I would like JB to tackle how the state funds K-12. Even if we have to raise income taxes across the board. We have to get property tax relief for those who csn least afford it.
He seems to have built trust with both business and labor. I’d love to see what kind of ideas that working relationship could generate to help our economy.
I’d like to see him let the legislators pick their pet issues, with a focus on one or two big issues. With almost everyone up for re-election, it’ll be hard to get a lot done, so let the legislators themselves do the heavy lifting with MJM and Cullerton wrangling votes for the endangered members.
Pritzker should largely stay in the back seat, save for one or two big issues. My pick would be strengthening clean energy programs. It’ll be a solid Democratic talking point that will probably coincide with national politics and help the economy and the environment at the same time. Otherwise, he needs to focus on not screwing up the implementation of all the big policies he got this year.
Take a serious shot at reforming Illinois’ broken human services delivery system.
From outdated treatment models like state DD centers to underpaid and overworked community level substance abuse and mental health centers, to thousands of adults in Illinois waiting for services on the PUNS list, the system is a mess.
JB appears to like big jobs and human services is a huge one.
Real high speed internet like google fiber and improving access to quality internet to all areas of the state. The Governor experience leading that tech startup center 1871 would be beneficial in such an endeavor.
Possibly lay the ground work for some improvements in healthcare.
since hes got a constitutional amendment coming on the 2020 ballot, toss in pension reform of some kind. let the voters truly decide. sure theres debate if its legal , but lets roll the dice and see what plays out. you took a swing in 2013…
He did a great start but I would like to see affordable pre-school services ramped up even more. The middle class is being hurt by the current rules in that pre-school can be made free for those with low income and the rich can afford it. For those in the middle families are neglecting children the opportunity because the cost is over $2,000 almost everywhere and with multiple kids that becomes a difficult expense.
review Illinois university system and make a goal to cut waste and an overgrown admin at every level. MAKE all Illinois universities accountable for the degrees they issue and the debt on their students
Have state fund public schools as suggested by Il Constitution, in return for which would be a corresponding lowering of property taxes. Tie them together
Consider bring back county orphanages with parenting classes women’s shelters, addiction services. One stop shop for those in need. Figurer out best interest of child and act quickly on those interests. Dream big.
I hope he takes the opportunity to do a deep dive into managing and supervising the executive branch, looking for ways to make improvements in delivery of services.
With the constant crisis since the Blago years, it seems managing the executive branch has not been top of mind.
==He seems to have built trust with both business and labor. I’d love to see what kind of ideas that working relationship could generate to help our economy.==
As a follow-up to Captain, incentivizing green projects and environmentally friendly procurements. We need to be the Midwest leader in this category and that alone will attract businesses. This is important to farmers too so there should be bi-partisan cooperation
Since there’s been talk of increasing Local Government Distributive Fund back to 10% of the state income tax, but that funds only helps counties/municipalities, perhaps take the addition 3.94% of the state income & instead put it to the new fund to reduce homeowner property taxes, directly reducing property taxes & helping fund all the local governments.
Improve and speed up processing times at the crime lab, encourage government consolidation, more funding for pre-school, ideas to end the bill backlog.
- Three Dimensional Checkers - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 3:35 pm:
Education funding and finding a way to more fully fund the reformed education funding formula. Always a popular issue, and I am sure they can find an acceptable new source of money.
A lot of these suggestions are more difficult than what passed and less politically advantageous.
A bipartisan legislative plan, that once it’s rolled out by the legislative folks willing to run on it, then the governor should be part of the process.
Here’s why.
Locals knowing the local legislators are crafting this reform will force legislative hands to be all-in in ways they wouldn’t be if they only picked a colored switch to flip.
The property tax overhaul is one where the 4 caucuses could take on, and invite the governor later in process.
Once a Governor Pritzker is involved, governors then own.
Let the legislature frame out the structure they will live with.
How about tackling redundant units of government–townships and single-school school districts? That requires some political capital to do but it’s clearly “good government” policy.
- Steward As Well.... - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 3:38 pm:
Actually get the legislature to lower property taxes or even freeze them for a couple of years. Even if the value of the home goes up. Task forces and panels on property tax reform go nowhere.
Overhaul IDOC to improve transparency and accountability through an independent ombudsperson, give correctional officers the resources they need to keep facilities safe, increase access to education and vocational training and quality comprehensive healthcare.
