* WJPF…
The first meeting between Gov. Bruce Rauner and legislative leaders since mid-December is set to take place later this week.
Since meeting three times in December to discuss ways to end the budget stalemate, no formal discussions have taken place. Rauner said staff members have been in “almost daily communication,” and is promising to offer new proposals in this week’s negotiations.
“We’re going to offer more compromises and creative solutions and hopefully, we’ll come up with some bipartisan answers, so we can have true long-term balanced budgets where the interests of taxpayers are protected along with the interests of those inside the government. We’re working hard on it and I think we’ll get there,” Rauner said.
Rauner declined to offer specifics on what new compromises he’ll offer.
Predictions?
- Independent retired lawyer, journalist - Monday, Feb 8, 16 @ 12:23 pm:
Proceeding to hold my breath til he offers what real people consider compromise, I am not…
- AC - Monday, Feb 8, 16 @ 12:24 pm:
Instead of popular ideas coupled with union busting poison pills, he’ll offer to take the popular ideas off the table.
- The Captain - Monday, Feb 8, 16 @ 12:27 pm:
I don’t care how many times we’ve been burned by these and I don’t care who’s offering the optimism, I’m going to be hopeful and open minded about each new potentially positive development. I hope the leaders find common ground and it generates momentum. And if that’s the case I’ll congratulate the governor for his part in that.
- JB - Monday, Feb 8, 16 @ 12:28 pm:
We will see if his words translate into action So far this governor has been nothing but words Not only does this governor need to start governing but he needs to build up trust and credibility with all the citizens of Illinois He has a long way to go yet in this area
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Feb 8, 16 @ 12:29 pm:
===Rauner declined to offer specifics on what new compromises he’ll offer.===
Rauner’s so fun!
“I’ll offer, I’m compromisin’, but that Madigan… ”
What governor facin’ all this wouldn’t publicly say they will offer compromises?
“We’ll see… “,
I’d suggest ending poison pills, but, that’s too easy.
- cdog - Monday, Feb 8, 16 @ 12:31 pm:
I predict successful compromises on many issues,
if he leaves out his poison pills.
If this is just another half-truth, with poison pills at the center, there will be no graceful compromises granted.
It’s not rocket science.
- Huh? - Monday, Feb 8, 16 @ 12:32 pm:
I suggest submitting a balanced budget. But that is too easy.
- Skeptik - Monday, Feb 8, 16 @ 12:33 pm:
If he says things like “Yuge” and “Terrific”…he is just channeling Trump.
- Thoughts Matter - Monday, Feb 8, 16 @ 12:35 pm:
Given that he deliberately didn’t mention the interest of state employees, I’m guessing he’s going to bring up outsourcing.
- 360 Degree Turnaround - Monday, Feb 8, 16 @ 12:38 pm:
The Governor will pay speaker madigans ticket into the state museum when it re-opens…compromisin
- Cassandra - Monday, Feb 8, 16 @ 12:41 pm:
They’ll agree (they already have, really) to solve most of the state’s fiscal problems via a big income tax hike on the state’s exceptionally passive middle class. Very little compromising needed there, although Rauner is likely to want to keep it below Quinn’s tax hike, if only by a hair, for appearances. Will the Dems let him?
They’ll agree to inconvenience the wealthy as little as possible. Again, little debate will be needed here. Despite all the rhetoric, both parties are agreed on this element of state budget planning.
- DuPage Saint - Monday, Feb 8, 16 @ 12:41 pm:
The meeting should take place on Lincoln’s birthday maybe that would inspire them. But I bet he is just mad it wasn’t on Groundhog’s day
- GOP Extremist - Monday, Feb 8, 16 @ 12:42 pm:
He’ll offer compromise to his pre-conditions for compromise?
- AC - Monday, Feb 8, 16 @ 12:43 pm:
I heard Rauner’s going to open the third envelope Quinn gave him at this meeting. I wonder what this one will say? /s
- iroquois county dem - Monday, Feb 8, 16 @ 12:44 pm:
pretty sure the compromisin’ he’ll be offerin’ will be by the dems and not himself
- Booooooooo - Monday, Feb 8, 16 @ 12:45 pm:
“By compromise, I mean that I will consider the possibility of perhaps hearing those who suggest that I might occasionally have been unwilling to compromise in the past.” - BVR
- out of touch - Monday, Feb 8, 16 @ 12:45 pm:
The last time he offered “new” compromise (under the pretense of a grand announcement) there was no new substance, just recycled anti-union garbage. It’s like a legislator making a splashy announcement about about a bill that they’re filing that’s nothing more than a re-file from previous years.
