* From a state Republican Party e-mail to supporters…
The State Fair is coming up in a few short weeks - we’re excited to spend another Governor’s Day with fellow Illinois Republicans celebrating our great state and our efforts to bring back Illinois.
But we wanted to keep you in the loop: Like years past, we expect Mike Madigan and his special interest allies to protest outside of our rally. The Chicago Machine organizes this group to distract from their disastrous Chicago agenda and block our reforms.
We need you to come to the Governor’s Day rally at the State Fair to show the people of Illinois that Madigan’s status quo has put us in a ditch - we need Governor Rauner and Republican lawmakers to continue their fight to turn our state around.
We’re excited to see you there - thanks for stepping up for the ILGOP.
The Illinois Republican Party
31 Comments
|
* Sen. Andy Manar press release…
From punishing schools for enrollment declines to penalizing them for their communities’ aggressive job-creation efforts, Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner appears to be lining up an all-out assault on Illinois’ long-standing commitment to public education.
And most of the unwitting victims in this battle are school districts that already are underfunded by the state of Illinois and struggling with growing numbers of impoverished students and other challenges.
“What Gov. Rauner outlined in his veto of Senate Bill 1 this week would cause the state to pull back from its investment in public education at historic levels and starve public schools everywhere,” said Senator Andy Manar, a Bunker Hill Democrat and a longtime school funding reform advocate. Manar is the chief Senate sponsor of Senate Bill 1.
“This was never about a so-called ‘Chicago bailout.’ This is about Bruce Rauner seizing upon an opportunity to get what he wanted all along: divestment in public education and shifting costs onto local taxpayers.”
In his veto of Senate Bill 1, Rauner proposed more than 100 changes to Senate Bill 1. Among them were provisions that pit schools against local economic development efforts (tax increment financing districts) and penalize schools for losing students.
Many downstate communities utilize TIF districts for job creation and economic development, and more than 360 school districts have seen enrollment declines for various reasons.
In addition, Rauner’s veto language suggests the state should pretend school districts have access to resources that they don’t so that the state is on the hook for less funding, forcing districts to make difficult decisions about asking for local property tax increases or making cuts. He went so far this week as to accuse them of purposefully hiding property wealth.
Manar said the veto language goes against everything Rauner has led people to believe about his commitment to public education.
“Gov. Rauner has suddenly taken a hard right turn and abandoned all of his own policies and achievements to betray public schools – all within a matter of weeks,” he said.
“What the governor has proposed in his veto of Senate Bill 1 does not ‘make it a better bill,’ as he continues to insist. Every lawmaker who signed on to support this veto before they saw the language was sold a bill of goods.
“We need to override this veto, and we need to do it as soon as possible, because what Gov. Rauner has proposed will devastate Illinois schools and will set us back even farther than we are today.”
* The GOP Leaders react…
Senate Republican Leader-Designee Bill Brady and House Republican Leader Jim Durkin today issued the following statement regarding Illinois’ school funding crisis and claims made in the State Capitol Thursday.
“Schools and students don’t need another press conference, what they need is an assurance that their schools will open on time and that every school district in Illinois is treated fairly and equitably. The Governor’s Amendatory Veto of Senate Bill 1 provides those assurances. If the Democrats are unwilling to support his Amendatory Veto, then it is up to them to return to the negotiating table and offer a solution that bridges the gap between both plans. We cannot let another 60 days pass without working to solve this unnecessary crisis. The students of Illinois deserve nothing less than our best effort, and time is of the essence.”
* The governor’s office statement…
* One of the points that’s getting lost is what the governor did with schools within TIF districts and schools under PTELL (Property Tax Extension Law Limit). That’s what Manar was talking above above when he claims the governor “suggests the state should pretend school districts have access to resources that they don’t so that the state is on the hook for less funding.”
Here’s the graphic displayed at the press conference on this topic…
41 Comments
|
Question of the day
Thursday, Aug 3, 2017 - Posted by Rich Miller
* All-around good guy and Statehouse lobster Keith Sias just ran into a certain somebody in Chicago…
* The Question: I mean, do I even have to ask? OK, OK. Caption?
