Rauner and privatization
Friday, Dec 11, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* The BGA has a very good story about the Rauner administration’s push to privatize some state services. Pros and cons are discussed, so I’d recommend a look at the whole thing…
The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Privatizing the business recruitment agency is a top priority for Rauner. This year, House Democrats largely gave Rauner what he wanted in a bill, but the governor said he couldn’t support a sunset provision to review the private contract in three years.
The Department of Corrections. State Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) says Illinois can save substantially by setting up a private nursing home for aging inmates. While corrections reform advocates say elderly prisoners should be housed in a central facility, neither they nor Democratic lawmakers interviewed support a private operator.
The Department of Central Management Services. Sen. Michael Connelly (R-Lisle) thinks the state’s central management services can be reformed to hand over functions to the private sector. Among the areas: property management, which can be better handled by a private company, he said. Sen. Syverson agrees, saying everything from landscaping to fleet vehicles should be examined.
State buildings. Durkin introduced legislation to help speed Rauner’s proposed sale of the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago. Assessing the value of state-owned properties is prudent and the Thompson Center is “the whitest of white elephants of state government,” Durkin said.
Thoughts?
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*** UPDATED x1 - Arrangements *** Jerry Shea
Friday, Dec 11, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Statehouse legend Jerry Shea has passed away. The former Illinois House Majority Leader and longtime lobbyist has been ill for some time.
The wake will be Monday afternoon and services will be held Tuesday morning. I’ll pass along details when I get them.
On a personal level, Jerry was always a decent gentleman to me. He took the time to talk with me even in the days when few would. He was also a walking Illinois politics encyclopedia. I learned something every time I spoke with him and will be forever grateful.
* From a 1976 Illinois Issues profile…
When he entered public life 18 years ago, Gerald Shea was, in his own words, “a brash young guy who wanted one of the best jobs in the Cook County Democratic organization.” Now, near the close of an eventful 10-year legislative career, his accomplishments and close relationship with Mayor Richard J. Daley have earned him the title of “Mr. Powerful” among State House observers.
A “temporary” high school dropout, Shea became a garbage collector in his hometown of Oak Park after his father, a printer for the Chicago Tribune was involved in a lengthy strike. He later pumped gas, tended bar and had a variety of other jobs to help subsidize his economics and finance degree from the University of Illinois and diploma from DePaul Law School. Two years of Army service interrupted his education.
Shea’s political career began in 1958. After failing to receive the recommendation of Oak Park Committeeman John S. Boyle for a deputy sheriff slot in the village courthouse, Shea did get his sponsorship for a caseworker position in the Cook County Department of Public Aid. He kept that job for a year and later became a department investigator and worked in its legal office. Boyle, who was then chief judge of the Cook County Circuit Court, was impressed by Shea’s drive and talents. This led to subsequent jobs as an assistant state’s attorney, Boyle’s administrative assistant, and director of research, planning and development for the circuit court. He was elected to the House from the 7th legislative district in 1966. He quickly assumed an informal leadership position by lobbying for Boyle’s legislative programs in the 1965-66 session.
His first formal leadership role emerged during the 1971-72 and 1973-74 sessions when he was an assistant to then Minority Leader Clyde Choate of Anna. Shea has never left the spotlight during the last six years, leading his party both during its majority and minority days.
Like most of Daley’s other confidants, Shea is Irish, a Catholic, a graduate of the mayor’s alma mater (DePaul) and has powerful political sponsorship. He differs from the others primarily in the use of quiet clout in place of partisan backslapping to see that the party’s needs are met. His suburban Riverside residence and marriage to the niece of a Republican representative (Joseph G. Sevcik, Berwyn) from the same district also make him somewhat unique in. the Daley organizational structure.
Now, at 44, Shea looks forward to a retirement, which will afford him more time to be with his wife, Joanne, and daughter, Courtney Claire; pursue his law practice; read more than his usual three novels per week; “tinker with cars,” and complete a thesis. When he finishes his thesis, he is expected to receive a master’s degree in taxes from John Marshall Law School, Chicago.
*** UPDATE *** Arrangements from his family…
Wake: Monday 4-9, Adolf Funeral Home, Willowbrook
Mass: Tuesday 9:45 am, St. John of the Cross, Western Springs
Also, in lieu of flowers, please donate to The Gerald W and Joanne S Shea Scholarship Fund at DePaul University Law School.