- Southern Illinois Mayor - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 3:41 pm:
It might not be next year but it will be soon. As of now a state can’t file for Bankruptcy but with the way things are headed the state is going to have to figure out a way.
Move the Illinois primary to first in the nation during veto session, announce your candidacy, drop a cool $500 million into your campaign fund, and win the Democratic primary. /s
Sounds great, but ask yourself ig you want politicians writng laws without consulting any of the entities that they are regulating or taxing or whatever.
Nope. Illinois already has some of the strictest laws on the books. What is needed is more money spent on enforcement of existing laws instead of the hand slaps in the Chicago courts. If the Feds won’t do it, the State’s attorneys need to.
Dream list: Focus (Billions in appropriated money, not billion in borrowing) on bill backlog, implement Biennial budgeting, extend sales tax to services (if we overhaul the income tax, then the sales is next, right?), establishment of rainy day reserves.
I do hope they tackle the property tax issue, but until there is more State level tax money, about all they can do is implement cost savings measures like salary caps, consolidation, and eliminating unfunded mandates.
Any serious level of property tax relief may have to wait until FY22.
Rereading the comments, I was reminded the major money out there to be taxed is services. If the GA is willing to tax services, they could possibly do increased school funding for reduced property taxes and/or pension increases.
- Back to the Mountains - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 5:56 pm:
1. Reinvent education funding in the state. Everything from Pre-K to Higher Ed. Work collaboratively with everyone to reimagine how the system can work.
2. Local Government Consolidation. The number and types of units of local government that we have are relics of the pre-1970 constitution. Again, get everyone to the table and start with a blank page.
“I hope he takes the opportunity to do a deep dive into managing and supervising the executive branch, looking for ways to make improvements in delivery of services.”
This. Blago and Quinn put very little effort into making state government more efficient. Rauner made a halfhearted attempt in his last year. It would be nice to see a governor who spends a significant portion of his time actually governing.
Property tax reform / ed funding will require more revenue. No reason to make the the tax amendment harder to pass. If it does, then you can couple broader base/ lower sales tax rate with significant property tax reform and reduction. In the meantime, focus on growing the economy long term: 1) higher education, agree w OW. Couple his experience with 1871 to build a true workforce development and business incubator system statewide. 2) clean energy reforms - boost job creation and significantly reduce our carbon footprint. 3) set aggressive standards for preK. Build consensus and the infrastructure to fund it more completely when economic growth and a more rational tax and education funding system permit it.
Any property tax reform should include reforming the tax sale timelines/process so people in dire financial straits have a better chance at saving their house.
I second the need to address the underinvested and broken human services system. If the next spring session fails to address this, it will be a total betrayal of Illinois communities. Human services agencies and people who rely on the social safety net have been fighting too hard for too long.
Hunt dutifully for all of the additional manners in which the residents can be taxed. If that fails, raise all the existing taxes even more. Especially parking, which gets hit every single time anyone needs more tax revenue.
1. Schools: completely restructure the school funding model, provide funding for universal pre-k and also full-day kindergarten
2. HHS/DCFS/IDOC restructuring/funding/reform, including a focus on mental health care and treatment
3. Common-sense gun control. Fix the FOID. Develop a ballistics database and require registration within that database for all guns owned in Illinois. Require FOIDs to be surrendered when the owner of a gun has that gun stolen and used in a crime - that is not responsible gun ownership. Remove guns from those that have mental health issues or history of domestic abuse.
@ Notorious RBG: “Common sense” guns laws like that have been tried and failed in other countries. Ask Canada about mandatory registration which failed, as well as the states that require ballistic fingerprinting that never stopped a crime, or led to a conviction, while wasting millions of tax dollars. Revoking a crime victim’s FOID for having their gun used in a crime would be overturned by the courts (blaming the victim once again for acts beyond their control).
- Da Big Bad Wolf - Thursday, Jun 6, 19 @ 8:30 am:
Illinois has a witness protection program. One never hears about it during discussions about crime. How can it be effective if no one knows about it? There are many communities that could benefit from more publicity about this program, as people are afraid of retaliation if they come forward. East St. Louis, Springfield, Rockford, Danville, Harvey, Chicago all would benefit from this. Where are the billboards, the Goodyear Blimps, the milk cartons? This should be everywhere.
- Da Big Bad Wolf - Thursday, Jun 6, 19 @ 8:34 am:
Speaking of greater publicity, people are still abandoning their newborns. Why don’t people know they can give up their infant at a firehouse of police station? Kids should be taught this in kindergarten so by the time they are teenagers it is a well known fact. We need more funding for publicity if that is what it takes. Come on this is a pro life issue. Let’s get it done.
