Just like magic!
Wednesday, Feb 17, 2016 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Sigh…
* Democratic Sen. Daniel Biss is not as harsh…
“Yesterday, I expressed my hope that Gov. Rauner would introduce a balanced budget in today’s address. In fact, he proposed two budgetary paths.
“The first path would allow him to unilaterally control spending and policy decisions, representing an abdication of the General Assembly’s responsibility and a breakdown in our system of representative government. It may constitute a balanced budget, but nobody thinks it’s the best way of handling things.
“The second path requires negotiation and compromise to produce an agreed-upon package of new revenues, spending changes and structural reforms. Clearly, everyone would prefer that we go down this path. However, his comments raise two crucial questions.
“First of all, while I agree that we must all compromise to reach an agreement, it is a shame that today’s address did not include Gov. Rauner’s preferred mix of revenues and spending cuts. Our system expects a governor make such a proposal, which then becomes a useful starting point for negotiations.
“Secondly, Gov. Rauner spoke extensively about our state’s real structural problems and demanded that structural reforms be a part of the solution. I agree. However, he continues to prioritize anti-worker reforms that would push down wages and harm the middle class. In fact, he continues to imply that states can only thrive economically if they embrace right-wing, anti-union policies. Of course, this assertion is utterly false.
“As we seek to enact the structural reforms that our state needs, we must be open to all points of view and all ideas, including Democratic ideas such as repealing our bizarre constitutional provision that mandates a flat income tax. I am confident that if Gov. Rauner is willing to have a truly open negotiation on the question of revenues, spending and reform, then we can come together in the spirit of compromise and move forward.
“I hope he is willing to engage in that fair process, and I hope it happens quickly. Our state is being grievously harmed by the current budget situation, and neither the vulnerable people who rely on our human services, nor the students who attend our institutions of higher education, nor the good people who provide those services should be forced to accept any more of this.”
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Decatur Credit Unions “Lend A Hand”
Wednesday, Feb 17, 2016 - Posted by Advertising Department
[The following is a paid advertisement.]
The Greater Decatur Chapter of Credit Unions established the Lend A Hand charity in 2012. The program is designed to help people working through Decatur temporary employment agencies. Decatur area credit unions established this program after recognizing the need of workers receiving temporary employment. Those in temporary work situations are likely not receiving benefits from their employer because of the temporary nature of their work; however, they also may not qualify for government benefits because they are working. The Greater Decatur Chapter of Credit Unions is proud to support those who are working toward a better life, and appreciates the opportunity to provide a hand up.
Temporary employees are encouraged to apply for anything they might need. Lend A Hand has provided applicants with furniture, appliances, gas cards, groceries, winter coats, non-skid work shoes, and even a lawnmower. Most requests are fulfilled with used items donated by credit union employees or with money generated from the annual Taste of Credit Unions fundraiser.
The Decatur Lend A Hand program is just another example of the credit union motto…People Helping People.
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“There’s a high chance that I possibly will”
Wednesday, Feb 17, 2016 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Rep. Ken Dunkin told Mike Flannery this past weekend that he voted for AFSCME’s “no strike” bill last spring and would’ve voted for the bill again last fall if he hadn’t been in New York during the roll call. Asked if he would vote for it on the third try, he said “There’s a high chance that I possibly will.”
The high chance turned out to be no chance…
Dunkin broke ranks with the resurrected arbitration bill Tuesday, and voted no. Dunkin says he’s been with unions most of the time in his 13-year career in Springfield, despite his recently soured relations.
“They have no loyalty to any black politician in the General Assembly,” he said. Dunkin says he wanted a last-minute change to the legislation to help black and Latino state employees.
Welch, who like Dunkin is black, says it was too late to make such a change as it had just been introduced on Tuesday, but would support the idea in the future.
I’m not sure Dunkin realizes that “loyalty” is a two-way street. The unions backed him when he voted with them. They left when he walked away from them. It’s not rocket science.
* More…
State Rep. Christian Mitchell, D-Chicago, delivered a punishing blow to Dunkin, who spoke against the bill if a last-minute amendment wasn’t adopted. “I find it interesting and perhaps even troubling that the last speaker given his recent voting record spoke about complicity. But I suppose that’s why the president said: ‘Some folks don’t change.’”
