There was a reason why state Rep. Esther Golar, D-Chicago, showed up late for session Sept. 2.
She’s been quite ill.
Unbeknownst to many of her colleagues, Golar was brought into the Statehouse that afternoon via wheelchair. With a weak and halting voice, Golar asked for assistance putting on a light jacket while chatting with a smattering of well-wishers before bravely walking to her seat on the House floor.
She told friends that she hadn’t eaten solid food in three weeks, although she didn’t say what had made her so ill. In desperate need of intravenous fluid, Golar eventually had to be taken to a Springfield hospital.
Through it all, the six-term South Side legislator said she absolutely had to attend session because she knew it was important, not just to help override the governor’s veto of AFSCME’s now-infamous “no strike” bill but to have her say on all the other overrides and important measures.
A whole lot of bills went down in flames that day because Rep. Ken Dunkin, D-Chicago, decided not to cut short his trip to New York and skipped the session. Numerous override motions failed by a single vote, as well as a bill designed to reverse the governor’s 90 percent cut to child care services.
Quite a few Democratic legislators were furious at their colleague. Some sent him text messages to express their displeasure after their bills went down to defeat. He had no empathy in reply, despite the fact that tens of thousands of Illinoisans, from struggling working mothers to unionized employees, will be impacted.
While it’s true that the AFSCME bill, which would have prevented a strike or a gubernatorial lockout, received only 68 of the 71 required for passage, House Speaker Michael Madigan told reporters that if Dunkin had been in town all Democrats would have voted for it. However, Rep. Scott Drury, the sole “No” vote in the Democratic caucus, denied that he ever would have voted to override when asked by the Sun-Times. Rep. Jack Franks voted “Present.”
When I asked whether Dunkin’s committee chairmanship was now in danger, Madigan said he had no plans yet to punish him. Madigan’s members were not so quick to forgive, however, and several said they hoped for some sort of retaliation.
That could get tricky, though. The fact is that the House only has 71 Democrats, so Dunkin’s vote will be needed in the future. And if organized labor goes on the attack in the spring primary, they’d better not lose.
Besides, if Madigan follows his usual path, he’ll ride to Dunkin’s rescue if the incumbent draws a primary challenger. There is no better way to ensure a member’s undying gratitude than pulling his sorry behind out of a raging political fire.
The governor’s top people flatly denied that they offered Dunkin anything in exchange for his no-show. Rauner worked harder than he ever had to defeat the override motion. Greg Hinz at Crain’s Chicago Business reported that sources told him Rauner attended a Dunkin fundraiser this summer. But AFSCME Council 31 contributed $2,000 to Dunkin’s campaign fund in June.
Aside from Dunkin’s unexcused (and perhaps inexcusable) absence, the real problem here is twofold.
First, a large number of House Republicans voted somebody else’s conscience (Rauner’s) rather than their own, or that of their districts. Or they wimped out and cast yet another “Present” vote or didn’t vote at all.
More important, though, AFSCME crafted a purely partisan power play. Instead of bringing friendly Republicans into the fold, the union relied on Democratic leaders to handle everything. And in the process, a whole lot of Democratic suburbanites were hung out to dry by their leaders.
This was, in other words, a typical Illinois Democratic move. In that world, “bipartisanship” too often means Republicans are forced to vote for Democratic bills as is.
Just look at Sept. 1’s floor action. Instead of accepting some of the governor’s relatively minor amendatory vetoes, the Democrats instead chose to override him and failed miserably. All those underlying bills–encompassing hundreds of hours of work—are now dead.
So maybe Dunkin unintentionally did his Democratic colleagues a favor. He showed them that their power isn’t as great as they thought. The absence of a single legislator completely undermined their quest to send messages of total defiance to the Republican governor. Whether they like it or not, that day’s abject failures showed yet again that Illinois no longer is a one-party state.
Hopefully, some Democrats paid attention.
- Amalia - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 8:46 am:
best of wishes to Rep. Golar. that is dedication!
- Anon - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 8:50 am:
In the end, the bigger issue which now will face Illinois for years to come is that Republicans voted Rauner’s conscience. Their independence is gone. The ability to vote present or cast an opposing vote to Rauner is solely dependent on what Rauner allows them to do.
- SAP - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 8:52 am:
I’m not sure what the legislative equivalent of a code red is, but I think Mr. Dunkin is about to find out.
- Stones - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 8:52 am:
Regardless of the issues at hand, a member of the GA needs to man up to his / her responsibilities and be present and accounted for. Rep. Golar understands this but Rep. Dunkin apparently does not.
