Question of the day
Tuesday, Nov 12, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Crain’s…
Chicago has a long, rich history of immigration and ethnic diversity. But as the generations pass, are cultural roots forgotten? More than 7.7 million people live in the Chicago area, and about 30 percent of them speak a language other than English at home. For the six-county area, the five most common languages after English are Spanish, Polish, Arabic, Tagalog and Chinese. […]
Some of the highest concentrations of people speaking Tagalog, a native Philippine language, turn up not just in Cook County but in DuPage and Will counties, too.
I didn’t realize that so many Illinoisans spoke Tagalog, which is a primary or secondary language in the Philippines. As you’re most certainly aware, Typhoon Haiyan has devastated parts of the Philippines. So that means a lot of Illinoisans have family members and friends who could use some help…
All Furigay family members could do was pray since learning of the devastating typhoon that ripped through their native Philippines on Friday, until learning their loved one was safe.
Rencie Furigay, of Chicago, said she could barely sleep while worrying about her 30-year-old nephew who lives in Tacloban — the city most devastated by the Category 5 storm. On Saturday morning, she got word he was OK.
Typhoon Haiyan, one of the strongest typhoons ever to make landfall, hit the central Philippines and Tacloban — a city of 220,000 — the hardest.
Leo Herrera-Lim, Chicago’s consul general of the Philippines, said he is trying to organize fundraisers for the relief effort. He said Illinois hosts the third-largest population of Filipinos in the U.S.— about 140,000 — behind California and Hawaii.
* The New York Times recommended several charities, including…
* Doctors Without Borders
* Red Cross
* Save the Children Typhoon Haiyan Children’s Relief Fund
* Catholic Relief Services
* World Food Programme
* Instead of a question today, let’s try to pitch in with some financial assistance. Tell us below if you’ve contributed, or if you have your own personal stories to share about this devastation.
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Thank you, legislators
Tuesday, Nov 12, 2013 - Posted by Advertising Department
[The following is a paid advertisement.]
On behalf of the thousands of same-sex couples and their families who now are recognized as equal citizens of this state, Illinois Unites for Marriage would like to thank the Illinois General Assembly for approving SB10 a week ago today.
It’s not too often that one can wake up, go to work and make a decision that improves the lives of tens of thousands of people. Last Tuesday, members of the Illinois General Assembly did just that. You have helped men, women and children in every corner of Illinois. And for that, we thank you.
For more information, visit IllinoisUnites.org.
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Getting it done
Tuesday, Nov 12, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Personal stories can move legislators more than you might sometimes imagine…
To address another concern, the [gay marriage] bill was amended to reiterate that churches and affiliated groups wouldn’t be forced to host or perform gay marriage ceremonies.
“Once the amendment was filed, I was ready to move forward,” said Rep. Andre Thapedi, who represents the Englewood neighborhood. “If not, I may have gone a different way.”
The change was pushed by Democratic Rep. Anthony DeLuca of Chicago Heights, who said he struggled to reconcile his Italian-Catholic upbringing and the desire to protect religious rights with his oath to represent the people of his district and correct what he believes is a “legal inequity.”
“I was shocked through this process how many close family friends would contact me that live in the district who are closely affiliated with the Catholic Church who have a gay child or gay relative and asked me to support it,” DeLuca said. “It was surprising to me, I learned a lot.”
* As implied above, the amendment really didn’t do anything new. It was more for show than go because the very same protections were already in the original bill. But if a couple of fence-sitters want something that doesn’t change the underlying legislation, then by all means give it to them.
The above passage is from a much longer, quite well written story about the behind the scenes efforts to pass the bill. Go read the whole thing.
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The rollout and the left behind
Tuesday, Nov 12, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* The indefatigable Monique Garcia was at Gov. Pat Quinn’s press conference with his new running mate Paul Vallas…
Heh.
So, Vallas was reined in on his first day. But it’s a very long time until March.
I hope to have raw audio soon, so check back.
* Meanwhile, from CBS2…
CBS 2 has learned State Senator Kwame Raoul was among the finalist, along with Vallas, State Senator Heather Staines, and City Treasurer Stephanie Neely.
Quinn tried to call Neely, but never connected.
“I wouldn’t say that it’s awkward, I’d just say it’s life. I’m 50 years old; I go through ups and downs. It’s ok,” said Neely.
In fact, CBS 2 was told it wasn’t ok. Privately, Neely, who was at a news conference when the word leaked out, was stunned that Quinn hadn’t left a message and considered it disrespectful.
If you watch the video, it’s clear that Neely was disappointed, almost to the point of tears. She obviously wanted the job, and she probably would’ve been good at it.
* But, everybody and their cat knew that Quinn was set to announce his running mate decision on Friday. So, when Neely got a phone call from the governor that very morning she didn’t answer it? No disrespect intended, but who does that?
OK, Quinn should’ve left a message, but maybe she should’ve also taken the guy’s call.
And it’s not like Quinn had any choice but to announce when he did. I broke the story far earlier than his office expected.
