Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Pharmacists; Black; Ultimate fighting (Use all caps in password)

Wednesday, May 16, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

Enter your password to view comments

Wednesday, May 16, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

First, the setup…

Fierce opposition to a proposed English-only ordinance in Carpentersville continued Tuesday night as residents voiced concerns that it would cause legal problems and force businesses out of town.

Reviving part of a debate that saw 3,000 protesters turn out last year, village trustees planned to deliberate on the proposed ordinance, which would make English the village’s official language.

The proposal, more restrictive than an English-only resolution passed last month in far northwest suburban Hampshire, says making English the official language will “establish a linguistic unity that brings a critically needed cohesion to a village as diverse, multiracial and multiethnic as Carpentersville.”

Now, the question: Illinois law already designates English as the official language. So do you think this ordinance is necessary? Racist? Xenophobic? Practical? Necessary? Etc.? Explain.

Also, a stern warning: I don’t want to make this a debate about illegal immigration. I’m sure you’ve already stated your position elsewhere on the blog. Let’s keep it to the topic at hand, please, or you may find your comment deleted. Thanks.

31 Comments

Not a lot of forward movement

Wednesday, May 16, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

Apparently, the rate freeze negotiations haven’t moved very far…

ComEd customers should be given cash rebates and see their electricity rates frozen for one year under a proposal backed by House Speaker Michael Madigan, a top aide confirmed Tuesday.

The Chicago Democrat favors an approach similar to rate-freeze legislation that was gutted late last month by Senate President Emil Jones.

“That’s what we think is fair. Roll rates back to Jan. 1 and give the people their money back,” Madigan spokesman Steve Brown said.

ComEd is opposed, obviously…

“A rate freeze of any duration would have a devastating effect for ComEd, its customers and the state of Illinois,” said Judy Rader, a spokeswoman for the utility.

And answers aren’t exactly forthcoming…

The three people who can get us relief from our electric rates that have doubled, even tripled are giving the media the silent treatment.

Political reporter Melissa Hahn said “We’re having a hard time getting information from Blagojevich.” HOI 19 requested an interview with Blagojevich on electric rates. Hahn said, “We’re having a hard time getting info from Senate President Jones.” Jones’ press secretary left Jen Christensen a message saying the Senator is not doing interviews right now. Melissa went on to say, “And then House Speaker Michael Madigan almost never speaks to us.” Jen Christensen on the phone with Madigan’s office: “So you’re saying there’s no point in time I would be able to interview Michael Madigan.” Political reporter Benjamin Yount said, “Legislative leaders typically they are quiet. On this they have been very quiet.”

If the summer is hot then Chicago-area legislators will feel the heat from constituents when the 25 percent rate hike becomes more noticeable. I doubt they can adjourn without doing something on both Ameren and ComEd’s rates, but they’re not exactly close.

15 Comments

End games

Wednesday, May 16, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

* As I told subscribers this morning, the real action yesterday was in the Senate Democratic caucus meeting. That didn’t get covered elsewhere today, but here’s some stuff about the House caucus…

For two hours Tuesday morning, House Democrats met privately to hash out budget issues, a first step in the arduous task of determining how much money the state should spend in the fiscal year that begins July 1, where to spend it and how to pay for it. With less than three weeks left to the General Assembly’s scheduled adjournment, they didn’t sound optimistic.

“We came to no conclusions today. We didn’t even attempt to come to any conclusions,” said House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago. “We will engage in discussions with all of the legislative leaders and with the governor. My purpose . . . is to work to bring people together. I’m not interested in working to divide people.”

* The closer we get to adjournment, the less likely an income/sales/service tax hike looks, but, as always, there’s a lot of time to go (in session terms) so things could change dramatically…

“There’s no burning desire to force a showdown with the governor over income and sales tax increases,” said Rep. John Fritchey (D-Chicago). “Legislators are more inclined to scale back our wish lists rather than vote for an income tax hike that might also be vetoed anyway.”