- Norseman - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 9:04 am:
Good column Rich.
- Louis G. Atsaves - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 9:08 am:
A lot of questions come to mind here:
Rep. Dunkin told Steve Cochran on WGN Radio this morning that he emphatically told “Madigan’s Chief of Staff” he would not be present and had a “prearranged trip” to New York. So did Madigan have Republican to replace him? And explain Rep. Drury’s “pro-union” “no” vote (explaining AFSCME shouldn’t be giving up their right to strike while AFSCME desperately wanted that veto to be overridden)?
While many are bemoaning the “loss of independence” of Republican House members under Rauner, where is the bemoaning of the decades “loss of independence” of Democratic House members?
So, did that AFSCME bill (and the others) go down in flames because Rep. Dunkin decided he needed to work for the people who elected him (WGN Radio this morning) and thus decided not to show up to represent them? (???) Or should he have shown up to vote “no” or “present?” And then vote on the other override attempts?
- Matt - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 9:11 am:
The observation that Republican legislators voted Rauner’s conscience rather than their own….isn’t that what House Democrats have done under Madigan (and his conscience) the last decade or more?
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 9:12 am:
A true Illinois hero.
- Motambe - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 9:17 am:
I would hope both sides of the aisle have admiration for Rep. Golar’s sense of duty and responsibility.
- AC - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 9:19 am:
==While many are bemoaning the “loss of independence” of Republican House members under Rauner, where is the bemoaning of the decades “loss of independence” of Democratic House members?==
So, it’s OK for Rauner to be just like Madigan? Is it now Rauner and the politicians he controls?
- Honeybear - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 9:21 am:
This is the long game on both sides. Regardless, public servants are being led to the slaughter. I’m not sure of the timing of a strike vote but if there is a 30 day notice then that puts a possible strike in November, holiday season. There’s no way a strike will be approved. Madigan and Rauner will get their pounds of healthcare expenses flesh for a budget deal.
- Saddened - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 9:21 am:
As history shows, sooner or later, one party rule fails. Illinois has had one party rule under Madigan for a very long time. It’s time for change. Change will be good. Perhaps change has arrived.
- Just Me - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 9:22 am:
Great column, dude. Adequately explains the frustration a lot of us have been feeling since January. I love your line about how to Democrats bipartisanship means forcing the Republicans to vote for their bills without any changes.
- Apocalypse Now - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 9:24 am:
=This was, in other words, a typical Illinois Democratic move. In that world, “bipartisanship” too often means Republicans are forced to vote for Democratic bills as is=
Pretty well sums up the problem.
- Dr X - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 9:28 am:
Aren’t a lot of republican districts already in line with Rauner? Even if a district has some union voters, Is that enough to say the reps did not vote their district’s interest? If they voted for the override, we would be saying they sold out to the few and vocal. Very little polling exists for reps to learn the public opinion of a large district. Also, why not ask the question = Madigan knew Dunkin was out of town, whether he told Madigan or not, so why not reschedule a vote and whip the supporters?
- Scholarlyish - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 9:30 am:
Here’s a question that has been on my mind, especially as of late:
When you vote for and elect your representative, what do you expect? Do you expect him/her to vote with their constituency or to use their own judgement? I know it is a little of both but what about when the two ideals are in direct conflict of each other, such as the case of Republicans who represent majority Union districts? Or a U.S. Congressional rep whose district overwhelmingly does not want to go to war but the rep believes it is right thing to do?
How should they vote?
- Wordslinger - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 9:35 am:
– And explain Rep. Drury’s pro-union “no” vote–
If Drury can’t do it, what makes you think anyone else can?
- @MisterJayEm - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 9:41 am:
“As history shows, sooner or later, one party rule fails. Illinois has had one party rule under Madigan for a very long time. It’s time for change. Change will be good.”
Sincere clichés are now completely indistinguishable from clever sarcasm. We’re through the Looking Glass, people.
– MrJM
- Tom K. - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 9:42 am:
==How should they vote?==
Now there’s a good question. Add to it, what happens when their constituency is closely split? The 51% have the ability to outvoice the 49%, but the 49% should never be ignored. It’s too bad the dollars (or laws) can’t be apportioned relative to how the percentage of the population wants them spent.
By the way, what would it take to get rid of the “Present” button?
- Wensicia - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 9:43 am:
You show up and you vote.
- @MisterJayEm - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 9:45 am:
“why not reschedule a vote and whip the supporters?”
Time was up.