34 Comments
|
* Press release…
Following Community-Led Effort, Gov. Rauner Commits to Sign Illinois TRUST Act
Bill backed by broad coalition would make Illinois a national leader in welcoming immigrants, and provide strongest statewide protections in the country
(CHICAGO, IL) After hundreds of community leaders visited their state legislators in Springfield and in district, thousands of residents called the Governor’s office, and two days after community leaders presented the Governor with over 3,600 postcards collected in just three weeks, the Campaign for a Welcoming Illinois is proud to announce that Governor Bruce Rauner has committed to signing the Illinois TRUST Act (SB 31). The TRUST Act received bipartisan support in both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly. A date and time for the bill signing will be announced shortly.
“At a time when many are scapegoating immigrants, Republicans and Democrats are coming together in Illinois to reject xenophobic rhetoric and policies,” said Andy Kang, legal director at Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago. “We want to thank the Governor’s team for working with us in the lead-up to this announcement, and we look forward to the signing ceremony.”
Under the TRUST Act, local police cannot comply with immigration detainers and warrants not issued by a judge. Local police also cannot stop, search, or arrest anyone based on that person’s immigration or citizenship status.
Estela, a founding member of PASO (West Suburban Action Project) and an undocumented mother of three from Melrose Park, was a key leader in the statewide Campaign for a Welcoming Illinois. “This law will go a long way to shield me, my family, my community and hundreds of thousands of Illinois residents from the risk of family separation through deportation. I am grateful that the Governor and the General Assembly have listened to the desires of people from throughout Illinois and bring us one big step closer to make our state welcoming for all.”
“The Illinois TRUST Act will be a national model for common-sense, constitutional state-level immigration policy,” said Mark Fleming, associate director of litigation at the National Immigrant Justice Center. “We are proud to live in a state that is taking action to defend basic due process rights for all of our residents, no matter where we come from or what we look like.”
“Illinois will soon have the strongest statewide protections for immigrants in the country. This is due to the tireless efforts of over 60 organizations from across the state that were part of the campaign to pass the TRUST Act,” said Lawrence Benito, chief executive officer at Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, one of the co-conveners of the campaign steering committee. “This accomplishment is a testament to our communities’ power. It shows what we are collectively capable of during these trying times, and sets the stage for our next campaigns and future victories.”
The TRUST Act is the work of the Campaign for a Welcoming Illinois, and is endorsed by over 60 community organizations from across the state. The full supporter list can be found at www.TrustInIL.org. The TRUST Act has also received support from legal and advocacy groups, and law enforcement agencies from throughout Illinois.
Rauner was a big believer in the post-2012 GOP “autopsy” recommendations, and this is obviously a continuation of that.
18 Comments
|
Drury unveils “blueprint to Rebuild Illinois”
Thursday, Aug 3, 2017 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Press release…
“Illinois is corrupt,” said Scott Drury, Democratic candidate for governor, during a press conference, as he made the case for his blueprint to Rebuild Illinois. “It’s morally corrupt, ethically corrupt and, yes, can be criminally corrupt.” According to Drury, time is of the essence for Illinois to get serious about wiping out this culture of corruption as it is the primary cause of most of the State’s problems. “An honest government pays its bills, balances its budget, only makes promises it can keep and values its citizens,” said Drury.
Titled “Rebuild Illinois,” Drury’s blueprint builds the foundation for Illinois’ bright future and upon that constructs long-term structural fixes that will restore stability, prosperity and opportunity to every corner of the State.” Drury, a former federal prosecutor and sitting state representative, said that Rebuild Illinois is based on his depth of experience both as a prosecutor and a legislator. “Illinois needs an experienced and trustworthy leader with a history of fighting for the public, not political insiders like Mike Madigan,” he said. “I stand alone in offering that.”
The most comprehensive plan offered by any gubernatorial candidate, Rebuild Illinois takes aim at Illinois’ rigged election process, overwhelming debt and culture of corruption. The blueprint offers a constitutional and fair solution to Illinois’ government-created pension problem, promotes competitive elections through fairly drawn electoral maps and campaign finance reform, and promises balanced budgets by mandating that Illinois pay its bills on time. The blueprint also tackles public corruption by finally empowering the Illinois Attorney General to prosecute it, as well as giving prosecutors new tools to use in the battle. Further, the blueprint addresses what Drury calls the “Madigan problem,” calling for term limits for legislative leaders, prohibiting legislative leaders from holding outside employment and cutting off a major source power – the ability to covertly direct and solicit third-party campaign contributions to other candidates and PACs.
