More squeezing the beast, as per the unspoken-but-clear plan.
The $700 million approp. to partially pay for state-contracted social services that passed both chambers by nearly unanimous bipartisan votes remains unsigned on the governor’s desk.
I understand that the budget needs to be passed by the end of May for it to be passed by a majority, but in reality it if the parties come to an agreement would there be enough votes to pass it after May 31st. I understand some will not vote for tax increase but after the 31st everyone will know they if they have an opponent for Fall.
I don’t know they number of really contested races to do the math so maybe the number is too high.
“What would heightened chaos in Rauner’s world look like?”
Losing actual money for his investors.
- Echo The Bunnyman - Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 9:16 am:
OW +1 But any member on both sides of the aisle -1,000,000 including but NOT just the Governor. By many comments here, you would think the Governor has been in control or influence for 40 years… Oh wait, we have someone that fit’s that description. As voters and residents, we need to look in the mirror. The reason dysfunction rules in Illinois is because if our comments are an indication, we are being hyper partisan. Why would our politicians continue the course. It works gang. It gets them elected… Change starts with the individual. Personally, I reserve blame for all of us. That we even are this close to going another year without a budget, is as many others including Don Henley said in an old song “You get the Government you deserve”. Anyone name the tune?
===By many comments here, you would think the Governor has been in control or influence for 40 years… Oh wait, we have someone that fit’s that description.===
Ugh.
Madigan voted for social services for the past 839 years he’s been in the General Assembly.
Rauner vetoed a budget, and Rauner has yet to have a budget he proposed to BE balanced.
If you’d like I’ll send you a “Fire Madigan” catalog…
When you’re ready to join us in the purposeful crisis that Ron Sandack has been cheering for, for Bruce Rauner, we’ll all be right here.
- Echo The Bunnyman - Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 9:24 am:
Mr. Whipple… I understand and feel bad for your situation that many of us find ourselves in. The only point I hope we can all look at is, all of the years both sides funded beyond our means for everything are guilty. I just don’t think this is as simple as blaming the guy in one of the chairs when the music stops. This group of our elected officials are not responsible for all of our problems. BUT they are at this time in history, responsible to help fix it. That’s the difference. Again, sorry for you and so many others of us that are in this position. But, we need solutions not blame.
===I just don’t think this is as simple as blaming the guy in one of the chairs when the music stops. This group of our elected officials are not responsible for all of our problems.===
Please pay attention to the willful destruction of social services and higher ed… Framed by the Sandak tweet.
Rauner is the first governor since 1856 to not provide a dime to higher education. Purposely.
In 1856 no dimes were allocated for higher education because Illinois did t have higher ed.
Rauner wants Illinois to go back to 1856.
Rauner vetoed the FY2016 budget, Rauner owns the heightened chaos, by choice.
Right, Rep. Sandack? Exactly right.
- Echo The Bunnyman - Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 9:34 am:
OW I actually believe Madigan is part of the problem, but more importantly part of the solution. It’s too easy to blame. I view his years of experience as an asset. He more than anyone maybe, knows that we have spent more than we have. I also think he with the Governor can agree to raise taxes and make some cuts. I have to hope. Right now, it’s all we have. Thanks for calling out the cheap shot, it’s not what I meant.
===I also think he with the Governor can agree to raise taxes and make some cuts.===
Revenue is required, not a give in a negotiation.
Read again. Revenue is required. It’s not a bargaining chip for cuts, labor decimation, workmen’s comp.
Revenue IS required. Period.
- Echo The Bunnyman - Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 9:39 am:
OW… I am simply pointing out the Math. I think we can blame the Governor or we can seek to see both sides of the argument. I may be too simple but could it be that these cuts were made to make folks aware that we don’t have the money? If you don’t have it, you can’t give it. I feel Mr. Whipples pain every time I go to a doctor with my State medical insurance and must pay cash because they are many months behind to pay the doctors that can’t stay independent and wait almost a year for their money. Blame is not reserved going back a mere 18 months.
- Springfieldish - Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 9:48 am:
Echo - The quote is a bastardization of a quote by Joseph de Maistre - “Every nation gets the government it deserves.”