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* Guns & Ammo contributing editor Dick Metcalf wrote an opinion piece in December’s edition which focused on two phrases in the 2nd Amendment, both highlighted here…
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
* Metcalf complained that too many 2nd Amendment hardliners ignored the “well regulated” language. “The fact is,” he wrote, “all constitutional rights are regulated.”
He was, of course, correct. Try getting a permit to hold a demonstration at 3 o’clock in the morning in front of your mayor’s house. Or just look at all the registration requirements for lobbyists. Etc.
* Metcalf also referenced Illinois’ new concealed carry law as an example of fair regulation. Metcalf is from Illinois, and this is his column’s conclusion…
I don’t think that requiring 16 hours of training to qualify for a concealed carry license is infringement in and of itself.
But that’s just me.
* The uproar was swift to develop and fierce to behold. The magazine’s editor fired Metcalf and then stepped down, penning an online farewell…
As editor of “Guns & Ammo,” I owe each and every reader a personal apology.
No excuses, no backtracking.
Dick Metcalf’s “Backstop” column in the December issue has aroused unprecedented controversy. Readers are hopping mad about it, and some are questioning “Guns & Ammo”’s commitment to the Second Amendment. I understand why.
Let me be clear: Our commitment to the Second Amendment is unwavering. It has been so since the beginning. Historically, our tradition in supporting the Second Amendment has been unflinching. No strings attached. It is no accident that when others in the gun culture counseled compromise in the past, hard-core thinkers such as Harlon Carter, Don Kates and Neal Knox found a place and a voice in these pages. When large firearms advocacy groups were going soft in the 1970s, they were prodded in the right direction, away from the pages of “Guns & Ammo.”
In publishing Metcalf’s column, I was untrue to that tradition, and for that I apologize. His views do not represent mine — nor, most important, “Guns & Ammo”’s. It is very clear to me that they don’t reflect the views of our readership either.
Dick Metcalf has had a long and distinguished career as a gunwriter, but his association with “Guns & Ammo” has officially ended.
I once again offer my personal apology. I understand what our valued readers want. I understand what you believe in when it comes to gun rights, and I believe the same thing.
I made a mistake by publishing the column. I thought it would generate a healthy exchange of ideas on gun rights. I miscalculated, pure and simple. I was wrong, and I ask your forgiveness.
The editor’s “mistake” was believing that the bizarrely rabid “It’s my God-given right!” gun owners would willingly engage in any sort of “healthy exchange” of ideas.
My own website was inundated with those sorts of folks for months leading up to the passage of Illinois’ concealed carry law. They were far more interested in sparking hateful arguments with anyone and everyone who disagreed even slightly with their position than in any sort of dialogue. I was repeatedly attacked here as their enemy, even though I’m a gun owner who plans to apply for a concealed carry permit. I was so happy when that bill finally became law because the rapturous fanatics quickly retreated to their bat caves.
And, by the way, asking for “forgiveness” after wrongly assuming your readership was capable of civil debate is not only “backtracking,” it’s an act of cowardice.
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* AP…
Republican Sen. Mark Kirk says he won’t endorse any candidate in Illinois’ GOP gubernatorial primary.
However, Kirk gave some advice. He contends the only way Republicans will take control of the governor’s mansion is to be moderate on social issues.
Kirk said that includes accepting same-sex marriage is legal in Illinois.
One of Sen. Kirk’s top campaign advisers is now working for Bruce Rauner. Kirk didn’t officially bless that move off his payroll and onto Rauner’s, but he didn’t try to stop it, either.
Beyond that, though, this is a clear warning to all four candidates that they need to reject any suggestions to repeal the soon-to-be gay marriage law.
The bill isn’t a law yet and Rauner has spread around a whole lot of money, so the hard right hasn’t yet made this demand of the candidates.
*** UPDATE *** I missed this quote from Treasurer Dan Rutherford…
And, asked about same-sex marriage, which he opposes, Rutherford says if elected, he would uphold the law rather than try to repeal it.
* Related…
* In first speech since stroke, Sen. Mark Kirk advocates for LGBT anti-bias bill
* Catholics urge Cardinal George to excommunicate Illinois Governor
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Unclear on the concept
Tuesday, Nov 12, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* OK, how could this even remotely be described as a “campaign effort” when the governor’s new running mate wasn’t in the country and Quinn refused to answer any questions about him?…
Gov. Pat Quinn flew around the state Monday to talk up the latest Illinois Lottery ticket benefiting veterans, a move he said was intended to honor those who serve but one that also illustrates the benefits of incumbency as he runs for re-election.
The Democratic governor began the day at a veterans home in Chicago’s Humboldt Park neighborhood and traveled downstate for stops in Peoria, Milan near the Quad Cities and Rockford. While the focus was pitching the scratch-off tickets, the taxpayer-funded events also get Quinn in front of the cameras and voters just days after he named former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas as his running mate.
The two have yet to appear together in public, and Quinn refused to answer questions Monday about the Vallas pick. The duo is scheduled to make its debut Tuesday at a Loop hotel. The governor also scoffed at suggestions that his tour of the state doubled as a campaign effort, saying he’s held events to promote the veterans lottery ticket for 10 years. […]
While Quinn does normally mark Veterans Day by promoting various veterans programs, it’s unusual for him to travel the state to do so. [Emphasis added.]