- Wow - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 3:01 pm:
Do a budget and convince the Speaker to adjourn on April 1st
- Blue Dog Dem - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 3:03 pm:
Repeal the FOID card in its entirety.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 3:03 pm:
A complete overhaul and revamping of higher education.
Make Illinois’ higher education institutions and systems a destination, not a place Illinoisans won’t send their own students.
Thinking… Big… right?
- oldlobbyist - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 3:03 pm:
fix what he has passed.
- Matthew - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 3:05 pm:
Gun safety would be good.
The Clean Energy Jobs Act for sure, though that might happen in the veto session?
Following through the execution of all the ideas just passed, including the DCFS staffing, seems most critical.
- Gruntled University Employee - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 3:06 pm:
World peace. What the heck, he’s on a roll.
- Blue Dog Dem - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 3:07 pm:
I would like JB to tackle how the state funds K-12. Even if we have to raise income taxes across the board. We have to get property tax relief for those who csn least afford it.
- Centennial - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 3:07 pm:
I predict next session to be the year of the trailer bill.
- Robert Montgomery - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 3:09 pm:
Public Safety Pension Fund Consolidation into IMRF.
- lake county democrat - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 3:09 pm:
Universal pre-K.
Fix DCFS.
Legalize psychedelic mushrooms (don’t laugh, some cities are decriminalizing, a familiar first step.)
- The Captain - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 3:11 pm:
He seems to have built trust with both business and labor. I’d love to see what kind of ideas that working relationship could generate to help our economy.
- Birds on the bat - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 3:12 pm:
Early Retirement Incentive
- OutOfState - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 3:13 pm:
I’d like to see him let the legislators pick their pet issues, with a focus on one or two big issues. With almost everyone up for re-election, it’ll be hard to get a lot done, so let the legislators themselves do the heavy lifting with MJM and Cullerton wrangling votes for the endangered members.
Pritzker should largely stay in the back seat, save for one or two big issues. My pick would be strengthening clean energy programs. It’ll be a solid Democratic talking point that will probably coincide with national politics and help the economy and the environment at the same time. Otherwise, he needs to focus on not screwing up the implementation of all the big policies he got this year.
- Ole' Nelson - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 3:13 pm:
Changing from legislatively required pension contribution amounts to actuarially required state contributions.
- Joe Bidenopolous - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 3:13 pm:
=Do a budget and convince the Speaker to adjourn on April 1st=
This * 10. It’s been done. MJM and Pate got together and adjourned in early April once.
=I predict next session to be the year of the trailer bill.=
Seems likely.
- Give Me A Break - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 3:15 pm:
Take a serious shot at reforming Illinois’ broken human services delivery system.
From outdated treatment models like state DD centers to underpaid and overworked community level substance abuse and mental health centers, to thousands of adults in Illinois waiting for services on the PUNS list, the system is a mess.
JB appears to like big jobs and human services is a huge one.
- Cheryl44 - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 3:17 pm:
More gun control, please.
- ItsMillerTime - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 3:17 pm:
Real high speed internet like google fiber and improving access to quality internet to all areas of the state. The Governor experience leading that tech startup center 1871 would be beneficial in such an endeavor.
Possibly lay the ground work for some improvements in healthcare.
- happy - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 3:17 pm:
since hes got a constitutional amendment coming on the 2020 ballot, toss in pension reform of some kind. let the voters truly decide. sure theres debate if its legal , but lets roll the dice and see what plays out. you took a swing in 2013…
- tgk - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 3:19 pm:
Well, one of his biggest campaign promises was medicare for all style health care for illinois so, that.
- Smalls - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 3:19 pm:
==Changing from legislatively required pension contribution amounts to actuarially required state contributions.==
I like Ole’ Nelson’s suggestion. Of course that would require an additional $4 billion per year. So very doubtful.
- Seats - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 3:20 pm:
He did a great start but I would like to see affordable pre-school services ramped up even more. The middle class is being hurt by the current rules in that pre-school can be made free for those with low income and the rich can afford it. For those in the middle families are neglecting children the opportunity because the cost is over $2,000 almost everywhere and with multiple kids that becomes a difficult expense.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 3:22 pm:
===…toss in pension reform of some kind. let the voters truly decide.===
Yah, ‘bout that.
