* Press release…
One day after House and Senate Republicans unveiled a compromise balanced budget plan to end the budget impasse, Governor Bruce Rauner today called lawmakers back to Springfield for a 10-day special session from Wednesday, June 21st through the June 30th fiscal year deadline.
“Republicans in the General Assembly have laid out a compromise budget plan that I can sign,” Governor Rauner said in a video announcing special session. “It provides a true path to property tax reduction and it reforms the way our state operates to reduce wasteful spending. It will fund our schools and human services, while spurring economic growth and job creation. It is a true compromise – and one I hope the majority in the General Assembly will accept.”
For two weeks, the majority in the General Assembly ignored repeated calls to return to Springfield since adjourning on May 31st without passing a full-year balanced budget. If no action is taken by the General Assembly to pass the compromise balanced budget plan by June 30th, the ramifications for our state will be devastating and long-lasting. In order to find a resolution, Governor Rauner issued 10 proclamations calling for special sessions every day starting Wednesday, June 21 at Noon. The proclamations direct the General Assembly to consider legislation that will reach a balanced budget with changes to our broken system, including property tax relief, job creation, term limits and spending caps. Should the General Assembly enact the compromise balanced budget plan prior to June 30th, the Governor will cancel any remaining special session days.
“We have tough, urgent choices to make, and the legislature must be present to make them,” Governor Rauner said. “In the days ahead, let’s show the people of Illinois we have their best interests in mind, not our own. And together, we will move our state forward to a better and brighter future.”
The official proclamation is here.
…Adding… Rauner’s official video is here.
*** UPDATE 1 *** From Leader Radogno…
“I am anxious to return to the Capitol to continue our work on a comprehensive budget solution. We have a very real deadline looming as we close yet another fiscal year without a budget in place. I hopeful we will have productive sessions, legislative leader meetings with true engagement from all four leaders, and bipartisan efforts toward compromise. I and my Caucus believe a comprehensive solution is within reach and we ought to do everything possible to achieve it before July 1. The alternative to not finding compromise will be devastating to Illinois.”
*** UPDATE 2 *** From the Democratic Governors Association…
Rauner Waits Until After Big Fundraiser to Call Special Session
Rauner Funneling Money to IL GOP To Continue Running Attack Ads During Budget Negotiations
Last week, Bruce Rauner held a memorable press conference where he attacked Democrats for holding “sham” hearings with “props” disguised as people, and threatened to “force” legislators back to Springfield for a Special Session. It was great theater.
And only that. Rauner waited two weeks to “force” legislators back because he could not call it before his big fundraiser on the 19th. That would have been bad optics.
And really his big press conference was one big play itself. The whole event came on the heels of a three-day campaign-like swing featuring the same kind of people “props” he would decry the next day.
Over the next few days Rauner will play the part of compromiser, all the while funneling millions to the Illinois GOP to continue running attack ads during budget negotiations.
The role that he was born for? “Most vulnerable incumbent in the nation.”
“Bruce Rauner’s decision to hold a fundraiser before calling a special session shows voters exactly what his priorities are,” said DGA Illinois Communications Director Sam Salustro. “The fact is that Bruce Rauner is more interested in playing politics than getting a real deal done for the people of Illinois. Holding fundraisers and campaign-style events, and running attack ads, is exactly the theatrical politics that landed his as ‘most vulnerable incumbent in the nation.’”
*** UPDATE 3 *** House Republican Leader Jim Durkin…
“With the fiscal year coming to a close and the House Democrats failure to produce a budget during session warrants the Governor’s action today. We can break this impasse if the House Democrats are willing to negotiate in good faith.”
*** UPDATE 4 *** This post is apparently popping up all over Facebook today…
*** UPDATE 5 *** From John Patterson, spokesman for Illinois Senate President John J. Cullerton…
I will remind everyone that the Illinois Senate has been in session the last six months and produced a balanced budget plan that was approved and sent to the Illinois House.
I’m not sure where Governor Rauner was during the first half of the year, but the Senate did his work and balanced his spending plan using the numbers and tax rate he wanted.