Unlike others’ plans that rely on increased income taxes, Rebuild Illinois generates savings to pay for Illinois’ bright future. The savings result from the pay down and responsible management of existing debt and a significant reduction in Illinois’ prison population. That savings will be used to fund public education, healthcare, job training and neighborhood investment.
Drury said that much of Rebuild Illinois has already been filed as legislation, with the remaining components to be rolled out throughout the course of the campaign. Earlier today, Drury filed House Bill 4079 which ends the morally corrupt practice of lobbyists providing politicians with gifts and nominally free meals. In 2017, alone, lobbyists lavished over $100,000 of these gifts and meals on state legislators. Not a penny of that went to Drury. “Real people know there is no such thing as a free lunch,” said Drury. “This begs the question, what are these lobbyists paying for?”
The full plan is here.
* It’s pretty light on specifics. For instance…
Illinois’ Bright Future
– A State defined by hope and prosperity
– Stability for employers and residents
– No more partisan bickering
– A government you can trust and want to invest in – A State you can be proud of
36 Comments
|
* Greg Hinz…
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle is sending a strong message to anyone who wants to mess with her pop tax: Don’t.
In an action a judge said could have “a chilling effect” on government and citizens’ rights, county attorneys are seeking $17 million in damages from the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, the group that, with a couple of co-plaintiffs, won a temporary restraining order delaying the levy by about a month.
Preckwinkle spokesman Frank Shuftan says seeking damages is appropriate: “Actions have consequences.”
He added in an email: “The financial damage to the county as a result of this delay is projected at more than $20 million. . . .The county has every right to be made whole as a result of the judge’s ruling upholding the ordinance and removing the TRO.”
Sheesh. Go read the whole thing.
41 Comments
|
* National Journal, posted with permission…
Pritzker, the billionaire heir to the Hyatt hotel fortune, has so far spent at least $9 million with the help of significant self-funding on his challenge to Illinois Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner. While most of this spending has focused on TV ads and other paid media that promote his own candidacy, the longtime donor is also promising to back up down-ballot candidates.
“We do not have a strong state party that’s out defending the Democratic message writ large,” Pritzker said in an interview, emphasizing he is focusing on promoting his anti-Rauner message. “So my campaign is really having to fill in.”
Illinois Democrats see Pritzker’s candidacy as an opportunity to expand beyond Cook County, something one Democratic strategist said has been a longtime goal never fully realized. Pritzker is already running robocalls in state legislative districts outside of Cook and DuPage counties, and as far as the Missouri and Kentucky borders. But he also plans to open at least seven office spaces that could help down-ballot candidates, according to two Illinois Democratic strategists.
In “internal conversations about J.B. Pritzker, there is a level of excitement about his willingness to invest financially” in party building, said Illinois Democratic Rep. Cheri Bustos. The congresswoman, who chairs the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s “heartland engagement,” is the only Democrat in the delegation from outside of the Chicago area.
He’s certainly right about DPI’s messaging. The party is all about helping a few House incumbents and candidates.
* From the same article…
Democratic state Sen. Daniel Biss, another Illinois gubernatorial candidate, said in an interview that the party lacks a “unified message.” He in part faulted Democratic Speaker Mike Madigan, the chair of the state party, and warned that “the Pritzker-Madigan alliance, while powerful, seems to be all about doubling down on just being present” in “a few swing districts.”
Says the guy whose campaign just opened a “field office” in his home town of Evanston.
28 Comments
|
* As you’ll recall, the Senate Democrats released an analysis yesterday which claims that the governor’s education funding reform amendatory veto would blow a $221 million hole in the state budget.
I followed up today and was told that the additional $221 million is used by Gov. Rauner to fund moving CPS’ normal pension costs out of the school funding formula and to the pension code. So, he’s leaving $221 million in his new formula projections that, by all rights, shouldn’t be there if he wants a balanced budget with no other spending or revenue changes.
