Effectively immediately, all Administrative and Professional and non-negotiated employees will do one furlough day per week beginning the week of March 14. I mentioned at the Open Budget Forum on February 23rd that furloughs could be a part of our cost-savings measures. Given that the budget impasse is entering its ninth month, the University is now compelled to begin its furlough program. This is necessary because we anticipate that our tuition revenue and reserves will be diminishing to the point where we can’t sustain operations through summer and into fall. The furlough program, spending freezes, holding positions vacant, and other actions are intended to provide cost savings to bridge operations to the next major infusion of funds (the FY16 appropriation or fall semester tuition revenues).
We are continuing to negotiate with our collective bargaining units. Additional details about the furlough program are being put in place, and you will receive information and FAQs very soon. Even as we implement the program, we will discontinue it when our state appropriation is received (assuming it will be adequate to meet this year’s cash flow requirements).
The decisions we are forced to make are incredibly difficult and certainly painful both economically and personally. This is an action that we all regret having to take, but for the sake of our students and Northeastern, it is a necessary one. Working together, we will endure these unprecedented times.
Thank you for your continued commitment to our University and our students. Your commitment will take Northeastern into the next 150 years stronger and more resolute in fulfilling our mission.
* Angry Twitter users continue to hammer the NRSC for its admittedly offensive, but now deleted tweet about how US Senate candidate Tammy Duckworth “has a sad record of not standing up for veterans,” even though she lost both her legs in Iraq. Click here to see the rage in all its glory..
Politico has a story up and I expect more to follow. And the Duckworth campaign has responded…
“Tasteless and dishonest, just like everything else to do with Mark Kirk’s flailing campaign. Tammy has made fighting for Veterans her life’s work, and will continue to do so in the Senate.”
Congresswoman Duckworth Stands Up for Small Business by Introducing Paperwork Relief Legislation
Emphasis added.
OK, it isn’t the same, but “stands up for…” is a common expression. I’m not excusing the NRSC’s ignorance, but she’s used it about herself.
* Also, keep in mind that Sen. Mark Kirk spends much of his time in a wheelchair since his stroke. I’ve seen him struggle mightily to “stand up.” From just last month…
Now it's time for @MarkKirk to stand up to Mitch McConnell's obstruction & demand hearings on a nominee #ILSEN
Again, it’s not exactly on the same level. But we’re talking a common expression here that somebody at the NRSC stupidly misused and that Duckworth’s campaign has also misused.
* Greg Hinz has Rep. Ken Dunkin’s reaction to President Obama’s endorsement of his Democratic primary opponent…
“All the members of the black community have patiently waited, for seven years with baited breath for President Obama to weigh in on the issues that impact our communities,” he said. […]
“So,” he continues, “you can imagine our surprise when we heard about his endorsement. The president’s presence in this race hopefully will shed some attention on the many other issues in the district — namely the high unemployment among our young black males, as well as the unprecedented number of shootings.”
The statement goes on to suggest that Dunkin is ‘the only one discussing the issues and coming up with solutions,” such as banning red light cameras. “We need the president and anyone else, who claims to be invested in our communities, to give their undivided attention to these issues.” […]
Anyhow, Dunkin announced a news conference today to further discuss Obama, but abruptly cancelled it within an hour of when the advisory went out. Spokesman Glenn Reedus said the candidate had a “schedule conflict,” but added that he’d try to get Dunkin to call me later.
* Um, hold on a second. Dunkin is running a radio ad featuring remarks by President Obama which sure make it appear as if Obama is backing Dunkin’s candidacy…
Dunkin was perfectly fine with Obama when he was promoting the fiction of the President’s backing. So for him to whine now is just plain goofy.
* Also, Rep. Dunkin voted for red light cameras when Rahm Emanuel wanted them. Now, however, he’s conveniently against the cams and Emanuel.
In response to the NRSC’s vile tweet, since deleted, Duckworth deputy campaign manager Matt McGrath issued the following statement:
“Tasteless and dishonest, just like everything else to do with Mark Kirk’s flailing campaign. Tammy has made fighting for Veterans her life’s work, and will continue to do so in the Senate.” - Matt McGrath, campaign spokesman
Despite the title of that poly sci course you took in college, politics really is an art, not a science. Good politicians almost instinctively know when to take up a given subject, when to show up and how far to go. The others bumble or stumble, coming across as arrogant and disconnected.
Which leads to U.S. Senate hopeful Tammy Duckworth.
By just about all indications, the northwest suburban congresswoman is going to win a smashing victory a week from today, on March 15, capturing the Democratic nomination to oppose GOP incumbent Mark Kirk in the fall. By all indications, she’ll enter that contest as the clear favorite.