- Anonymous - Monday, Feb 8, 16 @ 12:47 pm:
“I’ll give you whatever you want if you just let me bust that gosh darn union once and for all.”
- Mouthy - Monday, Feb 8, 16 @ 12:48 pm:
Captain Ahab is gonna settle for a blue Whale?
- sparky791 - Monday, Feb 8, 16 @ 12:50 pm:
Can anyone seriously trust Rauner on anything he says anymore?
- IL17 - Monday, Feb 8, 16 @ 12:50 pm:
More PR from the huckster Gov. Bruce. The use of ‘compromise’ is the key - NOTHING Gov. Bruce has offered has had the slightest hint of compromise. It’s always “here’s another poison” pill that greatly benefits me (Brucie) while harming nearly all of first 8 deciles of income.
- peanut - Monday, Feb 8, 16 @ 12:51 pm:
Meetings following the intervention of that home-state guy who brings with him the full power and force of the vast executive branch of the most powerful country in the world should create a different atmosphere, I would expect.
- RNUG - Monday, Feb 8, 16 @ 12:52 pm:
The pessimist in me says Rauner will offer to put 4 or 5 votes in each chamber on a new services sales tax and taking the income tax back to 4% with a 1/2% reduction each of the next two years in exchange for increased school funding but maintaining the current decreased level of social service funding.
And at least one of the following:
Statewide right to work legislation
Municipal bankruptcy
MA. style work comp reform
- Honeybear - Monday, Feb 8, 16 @ 12:55 pm:
Maybe he’ll offer the choice of which hostage he’ll shoot next?
- cdog - Monday, Feb 8, 16 @ 12:57 pm:
Don’t give him any cover before the POTUS visit or the Budget Address.
He needs to sleep in the bed he’s made for a few more days.
- Just Me - Monday, Feb 8, 16 @ 1:02 pm:
I would like to see the Speaker indicate he has a compromise to offer as well.
- AC - Monday, Feb 8, 16 @ 1:04 pm:
He’ll settle merely for the destruction of AFSCME, the deportation of all members to Indiana, and the construction of a wall, but who is going to pay for it?
- Ahoy! - Monday, Feb 8, 16 @ 1:06 pm:
Prediction: Madigan does nothing and continues to be the problem.
- Abe the Babe - Monday, Feb 8, 16 @ 1:06 pm:
How does a billionaire business man who cut his teeth making deals in the private sector not understand that you make offers not compromises?
No one can “offer compromises”. A compromise is the result of an agreement. An agreement is reached because people make reasonable offers. I have no idea what he is going to “offer” but he has a history of “offering” compromises that no one agreed to.
“you keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means”
- Anonnymouse - Monday, Feb 8, 16 @ 1:11 pm:
I doubt that Rauner has ever “comprised” . Rather, he puts his victims (in this case, the poor and middle class of Illinois) into an untenable position, then he “imposes” his position on them.
- RNUG - Monday, Feb 8, 16 @ 1:12 pm:
Compromise = Rauner’s way or the highway
- Gordon Willis - Monday, Feb 8, 16 @ 1:17 pm:
Reminds me if GFII when Michael tells Senator Geary his offer….”nothing…and I would appreciate it if you put up the $20000.00 for the casino license”
- Facts are Stubborn Things - Monday, Feb 8, 16 @ 1:25 pm:
pension proposal for Rauner to offer: all current tier 1 employees a choice of keeping their current 3% compounded AAI (once they retire) or a bonus (NOW) based on their pay in exchange for a 3% simple interest AAI upon retirement. This bonus could be significant and still allow the state to save much money while giving employees what would be a current large windfall and yet retain their basic pension plan other then the simple interest vs compounding. I know the huge effect of compounding, however, for a large current bonus I believe many workers, with say more then 10 years from retirement, might take the offer. Allow the bonus to be rolled into 457 account so that workers closer to retirement might view taking some cash now and the balance into the 457 as an option. Again, I believe this bonus could be quite large and still give state savings and enough of a windfall to entice many current workers into taking it.
- Norseman - Monday, Feb 8, 16 @ 1:25 pm:
Rauner will allow the unions to negotiate on wages ever four years after it is approved through a special referendum approved by 3/4 of the voters voting. However, the wage concessions will be capped at 0.5 percent for the four-year period. In addition, the salary increases are non-pensionable.
- anon. - Monday, Feb 8, 16 @ 1:26 pm:
Will Madigan show up this time?
- sal-says - Monday, Feb 8, 16 @ 1:30 pm:
So, it took raunner & The SuperStarts 2 MORE months to come with an’ephfany’? Please.
- Thoughts Matter - Monday, Feb 8, 16 @ 1:33 pm:
After re-reading his statement, I think he’s discussing a two year budget.
