* Proft paper…
Illinois Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider has a message for any voters who are unhappy with the way the latest legislative session went in Springfield.
“If you don’t like the outcome of this session, remember that the Democrats hold all the cards — at the moment,” Schneider said in a press release. “If you don’t like the outcome of this session, the only solution is to work. Work for local, legislative or statewide candidates who take on the mantle of reform.”
The flurry of bills signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker after being passed by his Democratic majority during the final hours of the session were particularly disheartening for GOP leaders who, Schneider said, could do little to stop them.
“Governor Pritzker and Speaker [Mike] Madigan set the parameters,” Schneider said in the release. “They determined what policies to enact and what reforms were ignored. They didn’t need a single Republican vote.”
Maybe they didn’t “need” a single Republican vote, but they sure got a lot of them. And the Republicans could do little to stop the Democrats? In reality, the Republicans extracted more pro-business reforms out of the Democrats than Bruce Rauner did in four years as governor.
From House GOP Leader Jim Durkin…
“The end of this legislative was another historic moment for the House Republicans. Not only did we pass a bipartisan, balanced budget without any tax increases, but we also achieved significant business reforms for our communities that will boost the economy across our state. As I’ve said before, we can get great things done for Illinois families as long as we respect the principles and priorities of each caucus. In doing so, we have passed historic education reform, two bipartisan, balanced budgets and now important reforms that will grow jobs. I am proud to have worked with the legislative leaders and the Governor to finally do what’s right for Illinois families and businesses.”
Reforms include:
· Creation of the Blue Collar Jobs Act – which will attract large scale construction projects.
· Creation of a Data Center Tax Incentive – which will enhance the state’s ability to locate data centers in Illinois by providing tax incentives.
· Reinstatement of the Manufacturer’s Purchase Credit – to encourage further investments in manufacturing in Illinois.
· Elimination of the antiquated Illinois Franchise Tax.
· Elimination of cap on the Retailer’s Discount.
· Tabling of Senate Bill 1407 – a bill that aimed to impose wage and regulatory requirements on refineries, ethanol plants, and chemical facilities.
* From that Square peg in the Center of a round hole outfit…
The first year of a five-year phase-out of the franchise tax will reduce taxes for 300,000 businesses, supporters said. The Blue Collar Jobs Act will give tax credits for construction projects.
* The House Republicans introduced the Blue Collar Jobs Act last year. From the synopsis…
Provides that the Act may be referred to as the Blue Collar Jobs Act. Amends the Illinois Enterprise Zone Act. Creates a High Impact Business construction jobs credit and an Enterprise Zone construction jobs credit against the taxpayer’s Illinois income taxes based on the incremental income tax attributable to laborers or workers employed at certain construction sites located in Enterprise Zones. Amends the Economic Development for a Growing Economy Tax Credit Act. Creates a New Construction EDGE Credit based on the incremental income tax attributable to laborers or workers employed at construction sites associated with EDGE projects. Amends the River Edge Redevelopment Zone Act. Creates a River Edge construction jobs credit based on the incremental income tax attributable to laborers or workers employed at certain construction sites in a River Edge Redevelopment Zone. Requires contractors and subcontractors associated with projects that receive credits under the amendatory Act to file certified payroll information with the Department of Labor and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
Some of that stuff was phased in, but they got pretty much all they asked for.
…Adding… As hardcore Raunerite “Lucky Pierre” and other commenters have mentioned, the legislative Republicans also convinced the governor to back off his demand that the private school scholarship program be phased out. That was a huge win on its own, particularly considering how much the teachers’ unions wanted that program eliminated.
- walker - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 11:57 am:
Don’t let the bus door hit you on the back Timmy. For right now Leaders Brady and Durkin are in charge while big GOP funders sort themselves out.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 11:57 am:
Tim Schneider won’t be happy until electorally the whole ILGOP is as out of office as he is.
- Give Me A Break - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 12:02 pm:
Tim can’t understand that some GOP members know it takes money to run and maintain govt. I guess just screaming Cut, Cut, Cut, No New Taxes, No New Taxes and No to everything doesn’t really accomplish much.
- siriusly - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 12:03 pm:
Like the wise man said:
“In reality, the Republicans extracted more pro-business reforms out of the Democrats than Bruce Rauner did in four years as governor.”
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 12:07 pm:
Wait, former Commissioner Schneider is giving advice to the Republicans who didn’t lose their campaigns? Maybe if he listened more to Durkin and Brady, he’d still have a job.
At this rate, it’s going to be former Commissioner and former State GOP leader very soon. What part of addition is so difficult for ILGOPs like Schneider to grasp?
- DuPage Bard - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 12:08 pm:
How much longer does Tim Schneider have? The only reason he’s still around is because Bruce cut the deal with Mark Shaw.
I’m guessing after catastrophic losses last year, including his own and two congressional seats, Tim is not long for this world.