Now that he’s decided to engage, it would be helpful if he could use his influence to marshal the House Republicans to join the bipartisan coalition and support his tax increase and spending plan and get a balanced budget approved in the House. Until then, the Senate has already done the work and is waiting for the governor to finish the job.
Heh.
*** UPDATE 6 *** Sen. Bill Brady…
“It’s unfortunate that we’re in this situation, but I applaud Governor Rauner for doing what was necessary and calling the General Assembly back to Springfield,” said Brady noting, “This week I introduced a real, full year balanced state budget that isn’t another lifeline, stop gap, or band-aid budget. My budget and the compromise reform measures my colleagues have put forth this week are the real solutions that the people of this state deserve. I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and get back to work to get this done.”
*** UPDATE 7 *** Sen. Kwame Raoul…
I understand the urgency of ending the budget impasse. I understood that urgency last month, when I joined my colleagues in the Senate in voting for a balanced budget. What I wonder is why Governor Rauner seems to be in such a hurry now. Where was he last month? Where were the Republicans last month when we took difficult votes to pass a budget that will allow us to pay our bills on time?
The governor’s stalling on a budget deal isn’t just frustrating – it’s costly. The special session will cost taxpayers $64,687 a day, totaling $646,870 over the 10-day session. At a time when the state owes $15 billion in unpaid bills, this is hardly money we can afford to spend.
Again, I understand the need for immediate action. I simply wish Gov. Rauner and Republicans had been this interested in working quickly when we voted to pass a balanced budget in May.
- OhTheLulz - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 12:01 pm:
“Republicans in the General Assembly have laid out a compromise budget plan that I can sign,”….except that he won’t because there will not be enough votes. Sigh.
- Chicagonk - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 12:02 pm:
I feel like Charlie Brown right before running up to kick the football. I’m just not sure who will end up being Lucy.
- winners and losers - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 12:03 pm:
==true path to property tax reduction==
A property tax FREEZE would cost schools over $400 million a year, let alone a property tax REDUCTION.
Even if some version of a revised SB 1 is signed, school funding would be REDUCED, not increased.
- RNUG - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 12:05 pm:
Notice that he only said he would sign the GOP bills as introduced.
That ain’t compromise.
Also notice the GOP did NOT introduce a revenue bill. They intend to use the Dem one, and even though revenue is needed to make the budget work and some of the GOP will have to vote for it, you can bet it will be called a Democrat tax increase.
- for real - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 12:06 pm:
We are back in Blagojevich land. I had hoped that long, strange trip was over for good.
- OhTheLuz - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 12:09 pm:
@for real - “We are back in Blagojevich land. I had hoped that long, strange trip was over for good.” At this point, I almost wish we could go back to Blago. Sad to say even he did a better job than Rauner.
- RNUG - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 12:11 pm:
== true path to property tax reduction ==
A true path to property tax reduction would be the State stepping up to mostly funding local schools with an ADDITIONAL income tax increase (or, better yet, a progressive income tax) in exchange for dollar for dollar reduction of local school property taxes.
Rauner hasn’t proposed that … and I don’t expect he ever will.
- Dude - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 12:11 pm:
Governor, why not promise to sign ANY budget bill that can be negotiated with enough votes from both parties to pass? Let them do their jobs and stay out of the way.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 12:11 pm:
===Notice that he only said he would sign the GOP bills as introduced.
That ain’t compromise.
Also notice the GOP did NOT introduce a revenue bill. They intend to use the Dem one, and even though revenue is needed to make the budget work and some of the GOP will have to vote for it, you can bet it will be called a Democrat tax increase.===
- RNUG -, that “ball game” bud.
I still feel, the way Madigan counters is what unsaid before…
1) Republican sponsorship of the revenue bill.
2) 30+ Raunerite votes on the revenue bill.
3) Rauner publicly states he will sign the Republican sponsored revenue bill.
It’s probably the only “Call” that Madigan has, and point out, even a generous overview, the Rauner bills 100% require revenue. Not optional.
They have 10 days now to talk about it I guess.
- Anon221 - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 12:14 pm:
Charlie Wheeler had a great interview recently with NPR Illinois-
http://nprillinois.org/post/illinois-issues-what-s-it-gonna-take-get-budget
- Ginhouse Tommy - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 12:16 pm:
The Great and Powerful Oz has spoken. Sounds good doesn’t it. And where did this “we” come from. When did he get involved in the process. I thought the legislators were doing all the work while he sat on his perch like a vulture waiting something to happen. IMO this is just campaign jibberish. Sounds like it anyway.