Mitchell then seared Dunkin with other remarks Obama made to the embattled Democrat last week. “I am speaking to the bill sir, you might want to take his second bit of advice, which is to sit down.”
Like I’ve been saying for a while now, Dunkin’s biggest problem is with his fellow Democratic legislators. This isn’t just a Madigan thing. His members want the guy punished.
Much the same can be said of Sen. Sam McCann. You don’t see any Republican legislators standing with him at campaign press conferences.
* Related…
* An anonymous dossier at the heart of key Rauner/Madigan battle
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[The following is a paid advertisement.]
Exelon announced that its profits for 2015 were $2,270,000,000 and that it is increasing dividends to shareholders 2.5% per year for the next three years.
So you’re thinking – “The company is healthy, shareholders are getting more $$$, the power auctions provided them $1.7 billion for their nuclear plants in Illinois so they must be done asking struggling Illinois ratepayers for a bailout, right?” Nope - it’s never enough for Exelon.
“Groundhog Day was yesterday, but Exelon appears to want to keep celebrating. The Chicago-based nuclear giant is back to threatening to close nuclear plants in Illinois without financial help from the state.” – “Exelon’s Crane beats the drum again for nuke subsidies” Crain’s, February 3, 2016
To review:
- Exelon made more than TWO BILLION DOLLARS ($2,270,000,000) last year
- Exelon is INCREASING DIVIDENDS FOR SHAREHOLDERS
- Exelon received a $1.7 BILLION WINDFALL through new capacity charges
Illinois still has no budget, the state’s finances and services are in shambles, the social safety net is being decimated but Exelon STILL wants the Legislature to pass a huge BAILOUT.
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
Just say no to the Exelon Bailout.
www.noexelonbailout.com
BEST Coalition is a 501C4 nonprofit group of dozens of business, consumer and government groups, as well as large and small businesses. Visit www.noexelonbailout.com.
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Priorities, priorities
Wednesday, Feb 17, 2016 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Drew Zimmerman…
A bill that aims to fund Monetary Award Program (MAP) grants for thousands of financially burdened students was sent to Gov. Bruce Rauner’s office Tuesday.
Senate Bill 2043 passed both chambers over two weeks ago and was delivered to the Republican governor by Democratic Rep. Kelly Burke of Evergreen Park and Sen. Donne Trotter of Chicago.
“We’ve held this bill for two weeks because we want the governor to understand this is a government of the people, by the people and for that people, and that we’ve given him a chance to listen to the many voices who have determined that this is a necessity for us to move forward in the society that we live in,” Trotter said. “We have told the governor by our actions that it is a responsibility, but more importantly, something that is necessary to receive and maintain for viability of our state.”
If signed by the governor, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission estimates that roughly 125,000 eligible students would receive MAP grant aid.
However, Rauner has said — and his administration reiterated Tuesday — that he intends to veto the bill since there is no source of funding for the $721 million proposal, which also includes funding for community college operations and adult education programs.
Yet, the same governor is demanding increased state funding for early education and K-12 without a revenue source.
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Because… Rauner!
Wednesday, Feb 17, 2016 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Tribune…
Marty Durkan, who’s running as a Democrat for a water reclamation board seat, spent around $50,000 on a mailing for Ald. Michelle Harris, who’s the Cook County party’s endorsed candidate for Circuit Court clerk.
* From a reader…
A front and back mailer I got today. What Bruce Rauner has to do with the Cook County Circuit Clerk or the MWRD I have no idea, but it must poll well or something.
Also, in the 10 years I’ve lived in Cook County I have never voted in a Democratic Primary so they may want to check their universe sampling.
I was honestly confused what the [heck] I was getting until I read it word-for-word which is never good for a mail piece. And why is it paid for by Durkan (which is an unfortunate name to have for a Democratic candidate in Cook these days)? Since this obviously went to a lot of people (see above) couldn’t they have funneled it through the state party and saved a ton of cash?
Rauner doesn’t exactly poll well in Cook these days.