In reality, therefore, the governor’s district-by-district numbers for schools outside Chicago would be inflated by a grand total of $221 million, if yesterday’s analysis was correct and the CPS pension move is fully funded with existing revenues.
* Gov. Rauner spoke with the Joliet Herald-News editorial board yesterday and told them that the ISBE will likely release an analysis on Monday about his new education funding proposal. The governor warned the board against the coming political spin…
But you’ll hear the mayor up in Chicago and other people saying ‘Oh, the governor’s numbers are phony,’ or ‘He made ‘em up,’ or ‘They’re fuzzy math.’ I mean, you’ll hear that [chuckles]. That’s part of their political messaging. The reality is the real numbers will be out from ISBE and, my numbers will, I mean I’m sure they’ll get adjusted, but, when they do the real calculation, but they’re not, I mean, a million dollars more for Joliet’s a lot of money and it’s not gonna go to zero or $200,000, it’s gonna be a lot of money.
“Fuzzy math” would certainly encompasse double-counting $221 million, in my opinion. But that’s just me.
* He also said this…
The other thing is that you’ll hear some superintendents supported SB1 in its current form. Cause they had no alternative, there was no other bill that the Speaker would allow. So, they’re like “that’s what’s available, I’ll take that.” They and many of them as I’ve explained the numbers to them they go, “wow Governor, your bill’s way better your measure… veto is way better.”
But, maybe they won’t be nearly as good as he’s been claiming.
* For future reference, the governor’s site that contained his district-by-district breakdown is no longer password protected. But the numbers are gone and visitors are told this…
These numbers are currently being updated to reflect the amendatory veto issued by the governor on Tuesday, August 1st.
A reader helpfully saved the data into a spreadsheet. Click here to see it.
24 Comments
|
* I’ve been telling you that 222 school districts lost enrollment between 2015 and 2016. That’s incorrect, according to the Illinois State Board of Education. The ISBE’s Jackie Matthews sent me this today…
Based on Fall Enrollment Counts, 527 school districts showed an enrollment decrease of at least one student between 2015 and 2016.
Illinois has 852 public school districts, according to Wikipedia. So, according to the ISBE, 62 percent of those districts lost pupils.
Why is this important? As we’ve already discussed, the governor’s amendatory veto strips out the district-based hold harmless provision in SB1 and replaces it in a few years with a hold harmless based on the number of students.
46 Comments
|
* Me: What is Cards Against Humanity?
Friend: It’s a game for horrible people. I can’t believe you don’t know about it.
Me: Um, what might you be implying?
Friend: That I’m a horrible person, of course.
Me: OK then.
* So, that explains this press release…
Cards Against Humanity and the Marijuana Policy Project are partnering to support an effort to legalize and regulate marijuana use among adults in Illinois. Cards Against Humanity donated $70,000 to the MPP today and will continue to raise money for the campaign until legislation is passed.
Such legislation is currently pending before Illinois lawmakers and likely to come up for a vote next year.
To fundraise for the effort, Cards Against Humanity released the Weed Pack, which features 30 new cards and is for sale at CardsAgainstHumanity.com for $5. Proceeds from all sales will go to the MPP; the donation amount will grow.
“We’re proud to support the Marijuana Policy Project because our current marijuana laws are failing,” said Cards Against Humanity head writer Jo Feldman. “Nationally there are more arrests for marijuana possession each year than for all violent crimes combined. The MPP has been at the forefront of changing marijuana laws for the better, in Illinois and nationwide.”
“Also, I could really go for a bean chalupa,” Feldman added.
Similar Cards Against Humanity expansion packs have raised nearly $5 million for charity partners including DonorsChoose.org, the EFF, the Sunlight Foundation, the Wikimedia Foundation, Heifer International and the Chicago Design Museum.
“A recent poll says that 66 percent of Illinois voters support regulating marijuana like we do alcohol,” said Cards Against Humanity co-creator Max Temkin. “You’re telling me this effort is something the vast majority of people support that makes everyone happy and pays for our schools and roads, and we’re not doing it?”
Founded in 1995, the MPP was the driving force behind five successful state campaigns to make adult-use legal. In Illinois, MPP spent nearly a decade and more than $1 million securing an effective medical marijuana law, which passed in 2013.