But you never want to act like the clear favorite. Voters want to be courted and treated with respect, not taken for granted. But like Hillary Clinton did in the presidential race earlier this year, Duckworth continues to do so in the Senate contest.
The latest example is Duckworth’s decision to skip tonight’s WTTW-TV/Channel 11 debate. Her aides are suggesting only that her primary debate schedule was all filled up long ago—with (golly) three whole debates in three months. […]
Duckworth isn’t senator yet. She needs to do what all good pols do: run scared. If she can’t handle a half-hour exchange on public TV, she can’t handle the job.
I don’t think Sen. Kirk has debated even once this primary season, but she should’ve been more available.
* The governor said today that the Senate President should call the “agreed” pension bill for a vote right now and immediately pass the governor’s proposed K-12 approp bill.
Press release…
Statement from the office of Senate President John J. Cullerton regarding the governor’s comments on pension legislation and school funding. Please attribute to spokesman John Patterson.
Pensions:
As recently as the day before the governor’s budget speech, the Senate President met with the governor while attorneys on both sides continued to explore new ideas and new drafts. We appreciate the governor’s support. But passing pension reform legislation is a contentious process. The Senate President is trying to pass a law, not just create a roll call.
The potential savings can’t be spent now. Under the plan the governor and Senate President have been discussing, there are no savings in the first year. In addition, it would be unwise for the state to spend savings before the courts weigh in.
School Funding:
The Senate President met today with state education officials. In a couple weeks we hope to have a district-by-district analysis of the governor’s education spending plan. Remember, it was the governor who said he couldn’t support a funding system in which any school district lost money. Preliminary information shows that under Governor Rauner’s proposal Chicago public schools would lose $78 million.
He makes valid points.
And that bit about the governor’s plan producing $78 million less funding for Chicago will most certainly be repeated elsewhere.
Voters in Illinois show overwhelming support for medicinal marijuana use, but less than half of them support legalization for recreational use, according to a new poll conducted by the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
The sample of 1,000 registered voters was taken Feb. 15 – 20 and has a margin of error of 3.1 percentage points.
When asked whether they favor or oppose legalized medicinal marijuana in Illinois, 82 percent express support for the policy. Only 16 percent oppose and 3 percent did not know or answered otherwise.
Currently there is a four-year pilot program in Illinois for the use of medical marijuana. That program is due to expire in 2018.
Overall support for medical marijuana has increased dramatically - by 19 percentage points - and opposition has been cut in half since a 2013 Institute poll asked a similar question. The 2013 poll showed 63 percent support and 32 percent opposition. The 2013 poll was taken before the current medicinal marijuana pilot program was in effect.
Support is less strong on the question of recreational marijuana. There are 51 percent who oppose legalization of recreational marijuana while 45 percent said it should be legal.
“We see clear support for medicinal marijuana, but recreational use is a mixed bag,” said David Yepsen, director of the Institute. “Medical use, recreational use, and decriminalization are all related but are still distinct public policy issues in the minds of many voters. They are likely to be issues in the debate over criminal justice reform, new revenues and public health,” he said.
Support for medicinal marijuana is strongest with younger voters. Among voters younger than 35, 90 percent favor medical use. Only 8 percent of those under 35 oppose medicinal use and 2 percent answered otherwise. On average, older voters were also supportive but not as strongly.
Younger voters are also much more supportive of legal recreational use than older voters. Among those younger than age 35, 72 percent support and 24 percent oppose. Support significantly decreases among people over 65 years old - with only 29 percent in support.
“These data show that substantial support for medical cannabis can be found in every demographic, and that support has substantially increased in the last few years. Another result to pay attention to is the heavily skewed support for recreational marijuana among millennials,” said Delio Calzolari, associate director of the Institute and one of the designers of the poll.
* Meanwhile…
The poll also gauged attitudes toward gay marriage and abortion.
* On the issue of marriage equality, 53 percent stated that gay and lesbian couples should be allowed to legally marry and 25 percent said same-sex couples should be allowed to form civil unions, but not marry. There were 16 percent who said there should be no legal recognition of same-sex relationships.
The U.S. Supreme Court declared that same-sex couples have the right to marry in a 5-4 decision. Illinois began recognizing same-sex marriage in 2014 and civil unions in 2011.
* On the question of abortion rights, 44 percent of Illinoisans said that abortion should be legal in certain circumstances and 36 percent said that abortion should be legal in all circumstances. There were 15 percent who stated that abortion should be illegal in all circumstances.
* If you were watching our live coverage post at noon, you already know that Gov. Bruce Rauner told reporters it was a “dereliction of duty” for the House Speaker to adjourn his chamber for a month. The House isn’t scheduled to return until April 4th.
Rauner refused to call a special session, saying, with some justification, they don’t ever work. He wants the House to come back to town and start voting on “real bills,” not the “sham bills” that the Democrats have been passing.