- ILPundit - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 12:16 pm:
The scope of the Special Session is hilarious. He might as well have said the Session was “to come deal with miscellaneous stuff”
- RNUG - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 12:17 pm:
== exactly the theatrical politics that landed his as ‘most vulnerable incumbent in the nation.’” ==
Typo or intentional?
Either way you read it, it is funny!
- ILPundit - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 12:17 pm:
I’m sorry Leader Durkin, are we negotiating, or just being told to pass the GOP bills? Its unclear
- Allen D - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 12:17 pm:
And the “HITS” just keep coming….
- Anon221 - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 12:18 pm:
“Republicans in the General Assembly have laid out a compromise budget plan that I can sign,” Governor Rauner said…
Emphasis on “can”. Rauner tends to use the noun rather than the verb, and he’s more than happy to keep playin’ the game while the can gets crushed by all the kickin’.
- RNUG - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 12:20 pm:
With the fiscal year coming to a close and the House Republicans failure to produce a budget during session warrants the Governor’s action today. We can break this impasse if the House Republicans are willing to negotiate in good faith.”
Fixed it.
Makes just as much, if not more, sense this way.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 12:20 pm:
All you need to finish read Leader Radogno’s response and read and interpret Leader Durkin’s response to fully grasp why Rauner had to blow up Radogno’s honest attempt at compromise… and why Durkin talks as though a Rauner Word Jumble machine as taken over HRaunerite releases.
- Mr. Peabody - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 12:21 pm:
=== Also notice the GOP did NOT introduce a revenue bill. They intend to use the Dem one, and even though revenue is needed to make the budget work and some of the GOP will have to vote for it, you can bet it will be called a Democrat tax increase. ===
Democrats should insist that Durkin sponsor the tax hike and the House Republicans should be informed they will need to provide the majority of the 71 votes.
Hutchinson should give up sponsorship to Radogno, and every Democrat should remove their name as a sponsor.
Oh yeah, and the Senate Republicans should be informed they will have to provide a majority of the votes for concurrence.
- Rauner investment buddies are nervous - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 12:22 pm:
Hey leader durkin your governor said he would sign your bill not a negotiated bill. You keep using that word I don’t think it means what you think it means.
Stop the hostage taking me durkin
- Scooteriffic! - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 12:22 pm:
Feels like Deja Vu all over again. Not holding my breath……..
- Deft Wing - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 12:23 pm:
Gov finally called a Special Session? Well, Madigan is practiced at these type of maneuvers.
Expect some procedural shenanigans but little action. Dems aren’t going to do a thing.
- Nick Name - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 12:23 pm:
Gov. Gaslight is the most dishonest politician I have ever seen, and yes I’m including Trump in that.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 12:27 pm:
===Expect some procedural shenanigans but little action. Dems aren’t going to do a thing.===
Rauner could put 107 members (71 and 36) on the stairs and behind him and microphones and really embarrass Madigan with a show of support for Rauner’s own plan…
… why won’t Rauner?
- Mad Again - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 12:27 pm:
If they don’t do something at the end of this and the state goes bankrupt as a result, can the people of Illinois kick every single one of them out of office and start fresh?
- Nick Name - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 12:27 pm:
And yes, what others have said: Dems should do exactly squat until Republicans file a revenue bill with a tax hike or co-sponsor the Dem revenue bill — and provide a majority of votes.
Anything less is capitulation to this wrecker of our state and his bought-and-paid-for caucuses.
- RNUG - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 12:34 pm:
And on Facebook IPI ads are popping up urging people to contact Rauner and tell him to reject the coming tax hike.
Don’t think Rauner wants a budget deal, or at least doesn’t want to sign the necessary tax increase.
- RNUG - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 12:39 pm:
== If they don’t do something at the end of this and the state goes bankrupt as a result,==
The State can become insolvent (unable to pay their bills, a situation it has been in for years), but it can’t take bankruptcy to eliminate the debts.