The state constitution gives each legislative chamber just 15 calendar days to vote on a veto override.
– MrJM
- nixit71 - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 9:47 am:
=a large number of House Republicans voted somebody else’s conscience (Rauner’s) rather than their own, or that of their districts. ==
My district is overwhelmingly non-union. If you include the folks consuming the AFSCME services, the district is still a majority non-union/non-AFSCME consumers.
Yet both my state Rep and Senator both voted for SB 1229. Where are the complaints about my district’s representation? Is the expectation that if a district in union strongholds, they should vote pro-union automatically? If so, shouldn’t the reverse be true?
- thunderspirit - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 9:48 am:
==While many are bemoaning the “loss of independence” of Republican House members under Rauner, where is the bemoaning of the decades “loss of independence” of Democratic House members?==
== So, it’s OK for Rauner to be just like Madigan? Is it now Rauner and the politicians he controls? ==
Of course.
It’s only a problem when the “other guy” does it.
But remember, “business as usual is over”.
- Just Me - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 9:49 am:
Tom K — that would require a Constitutional Amendment. Present votes were originally intended for when citizen-legislators had conflict of interests with their private lives.
- Honeybear - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 9:49 am:
“why not reschedule a vote and whip the supporters?”
Time was up.
-The state constitution gives each legislative chamber just 15 calendar days to vote on a veto override.-
I think Madigan wanted it to fail. I suspect he wants the healthcare savings too.
- Arizona Bob - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 9:50 am:
=I would hope both sides of the aisle have admiration for Rep. Golar’s sense of duty and responsibility.=
If she was that seriously ill, she obviously can’t meet her duty as a representative of her people, other than to do as Madigan tells her.
The right thing for her to do would be to resign her post and allow her local Dem organization to pick a replacement who can fulfill the duties of the office.
Also, as it became clear it wasn’t going to pass, how come Madigan’s staff didn’t tell her and spare her the agony? That they’d make her go thru this unnecessarily really stinks.
- Slippin' Jimmy - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 9:50 am:
As they say in polite circles, “revenge is a dish best served cold”……
- walker - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 9:51 am:
Sholoarlyish: the problem here is not the usual one — do you vote your district or your conscience? — the problem as Rich pointed out above, was that many Republicans voted neither. They voted as Rauner demanded, or refused to take a stand at all.
The criticism that no bipartisanship is practiced on a regular basis, and that Dems are stuck in a rut with processes that discourage it, is legit. But it goes both ways. Even when Republican ideas are presented in bills, or more directly when Republican bills tied up in committee reappear with Dem sponsors, the Republican caucus will often vote as a bloc against them in retaliation. Both sides are wrong. They are completely out of practice working together.
A handful of members do try.
- Wordslinger - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 9:52 am:
For crying out loud, for the eternal victims who constantly whine “where were the complaints when….”, do you sincerely believe you and those who think like you weren’t making them, ad naseum?
- Wordslinger - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 9:55 am:
AB, you’re a misanthropic moron.
- Demoralized - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 9:56 am:
==for the eternal victims who constantly whine “where were the complaints when….”==
This.
I get so sick and tired of the “yeah, but” crowd. Some people just can’t manage to let go of their constant victimhood.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 9:56 am:
==My district is overwhelmingly non-union. If you include the folks consuming the AFSCME services, the district is still a majority non-union/non-AFSCME consumers.==
Is being non-union the equivalent of being anti-union? Is that your argument?
- walker - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 9:57 am:
==If she was that seriously ill, she obviously can’t meet her duty as a representative of her people, other than to do as Madigan tells her.==
Arizona Bob: Please lake a breath, clear your head, and try to take a human and non-partisan perspective once in a while.
- Louis G. Atsaves - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 9:58 am:
“===If she was that seriously ill, she obviously can’t meet her duty as a representative of her people, other than to do as Madigan tells her. The right thing for her to do would be to resign her post and allow her local Dem organization to pick a replacement who can fulfill the duties of the office.===”
I disagree. Representatives and Senators are human beings. They get sick and may need time off from work. There is no indication that she would be permanently unable to perform her job.
- AlabamaShake - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 9:59 am:
**If she was that seriously ill, she obviously can’t meet her duty as a representative of her people, other than to do as Madigan tells her.**
Wow… just wow.
**Also, as it became clear it wasn’t going to pass, how come Madigan’s staff didn’t tell her and spare her the agony? That they’d make her go thru this unnecessarily really stinks.**
MJM and his staff didn’t know it wasn’t going to pass. There was absolutely still a path to passage when it went on the board, but the HGOP members succumbed to their Governor Overlord.
