Question of the day
Thursday, Sep 8, 2022 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From the Daily Herald’s Christopher Placek…
With a petition of more than 650 signatures in hand, Brian Costin came to this week’s Arlington Heights village board meeting to oppose any suggestion of what he calls corporate welfare that could be part of the Chicago Bears’ proposed redevelopment of Arlington Park.
Costin, the deputy state director of the conservative political advocacy group Americans for Prosperity, on Tuesday night turned in pages of signatures to Village Clerk Becky Hume in his bid for a village ordinance that would ban any public giveaways to any business — including the Bears — to operate in town. […]
Costin’s petition — containing signatures of a little more than 1% of registered voters in town — requires the board to consider his group’s proposed ordinance at the next village board meeting Monday, Sept. 19, under an antiquated and rarely, if ever, used section of the municipal code.
That’s a new one on me.
* The Question: If you could force the General Assembly to consider any bill you’d like with a simple petition process, what would it be? Explain.
- easy - Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 2:13 pm:
fair maps.
- Chicago Cynic - Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 2:18 pm:
A bill to allow more than two constitutional amendments on the ballot and allow for more things to be voted on by referenda. Not California style but there’s definitely a middle ground between where we are and California.
- Anyone Remember - Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 2:21 pm:
Local government consolidation.
- DuPage - Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 2:22 pm:
Require require license plates on giant truck-cranes. Make them buy weight-based truck plates the same as every other truck in Illinois.
- JS Mill - Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 2:25 pm:
I would want a bill that would modify and limit the Freedom Of Information Act to no more than 5 requests per person and the requester must be a registered voter.
I would also want a bill that eliminates any state mandate that does not come with a new revenue stream.
- Jerry - Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 2:26 pm:
Can you put ketchup on a hot dog?
- H-W - Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 2:26 pm:
Consolidation of school districts, and equitable school funding based on need.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 2:26 pm:
School funding / property tax relief… “reconciliation”
Would more than likely lead to an income tax increase, but only with substantial property tax relief and substantial school funding increases… likely with consolidation
Get folks to sign a petition, let’s get the yeas and nays
Make it historical, changing this state, forever
- PublicServant - Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 2:28 pm:
It’d be nice if we could force disclosure of every contribution over 5000 dollars in statewide elections to any organization operati g in Illinois.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 2:34 pm:
An end to primaries, either by making them all nonpartisan like Chicago, or by moving to instant run-off voting.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 2:36 pm:
Sorry, to explain: this would help eliminate the trend in both parties that move to the extreme when there is not enough competition for the middle ground. Republicans in primaries have to be right wing, and Democrats have to be left wing. The center loses, and with so many uncontested races, we get too many extreme candidates. This reform would help end that.
- Cool Papa Bell - Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 2:41 pm:
I’ll sign my support today for JS, OW and 47th.
- Thomas Paine - Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 2:43 pm:
I might be wrong, but I think the law requires the signatories to be property owners.
- Consultant101 - Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 2:44 pm:
Ranked Voting (Alaska)
- JS Mill - Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 2:47 pm:
=School funding / property tax relief… “reconciliation”
Would more than likely lead to an income tax increase, but only with substantial property tax relief and substantial school funding increases… likely with consolidation=
I will second that request. Martire’s plan from 2004 wanted that very thing only through a gross revenues tax or sales tax. Income tax would be better. He was talking about 25% minimum reduction in property tax way back then. That sounds good today as well.
- Save Ferris - Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 2:48 pm:
Elimination of salaries and pensions for legislators.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 2:54 pm:
===Elimination of salaries===
You work for free?
Try again.
- Unionman - Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 2:55 pm:
1. Term limits for all elected offices
2. non-partisan election of Judges
3. New election in any election in which their is only one candidate
4. Requirement to resign your current office you are running for a different office
- vern - Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 3:01 pm:
I’d make them vote on a total overhaul of their video system. There should be an archive online of all floor and committee activity searchable by date, bill number, member speaking, and closed caption text. The DVD on request and for a fee system has gotta go.
Obviously this small potatoes but I’m very skeptical of citizen groups being able to force specific items on an agenda. If such a system must exist, I’d want to see it used for stuff like this more than broad policy questions.
- CentralILCentrist - Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 3:01 pm:
To Unionman, this ain’t a buffet. pick one. but, 3 out of 4 ain’t bad…
TTP: equalize school funding to each student. one big state pot, divvied up equally among each student.
- Groucho - Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 3:13 pm:
To make the elections for State Reps, State Senators, U.S. Rep, U.S. Senator, Governor, and other state office holders, including all judges non-partisan elections using the run off system. I would prefer a different system other than run-off, but I don’t think I care for the Rank Choice system and I certainly don’t like the current primary/general election approach.
