So, where do we stand now?
Wednesday, May 31, 2017 - Posted by Rich Miller
* As I write this at 8:25 pm, the House has adjourned until later in June, or the call of the Speaker, whichever comes first. The Senate just reconvened has some concurrence motions it has to deal with…
* SB 1 - School funding reform. This bill passed the House with the bare minimum of 60 votes and just one Republican, Rep. Michael McAuliffe. Background is here. UPDATE: The Senate concurred, 35-22.
* SB 3 - Local government consolidation. Gov. Rauner pulled HGOP votes off this bill, but then put them back on after an amendment was filed. It passed the House with 75 votes. UPDATE: The Senate concurred, 49-3.
* SB 81 - $15 per hour minimum wage. The motion to reconsider the vote has been withdrawn in the House, freeing up the Senate to vote on it tonight if it has the votes. Background is here. UPDATE: The motion to concur passes 30-23-2.
* SB 886 - Sale of the Thompson Center. The House passed the legislation 64-49 today. Background is here UPDATE: The Senate concurred with 35 votes.
* SB 1839 - AT&T bill, 911 tax hike. Despite the governor’s opposition, the bill passed with 81 votes, including 34 House Republicans. Background is here. UPDATE: The motion passed 53-3. Wow.
Other bills awaiting Senate concurrence are here. And you can click here to see all the bills which cleared both chambers today.
* Meanwhile, the Senate Democrats amended the House’s Chicago school board election bill (HB 1774), but apparently put off any floor action until the House left town. Its fate, as they say, is uncertain.
And the Senate approved an online fantasy sports bill, but the House didn’t take any action.
* I’ll update this post as we go along tonight.
- Oops - Wednesday, May 31, 17 @ 8:36 pm:
Sb1839 links is wrong
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, May 31, 17 @ 9:05 pm:
The links work right for me.
- Anon221 - Wednesday, May 31, 17 @ 9:14 pm:
Oops- scroll down to the Amendment on the first link. It’s in there. Don’t get sidetracked by the Coal portion.
- The Captain - Wednesday, May 31, 17 @ 9:24 pm:
So did the Republicans vote for SB 1839 (the AT&T bill) under the assumption that Rauner will AV out the objectionable stuff anyway? That’s kind of what it sounded like.
- Grandson of Man - Wednesday, May 31, 17 @ 9:24 pm:
Congrats to those who worked their tails off to get the minimum wage hike passed out of the GA–especially the people who have been demonstrating and marching for a long time.
- Real - Wednesday, May 31, 17 @ 9:33 pm:
Good on the minimum wage hike vote. They better not try and hold it in the Senate.
- Solo - Wednesday, May 31, 17 @ 9:39 pm:
==- The Captain - Wednesday, May 31, 17 @ 9:24 pm:
So did the Republicans vote for SB 1839 (the AT&T bill) under the assumption that Rauner will AV out the objectionable stuff anyway? That’s kind of what it sounded like.==
My guess is any AV that removes the 9-1-1 increases wouldn’t be possible under the rules on amendatory vetoes.
- Saluki - Wednesday, May 31, 17 @ 9:41 pm:
Hoping for a veto from Rauner on the minimum wage hike. $15 is crazy high. Especially in southern Illinois. I could understand an increase to $10 maybe, but $15 is nearly doubling the rate. Just another death knell for manufacturing and entry level jobs
- Ok - Wednesday, May 31, 17 @ 9:47 pm:
Basically an “up” day for Rauner…
- Honeybear - Wednesday, May 31, 17 @ 9:47 pm:
Super thankful about the 15 minimum wage. I really appreciate it. People don’t realize how important it is for working folk. I thank God that it passed. Yes I know it will be vetoed but I am thankful for its passage. Working folk need everything we can do for them. Nothing less for our neighbors.
- Honeybear - Wednesday, May 31, 17 @ 10:02 pm:
Where we stand is that the state is ruined.
- Thoughts Matter - Wednesday, May 31, 17 @ 10:19 pm:
What’s the best guess as to which of these bills the governor will actually sign?
- OurMagician - Wednesday, May 31, 17 @ 10:24 pm:
Kyle McCarter and Daniel Biss were 2 of the 3 no’s on 1839. Always interesting to see strange bedfellows on things.
$15 is too much, there will be fewer jobs and more automation. The higher the wage, the more encouragement for business to automate the lower paying jobs. $10-$12 would be a better target range.
- RNUG - Wednesday, May 31, 17 @ 10:42 pm:
Are we finally seeing the GA starting to box Rauner in on a few items?
Going to be interesting to see what bills Rauner vetoes and what he signs.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 31, 17 @ 10:54 pm:
===Going to be interesting to see what bills Rauner vetoes and what he signs.===
Ball game. That’s what all this is going to be about now, especially after today’s pressers.
How does Rauner wavy to use his vetoes to make statements and frame himself as petitions are mere months away.
- LINK - Wednesday, May 31, 17 @ 10:55 pm:
Thanks Rich for all your dedication and insight to keep us Noobs updated and informed.
Suck-up over….
- Ed Higher - Wednesday, May 31, 17 @ 11:07 pm:
It’s been an honor serving with you, sir (salutes crisply as ocean engulfs the ship).
