* Well, that was anticlimactic…
*** UPDATE 1 *** Senate President Harmon’s statement to reporters at his presser…
We have a much much better chance of passing a major bill when we have three ingredients: When we have the support of environmental activists; when we have the support of organized labor; and when we have the support of Democrats and Republicans.
We are this close to reaching that agreement, and I am confident that we will get that done.
There are still some points of contention between two critical constituencies, between labor and the environmental activists. I believe they’re going to be continuing to meet as early as this evening to try to work out those differences and the Senate stands ready, willing and able to return as soon as an agreement is reached.
* More Harmon…
The caucus made it very clear to all of us that we don’t want to vote for something that puts us in the middle of a fight between friends, between key constituencies, between organized labor and the environmental community. There is a deal to be reached, and we just need to get them back at the table and push a little bit harder. I’m confident we’re going to be able to do tha. […]
I am confident that the bill as proposed would not have passed today.
*** UPDATE 2 *** Press release…
The following statement may be attributed to the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition:
“On May 31, there was a tentative deal on a comprehensive energy bill, but it was stopped at the last minute. On June 1, Senate President Harmon said he ’stand[s] with the Governor on de-carbonization targets that need to be in a final deal,’ but now the Senate is headed home without action on that plan. Thousands of union workers and solar installers may now lose their jobs, while the climate crisis worsens and Black and Brown communities continue to struggle. We are deeply disappointed the Senate adjourned without taking action on a carbon-free energy future, but stand ready to enact the Governor’s plan as soon as possible.”
* Back to Harmon…
I don’t think we’re gonna have to wait until August. I think parties are going to sit down again as early as this evening and recommence negotiations. And I think there’s a fairly clear path to a relatively rapid resolution. That said, Exelon is on the cusp of a $700 million subsidy. If they close plants out of spite tomorrow, they were going to close those plants anyway. So I think we have a little bit of time here. And if we don’t, it’s not because of the failure to act legislatively today. We’ll be back this summer I predict.
* Climate Jobs Illinois…
We agree with Sen. Harmon’s statement this evening that there is a deal to be reached on clean energy legislation that addresses climate change and protects Illinois workers. Like everyone involved in these discussions, we recognize that we collectively face the biggest challenge of our generation, and we cannot afford inaction. We applaud the hard work of everyone who has come to the table to debate these issues for months, and we remain committed to seeing through a comprehensive, equitable clean energy plan that protects good-paying union jobs, secures communities and allows for a just transition to a cleaner, fairer future for all Illinoisans.
- Ok - Tuesday, Jun 15, 21 @ 4:44 pm:
Harmon couldn’t get it done
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jun 15, 21 @ 4:52 pm:
And like that… poof… it was over.
- En Err Gee - Tuesday, Jun 15, 21 @ 4:52 pm:
Wow did Governor Pritzker blow this one.
- Donnie Elgin - Tuesday, Jun 15, 21 @ 4:52 pm:
Supermajority gridlock
- Just Saying - Tuesday, Jun 15, 21 @ 4:52 pm:
Or was it anti-climate-ic?
- Hmm - Tuesday, Jun 15, 21 @ 4:53 pm:
The energy deal got butchered.
- Shibboleth - Tuesday, Jun 15, 21 @ 4:55 pm:
Disappointing to not see it wrapped up tonight, but maybe this will grant time to get decarbonization back on the agreed list.
- Mockery - Tuesday, Jun 15, 21 @ 4:59 pm:
== - En Err Gee - Tuesday, Jun 15, 21 @ 4:52 pm:
Wow did Governor Pritzker blow this one. ==
This is entirely on Harmon.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jun 15, 21 @ 5:00 pm:
What is it… something-something success has a thousand fathers… something… failure is an orphan?
- OneMan - Tuesday, Jun 15, 21 @ 5:07 pm:
Sad Trombone.
- Nagidam - Tuesday, Jun 15, 21 @ 5:10 pm:
=== This is entirely on Harmon.===
Harmon is staying close to the unions. Which he needs for the fall. The Governor does not need the unions for the fall. But the Govorner misplayed this as he needs them for anything he wants to accomplish legislatively.
- Okay, I'll go - Tuesday, Jun 15, 21 @ 5:14 pm:
The energy plan got nuked…
- Etown - Tuesday, Jun 15, 21 @ 5:20 pm:
They never should have come to town without a bill that could bet through House and Senate.