== can the people of Illinois kick every single one of them out of office and start fresh? ==
You’ll have you chance in November, 2018
- weary - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 12:39 pm:
So much talk about who should “get the blame” for a tax hike. I really don’t think most people care who sponsored the bill or who voted for it. They just see their paycheck reduced and blame ALL of the politicians for not being responsible enough to create budgets that allow the state to live within its means. I’ve said this before, but it’s only an “income problem” because our politicians WANT to spend more than we take in. In my personal finances, my budget is directly tied to my income and I don’t have the option of just REQUIRING my employer to pay me more because I said so. I get what I get and I figure out how to make it work.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 12:42 pm:
===I get what I get and I figure out how to make it work===
Or you get a side gig or look for a decent job.
- sharkette - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 12:48 pm:
- RNUG - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 12:05 pm:
Notice that he only said he would sign the GOP bills as introduced.
It is what the working groups agreed on both sides to.
So yes it is a compromise.
Rauner probably was just giving 2 weeks courtesy to wait and see what the Dems did. Which s zero.
Doubftful it’s election hype or timing, Raner is more of a give an opportunity to do what everyone has asked and that is get back to work, And they can’t be bothered.
So now we all pay in special session associated costs as well.
This is a Madigan new cost all tax payers bear.
The State can not pay people, nor schools, nor vendors nor healthcare nor insurance, nothing, anything until a appropriation/s is/are made.
And the Dems are draining everyone who lives and works here for failure to appropriate funding
- for real - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 12:48 pm:
==- weary - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 12:39 pm:
I’ve said this before, but it’s only an “income problem” because our politicians WANT to spend more than we take in. ==
@Weary, I don’t think that is the issue at all. Despite the rhetoric, politicians don’t actively sit around and say “hey, how can I spend more money that the State brings in?” The problem is that Illinois, like many other states, is subject to a tremendous number of consent decrees that require us to spend money on things like Medicaid, adequate protection for the disabled, proper maintenance of prisons, a foster care/DCFS program, and many more. These services comprise a huge percentage of the budget, and this before other obligations like funding schools, funding higher education, paying workers, and pensions.
Are there things the State can cut? Sure. During this impasse many of those programs have already been cut. In theory, the State is only operating mandatory programs BUT we are still spending more than we did under Quinn. That is because of consent decrees and court orders.
If the Governor wanted to cut spending he could have done it. A friend suggested he could go to court years ago and started the process of renegotiating these consent decrees. Did he? NO. He entered into more of them.
- Tired - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 12:49 pm:
And there goes IPI WOW!!! Sure did not take them long…Rauner calling a Special Session sounds like a sham.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 12:49 pm:
Since Rauner funds the IPI, along with Rauner allies…
It’s tough to see how Rauner pretends that the IPI is a group he can’t “control”.
Seems to be a “friendly reminder” to Raunerites in the GA;
“Vote for a tax increase at your peril. Bruce will veto it, and you will get primaried by Proft to boot.”
Orchestrating perfectly about now… if you’re Rauner
- RNUG - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 12:51 pm:
== I get what I get and I figure out how to make it work. ==
The court ordered spending (which isn’t all the State’s NEEDS, let alone WANTS) is between 90% and +100% of the available revenue.
The State deliberately chose to cut revenue. It is a self created mess. The D’s passed the previous temporary tax hike that expired. But Rauner also called for the GA to let it expire.
Rauner’s directors have said they can’t find anything to cut. Rauner is spending additional money on a new computer application and the associated consulting services. The State is running behind on paying current bills and employee benefits, in some cases as much as 2 years behind with no plans to ever catch up. In fact, it appears the plans (minus a budget and even, partially, with one) is to keep piling up debt.
The plain, unarguable fact is the State needs more revenue just meet existing expenses.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 12:51 pm:
=== It is what the working groups agreed on both sides to.===
Um, no.
- cdog - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 12:53 pm:
The fact that House Dems, who have never had a working super majority, did not negotiate and pass a budget before May 31, stands on its own.
There is no choice but compromise.
The sad thing is Dems seem to have no wish list to improve the state of Illinois.
They have no demands except the status quo which leaves us as one of the most mismanaged states in the country.