* The Question: Should the House come back into session this month? Please make sure to explain your answer in comments. Thanks.
There are few lawmakers in Springfield that are as conservative as Republican state Senator Kyle McCarter, but incumbent Congressman John Shimkus wants downstate voters to believe that his GOP challenger is “Chicagoish.”
And while Governor Bruce Rauner has sided with Shimkus over McCarter in the 15th District’s GOP primary race, Senator McCarter asked the governor Monday if he believed McCarter was “Chicagoish,” and Rauner said “No,” according to McCarter’s tweet.
Heh…
Just asked @GovRauner if he believed I was a Chicago Republican. "No, I don't." He chuckled. #twill#IL15
* But McCarter doesn’t have the money to fight back. And the Club for Growth is no longer running its ad attacking Shimkus for violating his term limits pledge, saying “We ran the original buy that we planned and are still strategizing for the final week and bundling for McCarter.” As I’ve already told you, the group is shifting into anti-Trump mode.
* And McCarter is about to be buried under even more TV ads…
The American Action Network (@AAN) today launched an independent expenditure ad campaign supporting Congressman John Shimkus in Illinois’ 15th congressional district primary. Highlighting Shimkus’ strong conservative voice, the ad campaign will ensure Illinois primary voters know he is the principled fighter they need in Congress.
Shimkus’ conservative leadership includes fighting to dismantle Obamacare, standing up for 2nd Amendment rights, and defending the right to life. Shimkus is endorsed by the National Rifle Association, National Right to Life, and other conservative organizations.
AAN’s $200,000 independent expenditure campaign includes broadcast and cable television buys running through the March 15 primary election day in five district media markets as well as digital advertising and GOTV phone calls.
“Our country needs strong leaders - fortunately we have conservatives like John Shimkus willing to step up,” said AAN President Mike Shields. “John Shimkus is willing to take on the tough fights like dismantling Obamacare, protecting gun rights and fighting for conservative values.”
* The governor is holding a media briefing at noon. Click here for the state’s audio and video. Click here for the BlueRoomStream.com video feed. And most definitely follow all that and the Senate today with ScribbleLive…
The evidence is mainly anecdotal at this point, with Democratic ward committeemen reporting more Democratic voters than usual requesting Republican primary ballots this year. City election officials report only a slight uptick to 9 percent GOP primary voters from 6 percent in 2008.
Some Democrats may be taking a Republican ballot for the express purpose of voting against Trump, but I doubt there are many, especially in a year with a contested presidential race and other important contests on the ballot.
I’d actually made the drive out to the 23rd Ward to look into a related phenomena — Democratic voters who never really understood the legal requirement to declare their party until they went to vote for Trump. These voters have been caught off guard to learn that in a primary they can’t have their cake and eat it, too, meaning vote for their state and local Democrats and Trump as well.
When that happens, those angry Trump voters have found one more reason to be angry.
“People are mad because they never realized before they couldn’t vote for who they wanted,” said Larry Thomas, a poll watcher for Jason Gonzales, the Democrat trying to unseat House Speaker Mike Madigan.
Thomas, who is stationed outside the Clearing Library, said he’s been amazed at how many voters were unaware there is no ticket-splitting in a primary.
He said he spoke to three or four voters last week who emerged from the polling place to say they had written in Trump’s name on their Democratic ballot. That’s a vote that won’t count, of course, but if you’re making a statement you’re making a statement.
A jump from 6 to 9 percent may be more significant than I think Mark gives it credit for being.
I was in that district over the weekend and saw a house with a Jason Gonzales sign and a Trump sign. That person will have to decide which race is more important to him.
In a general election, it only gets easier to abandon the Democrats.
Yep.
Ronald Reagan won Madigan’s 13th Ward in both 1980 and 1984.
* Related…
* Trump leads splintered Republican primary field in Illinois: Trump’s lead in Illinois comes despite 42 percent of Republican voters holding an unfavorable opinion of him — far more than the 31 percent of voters who view Cruz unfavorably. Trump is viewed unfavorably by 50 percent of Cook County voters, 49 percent of white suburban women and 47 percent of women voters statewide.
* Clinton holds commanding lead over Sanders in Illinois: Among Democratic voters ages 18 to 35, Sanders had 56 percent to 44 percent for Clinton. But voters ages 36 to 49 broke for Clinton, 51 percent to 43 percent. She also dominated among voters older than 50, with nearly 70 percent of voters favoring Clinton.
* Last week, Gov. Rauner’s education czar Beth Purvis sent a letter to school superintendents to say that the debate over reforming the state’s school aid formula should not “hold up record funding for all schools in Illinois.”