The ILSC, the constitution’s contract clause, you seem to ignore this like so many.
The money is owed.
Tier II addresses your other concern.
Unless you, personally, have a constitutional way, and a legal way to ignore the contract clause… please stop spreading this premise.
- truthteller - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 3:22 pm:
review Illinois university system and make a goal to cut waste and an overgrown admin at every level. MAKE all Illinois universities accountable for the degrees they issue and the debt on their students
- Rich Miller - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 3:23 pm:
===biggest campaign promises was medicare for all style health care===
Not even close.
He proposed allowing people to buy into Medicaid without a government match.
- DuPage Saint - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 3:24 pm:
Have state fund public schools as suggested by Il Constitution, in return for which would be a corresponding lowering of property taxes. Tie them together
Consider bring back county orphanages with parenting classes women’s shelters, addiction services. One stop shop for those in need. Figurer out best interest of child and act quickly on those interests. Dream big.
- wordslinger - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 3:26 pm:
Too early for me to give it any thought.
I hope he takes the opportunity to do a deep dive into managing and supervising the executive branch, looking for ways to make improvements in delivery of services.
With the constant crisis since the Blago years, it seems managing the executive branch has not been top of mind.
- Thomas Paine - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 3:26 pm:
Pass a balanced budget.
Fix DCFS.
Move local govt funding off of property taxes.
Private-sector job creation. In every region.
- Buster Scruggs - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 3:27 pm:
==He seems to have built trust with both business and labor. I’d love to see what kind of ideas that working relationship could generate to help our economy.==
As a follow-up to Captain, incentivizing green projects and environmentally friendly procurements. We need to be the Midwest leader in this category and that alone will attract businesses. This is important to farmers too so there should be bi-partisan cooperation
- Amalia - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 3:30 pm:
Public safety issues, including guns.
- 62656 - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 3:30 pm:
Since there’s been talk of increasing Local Government Distributive Fund back to 10% of the state income tax, but that funds only helps counties/municipalities, perhaps take the addition 3.94% of the state income & instead put it to the new fund to reduce homeowner property taxes, directly reducing property taxes & helping fund all the local governments.
- Chicagonk - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 3:34 pm:
Improve and speed up processing times at the crime lab, encourage government consolidation, more funding for pre-school, ideas to end the bill backlog.
- Three Dimensional Checkers - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 3:35 pm:
Education funding and finding a way to more fully fund the reformed education funding formula. Always a popular issue, and I am sure they can find an acceptable new source of money.
A lot of these suggestions are more difficult than what passed and less politically advantageous.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 3:36 pm:
To the property tax relief idea.
My feel is this;
A bipartisan legislative plan, that once it’s rolled out by the legislative folks willing to run on it, then the governor should be part of the process.
Here’s why.
Locals knowing the local legislators are crafting this reform will force legislative hands to be all-in in ways they wouldn’t be if they only picked a colored switch to flip.
The property tax overhaul is one where the 4 caucuses could take on, and invite the governor later in process.
Once a Governor Pritzker is involved, governors then own.
Let the legislature frame out the structure they will live with.
- Benjamin - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 3:36 pm:
How about tackling redundant units of government–townships and single-school school districts? That requires some political capital to do but it’s clearly “good government” policy.
- Tom - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 3:38 pm:
Elimination of townships and some other local units of government.
- Builder - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 3:38 pm:
High speed rail
- Steward As Well.... - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 3:38 pm:
Actually get the legislature to lower property taxes or even freeze them for a couple of years. Even if the value of the home goes up. Task forces and panels on property tax reform go nowhere.
- Hamlet's Ghost - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 3:41 pm:
Increasing the property tax credit homeowners can claim on their IL income tax return might be a quick clean way to offer property tax relief.
- LakeviewJ - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 3:41 pm:
Overhaul IDOC to improve transparency and accountability through an independent ombudsperson, give correctional officers the resources they need to keep facilities safe, increase access to education and vocational training and quality comprehensive healthcare.
- Southern Illinois Mayor - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 3:41 pm:
“G” as the state letter.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 3:42 pm:
Gonna be hard to top Southern Illinois Mayor.
- tweed - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 3:42 pm:
Single Payer, tied to a revamp of the states Human Services delivery system
- Nick Name - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 3:46 pm:
Bump up state portion of school funding for property tax relief.
- Bothanspy - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 3:50 pm:
Legalize online poker again. It’s a far-greater skill based game than sports betting.
