53 Comments - Annonin' - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 12:42 pm: So $uper$tars now go for a $450 million payday in order to give universities about 14% of their cash….BTW no $$$ for MAP in $tars plan. BTW-2 the borrowing scam was something the $tars promised to never ever ever do. - Dee Lay - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 12:44 pm: Could the IBHE and ICCB take the money and not distribute it because of some political chicanery? Just asking… - Try-4-Truth - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 12:45 pm: If this happens, social services will be left out for the year. The only thing we have left is the fact that Universities are not funded either. Once they are, we will be the only thing left. This worries me. - Ghost - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 12:47 pm: this must have rauner support since it his secret floor leader…. maybe to distract from the map veto… - illini97 - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 12:54 pm: @RonSandack …. I’m frustrated 2, but taking steps towards reforming IL more important than short term budget stalemate. - burbanite - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 12:54 pm: Why contingent on SB 3044? - hisgirlfriday - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 12:54 pm: So the key to getting hostages released is primarying Raunerites? Good to know. - Anon221 - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 12:55 pm: “forgive” is putting it nicely. These are the words that were lined out on SB3044- except that any moneys transferred pursuant to subsection (a) of this Section shall be repaid to the fund of origin within 18 months after the date on which they were borrowed. ***** I have a feeling that this would become standard procedures if Rauner is handed the “broom” as he wishes under some other pending legislation- http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocTypeID=HB&DocNum=4521&GAID=13&SessionID=88&LegID=93593 - Mama - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 1:09 pm: “SB 3044 would “forgive” $450 million in special funds borrowing the state did at the very end of Fiscal Year 2015. ” “forgive” - It all depends on which special funds they raided. - Wonderin' - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 1:12 pm: I’m betting HA001(madigan) will include language restoring MAP grant funding. - Mama - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 1:14 pm: $200M will not save the colleges & universities. - Get a Job!! - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 1:17 pm: I’m confused……these borrowings don’t come due until FY17. So using this money to “pay for” the emergency money for colleges doesn’t make a lot of sense. If this somehow passed & the Governor signs it (given the sponsors, I assume he would), he’s actually blowing a $450M hole in his own budget proposal from last week considering it was counting on this borrowing forgiveness in FY17. - wordslinger - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 1:18 pm: Websters: –Emergency, n., a serious, unexpected, and often dangerous situation requiring immediate action.– Note, that the definition does not include the word “planned.” –So, it makes perfect sense, particularly since both men have primary opponents.– Makes perfect sense to try and get some cover a few weeks before the primary. But unless The Boss is on board, it means nothing. - Chucktownian - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 1:23 pm: Reggie said in his speech at EIU today that Rauner has said he will sign it. - Annonin' - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 1:24 pm: Ah more reform $450 million giveaway to get $200 million yikes what a scam…and Dunkin’ & Reggie Philips are the banditoes…that is a turnaround - Michelle Flaherty - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 1:28 pm: Let me strap on my budget hat for a moment. This is perhaps the most poorly written approp bill I’ve seen in a while, and that’s being kind. Not sure what FY this is even for, not to mention how it will be distributed. Bottom line: It’s not even an attempt at a real bill. Also, using the “borrowing into sweeps plan” to pay for it is odd considering the $450 million in cash has probably been spent. Ken should call the governor and check. I’m assuming he’s got a direct line. Remember, the Rauner admin used Pat Quinn’s borrowing authority back on the very last day of FY 15 to ease cash flow problems. There’s no shame in that. A lot of guys in that position have problems with their cash flow. It happens to a lot of guys. - Huh? - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 1:34 pm: Dunkin = kiss of death. - Beaner - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 1:34 pm: Question: Most of the $450 million in sweeps they do not want to pay back, are we primarily talking about the Road Fund and the gas tax money? Anyone have a breakdown on what funds/programs moneys have been ’sweep’? - Chucktownian - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 1:36 pm: Oh I don’t doubt it’s a bad rush job, although you have to understand that might actually be the best Reggie can do. His reputation among his colleagues (and in Charleston) is not the best. - Team Sleep - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 1:37 pm: Mama - maybe not the U of I, but $200 million would mean a TON to the directional schools. EIU itself gets around $40 million from the state, so even a portion of that right now would be helpful. - Juvenal - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 1:38 pm: Where is the Goldberg letter slamming Ken Dunkin and Reggie Phillips for trying to force a tax hike, or divert money from social services? - East Central Illinois - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 1:42 pm: Totally agree with Chucktownian. Reggie is not the sharpest tool in the shed. - The Captain - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 1:44 pm: Somebody, I believe, is coordinating bedfellows of the strangest sort. - hisgirlfriday - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 1:48 pm: After seeing this proposal more clearly I was mistaked thinking this bill was Rauner releasing hostages. Just a fake hostage rescue attempt via unserious legislation meant to never pass but let these two point fingers while the hostages remain imperiled as ever. Bummer. - Anon221 - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 1:51 pm: Citizens for Rauner, Inc transferred $53,000.00 to Citizens for Reggie Phillips https://www.illinoissunshine.org/committees/citizens-for-reggie-phillips-25650/ - Chucktownian - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 1:52 pm: I suspect you may be right. Reggie claimed the governor’s staff had told him that it would be signed. Of course getting it through to that point is another question entirely. - Chucktownian - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 1:58 pm: Reggie’s been on the defensive since the news of Rauner’s $53,000 donation broke on social media on Friday. He apparently solicited the donation and says he’s sorry it looks bad. He now claims he will give it back. Or donate equivalent money to charity. Or something. It’s all confusion in Reggie’s world. There’s more than a whiff of desperation