* The Tribune wasn’t the only outlet with questions about this fly-around. Listen to the Q&A…
* But here’s just one example from recent history, November 11, 2011…
Governor Pat Quinn celebrated Veterans Day by honoring Illinois Veterans and servicemembers at four memorial ceremonies across the state. Governor Quinn unveiled the Portrait of Soldier Memorial exhibit at Loyola University’s Water Tower Campus and in Moline. He also attended the City of Chicago Veterans Day event and the dedication of the Fallen Soldiers Tree Memorial at Illini State Park in Marsellies.
Long before he was lieutenant governor, when he quietly, without any fanfare whatsoever attended funeral services for Illinois’ fallen soldiers, veterans have held a special place in Quinn’s heart. Say what you want about the guy, but that was no campaign event yesterday. If it was, Vallas would’ve been with him and/or Quinn would’ve at least answered questions about the guy. He didn’t.
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The biggest loser
Tuesday, Nov 12, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* My weekly syndicated newspaper column…
Perhaps the biggest loser in last Tuesday’s historic passage of a gay marriage bill in the Legislature was the National Organization for Marriage.
The group, based in Washington, D.C., has been at the forefront of attempts to stop gay marriage in states throughout the country. A Maine investigation uncovered alleged internal documents about the group’s strategy that included this passage:
“The strategic goal of this project is to drive a wedge between gays and blacks — two key Democratic constituencies. Find, equip, energize and connect African-American spokespeople for marriage, develop a media campaign around their objections to gay marriage as a civil right, provoke the gay marriage base into responding by denouncing these spokesmen and women as bigots. No politician wants to take up and push an issue that splits the base of the party.”
The National Organization for Marriage tried all that in Illinois — spending tens of thousands of dollars on politically connected consultants and robocalls into black legislative districts in the spring, summer and right up until the day of the vote and holding media-friendly events in the black community. The gay marriage bill wasn’t called for a vote last spring mainly because black House members were overwhelmed by fervent local opposition.
In the end, the National Organization for Marriage lost badly. Fourteen of 20 Democratic members of the House Black Caucus voted “yes” on the bill, while just four voted “no” (Monique Davis, Mary Flowers, Eddie Lee Jackson and Chuck Jefferson) and two voted “present” (Rita Mayfield and Derrick Smith).
Ironically enough, other than gay marriage supporters, those who probably cheered the loudest after the bill’s passage may have been the four Republican gubernatorial candidates. They’ve been hoping this controversial issue would be safely put away, allowing them to move on to their agendas.
They may be right. These things do tend to fade away once a bill is passed. The big talk last week in Congress was about a bill to prohibit employment discrimination against gay people. Illinois has had that law on its books for years.
Despite much screaming by opponents that the end of the word was surely near, everybody just accepted that law and moved on without incident.
But people don’t always move on. Social conservatives could try to stir up a backlash by demanding that the Republican candidates pledge to repeal the marriage measure.
Three of the four candidates are on record opposing gay marriage. The fourth, Bruce Rauner, said he would only sign a gay marriage bill into law if the public had first voted to approve it via a non-binding referendum. It obviously wasn’t done that way, so Rauner could be forced to answer some touchy questions.
State Rep. Tom Cross, R-Oswego, a candidate for state treasurer, is undoubtedly hoping that the issue fades quickly, at least in the runup to the March primary election. Cross voted “yes,” even though a spokesman recently told the Chicago Sun-Times that he opposed the gay marriage bill. But it’s been known for weeks that Cross was struggling with the issue, both on philosophical and political levels.
Cross has a Republican primary opponent, the socially conservative DuPage County Auditor Bob Grogan. Grogan hasn’t been much of a campaigner to date, raising little money and garnering few major supporters, and says he’s not interested in Cross’ vote. But some anti-gay marriage forces are, and that could cause Cross problems.
The immediate fear among Cross’ allies is that his gay marriage vote could spark more interest among, and money from, the far right to defeat him. Cross has done a good job so far of rounding up traditional GOP supporters, however, so the calculation was that his favorable vote won’t be fatal in the primary.
His vote last week will, however, take an issue away from Cross’ Democratic rival, state Sen. Michael Frerichs, of Champaign. Cross clearly took the long view, and that could come with significant benefits — including campaign contributions from gay marriage supporters and the ability to paint himself as a moderate and “modern” Republican in the November 2014 election.
And speaking of Republicans, unlike in the Senate, where the lone Republican “yes” vote was more symbolic than essential to the outcome, the three House Republicans who voted for the bill helped provide the margin of victory. Without those votes, the going would’ve been a whole lot tougher.
Discuss.
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Vallas react
Saturday, Nov 9, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
[Comments now open.]
* Paul Vallas’ residency issue is looked at by the Tribune…
Jack Dorgan, the state Republican chairman, said the GOP will review whether a residency issue exists for Vallas in the normal course of checking petitions. “Obviously it’s an issue with someone who hasn’t lived in the state for a long time,” he said.
Burt Odelson, a veteran election-law attorney who represents the Quinn campaign, said Vallas has significantly more ways to prove he did not give up his Illinois residency than did Rahm Emanuel, who in his successful bid for Chicago mayor survived a residency challenge.