- Demoralized - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 10:00 am:
So Bob, I guess any time somebody gets sick they should resign? Perhaps if you had evidence that she was sick and wouldn’t get better then your argument might hold water. Since you don’t you are just blowing smoke. Perhaps you should, you know, stick with facts once in a while instead of pontificating about anything and everything.
- @MisterJayEm - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 10:01 am:
“I think Madigan wanted it to fail.”
I still find that impossible to believe.
Madigan wasn’t just working the votes, he was openly and notoriously working the votes. He was publicly making an effort to make it happen. And he failed. In front of the entire state.
I have a hard time believing that a House Speaker who’s unwilling to look incompetent on the golf course is willing to look incompetent on the floor of the House.
– MrJM
- Belle - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 10:01 am:
I’m with Honeybear on this—it seems like it could have been a prearranged failure to hand Rauner a bone. Plus, and more importantly, makes the voters feel like Madigan doesn’t control everything. ha ha
- Just a squirrel trying to get a nut - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 10:01 am:
Dunkin was not thrown under the bus he jumped under it. When he was needed he was not there. He will lose the next election because of it no matter what Madigan does. Smart money is to back a primary challenger because all the folks he hurt won’t show up for him on election day.
- Belle - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 10:04 am:
Also, nice column.
I hope Rep Golar is feeling better soon. She is real superstar coming into work so ill.
- The Dude Abides - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 10:06 am:
@Schlorarly It’s one thing to vote against the wishes of the majority of your constituents because you sincerely believe that it is the wrong thing to do. That’s not what happened here.
What happened here is that GOP members were threatened by their leader Durkin that there would be consequences if they did not vote with the Governor.
Some on here that have bemoaned Madigan for years because of his tight fisted control of his members are now saying that if Madigan does it, it’s ok for Rauner to do it through his puppet Durkin. Madigan to my knowledge has never threatened his members like Durkin it. If he has please cite an example when he did.
- Langhorne - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 10:07 am:
Scholarlyish–that is known as the burkean dilemma, after edmund burke. Whether a rep acts as a trustee, and votes their conscience, regardless of public opinion. Or acts as a delegate (sam mcann) and votes acording to the strength of public opinion. I would go further and say if someone else is pulling the strings, you are a puppet.
- Arizona Bob - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 10:08 am:
@walker
=Arizona Bob: Please lake a breath, clear your head, and try to take a human and non-partisan perspective once in a while.=
There’s nothing more humane than relieving a seriously ill person from their burden of office. It doesn’t matter if she’s Dem or GOP.
- Sir Reel - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 10:11 am:
“He had no empathy.” Now there’s a great characteristic for a legislator.
Glad he’s not mine.
- @MisterJayEm - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 10:15 am:
“There’s nothing more humane than relieving a seriously ill person from their burden of office. It doesn’t matter if she’s Dem or GOP.”
And if there’s one word that we all associate with Arizona Bob, it’s “humane“.
– MrJM
- Wordslinger - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 10:15 am:
AB, I missed the “humanity” in your comment.
How could I have been so blind?
Back under the bridge you go.
- The Velour Nail - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 10:15 am:
One central question is whether the Illinois Republican Party, including Republican members of the GA, really want to be known as the party that stands for the things Rauner is advocating. 2016 is just around the corner.
- Loop Lady - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 10:16 am:
Lots of ways to look at what happened:
GOP has complained for years about Mikes mushrooms, now we have Rauner Robots…what is the difference?
Dunkin has always been Dunkin, he comes first in his own mind. I would have had more respect for him if he had shown up and voted no. Nekitz had the stones to do this in the past and she did not lose her chairwoman status. I believe the Speaker rather admired her for it.
As long as we don’t ask for accountability from our elected officials, constituents have no one to blame but themselves.
Great column Rich
- Anon - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 10:18 am:
So, because the entire GOP caucus refused to support the override of the first Republican governor in twelve years, they “…failed to vote their conscience or their districts…”? While some members have higher numbers of state employees in their districts, those numbers are nowhere near a majority in those districts. Unless there is polling from those districts, I think that accusation is a little over-the-top. Whether you agree with taking a walk or voting present or not, just because a member disagrees on an issue doesn’t give the observer the insight needed to say what that member’s conscience is. Agree with most of what you said here, but that one line seemed out-of-place in an otherwise well-done breakdown.
- Arizona Bob - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 10:20 am:
@Wordslinger
=Back under the bridge you go.=
I’ll see you there, Word. Still waiting for Billy Goat Gruff?