Who saves you now Tim?
- JS Mill - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 12:10 pm:
Tim Schneider- “We are not in charge”
Dude, take a little winning would ya. The ILGOP got more from Pritzker than from Rauner. Be proud of Durkin and Brady.
- Pundent - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 12:13 pm:
Schneider, Ives, Proft, they’re all cut from the same cloth. They don’t want to govern, they want to fight even if it means irrelevancy for the party.
- Louis G. Atsaves - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 12:16 pm:
I have to disagree with my party chairman on this issue. I felt that that House and Senate Leadership performed well under the difficult circumstances they found themselves in and actually scored some pro-business and pro-economy victories that will benefit all who live in this state.
- anon2 - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 12:16 pm:
Brady and Durkin embraced bipartisan cooperation. The Proft wing sees that as betrayal, despite pro-business concessions that were won.
- Louis G. Atsaves - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 12:17 pm:
I should clarify my earlier posting: House and Senate Republican Leadership.
- Flapdoodle - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 12:22 pm:
Whiners gonna whine
- Grand Avenue - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 12:22 pm:
Commissioner Schneider lost his seat and Rauner’s out of office. Plus Schneider isn’t even a State Central Committeeman. Why exactly is he staying around as chairman of ILGOP?
- Grand Avenue - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 12:25 pm:
Another victory for House & Senate Republicans is that they were able to maintain the private school scholarship program
https://www.wbez.org/shows/wbez-news/gov-pritzker-backpedals-on-plans-to-end-state-private-school-scholarships/ac7165c9-afd4-471b-82e2-ed87dfe500cc
Durkin & Brady did very well despite being in the superminority
- Lucky Pierre - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 12:27 pm:
So did the poor kids who got the scholarships that the teacher union wanted to end
- siriusly - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 12:29 pm:
Democrats would love it if Mark Shaw became chairman! The guy raffles off AR-15s as door prizes for his events. Dems would love him to sign all those checks to their opponents!
- Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 12:31 pm:
The ILGOP success in getting more pro-business reforms from Democrats than Rauner is a testament to the utter failure of his ideological zealotry. It’s also great to see Rauner’s nasty pall lifted from the state—constant warfare and refusal to compromise and negotiate in good faith.
- Nick Name - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 12:33 pm:
===The flurry of bills signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker after being passed by his Democratic majority===
Has Pritzker actually signed any of the bills yet?
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 12:34 pm:
Schneider’s good for laughs, but seriously, how do you preside over a historic, complete wipeout like last November and keep the gig?
For crying out loud, a Nazi and a 9/11 “Truther” won GOP primaries for Congress on his watch.
Does anyone truly see a path to power following Proft and Schneider?
- Lincoln Lad - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 12:34 pm:
Nothing like continuing a fight that’s already lost. That ensures losing next time too…
- Roadrager - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 12:36 pm:
It’s incredibly easy to be an absolutist when your gig is dependent on donors, not voters.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 12:39 pm:
===Schneider’s good for laughs===
Yep. Instead of trumpeting his party’s biggest wins, he threw his party’s leadership under the nearest bus.
That guy has truly amazing talents.
- Logicae - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 12:40 pm:
I’m not exactly sure how this is throwing Republicans under the bus? The actual letter didn’t give me that impression, but then again, I’m going off of the letter and not a Proft paper…
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 12:43 pm:
===Instead of trumpeting his party’s biggest wins, he threw his party’s leadership under the nearest bus.
That guy has truly amazing talents.===
I approach it like this;
Put in by Rauner to tout Raunerism and ole IPI thinking.
Schneider *thinks* he’s helping.
Schneider and the RaunerS were never about the ILGOP.
===For crying out loud, a Nazi and a 9/11 “Truther” won GOP primaries for Congress on his watch.
Does anyone truly see a path to power following Proft and Schneider?===
I know it’s rhetorical, I also know the answer is found in the grifting.
I’m with Brady and Durkin all day.
They need to get the Eastern Bloc in check, and figure out ways to get in the suburbs, and bring back suburban women to the GOP.
I’m still hoping.
- Pundent - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 12:57 pm:
=I’m not exactly sure how this is throwing Republicans under the bus?= See below:
“If you don’t like the outcome of this session, the only solution is to work. Work for local, legislative or statewide candidates who take on the mantle of reform.”
His party just took on the mantle of reform and had success as the minority party. They accomplished more reform in 6 months than they did in 4 years with a Republican governor. And Schneider won’t stand for it. He would have preferred that they do nothing. Let that sink in.
- Honeybear - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 12:58 pm:
Bannonism- the “destruction of the administrative state”
That’s the ILGOP purity test.
Does this “destroy” the administrative state or not?