“The team behind Cards Against Humanity is doing a great service helping us fight what really is a crime against humanity: marijuana prohibition,” said Chris Lindsey, senior legislative counsel for the MPP. “The Weed Pack is a hilarious approach to the topic but doesn’t overlook the fundamental injustice in arresting adults for using something that is safer than alcohol.”
Said Temkin: “For us, this is a common sense issue of racial justice, health justice and criminal justice. State and national politics are incredibly screwed up right now, but it gives us hope to think that we can make progress on these kind of common sense issues that everyone supports.”
The Weed Pack is for sale for $5 at CardsAgainstHumanity.com.
“Shouldn’t that pizza be here by now?” said Cards Against Humanity head writer Julia Weiss, before adding, “The Universe is like, just so … huge.”
21 Comments
|
I wouldn’t be too sure of this
Thursday, Aug 3, 2017 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From the two GOP leaders…
Dear Attorney General Madigan:
In our capacities as the Senate Leader Designee and House Republican Leader, we are requesting a formal legal opinion from your office. As you know, Governor Bruce Rauner recently issued an amendatory veto of the 100th General Assembly’s Senate Bill 1, known as the Evidence-Based Funding for Student Success Act. As a result, the General Assembly faces the immediate prospect of a vote either to accept the Governor’s amendatory veto or to override it.
For the reasons explained below, we are concerned that an outright vote to override the Governor’s amendatory veto of SB1 may result in a law that cannot constitutionally become effective until June 1, 2018. We are therefore requesting an official legal opinion on the following two questions:
1. If the General Assembly votes to override the Governor’s amendatory veto of SB1, what will be the effective date of the bill under Article IV, Section 10 of the Illinois Constitution, given that the General Assembly chose not to pass SB1 until July 31, 2017?
2. If the General Assembly votes to accept the specific recommendations made by the Governor’s amendatory veto of SB1, what will be the effective date of the bill under Article IV, Section 10 of the Illinois Constitution?
Background:
By way of background, the General Assembly initially voted on Senate Bill 1 on May 31, 2017, with the House voting 60 to 52 and the Senate voting 35-22 to concur in two House amendments. However, Senator Donne Trotter on that same day filed a motion to reconsider in the Senate, which prevented SB1 from being passed out of that chamber and delayed starting the 30-day clock provided in Article IV, Section 9(a) of the Illinois Constitution for presentment to the Governor.
Sixty-one days later, Senator Trotter on July 31, 2017, withdrew his motion to reconsider. As a result, on the same day, SB1 passed both houses of the General Assembly and was sent to the Governor.
The Governor issued an amendatory veto of SB1 on August 1, 2017, pursuant to his power under Article IV, Section 9(e) of the Illinois Constitution. That amendatory veto revised several provisions of SB1.
Following the Governor’s action, the Senate, as the legislative body in which SB1 originated, placed the amendatory veto on its calendar on August 1, 2017. Pursuant to Article IV, Sections 9(c) and (e) of the Illinois Constitution, the Senate now has 15 calendar days, or until August 17, 2017, in which to either accept the Governor’s amendatory veto or attempt to override the veto outright. If either vote is successful, the House will then be required to take up the same issue within the 15 calendar days following that vote.
Interaction with the Effective Date of Laws Provision:
We raise the two questions listed above to understand the interaction of these procedures with another provision of the Illinois Constitution, Article IV, Section 10. That section is entitled “Effective Date of Laws” and provides in relevant part that “A bill passed after May 31 shall not become effective prior to June 1 of the next calendar year unless the General Assembly by the vote of three-fifths of the members elected to each house provides for an earlier effective date.”
Determining the date on which a bill is “passed” for purposes of determining the date on which it takes effect is governed by another statute and Illinois Supreme Court cases. These authorities distinguish between the effective date of a bill that becomes law following a vote to override a governor’s veto and a vote to adopt a governor’s recommendations made in an amendatory veto.
The law states that “[f]or purposes of determining the effective dates of laws, a bill is ‘passed’ at the time of its final legislative action prior to presentation to the Governor pursuant to paragraph (a) of Section 9 of Article IV of the Constitution.” That statute codifies longstanding Illinois Supreme Court precedent defining “the time when a bill is passed as the time of the last legislative act necessary so that the bill would become law upon its acceptance by the Governor without further action by the legislature.”