- SAP - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 12:54 pm:
Hat’s off to Leader Radogno for acknowledging that the legislature must work toward compromise rather than trying the Jedi mind trick and passing the GOP proposal as the result of a negotiated compromise.
- don the legend - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 12:55 pm:
So many loopholes in Durkin and Rauner’s statements. He vetoes the Democrats “changed’ budget and the “Blame Madigan” campaign resumes.
- Porgy Tirebiter - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 12:56 pm:
It would be great if pritzker put out some TV ads showing how inept and duplicitous this governor
Is. Summer TV is cheap and it would help him in the future.
- RNUG - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 12:58 pm:
== the “Blame Madigan” campaign resumes ==
In order to resume, it would have to stop.first.
- Galena Guy - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 1:09 pm:
“The sad thing is Dems seem to have no wish list to improve the state of Illinois.”
Oh please….the wish list is to stop the Rauner nonsense that is running this state into the ground.
- Thoughts Matter - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 1:12 pm:
Regarding the Facebook post…. didn’t we all pledge 24 hours ago to tone down the rhetoric? . Please, politicians, think tanks, PACs, start being statesmen instead of spouting hyperboles.
- RNUG - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 1:14 pm:
I’ve now seen 2 versions of the IPI ad on Facebook
- Sideline Watcher - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 1:20 pm:
“Notice that he only said he would sign the GOP bills as introduced.
It is what the working groups agreed on both sides to.
So yes it is a compromise.”
NO. NO. NO.
The vast majority of the Grand Bargain is what the work groups agreed to. They didn’t say they disagreed…Rauner said it wasn’t enough.
What he introduced amounts to asking the Dems to hold every school district in the state harmless EXCEPT the largest school district with the most poor kids. He went from a permanent tax freeze demand to essentially 8 years of a freeze with no exemption for poor school districts and a cut to local government distributive fund on top. As a matter of policy, all that does is push the fiscal crisis down to the locals.
All of these demands were precisely what the working groups COULD NOT COME TO AGREEMENT ON.
And then Gov demands “substantial compliance.”
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 1:24 pm:
Patterson continues to shine.
Well said, simple, snarky, biting, and honest to the point.
A big fan of how Patterson goes about his business.
- RNUG - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 1:33 pm:
== “This week I introduced a real, full year balanced state budget that isn’t another lifeline, stop gap, or band-aid budget. ==
And exactly was so wrong with the Senate passed one that you had to introduce all new bills?
- walker - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 1:35 pm:
Sharkette: Please stop trying to rewrite history, (unless of course you are getting paid to do just that.)
This is not what the working groups agreed on. That, for the most part, was in the Senate Grand Compromise, and the School funding bill — both of which were rejected at the last moment.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 1:43 pm:
The Illinois GOP continues to say, don’t blame us.
- anon2 - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 1:50 pm:
=== Rauner is calling the legislators back to Springfield to pass a $5 billion tax hike. ===
As far as it goes, a true statement. Ironically, the GOP simultaneously attacks House Dems for wanting a big tax hike.
- Mama - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 1:51 pm:
“compromise budget plan”
Does Rauner even know the meaning of “compromise”?
- Mama - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 1:53 pm:
Does Rauner’s Republican budget bill include any new revenue?
- Evanstonian - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 2:00 pm:
In no universe does Rauner want IPI to run digital ads telling HIS voters that HE wants to raise their taxes.
- Markus - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 2:04 pm:
Brady’s “plan” is a 4-year stop-gap at best and does not come close to paying down the bill backlog. The only tax increase that should be temporary is the portion assigned to pay down the bill backlog.
- Nick Name - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 2:11 pm:
Always look to the IPI to see what Bruce Rauner is really thinking.
Thanks for the telegraph, Gov. Gaslight.
- Accountant by trade - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 2:31 pm:
You nailed my sentiments weary and Rich, not everyone has time to get a side job. We have to live within our means. The government should have to do the same.
- Try-4-Truth - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 2:35 pm:
====- Accountant by trade - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 2:31 pm:
You nailed my sentiments weary and Rich, not everyone has time to get a side job. We have to live within our means. The government should have to do the same.=====
Name the cuts. If you can’t you are being disingenuous.