- Scholarlyish - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 10:23 am:
- Langhorne - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 10:07 am:
Scholarlyish–that is known as the burkean dilemma, after edmund burke. Whether a rep acts as a trustee, and votes their conscience, regardless of public opinion. Or acts as a delegate (sam mcann) and votes acording to the strength of public opinion. I would go further and say if someone else is pulling the strings, you are a puppet. -
Thank you for this. It’s nice to know there is a name for it, though I find myself wishing there was a definitive rule regarding this. Maybe that is just because I don’t trust my reps.
I wonder if voting by party lines is their solution for some reps. Constituents tell them to vote X, they want to vote Y so whatever their leader tells them is the tiebreaker.
- Tournaround Agenda - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 10:26 am:
@Bob, I’d argue it’s the representative’s choice if they wish to be “relieved from their burden of office”, as long as they can make that decision themselves.
- Honeybear - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 10:28 am:
MisterJayEm- 800 million in healthcare savings in Madigans budget keeps haunting my thoughts. As unlikely as I thought it would be, it is easier for me to believe that Dundins absence was “understood” rather than a titanic mistake in control. I’m not saying Madigan is omnipotent. I’m saying that with this big of a vote. I think he could have made it happen with Drury, Franks and Dunkin, or found a ILGOP vote. Now to quote Dickens “We must meet reverses boldly, and not suffer them to frighten us, my dear. We
must learn to act the play out. We must live misfortune down”
- DuPage - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 10:36 am:
@Arizona Bob 9:50 =If she was that seriously ill, she obviously can’t meet her duty as a representative=
She obviously did meet her duty, and in fact went
above and beyond.
I hope she has a complete and speedy recovery.
- Mama - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 10:41 am:
Why is no one talking about Rep. Drury’s ‘NO’ vote, or Frank’s ‘Present’ vote? My other question is, why is no one talking about the Republicans who voted ‘Present’ instead of voting for their constituents?
- Stones - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 10:43 am:
What Tournaround Agenda said.
- OneMan - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 10:44 am:
@Stones
Then fundamentally if you want everyone to be there all of the time you need to make it a full-time legislature and limit what they can do outside of being a legislator.
If they can have outside interests and jobs, than reasonably you can’t expect the legislative job to trump all the others all of the time.
- skeptical - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 10:46 am:
I’m with Honeybear on this. Healthcare savings are a primary goal. Trying to accomplish indirectly what they could not accomplish with legislation. Hope AFSCME doesn’t cave on this issue.
- Mama - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 10:46 am:
Rep. Esther Golar, D-Chicago, showed up and did her job. Thank you for your support. I wish Representative Ester Golar a speedy recovery.
- OneMan - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 10:46 am:
Rich really makes the point however.
Too often we define bi-partisan as you should do what I want with nothing in it for you.
Also with the time-cap this law was specifically aimed at this governor and this governor only. I would think any governor would work hard to prevent a law that limited them specifically.
- Stones - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 10:49 am:
OneMan-
Truthfully I have mixed feelings on the issue of full time legislators. Back in the day there were very few. The job has obviously evolved to the point where there are many today. I wouldn’t want to limit a person who might make a good legislator but wouldn’t consider taking the job for financial reasons.
My comment was essentially directed at Arizona Bob who apparently feels that legislators who are ill should be removed from the burden of office. I think that should be the officeholder’s choice - not the House or Senate.
- Mason born - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 10:50 am:
Anon
As for voting their district there are reps like Poe where the state is the largest employer. If there is a lockout/strike then it will be more than union members who take the hit. If it were to go long imagine the impact on business owners. Striking folks don’t spend a whole lot of cash.
- Hamlet's Ghost - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 10:55 am:
@AZ Bob
What about Mark Kirk? Should Pat Quinn have named a successor back in 2012?
- How Ironic - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 10:56 am:
So AB is all aboard with ‘loyalty oaths’, and now one would suppose a ‘healthy oath’. And if you somehow befall poor health…the cost of round will be billed to your family. Humanely…of course.
- Touré's Latte - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 10:56 am:
‘Present’ votes by R’s are no big deal. They did what Rauner told them to — they didn’t vote to override. Past that, if Madigan had really wanted the veto override it would have been overidden. He looks a couple moves ahead and plans accordingly. The big difference is Rauner has his troops whipped into some semblance of order.
Some borderline R’s will have their hands full this general. The big question is Who the Dem State Central Committee will target. Who?