- Mike - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 3:53 pm:
It might not be next year but it will be soon. As of now a state can’t file for Bankruptcy but with the way things are headed the state is going to have to figure out a way.
- Greenpeace - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 3:54 pm:
Move the Illinois primary to first in the nation during veto session, announce your candidacy, drop a cool $500 million into your campaign fund, and win the Democratic primary. /s
- Commander Norton - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 3:55 pm:
Universal pre-K. The real investment in Illinois’ future.
- Dance Band on the Titanic - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 4:03 pm:
Gun safety. The drumbeat grows louder to enact meaningful reforms and the feds are completely useless on this subject.
- Catherine Meyer - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 4:06 pm:
Pension reform, school funding, guns
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 4:11 pm:
===Pension reform===
Pay what’s owed.
That’s done.
- A Well-Regulated Commenter - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 4:16 pm:
Tax retirement income
- DougChicago - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 4:19 pm:
Cool County property tax assessment reform.
- DougChicago - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 4:20 pm:
Cook I mean. It’s only a cool county for the Madigan, Burke et alii insiders who run the operation.
- Anonymous - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 4:24 pm:
Mike
I think you misspelled Illinois policy in your search engine. Most commenters here deal in nonfiction. States can’t declare bankruptcy.
- KBS - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 4:24 pm:
Clean energy jobs act and gun control.
- Enviro - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 4:25 pm:
“Think Big” gun reform with comprehensive background checks and removal of guns from convicted felons.
- Ole' Nelson - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 4:25 pm:
4:24 was me.
- BobO - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 4:31 pm:
Rebalance funding for Illinois citizen with intellectual/developmental disabilities in support of community living.
- Unionman - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 4:42 pm:
Go through all the bad laws on the books and rewrite them so that they actually make sense. Remove special interests from legislation.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 5:01 pm:
===Remove special interests from legislation. ===
Sounds great, but ask yourself ig you want politicians writng laws without consulting any of the entities that they are regulating or taxing or whatever.
- RNUG - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 5:06 pm:
== More gun control, please. ==
Nope. Illinois already has some of the strictest laws on the books. What is needed is more money spent on enforcement of existing laws instead of the hand slaps in the Chicago courts. If the Feds won’t do it, the State’s attorneys need to.
- DarkDante - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 5:08 pm:
Dream list: Focus (Billions in appropriated money, not billion in borrowing) on bill backlog, implement Biennial budgeting, extend sales tax to services (if we overhaul the income tax, then the sales is next, right?), establishment of rainy day reserves.
- RNUG - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 5:11 pm:
I do hope they tackle the property tax issue, but until there is more State level tax money, about all they can do is implement cost savings measures like salary caps, consolidation, and eliminating unfunded mandates.
Any serious level of property tax relief may have to wait until FY22.
- RNUG - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 5:14 pm:
== Changing from legislatively required pension contribution amounts to actuarially required state contributions. ==
I’d like to see that also but, again, it is going to take more State level tax money.
Probably another FY22 or FY23 issue where they will need to raise the progressive tax rates to generate the needed funds.
- Steve Rogers - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 5:16 pm:
Start preparing for Illinois’s tricentennial in 2118.
- Ole' Nelson - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 5:18 pm:
I’d like to see that also but, again, it is going to take more State level tax money.
Yes would be a heavy lift, but it would be my top issue “want”. If we had been doing this all along, we would be in great fiscal shape.
- OurMagician - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 5:28 pm:
Government consolidation-we have way too many governmental taxing units in this state. Follow through on one good Rauner idea and consolidate them.
- RNUG - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 5:30 pm:
Rereading the comments, I was reminded the major money out there to be taxed is services. If the GA is willing to tax services, they could possibly do increased school funding for reduced property taxes and/or pension increases.
- Back to the Mountains - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 5:56 pm:
1. Reinvent education funding in the state. Everything from Pre-K to Higher Ed. Work collaboratively with everyone to reimagine how the system can work.
2. Local Government Consolidation. The number and types of units of local government that we have are relics of the pre-1970 constitution. Again, get everyone to the table and start with a blank page.
Not that either are heavy lifts. /s
- Pelonski - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 6:14 pm:
“I hope he takes the opportunity to do a deep dive into managing and supervising the executive branch, looking for ways to make improvements in delivery of services.”
This. Blago and Quinn put very little effort into making state government more efficient. Rauner made a halfhearted attempt in his last year. It would be nice to see a governor who spends a significant portion of his time actually governing.
