? To listen to testimony?” asked Rep. David Harris of Arlington Heights in a speech that drew applause from fellow Republicans. “Do you want to be here? Do you think it’s advantageous for us … to come from the north, the south, the east and the west, all over the state, to come down here just to listen to testimony from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity? I don’t believe that’s the best use of our time.”
Rep. Jack Franks, D-Marengo, who chaired the hearing, had a pointed response.
“We hear all the time how the easiest way to raise revenue is to create more jobs, and most, if many of us, don’t want to raise taxes,” Franks said.
“Heck, I even saw a TV ad today about economic development put out by someone who might know,” he said in reference to Rauner’s ad. “So, (the governor’s) talking about economic development and I think that we all ought to be talking about economic development, and I believe that’s why we’re here today.”
“Speaker Madigan believes firmly in his principles and believes firmly in fighting for those principles. I don’t think there should be any attack on character,” the mayor said.
“In politics, dialogue and trust are essential. Any time you break that up, you make coming to terms harder.” […]
“How do you create a context for people to make compromises so that people see there’s enough victory? Nobody is going to sign on to something where they lose and you win. And you’re not gonna sign onto something where I win and you lose,” Emanuel said.
“All of us have a role to play in creating a context where everybody has enough wins where they think that agreement is something that they are for because they see enough progress for the things that they care about.” […]
“Everybody should just lower the temperature and keep the conversation and the dialogue and the space for that conversation and dialogue, then create an ability for people to make the necessary compromises for people to reach an agreement that advances the city and the state’s interests,” the mayor said.
Republican lawmakers played down the initial Rauner TV attack as benign, though they indicated the tenor could change as the impasse continues. Still, GOP Sen. Matt Murphy of Palatine said Rauner is using the ads to try to convey a message to taxpayers.
“I think the endgame is to try to drive Speaker Madigan to compromise and actually enact the will of the voters, which is to start running this state differently,” Murphy said.
Madigan has “been resistant to that so far, and I think the ads are an effort to try to persuade the people around this state to remind the speaker that they elected a governor to help change the direction of the state and they want (Madigan’s) participation instead of his intransigence,” Murphy said.
“It’s understandable the speaker would not like the ads because they tell the truth about what he and the legislators he controls are up to in Springfield — protecting the political class at the expense of the middle class,” said Rauner spokesman Lance Trover. […]
State Rep. Ron Sandack, R-Downers Grove, called the ad “benign.”
“I didn’t think there was anything mean-spirited about it. I thought it was relatively moderate,” Sandack said. “I know the Speaker keeps saying ‘extreme’ but so far as all objective observers will state, the governor has tried to negotiate … the Speaker only wants to talk about one thing: and that’s a tax hike.” […]
“It’s difficult to understand how Speaker Madigan and the legislators he controls can double the size of Illinois’ budget deficit to $4 billion and call that ‘progress,’ ” a Rauner spokeswoman said. “It’s this type of thinking that’s caused Illinois’ fiscal crisis and why Governor Rauner will continue to fight for reforms that help the middle class and working families.”
“For the first time, the people of Illinois are going to hear another point of view,” John Tillman of the Illinois Policy Institute, to which Rauner is a major donor, admits the governor is using money in an attempt to influence public policy. He said that for decades unions have used their money to direct policies set in place by Democrats.
“They’ve liked having monopoly control of the narrative. Now they’ve got a competitor and I think it’s going to be good for the people of Illinois,” he said.