- Tom Joad - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 10:58 am:
I was certain that someone would bring up Edmund Burke’s Speech to the Electors at Bristol. It was the opening speech in our Government class at SIU. Thank you Langhorne.
- phocion - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 10:59 am:
A few thoughts:
1. Beating Dunkin in a primary takes more than beating your chest on this blog. He’s a 7-term incumbent and is Jesse White’s guy. Jesse is not going to throw Ken under the bus. And the district has been so gerrymandered that it makes grass roots opposition pretty tough.
2. The Republicans and the Democrats mostly voted in lockstep with what their party leaders wanted. Attacking one side without questioning the others’ obedience to party discipline is intellectually dishonest.
3. Madigan doesn’t care about AFSCME. He cares about power. This was an attempt by the Speaker to undercut the current Governor. The bill’s short duration is proof of that.
4. Madigan lost. Take the tin foil hats off. He publicly predicted a win. Didn’t happen. The guy isn’t God.
5. I hope Rich is right that this will move the Democrats to start to compromise with a Governor who has indicated he would compromise.
6. I hope AFSCME recognizes that it must actually negotiate with Governor Rauner. And I hope the Governor negotiates in good faith on behalf of all Illinoisans.
- thechampaignlife - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 11:05 am:
It would be interesting to see how voting patterns would change if lawmakers could not see how their fellow members voted until voting is complete. I wonder how many Present and No Votes there would be and I suspect there would be far less Yes-to-No vote switches at the last second when a bill is failing.
- Skirmisher - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 11:10 am:
Rich, you sound openly partisan these days, which seems rather out of character. I always valued your reports in the assumption that they gave the facts and nothing else.
- Not it - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 11:11 am:
Sadly I fear the lesson the Democrats will learn here will be to cut short their vacations and prior engagements in order to do the Speaker’s bidding, or else risk being treated the same as Dunkin is being treated now.
- Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 11:28 am:
Great article and analysis, Rich.
I strongly commend Rep. Golar for her courage and determination.
As bothered as I am with Rep. Dunkin, I don’t fault him for the override failure. Almost all Democrats voted for the override. That’s a great job, as far as support goes. I don’t expect every single Democrat to always fall in line. I’ve supported Democrats who’ve taken so-called tough votes.
Republicans on the other hand are now Raunerites when it comes to unions, tightly under the control of a multimillionaire and at least two billionaires. This is the natural progression of a party who is anti-union all over America (perhaps with a very few exceptions), and who is funded by the super-rich supply siders. Only two Republicans voted for unions, Poe (no RTW) and McCann. Let’s see now what if any fallout will come of this on the Republican side. What will be the numbers of union members voting for Republicans in future elections?
- Mouthy - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 11:28 am:
It’s pretty simple to me. Why was the Governor so strong in his warning to his Republican minority to do anything but vote yes on SB1229? Because, like a lion finding his weakest Water Buffalo, he had found his Democrat and knew he would win. Big money knows how to garner a winning outcome. As to doing something that might upset a future vote to override, that’s no longer a factor because any major need of that 71st vote will be fulfilled again if needed. “I’ve got this vote and it’s…”
- Last Bull Moose - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 11:29 am:
I continue to believe that the Governor could pivot and gain some major improvements on the way to a budget.
The head on attack on the unions did not work. However, some more State positions could be made non-union. Also, teachers could be moved to mandatory mediation/arbitration as their strikes cause disruption with no cost to the teachers or to the School Districts. (If Caterpillar strikes the workers lose wages and the company loses output and profits. There a strike is an economic weapon that costs both sides.)
- Anon221 - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 11:32 am:
OneMan: “If they can have outside interests and jobs, than reasonably you can’t expect the legislative job to trump all the others all of the time.”
I think they get paid and perked pretty well already- more than most folks who do have full-time jobs on average in Illinois.
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 11:35 am:
phocion, +1, although I’d quibble a bit on your #3. Well said though.
- Arizona Bob - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 11:48 am:
@Hamlet
=What about Mark Kirk? Should Pat Quinn have named a successor back in 2012?=
As long as it was someone in the GOP, that probably would’ve been the right decision. Health is just one of a number of reasons that Kirk shouldn’t be the GOP nominee this time around…
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 11:49 am:
===Rich, you sound openly partisan these days===
It would help if you’d say exactly what was so partisan. Perhaps you didn’t read it all.
- Langhorne - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 11:51 am:
Skirmisher–openly partisan–just the facts
What nonsense. Facts are nearly meaningless without context. Rich provides that with insight and interpretation. Partisan? Hardly.