- My button is broke... - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 2:42 pm:
I can’t help but wonder what the budget would look like if the republicans had slight majorities in both houses. The dems would obstruct and wouldn’t help much as their priorities wouldn’t be funded. Durkin said only slightly more than half his caucus is a yes on pension reform and that’s a billion of savings that their plan relies on. I think the repubs should be happy they have the dem majority to blame. (I guess they could just not give any money to Chicago and balance the State on Chicago’s back…)
- Accountant by trade - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 2:49 pm:
try-4-truth
1) I don’t have all the information
2) it’s not my job, if it were my job - be certain that I would figure it out.
- EVanstonian - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 2:58 pm:
@Evanstonian, first, nice name.
Second, having the IPI out there telling people not to raise taxes means when he ultimately pulls out of the deal and says he has to veto SB9 (or whatever it is at the end) its because of the people of Illinois and NOT craven politics.
C’mon bruh.
- Try-4-Truth - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 3:01 pm:
=====- Accountant by trade - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 2:49 pm:
try-4-truth
1) I don’t have all the information
2) it’s not my job, if it were my job - be certain that I would figure it out.=======
So, you are saying, cut, cut, cut, but don’t understand the process? That’s strange. Lot’s of GRF money is tied to other revenue. Federal match money etc. If you cut $1 somewhere, you might be risking $5 somewhere else. “Living within their means” sounds great. Makes a good sound bite, but it’s not how it works.
There are Federal Consent Decrees that must be followed, state constitutional spending requirements. Over $30 billion is being spent now because the state is being ordered to.
Please learn how this works. All of our future depends on our citizens learning so we don’t end up with “I don’t know… It’not my job to know this”.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 3:54 pm:
“state constitutional spending requirements”
Like education spending? LOL!
Illinois needs a completely new consitution and it should not mention pensions or benefits.
- sharkette - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 3:58 pm:
I listened to all the hearings all of it for months.
Yes, it is.
I do not read news hype.
I listened to all the sessions.
- sharkette - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 4:03 pm:
re Anonymous - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 3:54 pm:
“state constitutional spending requirements”
You are correct.
it won’t happen. Madigan makes certain unions pensions are paid.
We are all so concerned about schools and children and how unfair property taxes are for children.
My tax bil, has mutiple lines and each and every one says pension.
Not iPad or crayons or a thing for a child.
So until pensions get changed,, we are going to continue to croak.
Read your property tax bill
- sharkette - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 4:11 pm:
So we pay and pay into these pension funds.. and guess what happens when they are underfunded, which they will be?
Besides the fact the children got nothing from those oh so sacred property taxes for eons while we claimed we need property taxes for children. When in rality it is pensions and has nothing to do with kids educations.
Those pensions that go bust, because less is made on them because its not 1980 & attaining rates from eons ago is not possible, keep in mind there wil be a major burst in the current bubble, those pension go belly up and they get a portion of an insurance pay out. Unless the insure dropped it years prior knowing it was not going to be attainable to make their payouts and they get nothing or near nothing because those already taking it all in with huge old amounts depleted it..
Property taxes in the State of Illness do zero for children. They pay pensions to retired union employees. Now, but can not mathematically later at all.
Re-writng a constitution or amendments should have been done years ago. To late folks
- illinifan - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 4:13 pm:
Sharkette, the ILSC says the pensions have to be paid, not Madigan. Pension reform was passed. Cullerton did a third pension reform in his package to get a budget done. Time to move off that topic and realize what is owed has to be paid, and move on to what can realistically can be done. Cullerton is right they passed a package the governor could release his party to vote for it.
- Demoralized - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 4:16 pm:
==So until pensions get changed==
You can beat that drum all day long but it doesn’t change the fact that the pensions for current employees must be paid. You can make all of the changes you want for new employees, but no amount of frothing at the mouth is going to change the payments that are due now.
- Demoralized - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 4:17 pm:
==the fact the children got nothing from those oh so sacred property taxes==
And don’t be ridiculous.
- RNUG - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 4:34 pm:
-sharkette-
You clearly have zero understanding of the state pension funds. There is no pension guarantee insurance. There is no PBGC to pick up the picks. There is NO protection to ensure the pensions get paid EXCEPT for the Pension Clause, the Contract Clause, and the Illinois Supreme Court.