Some GA Republicans
advanced the administrative state
I applaud that
It pushes us forward
- Steve - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 1:13 pm:
By the end of the year, the Illinois GOP will be in a better position . Many will wonder why they are paying such high gas taxes when other states have roads and bridges with much lower taxes. Lastly, the U.S. Attorney in the Northern District of Illinois should have some exciting news for many politicians which sure will make many voters unhappy. Stay tuned, you will not miss what’s coming for some Illinois politicians.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 1:15 pm:
===Lastly, the U.S. Attorney in the Northern District of Illinois should have some exciting news for many politicians which sure will make many voters unhappy.===
I’ll bite. What’s this news?
Should I put on my tin foil hat?
- Mr. Smith - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 1:19 pm:
Technically, the Democrats could have rammed through pretty much whatver they wanted with no Republican participation or interest. The fact that many Republicans DID engage, and that Gov. Pritzker listened and worked with them to find common cause is a welcome reminder of how bipartisanship is SUPPOSED to work.
That’s not to say that every Republican is happy, or that every Democrat is either. But doesn’t this make more sense for the state than what we experienced for the previous 4 years under Bruce Rauner?
- Lester Holt’s Mustache - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 1:20 pm:
==As hardcore Raunerite “Lucky Pierre” …. mentioned, ==
Lol, he should put that on the business cards…
- Steve - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 1:22 pm:
OW
Alderman Ed Burke was just indicted on 14 counts with more to come (unless you believe 9400 phones leads to only 4 sequences). Alderman Burke had the FBI listening in on 9400 phone calls. Danny Solis was wearing a wire for 2 years. Only the naive believe this investigation will just involve Chicago Aldermen. But, if you think only Alderman Burke is the only prominent politician caught up in trouble … good luck. This will be one of the biggest scandals when all the dust settles.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 1:34 pm:
===Only the naive believe this investigation will just involve Chicago Aldermen. But, if you think only Alderman Burke is the only prominent politician caught up in trouble … good luck.===
This went in for two years… an Alderman wearing a wire on another Alderman. The dean, Ed Burke.
Unless you know that they want Burke to roll on someone higher… lol
Don’t worry, I got a new tin foil hat. Keep at it.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 1:37 pm:
–By the end of the year, the Illinois GOP will be in a better position.–
LOL, well it couldn’t get much worse, could it? No statewide officers, super-minorities in the GA, getting clobbered in the suburbs….
–Only the naive believe this investigation will just involve Chicago Aldermen. –
Heads up, inside federales dope, from someone who’s not naive.
What is it? Don’t deprive us of your insight and wisdom. Who’s in the barrel besides aldermen, and why didn’t Burke flip then?
- Chicago Cynic - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 2:53 pm:
Schneider has been sending out rabid screeds all year long. It’s always fun to watch the Durkin and Brady and then wait for the Proft-like drivel to come from Schneider. Again, how long can someone keep the gig with his track record? Was their deal for a specific period of time?
- 1st/12th SFGA - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 3:53 pm:
“By the end of the year, the Illinois GOP will be in a better position . Many will wonder why they are paying such high gas taxes when other states have roads and bridges with much lower taxes.”
Other states did not sweep transportation funds into GRF like IL. Almost $9 billion from 2003 to 2017. ” The most common transportation revenue source continues to be the gas tax; 28 states and D.C. raised their gas tax or adjusted their formula between 2013 and 2018.” http://www.ncsl.org/bookstore/state-legislatures-magazine/deep-dive-transportation-funding.aspx
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 3:56 pm:
===the Illinois GOP will be in a better position . Many will wonder why they are paying such high gas taxes===
lol
Many in the Illinois GOP voted for those tax hikes.
- CookR - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 4:13 pm:
===balanced budget without any tax increases===
This is the problem. What about gas, and booze, and smokes, and gaming, and the progressive tax. I get that the progressive tax isn’t in the coming year budget, but the rest is coming this year.
This quote allows all the dems cover, when they actually did raise taxes this year, and set in motion a large income tax for future years.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 4:21 pm:
===and set in motion a large income tax for future years.===
(Sigh)
One of the last votes on an income tax was allowing a higher rate to sunset.
How many times in 25 years has the income tax actually been raised?
Look that up. Rich had a post about it.
- revvedup - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 5:05 pm:
ILGOP is apparently rearranging the deck chairs while they sink beneath the waves, but individual Republicans are aboard the lifeboats already. Whether they constitute a moderate wing remains to be seen next session.
- Not a Billionaire - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 5:06 pm:
The GOP was impressive. They had no power and got an agenda passed. I wonder if they get some more workmans comp with the Medicaid but in.
Also they are on the Ptax.
- theCardinal - Wednesday, Jun 5, 19 @ 9:20 am:
Disapointing…he needs to learn to compartmentalize things.The Once Great State has a balnaced budget (saving 100s of millions in interest by paying down backlog). Bonus we have capital bill, while both are linked they are not the same. BR had same issue could not see a Win as a win. Word of advice Tim most people are tired of the negative rhetoric, find ways to win races without eviscerating your own.