The Henley song was ‘A month of Sundays.’
- Echo The Bunnyman - Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 9:49 am:
Revenue is required. Period. But so is the concept of state workers bargaining as a union that with revenue without cuts we don’t get ahead. Pain is part of the process for years of over spending. I am hoping both sides can agree.
- Echo The Bunnyman - Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 9:55 am:
Springfieldish…Ding Ding! Great tune and had to listen yesterday after reading so many comments!
- Echo The Bunnyman - Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 9:58 am:
===But so is the concept of state workers bargaining as a union that with revenue without cuts we don’t get ahead.===
State workers make too much money?
- Echo The Bunnyman - Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 10:01 am:
OW… No they don’t.. I was, I know first hand how hard it was to try and use my insurance. I know what it’s like to have bill collectors call because I paid my monthly premium and co-pay. But the state not paying their share. I actually enjoyed the work and believed in it. But, I also know the realities that I faced and the State does.
The purposeful decimation being done by Rauner by choosing to veto a budget, and then costing the state more money without a budget than signing that unbalanced budget.
None of this is by accident.
You can “fire Madigan” all you want, and read McKinney on the pensions and budget. But what is happening right now… Even Ron Sandack is letting us all know it’s purposeful, and you can be frustrated, but…
Vetoes have consequences.
- Echo The Bunnyman - Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 10:16 am:
OW… Signing a budget that is unbalanced does not help our situation either. Period. Ever look at the TRS obligation? Do you think the “plan” is to continue to unfund it because there is no hope of funding it and asking for a federal bailout or US supreme court to decide if a state can be obligated by a state constitution provision that has no mathematical chance of funding? I may be wearing a tin foil hat, but I can do simple math and the cuts and revenue required for just that fund is beyond our appetite for cuts and revenue…
The greater the chaos in Springfield, the longer Rauner can continue bleeding jobs.
Is this six or seven straight months of rising unemployment and declining manufacturing jobs?
- Last Bull Moose - Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 10:59 am:
Governor Rauner could have used the line item veto to produce a balanced budget. He chose not to do so. Yes, the cuts would have been deep and unpopular.
I am not sure what happens if a budget is passed and signed that does not provide the level of service required by the courts. Federal judges have great power to enforce their rulings.
OW “None of this is by accident.” It’s been no accident that there have been year after year (decade after decade) of unbalanced budgets, which shouldn’t have been signed. Not to mention the highly intelligent “pension holiday” years, which once again, should have never happened.
- Dr X - Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 8:39 am:
Manufactured heightened chaos. I fixed it.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 8:43 am:
That should make Ron Sandack the happiest man in all Illinois Government. Chaos creates more leverage?
@RonSandack: I’m frustrated 2, but taking steps towards reforming IL more important than short term budget stalemate. - Ron Sandack, 9/28/15
Rep. Sandack thinks… reform is more important than a budget, so…
… “Heightened chaos”, does that frustrate Rep. Sandack more, or just more resolved that reform is just more important than people?
- AC - Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 8:48 am:
Is it insanity, if you try the same thing over and over again, expecting the same result?
- Mister Whipple - Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 8:51 am:
In my (non profit organization) world, “heightened chaos” means I will be firing people and closing some programs.
But I guess you have to break a few eggs to make an omelet, right Bruce? Isn’t that how you do it in your world?
- Wensicia - Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 8:57 am:
Does heightened chaos mean we’re going from short term pain to long term pain?
- wordslinger - Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 8:57 am:
More squeezing the beast, as per the unspoken-but-clear plan.
The $700 million approp. to partially pay for state-contracted social services that passed both chambers by nearly unanimous bipartisan votes remains unsigned on the governor’s desk.
Pay attention to actions, not words.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 8:59 am:
- Mister Whipple -
With respect and actual real sympathy to your plight, please not it was…
Representative Ron Sandack
… that is using “heightened chaos”, not the governor.
- Some Guy - Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 9:05 am:
I understand that the budget needs to be passed by the end of May for it to be passed by a majority, but in reality it if the parties come to an agreement would there be enough votes to pass it after May 31st. I understand some will not vote for tax increase but after the 31st everyone will know they if they have an opponent for Fall.
