* Gov. Rauner was asked yesterday about the sharp criticism from Mayor Emanuel over the governor’s veto of a bill to change the pension payment ramp to put off higher payments into the future, which Rauner claims would cost the city billions of dollars more in the long run. Rauner had been open to the bill, but only if it was coupled with some of his economic and fiscal reforms. Those obviously haven’t come to fruition…
That didn’t stop Rauner from flatly describing the bill as “terrible policy” Sunday when he met with reporters. He also said it is “false,” “wrong” and “misleading” to suggest the bill would have saved Chicago $843 million over five years. Rather, he said Emanuel would have been allowed to “skip” payments and borrow from the pension funds.
“What Chicago has been doing for decades, and it’s the reason they’re so financially — they’re on the verge of bankruptcy as a city and as a school district — is because they’ve been borrowing to fund operations. And that’s what the mayor is doing by delaying these pension payments. He hasn’t done any real reforms.”
Rauner then added: “If the mayor wants to get upset that he can’t borrow more to fund operations, what he ought to be doing is being down here in Springfield, advocating for reforms for his city.”
Emanuel spokesman Adam Collins called it “kind of a bizarre comment.”
“Mayor Emanuel has passed more significant legislation in Springfield over the past year and a half than the governor has,” Collins said in an email. “Whatever spin the governor wants to put on it, the fact is he has been hypocritical on police and fire pensions. He was literally for the plan before he was against it.”
*** UPDATE 1 *** The bill fell far short of a super majority in the House, so Charles is right…
*** UPDATE 2 *** Press releases…
Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7 President Dean Angelo and Chicago Firefighters Union Local 2 President Tom Ryan issued the following statement after the Illinois state Senate voted to override Governor Rauner’s veto of Senate Bill 777.
“On behalf of thousands of active and retired Fire Fighters and Police Officers, and on behalf of the millions of Chicago taxpayers, we wish to thank the members of the state Senate for overriding Governor Rauner’s veto. Senate Bill 777 reflects months of negotiation between our Fire and Police unions and the city of Chicago, through which we came together on an agreement to solve a decades-old pension problem, an excellent example of local control at it’s best.”
- DuPage Dave - Monday, May 30, 16 @ 9:15 am:
So Emanuel won’t be invited to the next cookout at the Montana ranch?
As my Grandma would have said “Those two deserve each other.”
- Oswego Willy - Monday, May 30, 16 @ 9:19 am:
Rauner is the type, personally, is a “100% with me, or you better be… 100% with me”
Vetoes are owned by Governors. Blame Rahm all he wants, but a Veto without another way to give guidance to signature besides ridiculous immeasurable “reforms” doesn’t count.
- Anony - Monday, May 30, 16 @ 9:52 am:
Willy, good to see you at your post on this holiday morning. Happy Memorial Day to you and all. Rahm’s problems go far beyond funding issues - I wouldn’t want to be in his shoes. Regarding the “savings” in the bill, surely you can’t be advocating the further delay in funding pensions in the city?
- Big Muddy - Monday, May 30, 16 @ 9:58 am:
Rham = Bite me.
Rauner = Bite me.
Madigan = Bite me.
Cullerton = What’s going on guys?!
Wonderful leadership we have in this state.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, May 30, 16 @ 9:59 am:
- Anony -
Happy Memorial Day to you, and to all as well…
The reality is “Chicago” and Rahm need to realize they need to raise revenue on their own and look at where being responsible and being honest meet.
- From the 'Dale to HP - Monday, May 30, 16 @ 10:05 am:
Rauner’s right on this one. Rahm will get the political win because most everyone in Chicago can’t stand the governor, but facts are on Rauner’s side. But classic Rahm: win the battle, lose the war.
- Anony - Monday, May 30, 16 @ 10:16 am:
Willy - fully agree on Chicago.
- Anony - Monday, May 30, 16 @ 10:17 am:
Muddy - chuckled out loud at that. Well (and succinctly) stated.
- Anonymous - Monday, May 30, 16 @ 11:59 am:
I wonder if Rahm wishes he had the money from video poker machines now. Or is still holding out for the casino that will never come was still a good plan.
- Gr8dane - Monday, May 30, 16 @ 3:52 pm:
In reference to the 37.5 hour work week–We state employees only get paid twice per month and not every other week. Therefore, yes, the “week” consists of 37.5 hours, but the pay period is more than 10 days (on average). A pay period is 81.25 hours (average out the year) and not 75 or even 80 hours. So, if we should go to 40 hours per week, we should then get paid every other week.
- Gr8dane - Monday, May 30, 16 @ 3:55 pm:
Sorry, I put my comment under the wrong post.
- Norseman - Monday, May 30, 16 @ 5:24 pm:
Looks like 1 for Rahm!
- Railrat - Monday, May 30, 16 @ 6:24 pm:
I’m sorry can’t take this anymore! How many Chicago PFD members on off days do “scab” construction work (work of the IBEW Carpenters Painters Cement Mason Plumbers ) ? And if any of you RINOS and Dems argue you either are disillusioned or lack reality ! So maybe it is time for some reform ?! Or maybe something for nothing is the Illinois way ?
- Coach - Monday, May 30, 16 @ 6:51 pm:
Huge defeat for the Governor as both the Senate and now the House has override the Gov. Veto!