- Chicagoman - Monday, Feb 8, 16 @ 1:47 pm:
I believe this is a story from the now Illinois Policy Institute-owned Illinois Radio Network, but out of their Chicago operation. I forget who the reporter is up there.
- Arsenal - Monday, Feb 8, 16 @ 2:52 pm:
“I would like to see the Speaker indicate he has a compromise to offer as well.”
It’s hard to compromise with, “We can’t negotiate the budget until you agree to slit your own throat. Oh, and also, you are singularly responsible for every bad thing that’s happened to Illinois, up to and including Jay Cutler. WHY WON’T YOU WORK WITH ME?”
- forwhatitsworth - Monday, Feb 8, 16 @ 3:05 pm:
Anything is possible if there will be Republican yes votes on a tax hike!
- Stumpy's bunker - Monday, Feb 8, 16 @ 3:06 pm:
It seems apparent that Rauner’s approach to the budget is the same as his handling of state employee contract “negotiations”.
Thus my prediction: He will shave a microscopic amount off some of his individual demands…probably many of them…but once again, it will be tiny, tiny concessions. When the Democrat leaders reject it for still being punitive and intolerable. Rauner will then publish a long list of his “concessions”, with misleading specifics, in a pre-planned attempt to win the propaganda war.
- Anonymous - Monday, Feb 8, 16 @ 3:15 pm:
Facts at 1:25 re: significant bonus:
And where would this money come from? I thought Illinois Was Broke? Too broke to continue services to the elderly…too broke to fund universities……too broke to fund autism services……….not too broke to handsomely pay assistants and consultants to the governor and his wife, however.
- Earnest - Monday, Feb 8, 16 @ 3:27 pm:
>Rauner declined to offer specifics
Has he ever actually offered specifics? On anything? Other than the 1.4% which he got mad about.
Prediction: Rauner will offer phony window-dressing compromise to help his image, but he’s not finished destroying the state so nothing will actually be accomplished.
- Mama - Monday, Feb 8, 16 @ 3:46 pm:
++- Earnest @ 3:27 pm: >”Rauner declined to offer specifics.”
Prediction: Rauner will offer phony window-dressing compromise to help his image, but he’s not finished destroying the state so nothing will actually be accomplished.++
You could be right, but I hope not.
- Wensicia - Monday, Feb 8, 16 @ 4:31 pm:
I’d like Rauner’s definition of the word compromise. So far, it’s been my way on anti union reforms and I’ll compromise on a income tax hike I won’t expect Republicans to vote for and I’ll probably veto anyway.
- aunt_petunia - Monday, Feb 8, 16 @ 5:20 pm:
I suspect Governor Rauner’s newest compromise will include replacing the poison pill he’s offered us with a poison suppository.
- tinsel town - Monday, Feb 8, 16 @ 5:47 pm:
Rauner is simply going to do what he has done with ASFME…. I made a reasonable offer and they don’t want to negotiate.
- Ernie Umlaut - Monday, Feb 8, 16 @ 5:52 pm:
With Illinois having the 49th smallest employee head count in ratio to total population of Illinois, how about a rallying cry. eg 54 40 or fight !!
- cdog - Monday, Feb 8, 16 @ 6:12 pm:
I really think the rank and file GOP should feel trouble brewing for themselves.
What will he compromise?
What will he expect them to vote on?
What will he veto?
Will his position stay consistent or will it blow hither tither?
Poor GOP. /s
- Anonymous - Monday, Feb 8, 16 @ 9:10 pm:
- @Anonymous - Monday, Feb 8, 16 @ 3:15 pm:
=And where would this money come from? I thought Illinois Was Broke? Too broke to continue services to the elderly…too broke to fund universities……too broke to fund autism services……….not too broke to handsomely pay assistants and consultants to the governor and his wife, however.=
The funds for the bonus would come from the savings in the AAI.
- RNUG - Tuesday, Feb 9, 16 @ 8:18 am:
-Anonymous- @ 9:10pm
Nope. Bonus would have to come out of GRF. AAI comes out of pension fund.
- Commonsense in Illinois - Tuesday, Feb 9, 16 @ 8:25 am:
Somehow I just don’t see any leader holding their breath on this…
- Facts are Stubborn Things - Tuesday, Feb 9, 16 @ 9:07 am:
@RNUG - Tuesday, Feb 9, 16 @ 8:18 am:
if less dollars come from GRF into pension that would free up bonus dollars.
- RNUG - Tuesday, Feb 9, 16 @ 9:55 am:
-Facts-
Won’t be near equal. The bonus is immediate, the AAI savings will be over many years.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Feb 9, 16 @ 6:33 pm:
FACTS,
How would lump sum by outs work?