I don’t know they number of really contested races to do the math so maybe the number is too high.
- JS Mill - Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 9:06 am:
What would heightened chaos in Rauner’s world look like?
- Huh? - Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 9:13 am:
“What would heightened chaos in Rauner’s world look like?”
Losing actual money for his investors.
- Echo The Bunnyman - Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 9:16 am:
OW +1 But any member on both sides of the aisle -1,000,000 including but NOT just the Governor. By many comments here, you would think the Governor has been in control or influence for 40 years… Oh wait, we have someone that fit’s that description. As voters and residents, we need to look in the mirror. The reason dysfunction rules in Illinois is because if our comments are an indication, we are being hyper partisan. Why would our politicians continue the course. It works gang. It gets them elected… Change starts with the individual. Personally, I reserve blame for all of us. That we even are this close to going another year without a budget, is as many others including Don Henley said in an old song “You get the Government you deserve”. Anyone name the tune?
- Sir Reel - Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 9:17 am:
And the difference between chaos and heightened chaos is? And the public opinion of the General Assembly drops another point.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 9:21 am:
===By many comments here, you would think the Governor has been in control or influence for 40 years… Oh wait, we have someone that fit’s that description.===
Ugh.
Madigan voted for social services for the past 839 years he’s been in the General Assembly.
Rauner vetoed a budget, and Rauner has yet to have a budget he proposed to BE balanced.
If you’d like I’ll send you a “Fire Madigan” catalog…
When you’re ready to join us in the purposeful crisis that Ron Sandack has been cheering for, for Bruce Rauner, we’ll all be right here.
- Echo The Bunnyman - Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 9:24 am:
Mr. Whipple… I understand and feel bad for your situation that many of us find ourselves in. The only point I hope we can all look at is, all of the years both sides funded beyond our means for everything are guilty. I just don’t think this is as simple as blaming the guy in one of the chairs when the music stops. This group of our elected officials are not responsible for all of our problems. BUT they are at this time in history, responsible to help fix it. That’s the difference. Again, sorry for you and so many others of us that are in this position. But, we need solutions not blame.
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 9:27 am:
“Heightened Chaos” would be a great handle. Or a good name for a rock band.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 9:32 am:
===I just don’t think this is as simple as blaming the guy in one of the chairs when the music stops. This group of our elected officials are not responsible for all of our problems.===
Please pay attention to the willful destruction of social services and higher ed… Framed by the Sandak tweet.
Rauner is the first governor since 1856 to not provide a dime to higher education. Purposely.
In 1856 no dimes were allocated for higher education because Illinois did t have higher ed.
Rauner wants Illinois to go back to 1856.
Rauner vetoed the FY2016 budget, Rauner owns the heightened chaos, by choice.
Right, Rep. Sandack? Exactly right.
- Echo The Bunnyman - Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 9:34 am:
OW I actually believe Madigan is part of the problem, but more importantly part of the solution. It’s too easy to blame. I view his years of experience as an asset. He more than anyone maybe, knows that we have spent more than we have. I also think he with the Governor can agree to raise taxes and make some cuts. I have to hope. Right now, it’s all we have. Thanks for calling out the cheap shot, it’s not what I meant.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 9:34 am:
The way things are going, I think we’re going to be moving from Heightened Chaos to Total Chaos.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 9:38 am:
===I also think he with the Governor can agree to raise taxes and make some cuts.===
Revenue is required, not a give in a negotiation.
Read again. Revenue is required. It’s not a bargaining chip for cuts, labor decimation, workmen’s comp.
Revenue IS required. Period.
- Echo The Bunnyman - Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 9:39 am:
OW… I am simply pointing out the Math. I think we can blame the Governor or we can seek to see both sides of the argument. I may be too simple but could it be that these cuts were made to make folks aware that we don’t have the money? If you don’t have it, you can’t give it. I feel Mr. Whipples pain every time I go to a doctor with my State medical insurance and must pay cash because they are many months behind to pay the doctors that can’t stay independent and wait almost a year for their money. Blame is not reserved going back a mere 18 months.