In the context of a vote to override a governor’s veto, courts have held that passage, or the “last legislative act necessary,” occurs at the time of initial passage prior to presentment to the governor, not upon the legislature’s vote to override. As one court explained, “[t]he override procedure can be distinguished from the procedures . . . which deal with the initial consideration and passage of a bill by the legislature.” Because “the action of the legislature in voting to override a veto culminates in the bill becoming law,” override is “no more an element of final ‘passage’ than the Governor’s signature. . . . the action of the legislature in overriding the Governor’s veto is not part of the ‘passage’ of a bill, as that term is used in [Article IV,] section 10” of the Illinois Constitution.
Based on this law, it appears that if the General Assembly votes to override the Governor’s veto of SB1 outright, the law will have been “passed” for purposes of determining its effective date as of July 31, 2017. That is the date on which the final legislative action prior to presentation to the Governor occurred. Based on that date, SB1 appears to require a three-fifths majority in both houses of the General Assembly to become effective before June 1, 2018. The House of Representatives vote of 60 to 52 provides just over 50% of the 118 members elected, and the Senate’s 35 to 22 vote provides just 59% of the 59 members elected. Both are less than the three-fifths constitutionally required for SB1 to become effective prior to June 1, 2018, and the veto override vote itself appears not to count for purposes of calculating that percentage.
An amendatory veto, however, appears to have a different passage date and therefore a different vote for purposes of calculating the three-fifths requirement. The Illinois Supreme Court has held “that a bill that is the subject of an amendatory veto under article IV, section 9(e), of the Illinois Constitution of 1970 is not ‘passed’ for purposes of determining its effective date until the final vote approving the Governor’s recommended changes is taken in the General Assembly.” That decision also cited a number of Illinois Attorney General Opinions reaching the same conclusion. This is because “[a] bill changed upon the Governor’s specific recommendation is no longer the same bill as initially ‘passed’ by the General Assembly[,] and the ‘final legislative action’ would not simply be a reaffirmation of the bill’s original language as in the situation involving an override of a non-amendatorily vetoed bill.”
Under an amendatory veto, then, the passage date depends on the date that the second house of the General Assembly adopts the Governor’s recommendations. In the case of SB1, that would be the date that the House of Representatives votes following the acceptance of SB1 by the Senate. In turn, so long as those votes meet the required three-fifths majority, the bill would be effective immediately by its own terms upon becoming law. In that instance, the evidence-based funding model in SB1 would be available to allow schools to open this fall.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, we are concerned that the General Assembly may jeopardize the date on which SB1 may constitutionally become effective if the General Assembly pursues an outright veto override motion. It appears that the decision to delay SB1’s passage until July 31, 2017, may prevent the General Assembly from making an SB1 veto effective before June 1, 2018. If that is the case, the evidence-based funding formula established by SB1 may only be used this August to distribute school funding to schools across the state if the legislature adopts the Governor’s amendatory veto by a three-fifths vote.
Please feel free to contact either … if you wish to discuss this request.
Sincerely,
Senate Republican Leader Designee Bill Brady
House Republican Leader Jim Durkin
OK, so the analysis is right except maybe for the highlighted text and whatever relates to that text.
* Where they may go wrong is claiming that the withdrawal of a motion to reconsider a vote is “legislative action.” I talked to some folks about this first, and from what I’ve been able to discern, “legislative action” is understood to be action that requires a vote. If you click here for the Senate rules, several things are deemed to be legislative action. The Senate President can set and even change deadline dates for those actions. Withdrawing a motion does not require any vote at all and the submission deadlines are set by rule and can only be changed if they change the rules.
So, withdrawing a motion is not an action, a lot like officially transmitting a bill to the governor is not considered an action.
So the last “legislative action” on SB1 was in May. At least, that’s how I look at it. We’ll see how the attorney general views this. Her office declined comment yesterday.
…Adding… From comments…
If the motion to reconsider is something that could delay the effective date of an Act that doesn’t get a 3/5 vote, wouldn’t immediate effect on any Bill that doesn’t get 3/5 be able to be scuttled by someone who opposes it (just by filing the motion and letting it sit past 5/31)?