* Professional opinion reaction to Gov. Pat Quinn’s choice of Vallas as a running mate…
* Rich Miller Sun-Times: Vallas won’t just be second fiddle to Quinn …
And while the four Republican candidates for governor mostly settled on unknowns with little political experience but plenty of “diversity” (an Asian-American man and three women, one of whom is a Latina and one with an Hispanic surname), Quinn set aside demographic and immediate political considerations and chose someone who clearly is up to the task of taking the reins of government if something should happen to him. And shouldn’t that be a governor’s first consideration?
But Vallas’ stature and experience come with a very steep price. Vallas is a forceful, polarizing public figure. He’s supremely charming but temperamental to the point of being obnoxious and always confident he’s the smartest guy in the room.
Simon sat quietly in the back seat while Quinn drove the car, jumping out the door when it suited her purposes but silently and politely.
If the past is any guide, Vallas constantly will be leaning over the front seat trying to yank the steering wheel out of Quinn’s hands. Vallas could wind up hurting Quinn, both in the campaign and after the governing resumes.
I don’t see how Quinn is going to keep Vallas on a short leash when nobody has ever managed to do such a thing before in his life.
* Carol Marin: Vallas is a gutsy choice by Quinn…
The governor made a bold and ballsy choice by picking Paul Vallas as his lieutenant governor running mate for 2014. And nobody knows that better than Illinois Republicans.
Like, for instance, GOP candidate Bruce Rauner who, according to a highly informed source, considered recruiting Vallas to be his lieutenant governor. And sought Vallas’ endorsement. […]
[But] Vallas has never played a very good second banana.
* John Kass: Vallas is no second banana…
What surprises me is that Rauner didn’t get Vallas on his side. Vallas had soured on the Democrats after the 2002 campaign, and even considered running as a Republican for the Cook County Board. The two of them — with their knowledge of budgets and finance — would have been formidable. […]
“Yes, Paul has a big personality,” said a source close to Quinn. “We all know that. But Gov. Quinn has a big personality too. They both have their hearts out there. No question there are going to be bumps in the road along the way. But the bottom line is that they get results, and they’re a great team.”
Well, they’re a great lineup for now. Whether they’re a great team won’t be determined until later in the campaign, after they’ve held joint news conferences and shared microphones. It’s a long time until March.
* Chicago Tribune editorial board: Quinn-Vallas ticket: This just got interesting…
This was a gutsy call for Quinn, who was immediately rapped for his choice by the Chicago Teachers Union.
Count us among those who very much like Vallas’ style and substance. He’s impatient with bloated, lethargic bureaucracy. You have to wonder how different things would be had Vallas won the 2002 Democratic primary for governor instead of Rod Blagojevich. Vallas would not have gone along quietly as the General Assembly built its dynasty of debt. […]
[But] It’s difficult to envision Vallas as second-in-command of anything. The lieutenant governor is usually grateful for scraps thrown by the governor, and there are usually few of them.
* From a CTU press release…
Statement by Chicago Teachers Union President Karen GJ Lewis, NBCT on the selection of Paul Vallas as Governor Quinn’s running mate:
“The Chicago Teachers Union has supported Governor Quinn in the past because of his commitment to grassroots organizing, publicly funded public education, and collective bargaining. For these reasons we are concerned about his choice of Paul Vallas as a running mate. His choice takes us in the wrong direction for public education in Chicago and Illinois.
“While he was CEO of the Chicago Public Schools, Vallas pioneered the corporate driven education model in our city. His policies continue to devastate our schools system, which recently suffered 50 school closures, deep, and painful school budget cuts, and the loss of thousands of experienced school staff are key tenets of the Vallas model.
“Vallas ushered in an era of massive expansion of standardized testing; the privatization of public schools through outsourcing and charter school expansion; and the devastating policy of school turnarounds, which resulted in the firing of scores of black and veteran teachers.
“In a 2010 interview with John Merrow on PBS, Paul Vallas appallingly stated that he did not see any downside to charter school proliferation, believed that there was not enough faculty turnover in education, and did not see a need for collective bargaining.
“Just this week in Bridgeport, CT, the school board election results were viewed as a referendum on Vallas’ tenure as an unaccredited district administrator.
“In consideration of this list of concerns, we hope that Vallas will move to support proposals for an elected representative school board in Chicago, and also denounce privatization schemes that have done nothing to increase academic achievement or address the needs of students who need the most in Chicago, Philadelphia, and New Orleans.”
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* Thursday was Illinois Retail Merchants Association CEO David Vite’s last day as a Springfield lobster. His friends threw him a swell party, which included a roast by the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association’s Greg Baise.
Baise exceeded all expectations. His Vite roast was based on the “Most interesting man in the world” TV ad campaign. My favorite line…
“He knows exactly where Mike McClain is looking.”
Anyone who has ever seen Mike McClain’s, um, off-kilter eye will understand that joke. They may not laugh, but they’ll get it.
McClain chuckled, nodded and scanned the room, so everyone wondered whether he was looking at them or somebody ten feet away.