- DuPage Bard - Thursday, Jun 1, 17 @ 1:14 am:
Watch he signs half of what he had the GOP vote against. Claim them as victories then silently vetoes other bills to make a point.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Jun 1, 17 @ 8:35 am:
OurMagician—You are 100% correct. Business people are always smarter and more resourceful and innovative than politicians. Always.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jun 1, 17 @ 8:39 am:
===Business people are always smarter and more resourceful and innovative than politicians. Always.===
Donald… Trump?
Hmm.
- RNUG - Thursday, Jun 1, 17 @ 8:50 am:
== Business people are always smarter and more resourceful and innovative than politicians. Always. ==
So why has the current Governor been involved in so many lawsuits over his various government actions that he has lost?
It takes a certain amount of smarts to stay on the right side of the line when cutting deals in government … and I’m not sure Rauner has that skill set.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Jun 1, 17 @ 9:06 am:
Osewgo, what national politicians are smarter in business than Trump? Durbin? Schumer? Maxine Waters? Who?
RNUG, in business, Rauner is smarter and more resourceful than any IL politician. If we are talking about minimum wage here and how business people will pivot, I’ll lay the money on biz people figuring out a way.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jun 1, 17 @ 9:09 am:
” - Anonymous - ”
I’m sorry, I was just mocking your silliness. I’ll let my comment stand, thanks.
Pick a name, then maybe we can discuss your ridiculous follow up.
Thank you.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Jun 1, 17 @ 9:15 am:
=RNUG, in business, Rauner is smarter and more resourceful than any IL politician.=
I’ll give you that, but the state of Illinois doesn’t need a CEO, it needs a governor. Two different job descriptions.
- Pundent - Thursday, Jun 1, 17 @ 9:16 am:
Sorry, 9:15 was me.
- Grandson of Man - Thursday, Jun 1, 17 @ 9:22 am:
“Business people are always smarter and more resourceful and innovative than politicians. Always.”
Not Rauner. His “per capita” performance as governor–for the limited time he’s been in office–has to be among the worst if not the worst in Illinois history. Imagine 30 years of Raunerism. It’s hard to imagine how bad the state will be with just a few more years of him, let alone many years.
- Blago's Hare - Thursday, Jun 1, 17 @ 9:23 am:
While business people may be smarter in the business world, they, most of the time, fail miserably in the political world due to the very strengths that get them ahead in the business world. They have trouble playing well with others. Our state and nation need leaders who have the unique ability to govern with common sense and compassion and fiscal responsibility. That is a very unique set of skills that few have, therefore we have the mess we have.
- Grandson of Man - Thursday, Jun 1, 17 @ 9:35 am:
To me a person’s occupation and wealth don’t matter if he or she is a capable and fair public servant. Not all businesspeople are alike. Rauner in particular hates so many of his clients who’ve helped enrich him over many years in the public pension business, unionized public employees. He’s a backstabbing hypocrite, slamming the so-called corrupt system yet profiting off of it.
- Saluki - Thursday, Jun 1, 17 @ 9:36 am:
As with most things, there is no hard and fast rule about business people making good or bad politicians. Generally business people are hard workers, goal oriented and natural leaders. However in business you have all the control, but also all the risk. You call the shots, and if that does not go well, then you go out of business. In Government, the risk is shared among many, and so is the control. This makes a person have to understand that their principles can only be advanced to the degree that they don’t conflict with the principles of others. Rauner does not understand that, or care to.
- Happy Happy Happy - Thursday, Jun 1, 17 @ 9:37 am:
So no budget– big shocker there!! AND for those of you that are just thrilled about the $15 minimum wage hike- understand that if it gets signed, ALL prices go up. Get it?? McDonald’s should not be a career path!!! Just insane to pay that much for minimum wage. And the “working folk” comment is total crap!!
- Mongo - Thursday, Jun 1, 17 @ 9:47 am:
Grandson of Man, you hit a key point. A true servant to the public. That’s what makes a good elected official. I won’t use the word politician. And BVR has shown all his career that he is not interested in being a servant to the public. His CEO mentality, noted by others this morning, makes it difficult if not impossible for him to work well with others. He lies, obstructs, and misdirects to get what he wants. Anon 906 a.m., Rauner might indeed be smarter, although an argument can be made that he has shown no evidence to support that statement, but he applies his smarts incorrectly. He cannot be a savior. He can be a Governor, but he has chosen not to be that and the harm he is causing will be legendary.
Jaysus, where are Jim Thompson and Phil Rock when we need (someone like) them! And, yes, I know where both of them are…
- Anonymous - Thursday, Jun 1, 17 @ 9:55 am:
Grandson, why don’t you take a shot at MJM. You know, the guy who has been in office since 1971.
If you want to lay blame, start with the guy who has been a key figure forever.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Jun 1, 17 @ 6:24 pm:
–Business people are always smarter and more resourceful and innovative than politicians. Always.–
It’s truly amazing how in just 2.5 years the governor has tripled the backlog of bills, laid social services to waste, bled public higher education and has the state on the brink of historic junk status.
Those are some mad business skills.