That’s correct and no court is going to allow that.
57 Comments
|
*** UPDATED x1 *** Caption contest!
Thursday, Aug 3, 2017 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Dispatch-Argus…
If elected governor, state Sen. Daniel Biss said Wednesday that he intends to help working class families by raising the minimum wage, getting rid of the flat income tax and fixing the pension system.
The Democratic gubernatorial candidate was introduced by Rock Island County Board member Kai Swanson during a town hall meeting at the Laborers’ Local Union 309, 2835 7th Ave., Wednesday night. […]
Sen. Biss told the crowd of more than 50 people that Gov. Bruce Rauner was to blame for much of the state’s dysfunction.
“Bruce Rauner is a dismal failure,” Sen. Biss said. “We’re supposed to be a blue state, but yet have one of the most aggressive tax codes in the nation. We can’t adequately fund our schools. We’ve had a broken system that hasn’t been working for decades.” […]
Sen. Biss said the state could begin fixing its pension crisis by requiring payments into the pension system.
I’m assuming he said “regressive” and not “aggressive,” but some might agree with “aggressive,” what with the new income tax hike, the new Cook County pop tax, etc.
* Anyway, maybe those alleged 50 attendees were on the other side of the room, or they left before this newspaper pic was taken?…
*** UPDATE *** The campaign tweeted this pic so you can see there were people at the event…
That newspaper pic, though. Not good.
57 Comments
|
* Word’s getting out about this one…
State Rep. Bill Mitchell, R-Forsyth, will be making an announcement Thursday regarding his future in the Illinois General Assembly.
Mitchell, an Assistant Republican Leader in the Illinois House, has represented his Central Illinois district since 1999.
Rep. Mitchell took huge heat when he voted to override the governor’s tax hike and budget vetoes last month. I’ll update this post when he makes an announcement.
Pretty sure we’ll be in double digits on retirees before too long.
*** UPDATE *** Confirmed…
Bill Mitchell, the Forsyth Republican who has represented Central Illinois for nearly 20 years, announced Thursday that he will not seek re-election in 2018.
“I can’t repay the people of Central Illinois what they’ve done for me, because they’ve allowed me to serve in a democratically elected body. For a citizen, there’s no greater honor,” said Mitchell, who represents the 101st House District and has served since 1999.
During a news conference in Clinton, Mitchell said he announced the move in August to give his potential successors plenty of time to start next month circulating petitions to get on the ballot.
…Adding… Rep. Mitchell’s press release is here.
…Adding More… Leader Durkin…
“I have been privileged to serve alongside Bill Mitchell since he first came to the Illinois General Assembly in 1999. He has always been a passionate advocate for downstate Illinois, standing up for the priorities and values of his constituents. Bill’s advocacy was instrumental in helping keep the Clinton nuclear power plant open. As a member of my leadership team, Bill continues to provide me with a perspective that is much needed in the Capitol. More importantly, Bill Mitchell is my friend and someone whose opinion I’ve always respected. I wish him all the best as he looks forward to a well-deserved retirement at the completion of his term.”
[ *** End Of Update *** ]
* And perhaps another overrider…
Jeremy Yost, chief executive officer of Yost Enterprises and Yost Management Services, Inc., announced his candidacy for state representative of the 110th District on Thursday at the Lifespan Center, according to a press release.
A part of his platform includes not raising taxes, the release states. It stated that he spoke on “why raising taxes on the hard working people of Illinois is not the right path to get our state in the right direction.” […]
According to his website, Yost also is focused on business reforms and property tax reform. […]
The announcement of Yost’s candidacy came a day after incumbent Rep. Reggie Phillips told constituents at a budget forum that he would reveal more about his intentions on running for a third term in August.
When running for his second and current term, Phillips expressed that he’d hold to a two-term limit for himself, but that might have changed. Phillips acted more open to the idea of a third term this spring, noting that if he was needed he might stay.
19 Comments
|
*** UPDATED x1 *** Unclear on the concept
Thursday, Aug 3, 2017 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From the Illinois Policy Institute…
PolitiFact Illinois and the Better Government Association, or BGA, have botched their fact-checking of Senate Bill 1, a bill that bails out Chicago Public Schools as part of a rewrite of Illinois’ education funding formula.