* Anyway, this is supposed to be about Vite, not McClain. Dave spoke at the end of the evening, thanked everyone for coming, and referenced this song…
What a long, strange trip it’s been
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Some upset, some not
Friday, Nov 8, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* For months, the common belief was that Gov. Pat Quinn was going to pick a black running mate. That didn’t happen, of course, and now at least some African-American politicians are expressing frustration. The Sun-Times interviewed several, but here are two…
“He just blew it,” [Ald. Carrie Austin ] said.
“Kwame Raoul, Will Burns, Stephanie Neely. What happened to those individuals on your short-list that you would erase them off the list completely and go totally to another individual. We should have had some kind of forewarning that this is another individual on the short list that I have been talking with. But, to say nothing?…I’m upset with my governor now. . . .I can speak for [Ward] 34 and it ain’t lookin’ good.”
Austin said it’s entirely possible that, without a Democratic challenger, Quinn is taking the African-American vote for granted and appealing to a broader constituency by choosing Vallas. […]
“All of us are scratching our heads from a political standpoint. We were under the impression he was pursuing a Stephanie Neely, a prominent black businesswoman, maybe a Jehon Gordon, someone who’s very current with people right now in general,” said [Rep. Ken Dunkin], head of the Joint Legislative Black Caucus.
“With Paul Vallas, the only people who remember him are people like you and myself,” Dunkin said in an interview with the Sun-Times. “I think it would have boded well for [Quinn] to have cut across generational lines and ethnic lines.
Dunkin said Quinn is highly regarded by black voters and that perhaps in Vallas, the governor was looking for someone who would bolster his showing in the collar counties. But Vallas’ disadvantage is having been absent from Illinois’ political landscape for so long, he said.
* But not all black politicos are upset. Ald. Walter Burnett…
“Some elected African-American officials are going to be disappointed, but I think Paul Vallas was sensitive to our community when he was over at the Board of Education — making sure kids get eyeglasses, making sure they get a good education, building schools, making schools safer. He showed that he really cared. And he did not only here in Chicago, he did it all over the country. He predominantly worked for African American causes. . . . Overall I think it’s a plus.”
Burnett said he could understand the disappointment of many colleagues in Quinn’s failure to pick an African-American candidate.
“We were expecting it, and it was being entertained, so we thought it was going to happen,” Burnett said. “But Paul Vallas is not a bad choice. He comes out of left field, but Paul Vallas showed his commitment to the African-American community a long time ago. He worked for the schools. . . . His heart is in the right place. But I think it is smart of the governor to get somebody who has a fiscal management brain, like Paul Vallas. Paul Vallas balanced many budgets with the city of Chicago. So I think it’s a good choice.”
Burnett also suggested Vallas was picked as a way to counter Republican claims that Quinn was not up to the fiscal management of the state. “I think he just check-mated them on that, because I don’t think you can get anyone who is more of a fiscal manager than a Paul Vallas. So I think he just check-mated the Republicans.”
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SEIU immigration ad targets Rodney Davis
Friday, Nov 8, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* CNN…
A new union-backed ad buy will look to drum up support for passing comprehensive immigration reform in the House of Representatives by targeting vulnerable chamber Republicans, according to a statement.
The Service Employees International Union said Thursday they are spending more than $500,000 on attack ads targeting seven House Republicans who face tough re-elections next year, and House Speaker John Boehner. SEIU has already spent more than $2.5 million promoting immigration reform and a pathway to citizenship, the group said.
According to the statement, the 30 seconds ads will target Boehner in the Washington, D.C. market while going after Reps. Gary Miller of California, Joe Heck of Nevada, Mike Coffman of Colorado, Rodney Davis of Illinois, David Joyce of Ohio, John Kline of Minnesota and Michael Grimm of New York in their home districts. [Emphasis added.]
* Rate the SEIU ad…
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Quinn, Black Caucus derail gun penalty bill
Friday, Nov 8, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Yesterday morning started off on a note of unity…
[Rep. Mike Zalewski] spent much of his Wednesday working to get support from people who are in favor of gun rights, including Rep. Brandon Phelps, the man behind concealed carry legislation, and Todd Vandermyde of the NRA.
They were worried the bill could send lawful gun owners to prison for making a simple mistake, so they got rid of the parts of the bill dealing with first-time offenders.
“It just shows when you sit down and find out people’s bottom line, you can get a lot of stuff done here,” said Phelps.
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel was a major force behind the bill and the negotiations.
“He’s the first mayor, since I’ve been here, who’s ever reached out,” said Phelps. “And it’s nice to know you have somebody like that, in Chicago.”
* But things quickly deteriorated…
Within an hour, his legislation is up in the House. Zalewski runs through the routine things you have to do to start debate. Then, suddenly, Speaker of the House Mike Madigan hits the breaks.
“The clerk advises there are outstanding notes on the bill, so the bill shall be taken out of the record,” Madigan says.
Two seconds pass. “The chair is prepared to adjourn,” Madigan says, and he does.
The reaction among the sponsors can best be described as “You’ve got to be kidding.”
One minute, they’re about to debate the mayor’s gun bill. The next, Speaker Madigan points out some paperwork is missing, then abruptly adjourns the last scheduled session day of the year.