* Franks did his usual schtick…

State Rep. Jack Franks, a Woodstock Democrat, skipped Tuesday’s closed-door, Democrats-only budget discussion, saying it’s designed to set the stage for a tax increase and he’s unwilling to participate.

* And the door was opened a bit wider yesterday for a change of heart by Gov. Blagojevich…

[ Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Collinsville), the governor’s chief House ally] also suggested the administration is willing to consider alternatives to its plan.

“Does that have to be $7 billion? Can you use gaming?” Hoffman said. “Can you use other forms of revenue enhancements? I believe you can and the governor has indicated that’s all on the table.”

* Scaling back the gigantic proposals is a major option on the table right now, but first they have to meet before anything can be done…

Against that backdrop is the fact that Blagojevich, Madigan and Senate President Emil Jones, D-Chicago, have yet to meet face to face to begin discussing the budget. Blagojevich has requested a meeting today. Jones plans to attend, but Madigan hadn’t agreed by Tuesday night.

* Meanwhile, there are growing worries among some that universal health insurance may be in deep peril…

With the governor’s $7.6 billion tax plan falling on skeptical ears in the Illinois Legislature, health care activists are worried that their decades-old dream of universal health care in Illinois — a vision that seemed on the cusp of reality — may be evaporating. […]

Simultaneously, they also hinted at various plans — including sending bus loads of people to Springfield and a TV ad campaign — to convince legislators and the public that the governor’s health care reform is worth implementing, whatever the cost.

The “cost” is always a consideration in politics, and rallies don’t do much good at the Statehouse no matter how many people they bring. This idea has just not caught on yet - either among the populace or the General Assembly - and the governor’s allies don’t have much time left to make their case. That being said, I do think there will be something done on health insurance this spring.

* More tax and spend stories, compiled by Paul…

* Cindy Richards: For Illinois’ sake, lets make a deal on health care

* Lawmakers try to decide on new taxes

* Editorial: Debate over governor’s plan sidetracks transit debate

* Skarr: GRT finds a losing record in House defeat

* Sun-Times Editorial: Stop holding transit hostage

17 Comments

Moving the primary

Wednesday, May 16, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

The Senate sent the governor a bill yesterday that will move the state’s 2008 primary up to February 5th.

I know that lots of people have real concerns about moving Illinois’ primary up next year. The weather is too inclement, the campaign season will be too long, the idea of moving the date to help Barack Obama is too partisan, it will help incumbents, blah, blah, blah.

I hadn’t thought of this one, however…

Others worry the change will result in voters getting nasty campaign mailers at the same time they are receiving Christmas cards.

I seriously doubt anyone will send negative mail during Christmas. If anything the move will compress the campaigns a bit.

Filing will begin in August, which in theory should help incumbents. But the move could conceivably backfire on legislative incumbents. The session will still be very fresh in people’s minds come August (heck, they might even still be in when filing begins) so that could prompt a whole lot of people to decide to run for the General Assembly.

I also doubt that voters will stay home in February, now that they have an opportunity to really impact a presidential race, particularly on the Republican side, which could still be wide open by then…

Other Democrats said they were tired of New Hampshire and Iowa getting all the attention and undue political influence.

“We’re doing this for the right reason,” said state Sen. Terry Link, a Waukegan Democrat. “Illinois is one of the largest states; it’s the bellwether of the United States. We should decide who the candidates are going to be in November.”

Experts on presidential primaries have said Illinois hasn’t been in a position to have much of an impact in many years, and that without moving the date, the state would be likely to languish in political obscurity.

The “helping Obama” thing is debatable. He’s our “favorite son,” so it’s probable that other Democratic candidates won’t bother even campaigning here. We won’t give the guy much of a boost, and if he does even a little worse than expected, it could hurt him.

There is one big problem with this idea, though. Other states have also become fed up with Iowa and New Hampshire’s outsized roles in choosing the president and have also moved up their primaries…

Fifteen states have moved their primaries up to that date, are considering it or already had it set for Feb. 5.

More could be on the way. Many of these are expensive media market states, so the prez campaigns might pick and choose - depending on the polling - where to campaign the most.

