* Sun-Times on the Lightfoot budget, specifically the $163 million “emergency services reimbursement” line…
Civic Federation President Laurence Msall said $30 million of that amount is expected to come from increasing ambulance fees for patients with private health insurance.
The remaining $133 million will come from reimbursements administered by the state for ambulance transports for low-income patients on Medicaid, Msall said.
According to the city, Chicago now provides about 260,000 ambulance rides a year for low-income patients, but gets only about 8% to 36% of those costs reimbursed. Going forward, that amount is expected to grow to about 50%.
“It sounds like they have an agreement with the state to get $133 million for previously un-reimbursed ambulance service for Medicaid patients taken to hospitals,” Msall said.
“It doesn’t sound risky. They’re saying they have an agreement. The risk is whether or not the state will approve the graduated real estate transfer tax and the casino [gambling] fix.”
* A.D. Quig on the real estate transfer tax portion…
“There isn’t a great appetite for (the real estate transfer tax) during the fall veto session,” said downtown Ald. Brendan Reilly, 42nd, but he added, “The mayor’s team hasn’t really gone down there and started advocating in force. It’s not too late, but time is running out.”
“I just don’t know if there’s the political will heading into primary season to ‘do Chicago a favor,’” Reilly continued. “If the transfer tax is rejected by Springfield, that leaves another $50 million hole in the mayor’s budget that would need to be filled. . . .If the Legislature doesn’t allow it in the next year, that does the city a great disservice in years two, three and four of the budget,” when the city would miss out on $100 million in annual revenue. […]
Northwest Side Ald. Nick Sposato, 38th, was more optimistic. “All the Chicago state reps and senators are on board,” he said, “but those aren’t the people we need to talk to.” The trick will be convincing downstaters. Lightfoot expects aldermen to lobby their local Springfield representatives in the days leading up to the veto session, which begins Oct. 28.
Ald. Anthony Beale, 9th, who has become one of the mayor’s chief antagonists, said he’s hearing a different story: that legislators on the city’s South Side “haven’t had any communication whatsoever” from the mayor’s team. “I do not have a high confidence level in Springfield,” he said, rating the mayor’s chances of success at 30 percent.
* Team coverage in the Tribune…
“I think that’s an unknown right now,” [Ald. Roderick Sawyer] said. “I want to make sure we can balance a budget on our own accord and not have to rely too much on Springfield because I’m not sure that’s going to come, especially in the form of a transfer tax or the casino assist.” […]
“We have not received any contact or any information from the mayor’s office, but we would look at whatever they send,” said Jason Gerwig, a spokesman for Senate GOP leader Bill Brady of Bloomington. […]
[House Republican leader Jim Durkin’s] spokeswoman Eleni Demertzis said it’s unlikely the transfer tax will have support from House Republicans.
Amanda Kass, associate director of the Government Finance Research Center at the University of Illinois at Chicago, said one of the budget’s risks is that it requires action from Springfield to balance.
*** UPDATE *** Text from Sen. Cristina Castro (D-Elgin)…
Mayor Lightfoot needs to understand that there are 59 members of the Senate plus 118 in the House. We all DO NOT live in Chicago and some of us have casinos and others are about to get one. They had a chance to negotiate during session, they could have asked for what they needed. If they open the bill for Chicago, there should be a discussion on other parts of the bill as well. I will not vote for a bill that is solely set up on helping just Chicago.
Elgin’s Grand Victoria Casino is one of her city’s largest employers.
…Adding… More ahistorical nonsense from the Tribune editorial board…
Emanuel during his two terms experienced uneven success at getting the legislature to approve his initiatives. Lawmakers reluctantly approved his speed camera program in 2011, for example, but he struggled to get help with pension relief and Chicago Public Schools funding.
Why? State lawmakers think big city mayors should figure out how to solve their own problems.
Lawmakers do often believe that Chicago should solve its own problems, but that wasn’t the case for the police and fire pension “relief” plan (basically just helping him kick the can into the future which is now) and CPS funding. The pushback there was mainly from Gov. Bruce Rauner. Remember all those vetoes and his claims of a “Chicago bailout”? The Trib apparently does not.