Herein lies the intrigue.
The “notes” the speaker referred to are requests for information that can only be provided by the administration of Gov. Pat Quinn. Things like how much the new, longer prison sentences would cost the Department of Corrections.
* The notes were filed by Rep. Ken Dunkin…
African-American lawmakers in the Illinois House used a procedural measure to delay the proposed legislation. The bill to set higher mandatory minimum sentences for illegal gun possession was stopped cold after a rarely used parliamentary move by the Black Caucus chairman.
“It was not a parliamentary trick. It was a parliamentary procedure that we have in the Illinois House rulebook,” said State Rep. Ken Dunkin, (D) Chicago.
Dunkin complained that sponsor Mike Zalewski had not answered all the questions raised during Wednesday’s committee hearing.
“I don’t understand why one member has the right to dictate to the other members that this isn’t a good public policy,” said Zalewski, (D) Riverside.
* Rep. Dunkin and other members of the Black Caucus want some more state programs…
“We want a bill that has a comprehensive approach toward dealing with getting bad guys off the street. We want that 100 percent,” Dunkin said. “The challenge with this bill still is there are collateral damages that will impact innocent people, potentially.”
The legislation’s prospects now appear fuzzy since lawmakers are not scheduled to return to the Capitol until Jan. 29 for the start of the spring session, though they could return earlier in the event of a pension breakthrough.
“We do enhancements down here every single year, and they fly out of the chamber,” Zalewski told reporters Thursday morning while acknowledging opposition from black lawmakers before the aborted vote.
“And all of a sudden, the one time we’re going to do enhancements for gun offenses, that’s the straw that’s going to break the camel’s back?” he asked.
* More…
The quick adjournment avoided a potentially fiery debate pitting African-American and Latino legislators against largely white Chicago-area and Downstate lawmakers, which would have put on display philosophical fissures among Democrats. It would have been the second time this week, following approval of gay marriage, that black lawmakers would have been asked to support a high-profile bill opposed by some of their constituents.
“Today was a day that we wanted to make sure that the sponsor and the mayor of Chicago (are) aware that we have a real problem” with this gun legislation, said Dunkin, who said crime fighting should not be done in a “piecemeal way.”
By blocking the legislation, the lawmakers aligned themselves on the issue with a re-election seeking Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn rather than Emanuel. Quinn has sought more money for programs to rehabilitate first offenders and re-entry programs for inmates.
Emanuel, who had billed the legislation as a way to help crack down on gun violence that continues to plague city streets, decried what he called “political stunts” to derail it.
* As I told you yesterday, Gov. Quinn had his liaisons working against the bill yesterday morning. Those weren’t the only Quinn fingerprints, however…
Often, the administration responds to requests for notes on legislation within an hour, although state law allows five days for a response.
The Department of Corrections is responsible for the notes covering the cost and impact on prison population. Zalewski’s legislation was changed Wednesday afternoon and Corrections spokesman Tom Shaer said each change requires careful analysis.
But Zalewski pointed out that for weeks, the agency has been able to quickly respond with inmate and cost projections based on differing versions of his bill. Corrections has opposed the measure, saying it would cost $700 million extra over a decade.
No way did Quinn want that bill on his desk. No way.
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A quick moment of Zen
Friday, Nov 8, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Believe it or not, we have stuff to talk about today other than the Paul Vallas pick. But I thought we might need an interlude before we proceed. And what better interlude could we possibly have than an Oscar the Puppy video?
* The quick setup is that I was sweeping leaves off the patio last weekend and Oscar wasn’t quite sure what the heck was going on, but he sure was interested. Have a look-see…
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[Bumped up and subscriber protection removed because the story is getting out.]
* 10:01 am - Gov. Quinn is calling around telling people that he has picked Paul Vallas as his running mate.
Completely unexpected.
Stay tuned.
*** UPDATE 1 *** * 10:22 am - Vallas has been running school districts around the country for the past several years, facing controversy pretty much everywhere. But he is registered to vote in Palos Heights, where he voted requested a Republican absentee ballot in the 2010 primary, but did not return it, according to his voter file the Cook County Clerk’s office. He took a Democratic ballot in the 2012 primary from the same address.
*** UPDATE 2 *** Click here to read a story from earlier this week which illustrates the controversy this guy has caused. The CTU is not gonna like this choice, to say the least.
*** UPDATE 3 *** Quinn has quite often been about the past. The choice of Sheila Simon was as much or more about her late father’s last name than about her. He surrounds himself with trusted old friends from the treasurer’s office, the Walker administration, etc. Vallas hasn’t been involved in Illinois politics for years, although he did consider running as a Republican in 2010.
*** UPDATE 4 *** I’m assuming that the governor took a good long look at case histories regarding residency requirements. I doubt he’d want to get caught up in a long, drawn-out suit over this.
…Adding… I’ve turned comments on in case you’d like to talk about this totally unexpected development.
* Vallas pretty much beat himself in the 2002 Democratic gubernatorial primary. He had a fear of flying (from a near death experience) that kept him from campaigning, he blew a ton of money on consultants who didn’t perform, and he didn’t raise enough cash.
But he has very strong interpersonal skills. He can blow you away one on one. We’ll see what happens next.