- Not Your Gramma - Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 3:22 pm:
Ranked choice voting and / or what 47th ward suggested
- JS Mill - Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 3:23 pm:
=equalize school funding to each student. one big state pot, divvied up equally among each student.=
So Oakbrook costs the same as Macomb?
- Hannibal Lecter - Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 3:25 pm:
A new constitutional convention.
- Jeff's Frozen Fish and Custard Deli - Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 3:31 pm:
Any pizza marketed as an extra large most be greater than 16″.
- Save Ferris - Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 3:32 pm:
===You work for free?===
My first 12 years in elected office were unpaid. My last three have been under $1,000 per year.
These are part time jobs, no? Don’t most of these people have jobs outside of Springfield? Pretty sure the answer to that is “yes.”
- Sangamo Girl - Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 3:32 pm:
The ability for the state to mandate school consolidation after careful study. There are tons of moving parts, especially in extremely rural areas where travel distances and transportation are an issue. But it needs to happen and leaving it to local populations doesn’t work and the students suffer.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 3:35 pm:
=== My first 12 years in elected office were unpaid. My last three have been under $1,000 per year.===
The pesky constitution requires payment. Does your job?
It’s an odd flex that any pay for legislators is bad. Almost promotes wealthy “oligarchs” that can afford to be in Springfield for weeks at a time, oh, do you travel, weeks at a time too?
- rtov - Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 3:37 pm:
I don’t think the legislature should be able to set its own salaries and wage increases. Any disagreement there OW?
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 3:39 pm:
=== I don’t think the legislature should be able to set its own salaries===
They don’t actually.
They face the voters before any wage increases that are voted on take effect.
The newly elected officials get those raises.
In actuality, the voters can vote out an official before they might see those increases
- Save Ferris - Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 3:42 pm:
===It’s an odd flex that any pay for legislators is bad.===
The question was an impossible “what if.” I answered.
===Almost promotes wealthy “oligarchs” that can afford to be in Springfield for weeks at a time===
That yacht has sailed.
- Dance Band on the Titanic - Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 3:44 pm:
How about a bill that prevents someone who lives in one city and previously ran for mayor in another city from meddling in yet another city’s business?
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 3:45 pm:
===I don’t think the legislature should be able to set its own salaries and wage increases===
And what mechanism, pray tell, would you prefer? It is the legislative branch. You gonna let the judges do it? The governor?
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 3:46 pm:
=== The question was an impossible “what if.” I answered.===
Which is exactly why… why would anyone expect or want folks working for free?
=== That yacht has sailed.===
Joe Manchin is not in the ILGA
- Quinn was Wrong - Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 3:51 pm:
Repeal Cutback Amendment.
After that, repeal/eliminate grandfather clause for the political money.
- rtov - Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 3:54 pm:
I would recommend a constitutional amendment that sets limits the salary increases to a certain percentage every ten years, I am also open to suggestions.
- rtov - Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 3:57 pm:
Rich at least we can both agree that OW is wrong in asserting that they don’t set their own salaries.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 3:59 pm:
=== is wrong in asserting that they don’t set their own salaries.===
The cost of living adjustments are different
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 4:01 pm:
=== SECTION 11. COMPENSATION AND ALLOWANCES
A member shall receive a salary and allowances as
provided by law, but changes in the salary of a member shall
not take effect during the term for which he has been
elected.
(Source: Illinois Constitution.)===
So…
“They don’t actually.
They face the voters before any wage increases that are voted on take effect.
The newly elected officials get those raises.
In actuality, the voters can vote out an official before they might see those increases”
- Commissar Gritty - Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 4:03 pm:
Friendly reminder that Americans for Prosperity = Koch brothers and their ilk. Don’t buy it, I’d be shocked if the guy was even an Illinois, let alone an Arlington Heights resident.
To the question, I would get rid of the petition process. It’s such a pain in the rear, and it’s not an actual impediment to running for office. Any argument that it keeps the crazies off the ballot is immediately defeated by Arthur Jones’ (and a few others I’m tactfully not naming) approved candidacy.
What it is is a pain in the rear, and I think a way for campaigns to shovel money out to their supporters. I have no idea why we still do this.
If we are insisting on keeping it, at least move it digital. We’re not in 1992 anymore.
- rtov - Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 4:03 pm:
OW - the legislature’s salaries are set by law, the legislature sets the law, what are you even arguing about?
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 4:07 pm:
- rtov -
Friend,
They need to win re-election before seeing any wage increase.