* The mailer…
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Once again, with feeling
Wednesday, Feb 17, 2016 - Posted by Rich Miller
* It’s good to see him finally admitting this…
“It’s hard to give a budget speech for a state that doesn’t have a budget,” Rauner said Tuesday while addressing the state’s pork producers. “But you know what? It’s not really about the budget. It’s about the future direction of Illinois.”
Yep. The budget is being used as “leverage” in the real fight, which is, as he says, about the direction of Illinois. Unfortunately, the direction the governor demands is opposed by members of both parties in the Illinois General Assembly. It’s like trying to pedal a tandem bicycle while your fellow driver hits the brakes. Nothing’s gonna happen until both people start moving those pedals together.
So, in the interim, universities are allowed to crumble and people who rely on critical social services are kicked to the curb.
I hate to keep saying this, but I’m going to until it happens: Find. Another. Way.
* Related…
* So what’s in the cards?: Illinois Playbook has learned that the governor will offer up a choice to lawmakers. Behind door No. 1: Rauner will ask for the sole authority to make billions of dollars in cuts to programs, with no tax increase. Rauner will propose making the cuts himself. Or … Behind door No. 2: He will achieve a balanced budget through 1) a series of reforms — watered down from his go nowhere Turnaround Agenda, 2) cuts in spending 3) new revenue. The governor is to make clear he is looking to negotiate a settlement to the state budget impasse once and for all. Takeaway: Door number one is dead on arrival. Can anyone see Democratic leaders going for that? Door number two sounds plausible, depending on how far he backs away from proposed law changes that harm unions. Otherwise, it’s really dressing up the same way he’s operated since last year.
* Durkin’s Expectations For The Budget Address: “At some point cooler heads are going to have to prevail. That means we have to be austere, we have to live within our means, and if we do have to make investments, we have to have a revenue source that we can rely upon.”
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African-American “political engagement” studied
Wednesday, Feb 17, 2016 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From WalletHub…
Hi Rich,
With Black History Month and the South Carolina primaries taking place in February, the personal finance website WalletHub conducted an in-depth analysis of 2016’s States with the Highest Political Engagement Among Blacks.
To determine where black Americans are most engaged in the political process, WalletHub’s analysts compared the 48 states across six key metrics. They include black voter turnout and registration during the most recent midterm and presidential elections as well as the proportional representation of blacks in the state legislature and national party conventions.
Political Engagement of Blacks in Illinois (1=Most Politically Engaged; 24=Avg.)
4th – Black Voter Turnout (2012 Presidential Election)
17th – Black Voter Turnout (2014 Midterm Elections)
7th – Black Voter Registration (2012 Presidential Election)
31st – Black Voter Registration (2014 Midterm Elections)
1st – Proportional Representation of Blacks in State Legislature
For the full report, please visit:
https://wallethub.com/edu/where-are-blacks-most-least-politically-engaged/19026/
Look at that horrible number for 2014 voter registration. Pat Quinn’s campaign depended on a heavy African-American turnout, which didn’t happen, and high voter registration, which also didn’t happen. It was a complete failure.
* That last number is pretty interesting to me. I’ve been told by African-American legislators that their counterparts in other states are often amazed at how many black people are in the Illinois General Assembly. It’s one reason why some African-American leaders here are skeptical of the remap reformers’ intentions. They have built something that no one else has matched, and they don’t want it taken away.
…Adding… Speaking of which…
With 11 weeks remaining in the petition drive for redistricting reform, the Independent Maps coalition has exceeded the 507,500 petition signatures collected in the 2014 effort and is on target to reach the new coalition’s goal of 600,000 signatures.
“Support for the Independent Map Amendment has been phenomenal,” said Dennis FitzSimons, Chair of Independent Maps. “We’ve collected 510,000 signatures so far and will turn in many more signatures than the previous campaign, which fell short of the number needed to qualify for the ballot. We’re confident our petition signatures – well in excess of the required 290,216 signatures – will withstand challenges by opponents of reform.”
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* Tribune…
Rauner’s team said Tuesday that the governor will use the budget speech to call on lawmakers to send him another stand-alone bill that spends even more on schools and early childhood education.