*** UPDATE 5 *** Greg Hinz…
The surprise development first was reported by Capital Fax in a subscribers-only alert a few minutes ago, but is being confirmed by Dean Vallas, Paul Vallas’ brother and longtime top political aide.
“It is true. He’s going to do it,” Dan Vallas told me in a cell-phone call. “It’s a great opportunity, particularly if that position is going to be remade. . . .Paul’s all about service.”
Quinn aides did not immediately return calls.
Mr. Vallas is respected as a tight fiscal manager and would bring some credibility to Mr. Quinn on that count.
As I told subscribers in a special edition, I talked to potential picks who’d been called this morning by the governor himself.
*** UPDATE 6 *** From the governor’s campaign…
Governor Pat Quinn Names Running Mate
for 2014 Campaign
Announces Paul Vallas as Democratic Candidate for Lieutenant Governor
CHICAGO – Governor Pat Quinn today named Paul Vallas as his running mate in the 2014 election. A longtime reformer and nationally renowned fiscal and education expert, Vallas will serve as the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor.
“I’ve known Paul Vallas for 30 years and he’s never been shy about fighting for education, reform and opportunities for working people,” Governor Quinn said. “We have made great progress these last few years, but serious challenges remain and our mission is not yet accomplished. Paul is an independent problem solver with a proven record of reform. He will be a strong Lt. Governor for the common good.”
“I am honored to join forces with the strongest reform governor in the country,” Paul Vallas said. “Since taking the oath of office, Governor Pat Quinn has rescued the state of Illinois from the verge of fiscal and ethical disaster following decades of bipartisan corruption. This governor has been getting big things done since he got here. Unlike his predecessors, Governor Quinn tackled the hard issues and has made the right decisions to get Illinois back on track.”
“Together we will fight every day for working families and deliver the reform and change that Illinois deserves,” said Vallas.
Nationally known for his success in improving some of America’s most troubled school systems, Paul Vallas enters the campaign following nearly two years of service in Connecticut’s largest city as Superintendent of the Bridgeport Public Schools. During his tenure, he eliminated a $12 million dollar budget deficit without closing a single school or laying off a single teacher. He instituted major reforms, modernized the curriculum and put laptops and Smart boards in every high school classroom.
Prior to that he served as Superintendent of the Recovery School District in New Orleans where he was instrumental in rebuilding the school district from scratch after Hurricane Katrina. Vallas raised test scores in New Orleans every year, significantly reduced the percentage of schools failing to meet state performance standards and eliminated reliance on FEMA restart dollars.
Vallas also oversaw the School District of Philadelphia for six years, overhauling the district’s curriculum, dramatically raising reading and math scores and eliminating the district’s massive budget deficit.
As the CEO of Chicago Public Schools (CPS) for six years, he consistently raised test scores, launched the largest school construction program in CPS history, balanced six consecutive budgets which led to multiple bond rating upgrades, and left the school district with a $330 million surplus after inheriting a massive budget deficit. A suburban Chicago native, Vallas also ran in the Democratic primary for governor in 2002, narrowly losing by 25,000 votes.
When Governor Quinn took office, Illinois was suffering from decades of fiscal mismanagement and corruption, in addition to the worst recession since the Great Depression. Since then, he enacted tough, new ethics laws; landmark education reform; and the largest capital construction program in state history, which is supporting more than 400,000 jobs updating our roads, schools and bridges. The governor also led historic budget reforms, including reducing discretionary spending to historic lows, enacting pension reform for new employees and restructuring the Medicaid program to save the state billions of dollars.
A champion for everyday people, Governor Quinn has always put working families first as he continues to fight to move Illinois forward.
*** UPDATE 7 *** The react begins…
*** UPDATE 8 *** I just talked with Rupert Borgsmiller, who chairs the Illinois State Board of Elections.
I asked the chairman what could happen if somehow Vallas was kicked off the ballot due to a residency challenge. Would that “infect” Quinn’s legal viability as a candidate since state law requires them to run together?
Borgsmiller checked with his top lawyer and got back to me. Since this is a new law, he said, “There’s no way to determine an outcome of a scenario (like that).”
So, it’d be up to the courts.
However, Vallas has been voting at an Illinois residence for many years, and the failed challenge to Mayor Emanuel’s residency was probably stronger than this would be, so I really doubt this’ll be an issue once the dust clears.
*** UPDATE 9 *** There is one thing that Vallas brings to the table that the other LG choices do not: Executive experience. Quinn, more than any of his likely GOP opponents, can point to his choice as someone who could step up and run the government.
Also, Vallas’ previous statewide experience will be crucial. This is a very big state, man, and Vallas has already done that gig.
*** UPDATE 10 *** Vallas may have needed another job soon anyway. From the Hartford, CT Courant..
Vallas said at the time he was appointed that he expected it would take him about a year to turn Bridgeport around, but the city — thought a fraction of the size of the other districts where Vallas has worked — has proven a substantial challenge.
The school board that appointed Vallas was eventually ousted as a result of a state Supreme Court ruling and recently a new board was elected that is heavy on Vallas critics.