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Question of the day - Golden Horseshoe Awards
Friday, Dec 11, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* The 2015 Judy Baar Topinka Golden Horseshoe Award for Best Statewide Officeholder had a crowd favorite with strong nominations…
Jesse White: Only because he reengineered and cleaned up an office that was infamous before him, for bad service to the public and corruption. Even now, I actually enjoy going to one of his facilities because it renews my faith in government. He is the best example of “government turnaround” we have.
I can’t be certain, of course, but I think JBT would’ve approved.
* On to today’s categories…
* The Mark Beaubien Lifetime Service award for the Illinois House
* The John Millner Lifetime Service award for the Illinois Senate
As always, please explain your nominations or they won’t count. Thanks!
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Credit Unions Celebrate the Season of Giving
Friday, Dec 11, 2015 - Posted by Advertising Department
[The following is a paid advertisement.]
Throughout the holidays, credit unions around Illinois place a special focus on community involvement and assisting those in need. Take, for example, Central Credit Union of Illinois, with locations in Bellwood and Orland Park. Central Credit Union works with local schools in their area to identify children in need during the holiday season. It is a true team effort, as teachers and social workers collaborate with families to identify items that would benefit children in need. Often times these lists include necessities such as winter coats and clothing, but credit union employees ensure that the children receive toys as well. Credit Union staff members fulfill the wish lists, wrap gifts, and deliver them to the schools for distribution.
The giving doesn’t end there. Central Credit Union collects items for their local food pantry throughout the year, and their members are especially generous during the holidays, bringing in loads of groceries to assist the pantry during the holiday season.
Holiday giving is just one way that Central Credit Union remains focused on providing a positive impact in the communities they serve.
Central Credit Union and the Illinois Credit Union League wish you and yours a very happy holiday season!
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A big labor endorsement for Noland
Friday, Dec 11, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Tribune…
State Sen. Mike Noland’s campaign for the Democratic nomination in the 8th Congressional District has added another endorsement from organized labor.
Noland, of Elgin, announced the backing of Teamsters Joint Council 25.
“Mike Noland has developed a strong relationship with the Teamsters union over the years,” said Teamsters Joint Council President John Coli.
Other unions backing Noland include the Bricklayers Administrative District Council of Illinois, Sheet Metal Workers State Council, SMART Transportation Division (formerly United Transportation Union), Fox Valley Building Trades, Elgin Trades Council, IFT Local 1211 (Northwest Suburban Teachers Union), Operating Engineers Local 399 and Painters District Council 30.
Noland is seeking the open congressional seat left vacant by U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth’s decision to run for the U.S. Senate. Also seeking the Democratic nomination in the west and northwest suburban district are Schaumburg businessman Raja Krishnamoorthi and Villa Park Village President Deb Bullwinkel.
I don’t think many people took Noland seriously at the beginning, but that labor support is impressing me.
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Nope, there’s no agreement
Friday, Dec 11, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* WBEZ…
After a meeting of Gov. Bruce Rauner and the state’s top legislative leaders this week, House Republican Leader Jim Durkin said, “All of us did agree that the school aid formula is something that needs to be changed. It needs to be addressed. We’re not gonna handle it until after we resolve this budget impasse.”
“I’m not sure that’s something that’ll be on the agenda this year because of the complexity of it,” Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno said.
Cullerton’s office responded. “I’d like them to go to any public school auditorium or gymnasium and stand in front of the teachers and the students and tell them that their issues are too complex and too hard for state leaders to lean into,” said Cullerton spokeswoman Rikeesha Phelon.
Phelon said Cullerton is recommending education advocates with Advance Illinois and Rauner’s administration, like Secretary of Education Beth Purvis and state Superintendent Tony Smith, attend future meetings between legislative leaders and the governor. Legislative leaders have said they hope to have another meeting next week.
Cullerton won’t, however, hold anything else hostage if talks don’t progress.
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* Finke…
State pension contributions will increase by $291 million in the fiscal year that begins July 1, a much smaller increase than the state faced in its current fiscal year.
The figure was reported Thursday by the General Assembly’s Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, which annually reviews the certified contributions Illinois’ five state-funded pension systems say are required. […]
The commission said the contributions to the pension systems in fiscal year 2017 will total $7.9 billion. That’s an increase of $291 million from the current year.