there. Folks are gathering the pitchforks and torches in Charleston for Reggie as we speak. - Blago's Luxurious Grey Mane - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 2:03 pm: Those two deserve each other. - Anonymous - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 2:06 pm: A little cover before the primaries? Surely people aren’t buying! - Anon221 - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 2:12 pm: It’s official- Phillips is in Raunerite territory https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZhoWL5igNg - wordslinger - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 2:18 pm: –“These two bills should be given a fair hearing and awarded an up or down vote. These initiatives actually have money attached for Higher Education unlike the insincere bill regarding MAP the Governor rightfully vetoed.” What’s the difference? Where does the “money attached” come from when GRF is running a $6.2 billion deficit for FY16? Where’s the “sincere” money pot located? - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 2:19 pm: I know that Ken Dunkin, when it mattered, refused to vote to help people. I know that. The city of Charleston, Eastern Illinois needed someone months ago to “fight” for them. Charleston, EIU faculty, students… When it mattered, was “Reggie”, who, keep this in mind, just took more Raunerite money, there when you need “Reggie” Raunerites, both. “Vote Accordingly” To the Post, When it mattered most, CSU and EIU were let down. Now, the Century Club President, thrice annointed, is “cobbling” and is going to ask Democrats, who Dunkin has turned on, to support this? Ken Dunkin is Rauner’s vessel… for EIU… and CSU. Um, ok. - 47th Ward - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 2:26 pm: This feels like the part in Dog Day Afternoon where Sonny orders some pizzas to feed the hostages. Seriously, $200 million for all of higher ed? This is entirely about getting Philips and Dunkin past March 15. Ken Dunkin is afraid of going down the tubes with CSU. Too bad, he made his bed and now he gets to lie in it. Beware the Ides of March Ken. - Gruntled University Employee - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 2:34 pm: Reggie hasn’t been there for his constituents. Hundreds of EIU families have been unnecessarily put at risk for the Rauner agenda and Reggie was paid well for his participation. Hopefully when this is all done, Reggie will make good on his promise, click his ruby red slippers three times and wish himself to Florida. - Annonin' - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 2:35 pm: Hmmm. Durkie to not seem to say how he and Avery and Sara & Tim will votin’ on the Dunkin’ debacle. What happened to Durkie/Brady hocus pocus finance bill from last week the ole trust me to make some cuts….BTW what happens to funds plundered for the interfund borrowin’ that GUMBY wants “forgiven” - Anon221 - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 2:41 pm: Annonin’- “BTW what happens to funds plundered for the interfund borrowin’ that GUMBY wants “forgiven”?” **** They get plundered- no payback is required as specified in the bill by the language that was lined out. That’s what “brooms” do. - burbanite - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 2:44 pm: 53 g from Rauner Inc, ads from Liberty Principles PAC, they aren’t even discreet about the payoff. Money transferred Friday, bill filed Tuesday, got it ! - Anon221 - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 2:50 pm: burbanite- Yep, nuthin’ to see here!/s - Norseman - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 2:55 pm: Word nailed it. Durkin’s money attached statement is pure malarkey. What he means is that debts are simply ignored by these bills. - AC - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 3:24 pm: Anon221 +1 - indeed following the money tells the story. - Stumpy's bunker - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 3:28 pm: I hope there’s a good watchdog for this money if its distributed. I’m not over the corporate squanderings that resulted from the 2008 bailout scenario. Yes, I know there’s differences. But all the same, you can’t starve a hedonist, then give him a stack of money with the hope he’ll change his ways. - Honeybear - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 4:11 pm: Could this have been part of a Madigan strategy to hold out until CSU folds and hope that it effects the Dunkin primary? Or am I ascribing to much to the speaker? - Austin Blvd - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 4:13 pm: Honeybear, that is not the Speaker’s M.O. - Chuckvegas Alum - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 4:20 pm: Reggie’s unpopularity around EIU probably won’t hurt him all that badly on the 15th. It’s pretty much Indiana West around there excepting EIU. Many folks have harbored resentment towards academia and are poorly hiding their satisfaction in seeing its current struggle. - DuPage Bard - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 4:23 pm: Great another version of borrow and never repay the money. Has anyone learned anything from the past 100 years of Illinois Government? You can’t borrow money from one source with the promise to pay it back, then never pay it back without creating a hole! I don’t care how insignificant the line item is, at some point it was dedicated money and still is dedicated money. It will need to be repaid. Unless that campaign promise just went out of the window as well. The more things change, doesn’t matter who’s in charge! - Dirty Red - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 4:25 pm: Does SB 3044 even pass constitutional snuff? I seem to recall ILSC ruling fund sweeps MUST be repaid. It very easily could be that the mechanisms, fund types, and laws are different than they were during that ruling. - AC - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 5:07 pm: ==unlike the insincere bill regarding MAP the Governor rightfully vetoed== Was this necessary? Will it help get non-Raunerite votes? Is reminding people of their differences help in any possible way? - Mama - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 5:31 pm: After what Dunkin has done to Madigan, I can not see Speaker Madigan calling Ken Dunkin’s bill up for a vote. - sal-says - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 5:45 pm: Dunkin? raunner’s dunkin? Tryin’ to save his … by the primary? Just wonderin’. Just gotta love politics & spin, eh? - Pawn - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 6:16 pm: Again hilarious. The House is barely even in session long enough to take this up and get it through…I hear rumors that March 3 will be cancelled. - PENSIONS ARE OFF LIMITS - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 7:20 pm: A clean bill….no games…. - walker - Tuesday, Feb 23, 16 @ 9:08 pm: Just campaign lit fodder. Someone might produce a real bill later. - Chucktownian - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 10:00 am: Reggie lost Coles County in the primary in 2014. He knows he’s vulnerable. That’s why he asked for the money from Rauner and I’m sure it’s a coincidence that the dark money funded ads started showing up at the same time although, as we all know, such coordination would be illegal. Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.