“No matter how this session unfolds, send that education bill to my desk — clean, no games — and I’ll sign it immediately,” Rauner plans to say.
That request signals a continuation of the political positioning that’s dominated the last year. But as Rauner and Democrats continue to bicker, social service groups and colleges and universities remain caught in the middle.
* Here’s a preview of his remarks on this topic…
We must make the education of our children our top priority. The one thing I won’t back down on – the one thing that’s non-negotiable for me – is increasing education funding.
That is why Leader Durkin and Leader Radogno will be introducing a standalone appropriations bill for early childhood education and our K-12 schools.
No matter how this session unfolds send that education bill to my desk – CLEAN – NO GAMES – and I’ll sign it immediately…
Our budget for early childhood education increases state support by $75 million, a nearly 25 percent increase…
The $393 million this budget proposes investing in early childhood education is the most in state history – and will allow us to make giant strides towards ensuring every child in Illinois enters Kindergarten with a chance to succeed.
Our budget also proposes fully funding the General State Aid foundation level for the first time in seven years.
This will mark the most state money we’ve ever invested in our school funding formula and eliminate the need for any proration – a practice that has forced teachers, administrators and school boards to make cuts that negatively impact our kids.
We must fully fund this foundation level as a first step toward reforming our school funding formula.
I understand that the formula we currently use to fund our schools does not adequately meet the needs of all our children. Efforts to reform the funding formula in the past didn’t work because they pitted communities against each other…
To achieve formula changes, we must increase state support for education so that no community sees state funding taken away during the transition. I pledge to work with you on this issue to find a bipartisan way forward. But much like our larger discussion about the budget and reforms in the days ahead, nothing should delay the General Assembly from funding early childhood education and K-12 schools for the coming fiscal year.
I restate my request — send me that appropriations bill right away – CLEAN – NO GAMES – to give our schoolchildren and parents the security of knowing that education is our shared priority.
Subscribers have more context.
* But right on cue…
With Gov. Bruce Rauner set to deliver a new budget plan to lawmakers Wednesday, several suburban school leaders appeared in Springfield to urge state officials not to cut their funding.
Their testimony before a House committee Tuesday echoes a debate over how Illinois pays for schools that has raged for decades, with lawmakers trying to find a way to send more money to downstate and Chicago schools that often have less property wealth and spend less per student than in the suburbs.
Democratic Illinois Senate President John Cullerton has sought to make school funding changes a priority in the state’s ongoing budget battle.
Schaumburg Elementary District 54 Superintendent Andrew DuRoss argued the state should spend more on education, enough to help schools that have less money without taking state resources away from suburban schools that have the means to spend more.
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Catholic Charities warns of disaster
Wednesday, Feb 17, 2016 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Monsignor Michael Boland, the President of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago, has been keeping a pretty low profile during the long impasse. But he’s starting to speak out and talked to Mark Brown…
Boland admits he has been hesitant before now to speak out, in part not wanting to scare the people who rely on Catholic Charities for help, such as the 15,000 seniors who participate in a program that provides them various services in their homes to help them avoid going into a nursing home.
One in three Chicago residents receive some service from Catholic Charities over the course of a year, Boland said. Surprising to me, some 75 percent of its $200 million annual budget comes from government funding.
If Catholic Charities were to close 20 percent of its programs, that would hurt 200,000 people, Boland said.
“Where would they go? For me, I’m trying to hold the line … because I don’t think these people should be pawns of government.”
Boland noted that some are starting to say there will be no resolution to this crisis until after the general election in November.
“I don’t know what will be left after the general election as far as services,” he warned.
There’s no way that Catholic Charities, or any other group, can raise private funds to make up for the continuing non-payment of their state service contracts.
What’s happening here is the absolute shredding of the state’s safety net. And for what? To savage the already waning power of unions.
I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, the governor needs to find another way to expand the economy before this state implodes. And the Democrats absolutely need to help him find that alternate path…
“The two sides are so entrenched, how are they going to walk it back?” said Chris Mooney, director of the Institute of Government and Public Affairs at the University of Illinois. “They are too far gone, somehow they’ve got to find a way both can declare victory and go home.”
Yep.
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* Follow it all right here with ScribbleLive…
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