They don’t merely get a pay raise.
Voters don’t like it, vote out the legislator
It’s in the constitution, pesky as it is
No one is voting for their own pay increase, but for the next GA’s members.
If they win, well, that’s on the voters.
- Rudy’s teeth - Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 4:07 pm:
If the Bears are short of funds for the proposed stadium in Arlington Heights, they should ask Jeff Bezos not the state of Illinois.
- rtov - Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 4:16 pm:
No.
- Give Us Barabbas - Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 4:22 pm:
I’d really like to see open primaries, no declaration of party membership, after living in Springfield and watching people fear to use their right to vote, every election, because it could be held against them by an employer.
Another I’d do would be to do away with the communication-lobby-arranged prohibition against municipal broadband internet as a basic common utility everywhere in Illinois. That would force the provider monopolies to really compete, get us all better service for less money.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 4:23 pm:
Move along, please.
- rtov - Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 4:25 pm:
Can’t blame a guy for trying.
- SouthernGirl - Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 4:26 pm:
Parity for behavioral health and physical health services in terms of authorizations, copays, coverage, etc. There are many rules for behavioral health, and payment structures, that don’t exist in the medical world.
- Lurker - Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 4:29 pm:
The State of Illinois to be recognized as ONE State with no more than ONE State Fair per year.
- MyTwoCents - Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 4:52 pm:
Non-partisan elections for every judicial office and county-level office. Also, open primaries for the other elections. By that I mean 1 ballot with all the candidates listed, vote for 1, but if you want to mix and match parties, go for it. With that, top 2 win and advance to the general, regardless of party. Finally, reduce the barriers for 3rd parties and independents making it on the ballot.
- The Way I See It - Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 5:32 pm:
I almost never agree with Americans for Prosperity, but I am with them on this one.
- Odysseus - Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 6:00 pm:
Initiate ranked choice voting for all offices.
- Leslie K - Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 6:15 pm:
===I’ll sign my support today for JS, OW and 47th.==
This. Although that’s also true most days…
- Anonymous - Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 7:15 pm:
Legislature has raised their pay in a lame duck session after the election before. Anything that would stop them from doing it again?
- Phineas - Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 7:53 pm:
Reduce the number of municipal government bodies to no more than 500.
- Early wynn - Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 7:54 pm:
Pension reform
- Jibba - Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 8:13 pm:
===Pension reform===
Your wish has been granted. See Tier II.
Or do you just wish a majority vote of legislators could get rid of constitutional protections (IL and US)? If so, I’d like to talk about a couple of amendments…
- FormerParatrooper - Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 8:45 pm:
===I’ll sign my support today for JS, OW and 47th.==
I am in agreement as well. The ideas expressed by each resonate with me and I would stand beside either of them for the ideas.
- Northwest Illinois - Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 10:12 pm:
ALL legislation must be posted by the House and Senate for 15 business days for public viewing, press analysis, etc. before it can be voted on - no more late night “bundling” of multiple bills into a single voting process.
- Yooper in Diaspora - Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 10:37 pm:
With property tax relief (and graduated tax or some other state income tax increase), teacher salaries/ranks made equal across the state, paid by the state, so that public school teachers in Carthage make the same as in Winnetka.
- Blue Dog - Friday, Sep 9, 22 @ 8:38 am:
OW at 2:26. absolutely couldn’t agree with you more. this is an imperative issue and needs immediate attention.
- Sign of the Times - Friday, Sep 9, 22 @ 8:44 am:
“under an antiquated and rarely, if ever, used section of the municipal code”
That’s why it’s a new one on all of us.
The AFP petition was poorly worded and full of holes but I bet his mailing list just grew by 600 names.
Americans for DESpairity pulled something similar a few years back to oppose a TIF district for a neglected strip mall plaza area on the south end of Arlington Heights.
Broken asphalt in the pavement. Peeling paint on the exterior walls. Crack sidewalk concrete. Empty storefronts.
All that out of state money from Virginia worked and the TIF got shut down.
That plaza is even more empty today - years after AFP did their deed.
Bottom line: far less sales tax revenue for the village which shifts that burden to residents.
Ultimately AFP isn’t about “no tax money for corporations” - they’re about shutting down tax revenue period.
PS: That village ordinance also gives the village board an ‘out clause’ to repeal any such referendum done through petition.
PPS: *NOBODY* except Brian Costin and whatever hired guns he’s had walking around Arlington to drum up signatures is talking about tax dollars going to Chicago Bears, Incorporated.
The only discussion on tax money has been regarding infrastructure improvements for roads, the METRA line and sewers. None of which would go directly to the Bears anyway.