* From the governor’s public schedule…
What: Gov. Rauner signs HB 643, freezing legislative per diems
Where: Governor’s Office – Illinois State Capitol
Date: Wednesday, July 26, 2017
Time: 11:30 a.m.
What: Gov. Rauner addresses media
Who: Senate Republican Leader Bill Brady, House Republican Leader Jim Durkin
Where: Governor’s Office – Illinois State Capitol
Date: Wednesday, July 26, 2017
Time: 15 minutes after adjournment of General Assembly
We discussed HB 643 on Monday. From the synopsis…
Amends the General Assembly Compensation Act. Establishes the fiscal year 2018 mileage reimbursement rate and allowance for lodging and meals. Amends the Compensation Review Act. Prohibits cost-of-living adjustments for or during the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2017 for State government legislative and executive elected officers and appointees in positions for which the Compensation Review Board previously recommended or determined compensation. Effective immediately.
So, by signing that bill today, he will prevent the cost of the special session from rising. Notice, however, that the two top legislative sponsors (both Democrats) aren’t on the schedule.
…Adding… SJ-R…
Lawmakers will continue to collect $111 in daily expense money because they were called into special session by Rauner to deal with school funding. However, without the bill signed by Rauner, that amount would have automatically increased to $142 a day.
“The special sessions the governor has demanded are expensive, costing taxpayers upwards of $48,000 each day,” said Sen. Melinda Bush, D-Grayslake, in a statement. “I am pleased that the governor signed my measure to prevent his special sessions from becoming even more expensive.”
Bush was the lead Senate sponsor of House Bill 643 to freeze the rates. Neither Bush nor the lead House sponsor, also a Democrat, were at the bill signing ceremony in Rauner’s office attended by numerous Republican lawmakers.
- Logan Square Trickster - Wednesday, Jul 26, 17 @ 10:22 am:
I want to know why Rep. Guzzardi voted against this bill.
- Annonin' - Wednesday, Jul 26, 17 @ 10:50 am:
Ds probably skippin’ cause there will be a very juvenile lecture on stoppin’ Madigan
- LakeviewJ - Wednesday, Jul 26, 17 @ 12:48 pm:
Interesting that the Governor tweeted out a picture of the signing from his campaign account:
https://twitter.com/govrauner/status/890250834893832192
It appears to have been taken from the vantage point of a staffer seen here:
https://twitter.com/ilsenategop/status/890251030436491266
Generating campaign material on state time? That’s a no-no.
- Winnin' - Wednesday, Jul 26, 17 @ 2:29 pm:
Governor hangin’ with the Careerfellas.
More of the same from Rauner.
Nothing.
Except Careerfellas fawning all over him.
- Whatever - Wednesday, Jul 26, 17 @ 7:40 pm:
Signing HB 643 should put to rest those scurrilous accusations that the Governor is unwilling to “take the arrows” for unpopular actions.
- Mama - Wednesday, Jul 26, 17 @ 9:17 pm:
“Interesting that the Governor tweeted out a picture of the signing from his campaign account:”
Rauner is acting like Trump’s twin.