And BTW, there are a lot of non-union people also receiving pensions. And guess what, some of them are actually registered Republicans! So it’s not a matter of protecting unions, it is a matter of upholding a conservative principal: honoring your contracts and actually paying your bills!
Finally, you might want to go read so of the latest IPI stuff on pensions. Guess what? Even THEY say the current pension have to he paid!
- Dude - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 4:35 pm:
Sharkette,
You say your property tax bill pays all the pensions to retired union employees.
1. if you think that your city administrators, engineers, planners, dept directors, secretaries, school administrators, school secretaries, library staff… and on and on are members of a union then you should immediately begin to read and research your city government and school district… or get back to work on Rauner or IPI’s staff…. you’re still on the clock.
By the way… their pension is simply deferred wages for working for government instead of choosing to work in corporate America where their wages would far exceed what they earned as a public servant……
- Ron - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 4:41 pm:
“the fact that the pensions for current employees must be paid”
Sounds like we need to get rid of current state employees then.
- Astuishin - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 4:58 pm:
==illinifan - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 4:13 pm==
I think you meant to say move out not move on. Move out to a low tax, properly managed state like Texas. The capital fax blog gallery can pay for the massive Illinois pension tax increases they pine for.
- RNUG - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 5:02 pm:
== Sounds like we need to get rid of current state employees then. ==
Offer them a 5 & 5 deal. My guess is almost all the Tier 1 people will take it and run. It isn’t good fiscal policy, as the 2002 ERI showed, but if you want them gone THAT bad, you shouldn’t worry about the added cost.
But you’ll STILL have to pay their pensions and the pension debt.
- cdog - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 5:11 pm:
I find Update 5 and 7 interesting in their omissions.
Why no mention of House Dems? (The guys that couldn’t move a doable and balanced approp bill for 3 legislative seasons.)
Next time The Madigan appears, let’s hope he is dealing in the present, not the past.
- Thoughts Matter - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 5:31 pm:
I’d have to seriously consider a 5 and 5 deal, even though I’d have to go find another job. 5 years allows me to get 3/4 of my health insurance premium paid for me. However, my pension would only be about 25 percent of my salary and I wouldn’t want to draw social security for several years( yes, I’ve always paid into it). Plus I’d have to be allowed to draw that pension immediately so I could keep the health insurance since I’m under 60. Current plans call for me to work until I’m somewhat over 62( undetermined yet).
- Grandson of Man - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 6:46 pm:
I saw a video clip of Rauner today on the news, saying that we have to stop campaigning. That’s beyond shameless and unscrupulous.
“Move out to a low tax, properly managed state like Texas.”
Or a properly managed state like Minnesota, that has a budget surplus, union rights, a great economy, higher incomes, pro government investment, is socially tolerant, allows same-sex marriage, approves of health insurance expansion, taxes the highest earners more, etc.
- RNUG - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 7:32 pm:
== Plus I’d have to be allowed to draw that pension immediately ==
The 2002 deal allowed that. You had to be a minimum of age 50.
- Chicago 20 - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 7:38 pm:
Rauner’s alter ego The Illinois Policy Institute is against a tax hike which means we’re all on the the good path aka / creatin’
crisis for leverage.
But don’t worry, Bruce Rauner will not only be just fine, he’ll actually be better off.
The rest of us however, won’t.
- Huh? - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 8:10 pm:
Speaker - The House will come to order. The Clerk will call the roll.
Clerk - Mr. Speaker, the roll has been called and all are present with the exception of 3 excused absences.
Speaker - There is no business to be conducted. The House will be recessed until the next regular session. (Sounds the gavel)
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 9:08 pm:
Turn each special session day into joint Special Committee of the Whole.
GOP wants to cut Rauner’s proposed budget by $2 billion. great.
Demand Rauner’s directors testify, ask them where they could cut $2 billion.
Day Two: impact of GOP budget on schools
Day three: Impact of Rauner’s budget on people with disabilities
Day Four: Need I Go On?
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jun 15, 17 @ 10:22 pm:
- YDD -
Maybe there is a schedule of events in your email.
You never know(?)
OW