- DuPage Saint - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 9:44 am:
The transfer tax is a Chicago issue I don’t understand why down state representatives would care. Personally I think the state portion of the transfer tax should be increased state wide
- Just Me 2 - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 9:45 am:
Re: real estate transfer tax — It never ceases to amaze me how Chicago politicians make it harder for the private sector to do the things the politicians are begging them to do. Every Alderman is begging for more development in their ward, but this tax makes it more expensive to do just that.
Lightfoot ran her campaign on investing more in the neighborhoods with big projects, but this tax makes that goal harder to accomplish.
- Grandson of Man - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 9:48 am:
“The trick will be convincing downstaters.”
This will feed into many downstaters’ hatred of Chicago. But who are they to throw stones when they get more tax dollar-wise and pay less? Chicago metro is the economic engine of the state. It’s in the state’s interest to help Chicago. Hoping something gets done this veto session.
- RNUG - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 9:53 am:
If we take the story at face value, Lightfoot isn’t even keeping all of her Chicago Representatives and Senators in the loop,let alone trying to get downstate legislators on board.
If you aren’t in Springfield asking and twisting arms … you aren’t in the game. And you can’t win if you aren’t in the game.
- RNUG - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 10:03 am:
Since Lightfoot isn’t working Springfield, I’m left to assume she has decided on a plan that doesn’t include State monies and is just setting up the GA as a scapegoat for the coming property tax increases.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 10:05 am:
Lightfoot doesn’t have the votes unless the governor she keeps pushing and prodding and slightly “alienate”…
The Mayor appears clueless how to win friends and influence legislators and the governor.
Coming in with a head of steam that “they should know Chicago is the economic engine of Illinois so I want… “
Nope. Sorry. No.
Leader Durkin, a friend, but why would her friend put a single “green”, including Mayor Stephens, on this to help her?
They wouldn’t.
“Meanwhile… “
The Teachers Strike continues. Good times.
The amateurs on the 5th floor have no idea how to get from where they are to where they need to be, especially how they go about their business.
Nope.
- BC - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 10:07 am:
Here’s what the mayor’s message to legislators outside of Chicago should be:
You have several pet projects for your district socked away in the “vertical” capital bill, which is mainly funded by gaming expansion. Without a Chicago casino, a large number of the projects you’ve been issuing press releases about will never get funded. The same thing happen with the Video Gaming Act 10 years ago, which assumed Chicago would participate. The city didn’t opt in, which left the program way short of money. This time it will be worse.
- Jocko - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 10:08 am:
Another forced error by Lightfoot. As an AUSA and attorney at Mayer Brown, did she discuss plea bargains with the media before checking with her client or the opposing party? What makes her think running the city is any different?
- @misterjayem - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 10:23 am:
For some reason, Mayor Lightfoot refuses to engage in the art of politics.
Instead she keeps attempting to govern by argument, i.e. framing complex problems as mere conflicts in which the party with whom she should be negotiating is an intransigent villain.
Such Manichean storytelling can be very effective in the courtroom or in a head-to-head political campaign; but it’s counter-productive when one has to have a some kind of ongoing productive relationship with the other party.
And in Illinois, for good and for ill, effective governing is primarily about such relationships.
It’s well past time for Lightfoot to stop making unnecessary enemies and to start making friends and influencing people.
– MrJM
- NoGifts - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 10:35 am:
How much does a 2 or 3 flat cost these days? They were a ladder up and affordable housing choice for many lower income people.
- Enviro - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 10:36 am:
The Mayor and the Chicago City Council should first raise property taxes to match suburban and downstate rates,
then come to Springfield for additional help from the state.
- Just Me - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 10:37 am:
I am reminded of the 2011 legislation to fix the CTA. That same bill also provided funding for Metra, Pace, and downstate transit.
Lightfoot should accept that if she wants goodies for Chicago, she needs to be part of a larger coalition.
- Say What? - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 10:43 am:
Not only is there zero support for the help Chicago mantra outside of the City, if Republicans were on their game, they would say nothing the entire veto session.