Anything that lengthens the campaign season is good for my business, so I have a conflict of interest here. I’m for it. Your thoughts?

27 Comments

Morning Shorts

Wednesday, May 16, 2007 - Posted by Paul Richardson

* Telecom vs. cable debate moves to states

* Popovic: Public protections important in crafting HB1500

* Deadbeat parent could lose driver’s licenses

“If they can’t go to work, they can’t make any payments,” said state Rep. Bill Black, a Danville Republican. “What we should do, instead of punitive measures, is find a way to get some money.”

* Give IDs to illegals?

“I know of no study that has been done that documents one way or the other whether these [certificates] make roads safer,” said Jack Martin, special projects director of the Federation for American Immigration Reform. “Sure, you show you’re insured, so it gives an assurance that, of course, is fallacious because you can get insurance and cancel it the next day to save the money and no one is ever going to follow up.”

* Harper: Illinois is correct to push for repeal of REAL ID

REAL ID proponents are incorrect in stating that a national ID would reduce terrorism; most terror attacks occur in countries that have national ID cards. REAL ID would not add to our country’s protections. All that will change is that they terrorists would have t wait in long lines and fill out more paperwork - along with every law-abiding, native-born citizen.

* ISAC: Students need to pay back college loans

* Sun-Times Editorial: Maybe tutoring program needs to stay after class

* Amendments aim to exempt some casinos from smoking ban

* Federal Study: Chicago among cities needing to address air travel and growth soon

* Jackson: Alderman expense accounts too low

In 1999, aldermen raised their annual expense allowance for the first time in nearly 20 years — from $23,280 to $33,280.

* Quigley accuses Stroger of ignoring, altering budget; more here

* A salute to John H. Stroger

* About 130 Rockford lobbyists talk to legislators

* “Smokefree Woodstock” celebrates statewide ban

8 Comments

Caption Contest! *** Updated x1 ***

Tuesday, May 15, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

Let’s liven things up a bit today…

Also, please try to keep it clean. Thanks. Two deletions already and I just posted the thing.

*** UPDATE *** I’m declaring the winner to be “Bears Fan’s” comment, but since I deleted it for profanity you’ll never know what it was. lol.

98 Comments

Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Watson to meet with Daley; Pharmacists; Chapa LaVia; Black-Frerichs; Short session; Ultimate fighting; Jackson; Transit $; Lobsters; Hamos (use all caps in password) *** Updated x1 ***

Tuesday, May 15, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

Enter your password to view comments

Question of the day

Tuesday, May 15, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

Do you support expanding gaming this year? If so, where would you put the new casinos? Would you support giving racetracks the ability to install slot machines?

47 Comments

A new era in Chicago

Tuesday, May 15, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

* One thing that wasn’t stressed in the coverage of this issue is that, regardless of the actual vote totals, Daley had to call a special session on Monday to pass this ordinance because he probably wouldn’t have had the votes to get it done after the new city council is sworn in…

Affordable-housing advocates and Mayor Richard Daley both claimed victory Monday as the Chicago City Council overwhelmingly approved Daley’s plan to require developers to set aside more housing units at lower prices.

Advocates had sought to lower the set-aside prices even more, but the move was easily defeated by aldermen who said Daley’s proposal was a responsible step and warned that going too far could harm the private market during the current housing slowdown.

I wouldn’t ever underestimate the mayor’s cunning. He’ll coopt at least some of those new council members soon enough. This won’t be a repeat of “Council Wars.”

But things will be interesting, and Daley signaled yesterday that he plans to play rough. After Ald. Ed Smith prematurely submitted his resignation as chairman of the council’s Health Committee over what he believed would be a floor fight on his precious foie gras ban (which never materialized), Daley wasted little time in accepting it…

Monday, the mayor gleefully announced Smith’s resignation to the Council and jumped at the chance to accept it.

“They’re going to [overturn the ban] maybe next meeting or the following meeting. … So, I accept that [resignation]. … I think it’s the silliest law that ever passed. . .. Of all the issues we have — foie gras?”

Smith’s letter stated his intention to resign “in the event that the foie gras ban is successfully repealed.”