The increase is substantially less than the $681 million increase in pension contributions that were required this year. It is also substantially lower than the nearly $1 billion annual increases seen in 2013 and 2014.
We are very near the top of the ramp.
* But the unfunded liability is still growing…
A state legislative report says Illinois’ unfunded pension liability is $111 billion.
The General Assembly’s Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability listed the figure in a Thursday report. It covers five pension systems for the fiscal year that ended June 30.
The report comes as legislative leaders and Gov. Bruce Rauner have agreed to take another look at overhauling pensions. The Illinois Supreme Court rejected a previous plan lawmakers said would save the state billions in contributions.
That’s a $6.4 billion increase from last year.
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Today’s number: 200
Friday, Dec 11, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Tribune…
The rally’s numbers quickly grew to about 200 who marched though streets in the Loop, chanting “How many shots? Sixteen shots!” in reference to the McDonald case.
And yet cable news went wall-to-wall.
Look, all of the protesters are angry and they have a constitutional right to vent. But we seem to be seeing many of the same people at these marches. It may be fun for some to imagine that this is a grassroots outpouring which will morph into something much larger, and I suppose it might. Who knows?
* But the city has a long tradition of small, well-organized protest groups making life difficult for those in power. It was the University of Chicago’s Saul Alinsky, after all, who wrote the book on some of this stuff.
* And as I pointed out the other day, the protesters want the mayor to resign but aren’t considering what happens when he goes. Steinberg fills in his readers…
First, the protests. I would bet none of them have the foggiest idea who would be mayor if Emanuel quit, which he won’t. Do you? It would be the city’s vice mayor, Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd). Sure, he’s the man to fix everything. Just last month, while black aldermen were condemning Garry McCarthy, Reilly was most prominent among the white aldermen genuflecting before the doomed police superintendent, singing his praises.
“Yours is one of the most difficult jobs in the city of Chicago, and we just want to make sure that you’ve got the resources that you need to complete the mission,” Reilly warbled.
So that’s the guy who’ll fix the police department when Rahm resigns? Which he won’t. Reilly would soon be replaced by the Chicago City Council, and we all know what kind of geniuses they’ve made mayor in living memory: puppet Eugene Sawyer and nice-guy-but-not-rocking-any-boats David Orr.
Yet the mob calls for Emanuel’s head. Long-term strategic planning is not the strong suit of mobs.
Again, I wouldn’t say the protesters are part of a “mob.” Many of them are trained people and some are affiliated with groups that are politically allied with larger entities like the CTU. Nothing wrong with that at all, but it’s important to know.
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* An excerpt from a Donna More campaign e-mail to her Cook County state’s attorney campaign supporters…
Lately people supporting other candidates in the race for State’s Attorney have attacked me, not for my qualifications, my ideas, or the reforms I’ve been pushing. What they want to talk about are political labels.
So let’s set the record straight. Two years ago, like many people, I was concerned about the direction of our state. We were in fiscal peril and the power structure in Springfield was simply unable to function. I felt we needed change, and needed it badly. Even though I’m a proud, registered Democrat, I made a contribution to Bruce Rauner’s campaign because of his representations that he would bring a business-like pragmatism to a badly broken system. Today I regret that contribution, not because my political opponents have seized on it, but because Governor Rauner has fallen far short of my expectations.
I am a lifelong, independent-minded Democrat. I take a backseat to no one when it comes to championing progressive values. I give my support to candidates who I believe can do the job and people with ideas that can make a difference.
The fact is, my family and I have contributed to many Democrats, including County Board President Toni Preckwinkle.
It is unfortunate that politics today is so polarized that a single contribution to someone from the other party is considered intolerable by the political class. But that’s the very reason I’m running for State’s Attorney. Because it should be obvious by now that this office, perhaps above all others, must be held by someone who thinks first about justice and the law, not about party or politics.
So that’s what you will get from me. I am a progressive Democrat. But I’m also an independent thinker and I know that will not always be popular with the political crowd.
Um, OK, but she made her $2500 Rauner contribution in September of 2014, which is most definitely not “two years ago.”
And More’s “family” may have made a lot of contributions to Democrats, but More has contributed just nine times in the last 14 years. And she only gave one person more money than she gave Rauner.
…Adding… A commenter checked the Federal Elections Commission site and discovered that Ms. More contributed to former Republican Congressman Eric Cantor in 2006.