- A guy - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 6:50 pm:
A hobby.
- WH Mess - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 6:52 pm:
Property tax reform / ed funding will require more revenue. No reason to make the the tax amendment harder to pass. If it does, then you can couple broader base/ lower sales tax rate with significant property tax reform and reduction. In the meantime, focus on growing the economy long term: 1) higher education, agree w OW. Couple his experience with 1871 to build a true workforce development and business incubator system statewide. 2) clean energy reforms - boost job creation and significantly reduce our carbon footprint. 3) set aggressive standards for preK. Build consensus and the infrastructure to fund it more completely when economic growth and a more rational tax and education funding system permit it.
- Just Me - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 9:13 pm:
Redistricting reform because the current method is inherently corrupt and wrong. It shouldn’t be limited to the General Assembly either.
- Glengarry - Monday, Jun 3, 19 @ 10:35 pm:
Stop the elderly from driving.
- Lt Guv - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 1:03 am:
Make FOID card revocation work.
- RNUG - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 4:50 am:
== Stop the elderly from driving. ==
Depending on your definition of elderly, they already make it harder to keep a license the older you get.
From the SOS website:
drivers age 81 through 86 — licenses are valid for two years; drivers age 87 and older must renew their licenses each year.
Vision screening is required for all drivers renewing at a facility.
All persons age 75 and older must take a driving exam.
- Cygnus - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 6:17 am:
Any property tax reform should include reforming the tax sale timelines/process so people in dire financial straits have a better chance at saving their house.
- bill - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 6:53 am:
reinstate parole that was eliminated in 1978
- revvedup - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 7:22 am:
@Bill: “Reinstate parole”. We have it; now called “Mandatory Supervised Release”. Same thing, longer name.
- Quill - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 8:36 am:
I second the need to address the underinvested and broken human services system. If the next spring session fails to address this, it will be a total betrayal of Illinois communities. Human services agencies and people who rely on the social safety net have been fighting too hard for too long.
- BigDoggie - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 8:43 am:
Hunt dutifully for all of the additional manners in which the residents can be taxed. If that fails, raise all the existing taxes even more. Especially parking, which gets hit every single time anyone needs more tax revenue.
- Anon - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 8:56 am:
Universal enfranchisement for all citizens regardless of criminal history.
- Franklin Park Mayor - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 10:42 am:
Downstate Public Safety Pension Fund Consolidation and Pension Payment Schedule modification.
- Notorious RBG - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 11:32 am:
1. Schools: completely restructure the school funding model, provide funding for universal pre-k and also full-day kindergarten
2. HHS/DCFS/IDOC restructuring/funding/reform, including a focus on mental health care and treatment
3. Common-sense gun control. Fix the FOID. Develop a ballistics database and require registration within that database for all guns owned in Illinois. Require FOIDs to be surrendered when the owner of a gun has that gun stolen and used in a crime - that is not responsible gun ownership. Remove guns from those that have mental health issues or history of domestic abuse.
- revvedup - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 5:19 pm:
@ Notorious RBG: “Common sense” guns laws like that have been tried and failed in other countries. Ask Canada about mandatory registration which failed, as well as the states that require ballistic fingerprinting that never stopped a crime, or led to a conviction, while wasting millions of tax dollars. Revoking a crime victim’s FOID for having their gun used in a crime would be overturned by the courts (blaming the victim once again for acts beyond their control).
- Da Big Bad Wolf - Thursday, Jun 6, 19 @ 8:30 am:
Illinois has a witness protection program. One never hears about it during discussions about crime. How can it be effective if no one knows about it? There are many communities that could benefit from more publicity about this program, as people are afraid of retaliation if they come forward. East St. Louis, Springfield, Rockford, Danville, Harvey, Chicago all would benefit from this. Where are the billboards, the Goodyear Blimps, the milk cartons? This should be everywhere.
- Da Big Bad Wolf - Thursday, Jun 6, 19 @ 8:34 am:
Speaking of greater publicity, people are still abandoning their newborns. Why don’t people know they can give up their infant at a firehouse of police station? Kids should be taught this in kindergarten so by the time they are teenagers it is a well known fact. We need more funding for publicity if that is what it takes. Come on this is a pro life issue. Let’s get it done.
- quick cash loans no checks - Friday, Jun 21, 19 @ 10:49 am:
I understand the nuance in this essay, although I hope to read more writing in this vein from you in time.