* The background is here. From House Republican Leader Jim Durkin…
“This announcement strikes a very familiar tone, one that should bring great caution to the public especially as we enter the final weeks of the legislative session. Two years ago, these same Democrats ‘engaged’ in working group discussions on these very issues only to walk away from the table to pass a budget that was more than $4 billion out of balance. Last year they once again ‘engaged’ with Republicans on these issues only to walk away and pass a budget that was $7 billion out of balance. The fact is, Democrats have a history of creating these working groups in an attempt to waste time and obfuscate from their record of more than 20 years of reckless spending and failed policies. As I’ve said repeatedly, we are willing to negotiate with Democrats to bring an end to this impasse, but that only works when both sides respect the priorities of the other side. We remain willing and ready to negotiate and compromise, but time is running out.”
From what I’ve been told, I don’t think the governor’s office will directly respond to Madigan’s offer, but one never knows for sure about such things.
*** UPDATE *** From Senate GOP Leader Christine Radogno…
“I see Speaker Madigan’s comments today as a ploy, typical of his pattern of behavior. It is clearly a political reaction to the progress being made in the Senate and our good faith efforts to reach a comprehensive solution. We continue to work on significant reforms coupled with a balanced budget. I’m still hopeful we can be successful with legislation in the Senate that can be sent to the House for consideration. The problem is solvable if there is the political will to do it.”
- Saluki - Monday, May 8, 17 @ 3:24 pm:
What is gained by issuing a response press release?
- Oswego Willy - Monday, May 8, 17 @ 3:33 pm:
===Democrats ‘engaged’ in working group discussions on these very issues only to walk away from the table to pass a budget that was more than $4 billion out of balance.===
But didn’t Rauner at one point sign a stopgap that was worse than any budget with its deficit?
Oh Leader Durkin,
I’d be more worried Rauner will sign a possible stopgap again, far worse than any budget, lol
===The fact is, Democrats have a history of creating these working groups in an attempt to waste time and obfuscate from their record of more than 20 years of reckless spending and failed policies.===
Leader Durkin forgets…
As a Republican, Jim Durkin chaired a committee for Speaker Madigan, within the last 20 years, making Durkin himself a leader, by committee chairmanship, to the problems he, Leader Durkin, is wringing his hands about. Comically sad, actually.
The rest isn’t too bad, but the ignorance of those two grabs might be from people lacking institutional knowledge.
- RNUG - Monday, May 8, 17 @ 3:33 pm:
== What is gained by issuing a response press release? ==
Providing cover in advance of blowing up the deal by insisting on non-budget items.
- Annonin' - Monday, May 8, 17 @ 3:41 pm:
Durkie might want to recall in 2016 when Madigan created the stopgap budget workin’ group colleges and universities SDopeyDuct was force to spend an extra $400 million.
- Reality Check - Monday, May 8, 17 @ 3:42 pm:
“when both sides respect the priorities of the other side” - Durkin
Let me feed that through the translator.
“When the Democrats give Rauner his way on spending cuts, pension cuts, workers comp cuts and property tax freeze, and allow us Republicans to decide that what Democrats ‘want’ in return is to provide most of the votes for a tax hike.” - Durkin, really
- Anonymous - Monday, May 8, 17 @ 3:58 pm:
Durkin is doing Rauner’s lip service. He as well as Rauner need to go away.
- WWGD - Monday, May 8, 17 @ 4:08 pm:
We Need A Budget. Stop Playing with people’s lives. The worst Gov. in history. No budget for 3 years and he is trying to be the Gov. for another term.
- Just Me - Monday, May 8, 17 @ 4:17 pm:
When was the last time Speaker Madigan’s working group approach actually worked?
- Louis G. Atsaves - Monday, May 8, 17 @ 4:19 pm:
Suddenly, the end of the legislative session approaches and there is a glimmer, a dim hope of some form of cooperation coming out of the House Democrats, who have previously bragged about giving the Governor “nothing” while some of the neediest in this State suffer. They’ve sung this song before, and it always ended on a sour note.
Last summer during the State fair, the Speaker of the House bragged about giving the Governor “no wins.” SInce then? “No wins.”
How is that working out for the State of Illinois and its residents? One man wants to make some changes, the other resists everything and fights to keep the status quo.
My impression: Lucy with the football, meet Charlie Brown. Year three. In 40 years of that comic strip, Lucy never allowed Charlie to kick the ball.
Illinois. The laughing stock of the nation.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, May 8, 17 @ 4:21 pm:
If you read Leader Radogno avid compare it to Leader Durkin, you see why Leader Radogno is actually a leader, and where Leader Durkin is just another talking head for the Rauner talking points.
Leader Durkin is much better than this. He needs to more like Leader Radogno…
- me - Monday, May 8, 17 @ 4:21 pm:
When did Illinois become an unicameral legislature? Madigan is the Speaker. He has every right to be involved.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, May 8, 17 @ 4:23 pm:
===My impression: Lucy with the football, meet Charlie Brown. Year three. In 40 years of that comic strip, Lucy never allowed Charlie to kick the ball.
Illinois. The laughing stock of the nation.===
So - Louis G Atsaves -
Rauner will blow up the Grand Bargain again or just veto everything but a sliver to pay K-12?