…Adding, um, More… Another commenter points out that Ms. More contributed to Republican US Senators Peter Fitzgerald and the disgraced John Ensign.
*** UPDATE *** Hmm…
From the link…
State records show More contributed $2,500 to Rauner’s campaign in September 2014. She offers no apologies for it.
“I’m bipartisan,” she says. “I don’t view the state’s attorney as being Democrat or Republican. I’m not beholden to anybody on either side of the aisle.”
Nice catch by Biss.
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They can’t both be right
Friday, Dec 11, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Politico…
A new Ogden & Fry poll looking at the Cook County state’s attorney race shows conflicting numbers over support for Anita Alvarez. Of those surveyed, 61 percent approved of her job performance. But when asked whether she should resign because of her handling of the Laquan McDonald case, 61 percent said yes. Since those two answers seem at odds, the poll, commissioned by the Illinois Observer, was “double-checked for accuracy,” and here’s how pollster Tom Swiss explains the results: “It appears the Laquan McDonald case is so emotionally charged that nearly 40% of respondents who initially approved of State’s Attorney Alvarez’ performance thought she should resign in light of her handling of the McDonald case.” Find poll results here: http://bit.ly/1Y7MlCj
OK, first of all, a pretty important fact not mentioned above is that the firm polled Democrats…
Respondents were selected by random sampling of likely 2016 Democratic Primary voters.
Either way, that more than “seems” like a very odd result. I don’t think I would’ve run it if that was my poll.
* But there’s another poll out today from a more established firm. Public Policy Polling released its results of a poll of likely Cook County Democratic primary voters…
If the primary election for Cook County State Attorney were today, and the candidates were Anita Alvarez, Kim Foxx, and Donna More, who would you vote for?
Anita Alvarez 33%
Kim Foxx 24%
Donna More 11%
Not sure 32%
Do you strongly approve, somewhat approve, somewhat disapprove or strongly disapprove of the job Cook County State Attorney Anita Alvarez is doing?
Strongly approve 19%
Somewhat approve 25%
[Total approve 44%]
Somewhat disapprove 26%
Strongly disapprove 24%
[Total disapprove 50%]
Not sure 6%
So, she’s above water in Ogden & Fry among Democrats, but underwater in the PPP poll. Considering the O&F resignation result, I think PPP is probably far more likely to be true, but we’ll obviously need more polling.
The PPP poll was conducted for WGN Radio, Aldertrack and DNA Info Chicago.
* Also, the latest Ogden & Fry poll of likely 2016 Chicago primary voters trumped by Politico had Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s approval rating at a microscopic 18 percent while his disapproval rating was a whopping 67 percent.
PPP has very different results for likely 2016 Chicago Democratic primary voters: 40 percent approve while 56 percent disapprove. That’s still not good for Rahm, but it’s way different than the widely reported Ogden & Fry survey. And, frankly, considering everything that’s going on in the city, 40 percent ain’t really all that bad.
* Back to Politico…
SPIN CITY — CBS/2’s Jay Levine last night gave five reasons why Mayor Rahm Emanuel will survive the CPD crisis. “Reason #2″ struck us as odd. Levine pointed to a recent poll showing just 18 percent approval rating for the mayor and 51 percent of those surveyed said they thought the mayor should resign. “Those polls are misleading. The real drop in his approval rating came after he pushed through a tax increase to balance the city budget. Not as a result of the police scandal,” Levine insisted. He failed to give a basis for that statement, however. It was something Emanuel operatives were pushing earlier in the week. The budget, and massive property tax hike was approved in late October. The poll was conducted on Dec. 2 — a week after the release of the explosive video and after Emanuel canned McCarthy. http://cbsloc.al/1mdRywt
The “basis for that statement’ is pretty clear. Ogden & Fry’s poll from September had Emanuel’s approval rating at 25 percent (not far from Ogden & Fry’s December poll) and a disapproval of 51.
And does it really matter that the tax hikes were approved in October when it was pretty clear to pretty much everyone that tax and fee hikes were coming and that the CTU was extremely angry?
Either way, there is zero doubt that Ogden & Fry was showing lousy Emanuel numbers back in September - long before that video came out. To ignore that is kinda goofy. And to claim that Jay Levine is somehow a shill for Emanuel because he simply pointed out some easily discernible facts is uncalled for.
We’ll have more on the PPP poll later today.
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