* So, let’s take their points one by one…
CPS gets to keep $200 million in block grant funding
Um, keeping what you currently have isn’t a bailout, it’s keeping what you have. You may not think CPS deserves it, but status quo funding isn’t a bailout.
* Next…
SB 1 allows CPS to appear poorer than it actually is when applying for state aid, granting the district even more funding. No other district gets to do that.Currently, CPS contributes about $500 million annually to pay down its unfunded pension liability. The new funding formula allows CPS to deduct that $500 million from its local resources for education when it applies for state aid. That makes CPS look poorer and helps ensure the district gets more money from the state than it should.
I’ve seen numbers of up to $40 million in state costs for that, so it’s hardly a bailout. Also, the state picks up all legacy costs for suburban and Downstate teacher pensions, and that would of course continue. So, are those school districts being bailed out because they keep the largesse they currently have?
* Another one…
SB 1 allows Chicago to benefit from a set of rules that allow select school districts to undervalue their property wealth so they look poorer than they actually are.Districts whose revenues are affected by local property tax caps (Property Tax Extension Limitation Law, or PTELL) and special economic zones (tax increment financing, or TIF) are able to underreport their available property wealth when applying for state aid under the new SB 1 formula, just as they can under the current formula.
“Just as they can under the current formula,” according to the Institute. So, again, they keep what they have. How is that a bailout?
* Another…
Chicago will also be a major beneficiary of SB 1’s “hold harmless” provision. This provision ensures that a district cannot receive less in state aid funds than it did the previous year. The provision protects a district’s state funding even if it experiences changes in demographics, such as a drop in student attendance that would have otherwise led to less state funding.
As we’ve already discussed today, 222 school districts lost students between FY15 and FY16. So, this is not an issue confined to one district.
* One more…
In addition to all of the above, the state will begin paying CPS’ normal pension costs going forward. SB 1 requires state taxpayers to give the district at least $215 million for CPS’ “normal” pension and health care costs – the additional benefits Chicago teachers earn annually – every year going forward. This puts the district on par with other districts around the state.
And putting CPS on par with other districts in this one regard is a bailout? Gov. Rauner’s AV would achieve the same end by a different means. Is he bailing out Chicago too?
*** UPDATE *** The Illinois Policy Institute has responded. Click here for the document they sent me.
38 Comments
|
So… Rahm is for Drury? Biss? Pawar?
Thursday, Aug 3, 2017 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Tribune…
In one case, Emanuel noted how the controversy involving, and Trump’s ultimate firing of, White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci overshadowed what should have been positive storylines for the president — an increase in the GDP and Foxconn adding thousands of jobs in Wisconsin.
“He is his own worst enemy,” Emanuel said of Trump, before drawing a parallel between the president and Rauner. “I actually don’t think it’s an accident — since people say, ‘oh we need a businessman’ — they don’t understand politics, and we see it in our governor’s office. He’s a businessman. He fired all of his staff. He got overridden four times. He has no sense of how to work with other people. He’s got no sense of how to hear what other people are saying. It’s either my way or the highway, and he undermines people in that process. I think that’s why, in both cases, nothing’s getting done.”
Sorry, JB and Chris. You’re businessmen, just like Rauner and Trump. /snark
* Speaking of Drury…
DRURY TO UNVEIL BLUEPRINT TO REBUILD ILLINOIS
Highland Park, Illinois – Today, August 3, 2017, at 1:30 p.m., Scott Drury, Democratic candidate for governor, will unveil his blueprint to Rebuild Illinois and pave the path to Illinois’ brighter future. Comprehensive in scope, Rebuild Illinois will return prosperity to Illinois by tackling its crushing debt, reforming its rigged election process, ending the corrupt deal between lobbyists and legislators, and restoring trust through the implementation of multiple anti-corruption initiatives.
27 Comments
|
|
Support CapitolFax.com Visit our advertisers...
...............
...............
...............
...............
...............
|
|
Hosted by MCS
SUBSCRIBE to Capitol Fax
Advertise Here
Mobile Version
Contact Rich Miller
|