Vallas’ qualifications for the position have also been called into question by critics who say a University of Connecticut academic program did not provide the credentials he needs.
About six months ago, Vallas told the Courant that he planned to stay in Bridgeport “until I feel we have reached the point where we can safely say these reforms have been institutionalized.”
*** UPDATE 11 *** From the Illinois Radio Network…
Gov. Pat Quinn has selected Paul Vallas, who ran for governor in 2002 and lost in the Democratic primary. Vallas has talked about giving politics a try again on several occasions, and four years ago, he told host Jeff Berkowitz on the Public Affairs cable TV show that he’s now a Republican.
VALLAS: “I would take a Republican primary ballot.”
BERKOWITZ: “Do you think of yourself as a Republican?”
VALLAS: “I’m more of a Republican than a Democrat.”
BERKOWITZ: “If you run again for office you’d be running as a Republican?”
VALLAS: “I would, yes, yes.”
*** UPDATE 12 *** From the Rauner campaign…
Mike Schrimpf, communications director for Bruce Rauner’s gubernatorial campaign, issued the following statement regarding Pat Quinn’s lieutenant governor selection:
“Picking Paul Vallas confirms that Pat Quinn is running scared. Quinn understands that Bruce Rauner has a proven record on school reform and is the only candidate who will shake up the status quo in Springfield. Unfortunately for Quinn, no lieutenant governor candidate can cover up his record of skyrocketing unemployment, higher taxes and failing schools.”
*** UPDATE 13 *** Dillard…
Republican candidate for Governor Kirk Dillard issued the following statement regarding Gov. Quinn’s choice of former Chicago Schools CEO Paul Vallas for Lt. Governor.
“While I’m focused on winning the GOP Primary, clearly this is an all City Hall/Chicago ticket. Paul Vallas — like Pat Quinn — is a big spender. In a Kirk Dillard and Jil Tracy ticket, the collar counties and downstate will be represented too.”
*** UPDATE 14 *** Secretary of State Jesse White…
I applaud Gov. Pat Quinn for selecting Paul Vallas as his candidate for Lt. Governor. Paul has a proven track record of not only protecting our kids and ensuring that they have the opportunities to succeed in life, but also protecting our tax dollars. Paul’s budget and education experiences make him an outstanding choice and I am confident that he will be an outstanding Lt. Governor.
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* From a fundraising e-mail…
For Immediate Release:
Contact: Paul Caprio
Thursday, November 7, 2013
(Chicago) In the aftermath of the narrow (two vote margin) passage of legalized same sex marriage by the Illinois House on Tuesday, Family-Pac announced that it will oppose two legislators who broke pledges to oppose the bill. Ron Sandack (R - Downers Grove) and Tom Cross (R. Plainfield).
Said Paul Caprio, Director, “These two members broke their pledges not only to pro-family groups but to their own constituents. They have demonstrated a fundamental lack of integrity which should be of importance to all Illinois Republicans.”
Please consider a donation to Family-Pac today by going to our website (www.family-pac.com). Your support of $25, $50, $100, $250, $500, or $1000 will help us begin winning campaigns against these traitors.
Family-Pac has already begun the campaign against Sandack last night to tell 11,900 GOP households in his district of his vote in favor of same sex marriage in an automated call.
* Meanwhile, Rep. Cross’ Republican primary opponent in the state treasurer’s race is refusing to take any shots, while his likely Democratic opponent is trying to make hay out of relatively nothing…
Grogan opposes same-sex marriage, but he didn’t take any swings at Cross. “I’m running for treasurer, and treasurer doesn’t have a lot to do with that topic,” Grogan said. “How Tom Cross votes on it is not relevant to me.”
State Sen. Mike Frerichs of Champaign, the Democrat in the race for treasurer, has tried to seize on the issue, criticizing Cross for not publicly backing same-sex marriage before the vote Tuesday.
Grogan’s silence means this will be a non-issue for Cross in the primary campaign, other than outside groups like Caprio’s. That’s a big plus for Cross.
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Rate Rauner’s new video
Friday, Nov 8, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Ormsby…
Republican Bruce Rauner’s gubernatorial campaign released yesterday a new web video attacking Governor Pat Quinn for the failure of the legislature to act pension reform during the just concluded Veto Session in Springfield.
“Illinois’ pension crisis has been building for two decades because the career politicians refuse to fundamentally transform the pension system,” said Rauner in a statement.
“It’s time to move towards a 401(k)-style program, similar to what most workers have in the private sector, and refuse to make any more special deals with government union bosses,” said the long-time Republican insider.
* The Internet video is called “Detroit.” From the script…
Detroit just declared bankruptcy.
And if we don’t change direction, Illinois is next.
The highest unemployment in the Midwest. The worst credit rating in America. And 100 billion in public pension debt.
The question is what to do.
Pat Quinn won’t change direction. Higher taxes, record spending, more Springfield failures.
It’s time for fundamental change in Illinois. It’s time for a leader with the guts to deliver.
Bruce Rauner for governor. Shake up Springfield. Bring back Illinois.
* Rate it…
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Caption contest!
Friday, Nov 8, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Rep. Mike Zalewski recently discussed the mayor’s gun possession penalty increase bill with the media…
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