Wont really matter come election time but poor management. Not surprising so many many Senators voted remotely since a deal really wasnt done so why come to SPI
- Three Dimensional Checkers - Tuesday, Jun 15, 21 @ 5:21 pm:
The Senate has concluded its business.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Jun 15, 21 @ 5:22 pm:
===Harmon is staying close to the unions===
The true test of leadership is knowing when to tell your friends that they’ve had enough.
- Blue Dog - Tuesday, Jun 15, 21 @ 5:30 pm:
What are the ramifications if a deal doesn’t get done
- Nick - Tuesday, Jun 15, 21 @ 5:36 pm:
The unions had a good deal on the table and couldn’t take yes for an answer.
That’s on them.
- Blue to the Bone - Tuesday, Jun 15, 21 @ 5:49 pm:
No matter whose fault it is, we’re all on the same side when it comes to dealing with a dying planet. What a shame…
- Edyrdologist - Tuesday, Jun 15, 21 @ 5:51 pm:
Not exactly an encouraging sign for the future if one of the few states with a Democratic supermajority trifecta has such a hard time passing even a somewhat watered-down clean energy bill.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jun 15, 21 @ 5:54 pm:
- Edyrdologist -
Explain the organized labor dynamic at play here.
- 4 percent - Tuesday, Jun 15, 21 @ 5:54 pm:
The enviros has a better deal on the table and couldn’t take yes for an answer.
That’s on them.
- Just Me 2 - Tuesday, Jun 15, 21 @ 6:01 pm:
=== key constituencies, between organized labor and the environmental community.===
Notice how what is good for Illinois and its citizens isn’t included in this list, it is all about friends/donors.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jun 15, 21 @ 6:04 pm:
=== Notice…===
How Illinois citizens can be part of organized labor or the environmental community too?
C’mon, lol
- JM - Tuesday, Jun 15, 21 @ 6:06 pm:
@4% - you mean the deal that was agreed to on 5/31?
- Just Me 2 - Tuesday, Jun 15, 21 @ 6:09 pm:
=== C’mon, lol===
If Harmon meant the people or the State that is what he would have said. Everyone who reads this blog knows what he meant.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jun 15, 21 @ 6:14 pm:
=== Everyone who reads this blog===
(Sigh)
So no citizens of this state are in organized labor or the environmental community?
Harmon seemingly is discussing the players at the table, you want them to be faceless nothings to the “citizens”
Like I said, “c’mon”
They both are involved as stakeholders too, not merely “innocents” in this process.
You mean that?
- Summer Breeze - Tuesday, Jun 15, 21 @ 6:29 pm:
No doubt all the Republicans - all 18 or whatever — were ready to jump on with green lights.
- Anyone Remember - Tuesday, Jun 15, 21 @ 6:51 pm:
===The true test of leadership is knowing when to tell your friends that they’ve had enough.===
Jesse Unruh put it much more colorfully!
- Redbird Pundit - Tuesday, Jun 15, 21 @ 6:53 pm:
“===Harmon is staying close to the unions===
The true test of leadership is knowing when to tell your friends that they’ve had enough.”
Rich, I agree with your comment. Using your analogy every Democratic leader has failed this state because they have bowed down to the unions for way to long.
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Jun 15, 21 @ 7:05 pm:
=== Using your analogy every Democratic leader has failed this state because they have bowed down to the unions for way to long.===
You might be forgetting the pension “reform” bill passed by MJM and Cullerton and signed by Quinn? It was in all the papers. Hard to miss that one. And there are some other examples. But thankfully Bruce Rauner magically erased the collective memory of organized labor in this state. So you’re not alone in your selective amnesia.
- ;) - Tuesday, Jun 15, 21 @ 7:34 pm:
Don’t back down labor. Hold firm. Working families depend on you.
- Where’s Waldo - Tuesday, Jun 15, 21 @ 7:42 pm:
Where’s the Governor today?
- Tammy - Tuesday, Jun 15, 21 @ 9:37 pm:
Dear Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition:
Before you complain about Harmon not acting, what was your senate roll call today?
- Chito - Tuesday, Jun 15, 21 @ 11:03 pm:
Cue the “Curb your enthusiasm” theme music
- SWIL_Voter - Wednesday, Jun 16, 21 @ 11:26 am:
== What are the ramifications if a deal doesn’t get done==
Can’t speak to every industry impacted, but lots of solar companies in the state won’t survive and almost no new solar will be built