Daley has been furious at Smith ever since he used a vote on the 2007 budget to rail against City Hall corruption. Smith also forced the mayor’s hand on a Chicago smoking ban that has since been usurped by a statewide version.

Smith probably wouldn’t have been chairman again anyway, but he was definitely humiliated yesterday.

Thoughts on the next four years?

14 Comments

When a flip-flopper is a statesman; plus more tax news

Tuesday, May 15, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Editorial writers are easily predictable. If politicians change their minds and move away from an editorial board’s position, they’re “flip-floppers.” But when politicians flip-flop in the direction of an editorial writer, they’re “statesmen.”

From today’s Post-Dispatch editorial…

The best, most politically do-able alternative is the so-called tax swap, a plan that has been bouncing around Springfield for years. It combines a rise in corporate and personal income taxes with a smaller cut in property taxes.

Such a plan faces two problems, and the first is Mr. Blagojevich himself. He’s promised through two gubernatorial campaigns not to raise personal income or sales taxes. Mr. Blagojevich has ambitions beyond the governor’s mansion and reneging on a “read-my-lips” pledge would cost lots of votes. In other words, it would take real courage.

Wrong. The governor ran twice on this issue. He has sworn up and down more times than I can count that he would veto any such tax increase. He ought to be expected to keep promises like that.

How many times have we seen editorial writers chastise Blagojevich for not following through on his original campaign pledge to “change business as usual”? He didn’t even run on that pledge the last time, yet they still throw it in his face every chance they get. He did, however, run again on a platform of opposition to income and sales tax hikes. He should be encouraged to remain honest about that, instead of enticed into breaking his solemn vows.

* The governor has said lately that he won’t sign an income or sales tax hike during a time when gas prices could reach “$5 a gallon.” Eric Krol points out the obvious: The governor’s GRT proposal would likely raise gas prices…

Fleischli estimated that when gas was at $2.69 a gallon, Blagojevich’s business tax meant the price would go up seven cents a gallon. The amount only increases as the cost of gas does.

Go read the whole thing. There’s a pretty brutal back and forth with a Blagojevich aide.

* As I told subscribers this morning, A+ Illinois has a new radio ad. Listen below…

[audio:A+Illinois5_15.mp3]

* Tom Kacich of the Champaign News-Gazette has a question in the wake of the House’s rejection of the GRT…

How does he reassert himself over a Legislature that has has made him, for now, irrelevant?

Answer: The man with the veto pen and the power to call special sessions is never completely irrelevant.

* More GRT stories, compiled by Paul…

* YDD outlines tax alternatives

* Rejection of tax plan means hard decisions

* Zorn: Is Blagojevich man with plan, or just clueless?

* Editorial: A program for every need across the nation

29 Comments

Morning Shorts

Tuesday, May 15, 2007 - Posted by Paul Richardson

* Sun-Times Editorial: Student loans for illegals need to be addressed nationally

But until Congress resolves this towering problem — we hope by providing tougher security at the border and a reasonable path to citizenship — state initiatives to get around it will fuel resentment and controversy, and, in the long run, make life more difficult for good kids like Ofelia Gonzalez, not less.

* Family physician says he will run for U.S. Senate; more here

* Eric Krol: Suburban doctor taking on Durbin

Illinois GOP Chairman Andy McKenna Jr., who has been searching for a candidate to take on Durbin, said Sauerberg is a “serious and credible candidate whose experience as a family doctor provides a welcomed contrast to the tired old ideas of a career politician.”

* Editorial: TV viewers would be best served by competition

* Joseph Savage: Bill would speed video choice for consumers

* Libraries protest filter proposal; more here and here

* Illinois Review: Bye Bye electoral college

* Wind farm legislation concerns official

* CPS study shows students gain little with after-school tutoring

* FAA finds O’Hare slip ups

* Harvey faces contempt action over order to release records

* Early sales tax collection still has hope in Springfield

* Editorial: Governor needs to sign Rockford sales tax bill soon

15 Comments

« NEWER POSTS