* From Speaker Madigan…
“In light of the progress made today by the four leaders, I am canceling session previously scheduled for Wednesday, August 23. During our talks today, Leader Durkin noted he was unavailable for any meetings tomorrow in order to wrap up negotiations. In light of that, we have decided to meet on Thursday in Chicago. I am hopeful we can finish our negotiations shortly to ensure schools around the state can receive the money needed to operate schools throughout this school year.
“If we don’t reach compromise later this week, the House will move to override the Governor’s veto of SB 1 in session next week.”
…Adding… I’m told the reason Durkin couldn’t meet tomorrow is that he wanted staff to flesh out some details before the leaders sat down again.
…Adding More… Press release…
Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) issued the following statement in response to today’s leaders’ meeting about school funding reform and cancellation of Wednesday’s House override vote:
“Three weeks ago, Representative Will Davis and I respectfully asked Governor Rauner to allow lawmakers to continue negotiations on Senate Bill 1 so that we could avoid having a divisive veto override vote. He did not extend to lawmakers on both side of the aisle that were actively engaged in negotiations the courtesy of additional time. Instead, he issued a dismantling veto of SB 1.
“Nevertheless, I am pleased that negotiations took shape today and appear to be promising. They should continue. But it bears repeating that the uncertainty over school funding needs to end — next week at the latest.
“Inequity in our schools needs to end. It’s time to bring this debate that has spanned a generation to a close, either through a bipartisan agreement or through an override of the governor’s veto in the House. One way or another we must fix this broken formula, right now.”
- Huh - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 7:49 pm:
Why isn’t Leader Durkin available? What else could he possibly be doing?
- Roman - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 7:57 pm:
== he wanted staff to flesh out some details ==
Is that just another way of saying he needs time to go over things with the governor?
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 8:09 pm:
–Is that just another way of saying he needs time to go over things with the governor? –
Yes.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 8:12 pm:
The “mid-managers” need to check with the CEO before doing anything like… think.
The thing that is left to question is will Rauner blow this up on Durkin and Brady.
- Blue Bayou - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 8:16 pm:
This is a reasonable process to getting things done.
So I fully expect Rauner to swoop in and wreck it.
- Quincy - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 8:51 pm:
Gov Rauner is like Paul on Big Bother sneakey and wanting someone else to do his dirty work for him
- PragmaticR - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 8:57 pm:
The Minority Leader needs the entire day to gently explain to the Governor why the best option is a compromise.
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 9:43 pm:
The governor asking for pineapple and anchovies. Durkin is going to try to sell him on sausage and mushrooms.
- Norseman - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 9:53 pm:
Are we going to see two miracles this week, one celestial and another legislative?
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 9:57 pm:
OW - simple answer- yes
- Been There - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 10:28 pm:
====…Adding… I’m told the reason Durkin couldn’t meet tomorrow is that he wanted staff to flesh out some details before the leaders sat down again.=====
Well since Durkin usually complains about those 500 to a thousand page bills that are out there at the last minute on the floor this is a good sign.
- Downstate43 - Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 7:47 am:
I’m confused as to what a compromise would actually look like in bill form. Wouldn’t any bill, either new or a revision of an existing, require 2/3? In any scenario, wouldn’t it need 2/3?
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 7:48 am:
It’s 3/5th, and yes, it needs a 3/5th due to the date.
- Downstate43 - Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 8:36 am:
OW
Early morning vapor lock - 3/5, duh.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 8:38 am:
It happens. I need a cup of coffee, otherwise the numbers and letters all look the same.
No worries. Have a good day.
- tbf - Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 9:33 am:
I’m distressed that a voucher systems seems like it is a part of the bargain. How does removing public funds for public education help fix equitable education in our state? The voucher issue should be a separate bill not an add on to give Governor Rauner a win.
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 9:39 am:
===How does removing public funds for public education help fix equitable education in our state?===
Um, it’s not a voucher program and it doesn’t remove any funds from public education.
It does cost the state money in the form of lost revenue/refunds for the proposed tax deductions. So the state is being generous to private school donors, many of whom are also private school parents.
But again, not a voucher program, not taking money away from public education. Remain calm. Let’s see the final plan before we vote yay or nay.
- Retired Educator - Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:25 am:
We all know how this game is played. Get an agreement, explain it to the Governor, he makes new demands, the deal is gone. This isn’t the first movie in the series, It is a sequel, and one we have already seen. Get ready for the override vote next week.