- Arizona Bob - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 11:51 am:
@turnaround
=@Bob, I’d argue it’s the representative’s choice if they wish to be “relieved from their burden of office”, as long as they can make that decision themselves.=
I agree that it should be the representatives choice, but at some point they need some nudging, Like Kirk in the Senate and Ginzberg with the Supremes.
- bullsomething - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 12:04 pm:
Bull Moose, really? After every editorial board and the Governor preached the horrors of binding arbitration, you want him to flip flop and push it on teachers? Grand political strategy.
- Arizona Bob - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 12:09 pm:
@ Last Bull Moose
=Also, teachers could be moved to mandatory mediation/arbitration as their strikes cause disruption with no cost to the teachers or to the School Districts=
Moose, I’ve seen a number of those “arbitrations” for public workers in Illinois, and they’re anything but unbiased and fair. I’ve seen substantial raises given to workers in broke governments, and awards far more than any reasonable person would award. It virtually always increases compensation to the union workers regardless of peer compensation, market rates, or ability of the employer to pay.
I have YET to see an arbitrator rule that a public union was overpaid and deserving of a pay cut, even when they’re paid FAR above average.
Perhaps there’s an exception that someone here can identify, but the arbitration process seems to always give more to the employees regardless of value, work worth, or availability of the government to pay without risking the health and safety of the community.
- Arizona Bob - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 12:17 pm:
@Belle
=I hope Rep Golar is feeling better soon. She is real superstar coming into work so ill.=
I guess I’m confused. Isn’t the Dem argument for paid sick leave that it is in the best interests of both the workplace and employee for the employee to stay home when sick, and not further aggravate their condition by going to work or harm others through contagion?
I guess their “sick leave” argument only applies when it doesn’t conflict with the Democratic political agenda…..
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 12:21 pm:
===I guess their “sick leave” argument only applies when it doesn’t conflict with the Democratic political agenda===
Troll.
- Lincoln Lad - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 12:24 pm:
- phocion -
Completely agree. The AFSCME misplay by the Speaker was an overreach and miscalculation. Blaming Dunkin is extremely weak - and likely will help Ken in his district as he didn’t do the Speakers bidding while the Speaker ignores the issues of crime and loss of hope every day in the black community.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 12:28 pm:
===Blaming Dunkin is extremely weak - and likely will help Ken in his district===
Not if he gets tagged as a Rauner puppet. Quinn got 79 percent in his district last year in the general - and a real challenge to Dunkin would be in the Democratic primary.
- Mason born - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 12:35 pm:
47th
Some people judge a persons courage by whether they like the outcome. I’m sure bob would have a different view if it was RTW. Then she’d be a hero who stood up against the rotten no good unions.
- Mason born - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 12:36 pm:
Sorry meant if she was yes vote on rtw
- TBone - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 12:43 pm:
Last week Rich Miller wrote that Madigan’s spokesperson confirmed to him that they knew Dunkin had long planned to be out of state for a jobs conference. Dunkin is correct when he says Madigan through him under the bus.
Let’s also put something into perspective….during the summer session there has not been one single day where every legislator has showed up. In fact, during the summer session, no more than 114 of the 118 legislators have been present on any single day. Not giving Dunkin a pass but legislators do not expect to be in session during the summer so they plan events, vacations, constituent time, etc. In this case the guy says he was at a jobs conference in NYC hosted by NCSL which in my opinion isn’t all that hard to believe.
- TBone - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 12:44 pm:
*threw
- TBone - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 12:51 pm:
**Not if he gets tagged as a Rauner puppet. Quinn got 79 percent in his district last year in the general - and a real challenge to Dunkin would be in the Democratic primary.**
How can he be tagged as a Rauner puppet? What has he done for the Governor? He missed a vote for a union that has 38,000 Members in a state with over 12 million people. Besides, I highly doubt CTU and the other powerful unions in Chicago would participate in a primary against Dunkin.
Additionally, the disclosures show that he has over $200k in his campaign account.
Your analysis is way off!
- Demoralized - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 12:52 pm:
==I guess their “sick leave” argument only applies when it doesn’t conflict with the Democratic political agenda…..==
Ugh. More victimhood.
==deserving of a pay cut, even when they’re paid FAR above average.==
There you go again with “average” Bob. And your quest to see people paid less. How about this Bob. You take whatever you are making now (retirement or whatever) and cut that by 10%. That’s nonsense right? Yes. And it’s just as nonsensical for you to constantly suggest that you get to be the arbiter of what is “fair” pay and proclaim that everyone should make less.