Senate President Cullerton disagrees…
March 7, 2016
Dear Dr. Beth Purvis,
I read with interest your letter to Illinois public school superintendents.
Those superintendents, their teachers, students, parents and taxpayers need to know what the governor’s education budget actually does to their individual school districts. Since you have already calculated that you can fund the outdated foundation level with an additional $55 million in taxpayer resources, then perhaps you have already calculated the individual effects for each school district in Illinois.
Before arguing that the governor’s plan should pass “without delay,” you owe it to superintendents to provide them with information on the effects.
We both know that the governor’s plan will create winners and losers. We would like to know who they are before we vote.
Last year, Illinois Senate Democrats increased school funding by more than a quarter billion dollars – an investment the governor ultimately signed despite the lack of Republican support – and still many of the schools serving the most impoverished students in this state lost millions of dollars in state funding.
It speaks to the fundamental unfairness of our current system. It’s why Senate Democrats are committed to creating a better system that sends resources where they are most needed and can do the most good.
In order for us to do that we need information. Weeks ago, Senate Democrats sent you details regarding a possible alternative formula and asked that you break it down, district by district, so we could study the results and make changes and improvements.
We certainly will not vote for an education budget until we have this information.
Again, this information is vital so that the public can better understand the governor’s budget proposal and we can continue to explore how to overhaul the state’s unfair and outdated school finance system.
Some portion of these claims appear to be based on one contribution Patel received from one donor who also had contributed to Rauner. That individual has also contributed to President Barack Obama and Senator Dick Durbin’s campaigns. “Those who use this one contribution to suggest I am in any way tied to the Governor are knowingly and purposefully trying to mislead the voters,” said Patel. The identity of the “secretive group” the mailers claim Patel is connected with remains unknown.
Patel has received support from hundreds of grassroots small donors, including donors who have also given to people like State Rep. Will Guzzardi (D-39th), members of the Chicago City Council Progressive Caucus, Chuy Garcia and more.
“Sadly, some old-school machine political operatives believe that the best way to win elections is to resort to these untrue attacks. I think it is important to set the record straight, especially when the attacks are totally irresponsible,” said Patel. “I have always been and will continue to be a relentless voice against Gov. Rauner’s failed policy agenda that has done nothing but harm working families and communities. The voters don’t just deserve independent progressive leadership, they deserve honesty.”
* This is about his concealed carry vote, which passed with large bipartisan majorities…
The Father Pfleger quote is pretty powerful, so maybe it’ll work.
* And the AP reports that the state’s attorney is investigating the allegations of Dunkin campaign vote buying…
Sally Daly, a spokeswoman for Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez, said Monday that the office’s election unit is “looking into” a complaint against state Rep. Ken Dunkin of Chicago. The complaint was first lodged by Alderman Pat Dowell, a supporter of Dunkin’s opponent in the Democratic primary who on Sunday released videos that she says were made by “volunteers” who entered a Dunkin campaign office to secretly record the payments. […]
In one video that Dowell released, a man wearing an orange Dunkin hat can be seen handing out cash to people signing papers, while asking at one point if a man had voted. In the other video, a woman outside Dunkin’s office on the city’s South Side tells a person wearing a camera that people at a local library will be paid if they “punch 121.”
Sample ballots for Dunkin’s district show he is listed under 121 in the March 15 primary.
A man can be heard asking, “How much money?” The woman responds, “$50 apiece.”
* Meanwhile, the Chicago Tribune editorial board didn’t even comment on the President’s address to the Illinois General Assembly, but did weigh in on Obama’s Dunkin endorsement today…
So thank you, Mr. President, for helping voters sort out this troublesome race. Now, who are your picks for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District?
So clever.
* They also claimed Dunkin’s opponent “chickened out of a face-to-face endorsement session with her opponent.” The other day, however, the Tribune endorsed US Sen. Mark Kirk. But Kirk also “chickened out” of a face-to-face endorsement session with his opponent…
The Chicago Tribune, the state’s largest newspaper, will not be holding an editorial interview for the top statewide race in the Illinois Republican primary. They say they’ve been unable to work out a time for U.S. Senator Mark Kirk to appear before the board, leaving his GOP challenger James Marter without recourse to get his views to their readership.
The board held an interview for the Democrat Party primary February 8, 2016.
“We couldn’t schedule a time with the other candidate, so we probably aren’t going to do [an editorial board review] in this race.” Elizabeth Greiwe, the editorial board coordinator, told the Marter campaign in an email Friday.
* An Eastern Illinois University student attempted to ask a question of Gov. Bruce Rauner yesterday, but didn’t manage to blurt it out fast enough and the governor made a skillful escape…
Check out this video I took of Governor Rauner refusing to answer an EIU student's question! #FundEIU #FundOurSchools