Rauner pulling the football is just so tiring….
- Lucky Pierre - Monday, May 8, 17 @ 4:38 pm:
as is your defense of the Speaker who has bragged about no wins for the Governor despite pledging to “work cooperatively and professionally with the Governor to solve the #1 problem facing the state of Illinois the budget deficit”
If you can explain how the math of labor getting everything they are asking for including no pension legislation and Illinois cutting its budget I would love to hear it
- Anonymous - Monday, May 8, 17 @ 4:54 pm:
Maybe Jim Edgar should broker the deal. He thinks Rauner is competent, he feels Madigan is not the problem, he knows both guys.
How about it Jim?
- Fixer - Monday, May 8, 17 @ 4:56 pm:
LP, having seen what labor is requesting, I’m not seeing anything that’s nearly as outrageous as the governor’s demand of removing subcontracting language that is helping to save the state money from the contract.
But please, show me.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, May 8, 17 @ 4:57 pm:
===… as is your defense of the Speaker===
Calling out Rauner, Durkin, or Radogno isn’t defending the Speaker.
This is so tiring with you. It’s always Rauner or nothing.
===… who has bragged about no wins for the Governor despite pledging to “work cooperatively and professionally with the Governor to solve the #1 problem facing the state of Illinois the budget deficit”===
Then why aren’t you focused on the Senate? Why the concern about Madigan if you can box Madigan with a Senate deal.
Your disingenuous arguments have little merit to solutions unless “because Madigan”
===If you can explain how the math of labor getting everything they are asking for including no pension legislation and Illinois cutting its budget I would love to hear it===
If Rauner can get 60, mathematically and 30 mathematically, then you’d have an argument.
There’s your math argument.
Questions?
- wordslinger - Monday, May 8, 17 @ 5:09 pm:
Louis Atsaves, wha’ happened?
I’m concerned that you’re pretending to almost know what’s going on like an objective citizen, beyond your outrageous conflict of interest that allows you to make a go of it in Lake Forest.
No worries, check’s in the mail, superstar, one way or the other.
Lucky Pierre, as someone who celebrates giving it hard and taking it hard at the same time (not even Milo claims that), what’s your beef here?
- Anon221 - Monday, May 8, 17 @ 5:18 pm:
Radogno- “The problem is solvable if there is the political will to do it.”
Agreed. If Rauner plays move the goal posts once again, then the ILGA, both parties, needs to be prepared to work together and around Rauner. If Madigan throws wrenches, then work around him, too. But my bet is on Rauner because of his constant campaignin’. If it comes down to term limits or permanent property tax freeze or workers comp (unreasonable) reforms, then Rauner will be sending a message loud and clear to the GA- “It’ll never be enough.” Then, overrides will have to be done in a bipartisanship way. We simply cannot wait until after 2018. And if it takes doing the state equivalent of CRs, then do it.
- wordslinger - Monday, May 8, 17 @ 6:32 pm:
The state’s infrastructure across all categories is being bled to death.
We, today, are going to leave it much worse than what was left by those before us.
Give that a think.
To some, that’s bad. To some, that’s the goal.
Pick a side. It ain’t an “either/or.” That’s a copout.
- DuPage Dave - Monday, May 8, 17 @ 7:21 pm:
In this as in so many other situations, it is important to remember that Rauner remains a complete and utter disappointment.
- Bigly troubled - Monday, May 8, 17 @ 7:29 pm:
It’s official, Radogno and Durkin have spoken for “Governor Job Creators” in very straight forward language, if Madigan wants input in the budget process the answer is NO! Governor Rauner will never ever see a budget passed.
- peon - Monday, May 8, 17 @ 8:25 pm:
It’s clear IL politicians don’t think much of the voters, but do they have to make their contempt for our intelligence so clear ?
People all over the world sacrifice their lives for democracy. These people have to pass a simple budget. These statements are embarrassing (for them and us).
- XDNR - Monday, May 8, 17 @ 8:48 pm:
Durkin, “As I’ve said repeatedly, we are willing to negotiate with Democrats to bring an end to this impasse, but that only works when both sides respect the priorities of the other side. We remain willing and ready to negotiate and compromise, but time is running out.” Unfortunately Rauner thru his words and actions cannot be trusted by either side.
Radogno, “The problem is solvable if there is a political will to do it”. Rauner has not demonstrated again by his words and actions that he has the political will to own the cuts and tax increase required to resolve the impass.
I trust the GA given the ever mounting urgency will reach a budget solution before the end of the spring session, but Rauner is the wildcard, it is up to him?
- VanillaMan - Monday, May 8, 17 @ 9:31 pm:
Rauner doesn’t want anyone to win, he wants everyone to lose, making him look like a winner.
It’s how to be a persistent rascal.
- Arthur Andersen - Monday, May 8, 17 @ 10:31 pm:
word, you owe me a shot of good Scotch. That Milo comment caught me by surprise and I spit sauce everywhere.
- Just Me - Tuesday, May 9, 17 @ 12:10 am:
The Senate should just pass its grand bargain and budget and adjourn, perhaps even adjourn sine die.