Dems have all of the votes and the Mayor. No way suburban Dems help either. Politically speaking let them twist in the wind.
The Governor, the no plan Mayor and those who mindlessly think that those representing other areas with the same problems should come to rescue awkwardly dancing to no music will be very weird. Let them own it.
- Dybalaton - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 10:48 am:
NoGifts, two and three flats have huge variations in price of course depends on the neighborhood. There are two flats one could buy for $30k or $750k.
- Steve - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 10:49 am:
-The Mayor and the Chicago City Council should first raise property taxes to match suburban and downstate rates-
It’s coming. There’s nothing to stop it. New Trier taxes for CPS SAT scores.
- Lester Holt’s Mustache - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 10:50 am:
== It’s well past time for Lightfoot to stop making unnecessary enemies and to start making friends and influencing people.
– MrJM==
Lightfoot is apparently the democratic version of Bruce Rauner
- PublicServant - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 10:50 am:
Samantha Fields and mainly Manual Perez, I think are her LCGA people in Springfield. Where have they been? Willy, give’em a hand will ya. Maybe tell them they should, you know, introduce yourselves, and chat some people up. Introduce them to Parkway, RNUG, and give them some of your sage advice over a Horseshoe.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 10:56 am:
=== give’em a hand will ya. Maybe tell them they should, you know, introduce yourselves, and chat some people up. Introduce them to Parkway, RNUG, and give them…===
- PublicServant -
Appreciate the very kind words. Honestly.
The Mayor’s Crew are part of the “I know” crowd. They need to learn by failing I guess. I dunno if anyone can help those who refuse to be helped.
Tween us, I’ll let you know when they reach out, don’t hold your breath.
Be well. Thanks. Let’s hope they learn soon.
- Angry Republican - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 10:56 am:
When I called Lightfoot Mayor Rauner, I wasn’t being extreme. She is going to govern the same way and be voted out in four years. Just like Bruce, Lori doesn’t understand the ONLY two numbers that matter are 60 and 30.
- Christopher - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 10:57 am:
-Lester Holt’s Mustache-
“Lightfoot is apparently the democratic version of Bruce Rauner”
I think that’s a very unfair statement. In her speech, Mayor Lightfoot talked about our values and I still stand behind her. She’s not mean-spirited like the former Governor, and has made an attempt to deal with the problems which Chicago has. No solutions happen all at once, so I look forward to her continued efforts during her first term.
- City Zen - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 11:15 am:
“The trick will be convincing downstaters.”
Why should downstaters care what Chicago charges for RE transfer taxes? What better time to support Chicago when it costs them nothing. Learn when to play the “no” card.
- Not a Billionaire - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 11:35 am:
I agree with City for a change to a point. You can always ask for something like I am disappointed about say highway 67 getting more money …..that could make me vote for something I just don’t care about. Called Illinois politics.
- Three Dimensional Checkers - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 11:36 am:
There seem to be a lot of reasons to fault Mayor Lightfoot’s strategy around these legislative asks, but Sen. Castro’s position is bad. Fixing the Chicago casino has no impact on Elgin or Elgin’s casino or anyone else besides Chicago unless Elgin or anyone else was counting on the Chicago casino project failing. Similarly, the Chicago real estate transfer tax has no impact on the rest of the state. Democrats should be for home rule and allowing local communities to raise money and spend how they see it. We shouldn’t return to the pre-1970 Constitution days when Chicago would have to go down the Springfield hat in hand just to obtain legal authority to raise the money necessary to run the City.
- Montrose - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 11:40 am:
“Why should downstaters care what Chicago charges for RE transfer taxes?”
They care because not raising the transfer tax is one of the top priorities of the realtors, and the realtors got game in Springfield with both parties. Why upset them (and others that make money off real estate transactions) when you get nothing out of it?
- Montrose - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 11:43 am:
“Democrats should be for home rule and allowing local communities to raise money and spend how they see it.”