Go away Bob.
- Demoralized - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 12:54 pm:
Bob:
Do you have evidence that Rep. Golar will not get better? If not cut the crap already. Your entire discussion on this topic is completely classless.
- OneMan - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 12:54 pm:
== Besides, I highly doubt CTU and the other powerful unions in Chicago would participate in a primary against Dunkin. ==
I think the CTU might…
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 1:02 pm:
===How can he be tagged as a Rauner puppet? ===
Go check Twitter and Facebook.
- TBone - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 1:03 pm:
**I think the CTU might…**
He’s been one of their go to legislators for years. couple years ago when CTU was fighting Rahm over school closings I remember him trying to pass a bill that would call for a moratorium on school closings.
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 1:12 pm:
It is amazing how Rich Miller can put such an excellent heartfelt story together, and how far Arizona Bob falls short of the important lessons within it.
Representative Golar might not be mighty in strength right now, but she is certainly mighty in spirit and in intelligence. Her dedication is admirable.
- TBone - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 1:13 pm:
**Go check Twitter and Facebook.**
People on Twitter and Facebook say that Rich Miller is a Madigan puppet…you’re not an elected official but you don’t seem to be losing any subscribers.
My point is, the union vote is old news. The child care bill will come for a vote in a couple weeks, Dunkin will vote for it and that will also become old news.
I doubt he’ll have a formidable challenger!
- thunderspirit - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 1:35 pm:
== It is amazing how Rich Miller can put such an excellent heartfelt story together, and how far Arizona Bob falls short of the important lessons within it. ==
If by “amazing” you mean “entirely predictable,” then I concur.
- Anon - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 1:55 pm:
Mason born:
“As for voting their district there are reps like Poe where the state is the largest employer. If there is a lockout/strike then it will be more than union members who take the hit. If it were to go long imagine the impact on business owners. Striking folks don’t spend a whole lot of cash.”
Numbers, please. Just because all of the offices might be in his Springfield district doesn’t mean they all vote in his district. There are at least three districts that have large portions of the Springfield metro area.
Part of an earlier point I made was that the number of state employees and/or AFSCME members and families is quite a bit smaller than the traditional assumptions. Government is a lot smaller than it was a decade or two ago - at least in Springfield - and the proportion of state workers in those districts is smaller now as well. Again, prove me wrong with numbers. I’d be surprised is state workers were not significantly outnumbers by others in every Springfield house district.
- Mason born - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 2:26 pm:
Anon
I think you missed my point. Even downsized state government is the largest employer in Springfield. If that employer isn’t issuing checks those employees aren’t spending. I’m not suggesting that all voters in Springfield are state workers however with the state being the largest employer as well as offering higher wages (due to the technical staff required) make the state integral with springfields economy.
- LIberty - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 2:31 pm:
According to SJR database Sangamon County has 14261 state employees.
- Wordslinger - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 2:40 pm:
LBM, as hard as it is to believe, and as dreary as it is to repeat, the budget is not tne priority for tne Rauner Administration.
The non-budget agenda comes first. That’s not an opinion, that’s a statement of the governor’s repeated position.
At this point, the budget is so out of control and the numbers are so dire, budget negotiations without pre-conditions would probably be relatively easy, It’s going to be a world of hurt, no matter what, and it get worse every single day.
It’s hard to believe that the Rauner Crew can continue to sabotage the state’s fiscal position in pursuit of the agenda they still to refuse to even acknowledge honestly, but here we are.
I mean if you’re going to be a zealot, hit the road and sell it.
It is historically, fiscally, irresponsible.
- Last Bull Moose - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 2:42 pm:
Arizona Bob, You follow this more closely than I do. When did an Illinois school board take a strike and force a no wage increase contract?
- Anon - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 2:48 pm:
Thx, LIberty.
- Arizona Bob - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 4:18 pm:
@Last Bull Moose
=Arizona Bob, You follow this more closely than I do. When did an Illinois school board take a strike and force a no wage increase contract?=
NEVER, to my knowledge. The only way that could happen to right size compensation would be have to have the same collective bargaining rules as in Texas. Any teacher striking loses their certification. This happens in private sector employers all the time, however, because they need to generate revenues through their products and services to pay for increases, not just borrow and unfairly tax for the extra compensation as is the case in public schools and other governments in Illinois…
- Property of IDOC - Tuesday, Sep 8, 15 @ 10:35 pm:
The champion life @11:05am.
Very interesting observation, and likely quite accurate in it’s assertion.