- Springfieldish - Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 9:48 am:
Echo - The quote is a bastardization of a quote by Joseph de Maistre - “Every nation gets the government it deserves.”
The Henley song was ‘A month of Sundays.’
- Echo The Bunnyman - Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 9:49 am:
Revenue is required. Period. But so is the concept of state workers bargaining as a union that with revenue without cuts we don’t get ahead. Pain is part of the process for years of over spending. I am hoping both sides can agree.
- Echo The Bunnyman - Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 9:55 am:
Springfieldish…Ding Ding! Great tune and had to listen yesterday after reading so many comments!
- Echo The Bunnyman - Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 9:58 am:
https://youtu.be/T4Ko3SMSAgY
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 9:58 am:
===But so is the concept of state workers bargaining as a union that with revenue without cuts we don’t get ahead.===
State workers make too much money?
- Echo The Bunnyman - Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 10:01 am:
OW… No they don’t.. I was, I know first hand how hard it was to try and use my insurance. I know what it’s like to have bill collectors call because I paid my monthly premium and co-pay. But the state not paying their share. I actually enjoyed the work and believed in it. But, I also know the realities that I faced and the State does.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 10:07 am:
- Echo The Bunnyman -,
With great respect.
The purposeful decimation being done by Rauner by choosing to veto a budget, and then costing the state more money without a budget than signing that unbalanced budget.
None of this is by accident.
You can “fire Madigan” all you want, and read McKinney on the pensions and budget. But what is happening right now… Even Ron Sandack is letting us all know it’s purposeful, and you can be frustrated, but…
Vetoes have consequences.
- Echo The Bunnyman - Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 10:16 am:
OW… Signing a budget that is unbalanced does not help our situation either. Period. Ever look at the TRS obligation? Do you think the “plan” is to continue to unfund it because there is no hope of funding it and asking for a federal bailout or US supreme court to decide if a state can be obligated by a state constitution provision that has no mathematical chance of funding? I may be wearing a tin foil hat, but I can do simple math and the cuts and revenue required for just that fund is beyond our appetite for cuts and revenue…
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 10:30 am:
===Signing a budget that is unbalanced does not help our situation either.===
Illinois would be at least $2 billion to the better, and growing. That IS better.
Good luck.
- Juvenal - Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 10:40 am:
The greater the chaos in Springfield, the longer Rauner can continue bleeding jobs.
Is this six or seven straight months of rising unemployment and declining manufacturing jobs?
- Last Bull Moose - Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 10:59 am:
Governor Rauner could have used the line item veto to produce a balanced budget. He chose not to do so. Yes, the cuts would have been deep and unpopular.
I am not sure what happens if a budget is passed and signed that does not provide the level of service required by the courts. Federal judges have great power to enforce their rulings.
- Whatever - Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 11:46 am:
“The governor and general assembly not here to heighten chaos, they’re here to preserve chaos.”
- Michael Westen - Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 12:17 pm:
But it is ok because the sun will still rise in the morning, right Sandack?
- Observer - Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 3:14 pm:
OW “None of this is by accident.” It’s been no accident that there have been year after year (decade after decade) of unbalanced budgets, which shouldn’t have been signed. Not to mention the highly intelligent “pension holiday” years, which once again, should have never happened.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 3:21 pm:
- Observer -
Read McKinney.
Read McKinney in Crain’s, the single work, the primer on the past pension and budget issues…
Then get back to me.
When you read it, see how often Republicans take heat, and notice Madigan isn’t a hero in this mess either.
What’s going on today is purposeful to hurt innocent people.
If you can’t see how both are different, I know I can’t help you.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 9:37 pm:
== Ever look at the TRS obligation? Do you think the “plan” is to continue to unfund it because there is no hope of funding it … ==
It was being funded just fine (and the bill backlog being paid down) under Quinn / until the temporary income tax was allowed to expire.
The problem is not a lack of state wealth; it is a failure of political will to properly tax said wealth.
- RNUG - Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 9:38 pm:
Darn .. me again at 9:37pm