As Rich has noted, there is a process to raise the transfer tax without Springfield via referendum in the city. Evanston did it just last fall. Lightfoot is just trying to avoid having to ask voters to raise a tax to fill a budget hole.
- Just Me 2 - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 11:48 am:
Montrose - I’m not sure you’re correct. She wants a RETT only on developers, not all property transfers. Hopefully someone else smarter than I can clarify for us.
- Sue - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 11:51 am:
Lightfoot should buckle down and plan on layoffs. Help from Springfield as the political season heats up won’t happen. Politicians these days are not heroic- just survivalists. Her inexpensive is proving to be a handicap. Her biggest task is first resolving the teachers strike without caving in to CTU. Sharkey ain’t her friend and there is no reason to afford him an exit ramp for a strike that didn’t need to happen but for Lori trouncing Preckwinkel
- Montrose - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 11:58 am:
Her proposal applies to all properties - residential and commercial - when they are bought and sold. Anytime they are bought or sold. Realtors are not a fan of that tax, let alone increasing it. They even have a campaign fund to try to stop it.
https://illinoissunshine.org/committees/realtors%C2%AE-in-opposition-to-real-estate-transfer-tax-24264/
- Blue Dog Dem - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 12:31 pm:
…its the economic engine of the state. And an eyelash away from throwing a rod.
- Three Dimensional Checkers - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 12:46 pm:
===As Rich has noted, there is a process to raise the transfer tax without Springfield via referendum in the city. Evanston did it just last fall. Lightfoot is just trying to avoid having to ask voters to raise a tax to fill a budget hole.===
Must have been in the subscriber section. I don’t see it above. Mayor Lightfoot proposed a progressive real estate transfer tax based on the property value. Not saying anyone is wrong, but it might implicate Section 4(a) of the Revenue Article of the State Constitution:
“(a) Except as otherwise provided in this Section, taxes upon real property shall be levied uniformly by valuation ascertained as the General Assembly shall provide by law.”
- Nagidam - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 1:08 pm:
The majority party just rammed through an abortion bill that downstater’s hate. They rammed through the $15 minimum wage. They rammed through the Gun Dealer Licensing (with a few R’s) and now want to talk about finger printing and banning assault weapons. Pretty easy why Downstater’s and Republicans are not going to help Chicago.
- Annonin - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 1:24 pm:
“Why should downstaters care what Chicago charges for RE transfer taxes?”
Because the big biz guys still rule the GOPies and the tax will apply to those big buildings are generally owned by GOP biz guys.
- Monadnock Pigeon - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 1:36 pm:
==The Mayor’s Crew are part of the “I know” crowd.==
I wish you were wrong (but I’m afraid you’re right). This is going to get worse before it gets better.
- BC - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 1:54 pm:
== Fixing the Chicago casino has no impact on Elgin ==
Actually, the Chicago casino will help fund the vertical capital bill. I haven’t checked every line item in that bill, but I’m gonna guess some of the projects are in Elgin. Mayor Lightfoot needs to make this case to Senator Castro and others.
- SSL - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 2:01 pm:
Mayor Lightweight has a “my way or the highway” approach that reminds me of someone. I just can’t put my finger on it.
- Lester Holt’s Mustache - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 3:17 pm:
-Christopher-
== I think that’s a very unfair statement.==
It was said in jest, but come on - you have to admit she has done a very poor job at communicating with the legislature and the Gov during her first year. Values are great for any mayor to have, but they don’t amount to a hill of beans if you don’t even bother to try to work with Springfield. Especially when you need their help to balance your budget.
- Lester Holt’s Mustache - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 3:23 pm:
== The majority party just rammed through an abortion bill that downstater’s hate. They rammed through the $15 minimum wage. They rammed through the Gun Dealer Licensing (with a few R’s) and now want to talk about finger printing and banning assault weapons. Pretty easy why Downstater’s and Republicans are not going to help Chicago.==
Hey buddy why don’t you just try speaking for yourself for a while, instead of trying to lump all of us into your little wing-nut soapbox speech.
- walker - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 5:32 pm:
As is often the case, the swing voters on this issue will be from the suburbs and collars.